ETHOS

ETHOS - Experimental Tactical Holographic Ordinance Staging.

This system was conceived and designed during the civil war as a means of covertly entering into still occupied territory, with the goal of ultimately reinstating a Federation presence from within. It's use at the time was wildly disputed and was seen as a direct contravention of the Treaty of Algeron and the rights assigned to all alligned and non-alligned worlds and systems, given that it allowed a vessel to assume the appearance and electronic signatures of any other vessel it chose to masquerade as, thus giving it undetectable, cloaklike abilities.

The project ran in the 'black' for thirteen months, and although eventually shelved and outlawed by the Galactic Cooperative, it successfully recovered a total of forty two colonies and worlds from Doenitz loyal factions still operating after the fall of the Admirals regime.

Now outlawed entirely, no race or species are allowed to possess ETHOS equipment for use in any way, shape or form. However, regardless of this ruling it is known that at least one vessel is still equiped and in use, it's first use being positively confirmed at Vedea IV whereby an unknown vessel under the guise of a freighter, opened fire on the USS Spectre and assumed it's identity before heading off.