Distortion field

A distortion field or spatial distortion field was a type of energy field that could be associated with various natural and artificial phenomena.
==Natural examples==
Nervala IV was surrounded by a distortion field that precluded the use of transporters or shuttlecraft. Every eight years, the distortion field re-phased as the planet moved closer to its sun, creating small windows for transporting to or from the surface. In 2361, a massive energy surge in the distortion field that occurred while Lieutenant William T. Riker was beaming to the caused a transporter accident and the creation of a transporter clone of him, Thomas Riker. ()
When the encountered a temporal distortion in 2368, Lieutenant Commander Data reported fluctuations and a buildup of energy in the distortion field just before the emerged. ()
A plasma streamer between two stars in the Igo sector exhibited a distortion field that blocked scanners. The field was inhabited by quasi-energy microbes. ()
A subspace sinkhole in the Delta Quadrant generated a distortion field powerful enough to drag starships into a subspace pocket. In 2375, the field pulled in a shuttlecraft containing Lieutenant Commander Tuvok, Ensign Tom Paris, and The Doctor. The distortion field also bounced back any signals they attempted to send from inside the pocket. ()
==Artificial examples==
The Kerkhovian transport tunnel was surrounded by a distortion field, which produced gravimetric interference that impaired subspace communication. ()
The opening of a Borg transwarp conduit was associated with a subspace distortion field. ()
Force fields used by the Dominion incorporated a spatial distortion field that prevented prisoners from being beamed out. ()
The Nyrian translocator used a polaron burst to create a spatial distortion field around the target just before transport. ()
The emergence of a 29th century Federation timeship from a temporal rift was preceded by fluctuations in the distortion field. ()
===Federation Headquarters===
In the 32nd century, Federation Headquarters was surrounded by a massive distortion field that concealed its location and protected it from direct attack. The field had a mirrored exterior and was generated by the Headquarters' shield emitters, using power supplied by a fleet of starships connected to the space station by energy cables. The field had the characteristics of both a gravity well and a deflector shield. ()
In 3189, Minister Osyraa of the Emerald Chain gained passage through the distortion field via subterfuge after hijacking the . After negotiations between her and Fleet Admiral Charles Vance broke down, the Discovery was trapped inside the field until Osyraa's flagship, the Viridian, blasted a hole with its weaponry. ()
By 3190, following the discovery of a new source of dilithium and the conclusion of hostilities with the Emerald Chain, the Headquarters no longer needed to be hidden by the distortion field. ()
==See also==
* Distortion ring
* Orassin distortion field
Category:Energy fields
Category:Shield technology