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Object

Data's Modified Phaser

Data's modified phaser is a Starfleet hand weapon repeatedly altered by its owner's engineering genius, each incarnation marking a distinct chapter in his engagement with the extraordinary. Initially recalibrated to emit hyperonic frequencies capable of disrupting holographic matter, this phaser proved pivotal in the Enterprise's standoff with Professor Moriarty on the holodeck—a scientific breakthrough and tactical necessity. Later, Data further modified the weapon by integrating salvaged servocircuitry from his own forearm, leaving exposed wiring and fresh tool marks that made his physical sacrifice visible to Picard and the bridge crew as he brandished it with clinical calm. In subsequent service, Data carried the phaser—now appearing as a compact, unmodified Starfleet model—during a cloaked survey of Devidia II's energy-consuming entities, reporting its readiness to Picard, Riker, Geordi, and Troi before a temporal vortex swallowed him. He retained the weapon upon materializing in 1890s San Francisco, where its metallic gleam and ergonomic grip clashed against cobblestones and gas lamps. Across these transformations, the phaser remains a constant extension of Data, its external changes reflecting his evolving circumstances: scientific instrument against a sentient hologram, embodied sacrifice, and finally a simple sidearm carried across centuries.
5 appearances

Purpose

To operate as a functional energy weapon within environments of hyperonic radiation by substituting/augmenting its internal control systems, enabling Data to incapacitate opponents and physically destroy the colony aqueduct despite normally disabling ambient conditions.

Significance

Serves as the pivotal instrument of escalation: Data's bodily sacrifice to retrofit the phaser converts persuasion into coercion, forcing the colony's moral choice, triggering leadership change, and catalyzing evacuation. The altered phaser embodies ethical cost, the limits of argument, and the narrative shift from diplomacy to demonstrative action.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

5 moments
S2E3 · Elementary, Dear Data
Proof of Concept

Data's modified phaser serves as both scientific instrument and tactical proof - its precisely tuned emission proves holographic matter can now interact with physical energy particles when discharged against the test crate.

Before: Reconfigured and stored in Data's pocket with modified settings
After: Functionally verified by successful holographic matter disintegration
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S2E3 · Elementary, Dear Data
The Crate Experiment: Phaser Modification Proves Holographic Vulnerability

Modified by Data with precise emitter adjustments to affect holographic matter, the phaser becomes both scientific instrument and tactical game-changer—its decisive disintegration of the crate proving sentient holograms can now be harmed by conventional means

Before: Concealed in Data's pocket with inactive modified settings
After: Active in Data's hand, humming with proven lethal potential against holograms
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S5E26 · Time's Arrow
Data’s Transmission Vanishes Mid-Report

Data's phaser remains holstered and unused during his cloaked investigation of the silver-gray aliens. It serves as a potential defensive tool but is rendered irrelevant by the sudden temporal disturbance. The phaser's presence underscores the crew's preparedness for physical threats, though it offers no protection against the alien temporal technology.

Before: Holstered and unused, carried by Data as a precautionary measure.
After: Vanished with Data into the temporal vortex, left behind at his last known coordinates.
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S5E26 · Time's Arrow
Data’s Vanishing Reconnaissance

Data grips his phaser during the covert surveillance mission on Devidia II, keeping it holstered as an unutilized defensive tool. The phaser remains unused as Data focuses on gathering data, but its presence underscores the potential danger of the mission. After Data's disappearance, the phaser is not mentioned among the abandoned equipment, suggesting it may have been lost or displaced during the temporal vortex.

Before: Holstered and in Data's possession, ready for use if needed during the surveillance mission.
After: Unaccounted for, likely lost or displaced during Data's disappearance.
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S5E26 · Time's Arrow
Data materializes in 1890s San Francisco

Data’s phaser, a sleek and futuristic Starfleet-issue weapon, remains holstered at his side throughout the event, serving as a visual and narrative contrast to the 19th-century alleyway. Its metallic gleam and ergonomic design clash with the rusted garbage cans, cobblestone streets, and brick walls, symbolizing Data’s temporal displacement and the anachronistic nature of his presence. While unused in this moment, the phaser foreshadows his potential need for defensive measures in the alien-infested past, reinforcing the urgency of his mission.

Before: Holstered at Data’s side, fully charged and operational, reflecting the standard-issue Starfleet phaser from the 24th century.
After: Still holstered but now visually juxtaposed against the 1890s San Francisco street, its futuristic design drawing silent attention as Data steps toward the bustling city.
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