Captain Sisko packages the optolythic data rod for Senator Vreenak.
An optolythic data rod was Cardassian technology used to store information and records, including holo-recordings. These data rods were unique in that they were only produced on an as-needed basis, and information could only be inscribed on them once and could not be altered thereafter. As a result, these data rods had a reputation for being a secure way to store sensitive data. They were extraordinarily difficult to obtain, and nearly impossible to counterfeit.
They were long, thin and cylindrical in shape and unlike standard isolinear rods which were a translucent dark amber, optolythic data rods were clear with a light blue tint.
In 2374, Garak, acting under instruction from Captain Benjamin Sisko, managed to obtain an optolythic data rod as part of an elaborate plot to bring the Romulans into the Dominion War. The source demanded 85 liters of bio-mimetic gel, which Sisko wanted to refuse but was persuaded not to since the rod was necessary for the plan's success and obtaining it was "a minor miracle." Sisko and Garak had the forger Grathon Tolar implant a fabricated holo-recording of Dominion officials plotting the invasion of Romulus onto the rod, under threat of rescinding the pardon Sisko had negotiated for Tolar from Chancellor Gowron (who'd previously sentenced the forger to death) and returning Tolar to the Klingon Empire to face execution.
Unfortunately, Romulan Senator Vreenak discovered the data contained on the rod to be a fake, and threatened to expose the deception to the Romulan Sentate. However, Garak had previously sabotaged his shuttle, suspecting the Romulans would see through the forgery, and arranged for the rod to survive intact, albeit damaged, so that when the Tal Shiar examined the debris and found the rod, the imperfections in the forged recording would be dismissed, and it would appear that Vreenak was assassinated to prevent the information from getting back to Romulus. (DS9: "In the Pale Moonlight")
See also[]
External link[]
- Optolythic data rod at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works