Brain Scanning Device
Summary
The Ancients created the Brain Scanning Device, which was discovered being used in conjunction with the DNA Manipulation Device found on P3X-584 where Anubis had created a human-Goa'uld hybrid named Khalek. Major Altman of SG-5 successfully interfaced the device with the SGC's computers so that its output could to be displayed, recorded, and simulated. (9.09 "Prototype", 9.10 "The Fourth Horseman Part 1")
Stargate References
Discovery of the Device
SG-1 and SG-5 found an underground lab used by Anubis to create a human-Goa'uld hybrid named Khalek on the planet P3X-584. Using an Ancient DNA Manipulation Device, Anubis was advancing Khalek's evolution in an eight-step program toward ascension, the shedding of the physical body to live as a form of intelligent energy. Anubis himself was an Ascended Being, but his activities among The Others who also occupied that higher plane of existence were monitored and limited. Apparently, Anubis wished to develop a more advanced soldier than his Kull Warriors and take the next step by having an army join him on the ascended planes, threatening not only that plane, but the lower planes as well. When the teams discovered Khalek, he had only had five treatments in the DNA Manipulation Device, so was not yet at the stage where he could wilfully ascend. According to Anubis's lab notes, Khalek would need to have somewhere between eighty and ninety percent coverage of brain function in order to ascend. This percentage was measured by the Brain Scanning Device which was attached to the DNA Manipulation Device, and was discovered by Major Altman of SG-5 to be a self-contained unit. (9.09 "Prototype")
Major Altman took the unit to the SGC and developed an interface with the SGC's computers so that the output of the device could be viewed graphically and recorded. The output was updated in real time, giving the observers a chance to correlate Khalek's actions with the brain regions being used. Even though the output was in Ancient, the graphical output was easily read by those not familiar with the language. When activated, the Device's four green laser sensors light up. (9.09 "Prototype")
Uses of the Device
Because they were monitoring Khalek's brain's evolution to achieve ascension, Lt. Col. Cameron Mitchell gave the Device the name "Ascend-o-Meter". Khalek's physiology was similar to the Ancients and to the Priors of the Ori, so the study of his brain functions in order to counteract the Priors was a top priority. Khalek reached a plateau at roughly eighty percent at the time of his death, but Dr. Lee succeeded in developing an Anti-Prior Device which blocked the use of the advanced brain functions of a Prior through the emitting of certain sonic frequencies. He accomplished this by simulating the advanced human's brain functions and combining that with known research on the affects of auditory stimulation on the regions of the brain. The device was used successfully in the field, but its effects were temporary. Even with temporary effects, a Prior could be overcome and killed during his time of impotence, and the Anti-Prior Device was offered to other worlds which were visited by Priors. (9.10 "The Fourth Horseman Part 1", 9.11 "The Fourth Horseman Part 2", 9.15 "Ethon")
When the Ascended Being Orlin retook human form, he came back as a 12-year-old boy so that he could retain his ascended knowledge longer since the human brain is not configured to hold as much information as that of the highly-evolved Ancients. Orlin endeavored to develop a vaccine to the Prior Plague, a rapidly-mutating virus that was given to human populations through a Prior's touch. Orlin worked on the formula to the point of exhaustion, so Carter had him report to the infirmary for rest and an exam. Dr. Carolyn Lam used the Brain Scanning Device on Orlin and interpreted the results of viewing his synaptic interaction. Unfortunately, the output showed that Orlin's brain was literally burning out with his effort to retain the Ancient knowledge. Eventually, Orlin did succeed in creating the formula, but the cost was his memories. He was sent to a mental care facility on Earth, unaware of his own history and of the people who had once been special to him. (9.10 "The Fourth Horseman Part 1", 9.11 "The Fourth Horseman Part 2")
Several scientists on Atlantis were attempting to shut down unnecessary portions of the city in order to preserve the power from their single Zero Point Module (ZPM). They discovered a lab with a device which the Ancients had built to alter one's DNA toward ascension. Dr. Rodney McKay accidently activated the device before its purpose was discovered, and at first, didn't feel any negative side effects. Soon, however, he was starting to demonstrate the advanced powers of an Ancient and of Khalek, including telekinesis, telepathy, heightened hearing, and healing powers. McKay had the "ascend-o-meter" shipped from the SGC to Atlantis so that he could determine how much of his brain he was using. According to McKay, a person needed to use ninety-six percent of his brain's functionality, as well as reduce his EEG frequency to 0.1 to 0.9 hertz, in order to achieve ascension. Dr. Carson Beckett monitored the output of the Scanning Device, this time the display being in English. (SGA 3.14 "Tao of Rodney")
The device McKay had stepped into was basically an accelerator, but it had negative side effects even on the Ancients themselves. According to the research left in the Ancient Database, the results of the use of the device was "wildly unpredictable", making it a major risk to modern humans. Because of this, Dr. Weir and Dr. McKay agreed that it could not be used by anyone on the Expedition, even though it produced super-human properties that could have been used to advance humanity. (SGA 3.14 "Tao of Rodney")
Episodes
- 9.09 "Prototype"
- 9.10 "The Fourth Horseman Part 1"
- 9.11 "The Fourth Horseman Part 2"
- 9.15 "Ethon"
- SGA 3.14 "Tao Of Rodney"
Gallery
Related Characters
- Lt. Col. Samantha Carter
- Lt. Col. Cameron Mitchell
- Maj. Altman
- Anubis
- Dr. Carson Beckett
- Khalek
- Dr. Bill Lee
- Orlin
- Dr. Elizabeth Weir
Related Articles
- Ancient Database in Atlantis
- Ancients
- Anti-Prior Device
- Ascended Beings
- Atlantis
- Atlantis Expedition
- DNA Manipulation Device
- Kull Warrior
- The Others
- P3X-584
- Prior Plague
- Priors of the Ori
- SG-1
- SG-5
- Zero Point Module (ZPM)
--DeeKayP 09:16, 20 January 2007 (PST)