M5 (Star Trek)
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In the fictional Star Trek universe, the M5 is a computer system based on "multitronic" technology. It appeared in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode "The Ultimate Computer".
The M5 was created at the Daystrom Data Concepts company by its chief developer, Dr. Richard Daystrom. It was the fifth prototype for their multitronic technology, a means of reproducing the engrams of a human in a computer. Dr. Daystrom based the M5 upon his own brain.
[edit] History
Daystrom Data Concepts (sometimes called the Daystrom Technological Institute) was founded by computer scientist Dr. Richard Daystrom in the mid-23rd century. Daystrom was notable for his invention of duotronic technology in 2243. This unexplained advance in computing quickly entered use aboard Starfleet vessels and was used until it was replaced by isolinear computers in the early 24th century. The company began working on multitronic technology, which is assumed to be better than duotronic technology.
M5 was the fifth prototype multitonic computer designed by Daystrom. The other four were unsuccessful. The computer was designed to think and react just like a sentient being, but being a machine, it was faster and far more efficient. This type of intelligent, decision-making computer could be used to take control of the helm and weapons of a starship in the event of an emergency. Eventually it would be possible to replace the living crew of a starship with a single M5, and the Federation wouldn't have to risk human lives when dealing with the unknown hazards of space exploration.
[edit] Testing
Starfleet wanted to test the M5 on board a starship to see how it could handle both routine mission scenarios and combat situations. In the 2260s, the M5 was installed in the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) as a testbed, despite misgivings from Captain Kirk. It proceeded to carry out its mission, making nearly the same recommendations Kirk himself admitted he would make, with the exception of leaving Kirk and Dr. McCoy out of a landing party because they were "nonessential personnel."
The next part of the test was a war game against the Constitution class starships Excalibur, Hood, Lexington, and Potemkin. The M5, however, mistook the game for a genuine battle. It became erratic and highly self-protective to the point where it went out of its way to attack an ore freighter. Furthermore, it would not permit itself to be shut off and killed a crew member who tried to disconnect it. The situation worsened during the main war game engagement when M5 fired upon the other four ships with full strength attacks, resulting in the death of some of the Lexington's and all of the Excalibur's crew. Kirk deactivated the computer by pointing out that it had violated its directive to protect human life, and that the penalty for murder was death. At this point the M5 decided it needed to "die" and shut itself off. The multitronic project was shortly thereafter ended.
The M5 also makes a cameo appearance in the Star Trek: The Next Generation novel Immortal Coil.
