Comments

1. Gary Seven - April 20, 2009

Much ado about nothing. First?

2. AJ - April 20, 2009

As frustrating as it is interesting.

3. Brando - April 20, 2009

huh?

4. Sci-Fi Bri - April 20, 2009

this is a lot more involved than the “simpsonize yourself” promotion for the simpsons movie.

5. Tiberius - April 20, 2009

As Pine said: What Are You Talking About Man?

6. NCC-73515 - April 20, 2009

“The adult weight greatly varies with the weather, and is heavier in May than later in the summer”
(Lack: “The Breeding Biology of the Swift Apus apus”)

7. Dr. X - April 20, 2009

This seems even more complex than the Dark Knight online games. Perhaps they’ll send out prizes like the TDK phones, cakes, etc.

8. cpelc - April 20, 2009

perhaps this is real? and they are using the Star Trek movie as a way to get good thinkers to help them?

haha just kidding

9. NCC-73515 - April 20, 2009

And the newer startrekmovie.com thread is
http://www.startrekmovie.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6406

10. Mystic Meg - April 20, 2009

Nice write up Aliotsy, this should definitely help keep everyone up to speed!

The VI clue, if taken to represent the time of 6PM, has been correct 3 times now in GMT zone. The original PHP Chat, the 2nd and also the twitter updates.

11. gatetrek - April 20, 2009

Thanks for the update!
Nothing new to contribute at the moment, but I’ll keep thinking and reading!

12. Fallen_62 - April 20, 2009

Just sent an email to Anthony, but I have forums on my personal site, and I can make a forum for the ARG ;) We’ll see what he says…

13. Bill Peters - April 20, 2009

Could Malako have something to do with Maco’s from Enterprise?

14. Dave P - April 20, 2009

Right… none of this makes ANY sense whatsoever – what have I missed?

15. jonboc - April 20, 2009

very intriguing.

16. Bill Peters - April 20, 2009

Those names are all Elements! wow! Ok this is getting complacated!

17. illogical - April 20, 2009

Nice synopsis on all the stuff that came out of our other thread.
My guess is that the next thing to happen will be:
1. the other PHPchat users will tweet back and possibly post profile pictures with more embedded code or
2. Malak0 will post the promised video of the device. Anyone care to guess as to where he might post such a video?

18. Richard Martin - April 20, 2009

I sent them all this:
Si, Al, Fe, O listen I can help you but I need some information first.
Al (Janus) is a klingon, as if you are get off your Klingon arse and do the honourable thing and particapte in the alliance to help protect the other team members from the same fate as Ca.

Was Ca murdered?

Fe, (Candis, Karnis) focus your efforts on protect the Deltan, (O). Yes you have history but don’t let it affect your duty.

Please report al information you have on APUS:01-05.

Wait for the reply.

19. AJ - April 20, 2009

I give it a C in terms of creating some good fiction, but allocating most of the needed brainpower to deciphering URL’s and deciphering code. This appeals to a vast minority of Trek fans.

The story, about a futuristic device having been dropped at a cafe in a non-descript part of Paris is exhilarating and exciting, given the dialogue amongst the characters and the guy who found it, malak0, and the Google tie-in to the cafe. And, it’s Paris.

The story, of 5 time-travelers, having come to us to avert some un-named disaster, is compelling. There are relationships, and a potential death of a main character, and mystery as to what is going on.

There have also been attempts to ‘gamejack’ us, which are, I assume inevitable.

Also, unfortunately, the specific expertise required kicks out many of us, and the lack of real pace has made it boring. It’s great to sit in on the Chat that ‘Tom’ set up, but you just want a clue that allows you to explore real-world clues, and not just decode advanced barcodes.

20. RedShark - April 20, 2009

Malak0 has a YouTube channel…might not be the same one, but it is French.
http://www.youtube.com/user/malak0
Maybe he’ll post the video there? Well, I’m subscribing to his channel so I’ll know if he does.

21. RedShark - April 20, 2009

On second glance, maybe it’s not French. Maybe Spanish or Portugese…here’s hoping it’s the same guy.

22. gatetrek - April 20, 2009

@20 – I seriously doubt it, because it says he joined youtube in 2006 – waaaay before this.
(There’s also a http://www.youtube.com/user/MalakO ) but same as with the other account, this one is form 2005, so probably like 99% chance it’s unrelated.

23. illogical - April 20, 2009

@20 – I saw that too, but I don’t think its him. That account was created in 2006 and hasn’t been logged into for a week. I think its just a coincidence, but worth keeping an eye on just in case.

24. Dave P - April 20, 2009

#21 – Portuguese.

25. RedShark - April 20, 2009

#24 – Thanks. It probably is unrelated, but worth watching for anyhow.

26. marvin - April 20, 2009

http://01000001.com/

27. Matt - April 20, 2009

That is clearly not part of this ARG.

28. marvin - April 20, 2009

i hope no, because it doesnt make any sense

29. The Wild Man of Borneo - April 20, 2009

seriously, what’s the point of this?

30. NCC-73515 - April 20, 2009

So the Janus VI mines are no clue… pity :p

31. dfinn - April 20, 2009

I’m with those who thank Aliotsy for a GREAT writeup, and a nice clarification of the details of this. I’m pretty much hooked, I’ve got to say! My only regret is having to go to work, and having most video streaming sites filtered. Rats!

My only addition:

In the translation of the “twitter’ conversation, I’ve seen the “Si” translated into ‘yes’ (spanish / portuguese to English), but I don’t think that’s correct — “Si” is the codename for PHPChatUser1 —

Therefore, the line should read:

“…I have completed my access point, but this is not why I write. What I am trying to say is, Si is not the only thing (one?) driving you crazy….

This might imply a personal relationship / lovers triangle?

Keep up the good work, everyone!

32. Bill Peters - April 20, 2009

apparently 30 but some of the references do seem to be from things well Established in TOS,TNG.DS9, VOY,ENT and the 10 Previous movies!

33. Matt - April 20, 2009

@31 – That’s how I took it too. Si should not be translated into “yes.”

34. Robert Gillis - April 20, 2009

This is SO obvious if you use Batman logic:

Malak0

From Memory Alpha: Rosie Malek-Yonan: An Assyrian born in Iran, Rosie Malek-Yonan (born 4 July) aspired to compete in the 1980 Olympics in figure skating, but was forced to leave her place in the games because the Islamic government required Christian Olympic representatives to convert to Islam, and female athletes were required to wear robes and head scarves.

She played the role of Tekoa in DS9: “The Assignment”.

Malak0 Malak 0 == The 0 indicates she did not complete her goal. (We all speak binary here)

She played Tekoa.

Tekoa

Tek Oa

Tek: Alternate reality machine in Shatner’s Tek War books.

Oa = center of the universe, home of the guardians.

Bill Shatner = center of the Star Trek Universe.

Alternate reality = Created by Nero, creates the movie timeline we see.

This is SO obvious:

Bill Shatner is in the new Star Trek movie.

35. RedShark - April 20, 2009

One thing about PHPChatUser4′s message…
“I think you’ve ever felt that way” doesn’t make sense…maybe it should say “I don’t think” or “I think you’ve never.” Or maybe he’s saying She’s always been that way to him. What bearing this has on anything, I don’t know. But I think the basic idea of this message is:
“Even though we’re safe for the time being, I won’t be happy without you. But at least I’ve told you how I feel. Please tell me where you are and I will find you.”

36. RedShark - April 20, 2009

34: LOL…if I’d been drinking something, I would need a new monitor.

37. Paulaner - April 20, 2009

Now, this is a fascinating quest

38. Robert Gillis - April 20, 2009

#8 — you may have something here. What if it is real?

39. Robert Gillis - April 20, 2009

#36, thanks! I’m a fan of the old Batman TV show and ANYTHING makes sense following “Batman Logic!”

Can’t wait until May 8!

Anthony, when will your review (with spoilers) be posted?

40. Admiral_BlackCat - April 20, 2009

Have the proper names and assosciated emails been confirmed?
Any responses from the emails of the PHPChatters?

41. Dave P - April 20, 2009

#34 – I hope not… :s

42. dfinn - April 20, 2009

Apus – A constellation in the southern sky (as posted earlier).

01-05 — could these refer the the three brightest stars in that constellation?

43. Admiral_BlackCat - April 20, 2009

Apus is in the southern hemisphere, the south polar sky.

44. Pragmaticus - April 20, 2009

I think I MIGHT have solved the “VI” clue: Oxygen, Silicon, Calcium, and Iron are each separated by six spots on the periodic table (8, 14, 20, 26). Aluminum is the oddball at unlucky number 13. Could Aluminum be a traitor or destined for something bad to befall them?

45. Matt - April 20, 2009

‘VI’ seems to have referred to the time of their first chat. I think ‘VI’ is behind us, now. Like the thought, though!

46. Mel - April 20, 2009

You can also find the whole chat from http://2387-42.com/ and twitter translated to English here:

http://startrek.wikibruce.com/PHPChat

47. Megg - April 20, 2009

Thank you SO much for the rundown. I don’t know about anyone else, but my head was beginning to spin trying to remember everything.

48. d - April 20, 2009

Here’s my personal theory of what’s going on, it’s largely based on the ‘Countdown’ comic series being a backdrop for the ARG:

The 5 chat users are Romulan with a possiblility of a Klingon or 2 thrown in (I saw at least 3 unnamed Romulans on Nero’s crew, and there were 2 Klingons on board Narada with Wort that you never see get beamed away). Somehow they are separated from the rest of the Narada and transported here, after it enters the singularity that Spock creates to engulf the supernova. I haven’t figured out whether or not they know where the Narada is, but I’m fairly certain that getting back to the ship isn’t an option at this point. That being said, their goal would be to send a warning message to Romulus, hopefully preventing it’s destruction from the supernova in the future.

There are a few problems with this plot device but I believe I’ve found plenty of backup throughout the PHPChat, twitter chat, and the ‘Countdown’ series to support it. The biggest fault is I can’t seem to figure out why there is such a sense of urgency to their actions. Romulus won’t be destroyed for another 300 years soooooo…….

1. They have been discovered by ‘us’ and are trying to get the message sent before the authorities or some other group finds them.
2. Federation operatives from the future are after them (there is no evidence of this, but it’s been discussed)
3. The message will take every bit of 300 years to get there, so they have to get it sent ASAP

And that brings me to a small side theory that brings in a BIG variable. What if the supernova was transported back in time with them? What if instead of sending a signal, they are making a last ditch attempt to stop this thing? In ‘Countdown’ it kept growing….maybe it’s on its way here? In-game ‘here’ of course :)

Trekkie food-for-thought

49. Commodore Redshirt - April 20, 2009

I agree that the VI was the time for the first chat.
However, there could be something else to this clue and we should not discount it.

…same as the Makak0 connection. It was easy to discount it, but turned out to (most likely) be in game.

I am curious to see how the twitter chat works out. My guess is it is legit and not full of game-crashers.

I am currently keeping an eye on the blank flickr page registered to malak0 http://www.flickr.com/photos/13767372@N08/

Malik0′s first posting and the resulting comments
http://www.lepost.fr/perso/malak0/
(btw malik0′s profile comment is “Please … draw me a sheep.”)

the phpchat page
http://2387-42.com/

and the 5 binary sites listed above.

And good job, Aliotsy!

50. CarlG - April 20, 2009

This is massively confusing, but I take it as a compliment that the filmmakers consider us geeks smart enough to solve it. :)

51. Darkwater - April 20, 2009

This is hands down the most complex and confusing ARG I’ve ever heard of. I applaud efforts to market Star Trek, but wouldn’t you say that anyone who even realized the first part of this existed, let alone played it, is a ST fan who’s going to see it opening day and buy the DVD?

I only say that because I’m one of those people, and I can’t even follow the recaps of this thing, let alone try and play it on my own. Who are they going after here?

52. Dorf1701 - April 20, 2009

The Apus disambiguation page at Wikipedia has the following:
* Apus, a constellation
* Lepidurus apus, a crustacean
* Apus (genus), a genus of [swallowlike] birds
* APUS Computer, “Amiga Power Up System”, an Amiga computer with a Phase5 PowerPC accelerator board
* AP United States History or AP US
* “APUs” is plural of APU

I don’t know if anyone can glean anything from this, but here you go.

53. Author of The Vulcan Neck PInch for Fathers - April 20, 2009

Okay, folks…a thought for you guys to think about.

Go back to the first three (or so) lines of the PHP chat script.

PHPChatUser3: Kloidn*&%$)#mns
PHPChatUser3: *******?
PHPChatUser3: ??????
PHPChatUser3: *^*&!!!!!!!
PHPChatUser4: Usa el teclado.

Supposing the use of “PHPChatUserX” wasn’t just to make it sound authentic, and that the “user” thought those sequence(s) meant something to a particular variety of PHPChat….like a “wakeup” sequence that really implied an identity and/or password that might be used in other places yet to be revealed.

If PHPChatUser4 was in the chat, saw what 3 was doing, the phrase “Use the keyboard” might really just be a way of saying “your’re in, just type”, and might have “divulged” a password or id….

Just a thought that occurred to me as we await a Malak0 video or other clues…thoughts and brickbats (virtual only) welcome…

54. Keep the Faith - April 20, 2009

That whoosing sound is this whole thing going over my head

55. Newman - April 20, 2009

This stuff is way too complicated for me.

56. Matt - April 20, 2009

26. That is from the 7th Son Podcast Novel…go to jchutchins.net and check it out…kicks ass..

57. Rastaman - April 20, 2009

After finding out the clues had NOTHING to do with a secret preview screening of the movie on the internet … I really could care less. But I guess some people love solving puzzles!

58. Matt - April 20, 2009

@53 – That is a really interesting idea. Definitely something to think about if we’re ever prompted for a password (which we may be once the “input site” is discovered).

59. Anthony Pascale - April 20, 2009

i just wan to thank Aliotsy for cobbling this together and all the community members for their deep thinking to solve this game.

60. di - April 20, 2009

I love how the idea of different interests than their own and something being there for reasons other than pure marketing confuse so many people haha

it’s adorable :)

61. geekdude - April 20, 2009

if ca was a frenchman and he dropped his padd in paris there is probably going to be a device dropped off somewhere in japan, germany, spain, and america by the other elements/people. these units may have more clues or info. we just have to be on top of things to find out where it is and have someone there. and lets hope they dont trip over a chair and brake it this time.

either that or some guy just so happened to drop his eeepc at that specific location and date and we are reading too much into it.

62. Jenni Generation - April 20, 2009

61. I swear I remember reading in one of the chats that they referred to Ca’s as ‘our only’ device, though?

Can anyone confirm or deny? But it’d be interesting if there WAS more than one…

(I highly doubt, somehow, someone dropping a PC would result in websites and emails and videos, though. :P)

63. Bender B Rodriguez - April 20, 2009

Vulcan, I think you’re definitely on to something. I would describe it from my suspicions as a sort of keylogger.

64. Bender B Rodriguez - April 20, 2009

@62: yes, specifically in the second set of chats.

65. FreddyE - April 20, 2009

They said they´re sending each other the access points….I suspect we´re going to see more pictures with hidden constellations on flicker. If we have enough it might be possible to correlate something out of that.

66. Tom - April 21, 2009

I will set up a forum later this day, together with all other ARG stuff I already have on my server.

67. subatoi - April 21, 2009

Maybe May 1st is their deadline or something.

68. Admiral_BlackCat - April 21, 2009

RE: Apus the Constellation
In the Stargate universe constellations are vitally important for finding the destination.
Stargate addresses within a galaxy are composed of seven symbols: six constellations representing a point in space, while the seventh represents the point of origin.
In the first chat PHPChatUser5 says they need “the right trajectory”. The constellation Apus could be the first of six needed constellation to find the right trajectory into space… for some unknown reason.

69. Admiral_BlackCat - April 21, 2009

RE: VI
VI could refer to the need for six points of refrence in 3D space i.e. six constellations, to find the right trajectory, of a signal or subspace message possibly.

70. Inspector Rex - April 21, 2009

I’m thinking that “Ca” must have logged into the chat and told the others about the intersection AFTER he dropped it there. From Malak0′s description, it sounds like “Ca” just happened to drop it there, and the others only mention that “Ca” told them where the device is, and it didn’t seem like a rendezvous point. So “Ca” may have been trying to get somewhere else in Paris…

71. Inspector Rex - April 21, 2009

@69 – I don’t know much about Stargate, but I do know that a constellation can’t be a point in space. It’s a series of points in space that appears a certain way from a given point.

72. AJ - April 21, 2009

70

Ca was running at top speed, running away, it would seem, from someone. He slammed into tables at the cafe, got up, and continued to run. Whether or not his drop of the device there is intentional or not, we do not know. Of Ca’s destination in Paris, we know nothing, except that he ran toward the bank across the street.

73. FreddyE - April 21, 2009

Guys…found out that Apus is also the name for a genus of birds wich should return to Europe on may 1st. Not sure if this was already mentioned here…

74. larrywl - April 21, 2009

Miners (not minors!) dig up elements – is this another indication that the elemental names are substitutes for Nero’s crew? (Sorry if somebody else already posted this thought – I couldn’t find it in the preceding posts).

75. Seany-Wan - April 21, 2009

There are a lot of smart people out there! I have to study up on QR Code!

76. Jimmy - April 21, 2009

On other boards, it has been noted that (from Earth) the Apus constellation seems to be in the general direction of Romulus (with the help of the Star Trek Starcharts book). Has anyone thought that they might be trying to find the position of the Hobus star? Perhaps to maybe prevent it from going nova in the first place?

77. stop FIRST comments - April 21, 2009

This is all too confusing for me.

78. Tom - April 21, 2009

Someone asked for a forum?

http://trek.tvdw.eu/arg/forum/

79. James - April 21, 2009

Just a quick thought re: Apus 01-05.

Someone mentioned that the 01-05 bit might refer to stars in the Apus constellation – i.e. alpha & epsilon, the first and fifth.

The Alpha star is called Alpha Apodis and is a K-type giant. From what I remember from my Physics classes, I think it’s unlikely that this could have terrestrial planets – it would have probably consumed them during its expansion to giant status when it runs out of Hydrogen and starts burning Helium. However, they do tend to contain Iron (Fe) and Silicon (Si).

The Epsilon star is called Epsilon Apodis and is a B-type dwarf. This could have some terrestrial planets, but it is unlikely that they would be capable of supporting life – this baby is blue, which means its scorching hot. ‘Ionise-the-atmosphere’ hot. They contain Silicon (Si).

Based on http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Image:Romulus2379.jpg and http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Image:Romulan_system_map.jpg, it certainly seems that Romulus’s star is like ours – a G-type dwarf. There are a couple of G-type stars in the constellation, but I can’t find any further information on them.

I don’t think this reference points directly to Romulus (or Romulus’s star), but it is interesting to note that constellations were originally used by sailors to navigate. However, given that stars in the same constellation actually have no relation to each other, I’m not sure how you could use them to navigate in 3D space. They’re not necessarily neighbours – just dots which appear next to each other when you look at them from Earth.

Another thought – the Alpha Apodis star is starting to come to the end of it’s life – could this be Hobus?! It’s 410 light years away, so Earth would be largely safe if it went supernova – the same couldn’t be said for stars closer to it, however.

80. StarTrekkie - April 21, 2009

Hey everybody,

JUST CREATED A WIKI
I created a free wiki page with all the latest information. Feel free to go there and update things as they come in. I think a wiki is better suited to helping us here than a forum would be.

http://startrekarg.pbwiki.com/

81. Tom - April 21, 2009

@80

we have plenty of room to have our information stored, problem is that there are just too many wikis etc. in fact, yours is the third one that was offered so far.

I’d suggest we just stick to the chat+forum, since it’s a lot easier to keep those updated.

82. StarTrekkie - April 21, 2009

@81 – Oh, oh well. I just hope this all leads up to something really interesting. It’s getting tiresome.

83. Mario - April 21, 2009

I knew it, it was a stargate address!!!

The romulans are after the stargate and atlantis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

84. James - April 21, 2009

@83:

That’d be one WEIRD crossover!

I wonder if the other users will start posting pictures soon… maybe give us some more constellations? As I mentioned in #79, I can’t see how we could use constellations to navigate to a point in space, but there’s no reason why we couldn’t use them to navigate to a point on Earth.

85. JACathcart - April 21, 2009

This ARG stuff is an absolute blast, and I am delightfully amazed at the creativity of those who created this one. I am also grateful for those who have the time to delve into solving it. With my professional and family duties, I can’t worry about stuff like this, but it sure is a blast to watch it unfold. So, a heartfelt “thanks” goes out to all those who are doing the hard work for the rest of us!

86. Mario - April 21, 2009

it would work using batman logic

87. Karl - April 21, 2009

I e-mailed Malak0 but haven’t had a reply yet. Have they stopped replying or what? Do we need to email the others? Has anyone tried that?
I’m relying on you clever people who actually be able to solve. It would be funny if we solve it and Paramount say there was a lot easier, quicker way to get there…I don’t thing so though!

88. Richard Martin - April 21, 2009

NEWS
http://www.youtube.com/user/mklvnd

89. Tom - April 21, 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4WipajXmpA

90. German Trek Fan - April 21, 2009

http://www.youtube.com/user/mklvnd VIDEO ONLINE!!!

91. aliotsy - April 21, 2009

The video looks very “professional trying not to look professional,” cinematography-wise. Sort of like Cloverfield.

92. raveoned - April 21, 2009

…and another photo to check for some kind of code on his profile?

93. raveoned - April 21, 2009

Also, his name is misspelled on the YouTube profile page. It’s spelled “MAKAL0″.

94. marvin - April 21, 2009

FRAK ME!

95. WhatInBlueBlazes?! - April 21, 2009

Definitely looks like that image will have some kind of code concealed within.

Also definitely does not look like a Starfleet device. The plot thickens…

96. Megg - April 21, 2009

He’s kinda cute. Anyone want to translate?

97. Mario - April 21, 2009

yes FRAK ALL OF US!

that’s not a federation device,
by its color (green yellowish) seems more romulan but it’s so big and squared i keep thinking something else

98. Richard Martin - April 21, 2009

It’s a romulan padd from the 23rd century given it’s colour screen shape and size.

99. DS9 Rocks - April 21, 2009

please take a look at the left edge of the picture behind malak (especially at the end of the video). there seem to be numbers or something like that written on it. will need a lot of cleaning up….

100. Mario - April 21, 2009

it looks like a pad a the flintstones would use
also, reminds me that the narada was a drillig ship, so no so high tech, maybe its from that semiromulan, semiborg ship….

101. Richard Martin - April 21, 2009

We need that vid transcripted quick!

102. Kai3k - April 21, 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4WipajXmpA

The video of the device!!

103. DS9 Rocks - April 21, 2009

actually, some sort of writing is on both edges of that picture on the wall.

104. marvin - April 21, 2009

one thing is for sure, somebody has planned this very, very well.

which makes me wonder, what will be the result of all of this

105. Richard Martin - April 21, 2009

Cet appareil est stupéfiant- Je suis sûr qu’il vaut cher à son vrai propriétaire. En plus je commence à comprendre comment le faire marcher….
Category: Science & Technology

Tags: appareil portable PDA Palm Rue de la Fédération Rue de Presles Paris Bizarre

106. Richard Martin - April 21, 2009

This apparatus is amazing I am sure qu’ it is worth expensive with its true owner. In more I start to include/understand how to make it go…. Category: Science & Technology Tags: portable unit PDA Palm Street of the Street Federation of Odd Presles Paris

107. Selor - April 21, 2009

Okay… does someone know this device, perhaps from the countdown comics?

108. Må®îjüånø + €vîlÐîçk = Jåmë§ - April 21, 2009

34. Robert Gillis – April 20, 2009

This is SO obvious if you use Batman logic:

Malak0

From Memory Alpha: Rosie Malek-Yonan: An Assyrian born in Iran, Rosie Malek-Yonan (born 4 July) aspired to compete in the 1980 Olympics in figure skating, but was forced to leave her place in the games because the Islamic government required Christian Olympic representatives to convert to Islam, and female athletes were required to wear robes and head scarves.

She played the role of Tekoa in DS9: “The Assignment”.

Malak0 Malak 0 == The 0 indicates she did not complete her goal. (We all speak binary here)

She played Tekoa.

Tekoa

Tek Oa

Tek: Alternate reality machine in Shatner’s Tek War books.

Oa = center of the universe, home of the guardians.

Bill Shatner = center of the Star Trek Universe.

Alternate reality = Created by Nero, creates the movie timeline we see.

This is SO obvious:

Bill Shatner is in the new Star Trek movie.

Hell yes I hope this is true just for the hell it would create. LOL

109. WhatInBlueBlazes?! - April 21, 2009

Well, if it is a device from the Narada, remember that she’s a mining vessel, so the equipment they carry aboard will by necessity be built for durability and heavy use — this device looks like it fits that bill. It almost looks like it’s made of stone, and it has a certain Romulan aesthetic.

Also … why the focus on the tie? Could it mean something?

110. Karl - April 21, 2009

I thought it’s not Human, probably Romulan, then that ties in with the film! But are the “PHPChatUser”s not Human. Time traveling Romulans?

111. Selor - April 21, 2009

@110 Obviously… must be the same “accident” as Nero travels back, but they have been send far to far back ;)
So this fits quite well, a Romulan would wear a hat to hide his ears and he would shout at anyone…

112. Merzmensch aka kosmopol - April 21, 2009

He has an Enki Bilal poster in background.
Also some things I noticed about the video:
http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=611435#611435

113. Jenni Generation - April 21, 2009

At 0:54, there’s one of those Japanese barcode-esque thingies on the back of the Device I think… trying to get a shot of it as a square.

114. Tyrus Manuel - April 21, 2009

@79, wow! and is anyone else following this account also just to be safe:
http://twitter.com/apus?

115. Mario - April 21, 2009

there was a part in the chatting were they said they were bigger and stronger…………………………….
maybe that? romulans are a bit bigger and, as vulcans, stronger…

116. aliotsy - April 21, 2009

OK, my shot at a translation. Please note, it’s been nearly 5 years since I’ve been in a Francophone country, and 10 years since I took AP French 5. Anyone with better credentials, feel free to correct as appropriate.

======================================================

“Oh no.”

“Oh, yes.”

“It’s good?”

“Yes, yes, yes, it’s good.”

“Well, I’m making this video for people on the Internet, [...] the other day at Cafe Presles near Rue de la Federation and Rue de Presles. And a man who was running down the road and who fell down on the road right next to where I was sitting and who dropped an object behind himself which I recovered.

*Camera moves to object*

Well, it’s a sort of … of … like a PDA, a computer I think. A sort of (big?) [...] And, uh, well I put a message online and I had lots of responses from people who are interested in it and offered money. Uh, I’m looking for the person who this belongs to, who is the owner, and find an arrangement to return their object.

*Malak0 picks up the object*

Um.

* Turns object over, shows underside*

There’s a connector on the bottom.

*Flips object over*

And I later I succeeded at — more buttons — I succeeded in turning it on. It turns on when I tap it here.

*Device turns on*

This light effect. Well, there seems to be some sort of battery problem that’s affecting it, but that’s not too bad. It seems to work for an instant. But I imagine this is very [Lour? Not sure what that means...] I think there is information inside it that is very important for the owner. So, I imagine that this person will want to recover it. [No idea what he says here.] Contact me to recover it and to find an arrangement.

“Stop it now.”

“Uh…”

“Stop it.”

117. illogical - April 21, 2009

I don’t see any code embedded in his profile pic – someone double check me though. Makes sense there wouldn’t be though – just an image of Napoleon.
Looks Romulan to me. I’m going to thumb through the countdown comic to see if anyones holding something similar.
I’m sure the next thing to do would be to keep on eye on the Twitter pages – When the PHPchat users see this video, things will really get interesting!
@114 – I’m following him too.

118. WhatInBlueBlazes?! - April 21, 2009

“Lourd” means “heavy.” He’s commenting on how the device is fairly heavy, and because of that he concludes that it’s valuable and probably has information that is important to the owner.

119. illogical - April 21, 2009

@116 – excellent! Does the effect when it turns on look similar to the scrambled web pages originally posted from the party pics?

120. Matt - April 21, 2009

@119 – It really doesn’t look like that. That was one of the first things I thought of too.

121. Merzmensch aka kosmopol - April 21, 2009

@113 You’re right! There is a barcode!
I made a screencap of this barcode:
http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=611441#611441

122. Mel - April 21, 2009

You can see the whole poster here:

http://www.jimdietz.com/festival.html

123. Selor - April 21, 2009

The Diagram on the device does look a bit like the Reman or Romulan Diagramms seen in Nemesis….

124. Deano - April 21, 2009

@42 I was looking through the a video that was posted on the static website of http://01001111.com/01001111.flv, I remember there was were three white dots that appeared, maybe these are some stars

125. VERG - April 21, 2009

Sooooooooooooooooooooo boring!

126. Jenni Generation - April 21, 2009

125. Lol, what are you doing here if it bores you? XD

And @ 119. It doesn’t look similar as such, but it definitely looks like… how to put it? It shares design cues. It looks like it’d come from the same kind of designer, but I doubt they’re the same.

127. RedShark - April 21, 2009

Well, I guess the Portuguese guy is wondering why on earth I subscribed to his channel…I should have thought of mklvnd! Oh well.
The device definitely looks Romulan to me. And didn’t Malak0 say the guy who dropped it was wearing a hat? Maybe to conceal his Romulan ears? I wonder if anyone’ll find something in the poster’s barcode. This is fun, finally seeing some more progress!
-RedShark

128. Jenni Generation - April 21, 2009

But one thing. If this is alien technology, why do they have a Japanese QR code?! If we assume things like barcodes don’t become obsolete in the future, it could conceivably be owned by a human (which makes Federation input possible, I guess, since we see so many humans there?)… but does this make the Romulan theory unlikely, or at least *exclusively* Romulan?

129. RedShark - April 21, 2009

Nevermind, I thought the barcode was on the poster. Oops, misread.

130. Mel - April 21, 2009

New chat

http://97.74.158.186/

131. illogical - April 21, 2009

NEW CHAT! http://97.74.158.186/

PHPChatUser1: 時間がかかりすぎだよ、彼に僕らがいつ全滅しても不思議じゃない。助けを呼ばなきゃ。僕のアクセス・ポイントを、明日彼らに知らせるからね。
PHPChatUser5: DON’T YOU DARE!!!
PHPChatUser1: 彼らと協力しなきゃいけないんだってば!!!彼らが生き延びるためにも!!!彼らが全部分かってるはずだって!!!
PHPChatUser4: ¿Y qué harás cuando ellos corren de tu aparencia?
PHPChatUser1: 心配しないで、SNSに載せて、新しい友達を作って、ゲームみたいに見せて彼らをおびき入れるから!!!
PHPChatUser5: That doesn’t make any sense, I cannot allow you to risk everything!!! You need to listen to me. You have lost it. You
PHPChatUser3: Lass ihn machen, sie werden nicht wissen, was sie da sehen. Lass den Kleinen glauben, er tut was sinnvolles.
____PHPChatUser3 has disconnected____
PHPChatUser5: This is madness.
PHPChatUser4: El no lo hará.
____PHPChatUser1 has disconnected____
PHPChatUser5: We’ve got to do something about him.
____PHPChatUser5 has disconnected____
____PHPChatUser4 has disconnected____

132. Tom - April 21, 2009

New info on the chat :
translated – http://trek.tvdw.eu/arg/chat.php (it’s the whole chat)

133. Mel - April 21, 2009

Lass ihn machen, sie werden nicht wissen, was sie da sehen. Lass den Kleinen glauben, er tut was sinnvolles.

Let him do it. They won’t know, what they are seeing. Let the small one believe, that he is doing something useful.

134. Xander - April 21, 2009

I cant for the life of me scan the barcode on the back of the unit. Its just too distorted, no amount of photoshopping is going to help this one

135. Selor - April 21, 2009

I asked Malak0 for a picture of the Barcode, maybe he answers and send me a picture.

136. RedShark - April 21, 2009

My interpretation of the new chat:
Yarakashita thinks “Candir’s” plan will take too long, especially since they have to “annihilate” someone. Then he says he will tell “them” his “access point” tomorrow. Could “access point” mean password? Meaning we’ll get a password for something tomorrow?
The others don’t like this idea, but Yarakashita says “they (humans?) have to survive too.” Someone else suggested that they were trying to send a message to the other Romulans and warn them about the supernova…so perhaps they think Earth is at risk too? So maybe Yarakashita wants the humans help sending a message. About “letting the small one think he’s important”, it could mean what Malak0 has isn’t that important anymore but they’re letting him think it is.
That’s all I’ve got…anyone else?
-RedShark

137. raveoned - April 21, 2009

Maybe they’re back in time to warn us about the bomb set to go off on May 1, called “Wolverine”…

138. Merzmensch aka kosmopol - April 21, 2009

My translation of German and Japanese Parts:

PHPChatUser1: 時間がかかりすぎだよ、彼に僕らがいつ全滅しても不思議じゃない。助けを呼ばなきゃ。僕のアクセス・ポイントを、明日彼らに知らせるからね。 [It takes too much time, it won't be a wonder, if we will be annihilated by him. [he/we shouldn't] ask for help. Because they will notice my access point tomorrow]
PHPChatUser5: DON’T YOU DARE!!!
PHPChatUser1: 彼らと協力しなきゃいけないんだってば!!!彼らが生き延びるためにも!!!彼らが全部分かってるはずだって!!! [We shouldn't cooperate with them! Even for the sake of their surviving. They should understand the whole story!!!]
PHPChatUser4: ¿Y qué harás cuando ellos corren de tu aparencia?
PHPChatUser1: 心配しないで、SNSに載せて、新しい友達を作って、ゲームみたいに見せて彼らをおびき入れるから!!! [Don't worry, we will put the SNS, make new friends, like in a game, and we will elicit them]
PHPChatUser5: That doesn’t make any sense, I cannot allow you to risk everything!!! You need to listen to me. You have lost it. You
PHPChatUser3: Lass ihn machen, sie werden nicht wissen, was sie da sehen. Lass den Kleinen glauben, er tut was sinnvolles. [Let him do it, they won't know, what do see there. Let the baby think, he does something meaninfull]
____PHPChatUser3 has disconnected____
PHPChatUser5: This is madness.
PHPChatUser4: El no lo hará.
____PHPChatUser1 has disconnected____
PHPChatUser5: We’ve got to do something about him.
____PHPChatUser5 has disconnected____
____PHPChatUser4 has disconnected____

139. D for me. - April 21, 2009

Apus is also a bird of fire? Phoenix?

140. Mel - April 21, 2009

Can someone please translate the Spanish parts?

141. Richard Martin - April 21, 2009

Does anyone have all of these chats in one document from the first one?

142. Mel - April 21, 2009

@ 141

http://startrek.wikibruce.com/PHPChat

143. Slaynest - April 21, 2009

Completing #138 translation…

PHPChatUser1: 時間がかかりすぎだよ、彼に僕らがいつ全滅しても不思議じゃない。助けを呼ばなきゃ。僕のアクセス・ポイントを、明日彼らに知らせるからね。 [It takes too much time, it won’t be a wonder, if we will be annihilated by him. [he/we shouldn’t] ask for help. Because they will notice my access point tomorrow]
PHPChatUser5: DON’T YOU DARE!!!
PHPChatUser1: 彼らと協力しなきゃいけないんだってば!!!彼らが生き延びるためにも!!!彼らが全部分かってるはずだって!!! [We shouldn’t cooperate with them! Even for the sake of their surviving. They should understand the whole story!!!]
PHPChatUser4: ¿Y qué harás cuando ellos corren de tu aparencia? [And what will you do when them run from you appearance]
PHPChatUser1: 心配しないで、SNSに載せて、新しい友達を作って、ゲームみたいに見せて彼らをおびき入れるから!!! [Don’t worry, we will put the SNS, make new friends, like in a game, and we will elicit them]
PHPChatUser5: That doesn’t make any sense, I cannot allow you to risk everything!!! You need to listen to me. You have lost it. You
PHPChatUser3: Lass ihn machen, sie werden nicht wissen, was sie da sehen. Lass den Kleinen glauben, er tut was sinnvolles. [Let him do it, they won’t know, what do see there. Let the baby think, he does something meaninfull]
____PHPChatUser3 has disconnected____
PHPChatUser5: This is madness.
PHPChatUser4: El no lo hará. [He won't do it]
____PHPChatUser1 has disconnected____
PHPChatUser5: We’ve got to do something about him.
____PHPChatUser5 has disconnected____
____PHPChatUser4 has disconnected____

144. Slaynest - April 21, 2009

Oops, couple of typos up there: First line of user4 should be

[And what will you do when they run from your appearance?]

145. Selor - April 21, 2009

Maybe we should warn Malak0?

146. KJ - April 21, 2009

Whats with the barcode, any news on that ?

147. Slaynest - April 21, 2009

Can someone translate plz?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4WipajXmpA

148. LtPiper - April 21, 2009

@147

See 116.

149. Merzmensch aka kosmopol - April 21, 2009

Sorry people, I’d a mistake in translation. The right part is:

[We should cooperate with them! Even for the sake of their surviving. They should understand the whole story!!!]

instead of “we shouldn’t cooperate with them”. I know, opposite meaning. But Japanese isn’t so easy ;-)

150. James - April 21, 2009

Sounds like the poor French guy’s gonna get toasted by a bunch of angry PHPChatUsers!

Are these guys the goodies or the baddies?! Should we try to help them or not? I wish it was a bit clearer…

151. James - April 21, 2009

RE: 144 – definitely sounds like they’re aliens. Especially with the references to speed and strength that we’ve already had.

Sorry for double-posting – just noticed that bit!

152. J.J. Savard - April 21, 2009

Did anyone consider this may be Starfleet? Posibley a shuttle sent by the Enterprise after Spock and Nero that overshot the mark?

153. James - April 21, 2009

@152:

Possibly… but that device on the video definitely isn’t Starfleet standard issue!

154. D for me. - April 21, 2009

Clue in Wired magazine? Seemed to be a strange time to put it up on Trek Movie.

155. illogical - April 21, 2009

Can anyone make out what’s scribbled in the margin of the comic on the SECOND TO LAST PAGE – very bottom in the margin?
http://www.wired.com/special_multimedia/2009/whenWorldsCollide
Probably nothing – but I can’t make out what it sais.

156. Richard Martin - April 21, 2009

here is the you tube profile picture link:
http://i4.ytimg.com/i/gu5Ih6hS1_oDNhUzdDBRHw/1.jpg

157. dfinn - April 21, 2009

135:

How about SENDING Malak0 a copy of the barcode as pulled from the PHPChat image?

Just a thought…

158. Fresh From Twitter | so how did we get here? - April 22, 2009

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159. Star Trek alternate reality game « Always on top! - April 22, 2009

[...] So what do you get when you have a little bit of LOST, a little bit of Cloverfield mixed up with sci-fi? A alternate reality game The new Star Trek movie is soon to kick off and to get it going, there’s a hidden game online. It’s been buzzing a couple of days now. Using binary URL’s and secret messages around at sites as the party photo site The CobraSnake (a personal fav of mine a might add) I’m not a trekker but this appeals to me. I would love to come up with something similar myself. Check out more info on the game and how it’s proceeding at Trekmovie. [...]

160. Fresh From Twitter | so how did we get here? - April 23, 2009

[...] this year!! http://is.gd/fsBJ@antonymd QR codes being used in Star Trek Alternate Reality Game – http://bit.ly/UUNwA and http://bit.ly/XLjIv #StarTrekARG Powered by Fresh From Written by Bob Hitching in: Twitter | [...]