abstract
| - In 2365, this language had been recorded in the linguistic database of the United Federation of Planets. It was identified and learned by Lieutenant Commander Data in his attempt to communicate with Riva, a deaf mediator from Ramatis III. M-9 was one of five languages he chose to learn to identify the particular language Riva was using. As such, Data viewed multiple M-9 gestures on a screen. One of the gestures of the M-9 sign language was similar to the Vulcan salute. (TNG: "Loud As A Whisper" ) According to the reference book Star Trek Encyclopedia (4th ed., vol. 2, p. 7) , M-9 was originated by the Leyrons. The book also mentions that most of the gestures seen on Data's screen were adapted from American Sign Language (which makes sense, as Riva actor Howie Seago used ASL), and the Vulcan salute was included "to see if anyone would notice."
- The M-9 is a manned bipedal MT, around the size of an AC. It is equipped with dual laser rifle weapon arms and a dual multi missile launcher mounted on the back. The unit is capable of flying indefinetly using its back mounted boosters and at a very high speed. This is one of the few MT units with performance equal or even slightly higher than an AC unit.
|