Warning: contains spoilers Star Trek #25!
After seven years, Star Trek finally revealed the inspiring reach of Discovery Micellic Network. Introduced in Star Trek: Discoveries In the first season, the titular ship used the Network to travel great distances, almost single-handedly winning a war in the process. Not much is known about the Micélica Network yet, but in Star Trek #25, the crew of Theseus learn how important it is – and why it should be protected.
Star Trek #25 was written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and drawn by Liana Kangas. THE Theseus is traveling through Fluidic Space, when the crew makes an interesting discovery: biological matter has attached itself to the ship. Analyzing it, Data discovers that it is a mycelium. Data then mentions the Mycelial Network, with Scotty explaining the basic premise behind it. THE The network is rooted there, but it grows throughout creation, becoming the glue that holds together Star Trek universe.
Star Trek: Discovery’s Mycelial Network was one of the franchise’s coolest innovations
There is real-world precedent for Star Trek Micellic Network
Star Trek: Discovery introduced some new and controversial elements to the myth, and the Micélia Network was one of them. Discovered by Starfleet engineer Paul Stamets, Discovery took advantage of the network through a device called “Spore Drive”. When activated, the Spore Drive could take the ship through the Network to any destination in the galaxy. Although Spore Drive technology was instrumental in winning the Klingon War, it proved too dangerous for use, and Starfleet halted its research in the area. Furthermore, Starfleet covered up both Discovery and the existence of the Spore Drive.
Scotty’s flippant comment refers to Paul Stamets, a real-world mycologist and namesake of Discovery engineer, who postulated the existence of a network of fungi that they use to communicate.
Although the Spore Drive and Mycelial Network are fantastic inventions, even for Star Trekthey are based on real-world science. When explaining the concept of the Network, Scotty calls it a “20th century concept created by a crazy guy who spent a lot of time in the dirt.” Scotty’s flippant comment refers to Paul Stamets, a real-world mycologist and namesake of Discovery engineer, who postulated the existence of a network of fungi that they use to communicate. Discovery the writers were inspired by the work of the real Stamets and supercharged the idea for the show.
The Micélia Network holds all of the Star Trek Universe Together
The reach of the Mycelial Network extends to the Kelvin Universe
Although Discovery made good use of the Micélia Network, much about it remains a mystery. It is known to be a subspace domain and features a variety of indigenous life forms, but beyond that, it is still a big unknown. After Discovery disappearance, Starfleet deemed the technology impractical and abandoned its research into it. However, other elements of the story Discovery introduced and later classified, such as the killer AI CONTROL, all managed to be rediscovered, and it was naive of Starfleet to think that no one would ever try again. Ironically, Discovery it proved that the technology could work, it just needed refinement.
However, what is truly incredible about the rediscovery of the Mycelium Network is the revelation that it extends across the entire landmass. Star Trek multiverse. It connects the Prime timeline to the Kelvin universe as well as Fluidic Space. Discovery also showed that it also touches the Mirror Universe. Just as Earth’s fungi have a network that covers the entire globe, the cosmic Mycelial Network encompasses all of existence. Extrapolating from this, the Micellic Network may be the most important domain in Star Trek universe, even more than the Pleroma.
Lore will target the mycelial network in Star Trek: The Lore Wars?
The Mycelial Network could be the key to Lore’s evil plans to recreate the Star Trek Universe in Your Image
The importance of Discovery The Mycelial Network also puts a big target on this, especially from Lore. Lore destroyed the Prime Star Trek universe, and as seen in issue 25, had consequences for other realms, such as Fluidic Space. While it doesn’t appear that the Network has suffered any damage (yet), Lore may very well try to destroy you in the next The War of Knowledge. This event, arriving in early 2025, sees Lore remake the universe in his image, and the Mycelial Network may play an important role in his schemes of conquest.
Star Trek #25 is on sale now from IDW Publishing.