  Special relativity includes a concealed mechanism for reducing time-dilation
effects in two mutually-receding objects. Forwarding their signals via one or
more intermediate physical relay stages (a "probe chain") allows enhanced
communication and propulsion efficiency. These possibilities are masked by the
mathematical redefinitions of the special theory, which then assigns the
velocity of the signal source a correspondingly lower value by using a
velocity-addition formula. Probe chains reveal the existence of
velocity-dependent curvature within inertial systems, and suggest a mechanism
for indirect radiation from black holes that is strongly reminiscent of Hawking
radiation. The "emitter-theory" force law is mentioned as a possible basis for
a curved-space alternative to special relativity.
