[Alpha Kodiak]

Now activating Star Trek technology acceptance algorythm....

The whole warp speed inconsistency phenomenon is actually quite easy to explain:

Since warp drive is warping space, the actual distance covered at a given warp speed varies depending on outside factors such as gravitational fields, energy fields, space dust, day of the week, phase of the moon, plot requirements, etc.

Go ahead.... Prove me wrong!

Now deactivating Star Trek technology acceptance algorythm....

And yes, I'll be watching it tonight.