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From: derek@uwvax.UUCP (Derek Zahn)
Newsgroups: net.startrek
Subject: Re: Hot potato
Message-ID: <84@uwvax.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 16-Dec-84 19:41:50 EST
Article-I.D.: uwvax.84
Posted: Sun Dec 16 19:41:50 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 18-Dec-84 02:22:39 EST
References: <2633@dartvax.UUCP> <1311@uscvax.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: U of Wisconsin CS Dept
Lines: 27

Hmm...  Perhaps the fabled "dilithium crystals" (described as 'cosmic
spark plugs' or some such nonsense) are the key.  Suppose there is a
device that uses dilithium crystals and other assorted stuff in Scotty's
dept. which "transmutes" some form of normal matter into antimatter.
Then there would continually be only a small amount of antimatter actually
aboard the Enterprise at any given time.

This would explain many things.  When the Enterprise destructs, only the
amount of antimatter currently being used (presumably small) would go
FOOM.  Also, as the dilithium crystals deteriorated, the ability to
produce antimatter would go down, and thus leave the Enterprise unable
to use its warp engines.  When kirk needed a bunch of antimatter to
blow off half a planet's atmosphere, just crank up the converter for a
while and drain off the excess antimatter.

Presumably, Those In Charge would desire that there be a minimum of 
antimatter overhead, to minimize the possible damage in the event of
an accident near an inhabited planet.  What do you think?

derek  (These opinions are mine only, not necessarily those of Starfleet
        Command)

"I'm a doctor, not a scriptwriter!"
-- 
Derek Zahn @ wisconsin
...!{allegra,heurikon,ihnp4,seismo,sfwin,ucbvax,uwm-evax}!uwvax!derek
derek@wisc-rsch.arpa