Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site uwvax.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!genrad!wjh12!talcott!harvard!seismo!uwvax!derek 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