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From: mnw@trwrba.UUCP (Michael N. Washington)
Newsgroups: net.startrek
Subject: Re: Hot potatoe...
Message-ID: <1220@trwrba.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 8-Jan-85 11:29:08 EST
Article-I.D.: trwrba.1220
Posted: Tue Jan  8 11:29:08 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 11-Jan-85 23:30:12 EST
Organization: TRW EDS, Redondo Beach, CA
Lines: 51


>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

Hmmm... 
Granted having a small amount of anitmatter aboard at any
one time would seem to be a logical thing to do, but there
is no evidence that this is the case.  Also, the dilithium
crystals only channel the power from the matter/anitmatter
reactors.  Without the crystals, the power of the reactors
can only be inefficiently used through other circuits aboard
the Enterprise.  From the TV series, if the Enterprise were
exploded using the destruct sequence, there should be an
enormous explosion, probably converting most of the matter
to energy (because of the anitmatter).  But, Derek's
hypothesis is as good as any.  Who know's!!!

"Live Long and Prosper!"

Michael N. Washington
TRW E&DS  Redondo Beach, Ca.  90278

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