Tetrahedron
From Hidden Frontier
Tetrahedron, n. (Greek origin, literally "four-sided shape")
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Origin
Tetrahedrons are pyramidal, ancient artifacts lying deep within the Briar Patch and nearby space. These relics of ancient power were apparently created by the unknown Designers, an ancient race with no apparent survivors.
Another alien power, the Grey, seem to know the most about the artifacts, and appear to be using them to channel power to the dying star at the center of their home star system in the center of the Patch. ("Epitaph")
Several other galactic powers are vying for understanding and harnessing these relics. They include: the Son'a, the Tholians, Breen, Cardassia and the Federation-Klingon Alliance.
Several centuries ago Tolian Naros, a native of El-Aura, home of the "Race of Listeners," was adventuring through the sectors of space including the Briar Patch. With an alien companion, Siroc, he explored the mysteries of the star systems of the Patch. The circumstances under which Naros eventually left the Patch are unknown. In leaving, however, he had a falling-out with Siroc, another long-lived being, and stranded Siroc in deep space 200 years ago.
The Designers may have experimented with early versions of the tetrahedrons. At least one artifact, an actual pyramid shape, was discovered by the crew of the Excelsior on Centris III. This ancient structure, found deep within a cavern on the planet, though damaged, was still capable of creating a powerful electromagnetic storm in conjunction with cloaked satellites orbiting the planet. ("Darkest Night")
Design and Purpose
The pyramid-shaped artifacts appear to contain or channel vast amounts of power using largely unknown principles of hyperdimensional physics. The original use and purpose of the tetrahedrons remain unknown, though they are known to be powerful enough to destroy ships and even planets with ease. Tetrahedrons are known to be sensitive to isolitic scans, which may provoke a defensive response if the scans are sufficiently intense.
Naros may hold the keys to understanding the true use of the devices, but has revealed only a small amount, much to the chagrin of his captain, Elizabeth Shelby. If Siroc, now in league with the Tholian Assembly, has further understanding of these artifacts, he is just as silent on the issue, but has aided the Tholians in their search to acquire their power.
Keys
Smaller artifacts discovered by Siroc and his henchmen, known as tetrahedron keys, are thought by researchers to enable direct control of the tetrahedrons. Two of the keys are known to exist, but the number is apparently insufficient to control the large and powerful artifacts. ("Heroes")
Properties
Operation
Federation scientists initially assumed the tetrahedrons are incredibly durable, capable of resisting great force and even active sensor scans -- assumptions proven incorrect by researchers at the Grey Research Facility ("Dancing in the Dark"). Tetrahedrons appear to be built to survive by absorbing outside energies instead of deflecting them, and then integrating that energy into their inner workings.
Defensive Systems
Tetrahedrons react violently when they are intrusively probed. Active scans of certain types provoke a defensive response, usually in the form of gravity waves that destroy unshielded ships. Shielded ships are temporarily disabled in the wake of the gravity waves. ("Modus Operandi")
Federation scientists have discovered that they possess a rudimentary sentience that allows them to distinguish between innocuous events, like a meteor striking their surface, and purposefully intrusive incidents, like a starship trying to uncover its secrets. The tetrahedrons sacrifice themselves only when they believe their internal security has been compromised by an outside intelligence.
Starfleet has successfully penetrated the interior of the Ba'ku tetrahedron, circumventing its partially operational defensive systems by having a Horta Starfleet officer, Lieutenant Pergium pose as a meteor to gain entry and gather data. ("Dancing in the Dark")
Omega Particle
During his probe of the Ba'ku tetrahedron, the Horta Starfleet xenogeologist, Lieutenant Pergium discovered a trace of an Omega particle inside. The power of Omega may be what makes control of the tetrahedrons so important to the Tholians and the Grey. ("Dancing in the Dark")
Appearances
- Encke (orbiting Osiris III)
- Modus Operandi (Cardassian research facility)
- Crossroads (Tholians steal Cardassian tetrahedron)
- Entanglement, Part 2 (damaged, under Ba'ku ocean)
- Darkest Night (ancient, pyramid version)
- The Battle is Joined (in McAllister Nebula)
- Dancing in the Dark (under Ba'ku ocean)
- Beachhead (near Tren'La, apparently under Tholian control)
- Her Battle Lanterns Lit (near Tren'La)
See Also
"Dancing in the Dark" ; Dyson Sphere ; Hyperdimensional physics ; Omega molecule ; Tetrahedron key
