Fear, Science, and Death
For one of the first times in my life, I’m completely terrified.
I knew the scans when I saw them–typical, young, healthy star which has been completely collapsed in a matter of hours by an artificial and willful means. While I can’t help but think of the massive energy surges that would be required of such a device which would be able to cause this sort of destruction, it almost seems as if this is something out of a story or work of fiction. It seems so fantastical in nature to not even be possible.
Much like the destruction at Delkan IV, in a way. While that incident didn’t involve a star, the entire planet seemed laid to waste. Nalah referred to its destructors as ‘the Black Ships,’ and we both could sense the eerie feeling of death in the air. While I would like to imagine that this problem exists only in Federation space, these incidents are much too close in factual description to be of a coincidence; which means that we are equally as able to be targeted as they are.
In a way, it reminds me of the work I’ve been doing. At first glance it seems harmless enough: wormhole creation technology to travel great distances as easily as we engage our current technology of warp drive. But what purposes could that be used for? Could we not utilize that for ill purposes as well? War has always been a part of our history–and that of many other cultures as well–but what would the effects of that be? Can we even determine that now? I suppose like all technologies, it has its peaceful and warlike sides, but I dearly hope that if I’m ever successful at creating this invention, it doesn’t become bastardized into some grave weapon.
I know that this isn’t a Rihannsu world, but I can’t help but feel bad for those people down there on Betazed; they are quite literally freezing to death and there’s nothing we can do about it. Sure, we have the technology to delay the temperature drops, but terraforming an entire world just isn’t something we can easily do…especially with the lack of a serviceable star to provide the energy and heat necessary for life. This is not an honorable way for these people to go, and I am at least glad that we’re taking a part in helping them–even if it has ulterior motives behind it.
Still, I can’t help but be afraid. I heard rumors that the Federation was completely helpless against these ‘Black Ships’ and I’m not sure if we could do much better–even if we’re expecting it.