The Omega particle/Directive

[Tricky]

Ok, the VOY episode 'The Omega Directive' was on the other day. For those of you that don't know, it's about VOY getting sensor data that activates a FED Program that directs a captain to find and destroy the source of "The Omega molecule", a source of great power, if you aren't destroyed when it goes unstable (it starts off at unstable, btw) and blows up. This reaction also destoys sub-space! FED attempts to create/harness this molecule destroyed a science station and made it impossible to use warp drive in a certain area of space.

BTW, the Borg think this Molecule is perfect (the almost Worship it, according to 7of9), and even THEY can't get it to work.

Well, some pre-warp civilization actually succeeded where the FED and Borg failed...mostly. They created a couple hundred molecules, but almost blew up their moon base (no, it wasn't launched out of orbit...that's another show!) So Janeway and crew must destoy these molecules before they devistate the quadrent (and maybe the galaxy).

Oh, and in case you're wondering about the 'pre-warp civilization'; the Prime Directive goes out the window when it concerns the "Omega Directive" .

There is so much about this episode that made me say "What?"
-All FED reg's go out the window? That seems sorta 'against character'!
-Forgot to mention it above, but they hid all info about the experiments they did. (apparently captains and Flag officers get a seminar about it on Risa) and even go as far as to say that the area where they destroyed sub space is a 'natural phenomena". Doesn't sound like MY FED!
-The Borg are in love with this molecule; but havn't tried to make it again? (although there is a bit where 7 tells Janeway how they discovered it that is kinda cool) Boy, they are going to be really upset that some pre-warp nobodies managed to make them and keep them for a couple of hours!
-This one is my fave: As soon as the sensors detect the molecules, the computer locks everyone out of it and shows a giant 'Omega' symbol. Apparently only a ship captain or Flag officer can override this lock out. That seems like a bad idea; if Janeway had been off the ship, then they would be in one big metal box.

Also, Janeway told everyone to not discuss this with the crew; so, the crew felt the ship drop out of warp, then every screen showed an Omega, they were locked out for a short time, and then they were told that "it wasn't anything important!"

And they bought it? Riiiiight

[The Tatterdemalion King]

There is so much about this episode that made me say "What?"

This is Voyager we're talking about.

[mactavish]

The Omega Directive

Starfleet, after encountering the unstable destructive power of the omega particle, issued the Omega Directive. Whenever a Starfleet vessel’s sensors detect signs of an Omega particle, the LCARS access screens throughout the ship display the Greek symbol Ω (Omega). Additionally, an encoded message containing information concerning the Omega Directive as well as the information concerning the locally-detected omega particle itself are presented in encrypted form accessible only to the ship’s commanding officer or others with similar security clearance.

The existence of the omega particle is considered extremely hazardous by Starfleet. The fear is that an enemy species could conceivably use this phenomenon as a weapon of unimaginable power to destroy its enemies. Consequently the Omega Directive dictates that all occurrences of omega particles be investigated and, if authenticity is determined, neutralized.


Omega Particles

An incredibly unique and dangerous particle that is nearly perfect in composition. Due to the particles’ inherent instabilities, Starfleet issued the Omega Directive, which detailed the procedure through which all omega particles should be destroyed when encountered. This directive was the result of an omega particle explosion that devastated an entire sector of the galaxy. The Borg Collective, too, encountered the omega particle. Due to experimentation with such particles, the Borg destroyed several sectors of space, along with several planets, stars, starships, and many, many drones.

At least one species indigenous to the Delta Quadrant has been found to use omega particles as a power source. Through the efforts of Voyager and 7 of 9, the omega particles were neutralized before they could cause any damage. Though rarely experienced in nature, the omega particle could definitely prove hazardous if a ship ignorant of its nature encountered one.

In game terms, a single omega particle explosion will destroy everything within a radius of 4d6 × 1,000,000 kilometers, including vessels, planets, and even stellar bodies. Since the explosion propagates outward at the speed of light, it is possible to outrun it by moving away at warp speed.

mactavish out.

[Dan Gurden]

The Omega Directive
In game terms, a single omega particle explosion will destroy everything within a radius of 4d6 × 1,000,000 kilometers, including vessels, planets, and even stellar bodies. Since the explosion propagates outward at the speed of light, it is possible to outrun it by moving away at warp speed.

Unless of course the explosion occurs as the particle is created and detected... in which case any starship with a full computer shutdown might find itself a little slow off the mark in getting to warp and escaping...

Oops.

[Tricky]

See Dan, that's what I'm talking about. But I'm SURE there's some kinda default thing in the Directive that would let the computer save the ship BEFORE it locked up everything! (and it could make for a nice 'below decks' story, as some crew members find the ship tossed around, then stoping with most hight level functions locked out)

Thanks for all the info MacT!

[The Tatterdemalion King]

The Lantaru Sector is rumoured to be the location of the legendary Memory Omega facility. According to the rumours, one of the devices there, a dimensional transporter, is used to access the facility from a number of planetoids throughout the Federation.

The phrase 'destroys subspace' is analogous to the phrase 'destroy a planet.' It's still there, it's just jumbled and chaotic. Some theorists prefer to say 'shattered.' While the Omega-affected space prevents warp fields from forming, other subspace phenomena, especially smaller self-contained bubbles such as individual subspace realms or time loops, may actually become more common in those areas.