Interstellar Phenomena

In addition to galactic-scale phenomena such as the spiral arms & the core, many dangers and scientific opportunities appear in the vast empty spaces among the stars. In general, such phenomena occur most commonly in regions of denser star populations, but exploratory vessels have found enough exceptions to this rule to fill a library computer complex. The universe remains a wondrous place, and the "laws of astrophysics" 20th-century humanity postulated without ever leaving their planet proved mutable indeed.

This section describes these phenomena, as far as Starfleet understands them, and gives some indications about their distribution and frequency. Their effects on passing (or investigating) ships are included here. If not, see chapter 13 ("Hazards") of the Decipher book, Star Trek Roleplaying Game, v2: Narrator's Guide (NG).

Stellar

Black Hole

250 : As they age, stars that mass more than 20 times Sol can collapse past the neutron star stage and become a black hole (also known as a 'singularity' or 'black star'). Black holes generate gravity one hundred billion times that of Earth - so strong that even light cannot escape them. The radiation, dust and gas attracted by a black hole forms an accretion disk around the hole, and as they fall into the hole, powerful gravity waves and X-rays radiate out from the hole. These emissions can endanger nearby objects, including starships and even entire worlds. : Moving into a black hole's gravity field causes immense gravimetric shear damage (see NG, p. 231) and presents a risk of time dilation, or time compression. Flying at the wrong tangent into the black hole's gravity field can result in relativistic one-way trip up to a billion years into the future - or if the black hole is spinning, into the past. Starfleet archaeologists occasionally detect frighteningly ancient relics spinning in orbits around black holes, preserved by this time-dilation effect. Some mathematical theories predict that the precise center of a black hole is a 'white hole' into another universe; this other universe may be the home dimension of the life-form encountered by USS Enterprise (1701-D) in 2369 that uses quantum singularities as nests for its young. The Romulans power some of their ships, including the feared D'deridex-class warbird, with minute black holes known as artificial quantum singularities; thanks to the elaborate and multiple redundant safety interlocks built into these drives, very few have accidentally created true black holes, even when the ships were destroyed by energy sources like phasers. : Black holes, while not common, are well enough understood that their presence and their dangers should be no surprise to any navigator. It is clear: once the event horizon is crossed, the ship is forever irretrievable. Instead, RPG events may come about from a black hole being studied: the ship looses power (or the station looses station keeping and must be rescued/repaired), a ship is lost to the horizon and the opportunity is taken to study it (time slows down immensely for the observed), a ship is thrown through time, a trapped ship from elsewhere in time 'pops' into view suddenly, within the horizon, etc.). ; Cosmic String: Resembling a black hole that is one proton in diameter in width but several light-years long, cosmic strings (also called superstrings) pose significant dangers to starships. Although they emit energy on characteristic subspace frequencies, cosmic strings can catch space vessels within their gravitational pull before a ship detects them. Once trapped, a ship may find itself unable to break free before actual contact with the string slices it apart. The exact nature and formation of cosmic strings remains a mystery. Some scientists speculate that ancient civilizations used them as construction tools to build Dyson spheres and re-arrange solar systems, or as weapons (since a string could easily cut through ships, planets and even stars). Others believe that cosmic strings constitute the majority of the galaxy's dark matter. : When a cosmic string is rolled, it will be detected as a gravimetric oddity, exhibiting extremes of gravitational forces: when first detected from any of 358 degrees of approach, it will provide a mass similar to that of a terrestrial planet, but when detected from a very narrow slice of 2 degrees (each 180 degrees apart), it will be sensed as a massive object, on par with that of a black hole. Therefore, when a ship approaches the invisible object, it will most likely sense a smaller stellar body that is not visually detected, but in it comes in from the wrong angle, the ship will be irreversibly drawn in, too sudden to take any action. Due to the sheer lack of experience with this type of phenomenon and the unlikelihood the object will be properly identified from a safe enough distance, it is considered an Extreme event. Any damage endured and survived will be the result of evasive actions taken just prior to crossing over either event horizon. Once identified, the cosmic string should be properly charted and marked as an extreme navigation hazard. They can extend for 1d10 lightyears. ; Ion storm: : Stars, nebulae and other energetic bodies occasionally emit streams of electrically-charged dust and gas particles called ion storms. Ion storms can pose a danger to ships or planets and they continuously accelerate until they disburse. A given storm usually extends only a few thousand kilometers, but can trail by perhaps a million kilometers in length. Even worse, they are difficult to detect, regardless of size. Starfleet rates ion storms in levels 1 to 10 (occasionally higher), depending upon their intensity. Ion storms can wreck havoc with the navigation and control systems of starships, or even kill unprotected crew in extended scientific pods or shuttlecraft. Very intense storms (level 6 and stronger), such as that around the planet Halka in 2267, can interfere with transporters or even alter the local field density between parallel universes. : Ion storms are fairly typical challenges for with which a starship to deal. While this rule insert cannot dictate the 'why' a starship has to contend with any particular ion storm, consider a level 6 storm to be a routine Event, while levels 7-9 would constitute challenging. A level 10 might considered difficult, unless the issue of parallel travel arises to make it harder... ; Lazarus star: : While most supernovae lead to the creation of new protostars, a few supergiant stars somehow survive these massive explosions, then collapse again to cause another supernova. Known as Lazarus stars, these stars are surrounded by miniature nebulae consisting of nested shells of ionized gases. Any planets or asteroids able to survive the repeated stellar explosions possess rich amounts of radioactives, heavy metals and exotic substances (like dilithium), making the potential hazards of such systems worth braving for daring miners (especially during times of shortage or need, such as the Dominion War). The Kavis Alpha neutron star, studied by Dr. Paul Stubbs with the help of USS Enterprise (1701-D) in 2366, explodes every 196 years, making it one of the most regular and powerful Lazarus stars known. : In the RPG, these stars explode on a timed, but often irregular, schedule. Rolling a 1 thru 8 on a 1d10, the target Lazarus star explodes irregularly every 1d250 years, rolled after every event. On a roll of 9 or 10, however, the star explodes on a set timeframe, like clockwork, every 1d250 years. Any planets (or asteroids) within 5 lightyears will see a resource values doubled that actually rolled (for one random resource type, for all affected bodies) for their planetary class. ; Lost Planet: : Although ships rarely encounter planets in interstellar space, such lost planets (also known as rogue planets) do occasionally occur. They are usually wrenched from their home star system by some cosmic catastrophe, such as a passing black hole or a supernova explosion, or they are constructed planets such as Yonada or Gothos, sent on their mysterious journy by a builder race or some immensely powerful being. Depending on the builders' technological capacity, such a world might support life in its hollow interior, or somehow maintain an atmosphere and energy source in deep space. Without such support, a terrestrial planet knocked away from a star will rapidly become Class D, though - with sufficient tectonic activity or other support - may simply transition to either P or even L classes. A large enough Class J world, or those of Classes S & T, just might be able to generate enough heat internally to support life on a Class M moon around it, a truly amazing chance that would divert any passing ship with an ounce of scientific curiosity. : In the RPG, these rare planets may be encountered by long-range gravimetric scans. As indicated, they are usually moonless gas giants or rocky planets. It is the rare exception indeed to find one that would still be considered terrestrial. Roll on the Blue zone to determine what class of world might have been encountered. ; Nebula: : Clouds of interstellar gas and dust, nebulae range in size from relatively small planetary nebulae (usually under one cubic light-year, blown out by a super-nova) to immense interstellar nebulae stretching across whole sectors. Some interstellar nebulae first begin as planetary nebulae; others are protostars, or even entire stellar nurseries, that failed to form. In general, planetary nebulae are thicker and more energetic than interstellar nebulae. : Starfleet assigns nebulae alphabetic classes: Class J nebulae are high in dark matter and ionized gas, Class T nebulae emit high levels of radiation, the Class C "Mutara class" blanks all visual and tactical sensors and interferes with shields. Starfleet's science teams also use numerical nebulae classes running from 1 to 17. These numbers do not correspond directly with the nebula's energy level or thickness, as these vary in individual nebulae and over time, but with their basic structure and composition. In many Class 11 and 17 nebulae, phaser fire (or directed positron beams) can ignite active gases such as sirillium with effects similar to a small, localized plasma storm. : In such particularly thick or energetic nebulae, combat can become tense and deadly, even reduced to a duel of naked-eye torpedo targeting and sheer piloting instinct. Malfunctioning weapons systems (or the strange effects of nebula radiation on the ship's personnel) may force the crew to improvise tactics, replacement equipment or both. A crew will need both skill and luck to survive such an encounter. : See NB (pp. 232-233) for examples of different nebulae and their effect on ships & crew. ; Neutron Star: : Stars with masses over one and a half times that of Sol do not remain white dwarfs after they age. The star's gravity pulls the white dwarf's stellar material inward, collapsing it into neutronium, a hyperdense form of matter that not even Starfleet technology can manipulate. Neutron stars, since they are dark and gravitically powerful, can pose serious navigation hazards. ; Nova: : A nova is a cataclysmic nuclear explosion on a white dwarf, which causes a sudden brightening of the star. (Novae are not to be confused with other brightening phenomena such as supernovae or luminous red novae.) A nova is caused by the accretion of hydrogen onto the surface of the star, which ignites and starts nuclear fusion in a runaway manner. Novae are thought to occur on the surface of a white dwarf in a binary system. If the two stars are close enough, material can be pulled from the companion star's surface onto the white dwarf. ; Plasma Field: : In subspatially or temporally unstable sectors, the interstellar hydrogen often accretes into dangerous plasma disruptions, discharging across light-years in showers of fiery energy. In some sectors (such as the Cardassian border Badlands) the plasma disruptions create a continuous plasma field which becomes a grave hazard to navigation. Like ion storms, Starfleet rates plasma fields on a scale from 1 to 10, based on their intensity. : A level 6 field is a routine Event, while levels 7-8 would constitute challenging; levels 9 and 10 are considered difficult. For vessels of size 5 or smaller, the level of complexity is increased by one. ; Protostar: : Clouds of interstellar gas and dust, nebulae range in size from relatively small planetary nebulae (usually under one cubic light-year, blown out by a super-nova) to immense interstellar

250 : As they age, stars that mass more than 20 times Sol can collapse past the neutron star stage and become a black hole (also known as a 'singularity' or 'black star'). Black holes generate gravity one hundred billion times that of Earth - so strong that even light cannot escape them. The radiation, dust and gas attracted by a black hole forms an accretion disk around the hole, and as they fall into the hole, powerful gravity waves and X-rays radiate out from the hole. These emissions can endanger nearby objects, including starships and even entire worlds. : Moving into a black hole's gravity field causes immense gravimetric shear damage (see NG, p. 231) and presents a risk of time dilation, or time compression. Flying at the wrong tangent into the black hole's gravity field can result in relativistic one-way trip up to a billion years into the future - or if the black hole is spinning, into the past. Starfleet archaeologists occasionally detect frighteningly ancient relics spinning in orbits around black holes, preserved by this time-dilation effect. Some mathematical theories predict that the precise center of a black hole is a 'white hole' into another universe; this other universe may be the home dimension of the life-form encountered by USS Enterprise (1701-D) in 2369 that uses quantum singularities as nests for its young. The Romulans power some of their ships, including the feared D'deridex-class warbird, with minute black holes known as artificial quantum singularities; thanks to the elaborate and multiple redundant safety interlocks built into these drives, very few have accidentally created true black holes, even when the ships were destroyed by energy sources like phasers.  : Black holes, while not common, are well enough understood that their presence and their dangers should be no surprise to any navigator. It is clear: once the event horizon is crossed, the ship is forever irretrievable. Instead, RPG events may come about from a black hole being studied: the ship looses power (or the station looses station keeping and must be rescued/repaired), a ship is lost to the horizon and the opportunity is taken to study it (time slows down immensely for the observed), a ship is thrown through time, a trapped ship from elsewhere in time 'pops' into view suddenly, within the horizon, etc.).  ; Cosmic String:

Resembling a black hole that is one proton in diameter in width but several light-years long, cosmic strings (also called superstrings) pose significant dangers to starships. Although they emit energy on characteristic subspace frequencies, cosmic strings can catch space vessels within their gravitational pull before a ship detects them. Once trapped, a ship may find itself unable to break free before actual contact with the string slices it apart. The exact nature and formation of cosmic strings remains a mystery. Some scientists speculate that ancient civilizations used them as construction tools to build Dyson spheres and re-arrange solar systems, or as weapons (since a string could easily cut through ships, planets and even stars). Others believe that cosmic strings constitute the majority of the galaxy's dark matter. : When a cosmic string is rolled, it will be detected as a gravimetric oddity, exhibiting extremes of gravitational forces: when first detected from any of 358 degrees of approach, it will provide a mass similar to that of a terrestrial planet, but when detected from a very narrow slice of 2 degrees (each 180 degrees apart), it will be sensed as a massive object, on par with that of a black hole. Therefore, when a ship approaches the invisible object, it will most likely sense a smaller stellar body that is not visually detected, but in it comes in from the wrong angle, the ship will be irreversibly drawn in, too sudden to take any action. Due to the sheer lack of experience with this type of phenomenon and the unlikelihood the object will be properly identified from a safe enough distance, it is considered an Extreme event. Any damage endured and survived will be the result of evasive actions taken just prior to crossing over either event horizon. Once identified, the cosmic string should be properly charted and marked as an extreme navigation hazard. They can extend for 1d10 lightyears.
 ; Ion storm:

 : Stars, nebulae and other energetic bodies occasionally emit streams of electrically-charged dust and gas particles called ion storms. Ion storms can pose a danger to ships or planets and they continuously accelerate until they disburse. A given storm usually extends only a few thousand kilometers, but can trail by perhaps a million kilometers in length. Even worse, they are difficult to detect, regardless of size. Starfleet rates ion storms in levels 1 to 10 (occasionally higher), depending upon their intensity. Ion storms can wreck havoc with the navigation and control systems of starships, or even kill unprotected crew in extended scientific pods or shuttlecraft. Very intense storms (level 6 and stronger), such as that around the planet Halka in 2267, can interfere with transporters or even alter the local field density between parallel universes.  : Ion storms are fairly typical challenges for with which a starship to deal. While this rule insert cannot dictate the 'why' a starship has to contend with any particular ion storm, consider a level 6 storm to be a routine Event, while levels 7-9 would constitute challenging. A level 10 might considered difficult, unless the issue of parallel travel arises to make it harder...
 ; Lazarus star:

 : While most supernovae lead to the creation of new protostars, a few supergiant stars somehow survive these massive explosions, then collapse again to cause another supernova. Known as Lazarus stars, these stars are surrounded by miniature nebulae consisting of nested shells of ionized gases. Any planets or asteroids able to survive the repeated stellar explosions possess rich amounts of radioactives, heavy metals and exotic substances (like dilithium), making the potential hazards of such systems worth braving for daring miners (especially during times of shortage or need, such as the Dominion War). The Kavis Alpha neutron star, studied by Dr. Paul Stubbs with the help of USS Enterprise (1701-D) in 2366, explodes every 196 years, making it one of the most regular and powerful Lazarus stars known.  : In the RPG, these stars explode on a timed, but often irregular, schedule. Rolling a 1 thru 8 on a 1d10, the target Lazarus star explodes irregularly every 1d250 years, rolled after every event. On a roll of 9 or 10, however, the star explodes on a set timeframe, like clockwork, every 1d250 years. Any planets (or asteroids) within 5 lightyears will see a resource values doubled that actually rolled (for one random resource type, for all affected bodies) for their planetary class.
 ; Lost Planet:

 : Although ships rarely encounter planets in interstellar space, such lost planets (also known as rogue planets) do occasionally occur. They are usually wrenched from their home star system by some cosmic catastrophe, such as a passing black hole or a supernova explosion, or they are constructed planets such as Yonada or Gothos, sent on their mysterious journy by a builder race or some immensely powerful being. Depending on the builders' technological capacity, such a world might support life in its hollow interior, or somehow maintain an atmosphere and energy source in deep space. Without such support, a terrestrial planet knocked away from a star will rapidly become Class D, though - with sufficient tectonic activity or other support - may simply transition to either P or even L classes. A large enough Class J world, or those of Classes S & T, just might be able to generate enough heat internally to support life on a Class M moon around it, a truly amazing chance that would divert any passing ship with an ounce of scientific curiosity.  : In the RPG, these rare planets may be encountered by long-range gravimetric scans. As indicated, they are usually moonless gas giants or rocky planets. It is the rare exception indeed to find one that would still be considered terrestrial. Roll on the Blue zone to determine what class of world might have been encountered.
 ; Nebula:

 : Clouds of interstellar gas and dust, nebulae range in size from relatively small planetary nebulae (usually under one cubic light-year, blown out by a super-nova) to immense interstellar nebulae stretching across whole sectors. Some interstellar nebulae first begin as planetary nebulae; others are protostars, or even entire stellar nurseries, that failed to form. In general, planetary nebulae are thicker and more energetic than interstellar nebulae.  : Starfleet assigns nebulae alphabetic classes: Class J nebulae are high in dark matter and ionized gas, Class T nebulae emit high levels of radiation, the Class C "Mutara class" blanks all visual and tactical sensors and interferes with shields. Starfleet's science teams also use numerical nebulae classes running from 1 to 17. These numbers do not correspond directly with the nebula's energy level or thickness, as these vary in individual nebulae and over time, but with their basic structure and composition. In many Class 11 and 17 nebulae, phaser fire (or directed positron beams) can ignite active gases such as sirillium with effects similar to a small, localized plasma storm.  : In such particularly thick or energetic nebulae, combat can become tense and deadly, even reduced to a duel of naked-eye torpedo targeting and sheer piloting instinct. Malfunctioning weapons systems (or the strange effects of nebula radiation on the ship's personnel) may force the crew to improvise tactics, replacement equipment or both. A crew will need both skill and luck to survive such an encounter. : See NB (pp. 232-233) for examples of different nebulae and their effect on ships & crew.
 ; Neutron Star:

 : Stars with masses over one and a half times that of Sol do not remain white dwarfs after they age. The star's gravity pulls the white dwarf's stellar material inward, collapsing it into neutronium, a hyperdense form of matter that not even Starfleet technology can manipulate. Neutron stars, since they are dark and gravitically powerful, can pose serious navigation hazards.
 ; Nova:

 : A nova is a cataclysmic nuclear explosion on a white dwarf, which causes a sudden brightening of the star. (Novae are not to be confused with other brightening phenomena such as supernovae or luminous red novae.) A nova is caused by the accretion of hydrogen onto the surface of the star, which ignites and starts nuclear fusion in a runaway manner. Novae are thought to occur on the surface of a white dwarf in a binary system. If the two stars are close enough, material can be pulled from the companion star's surface onto the white dwarf.
 ; Plasma Field:

 : In subspatially or temporally unstable sectors, the interstellar hydrogen often accretes into dangerous plasma disruptions, discharging across light-years in showers of fiery energy. In some sectors (such as the Cardassian border Badlands) the plasma disruptions create a continuous plasma field which becomes a grave hazard to navigation. Like ion storms, Starfleet rates plasma fields on a scale from 1 to 10, based on their intensity.  : A level 6 field is a routine Event, while levels 7-8 would constitute challenging; levels 9 and 10 are considered difficult. For vessels of size 5 or smaller, the level of complexity is increased by one.
 ; Protostar:

 : Clouds of interstellar gas and dust, nebulae range in size from relatively small planetary nebulae (usually under one cubic light-year, blown out by a super-nova) to immense interstellar

A protostar is a cloud of gas and dust in the process of collapsing into a star and planets. Protostar clouds are fairly thin, so ships can move through them at up to wap 1 without danger. Close to the developing star, the nebula becomes much denser; there, ships cannot travel at more than half maximum impulse speed (0.5 c) because the dense gas can literally melt the hull at high speeds. Protostars also emit powerful waves of magnetoscopic radiation, which interferes with sensors, navigation and communication systems. In addition, showers of meteoroids commonly occur within protostar clouds and some protostars host photonic life forms.

Pulsar

Most neutron stars become pulsars, spinning rapidly in periods from approximately one millisecond to almost 5 seconds. As it spins, a pulsar emits powerful energy pulses (anything from radio waves, to X-rays to visible light). The pulses occur at regular intervals, though these intervals slowly increase as the pulsar ages. Thanks to these pulses, pulsars often serve as 'navigational beacons' for spacefaring species. Starfleet rates pulsars at power levels from 1 to 10.

Star cluster

Star clusters are (relatively) tight areas of space where multiple stars exist. Due to the tight gravimetric conditions of the area, another (of many different types) interstellar phenomena will often be co-located.

T Tauri Star

Normal, or 'main sequence', stars experience a T Tauri stage at an early point during their stellar evolution. In this stage, a star loses much of its light metals (including solar lithium), which it emits in an enormous 'T Tauri wind' that blows billions of kilometers into space. This wind is highly energetic and can interfere with many ship's systems and even with organic life nearby. Almost all T Tauri stars are too young to have planets, but exceptions do exist.

Variable Star

Although most stars have constant (in humanoid terms) brightness, rotation and other characteristics, some, known as variable stars, alter one or more of their characteristics over relatively short time periods (as little as days or even minutes). For example, Cephid variables build up stellar energy and release it in nova-like explosions and flare stars project enormous solar flares; either phenomenon could harm an orbiting ship or destroy a nearby planet. A ship that knew a variable star's periodicity could potentially set a stellar ambush for an enemy, striking while the solar flares buffeted the target's shields and communications.

Subspace

Subspace is a spatial continuum completely tangent to normal space, but with widely divergent physical laws. Warp engines and subspace radio, crucial elements of interstellar travel, depend on subspace, but can also distort it under the wrong conditions. There are a wide array of recorded anomalies, including the following:

Subspace Compression

A phenomenon (natural or artificial) caused when an object is partially encased in a subspace field, thus altering the gravitational constant of the encased portion and giving the different parts different inertial densities. Subspace compression causes stress to be placed on the object, and in extreme cases can cause it to be destroyed on an atomic level. In addition to this danger there is considerable risk of damage to the platform projecting the subspace field, although a modern starship is capable of withstanding a considerable degree of subspace compression. The Enterprise-D once attempted to correct the orbit of a moon orbiting Bre'el IV by wrapping a subspace field around part of it, thus resulting in subspace compression. The attempt failed, but as a result of non technical factors rather than any problems with the method employed.

A rare and highly unusual subspace compression phenomenon was discovered in 2374. The anomaly caused an object which passed through it to be greatly reduced in physical size; the Danube class runabout Rubicon was shrunk to a size of approximately a dozen centimeters while investigating the anomaly, although it was eventually able to return to its normal size. It was hoped that study of the anomaly would enable a better understanding of the mechanisms behind transwarp conduits to be gained.

An encounter with subspace compression (artificially or naturally created) will cause considerable distress to the ship, regardless of the ship's skill. Unless otherwise dictated, the length of time to which the compression lasts naturally is 1d100 minutes; the effect will cause 2d6+3 points of damage each minute, taken by the shields first and then to the ship directly, per standard damage rules.

Subspace Corridor

A subspace corridor is a shortcut through space, which can allow a starship to traverse great distances otherwise unachievable with traditional warp drive. This 'groove in subspace' can draw in warp-driven ships and move them at speeds of up to 40 light-years a minute (equivalent to 21,024,000 light-years in a year or warp 276 on the OCU scale). A ship can emit a deflector resonance pulse to change its shield harmonics and thrust itself out of the corridor.

Though these corridors are rare, examples exist where they connect with other corridors, creating a vast network that can span well over 6,000 light-years (or more). In the Delta quadrant, the Vaadwaur mapped a network of subspace corridors (which were called underspace) over a period of centuries. They also discovered frequent use resulted in degradation of the corridors, requiring maintenance and careful use. Though navigation of normal space while within the corridors is not possible, ships can maneuver and - based on accurate charts - exit the corridors, based on times of transit within and landmarks of corridor branches. Debris can build up and remain within corridors that are not maintained.

While a subspace corridor might result in a long-range sensor scan as an anomaly, actually discovering the breach into the corridor and opening it is not easy. Any attempt to study the anomaly will only result in success if rolled at less than 20% of the Ship skill. If an entrance to a subspace corridor is discovered, the ship may find itself pulled in and - barring any action to disrupt the transit or damage taken from other forces in the corridor - may find themselves disgorged 1d300 light-years from their original position, in a randomized direction. On a roll of 1d6, 1d10 branches will exist within the corridor, each with another 1d6 chance of 1d10 additional branches. The discovery of such a network would be immensely valuable.

Subspace Eddy

Subspace eddies form at the confluence of space and subspace, such as near a black hole or a powerful emitter of subspace radiation. They are highly charged with plasma, which causes them to leave an easily detectable particle wake behind them. The plasma makes a good source of energy for starships which are otherwise short on such resources. Subspace eddies throw off graviton waves, which cause considerable turbulence in their vicinity. Within the eddy, massive discharges of plasmatic energy are found and temperature gradients can exceed nine million kelvins. However the center of an eddy has a perfectly calm region akin to the eye of a hurricane.

Subspace eddies are considered to be 'challenging' Events to deal with, when encountered. As indicated, they can be a ready source of heated plasma, if the receiving ship is in a condition to collect it.

Subspace Interphase Pocket

Our universe coexists with a multitude of others occupying the same physical space but separated by the phase difference between them. Occasionally a universe overlaps with another, creating a region of interphase. Such interphase pockets are highly dangerous; vessels entering them are likely to find themselves marooned in another universe with little chance of returning. Being in close proximity to an interphase pocket has drastic effects on the brain function of humanoid life forms, while being trapped inside one is generally fatal.

Interphase pockets are highly sensitive to disturbances in space and any use of energy in their vicinity can cause them to shift position and alter the timing of the periods of interphase significantly. An interphase pocket can be produced by detonating a tri-cobalt warhead in a sufficiently large gravitational field, such as that found near to a dead star. Under the right conditions, the pocket can act as a gateway which can allow objects to move both between parallel universes and through time.

An interphase pocket is simply a limbo region between the two universes that are out of phase to one another. Some examples of these universes have proven to be (roughly) parallel (meaning, they are very similar in most respects, but with notable differences) and, of these, they may also allow for 'relative' time travel (that is, crossing over into a parallel universe does not mean also at the equivalent time). Other universes that are entered may be of a far different nature, though examples encountered to-date have not seen any differences in the laws of physics. An early encounter with an interphase pocket may be considered a 'difficult' Event, with failure possibly resulting in a ship trapped either in the pocket (resulting in death) or the other universe (requiring adaption to new circumstances). After there is some understanding of the nature of interphase pockets, an experienced (or trained) crew will probably encounter the Event as 'challenging'.

Subspace Rift/Rupture

An opening in the fabric of normal space through which subspace protrudes. High level exposure of space containing subspace instabilities to warp fields can result in a subspace rift, a weakness that starts to exhibit symptoms of the impending rupture, which will cause vessels to become trapped in subspace. The rifts are extremely sensitive to any use of subspace technology, most especially to warp drive - any use of a warp drive system within a rift causes it to expand greatly into a rupture.

Very similar to subspace turbulence, a rift or rupture is not the result of natural anomalies (such as black holes or omega particles), but of heavy subspace use in a localized region. Unlike a void, where subspace is no longer present, in a rupture, subspace becomes a constant presence in normal space, essentially trapping any object that was in the immediate area at the time of the rupture forever within that same area. No travel can take place between the areas of normal space and subspace, not even by pre-existing features, such as subspace corridors.

Subspace turbulence is an early symptom of a rift and will be present in the immediate boundary areas of a rupture.

Subspace Shockwave

A shockwave produced by certain types of explosion, most notably those involving dilithium ore. Subspace shock waves tend to propagate across an almost flat plane rather than in the three dimensional manner of a normal explosion. The shock wave propagates through normal space and can interact with objects within our universe, but its subspace nature allows it to travel at high multiples of the speed of light. The near destruction of the Klingon moon Praxis in 2293 produced a large subspace shock wave with a double wave front which extended out of Klingon territory altogether and hit the USS Excelsior, which was patrolling in the area at the time.

Subspace shockwaves created by moons or larger usually dissipate within 1d10 hours' time, though they'll travel at 1d100xc (i.e. up to just over warp 4 (TNG)). The below table indicates the level of complexity involved in escaping a subspace shockwave and the level of damage done to one system (bypassing the ship's hull & resistance factor), if the evasion attempt fails.

Shockwave Damage

Source	Skill Reduction	Damage
Starship	skill doubled	1-3 pts
Borg cube	none	2d6+3 pts
Moon	25%	5d6 pts
Planet	50%	7d6 pts
Nova/Supernova	75%	ship destroyed

Subspace Turbulence

Subspace turbulence is a subspace anomaly which causes severe disruption in subspace. This phenomenon, common around black holes and other similar disruptive anomalies, can hamper or even prevent a starship from forming a cohesive warp field (and thus from attaining warp speed). The after-effects of Omega particles will also result in subspace turbulence, prior to entering an area completely devoid of subspace.

While warp speed itself is impossible in a subspace void (area completely removed of any subspace presence), the 'shoal' areas around it may be somewhat possible to a ship skilled enough to initiate and maintain a warp bubble about their ship. Distances around the void differ, but the complexity of the act of warp creation decreases as distance from the subspace event increases. The complexity starts of at 'extreme' immediately outside the void, and lessens through the 'difficult', 'challenging' and 'routine' levels.

Subspace Vacuole

A subspace vacuole is a type of dimensional distortion which can act as a means of transit between dimensions, much as a wormhole does in normal space. Subspace vacuoles can also pose a hazard to navigation, due to the fact that contact with a vacuole while traveling at warp speeds could lead to the destruction of one's ship. Subspace vacuoles may be temporary or permanent phenomenon.

While detectable on short-range sensors, if a vessel crosses over a threshold of a vacuole while at warp, it must make a 'difficult' skill roll to survive (then, an additional one for damage). Transiting thru a vacuole at sublight will trigger the transfer to an alternate dimension.