ISS Artemis 24 on return course to Elli's Chance in orbit planet 6 system 612-744
Date 1185-269 Imperial Standard
Time 1645 Shipboard
"Everyone here," Ishyn asked rhetorically. The common area had all stations configured to science lab so everyone would be able to follow the briefing.
"Then let's get started. Ms. Cobutain has been researching the compound acquired from Elli's Chance to see what relation it has to those things over there and what might help us get past them. Before I turn it over, I must ask our young crew members, is everything to the molecular level accounted for, sealed and secured as before?"
Mel and Val both nodded.
"Very well. We have a short time before orbital coordination maneuvers so, Mel let us know what you have."
Mel stood and quickly brought Val and Vrain up to speed on what she had previously told the commander. Vrain looked at his boss incredulously, "Daryl, you actually allowed my truant to do a direct examination of that,.. that,... stuff? When we get back I am hacking your records and putting you on a sabbatical."
Mel looked between the two older scouts to see if this was serious or just good natured banter between senior crew members She was not sure and Ishyn gestured for her to continue.
"I did not waste time recreating the work already done just a couple of quick tests and examinations to know I could rely on the data our unknown scientist left with us. I then proceeded to do a down and dirty full molecular map." She brought up on all monitors a model of a long twisting molecule, color coded to indicate the various atoms in its makeup.
Daryl gave a low whistle, "That's a big one."
"Aye sir. And here a some more." In turn, Mel brought up three more molecules, all very different but all very large. "In my quick scan it looks like everything is a macro-molecule. I didn't see anything small."
Vrian was rubbing his chin, cycling quickly through the images. " So this stuff, SOSOCS you called it, is not a single substance but an amalgamation of various molecular groups." He switched to drumming his fingers, "but you don't indicate the color for carbon in the key." He stopped on one image in particular, "this is the only one that looks vaguely familiar, maybe only from a geometric stand point. It could be RNA or similar, but no carbon."
"Correct on both Chief Engineer." Mel answered, "There is not a single carbon atom in any of these. It appears silicon fills the roll where we would expect carbon. And before you ask, no it is not carbon-less RNA, if that's even possible, as there is also no oxygen or hydrogen."
"So this stuff lacks the most common atom in the universe?"
"Yes, although it is high in sulfur and selenium with high counts of the alkaloids sodium, potassium and some lithium. It has properties of metal and ceramic though could also be considered a salt. There is a high reactivity potential."
"I can see that there would be a large amount of energy tied up in those bonds. Maybe we could figure a solvent that would rapidly react?"
Ishyn was watching Mel now as she appeared to be loosing some confidence and looking troubled, "Could it be explosive?"
"Possibly sir, under the right circumstances."
"What else do you not want to tell us?"
She glanced at Val who nodded in return. She took a deep breath, brought up a new image and continued. "As I said, sir, I would look at the totality to see if there was anything. This hi-mag look came from the info on the media and a few quick experiments. I pulled back into a low-mag view, using basic magnifications in the x400 to x150000 ranges. At the high end of the scale I found this, um object, of interlinked molecules."
Vrain studied the new image both rubbing the chin and drumming. "This looks familiar somehow. There is bunching and tendrils at both ends with, I'm not sure if it is one large or several intertwined connecting features. Almost like cables." He managed to add foot tapping to his impressive fidgeting. "Perhaps a receptor here," pointing to one end, "transmission here along these cables, to..." he trailed off pointing at the larger structure. A grunt of frustration, "It is right in front of me. I know this structure."
"Maybe this will help," Mel brought up a new image. "this is a look at the lower magnification end."
The image clearly showed multiple structured forms all entwined. Many looked like the previous image, but of all different sizes. There were many independent ones of a more blocky, repeating form. Several others were inter-spaced in flowing patterns.
Mel did not speak, just watched the older two crew members Ishyn staring in concentration, Vrain nearly vibrating. Val sat knowing exactly what Mel was leading to and hoping another explanation could be found.
"OK," Vrain began, "we can figure this out. It is inorganic forming these modules. Can I zoom in? Oh, yes, here is one module composed of, I would guess 7-8 sub components. Much like a process board, CPU is this large one in the middle, supporting chips here, here and here all connected through a three dimensional substrate. It is call contained and connected with its neighbor components through this membrane here. It would work just like high-end AU potentiality computers, based on..." His pause lasted nearly a minute. "Oh stront."
Ishyn finished the original thought, "Based on human brain cells. These other structures that looked like cables are just that. They are neurons."
"You were right Mel," Val spoke from his face buried in his hands.
"Sir, is there another possibility or are we dealing with inorganic life," Mel's question was a plea.
"Many samples of in-organics have been found that can be considered 'alive' but always on a much smaller scale. And the key to defining life is the ability to produce a future generation. I don't see that here."
Vrain added, "Besides it is impossible from what we see. It is all solid state but with not even ionic potential. There is no energy to power the system although we know it does have high potential in the chemical bonds."
"Very well engineer, this is you area. I give you this and tell you to power it up to assume it self mobile and sustaining once going. How do you do that?"
Vrain rubbed his hands in anticipation of solving a complex problem. "First we need to crack the highest energy bonds to make that energy useful. Strong acid would do that. Normally I would go with sulfuric but seeing how many sulfur salts we already have that may not be the best choice. Hydrochloric or hydrofluoric would be good choices. They would also give this total mix lot's of ions to transmit the energy. You could go with a base instead of an acid and get a similar effect, but for familiarity I would use a complex organic acid. It is a bit weaker and would take some time to get going, but would be worth it in the long run to introduce carbon into the reaction chain. Many more potential reaction points and possibilities."
"How difficult would that be chief?"
"As easy as irriteren. The uric acid would work. Our bodies are full of acids that could get this stuff going." Vrain paused as his words sunk in. "oh stront."
"Let's pick a more pleasant topic. How can we stop it."
"Not much better boss. If we are on the right track, we are dealing with an autonomous, self mobile learning computer. There is no CNS as the computing is distributed through out. It may all be one unit, those smaller creatures could be connected to the main form via molecular strings."
"Everything has weaknesses."
"If the reaction stops, it will stop. Doing that is the trick. Extreme cold, maybe though more likely it would just go dormant. Heat would be better. The molecular bonds would start to break halfway to the boiling point of water but it could function for a indefinite time prior to total breakdown."
"What about vacuum?", asked Mel.
"Or an anti-acid?" added Val.
Vrain chuckled, "It could be susceptible to vacuum but I wouldn't bet on it. The term you are forgetting pilot is base, the counter of an acid. That too would work but we don't have the materials at hand. It might even work in a basic environment similar to acidic. I would try a super acid instead. Try and overdrive the reaction and burn it out. High energy might work as well. It likely can use low energy to recharge, like a battery but high might be more than it could handle."
"Recommended course of action chief?"
"I would say though it is learning, by our standards it is dumb. It will rely on actions that have worked in the past. We can still out think it. Change our tactics often, hit it with overwhelming firepower to try for sensory overload. If any weakness is revealed, attack mercilessly before it can develop a counter, We don't have to kill it just get past it. Twice."