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Integrated Combat Information System: Page 13


 
REPORT ON ARTEFACT FOUND AT KILRAH 7.4

Object is an irregular slab of hard substance, 1.88 metres long at its longest point, 1.33 metres wide at its widest point, and 28 centimetres thick. Object describes a slight convex curve of approximately 3 degrees. Composition appears to be primarily silicon with other trace elements in a crystalline matrix. Colour is dark, with a red or purple tint, surface is glossy and displays a moire or ‘shimmer’ effect under direct light. Two contiguous sides of the object are jagged and slightly twisted, suggesting that the object is part of a larger structure, and was blown or ripped off in combat or some sort of accident. Slight smudges and scores on the object are consistent with the effects of Kilrathi lasers.

The crystalline structure is quite unusual, and will take some time to analyse fully. However, the object appears to be composed of a complex polymer chain. Overall, the substance is about 1.8 times as hard as Confed fighter hull metal, but slightly more brittle.

The concave side of the object displays one large and three small depressions. The large depression consists of a central cavity about half a centimetre in depth, and about 22 × 19 centimetres across. From the central cavity, three radial channels branch off within an arc of about 60 degrees. These channels are equal in depth to the central cavity, and vary in width from 3.1 to 1.2 centimetres, ranging from 27 to 34 centimetres in length. The three smaller depressions are arranged in a shallow curved line about 35 centimetres from the large cavity. They are slightly shallower than the central cavity, circular, about 3 centimetres in diameter. On viewing these depressions the observer is forcefully struck with the impression that they represent a ‘hand-print’ (or ‘claw-print’) with one of the appendages representing an opposable ‘thumb’. Likewise, the smaller depressions suggest three ‘finger-tip’ sized ‘buttons’. Exerting pressure on these cavities has no discernible mechanical effect, and indeed the entire object seems completely solid.

It is possible, however (though still unconfirmed) that the depressions do represent controls or switches of some kind. The crystalline structure of the object bears microscopic irregularities which seem to represent some sort of ‘channel’ through the object, and it is possible that these ‘channels’ may represent circuits for the conduction of electricity or some other form of energy. If so, bringing the appropriate appendage into contact with the depressions may initiate actions or transmit information throughout the structure from which the object was detached. If this

 

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