Rogue 45 - Heiko (Exogeologist)

As the LeGuin decelerates from its hyper-speed flight, the ship slowly awakens from an 18-month journey that was spent entirely on autopilot. Now, one by one, the corridors’ cool ambient lights fade in, lines of code cascade down the computer screens, and the bio-pods hum back to life. Outside the ship lurks the dead black of space. After traveling 420 light-years, you would be forgiven for wondering whether you’ve arrived at the right place. The “rogue” planets in the Upper Scorpius region are floating through space alone, in total darkness, untethered by any star. There are about 70 gas giants in this constellation of invisible worlds. We’ve come to investigate an Earth-sized terrestrial planet that appears to be geologically active. And, intriguingly, earlier probes detected simple phytoliths in its tenuous atmosphere, suggesting the possibility of life. We’re here to investigate. It's a small crew: Kai, an astrobiologist, Heiko, an exogeologist, Tan-e, a documentary filmmaker, and waiting for us on the planet is Trig, the station's chief engineer. [[Heiko]]

The bio-pod’s automated system has woken you up slowly. The place on your arms where the intravenous lines were attached are slightly bruised and are already beginning to turn purple. Otherwise you feel fine - until a huge cramp grips your calves and you jolt upright. Those damned bio-pods aren't designed for people of your height. As a first-generation Martian, your tall frame barely fits into the pods that were clearly designed by and for Earthlings. Gah! You gingerly unfold yourself from the pod and walk off the cramp. There’s a weird smell in the air, and the temperature seems to be slightly above normal. This is sub-optimal, and you decide to double-check the computer’s arrival protocols. If you’ve learned anything growing up on Utopia Planetia Colony it’s that tight control of environmental systems is essential. Space wants to kill you. Leave nothing to chance. That’s not being a “stickler,” that’s just common sense for anyone venturing into space. You decide to check the refrigeration units in the canteen on your way to engineering. [[You're feeling a bit grumpy]] [[You don't like people today]] [[You're charitable]]

You head to the canteen first to check out the refrigeration units. After pulling them from the bulkhead, you shimmy behind the panels to verify the gaskets. You hear Kai wandering in. “Heiko. Whatcha doing?” she calls. “It stinks,” you reply, “I’m checking the units.” “Seriously? We’re about to arrive at the station. I need a cold dimenhydrinate shake. Just plug them back in,” she wines, “Heiko, this is not a Mars habitat, you don’t need to get all anal about his.” She is being completely unreasonable. And insulting. “I’m not ‘all anal,’” you reply calmly, “the system is sub-nominal. This will just take a moment.” Kai wanders off, mumbling to herself. You tighten all gaskets, and the unit’s lights slowly turn from yellow to green. There. Good thing you checked. As you screw back the panels you hear Kai and Tan-e chatting in the back of the canteen. A celebrity astrobiologist and a space-newbie filmmaker - they’ll be nothing but trouble. You push the refrigeration units back into place and head out to verify the flight logs. [[You feel like getting started]] [[You're feeling a bit tired]]

You head to the canteen first to check out the refrigeration units. After pulling them from the bulkhead, you shimmy behind the panels to verify the gaskets. You hear Kai wandering in. “Heiko. Whatcha doing?” she calls. “It stinks,” you reply, “I’m checking the units.” “Seriously? We’re about to arrive at the station. I need a cold dimenhydrinate shake. Please plug them back in,” she pleads. You relent. “Okay, fine then. If you want to live with this stench.” You push the units back against the bulkhead and the units beep back on. “Thanks, Heiko,” Kai smiles, “I know that growing up on a Martian habitat you’re super sensitive to sub-nominal performance.” “Space wants to kill you,” you remind her, “I learned to leave nothing unchecked. Going to verify the flight logs next” “Okay! Thanks!” she calls after you. You pass Tan-e on your way to the bridge. They look worse for wear. A space-newbie filmmaker, that will spell trouble. At least Kai seems to be decent, despite her celebrity status. Anyway - first things first: the flight logs. [[Teaming up]] [[Lone Expedition]]

You arrive at Rogue 45 station and it's a shambles. Martian habitats look pristine, but not this. The place looks improvised, nothing really fits together. Trig welcomes the crew, looking equally mismatched in a dirty utility jacket and clean pants. “Alright! Welcome to Rogue 45 Station!” he yells, “Follow me!” Everyone shuffles down the dim corridors. Kai and Tan-e are assigned a shared bunk. Then Trig turns to you. “You are in here. I’ve adjusted the gravity closer to Martian G.” You enter and feel light - even the bunk is large enough to fit you. This is amazing! You head to the meeting room where Trig is already launching into an orientation slideshow. However, Kai swiftly interjects. “Thanks, Trig, but we need to get going. I’ll head to the lava tubes to verify the phytolith emissions. Want to join me, Heiko?” “Sure!” you agree, getting up, “I’ll take some petrochemical readings.” “Cool,” Tan-e adds, “I’ll go and explore the planet surface. Get a few shots in.” The crew grab their spacesuits and head to the airlock. [[In the lava tube - take a small sample]] [[In the lava tube - take a big sample]]

You arrive at Rogue 45 station and it's a shambles. Martian habitats look pristine, but not this. The place looks improvised, nothing nothing really fits together. Trig welcomes the crew, looking equally mismatched in a dirty utility jacket and clean pants. “Alright! Welcome to Rogue 45 Station!” he yells, “Follow me!” Everyone shuffles down the dim corridors. Kai and Tan-e are assigned a shared bunk. Then Trig turns to you. “You are in here. I’ve adjusted the gravity closer to Martian G.” You enter and feel light - even the bunk is large enough to fit you. This is amazing! You head to the meeting room where Trig is ready to launch into an orientation slideshow. However, Kai swiftly interjects. “Thanks, Trig, but we need to get going. I’ll head to the lava tubes to verify the phytolith emissions.” “I’ll come with you,” you add, getting up, “I’ll take some petrochemical readings.” “Cool,” Tan-e agrees, “I’ll go and explore the planet surface. Get a few shots in.” The crew grab their spacesuits and head to the airlock. [[Exploring the lava tube]]

A string of industrial utility lights reaches just past the entrance of a lava tube, barely illuminating its interior. Sharp, spindly crystals rim the edge of the opening, glimmering in your headlamp's spotlight. You and Kai step across them, careful not to rip your spacesuit. After a few steps you notice a dim glow in the far distance. “Bioluminescence?” Kai suggests, pointing toward the light. “Possibly,” you reply. “It’s totally dark here, and there’s no oxygen. This is likely geological.” “Maybe,” she replies, and brings out her instruments. “There are organisms that don’t need oxygen. Also - do you notice a pattern in the glow?” “You could be right,” you respond and start taking your own measurements. It’s unlikely, but possible. You both wander further into the tube and come upon a massive cavern filled with giant crystals. Their complex cubic structure nearly looks architectural. “I have a feeling about this place,” Kai whispers. “I appreciate that,” you acknowledge, “so let’s be sure. Let’s get some samples back to the lab.” “Okay,” Kai agrees. [[Back to the lab with Kai]]

You pry a big chunk of the basalt matrix from the lava tube wall that has embedded it it a sizeable cluster of crystals. It’s heavy, even in your power-assisted suit. Kai comes up with you, taking readings on the way back. She disappears into her bunk. You head to the lab. You plop the crystals onto the workbench and strip off your suit. Suddenly, the crystals starts glowing in a vivid lime green. You frown. What could have set this off? You get your tools and peel them off the matrix. They stop glowing. Odd. When you dislodge the next crystal, your hands sting with a burning sensation. "Ow! Fuck!" Thinking you cut yourself on a crystal, you lift the chunk at the basalt base. Your hands stick to it. "What the..." Your entire arm now feels rigid and numb. You panic. You shouldn't have taken off your gloves. It's against protocol. You know better. A thin, glassy film spreads across your body, slowly encasing you. You stumble across the room, trying to make it to the door. [[Try to get to the door]] [[Remember Trig? 1]] [[Remember Trig? 2]]

You never make it to the door. You crash to the ground, holding the basalt matrix away from you. You look like you've just caught a volley ball and froze in mid-air. You try to struggle, but you can no longer move your limbs. Glassy dendrites feather across your chest and neck. Soon, the translucent film has thickened and is covering every inch of your body. It is sticky, unyielding, and cold. You look like an insect trapped inside a giant piece of amber. You keep moving your head back and forth, trying to create an air bubble so you can breathe. Your heart is racing. You feel faint. You pass out. [[Last breath]]

You never make it to the door. You crash to the ground, holding the basalt matrix away from you. You look like you've just caught a volley ball and froze in mid-air. You can no longer move. You try to struggle, but you can no longer move your limbs. Glassy dendrites feather across your chest and neck. You look like an insect trapped inside a giant piece of amber. You keep moving your head back and forth, trying to create an air bubble so you can breathe. Your heart is racing. You feel faint. Just then the door to the lab opens and Trig stumbles in. He looks lost, mumbling incoherently. “Hey pizza, I’ve gotta switch off the light!” he yells and lunges for the control panel. You try to get his attention, but there’s not enough air in your lungs. “Mmmphhh!!” You are desperate. Trig hits random buttons. Then the ship’s computer announces "Environmental life support systems disengaged." You hear a hiss as the air is sucked out of the lab and Trig collapses onto a chair. [[Discovery! 1]]

A giant, nine-foot crystal lies on the floor of the lab. It is entirely clear, reflecting the lab equipment and computer displays on its shiny sides. Your body is trapped in a crystal sarcophagus that now has completely encased you. Your pale eyes stare blankly into space. Next to your mouth floats a nebulous smudge, your final breath embedded in a dimly glowing crystal for all eternity.

All breathable atmosphere is being sucked out of the lab. You still have a tiny bubble of air left inside the crystal. With your last breath, you try moving your legs. There’s a bit of give. The crystal casing is beginning to dissolve. With a final kick you struggle free. You lunge to the control panel and reactivate life support. Trig has passed out in a pile of bio-pod pillows, wearing a space suit helmet that has auto-sealed. You pull it off. Trig gurgles and quietly sings "Mancheeeego!" Both the crystal and the matrix base have ceased to glow. You wonder whether Kai was right. In dark environments, life forms use chemosynthesis to directly draw nutrients from the environment. Maybe there was something in the basalt matrix that leached nutrients right through your skin. Or was it a purely chemical reaction? Whatever it is, you need to log this finding into the system before anyone else. You stumble to your quarters and write your mission report. This discovery is yours!

A string of industrial utility lights reaches just past the entrance of a lava tube, barely illuminating its interior. Sharp, spindly crystals rim the edge of the opening, glimmering in your headlamp's spotlight. You and Kai step across them, careful not to rip your spacesuit. Then, in the far distance, you notice a dim glow. “Bioluminescence?” Kai suggests, pointing toward the light. “Unlikely,” you reply. “It’s totally dark here, and there’s no oxygen. This is geological.” “Don’t be so sure,” she retorts, and brings out her instruments. “There are organisms that don’t need oxygen. Also - do you notice a pattern in the glow?” “Maybe,” you respond and start taking your own measurements. It’s unclear, but there could be a pattern. You both wander further into the tube and come upon a massive cavern filled with giant crystals. Their complex cubic structure nearly looks architectural. “I have a feeling about this place,” Kai whispers, “there’s life here.” “Nonsense,” you assert, “This is geochemical. I’m going to get some samples back to the lab.” [[Back to the lab]]

You pry a big chunk of the basalt matrix from the lava tube wall that has embedded it it a sizeable cluster of crystals. It’s heavy, even in your power-assisted suit. Kai stays behind, determined to prove evidence of life. A fool's errand. You head to the lab. You plop the crystals onto the workbench and strip off your suit. Suddenly, the crystals starts glowing in a vivid lime green. You frown. What could have set this off? You get your tools and peel them off the matrix. They stop glowing. Odd. When you dislodge the next crystal, your hands sting with a burning sensation. "Ow! Damn." Thinking you cut yourself on a crystal, you lift the chunk at the basalt base. Your hands stick to it. "What the..." Your entire arm now feels rigid and numb. You panic. You shouldn't have taken off your gloves. It's against protocol. You know better. A thin, glassy film spreads across your body, slowly encasing you. You stumble across the room, trying to make it to the door. [[Try to get to the door]] [[Remember Trig? 1]]

You arrive at Rogue 45 station and it's a shambles. Martian habitats look pristine, but not this.The place looks improvised, nothing really fits together. Trig welcomes the crew, looking equally mismatched in a dirty utility jacket and clean pants. “Alright! Welcome to Rogue 45 Station!” he yells, “Follow me!” Everyone shuffles down the dim corridors. Kai and Tan-e are assigned a shared bunk. Then Trig turns to you. “You are in here. I’ve adjusted the gravity closer to Martian G.” You enter and feel light - even the bunk is large enough to fit you! Hurray! You head to the meeting room where Trig is already launching into an orientation slideshow. Kai swiftly interjects. “Thanks, Trig, but we need to get going." “Great,” Tan-e interjects, grabbing their gear. “I’ll explore the planet surface. Get a few shots in.” Kai smiles. "'l’ll join you, Tan-e. I want to check the base of the cryovolcanoes for phytolith emissions.” "Alright," you add and get up, "I'm off to check out the lava tubes." You grab your spacesuit and head out. [[Lava tube exploration]] [[D5-LavaTube-Spark2]]

Just outside the station, an undulating rock formation is lit up by a couple of floodlights. A string of industrial utility lights reaches just past the entrance of a lava tube, barely illuminating its interior. Sharp, spindly crystals rim the edge of the opening, glimmering in your headlamp's spotlight. You take a big, deliberate step across them, careful not to rip your spacesuit. The tube’s dark walls remind you of the volcanic caverns that served as the first base of Utopia Planetia Colony. Their thick basalt walls protected the first Mars settlers efficiently, but the tunnels were also depressingly dark and cramped. This place feels… familiar. You slowly continue down this conduit-shaped void, following the puddles of light beaming from your space suit. Then, in the far distance, you notice a dim glow. Curious. Could this be luminous rocks? Maybe a type of chlorophane? You wander further into the tube and arrive in a massive cavern filled with giant crystals. Their complex cubic structure looks architectural. What a spectacular find! Best to get some samples. [[You're a stickler for protocol]] [[You took off your gloves]]

You carefully pry a sizeable cluster of crystals from the lava tube wall. A little bit of crumbly matrix sticks to the bottom. The cluster is heavy, even in your power-assisted suit. With halting steps you head back to the lab. You plop the crystals onto the workbench and strip off your suit, careful to keep on your gloves. Suddenly, the crystals starts glowing in a vivid lime green. You frown. You want to see this more clearly and you take your blade and scrape off the matrix. The crystals stop glowing. Too bad. You pad the matrix back on. They glow again. Curious. You repeat the experiment: you touch the crystal with the matrix, it glows; you hold the crystals away from the matrix, and the light fades away. Interesting... You get an idea. [[You have lightning-fast reflexes 1]] [[You have lightning-fast reflexes 2]] [[You're engrossed in your work 1]] [[You're engrossed in your work 2]]

You carefully pry a sizeable cluster of crystals from the lava tube wall. A little bit of crumbly matrix sticks to the bottom. The cluster is heavy, even in your power-assisted suit. You head back to the lab. You plop the crystals onto the workbench and strip off your suit. Suddenly, the crystals starts glowing in a vivid lime green. You frown. What could have set this off? You get your tools and peel the crystals off the matrix. They stop glowing. Odd. When you dislodge the next crystal, your hands sting with a burning sensation. "Ow! Damn." Thinking you cut yourself on a crystal, you lift the chunk at the basalt base. Your hands stick to it. "What the..." Your entire arm now feels rigid and numb. You panic. You shouldn't have taken off your gloves. It's against protocol. You know better. A thin, glassy film spreads across your body, slowly encasing you. You stumble across the room, trying to make it to the door. [[Try to get to the door]] [[Remember Trig? 1]]

Maybe this crystal-matrix formation could be developed into a lighting system that could illuminate habitat tunnels. This would breathe new life into the old volcanic caverns at Utopia Planeta Colony! You get your instruments to take some precise measurements. Just then the door to the lab opens and Trig stumbles in. He looks lost, mumbling incoherently. “Hey pizza, I’ve gotta switch off the light!” He gurgles and lunges for the control panel. “Trig! What the hell!” you yell at him. “Mancheeego!” Trig hollers and you just manage to catch him before he crashes onto the lab bench. This guy is a disgrace. And probably high. You lower Trig onto a chair where he swiftly slumps over and falls asleep. You return to the lab bench and get your instruments to take precise measurements. The data is rich and indisputable. This is a highly efficient way to create artificial light in natural and constructed environments. Properly processed, these crystals could light up lava tube habitats on Mars, on Ganymede, even on Rogue 45! Time to contact COSCORP. [[Promotion]]

For immediate release: COSCORP - San Francisco - Utopia Planetia - Ganymede Station COSCORP is delighted to announce that Heiko Arie Jeroen de Jong-Beaumont has been appointed as Chief Exogeologist and Habitat Resource Procurement Manager. Dr. de Jong-Beaumont joined COSCORP as Planetary Exogeologist in 2065 and has participated in several excavation and resource development projects. In 2069 De Jong-Beaumont was selected for the SETI Institute’s New Frontier Exploration Lab program, which sent scientists and artists to well-studied exoplanets that exhibit possible signs of extraterrestrial life. While on the Rogue 45 mission, he discovered a high-efficiency chlorophane crystal that is now called Heikonite in his honor. Heikonite is being installed in research and domestic habitats on Utopia Planetia, Ganymede Station, and on several lunar outposts. For a detailed description of the characteristics and uses of Heikonite, please refer to: De Jong-Beaumont, H. A. (2073). Lighting Worlds: Heikonite characteristics, extraction, and installation procedures. Transplanetary Journal of Geoengineering (5) 17, p201-234.

Maybe this crystal-matrix formation could be developed into a lighting system that could illuminate habitat tunnels. This would breathe new life into the old volcanic caverns at Utopia Planetia Colony! You get your instruments to take more precise measurements. Just then the door to the lab opens and Trig stumbles in. He looks lost, mumbling incoherently. “Hey pizza, I’ve gotta switch off the light!” he gurgles and lunges for the control panel. “Trig! What the hell!” you yell at him. “Mancheeego!” Trig hollers and crashes onto the lab bench. The crystal and matrix samples scatter on the floor. “You idiot!” you explode, “sit down NOW!” You shove him onto a chair. You collect the crystal samples from the floor. They have stopped glowing. There is not enough matrix left to take meaningful measurements, but you’re still able to collect some data. Hopefully, it’ll be enough for a journal article. You fold up your instruments and head to your bunk to start writing. Trig remains slumped in the chair, snoring. [[Time to start writing]]

You spend the next four days on Rogue 45 writing up your findings. This has real potential. After a few rounds of proof reading you submit your article on the academia.org site and, for once, decide to take it easy. You enjoy the luxuries of your Martian-adjusted, low-G quarters. A week later you receive a message in your personal inbox. Your article has been accepted by the prestigious journal Exogeology and Space Architecture: Research and Issues. One of the reviewers has left you a glowing recommendation and is offering you an assistant professorship at the newly established Mars Academy. You only ponder for a few seconds before shooting off an acceptance message. You are so done with space exploration. The only place you're really happy is Planetia Utopia Colony. Time to head back home.

You head to the canteen first to check out the refrigeration units. After pulling them from the bulkhead, you shimmy behind the panels to verify the gaskets. You hear Kai wandering in. “Heiko. Whatcha doing?” she calls. “It stinks,” you reply, “I’m checking the units.” “Seriously? We’re about to arrive at the station. Just plug them back in,” she complains, “Heiko, this is not a Mars habitat, you don’t need to get all anal about this.” She is being completely unreasonable. And insulting. “I’m not ‘all anal,’” you reply calmly, “This will just take a moment.” Kai wanders off, mumbling to herself. You tighten all gaskets, and the unit’s lights slowly turn from yellow to green. There. Good thing you checked. As you screw back the panels you hear Kai and Tan-e chatting in the back of the canteen, their heads together. You clearly hear Kai’s voice say “Control freak!” “I can hear you,” you inform them as you push the refrigeration units back into place. Without uttering another word you head to the airlock. [[Lone Expedition]]

You arrive at Rogue 45 station and it's a shambles. Martian habitats look pristine, but not this. The place looks improvised, nothing seems to match. Trig welcomes the crew, looking equally mismatched in a dirty utility jacket and clean pants. “Alright! Welcome to Rogue 45 Station!” he yells, “Follow me!” Everyone shuffles down the dim corridors. Kai and Tan-e are assigned a shared bunk. Then Trig turns to you. “You are in here. I’ve adjusted the gravity closer to Martian G.” You enter and feel light - even the bunk is large enough to fit you. This is amazing! You head to the meeting room where Trig is ready to launch into an orientation slideshow. However, Kai swiftly interjects. “Thanks, Trig, but we need to get going. I’ll head to the lava tubes to verify the phytolith emissions.” “Cool,” Tan-e adds, “I’ll go and explore the planet surface. Get a few shots in.” “You two go ahead,” you yawn, “I’ll finally get a decent sleep in my individualized bunk. Thank you, Trig.” The chief engineer beams. [[COSCORP Communique]]

A string of industrial utility lights reaches just past the entrance of a lava tube, barely illuminating its interior. Sharp, spindly crystals rim the edge of the opening. You and Kai step across them, careful not to rip your spacesuit. After a few steps you notice a dim glow in the far distance. “Bioluminescence?” Kai suggests, pointing toward the light. “I doubt it,” you reply. “It’s totally dark here, and there’s no oxygen. This is likely geological.” “Maybe,” she replies, and brings out her instruments. “There are organisms that don’t need oxygen. Also - do you notice a pattern in the glow?” “Looks random to me,” you respond. You both wander further into the tube and come upon a massive cavern filled with giant crystals. Their complex cubic structure nearly looks architectural. “We should get some samples back to the lab,” you suggest. “Sounds reasonable,” Kai replies, “we can take more precise measurements there.” “I’ll extract that big one,” you say, pointing ahead. “Grab a few small ones for me too, will you?” Kai asks. “Sure,” you agree and head off. [[Back to the lab with Kai]]

Maybe this crystal-matrix formation could be developed into a lighting system that could illuminate habitat tunnels. This would breathe new life into the old volcanic caverns at Utopia Planeta Colony! You get your instruments to take some precise measurements. Just then the door to the lab opens and Trig stumbles in. He looks lost, mumbling incoherently. “Hey unicycle, I’ve gotta switch off the light!” He gurgles and lunges for the control panel. “Trig! What the hell!” you yell at him. “Hippopotamussss!” Trig hollers and you just manage to catch him before he crashes onto the lab bench. This guy is a disgrace. And probably high. You lower Trig onto a chair where he swiftly slumps over and falls asleep. You return to the lab bench and get your instruments to take precise measurements. The data is rich and indisputable. This is a highly efficient way to create artificial light in natural and constructed environments. Properly processed, these crystals could light up lava tube habitats on Mars, on Ganymede, even on Rogue 45! Time to contact COSCORP. [[Promotion]]

Just outside the station, an undulating rock formation is lit up by a couple of floodlights. A string of industrial utility lights reaches just past the entrance of a lava tube, barely illuminating its interior. Sharp, spindly crystals rim the edge of the opening, glimmering in your headlamp's spotlight. You take a big, deliberate step across them, careful not to rip your spacesuit. The tube’s dark walls remind you of the volcanic caverns that served as the first base of Utopia Planetia Colony. Their thick basalt walls protected the first Mars settlers efficiently, but the tunnels were also depressingly dark and cramped. This place feels… familiar. You slowly continue down this conduit-shaped void, following the puddles of light beaming from your space suit. Then, in the far distance, you notice a dim glow. Curious. Could this be luminous rocks? Maybe a type of chlorophane? You wander further into the tube and arrive in a massive cavern filled with giant crystals. The complex structure of interlocking, superimposed cubes reminds you of Cuprite. It looks architectural. This has potential. [[D6-CavernHabitat]]

You never make it to the door. You crash to the ground, holding the basalt matrix away from you. You look like you've just caught a volley ball and froze in mid-air. You can no longer move. You try to struggle, but you can no longer move your limbs. Glassy dendrites feather across your chest and neck. You look like an insect trapped inside a giant piece of amber. You keep moving your head back and forth, trying to create an air bubble so you can breathe. Your heart is racing. You feel faint. Just then the door to the lab opens and Trig stumbles in. He looks lost, mumbling incoherently. “Hey unicycle, I’ve gotta switch off the light!” he yells and lunges for the control panel. You try to get his attention, but there’s not enough air in your lungs. “Mmmphhh!!” You are desperate. Trig hits random buttons. Then the ship’s computer announces "Environmental life support systems disengaged." You hear a hiss as the air is sucked out of the lab and Trig collapses onto a chair. [[Discovery! 2]]

All breathable air is being sucked out of the lab. You still have a tiny bubble of air left inside the crystal. With your last breath, you try moving your legs. There’s a bit of give. The crystal casing is beginning to dissolve. With a final kick you struggle free. You lunge to the control panel and reactivate life support. Trig has passed out in a pile of bio-pod pillows, wearing a space suit helmet that has auto-sealed. You pull it off. Trig gurgles and quietly sings "Hippopotamusssss!" Both the crystal and the matrix base have ceased to glow. You wonder whether Kai was right. In dark environments, life forms use chemosynthesis to directly draw nutrients from the environment. Maybe there was something in the basalt matrix that leached nutrients right through your skin. Or was it a purely chemical reaction? Whatever it is, you need to log this finding into the system before anyone else. You stumble to your quarters and write your mission report. This discovery is yours!

Finally, crew quarters that have been adapted for a non-Earth citizen! Every single expedition you’ve joined so far has meant tiny field tents, ill-fitting space suits, and crushing gravity settings on space vessels. For once someone cared enough to accommodate your needs. You stretch out on your bunk and take a deep breath. A series of tinny beeps echo from the console. Damn. You roll from your bed and check the incoming message. It’s from COSCORP, addressed to you. Urgent and confidential. —- COSCORP RELAY —- *** Attn. Heiko de Jong-Beaumont *** The Board has made off-Earth habitation projects a priority. Planetary protection laws are about to be strengthened. We need a “terra nullius” determination from you regarding Rogue 45. Reply soonest. *** —- END—- You frown. Terra nullius. Your employer wants you to declare this planet as “belonging to no-one.” In other words, certify that there are no indigenous life forms which may require protection and could therefore swart development plans. You haven’t even explored the planet yet. How can they ask this of you? The console blinks expectantly. [[TerraNullius]] [[Stick to principles]]

You consider your options. You’ve been doing exceedingly well at COSCORP. Since you’ve joined as Planetary Exogeologist a few years ago you’ve lead four off-world field expeditions. COSCORP allows you to stay at Utopia Planetia and do your research work remotely. You’re due for a promotion. All you need is a big win for the company. And yet - confirming terra nullius before conducting a thorough study and conferring with the astrobiologist on the team goes against every scientific principle in your body. You sigh. You need a walk. You head for the airlock, squeeze into your spacesuit, and step outside. Everything around you is shrouded in darkness. Gusts of pink methane snow sparkle in the small puddle of light created by your headlamp. When you look up, you can barely make out any stars. Most of them are blocked from view by the inky silhouettes of the rogue planet group. How could anything live on this desolate place? You head back to the station. —- COSCORP RELAY —- *** Rogue 45 Terra nullius confirmed *** HdJB —- END—- You feel horrendous. You need a drink. [[Kitchen Party]]

You consider your options. You’ve been doing exceedingly well at COSCORP. Since you’ve joined as Planetary Exogeologist a few years ago you’ve lead four off-world field expeditions. COSCORP allows you to stay at Utopia Planetia and do your research work remotely. You’re due for a promotion. All you need is a big win for the company. And yet - confirming terra nullius before conducting a thorough study and conferring with the astrobiologist on the team goes against every scientific principle in your body. You sigh. You grab your field kit and pull out your rock pick hammer. Your dad gave you this when you were accepted at Berkeley. Engraved on the base of the handle are the words “Space wants to kill you. Hit back.” Dad humor. You smile. You’ve made your decision. —- COSCORP RELAY —- *** Communique received. Cannot confirm Rogue 45 Terra nullius until studies are conducted. Updates to follow. *** HdJB —- END—- This may have been a career-extinguishing move. Maybe you can make another discovery that will keep you employed with COSCORP. But first, you need a snack. [[Kitchen Conversation]]

You stroll down the station’s dingy corridors feeling despondent. As you enter the kitchen, you see chief engineer Trig at the counter pouring a vial filled with crystals into the blender. He looks up, startled. “Hey, Heiko,” he smiles sheepishly, trying to hide three other vials behind the blender. “Hello, Trig,” you reply. What are those?” “Uhm - crystals. Found them at the lava tube entrance,” he answers timidly. “Why are they in the blender?” you inquire. This looks suspicious. “I’m not up to anything!” Trig assures you. “I didn’t say you were,” you respond. “Yes, you did. I heard you.” Trig insists, ‘Just a little BMK so I can get happy,’ his voice echoes in your head. “What’s BMK?” you ask, a little confused, “and why do you need to get happy?” ‘Ooooh. What the hell???’ Trig’s voice shouts through your brain. ‘I hear you,’ you think, just as Trig replies ‘I hear you, too!’ “Want to join me in an experiment?” Trig asks out loud and fires up the blender. ‘What kind of experiment?’ you wonder. [[Euphoria]]

You stroll down the station’s dingy corridors feeling despondent. As you enter the kitchen, you see chief engineer Trig at the counter pouring a vial filled with crystals into the blender. He looks up, startled. “Hey, Heiko,” he smiles sheepishly, trying to hide three other vials behind the blender. “Hello, Trig,” you reply. What are those?” “Uhm - crystals. Found them at the lava tube entrance,” he answers timidly. “Why are they in the blender?” you inquire. This looks suspicious. “I’m not up to anything!” Trig assures you. “I didn’t say you were,” you respond. “Yes, you did. I heard you.” Trig insists, ‘Just a little BMK so I can get happy,’ his voice echoes in your head. “What’s BMK?” you ask, a little confused, “and why do you need to get happy?” ‘Ooooh. What the hell???’ Trig’s voice shouts through your brain. ‘I hear you,’ you think, just as Trig replies ‘I hear you, too!’ “You’ve made quite a discovery,” you say out loud. “How is this happening?” Trig asks, peering quizzically through the glass vial. [[Quantum Network]]

Trig turns off the blender. The crystals have turned into a fine powder. “This is a bad idea,” you say as Trig dips in his finger. He licks his fingertips and… ooooh. An intense feeling of joy washes through you. You feel… awesome. ‘We should cook this,’ one of you is thinking. Trig pops the powder into the blaster and gingerly pulls out the tray. The powder has turned bright orange, like Mars rocks. You both stick your fingers in and lick them. YEEEESSSSSS! Bright euphoria rushes over you. Your heart swells. You just can’t stop smiling. You’re not quite sure what happened next. You remember floating through a jumble of sparkling crystals, riding a unicorn through a field of sunflowers, and hugging a neon pink sloth. What you’re sure of is that you and Trig woke up in the med lab, strapped to your beds. You no longer care. Maybe you’ve sold out as a scientist, but you’ve just discovered a whole new branch of exo-crystallography. Time for a career change!

You take the seat in front of Trig and pick up one of the vials. ‘Maybe the crystals amplify brainwave transmissions,’ you say - or, maybe you’re thinking it. ‘Some sort of resonance enhancement,’ Trig ponders, ‘a buddy of mine works with quantum computers. They use crystals to boost sound waves. Maybe this works across the spectrum.’ You hold the vial closer to your eyes. ‘I’ve seen a lot of crystals in my days as an exogeologist. But nothing like this. Imagine the possibilities!’ you whisper. Or think. ‘Could we boost the transmission distance?’ Trig wonders. ‘Yes. Add lasers. Combine classical nonlinear optics and quantum cavity optomechanics,’ you propose. “You’re brilliant,” Trig thinks. Or says out loud. ‘We could build a quantum communication network,’ he adds. “Looks like we’re on the same wavelength,” you smile. You and Trig continue brainstorming without speaking a single word. You sketch out diagrams. You move to the lab and fire up lasers and set up standing wave tubes. After a week you submit your patent to the Institute - via the brand-new Rogue 45 Quantum Network.

Maybe this crystal-matrix formation could be developed into a lighting system that could illuminate habitat tunnels. This would breathe new life into the old volcanic caverns at Utopia Planeta Colony! You get your instruments to take some precise measurements. Just then the door to the lab opens and Trig stumbles in. He looks lost, mumbling incoherently. “Hey unicycle, I’ve gotta switch off the light!” he gurgles and lunges for the control panel. “Trig! What the hell!” you yell at him. “Hippopotamussss!” Trig hollers and crashes onto the lab bench. The crystal and matrix samples scatter on the floor. “You idiot!” you explode, “sit down NOW!” You shove him onto a chair. You collect the crystal samples from the floor. They have stopped glowing. There is not enough matrix left to take meaningful measurements, but you’re still able to collect some data. Hopefully, it’ll be enough for a journal article. You fold up your instruments and head to your bunk to start writing. Trig remains slumped in the chair, snoring. [[Time to start writing]]

You slowly turn around your axis, taking in the view of the cave. The basalt is covered with a glittering, bubbly crust, a kind of botryoidal mineral structure. In the light of your space suit it is shimmering ochre and green. The huge, translucent crystals jutting out of this matrix range from pale magenta to a deep blood red. They are arranged in nearly perfect right angles. Like platforms. You could build on these. You are imagining lab spaces and seating areas. The smaller cubes further up could serve as sleeping quarters. You head to the cave entrance and take some measurements. About 14 meters in diameter, that should be easy enough to seal off. The space could be flooded with an oxygen atmosphere. And then, of course, there’s the glow. The lava tube habitats on Mars were dingy and featureless, but here, in this subterranean wonderland, there’s an inherent luminosity. A self-sustaining light source that’s built right into the system. If only it was a little brighter. Maybe there’s a way. [[D7-Triboluminescence]] [[D7-StationPick-Up]]

You take your rock pick hammer and dislodge a crystal the size of your forearm. There’s a fair bit of matrix stuck to its base. You whack the crystal onto the ground and - it starts to glow in a vivid lime green. Alright! Triboluminescence! Similar to chlorophane, this mineral glows through friction. You repeat the action. The glow returns, but dimmer. Okay. You try a bigger crystal. It takes some time, but you manage to move a crystal cluster that’s nearly your own size. You nudge it over a ledge and it thuds to the ground with a bright flash. Fantastic! Again. The adjacent cluster tumbles down - but there’s no light. What’s happening here? You sit on one of the crystal cubes and study the crash sites. Similar cuboid structures. Similar scattering. What’s different? You dust a clump of matrix off the base of a large crystal - and there’s a faint glow. Hmmm. You take a full hand of the crumbly crust and rub it onto the crystal. It begins to shine. That’s it! It’s the matrix! [[D8-Patent Request]]

You head back to Rogue 45 station, clambering through the lava tube as fast as you can. In your head you’re making a list of things to grab: heat packs, copper links, light meter. Field tent. And take a few rations, this could take a while. Maybe pick up a microgravity processor. When you step through the airlock, you are struck by the station’s dingy, claustrophobic atmosphere. Compared to the magnificent crystal cave, this place is grimy. You bump into chief engineer Trig, who appears to be drunk. He stares at you with glassy eyes and bumbles off. Good. You don’t need these people. You stuff your supplies into a duffel. Then you fire up your communication relay and type a short note to COSCORP. Your employer will be delighted by these developments. With long strides you exit Rogue 45 station and make your way back to the cave. [[D8-Stake of Claim]]

As soon as you’re back in the crystal cave, you set up your equipment. You’re following a hunch. Some minerals glow due to thermoluminescence. All you may have to do is add a little heat. You clamp a small heat pack to a crystal cluster with copper bands and set up your light meter. There’s a definite increase in luminosity. You hook up a long array of clusters and try again. Okay, this is better. The cave is filled with a gentle golden glow that makes the crystals light up like embers. You take a break. Perching on the edge of a massive cuboid you take in the spectacular view. There’s something about this place that reminds you of Mars - maybe it’s the ruddy sheen of the light, maybe the towering canyon of cubic structures, or just the sense of magnificent loneliness. You have found your place and your life’s work. —- COSCORP RELAY —- Priority. Stake of Claim approved for Heiko de Jong-Beaumont: Rogue 45, 43 CFR 3832, Subpart A, for geological research and mining rights —- END —-

You select a small, single crystal with a large lump of matrix stuck to its base and tap the bottom with the side of your hammer. It glows in your hand like a torch. Now you’re certain: you’ve found a way to illuminate the cave. Through this dark, star-less planet run veins of light. All you need it a way to produce constant friction. You grab a few samples and head back to the station. On your way through the dark lava tubes, ideas are already starting to form. You head straight for your quarters and design the Rogue 45 triboluminescent lighting system. And not only that, you also sketch out how the crystal cave could be transformed into a habitat. Before any of your colleagues can beat you to the punch, you transmit your work to COSCORP with a patent request. You sit back with a sigh. Done. Outside your quarters you hear your crew mates squabble. You pay them no mind. In your perfectly adjusted bunk, you settle in and dream of colonizing Rogue 45.