Cold Be Sleep

[Ultimatum]

There are four well-known states of matter: Solid, Liquid, Gas, and Plasma. Each of these it effectively a measure of the energy levels of the atoms within, specifically their vibration levels. However, there are hundreds if not thousands of other lesser known states of matter. At all times all mass is in some state or another. This was a fact that eluded many organics. Every moment, across the entire universe there were trillions, if not more, materials changing states or existing as something new. These different states offered so much diversity, they could change how the organics lived if they took the time to study them and find uses. But at the moment it appeared unlikely that this would ever occur without some outside influence.

Therein lie the crux of the issue, how could their technological advancements be stimulated in such a way as to force them to want to continue advancing? No simple answer came to mind, in fact the conundrum was most perplexing and far from enjoyable to contemplate. As far as Ultimatum could imagine, the organics would need to be overseen until they proved themselves capable of continuing the forward momentum. Now the question was of where to start.

Ultimatum had an idea for that, a new material was needed to power his ambitions. Thus far the droid had managed to create methods by which power could be transferred from place to place with less interference than before, but he now needed to focus on methods of creating energy. The universe around them was a source of energy, he simply needed to find a method of tapping into the various outlets of that energy. The most readily available source was heat: stars, planets, and organics, all of them exuded heat. It was the most readily available energy source available, and yet still organics had yet to master harnessing it.

The droid had decided to take a newly constructed facility, a station that orbited Mustafar and re-engineer it to fulfill its new purpose, power collection and transfer. Ultimatum had constructed three molecular furnaces, he was going to begin by creating various elements and combinations before altering them through different states to find a material that could absorb heat from the environment with an efficiency that would make it useful.

 

[Ultimatum]

Ultimatum had done preliminary research into study of metals and the various levels of heat conductivity. The answer had been obvious, for the form of transfer that he was looking into it was likely that he wanted a solid. However the best materials for energy transfer were well beneath the efficiency that Ultimatum required for a larger production scale. Diamond, Silver, and Copper were too inefficient for his purposes. There had been isotopes created that were even more effective, but Ultimatum wanted to push the very limits of scientific achievement. Specifically, he wanted to create a Black Body, a material that could absorb all radiant energy without any reflection. There were limitations to this ideal concept within science of course. Within the theory, a Black Body was to absorb all energy based on its own merits, whereas Ultimatum intended to have his approximation act as an energy source. As an energy source, the material would act as a conduit which would be constantly at an energy level beneath that of the surrounding environment.

To this end he needed to adjust current materials in order to create a more heat conductive one. That was why the Molecular Forges were so important, Ultimatum could modify all existing elements until he found one that could be made into what he wanted. He could create an entirely new atomic structure as a perfect, or near perfect heat conduction system. There would be other parts that would play a role in the power system, but most of those were already founded technology. This was the key to making it more efficient.

Two of the furnaces continued functioning as normal, constructing materials for the production of weaponry for LOOM. The third began disassembling waste materials from the freighter that Ultimatum had arrived in. That was the true beauty of these furnaces, taking what most would call waste and turning it into useful resources. Organic waste products, artificial refuse, and just about everything else could be turned into whatever the droid wanted at his command. What was there that could stop his work then? Intervention. There was always the possibility that someone, organic or artificial would attempt to disrupt his progress for whatever purpose. The Guide had attempted to sabotage his efforts many times and in many ways.

Right now though everything went ahead as planned. The forge destroyed the old and began remaking it into new atoms.

 

[Ultimatum]

The first product to come of the work was now in place on the firing range. It was little more than a centimeter wide rod that had been attached to a simple energy measurement system. While Ultimatum would prefer to find a material that could both transmit the heat and transform it into electrical energy, that was an unlikely find and not worth the effort of a dedicated search until after the first stipulation had been met and proven worth the effort of production. While the testing for this first metal was conducted, Ultimatum had the forge continue building similar related metals.

The question lie in attempting to create an atom that contained a large number of 'free electrons' as well as the structures placement of the atoms be long enough so as to allow greater electron movement. The metal also had to be sturdy and useful for basic construction. Above all he wanted the metal to be capable of absorbing the heat of a blaster shot. In the case of using this on combat models, it would be useful as an energy draw system, hopefully allowing the avoidance of otherwise damaging enemy fire.

Ultimatum watched as one of the droids on the station stepped up to the post about ten meters away from the metal rod. This was not a test of accuracy, the droid was capable of hitting the thin rod easily from the distance. Rather, it was a test of the heat conductive capabilities. Blaster shots tended to cool, or lose energy, the further they traveled. Ultimatum knew that shots closer to the metal would increase heat, so he wanted to start with a basic heat for reference.

The unique sound of the blaster firing resounded around the cavernous room. A single shot flew through the air for a fraction of a second before striking the rod in the middle. The blaster fire burned through the metal and passed on until it slammed into the wall behind, leaving little more than carbon scoring to prove its existence. The sensors set in the measuring system reported that only a small percentage of the heat had been transferred, as proven by the half melted rod that lie in ruins on the floor. There was some work to be done yet.

 

[Ultimatum]

During the testing of that first metal, three more rods had been produced of various construction. The first was perhaps the most suitable for constructive purposes, with a high durability and definite structure. Ultimatum was concerned that it would have similar results to the previous one for its heat conductivity was less that Ultimatum would have wanted. The second was much less likely to function as a construction material, but the heating capabilities had greater potential. The third and final was some mix between the two, Ultimatum had little hope for that one given that it was less capable in both areas.

Specialization and generalization were both helpful in their own way. Ultimatum preferred to have both at different times, when the situation required it he would attempt to take advantage of the type. Of course, at the beginning of his work, he would need to accept generalization so that he did not fall short in any one area. Once he had established a strong core system he could then begin to specialize his forces to accomplish a wider range of tasks.

The first metal was in place and the droid once more fired. This time the metal melted completely through, the upper portion falling to the floor with a loud clang. Another failure, so the readings said. This metal had done worse than its predecessor, though it would have been a better building material than the other. It was not unexpected, but disappointing nonetheless. Ultimatum looked to the next bar that had been set up and waited for the droid to fire once more. Another blast and the the results came in. This metal had transferred the majority of the heat from the blaster, about 83% by the computer's calculations. The structure showed no signs of severe deterioration and appeared about capable of handling another hit.

Ultimatum ordered the droid to fire again. Once more the metal transferred a similar amount of heat and continued to show no signs of immediate liquefying. The process of firing and checking continued until the twelfth shot, where the metal exhibited signs of melting along the impact zones and a significant loss in integrity. The difficulty still lay in the fact that it was not ideal for construction purposes. Obviously it could be put into aesthetic design on a droid and accomplish the same ability, but Ultimatum wanted to integrate the materials he used directly into his works.

Nonetheless he would take what he could. The next metal to be tested was the compromise, the generalization. It would need to be seen what its capabilities were.