The particles that bind
Posted on 09 Mar 2026 @ 5:55pm by Lieutenant Commander Adrian Sorvak
474 words; about a 2 minute read
Mission:
Silent Inheritance
Location: USS Arawyn
Sorvak sat at his desk and tapped on the console. “Chief Science Officer’s Log.”
“A deeper analysis of water and blood samples from the colony confirms the contaminant originates from the planetary power grid infrastructure, as had been discovered by Dr Dunross. I have cross-referenced the logs and reports from medical and engineering with the detailed science study. The insulation material used in the primary distribution conduits is a fluorinated silicate copolymer designed for high-energy electrical shielding.“
“Under normal conditions, the polymer remains chemically inert. Engineering telemetry shows the grid has been operating with a persistent harmonic oscillation. The oscillation produces a resonant molecular vibration inside the insulation lattice. Over time, this resonance fractures the carbon-fluorine backbone of the polymer.”
“The result is a suspension of nanoscale fluoro polymer particulates. These fragments have entered the groundwater through conduit micro fractures and subsequently the colony’s drinking supply.”
“Further analysis indicates the particles possess strong hydrophobic binding properties. Once inside the bloodstream, they attach to carrier proteins used by the colony’s vaccination treatment. The attachment blocks the receptor activation sequence required to trigger an immune response. The vaccine compound itself remains intact but cannot initiate the expected cellular signalling cascade.”
Sorvak paused, some of it felt like rehashing information, however, it was needed for completion purposes. There was too much at stake not to include all the details.
“To contain the environmental contamination, the science department proposes immediate deployment of cyclodextrin-based polymer filtration matrices within the main reservoir pumps. Cyclodextrin structures form hydrophobic binding cavities capable of trapping the fluoropolymer fragments. Once bound, the particles aggregate into clusters large enough for standard filtration systems to remove from the water supply. I will send the information to both Commander Harlan and the ops team, so they can coordinate accordingly.”
“A report is being sent to Medical, Dr Amyberlyn and Dr Dunross, so they can address existing bloodstream contamination using replicated liposomal scavenger nanoparticles. These liposomes present a hydrophobic outer layer which attracts the polymer fragments and binds them to the particle surface. After binding occurs, the complexes circulate to the liver where normal metabolic processes clear them from the body.”
“With filtration systems in place and medical scavenger treatments distributed to the population, contaminant levels should fall below detectable limits within several days.”
“End log.”
The last statement sounded so simple, but Sorvak was well aware how much work was involved in setting this up, for both the medical teams as well as Engineering and operations. He tapped on his console and send the relevant reports to Engineering, Ops and Medical with a note attached that Science was standing by to further assist if and when required. This was a team effort, after all.
LtCmdr Sorvak (NPC)
Chief Science officer
APB
Cmdr Suzanna Batenburg
XO USS Arawyn
Everything fits, otherwise we'll make it fit!
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