Orb (Species 10-C)

A so-called orb was a technology used by Species 10-C to contain and transport potential threats within their hyperfield. It was a spheroid membrane composed of an unknown substance; its size varied depending on the object it contained, and it had sensor capabilities. The orb could selectively disable the systems of spacecraft held within, shutting down for example shields, engines, and weapons while leaving life support operational. A ship could escape the orb by discharging energy, though the amount required was proportional to its size.

In 3190, Species 10-C enclosed the USS Discovery in an orb, along with Booker's ship that was hiding under cloak on its hull, and brought it into the hyperfield for investigation. Doctor Ruon Tarka broke Booker's ship out by enlisting General Diatta Ndoye's aid to ignite a plasma stream from Discovery's starboard nacelle to burn a hole in the membrane. Tarka then evaded additional orbs until he reached the hyperfield power source, where the orbs could not venture due to plasma streams. The Discovery subsequently also escaped its orb, though its larger size meant that the crew had to burn out its spore drive to do so. After stopping Tarka, the crew allowed another orb to transport their ship to one of Species 10-C's home gas giants. (DIS: "Species Ten-C", "Coming Home")