Stecora debris field

Stecora debris field

The Stecora debris field

Stecora debris field diagram

Diagram of the debris field

The Stecora debris field was a collection of volatile asteroidal fragments located in orbit of Rigel VII. It was likely formed from the collision of two large celestial bodies, probably moons. The debris contained 67% iron, 80% nickel, detectable amounts of magnesium and radium, and at least three unknown elements. The unknown elements emitted an exotic form of radiation that caused synaptic degradation and prevented individuals in the vicinity from accessing their explicit memories.

Thousands of years ago, a large asteroid from the field impacted Rigel VII. Its radiation caused widespread amnesia among the native Kalar and profoundly affected their cultural development.

In 2259, the USS Enterprise arrived at Rigel VII to investigate a case of cultural contamination. At the time, the field was descending, resulting in its intersection with the Enterprise's orbital plane at multiple points and necessitating manual helm adjustments every twenty minutes to maintain stability.

Shortly after, the Enterprise crew began succumbing to memory loss; Lieutenant Spock ordered the ship into the debris field, hoping that the unknown elements within would shield them against hypothetical radioactive isotopes in the planet's atmosphere. However, since the amnesiac effect actually originated from the debris, this only exacerbated the crisis until Lieutenant Erica Ortegas managed to pilot the starship clear of the field. Afterwards, Captain Christopher Pike had the asteroid on Rigel VII tractor beamed off the surface and back into the field. (SNW: "Among the Lotus Eaters")

Although Spock suggests the field formed hundreds of years ago, the timing of the impact on Rigel VII implies it is much older.
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