Object

Derelict Shuttle Primary and Reserve Power Systems

A paired primary-and-reserve power assembly occupying the shuttlecraft engineering bay: twin-tier banks of ribbed metallic fusion-cell casings, heat sinks, braided coolant conduits, recessed status LEDs and vacuum‑rated connectors. Panels bear soot and scorch marks; annunciators are dark or sputtering and diagnostic ports return no logs. Geordi probes access hatches and runs handheld diagnostics against cold terminals while the Pakled crew smiles and asks simple questions, the inert modules becoming a physical barrier to immediate revival.

4 appearances

Purpose

To supply primary and backup electrical power to a shuttlecraft's propulsion, guidance and life‑support systems, enabling continued operation if the primary bus fails.

Significance

Functions as a staged failure and plot driver: the apparent reserve‑power outage isolates the engineer, forces hands‑on diagnostics, and provides cover for the Pakleds' deception and subsequent abduction. The silent, inert modules register as both forensic clue and dramatic constraint.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

4 moments

S2E13 · Time Squared

Shuttle Bay Discovery — The Future Picard

The shuttle's primary and reserve power systems are diagnostic obstacles: both are drained, preventing onboard diagnostics and necessitating a ship-to-shuttle connection to access logs. Their drained state is a concrete technical clue pointing to catastrophic energy discharge (antimatter burn) and temporal disturbance.

Before: Drained/inoperative after suffering external damage; shuttle inert when hauled aboard.

After: Still drained at scene; Data requires a direct connection to Enterprise systems (pending La Forge's arrival) to re-energize systems for log retrieval.

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S2E13 · Time Squared

Mirror in the Bay — Future Picard Discovered

The shuttle's primary and reserve power systems are central to Data's forensic assessment: both systems have been drained, preventing internal diagnostics and forcing a connection to the Enterprise. Their drained state is evidence of catastrophic energy loss consistent with external damage.

Before: Installed within the shuttle but cold and inert; appear to have been recently drained or otherwise rendered nonfunctional.

After: Remain unpowered and inert at the scene; Data concludes they must be bridged to Enterprise power to reactivate shuttle systems for log recovery.

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S2E13 · Time Squared

Duplicate Picard — Antimatter Burn and Temporal Alarm

The shuttle's primary and reserve power systems are examined by Data; both banks are discovered fully drained, preventing local system activation and forcing a manual connection to the Enterprise — this technical failure is central forensic evidence that something external bled the shuttle's energy.

Before: Sealed within the shuttle's engineering bay; metal conduit and indicator LEDs present but inert and cold to diagnostic probes.

After: Remains drained and inert; requires external power/connection from the Enterprise for system activation and log recovery.

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S2E17 · Samaritan Snare

False Failure: Pakleds Weaponize a Routine Repair

Reserve power systems physically engage to restore partial illumination and life to diagnostics; their activation is audible (a GROAN) and functionally keeps the scene lit while underscoring the artificiality of the 'failure.'

Before: Cold, inactive banks showing soot and dark annunciators.

After: Partially engaged, supplying limited power to lighting and essential consoles while main systems remain offline or compromised.

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