Tricyanate (Fajo's Contaminant)

The tricyanate crystals are scanned by Worf, Beverly, and Riker using their tricorders, revealing their artificial composition and the unnatural speed of their neutralization. The crystals serve as the primary physical evidence of sabotage, their absence of natural trace elements confirming that the contamination was deliberately introduced. Their analysis is pivotal in the team’s realization that the crisis was engineered to manipulate their actions.

The tricyanate crystals are the physical evidence of the sabotage, scattered across the cave floor and walls. Worf scans them with his tricorder, revealing their artificial composition and unnatural neutralization. These crystals serve as the smoking gun of the deception, proving that the contamination was not a natural disaster but a deliberate manipulation. Their presence in the cave—alongside the stream—creates a visual contrast between the deceptive appearance of the environment and the hidden truth.

The tricyanate crystals are the central clue in this event, their artificial composition and rapid neutralization exposing the sabotage. Worf scans them with his tricorder, revealing the absence of natural trace elements, while Beverly’s analysis highlights their impracticality as a sabotage tool. The crystals serve as physical evidence of the manipulation, their unnatural properties forcing the crew to question the contamination’s origins and realize it was part of a larger scheme.

Tricyanate is mentioned in the crew's discussion as an artificial contaminant introduced on Beta Agni II. Beverly Crusher points out the economic illogic of producing tricyanate for profit, which helps the crew realize that Fajo's motives are not financial but personal. The substance serves as a red herring, masking Fajo's true intentions—acquiring Data as his next 'rare artifact.' Its mention in this scene is critical in shifting the crew's focus from the crisis to the abduction.