W-1

Overview

W-1 is colloquial term for Phantom Energy Fuel, a fuel comprised of dark energy as a main-stay in its formation process, paired with rare minerals in its materialistic make-up. It is a volatile substance that is toxic and fatally dangerous to organic life. Its generation is a widely discussed theory across scientific communities within the galaxy, and previous was a ultra-rare element to be sought after over various planetary types. It has two physical forms, depending on its environment.

Appearance

The appearance of W-1 takes on two states. When it is naturally generated, it is usually in deep pockets in dense rock under high pressure, above 18 MPa, creating a crystalline structure that can be located due to its heavy Beta radiological signature. Its color is reminiscent of a pearlescent shifting purple to cyan hue with semi-transparent facets that show through to a black, opaque center if the volume of the structure is thicker than 3cm.

The second state is beneath the pressure of 18 MPa, where the crystalline structure relaxes over a very short time into a viscous ferro-fluid that has an absolute density of 17.3g. The appearance of it is a fluctuating color range of a deep rich purple to an intense cyan or rich blue and then a near-void black.

Mining

Mining of W-1 is done using specialized tools. They usually consist of complete-coverage PPE, along with pressure tanks and industrial electromagnets. Mining W-1 by hand should never be attempted. Depending upon the atmosphere of the planet that is being harvested for resources, W-1 can appear in either of its two states. While it is in its low-pressure state, the specialized equipment must be utilized to collect and contain the element, and clean up the immediate area from contamination. Within its first state, it can be mined out using typical ore-mining equipment and placed into a pressure-container for transportation. Mining of W-1 is regulated in most Empires and Government controlled spaces due to the dangers it presents if handled incorrectly. After the proliferation of W-1 throughout the galaxy mining became far more common, allowing wider access to the element.

Hazards

W-1 is a volatile in the sense that if it is left released, it can begin to deteriorate if it is within its low-pressure state. While in its ferro-fluid state, it will begin to seep into porous materials and surfaces, and due to its energetic properties, there have been cases that large enough collections of it in this state have caused micro-tears, known as Rips, eventually consuming the element up, summarizing it up as a siphon that W-1 fuels itself till it is consumed by the micro-tear. Any matter within the vicinity will be pulled into the micro-tear until the W-1 source is depleted. As its first state, W-1 will not cause Rips to form, as it is in its most stable state.

When it is a ferro-fluid, it till leave a fine film upon any surface it touches. If transmission happens upon one's skin or hair, it will be rapidly absorbed into the skin, and the result will cause crystallization of oxygenated fluids of a organic's body, namely blood vessels, hardening and turning to a glass-like consistency, resulting in extremely painful movement, blocking and destroying veins and necrosis as the supply of oxygen to the affected area is completely negated. This affliction is called 'Ore Vein'. If it is not treated immediately, it can result in absolute appendage loss, and commonly fatal over all.