Editing Substances in the Re-imagined Series
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==The Fleet's Eats== | ==The Fleet's Eats== | ||
Colonial technology is sufficiently advanced to allow [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestars]] to work almost autonomously for years, but for the motley of [[The Fleet (RDM)|stranded civilian ships]] that form '' | Colonial technology is sufficiently advanced to allow [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestars]] to work almost autonomously for years, but for the motley of [[The Fleet (RDM)|stranded civilian ships]] that form ''[[Galactica]]'s'' charge, the matter of food and drink for nearly 50,000 humans while migrating through interstellar space is a very serious matter. | ||
It was through a matter of good fortune that the Fleet comprises of many ships that provide the raw materials needed for generating food products. Most of these ships were freighters that were making their routine commercial runs between Colonial ports-of-call, much like America's interstate trucking system delivers goods between cities. Some ships, such as the ''[[Kimba Huta]]'', carried actual foodstuffs such as meat. Others, such as ''Galactica'' and the ''[[Celestra (RDM)|Celestra]]'' were built for long-term spacefaring. Most of the other ships of the Fleet, like the ''[[Virgon Express]]'', were never designed for long-term flight and are missing the basics needed for extended flight. In particular, food and drink must be provided for through other means. | It was through a matter of good fortune that the Fleet comprises of many ships that provide the raw materials needed for generating food products. Most of these ships were freighters that were making their routine commercial runs between Colonial ports-of-call, much like America's interstate trucking system delivers goods between cities. Some ships, such as the ''[[Kimba Huta]]'', carried actual foodstuffs such as meat. Others, such as ''Galactica'' and the ''[[Celestra (RDM)|Celestra]]'' were built for long-term spacefaring. Most of the other ships of the Fleet, like the ''[[Virgon Express]]'', were never designed for long-term flight and are missing the basics needed for extended flight. In particular, food and drink must be provided for through other means. | ||
In "[[Water]], | In "[[Water]]", Dr. [[Gaius Baltar]] notes the amount of consumables he estimates that the Fleet's citizens require each ''week'': | ||
<blockquote>"The current civilian population of 45,265 will require, at minimum, 82 tons of grain, 85 tons of meat, 119 tons of fruit, 304 tons of vegetables and ... 2.5 million jps of water."</blockquote> | <blockquote>"The current civilian population of 45,265 will require, at minimum, 82 tons of grain, 85 tons of meat, 119 tons of fruit, 304 tons of vegetables and ... 2.5 million jps of water."</blockquote> | ||
===Water=== | ===Water=== | ||
As stated in the episode "[[Water]], | As stated in the episode "[[Water]]", ''Galactica'' has the ability to recycle almost all of its water supply. However, it must tank off water to ships which cannot recycle as efficiently. | ||
Dr. Baltar uses the term "JP" as a unit of liquid volume for water <ref>In the Season 3 episode "[[Dirty Hands]], | Dr. Baltar uses the term "JP" as a unit of liquid volume for water <ref>In the Season 3 episode "[[Dirty Hands]]", Baltar describes the culture of [[Aerilon]] as "going down to the pub for a pint", suggesting that Colonials also use the unit "pint." The term may also be intended to reflect Aerelon's culture as comparable to that of working-class [[w:Ireland|Ireland]], [[w:Scotland|Scotland]] or [[w:Northern England|Northern England]].</ref>. However, this unit of measure is not further defined. If Baltar's estimation of water units per week is divided by the population count, the result is: | ||
<blockquote>2500000/45265 = 55.2303</blockquote> | <blockquote>2500000/45265 = 55.2303</blockquote> | ||
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Dr. Baltar uses "tons" to measure out the amount of food required per colonist. | Dr. Baltar uses "tons" to measure out the amount of food required per colonist. | ||
As noted in "[[The Farm]], | As noted in "[[The Farm]]", the Fleet has ships that carry frozen food that was intended for export to other cities or colonies. | ||
In the episode "[[The Passage]]" more information is given on how the Fleet feeds itself. The Colonials suffer another supply shortage. The Fleet's raw food storage has been contaminated in some way. Based on dialogue, there is a primary "good food" storage and a recycled storage where it is reprocessed for use. The episode's writer, [[Jane Espenson]], notes that, in an draft of the script, the Fleet's meat was generated from [[Wikipedia:Cloning|cloning]]<ref>"Jane Espenson on post-The Passage questions," ''[http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/12/11/jane-espenson-on-post-the-passage-questions/ TV Squad]'', weblog, December 11, 2006.</ref>. | In the episode "[[The Passage]]" more information is given on how the Fleet feeds itself. The Colonials suffer another supply shortage. The Fleet's raw food storage has been contaminated in some way. Based on dialogue, there is a primary "good food" storage and a recycled storage where it is reprocessed for use. The episode's writer, [[Jane Espenson]], notes that, in an draft of the script, the Fleet's meat was generated from [[Wikipedia:Cloning|cloning]]<ref>"Jane Espenson on post-The Passage questions," ''[http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/12/11/jane-espenson-on-post-the-passage-questions/ TV Squad]'', weblog, December 11, 2006.</ref>. | ||
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==== Algae ==== | ==== Algae ==== | ||
[[ | |||
[[Image:Algae protein bar - watermarked.jpg|thumb|The algae protein bar.]] | |||
After a harrowing trek through a [[Passage (star cluster)|dangerous star cluster]], the Fleet finds a [[algae planet|planet containing algae]] that can be reconstituted into food. Dr. [[Cottle]] noted that the algae, while tough to digest, was also almost pure protein. For the most part, this should satisfy the nutritional needs, as the human body can also convert most proteins into the body's fuel, carbohydrates, thanks to [[Wikipedia:Gluconeogenesis|other organs in the body]]. This same process is also what happens when your body has too little energy: in a starvation state, the body will break down its own muscle tissue into fuel. | After a harrowing trek through a [[Passage (star cluster)|dangerous star cluster]], the Fleet finds a [[algae planet|planet containing algae]] that can be reconstituted into food. Dr. [[Cottle]] noted that the algae, while tough to digest, was also almost pure protein. For the most part, this should satisfy the nutritional needs, as the human body can also convert most proteins into the body's fuel, carbohydrates, thanks to [[Wikipedia:Gluconeogenesis|other organs in the body]]. This same process is also what happens when your body has too little energy: in a starvation state, the body will break down its own muscle tissue into fuel. | ||
One possible natural algae that could have been found on the algae planet is [[w:Spirulina (dietary supplement)|spirulina]], which is rich in protein. | One possible natural algae that could have been found on the algae planet is [[w:Spirulina (dietary supplement)|spirulina]], which is rich in protein. | ||
After obtaining enough algae from the planet, the Fleet is able to turn it into various foodstuffs: algae mash, algae crackers, and algae protein bars. However, some in the Fleet, like [[Nicholas Tyrol]], are allergic to the mash and an alternate food source is alluded to ([[The Ties That Bind]]). | |||
After obtaining enough algae from the planet, the Fleet is able to turn it into various foodstuffs: algae mash, algae crackers, and algae protein bars. However, some in the Fleet, like [[Nicholas Tyrol]], are allergic to the mash and an alternate food source is alluded to | |||
==The Tylium Question== | ==The Tylium Question== | ||
[[Tylium]] is a curious substance in the universe where the Twelve Colonies resides. Used by both Colonials and | [[Tylium]] is a curious substance in the universe where the Twelve Colonies resides. Used by both Colonials and their foes, tylium has the properties of a mineral or fossil fuel in as that the substance is mined and refined. Like some fossil fuels, tylium isn't useable until refined. While the ore can't be detonated, its precursor (similar to refined crude oil before its refinement into gasoline and other products) is very explosive. The fuel itself isn't as explosive as precursor, however. | ||
So, is tylium a made-up substance or would it have a counterpart or comparative substance to the elements we know of here on the real-world Earth? | So, is tylium a made-up substance or would it have a counterpart or comparative substance to the elements we know of here on the real-world Earth? | ||
One speculation is that tylium can possibly be similar to Helium-3<ref name="helium3">See [[Helium-3|Wikipedia's article on Helium-3]] and [http://www.asi.org/adb/02/09/he3-intro.html this article] by a private firm on the concept.</ref>. Helium-3 is a primordial component in the Earth's crust, is deposited via solar wind on moons and asteroids. But, while helium-3 has potential as an energy source, the amount of energy needed to ignite it (fusion) would be more than the energy it would expel for use as an energy by-product. | One speculation is that tylium can possibly be similar to Helium-3 <ref name="helium3">See [[Wikipedia:Helium-3|Wikipedia's article on Helium-3]] and [http://www.asi.org/adb/02/09/he3-intro.html this article] by a private firm on the concept.</ref>. Helium-3 is a primordial component in the Earth's crust, is deposited via solar wind on moons and asteroids. But, while helium-3 has potential as an energy source, the amount of energy needed to ignite it (fusion) would be more than the energy it would expel for use as an energy by-product. | ||
There is a problem with this speculation in that helium-3 is a gas, not a mineral or solid element. A tylium counterpart should be a solid, non-radioactive, and likely non-organic substance. Coal would fit the tylium concept were it not a fossil fuel, which would suggest that life forms existed and died on the celestial bodies where the substance is mined. Perhaps another element from the Periodic Table could be a counterpart of tylium. | There is a problem with this speculation in that helium-3 is a gas, not a mineral or solid element. A tylium counterpart should be a solid, non-radioactive, and likely non-organic substance. Coal would fit the tylium concept were it not a fossil fuel, which would suggest that life forms existed and died on the celestial bodies where the substance is mined. Perhaps another element from the Periodic Table could be a counterpart of tylium. | ||
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Tylium could be an exotic primordial compound. Research by astronomers, spectrographic analysis among them, has found compounds which do not normally form on Earth, but are formed and stabilized within the unique conditions of space. Tylium could be one such compound, which would in part explain why the Colonial scouts were looking at asteroid belts rather then planets to find it. Tylium could be a primordial compound that is destabilized on contact with other elements, such as oxygen, that are commonly found on terrestrial worlds. | Tylium could be an exotic primordial compound. Research by astronomers, spectrographic analysis among them, has found compounds which do not normally form on Earth, but are formed and stabilized within the unique conditions of space. Tylium could be one such compound, which would in part explain why the Colonial scouts were looking at asteroid belts rather then planets to find it. Tylium could be a primordial compound that is destabilized on contact with other elements, such as oxygen, that are commonly found on terrestrial worlds. | ||
Tylium is seen as a petroleum-like fuel and as refined ore in the episode "[[Dirty Hands]]. | Tylium is seen as a petroleum-like fuel and as refined ore in the episode "[[Dirty Hands]]". | ||
==Familiar Elements and Chemicals== | ==Familiar Elements and Chemicals== | ||
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Other drugs such as [[Vinagro]], [[morpha]], [[stims]], and [[serisone]] have a logical counterpart to real-world drugs such as Viagra, morphine, stimulants such as amphetamines, or fluid-reduction treatments. | Other drugs such as [[Vinagro]], [[morpha]], [[stims]], and [[serisone]] have a logical counterpart to real-world drugs such as Viagra, morphine, stimulants such as amphetamines, or fluid-reduction treatments. | ||
An [[Interrogation drug|unnamed drug]] is administered to | An [[Interrogation drug|unnamed drug]] is administered to Gaius Baltar in order to provoke an intense state of hallucinatory anxiety. This drug had been the property of the Colonial military prior to the fall of the Twelve Colonies ([[Taking A Break From All Your Worries]]). | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||