A buoy refers to any beacon or marker placed in a particular location in space. The Calivon used buoys equipped with holographic generators to capture people of other species for their Zoo. The Planetary Union vessels used communication buoys (also called a communications buoy[1][2]) as beacons sending a message to nearby parties. While a communication buoy could emit distress calls into space for help, it should not be confused with a distress beacon, which was used exclusively on land.
Calivon Buoy[]
The Calivon utilized beacons known as "buoys" to lure, trap, and deliver other species to their Zoo. The buoy had a holographic generator, scanner technology, and "defense mechanisms."[3] The holographic generator disguised the buoy as things like a friendly vessel in distress. Once a victim ship drew near, the buoy scanned its Computer for information and fabricated a conversation with the victim commanders to trick them into sending an away team to the friendly vessel. Once the away team entered the friendly vessel, the buoy lifted its disguise and teleported them to a zoo on Calivon. If the remaining crew attempted to capture the buoy, defense mechanisms would trigger an enormous explosion - "an energy buildup within the buoy's core"[3] - destroying the buoy and damaging the victim ship.[4]
Communication buoy[]
A communication buoy was used by the Planetary Union as a messaging beacon. A Union ship could leave a buoy in a particular location in space that would broadcast a message to anyone nearby. For example, acting captain Bortus left a communication buoy in space by the star J-2837 with a message for an away team that had entered a Bio-ship. The buoy produced a rhythmic beeping while active in space.[5]
Communication buoys could also be used to send distress calls: repeating messages sent from a location in space to aid a vessel.[1]
Once activated, communication buoys functioned for significant periods of time. One such buoy left by the BCV Burton around the year 2320 continued to broadcast a distress signal for over 100 years.[1]
Communication buoys contained a log with important information for any recipient, such as any damage the vessel might have taken prior to dropping the buoy in space.[1]
See also[]
- Distress beacon - A land-based messaging beacon used expressly for distress calls
Appearances[]
- Episode 1x02: Command Performance
- Episode 1x04: If the Stars Should Appear
- Episode 1.5x01: New Beginnings, Pt. 1
- Episode 1.5x02: New Beginnings, Pt. 2