The Third Species

THE THEORY
The Third Species is the prevailing theory among scientist that an undiscovered species that lives deep within the inner-most atmospheric layers of the Gas Giant Proton Prime. However due to the immense conditions that are present in the inner layers of the planet. A positive identification is unobtainable.

THE MYSTERY
On a recent scientific expedition undertaken by the IXS ENTERPRISE, a crew member from Ranger 3 set up a deep lifeform scanner that was capable of receiving detections from 100 km - 10,000 km. The results that were fed back were shocking. The scanner detected 10 lifeforms, each close to 10 km in size. The results gave the opportunity to determine the living depth and that the lifeforms were organic in nature. However, within a few hours scans showed that they are not carbon based life, Instead based on an unknown material that has no entry in the Periodic Table and the scans were unable to determine the composition of the unknown material.

Wanting to investigate further, A probe was dispatched and descended 2000 km into the gas giant. As the probes depth grew, malfunctions and issues started arise. Before the crew were able to issue a return command, the probe lost contact with the Command Module. Seismic Radars present on the research vessel detected vibrations that appeared to indicate the probe was destroyed by Explosion and not from being crushed by the pressure. This raised both confusion and concern to the crew. Subsequent analysis determined the explosion was not caused by Arachons as none were detected in the area as well as their organic plating could not support the pressure present at the probes last reported depth.

Crew on the IXS ENTERPRISE still contemplate to this day, if the existence of a Third Species dwells in the deepest layers of Proton Prime and if they are the cause of the explosion that lead to the loss of the probe. And if false, then what did cause this event...

Other Facts From Scans

 * Time-lapsed scans determined the unknown species periodically migrate to depths of 1750 km - 2000 km, or higher for yet unknown reasons.