Object
Escape Pod Aft Thrusters
A compact cluster of rear reaction nozzles and heat-shielded housings mounted on the back of a tiny escape pod. When engaged the nozzles spit a brief, high-energy plume and register as a sharp aft power surge on the Enterprise's sensors, accompanied by a localized spike on tactical readouts. Bridge officers react with alarm as the thrusters kick, the pod bounces off shields, and diagnostics flash transient overload warnings.
3 appearances
Purpose
Short-burst propulsion and attitude control for the escape pod, used to alter trajectory, accelerate away from a parent vessel, or perform sudden evasive maneuvers.
Significance
Functions as the immediate catalyst that turns a procedural sensor anomaly into an active threat: the aft thrusters' surge signals an intentional gambit by the pod, forcing the crew to shift from diplomatic containment to kinetic pursuit and containment strategy.
Appearances in the Narrative
When this object appears and how it's used