Object

Dicosilium Canister

A compact, sealed transport crate stamped in bold block letters 'DICOSILIUM.' Constructed from corrugated polymer with Federation transport clamps and hazard tape, the canister carries shipping stencils and a Tanuga Four delivery tag. Crew members reference it in Picard's mission log as routine cargo; nobody unwraps it on the bridge, but its presence anchors the delivery manifest.

3 appearances

Purpose

Mission cargo: a packaged material intended for delivery to the Tanuga Four research station for off‑site scientific work.

Significance

Functions as the concrete shipment cited in the captain's log that frames the delivery mission immediately preceding the transporter anomaly and station explosion; operates as a contextual clue tying the cargo run to the subsequent technical mystery and investigation.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

3 moments

S3E14 · A Matter of Perspective

Mission Log — Tanuga Four: Transporter Anomaly and Station Explosion

The Dicosilium Canister is invoked by Picard's log as the cargo recently delivered to Tanuga Four; narratively it establishes a mundane, factual backdrop and anchors the mission's legitimacy and chain of custody.

Before: Delivered to Tanuga Four as part of routine cargo manifest.

After: Implicitly destroyed or at least unaccounted for due to the station's explosion; its fate is uncertain and now potentially evidentiary.

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S3E14 · A Matter of Perspective

Picard Probes Geordi; Tanuga Four Station Explodes

The dicosilium canister is referenced in the Captain's log voiceover as the cargo delivered to Tanuga Four, providing contextual motive and evidence that the Enterprise had legitimate contact with the station moments before the incident.

Before: Delivered to Tanuga Four as standard cargo during the away team's mission.

After: Implicitly on or already delivered to the station and therefore potentially destroyed or lost in the explosion.

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S3E14 · A Matter of Perspective

Transport Interrupted — Station Explodes During Riker's Beam

The Dicosilium Canister is referenced in Picard's log as part of the delivery to Tanuga Four; while not manipulated during the moment, it functions narratively as evidence of the mission's benign cover story and a small contextual anchor to Apgar's work.

Before: Delivered to Tanuga Four as part of the away team's mission manifest; aboard the station prior to explosion.

After: Effectively lost or destroyed along with station destruction, now part of the incident's material footprint.

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