Delta radiation

• Extremely dangerous, potentially deadly radiation
  • Produced by some high-energy interactions between astronomical bodies (DS9: "Battle Lines")
  • Internal product of warp drive operation (TOS: "The Menagerie, Part I")
• Exposure to delta radiation can quickly result in cellular degradation, especially of the nervous system
  • Even brief exposure leads to widespread breakdown of motor nerves, eventually resulting in total loss of mobility; the nervous system becomes so damaged that most methods of bypassing nerve damage fail, leading to lock-in syndrome (ENT Novel: Uncertain Logic; TOS: "The Menagerie, Part I")
• Can also rapidly weaken the integrity of certain metals; caution must be used in constructing warp drive components as a result (DS9: "Valiant")