Names, outcomes, and discoveries from later histories are concealed in spoiler-light mode.
The sphere-drive accident destroys the planned progress of the Copious expedition and separates Formidable from Echo. A hidden velocity-dependent increase in energy extraction produces runaway acceleration.
Also recorded as: Loss of Formidable, Sphere-drive failure
Formidable
The drive's instability becomes appreciable above roughly seventy-five percent of light speed. Relays fuse, preventing automatic power reduction, and Thomas is incapacitated while attempting the manual override. Formidable's last transmitted data allows Echo to eliminate failed solutions and avert the same catastrophe.[1][2][3]
Echo and investigation
Echo turns for home but cannot prevent extreme time displacement. His investigation finds that Brookes added a spherical constant to the submitted equations, masking the growth predicted by earlier calculations. Brookes admits seeing runaway acceleration in simulations but denies expecting it at the planned cruising speed.[2][3]
Related records
Sources
Simon Evans, The Flaxen Tyranny, first edition (2023). Page numbers refer to the printed pagination of the source edition.