Idaea

**Idaea** was a Nomai who worked at the Sun Station as part of the Ash Twin Project. He was the brother of Privet, who worked at the Orbital Probe Cannon.

## The Ash Twin Project

When the Nomai discussed how to obtain an advanced warp core for the Ash Twin Project, Idaea supported the solution to craft a new advanced warp core as he thought this would be the safest path for their clan. He firmly opposed the idea to build the Sun Station to power the Ash Twin Project, because he believed that inducing a supernova went against every standard they hold themselves to and everything they believed in as a species. Idaea claimed that the potential annihilation of an entire star system is too severe a cost to obtain knowledge of the Eye of the Universe's location and that the Sun Station should not be built. Pye disagreed with him, arguing that pushing new technology further than ever before was a defining characteristic of their species. This discussion was the start of continuous arguments between the two of them.

## Sun Station

The other Nomai believed the Sun Station was the only practical way to generate enough energy for the Ash Twin Project. Idaea and Pye worked together to build the Sun Station even though Idaea never supported its construction. Idaea looked forward to working with Pye but was relieved that he could easily return to Ash Twin regularly via the warp platforms. While working on the plans for the Sun Station, Pye made puns about the sun exploding which Idaea did not think was funny. On the Sun Station itself, Pye wrote down their mission statement as "science [compelling them] to explode the sun". Idaea wanted to change this mission statement, thinking it was morbid and that Pye lacked ethics. Due to their constant arguments, Yarrow ended up proposing that Idaea and Pye should spend time away from the Sun Station, which both of them agreed on.

When the Sun Station failed to induce a supernova, Idaea was disappointed and stated that he never wished that the device would fail. Pye argued that the Sun Station could be redesigned, but Idaea thought this was easier said than accomplished. Following the Ash Twin Project's indefinite hiatus, Idaea's sister Privet left the Orbital Probe Cannon to visit him on the Sun Station as she feared he might have felt responsible.

It is unknown if Privet ever reached Idaea before all the Nomai were instantly killed by the Ghost Matter from the Interloper flooding the solar system. Idaea's remains (holding the Ash Twin Project stone) and a Nomai Statue face the sun at the bottom of the Sun Station.

## Trivia

* Idaea is most likely named after the lingonberry, scientifically known as *Vaccinium vitis-idaea*. It is an evergreen shrub bearing edible fruit.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 AVENS: An update: Mallow and I will join you and Daz. Privet left to visit her brother. She fears Idaea may feel responsible.
2. ↑ Solution 2: We could craft a new advanced warp core inspired by the Vessel’s warp core. IDAEA: This is the safest path for our clan.
3. ↑ Should we build the Sun Station to power the Ash Twin Project? IDAEA: I almost can’t comprehend this is being suggested seriously. The purpose of the Sun Station goes against every standard we hold ourselves to and everything we believe in as a species!
4. ↑ IDAEA: The potential annihilation of an entire star system is too severe a cost. We shouldn’t build the Sun Station, no matter how badly we want the knowledge that comes with it.
5. ↑ PYE: Unsurprisingly, Idaea, I disagree. We’re pushing a possible new technology further than ever before. That, in my experience, is the defining characteristic of our species.
6. ↑ YARROW: Are there other ways to generate this level of power? PYE: Theoretically, yes. Practically, no. I can’t imagine discovering them in our lifetimes... RAMIE: I understand this proposal is unsettling, but the Sun Station must be built if we hope to complete the Ash Twin Project.
7. ↑ YARROW: Pye and Idaea have worked hard on the Sun Station, and it at last is complete. If everything goes as planned, this structure will prompt the sun’s explosion, which will in turn supply the power the Ash Twin Project requires.
8. ↑ IDAEA: I don’t see what state of matter you are has to do with this. And I don’t recall supporting the Sun Station’s construction, but here we are.
9. ↑ IDAEA: Pye, I look forward to working with you, but I’m also relieved it will be easy to return to Ash Twin regularly.
10. ↑ YARROW: Some time has passed since I checked in with you, Pye. How are you and Idaea progressing with the Sun Station plans? PYE: Presently, my assessment is that our plan will either fail explosively or succeed explosively. IDAEA: Pye, you know I don’t find that funny. PYE: How curious; Ramie thinks I’m a gas. And I don’t recall requesting that you monitor this conversation, Idaea. IDAEA: I don’t see what state of matter you are has to do with this.
11. ↑ PYE: Mission: Science compels us to explode the sun!
12. ↑ IDAEA: Can’t we change this? I don’t enjoy working in view of such a morbid mission statement. IDAEA: Here’s a better one. Mission: Determine if it’s possible to prompt the sun to explode. PYE: You lack a sense of humor. IDAEA: At least I don’t lack a sense of ethics!
13. ↑ YARROW: Hypothesis: Time spent away from the station would be beneficial to you both. PYE: I’m immensely interested in testing your hypothesis, Yarrow. IDAEA: That, at least, we can agree on.
14. ↑ YARROW: Pye... I hurt for you, my friends; we all know how hard you’ve both worked. I can only offer my compassion. How are you? How is Idaea? IDAEA: We’re well, Yarrow (or as well as can be expected, given the circumstances), though disappointed. I may have disagreed with exploding the sun, but I never wished the device would fail. I’d hoped our terrible work was finished.
15. ↑ PYE: Suppose we redesign the Sun Station. To generate power of that magnitude, a supernova is still our only viable option. IDAEA: This is easier expressed than accomplished.
16. ↑ AVENS: An update: Mallow and I will join you and Daz. Privet left to visit her brother. She fears Idaea may feel responsible.