
<em>From the Archives of Plectoro Ira</em>
<em>A Series of Early Big Bump Notes Concerning Diaconium, taken from Terranova's R&amp;D Labs </em>

Mr. Director:

Per your request, I have summarized here my notes on last months investigations into the properties of Diaconium. I hope this will satisfy your inquiry as to why our Diaconium supply is depleted. To reiterate: yes, I understand how expensive it is, and yes, I was careful to maximize my use of the provided sample. Please communicate to our superiors that we are doing SCIENCE down here, not baking muffins, and sometimes science costs money.

To answer your other question: the reason why the stuff is so rare is because it has no known mechanism for creation. It is naturally occurring, but unlike every other known element or composite material, it doesn't appear to follow standard patterns of formation and collocation with other minerals. This particular sample was found in the asteroid belt deep inside a pocket of solid nickel, for example, which is fairly nonsensical. It's natural properties make it difficult to detect and separate from other minerals, and it's unpredictability prevents us from targeting potential sources. It has a quality of irregularity, almost randomness, unlike any substance we've come into contact with.

Paul Allen, PhD
Materials Specialist III
