A cloud of fluid particles was encountered by the Liberator en route to Sector 6. The cloud appeared reddish-orange and was charged with energy. Its source and exact nature was unknown; it was speculated that the particles were a living organism of some kind. Within a matter of hours the Liberator was suffering massive power and systems failures and severe structural damage. Zen concentrated the ship's resources on keeping the teleport system operational in order to allow the crew to escape.