The Alpha Device

The true function of this device is unknown, but records show it has been operating since the time it was discovered, and probably long before then, according to instructions found in the room the monolith resides in. It is termed the 'Alpha' device, because it is believed the device can be used to create entirely new forms of sentient life, perhaps from scratch, like some kind of genetic engineering machine. Currently, however, it's method of operation is unknown, and attempts at using it have either vaporised all attempting biological races, or driven them insane. It does not respond to input from mechanical sources.

Currently, the device stabilizes in half orange/half blue colouration... scientists believe that it may become an 'Omega' device if the balance is upset in favour of orange, capable of cleanly wiping out an entire race whilst leaving everything they created behind. The planet the device is on has been declared an intergalactic neutral zone, and is off limits to all military forces with the exception of the ISF, who have an extensive defensive position set up to protect the device.

The main body is roughly four times the height of a human (allowing one to comfortably stand within the central ring) and hovers around 6 feet off the ground of the chamber it is located in. The chamber is a perfectly circular room, measuring 100 feet across from wall to wall. It has a slight depression in the floor, around 50 feet across and a foot deep, within which the device is centered. All attempts to move the device out of the center of this depression have failed - the device simply does not budge, although it turns smoothly, if somewhat slowly. The walls of the room are covered in writings which presumably describe proper use and control of the device, but not all of the relevant sections have been translated yet, despite non-stop efforts, as the cypher seems to change randomly at intervals throughout the text, which covers the 60 foot high walls in an extremely small font, presumably designed to drive even the most patient translators utterly insane, perhaps to prevent anyone from learning how to use the device.

There are also eight smaller circular depressions around the center, each 5 feet across, positioned half way between the walls and the central depression. It is believed these are part of the system used to manipulate the device.