Catastrophe

This article is about the term. For the related occupation, see Catastrophe Messenger.

The tell-tale signs of an incoming Catastrophe: dark skies, turbulent weather, and a grim atmosphere.

“	The general name for a variety of frequent natural calamities, including but not limited to storms, blizzards, floods and even meteor showers.	”
	—Loading screen tip

Catastrophe is an umbrella term for cataclysmic natural disasters in the world of Arknights.

Description

The general name for a variety of frequent natural calamities, including but not limited to storms, blizzards, floods and even meteor showers. Catastrophes occur frequently, but also at unpredictable intervals. Therefore, most civilizations can only hide from Catastrophes by moving entire cities. A mineral called Originium can usually be found in the area after a Catastrophe is over. Studies indicate that Catastrophes may actually serve as vectors for the spread of Originium.

Overview

A Catastrophe interrupts a news report during the Chernobog uprsising. Proof of their destructive, unstopable power.

Natural disasters of many types, from earthquakes to meteor impacts, occur much more frequently on Terra than on Earth and are referred to as "Catastrophes," since such occurrences are cataclysmic in scale—often far worse than Earth's natural disasters. Modern studies have determined that the birth of a Catastrophe is directly linked to Originium itself, especially on areas close to active veins. As a matter of fact, the pollution cycle theory that links Catatsrophes, the Originium industry and Oripathy, was first proposed back in the year 1058 by Siracusan academician Adeliana. Through the accumulation of Originium particles in the natural environment, said mineral releases huge amounts of energy during the condensation process while amplifying and catalyzing the scale of certain natural phenomena, resulting in destructive disasters. Nevertheless, they all leave behind active Originium crystals, which are extremely dangerous and contaminate the affected area. On the other hand, natural phenomena caused by active Originium are also considered Catastrophes. This includes Siesta's volcanic activity, and the geological movements near the Originium Prime Veins.

Further analysis determined that the released energy often caused violent discharges in the air as condensed Originium particles growing rapidly, creating colossal cluster formations. Logically, the Originium crystals inside an Infected individual will also catalyze, thus worsening their condition in a short period of time.

Catastrophe classification

The iconic prism-shaped Originium formations left by Catastrophes are a result of the rapid energy release and assimilation of surrounding substances during an Originium storm

Due to the many forms Catastrophes can take, the academic community has classified them after generations of constant analysis and observation, based on the characteristics they share. In modern times, Catastrophes are divided into three categories

• Type I (Originium Catastrophes): The most common type of Catastrophe. Generally speaking, many natural phenomena, or even less, can occur within a single Catastrophe. They can vary depending on the environment, from thunderstorms in the Sargonian desert capable to destroy mechanical equipment, to extreme cold waves in Sami. The basic manifestation of this kind of Catastrophes is merely natural activity, and Originium activity can increase its severity.

• Type II (Originium Storms): This type of Catastrophes manifest as a result of the excessive accumulation of Originium particles in the atmosphere, which condenses into a large cloud. Once it hits the ground, it releases a large quantity of energy, condensing into huge, diameter-long Originium aggregates that devastate its surroundings.

• Type III: Less common that the previous two types, this Catastrophe often manifests as a large magnitude earthquakes. However, the amount of energy liberated by active Originium can also produce a series of supernatural phenomena, including a forcefield of unknown energy that causes gravitational changes and mental interference within living organisms in the affected area. Scholars believe that this is caused by the accumulation of man-made Originium waste.

Bombardment Experiment

The "Bombardment Experiment" is a famous experiment that records the nature of Catastrophes conducted in 1066 and led by a collaboration between Earl Patrick and the Royal Victorian Academy of Sciences. In the early days of meteorology, people regarded these gargantuan disasters as merely natural phenomena by following the simple yet basic mindset of "Catastrophes are natural laws that cannot be violated." Consequently, this discouraged many observers and scientists to approach them closer. Entering the modern era, those who were brave enough to chase the storms turned their curiosity to Originium leftovers in devastated areas unbeknownst of the danger. Others tried to replicate the formation of a Catastrophe inside a laboratory by synthesizing raw materials such as Originium dust or iron powder. However, these experiments were up to no avail.

Regardless of the danger and failure of the predecessors, the "Bombardment Experiment" represented a breakthrough in both technological advancement and the understanding of the Catastrophes thanks to the development of a specialized artillery shell equipped with Originium detection devices. The objective of the experiment was to fire these projectiles from Earl Patrick's warship, the Trafalgar, directly into a Catastrophe cloud, allowing the scientists to record real-time data back to the warship. These data are extremely crucial, i.e., the amount of Originium shards formed during the event, the magnitude of energy released, the observation of a Catasthrophe center point, and the time span of a Catastrophe between its formation and its subsiding, which lay the very foundation of Terra's meteorology by allowing humans to easily forecast their arrival, hence allowing people and nomadic cities to quickly evacuate and decreasing property damage.

"First Flight": An anecdote of the "Bombardment Experiment"

Unofficial English translations provided by Jowett. "It's now or never, because the opportunity window for a Catastrophe to appear and disappear is fleeting. If we let today's massive Catastrophe slip through our fingers, then the next chance will be far away. "This specially-assigned warship is following the Earl's instructions to track down the Catastrophe's ground zero that most people seem to avoid. In order to find out what role Originium plays in the formation of Catastrophes, the Royal Victorian Academy of Sciences and Earl Patrick have collaborated to create a hollow artillery shell equipped with a special Originium detection device. There's a cable at the end of the shell that can transmit data back to the warship in real time. When a Catastrophe breaks out, the gunners will shoot these special shells up in the sky above the ground zero in order to transmit real-time data of the dangerous area. "Since morning, the locals have gathered around the warships. Some of them bringing tents while others pushed carts to sell grilled sandworm legs. All kind of people were mixed together, and this might be the first time everyone was so eager to see the arrival of a Catastrophe. Around eleven o'clock, the sky suddenly darkened, people began to shout loudly, while some even began to sing cheerful songs. Everyone knew that a Catastrophe was coming. When lightning first struck the ground in the distance, the captain appeared on the bridge and ordered the gunners via intercom: 'Fire!' "As soon as the words fell, several guns of the Trafalgar roared. At that moment, the shells could be vaguely seen crashing into the Catastrophe cloud amidst the thick smoke and flames. But the sound of its firing was covered by the loud noises of the Catastrophe at the distance. People stood there, watching the guns of the Trafalgar fire round after round at the Catastrophe. These special shells were fired continuously, and a series of precious real-time data of only a few seconds long was transmitted intermittently."

Prevention

Due to the threat of Catastrophes, most modern cities on Terra are nomadic cities; Cities and settlements capable of moving its structures and inhabitants safely away from Catastrophes when necessary.

Recent technological advancement and the work of Catastrophe Messengers at least allow a more-or-less accurate prediction of when and where a Catastrophe will occur, giving nomadic settlements an opportunity to relocate before a Catastrophe strikes and lessening potential damage. Errors do occur from time to time, however, which can have devastating consequences, as seen with Chernobog in Episode 01 and Wolumonde during the events of Twilight of Wolumonde.

Nevertheless, even if the predictions are accurate, evacuating a nomadic city from an incoming Catastrophe is no easy feat. Most activities have to be put on hold, evacuation routes must be planned, and power must be redistributed to essential systems, such as those that ensure the safe separation and re-connection of city plates. If all preparations are complete but the Catastrophe does not arrive as forecasted, Catastrophe Messengers, far from being considered heroes, are blamed for the costly disruptions.

Although the Originium fragments left behind by Catastrophe can be collected and processed into useful materials, they are very dangerous and likely to infect anyone who has had unprotected contact with them.