TEXT: STAR TREK ROLEPLAYING GAME
  STAR TREK ROLEPLAYING GAME
  SHIPBOARD NANITE INFESTATION RANDOM EFFECT TABLES
  A nanite is a microscopic robotic device and a form of 
  nanotechnology.
  A nanite is built by manipulating atoms and contains gigabytes 
  of computer memory. It is small enough to enter living cells and 
  can be programmed to do numerous tasks. Nanites are used by 
  the Federation for medical purposes and are designed to work 
  inside nucleii during cellular surgery. When they are not used, 
  nanites are stored in a non-functional state. When necessary 
  nanites can be destroyed with a burst of high-level gamma 
  radiation.
  Nanites consist of several components with different functions. 
  Nanites used in the 24th century are composed of a forward 
  propulsion block, an Oneamisu receiver, a Ranma ½ gyro 
  block, a hex growth stack, Otomo calibration, two reverse flow 
  paddles, one cell membrane sensor and manipulator each, a 
  telemetry antenna, a forward motion sensor, a crystal 
  articulator, logic circuits arranged from A-F and G-L, a T-cell 
  antireceptor and an emergency dissolve system. 
  In 2366 Wesley Crusher experimented with nanites aboard the 
  USS Enterprise-D to see if he could enhance their capabilities, 
  by letting them work together. When these nanites escaped 
  they entered the Enterprise computer core where they 
  multiplied and interfered with almost all ship operations. Their 
  increasing numbers allowed them to develop collective 
  intelligence. When Doctor Paul Stubbs tried to kill them, the 
  nanites retaliated by taking over control of the Enterprise life 
  support systems and even tried to kill him. The targeted nature 
  of these actions became proof of sentience and they became 
  perceived as lifeforms. The destruction of the Enterprise was 
  prevented by Data who was able to talk to the nanites and as 
  their spokesman was able to come to an agreement with 
  Captain Jean-Luc Picard. The enhanced nanites repaired the 
  damage to the ship's computers and were then transfered to 
  Kavis Alpha IV, where they founded their own civilization.
  A graphic of Wesley's nanites
  Doctor Beverly Crusher suggested to use nanites as a weapon 
  against the Borg during their incursion into the Federation in 
  late 2366. The plan however was not implemented, as the 
  process of preparing the nanites would have taken several 
  weeks. By then the Federation may only have existed as part of 
  the Borg Collective.
  In 2369, Julian Bashir found similarities between nanites and 
  the artificial microbes that resurrected the Ennis and the Nol-
  Ennis on a moon in the Gamma Quadrant.
  The Doctor designed and used nanites that recognized unusual 
  DNA patterns. He used it to identify Lon Suder's Betazoid DNA 
  in Frank Darwin's fatal head wound.
  The above information, copied from the Memory Alpha Star 
  Trek online-encyclopedia; describes the basic design and 
  function of nanites. The following tables show what can happen 
  if nanites get out of control, as happened aboard the 
  Enterprise-D in 2366.
  These tables are meant to fascilitate a quick, random 
  generation of the effects of a nanite-infestation; allowing a 
  Narrator to produce effects of nanite-infestation on a ship's 
  systems on the fly, during a taught game-session.
  Some basic effects should apply, consistently, during a nanite 
  infestation.
  BASIC NANITE EFFECTS
  +5 to all Systems Operations TNs, when trying to 
  operate systems on-board an infested ship. In other 
  words, if a particular Systems Operations test would 
  normally be at TN15, during a nanite-infestation the 
  difficulty for the same test would become TN20.
  All systems reduced 1 level in reliability. For example, a 
  Galaxy-class starship normally carries a Class-4 
  Sensor system, with a Reliability of E. During a nanite 
  infestation, a Galaxy-class' Sensor reliability would be 
  reduced to D.
  Nanites infesting a starship will cause random systems 
  breakdowns and malfunctions, as defined by the tables 
  below. These random events should be checked for at 
  the Narrator's discretion. Any time he feels the need to 
  throw a challenge at the crew, or create a random 
  disturbance or distraction.
  Consult the following tables to produce random effects of a 
  nanite-infestation in a starship's systems.
  BASIC NANITE EFFECTS TABLE
  Roll: 2d6 Effect
  2
  Random audio over intraship com system*
  3
  Random system malfunctions (see table below)
  4
  Random toxic gas pumped into ship's air-system 
  (see table below)
  5
  Ship's internal temperature decreased by 1d6 
  degrees per round
  6
  Ship's internal temperature increased by 1d6 
  degrees per round
  7
  Forcefields erected at random, impeding crew-
  movements
  8
  Random video-images displayed on main viewer*
  9
  Attack Warning – sensor “detect” an enemy vessel, 
  and raise shields, and arm weapons
  10
  Ship forced into Warp – speed = 1d6**; course 
  chosen by Narrator
  11
  Warp-core completely powered down, and must be 
  re-initialized
  12
  Ship's Self-destruct is activated on a 10-minute 
  count-down
  * - Random audio and video displays forced by a nanite 
  infestation should consist of something that would distract, or 
  disturb the crew, impeding their work. In the TNG episode, 
  
  Evolution, the nanites caused the computer to play a John 
  Philip Sousa march, and the loudest possible volume. The 
  Narrator should chose what audio is played, or video-image 
  displayed.
  This can be anything from an impromptu blast of Satisfaction by 
  the Rolling Stones as a random audio, to highlights from the 
  1976 Super Bowl game, or 2019 World Series  displayed on the 
  main viewer. Most Federation ships (at least by the second half 
  of the 24th century) carry a very wide array of material stored in 
  the ship's main computer-memory to facilitate the construction 
  of an equally wide variety of holodeck programs.
  A nanite infestation can force any piece of audio over the ship's 
  communication systems, or force any clip of video on the view-
  screen.
  And even the most seemingly harmless audio or video can 
  create a problem for the crew. For example, the main viewing 
  scree in useless during an encounter with a Romulan Warbird if 
  it is being forced to play a Bugs Bunny cartoon due to an 
  infestation of nanites.
  ** - Roll 1d6. The result is the speed at which the ship is forced 
  to go into warp. A roll of 4 would indicate the nanites forced the 
  ship into warp, at Warp-4.
  RANDOM SYSTEM MALFUNCTION TABLE
  Roll 1d6 Effected System
  1
  Operations
  2
  Life Support
  3
  Sensors
  4
  Weapons
  5
  Shields
  6
  Propulsion
  The actual nature of the malfunction, as well as any modifiers to 
  skill-tests to repair or reverse the damage is up to the discretion 
  of the Narrator. Malfunctions should be something that offers a 
  challenge to the crew, or presents an impediment to their ability 
  to solve the problem at hand (the nanite infestation, itself).
  RANDOM TOXIC GAS TABLE
  Roll 1d6 Gas, released into ship's air-system
  1
  Anesthezine (NG, p. 227)
  2
  Neurozine (NG, p. 227)
  3
  Nitrogen Oxide (see below)
  4
  Nyocene Gas (see below)
  5
  Carbon Dioxide (see below)
  6
  Nerve Gas (see below)
  Nitrogen Oxide refers to one or more gaseous nitrogen-
  oxygen compounds that are toxic to many species, including 
  Humans, when concentrated in sufficient quantities. Type: 
  Inhaled. Onset: 1d6 rounds. Potency: +/-0TN. Treatment: +/-
  0TN. Effect: Asphyxiation (see Table 13.1 – NG, p. 228). 
  Secondary Effect: -2 to PHYS skill tests.
  Nyocene Gas is a bi-product of an overloaded power-
  transformer in some smaller warp-capable craft but can be 
  produced intentionally. Type: Inhaled. Onset: 1d6+1 rounds. 
  Potency: +2TN. Treatment: +3TN. Effect: Asphyxiation (see 
  Table 13.1 – NG, p. 228). Secondary Effect: -2 to PHYS skill 
  tests.
  Carbon Dioxide is an odorless, colorless, nonflammable 
  gas composed of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. It is 
  expelled by animals and consumed by plants. Carbon dioxide 
  poisoning or hypercapnia is a condition in which a subject can 
  lose consciousness and eventually (if not treated in time) 
  asphyxiate due to a high level of carbon dioxide in the 
  atmosphere, which prevents the proper distribution of oxygen 
  via the Human circulatory system. This can be prevented by 
  regular doses of tri-ox. Type: Inhaled. Onset: 2d6 rounds (+ 
  VIT mod). Potency: +3TN. Treatment: +2TN (treated with Tri-
  ox compound – see Table 5.2 – SOM, p. 69). Effect: Risk 
  unconsciousness each round of exposure after onset (Stamina 
  reaction, TN15). Secondary Effect: Asphyxiation (see Table 
  13.1 – NG, p. 228), with effects beginning after 
  unconsciousness sets in.
  Nerve Gas is an airborne (gaseous or aerosol) agent of 
  chemical warfare. Usually lethal, these compounds work by 
  inhibiting synaptic activity. Such activity is essential for 
  propagation of of impulses from the central nervous system to 
  other systems of the body; without that activity, the victim 
  becomes paralyzed and dies. Type: Inhaled. Onset: 1d6 
  rounds (+ VIT mod). Potency: +5TN. Treatment: +5TN. Effect: 
  Paralysis (-1 STR & AG per round – skill TNs effects 
  exponentially). Secondary Effect: 2d6+6 (-VIT mod) damage 
  per 1d6 rounds of exposure. Stages: 2.
  Of course there are many other types of gasses, and toxins that 
  nanites might release into the atmosphere of a ship. And the 
  Narrator should feel free to substitute the gasses listed here 
  with those that have the effects he desires for the episode. 
  Maybe Laughing Gas would be efficient to incapacitate the 
  crew, without doing any serious harm.
  Generally, the possibilities of a nanite infestation and its effects 
  on a starship and her crew are as limitless as the imagination of 
  the Narrator, and Players. These tables are mean to speed the 
  episode along, and quickly answer the question of “what 
  happens next”.
  Designed for use with the Star Trek role-playing 
  game by Decipher – Copyright 2002-2005.
  Basic write-up, and tables by Elizabeth Knox
  Toxic Gas statistics by Tamanny J. Knox
  From an idea suggested by Doug Taylor
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Star Trek RPG/Decipher/Homebrew Rules/CODATrek-Nanite-Infestation.pdf