DECONTAMINATION. Generally, the process by which a person or object is cleansed of undesirable and potentially dangerous elements, which may be nuclear, biological, or chemical in nature. Specifically, pilots aboard the Galactica must spend time in a decontamination chamber after exposure to alien environments. After the incident in LG, however, it is possible that another, more efficient method of decontamination is found, as the pilots are never again seen to use the decontamination chambers, although the chambers are occasionally seen to still exist.
DIETHENE. A rare hydrocarbon gas that is found on frozen and icy worlds. In addition to being a poisonous gas, diethene drastically lowers the freezing point of water. In an atmosphere heavily saturated with diethene, severe drops in temperature do not cause the moisture in the air to freeze and precipitate out. Instead, the density of moist elements continues to increase in the given volume of atmosphere, until it exceeds 100%, and the atmosphere turns liquid.
DRONE. Much like an android, a drone is an animate construct designed to resemble a biological organism. However, the resemblance is superficial and remote, and unlike androids, drones are not designed to interface fluidly into their host society. They are always true robotic constructs. Euphemistically, the term is also used for anyone treated or acting like a robot; i.e. treating someone with little regard, or acting in turn with little regard. From the Greek thrEnos, meaning a dirge, which references the drone�s typical monotonous communication tone.
ELECTRO-IDENDIFICATION SYSTEM. A ship�s short-range transponder. Similar to the Viper�s short-range marker beacon, but passing more information. Connection data for the EIS can occasionally be seen on screens in the communications bay of the Galactica.
ELECTRONIC DEFENSE SHIELDS. Gravimagnetic ray shielding in place to protect a ship�s sensitive electronics. This is particularly important in light of the suggestion that Cylon weapons may generate damaging EM energies upon detonation.
ERGON. A measure of energy, which I suggest is approximately equal to one kilojoule. Directly from the Greek ergon, meaning �work�.
ENERGIZER. Generally, any device that produces usable power, i.e. potential energy. These devices include steam conversion devices, which run the technical spectrum from wood-burning steam engines to standard fusion reactors. Specifically in Colonial usage, energizers are plasma pulsed power generation or fusion pulsed power generation units. These units utilize magnetic flux compression and advanced thermionic conversion to generate usable power (see Power Generation and Fuels). While most military units utilize solium as their primary fuel, civilian units are usually fueled by hydrogen/deuterium. From the word �energy�, itself derived form the Greek ergon.
FORCE FIELD. Generally, a euphemism for any field of coherent energy used as a protective or isolative barrier. Specifically, the term applies to electro-static isolation barriers in use by the Terrans in ET. The mechanism is variable, but probably consists of a triggering field, such as a low-intensity laser, and a high-yield capacitor or homopolar generator. When the field is interrupted, the stored energy is released to arc across the plane of the field. If such a device has a high cycle rate, even large objects can be vaporized in a matter of seconds. A relatively simple technology, electro-static barriers are probably not used by the Colonials, who would be likely to consider the devices barbaric and unnecessarily violent.