After the Discovery is in reasonably good shape, the next step of the mission is to conduct the tests and explorations of the black monolith. Astronomers can perform several experiments on the monolith from the Leonov or Discovery. Below is a list of results from such experiments. To learn a result, an astronomer must make a success- ful calculate check, which requires one-half hour. The monolith does not react to any messages or probings by long range sen- sors.

DIMENSIONS: The black slab is over 2,390 meters long, 598 meters wide, and 265 meters thick. It has the same ratio of mea- surements as its smaller twin on the moon: 1:4:9.

MAGNIFICATION: Even under the highest magnification, the monolith shows no details. Its edges and corners are perfectly sharp.

RADIATION: The black enigma emits no radiation, not even background radiation which is common to all objects.

MAGNETISM: A weak magnetic field that changes from second to second surrounds the monolith. The field is not strong enough to harm the characters or their equipment.

COMPOSITION: There are no clues as to what it is made of. Every substance known to mankind can be ruled out however.

SURFACE TEMPERATURE: Since it does not radiate any energy, its surface tempera- ture is unknown. Technically, it is at abso- lute zero, but nobody knows what happens to matter that cold.

GRAVITY/MASS: The monolith's gravity indicates that its mass is 862,069 metric tons.

DENSITY: For its size, the monlith is very light; it is about as dense as air.

ORBIT: The monolith is parked in a "La- Grange point," a place where the gravities of Jupiter, Io, and the sun are all balanced. The monolith can theoretically remain there for- ever. In reality, this LaGrange point is not stable, as every astronomer knows.

4.2
MANNED EXPEDITION

The characters can travel to the monolith in workpods to condct any test or experiments they want. Repeats of the long range experiments yield the same results.
   The monolith may react to the characters. Each time they do something directed to- ward the monolith, roll 1d10 on table 6. Use your judgement; when you feel the character's actions warrant a reaction, roll for a reaction. The monolith reacts as indi- cated.
   While the PCs are near the monolith, Tanya radios them to report that the Leonov's radar has picked up a meteor hur- tling toward the monolith. The characters are in no danger, but can observe what hap- pens. When the meteor hits the monolith, it bounces off without losing any speed. The monolith is undamaged and does not react.

The flash of energy is David Bowman in his new form, a star child. He is unaware of the pods and ships near the monolith. He heads straight for Earth at the speed of light. He spends 36 hours there before returning to the Jupiter system, in chapter 7.
   The flash of energy destroys anything within 10 meters of the monolith. The pilot of each workpod that tries to move away can make a Reaction Speed check. If the check is successful, the pod escapes. If the check fails, the pod is destroyed. The energy bolt has a 10% chance of hitting and destroying anything within 11-50 meters of the monolith.
   The instruments aboard the Discovery and Leonov record the whole incident. There is no trace of any of the equipment that was destroyed. The bolt released as much energy as the Leonov's atmoic engines can produce.