I have a theory, a fan theory: I can explain all the rocks

polystyrene makes a pretty good radiation barrier. just saying.

 

I always thought it was a piece of glass from an exploding console or piece of shrapnel from a metal beam or wall that struck Garrett.

 

Sure doesn't look like a rock to me. More like a metal fragment. Riker's neck wound looks like something similar tore his neck open too


Behind him looks like these "Rocks" but to me that could just as easily be insulation or charred molding

 

I'm going with my own personal theory that the ships Geology department stores their planetary samples in the ceiling of the bridge. Call it faulty storage design.

 

Maybe the rocks are the surge protection…that behaves like a cross between this:
https://www.paint.org/coatingstech-magazine/articles/overview-intumescent-coatings/

and this:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_snake_(firework)

The idea is you trade energy for matter.
Say an energy weapon is used. That would just vaporize you and any pot-metal you hide behind.

But with the snake like expansion, it smokes up…puffs up quickly. So a death sentence is transmuted into a still violent response, but one that is a bit more survivable.

Word for today: intumescent.

The metal fragments try to contain the reaction, but it pops.

Some shrapnel yes—but you don’t wind up like Danny DeVito in Mars Attacks at least.

You’re trading evils, yes…but you have a chance.

I guess a Dungeons & Dragons equivalent would be to have someone throw a voodoo doll of you in the positive energy plane right as wraiths try to drain you….it won’t be pleasant, but…