Safe Mode

Reverie's power plant safe mode is one of two operating states of the ship's power core. It is only used for testing purposes and insurance while being operated by novice pilots.

The mode exists because beyond a certain temperature limit within the power core, energy generation is lessened and risks melting the carbon shell that encapsulates it. Excess heat within the ship can damage other parts and functions, most importantly the warp drive.

See Reverie's Mishaps
As Reverie decended the atmosphere of Proxima C, the ship's hull began to heat up due to air drag, multiplied by going at severely high speeds. In an attempt to slow the ship down, Bryony pitched the spacecraft upwards so the greater surface area would slow down the ship. This began to rapidly heat the underside of the craft, which is where the power plant's housing is located.

Reverie's altitude is low and rapidly approaching the planet's surface. Bryony ignited all four rear engines as well as the bottom maneuvering thrusters in an attempt to thrust the ship away. In doing so, the amount of heat generated by the propulsion system, in tandem with Reverie's now burning white-hot hull and overworking warp drive, surpassed the heat threshold that safe mode deemed dangerous.

Almost instantly, the power to engines, warp drive, and thrusters was cut off, leaving Reverie and her crew to the mercy of the planet's gravity, which is around 2Gs.

If safe mode wasn't accidentally left enabled on Reverie's departure, the ship would not have crash landed.

Emergency Drop
As safe mode exists to detect heat from all areas of the ship, there is still an internal safe guard for detecting malfunction within the warp drive.