Stardate 100102.16
I have reached a milestone with this build; the interior is done.
What became of the crystal? After much spent mental energy, I decided not to light it. As I suspected might happen, fiberoptic did not produce enough light to make that option viable. This then left a Led which I am sure would have worked but ... I could not break through the creative wall where the end product will flow with the build. Primarily, how to incorporate a led into the build and make the piece not look like something that has an led in it, while keeping it in theme of the boat. In short... I was not feeling it.
Greg presented an interesting idea about Saturn. That is an idea I like a lot, but to make that work for me--I'd need to cast a whole new piece. I would not be happy using the piece I have now. And there is the rub. It would be another major time suck. And on top of that--to do what I'd want to do-- it would not be an easy thing.
With another idea in my chamber, I opted to take a different direction.
An Aquamarine Artifact
If you could shrink yourself down to read Nemo's journal-- it explains how the crystal found its way into the Nautilus. Here is the gist:
Nemo notes that while harvesting food they came across what appeared to be a paved road. They followed its course, and this led them to temples, pyramids, and other structures that were probably dwellings. It was clear to Nemo that this city met a catastrophic geological end, sinking it into the depths of the sea. Nemo writes, "Indeed! I have discovered the fabled city of Atlantis!"
As they explore, they come to a small pyramid that at its cap rests a spherical aqua colored crystal. Nemo is enamored with it and he gives the order to retrieve it. He then has it mounted in the parlor for further study.
Nemo notes a curious fact about the crystal. The crystal is observed to glow when certain notes are struck on the organ. This might explain why his music sounds so lousy because he is trying to ignite the crystal. 
In any event-- he does not understand the technology imbedded inside the crystal and what its purpose is. Let's hope it is not a death ray. 
And that is the story of Nemo's crystal.
I am posting a series of images because this may be my best chance to image them without more color distortions that the led lightbox will surely create within my camera.
The crystal mount was painted with Alclad Brass and then sealed with MRP clear.
From here I will fill gaps and holes at the joins. I will use Apoxie Sculpt (black) to do that. Then from there-- start work on the light box.
Lastly-- two for the price of one Bakster builds. The saucer is for the most part ready to primer. The engineering section (section below the neck) was quite the lobotomy. I had to widen each hole that the locating pins go into. I couldn't have mashed them together if I tried. Also-- the collector dish assembly, the shuttle bay doors, and the nacelle mounts all have to be inserted into the assembly before closing the two pieces. The latter is not a terrible thing-- just a nuisance if you like doing things in sections.
There is more warping going on and I am not talking about warping through space. Clamps will be the order of the day. All that said-- nothing that can't be fixed.
And that is that.