Heat Mills

Description

Heat Mills are used to warm the air and/or water of a planet.  Generally, if a planet's greenhouse effect is at the desired level, but the climate is still too cold for some other reason (usually Albedo or orbital eccentricity), heat mills are used to warm the environment.

A heat mill is generally constructed in the form of a tower covered in radiator vanes.  In the center of the tower are the heaters .  If a planet's greenhouse effect is too low, fuel-burning heaters may be used to increase it, otherwise the heaters are usually electrical.  The heater heats the radiator vanes, which in turn heat the air and/or water around the heat mill.  

Working in a heat mill is hot, heavy, repetitive and dangerous.  The height of a typical heat mill makes falling a real danger.  Long hours spent adjusting huge radiator vanes, and tending to the heaters make it one of the galaxy's least desirable jobs.

The planet Scharlaff is home to some of the most infamous heat-mills in the galaxy. As the planet gradually drifts away from it’s sun, more of these mills need to be constructed cheaply. So, as a cost-saving measure, the Empire of 1,000,000 Suns staffs them with convicts.

Gravity Satellites

Description

After the discovery of gravitonium in Era-1, gravity manipulation became possible, and one of the main applications was to modify the gravitational fields of planets, to make them more amenable to human life.  

Gravity Satellites are a massive investment for a planet, because of the large amount of gravitonium needed.  Gravitonium is both rare and dangerous to obtain, since it is most often found in the vicinity of black holes and neutron stars, making it quite expensive.

Since a Gravity Satellite exerts a cone of influence between its self and the surface of the planet it orbits, it takes a number of them to fully adjust a planet's environment.  Most planets that have gravity satellites, only have a few in geostationary orbits creating a band of adjusted gravity around the equator.  Many planets with partial systems have the problem of inconsistent coverage, where the surface gravity varies throughout the day.  Few planets are wealthy enough to have full and consistent coverage.  

Atmospheric Conditioners

Description

Atmospheric Conditioners generally take the form of large buildings, the size of skyscrapers covered in large ventilation ports.  The ports serve to draw in the planet's atmosphere, and to expel the newly conditioned atmosphere.

Inside the conditioner ducts lead the incoming air first to a bioreactor that uses genetically engineered algae and other microorganisms to remove unwanted substances and to add oxygen, and other gasses if needed.  If the planet's greenhouse effect is too low to sustain a habitable climate, the air then goes to a chamber where the appropriate gasses are added, often by burning certain fuels.  The heat produced by this process is re-captured to provide power.  If the planet's climate is too cold, the conditioner may also include a Heat Mill to warm the outgoing air.  If the air is too dry or too humid, an atmospheric conditioner also includes humidifying/dehumidifying equipment.

The number of atmospheric conditioners installed on a planet depends on the volume of the atmosphere, as well as how much the air needs to be altered.  Planets with higher populations also tend to need more conditioning.  

Atmospheric Conditioning technology also has its abuses.  The corporate state of Cosmid used this technology on several planets to test new drugs on unsuspecting populations.  The Holy Empire of Man also used atmospheric conditioners to drug entire planets. 

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Atmospheric conditioners in the Black Iron Desert on Bonnard's End

Algal Symbiosis

Description

Early in Era-1, a technique was discovered to coax certain types of algae into a symbiotic relationship with the human body.  The result is that the subject’s skin and hair takes on a green hue.  The subject requires less food and less oxygen, due to the photosynthesis of the algae. For this reason, the practice is encouraged by most space colonies.

In preparation, the host has to take a suite of drugs for a month ahead of symbiosis, in order to prepare.  After that, the host is coated with reagents, and submerged in a bioreactor in order to receive the algae. The leading provider of algal-symbiosis technology is Cosmid, inc., one of the largest corporate states.

After symbiosis, the algae has to be maintained.  The host has to consume extra water in order to keep the algae hydrated.  The algae also requires sunlight, and people with algal symbiosis generally wear more revealing clothing and have to sunbathe or use a tanning bed two or three times a week.

Failure to properly maintain the symbiosis results in the algae dying, causing the affected skin to itch, blister, and eventually peel off, taking all the advantages of the algae with it. 

Appearances

Algal symbiosis is mentioned in the short story Beyond the Spozak.

Artificial Gravity

History

At first the only gravity available aboard spacecraft was based on rotation or acceleration.   Early in Era-1, scientists in the Planetary League discovered a rare material that allowed limited manipulation of gravitational fields.  Gravitonium is generally found in the vicinity of black holes, and neutron stars, making it both rare and dangerous to collect.

During Era-1, as more sources of gravitonium were discovered, Gravity Generators for ships and space colonies became a practical reality.

Also early in Era-1, the art of gravity manipulation made possible the manufacture of Inertial Compensators,  which allowed crewed ships to accelerate at much faster rates without harming those inside.

Midway through Era-1, the Gravity Satellite was invented which allowed the gravitational field of any planet wealthy enough to afford the large amount of gravitonium necessary to be adjusted.

The cost of artificial gravity gradually came down as sources of gravitonium were discovered.  The most major advance in availability and cost for artificial gravity came in Era-3, when scientists in the Galactic Republic discovered an effective means of synthesizing gravitonium.  

Battleoids

Description

Battleoids are large (between 5 and 20 meters in height), piloted walking vehicles.  In contrast, suits of powered armor  are worn like clothing, and are typically less than 5 Meters tall.  Their larger cousins, the Titans, are usually over 25 meters tall, and are always piloted by a crew as opposed to the single pilot of a battleoid. 

Battleoids are commonly used in warfare where they combine the flexibility of infantry with the firepower and durability of an armored vehicle, as well as a big advantage in size.  Battleoids also have peaceful uses, primarily in heavy construction and civil engineering functions.  Battleoids typically have fully sealed life-support systems, and find use in a variety of hostile environments from underwater to deep space.

There are two main types of control systems for a battleoid.  The first is used in most mass-produced models, and has a traditional cockpit with control panels, heads-up displays, and a pilot's seat.  This control scheme relies on artificial intelligence algorithms for most of the coordination and agility needed to perform its tasks.  The other control scheme interfaces directly with the pilot's nervous system, and is often found in high-end or custom-built battleoids.  These units are typically tailored to their pilots, and give much more precise control than the standard interface.  The trade-off of better control is the risk of feedback to the pilot if the battleoid's systems are damaged.  Also, there is further risk of damage to the pilot in the event that he or she needs to eject out of the cockpit while still engaged with the neural link.  Elite warriors often die with their machines, rather than ejecting in cases of catastrophic damage.

History

The first battleoids were developed for entertainment.  They crushed cars, breathed fire, and fought each other in packed arenas for the amusement of an audience.  Later, the design was adapted to use in construction and earth-moving, before making its way into the military.

Types of Battleoid

The Empire of 1,000,000 Suns uses civil-defense battleoids to protect cities.

The Convergence Scout Walker is a fearsome terror-weapon.

The John-Henry is a heavy-duty battleoid designed for construction applications.

The Holy Empire of Man used the Retribution-class battleoid extensively in military operations.

The Strider was made by Danforth Galactic and widely used across the galaxy as a mobile watchtower.

Famous Battleoids

Shinigami is a legendary battleoid that was built in the E1MS, used by pirates during Era-1, and rebels during Era-2.