Synaptic Halo

The synaptic halo is a technology first prototyped by Phaeronica and then later combined with Wilhelm F. Keigel's so-called psychic radio technology to produce the modern form used during the Second and Third Trilogies.
The device allows Phaerons to seamlessly communicate with one another in a closed loop network, forming a collective group mind while retaining their individuality. It also greatly amplifies the natural abilities of a single Phaeron by several orders of magnitude in exponential proportion to the number of Phaerons connected to.
Physically, it appears as a hard ring of iron around a person's head, worn like a cap, with various stable wires and electrodes leading into the temporal lobes, cerebellum, and the pineal gland. These are attached to a small backpack or are fully integratable with a vacsuit's computer system. It is the first technology of its kind that utilizes both the physics of the Empirical and the metaphysics of the Empyrean for its function.
During the STE, Phaerons must disengage and remove the synaptic halo periodically and allow themselves to temporarily go "deaf". This period lasts for two standard weeks, once every standard year. During this time, the Phaeron normally enjoys a sabbatical from Second Dominion duties and pursue personal interests. This serves to prevent any one single Phaeron from taking control of the network and commanding the other Phaerons, intentionally or otherwise.
By the Third Trilogy Era, the technology is a permanent fixture for Phaerons. The improved version of the halo resolved the problems of the STE version entirely. However, a significant trade off is the likelihood that it can never be removed. The longer it is worn, the more "integrated" the Phaeron becomes. While this serves to strengthen the network as a whole, it forms permanent connections with other minds and the Empyrean itself, in that to remove the halo is akin to tearing one's face and sensory organs off at the skull, resulting in possible insanity and death.Category:Technology
Category:Second Trilogy
Category:Third Trilogy