Holon

**Sub-Pages:*** **Main**
* Gallery

The Union

**Holons** are a special type of mech in *gen:LOCK,* controlled by a transferred human mind in a Mindframe, and piloted primarily by gen:LOCK pilots recruited by the Experimental Science Unit.

## Description

A Holon is controlled by a decanted human mind, placed in a "Mindframe", as Dr. Rufus Weller calls it, which is located in the Holon's chest. This allows Holons to be operated as though they are the pilots' own bodies; with a variety of benefits and options due to the mind running as a code such as added precision through an aim assistance feature. Due to having no have no organic material, Holons are immune to organic damage, and Nanotechnology cannot innately harm them. The technology was developed by Weller on behalf of the Vanguard to battle the Union, however, much of it has been stolen for nefarious reasons e.g. the birth of Nemesis.

## Strengths and Abilities

Holons are constructed with humanoid endoskeleton frames, capable of mimicking a wide range of human movement when active. The endoskeleton is further encased in additional layers of heavy ballistic resistant plating to increase their durability under combat conditions. It also allows handheld weapons to be attached to the legs when not in use.

Active camouflage technology within the Holon can be used to change the color and texture of the armor to blend with the surroundings. The sensory gear allows for sight and hearing from long distances and is only located within the head. Holons possess an always-on private network which is likened to telepathy. The second phase of gen:LOCK allows for sensory information to be directly shared with another Holon.

Retractable wheel assemblies built into the feet offer a high-speed locomotion option on flat ground. Also, the calf area of the armor is outfitted with jet boosters to allow for higher jumps or added acceleration when using the wheels. The hands of Holon are fully articulated and can be used to grapple or use handheld weapons, and they are capable of manipulating objects as small as a basketball. The modular endoskeleton structure of a Holon allows each unit to be heavily customized to suit each individual pilot.

## Limitations

The Mindframe is only compatible with certain nervous systems, and if someone incompatible attempts to upload to a Holon, they will be unable to adapt and be killed by the strain. Furthermore, the gen:LOCK compatible pilots only have a limited period of upload time or risk becoming neurologically incompatible with their own human nervous system, leaving them trapped in their Holon. A process of overclocking, to amplify a Holon's combat effectiveness, also has the side effect of drastically reducing this upload time. The upload can also be reduced by intense emotional stress, the use of a self-modification code, and the use of Mindshare.

## Known Holons

### The Polity

Holons used by the Polity and designed by the ESU shared similar principles to the Strider combat mechs used by the Vanguard. Each generally looked similar to one another (save for the experimental prototype used by Julian Chase), but was distinguishable with colored markings and some level of variation in their assembly. Handheld weapons aside, each benefits from a unique attribute that caters to their pilots' expertise.

After the Union’s attack on the Anvil and the gen:LOCK team's retreat to the RTASA facility. The damaged Holons underwent major redesigns and upgrades to their assembly and performances, utilizing plans formulated by Cameron and the advanced materials developed and provided by RTASA.

* Julian Chase
	+ Original Mind - Before being captured by the Union, Chase's prototype Holon possessed more lithely designed armor and was equipped with a rifle.
	+ Copied Mind
		- ESU - After the capture of the original Chase's mind, Doctor Weller had used gen:LOCK to upload a copy of Chase's mind into his body and had it assume his identity. The new Chase's Holon is distinguished by its teal markings. It is equipped with a pack of thrusters, wings, and propellers mounted on its back, allowing the Holon long-range flight capability. The wings can fold when not in use to become more compact. It is equipped with a carbine-style rifle.
		- RTASA - Chase's Holon sports a new sleeker and more aerodynamic design. In addition to a new rifle, it can also launch two large rockets which are attached to the wings, and has a battery of missiles in both of its forearms.

* Yasamin Madrani
	+ ESU - Yaz's Holon is distinguished by its yellow markings. It is equipped with wrist-mounted beam weapons and two submachine guns.
	+ RTASA - Yaz's Holon sports a sleeker and more humanoid design. It is outfitted with a pair of collapsible wings and thrusters, allowing the Holon short-range flight capability. It is equipped with a pair of new submachine guns and beam weapons that can be fired from the Holon's eyes and wrists.

* Kazu Iida
	+ ESU - Kazu's Holon is distinguished by its red markings. Suitable for his preference for close-quarter combat, it is equipped with dual katana-like swords and benefits from additional armor in comparison to the other Holons.
	+ RTASA - Kazu's Holon is now outfitted with the most armor and is visibly the bulkiest in comparison to the other Holons. The shoulder armor is capable of unfolding to offer more protection to the upper body. Its dual swords have been replaced with a single hooked greatsword with a telescopic handle and blade for ease of storage, along with a compact shotgun to better complement his close-quarter fighting style. It was modeled after a fictional manga character in the series called the "RoboShogun".

* Cameron MacCloud
	+ ESU - Cammie's Holon is distinguished by green markings and a set of flaps mounted on her head, similar to Cammie's mechanical bunny ears. It is also able to remotely hack systems via vision and is equipped with two drones that provide a near-perfect 360-degree awareness of its surroundings and aim assistance. It is equipped with two handguns, and can automatically dispense and position two handgun magazines to its back for quick reloading.
	+ RTASA - Cammie's Holon is modeled similar to a rabbit with hind legs and rabbit-like ears that function like satellite dishes, allowing for long-range sensory capabilities. It is the shortest in comparison to the other Holons, but is shown to be the most agile. Cammie's Holon can deploy five drones that are equipped with an antenna system and machine gun turrets. Smaller drones that allow for remote hacking can be deployed. It is equipped with a new set of dual pistols and disk-shaped remote explosive devices.

* Valentina Romanyszyn
	+ ESU - Valentina's Holon is distinguishable by its purple markings. It was equipped with a carbine, but this would later be replaced in favor of an energy-based variation of sniper rifle specifically made for them.
	+ RTASA - Valentina's Holon is the slimmest of the Holons, with much of its endoskeleton exposed, and it has only had a singular optic, which has a blue color. The Holon possesses a retractable cloak that allows for virtual invisibility, and a wrist-mounted grappling hook and cable strong enough to support the Holon's weight. It is equipped with a new sniper rifle and a single-edged short sword for close-quarter combat.

* Rob Sinclair - Had things gone according to plan, Rob Sinclair would have utilized his Holon alongside the rest of the pilots. The Holon intended for Rob is distinguishable by its blue markings. It is only outfitted with the standard ESU armor. Leon August uses the Holon along with an equipped with a carbine-style rifle to aid the gen:LOCK team in their final fight against Nemesis. It sustained heavy damage in the process as Nemesis cuts off its right arm.

### The Union

Despite not having developed any Holons of their own or something similar, the Union managed to capture one, which had the original mind of Julian Chase within. The Holon underwent a dramatic redesign and numerous modifications. As the original Chase's mental state deteriorated from being trapped in the cyber brain for too long. The Union promised him that they would find a way to return him to his human body in exchange for his loyalty. This Holon would later be known as Nemesis. It was destroyed by the gen:LOCK team during the Battle of Chicago. Holons developed or captured by the Union are more sinister and bestial than their Polity counterparts.

* Nemesis
	+ ESU - More a prototype holon than an actual Holon, but nevertheless distinguishable with its teal markings and influenced the RTASA iteration of Valentina Romanyszyn's holon through design and marksmanship. Had the original mind of Julian Chase.
	+ Union (Standard) - This Holon is distinguishable by its dark color as well as its red and pale yellow markings. Had four arms than a standard two, in which the rear arms are retractable, a singular optic, which has a red color, and expert precision with Nanotechnology.
	+ Union (Upgraded) - This upgraded Holon has the ability to replace its damaged parts through an upgraded form of nanotech, which has a crimson color. Gains spider-like legs, rear thrusters for flight capability, and a retractable mouth guard.

### Others

* Sycorax - Used three ESU-developed Holons each with brown markings when it originated as three gen:LOCK-compatible women.

## Trivia

* The word "holon" means "something that is simultaneously a whole and a part".
* Chase expressed interest in the popularization of "Cyberdome" as an alternate name for the Mindframe.

* Early exploration concept art reveals the gen:LOCK team's Holons at a very early stage of development. There are many major and minor changes to the team's mechs.
	+ Chase's Holon is much sleeker than its canon counterpart, and the mounted flight pack faces out behind him rather than toward his feet.
	+ Yaz's Holon maintains its dominantly yellow color scheme, but it has four wings instead of two.
	+ Kazu's Holon features no distinct difference from its canon counterpart.
	+ Cammie's Holon is rabbit-like as is its canon counterpart, but it is much sleeker and has pink accents instead of green ones. Its rabbit ears are shaped much like her personal accessory rather than the ones fitted to her canon Holon.
	+ Val's Holon is sleek, like its canon counterpart, and an early design for its knife is also present.