Well-Known Member
- Intent: To create an updated variant of the optical shield, with additional utility as a stealth system.
- Image Source: Abstract Computer Generated Fractal Design - Steven Nelson Charette
- Canon Link:
- Permissions:
- Sleg Ultracapacitor (Open-Market)
- Theadian (Open-Market)
- Primary Source: N/A
- Manufacturer: First United Astral Engineering
- Affiliation:
- First United Astral Engineering
- Exclusive Writers - Marketplace Purchase or Direct Permission
- Market Status: Closed-Market
- Model: FAE/S-03 “Phase Masque” Distortion Matrix
- Modularity: Yes
- Systems May be Stripped as Needed or Desired
- May be Installed or Utilized on Virtually Any Host Platform - Personal Armor, Bodysuits, Droids, Vehicles, Starships, Etc.
- Various Settings and Programming Alterations
- Production: Semi-Unique
- Material:
- Oversight and Administration
- Computer Brain Module
- Information Storage and Processing
- Gabonna Memory Crystal
- Heuristic Processing
- Positronic Processing
- Power Systems
- Pure Diatium Power Cell
- Capable of Drawing Power from Host Unit
- Sleg Ultracapacitor
- Pure Diatium Power Cell
- Data and Information Security
- Pyrowall
- Quantum Processing and Data Management
- Ghostwave
- Genetic Code, Retinal, and Dermatoglyphic Verification
- Bio-Hexacrypted Systems
- Control Systems
- Motion Interface Compatibility - Also Compatible with Equivalent Aftermarket NI or MMI Systems
- Blink and Voice Command Compatibility
- Variable Output and Calibration Settings
- Distortion Radius, Light Brightness, Distortion Modules, Etc.
- Automation and Administration Control
- Capable of Various Levels of Automation
- Projector Matrix
- Distortion Modules
- Fractal - Distorts the user's silhouette by means of colorful, ever-shifting fractal pattern.
- Strobe - Considered to be the “loudest” effect, the Strobe module generates an explosion of light and color around the user, creating a prismatic effect that renders them very indistinct and effectively blocks their visual profile. In many cases, this can temporarily blind an enemy.
- Hypergem - Arguably the most controversial of the modules, the Hypergem setting generates a distortion that simulates the crystalline planar networks of a Hypergem, creating an effect that extends into higher dimensions. On witnessing this, an enemy could be induced into a trance, rendered stunned, and/or possibly go insane, if they stare at it for long enough.
- Blur - Creates a blurry afterimage around the user, making their exact position difficult to pin down.
- Stutter - Generating an effect eerily similar to a character lagging in an online multiplayer hologame, the Stutter module is often referred to as a “lag switch”, distorting the user’s silhouette by creating an unpredictable stuttering effect that makes them very difficult to hit.
- Visual Distortion - The blurring, stuttering, fractal, and/or lightshow-like visual effects produced by the Phase Masque make visual targeting by means of organic eyes, targeting lasers, photoreceptors, and/or similar systems extremely difficult. Often forcing the enemy to spray in the general direction of the distortion, with a prayer of hitting the user.
- Two in One - With the exception of the Hypergem setting, up to two distortion modules can be used at once.
- The lights Mason! What do they mean? - The Hypergem distortion module has a high chance of rendering an enemy stunned or possibly even insane. It goes without saying that in battle, this can be a potential death sentence for anyone caught in its trance.
- My Eyes! - The Strobe module has a very high chance of temporarily blinding an enemy subjected to it, not only degrading the accuracy and precision of their attacks, but possibly eliminating one of their senses, for a time.
- Sensor Profile - The sensor mask and electromagnetic reflectors integrated into the projector matrix can minimize, or potentially even eliminate the host’s sensor profile.
- Stagnancy is Death - Distinct from many other stealth technologies, the Phase Masque works best when the operator is in motion. With motion the visual distortion effects will be pronounced. Stopping for longer than four seconds may cause the distortion to stabilize, thereby revealing the operator’s true position to the enemy. For this reason, the Phase Masque is largely ineffective when utilized on slow-moving host platforms, like tracked tanks, superheavy walkers, or most types of capital ships.
- Too Big - By conventional wisdom bigger is generally badder. However, with the Phase Masque, the opposite is true. Size is actually a hindrance to the matrix’s effectiveness, as larger host vehicles also make for bigger, often slower targets. For this reason, it is typically utilized on small, nimble fighters, infantry, or fast-moving host platforms in general. Larger and correspondingly, slower vehicles are less capable of producing significant distortion.
- Saturation Fire - Saturation fire tactics are the best counter to the Phase Masque. Clouds of flak, artillery bombardment, or even massed fire in the general direction of the user, are all viable counters that have a decent chance of success.
- Surge - The defense of the matrix against Ion/EMP-based assaults is ultimately based on the overall defenses of the host platform. If it has meager or low-quality defenses, Ion/EMP-based assaults may easily overload the matrix, disabling it for some time, depending on the proximity and power quotient of the discharge.
- Friendly Fire - The use of the Strobe and Hypergem modules around friendly forces can be a recipe for disaster. It would do little good to blind one's allies or possibly render them insane.
- Wisdom Save! - Individuals with a high level of willpower, Force-sensitive or not, have a good chance of resisting the Hypergem module’s effects.
- Light Show - The Strobe and Fractal modules are by far the “loudest” and most distinct of the distortion effects. When used without discretion, these modules could draw more attention to the host than they might otherwise attract, which might result in more fire being directed against them.
- Mechu-deru - Often an unspoken weakness of any advanced technology, the matrix and its supporting systems are vulnerable to the dark sorceries of Mechu-deru and other technology-corrupting powers, if the host platform lacks defenses against them. In the absence of such defenses, a skilled practitioner of these arts could quickly disable the matrix's systems to render it unable to be used.
First United Astral Engineering’s variant design of the optical shield, the FAE/S-03 “Phase Masque” Distortion Matrix represents a logical advancement of the technology, enhanced through the addition of various modules designed to tune the distortion to various effects and the addition of sensor masking. Of these, the distortion modules have seen the most investment and research. Beyond simply distorting the host’s image, these modules display visual effects that could feasibly render an enemy blinded or possibly even insane, making them a weapon almost in their own right. To achieve this, First United Astral Engineering put no small amount of resources into developing the design, ultimately hoping to advance it beyond conventional optical distortion systems.
In this, the FAE/S-03 “Phase Masque” Distortion Matrix is hoped to represent a breakthrough technology for First United Astral Engineering.
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