Glossary and Tech
Biotronics –A nascent technology that uses modified DNA strands in synthetic materials to provide enhanced characteristics. It has so far been used in applications such as electrical signal processing and transfer, interfacing with biological circuits and organisms, and creating materials that change properties passively by direct environmental changes.
Bio-lights – Technology developed to form a bio-chemical mixture of DNA from glow-worms, combined with genetically stripped bacteria cells. When light voltage is applied across a matrix of these cells, they emit a steady light at almost the same light spectrum emitted by the Sun. The cells are irradiated by a patented process that does not destroy the DNA, but allows the cells to suffer almost no degradation by age.
Bio-pager – A device impregnated into the skin of the user. The main display is a liquid chemical display that is invisible when not active. Information can be transmitted to it through a secure user. Security systems are built into some units, causing the unit to self-destruct if tampered with, usually causing severe trauma to the installed area.
Black Betty – Originally a Ducati Panigale, Betty has been significantly modified, both aesthetically and mechanically. Jack’s father experimented with the bike, engineering a completely new engine,. and drive-train. The Win’Tan further modified the bike to add basic Biotronic circuits, with Cindy and Ping enhancing it further.
B4 Booster – Using a combination of rails and magnetic levitation, the B4 provides a controlled high-velocity travel link for personal vehicles. There are limitations to the vehicles that can use the system, and it is not used widely outside of the Twin Cities.
HALO – Acronym for “Heads-up Always Live Overlay”. Similar to older HUD displays in appearance, but with advanced environment analysis. Systems can be configured to detect deviations in road surface, road dimensional limits, vehicle movement and congestion, among other parameters.
Hellcat Plasma tubes – The Hellcat system was designed to ensure maximum area coverage to reduce evasion from targets. Firing multiple close-sequence plasma blasts over a defined but broad area, impact with the target was almost inevitable.
Holo-tanks – Originally using technology derived from A3D TV sets, holo-tanks were marketed as the fish tank you would never have to clean. The unit comprises of a top and bottom plate, supported by invisible posts at the corners. A multi-focussed imaging laser system projects an aquarium into the space, using downloadable content, that users can customise to create any environment they want.
Impulse pistol – Weapons using a now standard technology of laser interference, creating exponentially increasing reinforced signals. The sequence reaches escape velocity threshold in 0.52 seconds, releasing a pulse of high energy sub-atomic particles at 98.5% of light speed. The particles are only effective at penetrating 1mm steel to 100m, but will go through a human skull at 300m.
Ion-plasma – Developed at the turn of the century, the concept involved plasma ions forming on the surfaces of a plane to reduce surface friction, and so drag. Gen 1 was simple plasma dispersed across surfaces to reduce drag. Gen 2 Created variation on the surfaces to allow control of aircraft without conventional mechanically adjusted surfaces such as elevators and ailerons. Gen 3 created a “plasma tunnel” in front of the craft that made a plasma medium for the craft to travel through, guiding the craft by shifting plasma tunnel angles.
MacDev – Originally started as a paintball manufacturer over a century ago, MacDev began development of black-ops weapons through a political connection around the year 2040. The company became the key R&D partner with the Defence Department to develop fringe weapons. The company Directors are known to few, and the company has “dubious” political connections.
Nano-tac suit – Designed by a reclusive textile specialist, the nicknamed “Nano-tac” suit is constructed of woven kevlar fibres interlayered with custom made carbon nanotube “impact” zones. The nanotubes rearrange upon impact to redistribute forces and absorb the energy. Although slightly garish in appearance, the suits were designed for function over fashion.
Plasma weapons – Although the concept of Plasma-charged weapons has been alive in Science Fiction for decades, MacDev developed a real world application. Their unique approach to weapons development allowed them to create technology that eclipsed any previous theories and simulations. The prototype weapon secured their permanent position as lead developer for the Defence Department.
Sling Shot jet – A prototype passenger craft that launches by accelerating on a 3km wide ring of super-conducting magnets until it reaches just below Mach 1. It is then catapulted up a launch ramp, before igniting its afterburners to bring the speed up to Mach 8, and into Low Earth Orbit. The craft takes up to 100 people, and can travel from New York to London in 2 hours. It’s very low noise levels on launch makes it suitable for built up areas.
Tapper – A thin glove impregnated with sensors to track hand and finger movements. Mainly used for controlling visual interfaces, but also useful for guiding drones and vehicles. The sensors can be trained to activate any series of commands through either associative movements such as tapping fingers together or forming a fist, but also by movement of the entire hand through dimensional movement. They originally required sensors to trace movement, but now are stand-alone devices that require no external receptor.
The Coffin – As far as a Ferrari goes, the Destino is the most balanced and powerful model ever made. Cindy made it faster, and loaded it with electronic trackers and jammers, because she could. The windows were removed to eliminate unwanted signal transfer, and provide more surface area for visual controls and display. The onboard weapons are modest, but suitably functional in such an agile car.
The Wildebeest – Formerly a Government issue GTX heavy assault vehicle, this model was retro fitted with and array of modifications, including neural-link Biotronics systems, high-voltage inertia drivers, and side-mounted plasma cannons. Primarily driven by Blake, it is the muscle of the teams fleet.
Timmy – Manufactured from a stabilized ionic compound, the Intimidator frame is one of the strongest substances known to man. As a successor to first generation impulse weapons, they have a significant increase in energy output, and a negligible recharge time.
Twin cities – A region in NSW comprising two linked cities, being Sydney (the old City) and Penrith (the new city). After irreversible climatic events, the State realised Sydney would eventually be overcome with rising seas and regular adverse weather conditions. The new city was rapidly planned and developed, with the wealthiest people in the country controlling the development, and ensuring minimal participation by lower income groups.
UTF – Unified Territorial Force. The culmination of the merging of all of the protection forces and police. The division now combines Police, Army, Air Force, and Navy. It is commanded by Secretary of Defence, and answerable only to the Prime Minister. Fears are growing that the unbalanced control of power is allowing corruption at the highest levels.
Wave screens – With the rapid development of quantum computing, the conventional keyboard and mouse were no longer required. Computing systems now interacted with users directly, through hand gestures and physical movements. Once the system learns the users individual movements through an initial mimic programme, any commands are quickly interpreted, and sometimes “forecast” with pre-commands carried out in anticipation. The results allowed equivalent computing power and speed surpassing the “Blue Gene” supercomputer of the 1990’s, in a unit the size of a toaster.
More About NWWO
New World Written Order is about creating Science Fiction that anybody can enjoy. Well, probably just grown-ups, or kids whose parents don’t check the books they read. In fact, many people consider SciFi to be only for kids, but I believe it’s for people who like to let their imaginations go wild.
The Red Shift series is the culmination of work created under the New World Written Order label. We
are creating work that will bring everyone into the SciFi world, and hopefully open more than a few eyes. We love geeks, but SciFi is much more than that, it’s an alternative view of what may be out there, but hasn’t been discovered yet. Once upon a time, the world was flat….
Check out more of the Red Shift universe at www.nwwo.co.nz.
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