Difference between revisions of "Slave Shield"

From Ultronomicon
Jump to navigation Jump to search
m
 
(22 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{UrQuanNav}}
 
{{UrQuanNav}}
 
[[Image:Slaveshield_big.png|left]]
 
[[Image:Slaveshield_big.png|left]]
A '''slave shield''' is one of the most significant and recognizable technologies in the galaxy. Developed after the [[Ur-Quan#Slave Revolt|Ur-Quan Slave Revolt]] by the [[Ur-Quan Kzer-Za]], it is a highly robust, self-maintaining force field implanted around a planet's atmosphere that blocks the passage of all physical objects. It also filters and scatters all radiation that passes through it, causing a visual red halo effect around the planet and causing sunlight from the surface to appear reddened and take on a pulsating appearance, and more importantly scrambling all electromagnetic and even [[HyperWave Broadcaster|HyperWave]] communications to and from the surface. The ultimate symbol of cultural dominance from a Kzer-Za point of view, it is their universal device for humanely confining other species to prevent their ever becoming a threat to the Kzer-Za's survival and freedom. The Kzer-Za dream appears to be to keep all sentient species other than themselves bottled up like this, allowing only Ur-Quan to have the exalted freedom to travel the stars. However, the constant emergence of new technological races necessitates constant vigilance to keep new races slave-shielded, and the immense logistical drain of conquering and slave-shielding other species without using genocidal methods of war has required the Kzer-Za to adopt the compromise of allowing a [[Hierarchy]] of un-slave-shielded Battle Thralls in contested regions of space.
 
  
Only the Ur-Quan themselves were capable of disabling slave shields; the Kzer-Za had some method for locally neutralizing a slave shield that they used for travel and communication with fallow slave worlds in the Hierarchy, and apparently were able to apply this method globally to un-slave-shield a world if they deemed the race on that world unsafe and necessary to pre-emptively destroy. The Kohr-Ah possessed a similar method; though the agreement between the two races during the [[Doctrinal Conflict]] prevents them from using it against worlds conquered by the Kzer-Za, intelligence indicates they are fully prepared to use it to destroy the populations of all slave-shielded worlds in what had been Kzer-Za territory should they be victorious in the conflict.
+
A '''slave shield''' is one of the most significant and recognizable technologies in the galaxy. Developed by the [[Ur-Quan Kzer-Za]] after the [[Ur-Quan#Slave revolt|Slave Revolt]], it is a highly robust, self-maintaining force field installed around a planet's atmosphere that blocks the passage of all physical objects while filtering and scattering all radiation that passes through, causing a visual pulsating red halo effect around the planet.  In addition to the physical, the Slave Shield scrambles all electromagnetic and [[HyperWave Broadcaster|HyperWave]] communications to and from the surface, effectively sealing the planet in a pre-space age.
  
Unfortunately for the Kzer-Za, time has proven that their slave shields are not as perfect a solution to the problem of eternally preventing traffic and communication from a planet as they once thought. Very sensitive HyperWave receivers are able to pick up transmissions from across a slave shield, if the message is sent with enough power; the [[New Alliance of Free Stars]] is able to communicate with the slave-shielded [[Chenjesu]] this way, thanks to the Chenjesu's highly refined natural HyperWave-sensing anatomy. Moreover, the immense technological resources of the [[Chmmr]] that emerge after the Unification Process of the Chenjesu and [[Mmrnmhrm]] allow them to develop a method to "crack" slave shields, using a large grid of satellites to introduce disruptions across the slave-shield's surface until it dissipates.{{ref|1}} After the Ur-Quan defeat during the Second [[Doctrinal Conflict]], this method is used to free the [[Alliance]] races that had been slave-shielded in the aftermath of the [[Ur-Quan Slave War]].
+
===The Oath of Fealty===
  
Moreover, it seems likely that over a very long period of time even Kzer-Za technology cannot be perfectly reliable, and slave shields must eventually decay, though it is probably unlikely that a technological culture could maintain itself on a planet's surface that long. This may have happened to the first race ever slave-shielded by the Kzer-Za, the [[Faz]], if speculations of some connection between the Faz and the [[Utwig]] — specifically, an Utwig creation myth that might bear resemblance to a slave-shield collapse — are true.
+
The [[Ur-Quan Kzer-Za]] are an expansionist race who follow the [[Path of Now and Forever]] to attack and easily conquer many worlds.  At the point of surrender, a race is incorporated into the [[Ur-Quan Hierarchy]] and is given two options: become a [[Battle Thrall]] to help the Ur-Quan conquer more worlds, or, become a [[Fallow Slave]] by taking the [[Oath of Fealty]] and having their planet encased in a Slave Shield.  Ironically, both options allow the world to maintain a fair degree of autonomy; a slave shielded world is cut off from outer space, including galactic travel and contact with races, but they are presumably free to govern themselves within the isolation.
  
The only species known to have duplicated the Kzer-Za slave shield technology is the [[Spathi]], who had long been unsuccessfully researching similar technology, which they intended to apply as an ultimate protective technology to keep them safe from the [[Ultimate Evil]] on their homeworld. Their entrance into the [[New Alliance of Free Stars]] gives them the opportunity they need to study the slave shield around [[Earth]] and duplicate it, which they soon do, retreating to obscurity and safety trapped on the surface of [[Spathiwa]].
+
The Oath of Fealty stipulates that a defeated race is encased together on a single planet, has no space ships of its own, and must operate an Ur-Quan built [[Starbase]] to assist Hierarchy vessels.
  
Planets in our region of space that are slave-shielded at some point in time include:
+
===Usage===
*[[Spathiwa]] (shielded by the [[Spathi]] themselves)
+
 
*[[Gaia]]
+
The first known use of a slave shield was at the [[Faz]] homeworld, since then thousands have been used.
*[[Earth]]
+
 
*[[Procyon II]]
+
Only the Ur-Quan Kzer-Za were capable of constructing and disabling slave shields, as well as locally neutralizing them to allow for limited travel and communication with the enslaved races, especially for rotating the crew at the starbase.  The [[Ur-Quan Kohr-Ah|Kohr-Ah]] were able to destroy slave shielded worlds, but the rules of engagement of the [[Doctrinal Conflict]] prevented them from using it against the Kzer-Za protectorates.  After winning the conflict, the Kohr-Ah are no longer bound by the rules, and destroy slave shielded worlds during the [[Death March]].
*[[Unzervalt]]
+
 
 +
The shields are not as perfect a solution as the Kzer-Za believed.  Very sensitive HyperWave receivers are able to pick up transmissions that are sent through with enough power.  [[The Flagship]] is able to communicate with the slave-shielded [[Chenjesu]] and [[Mmrnmhrm]] this way, thanks to the Chenjesu's highly refined natural HyperWave-sensing anatomy.  After those two races became the [[Chmmr]], they developed a method to "crack" slave shields by using a large grid of satellites that introduce disruptions across the slave-shield's surface until it dissipates.{{ref|2}} After the Ur-Quan defeat during the [[Second Doctrinal Conflict]], this method is used to free the [[Alliance]] races that had been slave-shielded in the aftermath of the [[Ur-Quan Slave War]].
 +
 
 +
The only species known to have duplicated the Kzer-Za slave shield technology is the [[Spathi]]. Their entry into the [[New Alliance of Free Stars]] gave them the opportunity they needed to study the slave shield around [[Earth]].  Within three months they duplicated it at [[Spathiwa]] and encased themselves in safety.
 +
 
 +
===Known Slave Shielded Worlds===
 +
 
 +
* [[Faz|Faz Homeworld]] (famous for being the first slave shielded world)
 +
* [[Gaia]] (new homeworld for the [[Syreen]])
 +
* [[Earth]] (homeworld of the [[Humans]])
 +
* [[Procyon II]] (homeworld combining the [[Chenjesu]] and [[Mmrnmhrm]] into the [[Chmmr]])
 +
* [[Unzervalt]] (Human colony encased after The Flagship departs)
 +
* [[Spathiwa]] (constructed by the [[Spathi]] themselves)
  
 
==Notes and references==
 
==Notes and references==
{{note|1}}''This is only seen when Earth is freed in the ending cinematics of the [[3DO]] version.''
+
{{note|1}}''However, this is not implemented in-game (see [[Discrepancies in the Star Control universe#Apparent discrepancies within Star Control II|here]]).''
 +
{{note|2}}''This is only seen when Earth is freed in the ending cinematics of the [[3DO]] version.''
  
 
[[Category:Science and technology]]
 
[[Category:Science and technology]]
[[Category:Ur-Quan]]
+
[[Category:Kzer-Za]]
 +
[[Category:Hierarchy]]

Latest revision as of 17:51, 15 January 2018

Ur-Quan Topics
Species
Ur-Quan
Kzer-Za • Kohr-Ah
History
Sentient Milieu
Slave Revolt
Slave War
The Words
Doctrinal Conflict
Second Doctrinal War
Personalities
Kzer-Za • Kohr-Ah
Philosophies
Path of Now and Forever
Ur-Quan Hierarchy • Battle Thrall • Fallow Slave • Oath of Fealty Doctrinal Conflict
Ships
Dreadnought • Marauder • Sa-Matra
Science
Excruciator • Slave Shield • Talking Pet
Slaveshield big.png

A slave shield is one of the most significant and recognizable technologies in the galaxy. Developed by the Ur-Quan Kzer-Za after the Slave Revolt, it is a highly robust, self-maintaining force field installed around a planet's atmosphere that blocks the passage of all physical objects while filtering and scattering all radiation that passes through, causing a visual pulsating red halo effect around the planet. In addition to the physical, the Slave Shield scrambles all electromagnetic and HyperWave communications to and from the surface, effectively sealing the planet in a pre-space age.

The Oath of Fealty[edit]

The Ur-Quan Kzer-Za are an expansionist race who follow the Path of Now and Forever to attack and easily conquer many worlds. At the point of surrender, a race is incorporated into the Ur-Quan Hierarchy and is given two options: become a Battle Thrall to help the Ur-Quan conquer more worlds, or, become a Fallow Slave by taking the Oath of Fealty and having their planet encased in a Slave Shield. Ironically, both options allow the world to maintain a fair degree of autonomy; a slave shielded world is cut off from outer space, including galactic travel and contact with races, but they are presumably free to govern themselves within the isolation.

The Oath of Fealty stipulates that a defeated race is encased together on a single planet, has no space ships of its own, and must operate an Ur-Quan built Starbase to assist Hierarchy vessels.

Usage[edit]

The first known use of a slave shield was at the Faz homeworld, since then thousands have been used.

Only the Ur-Quan Kzer-Za were capable of constructing and disabling slave shields, as well as locally neutralizing them to allow for limited travel and communication with the enslaved races, especially for rotating the crew at the starbase. The Kohr-Ah were able to destroy slave shielded worlds, but the rules of engagement of the Doctrinal Conflict prevented them from using it against the Kzer-Za protectorates. After winning the conflict, the Kohr-Ah are no longer bound by the rules, and destroy slave shielded worlds during the Death March.

The shields are not as perfect a solution as the Kzer-Za believed. Very sensitive HyperWave receivers are able to pick up transmissions that are sent through with enough power. The Flagship is able to communicate with the slave-shielded Chenjesu and Mmrnmhrm this way, thanks to the Chenjesu's highly refined natural HyperWave-sensing anatomy. After those two races became the Chmmr, they developed a method to "crack" slave shields by using a large grid of satellites that introduce disruptions across the slave-shield's surface until it dissipates.2 After the Ur-Quan defeat during the Second Doctrinal Conflict, this method is used to free the Alliance races that had been slave-shielded in the aftermath of the Ur-Quan Slave War.

The only species known to have duplicated the Kzer-Za slave shield technology is the Spathi. Their entry into the New Alliance of Free Stars gave them the opportunity they needed to study the slave shield around Earth. Within three months they duplicated it at Spathiwa and encased themselves in safety.

Known Slave Shielded Worlds[edit]

Notes and references[edit]

1However, this is not implemented in-game (see here).
2This is only seen when Earth is freed in the ending cinematics of the 3DO version.