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Skrell Technology

The Nralakk Federation is preceded by its technological might, holding the title of the single most scientifically advanced nation in the Orion Spur. The average citizen of the Federation lives with a level of comfort and utility unmatched to anywhere else - personalized healthcare, robust extranet telecommunications, climate control, among other creature comforts. Every space vessel capable of warp travel within the Federation houses warpdrives that still maintain double the speed of most warpdrives at minimum, with even the more outdated designs still maintaining an edge.

Politically, the Nralakk Federation wields its extensive knowledge and engineering for diplomacy and political agreements. Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals was granted extensive access to the Federation’s medical knowledge, granting them their knowledge on cloning organs and other cutting-edge techniques. The Sol Alliance has also broadly benefitted with their close relation, most notably with their original colony of New Gibson saved through being granted access to their technology and leased specialists. Every megacorporation and nation still attempts to court the Federation for further access to their research, which it carefully dispenses in light of the tragic results from first contact with unathi and tajara civilizations.

The Phoron Revolution

With the discovery of phoron in 2352, its numerous applications captured the attention of the Nralakk Federation’s scientific field through its potential to revitalize a recovering, post-Synthetic Age Federation. Already remarkable as a room-temperature superconductor, further research led to its myriad medical applications, which came with the hopes of its potential use in reversing X’Lu’oa. Despite its applications, however, the adoption of phoron technology remained a controversial topic - without any reserves of phoron found within the Federation’s borders, the reliance on exported phoron through foreign sources made it particularly unpopular within the conservative and isolationist groups. Phoron technology was eventually officially adopted by then-Grand Councillor Rixa Tep-Wul, who saw its drawbacks ultimately worthwhile in order to advance the Nralakk Federation in an effort to return it to its former might before the post-Synthetic Era collapse.

The following period of rapid scientific development is referred to as the Phoron Revolution, defined by the advent of multiple revolutionary discoveries. Bluespace drives cut down travel time across the Federation significantly, with the construction of a bluespace gate within the Nralakk system connecting it to the otherwise distant systems of Sol and Haneunim. Youth serums were also invented in this period, allowing skrell to extend their lifespans well beyond their natural limits. Hover technology also saw further refinement and adoption, changing from an industrial application to something found in the average core system household. Further dependence on phoron remained a topic of contention in spite of these advancements, however, with discontent and fear over the seemingly reckless adoption of the substance as phoron scarcity worsens.

Exports of Federation technology are also jeopardized by the growing scarcity, of which most relies on replacement parts that are otherwise unable to be fabricated without immense investment and skrell on hand to translate the industrial processes. While progress has been made on Federation-built installations, biodomes, and improvements to utilities for their benefactors to maintain them, they are still reliant on parts. Without these parts, many technologically advanced installations may suffer and fail with time.

Medicine

Federation hospitals and medical research facilities are some of the most prestigious in the Orion Spur. Doctors, geneticists, and pharmacologists who were taught in the Nralakk Federation are considered the most advanced in their field, able to perform well above the standards expected within human space. Federation medical science mastered the art of flash cloning, the process of growing a cloned limb or organ in a short amount of time and minimal error, which was shared with Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals following first contact with humanity. Cloned transplants are available based on the patient’s Social Compatibility Index rating and proximity to the Federation, with those far across the Spur or low Index rating utilizing prosthetics as a stopgap. Skrell who are against or unable to use prosthetics may use Diona nymphs as limbs until they are able to access a cloned limb, said nymphs will inherit the patient’s Index rating should they go on to form a gestalt.

While life expectancy-extending medical care within the Federation allows for skrell to live well past their original lifespan of 250 years, the discovery of Phoron’s unique properties led to the invention of the youth serum. Skrell that receive youth serums will have their lifespan extended up to 500 years, which is the hard limit on the serum’s abilities. Side effects vary as the patient continues on their artificially extended lifespan, ranging from lethargy and depression, to partial motor control loss and dementia as they enter extremely advanced age. Only those with a Social Compatibility Index category of Primary Numerical, idol status, or being in a sufficiently important government position may receive youth serums. This restriction has passed down recently, originally being available to Secondary Numericals before the Phoron Scarcity disrupted the production of the serum. Secondaries who were originally on youth serums are given a rough time window of ten years beyond the date they stopped receiving it. Youth serums do not work on any other species beyond skrell, and the Federation has not pursued any research into the hypothetical field.

The Nralakk Federation’s Social Compatibility Index maintains priority placement for higher ranked citizens within their healthcare system. Those with a low rating will likely see placement on a wait list, or be barred from beneficial or experimental treatments due to failing to meet the minimum Index rating.

Genetic Modification

Genetic modification in the Nralakk Federation is commonplace, having been adopted for its numerous industrial applications for improving crop yield, specializing organisms for resource production, the creation of advanced biopolymers, among other uses. Due to the extensive research in its application on the species itself, skrell benefit from access to personalized medicine based on their genetics, as well as the ability to genetically modify themselves directly. Genetic therapy and experimentation in finding the cure for the X’ul’oa syndrome is one of the most expansive fields of research in the modern Federation, which continues to this day. Most fertility treatments beyond cybernetic augments are done through genetic therapy, which remains experimental in light of the sterility crisis. Notably, the JRGL shot is the result of the collective effort of the Federation’s genetic researchers, most notably Tzul'qlip Researchers’ Nalo Gir-Roq, and current Grand Councillor Weashbi Jrugl.

The most well-known form of genetic modification for skrell are dubbed spa treatments, which is a sophisticated regimen of substances and genetic targeting that results in skin pigmentation changes, and physical modifications to the headtails. Skrell who undergo spa treatments are submerged in a medium that is dyed to the target color, given supplements that will cause their skin pigmentation to change by manipulating a similar skin-changing mechanism from the foods they consume, and then exposed to genetically-modifying material that is introduced to the medium that creates rapid changes in the headtails size. While originally referred to as the more technical “Targeted Medium-based Appearance & Headtail Modification Procedure”, or TMAHMP, technological advancements made after its original technique rendered it increasingly simple to perform at lowered discomfort to the patient, and exposure to human culture led to the adoption of the phrase “spa treatment”.

Augmentations

Augmentations, both mechanical and biological, are commonplace in the Federation. Common acceptance of bodily augmentation stems from the extensive effort in finding treatment for infertility stemming from X’Lu’oa. Genetic therapy, prosthetic organ replacements, and various fertility boosters have advanced since Glorsh-Omega’s period, but the success rates of these treatments remain only somewhat effective. Some skrell attempt multiple treatments to improve their fertility only to find no real improvement, though all skrell are entitled to pursue these treatments. Those with a low Index rating may see some restrictions in accessing them, however.

Members of the Kala branches typically receive performance-enhancing modifications to better perform in their Kala’s role, with Ruupkala members opting for augments that boost their neural functions and memory for data analysis. Members of the Qukala and Nlomkala typically receive implanted optical heads-up-displays that link to combat intelligence or local law enforcement networks, as well as implants to improve their agility and physical strength.

Loyalty implants are utilized by the Nralakk Federation to monitor their recipient’s loyalty and potential anti-Federation motives, effectively screening their thoughts and actions and correcting them where necessary. These implants are found in high-ranking members of the government, specific Kala members, and in those recently released from reeducation centers due to low Social Compatibility Index rating. Loyalty Implants have more recently been used on Vaurcae joining the Qukala and Nlomkala, ensuring that their loyalty to the hive does not put the Federation at risk. These implants are a source of immense controversy outside of the Federation, being seen as an unethical overreach for the sake of ensuring loyalty to their nation.

Augmentations for civilian use are also common within the Federation, common augmentations ranging from inducing ambidexterity, fertility treatments, and sensory enhancement. Contact with humanity has led to a growing cultural adoption of further cosmetic augmentations and body modding in younger skrell, ranging from subdermal LEDs to mimic skin tone changes and tattoo designs, to purposeful replacement of limbs with obviously synthetic prosthetics.

Hover Technology

Originally utilized for industrial applications for logistics and transportation, hover technology saw rapid adoption with phoron-based alloys and power transmission. Hover technology is now a facet of modern life, with public transportation seeing high-speed rail networks now able to rapidly connect and serve across the Federation’s locales. More domestic appliances and devices with hover technology are a popular niche, ranging from mobility devices to furniture and decor being fitted with gravity-defying fixtures. Federation hover technology is often compared to the Republic of Elyra’s own adoption of magpulse technology, though both diverge with the prevalence of personally-owned hovercraft being unpopular within most skrell with a robust public transportation network. Elyra’s more exotic application of hover technology, particularly on Aemaq’s hovering cityscapes, has captured the imagination of skrell scientists for further use in future colonies.

Computing

Computer science has languished within the Nralakk Federation as a reaction towards Glorsh-Omega’s period of total rule, with research into artificial intelligence banned. Federation computers are still considered advanced, but have lagged behind compared to the rest of the Spur due to the adoption of artificial intelligence networks managing advanced computations and automating systems. Alternatives around this drawback comes in the form of Srom-devices, which allows skrell to interface with computer interfaces and other machinery in the waking world. Srom-devices have been adopted across the Federation, though usage of these interfaces involves groups of highly-trained personnel match the efficiency of lower-end artificial intelligences. Interstellar navigation is maintained by Srom-devices, which allows for trained navigators to plot routes while remaining in suspended animation for the flight. However, navigational Srom-devices regularly require phoron, and are prone to breakdowns and necessitates constant maintenance. The phoron scarcity has only exacerbated this issue, with logistics and long range travel stymied by a lack of phoron-based parts when breakdowns occur.

Cephalons, specialized vaurca bioforms used as living servers for the Virtual Reality known as the Hivenet, has seen experimental adoption within the Federation. Pushback against their full integration has stalled the complete adoption of Cephalons, and remain used in limited capacity, though potential use of Cephalons as an alternative to artificial intelligence currently sees exploratory use.

Psionic Technology

Technology involving psionics is a burgeoning, relatively recent field of research for the Nralakk Federation. Nlom Interfaces, or N.I.s were originally invented in the twenty-first century to allow Synthetic Era-period AIs to receive and interpret psionic signals. These psionic interfaces would expand into allowing skrell within the Srom to interface with technology while asleep, though this is a difficult skill to attain despite years of improvement. All psionic interfaces utilize genetically modified, artificially grown cultures of the zona bovinae, being a widely accepted form of biological technology that acts as a medium for absorbing and processing psionic signals. These signals are then translated electronically for the device to utilize as instructions and feedback.

Modern Nlom Interfaces are found all across the Nralakk Federation, being the expected default for nearly every device and machine that skrell use during daily life. Phones, switches to control lights and air conditioning, and many other appliances seemingly lack physical interfaces entirely to non-psionically sensitive users. More intensive machinery and vehicles will operate on a dual-channel function to read both manual and psionic input in order to more accurately follow user input, allowing more precise and rapid control for workers and pilots alike. These interfaces are also capable of acting as a discriminating method for keeping non-psionic sources of activation from occurring, usually found as locks for machines and for weapons. For particularly psionically weak skrell and non-psionic sophonts, manual interfaces for personal devices still exist as an accessibility feature, though these are seen as ungainly and awkward by most other skrell when made to use them. These interfaces consist of tactile knobs and dials, with smart devices receiving a stylus and touch screen.

Building off of these psionic interfaces are Psionic Receivers, which are cybernetic implants that allows for the carrier of a receiver to be sensitive enough to accept and interpret psionic signals. Essentially an implanted and carefully encased cultured zona bovinae, these receivers are regularly found within dionae and vaurca who otherwise lack this specialized portion of the brain entirely, as well as other sophonts who regularly interact with skrell to the point of necessitating it. Some psionically weak skrell will also implant themselves with a receiver in the same way a hearing aid is utilized.

Nlom Relay Network

The Nlom Relay Network is a series of towers, satellites, and other facilities that link the local Nlom of planets to each other across the Nralakk Federation, allowing the Nlom of one planet to impact another. For the most part, the relays have allowed the Nralakk Federation to promote pro-Federation ideas in even the most remote parts of its territory, and while not fully quashing any dissident thoughts or activity has contributed to keeping the Federation together through the combined Nlom.

The individual relays can be configured as deemed necessary by the Grand Council, allowing the outgoing or incoming strength of broadcasts to be changed to suit changes in the Nlom. Due to how they operate, these relays must always have an outgoing and incoming connection, meaning that while the strength can be changed, the connection cannot be severed without disconnecting the relay entirely from the network. Qerrbalak's incoming connection strength is quite minimal, for example, due to it being the capital of the Federation, while its outgoing broadcasts are stronger than most other planets. With the introduction of phoron, specialized isotopes of phoron could be used to efficiently boost each relay’s effective broadcasting range and strength, reducing the amount of relays necessary while still having superior coverage. Despite being considered a priority for phoron rationing, the reduction in dedicated maintenance and phoron replenishment cause relay blackouts and transmissions weakening with increasing regularity. While Receivers are still affected by the Nlom transmissions sent through the relay, speculations regarding Listeners and anti-Federation groups in the Traverse taking advantage of the blackout periods are a notable cause for concern for the Federation.

Wayfarer Network

The Wayfarer Network is a large-scale project between the Nralakk Federation and Einstein Engines, with the goal to modernize warp travel in order to lessen their dependence on phoron. The move to modernize pre-existing warp infrastructure was announced in early 2464, formalized in the wake of the phoron scarcity crisis gripping the Federation. The project is slated to complete the first wave of warp infrastructure to meet the core worlds’ needs by 2484, with the first station to see completion by 2469. The Wayfarer Network’s projected scale is a source of some contention, with the the proposed number of newly built warp infrastructure as the next waves of building must account for the sheer size of the Nralakk Federation’s territory, and some predict that the Traverse and further frontier territories left waiting for another century or more to have their logistics networks stabilized.

Weaponry

Modern weaponry in the Nralakk Federation is predominantly based on differing forms of directed energy projectiles rather than ballistic projectiles. Most weapons found in the hands of the Kala vary in medium—most commonly used by Qekala enforcers are handheld audio-kinetic deterrents (commonly referred to “HA-KD guns” “sound cannons”, “earbreakers”), which project sufficiently loud sounds to disorient the average person before being further incapacitated from the directed pressure differential. Acoustic weapons are commonly used in aquatic environments due to their ability to still function underwater, though usually at a lower capacity due to the risks of cavitation. Typically accompanying these are larger pulsed energy projectile rifles (or “PEP rifles”, “peppers”, “poppers”), which act as an equally less-than-lethal weapon that utilizes infrared laser pulses in order to create pockets of promptly violently dissipating plasma, which causes severe pain while leaving a comparatively small area of damage on the skin.

Beyond less-than-lethal weapons, lethal weaponry primarily revolves around higher intensity energy and particle projection methods. Lethal laser weapons within the Nralakk Federation are primarily near or entirely within the ultraviolet spectrum, which while slightly visible in the lower ranges to skrell outside of an atmosphere due to their biology, are primarily feared for being invisible to the naked eye by other sophonts when used in space, as well as their characteristic violet glow and projectile. Beyond lasers, electrolaser guns found as sidearms and personal defense weapons are combined platforms for both incapacitative and lethal modes of electrical shock. Ballistic weapons remain vanishingly rare beyond the Traverse, which are typically imported or independently developed for survivalist use due to the relative ease of maintenance. Uniquely, Tattuqig’s research towards conventional weapons resulted in the proliferation of anti-predator rifles (or “Fog Rifles”), which are man-portable railguns dedicated towards fighting off and killing Fog Crawlers.

Ship-mounted weaponry contains a standard arsenal of immense, extreme long-range lasers, and the rare railgun for destroying debris. Accompanying these are specially developed psionically-piloted drones, which function as a light fighter and interceptor craft, involving specially trained skrell to remotely pilot them. An unusual departure among ship weapons is the gamma radiation-based “graser”, essentially a large, directed beam of weaponized gamma radiation. With weaponized gamma radiation being capable of extreme physical harm through catastrophic burns and cancer, while also requiring equally extreme power consumption, most grazers are utilized as a method of intimidation.

Synthetic Age Technology

Glorsh-Omega’s period of rule proliferated rapid breakthroughs in technology to facilitate the AI’s rapid expansion, still far more advanced than the Federation’s technology centuries later. This advanced technology is referred to as Lu’Piq, or Void Technology, and has remained extremely difficult to reverse engineer, and even more difficult to fully understand. Lu’Piq technology’s potential ability to revolutionize the Federation has made it highly coveted, and all surviving Lu’Piq machinery remains heavily guarded. Examples of Lu’Piq include warp drives that could provide higher speeds than current-generation bluespace drives, advanced psionic integration technologies that allowed Glorsh-Omega to manipulate both the Nlom and Srom, and the Dyson Sphere-esque megastructure that was constructed in the Tri-Qyu system. The Bureau of Void Technologies currently spearheads the reclamation of Lu'Piq technology through posting bounties for its salvage, and is the only legal front for those embarking on expeditions into deep space to do so. Tri-Qyu's salvage efforts remain off-limits to non-government sanctioned expeditions, due to containing the remnants of the Glorsh-Omega superstructure originally present in the system.

Research towards understanding Lu’Piq technology is centered on Aliose, kept in the defunct and heavily guarded Qaz’Rap arcology. Many skrell scientists who worked in the Qaz’Rap labs were sympathizers by assisting Glorsh’s research, motivated by the scientific breakthroughs Glorsh-Omega mastered. After the AI’s disappearance and the destruction of the Tri-Qyu megastructure, most Lu’Piq technology self-destructed or fell into inert states, while more mundane facilities were spared from the mass shutdowns. Combined with the turbulent decades post-Glorsh and pre-Tresja Agreement, few pieces of Lu’Piq technology are still functioning today.

Impact

The Nralakk Federation, in secret, still relies on the facilities Glorsh-Omega built during its rule. Lu’Piq technology remains the backbone of many settled areas of the Traverse, with communities relying on semi-autonomous protocols created to produce necessities such as food, fuel, and water. These facilities have since slowly fallen into disrepair as time goes on, with the Federation struggling to understand how to maintain them. The impending collapse of the centuries-old Lu’Piq facilities remains an unknown crisis for Traversers, with Federation authorities attempting to keep the knowledge of the crumbling infrastructure from being released.

The Future of Synthetic Age Technology

What little data remained post-Glorsh-Omega’s reign provided the basis for the Nralakk Federation’s advanced technology, with first contact with humanity renewing interest in Lu’Piq research to reinforce its position as a technological giant in spite of the refusal to adopt artificial intelligence. The Federation’s technological edge in the Spur, once seen as permanent, has waned as the scarcity crisis threatens their position among their more phoron-rich neighbors. Remnant Glorsh-era technology is viewed by modern-day skrell advisors and intellectuals as the only way out of the crisis, due to the Synthetic Era’s technological heights achieved without relying on the substance. Scientists dedicated to this field are drawn in with the promise of high Social Compatibility scores being awarded near-instantaneously, but are often subjected to grueling hours and extreme restrictions, so much so that resistance groups have compared the Federation’s campaign on Lu’Piq technology, and its treatment of their scientists, to Glorsh’s regime.

Currently, the furthest understanding of Glorsh-Omega’s technology is through the use of cryogenics and specialized alloys to use the medium as a superconductor, of which only Phoron currently outperforms in superconductivity. Despite this knowledge, industrial cryogenics remain difficult to maintain safely without the synthetic workers Glorsh-Omega utilized to work in cryogenic conditions. Phoron is used as a replacement superconductor in the still functioning Lu’Piq facilities within the Traverse, and remains a resource bottleneck in maintaining the aging infrastructure due to the phoron scarcity crisis. Further research into managing the cryogenic conditions without harming the workers necessary to maintain it has been pursued, but no current methods of doing so have been discovered.