====== retribution field generator ======

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Bit of a lazy one today. This is the retribution field generator featured in one of my stories. When activated, the cube creates a force field that absorbs the kinetic energy of incoming projectiles. Then it unleashes that energy back at the attacker. Honestly it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I was originally going to explain it as a cultural quirk stemming form the Bright Way's just war doctrines, a weirdly quantitatively literal interpretation of the Lex Talionis, where you could only apply //the exact same// force as was used against you. But for now it only exists due to the rule of cool.



The dials cut into the corners are for setting various parameters of the field like diameter and expected energy load. The gray surface is a biometric ink reader. The device is keyed to a specific user for safety. Not only does it require that person's ink, you need to trace the correct pattern in order to prime the device.



While they're usually pretty reliable, they do have a shelf life. The one used as in impromptu storm shelter didn't activate right away because it had been in storage for over 250 years.



It also makes a surprisingly satisfying fidget toy.



{{tag>science_and_tech}}