Silver Shield Group
Move Along
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
- Intent: To develop a superior alternative to the now commonplace Gabonna Crystal.
- Image Source: N/A
- Permissions: N/A
- Primary Source:
- Manufacturer: Sictis Order
- Affiliation: Sictis Order, Closed-Market
- Model: N/A
- Modularity: N/A
- Production: Limited
- Material: Similar atomic and elemental composition to Gabonna Crystal
- Classification: Synthetic Crystal
- Weight: Light
- Color: Maroon
- Resistances: None
- Much higher processing power than similarly sized Gabonna Crystals
- Slightly higher memory capacity than similarly sized Gabonna Crystals
- Highly receptive to Force imbuement; ability to store Force energy
[ + ] High processing power and robust data storage make Type S Crystals of great use in most electronic devices.
[ + ] Type S Crystals can also be used to store and channel impressive amounts of Force Energy, giving them special utility if used correctly.
[ - ] These crystals are incredibly fragile and must be handled with particular care. Use in combat droids, starfighters, or planetside military vehicles is possible, but ill-advised
DESCRIPTION
Geological compressors relatively common machines, used to replicate the natural processes that lead to the creation of crystals. These crystals will then be put through a number of refining methods to increase their purity, and ultimately find their way into a wide variety of consumer and military electronics.
The Sith have a long tradition of using geological compressors to manufacture their synthetic lightsaber crystals. Sith hopefuls would activate a geological compressor and then meditate on it, using the Force to tailor and shape the crystal into something suitable for a lightsaber.
This is to say that using the Force to design specialized crystals is not a new practice. Merely that the Sictis Order has employed the Force to design synthetic crystals that are good for something other than being jammed into a laser sword.
Research began in an unofficial capacity, with an Artificer who had been charged with automating the production of synthetic Gabonna Crystals. She elected, either out of boredom or spite, to closely analyze the structure of the crystals, and hypothesized several ways the structure could be improved.
Her work was then passed on to several colleagues, who reviewed it and put forth their own assessments and corrections... And then passed it on to several of their colleagues.
Soon enough, the amount of Artificers wracking their heads over Gabonna became inappropriate. The Inner Circle moved to intervene, selecting a dozen Artificers and putting them into a new research division - specially created to lead the development of the Type S Crystal.
So-called to prevent infighting over naming rights, naturally. It would come to more commonly be called Sictine Crystal.
These team labored for close to a decade, constantly experimenting with alternative crystalline structures. Geological compressors were extensively modified, supercomputers were brought in to simulate potential structures, and an untold number of hours were spent in focused, vigorous meditation.
There were also a minimum of four project-related assassination attempts, as can be expected among Sith. The Sictis Order has chosen not to disclose which of these attempts, if any, were successful.
Fortunately, any (alleged and unconfirmed) personnel losses were ultimately worth it. The final version of the Sictine Crystal demonstrated a stark increase in processing power to the Gabonna, coupled with a comparatively slight improvement to memory capacity.
Another noticeable aspect of the Crystal was the ease with which it could be imbued with the Force. Sictine Crystals are so receptive that even amateur adepts could infuse them with the power of their favored side of the Force - provided they had at least rudimentary training in that art, of course. Large crystals could also be used to collect and store colossal amounts of Force Energy.
These improvements and added functionality did not come without their drawbacks. Sictine Crystals are incredibly fragile, much more so than any other They have a reputation for cracking and crumbling at the slightest mishandling. This limits their applications, particularly discouraging their use in battle droids and the majority of military vehicles.
Still, the project was ultimately considered a success. The Inner Circle would go on to set these Artificers to the task of automating the manufacturing process, allowing Sictine Crystals to become the cornerstone of many ensuing creations.
Production and distribution of Sictine Crystals is closely controlled by the Sictis Order, but samples are known to surface on the black market.
