[center][h1][color=black]COM[/color][color=dimgray]PEN[/color][color=steelblue]DIUM[/color][/h1]The degree of one's emotions varies inversely with one's knowledge of the facts.
[color=dimgray][i]- Bertrand Russell[/i][/color][/center][color=steelblue][h2]Technology[/h2][/color][indent][hider=FTL Travel]The FTL breakthrough occured at SNL/NM TA-IV (Sandia National Laboratories, New Mexico, Technical Area IV) when researchers created the Casimir generator. This revelation provided the source of negative energy required for a functional Alcubierre drive. The drive manipulates spacetime around a vessel, contracting the space in front and explanding it behind. This allows for FTL travel without relativistic effects. However, extremely destructive tidal forces pose a threat to the surrounding environment. A spacecraft must be well clear of any adjacent mass before activation of the drive is permitted by the ship's software.[/hider]
[hider=Sub-light Travel]The primary method of spacecraft propulsion at speeds less than c is the magnetoplasmadynamic thruster, also called the MPD thruster. This method of propulsion uses electricity from a ship's onboard fusion reactor to ionize lithium. The plasma is then expelled from a nozzle, generating thrust. Speeds of a significant fraction of c are possible, however, NATO law requires the installation of a governor set to .25c (approx. 1.8 AU per hour) to avoid relativistic effects such as time dilation. Harmful inertia is canceled by a negative mass field generated by the ship's Alcubierre drive. If a ship is not FTL-enabled and therefore lacks an Alcubierre drive, significant periods of time will be required for safe acceleration.[/hider]
[hider=Artificial Intelligence]The Turing test is long defeated, however, AI research is at a standstill due to NATO restrictions. General AI is explicitly forbidden, especially those capable of machine learning. Instead, task-specific software (called autonomous agents) are common, with humanlike interfaces that can respond to complex commands and act autonomously within a rigid scope. This is especially important for spacecraft designers who require an intuitive interface to the vastly complex software that runs modern ships. Humans are simply incapable of performing the mathematics required for successful navigation of the abyss.[/hider]
[hider=Weaponry (Personal)]Turns out, there's still nothing much more effective than putting a hot slug through whatever you want dead. Examples:

[b]Low Tech[/b]: The aging M4 carbine remains the assault rifle of choice among those who cannot afford more sophisticated weapons. Various models of handgun abound, from decomissioned LEO Glocks to revolvers straight out of a cowboy 'flick. The ancient AK-74 can still be seen among the most destitute factions.

[b]Medium Tech:[/b] Reasonably well-equipped law enforcement agencies and paramilitary organizations favor Remington's ACR, or Adaptive Combat Rifle. Able to be reconfigured in the field for a multitude of roles ranging from MOUT/CQB to multi-kilometer sharpshooting, the ACR can probably get the job done. Handguns at this level are usually the latest models from Glock, Beretta, H&K, Colt, and many other manufacturers.

[b]High Tech:[/b] Now we get to NATO and megacorps. The rifle of choice at this level is the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Raijin. An electronic-firing rifle capable of discharging 5000 rounds per minute with little to no recoil and pinpoint accuracy, the mere sight of this weapon is a deterrent. Effective in almost any environment, the Raijin is the assault rifle of the space age.

[b]Experimental:[/b] Directed energy weapons are dismissed by many critics as impractical and expensive, but there's just something satisfying about turning your enemy into a charred pile of ash. The leader in this market is Applied Energetics. They sell, to a select group of customers, a prototype LIPC (laser-induced plasma channel) weapon. A laser ionizes the surrounding atmosphere, creating a plasma channel from the weapon to the target down which an extremely high voltage current is sent. The effect is instantly lethal against targets without appropriate shielding.[/hider]
[hider=Weaponry (Spacecraft)]The main mounted weapon of choice is the coilgun. Often gimballed and controlled by targeting computers, magnetic coils accelerate a projectile to high velocity. At large scales, such as the spinal weapon of the NSS Eidolon, these are called mass drivers and can deliver hydrogen-bomb levels of energy to a target every minute. Many spacecraft, especially those small enough to be disrupted by the recoil of a coilgun, use electronic-firing rotary cannons, such as the General Dynamics GAU-39/S "Liberator" 50mm.[/hider]
[hider=Biotechnology]Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) reproductive cloning technology has progressed to the point where creating human clones is possible within a cutting-edge laboratory. Several problems remain. No safe way of accelerating the aging process has been found, and clones still develop their own distinct personalities separate from their source. There is no way to "transfer" a mind, much to the dismay of politicians and CEOs seeking immortality. Furthermore, the human cloning ethics debate still rages on, which lead NATO to place an indefinite moratorium on the issue. However, it is common and socially acceptable (if very expensive) to grow and store replacement organs - just in case.

Developing on 21st century CRISPR technology, designer babies are common among those who can afford genetic engineering services and believe they know what's best for their baby's genome. Changes are limited to basic physical traits.[/hider]
[hider=Cybernetics]It is possible and common to replace limbs. For internal organs, biotech solutions are preferred, however, mechanical replacements are a (relatively) cheaper alternative. Augmentations above normal human ability are possible but illegal under NATO law. The idea of people who can punch through steel plating, perfectly conceal deadly weapons, and react with superhuman speed and agility tends to worry some folks. Rumor has it that hasn't stopped black markets from cropping up here and there, as long as you're comfortable with your surgeon having "graduated from a real medical school, I swear!"

Telepathy/mental uploading or transfer is still in its infancy due to real problems developing a brain-computer interface with enough bandwidth to accommodate high intensity applications.[/hider]
[hider=Information Technology]Augmented reality is common and usually takes the form of glasses or contacts using digital light field technology. Most of the functions one performs in today's (2016) society with a smartphone are now performed within AR. VR is used in some specialized applications, gaming, and the military, but the average person needs to maintain awareness of the environment around them. Studies also show negative dissociative psychological effects correlated with extended VR usage.

Data storage and I/O has been greatly increased with the introduction of holographic data storage. In combination with the advent of planetary scale mesh networking, huge volumes of data can be moved and processed rapidly in a decentralized manner. However, laws passed during early 21st century privacy debates greatly limit the ability of governments and corporations to access this public data. Therefore, these entities have constructed much more limited private networks that must be used to access their services. This has limited the development of information technology to those with the know-how to work outside of established infrastructure.

Quantum computers exist and dominate some specialized applications. However, for reasons such as expense and compatibility with legacy systems, digital computers remain the most widespread.[/hider]
[hider=Nanotechnology]Nanoscale engineering is an extremely promising and lucrative field. Huge budgets fund the nanotech departments at companies like General Dynamics. Most of the public is unaware these departments even exist, let alone what they are working on.[/hider][/indent]