[quote=@FrostedCaramel]
[@GreivousKhan] so what exactly is Gene-lock technology? Is it like a password system that only works with certain genes or... what?
[/quote]

Basically, gene-lock tech is something that locks down access/activation of a device. For example, the imperial government itself could control all rights to warp drive construction, the engines that allow us FTL through the void. The emperor then [i]unlocks[/i] said software which allows anyone to then use it as long as said emperor is alive. Possibly further control can be established through remote access meaning said emperor can take away access of said devices should a vessel rebel. 


My idea is the first emperor after establishing himself burned the activation factor into his genes. The activation factor is then inherited by his descendants. The noble houses, who swear fealty to the Royal Family, are bestowed FTL engines and the activation factor. Due in part to this, the people of the empire have been are oppressed under a monarchy centered around genlocked technology. 

It would explain why we have a monarchy in the first place and how he might have taken power from the Bureaucracy. It also works into the apparent narrative with all these influential houses. Imagine the emperor has full control over how many starships you have, how many war engines on the ground you can use. It would give a single family absolute power even in a massive solar empire like this one.

The command decks of Imperial capital ships, the control stations of starbases, other orbital installations, it could all be subject to caste-based gene lock.

[quote=@Legion02]
Question, what's keeping the clone guy from cloning the Emperor's DNA then?
[/quote]

This would have probably been a major worry early on for the imperial family, but if they oversaw cloning. (and even in a society void of gene-locking why would you not clones in the right place can take down an empire.) They could easily arrange for clones to have some kind of genetic defect that makes it impossible to interface with said gene-lock technology. 

Though honestly though, there was nothing stopping clone guy from replacing an imperial family member before this. I imagine they are just watched much more closely than any other faction specifically for this reason. I think cloning humans is illegal in IRL for a reason. *and most sci-fi setting I believe.)  

I'm not the GM of course and will never tell people what they can or can't do. That whole clone thing would make for an interesting plot line after all. It's easy enough to get around with a little genetic tempering on part of the empire though. If you're being watched closely anyway I'd find it hard to explain why your lab is making a clone of the emperor's third cousin. Heck, the Imperial family might have taken precautions like doing something to their genes so a clone always comes out deformed. 

Edit: Map claim if possible.

[img]http://i1160.photobucket.com/albums/q495/jerichonight/starmap_zpsvdwavjf0.jpg?t=1522260500
[/img]