Phantom Drive

Phantom Drive technology is a form of starship Veil-travel developed by the Vokyran Ascendancy.

Development

The Phantom Drive variant of Veil-travel was developed by the Ascendancy thanks to breakthroughs in quantum technologies, and advances in Veil-Manipulation techniques. For Ashderian military, governmental, and science vessels, Phantom Drive technology replaced the previously predominant variant of Veil-travel that was originally developed by the Currai Imperium. The Phantom Drive proved to be less violent on the Veil-Manipulator's minds/processors, and was more efficient in regards to power usage.

Functionality

The Phantom Drive phases the ship in-between the normal dimensional universe, and the Veil of Webs. The space between the dimensions is referred to as "Nightspace" by the Vokyran Ascendancy. This causes the ship to simultaneously be in both dimensions at once, but also tangibly in neither. Both dimensions exert a "force", (dubbed the 'w' axis) on the vessel, trying to force it into one or the other. The vessel uses this tremendous force to its advantage, exploiting the forces exerted by both universes to propel the vessel at extreme velocities in whichever direction the user so chooses, essentially converting the 'w' axis into traditional x, y, or z axis movement depending on direction. It can be liked to a slippery object being pressed down upon on opposite sides; eventually, it will shoot off in a third direction with the combined force of the objects pressing on it. Because of dimensional phasing, typical laws regarding velocity are bypassed as the object "doesn't exist" physically in either dimension.

The force exerted between the two dimensions is not always constant. This results in "turbulence." The Veil of Webs dimension in particular causes significantly more turbulence than the Root Universe. Because of this, a Veil Navigator (an individual or AI capable of Veil Manipulation) with spatial awareness of the Veil is required for safe navigation through Nightspace. Otherwise, the course will be thrown off, or the vessel will encounter sudden "turbulence" that will overwhelm the stabilizers and cause an "Uncontrolled Nightspace Exit."

Most of the power consumed by the Phantom Drive is used to stabilize the ship between the dimensions, direct its course, and maintain shielding. Should the drive destabilize, the vessel will be thrown fully back into Root Universe or the Veil of Webs. Should the vessel appear in the Root Universe, the vessel would theoretically be okay, depending on where it appears. If it appears in the Veil of Webs, the vessel will be trapped there and theoretically become an illusion. If the vessel exits at faster-than-light speeds in either, it would theoretically completely be destroyed in some fashion, though little data exists on this scenario as few ships that do suffer destabilizations resulting in "Uncontrolled Nightspace Exit" are ever found.

Trivia

• The name "Phantom Drive" comes from the name given to the violently moving energy that can be seen flowing around a ship using the drive. The 'Phantoms'--more specifically the two waves of energy above and below the vessel--are light emitted from shield-interaction with the dimensions trying to force it into one or the other.
• The development of Phantom Drive technology is how the Vokyran Ascendancy to discovered the Skreeon particle.