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Psionic technology (StarCraft)

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This article references psionic technology in the fictional StarCraft universe. Psionic technology is predominantly employed by Protoss, but the Terrans are evolving towards becoming psionic race and their science teams have begun to explore this potential. Zerg are also psionically linked to their Cerebrates and the Overmind, although their use of psionics is severely restrictive when compared to either of the other two primary races.

Crystals of psionic importance

Several crystals are present throughout the StarCraft universe, normally under either Xel'Naga or Protoss control.

Argus crystals

Argus crystals are utilised by the Dark Templar for an alternate power source to the Khaydarin crystals that they lost access to as a result of their exile from Aiur. They are commonly found as part of the reactor core of Corsair spacecraft and jewel variations of the Argus crystal are often seen with Dark Archons as a means of fast energy production[1].

A particularly large Argus crystal was found on the Terran Dominion planet of Aridas, and was believed to be left there by the Xel'Naga.

Khalis crystals

The Khalis crystal is a powerful light blue crystal. It is infused with the energy of the Dark Templar, and when used in combination with the Uraj crystal is capable of powering Xel'Naga technology. During the Brood War, the Khalis' energies were utilised by the Cerebrates on Char in order to create a new Overmind. The crystal was later retrieved by the Protoss and used to activate the Xel'Naga temple on Shakuras.

It is not known how many Khalis crystals are in existance.

Khaydarin crystals

Khaydarin crystals are monolithic artifacts and psionic technology used by the Xel'Naga to facilitate their genetic experiments, and are often seen as part of Xel'Naga temples. The Xel'Naga abandoned some of the crystals on Aiur during their flight from the world. These crystals were later rediscovered by Khas, who used them to reestablish the Protoss psionic bond and introduce the concepts of the Khala.

Khaydarin crystals are vital to Protoss infrastructure and military force, they provide a psionic matrix connected through pylons forged out of the crystals. These pylons then power all Protoss military structures. Khaydarin crystals are also used in Protoss warp technology, as well as being integrated into ship reactors for increased energy production.

Like all other Xel'Naga technology, the crystals were heavily guarded by the Shelak Tribe. However, the Zerg were still able to obtain small amounts of the crystals during their invasion of Aiur. The fate of these crystals are unknown since the evacuation of Aiur by the Protoss. As Khaydarin was still used in the construction of Arbiters and Pylons, it is likely that the Protoss took with them at least some supply of Khaydarin.

Terrans have been able to use Khaydarin crystals to a limited extent: Alan Schezar was able to control a Zerg Cerebrate on Aiur through the use of the crystals.

Uraj crystals

The Uraj crystal is a powerful psionic crystal with a violet hue. It can be twinned with the Khalis crystal in order to operate Xel'Naga technology. The crystal was once located on the Protoss colony of Khyrador, but the planet and the crystal were later abandoned. . The planet was later colonised by the Dominion and dubbed Braxis; the crystal was secured in a military base for research. During the Brood War, a Protoss taskforce led by Sarah Kerrigan raided the colony to retrieve the crystal, in order to use it to activate the Xel'Naga temple of Shakuras.

It is not known if any additional Uraj crystals existed.

Terran psionic technology

Terrans are an emerging psionic race; this evolution is exemplified in the Ghost agents. Terran scientists have devised a number of supporting psionic devices based on this understanding. Some researchers have also devised methods to mimic and maintain stolen Protoss technology, including research on Dark Templar cloaking fields and psi-blade technology.

Ghost agents

The height of infantry training, the Terran Ghost is an elite special operations unit deployed for sabotage and recon raids. Born with above-average pyschic potential and through a combination of training, mental conditioning and neural implants, Ghosts incorporate considerable skill, both physically and mentally. They also are equipped with technology to aid their combat and espionage missions, the most common of which is a personal cloaking device that allows them to become invisible to the naked eye at will. Ghosts are also equipped with a special lockdown ammo type capable of disabling enemy mechanicals and the agents can also opt to cybernetic eyes implanted to increase their eyesight. Despite avoiding direct combat, Ghosts play a major part on the battlefield, possessing the equipment necessary to guide a tactical nuclear missile accurately to its target.

Ghosts are considered highly dangerous and don't often serve in direct combat, although they have higher vitality and power than average Marines. Most Ghosts have a high level of telepathy and in rare cases even telekinesis, although all have their abilities hindered by neural dampeners. They are trained since birth to hone and develop their powers, even against their will - in such cases, neural implants force them to obey their trainers. Ghosts were originally a project by the Terran Confederacy, although after their fall, the project was revived by the Terran Dominion. The UED, despite their disegard for mutations in the human gene pool, also use Ghost agents.

Psi disruptor

A psionic waveform disruptor, conventionally known as a psi disruptor, is a powerful piece of technology designed by the Confederacy and built on Tarsonis. It's purpose to disrupt the psychic methods by which the Zerg communicate, thus preventing the creatures from presenting a significant threat. The device itself is considerably large and requires immense power to operate.

The only known psi disruptor was built in an isolated area of Tarsonis and survived the Zerg infestation of the planet. Despite attempts to locate it by the Terran Dominion, the psi disruptor remained hidden until unexpectedly found by scouts from the United Earth Directorate's expeditionary fleet. A task force was dispatched to destroy it on the advice of Samir Duran, but the fleet's Vice Admiral Stukov discreetly arranged for it to be dissembled and relocated to the conquered colony of Braxis.

After the UED's defeat on Aiur, Stukov fled to Braxis and activated the psi disruptor in order to attempt to salvage the expedition, but was after Admiral DuGalle became convinced that Stukov was attempting to sabotage the expedition Stukov was assassinated by Duran. Despite this, Stukov managed to convince DuGalle to use the psi disruptor with his dying breaths. The UED were able to prevent Duran from detonating the disruptor's fusion core, and then used its abilities to successfully invade Char and take control of the Zerg Overmind.

The disruptor was ultimately destroyed in a joint operation by Sarah Kerrigan's forces, Raynor's Raiders and the Dominion during their attempts to dislodge the UED's control of the Koprulu sector. It is not known if any other psi disruptors were built or if any design plans still exist for the device.

Psi emitter

The transplanar psionic waveform emitter, usually referred to as a psi emitter, is a piece of Terran technology designed by the Terran Confederacy and ultimately responsible for their destruction. Zerg are psychically attuned to the psionic imprints of human psychics, so the psi emitter is designed to transmit the imprint across interplanetary distances, drawing the Zerg to its ___location.

The Confederates initially used these devices to lure the Zerg into containment areas for research, but were unprepared for the scale on which the Zerg became attracted to the signal and were therefore responsible for the Zerg invasions of Chau Sara and Mar Sara. Plans for the psi emitter were later discovered in the Confederate installation on Mar Sara by a Sons of Korhal commando squad, and upon analysis Mengsk speculated that the Confederates were attempting to utilise the Zerg as a weapon: they would use the psi emitters to force the Zerg to destroy dissent and then move in and eradicate the infestation, appearing as the heroes to the survivors at the same time as removing their enemies. However, this plan never came to any fruition.

The Sons of Korhal consequently used the psi emitters in the assault of Tarsonis, luring in the Zerg in order to wipe out the Confederate institutions and the bulk of the population. The Terran Dominion later kept a supply of the emitters, using them again in order to counter the effect of the psi disruptor on Sarah Kerrigan's Zerg forces.

Advanced Protoss psionic technology

Stasis cells

A stasis cell is a Protoss invention used for storage, medical and incarceration purposes. Stasis cells are considered too complicated and psi-active for Terrans to understand, but Alan Schezar and Samir Duran have both demonstrated the ability to control them to an extent. Stasis cells frequently rely on Khaydarin crystal based pylon technology to power them, which can result in an unstable connection if not maintained properly.

When a creature leaves a stasis cell, they emerge in the condition they entered. Leaving the stasis cell doesn't cause injury, but a creature in a stasis cell is vulnerable to injury from attacks made from the outside. Stasis cells are not always a perfect stasis, particularly if they are improperly maintained. Creatures trapped within can still emit psionic energy and, as demonstrated by Mojo, some are even able to communicate with the outside world using psionics.

Warp gate technology

The Protoss utilise warp gate technology in order to quickly deploy forces to battlefields and military bases from Protoss military installations on other worlds or ships. They are built upon and powered by Khaydarin crystals. Whilst most gateways are specialised for either ground or aerial forces, a number of larger warp gates have been found in a network between various planets. These gates, connected to a hub on Aiur, allow for quick en masse travel between the planets in the network. However most of these larger gates were destroyed throughout the course of the Brood War.

Prior to and during the Brood War, Protoss Arbiter vessels were experimenting with dimensional recall functions in order to quickly transport troops into battle. Later warp gate technology allows the gateway to perform a similar function by materialising users in specific powered locations in addition to simply emerging at the exit gateway[2].

Xel'Naga temples

The Xel'Naga appear to have left many large relics throughout the Korpulu sector, and possibly the rest of the Milky Way galaxy. These artifacts are usually referred to as temples. These temples have a variety of functions, from places of worship to weapons of mass destruction.

One such temple is on the Protoss homeworld of Aiur. Situated on a nexus of cosmic energies, it marks the site where the Xel'Naga first set foot on Aiur. The temple had since become entrenched in Protoss religion. This temple was destroyed in the Brood War by the Zerg, in order for the Overmind to use the cosmic energies to manifest itself on the surface.

A similar Temple on Aiur was used as a shrine for the training of High Templars and held unknown technology. Alan Schezar stole Khaydarin Amulets and other technology from the temple and used it to control a Zerg Cerebrate through Ghosts.

A further temple was revealed to the Khalai Protoss by the Dark Templar on Shakuras. The gigantic structure was what caused the Dark Templar to settle on Shakuras to study it. This temple, also situated on a nexus of cosmic energies, was a weapon capable of destroying Xel'Naga empowered life forms. By the use of the twin crystals Khalis and Uraj, Zeratul and Artanis were able to activate the temple and destroy all the Zerg on Shakuras.

Another temple was discovered on Bhekar Ro[3]. This temple harvested the DNA of Xel'Naga creatures - namely Zerg and Protoss - in order to nurture and release a Xel'Naga empowered energy creature. This temple - and the creature - had unparalleled resiliance to damage, even absorbing the energy from a nuclear blast for the purpose of its incubation[4]. After the conclusion of the Brood War, dozens more of these temples were discovered on various worlds across the Terran Dominion[5], including one on Nemaka.

References

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