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Implants & Neural Technologies

Neural Implant
One of the most important technologies to develop in the Prodigal Void, essentially defining the barrier between what we think of as Archaic and Antiquity, was the Neural Implant and Interface, often colloquially referred to as "Fly-by-Neuron". Through nanotechnology, a microscopically thin transmitter/processor network is constructed inside the users head and/or shoulder. Some models build outside the skull, some inside, and a few, for the hardcore user, build themselves in and around the users brain, augmenting and replacing pieces of the host. The host sends and receives communication, processing, and other information directly between the host brain and external biocomputer networks. The host receives a Heads Up Display fed directly to their visual cortex, receiving IntelligNet feeds, information from sensors mounted on the host, and broadcasting control information to everything from cash registers to personal transportation to the weapons systems on starships.

Most modern starships are controlled through the most advanced and progressive of neural implants. The main broadcast/receiver and processors are mounted within a sparsely appointed "bridge" in the center of the ship. In normal operation of the ship, the entire crew is linked to each other and the resources of the ship. Each crewmember has redundant duties that reinforce and reassure the operations of the others, all at the speed of thought. Crew can pass back and force not just crude messages but also emotional impulses and sights and sensations which creates a very tight and interactive environment. The crew receives information from the ship and its sensor networks directly to the sensory sections of their brains. Essentially, they see what the ship sees, hear what the ship hears, and smell what the ship smells. Conversely, the crew is able to maneuver the ship with a thought, controlling its systems as easily as moving their own arms, within their control protocols, of course.

Neuralinks have significant and varied impact on traditional positions on starships and in society in general. Gunners on starships can sense, functionally see and hear and anticipate the presence of targets around their ship. They can think out, in their mind, complex firing patterns and conditional responses to changing situations which biocomputers can prioritize and respond to, adjusting targeting priorities, weapons configurations, and lead based on the gunners' subconscious opinions of target priorities and shot qualities.

A large amount of equipment, particularly within the Prodigal Void, is going to neural control. Most vehicles, many buildings, and a lot of consumer appliances are controlled directly by thought broadcast through the IntelligNet.

General use in population has changed society, with the greatest adoption and impact in the Prodigal Void. Neuralinks can open doors to buildings, keep unwanted people out of personal vehicles, and provide immediate access to personal entertainment and information through the IntelligNet. Security is high and few reports have been made of individuals being able to hack into others' neural interface. Illegal and military mods have been reported in the hands of civilians, though details are sketchy due to the nature of the perpetrators. 

For the ultra-rich, cloned or biomechanical bodies can be prepared and the users' "brainstate" transferred on the physical death of their body.