Am

Am is the colloquial (and technically incorrect) term for a “condensed” quad-axial space, accessible by certain life forms and organic technologies. Am is a form of “hyperspace,” in which travel and communication circumvent general relativity. Prior to the development of the Heirotus BTS, Am was only accessible via the will of humans possessing certain genetic mutations unique to navigators.

Motion in Am is possible through five dimensions – the XYZ axis, time, and “depth.” Space condenses along the depth axis while time does not, effectively enabling “realtime” FTL travel on a logarithmic scale.

Ambient Energy Index (AEI)

A dimensional “variance” in the firmament, between Am and Prime and between the Veil and pocket universes, best defined as the relative ease with which Will can be exercised as a Force in a given area. In practical terms, the AEI determines the relative effort required for a Navigator to transition themselves and additional matter into Am, the mental fatigue incurred by a learned individual crossing between realities, and the relative “ease” with which psionic disciplines such as telepathy and remote viewing can be verifiably conducted.

A measurable divergence (positive or negative) from the local AEI is known as a Holt-Rischmann Variance.

Astral Space

A cognitively-informed plane of perception, Astral Space is a blanket term applied to Astral Projection, Remote Viewing, and other forms of cognitive or psychic non-corporeal translocation in which the physical location of the characters has little or no bearing on events or actions. It is, in short, “Head Space.” While Am and the Veil share certain visual similarities, the key difference is that astral space is perceived only by directed mental observation, and perception depends entirely on the worldview of the participants – accounts of Astral events vary wildly from person to person, and those not directly involved often don’t see anything at all.

Dyluck appears to be capable of physical relocation through Astral Space, though this may be how she perceives the act. As physical travel through a cognitive plane is presumed impossible, a more likely explanation is that while Dyluck perceives it as an Astral act, she is in fact generating a biomagnetic transfer through Am.

Navigator

Any human or metahuman with the genetic ability to transition themselves and other objects – typically a starship – into and out of Am. While the effective area of influence of most Navigators includes a space suit and possibly a toolkit, physical contact with an alloy mesh colloquially known as a “jumpnet” will expand this area of influence to cover a starship and all materials and persons contained therein (and possibly nearby, if the object is completely inside the field of influence).

The Veil

The Veil is the common term for the membrane between the Universe and pocket universes. The term is also applied to the space between successive pocket universes which, if they exist, are accessed linearly. Objects in the veil effectively exist in two realities until transitioned to one or the other. Objects in the veil are not visible to either reality, though both realities are visible from the veil. Whichever reality is “closer” is the more sharply defined of the two.

The Waking God Protocols

The Waking God Protocols (full title The Waking God Protocols : Human History & What You Can Do About It) is a Templar operations manual written by Judas Lang. A loosely structured collection of essays, reports, historical findings and diatribes peppered with technical diagrams and DNA sequences, the book claims to reveal the true origins of the human race, details the war the humans fought for independence from the overseers, claims that the extinct alien race will return and lays out a series of methods and means for preparing humanity for the coming war.