Origin Satellite

The Origin Satellite is an Orbital Weapon Platform used by Jason Bur'I in the short story Not Hunting from The Inclination to Destiny. In the story, Jason uses the satellite to kill a vampire, whereafter he loses control of it and it attacks Bur'I's industrial sector, after its original program.

Description

The satellite is essentially a massive particle-beam weapon powered by zero-point energy. The power source slowly fills a buffer until it is ready to fire. A gravitational mass-displacement drive is used for station-keeping. The entire system is controlled by crystal computers and the satellite itself has no moving parts.

The name 'Origin Satellite' was given to the weapon by Hunter and Jason; it is unknown what its original builders called it.

Origin

Exactly where Jason obtained this extremely advanced technology is not made clear. Ostensibly it is Ancient, but Jason hints that it may have been made by the Iname. It is indicated that he and Hunter have several of them, and that he reprogrammed this one as a satellite-based weapon.

Purpose

The original purpose of the Origin satellites is to destroy all technology on a planet, essentially forcing the population to technologically regress (or "return to their 'origins'", for which it was named). The satellite accomplishes this by looking for artificial electromagnetic activity. It will typically begin by targeting power generators or power sub-stations, then move on. The sensors are supposedly sophisticated enough to pick up very small electronics such as hearing aids and digital watches. The only defense, then, is to destroy all technology, as anything at all that uses electricity will be attacked.

To some degree, Origin satellites attack targets according to level of sophistication. A nuclear reactor, for example, would be considered a higher-value target than a coal-fired plant, even if the coal plant produces a higher energy output.

Deployment

Jason felt confident that he had reprogrammed the satellite as a space gun. He also placed it in geostationary orbit, as opposed to a standard orbit. This kept it centered over Bur'I's capitol, and helped minimize the later damage. Jason had likely meant to use it to destroy targets of interest, or turn it back towards space as a planetary defense weapon.

When the satellite reverts to its old programming, Hunter uses his highly maneuverable mobile suit to draw the weapon's fire. Since his mech is powered by a zero-point generator of its own, it rates much higher than anything the Bur'Ians posses to the satellite's targeting system. Hunter flies the mech above the horizon, making the satellite's beam miss the planet entirely (though this requires him to dodge the attacks, sometimes by mere inches).

Seeing that Hunter cannot keep this up and knowing Bur'I lacks effective means to neutralize the satellite, Jason (rather reluctantly) proposes to Hunter that he use his mobile suit's highly experimental Hyperspace window generator to move the satellite far, far away. Both knew that this would mean sending Hunter's mobile suit (with Hunter) along with the satellite, and would very likely be a suicide mission. They also both understood that there was no other option.

In the end, Hunter survives the episode, crashing his mobile suit along with the satellite on a distant world, and leaving him only his Magic as transportation.