K-Storage

K-Storage is a storage format designed for use with Kreatures.

Functionality

K-Gems are special gemstones with the unique property of being able to bind with a Kreature's Aura. Kreatures also possess the ability to heal themselves by converting surplus aura into ordinary matter. K-Storage devices work on the principle of broadcasting a signal to special receiver nanites installed into a Kreature's Nucleus to trigger this conversion process in reverse, temporarily transforming the entire Kreature into pure aura. A tractor beam then locks onto the Kreature's unique aura signature and beams it in or out of the gem. Since the receiver nanites spread through a Kreature's entire body from the nucleus, this allows a Kreature that's been ripped apart to be put back together when it's beamed back into the device; even knocked out teeth and blood splatters on the arena floor will be recalled to their source. When beaming a Kreature out of K-Storage, the converted aura will instantly transform back to its original state, restoring the Kreature's body.

Anything not sharing the Kreature's personal aura signature will be left behind, so beaming it into a device will also cure poisoning. The Kreature's gut microbes will also be beamed into the device, as they've had time to acclimate to the Kreature's aura; unfortunately, this also means that beaming will not cure a Kreature that's become sick. Beaming a Kreature into its device will not restore its stamina or revive a Kreature that has died. A device can only store the user's own Kreatures, can only carry one at a time, and can't store it indefinitely or the Kreature's aura will collapse. The process of binding with aura will also cause K-Gems to wear out through continued use, so Tamers prefer not to use their devices more than they need to. The quality of a gem affects both its longevity as well as its storage time limit. High-ranking Kreatures cannot be stored on low-quality gems.

Since Dominids, Silarcs and Dolneans are technically Kreatures, they are hypothetically compatible with K-storage. However, due to the potential for the technology to be abused for sapient nonhuman trafficking, they have rejected it for use on themselves.

Models

• K-Square: the original K-Storage device, which was used for decades. They utilized discs made out of special resin and ground-up gems for storing Kreatures on, and had a built-in screen for displaying the Kreature's Tamer ID and biometrics. Bulky and obsolete, they're no longer in mass production and used only by collectors.

• Tamer Amulet: originally used for mindlinking with Kreatures, in recent decades technology has advanced to the point where pure, unground gems could be built directly into amulets, granting them K-Storage functionality as well. At first they were expensive status symbols that only the ultra-wealthy could afford, but now they are commonplace.

History

K-Storage was developed by Domonid scientists under the employ of the Kiisaktos Empire before the Refugee Wars. This technology revolutionized warfare, as it allowed Battle Kreatures to be transported in much greater numbers than had been possible before and had the bonus benefit of being able to instantly repair them in the heat of combat. This enabled the Empire to use overwhelming military force to squash rebellion and secure dominion over even the most remote corners of their territory.