Traitor Born (Secondborn #2)(95)

chet. A nonaddictive substance that is used to relieve tension and induce relaxation. Looks like a white stamp.

Class 5Z Mechanized Sanitation Unit. A robot designed to repair and maintain sewage and septic lines. The unit has no artificial intelligence capacities.

conversion. The process of implanting a VPMD (Virtual Perception Manipulation Device) in the brain of a person other than a zeroborn.

conversions. People who are unwillingly implanted with mind-control technology. Implanted people can be detected by the cornea implants in the eyes that shine with silver light.

Copperscale. A defensive fabric developed by Salloway Munitions Conglomerate that acts like armor. It can conduct an energy pulse, either fusion or hydrogen, away from the wearer.

Council of Destiny. The Virtue’s advisory board made up of members from the Virtue-Fated aristocracy. Experts are brought in to advise the panel on a myriad of topics.

CR-40. A topical polymer dispensed in an aerosol device that, when sprayed on the skin, temporarily blocks the signal of an implanted moniker. It can be scrubbed off the skin or it will wear off in a few hours, making it ineffective.

crella. A type of donut.

Culprit-44. A sidearm, also called a fusionmag. A fusion-powered gun-like weapon with a hydrogen-powered option.

death drone. An automated robot with a black metallic outer casing. It’s shaped like a bat and used primarily on the battlefield to interrogate and execute captured enemy soldiers. The drone is summoned by a black, blinking “death-drone beacon” that emits a high-pitched sound, prompting a drone to respond to the location. Once the drone interrogates an enemy, it decides whether to kill the soldier or take him or her back to a containment airship for further interrogation.

drone camera. A spherical-shaped automated floating camera that has a multitude of lenses. Some are automated and can be programmed to follow a specific target, while others are operated remotely.

Dual-Blade X16. The Salloway Munitions brand name for the dual-sided sword—fusionblade/hydroblade—designed by Star-Fated secondborn Jakes Trotter and Sword-Fated secondborn Roselle St. Sismode. It was sold to the company by Roselle St. Sismode.

Exo. A rank in the firstborn Sword military. It is higher than all of the secondborn ranks. Only the Admiral and Clarities are higher. Black uniforms. Clifton Salloway is an Exo.

fatedom. The realm of a Fate, like a kingdom.

Fated Sword. A title given to the spouse of The Sword (the Clarity of the Fate of Swords). Kennet Abjorn is considered the Fated Sword because he’s the husband of Othala St. Sismode.

Fates of the Republic. Also known as the Fates Republic. A society comprising nine Fates or “fatedoms.” The Fates highest to lowest in the caste system are Virtues, Swords, Stars, Atoms, Suns, Diamonds, Moons, Seas, and Stones. The leader of the Republic is the Clarity of Virtues.

Firstborn Commander. A title given to the heir to The Virtue and the heir to The Sword.

First Lieutenant. A position on the Sword Heritage Council that is considered the “right hand” to the Firstborn Sword (the heir to The Sword).

Five Hundred. A drug that acts as a stimulant. It’s lethal when taken in large doses.

fourthborn. The fourth child in birth order.

FSP (Fusion Snuff Pulse). A device that acts like an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) delivering a short pulse of energy that disrupts the fusing of atoms that creates fusion energy. The device is a palm-size sphere with a silver metallic outer shell with a trigger button.

fusionblade. A fusion-energy-driven laser-like sword. The sword resembles a broadsword without the expected weight. Fusion cells reside in the hilt of the sword and create a stream of energy when engaged. The hilt is constructed of a metal alloy and usually personalized with a family crest or some other distinctive marking. The St. Sismode family is the originator of the fusionblade.

fusionmag. A gun-like weapon that fires fusion energy in bullet-shaped pulses.

gravitizer. The antigravity mechanism in a combat jumpsuit. It uses magnetic force to repel against the molten core of the planet in order to slow the descent of a soldier after he or she jumps from an airship. It disengages once the soldier is within feet of the ground, allowing him or her to land safely.

Hazy Daze-99. A drug that induces euphoria and sleepiness. It comes in aerosol form.

heartwood. An escalator-like machine that carries occupants up or down levels through a vertical tube within a Base Tree.

Heritage Council. A committee comprising firstborn members of the Sword aristocracy. The leader of the council is the Firstborn Sword. It’s a junior council of sorts in which firstborn heirs hold positions of power until they assume their parents’ roles as the leaders of the Sword aristocracy.

hologram pad. A handheld device used to correspond with the administrative arm of the Halo Palace. The unit uses prerecorded messages as well as real-time holographic messages in the form of light projections for communication.

hoverdiscs. Small round metallic discs about two inches in diameter that attach to the sole of a boot or a shoe. Once turned on, the discs keep the wearer aloft. They allow him or her to ascend by making motions as if walking up steps, and they allow the person to fall in elevation by using descending stair motions.

hover mode. The ability to levitate and self-propel using antigravity technology.

hovertruck. A large wheelless vehicle that hovers above the ground and is propelled by various means.

hovervan. A large wheelless vehicle that hovers above the ground and is propelled by various means.