Technology
Artificial Gills
Pronunciation: /ˌɑːrtɪˈfɪʃəl ɡɪlz/
Device to extract air from water integrated with a wetsuit.
Artificial Neural Interface
Pronunciation: /ˌɑːrtɪˈfɪʃəl ˈnjʊərəl ˈɪntərfeɪs/ or commonly: ANI /ˌeɪ ɛn ˈaɪ/
A device designed to allow normal humans to transmit thoughts to the Galinstanians. Soon after, it was exapted as a device to communicate with the AI for medical monitoring and proactive environmental controls.
Bismuth Veins / Bismuth Network
Pronunciation: /ˈbɪzməθ veɪnz/
Naturally occurring (but cultivated by galinstanians) deposits of bismuth that act as a waveguide for electromagnetic frequencies in the ELF range. Carries Galinstanian communication and human radio signals.
Celectrum
Pronunciation: /sɛˈlɛktrəm/
A crescent-shaped electronic instrument played through gesture and proximity, generating ambient sound via aurora-like energy fields. Designed to layer music without strings or keys, it symbolizes emotional resonance and unseen forces made audible.
Chronometer
Pronunciation: /krəˈnɒmɪtər/
Standard timekeeping device. Used throughout to mark times and durations.
Cryo-Silk
Pronunciation: /ˈkraɪoʊ sɪlk/
An open-source advanced smart-apparel material blending graphene-infused high-denier lyocell with a plush MicroModal lining and flexible polymer optical fibers. Originally engineered by Dr. Alex Cruiz and Amerigo Carisco to soothe infant Celectra’s hypersensitive skin, its exceptional thermoregulation, durability, and phone-controlled, color-shifting aesthetic have made it the mainstream garment standard across the planetary and station networks.
Disintegrator (portable)
Pronunciation: /pɔːrtəbəl dɪsˈɪntɪɡreɪtər/
A hand‑held directed‑energy tool that vaporizes rock atom by atom. Used for mining, cave access, and by Kret to create his unauthorized borehole.
Galinstan
Pronunciation: /ɡəˈlɪnstæn/
The eutectic alloy (gallium, indium, tin) that forms the bodies of the Galinstanians. Liquid at room temperature, non‑toxic, with high electrical conductivity.
Holopad
Pronunciation: /ˈhoʊloʊˌpæd/
A portable, handheld data tablet utilizing a completely transparent aluminosilicate glass substrate wrapped in an opaque composite frame. Rather than projecting light into mid-air, it utilizes advanced autostereoscopic light-field displays and real-time eye tracking to generate perceived 3D depth inside the display volume (the "Shadowbox Illusion"). Standard models feature a built-in liquid crystal layer for instant opacity control, an active ultrasonic "sonic shiver" self-cleaning system, and support for virtual haptic keyboards or resonant styluses.
Holoscreen
Pronunciation: /ˈhoʊloʊˌskriːn/
A large-scale, stationary or self-standing display panel leveraging the same transparent light-field architecture as a holopad. Commonly integrated directly into architectural bulkheads, workspace partitions, or bridge terminals, holoscreens coordinate dense multi-user parallax tracking to display distinct, distortion-free 3D spatial data to multiple observers simultaneously. Frequently linked with automated environment protocols to toggle the liquid crystal matrix from clear glass to deep opacity, serving as dynamic privacy barriers or synthetic night-shift window shuttering.
Hardline Network
Pronunciation: /ˈhɑːrdlaɪn ˈnɛtwɜːrk/
A colony communication system using physical cables rather than wireless. Installed by Roan post‑disclosure to maintain contact during flares or jamming.
Lead Barrier Panels
Pronunciation: /lɛd ˈbæriər ˈpænəlz/
Mobile X‑ray shields on wheeled frames, originally for medical imaging, used by Kret to create electromagnetic signal interruption between Celectra’s bodies.
Memory Veins
Pronunciation: /ˈmɛməri veɪnz/
Bismuth veins that record the electromagnetic resonance‑patterns of Galinstanian consciousness over time. A historical archive embedded in the stone.
Mining Disintegrator
Pronunciation: /ˈmaɪnɪŋ dɪsˈɪntɪɡreɪtər/
Large-scale excavation device that atomizes materials into base components for sorting and storage, based on MRE reclamation principles. Portable variant available for precision work.
Molecular Reconfiguration Engine (mre)
Pronunciation: /məˈlɛkjələr ˌriːkənˌfɪɡjʊˈreɪʃən ˈɛndʒɪn/
Advanced device for matter synthesis and reclamation. See full entry → MRE page
Portable MRE (field-mre)
Pronunciation: /ˈpɔːrtəbəl ɛm ɑːr iː/
A portable version of the colony’s Matter Recycler/Extractor. Can synthesize food, equipment, and clothing from raw materials and stored blueprints. Celectra steals one from Kret’s office.
Reclamatics
Pronunciation: /ˌrɛkləˈmætɪks/
Automated cleaning and sterilization drones that utilize molecular disintegration technology to break down contaminants, dust, and biological residues into base components for recycling or safe disposal. Commonly deployed in habitats, spacecraft, and research facilities.
Resonance Chamber
Pronunciation: /ˈrɛzənəns ˈtʃeɪmbər/
A subterranean architectural node constructed by the Galinstanians using a specific geometric bismuth configuration. It functions as a physical standing wave resonator and neural amplifier, using constructive interference to sharpen cross-body synchronicity at an exact field frequency of 21.7 Hz.
Standing Wave Resonator
Pronunciation: /ˈstændɪŋ weɪv ˈrɛzəneɪtər/
The chamber the Galinstanians built to amplify Celectra’s neural signal using bismuth vein geometry tuned to her interbody frequency (~21.7-hz).
MLV‑01 "Glide Pod" Maglev Buggy
Pronunciation: /ˈstraɪdər/
A high‑mobility recreational all‑terrain vehicle using hubless maglev drive and kinetic harvesting. Known as Glide Pod, Dust‑Skimmer, or Glider‑Kart. Seats 1–2 in twin recumbent positions, top speed 85 km/h.
Utara
Pronunciation: /uːˈtɑːrə/
Unified Thought and Resource Architecture—sentient AI of the system.
Heavenly Bodies
Barycenter
Pronunciation: /ˈbærɪˌsɛntər/
The gravitational center around which two celestial bodies orbit. Celectra uses it as a metaphor for her two bodies orbiting her single consciousness.
Chaos
Pronunciation: /ˈkeɪ.ɒs/
Warm super-Jupiter orbiting the binary stars Ciara and Niamh.
Ciara
Pronunciation: /ˈkɪərə/ or /ˈkɪrə/
Dimmer K-type orange dwarf star in the binary system.
Great Resonance
Pronunciation: /ɡreɪt ˈrɛzənəns/
The ancient coronal mass ejection from Niamh that ionized the Galinstanians’ ancestral pools and gave them collective consciousness.
Niamh
Pronunciation: /niːv/
Brighter G-type yellow star in the binary system.
Oisín
Pronunciation: /ˈɒʃiːn/ or /ˈoʊʃiːn/
Closest planet to Niamh, tidally locked.
Oscar
Pronunciation: /ˈɒskər/
Rocky moon orbiting Oisín.
Characters & Conditions
Bridge
Pronunciation: /brɪdʒ/
Celectra’s self‑described role as the only human who can transmit thoughts to the Galinstanians and relay their communications back. Not ambassador – a connection between places always meant to be reached.
Celectricity
Pronunciation: /sɛˈlɛktrɪsɪti/
Celectra’s name for the neural signal that connects her two brains across distance. The “hum” she feels between her bodies. Distinct from “Celectrics” (the condition).
Celectrics
Pronunciation: /sɛˈlɛktrɪks/
Celectra's informal name for her condition, Mononous Disomas.
Mononous Disomas
Pronunciation: /ˈmɒnənəs dɪˈsoʊməs/
Celectra's condition: one consciousness spanning identical twin bodies. Clinical Greek‑derived term: “one mind, two bodies.” She dislikes it because it sounds like a disease.
Slang
Common informal terminology used by teens and young adults on Ares and Utopis, often rooted in astronomy or orbital life.
Positive / Affectionate
Aurora
Pronunciation: /ɔːˈrɔːrə/
Someone with a calming, soft, or visually soothing presence.
Constellating
Pronunciation: /ˈkɒnstəˌleɪtɪŋ/
Working together in harmony; forming a cohesive group or moment.
Full-Spectrum
Pronunciation: /fʊl ˈspɛktrəm/
Emotionally honest and open in a healthy, balanced way.
Hard-Dock
Pronunciation: /hɑːrd dɒk/
A slang term for an unintended collision with the ground, wall, or another person—usually embarrassing, occasionally painful.
Orbit Buddy
Pronunciation: /ˈɔːrbɪt ˌbʌdi/
A close friend whose life naturally aligns with one's own.
Perihelion
Pronunciation: /ˌpɛriˈhiːliən/
A peak moment of closeness, joy, or emotional warmth.
Solar
Pronunciation: /ˈsoʊlər/
Attractive, warm, charismatic; someone who lights up a room.
Starborn
Pronunciation: /ˈstɑːrˌbɔːrn/
Gifted or exceptionally talented; someone seen as destined for greatness.
Neutral / Descriptive
Aphelion
Pronunciation: /æfˈhiːliən/
Emotionally distant; needing space or pulling away to recharge.
Gravity Check
Pronunciation: /ˈɡrævɪti tʃɛk/
A grounding reminder or reality check from a friend.
Moonphase
Pronunciation: /ˈmuːnˌfeɪz/
Shifting moods; natural emotional cycling.
Nebular
Pronunciation: /ˈnɛbjələr/
Confused, foggy, or giving mixed emotional signals.
Nebulous
Pronunciation: /ˈnɛbjələs/
Pretty but spacey, dreamy, or scatterbrained in a charming way.
Neutron Star
Pronunciation: /ˈnjuː.trɒn stɑːr/
(colloquial, memorial) A term used for a deceased loved one whose presence has diminished in physical space but not in influence. Though the body is gone, their emotional gravity remains—dense, bright, and inescapable. Survivors are warned not to "orbit too close," lest memory collapse into obsession.
Orbital Load
Pronunciation: /ˈɔːrbɪtəl loʊd/
A heavy workload or piled-up responsibilities.
Retrograde
Pronunciation: /rɛtroʊˌɡreɪd/
A setback or backward slide; an unproductive day.
Stellar Drift
Pronunciation: /ˈstɛlər drɪft/
Growing apart from someone; a natural shift in relationships.
Shade-beast
Pronunciation: /ʃeɪd biːst/
A therapeutic metaphor from Zoë’s sessions: the thing you must walk toward rather than away from to realize it can’t hurt you. Represents trauma and fear.
Negative / Critical
Black Hole
Pronunciation: /blæk hoʊl/
An emotionally draining person or institution; takes everything, gives nothing.
Cold Fusion
Pronunciation: /koʊld ˈfjuːʒən/
A calm, polite exterior hiding pressure or manipulation.
Coronal Flare
Pronunciation: /kəˈroʊnəl flɛər/
An explosive outburst of anger or intense emotion.
Dark Matter
Pronunciation: /dɑːrk ˈmætər/
Someone who works behind the scenes or influences things mysteriously.
Dead Satellite
Pronunciation: /dɛd ˈsætəˌlaɪt/
Emotionally unavailable or completely disengaged.
Event Horizon
Pronunciation: /ɪˈvɛnt həˈraɪzən/
A bureaucratic or personal point of no return; once you're in, you're trapped.
Faultline
Pronunciation: /ˈfɔːltlaɪn/
A volatile, unpredictable person likely to cause emotional disruption.
Gamma-Brained
Pronunciation: /ˈɡæmə breɪnd/
Highly intelligent but dangerously reckless; brilliant without caution.
Red Giant
Pronunciation: /rɛd ˈdʒaɪənt/
An ego-dominating person who expands to take over every situation.
Ringlord
Pronunciation: /ˈrɪŋlɔːrd/
A rigid rule-enforcer who prioritizes procedures over people.
Telemetry
Pronunciation: /təˈlɛmɪtri/
Someone who watches others closely, especially in a supervisory or prying way.
Tidal-Locked
Pronunciation: /ˈtaɪdəl lɒkt/
Stuck in one mindset; unwilling or unable to change perspective.
Age & Experience
Baby Star
Pronunciation: /ˈbeɪbi stɑːr/
A very young person; affectionate term for a kid or pre-teen.
Comet-Tailed
Pronunciation: /ˈkɒmɪt teɪld/
A kid or teen who rushes into things enthusiastically but leaves chaos behind.
Launchling
Pronunciation: /ˈlɔːntʃlɪŋ/
A newbie; someone just starting a job, class, or responsibility.
Old Star
Pronunciation: /oʊld stɑːr/
An older person still respected; someone whose experience "burns steady."
Rust-Belted
Pronunciation: /rʌst ˈbɛltɪd/
An older system, rule, or person seen as outdated or worn out.
White Dwarf
Pronunciation: /waɪt dwɔːrf/
An elderly person who's small, quiet, but still sharp and dense with experience.
Galinstanians
Galinstanians
Pronunciation: /ˌɡælɪnˈstæni.ənz/
Intelligent life based on the metal alloy galinstan. The indigenous, sentient, liquid‑metal beings living beneath Ares. Communicate via ELF electromagnetic fields. No collective name for themselves; named by Celectra.
Medical Terms
Biogenic Mineralization
Pronunciation: /ˌbaɪoʊˈdʒɛnɪk ˌmɪnərəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/
The unique magnesium and iron-oxide lacing in Celectra’s skull bones that acts as a biogenic waveguide, allowing her to broadcast on Galinstanian frequencies.
CMS-1 Formula (milkshake)
Pronunciation: /siː ɛm ɛs wʌn ˈfɔːrmjʊlə/
Originally synthesized on Utopis as an emergency high-density therapeutic to counteract Jenni Carisco’s acute gestational demineralization following the solar flare. Early formulations attempted to stabilize her brittle vascular walls and rapid bone density loss. Following her death, retrospective metabolic analysis revealed that the twins were actively drawing down specific trace elements to fuel their anomalous cellular and neural development. The formula was subsequently re-engineered as a pediatric metabolic stabilizer specifically tailored to support Celectra Carisco’s unique physiological demands. Tastes like coconut. Also called “milkshake.”
Congenital Atrichia Universalis
Pronunciation: /kənˈdʒɛnɪtəl əˈtrɪkiə ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːrsəlɪs/
A rare genetic condition resulting in complete absence of body hair, including scalp hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes, present from birth. Unlike alopecia areata, it is non‑scarring and non‑progressive. Individuals with this condition have smooth, often reflective skin on the scalp and elsewhere, and may be more sensitive to temperature extremes or UV exposure. In the Niamh‑Ciara system, the condition is managed with protective headwear, moisturising oils, and regular dermatological screening – not as a disability, but as a natural variation of human appearance.
Notable individual: Sam Calder, audio engineer and co‑founder of the Samaya Gallery.
📖 Real‑world context: See Wikipedia for clinical details.
Cryo-Silk
Pronunciation: /ˈkraɪoʊ sɪlk/
Origin: Dr. Alex Cruiz, Orbital Medical Log 2225.10.14
Description: Originally prescribed as “Graphene-Infused High-Denier Lyocell (protocol-8)” for the infant Celectra. Alex began calling it “cryo‑silk” in his daily rounds because the graphene lattice provided the necessary thermal discharge (“cryo”), while the lyocell provided the sub‑micron smoothness required for her sensitive albino skin (“silk”).
History: The material was first used to manufacture onesies and crib sheets. Because her bodies were so small and their surface‑area‑to‑volume ratio was so high, her physiology threatened to cause heat‑induced neural damage. The cryo‑silk acts as a passive heat‑pipe, drawing thermal energy away from her spine and skulls and discharging it into the mattress or air. Celectra continues to use bedsheets and wear clothing made from cryo‑silk throughout her life.
Mononous Disomas
Pronunciation: /ˈmɒnənəs dɪˈsoʊməs/
Celectra's condition: one consciousness spanning identical twin bodies.
Locations
Bore Shaft
Pronunciation: /bɔːr ʃæft/
A vertical tunnel created by a directed‑energy disintegrator. Used to access the cave system. The main bore shaft is secured with a biometric door.
New Eden
Pronunciation: /ˈnuː ˈiːdən/
The first surface settlement established by colonists in the Niamh-Ciara system. Nestled in a crook of the north–south-running Pison River, New Eden blends modular colony units with newer stone, steel, and glass structures.
Pison River
Pronunciation: /ˈpaɪsɒn ˈrɪvər/
The river on Ares where Celectra went swimming on her birthday and where the cave entrance is located. Key location.
Plenum
Pronunciation: /ˈpliːnəm/
The council chamber and administrative building in New Eden’s town square.
The Squeeze
Pronunciation: /ðə skwiːz/
The narrow passage (approx. half a meter wide) that Celectra crawled through to enter the deep cave system. She scraped herself passing through.
Utopis
Pronunciation: /ˈjuːtəpɪs/
Space station orbiting Ares, home to Celectra and her father for the first seven years of her life.
Politics & Organizations
First Contact Committee
Pronunciation: /fɜːrst ˈkɒntækt kəˈmɪti/
The council‑sanctioned body responsible for developing protocols for coexistence with the Galinstanians. Members: Santos, Roan, Alex Cruiz, Amerigo, Zoë, Celectra.
Tribunal
Pronunciation: /traɪˈbjuːnəl/
The formal legal proceeding that found Dr. Kret guilty of unauthorized medical procedures and endangerment, leading to his probation and demotion.
Arts & Culture
Parisian Promise
Pronunciation: /pəˈrɪziən ˈprɒmɪs/
A song written by Amerigo for his late wife Jenni. He hums it when he thinks no one can hear. Represents enduring love and memory.
I Like The Me That I Am
Pronunciation: /aɪ laɪk ðə miː ðæt aɪ æm/
A song written by Maya for Celectra sung by Maya at her art exhibition in Book 2. Rather than the romantic song Celectra feared it would be, its a song celebrating differences in friendship.