Personal Hard-Light Shield

Personal Hard-Light Shields, typically abbreviated as PHS and more often referred to as a "piece" (or, in plural, "pieces") are miniaturized hard-light shields designed for personal use. They come in a variety of models, depending on the user's needs... and what they can afford.
Like lykas, which they are often compared to, PHSes are highly variable in appearance, manufacturing, and quality. The technology behind them is widespread, and countless people (and species) have made their own variations, depending on their own needs. But while lykas have a number of mundane purposes, PHSes rarely see use outside of dangerous situations. No one living a calm peaceful life in the city needs a shield, even if they need knives to prepare food with.
Still, PHSes see plenty use across the galaxy. When not actively in use, they typically take up little space, and are quick to access and use when mounted on a bracer. The common space-farer might prefer to stick with their blaster, but an explorer might value a shield to protect against attacking animals--or a suddenly collapsing tunnel.
And while explorers might prefer a small shield, no bigger than the length of their arm, a guard might prefer a shield tall enough to cover most of their body. Of course, "tall enough to cover most of the body" is such a variable term, when some species might barely pass a meter in length, whereas others are rarely less than two meters tall.

Mechanics & Inner Workings

Like all hard-light shields, PHSes consist of three major parts: the hard-light generator, the emitter, and the battery. The battery is fairly self-explanatory, and provides power to the other components. The hard-light generator creates the hard-light itself, as well as maintaining it once active. Finally, the emitter shapes the hard-light, ensuring it takes on the right shape (and size)--and that it maintains said shape.

Item type

Armor

Related Technologies

• Hard-light shielding

Rarity

Moderately common

Raw materials & Components

Highly variable due to varying manufacturers.