Energy Shields

The science of harmonizing electromagnetic frequencies into a wall or "bubble" is a well established practice in the modern world. Originally invented to insulate super conducters, the technology was eagerly tested in military and industrial applications with mixed results. The most successful and common place application of Eshields are in space born hanger bays. Properly oriented these shields provide a barrier that can hold a vaccuum against empty space, while allowing determined matter (spacecraft) to pass through with ease relative to the shields density. Additional Eshields are often installed between vital sections of a craft. In the event a craft is damaged or partially destroyed,
Much of Venusian Spires lower infrastructures are shielded to protect personnel from the Smog. However in an extreme storm this shield is unlikely to hold against large fluxes of matter. Martian soma typically does not pass through Eshields. This is invaluable for retaining soma within the ship while deploying spacecraft on personell into open (soma-less) spaces. The strongest shields are powered by Quantum Fusion Generators.
Their use in combat is reserved for larger scale warcraft, as the energy and mechanisms required to produce the Eshield are substantial. Energy shields will not stop matter projectiles such as rails. An energy shield struck by a sufficient amount of opposing energy (laser fire/solar cannon) will overload and be become volatile, the machinery supporting it likely destroyed in the process. This dynamic prevents craft equipped with shields the ability to fire from behind their own shield. A few craft utilize extendible laser turrets, called rabbit ears, to reach beyond their shields for the purpose of firing. Proposals have been put forth to emplot remote turret drones to bypass this dynamic. This tactic violates Drone Pact and is only used illictly by mercs . which isnt used by AI-absent organizations like the vGCM.
Personal shields are a inconsistent tech. Even stationary shields rely on advanced AI, fragile materials, and high amounts of energy. This isn't to say that personal shields don't exist, but to be combat effective they require vast amounts of resources and understanding which most don't have access to.
Synth however take exception to this. Properly designed a synth can have the machinery and computational resources to deploy and maintain a personal shield. This requires energy and creates bulk which precludes their use in certain combat environments. Synths often deploy shields when fighting other AI or tactical computers that can keep up with their reaction time. Against a human the meta remains taking advantage against their inferior reflexes.