808-RO55 Void Shield Generator

The 808-RO55 (erroneously but commonly pronounced eight-oh-eight, are-zero-fifty-five) "happy little" void shield generator provides planetary defense on Ophelia VII. A relatively recently discovered STC design blessed by the Ecclesiarchy, they are powerful techno-sacramentals most frequently used to defend the 'Dust Zone and the Via Imperator, although examples of them are found elsewhere on Ophelia VII, lesser planets of the Ophelia System and even other Cardinal worlds.

History

The basic design of the 808-RO55 generator was discovered by an Adeptus Mechanicus explorator fleet during the Age of Apostasy. Assigned a long identity number which ended in 808 by the tech-priests, the design utilized a unique reciprocating oscillation of the shield harmonics at a 55hz frequency - leading to its common name among those working on integrating it with the Imperium's ritualized-technology. This design, if it could be understood and perfected, promised to produce effective void shielding with low power requirements and minimal cycle time.
However, the STC blueprints were incomplete and corrupted, and a functional prototype eluded the Mechanicus. One of the most significant problems was discordant harmonics set up by the reciprocating oscillation, which not only rendered the void shield weak and prone to fracture, but also seemed to cause emotional and physiological impairment in organic humans under the shield. This depression and loss of bowel-control were dismissed as anecdotal and unconnected until controlled experimentation by a pair of Magos-Biologics empirically verified the generator as the causal factor. The specific conditions were named after them (Pthalo Blues and Van-Dyke Browns).
As the Age of Apostasy drew to a close, the Mechanicus were no closer to cracking the secrets of the 808-RO55 generator. It was only when agreements were brokered between Mars and the Ecclesiarchy to provide the Sisters of Battle with arms and armor and the 'Dust Zone was given to the Mechanicus that a breakthrough was made. Elsewhere on Ophelia VII earlier void shield designs had been used, but to protect the Mechanicus' home-base on the planet the potential of the 808-RO55 generator could not be overlooked. The Magi returned to the designs, invigorated by the problem but also inspired by new information they discovered on the Cardinal world.
Ancient vid-logs of techno-philosophy from a saint of the Imperial cult pushed their thoughts in a different direction - by incorporating one of his fundamental principles ("thin will stick to thick") they were able to resolve the disharmonic issue, resulting in not only an elimination of Pthalo Greens and Van-Dyke Browns, but also the creation of two nested void shields from each generator. This unforeseen development was initially viewed with grave suspicion by the ultra-traditional Mechanicus, until further studies of the vid-logs revealed "everyone needs a friend".
This was taken as not only vindication of the second shield, but an omen the secrets of the STC would be revealed by this saint's teachings. Full-power tests of the generator revealed not only did it not cause negative emotional issues now the harmonics were aligned, but that a feeling of mild euphoria was created in those under its aegis. Higher power levels caused manic and even foolhardy behavior, dryly recorded as "happy little accidents" in the Mechanicus' logs. Development and tests continued.
Eventually, a prototype 808-RO55 generator was field-tested in the 'Dust Zone, observed by senior Ecclesiarchy clerics. The test was successful - the device itself was smaller than comparable generators and the nested shields capable of being deployed faster than by other methods. The archimandrite of the monastery devoted to the saint whose techno-philosophy had provided the breakthrough was pleased with the device's practical application, but felt that it could be more effective against the Ruinous Powers. Accepting there were things beyond their science, the Adeptus Mechanicus allowed the monks access to the generator.
The monks blessed the generator, anointing it with odorless solvents and daubing it with sacred pigments (the names of which they ran across the bottom of the control terminal screen when the generator was powered on). The result was that individuals possessed by malignant Warp entities under the aegis of the shield reacted as if being struck blows and were frequently exorcised. The Adeptus Mechanicus were at a loss to explain this, but the archimandrite understood it perfectly. "Truly," he reminded them, "did the holy one not say he would 'beat the devil out of it'?"
After these successful field tests, 808-RO55 generators - colloquially known as "happy little" void shield generators because of the euphoric effect and their small size - were installed to provide protection to the 'Dust Zone and also to replace defective or damaged generators elsewhere on Ophelia VII. When the Daughters of Verity took over the Via Imperator, large numbers of 808-RO55 generators were installed to protect their cloister fortress.

Utility

Provides two nested void shields which are particularly efficacious against Warp-incursion from a smaller device and with a shorter start-up time than comparable generators.

Access & Availability

Deployed only on Ecclesiarchy-controlled planets; its operation is only understood by the Adeptus Mechanicus of the 'Dust Zone and requires the spiritual attentions of a sub-cult of the Ecclesiarchy devoted to a particular saint of the Imperial Cult.

Complexity

Highly complex technology; it is speculated by techno-theologians (such as the Machaenices Canonical of the Daughters of Verity) that the device is a techno-sacramental and requires spiritual energy from specific worship rituals of the God-Emperor to function correctly.