Needle and Thread

The Patchwork Dream seeks to protect the knowledge of the various captured peoples within the Zira Imperium. Whilst most of this knowledge concerns the history, traditions and identity of those peoples and safeguarding it against being erased, some of it is of a more practical use. One such practical technology is a communications method that has enabled the cells within the dream to successfully co-ordinate their activities whilst being able to remain safely anonymous to one another.

Based on a technology originally designed in Moraith (now Korsin) prior to them being invaded, the technology consists of multiple 'Needles' which tap into the datasphere to send and receive communications, and 'Threads' which allow individuals to communicate by each using a Needle. A Thread is created by the operator providing a Needle with a drop of their blood; this produces a small pill that must ingested by the receiving party and that then enables them contact the originator using any Needle.

Once contact has been established at least once, either party can then contact the other using the Needles. Both parties are always able to identify exactly which 'contact' they are communicating, although they will not know anything about the person behind that contact. There is no known way to intercept communication between other contacts, nor can a thread be transferred once it has been ingested.

The Patchwork Dream typically uses a verbal call and response when establishing first contact as a way to ensure that the pill has been received and ingested by its intended recipient. This may be communicated via the Needles by another party who is helping to establish contact or may rely on other prior correspondence when a new individual is being recruited into the organisation.

While the knowledge needed to produce these devices is also in the hands of the Imperium, they have so far failed to successfully create a device that would be acceptable to their requirements. The High Exarch has insisted that any such communication device have a means for high ranking Imperium members to intercept the communication of their subordinates. However, this appears to be anathema to the underlying technology and many of their devices simply self-destruct shortly after they are first activated.