Terminology and slang
Android
- A body, especially a human body, grown using rapid maturation techniques, especially one embodying an artificial personality.
- One of a genetically-engineered parahuman race of slaves, originating in the colony of Ritho.
Comgadget A cellular data unit, especially one with spurious functions. The successor to the mobile camera-phone, GPS navigator, palmtop computer, etc.
Comsole A data unit used for commmunications and information retrieval. Successor to the laptop computer.
Dutysuit A tough synthetic cloth, uncreasing, water-shedding, oil-repelling, and hard-wearing, used for Imperial Service uniforms, protective workwear, and as light armour for the limbs.
Eugerione® A life-extending treatment. Administered monthly, it halves the rate of aging.
'Farmed fur' (derogatory slang) Imperial servants recruited from among the children of other Imperial servants, raised in Home Office crèches and boarding schools in IDJ. Pupils at Imperial high schools.
'Feds' (hostile slang) The Responsible Government Movement, i.e. that bloc in the Senate of colonies that support the extension of Imperial power to promote civil rights and democratic government, the establishment of settlements as democratic republics, the admission of democratic republics into the Senate, etc., and the subjection of the Imperial executive to democratic control.
'Flash' (slang, originally of the Imperial Maines and Imperial Navy) shoot with a laser weapon or other beam weapon.
'Flasher' Movie-underworld slang for a criminal gunman using a laser weapon. Alternative to 'lamp'.
'Foamie' (Marines slang) A foam-grenade, such as Imperial marines find to have 101 uses.
'Frame An essentially stationary computer, with cable connections to power and data.
Habitat A space station built for permanent habitation. Not all are Imperial, but much of IDJ consists of habitats.
Housekeeper A swarm of small bioroids or genetically engineered animals that occupies a set of quarters and collects dirt, litter, debris. (The housekeeper hive is a good place to look for lost cufflinks etc.)
IDJ Imperial Direct Jurisdiction: those places where the Empire exercises sovereign or extraterritorial jurisdiction, and which are governed by the Home Office.
'Impie' (Hostile slang) An Imperial servant or resident of IDJ.
'Jackals' (derogatory slang) The Public Safety Bloc, i.e. that bloc in the Senate of colonies that supports the extension of Imperial power, without reducing the independence of the Trust.
'Lamp' Movie-underworld slang for a criminal gunman using a laser weapon. Alternative to 'flasher'.
'Levellers' (derogatory slang) The Economic Justice Bloc, i.e. that bloc in the Senate of colonies that propose the extension of Imperial power for the purpose of taxing rich colonies and subsidising poor ones.
Lissom™ A genetically engineered pet, something like ferret, and with very endearing habits.
'LRA' ('League of Repressive Autocracies'—needless to say, hostile slang) The Colonies' Rights Movement, i.e. that bloc in the Senate of colonies that oppose the extension of Imperial power, the establishment of settlements as democratic republics, the admission of democratic republics into the Senate, and any Imperial attempt to foster civil liberties, democratic or responsible government, etc.
Otterhound A person who sexually pursues mink, or Imperial servants more generally.
Palimpsest A person who has had his or her personality erased and a new mind constructed, especially a rehabilitiated felon.
Parallel A quantum computer. They require supercooling.
Proshock An emergency medical drug, used to treat shock or injury to the peripheral circulation. It cuts off blood supply to everything except the heart, lungs, and brain. A person treated with proshock and who does not receive treatment by a surgeon within twenty minutes of so may need everything replaced.
'Mink' (censorious slang of Imperial servants of colonial origins) Imperial servants who are fanatical and severely professional about their work but hedonistic and lascivious off duty.
O'Neill A large orbital habitat in the shape of a cylinder, spinning on its long axis to simulate gravity, hollow, and landscaped on the inside. They a differ in considerable detail from the originally-proposed O'Neill cylinders. Built to accommodate up to a few hundred thousand people in space.
Residence The headquarters of the Imperial Service in a given colony, usually amounting to a town built in an extraterritorial Imperial enclave alongside the [main] spaceport.
Residence-general The headquarters of the Imperial Service in a system containing several colonies, usually amounting to a sizeable orbital habitat.
Resident The chief Imperial official in a colony, responsible for quasi-diplomatic liaison with the colonial government and with co-ordinating authority over all bureaux of the colonial office in that colony.
Resident-general The chief Imperial official on a world or in a system in which there are several colonies, responsible for co-ordinating the several residents.
Stanford A classical "bicycle wheel" space station, substantially similar to the Stanford Torus originally proposed.
'Stunt double' (cop slang) a 'dummy' body, created using 'android' technology, used to fake a death.
Tracee A cellular data unit designed and worn for hands-free use.
Visor VR or (especially) augmented reality glasses, goggles, or faceplate, generally acting as the display of a worn (eg. pocket) computer, cameras etc..