| abstract
| - A Cyber-Viral Implant (CVI) is a fictional technology in the television series Earth: Final Conflict. A device of Taelon origin, a CVI is part Taelon germ and part computer chip. They are typically placed within the body of Companion Protectors and programmed with a number of directives that aimed at improving the operative. The first of the enhancements takes the form of a device that is implanted into the brain of the subject. Rather than attaching itself to one specific region of the brain, initial deposits of the cyber-virus are deposited in multiple locations, and begin to propagate from there. The injected cyber-virus is a complex nanite merged with a viral structure, though it bares no resemblance to any previously encountered viral type. After the initial deposits are in place they begin to secrete a type of brain matter, not human in origin—though it is capable of functioning along with the human brain, which it begins to connect and interweave into the already existing brain. It also starts rebuilding the inter-cranial circulatory system, allowing for more oxygen-rich blood to flow to the brain. New synaptic linkages are formed, allowing for faster transmission along neural pathways. The implant increases basic intelligence, improves reading and interpretation speed, provides total recall of memories; the implantee's memory literally becomes "photographic". They are able to recall any experienced event from memory and replay it, receiving full sensory data associated with the memory. It is the ability to fully relive any memory, only better. Memories can be stopped mid-play and focused on, a particular object or person, in the background and not noticed at the time can be concentrated on and enhanced, much like an enhanced computer package. The CVI also enhances the way the brain process sensory images in real-time in addition to the sensory enhancements provided to relived memories. Even when the implantee is not consciously aware of it they are constantly absorbing input from everything around them and storing it away. The CVI also provides a "motivational imperative". This more sinister capacity is used to re-align the priorities of the implanted person so that they consider the interests of the Taelons to be paramount under all circumstances. This leads to Companion Protectors behaving in a way contrary to their pre-implanted nature. The implantation process begins with an injection, administered by a needle that more resembles a plumber's snake. The needle moves along flexible segments, carefully working its way through the brain to deposit the cyber-virus to all initial locations, allowing the implantation to take place with only a single administering. This causes the subject to experience the feeling of something worming through their skull, and once the implant begins modifications they suffer from an excruciating headache that appears with no warning pain to announce it. The process is also not without risk. A needle that flexes improperly can tear brain tissue, while the cyber-virus itself has been known to occasionally malfunction and completely destroy or modify the brain in a way to make the subject non-functional.
- They were implants that were typically placed within the body of Companion Protectors and programmed with a number of directives that aimed at improving the operative. They increased basic intelligence and memory recall; allowing users to experience their memory again. However, they also altered the hosts motivational imperative to favor the Companions. (Episode: Decision) The cyber viral implant was capable of giving its host the capacity to relive memories in complete details; sights, sounds and smells. Every impression was remembered no matter how remote it was - these events were known as memory intrusions. Initially, hosts struggled to control them but in time, the cerebral cortex adapted and used it as another way of thinking. The increased intelligence allowed hosts to multitask allowing them to go through multiple computer screens at high speed whilst absorbing the contents presented to them. (Episode: Truth) A lesser known protocol within the CVI's was that they were designed to ensure absolute loyalty to the Taelons and prevented the host from acting in a way harmful to them. (Episode: Atavus) CVI's were eventually discovered to have a lifespan of two years whereupon the implant died and potentially killed the host with it. (Episode: Avatar) Doctor Jullianne Belman managed to create an Anti-Cybervirus which was designed to break down the CVI implant before it degeneration killed its host. The process was designed to work over a twenty hour period in order to ensure the host survived as it was difficult to fix the neurological changes the CVI had placed on the brain. It was known that when the implants were first created, the first generation of hosts were given by the Taelon's enhanced knowledge about their goals on Earth in order to better their abilities. However, it was decided that future generations of CVI implants did not need to know this information and thus it was removed. This made first generation implants a danger if they turned rogue as they were privy to secrets that the Taelons wished to hide. (Episode: Sandoval's Run) At some point, the Taelons came to the conclusion that the prisons on Earth which were used to held criminals were only for incarceration and did not heal the murderers inside. Thus, they planned on a project where they secretly implanted CVI's in these subjects in order to remove their violent impulses. One of the subjects of the program was James Pike who possessed his implant for two years with the motivational imperative to love mankind. He had, however, bonded to his implant on such a level that he had adapted it for further needs on an unconscious level allowing him increased pain threshold, controlling his own vital signs and even understand the Taelon language. He later forced a Human doctor who specialized in CVI implantation to alter his own in order to allow him to make use of a Skrill implant. (Episode: Avatar) The Liberation movement managed to get a sample of the cyber virus which they re-engineered with its motivational programming removed allowing the agent to possess freedom of thought. However, they were unusure if the reprogramming was successful and thus tested it on their newly recruited agent William Boone who had been selected as Protector for Da'an. (Episode: Decision) Ronald Sandoval later taught Boone about the benefits of the cyber virus and how one controlled it in time. (Episode: Truth) However, he later faced a breakdown in his CVI which made him more violent to the Companions and removed his motivational imperative to them until a new implant could be delivered into his brain. (Episode: Sandoval's Run) Siobhan Beckett's CVI was reprogrammed by the Liberation movement in order to prevent her from remembering the resistance headquarters or the fact that she gave birth to the Human-Kimera hybrid known as Liam Kincaid. (Episode: The First of its Kind)
|
![[RDF Data]](/fct/images/sw-rdf-blue.png)