Intergalactic Summit

Greetings once again, New Eden.

This is an analysis of the Tyrannos forces' enigmatic and potent superweapon, which has, as of late, been dubbed "Aegis" by myself and a number of other analysts due to its coincidental similarity to a certain tool (serving as a shield, weapon, or possibly both) from an old story.

The weapon serves as a responsive defense system, rather than an aggressively utilized weapon. It has two components to it: the protective shroud it grants the Drifter Battleship, and the retaliatory beam fired off once the defensive layer has been penetrated.

---

The Aegis's defensive layer functions as just that; it is a distortive, high-energy field that shifts space along the surface of the ship's hull, providing a sturdy defense against attackers. Interestingly enough, judging by the normal shield layer not appearing beneath the stripped Aegis shroud, and the fact that it is directly layered on the hull (as opposed to conventional shields, which are emitted around and off the surface of the hull), the ship's actual shield is offline when this system is active, meaning that the Aegis strongly interferes with shield emission.

Once stripped of the shroud, the more recognizable shield systems come online, the emission burst the shroud emits upon being breached breaks all target locks on the ship momentarily, and the Aegis's second function, the retaliatory superweapon-like beam, is unleashed on whoever depleted the most of the layer.

---

The beam function of the Aegis operates with the same mechanics the shroud function uses, albeit in a focused and directed form, using all available power from whatever mysterious source the Aegis draws the shroud's from at once. The result is a destructive blast of compressed space, which is concentrated on its user's surface, directed at the unfortunate target, and decompressed continuously and violently along its path. The rapid expansion and consequent shearing of space releases a deadly blend of energy reaching beyond the scope of the traditionally recognized damage spectrum, which is recognized by the ship's systems as a strike consisting evenly of damage of all four types.

Whatever fuels the Aegis is seemingly depleted upon use of the beam function, leaving the user without it for a considerable amount of time while it is replenished. Though no source has been identified, theories abound about what it may be; some suggest that the same engine used to power the Drifters' propulsion rods, while others yet point to the rare and dangerous material "Isogen-V" as a possible fuel. Until confirmation is made, no answer can be definitively made.

The amount of energy observed being utilized by the Aegis, and its function, especially at the size of ship is is linked to, has been deemed impossible to replicate with our current level of technology; as time passes, I deeply hope that we may ourselves find what makes this powerful tool work.

...

The last observation I will share is the curious similarity in appearance and observed power the Aegis has to the enigmatic superweapon of the Jove Directorate, used during the battle of Vak'Atioth against the advancing Amarr Empire. Observing their origins, the similarity seems to be more than mere coincidence.

As observation and analysis continues, further information will doubtless be revealed: until then, we will persevere.

Remain vigilant, pilots.
-Uriel Paradisi Anteovnuecci, Archivist & Emergent Event Analyst at [JLAB]

I apologize, but you seem to be confusing two quite different tools:

The "Terran Superweapon", as the strange and terrifying weapon used by Amarr Empress Jamyl Sarum during her return is often called, is distinctively different from the Jove Superweapon used against the Amarr at the battle of Vak'Atioth long ago.

The Jove weapon was only observed on one occasion: that battle. During the fight, the weapon, wielded by the Jove mothership present, was directed at specific ships, which were promptly ripped to pieces by its immense power.

While I seek to understand both of these tools, they remain very distinct.

Frankly, I only say it because it remains the popular name for the mysterious weapon, despite having no evidence for it. "Terrans" are the hypothetical race that are sometimes though to have constructed the EVE Gate: it is rumored that the weapon is somehow related to them. However, we have no evidence of any such thing.

Personally, I prefer to refer to it as "Empress Sarum's Superweapon".

I think that may be the case; I only wanted to highlight the visual similarity and the fact that the two weapons come from sources that are not far apart, as it seems.

Neither do I, and all these 'Terran' myths and rumours are starting to get on my nerves.

As for the "Amarr Superweaon" - I believe that would be an Avatar class mounted Judgment.
"Empress Sarum's Superweapon" - Too long and not catchy.

It would be only logical to assume, that the Mothership would have had more powerful reactors and could have fired the beam in rapid succession because of that. Also it has been over a hundred years since Vak'atioth, it would be foolish to think that the system couldn't have been repurposed and refined between then and now - it might have not incorporated a defensive layer back then, assuming the system is indeed the same.

I am under the impression that the Drifter battleships can use the superweapon without activating the defensive layer again - thus, it would make sense that it can be used offensively once the defence layer is gone. As to why they cannot use it without the loss of the layer, well, I don't rightly know, but one guess could be that it is somehow hard-coded to the system that controls it - again, why, that's anyone's guess.

Well, that's my 0.02 ISK to the discussion at least.

That would also make sense, and it dawned on me that the defence screen or "super shield" as some have called it, could simply be just that, a separate system that also prevents the use of any weapons under its envelope, and this is also why the Lux Kontos use the peculiar hovering system: they are not protected or blanketed by the screen and can fire freely.