Pax Stellar and Nanotechnology Thoughts

I am expanding out the Pax Stellar world book (see previous blog for the WIP). And while walking around the lake at lunch today, thought of some things I want to consider. And figured I had better write them down somewhere before I forget!

So, a few points about the PS system:

• post-apocalyptic world - almost utopia 3000+ years ago
• very high tech in terms of medical, robotic and computer systems
• so-so in terms of other technologies (no jump technology)
• currently considered TL-0 despite having mechanical life
• the mechanical life is really alive in some sense: they can think, procreate
• the worlds are saturated with nanotech - everything has them: air, water, foods
• the nanotech cannot survive off-world EXCEPT for those humans born and raised there (barbarians in Traveller)
• there are several AIs still present that have as-yet-to-be-defined powers
• natives may be able to communicate with the mechanical life via the nanotech - think built-in bluetooth basically
• the Imperium is unable to replicate this technology or even reverse engineer it despite almost 200 years of trying
• the nanotech breaks down all non-native technology - several Scout ships are now just bulkheads
• time to break down is 2-12 hours (coincidence :) ) So a ship can come, drop off stuff, and leave. Once outside of the atmosphere, the nano-machines appear to basically shut down

Some game things I think we could do:

• if the players can convince an AI, they may be able to get their own custom nano-machines.
• these custom machines could allow for communication between those characters that have this
• expand out the ship's computer - AI? 
• allow characters to talk with the ship
• these nano-machines would be custom to each character - maybe a table of possible side-effects? I.e., a strong desire to return every few months for a "data dump". The AIs may be considering expanding beyond these 3 systems (Virus precursor? would this protect against that? Not that I ever played that particular version)
• this is borderline psionic, just more mechanical in nature. will there be a stigma to this? Will the characters, if strongly Imperial-indoctrinated, not want to do this?
• could the characters get their own "pets" to go out amongst the stars?
• a lot of this tech is definitely not how the Imperium likes things to be...

Some possible negative affects if they do this:

• mental or physical changes: the shakes due to a mismatch? IQ degradation?
• imprisoned by the Imperial forces or at least chased by them to get at the technology if they find out?
• an irrestable urge to return to the planet every so often so that the nano-machines can share data about the Imperium?
• a negative effect on the ship? would jump space affect the nano-machines? kill them?
• evil ship AI takes over?
• the nano-machines "evolve" away from the system? Cyborg?

Some possible positive benefits:

• instant communication 
• improved physical or mental attributes
• improved healing (these did start as medical nano-machines)
• a happy ship helping the characters - more automated systems

(image from http://dsiglobalview.com/the-technological-singularity/nano-machine/