Codex on Element Zero...
Element Zero (
Atomic Number 0,
Chemical Symbol Ez), also known as 'eezo', is a rare material that, when subjected to an electrical current, releases
dark energy which can be manipulated into a
mass effect field,
HOW?
raising or lowering the mass of all objects within that field. A
positive current increases mass, a negative current decreases it.
WHY?
This 'mass effect' is used in countless ways, from generating artificial
gravity to manufacturing high-strength construction materials. It is
most prominently used to enable
faster-than-light space travel without causing
time dilation. When
humans discovered the
Prothean ruins on
Mars,
they also discovered refined element zero that the Protheans had left
behind. It enabled research into FTL ship drives before the
Charon Relay was discovered.
Eezo is generated when solid matter, such as a
planet,
is affected by the energy of a star going supernova.
HOW AND WHY?
The material is
common in the asteroid debris that orbits neutron stars and pulsars.
These are dangerous places to mine, requiring extensive use of robotics,
telepresence, and shielding to survive the intense radiation from the
dead star. Only a few major
corporations can afford the set-up costs required to work these primary sources.
Some planets have small eezo deposits or coalesced around a larger
deposit during their formation. While these secondary sources are safer
to mine, the yield from the ore is not as large. There are rumours that
the
Nemean Abyss has particularly rich eezo deposits.
Dust-form element zero is often released after engine accidents.
It is used by many species to influence or strengthen the presence of
biotics. If a child is exposed to dust-form element zero in utero, due to its
mutagenic effects, there is a small chance they can develop eezo nodules
throughout their nervous system that react to electrical stimuli from
the brain. This allows them to use biotic abilities, but many exposures
have no effect, or result in terminal cancer. There is some question
about just how 'accidental' some of those initial exposures were, after
the link between eezo and biotics was established.
Element zero forms the basis of many advanced medicines throughout
Citadel space. The biotic drug '
red sand'
allegedly has element zero as its base — according to urban legend, it
was created by criminal triads on Mars from the eezo samples recovered
there. The
SSV Normandy's massive Tantalus drive core cost 120 billion
credits because of the amount of element zero needed to power the stealth system.
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Just because it has a codex entry dousn't mean it isn't space magic.
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