The Tech: A Chronological History

Pre-Sundering Era: The Colonial Hazard Shell The item now commonly known as "The Tech" originated as the Colonial Hazard Shell, designed by an unrecorded pre-Sundering civilian research group. This innovative vest was never intended for direct combat, but rather as a vital survival tool. Its primary purpose was to safeguard terraformers and miners from sudden pressure drops and falling ice, common hazards in the volatile outer colonies of the Spiral.

Post-Sundering Era: Rediscovery and Rebranding Following the catastrophic event known as the Sundering, the blueprints for the Colonial Hazard Shell lay dormant until their rediscovery. Trade Constellation salvagers unearthed the plans from a forgotten databank, immediately recognizing their latent potential. They saw an opportunity for a cost-effective, readily available deterrent against kinetic weaponry for the broader market.

Thus, the Colonial Hazard Shell was rebranded and introduced as the "Mortal Veil." Its straightforward design and protective capabilities quickly made it a staple across Sector 36. Merchant marines and low-level mercenaries, unable to afford the exorbitant cost of powered armor, particularly favored the Mortal Veil for its reliability and accessibility.

Recent Developments: The Jailbroken Module In recent times, the organization known as The Mortal Veil has begun circulating modified versions of the chest module. These "jailbroken" modules override the vest's inherent safety limiters, unlocking a new, unsanctioned capability: scrambling local scanning frequencies. This covert feature has proven immensely useful for those seeking to evade detection.

The Red Sun Dominion, however, actively works to suppress the distribution and use of these modified modules. Despite their efforts, the jailbroken Mortal Veil continues to find its way into the hands of those operating in the fringes. Today, the Mortal Veil remains a mass-produced item, widely distributed across various trade hubs throughout the galaxy.