The Reflective Nanite Defense System is a defense technology of the Malverand Intergalactic Empire, explored as a possible counter to the Spiral Mandate. Its devices can be assigned to defense and research.
Operation
Reflective nanites let the empire copy and alter ancient magic. Devices can carry versions of spells and follow programmed directives. The system's classifications include divine and cosmic classes.
At Zarephon, Mike sent a morphing black unit through the breach. It was designed to reassemble on the other side and protect the breach. The unit had latent intelligence and could imitate creatures to remain unnoticed. This particular unit repelled essence and was designed to collapse if infected, preventing it from going berserk.
Experiments
Mike launched three black devices toward Vespera from a ship's rail system, intending one for the surface. Their directives were overridden to focus on defense and research. He hoped they might evolve, but their behavior and ability to make contact remained uncertain. Eliona and Azarion were later assigned to locate the deployed boxes.
Thalena's account
In Thalena's Shores of Eternity, the system remained incompletely calibrated to ship material salvaged after the Proxion attack. The empire was testing how to integrate that material into fleet sensors, autotargeting systems and nanite defenses, with no conclusive results.