Naasirka: Vilani megacorporation of uncertain lineage. It was in

business prior to the founding of the Sylean Federation. The Naasirka

commercial empire has always sought out new fields to expand into.

      Naasirka specializes in manufacturing complex electronic devices. These

include robots, computers, and information storage and processing equipment.

It is the largest supplier of communication equipment to the IISS's Xboat

branch.

      Interest: Information retrieval hardware and software, robots,

electronics.

      Robots: Naasirka is the largest robot manufacturer in the Imperium. Its

robots rarely use innovative technology, but their aggressive marketing staff

has placed more robots than either Makhidkarun or LSP.

      Old Naasirka introduced the Rashush line of robots, the first non-

military line, 200 years after the Rule of Man was established. It is still

marketed today. Naasirka retails a standard model tech level 15 servant robot

with an intelligence of 5 and an education of 1 for cr77,500. Its useful life

(at TL 15) is 85 years.

      Home Port: Tauri (Vland 1817). Transportation operations are

concentrated in the Imperium's rimward areas.

      Stock ownership: Igsiirdi family, 13%; Imperial family, 5%; Noble

families, 23%; Hortalez et Cie, 11%; Other corporations, 14%; Investment

trusts, 24%; Private, 11%.



      Naasirka Endowment: A high tech scientific establishment which combines

hands-on research with educational internships. Areas of interest include

computer hardware and software. Although the administrative offices are on

Vland, internships are sponsored throughout the Imperium.



      Neanimorphic: looking younger than one's years.



      Neural Activity Sensor: remotely detects the electrical activity of a

lifeform's central nervous system and classifies it by amount and complexity.

Developed from tech level 12 psionic helmet theory.



      Neural Analyzer: Device that remotely senses the electrical activity of

a life form's central nervous system, analyzes it according to complexity and

activity, and compares it to recorded life forms, especially sophonts.



      Neutron star: A stable, cold star, supported by the exclusion principle

repulsion between neutrons.



      Ninja: A samurai who has mastered the art of making himself invisible

through some artifice and is chiefly engaged in espionage. Reputed to be able

to walk on water, the figure has connotations of super-human powers.



      Noore, Colonel Meke: Commander of the last installation on Sketola to be

overwhelmed by the rebel forces initiating the Civil War of the Interstellar

Confederacy (-239, Core sector). His book Principles of Defensive Warfare is

still required reading at many Imperial military academies.



      Norris Aella Aledon: Archduke of Deneb, conquering hero of the Fifth

Frontier War. His full title is Duke Commander Sir Norris, of Regina, Count

Aledon, Marquis of Regina, Baron Yori.



                  Nova: An explosion on a star's surface. Novae generally occur in binary

systems, where one star is a white dwarf. Nova recur at irregular intervals as

material accumulates on the white dwarf's surface until a critical mass is

achieved.



      Nuclear Damper: Project a series of nodes and anti-nodes where the

strong nuclear force is enhanced or degraded. Ships use them to suppress the

strong nuclear force, making atomic nuclei shed neutrons at low energies and

rendering fission warheads useless. Dampers must be focused on incoming

nuclear missiles, and depend on integral fire control system for efficiency.

      Damper units create an interference field that manipulates the strong

nuclear force. Focusing a negative node on incoming nuclear warheads lowers

the potential barriers around nuclei; the warhead sheds electrons at very low

energies and is rendered harmless after a short exposure.

      Damper boxes focus a positive node on their contents, raising the

potential barrier and preventing nuclear decay.