Names, outcomes, and discoveries from later histories are concealed in spoiler-light mode.
Cylli's hull is composed of coordinated nanomachines that absorb solar energy or reflect incoming energy. The machines can learn and adapt their collective response.
Also recorded as: Cylli's hull, Hull nanomachines
Exploited limit
Brookes reasoned that the machines' motion caused heat and that excessive speed would melt the hull. His rapidly changing beam frequency exploited the limit on their movement, allowing his mirror attack to breach the cylinder.[1]
Learning defense
During the final attack, Cylli used only a fraction of the machines to absorb, store, and return energy. She concentrated the beam back at Hawk. Echo later said Cylli had permitted the original breach as part of preventing far larger casualties on Earth.[3]
Related records
Sources
Simon Evans, The Flaxen Tyranny, first edition (2023). Page numbers refer to the printed pagination of the source edition.
- Chapter 29 · pp. 241–242
- Chapter 37 · pp. 306
- Chapter 37 · pp. 313