The p-com, short for personal communicator, is a rugged, radio-based communication device used extensively across the Compact—particularly in remote or hostile environments where wrist chip coverage is unreliable or unavailable. While many modern functions have migrated to nanite-enhanced wrist systems, the p-com remains essential for military, exploratory, and resistance operations.
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- Form Factors and Use Cases
- Military & Law Enforcement:
Standard issue is typically a shoulder-mounted rig, often integrated into armor or tactical gear. These units include voice-activated controls, encrypted transmission, and direct uplink to command systems. Operators may use an earbud/microphone combination or bone conduction headset. - Pilots:
Pilots and shuttle crews often rely on headset-based systems, either wireless or connected by cable to cockpit systems. These setups prioritize clarity over range and integrate with onboard telemetry and navigation. - Civilians:
Civilian models include tablet-style devices and handheld “telephone” formats. These versions are commonly used on less developed worlds or by those in rural zones where wrist chip coverage is limited or absent. Some models serve as both communication tools and compact general-purpose computers.
Design and Capabilities:
A p-com is typically a palm-sized to tablet-sized device, hardened against the elements and electromagnetic interference. It offers:- Radio-based secure communication
- Terrain mapping and navigation
- Environmental diagnostics
- Short-range drone or vehicle interface
- File storage and retrieval
- Biometric scan capability
- Satellite uplink and downlink access
- Operational Range:
Unlike wrist chips, which rely on local mesh networks or infrastructure similar to cellular towers, the p-com operates independently. It can:- Interface directly with small spacecraft, shuttles, or aircraft
- Access planetary satellite networks
- Bounce signals off orbiting relays or large transport vessels
- Field Usage:
P-coms are standard-issue for military personnel, first responders, colonists, and field researchers. On worlds like Amargosa—especially during the Occupation of Amargosa—resistance groups and isolated survivors relied heavily on p-coms to maintain contact, coordinate operations, and monitor enemy movement when wrist chip networks were compromised or jammed. - Integration and Redundancy:
Though technologically older than wrist chips and nano-tattoos, p-coms are often used in tandem with them, providing a critical fallback system. They can also sync with wrist chips to access personal profiles or health diagnostics if local infrastructure supports it. - In-Universe Comparison:
If the wrist chip is a futuristic cellular device reliant on infrastructure, the p-com is its military-grade radio cousin—less elegant, but far more dependable in the field.