An early Hermes device prototype.
Object Number 99 - "Brain-based Level Transporter"
Code-Name "Hermes"
Description:
The Hermes device, named after the Greek god Hermes, a fleet footed emissary of the Pantheon. It is a powerful device designed for effective and fast transportation across levels. Currently manufactured only by U.E.C., the device uses ethically questionable methods and components in order to function. Knowledge on how the device functions and how to construct it has been withheld in order to maintain safety and security amongst the factions and people.
A Hermes device works like so: A human brain (or animal brain - citation needed), is submerged in a highly potent bath of Memory Juice. The Memory Juice also contains a melted level key. The current theory as to how the Hermes device works is that it induces dreaming within the brain about varying levels of the Backrooms across a range within the user's position. Eg, if the user's current level is 56, the Hermes device dreams about the levels 6-106. In this scenario, the brain used had a range of 100 levels. Different brains vary in ranges, and also in their responses to pain. Mixing Liquid Pain within the liquid bath can be used to regulate the range by either widening it or shrinking it depending on the brain's reaction to pain. Once an electrical current is applied to the bath, presumably with prongs, transportation occurs. Every time transportation occurs, the brain within the Hermes device degrades slightly. Eventually, the brain will degrade to a point where it is no longer possible to use the Hermes device without replacing the brain.
A single Hermes device has the capability to transport up to 150 kilograms before failing to function, or worse, transporting only a portion.
Uses:
The Hermes device has a wide array of applications including: Effective escape measures in the form of 'jumps', eg. Using a brain with a small transportation range in order to only transport yourself one or two levels away as to escape a sticky situation.
The Hermes device can also be used for long range level traversal, crossing dozens of levels in only a few days. The Hermes device is a powerful tool for any person in the Backrooms, although the ethical issues of harvesting human brains remains a large factor in preventing the blueprints and early prototypes of the Hermes device captured by M.E.G. operatives from being released to the public.
Anyone in possession of a Hermes device is near impossible to track down due to these advanced capabilities, and attempts by the M.E.G. to capture those who do have Hermes devices have so far failed.
Notable groups currently in possession of Hermes devices are as follows:
The U.E.C. - The creators of the Hermes device; a dangerous small splinter faction of rogue M.E.G. scientists developing tech utilising the strange quirks of the Backrooms. Currently wanted by M.E.G.
The M.E.G. - The M.E.G. has collected several unfinished blueprints and an early prototype of a Hermes device during a raid on The U.E.C., prior to their escape with completed Hermes devices and other illegal research as well as multiple rare resources.
