Environmental Protection Suit
The environmental protection suit (EPS) is a miniaturized version of Battle Armor dyed or painted bright Ṣef̂ǒl yellow, a color that the blue/yellow seeing Stenza can easily pick out of a host of environments. The EPS is worn by pups and young children whenever they might be entering an environment that is drastically different from Mudewei, such as an alien planet (or into a field of battle, which is very rare as a risk but not one the Stenza take for granted).
The EPS has a variant design for the particularly troublesome and twitchy of temperament, as well as for the very young in unexpected travel conditions (any circumstance which is not migration), which is, broadly, a bright yellow rectangular bag with a helmet and some other attached gear such as a Cooling Unit. The bag has reduced freedom of movement but is an excellent stop-gap solution for protecting pups in a hurry.
Manufacturing process
The Automated Mesh Weaving Machine is never used on pups directly, but instead on dummies approximating average pup sizes. (It should be noted that young children outfitted with an EPS are trusted to be able to stand still, with adult supervision.) These woven base garments rarely fit a pup perfectly, but are considered the best possible option given the circumstances. The garment is then dyed with Ṣef̂ǒl pigment until it is bright yellow.
The mineral plate components, including the mask, are grown into specific molds and also painted or tinted Ṣef̂ǒl yellow once they are ready. Fewer mineral components are manufactured compared to adult Battle Armor, and the entire coiled underlayer is omitted for the EPS. Both of these changes are geared toward increased flexibility while ensuring that key areas like the torso and head are protected should anything happen.
Significance
The EPS is a strictly practical garment, granting pups visibility and protection in otherwise chaotic and dangerous environments, but its use of bright yellow pigment is in line with how the dye is used to mark the uniforms of medical doctors, weapons technicians, and other professions requiring people to be easily recognized. Therefore, while pups roaming about a ship traveling through space, or a settlement on Mudewei, need not be protected by an EPS, the EPS is required for unknown environments, environments known to run dangerously hot, or other dangerous situations.
Item type
Armor
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Manufacturer
Related Technologies
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Rarity
Spare environmental protection suits can be found on any ship where pups are expected to sneak aboard (which is to say, any ship), as well as in many homes. The difficulties that come with suiting pups up, or finding them to begin with, are considered an attendant nuisance of space travel and interplanetary affairs, and a necessary step before pups are allowed to go anywhere without climate control (such as the surface of an alien planet).
Raw materials & Components
The base layer of Insulating Mesh is a woven textile, and unlike armor, the coiled layer is neglected entirely. However, reinforced mineral-based plates are still used, especially to protect vital areas such as the torso and head. Lastly, a cooling unit is always attached to the suit to assist in body temperature regulation.
On one hand: Aaaaawwww <3 On the other hand: Nooo no pups on the battlefield D: I really like the concept (and the mention that they cannot use automated meshing machines on the pups, I assume because they cannot keep themselves quiet) What happens if an enemy spots a child or pup with these outfits on the battlefield?
It's one of those things that could happen and does happen rarely. Pups absolutely cannot sit still, which is crucial to a successful weaving machine experience. I've thought very briefly about that, and my thoughts are quite dark... I suspect the vengeance will be swift, is my initial reaction to the question.