Chronometronome

The S'aue lack flesh and blood, so they also naturally lack vasculature and a heart. These are instead replaced with a network of hydraulic tubes and pressure regulators and this whole system is kept in tune, so to speak, via a central and very vital component known as the Chronometronome.

Origins

Being absolutely necessary to the functionality of the S'aue, it is clear that they themselves could not have created that which they need to live. Indeed, the Chronometronome was devised by the Cerebral that originally came up with the first drafts of the S'aue.

Its design, along with the design of every other component needed to create S'aue, was plundered from the ruins of the Logicians' empire after its fall at the hands of the S'aue. These designs were found and confiscated by Mykros, who would go on to create the first free S'aue in her workshop, Genesis Engines.

Construction & Function

The Chronometronome is a small device that is mounted in the chest cavity of all newly constructed S'aue, and is set to the specific amount of beats per minute required for the optimal performance of their hydraulics, which are in turn tuned to pressurize and de-pressurize in synchronizity with the clicking of the Chronometronome. This delicate balance maintains the proper function of a S'aue individual and ensures sufficient circulation of oil within their system.

The device itself is small and spherical to facilitate easy install into a variety of different types of chassis and to take up as little space from other components as possible. It is fastened to surrounding architecture with four specialized piston-like bolts, one for each cardinal direction, to secure it in place and allow for some movement and shock absorption.

Due to the Chronometronome, the S'aue possess a similar indicator of vital signs as humans and Arachnitha do with their hearts, as the clicking of the device can be faintly heard if one focuses to listen. Additionally, the cyclic pressurization of the hydraulic tubing that runs through their whole system could be likened to a pulse and, like a pulse, it can be felt by pressing one's fingers firmly against one of these tubes.

Iteration

The Chronometronomes installed into the S'aue of today differ markedly from those first drafts that were pilfered from the Logicians. The spherical shape, for one, was not the original intention for the component and it was more triangular in those original blueprints.

This change was made after it was discovered that an object with sharp edges has more potential to damage the surrounding components should the chronometronome come loose in the event of a hard enough impact.

It was also never intended to produce an audible clicking sound, which was deemed important due to it being an easy and reliable way to gauge the functionality of the component.

If it does not produce sound, it means that the Chronometronome is either damaged or completely non-functional, which is a medical emergency. Thanks to the clicking or lack thereof, anyone, not only engineers and tinkerers, can tell if a S'aue is seriously injured.

I know you do not call it a heart, but whatever it is in your chest that produces that calming ticking, I am glad it is there.

I am glad you are here.

–A human to his S'aue lover

Related Species

• S'aue

by Midjourney

_{A deactivated chassis exhibition in Genesis Engines, showing the Chronometronome in the chest cavity.}