Plasma shields

A plasma shield is made up of a few components. 1. a sensor to detect incoming projectiles 2. a computer to predict the speed and trajectory of projectiles 3. a powerful Lera drive
A bullet is fired, as it approached the device the sensor detects it, and sends data (Mass,Size,Speed,trajectory,Type) to the computer, which predicts when the projectile will come into a certain range. When the bullet enters that range, the lera drive comresses and heats an area of the atmosphere in front of the bullet to superheated plasma, which melts the bullet. So long as the computers timing is perfect, the bullet will be vaporised, and the plasma will have dissipated mere microseconds afterwards. Any particles or unmelted pieces of the bullet are slow enough after hitting the plasma to be caught by a lower energy lera field, which stops them hitting the hull.
In appearance, the plasma shield looks like a geometric flash of light. Usually hexagonal, this is because the shield has a set distance, and a set size each node can manipulate.