Whip-hounds
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Whip-hounds are fictional multi-function weapons carried by the nominal police force Panoply as mentioned in the 2007 novel The Prefect by Alastair Reynolds. It is essentially a semi-autonomous fully-mobile cutting tool that reacts to verbal commands given to it by its user. Three types of hound are mentioned in the novel, namely A, B and C types, increasing intelligence and functionality.
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[edit] Background
Panoply is stated as being an enforcement organisation within the Glitter Band of orbital habitats that surround the planet Yellowstone in the Epsilon Eridani system. This system forms the central focus of many of the Revelation Space novels. Panoply is solely tasked with ensuring that the democratic process remains unobstructed and uncorrupted for all the citizens of the Band. But in creating Panoply, the citizens of the Band did not empower them to carry any weaponry beyond Whip-hounds (except when given explicit permission by the citizenry after a system-wide poll). This was to ensure that Panoply did not become overly powerful as a police force.
[edit] Functionality
Whip-hounds in their inactive state are small metal cylinders. When activated they extend a long metal whip which can be made rigid in order to use as a sword. The whip has an active cutting edge which, when fully powered, can cut through most solid matter. When not rigid, the whip is used as a means of propulsion for the hound, enabling it to slither in a similar manner to snakes, but it is capable of moving in this manner at blindingly fast speeds when needed. In this mode, the handle becoms a nominal "head" for the hound. The head contains sensors enabling the hound to target individuals.
The hound is powered by a miniature anti-matter reactor, which may be set to self-destruct in times of dire emergency. This self-destruct sequence is controlled by dials on the side of the handle, enabling the user to set the time-delay and yield (up to a maximum of 1.2 kilotonnes). Once the countdown has been started, it may be revoked by a verbal command of the user.
[edit] Operation
Whip-hounds are controlled through verbal commands issued by their users. These commands include designating targets, monitoring for any hostile actions from designated targets, patrolling, scouting, restraint or elimination of hostiles. The novel states that Whip-hounds are extremely sensitive to detecting hostile intent in their targets. They have such a reputation for doing so that the activation of a hound will cause the targeted individual to stand frozen to the spot for fear of setting off the hound.
The limited intelligence of the hound enables it to respond to basic questions through the nodding or shaking of its "head". It is also capable of temporarily "playing dead" if it will help the tactical situation.
[edit] Sources
The Prefect, Alastair Reynolds, Gollancz 2007, ISBN 0-575-07716-6
