Diversified Energy Manipulator [DEM] The Diversified Energy Manipulator(DEM) array is the centerpiece of the offensive, defensive, and sensory systems of Freedom-class LONAC vessels. The DEM is mounted in the nose section of Freedom-class vessels and utilizes space on decks 15 through 20. Directly fed by the ship's matter/anti-matter reactor, the DEM is perfectly suited for it's task of energy manipulation. The DEM houses a large percentage of the ship's active sensory equipment, allowing for powerful long-range or broad-band scans. A related function is it's usage as a high-power broadcast antenna, allowing for communications, even in the most inclement of astral conditions. It's most often used function, however, is that of a weapon. The DEM is often useful in navigational hazards, such as asteroid fields, for clearing the path ahead of the ship. More often though, the DEM is used offensively. This offensive mode, nicknamed the "DEM Cannon" is a very powerful, forward-firing, quantum distortion cannon. Tied in with the ship's space-fold engines, the DEM Cannon causes rapid pulses of spatial compression and expansion. The resulting physical stresses typically cause anything from intense damage to total vaporization, depending on the power setting, within a fraction of a second. Since the power/effectiveness ratio is relatively low, recharge times are minimal, allowing for multiple firings with only small amounts of lag time. Submitted by Jeff Tindall