Vertex/Alert Mode

Alert mode is an operational posture in the Vertex Network. Vertex units will enter Alert Mode when the Network is under direct, active threat. This is distinguished by all of the LED lights on their chassis changing from cyan to red. Likewise, the lights on surrounding infrastructure will also change to red. With their unified design language extending to the planetary scale, it is possible to witness entire Vertex worlds change their operational posture.

Alert activation may be localised to all assets in a specific area (units and infrastructure) or it may be network-wide. The Vertex Network cautions all foreign sapient personnel to immediately leave the area in the event of an activation, as network security must take priority and personal safety can no longer be guaranteed; less sapients also means less complex IFF calculations, allowing for greater combat efficiency.

Conditions

While entering Alert Mode is usually a collective Network decision (over a localised or wider area) isolated units also have the freedom to enter or exit the mode freely, for example, in response to a singular threat. Causing physical damage to a unit such that a forcefield breach occurs and its perimeter tamper detection system flags a compromise may also cause it to enter Alert Mode automatically. In such a situation Alert Mode is triggered “under distress”, which triggers nearby units and Network assets to also enter Alert Mode and assist.

Results

Alert mode imparts cognitive changes to Vertex units, in order to optimise for combat and operational efficiency over socialisation and diplomacy. Communication becomes terse, and they also act far more aggressively towards hostile parties. Units in Alert Mode will usually overtly deploy normally-concealed weapon systems.