Nerve stapling is a common term for a medical procedure that uses the eponymous nerve stapler: A device originally designed for psychotherapy, but often applied on both Earth and Chiron to deal with social dissension. When strapped to a patient's head and upper back, the nerve stapler extrudes hair-fine probes into his brain and spinal column. A psychotherapist can then use the device to inflict extreme sensations (not necessarily pain) on the patient, subjecting him to a rapid course of psychological conditioning. Unless possessed of exceptional will, the subject will usually succumb and become a calm and loyal member of society.[1]
Lore[]
The neurological procedure is designed to make any subject a calm and loyal member of society. The ability to maintain a distinct self-image is significantly decreased, and they have difficulty placing their own interests ahead of those of the group. Nerve-stapled citizens are also emotionally detached, unable to feel anger or other strong emotions. Unfortunately, this comes at the cost of much of their creative intelligence, and they are only able to perform well at tasks that are thoroughly familiar to them.[1]
Nerve stapling is usually only inflicted upon the citizens of police states, where the procedure is used to quell unrest. Since the procedure has a drastic effect on the subject's ability to innovate, most faction leaders are reluctant to use it for fear of losing their technological edge. The procedure wears off, but slowly. Without treatment to reverse the procedure, a nerve-stapled citizen might require several years to recover his natural psychological balance.[1]
Gameplay effects[]
Nerve Stapling serves as a means to instantly end drone riots at the specific base where the stapling occurred, and prevents further riots for 10 years. Such an action is condemned by the Charter, and will result in 10 years of economic sanctions. Stapled drones become less loyal, more vulnerable to probe team attacks, and more likely to outright rebel and join another faction. If you staple a base too frequently, you will cease to have any effect on your rebellious drones.
Note that a conquered base will still consider itself as having civilians of the defeated faction; pay attention to the base's graphic on the map. If the base's graphic has not yet converted to that of your faction, then the base will be considered occupied by your government but having citizens of the previous owner. If you nerve staple this base, the faction whose civilians you are nerve stapling will consider it as an atrocity against their faction.