Blinding Stone

The Blinding Stone is an exceptionally rare S-ranked power gem that conceals vehicles or mechas from sight and technological detection. The name refers to a class of gems rather than a unique specimen: more than one is placed in service during the covert campaigns supported by Lan Jue and Lan Qing.

History

Tournament prize and first installation

Lan Jue receives a Blinding Stone as the champion’s prize at the Great Adept Tournament. It is described as the third-rarest known power gem, with only a handful ever discovered. When supplied with energy it defeats current technological detection, though a Paragon can perceive the cloak through the reflection of a Domain. The awarded specimen is initially said to be too small to hide an entire ship and suitable for Thor, but it is subsequently incorporated into the upgraded Zeus-1. (Chapters 485, 490, 495)

Covert operations with multiple stones

Another Blinding Stone is obtained for Majesty, allowing the two small ships to move like shadows. Their concealment makes planetary approach, reconnaissance, and surprise operations possible, particularly when crews shut down nonessential systems to reduce their energy signature. The stones are not universal protection: an electromagnetic defense field can reveal an infiltrator after atmospheric entry, so mission plans still depend on distance, route, and careful system use. (Chapters 536, 539, 549, 557–558)

Adaptation against the aliens

Alien forces identify life through psionic pulses, which bypass a Blinding Stone at close range. Human teams therefore combine the gem with psychic masking and maintain distance whenever possible. Lan Jue also transfers or fits a stone into Thor’s focal pool, where concealing a mecha is easier than concealing a ship, although Thor’s own blaze of energy can overwhelm the effect. Other specimens are installed in a verticar and used again aboard Zeus-1 during rescue and counteroffensive missions. The last recorded deployment has Zeus-1 reengage its stone while withdrawing from an enemy search. (Chapters 671–676, 724–725, 743–745, 778–781, 806)

Abilities and properties

• When energized, a Blinding Stone conceals its host from ordinary sight and contemporary technological detection. (Chapter 485)
• Its effect can cover a small surrounding area, allowing people immediately outside a fitted vehicle to remain concealed. (Chapter 744)
• Smaller hosts are easier to hide, while nonessential systems may be shut down to reduce the signature of a ship. (Chapters 539, 724)
• A Paragon’s Domain can perceive the cloak, electromagnetic defenses can compromise it in atmosphere, and alien psionic detection defeats it at close range. (Chapters 485, 558, 671)
• Psychic masking supplements the gem but requires sustained effort and cannot be maintained indefinitely. (Chapters 676, 692)

Ownership and custody