Nicoll-Dyson Beam

A Nicoll-Dyson Beam is a hypothetical superweapon utilising the power of a Dyson Swarm to create an extremely powerful laser, theoretically capable of destroying an entire planet. Such weapons have been a major concern for the United Leagues of Earth ever since the rise of powerful nomad groups in the 24th Century, that could in theory create such a weapon without the ULE's knowldge. Since a Nicoll-Dyson Beam could be fired through a wormhole via jump drive, it would be possible to threaten any known planet with one, without overcoming conventional defences.   To reduce the risk of such an existential threat, the ULE routinely takes measures to prevent the construction of unsupervised dyson swarms. The Stellar Exploration Initiative is frequently tasked with surveying nomad space for signs of dyson swarm construction, and the ULE has twice intervened directly to prevent states in the Outer Systems from gaining control of dyson swarms. During the Luax Crisis, the ULE mediated a settlement to prevent any of the region's powers from gaining control of the Cage of Luax. It also intervened directly to overthrow the Tavastian government in the Tavastian Emergency, partially due to reports of their constructing a Nicoll-Dyson Beam, which later turned out to be false.   In the event of an unknown wormhole of sufficient size beginning to form in any part of ULE space with a habitable world or major habitat, the ULEN is to deploy a jump-capable ship to its location. The ship is then to create and maintain another wormhole opposite the unknown one, in order to redirect anything emerging from it into deep space. This strategy can counteract Nicoll-Dyson Beams, relativistic superweaons, and other weapons of mass destruction, but can be easily evaded by mobile spacecraft, and is thus not useful in conventional warfare or border security. This process is expensive, and most states in the Outer Systems deem it a waste of resources given the extremely low chances of planet-killing weapons being deployed without prior knowledge, though this stance has begun to be debated since first contact with the Mperi.