Effector

An effector is a multi-purpose electro-magnetic manipulation device. Effectors were distant descendents of electronic countermeasure equipment employed by early 21st century civilizations.

Device
Effectors may be applied with great precision and control. They may be installed in objects as small as humans, suits, drones,and knife-missiles.

They were typically the most sophisticated and powerful weapons installed on most Culture spacecraft.

Sensor
Effectors may read both machine and biological data storage devices, including mind-states from neural laces and memories from biological brains.They may also monitor brainwaves.

Effector scans may be used to detect fields. Effectors produce detectable radiation.

Culture effectors of the late 21st century CE are reportedly able to detect a human buried under a hundred kilometres of rock from "the next stellar system" and describe the pan-human's last meal. Additionally, an effector, in conjunction with a a sensing field a light-second diameter across, could detect a hyperspace signal from a pocket-sized transmitter from well over 2500 light-years away.

Communications device
An effector set to low-power could create a two-way communication channel.[

Control system manipulation
Effectors may be used to manipulate machines and electronics. This may take the form of interfering with the machine's operations, disabling systems or outright subversion and take-over.

Effectorized minds may not even consciously realize they are under attack.A machine may defend itself against effectorisation by quarantining or shutting down affected portions of itself. A final measure would be to use independent automatic subsystems to initiate a self-destruct rather than allow itself to be subverted.

Effectorisation could take place from a range of many light-years.

Animal brains and nervous systems also suffer similar effects when effectorised. Effectorisation may cause pain and unconsciousness.Similarly, effectors may induce involuntary muscle action, which may be used for medical purposes.

Energy weapon
Effectors may be used to kill biological life and melt equipment.

They may also create auroras