Major Allyn Kilmacher, Galactic Republic space engineer, activated the Intracranial Communications Port (ICP) behind his ear. A sudden, fleeting wave of vertigo. The ICP, surgically implanted years ago, had grown nerves into and alongside Allyn's brain, enabling non-verbal communication between Allyn and his Muse. The small Muse Computer, nicknamed "Mouse," was perched, barely visible, atop Allyn's shoulder.