Encounter suit
From The Babylon Project
An encounter suit is, by definition, used by alien species so that they are capable of interacting in environments that they would otherwise be unable to function in.
[edit] Uses
The main function of an encounter suit is similar to that of a breather, but for use over the entire body as opposed to just the respiratory organs. This may be for several reasons. The being may not be able to create a sufficient seal over their respiratory organs, they many have multiple points of respiration across their bodies, or their bodies themselves may be biochemically vulnerable to alien atmospheres.
Among the few races known to encounter suits in oxygen-nitrogen atmospheres are the Vorlons and the Gaim. While the Gaim appear to genuinely require their suits, the Vorlons have been seen multiple times outside of their suits, even in the vacuum of space.
Kosh appears to save John Sheridan from falling after he was forced to jump out of a transport. Kosh is able to safely land Sheridan on the ground, while manipulating all on-lookers into thinking they were seeing their race-specific god. After this Kosh retreats to his quarters, citing that being seen by so many had drained his energy.[1] Whether the drain resulted from telepathic strain or from the alien environment is unclear. The Vorlons have, however been seen outside of their suits on enough occasions to give reasonable doubt as to whether or not they even require their suits. It is also worth noting that both Vorlon ambassadors to Babylon 5 traveled within Lyta Alexander on multiple occasions. Whether they were protected by her body, by modifications made to her, or they needed no protection at all is unclear. As such, the exotic mix of gases that the Vorlons stipulate to be used in their quarters may have only been an intentional misdirection on their part to hide their true nature, or they may simply be most comfortable in their native environment.
[edit] Species that use these suits
- Humans (Circa 1,002,261) - Though Humans do not need to use encounter suits to survive, as they can take the form of their original bodies or non-corporeal energy, it appears they are filling the same role the Vorlons once did to a new generation of younger races. [2]
 Anla'Shok encounter suit. |
