Telos insert
3” x 1” diameter (7.62 cm x 2.54 cm diameter)
The Telos box’s insertable component appears to fuel – or at the very least activate – the box.a The component is inserted through a hole in the Ark’s exterior wall and screwed into a chamber in the Telos box itself. Once inserted, the component’s orange light blinks at a continuous rate, indicating that the box has been powered or activated.
At the tip of the insert is a laboratory-grown phenakite-like crystal that has been treated with a clear conductive material.b Two copper wires, affixed to the sides of the crystal, run into the insert’s housing. Once inserted into the Ark, the crystal makes connection with a receptacle within. The fragility of the crystal and wire tip’s design has lead scholars to believe the insert is typically left inserted.b
As with the Telos box itself, researchers have never been able to fully explain the mechanism of action of the insertable component – though theories abound.c,d
a Johannsen JW. Transport is Arranged: Understanding Ark Technology. Liminal. 2010. 7(12);215-222.
b Staed R, Unrigg KL, and Ramirez M, et al. Chemical Makeup of Ark Crystals. J of Ark Chem. 2002. 5(11);1284-1299.
c Harwood, UP and Elkay W. Driving Force: Unlocking the Ark-Box Components. Arks and Tech. 2004. 10(4);279-286.
d Isaacs J. The Force Fallacy [letter]. Arks and Tech. 2004. 10(5);328.