Theory #2: Metatron as an SSA (Self Supporting Armor)
The Orbital Frame's survivability rate not only depends on its overwhelming arsenal or its incredible speed, but also on its robust Metatron SSA shell. Apparently Metatron not only makes a fantastic energy source, but an armor substance that is reliable enough to keep you alive after a battle. How this mysterious ore accomplishes such a task is still not quite known, but through analyzations of current physics theories and data I may have come up with a theory explaining this.
The SSA of an Orbital Frame is completely constructed of Metatron and is comprised of multiple layered, high molecular density armor that is pliable enough to have your finger sink into it if you poked it, but durable enough to withstand the worst enemy onslaught for a time. This strange paradoxical quality of Metatron SSA is achieved through a kinetic energy absorption ability somehow inherent to the ore, which seems to be related to Metatron's absorption of Zero-Point energy (see Theory #1). Metatron, when poked, absorbs the kinetic energy from the poke, but it is not enough to make the material stiffen. The impact of a weapon however, such as a Gauntlet subweapon impact, delivers enough kinetic energy to cause a reaction in the Metatron that instantly stiffens the impacted section of the SSA. The same holds true for energy weapons, though there is no actual physical impact, rather an intense bombardment of various forms of radiation and particle energy, depending on the energy weapon used. These energies catalyze a stiffening reaction in the Metatron that makes it impenetrable by any weapon of insufficient power.
The armor of an Orbital Frame is, as you may already know, criss-crossed with all manners of circuit board-like patterns. These circuit board patterns serve as channels for energy, data, and plasmoid-state Metatron to flow through. In the event that the Frame should sustain critical damage in an area, the battle AI automatically opens the SSA channels to pour the plasmoid-state Metatron onto the "wound" and energy to catalyze molecular stabilization and rebuild structural integrity. An Orbital Frame's SSA channels change color depending on the status of remaining Metatron levels. The Metatron Ore found in crates or when defeating enemies replenishes the Metatron supply, allowing the Frame to keep all of its sections of armor equal in Metatron level.
When it is not possible to obtain Metatron from normal space, the Orbital Frame can synthesize it from Vector Space, provided it has the proper equipment; an example being the "Mummy" subweapon used by the Orbital Frame Jehuty or the permanent version employed by the unmanned Mummyhead Orbital Frames. When they use their repair functions, the Mummy shell draws component subatomic particles together in a Vector Trap and assembles them according to the atomic structure of Metatron or other required armor substance. These particles are then compressed by the spatial pressure inside the Vector Trap and extruded as Metatron for the Orbital Frame to use. This sort of subatomic "Vector Compression" is also used by the Orbital Frame Jehuty, specifically after the defeat of Aumaan. The Vector Trap of Jehuty assembled component Metatron atoms to place piece by piece out onto the remaining structure and slowly regenerated itself from catastrophic damages that would have permanently crippled a lesser unit. It regenerated its left arm, right shin down, and both booster assemblies, all missing after the titanic explosion marking Aumaan's demise. Jehuty then went on to regenerate necessary armor plating, omitting the power-restricting sections of armor that were built on to it.
The SSA channels in the armor allow for more than merely energy, data and Metatron transfer to damaged areas. The various energy attacks of Orbital Frames rely on the energy running through those channels to power them. Also, every time a program transplantation takes place, the SSA channel pattern changes on a microscopic scale to accomodate all the subweapons or other related technologies' power or data requirements. The SSA channel pattern also changes when it becomes necessary to bypass certain sections of the Frame unable to support the flow of energy, data, and Metatron. Some channel bypassing was performed when Jehuty was nearly crippled by a blast from the Urenbeck Catapult on Phobos (resulting in Damaged Jehuty), as was it also performed when Jehuty recovered from the damage (resulting in Naked Jehuty) and fought inside Aumaan. Zombie Neith redirected several of its SSA channels to support the fragments of its arms for use as powerful physical melee weapons, and Aumaan Anubis bypassed its old Anubis SSA channels to form an odd mesh of hexagonal armor plates for wings, having lost its previous pair of wings on impact with the surface of Aumaan.
So much still remains to be learned about the ore Metatron-- this theory only sheds light on a small part of the whole mystery of the substance. The wisdom of creating weapons of destruction from something that is not understood is easily questionable-- the unknown presents in high prominence the possibility that your creation will turn on you. Perhaps why humans are so eager for Metatron is just another part of the mystery behind the ore.
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Dissenting opinions welcome! Saying that I don't have a life is not! I wrote this when I was BORED, okay?
The author does not claim ownership or any part in the creation/production/release of the property used in this theory.
Zone of the Enders, Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner, Z.O.E. and related materials are all under copyright of Konami Computer Entertainment Japan. Produced by Hideo Kojima.
All copyrighted material contained in this fan fiction theory was used without permission from the company.