Resource Nodes
Resource Nodes are special devices found along the length of the racing trail at pre-set intervals that provide racers, who are participants in The Race of Offworld, with much needed resources, supplies, tools, equipment and more as they have need of them, and have the necessary credits or resource slots to be able to purchase items from them. In many ways the resource nodes in the race work similar to resource points in a video game, but with a much higher degree of complexity.
The Nodes
To the right here you can see a series of steel security bollards. This image is included as an example of what the resource nodes themselves look like, as they are short, simple, rather unremarkable metal poles with a direct network connection to the main distribution center that holds all supplies and resources accessible by racers along the course. Each node has its own individual controlling AI, but do not operate independently of each other, being connected together with every other node on the planet via a powerful master mainframe computer at the distribution center. Nodes only exist along the course and are only usable by recognized racers via the identifier chip that's embedded in their left wrist. This prevents anyone who is a 2nd generational or later from using them as the nodes will not even respond to anyone without an identifier chip. Attempts to tamper with, remove or destroy the nodes results in swift and immediate punishment, often leading to death of the party attempting to do such things. Nodes are spaced at preset intervals and coincide with progress checkpoints along the course.
There are two nodes that can be found at the Reception Center at the start of the race, one of which provides the racer with a starting ration, and the other which is not a resource node, but simply serves to officially identify the point when a racer begins their journey on the trail, and then one node every ten miles after that for the first thirty miles, after which the distance between them increases to 15, then 20, then 30 and so on throughout the course, with some areas, such as the Great Sea, having no checkpoints across its entire length from shore to shore. The only section of the entire course without any nodes is the 6th hextant, which is devoid of any resource nodes, but does contain one marker node, which marks the official end of the race. Racers who enter the 6th hextant will have one final chance, just prior to entering the final section of the race, to gather whatever resources they can carry, and that they have sufficient credits or slots to purchase.
Credits and Resource Slots
The resource node system in the race works on a very simple system of credits and resource slots. Credits act like money and are earned based on 1) how far a racer travels, 2) how many checkpoints they complete, 3) how fast they complete them, and 4) if they complete any special tasks or challenges requested of them. Credits can be redeemed for any and all items available at any given resource node. While the catalogue of resources available in the node network is large, not all are available at any given time. Available items depend on where you are, what you have achieved along your journey, and other factors. Resource slots are slightly different. They act like a purchasing token or coupon. They allow you to redeem one item, up to a given value, and no more. Items exceeding the maximum purchasing capability of one slot can be purchased by either combining slots, or making up the difference by combining credits and slots to complete the purchase, although not everything above and beyond the value of one resource slot can be acquired using this extended purchasing method.
Anyone who uses up all their credits and resource slots will not be permitted to purchase anything else (ie, no credit purchase are allowed. You either have the credits/slots, or you get nothing) until they have completed enough requirements, such as reaching the next resource node, at which point they will be rewarded with more credits and/or slots with which to purchase things. There is a few exceptions to this rule. For example, if you're staying at one of the controller provided Wintering Cabins anywhere along the course, these locations include a complimentary resource node that is outside of the regular checkpoint system, and provide rations and necessary supplies to racers who are using them for shelter until spring arrives. In some limited, special cases, such as racers being unable to proceed for a time due to injury or illness, resource nodes located at the regular checkpoints have been known to provide this service as well. However, if a racer willfully stops for a time for reasons outside of either illness or injury, the nodes will still provide them resources, but only so long as they have credits and/or resource slots. No free supplies are given to them, unlike in the previously listed exceptions.
Interface
By default the resource nodes are voice interactive, and simply require the user to ask the node for a given item, and the item will be given. Questions can be asked, and some select answers provided, so long as said answers don't give the user an unfair advantage. In select cases, if requested, the nodes do have an interactive graphical holographic interface, which Simon was known to have both discovered, entirely by accident, and used as well.
