The Niomu Iun (vacuum suit) is the environment suit used by the Poku Saeruo Degonjo to protect a Poku'vonai from the rigors of space or hazardous environments. It can also serve as an environment suit similar in function to the Star Army Explorer Uniform of the Star Army of Yamatai.

• Class: Protective Gear
• Nomenclature: HS-G4-1a (with tail)/ HS-G4-2a (no tail)
• Type: EVA Suit
• Designers: Otâmovi Wiy Jael (Silver Moon Sect)
• Manufacturer: Otâmovi Wiy Jael (Silver Moon Sect)
• Price: 450 Odawina (OW)

The Vacuum Suit had been in regular use in the Clan since well before the Norka (The Exodus). The fallen Poku'ka Qaktoro (Qaktoro Empire) first invented a version of the suit during initial forays into their local space. Some worlds near their star system were hostile, and the suit had to be improved to guard them against environments that bore extremes of heat or cold or toxicity. The Vacuum Suit of today has changed little from the form it took during the days of the Clan's former Empire.

The Niomu Iun is a full-body, form fitting vacuum suit which allows limited space between itself and the wearer. Suits configured to fit the main felinoid species of the clan hug tightly against their fur; Qaktoro and Tula and the other hybrid races come out looking rather 'flat' after mere hours in these suits. They come with two varieties of helmet, and can be connected to life support systems via ports above the hips. Vacuum Suits without Life Units do not have their own independent supply of oxygen; wearers preparing to operate in a vacuum or in non-breathable atmospheres must wear and connect a Life Unit to their suit.

The standard suit exterior is light gray in color with light strips at the connections of the gloves and boots. Suits owned by a specific Clan House or Sect might be re-colored in the custom color scheme of that House or Sect. The fabric of the outer layer of the suit is comprised of a woven, armored mesh to provide some protection from micro-meteors. The suit's thin inner layer is filled with a polymer that solidifies when exposed to oxygen, making it self-sealing in the event of minor punctures to the suit. All Vacuum Suits have a waste collection system installed, as well as internal thermal controls.

A light strip runs down each arm, each leg, and down the center of the back all the way to the tip of the tail. These light strips can be manually turned on or off, or they can be set to a 'reflective' mode where they actively reflect light. When turned off, such as in a situation where the wearer means to be stealthy, the strips reflect or emit no light.

Above the hip joints on either side of the suit are connection ports which link to the suit's internal power and life support systems. These ports can be hooked up to a vehicle or starship, or to a worn mobile life support device called a Nor Sou, or 'Life Unit'.

The collar unit in the Vacuum Suit serves as the interface between the suit and the worn helmet, no matter which model the helmet is. There is a connection port in the collar unit for a Iginâ Yoqa (Neural Link). The collar unit is constructed out of Mâqitua (Light Metal).

The following features are common to both model of Vacuum Suit helmet.

• Integrated microphone
• Integrated speakers
• Headlamps
• Polarizing face shield

• Basic digital Heads up Display (HUD) providing information on the suit's status, as well as levels of power,oxygen and other resources in the suit, as well as in the optionally-attached Life Unit. This display can also be linked to a connected vehicle or starship.
• Laser range finder capable of a distance of 5,000 meters.

• Tactical HUD providing the same information as the HUD in the Model 1 Helmet, with additional interfaces and capabilities to supply weapon and targeting data.

The Life Unit device is a backpack that supplies power, a breathable air supply, and additional communications capabilities to the wearer of a Vacuum Suit. The backpack connects to the suit at the ports on both sides of the suit, just above the hip joint. Only one connection is required; the second connection is for back-up and redundancy. The unit has an eight-hour supply of power when under regular working use; rigorous physical activity would reduce that time to six hours. The unit can store up to 1 liter of drinkable water, which is accessed through a drinking tube in the collar unit.

A single Life Unit can be shared with a second person; a connection must be made between the Life Unit and the other person's Vacuum Suit. Use by two people at a time drastically reduces the lifespan of the Life Unit's resources.

When worn in a vehicle the Niomu Iun is connected to the vehicles environmental system. Any craft being used with a Niomu Iun, is required to have a Nor Sou stored aboard it in the unlikely event of crashing or the environmental system failing.

The Life Unit is also compatible with either model of the Janoymu Rofi (Filter Mask), supplying the wearer with clean, breathable air.

The Life Unit has its own supply of breathable oxygen, and it has an scrubber to render some near-breathable atmospheres safe and breathable. This scrubber and air recycler should be tested on an atmosphere before the wearer of a suit switches over to it as a source of air. The ability of the scrubber to filter out dangerous particles or airborne organisms is not absolute.

The belt of the suit provides a means to secure gear and tools during EVA operations. Securing cables can also be attached to this sturdy belt, so that a person wearing the suit doesn't become lost in the void if their grip or their Heim Force Generator units fail.

The boots of the suit are equipped with Heim Force Generator units in the soles. These allow a trained wearer to cling to the surface they are standing upon. The field is only effective when in contact as it is extremely localized.

• Article by Nashoba. Updated by Hollander.
• Main clan Technology article here.