Arteicridar
Arteicridar
Common street names:
DeadQuiet, BlueStill, SoftMute, Six-Hour Silence, Wallflower
Classification
Non-narcotic neural pain-blocking agent
OTC medical analgesic-class suppressant
Not a true analgesic
Discovery and Development
Arteicridar was discovered in 2360 CE by Martian neurochemist Dr. Imani Verhoeven at the Acheron Biomedical Cooperative beneath Elysium Planitia.
Originally researched as a battlefield trauma stabilizer during the Mars City State War.
The goal was to allow wounded soldiers to remain functional without impairing judgment.
It became the first truly reliable long-duration pain-blocker.
Approved for civilian use in 2362 CE.
Patents expired in 2460 CE.
After patent expiration, production spread to nearly every colony and station.
Today it is considered as common as water-purification tabs.
Mechanism of Action
Arteicridar does not reduce inflammation or heal tissue.
It selectively blocks nociceptive signal transmission in the spinal cord and thalamus.
Pain signals are intercepted and suppressed before reaching conscious perception.
Motor control, cognition, and emotional response remain intact.
This is why soldiers prefer it.
You feel injured.
You know you are injured.
You simply do not hurt.
Forms and Dosage
Tablet Form
Standard pill sizes
• 250 mg micro-tablet
• 500 mg standard tablet
• 750 mg extended-release tablet
• 1,000 mg trauma-dose tablet
Most civilians use 250 to 500 mg.
Combat personnel use 750 to 1,000 mg.
Myrmidon systems have the ability to auto-dose in micrograms continuously.
Liquid Injectable Form
Packaging
• 5 mL vial (field dose)
• 20 mL vial (clinic use)
• 50 mL vial (military bulk)
Concentration
50 mg per mL standard
100 mg per mL military grade
Delivered by injector, implant, or suit interface.
Duration
Onset
2 to 5 minutes injectable
10 to 20 minutes oral
Peak
45 to 60 minutes
Effective duration
6 to 8 hours
Residual suppression
Up to 10 hours
Augmented users can maintain effect for 12+ hours.
Manufacturing
Original Developer
Acheron Biomedical Cooperative
Mars, Elysium Subsurface Sector
Current Major Producers
Mars
Helios Meditech
Valles Pharma
Cerberus Bio-Health
Chendiuria
Sunreach Biomedical
Kantara Pharm
Outer Colonies
Dozens of licensed clones
Back-alley labs also produce crude versions.
Cost
Legitimate Market (per gram equivalent)
Tablets
Mars / Major Colonies
0.8 to 1.5 credits
Chendiuria
0.5 to 1 credit
Stations
1.5 to 3 credits
Injectable
Mars
3 to 5 credits per gram
Stations
6 to 10 credits
Bulk Military
0.2 credits
Illicit Markets
High-potency injectable
15 to 40 credits per gram
Expired stock
5 to 10 credits
Counterfeit
1 to 2 credits
Adi’s systems use military-grade stabilized stock.
Shelf Life
Standard shelf life
3 to 5 standard years
Degradation products are inert but reduce potency.
Expired Arteicridar becomes unreliable.
Black-market dealers often re-label expired stock.
Drawbacks and Risks
Primary Risks
• Masked injuries
• Delayed treatment
• Compartment syndrome
• Undetected internal bleeding
• Overexertion damage
Psychological Effects
• Detachment from bodily feedback
• Risk-taking behavior
• Reduced self-preservation response
Long-Term Overuse
• Neural desensitization
• Reduced pain perception permanently
• Micro-neuropathy
Combat veterans often develop partial numbness.
Street Abuse
Despite being non-narcotic, Arteicridar is abused.
Common Street Uses
“Ghost Walk”
Taking extreme doses and walking through fights
“Dead Party”
Used with stimulants to dance for days
“Silent Sex”
Combined with aphrodisiacs
“Painproof”
Used by underground fighters
“Blank Run”
Courier runs through hostile zones
High-dose abuse creates emotional flatness and dissociation.
Some users become addicted to not feeling.
Recreational Reputation
Among civilians
Safe painkiller
Among mercs
Workhorse drug
Among addicts
“Reality Off Switch”
Among medics
Necessary evil
Integration with Aditi "Adi" Nizhóní Peshlakai Systems
Adi’s old armor
Manual injection ports
New armor
Auto-titration pumps
Pharma implant
Continuous micro-dosing
Neural net
Monitors injury thresholds
Asteria regulates dosing.
Adi rarely feels pain in combat unless systems fail.
Cultural Role
Arteicridar is one of the few drugs trusted across social classes.
Rich and poor use the same compound.
It is considered a civilizing drug.
Before Arteicridar, war produced screaming wounded.
After Arteicridar, war produced quiet ones.
Rumors and Classified Variants
Military variants exist.
• Arteicridar-X: battlefield override
• Arteicridar-S: interrogation suppressant
• Arteicridar-B: berserker suppression
None officially acknowledged.
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