Aetheric Drive
The Aetheric Drive exchanges commanded momentum with the Aether through phased field coupling rather than conventional reaction mass. Ordinary drives are engineered machines and do not require an esper. Stability depends on local conditions, tuned components, control systems, and qualified operators; exceptional cognition can improve difficult transitions without becoming the source of thrust.
The drive weakens fuel logistics as a source of sovereignty while creating new chokepoints in calibration, certification, maintenance, and access to reliable tuning infrastructure. It inherits late-Sol propulsion practice from the Soliton Drive, but changes which institutions can strand a ship.