Linkage

The Fleet Of Stars, 7.

To make linkage, Chuan:

enters a monk-like cell;

places his interlink on his head;

lies down;

connects circuits;

relaxes;

issues a mental command.

The interlink interacts with a network implanted inside his head by nanomachines when he was a cadet, then both interact with his brain. This triad of interlink, network and brain harmonizes, then opens itself to, and becomes an integral part of, the system that governs the cybercosm on Mars. This cybercosm comprises sophotectic intelligences, computers, databases, scanners and sensors encompassing the planet. The intelligences and Chuan's brain are conscious, therefore the entire system is.

It is conscious of processes within atomic nuclei and of spatiotemporal curvature while it guides machines around Mars and in orbit and receives laser beams from Earth, Luna, Mercury, the asteroids and the outer moons. Chuan's thoughts enter a collective consciousness from which he receives new information to be disclosed to readers later in the novel. 

Three times in the past, Chuan has been granted Unity with the ever-growing AI consciousness which he will experience permanently when his personality has been downloaded.