Codex Transportica

It was at the turn of the Century, the Nouveau Carolingian dynasty of the wasteland that was once known as France (by now of course, wholly annexed by the Allies, buffered by the aggressively neutral Helveticans) finally opened their doors to foreign diplomats. Aloof from the turmoil boiling around them, the Carolingians were aesthetes and philosophers, strong in the humanities and medical research.

Indeed, as the Vjegoslavians would showcase their mechanical ingenuity at every turn, preferably in the most aggressive manner possible, the Carolingians had made quantum strides in human anatomy and biology.

One of history’s greatest minds, Ambassador Monsieur Renee du Cerveau de Penseur, originally trapped in a body riddled by chronic and debilitating illness, had actually “died” many years before. But thanks to the incredible medical skills prevalent at the time, his brain lived on. Removed from the trappings of everyday existence, his powerful intellect made astronomical strides in every field to which he turned his attention. Indeed, as his intelligence grew, he discovered more ways to increase his mental capacity.

By the time the Carolingians were ready to meet with the rest of the human race, Renee’s brain was developed to an unparalleled degree: note the vast size of the primary grey matter and the complexity of the axial crenulations shown in the illustration.

And so it was that a stunned populace paused and drew breath as the first Ambassador for the Carolingian dynasty made his appearance on the world stage: greeted with disbelief in fact, since Renee was by this stage simply a giant human brain encased within a basic life support system: his Day Cart and Official Crâne d’Esprit.

Affronted by the world’s shocked reaction, the Carolingian press wrote witheringly about how they had made a mistake trying to make contact, and had “put the cart before the coarse”

Whimsically, Renee speaks through any, or all, of the four skulls mounted on his transport – often holding four independent conversations simultaneously. Sound and vision is acquired through small optic sensors in the “tête de direction de vache” mounted just above the steering assembly at the front. Synaptic interfaces to both the solar cells (here shown in fully deployed Day Mode) and to his Human interface array are achieved through the use of a simple wiring assembly.

Renee’s insistence on using only ‘clean’ (solar) energy to sustain brain activity has, of course, made him incapable of any nocturnal thoughts or movements. Or has he enigmatically explained it (translated): “I am, therefore others may think.”