A Harlequin term. The Vast Machine is the computerized total information system that tracks and monitors everyone in the industrial world. The Tabula believe this system will allow them to establish their invisible prison, the Panopticon. 

In recent years, a small group of people throughout the world have become aware of the growing power of the Machine. Some of these people have formed Tribes . A few of these tribes use the term "Vast Machine" in a much wider sense – to refer to a pervasive system of economic servitude and cultural oppression. They believe that those in charge have created a "Culture of Fear" to justify their destruction of personal freedom (see Tabula: manipulation of fear ).