Naturally the most powerful computer in the universe (the core) is going to have at least one backup. The term "Shadow Copy" is a term coined by Microsoft corporation and it represents "a technology included in Microsoft Windows that allows taking manual or automatic backup copies or snapshots of data, even if it has a lock, on a specific volume at a specific point in time over regular intervals.", but far more importantly it sounds really cool. Which is one of the reasons that I decided to co-opt it for the core.

The second reason is that it works on multiple levels because not only is it computer science related, but the shadow copy of the core is located on the dark side of the moon (the inference there should be obvious). Just like with the primary core being kept securely at the heart of the diamond fortress, the shadow copy is kept safe at the heart of the jet fortress.

Backups are made in realtime, although they are not conventional in terms of pure information. This kind of backup is far more approximate than a 1:1 digital copy. Due to the quantum properties of the core it is impossible to create a perfect copy, which is why the shadow copy is really more like an alternative version of the core; essentially it's as though the core has a twin brother/sister on the moon. The shadow copy however does not have any inherent authority, it is a passive observer that must submit to having its own personality frequently overwritten.

There are rare occasions when the core is unable to make a decision regarding a particularly vexing situation, when this happens it will allow the shadow copy to arbitrate with a yes or no option - potentially resulting in a different outcome than had the core merely passed judgement on its own.