UPDATE:
I have found that the
EULA references licensing that remains valid 10 days, but is renewed after 3 days for another 10 days when you run the program, when that EA Downloader/EA Link box pops up just before the game launches, its validating/updating your license.
I also learned that PACE makes two major products: InterLok® and iLok® (iLok is a USB variant). InterLok® seems to be the product used in 2142.
This article claims that "InterLok® and iLok® install kernel-mode drivers on a Windows operating system, effectively becoming an extension of the operating system"
I also believe I should clarify what a "kernel" is. A "kernel" is the core of an operating system, such as Windows. This is the foundation on which the rest of the system, like Windows Explorer (the nice GUI shell) and other programs are built on. PACE, apparently installs itself into this "foundation" (or possibly beside it) which, if something goes wrong at the right moment during the install (power failure, computer crashes, CPU over heating, what ever) it COULD cause your system to NOT BOOT INTO WINDOWS and force you to reinstall. That is the reason why I would like to see better mention of this in the EULA and special mention during the install process.