As far as I'm concerned they're a fully functioning liquid-cooling system for her corset that she runs off salvaged batteries she never tells anyone else about. But to be honest they're just there as an unusual accessory I added when I first drew her, and since it's Warren's story it's up to him what they really mean :)
Wow. Just got tuned in to you guys today, read all 31 episodes (damm, I wanted more). I am hooked. Will be buying the "books". Arcadia is def most powerful, as I read it.