Hacker Chronicles 2/HACKER2.BIN/1144.TECH5.TXT

Text File | 1993-01-15 | 22KB | 382 lines

--CYBERWARE

**Endoskeleton Strength Enhancement:
     Bone Lacing is a powerful cybernetic augmentation to the subject's
body, to his ability to withstand and endure stress and trauma.  The
reinforcements that provide that structural strength, however, can be
linked to systems that boost the subject's natural strength.
     Endoskeleton Strength Enhancement is the implantation of
micromotors, gyroscopic balancers and other systems that take the
subject's strength to higher levels than is possible naturally; at the
cost of some delicacy and precision of movement.  For those that choose
to accept this tradeoff, however, they will find themselves enabled
beyond that which they could reach previously.
     The Maximum level of ESE that can be implanted is one-half of the
Barrier Rating of the Bone Lacing that the subject has implanted (half
of 6 for Plastic Lacing is 3, half of 8 for Aluminum Lacing is 4, half
of 10 for Titanium Lacing is 5).  Each level, when powered, adds 1 to
the subject's Strength.
     Half the ESE Level is applied as a Quickness penalty (round up),
and as a target number penalty against precision intensive activities
(throwing, B/R skills primarily).  Melee combat is unaffected, as is
Firearms or other weapons combat; but only if targeting is kept simple
(no trick shooting or aiming for the head or kneecaps with an energized
ESE system).  Implantation of a level of ESE, or activation to a level
of ESE, that would reduce the Quickness to below 1 is not allowed.
     Energizing the ESE system requires one-half second per level of
increase; testing and bringing the components up to operating capacity
from their previous "neutral" state.  Loss of Power or deactivation of
the ESE system is at one level per quarter second (kill the power or
shut the system down and the levels of enhancement start powering down
at quarter second intervals).  Activation requires 2 units of power per
level, everytime activated; for the testing process.
     Power Requirements at operating capacity are 1 unit of power per
level, per second, of active use of the strength given by the ESE.
Bringing the ESE system from "hot" standby (activated but not being
used) to active use (activated and using the strength) requires only a
free action.  "Hot" standby status requires 1 unit of power per level,
per minute.
     Internal Power Packs hold 50 units of power apiece.  The maximum
number of Packs that can be implanted is six.  The first two Packs
implanted come with recharge ports for their replenishment; every
additional Pack after those first two come with linking circuitry to put
them in series so that the two recharge ports will enable the entire
supply to be accessed for use and replenishment.  Further, dedicated
Power Feed Ports (maximum of two) may be implanted to allow the use of
external Power Supplies for the ESE.  This is only a feasible option,
however, if there are no internal Power Packs; as the recharge ports can
serve this same purpose easily.
     A standard household current will recharge a single Pack in ten
minutes (5 units of power per minute).  The ESE system can handle
recharge rates at up to double that (to 10 units of power per minute).
Beyond that and the safety systems shunt the excess power back to the
supply port's grounding circuit.
     An external Power Pack is the size of a belt pack (Fanny Pack in
1990s terminology), weighs 1 kilo and provides 150 units of power.
     An ESE system can be shifted into "Super Energized" mode for brief
periods of time; no longer than six seconds.  While in SE mode, the ESE
provides a 50% greater strength bonus (round up) at the cost of triple
the normal power consumption (3 units of power per level per second are
used by an ESE system in SE mode).  After engaging in SE mode, the ESE
system must go to hot standby status for atleast double the length of
time it was in SE mode.

                Essence  Nuyen                       Essence  Nuyen
                 Cost    Cost                         Cost    Cost
ESE Level 1      0.25    5000¥   Internal Power Pack   0.1    3000¥
ESE Level 2      0.35   10000¥   External Feed Port    0.1    3000¥
ESE Level 3      0.45   15000¥
ESE Level 4      0.55   20000¥
ESE Level 5      0.65   25000¥


**Enhanced Vision
     Cybernetic eyes are capable of far greater perception than normal,
organic, eyes are.  Besides the vast array of options that are available
from Light Amplification to Image Magnification, Cyber Eyes can be given
greater clarity, depth perception and sensitivity.
     Enhanced Vision are purchased in levels, to a maximum level equal
to the subject's *effective* Intelligence (effective meaning his
Intelligence with all cybernetic, karma and magical bonuses factored
in).  Higher levels of Enhanced Vision may be implanted, but the maximum
level accessible by the subject is equal to his Intelligence.
     Every level grants a -1 to all vision Perception Target Numbers;
across the board visually.  Motion detection perpherially, seeing
clearly at far distances, reading small print and so forth.  This is in
addition to any other bonuses or advantages that other visual enhancers
might grant, such as Low Light, Flare Comp or Magnification Levels.
Alphaware Enhanced Vision gets a 25% increase to the Perception Bonus
(multiply the bonus by 1.25, round down).  Betaware Enhanced Vision
gets a 50% increase (multiply by 1.5, round down).

                Essence  Nuyen
                 Cost    Cost
Enhanced Vision  0.10    4000¥
  per level


**Enhanced Hearing
     Cybernetic ears are capable of far greater reception than normal,
organic, ears are.  They can be boosted to levels of clarity and
sensitivity that aren't possible to achieve with organic ears; in
addition to additional augmentations such as Hearing Amplification or
Low Frequency Hearing.
     The maximum level of Enhanced Hearing that may be implanted or used
by a user is equal to his *effective* Intelligence (see Enhanced Vision
for definition).
     Every level of Enhanced Hearing grants a -1 to all Aural Perception
test target numbers, across the board.  Detecting volume levels, faint
sounds and so forth are all boosted in addition to other bonuses that
might be present from other Audio cybersystems.  Alphaware Enhanced
Hearing increases the bonus by 25% (multiply by 1.25, round down).
Betaware increases it by 50% (multiply by 1.5, round down).

                Essence  Nuyen
                 Cost    Cost
Enhanced Hearing 0.10    4000¥
  per level

**Sub Processor Unit: Aural Processor
     A dedicated processor hardwired with Aural algorithms (how sound
acts) for all possible situations, for just about any conceivable
sound.  This range is achieved by combining the equations used for
varying decibel levels, environmental conditions and frequencies to give
the proper "duplication" in the algorithms of the sound(s) being
processed.
     The unit can provide such functions as voice or sound
identification (output provided anyway the user chooses); but it's real
power and advantage to it's user is in it's extrapolating abilities.
It's highly accurate extrapolating abilities.  It can estimate
distance(s), number(s) of sound sources, course(s) and speed(s) and
more.
     Output can be funneled to audio report, display link or to
datajack.  If visual reporting is available (cybernetic HUD, external
HUD or other external display device); Aural Maps may be constructed by
the unit.  These maps place the estimated locations and so forth of
sound sources on the display for the user to consider visually.  The
presence of an Orientation system makes this clearer.
     As with many cybersystems, Aural SPUs work much more efficiently
when used in conjunction with other implants.  Hearing Amplification,
High and/or Low Frequency and other Ear enhancements add one each to the
effective level of the Aural SPU.  An Orientation System doubles the
SPU's effective level for the purpose of constructing and/or displaying
Aural Maps.
     An Aural SPU also assists other cybersystems, most notably Tactical
Computers.  The presence of an Aural SPU boosts the Tactical Computer's
ability to reacquire targets that have broken LOS with the user, if the
target is producing usable sounds.  If so, reduce the target number to
reacquire by the SPU's level.  Further, a mark test by the SPU can add
it's number of successes to this reduction of the Tactical Computer's
reacquire test.  Finally, add half the SPU's level to the Tactical
Computer's effective level.
     To use the Aural SPU requires a test with the SPU's effective level
against a target number set depending on what's being attempted and the
amount and type(s) of sound (soft or loud) both being produced by your
selected target and in the area around the user and target, and between.

    Example             Decibels      A 10 decibel sound can be heard at
Leaves rustling             10   one meter by someone with normal human
Quiet voice(s)              20   hearing.  Double this distance for each
Normal voice(s)             30   successive level of the chart, that is;
Light traffic               40   at three meters a normal voice level can
Loud voice(s)               50   be heard without straining to understand
Noisy office                60   it, at seven meters normal traffic can be
Normal traffic              70   heard, and so forth.  This distance
Subdued Rock song           80   represents a base SPU test with a Target
Thunder                     90   Number of 2.
Jet taking off             100
Thrash Metal               110

     Things get interesting when the Aural environment is cluttered with
extra sounds, and when the subject is starting to get out of range of
the sound source.  Increase the target number by one for every meter
beyond "optimal" distance the sound is from the user.  Increase the
target number by one for every ten decibels of sound that are present
in addition to the sound targeted (attempting to process a normal voice
(30 decibels) in a noisy office (60 decibels) gives a +6 modifier).
However, reduce this modifier for every meter of distance between the
user and the source of the interfering sound that the interfering
sound is *further* from the user from the optimal hearing distance (if
the majority of the office noise is eight meters away, this reduces the
above example's modifier to +4, 2 more meters from the optimal distance
of 6 meters).
     For the purposes of an SPU test; count only the most penalizing
interfering sound source and distance combination against the test (in
a 30 decibel processing test, with a 60 decibel source 6 meters away and
a 90 decibel source 11 meters away; only the 90 decibel's interference
would apply (+9, minus 2 for 2 meters of distance past optimal for a net
modifier of +7; ignoring the +6 modifier for the 60 decibel source 6
meters away, at it's optimal distance).
     Select Sound Filters don't add their level to the SPU's effective
level, instead they assist by canceling out interfering sounds for the
user and his processor test.  A successful Filter test eliminates an
interference sound source(s) from consideration to the processor test.
Consider that the loudest sounds will be filtered first, if less than
total filtering (all except targeted sound) is being effected.
                Essence  Nuyen
   Aural SPU     Cost    Cost
    Level 1      0.15    9000¥
    Level 2      0.20   11000¥
    Level 3      0.25   23000¥
    Level 4      0.30   36000¥


**Sub Processor Unit: Image Enhancer
     A processor hardwired with specifications for hundreds of thousands
of shapes, colors, textures and other visually identifying traits.  It
can enhance images in nearly any fashion desired, zoom ins and close
ups, artificial light level modification (estimating what the image would
look like in a different light level), changing the angle and so forth.
It can extrapolate with given information, eliminating some of the data
and/or adding new data.  It can also identify images, including piercing
disguises to the image.
     This does not replace cyber-augmentations such as Low Light or
Magnification; it works with them.  Further, this does not work in
"real time"; at the speeds required by even a slowly developing combat
situation.  It's purpose, by design and function, is to allow for image
enhancement of recorded (by other cybersystems or from datalinked
external recording devices) images or real time scenes and/or images
that are moderately static (a person in a crowd walking normally, for
example).
     Output is either Audio (voice report), Visual (via display link or
datalinked external display) or text report (datalinked external display
and/or printer).
     To process an image, a processor test is required.  The base target
number to identify an image that is unchanged from the one in memory is
2, with a base time of three seconds.  Slight alterations from the
source image (hair or skin color) give a +1 target number and plus one
second base time modifier.  Moderate alterations from the source image
(some shape change (wrinkles, some weight change, etc) give a +1 target
number and doubled base time modifier.  Severe alterations from the
source image (height difference of more than an inch or two, new
jaw/nose lines, massive weight change, etc) give a +3 target number and
quadrupled base time modifier.
     In addition, apply vision modifiers for light, environmental
conditions and a modifier depending on the range to target (+1 for
Medium range, +2 for Long, +5 for Extreme).  Use of Magnification to
isolate and close on the image being processed allows the level of
Magnification being used to be subtracted from the target number's range
penalty (using level 3 Mag for a Medium range distance target merely
brings the range penalty to 0, not to -2).  A number of seconds equal
to the penalty are added to the base time for the processor test.
     To make the test, roll the effective level against the target
number and divide successes normally into the base time given.  A
failure indicates that that processor can't complete processing as
requested.  Reduce the target number in some manner or simplify the
processor's task.  Or change the base time to minutes (convert the
seconds to minutes at a 1:1 ratio) and let the processor chew on it for
that long (make a second processor test against the same target number).
If this second, lengthier, test fails; the test must be simplified, or
the level of the processor increased.

                Essence  Nuyen
  SPU: Image     Cost    Cost
   Enhancer
    Level 1      0.15    8000¥
    Level 2      0.20   14000¥
    Level 3      0.25   22000¥
    Level 4      0.30   34000¥


--BIOWARE

**Body Compartment
     A space in the subject's body that is hollowed out through removal
of excess tissue and the moving of needed tissue, to make room for an
area that can contain external objects inside it.  When "closed"
(generally made as pockets with flaps that smooth down for a very hard
to spot "seam" in the skin) only intensive search, scan or medical
examination will discover the compartment and/or what's inside it.
     The essence and nuyen costs are determined by the size of the
compartment.  The base size is for something about the dimensions (size)
of a cassette tape.  Half again (x1.5) that size will contain a holdout
or light pistol.  Double (x2) that size will hold a Machine Pistol
WITHOUT an extended clip (use a clip a third of the standard capacity).
Double and a half (x2.5 times) that size will hold a Heavy Pistol.  Much
larger than this and the pocket begins to bulge, becoming noticeable.
Every .5 increase in the size of the pocket beyond 2.5 times gives
observers a -1 to any target number to notice the odd shape on the
subject's body.
     Note that the above weapons used as base dimensions for storage in
these compartments are without size increasing attachments such as Gas
Vents or Silencers.  Compartments that will hold such attachments must
increase by .5 over the minimum compartment size for the weapon in
question per -1 to the concealability of the weapon that the attachment
gives.  A silenced Heavy Pistol needs a compartment three and a half
times the size of a base compartment (x3.5), for example.
                 Body    Nuyen
                 Index   Cost
Base Compartment 0.10    3000¥
     Multiply the Body and Nuyen costs by the size multipliers listed
above for the costs of a larger than base sized compartment.


**Blood Reserve
     Blood is a vital component of an organic system, being the carrier
of necessary oxygen and nutrients to the body's cells.  One of the
primary concerns of medical personnel for their patient, after breathing
and heart functions have been assured, is the stopping and replacement
of any excessive loss of blood.
     A Blood Reserve is an internal compartment in the body that is
connected to the Circulatory system.  It has cells that duplicate the
body's natural blood regenerative systems, internal circulation to
keep the stored blood viable, and constantly keeps the Reserve as full
as it can (consider it to regenerate lost blood at the same rate as the
rest of the body).  When the amount of blood in the subject's body
falls, blood from the Reserve enters circulation just before the heart.
     A Blood Reserve holds one additional unit of blood; the exact
amount will vary depending on the subject.  A maximum of two Blood
Reserves may be implanted; there is room for not more for that either in
the body or to connect to the Circulatory system.
     Each Blood Reserve gives the character a "free" box of damage over
Deadly on his Physical monitor when marking off bleeding damage (dead
and bleeding, receiving an additional box every ten minutes of
bleeding).  That works out to ten or twenty additional minutes that the
character has before his condition begins to detoriate towards
irrepairable system damage.
     Damage to a Blood Reserve results in massive internal bleeding, in
addition to the removal of the stored blood for the system's use.
Internal bleeding of this reserve blood isn't harmful in and of itself,
but it does make for some very unsightly bulges in the subject's body.
It is, however, intensely painful.  A +4 penalty is applied to all of
the subject's target numbers from this excruciating pain.  It's
increased by fifty percent if he should walk about, and doubled if he
runs.  Releasing the blood from the body cavity will eliminate this
pain, but that's up to the individual GM and player as to whether this
character can steel himself up enough to cut himself open like that.

                 Body    Nuyen
                 Index   Cost
Blood Reserve    0.20   12000¥

--EXPLOSIVES--

**Shaped Charges
     A way to increase the destructive power of an amount of explosives
is to "shape the charge".  This involves use of demolitions knowledge
(physics and so forth) to structure the forces of the explosion so as to
channel it all in one area.  A shaped charge is generally a cone that
disapates it's force in one direction.
     Shaping the charge of an explosion drastically reduces the amount
of protection that a structure's Barrier and/or Armor rating gives it.
Against shaped charges, only half (round down) of the BR or AR applies
against the explosion.
     Shaping a charge is more difficult than setting more "conventional"
explosions up.  Increase the target number by +3 for the Demolitions
test to prepare the charge.  Common sense can take care of how to place
the charge, skill isn't much more of a help in that area.  Double the
base time to prepare the charge if it's shaped.  Cost remains the same;
there aren't any new materials being used that weren't so before.


--WEAPONRY

**Smartlinking a Bow
     A smartlink is a wondrous device.  Microprocessors take into
account all the pertant factors from how much pressure will be behind
the shot to the environmental conditions to the distance to the target.
You select your target and the smartlink projects the appropriate
targeting aid that lets you precisely aim.
     Bows are difficult to smartlink because a fallible human is
providing the propulsion of the projectile, and it can change in an
instant.  So it's more expensive to smartlink a bow, because of the
extra processing power and ability that has to be emplaced to handle
this "feature" of muscular powered weapons such as bows.
     Quadruple (x4) the cost of the bow is required for the smartlink,
parts and implantation in the weapon.  As the bow is drawn, the
targeting aid will move across the user's field of vision, telling him
exactly where the shot will land if fired at that moment.  This is
different from how firearms' smartlinks operate, and take a bit of
adjustment to properly shoot with (Projectile Weapons skill of atleast 4
or only half the usual smartlink bonus is available).
     If placed in "ballistic" mode, the upwards angle shots that
increase the distance of the bow may be made.  The crosshair will shift
to showing where on the ground the shot will land if it's unimpeded in
it's flight in the ballistic arc through the air.
     Finally, since arrows are much more prone to the environmental
conditions present during shooting, the smartlink looses it's
effectiveness during gusty wind conditions or other wavering forces (a
slacking/strengthening rain, for example, and so forth).  Short range
shots are at the standard bonus, medium range shots are at half the
bonus, long and extreme range shots get no smartlink bonus.