The Ice Box

by Jonathon K. Henry > the Reflex < <[warmon g r] at [mentor.cc.purdue.edu]>

>>>>>[The following are a few other suggestions to add to the idea of new cyberware/gear. I just thought you guys might like to look ‘em over.]<<<<<
—the Reflex (11:32:43/6-29-52)

Vehicle Control C-Square Cyberdeck (VCCD)

• Cost: Level x 1,500 Nuyen
• Essence: Level x .1
• Placement: Headware
• Requirements: Communications Suite

This piece of cyberware allows for users of remote control vehicles and similar devices to do so with the option of including their Vehicle Control Rig and thus the related Control Pool.

The device requires a Radio, with a required comlink setup and any encryption and/or security devices for the channels. The setup works in a similar fashion to a control/cyber control deck, in that the level is the maximum number of vehicles that can be so controlled at one time.

For example, Dapper Dan (with Beta grade Cyberware BTW) has a Vehicle Control Rig Level 2, Radio, Comlink VIII, and a VCCD Level 4. He can control up to four (4) vehicles/drones/remotes at one time. Though, for every such device operated thus, one (1) channel of his comlink is being utilized. If Dapper had Crypto Circuitry and/or Scramble Breaker, and were using it, he would have to make sure the device being so controlled had the ability to read and/or interpret his signals.

Sense Link Integration (SLI)

• Cost: 45,000 Nuyen
• Essence: .1
• Placement: Special
• Requirements: Tactical Computer

With the inclusion of a full sense link system and its integration into a Tactical Computer relay network, a bonus of +2 Dice is thus overall attained to the determination of the test pool for the TacCom. However, if the user of this setup is wounded in some way, the action modifier for those wounds is also inclusive to the TacCom.

External Sensory Control (ESC)

• Cost: Level x 1,500 Nuyen
• Essence: Level x .05
• Placement: Headware (below Softlink placement(s))
• Requirements: Tactical Computer
• Restrictions: TacCom Level Squared

With the inclusion of this adaptive port, it is possible to include within the test pool for the TacCom, additional devices. Examples of such are portable sensor equipment, SmartGun Links, Ultrasound Devices, etc. For each such unit, and additional dice is allowed for the test pool. In the case of Sensor equipment, the level of the Sensors is the amount of additional dice incorporated thus.

In the case of SmartGun Links that will include such things as Ultrasound and Thermal sighting, the number of additional dice is equal to one (1) + (Number of Devices/2, rounding down).

>>>>>[With the recent publishing of the ShadowTech manual, I would at this time like to put forth some extra stuff so inspired by the work.]<<<<<
—the Reflex

C-Square Technology

• Interface Module
• (Cybernetic Implantation)
• Cost: [MPCP(1)+MPCP(2)]x55,000 Nuyen
• Essence: .3
• Placement: behind primary Datajack Link

This device allows the user to interconnect between a C-Square CDeck and a standard CDeck. This allows the two CDecks to work in complete tandem. If combined with a multitasking system (such as a TacCom-ShadowTech), then the user can effectively be using two (2) decks at once. However, the overall reaction of the user is reduced by five (5) points and there is still only one (1) hacking/reaction pool from which he/she can draw upon regardless (based upon the SLOWER reaction speed, as compared between CDecks).

The above mentioned cost is related to highest MPCP’s of each deck the user will be able to interconnect with. This setup allows for the second, that is the C-Square’s memory and operational procedures to NOT incur against the Load Rating of a node.

Reality Filter

• (Cybernetic Implantation)
• Cost: (MPCP x 3,500)+(Increase Response Level x 25,000)+(Persona x 11,500)
• Essence: .3
• Placement: parallel to Persona Module

This device allows the user to operate in his/her “own little way.” It does not directly interfere with MPCP/Persona Operations as the more standard CDeck models, but it does increase the effective SLD/SSLD by +2 at all times (even if CDecking is not being used). It also gives a +2 to the users reaction/hacking pools as well +1 Die to initiative rolls while in matrix actions.

Satellite Uplink

• (Cybernetic Implantation)
• Cost: MPCP x 150,000 Nuyen
• Essence: MPCP / 5
• Placement: Parallel to the Upper Center Spinal column

This device is essentially the same as the “standard” satellite uplinking devices. Use of the uplink does incur a -2 modifier to the users’ reaction and/or hacking pools. It will work in the same fashion as the “standard” satellite uplinks (see Virtual Realities).

>>>>>[ I don’t know about this one, folks. Sounds a little like putting a lightning rod and microwave antenna right next to your major nerve trunk. Watch out for stormy weather. ]<<<<<
—Boomer, aka Aroooo (15:45:32/11-26-54)

Satellite Search Programs (Software)

• Cost: MP x 250 Nuyen
• Memory: (R^2) x 4 (R = rating)

This program essentially aids the users of satellite uplinks and related devices search for positive connections faster. The rating of the program is added to the dice test for the search time. Please note, that the legality of such programs is such that many corpers who catch offenders using such will often kill the owner/user/possessor without provocation.

>>>>>[The following is a little something that I discovered while doing some research for my boss, the Reflex while he’s away down in Aztlanville. I hope a few of you enjoy this, as it makes “corp computers” that much more dangerous to encounter.]<<<<<
—Backdraft<10:21:44/1-3-61>

Super or Powernodes

It has often been wondered why the “corporate decker” has such a major advantage to his operations and his effective LR restrictions. We at the Nevermore Foundation now think we may have the solution to this unusual dilemma. The introduction and usage of the “SuperNode.”

A SuperNode, or Powernode to some, utilizes a parallel tree setup with varying numbers of additional SPU’s set aside for the purpose of regulating and controlling information and datastyle MP. For example, it is commonly known that an Orange-5 Node has a Load Rating (LR) restriction of 15. With the discovery/introduction of the SuperNode this is no longer the case. Say the Orange-5 system is running with assistance from an SPU(I/O) supernode of rating 5. This causes a reduction of 16 to the effective LR of the node’s functioning.

How does this work, why similar to the SPU(I/O) put forth in the street catalog known now as the “ShadowTech Sourcebook.” The scale for the reduction as compared to the rating is as follows.

• Level 1 = LR reduction 1
• Level 2 = LR reduction 2
• Level 3 = LR reduction 4
• Level 4 = LR reduction 8
• Level 5 = LR reduction 16
• Level 6 = LR reduction 24*

* It is thought that each level beyond six (6) causes a rating reduction of 8, not doubling the previous levels power.

What limits to this are there? To date we have discovered this… The system rating is apparently the maximum LR reduction level allowed. In the above example, the Orange-5 system would be limited to a Level 5 SPU(I/O) setup.

How come everyone in the node doesn’t have this benefit then? Simple really, there is a parallel SPU that is not usually mapped out on a system chart. This SPU is connected to a series of passcode files that are used by the system. It is usually guarded by the toughest ICe in the system. Unless the decker/users Icon contains this “passcode/identifying signal,” the system simply does not allow access to this “extra processing power.”

It is of note, that system with “multi-layer security” often have more than one SPU(I/O). Usually one per “color/level of security.” Sometimes the SPU(I/O) is connected only to certain nodes, and not to the entire system and its associated subsystems.

To date, the corps that are known to contain this kind of functioning are: Aztechnologies, Renraku, HKB (Atlanta), Nemesis-Crysteck, Fuchi, and MCT…

>>>>>[Have fun with the concept guys, I just hope the boss got this in time for his own uses… ]<<<<<
—Backdraft<10:39:32/1-3-61>