Note: Comments in blue are made by Dani, comments by Fel are red, and Loren's
comments are green.
Costs are left to the GM's judgment. I'd personally
recommend pretty darn high and a search for the doc that can perform the
operations necessary for the cyber, and karma for the more idea orientated toys
(yes, that does apply to my players. Sorry guys >;).
(Retractable) Single Spurs
This is a combination of cyber spurs in
the wrists and elbows. It is actually one long blade of "metal" that can pop out
of the wrist (like on the cover of Psycotrope) and the elbows, making for a
nasty surprise. Since it is one single piece, it cannot be out at both places at
the same time, but it is a free action to switch. Could be a nasty surprise for
anyone trying to grab you from behind. Essence cost is .8
Forget it. Just go to a trustworthy street doc -
Now there's a contradiction in terms.
Shut up Fel. Go to a doc you trust not to file the paperwork -
All of 'em.
- and get both
spurs. Might cost more of your essence, but works better. The only time I can
think -
*coughcough*
- of
this being useful is if you're an expert at killing people with elbow spurs.
Lone Star would only put their restraints on the wrist spurs, but again, it's
better to get both.
Chat Room Deck
Ever wish you could deck in for just a second to
find out what the frag your decker is up to?
Okay, probably not. But with
modern tech, this can be accomplished by anyone determined (crazy) enough to
try. This uses a small (about the size of a pocket calculator at most) deck that
gives the user a basic, primitive persona program, programs allowing access to
the Matrix, and a heavy duty trace prog. When a decker jacks in (or anyone else
using a trode rig, which can be hidden under a hat), he or she can trace another
decker to their current location. Using a cell phone *author's note: okay, the
2060 equivalent*, this can be accomplished from anywhere. The connection to the
matrix is tenuous at best, so imagery tends to be washed out, distant, or
ghostly (or any combination of the 3)
I hate this. It's good for quick checks, but the strain on
your eyes is a slitch.
I like it. Then again, that may
be because it saved my hoop a few times. Dani took a look see and noticed some
black IC was about to smear my hoop from here to London and back, got to a real
deck, and managed to help me take out the IC.
Yeah,
true. (Help you? I remember it a bit differently….) But it gives you double
vision: you see the matrix and the real world. If you can see into the astral at
the same time…. Brr. Nasty. Find a reason to close your eyes or you'll end up in
the psycho ward.
Only other thing you gotta remember
is this is strictly for surveillance. A bit of white IC coded by a two year old
could take you out without a problem. There's barely anything between you and
the matrix.
There are easier - and safer - ways to
keep in contact. Oh yeah, and it takes time and practice to be subtle about
jacking in. That's mostly time in front of the mirror seeing just how obvious it
is. My recommended method; wear a hat and keep "adjusting" it.
Shooting Spurs
Using modern technology and growing abilities of
cybertechnology, cyber spurs can now be installed (for a high price) to be
ejected at high speeds from the arm. In other words, a big fragging bullet with
an edge. There are 2 versions; a one use (slightly cheaper and takes .7 essence)
shot or a refillable style that is more expensive (costs .9 essence and if less
than beta rating, is obvious there is a hole in the arm for some reason).
This is a useful toy. Bullet barriers don't stop anything
that big that's bladed, and people just don't expect the spur to keep on coming.
I don't know why anyone that would bother getting this in the first place
wouldn't get the refillable option, but I guess some just worry about their
essence more than others.
I for one can testify for
the usefulness. Loren managed to take out a psychopath with one of these to save
all our lives. Very cool toy. I'll never get one, but they're very
cool.
Grappling Spurs
A variant on the shooting spur (even more
expensive, worth 1.1 point essence) where the spur is attached to a rope and
when shot, the spur opens into a 3 pronged grapple. A mechanism to rewind the
rope (and hoist you) is included.
I never had the guts to try this. I was always too afraid
that the grapple would open up before I shot it or something. I haven't heard
about that happening, but then again I haven't heard of too many people with
this. Even if it didn't open unexpectedly, you might want to get cyber arms or
some sort of reinforcement for your arm before you just shoot and let it pull
you up. Otherwise at best you'll dislocate your arm. At worst… uh. Then you'd be
able to get that cyber arm.
That's just
disgusting.
The Button
This is a complicated deck program/maneuver that
requires 2 deckers and 3 decks. The first decker (the Bait) jacks into his deck
(deck #1), then routes his matrix signal through to the 'sentry deck' which is
located at another location (preferably far away that can afford to be
compromised). Then the Bait sends his signal through the sentry deck to the
Matrix. At this point, Decker #2 (the Pusher) jacks into the third deck, the
Button, and piggybacks on the Bait's pesona. This contains minimum programs for
greatest speed, so consists of minimum persona, progs for connecting to the
matrix, possibly monitors of trace programs/the Bait, and the detonator for
explosives in/around the sentry deck. The two deckers team up in the matrix and
go about their business until attacked. At this point, where most deckers would
jack out, the pair can wait for a trace program (if any) to get to the sentry
deck. At any time (well, before death), the Pusher can hit the detonator for the
explosives. This destroys the connection to the Matrix, kicking the deckers into
the real world with a case of dump shock and slightly charred decks. If desired,
this can be combined with surveillance at the location of the Sentry deck (now a
smoking heap of junk) to find out just who was after you. Throw in automated
defenses, and it's easy to turn the tables.
God I love this set up! I can't count the number of times it
saved my life. With this, I can take on almost anything and get out with just a
bit of dump shock.
A bit?! You call that "a bit"?!?!
Hurts like hell!
Better than the
alternative.
Eh. Suppose so. What Fel forgot to
mention is you need to make sure you trust the other decker with you (bait or
pusher) totally. If one of you has even the slightest problem working with the
other, you're both likely to end up slagged. Get any arguments or grievances of
any sort done with before even thinking of using this.
Oh yeah. The one time we needed this after a fight, there was the
temptation -
On both our parts.
To just let the IC do its dirty work for just a little bit longer as
revenge. Dani hit the button just in time. If the IC makes it past the sentry
deck, you're as good as dead. And the cost of new sentry decks is a pain. But
still, all in all, it's worth every cent.
Speaking
from the receiving end, yes, this does work.
Lone Star Cyber-cuffs
Made from ceramic and metal alloys, and
fashioned after the bracers of the middle ages, this is your average cop's best
friend (next to a really big gun). When put on anyone with cyber spurs
(forearm), it keeps them from using their spurs. Part of a cop's utility
belt.
No comment needed, I think.
Well, we do need to add that there aren't many of there for spurs not
located in the forearms. Sure, that's where most install them, but elbow, feet,
and knee spurs present problems for most Star employees.
Well, we just heard it from someone who should know. But really,
whatever happened to old, simple methods of just clubbing the meta - crook over
the head until they're unconscious (or dead)? It's gotta be
cheaper.
After Dunkelzahn, it's not politically
correct.
Who's given a damn about that since the Night
of Rage?
Well, it was probably the lawsuits that the
Star got after the caught a suit slumming.
You two
are hopeless.
For what, trying to inform other
runners about things that might help them stay alive? It's our civic duty, damn
it, and we'll keep doing it until we kick the bucket!!!
*sigh* I give up.
Hey Loren, ever think
about selling cars?
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