THE ICE BOX >>>>[Right from the databases of Denvar Security Consulting Inc., a high profile "tiger-team" in New York. Seems they got contracted by Mi-Tech Security Systems Inc. to run some new IC through the penetration test. This looks to be a summary of the operation. We're still looking for the full document, but I expect Mi-Tech has the only copy around. Good luck getting through their IC. Sorry, couldn't get the figures or the appendices with this stuff. They're probably with the main documents as well. As you can see from the comments, I've been playing with this stuff a little. There's a small base just off the Seattle grid with a test batch of this stuff, and they don't keep good watch. The Freeform there is also very, very lightweight stuff. Another lesson for the corps. If yer gonna put in the latest and greatest security systems, make it heavy. Otherwise, yer just helpin' the opposition. Oh, yeah. That comment 'bout Nasan Helles ain't a joke, either. Seems they contracted our buddy for a large chunk of this baby.]<<<< - Barron FREEFORM IC Chris Beauregard <[c p beaure] at [undergrad.math.waterloo.edu]> File 2100-67-B Dated 9 Jun 2050 Protected-C Summary of Contract 2100-4-A "Intrusion Countermeasure Verification of Mi-Tech Security Systems Incorporated FF-IC Freeform" INITIAL TESTING Simulation system was formatted after standard insurance company and small holding bank systems, the presumed client for this form of countermeasures. See Appendix A for full system plans. The FF- IC Freeform was placed in the SAN to the internal layer, and both CPUs. A lighter version was placed in the inner layer DLJ between the central CPU and the file storage area. >>>>[That's a layered system for you slow types...]<<<< - Barron The first testing consisted of a selection of program frames attacking the FF-IC in the SAN. The program frames consisted of light attack utilities and variable analysis utilities. The FF-IC attacked the frames when in range and used the Nasan Helles patented engulfing attack to destroy the frames. Appendix B contains statistics on frame strength, FF-IC strength, and engagement times for all tests. >>>>[Freeform IC seems to be an adaptive IC. It has no defined matrix construct. Normally, it appears as an energized mist until it has a target. Then it transforms into whatever it thinks can do the job and nails the target to the wall. The engulfing technique mentioned is what it uses against slow and stupid targets. Doesn't even bother transforming, just wraps around the target and nukes it.]<<<< - Barron The second initial test consisted of more intelligent and less straightforward attacks, still using the frames. The FF-IC invariably adapted to the best icon form and destroyed the penetrating frames. The only exceptions occurred when the frames used high masking and evasion levels. Very high levels tended to increase the node load to such a point that the FF-IC could not take the most efficient form. On several instances, the program frame managed to cause significant damage to the FF-IC. Another possibility is that high masking decreased the information available to the FF-IC such that it could not take on a form sufficient to damage the frame. >>>>[The transform process eats power bigtime. Takes a little while to do. Once it makes it though, she's like a three-year old with wired 'flexes and too much sugar. Fast. Those high levels of masking and evasion, by the way, are probably well into the milspec levels. Not just boosted reaction here, chummers.]<<<< - Barron ADVANCED TESTING The first of the advanced tests consisted of a simulated life form. Full analysis hardware was connected through a bio-chip with a simulated low-intelligence. The anti-personnel version of the FF-IC was used for this test. The intelligence was programmed for straightforward attacks on the target IC. As can be seen from Appendix D, the simulated intelligence performed extremely poorly against the FF-IC. Analysis indicates that the FF-IC exploited its adaptive features to bypass all the deck protective measures and deliver the anti-personnel capacity directly to the intelligence. This feature was not seen in preliminary testing, and is likely specific to the anti-personnel versions of the FF- IC. Analysis of the attack method indicates a slightly improved version of standard anti-personnel algorithms. Also noted was the effects of the engulfing attack. Exiting the matrix when subjected to this form of attack increased significantly in difficulty. The second test consisted of a live intelligence. In each case, a trained monkey was used in a variety of attacks on the FF-IC and its node. Again, high masking and evasion levels seemed to cause trouble for the FF-IC. The high quality anti-personnel algorithm was responsible for a much higher body count than usual, and more than offset these rare occurrences. Final testing consisted of a number of human intelligences. because of the limited number available, testing was not as thorough as in other areas. However, as can be seen by Appendix F, the FF-IC was more than capable of handling penetrations to all areas of the sample system. Analysis indicates that the FF-IC offered a very high psychological impact on targets, decreasing their resistance to its unique attack forms. >>>>[This form of testing was basically suckering wannabees into takin' a run at their sample base. Figures that it took out so many. On the other hand, it seems a few real hot cowboys got pegged by this stuff too. We're still lookin' for names, but it could be bad news.]<<<< - Barron ANALYSIS High adaptivity of the FF-IC resulted in much faster and higher kill rates. The engulfing attack especially increased the exposure to the attack mechanisms of the FF-IC. High load required in transformations is a definite hindrance in its effectiveness. RECOMMENDATIONS Possibly decrease the size of the construct in order to increase transformation speed and decrease load. The high effectiveness of the FF-IC should more than offset any loss in strength from these changes. >>>>[Other notes. They have all kinds of versions of Freeform IC ready for the market. The Black versions are especially nasty, but there're versions with Blaster, Killer, and some weird psychological attack forms. Except for a pretty high load, these things have similar capabilities as yer standard Gray/Black IC. The effects of the transformation are pretty ugly though. Any attack you make against it, it's pretty much immune to a second shot. You can't slow this stuff at all, and I doubt seriously that you can plant a virus on it. If you try, make sure it's real adaptive. The other problem is that every attack it gets in on you, the one after it hits harder. Changing your defensives on the run seems to screw it up for a bit.]<<<< - Barron GM NOTES Load Rating is double Rating when transforming, Rating otherwise. It takes one action to transform to optimum shape. Target must be in Observation Range. If optimum configuration is reached, the IC has a negative modifier (bonus) on its attack target number. To reach optimum, roll the IC rating against the average of the target's evasion and masking levels. The IC gets -1 on the attack for each success scored. Freeform IC must transform to attack, even if it gets no successes. Treat Freeform IC as having shifting defensive form with no increased load rating. Trying to jack out when attacked by Freeform-Black IC requires an Unresisted Willpower Test against twice the IC rating. Each hit by Freeform IC on a target decreases the target of the next attack by 1. This is cumulative. Any changes in the Masking or Evasion rating of the target requires a new transformation by the IC. All target numbers for attacks are reset. Slow utilities have no effect on Freeform IC. EXAMPLE: Davison Hack is running the Mi-Tech system. He pops into a node with Freeform-Killer-5. The IC is in Probe mode, and Davison blows his rolls. The battle begins. The IC wins initiative and gets the first action. It transforms. Davison's average Evasion and Masking is 5. The IC rolls 5 dice with a target of 5, and gets 3 successes. This could be bad. Davison gets the next action. He slams the IC with an Attack-4, and hits for light damage. The IC hits Davison next. It's got a -3 on the target number. It hits for Moderate damage. Davison tries a Slow-5. Bummer. The IC attacks again. This time, it's got a -4. -3 from the transform, and -1 from the last hit. Davison lucks out, and takes light damage. Next time though, the IC is hitting at -5. Next round, Davison gets first action, takes the hint and puts on a Cloak-6. The IC transforms again. This time, Davison's Masking and Evasion average is at 7. The IC manages one success, enough for a -1 modifier. Davison, in a burst of intelligence, skips out before the FF's buddies show up.