Sleepwalkers
                               
                        Krishgan <[warmon g r] at [mentor.cc.purdue.edu]>
                                                                
                                                                
                                                                
New Cyberware- Wired Reflexes, Level 0
Cost:          17,500 Nuyen
Essence Cost:  .75
Legality Code: -<Laugh>- (see below)
              
This setup is required if for some reason, an individual loses
control of his/her own neural pathways/ reactionary abilities.
They are widely used by many medical facilities for operation on
patients who have suffered major spinal injury or neurological
damage, say from automotive accidents or major electrical shock.

The system allows the user normal movement and ability, within
the parameters of their original system.  It gives no bonus to
speed or action beyond the users normal and/or original motive
responses.

Normally, this piece of gear is considered to be Legal, and is
allowed to any who require its implantation.  However, if it has
been implanted without legal medical consent/ documentation, then
it is classified as a major felony akin to Forgery and Defamation
of Character.

Ok, now that we have this little tidbit, we can begin the
construction of what is commonly known on the streets as a
Sleepwalker.

Sleepwalkers are people who desire/decide to do more than one
function in life at a time, but are physically incapable of doing
so do to the restrictions of both Physical and Mental
Coordination/Limitation.

Sleepwalkers are not to be confused with Simsense Addicts/Users
and/or Chipheads, though they can be and often are the same.  A
Sleepwalker is someone who requires more than one objective at a
time and wires their body to handle this.

What is required to be a Sleepwalker?  First of all, you need
at least Wired Reflexes Level 0 (as above).  Second, you need a
Display Link or compatible piece of equipment (such as a SoftLink
or Encephalon). Third, you need some sort of storage/operational
medium to function through.  This can be either a Datajack with
external program media or Internal Headware (includes such things
as SoftLinks, Encephalons, and C-Square CDecks).  Fourth, a
Sleepwalker requires a Sense Link that has been integrated with
the above mediums (at an additional .1 essence cost). And lastly
a little bit of guts.

Sleepwalkers allow their bodies to run on a sort of "autopilot"
mode.  The Sense Linkage allows the "autopilot" of the
Sleepwalker to use the functional sense of the body in order to
guide itself around. Simple option programs that can do things
like "washing dishes", "watch TV and Eat for an afternoon", and
"drive to work" are all readily available through various
sources.  When combined with Map OC's (optical chips) and an
Orientation System, complicated procedures can begin to be
programmed for the Sleepwalker.

For example, with a bit of time and patience, Reflex has
created a "Sleepwalker Smart Frame" that gets him up in the
morning, gets him dressed cleaned up, shaved if necessary, have
breakfast, and go for a morning jog around the neighborhood for
exercise.  People often wonder if Reflex's "Morning Frame" can
also operate that Predator he carries around for protection.

The implications of this are staggering.  When combined with
such things as Radio/ComSuites, Internal Telephones and other
transceiving devices, it is possible to do a vast number of
things at the same time.  Deckers seem to really enjoy this, as
they can be in both the Matrix and have their "meat" body doing
some of the more mundane things, like walking downtown for a
stroll.

>>>[Oh yeah, a Stroll he says...walking around downtown to get
closer to the targets they are hitting through their headware
telephones if you ask me...]<<<
-Dapper Dan<8:24:50/7-25-61>

->>>>>[Ah, but Dapper, we didn't...]<<<<<
-Backdraft<9:47:21/7-25-61>

There are also many, as yet unproven, reports of individuals
who have created separate and multi-layer frames that are capable
of doing very complicated things.  For example, if Skillwires and
the appropriate Skillsofts are utilized (such as Acting or
Piloting), it becomes possible for a Sleepwalker to do major
business transactions while monitoring different activities
and/or doing different functions entirely.

>>>[Ah Hell, the boss has a set of frames that let him go into a
building using things like Stealth and Athletics, knock out
guards with Armed/Unarmed Combat and/or Firearms, locate an
access terminal or piece of hardware (which he is doing his own
Matrix cover the whole time of course), and get out by way of
foot, vehicle, or other.  Sort of takes the terminology and
words, "Jack-of-All-Trades" to an entirely new level.]<<<<
-Backdraft<9:51:01/7-25-61>

Another type of Sleepwalker that is rumored of on the streets
is the Possessed Sleepwalker.  This guy is a bit more
interesting, as someone else is actually controlling his body.
On the streets, these types are known as "Schizos."  This
requires Skillwires and is almost always someone with Alpha or
higher grade cyberware.

The Possessed are capable of having several people function in
and/or through their body at once.  Sometimes, these individuals
also have things like multiple Datajacks and/or Skillsoft/
Chipjack Implants.  They almost always have a Multi-Channel
Telephone and/or Radio/ComSuite system to allow for the higher
influx of informational exchange.

>>>[Yeah, but these guys have one MAJOR limitation.  The people
that are functioning through him/her cannot access skills of
their own beyond the level of the Skillwire Implants.  So, Reflex
only has Skillwires level 6, and if Detrius decides to use his
Gunnery (which is Level 8), then he is restricted to Level 6
usage only.]<<<
-Gideon "the Greaser" Carmichael<8:38:45/7-25-61>

>>>[Ah yes, but there are even ways around this.  Skillwires +,
SPU(I/O), preprogrammed TacComs, and even multiple Sense Link
Interfaces.  And it is SO cool to work like this.  And if you
have a "Dead Head" then it can go even further...]<<<
-Backdraft<9:53:29/7-25-61>

The last and final type of Sleepwalker I'll talk about is the
"Dead Head."  A Dead Head is not even a living being.  A Dead
Head is a relatively new and very advanced drone.  Dead Heads are
almost exclusively controlled by those in the corporate sector
and above in general funding/spending (like Military).

Dead Heads are basically massive collections of Cybernetic
Implantational Devices with full ComSuite Interfacing.  Think of
a Dead Head as a special type of Vehicle Drone.  With no limits
placed upon the psyche of the individual, or the biological
flesh, these drones are rapidly becoming a new means of heavy
level protection and/or invasion/espionage operations. Almost all
Dead Heads also come with a Self-Destruct mechanism, often times
capable of leveling a medium size building.  As they can also be
built to near Vehicle standards, they are also capable of
resisting higher amounts of physical damage than "normal"
Sleepwalkers, and so usually have a greater "mortality level"
than other modes of operation.

>>>[HIGHER MORTALITY RATE MY ASS!!!  These things are damn near
indestructible.  I ran into one with a few of my friends inside
of the Renraku Arcology in Seattle.  The only reason we even knew
we weren't dealing with a piece of meat is the mage with us said
the guy was actually dead.  This thing had damn near everything I
tell ya, Strength, Speed, Body, Built IN Laser Weaponry, Sensors,
hell even an ECM designed to go against our group comlinks.  It
hit the trog with us (no offense big guy), and put him through a
reinforced partition!  I tell ya, if you know you are going to
deal with one of these, bring a MicroNuke or something, cuz
you're gonna need it!!!]<<<
-the Hi-Way Hog<7:15:06/7-25-61>

->>>>>[Hey Hi-Way, I don't suppose you knew that the thing was
also being run by one of their security computers did ya???]<<<
-Nightfire<9:02:51/7-25-61>

>>>[So there ya have it, the ideas and mentionings of the future.
I do so hope you enjoyed it.  I know my players have and will
yet...]<<<
-Keith



Sleepwalkers

 1. All Actions are done with a +1 modifier if using a skill
that is possessed by the Sleepwalker.

 2. All Actions are done with a +2 modifier if using a skill
generated by software resources (such as programs, skillsofts,
etc.).

 3. All Reaction times are reduced by a +1. If the amount of
software material is producing any sort of LRating delay, then
that amount also reduces the Reaction attribute of the
individual.

 4. Wired and/or Boosted Reflexes are allowed to still effect
the  Reaction and Initiative times of the Sleepwalker. Increase
Cyber Reaction also will still function on this individual,
though other forms of Increase Reaction spells will not.

 5. If the Sleepwalker is actually "asleep" and not riding
along doing another action, then recordings of the actions are
made to some sort of medium. If no medium is available, then the
user will get the information subliminally, via a dreamstate, and
thus not retain any large amounts of what is happening to
him/her.

 6. If the Sleepwalker is actually doing some other action,
such as decking or involved in a telephone conversation, then the
actions that are occurring to the body/outside world, are viewed
through a "window" by the actual Sleepwalker.

 7. Skill Soft Load Delay (SSLD), System Load Delay (SLD) and
other modifiers to reaction times of headware, also have a
negative effect on the initiative of the Sleepwalker while these
systems are being utilized. For the definitions of SSLD and SLD,
please refer to the Softlink and the Memory sections of the
Cyberware in the ShadowTech Sourcebook.

 For example, Reflex has a SLD currently of 7, thus his
reactions are reduced by a rating of 7.



Possessed

 1. Those functioning through the user, have their skills and
actions limited by the Skillwire(s) rating limit. Skillwires + do
allow  for their normal limits, but nothing over the set rating
of the actual wires is allowed.

 For example, Backdraft and Slick are working through Reflex.
When it comes time to leave, Slick is using his Vector Thrust
skill to pilot the vehicle "they" are leaving in. As his Skill
rating for this is a 9, but Reflex's wires are only rating 6,
then the maximum skill that can be used is a 6.

 2. All Actions done by others through the Sleepwalker, are
modified by a +1. Also, all reaction times are reduced by a +2.

 3. Wired and/or Boosted Reflexes still function in the
Possessed  individual normally, but the controller/remote
operator is restricted by either the possessed reaction (modified
by the -2, as above), or his/her own reaction (modified by the -
2, as above), whichever is  LOWER.

 For Example, Reflex would normally have an initiative of 27
after modifications for this round. Slick is the one doing the
piloting and he only has a modified initiative of 17, thus
Slick's initiative numbers are what is used for this purpose.

 4. Recordings and/or "Windowing" functions are as per the
standard Sleepwalker above.

 5. SSLD and SLD are also cumulated normally, if so used in
this system setup. If people on the "controller" end of the setup
also have  SSLD and SLD, these ratings are cumulative.

 For example, Backdraft who is working with Slick (via Gunnery
Chip) has a cumulated SSLD of 4. Reflex has his SLD of 7 (as
above) and thus Slick's -17- Initiative is actually now a 6 (17 -
7 - 4 = 6).

 Use of SPU(I/O) cyberware is only effective for the individual
that it is installed in. For example, Reflex has an SPU(I/O)
Level 4, which gives a -8 to SLD, thus his SLD 7 is not
calculated into the reaction formula, but it has NO influence
over Backdrafts' SSLD of 4, so his still goes in.



Dead Heads

 Ok, so technically these things are very advanced drones. The
design and implementation of this sort of thing is for only
people who REALLY know what they are doing...

 1. They require a separate and NEW skill called Cyberdrones to
operate properly. Cyberdrone B/R and Cybertronic Theory are the
related design and (re)construction skills necessary.

 2. They have stats, not unlike a vehicle for the purposes of
Body and/or Armor. For every point of Body desired, a cumulative
cost of 5,000  Nuyen in materials is required.

For example, Gideon wants to build one of these things. He
desires the thing to have a Body of 4, therefore the cost for
this portion of the "drone" is 50,000 Nuyen ((1+2+3+4) X 5,000).

These units can also have armor built into them, and it is the
same as for armoring a vehicle as per the RBB rules. They are
considered to be a ground vehicle for the strictures and
limitations of such.

 3. Cyberdrones also require a preliminary system for alignment
of its "neural" pathways and its reactionary ability, thus the
implantation  of the Wired Reflexes Level 0 (as mentioned in a
previously related posting) is also required. Cost 17,500 Nuyen.

 4. Cyberdrones also require a Myolin/Rhethmoric Musculatory
system. This will establish the strength and the quickness of the
object. The cost for this system is 95,000 Nuyen per point.

So Gideon, who wants a Strength of 9 for the little puppy-thing
of his, is now shelling out an additional 855,000 Nuyen. Getting
pretty expensive huh?

 5. The sensors and other systems of the Cyberdrone are
restricted in two areas. One, visual, auditory, olfactory, and
tactile sense are as per normal cyberware rulings. You can build
who knows what into the eyes and ears as per normal rules.

Olfactory and Tactile senses are built into a system requiring
a  newer and differential setup. You have to design each set of
significant sense into the system.

For example, Gideon wants his new toy to "feel" thermal
variation and the like. Thus he designs and builds "Thermal
Sensitivity" into the unit. Use the rules and optional rules for
Thermal Vision to get an idea of cost, with a modifier equal to
the Body of the unit. Had he chosen to, he could have installed
such things as "Moisture Reconnaissance" and "Pressure
Differentiation." The costs for these functions is best left to
comparison to related devices in the SR Sourcebook. GM
Intervention is heavily required.

It is also possible to install Vehicle Sensors, ECM and ECCM
equipment into a Cyberdrone. Cyberdrones can contain a number of
CF equal to their Body rating for these purposes.

 6. Extra devices and/or objects are also required as per the
users  base design. Use the table and costs for Cyberware and
related devices in the ShadowTech, Street Samurai Catalog, and
the SR Sourcebooks for cost and inspiration.

Please note however, that certain modifications are not
allowable to the design. Muscle Enhancements, Dermal Armor,
Increased Strength by limb, and the majority of the Bioware
Division with one or two exceptions (see below).

 7. The Cyberdrone can appear in one of two major ways.
Humanoid and Non-Humanoid. Non-Humanoid cyberdrones are things
that utilize cybernetic implants but are obviously not walking on
two legs with two arms, main torso, head, etc....

The two divisions are concentrations of the appropriate skills
btw.

 8. The Intelligence of the Cyberdrone is rated in one of two
fashions. The first is via the operator, or the Rigger in this
case. Please note that remote operation of one of these demands a
Vehicle Control Rig for the user. In this case, the
"Intelligence" becomes that of the controller/operator.

The second is through the use of an autopilot. Similar to
autopilots as possessed by normal vehicles, they are many times
more complex in their design and higher functions. The cost per
rating "Point" of the autopilot is 27,500 Nuyen per point,
cumulative. So if good 'ol Gideon wanted an autopilot 5, the cost
is now upped and additional amount of .... 412,500 Nuyen.

BTW, design and creation of the autopilot programs is in the
realm of the Computer Theorists (Deckers) still. The target
number for the creation of one of these programs is the rating
squared, so Gideon would need at least one (1) 25 when it came to
designing the program for it. Oh, and he needs at least one (1)
25 when actually making the program as well. Memory and LR speeds
of the device are not discussed in this article, but assume the
worst. As far as time for both design and creation of the
autopilot, take the rating in 100's of days for each process,
divided by successes (if any additional) of course.  9. Many
Cyberdrones come equipped with Tactical Computers (all of them
require an Orientation System if they are going to be operated
with/via an Autopilot) for extra operation(s). When operating
alone, these TacCom's give the primary functioning for the use of
Firearms, Melee and Long Range combat scenarios.

Use the Intelligence of the controller/operator when so linked,
if not use half the rating of the autopilot, rounded down of
course.

 10. If you wish to give the Cyberdrone its own skills, such as
Firearms, English, Car, LTA, etc..., then they must be built into
the autopilot of the Cyberdrone or included into the overall
computer network (which is probably far easier). In this case, a
SoftLink with appropriate Skillwires and Encephalon setup is no
doubt required. You could also opt to have "hardwire-like"
implants taken into account for the cyber- drone.

 11. The appearance of the Cyberdrone is normally going to
appear either quite mechanical or very unusual to say the least
(remember those membranic fibers for the muscles, imagine that
being left exposed, at least partially, for all to see). There is
a simple treatment that leaves a very lifelike cosmetiskin
covering the cyberdrone and compensates nicely. The base coating
is 5,000 Nuyen, and does include things like hair implants, false
eye coverings, even a slightly scented quality (aka, personal
body odor).

This covering can be advanced in one of several ways though.
First of all, Orthoskin (see ShadowTech Sourcebook), can be
utilized and thus grown fully and provide extra durability and
protection to the unit as a whole. Though not the equivalent of
the armor mentioned above, it would help against personal, melee-
able opponents.

The "scenting" can also be modified to include such things as
Pheromonal Enhancement/Modification and Chameleon Patterning. The
former is by way of utilization of the Bioware Procedure. The
latter by using a very advanced olfactory guided system. Usually
however, only a few (limited to the rating of the autopilot)
scent patterns can be stored into the system of the cyberdrone.

The skin can also be made to include such things as Visual
Chameleonization, though the use of Reuthmoric Fibers and Lanolin
Storage Cells. The VC effects however, also include an Optical
Sensory system and relay network. Usually a TacCom is included
into the system to help relay and coordinate with the surrounding
terrain to the fullest effects.

 12. Extra weapons and devices, such as Cyberspurs and Computer
Interfaces are capable of being implanted as well, allowing the
remote operator to access other devices from the location of the
cyberdrone. Thus a remote user could have the cyberdrone enter a
vehicle and drive away with it. They receive a -2 to their
reaction/control pools for the control of these "linked"
units/vehicles however.

>>>[Ok folks, this has gotten really long, and I left some of my
stuff at home, so peruse this and get back with me. I will
continue this later, once I get a sheet of cost ideas and what
not made up for the thing that Gideon started to make above. When
I get that done, I'll get it out to ya'll.]<<<
-Keith