Backlash - Cybernetic Threat Evaluation System

by Patrick I Buchert (bypbuchert@delta.hut.fi)

Here’s a new, interesting piece of cyberware for you to digest ..

FYI, this system does exist. It is not cyber sized, but I guess luggable versions are out already and they are looking to extending it to VIP protection. Check out a recent Aviation Week & Space Technology.

This should put a slight punch into being a elite bodyguard… if all PCs get this, your campaign has some Monty Haul characteristics and I would recommend a purge.

Backlash is the latest piece of hardware in the invetories of Knight-Errant Executive Protection teams. It allows a rapid response to external projectile threats. The system continually analyses incoming visual sensory data as a background task. To ensure maximum operational effectiveness, the system enforces occasional unconscious surround scans. If the system recognizes a threat it immediately alerts the user to it. It is capable of identifying projectile threats from low-velocity bullets to anti-vehicular missiles and calculating their flight trajectories, ideally pinpointing the point of origin while the projectile is still in mid-flight.

It is primarily targeted for security applications, mainly VIP protection and is a next generation device from similar systems in military use since the beginning of the millennia. Currently it has been sold in limited amounts to private security contractors and is seen commonly only in Knight-Errant Executive Protection teams.

Essence cost:    Rating:      Cost:
     .5           1-4      120,000+20,000*rating =Y=

Legality:      Availability:
  8P-CB          10/30days

Uhoh, what kind of science fiction drek is this? They can’t have stuff like this on the market. No way can anyone be faster than a speeding bullet, no drekking way.
Johnny D

Can’t be faster than a bullet? Ever see Tyson Jr. fight in the unlimited series? Those wired reflexes most definately put him among the fastest human beings on earth. I have no doubt he could dodge a bullet if he had fair warning and by the looks of it, this systems gives just that and a bit more.
Red Flash

And for the unbelievers, the US military used to have these way back in the 90’s. Only larger and not with quite so good recognition software, the system has come a long way since that.
Hangfire

Human beings? Unless you have seen Lee Shirley play center forward for the Eugene Lords, you have no concept of speed, makkaherinit.
Lerethien Verantin

Hate to interrupt your sports hour, but take it from me. This system is out and very functional. Only one feature annoys me. I just hate it when I am looking at that special someone deserving my undivided attention and the system forces one of those periodic surrounding scans, takes me almost a whole second to get back to the matter at hand, so to speak. And in my line of work, you just can’t turn it off, can ya?
Shield, Hard Corps security

Drek, news like this can sure ruin a man’s day. Gonna make my line of work a LOT harder. Guess I’ll be charging extra if hit involves Knight-Errant Executive Protection teams.
E-razor

Ditto. What do you mean you aren’t charging extra for KE already?
Pooka

Frag. If these two guys are disappointed, I’m happy.
Shield, Hard Corps security

Game Mechanics

The effective rating of the system is system rating plus the number of following vision enhancement systems (Thermal, Low-light, Rangefinder, Magnification, Ultrasound) including an Orientation System.

User directly adds half the effective rating of the system to his Reaction in surprise tests. The system requires that user is generally scanning the area from which the attack comes (The CTES system also analyses peripheral vision). It also automatically provides user with a trajectory vector to the point of origin if the projectile passes through the field of vision.

If user recognizes a threat, the CTES provides user with weapon type information. If user generates more successes in an ambush surprise test (Versus target number 3, the system gives a slight bonus to detecting this kind of threats) he is then allowed to roll initiative and should he roll a higher result than the attacker, he is then allowed to react while the bullet is in mid-air (!) possibly stepping in front of it, pushing mark aside, ducking etc, even responding with fire.

(Note that a mage could /conceavably/ astrally project and intercept an incoming spell, provided he succeeds in the perception test to identify the spell being cast and the system recognizes the mage as a potential threat, ie he is armed and/or suddenly emerges. The expert system does track persons.)

With Orientation System available, it is able to pinpoint the attacker’s location with precision [Adds one to Tactical Computer level].