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Dumpshock Forums _ Shadowrun _ Off-switches for the cyber-enhanced

Posted by: Entropy Kid Jun 18 2004, 04:58 AM

In the thread on horrors someone (totori?) mentioned an off-switch for a cyberzombie. Anyone who played the videogame Deus Ex will remember the killphrases for the cyber-enhanced UNATCO agents.

How realistic is that? Does it make sense for a corp or government agency to put failsafe devices like that in their augmented personnel? I'm asking about both an auto-kill command, either vocal or electronic, and simple "off-switches" that'd disable the agent.

Somewhat related- does it make sense for anyone to have a "self-destruct" system built into them? I'm talking about explosives- something that'd effect the agent's environment, not cyanide capsules.

Posted by: Tyron Jun 18 2004, 05:03 AM

Cranial bombs man. Cranial bombs.

They can explode to the point where they can hurt people around them and can be programmed to be set off by a certain phrase or even by voice recognition.

Also, Deus had a kill switch for his Banded which allowed him to at a moment's notice release carcerands into the Banded that stopped their heart. I'm sure the process could be duplicated by the right people.

Posted by: LaughingTiger Jun 18 2004, 05:03 AM

I'd say if you're outfitting an agent with mil-spec gear, it makes perfect sense. If you're sinking mega-nuyen into this person/thing, you don't want it running away. You also don't want it enganing non vaild targets.

An explosive device? Already in the rules. Cortex bombs.

Posted by: BitBasher Jun 18 2004, 05:04 AM

Too bad you can't just say "flatlander woman" and whack every female sammy out there.

In Deus Ex they were definitely area bombs.

Posted by: Entropy Kid Jun 18 2004, 05:46 AM

I know about the cranial bombs, my first character had one, although I can't remember why I so enthusiatically asked for that of all pieces of gear. That was a fun, but stupid character.

QUOTE

Too bad you can't just say "flatlander woman" and whack every female sammy out there.

Or "Laputin Machine" to get rid of oversized, angry, German cybersoldiers. I imagine the phrases would be computer generated non-sense words, like the name of some kind of mythos creature (but easier to pronounce), to decrese that non-zero chance of accidental activation.

QUOTE

Also, Deus had a kill switch for his Banded which allowed him to at a moment's notice release carcerands into the Banded that stopped their heart.

I remember reading about the precautions Deus took to keep his slaves from leaving the Arc, but Deus is sort of a special case. He/It was a god in there. I'm curious how these things work out in much less controlled circumstances.

The other issues (that I forgot to mention in the first post

) is how likely anyone is to agree to something like this. I doubt most people would give someone else that kind of power over them. I'm sure there are cases where agents don't know they're rigged to die, faint, or just freeze on command, but if it was an explosion, that's something they should know about-- they need to consider their team members and it's something that could be planned around when necessary (suicide bombing).

And does it make any sense for an agent to explode when they die? I'm sure it could be useful occassionally, but enough to make that a standard? -and again, how much control would the agent have over something like this? Obviously they can't be allowed to turn it off, but should they be able to activate it?

Posted by: Nikoli Jun 18 2004, 12:42 PM

Well, if you want to make sure that what ever is in there head never winds up in someone elses head (other than as shrapnel) the cortex bomb is a good plan, personally though, I'd also add in a similair device to every limb as well, leave nothing useful o rtell-tale in the agent. after all, if your gonna reach out and touch someone when they do bad things, why stop and spraying some grey?

Posted by: TinkerGnome Jun 18 2004, 02:10 PM

I believe the banded had RAS overrides standard. That'd shut them down when Deus wanted them shut down.

I wouldn't even consider building a cyberzombie without one.

Posted by: Siege Jun 18 2004, 02:19 PM

As for why cortex bombs?

1. Guaranteed splatter - you cannot retrieve any data located in or near the head.
2. Object lesson if necessary.
3. Collateral damage - although explosive contained anywhere in the body can achieve this effect.

Granted, loading up your SEAL team equivalent would be bad, if only for operational considerations.

However, dedicated chipjacks offer a whole new realm of pre-programmed nastiness.

-Siege

Posted by: Cray74 Jun 18 2004, 02:37 PM

QUOTE (Entropy Kid)

How realistic is that? Does it make sense for a corp or government agency to put failsafe devices like that in their augmented personnel? I'm asking about both an auto-kill command, either vocal or electronic, and simple "off-switches" that'd disable the agent.

Well...

"Kink bomb" cortex bombs supposedly can be placed to disable specific cyberware implants. One could even fluff them into simple remote on/off switches. That'd be a great way to keep risky cyberzombies under control.

I suppose a RAS override, connected to an implant receive-only radio, would be another trick that could be used.

And, yeah, I can see megacorps doing this to key, high-risk personnel.

Posted by: Tyron Jun 18 2004, 04:13 PM

QUOTE

I doubt most people would give someone else that kind of power over them.

Actually, it doesn't seem too far fetched that someone whom was well endowed with cyberware by an corporation or government would refuse a cranial bomb or any other kill switch device. Said corporation/organization/government isn't going to put a million nuyen worth of cyberware into some random slub they get off the street. They'll be putting it into a highly loyal, highly disciplined individual that would die for them without a second thought. In exchange for a fat paycheck and bleeding edge cyberware, said individual needs only to have a bit of "insurance" installed within his skull to make sure that company's equipment and/or information doesn't fall into enemy hands. You can spin it a million different ways to make it seem like installing a bomb into your brain is really for the best and make it sound good, especially if that individual is already fanatically loyal to you in the first place.

Posted by: Berzerker Jun 18 2004, 04:38 PM

Anyone who is going in for a ton of cyberware on the companies nickle isnt exactly in a position to refuse the bomb if the employers want to put it in. Who says they even need to know about it. You invest in an employee who should be willing to die for the job...whats wrong with a little something to ensure they do?

Posted by: toturi Jun 19 2004, 08:13 AM

Yes, but it will enable anyone with access to the detonation code to take out the cyberzombie. An RAS override just shut him down.