 Off-switches for the cyber-enhanced |
  |
 Jun 18 2004, 04:58 AM
Post
#1
|
|
|
Moving Target  Group: Members Posts: 173 Joined: 4-March 03 Member No.: 4,196  |
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. |
 |
 
|
|
Jun 18 2004, 05:03 AM
Post
#2
|
|
|
Target Group: Members Posts: 28 Joined: 14-May 04 Member No.: 6,329 |
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. |
|
|
|
|
Jun 18 2004, 05:03 AM
Post
#3
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 153 Joined: 1-April 04 Member No.: 6,211 |
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. |
|
|
|
|
Jun 18 2004, 05:04 AM
Post
#4
|
|
|
Traumatizing players since 1992 Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,282 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Las Vegas, NV Member No.: 220 |
Too bad you can't just say "flatlander woman" and whack every female sammy out there. :D
In Deus Ex they were definitely area bombs. |
|
|
|
|
Jun 18 2004, 05:46 AM
Post
#5
|
|||||
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 173 Joined: 4-March 03 Member No.: 4,196 |
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.
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.
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 :oops: ) 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? |
||||
|
|
|
||||
|
Jun 18 2004, 12:42 PM
Post
#6
|
|
|
Chicago Survivor Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 5,079 Joined: 28-January 04 From: Canton, GA Member No.: 6,033 |
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?
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 18 2004, 02:10 PM
Post
#7
|
|
|
Dragon Group: Members Posts: 4,138 Joined: 10-June 03 From: Tennessee Member No.: 4,706 |
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. |
|
|
|
|
Jun 18 2004, 02:19 PM
Post
#8
|
|
|
Dragon Group: Members Posts: 4,065 Joined: 16-January 03 From: Fayetteville, NC Member No.: 3,916 |
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 |
|
|
|
|
Jun 18 2004, 02:37 PM
Post
#9
|
|||
|
Running Target Group: Members Posts: 1,428 Joined: 9-June 02 Member No.: 2,860 |
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. |
||
|
|
|
||
|
Jun 18 2004, 04:13 PM
Post
#10
|
|||
|
Target Group: Members Posts: 28 Joined: 14-May 04 Member No.: 6,329 |
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. |
||
|
|
|
||
|
Jun 18 2004, 04:38 PM
Post
#11
|
|
|
Target Group: Members Posts: 56 Joined: 8-April 04 From: Utah Member No.: 6,225 |
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?
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 19 2004, 08:13 AM
Post
#12
|
|
|
Canon Companion Group: Members Posts: 8,021 Joined: 2-March 03 From: The Morgue, Singapore LTG Member No.: 4,187 |
Yes, but it will enable anyone with access to the detonation code to take out the cyberzombie. An RAS override just shut him down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 10th June 2025 - 11:45 PM |
Topps, Inc has sole ownership of the names, logo, artwork, marks, photographs, sounds, audio, video and/or any proprietary material used in connection with the game Shadowrun. Topps, Inc has granted permission to the Dumpshock Forums to use such names, logos, artwork, marks and/or any proprietary materials for promotional and informational purposes on its website but does not endorse, and is not affiliated with the Dumpshock Forums in any official capacity whatsoever.