Yes, this has to do with my bio-adept concept character I posted about in the other thread... however, I wanted to keep the other topic on track in regards to adept powers. Also, I've had these other questions for a while now and they apply to various possible characters.
First off. Shields.
Now if I use a Ballistic Shield... I know it grants me a stacking 6/4 AP, and reduces my physical skill dice pools by -1. Fair enough.
However, I was wondering if it was possible for a large shield to actually grant you cover as well? I looked all through the books I have, and searched the forums and couldn't find any possible reference to this (though my search-fu on this forum is admittedly rusty).
I know that we are talking about a game here... but just curious... in real life, don't riot police and SWAT (among others) use those massive shields as mobile cover? I know that mechanically in SR4 this is somewhat represented by the additional AP.... but I'm wondering if there's any possible way to use a large enough shield as cover.
After all.... according to the rules, I could hide behind a couch or flip over a table and use that as cover.... why not a large ballistic shield that was specially designed to be used as cover and deflect bullets?
Not sure if this has been brought up before... if it has, my apologies! (and linkies appreciated)

Another Shield related question is this.... would it be possible to use a shield as an off-hand weapon for the TWF maneuver purposes? I'm aware that I'd likely have to buy and use Exotic Melee Weapon: Shields as a seperate skill and also get Ambidexterity to negate the -2 dice pool penatly...
But would this allow me to, say, get a Full Parry with the Shield, then get a normal attack with a main-hand weapon (or fist, foot, whatev).
On another TWF related note... and I'm sorry if this seems silly...
But is it possible to apply the TWF maneuver to unarmed attacks? Again, I'd likely need the Ambidexterity advantage to negate the -2 penalty for 'off-hand', but would this allow me to possibly get a full parry/block in the same IP as attacking unarmed in melee?
Thanks again for your help everyone!
Cheers,
Ravennus