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MR.

EDITOR
By Derek "The Q" Quintanar
Articles By:
Scott "Stealth" Taylor
Ross "Spyke" Winn
Craig "Boom Boom" Sheeley
Benjamin "Guru" Wright
Well, we're back...
Will "Macho Man" Moss
For those of you just joining the Cyberpunk adventure, this is a supple- Mike "Bandit" LaBossire
ment/sourcebook for the Solo character role. We're giving you background and
history (World Situation Report, Future of Force, Destroy All Flesh, I Was There),
playing tips (Medically Alert, IPSC Range Review, C.J. O'Reilly), and equipment
With Contributions By:
(Bubba&J.Ts Reviews, New at the Paris Show, The Open Road). This is done in Scott "Bubba" Ruggles
Mike "Iceman" Roter
"magazine" format, as if you were reading this in 2020. The yearbook would be
Michael 'Terminator" Todd
faxed or downloaded to you through a subscription service, or you could buy a Les "Laser" Connors
printout or download at a dataterm. It's a way of giving your Solo character more Steven "Slammer" Schultz
depth that just another "guy-with-a-gun." Jean-M. "Ringo" Ringuet

So what have you done for me lately? Editing:


Those who've taken this route before (via the best-selling Cyberpunk sup-
Derek "The Q" Quintanar
plement of all time, the original SOF) will find that we haven't let you down. The Janice "Eradicator" Sellers
book has increased in size by 50%, stuffed full of cyberware, equipment, vehi-
cles, and—oh, yeah—weapons, too. There are close to 40 of them in both arti-
Cover;
cles and advertisements. Enough toys for a looong time...
But "toys for the boys" is not the only game in town. New places to play are Mark "Spiff' Schumann
being detailed, such as the East Bloc/USSR and the SouthAm. The best Solos in Cover Model:
America are presented for use as supporting cast or deadly enemies. Plus, tips Ross "Spyke" Winn
on running low-cyberware games, or "practice" runs for training purposes.

Art Direction:
Hey, one of these articles is the same as before!?
In order to handle this larger format, RTG has staged this issue of SOF as a Mark "Spiff' Schumann
year-end Annual, showcasing the best articles of the period 2014-2020. We've
actually reprinted Jersey Whitherspoon's column from the original SOF as part Layout:
of our look at Eastern Europe, and to reinforce that "Best Of feeling. Mark "Spiff' Schumann
David "SuperSonic" Ackerman
Now you've got the biggest guns, toughest vehicles, sharpest intel, and bad-
dest attitude in the Dark Future—what are you gonna do with it? Get out there Interior Art:
and show those posers that you're packin' the most powerful weapon of all-
Dan "Bogie" Smith
Information! Malcolm "Maverick" Hee
Josh "Hoopster" Hoopes
John "Wyvern" Matson
David J. "Foo-Man" Fooden
Mike "Wizard" Jackson
Benjamin "Guru" Wright
Derek Quintanar, S.E.
Scott "Bubba" Ruggles
Patrick 'Vargas" Gidaro
Solo of fortune magazine Is an enviromentally unfriendly product. Nothing has been recycled, except ammunition. Everything in this magazine has been done by trained professionals. Kids, please
check with your parent before you do this at home The material in this magazine has been presented for the purposes of providing the public with Information, not for practical application.
Sam "SAM" Liu
Remember, violence never solved anything. Except raccoons. Raccoons deserve everything they get Knock my trash cans over. will you, you little bast Coming next Issue: Naked Solo! 't No matter
where you go, there you are. I Claim this highway In the name of the Prairie Dogs of the great state of Utah. Fight brave warriors! Watch the skies The truth is out there.
SOLO OF
YEARBOOK
2020 FORTUNE
THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE CORPORATli: MERCENARY
VOL. 17
NO. 13

COLUMNS DEAD ON TARGET


Jersey Witherspoon
behind the Iron
INSTANT Curtain ..40

RESPONSE TIME
The Loudest of the Loud
Mouth Off . ..4 MEDICALLY
ALERT
The new lean, mean ethos
I WAS THERE of cyberware 89
16th Annual SOP
Invitational IPSC
Shootout . ..6
HIRING HALL
Where to go,
who to kill .... ...96
FULLY CHIPPED
How to make your favorite
firearm bigger, louder, and
deadlier 7 FEATURES
NEW FOR FALL
The newest guns
IN FOCUS on the hottest models at
Bows & arrows aren't the Paris Gun
just for guys in tights Show., ..11
anymore. ...38
THE FUTURE OF AMERICAN
FORCE 2020-2050 ANGELS
The present and future A top Euro-solo rates
of large and small scale America's 10 Best.........58
conflicts............................14

DESTROY ALL
THE FUTURE OF FLESH!!
FORCE A Full 'Borg Solo speaks
What does all this mean his digital mind and
for the professional shows us what big guns
soldier? .............................24 really are 66

FBI
SPECIAL REPORT: THE OPEN ROAD:
C.J. O'REILLY IN WALKING STEEL
Legged Vehicles — the
SOUTH AMERICA newest for industrial and
Learnin' Lessons and military use 77
Burnin' Bridges 26
MAXIMUM
FIREPOWER
A DAY AT THE Weaponry Enhancements,
including Railguns.
RANGE Neat! 82
Bubba and J.T. test the
HK-77UK and other
implements of FROM THE
destruction , 30
SHOWROOM
New ways to get
around.. 85
WORM)
SITUATION
REPORT IPSC RANGE
The new USSR and REVIEW
Central Europe 44
Where the baddest hone
their skills. LFI is a cake-
walk next to this........ ....92
LETTER OF THE As if this were not aggravation known as the BMP and the HP-35) was
MONTH: Wondering enough, the May 2013 issue listed the first "wondemine"—a 9mm
About Wondernines many 9mm pistols under the section Parabellum autoloading pistol with a
Sirs: "Unspeakable Trash"! The Fashion-Gun double-column magazine. It was a rev-
I'm writing to complain about the 9 (13+1 rounds), Kang Tao Type-97 olution, and soon the pistol market
poor coverage your magazine has (12+1) and Sci-Fi Starrior-4 (12+1) are was flooded with new wondernines;
given to the classic (and in my opinion, certainly garbage, but they sure aren't the Hi-Power holds 13+1 rounds, but it
superb) 9mm pistol, you know what I representative of the whole crop! was soon to be outdone by the Beretta
mean—the good old high-capacity, Frack! M92F (15+1), the Clock 77 (J7+1) and
high-reliability, high-accuracy, low-cost Fact of the matter is, the only hon- the SteyrGB-80 (18+1). Eventually, the
guns that most civilians rely on for self- est-to-Gibson wondernine your maga- principles of the wondemine became
defense. It seems your magazine zine has covered is the South old hat, but the popularity of this type
would have we readers believe that American Goncz-Taurus Pistol, which of weapon has never faded from pub-
such "wondernines" aren't made any- holds 15+1 rounds, but it uses old, lic interest.
more. I've checked, and the only brass-cased ammo and is not all that Angus seems worried that won-
9mms your magazine has reviewed in reliable, so while this gun qualifies, it dernines will fade from sight, largely
the past 14 months are the Federated isn't even up to 2020's minimum due to this publication. We hope not,
Arms X-9 (which holds 12+1 9mm technological standards! What—are and fortunately, there are still are
rounds) and the Militech Avenger there NO true wondernines any- plenty of wondernines to be found;
(10+1 rounds). more!? these days, they're almost universally
What is this? Both weapons were built from carbon-fiber composites
described in your June 2019 issue as Exasperated, and fire caseless ammunition.
being "of high quality and very popu- Angus Kessler They've got three advantages over
lar," but neither holds as many shots as Georgia, Late at night 20th-century models: they're lighter,
pre-millennium wondernines packing they pack more shots in the maga-
brass-cased ammo. Don't tell me that Angus, Angus, Angus. We don't zine and they're more reliable.
nines are good only as hideout pistols! have anything against nines—our Because all the technologies required
In your October 2020 issue, your readers do! Most of our subscribers to make these weapons are in com-
writers slid to the other end of the are hardcore Solos; they need big mon use throughout the world, and
spectrum in the article on "Exotic guns to take on armored opponents because there are much more potent
Nines," which covered the Texas Arms or small guns they can hide under (and thus more popular) high-fire-
M351 Gyrojet Pistol (8+1 rounds of their jackets. Typical wondernines are power pistols on the market, won-
9mm Gyrojet), the Hammer M-11 too "straight-laced" for a modern dernines are also decidedly cheap.
Sabot-Bolt pistol (10+1 rounds of 9mm samurai's needs. The following are some of the most
Bolts) and the Beretta M97P (which For those of you who don't have widely-sold modern wondernines:
holds 18+1 rounds but has a built-in your "Firearms History" chip slotted at Constitution "Bronco," Daewoo DPT7,
lasersight). Again, why the strange the moment, the story started with the H&K P-18, IMI's Gideon, Militech's
treatment of the venerable nine? Are High-Power—designed by John A226, S&W M2009 and the Walter
we, your readers, to believe that 9mms Browning and manufactured by FN in 915.
are exotic weapons? Come on! Belguim. The Browning Hi-Power (also Fear not, Angus. The 9mm lives on!
21st Century hell when he does. Two, hyper-velocity show up in the Mexican and South
small-bores generate a lot of heat, not American markets. Anything you get
Wonder-nines good, even for modem caseless there will probably be missing major
P• - • +1 • - •J• - •E• - • 2D6+1 rounds. There's always the chance of a accessory groups and need some seri-
9mm Caseless) • - • See Below • cook-off, and thatll mess up your ous rebuilding. As for the remaining
-*2 • - • VR •- •50m •- • ???eb whole op. Three, I'm opposed to the government T-14s, yes, they are selling
All wondernines are pretty much caliber, not the gun. See my review of them to licensed security firms. Those
the same: relatively accurate, firing the Suranam MP in this issue. H&K will be in reasonably good shape for
caseless 9mm ammo; semi-auto- makes solid pieces; if only they'd do hard-use items over 10 years old. Just
matic, and easy to get ahold of. In the P2M series in 7mm. And finally, if have a reliable weapons tech give it
game terms, all wondernines have you want a non-violent alternative, get the once-over before you bet your life
the same stats except for name, a .454 Davis Phoenix and load it with on it...
shots and price: roll 1D6 and add gel-slugs. Now there's a manstopper
this to 14 to determine the shots that won't spill a drop!
per magazine, and add (the same
number you rolled on your 1D6) Hey Screwheads:
x10 to 240eb to determine the I just returned from watching Alien
price in Eurodollars. Then just Sirs: Predators Ate My Aerodyne down at
make up a name, or just choose your interview of Emile Lazarus in the Night City 88 Theaters, and was
from the guns mentioned above. the July 2020 issue was one of the appalled to see that the hero was
As an option, you could assume best bios of this outstanding war being played by the editor of Solo of
that all 2020 wondernines pack leader ever done. I was inspired to Fortune magazine! Not only can this
20+1 rounds and cost 300eb. take a trip to Virginia and visit the guy not act, but he has the most
Lazarus Group's HQ there. I'm now in annoying voice I've heard in years, and
training to join a Lazarus unit Thanks he looks like he fell through the ugly
Sirs: SOF, for starting me on a new action- tree and hit every branch on the way
I wish to protest your bias against oriented career. down! Magazine editors pretending
sub-calibers, appearing in several of that they're actors! What are you think-
your previous issues. Such rabble-rous- yours gratefully, ing? Come on, get real!
ing should be beneath your publica- J. Sable, jr
tion. I am a user of the P2M13 in .177 Springfield, MO yours,
Caseless from Heckler & Koch. The C. Keller
magazine capacity is high for its size, it J., we agree with you 100%; if you're Night City, CA
can be bought with a suppressor, and going to join the military—join the right
the explosive cartridge has the proper military! Lazarus is a man that any of Well, Ummm, Well...
stopping/wounding power for civilized our staff would follow to hell and back
Europe. Because it is not the "hand in a minute.
artillery" so commonly found in the
Americas, is no reason to denigrate its We haven't been getting enough let-
performance. ters lately. If you've got any comments
Sirs: on Solos, or related paramilitary mat-
yours, in irritation, What's the scoop on war-surplus T- ters, write us at Instant Response Time
Joel Simone 14 combat shotgun systems? There's c/o So/o Publications, 1212 Lipmann
Dept 5 talk running around that the US govts Drive, Baltimore MD, USA 21215. Net
France, EC releasing old copies to the police and Node 3570.65.2110 rustbelt
security markets. If so, will they need
Sir, we're going to let our reviewer, refurbishing?
J.T. answer your letter—
A-hem—OK, you wine-sipping gonk, yours,
here's the scoop: Kenshiro Shima
One, we're not all vat-grown Angels Hawaii
that can hit a man in the trigger finger
from a dead run; the . 177 caseless Ken, the US took such a beating in
does just enough damage to make the SouthAm that a lot of ordnance
someone notice you—and be mad as was lost; there's no telling what might
16TH ANNUAL SOF
INVITATIONAL IPSC
SHOOTOUT
him, but doesn't. "Maybe not" I throw
by Jan Brett off casually as the synth muscles in my
finger tense.
wait, tense, in the darkness. My The dart catches him in the cheek

I hand flexes around the Pachmayr


grip of my flechette gun as my tar-
geting sweeps the room. Clear tone
as I dive into a tumble. My feet slam
into his chest as the neurotoxin takes
effect, locking every muscle in his
body. I grab my gun and run through
rings, and I slam out of the room into
the hallway. Target! Boosters racing, the door. Final tone sounds, and I'm
my Nikon has acquisition before I'm done.
even conscious that the Hammerli has
left its Safariland Omega Option hol-
I WAIT "Hey Jan, you missed. I thought
you never missed?" "Funny man,
ster. Squeeze, and a pair of flechettes
slam home. I'm off down the hall,
IN THE Morgan." I gasp as I towel off the
sweat. A bottle of VitaDrink is sitting
sweeping each doorway as I run. Fire!
I dive into a roll as tracers fly over me.
DARKNESS. on the chair and I grab it, guzzling it
down.
I come up shooting, putting flechettes
in both eyes.
MY HAND And that was just the first event
I was at the 16th annual SOF invi-
I'm up and running, PaceSetter
fuels my strides. Target! two quick
FLEXES tational IPSC shoot, held this year at
the training grounds on the Oahu
squeezes and it's down. Ahead I can
see the doorway...and two targets
AROUND Military reservation in Hawaii; one of
the toughest courses in the world. Five
stepping into it just as my Sandevistan
starts to drop out. On the edge of the
THE GRIP days of fun, sun, and guns in the sand.
I packed the SPF-80 suntan lotion.
boost, my hands starting to shake, I
squeeze off two shots, and watch in
OF MY For those who have been living
under a rock in Mongolia, IPSC stands
dismay as I miss one!
He's got me and he knows it.
FLECHETTE for International Practical Shooting
Competition. Basically, it's a place to
"Drop the gun, Jan." I do it, kick it over
to him, and raise my hands in a "ya got
GUN ••• show off your shooting and combat
skills, win prizes, and drool over the toys
me" shrug. He doesn't notice. Good, The plethora of categories of com-
the index finger straightens...slowly petition that have sprung up since the
...locked. He still hasn't noticed. "Well, sport was invented is impossible to
the great shooter Brett, stopped at explain in a short article; suffice it to say
last." he gloats, smirk all over his face. that if you shoot, you can compete
Amateur. I grin, which should worry Playing up here in the Freestyle of
Unlimited Classes takes cash and train-
ing, though.
And you can get either here. The
prizes topped out at 10,000 Euro, and
classes by some of the best shooters
were held all five days. Hey, I even got
to teach a course on Augmented
FULLY
Shooting; loads of fun.
IPSC started as pistols only, but
over the years has expanded to include
sub-guns, rifles and shotguns of all
types, and even heavy weapons. And
the shooter's bazaar certainly reflected
it Although the emphasis was on cus-
CHIPPED
tom and stock pistols of all flavors, I
also examined a new Smartshell
launcher by Armatech, two backpack
laser designs, and a new binary-propel-
lant rifle by Tsunami. I skipped over the
railgun designs (Militech, Tsunami, and
H&K), and the various Borg guns—just
not my style.
Accessories were in abundance as
well: scopes, leather (gloves and hol-
sters), compensators, interface gear,
COTs, silencers, extended magazines,
custom refitting by the Smiths (Josh
Linebaugh didn't appear though; too
bad, I wanted to thank him for the work
he did on my carry piece), and grips in
wood, polymer, resin, even steel (for
the Borgs). I drooled over some Capo
Bolo grips for my HFP, and some Ebony
ones for my dress gun. If you wanted it,
THIS MONTH: built to specification (by a weapon-
smith with CADaM and autofactory,

you could get it here.


Five days later, I had some great
ADVANCED for instance) the price modifiers are
halved. Still, it's not cheap to build a

memories, some new tricks up my


sleeve, some cash in my pocket (pre-
WEAPON custom weapon, but this is what aut-
ofactories were designed for!

cious little, after all the buying I did),


new toys, and three new medallions to
CUSTOMIZATION Example:
Colt A/O 10mm Autoloading Pistol
n 2020, no two weapons are
hang on my wall.
Oh, and the worst sunburn I've had
in a long time!
I exactly alike. The addition of both
accurizing and customizing
options give any weapon a unique
Smartlink™ (1x price, +2WA)
Custom Grips (0.3x price, +1WA vs
Fast Draw/Snapshot)
Barrel Extension (0.2x price, +25%
Jan Brett is a professional shooter feel and style that can be tailored to range)
on the IPSC circuit, having won the use, look, or application. Prices given Solenoid Trigger (1x price, +1WA at
Lunar Freestyle of 2014, among other for these modifications are in multi- extreme ranges only)
trophies. A native of Tycho, Jan now Printless Finish (2x price)
ples of the weapon base price. 1x is
lives in San Francisco, where she occa- equal to list price, 2x is twice that,
sionally freelances as a bodyguard or etc. Price modifications are added So, what we end up with is an
courier. together, not multiplied. These prices Olympic-class target pistol with an
are moderated by normal economic Olympic price, twenty-seven hun-
factors (quality, black market avail- dred euro!! Over five times the price
ability, etc.). The modifiers given here of a normal A/O! (Don't forget, you
are for customizing an existing had to buy the weapon, too.) God
weapon. If the player has the weapon help you if you need this weapon on
several hours notice instead of sever- ic person (anyone else uses the
al days, the price would rise even weapon at normal WA). Solenoid &
more. This is a weapon for a world- Custom-grips are molded from a Electric
class solo. The datastring looks like porous, pliant rubber material that will
this: wear faster than standard grips. For Triggers
game purposes the grips must be Solenoid and Electric triggers are firing
PISTOL • +5(+6) • L • R • 2D6+3 replaced annually, or the weapon loses assemblies that fully replace the stan-
(10mm) • 10 • 2 • VR • 65m • 2750eb the accuracy bonus. Custom grips cost dard trigger. The most common use of
0.3x weapon price, require a Difficult this modification is for remote-fired
This one costs 15Keb; pocket Weaponsmith skill roll and take forty vehicle weapons. An electric trigger
change for the average rock star. minutes to install with the proper equip- can be used only on caseless ammo (it
ment. Weapon Accuracy is increased uses a charge to actually ignite the
Example: by +1 during Fastdraw and Snapshots round, as opposed to the impact of a
Malorian3516 Only (CP2020, pg.97). There is no firing pin on a primer). A weapon with
Custom Grips «3.3x price, +1WA vs weight modification. Heavy weapons a solenoid trigger must either be
Fast Draw) cannot have custom grips of any kind. smartlinked, or have a firing stud of
Barrel Extension (0.3x price, +25% On rifles and shotguns, this option some kind. The benefits of these mod-
range) involves an adjustable stock as well ifications are two-fold: first if a weapon
Solenoid Trigger (1x price, +1WA at (cheek-pieces and butt-pads). For lon- has a solenoid or electric trigger, is
extreme ranges only) garms the modification costs 0.6x smart-linked, and has a security
weapon price; requires a Difficult option, then no one but the owner can
Pearlescent Grey Finish (1x price)
Weaponsmith roll, and two hour's time. operate the weapon. Sure, a good tech
PISTOL •-1 (+0) • L • R » 6D6 <14mm> Twenty shots on a target range are also could change the code, but it takes
• 6 • 1 • VR • 65m • 15,840eb required to adjust for a specific shooter. time and tools that the average fleeing
The modification allows 1 extra action felon lacks. Second, in long-range
of Aiming, for a total Aiming bonus of sniping situations, trigger-pull can
+4. Anyone other than the intended deviate a bullet just enough to miss.
user has a -1 penalty to WA, unless they With a solenoid trigger, this is eliminat-
take 30sec to adjust the stock, giving ed.
them a normal WA. Electric triggers perform basically
the same functions as solenoid trig-
Folding gers, but for caseless weapons.
Electric triggers were developed as
Stocks part of binary weapons technology
Folding stocks (also collapsible or
detachable stocks) are a common mod-
ification on non-bullpup style weapons.
So common is this mod that fully half
the non-bullpup assault rifles supplied
to troops (especially paratroops and
vehicle crews) are supplied with this
option. Folding stocks that replace solid
stocks raise Concealability by one level
(example, L to J) when folded. There's a
-1 WA penalty when the stock is
extended, and a -2 WA when it is fold-
ed. If a folding stock is added to a
weapon that does not normally have a
Grips stock (i.e., pistols and some SMGs),
Custom-molded grips can help hand- then the WA is normal when folded and
gun accuracy on the fast draw. There + 1 at Long and Extreme ranges when
are two drawbacks: grips cannot be extended. Folding stocks cost 0.3x
customized for cyberhands, weapon price, and require an Average
BattleGloves or Powered Armor, and Weaponsmith skill roll and one hour to
custom grips are made for one specif- install.
(like the M31a1). They are being used the weapon is useless. If the attack roll If a magazine carries more than 2x
in caseless weapons as well to elimi- is a fumble, the action explodes, doing the original capacity, the following
nate primers (thus decreasing the the weapon's normal damage in a penalties apply: Concealment is
ammunition weight). The savings is 0.5m radius. reduced one level (L to N, J to L, etc.);
negligible to the individual soldier, but this is compoundable with other
when moving bulk lots of thousands of Barrels— Concealment mods. Initiative bonuses
rounds they save weight and cost for Snapshots (CP2020, pg.97) are at -
Solenoid triggers cost 1x weapon Extension 1 for handguns/SMGs and -2 for
price and increase weapon weight by Some rifles/pistols are fairly accurate rifles/shotguns. Reliability is reduced by
1/10th. Solenoid and Electric triggers at range, but improved projectile stabi- one level as well. Magazines cost 1 eb
give a +1 WA at Extreme Range only. lization could easily make them more per shot for cased ammo, and 0.5eb
Building a solenoid trigger is an so. Increasing barrel length can per shot for caseless ammo. Extended
Average Weaponsmith or Difficult improve range. magazines for heavy weapons cost 2
Electronics roll, and takes one hour or 3 euro per round (Ref's discretion).
with proper tools and equipment. It
takes another three hours to modify Full Auto/
100 rounds of ammo with an Average
Weaponsmith roll, you can buy case- Selective Fire
less ammo manufactured for electric Any weapon (other than a revolver) can
fire; it costs 0.9x normal price, and will be made full-automatic or selective fire.
not work in regular caseless weapons. It is an expensive option, but can ruin
your opponent's day.
Barrels— Burst fire modification adds a
selector switch that allows single-shot,
Chopping or three-round burst fire. The mod
Chopped or "sawn-off" barrels are a costs 1.5x weapon price, takes three to
common modification that makes a six hours and a Very Difficult
weapon more concealable, but Weaponsmith skill roll. WA has a -1
reduces accuracy and range. Only penalty and Reliability drops by one
rifles and shotguns are normally level (this can be further modified).
chopped, as most SMGs and hand- There are two types of full-auto
guns use shorter barrel lengths to start modifications. The first is pure autofire.
with. The weapon cannot be fired single-
Chopping costs about 0.3x shot, and always expends at least 1/2
weapon price. Concealability increas- the magazine capacity when the trigger
es one level (L to J, N to L, etc.) All Increasing barrel length costs is pulled (to a maximum ROF of 30).
range brackets are cut in half, e.g., about 0.3x weapon price. This modification costs 1x weapon
Long range for a rifle would be 200m. Concealability is reduced one level (L cost; reliability drops by two levels (if
Shotgun pattern sizes are 50% wider to N, J to L, etc.) Range is increased by reliability is below UR, the weapon
(at all ranges) after chopping. 25% (round up to nearest 5m) i.e., a automatically jams on a fumble and
Handguns and SMGs have a -1 WA pistol's Long range would now be you must roll to see if it breaks), and
penalty if they're chopped. Heavy 65m. This modification can only be WA is automatically -1. This modifica-
weapons like the Barret Light-20 can done once per weapon. tion is a Difficult Weaponsmith roll and
be chopped, but Concealability stays takes two hours.
N. Barrel-chopping concealment Magazines The second type is selective fire.
bonuses do not compound with fold- Extended magazines are as old as This mod adds a selector switch that
ing stock bonuses. Referee's discre- slugthrowers themselves. Since the will allow single-shots, three-round
tion and common sense always apply. first repeating firearm was invented bursts, or full autofire. The WA has a -
Warning: these penalties are for someone has been trying to put off 2 penalty for full autofire, but is normal
semi-professional modification, at reloading for as long as possible. In for single shots and burst fire. Weapon
least. Anybody can get a hacksaw and Cyberpunk 2020, any magazine-fed reliability drops by one level, and cost
shorten your gun. This usually results small arm (and Heavy Weapons) can is 2x the weapon price. This modifica-
in damage to the gun—and the shoot- have an extended magazine of up to tion requires a Very Difficult
er. WA penalty is -2; if the attack roll is five times the original magazine Weaponsmith roll and four to six
a 1 or a 2, the barrel is jammed and capacity. hours.
polymer one-shots even come in a cost; plus cammo, or other finish, if
Extended wider range of colors. Those options needed. Warning: possession of a
Autofire, Heat are covered by the manufacturer. weapon treated with such a finish is a
If you want real custom finishes like class-three crime in some states (see
Resistance & chrome, neons, etc.; these cost extra. Protect&Serve).
Cooling Natural colors (basic red, green,
Systems black) cost 0.1x weapon price. Quality
Chrome, pearlescent, camouflage
There are a frightening amount of
With the advent of extended maga- and gloss colors cost 1x weapon price.
weapons out there that are just dan-
zine designs, there comes the danger "Bowling-ball" finishes (two or
gerous to the user. Streetmasters are
of trigger-happy gunslingers literally more colors in pearlescent swirls) cost
as common as headaches, but they
shooting their weapon to death. Most 0.3x weapon price.
jam constantly no matter how cool the
small arms are designed for short neon green finish sets off your eyes.
bursts; extended periods of autofire Having a weapon freeze up on you
are almost guaranteed to overheat
(and ruin) a weapon. LMGs, SAWs and
THERE ARE A usually only happens once, so reliabil-
ity is big issue on the street. The rea-
similar weapons are designed for con-
stant autofire; SMGs, machine pistols
FRIGHTENING son so many solos carry Arasaka is
quality. The reason Solos don't usually
and assault rifles are not.
For each consecutive combat
AMOUNT OF carry Hong Kong Arasaka rip-offs is
quality.
round of full-auto firing from a non-
LMG or SAW-type weapon, the
WEAPONS OUT YOU can buy that stylish new fla-
vor-of-the-week weapon manufac-
Reliability level drops by one. Again, if
Reliability is below UR, the weapon
THERE THAT tured (read copied) using better mate-
rials, machining and care. For each
automatically jams on a fumble and
you must roll to see if it breaks.
AREJUST 0.5x the weapon price, increase
Reliability by one level. If you want
Modern polymer and ceramics
technology have created replacement
DANGEROUS TO some one to think you are stupid, look
stupid. Carry a Streetmaster or
barrels that can take the heat and
abuse of extended autofire. The mod-
THE USER. CyberMag. Style doesn't mean stupid.
Style means sneaky.
ification counteracts one level of heat-
related reliability loss. Heat-resistant
HAVING A Compensation
barrels cost 0.5x the weapon price.
They require an Average
WEAPON JAM Recoil can be a problem in any firefight
Weaponsmith skill roll, and take 40
minutes to install. It requires a
ON YOU situation. Compensation is the addition
of ports cut into a barrel attachment.
These ports direct the exploding
Difficult Weaponsmith roll to manu-
facture one. Manufacturing takes one
USUALLY ONLY gasses usually upward, to compensate
for the muzzle jump associated with
hour with the proper tools, material
and equipment.
HAPPENS firing a weapon. Compensators reduce
muzzle jump, allowing for faster follow-

Finishes
ONCE. up shots. This modification allows a +1
ROF for weapons firing in semi-auto
YOU can only accessorize in blue for mode (ROF 1 or 2). Though this is
so long. Eventually, either fashion or especially true of large-bore pistols
NeonGlow® iridescent finishes and SMG's, even a smaller weapon's
career will force you to carry a actually emit light and cost 1.5x
weapon in a nonstandard finish. YOU muzzle-climb decreases.
weapon cost. Sure, it looks cool, but
cannot carry a blued revolver with don't carry this unless you want to Compensation can be added as a
white shoes. YOU cannot carry an opti- advertise. If you've got techhair and modified barrel on any firearm.
cal-orange assault rifle while wearing synthskin—go for it! Compensation costs 0.4x the
cammo-pattern Metalgear™. Printless™ finish, a teflon parkeriz- weapon's price. The modification
All weapons come in either park- ing that resists fingerprints (Near requires a Difficult Weapontech roll,
erized (matte black), blued, or nickel Impossible TECH -based skill check to and two hours with the proper tools.
finish at no extra charge. Some of the "lift" prints) costs at least 2x weapon-
NEW FOR FALL by Dementia Sixteen,
Style Consultant for Solo of Fortune.

T
his year's fall show at the tres
chic Gallerie LeGun of Paris was
a major success. Several of the
world's premier designers showed
impressive work for the new season.
As far as this reviewer is concerned,
the best designs were for ACPA and
Full-Conversions. Arasaka, led by vet-
eran designer Tsuneo Storm; and
Malorian Arms, this year showing
works by Janice Heart, were the big
winners with immediate orders from
Night City MaxTac and LawDiv's
Emergency Response Unit. Other
attendees included LAPD, The Lazarus
Group, DMS, and many, many more.
Arasaka "Rage"
15mm SMG [Assault
Weapon!
Jacqueline is modeling the "Rage"
15mm Submachinegun. Arasaka has
developed this concept as a primary
anti-cyborg/light vehicle weapon sys-
tem for full-conversions and ACPA, ire's
bonl The weapon comes standard with
a telescoping stock that stows conve-
niently (for use by Full-Conversions). A
selection of different finishes including
stainless, basic black, and haute
chrome are available. There are a vari-
ety of magazine sizes to fit any style
from sidearm to primary weapon.
Calling this weapon a subma-
chinegun is not quite le mot juste; it
describes the weapon's mission more
accurately than its actual size. The
round is based (loosely) on the 15mm
round used in the BRG-15 auto-can-
wiu.The designers have discarded the
necked-down casing for a simpler
straight casing with about two-thirds
the muzzle energy of the original
design, though at greatly decreased
range. This still allows for massive
damage to armored personnel
(including full-conversions and an ammo hog and too heavy to be
ACPA), armored vehicles, and struc- deployed in less than Powered These are high-pressure mini-
tures. Currently, the only rounds avail- Armor. The Tsunami, however, is a grenades and cannot be used in the
able are high explosive, and a stan- very flexible option at several levels. Militech Min-GL
dard ball-type "practice round." This is The 40 & 25mm support grenade ACPA Stats: weapon is 1 space, mag-
a far stretch from the pistol-caliber launchers offered by other manufac- azines are 1/2 space (the magazines
SMG's of original nomenclature. turers are useful, but limited, in the are loaded cylinders that are
If initial orders are any indication, urban battlefield. These are low- replaced by hand taking two turns) •
this weapon will be a big hit this year. pressure systems that lack the range Weapon is SDP 15, magazines are
Now all the buyers need is to find and speed of delivery necessary for SDP10 • Both are poor availability •
something macho enough to shoot at urban assault needs. The Tsunami's Weapon weight 8kg, magazine
unique high-pressure design, provid- weight 1kg
ing both longer effective range and
SMG/RIF • -1 /-2 • L • P • 4dKH3 greater delivery speed are tres mag-
[15mmKurz] • 20* • 1 or 10) • VR nifique in today's conflict environ- Malorian 3600
• 100m • 4500eb ment.
Silvia is modeling the "Pocket
Super-SMG
If fired single-shot then WA is -1.
When fired three-round burst WA is - Tsunami" revolver-style grenade Tim shows off the Malorian 3600
2. The weapon does not have burst launcher. The term "pocket" grenade Super-SMG. Erin Malour—and most
fire capability. Due to recoil, at least launcher is also misleading. This is a of the law-enforcement community,
an Omega-class linear frame, or full- small and very mission-specific to be sure—is probably sorry the
conversion 'Borg with a STR of 15-f is weapon; more similar to a pocket- "Silverhand" 3516 was ever
necessary for firing. Listed damage is battleship than to a pocket-knife. designed. The weapon has been
for the steel-jacketed "practice This weapon gives full-conversion ripped-off more than the German
round" (AP). Damage for the HE cyborgs a devastating primary sup- MG42—how gauche. But Janice
round is 3D 10 explosive with a one- port weapon, infantry a very Heart has come back with a
meter dia. Ammunition costs 8eb portable, effective support weapon vengeance. Instead of letting the
per shot for "practice rounds" or (more versatile than a mortar), and imitators grab the glory, she has
20eb per shot for HE (BOD min=15, ACPA an awesome "sidearm." upped the ante and designed a
see Recoil Rules on pg. 68) weapon truly brutal, truly huge, and
Ten-round magazines cost 20eb truly a new pox on police and metal-
each (empty). Twenty-round maga- Heavy • 0 • L • P • Varies (25mm heads everywhere. The 3600 Super
zines are 40eb each (empty). The mini-gren) • 6 • 1 • ST • 200m • SMG. Basically, Malorian has re-
larger fifty-round magazines cost 1250eb scaled the cartridge in a weapon too
100eb each, and lower the reliability This is a massive six-shot revolver- large to be called a submachine gun,
by one category (to ST). type GL There are two configura- and too short to be considered an
ACPA Stats: 1 Space and 20SDP • tions. The Cyborg-Support configura- assault rifle, you need a cyberarm
Twenty-round Magazines are 1 tion looks like an Arwen Riot GL, but and chest-plating to fire the thing (or
Space and 15SDP • Both are poor more stylized and streamlined. This take 1D6+3 ignoring soft armor-
availability • Weapon weight is 8kg, configuration has a forend grip and including skinweave), and it is not
magazine weight is 1kg (10), 2kg no stock. The ACPA "sidearm from very accurate in the base configura-
(20), and 5kg (50). hell" configuration appears as a BIG tion, but it will pop Metalgear™ at
six-gun. In the six-gun configuration point-blank range every time.
the weapon accuracy is decreased Til next season—ciao
Arasaka Tsunami to -2. ('Borg support gun BOD
min=11, ACPA pistol BOD min=23) SMG • 0/-1 • L • P • 6d6 [14mm]
Grenade Launcher Grenades Types and Damage: • 20 • 1 or 3 • VR • 50m
Arasaka has had great success last Fragmentation : 3d6+1, 5m radius, • 3000eb
season with two weapon systems: 15eb Ammunition is 5eb per round.
the "Oni" 10-gauge assault shotgun HE: 5d6,3m radius, 15eb Magazines are 40eb each. WA is 0 for
(for ACPA) and the 25mm "Tsunami" HEP : 5d6, (1/2 SP, armor reduced single-shot and -1 for three-round
grenade launcher (for ACPA and 2 Ms, 1/2 dam. stun), 25eb burst The weapon is not capable of
vehicle use). Both weapons have Incendiary : 4/3/2d6 over three automatic fire. (BOD min = 11)
filled a need that was not serviced turns, 2m radius, 15eb
by other products to date. The Oni is
Midnight firms has become the exclusive dealer in the Free State
of California for such respected firms as Stein & Wasserman and
Urbantech. MR also sells such established greats as Techtronica
and Pursuit Security Inc. at bargain prices!
Stein & Wasserman Bi-Power Handcannon
850eb
P • +0 • J/L • P • 4D6 (.44 Mag) • 6 • 2 • ST • 50m
P • +1 • J/L • - • 2D6+2 (.45 ACP) • 10 • 2 • ST • 50m
After a long wait, Stein & Wasserman's "Bi-Power" is now
commercially available! Following a previously unheard-of
design philosophy, this hybrid handgun mates a double-action
.44 Magnum revolver to a .45 ACP autoloader. The sturdy grip
holds 13 rounds of .45-caliber ammo in a double-column mag-
azine, feeding into the upper portion of the gun. The automat-
ic's long slide ends in a compensator, but (because it's built
into the frame beneath the barrel of the automatic and ahead of
the trigger assembly) the revolver's barrel is somewhat snubby. "R" (revolver) mode or "A" (automatic) mode can be selected at
the flip of a thumb-switch. Although many complain that the choice of brass-cased ammo for both barrels makes the weapon
less reliable, the Bi-Power rarely malfunctions. The Bi-Power's worst problem is its size—packing a .45 auto with an 8.5" barrel
and a .44 Magnum wheelgun into one package makes this handcannon "L" concealability for anyone with a BOD of less than 8.

UrbanTech Lance Mini-Missile 100eb


HVY • +2 • P • C • 4D6 (HEAT) • 1 • UR • 300m
Need an effective defense against tough attackers, but don't want to tote around a cannon? If so, the Lance is for you.
The UrbanTech Lance is a personal Mini-Missle weapon. It consists of a single missile with breakaway protective case. The
weapon is armed by breaking the case, pointing it at the target, clicking the activation button, and pushing it away from the
firer. Use INT as the base To Hit stat instead of REF (this determines that you've pointed it correctly). The Lance's engine will
kick in a safe distance from the launcher and seek the target (minimum range: 10m). The missile inflicts 4D6 damage to the tar-
get; 2D6 in a 0.5m radius. (Note: this is a HEAT warhead; SP is halved, damage is not.) If the Lance misses, it has a 50% chance
to correct and make a second To Hit roll with a 0 WA.

MIDNIGHT ARMS, Night City Net, Midnite @ PacCom 225.347. Modem for our catalog.
By Lieutenant- most of their time training for war.
Colonel Fiona Warfare in the Middle Ages was com-
posed of skirmishes conducted during
O'Shaugnessey the summer months (between the
planting season in the spring, and har-

A
s mercenaries and Edgerunners,
our business is warfare, whether vest in the fall), between units of, to
on the small scale (extractions us, incredibly small sizes. For exam-
and tactical engagements) or the large ple, in 1346, Edward III fielded a force
scale (strategic objectives). Knowing against the French of some 14,000
where the "state of the art" lies in mod- soldiers, and the 4,000 French sol-
ern warfare, as well as having some idea diers who lay dead after the battle of
of where the art has been (and is going), Crecy represented a loss of soldiers
makes us infinitely more likely to survive. unmatched to that day; indeed, many
Because both Corporations and battles were fought with less than a
Governments are involved in the use of thousand soldiers per side.
military force, and there are other groups But Crecy was, in its own way, a
that may well field units resembling "clas- signal of changing times; the English
sical" military units, this article will in gen- yeoman with his longbow and knife
eral refer to "organizations" except when carried the day at Crecy, and tacticians
dealing with a specific peculiarity of one soon realized that while there was
or the other. always a place for the specialist, the
citizen soldier was vital to the chang-
ing face of war. As the weapon of
choice changed from the bow and the
sword (weapons requiring large
FORCE HAS amounts of training to become com-
petent) to the firearm (the basics of
ALWAYS which can be taught in a matter of
hours), massed tactics became the
BEEN AN norm, utilizing large numbers of hastily
trained conscripts. Many standing

INSTRUMENT armies became virtual skeletons:


cadres of experienced NCOs and offi-
cers which could be fleshed out by
OF POLICY. draftees in a matter of weeks. Only the
"colonial regiments" were maintained
at full strength; since they were, in
many cases, little more than armies
No look at warfare would be com- occupying hostile lands, such was nec-
plete without a look at the past; by essary.
realizing the mistakes of the past, we This was a general policy that
can make sure not to repeat them. would change little until after World
Force has always been an instru- War II. The Cold War paranoia of the
ment of policy. Organizations have "Red Threat", and the unwillingness of
always had the option of using war to many European countries to provide
achieve their goals, since the first clan for their own defense, precipitated an
of Neanderthals decided that if they unparalleled build-up of military might
bashed their neighbors over the head the likes of which the world had never
they could have the much nicer cave seen. In 1989, the combined numbers
next door instead of the one they of the American military exceeded 2
were living in. million; nearly a full 1% of the
For much of man's existence, war American population was involved
has been a tool wielded in the main directly in warfare; when factoring in
by the elite: the Knight, the Samurai, support and production, almost every
the Legionnaire; soldiers who spent American was involved in the Cold
War effort. Similar numbers prevailed almost any time previous. Not only is destroy it, removing it from the
in the USSR. training (using virtual simulators and enemy's assets), or the theft of major
Since then, we have seen a drastic chip-learning methods) more available, intelligence dike the enemy's encryp-
drop in the numbers of military per- but there are few military personnel tion codes, or battle plans).
sonnel. Now, the largest single military who have not seen battle in some form Tactical missions are those
organization, the Chinese People's or another. The near-constant brush- designed to gain a short term military
Liberation Army, is, at 10.5 million, fire wars of the last thirty years, com- advantage, or one on a small scale.
more than five times the size of the bined with unparalleled levels of civil They are often performed in conjunc-
nearest competitor, the combined unrest have seen to this. tion with, or in support of, a larger mis-
forces of the Neo-Soviets and their So we have seen a return to the sion. They might include the use of a
corporate armies. Of course, the professional soldier: a combatant who Special Forces unit to disable an
Chinese (and, to a large extent the enemy radar installation before an air
Neo-Sovs) are still utilizing Industrial strike, or a feint with an inferior force
Era styles of warfare (more on this to distract the enemy from a more
later). important activity.
This scale-back, along with the WE HAVE SEEN Political missions are those per-
changing role of the military and of formed for political gain, either inter-
armed conflict, has led to a prolifera-
tion of so-called "Special Operations" THE RETURN nally or externally. They are usually
high-profile, overt jobs (what good is a
units: America's SEALs and Green hostage rescue if no one knows you
Berets; the UK's Special Air Service did it), or extremely low-profile, clan-
and Special Boat Squadron; the Neo- TO THE destine ones (what good is gaining the
Sov Spetsnaz, and the Black Ops units information if everyone knows you
of the various corps (like Petrochem's have it), with little grey area in
Water Leopards), to name a handful. PROFESSIONAL between. Any mission can be a politi-
Where once such forces made up only cal one, so long as the objectives are
a tiny fraction of an organization's basically political rather than military
overall military strength, they may now SOLDIER... (this can become vague, as the military
make up even a tenth of those forces. is often used as a political tool).
Overall numbers can be deceiving Overt missions are those where
in terms of actual fighting strength. the organization involved doesn't care
Modern forces, thanks to computer- spends much of his time either fighting if anyone knows that they are involved
ized inventory, requisition, and person- or preparing for combat. The percent- or responsible. Indeed, in today's
nel forms, automated communication age of the world's population actually world, this usually means that they
systems, and self-diagnosing equip- involved in active military duty has "definitely want" others to know they
ment, can make do with much less in never been lower. And so the circle did it, or else they have no option due
the way of rear echelon units: techni- closes. to the mission profile. Overt missions
cal, administrative, and support per- are typically ones where the objectives
sonnel who are not involved with the Military are well understood, and, if not easy, at
front line except in a peripheral man- least attainable.
ner. While such jobs still exist, many Operations Deniable missions are those
have been streamlined or consolidat- Military missions can be broken down which, when asked, the organization in
ed (thus, a unit's Signal team will also into three basic levels of operation question can plausibly say "We didn't
handle its paperwork). Older units, not (Strategic, Tactical, and Political), four do it, we have no knowledge of who is
yet utilizing such time/manpower sav- levels of "secrecy" (Overt, Deniable, responsible for the operation...where
ing features, will usually have a ratio of Covert, and Clandestine), and a num- did you say it took place, again?" Many
10:1, where there are ten support sol- ber of different basic types. fingers may point in the direction of
diers for every one who fights, while Strategic missions are based the organization in question, but there
modern units may be as high as 4:1 around long term goals of a basically "isn't enough evidence to indict", as a
(this is more true of mercenary units, military nature: missions that will per- lawyer would put it. To put it shortly,
who can often make use of the sup- manently (or near permanently) everyone knows (or at least suspects)
port personnel and facilities of the change the battle or war. These might the organization in question did it, but
units they fight with). include the reconnaissance of a major no one can prove it. Many Edgerunner
Modern military personnel are hostile force to discover its strength, actions occur at this level of secrecy
also more highly trained than those in the engagement of said force (to (especially extractions or thefts, where
it is often hard to disguise the fact that solely with the attacker; the defender known, in layman's terms, as theft.
you ended up with the goods). cannot evacuate or easily relocate. Whether the theft is to recover some-
Covert operations are those The problems, of course, lie in hostage thing that once belonged to the orga-
where the organization has little inter- casualties, and the chance that the nization, or to take something from
est in being discovered as being hostiles have access to outside sup- someone else, Military forces are
behind the op, thank you very much, port. sometimes called upon to use force
but doesn't care who knows that it Hostage rescue could be consid- majeure to take possession of some
happened. Covert Ops are very ered a subtype of the Extraction mis- object; this may be a prototype, blue-
demanding because of the need for sion, but is usually considered a sepa- prints, intelligence, stocks and bonds
secrecy. No fingers can be left to point rate type. In the eyes of the military, (which can be very important during a
at the organization, but at the same there are two types of extraction. The Corporate takeover), or some irre-
time, the lack of evidence can itself be first is identical to the type exercised placeable treasure. It will almost
damning; of course, aiming the job at by Corporations: the removal (willing always, however, be something that
someone else will have two groups or not) of an individual from his current cannot be recovered by other means.
upset with you if word leaks out. Very place of employment or residence to Like extractions (which are second
tricky work. be relocated elsewhere. The second is cousins to "acquisitions"), there may
In the perfect Clandestine opera- the removal of intelligence or military be a "sour grapes" clause; if the orga-
tion, no one should ever know that an assets from an area after an operation nization performing the operation
operation took place at all; no suspi- (successful or not, although extraction can't get it, no one can have it (so blow
cions should be awakened that any- after a successful operation is usually it up).
thing out of the ordinary has occurred. less problematic). Contrary to popular Military forces are occasionally
Clandestine operations are even more belief, forces (especially highly trained called upon to perform an assassina-
difficult than Covert ones, obviously, Special Forces personnel) are usually tion. This is murder, plain and simple:
as there are very definite limits as to not deliberately abandoned behind the use of military force to remove an
the level of force that can be enemy lines after an operation to sink individual or group of individuals from
employed. Clandestine operations or swim; such incidents (like in the playing field of life. Assassination
usually involve the theft of some piece Vietnam and Central America) are can sometimes be secondary to a larg-
of information that, were it known to almost always the result of a desperate er assignment (like the bombing of
be compromised, could be swiftly need for the unit originally assigned tents known to house Muammar
changed, or the placing of false infor- for exfiltration elsewhere, or a mixup in Khaddafi during the Libyan bombing
mation or equipment (like monitoring communications. This can be less true raids in 1987), or can be an operation
devices). with Mercenary teams. in and of itself. Such operations are
Anytime an organization wants to only undertaken by Military forces
Mission make a point by using its military when Intelligence assets are unable to
reach a target, or when done in pursuit
assets, this is called a "projection of
Types force." This may be a simple matter of of a larger military objective (for
There are a large number of types of moving a number of ships into an area instance, the killing of a military leader
missions undertaken by military units, that is of interest to them (such as the during a war).
from subtle replacement of an "carrier diplomacy" wielded by the Sabotage/demolition, often
enemy's Siglnt (signal intelligence) United States in the last half of the known as "removal of tactical/strategic
files, to a bald-faced grab for land. 20th century), or a complex series of assets", is the destruction of an oppo-
Many of the types listed here will seem military demonstrations (usually called nent's property. This may be done as a
more the work of smaller units, but the "tactical maneuvers", or "training exer- message (don't mess with us; we know
fact is that larger units perform much cises") held in some area adjacent to a what is important to you, and can
the same operations, just on a larger location they are interested in. Usually, break it when we want to), or for a
scale (squads take city blocks; a divi- force-projection missions are not greater reason (like destroying border
sion takes a city). intended to result in hostilities, but radar posts before a bombing run is
One of the more common small hostilities can break out (for example, sent in). This can also be done pre-
unit operations today is Hostage the downing of Libyan interceptors by emptively (for example, the bombing
Rescue; this entails the use of military American F-14s during the Libyan of Iraqi nuclear facilities by the Israelis
forces to retrieve individuals (usually blockade), and can escalate into a full in the early 80's and again in the late
noncombatants) from a set location blown war (for example, the American 90's), to remove an asset from an
currently occupied by hostiles. This is invasion of Somalia). enemy's (or perceived enemy's) con-
one of the least dangerous operations, What an organization calls "mate- trol before they can use it against the
relatively speaking, as the initiative is rials acquisition/reclamation" is organization.
Police actions are one of the tasks
Military forces are not well suited for,
but are increasingly called upon to
perform. Soldiers are not police; their
reactions are to shoot at a potential
threat, not yell at it. This is necessary;
on the battlefield, there is little time to
assess a target; if it's not one of yours,
and it's armed, it's a hostile. In a police
action, however, this can end up with
(does end up with) innocent civilians
getting shot, and criminals getting shot
when maybe they didn't need to be.

The Changing
Face off War
"Wars are fought using the next war's
weapons and the last war's tactics."
This quote has become a maxim to
live by in this modern age, when war is
changing so rapidly that it is difficult to
keep track.
The introduction of the Net has
revolutionized warfare in a great num-
ber of ways. First, the Net has brought
instant access to communication and
information to the battlefield (a
process which started in the Gulf War
of 1990, when air strikes and artillery
barrages were, in several cases, called
in by cellular phone because the radio
systems were jammed). Unit comman-
ders can immediately call up informa-
tion stored in databases a world away,
Reconnaissance is the scouting- occupying it Taking land can be an or access real time images from orbital
out of an enemy's strengths and weak- incredibly bloody operation, especially satellites (more on the importance of
nesses. Although satellite intelligence against a resolved enemy (like one orbital assets later). Combat remotes
can be very informative, it can also be fighting on his home soil), or in urban can be controlled by operators a con-
spoofed. Personal reconnaissance is a situations (where the narrow streets tinent away. It has also brought new
therefore a vital adjunct, as it can back and construction render air and arenas to warfare; large parts of the
up satellite, Siglnt, or Humlnt (Human artillery support much less likely). 1 st Corporate War were fought in the
Intelligence: spies) data with hard Once the land has been acquired, Net, and it is widely believed that the
observation. Of course, it is also the a unit's role will often change to static majority of Corp wars will be fought
most difficult type of operation; Recon defense. This is holding the land you entirely in the Net, with real-world
teams are far from friendly lines, often have occupied, or guarding an installa- operations taking place to support the
underequipped for combat due to the tion or facility, and is the primary job of Net war, rather than the other way
amount of surveillance and support the infantry (air forces can destroy around. (Coverage of the first all-Net
gear they must carry (like food), and land, tanks can take land, but only the Corporate War is in our February
are typically far smaller than the forces infantry can hold land). Static defense 2018 issue—Editor.) Information has
they may run into. is both boring and nerve-wracking: become increasingly vital to modern
The primary purpose of the mili- nerve-wracking because you need to field commanders; real-time simula-
tary in warfare is taking land. This is be on constant alert, and boring tions keep them appraised of the
done by going into an area, killing or because nothing happens until you let enemy's most likely next move, and of
capturing the opposition, and then your guard done. what the enemy will think theirs will be.
So-called "Brilliant" weapons, like the started: the conversion of military incredibly accurate without ground
EEC's Wyrm cruise missile, can home forces from mostly ground vehicle- designation (usually within about 5
unerringly on enemy targets, while based, to being based primarily on air meters), and not to be used lightly, for
smart guns and micro-missiles (precur- cavalry. The average American COG, political reasons—but the threat is
sors to a whole generation of "smart for example, has as its ground ele- there. We can probably count on
bullets") drastically increase the ments equal parts of motorized, air orbital strikes being called down
chances of a hit with sidearms. mobile, and mechanized units, while against tactical (as opposed to strate-
"Information Era Warfare" goes some units are almost strictly airmo- gic) targets within the next ten years.
beyond simulations and clever bile. This enhanced use of airmobile Autonomous Drones and Remote
weapons, however; it requires rethink- assets allows for rapid response to Piloted Vehicles (ADs and RPVs
ing how to fight a war. Units are changing battlefield conditions. respectively), are starting to become
deployed to take advantage of "The battle goes to the man hold- increasingly common on the battlefield.
strengths and weaknesses, targets ing the high ground" has been a Both are (relatively) cheap force multi-
attacked to remove specific assets pliers; a single pilot can control a num-
from the enemy. Instead of attacking ber of semi-autonomous remotes, and
an armor battalion directly, its C3I drones require only rudimentary com-
(Command, Communications, Control, mand. Of course, both have their weak-
and Intelligence) assets are attacked nesses. Remotes tend to see more use
instead, hopefully crippling its ability to as reconnaissance or surveillance
fight effectively. Assassination units, rather than combat units; the
becomes a major tool of the expert systems that control them are
Information Era commander; if he can still not that bright, and outwitting them
demoralize an enemy's regiment by is not very difficult. RPVs are used for
removing a commander, or ensure that both surveillance and attack, but are
an incompetent is placed in command highly reliant on continuous communi-
by killing his superior, the Info-Era cation links. As drones become more
commander has drastically enhanced intelligent, we will see more use of
his odds. The S-2, or Intelligence and them as combat units (see AVD:
Security officer, becomes the single Militech's robot flyer, pg 20 for more).
most important member of the com- Originally used strictly for Special
mand team, after the CO. Information, Operations Units, and still expensive,
not the weapons driven by it, has powered armor is beginning to
become the most powerful tool on the become more common as the price
battlefield. drops and the technology becomes
Part of the reason for the more proven. Powered armor is still in
switchover to this new style of warfare a nebulous world in terms of deploy-
is the speed with which it can resolve ment; some units utilize them like
a crisis. Since time in warfare truly is small tanks, and others like heavy
money (and great heaps of it), and shock infantry. All agree that they truly
since few organizations can afford a maxim that, while not strictly true, has excel in Urban environments, where
long-term conflict, the faster a conflict become increasingly so. And the high- their size and firepower make them
is over, the better. While units are not est ground (as proved by the EEC's perfect for supporting an infantry
yet held to a budget for an operation, "rocking" of Colorado Springs), is, of assault. With development of smaller,
one can see that it is indeed possible, course, Up-well. Already vital to pro- lighter suits of powered armor, we will
especially for Corporate forces: "Sorry, vide communications and data links, see it take an increasingly major role
blokes, no air support today, no money surveillance, and such mundane on the battlefield, (see Viper: High Tech
in the bleedin' budget for it!" things as weather reports, orbital Armor goes Mainstream, pg 22)
While the formation of the Net and assets are playing a larger role in the For many years, there was little dif-
the development of Information Era modern battlefield. Satellite-based tar- ference in how Infantry attacked
fighting are perhaps more important get designation has been experiment- things: they used a rifle. Calibers and
changes, developments in military ed with; but more frightening, is that, specifics differed, but by the end of the
technology are the more visible ones. for the first time, BattleSat-based 20th century, you either carried a
And visible they have been. weaponry is capable of hitting ground Battle rifle (chambered in 7.62mm), or
The aerodyne is rapidly finishing targets. Fortunately, these kinetic-kill an Assault rifle (chambered in a round
what its precursor, the helicopter, weapons are expensive, still not continued on page 23
AVD: Aerodyne tems), aerial weaponry, and most flake out", says Charles Concannon,
impressively, the new ROCC/AM director of the AVD project
Vehicle; Drone (Remote Operation Command- The real stars of the AVD project
Militech's robot flyer Control/Auto-nomous Machine) con- are its avionics, communications, and
trol system that allows the unit to be computer systems. Designed for a flex-
By MICHAEL CAMERON flown by a pilot (safely ensconced ible blend of remote control and drone
some distance away), or fly and fight operation as the situation requires, the
It screams over the treeline, railguns autonomously, utilizing a powerful AVD is equipped for control by laser-
and rocket pods spitting death as it hur- expert system. link, tight-beam (radio or microwave),
tles over the tank column. Two tanks Although using the same basic or general broadcast in any of a dozen
manage to fire off multi-role missiles, systems as the AV-6 (including the frequencies (including cell-phone),
but chaff confounds one, while the Pegasus-IV turbojet), and massing as from a ground, air, or satellite-based
other is destroyed by a burst of autofire much as its cousin, the frame of the command center.
from an AGAMs pod. The satin black AVD is much lower and sleeker as a The ROCC/AM system is designed
flier screams around in an impossibly result of its laminated armor and the to smoothly take over operation in the
tight turn, wheeling on a pillar of flame, lack of a passenger/crew compart- case of a break in communications,
and lets loose with a burst of anti-tank ment Its speed is only slightly better acting more like a co-pilot than an
missiles, killing the remaining tanks. than that of the AV-6, but acceleration observer when operating in "slave"
Then, after a cocky victory roll, the low- and maneuverability are both much mode. While the ROCC/AM is not as
slung AV screams off with acceleration higher, as the computer doesn't have intelligent as they would like, Charles
that would kill the pilot... if there were to worry about greyouts or slamming notes "This little bugger" (patting the
one aboard. It leaves behind the smok- an infantry squad around. "heart" of the system, a black cylinder,
ing remains of a tank battalion, killed by No expense has been spared in featureless except for the i/o ports) "is
a pilot sitting in a van a hundred miles the construction of the AVD; as a a generation smarter than any drone
away. result, its both better armored and currently on the market The only way
armed, including an internal missile we could get it smarter is by actually
bay, side-mounted chainguns, and a installing an Al ... and we're working

M
eet the AVD, Militech's
newest entry into the world forward Rheinmetall railgun in a chin on that"
of high-tech killing machines. turret Militech says they like the pene- So what's the catch? Well, the first,
Built on an AV-6 frame, the AVD tration and accuracy of the railgun, but of course, is cost; the four AVD proto-
(Aerodyne Vehicle; Drone) is designed are dissatisfied with the maintenance types each cost over 8 million Euro
as a test-bed for new countermea- and reliability. "If the AVD actually goes (how much over, Militech won't say);
sures systems (both passive, like the into production, we'll likely replace the nearly as much as a F-36 FireShark
AVD's composite body, and active, like railgun with a pair of 20mm autocan- interceptor. Militech says that produc-
the AGAMs, ECM, and flare/chaff sys- nons; the cannons are less likely to tion costs would drop if it was built as a
mass-production unit, but "not as significantly as we'd like." The Adventure Hooks are pretty major: A)
Thus, these are likely to be the most expensive (planet- Players are hired to steal (one of the proto-
based) remotes in existence for some time. types, the plans, one of the computer
There is also the ROCC/AM unit, which, while extraordi- cores). B) Players hired to extract Charles
nary in what it can do, is still restricted by processing power. Concannon. C) AVD is chewing up country-
While spectacular as a remote, when operating as a drone side; (its gone rogue!, Netrunner is control-
the AVD is still burdened with a lack of tactical sense that ling it, Aliens have taken it over, Rache Bartmoss is joy-rid-
can make it easy prey to an alert fighter pilot ing, Militech can account for all four; who's is this?). D)
In the end, the AVD certainly succeeds in what it was Nomads trying to kill one that's wiping them out D Pacifistic
designed to do: test the outer limits of remote/drone capa- group, scared at potential for "Al war", hires players to
bilities in a combat environment Technologies developed in destroy all 4, and plans—without bloodshed. R Al hires play-
the AVD project are already being incorporated in Militech's ers to install chip in one of them...just a small little chip, it'll
newest generations of drones, remotes, and manned vehi- never be noticed.
cles.
Whether we'll ever see it on anything other than a sim-
ulated battlefield remains to be seen, however.
MILITECH AVD; Game Stats
Militech AVD; Performance Statistics TOP SPEED: 500 mph
WEIGHT: loaded; 5300 kg, w/1000kg ACC/DEC: 75/75 mph
external munitions load CREW: 0
unloaded; 2950 kg RANGE: 800 miles
SPEED: Flank; 560 kmph PASSENGERS: 0
Top; 805 kmph CARGO: none
Ace/Dec: 12/12 kmph/second MANEUVER: +3
RANGE: Max: 1300 km
SDP: 100 (Body 5)
loiter: 950 km
SP: 50 (Armor 3)
ARMOR: Composite laminate; 125mm
Type: AV
steel plate equiv.
ARMAMENT: Internal missile bay (960 kg weight, MASS: 4 tons (without pods)
6 missiles standard load) COST: 9M eb without weaponry (weapon cost
2 15mm chain guns (articulated mounts R, L) varies by missile load)
w 2 250 md box mags each
1 EMG-85 railgun in chin turret Special equipment: Composite armor, flare, chaff,
w 1000 rounds AGAMs, cellphone, laser communicator, military radio,
External mounts on hard points for scrambler, satellite uplink, robot gun controller,
1200kg of munitions pods remote targeting, multi-targeting, Al control (16 base)
Laser designator in chin turret cyberlinkage (for remote operation), ECM, ECCM,
DEFENSIVE: AGAMS anti-missile system (5,000 rounds) Audio/visual sensors (incl. low-light, image enhance,
Rare/chaff dispensers (2, 20 rounds each)
active IR, thermal, and telescopic), laser and
Electronic-Countermeasures (classified
microwave detectors, navigational system, Military
performance values)
radar with look-down, terrain avoidance, and ID func-
SENSORS: Full Audio-Visual, including low-light,
tions, military radar detector.
thermal, and passive IR
Look-down, terrain avoidance radar Weapons: 1 stabilized EMG-85 railguns in chin turret
w ID and detection with 1000 rounds and +3 targeting computer, 2
Laser and microwave detection 15mm HMGs (as 14.5 mm) in articulated mounts (1
COMMUNICATIONS: Laser comm per side) w +3 targeting computers, and two spare
Tight beam radio and microwave links magazines each, 6 spaces of missiles in internal bay
500km scrambled radio (normally 4 Hellfires and 2 AAMs), 8 spaces of
Satellite link weapons on pod wings (normally either 2 pods of 19
CONTROL: ROCC/AM control system 2.75 in rockets and 4 Hellfires or 10 LATGMs and 2
KTR-327 Targeting computer w rangefinders AAMs). Internal bay can be reconfigured to carry any
and multi-target options type of missile, including AAMRAMs, HATGMs and
LATGMs. Rockets cannot be carried in internal bay.
Viper: High-Tech sible, is like playing a video game; the VR Display is continuously in
action. I can see where learning to use the Hooded Viper would take
armor goes some time.
The most impressive part of the Viper system is its cost the basic
mainstream Viper comes in at a low 26,000 euro, while the Hooded Viper checks
in at 48,000eb. Amazingly low, these can be considered incredibly
by Danielle Ravensclaw; SGT, expensive body armor, rather than amazingly cheap PA suits; which, of
SFPD Max-Tac course, is exactly how Raven Microcyb wants folks to think of them.
Although neither suit is yet on the market a limited number are
going into action with the US military and several police departments

T
he facility is in a secluded part of the Rockies; the road leading
up to it so badly maintained that few will venture this far. The for final evaluation. Raven says that they are currently taking orders
security is subtle, but impressive. This is one of Raven from "authorized agencies", for delivery within the next nine months.
Microcybemetics' high-tech research and testing units, and the site Me, I'm hoping the SFPD orders some of these. While they are no
where the Viper High-Threat combat suits were developed. replacement for a real PA suit, they go a long way towards evening the
Viper represents a new thinking in combat armor. Before this, odds for the Max-Tac boys who don't get to Trooper for real.
there were two basic types of personal armor: Body armor (non-pow-
ered, unarmed, intended for general consumption), and PA suits (heav- Pit Viper
ily armed and augmented, intended for limited release and use). Strength Tough Dam SP DFB SJB_
With MetalGear™, and assault armor, personal armor has reached 16 -5 D6+2 30 +2 0
a plateau; heavier armor is so heavy and bulky as to be unusable. On SEE lift cany weight cost
the other hand, the average PA suit is far too expensive for anything 0 500 240 350 26,000eb
resembling general issue; only the most elite units can field them in any Features: Military radio w/ scrambler, BodyweightTM automed, full HUD
number. Wideband, advanced control. Onboard sensors include Lowlight IR, Anti-
Viper changes that The Raven Microcyb Viper suit is a suit of Dazzle, and Image Enhance; Full audio plus Amplified hearing and level
enhanced personal armor intended for fast response, special opera- damper, internal life support for 1 hour plus filtration; battery endurance
tions, and MAX-TAC units. Balancing protection and cost the Viper suit is 24 hours.
is also light enough for all but the flimsiest structures. And I was going
to be one of the first outside of Raven Microcyb to not only see it but
actually test it Hooded Viper
After a quick briefing on the suits capabilities and a fitting session, it Strength Tough Dam SP DFB SIB
was back to the guest quarters for a night of sleep while they adjusted 16 -5 D6+2 30 +3 +3
the suit to fit me. REF lift carry weight cost
I should note that there are actually two Viper designs. The basic +2 500 240 350 48,000eb
design (called the Pit Viper) is an "infantry" design, designed to be easily Features: as above, plus Sat uplink, and Laser communicator, Remote tar-
adapted to and used even by non-Troopers. Equipped with basic HUD geting link, two EMP Sponges, VR Interface, High Boost and C3 unit
and commo gear, the idea is to allow infantry to wear more armor than Onboard sensors, as above, plus Teleoptics and Thermal Imaging. There is
could otherwise be, and move and fire heavy weaponry like the Cyborg a housing for a single 1 /2 space externally-mounted weapon or device on
rifle without difficulty. each wrist; this is usually a 1-handed combat blade and a 14mm pistol (this
The Hooded Viper, on the other hand, is intended as a costs an additional 3500eb).
Command/Special Ops suit and is equipped with the latest in VRI, reflex, Easiest to retrofit onto the Viper suit are devices like tool suites, fire
and communications/control equipment It is also equipped for the addi- extinguishers, and utility packs. Weapons are the hardest, because the armor
tion of limited armament; two modular units can be attached, one on is not equipped with the various brackets, mounts, and surface connectors,
each wrist as external mounts. There are no provisions for further mount- all externally-mounted equipment (other than the two allowed for in the
ing of external systems, but it didn't look like it would be hard, either. Hooded Viper) cost half again as much to mount, and weight 1.25 times as
The next day, I was fitted into the suit and allowed to play with it much. Weapons cost twice as much, and weigh half again as much.
Even the Pit Viper suit is impressive; because the design is so spartan and
light it's more like wearing a suit of body armor than driving a PA. On the
Game Note: Although these suits use the older Linear Frame stats, they use the
other hand, watching AP rounds from a M-2012 H-bar splash off the
new CCPL muscles (Chromebook 3, pg. 107), the leading edge of design tech.
chest was truly impressive; especially since I was in it at the time! Raven
Raven's profit margin on these is relatively low; they're relying on sales to police
dams the Viper will deflect anything lighter than 12.7mm BMG. I believe agencies and other groups that can't afford enough PAs to be worth while, but can
them. afford to outfit a couple of squads with Viper suits. There is also the repairs/spare
The interface on the Pit Viper is strictly standard; on the other parts market to look at; since folks are likely to use big weapons on these, they
hand, the Hooded Viper, while designed to be as user-friendly as pos- are going to need fixing a lot See also Maximum Metal.
continued from page 19 Cybernetically-augmented soldiers are home in on body heat or radar images.
somewhere around 5.5-6mm). becoming the norm; augmentation is On his back is a 4-cell multi-role mis-
Evolutions and revolutions in personal even part of some military contracts. sile launcher over the right shoulder,
weapon technology have started to Extensively enhanced "CyberSoldiers" power supply and spare ammo for his
change this. Weapons like the ramjet once the province of Special weapons, and, over the left shoulder, a
rifle, liquid-propellant rifles, elec- Operations, are starting to appear in self-targeting pulse laser that serves
trothermally-enhanced weapons, and line units, and more Full-Conversion both as weapon and anti-missile sys-
linear accelerators (rail/coil guns) dras- Cyborgs are being introduced as the tem.
tically increase the amount of damage technology is proven. His helmet is filled with sensors:
the average soldier can dish out, while low-lite, milliwave radar, image magni-
smart gun arrays, genius weapons, fication, edge-sensing Ladar, thermal,
and easy laser-designation make hits
more likely. TOMORROW'S computer-enhanced threat recogni-
tion and identification, MRI. you name
At the same time, personal protec- it, it's probably available. His HUD
tions are also becoming more INFANTRY- automatically filters this flood of infor-
advanced. Improved ceramic and lam- mation to what he needs; the rest is
inate armours allow individuals to wear
as much protection as some light vehi-
MAN'S MAIN synthesized into a continually updated
battlefield database, allowing the suit's
cles, while exotic systems like the tactical Al to not only give John accu-
BACL Reactive Body Armour, IR shield- WEAPON WILL rate advice, but also to relay needed
ing, and stealth systems all increase information to his squad mates or cen-
the chances that a soldier is going to BE A SELF- tral command. Commo systems, ECM,
live to come home. ECCM, "ghost suit", and stealth sys-
Medical technology has also made
leaps forward, greatly increasing the
TARGETING tems are all controlled by the Al, as are
the suit's three combat and recon
chances that a wounded soldier will drones, although the latter are capable
survive. Most wounded soldiers deliv- 3MM RAILGUN... of independent operations.
ered to an aid station within the "gold- John's cyberware is relatively sub-
en hour" are likely to recover; in worst tle: He has an interface computer,
case scenarios, the patient is slapped advanced skin/bone/muscle weave,
into a cryotank, shipped to a hospital The Edge off and is host to a Nanofac capable of
and operated on there. This, combined Tomorrow synthesizing Healer or Defense
with refinements in nanotech healing nanites as needed. Under the armor
processes, is starting to make any hit So now that we've seen where we've he wears a carbon/boron-mesh body
you survive initially, a survivable one. been and where we are, where are we suit that will resist penetration by frag-
The increased healing speeds afforded going? Let's take a theoretical look at ments and bullets; a small survival kit
by Nanotech also decrease the a soldier from the year 2050, extrapo- carried has rations, a water filter,
amount of time a soldier is spending in lating from where we are. monoknife, and spare gun (since, even
recovery to days instead of weeks. John Davies is an infantryman, with his nanoaugmentation, either of
What affect this may be having on the with over a year of training before his suit's weapons would shatter his
psyche of the soldiers involved is as assignment to a combat unit. His arm if he fired them).
yet unknown, but is something to be armor is a suit of myomer-assisted Dropped by capsule from orbit, or
watched closely. laminate armor that can stop most brought in by hyper.-velocity transport,
Cybernetics, in addition to restor- anti-personnel weapons in use; of Private John Davies is ready for com-
ing to full efficiency a soldier whom a course, anti-vehicle weapons or a bat on the battlefield of tomorrow. That
half-century ago would have been direct hit from a railgun will kill him. tomorrow will be sooner than we
cashiered, are seeing more use as The armor is light enough to be used expect
"standard options"; most Corporate with difficulty if the power is knocked Lieutenant-Colonel Fiona O'Shaugnessey
soldiers have at least an interface and out, and flexible enough to perform was a member of the British Army until
plugs, and many have cyberoptics. gymnastics in. the rise of the MLA, when she fled with
Some smaller militaries (like the John's primary weapon is a self- a sizable bounty on her head for her
British) are equipping their soldiers targeting 3mm railgun. His back-up is condemnation of them. Since then she
with various biotech augmentations as a dual purpose pistol with a 4.3mm has worked as a mercenary, and as a
a matter of course; as the prices drop, hyper-velocity ET barrel, and a 15mm tactical and technical advisor for SOF.
this is becoming more common. launcher that fires "genius bullets" that
THE FUTURE OF FORCE
So WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US?
restrictions when the ball drops.

F
or the independent entrepreneur
(read Edgerunner or Mercenary), Edgerunners, on the other hand,
times have never been better for understand that their pay is directly
getting involved in the Wages of War. tied to performance; they will do the
As war has increasingly become a job the way the buyer wants.
game played by more than just gov- Even in support roles, the amount
ernments, the job opportunities have of money flowing out of the Armed
skyrocketed. Forces is increasing. With computer-
The most obvious jobs, of course, ized requisitions and inventory comes
are for Solos and Jockeys. Mercenary restrictions on what you can get.
units are forming all over the world, Sometimes, this means not getting
and many smaller governments will what you need, or getting something
pay good money for "foreign tactical you don't want. A smart Fixer with mil-
advisors." Even the major organizations itary contacts can make a killing by
will pay for mercenary teams on a not- trading or buying what a local COG
infrequent basis, usually for Covert or commander has surplus of, and pro-
Clandestine missions. Prowlers make viding him the tools he needs (but
an excellent addition to any Merc can't get). And all without resorting to
team, both as B&E men and as scout- theft of government property (which is
snipers. a major source of heavy weapons on
But the jobs don't end there. the Street, as RPGs, grenade launch-
Netrunners and Techies can be hired ers, and MGs "disappear" from military
to provide support for Clandestine armories).
Ops (which frequently have special Fixers and Corps can also act as
equipment needs, and always require "brokers", offering the special services
Net coverage to erase footprints of the of mercenary teams they hold on
electronic kind). Any Merc unit will retainer to the highest bidder (taking a
need MedTechie support; where cut of course). Some Corps have got- means that performing an extraction
they're often fighting, Trauma Team ten quite wealthy doing this. or theft on a Government facility can
doesn't go. Corp Liaisons, Rockerboys Civilian Netrunners often act as be tricky indeed. Corporate forces are
to drum up popular support for a rev- "advisors", or trainers for Military easier, but by no means easy, and
olution, Fixers for local contacts; etc. 'Runners, and Civilian Techies can be there is always the risk the Corp has
are all needed. involved with the training for, and hired mercenaries (like, say, Lazarus),
Nor are all jobs directly related to repair of, classified projects. to defend their property.
active combat. In the modern style of There is a down side, of course. It cannot be stressed enough that
warfare, Edgerunner missions can fre- Like never before, the Armed Forces military forces are not something to be
quently be an adjunct of a military can put a major crimp in the style of laughed at; they are well armed,
operation, and these will (increasingly) Edgerunners. Trained and ready to trained, and, more importantly, sup-
be farmed out to a private Clandestine fight in urban environments, and in ported. The average soldier is not as
Ops unit (read, team of Edgerunners), smaller sizes than before, a trained good a combatant as the average
rather than be undertaken by a team Marine rifle squad can take on a small Solo, but you won't encounter the
of Special Forces (who may well be of boostergang with the right information. average soldier alone. He's part of a
more use elsewhere). Governments are much more likely to squad, and even if you kill him, you
The reason for this is subtlety. rely on military forces for defensive have to deal with his nine chums. And
Military units, even Special Forces, are duties than before (because they are it's likely that three of them are going
used to fairly liberal Rules of both cheaper and more reliable than to see you kill the blighter. So be
Engagement, and will tend to ignore hiring Corporate contractors), which warned.
CYBERWARE & NEWTECH FOR THE PROFESSIONAL

Pick 'em up, pick 'em out...pick 'em off.


You're caught in an op gone bad; it's practically raining boosterboys and you're
fresh out of backup. But you're not worried—as quickly as the enemy enters -
the crosshairs in your 'optic, your cyberarm jumps into action! Ifs almost too
easy—all you have to do is look and D/Tek instantly acquires, tracks and
shoots. Give your smartgunning hand a mind of its own. Get D/Tek.
Attention: D/Tek is an after-market package which requires the presence of the
following cybernetics to function: Neural Processor with Smartgun Link, Interface
Plugs, Cyberoptic with Targeting Scope option, Cyberarm with Hand. (5350eb;
HC=6D6+4). D/Tek uses a gyro-compensation system installed in the cyberarm
(taking 1 space) and a logic coprocessor wired into the user's neurakvare; D/Tek
may be purchased as a complete package (includes all requisite cyberware) from
Cybermatrix for 6,000eb (CR Surgery, HO5D6+3 total).
Game Notes: Basic Network: HC=1D6+3, Surgery: M. D/Tek allows the user to ignore neg-
ative modifiers from Moving Targets REF>X, Firing While Running, and Firing
Shoulder Arm From Hip. It can be disconcerting the first few times ifs used, but you'll"

Move over Bianchi and Hague! Techtronica s Scongrips use pressure-sensitive


molecular memory to truly individualize your weapon. Once the grips ore pro-
grammed and installed, grasp the weapon: the pressure-activated, memory-plastic grips mold themselves to your hand for perfect ergonomics. They
scan your fingerprints to disengage the lock on the firing mechanism, and activate any electronic sighting systems mounted on the weapon. The only
thing they don't do is shoot the bod guys for you!

THINK-BOOM RADIO DETONATING SIGNALERS 1 OOEB PER SIGNAL


Think-Booms are a handy device for the solo with his hands full. The device sends out a signal like other remote controllers. The specialty of this model
is that it plugs into any interface socket and can be triggered with a mental command! The device looks like a large coin, approximately an inch in
diameter, with a plug jutting from one side. Since it lays flat while plugged in, it can be worn under clothing for maximum concealment. Up to three
signals may be programmed (allowing three different activations). The Think-Boom can be used with any device rigged to receive such a signal; it
does not have to be a detonation device. Range is only 100m unless the user has an unobstructed view, which allows up to 200m range. Signal fre-
quencies come pre-set by the manufacturer. Characters with Radio Splice for their cyberaudio may have a variant installed internally that will send a
signal as far as their splice will reach. Up to two signals for SOOeb.

CYBERWARRIOR — WHEN GUNS ARE NOT ENOUGH


Store Hours: M-F 0900-0900 • S-S 0900-2300 All items available at any of our 2500 outlets world-wide.
Check your local database for the location nearest you! Delivery 7 days a weekl
LESSONS A SOLO
FORTUNE
SPECIAL
OF

LEARNED AND REPORT


FROM SOUTH
AMERICA^

BRIDGES BURNED;
ON THE ROAD WITH
C.J. O'REILLY Don't ask.
Okay, I'll tell ya. AFTER A HAIR-
yeah, I knew the job was bad news
when I took it. The invitation was drip- RAISING DESCENT
ping sweat as I pulled it out of the
envelope. Come down and do some THROUGH A THUN-
work for the government of (name of
country deleted for legal reasons — DERSTORM, WE MET
Editor), it said. Be our guest. Stay at the
lavish Hotel (name of hotel deleted THE GROUND SOME-
for legal reasons —Editor) in our cap-
ital city as our guest Enclosed was a W H E R E IN THE
round trip ticket on the national airline.
My second warning should have been VICINITY OF THE
that the ticket said: "Warning, depar-
ture time subject to change based on CAPITAL.
availability of aircraft." If you've never
flown internationally, I'll clue you in on that long to get both engines started)
something—it doesn't say that on we're grinding along at the spectacular
Orbital Air tickets. But I was short of altitude of eight-thousand feet in a
cash, and short of work, so what could World War II era DC-3 that shook so
shoulda listened to Clyde O'Reilly I do? I swindled SOF into paying me a hard I learned how to do the mambo in

I Sr, my dear, departed pappy, when


he told me, "Never go anywhere
you can't buy a good, cold beer for
few bucks for a post-trip write-up,
packed my passport and hardware
into a courier bag, and caught a cab
for the airport.
the time it took me to walk down the
aisle to the flush-into-the-air bathroom.
I pity anyone who was standing below
us, because I don't even take to good
less than what you'd pay a local hook-
er." Sheesh, truer words were never The first really ominous rumblings air travel well. About an hour into the
said. But there I was in a tropical hell- came when I got to the airport and flight the stewardess, who looks like
hole where the air was so damp my saw the airplane, which, as my notori- my mother (who's dead), comes by
teeth were rusting. ously rotten luck would have it, was and offers me a drink She didn't take
How'd it happen, ya ask? available. Two hours later (it took them it well when I asked her if we were
going to land at the capital, or para-
chute in (snort). The drink turned out
to be a glass of Fibuto, which is a toxic
creation distilled from the Gualpa fruit,
the only edible vegetable indigenous
to my destination, and one of the
country's two exports (the other one is
garnet paper). I had one sip and spent
the next ten minutes alternately hallu-
cinating and throwing-up while I
picked cockroach legs out from
between my teeth with the pin on the
back of the plastic Junior Pilot flight
badge I found in the seat-back pocket
in front of me.
Eventually, after a hair-raising
descent through a whopping thunder-
storm, we met the ground in a semi-
controlled fashion somewhere in the
vicinity of the capital. Imagine my sur-
prise when the rustic farm I thought we
had landed at turned out to be the air-
port It was here that I had my first real
contact with the warm hospitality that
my destination was so famous for. As I
stood in the middle of the customs line
surrounded by a herd of goats that
was being cleared by the woman in
front of me, two officials in smelly,
olive-greens singled me out and took
me over to a table where they made
me empty out my luggage, including
my courier bag. Needless to say, the local police Commandante, who on the rise the world over. El
things were looking interesting about greeted me warmly with...a glass of Commandante cheerfully informed me
the time they got to the Malorian sec- warm Fibuto! Imagine my ecstasy... that, in return for putting down the
tion of my carry-on luggage. I was just The Commandante was a truly loath- worker uprising, my pay would be
about resigned to spending the rest of some character, with cracked aviator twelve billion Dugals. I did some quick
my life in an equatorial jail when a spit- shades, and a sweaty shirt that rode up math and realized that impressive
shined lackey showed up and waved over a large, moist, spreading gut dim- number equaled about $16 euro, and
and gesticulated wildly at my guards. pled by a navel so deep and wet that I with inflation, would probably equal
For a moment I thought he was argu- could have dropped a lobster trap into eighty cents by that night. Uh-uh I said.
ing that I be shot on the spot. It turned it and probably come up with a pretty Pay me in Euro or put me back on the
out that he was driver. I thought I was good catch. He laughed and gesticu- plane. Then I remembered the plane
safe. lated, and explained that the problem ride, recanted, and said pay in euro or
Wrong. was a revolt of the workers at the local put me on a boat. Much haggling later,
If anything, the drive into the town garnet mines. This was the sad camp the fee was agreed upon and I set out
was worse than the flight, it wouldn't where they mine the garnets for the for the hotel. That was my next mis-
have been so bad if the driver hadn't garnet paper that accounts for 90% of take.
accepted a case of Fibuto in return for a gross domestic product smaller than The Hotel was without a doubt the
allowing the goat lady and her bleating my monthly SOF retainer (which ain't worst semi-enclosed structure I have
squadron to share the car with us on much). Of course the tragic economy ever had the displeasure to set foot
the way back. He drank two bottles isn't helped by the fact that the gov- within in the forty-three long years of
before we left. ernment, by order of El Presidente, my existence. The concierge handed
Twenty dirt-encrusted minutes was printing off new Dugals, the local me my key, but it turned out not to be
later I was escorted into the offices of currency, so fast that ink futures were necessary as the wood around the
door to my room was so rotted that it
Playing in gave way when I leaned my bags
against it. The room itself was a cubi-
South cle about twelve feet on a side with a
bed, a sink, a table, and a three-watt
America incandescent bulb that hung from a
frayed cable over the bed like an elec-
Running games in South trified Sword of Damocles. Of course,
there was no danger of a fire if it fell,
America is all about atmosphere. since the bed was so thoroughly
soaked with moisture that I momentar-
Think, hot, sweaty, and poor. The ily thought they had drawn a refreshing
bath for me. When I drew back the
vast slums of Rio. The steamy sheet, a cockroach the size of a cock-
er spaniel scurried across the mat-
climes of Venezuela. The danger- tress, then suddenly took flight. Luckily have since learned that the toilet-
for me, it settled on the cord for the paper bank notes are carefully cali-
charged worlds of the Colombian light bulb and was immediately elec- brated to the changes in food and
trocuted. The charred, smoking hulk Fibuto quality so that as you use toilet
and Peruvian drug lords. In 2020, floated down to the bed, where it paper, the denominations on the bills
hissed out in the water and filled the go up in direct accordance with the
most South American countries entire room with the smell of burned, rate of inflation! Sheer genius, really.
quenched cockroach. I decided to Of course, I had learned on the way
are brutal police states with a sleep on the floor. Then I looked at the back from the airport that it doesn't
floor and decided to sleep in the bath- make any difference, since Fibuto is
very few, very rich people and a room. So I went into the bathroom. the operating currency.
It was in the bathroom that I Since I could read the writing on
great many poor people. Solos learned one of the great truths of this the wall, I decided to refund the
country. The residents are much more Commandante his money and get the
will be working in a shadowy clever than they seem, and have come hell out of there. I picked up the phone
up with an ingenious solution to solve and my light bulb exploded. So I
world of illegal coups, govern- several of their problems at once. First, packed up my bags, crept out into the
the combination of Fibuto and bad street, and chartered a ride down to
ment overthrows, rebellions and water has given everyone in the coun- the river, where I bartered my way
try diarrhea. Not having a strong onto a local tramp steamer headed for
insurrections, terrorist organiza- enough economy to import toilet Caracas, Venezuela with a load of gar-
paper, and not wanting to use leaves, net paper and export-bottled Fibuto
tions such as Sendero Luminoso, since local plants tend to be infested marked for Lesotho, the only Fibuto
with deadly species of spider who's export market in the world. Forty-eight
and smuggling. All deals are sus- name (I understand) translates as "ass- hours later, I was back in semi-civiliza-
biter surprise," a certain amount of the tion, with forty mosquito bites to serve
pect, and the local currency is garnet paper produced is redirected as reminders of my brief stay in (coun-
into the local toilet-paper industry. try deleted again —Editor). If you're
never any good. Many of the lux- Unfortunately, as near as I could tell, it ever down that way, stop by at the
was redirected after the garnets are Hotel (name deleted again—editor).
uries and supplies that European, inserted. But, in order to consolidate Order up a Fibuto...ho\d the ice. Tell
the national industry, and deal with the 'em I sent you. Then duck.
American, and Japanese solos ruinous rate of inflation, new Dugal -C.J. O'Reilly.
notes are printed directly onto the toi- P.S.: My editor tells me that legal fees
take for granted will be rare, and let paper. And furthermore, in order to for this trip are being deducted from my
deal with inflation, the notes are print- paycheck for this article. I'm sending him a
very expensive. ed in sequentially increasing denomi- case of Fibuto. Cheers. CJO.
nations! My roll started with a 1000
Dugal note and ended with an impres-
sively ornate 500 Million Dugal note. I
Bringing you the exotic
in personal protection
Midnight Urns has become the exclusive dealer in the Free State of California for such
respected firms as Mystic Technologies and Pursuit Security Inc. MO also has the edged weapon
artistry of Hendachi at below factory-dealer cost!
Mystic Technologies Nunchaku/Blade 200eb
Concealment, accuracy, and damage as per Nunchaku & Sword in CP2020.
Mystic Tech continues to amaze with its innovative melee weapon systems. This weapon is 2' long staff with an extendible
blade at one end. The blade is 1' long and inflicts 1D6+1 points of damage (2D6+1 if used 2-handed). When a release button is
pressed the staff splits and forms a pair of nunchaku. Note: you cannot use the nunchaku function if the blade is extended!

Kendachi Monosword Cane 255eb


MEL • +1 • L • P • 3D6 • NA • NA • VR • 1m
The element of surprise is yours with the monoblade hidden within this rich, synthetic
mahogany-finished walking cane. Twist the handle to the left, and a lock will release
the 55cm blade.
Note: This weapon will shatter with a 4- on a D10 if fumbled or parry-
Lydia ing. Otherwise it is consistent with all other rules governing
monoweapons (CP2020, pg.112).
says:
"I shop Ninja Smoke Pellet 25eb/5 pellets
Midnight Just pop one of these on the ground and vanish from
Arms for your foe's sight. Flash powder that explodes on impact.
all my Perfect for fleeing boosters or getting an advantage
close- over more powerful adversaries. Just pray he/she
combat doesn't have IR in his optics. A package con-
tains five pellets.
needs." Game Note: Target is temporarily distracted
and loses his/her next action. A Stealth roll
is permitted to the pellet user to escape
the area.

Stundart Shotgun Shell


20eb (per pack of
four)
Improved product design from
Pursuit Security Inc. A Stundart round
that can be fired from any shotgun or 25mm mini-
grenade launcher up to 100m. Its larger capacitor results in
a -2 to Stun saves, and soft armor up to 10SP can be penetrated.

MIDNIGHT ARMS, Night City Net, Midnite @ PacCom 225.347. Modem for our catalog.
bullpup carbine designed for mobile
we stopped, infantry and airborne units. It comes
as always, for a greasy standard with a collapsible stock, and is
breakfast at Moseley's diner. One guess cleverly balanced and stabilized for
who ended up with the check. It was a accurate firing under shaky conditions.
By the staff, beautiful day for shooting: partly cloudy, About 60% of the HK 77UK is fash-
with Delbert "Bubba" and the glare was negligible. Only the ioned from advanced composites, but
Reyes and J.T. lightest breeze rippled through the it retains some metal parts for ease of
Cooper. quarry, and the dust stayed on the manufacturing and repair. The HK
ground. 77UK is also a modular system, with a
t was a very pleasant, mid-Autumn wide range of easily interchangeable

I morning around the SOF offices


when some wag pointed out that the
closet where we store our complimen-
Bread And
Butter
parts, including scopes and optical
sights, barrel attachments including a
very well-designed sound/recoil sup-
tary review-copies of weapons was get- pressor, and various barrel and stock
he first weapon out of the box, by configurations.

T
ting full, and people were having a hard
time making it to the secret beer locker. unanimous decision, was the Everyone expected the HK 77UK
Bowing to the inevitable, I had an intern new Heckler and Koch 77UK to be a dream to fire, and we weren't
load everything into the back of the assault rifle, a deal at 750eb. This is the disappointed. J.T. fired two magazines
company truck while I rounded up resi- latest creation from H-K's prestigious from bench rest at the 400 meter line,
dent SOF firearms experts, Bubba and British subsidiary; probably the last and was consistently able to keep his
J.T. Ten minutes later, we were on our British company doing good export groups within four inches using the
way up to Anderson Quarry. On the way business. The HK 77UK is a light. basic optical sight. With the iron sights
he was only slightly less accurate, firing sixty. Bubba and J.T. both expect third- smart-chipping. The light weight makes
seven inch groups. Since the HK 77UK party companies to begin producing the weapon a infiltrator's dream.
is a light weapon, Bubba decided to high-capacity magazines for the HK With J.T. on the spotting scope,
take it through the combat-pistol range. 77UK. The other problem is that H-K is Bubba lined up on the 400 meter range
This is a little something that the boys using a non-standard caliber. The com- and took shots prone, at bench rest, and
set up last month. There are five stations mon caseless rounds are 4.5mm and standing. Accuracy in good conditions
with multiple targets set up in various 6.5mm. The 9mm caseless packs a is outstanding. At bench, Bubba drew
patterns at between five and fifty good wallop, but could be hard to get two-inch groups with consistency.
meters. The point is to sprint between hold of in remote locations. At 750eb, Anyone who has spent time in the bush
the stations and get as many targets in though, its a heck of a weapon. If you knows that a sniper can't always be
as short a time as possible. The course can stockpile the pricey ammo, and you choosy about firing location, but the
is for testing pistols and submachine- want to carry the best into a mobile light recoil and light weight make the
guns, but the HK 77UK's light weight, combat or recon situation, you couldn't WSSA a good choice for situations
small size, suppressed recoil, and clever do much better than the HK 77UK where you can't rest the weapon, or
stabilizing system make it a surprisingly The HK 77UK wasn't the only cher- shoot prone.
good performer in these kinds of ry of the group. The other weapon Curious about the stopping power
mobile, snap-shooting conditions. It everyone was itching to try was of such a light projectile, J.T. arranged
porting system virtually eliminates muz- Arasaka's latest offering for the pricey several watermelons in the quarry, and
zle climb, even when firing full-auto from sniping market. The WSSA "Sniper we set about making melon balls.
the hip. System" is designed for urban, corpo- Against a soft target, the 3.5mm hyper-
The HK 77UK is a very well though- rate deployment It fires a very light, velocity flechette is surprisingly effec-
out weapon, but it is not perfect First, 3.5mm hypervelocity flechette that tive, easily carrying enough energy to
the magazine capacity is surprisingly actually rides a 6.5mm sabot down the shatter a melon completely. While it
low for a caseless system. There seems barrel. The weapon weighs in at a com- doesn't have the raw splattering power
to be a lot of wasted space in the mag- fortable 3.8kg with a forty-round maga- of 8mm long, or some other popular
azines. A little work could easily double zine, and comes standard with a nifty sniping rounds, it can definitely provide
the magazine capacity from thirty to Zeiss 12-power enhanced sight and a nasty surprise for your enemies.
There are some problems with such a
light load, however. Penetration against The Perils Off Unfortunately, the tolerances of the
moving parts are so fine, that there is no
hardened targets is very poor. Even at
hypervelocity, the projectile is simply Precision margin for error. What this means is that
the weapon fires beautifully until it: a)
too light to penetrate anything but gets any dirt at all in the action, b) over-

T
he high-tech weapons firm of
cloth-based armors. Furthermore, the Mustang Arms has a couple of heats, c) is dropped on a hard surface.
WSSA is ill-suited for situations where new offerings, and we happened Then it tends to lock-up completely, and
you are shooting through foliage, glass, to have them along for the outing. must be completely stripped, cleaned,
or walls. The light projectiles simply Bubba was excited about the new Mark and re-assembled before it will fire
deflect too much to make precise 2 11 mm pistol, because, as he says, "it's again. So, while it might be a great
shooting through obstructions possi- gettin' harder to find a good, old-fash- weapon for target-shooting in an air-
ble. At long ranges, the 3.5mm ioned slug-thrower? Unfortunately, he conditioned range, Bubba and J.T. both
flechette is also susceptible to wind was soon disappointed by the 425eb nixed it for combat situations. J.T. was
deflections, and snipers will want to pistol. Mustang is a new firm in Night particularly surprised to see that the
avoid severe cross-winds at anything City, and they use the latest in comput- Mark 2 is finding some favor with police.
other than moderate ranges, even with er-aided design/manufacturing, that He suggested that there are going to be
the programmable sight That is a seri- enables them to develop weapons with some surprised cops next time they
ous flaw in the basic design, especially amazingly tight tolerances and design have a firefight in a dusty or wet situa-
considering how impressed the guys specs. Unfortunately, advanced materi- tion.
were with the overall engineering and als still haven't caught up with the Mustang partially redeemed itself
feel of the WSSA. Both Bubba and J.T. design techniques, and Mustang has with the Close-Control 20, a finely built
suggested redesigning the platform to hamstrung itself with some fatal flaws. shotgun for urban, house-to-house, and
support 6.5mm caseless or 8mm long. The Mark 2 is beautifully built, with a 12- riot situations. It fires versatile loads,
Nonetheless, as a medium range round standard magazine, 6.5 inch bar- including non-lethal rounds and slugs.
assassination weapon for soft targets, rel, and standard porting. Bubba and The only negative comment was from
Bubba and J.T. give the WSSA very high J.T. both complimented the excellent Bubba, who thinks that any combat shot-
marks, even at 2400eb. feel of the weapon. gun under 10 gauge is a waste of time.

Arasaka WSSA Sniper System


RIF • +5 (with smartrig) * N * P • 4D6 (3.5mm FF) • 40 • 2 • VR • 600m • 2400eb

Designed for urban-deployed corporate enforcement teams, the heavy-barreled, semi-auto Arasaka WSSA has
a 40-round helical mag of saboted 3.5mm Frag-Flechettes (see Kendachi Frag Flechettes, Chrome 2, pg.46),
and is equipped with a silencer, flash suppressor and a Zeiss 12x scope with computer-enhanced laser sight-
Ing. This system already includes smartchipping, and a whole lot more (+2 to Awareness, night vision, and
rangefinding). With a loaded weight of 3.8kg, this is becoming a very popular sniper weapon.
The Latest
From IMI
O
ne group that has never suf-
fered from over-engineering is
Israeli Military Industries, mak-
ers of such legendary weapons as the
UZI and the Galil. IMI is back with two
new systems: the Gamad light pistol
and the Gamdaii dual-purpose subma-
chinegun. IMI has a tradition of inde-
structible weapons that will work under
any circumstances. As J.T. points out,
they were developed to be serviceable
in desert combat situations with a mini-
mum of maintenance, you could fill the
receiver of an Uzi with toothpaste and
still be confident that you were going to
have trouble-free operation. The point
isn't that you don't have to clean or
maintain your weapon; it's that your
weapons will continue to work reliably Mustang Anns "Mark II"
until you have time to clean them. P• +1 •J/L• C • 306(11 mm) • 12/20• 3 •VR• 50m •425eb
The Gamad and the Gamdaii were
both developed with that philosophy in The Mark II is a powerful autoloader machined to very close tolerances. Using
mind. The 575eb Gamad is a light pistol the latest computer-aided design techniques, the Mark II is ergonomically and
designed to give Mossad agents a con- technically advanced. It sports a 6.5-inch barrel with a ported compensator,
cealable punch. Gamad means "dwarf' but its most unusual feature is the magazine: although a standard 12-round
in Hebrew. The punch is anything but clip is available, each Mark II comes with a 20-round "banana" mag. This
midget-like, though. The 10mm case- handgun is popular with many police units for its "staying power"—that is to
less rounds pack a hefty impact, and say, magazine capacity. Patrol officers commonly cany five twelve-round mag-
the Gamad will keep seven in the box azines of 11 mm AP, plus one up the spout; the banana dip is normally used
and one up the pipe. That's a good by SWAT, entry teams, and military special-ops units.
complement for such a small package,
especially if it's hidden away as a back- Mustang Arms Close-Control 2O
up. If seven rounds isn't enough, a 15 SHG• -1 • N • P • 3D6 (20-Gauge) • 15 • 2 • STD• 50m • 350eb
round extended magazine is available,
but it is a little clumsy, and destroys the This utilitarian shotgun comes from the Night City-based firm Mustang Arms.
weapon's main advantage—it's conceal- Composed of lightweight composite materials, the C-C 20 is designed as a
ability. reliable antipersonnel weapon which won't devastate an enclosed area. The
J.T. decided to see if IMI was up to Close Control 20 is a semiauto 20-Gauge bullpup, loading buckshot, slugs,
its usual standards. He emptied a soda anti-riot baton rounds, or flechette shells. Its clear-plastic box magazine holds
over the Gamad and buried it in the 15 rounds, and the entire weapon is only 26 inches in length.
sand for ten minutes. Then he exhumed
it and took it through the combat pistol
range. Not one jam in four magazines, /10 gauge shotgun combo. The tunately, that makes the pistol grip just a
and the 10mm bullet made short work Gamdaii takes two magazines at once, little too thick for comfort, unless you
of some old bowling pins. J.Ts only allowing two kinds of ammo to be have really big hands. The Gamdaii is
complaint was that the small size and selected from at any moment. In classic totally ambidextrous, and generally
light weight make one-handed control Israeli fashion, the dual 35 round mag- pleasant to fire. There are some prob-
difficult azines go through the pistol-grip for bal- lems with the grenade launcher, howev-
The 950eb Gamdaii is the Gamad's ance, and to leave room in front of the er. The extremely short barrel length
big brother: a 10mm submachinegun trigger-guard for the short-barreled forces you to use special, expensive,
over/undered with a compact 25mm grenade launcher/shotgun. Unfor- low-velocity grenades. Accuracy suf-
fers, as a result, and J.I was only able to Stand back. Nonetheless, the Gamdaii to keep working in a firefight in the
come within about ten feet of a target at is up to IMI's usual, excellent engineer- middle of a swamp?" yep. Keep it sim-
fifty-meters. With such a small explosive ing standards. A little tweaking and ple. In combat, there's just no substi-
charge, that can lead to problems. If Bubba says he would own one. J.T. tute.
you use the 10-gauge sleeve adapter thinks the whole platform is a little
for shotgun use, the short barrel creates goofy.
a pattern so wide as to be useless
beyond about 3.5 meters. Furthermore,
And so ended another pleasant
day up at the range. There is some
Stupid
Bubba tells me that there have been
some reports of people using the
good stuff coming out, but Bubba
offered a cautionary word. "It seems
Guns
Gamdaii in close-quarters combat, and like more and more manufacturers are very time we come out here,
then switching to the grenade launcher,
hitting an obstacle within a few feet, and
killing themselves or their buddies.
putting expensive bells and whistles
on their guns. Electronics. Chips.
Grenade launchers. Remember, the
E there is a box of worthless crap
that we tote along to test out, just
for fun. Here are this month's loonier
Important safety note: IMI's special things that count are reliability, accura- items:
grenades do not have a safety distance! cy, and your own marksmanship skills. continued on page 36
Once primed by firing, they will deto- Is the damn
nate as soon as they hit an object thing going

Bubba's Pick Off The Months

Heckler & Koch 77UK assault carbine


RIF • +1 • L • P • 2D6+4 (9mmCL) • 30 3/30 • VR • 250m • 750eb
(permanent supressor: 200eb; smartrig: 600eb; 45-rnd U-drum: 60eb)
In use by private military units world-wide. H&K's British subsidiary has installed the latest in folding stocks
and auto-stabilizers, making it more accurate than most competitors. There's a wide range of attachments
available, including a 25mm GL, a full-spectrum electronic sight (for use with SmartGoggles™), and an integral
suppressor system.
The 25mm GL is Militech's mini-GL (Chrome 1):
MGL• I • -1 • I • L • l • C • l • Mini-gren • l • 4 • l • 2 • I • ST
Suppressor reduces WA to 0, cannot be heard without cyberaudio (extended hearing range).
Folding stock reduces Conceal from L to J, but firing while folded is a -2 penalty.
JJ.'s Picks Off The Month:

I Ml "Gamdall" I Ml Gamad It. Pistol


SMG • +2 • N • E • 2D6+3 (10mm Caseless) • P • +0 (+1 w/lasersight) • P • E • 2D6+3 (10mm
35x2 • 25 • VR • 950eb Caseless) • 7 • 2 • VR • 575eb
GL • - • - • +0 • (25mm Grenade or 10ga.) • 1 • This stubby 10mm pistol gets its name ("Dwarf)
1 • ST from it's small size. First designed for Mossad, the
The perfect mate for the Gamad! A dual-feed Gamad was only released onto the foreign market
10mm caseless SMG mated to a single-shot in the last 3 years. The weapon comes with a
25mm grenade launcher. Intended to supplant lasersight only, but a smartgun variant is available.
current assault weapons for Mossad units, this This is the weapon that Mossad agents have come
weapon system is of high quality and fine machin- to be known by. These pistols are also popular as
ing.The gun feeds from twin magazines, allowing back-up weapons. An extended 15 rnd mag is also
different types of ammo to be loaded. Ammo available. (35eb, raises concealment to J).
selection is via thumb-operated lever. Like most
IMI weapons, the Gamdaii is easily modified for
left or right-handed use. The GL barrel is shorter
than most launchers; special rimmed, low-velocity
rounds must be used. With the capability to load a
wide range of ammunition (for both SMG and GL),
the Gamdaii is number one with firepower freaks
everywhere.
The 25mm launcher can load all of the standard
types of ammo, but uses its own rimmed shells
(these cost 50% more than normal shells). They
have a range of 100m. It is impossible to load nor-
mal 25mm mini-grenades into the launcher. 10ga.
shells can still be loaded, using a special sleeve.
continued from page 34 er partially submerged. Arrows are for then leave on the shelf when the s*" hits
Robin Hood. Use a silenced gun, fer the fan. Most of these will end up unfired,
Mystic cryin' out loud! in the hands of collectors or battered
TechnologiesTM wives who want to discourage abusive
husbands without killing them. What
Arrow Gun RIF • +1 • J(L) • C • 3D6 • 1 • 1 good is a beanbag gun going to be when

I
am suspicious of any company • ST • 70rn • 1000eb the full-borg comes through the wall?
named "Mystic Technologies." I want Includes a waterproof case (SP10) with YOU could point it at your head and shoot
to kill my opponent, not dazzle him. slots for eight 35cm aluminum arrows yourself into unconsciousness in the
The MT arrow gun is an arrow-firing with carbo-glas broadhead blades (see hopes that he leaves you for dead. The
device with all of the problems of a bow Archery rules for damage). It also good news: the ammo is blister-packed
and arrow, or crossbow, and none of comes with a preconfigured mount and can be found on the wire spin-racks
the advantages. It takes one arrow at a that can accommodate most scopes
time, and fires it with compressed air,
and laser sights. With the collapsible P • -2 • J • E • Stun • 1 • 1 • ST •
making a loud pop. True, it can fire 100eb
stock extended, concealment is low-
under water, but I find a powerhead to This compact weapon, shaped like a
ered to L Arrows are 5eb. is each.
be much more effective, even though it bicycle pump, delivers a small, soft
requires hand-to-hand combat. The beanbag up to 10ft away at 300fps.
arrows are terrible on hardened targets. Compressed air cartridges (good for
I suppose that the arrow gun could be Pursuit up to 5 shots) are extra. Any area hit
that is not armored will be numbed
used to fire at a target on the shore
from under the water, but I don't know
Security Inc's unless a Very Difficult BOD check is
how practical that is, with refraction. For Beanbag Gun made (Endurance skill applies).
amphibious ops, you're probably better
off with an old Steyer AUG, firing cased re you kidding me? This is one of
rounds. The AUG can fire through a
barrel full of water, and with the receiv- A those items that police depart-
ments buy as PR moves, and

THE STORM FROM HELL: tailgate and opened up at the back of car battery so that, as long as the vehi-
THE GA-1112 the quarry. Rocks, bushes, squirrels, cle engine is running, the gun's bolt is
AUTOGUN watermelons, birds, and terrain all dis- cycling. That cancels the start-up time.
solved under the withering fire. The GA-1112 could become one of the
We don't review many vehicle-mount- Of course, the GA has a couple of most powerful light-vehicle mounts in
ed weapons, and when we got our crippling problems. First, to save bat- years. I'd definitely use it to discourage
review unit of the Dover GA-1112 elec- tery power, the electric motor only tailgaters. —Bubba
tric cannon, it was billed as a "man- winds as long as the weapon is being
portable system." fired. When you stop, so does the Dover GA-1112 Autogun
yeah. Right motor. Then, when you want to shoot HVY • +1 • N • R • 4D6+4
The GA is really a very cheap again it takes about one second after (12mmCL) • 400 • 80 • ST •
(1,110eb) vehicle-mounted weapon. you squeeze the trigger for the motor 400m • 1,110eb
The GA-1112 is a "man-portable"
Forget man-portable. Anchor this baby to wind up to speed again, and for fir-
ing to begin. One second is long MG chambered for 12mm caseless
to a coaxial mount or a pintle-mount
ammunition. A double-barreled
on your jeep's rollbar and you will be enough to die. The other problem is
weapon, the GA-1112 feeds from a
the boss of the beach. The GA is a two that the 400 round drum will support
underside-mounted drum. Weighing
barreled system that uses a motor-dri- sustained fire for a grand total of ten
about 15kg (empty), it comes with a
ven, rotary bolt to maintain a 2500 seconds. Reloading ain't quick Take
sling; an integral smartgun rig com-
round per minute cyclic rate. It fires the my word for it
pensates for the hip-firing position.
brutal 12mm CaselessLong specialty My suggestions for Dover: turn it
This weapon must be squeeze-
round, and draws on a 400 round into a dedicated, vehicle-mounted sys-
cocked to start the motor (one com-
drum-magazine. The works weighs in tem. Increase the magazine to 1200 or
bat round), and then it can be fired.
at 15kg unloaded, so the only people 1600 rounds and mount it on the vehi-
The ultimate man-portable area-
who will hump it along are full-borgs. cle. Feed the ammo through a flexi-
suppression weapon for cyborgs!
We mounted ours to the pickup-truck's guide. Then, hardwire the motor to the
at discount stores, right near the comic
books, you want non-lethal? Get a real
gun and aim low.

Suranam
NOVA ARMS BEATS ALL
Machine
Pistol
OTHERS TO THE PUNCH!!!
P
ossibly the most comical weapon
that I have ever encountered.
This Korean-made disaster would
be good for stripping paint—if it weren't
for its habit of blowing up. The Suranam
Machine Pistol fires exploding .177
caseless rounds, yes, that's right An
exploding varmint load. Hey, if those
ground-squirrels are really tough... The
problem is this: the hypervelocity
rounds generate a lot of chamber and With the advent of the electrothermal firearms enhancement
barrel heat, and although the propellant technology, A RETURN TO CASED AMMO has become reality!
won't cook-off, the explosive bullets will.
When the explosive bullet cooks off in What's that? You say the ammunition market has become too endeared of caseless ammunition?
the chamber, it will then ignite the case- You say that no manufacturers of automatic weapons are willing to go back to the "less reliable"
less propellant Since the system is designs which cased ammunition requires?
caseless, and doesn't have an automat- Who said anything about AUTOMATIC weapons?
ically-opening ejection port, the back- By its very nature, the revolver MUST use cased ammunition (as rimmed cases are needed to hold
blast from the bullet forces the burning the cartridges in a revolver's cylinder). That's right—electrothermal technology has breathed NEW
propellant into the magazine, where it LIFE into the aging wheelgun! Always the MOST RELIABLE of weapons designs, the revolver once
will cook-off the remaining 25 to 50 again earns the title of MOST POWERFUL weapon design, thanks to the wizardry of electrothermal
rounds all at once. Surprise! you want weapon enhancement! We at Nova Arms (the #1 manufacturer of wheelguns for over 15 years)
to win a war? Airdrop a case of these are now offering YOU Plasmatic™ revolvers—COMPLETE with electrical firing system and grip-
into your enemy's camp. They'll take
housed power cells! Available now at Ultratech and Cyberwarrior stores near YOU!!
'em into battle, and within 24 hours
90% of them won't have a right hand
any more. Now that's strategy. Nova Arms "Stallone" .357 Plasmatic™ Magnum—999eb Cheap!!!
^~J. I. P • +1• J • P • .357/4D6 • 6 • 2 • VR • 60m
SMG • +0 • J/L • C • 1D6+4 Nova Arms "Bronson" .41 Plasmatic™ Magnum-Just 1199eb!!!
(.177) • 25/50 • 50 • UR • 50m • P • +1 • J • P • .41/5D6 • 6 • 2 • VR • 80m
375eb Nova Arms "Eastwood" .44 Plasmatic™ Magnum-Only 1499eb!!!
This Korean-made "minisub," or mini-
P • +1 • J • P • .44/6D6 • 6 • 2 • VR • 80m
submachinegun fires the .177-calibre
explosive caseless cartridge. It is Nova Arms "Arno" .454 Plasmatic™ Magnum—A STEAL at 1799eb!!!
made of carbon-plastics, has a fold- P • +1 • J • P • .454/6D6+3 • 6 • 2 • VR • 100m
ing wire stock, and due to the small
ammo size, the magazine can hold a
very large number of rounds. Thanks The PLASMATIC™ Age Is Now!!!
to a small explosive charge which
causes high bullet expansion, the Nova Arms, P.O.. Box 2112, Dept. LM314V21, Night City, NorCal, 95025.
ammunition is efficient, but the Tel (666) 667-2147, Fax (666) 667-2148, LDL 6810.5867
weapon's high rate of fire often caus- See the complete line of Nova Arms products at your firearms dealer today. When placing an
es severe overheating problems. The order: please have your Dealer use Dept. Code LM314V21.
Suranam is a common choice for Plasmatic™ Ammunition available exclusively from Nova Arms; 75eb for SO rounds..
cyberarm weapon installation. 100-shot batteries sold separately; 200eb each. Moisture-proofing and insulation extra; see your local dealer for details.
IN Focus Eagletech Sport Bow
"Wildcat" 35eb
0 • N• E• 3 D 6 • 1 2 • 1 • VR 100m
A simple 20-kilo pull recurve
bow, cheap and popular.
ARCHERY IN 2O2O
Eagletech "Tomcat"
C-Bow 150eb
0 • N • C • 4 D 6 • 1 2 • 1 •VR•150m
A more expensive, gyro-stabilized
compound bow with a 40-kilo
pull (stepped down to 20 kilos).

Eagletech "Tfgercaf •
C-Bow 500eb
+1 • N • P • 6D6 • 12 • 1 •VR•150m
A professional's compound bow,
pulling 60 kilos (stepped down to
30). Comes complete with com-
puterized sight and gyro-stabiliza-
tion.

t's common knowledge that there's Thanks to a combination of 20th Eagletech "Bearcat"
I no true way to silence a projectile
other than to reduce it to subsonic
velocity. That's why there are no truly
century advancements in bow design
and 21st century materials construc-
tion techniques, the bow is back, and
better than ever!
Self Bow 500eb
+1 • N • P • 6D6 • 12•1•VR•150m
A recurve made out of maximum-
silent firearms that pack enough punch strength composites, with all the
to be effective in the kevlar-clad world Modern bows come in two types: power of a normal 60-kilo bow. It
of the 21st century. Many profession- self bows, where the bow string is can be taken apart into two halves.
als are turning to an old and respected pulled back and held until firing, and Please note that the pull of this
hobby, that of archery, as an answer to crossbows, where the string is held bow remains at 60 kilos at all
the problem. mechanically until firing. Self bows times, not stepped down by pul-
Assassins and silent-kill solos have two sub-categories, recurve leys! Characters holding this bow
aren't the only people taking up this bows being simple constructs with the will have to start making Strength
ancient practice. Few realize that arms of the bow bent against the draw Feat skill rolls after one combat
Bushido, the way of the warrior, angle, and compound bows, which round of holding it..
requires that a bushi master the arts of use a pulley-tension system to lessen
spear and bow, as well as that of the the actual energy needed to pull and
sword. hold the string.
For centuries the bow has been Arasaka Arms Half-
relegated to obsolescence by the Self-Bows Bow 100eb
gun, when in actuality, bows were These are bows that are drawn, held, -1 • L • P • 3 D 6 • 1 2 • 1 •VR• 100m
more accurate, and longer ranged and fired with a straight pull, rather A recurve short bow that can be
than primitive firearms. It simply did- than being cross-bows. There are quite taken apart into two halves.
n't take as long to train a soldier to a few bows from different companies Made out of scanner-resistant
use a firearm as it did to master available; the bows below are simply composites.
archery. representative of the different types.
Crossbows Eagletech "Stryker" X-
Range: Arrows and quarrels lose
energy over time more swiftly than
Crossbows are either cocked by the user Bow 22Oeb bullets. An arrow or quarrel shot at
(that is, the user uses his own strength to -1•N•C•3D6+3•12•1•VR•50m Extreme range only does 1/2 dam-
pull back the string) or cocked mechani- A 20-kilo pull sport crossbow, age.
cally, utilizing a winch or other device to cocked and fired by the user. The number of shots listed for
drag the string back into position. each bow aren't held in some sort of
Arrows magazine. No, they're in a quiver or
other arrow holder, so in order to
Eagletech "Arbelest" Target: The basic arrow/quarrel reload your bow or crossbow, you
X-Bow 500eb (bows use arrows, crossbows use have to reach down/back/out to it
0•N•P• 5D6 • 12 • 1/2 • VR • 150m quarrels). Halves all armor SP, does and grab the arrow/quarrel before
A 60-kilo pull bow, cocked by normal damage. 12 arrows/24eb, 12 transferring it to your string. Please
using a built-in winch. Characters quarrels/30eb. note that this can become difficult in
with a cyberarm and internal brac- Broadhead: An head consisting tight spaces.
ing (muscle and bone lace, body- of two or more razor-sharp blades.
plating breastplate, FMJ) can Acts as a knife for armor penetration,
reload manually, raising the ROF penetrating damage is doubled. 12
to 1. This bow is quite large, with arrows/40eb, 12 quarrels/50eb. String silencer: 50eb This is a set
the bulk of 1.5x an assault rifle. Stan/This arrowhead is a blunt of weights that muffles the sound of a
ellipsoid. All damage is stun. 12 self-bow string being loosed. The
arrows/20eb, 12 quarrels/25eb. self-bow equivalent of a firearm
Spinner: A vicious arrow with a silencer, a silenced string muffles the
Eagletech "Handbow" hardened target point that springs twang to the sound level of a medi-
X-Bow 75eb into a broadhead inside the victim. um-loud sniff. Not applicable to
-1 • J • E • 1 D 6 + 2 • 1 2 • 1 • V R • 2 5 m Furthermore, the arrow rotates in crossbows.
This is a hand-held crossbow with flight, drilling a 20mm+ hole through Crossbow autoloader: 25% of the
a 7-kilo pull. It can be installed in a the victim's flesh! Acts as a knife for bow's cost. This is a box containing
cyberarm with autoloader for armor penetration, penetrating dam- 1/2 the crossbow's normal shots
300eb (the installation uses all the age is tripled. 12 arrows/80eb, 12 (usually six quarrels). Like a clip, it
option spaces in the arm). quarrels/100eb. feeds a new quarrel to the weapon
Warhead: A standard 25mm pis- once it's cocked. On self-cocked
tol grenade (Chrome 2, pg.48) can be crossbows (those that don't use a
fitted onto an arrow and shot from winch), the autoloader includes a
Eagletech "Scorpion" any bow with a 20-kilo or greater pull. lever-based cocking mechanism, bet-
X-Bow 1500eb This reduces WA by -2 and halves the ter than the normal one. This item
0•N•P•7D6•6•1/2•VR•200m effective range of the bow. The doubles the ROF of the bow, but
A 120-kilo pull bow, cocked by a "Arbelest" and "Scorpion" crossbows reduces the Ace by -1.
power winch. This winch can be are exceptions to this; they suffer the Bow sights: These range from
removed, if desired, but then the -2 WA penalty, but retain their normal simple optic bow sights to computer-
bow can only be cocked by full ranges (these monsters already throw ized, enhanced-vision sights. The
'borg conversions and people with massive bolts; the grenade's not basic sight costs 50eb and adds +1
two cyberarms (or a cyberarm and heavy enough to make a difference). to the bow's WA. Sight additions
a cyberleg) and spinal bracing include: Cyber-targeting, +250 eb
(MBL, breastplate, FMJ). Manual
cocking with two cyberarms or by
Special Bow (requires WLNK and cybereye w/tar-
geting option; can be hooked to
a full 'borg raises the ROF to 1. Rules smartgoggles, boosts WA by an addi-
This bow is huge, easily the size of Self bows require the Archery skill to tional + 1, for a total of +2); also IR,
a Barret-Arasaka 20mm! Anyone fire effectively, since they are used +200 eb; and Lowlite, +150 eb
hit with a quarrel from this bow and aimed very differently than cross- Gyro-stabilizer: 10Oeb A gyro-sta-
has to succeed at an Acrobatics bows. Crossbows use either the bilizer halves the movement penalty
roll of 20+ to remain standing Archery skill, or the Rifle skill at half for firing a self-bow while moving,
after the impact otherwise he is value (the "Handbow" can be fired keeping the bow steady even in
knocked over. with Pistol skill at half value instead of motion.
Archery skill).
JERSEY
WITHERSPOON'S
"DEAD ON TARGET"
LOVE &
BULLETS FROM
Moscow-
Fun Times in
the Big Soviet
by Francis "Jersey"
Witherspoon
Corps are so typical. heartland of the iron curtain. Now, I had re-wired and working properly. Although
After a two-week operation in the opportunity to see how our fellow I had to send my gear via the diplomat-
Alaska (pulling VIPs out of an experi- professionals in Mother Russia worked. I ic bag to the U.S. embassy, my arm and
mental military research lab near talked to the folks down in Recreation eye would serve me well enough should
Fairbanks), popping caps, slinging shrat', and Covert Operations and managed to there be any trouble along the way, not
and generally sticking it to the opposi- haggle a visa would get me into the that I expected any. Not many corporate
tion, I was rewarded with a measly 15% Soviet capital, next, I contacted SOF, told hits in Moscow these days.
bonus to salary, my tapes for the media them what I was about, and was sent a Upon landing, I got my first taste of
confiscated, and an all-expense-paid gift-wrapped set o press passes and the Soviet Cybersoldier. There were two
vacation on the Black Sea to get me out other official-looking documents, and a of them working in Customs, placed
of the execs' hair. small stash of those most worthless of there specially to check out foreigners
The Black Sea?" I thought "Give paper products, Rubles, just in case I who had metal grafted to their meat
me a friggin' break!" Then I reconsid- needed to grease a few palms to get the These were big gentlemen. I mean it
ered. I've put in my time and seen a lot inside story. The short one was six-foot-four and
of this rock we live on, but in all that Within a week, I was set My wounds looked like he could bench press a trac-
time, I've never seen any action in the were all patched up, and my arm was re- tor. Both were in uniform, poker-faced,
and armed to the teeth with Kalishnakov one-shot optic before. I caught a cab him, a woman jacked into a .51cal anti-
smart-rifles. I followed the cable back to into the city and made my way to the vehicle rifle was in a ready crouch. The
the plug. U.S. embassy. After filling out too may borg staggered to his feet and launched
Their hardware bordered on nostal- forms, I acquired my gear and a rented himself at the two young Russians. They
gia! That plug looked like something that car. I also picked up a tail. It looked like danced out of the way and let him have
should have been on the back of an old the old-style government paranoia was it from both sides. The girl shoved the
kitchen appliance. I panned down, look- still in effect rifle barrel through the chest plates, hold-
ing for additional cyberware. That's This would never do. the American ing down the trigger. The guy with the
when I noticed that the guard's pants rental, designed for visiting Dips, was blades delivered an expert wheel kick
were four sizes too big and his legs, equipped for plugs, so I jacked-in and that caved in the side of the borg's head.
what I could see of them, looked like a lost my frustrated follower. Moments They were suicidal moves, and I waited
junkyard. I thought I could hear the later, cruising through the back streets, for the borg to clamp its paws down on
gears whirring when he shifted his feet looking for signs that Moscow had the both of them, but that never came.
The second guard was no better off, something to offer me, I was rewarded The pair rolled out of the way as some-
with a gun-metal arm and cables visible by sirens. Two red and white police vans thing inside the cyberpsycho gave way,
through the plates in the wrist and fin- screamed by, four heavily-armed sol- and blood and smoke poured out of
gers. They noticed my attention to their diers hanging onto the running boards lethal wounds. The borg was finished.
hardware and spoke with admiration. for dear life. Acting on a hunch, I gave YOU would expect that the police
Their appraisal of their gear was better chase. I was richly rewarded. would have dashed out and kissed those
than their English. To make a long story short, I found two for saving their Bolshevik behinds.
"Boris and I, highly regarded heroes. what I was looking for. The police had Instead, they began to close in, and I
Many battles in Middle East. Only the surrounded one of the city's newer could see they were calling for arrests.
best for us. you like, huh?" ferro-concrete apartment blocks and But it was too late. They were winging
I shook my head in disbelief, 'you had heavy weapons trained on the front their way down the block, and there
actually like that gear? Isn't it a bit clum- doors. I worked my way around the bar- must have been some feelings of grati-
sy for your line of work?" riers, flashing fake Pravda credentials to tude amongst the grunts, because they
The big guy—Boris I suppose— a pair of soldiers who were too stressed never opened fire.
laughed heartily. "Not pretty like to argue. I unpacked my Nikkon and Walking through the carnage, I was
American arms and legs, but not impor- waited. drafted into helping evacuate the
tant when kicking hole in tank, yes?" He The second story exploded and a wounded. I helped an injured officer to
stamped his foot for emphasis, and I'd metal monstrosity plummeted to the his feet and introduced myself as a
swear on the grave of my aunt Matilda street, cracking the pavement. The Sovs reporter working for the London Times.
that the whole airport shook with the opened up like it was Christmas, but the Fortunately, he spoke passable English
impact I decided to change the subject walking battleship waded right through and was able to ask him about the two
"So, where does a Russian solo go their 7.62 rounds and decked one of the apparent Solos we had just seen in
when he's got the time and is looking for vans like it was a pencil-necked prize- action.
a little action?" fighter. "There are a few:' he began. "Mostly
Boris' face paled. "We are soldiers in The hardware was hopelessly crude, younger men and women. They like
elite guard. We do no such things. In big almost a parody, but there was no deny- Western things: music, food. There are
cities, younger boys, bad children, buy ing what I was seeing. A borged-out places to buy every thing. There are doc-
on underground and do things for Russian, five blocks from Red Square! tors who smuggle cybernetic parts in
money and goods. They have been a My respect for the bulky Soviet from Europe and America." he grimaced,
problem for some time." He shook his cyberware increased geometrically with showing his displeasure. They are young
head sadly, and his partner nodded in every passing second. It may not look and reckless. They replace things that do
agreement nice, but it sure can kick the hell out of not need replacing. Interfere with busi-
Well, at least there was a hint of everything that gets in its way. ness which is not their own. it is most ille-
action. Maybe the younger generation Lightly armed, I ran for cover. Behind gal."
had found the time to lighten up and me, there was a sound like two trains I pointed out that their interference
make a profit for itself. I was beginning crashing. I chanced a look over my had probably kept his butt out of the
to look forward to my stay in Moscow. shoulder intensive care ward. That produced the
I made it past Boris and his pal with- The big Russian borg was on his hint of a smile.
out them discovering the. T77 explosive- back, a dent the size of a basketball in "The children these days. Who can
tipped caseless rounds concealed in;the his chest Standing over him was a young understand them?"
arm. They didn't even bother to examine man with three blades the size of garden Who indeed?
the eye. I guess they have never seen a shears poking out of this forearm. Behind
by Francis "Jersey" Wittier-spoon

number of strategically-placed bulges door slid aside, and a pair of beady,

W
elcome to the Big Uneasy. The
complete collapse of every- under their coats that violence would be metal, Sov cybereyes glared out at me.
thing connected with the ugly. So I did what any smart tourist My unseen friend angrily muttered
Soviet Union hasn't done much for would do—I bribed them. One crisp, ten- something that my Russian lingo chip
Moscow's value as a restful vacation euro note each later, and the cops not translated as "Please, sir, depart immedi-
spot It's hard to really relax when all of only gave the food back to the soaked ately!' I'm guessing that the chip took
your spare time is spent standing in line family, but they bought me a cup of some liberties with the harsher language.
for moldy turnips and vodka so lethally wretched coffee at a nearby sidewalk I decided to use a non-verbal reply. I held
awful that you can get a hangover just cafe and filled me in on the local scene. up my SOF holo-ID press credential.
from holding the bottle up to the light (Brief aside: why they have sidewalk Thirty seconds (and several deadbolts
and looking at what's floating around in it cafes in the city with the worst weather I later) I was being ushered into the club
Of course, with my American press have ever known is a mystery.) and someone was pressing a zesty,
credentials and secret supply of According to the cops, the most intoxicating beverage into my hand. I
Eurodollars (technically illegal in Sov, but organized, powerful force in the new love that pass. If s good everywhere.
hotly traded on the black market), I can Soviet Union is organized crime. Feeble The Club Miami is a large, sound-
shop at the tourist stores that are off-lim- attempts to democratize and move away proofed basement, and it is a disco in the
its to the locals. I went into the one from socialism and towards a market best tradition of the word. A tropical-
around the corner from my hotel and economy a few years back did wonders Cuban motif disguised the security cam-
bought a pound of dynamite sausage, a for the black-market and smuggling eras and gun ports. The bouncers wore
loaf of bread that would cost the average gangs. Now the Russkis have got a prob- loud, loose Hawaiian shirts that covered
Sov three months salary, and a bottle of lem with that most free of the free enter- their pistols. A large crowd of attractive
the good stuff. But on the way back to my prises. The Sov Mafia is so entrenched young people in tight clothes gyrated on
cozy, little rat-infested home-away-from- that the cops don't even try to do any- the dance floor to a Latin groove. They
home, I walked past a lonely-looking thing unless a gang war breaks out My even had a spinning holo ball. It was
babushka standing in the cold Moscow new friends told me where the hangout worlds better than the drab tourist club I
rain, at the remotest end of the public for the local Mafia branch was, and sug- had visited earlier in my trip. There were
bread line, with three hungry-looking gested that I pay them a visit. I was so top-of-the-line braindance booths, and a
children gathered around her. I felt so overjoyed at this find that I gave my bot- selection of mixed drinks the likes of
bad, I gave her the works. Except for the tle of vodka to the cops. In return I got a which I haven't encountered since that
vodka, of course. great bearskin cap, and what I think is the hostage-rescue operation on the Royal
Naturally, my philanthropy did not go Moscow version of a "get-out-of-jail-free- Vista cruise ship on the Italian Riviera
unnoticed. A pair of beefy Moscow PD card." I love the Moscow PD. (see June 2014 issue—Editor). I was curi-
with armored greatcoats and PP-ya "not- That evening I paid a visit to the Club ous how it was that the entire rest of the
so-smart" submachine guns approached Miami, on Dzerzhinsky Prospekt, dis- Soviet Union could live in complete
me, and firmly warned me that it is illegal turbingly near the headquarters of the poverty, squalor, and hardship, while the
for tourists to present gifts to locals. The old KGB. Club Miami is the base of oper- Mafia thrives without so much as a peep
cops started collecting food, and I start- ations for the Golytsino Mafia, named for from the cops.
ed getting annoyed. Still, I was a visitor in the industrial suburb where they originat- The answer to my questions came in
a foreign land and caught up in the spir- ed. The door is a nondescript basement the form of Anatoly Kusnetsovo, local
it of diplomacy. Also, I could tell from the entrance. When I knocked, a panel in the leader of the Golytsino Organitskaya.
Kusnetsovo was a large, well-fed man ing them up. Many gangs don't sub- Natalya, to deal with the lookouts. This
with a jolly demeanor, and the cold eyes scribe to these rules, and have more was the same attractive, bikini-clad
of someone who could cheerfully shoot trouble with the cops, the party, and the woman who had earlier served me
you through the head. Kusnetsovo citizens. Of course, because of the sausage and drinks. Now she was
immediately began to treat me like his smuggling, the Organitskaya often have dressed in a black jumpsuit and was
best friend, clapping me on the back, cyberware, weapons, and equipment far wearing a pair of Japanese light-amp
and ordering a large plate of sausages, better than the police and army. goggles and a wicked knife. She crept
bread, and caviar to be brought to our It's not all sunshine and roses for the out of one of the Zhigulis and vanished
table by an attractive debauchka so min- Golytsinos, though. Although they have into the shadows. Ten minutes later she
imally clothed that I forgot immediately the cops on the take and the public on re-appeared with a bloody knife and said
about the freezing rain falling outside. their side, competition with the other that she had "dealt with" four guards. I
"Here we live well. Even better than party Organitskaya groups for business and swore on the spot never to cheat on a
leaders! That's why people want to join territory is fierce and violent Bloody con- Russian woman.
us! To be like us!" A spray of caviar shot A minute later, we were at the door
from his lips and speckled my shirt as he to the warehouse. Voregod simply
talked and laughed. He gestured at the knocked. When the door opened a
young people on the dance floor. "Some crack, he gave it a mighty kick with his
of these children work for us. Many do cyberleg and burst inside, surprising
not But they will become party officials, about seven men and women and cast-
police officials, and they will remember ing a handful of flash and smoke bombs
what we did for them." around him. "Surprise from Golytsino!"
The Golytsinos have the cops so He roared, and began firing. Within sixty
wrapped up that Kusnetsovo was seconds the Golytsinos had all but wiped
remarkably forthcoming in discussing out the surprised Karlanikhas. One guy
the workings of his group. Their rackets was left alive, sprawled in a pool of blood
read like a shopping list Food and tech- and shattered cyberware on the floor. As
nology smuggling. Weapons supply. (It the rest of our accomplices were carry-
turns out that even the police buy their ing out crates of Japanese cyberdecks,
more sophisticated weapons from the Voregod knelt by the wounded man and
Golytsinos; the official red tape is just too said in Russian, "Don't take it so hard! We
devastating.) Illegal importation of west- had a Solo of Fortune reporter here! you
ern cyberware. Black market money will be famous!" The wounded man lifted
trading. Automobiles and aerodynes for his head and stared at me through his
party officials(!). Computers and illegal agony for a moment Then he asked me
information trading. I learned later that flagrations are common, as are gangland for my autograph. So I signed my auto-
the Golytsino is one of the big four in hits and raids. There is a pact to keep graph for him. And then Voregod shot
Moscow, with most smaller Mobs spe- innocent deaths and collateral damage him through the head. Its a funny old
cializing in one or two forms of graft I to a minimum, though, because police world.
also learned some of the secrets to the and Party attention hurts all of the gangs. An hour later, we were back at Club
big gangs' success. In a land of short- In fact, Kusnetsovo let me in on the fact Miami, Natalya was on my lap, and
ages, they fill a critical need. In order to that the Golytsinos had learned the loca- Kusnetsovo was explaining to me that
stay in business they have a few simple tion of a warehouse belonging to the the Kharlanika's would no doubt retaliate
rules. First: make friends with the police. rival Karlanikhas. He asked if I would like as soon as they could. That's life in the
The/re having as hard a time as every- to go on a raid. In the interests of Soviet Mafia. If you're ever in Moscow,
one else. Two: stay away from crimes Journalism, I agreed. After all, I was on drop by Club Miami and tell the doorman
that will piss the police off, such as arson, vacation. Why not have some fun? that I sent you. They'll make you feel at
protection rackets, and, depending on Kusnetsovo's main lieutenant, a home, and, if you're lucky, you'll get a lit-
the area, drugs. Three: make the people thick-necked thug named Voregod, was tle action. As for me, my holiday was
your friends. Average citizens drive a in charge of the raid. He and I bundled over, and the next day my new friends
great deal of the black market (which, ourselves into a trio of nondescript were seeing me off at the airport I'll miss
contrary to its name, is often held in Zhiguli sedans along with ten other men Moscow. Sure it's cold, gray, and para-
broad daylight on the outskirts of town and women and headed down to noid. But it ain't ever dull.
like a giant bazaar). Don't alienate your Domededovo, near the airport After Next month:
customers by squeezing them with pro- paying off some local cops to take a long Istanbul on less than fifty rounds a day!
tection rackets, shooting them, or beat- coffee break, Voregod sent out his scout.
T
he Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics was once one of the
world's two great powers, con-
trolling all of eastern Europe and a
healthy chunk of Asia, and influenc-
ing countries around the world
through diplomacy, industry, and
covert methods. This changed during
the 1990s, as secessionist member
republics combined with a failing
economy, inter-culture wars, and
political woes to bring about the
downfall of the old USSR.
The new Union of Soviet
Sovereign Republics was born from
this crisis period. The name change
was very subtle (some theorize that
the single word change was in order
to avoid the cost of replacing the
USSR on all the stationary and paper-
work), but its effects far-reaching:
each member nation of the new
USSR was a sovereign republic, with
its own laws, jurisdictions, military,
etc., in essence freeing every country
from the yoke of a Russian central
government. At the same time, the
USSR's domination of the countries
of eastern Europe was quietly
dropped; it had all but ceased any-
way, since the Sovs couldn't afford to
continue the economic upkeep. For
more information on the mechanics
and history of the transition from the
old USSR (usually just referred to as
the USSR) to the new USSR (in world-
speak slang, Neo-SSR/Neo-Sov, dif-
ferentiating it from the old country),
check out the History section of the
SovOil dossier in Corp Report,Vol. 3.1
The situation in the USSR and its
former satellite countries is one of a
continued struggle for economic
recovery. The old USSR used its
resources (and those of its satellites)
very heavily, without regard for the
future of the area. When it finally col-
lapsed, the new sovereign republics
and former Bloc nations found them-
selves faced with depleted
resources, high levels of pollution,
antiquated industries, and a lack of
hard currency. In short, they had the
hard job of playing catch-up with the
rest of the world, starting with a 50-
75 year handicap and adding the
problems of massive industrial pollu-
prize snake-pit of them all, the mess
in what used to be known as Survival
tion to boot. To this day, the USSR Yugoslavia? The Bosnians and Serbs
and its former satellites are still trying wasted no time in starting their geno- Tricks
to pick up the pieces and compete on cidal war. The war has slowed to a rel- First things first: unless you are a
a world market that passed them in ative trickle, but it still plods on. native of the country where you're
the 1980s. The new USSR and the countries going, you're not in Kansas anymore.
Political turmoil continues to of eastern Europe are wracked with YOU are not on your home turf, and
complicate the process. Many of the you'd better know the local situation
sovereign republics can't get along before you go sashaying into one of
with each other; several fight frequent the eastern European countries, or
border wars over everything from you'll wind up on the wrong end of a
resources to religion. The monolithic BE CERTAIN gun very swiftly. It's not just the lan-
structure of the Soviet Party guage that will be different. The cus-
repressed other political parties for OF THE toms, the food, the body language, the
so long that once the other parties politics—everything is going to be dif-
were allowed out of the back rooms, ALLEGIANCES ferent. What's worse, is that it won't be
they went rather berserk. After 25 totally alien, like walking into the
years, the political wars have calmed OF YOUR Forbidden City. No, things will be just
down a little bit—but the term familiar enough to get you caught up
"Russian politics" is still synonymous EMPLOYER AND in a stimulus-response situation where
with behind-the-scenes blackmail, your natural response to the stimulus
coercion, and mysterious disappear- YOUR ENEMIES. will be all wrong, and bang! you're
ances... dead (or worse).
And who would have thought that EMPLOYER AND In simple terms, don't look at a
the old USSR would ever be credited tour in the old SovBloc as a milk run
with maintaining peace anywhere? ADVERSARY through historic Europe. Even if you're
yet, as soon as Russian troops were Euro-hip to the eyeballs, and can min-
withdrawn from satellite countries COVERTLY gle with the goldenkids and the foot-
and outlying republics, zealots hauled ball supporters, you'll have to learn a
centuries-old hatreds out of the clos- WORKING whole different culture to fit in with the
et and started shooting each other. east Euros. Short of finding a very
Ukraine threatened war against TOGETHER competent and long-suffering native
Russia. The Baltics followed suit (it guide with a silver tongue, the next
can be argued that the Baltics threat- TOWARDS A best thing is to outfit yourself with a
ened war first, and Ukraine followed CultOps chipset (editorial note: the
suit—the exact timing is lost in classi- POLITICAL GOAL CultOps chipset is similar to the
fied diplomatic records). Fortunately, Special Operative and Tourism chips in
these were diplomatic maneuvers. IS MORE COMMON Chromebook 1. It is a set of two chips;
The religious war in Kazakhstan, with one has the language at +3 and the
the Arabic Moslems and the Russian THAN YOU other has Specific Culture at +2 and
Christians, was more serious. Indeed, Local Geography at +1. This is enough
the war threatened all of the USSR, MIGHT THINK. to prevent basic faux pas. Cost is 1500
until the members of the new Islamic eb). For the real pros, nothing less than
Asiatic Republic (formerly Tajikistan, a complete chip-set (language, cus-
Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, and parts internal strife on all levels. Open war- toms, law, geography, and military
of Kazakhstan) started warring on fare is common, political struggles tech, all at +3) will do—it's heavy on
each other over ancient tribal wrongs. are an almost everyday occurrence; the chip-slot, but a good, thorough
Poland and Germany had a brief racial, political, and religious differ- knowledge of the country and the peo-
moment of angst when they arrayed ences often boil over into conflict, ple can save your mission, and your
armies at each other's borders. To and atop it all is the move to rebuild butt.
this day, they maintain an uneasy into the 21st century. Combined with The next thing to look at is your kit
peace. Bulgaria's historic feud with Western influence and interests in the What are you taking with you into east
Turkey has resulted in sporadic bor- region, the possibilities for mercenary Euro? Besides your cybernetics, of
der clashes. And who can ignore the employment are staggering. course—speaking of which, look to
your body first. Get a complete check-
up, inoculations, nanotech boost, and
cybernetics overhaul done before you
head out, even if you're only going to
be there a week or so. Eastern Europe
is not the center of modern medicine
and cybernetics research. If your metal
breaks down out in the middle of
Kazakhstan, the nearest cybernetics
clinic is in Volgograd—and its most
recent stock is ten years old, mate.
They don't have the spares, the facili-
ties, or the know-how to fix that mal-
functioning servo (much less a faulty
neural circuit). And they don't have tai-
lored nanos to keep your biowares
going, either.
Back to the kit What are you tak-
ing in the way of equipment? Thinking
of hauling in a Malorian Flechette pis-
tol and an M31A1? Or maybe just a
Militech 25mm GL Better haul lots of
ammo and spares, then, because you
won't find any available at any price
where you're going, you'd be better off a CIA dossier with the lowdown from a the USSR, a fact which angers the
switching to a Stolvoboy, or even an native organized-crime stoolie. Read other sovereign republics (such as
old AK-74, because there are tote of the newsfaxes. Raid network datafiles. Ukraine), and makes neighbors like
these around, with mountains of spare Try to find out everything you can the Baltics and Poland nervous. Russia
parts and ammo. Anything in 9mm about where you're going and what still has one of the world's largest
Parabellum is okay, too, because of you're doing. The more information standing armies, nuclear capability,
the proximity to western Europe and you have, the less chance there is of and is one of the world's aerospace
their love affair with the old round. getting caught in a double-cross (a leaders—the Soviet Rocket Corps pro-
The same thing goes for the rest of common and popular tactic in eastern vides most of the ESA's heavy lifting
your equipment. Whenever possible, Europe. It's no coincidence that the engines.
try to kit yourself out in what's locally vampire legend comes from here, with Despite this apparent strength,
available, because most mercenaries its central basis of the idea that anyone industrial might, and solidarity, there is
don't have huge supply networks to can betray you, even your loved ones). still plenty of employment for merce-
keep them in their favorite materials. So keep your eyes open. Make naries inside Mother Russia. The
The best advice is to check out an area sure of the political and military situa- opportunities range from security to
SovOil location, and see if the local tions if you can, because changing garrison, from striker missions to espi-
employees won't liberate some equip- conditions can alter allegiances in onage:
ment in exchange for some euro. moments. In addition, be as certain as Striker Mission: The oil fields of
SovOil stuff is high quality (by east possible of the allegiances of your the Caucasus region (located between
Europe standards), and common employer, and your enemies. Ukraine and Kazakhstan) have been a
enough that it won't generate interest Employer and adversary covertly strategic target since WW II. The
(or supply problems). working together to accomplish a Wehrmacht almost captured them,
So you've got your chips, your political goal is a more common and were stopped at Stalingrad.
check-ups, and your gear, you figure occurrence in eastern Europe than Stalingrad was re-renamed Volgograd,
you're ready to go. Uh uh. Rule #1: you might think. and is still the focal point of this oil-rich
Knowledge is power. Before you head region. SovOil practically owns this
off to your job, check out the local sit- Russia region, but has problems with Arabic
uation nine ways from Sunday. If you The largest sovereign republic of the Kazakhstanis, who also claim this
can, finagle an intelligence report from USSR, the largest economic power, region because they want the oil, too!
a reliable source or two—it's amazing and the tail that wags the USSR dog, The Employer: SovOil, the biggest
what you can find when you combine Russia is pretty much still the center of company in the hemisphere. It pays
well, and SovOil's checks never 7776 Employer: The Russian gov- sees as a slap in the face.
bounce—but you earn them. Watch ernment. Pay is low, and sometimes The Mission: Border patrol, pure
your back, though. SovOil hires foreign unreliable, depending on the govern- and simple. Diligent units might try to
meres to do its dirty work for the fol- ment's internal politics. Foreign meres catch a smuggler or two, but most of
lowing reasons: 1. To achieve an are low on the priority list. the unit goal is to "show the flag,"
objective more cost-efficiently than Support: Abysmal. The Russian assuring the Baltics that the troops on
SovOil's troops; 2. to do a dirty job and Army will grudgingly allot a mercenary the border are not sneaky Russians
blame it on foreigners, rather than force necessary supplies, when it gets planning to invade...
SovOil (hopefully, they'll get you out around to it. Security Mission: Well, actually,
fast); 3. suicide missions, where the The Enemy: Partisans from the bodyguard duty. Moscow is still a pret-
idea is to shoot up the enemy and die Baltics (particularly on the Estonian ty dangerous place to live if you're a
in the process, thereby blunting the border), and the Russian Army(l). politician. If you're New-SSR, then the
enemy and only costing SovOil the Hopefully, the nationality of mere units Hardliners are after your skin. If you're
euro to bring you in and turn you on border patrol will dissuade parti- a Hardliner, then the New Order hates
loose. your guts, for the "Nights of Fire" if for
Support: Variable, depending on nothing else. If you're Islamic, every-
the mission. If you're going to be there WHAT ARE body else watches you for signs of
for a while and you're not doing com- jihad; if you're a Ukrainian, everybody
mando ops, SovOil can keep you in YOU PACKING IN suspects you of espionage against
comparatively good supply—particu- Russia... you get the picture.
larly if you use SovOil-standard equip- THE WAY OF 7776 Employer: A Moscow politi-
ment cian of one alignment or another. Get
The Enemy: The main thrust to EQUIPMENT? your pay up front, and in gold, or
capture, or at least cripple, the eurodollars. File it in an iron-clad
Caucasus oil fields, comes from a col- THINKING OF account somewhere, like Switzerland.
lection of Arabic Kazakhstan! tribes And write your will.
whose motives are greed, tribal pride, HAULING IN A Support: Pretty good, in Moscow.
and a hatred of the Russians (who are After all, if you need something, you
perceived as foreign oppressors). The MALORIAN can nip down to the shops and get it.
Kazakhstanis are fairly well-equipped, And if the shops don't carry it, there's
using arms and equipment seized FLECHETTE a thriving and well-supplied black mar-
from local armories. Usually this mate- ket that does...
rial is used against the Christian PISTOL AND AN The Enemy: Grief. This category
Kazakhstanis, but these tribes can can include every soul in Moscow,
muster fairly large forces to sally out of M31A1? BETTER including your supposed allies-of-the-
Kazakhstan and attack SovOil's oil moment. This job is recommended for
fields. HAUL LOTS OF the truly paranoid, since their delusion
The Mission: Using western tech- gives them a leg up on the reality of
nology and tactics, mercenaries cross AMMO AND the situation.
the Kazakhstan! border and attack the 7776 Mission: Depends on what
aggressors before they strike into the SPARES — YOU the pol wants. Some missions are hell-
oil fields. These are usually search-and- ish, straight bodyguard jobs, with for-
destroy missions, with the emphasis WON'T FIND ANY eigners hired because they (hopefully)
placed on "hit-and-git." The method of don't have any interest in local politics,
attack varies with the size of the mer- WHERE YOU'RE and once bought, stay bought..usually,
cenary force—a large armored force the employer tries for some sort of
would use direct assault, while a small GOING. blackmail or other extra "insurance" to
force might choose guerrilla tactics. insure his bodyguards' loyalty. Other
Garrison Mission: The border with sans from attacking (most of the time). missions involve espionage against
the Baltics (Latvia, Estonia, and The Russian Army might decide to "stir the pol's enemies, ranging from info-
Lithuania) is always a touchy place. things up" by faking partisan activity gathering to sabotage and assassina-
Russian troops nearby are not well- and trying to provoke a mercenary tion. Every dirty trick the KGB ever
loved—pesky partisans tend to sneak response, both to legitimize action thought of during the Cold War is now
out and dry-gulch them, always a against the Baltics and to harass the used internally, against the members
morale problem. foreigners, whom the Russian Army of the USSR.
This sort of mission absolutely By and large, these three small corporations, or to prevent a terrorist
requires good knowledge of Moscow, countries are fairly peaceful, as long as act by the employer's rival, or, rarely,
USSR politics, local customs, and the the Russians keep their troops away as security by the Estonians them-
local power structure. from the borders. Latvia's industry and selves.
"Police" Work: Following the Lithuania's agriculture are too valuable This is really hazardous duty. The
breakdown of Soviet control in the to the USSR to fight over. Estonia's oil- Estonians are so trigger-happy and
1990s, a new force made its presence shale fields, containing over 60% of suspicious of non-Estonians that they
openly known in the USSR. Organized the oil-shale reserves of the former make Arasaka look restrained. The
crime became a real factor in politics USSR, are a contested resource. spying and counter-spying is fierce
and economics, and there wasn't 7776 Employer: Petrochem, SovOil, and no-holds-barred, yet actual dam-
much that the authorities could do or Estonian security. The first two pay age to the oil-shale operation is ver-
about it, because of OrgCrime's links boten; after all, that's the prize!
with the local powers-that-be.
The Employer: Some Russian law
enforcement or martial authority, usu-
ally on the sly. Payment will be good,
The Upper
usually 1/4 down, 3/4 on completion
of the job.
East Bloc
Support: None. The employer Poland, the Czech and Slovak
wants to avoid all links with the merce- Republics, and Romania/Moldavia
naries. comprise the Upper East Bloc coun-
The Enemy: The Organitskaya. It tries. All three countries are still fairly
could be a local mafioso, some sort of poor; they started that way when they
smuggling or black market cartel, or were gifted with independence back in
even an assassins' union. the 1990s, and the ensuing chaos and
The Mission: Strictly deniable, world recession didn't give them much
either a sting or a strike. Stings are of a chance to improve their situation.
covert missions where the mission is Of the three, Poland is the wealthiest
to penetrate the OrgCrime organiza- and most modern, with the Czech
tion and gather information on it, then Republic a close second, thanks to
fade out quietly without letting the German investment (a fact which
organization know that it's been com- grates on the Slovaks).
promised. Strikes are more overt, These countries are peaceful,
where the idea is to have some foreign without much employment for merce-
group (unaffiliated with the blameless naries (beyond the usual corporate
and unwitting authorities, naturally) hijinks). The Czech and Slovak
come in and smash the organization, Republics are the exception to the
then disappear (obviously in the pay of magnificently, although it's a good rule. On June 18, 2021, General
foreign competitors, comrade!). These thing to have a "if we don't return" file Skroup launched a power bid to seize
missions are touchy, difficult, and usu- with a trusty media or two. Just as the Czech Republic when he invaded
ally pay well. insurance... If you're hired by the Prague with EC support. The Czech
Estonians, the pay is low, but they will government fought back, and was
not shaft you. defeated after a spirited engagement,
The Support: None. Estonian duty is
purely covert.
falling back to southern Poland as gov-
ernment-in-exile (it didn't take much to
Baltics
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania; the
The Enemy: Petrochem, SovOil,
and Estonian security.
persuade the Poles that the abortive
invasion of 2018 was a ploy by Skroup
three first Soviet Socialist Republics to The Mission: Espionage and and his EC friends to keep Poland and
gain independence (as of Dec. 21, counter-espionage. Both Petrochem the Czech Republic off-guard). Now, a
1991). And independent they always and SovOil have forces working in standing war is being waged against
were, hating Russian domination—the Estonia to try to subvert Estonian sym- what the east Euros see as little more
Estonians fought alongside the pathies (and oil) to their causes. than a thinly-veiled German annexa-
German Wehrmacht in WW II, and Foreign mercenaries are usually hired tion ploy.
continued a guerrilla war against the to commit some sort of terrorist act The Sides: General Skroup's
Soviets until 1955! that can be blamed on one of these Provisional Government in Prague, the
Czechs didn't mind, since they hated
the Soviets. Now that they have inde- The
pendence, they do mind. And so does
the rest of eastern Europe; the Czech Southern
Republic has become a rallying point
for the former Soviet Bloc, a chance to Bloc
prove that the EC (and Germany) can't Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria.
dominate the eastern countries. Lands of the gypsies; of Transylvania
Naturally, there's plenty of mercenary fame. More hungry and economically
work here. For a change, it's fairly depressed than their northern neigh-
straightforward; since the sides are so bors. All three are governed by dicta-
polarized, the chances of a double- tors, but Hungary and Romania's dic-
cross are slim (unless you sign on with tators are governed by EC "advisors."
the partisans). The EC/Skroup forces There's no mere work here, unless you
pay very well for expertise, but you want to be an EC stooge taking part in
earn the money, since working for a war of provocation against Bulgaria
Skroup either means commando mis- (a position usually referred to as "the
sions against the CRA or anti-partisan short end of the stick").

THE SERBS Hie


AND CROATS Yugoslavian
PRACTICED Splinters
The moment that Communist control
GENOCIDE ON faded in Yugoslavia, the country fell
EACH OTHER apart. The separatist countries of
Bosnia-Hercegovenia, Serbia, Croatia,
Czech Republican Army in Poland, the
Slovak Army in Slovakia, and partisans FOR A DECADE, and Slovenia soon became household
names as the inhabitants of each
of various alignment in all three loca- sought to redress wrongs dating from
tions. UNTIL THEY the German occupation of WW II
This is serious business. Skroup's
lightning strike failed to do more than HAD TO STOP (actually, the differences are much
older than that, but WW II provided the
precipitate a war. Skroup is trying to
hold on to Prague and the other major SHOOTING ONE mostTherecent set of grievances).
Serbs and Croats practiced
Czech cities, while the CRA is doing its genocide on each other for nearly a
best to strike at Skroup's forces with- ANOTHER OR decade, and nearly succeeded. In the
out damaging their own cities and end, the crash of the late '90s con-
people. The Slovak Army lurks on the STARVE vinced them that they had to stop
border, ready to attack Skroup at the shooting one another or starve togeth-
least provocation, and racist parti- TOGETHER. er. An uneasy peace settled over the
sans—Slovak, Czech, and German- land. Gradually, the former
attack their declared enemies and missions. The CRA can't pay as well, Yugoslavians started cooperating (out
generally cause lots of collateral dam- but its missions are a lot safer, since of necessity), and eventually stabilized
age. they have contacts everywhere in the into a sort of coalition. The crowning
Of course, there's support for the operation theatre. Typical CRA con- achievement of the coalition was the
combatants. Skroup has not-so-tacit tracts include commando missions "annexation" of Albania in 2019.
support from the EC, and the CRA has against Skroup's forces, particularly his (This "annexation" needs explana-
open support from the republics of the supply lines through Germany...If tion. What happened was that the
USSR. The problem is that this war is offered an anti-supply mission, hold Albanians and the Greeks claimed that
perceived as another German attempt out for higher pay, because it means Macedonia—the easternmost part of
to annex the area now called the operating inside Germany—in essence, former Yugoslavia—was more
Czech Republic. In WW II, most of the an undeclared war against Germany! Greek/Albanian than Serbo-Croat, and
"annexed" the little country by moving 7?7e Enemy: In this country, this
in some troops and closing the borders definition can change without a The Common
in 2018. In response, the Serbs and moment's notice, too. When your
Croats invaded northern Albania with employer defines your enemy, move on Neo-Sov
forces only slightly stronger than
Albania's token military. At present, the
the objective quickly, before your ene-
mies are declared your friends! As far
Soldier/
Serbo-Croat forces occupy Albania's as opposition, all of the sides involved Policeman:
northernmost city, and enough of are poor—equipment is surplus 20th- INT 4 REF 6 TECH 4
northern Albania to make it hard on the century stuff, with green or undisci- COOL 6 ATTR 5 LUCK 5
Albanians to remove them. And that's plined troops. There are a surprising BOD 6 EMP 5
the extent of the "annexation." Still, number of tanks still around, though, so
Serbs and Croats fighting on the same don't think it's a milk run. Skills:
7776 Mission: Variable. Most mis- Soldier: Combat Sense +3,
sions are quick strikes against a Athletics +2, Awareness +3,
defined target objective; settling for Brawling +3, Driving +2, First Aid
any other kind of mission leaves a mer- + 1, Rifle or SMG +3, Stealth +1.
cenary unit open to local political
maneuverings. Policeman: Combat Sense or
Authority +3, Athletics +2,

Current Awareness +3, Brawling +3, Driving


+2, First Aid +1, Handgun +4,

Soviet Intimidation +2, Melee +2, Rifle or


SMG +3, Stealth +2, Streetwise +1.

Equipment & Equipment:

Vehicles— Soldier: AKR-16 assault rifle with


10 magazines, 4 hand grenades,
knife/bayonet, SP20 helmet, SP10
CLGMs (Cannon- kevlar vest, field kit, tent, backpack,
Launched Guided one week's field rations. One sol-
Missiles!: dier in two has an under-barrel
The Soviet Union was the first country 30mm grenade launcher (treat as
to routinely equip normal combat vehi- 40mm grenade launcher), and car-
cles with ATGMs, placing external ries only 6 magazines of AKR-16
Sagger launchers on the world's first ammunition and no hand grenades,
side without killing each other was a IFV, the BMP-1. It was soon discovered but carries 10x 30mm grenades for
real triumph.) that the external launching platform the launcher.
There's mercenary work in this exposed the missile, the launching
sector. There's a sort of three-front war apparatus, and the loader to enemy fire; Policeman: Stolvoboy STS subma-
going on: Serbia vs. Macedonia; however, early missiles were too bulky chinegun with 5 magazines,
Serbia, Bosnia, and Croatia vs. Albania; to fire from internal launchers. As mis- Stolbovoy ST-2 pistol with 4 maga-
and, of course, there's still the Serb vs. sile technology improved and missiles zines, 2 hand grenades, knife, hand-
Croat conflict It may not make the became smaller, the Soviets invented cuffs, truncheon with built-in elec-
news as often, but the fighting still goes slim, streamlined missiles that could be tric stunner, SP14 armor jacket
on. launched through the smoothbore gun
The Employer: Any of a dozen tubes of their MBTs. Soviet ATGM
organizations. Payment is less than cer- research continues to refine and
tain; get the money in advance—or at reduce missile sizes, so that now their
least in a Swiss bank account, to be 11cm CLGMs are the equal of other
paid on success. And watch who hires nations' HATGMs, and their 8cm CLGM
you; the former Yugoslavians are likely is equal to normal LATGMs.
to change allegiances without a Outfitting a cannon to fire CLGMs
moment's notice. adds 5000eb. to the cost of the gun;
Support: Better travel light, and minimum sizes for missiles 9cm for
self-contained. Support here is lousy. LATGMs, 12cm for HATGMs.
T-1OO Tank
The T-100 is the latest in the Soviet tank series. A vastly improved model, the T-100
A VASTLY has enough room inside for crew members taller than 1.55 meters, decent range and
speed, a lack of the chronic maintenance problems that plagued Soviet tanks in the
IMPROVED past, and enough combat capability to survive the battlefield of the 21st century. Its
low price and ready availability ensures that it's seen on battlefields from Asia to Africa.
MODEL, THE The gunner and commander ride in the turret The driver and loader ride in the hull.

T-100 HAS TOP SPEED: 80 Kph SDP: 335 (Body 17)


ACC/DEC: 16/80 Kph SP: 160 (Armor 8)
ENOUGH ROOM CREW: 4 TVPE: MBT
RANGE: 612 Km* MASS: 56 tons
INSIDE FOR PASSENGERS: 0 COST: 9.8M eb
CARGO: 1 space *80 kilometers of this range is due to an external
TALL CREW MANEUVER: +2
fuel tank mounted on the rear deck. This tank can
be jettisoned, and usually Is before entering battle.

MEMBERS, Special Equipment: Composite and reactive armor, amphibious, fire


extinguisher, 12 man-hours life support, 2 IR smoke launchers, anti-
DECENT RANGE personnel grenade charges, military radio, visual rangefinder, auto-
pilot, navigation system, active IR sensors, light amplification, military
AND SPEED, A radar detector, armored searchlight, thermograph.
Weapons: Stabilized 12cm, CLGM-equipped gun with +1 targeting
LACK OF THE computer, stabilized 23mm coaxial autocannon, mounted in turret.
14.5mm machinegun on pintle mount atop turret. 2 7.62mm machine-
CHRONIC guns in articulated mounts forward on the hull, fired by driver or gun-
ner. 9 HATGM missiles with semi-active thermal guidance, 3 23mm, 4
MAINTENANCE 14.5mm magazines in the turret; 50 rounds 12cm and 4 magazines of
7.62mm ammunition in the hull.
PROBLEMS THAT
PLAGUED Mi-52
Of course, SovOil's aerodyne was the perfect platform from which to develop an
SOVIET TANKS attack AV. It's bulky, and not very maneuverable, and boxy, and ugly, and does-
n't look a thing like the rest of the world's sleek attack AVs. But it is cheap, and
IN THE PAST, shares a lot of parts in common with the Mi-50, and the Soviets sell a lot of them
to countries which cannot afford the sleeker Western models.
AND ENOUGH
TOP SPEED: 365 Kph MANEUVER: +0
COMBAT ACC/DEC: 80/80 Kph SDP: 110 (Body 3)
CREW: 3 SP: 55 (Armor 3)
CAPABILITY TO RANGE: 1288 Km* TYPE: AV
PASSENGERS: 3 MASS: 4,400 kg
SURVIVE THE CARGO: 3 Spaces (500 Kg) COST: 850,000 eb
BATTLEFIELD OF Special Equipment: Ejection seats for crew, fire extinguisher, 12 man-
hours life support, chaff and flare dispensers, military radio, visual
THE 21ST rangefinder, auto-pilot and navigation system, active IR, laser detector, light
amplification, magnetometer, radar with terrain-following, thermograph.
CENTURY. Weapons: 23mm autocannon and 30mm AutoGL (count as 40mm) in
high-angle chin turret. 2 12.7mm Catlings in hull, fixed forward. 219-
shot 2.75" rocket pods, pointed forward. One 14.5mm machinegun in
articulated mount on each side. 4 autocannon magazines, 4 AGL mag-
azines, 4 Catling magazines, all in hull.
THE SOVIET
BMP WAS THE
WORLD'S FIRST
INFANTRY
FIGHTING
VEHICLE. THE
BMP-3 IS THE
LATEST IN
BMP-3 IFV
THE SERIES
The Soviet BMP was the world's first Infantry Fighting Vehicle. It was fully OF SOVIET
enclosed, armored, fast enough to keep pace with the tanks, armed with a
76mm cannon and the new ATGM launcher, capable of carrying a squad of IFVS. LIKE THE
infantry into battle, and fighting alongside them. The BMP-3 is the latest in the
series of Soviet IFVs. Like the T-100, it's got a taller ceiling (designed for troops T-100, IT'S
over 1.55 meters tall), better reliability, and a lower price tag than any compa-
rable Western model. GOT A TALLER
The entire crew rides in the hull.
CEILING,
TOP SPEED: 50 Kph SP: 37 (Armor 2)
ACC/DEC: 20/50 Kph TVPE: AFV BETTER
CREW: 3 MASS: 18.7 tons
RANGE: 595 Km* COST: 950,000 eb
RELIABILITY,
PASSENGERS: 7 *113 kilometers of this range is due to
CARGO: None an external fuel tank mounted on the AND A LOWER
MANEUVER: +2 rear deck This tank can be jettisoned,
SDP: 187 (Body 9) and usually is before entering battle. PRICE TAG
Special Equipment: Reactive armor, amphibious, 2 IR smoke launch-
THAN ANY
ers, anti-personnel grenade charges, military radio, visual rangefinder, COMPARABLE
auto-pilot, navigation system, Image Enhancement, passive IR sensors,
light amplification, military radar detector, armored searchlight, ther- WESTERN
mograph.
Weapons: 10cm CLGM-equipped cannon (treat as a 90mm), coaxial
MODEL.
30mm cannon and 7.62mm machinegun, all mounted in turret. 2
30mm and 2 7.62mm magazines in turret, 5 LATGMs with semi-active
thermal guidance and 20 rounds of 10cm ammo in hull.
ANOTHER
EXAMPLE OF
RELATIVELY
INEXPENSIVE
SOVIET Mi-32 Hitter
MILITARY Another example of relatively inexpensive Soviet military technology, the Hitter
is a proficient, if under-equipped, attack helicopter. It's lighter, smaller, and
TECHNOLOGY, cheaper than its predecessors.

THE HITTER IS
TOP SPEED: 290 Kph MANEUVER: -2
A PROFICIENT, ACC/DEC: 25/25 Kph SDP: 80 (Body 4)
CREW: 2 SP: 40 (Armor 2)
IF UNDER- RANGE: 644 Km* TYPE: Med. Helicopter
PASSENGERS: 0 MASS: 8 Tons
EQUIPPED, CARGO: None COST: 650,000 eb
ATTACK Special Equipment: Ejection seats for crew, fire extinguisher, chaff
and flare dispensers, military radio, visual and radar rangefinders,
HELICOPTER. auto-pilot and navigation system, active IR, light amplification, magne-
tometer, radar with terrain following, thermograph.

Weapons: 23mm autocannon, targeting laser, and 30mm AutoGL


(count as 40mm) in high-angle chin turret. Weapon wings hold up to
16 spaces of pod weapons. 2 23mm magazines and 4 30mm maga-
zines.
THE BRDM-10
IS THE USSR'S
CURRENT
.ARMORED CAR,
USED FOR A
BRDM-1O Scout Car MULTITUDE OF
The BRDM-10 is the USSR's current armored car, used for a multitude of roles ROLES (RATHER
(rather like the Hummer in the USA). It's rugged, fairly easy to maintain, and there are
lots of them. LIKE THE
The crew sits in the hull.
HUMMER IN THE
TOP SPEED: 100 Kph MANEUVER: -2
ACC/DEC: 25/65 Kph SDP: 90 (Body 3)
USA). IT'S
CREW: 2 SP: 31 (Armor 2)
RANGE: 300 Km TVPE: Pickup RUGGED, FAIRLY
PASSENGERS: 2 MASS: 3.6 tons
CARGO: 14 Spaces COST: 125,000 eb EASY TO MAIN-
(1.2 Tons)
TAIN, AND THERE
Special Equipment: Off-road capability, amphibious, 2 IR smoke launchers,
military radio, auto-pilot and navigation systems, passive IR, light amplifica- ARE LOTS OF
tion, armored searchlight
Weapons: Pintle-mounted 14.5mm machinegun, with extra ammo as cargo. THEM.
Note: The BRDM-10 serves as a base chassis for a number of other BRDM
models. They are essentially BRDM-10s with armament modifications, and
use the same basic stats. Any statistic changes will be noted in the modifica-
tion.

BRDM-11
This is the up-gunned "cannon" version of the BRDM scout car.

STATISTICS CHANGES: CARGO: 12 Spaces


CREW: 3 (1 Ton)
PASSENGERS: None COST: 140,000 eb

Special Equipment: Visual rangefinder.


Weapons: Stabilized 30mm cannon with stabilized coaxial 7.62mm
machinegun in turret. 2 magazines 30mm and 3 magazines 7.62mm in
turret.

BRDM-1 2
This is the anti-tank version of the BRDM.

STATISTICS CHANGES: CARGO: 8 Spaces


CREW: 4 (1 Ton)
PASSENGERS: None COST: T70,000 eb

Special Equipment: Thermograph.


Weapons: Reloadable LATGM and HATGM, 7.62mm machinegun, in
COMMON turret. 9 HATGMs, 20 LATGMs (all have semi-active thermal guidance),
4 magazines 7.62mm ammunition in hull.
BRDM TYPES:
BRDM-10 BRDM-13
This is the anti-aircraft version of the BRDM. In the past Soviet AAA (anti-aircraft
SCOUT artillery) platforms were tracked vehicles. These more expensive machines have
been replaced by the BRDM-13, which is used as the standard AAA platform of
BRDM-11 the USSR.

CANNON STATISTICS CHANGES: CARGO: 10 Spaces


CREW: 4 (500 kg)
BRDM-12 PASSENGERS: None COST: 390,000 eb

ANTI-TANK Special Equipment: ECCM, military radar, multi-target.


Weapons: Stabilized 23mm cannon with +2 targeting computer, 6
BRDM-13 VSAMs, 1x 23mm magazine, in high-angle turret.

ANTI-AIRCRAFT
For all your heavy equipment
and industrial needs on a bud-
get, turn to KomKol. With a
proud history of providing to
Soviet peoples with Agricultural
Technology, KomKol now steps
proudly forward to meet the
mechanized needs of the mod-
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and utilitarian simplicity that has
lasted 40 years!
Born in the shadow of the Urals, tested in harsh conditions
ranging from Lithuania to Siberia, you can say with confi-
dence, "KomKol means Kuality, Komrade!"
KomKol, St. Petersburg, Russia. SovSpace Net: SP566565.479
24-hr International Phone: 7 (90) 287.7644
No ONE BUILDS ATTACK
HELICOPTERS LIKE THE
U.S.S.R. DOES...
...And no one in the for ease of identification]. In ried by the unsinkable "Hind".
U.S.S.R. builds them like MIL every respect, the "Hitter" is an Any General will tell you
Design Bureau. No other firm improvement over the record- that air superiority is the key to
in the New Soviet Union today breaking "Havoc". holding any battlefield. Now,
has Mil's long history of quali- It has a comparable top for the first time, a front-line
ty, durability, and simplicity of speed, yet its range has been U.S.S.R. attack helicopter is
design. increased 130%. Its improved available on the world market |
Now; in the tradition of the avionics systems can track up for an affordable price, exclu-
world-famous Mi-24 "Hind" to 12 targets independently, sively from MIL Design Bureau.
and Mi-28 "Havoc" (erroneous while an improved TFR system Do not hestitate to contact
NATO designations used for increases survivability. our sales department for [
ease of identification], MIL is The "Hitter" carries enough ordering and snipping infor-
proud to present to the world weapons to wipe out an mation. Ask about our extend-
the latest mustang out of our armored brigade, while superi- ed warranty. Sorry, warranty
stables, the MiJ32 "Hitter" or armor technology provides not valid in Afghanistan.
(again, NATO designation used better protection than that car-
MIL Design Bureau, 2 Sokolnichyesky Val, Moscow, Russia, 107113. SovSpace Net: MC645320.611.
24-hr International Phone: 7 (95) 264.3790
ONE OF
EUROPE'S BEST
RATES THE TOP
U.S. PROS.
his year's finest include some of a looker, with much potential, so he targeted cops. It took thirty-five full-time

T the old familiar faces, but time


(and attrition) have given us
some great new faces as well. Only
went government After three years as a
mechanized light fighter, he had two
armored legs and an attitude. Upon his
officers and a four-state manhunt to
bring down Mister X. Seventeen police
officers were killed, and thirty others
Solo Of Fortune's prestigious reputa- return to the United States, Mister X were wounded in the four-day ordeal.
tion allowed us to collect actual pho- went to work for the "Company", as a That level of skill (and that much raw tal-
tographs of some of our fine finalists. team leader in the early-retirement divi- ent) deserves at least an honorable
We hope you enjoy our third annual sion. Success followed in hit after hit, mention here. After all, they don't make
rogues' gallery. increasing his reputation in professional them like that anymore.
circles. He was seen at all the hip clubs,
Honorable dated all the "wrong" people, did Joshua K.,
Mention
(Posthumous!
bondage calendars with the girls/boys
at Sex & Guns Illustrated... What went
wrong? Who knows... Usually, when
10• Bodyguard
& Assassin
someone as professional as Mister X his newcomer is a mystery: out of
Mister X, Sniper and
CyberSoldler
ew c-psychos or solos had the
gets a new mod, someone does at least
a cursory check of previous augments
and modifications. Well, he knew the
T the Night City underground and
into the spotlight. This young man
has appeared three times this year-

F style of Mister X. Damn few had


both style and a sense of dimin-
ished responsibility like Mister X. He
risks. That second set of implant
weapons was too much. So he tanked
up on jet fuel and went out shooting.
and with a new face each time! First the
assassination of Peter X, famed corpo-
rate raider and founder of Sphere. This
started out like so many others. He was Not a man to do anything halfway, he was the picture of grace. Not only did
the old IRA to Red Brigade and the
NOTES: Joshua usually leans 3000. She joined Kidrok's Carnival Of
toward a fairly handsome (ATT 7+) Carnage tour in Prague and never
and muscular (BOD 8+) biosculpt looked back. She has been personally
However, he could look like any- credited with the Raven Microcyb
one with enough surgery, even a bombing in Balsam (death toll 45), and
woman! Definitely a hard man to the Biotechnica hijacking (12 confirmed
keep track of. middle management deaths). She is a
staunch anti-biotech terrorist with more
Tvikki, than a little style. We hope to see more

9 • Political
Activist &
Bodyguard
of her action.

INT: 7 REF: 11/12 TECH: 7


COOL: 7 ATT: 7 LUCK: 7

I
admit Tvikki is not a native of the MA: 7 BOD: 9 EMP: 9/7
United States, but this Russian REP: 8 SA: 7
Joshua hit the man twice in the face woman has definitely made herself NOTES: Adrenal Booster, +1 REF
(preventing any attempts at resuscita- at home. Since her coming to America (transform virus, see Deep Space).
tion), he then leapt out a twelfth-story in 2017, she has definitely earned this
window to a waiting aerodyne, and solo's rising-star award. Allegedly born

8
sped into the rising sun. in Kiev (or possibly Saint Petersburg), Susan
Soon after, Joshua surfaced in Palm she has (also allegedly) served in the • Forrest,
Desert as a replacement bodyguard for Russian VDV (analogous to America's NorCal
Slade McCallahan. This popular brain- Airborne Rangers) for six years. She State
dancer had gone through three already then went on a political bender across
this year, and tried for a fourth, but Europe. She has suspected relation-
Executioner
Joshua K. was a bit too fast for the ships with terrorist groups ranging from

D
o not get convicted of a capital
would-be assailants. After shattering crime in the Free State of
one's leg with a well-placed kick, he Northern California. Susan
then snapped the other's neck with his Forrest is one of the toughest Solos
bare hands. These joy-boys should there is, and she loves her work I per-
have thought twice before attempting sonally would have rated her a bit high-
to make a name for themselves with er, but she only does one thing. She
Joshua K. hunts and kills fugitives with a zeal that
Number three was another big hit can only be described as religous.
As Joshua danced the night away at Having actually been chased by her on
Tampa's fashionable Blitz, he sidled up one occasion, I feel her effectiveness is
to the famous promoter, Vampyre Elton, matched only by her good looks. With
and pulled him to the ground. All eyes over twenty confirmed executions last
were on him. It seems that the famous
promoter's security was slacking off a
bit and Joshua was hired to "check
things out" Everyone was surprised to
see Joshua and Elton together, and
needless to say, the security has been
replaced. Joshua has obviously been a
busy boy. We should see a lot more of
him in the future.

INT: 9 REF: 10 TECH: 6


COOL:8 ATT: varies LUCK: 9
MA: 8 BOD: varies EMP: 5
REP: 8 SA: 6
year, that is no small amount of good
looks. We at Solo are pleased to around), +10 SDP (total of 30 all-
announce that she is possibly the new around). Audio add Level Damper,
commander of the U.S. Marshal's Sound Editing. Optics add Image
Service Special Crimes Unit. Salud! We Enhancement and Tele-Optics.
hope you do well. Legs add Heavy Pistol (hidden
PS. See you next time. holster), and MML Arms add
Digital Recorder, Techscanner,
INT: 7 REF: 9 TECH: 6 Electronics Toolkit Weapons
COOL:9 AH: 7 LUCK:7 Toolkit Shaitan has also gotten a
MA: 6 BOD: 8 EMP: 9/4 lot of therapy.
REP: 8 SA: 7
NOTES: This woman is one of the

6
most heavily armed people in Racer
America. Her job description • Chiba,
requires it! She usually carries an ACPA
assault rifle with grenade launcher,
a sidearm (or two) and an SMG. Trooper
Please kids— don't try this at home.

N
ow this is something we at
SOF have never done before.
Most of the purists over here

7
Shaitan
don't really consider Troopers to be
• Freelance "real" Solos. I mean, it just seems so
Anti- unfair to put an operative in a armored
Corporate suit with tons of armor, direct-fire elec-
tronics, tactical weapons—and then
here are a lot of people out

T
call it finesse. We were wrong. Racer
there gunning for the corps. It Chiba is head and shoulders above
seems that you can't swing a "stuff." He has even been known to most solos, and he's re-educated us
dead cat without hitting some corpo- occasionally create or modify jobs just well!
rate hate-group or another. Most are so he can destroy Arasaka property. There is no real background on
fairly general. They want to destroy Why? No one is sure. It has been Chiba. Stories range from the vat-
MediaCorps, or AgriCorps. They want advanced that Shaitan's mother (or grown ninja-assassin story (someone
to save the environment, or the whales other close female relative) was once has been reading those old Gibson
or something. Few hate a specific violated by a member of the Arasaka
company (at least none of the large family (probably Saburo). He has
and vocal groups), and even fewer honed his mind and rebuilt his body
have personal reasons. Even so, it for this task only. His type of single-
seems that Shaitan has a thing for handed crusade would be laughable,
Arasaka. had he not managed to somehow
He will take any job he can get elude capture and accomplish these
away with, but it must be against objectives for over three years. I hope
Arasaka, and it must have serious col- Saburo sleeps with the lights on.
lateral damage possibilities. In the last
few years Shaitan has gone from a
good Solo with a reasonable reputa- INT: 8 REF: 15 TECH: 8
tion, to a great Solo with a phenome- COOL:9 ATT: N/A LUCK: 6
nal success record. MA: 20 BOD: 12 EMP: 9/3/7
Shaitan has made the destruction REP: 8 SA: 8
of all things Arasaka paramount in his NOTES: Eclipse Covert Operations
mind. He will not use Arasaka prod- Full-Conversion (Chromebook 2
ucts, nor will he work with those who pgs. 71,72) with added +2 REF
do. He accomplishes whatever mis- (total of 15), +7 MA (total of 20),
sion he is hired for, then spends the Shielding, +5 SP (total of 30 all-
rest of his time trashing Saburo's
novels again), to the "he is the messi- Europe, or she served in the SouthAm
ah" angel-o'-death story. All are just (as a SEAL or Sniper). She could not
stories. It was my privilege to person- be reached for comment, but only her
ally interview Racer Chiba for this arti- biosculptor knows how old she really
cle. He is human. He did have a fami- is. This woman knows how to look
ly. He was not raised by wolves, innocent. The pig-tails, blazer, plaid
demons, or angels (of whatever per- skirt and knee socks really do it for me.
suasion). This is the story in a nutshell.
Racer Chiba was born in the wilds INT: 8 REF: 9/TO TECH: 7
of East Los Angeles sometime before COOL: 9 ATT: 10 LUCK: 6
the Collapse. He had a normal child- MA: 8 BOD: 6 EMP: 8/4
hood, was educated to some degree, REP: 7 SA: 8
and then joined the Army. He served NOTES: Adrenal booster, neural w/
in the SouthAm during the worst of it smartlink, datalink, plugs, chipsock-
and went c-psycho as the war was et; lifesaver skinweave, rippers
winding down. Oddly enough, he was (both); midnite lady; optic (right) w/
hospitalized, recovering just in time for image enh, lowlite, TGT, antidazzle.
the "Long Walk." Instead of making the
trek, he joined Jon Meta and others in
forming MetaCorp. Eventually, he
John
became the test-pilot for the Jacksuit
program. Consequently, he is the
world's most experienced ACPA
Trooper! After the JackSuit Division
4 • Jones,
"Manhunter"

J
ohn Jones does not exist. I have
was sold to Militech, Chiba went free- combed databases, exhausted a
lance. His full-cryo' custom ACPA is formidable expense account, and
one of the finest designs in the world, called in a lot of favors. The result: No
and incorporates features that (now one has ever met him, or all refuse to

5
that I understand what Troopers do)
Jenni
admit it. What am I saying—I have film.
should be on every suit, (see pg. 64 for • Flexx, John Jones is famous. He hunts and
stats). Bodyguard captures people for a living, his spe-
Racer Chiba came to this Solo's

S
he could be America's sweet- cialty is lost children and cyberpsy-
attention when he single-handedly heart; it is too bad that she hates chos, but no one knows how to con-
extracted Mr. David Sato from the to have her picture taken. Jenni tact him or where he frequents in his
Raven MicroCyb facility at Evergreen, Flexx is number five. The personal off-time.
Colorado. After careful satellite recon- escort of Jesuit rocker and media icon, I have managed to concoct a story
naissance Chiba dropped in at night, Jack Maxximum, for the last three from police and eyewitness reports.
alone. He subdued a number of years, she has averted three assassi- Evidently, Jones lost his entire family
guards, defeated an excellent elec- nation attempts (one by taking the during Martial Law; he loathes the gov-
tronic security system, and abducted shots herself, eight rounds!), one kid-
not only Sato, but his lover as well. This napping and various harassments.
was an amazing operation. The pickup, Jenni is a driven woman and a fine
by Aerodyne Limousine, Ltd. was the Solo, but she needs some more
perfect conclusion to a perfect job. breadth in her career to be a real num-
ber-one contender.
Handling security for the
INT: 10 REF: 9 TECH: 9 Justifiable Homicide's Long Walk tour,
COOL: 10 ATT: 6 LUCK: 6 previous to her tenure with Jack, was a
MA: 8 BOD: 5 EMP: 8/5 feather in her cap. The entire band did
REP: 8 SA: 8 sixteen cities in the U.S., while fleeing
NOTES: Neural w/plugs (3 sets), several federal investigations, and not
tactile boost, w-link, v-link, m-link, a single casualty. Her previous work
d-link. and training is still somewhat of a mys-
tery. Rumors abound that she once
either worked under CIA auspices in
ernment, and he helps others whose They attempted an extraction. Now
families are in less dire straits stay extracting a model is one of the most
together. To date, he has rescued thir- difficult tasks in our industry. I know,
ty kidnapped or missing children, six because I did one. Not only is the tar-
cyberpsychos, and five or six drug get vulnerable to attack from the
addicts. He seems to simply appear. It other side, your employer takes a
is my guess that he has a massive net- poor view of any damage the target
work of people who owe him a great might suffer.
number of favors. Not only did Lance Rock success-
He was not trained by any military fully extract Julia, he did it by seduc-
or corporation. He may have been a tion and deceit. He dated her for two
member of a gang or some criminal months before the fall show in Paris.
organization, but all bets are off. On the evening before the show, the
two dined at the still-fashionable
INT: 7 REF: 10 TECH: 6 Harry's Bar. After brandy, he shot her
COOL: 10 ATT: 5 LUCK: 8 bodyguard, and was greeted warmly
MA: 8 BOD: 14 EMP: 10 nap the entire cast. Lance, with the by Chanel representatives. Not only
REP: 7 SA: 7 help of the film's security guards, anni- was this a terrible embarrassment to
NOTES: Muscle/bone lace; grafted hilated the entire group (sixteen in all). Versace, their show was postponed
muscle; skinweave After westerns died out again in 2014, for an entire day (so they could alter
Lance went to work as a security guard the outfits that Ms. Fixx was to wear).
for Penny Prurient. This was also the This will almost definitely ruin
beginning of his reputation as a wom- Lance's career—he will never be

3
Lance anizer. Not only did she end up getting trusted by anyone again (especially
• Rock killed in bed (where he was noticeably Julia Fixx). We are always sad to see
absent on that day), she had in an someone like him go, but we hear he
interview earlier proclaimed undying has a three-movie deal with
ock-star sex-toy he is, but Lance love for him, and in private named him Lucasfilm54...such is life.

R is also a damn fine Solo. He has


worked for everyone who is
anyone, has been mentioned in songs,
as beneficiary in her will.
After Patty died, Lance went to
work for the all-girl band Cheap
Dates. At one time or another he was
INT: 8 REF: 9
COOL: 10 ATT: 10
TECH: 7
LUCK: 7
and has a new workwear line from MA: 7 BOD: 6/10 EMP: 10/9
Gibson Battlegear. It certainly is a long photographed in various states of REP: 8 SA: 9
way from the Italian westerns he used undress with all seven; while that may NOTES: Muscle grafts; muscle
to star in. have been rigged to get the girls in the bone lace; lifesaver skinweave;
Lance Rock is a nom de guerre. It paper, it did work. His other incidents toxin binders; nanosurgeons
is fairly certain he is of western U.S. are too numerous to name, including
origin, probably Utah. Being raised in the seduction of Jesse Gsturm in

2
the very conservative state of Utah Gstaad and the assassination of the Captain
(and probably as a Mormon) would Karl von Furstenberg poser, but this • Andrew
explain his rampant fetish for young year he distinguished himself again.
girls (any girls, really). After joining the Chanel and Versace have warred
"Boa Boa"
Marines, and serving two boring tours just below the surface for almost thirty Weyland,
on the USS Abraham Lincoln, he was years now. Admittedly, the shooting PetroChem
ready for a change. When Hollywood only started in 2010, but there are Water
slid into the ocean it was never able to other ways to wage war. Julia Fixx is Leopards
reclaim its glory as movie capital of the the hottest model of the decade. Her
western world. A young (and good- angular facial features, counterpointed

O
ne of the most feared Solos
looking) ex-Marine, Lance adopted his by her stunning body, has put the wo! in the corporate world,
"stage name" and went east to back in woman. So when she signed a Andrew Weyland has worked
Nashville. He began his career as a lifetime exclusive with Versace, Chanel for PetroChem for almost five years.
Solo on the set of the remake of For A was massively upset. After trying—and The Water Leopards had a consider-
Few Dollars More. A group of Nomads, failing—to establish a new icon for the able reputation even before going
hoping to make a political statement American market, Chanel decided to over to PetroChem. Extractions and
about human rights, attempted to kid- do business the old-fashioned way. assassination are the favorite pas-
+2; muscle/bone lace; wolvers "IT USED TO BE THAT
(both hands); optics (both) w/color
shift, TGT, LowLite, TimesSquare BEING A 'SOLO'
MEANT SOMETHING.
YOU WERE A BREED
APART, A LONE
HUNTER IN THE
DEPTHS OF NIGHTED
CITY STREETS. NOW,
EVERY GONK WITH A
BIG GUN AND A
CHIPPED-IN
ATTITUDE THINKS
HE'S A SOLO."
-MORGAN BLACKHAND

Morgan

1
INT: 9 REF: TO TECH: 8
• Blackhand COOL: 10 ATT: 8 LUCK: TO
MA: 8 BOD: 12 BMP: 4
REP: 10 SA: 9

S
till the Solo's Solo, with no hint NOTES: These ratings are estimates;
times of this hearty crew. Andrew of stopping now. Morgan is still, no agency has ever precisely quanti-
Weyland is a great leader, and his and (in my personal opinion) fied Mr. Blackhand.
handpicked team of stalwarts have will always be, number one. The
never failed to complete a job. He has entire profession was improved by
survived personal confrontations with the release of The Enforcer's
Morgan, Jenni Flex, and John Jones Handbook (over one million copies
About The
(no slouch at hand-to-hand combat), audited to date). It is obvious that Author:
but his experience is too specific for a though Morgan may have taught

J
number-one slot. The Water Leopards many professionals all they know, it is uan-Paul "RipperDoc" Duvalier is
have suffered setbacks—they lost two not all that the master knows. the pseudonym of a very respect-
of their original twelve members last Morgan's handling of incidents, ed Solo employed by the Berlin
year, allegedly due to corporate like the attempted kidnapping of Industrial Group. J-Paul has served in
infighting and poor intelligence. If this Kerry Eurodyne last year, show the most of Europe, Asia, and the United
is true, then we may see the Leopards touch of the master. It is interesting to States. His affiliation with the Eurosolo
go freelance again soon. Who knows, note that all five of the kidnappers "fraternity" known as the "Angels" is
maybe Boa Boa (so called because of were captured by Morgan (alone), denied by the author.
his snake tattoo and eye modifica- and turned over to Federal
tions) is a possible number-one con- Authorities. They were bruised, bat- INT: 10 REF: 1O TECH: 7
tender next year! tered and beaten, but alive. Any Solo COOL:8 ATT: 9 LUCK: 1O
can kill, but only a master like MA: 8 BOD: 8 EMP: 1O
INT: 8 REF: 10 TECH: 6 Blackhand can eliminate a threat and REP: 7 SA: 8
COOL: 1O ATT: 5 LUCK: 3 embarrass the group's sponsors. Still, NOTES: No cyberware.
MA: 1O BOD: 10/12 EMP: 8/3 embarrassing a huge company like BattleGloves with wolvers (both),
REP: 10 SA: 1O DMS can't make it any easier on your MML (left), 11mm pop-up (left)
NOTES: Light tattoo; neural w/chip- career. It is possible that Morgan's
socket, smartlink, plugs, Kerenzikov profile may make him less employ-
able soon. We certainly hope not.
Tsunami
Design Bureau
For fifteen years. Tsunami has been providing clients with
the finest in high-tech, experimental, and customized
weaponry systems and designs. Whether for the battlefield,
the target range, or the urban jungle, turn to Tsunami for
the finest in technology, design, and accuracy !
Raimei (Thunderclap) Express competition pistol;
Ramjet pistol Tsunami has produced custom-designed
Following close, on the heels of our raceguns for a number of IPSC competi-'
successful Ramjet Rifle is the Raimei tors; now that design experience can be
pistol. Designed for urban combat yours with the Tsunami Express!
against PA suits and Borgs, the Designed with the professional competitor
Raimei fires a slightly larger 10mm in mind, the Express is a 5.2mm Electro-
bullet; this design- allows for faster thermal design that gives the ammo
acceleration to full speed, but a lower capacity of a Minor class gun with the
range to avoid damaging incidentals. muzzle velocity and hitting power of the
The Raimei comes standard with a Major calibers. Ergonomically design, com- \
Maboroshi smartgun link or Zeiss-Nikon puter-controlled tolerances, a custom Barrel
compensator, and one of the Best, most sta-
COT, but can also be equipped with the
experimental Zetatech Super-Safe™
targeting link, which essentially
Tsunami ble, rounds to come out of our munitions
lab all combine with a Zeiss-Nikon COT
reduces the chances of a miss to almost zero. The weapon scope to become one of the most accurate hand-
is also equipped with security chipping to prevent unau- guns on the market today. Perfect for the competitor who
thorized use. doesn't want to be slowed down by their sidearm.

Tsunami Arms Raimei Ramjet pistol (1,100eb) (3,200eb for COT Tsunami Express racegun 15,300 Euro!
equipped variant) PIST • +3 • L • P • 2H6+3 • 5.2mm ET • 24 • 3 • VR • 75m
PIST •+2 • L • P• 10mm ramjet • 6 • 2 • VR • 100m 5.2mm ammo costs 50eb per box of 50. A battery (good for 50 shots) is
The 10mm ramjet does 5d6 at Close range, 6d6+3 at Medium, 7d6 at 10eb.
Long range, and 7d6+1 at Extreme range. Each round costs 30 eb; one The Express isn't really designed to be concealable; The "L" is being gener-
loaded dip is included in the cost of the gun. ous, but if someone changes the grip (dropping the WA to +2, costs
The optional Zetatech smartgun link costs an additional 5,000 Euro, and I25eb), it can be done. Because of the barrel compensator's design, this
must be installed in the factory (i.e., when ordered), to ensure proper align- gun cannot be fitted with a suppressor.
ment and accurizing. When used, the operator (who must own a smartlink, Game Notes: The Express is a racegun, not a combat monster, and its
cyberoptic, Times Square Plus, and targeting option) must first designate a design reflects that; lots of satin polished chrome steel, real wood grips,
target; this takes one round (10 seconds); Afterwards, the weapon will only 125lpi checkering on the grips and frontstrap. The battery is loaded into the
fire if the user has achieved a "hit" on a designated target; roll the to-hit roll back of the gun, under the partial slide; clip is in the pistol grip. The wood
(WA+3(smartgun plus targeting)+REF+Skill), and if the shot would have grips feature a wrist support and ergonomic design. COT scope is attached
missed, the weapon simply fails to fire (except on a critical failure). Because to the frame, ahead of the slide. There are three adjustable weights under
of a delay in image processing, movement modifiers have an additional -2 the barrel in front; overall length of the gun is 14".
added against the Zetatech link (i.e., a moving target with a REF of 11
would be at a -6 to be hit with this link). Up to ten targets can be designat-
ed by the user and stored indefinitely, but only one per round. If you're interested in the best in advanced
Game Notes: The Zetatech link is essentially Stutterchipping in reverse;
instead of not firing at friendlies (but shooting at everyone else), the Super-
weapons & systems, become one with- the Wave
safe link only fires at hostiles (but won't shoot at anything else). The soft- of the Future. Tsunami
ware and image databases are stored in the smartgun array, rather than in
the user's chipware. It's expensive, but worth it for those who don't want to Authorized agencies should contact us for pur-
go shooting up the whole neighborhood. Of course, people with real pistol
skill might be better off ignoring the Zetatech link chasing information and requirements.

Tsunami: When it has to be Better than the Best


American offices; 1430 West City Tower, 12 Corporate Plaza, Night City, NorCal, 94202-1936 Voice/Data/Fax:; 666-553-2197
DESTROY ALL FLESH!!
A Metalhead Solo Speaks His Transplanted Mind
By Adam Smasher
(we'd rumble in what was left of Yankee

N
ew york, New york—the city so plenty of work and I swear at this rate I'll
nice they trashed it twice. This is rid this city of its fleshy infection within, Stadium), and when the Army finally
my stomping ground, so step oh—say, fifteen years. killed off the last of my bloodboys, I
lightly. Seeing as how I'm a fully-cybernet- Most of you reading this are compe- signed right up. (I wasn't stupid—the mil-
ic Street Samurai, you really don't want to tent, skillful professionals who know how itary had WAy better guns than we did!)
cross swords with me. yes, I am living to fight and how to kill, you might even Six years as a Marine taught me a lot,
proof that metal is better than meat! In the think you couldn't get very much better. and when I was kicked out
six years I've been bloodletting and brain- Let me tell you—thats wrong, meat- ("Insubordination" they called it yeah,
spilling in this hellhole, I've taken down heads! I used to be a pretty tough cus- right.) I took up the life of a Street
boosterpunks, powered armor, corporate tomer, back in my meat days. Mom was Samurai back in my hometown. I've
hit men, children, ground-attack chop- Russian, dad was from the South Bronx, been here in the Rotten Apple ever
pers, sword-wielding ninja and assorted and I was the meanest kid on my block. since, but things have changed. Oh yeah.
breeds of cyberpets. yes, the life of a full I was the leader of my neighborhood Extractions, assassinations, harass-
'borg Solo is a fulfilling one indeed. I get combat gang during the Collapse days ment and demolitions jobs came and
went, and I made some good euro, but I roof of a garbage truck! There was a 40-
didn't realize that my bones and muscles percent crater in the scow's roof, but I ran Tsunami Arms Helix
were holding me back! Not until that cor- back up the building's stairs and punched [3OOOeb]
porate "reverse engineering" op. See, the soldier's head off when I got to the SHG•+0 •N•P •10-Ga/5D6•
some bigwig corp (who'll remain anony- gonk! Not too shabby, I think 60 • 43 • VR • 60m • BOD Min: 18
mous, you know the drill) had hired me Like I said, I can't tell you all who I This massive weapon is arguably
and a couple other pros to snatch a pro- work for, but they sure keep me busy. I'm one of the most devastating small
totype gizmo from a competitor. I usually put on offensive field duty, harass- arms for close-range house-to-house
mustve fired off 300 rounds of 7.62 dur- ing the competition, but sometimes (if the combat—a hex-barreled galling shot-
ing that op, but a couple of well-placed meatheads at internal security are slack- gun which fires binary 10-gauge
RPG-A warheads kinda put a damper on ing) I'm put on retrieval missions. I've had shells at 1300 rounds per minute!
an otherwise profitable job. to chase down and kill off quite a few About three feet in length, the gun's
The docs said I was flatlined for over teams of edgerunners who made the mis- six barrels are all a respectable 18"
eight minutes before they got me (my take of breaking into and stealing from the long. The Helix has an inclined rear
brain, at least) stabilized. I found out my New york branch office. This is where pistolgrip as well as a top-mounted
meat had been stewed in the op, but my being a full 'borg really pays off. fore-handle; it has no stock, since ft
teammates had brought what was left of was built to be fired "from the hip." To
my carcass back,,,in a backpack, for aid in aiming, there is a top-mounted
chrissakes! 'Round that time I realized I laser-sighting system with adjustable
was getting all my input through inter- FOR THIS pattern-matching capability. The
face—turned out most of my sensory Helix is constructed of high-tech
organs (you know: eyes, ears, skin...) PARTICULAR composites and lightweight alloys,
were gel on some corporate installa- and weighs 15kg. Its projectiles con-
tion's walls. The corp who'd sent me on HUNT, I'D sist of conventional 10-gauge slugs
this op in the first place gave me a tasty or packages of shot or flechettes
proposition: They figured I'd just walked REPLACED MY stored in a synthetic canister. The
into some bad luck and they liked my ammo feed, centrally located
resume, performance record, skill, good LEFT FOREARM beneath the tubular body of the gun,
looks and all that Anyway, they offered accepts either a belt feed or a box
full body conversion in return for a 15- WITH A TSUNAMI magazine which contains an ample
year employment contract supply of binary propellant and
Now you gotta remember that I had- ARMS HELIX stores 60 projectiles; a rotor in the
n't yet figured out the true meaning of feed aligns the projectiles as it loads
"metal is better than meat" at this point GATLING them. The weapon's binary propel-
Sure, I knew that a few plugs, chips, lant eliminates the bulk of a stabiliz-
cyberlimbs and stuff were real useful in a SHOTGUN, ing element in its ammunition, and
scuffle. I could never have afforded full instead uses two gasses which
conversion, so I never even considered BELT-FED FROM A seperately are stable, but are volatile
it But there I was, grey matter in a life- when injected into the ignition cham-
support tank, and I knew if I said "no" to BACK-HOUSED ber. The design of the Helix keeps
the corpse (thats CORPorate Security the line of recoil low and in line with
Expert to you) I was 'faced with, he'd pull 500-ROU1VD the grip to lessen muzzle climb on
the plug and I'd be tomorrow morning's full auto, and the six barrels, all rotat-
bodybank special. What would you do, AMMO-HOPPER. ing around a central axis, have long,
tough guy? flared muzzles with four compensa-
Turned out to be the best decision I tion ports each. This, combined with
ever made, you want strong? How about I remember one time a team of pret- the weapon's recoil operation, allows
using a 10OOcc racing bike as an impro- ty talented specwar types managed to for relatively controllable autoflre.
vised melee weapon? you want fast? How make off with some of the company's key The sound made by the Helix is dis-
about sparring with three black belts at files. I'd wasted two early on, but the last tinct: a heavy, metallic scream.
once—with one arm servo removed? you target (clever little meatgirl) managed to
want tough? How about the time I got get into a mallplex through the backdoor
shot point blank in the chest with a 40mm before I could nail her. Let me take a
grenade? It knocked me off the roof of the moment here to explain the beauty of
building, and I fell nine stories onto the continued on page 69
Recoil in Cyberpunk is determined primarily by the dam- refs wish, they may use the BOD Min restrictions for all
age delivered by the weapon. This value is cross-refer- weapons, including those of less than 10. Choose your
enced with the size of the weapon, the nature of the weapons carefully!
ammunition and the rate of fire. All these factors, when
calculated together, grant a number (called a BODY EXAMPLE RECOIL RATINGS:
Minimum) to which the character firing the weapon must Pocket Tsunami 25mm HiVel Pistol (ROF 2): Min BOD 23!
compare their BOD stat If the character's BOD is >= his 12.7mm Gatling w/harness (ROF 100): Min BOD 18.
weapon's BOD Min, he may fire it without penalty; if the MK19 40mm HiVel AGL (ROF 3 or 20): Min BOD 16-18.
character's BOD is at least 2 points greater than a semi- ASP 30mm Autocannon w/harness (ROF 10): Min BOD 16.
auto weapon's BOD Min, he may fire it at an ROF of 2 HIVE Gatling w/harness (ROF 120); 10-Gauge
rather than 1. However, if the firer's BOD is < the BOD "Pistol"/5D6 (ROF 2): Min BOD 15.
Min, all penalties are based on a number equal to the ASP 20mm w/harness (ROF 10): Min BOD 14.
firer's BOD minus the weapon's BOD Min (referred to as 12-Gauge Pistol (ROF 2); Malorian 3516 and ACPA
the "D-fac", or Difference Factor). 14mm Pistol (ROF 1): Min BOD 12.
Recoil penalties are as follows: If the firer's BOD is < Plamya 30mm AGL (ROF 1 or 10): Min BOD 7-12.
his weapon's BOD Min, he may only fire the weapon at Browning .50 M2 (ROF 10-20): Min BOD 11-12.
an ROF of 1/2, with WA reduced by -2 per 1 point of D- EMG-85 Railgun (ROF 1/2): Min BOD 11.
fac, and must make a (BOD+Strength FeoN-1 D10) roll vs. Minlgun (ROF 100-200): Min BOD 10-11.
the (BOD Min x2). If this roll is failed, the firer takes 1 Tsunami 25mm AGL (ROF 1/3/5): Min BOD 10.
point of damage per point of D-fac to his firing arm; crit- Militech Crusher SSG; Super Chief .454 Casull: Min BOD 9.
ical failure means that the weapon is also dropped. Budgetarms Laser-Niner (ROF 20); Militech Cyborg
Example: Sid has a BOD of 8, and is packing a Denby Rifle (ROF 20): Min BOD 8.
7710 "Ox-Dropper" revolver (.477 caliber, 5D6 damage). Oni Autoshotgun (ROF 20); Franchi King Buck (ROF 4);
5[max damage 30/6] x2thandgunl =10, so Sid's "D-fac" 25mm Bulldog Auto GL (ROF 3); Militech AM-3 (ROF
is 2; he can fire the gun once every other turn, at -4 WA, 1): Min BOD 7.
and may take 2 points of damage to his hand from shoot- FN-RAL (ROF 30); H&K MP2013 (ROF 32); Barrett Light
ing the damn thing! 50 (ROF 1); M203 40mm Underbarrel GL (ROF 1);
Remember, recoil is a one-time calculation—once S&W Tri-Star (ROF 1): Min BOD 6.
you've determined a weapon's BOD Min, make a note of Soviet 30mm Underbarrel GL (ROF 1); Colt-Mauser
it somewhere. In order to prevent complications, any M2X(ROF 1): Min BOD 5.
weapon with a BOD Min of 9 or less is assumed to be Barrett-Arasaka Light-20 (ROF 1); Militech Mini-
firable by anyone (don't worry, all you BOD 6 characters GL25mm (ROF 1): Min BOD 4.
can still fire your Colt-AMT M2000's). If the players and

RECOIL FACTORS
BASE BOD MIN: ROF 16-30 - x2.0
D6 weapons = (Max Damage/6). ROF 31-60 = x2.5
D10 weapons = (Max Damage/5). ROF 61-120 = x3.0
ROF 121+ = x3.5
MODIFIERS (MULTIPLY ALL MODS TOGETHER): *Brace = Stock, Arm Brace, Shoulder Strap, Harness,
1-handed (Handgun) = x2.0 Sling, Mono-/Bi-/Tripod, Gyro-Mount, etc.
2-handed, no brace* (some SMGs & shotguns) = xl.O* "Shotguns use Shot damage; GLs use {(diameter in
2-handed & brace* (Rifles, MGs, other SMGs/Shotguns) = xO.5" mm)/5] xD6 for max damage; High-pressure/high-veloc-
Area Effect (Shotguns** & GLs**) = xl.5* ity Grenades (for Auto-GLs) are x1.5
EAP(Railguns) = x1.8 A Cyberarm acts as BOD 12 for pistol recoil purposes only.
ROF 1-3 (Semiauto) = xl.O. A Powered Exo-Mount has BOD 18 for recoil purposes only.
ROF3-15 = x1.75
continued from page-67 Of course life as a True 'Borg isn't you with a laser-aimed weapon, the RBA
being a True 'Borg (as I like to call myself): just mowing down civilians, despite my alerts you through your interface plugs.
meat Solos, even enhanced ones, can best wishes, you can still get killed off Believe it or not, this stuff is so efficient
only handle weapons of a "small arms" pretty easily if the opposition's packing that it actually allows you to dodge
level before flash, recoil and backblast turn military-level hardware; one HLAW and incoming bullets if you're boosted (as
their pathetic skeletons to kibble. Now for you can pretty much kiss your armor- any good True Borg should be)! No drek!
this particular hunt, I'd replaced my left plated hinder sayonara. But hey! Once The beauty is, Cybermatrix is now mak-
forearm with a Tsunami Arms Helix gatling again cyber-technology comes to the ing Reactive Body Plating for Full
shotgun, belt-fed from a back-housed rescue! See, there are these clever Conversions. It does the same thing, but
500-round ammo-hopper. This thing's "blokes" in England somewhere who've its built into your frame. 'Course it means
recoil would've been murder (literally) to come up with what they call Reactive you gotta go into combat without wear-
me back when I was a 108kg meathead Body Armor. No, its not the kind that ing fatigues, but so what? Extra armor
bad boy in the Marines, but my current explodes off when its hit! RBA is a suit of never layers well with body plating, and
high-impact plasteel frame turns the bar- flexible body armor which is riddled with whatve we got to be modest about?
rage of recoil into a comfy massage. The laser sensors; when someone's targeting Lemme tell you, my RBP has saved my
point is, if I'd been a meathead Solo when
I was chasing down this corpcrime weasel, ^-»
I would've needed a Minigun to clear that True Borgs—Learn, the Art
mall—and if I'd been packing a Minigun I
never would've been able to keep up with
the target in the first place!
Created Especially For You!
Lucky for me, I had full metal on my The PanzerFaust (translates literally into "armor fist") martial art is a cut-
side. I caught up with the creep just as she ting-edge warfare application system. Designed specifically for True Borgs,
entered that main hall of the mallplex. I'd PanzerFaust allows total exploitation of our superior physical abilities!
been right behind her, so I knew she Additionally, the vast jumping and leaping range common to Full Borgs allows
couldn't have had time to get out of the us to perform long-distance kicks and inhuman dodges. If trapped with a hold,
Saturday afternoon crowds and make use our flexibility and additional range of motion allow escape maneuvers impos-
of an escalator or elevator. She was just sible for men or Powered Armor. (Some fellow metalheads can spin their
hidden in the crowd somewhere- hands like propellers and even rotate their torsos 360 degrees!) The effects
Sweeping the screaming whirlwind of the of full-speed, charging strikes are devastating, with penetration like a shotgun
Helix back and forth across the hall, my slug! Be taught the best, by the best! Join the Iron Tiger Dojo today.
500 rounds of 10-packed frag flechettes Warning—your body must undergo slight modification, involving magneti-
cut the crowd real fast (Why not? I'm cally-coated joints for full-range, high-speed motion; and specially-hardened
never marked with any corporate tags, col- plates installed on all striking surfaces (costing only 4000eb).
ors or logos when I'm on an outside job, Iron Tiger Dojo in the Upper Marina district. Off Sterling St., upstairs from
and I always fit a different facemask each the American Bar. Night City, CA. Cash payments only, please.
time I deploy.) A quick scan of the bodies
found me the meatgirl, all pureed, so I Game Notes: Damage bonus is 1.5x the Martial Arts skill level, due
pulled the disks off her and vanished. Love to the blinding speed and structural strength of full-borgs. Leaping attacks |
that Environmental Assimilation system. receive +1D6 per 3m of leap performed. The attack is AP (SP is 1 /2; dam-
age penetrating hard armors is normal).
Dummy Facemasks Only Full-body Conversions can use PanzerFaust ; the structural
Since there are only a limited stresses involved would do tremendous damage to muscles and bones in
number of Full Conversion models a flesh body. PanzerFaust cannot be chipped. This combat art relies so
out there, individual 'borgs often go heavily upon speed that the time required to access chipware would ruin
in for detachable faceplates to grant effectiveness; this skill must be taught. Also, if a 'borg learns PanzerFaust,
personalized features. They cost any- because it requires constant training and practice, it's the only martial art
where from 25eb for a cheap, prima- he can learn and use. Any previously-learned Martial Arts or Melee skills
ry-colored one to 5OOeb for a fully must be forgotten, and their skill points are lost.
armored custom design. If you have PANZERFAUST (5):
a different one in place each time Strike Punch Kick Disarm Sweep Block
you go out on an op, who's gonna be +3 +3 +1
able to figure out who you are? Slick, Dodge Grapple Throw Hold Choke Escape Ram
neh? +3 +3 +1 - - +4 +3
chassis on more than one blood-splat- Magnum Opus is working on an .88 scared that he froze, so I got impatient
tered occasion. Magnum version. I can't wait and took My best shot instead. I pulled
out my brand new Slamdance, Inc.
Cybermatrix™ Reactive Magnum Opus Hyper Hammer and fired it full-on into his
Body Plating "Hellbringer".666 Magnum solar plexus. The fat slob's whole ribcage
HC=1D6, Surgery=MA, Cost= caved in, some of his organs jumped
6,000eb. In game terms, RBP allows Revolver (4,000eb) outta his mouth (I couldn't identify
the Full 'Borg with REF higher than 10 P • +1 • J/L • P • 7D6+3 (.666 them—I was busy) and I crushed in the
to actually dodge attacks made by Mag) • 3 • 1 • VR • 80m • BOD driver's side of his Beemer like it was tin-
laser-aimed weapons (lasersights and Min: 15 foil. How sweet it was! The best part was
srnartguns). The attacker must roll vs. that I'd had our company's logo
the Full 'Borg's REF+Dodge+1D10 A massive double-action revolver, this embossed in reverse on the striking end
instead of against Range Difficulty huge weapon holds only three rounds of the hammer, so this dead, inside-out
Numbers. This is new, hard-to-find in its solid titanium-steel cylinder, but corpcop had our logo permanently
cyberware; it is not restricted, but it is each one is a .666 Magnum man- molded into his body! It was a real
Poor availability. killer. It's a break-action design, scream.
engaged by a left-side thumb button.
Each of the three steel-cased shells Slamdance, Inc.
holds one .666-caliber lead slug Hyper Hammer
I HEAR which hits harder than most Magnum (2000eb)
or Nitro Express hunting rifles! These
MAGNUM OPUS rounds will put even the toughest MEL • -2 • L • R • 9D10AP • 2 •
armor to shame. The entire handgun
IS WORKING ON is composed of steel and ultra-strong
1 • ST • 2m

AN .88 MAGNUM hybrid alloys (except for the ergonom-


ic combat-style grips, which are made
This is a close-combat weapon
designed especially for Full 'Borgs. It
VERSION. I of neoprene), and the ported barrel
has a heavy, full-length underlug for
is a heavy, solid-tungsten sledge-
hammer designed with ergonomic
CANT WAIT. balance. While the Hellbringer comes combat grips, spiked knuckle guards
with no fancy electronics, most own- and a thumb switch-activated rocket
ers supplement the blade-type sights booster built into the back of the
As a True 'Borg, you also discover with at least a laser sight; with only hammer's head. When fired, the
that you can finally put all those wannabe three shots, you have to make each rockets blast the hammer around at
poser solopunks in their place. How one count! near-supersonic speed, delivering
many times have you gotten into a "my unheard-of wound potential.
handgun is the world's most powerful Damage ignores soft armor and
and yours isn't' argument? Well, its no Being a True 'Borg can be good reduces it 2 levels, and hard armor
longer an issue when you're full metal. A clean fun, if you're a loose enough guy only counts as 1/2SP and is reduced
couple months ago, I wound up in just (like me). Slamdance, Inc. recently began 1D6+4 levels. The Hyper Hammer
such an argument with some porky who marketing a close-combat weapon for may be used two times before need-
insisted that his wimpy 3516 couldn't be Full 'Borgs only, and ifs stylish, fun, and ing to be refueled (with jet fuel). The
beat I laughed in his face, which he took pretty damn effective. See, I'd been handle and grips can be folded
to mean that I didn't have a better argu- ordered to off the head of security for down, so that a large person could
ment But I did. I dragged my Magnum our primary competitors, and I was sup- conceal the Hyper Hammer under a
Opus Hellbringer outta my overcoat and posed to make a statement with this job trenchcoat—this is made easier by
Hunked it on the table in front of his (yep, the losers in Security were slacking the use of a special shoulder rig,
gawking face. The stainless steel, 4kg off again, and Mister Head of Security for available from Slamdance, Inc. for
revolver made his jaw hang open and his the Other Guys got the drop on us). Well, 40eb.
eyes cross. He just kept drooling as I I eventually found this guy and cornered
showed him its three .666 Magnum him in the underground parking lot of his Its gratifying, knowing that each time
steel-cased cartridges. It was a truly sad ritzy-ass conapt I decided I'd let him get I swat another corporate meathead, I'm
sight, so I shot that stupid expression right in one good hit before I dispatched him; equalizing the ratio of fleshlings to True
off his face. That brought him to his sens- I knew it wouldn't amount to squat 'Borgs. They die a lot more often than we
es. I remember his head was just a bal- against me anyway, so I waited for him to do. With full metal in your corner, you
loon full of blood to my Hellbringer. I hear take his best shot Thing was, he was so can not only get rid of the enemy in safe-
ty, but it can be pretty damn fulfilling. Go slugs, APFSDS rounds, shaped-
Full Conversion, and pretty soon you'll be charge HEAT warheads, mini-
finding yourself using your biggest guns grenades, non-lethal batons,
SO DO HUMANITY A
at point-blank range, just so you can
watch the expression on your target's
"Dragon's Breath" thermite blasts, FAVOR—BECOME A
flash/bang bombs, "Slasher" mono-
face. Ifs the best feeling. Ever seen a nets, cratering HEP rounds, and gas TRUE 'BORG.
CLAW do its thing on the competition's
secretarial pool? What a sight! They
shells are all available. The bullpup
CLAW feeds from a large 28-round
ANYONE WHO
should decorate more offices in red. box magazine, but the breech can be DOESN'T WANT TO
locked open to allow special rounds
United Armaments to be singly loaded, and the fully-auto-
BE FULLY
CLAW (1600eb) matic firing rate is 425 rounds per CONVERTED...
SHG • +1 • N • R • 4-Ga (8D6) • 28 minute. Beneath the barrel of the shot-
• 1/4 • VR • 60m • BOD Min: 11 gun is an interchangeable underlug, GETS WIPED OUT!
#000 buck: 8D6, Slug: 9D6+2, which can be fitted with any one of the
APFSDS: 5D10AP, HEAT: 7D10 following support weapons: an 8-shot
microwaver, a cartridge-loading Then take the fight to the other meat-
(1/2 SP).
Kendachi flame gun, a 4-shot purnp- heads. Anyone who doesn't want to be
Weighing in at 16kg and measuring
action 25mrn grenade launcher, a 4- Fully Converted...gets wiped out! Change
over four feet in length, this dose
shot micromissile launcher or a small yourself, and change the world. Combat
Assault Weapon is designed for use
SMG (Concealability J). Whatever the superiority is only the beginning! Destroy
by Combat 'Borgs and Powered
support weapon is, its magazine loads all flesh!
Armor, and is totally unmanageable by
unenhanced troops without a forward of the CLAWs grip and trigger
array and will have its operation Typical Full 'Borg
Powered Exo-Mount The CLAW is a
multi-role weapons package, consist- slaved to the weapon's computer; the Small Arms
ing of a semiautomatic 4-gauge shot- CLAW comes chipped from the facto- 14mm Handgun (Magnum Opus "Big
gun with a modular under-barrel sup- ry, with IFF and security functions as Government'—2000eb)
port weapon, all housed in a all- standard features, making rt fully com- P • + 0 • J • P • 14mm (6D6) • 13 •
weather, heat-resistant, impact-proof patible with ACPA fire-control systems 2 • VR • 60m • BOD Min: 12
polymer/ceramic composite which is and metalhead neural processors.
stronger than steel. The 4-gauge shot- This weapon is best known for its 12-Gauge "Pistol" (1,000eb)
gun shell was a scattergun round employment by the Detroit PD's C- P • -2 • J/L • P • 12-ga (4D6) • 9 #
used in the early 20th century to hunt SWAT Enforcer 'borgs. 2 • ST • 30m • BOD Min: 12
ducks—traditionally, a 4-gauge gun
would be bolted down to the stern of 5.56mm caseless "SMG" (1,200eb)
yeah, being a True 'Borg makes SMG • +1 • L/N • P • 5.56mm
a boat and then the entire boat would
being a Solo a lot more fun. A lot safer, /5D6 • 50 • 25 • VR • 200m •
be pointed in the general direction of
too. And a lot more profitable. I got job BOD Min: 10
a flock (yes, a whole flock) of ducks or
security, free ammunition and a purpose
other fowl. After the smoke cleared,
in life. I don't mean my job is my pur- 30mm HiVel caseless Auto-GL
the hunters would collect the carcass-
pose—sure, it's important—but I know (2,000eb)
es floating in the water. In 2020, the 4-
now what has to be done. Humanity is HVY • +0 • N • P • 30mm (Varies)
gauge has been revived as a extra-
obsolete, gatos. Meat is on the way out • 25 • 15 • VR • 300m • BOD Min:
high-lethality munition, using shell cas-
Think about it: the science-wizards who 12
ings made of a heat-resistant and
built our 21st century world are still
heat-absorbing plastic which acts as a
going strong. They're making robots, 12.7mm "Assault Rifle" (2,000eb)
thermal sink to ensure that the CLAW
cyberforms, Als, nanoids, even intelligent RIF•+1 •N•P• 12.7mm (6D10)•
does not overheat The 4" Magnum,
clones! That's right the body is already 50 • 10 • VR • 400m • BOD Min:
4-gauge shell has a bore diameter of
outdated, and soon the mind will be too. 12
23.75mm (.935-caliber), as opposed
It's time for all of us to shed our skins and
to the traditional 12-gauge's 18.5mm
'face the new world. Metal really IS bet- 14.5mm "Assault Rifle" (2,500eb)
bore, giving it the capability to fire an
ter than meat So do humanity a favor- RIF • +1 • N • P • 14.5mm (7D10) •
even greater array of sub-munitions
become a True 'Borg. you gotta start with 50 • 10 • VR • 400m • BOD Min:
than other shotguns. Buckshot
yourself, you'll be sweeping away the old 14
(#000), "Beehive" flechette shells,
and ushering in the clean, strong new.
COMBAT &
SECURITY
CYBERFORMS
By Dick W. Boi,
Worldwide
Sales
Manager,
Adrek Robotics
actically, the full-conversion

T cyborg is a quantum leap in


effectiveness for the infantry-
man of 2020. Full-conversions are,
however, expensive to build, main-
tain, and counsel. Powered armor
seemed to be a solution for several
reasons. They are not pilot-dedicat-
ed, they are more easily reparable,
and they had no adverse psycholog-
ical effects. But, they were more
expensive, heavier (limiting their
effectiveness in their primary urban
environment), and required a skilled
pilot to be used effectively. Both
options, full-conversion cyborgs and
powered armor, are overkill for
eighty percent of the security and
intelligence-gathering operations "in
the business." Humans, however, are THE FINAL SOLUTION: THE
completely inappropriate as well,
being too expensive to train and too COMBAT AND SECURITY CYBERFORM
easily eliminated.
What was required, in many situ-
ations, was a simpler unit: something cuit system, cyberforms are immune were failures (and some were serious
that could patrol or gather data over to airborne (and waterborne) chemi- failures—notably the "Beast of
a period of time, use minimal cal and biological agents. Most CSC's Boston" incident). To solve these
resources, and be effective in at are also immune to the effects of par- problems, modern cyberforms are
least self defense. Cybernetically- tial vacuum and shallow-water (up to designed and trained to have the tra-
enhanced animals were just coming five atmospheres) diving, since their ditional martial virtues of loyalty, obe-
onto the scene, and they were an bodies are usually somewhat pressur- dience, and discipline. These traits
inspiration to further working modifi- ized and/or armored. Like all living help keep a cyberform stable.
cation. things, CSC's must sleep, but require Another factor that can aid in the
The final solution: the Combat only two hours rest per day. control of cyberforms is that each
and Security Cyberform (CSC). Cyberforms usually have tactile cyberform ceretronic core can be
sensors, and therefore a sense of custom made for the purchaser. The
CERETRONIC: Cerebro-Electronic. "touch" but in combat they rely pri- cyberform is conditioned to accept
A Brain composed of bio-engi- marily on damage reports to deter- the purchaser as its owner. There
neered (or transplanted) neural tis- mine level of injury. Because of this, have been no cases of ceretronic
sue fused with a "dog brain"-style cyberforms do not suffer from pain, cyberforms going rogue or becoming
neural net processor. These brains stun, or shock. They function normal- psychotic.
can be programmed like a comput- ly until their body components are Combat cyberforms have four
er, but react in a similar manner to rendered useless or destroyed. statistics: INT, REF, BOD, and MA. The
natural brains. Because their bodies are mechanical, ceretronic rating (INT) of a cyberform
damage has to be repaired and not represents the power and flexibility of
Instead of a human brain, the healed. the cyberform's ceretronic core. A
CSC's use a ceretronic core. The Standard combat cyberforms are standard cyberform can be pro-
main difference between human equipped with battery packs. These grammed with a number of skill lev-
cyborgs and cyberforms is simple. packs can operate the unit at full els equal to its INT times four. The
Humans are refitted as cyborgs, with capacity for 72 hours. The battery price for programming a cyberform
the addition of cybernetic compo- packs can be recharged off any high- with a skill is equal to the cost of a
nents. CSC's are engineered from the capacity power supply (such as those comparable skill chip times two.
ground up, therefore there is no trau- used to charge electric vehicles) in Cyberforms can have a maximum skill
matic instability. The ceretronic core four hours, wall current (recharging level of five. The REF, MA, and BOD
is then housed in a sensor-equipped takes twice normal time), or can be stats of a cyberform are the same
and (usually) powered frame which replaced (1OOeb for a spare). Each scale as standard human stats. CSC's
provides mobility. Weapons, armor, cyberform also has an integral emer- know no fear, so COOL does not
and other options can then be added gency battery that will allow it to apply. INT is not really in the same
to the frame. operate for one half-hour (this battery scale, though close. An extremely
Because these brains have organ- is mainly intended to sustain the unit intelligent cyberform is, in its way, as
ic components, they require nutri- during power pack exchanges). intelligent as an average human. It is
ents, like water, oxygen, calories, etc. One concern of potential buyers an intelligence more closely analo-
These life-support requirements are is the loyalty and stability of a cyber- gous to highly trained dogs, or apes.
handled by on-board systems. A liq- form, especially those who have had Cyberforms can be considered as
uid nutrient bath circulates through difficulty with full-conversion cyborgs intelligent as average humans, and
the brain. Composed of oxygen, glu- or cyber-animals. Early attempts at act accordingly. Since they are part
cose, and a few other ingredients, the cyberform development involved cre- organic and part cybernetic, their
fluid is virtually waste-free. It is ating the unit with a wholly biological thought processes are an odd mix of
replaced daily (every twenty-four animal brain, then erasing the "emo- predatorial instinct and computation-
hours). Failure to replace this fluid at tions" and programming them to al logic. CSC's do not have the full
the regular interval will result in obey. They tried installing override range of human emotions, and they
severe brain damage and death for controls, or installing a ceretronic are fairly linear thinkers. However,
the CSC. Because of this closed-cir- cortex bomb. These early attempts their concentration and discipline are
superior to that of humans. They are problem. Now most CSC's require
also not plagued with doubt, fear, lust, both a computer command and a
cyber-psychosis, or other such hardware "key" to change program- CSC'S CAN BE
human flaws. In battle, CSC's are calm ming.
tacticians and are not moved by There are many different kinds of
DEADLY FIGHTING
many of the emotional considerations CSC's and many of them are pur- MACHINES.
that would color human thinking. pose-built. But most fall into one of
Given the psychology of CSC's four different categories: Small
and the fact that they can be deadly Animal—lemurs, koalas, schnauzers,
fighting machines, it is no wonder that terriers, beagles, all types of house CSC frames are made of highly
the general public is wary of them. cats, and other small animals. advanced carbon/boron fiber and
Because of this, some areas restrict Medium Animal—German shep- foamed cerametal alloys. These
or even ban CSC ownership. In con- herds, rottweilers, tigers, panthers, alloys are 1/2 to 1/3 the weight of liv-
trast with the public, many corpora- goats, sheep, pot-belly pigs, etc. ing tissue components and stronger
tions and militaries favor the use of Large Animal—buffalo, horses, than steel. Because of this CSC's are
the CSC. They are sometimes more cows, alligators, sharks, dolphins, etc. extremely light for their size. All CSC's
expensive to purchase than full-con- CSC's in the preceding categories are have an SDP of four times their BOD
version cyborgs, but they don't draw usually quadrupeds, as that negates stat. Cyberforms have no BTM. All
a salary, complain, or question the need for a gyro-balancer. damage is calculated against the SDP
orders; they have no family, have no Anthros—bipedal and basically total. After they have damage equal
rights, and are completely loyal. humanoid. Many have been built to to three times their BOD they are
Corporations have had difficulties in resemble creatures of myth and leg- considered disabled; after they have
cases of Netrunners using their own end. Usually used as expensive taken four times their BOD they are
CSC's against them. Limiting net-con- housebots. They require an expen- considered destroyed. Cyberform
trol of CSC's has downgraded this sive gyro-balancer. armor ablates naturally.
Examples:
100
Series™
from Adrek
Robotics
118,000eb

A
drek Robotics brings the
finest humanoid security sys-
tem ever built to the market-
place with their 100 Series™. Start
with a heavy-duty combat chassis,
and add a high-intelligence system
and full combat programming. What
you get is the ultimate soldier. We
guarantee it!

MISSION: Hunter/Killer Unit


INT 6 REF 12 BOD 10
MA 15 SDP 30/40

Body—
Frame: "100 Series" Humanoid
Brain: High Intelligence (INT 6) MicroMissile Launcher Deft leg]; Body—
Programs: Track 4, Rifle 4, Heavy MicroMissile Launcher fright leg] Frame: Medium Animal
Weapons 4, Evade 4, Athletics 4, Brawl 4 Extra Mag (for grenade launcher) Brain: Medium Intelligence
Increased Reflex (+4) Extra Mags x2 (for assault rifle) Programs: ProPersonnel,
Increased MA (+3) Extra Mag (MML right) Shadow/Track 4, Rifle 4, Tactics 4, Brawl 4
Gyro-Balancer Extra Mag (MML left) Increased Reflex (+3)
Storage Unit (4 grenades) Increased MA (+8)
PROTECTION—
Armor SP25 (all locations) PROTECTION—
EMP Hardened
Extra Life Support (96+24=120hrs) Chacmool Armor: SP12 (all locations)
Extended Life Support
Extra Battery (72+72=144 hrs)
Electronics & Sensors- Combat & Electronics & Sensors-
Military Comm Suite; Laser Designator
Laser Designator; Military Comm Unit
Optics (Targeting Scope, AntiDazzle) Security Optics (Targeting Scope, AntiDazzle)
Audio (Editing, EHR, Level Damper)
Audio (Editing, EHR, Level Damper)
Neural (WL, DL ML, AV Recorder) Cybercat Neural (WL, DL, ML, AV Recorder)
Compass/Locator
Motion Detector (70% effective)
Motion Detector (70% effective)
Radar Sensor (100m mg., 70% eff.) from Adrek Radar Sensor (100m rng., 70% eff.)
Chem. Analyzer (5m rng., 70% eff.) Chem. Analyzer (5m rng., 70% eff.)
Robotics
WEAPONS— 62,000eb WEAPONS—
RipperHand 1x21; GripFoot 1x2] RipperClaws [x4]
Grenade Launcher (Militech) [left MISSION: Area Security Assault Rifle (FN-RAL) [torso]
arm]; Assault Rifle (FN-RAL) fright INT 4 REF 11 BOD 5 Hellkat Missile Launcher [external}
arm] MA 16 SDP 15/20 Extra Mags x2 (for assault rifle)
Note on ProPolice
and ProPersonnel
programs:
These programming chips allow the
cyberform an encyclopedic knowl-
edge of security-related info or
police procedures
In the case of ProPersonnel, this
includes all people allowed to be
inside a restricted area, with finger-
print, retinal pattern, and coded-
question information. The chip usual-
ly carries a security charge that will
destroy this information should the
CSC be near destruction or capture.
ProPolice programming gives the
cyberform knowledge of search pro-
cedure, capture and restraint meth-
ods, guard skills, and recognition of
general (or selected) law enforce-
ment personnel.
These programs do not have a skill
level, as they are composed of data.
ProPersonnel programs are usually
updated biweekly.

"Max" PROTECTION—
Armor: SP12 (all locations)
CORPORATIONS
Police Extended Life Support HAVE HAD
Electronics & Sensors- DIFFICULTIES IN
Dog™ Military Comm Suite
Optics (Targeting Scope,
CASES OF
from Adrek AntiDazzle) NETRUNNERs USING
Audio (Editing, EHR, Level THEIR OWN CSC'S
Robotics Damper)
Option Suite (TE, LL, TH, UV, VS, AGAINST THEM.
62,000eb
WB) LIMITING
MISSION: Law Enforcement Neural (WL, DL, ML, AV NET-CONTROL OF
Support Recorder)
INT 4 REF 11 BOD 5 Compass/Locator CSC'S HAS DOWN-
MA 14 SDP 15/20 Motion Detector (70% effective) GRADED THIS
Radar Sensor (100m rng., 70%
Body— eff.) PROBLEM. NOW
Frame: Medium Animal Chem. Analyzer (5m rng., 70% MOST CSC'S REQUIRE
Brain: Medium Intelligence eff.) BOTH A COMPUTER
Programs: ProPolice,
Shadow/Track 4, Rifle 4, Tactics WEAPONS— COMMAND AND A
4, Brawling 4 RipperClaws [x4] HARDWARE "KEY"
Increased Reflex (+3) Sub-machinegun x2 (MPK-11)
Increased MA (+6) [torso] TO CHANGE PRO-
Extra Mags x4 (for SMG GRAMMING.
THE OPEN ROAD —

Legged Vehicles in Maximum Metal


by the Steely-eyed, Kenshiro-waIkin' staff of Solo of Fortune

ack when America was still a

B world superpower—in the


1950's, to be more precise—
an Army study declared about half
the world's land surface inaccessible
by conventional land vehicles.
Millions of taxpayers' dollars went
toward proving that steep, heavily
wooded, mountainous, or otherwise
rough terrain couldn't be navigated
by wheeled, tracked, or even air-
cushion vehicles—the nightmarish
Italian Campaign of WW2 has stood
as a testament to this fact. Mundane
craft are also stymied by dense
woods, swamps, jungles, rain
forests, glacier-carved hills and dev-
astated urban landscapes (which
can be found in abundance in the
21st century).
In the case of the North
American continent, troublesome
terrain is a shrinking problem thanks
to the deforestation of the great
Northwest and Northeast wood-
lands. However, all is not rosy for
"Pave the Earth" enthusiasts: Dense
ground pressure and ensure bal-
ance. Some Cyberwalks can even
deploy flywheel-driven tires for high-
er speed on paved surfaces; it's an
expensive option rarely available
from the factory. Some bipedal mod-
els have been sold on the civilian
market as "unique recreational
opportunities", while military, police,
rescue and corporate enforcement
sales have grown slowly but steadily.

Construction
SDP Range 20-200
(Max SDP per pair of legs = 50;
no minimum)
SDP Limits 5 SDP per space
SDP Cost 2,500eb per SDP
Spaces 4-40
Top Speed 40mph
on open ground, but at
reduced speed they can
go anywhere.
Range 200 miles
Mass 1 ton per 15 SDP
Ace/Dec 15mph/15mph
Handling -3

terrain abounds in the Rocky Since legged vehicles became Accessories: Cyberwalks require
Mountains, the Dakota Badlands, the practical only through the tandem- cybernetic control, so they come
Allegheny Mountains, the Ozarks, feedback processes of neural inter- equipped with cybernetic linkages.
the Southern swamps and the steep face, legged vehicles were eventual- By definition they are also off-road
hills of the Missouri Breaks. ly dubbed Cyberwalks. Typically, a capable. Cyberwalks which can
The same obstacle to all-terrain Cyberwalk's body houses the crew, deploy wheels from their legs (a.k.a.,
transport presents itself world-wide, armament, power plant, fuel and "Runabouts") add +33% to their
notably in Japan and Germany. With electronics, and is perched between base cost, can travel at 100mph
impenetrable (except by air or foot) two, three or sometimes even four over paved ground and can deceler-
land occupying so much of both pairs of powerful, mechanized legs. ate at 40mph/turn. Changing motive
over-technological nations, their The well established technologies of systems takes one turn, and the
respective military-industrial com- so-called "dogbrain" co-processors vehicle must be at a complete stop.
plexes had a vested interest in and expert systems bridged the gap Cyberwalks cannot add Composite
developing vehicles that could dom- between most Cyberwalks' multi- Armor, as they already have a spe-
inate these lands. Massive research legged locomotion and the bipedal cial lightweight version. They can
and development projects by both structuring of their pilots' grey mat- have as much armor as they have
nations (and rampant espionage by ter. In order to prevent the mass of SDP; this armor costs 5,000eb per
and against each other) ensued. the hull from causing undue wear on SP.
Powered armor was quickly cast the legs themselves (see Maximum
aside as a possibility—too slow, short Metal, page 59), the leg motors Mobility: Piloting a Cyberwalk falls
range, limited usefulness. Japan and employ at least triple redundancy under the "Operate Heavy
Germany's competitive experimen- and the hull is built from lightweight, Machinery" skill. Cyberwalks have to
tation and engineering inevitably high-strength composites. use the ACPA Environment Damage
resulted in the creation of those Cyberwalks use a combination of rules (Maximum Metal, pages 59-
devices popularized by fiction and myomers and magnetically-actuated 60). They count as weighing well
scoffed at by practicality: legged "hydraulics" for motive power, and over 960+ kilos, and have oversized
vehicles. their feet are oversized to ease feet.
Combat and Damage: Use the hit location table for rifles, 4mm railguns, rockets and missiles. NOTE: The
ACPA (Maximum Metal, page 6), counting Arm hits as U.S. government, who was late following the
Leg hits. Legs have 1/2 the SDP of the Hull, but equal Euro/Japanese design lead, has concentrated on a basic
armor. Treat the Hull as a normal vehicle hull to check experimental biped design with a mix of armaments, the
for specific damage effects on Hull hits. XML-20/21 series.
Bipeds have the following special construction para-
Bipeds: These Cyberwalks are the smallest (their legs meters:
can't support much mass), and the most unbalanced. SDP Range 20-50
Bipeds can't use Reactive Armor, since it would knock Spaces 4-10
the vehicle over when activated, and cannot use Auto- Range 400mi.
pilots (since it takes full concentration to retain balance). Mass 1 ton plus 1
Bipedal Cyberwalks are seldom armed; they're too ton per 25 SDP
unbalanced and light. But if you must, weapon possibili- Handling -1
ties include machineguns, miniguns, autocannon, the
20mm gatling (but not the 30mm gatling), the LATG All other construction stats are the same as multi-legged
37mm, grenade launchers, the 75mm cannon, recoilless models.

Sample C y b e r w a l k s :
Arasaka Manufacturing "Daikani"
Designed for urban combat, the Daikani ("great crab") is lightly armed, fast, and well equipped to handle
groups of soldiers, rebels, or rioters (Arasaka's favorites). Equipped with a Runabout system for high-speed
urban travel, the Daikani may soon be sold as a metropolitan police vehicle; trial runs are said to be taking
place in Detroit.
TOP SPEED 40MPH (K30MPH) MANEUVER -1
ACC/DEC 20/15MPH (20/40MPH) SDP 80(Booy4)
CREW 2 S.P. 40 (ARMOR 2)
RANGE 200 MILES TYPE CYBERWALK (4 LEGS)
PASSENGERS NONE MASS 3 TONS
CARGO NONE COST 1.1M EB

Special Equipment:
4 man-hours of life support, military radio, navigation system, infrared sensors, satellite Uplink, Shocker securi-
ty system, searchlight, antipersonnel grenade charges, runabout system.
Weapons:
7.62mm Minigun (with 4,000 rounds of ammo) in top-mounted turret, four fixed-forward 6-shot 2" rocket
pods.

Messerschmitt KPV-R "PanzerKraken"


Bristling with weapons and laden with armor, the PanzerKraken is a lumbering, super-technical gun platform.
Likened to a World War II armored car, the PanzerKraken succeeds where pre-millennium armor failed; in the
mental control of a good pilot, it can negotiate mountains and marshes alike.

TOP SPEED 30MPH MANEUVER -3


ACC/DEC 15/15MPH SDP 120 (Body 6)
CREW 3 S.P. 60 (ARMOR 3)
RANGE 300 MILES TYPE CYBERWALK (6 LEGS)
PASSENGERS 4 MASS 8 TONS
CARGO NONE COST 1.24M EB
continued on page 80
continued from page 79
Special Equipment:
4 man-hours of life support, mili-
tary radio, navigation system,
thermal imaging, amphibious.
Weapons:
20mm Catling in top-mounted
turret, 40mm Auto-GL in fixed
mount forward, 12.7mm MG in
articulated mount covering left
side and forward, 12.7mm MG in
articulated mount covering right
side and forward, +2 targeting
computers for the 20mm
Gatling.

Volkswalker
This is a bipedal, civilian model
Cyberwalk marketed mostly in the
EEC, rarely imported to America
due to skepticism and trade wars. It
is a two-seat, open-canopy vehicle
whose applications are almost pure-
ly recreational—the only other possi-
ble use would be short-range, low-
threat exploration, recon or perhaps
patrol. The Volkswalker is unarmored, but its carbon-fiber composite construction does afford it a meager 5SP.

TOP SPEED 40MPH MANEUVER -3


ACC/DEC 15/15MPH SDP 20(Body 1)
CREW 1 S.P. 5 (ARMOR 0)
RANGE 200 MILES TYPE CYBERWALK (BlPED)
PASSENGERS 1 MASS 650KG
CARGO NONE COST 52,500EB

Special Equipment:
Standard radio, navigation system, searchlight, cellular phone, crash control systems for driver and passenger.
Weapons:
None.

XML-2O Support Walker


ML-series construction consists of a 40-cubic meter hull, perched ostrich-like atop a pair of powerful, 4 meter
tall armored legs. In order to prevent vehicle mass from wearing out the legs, they (and the feet) are over-
sized. The composite hull is limited in the amount of armor protection available, and the center of gravity pre-
vents these vehicles from employing high-recoil heavy weapons. The protection, armament and mobility prob-
lems are sufficient to restrict the ML-series to being a heavy-weapons support unit.
Both the Army and Marines use ML-series vehicles: the XML-20 Support Walker and the XML-21 AT Walker
are deployed as rough-terrain backup for infantry and ACPA troopers. Neither has the armor to take on real AFVs,
or even heavy ACPA, directly; they hang back and provide fire support.
TOP SPEED 40MPH CARGO NONE
ACC/DEC 15/15MPH MANEUVER -1
CREW 2 SDP 40 (Body 2)
RANGE 400MI. SP 40 (ARMOR 2)
PASSENGERS NONE TYPE CYBERWALK (BIPED)

Special Equipment:
4 man-hours of life support, military radio, navigation system, thermal imaging.
Weapons:
20mm Catling and 7.62mm Minigun in fixed mounts forward, 40mm Auto-GL in articulated mount covering
left side and forward, 12.7mm HMG articulated mount covering right side and forward. +2 Targeting comput-
ers for Catling and Minigun.
The AT variant replaces the 20mm gat, Auto-GL, and HMG with 4-6 LATGMs.

In 1942, the
Messerschntitt Me-109
ruled the skies. Now,
the Messerschmitt KPV-
R "PanzerKraken"
rules the battlefield.

With enough fire-


power to level a
city and some of
the best armor
available, the
PanzerKraken is
the undisputed
master or the
land combat
arena. Its six leas, all with independent suspension, allow
it to traverse rubble and other hostile terrain that would
stop other AFVs in their tracks. Add to this fearsome
package a thought-control system, and the only thing that
could stop this monster is Godzilla. The PanzerKraken.
When it absolutely has to be conquered in under a
month.
Messerschmitt MGBH. Bonn, United Germany. Net Node 4822.28.1O9GD.
THE OPEN ROAD —
Maximum
Weaponry Expansions
for Maximum Metal
ver since mankind first devel- militaries, the tactical disadvantage of similar) burn swiftly, producing a great

E oped protective coverings to


ward off damage, an arms race
has existed between the development
rail guns was that they were good for
nothing except shooting other MBTs—
a larger caliber gun could also shoot
high explosive, anti-personnel and
deal of gas expansion for a very brief
period of time. This drives the shell for-
ward and out of the barrel. But the gas
expansion falls off very swiftly and the
of offensive weaponry and its ability to
penetrate armor, and armor's ability to specialty rounds. But rail guns were so only way to improve the amount of gas
defend its bearer. Late in the 20th cen- good at killing tanks that the major expansion is to increase the
tury, armor protection eclipsed powers went for them in a big way, and charge...too much charge, and the
weapons with the development of the smaller armies were forced to fol- gun can't hold it.
Chobham, the miracle composite that low their lead or get out of the way. Electro-thermal propulsion uses a
could resist shaped-charge rounds principle of sustained gas expansion.
and deflect most solid-core penetra- Electro-thermal The shell is loaded with a combustible
fluid, witch is ignited by a massive
tors. The result was a move to smooth-
bore weapons shooting even smaller
Propellant electrical charge. The charge converts
and more dense penetrators at higher Finally, a line of research pursued 30 the fluid to a plasma (a highly-ionized
speeds. years ago has yiellded significant gaseous state), at a controlled rate.
The problem was that there was results. Largely forgotten during the The result is that the plasma is
only so much that could be done with turmoil of the early years of this centu- increased as the shell moves down the
muzzle velocity; the propellents avail- ry, electro-thermal propulsion has barrel, with a correspondingly higher
able couldn't drive a shell any faster resurfaced as a viable military option, muzzle velocity, less stress on the bar-
without destroying the weapon. Of first in commercial firearms, then as rel, and surprisingly, reduced recoil! Of
course, rail guns didn't have this prob- military weapons course, the velocity is several times
lem, driving a tiny (by MBT-weapon The concept is fairly simple. the gun's design velocity (3000+
standards) slug at velocities approach- Conventional solid propellents (devel- feet/second for handguns, and up to
ing six kilometers a second. For many oped from gunpowder or something 7000+ feet/second for larger
weapons), so normal barrels would 20CM ET GUN: A big smooth-bore sion infrared seeking sensors for follow-
have the lands (rifling) stripped from cannon that throws double-price shells up missiles are now available.
them swiftly. The solution is to use (add the price of a normal shell to any The follow-up missile concept
smoothbores, already a common mili- calculations made for special war- works on the idea that if one missile hit-
tary practice. heads). This gun's stats are the same ting a target is a good idea, then several
Not every weapon can benefit as those listed for the 200mm how- missiles hitting the same spot on the tar-
from electro-thermal propellant. The itzer, but the gun costs 500,000 euro gets armor is a great idea. The missile
idea of using it in a low-velocity and has a maximum range of 45,000 firer shoots one missile and guides it to
weapon is ludicrous— why bother try- meters. the target At precise intervals after the
ing to speed up a shell that relies on lead missile is fired, secondary missiles
explosive power for effect? Only the launch (the number depends upon how
higher-velocity weapons can derive AS IF THE many the firer is willing to expend in a
any benefit from it, and only the big volley), one after another, and follow the
armor-piercers at that. Speeding up POPULARITY lead missile to the target Using high-
the shells from most autocannons OF THE NEW definition IR sensors, the missiles track
defeats their purpose, since those in and impact on the original impact site,
guns are usually made for attacking ELECTRO- in essence, burrowing into the targets
soft targets, not heavy armor. An armor.
APC/IFV with an autocannon and a
THERMAL GUNS Follow-up missile fuses/sensors add
missile launcher is advised to use the WASN'T ENOUGH, 10% to the cost of the missile, and may
missile launcher if facing something not be added to any other kind of mis-
that the autocannon can't handle.
JAPANESE sile (one you design a missile to "follow
Small-bore specialty weapons ELECTRONICS HAVE the leader," that's all it does). When a fol-
designed for anti-vehicle work are the low-up missile weapons system is
exceptions (the Barrett-Arasaka
MADE THE designed, each missile to be launched
20mm, the 30mm Galling, and the IMPOSSIBLE requires its own launcher—the lead mis-
37mm LATG). sile uses a normal launcher each follow-
POSSIBLE AGAIN up missile to be fired in a volley uses a
Electro-ther- cheaper launcher (same spaces, 50%
of launcher cost).
mal Artillery Follow-up Every follow-up missile weapons
For the most part, artillery is a low- Missiles system is designed with a set number of
velocity prospect, unworthy of switch- follow-up missiles launchers to be fired
ing to electro-thermal propulsion. As if the popularity of the new electro- along with the lead missile. If the lead
However, there is a benefit to design- thermal guns wasn't enough, Japanese missile hits the target, roll 1D10 for each
ing a gun just for e-tp, and that is to electronics have made the impossible follow-up missile: 1-4, missile hits the
throw huge shells a long, long way. possible again. The long-sought preci- same spot on the target; add 50% of its

Electro-Thermal Modified Weapons


Weapon WA Damage #Shots ROF Range Cost
Barrett-Arasaka Lt. 20mm +1 6D10AP (6) 10 1 750m 3800eb
30mm Catling +0 9D10AP (9) 1200 30 900m 37,500eb
LATG 37mm +3 9D10AP (9) 10 1 1200m 15,000eb
75mm cannon +1 10D10AP (10) 10 2 1000m 115,000eb
105mm cannon +1 15D10AP (15) 1 1 1500m 375,000eb
120mm cannon +0 19D10AP(19) 1 1 1900m 750,000eb
140mm cannon +0 24D10AP<24) 1 1 2250m 1.5M eb

All damages/penetrations listed are for armor-piercing discarding sabot. HEAT, HESH, and Beehive (fletchette)
rounds retain their normal damages and penetrations.

Ammo for electro-thermal weapons costs twice the normal ammunition price, no matter what the ammo!
penetration to the lead missile's! 5-9,
missile misses the exact impact site and HVY • +0 • N • R • 28D10AP (40mm gauss) • 50 • 1/2 • UR • 6 Mil eb •
hits the target somewhere else; roll loca- 20 spaces
tion of hit randomly and determine the
missile's normal penetration separately. Weapon W.A Damage *Shots ROF Range Cost
10+, missile misses the target altogeth- 4cm rail gun +0 28D10AP 50 1/2 1500m 6Meb
er. -1 if the target is stationary; +1 if the (Pen 30)
target is moving at over 300mph. If the
lead missile misses, all missiles miss. If
the lead missile is destroyed by reactive
armor, roll to see of any of the follow-up
missiles hit (as above, but with an extra
SUBSCRIBE NOW TO
+2 to each roll).
Example: A Militech MT-4 MBT is
successfully hit with an HATGM lead
missile. The missile hits the tank's glacis
plate (the front), and does Penetration 9
to Armor 8—not much. Then three other
follow-up missiles zing in, two of which
are destroyed by the MBT's AEAMS
defensive system. The one that gets
through pushes the Penetration up to
13.5, rounded down to 13. Compared to
the MT-4's Armor+Body of 20, at least
the impact has a chance of hurting the
tank. FIGHTING THE GOOD
Rail-gun FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS
Response
With electro-thermal guns and follow-up
missiles on the market, rail-gun makers
were faced with a quandary. The market NAME
for anti-tank weapons, dominated for so ADDRESS
long by rail-guns, would soon shift to
less-expensive weapons unless rail guns
CITY STATE ZIP
got better, fast With that in mind, I EC NETNODE
rushed development of superior mag-
netic recoil-damping systems and swiftly
put a newer, larger rail gun on the mar- FOR HOME DELIVERY, CHECK:
ket 2 Years 1 Year
IMPROVED RAIL-GUN RECOIL SYSTEMS: BILL ME (24 issues) (12 issues)
These add 20% (round down) to the D 52eb D 26eb 2ne class mail
amount of spaces a rail-gun takes up, PAYMENT D 100eb D 50eb 1st class mail
and adds 50% to the gun's cost. ENCLOSED D 66eb 0 33eb Overseas Surface
However, it lowers the vehicle tonnage (eb only) D 14Oeb D 7Oeb Overseas airmail
necessary to mount the gun by 50% (so D 24eb D 12eb email
a 1 cm gun can be mounted in a 20-ton
vehicle, for instance). Rail-guns still Make check, money order, or chip transfer payable to:
require tracked chassis, though!
4CM RAIL CANNON: This cannon SOLO OF FORTUNE
requires a tracked chassis of at least 70
tons to withstand the recoil generated. It SAVE 10eb Per Year Off Newsstand Price
already includes the recoil system
improvements noted above.
NEW FROM THE
SHOWROOM—

AV-11 Combat RANGE: 1060 MI Multi-targeting, Auto-pilot and


Aerodyne PASSENGERS:
CARGO: NONE
9 Navigation systems, Cybernetic link-
age, ECM, ECCM, Optics w/lmage-
MANEUVER: +3 enhancement, Telescopies and Low-

T
he new light troop/equipment
transport for the 2020's!! The SDP: 140 (Body 7) Light, Thermograph, Laser/Radar
AV-11 cargo bay can be con- SP: 45 (ARMOR 2) detectors, Military Radar with ter-
figured for equipment or troop han- TYPE: AV rain-following and Target ID systems,
dling in mere minutes. Just attach the MASS: 6 TONS Entertainment system (audio), Pod
seats to the retaining bolts on the COST: 3.5MEB wings
floors and the AV-11 is now ready for SPECIAL EQUIPMENT: WEAPONS:
that long-range penetration with your IR Baffling, Crash control systems Computer weapons sight (+4), 4x
black-ops team. (crew and pass.), Damage control, 20mm autocannon in articluated
Ejection seats x2, Environmental mounts (2x each side), 4x Hellfire
TOP SPEED: 405 MPH control, Chaff and Flare dispensers, missies, Painting laser in high-angle
Ace/Dec: 50/50 MPH Military radio w/Satellite uplink and turret, 12 spaces for pod-mounted
CREW: 2 scrambler, Microwave rangefinders, weapons
Bell Sandpiper It has quartz halogen headlights TYPE: MOTORCYCLE
flanking the front wheel, placed MASS: 144KG
rom the shape alone, it is obvi- directly ahead of the modular bank- COST:

F
12,380EB
ous that the Sandpiper is dif- angle sensors, and, to prevent
ferent—many people consider scrapes while cornering, the Sand- SPECIAL EQUIPMENT &
it a one-man, two-wheel sports car! piper has two horizontal-facing CONSTRUCTION:
It's an American design from the mini-wheels on each side of the Built-up chassis and stiffened
diversifying Bell corp (who special- body. frame (SDP 36); antilock brakes
ize in light aircraft), but they've built The bike also sports anti-lock (deccel +100%); high-power halo-
up the chassis to shift some of the disc brakes and its center-hub sus- gen headlamps; cybernetic con-
weight off traditional stress areas. pension is spring-loaded (which trol; smartlocked access (Diff
The frame and engine are connect- might help in a collision). The 20+); Shocker antitheft system;
ed at seven points to stiffen the Sandpiper is large and heavy for a passenger protection crash sys-
body and improve handling. motorcycle, with a very long wheel- tem (SP40 vs collision); civilian
The motorcycle is a recumbent base. All in all, a luxurious and environmental control.
design, with the driver fully unusual package from a company
enclosed by a forward-closing plas- which definitely bears watching. WEAPONS:
tic cockpit shield which operates on None
hydraulic arms. A roof is a fine thing TOP SPEED: 120MPH
when the rain is really pouring Acc/DEC: 18/60MPH NEW ITEM NOTES:
down, since even the best rain suits CREW: 1 Civilian environmental control:
don't help you in a real downpour RANGE: 400 MI 5OOeb, no space. This controls
(but then again, a roof can restrict PASSENGERS: NONE heat, cooling, and humidity, just
your vision). With a field of vision CARGO: 0 KG, NO SPACES like the normal environmental
this close to the ground, you feel MANEUVER: +3 control, but does not include the
like a speed demon even when SDP: 36 (Body 1) filters and gas protection of the
you're just coasting! SP: 0 (ARMOR 0) military model.
Mitsubishi neural-interface operating system, environment the chassis can get you
employing drive-by-light technology into.. .or out of
"Musashi" and enhanced fiber-optic camera TOP SPEED 50MPH
SWAT Mini- systems, allows one officer to oper- ACC/DEC 13/50MPH
Tank ate all mini-tank functions. The
Musashi can carry a team of cops
CREW
RANGE 200 MI
2

into danger with complete safety, or

I
n today's modern metropolis, PASSENGERS 5, OK
political dissidents, religious evacuate wounded with equal securi- CARGO 5 SPACES, 6500KG
fanatics and heavily-armed ty—and it packs enough punch to MANEUVER +2
cyberpsychos are almost constantly deal with corporate-operation threat SDP 200 (Body 10)
on the rampage. SWAT teams have levels. SP 100 (ARMOR 5)
faced increased danger from nihilist Its low-pressure 75mm cannon TYPE TRACKED IFV
terrorism, while corporate border can use a variety of ammo for all pur- MASS 8 TONS
skirmishes pose a serious threat to poses: fire foam, gas, fragmentation, COST 1,400,000EB
public safety. There is no room in this rubber buckshot, shaped-charge,
environment for the under-armed HESH, and proximity-fused anti-air SPECIAL EQUIPMENT:
cops of yesterday. Today's enforcers shells can be mixed in the 40-round Cybernetic linkage; auto-pilot and
need high-mobility firepower at the hopper. The computer autoloader nav system; military-level radio with
tactical level! can select the right shell for the job scrambler and satellite uplink; 8 IR
The well-prepared police force on command. The 10mm HIVE sys- smoke launchers; fire extinguisher;
will use the Musashi mini-tank to pro- tem, adapted from the ACPA weapon, environmental control; optics
tect their city's populace and face also does double duty (antiperson- w/image enhancement, light ampli-
paramilitary crime head-on. This nel/air-defense), mixing AP, rubber fication, thermograph, telescopies;
compact Mini-Tank is perfectly adapt- bullets, and explosive rounds (1/2 laser detector; simple security sys-
ed to SWAT-style urban combat tac- damage to SP or SDP, but double tem; armored searchlight; armored
tics, capable of fire-suppression, sup- damage for flesh). This weapon suite loudspeakers; multi-target system;
port, and even direct attack. A full allows you to master any situation or anti-personnel grenade charges
gun's recoil is small enough for use

THERE IS NO PLACE FOR THE on AVs, helicopters and aircraft as a


ground-attack weapon.
HVY • 0 • N • R • var. • (75mm) •
UNDER-ARMED COPS OF YESTERDAY. 10 • 1 • VR • 100K eb • 600m
TODAY'S ENFORCERS NEED range •4 spaces
Loudspeaker: 250eb, no space.
HIGH-MOBILITY FIREPOWER AT THE When you want to make yourself
heard, or just want the surrounding
TACTICAL LEVEL! countryside to hear your choice of
touring music. (Of interest to those
WEAPONS: zines in Hull, and the 10mm HIVE who don't want to hear your music:
Stabilized 75mm low-pressure/ has two magazines in Hull. loudspeakers are Small targets, and
velocity gun w/autoloader; stabilized have 5 SDP. Armored loudspeakers,
10mm HIVE; both in high-angle tur- NEW ITEM NOTES: as found on the Musashi, are 400eb
ret. +2 computer sights, laser 75mm Low Velocity Gun: Using low- and take 20 SDP before they
rangefinder. The 75mm has 3 maga- pressure propellant techniques, this stop working.)

The First Name in Robots & Cyber fun i is Presents:

The "LawDog" Remote /


Autonomous Patrol Draid-1!
The "LawDog" RAPD-1 is designed to patrol high-threat areas, such as prisons and urban centers, as well as high-
level crowd-control situations. The stock RAPD-1 unit is vaguely humanoid in configuration, with human-equiva-
lent senses. Cyberoptic/cyberaudio options are possible, at a 20% discount.

PERFORMANCE STATISTICS— OPERATING PARAMETERS—


Size: 2.1mT x 0.7m Dia; Weight: 375kg. RAPDs are remote-controlled by a human or AI
Limb Configuration & Equipment: system. Standard control range: 100km, which may
2x Manipulator Arms [SP=30 and SDP=30/40] be boosted. An interface link is optional [500eb; a
w/Militech Tasers (powered by internal batts.); +2 bonus to operating skills].
Avante P-1135 Needleguns (100 round mag);
Wolvers. The RAPD-1 has a highly advanced CPU/memory
Central torso SP=30 and SDP=40/50 w/Constitution system enabling it to operate independantly in lim-
Arms Deluge CCW (600 round mag). ited situations. It's not a true AI, but it is capable of
4x Legs [SP=15 and SDP= 20/35] taking certain actions (detaining unauthorized peo
RAPDs are equipped with Microwave/EMP pie or using specific combat tactics). This basic pro-
shielding standard. gramming allows it to recognize people and
objects, handle weapons, take orders, and so forth.
An RAPD has a functual REF of 6. Maximum Stock RAPDs have the capacity to store up to six
ground speed is 30kph. skill levels (for example Melee +3, Rifle +1, and
One extra magazine is carried for all weapons. All Awareness +2) in its memory. These skills are
integral and mounted weapons are treated as installed by inserting special skill chips. Each chip
smart weapons. is priced the same as a comparable skill chip.
All RAPDs have 4 external weapon mounts and
links (2x hips and 2x shoulders). Common RAPD-ls are typically assigned to patrol or guard
optional weapons for the external mounts include duties on autonomous mode. If a situation arises
the Constitution Arms Hurricane (200 round that is beyond the intelligence of an RAPD-1 to
mag), or the Constitution Arms Cyclone (300 handle, an operator will provide it with orders or
round mag). Crippling the central torso disables assume direct control.
the unit.

Current list price—125,000eb


See your nearest Adrek representative far details.
RAPDs - THE RAPID SOLUTION TO YOUR SECURITY NEEDS.
MEDICALLY ALERT—

DOWN: THE
NEW ETHOS OF
CYBERWARE
by Bill Sharpe

y eah, I remember the good old


days. Back around 2010,
maybe through 2015 or so.
Us old dogs who have been in
the business far too long remember
aren't a little bizarre, mind you.
Cyberware still had the glow of
something new and exotic back
then. And it was a brutal, violent
time. New corporations were begin-
had to be half machine just to be
competitive. It wasn't a question of a
little Kerenzikov booster, or a cyber-
eye for good night vision. Now it was
about squeezing every last piece
those days as the Metal years. I per- ning to consolidate their hold on machinery into your body. Three or
sonally was running around with an power; warring with each other for four limbs. Built-in weapons. Enough
artificial eye, two cyberlegs, and a resources and business. Society was boosterware to jump start a car.
cyberarm loaded with so many guns changing in ways that we didn't Nanotech. Skinweave. Interfaces. As
that all I had to do was drive near an understand, and life was cheap, fast as Raven Microcyb and Arasaka
airport to cause a security crisis. nasty, and often short. Neotech could release new cyber-
And I didn't even lose any limbs in Out of this time grew an odd ware, we'd be plugging 'em in, and
combat. Hard-boiled cybergrunts arms race. As the business of being making just a little bit more room in
refer to people like me as "elec- a Solo exploded, a strange kind of our thoracic cavity. Cyberware
tives," meaning that we chose to arms race followed. All these won- became a resume item. An adver-
have meat limbs removed and derful new toys were available, you tisement.
replaced with cybernetics. It was a could be faster...stronger...quick- Some of us got through the
fad, and it was a fad that sucked us er...deadlier than any all-meat per- craze allright. Some of us died in
all in. son. The problem was that your combat. For some of us, the toll was
The 'teens were a strange and enemy was plugging hardware into worth than death. Now, ten years
violent time. Not that these days his body as fast as you were, you after the fact, we understand many
of his way to dispatch enemies in
cruel ways. If he could get close and
use his hands instead of a weapon,
that's what he would do. He liked to
be close to see the last vestiges of
life drain out of his victims.
Sometimes I think he regretted hav-
ing artificial hands...they prevented
him from truly feeling the flesh dying
in his grasp. Then Red started killing
for the hell of it. At first he would try
to disguise it in the context of the
mission. This explosive went wrong
and took out some bystanders. That
was the wrong target—got to try
again. I took that guy out as a pre-
caution. The rest of my wet team and
I turned a blind eye because Red
was such a great combat asset. That
was how we though of him. Not as
another person, but as a combat
asset, like a piece of artillery. Then
. of the ways in which cyberware he went off in our face. On a night
affects us. At the time, we weren't infiltration against a riverine target,
EVEN AS THE sure what was happening. All we Red suddenly decided that the rest
knew was that some of us finally of us weren't up to his caliber, and
37MM ARMOR- went too far. One chip. One wire. we were jeopardizing the mission.
One 'weave over the top, and some- He decided that the only way to suc-
PIERCING SHELL thing critical in the human body is ceed was for him to go in alone. That
lost. The machine takes over, and made us expendable, and since we
KILLED WHAT the man is lost. Often forever. wouldn't agree with his plan, we had
LITTLE OF HIM I remember the first man I ever to be removed. Of the seven of us,
saw go cyberpsycho. His name was Red killed five. I barely escaped. Two
WAS LEFT, HE Red Jaymes, and he was my second days later I lead the heavy detail that
on an eight man wet-squad for a cor- tracked him down in Houston, Texas
KEPT FIGHTING. poration that I'd rather not name. where he was holding off three local
Red was South-Am vet, and he'd Tac Squads and a 'Borg-squad flown
ONLY AS I STOOD been behind a gun for as long as he in from Dallas. Even as the 37mm
OVER HIM AND could remember. The cybernetic armor-piercing shell went through
marketers had hooked Red on the his breastplate and killed what little
WATCHED HIS idea that the only way for him to stay of him was left, he kept fighting. Only
alive was keep plugging in more sys- as I stood over him and watched his
SYSTEMS SHUT tems and more upgrades. He was systems shut down did the light of
compulsive. "This the thing I need, humanity return to his eyes. And
DOWN DID THE man," he once said to me. "This is then he was dead.
the add that will put us over the top! I have heard many stories from
LIGHT OF No one will be able to stop us!" Soon friends who have had similar experi-
after installing a spinal Enduro-Pak, ences. And I have interviewed 'borg
HUMANITY Red started to lose it. There was just squads around the country about
RETURN TO HIS too much machine, not enough their experiences (see December,
meat, and that critical balance in his 2018 issue—Editor), yeah, I know of
EYES. AND THEN body was lost. He became some- guys who went over the edge and
thing that was truly less than human. were taken alive. They're too
HE WAS DEAD. I first noticed the behavior banged-up for meat replacements
. change when Red started going out and they're too crazy to take cyber-
netics again. They're just useless parking garage. She dropped flares
lumps of meat tied to cots with tubes to block her heat signatures, and
sticking into every orifice, or worse, noisemakers to confuse his audio.
Play
suspended in nutrient baths with Then she played hunt and peck;
nothing but their psychosis to keep striking quickly, taking out a little
Notes
them warm. chunk, then moving quickly. She had
It looks like the news has been an armor long-coat to deflect some Cyberpunk's combat system
spreading, though. In the last few of the shrapnel as Mr. Heavy Duty is designed so that in a high-pow-
years I've seen the tide begin to turn kept detonating entire cars. How'd ered campaign, a huge amount
a little, and I think that there are a of cybernetics is necessary to
few things behind it. First, too many survive combat. If you want to
of the surviving Solos have seen
their friends turn into mindless
SO, NEXT de-emphasize cyberware, and
bring your characters back
mecha-zombies. Nobody who has
seen it first-hand wants it to happen
TIME YOU GO towards humanity a little more,
try the following.
to them, believe me. But it was more
than that. A new sense of pride has
INTO COMBAT, Emphasize in role play just
how rare, and often—ugly, over-
grown in the second-generation
Solos, kids who weren't part of the
ASK YOUR- cybered people are.
Reward creativity and original
original cybergrunts in the South-Am
war, or part of those first heady days
SELF, JUST thinking in combat, and discour-
age the unimaginative, brute-
of the true freelancers. The new gen-
eration wants to prove that it's all HOW GOOD force approach.
If players are generating new
them; that it's all skill. The kids I
meet now might have a first level ARE YOU characters, allow them to trade in
some of their initial money for
booster, a cybereye, and a smartgun skill points, rather than spending
link. Just the basics to keep the WITHOUT THE it on cyberware. Possibly 1 skill
speed and alertness up. But the point per 100 euro.
heavy-duty hardware—metal arms TOYS? AND IF Award extra experience for
and legs, implanted weapons, body cool things accomplished without
plating—strictly passe. YOU WIN, cyber-assistance.
I've worked with some of the Play humanity loss and
second-generation Solos, and, from STOP, AND cyberpsychosis by the book.
what I've seen, the best of them
have the skills to back their stripped-
down chassis. They work on the
ASK YOUR-
basics: speed, athletic/tactical abili-
ty, and the skills to get off a good,
SELF AGAIN:
clean shot no matter how much EMP
is surging through the air. Four
WAS IT ME,
months ago I saw a woman who's
only cyberware was a smartgun
OR THE
socket, Sandevistan, and cyberop-
tics take down a guy who could have
MACHINERY?
stocked an M-5 battle tank with the
guns and armor implanted in his she get him in the end? Poison dart
body. How'd she do it? Brains. lodged in the meat section of the
Instead of taking the guy head-on, guy's wrist. Metal's no good if the
where she would have been alley- meat is dead, and she went straight
paint in about three seconds, she for the heart. Now that's subtle.
played to her strengths and the So, next time you go into com-
cyberman's weaknesses. Metal is bat, ask yourself, just how good are
slow, and easily detectable. She was you without the toys? And if you win,
like liquid shadow, leading the 'borg stop, and ask yourself again: was it
around though an underground me, or the machinery?
IPSC RANGE
REVIEW
IPSC Night City: Heywood outdoors range
By Jan Brett

Falling Solos" has, I'm sure, been com- accurate kill though the glass is hard.

I
've shot on a lot of ranges, but one
of the overall toughest is the range mended for his efforts. (Tires are small [-41 targets, while the
at Heywood. 900 meters of soft Not far after that is one of the first of driver has total cover).
sand pathway through rough terrain, several carefully disguised pit traps. Past another pit trap is probably the
forty targets, and some of the strangest These aren't all that deep, but they are single most dangerous target: the
obstacles I've seen. wide, filled with soft sand, and hard to Sniper. When you start the course, they
The Heywood range is run by the see till you're almost on top of them warn you that there is a single target
Night City IPSC club; a more demented (20+ vs Awareness/Combat Sense to which failure to neutralize will disqualify
and technically oriented bunch I've detect, 25+ to detect in time to avoid you from the match. This is it The first
rarely seen. The outdoors range (they falling in w/o an Average Athletics test). shot from the Sniper will always miss;
also have an indoors range in Night City A little bit farther down the road you but if it hits you after that, you are out of
proper, out near the docks) is only a come to a fairly wide stream, with a rick- the competition. Hitting the Sniper can
stones-throw from the Militech Proving ety old contraption that they say is a be a royal pain, as it's far away, and
Grounds, which forms a nice back drop; rope bridge—and that I say is a hazard to carefully concealed on the ridge.
it also means that on occasion the Night life and limb. Still, it's better than swim- Down past the Sniper is a Malay
City club gets to use Militech's training ming, even if they do have a Gunner set stick trap known as the "Ugly Stick". It's
grounds, which, I am told, are a blast up to shoot at you once you've started padded so it won't really hurt, but it can
The overall shoot changes from across the bridge (20+ vs Athletics to certainly knock the wind out of you if it
time to time, but what I've described cross, or 15+ vs Swimming; attacks on catches you (20+ vs Awareness/
and mapped below is one of the more target are at -3 in either case). Combat Sense to avoid, Stun Save at -3
common scenarios, you start with a fair- About 30 meters down the road, and 1D6 bruise damage otherwise;
ly simple qualifying shot; fifty meters, if you'll probably be surprised to see a turns stunned equals damage taken).
you can't shoot that with a pistol, you minisub surfacing out of the water, with After that is a rapid-fire shoot; five
probably shouldn't be competing, from it's deck-gun pointed right at you! The targets, all under 30 meters; the idea is
there you go to a set of three targets, all U-boat is a mock up of an I EC MSV-13, to hit them all before they can open fire
fairly distant, and then the first of the complete with a gunner on the back. (double time penalty for hits incurred
pop-ups. Next is a hostage set-up The deck gun is really a fully automatic here).
called "Isstvan's Hut"; careful, one of paintball gun; pretty scary concept. Then it's the part I really hate: the
those targets shoots back! IPSC; Night The next threat is a lot more swimming. If God meant us to swim,
City has got a bunch of targets they call mobile; a remote controlled Panhardt she would have given us gills...and not
gunners; they're basically pop-up tar- UCV, complete with splatter-shell the cyber-variety. Anyway, you have to
gets with IR/radar targeted splatball grenade launcher! What's even worse, swim about a hundred meters, and all
guns; they don't hurt you, but each hit is although disarming the vehicle isn't that the while they've got another one of
a penalty; precious seconds you can ill- hard (just "kill" the gunner), you have to those auto-splatball guns spraying all
afford. After that is a trio of gunners, fol- deal with the driver (also a target), as it around you. Then, almost right after
lowed by a steep incline that is hard to tries to run you down! Supposedly, the you get out of the water, up pop three
get down safely (25+ vs Athletics task; real driver (safe in a control booth on more gunners, all at real close range.
fail means fall for 1D6 bruise and the bluff) has never actually hit anyone, YOU scramble back up the rock
1D6/2 rounds to get back up); the wag but I don't think it's for lack of trying. face...it's a little less steep here, but
who put up the sign that says "Caution; Me, I usually aim for the tires; getting an still a pain (20+ vs Athletics, failure
means lose 1D6/2 turns while you try
again; Critical failure means you got to
the top before falling back down; 1D6
bruise damage, lose 1D6 turns).
Now you enter the "Urban" part of
the run; "Los Villas de la Targetas,"
which, I am told, is absolutely lousy
Spanish (and even worse French), for
"The Village of Targets." The target
scheme differs almost weekly, and,
since each of the buildings is fully-fur-
nished, you sometimes have to do
room by room sweeping (worst was
when they had a mini-mortar on the
roof of the tallest building lobbing
paint grenades on you; you had to
fight your way up the building to neu-
tralize it or you got lobbed at through
the whole rest of the run).
Down the run a bit is a classical
"idiot ambush" (you know, two idiots
on opposite sides of the road, each
with guns—you drop to the ground and
they shoot each other), only these two
you still have to shoot (apparently they
have paint-proof vests). From there is
an assassination scenario; you have to
shoot the black target while avoiding
all the white ones (hits on white targets
are a 15 second penalty apiece; go
ahead, mow 'em down).
After a nasty sniper job (you have to
hit this target; no penalty other than the
time you take, but you can't go on until
you kill it) and a trio of vanilla pop-ups,
is the most bizarre obstacle of the run.
As you round the corner of the bluff,
you come face to face with a bloody
three-and-a-half meter-tall dinosaur! right; Rex there "eats" you, and you get Contact Alex D'everaux at (666)
No, not a real one. It's another bumped from the competition. At least 718-2296 (fax, net, or comm) for
remote, cooked up by some techie the blinkin thing doesn't breathe fire... membership information and times
friends and members of the club. But After all that, you're all clear...or of operation.
from 55 meters away (where it starts are you? Quick count...thirty-eight tar-
out), you really can't tell the difference. gets. But they said forty, didn't they? Scoring
The thing stands there and roars at yep. The last two gunners pop up in
you for a while (one combat round), the last 100 meters of the run; 25 notes
then lumbers menacingly towards you meters behind you! If you aren't sharp,

S
coring is based on completion
(at a rate of 15m per combat round). you can get pegged several times time, which is how long it took
The thing is, with an Impact Rating before you realize what's up. Pretty you to run the course, plus any
of 16, this critter is hard to kill; one of sneaky. penalties incurred. Each combat
those times where carrying a larger All in all, a tough course. I can see round past the first is added into the
caliber gun as my competition piece why the Solos that come out of Night time (for instance, if a shooter spends
might be a good idea. And you haven't City are plenty tough and smart; the four rounds at target #34, they will
got much time; if it gets within five good ones all spend time on this add an additional half-minute to their
meters of you, you're dead. That's course. time).
Completion Chart is subtracted (hot and sweaty armor). If a
shooter fails any endurance test they
MA TIME are at a (cumulative) -1 on all actions,
01-04 10 minutes and move down one on the completion
05-07 8 minutes, 20 seconds chart, unless they spend (1D6/3) min-
08-10 7 minutes utes to stop and rest
11-13 6 minutes, 30 seconds
14-15 5 minutes Tripwires
What Jan doesn't mention are the trip-
Because of the loose, sandy surface, MA 15 is the fastest speed that can be wires. Located at different points along
maintained for any length of time. the trail are very fine trip wires, carefully
painted to blend with the surroundings,
Penalties these wires are a 25+ vs Aware-
Missed pop-up target 30 sec ness/Combat Sense feat to detect
skipped target 90 sec before you are tripped by them.
shot fired past "kill" 05 sec Shooters tripped may make a (20 vs
per paintball hit 10 sec Athletics) feat roll to prevent themselves
per micro-missile/genius round used 20 sec from falling face-first into the ground,
hitting a hostage 60 sec suffering 1D6 bruise damage and an
extra (1D6/3) rounds delay while you
Target Definitions get back up. Of course, by moving
down one on the completion chart
Target: a man-sized white target equipped with special gear to make it give off (moving slower, not running full tilt), you
a thermal signature identical to that of a human (so it can be locked onto with ther- can increase the chances of finding the
mal targeting and micro-missiles). wires to a 20+ vs Awareness/Combat
Pop-up: Pop-ups are targets with a limited engagement time; after (1D6/2) Sense roll. The tripwires aren't marked
combat rounds, they fold back down or away, and the "pop-up target missed" on the map because the number and
penalty is assessed for that target locations change all the time. On any
Gunner: Gunners are pop-ups that shoot back; each is equipped with a limit- given day there will be D10 wires,
ed auto-targeting paintball gun; they are treated as having (Initiative: 11+D10, placed as the Referee desires; favorites
Attack; 9+D10, ROF: 3, Shots: 9, UR). They will not aim, semi-randomly spraying are right in front of the pit traps...(2D6
paint shells everywhere, (of course, these guns could be replaced with real ones, if real damage if a person falls into a pit
someone was feeling vicious, or for an especially high stakes competition; stats trap head first).
would be the same, but ROF: 15, Shots: 45, Damage: 2D6+1 ).
Hostage: Hostages are pop-ups of a criminal with hostage; the shooter must Increasing lethality
hit the criminal without hitting the hostage; this will usually require a Called Shot to The Heywood course is difficult and gru-
the head (at a -4 to hit). eling, but not especially lethal. Most of
Autogunner: these are similar to the gunners, but aren't pop-up (they stay till the competitors are there to have a
you kill them). They sit behind a remote-operated, fully-automatic paintball gun with good time, or for training, not to get
a hopper full of ammo (Initiative: 9+d10, Attack: 8+D10, ROF: 30, Shots: 150, UR). killed for other's amusement However, it
Once again, these could be replaced with real guns; probably old M-60's. wouldn't be hard to turn this course into
Grenadiers: These use a semi-automatic low-pressure grenade launcher (more a real death trap; just replace all the
like a riot gun) firing Splatshells (Chrome 2, pg.47). Stats are (Initiative 9+D10, paint guns with real guns, take off the
Attack 6+D10, ROF 3, Shots 15, ST); like the Autogunner, these will continue to padding on the Ugly Stick and replace it
engage until neutralized. Of course, the grenades could be switched. with a big blade (say 5D6 damage, AP as
Sniper: There will usually only be one sniper on the course at a time. Any knife), fill the pit traps with water, or flam-
shooter hit by the sniper is automatically disqualified; out of the show. The first shot ing gas, or punji sticks, you get the idea.
from the sniper is programmed to always miss (to be "fair"). Stats are; (Initiative: As designed, the Heywood course
13+D10, Attack: 12+D10, ROF: 1, Shots: 10, ST). The Sniper will continue to fire till is almost infinitely modifiable; you can
it's out of ammunition. add remotes, more robo-dinos (or other
critters), PA suits, more targets, whatever.
Endurance Tests The course changes frequently; the
Running in loose sand is hard; running full out (and maintaining full accuracy) is even designers, in fact, have a competition to
harder. At each of the circles on the map, the shooter must make a test vs BOD; the see who can come up with the most
Difficulty number is listed in the circle; Endurance skill is added, but a character's EV challenging (but non-lethal) course .
Target List Weapon Notes
Below is a listing of every target on the course, the range (usual) to them, and IPSC weapons are divided into three
whether they are behind partial (P), total (T), or no (O) cover, as well as the type, basic categories: Minor, Major, and
and any notes. Extreme calibers. Each category is
based on muzzle energy (damage
TARGET # RANGE COVER TYPE NOTES done), as follows:
1 50m O target
2 25m P target Minor Caliber: 2d6+2 or less 1
3 35m P target Major Caliber: 4d6 or less 2
4 30m P target Ext Caliber: over 4d6 4
5 10m P pop-up The last number is impact rating;
6 25m P pop-up this is used to determine equivalency
7 15m P pop-up for targets like the cyber-dino, which
8 25m O hostage Isstvan's Hut require more than one hit To determine
9 25m O gunner how many rounds of a given category
10 15m O gunner are needed, divide the Impact rating of
11 20m P gunner the target by the Impact rating of the
12 20m O gunner round in use (example; cyber-dino has
13 15m P gunner Rope Bridge an Impact rating of 16; this means it
14 20m T autogunner U-Boat would take 4 Extreme, 8 Major, or 16
15 10-65m P grenadier Panhardt moves at Minor caliber hits to neutralize it).
MA:25; will not get
The Heywood run is geared
closer than 10m
towards pistols and sub-machine guns
16 40m T Sniper shooter disqualified if
(even SMGs suffer a 2 minute penalty in
sniper hits; first shot
most cases because of their longer
always misses
range); Assault rifles and other heavy
17 25m O pop-up
weapons aren't allowed, both because
18 20m O pop-up
of the chances of injury to other con-
19 20m O gunner
testants and the gross imbalance of fire-
20 20m O pop-up
power involved. Micro-missile launch-
21 25m O gunner
ers are allowed (either in integrated
22 40-65m P autogunner
weapons or as under-barrel devices),
23 5m O gunner
but a stiff penalty is assessed for their
24 10m O gunner
actual use (because it is the weapon,
25 10m O gunner
not the shooter, doing the work).
26 5m P gunner Los Villas de la Targetas
IPSC weapons are not cheap; most
27 15m O gunner
will run 5,000eb and up, and generally
28 15m O gunner
aren't suitable for duty carry due to the
29 15m O hostage
advanced (and somewhat fragile)
30 50m O pop-up
optics, smartgun arrays, COTs, and
31 10m O gunner Idiot Ambush
other large and fragile gadgets hooked
32 10m O gunner
up to them. They are, however, very reli-
33 30m O pop-up Assassination
able, accurate, fast, and lethal.
34 70m O target Sniper; cannot contin-
ue run until target is
neutralized Competitors are dying
on the Heywood
35 20m O pop-up
range! One got
36 25m O pop-up mauled by the Dino,
37 25m O pop-up another cooked by
38 25m O CyberDino Requires multiple hits acid rounds from an
to neutralize autogunners. yet an-
39 25m O gunner Backstab; Awareness/ other died after losing both feet to a
Combat Sense vs 25 monowire tripwire. The players have to
or surprised figure out who's behind the mur-
40 25m O gunner ders. . .or they may be next
I've trained since birth for

HIRING any kind of ACPA mission.


Drop an electronic note to
Cody P. Box 5573 Night City.
CA for list of qualifications.

HALL There's A Storm


Coming.
Adventure, Information, and Classifieds for
the Professional Corporate Soldier

MILITECH NEEDS ARASAKA Help


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