(My thanks to Raven for letting me use his grav-packs; this has always been one of my favorite postings...
)
One of the great deals that Paladin Steel made with its corporate allies was the one made with Kera-Tech, particularly licensing rights to the KT-IBP-1 Jump Pack, an anti-gravity leap-assist/flight pack with accessory expert systems that turned an infantryman into a super-mobile fighter. The units quickly became a favorite of the GNE Rapid Response Forces, especially in the hilly terrain of New England, and the Airborne forces, becoming standard equipment of the paratroopers. With the ability to move swifty and quietly over rough terrain, able to carry the overburden of a warrior’s equipment, and providing extra sensor capabilities and even automatic defensive fire, the KT-IBP-1 is an all-in-one infantry fighting system. Naturally, it became the basis of a series of specialized variants in the hands of Paladin Steel engineers, who sought to improve on the design for various special missions, without diminishing the basic strengths of the original Jump Pack.
KT/PS ISP-2 Infantry Sensor Pack (Original KT-IBP-1 and stats courtesy of the Raven)
“The Ee-Es-Pee Two or ‘Snooper’ as we call it is one impressive tool...gives you wrap around sensory capabilities, wide-spectrum data inflow, and easy-to-edit feeds, so you don’t get overwhelmed by alot of unnecessary gobbledy-gook on your helmet HUD. The whole thing’s packed into a heavy-duty megadamage no-corrode plastic pack that’s insulated and cushioned to take a helluva beating--you wouldn’t believe how many millions in electronics the test-apes busted in trials to get to this point---This thing has better sensors than a Pathfinder, and is a pointman’s delight!
Make no mistake, though, I don’t ever believe that the Snooper will, or should, ever replace the all-important brain and senses of the person wearing it....No matter how brilliant the hardware, if the dumbass using it isn’t aware of its limitations and works around them, he’s as dead as if he were blindfolded, gagged, and deaf...”
---Major Reginald Bunco, 5th California Jump Infantry Brigade.
“Tell me again why the heck we’re running around this field in the dark with the Sensor Pack?”
“Because I lost Kathy’s ring, that’s why! I’m a dead man if I don’t have it tonight! Now check those MAD readings again, it’s gotta be here somewhere!”
“Great, eight hundred kay tactical sensor system, and we’re using it to find lost jewelry...What next, hunting for loose change?”
“Shut up...”
The KT-ISP-2 is a special sensor-equipped version of Kera-Tech’s breakthrough KT-IBP-1 Infantry Battlepack “Jumper”. The ISP-2 was developed at the behest of Paladin Steel and the Vermont Free State, the biggest users of the Battlepack series outside the CTE(with their own version of the Paratrooper OCC; the standard-issue EBA of the VFS Regular Army comes equipped to accommodate Jump-Packs). Under the requirements of their Scrier Initiative, PS wanted to co-develop infantry-portable sensor systems that could stand up to the rigors of battlefield abuse, and still function reliably, a must for combat in the varigated terrain of New England, where the folds in the terrain rendered vehicle sensors less than effective. Kera-Tech, already turning an eye to similar problems in the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountain regions, agreed.
The ISP-2 resembles the standard IBP-1 in that it is a compact, contra-gravity-propelled, micro-fusor-powered one-man lift vehicle, intended to carry a single infantryman and his equipment across the battlefield.. However, in place of the two weapons fitouts, the ISP-2 mounts two sensor turrets. The onboard sensor suite of the IBP-1, already impressive, has been substantially beefed up, with the addition of extra systems, and an onboard micro-chip Artificial Intelligence system. This advanced expert system is programmed to make the most efficient, effective, and relevant spot anaylsis of gathered information, grade it according to programmable parameters of threat/mission imperatives, then present the findings to the pack operator thru an HUD or direct-neural feed. This has led to the pack sometimes being called the ‘Cereberus’ or ‘Fido’ for its ‘double-headed’ ‘watchdog’ functions.
The ISP-2 also has a basic EW function, being able to scramble and jam enemy transmissions, though with nowhere near the efficiency of a dedicated EW platform(it’s rumored that these will be remedied by the development of the EWP-3 and FCP-4).
The ISP-2 still retains its high speed and mobility, however, as well as its ability to act as a weapon power-source.
Type: ISP-2
Class: Specialized CG Pack(Uses Pilot CG Pack/Jetpack to for flight)
Date of Introduction: 109 PA
Crew: One
MDC/Armor by Location
Pack 60
Periscope 20
Sensor Turret 30
Main Body---Body Armor of the wearer
Height: 35.5 inches
Width: 18 inches( 36 inches with sensor turret fins fully deployed)
Length: 10.6 inches
Weight: 90 lbs
Cargo: In addition to the weight of the wearer, the pack can support up to 100kg(220 lbs) in flight. Note that the user can still use handheld weapons with ease. There is also a large pocket mounted on the bottom of the pack for storage.
Powerplant: KNC-10 Nuclear Power Cell w/ one year energy lifespan
Speed: 150 MPH with a maximum altitude of 500m(1640 ft). Can be dropped from 5km(3.2 miles) with complete control over the descent.
Cost:800,000 credits
Systems of Note:
*Mini-Radar -------12 mile range, track/ID 25 targets, can backtrack artillery and projectile fire.
*Lidar---Laser Scanner---A laser ‘radar’ that is unaffected by ECM jamming, but is limited by smoke and atmospheric conditions. 7 mile range
*Laser Rangefinder and Illuminator---’Paints’ or designates targets for assault with laser-guided weapons. 7 mile range
*Optics---InfraRed, Thermographic, Image-Enhance, Telescopic, Low-Light---2 mile range
*Optics Mast-3 ft extension
*Motion Detector---3,000 ft; can work through thin wood or plastic walls.
*Parabolic Microphone---Can pick up on normal conversation from 3500 ft away, and can pick up on low- and high-frequency sounds. .
*Seismic Sensors---Requires inserting a wired ground probe into the ground, or attach a ground contact plate to detect seismic events, or underground movement. Effective range: 9,000 ft. On metal surfaces/inside vessels, this system can allow the user to listen in on conversations and noises transmitted through the ducts and metal work.
*Magnetic Anomaly Detector/EM Probe---Can detect the presence of metal objects, magnetic fields, and electro-magnetic activity. Range: 2,000 ft
*Kirallian Scanner: Also called the "Fuzz Scanner" because the blurry
image-read-outs that the system gives. The Kirallian Scanner is an adaptation of the SNARLS system, in use in Japan. Paladin Steel has its own version, based off of early Lazlo Agency hardware designs for PPE scanners. This system is a combination
Range: 300 ft in a 120 degree arc. 50% effectiveness beyond that, out to 600 ft
Displays a percentile number indicating estimated degree of accuracy regarding ID readings, and can ID up to 2,500 various creatures, beings, and entities. Will clearly register high levels of PPE, and can detect the presence and location of invisible beings(with the exception of vampires in mist or animal form) after the first round of engagement(roll initiative normally after that).
See Rifts: Japan for more details.
*EW Suite---A fairly basic radio jammer that can jam civilian band radio communications with 70% efficiency, military communications with 50%. Range: 1 mile
*Combat Recorder---Records everything the sensors pick up; can be erased with the flip of a concealed switch(if destruction of the pack is not an option to keep information from falling into the wrong hands)
*Onboard Artificial Intelligence---The operator’s ‘second head’, this expert system is constant sifting through all the information flowing in, looking for patterns, so the ‘pack operator doesn’t become overwhelmed by data overload. This gives the ‘pack operator a +10% to Detect Ambush and Detect Concealment rolls, and a +1 to initiative, and a +2 to dodge, for the first melee, if ambushed.
*E-Clip Recharger----Can charge one e-clip an hour, by tapping the ‘pack’s nuclear power cell
*Weapon Power Connector---Rather than use an E-clip, a handheld weapon can be hooked up directly to the power cell for effectively unlimited shots. Note that the Connector CANNOT be used at the same time as the E-clip Recharger.
Weapons Systems: None
Kera-Tech/Paladin Steel KT-IPXP-7 ‘Refresher’ Logistical Contra-Gravity Jump Pack (Raven...don’t kill me...but it had to be done in my opinion)
“Hard left! (BOUNCE)Watch your flank, Grover!(BOUNCE)Malcolm! Incoming at five o’clock!(BOUNCE)(BOUNCE) Mazani, how are you holding? Is it powered up yet!?”
“(BOUNCE) Power level holding, sir! Temperature rising(BOUNCE)! It will be set to blow(BOUNCE) soon! Just give(BOUNCE) me a few more minutes! Three more!(BOUNCE) Sir!”
“You hold that power, Mazani!(BOUNCE)You hear that, apes? (BOUNCE) We set in three!(BOUNCE) Hold formation and keep Mazani covered!”
(BOUNCE)(BOUNCE) “Yo! You can count on us, sir!”
(BOUNCE)”We’ll be ready!”(BOUNCE)
“HOL---(BOUNCE)--Watch it! INCOMING!”
(BOUNCE)*BAM*BAM*BAM*(BOUNCE)(CRUNCH)(BOUNCE)
“Pukin’-----GIVEMEATARGET!!!!”(VEEPVEEP)
“MAZANI! LOOK OUT! RAIL GUN ON YOUR EI******WHOOOOOOOOSSSHHH!!!!******DAMMIT!!!!”
“Python AWAY!!! EATTHATF*****R!(BOUNCE)(SLIDE)”
“MAZANI! What’s your status!?”
(BOUNCE)”I’m......Okay! Thanks, Hersh!”(BOUNCE)
“Almost there, sir! Almost there!”
“DAMNASS&*&(*^&&*%#!!LEMMEAT”EM!!!!”
(BOUNCE)”Chill out, Grover! Mazani’s okay! We’ll be set to go in one!”(BOUNCE)(BOUNCE)
(BOUNCE)(BOUNCE)(SLAM)(SCREECH)(BOUNCE)*ZIP!ZIP!*
*DING*
*FWEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeee*
“READY!!!”
“CLOSE RANKS! LAND AND BRACE! ON THE DECK!BARRIER FORMATION!GUNS OUT AND HOT!!!”
“ALRIGHT!”
“THERE SHE BLOWS!”
(BOUNCE)Crunch(BOUNCE)WHUMP(BOUNCE)THUD(BOUNCE)crunchclattercrunch
“Brew’s up!”
Clinkclinkclinkclink”Alright, guys! Captain, here you go...two sugars, right?”
“Ahhhh...”
“Hersh...got you a new ‘Star Trek’ mug...Grover? That’s with cinnamon, okay? Couldn’t find any veska root...Say when....”
“Oh, bliss...Klatchian White Mountain....”
“No cream for me, thank you, I gotta watch my diet...”
*BEEP*
“Okay! Biscuits are ready!”
“Ye GODS! You’re too good to us..”
(POW)(POW)(POW)
WHAMWHAMWHAMWHAMWHAM*(gah!)*WHAMWHAMWHAM
“And KEEP your f*****g heads down, ya germs! We’ll get to you when we’re good and ready!...NO appreciation for civilization!...Pass that Tri-Tops buttter, will you, please?”
“Sure thing, dude...napkin?”
“Never stand between a GNE Marine and a hot meal....those who try...die”
“Most beings get very upset when you stand between them and their meal..”
“Martha Stewart never had to dodge tactical nukes and serve up brownies at the same time----that’s the true test of grace under pressure.”
“A hungry soldier will eat anything, but only if it is properly prepared. If it is not, then the one responsible for food preparation is only helping the enemy through his negligence.”
“Finger sandwiches do NOT use real fingers---at least not in THIS army.”
“A little common courtesy, warm drink, good food, and fine china can calm a nervous recruit, energize a tired veteran, defuse a tense situation, and unwind a hostile prisoner. “
“Good soldiers win wars. Good cooks win hearts. The two are not mutually exclusive.”
“A little warm tea can keep cold death away.”
“Never underestimate the power of mustard...”
“Sighted Grub...Sank Same.”
---Words to Live By: sayings from the GNE Combat Cooking School Training Manual #14
A recent, and most welcome, addition to the Kera-Tech line of gravity-packs and universal military service logistics in the PanAmerican corporate alliance, is the KT-IPXP-7 ‘Refresher” CG-Pack, described as being a ‘PX in a backpack’ or a ‘flying yatai’. Recognizing that morale goes hand in hand with armor and armament as among the most important things a military formation can carry with it into combat, PS saw the incredible potential of Kera-Tech’s reliable CG-packs to provide for their infantry’s needs in a unique manner. One of the most important morale-building tools is food...well-fed troops have the energy to fight, and good cause to go on living and fighting for a high standard of living. While the average GNE military being is quite well fed, though, sometimes a constant diet of cold rations, and room temperature YumYumPacks just isn’t enough. To show that they truly care about the plight of the footsoldier who, hunkered down in a bunker or crawling through the kudzu, just wishes for a hot meal to remind him of why he’s doing all that, the GNE Joint Military Planning Staff authorized the development of the IPXP-7, a one-man mobile lunchwagon, taking comfort to the front lines where it’s most needed.
The IPXP-7 carries, in lieu of heavy weaponry, a highly compact set of food preservation, preparation, and serving equipment. The back is dominated by a massive samovar, looking like a highly decorated missile, that in reality hides a set of special water canisters, one a large hot water reservoir, the other a cleverly concealed coffee percolator. Both reservoirs are specially insulated and equipped for either piping hot or near freezing cold and ready to serve water. Special superconductive cooling coils and plasma induction heating coils insure that foodstuffs are quickly and safely cooled or heated. Next to the massive cistern is a small microwave oven on a swingout arm. On the other side is a similar arm, holding a small locker-sized refrigerator. Cargo space and holding racks are devoted to holding all manner of double-sealed foodstuffs, condiments, cooking utensils, spare mess kits, and other tools of the trade.
The IPXP-7 has met with the wholehearted approval of all of GNE’s military, who had the pack rushed into universal service. The Caffeine Fiends of The Zot gave it their shaky Thumbs Up, for ‘delivering a fine cup of java under the worst combat conditions, including orbital thermonuclear bombardment’, and PSW’s elite Homeguard units can’t get enough of them, especially now with coffee and cocoa flowing in trade from South America again(courtesy of The Zot and trade alliances with the Inca). Even the teetotalers of New England give it high marks for brewing up a fine cup of tea, that one can spike for added vitamins, not to just add flavor to dirty warm water.
Because of the specialized nature of the IPXP-7 and the dangers of preparing food badly for squads of exceedingly well-armed soldiers, the packs are trusted only to soldiers with proven cooking skills---typically specializing in a food-service MOS, in addition to their basic combat training. IPXP-7s are typically assigned one to a platoon, where possible, as part of their support elements.
With the success of the early models of the IPXP-7 using ‘mundane’ technology clearly showing the popularity and promise of the design premise, Paladin Steel decided to go it one further, and introduced their modified IPXP-7(TW), which further modifies the samovar and percolator with dimensional pockets(courtesy of TW engineering) for keeping separate quantities of liquids(water, hot beverages, juice, etc..). The freezer has also been modified to become a dimensional pocket TW ‘superspace’ for jamming in more capacity. The IPXP-7(TW) has proven just as successful, but is rather more expensive to produce, and many troops who disdain magic and TechnoWizardry will not go near anything that has been processed through one of these modified systems....though more often than not, at battle’s end, hunger and fatigue win out over prejudice, and most soldiers frankly don’t give a damn if their barbequed squab were heated over an electric coil or a mystic flame.
The IPXP-7 has the distinction of being one of the more ‘colorful’ pieces of military equipment in GNE service. Rather than the drab service-issue colors normally associated with the standardized grav-packs, the IPXP-7 is often individualized by unit and operator. The samovar cistern, in particular, is often a beautiful work of art, plated and chased in silver, and kept sparkling clean. While this may sometimes cause problems in camouflage situations, more often then not, the shining dome of the cistern is a welcome sight and rallying point to weary troops after, or even during, a battle. In fact, some units value their IPXP-7s and their talented food preparation technicians as zealously as they do combat medics...and there have been reports of units daring seemingly unbeatable odds to go back and rescue fallen cooks and their kits.
The IPXP-7 is not a replacement for a full-scale field mess, but it does provide a welcome measure of hospitality and quality-of-life to the grimy art of war.
Type: IPXP-7 and IPXP-7(TW)
Class: Specialized CG Pack(Uses Pilot CG Pack/Jetpack to for flight)
Date of Introduction: 109 PA
Crew: One
MDC/Armor by Location
Pack 60
Microwave 30
Refrigerator 30
Samovar Turret 40
Main Body---Body Armor of the wearer
Height: 35.5 inches
Width: 18 inches( 48 inches with oven and freezer armatures fully deployed)
Length: 1 ft
Weight: 90 lbs
Cargo: In addition to the weight of the wearer, the pack can support up to 100kg(220 lbs) in flight. Note that the user can still use handheld weapons with ease. There is also a large pocket mounted on the bottom of the pack for storage.
Powerplant: KNC-10 Nuclear Power Cell w/ one year energy lifespan
Speed: 150 MPH with a maximum altitude of 500m(1640 ft). Can be dropped from 5km(3.2 miles) with complete control over the descent.
Cost:400,000 credits for the IPXP-7, 500,000 credits for the IPXP-7(TW)
Systems of Note:
*Molecular Analyzer/Environmental Alarm Tester----Plug-in probe for doing a rough estimate of chemical composition, toxicity, and internal temperature Also acts as a geiger counter. Note: The detector cannot identify alien viruses/disease organisms(unless their density in the atmosphere triggers a mold alert), nor can it detect magical toxins. Can also tell if a spitted roast is done or not.
*Combat Recorder---Keeps records of what the operator is seeing/sensing, as well as keeps a running record of what they’re preparing..ideal for remembering what you did right...or what you accidently poisoned someone with....Some operators regularly wipe the recorder to keep others from learning their ‘secret recipes’.
*Onboard Computer Database---An interactive database computer, filled with information on cooking, food preservation, preparation, other species cuisine and likely food reactions/allergies, tips on cleaning up, and some common sense tips on identifying possible foodstuffs in the field. Also includes some basic information on toxicology and first aid, for dealing with common health problems in the dining area. +10% to Cooking skill
*Water Filter----The filter is 99% effective at removing dissolved metals and minerals, including some radioactives, but is only 75% effective at dealing with biological organisms(viruses, bacteria, and very small organisms).... boiling and germicide tablets are recommended for the hardier organisms.
*Samovar and Coffee Percolator---Has a large, insulated, water reservoir heated by a central heating element. The water tank can hold up to 20 gallons; coffee percolator capacity is six gallons. Both have anti-slosh baffles inside to keep the operator from being thrown around on the bounce by shifting liquid cargo.
*Freezer---A large, insulated, Igloo-Cooler style detachable cold box/freezer with about 2.5 cubic feet of space.
*Microwave Oven---Standard capacity microwave oven with a 1 ft x 9 inch x 9 inch interior. It is mounted on a swing-out, swing-forward armature that allows it to be brought up front of the wearer and programmed for use. It also has a weapons function(see below)
*Folding Stove/Oven---When there’s need and time, the cook can deploy this folding fabric oven, developed from recently-unearthed pre-Rifts pizza delivery technology. Made of heat-reflective plastic foil, with insert stiffeners, this tool can open up to a 5 ft square box. Special attachment points allow for a temperature-sealing cover, internal baking racks, and even a rotisserie spinner.
*Built-in Knife Sharpener---Works on daggers and swords as well.
*E-Clip Recharger----Can charge one e-clip an hour, by tapping the ‘pack’s nuclear power cell
*Weapon Power Connector---Rather than use an E-clip, a handheld weapon or appliance can be hooked up directly to the power cell for effectively unlimited shots/use. Note that the Connector CANNOT be used at the same time as the E-clip Recharger.
(IPXP-7 TW only)
*PPE Mini-Generator and Associated Battery---Keeps magic-powered systems operative, and provides an additional 100 PPE for special purposes. Recharges at 5 PPE per hour, 10PPE/hour at a leyline, 20 PPE/hour on a nexus
*Variable Temperature Multi-Dimensional Pocket Cistern---Has five separate dimensional pockets for holding liquids---Each ‘pocket’ can hold up to 12 gallons of liquid(so a total of 60 gallons can be carried in out-of-phase suspension!). Special superconductive cooling coils and plasma induction heating coils insure that liquids are quickly and safely cooled or heated
* Multi-Dimensional Pocket Refrigerator---Looks no larger than a large toaster, but its dimensional pocket actually has about 6 cubic feet of space
*(Options) Replace the Refrigerator with TW Tuberware containers
-TW Meat Grinder---Uses the Stone to Flesh spell to convert rock , sand, and gravel to edible meat.
Weapons Systems:
1) Steam Cannon----The steam release vent on the samovar can be used in conjunction with the plasma induction coils to spray superheated steam(normally used for cleaning and sanitizing pots and pans) as a weapon.
Range: 60 ft
Damage: Does 4d6 SDC live steam damage, and those not protected by environmental body armor or helmet are -9 to strike, parry, and dodge. Vehicle sensor systems are cut in range and effectiveness by HALF.
If spraying simply hot water, rather than live steam, the cannon does 1d4x10 HP to vampires
(“Care for some garlic with your tea, Dracie?”)
Rate of Fire: Four times per melee
Payload: Conditionally unlimited; a blast uses about a quart of liquid from the reservoirs. So a single dimensional pocket(TW) has enough for 48 shots
2) Microwave Projector--The microwave oven can be flipped around and used as a short-range microwave cannon.
Note that there are three separate safety catches(a flip switch, a codepad, and a crank dial) to turn it to its external lethal setting, in order to prevent accidental cooking of some poor recruit waiting for his whinnyburger.
Range: 500 ft, 15 ft area of effect
Damage: 3d6 SDC or 1d4 MD
Does 1d6 SDC through EBA, metal power armors and robots will spark and suffer a 50% chance of the communications and sensor systems being knocked out for 1d4 minutes. 01-63% chance of setting combustible materials on fire.
Rate of Fire: ECHH
Payload:Effectively unlimited
In addition, IPXP-7 operators have shown a truly diabolical innovativeness for improvizing weapons from innocent food preparation utensils, and there have been tales of cooks using vibro-hammers as ‘meat tenderizers’ and Kera-Tech/MBDI Plasma Blades as ‘filleting knives’. Opponents have been startled and horrified to be blinded by ketchup bombs, glommed up by CheezWhiz sprays, suffocated in whipped cream, ripped up by vibro-blenders, and chilled to the bone by drink mixer attacks.
Kera-Tech/Paladin Steel IMP-1 Infantry Medical Contra-Gravity Pack “Hairy, got a reported Code-4-105, possible domestic. Police are already on the scene and securing the premises...Make that multiple alerts in residentials between Takahashi and Wallis...You’re up for the 4-105, Lydia.” The pilot of the tiny duct-flitter passed on to the medtech sitting next to him in the small cockpit.
‘I’m on it! Tell me when ready!” She finished checking her AG-Pack, booted it up to power, slid her headset down, then stood up and crouched on the edge of the shotgun seat, the pack’s ceegee-field already taking up the hundred-plus pounds of medical gear she had on. With a grunt she slid the hatch open and leaned into the slipstream rushing past the rapidly-descending duct-flitter. She saw the glowing faerie-dust web of the city at night resolve itself into the oncoming shapes of streetlight-lit roofs and residential streets, then saw, in her HUD-goggles’ virtual display, the red-blinker that designated one of those houses as her target. In his own HUD, the pilot also saw it, because he cut speed and altitude to ease to a hover over one of the roofs. Harris checked the comdisplay, nodded, then jumped out of the copter....
She dropped and landed gently in the yard of a modestly large private home...walled garden, nice porch, sliding armor-plas doors....nice place, wonder what went wrong...
“Over here!” came a voice from just inside the house.
She bounded inside the room, looked around, her medpack already swinging up ready for use. Blood trail on the otherwise immaculate floor...three young girls and an older man...looked like a family, huddled in the doorway, looking scared out of their wits past the combo-rifle-toting armored police officer who was talking up another taller, anxious-looking woman standing apart from the family.
“Them?”
“No...they reported it, or rather their relative here(he pointed at the woman beside him, who she could now see had a third cyberoptic in her forehead and a wing like antenna sprouting from behind one ear....networked semi-borg, she guessed). Victim’s over there...perp came in and dropped it...her...it....just a few minutes ago. ”
She followed his finger...and saw “it” lying in the middle of the next room.
“Hell...I got a head over here...no body...”
She did a quick scan sweep for Forensics and then scooped up the crimson locked head, took a quick retinal scan of the still open, and lifeless, eyes, and wrapped it(her?) in a silver cryo-bag, then sealed it. The loose fabric puffed out and became taunt as inert cryogenic gas filled the bag. She then plugged it into the pack’s monitoring outlets, flipped up the monitor, and muttered a quick prayer for the hapless soul whose head she held...with luck , she’d been able to get the woman into stasis before any deterioration of her soul-complex set in....and they’d be able to revive her back at the hospital...Didn’t know what they’d do about a body, though...she began looking around for any headless bodies...or at least ones to match...maybe they could do a magical restoration...if not, well, there was always cyborgization, or a ghost-dubbing into an android body.
“Cody? Harris, here, got a head, young adult human female...clean cut across the neck...still warm, no rigor...no other damage evident. Cold-bagged and stable, but I’ll need a pickup on it.”
“Roger that, Hairy, got a copter coming in five...can’t give you the van...Benson needs it. he’s got a live one over on Prescott north of Kamisha.”
She quickly pulled up her mapmaker software and spotted Benson’s transponder beacon and clicked over her radio selector to open a link on Benson’s freq. “Got it...I’ll be waiting with Benson...he’s less than two blocks away from me.” No point in sticking around here, what with the ‘patient’ already dead. She turned to the cop still questioning the family.”You need me here any more?”
“No, we got three scans already and if these folks need shock counseling, we’ll call you back.”
“Thanks. On my way, Benson!” With that she jumped to the top of the house’s fence, then took up on her gravs, roof-skimming towards Benson’’s location, now pinpointed by the circling transport copter and its searchlight beam.
Benson was bent over another victim...young D’norr man, by the looks of it, laying crushed under an overturned van, only his head and arm sticking out...and alot of blood pooling around him. The paramedic was busy inserting leads into the screaming man’s arm, while he was alternately calmly talking the man’s anxiety down and relaying his observations of the victim’s condition.
“Benson, you need a hand there? Can’t do a thing with mine until the pickup team gets here!”
“Harris? I don’t dare try to move this guy....the weight of the van’s the only thing that’s keeping blood pressure in him, but he’s still leaking like a sieve! Give me your bags of plasma.”
She began passing over her plasma sacs, after checking to make sure they were the right type(D’norr were bastards for rejection factors), and popped up her stand pylon to hang them on. Benson took them, slapped them into his Assimilator Reactor, deftly inserted a lancet smeared with the victim’s blood into the bags, snapped the lid shut, and with a spark and a flash, prepped the blood substitute for use. ”Anyone else?”
“Two in the van when some maniac jumped out in front of them with a live blade...minor cuts and bruises when the van rolled over...Mister Alfreddie here got ejected and pulled under. The other two got off light.”He jerked his head to indicate two other people, a human and another D’norr, sitting nearby on the streetside, another armored police officer talking to them while holding an icepack to a bruised shoulder of the human. Aside from a few bruises and band-aids, they looked more or less intact from where she was standing. Benson spared a glance at the frost-covered cryosack attached to Harris’ pack. “Who’s the unlucky partial, Lyd?”
“Decapitation..still fresh, a few blocks over...Looked like a blade...”
“Probably the same psycho these folks ran into...great, swath of destruction...Hand me a Number Four syrignette...”
The next few minutes were extremely busy for her as she assisted Benson in stabilizing the man, checking the man’s genetic makeup and biology, crossreferencing the appropriate databases on her HUD, and injecting the proper cocktail of nanobots, coagulants, and anti-shocks. She almost tuned out the world around her in her fervor to save the civilian’s live, and maybe his legs as well....Almost tuned out., but not quite....
Down the street she heard a commotion, and two of the cops and the one Jump Trooper that had joined them took off at a run past her, to where she saw a white-clad figure capering in the street a few blocks down. Light flashed in one arm as the figure whirled to face in turn the various soldiers and policemen surrounding it. Instinctively, she drew her own stunner rifle and moved to cover Benson, who was too busy with his own fight.
She shouldn’t have bothered...she saw the figure lunge, the officers leaping back out of the way of a gleaming arc of a naked blade. A few more feints and lunges that came increasingly close to the backpeddling officers...then one lunge that clipped one of the cops as they tried to dive out of the way, cutting off the amplified police harangues to ‘put down the weapon!’.
A flash of fire from multiple points, as the white-robed figure seemed to take off, cartwheel through the air, then crash to the ground...the downed police officer got up, the robed figure didn’t...
“Harris, Medical here, you require assistance?”
“Thanks, but no...this one was open and shut, DOA...your services won’t be necessary.” The previously down officer turned and waved to the watching paramedic.
Harris silently nodded at the response. Just as well...she had wounded enough to tend to, courtesy of that maniac.
The IMP-1 is a necessary extension of the Infantry Field Pack system; a mini-aid station for paramedics and combat surgeons, a high mobility contra-grav pack packed with all the essentials, and then some, for fast, mobile, effective treatment of injuries in the field. The IMP-1 is also equipped to handle rescues, field medical research, and recovery operations.
This is even more difficult for the multi-racial/species populations of the 5ST nations, as physicians must be familiar with, and ready to deal with dozens, if not hundreds, of different, non-human physiologies. To aid in this, the Medpack contains a multitude of diagnostic tools, and a highly compact mini-AI database computer.
Like the IPXP-7 ‘Refresher’, the IMP-5 has large swing-forward ‘control arms’ that also serve as platforms for various medical tools, and attachment points for medical supplies, equipment cases, and other gear.
The IMP-1 is unarmed, but paramedics and combat medics will often carry a weapon or two for self-defense(given the dangerousness of post-Rifts Earth); paramedics typically favoring stun weapons, while corpsmen typically choose more lethal means of self-defense, though rarely anything more powerful than an energy pistol.
Shortly after the introduction of the Kera-Tech IMP-1, Paladin Steel began producing the IMP-1(TW), which incorporates additional Techno-Wizardry features, at additional cost. Given Kera-Tech’s distrust of Techno-Wizardry, it seems most likely that these packs were assembled from converted IMP-5s or from replacement parts for other pack systems, rather than as direct factory production. Though Kera-Tech has no qualms about the TW-versions, they do not service the non-technological portions of any IMP-5(TW)s given to them for repairs.
“I hate doing field neural surgery on Crazies...their wiring’s so messed up and cross connected, and they’re so high strung that you can kick yourself to death with them while probing their frontal lobes for that bullet they tried to stop with their foreheads....Worse than that high school frog experiment, I tell you...”
---Doctor Lllilian Kane, Medtech, New Boston Emergency Response Services
Type:KT/PS- IMP-1
Class: Specialized CG Pack(Uses Pilot CG Pack/Jetpack to for flight)
Date of Introduction: 109 PA
Crew: One
MDC/Armor by Location
Pack 60
Sensor Turret 30
Main Body---Body Armor of the wearer
Height: 35.5 inches
Width: 18 inches( 36 inches with sensor turret fins fully deployed)
Length: 10.6 inches
Weight: 90 lbs
Cargo: In addition to the weight of the wearer, the pack can support up to 100kg(220 lbs) in flight. Note that the user can still use handheld weapons with ease. There is also a large pocket mounted on the bottom of the pack for storage.
Powerplant: KNC-10 Nuclear Power Cell w/ one year energy lifespan
Speed: 150 MPH with a maximum altitude of 500m(1640 ft). Can be dropped from 5km(3.2 miles) with complete control over the descent.
Cost: 600,000 credits
TW-Model costs 950,000 credits
Systems of Note:
*Optics---InfraRed, Thermographic, Image-Enhance, Telescopic, Low-Light---2 mile range
*Motion Detector---90 ft; can work through thin wood or plastic walls.
*Parabolic Microphone---Can pick up on normal conversation from 1500 ft away, and can pick up on low- and high-frequency sounds, including trapped persons, and internal organ sounds.
*Ultra-Sound Scanner----A handheld device that clips to one side of the pack. It permits contact mapping of internal organs. Note, however, that some beings may be damaged by the high frequncy sounds...DogBoys and other canine species in particularly can hear an annoying buzz and bone-rattling vibration when this device is in use.
*Medical Recorder---Records everything the sensors pick up; especially important for reviewing medical procedures and documenting illnesses, procedures, and cause/time-of-death.
*Onboard Expert System---The operator’s ‘second head’, this expert system is programmed to review sensor information and cross-reference it to the massive onboard files of multi-species medical information(up to 30 species). Also contains diagnostic information on most GNE and common-model cybernetics and bionics, including commonly-available Free Quebec and Triax models likely to be encountered in the field.
Can also compile sensor data to produce a full 3-D map of a patient’s injuries and provide interactive advisory using the model as map; especially useful when treating and stabilizing internal injuries.
*Pop-Up Bag Pylon----A short folding stand that pops up out of one shoulder, with two hooks for hanging plasma and solution bottles/sacs from.
*Hookup Points---These are attachment points and webbing for carrying additional aid and supply gear, such as bandages, locked drug cases, inflatable splits, canteens, surgical instruments, tools, and robot medical kits.
*Extendable Optics Armature---An extending pylon with a combination high intensity light and adjustable focus wide-area magnifying lense. This armature can be pulled over the shoulder and positioned in front of the operator. A flip of a switch, and the lense can be converted into an HUD.
*Cyberscanner---This is essentially the medic’s version of a Tech-Scanner, only calibrated to interface with cybernetics and bionics. Working in concert with the onboard A.I., the system’s probes can check the power flow and power coming off implants and verify if they are damaged, interfacing correctly, or otherwise acting abnormally. This system can also be used to check if a piece of neural-ware is boosted beyond approved limits. Can effectively diagnose common Black Market and PS/GNE cyberware at 95%, while more recent Triax and Republic of Japan designs can only be effectively diagnosed at 75%. Experimental human-based designs can be disgnosed at 50-65%, while truly alien systems implanted in humans and common D-bee races are only able to be identified and diagnosed with 30% effectiveness(largely working from comparison to more conventional/better-documented systems).
*Moledular Analyzer/Chem-Scanner-----Essentially an automated and highly-compact biochemical lab capable of performing blood typing, simple pregnancy and tissue-typing, and quick sampling of blood and tissue for common compatibility and rejection factors(especially important when working with multiple species services and communities). This allows the medic a better chance of administering the proper drugs and blood substitute solutions.
*Short Range Magnetometer---Open-air version of a Magnetic Resonance Scanner, this device uses magnetic fields to detect the presence of metallic shrapnel and implants...deetcting ferric materials 98% of the time, non-ferric 75%, and composite/non-metallic objects only 45% of the time. However, it is not as accurate as a full couch-sized MRI, and has an effective range of only 2 ft.
*Cryo-Pump---A combination cyrogen supply tank and coolant system for freezing specimens, and quick-freezing bodies and loose organs for later reattachment or study. Hooks up to a carry-sack and alerts the operator if stasis is broken or the temperature exceeds safe storage limits. The tank holds up to a gallon of recyclable cryogen fluid.
*Microwave Sterilizer----A gallon-size canister used for quickly nuking instruments or boiling/sterilizing a gallon of water in under 30 seconds.
*E-Clip Recharger----Can charge one e-clip an hour, by tapping the ‘pack’s nuclear power cell
*Weapon/Equipment Power Connector---Rather than use an E-clip, a handheld weapon can be hooked up directly to the power cell for effectively unlimited shots(it’s typically used for powering diagnostic and rescue tools, however, such as armor cutters and Jaws of Life). Note that the Connector CANNOT be used at the same time as the E-clip Recharger.
Weapons Systems: None
Magical Systems(TW version ONLY)
*PPE Battery Reserve------300 PPE battery
* TW Diagnostic Sensor System(no PPE cost)
-See Aura
-Sense Magic
* Multiplexor System w/
-Heal Wounds(10)(heals 3d6 SDC and 1d6 HP)
-Negate Poison/Toxins(4)
-Cure Illness(8)
-Fortify Against Disease(8)
-Greater Healing (15)(2d4x10 SDC and 6d6 SDC, OR 1d4 MD)
-Super Healing(45)(4d6 MD)
-Purge Other(50)
-----NOTE: All spells are performed at a 7th level of profficiency
*Healing Laser---This is a penlike laser scalpel that has been modified with a small ruby and an imprinted Fire Healing spell. The laser can thus be used to heat-seal and thermal-suture open wounds (heals 4d6 SDC, doesn’t heal Hit Points, but can prevent further H.P. loss due to bleeding), but cannot be used to treat illnesses or treat burns. It can also be used to cauterize amputation stumps. The Fire Laser uses up 5 PPE per use.
*HydroBath Sac----Developed to utilize the Ocean Magic spell, this system consists of a gel-plastic balloon that that be inflated around a limb, or draped over a person’s torso, like an inflatable splint, then filled with warm water, that is energized with the Healing Water spell. Special selective-mode water-permeable plastic allows the energized water to irrigate and bathe the patient’s wounds in a soothing bath, conducive to slowing bleeding, relaxing muscles, and treating wounds. It is best suited for dealing with burns, abrasions, and surface lacerations, but does little for fast-bleeding deep wounds or internal injuries(slows damage and relaxes the patient, but not much else, but that can also be critical in determining the difference between death and survival).
Duration per Energization: 10 minutes
Effects:Heals 1d6 SDC/MDC per minute of immersion.
PPE Per Use: 8
*Cleaning Lamp---A folding handheld parabolic mirror that is used to cast a powerful Cleanse spell, for sterilizing operating fields and cleaning out wounds.
Range: 10 ft
Area of Effect: 10 ft area of effect
PPE Per Use: 3
*TW Plasma Assimilator---Another TW device that resembles a large glass/crystal bottle with heavy clamped lid, that uses adapted Blood and Ocean Magic spells to create onsite vital fluids. This reactor vessel can create a basic or saline/nutrient solution, enough to sustain a patient for 24 hours, out of thin air, or it can be used to change the blood of one species into a form compatible to another, by introducing several drops of the desired blood into a larger quantity of blood or plasma, while casting the spell. The spell alters the blood into a compatible blood substitute for transfusions.
This system has proven indispensable to interspecies medicine
PPE Per Use:(Create Saline/Nutrient Fluid): 5 PPE per gallon
(Modify Plasma) 20 PPE per gallon