One of the Council nods to Locke, and he leads you back through the halls to the strategy center.  Binary is there, looking back to his paranoid self.  But it is a different scientist who begins a presentation.

"We have a very exciting announcement to tell you about.  We were working on this for a long time, but until we received the data you brought back, saw how Cala disconnected, and finished our research, we could not finalize it."

He leads you back to a mainframe computer.  "We call this Limbo.  This computer is connected to each of our jack-in stations.  It has a capacity of retention unlike any other computer we have ever designed.  We have tested it successfully now on a human.  Its success rate is about 95%."

He points to the consoles, which are meaningless to you.  "Every time you jack in, your operator will create a digital copy of your brain.  It will be uploaded into Limbo.  Then, if you die in the Matrix, your crew will preserve your body and upload your memories and digital image back into your brain.  Therefore, dying in the Matrix no longer means dying in real life."

Locke interrupts.  "What about the other 5%?"

The scientist shrugs.  "We don't know yet, but we think it will either be death or some extreme sort of mental disease, possibly psychosis or insanity."

Locke frowns.  "Wonderful."

The scientist continues, "And of course, even those who successfully return will have no knowledge of any events from the time their consciousness, as we call it, was uploaded into Limbo.  But it's better than death," he adds quickly.

"So they can jack right back in?" X asks.

"No, no.  There is a delay.  And the body will go into shock while it recovers.  The delay is between 10 and 30 minutes right now.  We have also encountered some weakening in Matrix abilities.  We don't know if it's the shock of death in the Matrix that makes the mind afraid or if it's some inherent loss in data.  This is all still new.  Any questions so far?"

OOC:  From a game perspective, it means this:

95% chance to recover, 5% chance of death or side effect

10-30 minute delay before you can jack back in and help the others (game time)

Loss of 3-6 CBP (or 9-18 CP).  (This will be taken in the form of loss of an ability, loss of points, or lack of receiving the XP at the end of the adventure...to be determined.)

No experience earned for the time between jacking in and death.

Rabbit looks skeptical, "If you haven't had any failures, how do you know what the failure rate is?" She fiddles with some split ends and adds, "Can you reload the digital copy into a damaged or different brain?"

"I didn't say we haven't had any failures.  We just haven't had enough to get a good sampling of what all the possible side effects will be.  Our researchers are making predictions about the various permutations."

Then he says, "We cannot load the digital consciousness into a different brain.  The hardware--your cells and tissues--must be identical to upload the consciousness."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:37, Thu 28 July 2005.

The scientist quickly adds, "We are distributing copies of the equivalent of a DNR -- do not resuscitate -- order for those who would...ah...prefer not to participate in the Limbo program.  It is completely voluntary, of course."

Rabbit extends a hand, "Yeah, I'll take one of those. Someone got a pen?" She signs her name slowly but finishes with a flourish and dots her i with a little heart. "Twice around the block is more than enough for me," she mutters mostly to herself.

"I don't plan on dying," Jade says, "but if I do, I'll take my chances with Limbo.  But if I come back psychotic, you have my permission to shoot me."

"One way trip."  Mitchell fills out a DNR.

OOC:  Surprising...I thought everyone would want the chance for a "resurrection."

Dracos looks around his new crew and smiles, "I like the way y'all think."

He also takes a DNR and signs it.

 "I assume Zion's scientists have already created a back-up of my programming? Cala asks, the sentinel rocking back and forth slightly as it tries to keep its balance. "If so, please re-create me should I be destroyed."

 She pauses for a moment, then adds, "I am curious. Have your scientists tried to create an active duplicate of my code?"

"Yeah, I don't plan on checking out any time soon, but if I do go I wanna be able to come back and settle the score."

Snow nods and signs up

"Okay," the scientist says, and turns to another screen.  "On to our next topic.  As you know, we were able to download the codes for many new weapons and grenades now.  We've also extracted the code for some other things."

He shows a picture on the screen of defensive armor.  "We have body armor downloads.  In addition to the kevlar vest already available, we have a Gentex Protective Vest, the current military vest.  It helps protect against fragments, but it can also help against small arms."

He shows another one.  "We've also got an EOD PS-820 now.  This is a Kevlar body suit used by explosive ordnance disposal teams.  It restricts mobility, so you wouldn't want to engage in melee.  It also protects against burns."

He turns to another picture.  "And then we've got the second chance hardcorps system.  This is exterior body armor designed specifically for military use.  Basically like Kevlar vests with extra inserts and better protection.  Again, not something really for martial arts.  We also have a similar version that is concealable."

He flips to one more picture.  "And now another powerful one, and this one is good.  It's combat infantry dress.  It's a chemically coated and NBC proofed jacket worn as an external garment.  Steel plates inserted in a compound fiber mesh.  Protect you from shoulder to thigh and not as restrictive as the others."

He turns to one more which looks like long underwear with wires running through it.  "Now this is our pride and joy," he says.  "Lightweight.  Won't interfere with movement.  We call it the Supra-Matrix Stealth.  It doesn't really protect in combat, but it shields your presence from being detected from Zero-One.  Not a hundred percent, but you can use your Matrix powers without attracting so much attention.  We're still testing it, so we're recommending that all of you wear it in your next jack in."

Now he turns to a screen with weapons showing.  "This was odd.  These weapons we found are not 20th century or early 21st century.  We think Zero-One has developed them, but they've never been seen.  We call them a Needle Rifle, Laser Rifle, Blast Rifle, Disruptor, and Stun Rifle.  Unfortunately for you, all of them except the Needle Rifle will take some special training."  OOC: This requires beam weapon skills training.

"We also have some pistol versions:  the needler, laser pistol, stunner, and blaster."

He touches a button and the screen shifts.  "We also have some general equipment too.  We uploaded what we call the 'crash kit.'  It can heal you in the Matrix.  It's a patch you just apply to the wound.  Reworks the code around the wound.  We even tested it on a volunteer -- poor guy -- and it repairs bones too.  Takes about 10 seconds to a minute to work, depending on the size of wound.  Doesn't do a complete heal, but it can sure build you up a bit in a bind."

The screen goes blank.  "We also found a code to help in transport.  We can send you via hardline directly from one hardline to another.  No jacking in or out if you need to go, say, from Los Angeles to New York.  No need for a plane either.  Only problem is that the further you get from your ship, the longer the uplink takes...not just to get you to your destination, but also to get you back to your ship."

He pauses.  "Well, that's about it for now.  We'll probably have more by the next time you get in dock.  Any questions?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:19, Thu 28 July 2005.

"More toys," Jade says.  "Can't ask for better than that.  We'll have to get training in how to use these beam weapons.  Matrix simulator, perhaps?"

"Yeah, I'm gonna want one of those lightweight armors.  I like mobility."  Shadow leans in to examine the new weaponry "And guns, I definately like guns.  So when we get to try out all this new stuff?"

Rabbit asks, "Have you been able to improve my bolos?"

She observes, "The NBC jacket isn't much use without the rest of the suit. How does the protection to weight ratio of the new Gentex vest compare to the old Kevlar?"

His jaw drops as he looks at the Matrix armor. Dracos moves there and runs his fingers over the fabric, "So smooth... steathly... hmm... amazing," looking up at those around him, "I definatly want to try one of these toys, I don't care about the guns."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 16:41, Sat 30 July 2005.

PM

Rabbit turns to the shorter Dracos and warns, "If you lift anything out of my pocket, you better put it back before I find out about it."

After a pause she adds, "So, just how many Agents have you hidden from? And what was the rest of your team doing, while you were having fun?"

 "What, exactly, are the Needle weapons?" Cala asks, slinking the sentinel closer to the screen.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:47, Sat 30 July 2005.

Dracos feels the familiar tone of nagging approach his ears, amazingly it was something the Matrix had correct. His Matrix Mother, a few friends, and now his new teammate all seemed to be able to reach that specific tone.

He turns to face the woman, "They were in the next building, waiting for me to cut power. Or occasions where I had to hide to jack out because the agents were so close. I've also done a few solo missions where I've taken blueprints from different areas for missions. So, I'd like it if you didn't take that tone with me."

Rabbit clenches her fist around the top of the sticks sheathed along her thigh and looks Dracos up and down as though contemplating where to give him a whack. But after a couple seconds she relaxes, "Get used to it. I can tell you'll be hearing it again."

He steps closer to Rabbit, "Excuse me, Rabbit. But this is NOT the Matrix. We are all able to be trusted. You do not need to feel as if we're about to shoot you in the back or let you drop. I'm sorry if you're life was hell in the Matrix or since, but ya know what? No one has had a great life, especially since they were jacked out for the first time. You need to get a reality check and realize we are on the same side."

Shadow stands and looks from Rabbit to Dracos, blinking in disbelief and turns back to Locke with a smile on his face "Kids.  So when do we get to test the new stuff?"

Rabbit ignores Dracos and turns to the viewscreen for a look at the new weapons.

The scientist addresses Cala.  "The needle weapons are like...well...think of a high powered nail gun, and you'll get the idea."

OOC Note:  Please note that the "Agents" have just barely been discovered by Zion (in fact, discovered by the party in mission 1).  Therefore, if you mention Agents, you would not have known exactly what they were...although you would recognize them for what they are now.  So I'm assuming your characters are just putting two and two together...

On her way out the door Rabbit says, "I'll be over in the weight room until the briefing."

Dracos examines the specs of the needlers.... wondering how easy the pistols would be to hide...

<i>"What are the pros and cons of using a needler versus the standard firearm?"</b>

OOC:  The stats are different.  It does impaling damage (compared to crushing damage), it is less heavy, has a different accuracy modifier, but it also carries more shots (100 per cartridge compared with the M16's 20), and it has less recoil.