Cyberbrain Case

The Cyberbrain (p. 300 EP) is probably one of the most important every day technological developments in cybernetics technology (along with other standard augmentations, like the Mesh Insert and Cortical Stack). The long-term impact of a human-scale computing device with the capability to emulate the conditions of the human mind - even beyond the biological standard is probably of unknowable value. It allows not only pods and synthmorphs, but is an augmentation even added to biomorphs to enhance interaction with computer devices directly. They are much quicker and sometimes cheaper to manufacture than an organic brain, and incredibly easy to recall and transfer memory data, sleeve into and out of, and fork from. While cyberbrain hacking and scorcher programs are a real risk, they are not as easy as people make them sound. Even AAA hackers, the so-called "wizard-class" require concentrated focus and periods of time measured in minutes to break into and run operations on a Cyberbrain. And this requires an expensive set-up of specialized equipment to maximize.

But what if a cyberbrain has something you need, but has an annoying body attached to it? What if you can't carry a whole person unseen to a location where you can scan their brain, or wait for psychosurgery to break in in public? What if you want to get a resleeve with a cyberbrain done without contracting a body bank or resleeve clinic? There are many unusual cases where one might want to access the cyberbrain - even transport it. In this case, one buys a Cyberbrain Case.

Cyberbrain Case: The size of a large briefcase normally, this armored case has a secure, impact-resistant lining and sufficient space inside to hold a cyberbrain. It is designed to be opened and shut quickly, and often mold to hold the brain securely, and sterile for transport. Typically these cases are hardened to be opaque to most sensors and not penetrated by wi-fi, similar to a Prisoner Mask (p. 316 EP). They also often have a system similar to a Disabler (p. 316 EP) which locks into the Access Jacks, completely shutting down the Cyberbrain while in storage. They might, however, be equipped with a small power-pack which allows a Cyberbrain to run while in storage, but it has no additional sensory inputs and no external computer access. An alternate version of the case exists with a life-support unit, which can contain a brain box outside of a synthmorph for a period of a month. These two variants can be combined, but at a higher cost, and more likelihood of being discovered. [Moderate], [High] for combined

As noted above, the purpose of the Cyberbrain Case is simple. You take a cyberbrain outside a morph, put it in the case, and move it without raising too many questions. The most obvious purpose is to "steal" the brain of a target and move it to a location where hacking it would be much easier - however as Cortical Stacks have become so ubiquitous this particular form of Ego theft is not as common. Instead, now this is used for Ego smuggling (differentiating from trafficking) to move persons in fully active Cyberbrains into a physical location covertly. One might even use it as a method to covertly "resleeve" and hijack a morph by removing one Cyberbrain and installing another. In rare instances Cyberbrain Cases are used by investigators or analysts who which to examine a Cyberbrain itself.

Removing a Cyberbrain from a Biomorph with one is a messy process of surgery similar to removing a Cortical Stack (requiring some form of Medicine skill), and "reinstalling" one is an even longer surgical process, so it it's often not feasible. Inserting one into a Pod or Synth is can be Medicine: Pods or Hardware: Implants or Robotics, and assuming one has the proper tools can be done in minutes. An Ego in a cyberbrain which is removed does not have to make Resleeving tests (though should probably make a Trauma check) until linked to a new body, but installing a new cyberbrain whole with an Ego does involve Resleeving tests.