Star Blade

Event 3 (August 12th) Cancelled

The event on August 12th has been postponed indefinitely due to low expected turnout.

Keep checking the site for details as to the future of the game and when the next event will be held.

Event 2 (2007 Season) June 17th

LOCATION: Pickett's Mill Group Shelter (Dallas, GA)

PRICING:
Drinks, snacks, and parking are included in the price of registration.

Player Registration: $20.00
New Player Registration: $10.00
Back-Buys: $20 for 3 CP (unspent) + 5 Developments

Back-Buy and donation rules are forthcoming.

Participation in an event will earn each player 3 CP. If they volunteer for 1 hour/1 encounter to "monster" or to assist in cleanup, they will receive an additional 1 CP.

Furthermore, participation at this event (as a character) awards you an opportunity to backbuy at one future event.

Monies can be either paid at the event in cash/check, or sent via PayPal to bhz@polter.net.

NEW PLAYERS:

If you are bringing new players to the event, you will recieve 5 CP worth of Experience per player (usable at the next update) and the new player will only be charged $10.00 for the event.

PLEASE! If you are bringing new players have their characters built before coming on site or, better yet, send their character sheets to us at sbcharupdate@gmail.com so we can have a player packet ready for them. The more we do ahead of time the less down time there is before we begin play. Keep in mind that only 2 or 3 GC members are fully qualified to help new players create characters and each PC takes approximately 20 minutes to create.

VOLUNTEERING:
If you have friends who want to check out the game but not play a PC (i.e . volunteer for the event) they will recieve 10 CP towards future character development and a free meal.

SCHEDULE:
· 08:30a Site opens, beginning of GC Setup
· 09:30a Player Check-In, New Character Generation, Character Update
· 10:30a In-Play begins, we will continue to accept Updates and hold an In-play Bazaar until 1:00 when the official modules begin.
· 06:00p Out-Of-Play, Closing Ceremonies (approximate), Check-Out
· 07:00p Cleanup, Wrapup, and Off Site
· 07:30p Possible GC/Player Dinner Gathering in Acworth/Hiram/Kennesaw
PRODUCTION:

THERE WILL BE NO ON-SITE PRODUCTION. Production will be handled between events, as will gathering and refining. At this time, you will not recieve Schematics for purchasing Tech skills; these must be acquired in-game.

CHECK-IN/UPDATE PROCEDURE:

Character Updates will be done on site this event.

At check-in you will recieve a player packet. Your player packet will include:
· Character Record Sheet
· Item Cards
· Pilot Deck (if you have the Pilot Skill) - If you are a ship captain you will recieve your ship card and registration
· Credit Chips

With your update please submit a list of items your character currently owns so that we can provide you with item cards.

Once check-in closes players may still obtain character sheets and equipment but may not do back-buy updates or on-site corrections. Please try and arrive as early as possible so that we have as much time as we can get to play.

MAKE-UP AND COSTUMING:

Costuming and Phys-reps need to be as "authentic" as possible to recieve credit (armor, abilities, etc.). Please make sure that your Nerf items have at least a base coat of paint to cover the "toy look". Make-up nations/races MUST be in make-up to be considered in-play. GC will be upping our standards in our costuming, make-up, set pieces etc., and we would like the overall game to reflect that. This is an exciting time for the game. We are looking forward to growth in the future so begin chatting us up to your friends, neighbors, and acquaintances.

StarBlade 2.0 Released

StarBlade 2.0 Released
The new version of the rulebook is online and available here: http://www.star-blade.com/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=getit&lid=9
Character Points/XP will be available this week.
Players Guide will be released this month.

Ben Boardman
StarBlade GC

Babylon

The sun sank red and angry below the horizon of Sirius II. Kevin Conrad, Prime Minister of the Terran Federal Commonwealth, watched from the observation deck of the Starbase Babylon. As the red sun disappeared from view two large starships were revealed. The Dreadnaught Hvaar’kath of the Kiltahni Empire, and the Cruiser Tsuul of the Schall Confederacy. Conrad frowned, the leaders of the Empire and the Confederacy would want to make an entrance, it was infuriating, but all part of diplomacy.

“They are late.” Growled the elderly man seated at the conference table. Emperor Jared Malor, third of his name, Lord of the Thul Imperium, slouched irritably. He swallowed the rest of the brandy in his glass and poured himself another large one. “Are we going to be briefed or not? I have not traveled halfway across the galaxy to wait on those savages.”

Conrad turned to the dark-haired man hovering over the Emperor’s shoulder. “Ector, if you would?”

Ector Pallan leaned in and whispered a few words into the Emperor’s ear that seemed to mollify the old man for a few moments. Conrad joined them at the table along with the enigmatic Kumaal envoy. Ehsana-Ei’nu Na’tu’Pau stared blindly into the middle distance, two Kai’Vau monks stood rigidly behind her.

“Agitated, Prime Minister?” Ehsana asked as Conrad took a seat.

“Weak Commonwealth blood.” Emperor Jared snorted.

Conrad ignored him and turned to Ehsana. “I am fine, Master Ehsana, thank you for your concern.”

“Patience, Prime Minister, I assure you, both the Kiltahni and the Schall are as agitated as you are by recent events.” A knowing glint in her sightless eyes betrayed that her words were more than a mere conciliatory gesture.

“You mean they know?” Jared exploded. “Then why the hell are we here?”

Conrad rubbed the bridge of his nose and in a tired voice answered. “Courtesy, your Grace, we don’t want to be blamed for this and neither do you.”

“Let them come.” Ector scoffed. “The Imperium is a hundred times as powerful as it was during the Kiltahni War.”

“Then you shall receive a hundred times more pain than we once gave you.” A growling roar echoed across the council chamber. Glowing yellow eyes shone from the dimly lit entryway. Gharak Khorro Na’Tharr, Chancellor of the Kiltahni Empire, strode into the council chamber flanked by two Na’Chokk Sashram.
Conrad stood immediately. “Chancellor Gharak, greetings. I offer you meat and water and the hospitality of our home.”

Gharak’s eyes held Ector’s, then flicked to Conrad. “At least you have made some effort to learn our ways. I accept your gift and offer my claws to your aid while I sup at your table.”

“While Kiltahni hospitality rituals are thrilling, I believe we have some business?” A sibilant voice said from behind Gharak. Tanthiss’aret Suaro Ahsaan emerged from the shadows. “No offense, my lord.”

The massive Kiltahni growled in annoyance but did not reply, seating himself at the table between Ehsana and Suaro’s seat. He tore into the bloody chunk of meat laid out on the table in front of him as Suaro slipped into his seat.

“Gentlemen, and ladies.” Conrad said, taking his seat between Ehsana and the Emperor. “Thank you for agreeing to this meeting to discuss the recent events on Odessa.”

“Incompetent damn Marines.” Emperor Jared groused.

“What exactly did happen, Prime Minister?” Ehsana asked. “My people were largely removed from the fighting.”

“I will let Colonel Xarril, commander of the Colonial Marines on Odessa, continue this briefing.” Conrad said, gesturing to the holoprojector and the older man standing next to it.

“Thank you Prime Minister.” David Xarril straightened his dress uniform and reached down to activate the holoprojector. The seal of the TFC hovered briefly in the air soon replaced by a smoking hulk setting down just outside the walls of the Marine compound. “Last cycle we encountered a distress signal from coreward space. We cleared five ships to set down, but we were deceived, soon after touchdown…well, see for yourselves.”

A variety of humanoids their faces painted in garish warpaint poured from the ships, shrugging off the blasters of the marines. One marine was overwhelmed and torn to pieces by a gang of the humanoids. Moments later the scene devolved into a bloodbath.

“They called themselves Forsaken. Whatever they once were they are no longer of any race we know. They consumed their dead and the bodies of their victims and seemed to grow strength from it. Whether they were resistant to our weapons or simply no longer cared about pain we’re still not sure. We finally managed to engage and destroy their ships but I lost ten men and nearly forty colonists were killed.” Xarril said darkly. “We examined the bodies and their ships. A majority of Forsaken were Commonwealth or Imperium humans who had gone into the unknown regions to explore. Their ships were noted as lost in space over the last six cycles.”

“I don’t see what this has to do with us.” Emperor Jared said irritably. “My dragoons fought off the invaders.”

“Losing fifty men and five of your…advanced troopers, in the process.” Colonel Xarril retorted. “From our intelligence report, all of you suffered losses at you Embassies. Fifteen Warriors and five Sashram from the Kiltahni, three kibuur’ai and seven of their associates from the Schall, and so on.”

“So, we received an isolated attack from some space-mad reprobates.” Suaro said nonchalantly. “They were repulsed and now that we know what to look for we will prevail again.”

“We don’t believe they came by this state by normal means.” Conrad said, interrupting. “Master Ehsana, could you enlighten us?”

Ehsana rose and was guided by her attendants. “Thank you dearie, please show them what we found.”

The holoprojector switched to a view of a human torso covered in half-healed scars, brands and tattoos. The camera zoomed in on the human’s left arm, a tattoo stood out among the others. “That, is an Anatunai sigil.” Ehsana said, pointing with her walking stick at the tattoo. “The Anatunai are long gone from this plane of existence, but their technology still remains in places. The Elders of the Kumaal believe that someone has found a cache of this technology and is using it to nefarious purpose. This technology can cause Psionic mutations that mimic Biotechnology and the more horrific aspects of Psionics.”

“None of us is equipped to find and engage this enemy on our own.” Kevin Conrad said, standing. “I propose that we use the Odessa Compromise to our advantage. The colonists of Odessa are used to working together and managed to repulse the attack of one of these ships. I propose that they be sent on a mission of exploration and investigation. Find the Forsaken, discover who is making them and to what purpose and report to us so that we may deal with them.”

“A difficult and dangerous proposition.” Gharak mused. “Will your citizens accept such a mission?”

“Provided they are given the correct incentives, I believe they will.” Conrad said.

“Meaning if they are bribed enough.” Suaro said with a grin.

Gharak stood, considering this with his head bowed. “The prophets of Hvaar on Kol’naresh have foretold the beginning of the fifth Great Crusade. That the warriors of Kolnavaar will once again face a worthy enemy amongst the stars. My people will aide in this endeavor, but they will abide by their own code, not some Commonwealth set of rules and laws.”

Conrad nodded, he had expected no less.

“If the Kiltahni are to aide then I suppose my people must as well, or else suffer the wrath of the Empire’s finest.” Suaro said with a sigh. “But we are to be cut into any deal or incentive you provide.”

“Of course.” Conrad agreed.

“The Kumaal, as a rule, do not engage in warfare save to safeguard our home worlds.” Master Ehsana said, gliding back to her seat, for a moment abandoning the pretense of her guards. “But due to the Psionic nature of these aberrations, I will authorize any of my people who wish to aid in the endeavor, to do so.”

“As always, we are indebted to the Kumaal.” Conrad said with a nod. Then he turned to the scowling old man in the ornate dragoon uniform. “Your Grace?”

The Emperor paused before taking another long drink from his brandy glass. “The Imperium will lend its assistance, but we have other concerns on Odessa as well.”

Conrad sighed, “Such as?”

“The continued presence of the criminal Synthetic OVIS 1009-A on your planet. Last cycle an archaeological dig was disrupted by thugs of OVIS’, we cannot allow such things to continue. I want this situation investigated and dealt with.” The Emperor said, his voice clear and angry.

“Your Grace, we have laws governing…” Conrad began.

“To hell with your laws!” Jared erupted. “I will have the deaths of my people avenged with the head of this…thing!”

Conrad considered for a moment, then nodded. “We will do all we can, Emperor.”

The Emperor fixed Conrad with a steely glare. “We shall see Prime Minister. For now, you have the assistance of the Thul Imperium.”

“The ambassadors on Odessa will brief your people next cycle.” Conrad said, trying not to let his relief show. “Until then, thank you for your cooperation.”

The other leaders filed out until only Conrad and Xarril were left. Conrad stared out the viewport and poured himself a brandy from the decanter the Emperor had been using. The Prime Minister’s eyes flicked over to Xarril who was standing uncomfortably by the holoprojector. “Something on your mind, Colonel?”

“Permission to speak, sir?” Xarril asked.

“Of course.” Conrad sighed.

“Is it really in our best interest to place this mission in the hands of civilians?” Xarril asked. “We won’t have any control or discipline. Also, I’ve worked with the citizenry of Odessa, they aren’t the most civic-minded individuals in the galaxy.”

“What do you suggest then Colonel?” Conrad asked. “We have Marines stretched thin across the galaxy: Quarantines on Thebes and Olympus, dealing with the insurgency on Thebes, patrolling the trade zone near Hephaestus, keeping the Imperium and the Kiltahni in check, not to mention your duties in the Odessa system. We don’t have the men to track this threat down. I wish there was another way, but this way there is at least a chance of someone finding out something.”

“Yes sir.” Xarril said.

“If that’s all, colonel, I’d like to be alone for a while.” Conrad said, wearily. Xarril nodded, saluted and began to leave the room. “Colonel?”

Xarril turned. “Yes sir?”

“Make sure whoever you hire for this thing is reliable.”

“Don’t worry, sir, I think I know just who to send.”

Headlines, March 2440

The CGN logo fades, replaced by the toothy grin of Chet Haskins, Anchorman:

Chet:Good Morning, Commonwealth. This is CGN Headlines.

OVIS 1009-A Sighted!

Chet turns to the camera with an overly serious demeanor.

Chet: The Rebel Synthetic known by the designation OVIS 1009-A was sighted recently at the new Commonwealth Colony of Odessa. Officials both from the Commonwealth and the Imperium are dumbfounded by this development as the Synthetic Rebels have been operating exclusively Rimward of established Imperium borders. With us today are Colonel David Xarril of the Commonwealth Colonial Marines, stationed on Odessa, and Lord Urien Galek of the Imperium Adjudicators. Gentlemen, welcome.

Xarril: Pleasure to be here, Chet.
Galek: Thank you.

Chet: Gentlemen, let's start with the obvious question. How could it be possible for perhaps the most well known criminal in the Imperium to make his way across not one but two Stellar Nations and land on one of the most heavily patrolled Colonies in the galaxy?

Galek: Let's not be too generous, the Commonwealth security on Odessa is laughable at best. Two Imperium freighters were hijacked last cycle and our citizens are continually harrassed on the planet surface.
Xarril: I won't comment on the state of CCM security, but the landing of OVIS seems to be a plan concieved for several cycles if not years. Originally we had seen some droid activity linked to the rebellion, scouting mines and archaeological sites. Then about three or four cycles ago a major strike force landed on Odessa. It is believed that during that time the planet was seeded with BioTech and CyberTech encoders. All they needed was proximity to a Gen-Tank and OVIS' positronic matrix to bring him to being.
Galek: And how is it possible that these items could be brought together? I recieved word from confidential sources that the droid that bore OVIS' positronic matrix was part of an elaborate scheme by the Commonwealth Intelligence Network to infiltrate the Synthetics infrastructure. For what purpose, no one knows, suffice to say it gives one pause when considering it was easily turned into a rebel turncoat who attacked those who were attempting to aid it.

Chet: Colonel, is this true?

Xarril: Chet, you know that's classified. We do have the unit that bore OVIS' matrix in custody and it is currently being studied. If ever anything is made public, I'm sure you'll be the first to know.

Chet:Well thank you gentlemen. I'm sure we'll speak with you again on this issue.

More Imperium Hijackings

A graphic of an Imperium freighter being attacked by pirate fighters hangs in the corner of the screen as Chet turns to us.

Chet: Again pirate groups operating out of the Odessa system have struck at Amorium shipments bound for the refineries of Troy. Imperium officials are livid, stating in unequivocal terms that if the Commonwealth can not protect its citizens then they will do it themselves. Commonwealth diplomats are currently on Zeus to try and negotiate a settlement to this problem without having to ratify a new Charter to the Odessa Colony.

Loan Deliquency At All Time High

A pictograph of the Expanse Credit Unit rotates in one corner while the ubiquitous GalBank logo floats in the other. Chet turns to the camera with another toothy grin.

Chet: Officials from GalBank say that the E-Z Qualify loan program, begun in good faith to bolster the Coreward expansion of all Stellar Nations has run into a rash of delinquencies and defaults. Credit agents have been dispatched to Colonies around the Expanse to collect on loans or begin legal proceedings for those who default.

Travel Advisories to Outer Colonies

The Commonwealth Transit Authority logo appears in the corner of the screen.

Chet:The CTA has issued warnings to all travelers to systems off established Jumproutes, and those with plans to travel to the Thebes or Olympus colonies. The Thebes and Olympus Colonies have been officially quarantined due to the explosion of the Thetis Flu. Commonwealth Medical Corps officials will not comment on the death toll, but sources say it has climbed into the thousands. Word has it that the disease has also spread to the Imperium Colonies of Demeter and Hera. The CMC fears that some sort of animal or plant life may be spreading the disease and that agrarian or underdeveloped worlds are at the greatest risk. The CTA also warns that attacks on starships off the normal jumplanes have increased dramatically in the past several cycles and that it is apparently not normal piracy or mis-jumps. The CTA advises extreme caution when traveling outside of established, patrolled jumplanes.

Baby, Don't Take Your Guns To Town

Among the "counter-culture" that is gridrunning, not to mention serious computing enthusiasts everywhere, the concept of the private club still exists...the most secret of hangouts, the bar that only serves badasses, because only badasses are able to find it.

To those who claim to know someone who knows someone who has seen Node Zero, it is crisp and sharp lines, wide spectrums of full color...everything the Grid is not because of the R-D protocols. It is hard to find Node Zero because it never is anywhere for very long. Every time it opens, it opens in a different place in the vastness of the Grid. It has the attitude of a rave party of centuries past - a handful of partygoers finds a vacated warehouse, an abandoned barn, and sets up shop with little or no advanced notice. By word of mouth and what must be sheer psychic clairvoyance, those who know Node Zero's secret make their way, hopping through the network, to this arbitrary virtual destination, where the Grid's pioneers and its future inheritors talk of esoteria, erotica, and erudition.

To state that the following occurs at night is only in reference to the atmosphere that is programmed by Node Zero's creators to suit the particular engagement. With planets on their own relativistic clocks and independent rotations, one goer may be getting up early while another is on the lunch break of their real-world job, and yet another is settling in for the actual nocturne of their home; regardless, everyone in Node Zero is feeling the drowsiness of a sky beginning to dim, even if it can't be perceived through the opaque obsidian walls of the complex. That is a testament to the crafters of the place; it is more real the more immersed one is in its code. The basic user can't even get to it; the virtual interface respects its beauty; the semi-direct interface allows one to sip casually from the aesthetics, but only the wireheads may drink deep.

This particular evening, various icons and personas lie about on couches, cots, sit on chairs, stools, recliners, and congregate at tables and bars. It is easy to tell the kiddies from the veterans - their personas are crude and colorless, their motions repetitious and jerky. The regulars are hi-def, hi-res, hi-fi, and hi-falootin. One is simultaneously moved to speak with them, and yet to remain deferential.

Upon first glance, the abundance of personas give the impression of a costume ball; this is a partial truth in observation. Here, many runners express their true self, unfettered by limitations of flesh or social inhibition. One's persona is an expression of their mind rather than their body. It is in this forced anonymity that the seed of conspiracy and collaboration may be planted.

A young woman tips dangerously back in a simple wooden chair, yet does not express signs of concern that the chair will fall over. She is a slim-figured lass of seemingly two and a half decades of youth, and is dressed as if heading to an Old West gunfight - brown leather duster, dark brown pants, half tucked-in blouse, and a black hat covering long blonde hair, tousled and dirty.

"So, Huey, you gonna sit there all night or are you going to make a move?" One of her eyes focuses intently on a pair of ghostly insects - biplanes, rather - making wild mating patterns in the air in front of her, each attempting to get behind the other and spit tiny gunfire at them. The other eye looks defiantly over at a heroic-jawed man clad in an olive-drab flight suit, complete with medals of indefinite meaning, a patch labeled "Super Huey, Commonwealth Aerospace Fleet", his helmet shrouding most of his head save for the face whose sneer returns the woman's gaze in proper measure.

"I thought I was moving, Pistol-chick. You can't see my clever tactics, is all," replies Huey, his own eyes darting around as they track both biplanes back and forth across the table below. "I'm just waiting for you to get tired of chasing me and then I close in for the quick kill."

"I'd be fine with that excuse if I knew this was just relaxation for us both. So exactly why are you stringing me along this evening? Usual antics? Temporary vandalism? Vidshow hijack? Audshow piracy?"

"No, this is more of a planning affair, L.P.," Huey says, momentarily silenced by the quiet buzzing of a biplane engine overrevving as it goes into a dive. "There's heap big corruption in the Combine, 'course everyone thinks that. But you know even more than I of the flavors of stinky it is."

With a mere twitch of his head, a holographic panel appears alongside the dogfight, even as the woman's Spad XIII barrel rolls through it amidst tiny particles of bullets. The panel depicts a camera's-eye-view of a security checkpoint guarded by half-a-dozen armored guards. They all wear uniforms embroidered with a horizon above which a gear-toothed sun rises - the official logo of the Mining Combine. All seems quiet until several turrets suddenly pop out of the ground like precocious prairie-dogs, their barrels rotating suddenly inwards towards the guards. Without warning, they begin unloading round after round at the guards, all of whom begin jumping and yelling for help as if it would come from on high; however, apart from the sparking of bullet ricochets, no one appears to be injured - the bullets continually miss by mere inches. The loudspeaker in the corner echoes with the sounds of a mariachi band - complete with arbitrary whooping and yelling of the bandleader - until a much louder voice erupts, that of the western woman. "DANCE, YOU SILLY TURDMONKEYS, DANCE! AND STOP THE PRICE GOUGING OF AMORIUM!" After a few more moments of impromptu dancing by the guards, the footage stops and the hologram disappears.

With a smile of sheer glee and nostalgic contentment on her face, the woman laughs even as her biplane takes a streak of fire across the wing, poking holes. "I admit, that was one of my more enjoyable runs." Her face returns to a level of seriousness as she rights her plane and banks steeply away from the fighter pilot's aircraft. "Yes, Huey, it's a bad thing they're doing, but you have to remember, it's the act of a few greedy sumbitches, not every gear-sun in the corp. That's why I didn't actually shoot anyone." Her Spad quickly turns and dives, performing a tight Immelmann and managing to spit a few rounds at the tail stabilizer of Huey's Fokker D VII. "So you're here to tell me there's something new they're up to, say, I don't know...illegal Synthetic manufacturing? Tell me something I don't know, like maybe...illegal drug use by the workers? Taurion? How is that different from any other PR scandal? C'mon, Huey, I don't have time for a boogeyman who I saw months ago."

"Yes, Pistolera, it IS something new," Huey replies in a tensed voice. "Illegal Synthetics means no identifying markings to indicate origin. There's talk on the transport chat streams of ships running without life support. My friends in the Imperium say that the Church of Man's been organizing a large-scale mission trip, and they don't just go somewhere to feed the poor and teach them how to build huts. All this points to Synthetic problems."

The shootist's already-concerned face becomes even more chiseled and pensive. "Okay, so let's assume for a moment that there's some Synthetic uberfuckery going on. Where do you start looking?"

Huey's face shows confusion, even as his Fokker strafes across the surface of the table, cutting off the Spad and peppering it with gunfire. "Hmmm...well there's no Synthetics in the Imperium, so...there's really only one place that the Church could congregate without hindrance or hassle."

L.P.'s biplane careens toward the floor, riddled full of holes and partially ablaze. "Odessa?"

Huey nods, smiling both at the realization and at the notion that he'd just won the dogfight. "Odessa. Only thing is, it ain't exactly a place you or I could or would want to go, and we can't run it from here. Not when they only connect briefly for GalBank transactions and military communiques."

L.P.'s expression brightens to a shade of hope mixed with muted affection and devilish intent. "Not true. I heard that the subgrid's due to be installed any day now. Guess who's in charge of electronic security there?"

Huey does not speak in response, but his face expresses a similar shade of satisfaction, minus the lustful tension that L.P.'s tone of voice exhibits. *FilterFish.*

As if to confirm Huey's unspoken guess, the woman continues. "Botch a run on a government facility, and they just turn you around and sic you in the opposite direction. It's going to be such a challenge getting him to bend the rules now that he's got to play by them. I've already got a great idea for a housewarming present to send him. Something he'll appreciate. Especially the way I play."

Thierry Lefcourt's "A Beginner's Guide to the Grid" - Ch 3

Chapter 3: Interfaces

There are a variety of manufacturers and suppliers of equipment available that allow you to access the Grid. From the plain-looking to the models with chrome plating and comfort padding, there's a means for every type of user, depending on what they intend to do with it. However, from a technical point-of-view, which is what this Guide is intended to provide, we can classify all interface devices into four groups, each with unique properties, flaws, costs, and activities which are best suited for them:

Basic

Basic Interfaces are categorized as having the minimum level of immersion into the audiovisual experience that the Grid is intended to simulate. Interaction and movement in gridspace is translated via a collection of primitive but inexpensive peripherals, namely a mouse and keyboard for input, and a flatscreen monitor and stereo speakers. All of these can be contained in a device as small as an energy scanner. The most widely purchased Basic interface device is the Shirasu-Fournier Griddler Lite, which contains just enough processing power to render the simple polygons of gridspace objects in their "minimized" state, and hold enough memory and optical storage to allow the average consumer to browse sites and download small files (music, news articles, images) for transfer to more robust, fixed-location systems (a home computer, for example).

Virtual

Virtual interfaces are the biggest sellers for holiday gifts and those who dabble in gridspace design. Both input and output peripherals get as close to the user's senses as possible yet allowing them to logout quickly and comfortably. Visual interaction is done via a pair of goggles or a holographic chamber (though the goggles are much more portable). Audio is handled with a surround sound system either mounted in a helmet (with the goggles) or in the visualization chamber, and positional microphones. Moving and acting is no longer done with devices that one must remember keypresses or a sequence of button clicks; now, with a pair of sensor gloves (or for those more questionable activities, a full spandocloth sensor suit), the user merely points or gestures with their body to produce motions or activate items suspended in midair. It greatly decreases delay time between the user and the system he/she is accessing, and is the de facto standard for most grid games' system requirements. Last year (2437), the infamous trio of U. of Athena dropouts Genndy Osipov, Pavel Kovalev, and Yelena Ushakov (who as most know went on to found a moderately successful hardware company known as OKU Designs) sent many a parent's bank account into the red with the re-release of their stylish but highly customizable GnG ("Goggle & Glove") package, the Virtus Beta.

Semi-Direct

Up until about 100 years ago, the research of neurological communication had reached a sizeable roadblock. With the sharing of culture and technology with the Kumaal Collective, a new understanding was reached about the organic, analog protocols that the brain used to stimulate its primary senses and motor functions. The first stage of this research involved the use of weak electrical induction through the scalp by means of a SQUID (Superconducting QUantum Interference Device) mesh worn on the head either as a flexible shroud, or a reinforced plastic helm. Surgical invasion consists only of keeping the hair relatively short and well groomed (oil buildup can short the individual electrodes). The benefits of a Semi-Direct interface are significant increase in response time as the user's limbs or sensory organs never need get involved. However, at this point, the user runs the risk of a malfunctioning interface or illegal programs inducing a harmful current or hypnosuggestive transmissions into the brain. Still, the device is external, and so such dangers are minimal. Semi-Direct interfaces (such as the bleeding-edge GridHelm revealed by S-F at last year's GDC - Grid Developer's Conference) are expensive toys that are only accessible to graduate-level researchers, online game addicts (particularly those who have managed to turn their "mad skillz" into a profitable league gaming career), and the techno-savvy.

Direct

With nanoscopic cybertechnology already in wide use in the Commonwealth for medical purposes, it was only a matter of time before such techniques were applied to the new methods of neurological enhancement that the Kumaal inspired. Using a Direct interface requires a small set of preliminary surgical implants, most noticeably a co-processor that wraps around the base of the spine, just above the lower back. This allows the interface device to be plugged straight into the user's nervous system (with a port located somewhere fashionable such as wrist, temple, or neck). The obvious benefit is that for all intents and purposes the user's CNS is considered an extension of the interface deck, resulting in unequalled response and minimal latency. The obvious drawback is the costs and health concerns of having the co-processor installed and maintained, and also that any program that would cause inadvertent damage to a computer system will also affect a "wetwired" user to the same extent, with rather horrid results. For the average Grid user, a Direct interface is totally and completely unnecessary, and is only used for large-scale applications by government/corporate concerns. A normal-looking citizen walking around with such a tool will definitely draw attention by law enforcement and, likewise, unscrupulous parties wishing to acquire the parts (caring nothing about how they get it out of you).

Most Semi-Direct interface devices are automatically compatible with Direct interfaces, by changing a couple of hardware settings.

Thierry Lefcourt's "A Beginner's Guide to the Grid" - Ch 1

Chapter 1: The OSiverse

"The Grid" as it we know it today developed out of the visions of sci-fi authors William Gibson, Neal Stephenson, Philip K. Dick, Stephen King, and many others. The actual seed, however, was planted in the early 21st century with the advent of the Massively Multiplayer Online Game, where vast worlds were represented with amazing detail and color definition. It took the spare time and ingenuity of one man, Elliot "Fractalus" Modine, to water the seed and begin its nurturing. A disgruntled former employee of a well-established software giant, Elliot had managed to land a project manager position at a electronic gaming company called WinterNight Entertainment, which was currently in an expansion period due to the remarkable success of its latest sci-fi MMORPG, "Barons of the Solar Realms" (or BSR for short). Bored with the concept of telling other programmers what to do rather than get into the code himself, Elliot (being a single man) often spent evenings in the office examining the day's work of patches and content enhancements, trying to live vicariously the life he lead back at his former job working on operating systems and user interfaces. On a complete whim, he began to tinker with a pre-release build of the latest BSR code and implement object manipulation into its environment that provided a virtual "gateway" to the hardware systems it ran on (just the one at the beginning). He found that converting the existing MMOG code into an operating system was much easier than he first thought, and was quickly onto something that, while completely alien and rather unwieldy, showed the promise of a new paradigm of information management.

In the latter half of 2087, after a year of solo work without anyone at WinterNight knowing, Elliot's project was completed and presented to the Board of Directors, who promptly rejected the idea, calling it "a waste of company resources", "a financial risk", "too innovative to be sellable". Disappointed but not fazed, Elliot went ahead and published the software on his own, calling the product "OSiverse". Computer enthusiasts and casual users alike began to flock to this piece of unique, albeit still buggy software, and starting a homebrew movement to improve its capabilities.

WinterNight promptly filed suit against Elliot, claiming that he was illegally profiting off of work that was done on company resources. Elliot defended himself in court by saying that at no time was the company paying him for the hours spent on the project, that no actual billable hours were logged for OSiverse, and therefore the company's rights were almost negligible since the majority of the code was developed on Elliot's laptop which was merely purchased *through* WinterNight and not by the company itself - i.e. Elliot's personal property which he chose to use at work, a practice that was encouraged.

In a last ditch effort, WinterNight tried to prove that code was being directly lifted from Barons of the Solar Realms and that Elliot had committed copyright infringement. Elliot had seen this coming and so astonished the court when he offered to have the code compared side-by-side.

In a ploy that would become computer legend, Elliot prepared the latest build of OSiverse, which had been privately improved and tweaked by millions of users worldwide ever since its release!

When WinterNight took a look at the OSiverse code, they were astonished to see that it didn't resemble BSR at all. The userbase had managed to completely revise and refurbish the entire codebase into a completely new and polished product.

The court ruled in favor of Elliot on all counts except for a minor charge of using the company's resources, mainly their Internet connection, in the development of the OS. Elliot placated WinterNight and the judge by taking a big risk that could either make him extremely famous or extremely poor - OSiverse would be turned over to the National Science Foundation and become property of the U.S. Government (which would later become part of the Commonwealth). WinterNight would not be cheated out of any further profits, and come out smelling like a rose for their philanthropy. The decision turned out to be the right one, as the NSF and its countless representatives at universities worldwide snatched up OSiverse development immediately and appointed Elliot as a member of the board, but also allowed him to continue as project manager (and of course, Lead Developer as well).

As OSiverse's influence grew, it eventually was merged with the expansion of the Internet, and the two became inseparable as mankind began expansion into other solar systems. Former software companies died out, and their employees left to work on development of applications for OSiverse (as opposed to being simply compatible with it). By the end of the 21st century, the Terran Federal Commonwealth and all its planet-states were completely OSiverse-dependent.

Headlines (January 2440)

The CGN logo fades revealing the toothy grin of Chet Haskins, Anchorman:

Chet: "Good morning Commonwealth, I'm Chet Haskins, and this is CGN Headlines"

Thetis Flu Spreads

Chet looks levelly at the camera as images of bodies being carted out in quarantine bags flash by over his shoulder:

Chet: "What began as a small, but virulent, outbreak of a new strain of influenza has now engulfed the Commonwealth Colony of Thebes. Over 200 dead and thousands infected have brought this agrarian world to a standstill. Fears were compounded yesterday when a dozen cases of Thetis flu were confirmed on the neighboring colony of Olympus. Commonwealth medical has ordered a quarantine zone on Olympus and for the Thebes system. The 2nd Marine Division located at Fort Barnes on Thebes has been shifted from search and destroy police actions against the Followers of Ubaz to quarantine duty. Attacks by the Followers have been noticeably down since the beginning of the flu outbreak."

Imperium Amorium Shipment Hijacked

Chet: "A recent shipment of Amorium was hijacked while traveling through neutral space to refineries on the Imperium Colony of Troy. Neither Federal Marshals or House Galek Adjudicators have been able to pinpoint the group responsible. Urien Galek, of the Adjudicators had this to say:"

A middle-aged man with House Galek tattoos running up to his temple appears beneath the flag of the Imperium.

Urien: "This outright theft of Imperial property is considered a High Crime within the Imperium. Those that are responsible will be caught and dealt with accordingly. We of the Imperial Security Forces are concerned that the Commonwealth obviously does not take the safety of Imperium assets and personnel seriously. Lord Reynal Thul has considered sending an escort fleet of Imperial warships to make certain that the safety of our citizens is assured."

Chet: "General Oswald Mckenzie of the Colonial Marines had this to say in rebuttal:"

An older man in full Marine dress uniform stands in front of the seal of the Ministry of Defense fielding questions from reporters.

Mckenzie: "I would advise Lord Thul and Lord Galek to re-read the Odessa Colony Charter and the Compromise which allowed free transit of starships through the Odessa system, but colonial and planetary security belonged solely to the Terran Federal Commonwealth and to the Commonwealth Colonial Marines. Bringing Imperium warships into the Odessa system would create a difficult and potentially dangerous situation."

Increased Synthetic Activity at Anatunai Sites

Chet: "Ancient Anatunai sites have long been the haunts of treasure seekers and would-be mystics. Now it seems that the Synthetics have caught on to the mystery of the ancients. Dozens of Synthetics have been arriving at Anatunai dig sites across the Expanse and simply staring at the hieroglyphs for hours. For commentary on this phenomenon we turn to Dr. Kimbal of SynthTech Enterprises. Welcome Dr. Kimbal.

Kimbal: "Thank you Chet."

Chet: "Is there any explanation for these strange activities? First the OVIS rebellion attacks a dig site on Olympus and now normal Synthetics are worshiping the Anatunai?"

Kimbal: "First of all, it's unfair to categorize the Synthetics of the OVIS rebellion and those of the Commonwealth as either normal or abnormal. The OVIS rebellion was a result of decades of slavery and inhumane treatment of sentient beings, machines, yet still sentient. Secondly the Synthetics are simply curious, they feel drawn to Anatunai sites and artifacts since much of their neural networks are based on Kumaal technology, which in turn was based on Anatunai technology. It would be like humans visiting the historical sites in the middle east on Earth. Trying to locate and experience the birthplace of our civilization."

Chet: "Do you think they are recieving some sort of pre-programmed message from the Anatunai?"

Kimbal: (laughs) "I seriously doubt it, Chet. Though the technology was loosely based on Anatunai design their programming is thoroughly human. The Synthetics would have no more luck puzzling out those hieroglyphs than you or I would."

Chet: "Well thank you for your time, Dr. Kimbal."

Headlines (November 2439)

The CGN logo fades to the toothy grin of Chet Haskins, Anchorman.

"Good Morning, I'm Chet Haskins and this is CGN news."

Major Skirmish on Kiltahni Border

Chet takes a dark tone as he relates the news:
"Three Kiltahni Imperial Cruisers jumped into a neutral Jumppoint between the Kiltahni world of Kol'naresh and the Commonwealth world of Atlas. The Cruisers were apparently chasing criminals and nearly sparked a reignition of the Kiltahni War with the Commonwealth Battle group stationed in the system. The Kiltahni Ambassador had this to say about the incident:

A gray maned Kiltahni whose markings look vaguely like a lion's appears among several warriors all striped like tigers. He snarls at the camera:
"We were excercising our legal right of pursuit of criminals. Once again the Commonwealth harbors those who fear to face justice for their crimes. Hra'ghir."

The shot comes back to Chet:
"Our translator says that the last word is a Kiltahni epithet that would earn us a substantial fine if translated on the air."

Thirty Five Dead of Thetis Flu

Chet takes an appropriately concerned tone:

"The Commonwealth Medical Corps has issued a warning for the Colony of Thebes after yet another outbreak of Thetis Flu. Thirty five people died in the village of Nuevo Salvador. The CMC has no clues as to how the virus is transmitted or who or what the carrier is."

Synthetic Rights Advocates up in Arms

Chet once again turns his pleasingly bland smile to the camera:

"Synthetic Rights Advocates are up in arms over the recent arrival of a Church of Man Mission on the Commonwealth Colony of Odessa. As most of us know the Church of Man was responsible for the OVIS uprising on the Imperium world of Gorgo and the subsequent purge of artificial lifeforms from the Imperium. We have with us today Dr. Lawrence Kimbal of SynthTech Enterprises, and a leading advocate for Sythetic Rights. Dr. Kimbal, welcome."

An older man of African descent smiles pleasantly at the camera. "Thank you for having me, Chet."

Chet: "You've often stated that the Church of Man poses a dire threat to the Commonwealth. If it's just a religion how could it be such a threat?"

Kimbal: "Look at it this way, Chet. A full quarter of the Commonwealth labor force is Synthetic. They plant our crops, build ships and orbital stations, work in mines and refineries and generally do the work that would either be too difficult or too dangerous for a human to do. They are efficient and eager to work hard for a modest wage as they have few needs. Imagine if you would what would happen if the Church of Man gained a serious foothold in the Commonwealth. The elimination of a large portion of our workforce coupled with the expense of outfitting humans to do the same job would bankrupt us as it did the Imperium, couple that with the Luddite philosophies of the Followers of Ubaz and you could have a full-scale conflict between those who believe in technology and those who do not."

Chet: "A sobering thought, Dr. Kimbal, thank you."

Worker Riots on Hephaestus Moons

Chet: "Planetary Security Forces were called into the Duranium mines on the two moons of Hephaestus after Combine workers turned violent at a labor demonstration. Eyewitness reports state that nearly a dozen workers went beserk attacking everyone nearby, occaisionally turning on one another. Tests concluded that the miners were under the influence of the designer drug "Taurion", which gives a short term boost to strength and stamina but causes a mental breakdown during withdrawl periods. Federal Law Enforcement has notified the Senate that they are looking into the matter and will be conducting a full scale investigation. Combine sources are dismayed that such a thing could happen in their mines but attribute the drug use to workers trying to compete with an increasingly Synthetic workforce in the mining industry."

Grisly Attacks on Coreward Explorers

A graphic of a derelict ship hangs in the upper corner as Chet turns a somber eye to the camera:

"Ship disappearances along coreward Jumplanes are not uncommon as pirates and uncertain Jump coordinates claim nearly a dozen explorers every year. But this year a disturbing trend has begun to develop in the unknown reaches of space. Derelict starships have been found on the edge of known space, their crews tortured and mutilated almost beyond recognition. There have also been reports of settlements raided and destroyed in a similar manner. These raiders have left none alive to report who or what they are. Federal authorities advise extreme caution when travelling in unknown territories."