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Dead Boys son boludos.

[genderneutralpalladium]

Borg O.C.C.-Rifts 11th printing 1998 (Edited as shown)

“Borg” is the popular slang term for cyborg. Cyborgs are men and women [people] who have been surgically augmented with machines for the purpose of war. The combat design and intent is the main aspect that separates bionics from cybernetics, even though the basic principles are the same. Another difference is that subjects for the bionic augmentation are not, as a rule, replacing missing or damaged body parts with mechanical replacements, but allowing perfectly good, functioning limbs and organs to be surgically removed and substituted with mechanical counterparts. A rather extreme and grisly thing to do if you stop to think about it. Of course, bionic technology is so developed that a complete binonic conversion (all limbs plus implants) can be performed in just under 8 hrs, and, it is said, with minimal discomfort to the subject.

While it is true that bionic reconstruction is virtually painless, the person is giving up a portion of his their humanity forever. The bionic limbs are obviously mechanical, can not be cosmetically concealed, and can never be replaced with real flesh and blood structures, only bionic ones. The psychological impact can be devastating; consequently, most willing participants undergo a thorough psychiatric evaluation and hours of consultation to prepare them for their new life. Those who are properly prepared live long and happy lives. A surprising 89% are completely adjusted to life as a living machine. However, there are unscrupulous tyrants, slavers, and high tech bandits who capture unwilling subjects for bionic conversion for use as slaves, laborers, or warriors. Of slave-borgs, only 32% are content with their transformation. 21% will attempt suicide over and over again.

Coalition Borgs

The Coalition has only begun utilizing borgs in the last few years and these are limited to a few elite troops and the occasional officer. Bionics, especially full conversion, goes against the mentality of the human purists; however, limited use of bionic conversion has been authorized. All Coalition borgs are volunteers. 40% are soldiers who were injured in combat, 20% are healthy volunteers, and the remaining 40% are human mercenaries who have volunteered and enlisted for the mandatory six years of service. Borgs who go AWOL are hunted down and destroyed on the spot. At this time, the Coalition does not create slave-borgs; however, the Emperor is considering the possibility.

Borg citizens must be registered with CS authorities. Registration records the borg’s current place of residence, family, employer, and bionic capabilities. The same is true of temporary mercenary laborers occasionally hired to work in the city. Military personnel are authorized registered.

Partial Bionic Reconstruction

Partial bionic reconstruction means that the trunk of the body, neck, and head remain human. The two legs, feet, hands, and arms are completely removed and replaced with mechanical limbs. The pelvis/hip area, shoulders, collarbone, and spine are reinforced with metal rods and cybernetic implants to support the new bionic additions. Weak or sickly looking internal organs, especially the heart and lungs, are likely to be replaced with guaranteed cybernetic constructs as well (1-70% likelihood). If the lungs are replaced, they will have all the cybernetic options (see cybernetics section for lings and internal organs).

Partial reconstruction for military purposes usually include at least minor eye, hearing, and sensory enhancements, as well as a handful of bionic weapons. See Bionic Section for exact bionic systems.

Partial reconstruction for slave labor will seldom include any sensory, hearing, or optical enhancements, and never include bionic weapons. What is desire in slave-borgs is raw strength and endurance. Anything more would make the slaves too dangerous. Of course, weapon systems can be added later.

Full Bionic Conversion

Full bionic conversion means the character is over 90% machine. The entire body has been replaced with a mechanical one. The remaining human parts are restricted to the brain, often, but not always, the face, and few other original human components, especially the tongue, throat, and head. The rest of the body has been discarded and the few himan component kept are placed in a bionic body. The body is effectively a fully functioning robot that responds to the human brain with the precision of the flesh and blood body. The internal workings of the new body systems are strangely similar to the human body with scores if tubing carrying life sustaining fluids. Electro-magnetic relays and nano-technological workings make up the rest of the internal system. The new body is hundreds of times more durable, faster, stronger, and deadlier.

Full conversion for military purposes means the best optics systems, hearing, headjack, and weapons. Physical capabilities are generally taken near the maximum, and the mechanized warrior is outfitted with five bionic weapons.

Full conversion for slave labor means the subject has basic or optimal enhancements and no weapons or other sensory enhancement (unless it specifically relates to the labor).

Psionics and P.P.E.: A person who possesses psionics will retain his their psi-powers only in the case of partial bionic reconstruction and even then, I.S.P. is permanently reduced by half. Full conversion destroys all psionic essence. Scientists do not understand why this is, but specilate that the psionic essence is somehow linked to the physical body, as well as the mind.

Likewise, no borg, partial or full, can operate techno-wizardry devices nor practice magic. However, borgs do enjoy a bonus to save versus magic of +3 and are impervious to psionic bio-manipulation and see aura. P.P.E.: Virtually nonexistent. 1D4.

Skills of the Slave-Borg

The slave-borg will have the skills and knowledge of whatever O.C.C. he or she they may have been before the conversion. Most slave-borgs are simple people with few formal skills and little to no education.

A typical slave-borg comes from a peasant background and gas the following skills: Hand to Hand: Basic (can increase to expert at the cost of two other skills or martial arts for three), cook, dance, fishing, pilot automobile or truck (pick one), lore:demon ir faerie (pick one), W.P. Blunt, and can speak American (96%) and two other languages at 75% proficiency.

At first level the slave-borg can select four “other” skills, each with a 5% bonus.

The character can also select four Secondary Skills withiut benefit of bonuses. At third and eighth levels an additional two Secondary Skills can be selected.

Available categories are limited to any: Communications: Radio:Basic; Domestic, Medical: holistic medicine or first aid only, Physical (any except acrobatics, gymnastics, boxing, and SCUBA), Pilot, Pilot Related, Rogue (excluding computer hacking), Science: Basic math only, Technical (excluding all computer), W.P., and Wilderness. Any of the skills are available unless otherwise stated.

Standard Equipment for the Runawa Slave-Borg

May or may not wear clothing, but is likely to wear mega-damage body armor. Also has a backpack, a coupke sacks, utility/ammo belt, sunglasses or tinted goggles, air filter or gas mask, and personal items.

Weapons will include a couple knives, and two other weapons of choice. Cannot use techno-wizardry weapons.

Vehicle is limited to horse ir non-military vehicles such as hover vehicles, motorcycle or car. Often goes for inconspicuous looking vehicles.

Money: the character starts out with no crefit and 2D4x1000 in salable black market items.

Cybernetics and Bionics: Basic; see previous descriptions. Can upgrade whenever he/she they can afford to and a cyber-doc and bionics are available.

Skills of a Coalition Borg or a Military Mercenary Borg

The mercenary combat borg was created for combat and has undergone some basic military training. The following Coalition Military skills are known.

Radio: Basic (+10%)

Pilot Hovercraft (+10%)

Pilot Tank and APC (+5%)

Read Sensory Equipment (+10%)

Weapon Systems (+5%)

Climbing (+5%)

W.P. Energy Pistol

W.P. Energy Rifle

W.P. Two of choice

Hand to Hand: Expert

At first level the borg can select six “other” skills, each with a +5% bonus, and speaks American and one other language at 96%. The character characte can also select eight secondary skills without the benefit of bonuses. At fourth and eighth levels select an additional two secondary skills.

Available skill categories are limited to: Communication, Domestic, Electrical: Basic only, Mechanical: Automotive only, Military, Medical: First Aid only, Physical (any except acrobatics and boxing), Pilot, Pilot Related, Science: Math only, Technical, and W.P. Any if the skills are available unless otherwise stated.

Standard Equipment: Coalition Borg and Mercenary Borg

Modified Coalition “Dead Boy” armor suitable for the bulk of a borg or conventional cyborg armor for the merc, energy side arm, energy rifle and field equipment. Additional equipment may be available upon assignment, same as the Coalition Grunt. However, borgs are seldom issued robot vehicles, never SAMAS power armor, and usually restricted to hover vehicles and motorcycles. In most cases, the borg does not need a vehicle unless traveling great distances or needs great speed. Money for a Coalition Borg is 2400 credits a month and the usual military benefits. Plus the Coalition pays fir the entire bionic conversion, but the borg must pledge to enlist for a minimum of six years. Longer service is rewarded with additional bionics. Borgs are considered a new elite force in the Coalition Army.

Coalition Borg standard bionic capabilities: Full bionic conversion (seldom a partial unless requested by Coalition officer); P.S.:28, P.P. 20, average speed 132 (90mph/148 km/h), built in language translator and the standard items described in the Bionic Section full bionic conversion for military purposes.

Vehicles for mercenary borgs are limited to non-military hover vehicles or souped-up motorcycle, truck, or, car.

Money: The mercenary borg starts out with 6D6x100 in credit and 1D4x1000 in salable black market items. Note that mercenary borgs can often make big dollars in areas of military conflict and a exterminators in areas plagued by supernatural beings, magic, or psychics. The Coalition sometimes hires borg mercenaries at 3000 credits a month, plus free room and board and free bionics cleaning and maintenance (repairs, not new bionics).

Cybernetics: Starts with none. Tend to avoid implants in favor of natural powers. [??? Why is this phrased like this instead of large portions of the body are already cybernetic or see previous descriptions?]