1 Other Factors
The SysOp may choose to apply other bonuses or penalties according to circumstances. DNA evidence may be degraded over time, biological samples may be contaminated by exposure to nonsterile environments, devices may be deliberately constructed to emit minimal electromagnetic radiation, etc.
1
1 Putting It All Together
The resolution of the scanning maneuver is as follows:
d100 (open-ended roll)
+ one of Machine Operation: scanners, Medical Practice, First Aid, or Signaling skill bonus
- degree difficulty (this is –20 if using First Aid, otherwise 0) - range penalty
- material shielding penalty
+ 20 (if scan is focused in a particular area/volume)
+ 20 (if scan is limited to one specific type of information/signal) +/- any miscellaneous factors
As with all All-or-Nothing skill maneuvers, a final result after all modifications of 101 or more constitutes a success. If the character achieves a higher final result, the scan may produce additional information. Consult the appropriate table below for the scanning
device and match the maneuver result with the target numbers.
If the maneuver result is equal to or exceeds the target number, then the character obtains the all the listed information. The only exception to this is if a character has chosen to limit a scan to a particular type of information or signal – in this case, the character obtains only that information and only if the maneuver result equals or exceeds the specific target number.
Table 9.19 Handheld Scanners
Task Target Number Notes
Bioscanner Detect Lifeforms 101 Must be of known type and size must be Medium or larger Detect Lifeforms 121 Must be of known type and size must be Small or larger Detect Lifeforms 141 Must be of known type and size must be Tiny or larger Detect Lifeforms 161 Must be of known type – microbial life can be detected Determine Bio-Kingdom 101 / 121 / 141 / 161 Flora/Fauna/Fungi/etc. Target number varies according to
size: Medium or larger / Small / Tiny / Microbial
Determine Distribution 121 / 141 / 161 / 181 Must have data on life form. Target number varies according to size: Medium or larger / Small / Tiny / Microbial Determine Chemical Base 121 / 141 / 161 / 181 Must be of a known type Target number varies according to
size: Medium or larger / Small / Tiny / Microbial
Determine Body Shape/Size 111 / 131 / 151 / 171 Target number varies according to size: Medium or larger / Small / Tiny / Microbial Determine Body Temp 111 / 131 / 151 / 171 Target number varies according to size: Medium or larger / Small / Tiny / Microbial Determine Body Structure 121 / 141 / 161 / 181 Skeleton/Organs; Target number varies according to size:
Medium or larger / Small / Tiny / Microbial
Determine Health 141 / 161 / 181 / 201 Must have physiological data; Target number varies according to size: Medium or larger / Small / Tiny / Microbial Determine Diet 141 / 161 / 181 / 201 From waste matter in body; Target number varies according
to size: Medium or larger / Small / Tiny / Microbial
Cashcard Scanner Read a cashcard 101 Must be of known/recognized type
Chemanalyzer Perform elemental analysis (5%) 101 Must be of known elements – can only identify concentrations of 5% or higher Perform elemental analysis (1%) 121 Must be of known elements – can only identify concentrations of 1% or higher Perform elemental analysis (0.1%) 141 Must be of known elements – can only identify concentrations of 0.1% or higher
Table 9.19 Handheld Scanners
Task Target Number Notes
Perform isotopic analysis 121 Must be of known isotopes of elements and identified constituents
Perform molecular analysis (5%) 121 Can identify specific known compounds within material at concentrations of 5% or higher Perform molecular analysis (1%) 141 Can identify specific known compounds within material at concentrations of 1% or higher Perform molecular analysis (0.1%) 161 Can identify specific known compounds within material at concentrations of 0.1% or higher DNA Scanner Read/record a DNA pattern 101 Must be of a known type of DNA or equivalent
Electronic Surveillance Detector Detect power emanation (normal) 101 From a power minicell or larger
Detect power emanation (miniature) 121 From non-microscopic power cells or electromagnetic fields associated with cabling/wiring
Detect power emanation 161 From nanotech devices
Detect transmission 121 Radio and similar wireless communications
Medical Scanner Identify external wounds 101 Open cuts, burns, frostbite, etc. Must have species-specific database Detect external abnormalities (e.g. extra
fingers, etc.) 101 Can detect variations from species-normal and identify if in database. Must have species-specific database
Identify skeletal injuries 121 Must have species-specific database
Identify tissue injuries 141 Includes muscles, tendons and blood vessels. Must have species-specific database Identify organ and internal injuries 141 Must have species-specific database
Identify nerve injuries 141 Must have species-specific database Identify brain injuries 161 Must have species-specific database Identify genetic issues 121 Must have species-specific database
Identify infections 141 Includes known bacteria, viruses, and prions. Must have species-specific database Identify internal abnormalities (e.g. extra
organs, etc.)
141 Can detect variations from species-normal and identify if in database. Must have species-specific database
Palm Print Analyzer Read/record fingerprints and/or palmprint 101 Reading/recording actual fingers and/or palms
Read/record fingerprints and/or palmprint 121 Recording actual palmprints and fingerprints left on surfaces Poison Sniffer Detect chemical toxin (5%) 101 Must be of a known type and present at 5% or greater concentration
Detect chemical toxin (1%) 121 Must be of a known type and present at 1% or greater concentration Detect chemical toxin (0.1%) 141 Must be of a known type and present at 0.1% or greater concentration
Detect biological toxin (1%) 121 Must be of a known type and present at 1% or greater concentration Detect biological toxin (0.1%) 141 Must be of a known type and present at 0.1% or greater concentration
Detect biological toxin 161 Must be of a known type and present at any dangerous concentration
Radiation Detector Detect radiation 101 Amount and type of radiation
Retinal Scanner Read/record a retinal pattern 101 Must be of a known retinal type or equivalent Tactical Scanner Overlay schematics/maps 101 Must be downloaded into scanner
Overlay friend-or-foe ids 101 Friend-or-Foe identification must be available and match downloaded records
Detect lifeforms 101 Must be Medium or larger size
Detect lifeforms 121 Must be Small or larger size Detect lifeforms 141 Must be Tiny or larger size Techscanner Detect power emanation (normal) 101 From a power minicell or larger
Detect power emanation (miniature) 121 From non-microscopic power cells or electromagnetic fields associated with cabling/wiring
Detect power emanation 161 From nanotech devices
Perform elemental analysis (5%) 101 Must be of known elements – can only identify concentrations of 5% or higher Perform elemental analysis (1%) 121 Must be of known elements – can only identify concentrations of 1% or higher
Trace circuit (millimeter) 101 Circuit must be on millimeter or larger scale Trace circuit (microns) 141 Circuit must be on micron scale
Trace circuit (nano) 181 Circuit must be on nanometer scale
Table 9.20 Biological Analysis (Sensor Suite or Sensor System) Task Target Number Notes
Detect Lifeforms 101 Must be of known type and size must be Large or Huge Detect Lifeforms 121 Must be of known type and size must be Medium or larger Detect Lifeforms 141 Must be of known type and size must be Small or larger Detect Lifeforms 161 Must be of known type and size must be Tiny or larger
Determine Bio-Kingdom 101 / 121 / 141 / 161 Flora/Fauna/Fungi; Target number varies according to size: Large or Huge / Medium / Small / Tiny Determine Distribution 121 / 141 / 161 / 181 Must have data on life form; Target number varies according to size: Large or Huge / Medium / Small / Tiny Determine Chemical Base 121 / 141 / 161 / 181 Must be of a known type; Target number varies according to size: Large or Huge / Medium / Small / Tiny Determine Body Shape/Size 111 / 131 / 151 / 171 Target number varies according to size: Large or Huge / Medium / Small / Tiny
Determine Body Temp 111 / 131 / 151 / 171 Target number varies according to size: Large or Huge / Medium / Small / Tiny
Table 9.21 Construct Analysis (Sensor Suite or Sensor System) Task Target Number Notes
Artificial or Antigravity Field 141 Determines gravity level and extent Atomic Structure 141 Known Elements
Communication: Civic 101 Includes Band/Frequency and interception of communication signal Communication: Personal 141
Communication: Vehicle 121 Computer Complexity 161
Damage / Integrity 121 Determine if construct retains its integrity and/or level of damage Drive 141 Includes acceleration and
maneuvering capabilities Detect Electronic Warfare 161
Analyze Electronic Warfare 181
Fuel 181 Determine type and amount Detect Missiles and
Torpedoes
121 Known “type” only
Analyze Missiles and Torpedoes
181 Known “make” only
Molecular Analysis 121 Known Alloys and Compounds Detect Open Spaces 101 Bays, Holds, Crew Modules
Power Use: Civic 101 Determines type of energy supply Power Use: Personal 121
Power Use: Vehicle 101 Detect Sensors 141 Detect Shields 121
Silhouette 101 Identifies external shape of construct Structure 121 Identifies internal structure of construct Detect Weapons 121 Vehicle size or larger
Analyze Weapons 141 On or off-line
Table 9.22 Stellar Analysis (Sensor System)
Task Target Number Notes Locate Asteroid Belt 121
Estimate number of asteroids 141 Locate Specific Asteroid 161 Locate Planet 121
Locate Stellar Ecosphere 121 By Species Locate Moons 121
Locate Major Lagrange Points 121 Locate Empty Orbit 141 Determine Orbital Period 121 Locate Star 101 Locate Black Hole 101 Locate Gravity Distortion 181
Analyze Gravity Distortion 201 Can be used to identify where a starship is heading as it enters hyperspace Star’s Spectral Type 101
Star’s Stellar Brightness 101 Star’s Stellar Class 101 Star’s Stellar Mass 101 Star’s Stellar Radius 101 Star’s Stellar Temperature 101
Table 9.23 Planetary Analysis (Sensor System) Task Target Number Notes
Atmospheric Makeup 121 Known compounds/gases Climate 141 Requires a complete planetary orbit Mean Planetary Density 121
Geological Makeup 161 Known elements/ores Gravity/Escape Velocity 101
Hydrosphere 101 Requires a complete planetary orbit Meteorological Patterns 141 Requires a complete planetary orbit Planetary Circumference 101
Precipitation 121 Requires a complete planetary orbit Rotation Period 101
Mean Surface Temperature 121 Current Surface Temperature 101 Visual Display of Area 101
1 Example: The crew of the Faffin’ Around have captured Carlos Vicenza, a megacorp boss suspected of being responsible for supplying warships to space pirates. They have reason to believe that Vicenza may have unusual cyberware or other augmentation. Dack decides that he will perform a medical scan on Vicenza, looking only for deviations from human norms (giving a +20 bonus). Dack has a Medical Practice skill of 68. Dack’s player rolls 51. As Dack conducts his scan within touching distance of Vicenza, there are no range penalties and no intervening barriers, so no shielding penalties. The result is 51 (roll) + 68 (Medical Practice) + 0 (no range penalties) + 0 (no shielding penalties) +20 (limited scan) equals 139. The SysOp consults the Handheld Scanners table for Medical Scanners. 139 exceeds the 101 target for external abnormalities. It is 2 short of the 141 target for internal differences from human norms.
Although 139 is also enough to beat the targets for external injuries, skeletal damage, and genetic issues, the scanner won’t report on these because the scan was focused on abnormalities only. The SysOp informs Dack’s player that Vicenza has a subdermal pouch whose opening is masquerading as an appendectomy scar, but the scanner has not detected any cyberware.
1 Example: Mungo is exploring the tunnels of a ruined Madji city. He has a combined Bioscanner/Tactical Scanner, which he is currently running in Tactical mode. He runs a tactical scan of the area, attempting a 40-meter radius sweep. Tactical scanners have a 20m Range Increment, so 40m is Range Increment 1, so –10 penalty. The SysOp rules that there are multiple intervening brick walls (-15 for 10cm of brick), so the SysOp rules this will constitute a –30 penalty. Mungo isn’t focusing or limiting his scan, so no bonuses. Mungo’s player rolls the dice getting 72, plus 75 (Machine Operation: scanners) – 10 (range) –30 (shielding), yielding 107. That’s greater than 101, so his scanner displays his position, his teammates’s positions, and the location of several unknown medium-sized creatures approaching slowly from a side tunnel. Mungo switches to Bioscanner mode and makes a focused scan in the area of the
creatures. The new result is 76, plus 75 (Machine Operation:
scanners) – 10 (range) –30 (shielding) + 20 (focused scan), yielding 131. That’s more than enough to exceed both the 101, 111, and 121 target numbers, and just enough to hit the 131 target. Beating the 101 target means that the scanner picks up the medium-sized creatures previously detected and that they are animals. Beating the 111 target reveals their body temperature and a reasonable image of their body shape.
Beating the 121 target means that the scanner also picks up the presence of several smaller specimens, identifies their chemical base, and the (exo)skeletal body structure of all the larger animals. Meeting the 131 target reveals that the smaller lifeforms have the same body shape and temperature as their larger counterparts. Mungo’s player decides to make a quick Biology maneuver, succeeds and positively identifies the creatures as shadowcrawlers, an indigenous species of aggressive omnivorous scavengers that look like giant armored centipedes. He signals to his team to ready their blasters.