Cybernetic Speech Implant

Overview[edit]

A Cybernetic Speech Implant is a special type of cybernetic implant. Only members of the intelligence agencies of the Great Houses had ready access to these implants, and attempting to acquire them on the black market was extremely difficult. Even if the surgery necessary to implant the device was successful there was a chance the agent's body would reject the implant, requiring a second more dangerous surgical procedure, along with a chance of permanent disability or madness. Due to the metabolic demands of the implant the agent also suffered from chronic headaches which required constant medication every six hours (and resulted in many becoming addicted to the painkillers). Wounds sustained to the implanted area were also more difficult to heal and recovery time was longer.[1]

The Ultrasonic model of speech implant could change a person's voice to a pitch outside normal hearing ranges and allow them to engage in "silent speech." Particularly adept users were even able to speak with their mouths closes in a type of ventriloquism. Only another agent with a properly-tuned signal pickup ear or modified communicator could hear this speech.[1] Meanwhile a Variable model could change the pitch and tone of the person's voice so that it sounded different than their normal speaking voice, allowing them to simulate other voices or mimic the effects of a Voice Distorter. Only one speech model could be implanted in a person, even among the advanced Manei Domini.[1][2]

Notes[edit]

In RPG play Cybernetic Speech Implants have the following rules:

  • Ultrasonic speech implants have the equipment rating D/B/D and cost 200,000. Only agents with a signal pickup implant or a modified communicator (10% cost increase) can pick up the ultrasonic speech. Standard communicators can be modified to pick up the speech after being physically reconfigured, requiring a TN 15 Tech/Comms test.[1]
  • Variable speech implants have the equipment rating C/A/C, cost 180,000 and provide a -2 bonus to Acting and Deception checks; opposed checks to determine if the voice is real or fake suffer a +2 penalty.[1]

Speech implants have no effect in CBT play.[2]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 A Guide to Covert Ops, p. 113-114
  2. 2.0 2.1 Jihad Hot Spots: 3072, p. 126, 131

Bibliography[edit]