Re: Equipment...what it does, not why
Multicorder 1: This portable device is often carried on missions into abandoned sectors, or as backup on other missions. Only one program may operate at any one time.
MULTICORDER PROGRAMS:
Dead Reckoning (GPS): Stores and displays a variety of maps, or accesses map libraries via radio. When the program is urnning, the operator must input corrent position; thereafter, the unit will display the map on request with current position, route, and identified features on the map. (The term "global positioning system" doesn't exist in Alpha Complex, although the abbreviation GPS does. What does it stand for? What is your security clearance, Citizen?)
Radar: Displays a variety of processed radar images in various scales. The effective range of the radar varies with multicorder number: Model 1: 1 km; Model 2: 10 km; Model 3: 100 km; Model 4: 1000 km. (The maximum range is never greater than line of sight.)
Psionic Phenomena Program: (TREASONOUS AND EXPERIMENTAL) Detects and graphically displays psionic (mutant) activity in the environment. Presence of psionic activity is detected with some reliability, but indication of direction and range is extremely unreliable. Range is tentative and varies with model number; Model 3: 0-100m?; Model 4: 0-1000m?
Lie Detector Program: The multicorder is connected to electrodes which are attached to the subject. The multicorder then interprets the subject's spoken and biochemical responses to a series of questions, indicating which of the subject's statements are true, false, or ambiguous. The test is only partly reliable. (When a character attempts to lie while hooked up to a lie detector, we will roll against Management skill.)
Editing Program: The Communications Officer can use the multicorder to revise and arrange the mission's video recordings into an aesthetically pleasing whole. Altering records to distort or falsify the truth is, of course, treasonous.
Visible Light Program: Operates like a video camera, with a variety of enhancements like magnification, image recognition, and filtering. This is the visual sensor element in most bots, permitting the bot to broadcast what it "sees" directly to its brain, an operator, monitor or The Computer. Range is line of sight.
Recorder Program: May operate like a sound or video tape recorder, and can also record data, images, and interpretations from any other multicorder program. The recorder program is routinely loaded into the portable or vehicle-installed multicorder assigned to each Troubleshooter mission. The recorder program may thus provide a complete record of a party's activities. Often the multicorder simultaneously broadcasts the recorder data directly to The Computer to permit it to monitor the mission's progress. It is a treasonous act to prevent the multicorder from maintaining a complete record of a mission's activities.
Self Destruct Program: (TREASONOUS)Loading this program into a multicorder causes the unit to wipe all currently loaded or recorded programs. The hardware is not damaged, but new program chips will be required before the multicorder can be used again.