Fading Stars Classic Traveller Setting

Airlock, Portable

An inflatable, portable chamber that can be attached to the vacuum side of a bulkhead, entered, and pressurized, which allows a hole to be cut into a pressurized area without depressurization. It includes a patch held in place by pressure which seals the hole when the airlock is depressurized. Size: 500cm by 20cm by 200cm (deflated, 2000 litres), 1.5 meters by 1.5 meters by 2 meters (inflated, 4500 litres); deflated volume includes a pressurized air cylinder and
an automatic pump.

TL:9, Weight: 6kg, Price: Cr1,000

Ball, Rescue

Standard on all Imperial military vessels and on most private ships as well. When folded, the rescue ball is a cylinder 5 cm in diameter and 10 cm long. When deployed, it forms a sphere one meter in diameter which contains air sufficient to last one person for two hours. In the event of explosive decompression or other loss of air, a rescue ball allows an individual not in possession of a vacc suit to survive until aid arrives. The user pulls a lanyard, climbs inside and seals the zip closure. The ball is made of a metal coated plastic film for ease of location by radar and contains a bottle of compressed air, a first aid kit, and a transparent window through which the occupant may observe conditions outside the ball. Rescue balls provide some protection from stellar radiation and corrosive and insidious atmospheres for five to seven hours.

TL:7, Weight: 5kg, Price: Cr150

Beacon, Emergency

A combination long-range communicator and signal transponder, the commlink beacon is a very sophisticated emergency signalling device. The internal
transponder monitors common emergency search-and-rescue channels (one at a time). When traffic is picked up on this channel, the device simultaneously emits a shrill warning tone to alert users to the possibility that help is at hand and transmits a coded distress signal. Some more expensive models have
provision for a taped, auto-repeat distress call, instead of the automatic code signal. In either event, the commlink beacon serves as a means of establishing contact when there is any search being mounted within 500 kilometres, and then it serves to continue communications after that initial contact. The
transponder operates for 30 days.

TL:9, Weight: 1kg, Price: Cr750

Binoculars, Electronic

Vision aid providing electronic enhancement of images. Electronic binoculars feature light enhancement and range-finding capabilities. Comes in an over-the-shoulder carrying case; a sling is also provided for separate carrying.

TL:8, Weight: 0.5kg, Price: Cr750

Binoculars, Image Converter

Most night-vision devices and electronic sights either are sensitive to infrared (heat) radiation or use light intensifiers to detect their targets. Both have minor disadvantages: IR images can be camouflaged by insulation and LI requires background light to amplify. In addition, the user can only see as far as the unaided eye. Commercially available at Tech Level 10, the image converter is sensitive to both infraredand visible light. It picks up both heat images and visible-light pictures. The converter can intensify these images, making night-vision possible, as well as magnify them up to 20 x . Both functions are completely adjustable, but high intensification will cut contrast drastically, making the resulting images unclear. Automatic polarizers cut in if the image is bright enough to blind. A laser rangefinder is also included. In infrared mode, personnel may be detected up to 3 km away, and vehicles at 6 km. In visible-light mode, personnel may be detected at 5 km and vehicles at 10 km. Note that physical concealment does not necessarily mean that a target is undetectable. The rangefinder is effective out to 7 km, making it useful for infantry or hunting use only. Special hardware/software packages are available for hand computers that expand the capabilities of the image converter. When hooked up to a computer using a graphics package, the image converter can be tied into a map box (allowing others to see what the user sees), and electronic “photographs” can be stored in the computer’s memory. Another package allows the computer to calculatethe speed of a target relative to the user. Physically, the image converter is similar to a set of binoculars. Power packs are mounted insidethe converter casing and average one week of constant use.

TL:10, Weight: 0..5kg, Price: Cr12,000

Binoculars, PRIS

The portable radiation imaging system (PRIS) has many more capabilities than binoculars from any previous Tech Level. The PRlS can be set to observe images in the spectral range from infrared to gamma rays. (The PRlS will not detect radio waves.) The front surface of the PRlS is transparent to all radiation; just behind it is a series of lenses tailored to various specific bands. Besides this, a tight beam laser rangefinder gives an accurate reading on the target within sight up to about 20 km, depending on conditions, with the
range displayed as a digital readout in the viewfinder. The PRlS also has a built-inclock and limited memory, so the rangefinder can determine the velocity of the object being viewed by comparing its distance from the observer over time. The unit can be calibrated to a standard self-precessing gyrocompass, in which case the bearing of the direction viewed will be digitally displayed in the corner of the viewfinder. The magnification strength of the PRlS is adjustable up to 225 x . A built-in flywheel for gyro-stabilization insures a steady field of view at all magnifications.

Besides its obvious uses in the field, the PRlS also finds itself used in a variety of industrialand engineering applications. Its infrared images can be color-coded to show the ambient
temperatures of objects in the viewfinder. A PRlS can therefore be found near every jump drive, to be used by engineers looking for “hot spots” on the drive housing. In other areas
of a ship, the PRlS can detect problems in electrical circuits, again by finding an area of higher temperature.

TL:12, Weight: 1kg, Price: Cr3,500

Bugs and Detectors

Bugs are near-microscopic, difficult to detect monitoring devices, which enable an individual to hear conversations or to record them for later monitoring. Typically, a bug array is packaged as a small rod containing fifty implantable bugs, together with a bug detector. Placed by touching the rod to a wall joint, light switch, or some other feature of a room, implantedbugs are not recoverable, but they can be destroyed. Bugs send a constant signal to a central monitor. Bugs, once placed, are impossible to detect without a bug detector. A detector is calibrated to detect the signals of bugs and to note their location. A bug detector can be set on one of three settings: Detect, Smother, or Destroy. “Detect” merely indicates the presence and location of a bug. “Smother” prevents a bug from sensing conversations, but allows the bug to remain active. “Destroy” actually destroys the bug which has been detected.

TL:15, Weight: 1kg, Price: Cr1,000

Commdots

A commdot is most often found used as an adjunct to a communicator, although other uses are becoming more common. One commdot is temporarily affixed to the scalp just behindthe ear; another commdot is stuck to the throat just above the Adam’s apple. The microelectronicsin the dots can transmit and receivefor a distance of only about a meter, but this is far enough to put the dots in contact with a large, more powerful device. One can thus use a communicator or hand computer and still keep both hands free for other tasks. Commdots are powered by ultraminiaturesuperbatteriesand can be tuned by another device. Most communicators support this tuning capability. When one desires to communicateover more than one frequency at a time or to operate morethan one device, a commdot multiplexer is used. The multiplexer is a small box worn on the belt and coordinates activity between the commdot and several electronic devices. The operator can then receive or transmit only on the channels desired, and he can turn signals on or off at will.

Set, TL:10, Weight: - , Price: Cr100

Multiplexer TL:10, Weight: 0.1kg , Price: Cr800

Communicator/Recorder

A miniaturizedelectronic device capable of receiving voice or radio input, recording it, and transmitting this information either on a given external signal or continuously. Reception and transmission is on the standard voice communication bands. Thus, the device can listen for signals and then retransmit them, or it can continuously transmit a prerecorded message, Tape length is 10 minutes; transmitter range is line of sight (it is blocked by buildings, mountains, and so on)

TL:11, Weight: 0.1kg, Price: Cr400

Communicator

A communicator is defined as a radio transmitterlreceiver combination capable of operating off an internal power source; it is portable in the sense that it need not be connected to a power supply. It maytransmit and receive both voice and data. Communicators0.2 liters and under can be worn as earpieces, which are unnoticeable to the casual observer.

TL:5, Weight: 20kg, Price: Cr225, Range: 5 km (3 miles)

TL:5, Weight: 300kg, Price: Cr15,00, Range: 500 km (310 miles)

TL:8, Weight: 0.1kg, Price: Cr75, Range: 5 km (3 miles)

TL:9, Weight: 1.2kg, Price: Cr75, Range: 500 km (310 miles)

TL:9, Weight: 1.5kg, Price: Cr5,000, Range: 5,000 km (3,100 miles)

TL:10, Weight: 0.4kg, Price: Cr250, Range: 50 km (31 miles)

TL:12, Weight: 1kg, Price: Cr1,000, Range: 5,000 km (3,100 miles)

TL:13, Weight: 0.1kg, Price: Cr250, Range: 50 km (31 miles)

TL:14, Weight: 1kg, Price: Cr500, Range: 500 km (310 miles)

Communicator, Laser

The laser communicator is a line-of-sight device with a regional range (500 km). This distance is seldom needed on a world’s surface since the distance to the horizon limits the range first, but this range often allows contact with an orbiting ship. The laser communicator’s main advantage is that it provides a tight beam andthereforea private means of communication. Sets of laser communicators are often set up in a “repeater” network. Spaced at a horizon-to-horizondistance, the unitscan instantly convey a message around a world by retransmitting it from station to station.

TL:10, Weight: 1.5kg, Price: Cr2,500

Communicator, Video

The video communicatortransmits a voice and two-dimensional image over a range of 500 km (regional). The unit is small enough to be carried in a pocket or hung on a belt. The communicator has a built-in microphone and video camera for input and a small speaker and a polylucent cuprothallium display for output. The cuprothallium display slides into the main housing when not in use, and the video camera can be switched off if desired. Commdots can be used to speak and listen if the device is attached to a belt. By opening the unit up, interior controls can preselect five different frequencies for current use; one of these can then be chosen using the frequency selection knob on the front of the communicator. The communicatorcan transmit and receive simultaneously. When used with commdots, the communicator can be used to set the commdot frequencies to itself; it will also automatically multiplex with a commdot for any of its five active frequencies.

TL:14, Weight: 0.2kg, Price: Cr500, Range: 500 km (310 miles)

Computer, Hand

Provides services of a supercomputer (equivalent to Model11 in computing power), plus serves as a computer terminal when linked to a larger computer (such as on board a ship).

TL:11, Weight: 0.5kg, Price: Cr1,000

Counter, Radiation

Indicates presence and intensity of radioactivity in the immediate vicinity. Can be preset to give a warning signal if levels of radioactivity rise to dangerous levels. Readouts are given in specifics and in terms of danger to humans.

TL:5, Weight: 1kg, Price: Cr250

TL:10, Weight: - , Price: Cr100

Data-Display/Recorder Headpiece

This headpiece represents a significant breakthrough in holographic display technology at Tech Level 13. A small rectangle of polylucent cuprothallium provides a constant heads-up three-dimensional display for the wearer. Although useless by itself, the headpiece can be interfaced with virtually any number of Tech Level 13 + devices by using a multiplexer similar to that used with commdots. The multiplexer not only coordinates the information for the user but also synchronously records the multiple signals onto one standard holocrystal for later review. Their use is common among bridge and engineering personnel on starships as well as smaller craft. For example, someone flying in a grav belt while using a neural activity sensor handset would find it inconvenient (to say the least) to refer to the readout on his backpack. Instead, the sensor’s output is immediately displayed on his headpiece. At the same time, he can monitor his altitude, airspeed, position, and the operational status of his grav belt batteries and grav units. If he is also wearing a vacc suit, he can read off his oxygen supply and internal temperature besides. When desired, the headpiece can be swung out of the way above the head; when the display is turned off, the cuprothallium is transparent. About three percent of the population find it difficult to focus properly on the headpiece and are unable to use the device.

TL:13, Weight: 0.1kg, Price: Cr5,000

Densitometer, Handheld

An outgrowth of gravitic technology, the remote densitometer uses an object’s natural gravity to measure its density. The densitometer records scan data in a three-dimensional
matrix. The matrix is processed by the densitometer’s computer to provide a 3-dimensional density map of the scanned object or region. Large massive objects (like starships) can be located out to planetary range, while smaller objects (vehicles, heavy metal deposits) can be located at very distant range or less.

TL:14, Weight: 7kg, Price: Cr15,500

TL:15, Weight: 2kg, Price: Cr25,000

Desert Survival Kit

A kit containinga variety of items useful in the desert. Includes a 1-litercanteen; first aid kit; salt tablets; folding shovel; plastic, watertraps, straws, and directions for building three solar stills; a knife and sheath; a signal mirror (for attractingthe attention of searchers in the day-time); and a water purification kit (see below). The kit comes in a 30cm x 12cmx 12cm pack which can be worn on the back or hip or attached to a larger pack.

TL:5, Weight: 1kg, Price: Cr450

Electronic Tool Set

Necessary tools for basic assembly and repair of electronic devices such as communicators, detectors, sensors, and control instruments.

TL:7, Weight: 5kg, Price: Cr2,000

Flare, Smoke

These flares emit both a bright light and a pillar of colored smoke for 15 minutes after ignition. Once set off, they burn constantly and cannot be shut off. Sighting in either day or night is nearly automatic in line-of-sight. Smoke flares are s pecifically designed to be hand-held or implanted in the ground.

TL:6, Weight: 1kg, Price: Cr12

Flare Gun

A flare gun is used for long-rangesignalling, and it has a number of applications, both civil and military. It consists of a pistol-likelauncher which can fire any of several types of flares up to 50 meters. In addition to being used for signals, it can fire illuminating flares which can be used for spotting purposes at night. A signal flare is a standard type which provides an easily noticed trail of light (but no real illumination). An illuminating flare for 30 seconds lights up everything in a radius of 50 meters around the firing character. Such flares are always noticed at night but have little effect by day.

Flare Gun - TL:5, Weight: 1kg, Price: Cr75

Signal Flare- TL:0.25, Weight: 1kg, Price: Cr10

Illum Flare- TL:0.25, Weight: 1kg, Price: Cr25

Goggles, Combination IR/LI

These goggles combine light intensificationand infrared radiationdetection in one unit and are worn like eyeglasses. They allow vision in anything more than total darkness and can detect heat sources up to 50 meters away. Most types have automatic sensitivity control in the LI mode to prevent blinding by a bright light source, and they can be adjusted manually in both the LI and IR mode by a knob mounted on the earpiece.

TL:9, Weight: 0.2kg, Price: Cr1,250

Goggles, Infrared

Allow wearer to see exothermic (heat emitting) sources in the dark such as animals, fires, or hot engines. The quality of vision is necessarilydistorted as heat sources and not reflected light images, are being viewed. IR goggles also provide protection from windblown particles.

TL:6, Weight: 0.25kg, Price: Cr500

Goggles, Light Intensifier

Allow vision by intensifying ambient light and are usable in anything less than total darkness. LI goggles may allow darkness penalties in night or combat situations to be reduced or ignored. LI goggles also provide protection from windblown particles.

TL:7, Weight: 0.25kg, Price: Cr500

TL:10, Weight: - , Price: Cr400

Grav Belt

A standard-issue Tech Level 12 grav belt looks like a parachuteharness with a “stiffener” that runs down the back and has a series of artificial gravity modules around the waist. The grav belt weighs about 10 kg, but once it is turned on, a neutral control setting eliminates this weight. This configuration provides 300 kg of thrust for four hours between charges. The grav belt has a maximum speed in an atmosphere of 300 kph (185 mph), a cruising speed of 225 kph (140 mph), and a nap-of-earthspeed of 40 kph (25 mph).

TL:12, Weight: 10kg (when not activated) , Price: Cr100,000, duration: 4 hours per charge

TL:15, Weight: 10kg (when not activated) , Price: Cr110,000, duration: 8 hours per charge

Heatsuit

A skin-tight, head-to-toecovering which provides protection against extreme cold. A power source drives a network of heating filaments in the fabric. An internal thermostat
allows any apparent temperature, negating the effects of low temperatures and wind chill.

TL:8, Weight: - Price: Cr300

Heatsuit Battery

Disposable battery capable of powering a heatsuit’s filaments for a period of 72 hours.

TL:8, Weight: 0.5kg, Price: Cr40

HeatsuitPower Pack

An energy source designed to replace the batteryfor a heatsuit. It powers the suit for up to 144 hours without recharging,and it is capable of recharging in one hour from any standard power source.

TL:10, Weight: 2kg, Price: Cr500

Helmet, Transparent

A “goldfish bowl” type of helmet, this protective device has certain advantages over the protective mask. It is lighter, offers more complete protection against irritant atmospheres, and does not hamper the wearer as much as the clumsier mask. The helmet can also be worn with a protective suit or vacc suit in corrosive atmospheres.

TL:8, Weight: 0.75kg, Price: Cr30

Locator, Inertial

Indicates direction and distance travelled from any preset starting location.Accurate to within one-tenth of the total distance travelled; may be carried on a belt or sling.

TL:9, Weight: 1.5kg, Price: Cr1,20

Lockpick Set

Allows picking of ordinary locks by a dexterous and skilled user. Lockpicks are illegal on most worlds; on such worlds the cost rises to Crl00 or more. A lockpick set of a given Tech Level cannot be used against types of locksof higher Tech Levels, but it may be used against a lock of a higher Tech Level if it is equipped to deal with that type of lock. For example, a TL 6 kit cannot be used against electronic locks since these begin to appear at TL 7. However, the same kit could be used against a TL 7 deadbolt lock, albeit at a slight disadvantage; the difference in Tech Levels could be used as a DM to the success roll

TL:5, Weight: 0.25kg, Price: Cr10-100

Mask, Filter

A filter set which allows an individual to breathe tainted atmospheres.

TL:3, Weight: 0.5kg, Price: Cr10

Mask, Protective

For use in irritant atmospheres, the protective mask covers the wearer’s mouth, nose, and eyes, and it hooks up to an oxygen supply, which makes it ideal for use in atmospheres containing mild amounts of ammonia, sulfur compounds, or minimal amounts of chlorine.

TL:6, Weight: 0.5kg, Price: Cr25

Mechanical Tool Set

Includes basic tools necessary to repair and alter mechanical devices, including vehicles and guns.

TL:5, Weight: 20kg, Price: Cr1,000

Medical Kit

A modern first aid and medical treatment kit containing drugs, surgical supplies, and diagnostic materials for use by doctors and emergency medical technicians. This medical kit is sufficient for both minor and serious wounds, and it can be used for the treatment of animal injuries, radiation burns, chemical burns, poisoning, and drug overdoses.

TL:7, Weight: 10kg, Price: Cr1,000

Medical Scanner, Computer

This larger, handheld version of the pocket med scanner (below) takes rapid readings just like its smaller cousin, and thus it greatly reduces the time spent
on a medical diagnosis task. The larger scanner differs from the pocket version in that this handheld model includes a complete expert system diagnosis computer, which allows individuals with little or no medical skill to diagnose and treat illness and injury.

TL:12, Weight: 1kg, Price: Cr25,000

Medical Scanner, Pocket

The pocket med scanner is an indispensable device in the satchel of any physician. Medical skill is not needed to operate the scanner, but the skill is necessary to properly interpret the readings. A doctor or nurse needs only to press against the patient’s chest with the small disk-shaped probe. In five to ten seconds, the scanner accurately determines body temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration rate, level of neural activity, and fluid balance. This useful device greatly reduces the time needed to make a medical diagnosis task. The scanner probe can actually be used anywhere on the subject’s body, but no respiration rate is available apart from the chest site. Once the reading is made, pressing a small button on the device records the values in the scanner’s memory. These
records can be called up later for review. Setpoints on the scanner can be keyed in, so if readings reach a certain level (either high or low), the scanner beeps to alert the attending physician. Small adhesive pads are used to attach the scanner temporarily to the chest for this purpose. The med scanner is optimized for use on a given race, so using it on members of another alien race does not work. An individual skilled in electronics and medicine could, however, try to modify a particular device to work accurately for another species. (One exception to this rule does exist: the Same device can be used for humans and Vargr.)
Vacc suits at Tech Level 12 and above are designed with special contact points to allow a med scanner to be used without requiring removal of the suit

TL:12, Weight: 0.1kg, Price: Cr10,500

Metalwork Tool Set

Includes basic tools necessary for metalworking, welding, and shaping. Metalwork may include the construction and repair of shelters, vehicle bodywork, and
alteration of metal structural items.

TL:4, Weight: 50kg, Price: Cr1,500

Parachute, Grav

Utilizing a basic grav technology, the grav chute is a compromise between the expense of grav equipment and the basic problems of regular parachutes. A simple grav module capable of nullifying a portion of the individual’s body weight (but not of providing motive power, as with the grav belt) is worn as part of the chute harness; a conventional parawing is also deployed. Because the grav module can alter the effective weight of the jumper, it can be used to reduce
the distance required for chute deployment by a factor of roughly three fourths (thus chute deployment is not necessary until an altitude of about 50 meters). Varying the grav setting can also be used to alter the rate of descent, which is a particularly useful ability when staging a military raid. The grav chute cannot fully offset body weight (normally) and certainly cannot provide lift; the small size of the power pack and the nature of the grav module itself will not permit this.

The parawing is used for steering, to back up the module in case of failure, and is necessary to check the final portion of the descent. It is virtually impossible for a jumper to miss a given target area using a grav chute. The power pack is capable of operation for a total of five minutes. Power packs can be recharged from the usual power services or replaced at a cost of Cr500.

TL:10, Weight: 15kg, Price: Cr2,500

Respirator

A small compressor which allows an individual to breathe in very thin atmospheres.

TL:5, Weight: 0.5kg, Price: Cr100

Sensor, NAS, Portable, and NAS Handset

Developed from Tech Level 12 psionic helmet theory, the neural activity sensor (NAS) was first used medically. It remotely detects the electrical activity of a life form’s central nervous system and classifies it according to amount and complexity. The data system compares the activity pattern to known types of life,
especially intelligent life. The portable unit has a range of 500 meters (very long). It consists of a backpack and a handset with a retractable parabolic dish focuser. The handset in fact is not attached to the backpack, and it can be operated up to 100 m distant, which further extends the range. This high tech item is very rare in the Rebellion period.

NAS Backpack - TL:15, Weight: 1kg, Price: Cr15,000

NAS Handset - TL:15, Weight: 0.3kg, Price: Cr20,000

“Sniffer” Bioscanner

The bioscanner “sniffer” scans for evidence of biological or metabolic activity in the area. It is a highly advanced combination sample analyser. The Tech Level 15
sniffer is a breakthrough in molecular analysis the device: provides both improved analysis speed and a cheaper price than sniffers of Tech Level 14 and less. Not only is the bioscanner useful for biological studies, but it also helps with regular chemical analysis. (A cheaper and smaller Tech Level 15 chemical analyser is available, but it is not very useful for biological scanning). The portable Tech Level 15 unit listed here incorporates both analyser and collector into one. It has two modes and corresponding equipment: one mode for mass sampling of atmospheric content and the other for minute sampling. The evidence of biological activity must be within short range of the scanner, for anything beyond short range is undetectable. The bioscanner helps a user to recognize or categorize evidence of familiar and unfamiliar organisms, which allows ecological classification, determination of potential hazards to other life forms, and estimation of potential uses (form of food, commercially valuable).

TL:15, Weight: 3.5kg, Price Cr350,000

Solar ’Vaporator

A device which collects moisture from the air, especially at night. Yield is 2 litres per 24 hours in standard or dense atmospheres, 1 litre per 24 hours in thin atmospheres, and .5 litre per 24 hours in very thin atmospheres. The ’vaporator is stored in a compact (50 cm x 20 cm x 20 cm) package, but it unfolds (an operation requiring 5 minutes) to 200 cm x 10 cm x 50 cm and stands on a tripod which takes up 1 square meter. If the ’vaporator is not running throughout an entire 24 hour period, partial yields can be calculated by assuming that 3 times as much water can be collected at night as during the day (0.5 litre during the day on a standard on a standard atmosphere planet, 1.5 litre at night). Solar panels provide power directly during the day and accumulate and store power for operation at night.

TL:10, Weight: 8kg, Price: Cr1,250

Still, Fusion

A bulky device which breaks water molecules free from material placed within it. The amount of water delivered will vary with the type of material fed to the still, but ranges from 1 % for very dry sand to 70% for organic material such as wood, plants, or bodies. This percentage of weight in kilograms gives a one-to-one yield of water in litres (thus, 100 kg of sand will yield 1 litre of water). The still requires 1 hour to set up, and 30 minutes for each 10 kg of material processed; the hopper must be cleaned out after each load, which requires another 30 minutes.

TL:13, Weight: 60kg, Price: Cr4,500

Suit Air Conditioner

A cooling unit designed to function in hot atmospheres like the suit heater functions in cold.

TL:8, Weight: 3kg, Price: Cr200

Suit, Desert Survival

Cover-all garment with shiny outer surface which prevents major water loss in the desert. The wearer is cooled through evaporation of perspiration, but a series of traps and chemical filters condenses and purifies lost body liquid and stores it as pure water in pouches within the suit. A hood, goggles, and breathing mask (which traps moisture exhaled through the nose and mouth) are included. The chemical filters must be changed once a month, at a cost of Cr50. Besides keeping the wearer comfortable in sweltering conditions, the suit supplies one liter of water every three daytime hours, and one litre every night. The suit has certain disadvantages. At Tech Level 11 and lower, the bulkiness of the suit causes a loss to Dexterity. Also, the suit is extremely shiny, which makes it almost impossible for the wearer to sneak up on anyone, even in rocky terrain.

(This last disadvantage could be an advantage for characters lost in the desert who are hoping to be spotted by aircraft.)

Note that vacc suits and combat armour will also, by their very nature, provide complete protection for desert travellers, at least as long as their air supply holds out.

TL:8, Weight: 5kg, Price: Cr7,000

TL:13, Weight: -, Price: Cr9,000

Suit Heater

A suit heating unit to combat the effects of low temperature corrosive and insidious atmospheres. Without a heater, a protective suit is worthless in these conditions.

TL:8, Weight: 3kg, Price: Cr250

Suit, Protective

Protects against corrosive atmospheres. The protective suit is sealed, air-conditioned, and has its own air supply (good for six hours). The suit has no water supply of its own, nor will it protect the wearer once the air supply gives out, but so long as it works, the wearer will not suffer the ill effects of the outside environment.

TL:6, Weight: 7kg, Price: Cr1,000

Suit, Protective, Heavy

Protects against insidious atmospheres. In other respects, it is similar to the protective suit.

TL:7, Weight: 7kg, Price: Cr1,400

Survival Bubble

A large (2m diameter) plastic sphere with alternating clear and opaque panels, and a small oxygen tank (capable of supporting one person for two hours) for inflation. Access to the interior is through a conforming plastic seal which functions similarly to an air lock. The bubble can be used for life support in a vacuum (it can be moved by walking on the inside, treadmill fashion), and it can also be used for protection against weather or as a lifeboat on a sea surface.

TL:9, Weight: 3kg, Price: Cr900

Translators, Language

With the incredible diversity of cultures and languages found throughout the Imperium and neighbouring regions, computer language translators (CLTs)
have become a fundamental element of interstellar trade and communication. Dozens of models of various abilities, complexity, and price can be purchased on worlds throughout the Imperium of Tech Level 9 or better.

The basis of all portable CLTs is a program package called a memclip. Each memclip contains programming for one language. Typically, these clips can be purchased with preloaded language programs for between CrlOO and Cr150. Blank memclip can be bought for CrlO and programmed by duplicating a preloaded program.

All CLTs work in the same manner. Two entities, each with a CLT and memclips for both his own and the other’s language, adjust their units until they share a common radio frequency. Each speaks in his own language and his words are translated by the other’s CLT and relayed to a detachable remote speaker worn in the receiving entity’s ear. With practice, anyone can learn to follow the translation as the other individual speaks.

More than 700 languages are on memclips. Programs even exist for non-aural languages. The CLT can be carried in a hip pouch or by hand. CLTs have two to eight receptacles for memclips, plus the remote speaker. Prices vary. A standard CLT can be purchased for Cr2000. More expensive units have program correction features, more complete handling of idiomatic phrases, smaller size, bone implant speakers, greater durability, and a large capacity for Multilanguage
conversations.

TL:12, Weight: 0.5kg, Price: Cr2,000

General Equipment