Eye of the Needle

Welcome to 2048

The future is not the dystopia of many predictions, nor the utopia many hoped for. There are still wars and rumors of wars, the desperate poor and the connected rich. However, technology has marched on. Cybernetics and biotech have brought the tales of cyberpunk authors to life, while the modern battlefield is all but unrecognizable. Artificial consciousness always seems just right around the corner. Nanofabrication is a household technology, though it's not perfect

The most notable discovery was something unexpected - gravity control. It is now practical for many objects to be levitated, including the long-awaited flying car. This has opened space to exploration and exploitation, and drastically changed many industries. Fusion power finally arrived, although only in massive facilities

The Situation

What the vast majority of people do not know is where GC tech came from. The scientists who hold the Nobel for it were only a part of the real story. Most of the work was reverse engineering technology recovered over the years - technology not of this world. Several extraterrestrial craft have been recovered, but the strangest finding was found on Earth via archaeology. The ancient texts referred to it as the Eye of the Gods, our scientists call it a antimass wormhole stabilizer, but around here we have a different name for it:

The Stargate.

We have sent several probes through the Stargate, and our intelligence reveals something grim - advanced and hostile extraterrestrial life exists. They possess actual combat oriented space vessels and some mysterious energy weapons. Strangely, there appear to be humans enslaved by these aliens. We have covertly recruited you, some of the finest operators in the world, to investigate the worlds beyond the Stargate.

The Game

This is not exactly SG-1 Cyberpunk Edition, but it is close. The universe of 2048 is significantly different from the universe of the show - don't expect Jaffa to be completely useless, for one. Rules are light - stats will be minimal, and the gameplay is aiming for a cinematic feel. I'm not fixated on realism, but please don't go too crazy. Games will run on Saturday mornings (Central Time), so afternoon-evening in Europe.

Operator Types

Operators come in a variety of types depending on their upgrades and experience.

Controller - Drone specialist. Some soldiers, most commonly women, have cybernetic processors installed in their brain to be able to perform incredible feats of multitasking. Controllers can pilot a small flock of simple drones or a few complicated drones. This level of multitasking makes more conventional combat upgrades quite difficult, but they can level the playing field like a one-woman army.

Chrome - Transhuman Whiz Kid. Genetic and nanotech modification is an expensive process, and only the wealthy who can afford it for their children. Chromes are not much better than a peak condition human with an extremely long lifespan physically, but they can perform incredible feats of intellect. A chrome can synthesize vast quantities of detail, has a photographic memory, and typically knows at least half a dozen languages. Cybernetics for chrome physiology are still experimental - they have complicated immunocompatibility issues. Notably, chromes in the Project are carefully psychologically screened - Prima Donnas need not apply.

Military Cyborg - Killing machine. Soldiers injured in combat or people enlisting for the free upgrade, these people can often carry and use vehicle weapons without a problem. Some are built like walking tanks, others are built like a gymnast, but all are capable of incredible feats of physical strength and toughness. They are generally not that subtle unless running under camo.

Veteran - Expert Soldier. Physically, these warriors are not much better than the average soldier, having the standard combat mods. However, they are supremely skilled. Often recruited from special forces, these are the masters of the art of combat, and they can act on reflex while others have to think. Excellent at training and leadership, as well as planning.