The Bio-Neural Coprocessor (BNC) is a new piece of cybernetic equipment recently produced by Enigma Tek. It is the first step towards more advanced control of the direct brain to computer interface. The eventual benefits of this system have yet to be determined. Despite this lack of detail the product has begun selling in record numbers. especially to the computer criminals known as Netrunners. The primary reason for this is the BNC gateway setup. The BNC can be programmed to ignore certain anomalous signal instructions sent by cybermodems that have been overrun by ICE.

This is not as effective as it may sound however. In order to record the anomalous signal's characteristics the Netrunner has to experience them and survive. Essentially each time a Netrunner encounters a specific ICE program (that is a Hellhound 1.0 is not the same as Hellhound 1.1) he will receive a +2 to all saves against it. Eventually he will be rendered partially immune to any attack that he does not fumble.

In order to use this device the Netrunner must also have a neural processor installed. The humanity cost and surgical codes are the same for this device are the same as the original processor. It should also be noted that all recoded signals are downloaded onto a user specific chip capable of holding 10 signals per chip. This means it is possible to update once older model ICE is no longer sold or lose the records.

Engima Tek

So far no one has a clue to the origins of Enigma Tek. Competing corporations have tried to identify the research and production facilities used to create some of the more advanced products with no success. It has been theorized that Enigma Tek is operated on the sly by a coalition of corporate AI's who have somehow managed to beat the Turing Test protocols employed by Interpol to control AI development.

To make matters worse all funds directed to Enigma Tek from the sales of their products have disappeared into the depths of the Swiss Banking system and no shares of the company have been offered on any exchange.

True Functions of BNC

The BNC is the beginning of something much more impressive than obsolete ICE. It is a new way for the human brain to process information. The primary function of the BNC as it currently stands it as a sort of channel splitter. A human equipped with a BNC is able to quite easily handle up to 4 different links all at once with only a -2 modifier to actions. This means a BNC equipped operative could handle his smartgun in combat while using a linked radiocom system (consider this like telepathy for all the effort involved), at the same time he could be driving a cyber controlled vehicle and navigating with a linked satcom system. Well so what, a number of different cybernetic systems will allow some of that? (This system will in no way reduce the cumulative action penalty for such a combination.) The advantage is in information processing. The satcom map would be accessible to the operative as if it were a part of his memories and with as much intrusion. Also the operative would not need to use up valuable spaces in his optics for the more advanced times square features, they could be kept useful while a remote system provides that information.

Pretty cool huh? The BNC is also used in producing far more realistic simulated experiences (see SimEx). And this is the down side. With a Simulated Experience editor it is possible to permanently alter a person's memories by providing linked experiences so real they can overwrite existing memories. It is fortunate perhaps that at this point in time only full cyborgs and netrunners are actually in any danger. The level of cybernetics in the vast majority of people is of a low class and limited to more useful features. As a result only those people who have no biological control methods or who are linked into direct interface systems (for the most part netrunners, most general users will use gloves and goggles or 'trodes, no surgery involved) are at risk. However the trend toward cybridization will eventually change this.

Ghostware

Any anime fans out there will recognize these ideas. They are all based on Ghost in the Shell, a manga and OVA by Masamune Shirow (the best Cyberpunk artist and writer). In Ghost in the Shell it is possible to rewrite human memories to affect the behavior of people (after all if you create a memory of a loved one in danger then what won't the target do?). It is also possible to hack into the control circuits of most cyborgs. As a cyborg becomes more and more sophisticated there is a greater need for automated or computer controlled systems. Eventually this level reaches a point where an outside computer can quite literally take control of the body and supersede the human brain's instructions. Cyberpunk 2020 has not quite reached this level yet, although most full cyborgs are capable of being affected this way and netrunners using direct brain interface systems can be affected by SimEx. I'll leave it up to the Gamemaster to determine the effects of this in his game (Until such time as I offer more details.). But consider ICE that is able to implant terrible nightmares into a target or induce behavior by creating realistic situations that can be manipulated. Or even more effective a program that can rewrite the command interfaces between a person and his own cyberlimbs (or in the case of a full cyborg his whole body). Eventually people will need to carry personal anti-hacker software to protect their own memories or cyber systems from outside authority. This could be useful even now in 2020. Chromebook 4 introduces lockable chipware that cannot be removed, as well as control chipware that might force a person to keep his eyes closed (sorry that might be from the net). Ghostware would be set up to control the input from the person's chipware sockets as well as his I/O plugs.