Riot Control Low Wave Stormers

Biogenetic Species Integration Program

Project: Stormer 'Shock Wave'
Project Engineer: Professor K. Kristofasen (Karma Archives)
Shock Wave Project Report
To: Dr. Ernest Strand
From: Kris Kristofasen, Professor of Biology, Karma Archives
Subject: Update and supplementary records on Project 214, Shock Wave Stormer Variant Shock Wave: Genetic Structure Condensing Code:

01273922964927671167
91661143214145RED994
0012364778624BLUE794
09978826283679410111
01213141517161112004

Upgrades/Design Modifications

Following the request to assess all Stormer Variations for alternative, the below information describes the recommendation for upgrading the 114 Low Wave for use as an anti-riot unit designated the 214 Shock Wave. The predominant changes in the above Gene-Code from the standard 114 version are:

• Increased Reaction Time and Manoeuvrability: Improvements through the use of Shock Tendons and DNA gene-code changes. The 214 now has speed and reactions similar to that of a normal human as opposed to the dampened reactions of the 114.
• Vision Upgrade to Thermographic Vision: Replacement and upgrade from standard low light vision through modification of the retina as undertaken on project 711. This was deemed necessary due to the expected environment that the 214 is likely to have to work in. It also allows for basic threat identification on objects with larger masses as well as potential combustible materials (ie: 'Molotov Cocktails')
• Inclusion of Respiratory Filters: Through the use of a second filtering respiratory system any potentially harmful gases that are breathed in can be filtered and discarded through the bodies natural gas disposal system. There is also redundant lung capacity so that the 214 can continue to function in low oxygen environments.
• Cranial Reinforcement of Sensory Equipment: The head has been reinforced with sub dermal plating and a reinforced bone structure. This was achieved through gene-code alterations and will allow for an estimated 125% increase in durability.
• Advanced Armour to Structural Weak Points: As well as a general increase in the skin thickness to prevent harm, key weak points (including joints and genitalia) have been reinforced through localised sub-dermal plating.

History

Following the successful inclusion of the 114 Low Wave on various War-Worlds, it was decide to try the 114 in more domestic situations. Unable to fully upgrade the 114 to Operative status it was decided to use them in a more realistic context, that of urban pacification. The original program involved the use of standard 114s equipped with modified riot-protection equipment. However, with minimal desire for self -protection or any concern as to the possible harm to those involved in the riot, it became obvious that an improved version was necessary. The main problems as established by the trial use, identified that manipulating the required amount of 114 was difficult and preferably required at least one handler for every two 114s. Additionally it was hard to implement actions fast enough to be effective with those involved in the riot using the slowness of the 114 to their advantage.

The 214 version has a basic set of skills and situation responses as predicted by the design team. This allows one handler to control a group of about eight 214s with ease. For most of the time the handler is left to just observe the actions of the 214 only changing their actions if specific opponents are targeted or if unplanned situations arise. The 214s work best as a wall either keeping a riot from expanding or slowly restricting the riot to a specific place (if combined with other riot control groups).

Other Specifications

The basic training that has been included in the 214 are skills that are directly required for a hostile environment. This involves; simplified detection and threat evaluation, general tactics and team responses, basic combat and combat prevention skill and also training in the successful use of riot equipment. The predominant problem with training for the 214 is attaining the right balance between independent actions and handler control. The handler does not want to have to dictate every action to the 214 but again he does not want them doing everything their own way.

To overcome this problem it was decided to use a parallel reasoning process linked to a bio-neural network. This establishes priorities on actions and the 214 will then choose the action with the highest priority in a situation. This means that the Low Wave will evaluate whether the action from the trainer is a higher priority than the action it is undertaking and then undertake the action with the highest priority. Over time the bio-neural network will 'learn' which response is likely to be best in each situation and can start establishing its own priority levels depending on the situation and the 214s 'learnt' experience. This requires the handler to carefully choose what priority he sets his actions - if he always sets them too high, the 214 will always defer to him for what it should do for all of its actions.

Additional

The current version of the 214, using the above genetic structure condensing code, is to be fully tested in riot situations in Upper DownTown on Mort. The purpose of these tests are to establish if the gene-coding improvements have been successfully implemented and to test the 214s reasoning processes. It will also be the first tests that the 214 will have against real riot situations as opposed to the simulated riots that have been used so far. It is likely that assistance will be required by the Department of Shivers for these tests and it is envisaged that Operatives will also be used for general assistance and protection of the test team whilst in riot situations.

During the tests daily downloads of the bio-neural network will be undertaken so that the full extent of the 214s 'learning' ability can be established. A full evaluation of the priority level of commands will also be recorded. Of prime importance to the test is the ability of the 214 to 'learn' from as many different situations as possible - it may be necessary to simulate different hostile environments during the tests, perhaps by using the Operatives or by hiring a local gang. Each situation will be fully planned before deploying the 214s so that no harm is done to their learning processes.

Future Upgrades

There are a number of future upgrade plans for the 214, depending on the outcome of the trials. The first of these would most likely be the inclusion of riot equipment into the actual gene-code of the design; changing the left arm to a riot shield and possibly the right arm to that of a stun baton. The benefit of these actually being a part of the Stormer is that the Stormer would regenerate any damage that has been inflicted on to the riot equipment and would also allow for less training with the equipment to be required. The trials will also determine if the sub-dermal armour is successful or if an alternative solution, such as an integral Rush and KickStart producing node could be used instead.

Planned future developments for the 214 include their use in more civilian roles, such as doormen for offices and night-clubs. One development that is being designed at the moment is the inclusion of fire resistant skin for riot use. This could be further expanded to allow the 214 to act in the role of fire fighters, entering locations that are too hostile for civilian humans to enter. Another possible use for the 214 is as a future Operative, although extensive work would have to be undertaken on the bio-neural network of the variant.

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