Squib Techie
- Intent: Create a remote slicer for the well-intentioned extremist.
- Image Source: Photoshop image by me, using assets from
- Wikipedia
- Cyberpunk 2077 iPhone Case
- Matrix Waterfall Wallpaper
- Darkwire logo by
Daiya
- Canon Link: N/A
- Permissions: N/A
- Primary Source: HoloBoy Advanced (Force Unleashed Special Edition)
- Manufacturer: SQUIB GAMES
- Affiliation: Darkwire
- Market Status: Closed-Market
- Model: Illegally Modified Corellia Digital HoloBoy Advanced
- Modularity: No.
- Production: Limited
- Material: Duralumin, Flexiplast, Glasteel, Microcomputer C-Board, Compuer Information Slicer Card, Decryption Unit, Encryption Module, Diatium Power Cell
- Encrypted Comlink
- Automated Remote Slicer
- Portable Scanner
- Flash-Clear Memory Log
- Self-Destruct Mechanism
- Burner Phone. Designed to be cheaply made using readily available components, with end-to-end encryption that is routed through the CryptNet to obfuscate the transmission's source, origin, or destination. The flash-clear makes forensics of the data or contents extremely difficult, while the self-destruct makes gives this thing a literal burn notice.
- Automated Remote Slicer. The microcomputer in the CryptLink automated decryption protocols, allowing an off-the-shelf approach to slicing most common computer-controlled systems.
- Portable Scanner. Accuracy at short-to-medium range distances, dropping off as it approaches the horizon.
- Hold-Out Grenade. When all else fails, the self-destruct can be manually triggered to go off via killswitch or on a timer.
- Criminal. Possession of a remote slicer is a Class III felony in most jurisdictions of the galaxy, with up to 5 years in prison and/or fines of 10,000 credits
- Vulnerable to Force Lightning, ion energy, or electromagnetic forms of interference.
- Difficult To Repair. This is a burner phone. It's not meant to be maintained or repaired. Before any attempt at repairing it, the self-destruct has to be disabled, which could trigger it instead. Even in the best-case scenario, the flash-clear is likely to do a factory reset on the onboard memory, making this a brick when the repair is complete.
- Wireless network connectivity is required for remote slicer connection.
- Remote Slicer operates using the Universal Data Exchange. Proprietary computer languages using their own protocols, such as O/S Cresh require a compatibility patch before the remote slicer is able to connect to those systems.
- Portable scanner is not long-range or over-the-horizon. Provides only limited information, such as motion and direction.
The CryptLink was intended to be the standard issue comlink for Darkwire's Shadowrunners, providing a means of access to the CryptNet, secure communications to various agents or resistance cells, with a built-in suite of encryption and decryption tools for use against the Corporate Authorities of Denon or their supporters in the Galactic Alliance. Suffice to say, more of the technologies employed in the tool violated galactic law and made the CryptLink illegal to own or possess. However, the device was made with two fail safes. The first was hardwired to the memory log and triggered a flash-clear of the onboard memory if the device detected unauthorized access, such as a wrong passcode, user ID, or different biometric profile. The second was a self-destruct mechanism that triggered an overload of the diatium power cell.
These devices were assembled from an older model of Corellia Digital smart comlink that had been branded as a mobile gaming platform when it was introduced in 844 ABY. After being in production for 20 years, the company officially ended support to the HoloBoy Advanced. However, owing to the length of its production and galactic scope of its distribution, HoloBoy Advanced are relatively cheap and easily located in the second-hand market. The Squib behind SQUIB GAMES developed the concept and design for the modifications to the HoloBoy Advanced, which he published across Darkwire so that the devices could be modified into a CryptLink by any Shadowrunner with access to the components. Those cells and agents operating out of the Tombs were able to receive theirs directly from the Squib himself.
In addition to the remote slicer and decryption computer, modifications included a portable scanner that operated through an app. The scanner was only accurate at short-to-medium distances and suffered from electronic interference, but was able to supply a modicum of information related to nearby movement. This was more accurate in an urban environment were the device could measure readings off several nearby signal relays or towers, using such to triangulate position. Devices which blocked scanners similarly blocked this function.
The name or re-branding was a mocking nod to Corellia Digital's HoloLink line of comlinks, which had replaced the HoloBoy Advanced as of 864 ABY.
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