John Locke
V U L K A N
SPECIAL FEATURES
The Fangshu Array grew from an attempt to answer an unusual question: does a cyberattack actually need access to a computer? While conventional electronic warfare relies on communications links, network intrusion or malicious software somehow finding its way into the target system Locke and Key already had technology that could bypass this at a tactical level. The Fangshu Array takes a radically different approach at a strategic level. Rather than attempting to penetrate a computer's software, it attacks the physical electrical processes from which that software emerges, using a precisely modulated electron beam to induce electromagnetic effects within the target itself.
At its simplest, the Fangshu Array is a highly sophisticated electron gun. When fired against a hull or armoured surface, the stream of charged particles interacts with the target and produces changing electromagnetic effects across it. Those fields can subsequently couple with conductive pathways within the target, inducing unwanted currents and disrupting sensitive electronics. Used crudely, this makes the Fangshu an unconventional but effective electromagnetic warfare weapon. Circuits can experience faults, sensors can return corrupted information, processors can malfunction and communications equipment can be overwhelmed by electrical noise. The effect resembles an EMP attack, although produced through a highly localized and directed mechanism rather than a conventional electromagnetic pulse.
That, however, is merely the most basic application of the technology.
With sufficiently precise control over the frequency, intensity and timing of the electron beam, the electromagnetic disturbance can be deliberately patterned. Instead of creating random electrical noise within the target, the Array attempts to induce specific electrical states within its circuitry, induced states that can represent information.
In effect, the Fangshu does not transmit malicious code into an enemy computer, it attempts to make the enemy computer generate that code itself.
At the lower end this might introduce corrupted instructions, false sensor information or disruptive processes. More sophisticated attacks can theoretically construct executable malware within the affected hardware, allowing viruses and other cyberwarfare packages to seemingly appear inside an otherwise isolated system. At the extreme end, given extraordinary computational resources and detailed knowledge of the target architecture, the Fangshu can attempt to imprint far more elaborate programs—including autonomous or virtual intelligences.
Most cyberwarfare defence systems such as firewalls, encryption and intrusion countermeasures are designed around the assumption that hostile information must enter through some form of accessible interface. The Fangshu sidesteps that assumption by attacking the underlying electronics. There is no malicious transmission for a firewall to reject if the malicious instructions are being induced within the machine itself.
The unusual nature of the attack also gives the Fangshu another valuable characteristic. Its electron stream behaves differently from conventional blaster bolts, particle weapons or solid projectiles, and many common defensive shields are simply not calibrated to interpret the comparatively subtle movement of electrons as an incoming weapon. Against such defenses, the beam can interact with the protected hull despite the shield remaining intact.
The Fangshu is not a destructive weapon. It does not punch holes through armour, vaporize hull plating or blast apart enemy vehicles. Where a turbolaser destroys an enemy vessel and a conventional slicer tries to break into it, the Fangshu seeks something subtler: to turn the enemy's own machinery against itself.
- Exotic weapon that uses the principles of electro magnetics to disrupt and engage in cyberwarfare with enemy systems.
- Fires a focused beam of electrons at an enemy.
- When the beam passes through the metal hull or armour of the enemy it turns that entire surface into a giant electromagnet generating an electromagnetic field.
- That Electromagnetic field then interacts with the systems within the opposing unit.
- Normally this will create a disruption in the enemy systems similar to the effects of an EMP attack, however if the frequencies and timings of the beam are precisely controlled this disruptions can create a flow of electrons in the enemies systems that will generate a code of it's own allowing the transmission of viruses and other tools of cyberwarfare into the opposing systems.
- Exotic Weapon:
- Unlike most weapons that use Tiabanna Gas or solid projectiles, the Fangshu array uses electrons, utilising the very rules of the universe to apply devastating consequences to enemy systems.
- Cyberattack:
- The electron beam results in direct disruption of enemy electronics systems, either EMP effects or even the creation of viruses or other cyberattack tools upto virtual intelligences depending on the ability to model the effects on the enemy systems.
- Bypasses shields:
- The electrons used in the Fangshu array are the very same electrons that already pass through space, that are part of the same spectrum as light. Most shields are not designed to register, the movement of electrons as an attack, as they generally aren't.
- No Damage:
- The Fangshu array, while a devastating weapon in the right hands, does not actually deal any damage to it's target. It's use is therefore limited to occasions where it's cyberwarfare capability is needed.
- Powerful computing:
- While randomized EM pulses are easy, actually using them to create code in an enemy system takes a stupendous amount of computing power. Not the kind of thing most ships or armour are capable of.
- No Feedback:
- The Fangshu Array has not capacity for feedback from the impact so it can't predict the effects on the EM pulses to adjust them in real-time, relying entirely on it's pre-built model.
The Fangshu Array grew from an attempt to answer an unusual question: does a cyberattack actually need access to a computer? While conventional electronic warfare relies on communications links, network intrusion or malicious software somehow finding its way into the target system Locke and Key already had technology that could bypass this at a tactical level. The Fangshu Array takes a radically different approach at a strategic level. Rather than attempting to penetrate a computer's software, it attacks the physical electrical processes from which that software emerges, using a precisely modulated electron beam to induce electromagnetic effects within the target itself.
At its simplest, the Fangshu Array is a highly sophisticated electron gun. When fired against a hull or armoured surface, the stream of charged particles interacts with the target and produces changing electromagnetic effects across it. Those fields can subsequently couple with conductive pathways within the target, inducing unwanted currents and disrupting sensitive electronics. Used crudely, this makes the Fangshu an unconventional but effective electromagnetic warfare weapon. Circuits can experience faults, sensors can return corrupted information, processors can malfunction and communications equipment can be overwhelmed by electrical noise. The effect resembles an EMP attack, although produced through a highly localized and directed mechanism rather than a conventional electromagnetic pulse.
That, however, is merely the most basic application of the technology.
With sufficiently precise control over the frequency, intensity and timing of the electron beam, the electromagnetic disturbance can be deliberately patterned. Instead of creating random electrical noise within the target, the Array attempts to induce specific electrical states within its circuitry, induced states that can represent information.
In effect, the Fangshu does not transmit malicious code into an enemy computer, it attempts to make the enemy computer generate that code itself.
At the lower end this might introduce corrupted instructions, false sensor information or disruptive processes. More sophisticated attacks can theoretically construct executable malware within the affected hardware, allowing viruses and other cyberwarfare packages to seemingly appear inside an otherwise isolated system. At the extreme end, given extraordinary computational resources and detailed knowledge of the target architecture, the Fangshu can attempt to imprint far more elaborate programs—including autonomous or virtual intelligences.
Most cyberwarfare defence systems such as firewalls, encryption and intrusion countermeasures are designed around the assumption that hostile information must enter through some form of accessible interface. The Fangshu sidesteps that assumption by attacking the underlying electronics. There is no malicious transmission for a firewall to reject if the malicious instructions are being induced within the machine itself.
The unusual nature of the attack also gives the Fangshu another valuable characteristic. Its electron stream behaves differently from conventional blaster bolts, particle weapons or solid projectiles, and many common defensive shields are simply not calibrated to interpret the comparatively subtle movement of electrons as an incoming weapon. Against such defenses, the beam can interact with the protected hull despite the shield remaining intact.
The Fangshu is not a destructive weapon. It does not punch holes through armour, vaporize hull plating or blast apart enemy vehicles. Where a turbolaser destroys an enemy vessel and a conventional slicer tries to break into it, the Fangshu seeks something subtler: to turn the enemy's own machinery against itself.
Out Of Character Info
Intent:
To create a weapon for use in future submission
Technical Information
Affiliation:
Locke and Key Mechanics
Model:
Fanghsu Projector
Modular:
No
Effective Range:
Battlefield
Rate of Fire:
Single Shot
Material:
Electronics
Ammunition Type:
Electrons
Ammunition Capacity:
Average
Damage Output:
None
Recoil:
None
Ranged Class:
Other