Cost: 1,062 credits/2,655 platinum

Availability: Core Worlds

Some of the wealthier families on the Core and the outer worlds can afford to surround their homes with the 10" tall, square projector pillars that make up the generator system, but not many. A pillar has to be situated at each corner and end point - as the fields only project along straight lines - and the tech is expensive. However, once operational, the barrier field is extremely durable. Attacks on the barrier generally alert a security system to the problem. Even if the security is disabled, the fireworks may attract unwanted attention. Normally invisible, the barrier field is highlight by timed energy surges to show that it's active. When you start pounding on it, the energy flow can get a lot brighter.

COMMPACK, LONG RANGE

Cost: 37.8 credits/95 platinum

Availability: Core Worlds

A backpack-sized transmitter capable of sending and reading on a range of frequencies. The batteries for the Commpack will last for up to two months of normal use, and are relatively cheap (between 40 and 50 Silver each), so this unit was often used by the Independent Faction during the war, despite the unfortunate fact that the signal isn't exactly secure.

COMMPACK, SHORT RANGE

Cost: 22.4 credits/56 platinum

Availability: Everywhere

Essentially the same as the long range version, the difference in the short range Commpack is that the signal is heavily encoded. The drawback is that this reduces the range available at the unit's power level.

DISTRESS BEACON

Cost: 31 credits/78 platinum

Availability: Core Worlds

A pre-set common distress signal transmitted at extremely high power will generally attract the attention of the Feds or police if you're on the Core. Out on the Rim, Alliance patrols may hear the call and, if so, they'll respond. Since patrols are pretty few and far between though, the chances are they may not hear it or they may have other priorities. The beacon is only about the size of a duffle-bag, so moving it around isn't too much of a problem for most folk.

EMERGENCY SIGNAL RING

Cost: 300 credits/750 platinum

Availability: Core Worlds

A Newtech distress beacon miniaturized down to where it can be worn as a ring, and activated without any overt movement. Wealthy folks find them useful to protect them against kidnappings and the like, since they can be tracked easily and a personal code built into the ring lets the authorities identify them. When the police get an emergency call, they tend to respond in force.

FEDBAND SCANNER

Cost: 19.8 credits/50 platinum

Availability: ILLEGAL

A ship's communication system can be turned in to most frequencies, but civilian ships do not typically pick up the official government and police channels. There are ways around this, if you feel like tinkering, but for most folks, a wave-scanner such as this does the trick.

GUNSCANNER

Cost: 132.8 credits/332 platinum

Availability: Core Worlds

A fairly standard security device in the Core, most banks and government buildings have a gunscanner installed at security checkpoints. Of course, folk with the proper permits can carry weapons, but all others will have their weapons confiscated. The scanners can be calibrated to detect a lot of things, though most look for a concentration of metals, traces of common propellant chemicals, and the ID chips installed in most legally acquired firearms. Newtech gunscans are even more efficient, and could include barrier field tech to keep out anyone with a weapon.

MICRO TRANSMITTER

Cost: 8 credits/20 platinum

Availability: Core Worlds

Usually a hard-to-spot earpiece, micro-transmitters are used by the majority of security forces in the 'Verse. The transmitter's range is generally limited to a few hundred yards, but it makes up for that by allowing easy and discreet contact.

MOTION SENSOR ARRAY

Cost: 22 credits/55 platinum

Availability: Core Worlds

A main hub unit about the size of a small databook monitors the transmissions from the eight motion sensors. The sensors are 1" cubes with glass panels over the sensors and can be stuck to walls, stashed in tree branches, or wherever. They just need to be placed within 100 feet of the hub.

SHIP-LINKED HANDSET

Cost: 3.2 credits/8 platinum

Availability: Everywhere

A clunky little walkie-talkie handset, this is the standard device used for keeping crew members in touch with their ship. Most ships come with several handsets, but generally additional or replacement units are needed - there's always some lummox who sits on his handset and smashes it.

SURVEYOR'S BOX

Cost: 230 credits/575 platinum

Availability: Core Worlds

A local area geoscanner combined with a mapping utility prog make this device, that is about the size of a foot locker, useful for surveyors laying out mine shafts and tunnels. Some are sold to nonprofessionals, but what uses they find for 'em isn't always apparent.

TRANSMISSION STATION

Cost: 2,200 credits/5,500 platinum

Availability: Core Worlds

Offering franchises for carrying the Cortex signal has become an extremely popular way for the Alliance to spread and maintain the Cortex farther out on the Rim. Of course, once you own a Transmission Station and the license, you still need an approved place to put it - usually that means on an orbital station somewhere, and that usually means high rent and living costs, since you'll be paying spaceport prices for food and services. Not a choice for those looking for an exciting, high-paying life, though if you can afford to finance one of these (and a few operators), they can be a good way to make money.

"JABBERWOCKY" SIGNAL BLOCKER

Cost: 13.3 credits/34 platinum

Availability: ILLEGAL

The Jabberwocky box is only one of any number of illegal devices used by some folk to prevent other folk from hearing what they figure they have a right to say. Once activated, the box can scramble all to hell any signal within five miles. If you use it for more than a minute or two, it quickly becomes obvious to the authorities that something isn't quite right. The Jabberwocky is difficult to locate, but it will be found.