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Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: Doctor Doom <jch8169@******.TAMU.EDU>
Subject: DOOM
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1993 04:49:24 -0600
Meine Kamaraden:

Regarding this recent surprise regarding der guter Doktor...it was

1) Partially in an attempt to explain both his and Hangtime (& Co.)'s
conspicuous absence for the last several weeks. I, similar to many others
have had pressing academic concerns...limiting my participation to
ShadowRN exclusively.

2) Inspiration was provided by a ShadowRun which I am involved in at present.
The Group is, as I speak, attempting to exonerate him...if they prove
successful, he lives.

As Jack Hack indicated, forceful extraction is not a viable option, given the
volatile situation. Presently, the entire case is quite a private affair, as
neither side is willing to endure public scrutiny in the matter.

Emotional support is graciously accepted...I appreciate the outpouring of
concern by the other ShadowLand denizens. As to slightly more dynamic
assistance: Weilnachtsferien shall force me away from the University at the
conclusion of this week, obviously I shall not be present for the management
of this plotline. That being the case, I do not see an acceptable method by
which the others may "lend a hand."

What this shall essentially serve as is a good reason for why my characters
shall remain quiet over the coming Holidays...which leaves two possibilities
upon my return (in the area of January 12) that I manage a "Save Doom"
sub-plot, or merely have Doom relate the tale of his captivity and release.

Either is likely at the moment. That aside, I shall be available until
Friday or Saturday at the latest.


Colonel Count von Hohenzollern und von Doom, DMSc, DSc, PhD.

Doom Technologies & Weapon Systems -- Dark Thought Publications
>>> Working on solutions best left in the dark.
<<<
[ Doctor Doom : jch8169@******.tamu.edu ]
^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^
"Attack, attack, and when in doubt, ATTACK!" -- Frederick the Great of Prussia
Message no. 2
From: The Powerhouse <P.C.Steele@*********.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: DOOM
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1993 11:22:30 GMT
> Regarding this recent surprise regarding der guter Doktor...it was
>
> 1) Partially in an attempt to explain both his and Hangtime (& Co.)'s
> conspicuous absence for the last several weeks. I, similar to many others
> have had pressing academic concerns...limiting my participation to
> ShadowRN exclusively.

Ack, tell me about 'em....

> As Jack Hack indicated, forceful extraction is not a viable option, given the
> volatile situation. Presently, the entire case is quite a private affair, as
> neither side is willing to endure public scrutiny in the matter.

What we can't do an armed frontal assault against the Aztecs.. ? Ah.. damm ! :)

> Emotional support is graciously accepted...I appreciate the outpouring of
> concern by the other ShadowLand denizens. As to slightly more dynamic
> assistance: Weilnachtsferien shall force me away from the University at the
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Your German got the better of me at this point Doomy.

> conclusion of this week, obviously I shall not be present for the management
> of this plotline. That being the case, I do not see an acceptable method by
> which the others may "lend a hand."

How about a good bit of data collection, maybe dig up some evidence that Ganz
somehow set the whole thing up, then bring in some more evidence to discredit
Ganz as being a complete manipulator and general bad guy.

Or we could possibly dig up something on Ganz and use it to blackmail him
into providing evidence showing that Doom is being held illegally, or that the
evidence against him is rubbish.

Just some ideas, but the data collection thing should be possible, it is after
all what shadowrunner are supposed to be good at.

Phill.
--
Phillip Steele - Email address P.C.Steele@***.ac.uk | Let's get out there
Department Of Electrical & Electronic Engineering | and TWAT it !
University Of Newcastle Upon Tyne, England |
Land of the mad Geordies | The Powerhouse
Message no. 3
From: "Fred M. Sloniker" <lazuli@*.WASHINGTON.EDU>
Subject: Re: DOOM
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1993 11:52:29 -0800
The Powerhouse wrote:

> > assistance: Weilnachtsferien shall force me away from the University at the
>
> Your German got the better of me at this point Doomy.

Permit someone who's just finished German 101 to translate: it's a
compound noun meaning Christmas break. (:3

---Fred M. Sloniker, re*LAAAAAX!*ed undergrad
L. Lazuli R'kamos, FurryMUCKer
lazuli@*.washington.edu

"Don't touch that! That's the History Eraser Button, you *fool*!"
Message no. 4
From: "Randy Nickel (General)" <a-randyn@*********.com>
Subject: Doom
Date: Thu, 9 May 1996 15:28:58 -0700
OK. I need a ruling on Doom. I don't have my books anywhere near me and
wont until this weekend.

So can doom be passed on say a greeting card?

Will a the Full Spectrum Immunity make you immune?

Is it biological thus noticeable in Astral Space? (I will admit kinda
reaching there)

Any other specifics? Or thoughts?

Randy
Message no. 5
From: "Randy Nickel (General)" <a-randyn@*********.com>
Subject: Doom
Date: Thu, 9 May 1996 16:11:55 -0700
OK. A friend of mine just read me Doom.

It is air borne and contact. You got Orion either way, but also a lot
of people in the club will be affected. As well as Easy.

Full Spectrum Immunization will not save your butt. (now I remember why
this stuff does not exist in my game at home)

You can notice that an infected person is dying. This will of course
lead to a full examination and then the treatment. If you know what
your looking for.

Wraith (the Hermetic mage who left with Orion) will probably notice the
aura change in Orion the next day (he is a paid bodyguard his job is to
notice differences). Kodiak (the Bear Shaman on the team) is also a
member of Doc Wagon with in two days Orion will probably be in
treatment onMercer Island. Lars can explain why.

Wraith has Biology 6; Physical Science 6 and Aura Reading 5. I think he
will notice. Kodiak has Biotech 8. I know he will know what to do but
it will take at least a day maybe two for them to notice.

When Orion first starts getting sick Kodiak will insist he stay home
and then watch him. So Orion will only be accessable via Shadowland
until Monday.


Randy
Message no. 6
From: winter@******.med.harvard.edu
Subject: Doom
Date: Thu, 9 May 1996 20:08:24 -0400
No aerosol, no effect (except for those who made contact with the
letter.

-winter
Message no. 7
From: winter@******.med.harvard.edu
Subject: Doom
Date: Thu, 9 May 1996 20:13:44 -0400
Granted

-winter
Message no. 8
From: "Randy Nickel (General)" <a-randyn@*********.com>
Subject: RE: Doom
Date: Thu, 9 May 1996 17:38:11 -0700
No aerosol, no effect (except for those who made contact with the
letter.

If it's not aerosol then you did not get him. His left arm is fully
cyber. I don't think the Doom will transmit through the arm.

Randy
Message no. 9
From: shadowtk@********.demon.co.uk (Paul J. Adam)
Subject: Re: Doom
Date: Fri, 10 May 1996 00:14:07 GMT
> OK. I need a ruling on Doom. I don't have my books anywhere near me and
> wont until this weekend.
> So can doom be passed on say a greeting card?

Not AFAIK. Needs to be ingested or injected, or combined with DMSO for
a touch-effect.

> Will a the Full Spectrum Immunity make you immune?

No. It's a radioactive effect, not a chemical or toxic one.

> Is it biological thus noticeable in Astral Space? (I will admit kinda
> reaching there)

....Good question. I'd say "no", because it's a processed entity.
A *highly* processed one, but then so is most 'paper' and similar in
2050. So, it wouldn't really register. On the other hand, I have most
munitions (bullets, missiles, nuclear warheads, chemical weapons) be
just inert in astral, while swords/knives that have killed are much more
noticeable... depends on your interpretation of astral space. One GM who
had a nuclear warhead in the plot had it generate a massive background
count because of its potential for death... Not the way I do it but I saw
his point.

--
There is no personal problem that cannot be solved by the judicious
application of high explosives.

Paul J. Adam shadowtk@********.demon.co.uk
Message no. 10
From: justinf@****.caltech.edu (Justin Fang)
Subject: Re: Doom
Date: Thu, 9 May 1996 17:49:52 -0700 (PDT)
winter wrote:
> No aerosol, no effect (except for those who made contact with the
> letter.

Randy wrote:
> If it's not aerosol then you did not get him. His left arm is fully
> cyber. I don't think the Doom will transmit through the arm.

Not directly, no. If he uses that arm to eat, or something like that,
some of it might get into his system. He's not going to get anywhere
near a "full dose" in any case., since the letter is a rather
inefficient delivery method. Of course, while a smaller dose
reduces the effect, the reduced effect means it's that much harder to
notice what's happening... In the extreme case he might not notice
anything until he comes down with cancer 5 years later.

Justin Fang (justinf@****.caltech.edu)
This space intentionally left blank.
Message no. 11
From: "Randy Nickel (General)" <a-randyn@*********.com>
Subject: Doom
Date: Thu, 9 May 1996 17:53:13 -0700
I need help with something.

I have talked to a few people and so far the consensus is that Doom
could not be transmitted via a greeting card. So I need some more help
with this.

Even if it is would it transmit through gloves? What about a cyber arm?

Randy
Message no. 12
From: mneideng@****.caltech.edu (Mark L. Neidengard)
Subject: Re: Doom
Date: Thu, 9 May 1996 17:58:33 -0700 (PDT)
According to Randy Nickel:
>
>I have talked to a few people and so far the consensus is that Doom
>could not be transmitted via a greeting card. So I need some more help
>with this.
>
>Even if it is would it transmit through gloves? What about a cyber arm?

The stuff should not be transmittalbe _through_ gloves. If the wearer of the
gloves manages to touch part of herself with the contaminated gloves, there
is some danger (say by eating, for example), but the longer the time between
exposure the more diffuse the contagion will have become. The same goes for
a cyberarm.
--
/!\/!ark /!\!eidengard, CS Major, VLSI. http://www.cacr.caltech.edu/~mneideng
"Fairy of sleep, controller of illusions" Operator/Jack-of-all-Trades, CACR
"Control the person for my own purpose." "Don't mess with the Dark
Elves!"
-Pirotess, _Record_of_Lodoss_War_ Shadowrunner and Anime Addict
Message no. 13
From: winter@******.med.harvard.edu
Subject: Re: Doom
Date: Thu, 9 May 1996 21:07:52 -0400
Mark, what do you think DOOM is?

I mean, what realworld limitations/advantages would it have?

Many things permeate thru leather gloves, I would not wear them in a
lab, if I valued my health...

with the scale involved I assume that if this stuff can permeate skin,
it must not require much mass, thus a loaded piece of paper would be
leathal. A cyber arm or a level 3/4 containment suit glove would do,
but I would not trust even a latex glove.


what do you say?

-winter
Message no. 14
From: justinf@****.caltech.edu (Justin Fang)
Subject: Re: Doom
Date: Thu, 9 May 1996 20:18:33 -0700 (PDT)
winter writes:
> Mark, what do you think DOOM is?

> I mean, what realworld limitations/advantages would it have?

As described in Shadowtech, Doom is a monoclonal antibody bound to a
radioisotope. This combination has been proposed in the real world as
a cancer treatment: the monoclonal antibody is made to bind
specifically to cancer cells, which get killed by the radiation from
the radioisotope. This is presumably where FASA got the idea for Doom:
use an antibody that binds to, say, muscle cells (FASA's example) or
nerve cells.

The antibody itself is basically a protein; it can't do anything
unless it gets into someone's system, preferably the bloodstream so it
can circulate and find the antigen it wants to bind to. It's too large
to go through skin, unless accompanied by DMSO.

In order for Doom to be lethal, you have to use an isotope with a
short half-life (and thus high radioactivity). The example FASA uses,
bismuth-212, has a half-life of slightly more than one hour, which is
actually too short for a weapon: one day after it's made, you only
have about one sixteen-millionth of the original left. You want a few
days to a couple weeks. This means that Doom won't have a long
shelf-life, so don't bother stockpiling it.

> Many things permeate thru leather gloves, I would not wear them in a
> lab, if I valued my health...

> with the scale involved I assume that if this stuff can permeate skin,
> it must not require much mass, thus a loaded piece of paper would be
> leathal.

It actually takes a rather high dose of radiation, even targeted at a
vital area, to kill someone in a few days (as opposed to giving them
cancer in 5 or 20 years). This would require a fairly large mass of
radioactive material, almost definately more than you can deliver with
a piece of paper. Remember that unlike a chemical toxin like cyanide,
Doom decays as it does its dirty work. Unlike a biological agent, it
doesn't reproduce, so a small dose does nothing except increase your
lifetime cancer risk. Also, the radiation Doom emits is very short
range (which is why you need the antibody to target it). Even normal
clothing will stop it.

> A cyber arm or a level 3/4 containment suit glove would do, but I
> would not trust even a latex glove.

A latex glove would be fine, actually. You do have to be careful about
touching something with your glove that might be ingested, or that
might touch something that might be ingested. (Well, fine for
shadowrunners who already have short life expectancies. *I'd* use a
full enviromental suit myself.)
Message no. 15
From: winter@******.med.harvard.edu
Subject: Re: Doom
Date: Thu, 9 May 1996 23:21:35 -0400
Ah, I see. My S-tech is on loan and I had only a vague concept of
what it was. A quick phone call got me the basics, but with this
information, I might be able to research somthing more applicable to
the situation when I get back to school on monday. As to bismuth,
it's short half-life seems to be both a blessing and a cure. To be an
effective threat, the radiation must be intense, but that energy must
come from either a large amount of mass or a highly radioactive
substance. I belive that this stuff might be used as a crainal-bomb
equivilant that corps might use to control powerful operatives, but
not a weapon, even of assassination.


-winter
Message no. 16
From: justinf@****.caltech.edu (Justin Fang)
Subject: Re: Doom
Date: Thu, 9 May 1996 23:45:38 -0700 (PDT)
winter wrote:
> Ah, I see. My S-tech is on loan and I had only a vague concept of
> what it was. A quick phone call got me the basics, but with this
> information, I might be able to research somthing more applicable to
> the situation when I get back to school on monday. As to bismuth,
> it's short half-life seems to be both a blessing and a cure.

I presume you meant to say "blessing and a curse", but "cure" is
actually an appropriate typo: the short half-life is perfect for a
medical application. You can place the treatment facility near the
isotope production facility (a particle accelerator of small nuclear
reactor) so transit time isn't a problem, and you *want* the stuff to
go away quickly, instead of hanging around and causing problems.

For less benevolent purposes, though, you want something with a
somewhat longer half-life, (a weapon that loses half its potency every
hour is sort of annoying.) There are plenty of radioisotopes to
choose from, just pick one that hangs around for a few days or weeks
or months.

> To be an effective threat, the radiation must be intense, but that
> energy must come from either a large amount of mass or a highly
> radioactive substance.

And, of course, the more radioactive a substance, the shorter its
half-life.

> I belive that this stuff might be used as a crainal-bomb
> equivilant that corps might use to control powerful operatives, but
> not a weapon, even of assassination.

The problem with that application is that a) it keeps decaying on you,
requiring periodic replacement, and b) it isn't sudden enough, so the
operative has plenty of time to try and get treatment or spill
everything he knows. Certain people who like baroque methods of
assassination might use it. You could also use a long half-life
isotope and try to kill your target by giving him cancer. Slow and
unreliable, but difficult to detect or trace.

Anyway, the conclusion is that Doom is really nasty stuff, but its
applications are somewhat limited.

> -winter

Justin Fang (justinf@****.caltech.edu)
This space intentionally left blank.

Further Reading

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