| From: | "Mark A. Imbriaco" <mark@******.net> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Project Manchu: Decrypted Data. |
| Date: | Mon, 15 Apr 1996 14:30:12 -0400 (EDT) |
>>>>>[ Pleasure doing business with you. If you need my services again,
feel free to contact me at >>encypted<<. You can transmit your payment
to Zurich Orbital Bank, account number >>encrypted<<.
+++++ begin data upload
Overview - Project Manchu
<EDITED FOR CLEARANCE - AZTLAN EYES ONLY, NO HARD COPY>
TECHNICAL HISTORY
Manchu was inspired relatively recently after several of our deckers
encountered "Nuke" IC, which we later determined had implanted a set
of subconscious compulsions that considerably affected the victim’s
usefulness. The concept of using high-level stimulation to condition
behaviour is not new, of course - aversion therapy has a long history
- but the technology available today allows it to be achieved
remotely, even via disposable chipware, rather than requiring a
laboratory.
Project Manchu - the name gained credence before Security review and
refers to "The Manchurian Candidate" - was proposed and immediately
authorised for covert work. <REMOVED> was appointed to head the
development team, which in Phase One carried out an analysis of media
and concluded that the standard models of interrogation chip were the
most suitable for initial development. The team were allocated a
location, <REMOVED>, which combined isolation (required for plausible
deniability in later phases) with high security.
Phase 2 was funded after the feasability study reported cautiously
positive results, and demonstrated that suggestions, coercions and
behavioural modification could be carried out by the Manchu software.
Experiments with the implant signal indicated that while
interrogation simsense was highly effective as a message medium,
other high-input ASIST could be used as a carrier for the "Manchu
factor": in fact, <REMOVED> considered that even conventional
simsense of the correct type might be used to implant Manchu
directives.
After consultations witb <REMOVED>, <REMOVED> and finally a decision
by <REMOVED>, it was decided to proceed as planned with a field-test
of the interrogation simsense - Phase III - while concurrently
developing other media under Phase IV.
Phase III was an outstanding technical success, demonstrating that
even in uncontrolled conditions the Manchu routines implanted the
compulsions correctly. Phase IV is nearing completion and its field
test is planned, using unfiltered-signal (so-called "better than
life") ASIST: hopes that the Manchu signals could be heterodyned onto
conventional simsense have not yet been realised, despite <REMOVED>'s
(possibly) optimistic projections.
TECHNICAL FUTURE
If Phase IV is unsuccessful, then Phase III remains a useful tool,
though limited somewhat by its compromise and the nature of its
carrier medium. However, Phase IV appears to be succeeding and, if
so, will offer considerable potential. Suggested usages are:-
<REMOVED>
<REMOVED>
<REMOVED>
<REMOVED>
<REMOVED>
All of these could be readily achieved with only minor modification
to the available data, and many more possibilities exist. However,
the future use of Manchu will naturally be decided by <REMOVED>: the
above are only suggestions and are not comprehensive.
SECURITY HISTORY
Project Manchu's field tests were planned for the UCAS, specifically
Seattle, as offering tbe best combination of large market, low
security risk, and accessibility for transfer of the contraband
product.
The field officer assigned was Major Zicahuata, chosen for his
successful handling of <REMOVED> and the manner in which he "cleaned"
all Aztlan connection to <REMOVED>. The commanding officer for the
security aspects of Manchu is Colonel Tepanohoutec, reporting to
<REMOVED>. Denver liaison was handled by Major Cuellar, a decision
which in retrospect appears to have been misjudged: Cuellar, while
capable within her field, lacked experience of this type of operation
and allowed herself to be compromised, then killed.
Security dangers were considered and accepted for Phases III and IV,
since these would involve a largely uncontrolled dissemination of the
Manchu software and compromise was considered likely: in fact, in a
meeting with <REMOVED>, it was ruled as probable and plans were
required to assume compromise would take place. Hence, deniability
and the standard failsafes were introduced throughout, and ther
operation has been conducted throughout in a manner that allows it to
be disavowed as the work of rogue elements if necessary. Work to
implicate "outside forces" in backing these "rogue elements" is
proceeding, though at low priority, with <REMOVED>, the UCAS SIGA and
<REMOVED> as prime candidates.
The main compromise appears to have occured to Phase III, with Phase
IV as yet unknown to the enemy: <REMOVED>, Lynch’s actions to date
and <REMOVED> support this conclusion. To date, Lynch - officially a
freelance operative, though with connections to the UCAS SIGA - and a
handful of his associates, mostly independent shadowrunners with no
current affilation, appear to be the only threat to the program.
Phase III will end in Plan D-2, with <REMOVED>. Phase IV will proceed
as planned. Major Zicahuata’s careful work to insulate the two
branches of the project appear to have been successful, allowing
<REMOVED>.
SECURITY THREATS
<REMOVED>
<REMOVED>
Direct UCAS involvement was feared for a while after the shootdown of
the secondary initial chipset for Phase IV by the UCAS Navy. However,
<REMOVED> states that the courier was known to the UCAS as a BTL
smuggler. Hence, while his interception was mere bad luck, their willingnes=
s
to use force and the destruction of his cargo (when the fool opened fire on
a military aircraft) was actually most fortuitous and indicates that Phase =
IV
is not compromised.
<REMOVED>
The only threat to become actual to date has been the UCAS, and that
has been successfully suppressed. The only direct attention has come
from a freelancer who is merely associated with an agency, and anm
agency with little actual power at that. Strenuous efforts to divert
any further investigation have been completely successful: for
instance InterPol have been totally diverted as described below. We
anticipate that the planned closure of Phase III should protect Phase
IV from any threat from this quarter. In addition, schemes to
discredit Lynch - for instance by <REMOVED> - are under constant
review and will be implemented if possible.
A footnote - Lynch is an identified enemy of Aztlan, and his
elimination would be a bonus. However, caution should be advised: the
objective is a successful conclusion to Manchu, not the head of Jason
Lynch. His current depth of involvement can in part be blamed on a
botched assassination attempt, which merely drew his attention to our
operation. However, neither he nor anyone else has admissible
evidence of Aztlan involvement.
My commendations to <REMOVED>, who successfuly set InterPol's Special
Branch upon Lynch: a number of other operations are proceeding at
speed, free from the need to avoid InterPol scrutiny. In addition,
with Lynch and Drake opposed, one or both may be permanently removed
as a threat.
<REMOVED>
CONCLUSION
We expect a successful conclusion to Phase III within two weeks. The
timescale for Phase IV remains indeterminate, but success is
anticipated there as well. At present, Phase IV is being allowed to
slip: protecting its security is considered more important than rigid
adherence to schedule.
+++++ end data upload ]<<<<<
-- Flux <**:**:**/**-**-**>
