Re: [HOE] Junkers and mind reading

["Scott Pedersen" <spederse@hotmail.com>]

> My character has just been rendered mute via counting coup on a
> particular nasty a friend came up with (but I also got +6 to sneak).
> What I would like to know is if anyone has created a junker power or Fu
> power (character is a 200+ year old Fu with a case of Texas style
> whupass behind him) or has input into one that could be used to read the
> mind of a Fu and then send the thoughts through a speaker to compensate
> for being mute.  Obviously he would think in Chinese and need it to be
> translated so I am thinking a helmet with a computer with knowledge
> trait and sensor trait that senses Energy might work.  If anyone has any
> inputs let me know cause otherwise the group will become to happy
> without my "Confusious says." statements.
>
> Adam
>

One avenue would be to go talk with the Gonzers.  They're a group of
cultists based in Junkyard that worship Hellstromme.  They have all taken a
vow of silence, so they communicate using LCD screens plugged into their
brains.  They may be able to hook you up, but you may have to join the cult.
How do you feel about standing on street corners preaching to the heathens
about the divinity of Hellstromme?

The junker device you describe sounds workable, just dump some brains,
brainwave sensors, and a speaker into a hat.  Of course you'd have to find a
bilingual, Chinese-speaking junker to program the translation software, or
learn how to program it yourself.  Also, since I'm a sadistic marshal, I
would have such a device cause you constant embarrassment as it picks up and
speaks aloud some of your surface thoughts that you'd rather keep private.
"Nice rack!", or "Damn, Jim looks stupid in that hat.", or "God, I hope
those Black Hats don't notice us hiding over here" all in a loud, nasal,
electronic, monotone.

A third possibility is an artificial voice box used by people who have had
their natural voice boxes removed.  It's a little widget you hold up to your
throat that buzzes to simulate the action of your vocal cords, and you then
talk normally.  Of course this depends on why you can't speak, if you've
lost your lips/tongue/mouth/whatever this won't help much.  Assuming most of
your head and neck are relatively intact this would be quite a bit simpler
than a mind-reading translation helmet.

-Scott Pedersen