Matter Transferal Devices

Type: Techex

Success Rate: ½ Log + 10% per level

Pr: Machinery Operation 4

A technician with this skill has a chance to operate bap bins. Bap bins are matter transferal devices that are relatively new creations – available to special military forces during the Second Sathar War and commercially thereafter. These devices make a “bap” sound when "beaming" cargo or creatures, hence the name. Bap bins act instantaneously, but the character knows he has been materially transferred. The act requires a bin to be at both the departure and arrival point to work. The current maximum range between bins is 5,000 km (military versions may be double that range) but could be extended through a teleportation relay network.

The cost of bapping is expensive. When first employed experimentally during the Second Sathar War, it cost about 10,000 Cr for a one-way trip for a single character. Costs began to decline and safety improved as the devices became more common.

Techexes who operate these devices for a living must have Matter Transferal Devices skill level 6 before they are legally permitted to operate them alone. Skill checks are normally not needed except when there are unusual situations. Most of the time, when the technician fails his skill roll, it means that the transferal did not work at all, but the character is safe.

It is only on a roll of 98-00 that the referee needs to consult the Matter Transferal Device Mishap Chart.

Note: The mishap chart is an alternative to the classic Zebulon rules that said when an automatic failure occurred then the character or object being teleported would be irretrievably lost. While on the surface that rule may seem OK, it is a horrendous statistic. For instance, how many people would fly in aircraft if one out every 33 trips ended in a fatal crash? Perhaps when these devices were in the experimental stage, then the 3 percent failure rate might have seemed acceptable but not if the technology was ever going to become widespread.  

Also, Star Frontiersman issue 16 featured a story by Scott Mulder called “Teleportation Tech” that offered alternative rules for handling matter transferal devices.

Bap Bin Calibration: Normally bap bins are considered calibrated after 10 successful and successive transferals between the sending and receiving units. A calibration device – called a “bap dee” – is used during these tests.

Suggested Matter Transferal Device Mishap Modifiers

·         Transferal is taking between two fixed points that have been calibrated, subtract 50 percent from result on the result on mishap chart (-50 percent).

·         Transferal is taking between two fixed points, but without calibration (less than 10 previous successful and successive transferals), only subtract 20 percent from the result on the mishap chart (-20 percent).

·         Transferal is taking place between a ground or aerial unit moving less than 1,000 kilometers per hour and a known, fixed transferal device, subtract 10 percent from the result on the mishap chart. (This is not considered an unusual event by the time bap bins were commercialized so normally, no skill check is needed).

·         Transferal is taking place between a ground or aerial unit moving less than 1,000 kilometers per hour and a new, fixed transferal device, no modifier. Skill check may be required.

·         Transferal is taking place between two moving objects (aerial, ground and sea vehicles, etc.) traveling less than 1,000 kilometers per hour, add 10 percent to dice roll.   

·         Transferal is taking place between two space units that are stationary, in a standard orbit or traveling at the same speed with a calibrated system, subtract 30 percent from the result. (This is not considered an unusual event by the time bap bins were commercialized so normally, no skill check is needed.)

·         Transferal is taking place between a space unit moving 10,000 kilometers per turn or less and a known, fixed transferal device on a space station, moon or planet, subtract 10 percent from the result on the mishap chart. (This is not considered an unusual event by the time bap bins were commercialized so normally, no skill check is needed).

·         Transferal is taking place between a space unit moving in excess of 10,000 kilometers per hour and a known, fixed transferal device, add 10 percent to the dice roll.

·         Transferal is taking place between two moving space units traveling at different speeds (assume an uncalibrated system), add 20 percent to the dice roll.

·         Either the transmitting or receiving unit is struck by a torpedo (an atomic warhead), subject to electromagnetic pulse (EMP) or other such attack, add 10 percent to the dice roll.

·         Sending or receiving unit has some kind of shielding that interferes with the transferal signal, add 20 percent to the dice roll.

Here’s the chart:

Matter Transferal Devices

Type: Techex

Success Rate: ½ Log + 10% per level

Pr: Machinery Operation 4

A technician with this skill has a chance to operate bap bins, which are matter transferal devices. Bap bins are relatively new creations. By the time of the Second Sathar War they were first deployed by military forces and became commercially thereafter.

These devices make a “bap” sound when transmitting cargo or creatures, hence the name. Bap bins act instantaneously, but the character knows he has been materially transferred. The transferal process requires a bin to be at both the departure and arrival point. The current maximum range between bins is 5,000 km (military versions may be double that range) but could be extended through a teleportation relay network.

The first generation of bap bins used 10,000 SEUs to transmit a person or person-sized object, which roughly equated to 10,000 Credits for a one-way trip. Power usage and costs began to decline while safety improved as the devices became more and more common.

Techexes who operate these devices for a living must have Matter Transferal Devices skill level 6 before they are legally permitted to operate them alone. Skill checks are normally not needed except when there are unusual situations. Most of the time, when the technician fails his skill roll, it means that the transferal did not work at all, but the character is safe.

Because of all the redundant systems that are built into bap bins, only a roll of “00” is considered a critical failure where the referee needs to consult the Matter Transferal Device Mishap Chart. Technically, a game master should only use a critical failure as a “plot device” for an adventure unless one is looking to cause mayhem with your players.

Note: These rules are embellishments on the original Zebulon rules that said when an automatic failure occurred on a roll of 97-00, adding that in such a case the character or object being teleported would be irretrievably lost. This is a horrendous statistic. For instance, how many people would fly in aircraft if one out every 33 trips ended in a fatal crash? Perhaps when these devices were in the experimental stage, a 3 percent failure rate might have seemed acceptable but not if the technology was ever going to become widespread.

Also, Star Frontiersman issue 16 featured a story by Scott Mulder called “Teleportation Tech” that offered alternative rules for handling matter transferal devices.

Bap Bin Calibration: Normally bap bins are considered calibrated after 10 successful and successive transferals between the sending and receiving units. A calibration device – called a “bap dee” – is used during these tests.

Side Effects Table: Roll a 1d10 and add any appropriate modifiers.