Computers/Slicing

Real-time system operation and tactical slicing.

Computers/Slicing is the fast end of the intrusion spectrum -- the snap decision in a gunfight when you need the blast doors open NOW, not in four hours. It covers real-time ship system operation, tactical drone control, counter-intrusion during an active breach, alarm suppression, and the kind of rapid-fire network exploitation that happens in seconds rather than days. Deck Hackers live and die by this skill; in the verse, a good slicer can turn a locked corridor into an open escape route or hijack an enemy drone mid-volley. Trained only: fumbling with a ship console under fire without training is a fast way to vent the wrong compartment.

Rules Reference

Field	Value
Armor Check Penalty	false
Key Ability	INT
Opposed Skills	Hacking
Trained Only	true
Untrained Use	Cannot operate complex systems. May use preset menus and basic interfaces only.
Key Ability	INT

Notes

Special: Slicing in combat is a standard action; deeper intrusions should use the Hacking skill. A successful Computers check vs. an alarm (DC 15) suppresses it for 1d4 rounds.

Special: Slicing in combat is a standard action; deeper intrusions should use the Hacking skill. A successful Computers check vs. an alarm (DC 15) suppresses it for 1d4 rounds.

Untrained: Cannot operate complex systems beyond preset menus and basic interfaces. No tactical slicing, counter-intrusion, or drone control possible.

Descriptors

dc: 10

Field	Value
dc	10
task	Operate a familiar ship system

dc: 15

Field	Value
dc	15
task	Control a drone in combat

dc: 18

Field	Value
dc	18
task	Tactical slice (alarm bypass, drone override)

dc: 22

Field	Value
dc	22
task	Counter-intrusion on active breach

dc: 25

Field	Value
dc	25
task	Crack a military-grade firewall in real time

dc: 30

Field	Value
dc	30
task	Compromise a ship AI mid-engagement

Synergy

bonus: 2

Field	Value
bonus	2
from	Hacking
threshold	5

bonus: 2

Field	Value
bonus	2
from	Engineering
threshold	5

Synergies

bonus: 2

Field	Value
bonus	2
ranks	5
skill	Hacking

bonus: 2

Field	Value
bonus	2
ranks	5
skill	Engineering

bonus: +2, slice as free action, halve black-ICE damage

Field	Value
bonus	+2, slice as free action, halve black-ICE damage
feat	Master Slicer

Uses

application: Operate a familiar ship system

Field	Value
application	Operate a familiar ship system
dc	10
failure	System unresponsive; action wasted.
success	System responds as expected.

application: Control a drone in combat

Field	Value
application	Control a drone in combat
dc	15
failure	Drone hesitates or acts on stale orders; -1 to drone actions.
success	Drone executes commanded action.

application: Tactical slice (alarm bypass, drone override)

Field	Value
application	Tactical slice (alarm bypass, drone override)
dc	18
failure	Slice fails; alarm may trigger if DC missed by 5+.
success	Alarm suppressed for 1d4 rounds or drone commandeered.

application: Counter-intrusion on active breach

Field	Value
application	Counter-intrusion on active breach
dc	22
failure	Intruder retains access; system compromised further.
success	Intruder locked out; breach sealed.

application: Crack a military-grade firewall in real time

Field	Value
application	Crack a military-grade firewall in real time
dc	25
failure	Firewall holds; black-ICE counterattack deals 2d6 damage.
success	Firewall breached; data or control gained.

application: Compromise a ship AI mid-engagement

Field	Value
application	Compromise a ship AI mid-engagement
dc	30
failure	AI retaliates; ship locks you out, possible feedback damage.
success	AI suborned; ship systems partially under your control.