MS-2 helmet

"MISSION - Aeternis penetrated - 12/2/2012 - all systems functional - OBJECTIVE - holy grail"

The MS-2 helmet is a high-tech piece of military equipment built around the Stolland Library HUD System that gives the user a hands-free penetrative scanning system backed up with twelve gigabytes of library information.The Electronic Journal of The State of World-wide Archaeology: "Issue 676/March 2003 Article 2: The Rise and Rise of the Raptors Reporter: M. Giles Crossrefglobecat(M2955):594:502:189:121:290:458:321:1778 Crossrefbibliog:>>34589 .................................. >The traditional archaeologist's image from the last century of the tweed jacketed, pipe-smoking university professor has been supplanted forever by a new breed of scavengers with the questionable title of raptors. >They are the children of a new age. An age where increasing uncertainty accompanies the massive tectonic upheavals that since '98 have reshaped and redefined the world we live in and our perception of our place in history. ''>The impact of these changes on the world of archaeology has been profound. The shifting of the land and the global reduction sea level has revealed many new archaeological sites. Amongst them are whole towns and cities from previously undiscovered human cultures, like the city of the Mabu people, long lost beneath the sea. (See Issue 594) ''>Our knowledge of known civilizations is also being revolutionized. Only last year, the delta of the Nile revealed its deep secret of no less than twenty-three miles of secret, subterranean passageways connecting ten temples dedicated to Aten. (See Issue 475) ''>These discoveries and the huge public interest they have engendered have had diverse effects on the purpose and the public image of archaeology. Funding and governmental grants have increased exponentially as has the interest among wealthy, private collectors and unscrupulous museums in acquiring these relics at almost any cost. ''>The high price (and profit) of these antiquities has led to an explosion in archaeological thievery. ''>Much of this opportunism has manifested in ham-fisted, clumsy operations reminiscent of ancient tomb robbers in terror of the mummy's curse. The higher bidders, however, are able to hire members of a new elite fraternity of professional 'plunderers': the raptors. ''>Little is known of them as individuals. They are obviously highly trained both in the recognition of valuable artifacts and in dealing with the dangers inherent in exploring some of the locations they have plundered. ''>They must also be men and women possessed of extreme wealth. They are able to equip themselves with the largest technology in both weaponry and portable information systems. ''>It is known that each one of them has, by fair means or foul, acquired an example of the Stolland library HUD system. An abortive and extremely expensive military device that gives the user a hands-free penetrative scanning system backed up with no less than twelve gigabytes of library information. ''>It is also clear that there is no love lost between any of them. Just a week ago, the corpse of one Ingrid Seindheim was discovered shot through the heart at the entryway to an ancient Mayan temple uncovered in an earthquake only the previous day. ''>The gutter press has imbued these hi-tech opportunists with a persona of heroism and adventure. The exploits of these 'raptors' have been used to give a worried population something to occupy their mind: A strong image of survival and adaptability in troubled times. ''>The word 'raptor' is Latin and means 'thief'. In the opinion of this journal at least, the world should not lose sight of that fact.''"

For a breakdown of messages the MS-2 displays, see HUD messages.

Specifications
The MS-2 Helmet is a sophisticated piece of military hardware, equipped with a range of multiple technical functions that are superbly suited to the Raptors' profession. It is an expensive and impressive piece of equipment, difficult to obtain but considered now to be standard kit for any serious Raptor. Notably, while it can run into minor bugs due to the young age of the technology, the MS-2 compensates by being completely maintenance free: It automatically boots and installs all necessary software and is fully capable of repairing itself completely when damaged. It is not user-serviceable and requires a qualified service technician to open and maintain, since the large electrical charge within can cause injury or death when tampered with.


 * Dimensions: 440mm x 300mm x 260mm
 * Weight: 1 kg (2.2 lbs)
 * Power supply: Super charged Ni-Cd battery pack has a 6.0V rating with a capacity of 700mAh/120HR; a small power reserve is used to protect data in the event of battery failure or exhaustion
 * HUD: Maximum 640x480 resolution with a 70Hz refresh rate
 * Database: 12 gigabytes (uncompressed)
 * Resistance: 500 Newtons per square inch
 * Operating temperature: -20°C to +60°C
 * Operating altitude: 40km below sea level to 40km above sea level
 * Operating humidity: 0% to 95%
 * Satellite uplink capability

The MS-2 hard-shelled helmet only requires cleaning with a damp non-abrasive cloth after use and servicing every 250 hours. As long as these minimal requirements are met, it should last a lifetime according to the manufacturer. Although excessive blows to the outer casing can cause malfunction, the on-board repair systems combined with a hardened titanium casing used for the CPU, additionally housed within a balanced vacuum, ensure longevity of its components.

Head Up Display
The Model 7 HUD is a standard add-on popular among Raptors, housed on an interchangeable custom circuit board that slots neatly into the MS-2 Helmet (which can only be removed by an authorised service center technician). The HUD unit will automatically perform various environmental scans - all results and data will be displayed on the right hand side of the HUD. The HUD:
 * Detects humidity, temperature, and the presence of toxic agents, among other environmental factors. It will react to them in real time, for example, shutting off moisture-sensitive components when entering humid areas.
 * Automatically monitors the vital signs of the user, condensing medical data into an easily readable bar that diminishes as the operator's health worsens. If vital signs are exceedingly low, the MS-2 will attempt to correct by injecting stimulants and clotting agents. In case vital signs reach zero, it will attempt resuscitation with emergency stimulants and direct CE stimuli (from 50 up to 150 joules). If all fails, it will attempt a last-ditch maneuver by injecting cardio-adrenaline. At this point, if no improvement takes place, it assumes brain death, wipes all classified data, and shuts itself down.
 * Records and translates dialogue on the fly, based on its language databanks. The translation module supports over 100 different types of audible, visual and written communication dating back as far as 5000BC. This is a very popular utility when communicating in foreign tongues as the translation module retains individual vocal idiosyncrasies (local accents or colloquialisms). This feature allows the user to analyse closely all the connotations of the most recent communication.
 * Tracks and allows for scanning of inventory items.
 * Provides navigational assistance, in the form of a rotating compass at the top of the HUD and complex map images generated from the scan information retrieved when first entering a room. All maps are displayed in a 2D plan elevation and all obvious exits will be highlighted by a bright blue arrow, connecting rooms will be shown if previous scan information is detected.
 * Monitors systems around the clock. All systems are monitored at all times. This feature reports on the operational status of all on-board electrical and computer systems. If any function is damaged the diagnostic features will report system damage to the HUD. The diagnostic function also reports on your physical status, detailing the physical damage and its effects.

Scanning function
The HUD is supplemented by an array of highly advanced scanning and analysis tools. The scanning suite has a range of 250 meters, more than enough to utilize the following tools:
 * ENVSCRN (Environmental Scan): This is non-user initiated information concerning a location or room about to be entered. If necessary, the MS-2 will respond to changes in the environment and report them.
 * DNASCAN: The MS-2 will bounce an invisible, microscopic laser off the cellular structure of living material and perform an instant analysis for display on the HUD.
 * PENSCAN (Penetrative scan): The MS-2 will project inaudible ultrasound waves through most objects encountered and analyse the data accordingly. It will then make recommendations based on the pictographic data collated.
 * WARNING: The MS-2 will automatically make the user aware of any perceived threator hazard without prompting.
 * SUGGEST:The MS-2 will use information gathered from its database, compare with objects already scanned and make reliable suggestions.
 * MS2 HUD UNIT DETECTION: Each commercial MS-2 is equipped with a registration signal that can be read by other commercially vended MS-2 units. This allows all non-military personnel using an MS-2 to be identified at all times.

Weapons
The MS-2 helmet interfaces directly with any weapon used by the operator, displaying a targeting system on the HUD. The MS-7 Sniper is a popular choice among Raptors, but the MS-2 can interface with any firearm.