The nervous system is responsible for the transfer of information throughout the body. Normally, this transfer occurs at a fixed rate and intensity that is dictated by natural chemical processes. Quicktime Overdrive reflex augmentation acts to alter these processes to achieve performance increases that wouldn't otherwise be possible.

By heavily boosting neural signals at their origin and at key points throughout the body, the user of the Overdrive system is effectively turbocharged. When engaged, the system permits greater performance through the application of pure brute force. Muscle response becomes quicker and more dynamic, resulting in better reaction and speed.

This system of neural augmentation has both benefits and disadvantages. By utilizing the body's nervous system instead of altering or superseding it, Overdrive technology proves to be much less invasive than wired or boosted reflexes. As a result, the system is easier to install, easier to maintain, and results in much less impact on the body overall. This alone makes it a popular choice among those who are essence conscious.

The body has its limits, though, and the extreme neural signal levels generated by the Overdrive system cannot be sustained as they might be with an equivalent cybernetic system. As a result, the Overdrive system can only be activated for a short period of time. Once it senses that the body will begin to suffer damage from the signals generated, it shuts down for a period of time to allow the body to return to equilibrium. This prevents any damage that could result from continued usage.

Once activated, the Quicktime Overdrive system boosts quickness and initiative as indicated above. Quickness boosted in this fashion does increase reaction. Activation of the Overdrive system is automatic as long as the character is not in a surprise situation. If a character is surprised, the system will not engage until that character is able to act in the turn. Outside of combat, the system can be activated manually if desired.

Activation duration and shutdown time are secretly determined by the gamemaster. All bonuses from the system are lost during shutdown. Additionally, the character loses all initiative dice; that is, initiative is equal only to reaction for the duration of the system shutdown.

The character can force the system to engage during the shutdown time, but this results in potential neural damage to the body. The character must immediately resist serious physical damage with a power code that varies according to a number of rounds that the system was active. This damage is resisted using natural body only, and the damage cannot be reduced with damage compensation (a trauma damper, for instance). After the damage resistance test, the system engages again, and the activation process is repeated.

It should be noted that until all the necessary time in shutdown has been spent, override damage codes are additive. If a character reactivates the system before a shutdown has been completed, the power codes of all previous consecutive activations in which shutdown hasn't been completed are added to the current damage resistance test (e.g, 3S from a previous round in which shutdown wasn't completed is added to the current 5S override code, resulting in an 8S damage resistance test). All the cumulative time in shutdown must be spent before the override damage code returns to normal -- It isn't possible to spend a few rounds in shutdown just to partially reduce the damage code.

This system is incompatible with boosted reflexes, wired reflexes, neural boosters, and synaptic accelerators. The Quicktime Overdrive system will not aid in decking or rigging.

>>>>>[Now here's a system designed for the "frag-fight-I'm-for-flight" response.]<<<<<

--- Daisy <23:14:59 / 4-14-56>

>>>>>[True, but it has practical combat applications. It's just a system designed for smart samurai (not necessarily an oxymoron). If you're sure the opposition will drop quickly, this system works well. Be conservative, though -- if your Overdrive kicks out prematurely, you're as good as cacked]<<<<<

--- Rooster <09:44:15 / 4-15-56>