====== SURVEILLANCE AND TRACKING DEVICES ======

For basic surveillance tools, see Media (pp. 40-45) and Sensors and Scientific Gear (pp. 45-50). The equipment
below is more specialized. It has few applications beyond what the U.S. Intelligence Community calls “technical
intelligence gathering”: procuring information (“dope”) through technological – commonly electronic – means.
Surveillance devices are often LC3-4 but treated as having a lower LC if put to illegal use.

=== Audio Surveillance Devices (TL6) ===

Audio surveillance experts skilled at gaining access to
critical areas are called “inside men” or “bag men.” They
may use stolen uniforms, acquire temporary jobs with custodial
services, or sneak in through open windows. Another
strategy is to carefully disguise bugs in everyday items presented
as gifts. During the 1960s, the president of South
Vietnam, Nguyen Van Thieu, was given color televisions
and other American-made electronics outfitted with audio
surveillance gear. Whatever the means, the goal is to plant
a listening device and gather good intelligence.
The true expert has many different types of bugs in his
kit. All of this gear uses the Electronics Operation
(Surveillance) skill.

== Phone Tap (TL6) ==

The classic “wiretap” listens into the phone line outside
a building, allowing surveillance of a phone within the
building without setting off bug detectors (p. 212). This
might involve cutting and splicing into the line, but often
relies on an inductive coil that detects the signal noninvasively.
Detecting a phone tap is almost impossible.

At TL6, a wiretap connects via a length of wire to a
handset, allowing agents to listen in at the junction box or
run a line to their vehicle or a nearby room. At TL7, it can
use an A/V transmitter (p. 209). At TL8, it can be programmed
for a specific voiceprint, timeframe, etc. Taps can
be configured to monitor fax and computer communications
over phone lines. $100, neg. LC3.

== Audio Bugs (TL7) ==

Audio bugs pick up sounds and transmit them to a
receiver up to half a mile away. They’re about as sensitive
as the human ear. When worn covertly, a bug is sometimes
referred to as a “wire.”

Audio Bug (TL7). SM -9. $100, neg., T/week. LC3.

Audio Bug (TL8). Voice-activation (VOX) circuitry keeps
the bug from operating during periods of silence, greatly
conserving battery power. SM -13. $100, neg., T/month.
LC3.

== Contact Mike (TL7) ==

This is a small (SM -11), disk-shaped microphone with
an adhesive backing. Attached to a window, wall, etc., it lets
the operator pick up sounds on the far side by making an
Electronics Operation (Surveillance) roll at a penalty equal
to the barrier’s (DR + HP)/5, rounded down. $40, neg.,
T/week. LC3.

== Laser Mike (TL7) ==

A laser mike turns any window into a bug by reflecting
an invisible laser beam off the glass and picking up the
vibrations caused by speech within the room. Very heavy
curtains or triple-glazing might defeat this method; a white
noise generator (p. 213) certainly will. Even ordinary noise
– loud music, running faucets, etc. – is effective against TL7
models, but TL8 units can filter this out. Most bug detectors
(p. 212) can’t sense laser mikes. Range is 300 yards at
TL7, 900 yards at TL8. $5,000, 2 lbs., external power. LC3.

== Pinhead Mikes (TL7) ==

The audio equivalent of an endoscope (p. 209), a pinhead
mike is a tiny (SM -16) microphone on a flexible cable
that can be snaked under doors, through ductwork, etc.
Make a DX-based Electronics Operation (Surveillance) roll
to guide the cable. Failure means the mike gets stuck or
makes noise. Critical failure means it breaks or is detected
by the target.

Pinhead Mike (TL7). About as sensitive as the human
ear. Powered by the tape recorder, transmitter, or other
device to which it’s connected. Has an 8-yard cable. $20,
neg. LC3.

Laser Pinhead Mike (TL8). This consists of a plastic
diaphragm on the end of an optical fiber. Sounds vibrate
the diaphragm, a laser reflected off the diaphragm via the
fiber picks up the vibrations, and then the light pulses are
converted back to sound. The laser mike (above) uses the
same principle. This device won’t trigger bug detectors or
metal detectors; only a physical search reveals it.
Otherwise, it’s identical to a regular pinhead mike. $400,
neg. LC3.

== Spike Mikes (TL7) ==

A pinhead mike (above) can be mounted in a spike
rather than on a cable. The user pushes it through a wall
and into contact with the wall of an adjacent room. The target
wall acts as a giant sounding board, giving (TL-4) levels
of Parabolic Hearing (p. B72). Otherwise, treat the device
as a pinhead mike.

Spike Mike (TL7). $50, 0.5 lb. LC3.

Laser Spike Mike (TL8). $450, 0.5 lb. LC3.

=== Signals Intelligence Monitoring (TL6) ===

Signals intelligence (SIGINT) is the interception, identification,
and analysis of radio emissions. The DEA uses
SIGINT equipment to monitor drug cartels in Central and
South America. Most U.S. embassies are equipped with a
Special Collection Element: a joint CIA-NSA operation that
eavesdrops on local radio and cellular traffic.

This equipment uses the Electronics Operation (EW)
skill, which defaults to Electronics Operation (Comm)-4.

== Radio Intercept (TL6) ==

Radio eavesdropping requires a radio receiver with the
“radio intercept” option; see Radio (pp. 37-40) for statistics.
Using such equipment to listen in on random, unencrypted
traffic in range (cell phones, cordless phones, handheld
radios, etc.) is a routine task. Roll against Electronics
Operation (Comm or EW) at +4, should it matter.
Encrypted signals can be recorded and decoded later.

To intercept a specific signal, the spy must know its frequency.
If he doesn’t, he’ll have to conduct a “freq search”
while the transmitter is broadcasting. Each attempt
requires an Electronics Operation (EW) roll and 15 minutes
at TL6, five minutes at TL7, or five seconds at TL8.
Success allows routine monitoring of later transmissions
on that frequency. If the transmitter’s operator is actively
seeking to avoid interception, this becomes a Quick Contest
of Electronics Operation (EW); victory lets the interceptor
eavesdrop on that one transmission. LC3.

== Cellular Monitoring System (TL8) ==

This is a specialized radio receiver for intercepting cellphone
traffic. It can monitor up to four calls at a time and
log everything to a hard disk, prevent the target phone from
receiving incoming calls, jam the phone outright, and trace
calls. The system comes in a large attaché case. $20,000, 7
lbs., external power. LC2.

=== Visual Surveillance Devices (TL6) ===

Visual surveillance experts use regular cameras (see
Video Storage, Recording, and Playback, pp. 42-44), surveillance
cameras (p. 206), passive visual sensors (pp. 46-47),
and more-specialized equipment. Most of the gear below
requires the Electronics Operation (Surveillance) skill.

== Endoscopes (TL6) ==

Experimental endoscopes date to the 1800s. These were
inflexible, but gave doctors their first look inside the stomach
(the earliest test subject was a sword swallower!).
Versions practical for intelligence-gathering appeared in the
1950s.

Sometimes called a “fiberscope” or a “borescope,” a
modern endoscope consists of optical fibers within a thin
(0.1-0.3”) steel-mesh tube. Controls at the user’s end allow
him to flex and bend the far end precisely. The attached eyepiece
lets him see what his ’scope is pointed at.

Search Endoscope (TL6). A short ’scope optimized for
looking for items concealed within hollow objects or body
cavities gives +3 to Search. Used to observe lock tumblers
through a hole drilled in a safe or a door, it gives +2 to
Lockpicking. $1,500, 2 lbs., 2xS/week. LC4.

Surveillance Endoscope (TL7). This powerful, yard-long
model lets the user peer under doors, through holes in walls
and floors, around corners and window frames, etc., while
staying out of sight. The tiny lens gives -3 to Vision rolls.
Spotting the protruding tube requires a Vision-5 roll. $4,500,
2 lbs., 2xS/week. LC4.

== Mail-Security Spray (TL6) ==

This aerosol spray turns envelopes and similar paper
packaging transparent on contact, revealing the contents. It
evaporates in minutes, leaving no visible trace (a lab test
and a Forensics roll will detect it). A can good for dozens of
uses: $30, 1 lb. LC4.

== Security Document Scanner (TL8) ==

The size of a desktop photocopier, this device uses
infrared or ultraviolet light to examine papers and packages.
It can see through ink, erasures, correction fluid, etc., and
detect subtle alterations. While intended for document security,
it also has surveillance applications: an Electronics
Operation (Security or Surveillance) roll at -2 lets the operator
produce a legible copy of a document in a sealed envelope.
$500, 40 lbs., external power. LC3.

== Video Bugs (TL8) ==

The term “bug” was formerly reserved for microphones,
but microchip-sized pinhole cameras add video bugs to the
surveillance expert’s bag of tricks.

Miniature Video Bug (TL8). This state-of-the-art device –
about the size of a 9mm cartridge (SM -11) – contains a
color camera, a transmitter, and a power supply. It provides
a crisp video image up to two miles away. $1,000, neg.,
T/week. LC3.

Subminiature Video Bug (TL8). The smallest video bugs
are the size of a multivitamin capsule (SM -13); in fact,
they’re used to diagnose intestinal problems when an endoscope
would be too invasive. Transmitter range is less than
500 yards. The special internal battery lasts for 48 hours.
$1,500, neg. LC3.

Video Bug (TL8). An over-the-counter “spy shop” video
bug is still a capable surveillance device. About the size of
matchbox (SM -9), it can transmit a high-quality video signal
up to two miles away. $250, neg., T/week. LC4.

=== Wire Rat Gear ===

Almost every TL7-8 surveillance kit bag or stakeout vehicle includes “generic” transmitters and receivers.

== A/V Transceiver (TL7) ==

This receives signals from (and transmits instructions to) bugs, wireless cameras, A/V transmitters, etc., to which it’s tuned. It can receive up to four channels at a time, feeding each signal to a separate jack for viewing, listening, or recording. A small video display is included.

A/V Transceiver (TL7). $100, 6 lbs., 4¥S/4 hrs. LC4.

A/V Transceiver (TL8). $100, 3 lbs., 4¥S/4 hrs. LC4.

== A/V Transmitter (TL7) ==

This transmitter connects to any electronic audio
or visual surveillance device (mike, camera, etc.),
turning it into a “bug.” Broadcast range is 1/2 mile.

A/V Transmitter (TL7). $500, 4 lbs., 2¥S/4 hrs. LC4.

A/V Transmitter (TL8). $500, 1 lb., 2¥S/4 hrs. LC4.


=== Tracking Devices (TL7) ===

Tracking devices range from the benign – like the personal
rescue beacon (p. 59) – to the more sinister “tracking
bugs” used for surveillance. All communicate via radio and
are subject to that medium’s inherent limitations (see
Radio, pp. 37-40).

== Radio Beacon (TL7) ==

This is the classic Hollywood “tracking beacon” – a radio
transmitter designed to be attached to a vehicle, hidden in
a briefcase, etc. Its signal is detected using a radio direction
finder (pp. 38-39). Anyone scanning for bugs has +4 to find
this “noisy” device. Each tracker has a special coded signal
that allows those who planted it to recognize it easily.
Range is 25 miles.

Radio Beacon (TL7). $300, 0.5 lb., S/month. LC4.

Radio Beacon (TL8). $300, 0.25 lb., XS/month. LC4.

== Cell Phone (TL8) ==

Cell phones (p. 39) broadcast a constant identification
signal while turned on, even when not making calls. This is
how the cellular network “knows” where to route incoming
calls. Those with access to the network – e.g., government
agents with a subpoena – can fix a cell phone’s location to
within half a dozen blocks in an urban area or a few miles
in a rural setting.

== Cellular Locator Beacons (TL8) ==

A cellular locator beacon is a GPS receiver (p. 53) that
communicates its current position – accurate to within a
few feet – over a cellular telephone network. A service
($50/month) is available that lets anyone with an Internet
connection and the correct password track the beacon in
real time. The locator may be set to transmit a record of its
position history at regular intervals and then switch off its
transmitter. While this prevents tracking in real time, it
saves power and reduces the chance of detection. Multiply
battery life by 10 for hourly updates, 100 for daily updates.

Cellular Beacon (TL8). This device can run off its
onboard battery pack or be connected to a vehicle’s power
supply for indefinite operation. It must be in reach of a cellular
network to relay its position, and is susceptible to jamming.
Triple cost for a version that uses satellite phone
(pp. 39-40) technology, which can be tracked anywhere in
the world. $1,500, 1 lb., S/week. LC4.

Personal Cellular Beacon (TL8). This is a smaller unit
built into a wristwatch, bracelet, shackle, etc. $400, 0.1 lb.,
T/month. LC4.

=== Dirty Tech: Homemade Surveillance Gear ===

Regardless of its Legality Class, surveillance gear
is difficult to acquire “no strings attached.” Even in
low-Control Rating areas, simply buying a bug or a
wiretap from a novelty “spy shop” can attract
unwanted attention. A credit card leaves a paper trail
– and while you can always pay cash, anyone who
sells security cameras will almost certainly have
video of you making the purchase!

Luckily, such equipment isn’t difficult to build. The
parts are common enough that purchasing them
attracts little attention, and you might even be able to
scavenge what you need from electronics purchased
at a garage sale or dug out of the trash – a great use
for Scrounging! Most audio and video bugs require
about half a day’s work, $10 to $20 in materials, and
an Electronics Repair (Surveillance) roll. Tiny projects
are hard to pull off with a soldering gun, though.
For any device smaller than a matchbox (SM -9),
apply SM+9 as a penalty to skill; e.g., a 1/2” audio bug
(SM -13) gives -4.

Passive sensors and audio-visual recorders
are the basic tools of surveillance. Active sensors
are useful if the subject lacks appropriate
detection gear, or if letting him know he’s being watched
isn’t a problem.

The devices that follow are useful for covertly obtaining
information, or for following people or objects.

===Com Tap (TL9)===
This device can tap into an optical or electrical cable
line. It is a 100-yard, hair-thin optical cable ending in a clip
head, connected to a pocket-sized unit which includes both
a monitor and a recorder that uses standard computer storage media. An Electronics Operation (Surveillance) roll is
needed to succeed without damaging the line being tapped
into; tapping an optical cable is at -3 to skill. $500, 0.1 lb.,
A/100 hr. LC3.
===Homing Beacon (TL9)===
This tiny tracer (SM -11) can be set to activate when it
receives a coded signal (sleeper mode), or to broadcast continuously. Its signal can be picked up by radio emissions
scanners up to 10 miles away. $40, neg., AA/100 hrs. (1 year
in “sleeper” mode). LC4.

At higher TLs, its range is x5 at TL10, x20 at TL11, x100
at TL12.
===Nanobug (TL9)===
A pinhead-sized sensor/recorder unit (SM -18) with an
adhesive backing, which is usually placed somewhere
where it can scan an entire room. Its camera and microphone can record constantly, listen for a specific voice
before recording, scan at specific times of day, or scan
when its sensors detect light or motion in the room. It
includes a microcommunicator that can transmit
recorded data in a short “burst” upon receiving a coded
radio command. It can also be set to transmit after a specific time has passed. Once it transmits, it may be programmed to erase everything it has stored and begin
recording again, or to self-destruct. It will also self-destruct
if tampered with (roll vs. Explosives (EOD)-3 or Traps-3 to
defuse). $100, AA (1 year).

Emissions Nanobug (TL9): As above, but instead of
audiovisual sensors, it has field-emission sensors that can
read data being sent to or from an electronic device that the
bug is in direct contact with. It cannot read stored data that
is not being accessed.

Microbot Nanobug (TL10): A single, tiny microbot spy
(SM -16). As a regular nanobug, above, but add any microbot swarm chassis (pp. 35-36) at 1% the usual cost.
Mobility is as per a cyberswarm. One hit destroys it.

===Laser Microphone (TL9)===
This device turns any window or faceplate into a bug by
reflecting an invisible laser beam off the glass and picking
up vibrations caused by speech within the room. The user
may roll Electronics Operation (Surveillance) to hear whatever is behind the window as if he were present on the
other side of it. Extraneous noise such as loud music or
running faucets is easily filtered out. Very heavy curtains,
anti-laser coating, or triple-glazing may defeat this method;
bug stompers and privacy field white-noise generators
never do. Laser sensors can sense a
laser mike.

Laser Microphone (TL9). Range 3,000 yards. $200, 2.5
lbs., C/10 hr. LC3.

Pocket Laser Mike (TL9). Range 300 yards. $40, 0.1 lb.,
A/1 hr. LC3.

Range is doubled at TL10, multiplied by five at TL11,
and multiplied by 10 at TL12.

===Surveillance Worm (TL9)===
A flexible robotic snake only 0.1” wide and 2” long.
These devices replace lower-TL endoscopes for examinations of body cavities or small cracks. Its light source illuminates a two-yard cone, and TL10+ worms also have
Infravision. The user can see whatever the worm is looking
at, but has No Depth Perception (p. B145).

The worm uses myoelectric muscles to flex and bend.
It can be controlled via fiber-optic cable (to avoid emitting
any signals), or it can operate using its built-in microcommunicator. A series of surveillance worms can also
relay signals to each other.
Surveillance worms provide +3 on Search attempts. A
Vision-5 roll is required to spot the worm. $4,500, 2 lbs.

===Computer Pill (TL10)===
Designed to be disguised as a piece of candy, a raisin,
a pill, or a seed, this is a disposable organic computer
that activates once swallowed. It attaches itself to the
user’s stomach, remaining in the body. It has its own
microcommunicator, which only has a range of a few feet
inside a body. That’s enough to contact any radio communicator implanted in or carried by the person who
consumed the pill.

The computer is complexity 3, stores 1 TB, and costs
$50. Its integral power supply operates it for one week.

Increase Complexity by +1 and data storage by a factor of
1,000 per TL after introduction.

Messenger Pill: A computer pill that incorporates a
genetic scanner that can determine if it’s been swallowed
by the right person (or family, or species, or whatever). If
the scan comes up with a match, the pill will try to call the
communicator of its host. If not, it self-destructs, and is dissolved by the body’s own digestive system.
Messenger pills are double normal cost.

=== Surveillance Swarm (“Surveillance Dust”) (TL10) ===
This microbot swarm (p. 35) mounts tiny video cameras
and audio sensors, collectively equivalent to a nanobug (see
p. 105). The swarm is programmed to remain in a particular place, observe for a period of time, and then return; it
can also transmit information or be ordered to go to a different location. Base cost is $500/square yard; modify this for Swarm Chassis. LC3.