Accessing The Matrix

Dial-up Reality

The Human Resistance regularly hacks into the global communications grid to monitor events in the Matrix and the activities of the Machines. Some of the Resistance, those who have been resuscitated, can project their minds back into the Matrix. Once there, they can "physically" interact with other humans (or their RI) and the software of the Matrix itself. Hacking often occurs on Hover ships which must be within 5 kilometres of a Node or Communications Router. Resuscitated hackers use “Jumpchairs”, specially modified devices connecting the hacker’s cybernetics to the communications system and project them into the Matrix.

Projecting an RI into the Matrix requires an open communications port in the Node. Inside the Matrix, these communication ports are symbolized by telephones with "hard lines". Cabling leading into the "city's" telecommunications grid, the Machines rely on these hard lines to access the Matrix as well, otherwise, they would have cut them all. Hard-line telephones are found throughout the cities, apparently somewhat at random. When a Hacker enters the Matrix, they will appear adjacent to the hard-line phone and when they wish to leave, they must be holding the receiver.

Communication to and from the Matrix is simpler. Hackers may use any phone (table-top, cellular, pay phone, etc.) to communicate with the Operator on their hover ship. However, these calls may be monitored and traced by the Machines, in both the Matrix and the Real world.

Strangers In A Strange Land

Many of the Resistance Hackers have a hard time of it when they return to the Matrix from the real world. Friends, love ones, colleagues, neighbours, all are nothing more than electronic representations of bodies floating in pods, feeding the power cores of their captors. Schools, offices, favourite restaurants become empty shells and facades, all of the Hacker's old life is revealed as nothing more than an elaborate lie.

It is easy, then, for weaker minds to fall back into old habits. They may try to contact old friends or family, become caught up in the physical pleasures of the Matrix, or become to trusting of its colourful illusion.  When this happens, the Hacker puts himself or herself and, quite likely, all of Zion at risk. As the Hacker's emotional investment in the Matrix's representations grows, he or she will lose his or her ability to separate real from unreal and, consequently, his or her augmented abilities while in the Matrix.

Characters who begin to get too attached to the "unreality" of the Matrix should loose their Matrix advantages as the GM sees fit.

The Construct

The Resistance uses advanced programs, called Constructs, which resemble the Matrix nearly identically. Hackers take on their residual images and physically interact with their surroundings. The same laws of physics that govern the Matrix also apply in the Construct. The main difference is an Operator has complete control over the Construct: they may change environments, load training simulations, or provide equipment. 

When Hackers are going to make a run, they plug into the jump chairs and are projected into the Construct. The Operator then dials the hard-line used to gain access to the Matrix and copies the code which constitutes the room or area in which the hard-line exists. The copied code is then recompiled around the Hackers in the Construct. The Operator then inserts the copied room and his Hackers into the Matrix, merging the code together seamlessly. At that point, the Hackers are in the Matrix with any equipment loading while in the Construct.

It is important to note while the Construct provides a useful training tool for Hackers, it cannot completely replicate the experience of being in the Matrix. While it helps to begin freeing the mind of a Hacker. Only tests of character and faith, under the full duress of life in the Matrix can truly lead to the enlightenment of a mind.

Hacking The Matrix

All Hackers develop some skill at manipulating the Matrix. They learn to move more quickly, strike with more force, or perceive beyond their normal limits. But only the truly talented manage to hack the Matrix in any substantial way. These spiritual descendants of Prime learn to augment their physical abilities and, ultimately, alter the fabric of the Matrix itself.

When Hackers affect the Matrix, they usually do it in a fairly unconscious manner. Rather than thinking "I'll alter this section of code to delete this door," the Hacker simply wills the door to be gone. Thus, Matrix hacking is different than old-school code hacking. It represents the pure hybrid of textual coding and human perception. For example, when a baseball player catches a fly ball, he does not consciously calculate the trajectory, speed, and force of the ball. He simply moves, puts up his glove, and catches it. Similarly, most Matrix hacking is an act of perception, decision, and action: bullets speeding towards you; willing the bullets to stop; observing the bullets halt in mid-air.

Any significant hacking in the Matrix is likely to be noticed by the Machines. It will probably register as a "blip" in the system and scans will begin immediately. Counter-measures or anti-"viral" techniques (like Agents) may be deployed. The likelihood of detection increases with the changes effected. Thus a minor alteration (like unlocking a door or changing hair color) will likely go unnoticed, while more substantial changes (like deleting a door or complete transformation of the RI) will send off all sorts of bells and alarms.

Freeing The Mind

Successful Hackers, the ones which manage to stay alive, all progress along a path of enlightenment. Each hopes to "free" his or her mind from its limiting conceptualization of the Matrix. Obviously, some make greater strides than others. Some accept their limitations and still serve vital functions as members of the Resistance. While their skill inside the Matrix may be limited, their bravery and dedication serve the cause. 

Others, however, continue on this path of enlightenment. Ultimately, it involves the complete understanding, from balls to bones, that everything in the Matrix. Everything is only perceived reality; there is no ground, no buildings, and no sky.  Even one's own body is a falsehood. The enlightened Hacker understands he himself is only code, floating through a sea of code, interacting and separating; discrete and unified. Through this connectedness, the Hacker can learn to remake the Matrix code at will.

Death In The Matrix

Every Hacker knows the risks when he plugs in and begins a run on the Matrix. Screw up, have an accident, get shot and you're dead. The mind makes injuries received in the Matrix real in the Real world. After a fight, bodies will ache and even bleed. If the body is destroyed in the Matrix, the mind will believe it and kill the body in the Real world.

Not even advanced Hackers can stand up to an Agent or an overwhelming force of policemen. For all their abilities and enlightenment, most Hackers understand their limitations and avoid becoming drunk with their own power. A careless Hacker risks not only his own life, but that of his team-mates and, perhaps, Zion itself.

It is said that a truly enlightened Hacker, one that is a true descendant of Prime, can overcome this limitation. Their Matrix form may be riddled with bullets, pounded to pulp, or incinerated to ash and their mind will live on. They see the Matrix as it is, nothing more then a complex green glowing code.