Linear Frames

Linear Frames are the 21st century version of the exoskeleton. An exoskeleton is basically a metal framework with synthetic muscles for movement; where one sits in the exoskeleton and steers while it does the work. Early exoskeletons were rarely used for anything important; clumsy and hard to control, hapless operators often tossed half-ton cargo modules through walls and ripped loading doors off hinges. It was not until the advanced bio-feedback systems of the 2000's that the more practical linear frame could be developed. By 2045, they had been improved to the point of being considered borgware.

A linear frame resembles a suit of contoured metal body armor. The frame is grafted onto one's body, while its systems are directly neurolinked to their muscles and bones. Linear frames are designed to take over a percentage of the load, while leaving the operator enough "work" to allow them to gauge how much they're lifting and maintain control of the weight.

For example, if one was to exert enough force to lift ten pounds, the linear frame provides no more power than would be required to move its own bulk. If one lifted a hundred pounds, the linear frame splits the difference, lifting 20% of this mass so that the operator lifts 80 lbs. If the operator lifts 500 pounds, the linear frame takes 80% (400 lbs), leaving them to lift 100 lbs. At the top end of the scale (almost 1800 lbs for Linear Omega), the frame lifts 90% of the weight, while the operator only lift about 180 lbs.

Linear frames come in three strengths. When using the linear frame, the frame will use its strength value instead of the operator's normal Body Type value for any lifting, bending, carrying or breaking task. All linear frames lift 50x their Strength value. (Example: Σ can dead lift 600 kg). Operators cannot swim due to the weight and bulk of the implanted linear frame, and frames from before 2045 have a -1 REF penalty.

Linear frames are commonly implanted, but you can put on a linear frame without having it interfaced directly with your nervous system. Instead, you can simply plug into the frame like a cybervehicle but with a -2 REF penalty when using a linear frame from before 2045.