Tau-Suit Generator (TL17)
Copyright (c) 1996 by Austin Loomis <zedd@io.com>

This artifact generates a mobile personal tau-field around its wearer.  
The user can move freely, while the rest of the world is at an effective 
standstill.  In addition, the tau-suit is semi-translucent, allowing 
vision of the frozen world in which the wearer moves.

The user can carry objects other than the generator, and can even have 
an effect on objects in normal time, but each level of encumbrance carried 
above No Encumbrance makes the time spent carrying it count as extra-
long, with a penalty equal to the encumbrance level plus one, i.e. a 
minute carrying Light encumbrance counts as two minutes.  This includes 
the time it may take to pick up an object in the first place.  To grab 
an object in real time, you must win a Contest of ST vs. its weight in 
pounds.  If you win, the object is drawn into the tau-field and counts 
as encumbrance until you let go of it, at which time it will return to 
real time.

When the user has only one subjective minute remaining, the unit will 
begin to flash red.  Once deactivated, the generator will not work again 
(even if the power cell is immediately replaced or it runs via total 
conversion) for an amount of real time equal to its maximum running time 
-- even if it was only used for one subjective minute.

The user can perceive other tau-fields, and enter them freely if they 
are of a lower TL than his generator's.  Entering another tau-field of 
an equal TL requires a skill roll against Electronics Operation (Tau-
Field), or the cooperation of the other user.  Invading a tau-field of 
a higher TL is of course impossible.

Wrist-unit: Can be disguised as a wristwatch or wristcomp of a lower 
	TL, and will perform those functions.  An AA cell powers this 
	for ten subjective minutes.  Weight 1 pound, cost $30,000, LC 
	1.
Hand-held unit: Often resembles a TL6 pocketwatch.  An A cell runs it 
	for a subjective hour.  Weight 5 pounds, cost $100,000, LC 0.