Psychoframe

Psychoframe in essence are numerous miniaturized versions of Psycommu, honeycombed together into a network which makes an efficient mind to machine interface within mobile suits. Invented by Nanai Miguel just prior to the Second Neo-Zeon war, the technology was leaked to Anaheim Electronics and featured heavily in the MSN-04 Sazabi and the RX-93 Nu Gundam.

While it was unknown to the majority of the populace at the time, it featured heavily in the miraculous event known as the 'Axis Shock' at the end of the Second Neo-Zeon War. It once again came into the spotlight during the Laplace and Denver Colony incidents, in which its potential to produce miracles was demonstrated clearly to the Federation.

In UC 0097, following an investigation into the phenomena known as 'Singularity One' that occurred during the Laplace Incident, and the RX-0 Gundam Unicorn Unit-03, the Phenex; Cathedra declared the technology one that was capable of killing it's pilot, and threw the full weight of the Benerit Group behind the Federation Assembly regulating it.

Integration Notes

These notes are valid as of September UC 0097 until Phase 2, and will be updated as the Situation changes.

• Mobile suits that are Psychoframe 'Cockpit only' or 'Cockpit+X' are grandfathered in and legalized. Only mobile suits that are at least fifty percent or more Psychoframe are illegal under current regulations. However, new mobile suits will never be legally created with more than twenty five percent Psychoframe. This legislation is purely aimed at making the 'Singularity One' phenomena difficult to duplicate. Systems like the 'NT-D' and prior iterations of the technology are similarly banned.

• This makes Newtype labs illegal in a way that's actually taken seriously by the powers that be, since primarily most current research focuses upon the interface between mind and machine by Quantum Brainwaves. Cathedra has been given broad jurisdiction to audit these labs, but in effect they'll wholesale shut down any Newtype lab they discover operating within the Earthsphere given the fear of where Newtype research might lead.

• The only way to obtain a new Psychoframe equipped mobile suit legally within the Earthsphere is to go through Grassley Defense Systems, which requires vetting by Cathedra's auditing department. In practice, this is a subtle form of 'Newtype Registration' for individuals, and a means of tracking organizations with interest in this technology. Anaheim Electronics has lost all Psychoframe stores and manufacturing capability and is heavily under the supervision of Cathedra to ensure compliance.

• The use of a Psychofield in any aggressive sense is considered a war crime or a terroristic act of special note depending upon your organization. Consider it to be a similar statement on the level of detonating a strategic nuclear weapon in the current RL world in terms of the form of response. While in the books it is defined as 'when it is used purposefully in warfare or for political violence' it is in effect 'When Cathedra says it is.' Use of it as a form of defense is permitted by a handful of organizations that already possess a full Psychoframe unit capable of independent Psychofield generation and have agreed to the terms but is heavily disincentivized to utilize them unless defending against a Psychofield.

• Obtaining Psychoframe illegally is an option, certain individuals like Monaghan Bakharov, or Iron Mask may possess manufacturing capabilities that are hidden from Cathedra.

FAQ

Does this mean I can't obtain my cool Psychoframe suit?

Absolutely you can! Just we ask that you engage with the new world shape in doing so. If you have a character of protagonist tilt then finding a suit or obtaining it through Grassley is an option and abiding by regulations. If you're an antagonist, then the Jupiter Empire and Monaghan Bakharov both possess manufacturing capabilities, or you can steal them in various ways. Then there's also just the option of finding one laying around somewhere and forgotten that was created prior to 0097 UC.

If you're actively looking to possess a full Psychoframe suit, then under the current system that'll be treated as an antagonist action by most current institutions, given that the existence of more full Psychoframe suits disrupt a careful balance of power.

Just recognize it will make you be viewed as an existential threat to humanity that needs to be exterminated with extreme prejudice. If you choose this option, please treat it accordingly. Just running around doing whatever in the Earthsphere openly doesn't really fit the tone of how someone choosing this option would be treated by the powers that be.

Does this mean that mean X science crime lab that's necessary to my theme or OC can't exist?

Nah! It absolutely can. Government funded black sites are still happening. They just have to be more secretive about it than ever given Cathedra's broad jurisdictional mandate. It means however that Cathedra can't find out about it and such places can't be public about their wrong-doing. This can be done in a variety of ways, up to and including bribing certain individuals within the Benerit Group to keep Cathedra away. Just treat the secret accordingly ICly, as Cathedra and Delling Rembran take a rather strong stance against transhumanism science crime.