Submitted to the University of Carbanousa May 24, 2004 by Professor Ian Davies

C.A.R.B.A.N. - Myth or Reality

C.A.R.B.A.N. is the combination of secretive Military and Government project to enable the High Priest of Carbanousa to deploy in rapid response, any number of troops, combat vehicles, or air support. The complete functions of C.A.R.B.A.N. one to three are unknown but the positions of the three satellites are in constant triangulation to ensure continuous communication between each of the separate nodes and the Fortress Monastery Prime. It is rumoured that C.A.R.B.A.N. is named after the Primarch whose gene-seed was used to create the Nation of Carbanousa. This, if it is true, is kept locked within the archive vaults of the same Fotress Monastery Prime. C.A.R.B.A.N. one, two, and three are rumoured to resemble:

but are nothing more than rumours.
It is believed that the initials stand for the following:

• C - Combat
• A - Assigned;
• R - Reconnaissance
• B - Briefed;
• A - Actualised for
• N - Near Orbit

The civilian scientific community have debated this for years and are by no means convinced with their most plausible explanation.
The operational status of all three nodes is unknown but many have hypothesised as to the configuration and specifications. The most current theory is that all three are identical, save for their names.
The leading University in Carbanousa has presupposed the following technical specifications for the nodes:

Main Computer
The main computer within the C.A.R.B.A.N. nodes is a contextual lie considering there is none. Using a variant of Ubiquitous computing and developmental A.I. coding, the nodes are in themselves gestalt. We also believe that the High Priest has some degree of lobal-implant to enable access to the higher functions of the nodes. We have presupposed that this operatives on analysis of the High Priests electrical activity within the brain - almost like a unique finger print. We are unsure as to how this technology translates either way, but have a number of working theories. In essence, the nodes are able to communicate simultaneously with the High Preist and one another. Using shared resources and essentially using carrier signals from Mobile telephone service providers as well as their own network configuration, data transfer is essentially instantaneous. Current equivilents would be something like:
Processor: Real-time (in excess of current measurement equipment and scaling);
Memory: Shared memory access. Probably with the High Priest
Due to the complexity of the nodes it is impossible to even make an educated guess as to the specification. In more general terms we believe it to be:
Processor: 2.39-5.22 TB
Physical Memory: 512 TB
Memory: 1,250 TB
This is were TB = Trilla-bytes (or 1,000 Giga-bytes).
We believe the power source is a derivative of depleted Urnaium.

Additional Features
The colossal power of the computer aside, it is also believed that the C.A.R.B.A.N. nodes also posess a number of additonal features.
We believe that each node has the following:
1) Military-grade blinding laster
2) Full spectrum filters (including Ultra-sound)
3) Atmospheric pressure modulators
4) Air-to-surface Exocet tactical missiles with improved yield and decoy technology
5) Anti missle grid with threat analysis (the lasers could be used for this purpose)
6) Secure communication - via the High Priest
7) Various scientific analysis equipment
It is possible that there are two or three more features, but it is unknown at this time.

Construction
The main body is supposedly constructed from a Tritanium (atomically enhanced Titanium), a hardened Tungsten alloy, and an unknown compound surrounding the central plexus where the A.I. is stored. Superconductors with a 0.001% heat resistance are used as the solar panels plating which are forged from the same material as the hull. No component parts are outside of the hull, and it is believed that if necessary, the node can undertake repairs to itself.

Addendum
I fear I may have discovered more than I initially intended to... I am convinced I'm being followed... If this Email/ICQ reaches you d

*thirty minutes later, the Police break open a locked door and find the Professor dead at his computer with a single unidentifiable wound to the top of the head*

From the Berndalia Bulletin, 24 May

An insder from the Secret Security Service of Berndalia reports that, though possible, a series of secret satillites is unlikely, "Unless of course they have some sort of cloaking technology," chortled the insider.

Another point of note is the following section,

This does not appear to be reported in the standard system, because although "TB" does infact mean 1000 GB, it stands for "tera", not "trilla". "It appears that although Prof. Davies has many details about this system, he does not have an appropriate background to understand or interpret this information," reports the Triple S insider.

Upon looking Davies up on hte U of C directory, he is listed not as a professor of Politics, Military Tactics, Computer Sciences, or even Theology. Davies was a professor of Fine Arts, focussing on the Aural Arts.

He has also been admitted to the University of Carbanousa Psychiatric Ward twice in the past three years, claiming that the government has been using him as a test subject, though for what changed almost daily. However, while in the Ward, he was also able to accurately predict the winning numbers for the Carbanousa Weekly Lottery for 3 consecutive weeks.

Whether Davies had any actual knowledge of this Security project remain unknown, but his student G-Anne Hxzwytz says, "The world of Aural Art has lost one of its founding members; infact, I think he's the only member..."

OOC: AAARRRRGGGGG!!!! I had to re-write theis WHOLE post because I mistakenly went to the link sent to me on ICQ and lost EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!

*three dark suited men steps from the shadows wearing a Setson and Ray-bans*

Man One
"Mr. Davies wrote his final article under immense psychological stress. His annual intake of students were in a steady decline and department due to lose funding. The Arts community of Carbanousa shall mourn his loss and no doubt lament his passing in an appropraite fashion."

Man Three
"Mr Davies, according to Universities medical the records has had no admissions to a psychiatric hospital. It would appear that the Berndalia Bulletin dates 24 May has novelists in place of jounralists. Indeed, it is a well documented fact that the reporter who filed this article is a failed science-fiction novelist and no doubt took this assignment as partial compensation due to an utter lack of talent and imagination."

Man One
"Triple S is not incorrect. Neither is Triple S correct. The advantages of of advanced stealth technologies are well documented. The reference to 'cloaking devices' is absured, unless like Bernadalia your top rated television programme happens to be Star-Trek: Deep Space 9."

Man Two
"I have been authorised to compensate you admirably for release of documentation pertaining to this incident. I request you comply, as my orders and authorisation are absolute. I should also inform you that this so called 'Triple S' has been apprehended, on schedule, and is being detained pending questioning and psyche-evaluation. He will not be permenantly damaged, but answered are required."

"This conversation is over. We will contact you when we are ready."

*they recede into the shadows*

Official Press release from the Berndalia Ministry of Science Fiction

Deputy Minister J'net Grren in response to the shodowy figures states that the journalist in question has in fact submitted several manuscripts to the Ministry, which were rejected as they held to much with reality.

Further, the shadowy figures are clearly extremely out of date, as the top rated television show in Berndalia is NOT Deep Space 9 (nor has it been for several months. The current best rated television show in Berndalia is Smallville.

Thank you for your time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Official Press Release from the Berndalia Ministry of Health and Welfare

Minister Klarence Cavala states that the information regarding Prof. Davies' stay in the Psychiatric Ward has been confirmed by a nurse who is a dual citizen on Berndalia and Carbanousa, who works at a "Conversion Monestary". This, we have been informed is what Psychiatric Wards are called in that country.

Thank you for your time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Official Press Release from the Berndalia Secret Security Services

The Secret Security Services (SSS or Triple S), in respinse to Shodowy Figure 2 wonders who in fact you have in custody, as Triple S, a government agency, is composed of many individuals.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From the Board of the Berndalia Bulletin

How much is the documentation worth to you??? I'm sure we could cut a deal if needed.

No such manuscripts were submitted. Our mainframe has no records of such documentation being catalogued into our archives. May I suggest the honourable Minister check, and double check their so called 'secure' communication protocols.

Naturally, only severe threats are monitored. The negelct of this Nation, by the Carbanousan government, was either due to a lack of interest or worthy actions as of late. Needless to say, recent events have stirred an interest within a 'government agency'.

No such institutions exist, unless perportrated by non-sovereign Citizen's. The only true faith is that of CARBAN, with the faith represented by the seven Fortress Monastery's. Excess of seven Fortress Monastary's is considered sacreligious and not tolerated, let alone entertained. (See other thread about Religion/Military Stratification).

Of this we are aware. The agent has been apprehended and is currently indisposed to comment.

Simply? Name your price. We also bear the right to access all your relevant civilian, military, government, and psuedo-government agency archives. This includes a number of alleged 'hidden' servers. Our neural-interface technology shall suffice is uploading all relevant data concerning this incursion.

Why would they be submitted to YOUR servers?? They are submitted to, and are currently being held by, the Berndalia MSF.

All of our Triple S members are currently acconted for, including the 3 currently stationed in Carbanousa. The individual you have in custody has nothing to do with our government.

Any information sold to you by the Berndalia Bulletin, a privately owned corporation, gives you no access to any secure or priviledged information of the Queendom of Berndalia.