“I don’t know how I got along without her—probably would’ve been shot in the back alley of Nicholson ten times over by now. Dolly keeps me steady, even when she doesn’t say a word.”

— Crenshaw Mack

Origin

Dolly was originally a 'companion synth' designated 'Blonde-422840' working at a Starbunny Cabaret affiliate in a sleazy slum outside of the city of Domenico, Rhea, Saturn. She was the favorite toy of Donny "DeeDee" DeMico, who trusted her (a nonsentient synthetic) over any human girlfriend. DeeDee was a capo with The Sublime Organization, and his own chemical experimentation had left him so pathologically paranoid that he assumed every living person wanted him dead. This paranoia made him nearly untouchable, frustrating the Hyperion Crime Ring's (HCR) attempts to validate his paranoia with a good old fashioned hit. It was the Cyberjack 51l3nt_3kk0 that figured out his release and connected her consciousness to the CCM in order to take direct control of the synth and assassinate DeeDee. She didn't realize that the CCM and platform were both knockoffs, and her consciousness became trapped in the substandard Equipment. Attempting to escape after she'd done in DeeDee, she sought help from the Hyperion Crime Ring, but as far as her handlers were concerned 51l3nt_3kk0 died in her Man-Machine Interface Cradle and the robot was simply a loose end. They used D-HEW electrolasers to blast the CCM until it ceased to function and then ordered some low level mooks to drop the platform into a recycler. Unfortunately for them, the mooks in question had connections to the Witless Minions.

Falling Off the Truck

They refurbished the damaged platform, downloaded a combat synth protocol into it and used her as security for a number of missions. Then, they got word that one of their connections had confessed (under torture) to not destroying the platform and a hunt was launched. HCR is paranoid that there might be evidence of the assassination and while they were happy to get rid of a rival figure in the drug trade, it was only cost-effective if it could be done without giving The Sublime Organization a causus belli. The synth was now 'hot' and the WM knew they had to dump it, but the ever greedy professional con artists and thieves couldn't pass up the opportunity for one last chunk of profit. They dumped her in a Xinztown in Nicholson on Ganymede. The shop owner made a few modifications, poked around in the memories, tried to swap out the combat SI for a bodyguard-valet SI and discovered the Self-Bond Glitch, the remnants of 51l3nt_3kk0's shattered psyche, and evidence of the crime. Panicking, the Xinzhouren marketman offered her at a steep discount to the first chù shēng to come by, throwing in the Bushido Package skill chips for free. Crenshaw Mack fully believes that he bought her at that price due to his superior bargaining Skills.

Crenshaw

While this is a recent acquisition and the pair are at the beginning of their adventures together, her other glitches are beginning to assert themselves. Her knockoff CCM came with an additional glitch: Spontaneous Parameter Drift. Instead of being locked in on pre-set parameters, her bodyguard-valet package, the Bushido skill Chits (which essentially simulates a beginning to end apprentice to master swordsman dojo training set), and the Low-Rez Ghost Mind Emulation of 51l3nt_3kk0 all rotate in and out, merging and dividing as the spontaneous, technically Unshackled AI continues to form and grow. She hasn't let Crenshaw know that she's sentient, keeping it to herself. She also hasn't mentioned that the Hyperion Crime Ring AND The Sublime Organization are both likely seeking her out with ill intent. If she were ever caught in either omission, she's got her 'you didn't ask' excuse ready made. So far, Crenshaw chalks up her increasingly snarky responses as adaptive programming picking up on his own sarcastic sense of humor, and likewise takes credit for any flash of brilliance her contributions to investigations might be. So far, she's quite happy with the arrangement, though there are two things that she's puzzling out how to convince Crenshaw (while letting him think that it was his idea, preserving her 'Synth' status.): One, give her a salary. Two: change her name, because she genuinely hates being named Dolly.

Dolly – Modified Companion Synth-Turned-AI

Platform Loadout & Technical Summary

Central Cognitive Module (CCM)

• Type: Spontaneous Parameter Drift, Ghost in the Machine
• Weight: 15 lbs
• Cost: $27,500
• Notes: Rotates between multiple personality cores (bodyguard-valet package, Bushido skill suite, remnants of hacker 51l3nt_3kk0, etc.). Spontaneous AI formation; technically Unshackled.

Frame

• Base: Heliocarbide Frame (ST 8, DX 12, Weight 60, Cost $8,000)
• Mods:
• Flex-Lattice Frame (Double-Jointed advantage) — $9,000
• Phantom Stress Lines (structural fragility; -20% cost)
• Total: Weight 40, Cost $13,600
• Notes: Halves fall damage. Agile, flexible, but weakened structure.

Power Supply

• Base: Universal Fuel Engine (Max FP 10, Weight 20, Cost $200, upkeep $1)
• Mods:
• KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) — $7,500
• EM Bleed (+2 to be detected within 500 yards; -10% cost)
• Weight-Pad Fix (DIY reinforcements; +20% weight, -5% cost)
• Total: Weight 24, Cost $6,545
• Notes: Must “eat” six meals/day (Universal Digestion). Regenerates FP through movement/impact.

Chassis

• Type: Synthskin (DR 0, Weight 10, Cost $16,000)
• Notes: Beautiful, self-repairing surface. No true armor, purely cosmetic.

Manipulators

• Base: Hands (Manipulator DX = base DX, Cost $1,000)
• Mods:
• Variable Rigidity Framework (+2 ST for grappling/lifting/striking, or +2 DX for precision tasks) — $8,000
• Feedback Loop (critical failure forces repeat action; -20% cost)
• Total: Cost $7,200
• Notes: Exceptionally versatile, but glitch-prone.

Motivators

• Type: Plantigrade (Basic Move = (DX+HT)/4)
• Cost: $2,250

Sensors

• Base Suite:
• Visual Spectrum Light Imager — $2,000
• Low Band Imager (IR, no color) — $2,000
• Gustator Appendage (Taste) — $800
• Auditory Vibration Sensors (Hearing) — $200
• Add-ons:
• Holographic Projection Unit — $15,000
• Memory Storage Retainer — $5,500
• Overfocus (tunnel vision effect; -10% cost)
• Total: Weight 3, Cost $22,950
• Notes: Exceptional multi-sensory recall, but prone to over-fixation.

Communication Equipment

• Base: Vox (Audible Speech, 10 yards, Cost $40, Weight 1)
• Mods:
• Directional Vox (focused sonic communication; can disorient) — $12,000
• Loud Clicks (-5% cost)
• Total: Weight 1, Cost $11,438

Cooling System

• Type: Grade D (HT 12, Effect: Fit, Weight 40, Cost $1,200)
• Mods:
• Overpressure Valve Fault (vents steam visibly; -8% cost)
• Total: Weight 40, Cost $1,104

Structural Quirks

• Stolen Platform: -50% cost; flagged serials and identifiable.
• Self-Bond Glitch: RI network fuses identity with platform; prevents easy transfer or drastic refit (-10%).

Totals (Platform Only)

• Weight: 133 lbs
• Cost: $43,435

Standard Equipment Loadout

• Armor:
• Martian Silk Bodysuit — DR 6, Weight 6, Cost $1,200
• Nanoweave Shirt (sleeved) — DR 18/6, Weight 1, Cost $25
• Monocrys Trousers — DR 24/8, Weight 4, Cost $58
• Reflec Jacket (bomber) — DR 20/0, Weight 2, Cost $108
• Weapons:
• Katana (sw+1 cut (4), thr+1 cr, Weight 2.26, Cost $3,700)
• Wakisashi (sw+1 cut (3), Weight 1.4, Cost $3,000)
• Tanto (sw-1 cut (3), Weight 0.11, Cost $240)
• Other: Laser pistol, spare cell (not costed here).

Typical Loadout Weight: ~17 lbs
Typical Loadout Cost: $8,331

Grand Total (Platform + Standard Equipment):

• Weight: ~150 lbs
• Cost: ~$51,766