Doppelganger
Doppelgangers are a form of Orga Tech used for telepresence in many forms.
They are almost entirely exclusive to Pact worlds, which are ofte the only ones with enough orga infrstructure to make the Doppelgangers cost effective. They are mindless drones which can be controlled over the Æthernet and Sensate.
The doppelganger came to life in a series of twitches and spasms as color rushed to its limbs. The rich tapestry of its spots and striations resolved into subtle textures—flesh tones and freckles, blemishes and makeup.
My wife's lips curled, warm and loving granting a glimpse of sharp teeth one moment, natural teeth the next. Her eyes shifted from dark pits to colorful discs, full of life.
"Hey hon!" She said, throwing her arms around me. Her skin was cool, but I could feel a rising, almost feverish warmth in it.
Applications
Tourism
For vacations where indulgence is the centerpiece or budget is a consideration—often to the extent of threathening the health of the vacationer—leasing a doppelganger on a foreign world for a few hours or days is a safe and easy way to explore the universe.
Combat
While Doppelgangers are somewhat fragile, and cannot be controlled wherever the Æthernet connections is weak, they make excellent guards and scouts.
Telepresence
A doppelganger is the ideal way for an in-danger politician to make a showing without putting their life in direct danger.
It is also common for the wealthy elite to maintain multiple Doppelgangers for various events—such as a musician touring the worlds and not wanting their presence to be delayed by spaceflight. Desire maintains an armoir of doppels to inhabit.
Espionage
Variants
Bust
A bust doppel is just the shoulders and head of the doppel, with arms provided by hologram projection or not at all. They can be small enough to fit in your hand, or can be as several feet across. They are typically used for door greetings or to talk with close friends.
Half
A half-doppel has been amputated from the hips down, and usually sits in a call-booth. The curtain is down upon your arrival, but the doppel opens it after someone has called and taken control of them.
Military
Military doppels can barely be classified as doppels, due to the number of changes made to them, but they are piloted remotely to guard a perimeter without putting anyone local in danger.
Appearance
A doppelganger's flesh is an overlapping array of folds, petals, and tentacles, all of which are reshaped to resemble the person they are imitating. The imitation isn't perfect.
They have a glowing mark on their face which brands them as a doppelganger.
Tailored Doppelgangers
A doppelganger's appearance isn't a perfect replica. It's easy to see the seams where the various elements of the Doppelganger's body come together to approximate the face and body of the person they are trying to replicate.
To have a perfect doppel requires having it tailored, either to always looks like you, or set with the features that allow it to best replicate your appearance.
Passing visually is one thing, but it is unheard of for a doppel to pass all checks to blend in. For example, a doppel cannot have a soul.
Upkeep
To prevent them being weaponized into cannbalistic feeding drones (which earlier builds were susceptible to, the doppel's ability to digest food through its mouth was removed and it instead absorbs nutrients through roots in its appendages.
When not in use it sits in a nutrient pod and absorbs what its needs.
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