My first and most important question: Is there a way to directly edit the byte files without having to extract the whole content pack as source? Or maybe a tool to convert byte files to .txt and back?

On another matter, is there a way to buy the same type of drone (or gun) twice? Okay I know some ways to trick the game into giving me the second drone, but they require editing the scene or the merchant's dialog. I'd like something less invasive.

And then there is the issue of spirit summoning. A rigger buys his drone once and then he can use it whenever he wants and even if it's destroed by the enemies it will be there again for the next mission. Basically the same goes for a decker's ESPs.
But the poor shaman has to buy expensive fetishes, and then the spirit is only available until the end of the current fight if you're lucky. So is there a way to create reusable fetishes, maybe with a very long cooldown?