XXVc: The Quest for the Reaper Compiled By: Dave "Serpine" Rosson Last Update: 02/06/2000 ----------------------------------------------------------------- These are the first few turns of a game of XXVc I ran via BBS mail on Starblazers Express. It went a bit past this, but was eventually concluded via two over the table game sessions. These were all origionally seperate messages ('TO ####' were messages from me to the appropriate player(s) by character name, 'FROM #####' were messages back to me from the players). The PART # was a way I sorted the messages in my mail reader (and was part of the subject line of the mail to keep things strait). This was followed up a bit later by a much more successful try (the messages of which I don't have saved unfortunately) with a different plotline. Largely it worked better the second time because the players had much more detailed replies (often pointing out skills they had that might apply to the situation). I also made it much more of a point to send personal assessments of the situation rather then the same description to everybody, cut down a little on the narrative, and tried to get/keep things moving faster. --- Dave Rosson ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- XXVc: The Quest for the Reaper THE PARTICIPANTS Jeffrey Davis as Stanley Nelson (Male Terran[N.A.] Medic) Phillip McCollum as Fransua Coulier (Male Lunarian Engineer) Andrew Hastings then Dirk Frank as Ji (Male Terran[N.A.] Warrior) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ================================================================= PART 1.01 TO NELSON: "Take two of these and call me in the morning." That ancient line wanders through your mind often these days. It seems appropriate, as most of the patients you've been assigned since you joined NEO have had little more then a flu and didn't need anything more then a bit of rest. The largest operation you've had to perform was removing the teeth of a recruit that made a comment about a worker gennie's heritage. If you hadn't seen it yourself you would never have believed teeth could wind up at such angles and still be attached. But this has been the extent of your duties, and since you turned down a position with the Response Medical Research Faculty on Fortuna to join this organization your more then a little annoyed. With the tales you heard you were practically expecting to be performing delicate open-heart surgery in the middle of a massive firefight, but no...you sit around performing dental work and filling out forms. Damn propaganda. "Let's see, patient name..." just as you begin filling out another form, you notice a large man in full battle armor storm into the room. While this isn't entirely uncommon, you're in the main medical bay of Salvation III, NEO's primary base, it is uncommon for them to walk right up to you and stare. Finally he speaks in a voice so deep he could almost startle a terrine, "Stanley Nelson, you are to report to the 4th floor." He says no more, only turning and wandering off. The 4th floor? There are no medical faculties there. There are only some meeting rooms, an armory, and...and...Oh boy. The only other thing you know is up there are the offices of Turabian and Beowulf, two of the four most important people in NEO. TO COLLIER: With a last push from the thrusters you move out of the orbiting refuse pile that circles Salvation III, the focusing point of NEO's rebellion against RAM. Guiding the junker rocket towards the installation, cleverly disguised as a garbage dump and refueling station circling Earth, you think upon your brief service with the organization. You joined shortly after the Battle of Vesta were NEO's squadron of Kraits, the Venusian fleet, and the forces of the Black Brotherhood broke RAM's domination of Earth. Having no love of RAM and unable to stand the bureaucracy of your world (Luna) that prevented any real stance against them, you decided to join NEO. You've been busy ever since. Having some knowledge of piloting a rocket in addition to engineering skills got you a position in salvage almost immediately. The organization needs everything it can get, since RAM decimated Earth before being forced off, and since they still haven't fully left. Constant small raids are sent to try and wear down Earth's spirit. Unfortunately salvage duty is boring. Fly out, find hunk of garbage, determine its worth, bring it back, do it all again, eat and sleep when you can. No wonder the counselors spend almost as much time with the salvage squads as with shell-shocked warriors. As you approach Salvation and ask for landing clearance, expecting the standard data to flit along the screen, you are hailed. "Pilot of ship XJ1012, kindly report to the 4th floor after completing docking procedures." The administrative offices? What would they want with you there? TO JI: Ahhhh.... Sleep. Precious sleep. The bunk is hard but it feels heavenly to you after the past week. 3 days of drills, 2 days of war simulation training, a trip to the surface of Earth to help quell an uprising of sprawlers against a friendly arcology. Then 2 more days of drills. It isn't much like the glorious heroics described in the stories about Rogers and other NEO notables, but you get plenty of opportunity to blow off loads of ammo. One of these days you'll get promoted, maybe even to the Special Operations division, but for now your happy with your job..... If only it wasn't so hectic. You've slept maybe 10 hours in the past 3 days.They're not paying you enough to get such little sleep. Not that you joined NEO for the money or anything. Financing is their weakest point. You joined to stick it to RAM for screwing up the solar system. As a Terran you've seen the brunt of their evil first hand. The senseless brutality and slave labor. And worst of all, the terrines: What sort of sickness would require the combination of shark and feline genes into a human to create a creature only fit to kill? And then release them on Earth to slaughter innocent people? That's RAM in a nutshell. Your just dozing off when you are shaken rudely awake by someone in full battle armor. "Report to the 4th floor." is all he says before turning and exiting the room, the whir of the armor's muscle augmentation systems echoing in his wake. The 4th floor! Its practically a place of legend: The place that NEO heroes spend time making plans and choosing those special agents to go on the big missions, the important missions, the missions that get your face plastered all over the tri-dee. Tossing all thoughts of sleep from your mind, you jump to the mirror and attempt to make yourself presentable. If you're right and you've hit the big time, you better look the part. ---------------------------------------------------------------- REPLY 1.01 FROM NELSON: Since I'm only doing light duty paperwork I'll ask an assistant to finish it for me. Then I'll head off to the fourth floor and find out where I should be once I get there. FROM COLLIER: I'll go up to the 4th floor and ask "What is that you request of me?" FROM JI: Oh ya, when I get ready, I go to the 4th Floor and ask somebody where I'm supposed to go. ================================================================ PART 1.02 TO ALL: You each make your way to a large open elevator, called ANX-1, which takes you up to the fourth level. Each preceding level is filled to capacity with equipment and parts. These storage units are so complete that there are enough parts to completely build three or more heavy cruisers. The elevator stops. Standing before you is a man in a full set of dark-blue battle armor, a huge fellow easily recognizable by all but Fransua as the person who told them to report to the fourth floor. He speaks in a deep rumble recognizable by all (including Fransua, as he is the one that hailed his ship): "Follow me." He leads the trio to a closed door. Once there he reaches out and punches a series of numbers into a digital keypad. The door opens on a small airlock. Once inside everyone is enveloped in a deep red light, and a slight tingling sensation passes from head to toe. After a short minute, the white lights come back on, and a small light above the door lights up, saying "Bacterio-Viral Eradication Complete." The inner door opens, revealing a long, narrow, dimly-lit room. There are no windows. The three are lead by the blue battle armor to a seated man. The man appears fit, if a little paunchy, and in his mid-forties, and has the grey hair of one who has lived a to-exiting life. "Have a seat," says the seated man, "I'll dispense with preliminaries and get to business. RAM has been especially active recently, and all our primary special agents are rather busy saving the solar system. Unfortunately the world has not slowed down enough to let us catch up, so more problems are still arising as we speak. To make a long story short, we need to pull some of our newer recruits and send them in to deal with these difficulties. Our computers have indicated you three have a combination of skills that should allow a marginal chance for success, so you were chosen. I have a mission for you. If you succeed, you will likely be promoted to full regular agents. If you fail.....We will try to rescue you if your captured, but our enemy isn't known for taking many prisoners. You are fully in your rights to reject the mission, but we really don't have any other grouping remotely qualified to pull it off that isn't already elsewhere." At this Beowulf, supreme commander of all NEO forces, stops speaking, folds his hands, and stares as the trio, waiting for their decision. ---------------------------------------------------------------- REPLY 1.02 FROM COLLIER: "What is my special part to be played in this mission,sir?" FROM NELSON: "Sir, I have been waiting to get into the middle of things and I accept the mission." FROM JI: "Sure thing, I'll do IT! I mean life's short, Play HARD!!! Well at least I'll try to schedule it in for let's see, oh, here's a nice spot. It starts from right now and goes till tomorrow (in ten more millennia that is). So I guess I'm free." ================================================================= PART 1.03 TO ALL: Beowulf, looking elated at the trio's decision, pushes back his silvery hair and speaks, "The mission will require you to go to Earth and gather some information, and perhaps recruit someone. You will be transported to the arcology of Albany, on the continent of Australia. Once there the Albanites will provide transport and and directions to locate the new Aborigine Taskforce. I believe Lieutenant Colonel Tevor is better qualified to continue the briefing." Beowulf indicates the huge man in dark-blue battle armor. The name Tevor is familiar to all, as that of the leader of NEO ground forces. He hasn't been seen for months, recovering from injuries in some massive troop action he personally led, but his name is still quite well known, and apparently he's back in action. With a voice like the death-throes of a volcano Tevor speaks, "When Earth was devastated in the attack by RAM the native Australians, the aborigines, were hearty enough to survive the assault and thrive in the outback. They have made continual assaults on the RAM prison that dominates the continent, with the use of NEO supplies, and have come to be called the New Aborigine Taskforce. Recently our agents in Albany learned of the Aborigines sheltering a certain lifeform. Unfortunately a leak that has since been...removed...allowed RAM to learn of this. RAM perceives the lifeform as their property and a threat to their well being. They are likely to attempt to capture or kill the lifeform, and probably destroy any aborigine tribes nearby, seeing them as 'aiding and abetting escaped property.'" Beowulf takes over the briefing again, "Your mission is to track down the aborigines, warn them of the impending attack, and learn from them the location of the lifeform. You are to then contact and warn it of RAM. If possible, try to recruit it to our cause, as our information indicates it has little love for RAM. We can not give you any information on the appearance of the lifeform, only that it is identicle in appearance to a huge human male. We advise caution in dealing with it, as it is likely extremely strong and durable, has superb combat training complemented by human intelligence and animal cunning, and is equipped with integrated melee weaponry capable of rending steel." ---------------------------------------------------------------- REPLY 1.03 FROM NELSON: I'll turn to the others and introduce myself as "Stanley Nelson M.D., glad to be serving with you on this mission." I'll then turn to Beowolf and ask "When shall we leave Sir? And is there other information that you can give us on the last known location of the Aborigines and how to talk with them?" FROM COLLIER: "It would be an honor to take the rest of the crew aboard a rocket, if I could pilot the rocket. Or is there ready made transportation?" I'll greet the others and welcome them to the team. But I don't want to get to friendly with them! I want to say it sternly! Then, I'll ask if there will be an aborigine translator that will help us on our journey, but if not, could they please supply one. I'll ask everyone with me, if they have a fluent tongue in the aborigines languages of Australia. FROM JI: I'll ask how long the journey will take, and also if there is any reports of RAM on the route. Plus I say "HI" to the rest of the team. ================================================================= PART 1.04 TO ALL: Suddenly Beowulf is smacked by a flutter of questions from the trio, who speak almost simultaneously. For a moment they realize that there are three of them and start making introductions: Stanley Nelson, Ji, and Fransua Coulier (who would seem unusual stern were he not a Lunarian to whom such reactions come naturally). Beowulf sits befuddled, surprised at all the talk from the until-that-point-quiet bunch. Finally he collects himself and starts answering questions: "Ji, there were sighting of some RAM dragonflies (a type of helicopter) scouting the area today, that's one of the reasons the mission is so urgent. Stanley, you will be leaving immediately after this briefing and will get information on the aborigines' location from Albany. The tribe you're after is extremely mobile. Hmmmm, originally I was going to assign a pilot to bring you down, but with Fransua volunteering I'll let him do it instead. We are short of men at the moment, so that's definitely a better option. As to the question that both Fransua and Stanley have raised, the problem of communication; That is not a problem:" He reaches under the table and pulls out a briefcase sized device. It is made of hard blue plastic and has a speaker grill on top. He opens a panel in its side to reveal 6 large earplug like devices and a remote mike. "This is an advanced version of a Vocal Proselyter, called simply the Vocal Translator. It will translate words of one language spoken in the vicinity and broadcast an English translation through the earplugs. It will also translate English spoken into the microphone into another language, broadcasting it through the speaker on the device. Its under development, and we feel its time for a field test. So we've placed chips for the contemporary aborigine language in it and will let your group try it out. We'll expect a full report on its accuracy, speed, and usefulness in the field on your return, naturally." Beowulf cocks his head to listed to the communicator in his ear, and turns to the trio, "The ship you will use to get to Albany is fueled and navigation charts have been loaded." He pushes the V.T. towards them, "Any other concerns before starting your mission?" ---------------------------------------------------------------- REPLY 1.04 FROM COLLIER: "Why in hell don't they make translators like they used too, HUMAN!?!?" FROM JI: "Not any at the moment", says I. I'll answer last so that the flurry of answers doesn't bombard Beowulf like before. If the translator is waiting to be picked up I'll carry it if nobody else will. ================================================================= PART 1.05 TO ALL: Stanley and Ji both agree there is nothing further to ask. Fransua however makes a statement about the artificial nature of the translator. Beowulf, supreme leader of NEO forces, shrugs and says, "No one with the prerequisite skill in the aborigine tongue was available with such short notice. Perhaps a person in the Albany arcology can accompany you and provide the service, but for now you'll just have to rely on technology." Fransua nods at this, and Ji reaches for the briefcase-like Vocal Translator. Colonel Tevor leads the trio from the briefing room, through the airlock and bacterio-viral elimination, into the elevator ANX-1, and into the main bay of Salvation III. He leads them to a small but sturdy looking shuttle. "This is your ship for the time being," Tevor says in his unnaturally deep voice. "It's got more armor then usual, but a bit less in weaponry. Keep it in one piece and you'll find yourself in more...interesting...vessels in the future. As agreed, Fransua will be the pilot, and I'm sure he can figure out what the capabilities are better then I can describe them." He turns and with massive steps moves toward the control booths. The trio is left alone and standing in front of the brownish shuttle, which has the name "Dragon Turtle" painted in large green letters along its side. A fitting name for such a bulky object. ---------------------------------------------------------------- REPLY 1.05 FROM COLLIER: I say sarcastically, "Wow! What a great ship! When are we gonna' get a BETTER ship Colonel Tevor? There's no way I could travel around with this hunk of junk during the whole damn' trip!! Is it able to hold much cargo? What little weaponry does it have?" FROM NELSON: I'll get in and take the seat nearest the cockpit to watch where I'm going. ================================================================= PART 1.06 TO ALL: It takes only a short time for Fransua to comb over the brown shuttle assigned to the group, the one with the name "Dragon Turtle" painted along the sides. Turtle is definitely an apt description of the bulky thing, the engines are hopelessly outdated, and there is little cargo space. However there are some saving features, namely the fact that much of its bulk is caused by heavy armor plating (heavier then even military armor) and the twin missile mounts are of good quality and should get any enemies attention quite easily. The trio boards the Dragon Turtle and straps in. Clearance is requested and given. The ship lifts up and then pushes out of the dock of Salvation III. There is a near miss with some space debris, but all proceeds uneventfully till an hour later..... "Damn," said Ji, peering at the display, "A ship is moving to block our course to Albany. The FOF is getting a lock." For a moment he went silent, then he turned to Fransua and spoke grimly. "Its a RAM ship, a 35 ton scout. We're much better armored but it definitely wins in the speed department." Nelson, the medic, trying hard to operate the communications terminal, flips a switch. Suddenly the narrow face of a martian in the black clothing of the RAM military invades the com screen. "Unidentified shuttle, we have declared a blockade on Australia for harboring a fugitive. We will use whatever force is necessary to protect our retrieval operation, so I advise you turn back now." The voice has the high, nasal tone RAM always uses when dealing with those it thinks inferior. Both Nelson and Ji stare at Fransua Collier. He is technically an engineer, but for this mission he also happens to be the pilot, and thus Captain, of the vessel. The ball is his to play. ======Now for no Good Reason, Game Stats of Your Ship============ Name: The Dragon Turtle Home Port: Chicagorg Tonnage: 25 Length: 35 Width: 20 Cargo: 3 Tons SHP [Hull:125,Sens:25,Control:25,Life:50,Fuel:75,Engine:75] AC: 5, Speed: 2, 2 Missile Mounts. ---------------------------------------------------------------- REPLY 1.06 FROM NELSON: I will take one of the missile mounts and be ready if the RAM ship decides to fire upon us. FROM COLLIER: I'll try and fast talk the commander (something about medical supplies should do) of the other ship to let me through. ================================================================= PART 1.07 TO ALL: Not willing to let some trigger happy RAM lackey force him to heal anybody more then necessary, Doctor Stanley Nelson moved to one of the missile mounts of the dragon turtle and poised his fingers over the switches to extend its retractable turret. The warrior Ji continued to eye the sensors, wary for any sign of the enemy arming its own weapons. Through the heavy optical scanners he could clearly see that the two been lasers on the RAM scout were trained on them, but they were giving off no telltale traces of heat. Sweeping the advanced scanner across the enemy he noticed that the nose unusually did not seem to house a sensor unit, and in fact appeared to be hinged. There WERE unusual heat traces coming from there. As the others prepared for battle, Fransua Collier furiously spat words into the communicator, hoping to bluff his way past the officious captain of the RAM ship. For a few seconds he seemed to make headway. Then the man in black sneered on the viewscreen. "No authorization from Mars, no pass. I don't care how important these supposed medical supplies of yours are." The screen went black, as did the expressions on the trio's faces. ---------------------------------------------------------------- REPLY 1.07 FROM NELSON: I'll open a com channel to the captain and wait for his order to fire. ================================================================ ================================================================ How It Turned Out In the other messages and the game sessions (which featured far more players), the team managed to blow the negotiation and had to take out the RAM ship (after taking a nasty blow from the lightning gun in its nose) and land in Australia. They traded the Vocal Translator to an Albanite for the functional equivalent of a jeep (Beowulf was not pleased) and set of into the outback. There they managed to get into scuffles with a few small choppers, eventually winding up assaulting a small outpost and releasing its prisoners, and using one of the heavy fixed weapons there to take out a single terrine that just kept coming (well, it was actually dead with the first shot but a few of the players already had run ins with some terrines in another campaign and didn't want to take any chances). From there they managed to rewire the com systems and find out were RAM was looking for the lifeform and beat them there with the help of the New Aborigine Task Force and a huge flock of ugly scavengers birds (odd story that one). Deep in the outback they found (behind a bevy of rather unpleasant traps their target had set) the infamous lifeform: A Barney class Terrine by the name of Greg Reaper whose initial programing had given him an Australian bent. They of course proceeded to convince him to join NEO and after lots more problems managed to get back to Salvation III.