Late April 1998 Story

[Lost Point Government Center, H6 on Lost Point Map]

In all his medical experience, Zane has never faced such a challenge! Two hundred people--most of them in need of medical attention. Limited supplies and no access to a medical facility.

Only one of the armored goons has stayed behind to oversee Zane's efforts. Unfortunately, that goon is Kyran, who so far has been the grumpiest of them all.

Bustling from patient to patient, Zane looks up. "This looks bad. Most of these people are sick--many are dying. I'll use what little I've got in my medkit, but I'm going to need more supplies."

[Zane, let me know how much of your medkit's supplies you want to use up.]

"Silence!" barks Kyran. "Just do your job before I decide you're no longer of any use to us."

Zane stands tall. "I don't care what threats you make. When I chose my career I took an oath to aid those in need of my skills--under any circumstances. I can cure some of the infections; I can heal some of the wounds, but the conditions here are not livable. These people are dying from dehydration and lack of oxygen more than anything. We have to take them to a medical facility!"

"That is not an option!" replies the metallic thug.

"When are you going to learn that I'm on your side here?" argues Zane, the tone of his voice rising. "Do you want to save these people or don't you? Now I can help you, but only if we get these people to a medical facility in First Landing."

"We are not welcome in First Landing. And even if we were, I would not go there."

"We have already treated one of your people in First Landing." Zane looks around. "Do any of you know Cimmy?"

The crowd is silent, Kyran included.

"We have her hidden in the Bachanda forests of First Landing's underground level. She needed serious medical attention, and most of you here need help as well."

"This is a trick," intones Kyran. "You cannot force us to return to First Landing like the last group tried."

"Last group? Are you talking about the reclamation team?"

"They wanted to claim our territory and take us prisoner into their own cursed city. We had not the means the fight them then, like we do now. But we found ways to hide from them, and to sabotage any of their efforts to survive. It did not take long to turn these cowardly invaders back to where they came from!"

Zane returns to his work, continuing the conversation over his shoulder. "First Landing isn't a prison, and they're not trying to take over your home?"

"Aren't they? The Streel Corporation has laid claim to this entire world. We are the enemies of Streel for having rebelled and built this city in spite of it. But our cause is not a hopeless one. Not since the Lord of Shadows came to our aid, giving us armor, weapons and explosives to raid First Landing."

"Kyran, think about it! If this Lord of Shadows is so powerful, why didn't he bring you food and life support equipment? Why didn't he heal your people? Why didn't he help you fix and clean up this place you call home?"

"I have heard enough blasphemy from you, First Lander!" barks Kyran. "We are not returning to First Landing. We are not going to a medical center. You are not getting more supplies, and you are never leaving here alive!"

Zane turns back to the wounded and lowers his voice to a barely audible mutter. "Geez, I had no idea that was such a sensitive nerve."

[Storage Pod, H9 on Lost Point Map]

The Human stares at the junk on the floor. "I'm not Dakka Syte."

"Well unfortunately, we have pictures, fingerprints and DNA samples that all say that you are."

"Why can't you people ever understand? Dakka Syte is a computer genius. He hacked into Star Law's master criminal database, replacing all records of his appearance, fingerprints, DNA coding and retinal patterns with mine. No one would believe me when I said I wasn't Dakka Syte, because all the evidence on file said that I was. I spent the last five years in prison for something I had nothing to do with."

The Human continues, "But it was just recently that I learned there was more. Dakka Syte had assumed my identity and was using it to pull off something really big. I had to stop him, to avenge myself for what he did to me, and to keep him from using my identity for his criminal purposes."

Tork is silent for a while as he considers this explanation.

"Okay, so if you're not Dakka Syte, who the hell are you?"

There is a long pause before the Human answers.

"My name is Selson Streel."

Tork's stomach knots up, seizing his throat.

It is Kare who replies. "If you're. . .then Dakka is. . ." Her head tosses back. "I think we just got fu--"

"Team-mate Taanik!" interrupts T'Klkk. "It is well known that members of your race can detect untruths. What is your assessment of this Human's claims?"

[Taanik Lie Detection: 5%; Rolled: 74]

Taanik begins to stammer. "I-I-I can't say for sure, but it looks to me like we've been flim-flammed."

Urugg looks at the other team members. "The sad part is, it's so clear in hindsight. Think about it. How many corporate CEO's are big enough computer geniuses to tap into the colony rail net, cargo bot control net and personal quarters codes without so much as leaving their office?

"But I still have my doubts," continues Urugg. "Mr. . .whatever-your-name, granted that Syte is a computer genius, but how did he hack into every record across the Frontier that might have vindicated you as the real Streel?"

"I don't know. I don't know what he did or how he did it. But I do know that every record Star Law looked up had been altered. And once I was labeled a super-genius sociopath criminal, no one would listen to me! Or if they did listen, they just laughed because it all sounded so spectacular. Star Law doesn't give you much consideration once you're locked up in maximum confinement."

Tork finds his voice again. "For clarity, I'll call you Spider. You have been using that nickname haven't you?"

"Yes," says Spider. "I didn't want Dakka to know I was here."

Tork nods. "How did you escape from prison?"

Spider stares into space. "When you spend five years locked in a 2 by 2 by 2 meter cube, you get the chance to really know the guys in the neighboring cells. There was one man in the cell next to mine that believed my story. Apparently it's much easier for a true criminal to recognize someone who's not a criminal.

"His family was being pursued for its debts to the Streel Corporation, and I agreed that if he would help me escape and avenge myself, that I would use my position in the Streel family to influence the corporation into leaving his family alone. Having a friend in the Streel family can be quite a business advantage, and I would normally not let someone befriend me for those reasons. But I really needed this man's help, and I had no other choice.

"The detention unit on asteroid D-17 is also a labor camp. During a mining assignment, my friend staged an accident in which I 'disappeared,' and then he managed to get me aboard a supply shuttle. It appears that my friend has succeeded in sustaining his ties with the Malthar factor in Dramune, for it was a group of Malthar operatives that smuggled me all the way to Metrosphere.

"I came here to stop Dakka, and after that reclaim my identity, before. . .returning my favor."

"The Malthar?" says Taanik. "Are ids goons the ones responsible for smuggling Ixiol into Metrosphere."

"Most likely," admits Spider. "To my knowledge, when the Malthar's forces want to smuggle something somewhere, they find a way of doing it. They got me here, didn't they?"

Taanik's rubbery face stretches into a grimace. "Great! So now we've got Malthar activity on this rock. And on top of that, we found out someone was infecting a few Ixiol batches with the Laconian Red Eye virus!"

"That doesn't sound like something the Malthar would do," says Spider. "I've never dealt with the Malthar directly, but I used to live in the Dramune system--where ids reputation is known far and wide. The Malthar would never risk hurting ids image by selling bad product."

T'Klkk analyzes the situation. "But the Malthar could not prevent a third party from purchasing product, tampering with it, and reselling it."

Tork resumes his questioning. "Why do you suppose Dakka would switch identities with you? Streel's a big corporation. You two cross paths somewhere before?"

"Never," replies Spider.

Urugg shakes his head. "That part doesn't make sense to me. Why did Syte pick you to impersonate? Why go to all the trouble? I doubt he just picked your name from the 'Frontier 500.'"

"I've thought about that for a long time," says Spider. "I don't know what Dakka is trying to accomplish, but it has something to do with Metrosphere. I have never involved myself in the family company, and I have lived much of a--private life. Very few people know me, and even my close family members haven't seen me for over a decade. But should I have chosen the opportunity to participate in the family business, my success would have been guaranteed--by the value of my name alone. It appears Dakka decided to take that opportunity for himself."

"Okay," says Urugg. "If you just barely escaped from prison, how did you manage to get hold of a black ops skeinsuit and assassinator rounds?"

"Those, too, were provided through my friend's connections with the Malthar, to help ensure my success. If you check my equipment you'll find that none of it's Streel issue."

"I have one more question," says Tork. "Do you know Maxim Zek'et?"

"I know who he is, but we've never met--if that's what you mean."

Quite out of character with the whole situation, Syzygy breaks into song--his voice amplified through the speakers in his spacesuit. The loud lyrics echo even out in the hall. Syzygy is apparently trying to get the attention of the goons that tied the team up!

Oh......
The Lord o' Shadows was a mean old KNOB,
A mean old sneak was he...
He left his people to suck on space
While he lived safe and free!

Oh, ne'er a second he gave THEM thought,
Whilst e'er they grew a-wan.
'Cause he was sitting pretty you know,
'Fore long he'd be long GONE!

Oh, seven heroes came along, lo,
Seven came to help them,
But the Lord o' Lies done hyptnotized,
The poor fools to stop them.

Neither SMART nor BRAVE he quickly gave
Them metal suits to fight in
They forget the food, the air, the sun,
They'd rather let HIM win.

How does this tale end, I'll let you know,
It all depends on YOU,
If you care more for HIM than your KIDS,
We're ALL as good as through!

"You crazy bug!" bellows Taanik. "Shut the hell up before you get us all killed!"

"Just shut up, all of you!" says Kare. "We're not going to accomplish anything until we get out of these ropes!"

Taanik continues, "If we do pull out of this, Syzygy, I think you'd better start working as a team player. Turning your weapon on us was bad enough. Just what the hell were you trying to pull with that poetry stunt? And I'm not even talking about how your absolute butchery of that old Dralasite poem. Individualism I can live with, but you're downright foolhardy. Start thinking before acting!"

Syzygy's expression grows dark. T'Klkk notices how his lesser mandibles grow rigid, a sign of a Vrusk feeling a deep hurt. His voice is barely a whisper.

"Friend Taanik, you are mistaken. My 'personal initiative' has almost gotten me killed twice--no one else was at risk. In addition, it was always for the good of the team. Remember it was Kare, acting as a rogue player, who snuck into Streel's office and discovered the airshaft, it was my solo trip to the surface that yielded evidence of the invisible attackers. Urugg's casual walk thru the garden brought us into contact with Cimmy. Team efforts are good, but solo efforts are important, too. And the incident at gun-point...well, I don't expect you to understand. People may be breathing because of that. I have acted drastically, but not carelessly - all of life is a calculated risk. Do you care to live forever?"

Syzygy dons a feeble attempt at a cocky grin, but he is visibly stung.

[Urugg Persuasion: 10 (base) + 30 (skill x 10) + 8 (LEADERSHIP modifier) = 48%; Rolled: 24]

Urugg's voice is calm as a glass-smooth lake. "Listen, guys. This argument will only work against us. We are a team. You know that, Taanik. And Syzygy, you know that as well. We are working for a common objective, and we are going to accomplish it--together. I'm not saying that we shouldn't question each other's motives or methods. But I am saying that it should be done at a later time--for the sake of the team. Neither one of you wants to endanger us by letting this discussion interrupt us at such a critical moment."

Taanik and Syzygy may not agree with everything Urugg says, but it does make sense to set the conversation aside until the current situation is resolved.

[Urugg Psycho-Pathology: 30 (base) + 30 (skill x 10) + 8 (LEADERSHIP modifier) = 68%; Rolled: 64]

Urugg examines Syzygy, who is now unnaturally silent. Syzygy may be obsessive, yes. At times a bit manic-depressive. And the stress of the mission isn't helping him any. But as a trained psycho-socialist, Urugg can see that Syzygy is indeed in control of his faculties. Everything Syzygy has done, he can justify. Urugg decides that he can most certainly trust the team member, but he makes a mental note about the minor problems that trouble him. Urugg may be able to help Syzygy with some of his inner struggles--if he will permit it.

"Any ideas for an escape?" asks Kare.

"Self-T'Klkk has a knife strapped to one of her eight legs," says T'Klkk. "But without removing this spacesuit, it remains inaccessible."

Syzygy studies the vertical beam to which he is bound. "Since our captors apparently didn't bother to stick around for my song, I guess our only option is to get out of here ourselves." He searches the pillar for any defects, structural weaknesses or rust spots.

[Syzygy INTUITION: 70; Rolled: 49]

"This beam looks pretty solid, but there are a few rust holes. If I. . .can. . .push these ropes over them. . .I might be able to scrape over the jagged holes until the rope frays."

[Syzygy STRENGTH: 40; Rolled: 60]

Moving the ropes is a much more difficult task than it seemed. "Why did they tie these things so tight?"

"Maybe so we wouldn't escape," says Kare. "Hey blob, you know how to shape-shift. Why don't you absorb one of those arms and slip out of the ropes?"

"I'd like to," says Taanik, "but I can't absorb my spacesuit!"

"It might still work," says Urugg. "If you reabsorb one of your arms that's been tied up, you may be able to work the empty spacesuit sleeve through the slackened ropes."

"It's definitely worth a try," says the Dralasite.

[Taanik DEXTERITY: 43 + 40 (shape-shifting ability) = 83%; Rolled: 23]

Taanik grunts with pain. The tight ropes have swollen ids wrist, making it difficult to reshape ids arm. But over the next five minutes, Taanik's sleeve becomes empty and collapses upon itself. With a few good jerks of ids body, the limp sleeve pulls free.

The room grows silent with restless aniticipation as Taanik reforms ids limb.

In but a few short moments, Taanik unties idself and passes to T'Klkk. Once free, she begins to untie the others as well.

Kare rubs her wrists through the supple spacesuit material. "Finally! Get ready, boys and bugs. The time has come to strike back. No one ties up Kare!"

"Wait a moment, Kare," says Urugg. "I agree that it's time to act, but we've got to plan this carefully. Let's think about this. We're most likely being monitored as we speak."

"Or at least tracked through our chronocoms," says T'Klkk, unwrapping the device from her wrist and placing it at the base of the steel pillar to which she was tied.

The rest of the team follows suit, and soon all of the chronocoms are sitting carefully at the base of the support beams.

Urugg considers the group's situation. "Our captors may have the fancy suits, but the fact is they're a bunch of untrained yahoos--though still dangerous. Although there are nine of them, they are apparently a bunch of colonist types outfitted with those suits by our employer. Remember how the raids on First Landing were repeatedly described as 'unskilled' and 'amateur.' Besides raw combat ability, we probably have the advantage as far as overall tactical planning."

"This place isn't safe," says Tork. "The air-seals could burst at any second. I suggest we start by finding a spacesuit for Spider here."

The team rummages through the supplies in the room. Most of it is useless: contaminated food, rusted machine parts and a few trashed construction bots. No spacesuits.

"There is a supply of spacesuits in the monorail car," suggests T'Klkk. "If we could get there, we could procure one."

"I don't know if the monorail car is the best way for us to go back," says Urugg. "Our boss obviously has it monitored, and he probably controls it."

"Before we leave our chronocoms, I have one quick call to make," says Tork. Picking up his wrist communicator, he sends out a connection request.

An anthropomorphic security robot answers Tork's chronocom call. "May I help you?"

"Yes, I'm trying to reach Captain Ap-Harrow. Isn't this her office?"

"Captain Ap-Harrow is not available," explains the android.

"Could you find her? It's very important that I speak to her now."

"That is not possible."

"Where is she?"

"Captain Ap-Harrow has been detained indefinitely. Until her release, the law enforcement department is in my charge."

"Detained? What for?"

"I am not authorized to divulge that information."

T'Klkk advances to Tork's side and whispers. "Team-mate Tork, sever the communication."

Tork shuts off the chronocom. "What do you think's going on?"

"Self-T'Klkk does not know. But I would advise against letting that robot--or its master--know too much about our current situation."

Kare paces around impatiently. "I think what the bug's trying to say is this is getting worse by the minute!"