Late October 1998 Story

[Exposed Moon Surface 100 m West of Starport, A12 on First Landing Upper Level]

Peeking over the rock formation, Syzygy studies the spaceport--a flat black platform surrounded by a glowing blue airtube, all under a black sky as empty and silent as nothingness itself. "We've made it further than Syte ever anticipated. This could be the key to turning the tide against him."

The Vrusk listens to Urugg and Tork discuss battle plans, and to Zane and Kare bicker. Funny how sapiens behave--they're either calling the shots or engaging in mating behavior.

"Tork," continues Syzygy in his clicking insectoid whisper, "I can't help but notice I'm completely wasting my assets as a computer expert in this caper. We're all rushing around, shooting and blowing things up--which is fine by me--but we're talking about fighting a war against 800,000 robots controlled by a computer network that coordinates everything in Metrosphere right down to the illumination rods!"

Tork examines the team's anticipated target one more time. His fangs glimmer in a one-sided smile. "Thanks for reminding me."

"What I mean to suggest is, unless we get in a position for me to start working on the problem, we're going to run out of time. Programming is a gradual process at best. It could take me hours to get past the first layer of security surrounding the Spire."

Kare considers this. "Once we get into the assault scout, we can hold out for a little while. But we shouldn't stay in any one place too long."

Tork lets the ideas soak in. "Syzygy, do you think you can access the Spire from within the assault scout?"

Syzygy's reply is instantaneous. "The scout's computer has to be independent from the Spire, since the scout needs to sustain its own systems while its out in space. I'll probably have to interface manually through a radio link."

"So it should take less time to break into the scout's computer, but longer to get into the outpost's network from there. If you think you can do it, there's a strong strategic advantage to you working from the scout. We already need to take the scout, so Kare can activate the white noise broadcaster. If you stay with her, we only have one position to defend--instead of two. The hull plating of the scout should give you extra protection, and if we can get control of any of its weapons, we may be able to use them in our favor."

Urugg double checks his grenades and stunstick. "I think I see what you're getting at, Tork. We can split into two teams. Kare and Syzygy can get to work inside the starship, while you, Zane, our Lost Point allies and myself create a diversion."

"Exactly. Let's make sure everyone is well equipped." To the Lost Point soldiers, armed only with wrist blades, Tork passes his automatic rifle, half his grenades, and the rifle, electric sword and grenades that T'Klkk left in their care. He then prepares three explosive charges, passing the remaining detonators to Syzygy.

"On my mark," continues Tork. "One, two, GO!"

The five team members and nine Lost Point soldiers rise in unison, sprinting with crazed fury towards the silent starport. With the momentum they have gained, and the light gravity, they climb atop the outer ring with ease.

Tork lets out a wild battle cry and lobs two fragmentation grenades into the fray--one to the left and one to the right. With the quantity of security robots and shuttles cramped so close together, he is sure to hit something!

Given the lack of atmosphere, the two exploding spheres make no sound--but the visual effects are satisfying indeed. The left grenade happens upon four patrolling robots, and the grenade to the right catches five more in its blast radius.

[8d10 Damage: 10 + 5 + 9 + 4 + 9 + 3 + 4 + 4 = 48]
[8d10 Damage: 7 + 2 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 8 + 4 + 6 = 39]
[8d10 Damage: 1 + 9 + 10 + 5 + 5 + 3 + 5 + 3 = 41]
[8d10 Damage: 3 + 3 + 6 + 2 + 3 + 10 + 10 + 5 = 42]
[8d10 Damage: 10 + 8 + 3 + 3 + 9 + 8 + 5 + 8 = 54]
[8d10 Damage: 4 + 4 + 8 + 2 + 5 + 5 + 10 + 2 = 40]
[8d10 Damage: 1 + 7 + 2 + 9 + 4 + 7 + 4 + 9 = 43]
[8d10 Damage: 8 + 10 + 2 + 10 + 1 + 4 + 4 + 2 = 41]
[8d10 Damage: 9 + 8 + 5 + 6 + 5 + 9 + 5 + 3 = 50]

The robots' sturdy hulls keep them intact, but all nine of the affected robots are visibly damaged.

Deciding to hit the robots where they are weak, the two Lost Point soldiers with automatic rifles fire bursts of deadly fire at the same two groups of robots that were affected by the grenades. The burst fired at the left group hits its mark, but the robots on the right are able to disband in time to avoid further damage.

The starships and shuttles flash red and white with a dozen alarms and floodlights.

Urugg nudges Zane's arm. Tork's grenades were merely a diversion within a diversion. "Let's go!"

As Urugg and Zane leap down from the top of the airtube, Urugg is alread flinging a different kind of sphere ahead--midway between to the two frag grenades. Thick blue smoke pours from the sphere, obscuring an area several meters across.

No sooner has the cloud appeared than Zane, Urugg and Tork have vanished into it.

[Urugg Concealment: 10 (base) + 30 (environmental skill x 10) + 13 (LOGIC modifier) = 53%; Rolled: 60]
[Zane Concealment: 10 (base) + 20 (environmental skill x 10) + 10 (LOGIC modifier) = 40%; Rolled: 33]
[Tork Concealment: 10 (base) + 10 (environmental skill x 10) + 1 (LOGIC modifier) = 21%; Rolled: 22--so close!]

The robot's, who apparently are not equipped with sensors to penetrate smoke, are unable to find Zane in the haze. However, they do detect Urugg and Tork. Two robots run towards each of the two Yazirians. Urugg manages to dodge the electrified hands of his two pursuers. Tork evades one of the robots, but the second robot manages to snatch his forearm. Tork's body convulses with the stunning current.

[Tork STAMINA: 62; Rolled: 15]

The warrior's blood is in Tork's veins today, and with a flood of adrenaline he manages to shake off the attack's stunning effect and pull himself free.

Tork, Urugg and Zane each pull out a white clay-like package. The plan is simple. A number of worker robots are unloading crates of parabatteries from an open freighter. Each team-member is to take one of Tork's readied charges, plant it on a crate and run like hell! Parabattery acid can be most destructive when unleashed in large quantities.

Zane, concealed in the smoke, has little trouble placing his charge on a crate.

Urugg clutches his glowing stunstick and whirls about, aiming for one of the two robots on his tail.

[Urugg Chance to Hit: 36 (M) + 20 (melee skill x 10) + 5 (stunstick modifier) = 61%; Rolled: 05--lucky break]
[3d10 + PS Damage: 6 + 6 + 1 + 2 (PS) = 15]

The electrified stick pulses with the power it releases into the closest robot's chassis. The stick smashes against the robot's attack arm, not only doing damage but spoiling the robot's attempt to grab at Urugg. The second robot lunges at Urugg, but by then Urugg is already running the other direction. Change of plan, he thinks. Two exploding parabattery crates should be plenty. Time for something to really piss Syte off!

Backtracking to the airtube, he presses the gooshy white kaboomite charge against the tube itself. A little decompression of precious oxygen will go a long way to distracting someone in an outpost like this!

[Tork DEXTERITY: 65; Rolled: 60]

Evading his robotic captors, Tork leaps into the air with Yazirian grace--landing at the control station atop a flatbed cargo hauler. He pulls back a stick on the control station and sends the heavy vehicle backward, crushing the bodies of the two robots on the ground behind him. Having freed himself for the moment, he gingerly sets his 500 gram charge against one of the crates on the flatbed, and with Zane he runs away as fast as his feet will take him.

[Tork Setting Charges: 30 (base) + 60 (demoltions skill x 10) + 1 (LOGIC modifier) = 91%; Rolled: 08 (Zane's charge), 88 (Urugg's charge), 81 (Tork's charge)]

All three blasts detonate, one after the other. Once again, there is no sound to be heard, but the shock waves can be felt through the ground--and the damage is devastating. Shrapnel and acid from the two crates sprays the scene, piercing the armor and melting the circuitry of every robot within a reasonable distance.

The force of escaping air adds to the power of the explosion Urugg set up. Every robot and small shuttle within ten meters is swept away in the mighty wind.

With a satisfied smile, Urugg ducks under an overturned shuttle and sets his spacesuit radio to wide-area broadcast. Time for a little psychological distraction!

"You know one thing that's always bothered me about criminals--human criminals in particular?" broadcasts the Yazirian. "They're always so insecure about themselves. Take this Dakka Syte, for instance. You've got a man of obvious genius-level intelligence, and what does he do with it? Invent a new stardrive? Cure a terrible disease? No--after a shiftless life of petty crime, he gets off and runs whimpering to the far frontiers of the UPF.

"After securing his hidey-hole away from the police, he's so pathetically disturbed he hires the greenest bunch of spacers--us--that he can find, so he can mess with our heads a bit. If he had an ounce of backbone--or pride for that matter, he'd at least have hired someone competent so it'd be a fair contest--a true test of skill. But Syte knows he couldn't win a fair fight, so he hides in his ivory tower wringing his hands and cackling at his omnipotence.

"How sad. He could have been anything--even a real master criminal, if he put his mind to it. If a crime boss like the Malthar knew of this id'd be laughing so hard id'd split its outer membrane. The funny thing is, Syte's stuck on this godforsaken rock just like us. Can't leave or somebody'd notice him--and besides, he doesn't have the spleen to do it anyway. Just like he doesn't have the guts to face a pack of screwups like us face to face. Ho--ho--ho. If he were in the same room he'd probably wet himself like a little kid. Too bad his tin cans down the tunnel will rob him of any possible sense of victory even over a lot like us. No more satsifying than watching reruns of that Inner Reach holo 'Married with Spores.'"

With this Urugg, shuts off his radio. That should keep Syte off balance for a while!

Explosions, gunfire and hand-to-hand battles are occuring all around, with the Lost Point soldiers keeping the security robots at bay with tangler grenades, framentation grenades, bullets, and even their own blades. A few of the Lost Point men have fallen in battle, but for the most part they seem to be holding up so far.

Still, more robots are arriving by the second. And there are about 800,000 more where they came from!

Syzygy holds his gyroject pistol aloft, hoping he won't have to attract attention to himself by using it. "How long is this going to take, Kare?" His voice sounds impatient, but under the circumstances, that is understandable.

[Kare Opening Locks: 50 (base) + 60 (tech skill x 10) - 40 (lock level) + 3 (LOGIC modifier) = 73%; Rolled: 83]

"Just calm down!" shouts Kare--hardly calm herself. "I've been breaking through Streel security systems since your pupation period!"

Syzygy eyes a pair of security robots rushing right past them. "Well, maybe I can help."

[Syzygy Opening Locks: 50 (base) + 20 (tech skill x 10) - 40 (lock level) + 10 (LOGIC modifier) = 40%; Rolled: 81]

Kare elbows Syzygy aside so hard that it hurts. "Look out, bug! You're only going to slow me down!"

But it is too late already. The two security robots have now seen Syzygy and Kare trying to break into the assault scout. They advance at full speed!

[Syzygy Chance to Hit: 38 (RW) + 20 (gyrojet skill x 10) - 20 (medium range) = 38%; Rolled: 10, 20, 20]

The gods of fortune smile upon the Vrusk in his time of need. His pistol releases three rounds. The first strikes one of the robots, entangling it in a web of goo. The second hits the other robot with equal accuracy. Both robots try to avoid being constricted--but both fail. The third shot was probably unnecessary, but it is satisfying to see it hit its mark as well.

"There will be more," warns Syzygy. "We're running out of time!"

[Kare Opening Locks: 50 (base) + 60 (tech skill x 10) - 40 (lock level) + 3 (LOGIC modifier) = 73%; Rolled: 50]

Finally, the main entry hatch of the assault scout slides open at Kare's command. Syzygy and Kare rush in, allowing the hatch to close them in to safety.

For as long as it lasts.

Within the tiny corridors of the spaceship, Kare and Syzygy search for the engineering section. It appears that this is not Kare's first visit to a Streel assault scout, as she finds it will relative ease.

The engineering room is crowded with all sorts of machines and flashing lights. "Here's the WNB," says Kare. "But it's going to take me a while to get it operational. There's a computer panel over there, if that's what you're looking for."

But Kare sees that Syzygy is first activating his radio communicator.

"What are you doing?" she demands.

"T'Klkk didn't check in. I need to make sure she's okay."

"You idiot! We need to maintain full radio silence."

"Trust me, Kare," replies Syzygy. "Dakka Syte already knows where we are."

[Ore Processing Plant, N16 on First Landing Upper Level]

The construction bot carrying Taanik and Selson takes one more ominous step towards the vat of molten ore.

"Can't you stop this thing?!?" demands Selson.

"Syte's managed to put a security lock on the robot's instruction unit!" snaps Taanik as he searches through ids robcomkit tools.

"Can't you remove it?"

"I'm trying!"

[Taanik Removing Security Lock: 70 (base) + 30 (robotics skill x 10) - 20 (robot level x 10) + 4 (LOGIC modifier) = 84%; Rolled: 96--bad break]

An orange arc of electricity leaps from the robot's circuitry, darkening the flesh around Taanik's pseudopod.

"Ow!" screams the Dralasite.

[Taanik has suffered 7 points of damage, bringing his Current Stamina down to 68.]

"It's not gonna work!" says Taanik.

"Can't you try again?"

"Just shut up! There's not enough time!" Being on the verge of a fiery death doesn't do much for Taanik's courtesy.

Meanwhile, just a few steps back, the second robot is carrying T'Klkk. She searches herself for anything of use. When she first returned to Lost Point, she left behind everything but her chronocom, automatic pistol and knife. It is unlikely they will be of any help, unless. . .

T'Klkk tries to apply her limited technical skill to robotics, searching the robot's inside for crucial circuits, servos, anything she can pry at with her blade.

[T'Klkk Sabotaging Machinery: 40 (base) + 30 (tech skill x 10) + 5 (LOGIC modifier) - 20 (robotics unfamiliar) - 20 (crude tools) = 35%; Rolled: 78]

No luck.

In desperation, T'Klkk twists her abdomen and raises all four legs on one side of her body. Bracing herself as best she can, she thrusts out all four legs--hoping to knock the locked panel off its hinges.

[T'Klkk STRENGTH: 50 - 40 (strength of steel panel) = 10%; Rolled: 53]

This hurts tremendously, put doesn't even phase the panel.

Taanik in ids robot lights ids everflame to see better. "There's got to be some weak structural point in here somewhere."

[Taanik INTUITION: 55 = 55%; Rolled: 83]

"Agh! Nothing!"

Selson makes the mistake of touching the metal wall of the robot's body with his bare hand. He yanks it back in pain. "Ouch! It's hot!"

"I've got a robcomkit," says Taanik. "There has got to be some way for me to cut off this robot's mobility!"

[Taanik Sabotaging Robot: 40 (base) + 30 (skill x 10) - 20 (robot level x 10) + 4 (LOGIC modifier) = 54%; Rolled: 70]

Taanik begins to scream with frustration.

"Okay! The robcomkit was too subtle. How about this?"

Taanik pulls out ids blaster, cranks the power setting to 5, aims carefully and fires.

[Taanik Sabotaging Robot: 40 (base) + 30 (skill x 10) - 20 (robot level x 10) + 4 (LOGIC modifier) - 20 (crude tool) = 34%; Rolled: 26]

The robot stumbles to a halt.

There is a moment of silence as Selson tries to get his breath back.

"Ha!" says Taanik. "Guess I just wasn't speaking the right language."

The robot carrying T'Klkk has already stepped around Taanik's robot.

Cursing herself ten degrees for not having a techkit, T'Klkk does her best to unlock the robot's entry hatch with her knife.

[T'Klkk Opening Locks: 50 (base) + 30 (tech skill x 10) - 20 (lock level x 10) + 5 (LOGIC modifier) - 20 (crude tools) = 45%; Rolled: 10]

The robot reaches the edge of the vat and begins to tilt into the glowing red ore. It is at that very moment that the panel on the robot pops open and T'Klkk dives for safe ground.

[T'Klkk REACTION SPEED: 71; Rolled: 18]

T'Klkk sprawls onto the warm floor, and has to take a few breaths before she is able to stand up and help Taanik and Selson out of their immobilized robot.

Taanik exerts great effort to find ids voice again. "I--I was sure we weren't going to make it."

T'Klkk's antennae bend forward with calculated determination. "Syte has failed to terminate us. He will not live to try again."

[Inside Assault Scout, Docked at Starport, B12 on First Landing Upper Level]

Syzygy's dextrous, equally spaced fingers go wild at the computer terminal.

[Syzygy Operating Computer: 100 (base) + 60 (computer skill x 10) - 40 (ship computer level x 10) + 10 (LOGIC modifier) = 100%; No Roll Needed]

[Syzygy Displaying Information: 80 (base) + 60 (computer skill x 10) - 60 (Spire computer level x 10) + 10 (INTUITION modifier) = 90%; Rolled: 02--lucky break]

"Ha ha!" proclaims the Vrusk. "Look at this. The ship's computer is pre-installed with a first-rate security cracking program."

"Typical Streel outfitting," comments Kare.

"At any rate, this should speed things up. Let's see. First of all, I need to use the starship's radio transmitter to gain a link to the Spire computer network."

[Syzygy Interfacing Computers: 30 (base) + 60 (computer skill x 10) - 60 (Spire computer level x 10) + 10 (LOGIC modifier) = 40%; Rolled: 16]

"I've got a connection. Now if I can just break into the heart of the beast." Syzygy cracks the knuckles in his ten pointed fingers. "Get ready, Syte. Here I come!"

[Syzygy Defeating Security: 60 (base) + 60 (computer skill x 10) - 60 (security program level x 10) + 10 (LOGIC modifier) = 70%; Rolled: 45]

The Vrusk clenches a fist of victory. "Yes! I'm in! It's a good thing the Streel boys installed that crack program--that would have taken me forever."

[Kare Deactivating WNB Security: 40 (base) + 60 (tech skill x 10) - 40 (defense level x 10) + 3 (LOGIC modifier) = 63%; Rolled: 41]

"Good," replies Kare. "I've unlocked the protective system on this broadcaster. Now I just need to figure out how to turn the thing on."

[Syzygy Displaying Information: 80 (base) + 60 (computer skill x 10) - 60 (Spire computer level x 10) + 10 (INTUITION modifier) = 90%; Rolled: 65]

Remembering somewhat what the directory structure of the Spire is like, Syzygy performs a quick search and is rewarded with copious amounts of data.

The Vrusk scans the information and looks up to Kare, who is busy at work with the WNB. "It says here that Syte has evacuated the Spire of all biological personnel. Apparently he's not taking any chances of getting sabotaged from the inside. All personnel capable of manual labor are being worked like slaves in the industrial sections of First Landing. Many of the schools have been converted into prisons, where tens of thousands of rebellious citizens are beings detained--including police Captain Ap-Harrow. Meanwhile the residential sections are carefully policed by security robots and surveillance cameras.

"And this is interes--uh oh." The Vrusk stops short. "Dakka Syte has assembled a security team of 400 heavy duty warbots, armed with heavy lasers, rocket launchers and. . .laser power torches. If they've got the torches, they're probably planning to cut their way into the hull of this ship!"

"How much longer 'til they get here?" demands Kare.

"Looks like the ETA is about. . .four minutes!"

"We don't have much time then. I'm almost done here. Can you stop those robots?"

"With my limited skill in robotics, that's going to take precious time that we don't have. We'll be better off if I stick to sabotaging the computer network. Let's start with the holo communication system..."

[Syzygy Manipulating Programs: 50 (base) + 60 (computer skill x 10) - 40 (communication program level x 10) + 10 (LOGIC modifier) = 80%; Rolled: 28]

The Vrusk computer expert chuckles to himself.

"What did you do?" asks Kare.

"Well, until someone fixes what I did, none of the holo communication panels in the city will be responsive. But on top of that, I've programmed the holo emitters throughout the city to display images of our team running every which way. Syte and his robots won't know who's coming and who's going! If nothing else, that should buy us some time until we can relocate."

[Kare Operating Machinery: 50 (base) + 60 (tech level x 10) + 3 (LOGIC modifier) = 95%; Rolled: 48]

The white noise broadcaster display panel comes alive with dozens of colored lights.

"Try your radio communicator now, bug," she says.

"No need. I can see already that my radio link to the Spire has gone down. It looks like it worked. If we're right about those robots using radio waves to communicate, that link should be cut entirely."

The ends of Kare's red lips rise, and Syzygy wonders if this is the first time he has really seen her smile. "And thanks to you, bug, they won't be able to talk through the holo communication system either."

But Syzygy is not smiling. "The only problem is that those 400 warbots are probably still on their way!"

[Open Starport Surface, B12 on First Landing Upper Level]

"What's going on here?" demands Zane.

Dozens of other Zanes, Uruggs, Torks, Kares, Syzygys--even T'Klkk's and Taaniks--are running all over through the starport. Zane ducks instinctively as a frenzied Syzygy runs right throught him!

One of the Torks approaches him and puts a hand on his shoulder. Zane half expects the hand to pass through him as well, but this one is solid.

"They're holograms," explains the one of many Torks. "Syzygy must have gotten into the holo communication network."

One of the Uruggs approaches and points to a series of airlocks in the north section of the tube. "But I don't think those are holograms."

Warbot after warbot floods into the starport, coming in from the north. . .then the east. . .and the south.

"How many of those does Syte have?" demands Zane.

"A lot more than you see there," says Urugg.

Tork grunts as he assesses the group's strategic position. "We're surrounded. Quick! Head for the assault scout!"

Kare is already at the hatch, letting Zane, Tork, Urugg and four of the Lost Point men inside the assault scout as they approach.

The warbots are not far behind. Two dozen blue laser torch beams fire up and throw sparks as they cut through the scout's armor.

The air is tense within the confines of the ship.

"We can't keep them out for much longer," warns Kare.

Urugg looks around. "Kare, didn't you say you might be able to get this ship off the ground?"

"Maybe," she replies. "But not very far. Don't forget that First Landing has some pretty mean anti-air defense cannons."

"Well, we can't stay here!" says Zane.

"Right," continues Urugg. "Whatever we do, we'll have to do it fast. I was thinking of a direct assault on the Central Computer Spire. But there's one problem with that."

"What's that?" asks Tork.

"The Spire is surrounded by a force field that could probably stop about anything we can throw at it. We can only hope to reach the Spire if Syzygy can find some way of deactivating it."

Syzygy twists his mandibles. "Well then, that poses another problem. When we activated the white noise broadcaster we also cut off my only link to the Spire's computer network. If I'm going to shut down the force field, I'll need to get back onto the ground."

"Sounds like the perfect time for a plan," says Tork. "But first, let's get out of here!"

[Ore Processing Plant, N16 on First Landing Upper Level]

"I've never seen things go this wrong in the city," says Selson Streel.

The hallways are flooded with holograms of all the team members.

"It's the holo communication network," explains Taanik from a public access terminal. "It's completely off-line."

T'Klkk nods. "This would seem to be the work of our team-mate, Syzygy."

"I hope so. At any rate, we should be able to use it to our advantage."

"Self-T'Klkk's chronocom seems to be malfunctioning."

"No," replies Taanik. "The problem is general. Something is interfering with all forms of radio communication. I can see from here that the computer is overloaded with orders it isn't able to relay to the city's robots."

"Interesting," says T'Klkk. "Perhaps that explains why no robots have been sent to prevent us from leaving, now that our previous predicament has been remedied."

Taanik nods ids rubber head. "That and the fact that Syte can't use the holo communicators any more. For all we know, Syte might think we're dead."

T'Klkk looks to the north. "It appears, then, that we can move about the outpost with relative freedom--something that wasn't the case before."

"Right," says Taanik. "So long as we stay in pressurized areas. We're still short on spacesuits."

T'Klkk cocks her automatic pistol. "Self-T'Klkk was on her way to confront Syte face-to-face when the security robots last intercepted her. Perhaps now the opportunity has presented itself once more."

Taanik grips the handle of ids laser pistol with one pseudopod, and ids nightstick with another. "I could use a good fight right now!"