Late October 1998 Official Responses

From:  Ruben Rivera (Kare)

Ya!!!!!!!!! This month Kare showed her true leadership again!  and
nothing fell or stabbed Kare in the neck this month!!!

Lets open up to debate early.

Kare will uses her telepathic powers to communicate with buggirl and
blobboy.  Kare thinks we should team up again and then press our
'demands' with the Emperior of the Universe.  But lets face it, we may
not get another chance to F*ck ol' boy up.  We just played our best
hand, after this we may be hurting for resources.  Plus our lost point
allies have paid a heavy price.  So I suggest that they Press On!

Kare also believes that we should 'get to know' our new assault scout,
if Kare has to fly it, she'll try as hard as she can, she'll also spend
as many experience points if it helps.  First order will be getting the
engines on line.  It takes 10 min. to warm them up.  While the engines
are warming up, Kare will look for the ships defensive system, including
inertia screens. Atomic powered inertia screens will slow them down alot
but not forever.  Even if Kare moves the scout a few yards, it will slow
the warbots beyond particle levels (in theory I guess).

Kare will also put the laser battery on computer control, but someone
should man it.  Kare will also suggest that someone hit the armory, we
may have company soon, so suit up.  She will arm all selfdefense turrets
from the bridge, if we get boarded.

After someone get to the laser batter, they should destroy every warbot
they can, then hit the stations' defenses. 

Finally, Kare will rename the ship...suggestions?  Kare has historical
names that she will lean to, Gypsy Dancer, Gypsy Queen,
Heartbreaker...but theses name have no history with her current team,
what should we call the ship?  Ya, naming the ship is the least of our
problems, but lets have some fun with it.

Hey Layne, I'm sure this ship has its name on every bulkhead...so whats
it called?

Captain Kare,
The captain has turned on the "repel boarders" sign, if you could return
to your points of advantage and....

From:  Layne Saltern (GM)

>Hey Layne, I'm sure this ship has its name on every bulkhead...
>so whats it called?

SCS WHISPER

From:  Albin Johnson (Syzygy)

Yeeeeehaaaa!!!

That's right - don't mess with the bug!  Geek-boy finally comes through!
I'll have to retire my slew of military psa characters - a tech character
can be okay after all! :)

congrats to everyone - we sure showed the bad guys what we're made of this
turn!  And kudos to Layne - this segment flowed like a well-oiled
blockbuster movie action segment - very cool.

OOC:
Syzygy watches his chronocom light wink out, indicating that the WNB had
taken effect and cut off any hopes of contacting his beloved T'Klkk.  His
antennae wilt in despair.

"Oh no...what about T'Klkk and Taanik?  They may be in trouble..."

It's only then that Syzygy spots the assault scout's viewscreen showing the
action outside.  Amidst the dozens of Torks, Uruggs, Zanes, Syzygys and
Kares he clearly spots a few dozen T'Klkks and Taaniks.  The seem to be
talking to one another as they pick their way along without pressure suits.
Syzygy's compound eyes literally twinkle at the sight of the lovely female
Vrusk alive and well.  Another part of him, a place rarely visited, begins
to build with rage at the sight of her bruises and burns - his beloved had
been sorely treated.

"Hey, guys, look!  T'Klkk and Taanik seem to be okay!  They're not in
suits, so I assume they're moving through Metrosphere somewhere.  I'd get a
fix on them if I still had contact with the spire.  Hey!  T'Klkk looks
injured!  Why, if that Syte's laid a single mammalian digit on her
I'll....."

Syzygy's voice trails off as he frantically looks about the scout for a
small file computer or other kind of portable computer.  He will also stock
up on any kind of portable computer storage device (disk, tape, c.d.
whatever) in hopes of downloading incriminating or useful information next
time he makes contact with the Spire.  He kicks himself for not having done
this the first time he made contact.  He rushes over to his terminal to see
if any of the 'copious information' he did manage to download contains any
useful tactical information.  If so, he'll share it with the group.

His mind races as he thinks of all the things he'd like to do in his
assault on the Spire and on the maddened genius he'd come to hate.  He
knows in his Vruskan heart that if he were a Yazirian, he'd have already
found his life enemy.

Syzygy passes the WNB console and eyes it with some annoyance.  Even though
it had helped them, he resented losing contact with the Spire when so much
was being accomplished.

Pressing on, Syzygy moves to the scout's hold and looks for as much TD-19
as he can carry and offers to split it with Tork.  He will proceed to shape
half-kilo charges and hook them up to radio timers if available.  He also
stocks up on gyrojet rounds and life-support refills for his space suit.

Syzygy is at a loss to suggest any tactics against the warbots outside.
When the discussion turns to Kare lifting the ship off but with only
minimal experience, he offers:

"Can we possibly lift off using auto-pilot and put her into a holding
pattern around the port?  If the station begins tracking us as an enemy, we
can always signal them with a code that tells them we're friendly - even if
the radio is out, every aircraft or spacecraft control tower is prepared
with line-of-sight forms of communication in the event of a blackout like
we've caused.  If anyone is good with the comm. systems onboard the ship,
look to see if there's a laser-based comm. system that fires digital
information to a collector dish.  If not, then check the comm. station on
the bridge for a signal manual for visual morse code or something of the
sort.  We should be able to 'blink' a clearance code and get them off our
backs while we circle the tower."

Syzygy uses his meager technical skills to look into this option.  He
presses Kare, in her new role as de-facto 'captain', to consider the
autopilot strategy.    Syzygy is also eager to get back in touch with the
Spire, urging any plan of action that will put him within arm's reach of a
working terminal with a direct hard-wire connection to the Spire.

From:  John Groszkiewicz (Tork)

From: rivera86@flash.net  >

>
>Kare will also put the laser battery on computer control, but someone
>should man it. Kare will also suggest that someone hit the armory, we
>may have company soon, so suit up. She will arm all selfdefense turrets
>from the bridge, if we get boarded.


Tork will volunteer to head to the armory, hopefully he can get a couple
LP's to come along. He will turn to take a step, stop and ask: "Are those
warbots attacking any of the holoimages of us?"

"With the WNB running the warbots are not going to be receiving any new
orders. If they are ignoring the holoimages of us then they will also
probably ignore us if we leave the ship. We need the WNB but we also need
to keep the Central Spire messed up. If Syzygy wants to I will escort him
from the ship to the control tower. With Kare staying on board to move the
bird we have 10 minutes to get to the control tower and make sure the
defense battery is off line. If Dakka can fire that battery at the
scout.... well lets just make sure that doesn't happen."

If Syzygy and the team agrees to this plan Tork will raiding the armory and
then move out to the control tower. Once Syzygy is in the tower Tork will
suggest we set charges so that anyone trying to open the doors gets blown to
bits. ( Use shaped charges so that the blast does not affect the control
room and Syzygy.  ). Once the charges are set Tork will head out to find
Dakka.

TTFN
John

From:  John Groszkiewicz (Tork)

>>Hey Layne, I'm sure this ship has its name on every bulkhead...
>>so whats it called?
>
>SCS WHISPER
>


If anyone mentions renaming the ship to Tork he will gruffly reply "400
F'ing warbots knocking on the hull and your worried about renaming the
ship?"

John's first thought was to turn the "Whisper" into a "Shout".  Or, as we
are using the ship to destory Dakka's "Unity" we could rename the ship
"Chaos".  Then again, we could always go with the historical "Revenge".

TTFN
John

From:  John Groszkiewicz (Tork)

Just thinking....

Tork looks at Syzygy, "Can you start sending an automated distress signal?"

I know some one will question this move when they do Tork will look over and
reply:

"The WNB will keep the signal from being heard as long as it is working.  If
Dakka manages to knock out the WNB it may take him a couple minutes to shut
down our distress signal.  It may not be much but it may be enough to be
heard."

If anyone asks for a suggestion on the message Tork will suggest that we say
that Selson Streel is a Sathar agent and has taken over Metrosphere and its
computer network.  I figure even if we can prove that our employer is Dakka,
and that Spider is Selson, the UPF will cover it up.  Do you think they
would want it known that their main computer system got hacked into?  IMO
our best bet is to nail Dakka as Streel and then give Spider a new identity.

From:  Albin Johnson (Syzygy)

>"With the WNB running the warbots are not going to be receiving any new
>orders.  If they are ignoring the holoimages of us then they will also
>probably ignore us if we leave the ship.  We need the WNB but we also need
>to keep the Central Spire messed up.  If Syzygy wants to I will escort him
>from the ship to the control tower.

Syzygy lights up at this proposition.  "That's a great plan!  The
dopplegangers should keep the warbots distracted long enough for me to get
my hands on a hard-line terminal to the Spire.  Why, Tork, that idea
is...inSPIREd!"

Syzygy titters and snorts like a goofball before realizing no one else is
laughing at his joke.  He then returns to his duties, trying to find some
good porn on the ship's computer for his collection :)

From:  Andy Campbell (Urugg)

In a message dated 10/25/98 11:19:20 PM !!!First Boot!!!,
johngroz@velocity.net writes:

<< John's first thought was to turn the "Whisper" into a "Shout".  Or, as we
are using the ship to destory Dakka's "Unity" we could rename the ship
"Chaos".  Then again, we could always go with the historical "Revenge".
  >>

All good choices : )  

Urugg will suggest "Cry Havoc" (as in Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war,
from an ancient yazirian play about a war between rival clans ).

From:  Ruben Rivera (Kare)

In a message dated 10/25/98 11:19:20 PM !!!First Boot!!!,
johngroz@velocity.net writes:

<< John's first thought was to turn the "Whisper" into a "Shout".  Or, as we
are using the ship to destory Dakka's "Unity" we could rename the ship
"Chaos".  Then again, we could always go with the historical "Revenge".
  >>

All good choices : )  

Urugg will suggest "Cry Havoc" (as in Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war,
from an ancient yazirian play about a war between rival clans ).

From:  John Whitfield (T'Klkk)

As the mood shifts to a more combat-oriented direction, T'Klkk begins
to feel more at ease, strange as that may seem.  Computer hacking,
remote-controlled robots, subtle deception, none of these are T'Klkk's
forte'.  Now, a stand-up fight is a different matter.  She rubs her
antennae across her compound eyes to clear them of any film or debris,
takes several deep breaths as she mentally prepares for combat, and then
takes charge of the situation.

"Teammate-Taanik and Ally-Spider, we must continue with out assault on
Enemy-Lord-of-Shadows.  It would seem that our teammates have had eight
degrees of success with their sabotage efforts. However, we must assume
that Enemy-LOS will quickly regain control of the systems.  We must take
advantage of the time that we have.  Ten degrees of haste are in order. 
It will be necessary for self-T'Klkk to get more weapons, Ally-Spider is
in need of a pressure suit, and we could all stand to replace our
defensive suits.  We will take the most direct route possible to the
Streel Office suite, but we must be on the look-out for useful weapons
along the way.  We must also try to blend in with the holograms which
are running amok through the complex.  That may help us to avoid
unncessary conflict with robotic sentries.  Any questions?"

Barely waiting for a response, T'Klkk will head out post-haste!  She
will pay attention to the way that the holographic replicas of herself
behave and will do her best to imitate them.  If they encounter robots
along the way, she will simply run past them rather than tensing for
combat, hoping that she will be mistaken for an illusion.  

She will also take every reasonable opportunity to collect weapons or
defenses for herself and her teammates.  If there is a known stockpile
nearby, she will make a minor detour but will not go way out of the
way.

If they're unable to get more weapons, she'll ask Taanik if id would
give her some of ids grenades since she has a better chance of hitting a
target with them.

Her objective is pretty simple.  Locate the human who has caused her
and her team so much strife and beat the living shit out of him!  Any
questions?  :-)  If she does happen to engage him in combat, she'll
assume that he will do something slippery, and her objective will be to
immobilize him as quickly as possible so that he doesn't have the
opportunity.  She will only use deadly force if absolutely necessary.

I hope this is enough info.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention.  If all else fails, T'Klkk will pull
out the famed Dagger of Seeking, a cherished family heirloom.  She'll
activate it and watch as it streaks through the air to find LOS's
heart.
I did mention that I have this item when I created the character,
right?  :-)

Can't wait to see what happens next!!

-JWW

From:  John Groszkiewicz (Tork)

Hi Layne,

Just sending a note to change my un-official chatter into an official move.
If you want me to resend the details let me know and it will be done. :)

Tork's objectives in this next move are, in priority, to:

1- Get into the ship armory and reload.  He will be looking for grenades,
TD19 and timers, an extra automatic pistol, and anything else that looks
usefull.   Tork would love some extra equipment but will not let the LPs
go unarmed just so he can have two pistols.  He also does not want to weigh
himself down like the normal, "I go one of everything", D&D character.

2- Tork will not take the time himself but will suggest that we get the
Scout's weapons online and set up a distress signal incase the WNB gets
knocked out.

3- After raiding the armory Tork will attempt to walk pass the warbots to
the control tower.  He will take Syzygy and anyone else ( except Kare ) with
him.  Nothing against Kare, it just that she is our best bet of getting the
Scout in the air.

4- Once Syzygy is in the control tower, Tork will rig the doors then head
out on a Syte hunt.  I'm going to rip his head off, spit down the hole, and
then mount his head in my living room labeled: "FORMER Life Enemy"!!!

TTFN
John

From:  Andy Campbell (Urugg)

Well, looks liek we've got plenty of options again, few of them good : P

Consensus seems to be that we're going to:

1) use the ship's atomic engines to burn the warbots currently reducing the
ship's hull to Swiss cheese

- not much Urugg can do to help with this one;  given his scientific
(environmental) background, he'll do some quick calculations as to how much /
how long we burn the engines to melt th ebot, without reducing the landing pad
itself to slag and forcign us to fly elsewhere to land;  hopefully the white-
hot pixium streaming out of the engines will roast those tin cans

2) broadcast a distress signal to the UPF for help
- Urugg will suggest that we broadcast that agents connected with Dakka Syte
have taken over the colony (this may be more believable than a Sathar attack,
and should get Star Law's immediate attention since Syte's the man they love
to hate)

3)  get Syzygy out to the Control Tower so he can hack the spire
- Urugg will volunteer to join Syzygy's escort party (I believe Tokhad
volunteered to lead the effort);  my stealth skills should come in handy, and
I want to get to a terminal myself - we should try to find out the status of
the colony's 250,000 colonists, might be some help to be had there (heck,
maybe we can "blend with the crowd" if we need to lay low);  Urugg also wants
to do a fast check of what Dakka's doing with the colony's production
facilities - now that he's achieved his initial goal he's got to eb looking to
the future - maybe he's got the colony churning out warbots like its nobody's
business so he can build a robotic invasion force (all these idle ships on the
launch pad must look pretty attractive to him)

3) kick Dakka's mangy butt (OK, maybe this won't happen in this particular
segment 

After we get Syzygy in place and Urugg can check on the stuff mentioned above,
Urugg will volunteer to join Tork in an effort to find T'Klkk's merry band and
find Dakka

Dark Thoughts in the Back of Urugg's Head:
It really worries me that we've seen no sign of the colonists (First Landing
or Lost Point) anywhere so far;  from Dakka's POV, they can only be considered
a security risk, and given his megalomania he may decide to eliminate that
risk by very final means ("Excuse me sir, please keep away from the hatch so I
can secure it and blow the seal.  You and the rest of these citizens are very
inconvenient to my plans for revenge against the UPF.").

General stuff:
Urugg will remain in his pressure suit (uncomfortable though it is) under all
circumstances - the risk of gas attacks and decompression are too great to
lose the suit even though its recognizable.  He will trade it for another one
to throw Dakka off if the opportunity presents itself (maybe there's spare
suits in the Control Tower?).

He will keep his stunstick (set for damage) and sword handy for combat,
preferring these to his (ineffective against bots) needler guns.  If we run
across a security locker with autoweapons, Urugg will take a rifle and a half-
dozen clips if present.  In the meantime, he will try to take advantage of
cover and set up ambush situations where he can use his grenades if combat is
unavoidable.

Death to our oppressor! >:-)

From:  Ruben Rivera (Kare)

Recap:  These are only suggestions, Kare always defers to the majority.

Kare will work her way to the bridge.  With help from team members.

She will start engines

She will release all internal security to allow team members free access
to all decks and equipment, ie spacesuits, weapons, food, oxygen.

Kare will help defeat computer security if she can.  So that Bugboy can
get his subspace messege out.

Take control of ship security/defense, and coordinate starship defensive
positions and ambush sites, if we are boarded, or attacked from
exterior.  If any robots are on board, we should shut them off 'for
good'.  IE infrared jammers, exterior weapons (laser battery), albedo
and inertia screens, internal and exterial weapons pods (autorifles and
heavy lasers turrets).

Flame warbots with engine wash.

Move ship to better advantage point.

Will make everyone call her captain, and answer questions with a "Aye"or
"aye aye Kapt'n". Maybe have someone walk the plank.

Kare will recommend that we abandon the "Whisper", or whatever we choose
to rename it.  Why?  Because we can't accomplish our goals from inside
the assault scout, we must get into Dakka's face.  So she will ask
Bugboy to write a program instructing the Scout how to operate while we
are gone. IE fire laser at ememies, send subspace message as soon as WBN
goes down, etc.

Ruben

From:  John Groszkiewicz (Tork)

>Will make everyone call her captain, and answer questions with a "Aye"or
>"aye aye Kapt'n". Maybe have someone walk the plank.


Do we get to were eye patches to??  Huh, huh, can we?!?   This could be fun
as long as the blob doesn't decide to make a parrot shaped appendage appear
on ids shoulder.  

From:  Albin Johnson (Syzygy)

>Kare will recommend that we abandon the "Whisper", or whatever we choose
>to rename it.  Why?  Because we can't accomplish our goals from inside
>the assault scout, we must get into Dakka's face.  So she will ask
>Bugboy to write a program instructing the Scout how to operate while we
>are gone. IE fire laser at ememies, send subspace message as soon as WBN
>goes down, etc.

Syzygy would gladly do this, but he is more interested in getting to the
control tower and besides those programs are more on the level of Knight
Hawks skills, aren't they?  If the opportunity arises, of course, he'll be
glad to do whatever is necessary.

Just for details (I already submitted a move I believe) Syzygy will
brandish his gyrojet pistol, stunstick, and spacesuit and hustle it to
whereever he feels he can be of the most help.  A hardwire connection to
the Spire is what he longs for most, so he will favor the move on the
control tower.  If he gets the chance, Syzygy's list of tricks on the
computer will follow this list of priorities:

1 - run a virus that kills the robot management program - nothing fancy -
just something that spoils any chances of coordinating all those units

2 - patch into the colony's main antenna and send a distress call warning
of Sathar attack on the system (hey, someone suggested it and it sounds
good)

3 - check the life support systems and make sure the colonists are
receiving enough food/air/water/etc. altho releasing them ups the chances
of casualties so I'm not sure that's a priority if they're out of harm's
way

That should about do it.  If Syzygy finds the time, he'll be sure to check
out any X-rated Vruskan sites on the colony network (g)

- your pal AL (Syzygy)