Early October 1998 Official Responses

From:  Albin Johnson (Syzygy)

Syzygy watches the spaceport from the safety of the rock formation.  The
group had made it further than Syte had anticipated, and now they were on
the verge of gaining a key element in turning the tide.  But this game
required many pieces, this being only one.  Syzygy listens to Urugg and
Tork discuss the battle plans, and to Zane and Kare bicker.  Funny how
sapiens behave - they're either calling the shots or engaging in mating
behavior.

Syzygy speaks up to Tork.  "I can't help but notice I'm completely wasting
my assetts as a hacker in this caper." he confides, probably appearing a
little pretentious to the Yazirian.  "I mean, we're all rushing around
shooting and blowing up things, which is fine by me - I love a good
explosion - but we're also talking about turning the tide in a war with
800,000 robots controlled by a computer network that coordinates everything
in Metrosphere right down to the illumination rods!"

Syzygy pauses, seeing Tork is busy thinking and impatiently waiting on him
to get to the point.

"Well, what I mean to suggest is, unless we get in a position for me to
start working on the problem then we're running out of time.  Programming
is a gradual process at best - it could take me HOURS to get past the first
layer of security on the spire or to even assess what needs to be done."

Again, Tork and Urugg look at him quizically.  He had yet to offer specifics.

"What I'm saying is that if that port down there has a terminal of any
sizable connection to the colony then I want to get to it, secure the area,
and start working.  If you guys plan on moving into Metrosphere, fine.
Leave me here and let me do my job.  I'm no good to you if all we're doing
is guerilla warfare.  My war is over the network, and I can do it just as
easily here.  I may even be able to mask the location of where I'm working
from, eliminating any need for any military escort."

OOC: Did we get any indication of T'Klkk checking in with us?  If so, can
we contact her or Taanik to see how they're doing?  Perhaps during a normal
contact with Taanik we can get a whiff of their problem and Syzygy can help
by overriding the robot management program.

From:  Ruben Rivera (Kare)

Kare rubs her neck again, "Damn it!  I think Zane bit my lip!"

> Syzygy speaks up.  "I can't help but notice I'm completely wasting
> my assetts as a hacker in this caper." he confides

Kare suggests again, "Once we get into the Assault Scout, we can hold
out for a little while, (We shouldn't stay in any one place to long)" 

Kare will consider, "You can use the Computer on the Assault Scout to
create any viruses or executive programs that we'll need.  Our first
priority should be to reestablish communications with the blob, then we
can secure spacearmor, weapons, food, oxygen, and the WNB.  Well need to
create programs to run the Scout once we leave, to set off the WNB, to
fire the laser battery (if needed) at communications equipment or
plantary defenses that endanger the Scout and it WNB, etc."

"Also the Scout will have security programs that should protect it from
Style's handywork.  All Bugboy has to do is remove all passwords and
change Streel security protocals a little, and we should be able to make
Styles life difficult."

Kare thinks, "We shouldn't communicate over the open air waves anymore. 
Right now Styles (more then likely) sending a army of robots the Lost
Point.  We have the advantage, I would hate to lose it, by him picking
up some stray static-full conversation."

From:  Layne Saltern (GM)

>OOC: Did we get any indication of T'Klkk checking in with us?

She did not check in on time as agreed.    Syzygy can interpret this how he
wishes.

T'Klkk still has her chronocom, so she can gain audio contact through
Syzygy's group's radio communicators if she wishes.

From:  Albin Johnson (Syzygy)

>>OOC: Did we get any indication of T'Klkk checking in with us?
>
>She did not check in on time as agreed.    Syzygy can interpret this how he
>wishes.
>
>T'Klkk still has her chronocom, so she can gain audio contact through
>Syzygy's group's radio communicators if she wishes.

"What's that, Artoo?  The communicator?  Oh my!  I turned it off!"

Syzygy will radio T'Klkk back if she misses her check-in time.  I'm
assuming she muted it so she wouldn't be detected, however.  Not a problem
- she should be calling US any moment.

Layne - any chances of there being a computer terminal nearby in this
spaceport?  What's the layout of the pressurized ring?  Is it pretty
sparse, like a small-town airport terminal or does it feature any tech
support rooms, generators, computer centers, etc?  If so, now would be a
good time to get Syzygy down there to do his job.  He can try and knock out
that robot management command that's sending their robots into the smelter.

"Oh, Artoo - Hear their screams? Curse my metal body I failed!"

:)

- your pal AL

From:  Layne Saltern (GM)

>"What's that, Artoo?  The communicator?  Oh my!  I turned it off!"
>
>Syzygy will radio T'Klkk back if she misses her check-in time.  I'm
>assuming she muted it so she wouldn't be detected, however.  Not a
>problem - she should be calling US any moment.

T'Klkk and Taanik whoop with joy upon escaping.

"Just listen to them, Artoo" moans Syzygy.  "They're dying."

Oh, wait, no.  I'm mixing storylines.


>Layne - any chances of there being a computer terminal nearby
>in this spaceport?

The spaceport is tiny, compared to most.  Yet it is VERY high-tech.  (With
the cramped space, comings and goings must be very carefully coordinated.)
The perimeter ring is little more than a standard airtube--with accelerator
strips, holo communicators, etc.  There are several public access computer
terminals in the ring, just as in any First Landing airtube.  The platform
where starships land is strewn with directional lights, movable partitions,
ground vehicles (for cargo transportation, etc.) and heavy-duty servicing
equipment.  At the east end of the starport is the control tower, which is
crammed with air control equipment, videocom radios (like those installed on
starships), computers, observation lounges, etc.  It is usually packed with
people, but today, from the distance, Syzygy can't see a single one.

From:  Albin Johnson (Syzygy)

>Kare suggests again, "Once we get into the Assault Scout, we can hold
>out for a little while, (We shouldn't stay in any one place to long)"

Syzygy agrees: "Let's keep moving.  I'm in pretty bad shape and I don't
look forward to another fight."  He feels for the wires under his pressure
suit, taking comfort in the idea that if he is rendered inert like Flexx
that he'll still have a punch left in him.

>Kare will consider, "You can use the Computer on the Assault Scout to
>create any viruses or executive programs that we'll need.  Our first
>priority should be to reestablish communications with the blob, then we
>can secure spacearmor, weapons, food, oxygen, and the WNB.

Syzygy will actively seek out more rounds for his gyrojet pistol as well as
gloms of TD-19.  If there are any computer progits that assist in running
diagnostics on local computers, he will abscond these as well, hoping
they'll provide easier access in case Bypass attempts are called for.
He'll also look for any technicians uniforms/lockers for gear that will
help him look like a regular technician to the security robots.



>"Also the Scout will have security programs that should protect it from
>Style's handywork.  All Bugboy has to do is remove all passwords and
>change Streel security protocals a little, and we should be able to make
>Styles life difficult."

Syzygy interjects in a dry tone, "His name's Syte, not Styles.  And
'bugboy' would be happy to finally do his job.  I'm sick of all this
running around getting shot up.  If 'mammary girl' (g) there would kindly
get us into the assault scout I'll link up to the Spire and start hacking.
But I warn you, the job's going to be tough and take a long time.  I still
think it'd be best if you secure a spot for me and leave me behind to do
the number-crunching."

- your pal AL (Syzygy)

From:  Albin Johnson (Syzygy)

  The platform
>where starships land is strewn with directional lights, movable partitions,
>ground vehicles (for cargo transportation, etc.) and heavy-duty servicing
>equipment.

Are the vehicles pressurized and sealed against the vacuum or do they come
up to the ships in pressuized umbilicals?  They may be of use if we need to
amscray across the planet surface in a hurry or conduct hit-and-run attacks
from the outside.



At the east end of the starport is the control tower, which is
>crammed with air control equipment, videocom radios (like those installed on
>starships), computers, observation lounges, etc.  It is usually packed with
>people, but today, from the distance, Syzygy can't see a single one.

The tower will have oodles of high-priority computers that will make
connecting to the Spire and hacking into it easier (IF Syzygy can operate
them first, which means lower probability at first but an easier job once
logged in).  Also, we need to think about using those holo-panels to throw
Syte off as to our location.  Is there any way a computer tech (or a
technician like Kare) could open up a holo-panel and fidget with it to do
something?  Specifically, I want to try and use each panel to take
'snapshots' of us running past them in different locations, store the
images in a memory device, and cause the images to be fed into different
panels throughout the city to throw off the dogs.  If we can do that, we'll
have REALLY turned the tables and allowed ourselves an avenue for
operations.

Layne, is this feasible?  What materials would be required, from Syzygy's
analysis of the situation?  Would it be a tech's job or a computer hacker's
job?  And can we futz with the id numbers of the different panels so that
we can authenticate the source of the images (eg Syte sees Tork running
along, checks the location of the signal to find it's coming in on panel
#A7027 in the park dome, only to send robots on a wild goose chase)

- your pal AL

From:  Layne Saltern (GM)

>Are the vehicles pressurized and sealed against the vacuum or do they come
>up to the ships in pressuized umbilicals?  They may be of use if we need to
>amscray across the planet surface in a hurry or conduct hit-and-run attacks
>from the outside.

They are not pressurized.  They are more like open bed transports.

However, there are retractible tunnels that can be extended from the airtube
ring, if some type of cargo absolutley has to be unloaded under pressurized
conditions.

>Also, we need to think about using those holo-panels to throw
>Syte off as to our location.  Is there any way a computer tech (or a
>technician like Kare) could open up a holo-panel and fidget with it to
>do something?

Modifying a single holo unit to behave differently would be a Technician
job.  But something as complex as altering the behavior of the holo
communication network as a whole would require getting into the program that
controls the whole system--which falls under the jurisdiction of Computer
expertise.

>Layne, is this feasible?

Only one way to find that out :)

>What materials would be required, from Syzygy's
>analysis of the situation?

Since you're mainly talking about computer program changes, a robcomkit
would be useful for bypassing security, etc.  Other than that, you need
access to the computer system--which can come from about anywhere in the
First Landing, so long as you can get past the security protocols.

From:  John Whitfield (T'Klkk)

>
>>"What's that, Artoo?  The communicator?  Oh my!  I turned it off!"
>>
>>Syzygy will radio T'Klkk back if she misses her check-in time.  I'm
>>assuming she muted it so she wouldn't be detected, however.  Not a
>>problem - she should be calling US any moment.
>
>T'Klkk and Taanik whoop with joy upon escaping.
>
>"Just listen to them, Artoo" moans Syzygy.  "They're dying."

Overjoyed at her great luck, T'Klkk will signal Syzygy and Artoo to
meet them at the Millenium Falcon.  Than, as she draws her light sabre
and hacks the head off the remaining stormtrooper, she'll turn to Taanik
and say, "Let's get going, Chewnothing!  Now that we have rescued
Spock's katra, we must get to Mt. Seleya on Vulcan!!"

Wow, Layne.  This story has certainly taken some unexpected twists....
in addition to mixing with a few other stories!  :-)

-JWW

From:  John Groszkiewicz (Tork)

Tork shakes his head and breaks his silent vigil.  Too much to do, too
little time.  He looks around to see what, if any, weapons the LPs carry.
We should still have T'Klkk's weapons and Tork will loan his rifle and up to
half his grenades to any weaponless person able to use them.  Tork will also
make two 0.5kg TD19 charges, connecting each to a variable timer detonator.
The last 0.5kg he make ready to accept a radio beam detonator.  Tork will
them offer any remaining detonators to Syzygy.

We can't make it to the smelter in time, our best bet is to get to the white
noise broadcaster.  Unless of course....   :)   I had a high school science
teacher tell us that the best place to be if you were hit by lightning was
to be inside a metal garbage can.  His theory was the the electrons would
repel from each other along the outside of the can leaving you unharmed.
Never did try this one out but if Tannik wanted to try shorting out the
robot by eletrifying the hull ... I'll let you science types figure out the
results.  ;)

Tork's plan is to break the group into two teams.  Kare and Syzygy will lead
a team into the Assault scout to secure the WNB and try hacking into the
computer net.  The other group, lead by Tork, will assault the bots and try
to buy Kare and Syzygy the time they need.

It will probably take less time to break the scout's computer but longer to
get into the net from there.  So, why the Scout and not the tower?  1, We
need the scout.  2, Taking both the Scout and the Tower would constrict us
to two defensive positions.  By consentrating on the scout the attack team
can be more mobile.  3, We can, hopefully, lock the door on the scout giving
the hackers a little security incase the attack team fails.  4, If we get
control of the scout's weapons we may be able to vape a couple bots and
maybe even the Planetary Defense Cannon in C11.  5, Once the WNB is
activated we should be able to move Syzygy to the Control Tower in relative
safety.

Now for some questions.... :)

Does Tork see any ships being loaded/unloaded?  Does that cargo look like
something we could use, or possibly blow up?  ( Hopefully without being more
of a pain in the neck for Kare. )  Tork is thinking diversion.

How close can we get without being seen?  Tork has two frag grenades.  He is
thinking of tossing them into a group of security bots as a signal to start
the attack.  Tork has some incendiary grenades but they will not work well
in a vacum.  He will save these for targets inside the pressurized tube.  He
will use the smoke grenades to try and provide cover between us and groups
of robots.

How much raming damage does an "open bed transport" do to a robot?  
OTOH, if these units are robotically controlled, how much raming damage do
they do to a Yazarian? :(

TTFN
John

From:  John Groszkiewicz (Tork)

I may be jumping the gun on this one but...  If we manage to get the WNB
working can Kare and/or Syzygy reprogram the security bots.  I'm thinking of
sending them out to 'kill' other security bots.  As long as they did not
fight each other it might work, or as least take out one or two of the units
still controlled by Dakka.

TTFN
John

From:  Albin Johnson (Syzygy)

>Tork will
>them offer any remaining detonators to Syzygy.

Syzygy gladly accepts them.  He will check his own 4 kg. to make sure it's
distributed into 2 x 1 kg., 2 x .5 kg., and 4 x .25 kg. charges with radio
detonators on the bigger ones and timers on the rest as supplies allow.
The kills switch on his person will still activate all of the
radio-controlled satchels, detonating the rest if close enough.


>
>Tork's plan is to break the group into two teams.  Kare and Syzygy will lead
>a team into the Assault scout to secure the WNB and try hacking into the
>computer net.  The other group, lead by Tork, will assault the bots and try
>to buy Kare and Syzygy the time they need.

OOC: This is an excellent formulation of a plan.  I don't recall the
numbers of robots we can see from our position, but if we can create a
diversion (explosives, one of the LP guardians moving by real fast, etc.)
we can draw off some of the opposition to get us into the scout.  I'll
leave that to someone else to declare, since Syzygy is not in a position to
do it himself.


>It will probably take less time to break the scout's computer but longer to
>get into the net from there.  So, why the Scout and not the tower?  1, We

>maybe even the Planetary Defense Cannon in C11.  5, Once the WNB is
>activated we should be able to move Syzygy to the Control Tower in relative
>safety.

Syzygy stares in wide-eyed eagerness for this plan's execution.  His
fingers literally ached for the chance to work again, to launch an assault
on the enemy in the only way they knew how.  He stares down at them, noting
their fine bone structure that made them so ill-suited for combat, yet so
well-equipped for the electronic mayhem he hungered to unleash.  Softly he
mumbles to himself:

"Soon enough, Syte.  Soon enough we'll see who's the better hacker.  By the
Crysalis, I'll see you squirm before this day's through."

Syzygy starts when he realizes he's said this out loud.  He looks around to
make sure no one else heard him, then trains in on Tork's words again.  The
ignominy of the last few failures still stung him.  Like a race horse
shuffling in the starting gate, he was ready to prove himself at long last.

Side-declarations:

Layne, I don't know if your rules account for this, but Zebulon's Guide has
rules for hackers using 'computer access computers' and prefabricated
programs for making hacking easier.  I should have asked about this a
looooong time ago, but now would be a good time to ask if it's worth Syzygy
looking for such equipment as he moves along - searching the scout and the
tower since you said it was 'packed with techno-features'.

Syzygy is itching to get started.  If he sees ANY terminal along the way
he'll at least take the time to inspect it, probably requiring someone in
the group to tear him away from it lest he gets side-tracked and slows the
group down.  He'll be sure to ignore any amused smiles from the others at
his over-excited state in the face of the impending nerd-war to come.

From:  Andy Campbell (Urugg)

Well...  I believe the operative question here is "Now what the *$%#^#%$? do
we do?"  Unfortunately, in character, the rest of the party doesn't know about
the impending being-roast (if I remember right we were keeping radio
silence?).

My only advice to Taanik would be to try to disable the bots comm system and
then try real fast to alter the bot's movement program or defeat security on
the lock.  Could be worse I guess - at least there's no conveyor belt : P

As for those of us topside, hmmm.  It looks like we've got a pretty good
chance of sneaking in or causing a diversion so the techs can sneak in to the
Assault Scout.  Does anyone know what sort of sensor suite the bots are
sporting?  If its human-equivalent optics only we're in pretty good shape;  IR
/ thermal and short range radar make our job a lot tougher if present.  Would
Kare or Syzygy know from our original investigation?

Anyway, Urugg's advice would be for part of the group to stage a diversion to
get the security bots' attention.  Best bet is to try to break in to the
pressurized plexiglass tube with something loud and obvious like explosives.
Hopefully Syte will fall for this since (a) he's angry about the monorail
blast (though in character we don't know this) and (b) we just detonated a big
charge in the tunnel, so this'd be a natural extension of our activity.  Once
the blast goes off, we have the option of entering the hole and trying to
break into the complex for real, or retreating in the dust and chaos as "the
robots drive us off".  Alternately, we might plant charges for an ambush, lure
the bots into it, then blast 'em.  I'm guessing that Tork, myself and some of
the Lost Pointers would compose the diversion team.

Either way, while this is going on Kare and / or Syzygy (plus at least 1 or 2
other folks - maybe a pair of Lost Pointers for "muscle") try to break into
the AS and work their magic with the WNB and haching into the Spire.

Zane could go with either group - might be good backup for Kare & Syzygy,
would also be useful if the other team makes it into First Landing and can
link up with our bot-ridden pals.

This is the plan that Urugg lays out to the group.  He will volunteer to go
with the ambush / diversion party, hoping his environmental skills are up to
the task.  He will keep his grenades handy on the webbing / pockets of the
spacesuit (being careful to compensate for the low gravity when throwing).
Since his needler weapons are useless against the bots, he will stick to
grenades and his stunstick (set for damage);  if the bots are mostly plastic-
type material, he will use the sword if necessary (if the bots are metal-
hulled he will leave it sheathed, of course).

Should we have direct contact with Syte (via chronocom, redio or holo), Urugg
will launch into the taunting speech I wrote out for the Late September post.
<>
His objective is to infuriate Syte enough to get him into a physical
confrontation with us - we're better off in a face-to-face encounter than with
him doing the computer mastermind thing behind hundreds of meters of colony
buildings : P

On a lighter note, as we figure out the plan and get ready to execute it,
Urugg will turn aside to Zane, switching to private helmet-radio link.  "Zane,
you salty dog...  I dunno - she almost looked like she enjoyed it.  Methinks
the lady doth protest too much, eh?"  He grins and jabs Zane in hsi still-sore
ribs.  "Oh, sorry about that - I forgot the ribs.  The quote's from an ancient
Yazirian play - you should check it out sometime - puts most human stuff to
shame." ; )

Btw - one future angle of attack might be to take on the Spire directly.  If I
remember right it was in the middle of a park area created solely by force
fields.  If we could hack into the system and collapse the force fields we can
walk right into the Spire without having to blast through plasteel building
walls.  Heck, we could fly in using a small spacecraft at that point, or walk
under the tunnels that link the surface structures.


PS  Unhappy Thought of the Day:  in the back of his head, Urugg wonders just
what Syte has done with all the colonists.  Sure, the colony is highly
automated, but he's got to manage the care and feeding of over 250,000
sentients (not even counting the Lost Pointers he abducted with the bots).
Assuming the colonists are being confined to quarters or have been herded into
public areas, they will soon have some massive problems.  The more Urugg
thinks about this, the more he wonders how Syte's hide will look after his
lifeless corpse has been skinned like an animal and cured in the dim light of
Metrosphere's sun as it stream through the ceiling panels of the Park Dome.
Grrrrrrrrr.

From:  Clark Valentine (Taanik)

Oops - I hope this is still acceptable.

Things Taanik will try, if feasible:

*Is there time to attempt a BYPASS SECURITY and ALTER MISSION?  Probably
not, but it's worth asking.

*If there's a latch or body hinge or some other structural weak point
nearby, Taanik tells Streel/Spider to work on breaking it (Taanik offerd ids
everflame if it would help melting through plastic)

*Id will try to disable its mobility using ids robcomkit (or ids blaster if
necessary).

*If all of the above fails or isn't feasible Taanik tries to disassemble as
much of the bot's hull as possible with ids robcomkit and blaster.

*If worst comes to worst Taanik will place a frag grenade against a weak
point in the 'bot's hull and hold ids spacesuit helmet (or whatever other
solid object id can grab) against it (hopefully protecting idself from as
much of the blast as possible).  Hopefully this will blow a hole in the side
of the 'bot big enough for Taanik and/or Streel to crawl through.  Picking
shrapnel out of ids hide is a better alternative to getting fried.

Id will radio all of ids ideas to T'Klkk.

If everything fails and it's the end of the line for ol' Taanik, id
broadcasts a stream of insults in ids native Dral language, questioning

From:  John Groszkiewicz (Tork)


>Anyway, Urugg's advice would be for part of the group to stage a diversion
to
>get the security bots' attention.  Best bet is to try to break in to the

>pressurized plexiglass tube with something loud and obvious like
explosives.


"I was thinking more of using smoke or frag grenades as a diversion.
Depressurizng the ring sounds fun but I wouldn't want Kare to accuse me of
trying to be a pain in the neck...."  Tork's voice tails after noticing the
needler pistol Kare has pointed in his direction.  

From:  Ken Morefield (Zane)

Sorry Guys.  I missed the deadline.  I was away for a few days visiting
family.  I geuss Zane will do what he always does.  Tag along and give
medical services when needed. 
                        Catch ya next time,
                                        Ken

From:  John Whitfield (T'Klkk)

Sorry for being late with my response.  I've been out of town since
Thursday evening since my father had a minor heart-attack.  He's doing
much better now, and I'm back.  I hope this response isn't too late to
incorporate, Layne.

T'Klkk will listen calmly and intently to Taanik's list of ids ideas. 

"Self-T'Klkk suspects that our opponent may have anticipated any
reprogramming efforts that teammate-Taanik may attempt, but it is
certainly worth an effort.  Detonating a frag grenade inside the
compartment should be a last resort effort since teammate-Taanik and
Spider would assuredly be damaged by the explosion.  However, that is a
less sure death than being dropped into molten vat.  By all means, do
that rather than be fried alive.  Self-T'Klkk gave all of her weapons to
the other teammates, except a pistol and a knife, and it is unlikely
that either will be helpful, unless...."

T'Klkk will quickly examine the compartment and see if she can
determine where crucial circuits and servos may be located.  If there
are any under a panel, she will use her dagger to pry the panel open and
do damage to the robot's electrical innards, throwing a monkeywrench
into the works, so to speak.  If that has no effect, she will attempt to
brace herself as best as possible to get leverage and use her legs to
try and kick the hatch open. If there is some sort of locking mechanism
on the hatch, she will use her Open Lock skill to free herself.

If she is able to get free, her next priority is to rescue Taanik (if
id does not free idself first) and Spider.  From there, she'll check in
with the rest of the team to see what is happening with them.  She will
caution them not to reveal any part of their plan over the comm since
Dakka is most assuredly monitoring it.  If she can get her hands on any
weapons, she will do so.  There are several storage pods in the nearby
area; that would be a good place to start.  Subsequent moves will depend
on what is happening with the rest of the team.  

And, if she is unable to get free (either on her own or with help from
Taanik), then she'll be roasted grasshopper very soon.  :-(  If that is
the case, she will attempt to let the others know that she is getting
ready to die so that they do not waste time trying to locate or save
her.  She'll also put every ounce of effort into bearing the pain
without screaming so that Dakka does not have the satisfaction of
hearing her during that last moment.

Can't wait to see what happens next!

-JWW