Late September 1997 Responses

From:  Ruben Rivera (Kare)

Urugg, 

	I know no one has read the Unity page, I'm a nerd.  I don't know Kare
sounds normal, who says she sick.  Anyway that explains the human with
the sungoggles...Tackey eyewear does catch on...we never asked jello-boy
"who, where and when" was smuggleing him stuff.  Are the attacks
typically during the 'night' hours.  To best caught these guys we should
use the cammeras and set up a stake out, maybe use the holo projectors
to create a fake wall to hide behind.  I got my IR goggles, unless they
are using jammers...I guess I should see if any of those where stolen. 
Plus you should give ol "Died Eye" Zane a shot.
				Talk to ya
				Ruben
				AKA Kare, who spikes them everytime

From:  Andy Campbell (Urugg)

Good observation about the sungoggles Ruben!  I hadn't even thought of the
connection (thought it was one of those general "atmosphere-setting"
observations when I read it).  

Anyway, regarding Urugg's immediate predicament...


Urugg will instinctively dodge as Kare opens up with the needler, hoping his
skeinsuit will stop the rounds that hit.  As he comes out of the roll, he
will draw the stunstick he carries in a hip holster [note:  the stick is set
to stun unless mentioned otherwise, for the same reasons that his needler
weapons are loaded with anaesthetic rounds unless otherwise declared).  He
will try to rush her with the stick before she can fire again (hoping that
involving her in melee will make her drop the weapon or use it as a club
rather than firing).  While they struggle, he will try to keep a level voice,
panting / drawing breath in between sentences:  "C'mon now Kare." [pant,
pant]  "Easy now - I didn't mean anything by it.  Just trying to keep up with
you..." [pant] "You don't want to tear your wound open."  "[pant] Go easy and
lets talk this out."  Hopefully, other team members have noticed what's
happening and can help Urugg avoid being shot up : )

*Note - Urugg doesn't know anything about the Red Eye bug at this point,
since he and Kare just walked through the front door.

After Kare has been subdued and injected with the Red Eye antidote, Urugg
will turn his attention to the other matters at hand (assuming she doesn't
burst out of the apartment and go on a rampage, in which case Urugg will
pursue if able and try to subdue here before injuring / injecting others).

[player / PC general comments & observations]
re. the Star's Arm riot and Red Eye outbreak:
We must inform Fle'xx of four findings immediately before a bloddbath occurs.
 If back-up proof is needed, recordings of the security cams at the spire and
Zane's diagnosis / treatment of the tech should be sufficient.  The riot area
and the Spire must be quarantined immediately by non-human or protected
human** security teams.  Metrosphere's medics, emergency reaction teams, and
hospitals must be immediately notified of the situation and begin mass
treatment (or immunization if a serum exists) of Metrosphere's human
population.  Both Zane and Kare should be immunized if possible. (perhaps
Kare will be immune to further infection for some time?  if so, is it like
the flu in this respect or like chicken pox?  does Zane know?)     

**Would the filters in gas masks be sufficient to screen out the virus since
its airborne? (or can it be absorbed through the skin?  would Zane know?)
 Otherwise, only environment or spacesuits will be able to protect humans
from exposure.


re:  the Star's Arm seizure of life support facilities.
I / Urugg don't think this news should be released to the public at this
point;  what with the possible outbreaks of Red Eye violence and mass
immunizations, it would undoubtedly create mass panic possibly resulting in
attempts to seize ships at the starport and evacuate.  (note:  notify Fle'xx
to increase security at starport just in case)  Either ourselves or a crack
Streel security team should try to take one or both of the life support
centers back immediately.  Also, will suggest introducing some sort of
innocuous gas into the life support facilities to subdue the dissidents (such
as increasing CO2 levels within the facility to levels which, while
non-lethal, will induce stupor / sleep;  also possibly nitrous oxide,
assuming it affects all the races similarly, which will induce intoxication
and stupor) - asuming that this can be done from outside life support itself
and will not be detected there (maybe hack their monitoring systems and
create a feedback loop from monitors to indicate all is normal?).      

- cold logic option:  Streel could send an intentionally Red Eye-infected
human negotiator in to negotiate with the Star's Arm members if there are
human group members among them;  perhaps the resulting mayhem (once the human
Star's Arm members go berserk) would help in retaking the facilities.  
Note:  Urugg will air this observation only to his team members unless they
agree with it;  his face will contort and he will have difficulty forcing the
words out when he does so - more bad memories from his youth haunting his
present.


re:  catching the bombers / thieves:

I agree with Kare's suggestion to set up a sting.  All team members should be
involved since we don't know how many perps we're facing.  Could be
accomplished by feeding info to Metrosphere's "underground" - such as the old
Yazirian woman or our dralasite black market dealer (say, by dropping hints
that Metrosphere is lucky that the latest shipment of environmental gear
hasn't been hit yet - contained valuable new spacesuit designs, and new
ration concentrates).  On a related note, I also agree with Kare / Ruben that
we will need to pay another visit to our blob storekeeper friend and lean on
him for specifics - what he smuggles in, what other cargoes are smuggled, how
many smugglers are involved (perhaps identities also, though I doubt id will
give that info up without being subdued and shot up with Telol).

OK - I'll shut up now : )  

Layne - The response to Urugg's being shot at by Kare in her Red Eyed state
will stand as is.  Other responses can be considered temporary, depending on
other player responses;  they will be suggested but not acted on until group
gets plan together.

From:  Layne Saltern (GM)

Since the Laconian Red Eye has been an established disease for over a
decade, much is already known about it.  This information is available in
any comprehensive medical text:

Laconian Red Eye, commonly known as "the Rage," is caused by a virus.

The virus itself goes through three stages:

1)  Seeker stage -- at this stage the virus has not yet found a host.  If
introduced into the Human body through broken skin, a body orifice or
ingestion, the virus mutates to match the host's DNA pattern and passes to
stage 2.

2.)  Installment stage -- once the virus has matched the host's DNA, it
will propogate through the host, causing symptoms of tiredness, sweating,
paranoia, confusion, and an increase in adrenaline.  Infected hosts are
known to become senseless and violent during the first 20 hours.  The
symptoms tend to diminish after this time, but the virus stays in the body.
 After 40 to 60 hours, the virus passes to stage 3.  Because the stage 2
virus is specifically coded to a single DNA pattern, it can have no effect
on anyone but the host.

3.)  Reproduction stage -- at stage 3, the virus begins to reproduce
wildly, creating new offspring that are not DNA encoded, thus being in the
initial "Seeker" stage.  The new stage 1 virus will be present in the
host's sweat, wastes and other body fluids.  Any Human coming in physical
contact, directly or indirectly, with a Red Eye victim who has been
infected for more than 40 hours is at risk of infection.  The reproduction
stage of the virus typically lasts 20 to 30 days.

No known strain of the Laconian Red Eye virus is airborne.

No safe immunization method has been developed so far.  The most useful
defenses against the virus are:

--preventing physical contact with infected victims, including anything
that they have touched

--periodically boosting a Human's natural immune system with a
precautionary dose of antibody plus

A Human who has previously been infected with the disease is unlikely to
catch it again.


In answer to your question, breathing masks would not be an effective
defense against the virus, since it is passed through physical contact--not
air.  Full spacesuits, however, would be effective--assuming the Rage
victims don't tear it apart (wink wink).

>From:  Ruben Rivera (Kare)
> 
>Layne and Zane,
> 
>Can Zane look up, or figure out, if a antibody can be release and
>distributed via the ventialtion system.  I know the disease is passed
>via contact, but does the cure have to be? 
>
>				Got too much time on my hands.
>				Ruben

GM Response:  Unfortunately, antibody plus not only has to be injected, but
it has to be injected by someone with medical training.  If the treatment
is not done correctly, it won't be effective.

When determining priorities, remember:  People who have only had the
disease for less than 2 days are unable to transmit the disease to others. 
But someone who has been infected longer than that is going to spread to
illness to every Human with whom he or she comes in contact.

From:  John Groszkeiwicz (Tork)

> Syzygy <...snip...> remembers these apartments don't
>have any windows--just artificial holographic scenes to simulate windows. 

Are these scenes programmable?  Can we change the scenes if we want?

>Cimmy's practices are of much consequence to more than a few believers, 
>but you can usually find her in the gardens of the Southwest Park if you 
>want to talk with her some more." 
>
>[The Southwest Park is at G15 on the underground level.] 

These gardens are not too far from Tork and Urugg's room.  If we get a chance for some 
R&R Tork will see if Urugg wants to go to these gardens.  On the way he will fill in 
Urugg on Cimmy.  I want to question her more on the Shadows, has see seen them, where do 
they come from, what do they want, ...

> small hand weapons have been stolen

Any reports of ammo being stolen? ;)

>"That depends largely on the degree of exposure to the carrier. If new
>victims become carriers, the disease could easily spread to a majority
>of the Human population." 

250,000 residents with all four races evenly mixed = a possible 62,500 victims.
<satire> joy, oh joy </satire>

TTFN
John                                 johngroz@ncinter.net

From:  Layne Saltern (GM)

>> Syzygy <...snip...> remembers these apartments don't
>>have any windows--just artificial holographic scenes to simulate windows.

> 
>Are these scenes programmable?  Can we change the scenes if we want?

There are a number of scenes available to choose from--ranging from any
imaginable nature scene to vibrant surrealism.  Creating your own scene
would require some programming skill, but it's about as complex as writing
a screen saver.

>>small hand weapons have been stolen
> 
>Any reports of ammo being stolen? ;)

Yes, but only handfulls.

From:  John Groszkiewicz (Tork)

>"SHUT UP!" Kare snatches the closest thing in her grasp--her needler pistol--and fires! 		
Tork had no idea that Human females were so tempermental. ;)

First action will be to try using a Tangler grenade on Kare (unless Tork would be caught 
in the blast).  If the tangler does not work (or Tork is too close to use it) Tork will 
engage in hand-to-hand combat and attempt to disarm and immoblize Kare.  At first he 
will try to 'pin' Kare.  If this does not work, or Tork takes a good hit or two, he will 
say 'heck with it' and try to knock Kare unconscious.

Unless I send a note changing my mind the above should be considered part of Tork's move 
for the next installment.  What Tork does next will depend a lot on the outcome of the 
'battle'.  If Kare manages to 'escape' Tork will probably (unless he is unable) go and 
track her down.  If Kare is brought under control Tork's activity will depend on the 
group.  If they want to 'take a break' he make a suggestion to Urugg to go to the 
gardens at G15 ( maybe grabbing some food/drink on the way ).  << Tork will grumble but 
won't stop Taanik if id decides to come along. ;) >>  If the group want to do some 
investigating - rush off to the life support building ( probably a good idea ) - Tork 
will continue working in his role as security and accompany the group.

Just a another observation:

It appears that we are having more luck dealing with Fle'xx than we are with Police 
Captain Ap-Harrow.  Perhaps we should continue working with Fle'xx as a 'first source' 
when we need information and/or materials.  I do not, however, want to take Ap-Harrow 
"out of the loop".  When things settle down Tork will make a suggestion that we ask 
Ap-Harrow or perhaps Fle'xx to appoint a liasion in the police department.  We should do 
this "because we know that the Police Captain is *very* busy running her department" or 
some similar phasing.  Tork is not a diplomant but will want to make the suggestion in 
such a way that the Captain can accept it without losing face.  ( Yazarian protocal and 
all that rot. )

Once the situation with Kare is under control we may want to try to contact Captain 
Ap-Harrow and offer our assistance.  Again, Tork will want to phase this so that it is 
clearly an offer of assistance, not a "do you think you can handle it" confrontation.  
We don't have confirmations either way but Tork is pretty sure that Ap-Harrow is none 
too pleased with our 'usurping' her department's investigative duties.

TTFN
John                                 johngroz@ncinter.net

From:  John Groszkiewicz (Tork)

>From the description of Stage 2 of 'The Rage':

>Infected hosts are known to become senseless and violent during the
>first 20 hours.  The symptoms tend to diminish after this time, but
>the virus stays in the body.  After 40 to 60 hours, the virus passes
>to stage 3.

This leads me to believe that the tech that attacked Zane was in Stage 2.  As he was 
violent now, I believe he will not become infectious for another 20 to 40 hours.  If 
this is true then Kare must have been infected from another source. Quoting the last 
installment:

>The Vrusk displays a miniature playback of a scene within one of the
>life support buildings. A number of picket signs fall to the floor as
>a small group of Humans begins screaming and attacking other people
>with their fists. 

  

>Urugg notices something as well. "Hey, Kare and I saw some of those
>Humans at a cafeteria this afternoon." 

Sounds like the cafeteria is a prime suspect.  We better ask Fle'xx to quarantine the 
place.

Hey, Syzygy.  How about fixing me up with one of those new IDs.  ( Once 
we get Kare back under control. )

TTFN
John                                 johngroz@ncinter.net

From:  Andy Campbell (Urugg)

As I mentioned last month, Urugg has been spending a fair amount (at least
several hours a week) checking out the park domes - doing some recerational
gliding, kicking back, and unobtrusively taking air, water and plant samples
with his enviroscanner on the off chance that something's amiss.  Any chance
he's run across Cimmy and not realized it Layne? (as in "Oh - the old bag
lady?  She's a *religious leader*?  Well I'll be damned...") 

In any case, Urugg will gladly take the chance to spend more time in the
garden dome among his own species.  Especially with all these Red-Eyed
lunatics running around breaking things ; )

GM Response:
Urugg does not recall having seen the woman...but then again, there are so
many people in the parks...

From:  Layne Saltern (GM)

John Groszkiewicz wrote:
>Just how many new people are arriving in Metroshpere on a
>daily/weekly basis?

Over 100,000 settlers moved to Metrosphere over the last year, almost
doubling the population.  (A year consists of 10 months.)

Of that group 20,000 moved in during the last month.  (There are 4 tendays,
or 40 days, in a month.)

Beyond that it's hard to give exact measurements, since settlers tend to
arrive in spurts.  But do the math and it comes to an average of 500 people
a day, of which maybe 125 are Human.

Suffice it to say, city construction is a thriving industry and the local
starport stays VERY busy.

Shut down the in-flow for long and Streel loses millions of credits in
productivity and profits.

John Groszkiewicz wrote:
>What *are* Star's Arm's demands and how soon do they want them filled?

Your informant, Fle'xx, did not know.

John Groszkiewicz wrote:
>If they do shut down both life support buildings - how long will
>Metroshere last?  
>Bottom line - if the life support is shut down how long do we have to
>retake the buildings and start things up again?

The Central Computer Spire as well as all power plants, medical centers and
disaster recovery facilities have their own independent life support
generators.  The rest of the city could possibly last 20 hours without life
support--perhaps longer if someone makes use of ingenuity.

John Groszkiewicz wrote:
>Oh, and one more :)  -- has word of this action "reached the streets"? 
>Just wondering if we are going to have a paniced populace to deal with.

With a demonstration of this magnitude it's almost impossible to hide it
from the public--and considering demonstrationist logic, this is probably
the intended effect.  However, Streel Corp. controls the local media and is
working hard to give a downplayed representation of events that will reduce
the chances of city-wide panic.

From:  John Groszkiewicz (Tork)

I've been trying to figure out what Tork wants to do this month and keep coming up with 
loads of variables. :)  Anyways, I've decided to try and list things in priority and see 
how far down the list I (we) get.

1) Subdue Kare and get her taken care of.  I sent a note on this previously and it still 
stands - Tork will try a tangler grenade first then, if necessary, enter hand-to-hand.  
He will use his Martial Arts nearve combat skill to try and knock Kare unconscious.

If possible Tork will keep himself between Kare and the door to prevent 'escape'.  If 
she does manage to get out Tork will do what ever is necessary to 'bring her back 
alive'.

2) Tork agrees with Urugg that Fle'xx must be informed of the Red Eye outbreak.  Tork 
feels we also need to pass this information on to Captain Ap-Harrow.  While talking to 
Captain Ap-Harrow Tork will offer his help with the life support building situation.

If Tork's help is accepted he will find out who to report to and proceed there.  Once on 
the scene Tork will do what he can.  Although Tork will make the offer of help, I don't 
think the Captain is going to accept.  John has the feeling that the Captain sees us as 
a bunch of hired guns usurping her authority.  I could, and hope I am, wrong about this. 
 If Tork gets a chance to talk to Captain Ap-Harrow he will try to diplomatically bring 
it up so that his fears are either confirmed or put to rest.

3) With Kare shooting at Urugg, Tork has not had much time to start thinking about the 
situation.  Once Kare is subdued and Tork finds out about the riot his military mind set 
will start to take suggest that the life support situation may be a diversion for more 
shadow activity.  It may not have been planned that way but if Tork was stealing 
supplies what better time then while the police are busy elsewhere?  In light of this 
Tork will ask Syzygy to make a quick check to see if there are any warehouses that have 
*not* been hit yet and what is in them.  He will then suggest some of the team move to a 
central location and wait for an attack.

Okay, once thins slow down ( if they ever do  ) Tork will definatly need some R&R.

A) Once the Life Support buildings are back under control Tork will ask Syzygy to run a 
list of supplies that were stolen.  While Syzygy is making this list Tork will start a 
list of supplies he would need/want if he were setting up a base camp.  Tork will then 
compare the two list and try to figure out what the thieves need and where it is 
located.  Once this is done perhaps we can set up a trap.  Monitor one warehouse after 
designing a false inventory list to lure the theives in. :)

B) Tork will want take time to hit the local bar for some popcorn, beer, and hopefully a 
some good Yazarian cooking. ;)  If Syzygy starts complaining about the computer system 
Tork will suggest he needs a break and ask him along.  Other group members will be given 
a general 'Hey, anyone want to go get a brew and some food?' invitation.

If noone accepts Tork's invitation he will say to Urugg - "I here they have good 
Yazarian food."  If it is still a case of no one else going Tork will head down and grab 
dinner and a six pack to go then return to his room.

C) Tork also wants to go to the dome in G15 ( with Urugg ) and try to find Cimmy.  I 
would like to find out more about what she knows about 'the shadows'.

D) Tork will also spend some time on finding out what Star's Arm's demands are.

Just one more thing - until this outbreak of Red Eye is contained Tork 
will not go anywhere unarmed.  Although he woun't get away with having 
his rifle with him all the time he will carry as much of his 'loaded for 
bear' outfitting as he can.

This month I'll be spending 3 experiance points, 1 point each to:

1) Raise Battle Rage from 6% to 7%
2) Raise Int from 50 to 51
3) Raise Log from 50 to 51

Just wondering: What is Fle'xx's official title/position?

GM Response:  
He is one of several "Assistants to the Director," Selson Streel being the
"Director."  On Metrosphere, the "Director" is the lead position--analagous
to a city mayor, a state governor, an organization's president or CEO, etc.

More specifically, Fle'xx has been assigned as a liaison between your team
and Selson Streel, since Selson's schedule is too busy to handle everything
personally.  Fle'xx acts directly under the auhtority of Selson.

From:  Ruben Rivera (Kare)

Kare, being of torn body and rage infested mind, would like to remind
everyone of her hard work, promoteing teamwork, friendship and racial
unity, so...be gentle.

Second, once she gets her mind straight she will remind Urugg about the
cook with the goggles.  She would agree with Tork about notifying
Captain Ap-Apeface about the redeye outbreak.  She will suggest that
Zane be given a shot. If anyone (Mr. Johnson) would like to comment on
the synthetic nature of our police chief, she will suggest calling flex
the bug, and tell him about the redeye.  Once everything slows down she
going to suggest we take a covert visit to Ap's office, thats later.

Third, Johns comment about diversionary assault is worth remembering,
but hard evidence requires us to react.  Kare wants to retake the
airstations, shooting our way in if he have to. 

				Cute and cuddlely 
					Kare

From:  Albin Johnson (Syzygy)

(About Syzygy's difficulties in freeing up personnel access with the Spire
representative:)

>"Hmm. . ." says the Dralasite. Id seems truly perplexed. "You're authorized,
>but the program isn't accepting your authorization.
>Yes, it looks like the security algorithm of this program has been altered
>since your authorization was entered into the system.
>This should be easy enough to fix."
>
>"Does this happen often?"
>
>The Dralasite is about to say something, but seems to stop idself. "We at
>Streel regret any inconvenience that has been caused by
>this oversight. Please understand that the programming of the Computer Spire
>is the work of over two thousand individual
>experts, and as such may at times be subject to very occasional
>inconsistencies. We shall rectify this problem in a timely fashion
>and thank you for bringing it to our attention."

Syzygy frowns at this.  Normally, such an oversight is commonplace in the
world of programming.  Mistakes happen, especially on the scale of a
project like the Spire.  But the security measures in this mission prompted
him to be suspicious.  Besides, Syzygy was no psychosocial, but he could
tell the blob was hiding something.

"Excuse me, manager", Syzygy cuts in before the Dralasite can go, "but I'll
need to see the records on who has had access to, and who has operated on,
those particular algorithms in the last several weeks."

Syzygy produces a badge (if Streel didn't give them badges, Syzygy will
mock one together with his Streel-issued i.d.).  He puts on his best
command face, assumes his best commanding tone of voice.

"I am on an important mission for Mr. Streel himself, working through Mr.
Fle'xx.  You will concentrate a probe into that program's development and
trouble-shooting for me immediately to find out why my authorization was
altered.  I want personnel, times, workstations, everything related to that
access change.  I'm relaying my authorization codes and will require you
dump the information into a secured data bank as instructed.  I will be in
touch again, and hold you personally responsible for this task - what is
your personal computer node address?"

If the Dralasite begs the question, Syzygy will make it his personal quest
to hound him/her/id for the information.  If need be, he will look up the
address for the computer center where id is working and track id down.

>>Are these scenes programmable?  Can we change the scenes if we want?

>There are a number of scenes available to choose from--ranging from any
>imaginable nature scene to vibrant surrealism.  Creating your own scene
>would require some programming skill, but it's about as complex as writing
>a screen saver.

(more sleeze from Syzygy:)
Syzygy will find time later to program one or more holo-projectors in
T'Klkk's suite to record on command, using the contingencies he hopefully
put into place earlier when he rigged them to transmit to his room on
command and disabled the 'on' light.  From these recordings, he will access
the recreational database in the Computer Spire (should be automatic now
that he's accessed the Spire once and the info is public domain) and
download any hot images of naked Vrusk females.  He will then 'paste'
T'Klkk's head onto a suitable body and rig his room's holo-screens to
project images of her in the buff.  Of course, if anyone says they're
coming over, he'll have a readily-available back-up scene ready to switch
to.  He'll also swear Zane to secrecy about this.  If the city authorities
ask him about this (since they seem to detect every surveillance
action/device) he'll explain it as part of his mission as an investigator
for Mr. Streel and that it's hush-hush.

---------------------------------------------------

TORK:
>Hey, Syzygy.  How about fixing me up with one of those new IDs.  ( Once
>we get Kare back under control. )

(after the Kare situation is defused)
Syzygy picks up the small plasic i.d.that now sports his new identity and
credentials.  The Vrusk is visibly pleased with his newfound luck at
executing the devious tasks he was hired for.  "An honest day's pay for a
day's dishonest work...heh heh heh."  He looks at the card with
satisfaction, noting his new name and personal info just in case he's asked
to verify it orally.  "Hmmm...Taluskix Teeriv.  I knew a Taluskix once.
Waitasecond!!!  This says I'm under treatment at the Med. Center for
compulsive gambling!  Gee, I sure can pick 'em, eh?"

At Tork's request, he immediately sets himself to the task of doctoring up
a fake i.d. for the brutish Yazirian.  He doesn't mention the extra detail
he adds in his medical file fine print....the Urology report on his
impotence!  Hopefully he'll find a previous citizen to hook Tork into.
When the process is complete and this detail is _WELL_ hidden, he calls
Tork over.

"Here you go, team-mate and third-level friend...ack!  Now she's got ME
doing it!  (ahem)  Gotcha a primo cover i.d. as some schlep named Yalua
Chacuub."

Syzygy seems quite proud of his work.  He waits for anyone else to request
fake i.d.'s.

(concerning Kare's outburst)
Syzygy may or may not notice the ruckus concerning Kare and Urugg until
it's too late.  If he does notice the commotion, he too will try to stop
Kare from leaving, but more importantly will try to keep her from hurting
herself.  To this end he will grab his gyrojet pistol that sits under his
computer and which is typically loaded with tangler rounds, and fire twice
at the human female.  Even if this means gluing her and Urugg together,
it'll be worth it.

"Try a little togetherness, you two!", he quips.

----------------------------------------------------

>A) Once the Life Support buildings are back under control Tork will
> ask Syzygy to run a list of supplies that were stolen.

>located.  Once this is done perhaps we can set up a trap.  Monitor one
>warehouse after
>designing a false inventory list to lure the theives in. :)

Syzygy complies with Tork's request, calling up the lists of supplies
stolen and where and when.  To Tork's comments about setting a trap, Syzygy
becomes very excited.  Through the crunching of pistachios, he formulates
some ideas:

"Hey! (crunch, crunch)  From what you guys found out about the video
footage, don't you think maybe we're not looking deep enough?  (slurp)  I
mean, if we got holo-panels all over the place controlling the images
broadcasted or recieved by everyone in the city, doesn't it stand to reason
someone may be tampering with the panels to project a mask over these
intruders, masking them from the cameras?  (munch) Even more simple,
perhaps the holoscreens these goons are wearing are set to a specific
frequency that interferes with the panels, causing distortions in the
immediate area that play the same role as Taanik's little diversion on
nutboy in the Spire - distortion of what's really there!"

Syzygy ponders the mechanics of such a plan, then retreats to his computer
to research it.  He will call up schematics and specs of the holo-panels,
typical holo-screens (including Oni-Senada brand), and finally the
surveillance cameras.  Using these, he will try to find a computer overlay
of operational frequencies the three may use in common and that may be
hypothetically used to interfere with one another.

In tandem with this, he will try to access maintenance records to monitor
the holo-panels at the scenes of the crimes.  Specifically, he is looking
for system utilities city mechanics use to monitor the current operational
specs of the units, specs used to diagnose their operations remotely.
Hopefully he will be able to detect deviations in their settings from
normal panels.

-----------------------------------------------------------
>B) Tork will want take time to hit the local bar for some popcorn, beer, and
>hopefully a some good Yazarian cooking. ;)  If Syzygy starts complaining about
>the computer system Tork will suggest he needs a break and ask him along.

Syzygy's antennae perk up at this offer.  Could this be the hand of
friendship being extended?  It had been so long since Syzygy had been
treated as an equal - only the other races seemed to look beyond his ZED
marking.

"Why, yes, Tork, I'd love to get outa this place. (he looks over at T'Klkk)
It's turned into a regular deep-freeze in here."

Syzygy will go with Tork and observe the Yazirian's mannerisms.
Fascinating how care-free these primates were when matters other than war
and competition were involved.  Also while with Tork on the town, Syzygy
will continue his quest to score with the opposite sex.

"There's GOTTA be some action on this rock!"

If time doesn't permit Syzygy to do all his research via computer AND have
a life, he'll sacrifice the eavesdropping task (below) saving it for later.
Perhaps he'll ask Kare or Taanik to take over computer operations at the
team's HQ.
---------------------------------------------------


>D) Tork will also spend some time on finding out what Star's Arm's demands are.

Syzygy believes that Streel, or at least First Landing's law enforcement
body, is keeping the team in the dark.  Syzygy will use the earlier offer
and try to contact Selson to ask him about the situation.  If this fails,
he will try to hack into the city's chronocom transmission relay center
(equivalent of cel. phone cel routers) and try to eavesdrop (equiv. of a
police scanner) on what the authorities are saying about the terrorist
situation.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Kare said:
> Third, Johns comment about diversionary assault is worth remembering,
> but hard evidence requires us to react.  Kare wants to retake the
> airstations, shooting our way in if he have to.
> My only concern with this would be stray fire damaging the equipment.  Of
>course... If
we wait until the riot is over and just take out the 'winners'

Syzygy is in full support of a clandestine operation to take back the life
support stations.  He is adament about not telling the authorities in
advance.  Perhaps someone could coordinate things from the HQ and stand
ready to tell the police if the team is caught in crossfire or something.
He will only agree to perform this duty if T'Klkk stays behind at HQ, but
may be persuaded even if she is not.
---------------------------------------------------------------

Syzygy's Declarations for end of month:
Current XP: 20
Syzygy will train for Computer Skill level 3, costing 12 XP
Residual XP: 8

Syzygy's purchases:
Syzygy will access T'Klkk's credit history and personnel file to research
her interests.  Based on these, he will have a dozen flowers native to
Vruskan culture delivered to her and purchase her favorite confections
and/or bodily aromatics/oils packaged and hand-delivered to her apartment.
He will spend up to 150 credits on these purchases, the actual amount left
up to the GM.

From:  Dan Biediger (Zane)

Zane will investigate the virus, and pull up the information we have 
recieved. As a precaution he will give himself a dose of antibody. At 
some point he will move into the main living area...

"Hey guys, I want to make sure that none of us are infected, so I'd like 
to...  What the hell??"
Standing in the door way, confused, until the realization sets in.
"Oh, no. Not again!! Where's my gun?  Hey, somebody grab her!!"
At this point, I'll run back and grab my med-kit. I'll wait until someone 
can subdue Kare and then I'll begin treatment. If she escapes the 
apartment, I will follow. If she makes an agressive move into the 
bedroom, I'll shut the door and block her out. I'll give her a shot of 
antibody, but if she seems to be uncontrollable I'll give her a shot of 
staydose as well.
As soon as the incident with Kare is resolved, I'll contact the medical 
center and report an outbreak of "the Rage". I will speak to the highest 
authority and try to convince them of the seriousness of the situation. 
I'll recommend immediate action to prevent injury and curtail the spread 
of the virus. As a precaution against wide spread panic, I'll suggest a 
disaster training drill. All citizens are to be informed of a disaster 
training drill, and are required to go to their homes and remain there 
until contacted, in person, by a disaster relief team. The story will 
continue that, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of emergency 
contingencies, the drill begins NOW! I will contact the police and speak 
directly to Captain Ap-Harrow. I will explain the situation and the plan. 
I will request and then demand action. Once the plan in in motion, I'll 
give the entire team a quick examination, to be sure that noone else is 
infected or a carrier.
I tend to agree with the idea that the virus and the hostage situation 
are cover for some other plot. With this disaster plan in effect, the 
streets should be cleared. I'll suggest that we proceed to the storage 
areas and be on the lookout for more thefts or terrorist attacks. I'll 
bring along my IR goggles and a camera. Also, I'll don a space suit, 
since it will be the best contamination protection, and well, just in 
case the atmosphere goes...
I don't think we should get involved with the negotiations with the 
Star's Arm 'terrorists', and I really dont think we should get involved 
with storming the atmosphere processor. We might consider it if the 
stake-out of the storage area doesn't pan out.
On the way to the storage areas, I'll question Urugg(and Kare if she can 
make it) about the events of the day in order to establish the chain of 
infection.

Whew! I guess that'll about do it for now.
Zane

From:  John Groszkiewicz (Tork)

Albin Johnson wrote:
> 
> "Hey! (crunch, crunch)  From what you guys found out about the video
> footage, don't you think maybe we're not looking deep enough?  (slurp)  I
> mean, if we got holo-panels all over the place controlling the images
> broadcasted or recieved by everyone in the city, doesn't it stand to reason
> someone may be tampering with the panels to project a mask over these
> intruders, masking them from the cameras?  (munch) Even more simple,
> perhaps the holoscreens these goons are wearing are set to a specific
> frequency that interferes with the panels, causing distortions in the
> immediate area that play the same role as Taanik's little diversion on
> nutboy in the Spire - distortion of what's really there!"
> 

Hmmm.... You got me thinking - perhaps they are using a variation on Hollywood's "Blue 
screen" Technology.  The intruders are wearing a single color suit, the secrutity 
display programs have been "programed" that that is a "transparent" color and to display 
the underlying background color.   They intruders either have a suit like the alien in 
the movie "Preditor" or they are using the same techniques that the movie industry used 
to make the Preditor 'invisible'.

> Syzygy ponders the mechanics of such a plan, then retreats to his computer
> to research it.  He will call up schematics and specs of the holo-panels,
> typical holo-screens (including Oni-Senada brand), and finally the
> surveillance cameras.  Using these, he will try to find a computer overlay
> of operational frequencies the three may use in common and that may be
> hypothetically used to interfere with one another.

Please also check to see if their are any colors marked as a 'tranparent mask'.

TTFN
John                                 johngroz@ncinter.net

From:  John Whitfield (T'Klkk)

>
> 
> Syzygy produces a badge (if Streel didn't give them badges, Syzygy will
> mock one together with his Streel-issued i.d.).  He puts on his best
> command face, assumes his best commanding tone of voice.
> 
> "I am on an important mission for Mr. Streel himself, working through Mr.
> Fle'xx.  You will concentrate a probe into that program's development and
> trouble-shooting for me immediately to find out why my authorization was
> altered.  I want personnel, times, workstations, everything related to that
> access change.  I'm relaying my authorization codes and will require you
> dump the information into a secured data bank as instructed.  I will be in
> touch again, and hold you personally responsible for this task - what is
> your personal computer node address?"
> 
> If the Dralasite begs the question, Syzygy will make it his personal quest
> to hound him/her/id for the information.  If need be, he will look up the
> address for the computer center where id is working and track id down.
> 

As soon as Syzygy begins his interaction with the poor Dralasite on the other 
end of the vid-link, T'Klkk's antennae will twitch twice as if shooing away a 
fly before pointing in Syzygy's direction.  A bystander not accustomed to Vrusk
behaviour would assume that her action is nothing more than a tick from too 
many hours in front of a computer screen and that she is totally oblivious to 
the entire exchange between the cavalier male branded as a 'Zed' and the 
work-a-day-drone of a Dralasite.  Her multi-lensed eyes remain focused on her 
own screen as she pours through list upon list of raw data, tirelessly trying 
to locate a pattern which will give her teammates an edge.  Occasionally she 
will reach over to make a note before scrolling further through the list.

Syzygy brings to abrupt closure his conversation with the exhasperated 
Dralasite.  With a flourish of couched threats and puffed-up indignation that 
his authority, granted by Streel himself, would dare be challenged, the Zed 
closes the link and gives an almost human "hmmmmpf!" as if to say, "I guess I 
told id a thing or two!"

Never moving her eyes from her work, without so much as an interruption to the 
rhythm of her scrolling and note-taking, T'Klkk clicks her mandibles together 
in a Vrusk expression of satisfaction.  "Seven degrees of admiration and 
respect, cell-mate-Syzygy, for the way you handled that interaction.  
Clear, efficient, effective.  You are not Zed."

Not missing a beat, T'Klkk continues with her work.  Secretly, she thinks to 
herself, "Although cell-mate-Syzygy is most erratic and un-Vrusklike in his 
behaviour, and at times is down-right annoying, his unpredictability can take 
others off guard and may one day provide us with a split-second edge which 
could save this entire cell.  It would definitely be dire circumstances, 
though!  I must file this away for future reference and consideration.  
Perhaps I should spend more time with cell-mate-Syzygy in hopes of learning 
how to better anticipate and capitalize on the chaos he is able to 
channel....if I could only keep his eyes off my ovipositors!
Enough distraction.  Self-T'Klkk must return to work."

From:  Andy Campbell (Urugg)

<< "Hey guys, I want to make sure that none of us are infected, so I'd like 
 to...  What the hell??"
 Standing in the door way, confused, until the realization sets in.
 "Oh, no. Not again!! Where's my gun?  Hey, somebody grab her!!"
 At this point, I'll run back and grab my med-kit. I'll wait until someone 
 can subdue Kare and then I'll begin treatment. If she escapes the 
 apartment, I will follow.  >>

It just dawned on me that if Kare does make it out the door, passersby might
get the wrong idea what's going on.  A crazed human female in bloodied, torn
clothing bursts out of an apartment door with several armed "thugs" in
pursuit...  


[Urugg, suddenly skidding to a stop]
"Hey Tork - why are all these citizens aiming guns at us?"  

[citizen A]  "Awwright there boys.  You jest put that guhn down reeal slow
and leave the little lady alone"  

What was that about the best-laid plans of men and monkeys?  : P

From:  Albin Johnson (Syzygy)

Zane said:
>I tend to agree with the idea that the virus and the hostage situation
>are cover for some other plot. With this disaster plan in effect, the
>streets should be cleared. I'll suggest that we proceed to the storage
>areas and be on the lookout for more thefts or terrorist attacks. I'll
>bring along my IR goggles and a camera. Also, I'll don a space suit,
>since it will be the best contamination protection, and well, just in
>case the atmosphere goes...

(A little 'Twelve Monkeys' scenario, eh?)

SYZYGY: "I think you'll find
a) the bureaucracy of the gov't may stall any action for an emergency
b) the populace, unless I miss my guess, may be stubborn about obeying drills"

"If we want to catch these 'terrorists' in the act, i agree with the
earlier plan to lay some bait.  I can get on the horn with the Spire
(hopefully) and start a highly-visible food shipment report idea with
Fle'xx's cooperation, maybe that'll attract some attention.  If the Star's
Arm thing is a red herring, maybe we as a group need to think up a 'Double
Blind' model that will cause the gov't here to show their hand.  I'm not
sure exactly how we can do this, it depends on if the Star's Arm is working
with them or against them and whether they're using them to cover something
bigger or just using them as scapegoats.  No point in being overly cynical
- let's concentrate on catching them first - maybe we can establish some
sort of discourse, feel things out."

Syzygy returns to his computer, having made little enough sense for the
time being.

Tork said:

>Hmmm.... You got me thinking - perhaps they are using a variation on
>Hollywood's "Blue
>screen" Technology.  The intruders are wearing a single color suit, the
>secrutity
>display programs have been "programed" that that is a "transparent" color and
>to display
>the underlying background color.   They intruders either have a suit like the

>Please also check to see if their are any colors marked as a 'tranparent mask'.

OOC: Yes, I see your point, like in the generation of gif images, Graphic
Converter allows pure white (or whatever color you deem) as transparent,
hollowing out all white areas - very interesting.

Syzygy will highlight this as a key search objective in his study of the
systems' schematics.

From:  John Whitfield (T'Klkk)

When we last saw our heroes....

The most pressing issue at the end of the Late September Story was subduing 
the ailing Kare.  Since Urugg, Tork, and Syzygy have all declared actions to 
accomplish this, T'Klkk will stay back from the fray to keep the scene from 
becoming too chaotic.  She will, however, yell warnings and offer advice 
(i.e. "Duck, Syzygy!", "Urugg, try to cut her off!", "Good tactic, Tork.")
She will also have her pistol (projectile) ready and will not hesitate to fire 
if Kare tries to escape the room; she will aim for the leg, if at all 
possible, to bring her teammate down quickly and efficiently, taking as 
careful aim as time will allow; if a clear leg shot is not available to her, 
she will go for the shoulder (preferrably the one carrying a weapon) to try to 
knock Kare to the ground.  Well chosen single shots, ONLY!!  No spray/barrage.
If, by some miracle, Kare is able to avoid all of us and gets out the door, 
T'Klkk will plow after her full speed; when she is within a reasonable 
distance to do so, T'Klkk will throw her Nightstick at Kare's legs in hopes of 
tripping her up and bringing her to the ground.  If at that point, none of us 
have been able to subdue her, I say we all hang our heads in shame, resign 
from our positions with Streel, and run for public office!  :-)

Once this immediate problem is resolve, and T'Klkk has every confidence (six 
degrees of confidence, in fact) that it will be, she will move on to the next 
most pressing issue:

"Teammates:  now that we have cared for teammate-Kare, we should proceed with 
quelling the Star's Arm riot as requested by employer-Fle'xx.  Since both Tork 
and I have training in dealing with situations such as this, it is logical 
that we both be involved on-site.  Teammate-Kare will need rest, so she should 
stay here.  Teammate-Zane has volunteered to contact the infirmiry to inform 
them of the Laconian Red Eye outbreak.  He can also look after Kare and serve 
as command post coordinator.  Will this be acceptable, Teammate-Zane?  It 
would not hurt to have tech support at the command center as well; in 
addition, since teammate-Zane is human and may be succeptable to this virus, 
either teammate-Syzygy or teammate-Taanik should also stay behind.

"The rest of us should proceed to the site of the riot.  There is likely to be 
need of a medic, so teammate-Urugg's presence will be needed.  (Insert name of 
remaining tech, either Syzygy or Taanik) will be the fourth member of this 
team.  If we split up, we should do so in pairs, with teammate-Tork and 
self-T'Klkk being on different teams.  Perhaps teammate-Urugg would want to 
join T'Klkk?  

"We have already seen that anaesthetic barbs from a needler gun are useless, 
so there is no point in using them in this confrontation.  We must subdue 
rather than kill the rioters, and we need to bring the situation under 
control as quickly as possible without the loss of life.  Any suggestions?"


If T'Klkk can find a water main or fire plug near the riot, she will try crowd 
control using a water hose.  If she cannot hold the hose by herself, she will 
call to Urugg to help her.  If this or some similar alternative (i.e. 
pneumatic tube) is not an option, she will remain at ranged distance from the 
scene rather than joining the fray.  She will lob her doze and tangler grenade 
(she's only carrying one of each).  Then, she will fire a warning shot into 
the air and use her Leadership to try to bring order (I know, she would 
probably have better luck trying to sell tanning beds in hell, but hey she's 
got to try!).  :-)  As a last resort, she will take carefully aimed leg shots 
at those who appear to be totally out of control in an attempt to bring them 
down without causing too much damage.  If one of her teammates has a better 
solution which does not involve shooting into the crowd, she will definitely 
jump on it and support it vocally.  Otherwise, she will rationalize that 
desperate times call for desperate measures....

T'Klkk will take care to keep tabs on the location of her teammates.  If she 
notes that one is in trouble, that is where she will concentrate her efforts 
while relaying to others the situation.  If at all possible, she will head for 
a strategic location above the riot so that she can see all that is going on 
and can take pot shots at her convenience.  If Tork dives headlong into the 
melee, T'Klkk will try to be his eyes to keep him aware of how the conflict is 
progressing (i.e. "Teammate-Tork, two more rioters have fallen.  Bystanders 
are helping 30 meters to your left and seem to be successful.  A human armed 
with a wrench is coming up behind you.  If you move 20 meters ahead and to the 
right, you will find a pocket of strong resistance, all armed with handguns." 
etc.)

Immediately after the riot is calmed, and again she has confidence (but only 4 
degrees this time) that this will occur, she will assess the condition of her 
teammates and of those who have fallen.  Although she has no medical training, 
she will help in any way that she can (i.e. holding down people until a medic 
can hypospray them, applying bandages as directed by a medic, helping to carry 
a stretcher, etc.).

Once this little fiasco has come to closure, T'Klkk will go to an arms store 
to buy weapons as follows:
        1 Electric Sword (which will be set immediately on Stun)
        1 Power Backpack
        4 Power Clips
        2 Doze Grenades
        2 Tangler Grenades
Layne:  I haven't checked my credits to see if I have enough, but between what 
I had left over from start-up and what I've earned to date, there should be 
plenty.  If not, let me know and I'll edit the "wish list".

At some point, T'Klkk will try to locate a Vrusk who would be willing to train 
her in Chi-n'aa, a form of Vrusk nerve combat.  (Spend 3 experience points for
Martial Arts Level 1).

My previous list of actions were, for the most part, short-term, immediate 
crisis related.  The more long term issue of ferreting out the saboteurs and 
bringing an end to their activities still remains.  As far as how to proceed, 
T'Klkk will advocate for a group meeting (without Fle'xx present) to discuss 
how the entire team should proceed.  If possible, she will attempt to arrange 
such a meeting.  If there are fears on the part of others that conversations 
in our rooms may be monitored, T'Klkk will agree to hold the meeting in a 
secluded public place or at a park.  Actually, that doesn't sound like such a 
bad idea.

"Teammates.  I have called us all together so that we can all touch base and 
come to a common agreement on how this team should proceed.  We have gathered
a lot of information, have come across several leads, and have heard some 
great suggestions from one another.  But, we do not have a clear, focused plan 
of action.  If we are to succeed, it is necessary that we formulate such a 
plan.  Each of us brings strengths, and we are starting to learn how to rely 
on one another.  We are a good team, and we can become a great team."  
(at this point there is patriotic music in the background)  Just kidding.  :-)

"Teammate-Syzygy has commented that he believes the colony's law enforcement 
is not sharing all the information that they have available to the.  'Keeping 
us in the dark' were the word he used, I believe."  T'Klkk will nod her head 
slightly at Syzygy and click in acknowledgement of him.  "I must agree.  In 
fact, I believe that we are ...er... in the dark on several fronts.  At one 
point Syzygy was trying to run a program which failed because of a system 
error; the supervisor at the Computer Spire, Rejj, indicated that there was a 
problem with the security algorithm even though Syzygy did indeed have the 
appropriate authorization.  When Syzygy asked if this problem occurs often, 
Rejj responded with a standard line used by all the help-techs.  As you know, 
Vrusks are able to discern subtle nuances in social patterns because of the 
intricies of Vrusk society.  Well, it was obvious to me that Rejj did not want 
to admit that these problems are apparently occuring with some degree of 
frequency.  We should keep this in mind when using the colony computer.  In 
fact, as far as I am concerned, nothing that we store on-line is secure.  I 
suggest that we all approach our work with this perspective."

T'Klkk looks around the group for discussion.

"While not wanting to sound paranoid, these are the circumstances under which 
we are apparently working.  I have opted to not include a representative of 
our employer in this discussion because at this point I'm not sure who is or 
is not involved in what appears to be a cover-up of information which should 
be readily available to us.  What do others of you think?"

She will again wait for discussion.

"I suggest that we make a list of all the facts that we know.  A list of all 
leads that we may have.  A list of all suspicions or guesses.  And, from those 
lists, we should formulate our plan."

At this point, she will wait for feedback from others.  Her ultimate goal is 
to slow down the pace of things, get everyone to look at all of the pieces of 
the puzzle at once, and then come up with a group decision on the appropriate 
action to take.

From:  Albin Johnson (Syzygy)

(XP declarations)
Current XP: 20
Syzygy will train for Computer Skill level 3, costing 12 XP
Residual XP: 8

Syzygy's Declarations, in order of priority
-------------------------------------------------
1. address the glitch in our team's computer access
2. research the holo panels and devise a way to mask holoscreens or other
hypothetical objects
3. complies with Tork's request, calling up the lists of supplies
stolen and where and when
4. fake an i.d. for Tork
5. party with Tork downtown, look for some 'action'
6. ask Selson Streel about Star's Arm demands, tap into chronocom records
if need be
7. volunteer for the mission to re-take the l.s. stations
8. make purchases for T'Klkk
9. rig T'Klkk's apartment holo-panels and reprogram his own to display her
10. fire tanglejet rounds at Kare
11. (if not now, then later:) visit the abandoned monorail and place the
earlier mentioned whip-wire device that will record and relay to my
chronocom any motion activity along the deserted rail line

-------------------------------------------------
(speaking to the Dralasite tech support employee on the monitor)

"Excuse me, manager", Syzygy cuts in before the Dralasite can go, "but I'll
need to see the records on who has had access to, and who has operated on,
those particular algorithms in the last several weeks."

Syzygy produces a badge (if Streel didn't give them badges, Syzygy will
mock one together with his Streel-issued i.d.).  He puts on his best
command face, assumes his best commanding tone of voice.

"I am on an important mission for Mr. Streel himself, working through Mr.
Fle'xx.  You will concentrate a probe into that program's development and
trouble-shooting for me immediately to find out why my authorization was
altered.  I want personnel, times, workstations, everything related to that
access change.  I'm relaying my authorization codes and will require you
dump the information into a secured data bank as instructed.  I will be in
touch again, and hold you personally responsible for this task - what is
your personal computer node address?"

If the Dralasite begs the question, Syzygy will make it his personal quest
to hound him/her/id for the information.  If need be, he will look up the
address for the computer center where id is working and track id down.

-------------------------------------------------
Syzygy calls up schematics and specs of the holo-panels,
typical holo-screens (including Oni-Senada brand), and finally the
surveillance cameras.  Using these, he will try to find a computer overlay
of operational frequencies the three may use in common and that may be
hypothetically used to interfere with one another.

In tandem with this, he will try to access maintenance records to monitor
the holo-panels at the scenes of the crimes.  Specifically, he is looking
for system utilities city mechanics use to monitor the current operational
specs of the units, specs used to diagnose their operations remotely.
Hopefully he will be able to detect deviations in their settings from
normal panels.

Syzygy will highlight the possibility of a 'transparent' color recognized
by the holo-panels throughout the city as a key search objective in his
study of the
systems' schematics.  He'll try to rig a computer model simulating this process.
-------------------------------------------------
Syzygy complies with Tork's request, calling up the lists of supplies
stolen and where and when.
-------------------------------------------------
At Tork's request, he immediately sets himself to the task of doctoring up
a fake i.d. for the brutish Yazirian.  He doesn't mention the extra detail
he adds in his medical file fine print....the Urology report on his
impotence!  Hopefully he'll find a previous citizen to hook Tork into.
When the process is complete and this detail is _WELL_ hidden, he calls
Tork over.
-------------------------------------------------
Syzygy will go with Tork and observe the Yazirian's mannerisms.
Fascinating how care-free these primates were when matters other than war
and competition were involved.  Also while with Tork on the town, Syzygy
will continue his quest to score with the opposite sex.

If time doesn't permit Syzygy to do all his research via computer AND have
a life, he'll sacrifice the eavesdropping task (below) saving it for later.
Perhaps he'll ask Kare or Taanik to take over computer operations at the
team's HQ.
-------------------------------------------------
Syzygy will use the earlier offer
and try to contact Selson to ask him about the situation.  If this fails,
he will try to hack into the city's chronocom transmission relay center
(equivalent of cel. phone cel routers) and try to eavesdrop (equiv. of a
police scanner) on what the authorities are saying about the terrorist
situation.
-------------------------------------------------
Syzygy is in full support of a clandestine operation to take back the life
support stations.  He is adament about not telling the authorities in
advance.  Perhaps someone could coordinate things from the HQ and stand
ready to tell the police if the team is caught in crossfire or something.
He will only agree to perform this duty if T'Klkk stays behind at HQ, but
may be persuaded even if she is not.
-------------------------------------------------
Syzygy's purchases:
Syzygy will access T'Klkk's credit history and personnel file to research
her interests.  Based on these, he will have a dozen flowers native to
Vruskan culture delivered to her and purchase her favorite confections
and/or bodily aromatics/oils packaged and hand-delivered to her apartment.
He will spend up to 150 credits on these purchases, the actual amount left
up to the GM.
-------------------------------------------------
Syzygy will find time later to program one or more holo-projectors in
T'Klkk's suite to record on command, using the contingencies he hopefully
put into place earlier when he rigged them to transmit to his room on
command and disabled the 'on' light.  From these recordings, he will access
the recreational database in the Computer Spire (should be automatic now
that he's accessed the Spire once and the info is public domain) and
download any hot images of naked Vrusk females.  He will then 'paste'
T'Klkk's head onto a suitable body and rig his room's holo-screens to
project images of her in the buff.  Of course, if anyone says they're
coming over, he'll have a readily-available back-up scene ready to switch
to.  He'll also swear Zane to secrecy about this.  If the city authorities
ask him about this (since they seem to detect every surveillance
action/device) he'll explain it as part of his mission as an investigator
for Mr. Streel and that it's hush-hush.
-------------------------------------------------
Syzygy may or may not notice the ruckus concerning Kare and Urugg until
it's too late.  If he does notice the commotion, he too will try to stop
Kare from leaving, but more importantly will try to keep her from hurting
herself.  To this end he will grab his gyrojet pistol that sits under his
computer and which is typically loaded with tangler rounds, and fire twice
at the human female.  Even if this means gluing her and Urugg together,
it'll be worth it.

From:  John Whitfield (T'Klkk)

At some point between what happens in T'Klkk's declared actions in my first

note and the big meeting described in my second note, T'Klkk will approach Urugg.

"Greetings, teammate-Urugg.  I was thinking that perhaps you and I should 
discuss further my use of the term 'cell'.  Would you join me for a meal so
that we can continue this discussion?"

Actually, she won't take 'no' for an answer.  Once she gets him away from the 
group, she will head for the cafeteria where Urugg and Kare saw the human 
wearing goggles.  T'Klkk suspects that this woman may be the original carrier 
of the Laconian Red Eye epidemic. What's worse, T'Klkk suspects that this 
carrier is doing so intentionally and that the goggles are to hid the fact 
that she is infected.  

T'Klkk wants to get this woman for questioning, but she wants to try to do so 
quitely without involving a lot of people.  She will clue Urugg in on this,
but only in areas where she is certain that they will not be overheard.

Her plan of action is, quite frankly, an ambush.  She wants to make sure that 
Urugg IDs the woman.   Then, they will wait until the woman leaves and try to 
find an opportunity to snag her when others aren't around to witness, using
non-lethal means, of course.  Kinda hard to question a dead person! Tangler 
grenade, doze grenade, zap from a stunstick or electric sword, or a dose of
sedative from a hypospray are all likely ways of accomplishing this.

If Urugg is resistant and wants to talk to the others, T'Klkk will be hesitant 
but will give in if he really thinks it best to involve the rest of the 
group.  Otherwise, she will try to proceed as quickly as possible with her 
plan of action with Urugg's help.

The information wanted:
        is this woman an infected carrier of Laconian Red Eye?
        is she aware that she is carrying? 
        if so, is she doing so willingly or under duress?
        if willingly, why and for whom?
        if unwillingly, why and for whom?

If we do find that she is the carrier, we will take her back to the group and 
decide from there how we want to proceed.

If, by some cruel twist of fate, she is totally innocent and is not a carrier, 
we will apologize profusely, indicate that we are investigating any and all
possible leads related to the terrorist activities, and express our regrets
for our mistake in identifying her as a suspect.  If she is really irate 
(albeit rightly so) and wants to speak to someone in charge (i.e. our boss), 
I'll give her Syzygy's name and vid-phone address.  :-)

Let me know if any of this is doable

From:  Ruben Rivera (Kare)

When Kare is better, maybe she and the other techs could get together,
and decide what we will each "Major in".  Plus if we are going to hit
the Life Support units or if we chose to ambush Star Arms activist we
should try to create a diversary holoprogram, to limit phsycial damage
to our team. A holoprogram that produces another "team" of agents or
cops, they could be standing and or shooting.

Just a thought
Ruben Rivera

From:  John Groszkiewicz (Tork)

John W Whitfield wrote:
> 
> "While not wanting to sound paranoid, these are the circumstances under which
> we are apparently working.  I have opted to not include a representative of
> our employer in this discussion because at this point I'm not sure who is or
> is not involved in what appears to be a cover-up of information which should
> be readily available to us.  What do others of you think?"
> 
> She will again wait for discussion.

Tork will bring up the fact that Fle'xx claims to not know what Star's Arm's demands 
are.

At first I  thought that this was because their demands were not central to the 
story so Layne had not outlined them.  Then I started thinking about some of the groups 
that I had developed for my AD&D game -- they all had reasons for existing.  From what 
I've seen Layne is a better ref them me so I am doubting that Fle'xx's "lack of 
knowledge" is due to a referee oversite.

TTFN
John                                 johngroz@ncinter.net

From:  Albin Johnson (Syzygy)

>As soon as Syzygy begins his interaction with the poor Dralasite on the other
>end of the vid-link, T'Klkk's antennae will twitch twice as if shooing away a
>fly before pointing in Syzygy's direction.

>"Seven degrees of admiration and
>respect, cell-mate-Syzygy, for the way you handled that interaction.
>Clear, efficient, effective.  You are not Zed."

Syzygy catches his breath from his confrontation with Mr. Fixit, only to
hear T'Klkk's words and stop dead in his tracks.

"Um...six degrees of gratitude and eight degrees of humility, honored Fem
(equivalent to 'Lady' among Vrusk).  I, uh....(ahem), that is...thank you."

'So, it speaks!', he thinks to himself.  The comment was short and to the
point, but the impact of it couldn't have hit Syzygy harder.  Not only had
the Vrusk acknowledged his presence...she'd praised his actions.  'not
Zed..'  The remark carried volumes of therapy for him.  Another Vrusk
actually accepted him.  It was too good to be true.  Despite all the
ceremony and logic ordaining their behavior, she'd let down her guard long
enough to actually show approval.  Amazing!

Syzygy realizes after about thirty seconds that he's been standing there
staring at the female quizically like a pithed frog.  He shakes the cobwebs
from his head and turns to go into the kitchen for a snack.  He can't shake
the singular expression of praise.

'Well, whaddya know?  The ice queen approves.  Hmmmm....looks like getting
off Circe did me some good.  I'm interacting with actual people - not
pirates or smugglers, but people who call me team-mate.  Sure beats living
on the run.'

The bewildered expression eventually gives way to a wry grin.

'Heh heh - Oh yeah, I saw the way she was looking at me...'

From:  Andy Campbell (Urugg)

<< "The rest of us should proceed to the site of the riot.  There is likely to be 
 need of a medic, so teammate-Urugg's presence will be needed.  (Insert name of 
 remaining tech, either Syzygy or Taanik) will be the fourth member of this 
 team.  If we split up, we should do so in pairs, with teammate-Tork and 
 self-T'Klkk being on different teams.  Perhaps teammate-Urugg would want to 
 join T'Klkk?  
 
 "We have already seen that anaesthetic barbs from a needler gun are useless,
 so there is no point in using them in this confrontation.  We must subdue 
 rather than kill the rioters, and we need to bring the situation under 
 control as quickly as possible without the loss of life.  Any suggestions?"
>>

After Kare's situation is resolved (Layne, please consider my first email as
OFFICIAL as far as Urugg's reaction to her rage), Urugg will move on to the
(numerous) other problems we're faced with.  

"T'Klkk, I agree that the rioting situation is serious.  However, I think our
team's unique talents would be better employed countering the Star's Arm
activists who have seized the life support units.  Essential life support
functions must be considered a higher priority than quelling civil
disturbances."

Urugg will suggest that the 4-member strike team (T'Klkk, Tork, Urugg and 1
other member) go after one of the life support facilities commando-style,
attempting to seize the control facility and capture one or more leaders of
the Star's Arm (both to compel the surrender of remaining Star's Arm on site,
and to find out their demands).  The ideal means of getting in would of
course be the sci-fi staple ventilation ducts.  See below for what Urugg
takes with him. [cue Rambo music here] ; )

If the group consensus is to act on the riots instead, Urugg will comply with
that plan.  If this occurs, he will suggest taking up sniping positions on
upper balconies / gantryways / access walkways and taking out mob leaders
(and violent Red Eye loonies) from afar using anaesthetic rounds or (if
necessary) damaging rounds (ie barbed needles, bullets, etc).  Getting
involoved in a mass melee with angry crowds will only isolate team members
and expose us to too much risk - let Captain Ap-Harrow's riot cops deal with
the mess up close.  We should also have any cameras ready also so we can get
some crowd shots and maybe close-ups of riot leaders for future reference /
identification.  

In any case, he will wear his space suit (in case of blowout or other air
problems) unless it is too bulky;  he will carry with him all his weapons and
gear EXCEPT the following (ie. the stuff listed is what stays behind):

Allweather Blanket
Bladed Gloves 
Survival Rations (all)
Vitasalt Pills (all)
Water Pack

His Needler Pistol will be loaded with Anaesthetic clips;  he will load the
Needler Rifle with a Barbed clip (instead of the usual anaesthetic rounds).
 His Stunstick will be set for stun (if a more lethal melee threatens, he
will draw his sword).  As soon as he approaches any angry crowds or other
danger situation, he will put on his Gas Mask as a precaution;  until then,
he will leave it off not wanting to draw undue attention to himself.  Urugg
will try to avoid getting damaged as much as is possible (shooting from range
when he can and avoiding melees);  however, should any of his team-mates go
down, he will wade in (roll Battle Rage attempt) and do his best to help the
downed member.  He will fight on in such a situation until he has rescued his
team-mate or lost more than 1/2 his STA without any chance of succeeding.


On a more peaceful note, Urugg will suggest to whoever stays behind (perhaps
Kare or Szygy) that it might be worthwhile to try hacking into the computer
subsystems of the life support facilities and locking out the Star's Arm
activists that way.  All the pretty knobs and buttons in the world won't do
them any good if their subsystem's been shut off or rerouted.  Perhaps the
security code problem Szygy ran into was a byproduct of Star's Arm hacking
into the Spire and changing the codes to their own versions or building in
"backdoors"?...

<< "I suggest that we make a list of all the facts that we know.  A list of all 
 leads that we may have.  A list of all suspicions or guesses.  And, from those 
 lists, we should formulate our plan."
 
 At this point, she will wait for feedback from others.  Her ultimate goal is
 to slow down the pace of things, get everyone to look at all of the pieces of 
 the puzzle at once, and then come up with a group decision on the appropriate 
 action to take.
  >>

Urugg will react to this next turn - after Kare's Rage, the life support
emergency and / or the rioters have been dealt with.

<< At some point between what happens in T'Klkk's declared actions in my first 
 note and the big meeting described in my second note, T'Klkk will approach Urugg.
 
 "Greetings, teammate-Urugg.  I was thinking that perhaps you and I should 
 discuss further my use of the term 'cell'.  Would you join me for a meal so 
 that we can continue this discussion?">>

Urugg will agree to go at the first suggestion.  If time does not allow for
this suggestion and the plan below, he will undertake it with T'Klkk during
next move.
 
 <>>

I / Urugg suspected intent also.  I / Urugg would both be of the opinion that
the woman would be far from the original cafeteria by now.  If there was
intent, she would move from place to place quickly, staying inly long enough
to guarantee that humans present had a good chance of contracting the virus.
 The cafeteria may be a good place to start though;  also, assuming that we
have some time to spend, surveillance tapes in the area may have recorded
where she went when she left - also we may be able to match her face to a
citizen's (use computer imaging to remoce the goggles from image and
reconstruct remaining facial srtructure by extrapolating from visible
cheekbones, any racial characteristics as far as eyes / mouth / nose, etc)
 
 

<< Her plan of action is, quite frankly, an ambush.  She wants to make sure that 
 Urugg IDs the woman.   Then, they will wait until the woman leaves and try to 
 find an opportunity to snag her when others aren't around to witness, using 
 non-lethal means, of course.  Kinda hard to question a dead person!  Tangler
 grenade, doze grenade, zap from a stunstick or electric sword, or a dose of 
 sedative from a hypospray are all likely ways of accomplishing this.>>

Sure - most of Urugg's weapons can be used to subdue (needler, stunstick,
grenades).  However, before beating the snot out of the hapless carrier,
Urugg will try to talk her into coming along peacefully.  He will use
Psycho-Social skill to try to convince her;  depending on situation, possibly
use a cover story like he's doing market-research for Streel on Metrosphere
("Good day ma'am.  Could I have a moment of your time?  I'm doing market
research for Streel on consumer satisfaction with the Metrosphere habitat.
 If you could just come with me to our interview office, I'll only take a few
minutes of your time;  in addition, all survey participants receive up to 100
Cr in authentic Streel merchandise for their help bettering life on this
lovely moon...")  Knowing our luck, the gal's just a blind woman with those
big wraparound shades : P

If nothing else, Urugg's conversation with her will serve as a diversion
while T'Klkk moves in for a surprise strike.
 
 <>

Agreed.
 
 <>

OK from this end : )
 
 <>

No problem.  Is there time for this before the mayhem, Layne?

<< B) Tork will want take time to hit the local bar for some popcorn, beer, and hopefully a 
 some good Yazarian cooking. ;)  If Syzygy starts complaining about the computer system 
 Tork will suggest he needs a break and ask him along.  Other group members will be given 
 a general 'Hey, anyone want to go get a brew and some food?' invitation.
  If noone accepts Tork's invitation he will say to Urugg - "I here they have good 
 Yazarian food."  If it is still a case of no one else going Tork will head down and grab 
 dinner and a six pack to go then return to his room.
 
 C) Tork also wants to go to the dome in G15 ( with Urugg ) and try to find Cimmy.  I 
 would like to find out more about what she knows about 'the shadows'.
  >>

Layne - still unsure what exactly is considered official (ie. just actions
relating to the crisis at hand, or "behind the scenes" stuff too?).  Hence
the ? after OFFICIAL...

re: B)  Urugg will welcome any offer to blow off some steam.  Between
spending weeks at a time in the Histrani outback doing field research, and
now being cramped in a large tin can elbow-to-elbow with hundreds of
thousands of sentients, he's happy to kick back when he can : )  He will
cheerfully accept Tork's offer for brew-n-victuals.  On a side note, when
"off-duty" he will wear a billowing, traditional Yazirian cape over his
military skeinsuit to make it less obvious;   he always carries his stunstick
and needler pistol (thigh and hip-holstered, respectively) and his sword
(scabbarded at hip).  He will carry his other gear (excepting blanket,
rations, water pack, rope and needler rifle) in a duffel- / gym-style bag
slung over his shoulder.

re:  C) Urugg will be intrigued by the stories of the old Yazirian woman (his
fieldwork sometimes allowed him to dabble in studying traditional Yazirian
culture / ethnology).  He will accompany Tork at the earliest opportunity to
visit Cimmy.  While in the dome, he will try to fit in a good gliding workout
as well...

(will flesh out B and C if / when these options present themselves after our
current predicament)

One last thing:  while heading for a bar or on the way to the park dome,
Urugg will look to buy some magnetic gloves (similar to magnetic boots) from
a mining or maintenance workers' supply shop;  if they are not available, he
will try to buy some magnetic boots and a spare set of spacesuit gloves and
make them himself (cf.  Making Tools / Weapons skill).  The idea here is to
be able to hang onto colony structures better (ie metal railings, fixtures,
etc) in situations where Urugg needs to stay "above the action", climb
gantries / ladders etc;  he does realize that the G here is still too strong
to do a true Spiderman imitation.

From:  Ruben Rivera (Kare)

Layne, I don't know if I'm suppose to do anything this months
so if it is appropriate, please post, if not...don't.
 
 Please understand...I'm just role playing.
 
 Kare draws down on Urugg, "Your pissing me off, Monkey sh*t for
 brains...EAT SPIKES!!!"  If Kare has any of her common sense left she
 will not fire.  If not, she'll attack Urugg with her needler(which is
 nearly empthy).  If she feels that the others will attack her, she will
 start poppin dose and or tangler goo.  Withdrawing under cover of
 spikes, goo and sleepy smoke.
 
 (Okay, I'm bad...is everyone in kares apartment?  I'm out of town, in a
 motel room, and can not use the Net)
 
 If she is in her room, she will go for rifle.  If not, she try to escape
 and retrieve it, if she can.
 
 If she has a rifle, she will find a point of advantage (ie. above the
 rapid walkways) and more than likely start shooting.  Considering Kares
 background, her perferred targets would be authority figures, judges,
 police, corp. employees...which means just about everyone.
 
 If she has only her needler, she would choose targets of opportunity.
 Meaning isolated restrooms, quiet libraries(hunting down
 librarians...scared), small store clerks, making fake 911 calls and
 waiting to ambush rescue personal, school crossing guards, etc.
 
 Kare

GM Response:
AWESOME!  The only thing worse than a crazed Human is a crazed 
Human with brains.

From:  Dan Biediger (Zane)

> as command post coordinator.  Will this be acceptable, Teammate-Zane?  It 

Not a problem, considering how bad my aim was, I need to stick with medicine.

> "We have already seen that anaesthetic barbs from a needler gun are useless, 
> so there is no point in using them in this confrontation.  We must subdue 
> rather than kill the rioters, and we need to bring the situation under 
> control as quickly as possible without the loss of life.  Any suggestions?"

Zane offers his Gyrojet pistol and tangler ammo as a means of stopping 
the rioting citizens.

Zane