Prologue:
The small, one-man battleship tumbled helplessly through the void of space. It's pilot was only now regaining consciousness. Numerous lights played before his eyes. When they finally did clear, only empty space laid before him. His mind was in a whirl. More questions than he could possibly answer were in his thoughts.
The first thing he thought was where was the battle? Here, in the depths of space, the final battle of the war for the planet Aurelon was being fought. The only spectators being the twin suns of the Beta Aurigae system. The suns!
The last thing he could recall was the wild fluctuations of the small sun. And then seeming numbness.
With the skills of an expert pilot, the battleship was soon under control. The ship had sustained major damage, but would hold together long enough to land safely on Aurelon.
The ships scanners, what was left of them, came into play. And what they read he could not believe. Only one star showed on the system scan! Had the other gone Nova? Had it hurtled his vessel across the great void?
The answer was forthcoming. This was not the Beta Aurigae system. Nine planets. His scanners had located his prey. The enemies' vessel was approaching the third planet. He followed.
The third planet was a blue-green world. A world ripe for conquest, he thought. He had watched his enemy crash on this planet. The planet itself was covered by a power-draining field for some reason. When the enemy entered the field, his ship lost all power. A mistake he would not repeat. He flew in.
Instead of landing, he came in for battle. His ship's pulsar turrets fired on one of the orbiting stations that projected the darkness. It exploded in a dazzling display of light. The field of darkness flickers and then faded all together.
Satisfied, he prepared to land his vessel.
Black Tarantula sprayed a fine film of webbing over the approaching ants.
Tarantula - "Brawn, do us both a favor, squash those damn things!"
Brawn - "I can see what the problem is. I don't need the Black Flag kid telling me how to do my job."
Brawn picks up a boulder and hurtles it at the ants. Confined by the webbing, they are unable to avoid the missile. They are all hurtled further back into the tunnel.
Not waiting for Brawn's reply, Tarantula grabs the rifle and slings it over his shoulder.
Tarantula - "Rem should have warned us. Something must be wrong!"
Tarantula rapidly moves up the cliff face. He pauses for a moment to take a glance at his comrade.
At the bottom of the crevice, Brawn continued to work. His great strength was pitted against the tunnel itself. Large portions of the wall were ripped out. With a little encouraging, the tunnel collapses.
A loud rumbling fills the crevice. Dust is everywhere. A few moments later, Brawns large form emerges from the dust. He begins his ascent.
Seeing that everything is okay, Tarantula continues to climb.
Tarantula - "Wait a minute! There's an easier way to do things."
Tarantula pulls out his communicator.
Tarantula - "Hey, Rem, Eclypse, anybody!"
There is the momentary sound of static and then silence.
Tarantula - "What in the world--?? The things broke!"
Disgusted, Tarantula drops the communicator and continues to climb with spider ease.
Ten minutes later, he reaches the top of the crevice. He climbs forward only to be stopped by some invisible barrier. Tarantula is startled for a moment. There is something definitely between him and the base.
Several minutes later, Brawn catches up with Black Tarantula. Tarantula pounds on the unseen barrier, but to no use.
Brawn adds his considerable might to the task. The barrier gives slightly but does not yield.
Tarantula - "This is just great!"
Eclypse crosses the room and takes Mary's burden. Beth is placed on one of the bunks. Mary covers her with blankets.
Number 6 - "We've got to get her some insulin. Eclypse, use the medical computer to call up the formula for insulin. I'd rather not try to make it from memory. Also, see if you can find a hypodermic or the equivalent.
Mary - "I'll watch after, Beth."
Eclypse - "Right away, doctor."
Number 6 - "Keep her warm and monitor her vital signs. Let me know if there's any change in her condition.
Number 6 exits the room. After grabbing a pile of parts from the robots, he heads to the cafeteria.
On another bunk, Rem slowly opens her eyes. Holding her head, she rises.
Rem - "Ohhhh, what a headache. Who hit me with the sledgehammer?"
Her vision comes into focus. The two Beth's are before her.
Rem - "Beth, Beth? There are two of you."
Mary - "I'm Mary. She's Beth."
Rem - "What happened? Can I help any?"
Mary - "She's fallen into a coma. I'm not sure anyone can help. Number 6 seems to have an idea. They're working on it.
Rem's mind reaches out to Beth.
Rem - "Beth, can you here me? Number 6 is figuring out something to help you. Don't give up whatever you do. Stay with me. Try to grab onto my mind and hold on. You're not alone here. I know what it's like to be alone. I won't leave you here like that.
Mary - "Did you reach her?"
Rem - "I'm not sure."
The sound of laugher greets Number 6 as he enters the cafeteria. Peering over the edge, he sees Brawn and the Black Tarantula. Number 6 pulls out his communicator and calls Eclypse. Telling him of the situation, he returns to his work.
Moments later, Eclypse returns with the calculator-like device. He hits several keys, and a section of the field weakens enough for the two men to enter the cafeteria.
Brawn - "That was really intelligent. Who's the bright one who locked us out?!"
Eclypse - "Why didn't you use your communicators to tells us to let you in?"
Tarantula - "Mine didn't work."
Number 6 - "That's odd. They were functioning when I handed them out."
Tarantula - "Well, It's not functioning now. What's going on? What happened to Rem?"
Eclypse - "Beth's in a coma. We're trying to save her. I'm not sure what happened to Rem. She was sleeping.
Brawn - "Sleeping!? That little..."
Tarantula exits the cafeteria and heads to the bunkroom. Entering, he sees Rem, Mary and Beth.
Tarantula - "Rem! What happened?"
Rem - "I'll tell you in a minute, sweetie. Beth is in worse shape than I am in."
On the bunk, Beth continued to sleep, oblivious to what was going on around her. Mary was seated beside her, taking her pulse.
Mary - This is very strange. Someone get Number 6. He'll find this interesting.
Rem telepathically contacts Number 6. He and Eclypse arrive moments later.
Eclypse - "How is she?"
Number 6 - "Is she getting worse?"
Mary - "No. Her vitals are improving.
Number 6 bent down and checked for himself. Sure enough, Beth's pulse was getting stronger.
Number 6 - "I don't understand...."
Rem - "Her thoughts are stronger now."
Mary - "This doesn't make any sense."
Brawn - "Nothing here makes sense."
Beth's eyes open and she sits up.
Beth - "What happened? What's going on?"
Just then she sees herself.
Mary - "Hi, sis. How do you feel?"
Beth - "How did you--? Very weak."
Black Tarantula - "I don't get it."
Eclypse - "I wouldn't argue. Just accept the miracles as they come. Now we are all safe.
Brawn - "Do I have to do all the thinking around here? Where's Terry?"
On the surface, Terry found herself faced by six more robots. They already had the drop on her.
Robot - "Surrender-human. Resistance-is-useless.
Terry - "Forgive me, if I at least try to resist."
Terry sprints across the clearing, heading towards the tunnel leading back to the base. The robots fire, but they are to slowly to catch the fleet footed police officer. Terry jumps into the hole and starts to roll down.
Some dozen feet down the tunnel she comes to a stop. The robots have stopped firing. Several moments pass and no sound is heard from the machines.
Using her talents, Terry looks in on the robots. They are all standing in the clearing motionless. Several more minutes pass and yet the robots do not move.
Finally, Terry crawls slowly out of the tunnel, her gun leading the way. Still the robots remain motionless. Then she notices the sky. Mere moments ago, it was bright blue. It is now light gray.
Rem speaks to Terry telepathically.
Rem - "Hello, Terry. Are you all right?"
Terry - "I'm fine. Something strange is going on up here. Perhaps someone should come up and take a look.
Rem - "We're on our way."
Fifteen minutes later, Eclypse, Brawn, Rem and Black Tarantula reach the surface.
Rem - "Wow! Totally freaky!"
Terry - "The robots have remained totally motionless."
Eclypse - "Strange happenings indeed."
Just then, Tarantula's spider sense goes off. A boulder flies onto the scene and crashes into Eclypse. He is thrown across the clearing. Turning, everyone can see a large, ten-foot tall lizard like creature. Its voice is heard in the minds of those present.
Lizard - :The final battle for Aurelon begins now!!:
Spectrum's Comments: That post went into a great deal to explain what was going on. Both Eclypse and the Lizard were caught up in the same space warp that sent them back to Earth's solar system. Eclypse recovered first and headed towards Earth, the lizard trailing behind him. The lizard saw Eclypse lose power and crash. So, the lizard damaged the satellites creating the dampening field, causing it to fade. With the dampening field down, Alpha Base had power once more and the popsicles were woke up. At the same time, whoever it was who sent the robots detected the energy coming from Alpha Base and sent the robots to investigate. Those in charge of the dampening field worked on restoring it. They eventually did succeed in putting it back up, but not before Eclypse could erect a force field around the Biosphere, preventing their power from being dampened. Simple no?
Also the prologue was almost a word-per-word redo of the opening bit of Post #1.
SUBJ: BRAWN FROM: N4SIR 05/07/89 S#: 845990
"Idiots I am surrounded by Idiots and I'm trapped with the biggest one." Brawn fumes. "They turned on the forcefield with us in the crevice. I wonder which one came up with that bright idea. Look I figured that I was the muscle of this group but I thought one of the was suppose to be the brains...(looking at BT) I still haven't figured where you fit in." Brawn is somber for a moment then he begins to laugh.
SUBJ: BRAWN (R) FROM: N4SIR 05/08/89 S#: 472712
"Hey guys I hate to break up this happy coffee clutch but one of the seven dwarves is missing. And with the rocket scientist we have in this room they have more than likely have locked her out like they did Mr. Creepy crawly and yourself. So if it wouldn't bother anyone why don't you equip me with one of those garage door openers? And if itty bity REM is all rested from her nap maybe she'll point me in the right direction so I can go after her. This where all of you oh and ah and say 'Gee Brawn that's a good idea' and I go off and find her," Brawn says. "I can't believe ROGERS stuck me in the future with the OUR GANG crew," Brawn Mutters.
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 05/08/89 S#: 820460
"Can someone find Mr. Muscles some more bugs to squash? It seems to be the only thing that keeps him civil. If you want to know where Officer Terry is, why not try your communicator?"
Turning to Beth, I'll continue to check her signs. "Has anything like this happened to you before? Most people don't just come out of diabetic shock. Could it be related to your separation from Mary?"
Once I'm convinced that Beth is recovering satisfactorily, I'll return to my device, taking more time to make sure I get it right. Even though she appears fine now, it's only a reprieve. Next time, we must be ready.
"People, since it looks like we're going to be here for a while, we should explore the rest of this installation. We've barely scratched the surface, and already discovered a lot. I'm sure we'll find something of use."
SUBJ: Beth-Mary
Both woman turn and answer Number 6's question at the same time.
'No, nothing like this has ever happened before.'
Beth flashes an angry look at Mary.
'I'll do the talking' Beth says.
'Fine.'
'I've never had it come to this before, either.'
Mary starts to laugh loudly.
'What a joke! Don't you two get it? Together we carried the genetics to carry diabetes. Separated we both carry away a portion of the disease and neither one suffers. Talk about poetic justice! Your refusal to let me out caused you to be a diabetic all these years!'
Mary laughs herself silly, while Beth lies there not believing what she heard.
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 05/10/89 S#: 845359
"Beth, I think Mary's hit the nail on the head, although we can't be sure without running some tests. Despite your obvious misgivings, I think it would be best if the two of you remained two, if you catch my drift. At least for a while. The others have gone outside to check on Ms. Terry; I suggest the three of us explore some more of this base, unless you'd like to discuss this new development over in private."
I'll re-consult the map to determine which rooms we should check.
"According to the map the computer supplied, there are several rooms on this side of the chasm we haven't explored."
Whether or not Beth and Mary decide to come along, I'll check out the rooms numbered 3, 19, 22, 15, and 14, in that order. The entrance to room 13 appears to be gone, but I'll find out whatever I can about that one as well. I don't suggest that either Beth or Mary explore alone, since we know very little about this base.
SUBJ: REM FROM: REM9 05/10/89 S#: 447246
"HEY Godzilla, that's my friend you just swatted there. That's not very nice of you. This used to be a good neighborhood until punks like you came here. Why don't you go back the way you came?"
While Rem is giving here little speech, she will be picking Kermit's mind for the thing he is afraid of the most and making him face his fear up close. (If there is nothing very interesting in there anything short of King Kong will do.)
SUBJ: BRAWN FROM: N4SIR 05/12/89 S#: 399839
"REM get back inside NOW it's too dangerous for you out here...MOVE IT!!
BT Get Eclypse on his feet I'll take out the Robots you three concentrate on the
Lizard," Brawn says racing towards the robots at full steam
::ITS time for BOWLING FOR DOLLARS:: (move thru).
SUBJ: Mary-Beth
We'll accompany Number 6 in his explorations. Mary removes one of her wrist bands and uses it to draw her hair into a ponytail. This way he'll be able to tell us apart.
Lost Heroes #7 - "Leapin' Lizards!"
Mary adjusted her hair as she and Beth followed the armored form of Number 6.
Number 6 - "Based on the map the computer provided us, there are several rooms that have yet to be explored on this side of the gorge."
Mary - "Lead on, Doctor."
Beth - "This whole thing has gotten out of hand. I don't like it."
Mary - "I know... It's all right now. Here it is okay to be separated. No one here is going to judge us."
The trio reaches area number 3.
Number 6 - "I don't mean to pry, but I'm willing to listen if you want to talk about this.
Beth - "I'm not sure."
Mary - "I think it's for the best, sis. I mean the prospects of this situation are enormous. We seven might be last of our race. The future of humanity might be in our hands."
Searching the small room, you find it to be the 24th century equivalent of a janitor's closet. No ID card is needed to get access.
Beth - "Us seven propagate the human race? What a scary thought. I mean, Tarantula and Rem seem interested in each other. Who does that leave?"
Number 6 - "Brawn?"
Mary - "Hahaha... Eclypse is kind of cute."
Beth - "I suppose."
Room number 19 is another lab. Geology from the looks of it. Everything is in perfect working order here. Either ID card opens the door.
Mary - "I wonder how the others are fairing?"
Unknown the trio of explorers, the situation on the surface was getting more interesting. A ten-foot tall lizard-like creature had just appeared on the scene. I had already struck Eclypse with a boulder. It spoke telepathically to them.
Lizard - :The final battle for the Planet Aurelon begins now!:
Rem looks at the lizard.
Rem - "Hey, Godzilla! That's my friend you just swatted! That's not very nice of you."
Brawn rushes forwards and piles into the inert robots. They are completely destroyed.
Brawn - "Rem!! Get away from there! Move it!"
Tarantula appeared at Rem's side. He un-shouldered the rifle he found.
Tarantula - "For once, do what he says!"
Rem continues to stare at the lizard. Her mind trying to enter his. But, there is resistance.
Rem - "This used to be a good neighborhood until punks like you came here. Why don't you go back the way you came?"
Just then Eclypse flew into the scene. Aided by Terry, he had recovered from the surprise attack.
Eclypse - "Rem! You don't know what you're dealing with!"
Eclypse flew at the lizard; he pointed his Star Scepter at the creature. Much to his surprise, nothing happened!
Eclypse - "What?!"
Lizard - :A foolish move, Defender of Aurelon! Now you shall die!:
The lizard swatted at Eclypse, driving him across the clearing.
Tarantula - "That does it! The kid gloves are off!"
Tarantula took aim with the rifle and fired. Nothing happened.
Tarantula - "This is ridiculous! I must be cursed!"
Brawn hurtled a hunk of one of the robots. It bounced off of the lizard, knocking him back about twenty feet.
Rem - "Way-ta-go, big guy!! Make lizard burgers out of him!"
Tarantula threw the rifle away in disgust.
Tarantula - "I'm just going to have to do this the old fashioned way..."
The lizard tried to stand, but was besieged by an unseen attack. With a some difficulty, it shrugged off the mind bolt.
Rem - "It's got a thick head, Terry. Boy, could I go for a hamburger. And some fries! A shake..."
Tarantula - "REM!!! Take cover! Now!!"
Rem - "Some people are so testy."
Brawn - "Do it, rodent!!"
Rem - "Sheesh!! I think you're trying to tell me something."
Rem runs to the tunnel entrance while, Terry, Brawn and Tarantula attempt to surround the Lizard.
Rem - "How about a play mate?"
Rem concentrates and a twenty-foot tall gorilla appears before the lizard.
Lizard - :What trickery is this?:
As the lizard is taken aback by the illusion, Tarantula covers him with webbing. Once more, Eclypse comes flying in.
Eclypse - "That illusion will do you no good, Rem! Gothronians have never seen King Kong before!"
Brawn rushes in a clobbers the webbed-up lizard. The lizard is thrown deep into the forest.
Rem - "Oh, wow... Homerun."
Eclypse - "Let us press our advantage."
Eclypse flies after the creature with the rest of you in pursuit.
Back underground, we find the rest of our merry band relaxing in room # 22. This area is a lounge. Area 14 is a radiation lab. Number 6 was correct in assuming that area 13 no longer has an entrance. The crevice was swallowed up most this room. Its original purpose is unknown. (BTW: Room 30 is in similar condition.)
Beth - "You have to understand the environment I grew up in."
Mary - "We grew up in."
Beth - "...We. My... Our father was a hater of mutants. He called them freaks. Or worse.
Mary - "How could we admit that we could duplicate? Especially after..."
Beth - "After I accidentally found out that he has a member of Genocide. The organization that hunted mutants. Something that I clearly was.
Number 6 - "That does explain everything. Like Mary was saying earlier, everything is different now. All of us have unusual abilities."
Beth - "I know... This is going to take some getting use to."
Mary - "This will work out for the better. Our talents will be a great asset in revitalization our environment."
Number 6 - "I wonder how the others are doing. They've been gone for a long time."
Beth - "I'm sure that everything is alright. They would have contacted us if they we're in trouble."
Back on the surface, Brawn led Terry and Rem in pursuit of the lizard. Tarantula and Eclypse were both faster and had gone a head. After passing through thick foliage, the site before the three stunned them. The green forest had ended. Before them was a vast wasteland. The ground was barren and burned. In one step they had gone from a wooded forest to a forsaken desert.
Eclypse appeared to be down for the count, again. The lizard landed a tremendous punch on Tarantula. The web spinner was hurtled through the air and disappeared into the forest.
Rem - "Spidey!"
The lizard turns to you three.
Lizard - :This was gone on long enough! Now you will all die!:
SUBJ: REM FROM: REM9 05/15/89 S#: 452665
"Uh Brawn. If you want to protect me, please feel free. I won't stop you in the least. Matter of fact if we survive this I might even give you a big kiss. Maybe I can be of some assistance to you though." REM will concentrate and hopefully the area around Brawn will shimmer and blur for a second. When the area clears, there will be two Brawns to take on the Gorn. "This ones for Tarantula. Go get 'em big guys."
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 05/15/89 S#: 430335
"People from our time liked differences. If gave them an excuse to kill each other with righteous indignation. If it's up to us to revive the human race, I hope we can do a better job. Since we're opening up, I might as well tell you my dark secret. I don't wear this armor out of choice. If I could be rid of it, I'd do it in a second. However, if I were to do that, I'd be dead within minutes. I have a degenerative nerve disorder, which has ravaged my body, and this armor is the only thing that keeps me going. That's why I was pleased to see you, Dr. Williams... Drs. Williams? ... I know of your reputation in medical research. Between that and the resources in this base, there has to be a cure. I will not live my life in a cage."
Number 6 rises, and walks to the other side of the room, his back to Beth and Mary. "Where have those people gone? It shouldn't have taken them this long. We'd better try to raise them on our communicators."
SUBJ: Mary-Beth
'We're sorry, Number 6. We didn't realize... Kind of makes our problems seem insignificant. Of course, Number 6... The Prisoner... Your request for information on neurological disorders... It all makes sense.'
Since nothing is going on at the moment [Sorry guys;)], we'll go to the genetics lab.
'That Mendelson's Rewrite formula might be the cure you're looking for, Number 6. Let's see what this place can do at full power!'
GM Note:
You try to use your communicators to contact the people of the surface, but you get no response.
Mail From: Miss Terry Date: Wednesday 17-May-89 22:36 EDT
Try a Psionic Blast at the Lizard.
SUBJ: Miss Terry FROM: Miss Terry 05/17/89 S#: 512455
First trying the weapon she found, she fires at the Lizard. If it has no effect or little effect she concentrates on the lizard, while telling the others to take cover.
Spectrum's Comments: I just remembered another little fact about Miss Terry. She didn't know Champs and had used 1st Edition D&D psionics to describe her powers. I converted her info into Champions.
Mail From: REM9 Date: Monday 15-May-89 22:07 EDT
I heard that Mary/Beth. Me and Tarantula propagating the human race? Hmmmm... could be interesting. Makes you kind of wonder what our kids would be like though.
Spectrum's Comments: Or even worse, how about anyone and Brawn?
SUBJ: BRAWN FROM: N4SIR 05/20/89 S#: 429395
"All right lizard that was the last straw" (Brawn will now get serious every punch will be an attempt to put this thing away) "Stand back everyone he's all mine. I have about 400 years to make up for and sucker your going down."
Spectrum's Comments: The battle continues in the next file.