Spectrum's Comments: Finally, the Spinadria storyline was wrapped up. It was something that came out of necessity to cover Tarantula's absense and not something I had originally planned on. As is the case with this type of gaming the players go off on a different tangent than the GM had planned. Just had to adapt. Anyway, now the group was back on track.
Lost Heroes #20 - "Fireworks"
With mixed feelings, the party leaves the Shrine of Spinadria. Number 6 picks up Beth and rockets away into the night. Tarantula carries Rem over the hills and towards the base. Brawn, Val and Terry follow.
After half an hour, Brawn and the girls locate where Tarantula crashed. (Sorry, BT, but there are no trees of any type in this area.)
Terry - "It will getting bright soon. I for one do not wish to cross that desert again in the daytime."
Val - "Quite correct, sister. We must make our crossing now. 'Ere we fall victim to the heat."
Brawn - "I suppose that we'll just have to carry the sleeping beauties."
Val picks up Rem and Brawn shoulders Tarantula. With their burdens secure, they begin the journey across the desert.
Meanwhile, Number 6 has made good time and is closing in on Alpha Base. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, the sky is filled with a bright flash! There is no sound, but the effect is like a giant spot light being shined down from the sky. Just as quickly as it came, the light is gone.
Beth - "What was that!?!"
Number 6 - "I don't know..."
Both scan the sky intently. A few minutes later, there is another flash. This time you get a better look at the phenomena.
Number 6 - "It appears to be an explosion high in the atmosphere. Perhaps in orbit... That would explain why there is no sound..."
Four more flashes occur, each further and further away. Then there is nothing but the peaceful night sky.
Number 6 lands before the tunnel into the base. He and Beth proceed into the tunnel...
Back out in the desert, travel continues without incident. Two hours have passed and the sun is starting to rise into the sky as they reach the forest around the base. Wearily, they make their way down to the base. Beth and Number 6 have turned in for the night and the rest of you simply crash. Tarantula and Rem have slept through the entire trip.
Sometime later, you all awaken by shouts from Beth.
Beth - "It's Mary!"
Number 6 - "What about Mary?"
Beth - "She's missing!"
Number 6 - "Now that I think about, I didn't see her after we came back last night."
Brawn - "This is just great!"
Tarantula wearily rises.
Tarantula - "What a weird dream..."
Rem - "I've located her.... She's with Eclypse at the front door."
Everyone goes to the entrance, the field is lowered and Eclypse, Mary and another woman enter. The new woman introduces herself.
"I am Princess Ardona. I believe that you know my husband?"
The woman takes Eclypse's hand.
GM Notes:
Can't wait to hear the explanation for this one? Well, you won't! Eclypse will be explaining everything that occurred while he's been gone. You see I ran what happened 'live' while Panther was here. I promise that there will be a few interesting revelations!
SUBJ: ECLYPSE (R) FROM: Panther13 08/12/89 S#: 97284
"Hurm... Yes, well, this may require a long involved explanation indeed. Perhaps we should all retire to a more suitable place for the telling of this tale?"
Once we have all gotten to somewhere more comfortable...
"This is Sh'ri. I found 'her' in the massive complex that belongs to our beloved friend Albert. But forgive me; I am getting ahead of myself. Although there is so much to relate, I almost do not know where to begin."
"As some of you are aware, I accompanied this Albert to his mansion to learn some more of the way to reach these satellites which drain all the Earth's power. Once there, Albert retired and it gave me the opportunity to search his mansion. It didn't take long to find that my suspicions of Albert were not unfounded."
"You see, Albert is none other than Albert Zerstoiten, who some of you might know as the infamous Dr. Destroyer of the 20th century! Actually, this is what I believe you would call a clone of the good doctor. However, that is irrelevant."
"I have in my possession a large number of information on diskette form, which I procured from the good doctor. It contains information on what happened to the Earth, as well as some things on Genocide and Dr. Destroyer himself. You see we are currently inhabiting a Genocide base."
"From what I have learned, you all were found in a deserted submarine by the Genocide people. It was, now what was the term again, ghost ship? In any case, the Genocide agents keep you in suspended animation. You were awakened just after my ship crashed here. Apparently, the Gothronian that followed me here saw my crash landing and destroyed a satellite temporarily. That is when you were awakened."
"This base was known as Alpha Base and is located in what some of you would recognize as near the border of Pennsylvania and New York."
"Now, to the reason for the satellites: They were a last-ditch defense against an alien energy parasite that landed on the planet in the 2200's and begin absorbing all the energy of the planet. However, it went about it in a rather malevolent manner. It caused nuclear power stations to explode and then 'digested' the abundant energy.
"The creature absorbed most of the fatal radiation as well, but the ecology was still being drastically affected by the numerous explosions and brief exposure to the radiation. This accounts for the incredible terrain changes that exist about us."
"Anyway, this parasite was soon out of control, and the Earth underwent a massive evacuation. A number of energy absorbers were put in place in orbit to rob the creature of its food source. The last remaining documentation charted the dissolution of the alien, but whether it was actually destroyed, or simply went into some sort of hibernation is completely unknown. By the way, the last reports were made about the year 2325, although it is my opinion that we are further still in the future. The information seems somewhat out of date."
"This leaves us with a delicate situation. If we remove the satellites, will the planet be faced once again by this energy parasite? An interesting dilemma, to say the least."
"Finally, this planet appears to have been used as a detention area for criminals. The planet is like a giant penal colony, although there are pockets, I would suspect, of those that did not participate in the evacuation."
"Now, Albert's mansion was well equipped with sophisticated equipment, which suggests that he is a dangerous foe, but by coming to us, he has admitted that he has shortcomings. I do not suspect that dear Albert will be much of a threat for some time to come, however, as I was most thorough in the destruction of his mansion."
"You see, I found that he had enslaved Sh'ri, here, and was using her as a generator. She is some form of energy being, which can also adjust her form. Apparently the form she now occupies, that of my wife, the Princess Ardona, was taken from my mind. I rescued her and had a battle with some of Albert's robots and rigged his back-up generators to explode. He should require quite a time to fully recover from such a blow. However, I fear, I have made us yet another enemy."
"That about covers my escapades of the recent evening. Sh'ri and I were returning here, when we found that Mary was being kidnapped by a warrior of Albert's. We defeated him and here we are."
"Friend Tarantula, it is good to see that you are well."
Spectrum's Comments: The above went a very long way to explain just what was going on. Not all of it, but a great deal of it.
SUBJ: ** BT ** FROM: AREION 08/13/89 S#: 434973
::Whew...still can't shake that dream! It was so real...and I could've sworn that was Rems voice::
"Albert Zerstoiten...The original mastermind behind the Nazi nuclear weapons program...dubbed DR. Destroyer for his high-tech weapons dealings in Central America."
BT reiterates information he once retrieved from an FBI file on the good doctor.
"If this clone is anything like the original, then your assessment is a major understatement Eclypse! He wont rest until he's destroyed you...and anyone even remotely associated with you."
"You pose a difficult question! Truth to tell, I couldn't care less about the energy parasite. If that were our only concern, then I'd say cross that bridge when we come to it. But there are other things to consider."
"One is Dr. Destroyer. A mastery of technology is his greatest asset. Granted I doubt even this energy draining field could suppress his genius for long, but at least it would make things difficult for him."
"Two, how will the world handle the sudden reemergence of technology?? From what I've seen, things are bad enough out there! Advancing science has always brought out the worst in the human race! If we're putting it to a vote, then I vote we leave the field the way it is, at least for now. The world's become a lush green paradise again. A place were the forces of nature rule, like it was in the beginning...like it was always meant to be. The Earth's been given a second chance...I say we learn from the mistakes of the past!"
"If we do leave the field up, then our main concern is our animated friend Number 6 here. For brief treks outside of the protection of this compound, his force field belt is sufficient. But if we're going to remold the world, then we're going to have to live out there in it for prolonged periods of time. We'll have to find a more permanent way of shielding him... hmmm. I'm no expert on biology, but the human body functions on low-grade electric current, and the field doesn't affect humans. Maybe it has something to do with layers of organic matter shielding the nerve endings??..."
"Wait a min... Oh my gosh!! I just thought of something. This used to be a Genocide compound. Genocide generally used...what were those giant robots called again...Minuteman as their mercenaries. If there are any of the in this compound... if some computer glitch re-actives them, like the one that awakened us...we'd be sitting ducks in here! The mark five version of the 1980's were awesome and if Genocide was active right up to the end...they had about FOUR HUNDRED YEARS to refine and update their designs!!!"
Spectrum's Comments: There's some stuff that was going on here not mentioned in the post itself. There were things going on between me and Tarantula, and me and Rem, that the characters were unaware of. Rem had used her mental powers to remove some of the trauma of what happened to Tarantula at the temple, making it seem like a dream. She had also set up a rudimentary mind link between them. However, not everything in Tartantula's mind was pleasant...
GM Notes:
Additional notes and Corrections:
Okay, you six that we're in suspended animation were captured by PSI, not Genocide. The PSI sub somehow ended up on the floor of the Pacific Ocean. In 2325 you were found by a scout team from Alpha Base. They were searching for survivors of the holocaust and detected the submarine. You were all taken back to the base for study and revival. While in the process of reviving you, the energy parasite attacked the base. The people who ran Alpha Base had no alternative but to start and emergency evacuation and activate the dampening satellites. In the chaos, you six were forgotten until Eclypse arrived.
Also, the organization known as Genocide was defeated in the early 21st century. When the crisis began, the government used the sight of the Genocide base to erect a major research center to combat this invader. The base underwent a major remolding and wouldn't even be recognized as a Genocide base.
As stated in previous posts, there is a small, perfectly circular forest around the Biosphere. Before the evacuation, scientists were using the 'Mendelson's Re-Write process to terraform the earth. Otherwise, that area would be a still be a desert.
There is also, from what Sh're said, more then one Dr. Destroyer. Apparently there are several Albert clones at the mansion, but all are different ages.
In the basement of the mansion is a large Cell Bank. Therein are the proper materials so the good doctor can make clones of all his closest associates.
(In the LH universe, and the Crusaders Universe for that matter, DR. D has 3 villain groups that are associated with him. Terror, Inc., Iron Maiden and Nemesis. It can be assumed the he was cell samples for all 3 groups entire rosters!)
And finally, its Sh're (Pronounced Sherry.)
Also, please post what you are all going to do next, otherwise the next post is going to be very short!;)
Spectrum's Comments: Just some clarifications and corrections. The third Destroyer related group, Nemesis, won't be appearing in the new stuff.
SUBJ: REM FROM: REM9 08/17/89 S#: 447019
"I think Tarantula's right about leaving the satellites up there, at least for now. Maybe we should concentrate on getting this place ship shape before we decide, if we decide to turn the lights back on. That way if the world does have to deal with technology all over again, we will be in a better position to deal with them. What we need right now is a good work force. This place needs a LOT of dusting and I'm not gonna do it all. With your permission I think we should invite the remaining people of that temple to come here and stay. I know that they were trying to hurt Tarantula and then us, but I could see in their minds that they weren't bad, just confused. I know what its like to be tricked into doing things that are wrong. Maybe we can start to rebuild this world by trying and teaching them the right way to live. I'll try to contact them if everyone is in agreement. Tarantula, Beth, Terry what do you say?" If everyone is in agreement REM will try to scan for the worshipers and tell them of their offer. If it is agreed upon, she will guide them to the base.
SUBJ: Beth
I concur with Rem. Even though they know nothing of technology, the sisters can be a tremendous help with the minor jobs of keeping a place this size running.
I am convinced that we need to bring the power back on worldwide. From what we've seen out there, there is little technology left. And certainly no one qualified to operate it. Those people left out there might consider it to be magic and avoid it. Also, if Albert is indeed restoring his pals, then we are going to need technology just to defend ourselves.
Another thing to consider is that we are going to need the power on to restore the planet. The people who ran this base started the ball rolling, now it's up to us get this planet back in order.
As some of you may know, I'm starting a new character in this game. While Beth is an interesting character, she just isn't capable of taking care of herself. The fiasco at the temple proved that. This is not to say that I won't ever post again as Beth. I will only be posting when necessary.
And now, I'd like you all to meet...
SUBJ: Sh're
Princess Ardona walks regally into the base. 'Are these your servants, husband?' she asks. The Princess eyes each one carefully. 'A most unusual staff. You must really do something about this entrance way. A tunnel is most demeaning to one in my station.'
When the Princess stops before the girl in blue, something strange happens. A transformation occurs at Rem's probing. The Princess dissolves into the form of an oval shaped mass of light blue energy.
'You mindspeak? Me mindspeak too!'
Sh're's words are heard in your minds, not in your ears. The forms colors shift as Sh're does several barrel rolls over everyone.
'Me gonna like my new friends! What can I do to help?'
GM Notes:
Terry - "I don't see any harm in inviting them in. They don't seem to possess powers of any type. If worse came to worse, I'm sure that we can deal with them. In the meantime, looks like its time to start dig through the tunnel connecting to the rest of the base."
Val agrees with Terry and both of them start to look for tools to dig with.
Mail From: REM9 Date: Saturday 19-Aug-89 14:02 EDT
At the risk of loosing my sanity REM also has a telepathic message for Sh're.
**Be on guard with your mind talk Sh're. There is an evil force close by that can home in on it and hurt you from afar.**
Side note on LH. Are you saying that we are staying in an old PSI base? Are you crazy??? You really want to drive REM over the deep end here. This is the cause of all her nightmares and fears. If she finds anything that can trigger her off, watch out.
SUBJ: BRAWN FROM: N4SIR 08/20/89 S#: 821622
Brawn will make his choice towards helping the worshipers (mainly because tarantula doesn't like them). If it is possible Brawn will need Val's help in attempting to seal the chasm in the floor.
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 08/21/89 S#: 819468
"Bring them in, or leave them out, it makes little difference to me. Someone should check the food stores first, to ensure that there's sufficient reserves to feed them, otherwise they'll simply arrive here to face starvation."
"I'm not sure the world is as idyllic as some seem to believe. One prison is enough for me; I'd like to be able to travel freely in this world. I'm in favor of destroying the satellites. Dr. D is not the only one who can benefit from a resurgence of technology."
"I don't believe that tunneling will prove the most efficient method of reaching the central base. Those of us with the ability to fly should be able to locate the area in which it lies, and gain access to it directly."
"One final thing, on cheri. I am no ones slave."
Lost Heroes #21 - "In Through the Top"
Two weeks have passed since the events of the last post. Having more or less decided on a course of action, you have all been busy. While the group is divided on what to do with the satellites, they are generally in agreement on the other matters.
Under the guidance of Rem and the women, the remaining Sisters are brought to the base. While things were shaky at first, they quickly fit in and pulled their own weight. By now, the Biosphere is in good order.
You are also getting used to your newfound friend, Sh're. From what you have seen you can conclude the following. Sh're is capable of pulling images out of a persons mind and transforming herself into that image. Not only does she look like that person, but also she will then start to ACT like that image. Needless to say, the images of the dead High Priestess and Rogers were not well received.
Meanwhile, the men searched for another way to enter the main base without tunneling through the collapsed passageway.
A quick check on the computer confirms that there is a way in from the surface. The entire base is underground; there is an aircraft landing pad. There was also a Receiving Sphere leading you to believe there is an entrance there.
Calculating where the receiving entrance would be is a simple matter. However, you can find no trace of such an entrance from the surface. There is a hilly region on top of most of the base. The Receiving entrance would have been in a valley. There is evidence of many landslides in that area.
The search for the landing pad met with greater success. It was located at the top of the hill. While it had been covered by centuries of dirt and dust, the concrete landing area was found. The pad is circular and 160 feet wide. There is what appears to be a painted X in the middle of the pad. Several arrows point towards the X. However, there appears to be no way in.
The reinforced concrete can withstand whatever you dish out. Even the combined efforts of Brawn and Val cannot damage the landing pad.
That brings us up to the present. While considering what to do at the landing pad, Sh're, in the form of Princess Ardonna again, has a thought.
Sh're - "Me get in!"
Sh're briefly changes to her now more common energy form and passes through the concrete.
About ten minutes later, there is a tremendous groaning sound. Suddenly, an area of the pad begins to slowly sink into the ground. The area in question is 50' in diameter is at the center of the pad.
Everyone present quickly boards the lowering pad. After passing thought about 20' of solid concrete, you all find yourselves in a gigantic area.
The giant elevator is lowering you into a hanger bay. The entire area is open and about 300' in diameter. The elevator comes to rest on the floor of the hanger bay in the exact center.
Dozens of aircraft could easily be stored here. The area to the south of you appears to be a maintenance area. There are several air vehicles in the garage. The area is well lit.
Built into the southern wall and elevated above the floor is the operations area. Within the control room you can see Sh're's energy form dance about.
Sh're - "This neat place!"
Sh're opens one of the large blast windows. You are able to fly through the opening into the control room beyond. The control is about 50' long and curved. Many machines and devices are in operation here.
Now what are you going to do?
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 08/22/89 S#: 834064
"First things first. We need to find the main base generators and bring them back on line. Then we can shield this base from the effects of the energy draining satellites. Of course, this does lead us to a logical paradox. In order to get the force shields up, we'll need the generators on. Unfortunately, we can not start the generators until the shields are up."
I'll begin searching for the power room while pondering this problem.
-- It would appear that Sh're is immune to the effects of the satellites. Perhaps she could power the shields long enough to restart the generators. This would appear unlikely, the energy requirements are immense, and although the need would be short, I fear they would prove beyond her means. Still, I shall have to approach her with this idea, and see what she thinks. Another approach would be modification of one of the force field belts, to allow its effect to cover the generator while it is restarted. It should then be possible to expand the area protected by the belt unit until the base is protected, and the main shields can be engaged. The strain on the belt unit would likely destroy it, but the pay off would be worthwhile. I shall have to delve more deeply into this. --
During the last two weeks, there are a couple of things I'd like to look into. We should be able to approximate the present date assuming something along the lines of carbon dating techniques is available. All that would be required is some piece of dead organic matter from one of the suspended patients. (Anyone wearing any cotton?)
Also, I would like to look into these genetically altered trees. I'm curious as to why they have not spread to cover more of the desert in the many years the base was dormant. Is there any sign of their having expanded beyond their initial planting area? If not, why not? These couldn't be the original trees, could they?
Spectrum's Comments: Although they don't realize it, the dampening field is off again. That's what those explosions in the sky were at the beginning of the file. Someone was blowing the satellites up!
SUBJ: REM FROM: REM9 08/23/89 S#: 441381
As REM goes down on the elevator entrance she will yell, "HELLO IS THERE ANYONE HOME?" When she sees the vehicles she will run over to them, "Oh WOW! Number Six do you think these still work? That would be great! Eclypse will you teach me to fly? I've always wanted to learn but never got the chance. Tarantula don't you think it would be so neat to be able to fly like a bird." REM will continue to look at the vehicles examining them and trying to figure out how they work.
SUBJ: Sh're
I like playing with machinery! The globe of energy that is Sh're floats over the control counters flicking a switch here, pushing a button there.
'Me find shields!'
I'll dive into the control panel, trying to locate the defense controls. Once there I'll activate them.
Lost Heroes #22 - "Siege"
Answers to questions:
There really isn't a 'Main' part of the base. Alpha Base is composed of many small sections, 'Spheres', connected by tunnels. The base has four levels all together. The hanger bay, where you are at now, is at the top of the base on the first level. The Power Plant is on the bottom of the base, level 4, 300 feet below you.
Only the cable connections to the Biosphere itself were severed. The rest of the base, as far as you know, is still intact. It is assumed that the cable is broken in the area of the cave-in in the tunnel to the Biosphere.
The forest above the base was created using the Mendelson's Re-Write process. The genetic code of the earth itself was changed so that it could grow things again. It can also be assumed that the trees and plants were also altered to be able to withstand the harsh environment. That is why the forest has yet to expand. The rest of the soil simply cannot grow plants.
Beth's sweat suit is made of cotton. Using the carbon dating process, he is able to determine that the year is 2689.
Now on with our regularly scheduled post!
Rem explores the garage area of the hanger bay. It is quickly obvious the vehicles here are in various states of disrepair. Parts and equipment are scattered about.
Meanwhile, up in the control room, Sh're literally dives into the control panel and moves along it's circuits.
The others make a quick search of the area around the control room. A long hallway is reached through a door. Many other doors are in the hallway. Behind the doors are various offices and meeting rooms. At the end of the hallway stand two elevators. They appear to be operational and only go down.
Back in the control room, Sh're comes out of the controls.
Sh're - "Me found it!"
She points towards a control console. A small sign reads, 'Defense Controls'.
Eclypse - "Let's see what we have here..."
Eclypse inserts the red ID card that was found before into the slot. The system comes on. Eclypse plays with the keys. The computer asks if he wishes to activate the defense system.
Number 6 - "Go ahead. It shouldn't do anything. There's no power."
Eclypse - "It's coming from somewhere..."
Eclypse types the command in. Back out in the hanger bay, the aircraft elevator begins to rise again. A message is heard over the loudspeakers: "Warning. The defense system is now activated. All personal report to their stations."
According to the readout, a force field now surrounds the base.
Brawn - "I don't get it. I thought there was no power?"
Before anyone can speculate, another message is heard over the speakers in the control room: "Warning. Unidentified aircraft is now approaching. Warning."
Rem - "What is going on?"
"Warning. Unidentified aircraft is attacking."
A moment later, an explosion is heard. It shakes the room, but otherwise does no damage.
"Shield integrity is down 12%. Do you wish to retaliate?"
Post Away!
SUBJ: REM (R) FROM: REM9 08/29/89 S#: 401686
"Hey, I thought we were the only ones who knew about flying and such. Maybe we should see exactly who or what is doing this? Terry do you mind? I'll relay to the others what we see." REM will hold out her hand and mind for Terry to reach. Between the two of us maybe we can shed some light on this here.
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 08/30/89 S#: 812025
"You bet we want to retaliate. Computer hit them with everything you've got! I haven't come this far to have some pinhead blow up the base as soon as we get here."
I'll move to the console, and see if I can get some sort of status monitor up, along with some visual data on what's attacking us. If the base defenses aren't up to the job, then I'll head topside and do the job myself. I will not allow this installation to be destroyed.
SUBJ: Sh're
'This is so much fun! I've never seen anything like this!'
Sh're floats around the room, watching as the battle unfolds. If the others go to fight the attackers, Sh're will join in, eager to prove herself to her new friends.
SUBJ: BRAWN FROM: N4SIR 09/03/89 S#: 807897
"This is just great. Somebody decides to come calling and the first thing they want to do is try and kill us. Eclypse I hope this hanger bay can with stand what ever they are dropping on us."
SUBJ: ECLYPSE FROM: Panther13 09/03/89 S#: 412028
"As do I, friend Brawn. As do I."
Is there any indication that this is just some sort of combat drill program we've engaged, or is it the real thing? If it is a simulation, then try to shut it down. Otherwise, between Number 6 and myself, we should manage well enough at the defense controls. After all, this is what I've been doing for a good part of the last 7 years. Activate the weapons systems, if they have not already been, and open fire. Destroy the incoming craft, as quickly as possible.
"Sheri, where is the power to these machines coming from? Did you start them up, or is there some sort of generator working?"
Hopefully, there is a reasonable explanation for all this.
SUBJ: BT FROM: AREION 09/04/89 S#: 828834
"Seems real enough to me...SOMETHING rocked the compound! I can't take this! If I'm gonna die, It's not going to be crushed under tons of concrete, hiding from some unseen foe. Brawn, what do'ya say we slip out there and see if we can help out??"
BT will begin searching for a way to bring the platform back down, or some other way to reach the outside.
"DAMN IT...HOW DO YA GET THAT THING BACK DOWN HERE!!"
Once (if??) the platform starts to move. BT will leap and scale the wall to get outside as quickly as possible, looking back only to yell to Rem.
"Tell the natives to take cover!"
He will swing through the opening (Acrobatics) to make himself as difficult to hit as possible in case there are other enemies out there. Will then survey his surrounding before deciding on a plan of attack (dodging if necessary)