Spectrum's Comments: The battle against the aliens attacking Alpha Base continues...
Lost Heroes #50 - "A Private Little War: Part Three"
Doug, Outback, Warlock and the Man-With-No-Name huddle behind Doug's protective screen while the last five attack 'bots circle overhead. Suddenly, their attention is diverted as with a battle cry, a strange man leaps into the fray. He tumbles in the air and lands on one of the 'bots. He struggles with it; trying to guide it's flight. The man doesn't appear to be familiar to any of you. He wears loose armor and has a sword sheathed.
After a moment, he appears to have gained some measure of control over the 'bot. It flies higher, towards the mother ship. It appears the he is attempting to land on the top of the ship. He and the 'bot he is riding disappear from sight, the mother ship itself blocking them from sight.
Outback grabs a large rock and throws it at an attack 'bot, bashing it into inactivity. Doug tries to hit another with his force blast, but misses. No Name fires his miniature bazooka once more, destroying another 'bot. Warlock holsters his Grav Gun and produces a Rocket Launcher. He too hits, destroying the 'bot.
The remaining 'bot sweeps in firing, but Doug's force wall repels the attack. It is easy destroyed as it tries to fly away.
Up in the ship itself, Impact has found what appears to be someone's quarters. However, it appears that the room has been abandoned for quite some time.
Exiting through the far door, he finds himself in another corridor going left and right. There are doors along both sides at regular intervals.
After a few moments, he becomes aware of metallic-sounding footsteps approaching. Rounding a corner, he sees a humanoid robot. It has heavy armor and wrist mounted lasers. He has no doubt that this is a battle 'bot.
Silently, Lord Lunatic follows the man. His target passes through the door into the room beyond. After a moment, Lunatic follows. Cautiously he opens the door, only to find another circular room very similar to the one he just left. However, there are 8 doors in this room apart from the airlock! The man is nowhere to be seen. The doors are located at 2,3,4,6,8,9,10 and 12 O'clock.
In the Control Center, Number 6 oversees the battle between the base and the Mother Ship itself. Fred comes in over the intercom.
"Turret number 3 is ready. Power Level at Maximum."
The Mother Ship fires another missile. Number 6 is prepared this time, and locks the secondary turret on the incoming fire. The laser intercepts the missile, exploding it in a dazzling display of light and sound. Those on the landing pad feel the heat of the explosion, but it does them no damage.
Locking the suped up laser on the aliens' engines, Number 6 gives the command to fire. The computer's aim is true. The beam smashes through the force field, exploding on the engines. The engines themselves are damaged and the ship plunges out of the sky. With a resounding thud, it crashes to the ground.
Back inside the ship, Impact picks himself off of the now slanted deck. There was an explosion and then the feeling of falling before crashing to the deck. Suffering no damage, Impact sees that the Battle 'Bot is also rising.
In the second air lock, Lord Lunatic slowly rises to his feet, somewhat dazed from the explosion and crash.
Down in the Med Sphere, totally unaware of the events on the surface, Beth faces the dilemma with the Popsicles.
Beth - "Computer, would it be possible to use the Re-Write to cure the scientists? Filter out what is killing them?"
After a few minutes, the computer answers. "No. The process would take to long. The serum must be injected within six hours or the subjects will perish."
GM Notes:
Looks like you've got the upper hand in the war!
Scanning, the computer tells you that the force field around the ship is now down.
After flying out of sight, the strange man is now nowhere to be seen.
Everyone can assume that they have recovered all lost stun when you post.
Now what?
Spectrum's Comments: The strange man in the post was Black Tarantula in his warlord garb.
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 03/22/90 S#: 95739
"Good work Fred! Please return Turret 3 to normal operating level, and check it out. It appears to have survived, but I'd like to know what shape it's in."
- It seems things are going well for a change... What's the catch? -
I'll move over to the communications console, and prepare it for a transmission to the alien vessel.
"Your craft is disabled, your security breeched, your shields destroyed. We await your surrender. Make no further hostile move, or face destruction. You have two minutes to respond."
Returning to the weapons console, I'll target turret one on the bridge of the alien ship (should any such structure be apparent). If the vessel performs any type of offensive move, or if there's any evidence that they are attempting to raise their shields once more, I'll fire one shot into the bridge, and repeat my broadcast.
SUBJ: WARLOCK (R) FROM: DMG 03/23/90 S#: 21431
As he sees the ship go down Warlock lets out a triumphant battle cry and starts to teleport to the mother ship. Once there he will use his cannon to shoot a hole through the ship's outer wall and try to teleport there. Once there he'll carefully go down the corridor with his GRAV GUN armed.
If he can't seem to make progress blasting the wall Warlock will try to use his other power of changing odds (wishing it'll help get him through)
SUBJ: Hmmmm... a tough one, eh? (R) FROM: Bloodshard 03/23/90 S#: 501574
Impact seems strangely more alive after the crash then dazed.
"So Mr. Roboto you're a tough one..."
Impact moves in close to the bot and attempts to force it to use hand to hand combat rather then those nasty laser things. He doesn't attempt to talk it out of fighting him ...I mean after all it is a COMBAT robot.
-Bloodshard
SUBJ: Smiling. FROM: Yiseal 03/23/90 S#: 82764
Seeing the ship come down as the last of the flying robots fall, gives me a nice boost of confidence in this new group I am with. Seeing a few of the group heading towards the ship, I advance on it cautiously.
Thinking to myself, 'Hmmm. The way these guys attack, I would almost bet that they would have some sort of bounty out on them. They are quite destructive and don't appear to have any specific target. Then again they may be the police and the group I am with may be the ones wanted by the law. Well, either way, how do I go about getting the bounty on them? If I just helped take out the cops, that is easy to get out of and even easier for me to get the reward. Now if the ones attacking us are the ones wanted, how do I go about getting the bounty? I suppose I will have to help fix one of the ships inside. Oh well, I don't have them yet.'
SUBJ: REM FROM: REM9 03/25/90 S#: 114848
With the ship knocked out of the sky, REM will get a bored look on her face. "Oh Well, now that it is down, I guess I can see if now I can see who is home in there."
REM will then open her mind and try to search the ship for any life signs. If she finds anyone she will try to lock on and find out what they want here.
SUBJ: Beth
Damn! Now what should I do...
Contacting the control center once more...
'Uh, Number 6, I've got big problem s down here. I need some help. Can you spare anyone? How about Rem? I may need her assistance.'
Rem should be able to help me understand what is going on... She has powers with her mind... Somehow Solitaire's powers must have been passed on to me! And I don't have the faintest idea on how to use the!
GM Notes:
Impact rushes the Battle 'bot. Using his full strength, he slams his fists into the machine, blasting it back down the corridor. It bounces off the far wall, appearing slightly damaged.
The 'bot fires its lasers, but misses.
Outside the ship, the other attackers close on the ship. Warlock fires his rocket launcher at the ship's hull. His jaw drops when his missile fails to scratch the ship!
Number 6 has located what the computer suspects is the bridge of the alien ship. There has been no activity from the ship and no response to his message.
Rem scans, and except for her companions, she cannot locate any minds on the ship.
SUBJ: Doug (R) FROM: Shadeblade 03/26/90 S#: 435991
The recent turn of the battle brings a slight bit of relief to Doug. He begins to rush towards the fallen ship, watching for any hostile laser fire.
"This rumble's getting a little bit more in our favor. Great fighting, guys! I've NEVER seen anything like it!"
"When we get in there, split up if you can. We can hit 'em hard and wide while they're still staggered. Back out if it gets too hot."
If it looks like anyone is going to fired at, Doug will attempt to put up a full-strength Forcewall to cover them. If he is the target, he'll put full power on his Personal Field.
If/when he gets to the ship, he'll enter and will take doors that seem to head to the front of the ship.
SUBJ: Yaaahhhoooo! (R) FROM: Psycho Tim 03/26/90 S#: 97578
Seeing everyone run into the ship through the hole, I charge through another portion of the ship and hopefully make my own.
"You said spread out mate, so thats what I'm doin', anyone care to use me new door?" (I hope)
If I break through, I will draw my machete machete, and start chopping any 'bots in sight.
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 03/27/90 S#: 56388
"I'll relay your request, Beth."
"REM, Beth's having some difficulty down in the Med lab. She requested your assistance. Can you relay what you've discovered to the other people out there? I doubt that the entire crew could have been killed by that crash, so that ship is either automated, or crewed by robots."
- So, no one's home over there. If it was automated, trashing their engines could have ruined their systems... I think it will be up to the boarding parties to determine what's going on. -
"Computer, initiate a full scan of the enemy vessel. If possible, determine if the ship is automated, computer controlled, or robot controlled. Report any other pertinent information discovered."
SUBJ: LORD LUNATIC- Victor Feury FROM: NightStlkr 03/28/90 S#: 109859
"By Marduk's Beard!! It dost feel like I am trapped in some kind of accursed Labyrinth."
Getting a little wild, and unsure which way to go, the Mystic Knight chooses a hatch at random and begins slashing at it with his Phoenix Sword's Flaming Blade (use w/full STR); he is becoming so frustrated that he doesn't even bother to check and see if it is locked. Though he is rational enough to keep his bearings in this maze; he may need it to find his way out.
SUBJ: REM FROM: REM9 03/28/90 S#: 511285
"Roger Number 6, I'll get right on it. Tell Beth I'll be there in a minute."
REM then reaches out telepathically with her mind to try and touch each of the others one at a time. She will slowly make contact and make sure that the person she has reached is not doing something extremely delicate (like keeping from getting their face smashed) and if everything is clear she will send,
**Uhm Hello, fellow Defender of the Earth? This is REM calling. I am just informing you that the ship you are storming has no living crew. Number 6 seems to think robots or something runs it. This has been a public service announcement paid for by the management. Thank you for listening. This is Radio WREM signing off.**
After this REM will skip out of the control room and hurry down to the lab. Not even thinking of it REM starts talking to herself, "Surely Beth is doing something more exciting than smashing some old space ship. I mean you think the way they were acting that this was a Death Star or something. Oh well, that's men for you. Speaking of which, where is my man Tarantula? He's been awfully elusive today." On the way to the lab, REM will check on the whereabouts of BT.
Lost Heroes #51 - "A Private Little War: Part Four"
Inside Alpha base, Number 6 monitors the defense consol. The computer begins to report its findings after scanning the alien ship.
"Update: Have located three alien life forms on the ship. They do not match the bio-patterns of humanoids."
"Update: Vessel has sustained major damage. Currently operating on emergency power."
After delivering the message to those attacking, Rem heads down to the Medical Sphere. On the way, she attempts to locate Tarantula. He is either out of range of the mindlink or is refusing to answer.
In the Medical Sphere itself, Beth is confronted by several problems. The Popsicles are rapidly starting to wake up. Unfortunately, there is only enough medicine to save three of the six.
As if that wasn't enough on her mind, she has just discovered that she possibly has 'inherited' Solitaire's mental abilities. It is a very confused Beth that Rem finds.
Back out at the battle, the alien ship has crashed. Warlock, Doug, Outback and the Man-With-No-Name approach it. Warlock fires off another missile, but it fails to penetrate the ships hull.
Undaunted, he unleashes his power to alter probabilities. His next missile rips a large hull into the ship.
Stepping through the hull, they find themselves in a large room. Two escape pods stand ready. Two doors and a hatch lead out the room. One of the doors swings open and three battle 'bots rush to the attack!
Outback decides to find his own way into the ship. He locates an airlock and forces the hatch open. He finds himself in a large, circular room. Eight hatches lead out of the room. They are at 2,3,4,6,8,9,11 and 12 O'clock.
Elsewhere in the ship, Lord Lunatic is freaking out on a different hatch in another air lock. His mystic blade slices through the hatch and it crashes to the floor in a loud clang. The walls of the room beyond are lined with machinery and computer banks. What appears to be a strangely discolored man turns at Lunatics violent entry. He quickly reaches for some type of pistol.
Impact continues to spare with his own Battle 'Bot. He rushes the 'Bot, pounding it back down the corridor. The 'Bot fires it's wrist lasers in response, but misses.
GM Notes:
You're getting closer and closer to the aliens!
Spectrum's Comments: In spite of the way it looks, the strangely discolored man is not the true alien...
SUBJ: Dumb robot! FROM: Bloodshard 03/29/90 S#: 469362
Impact snarls at the robot and quickly closes in on the area in between them. He continues to engage the robot on a hand-to-hand level. He attempts to keep his force field up.
-Bloodshard
SUBJ: Number 6 (R) FROM: Deslock 03/30/90 S#: 837
- Well, it looks like the battle has shifted to those outside. Maybe this will give us a chance to see what the new arrivals can do. -
"Computer, continue scanning the enemy vessel. If possible, track and report on the progress of the members of our team. Also, report any changes in the ship's status."
I'll move over to the COM station and open a channel to the Med lab.
"There seems to be a lull in the action here, Beth. What's the problem down there? How are the Popsicles doing?"
SUBJ: The name be UG FROM: Yiseal 03/31/90 S#: 69129
Might as well pass on my name now. You all seem worthy of knowing it now.
Upon seeing the battle bots, I rush forward. If any of the bots get in my way, I blast it with my weapon. I will leave the bots to the other three. I am heading towards the front of the ship in the hopes of finding one of the aliens. I will not play with any bot that gets in my way. I will simply shoot it or disable it quickly and continue on. If any door has a security system on it, I will attempt to disarm it and continue on towards the front.
SUBJ: C'mon! FROM: Psycho Tim 03/31/90 S#: 457334
Outback, seeing many doors, goes thru the one at 12'O-clock, in hopes to meet up with an enemy or an ally, either way, he is ready. "'Ello mates...are ya in there....OI!"
Also, the machete is out to destroy any 'bots around.
SUBJ: Beth
Finally, Beth snaps out of her daze she's been in. She will quickly fill a hypo with a sedative; something to put the Popsicles to sleep.
'I don't know where to begin, Number 6. We can only save half of the scientists. The others are going to die. I believe that I, somehow, have telekinesis... I grab the three vials right out of mid air. It must have something to do with helping Solitaire. I'm not in a rational condition right now.'
GM Notes:
Outback and Impact:
Outback opens the hatch and finds himself in a corridor going left and right.
He is drawn to the left by a loud crash. Looking left, he sees a Battle 'Bot crash into the wall. It fires on an unseen attacker. Outback rushes to the attack.
Down the adjacent corridor, Impact attacks the 'bot. He smashes it again with his fists. Pieces of the 'bot explode off the robot. Before he can punch it again, Outback comes in and stabs the 'bot with his machete.
Another punch puts the 'bot down for good.
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 04/02/90 S#: 413167
"Beth, I reiterate my previous view on the subject. We should bring around the terraformer, botanist, and geologist, since we don't have any of those areas of expertise covered. Doctors and engineers we have, and a soldier, we don't need. Things are quite up here right now. If you need assistance, I can come down."
- Now that I have a chance to think about it, this pretty well repudiates the story of our coming to be here. I don't recall receiving any jungle juice when we were revived. Therefore, we could not have been in cryogenic sleep. And what of this attack?
These distractions seem designed to keep us from having enough time to discover the truth. Well, I, for one, am tired of it. I did not escape my armored prison only to find myself in a larger one. -
"Computer..."
- No, that's no good. If this whole place is just some lab experiment, then the experimenters control the computer. It will not give us the solution to this problem. We must do this on our own. -
SUBJ: WARLOCK FROM: DMG 04/02/90 S#: 491296
Seeing "The great and mighty Ug" run from a fight Warlock snarls disgustedly. But with the 3 bots there he will fire one shot teleport and fire once more before teleporting once more. Once those bot's are gone he will use his ODD'S power in hopes that he will find an alien.
SUBJ: Doug FROM: Shadeblade 04/03/90 S#: 44400
"Don't worry too much about our mysterious Ug... He has his motives. We can handle a couple of gnats easily enough, anyway. Just don't let'em get a good shot off."
Then, with the sing of well-oiled steel, Doug draws his sword. For the first time since arriving at the base, it greets the light. The dim emergency lights of the ship dance a deadly dance as he swiftly prepares for combat.
Doug will put up a half strength Personal Field, realizing that in close quarters a Forcewall will only get in the way. The rest of his power will fuel a Forceblast that will only be used for clear shots. The rest of the work he will do with his longsword.
As soon as the 'bots are dispatched, Doug will head in the OPPOSITE way as everyone else. A check towards the stern is wise, and the bow is already getting crowded. While scouting out the stern, he will push his Personal Field up to max and keep an eye open for nasty surprises.
SUBJ: "Hey, Outy!" FROM: Bloodshard 04/04/90 S#: 42564
Seeing Outback, Impact grins.
"Good to see someone who's not a robot. Hmmm... by the sounds of that blast I'd say the others are in here. Maybe we better stick together. Our combined brute force ought to be enough to at least slow down anything we encounter."
Impact heads down another hallway with Outback.
SUBJ: LORD LUNATIC: Victor Feury FROM: NightStlkr 04/04/90 S#: 84279
In his present state of mind, LORD LUNATIC isn't thinking rationally; he takes his Phoenix Sword and hurls a blast of Mystic Flames toward the alien.
"Infidel!! According to The Code of Justice, ye must pay for thy malicious actions!!!"
Lost Heroes #52 - "The Face of the Enemy"
The battle with the aliens continues...
Doug, Warlock and UG make their way into the ship, only to encounter three Battle 'Bots. The 'Bots move faster than the three anticipated, each 'Bot firing it's lasers.
Both Ug and Warlock are hit taking damage. Ug falls to the floor stunned.
Doug rushes forward, his sword biting deep into the lead 'Bot. Warlock fires another plasma rocket, hitting the same robot. It still stands.
Ug gathers his wits and pulls himself off of the floor. The 'bots fire again, but misses.
Doug hits the lead 'Bot again, destroying it.
Both Ug and Warlock fire their weapons at the second 'Bot. It is destroyed, being hit by both attacks.
One 'Bot remains, guarding the far door. Suddenly, that door opens and two men enter the room. They both have weapons drawn.
"This has gone on far too long", the lead man says. "Surrender or die!"
Both men appear to be human, but they are curiously discolored. They have an odd odor about them.
In another part of the ship, Outback and Impact have defeated another Battle 'Bot. They continue down an adjacent hallway.
Before going to far, a terrible smell comes to their attention. Following it, they come to a door. Opening the door, they are assaulted the smell of death and decay. Numerous human corpses lie in the room, rotting away. Not a pleasant sight.
In still another part of the ship, Lord Lunatic has also encountered an alien. In a battle frenzy, he throws a blast of fire from his sword, covering the alien.
The alien screams in pain, as it's flesh is burned away. The body collapses to the floor in its death throes.
Or so it appears.
A red, shimmering form 'slides' out of the body. It has no true form, like a shifting-cloud of energy. It does appear to have openings that could be considered 'eyes' and a 'mouth'. The crimson spirit flies towards Lord Lunatic.
Back inside the base, Beth gives each of the Popsicles a shot to put them to sleep, preventing them from waking up.
GM Notes:
Gruesome post, no?
Hero Status:
Name Stun
Ug 21 of 42
Warlock 18 of 31
Spectrum's Comments: And that is the true form of the aliens, the crimson energy field. I'll get into more details about them at the end of the file.
SUBJ: PEEEEEE UUUUUU! FROM: Psycho Tim 04/05/90 S#: 406228
"These poor blokes, looks like they were killed weeks ago by the way they reek".
Outback starts inspecting the bodies and looks for anything that is out of the ordinary,
"Some mate, what do ya think about all this? You have any clues?"
"Boy all that exercise has gotten me hungry. Can't wait till we get back to base!"
Also, I look to see how the bodies were killed, i.e. slashes, puncture wounds, whole organs being torn out, ect, ect.
Spectrum's Comments: I have no idea how this guy can think of food at a time like this...
SUBJ: Warlock strikes back (R) FROM: DMG 04/06/90 S#: 105130
As the enemy forms its group Warlock will (1) teleport in back of his group and use his ODDS power on the ROBOT. (2) the Warlock will then teleport in back of their group, and either fire his cannon at one of the aliens or grab onto his gun, if he is facing my way, and teleport me and the gun back to our side then turn around shooting.
SUBJ: REM FROM: REM9 04/06/90 S#: 118535
As REM casually walks into the sick bay, completely unaware of what is happening, she walks in and says, "So Beth, what is the problem? You look awful." As REM looks at her friend, she realizes all is not right and snaps out of her haphazard attitude. "Ok Beth, what is happening and what can I do to help you? Do you need Number 6? He is not as good a doctor as you, but I can call him if you need him. What are you trying to do with these people? I thought you were coming down here to wake them up?"
SUBJ: Beth
Beth comes slightly out of her daze upon seeing Rem. I try to explain all that has happened.
'I don't know what is going... Solitaire did something to me... Do you sense something different?'
I'll call out for Number 6.
'If you got the time, perhaps you best come down here. I'm in no condition to give the injections to the scientists.'
GM Notes:
As Outback examines, the body, he does notice a few odd things. None of the body has any massive injuries to them. No cuts or ruptures. Daring to pick one up, he finds that it is hollow. As if the victim was eaten from the inside out...
Number 6 is shocked when he hears Beth's message! He heard it in his mind, not over the com-link!
SUBJ: "Hungry!?!" FROM: Bloodshard 04/08/90 S#: 504796
Impact stares at Outback.
"How can you be hungry when we're surrounded by rotting corpses!?!"
"God, it's good I don't eat. I would have probably lost my lunch." Impact mumbles.
Impact joins Outback in his analysis of the bodies. He stops inhaling so he doesn't smell the stench. He also searches the room for anything else unusual. He kind of hurries along, a sense of urgency about him.
"I hope the others are all right. Hmmm... that REM seemed to have mental powers I guess she'd tell us if anyone was in trouble."
He relaxes for a moment.
"That's if she's monitoring us."
He tenses again.
- Bloodshard
SUBJ: Ug FROM: Yiseal 04/08/90 S#: 516828
I wobbly get back to my feet after getting hit and fire on the bots. When the humanoids enter, I smile. 'Now this is where I can do some good.'
I change my shape to match the one that enters second. I also include the smell. Seems to be similar to a skunk or troglodyte. Well, it works for them.
I then holler, "Behind you! An imposter!" and fire at the one I duplicated.
Let us see what the bot thinks of the new development. Also how battle trained these guys are.
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 04/08/90 S#: 494716
- Things really are happening down in sickbay. -
I'll contact Beth, in the more conventional manner.
"I'll be right down. Looks like there's a story to be told here."
SUBJ: Doug FROM: Shadeblade 04/09/90 S#: 489012
Doug gets worried at the beating that his side is taking.
"Guys... Sorry about that. I shouldn't be so dense. I could have at least provided the option of some cover."
Doug then reforms a half-strength Forcewall for anyone who wants it. He will try and make one that will make cover from both the aliens and the robot. He will take advantage of his own wall, in any case. The rest of his power will be poured into a Forceblast at one of the aliens. Doug will also keep track of the Ug/alien, to make sure he doesn't hit the WRONG target.
"Let's get this over with quick! If there are a lot of 'bots and aliens in this boat, we could get bogged down or trapped."
SUBJ: yuck FROM: Psycho Tim 04/10/90 S#: 442887
"What happened were there internal organs sucked out? Yuck! Impie, I say we help our friends, we can't do much good here!" Outback moves toward the sound of battle with his machete out.
SUBJ: Beth (R) FROM: Schar 04/11/90 S#: 452746
Once Number 6 arrives, I'll explain what's been going on.
'First telekinesis, now telepathy! Is there no end to this? I-- I-- Can't deal with this now... You've got to handle the pops'... I need to rest... need to think...'
Beth will then head to her private quarters. I'll ask Rem to come along, if she likes.
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 04/11/90 S#: 40390
"I can't help much with your problem Beth, mentalics aren't my field. Your in good hands with REM, though."
Once Beth and REM leave, I'll move to the medical monitors to get an update on the Popsicles. Assuming there condition has remained unchanged, then I'll head over to the medical supplies, and draw 3 doses of the fastest acting neurotoxin available. These will be administered to the soldier, doctor, and engineer. I'll then use the remaining 3 vials of the awakening drug to complete the revival of the botanist, geologist, and terraformer.
Once this is done, and the re-awakening process stabilized, I'll get an update from the computer on the status of the alien vessel.
Lost Heroes #53 - "The Face of the Enemy: Part Two"
In the Medical Sphere, Beth has discovered a second power: Telepathy. Now confused more than ever, she heads to her quarters with Rem in tow.
Now alone, Number 6 acts, solving the Popsicle problem. He puts those he considers unuseful permanently asleep. The others he injects the antidote into.
After several minutes, the trio begins to awaken. They are Sharon Johnson, Botanist, Amy Stephenson, Geologist and Dr. David Mendelson, Terraformer.
They open their eyes and are a little confused at the sight of Number 6.
On board the alien ship, Outback and Impact have discovered a morgue. Dozens of human bodies fill the room. After brief look around, they depart looking for more battles to fight.
Noise of combat leads them to a room where they find Lord Lunatic engaging a ghostly red creature.
Ug, Doug and Warlock have encountered the other two aliens. Ug's form shifts to that of the far alien. In the moment of confusion that creates, Warlock acts. He teleports behind the enemy group alters the probability of destroying the robot with his rocket launcher and blows it away.
Ug fires at the alien he doubles, blasting him back.
Doug sends a force bolt at the last alien, flooring him.
Soething strange then happens. A crimson red cloud 'floats' out of the two aliens. It has no definite form, but what appears to the 'eyes' and a 'mouth' can be seen. They rise menacingly towards, Ug and Doug.
Gm Notes:
Short post this week...
Hero Status:
Ug 21 of 42 Stun
Warlock 18 of 40 Stun
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 04/12/90 S#: 454683
"Good morning. The name is Driscoll. Dr. Henry Driscoll, to be exact, though I generally travel under the moniker 'Number 6'. Sorry to interrupt your beauty sleep, but this base was under attack, and it seemed like a good idea at the time. It didn't turn out that way for three of your group. You've been brought around about 500 years ahead of schedule, as far as we can tell. Our presence here is something of a mystery. The first few of us were supposedly brought out of cold sleep, as you just were; however, that story has since been refuted. Since that time, several other groups have simply 'appeared', with no rational explanation at all. Come, you must be fatigued by your long sleep, let's go to the lounge and get you something to eat and drink."
SUBJ: Warlock (R) FROM: DMG 04/13/90 S#: 120791
Seeing those two "ghost" go for my 2 companions he won't risk shooting at them. Instead I'll try to use the Odds power once again but this time randomly hoping
(Since I don't know what hurts them) something good happens. If anything weird happens though that is dangerous Warlock will teleport towards where the aliens came from and "lick" his wounds.
SUBJ: Stepping in with Outback... FROM: Bloodshard 04/13/90 S#: 127211
Impact takes a heroic pose. He stands undaunted in the face of the enemy. Trying a full presence attack, he faces the enemy.
"I don't know WHO, or WHAT you are, but you'd better just think twice before attacking us. We outnumber you three to one. It would be wiser to talk this over."
"I hope this thing speaks English", Bloodshard thinks to himself
-Bloodshard
SUBJ: LORD LUNATIC- Victor Feury FROM: NightStlkr 04/13/90 S#: 412447
Lord Lunatic gasps in amazement at the crimson specter in front of him.
"BY THE FOUR WINDS!!! Doest my mind play such cruel tricks on me!?! What kind of evil entity be this before me!?! If thou doest seek to strike fear into the heart of a Mystic Knight, foul demon, it shall not happen...the Code of Valor forbids it!!! I shall face thy wicked ness to the bitter end..."
"HAVE AT THEE!!!"
Vic stands ready for the phantasm's next attack; if it should be at a range, he'll attempt to reflect it back to its source. If the spirit comes in for hand-to-hand combat, he shall let it get close to him then lash out with his Flaming Blade (add STR to HKA).
SUBJ: Beth
Once back at her quarters, Beth breaks out into tears.
'What is happening to me?! I didn't ask for this... Now those people are going to die because I didn't do anything...'
The hysterics last for only a few minutes. She quickly regains her composure.
'What I'm going to ask you is very important, Rem. I need your help. You're the only one here who can understand what is happening to me. I must learn to control these talents, if I'm going to any use to anyone. Will you help me?'
SUBJ: Number 6 (R) FROM: Deslock 04/16/90 S#: 838791
"Please, one at a time. I shall attempt to answer all your questions. The year, as best we can determine, is 2635. As far as we can tell, the parasite in no longer present, at least not in this immediate area. The base is in reasonable shape, considering the period of inactivity; we have been working at improving its condition. As I mentioned, we have just come through an alien attack. The enemy vessel is presently disabled, and base personnel have boarded it. Unfortunately, during the attack, 3 vials of the revival fluid were destroyed. Your brethren did not survive. This is the first I've heard of the locations of the earth colonists, but I'm afraid what little we know does not bode well for them. Prior to the attack on this base, there was a large fleet engagement over the North Pole. The ship which attacked this base belonged to the winning side. The identity of the losing side is unknown, but ay well have been from the Lunar/Mars colonies."
Spectrum's Comments: Apparently, Number 6 is responding to a GM Note of mine that I wrote on the fly and never downloaded, so the exact comments are unknown.
SUBJ: REM FROM: REM9 04/16/90S#: 426358
REM holds Beth in her arms as long as it takes for her to calm down a little. (It seems weird to be on the giving end of some comfort to someone whom you truly admire.) When Beth calms down and asks REM for assistance, REM will try to talk to Beth as calmly as she can muster. "Sure I'll help you Beth, after all you've done for me and Tarantula, you don't even have to ask. Don't worry about those scientists, Number 6 will handle that. Let's see if we can figure out what is happening to you. I guess the first thing we should try is mind talk, since you already demonstrated that and I kind of am real good at it. Concentrate on me. Try and talk to me without using your mouth. Reach out and touch my mind."
**Let your thoughts flow, don't try and force them. I'm here if you need me, so don't worry about things getting out of control. We haven't had much time to talk recently with everything that has been happening. Can I ask you a question? Why do you think I was put in the tubes with the rest of you? I mean each of you has some sort of job that they can do around here, I feel like all I can do is get in the way. If it weren't for my mutant powers, I think I would be practically useless around here.**
REM has switched to mind talk in midstream to try to ease Beth into the feeling. She will continue to talk to Beth about her (REM's) problem in the hopes that Beth's instincts to help will override her fear of her new powers until she is more comfortable with them. When REM feels that Beth has some reasonable control, she will suggest that Beth try to contact Number 6 to see how everything is with everyone else out there. She will try to guide Beth along the way, and stop her if something starts to go wrong.
If this test is successful, REM will then continue. **Ok Beth, now let's see if Solitaire left any more surprises behind. Try to think back to when the two of you were joined. Let's see if between the two of us, we can see just what happened.** REM will use her powers to try and probe Beth's memories about what happened. She will use her illusion generation to help Beth remember.
SUJB: Beth
Beth will try to follow Rem's instructions to the best of her ability.
"As for why you were placed in suspended animation, I really don't know. I don't know why we all are here. But there must be a reason. You may not have the skills that some of us have, but that does not make you any less valuable. It seems that we all have been given a second chance. Let's make the most of it."
SUBJ: Doug FROM: Shadeblade 04/17/90 S#: 500636
The strange transformation, needless to say, surprises Doug at least as much everyone else. Trying to hide his misgivings on the turn of events, he quickly speaks up.
"So, the wolves shed their sheep's clothing, 'eh? I hope to God that you think long and hard before attacking anyone here. We might not take kindly to that. You give up now, and things won't be as hard."
(I honestly hope I can back that up! Can you hurt ghosts?)
Doug again shifts his concentration. He puts up a full-strength Forcewall around the strange beings, hoping that they will be held by it. If they aren't affected, then Doug will put his Personal Force Field up to half-strength and throw everything else into a Forceblast.
SUBJ: Interesting (R) FROM: GM Yiseal 04/17/90 S#: 436693
Upon seeing the men fall apart and this red cloud form, a look of panic quickly appears and disappears from my face.
"MIDRIN parasites!"
With that I change once more to become a Midrin.
'I wish I could remember how they can be hurt! Becoming one of them should help me with that. DARN! I can't carry my gun! Well, I think I will just wait here for them to come to me. That should give the others a chance to try the more conventional means.'
If the Midrin turn away from me, I will move to intercept the closest one. if these things get a hold of one of my new friends that will be the last of them.
'As for rewards, well, I can forget about that. How do you prove you killed a Midrin? Maybe this is being recorded! That would be proof! No time now to check.'
Spectrum's Comments: The aliens are a parasitic life form known as the Midrins. They are composed of energy and they can control beings by 'merging' with them. This symbiosis isn't pleasant for the host as it literally burns them out. The bodies in the morgue were old host bodies. The men were plain humans, just discolored and smelled because they were being cooked from the inside out! This ship is also of human construction. The Midrins were the aliens the humans have been fighting out in space for a while now.
Next Time: More fun with the aliens and the Popsicles. We visit the beach in Beth's mind and a background character from the main site makes their first Q appearance for the start of a Q & A session! Only 2 more files to go in this very weird series!