Spectrum's Comments: Finally, the team is getting somewhere. They've arrived at the secluded ski lodge where Jason Campbell disappeared from to begin their investigation.
Troubleshooters #7 - "The We-Are-Not-Alone Affair: Chapter Seven"
Items Note:
With all the talk of gadgets as of late, thought I'd clear up a few things.
The watches you were given will function as walkie-talkies. They have an effect range of 10 miles.
Any additional supplies should have been requested while preparing for this task. You know what they say about hindsight!
Going to town to get more supplies will take an entire day. The lodge is very remote!
You have been given equipment that would be logical for a skiing trip. After all, the authorities would question a large group of heavily armed people. That's why so many handguns were given out.
The following is a list of equipment that you do have: Food, winter clothing, skis, flashlights, backpacks and snowshoes.
Camping supplies were not included as you have the lodge to use as a base. Also, you came to the lodge under the pretense of gaining more information about the disappearances. The fact that the aliens might be close by was not known. And lastly, the center is only 3 miles away, an hour's walk.
The group does have binoculars, 2 infrared scopes and a parabolic microphone that Clint requested in Post #5.
The group has a regular camera.
The Troubleshooters has settled into the ski lodge where David Campbell and his friends disappeared. An odd source of radiation was found in the front yard, in a large bowl shaped indentation.
Information points towards the center of the alien actions being a mere 3 miles from the lodge to the north. Charles suggests that a group of scouts check the area out. Blacki offers to go and Elton said that he would send his familiar Gritch.
QC spends the entire night working. He has come up with a homing device, as requested by Clint.
Response has been poor to the various questions posted by QC of the various computer networks. Of the responses received, only one seems to be of a (semi) serious nature. It reads:
Mail from: AliensR us
Dear Clumsy Carp,
I saw your notice and I must ask that you not ask such questions. The alien conspiracy cannot be stopped! Your futile attempts to gain information will not succeed!
:P p P p P p
End of Mail
Continuing to work, QC comes to the conclusion that the alien ship must be in the classic 'saucer' shape.
GM Notes:
Now what, people? Going to get more supplies, or waste a day?
What will you do? What WILL you do?
(Cute, Kill, real cute... :P XP's? You actually want XP's for the privilege and honor of participating in one of my games? The nerve of some people... ;>)
SUBJ: Q.C. Peddlar (R) FROM: GM Kill 05/14/90 S#: 99632
I look up from my computer screen to see little birdies sitting on tree branches and chirping away. Sunlight shines through, highlighting the various bags under my eyes.
"Eh, morning?" I say slowly, trying to understand this concept. I hit the printer, and print out a copy of the AliensR us post, and then ask whoever happens by next to give it to Mr. Hunter, I also write a note on it about the shape of the ship. I also write down a suggestion for pit traps, to try and make their landing a rough one when they return.
I also give Mr. Hunter the Tracking device along with instructions on how to use it, and suggest that he train everyone else in it's use so that if me and him get captured, or killed, that anyone else can use it to track the aliens.
I also tell him that if he wants me, I'll be upstairs napping.
Then, I crawl upstairs, slip into bed, and start trying to get some sleep.
"Yep, if we get captured or killed, anyone else could track the ship. Captured or Killed. Captured or Killed." I think to myself. "CAPTURED OR KILLED!"
I sit bolt upright, worry nervously for a minute, before my eyes start closing and my head drops onto the pillow.
"Oh well, I at least want to be well rested when I get captured or killed."
(Hehehehehe...Cute Mad! Real Cute! ;D )
SUBJ: Duncan Lansdowne FROM: Deslock 05/14/90 S#: 59092
"Scouts eh? Beats hanging around in here for three days. I wouldn't mind taking a tramp in the woods. Barring that, I'll look around."
SUBJ: Elton... FROM: GM Elezar 05/14/90 S#: 501449
.. starts his morning out with a small exercise in his occult powers. Wandering off into the area away from the cabin, with a "Call me with your watch if you need me.. " he sets up a circle in the snow. Sitting in the middle, he recites a quick chant in order to summon a minor elemental that has served him well in the past..
Come to me,
With head hung low.
Oh little Shing,
Your eyes aglow.. "
"Greetings, Shing. I would request your services for the next three days. What would you request in return from me?"
After coming up with a deal that's agreeable to both Shing and myself, I set him to work guarding the cabin against intrusion by anyone except the party.. and head back to the cabin to see what the others are up to.
(Note for the GM: Shing is a very minor Air Elemental in AD&D standards he would be at most 1 HD, with a Strength of 5. He will not engage in any sort of combat, but will alert me if the cabin is being broken into, or entered by anyone other than the party. :) His 'payment' is up for you to decide.. Although since he's only a minor creature he wouldn't dare demand much for his services.)
Elton
SUBJ: Clinton Hunter (R) FROM: AREION 05/15/90 S#: 801040
Clinton is up at the crack of dawn, going over possible scenarios over and over again in his head. Around 10 AM he uses his watch/radio to summon the others to the common area.
"OK, here's the lookout schedule I worked out. The watch will be broken down into 8 shifts of 3 hours. Each shift will be made up of two people and each pair will take two shifts a day:"
"Duncan and I will take the Midnight to 3 and Noon to 3 shifts"
"Charles and RC will take over for the 3 to 6 shifts."
"Anthony and Milton...the 6 to 9 shifts"
"That leaves Elton and Sam with the 9 to noon and 9 to midnight watch."
"QC and Michelle...where's QC?"
Oh, ok. Let him sleep, I'll fill him in later."
"Since you two are our resident egg heads...no offence...I want to leave your time open."
"Any questions, discussion, objections? I'll tell the first team when to report as soon as I get a lookout post set up. I'll cover for anyone in Charles recon team until you return."
"Speaking of the recon mission, it looks like a shopping spree is out of the question, we just don't have the time. Luckily I did grab some of the equipment you mentioned before we left Charles. Take one of the infrared scopes and as any pair of binoculars as you need. I don't see you having any use for the microphone, but if you think you'll need it, it's there too."
Upon receiving the homing device as I requested and QC's memos, I familiarize myself with its functions, as per his instructions, and take the time to show everyone else how it works.
A broad smile stretches across my face as I read the 'AliensR us' post.
"Looks like we ARE getting a bit of attention. Could be someone's idea of a joke...but it's worded pretty convincingly."
"Let's see, what else does he have to...QC, you're worth your weight in gold! I'll dig it right under the original landing spo...oh s**t! No shovel! There has got to be a grounds keeper's shack around here somewhere. Ok everyone...you can go about your business. I'll see if I can't find that shack."
If Clint finds what he's looking for (and breaks in if he has to) he'll search it looking for a shovel(s), Electrical and/or Duct tape, Gasoline (If there's a snow blower, there should be gasoline), some rope, a hose or anything else of a useful nature.
If Clint does find some gas, he'll gather everyone still on the premises (except QC...let him sleep) back to the common area.
"OK everyone, we were left a bit under equipped for this mission, so we're going to have to use some good, old fashioned ingenuity. We're going to need some empty cans of the canned food variety...lots of them (Don't cut the tops off completely), the batteries out of anything you can find...including the fire alarms...don't touch the one in the homing device!, :> and a little wire."
While everyone is diligently at work, Clinton will grab the remaining binoculars, infrared scope and Parabolic Microphone (if Charles didn't take it) and find a way onto the roof. Once there I'll find the best spot for a lookout post (preferably a level area shielded from the wind.) I'll also lug some blankets and pillows up there too.
Guess I'd better stop there until I get some results from MAD.
GM Notes:
The panty also holds some misc. equipment. Shovels, a snow blower, a gallon of gas, rope and duct tape.
SUBJ: Duncan Landsdowne FROM: Deslock 05/16/90 S#: 810447
"Clint, I think you've been watching too many episodes of McGyver."
SUBJ: Charles FROM: Splatipus 05/17/90 S#: 63002
Well if everyone is ready I suggest we get it over with.... Any who is going should get ready and dress warmly :D Btw I will take along the Binoculars and the infrared scope... I will show everyone who doesn't know and is going with me how to put on the snow shoes :D
I will have my Kevlar shirt on and my gun in a shoulder holster and have the watch on. I tell everyone not to use there radio watches unless they are really lost or really in trouble because the we might be picked up by the wrong people. When we are ready to go I Will tell them people who are going to stay close together and be on the look out. I will give the infrared scope to one of the others going and tell him to keep a look out while I find our way to area...BTW if we have a map I will want to take it and a compass if we have one :) The path we will follow will be as straight as possible while staying in the cover of trees. I do not want to be caught out in the open.
Once we Get there.....Well that will probably be covered in the next post :D
SUBJ: Elton.. :) FROM: GM Elezar 05/17/90 S#: 512705
"As far as watches on the cabin go, I've taken an added precaution in case someone does try to break in. Nothing much, but it'll give us a little warning if necessary. Maintaining watches is still a good idea though.."
When the group sets out to scout around, I'll send Gritch along with them to act as added eyes and ears and spend much of the time in my room, seeing through his eyes, prepared to warn the group through the use of the watches.
"As far as using them only if absolutely necessary.. True, they might pick up on such transmissions. But we'll still need to keep in touch. Especially if you run across something that you might not recognize as important. I'll want a clear channel open for any such emergencies, understood?"
Elton
SUBJ: Q.C. Peddlar (R) FROM: Count Kill 05/18/90 S#: 517853
"Egayahaha..." I say yawning. I sit there, scratching my head and looking at the clock. Seeing as how it's already 2:00 PM or somewhere thereabouts, I crawl out of bed, throw on my robe and wander over to the bathroom to take a shower.
Minutes later, everyone hears a frightful scream!
"EEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAGGGHHHH!"
But, I manage to turn on some hot water as well, and everything turns out all right.
"Check the water temperature before you get in the shower." I remind myself as I wash.
Once washed and dressed, I wander downstairs and try to find Mr. Hunter. If I manage to find him, I'll ask him if anything new has happened, and if there's anything he wants me to do.
After that, I wander into the kitchen, grab me some food, and then head over to my computer.
Then, I check the posts I posted on various BBS'es, and see if any replies have been added since last I checked.
Heading back to the circle outside, I use my briefcase to try and pin down exactly what type of radiation is present, and how it is situated, i.e. just in one point, in a wide area, in some spots but not others, etc.
Then using CAD again, I'll try to determine based on the ships design, apparent power and location, as to where the power source would have to be to power the ship, and how it would lift off and land.
SUBJ: RC Moore FROM: GM Wolf 05/18/90 S#: 22206
RC elects to remain behind in the cabin. Absently he wanders from room to room, checking them out, looking for anything that might have been left behind. With Gritch gone he is able to walk easier and absently thrusts his cane into a belt loop out of the way.
SUBJ: Micky (R) FROM: Micky 25 05/19/90 S#: 417042
Getting out of bed Micky decides that since she will be spending the day at the cabin, it would give her a chance to wear a dress today and takes care to get ready. She spends much time trying to get as nice looking as possible. After picking the flower print dress she decides the black heels would go the best with her outfit. As she slips on the last shoe she gets the summons from Clint. After the meeting she returns to her room and mumbles. "Gee I spend all this time to look as pleasant as possible and Hunter calls me an egghead. Too bad, he's such an attractive man too."
Spectrum's Comments: Poor Micky-- Hunter doesn't even seem to notice her.
SUBJ: Clint Hunter FROM: AREION 05/19/90 S#: 800372
I grab the Items I found and lug them back to the common area then summon the others back (as stated in my previous post. ;> )
"McGyver, Duncan??...I've always been partial to The A-Team." ;>
"Michelle...QC, I'm going to need your help. I want to try to jerry-rig some minor explosive devices to set a minefield around the lodge. Nothing fancy, just some simple concussive charges. Michelle, you handle the explosives themselves and QC, the detonating devices. I'd prefer a manual detonator, but simple pressure sensitive switch will do.
"If either of you need any other supplies for the task, give a yell. I'll do my best to see what I can come up with."
"Unless anyone here has demolition skills, I'll finish the final assembly and set the mines. If they misfire in anyone's face, I want it to be mine!"
To Elton:
"Added precautions? What sort of added precau... Forget I asked! Alien invaders is hard enough to believe, I don't think I'm ready to handle what you'd have to tell me!"
"I've got a watch to set up and a pit to dig. Anyone care to give me a hand?"
Clint will grab the rope and a shovel and set out to set up the lookout post (As stated in my previous post as well) After this task is done, he'll tell the appropriate team to take watch. He'll also be sure to get someone to cover for each of the persons in Charles party before heading out to the original landing sight where he'll dig two parallel 6' x 12' trenches, with only a 6" gap between them. Both trenches will be 4 1/2' to 5' deep.
Anyone watching him work will notice he isn't wearing a coat or any warm clothing at all, just a pair of jeans, his leather vest and shoulder holster. It's obvious he's suffering in this cold, but in some warped sense, he seems to like it.
Moving 720 cubic feet of frozen earth may take some time. If need be, Clint will work up until it's his turn to take watch, then return to the task at hand. When night begins to fall he'll take a break to grab a flashlight and several bed sheets. He'll lay the sheets out on the snow, pour water over them and leave'em to freeze (Once frozen solid, they will serve as a cover for the pit trap)
While on watch duty, Clint will allow himself the luxury of huddling under a blanket and sipping a cup of hot chocolate.
When he finally finishes digging, Clint will try to disperse the frozen dirt evenly across a wide area so there wont be a large mound. Of coarse, it will all have to be covered. :¦
Troubleshooters #8 - "The We-Are-Not-Alone Affair: Chapter Eight"
Morning comes to the ski lodge and the team prepares for the days activities. After an impromptu meeting held by Clint, Charles, Blacki and Duncan depart on a scouting trip towards the center of the sightings.
They are somewhat unnerved by their fourth member, the invisible, intangible Gritch. The day is clear and pleasant. They make good time.
Clint finds the roof of the lodge to be rather treacherous. He finds no good position to set up his post.
Earlier in the morning, Elton goes into the front yard. He casts a spell, conjuring magical guardian. Speaking through Gritch they talk for a few moments and then depart.
Micky begins work on the explosives.
QC checks Q-Link once again to find a new response in his mail slot.
Mail from: The Alffer
"Yeah, dem aliens are among us! I've seem then in action! Me and me buddies were passing through this town... They took'n and made hamburger out of them! They ate'm! I'll take all the help I can get!
End of Mail
Out in the mountains, the scouting group has reached the center point. They find themselves looking into a small valley. Nothing of interest has been seen up till now. What appears to be air vent can be seen in the side of the hill. It is designed so that it cannot be seen from the air.
Gritch relays to Elton that he detects more of that strange energy he sensed at the bowl in the yard. There is a 'whoosing' sound down in the valley. The group gets a brief glance at an object that seemingly zips out the side of the hill. The object doesn't seem to notice the scouting group and it streaks out of sight... Back towards the lodge!
And back at the lodge, Elton receives the news of incoming from Gritch. He in turn alerts everyone else.
Retreating into the lodge, everyone awaits the object arrival.
The wait is not long. A small object flies into the front yard and comes to a floating stop. The object is a metallic sphere, about the size of a basketball. It hovers silently, as if waiting for something....
SUBJ: Charles FROM: Splatipus 05/20/90 S#: 47597
I tell the others to hide in the nearby cover and to wait for the return of whatever came out of the side of the valley. I tell the person with the infrared scope to check out the area and see if he can pick anything up. While I look around with the Binoculars and take a few photographs. Upon the return of whatever it was I suggest that We take a closer look and go down into the valley and check out what we saw or at least get a closer look then return to the lodge. BTW I tell everyone to keep radio silence until we know what is going on and not to give ourselves away to the aliens.
If by 1 hours the thing does not return I will tell one of the scouts to make his way back to camp to see what is going on and to come back as soon as possible I will give a message to this person to relay to our leader that I think at least one of us should stay and keep an eye on things.
If by the 3 hours pass then I will Make my way down to the valley and get close to the Illusion... I will assume by then that there is something wrong and try to investigate further. At all times I will have my Weapon drawn, ready to fire at a moments notice.
SUBJ: Duncan Lansdowne FROM: Deslock 05/20/90 S#: 46656
"QC and explosives? Glad I'm going walkabout. Speaking of which, if you go and get dressed up every time I'm not here, Micky, you're going to give me a complex."
During our walk to the center of things, I'll take the time to get a feel for the general terrain about here, what type of game might be about, alternate routes, etc... Got to do something to stay busy.
Once things start to happen at the sight, I'll unsnap the catch on my holster. Best to be ready.
"Caution is nice, boss, but what's the point of the Dick Tracy watches if we don't use them? If these guys made it here all the way from Romulus, I think they'll know we're lurking about out here. Otherwise, I'd like to have their spare parts concession."
SUBJ: Q.C. Peddlar... FROM: GM Kill 05/21/90 S#: 521296
I run off a copy of the message and give it to Mr. Hunter. And then find out about his plans for explosives.
"Well, I guess in theory I could make some detonators up, but I've never tried before, so I don't know exactly what I'll get. But, I'll certainly try Mr. Hunter." I say, while hoping that I won't wind up betraying Mr. Hunter's faith in me.
Once I get back inside, I try making up some Detonators. (I'll get the plans from the Anarchist's BBS. ;) ) First, I'll go find Micky.
"Miss...uh...er..." I stutter, as about this time I remember that I've forgotten her last name. "Miss Micky, I need to know what would detonate the explosives you're making. A spark, electrical current, or such."
Then I just stand there smiling nervously while I await her answer. Once I have it, I'll head down, and work on the detonators. Then when that's finished, I get back to work on analyzing those hydrogen atoms, getting Micky's help with those as well if necessary.
Once the sphere comes, I'll go to one of the first floor front windows facing the orb, and open it. Then, I'll snap open my briefcase, and start putting together some sensor equipment. I'll run it through every sensor, and test I can do at this distance, recording the info for later.
Then I put my stuff back into the briefcase, turn from the window, trip over a lamp cord, and fall backwards out the window.
"AIGH!"
(Well, they're going to either fry me or laugh at me, I'm just not certain which. And that's just the rest of the group, I'm afraid to see what the aliens are going to do. ;] )
GM Notes:
Time passes up in the hills, 15 minutes has passed and there have been no further sightings of the object.
Tense minutes pass, but the object continues to hover in the yard. QC's scanning of the metallic sphere reveals the following
1. It has the same odd traces of radiation as the bowl.
2. It appears to be scanning the house in turn.
In a stroke of sheer genius, QC realizes what type of engines the aliens are using. They are using a clean fission process, where hydrogen atoms are broken down and used for fuel. The advantage being they hydrogen is one of the most common elements in the universe. The process leaves behind traces of Lambda Wave Radiation.
SUBJ: Clinton Hunter FROM: AREION 05/24/90S#: 823136
At the first sight of the strange mechanized sphere, Clint opens the trusty case always at his side to give the team it's first look at his preferred weapon; A pair of cowhide gloves. As he puts them on, you can see that the back of each glove is upraised about 3/4", ending just before the knuckle.
He clenches his right fist deliberately and three 3" blades slide out of the upraised housing with and ominous *CLICK* of metal pieces snapping into place.
He than gazes upon the array of faces around him and comments:
"...just a precaution..."
He releases his grip and the blades slide back into their housing. He then reaches into his vest to draw his gun from its holster.
Clint cautiously glances past the drapes out the window, looking for possible escape routs should flight prove necessary. He looks back and downward to find himself staring at a shapely pair of legs. He snaps out of it after a second, blushing slightly.
"ahh...well...You might want to get out of those heels Micky...We may have to flee this coup."
Grumbling to himself "I've been around QC too long...it's starting to rub off", He continues watching as Peddler starts his surveillance of the thing.
"Whoa! You mean that thing is watching us! I'm not any too sure...QC!! LOOK OUT FOR THAT..."
**CCCRRRRRAAAAAAASSSSHHHHH**
"...cord."
Clint releases his grip on his face with a downward motion, springs to a squatted position in the window, and casts a cautious glance at the sphere. He then climbs down slowly to help QC up...keeping his eyes on the thing at all times. Should it make any sudden movements, Clint will shove QC to the ground before diving for cover himself.
SUBJ: RC Moore FROM: GM Wolf 05/26/90 S#: 847715
As soon as RC becomes aware of the situation, he retrieves his leather jacket, arms up and slips outside to join the others, taking care to stay away from Gritch.
SUBJ: Micky (R) FROM: Micky 25 05/26/90 S#: 435402
A spark is necessary, QC, I say then go back to work. Soon Clint enters the room and for a moment I watch as his eyes scan me from my feet to my waist then back again, suddenly he tells me to change shoes as something is happening. He then rushes off. I kick off my heels and grab a pair of flats and run downstairs. Upon arriving to the room where everyone is, I sit on a chair and slip into my flats, my bending causing my dress to slide up to my thighs, (exposing the garter and pistol) I again catch Clint's eyes roaming. His new opinion of me flatters me but I think to myself gee I'm glad he isn't carrying that rope and duct tape around still ( :D ). I then run to the window to observe what is causing the disturbance.
(Don't worry Duncan, I didn't plan on changing again today, hurry back. ;)