Spectrum's Comments: The team has encountered an alien probe...
Troubleshooters #9 - "The We-Are-Not-Alone Affair: Chapter 9"
Up in the mountains, the scouting team continues to wait. Suddenly, the illusion flickers for a moment, disappearing. For a moment you can see a large opening into the side of the hill. The halls and floor appear to be worked stone.
There is a loud thud, as if something metallic was struck. The illusion reappears.
Half an hour has passed now.
Back at the lodge, the rest of the team continues to watch the probe. The silence is disrupted as QC falls flat on his face.
Unnoticed by the others, Sam has departed out of the back door. Cautiously he approaches the sphere.
However, the sphere comes to life once again. It moves towards the house. A beam of energy is fired from it, blasting the front door off of the hinges! The sphere then flies into the lodge as everyone scatters. Milton comes into its sight and is dropped by another energy blast. He appears unconscious.
SUBJ: Clinton Hunter FROM: AREION 05/30/90 S#: 488302
"Oh s**t!! Everyone...take cover!!"
(Nothing like stating the obvious is there?)
Clinton shoves his pistol back into its shoulder holster, not wanting to take pot shots at a run away cue-ball and possibly hurt one of his own team mates.
He clenches as fist and goes in after the sphere (Dodge, using acrobatics where necessary until I'm close enough to get my 'claws' into the thing.)
If the others have trouble getting clear, Clint will make every attempt to draw the things fire while avoiding the deadly green ray.
SUBJ: Duncan Lansdowne FROM: Deslock 05/30/90 S#: 827656
"It's good to see that even the Romulans have to give their machines a whack to keep them running. We have a pretty good idea where they are now, I think I'll mosey on over and take a closer look. Standing around in the cold doesn't really do anything for me."
SUBJ: Q.C. Peddlar... FROM: Count Kill 05/31/90 S#: 2274
I lay there for a few moments, wondering how to salvage my wounded pride, and how to soothe my wounded buttocks. Then I hear shouting from inside. Standing up, I peer through the window and see the Orb attacking everyone inside.
"Uh Oh..."
I quickly snap open my Briefcase, and start putting various pieces together of my Modular Operating System. I try to put together a power drain device to suck the things battery dry.
(1d6 END drain, down 2 levels on time chart to once every 5 minutes.)
I gulp loudly, and my palms sweat, as I realize that I have to attack the thing. Then I just stand there staring in through the doorway, frozen stiff with fear.
"Well, maybe they can handle it. Yeah, I'm not needed." I think to myself quickly, trying to rationalize not going in there.
"But, they may need me to help....But, that thing could kill me. Decisions, decisions."
GM Notes:
Cautiously, Duncan moves towards the illusion in the hill. He finds it when his hand passes through the hillside. There is a tingling sensation, but he feels no other effects. Sticking his head in, he sees a large cave. The worked stone walls gives way to a metallic surface. The area beyond is a large hanger. A saucer shaped vessel sits in the middle of the room. No one appears to be around. Then he notices a metallic sphere hovering close by.
SUBJ: Duncan Lansdowne FROM: Deslock 06/01/90 S#: 478836
--Metal bowling balls? I don't thing the PBA would approve.-
Pulling my head out of the cave, I'll wave back toward the others, and mark the cave 'opening' in the snow with a large arrow. This done, I'll ready my whip, and enter the cave, keeping near the walls as much as possible, feeling for more hidden openings. If the Earl Anthony special makes a move for me, I'll perform a killing strike against it with my whip.
A question: Does the group at the cave know of the attack at the lodge at this point?
SUBJ: RC Moore FROM: GM Wolf 06/02/90 S#: 83022
When the sphere fires, RC dodges for cover. Unfortunately, his lame leg doesn't agree with the quick maneuver and gives away, sending him into a snow bank.
SUBJ: SAM FROM: REM9 06/02/90 S#: 811683
"Quick QC. Perhaps between the two of us we can figure out what makes this thing tick or at least choose its targets. It ignored me once it made up its mind, so that can be used as an advantage here." Sam will then scamper towards the open door (taking extra care not to allow himself to be seen). When he is there, the first thing he will try is to Scream out, "Everyone stay down if you can. Maybe we can find a way to distract it from out here. The moment you see it head for the door, open fire." If sound doesn't attract it, next Sam will try throwing a large (inorganic) rock across the doorway. Next he will try a (organic) log. Next he will rip his shirt and use another log to make a makeshift torch and wave this in the doorway. Note that Sam is trying to draw its attention, not commit suicide, so the moment he gets its intentions, its dive for cover time.
SUBJ: Charles FROM: Splatipus 06/02/90 S#:850988
I will follow down to the entrance with my Gun in hand. I will ask someone in the Scouting party to go back and tell the others about what we found (unknowingly of the attack at the lodge).
End transmission...
Troubleshooters #10 - "The We-Are-Not-Alone Affair: Chapter 10"
Inside the ski lodge, an alien sphere has attacked, sending the team scattering for cover. Clint, donning his clawed glove, goes to the offensive.
Elsewhere, the sphere has chased Michelle into the dinning room. She makes a hasty exit into the kitchen, as Clint comes in from behind. Claw raised, he strikes!
There is a brief flash as the claw makes contact with the internal workings of the sphere. Smoke pours from the sphere, but it continues to hover.
It fires off another blast, but Clint dodges. Wounded, the sphere flies off, towards the front door.
Sam bashes it with a rock as it passes him, putting a large dent in the sphere.
RC stands at the doorway, just recovering from his snowdrift dive. Seeing the sphere approach him, he holds his cane like a bat and swings. RC connects, hitting the sphere across the room into the wall.
Energy arcs along the sphere for a moment and then it is still.
Up in the mountains...
As Duncan passes through the illusion, the sphere comes to life. It starts to rise into the air. Duncan is faster, slashing it with his whip. The object sputters and then falls to the ground.
The rest of the cavern is free on threats. Looking around, a doorway is noticed in the back of the cavern. (It was hidden by the saucer.)
GM Notes:
Via the watches, both groups are aware of what is going on at both fronts.
Now what?
Oh, after some ten minutes, Milton recovers from his blasting. He seems to have no ill effects.
Spectrum's Comments: I think the probes were the aliens' way of locating and neutralizing targets for pick up. It just knocked people out for a while.
SUBJ: Clinton Hunter (R) FROM: AREION 06/03/90 S#:841749
Kneeling over the downed sphere, Clint looks up with an expression of satisfaction on his face.
"Good work team! That's two for the home team! Now we have our second alien artifact."
Upon making contact with Charles over the watch-communicator and learning of his situation, Clint begins formulating a plan.
"Ok Charles, Proceed with caution, but do not engage the enemy! The rest of us are on our way. I repeat, proceed with caution! Trust no one...I've read reports of the U.S. military working in conjunction with Extra-Terrestrials in such bases."
"Ok, team... I need a volunteer to deliver the sphere and QC's findings about the aliens' energy source back to Mr. Campbell. The rest of you get ready to hit the trail! We leave in ten minutes."
Clint breaks out the equipment, and lays it out for the others. He grabs the rope and a pair of binoculars for himself before checking his weapons, tightening his gloves and breaking out the map.
By the time the others get back Clint's already wearing snowshoes and secured a suitable walking stick.
"Alright team, The Aliens' base is just a couple miles to the North. Let's move it out."
SUBJ: Micky FROM: Micky 25 06/03/90 S#: 495659
Hugging Clint, Micky thanks him for saving her life. I'd like to be in on the annualizing of this object maybe we can at least get some clues from it. Learn something about our foes, at least. I then prepare for whatever assignment is chosen for me.
SUBJ: Q.C. Peddlar... FROM: Count Kill 06/04/90 S#: 798349
I scrunch my eyes real tight, and once I conquer the butterflies in my stomach, I run at the orb. Unfortunately, it has since been put out of commission, so I go running in, swinging my energy drain wildly through the air, before running into the end of the table, tripping, falling onto said table, and sliding off it into the far wall next to the broken Orb.
"Urk." I say painfully. "That hurt."
I slowly open my eyes, and look about, and see the orb laying there broken.
"Hey, look what I did!" I say excitedly. "I don't know how I did it, but what does that matter!"
I get quite dejected when someone tells me what really happened. "Oh, so you mean I went charging through the air, attacking something that wasn't even there any more? Gee, how did I manage that. Sigh."
When Clint mentions his plans, and that someone needs to take the info back to base, I volunteer.
"I can't even handle one of the, I'd be of no use in a whole complex of those things." I think to myself morosely. "Better I just stay here, out of their way."
SUBJ: Charles FROM: Splatipus 06/04/90 S#: 491910
After looking at the door for A few minutes I finally say, "After you Duncan" :)..... I slowly go to the side of the door with Gun in hand.... Suddenly over my radio I hear something about being Careful and proceed with caution but I quickly turn down the volume because of the noise that might attract attention. I will examine the door to see how it opens....Then guess I'll Open it and tell Duncan to stand back.
SUBJ: Duncan Lansdowne FROM: Deslock 06/04/90 S#: 461609
"Age before beauty, Chuck."
I'll stand on the opposite side of the doorway while Charles examines the door; whip at the ready, checking back the way we came to make sure nothings coming up behind us. If the door is locked, I'll see what I can do about that.
GM Notes:
Charles, Duncan, 'door' was a poor choice of words on my part. It is actually an opening in the back of the cave. It leads to a corridor going deeper into the base. Looking into the corridor, it travels some 40' before ending and turning left and right. What appears to be some type of camera is high on the wall at the intersection. It slowly pans back and forth covering all 3 corridors.
SUBJ: Clint FROM: AREION 06/07/90 S#: 469189
"Don't be so hard on yourself QC! So you're not the most physically impressive guy on the team and maybe you're a bit of a klutz... but the work you do is invaluable to us, and your dedication certainly leaves NOTHING to be desired!"
"Just doing my job, Micky. You're free to make your own choice. We didn't come prepared for this.. it could be incredibly dangerous. I wouldn't want to be responsible for something happening to ANY of you because 'I' chose to take you along. On the other hand, I don't want to offend anyone by leaving you out"
SUBJ: Duncan Lansdowne FROM: Deslock 06/07/90 S#: 100752
"Nosey bunch of Romulans, you can't even walk down a corridor around here in privacy."
I'll observe the camera long enough to determine it's cycle time. If it's long enough to accomplish this without being seen by it, then I'll run down the corridor and trash the camera. Otherwise, I'm open to ideas.
SUBJ: Micky FROM: Micky 25 06/08/90 S#: 515816
QC you are being to hard on yourself. When you didn't know the status of that craft I thought you acted rather bravely going at it as you did. I can stay here alone at the lodge and relay any emergency communications from the group, besides I'm not exactly dressed for a hike and I don't want the group held up waiting on me. Our friends out there need you as soon as possible.
SUBJ: Q.C. Peddlar... FROM: Count Kill 06/10/90 S#: 463390
"Well..." I say sheepishly. "Okay, Mr. Hunter, I guess I shouldn't be surprised at my limitations by now."
I look at Micky with an embarrassed look.
"Thanks Micky, for the kind words, I just hope I can live up to them."
"Well, I guess I'll be going along, I'm real interested to see what types of technology they have."
"But, I suggest we leave Milton behind though, as he's been struck by that thing, and while he may appear fine, we're still not certain what that thing could do."
"Plus, we may need Micky. She's our biological sciences expert, and she may be of immense value if we actually meet the aliens."
"Well, when we're ready to go, let me know, I'll be examining this orb until then." I say as I trundle over to it, and start examining it while talking into my portable tape recorder.
Before we go, I'll leave the tape(s) I was taking notes on everything with, as well as the disks, and other notes, with whoever is staying. And tell him/her to make sure Mr. Campbell gets them if anything happens to us.
I feel a lot better now, after getting immersed in the Orb, and almost completely forget my earlier moment of despair.
I especially feel good that both Mr. Hunter, and Micky both stood by me, even after that stupid maneuver.
SUBJ: RC FROM: GM Wolf 06/10/90 S#: 846493
RC examines his cane to make sure no damage was done to it then moves to join the others.
"I think it best if I remain here ... much as I'd like to go. My leg makes me a liability in this snow. I can't move quickly enough."
GM Notes:
In the alien base, Duncan watches to determine how long it takes the camera to pan. He determines it to be about 5 seconds. It would be possible to reach the camera unseen and destroy it, but there is no margin for error.
Checking his cane, RC finds it undamaged.
So far have Clint and QC going on the trek to the aliens base. RC and Micky have choosen to stay behind, while it was suggested the Milton also stay behind.
Is that all who's going?
SUBJ: Charles B. FROM: Sir Splat 06/11/90 S#: 39393
I say to Duncan If you are going to try for the camera I will Keep my gun Ready... I will fire at the camera if I do not think you will make it in time... Other than that good luck :)
SUBJ: Duncan Lansdowne FROM: Deslock 06/11/90 S#: 818303
"Whatever you say, Chuck, but I don't think that the camera is a hazard, in and of itself. Being seen would be the problem , alerting the Romulans of our presence. Unfortunately, a gunshot will probably serve the same purpose. Still, keep your gun handy, who knows what will show up."
I'll get myself set, and sprint down the corridor as soon as the camera pans past, trashing it when I reach the end of the corridor.
Troubleshooters #11 - "The We-Are-Not-Alone Affair: Chapter 11"
At the ski lodge, Clint and QC prepare to depart, traveling to meet up with the group up in the hills. Donning their gear, they start off.
Micky and RC watch them walk off into the distance, until they are out of sight.
At the aliens' base, Duncan and Charles are presented with the problem of a camera. Watching it go back and forth, Duncan prepares for his run. Getting the timing down, he rushes into the corridor, before the camera can catch him. Charles watches silently, gun drawn.
Duncan is just about to reach the camera, when, as fate would have it, a figure rounds the corner. He and Duncan collide, sending both to the floor.
The figure is a humanoid in what appears to be futuristic armor. An opaque, domed helmet protects the head. An odd looking, metal pipe is in his hand.
Both he and Duncan are regaining their wits, while Charles looks on...
SUBJ: Charles B. (R) FROM: Splatipus 06/14/90 S#: 25802
Well since they know we are here :) I am going to shoot out the Camera if it is a good distance above their heads (so as not to accidentally shoot Duncan :)) I am going to look around on the floor for anything I can use as a club and rush down the corridor and Knock some sense into the tin can :)(and I do not mean Duncan :)) If this is armor I do not think that my gun will do much good and besides we can take him alive and it might help.... :)
SUBJ: RC FROM: GM Wolf 06/14/90 S#: 809875
RC glanced sidelong at Mickey.
"Hungry? I'll whip us up something to eat."
RC makes his way toward the kitchen.
SUBJ: Duncan Lansdowne (R) FROM: Deslock 06/14/90 S#: 479191
--Chitinous Romulans? -
I'll attempt to disarm the alien using my whip. Somehow, I don't think this guy is a plumber. Whichever way the disarm works out, I'll draw my Colt; I don't think my bullwhip's going to impress his armor very much.
"Go ahead, Rommie, Make my day."
SUBJ: Micky FROM: Micky 25 06/14/90 S#: 477045
Yes RC, food sounds good, do you need any help? If not I think I'll go over to the computer and see what I might draw up on it. I hope those guys will be all right out there. Well here's the hard part......waiting.
SUBJ: Sam FROM: REM9 06/17/90 S#: 816115
Sam is so engrossed studying the downed alien device that he barely notices the departure of the others. This is what he lives for. Studying and researching new feats of technology. This device is a scientist's dream and Sam is completely engrossed in discovering its secrets. It is only when someone comes over to look at the device that Sam even knows there is someone else in the room.
SUBJ: Clinton Hunter FROM: AREION 06/18/90 S#: 492774
Trudging along in the wilderness, Clint will continue to make his way towards the alien base, following the map and any tracks left behind by the previous recon team.
"I'm going to have to learn to be more assertive. I was chosen to lead this group, but emotionally, I'm not sure I'm ready for it."
"Two men...I'm leading a back up unit of 'two' men! By trying to protect you and the others back at the cabin, I've placed Charles and the recon team in grave danger! What am I going to do QC? What RIGHT do I have to make life or DEATH decisions for other people?!? What right does ANYONE have?!?"
Through the pressures of his dilemma Clinton will press forward, until he finds tell tale signs that he's reached his destination (such as a large arrow in the snow...Blacky standing guard, that sort of thing. :> )
SUBJ: Q.C. Peddlar... FROM: GM Kill 06/20/90 S#: 16977
I quickly don my parka, snow boots, and gloves, and start trundling through the snow after Mr. Hunter.
Making sure, the briefcase is till securely attached, I follow as best as possible, but with the shape I'm in physically, I move much slower slogging through the snow than Mr. Hunter.
I'm taken aback quite a bit when Mr. Hunter airs his doubts, and am quiet for a few minutes afterwards. But then finally speak.
"Mr. Hunter, I don't know if this helps, but you are the first person to ever lead a team of people that you've just met a few days ago, against an alien invasion. So, you'll have to expect a few mistakes to be made. But, in all, I'd say you're doing a good job, considering you don't know what exactly we're up against."
I smile at him, and pick up my pace.
"Besides, if you think you're doing bad, just try picturing, me leading things. We would still be sitting around the cottage, while I tried figuring out what to do."
"And don't feel guilty for risking our lives, we signed on willingly if you'll remember. Even though Mr. Campbell warned us of the risks."
Then I just follow him along, trying to think if there's anything I could whip up to help us.