Spectrum's Comments: The team has split up into small groups. A scout group has infiltrated the alien base, another is traveling towards the base, while the rest are back at the lodge.
Troubleshooters #12 - "The We-Are-Not-Alone Affair: Chapter 12"
In the alien base...
Charles draws his gun and fires, shooting out the camera. Duncan and the alien try to regain their footing. Duncan lashes out with the whip, attempting to snare the tube away from the alien.
He is partly successful as the whip encircles the tube, but the alien has a hold of it. The alien fires a green beam out of the tube, striking Duncan, knocking him out.
Charles, having found a large rock, rushes down the corridor, just as the alien stands. He stops for a second, as he realizes that he is in deep trouble. Another green beam comes out of the tube and Charles joins Duncan in la-la land....
Back at the lodge...
RC and Micky have an impromptu meal in the kitchen. Unexpectedly, there is a noise at the back door. Turning they see a large figure in armor bearing a long tube. Before they react, a beam of green energy strike them down...
Out in the living room, Sam studies the alien sphere. The alien weapon strikes him down before he even realizes that the armored alien is in the room...
[Hmmm... Seems to be a pattern developing here... ;)
A short time later, Clint and QC arrive at the alien base. They find Blackie still on guard. An arrow made in the snow shows the opening into the hillside. Blackie reports that a small saucer did leave the base, but it returned about twenty minutes ago.
Elsewhere, RC, Micky, Duncan, Charles, Sam, Milton and Elton recover from their blasting. They all find themselves in a 15' x 15' room. Save for several cots, the room appears to be empty.
Along one wall is an octagonal shaped opening. The walls, floor and ceiling appear to be made of some metallic material. A low humming is heard in the room. Outside the opening, a corridor leads away to the left and right. All the guns are missing...
Now what?
SUBJ: Q.C. Peddlar... FROM: Count Kill 06/22/90 S#: 504382
"Hmmm...Intriguing!" I say softly. "These aliens know what they're doing."
I quickly pop open my Briefcase, and snap together a metal detector, something to tell me not only what type of metal is being used, but how much of that metal is in the area.
Then I whip together a high-powered telescope, and use it to take a look about the opening, and into it if possible. I offer Clint and Blackie the telescope to take a look if they wish.
Then I whip together a parabolic type listening device, and take a listen that way, offering it to Blackie and Clint as well to listen.
After that, I'll whip up a small receiver to see if I can pick up any alien transmissions. I go through all possible bands, channels, and frequencies.
Then I check the radiation output from the area.
"Maybe, we should call back to the lodge and let them know we got here all right?" I say before standing up, losing my balance, and falling over backwards.
If it's decided to go in, I'll put my pool into a 3d6 EB shock rod, and just hope I can hit something with it if necessary. ;)
SUBJ: Sam FROM: REM9 06/23/90 S#: 513250
"Hmmm.. This seems too easy to leave here. Let me see." Sam will reach into his pockets and pull out a coin. He will then toss the coin through the doorway and see what happens. "Hey did anyone try the wrist radios yet?"
SUBJ: Duncan Lansdowne FROM: Deslock 06/25/90 S#: 477436
"OOF... Did I call these guys Romulans? Borg would be more apt."
I'll do a quick equipment check to determine if my whip is still about.
"Say, Chuck, whoever these guys are, they don't seem to be too concerned about us wandering off. Let's see about making them pay for that bit of overconfidence."
SUBJ: Micky FROM: Micky 25 06/26/90 S#: 481034
As I awake, I carefully examine the room. I observe the opening and too want to see what it would do to an object first, before exiting. I then sit on a cot, clear my mind and take some deep breaths; I am now trying to pick up mentally anything I can about our surroundings and captors.
I observe the rest of the group to see what they may come up with as a plan of escape and will listen to any and make my opinion known before taking any action.
SUBJ: Duncan Lansdowne (R) FROM: Deslock 06/26/90 S#: 485562
"Ah, Micky, you awake at last. I knew you couldn't stay away from me. Tell me, did they find your gun? Some guys have all the luck..."
I'll give the room the once over. We've got one obvious exit, but what else might we have?
Barring any other options, and once the exit has been tested: "Might as well get moving, I don't think waiting is buying us anything. Why do rats and mazes keep coming to mind?"
If the others are hesitant, I'll step outside and scout out the immediate area.
Spectrum's Comments: He's still going on about that garter belt holster...
SUBJ: RC FROM: GM Wolf 06/26/90 S#: 431233
The first thing RC does when he wakes is to check for the weapons he wore. His jacket is not with him...no big surprise since he wasn't wearing it when they got zapped but if they got free and outside, he was going to get cold. Picking up his cane, he joined those by the door.
"Well...why don't one of us go one way and another the other for...say, 5 minutes. Then we return and see which is the best way to go."
SUBJ: Charles FROM: Splatipus 06/26/90 S#: 5719
First thing I am going to do is see what I have :)
Second it to look around for some sort of opening in the walls or ceiling, or for some sort of ventilation shafts.
I tell the others to remember our first encounter with them and that they are not afraid to kill us.......but why haven't they?
Troubleshooters #13 - "The We-Are-Not-Alone Affair: Chapter 13"
Outside...
While Clint decides upon a course of action, QC does a little investigating on his own. First, he creates a metal detector. He gets a reading of a huge amount of highly refine steel under the hill.
Next, he puts together a telescope. It gives him a closer look of the area where the opening is supposed to be, but nothing else.
Then a parabolic microphone follows, but nothing can be heard in the area beyond. Likewise, nothing out of the ordinary is learned from his receiver.
Lastly, his radiation detect locates more of the familiar Lambda Waves.
Inside...
In the room, the rest of the team recovers. Sam moves towards the opening, a coin in hand. He tosses it forward. The coin stops in mid-air, suspended in some type of invisible energy. Energy arcs around the coin for several moments and then it falls to the floor.
Oddly enough, the humming is now gone. Trying a second coin, this time it sails out into the corridor, unhindered.
Duncan then steps through the opening. Looking around, the corridor goes to the left and right. Both corridors turn after a short distance. There are 3 more doors along the same side of the corridor as the cell. There are two doors on the opposite wall.
With the exception of the guns, EVERY other piece of equipment is present!
You're turn!
SUBJ: Charles (R) FROM: Splatipus 06/28/90 S#: 102814
Ok so do we pick door number one or door number two? :)
I will move out into the corridor and try to go open one of the doors. I will then go in and see what happens next :)
SUBJ: Micky FROM: Micky 25 06/28/90 S#: 431350
Yes, they got the gun Duncan, and this is hardly a time for your hormones to activate.
While on the cot I had a vision of me being strapped to a table and prodded by unidentifiable beings, the vision is so real it causes me to tremble. I shake it off and think to myself, I hope that was my past experience and not to be a future encounter.
I exit the room when I see it is safe, now to try to figure this maze out. I feel each door to get whatever I can from them, and open the first door I come to and examine the room, if I find nothing I will go on to the next and do the same, etc.
I see Duncan starring over at me and enquire why, he informs me I have a rather long run in my stocking, I shake my head in discontent of his remark and continue my checking the doors.
Spectrum's Comments: While it hasn't been shown before, Micky is sensitive to psychic impressions. She's picking up bad things that happened here before and perhaps visions of her own future.
SUBJ: Duncan Lansdowne FROM: Deslock 06/30/90 S#: 512885
"Hey, my hormones are professionals!"
While the others are checking out the doors, I'll walk to the turnings of the corridor, first to the left, then to the right, whip in hand. I'll look to see what's around the corner, and report anything pertinent to the others. If anyone gets into trouble, I'll head over to assist.
Inside Continued...
The team moves out of the holding area and out into the corridor. Charles approaches a door. It doesn't have a handle or anything to open it with. Fortunately, he is able to slide it aside. (The door is unhinged, but slides into the wall to open.)
He enters into a dark room that lightens as he enters. He is momentarily shocked to find 4 of those armored suits the aliens wore. But they appear to be empty. Inside a sealed display are 4 of the alien's hand lasers.
Micky moves to another door. Cautiously she touches it. Imagines of great pain and suffering appear in her mind. In horror, she removes her hand.
Curious, Milton slides the door open. Inside appears to be a futuristic operating room. One two tables are what little remains of two bodies. The scene is quite disgusting...
(Con rolls to avoid losing your cookies!)
Meanwhile, Duncan checks out where the left-hand corridor goes. As he nears the corner, he hears the now familiar sound of armored footsteps approaching...
SUBJ: Charles FROM: Splatipus 06/30/90 S#: 819189
I tell the others I have found some weapons and to hurry. I quickly look around to find something to smash open the display case.
After doing so assuming I can I will take out the hand lasers and give the other three to whoever wants them....
I will also check out one of the suits of armor and see if I can use it some how. :)
SUBJ: Micky FROM: Micky 25 07/01/90 S#: 406983
I see the remains on the table and start backing up towards the left passage. I don't even hear the sound of the footsteps as my mind is so shook up by the image then the sight of the bodies. I probably need a good slap in the face to gather my thoughts. (But don't you dare) I do however need to come to my senses though, before I get in trouble. Everything in my mind is like a nightmare right now!
SUBJ: Duncan Lansdowne FROM: Deslock 07/01/90 S#: 799789
I'll head back toward the others, whispering to each, as I get close enough, "We've got company coming."
If Micky fails to react, I'll grab her by the arm and drag her into one of the open rooms. "Come on, snap out of it, our hosts are about to come calling."
I'll wait by the doorway out of sight of the approaching aliens. Not trusting the unfamiliar alien weapons, I'll stick to my reliable whip. When the aliens walk past the doorway, I'll lash out against the nearest with a nerve strike, followed by a disarm. After that, I'll go with the flow of the battle.
SUBJ: Clinton Hunter FROM: AREION 07/01/90 S#: 54694
"We're going in. Blackie...you and I will take the lead, QC, follow about 30 feet back...When Blackie and I stop, try to remain hidden until we motion you to follow."
Clint flexes then clenches his right hand. His blades pop with their usual metallic *CLICK*.
"Ok, you alien B***ARDS! It's time to party!"
Motioning Blackie to follow, Clinton will stealthfully slip through the illusionary wall. I'll check out the area before sticking my arm back through to motion QC to follow.
Throughout the search, I'll keep the Radiation Detector in front of me in hopes it may give me advanced warning when we're about to come face to face with a bit of alien technology (Whether it be weapon or surveillance equipment)
SUBJ: "Okay..." FROM: Count Kill 07/02/90 S#: 54208
"Mr. Hunter." I gulp nervously. Then I take a few deep breaths and follow him cautiously.
I let out a yipe, when Mr. Hunter pops out his blades, and then laugh sort of embarrassedly. My stomach feels like a fist, and I'm so nervous that I could jump at the snap of a twig. But, I follow resolutely.
Once I step through the illusion, I start looking about as much as possible. Trying to learn as much as I can about their technology.
If I see anything I think might help us, or could be of use, I'll mention it to Mr. Hunter.
Troubleshooters #14 - "The We-Are-Not-Alone Affair: Chapter 14"
Outside...
Clint and Blackie enter into the area beyond the illusion. They find themselves in a large cavern. Dominating the cavern is a large saucer shaped ship. It registers as the now familiar radiation. Near the entrance they spot a smashed sphere, very similar to the one that attacked the lodge.
Seeing that it appears safe inside, QC is motioned in.
Further looking around reveals an opening in the back of the cave. A corridor leads off into the rest of the base. What appears to have been a camera hangs at the far wall.
Inside...
Upon hearing the approaching footsteps, Duncan slowly backs off. Heading back to the others, he runs into a shell-shocked Micky. The terrors of the medical lab still fresh in her mind. Taking her in tow, they enter into a side room.
In the armory, Charles takes a quick look at the alien armor, but cannot see how it opens. Realizing that he has little time, he finds a small piece of machinery and shatters the glass protecting the alien weapons.
Out in the hallway, the aliens are right before Duncan's doorway when they hear the glass shatter. They pause for a moment, and the rush forward.
Duncan's whip lashes out, striking one of the aliens. It tangles about his legs, causing him to trip. His helmet shatters as he hits the floor and the alien screams. A strange, greenish gas comes out.
The other alien turns, laser weapon in hand, towards Duncan and Micky...
GM Notes:
Duncan and Micky are in a room together. The alien menacing them is in the hallway.
Charles and Sam are both in the armory. Looking out in the hallway, the see the scene about. They are about 30' away from the aliens.
RC, Elton and Milton are all still in the cell area.
Now what?
SUBJ: Sam FROM: REM9 07/05/90 S#: 401068
"Did you see that Charles? That may be a way to defeat them. Shoot them in the faceplate if possible. I don't think they can survive long in our atmosphere without that suit." With that Sam will grab another of the weapons and follow his own advice. (If the alien is turned away from them, then he will shoot it anywhere in the hopes of grabbing its attention for Charles.
SUBJ: Charles FROM: Splatipus 07/06/90 S#: 9428
I grab one of the weapons from the case and go out into the hallway and drop to the floor. Remembering what we learned from the other alien weapons I will Fire on the alien in the hallway trying to shoot at its head.
SUBJ: Clinton Hunter (R) FROM: AREION 07/07/90 S#: 510041
Looking over the alien vehicle, Clint thinks to himself 'JACKPOT!'
Whispering to QC, he asks: "Think you cloud figure out how to work this baby if you got a REAL close look?"
Circling the ship, Clint will look for a way in (Using concealment skills to find it and Security Systems to make sure its not booby trapped or connected to an alarm.) If the hatch is already open...then just use Security Systems.
Once QC is settled inside (barring any objects from QC or my inability to find the hatch.) I'll search for other concealed entries to this room (again, using Concealment skills) before deciding how I want to proceed.
SUBJ: Micky FROM: Micky 25 07/07/90 S#: 829998
As Duncan grabs me, I start fighting him until I recognize him. He then tells me to back away as he goes for his whip. I do as he commands, I watch as he takes the alien to the floor and the affects. As I see the other aliens turn around and start heading our way I begin to panic again. "They are coming after us! Do something!" I then hide behind Duncan in an effort to get my senses back. "Please don't let them get me, I can't explain, but I know something terrible will happen if they do."
SUBJ: RC FROM: GM Wolf 07/08/90 S#: 489139
RC steps from the cell and looks toward the aliens. Seeing that they are hostile, he pulls a shuriken from the thigh pocket and throws, attempting more to distract then to injure...
SUBJ: Q.C. Peddlar... FROM: Count Kill 07/09/90 S#:45012
"Fly it?" I say hesitantly. "Ummm... well, I watched the pilots fly the plane, I guess I could give it a try."
Inwardly, I think to myself that we're doomed, but I figure that it could help, and even if I can't fly it, maybe I could gain enough understanding of the controls that someone else might be able to.
I help Mr. Hunter look for access to the thing, and if we manage to get inside, I'll start examining the ships using all my skills to get a good picture of how everything works.
"Big pilot seats." I say as I settle into one. "Guess it must have to be, for them to fit wearing that heavy armor."
I then go to work figuring out the controls, tracing wires, and circuits as necessary, until I have a working knowledge of how it operates. Then I spend time refining that knowledge.
Troubleshooters #15 - "The We-Are-Not-Alone Affair: Chapter 15"
In the hanger area...
Clint and QC circle the alien saucer while Blackie stands guard. A section is wide open with steps leading into the craft.
The pair cautiously enters, but find no traps or aliens about. The inside of the ship is basically a large, circular room. Controls and consuls abound. Making their way in, they head to what appears to the pilots station. QC plops himself down in the large chair. He proceeds to study the controls.
He is a little disappointed to find that they are not terribly difficult to understand. In fact, they are incredible simple to figure out. Most of the ships functions appear to be automated, needing only voice commands to be activated.
Meanwhile, Clint searches the rest of the hanger for another possible way in.
Suddenly, there is a zapping sound. Turning he sees Blackie go down, struck by an alien beam. He is unmoving. Loud footsteps are head in the corridor as a duo of armored aliens comes rushing forth.
Seconds after that, an alarm is heard.
Elsewhere in the base, an alien is menacing Duncan and Micky. There is a whooshing sound as the shuriken tossed by RC flies past the alien. Distracted, the alien turns.
Up the corridor Charles appears with an alien laser in hand. He fires the weapon, striking the alien in the faceplate with the beam. The helmet shatters and green gas comes out. The alien inside screams and chokes for a moment, then slowly dies...
Your Turn!
SUBJ: Q.C. Peddlar... FROM: Count Kill 07/12/90 S#: 802212
"Computer, do you understand English?" I say quickly.
If the answers affirmative, I quickly tell it to shut the doors.
"Turn and face beings at (directions), and ready all weapons."
"Well, Mr. Hunter, now what?" I ask nervously.
If there is no answer to the first question, I'll have to assume that it doesn't speak our language, and get my radiation detector back from Mr. Hunter, so I can build something to defend myself with.
"Well, Mr. Hunter, now what?" I ask nervously.
GM Notes:
When QC speaks, the computer replies. "I am fluent for 4500 forms of communication. Please enter security code for saucer access."
The computer awaits a reply.
SUBJ: Clinton Hunter FROM: AREION 07/15/90 S#: 477108
From the way the post was written, I'm assuming I'm outside the saucer somewhere Kill (But I had a radiation detector of my own, so you should still have yours. :> )
Seeing Blackie go down in a flash of green light, I mumble 'Sh*t!' to myself as I quietly lay down any equipment I may be carrying (Ropes, Radiation detectors... ect. NOT WEAPONS! ;D ) Then I slip into any available shadows and try to get behind the armored figures (use Stealth skills and make half moves then save)
If I'm spotted, I'll use my saved half phase to dodge. Then I'll half move toward them, acrobatic dodge, half move, acrobatic dodge. Once I reach them, I'll try to get between them and sacrifice throw one of them into the other.
If I manage to get behind them undetected, I'll continue half moving towards them (still using Stealth) until I'm within a half move. Then I'll spring to the attack with a full strength flying kick (offensive strike, try to push for +5 STR)
If It wouldn't be feasible to try to get behind them (the room is brightly light...ect.) I'll try to hide, wait for them to get close then proceed as above (as in If spotted) screaming like a wild man in hopes of starling them enough to cause them to hesitate.
In any case, once I've made my opening move, I'll follow up with a martial strike (Claws extended). If only one of them is still standing, he'll be the one I target. (I'll aim for the weakest point I can find...probably the throat is I don't pick up on the vulnerable plate.)
SUBJ: Micky FROM: Micky 25 07/16/90 S#: 452646
If any aliens enter the room that Duncan and I are in, I will try to slip behind one and jump on its back and pull at its helmet in an attempt to remove it.
SUBJ: Q.C. Peddlar... FROM: GM Kill 07/18/90 S#: 523396
"Think, Think, Think..." I think to myself as it asks for a security clearance.
"It's just a computer, outthink it."
"Aha!" I think to myself. "I wonder how literal this thing is. It's probably programmed against giving out the security code, but maybe too literally."
"Computer..." I say aloud, my voice giving away my nervousness about the situation. "Tell me the first character of the security code."
If this does work, I'll ask it for each character until I have the complete code.
If it doesn't work, I'll try using my Gadget Pool, Gadgeteering, Computer Programming, and whatever skills could help to try and override the computer's security clearance.
Troubleshooters #16 - "The We-Are-Not-Alone Affair: Chapter 16"
Inside the base, the intruder alarm continues to ring. The two aliens in the corridor have been dealt with.
Quickly looking about, the group discovers that both corridors lead to the same situation. The corridor is blocked by a transparent, glass-like wall. There is a door-sized opening in the wall, but it has a mild glow to it.
What lies on the other side of the glass cannot be determined. A thick green gas fills the area beyond. It does look similar to the gas breathed by the aliens.
It's only a matter of time before more aliens arrive...
Back at the hanger, QC deals with the saucer's computer. When asked to give the first character of the security code, the computer replies: "The first character is H".
Outside, Clint realizing that ducking into the shadows will do no good, nor finding any save place to hide, ducks behind the saucer itself. He quickly climbs up on top of it.
In the saucer, the computer gives the complete code. The code is the words "Hail Va'Dor".
Now in control of the saucer, QC orders the doors shut and the craft trains it's weapons on the aliens.
The aliens are momentarily shocked to the see the ships weapons turn on them. They slowly back away, giving Clint the chance to attack with surprise.
Clint lands on one alien, driving him to the ground. Landing several quick blows, the alien stays down.
The alien goes to fire his weapon, but QC is faster and the ship fires first. That alien goes down under the laser fire.
No other threats are present in the hanger, but the alarm is still ringing...
SUBJ: Q.C. Peddlar... FROM: Count Kill 07/21/90 S#: 403336
I sit there gripping the edge of the chair nervously, as the ship turns and fires on one of the aliens.
"Wow!" I say excitedly. "I've never done anything like this before."
"Ummm, let's see, what should I do now?"
"Oh yeah, Computer...open doors and let Mr. Hunter aboard, and then close the doors again."
Once he's aboard, (if he chooses to come aboard.) I continue talking to the computer.
"Computer, are you linked into the Base's computer system, or are you separate from it? If you're separate, can you link into the base's computer system?"
If the answers affirmative, I continue speaking, if not I turn to Mr. Hunter (if he's aboard.), and ask "Now what?"
If the answer was affirmative, I say...
"Computer, can you give us the location of the other humans in the base? If so, where are they in relation to this ship? Also, give me the position of other organisms in relation to the humans."
Then if I can I'll use the computer to help the others as much as possible, i.e., opening closed doors, closing doors on the aliens by them, etc., whatever I possibly can do, while steering the others this way.
SUBJ: Duncan Lansdowne FROM: Deslock 07/21/90 S#: 838618
"Sauce for the goose... I'm not too anxious to try to breathe that green glop, considering their reaction to our own atmosphere. What'ya say, Micky, get any vibes from our fish tank?"
SUBJ: RC (R) FROM: GM Wolf 07/24/90 S#: 424100
"Well...dead ends either way..."
SUBJ: Sam (R) FROM: REM9 07/24/90 S#: 11223
"It appears that we may have no choice in the matter, Duncan. It is time for a little experiment. Just because our atmosphere is poisonous to them does not necessarily mean that the opposite is true for us. There is only one way to find out."
Sam will walk over to one of the dead aliens and roll his body over on its back. Hopefully there are still fumes escaping his damaged suit. If so, Sam will gently wave a few so that he can get a VERY SMALL whiff of them. If they cause him any discomfort or he feels disorientated in any way, he will immediately back off. If there is no gas still coming out of the suit, Sam will try and open it up to see if he can find some way to the gas supply. If so he will try and cause a leak. Then see above.
SUBJ: Duncan Lansdowne FROM: Deslock 07/24/90 S#: 424792
"Well, before you go gassing yourself, maybe we should look into some alternate routes. Breathable air is getting in here, n'est-ce pas'? That would indicate that there are some air vents around here, which might lead us out. It works in the movies, anyway."
I'll have a look around, and see if I can spot anything that fits the bill. If the opening into the ductwork is too small, I'll see if one of the people with the ray-guns would like to enlarge it a tad.
SUBJ: Charles FROM: Splatipus 07/26/90 S#: 3664
I say...we are in a spot of trouble..... I think he is right and that we should look for an air vent... I will further examine the alien suits found in the room and see if we can put them to some use.... Also I will continue to search the rooms until some more aliens come around looking for a fight...I will keep the Alien weapon I found.
Spectrum's Comments: Next time: The conclusion to Troubleshooters!