A man with blue security clearance enters the room.  "Troubleshooters," he says, "this is a marvelous day for you.  The Computer has selected you for a most important mission.  Success in this mission will mean that each of you will be promoted to Orange clearance and qualify for a future mission in service of The Computer.  Failure will mean detailed anatomical analysis of each of your brains to determine what resulted in failure, followed by recycling--assuming, that is, that we can recover your bodies at all.  Do you have any questions?  No, of course you don't.  Follow me."

He walks out, leading you down a corridor and to a transport that will take you to the far side of Alpha Complex.  When you reach the area, the blue clearance man says, "You may call me Alfie Blue, and the Computer would like you to address your superiors as 'sir' to show you respect their position."

He is walking you along a bridge.  The bright interior lights around you illuminate a large underground center with cargo being brought in and out.  Alfie takes you down a long hall and to an operations room.  Computers flash.  Clones of mostly green clearance man the computers.  A large screen in the center of the control room is blank.  Above the screen is a running ticker that states:

DO NOT PANIC. THE COMPUTER HAS THE SITUATION UNDER CONTROL. THE COMPUTER IS YOUR FRIEND...

Alfie says, "This morning, we lost all contact with the Environmental Vector Experimentation sector of Alpha Complex.  We call it EVE."  He walks you over to a computer and says, "It is here in Phi Delta One Sector, which is also right there."  He points across the room at a metal door with a number of security locks that make you wonder what important things are locked up beyond it.

Alfie continues, "Your mission is to cross EVE to the control room and see why we have lost communications.  The mission is dangerous, which is why we are sending in some red clones who are expendable before we send in anyone who matters."

He says, "All you have to do is traverse the interior about 1 kilometer to the control station Alpha.  Go in the control station, find the transmission monitor, and make sure it has power and is switched to 'on.'  Then use the radio in the control station to call back here and we will let you know that it is safe to return."

He turns away from the computer and faces you directly. "Now let me tell you a little about Eve."

He tells you the following:

E.V.E. was created by the Computer to increase the general happiness of citizens in Alpha Complex and do general experimentation on living things, both plant and animal.  E.V.E is like a giant biodome or greenhouse.  It will appear like a lush forest with a control station at its center.  You will see the blinking light of its communication tower from almost anywhere within the dome.  The Computer in its wisdom decided that genetic research to improve clones would be in their best interest, so many variations of living creatures were experimented on within E.V.E. and no longer resemble their original state, including humans.

About one month ago, things went awry, through no fault of the Computer.  Rather, clone incompetence led to the escape of some of these creatures and the unfortunate demise of the clones who could not escape in time.

Those who did escape had been mutated and did not know what happened within E.V.E.  They mumbled something about loving the Computer before they had to be put out of their misery.  Therefore, the entire E.V.E. complex has been isolated from The Computer for the last month.

This remote control station had been trying to monitor and remedy the problem without entering E.V.E., but this morning, all communication was lost.  The Computer now has no idea what is happening within E.V.E. and cannot monitor actions within.


"And so," Alfie continues, "you can see why we need you to set up contact again and then immediately retreat here to the remote station so that those more informed than yourselves can solve the problems in service to The Computer.  That is all the information my clearance level is authorized to give you.  If you have any simple questions, I might be able to answer them.  Otherwise, I will see you to the door."

He walks you to the door, which three green clones are beginning to unlock, and he waits to see if you have any questions that will not insult his intelligence or invite him to give you too much information, since giving unauthorized information is considered treasonous.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:15, Fri 17 Jan 2014.

Rob listens to the mission with a huge grin plastered on his face. He nods at the completion of the speech, "Yes, sir! We are happy to oblige!"

Fletch also smiles broadly:  "I regret that I have but one life to give in service to the Computer.  And the life of my clones.  That monitor will be turned on promptly, and we'll be back in time for lunch."

Copper pans the recorder over to his team mates... Ooooo. Hold THAT pose ! Trouble shooters going off to certain death ! THIS will be me a "Clonie" for sure ! ... I mean you two will look so heroic on the evening televids !

Gene says, "I'll make sure poor hygeine isn't the cause of any failures in this mission.  I hope you all packed your toothbrushes and your soap just in case these things out there can track by smell."

Copper happily pats his little day pack on his hip ... Yup, got my Y2400-Oralb-R Personal Hygiene Device right here. ... He snickers ... Not to be confused with an Y2400-Analb-R PHD. ... Standing by the door awaiting something worth while to happen Copper cracks his knuckles ... Snap ! ... loudly.

Then he moves away from the door. ... I'm going to stand over here and get the heroic first pictures of Alfie-B opening the door. Sort of a grand panoramic view of this historic mission into the depths of EVE. It will be magnificent. ... And if something jumps out of the door and eats him, I can sell the video to Marlin-V's Mutual of Alpha Complex's Wild Kingdom televid.

... Snap ! .... POP ! ... Still bored he craps his knuckles some more.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:35, Sat 18 Jan 2014.

"Whym wheby ba gow aws swow!" The trouble shooter smiles around his pens then crossing his eyes to look at the protruding tips he quickly pulls them out. "Uh, sorry.  As I was saying.  I'm ready to go as well! What an honor it is to be called to duty by our friend, the Computer!"

As the door is being opened, two more troubleshooters show up, apologizing for being late -- something about biological imperatives and getting lost in the halls.

They introduce themselves as Mark-R-HOM-1 and Justin-R-IME.  Mark is a happiness officer and Justin is an armed forces team leader.

The door locks appear to be stuck, so Alfie rolls his eyes and repeats the entire mission goals again.

Finally, a nearby operative says, "Got it," and the electronic locks on the huge steel door begin popping away one by one.

"Ah, here we go," Alfie says, but then the door refuses to open.  "What is it?" he asks, obviously annoyed now.

"The door is stuck.  We are retrieving a robot to open it."

"Fine," Alfie says, "just get on with it."

OOC: This gives you another moment or two to officially introduce the final two members of the group.

Vilfred looks at this Mark person, a second team leader, and counts him. And herself. 1-2. 2! Two team leaders? She scowled briefly; then broke into a smile. "I will lead while the team is awake, and you will lead while we are asleep." She nods. "We'll take shifts."

Gene-R-STK, while we are waiting, please submit your equipment to me for a Random Surprise Inspection. Equipment readiness will be necessary as we serve our Friend Computer!

 ... SNAP ! ...

Gene says, "Oh, this is going to be bad.  Very, very bad.  What if we get in there and we lose all contact with our friend, the Computer?  What if we meet the same fate as the others who were sent in and die without fulfilling our very important mission?  What if...?"  His voice trails off and he hands his equipment to Fletch.  "Check it," he says.  "Check it thoroughly.  Very, very thoroughly.  There's no telling what awful things might happen to us in there."

Then Gene says, "And while you're at it, please show me your mandatory daily enema log.  I must make sure you are colonically hygenic before doing something so awfully dangerous that it makes us...well, you know...in our pants."

Fletch gives Gene his log and begins to carefully inspect the equipment.
Don't worry madam, your equipment will be inspected with all due diligence.

With the door still jammed shut and several techs attempting to fix it AND a bot on the way ... Copper feels safe enough to get a little closer to the door ... He gets out his Multicorder and leans in ... very close ... actually sticking the camera into the mix ... HOLD THAT POSE !! This will be great for the extended feature.

Gene says, "Oh, no.  Do I really look like a woman?  Or is their something wrong with your vision and perception, Fletch?  I am very concerned that your lack of gender awareness could be caused by some failure to keep your eyes in a properly hygenic state.  Do you use eyewash regularly?"

Everyone watches as Gene pulls out his equipment one by one for inspection, putting it back in his pack after each one is inspected.  The equipment includes:

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
Sunglasses
(2) Pyroxidine/Wakey-Wakey tabs
Teela-O pocket mirror
Comb, red
Calculator
Slide rule
Crowbar
Dental floss, 30m
(2) RED laser barrels

ASSIGNED EQUIPMENT
Laser pistol body (no barrel)
Red reflec armor
Series 1300 PDC
Hygiene Testing Kit
Instant Cleans-O-Spray

About this time, the robot arrives and begins opening the door with its superhuman robot strength that was obviously the gift of The Computer.

The door pushes open, and you see what was blocking it:  foliage.

Alfie says, "That's odd.  That foliage wasn't here when we lost video feed."

The foliage in question includes large vines covered with leaves and bushes sprouting from the ground in front of the door.

Having pushed aside the foliage, the door now opens onto -- not a beautiful garden but an absolute jungle.  The way is shrouded in all directions, and the walls of the building are covered in vines and plants.

A small robot about 3 feet tall stands in front of the door.  It has four spidery legs and an upper body roughly humanoid.  Its mouth does not move but is instead a permanent smile that lights up when it talks.

"Welcome, clones," it says in a perky, tremulous voice.  "EVE welcomes you to her garden. Shall I be your guide today?"

Alfie seems nervous at seeing the robot.  "Well, off with you now," he says, urging you to go out the door into the humid jungle beyond.

Happy to see a clone so quickly, Fletch smiles, thinking that this mission will be over soon. He opens his mouth to speak, then shuts it, wanting to give the team leaders their prerogative.

... SNAOP ! POP !! ...

Mark makes a squeaking sound at the sight of the untamed jungle beyond.  Then he gets control of himself.  "Let's just be happy we get to serve the Computer.  I'll even bet you a credit we live through this."

Copper looks into the multicoreder ... This is Cop-R-Iss-1 ... message to self ... Is unsanctioned gambling an allowable activity in this sector ... or am I recording a communistic sedition at it's roots. ... Then he turns the 'corder back to film the unknowing traitor in action.

Vilfred steps forward. "Robot, guide us to EVE's control station. Group, it shouldn't be far."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:00, Fri 24 Jan 2014.

Rob gawks in awe of the foliage, then smiles. It was so beautiful and mysterious. He happily marches out into the unknown, singing to himself, "C'mon get happy... wipe all your cares away...

Stepping into the foliage Johnny turns around looking disapprovingly at any others still outside.  "This is a mission given and sanctioned by our friend, the Computer.  As your Loyalty Officer, I feel I should remind you that any hesitance at obedience could be construed as disloyalty and therefore treason."

Gene says, "My only hesitancy is that I don't want to mess it up and do anything that won't be helpful to the Computer.  Are you saying you won't hesitate to do something that could ultimately be bad for the Computer?  Because that would be very, very bad.  Like termination of your entire line of clones bad.  Very, very pad."

As he'd strolled up, Justin hadn't done anything but stare sleepily at the other members of the team, wanting to be among the last to enter the biodome. When Johnny called him out on it, Justin looked him up and down, carefully, and finally spoke.

I'd like to be last in line
Because I remember this time
A robot went crazy
And clones that in vigilance were lazy
Were turned into bloody clone slime

And all over my clean clothes too...

Now don't think that I hate
But you're all better bait
Than I am, so please,
I ask on my knees,
That you file on through that gate

I'll be right behind you.