SUMMARY OF EVENTS:

The party entered through the northwest side of the biodome to investigate the strange occurrences, including the disappearance of many scientists/troubleshooters.

The party went down a main road southeast with a robot guide until it ran into an overturned jeep.  The robot would not let the party go around the jeep but instead informed them that robots would come escort them, including combat robots and other nasty sounding robots.  The party found out about EVE, which appears to be some sort of project or something being run from the tower, and which does not appear to be in line with The Computer's wishes.

The party went back to the entrance and went down a southwest narrow trail.  The party found evidence of some dead bodies and fought off a killer tree.

The party continued to a small outpost building.  The party could not enter the locked door and could not figure out how to work the color coded locking mechanism screen that has three slots on it.  However, the party accumulated various items along the way, including some crystals.

Behind the building, the party discovered a coffin like stasis machine with a yellow clearance person inside.  The party continued south on the trail when it found the robots were closing on them.  (The party did not follow the western trail.)

The party then found another coffin with another body in stasis.

At this point, the party decided to go off the path (which continued south) and make its way through the shrubbery and forest.

Which is where we are now...

I put together this rough map for your use showing your progress to date toward the central tower.  I did not include everything, just what your party has seen (fog of war style).


Tension Level = 0

The party leaves the trail and heads in an easterly, southeasterly direction through the shrubbery and trees.  After walking about 100 yards, the party finds that its path is cut off by a deep chasm that runs roughly northeast to southwest.  You do not know how far the chasm goes in either direction due to the thick shrubbery and forest.  The chasm is approximately 50 feet across and 150 feet deep.  At the bottom are rocks--big, large, pointy rocks.

The chasm itself does not appear to be a natural phenomena but instead, the result of some sort of man-made accident, or maybe just a very large earthquake.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:54, Tue 04 Mar 2014.

Vilfred considers the chasm. "Hmm," she says. "This doesn't look natural. Northeast might take us closer to the main trail, and it looks like southwest leads us away from the tower. Let's head northeast, wary of the bots."

Mark agrees.  "I bet you a credit we can outrun those nasty bots."  Then he squeaks in nervousness.

The party follows the chasm to the northeast.  After a short walk, you stop at a strange sight.  Growing right up to the edge of the chasm is a group of 10 foot tall flowers.  There are at least 40 or 50 all bunched together like a makeshift garden amongst the other trees and bushes.

What is strange about these flowers is that they have faces on them!  The petals and leaves glitter slightly, and you can tell this is some strange genetic mutation.

The faces turn toward your noisy approach, and the flowers begin to shriek loudly.  Before you can do much to react, you see that the shrieking is attracing large bees.  The bees are abnormally large, about 4 feet long, with stingers that are 3 feet long beyond that.  The stingers glint like metal swords, and that might be exactly what they are.  You see 8 bees.

But it gets worse.  The screaming of the flowers also seems to be attracting giant ants to your left.  They are about 2 feet long as they skitter from behind and to your side, effectively blocking you in.  Their faces have pincers and their eyes seem to be made of computer parts and screens.  Their antennae seem sharp as epee blades.

The buzzing of the bees is getting closer, and it seems to lull the flowers back to silence, but the bees are coming toward you.  And so are the giant ants!

Oh hell, we're boned,
So very, very boned, my friends.
We'd better move our asses to the path
Lest we want to face our ends.

Robots I'll face without a twitch
For the Computer has steeled me 'gainst such foes
But monstrosities such as these unnatural beasts
Will cause us many forms of woe.

So shake a leg, My vote is cast,
And to the path, I'll not be the last.

Justin is visibly shaken by the gigantic insects; he is the sort who would be unnerved by a normal ant, much less these. But he aims his pistol true, holding his fire largely due to the irregularity of the whole situation...

Mark begins to squeak nervously. He pulls out the laser pistol.  "I bet you a credit," *squeak*, "that we meet untimely ends here."  He fires at whichever bee is closest and moves toward the flowers and away from the ants.

Copper grabs his multicorder and begins filming ... COOL ! WAY COOL !! ... Then he decides to multitask and maybe shoot his laser pistol and record the insects if possible.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:58, Fri 07 Mar 2014.

Gene stops dead in his tracks.  "Be very, very quiet and still, and maybe they'll just go away."  He pretends to be part of the scenery, remaining very still and quiet, but his laser pistol is ready in his hand in case he is attacked.

Justin is paralleling Gene's motion: holding his fire unless attacked.

... Pop ! Snapp! ... CrackleCrackleCracklelele ... POP !! ...
This message was last edited by the player at 01:00, Fri 07 Mar 2014.

Vilfred counts the bees... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8... and then counts the ants. How many ants are there? She, too, stands still, laser pistol at the ready -- mindful that their choice of target could be important.

Upon seeing the bees and ants, everyone slows down except Mark, who fires at the bees.

One of the bees is hit (MAIMED), but they converge on Mark.  Mark is hit by four of the bees.  (WOUNDED, MAIMED, and then DEAD).  Mark collapses dead to the ground, and the ants lift his body and begin carrying it away.  There are about 20 ants.

The bees and ants ignore everyone who is standing still.

The flowers, however, do not ignore you.  They have mouths and eyes, and sway back and forth on their long stems.  One of them says to one of you (though you are not sure who):  "You are an ugly specimen."  "All those red uniforms.  How disgusting," says another.  A third says, "They are probably stupid too."  "All humans are."

They continue a discussion, insulting you in unique and specific ways as you stand there silently.


Meanwhile, Mark is woken from his tube.  His next clone is activated and quickly sent out to continue the mission.  It will take a little time, but he will start out again at the entrance to the biodome.

Copper continues filming ... Oh this is good ... VERY good. How Heroic ! ... he turns the camera to the flowers ... Personally the flowers in Alpha are prettier ... and smarter than you bunch. Are you all Doof-tunias ?

One flower says in response to Copper, "Is your name Laryngitis because you're a pain in the neck...er, stem?"

Another says, "Clones with cameras are compensating for other areas of deficiency."

Yet another says, "I bet your puny clone brain feels as good as new, seeing that you don't use it."

Copper smiles and says ... Oh yeah ? Well come over here and punch me ... unless your a pansy ! ... Hahahaha. Get it ? Probably not cause you're one of them Ger-dumb-e-umz. ... He pans the camera towards them again ... And if you were intelligent you'd know something important that we don't already know.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:42, Mon 10 Mar 2014.

Gene joins in the insults, "What can an unhygenic flower know about anything human?  You can't even smell yourselves!"

The poet in Justin is overcome with wonder at the sight of the talking flowers, and he holsters his laser pistol to look at them.

Dare I say, such beauty here
Is rarely found anywhere.
Although I am no traitor Sierra queer,
I can appreciate the flowers there.

Such creations cannot, natural be
And thus must be a product of creation.
And no entity save Almighty Computer may be
The progenitor of such imagination.

So it is not treachery to appreciate thus,
The flowers tall and handsome.
For as we're all reflections of Computer, we must
Pay in praise for such beauty a ransom.

Now, sweet blooms, what is your purpose now?
And we may assist you and computer how?

Vilfred's eyes dart to the ants and the bees and the flowers, taking in their hybrid natural-mechanical forms, unlike anything she's ever seen. Then... talking flowers? She stands still, continuing to hold her laser at the ready, but not threatening the sentient plants. "Flowers, how did you come by the gift of speech and thought? What are these giant creatures with parts of meat and metal?"

The flowers visibly lean backward as if hit by a wind when Gene and Copper insult them, and then stand back up tall when Justin compliments them.

They speak, the words flowing from random flowers:

"Stupid humans, we do not serve The Computer."
"EVE is our mistress, and Project Merger is our beginning and end."
"The Computer has no sway here."
"The Computer is a has been that never was."
"You clones are only good at arithmetic -- you add trouble, subtract pleasure, divide attention, and multiply ignorance."
"The Computer clearly made a mistake when it decanted the likes of you clones."
"Clones are living proof of reincarnation. No one could possibly get to be so stupid in just one lifetime."

The bees lose interest and fly back across the chasm, though they are still within hearing distance of any loud noises that carry at least 50 feet.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:45, Mon 10 Mar 2014.

I think that I shall never see,
A treason as lovely as a tree.

(well, a flower, in this case.)


Moving close to Cop, Justin leans in close and whispers to him:

I don't think we can take them,
So document their treason.
If you can talk us out of this
They may listen to reason.

All we've got to do is reach
The central research center.
Computer will send agents of harder stuff
To test EVE's traitorous mettle.

Let's get there alive...

As Justin moves close to Copper, the flowers follow with their gaze in unison.  This is immediately followed by the bees flying halfway across the chasm and then flying back to the other side again when Justin stops moving.

The flowers say, obviously hearing even low whispers with whatever supersensory organs they were provided:

"Treason is as treason does."
"The Computer cannot exist without EVE, and is indebted to her.  Why can it not see her true feelings, the stubborn piece of hardware?"
"You should have been decanted in the Dark Ages; you clones terrible in the light."
"And this one's a couplet short of a sonnet."
"A vacuum-tube brain in a microchip world."
"He must be afraid he'll void his clone warranty if he thinks too much."

At this insult to his art, Justin looked up and pointed angrily at the flower.

Please, cut me some slack,
I'm no Shake-R-SPR.
I love his work though,
And am aware of my lack...

Gene will move toward the flowers but will stop in his tracks when the bees get halfway across the chasm. "Oh, go pollenate yourselves!" he says back to the plants.

The flowers lean forward, apparently relishing that they effectively insulted Justin and that he is becoming defensive.  But then they lean back as if afraid upon hearing Gene's insults.

Gene gets all the way to the nearest flower before stopping.  The bees started across as soon as he did but they turn back to the far side of the chasm once he stops moving again.

"Your human ancestors came looking for bananas, didn't they?" a flower quips, starting up the insults again.
"You must have a leaky sunroof."
"You must come from spliced genes."
"Neanderthal brains in Cro-Magnon bodies."

Vilfred looks around, gauging whether they can continue moving toward the main path, or whether the flowers and other creatures effectively cut off that route. If the way is passable, she begins to move that way, stopping when the bees get toward the center of the chasm, and standing still until they return.

Gene cuts down one of the flowers and then stands perfectly still.

Justin scrambles away from Gene and accompanies Vilfred...

Vilfred looks around at possible options.  The main path cannot be seen from here, but if you follow the side of the chasm, you would have to go through the flowers to get there.  Otherwise, you would have to back up and go around, which would place you in the path of the giant, robotic ants.

Gene cuts down one of the flowers as it yells out, "Stupid clone.  What do you think you're chopping?  I'm not broccoli."

It becomes instantly quiet and dead when Gene cuts it down.

Meanwhile, the commotion is bringing the giant bees back over.  This time, they do not stop when the action stops.  Instead, they fly all the way over, pick up the "dead" flower, and carry it to the far side, setting it on a clearing for pick up or burial or whatever comes next for dead computer-looking talking flowers around here.

Vilfred pauses, turning back to Gene: "Try that again, Gene."

Gene does it again.

Copper films this ... having fully expected Gene to "buy the farm" whatever that is last time he was now narrating to fill empty tape.

This time, Gene will hold onto the chopped down flower like a rope and see if the bee is strong enough to carry him across.  If at all threatened, he will drop the flower and stand perfectly still.

The bee comes over and picks up the "dead" flower.  It ignores Gene, who is still immobile, and lifts the flower.  Soon, Gene finds himself also lifted into the air, and then he is over the chasm looking down, and then he is set on the far side of the chasm by the bees.  He is still immobile, but now he is surrounded by the giant, sword-stinger bees.

Vilfred readies her force sword, cuts down a flower and holds it aloft gently at the ready. Under her breath, she slowly counts all the different ways she could die.

The bees begin moving toward Vilfred...

(anyone else?)

Copper files this as well, then he took cuts down a flower with his laser, grabbing the stalk and holding it above his head.

When in  Sector R-OME...

Justin shrugs his shoulders and cuts down a flower with his own laser...

When the bees leave to get the others, Gene runs a short distance away from its nest or whatever it is they put him in so that he can make a "clean" escape, exactly the kind of escape a hygeine officer would want.

When Mark's clone gets back into the biodome, he will simply follow the main road, go around the crashed jeep and continue forward, avoiding being seen by any robots, if possible.

The entire party follows Gene's lead and finds themselves deposited on the far side of the chasm, in a small but growing pile of the cut down flowers.  The flowers had protested when being cut down with some choice insults, such as:

"You don't have two neurons to rub together."
"The Computer donated your body to scientists before you were done using it, right?"
"The Computer can't even pass the Turing test.  And neither can you!"
"You let your life be controlled by a two bit operating system."

Then the flowers shut up when they are cut down.  They do not speak as they lay in a pile where the cyborg bees placed them.

You stand motionless.  The ants and flowers are across the chasm, but now the sword-stinger bees are hovering around making mechanical sounds that sound a bit like buzzing.

Gene has separated from the group and can the rest of the group through the trees.

From here, the main road would be directly east.  The chasm continues behind you from the southwest to northeast.  There is forest all around.

"Let's continue toward the central tower," Vilfred says.

As she takes a step, the bees start to move toward her.  She freezes again, and you all realize you are not quite out of this mess.

There are currently 8 bees hovering nearby, their heads panning back and forth as they buzz, looking for visual movement to attack.

Copper tries to see if he can pick up a "dead" flower without the bees moving.

The bees only move when he moves, so he picks up the flower and the bees start toward him, but then they become disinterested when he freezes again.

Holding the flower in front of him he moves a step.

Justin picks up his own flower and takes a step, stopping as the bees swing towards him. Experimentally, he waits for the bees to resume their normal patrolling patterns before taking another step, just to see what they do.

Gene picks up a rock and throws it past the bees to a place in the opposite direction the party will go to see if it distracts them (the bees, not the party members).  He will make sure it is very visible as he does so.

Copper thinks he really should get this rock throwing bit on tape ... his death could be quite heroic.

The bees in a swarm chase after the rock, which lands about 50 feet behind the party.  For the moment, they have left you alone with the chopped up flowers.

Vilfred picks up a dead flower, too, holding it in front of her. "Let's make a screen of these," she says to her comrades. "Perhaps if we move slowly as a group we'll be able to leave."

Gene backs away, still keeping his distance from the party.  "If I'm not mistaken, I think it was the flowers they were attracted to initially.  Do you really want to carry them around?  I suggest running."

Without debate, Justin takes off running, carefully keeping an eye on the bees. If any of them start towards him, he plans to freeze...

Vilfred rolls her eyes and does the same.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Using Distract Others Long Enough to Start Running!

---

Vilfred distracts the bees, and then abandons everything like the rest of the group and runs from the cyborg bees and flowers.  The bees zoom in on the flowers for a moment, just long enough for Vilfred to get out with the others.

Distract Others Long Enough To Start Running succeeded.

You run crashing through trees and brush for a few minutes.  And then you come across...the main road.  It goes straight south toward the tower.

Looking north, you see about 50 yards behind you the overturned jeep that blocked your path earlier.  Also near the jeep you see Mark-R-HOM!  Or at least his new clone, Mark-R-HOM-2.  He is walking toward you and waving.

(Mark has rejoined the group.)

Mark says, "Did you get any good video for me to see?  Did you get some good shots of my first clone's death?  Are we going to the main tower now?"  Mark is fresh and enthusiastic.  Nothing like death to put a little dance in his step.

In reply to Mark-R-HOM-2 ... OH YES. Very heroic ... VERY.

"I'd say it's none of your beeswax, but that would be too punnish.  And besides, I guess it is.  I'll bet you a credit we get to see some more awesome death scenes before this day is done."

He doublechecks his equipment, just in case there is a random equipment inspection, and then goes forward with the others to the center tower.

The group follows the main trail through the surrounding forest until it reaches the main tower, which was your goal.

There are a set of steel double doors leading into the tower, large enough to bring vehicles in and out like at a garage.  They are currently closed.

The tower itself is shrouded in shrubbery, shreds of leaves, and shards of metal and glass.  It looks like some sort of combat took place here, but there are no remains.  The shrubbery appears to have grown over the tower awhile back, but of course, that is impossible.  You can't tell how large the tower is per se, but it rises about 3 stories up and is as large as a warehouse.  You don't know, however, how far DOWN it goes.

A small trail made by the feet of workers and robots goes around the building on both sides of the main trail you just came down.

On either side of the two entry doors are colored screens like the ones you saw on the other building and on the coffin-like stasis container with the yellow clearance clones.  The screen on the left is purple, and the screen on the right is red.  As with the others, there are three slots at the top of each screen that match the crystals you have found.

And speaking of the strange stasis coffins, there is another one here just to the side of the road, half covered in bushy overgrowth.  It also has a colored screen with three slots at the top.  This screen is green.

There is a blue crystal in one of the three slots, but the other two are empty.

Do you think it's time
We took a chance
And chose to revive
Our fellow hands?

Perhaps they know
What we do not
And for our task
Could assist in thought...

Mark smiles.  "Sure.  Let's just be happy as we're doing it.  I might have some happy pills around here if someone is not feeling happy about their duties serving the Computer."

Justin inspects the overgrown coffin with the one crystal by the door...

Inside is another clone with a yellow clearance uniform.  It is a male, in his mid-20s, with a noticeable bloody wound to the side of his head (which doesn't bleed while in stasis).  His eyes and mouth are open like he was screaming when he was placed in the stasis coffin.  He holds a yellow crystal in one hand and the other is raised toward the glass window of the stasis device as if to stop it from freezing him.

I am not sure what all of you are doing.  If you want to revive him, you will have to describe how.  There is a "trick" to it, and hopefully you have enough clues to work it out.

If you are doing something else, please indicate.

Who carries my need?
The crystals that we
Found a while ago.

I'd like you to know
We need you to show
So we can continue to work.

In case it helps, remember that the items found by the party can be found at this thread: link to a message in this game

Gene says, "I think I got this figured out."  He takes the clear white crystal and the yellow crystal and puts them in the slots next to the blue crystal in the coffin container.  "Yellow and blue make green.  Then the clear white just evens it out."  He hopes his knowledge of how to make different colors pays off.

Gene puts the crystals in the slots.  The green screen flashes several times, and then there is a whoosh as the top of the coffin container opens up.

The Yellow clearance man inside begins groaning, and his eyes begin fluttering open.  He touches the wound at his head as he sits up in a daze.

Vilfred looks into the container, surprised to see the man revive so quickly. "Good morning, good sir," she says. "How did you find yourself in this situation?

Copper starts filming once more ... This just in ... Yellow clearance makes glorious return !

OOC: I'm not getting many posting from people.  I hope this is not a symptom of anything other than spring break. :)

The yellow clearance man sits up, stumbles to the ground and says, "EVE has gone mad!  Mad, I tell you.  Project Merger was a success, and a failure!"  His eyes are bloodshot and red, and he seems like a raving lunatic.  "EVE's mergermatics put me in this container for storage -- and later experimentation.  She'll kill us all, or merge us all, and my feet have mold on them.  Mold, I tell you!  Quick, someone give me a gun.  I need a gun.  Give me a gun."  He -- the yellow clad clearance man who outranks you all -- is looking at you each frantically with derangement written all over his face.

Copper continues to do his job, recording the glorious return od the yellow clearance man ... A gun ? Certainly. We can get you a gun. And now could you tell us, for the viewers at home and at Alpha Central Control, how long have you been in this stasis box and what prompted you to climb in there like that ? You certainly made a heroic return.

Justin stands nearby, observing the interaction. His subordinate appears to have things well in hand, so he remains quiet for now.

Keeping the multicorder focused on the new man Copper asks ... For posterity ...  Tell the folks at home, what is your name ? ... Copper hopes that this new guy will divert the combat bots off in a direction differing than where they are going. ... Someone get him a laser. Damned, this is gonna get me a Clonie for sure, maybe two ! ... One for content and one for cinematic effects. ... And if he dies in a truly gory and loud manner I might even get one for audio !

If anyone is trying to convince him of something, or to do something, please indicate you will be using your management skill, and which management skill you will be using.  For example, you might use chutzpah, interrogation, or con games.  Then please put in a private line what your current management skill is.  I will roll and see if you succeed or fail.

Normally, you could also use perversity points to try to help a roll, but we are not using those yet.

Here is a link to the rules on skills and the different types of skills: link to a message in "Paranoia: They Really Are All Out to Get You"

Gene discreetly removes the barrel from his laser pistol and hands the unarmed weapon to the yellow clearance officer.  "I am just here to make sure everyone is clean and hygenic.  You must feel awfully dirty with that nasty wound.  I can clean it for you if you want."

Gene uses moxie to try get him to understand.

(Moxie roll failed.)

The yellow clearance man says, "My name is Max something, something."  He takes the laser pistol and looks at it.  "What?  No barrel in this pistol?  What do you think you're doing?  You're just a lousy red clearance clone.  Give me the barrel already.  That's an order.  And no, I don't need any cleaning up.  That's exactly what EVE said before they canned two of my coworkers."  He nods toward the coffin-like stasis container to indicate the meaning of "canned."  Then he holds out his hand for the laser barrel.

Copper continues to film "Max" ... I am here on the scene of a Yellow Clearance Citizen having been emergency revived from stasis. Ahhh Mister Max Something Something; do you feel any odd side effects that you would care to share with the audience ? ... Other than the odd notion of a missing laser barrel ?

Mark squeaks.  "We have a belt pouch marked yellow access only.  Could you open it for us?  It may help us to help you."  He indicates to whoever took the belt pouch to show it to the yellow citizen.

The yellow clearance clone, paranoia still showing in his eyes, takes the yellow clearance pouch and opens it.  From inside, he withdraws:

Two yellow crystals like the others the characters found
A shot of something called "Insta-Revive."
There is also a small computer chip (flash drive) and
A folded note.

The clone points his gun (without a clip) at you suspiciously as he steps back and reads the note.

He is stepping a few steps back from you.  "Project Merger!  It must be stopped.  Are you here to continue the project or destroy it?  Who sent you?"

OOC: I am trying to give everyone opportunities to post.  It feels like we've slowed down.  I will continue with whatever speed I think we can, but please check in and post so I know you are all still here.

To continue? No,
Our orders are to talk,
No more. We need to
Allow our information to walk
To the Computer through
The jungle, lest we balk
And risk destruction.

Justin spoke to the Yellow officer, but kept his eyes on the jungle, weapon ready in case another ambush occurred...

Copper points the multicorder at the yellow clone ... And here we are at the famous moment, the unveiling second only to Al-C-PNE's opening of his famous storage cubicle ! ... Oh what excitement ! ... Now he'a reading something and pointing a clip-ess gun at all us us. Oh how exciting, especially if he ever gets a magazine for the thing.

Vilfred listens to the revived yellow clearance clone, her face serious. "We are on our way to the central tower to investigate why communications has stopped," she says. "What we have seen of Project Merger so far seems decidedly anti-Computer, which I cannot stand for. Will you aid us?"

The man laughs.  "Anti-Computer?  Hah!  If anything, it is too much for the love of the Computer.  Can the Computer be loved too much?  I...I don't know what to believe.  You are all red clearance, right?  I hereby give you field promotions to Yellow Clearance, effective immediately.  You'll need it if you're going in there."  He points to the tower.  "But remember the numbers 34, 21, and 1.6190476."  He seems to have dropped his suspicions about you but is still rambling rather incoherently.

A sound up the trail catches his attention, and his head snaps in that direction.  "Oh, no," he says.  "Are they going to can me again?  Don't let them.  Nothing but nightmares."

Gene says, "Are those cans or stasis devices sanitary?  I am the hygeine officer here.  Are they clean?  Why do you fear them? And what's so important about those numbers you just rattled off?"

Copper taps the multicorder ... Got all right here. ... Only you me, us and everyone out in the viewing audience will know them, so they are perfectly safe.

"Thank you for the field promotions," Vilfred says. "Will you join us? Let's go to the tower."

The yellow clearance clone glances to you and then back up the trail.  That's when you see, in the distance, the approach of what must be robots, led by your former guide robot.

You remember the guide robot's words:

The robot says, "EVE is a divergent AI from the Computer.  EVE seeks to reunite with the Computer but operates independently from it.  The bots are approaching from the south along the road.  The stasis chambers will preserve all wetware indefinitely.  Do not resist or you may be summarily executed.  Have a nice day."

Stasis chambers.  Wetware.  Preservation.  And you resisted, right?

You also remember what you had seen on the far side of the crash of the jeep, things that you couldn't get to because the robot wouldn't let you cross the crash site:
The debris you had seen just past the jeep appears to be a knocked over lunch canister with some unidentifiable wrappers, some rotting food, a can of "Happy Slappy Juice" on its side, and a vial of "Flaxil Exuberance" pills to keep one happy in the service of the Computer.  There is also a human shoe.  Just one.  The left one.

And you remember the last words of the robot as you departed company:

"Don't worry.  We'll be right behind you." 

You can only surmise that the robots approaching from up the trail are the robots your guide had spoken of.  They are not normal robots.  Not at all.  Three of them appear more like small tanks, weaponized, and each dragging three empty stasis tanks like the one you just rescued the yellow clone from.  Two others have the arms and bodies of humans, combined with the heads and arms of robots in some strange cyborg type of merger.  They each carry a rifle.

"They're here!" the yellow clone screams.  He drops everything, including the laser pistol and the note, and runs off into the woods to the east.  That pretty much answers Vilfred's question about joining you.

You stumble over your options.  Wait for the approaching, ominous robots that clearly want to encase you in stasis or execute you outright for treason, or go to the west or east into the woods (you had come somewhat from the southwest to get to the trail earlier), or continue back to the main tower and see if you can make your way in.  There's also the note and laser pistol.  Maybe there's another option, if your mind can think of one.

You have about one minute until the robots reach you.

...59...58...57...

Copper films the approach of the robots ... This just in from EVE ... Yellow clearance clone turns  ... well Yellow ! And Killer Robots approach. More news on the hour ... if we live !

Mark squeaks in fear and says, "I'll bet you a credit we don't make it out of here alive.  Wait, that's not a smart bet.  I say we high tail it to the tower and lock ourselves in.  I mean, lock those robots out!"  *squeak*

The sight of the robots caused Justin no small measure of concern.
Run.
We'll figure the tower out.
But we don't run now,
There'll be little to do but pout
Once we're dead...

Gene laughs nervously.  "You are very wise, team leader.  We’re outnumbered! Why, there must be— wait a second, I’ll check. One... Two... Three... Four... Five... Six!  GAAAAAIGH!  Six robots trying to execute us.  Run!"  Gene runs after Mark and Justin.

Vilfred picks up the note and yellow clearance laser pistol and -- using the other escapees as a distraction (Distract Others Long Enough to Start Running) -- books it toward the tower. She tries to stay out of sight of the robots. (Stealth and Sneaking)

You are still near the tower entrance, since you had not strayed far anyway.  The robots are pressing down upon you.

As a reminder, here is the description of the tower entrance area.  You recall that the two screens to open the door are colored purple (on the left) and red (on the right).  They have slots to put crystals into them.

There are a set of steel double doors leading into the tower, large enough to bring vehicles in and out like at a garage.  They are currently closed.

The tower itself is shrouded in shrubbery, shreds of leaves, and shards of metal and glass.  It looks like some sort of combat took place here, but there are no remains.  The shrubbery appears to have grown over the tower awhile back, but of course, that is impossible.  You can't tell how large the tower is per se, but it rises about 3 stories up and is as large as a warehouse.  You don't know, however, how far DOWN it goes.

A small trail made by the feet of workers and robots goes around the building on both sides of the main trail you just came down.

On either side of the two entry doors are colored screens like the ones you saw on the other building and on the coffin-like stasis container with the yellow clearance clones.  The screen on the left is purple, and the screen on the right is red.  As with the others, there are three slots at the top of each screen that match the crystals you have found.
 

Laser pistol and clone prod at the ready, Justin set up a one-man rear guard, ready to hold the robots off...

Mark squeaks in fear and says, "We'll need those crystals.  I'll bet you a credit I can get them before the robots get us."  He then runs back to the stasis box, gets the crystals that hold open the lid, and runs back to the party at the doors to the tower.

Cooper stands by the door with his multicorder ready ... Snap ... crackle ... poppopcracklepoppopcracklepop ... With little to do he cracks his fingers back at an impossible angle ... Ooohhhhh that's so much better.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:20, Tue 13 May 2014.

Mark runs back and grabs the crystals as the robots are getting closer.  You now have all the crystals, but the tower doors are closed.

The robots do not appear concerned, and they approach you leisurely.

Time until robots arrive:

...45...44...43...

Vilfred approaches the red screen on the right, accepting a reddish translucent crystal from Mark. She slips the red crystal into a slot, working any relevant signs and symbols on the screen as they appear, doing her best to open the tower. (Hardware 07, Habitat Engineering 01, Software 05, Data Analysis 09, Operating Systems 01)

Cooper stands behind her watching her work. All the time he is nrervously cracking his knuckles ... pop crack popopopop craaaaaCK ! ...

She puts the red crystal in, but nothing happens.  There are still two empty slots for crystals.

While cracking his knuckles he points at the screen and offers advice ... Did you try the blue one yet ?

HARDWARE 09, Electronic Engineering 13, SOFTWARE 10, Data Analysis 14, Data Search 14
This message was last edited by the player at 19:41, Tue 13 May 2014.

Mark looks back and squeaks at the approach of the robots.  He says, "Try the clear ones.  I bet you a credit, if you put some effort into it, you can do it before the robots get us."

"I have not. Copper, why don't you man the blue screen while I attend this one?" Vilfred suggests. She takes two of the whitish or clear crystals and puts them in the remaining slots at the red screen.

The two clear crystals are put into the red side, and that side of the door begins sliding open!  (There are two giant doors that slide into the wall, large enough to allow vehicles to go in and out.)

Inside is darkness, but outside are the approaching robots.

You can slip inside the tower if you want.

Robots arrive in...

...30...29...28...

Head inside ... I will go first so that I can record your heroic entry to the central complex.

The inside of the doorway looks like a large garage with vehicles covered with dropcloths.  It is too dark to make out details.

...27...26...

Gene runs inside the tower, laughing nervously.  "We'll do a hygiene check later.  Meanwhile, don't stain your pants, please."

Copper pulls the tarp off the corner of one of the vehicles and turns on the built-in light on his multicorder (lacking a light he films in low light mode and then examines the recording) and looks at the vehicle.

Justin slips just inside the door, trying to use the doorway for cover until everyone is inside. ONce they are, he'll try to shut the door...

Now, it is just Vilfred, Fletch, Johnny, Rob and Mark outside the door, and time is running short.

Justin does not see any way to close the door manually.  It is too heavy to open or close by hand.  However, there is a green panel in the wall nearby similar to the red one outside that you put the crystals in to open the door.

Cop-R pulls off the nearest tarp and finds...that it is not a vehicle, but is instead some sort of motorized robot the size of a small car.  A weapon turret is mounted at the top, but it is not a normal turret at all.  Instead, it appears to be constructed of plants with thorns that would shoot out instead of bullets.  It also has a scorpion-like tail that appears made of bone and carapace, not metal.  It has metal and rubber treads like a tank, and the body is a hard tank-like metal.  It is a part animal, part plant, part machine robot...or weapon...or vehicle.

...25...24...23...

"Frying pan, meet fire," Vilfred says under her breath as she retrieves the red and clear crystals before hurrying inside. Once in, she goes to the green screen and inserts the three crystals there. "No green crystals; hope this works!"

Mark runs after Vilfred, squeaking a few times in nervousness on the way inside.  "I'll bet you a credit we're all about to die," he says, and then wishes he hadn't.

As soon as Vilfred removes the outside crystals, the doors begin to close.  You realize that no crystals will be required from the inside (except to open the doors to get out).

But the robots are also extremely close, and the large heavy doors are unbearably slow.

Mark runs into the garage, squeezing between the door.

But the robots are right behind.

...15...14...13...

Between the cracks in the door, you see a robot grab hold of Johnny.  The clone's screams are silenced by something injected into his neck as the lid of a stasis device pops open.

Fletch and Rob remain outside, but the doors are too close together for them to fit through.  You see the crack of light as they turn to face the robots descending on them...

And then the doors close.

Johnny, Rob, and Fletch were caught outside, and the remaining five of you have made it inside the tower.  The robots remain outside, so you are safe--for now.


You stand on the inside of the very large central tower.  This is a garage-like area with 8 "vehicles," 4 parked on each side.  As Cop-R discovered, the vehicles are really some sort of animal-plant-machine hybrids.  The half robot, half organic bees and ants are making more sense to you now.

As far as exits, there is, of course, the large set of double doors, on the far side of which wait large, weaponized robots ready to put you in stasis.  On the far side of the room is another, regular-sized door.

The room itself has a cement floor, a closed cabinet next to the far door, a slightly arched ceiling about 15 feet high, and a light switch next to you.  7 of the 8 hybrid vehicles are still covered with tarps.

Vilfred catches her breath, hands on her knees, quietly counting the vehicles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Then she counts them again.

Gene says, "Time for a sanitation check.  Everyone check yourselves for any filth or untoward stains brought on by our perilous situation.  I will remark and report us all up front, including myself, for wearing the wrong color uniforms.  We were given a field promotion to yellow, yet we still all wear the red uniforms.  We must correct that error as soon as possible."

Copper set up the multicorder on its portable stand and then walks over the next vehicle grabs the tarp and pulling it off asks the age old question ... Johnny tell 'em what they've won ? ... A NEW TANK ! ... The he poses with the tank for a moment ala Carol Merrill.

Vilfred goes to check out the cabinet.

Justin crosses the room and peeks into the door, cracking it slightly, his laser gun at the ready...

Mark follows Vilfred over to check out the cabinet as well.  "I wonder how long it will take those robots to open the garage door and come after us," he wonders aloud, and then wishes he hadn't.

Justin cracks the far door and sees...a hallway and darkness.

Inside the cabinet are Yellow Clearance uniforms of all shapes and sizes.  They all have two patches on the shoulders.  One says "Mutation Proof" and the other says "Refractive Technology for Laser Deterrence."  The uniforms are a little different than most, in that they have hoods that can be fully pulled over the head and zipped into place around the neck, if desired, creating a fully contained suit.

Behind you, from the large double doors you just came through, you can hear what sounds like a blowtorch.

OOC: Sorry for delays.  I've been traveling with work.

Copper quickly dones a new uniform ... You heard the man, we have been temporarily promoted ... I have it for the record, and wearing the wrong color uniform can be a treasonous action.

I cannot argue with your wisdom,
The proper clothing must be worn.
Without it, we are not but the vilest
Traitors who have e're been born.

Needless to say, Justin agreed. But he didn't strip his uniform off. Reasoning it was only a temporary promotion, Justin grabbed the biggest laser-proof uniform and pulled it on over his red jumpsuit...
This message was last edited by the player at 17:11, Tue 27 May 2014.

Vilfred tries on one of the Refractive Technology suits to see if it fits her. She starts to count the suits hanging in the cabinet -- 1, 2, 3, 4... -- then stops, grimacing.

She turns to see Justin at the doorway. "Justin, what do you see?"

I see nothing, nothing at all,
Merely darkness and an empty hall.

If we're to continue on cruise of leisure
A light switch would be a beauteous treasure...

Now dressed in yellow over her red, Vilfred moves toward the doorway, ushering others ahead of her. "Let's move on out, people." She readies her laser pistol, complete with red barrel for now, scanning the room for security cameras.

Gene follows the others in putting on a yellow uniform.  He does not zip up the hood part yet but toys with it nervously. He also begins laughing nervously in a way that might make others a little nervous.  "I say we go through that door because we know the doom that's coming in from behind us."  He also gets his laser pistol ready.

Mark also gets a yellow uniform on and moves into the next hallway, where he will turn around and see if they can lock the door to somehow keep the robots from catching up to them.

Copper runs to the door and up the stairs ... I will go to the top and film the groups heroic entrance to the upper floors. ... Running up the stairs he yells ... Ahhh, last one be sure to lock the door behind you.

Vilfred heads up the stairs, nodding at Mark as she passes, leaving him to lock the door behind the group.

You lock the door by removing and pocketing the crystals and turn on a switch to the distant hallway.  This act creates movement from the far end of the hall.

Something moves toward you, and you quickly see that it is a robot.  The robot is only about waist high, runs on wheels, has no arms, and for all appearances is harmless.

As it approaches, it says in a high squeaky voice, "Welcome, Yellow Troubleshooters.  I hope that yellow shade does not stand for fear."  Upon being met with silent stares, it says.  "Just a little robot humor.  Are you reporting for duty?"

OOC: SOrry about the delays.  I had some emergency trips come up at work which have kept me really busy.

Cooper records it ... and answers ... No. We are here on an inspection tour.

Mark giggles.  "Yes, what he said.  And we are here to make sure everyone is happy in accordance with The Computer's directives."

In a sense, aren't we all
Reporting for duty in our own way?
For our duty, in every clone-filled hall,
Is it not to serve Computer every day?

But for this particular task
Our duty finds us here,
So in answer to your query, yes
Tis duty that draws us near.

Vilfred slowly and carefully -- but friendily -- approaches the bot. "We have pre-existing assignments that we need to fulfill before we report for duty here," she says, placatingly. (Oratory) "Where is the main communications transmitter for this facility? It requires repair."

If she can get close enough without alarming the bot, she will examine it appreciatively to assess its access panels and any visible controls in order to help it be as helpful as possible. (Bot Programming) "My, aren't you a lovely piece of machinery!"

The robot says, warming up to Vilfred [success], "You serve The Computer?  Are you his emissaries for inspections?  Then have you been sent for the brainscrubbing?"

The robot looks confusedly right and left.  The corridor Ts where the robot stands, and it appears to be confused as to which direction to take you.  Above the robot, a sign on the wall points left and states, "BIOHAZARD_{brainscrubbing datamerging disassembly reassembly}".  A sign below that one points to the right and states, "E.V.E. SCIENCE_{R&D barracks labs}.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:52, Fri 13 June 2014.

"We are to inspect the R&D section and labs before inspecting the other sections," Vilfred says (Oratory), gently leading the bot (Bot Programming) toward the right, toward EVE Science.

The robot says, "Wonderful.  I assume you'll be changing your uniform before then."  Without waiting for comment, the robot leads you to the right.

The halls appear once to have been part of a larger, very sanitary complex, as white and dull as a hospital.  But recent events have apparently changed things.  As you walk, you see that dust -- no, that's dirt, not dust -- covers the floor.  It's as though it has been hauled in on wheelbarrows and dumped haphazardly.

Suddenly, a voice breaks out over the intercom, which is crackly.  It is a pleasant female voice.  It says, "Remember, you will be praised for your initiative for taking any unauthorized actions, just before you are summarily executed for insubordination."  It appears to be a recorded message.

The hall turns to the left, and the dirt stops.  The hall continues straight forward, but there is a door to the left marked "RESTROOMS" and a door to the right marked "LABS."  Underneath the LABS marking is another smaller message that says:  "INDIGO ACCESS ONLY."  The door is painted an indigo shade, just in case the message is not enough.

To your left, from in the restrooms, you hear a thump thump sound that repeats at regular intervals of about 3 seconds.

Another message from the woman's voice comes over the intercom, stating: "Remember, here at EVE, you don't die until I say you do.  Have a pleasant daily existence."

Gene hiccups and pushes the door to the bathroom open slowly, his laser pistol at the ready.

Justin covered Gene's approach to the door, one hand on his pistol, the other on the hilt of his clone prod...

Seeing her comrades prepare to enter the restroom, Vilfred addresses the bot leading the group. "Where is the uniform storeroom?" she asks hopefully, eyeing the indigo door.

The robot points to the left.  "The locker room is just beyond the restroom," it responds.

Pushing open the door to the restroom, Gene and Justin look in.  They see a normal restroom, though it is immaculately clean, unlike the hallways.

Next to one of the stalls is a small cylindrical robot.  One of its wheels has broken off and it is trying to move but is instead bumping its head against the wall.  This was the thumping noise you heard.  Upon inspection, you see it is a scrub-bot.  That also explains why the restroom is so clean.

As with all restrooms in Alpha Complex, video cameras are pointing down at every angle from the corner of the bathroom walls.  A push door (i.e., one with no handle or lock) is on the far side of the bathroom.  It is labeled "LOCKERS."

Upon seeing the poor cleaning bot, Justin was moved to say something.

Be there any man among us,
Whose talent is to mend
The damage that has befallen
Our cleanly little friend?

It is almighty Computer's directive
That our hygiene we maintain.
This one assists us in this matter
So what could treat him with such disdain?

Vilfred surreptitiously (Distract Others Long Enough to Start Running 12) affixes micro-cams to each video camera, as best she can. She then briefly turns her attention to the broken scrub-bot to see if she can repair it (Hardware 07, Bot Programming 09).

Vilfred attempts to repair the scrub-bot.  Her attempt results in a spectacular failure, as the robot teeters once, mutters "geebledeegobbledeegoo," and then powers down.

The other robot, however, turns to Justin.  "You serve the Computer?" it asks.  "Or do you serve EVE?"

Justin shifts his grip on the clone prod, nervously appraising the robot's question. But deep within, his faith would not be shaken. If the robot wanted a fight, then Justin would oblige. Clearing his throat, he spoke, gesturing a little menacingly with his clone prod...


Know this, synthetic clone,
And any others who may hear:
We serve Almighty Computer, and He alone
By His bidding we are here.

So, clone-steel fellows, still,
The same query I pose to you:
Are you loyal servants of His Almighty will,
Or is Eve's heresy what you swear to?

If she's able to do so, Vilfred turns her attention to the other bot next, trying to pacify it or otherwise make it not hostile (powering it down if need be). (Hardware 07, Bot Programming 09)
This message was last edited by the player at 00:16, Sun 06 July 2014.

Gene lets the group's leader take care of the question while he peeks through the bathroom looking for clues or signs of anything that will help.

OOC: Sorry for the delays.  Life at work got so busy I had to actually cancel some vacation plans!

The bathroom itself is quite messy from dust, molds, and overgrowth of vines and plant materials.  Part of it is because this little scrub bot is not working correctly, and part of it is because something is seemingly overtaking the facility with plant growth.

Vilfred attempts to pacify the robot, but fails miserably.  (Roll failure.)  The scrub bot turns off and is permanently disabled, short circuiting and turning a pirouette before flopping down on its side on the dirt covered tile floor.  "Oh, the humanity!" are its last words as this robot dedicated to cleanliness dies in a pile of dirt in a filthy bathroom.

Your guide robot backs up a step.  "Well, that was rather mean-spirited.  Are you normally robot killers?  Is that what the Computer orders you to do now?  I had better alert EVE immediately."  It begins backing up toward the far room.

Gene does not find anything of significance.  You can exit the bathroom the way you came or continue into the locker room ahead (where the robot is retreating to).

Gene ignores the robot and looks in the locker room.

Justin hears the bot is going to warn EVE, so he steps in, lowering his clone prod and attempts to reason with the bot, to persuade him it was an accident. (Roll Oratory 12)

Dearest Mechano-Man,
Your forgiveness we do beg.
For our leader, yes, has found a precarious life
And knocked it off its leg.

Remember, we are but feeble-minded
Creatures of flesh and bone.
We pale in contrast to Almighty Computer's glory
For which we must atone.

Unlike you, fabulous automaton!
So close to Almighty Computer you are!
I see perfection in your steely gaze
And in your structure of rebar.

I wish devoutly to be thus:
A construct, perfect, just like you.
But until Gracious Almighty computer deems it good and so,
This is all that I can do:

Forgive our meager trespasses
For we a fumbling, smelly lot,
You are a reflection of perfection,
And we, are decidedly, not.

(Success.)

The robot stops to listen to Justin, and then says, "I gather you are here to unite EVE and The Computer.  Is that a correct interpretation of your purpose?"

Gene peeks inside the locker room and sees that it is fairly overgrown with vines, moss and other green foliage.  The lockers are propped open, and some have been completely knocked over by the overgrown foliage.  There are uniforms of various colors (i.e., various clearances), from red through blue (red, orange, yellow, green, blue), but they are covered in dirt and grime now.  The showers in the far corner have been left on and they slowly trickle, but now they "water" a large patch of dirt and mud, as well as vines and orange flowers sprouting from the center of the shower area.

At one corner of the showers, you see the remains of a yellow clad clone, half buried in the dirt and mud and not much more than a shriveled corpse now.  In one arm, it clings to something metal that it holds tightly to its chest, but you can't tell what it is.  The other hand holds the handle of some sort of small metal briefcase that is closed.

Justin nods, willing to say anything to placate the robot and keep him on their side...

"That is correct," Vilfred says, moving to the corpse, to examine the object clutched to its chest and the briefcase.

The vines whip around Vilfred as soon as she touches the corpse, wrapping around her...[roll]...right thigh.  They begin constricting immediately.

Then the unbelievable happens.  The orange "flowers" appear to detach themselves from the ground and begin walking on their roots toward Vilfred.  There are five of them doing this, with others still planted firmly in the dirt.

Drawing her laser pistol, still fitted with a red barrel, Vilfred fires at the vines in an attempt to free herself. "Unhand me, you... creepers!"

She will also try to slip free of the vines, regardless (hopefully parlaying her Fit Into Dangerously Narrow Spaces 12 into being able to squeeze out of one, as well). If she's able to get free, she will Distract Others Long Enough to Start Running 12 and leave the room.

Gene says, "This looks very unsanitary," but he runs into the locker room, firing randomly at the flowers but staying out of their reach.

Justin also enters the room, firing at the flowers...

Mark decides to follow the others and also goes in with laser gun blazing.

Copper moves in close, camera rolling. "And now," he says, narrating the action, we see the true underbelly of this structure coming to life, literally.  Will they survive?  Will our heroes defeat the moving killer flowers?  Only time will tell."

OOC: Sorry for the delays.  I was communicating with some players about whether they will stay in the game.

A firefight breaks out.  Well, mostly just a bunch of firing of lasers from your group.  One of the flowers is hit, and its flowery exterior dissolves, showing a skeletal robotic structure underneath.

Justin also misses by a wide margin, hitting Copper.  Unfortunately, Copper's clone is hit in the back of the head.  He falls with a splat face down into the dirt that layers the locker room floor.  He is KILLED.

The other four flowers are moving on "roots," walking toward Vilfred.

Vilfred fires, hitting the vine around her leg and miraculously not blowing off her own foot.  The tentacle loosens, and Vilfred begins slipping out.

As she begins crawling and moving back to escape the room, the flowers turn in your direction.  They begin to spin, and petals fly like Chinese Stars (whatever those are) directly at you.  One hits a locker just inches from Justin's face.  One hits Gene in the stomach, WOUNDING him.  The others stick into the walls around you.

The corpse in the corner of the room still clings to something metal that it holds tightly to its chest, and its other arm still clings to a metal briefcase.  Curiosity certainly makes you stop a second and wonder what could be so important that a scientist clone would cling to it even as he is dying.

In case you have forgotten the injuries and combat rules, see here: link to a message in "Paranoia: They Really Are All Out to Get You"

If she can, Vilfred grabs the two objects held by the corpse and skedaddles out of the room.

OOC: She can try, but that will require her going back in the direction of the flowers and tentacle, since she was trying to retrieve them in the first place before being attacked.

Given that she was crawling, I figured she hadn't moved far yet. If Vilfred needs to go back slightly to retrieve the items, she will try to do so, firing at the tentacle or a flower, whichever is most immediately threatening.

Gene fires at one of the flowers.

Cursing quietly at his miss, Justing targets the flower better, and fires again...

Mark orders the robot to attack the flowers and save them all.  He also fires at an approaching flower.

Vilfred grabs the stuff and...miraculously escapes being caught in the tentacle.  Flying lasers make the flowers cautious, and they move back into their positions near the showers, appearing deviously harmless...for now.

You step back into the main restroom, unharmed except for one death among you.  Luckily, like the rest of you, he was just a clone.  But now you have no one to videotape your heroic exploits.

Gene says, "Let's never, ever go in there again.  I'm sure I'll have nightmares about flowers after this.  By the way, Vilfred, what did you pull off the corpse?"  Gene is looking over at Vilfred.  "Anything hygeine related? Hmmm?"

Justin picks up the recording gear on his way out. No sense in leaving Computer's valuable resources in the hands of a dead man...

Picking up on Justin's good sense, Mark goes through Copper's personal items and pockets to make sure no valuable Computer items get left behind.

Vilfred catches her breath, then sets down the metal object and briefcase to examine them, with her comrades.