"Perhaps it is an experiment to remove the mutant defect from clones. We should have one of our registered mutants get on the table so we can find out. If it works then they will be slightly less treasonous." Rob thought out loud.

Copper stays behind the multicorder, doing his best to capture the drama of every decision for later reference and educational purpose. He looks up with a glare at Rob for suggesting that he as a registered mutant were somehow less valuable to the team than anyone else. He shakes it off, a grin returning as he considers other possible options. " So where to they keep the specimens? Perhaps we could locate 58483901 and resume where R&D left off? Using anything else could have adverse effects on their ongoing experiment." he says from behind the viewfinder of his recorder.

Vilfred listens to each team member in turn, as she thinks. "I think we do not want to resume Project Merger," she says. "We've already met some of its handiwork, and I do not think that Eve and the Computer are seeing eye to eye these days -- or this sector would not have cut contact."

Her hand hovers above the keys. "My question is how do we stop Eve and restore her connection with the Computer, a connection that seems necessary and beneficial to all?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:25, Mon 27 Oct 2014.

" Reboot the system?" Cop asks. That's what he always did when his recorder gave him error readings. A simple power down and power up usually solved any glitches in the software.

"Oh does anybody have any wire? All we have to do is plug one end here and the other end back in the rest of alpha complex. "

Vilfred clicks on No.

FLetch tries the numbers of the specimen on the briefcase, but they do not work.

As Rob moves forward with his idea, he trips over Copper's leg, bounds forward into Vilfred just as she is about to push "NO," and his hand lands on the "YES" icon on the screen.

Immediately, the locks engage on the door leading out of the lab, and the screen lights up with:

EXPERIMENT RESUMED

LAB 5 QUARANTINED UNTIL COMPLETION OF EXPERIMENT

PLACE SPECIMEN 58483901 ONTO LABORATORY TABLE

NO SPECIMEN DETECTED

REPLACE WITH ALTERNATE SPECIMEN:  [YES/NO]

ABORT EXPERIMENT?  [YES/NO]
Aborting Experiment Will Result In Complete Incendiary Decontamination of Lab, Resulting In Your Demise and Demerits For Your Next Clone.

This message was last edited by the GM at 16:55, Tue 28 Oct 2014.

Fletch gawks at Rob reaching past Vilfred and then at the audible lock of the security doors. The equipment officer might not be the brightest bulb in some regards, but he recognizes a clear-cut case when it is sitting right before his nose.

In a fluid move he draws his laser and points it at Rob.

''This robot is in collusion with EVE. It is a traitor!'' He screams with an overturning voice.
Only the dawning realization that they still need someone to put on the operation table stops his (slightly twitching) trigger finger.

Already annoyed by Fletch, Gene does what any non-robot annoyed clone would do.  He makes a counterpoint.  He raises his own laser pistol and points it at Copper.  "We all saw what happened.  Copper--a registered mutant, as you know--tripped Rob.  We can't trust mutants.  You know that, right?  Copper is the traitor here."

Mark draws his laser pistol and points it at Vilfred.  "I bet a credit that one of us doesn't make it out of here alive.  She is the team leader.  She could have easily stopped Rob from hitting the YES button by pushing him aside or swiping his hand away.  But she let him push it!  This must be part of a conspiracy or plot between them.  I don't know if you noticed, but Vilfred wasn't smiling when she went to push the button.  This just shows that she is not happily performing her duties and is exhibiting substandard morale.  But I think we can all resolve this by performing a group singalong.  That will assure me there is no traitorous plot afoot."

Vilfred stands, having already counted the guns -- 1-2-3 -- closes her eyes, and begins to sing:

Mine eyes have seen the coming of another Commie horde,
If I can hold them off alone Hot Fun is my reward,
"Please engage the menace, Citizen" I hear on my comcord,
When will the Vultures arrive?

Fletch looks at Vilfred and his laser, still pointed at Rob, is slightly wavering and sagging. He looks at Mark. ''Has she gone mad?''

In his mind he cannot help himself but imagine a horde of commie traitors being alarmed by Vilfred including an uncanny code phrase in her mad song and condemning them all to their doom.
He certainly wishes he was at home in his cubicle and reading his favorite plumbing journal.

Vilfred opens her eyes, looking from each person to each person, shrugging as she sings.

Glory, Glory, Hail Computer
Glory, Glory, Hail Computer
Glory, Glory, Hail Computer
My clone keeps marching on.

She then hits Yes next to the "REPLACE WITH ALTERNATE SPECIMEN:" prompt.

"OK, my friends, who volunteers?"

Mark drops his gun.  "I am impressed, fellow Troubleshooter.  You're singing skills are very untraitorous and most happy.  I bet a credit you're one of us who lives through this.  If we get a volunteer for a specimen, it really should be the registered mutant.  If we can happily endure collateral damage, that would be the happiest way to do it, I think."  He looks over at Copper.  "Do you happily volunteer, mutant?  Or are you going to have a substandard morale?"

Rob pulls himself upright. As he does so he draws his laser.
"You filthy mutant freak! You tripped me! Clearly you are trying to sabotage this mission. I knew we couldn't trust you. You disgusting mutant! You all saw it, he clearly tripped me! We should Kill the mutant!

16:10, Today: Rob-R-JBS-2 rolled 19 using 1d20. Infect Others With Enthusiasm 12.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:12, Tue 28 Oct 2014.

Fletch did have his laser trained at Rob, and as Rob draws his own weapon, Fletch does what comes naturally. He shoots.

''Hands in the air, mutant scum!'' He calls out somewhat belatedly. And hopes he has not incinerated the commie, because, well, they need him for the lab table.


OOC: GM, opening fire! I suppose you do the rolls?

EDIT: Saw Rob's edit too late. Which of us goes first?
This message was last edited by the player at 20:13, Tue 28 Oct 2014.

Moving away slightly from the terminal -- and looking for surveillance cameras in the R&D lab -- Vilfred resumes singing:

They're advancing on all sides now and I'll soon be overrun,
I try to open fire but there's a malfunction with my gun,
So I toss a nuke grenade and then turn tail and run,
When will the Vultures arrive?

Gene says, "Wait!  Copper's the mutant!  If he wants to prove his loyalty to the Computer, he should just volunteer himself.  Why are you shooting at Rob?"

He is still training his laser pistol on Fletch but won't pull the trigger yet.  He's looking around for moral support from the others, especially to Vilfred as the team leader.  "Only a traitor would call a non-mutant like Rob a mutant.  Perhaps you have not fully completed your PHT (personal hygeine test) and need an Emergency Sanitation Procedure to be performed."

Vilfred stops singing, clearly disappointed that no one else joined in: "Oh, you're no fun any more." She looks around the room. "Nobody shoots anybody," she says. "Please put your guns down so we can figure out how to get out of this room in one piece. We'll need everyone: robots, mutants, whatever."

From behind the multicorder, which he turns to now focus on Gene, Copper says, " The key word is REGISTERED - not mutant. As a REGISTERED mutant, The Computer has determined I am of value to the team. Only a traitor would devalue a fellow team member to such a point he would consider them 'disposable'. Tell us Gene, are you willing to cover the cost for the possible destruction of Computer Property? Who are you to determine what is worthless and what isn't? Also, have you even filed the requisite weapon discharge form?"

"Fletch, isn't Gene supposed to examine you?" Vilfred says. "Please hop up on the table." (Management 06, Oratory 10)

"Fletch watch where you point that you could hurt someone. As for you, registration or not you tripped me. We all saw it. Now we are stuck in here and you are clearly a traitor just like all the other mutant scum in alpha complex!

Johnny looks around. He had been busily taking careful notes of all the different items on the shelves, but when the alarms had started he quickly stopped that and starting taking even more careful notes of the treasonous and potentially treasonous activity taking place in the room.

But now that everyone is holding weapons, he quickly locks his notepad and puts it away, and draws his laser pistol too. He doesn't really know who to point it at though, so he just kind of waves it around casually in the general direction of the other troubleshooters.

"Mph Wph Vmphpp Meer!" he says.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:41, Wed 29 Oct 2014.

Well, Fletch had pulled the trigger to strafe Rob with radiation death. Only to make mere *click click* noises. Sadly enough, weapon maintenance is not one of Fletch's strong suits.
''Uh? I have to check that... Anyway! Let's talk about something else!''
He puts his laser away, acting as if he never had it pointed at someone.

''No no, the PHT has been postponed. However, yes, I think we can learn the most by having the registered mutant undergoing this experiment. Imagine! We unveil the secrets of the mutant gene and present this knowledge to the Computer! We will all earn a recommendation! Including, of course, first and foremost, our brave mutant...''

Johnny spits the vial that in his mouth onto the floor and steps forward, his pistol still gripped in his hand.

"I will volunteer! Not volunteering is treason."