"No one's searching for you," Binary says.  "But all the machines are searching for me.  Besides, you'd do better having it in battle."

TURN 7
Xan turns to the wounded soldier and aims.

Mitose swings his katana at the wounded soldier...and barely misses when the soldier dodges out of the way.

The soldier swings the butt of his gun back...and Mitose successfully dodges.

The second soldier is positioning himself (move) so that he can fire at Xan without hitting the other soldier.

TURN 8
Xan is aiming.

Mitose swings again...but he hits the flak jacket.

The soldier is taking a step back and readying his weapon to fire as the other soldier is moving out of the way.

The second soldier aims.

TURN 9
The first soldier fires at Mitose without aiming (this is a "snap shot" at a -4 penalty).  Despite the close range, the bullet flies wide and misses. (Note that an M16 has "selective fire," which means that it can be set for automatic fire or single shot.  This soldier had it on single shot setting.

The second soldier fires at Xan (Single aiming turn means basic to-hit value--i.e. only avoids the penalty.)  He makes a solid hit, but Xan has partial cover behind the rubble and debris.  The M16 was set on automatic mode, so a burst flies into the rubble and rocks, ricocheting and sending dust into the air.  Xan can count his lucky stars.  He has never faced death so squarely in the face.

But he is aiming and he fires...hitting the soldier in the gut just below the flak jacket.  You hear him grunt as he flies back and falls to the ground...but he maintains consciousness, although the fall has left him stunned (2 turns to recover).

Grid is coming quickly into the area and will be in firing range after one more turn.

Unfortunately, so will the three soldiers coming from the east.  In fact, you hear one of them yelling into their radios, "We need backup!  We're under fire!  Send us everything you've got!  NOW!"  The sergeant's voice is unmistakeable.

Laz turns to Jade, "How is he doing?"  He shakes his head with her reply a look of concern for both Twitch and the others passes through his face.

Jade is successfully applying First Aid (successful skill roll), but there are still about 18 minutes remaining to get the full effects.

As Lazarus takes the disks, Binary says to him, Jade, and Twitch, "This is what we need to do.  These disks are just a figment of our imagination, part of the Matrix code.  We need a computer where we can upload the information to the Hyperion.  Then we can analyze it later.  From there, we'll jack out of here and go to the Eastern Rim of Oxland 2 to save those who escaped."

He puts a hand to his earpiece.  "X," he says, "where's the nearest computer for an uplink?  I need a hardline."

"Let me look," X says.  "It'll take just a minute or so."

"I don't think we have that long."

"I know, I know.  Just give me some time."

THE WEB SITE HAS BEEN UPDATED.  I included more runthroughs of the rules as they have been presented in the game.  In particular, I hope to have clarified the rules for ranged attacks and aiming.  Please read below for clarification:

AIMING: If you do not aim, you fire a "Snap Shot" which is at a -4 penalty. If you aim for 1 turn, there is no penalty.  In other words, it takes one second of aiming for your basic skill to kick in. You may aim for up to an additional 3 seconds for a +1 bonus each second. (Therefore, your "to hit" could be your score with the weapon up to +3 for ranged weapons.)

The RoF (rate of fire) for a weapon determines how many rounds it fires each turn, modified by its recoil.

Example:  Walbert has a beretta (RoF=3, Rcl=1).  He raises the weapon ("readies" it) (1 turn), aims it (1 turn), and fires three successive times (1 second).  Let's say his skill is a 12.  He aims so does not get a snap shot penalty (which would have reduced it to 8).  Assuming no other modifiers, he fires the first shot against a skill of 12, the second against a skill of 11, and the third against a skill of 11.  He must aim/rest for one second before taking away that penalty.

If Walbert decided to fire only one shot in that third turn, he could fire immediately at the next turn with no recoil penalty and without the pause for aiming (i.e. without a snap shot penalty), or he could take more careful aim (for a bonus or aiming at a specific body part).

The beretta has a strength minimum of 9.  If Walbert has an 8 strength, then the recoil penalty is doubled (-2 in this case) and the required rest period is doubled (i.e. 2 seconds).
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:55, Sun 16 May 2004.

To answer some questions that were asked, here are some more fine points related to combat:

Accuracy:  Please note that the rules say that even with an Accuracy bonus, the accuracy bonus cannot be higher than your base to hit score with the weapon.  (Thus, with no modifiers, Walbert would still be at an 11 and accuracy bonus becomes irrelevant.)  But the Beretta has a 3 accuracy modifier, so he would get this bonus if, after all modifiers are added, his final to hit number was below 8.

SS:  I've been ignoring the SS number (which lets you avoid snapshot penalty if the final to hit number is below the ss number).  Not only is it confusing (especially to the newcomers), but I don't think it's very realistic.  Without a second to aim, you should suffer a -4 penalty unless you choose a fast draw skill (and besides, what good's the skill if it's rarely useful?).  I don't think I will use SS, so please ignore it.  I will give warning if I change my mind.  If you do want to use it, let me know (although remember that it will also apply to NPC's).

Recoil:  Under the official rules, burst recoil is cumulative with recoil (i.e. automatic weapons), but single shot firearms are not cumulative.  I follow this rule.  Therefore, with an automatic weapon in burst mode, Walbert's recoil penalty would get worse and worse until he stopped to aim).  My honest experience with firearms is that some weapons have a kick that seems to accumulate as you continue to fire, but some (like a small pistol) would have about the same accuracy each additional shot, so I think this is a realistic rule.

Readying in my view equals the following:  (1) raising the gun to fire (unholster, etc.), (2) changing targets (as this is like "change facing" but with a weapon, and change facing without a weapon is only allowed up to one hex change--and none with all out attack), and (3) changing grips/hands.  A successful fast draw roll negates this.  (#2 should be considered House Rules because I don't think that's provided for in the rules.)

PLAYER WALKTHROUGH:  It is the player's burden to search, examine items, and take initiative.  I just wanted to comment about some following omissions I noticed.  When the soldiers were downed in the corridor, nobody searched the bodies.  You would have found grenades and could have taken their weapons and radios...and maybe more.  You may have found something amidst the computer parts.  Nobody read anything retrieved by Binary.  Unless you examine or read items, I may not tell you what they are.  The inquisitive player is thus rewarded by active investigation.

[I realize that things may have slowed down due to players having final exams, but please post regularly or give me some notice if you will be away from your computer for awhile.  When things slow down, players tend to drop out of sight.  Thanks.]

Xan says to Mitose, "Looks like they've got the stuff.  Let's get out of here."  He motions to the hallway to his left.  "I'll cover you.  Let's go!"

Lazarus looks to Jade and says, "can we move him, I don't think it is in our best interest to stick around here if we got the disks?"

Faced with two M-16's and three more approaching soldiers, Mitose follows Xan's suggestion and heads around the corner, sprinting as fast as he can.

The door to Binary's office opens.  A man stands there in a black suit and tie, sunglasses on, and an earpiece in his left ear.  He says in a slow and articulate voice, "Mr. Peterson, what a surprise to find you here."  He does not acknowledge anyone else in the room.  His right hand still rests on the doorknob.  In his left hand is a pistol.

[Michael Peterson is Binary's real name.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:13, Tue 18 May 2004.

"Guys," X says through your earphones, "I've got a strange reading.  Never seen anything like this.  It's a disturbance in the code.  Human shaped.  And it's standing in the doorway to Binary's office.  I didn't even see it before."

Lazarus' attention is immediately drawn to this new arrival and he shudders. He looks back and forth between Binary and the new man, unsure of what to do. He walks over to Jade and says, "we need to move Twitch, this doesn't look good."

Xan and Mitose run for the corner.  The two soldiers get opportunity fire.  But Mitose is near the corner and around it before the end of the turn.  Mitose must go a bit further.

The first soldier fires a single shot.  It barely grazes Mitose, just missing.

The second soldier fires a burst from his M-16.  Mitose is splattered with bullets, and he does not successfully dodge.  He falls to the ground...unconscious (23 HT damage).

X screams into the headphones, "We're losing Mitose!  We're losing him!"

Grid reaches the edge.  He is just a few meters behind the two soldiers, who stand to his right.  To his left, he can hear the cautious approach of the other three soldiers.

At that instant, the lights come on.  The two soldiers grab their nightvision goggles in pain and begin to rip them off.  Grid now clearly sees the soldiers to his left, about 30 feet away.  They are also reaching up to take off their goggles.

Mitose is bleeding profusely and dying.  Xan is safely behind cover around the wall.  Grid is between the two groups of soldiers but has a few moments to make a decision.

And the suited man in Binary's office takes no notice of the sounds behind him.  When the lights flood the room, he glances upward for a moment and smiles.

[Twitch is conscious and, with help, can move.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:49, Tue 18 May 2004.

Lazarus looks to Binary and says, "I think we need to get the hell out of here, this isn't going according to plan at all." Lazarus places an arm around Twitch and waits for orders from Binary.

Jade's finger slips over the trigger or her machine gun, ready to fire, but she waits to see if the figure makes any threatening moves first.  She secretly nods her head to Lazarus indicating that he should try to sneak Twitch out of the room if the man is not paying attention.

Drawing attention to herself, she steps to the center of the room and says, gun still ready, "And just who are you?"

"You may call me Agent Mulder," the man says, apparently unaware of any humor in that name.  Then he ignores Jade and takes a step toward Binary.  "Mr. Peterson, I suggest you hand over the disks now.  You might say your life depends on it."

Grid surveys the well lit scene before him. Mitose lay dying on the floor as the soldiers feet, whilst Xan is no where to be seen.  Caught between the two groups of soldiers he has only moments to make a decision.....he focusses.

As the world slows he brings his M-16 up and fires a fully automatic burst into the two soldiers.  With smoke still rising from its barrel it begins to fall, slowly, towards the floor as the big man drops it and charges either of the two remaining soldiers standing.

Coming in low he attempts to sweep the legs out from underneath one soldier, before rising and trying to drive the hunting knife he carried in his off hand into the other solider's body.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:37, Thu 20 May 2004.

"I'm sending someone in with medical supplies to help!" Locke says into your earphones.  "Viper has syringes to help Mitose and Twitch."


"This is a fiasco," X says.  "We need an exit strategy now.  Mitose's pulse is off the charts.  Let me find a way out."  Not a moment later, he says, "We have company!  The demolitions crew is coming down the northwest steps."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:46, Thu 20 May 2004.

Rules Clarification: When you are using your focus skill, you are moving faster than a normal human.  Therefore, your targets are penalized on their active defenses. by double the rate of your bulled speed.

For example, you speed up to 3 times normal rate and use Focus.  Your target gets a -6 penalty to use an active defense (dodge, parry, etc.) due to your speed.  As you can see, this may eventually completely negate any but the most lucky active defenses.

Sorry if there is any confusion, but I am amending this house rule.  Under the "Supers" category, there is an "Altered Time Rate" advantage.  I want to conform my Focus skill more closely to the official rules.  Under that Supers advantage, even having time slow down by half is enough to render enemies unable to use anything requiring a reaction (parrying, dodge, etc.).  Therefore, instead of penalizing them, unless they too are in Focus mode, enemies will be completely unable to use active defenses or related reactions.

This message was last edited by the GM at 10:38, Thu 20 May 2004.

Viper jumps into the chair, laying back as Locke prepares to slide the long jack into his skull socket. "X.. Give me an AK and a Baretta. I'll take a flak vest too, if you can." Looking up at Locke, he nods slightly. "Let's do this."

Finding himself looking out of the room from which the original team entered, behind the three soldiers moving on Xan's position, Viper tries not to think of how badly this mission has screwed up. He puts it out of his mind, though. Mitose and Twitch need his help.

Viper doesn't like it, but there's only one way through. Raising the AK to his shoulder, he whispers, "I'm sorry..." as he aims at the center of the back of the soldier on the right. Pulling the trigger and holding, he pulls the stream of lead across the three soldiers before they even know he's there.

Automatic Fire:

Burst Group:  It is unusual for all rounds of a burst to hit a target.  To game this, the burst is divided into groups of up to four shots.  A separate roll to hit is made for each group fired.  The firer rolls against Guns skill, modified by the Recoil of the weapon.  (A critical hit with a group of shots is a hit with all the rounds.  One shot does damage according to the Critical Hit Table.  Likewise, a critical miss with a group means one roll on the critical miss table.)

Here is a table showing the number of hits in a burst for each of your separate to hit rolls:



Example:  At a 10 RoF, you roll three times for that round, representing 2 bursts of 4 rounds each and 1 with 2 rounds.  (For those who are not firearms savvy, 1 round=1 bullet.)  You compare each of these groups of rounds with the chart above and roll for damage according to how many of those bullets actually hit.

Aiming Successive Groups:  An automatic weapon firer can use his weapon like a hose, aiming even as he fires, as long as he can see where his rounds are going.  After one four-shot group, this adds the weapon's accuracy bonus.  Each successive group fired this way also gives +1 for aiming, up to the maximum +3 for aiming.  Automatic weapons can use this "garden hose" effect even when firing on the move, if the firer watches his target while running.  However, except on the flattest ground, this requires a roll v. DX or vision (whichever is worse) every turn to avoid a fall.

Area Effect:  Automatic weapons can be fired against several targets in one burst.  All these targets must be within a 30 degree angle (and within 5 yards apart, 15 yards from the firer).  The targets must be engaged in succession, and the firer must announce, before rolling to hit, how many rounds he will use on each one.  Calculate the attack separately for each target.  If the targets are more than one yard apart, traversing between targets wasts some rounds.  For RoF of 16 or below, one round is lost for each yard between targets.  For RoF over 16, two rounds are lost for each yard.

In this case, Viper is using an "Aiming at Successive Groups" move, while Grid is firing an "Area Effect" move at his two targets.

Here is a tactical overview of where everyone stands: Looking at the map in Log 1-1, going left to right, Xan is on the west side of room 101, the two soldiers are just south and slightly east of the #101, Mitose is slightly west of them,  Grid is at the south intersection of 101 and the building to the east,  and the three soldiers are halfway down the hall of the building east of 101.  From E3, Viper has already been inserted and running toward the party for several seconds while the battle has raged (sorry for not making simultaneity very smooth, but it's for your own good).  Viper has gone 20 feet south and 90 feet west to get to the southwest corner of 129, where he now stands.

You can assume that there is someone also at the breakers at W9 who turned on the lights.

Binary, Jade, Twitch, Lazarus, and the Agent are at 512.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:54, Thu 20 May 2004.

[OOC: Due to rules clarifications my old post is to be ignored and replaced with the following please.

Caught between the two groups of soldiers and the sudden reconnection of the lights, Grid takes advantage of the now confused soldiers as they tear at their nightvision goggles.

His M-16 roars to life as he pumps a full automatic round into one of the soldiers.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:46, Thu 20 May 2004.