You all make it in the ship.

X is looking at the computers.  "The third wave is on its way!" he says.  "ETA in 4 minutes...32 seconds.  Time to get this bird going again."

Silicon is already warming up the engines.  Locke appears from the bridge.  "I need you each to take care of the ship.  We're undermanned, and we have very little time.  Get busy!"  He disappears back to the bridge.

OOC:  Stay tuned.  I will give you more info in a bit.

Screed looks up from lying on the floor.  He feels the hum from the engines vibrating throught the deckplates while he listens to X.  Sighing as he get up, he rodios to X, "Tell me where you need me, you know what I can do."  He brushes the dirt off his clothes and smiles at Jade while he waits.  "Glad you could make it."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:33, Sat 10 June 2006.

Now it is time for you to pick some "out-of-Matrix" skills.  Please choose from one of the below:


Zion Ship Engineering
You understand engines and much of the architecture of ships, particularly the Hyperion.  It is the ability to design, build, and repair complex machinery regarding Zion’s ships. You can identify the purpose of the machinery, diagnose mechanical or electrical problems, perform a repair, design new machinery, improvise a gadget to solve a problem, unlatch umbilicals and operate machinery inside the ships.
(Mental Hard).  (This is a mechanic specialty similar to that shown in Basic p. 60.)

Zion Ship Computers
You understand computer systems well as they relate to the function of ships outside the Matrix.  This includes the ability to write and debug computer software.  You may debug, answer questions, determine computer functions and purpose, answer questions, or write a program.
(Mental Hard).  (Computer Programming, Basic p. 60 as it relates to Zion computers.)

Piloting
You are a good pilot of ships like the Hyperion.  (See Piloting, p. 69 Basic.)
(Physical Average)

Navigation
You can help determine where you are in the underground maze beneath the darkened Machine World.  Navigators make excellent copilots.  (See Navigation, p. 57 Basic)
(Mental Hard)

Leadership
You are well respected by the people of Zion.  They will follow you more readily, and you know how to inspire them, delegate tasks, and coordinate groups in dangerous or stressful situations. You start with the rank of Lieutenant.  (See Leadership, p. 63)
(Mental Average)

Machine World Technology
You have studied Machine World technology and understand it better than most, including the workings of Sentinels.  You can diagnose, fix problems, and find weak points in Machine World designs.  (See Mechanic, Basic p. 54)
(Mental Average)

Gunnery
You are expert at using the guns mounted on Zion ships.  This includes the heavy EMP rifles if removed from their mounted positions.  (See Gunner, Basic p. 50)
(Physical Average)

Your skill level is the same as if you spent 8 points developing that skill.  Please choose your skill and let me know your skill level.

Screed edges to the side of the hallway to give others room to move.

PM

For those of you who are concerned with what this means,



...please refer to the chart at the end of the following hyperlink:
http://members.tripod.com/mastersofthematrix/id54.htm

Shadow stands, holding his leg with a grimace on his face.  "Boss, I would like to go home now."  A smile appears on Shadow's face.

Dracos continues to move where he already is heading, the computers. He didn't know much about anything else, but he did know all about computers...

Screed smiles at Shadow, "Yeah, me too."  He waits for orders knowing it will only take a few moments to get where he needs to be.  Meanwhile he starts heading towards the galley wondering if there is any food left out.  Even what passes for food here would be kind of welcome.  Let's see, over 4 minutes.  I could easily down something in that time.

"I've had enough Near Death Experiences for one day. I'm going to my bunk to...pass........out......"
[I hope I make it to the bu...ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzz]
{Falls asleep in doorway to room}

Walking by the doorway, Screed notices Codec on the floor.  He thinks about moving him to the bed, but then says, "Who am I kidding.  I'll never be able to move him."  Instead, he takes the blanket and pillow off the bed and sets him up.  Taking his weapon, he stows it in case the ship lurches.  then he too goes and looks for a place to crash.

{Hears clanking footsteps and Screed}
"Yeah, but you sure can wake me up. I'd better get moving or I'm gonna get keel hauled by X. Do we have any intercoms around here?"

Screed points to Codec's head, "You're still wearing your radio."

Codec looks upon the tangled hornet nest that is his dry hair wrapping around his radio. He cringes and tangly knots rip apart and he frees the slippery device from his scalp.

"I try to remember not to sleep with this on."

Turns on headset.

"Hey anybody, got anything for me to do?"

OOC:  If you did not choose a non-matrix skill by now, it will be assigned to you.

Also, although it appears to be very quiet, I have been in the background tinkering with things.  Lot of work for the GM...




We have gunnery, computers, piloting, navigation, and Machine World Technology.  Here we go:

Silicon, the Hyperion's pilot, calls out over the intercom:  "Codec and Shadow, I need navigation and piloting help up here for as soon as we get this bird running.  Get to the bridge."

Meanwhile, Hammer, the ship's engineer, is scrambling to get things up and running.  He looks at Screed and Dracos:  "I need two computer guys to get the computers operational for me before the engines will come on.  That EMP sends the computers haywire whenever we use it.  Get to stations one and two.  Station one will reset the engines, but it's a bit tricky.  Station two transfers all controls to the bridge and preserves our computer integrity."  He points down the hall to the left.

X turns to Cala.  "We need your expertise and Jade's gunnery skills to help take down the next wave of Sentinels as we make our escape.  I'll meet you at the aft cannons as soon as I get the Matrix computers locked."

ETA: 3 minutes, 55 seconds
This message was last edited by the player at 19:17, Wed 05 July 2006.

Screed calls out, "Aye, aye, Cap'n," and begins running for station one.  He chuckles as he goes feeling much better within the confines of the metal ship.  He begins sitting down and setting up.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:25, Wed 05 July 2006.

"Roger that..." Codec replies. Codec enters the station and begins to look at any maps and charts he can find. Trying to find the best escape route.

Looking at Screed he says, "Hey Screed. Do we want to lose the squids, get back to Zion, or both?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:32, Wed 05 July 2006.

Screed fires back without a thought, "Well, if we do the former, we can always do the latter later.  But we've found when we try the latter lately, the formidable foes of the former may keep us from it."  He continues to push buttons and read readouts.

Codec looks at the maps, then at Screed and says, "We might hit some bumpy trails so we can lose 'em. You up to it?"

Codec begins looking for difficult path to lose the Sentinels.

Screed shrugs unseen by Codec as he straps himself in, "All I've got to do is stoke the coals, so uh, I guess so."  His voice reflects the smile on his face.

OOC: Backtracking a bit here.  Screed sort of jumped the gun.  Don't roll for anything yet.  We're still in the set up phase.

The party goes its separate ways.

Codec and Shadow run toward the bridge and sit down next to Silicon, who is flipping switches to get the Hyperion up and running again.  Silicon says to Shadow, "Don't just sit there.  Get your switches and engines ready to go as soon as the computers are up.  And Codec, you're still on probation as far as I'm concerned.  Computer programs entering human bodies.  Sounds too much like invasion of the body snatchers to me.  But you keep the monitoring going.  We have to keep the Sentinels behind us at all times.  You'll be responsible for giving us an escape route.  I've never been this far close to the surface before.  I'll do the driving.

Screed and Dracos go back to the computers.  Screed finds that Station 1 is still occupied.  Its operator, Micro, was killed and still sits slumped in his chair.  Screed carefully pushes Micro to the side and starts to boot up the computer.

Dracos has to push pieces of a Sentinel off his chair before settling into Station 2.  They both flip on the computers and wait for them to boot.

OOC:  This is where Codec and Screed have their conversation.


Jade and Cala go back to the rear guns.  They find that a Sentinel had burst through the gunnery port and killed Slipshot, who is still strapped into the chair.  The Sentinels legs are still entwined around the gunnery mount.  Cala will need to determine the best way to unhook the Sentinel while Jade gets out Slipshot and takes his place.

ETA: 3 minutes, 30 seconds.
This message was last updated by the player at 22:15, Wed 05 July 2006.

Dracos grins as he begins to clear off his chair, "Finally, something I'm good at. Frankly I'd rather be here on the computers than back by Jade or Cala."

He rolls his neck and sits down, watching the computer boot up, ready to jump into it as soon as he can.

"Screed, hope your fast as me or faster because those bastards are a-coming..."

"Me too.  Where's the on switch again?"  He chuckles while watching it boot up.  His fingers slowly rub on the keys, waiting.

Screed and Dracos watch as the computers boot up:


They look across at each other with puzzled faces as they try to determine what to do.

Codec and Shadow look at their controls.  Without computer controls restored to the bridge yet, they must wait for Screed and Dracos.

Jade and Cala beginning unwinding the Sentinel from the guns.  It is very heavy, though, and they will have to either:  (1) push it to the side, which will restrict them from using the guns on the port side, (2) find something to help lift it, which could take some time, or (3) think of another solution.

ETA: 3 minutes 15 seconds
This message was last edited by the player at 20:45, Thu 06 July 2006.

As the computer finishes bootinf, Screed looks a bit confused at the screen for a second, mumbling, "Cardinal directions?"

PM

PL

"Ummm, If you guys down in computers could find it in your hearts to give us control here at the bridge we would love to move the ship in hopes of not being killed." Shadow announces over the radio

Screed asks into the radio, "What are the cardinal directions for, Silicon?  Which way are we facing?"

"What are you talking about?" Silicon says, clearly agitated.  "Just get on the computer and give us some readouts up here.  We're facing roughly north, northeast.  You need me to be more exact that that?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:32, Thu 06 July 2006.

"Hey Dracos.  You got something like this on your screen - Two L, One F, Three R.  N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW?"

PM

Listening to the others Codec replies, "Yeah we need some juice up here ASAP, but from the sounds of the computer could could be left, right, and forward w/ the cardinal compass points. The 2 L's and 3 R's could stand for 45 deg. in X direction. Then again I might be wrong."

Time passes as you have your discussions.

ETA: 2 minutes 55 seconds

Dracos replies again, " I realize that I gotta design a particle collision to activate full system restore, buthe particles will begin in a random location (Location A and Location B) on an infinite line.  Somehow I gotta program the particles from this list, only issue is time..."

He points to a list on the screen.
_{Go left one unit
Go right one unit
Skip next instruction unless it is Location A or Location B
Go to (#).
You may have up to 10 lines of code.}

PM

PM

Screed starts tapping the keys.  "oookay, so you want to play do you?"

OOC: If the power is on Codec will look for a tricky, round-about route to lose the Squids. Then a moderate difficulty path back to Zion.

Screed begins tapping.  "Invalid entry," a broken computer voice says back.

Codec begins looking out the window to see exactly where they are and the architecture outside to determine the best escape route.  He has not been here before, having just taken over a human body from his AI state, but the design of the underground helps him determine his paths.


ETA: 2 minutes, 45 seconds

Frustrated, Screed taps and says, "Okay, West then!"

The computer drones, "Safe.  Changing directional to west."

On the screen, Screed sees:  Two R, One F, One L.  N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW?

"What the frag? N?"  Tickety-tap...

"You have hit a bomb," the computer says.  "Resetting system.  Resetting directional to north."

One L, Two R, 1 B.  N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW?

To keep everyone involved, I believe Screed and Dracos have opened this up for public viewing and assistance.  You have seen what Screed is dealing with.  Dracos' message states:

So if anyone has suggestions for them, feel free to pipe up.

Codec looks around outside for any loose odds and ends that could snag the squids. What does the environment look like out there?

Screed types and smiles, "Alright, only two ways for this to work, trying the first now!"  He starts playing over Dracos' pattern in his head as he works.  He is chuckling and looking very much the epitome of an in-the-matrix geek at the moment, slight build, pale, glasses that he keeps pushing back up on his eyes, and goofy smile in front of the computer.

Outside the ship, it looks something like this:



Screed types in NW.

"You have hit a bomb," the computer says.  "Resetting system.  Resetting directional to north."

Two L, Two R.  N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW?

ETA:  2 minutes, 30 seconds.

"Where are my computer controls?!" Silicon bellows from the bridge.

Screed looks at Dracos' puzzle and wonders aloud as he contemplates his own puzzle:

Screed chuckles as he answers, "I dunno, ask MICRO."  He continues watching the screen and punching buttons.

Screed punches in W.

"Safe.  Changing directional to west."

On the screen, Screed sees:  One L, One R.  N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW?

Screed punches in W.

"Safe."  Two L, Two R.  N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW?

Screed punches in E.

"Safe.  Changing directional to E."  One L, One R.  N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW?

Screed punches in E again.

"Safe."  One L, One F, Two R.  N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW?

Screed shrugs and continues punching buttons, "Why are you leading me in circles?"

OOC: Code for Dracos

10 x=1
20 Go left x units
30 If position = A or B then goto 70 else x=x+1
40 go right x units
50 if position = A or B then goto 90 else x=x+1
60 goto 20
70 go right 1 unit
80 if position = A or B then end else goto 70
90 go left 1 unit
100 if position = A or B then end else goto 90


Should result in a circular pattern until one position is found then goes the opposite direction until the other is found.

X=1, go left x units, go right x units are not in the instruction set or else this would be much simpler.  :)

Yeah, it has to be in the form of those four instruction sets.

Do we know the beginning position on the line?  (Between A and B?)

Screed punches in W.

"Safe.  Changing directional to west."

On the screen, Screed sees:  One L, One R.  N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW?

Screed punches N.

"You have hit a bomb," the computer says.  "Resetting system.  Resetting directional to north."

Two L, Two R, One F.  N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW?

ETA:  Two minutes, 10 seconds.

"Where's my computer control?!" Silicon shouts again.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:29, Fri 07 July 2006.

(I'm sorry guys, I'm absolutely lost on this one.)

PM

Jade asks Cala, "What do you want to do about this Sentinel?  If we just throw it to the side, I can manage the guns, but then we'll have to keep the Sentinels to our right when piloting.  What do you think, Silicon and bridge members?"

PM\

Screed thinks.

Screed taps S.

Screed punches in S.

"Safe.  Changing directional to south."

On the screen, Screed sees:  Two L, One R, One F.  N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW?

Screed shrugs and punches S again.  "Well with no B's, this way is safe so far.  Wonder what it's going to do when I hit a wall."

[frack this is a real pain]

Biting his nails he replies, "It depends on what we are doing here. Are we linking data, electricity, or sub atomic particles? The bomb could just be a clog of scattered neutrons from the EMP if it is data. This is confusing..."

"Judging from the sounds of it we are working with data or electricity. But how do you get particles to move 'right'. They should just be moving in a straight infinite line as said...The best thing I can say is to run around through trial and error until we get a link going."

OOC:  Screed's puzzle is just Micro's personal "fun" logon security passcode series.  It doesn't have anything to do with the particles.  Dracos is logged on trying to figure out the particles.

I'd roll for your characters to simply solve it, but that takes the fun out of the puzzle, so instead I roll to give PM hints to them (and them alone).

"You have hit a bomb," the computer says.  "Resetting system.  Resetting directional to north."

One L, Two R.  N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW?

Codec grumbles in frustration, "Crazy Micro...".

"Can't we just hack our way past this stupid thing. Where is Micro anyway? If he's dead, check his room and body. Maybe he has some kind of hint on him somewhere."

He works through the puzzle, inputting a few lines of code...

 Cala brings her sentinel's eyes in close to the other machine, carefully looking it over. "Considering..." Cala says slowly.

Screed silently curses himself, "S, blast you!"

Biting his lip slightly Codec replies, "Just think about your past inputs and follow them, we'll eventually get to the end through trial and error."

Screed punches in S.

"Safe.  Changing directional to south."

On the screen, Screed sees:  One L, Two R, One F.  N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW?

Dracos is discussing code options with Shadow.

Cala is looking at the Sentinel.

Screed says, "Yeah, I've got to map it and then make a guess at some point.  I think I've got it figured out, now I've just got to work it.  Gotta watch for it turning me around while I move.  That's what cost me last time."  He pushes N and then N again to fill his map out just a little more.

Screed presses N.

"Safe.  Changing directional to north."

On the screen, Screed sees:  One L, Two R.  N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW?

Screed presses N again.

"Safe."

On the screen, Screed sees:  Two L, Two R.  N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW?

Screed deduces, "Okay, facing north, nothing in front.  N again.  I should have this mapped out shortly.  At least this row."

Screed presses N.

"Safe."

On the screen, Screed sees:  One F, One L, One R.  N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW?

Screed shrugs, "Well this says I should be able to move diagonally.  NE then."

Dracos, after discussing with Shadow, begins to input the revised code...

Screed presses NE.

"Safe.  Changing directional to North."

On the screen, Screed sees:  Two L, Two R, One F.  N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW?

PL

PM

PL

PM

Dracos and Shadow finish their conversation and Dracos punches in:

There is a brief flash, and then the floor and ceiling lights go on.  You hear the distant whining as the power is restored to engines and generators.

"Hallelujah!" Silicon shouts into the intercom.  "We've got power.  Now I just need Screed to get me computer control, and we can get this baby running before any squids get us."

All eyes seem to turn to Screed.

"Keep your eyes on the radar," Silicon says to Codec.

Codec does so, noting a huge mass approaching from one of the side corridors, a mass of many objects which will arrive shortly.

"That's them," Silicon says, glancing over quickly.  He mumbles, "Never should have networked these computers."

ETA:  1 minute, 40 seconds.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:15, Tue 11 July 2006.

"Thanks Shadow... I'm not much of a problem solver apparently. I like formulllas... but to get something like this into a formula and compute it..." he shakes his head, "Let's just say I'm glad you were here my friend..."

Dracos now focuses on the running computer, wanting to make sure it was cleaned up and ready to go. The power was on, but that didn't mean there wasn't some corrupt data in there somewhere...

PL

PM

"Yeah, me and puzzles get along real well.  Or I smash 'em."  Shadow begins readying his portion of the controls, bringing the engines online.  "How's the computer coming Screed? We can probably ask one of the squids for help real soon, if you like."

"S"

 Cala rears her sentinel back up. "Unfortunately, I cannot access this sentinel's controls. Speed is important, and it would be better to have half the guns, then risk having none of them."
 Cala begins pushing the sentinel aside.

Jade joins Cala.  "I agree," she says and begins pushing.

Masters of the Matrix
This message was last edited by the player at 04:54, Wed 12 July 2006.

Screed presses S.

"Safe.  Changing directional to South."

On the screen, Screed sees:  Two L, One R, One F.  N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW?

Screed mutters to himself, "2 right then 2 left. That makes a knight move north and right to be safe.  Okay, what is the object?  Gotta be to get off the board, not clear it out. N then NE."  His eyes are glued to the screen.

Screed presses N.

"Safe.  Changing directional to North."

On the screen, Screed sees:  Two L, One F, Two R.  N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW?

Screed presses NE.

"Safe."

On the screen, Screed sees:  One L, One B, One R.  N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW?

Screed continues to work, calculating quickly in his head, "Okay, I've done those, now facing north and have no F's.  Can I make a run for the border?"  He presses N again.

Screed presses N.

"Safe."

On the screen, Screed sees:  One L, One F, One R.  N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW?

Sweat beads on his forehead, "This grid is big.  N....W, yes NW."  He enters NW.

Screed presses NW.

"Safe."

On the screen, Screed sees:  One L, One F, One R.  N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW?

PL

PM

Screed goes back to his map and catches it back up.  "Idiot.  NE!"

The screen flashes off, and then a message appears:  "Welcome, Micro."

Screed quickly punches a few buttons, glad that his computer skills can finally come in handy.  Computers around the ship light up.

"At last!" Silicon says.  The computer panels all light up.

Codec can see in the radar that the Sentinels getting too close for comfort.

Cala and Jade push off the Sentinel from the big guns in back.  Jade uses her skills in gunnery to get the gun charged.

Dracos finishes with all the power transfers and he and Screed collapse in their seats.

Shadow hears a popping as the navigation controls are released.  Silicon is punching buttons.

The engines begin revving up.

ETA:  45 seconds.

"Let's get out of here," Silicon says.

Locke is in the doorway.  He punches the intercom.  "All personnel to their safety harnesses.  This is going to be a bumpy ride."  He straps himself in behind Silicon, Shadow, and Codec.  Behind him, Dracos, Screed and Jinx arrive and strap in.  Hammer and the rest of the crew have their own places to be, as well as Cala and Jade, who is strapping herself into the gunnery harness.

The engines and EMP propulsions light up, sending an electric buzz around the ship.  With a jerk, the Hyperion lifts off the ground.

Below, you can see the devastated ship that had been a permanent spot for all those Zion agents working in the Matrix.  The loss of those men will be terrible on Zion's ability to fight from within the Matrix.

Which means you will be needed all the more.

ETA: 20 seconds.

"We're not going to be able to outrun them," Silicon says.  He looks over to Shadow and Codec for help.  "Tell me when to turn," he says.

Shadow is helping with the controls, although Silicon is piloting the ship.  Codec is looking at the radar, a confusing map of the underground, and the windows.

Screed settles in and puts his head back.  He checks the straps one more time to make sure nothing is frayed or loose and then tries to drift off to sleep.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:25, Wed 12 July 2006.

PM

This message was deleted by the player at 02:34, Sat 15 July 2006.