I'd be interested to see how a gelatinous cube coped with micro-gravity...

Could a gelatinous cube be used as an offensive weapon? Drop them like bombs? or would they splatter when they hit the dirt?

On a game related note, how big is the cargo area? It would be strange for a battle rider to have a large cargo area unless it was some sort of lander.

In reply to Oliver Oliphant Oksasaellllozae (msg # 56):

they would take damage also if they were shot as bombs wouldn't they?  But it does bring back some wonderful memories of jello toss games.

In reply to Oliver Oliphant Oksasaellllozae (msg # 56):

The cargo area is 6m by 6m. Roughly 15-20 square feet.

Tony

I'll use tactics if I can to help pick when and where to spring the ambush.

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 59):

They are coming down the corridor, so your options are limited to opening up when they notice you, or pre-empting that by firing early. Either way, a successful Tactics roll (TN 7+, add Tactics skill) will allow you to pick the best time. If I had to offer an opinion I would say to let them get to Close range but open up before they notice you because they will go to ground as well, making it tough to take them out.

Blake's carbine doesn't have a "fun switch", it is a semi-auto rifle. He can empty the magazine in "panic fire" (probably a good option) to gain an autofire advantage.

Along those lines, I was toying with adding the Snapshot game rules. These use the same mechanics and modifiers as the basic game (to-hit 7+, etc.) but adds an Action Point cost for actions. For example, a character has APs equal to DEX + END (an average of 12). For example, Linus has  17 APs total. An aimed shot is 4 APs, a Snap shot is 3 APs, movement is 1 or 2 APs (running or walking) per 1.5m square, 1 AP to open a door, etc. This might be too much detail for some players.

As a compromise, we can still use the original combat rules. For firing you may take one aimed shot or fire a single burst from an autofire weapon, or else use "panic fire" to empty your magazine and double your rate of fire at a -4 penalty. As an additional house rule, you may also make up to two snap shots at -2 to hit (you will also strike before those making aimed shots).

Tony

21:37, Today: Ken Jenkins rolled 7 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 2,4.  Tactics.

I would tend to agree that we fire before they notice us.  With the Leader-2 as well Ken will take charge in the combat at least for the start.  He's a Marine officer after all :)

Ken will blaze away as well.  I think he is carrying the combat shotgun IIRC.

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 61):

What range band (or actual range in metres) will Ken give the order to engage?

Tony

You should ask OOC questions here, unless Blake is literally asking everyone around him!

The bodies are about 30m away (1 range band). It will take 1/2 turn to run there, 1 turn to prep the grenade and place it, and 1/2 to return. The enemy is 4 range bands away (100m). You can move 1 range band if you walk, 2 f you run.

Sure, there is probably enough time, but if they think you're a bad guy then they will light you up. Normally this would be difficult to tell, unless they have a starlight scope...

Tony

In reply to GM (msg # 63):

I am assuming Ken/Blake/Thomas are Evading as they deal with the casualties. (You can't move or attack while Evading, you are basically taking cover.)

Tony

As a note, booby trapping wounded is generally considered a war crime. The reason for this is that this is an unambiguous attempt to murder any medical personnel who would be treating them.

Blake might not have an issue with this as he's a Scout. Ken possibly would, as he is a Marine, although as an ex-Marine he might not. (Non-medics might get there first of course but you don't know that.) Thomas (I figure) would have a big problem as he is a trained medic and so would take this personally. As Thomas is an NPC right now I thought it fair to explain my rationale for his actions and comments.

Tony

To be honest, I find it objectionable as a human being. But I'm back in the chamber with Lorain so don't know anything about it!

Good point, one of the dead ones.  The Hedge does not sound like good guys anyway.  Blake would still tell the alive one about IISS being present.  Hinting at imperial involvement may produce some cracks in the 'bedmates'.

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 67):

A little late now to change who you trap! I wasn't trying to mess with you by having the guy fuck with your booby-trap, it's just I can't see you handing a grenade to the conscious guy and him being okay with it.

Technically, the current rules of war are that you can't shoot wounded and you must accept a surrender. While that's not always possible, booby-trapping wounded it clearly over the line. Then again, you are not at war. The man addressed Blake in Galanglic, he clearly thought there was some Imperial or at least Free Suns involvement!

Tony

I certainly wouldn't have put a grenade for a booby trap under a live victim whether it was per the rules of war or not.

That said, if there is some kind of information like this that the characters would know but the players not, we should have a chance to react or change our reactions accordingly.

That said as well, we've moved on and what has happened has happened.

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 69):

To be fair, I usually do supply "world" information your character would know but you do not. The rules of warfare are not something I made up but something I assumed the players might know about. Even if not, this was a moral choice and decision and I didn't want to supply the "correct" answer. While you maybe didn't know what a former Imperial Marine might know, in this case your instincts seem to have been spot on, from what you said. Whether Ken and Blake feel bad about what happened is something you can RP if you like or not. (I am not going to have Thomas make some kind of issue out of this.)

Tony

Given Mr K's prior past actions - Blake would love to dish it back ...  Consider it a black mark in Blake's history ...

I think it is a good possible venue for future role play but not something to dwell on.

Will be quiet for the next couple of days.  Boss retires in 30 days and nobody to replace him so have to go in for some "transition training".  Sounds painful doesn't it.

In reply to Neva Alexovna Morozova (msg # 73):

Sad to hear you're needing to go through this kind of re-education!

Tony

In reply to GM (msg # 74):

Thanks.  As my brother used to say, better to be reducated than deemed redundant.

Sorry to have been quiet - was taken ill in church and ended up in hospital, OK now but one of dearly beloved's clients has server problems & he needs transporting up there to fix it. Ought to be back here Wednesday if not before.

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 76):

Our sympathies, get well soon! Just take it easy, obviously.

Tony

Sorry to hear about your troubles Linus, hang in there!

A belated Merry Christmas & Good Fortune to all !!