With everyone feeling better and a silent zero-g trip coming to a close, you begin approaching the dark side of the moon.

It is here that the shuttle picks up a beacon signal, and lights flash on the
console as it is maneuvered by the automatic docking system. You realize that failing to follow this approach will raise the alarm and you will be met in the Docks' terminus by all the zero-g security robots and all available technicians the base can get.

The shuttle continues to maneuver over the dark side of the moon. Below, a light suddenly appears and grows, as the bottom of a crater slides away revealing a landing pad. The shuttle slowly descends into the crater until it rocks to a halt. A thrumming sensation begins to vibrate the shuttle as the landing pad descends into the moon.

The landing pad is magnetized and holds the shuttle securely.  Meanwhile, the doors sealing the crater close again.

During the trip, you found out the following information:

Artemis Base was cut out of the rock of Setarz with mining lasers. Setarz's gravity is negligible and zero gravity considerations apply. To compensate for this, a huge revolving wheel was constructed beneath the moon's surface. This wheel is known as the "Carousel" and houses Artemis' population along its rim, where gravity is maintained at .6g.  Another five areas form the rest of Artemis — the Docks (Zone I), the Transport Tunnel (Zone II), two distinct power plants (Zones III and IV), and the Missile Silo (Zone V). All of these areas have negligible gravity and steel floors for ease of movement — all occupants are issued with magnetic-soled boots, and convenient handholds are spaced throughout the base.

Here is a map of the base:


TRAVEL:

Travel between the various areas of the base is via a magnetic transport system. Steel rails run along the wall surfaces and small cars containing personnel and cargo travel along them. There are two types of car — magnitruks and cargo trailers. Both cars are 1.5 metres wide and 2.5 metres long. A magnitruk contains a magnetic generator and can hold two persons in an uncovered area. The rear half contains a cargo area covered by a semi-circular lid.  Items can be placed or strapped into this area and the lid closed to stop them from falling out. Cargo trailers have no motive power of their own, being simply larger versions of the magnitruk's cargo area. Up to four characters may be concealed in here.

The system is fully automated and computer controlled. Magnitruks can increase or decrease their speed by 20 metres per turn and can reach a top speed of 60kph. Call buttons are found at each of the termini and, after pressing the button, a magnitruk arrives in approximately 5 minutes. Magnitruks have an intercom and a control panel with eight coloured buttons. The colours correspond to various areas of Artemis base: Orange - the Docks; Blue - Power Plant 1; Purple - Power Plant 2; Yellow - Carousel Recreation area; Black - Carousel Science area; Brown - Carousel Command area; Green - the Missile Silo. There is also a clearly-labelled, red, emergency stop button. Pressing a button (other than the emergency stop), causes the magnitruk to travel to the designated destination where it waits until given a new destination or until directed by the computer.

Pressing the emergency stop button halts the magnitruk and transmits a radio signal to the security room. From there, a guard calls the truk to ascertain the nature of the problem and whether assistance is required. If so, a zero-g or normal maintenance robot (depending on the location) is then sent to sort out the problem. The magnitruk can be restarted by pressing the red button again. In case of power failure, handholds are regularly spaced along the transport shafts.

Weapon damage is calculated as if it were a normal vehicle. A result of steering jam cuts out the magnitruk's drive and causes safety interlocks to stop it (this result is not possible if firing at the rear of a magnitruk). A result of 27+ destroys the magnitruk and inflicts 1d10 points of damage to each passenger.

STAFF

There are 16 support personnel at Artemis. In addition there are 5 security guards
(commandoes) and 7 security robots (4 zero-g and 3 normal). The racial mix is predominantly Human, with only one Yazirian and two Dralasites presently on Artemis. All Artemis personnel wear light blue, hooded coveralls and carry emergency breathing apparatus in case of an air leak.

Security Devices

There are fewer security devices than at the Sanatorium, but they all conform to the same specifications (infrared beams, security cameras, etc.). As at the Sanatorium, the security systems are monitored from a security room. (Remember that Vrusk are the target of this terrorist organization and will be highly conspicuous and deemed enemies if seen.)

There are computer terminals as shown on the maps.  They do not have access to the missile launch computer.

<green>
After descending 50 metres, the landing pad stops and a flexible, opaque docking tube extends from the shuttlebay's door to connect to the shuttle's airlock. The tube is pressurized and has handholds along its length. At the end of the tube is an airlock into the base. During cargo loading and unloading, the whole landing bay is pressurized. Through the shuttle's forward viewscreen, you can see two technicians in the control room (1 human and 1 dralasite). Once the tube has attached itself to the airlock, the voice of the Dralasite technician comes over the intercom, "Tube now pressurised. Report to security room for debriefing. Welcome home." When leaving the shuttle, you will be concealed by the docking tube and not seen by the technicians.

You are in Area 1 on the map.  (The Control Room is Room #2.  #8 is fuel supply.  You don't know about the other rooms yet.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:55, Wed 28 Dec 2016.

Deisraye will begin to top off her laser clips, belt packs, & backpacks with fresh, new ones from the stores planet side before they take off to the moon.  The auto-doc was a help to everyone and the combat wasn't over yet.  "I'm sure they have an idea that something is wrong so, we go in dressed as them, get as far as we can before we're discovered, then, unleash hell on anyone in our way!"

S'Krllk waves his secondary manipulators, gesturing as he speaks but in gestures that make sense only to someone that has studied Vrusk culture. "I do not think dress will be an issue for some of us. It would probably be best if Doc and I waited on the shuttle till you gave us an all clear. Once we can get into some sort of control area, we might be able to subvert some of the security systems. That might allow the two of us to be less, um, noticeable."

Porter cleans his weapons on the flight, making sure everything is in top condition.

"Sounds like a plan. Desi and I can take point, wearing their uniforms. Orvo and Hammer can hang back a bit, until we give an all clear. Once everything is safe, S'Krllk and Soc can join us."

Hammer also reloads.  He agrees with the plan and stands back waiting for the all clear signal.  "Check the control room to see if anyone is monitoring us first, I think."

Desiraye gets into her new 'costume' followed by her charged defenses and fresh weapons.  "I say we try and move and bluff our way in as far as possible without shooting and being quiet as much as possible.  Once we engage, we blast through everyone and everything that tries to stop us!  No bull, we're going to have to man the hell up and push through whatever they throw at us.  Superior firepower will win this day!  Load up on whatever heavy stuff you can manage and Doc, be ready with the medkits!  Questions?"

Porter also dons one of the uniforms. "Ready to rock. Lead the way, Desi."

Do you want to go to room 7 or room 3?

Let's try room 7 first.

Agreed

Room 7 is fine with me.

So sorry for the delays!


You proceed cautiously to room 7.  This requires a little skill and dexterity since the ramp leads south and not to room 7, but it also allows all of you to leave the shuttle and move unnoticed to room 7.

Going through the two doors to Room 7, you see that it holds spare parts for the shuttles and equipment for carrying out repairs. A zero-g maintenance robot is in here. It is powered by gas jets to allow it to maneuver in zero-g and it is currently repairing a power generator.

The robot ignores you and does not seem hostile.

You are currently at room 7, so next would be room 3 unless you feel you need to go backwards

OOC: There are two rooms labeled 7 on the map, that might be where the confusion came from. We're in the top room 7, right? So let's proceed to room 3.

Yes.  Sorry, the numbers represent types of rooms, so there are duplicates.

You landed in the top #1 in the "northeast" corner of the map and moved to room 7.

That's clearer now Heath, I was also confused by the [2] room 7's.

The party moves south to the room marked "3." You notice that the room marked "8" is simply a fuel supply room with large tanks that hold fuel ready to supply shuttles and spaceships.

Room "3" is the "Magnitruk Terminus."

This magnitruk terminus allows access to the Docks. In the middle of the floor is a transport shaft sealed by a large, retractable pressure door. Running up through the door and around the chamber are the steel rails of the system. By each door is a call button for a magnitruk.

Entering this area, you hear for the first time the missile countdown , "Excelsior launch now due in 20 minutes and counting..." The countdown continues.

After a few moments of hearing the ominous countdown, you hear the pressure door.  It hisses and retracts, revealing a shaft descending into the moon. A magnitruk pulling a cargo trailer arrives. The magnitruk has not yet ascended from the moon below, but you imagine it will be manned by people curious as to your presence here for those who are not in uniform.

Currently, Desi and Porter wear the uniforms that were in the shuttle.  Everyone else is...conspicuous.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:06, Fri 10 Mar 2017.

Hammer takes everyone conspicuous and tries to retreat to room 7 before they are noticed.

"We're going to have to make quick work of the people in the truck Sarge and then move on.  Quietly as possible but, with as much force as we need to get it done!"

Everyone leaves the room except Desi and Porter, who are in uniform.

The magnitruk stops, and two technicians get out, a human and a Yazirian.  They nod in your direction before using their magnetic boots to anchor themselves to the floor.  Then they unload a zero-g maintenance robot.

They begin taking the robot toward area 7, which happens to be the area where the rest of your group is hiding out.

The technicians do not have any weapons or defenses that you can see as they approach the area where Desi and Porter stand in order to move the robot to room 7.

OOC: I assume all of you are wearing magnetic boots taken from the shuttle.  Otherwise, you are floating around in very low g.

To make sure you understand the geography of where you are, look at the diagram of the carousel wheel.  You have landed in Zone 1.  The missile is being housed in the missile silo (area 16).

Artemis Base was cut out of the rock of Setarz with mining lasers. Setarz's gravity is negligible and zero gravity considerations apply (see AD p20 & 26). To compensate for this, a huge revolving wheel was constructed beneath the moon's surface. This wheel is known as the "Carousel" and houses Artemis' population along its rim, where gravity is maintained at .6g. Another five areas form the rest of Artemis — the Docks (Zone I), the Transport Tunnel (Zone II), two distinct power plants (Zones III and IV), and the Missile Silo (Zone V). All of these areas have negligible gravity and steel floors for ease of movement — all occupants are issued with magnetic-soled boots, and convenient handholds are spaced throughout the base.

You can travel to other areas of the base by using a magnitruk (two passengers), and there is also an unmanned cargo trailer (where up to 4 people/Vrusk can be concealed):

Travel between the various areas of the base is via a magnetic transport system. Steel rails run along the wall surfaces and small cars containing personnel and cargo travel along them. There are two types of car — magnitruks and cargo trailers. Both cars are 1.5 metres wide and 2.5 metres long.

A magnitruk contains a magnetic generator and can hold two persons in an uncovered area. The rear half contains a cargo area covered by a semi-circular lid — items can be placed or strapped into this area and the lid closed to stop them from falling out.

Cargo trailers have no motive power of their own, being simply larger versions of the magnitruk's cargo area. Up to four characters may be concealed in here.

The system is fully automated and computer controlled. Magnitruks can increase/decrease their speed by 20 metres per turn and can reach a top speed of 60kph. Call buttons are found at each of the termini and, after pressing the button, a magnitruk arrives in approximately 5 minutes. Magnitruks have an intercom and a control panel with eight coloured buttons. The colours correspond to various areas of Artemis base: Orange - the Docks; Blue - Power Plant 1; Purple - Power Plant 2; Yellow - Carousel Recreation area; Black - Carousel Science area; Brown - Carousel Command area; Green - the Missile Silo. There is also a clearly-labeled, red, emergency stop button.

Pressing a button (other than the emergency stop), causes the magnitruk to travel to the designated destination where it waits until given a new destination or until directed by the computer. Pressing the emergency stop button halts the magnitruk and transmits a radio signal to the security room. From there, a guard calls the truk to ascertain the nature of the problem and whether assistance is required. If so, a zero-g or normal maintenance robot (depending on the location) is then sent to sort out the problem. The magnitruk can be restarted by pressing the red button again. In case of power failure, handholds are regularly spaced along the transport shafts.


You currently have a magnitruk in front of you and can call further vehicles (and wait 5 minutes each).  There is really no other way to travel between areas of the base (that you can tell).

NOTE: Within reasonable limits, you can have more people on a magnitruk than 2.  However, only 2 can be strapped in at a time, meaning that any additional people have a chance of injury as it moves.  Only 4 people maximum can hide in a cargo trailer, but others can hold onto the sides with the same dangers as with the magnitruk above, and will not be hidden from view.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:46, Fri 17 Mar 2017.

Here I have merged the diagrams of the moon so you can see the outline of how the base is on the interior of the moon, along with the placement of the different zones.

While the technicians are unloading the robot, Porter puts on his gas mask and then pulls out a doze grenade. He walks up to the technicians, pulls the pin, and drops the grenade right at their feet.

OOC: Assuming I don't need a roll to get them in the blast this way, but if I do, my stats are:
IM 7
Doze Grenade hit 45% (Dex 70, Thrown Weapons 1)

In reply to Sgt. Porter Min (msg # 23):
As they two technicians turn and escort the robot towards the rest of where the group is held up (and, Porter donning his mask), she draws he tangle gun and ready to assist in getting through this.

The two technicians have only a moment to see the grenade at their feet before the gas explodes into their faces and they collapse.

Sizing up the two downed techs, Desiraye will try to see if their uniforms will be useful to the group  and what they have on them that could aid them getting further in.

You can use the uniforms to fool anyone inside.

However, any Vrusk will have to hide in the back if you take the transit.

You currently have:

Desi (human, in uniform)
Sgt. Porter (human, in uniform)
Orvo (dralasite, no uniform)
S'krllk (vrusk, no uniform)
Kri'lik (vrusk, no uniform)
Hammer (mechanon, no uniform)

So with the magnitruk currently at your location, you can have two visible people in uniform and gear stashed in the back.

Attached to the back of this magnitruk is a cargo trailer, and up to 4 people can be concealed in it.

(So essentially, between hiding and riding with uniforms, your whole crew can travel using this magnitruk and its hitched trailer.)

Hammer will hide in the back, since they have probably not seen mechanons around here, but he will be ready to jump out and engage if anything goes awry.

S'Krllk piles in with the others. "Strangely enough, I've had worse accomodations."

"Let's get going. We've got a missile launch to stop. Hopefully we can get there before these gentlemen wake up and sound an alarm." Porter gets in the magnitruk cabin and straps himself in.

You all get in, with the two in uniforms in the front and the rest hiding.  You put the two bodies in the cargo room (Room 7) and try your best to hide them between various parts.  You also leave their robot in Room 7.  It is still turned off.

The only way from here is "down" from the surface where you landed at the Docks (marked Roman Numeral I on the map above) and down to the center hub (marked II on the map).

Zone II (the "Interchange") has nothing but the transport tunnel, as it is merely the hub between the primary four zones in the shape of a globe that the magnitruks maneuver around.  The transport rails from all four shafts interconnect here; magnitruks are switched to the applicable rail for their destination by the computer.  You are coming from the Docks and need to tell the computer to choose whether to go to the Carousel, the "south" Power Plant or the "east" Power Plant.

As you approach the intersection, your magnitruk slows down and stops at the edge of the globe. Another magnitruk coming from the direction of the Carousel appears in the globe and travels into the shaft leading to the docks. You see a technician and a guard in the magnitruk. The magnitruk's occupants ignore you. They do not stop.


This message was last edited by the GM at 16:47, Wed 29 Mar 2017.

OOC: From the map, it looks like we need to go to the carousel and then keep going to get to the missile launch area. Is that correct?

That's right, if that is your first stop.  And maybe it should be, given that annoying countdown.

The overhead speakers announce 18 minutes to the launch of the missile.

Porter punches in the directions for the magnitruk to head to the launch area. Let's get moving!

"Roger that Sarge.  Let's do it!"

You program the magnitruk to go to Zone V, but first it must pass through the Carousel (Zone VI).  It pulls up to the lifts into the carousel and stops.  The three areas of the carousel are called "Counsel Recreation Area," "Carousel Science Area," and "Carousel Command Area."  You have access to enter the first two areas, but the lift to the command area is restricted.

The magnitruk waits and you feel gravity slightly return with the rotating Carousel, though the outer parts of the carousel after riding one of the lifts will likely be closer to normal gravity.

You push the buttons to go to Zone V, where the launch area is at.  As the magnitruk continues toward that Zone, alarms go up.

UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY TO RESTRICTED AREA.
UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY TO RESTRICTED AREA.
UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY TO RESTRICTED AREA.


Red lights go off, and security cameras lining the walls of the magnitruk path turn in your direction.  It does not seem to matter at this point that you have uniforms on because the magnitruk is not authorized to come here.

You have about 30 seconds until the magnitruk pulls into the terminus in Zone V.

Overhead speakers announce 16 minutes until the launch.

"The gig is up, looks like we'll be coming in hot," Porter says into his chronocom so those in the cargo truck are alerted. "And we're gonna have to move fast to get the launch aborted. Stay sharp, everyone!"

He makes sure his machinegun is prepped and ready for action, and that he's got some grenades ready for easy access if needed.

S'Krllk starts checking his weapons, mumbling something about how Murphy follows him around and he doesn't care if it is the law.

Hammer prepares to come out from cover.  He gets his laser rifle ready and sets it at 10 SEU.  He will peer over the back of the truck to see if he can get any shots in before they come to a stop.

"I'm going to go out on a limb here but, I don't think anyone here is going to try and capture us.  If we shoot, we have to be ready to shoot to kill!  Fresh mags (clips) in your weapons and make sure your screens are up."

Your magnitruk is approaching area 13 in Zone V below.

As it approaches, you see two guards leaving through the door in the southwest corner, a door which they clearly lock, but not before letting in two zero-g combat robots to contend with.

You also see two cameras in the northwest and southeast corners of the octagonal area, and fuel pipes leading north.  You realize your magnitruk will also cross infra-red beams as it approaches the terminus, thus raising even more alarms.

The two robots begin spreading out to the northern and southern side of Area 13 as your magnitruk comes to rest in the terminus.

The security combat robots (Level 4) each have 2 laser rifles and albedo screens fully charged with a parabattery on their backs, in addition to the natural protection of their armored bodies (which act as skeinsuits).

Hammer will begin firing at the robots as soon as he has a clear shot.

Seeing two robots protected by screens and armor plating, Porter realizes that trying to shut one down quickly is the tactically sound move. He grabs one of his tangler grenades and tosses it at the combat robot Hammer is NOT targeting. Hopefully it will keep that one from attacking effectively while the rest of the party focuses on the other.

OOC: throwing a tangler grenade at one of the bots
Grenade [hit 45%, dmg by type, RoF 1, Range 5/10/15/25/50, frag 6, doze 6, 5 tangler, 5 smoke]

IM: +7
CURRENT STA: 50/50
Military Skein Suit: 30/50
Albedo Screen
Gas Mask

As their truck stops and the robots deploy against them, Desiraye makes sure her screen is on, and brings her laser rifles sights to bear on the same target as Hammer.  Output is set on 10SEU/shot and she begins to fire, [2] shots if possible.  "Light 'em up!  Tanlge one, concentrate fire on the other.  As many heavy weapons we can to bear!"

IM: +6
PUNCHING DAMAGE: 7
CURRENT STA: 62/62
Military Skein Suit: 50/50

Laser Rifle [Set on 10 SEU for 10d10 Damage]
SEU Back Pack: 100/100

SKILLS:
Beam Weapons: 6 [DEX:30 + 60 = 90%]
Martial Arts: 3 [DEX:30 + 30 = 60%]
Thrown Weapons: 1  [DEX:30 + 10 = 40%]

Are we really down to just 3 players?  I will have to NPC the others if they do not post their combat actions in the next day or so.

Apparently, S'Krllk decides his weapons would do minimal, if any, damage to the big robots. Working at his body comp, he attempts to use its sensors to scan the robots for access plates that can be safely reached. His manipulative appendages wave at Doc in a vruskan expression roughly translated to suggest waste material being introduced to the wrong end of a rotary air pump, "I don't think we've got the power to take these things head on."

Kri'lik propels himself toward the door, firing with his laser pistol as he goes.  "I was not trained for this," he says as his body flies head over heels in the zero g.

"Then, any tricks you may have would probably be a good idea to try them!"

Kri'lik's body does indeed go launching head over heals like a pinwheel as he propels himself and loses his footing.  His shots go wild and miss.  The .6 gravity is just enough to make him look silly as he falls ungracefully toward the door.

But this has one positive effect--at least, for everyone else.  Both robots turn toward the spinning movement of the doctor and fire...

Meanwhile, Desi fires twice, hitting directly with both shots with her laser rifle and taking out the albedo screen of one of the robots and slightly damaging its chest.  (108 dmg.)

Hammer fires twice and hits once (5 SEU), damaging the robot with its defenses down.  (30 dmg.)

Porter throws a tangler grenade at the other robot, but between the low-g, the moving robots and the distance, his grenade goes wide hitting with a splat against the far wall and exploding uselessly in a mass of webbing.

S'krllk begins scanning the robots...

The spinning Kri'lik flies through the air as 4 laser rifles (2 from each robot) fire in his direction. Two of the shots find their mark, hitting Kri'lik for a total of 78 damage.  His albedo screen takes the brunt of the hits (39 damage), but he is still hurt and knocked unconscious.  (-4 STA.)  The doctor slams unconscious into the southwest door and lays against the floor there.  The low g (0.6 g) keeps him from being further hurt, but he is there laying unconscious and dying.

The robots turn their attention to the rest of you...

Noting that one robot seems more resistant to damage than the other, S'Krllk lopes away using Docs bad example to good measure in an attempt to circle and come at the undamaged robot from behind. Ignoring the nearby arms fire, he appears to be frantically polishing the robot's back with his pocket multitool.

In reply to GM Heath (msg # 50):
Desiraye keeps her weapons' sights pinned on the damaged robot, trying to not focus on Doc getting hit, and fires [2] more rounds at it.  If for some reason it is enough to dismantle it, her second shot (if feasible) will be at the 2nd robot.

IM: +6
PUNCHING DAMAGE: 7
CURRENT STA: 62/62
Military Skein Suit: 50/50
SEU Belt Pack (Screen): 50/50

Laser Rifle [Set on 10 SEU for 10d10 Damage]
SEU Back Pack (Weapon): 100/100
SEU Belt Pack (Screen): 50/50

SKILLS:
Beam Weapons: 6 [DEX:30 + 60 = 90%]
Martial Arts: 3 [DEX:30 + 30 = 60%]
Thrown Weapons: 1  [DEX:30 + 10 = 40%]

The grenade didn't work, and now S'Krllk is working on the backside of the 'bot, so Porter plants his magnetic boots firmly on the deck and unloads at the damaged 'bot with his machine gun.

IM: +7
CURRENT STA: 50/50
Military Skein Suit: 30/50
Albedo Screen
Gas Mask

Projectile Weapons: 3  [DEX:35 + 30 = 65%]
Machinegun 85% (burst fire bonus) chance to hit, 10d10 damage

Desi, Porter, and Hammer fire away at the first robot while your robotics expert S'krllk launches at the undamaged one to try to dismantle or shut it down.

The robot also fires back, aiming at both Desi and Hammer with its first round...

Desi is slammed by the impact of lasers cutting through as the robot lands a direct hit.  (28 damage minus any albedo suit absorption)

Hammer is hit in the leg with less force.  (12 damage minus any absorption.)

The second robot fires everything at Porter, who is now a sitting duck since his magnetic boots are tightly planted.  But surprisingly, the shots go wide, because...

S'krllk makes a great leap through the air, grabbing the remaining robot by the leg.  As he does this, the robot's shots at Porter fly wide, harmlessly hitting the wall.  S'krllk, with insect like abilities, stays attached to the robot, which hovers above the floor.  S'krllk begins trying to break open the control panel, but it will take a few moments...

Kri'lik remains unconscious and slowly dying on the floor.

Orvo launches himself toward Kri'lik to help bind his wounds and keep him breathing.

The first robot is completely taken out by Desi, Hammer and Porter.  It stutters a moment, and then its hovering mechanism fails and it falls clunking to the ground.   The reverberating sound is loud as it crashes, even in the .6 gravity.

"Everyone, take cover if you can. Give S'Krllk a chance to shut this bot down!"

Not heeding his own advice, the Sergeant heaves himself through the air at the robot.

If he manages to connect with the swirling pair, he will try to grapple the robot's weapons (or at least one of them) to keep it from aiming at Orvo and Kri'lik.


OOC: sorry for the delays again. It's once more the end of the semester, and I'm also analyzing data for a study, and trying to get my second OSR game ready to publish. Busy, busy!

Not sure what, if anything I need to roll to try and neutralize a robot's weapon(s). I'll leave it up to the good GM. Let me know if you want me to roll something.

Hammer goes to Kri'lik to help.  He has minimal medical skills, but enough to provide basic support.

Porter successfully distracts the robot while S'krllk sneaks up behind, removes its plate, and shuts it down while everyone runs for cover.

Hammer stabilizes Kri'lik, who comes to consciousness (with 5 STA).  Kri'lik is weak but alive and able to move around and talk now.

The alarms are still going off overhead.

'FIFTEEN MINUTES TO LAUNCH' you hear the overhead speakers echo throughout the station.

You are currently in the room marked 13 in Zone V.  The only exit outside of getting back into the conveyor is to the southwest with a security locked door.  This may again require a specialized skill of S'krllk or Orvo.

In reply to GM Heath (msg # 57):

Reviewing Orvo's skills, I don't see anything useful for getting through security doors, unless I missed something?

OOC: Orvo, you don't have Technician skill? Anyway, if not, and S'Krllk can't open the door, we've got tornadium d-19.

Porter examines the hinges (if they're on this side of the door) and the locking mechanism to try and gauge how much explosive would be needed to blast the door open if bypassing the lock mechanism fails.

Not on the last draft of Orvo before I took him over do I see any TECH skills but, I know Desi has some TD to get through the doors if we need more!

S'Krllk rides the robot to the floor, and spends a heartbeat or two staring longingly at the control circuits inside before walking away. Seeing Porter at the door, he runs over to it. As he starts working on bypassing the door, he tells Porter, "while I've a chance, I just want to say, well... keeping the missile from launching without keeping it from blowing? If that's all we get, I'm ok with it."

"I'm a military man. If I have to give my life to save others, that's what I'm trained to do. Still, as long as we don't waste too much time getting to the missile, I'm confident we can shut down the launch and make our escape. So let's get past this door. One problem at a time."

In reply to Orvo (msg # 58):

I must have been thinking of our former dralasite, now deceased, Dulob.  You know what they say:  all dralasites look the same.  :)

S'krllk begins working on the security lock.  It seems to be taking forever, but at least no new foes arrive.  But the alarm is still blaring, so it is only a matter of time.

Finally, just as the overhead speaker announces, 'THIRTEEN MINUTES TO LAUNCH,' S'krllk successfully opens the door to the west.  It leads to a short hallway and another door.  Luckily, that one is not security locked.

The door will lead to area 14 on the map.

HAHA!  Of course they do...

"I'll take that too S'Krllk.  Even if we can't stop the launch, can we stop the missile while it's on its way to the target?"
=======================================================

"You're an honorable soldier Sarge.  I need every swinging set able and ready to go and keep fighting.  I've got you covered as well as the others.  Now, let's stop that damn missile from doing its damage."

"It would seem that my skill set isn't much help to us here against these robots.  Hopefully, that was the last of them but, I fret that isn't going to be the case.  I'll keep plugging away with this rifle, then my pistols.

What can I do to help?"

You enter room 14 (Zone V):  The Missile Monitor Room

You have only a second to look in the room.  There is a bank of four monitor screens in here that vies a view of the missile silo (Room 16).  You see the missile in its bank with steam and smoke coming from below.  Another four screens give views of the terminus, including the room you just came from with the two combat robots.

These screens are probably what gave you away.  Two guards are crouching behind a desk and already aiming at the door when you enter.  They fire without hesitation before you can react.

Desi is hit twice by the lasers by one of the guards.  (30 STA damage minus any absorbed.)  The other guard's shots go over her head.

In reply to GM Heath (msg # 68):
Laser bolts flash off Desi's albedo screen as they're absorbed but, not before scaring the hell out of her.  She moves herself back behind the cover of the entrance to the room as she brings her laser rifle up to the high ready trying to coordinate their next move.  "FRAK!  That was close!  I should've expected that.  It looks like the missile or missile control is in this room.  Looks like two.  Sarge, me and you lead in.  Rest provide covering fire."

Desi will fire two [2] 10 SEU shots at either one which is a more visible target and then move into the room.

IM: +6
PUNCHING DAMAGE: 7
CURRENT STA: 62/62
Military Skein Suit: 50/50
SEU Belt Pack (Screen): 42/50

Laser Rifle [Set on 10 SEU for 10d10 Damage]
SEU Back Pack (Weapon): 50/100
SEU Belt Pack (Screen): 50/50

SKILLS:
Beam Weapons: 6 [DEX:30 + 60 = 90%]
Martial Arts: 3 [DEX:30 + 30 = 60%]
Thrown Weapons: 1  [DEX:30 + 10 = 40%]

In reply to GM Heath (msg # 68):

Orvo winces as he watches the laser bolts get absorbed by the screen as Desi gets next to the door way.  He grips the butt of his laser pistol and waits for his turn to fire into the room and help out the situation.

DEFENSES:
Albedo Screen: power beltpack 50/50 seu
Military Skeinsuit: 50/50

WEAPONS:
Martial Arts: to hit 40%| dmg: 3| Rof: 2|
Laser Pistol x2: to hit 45%| dmg: 5d10/seu| RoF 2| power beltpack 50/50 and 50/50 seu
Laser Rifle: to hit 45%| dmg: 8d10/seu| RoF 2| power backpack 100/100 seu

Tangler Grenade: to hit 25%| Entangled| 2 grenade
Smoke Grenade: to hit 25%| -10 to hit| 2 grenade
Fragmentation Grenade: to hit 25%| 8d10| 4 grenade
Doze Grenade: to hit 25%| Sleep| 2 grenade

"Right, I'm going in," the soldier says calmly. He does a commando roll into the room, also taking cover behind a panel of computers or a desk or anything useful. He rises with his machine gun pointed at both of the guards, lets off a burst, and then ducks back behind his cover.

Split burst fire between the two targets (cover fire for others to move in).

IM: +7
CURRENT STA: 50/50
Military Skein Suit: 30/50
Albedo Screen
Gas Mask

Projectile Weapons: 3  [DEX:35 + 30 = 65%]
Martial Arts: 2 [DEX:35 + 20 = 55% dmg 5, knockout 01-04, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50]
Thrown Weapons: 1 [DEX:35 + 10 = 45%]
Gyrojet Weapons: 2 [DEX:35 + 20 = 55%]
Beam Weapons: 1 [DEX:35 + 10 = 45%]
Melee Weapons: 1 [DEX:35 + 10 = 45%]

Machinegun [hit 85%, dmg 10d10, RoF 1 burst, Range , Ammo 90/100]

Hammer fires two shots as he runs after Porter and takes cover as best he can.

S'Krllk drops back and pulls his needler pistol. "It appears the universe cares, after all. It's tried to get me shot once for every thousand heartbeats all day long."
Attempting to flatten to the side of the corridor and avoid the universe, S'Krllk fires single pot shots at the guards in the control room for morale's sake.

Desi's first shot is incredible.  It hits the guard square in the forehead, and he flops down dead.  (Critical hit.)

Everyone else focuses fire on the other guard behind the other desk.  He has decent cover, and only one shot (from Hammer) hits him.  (18 damage.)

Desi is now by cover behind the computers, with Porter in the center of the room behind another desk.  Hammer and S'krllk are in the southeast corner taking cover behind the entryway.  The badly injured Kri'lik is standing behind them in safety.

You see the last guard's arm curve up in an arc in a familiar gesture.  While taking cover behind the metal desk, he is lobbing a grenade in your direction...

Hammer runs toward the soldier screaming a war cry in his native Mechanon tongue, firing continuously as he does so.  If he does not stop the soldier from lobbing the grenade, he will dive over the desk and engage in hand to hand combat.

Kri'lik will dive for cover if it appears the grenade heads in his direction. If not, he'll keep shooting until Hammer blocks his line of sight.

Porter rises up when he sees the arcing arm, and attempts something desperate. He tries to shoot the grenade out of the air with his machinegun. It probably won't work, and if the grenade is a frag, it will likely kill him, but he'll go down with gun blazing.

IM: +7
CURRENT STA: 50/50
Military Skein Suit: 30/50
Albedo Screen
Gas Mask

Projectile Weapons: 3  [DEX:35 + 30 = 65%]

Machinegun
Damage 10d10 burst
Ammo 100 rounds
Rate 1
Defense Intertia
Range (meters) PB - Short 0-70 Medium 71-200 Long 201-500 Extreme 501-1000

Been rereading Stephen King's Dark Tower books, feeling like a gunslinger...

S'Krllk fires one shot at the grenade, and then runs as far back down the corridor as he can.

Hammer begins charging the guard screaming like a crazy man (or machine) while shots are fired at the guard.

Kri'lik dives back out of the way.  S'krllk does the same after firing at the grenade. S'krllk's shots go wide, but he successfully moves out of the room.

Porter fires his machine gun, arcing around.  Although it seems he will miss, one of the last bullets finds its mark.  It misses the grenade but hits the wrist of the guard.  The shot blows the hand (and the grenade in it) right off the wrist.  In substandard gravity, it seems to arc in slow motion toward the back of the room.

Hammer has just enough time to dive behind the desk, and Porter and Desi find cover behind the machinery.  And then the grenade--incendiary--blows.  From the for northeastern corner, its damage is minimized, but the guard is a goner, as is the equipment nearby.

The alarm klaxons are still ringing.

The Overhead Speakers, even louder in this missile monitor room, say:  "TWELVE MINUTES TO LAUNCH."  The door toward the missile is toward the north.  The other exit is where you entered to the east.

The bank of monitor screens all show the missile as its exhaust begins blowing smoke in the countdown sequence.

Porter stands back up and surveys the carnage. He's surprised to still be alive and that his plan worked, and not for the first time in his life. After a second, the shock wears off, and he looks to his companions. "Everyone safe? We've got just enough time to shut down this launch, assuming we can get through that security door quickly. S'Krllk, can you bypass the security lock, or should we blast it open?"

"I'm good. It seems everyone is OK, thanks to some fancy shooting from you and Des!"

While Porter and S'Krllk discuss how to breach the door, Kri'lik looks over the party (including himself) to see if any additional medical aid can be applied at this time.

"I'm good.  Can we do anything about it from here?"

"Good here Sgt. Porter."

S'Krllk starts muttering something suspiciously similar to "bad day, bad day, bad day..." and launches himself at the security door, attempting to open it.

S'krllk goes to work at the door, which will take a minute...  (Security Lock level 4.)

At Desi's suggestion, you look at the monitors as well.

Hammer goes to the computers.  (I think he is the highest level on computers, but correct me if I am mistaken.)  He finds:

The missile's "mission" is to travel to Kraatar and explode the warhead in the upper atmosphere.

Its "function" is to approach Kraatar at maximum acceleration and then decelerate, to avoid burning up in the atmosphere.

The missile has a Level 4 Robot Guidance System.



As shown on the map, following the security locked door is a small corridor, followed by a door to the missile silo room.  That door is a blast door that would need to be forced open.

Hammer finds that a technician may be able to drain the rocket's fuel back into the fuel tanks, which will prevent the missile's launch.  It will require the defenses to be deactivated (Level 4), and will require 10 minutes to drain sufficient fuel to prevent the missile's launch.

(Each attempt to drain the fuel will take 1 minute of effort.)

If you attempt to destroy the missile, keep in mind that it will spread the virus into Artemis, which could result in your deaths--at least any Vrusk.

S'krllk cries out in surprise as he easily disables the security lock to the door leading toward the silo.


Overhead, the loudspeaker drones out, "ELEVEN MINUTES TO LAUNCH."

You can see in the security monitors that guards are alerted to your presence.  They seem to be going toward the cars and the terminus to approach you, though it will take a few minutes to cross the span as you did, and they can only do so in small groups.


______________________________
As a reminder, the virus that the warhead will release is genetically engineered to affect only Vrusk, killing off all Vrusk inhabitants of Kraatar.

This is the plot of the KLC, led by Legrange.  You saw Legrange murdered in front of you, but later discovered he is actually alive and somewhere on Artemis. Unfortunately, Legrange's superior intellect is also necessary for you to help decipher the Sphere and the connection to the Qantariate and the Shadows of Rakon.

With his environmental and science background, Hammer can quickly tell you that the virus is likely to interact with oxygen and threaten all life on the planet, not just the Vrusk.  It would be even more deadly if released in the small confines of Artemis where you are at, likely killing all of you if you do not escape in time (assuming it explodes in Artemis).


Read post 6 here for a quick update and synopsis that took you up to the point where you discovered the virus and genetic engineering and mind control experiments at the Sanitarium: link to a message in this game

This message was last edited by the GM at 00:55, Tue 29 Aug 2017.

OOC: Can Kri'lik use his environmental skills to determine if the virus will be rendered harmless if the missile burns up in the Kraatar atmosphere? Or rendered harmless if the missile blows up in deep space?

I believe there are multiple options:

1. Hack the robotic guidance system to modify mission to redirect to nearest star and/or modify function to not decelerate and therefore burn up in the atmosphere
   
2. Drain fuel. We probably don't have enough time to drain enough to prevent the launch but perhaps can drain enough to prevent the missile from decelerating properly or reaching all the way to Kraatar
   
3. Get past the blast door and set explosives on the missile to blow it up while it is in deep space on the way to Kraatar
   
4. Hack the missile silo launch doors to jam shut. The robotic guidance system would presumably recognize that it cannot complete its mission and therefore delay/abort its own launch
   
5. If the robotic guidance system is receiving telemetry data from an external source such as computers and sensors on Artemis (rather than an internal database), then hack that telemetry feed to redirect the missile to the nearest star
   
6. Maybe a combination of the above while the rest of us set traps and fight off the incoming guards?

S'Krllk notes the blast door at the end of the corridor, and says, "Blast!"
Running back to the consoles, he looks them over quickly before attempting to undo every part of the launch preparations he can (this would include draining the fuel). Occasionally, he executes the shrug motion with his secondary limbs and says, "couldn't hurt" before throwing a switch or pushing a button.

Kri'lik notes S'Krllk's actions and feels momentarily jealous as Kri'lik rarely has the luxury of "couldn't hurt" actions when in surgery...

Kri'lik determines that, yes indeed, changing the location for the launch sequence to have it explode in space would render it harmless.  However, in looking at the protocols, it appears that the automated launch sequence can only be overridden at the missile control room.  You are in the missile monitor room, so the only potentially helpful actions would be to destroy the missile here (and endanger your lives and everyone else on the moon) or drain the fuel.

Kri'lik does find, however, that the Missile Control room is located in Zone 6, Room 23.  (See map above.)

S'krllk curses in Vrusk as he fails his attempt to drain the fuel.

The overhead system announces:  "TEN MINUTES TO MISSILE LAUNCH."

Desiraye drops her pack as she begins to pull out whatever explosives she has on her as S'Krllk attempts to drain the fuel from the rocket.  "If we can't get the fuel to drain, we probably need to lock the missile in so it can't launch.  Aside from that, we would have to get the missile control room.

We could try to blow it in place and try to get off the station the same way.  We need to decide quickly people!"

Desiraye will attempt to drain the fuel, Technician- 1, get explosives read and wait to see what the best option for the group is before we run out of time.

Both Desi and S'krllk try again to drain the fuel, but unfortunately both are unsuccessful.

But Desi is able to uncover with her skills that you will have a total of 20 minutes after the missile's launch to alter its course to avoid impact with the atmosphere or Kraatar itself.  After 20 minutes, the acceleration and speed will be too great to veer off and escape gravity.

Between 20-30 minutes post-launch, you will be able to alter its course to minimize casualties on Kraatar but not to avoid them entirely.

Between 30-40 minutes post-launch, the only thing you can do is to alter its course to avoid direct impact on the capitol (which is also where your ship and the rest of your friends await you).

After 40 minutes, it is too late.

OOC: As you probably inferred, bonus experience points will be based on your success or failure, as well as your potential ride home.

Hammer says, "I think we get over to the control room and see what we can do.  We're already under 10 minutes here with an army coming after us in this dead end room."

OOC: If I'm reading the map and room descriptions correctly, I believe we're already in the control room (aka missile monitor room). The room we came from is where the guards are going to approach us from. And the next room past the blast door is the missile silo that contains the physical missile itself. I assume the blast door is to contain the searing flames when the rocket fuel is ignited.

Orvo looks around and tries to make sense of what's going to happen shortly.  "Wouldn't it be better if we're moving forward and attacking rather than seeing what happens and defending?  Listen, I'm all kind of new to this combat thing but, I would rather go out advancing than waiting."

"I can try to drop a TD charge in the silo and we can either go back to our ship and take our chances going after LeGrange and the rest of the KLC who's here."  Desiraye begins to transition her main weapon to her recently found Gauss Rifle.

Grimacing from the pain of his injuries, Kri'lik clicks his mandibles affirmatively.

From his position of cover, he raises his pistol and says, "Ready to move when you are!"

S'Krllk continues to work at the control consoles, searching for a way to alter some aspect of its pre-determined flight. Just to be safe, he attempts to drain the fuel, again, and looks for a way to dump the fuel if it won't drain.

If the technical way doesn't work, we're going to have to go old skool and do it the old fashioned way...

Actually, you are in the monitor room--like a guard room (room 14).  The control room is in the command area of Zone VI, at room 23.  To get there, you will need to exit the way you came in the cargo train car and go to the carousel at Zone VI (Area C).


(Sorry also about delays.  Our IT department rolled out a new security system that blocks out tons of sites, including RPOL -- and including many of my client secured sites that I have to access -- so it's a mess.)

In reply to GM Heath (msg # 99):
"If we're not getting any further here, we have to get to this other room, right?"

Hammer says, "Let's get to that command room pronto.  We're just sitting ducks here, and short of suicide and blowing up everyone here, we can't do anything else."  He leads the party back to go to the hub area.

Kri'lik nods in agreement and follows the party, pistol in hand and constantly scanning the area, keeping an eye out for the security team that will inevitably show up.

"Make ready then!  Let's finish this.  Fate of a planet falls into our hands, we can't let them down without a fight!"

S'Krllk says nothing. Rather than speak, he runs as fast as he can back the way they came.

Porter's no help with the technical stuff, so he waited patiently while his companions tried to shunt fuel from the rocket back to the tanks.

"Do we have enough time to make it to the control room before the launch? I think a few charges of TD-19 on the tail of the rocket would be enough to send it off course, assuming the launch itself doesn't shake off the charge. Anyway, I'll die on this rock if I have to, but I'll do it fighting. Let's move out and hope we can get to the control room in time."