The following are facts you have collected (Sorry, should have posted these sooner, but I've just been slammed with work stuff):

Like Jetsom, Moneyspider has automatic airlocks, meaning that only one door can be open at a time and they are secured by Level 3 Security Locks.  The hatches on Snobol and Moneyspider have the same environment indicator panels as those on Jetsom. In addition, all hatches which open into vacuum have a flashing "DANGER: VACUUM" warning sign. On the Moneyspider, where the artificial gravity can fling you off the ship, the warning signs on all the external hatches say "DANGER: VACUUM & NONZERO GEE."

Each airlock on the Moneyspider has a locker containing eight space suits (two for each of the major races.)

Every room on Snobol and the Moneyspider has an intercom panel from which any other room may be called.

The Moneyspider is a fully operational starship. Since it is whirled around Snobol every 4 minutes 45 seconds, the centrifugal force produces standard
(1g) artificial gravity on the ship, with Deck 1 being at the "top".

The Moneyspider has workpods (see area M8) and spacesuits (in the airlocks) that are used for working outside the ship when it is in zero-G. (These
pieces of equipment are fully described in the Knight Hawks rules, but the artificial gravity means that anyone (or anything) going outside the ship
will be flung off like a slingshot into space and lost.)

Ladder Shaft

The shaft that extends through the length of the Moneyspider has a ladder on either side. In an emergency, the hatches leading into the shaft can be closed, and there are hatches across the shaft that can be closed between each deck. These hatches cannot be locked.

Fiator takes you up from Level 2 where the bridge is (M3) up the ladder to Level 1 where the elevator is located (M1).

M1. Airlock
Envt: P = Std(0); T = 20(N/A); O = Std; G = 1

There is nothing special in the airlock area.

The hatch on your right leads to an automated starship lifeboat.  (M2)

The hatch to the left leads to L3, the elevator room that will take you to Snobol from Moneyspider.

Fiator leads you to room L3, where the elevator runs up to Snobol.  He gets on terminal 11, which runs the elevator system to Snobol.

The elevator is a spacious, self-propelled vehicle similar to a monorail car, except that the rail (which runs alongside the Moneyspider tethering cable) is
vertical.

Yagrith has discovered that its operation is monitored by the M/EV/TR (transport) program, but it can be controlled manually from inside, by using terminal Term-11 and 'called' from the boarding points (areas L1 and
M1) at either en of the cable.

The elevator accelerates steadily to a maximum speed of 400 meters/turn at the mid-point of its journey and then slows to a halt over the remainder. The whole trip takes eight and a half minutes.

The elevator has its own life-support unit, controlled by the M/EV/LS (life-support) program in the M/EV (elevator) computer. Both are behind a panel near
the terminal.

You go to the elevator and get in.

From L3, you will travel to the microstill located on Snobol (L1-L3).

The elevator begins its long trip, which seems an eternity as the minutes drag on, especially with the thought of a possible imminent explosion.  You don't have to wait long.  You hear over the intercom, "It's going to explode!"  That sounded like Ellen's voice.

Just then, an explosion rocks the elevator, jarring you like a distant earthquake.  You are not injured, but your elevator is just approaching its destination.

When you arrive, you find that the cooling unit in L1 has exploded.  The life support unit and M/CR(chemical refining) computer have both been completely
wrecked.

You also find very badly mutilated remains of a Yazirian.  Its body is so disfigured by the explosion that you can only tell it's Baralou because it wears her uniform.  One more death since your arrival.

"Are you okay?" Fiator calls from below.  "What happened?  I'm getting readings here.  Luckily, the explosion didn't breach the outer walls, so there's no danger of decompression.  However..."  He pauses and you hear the distant clicking of buttons depressing.  "...the air in L1 and L2 will become unbreathable in about 10 minutes."

Ellen then gets on the intercom.  "Did you find Baralou?  Is she still alive?"

MAP OF SNOBOL



MAP OF MONEYSPIDER


This message was last edited by the GM at 19:57, Wed 08 Sept 2010.

"Shit," Desiraye says as they look over the body.  "Check to be sure Doc.  I don't want anything to get screwed up.  You think we can bring Baralou back up to the ship?

Desi then turns to the Intercome when Ellen calls, "Ellen, it's Desi.  Looks like it.  Bodies burned up pretty bad.  What do you want us to do?"

Sergi begins searching around the area for clues and anything out of the ordinary in L1 and L2 areas.

Kri'lik rushes to Baralou's body and begins to diagnose her injuries. He also looks for anything out of the ordianary that may be causing further damage to the body (chemicals and such).

Looking around, you find the following:

FOR ROOM L1:  Foyer and Control Room

The Panel Reads:
Envt: P = Std; T = 15; O = Std; G = 0.2

The transport tubes and hatch from the elevator (L3) open into a foyer/corridor. The hatch opens into vacuum when the elevator is not in the bay beyond. The security door between the foyer and control room has a level 3 lock.

The control room contains the Term-8 computer terminal, the M/CR (chemical refining) computer (behind a panel labeled "COMP.M/CR"), and a lifesupport
unit controlled by the M/CR/LS (lifesupport) program. The terminal allows manual
control of the distillation column and the lifesupport manual control unit that are otherwise controlled by the M/CR computer. The life-support unit serves only areas L1 and L2.


FOR ROOM L2:  Distillation Machinery

Envt: P = Std; T = 15; O = Std; G = 0.2

The machinery in this room is very much like that in the Bio-Chemical Still room on Jetsom (area E5) except that it is not radioactive.

There are 24 chemical storage tanks here, of the same kind as those on Jetsom (area F1). Twenty of these are "CRUDE Cys-DE/Meta-TI" tanks. One is half full, and is connected to the input pipe of the distillation apparatus. The others are empty. Of the remaining four tanks, two are labeled "PURE Cys-DE" and the other two "PURE Meta-TI". Two tanks (one of each type) are connected to output pipes
and are nearly full of their respective chemicals. The others are empty.

Rules for connecting/diconnecting tanks and the consequences of releasing crude gas are the same as at Jetsom. Releasing pure bio-chemical gas has the same cooling effect as the crude gas, but pure Cys-DE is an S6/T15 toxin. Meta-TI is non-toxic.


Ellen says to Desi:  "You better just get back down here before life support kills you all."

Other than the things described above, a search of the area by Sergi, Desi, and everyone except Kri'lik uncovers nothing new.

Kri'lik searches the body and finds that it is badly mutilated from the explosion.  The body is covered with burns and hardly recognizable other than as a dead yazirian.

You have used up 5 of your 10 minutes of time with life support.  You will soon need your breathing masks or to leave.

Desiraye looks around and then replies back to Ellen, "OK, Ellen.  We're on our way back in a couple of minutes.  Do we need to bring anything back from here or shut anything down before we come back?"

Desi turns to the rest of the team, "Ok, gather anything you think will be useful and grab the body.  We're heading back!  Switch over to masks and keep your eyes open, we're not out of this yet!"

Kri'lik nods his head back and forth from side to side. "What is it with this place! We just can't get a break." Using the low gravity he easily takes hold of the dead body and begins to bring it to the elevator. He also pulls out his breathing mask and gets it ready for use.

"Gimme just a minute!" Yag puts on his mask and gets on the computer terminal, quickly trying to figure out if there has been tampering or any other strange effect on the computer's programs.

You gather your things and put gas masks on.

All Yag is able to find out in the remaining five minutes is that this computer has not recently been used.

You are all ready to go back down the elevator.

Anything else here?

Sergi's ready to go.

Desi's ready to go

"Allright, let's get out of here."

[OOC: I'll be AFK through Sunday -- NPC me as needed.]

With the yarzirian body in tow, Kri'lik makes his way to the elevator to return to Moneyspider.

You all get back in the elevator since the oxygen will soon be gone, and start the long trip back, this time with Baralou's corpse in tow.

After you pass the mid-point on the journey back to the Moneyspider, you notice that the elevator (L3) is not slowing down properly.

You have about 2 minutes to slow down the elevator before it hits the Moneyspider or will face having it crash at 110 meters/turn.

(One way is by a technician skill check.  You can also check the computers.)

1 minute, 50 seconds...

Yag gets on the computers immediately and does his best to find a way to slow the thing.

"Why am I not surprised!" says the professor rather loudly. "Will this madness ever end!" He then begins to look about the elevator for anything that might soften the impact of restored gravity.

Yag begins typing on the computer.  However, after a minute of searching...

The computer option does not seem to be an option because whatever caused this appears to have originated elsewhere.  Also, the transport program appears to have been altered, leaving Yag helpless.

50 seconds remaining...

A technician attempt is your most likely bet to help yourselves here, whoever has that skill...if anyone.

Sergi offers, "I have level 1 tech skills, so I can try.  But if anyone's got better skills than me, go for it."

Yag is not a technician. He looks about helplessly and hopes that someone else can figure out how to stop the thing.

"I've got some rudimentary skills too.  Let's give it a go Sergi," Desi says as she tries to get this elevator to stop.

Level 1 Tech

What's Desi's chance of success for a tech roll?

Which skill?  She's level 1 in Technician

Sorry--operating machinery skill.

OPERATING MACHINERY

Success Rate: 50% + skill level

Operating a vehicle includes starting it, driving it and using it to do anything it was designed to do. The chance to succeed includes the possibility that the technician may need to bypass a locked ignition to start the vehicle. Obviously, if the vehicle is damaged or out of fuel, it will not start until it is repaired or refueled.

A technician gets one chance to operate an unfamiliar vehicle. If the technician has driven this type of machine before, he can start it and drive it automatically. A technician can try to operate any ground or water vehicle, regardless of his level. At 2nd level he can fly a jetcopter. At 4th level he can fly an aircar, and at 6th level he can operate rocket-powered machines.

60%

Desiraye successfully slows it down from 110 meters/turn to 38 meters/turn.  However, this doesn't stop it from crashing.  When it hits, the crash injures everyone as follows (if you have a skein suit or inertia screen, the damage is halved):

Desiraye: 16 dmg
Kri'lik: 10
S'Krllk: 16
Sergi: 12
Yag: 11

After the collision, luckily Moneyspider and the elevator do not appear to be appreciably damaged.

Fiator is there to meet you.  "Are you all right?" he asks from where he stands at the computer controls.  "That was the hardest I've ever seen that hit.  There's something wrong with it."

Sergi rubs his aching body.  "I haven't had a ride like that since the lava tubes of Neptunium."  He smiles and says, "Something's going on here, and we have to get to the bottom of it.  Shall we go back and talk to the captain...or Ellen, I guess it is?"

S'Krllk agrees, picking himself up off the floor from the crash.  "That could have gone better," he says.  "If the matrix isn't here, then what can it be?"

Desiraye picks herself off of the floor and tries to regain her senses and the only thing she manages to do is get more frustrated & irritated about the current situation before they thoughtthey had dealt with the Matrix.  "I'm getting a little sick and tired of this crap myself!  We need to get to the bottom of what's going on up here and take care of it ASAP!  I feel like we're a punchingbag now."

Ellen says over the intercom, "Fiator, I need you on the bridge immediately.  There's something wrong with the communication system on the bridge."

Fiator says nothing.  He rushes out toward the bridge.

You can follow if you want.

Sergi decides it's best to stay close to these guys, especially Ellen.  "What do you say we keep a close eye on them?  Yag can check out the computers on the bridge."

Yag rushes to follow, eager to run a check on the bridge's computer systems.

You return to the bridge.


M3. Bridge
Envt: P = Std; T = 20; O = Std; G = 1
A large observation dome in the ceiling dominates
the bridge. The captain's chair is on a platform
under the center of the dome, giving a clear view.
Incorporated into the captain's chair is computer
terminal Term-2. The bridge also contains the
astrogator's chair (with terminal Term-3, and
screens displaying information from the navigation
instruments) and the pilot's chair (with terminal
Term-1).

Immediately upon entering the bridge, you hear the problem.  Over the communications system is a loud, deafening sound of noise (like a television too loud on static).  Fiator runs over and tries to fix the problem.

Meanwhile, Yag goes to the computers.  He finds that all communications outside the station are completely cut off, but he is not sure of the source.  He finds no specific problems or bugs.

After a few minutes, Fiator is able to get the static off, and the outside communications seem to be restored.

Fiator has retracted a dralasite limb and appears very scared.  "I am only a technician," he says.  "I can't handle a ghost on the ship.  We're all going to die like they did on Jetsom."

"Shut up," Ellen says.  "We're not going to die.  Get your wits about you and let's solve this problem.  We've already lost Castuss and Baralou, as well as the captain.  And Daqor is in sickbay after practically losing his mind.  There's no ghost and no matrix.  This is all just a coincidence.  Accidents happen in space all the time."

Sergi says, "I believe in coincidence as much as the next guy, but this is going a bit too far, don't you think?  Something's going on here, and if it's not the computer virus, then it's someone doing it on purpose."  He tries not to stare too hard or coldly at the newly self-appointed "captain."

S'Krllk gives a Vruskan shrug and says, "The astounding thing is that the universe hasn't squashed us like the fetid mold we must appear to it. However, I find it highly unlikely that any non-sentient could have attacked the specific systems that were attacked. Do you think we could communicate with this so-called virus?"

"We need to come up with a plan Ellen or we're not going to make this redezvous with the relief ship.  I respect you as the authority on this ship but and me for my team.  We need to work together.  What kind of suggestions do you have?"

OOC: I don't want to think Desi is in charge without a backing from the group and someone else wants it?  I figure once we get this over with we can decide?

Ellen sighs.  "We have to survive.  We have to finish our jobs.  We have to--"  She looks down at her computer screen.  For a moment, you don't know if it's to think or avoid your question, but apparently it's for another reason.

"Daqor's life signs just went out," she says.  "Either the machines aren't working down there or...or...he's dead."

OOC: Remember that Daqor was the military guy who went crazy.  She gave him the shot and you helped restrain him back at the sick bay.  He is there, apparently alone.

"Right! Im on my way to Daqor. Desi I could use some back up!"

OOC: I guess my post didn't go through like I thought....

BIC: "Sergi, S'Krllk, go with the Doc down to Medical to see what the hell is going on now!"

You rush to sickbay and find that Daqor is dead.  There are no obvious signs of why or how he died.

S'Krllk looks sideways, and states, "One wonders why one isn't used to this by now. I think I'll just do a quick once over on this equipment, hate to think there's something wrong with components I'll eventually use on a more personal basis."
He moves as if to put actions to his words, then stops suddenly, and asks the others, "Do you think I might antagonize the captain by taking this initiative? I'm not sure that would be an appropriate step, at this point."

Sergi says, "With all the crew members dying off one by one, don't worry about upsetting the captain.  She'll understand eventually that we're right."

He says, "Kri'lik, maybe you can do an autopsy or something?"

"I think that might be advisable Sergi." The doctor then looks around to see if the dead yazirians body is here as well thinking her body might need such an examination too. "this will take some time I'm afraid. Hopefully the ship will not explode in the meantime." The professor then begins to organize his tools near the dead body to begin the autopsy.

Kri'lik begins examining the body.  He successfully diagnoses that Daqor died from poisoning by anesthetic.  What is strange is that the poisoning occurred through a separate injection, not the one hooked up to the machines, meaning someone physically injected him with the overdose.

"This is getting ridiculous!  Sergi listen!  See what you can found out down there with your team and then get the hell back up to the bridge as soon as you can!"

Here's a list of the crew to help your memories (new info is in color).  In case you didn't notice, there are only two crew members still alive.

BARALOU Ap-REAVERCHAN - Astrogator DECEASED
A young, female Yazirian who is astrogator for the ship.  Baralou's cold curt manner has earned her the nickname "Frosty".
(Baralou's badly mutilated and hardly recognizable body was found in the cooling apparatus explosion.  You brought her body back with you.)

CASTUSS WALLORR - Sape Handler DECEASED
He is a Yazirian Male.  Castuss is a young, muscular Yazirian assigned to the Venturi Project by his employers, Renouf Associates, who breed sapes. He dislikes robots and computers, and, given the chance, he will talk for hours about the advantages of sapes over "soulless tin-boxes".  (Castuss was the one, along with the captain, who helped you overcome the Gorilla sports robot when it went berserk.)
The male yazirian sent an odd distress message before dying in the lifeboat.  His body was not recovered.

DAQOR L. KLARR - Crewman DECEASED
Daqor is a Vrusk Male.  Daqor is an early-middle aged Vrusk of military bearing. He has shown signs of shame at having not gone on the ill-fated rescue mission
and says he would give anything to "have a go" at whatever killed his "comrades".  (Daqor was the one attacked by the crazy Gorilla sports robot in the beginning of the adventure.  He was badly injured, but has now recovered, and you didn't have much time to talk to him.)
Daqor went violently crazy and was sedated in the sickbay.  He was then killed by an overdose injection of anesthetic.

ELLEN COOPERMANN - Chief Engineer
Ellen is a Human Female, second in command to the captain.  Ellen is second-in-command of the Moneyspider and knows the passwords for the security programs and security doors. She adopts a very professional attitude while on duty but is otherwise relaxed and friendly. Ellen claims to detest violence of any kind.  (Ellen was the one, with Fiator, who was modifying the shuttle before you took off, and S'Krllk helped her to speed up your time to depart.)
Ellen is the acting captain since the Captain's death.

FIATOR GEAUIS - Crewman Technician
Fiator is a young Dralasite determined to make a career in engineering. His multiple limbs are often very useful in his job. He is no hero, and the events on Jetsom and the loss of the rescue team have frightened him. His thrown weapons skill comes from the fact that he is a champion zero-G darts thrower.  (Fiator was the one who was cowered in the corner when the Gorilla robot went berserk but asked you not to destroy the robot, saying:  "Please don't
destroy Gorilla, I'm sure its just a bug in his program".)
Fiator is apparently very scared and appears to be a coward, but he is helping you and Ellen.

CAPTAIN (Deceased)DECEASED
AKIZK TAARK KASS – Captain
Akizk is was a middle-aged, male Vrusk with many years service to the
ByChem Corporation. He was determined to make the Venturi Project a success, and deeply regretted the loss of the Alpha team and rescue party.  (He was the one who sent you on the mission, gave you the offer, and now is apparently dead of his own hand.)
The captain was found dead of apparent suicide in his cabin, though there were no signs of distress and the circumstances are suspicious.

Baralou's badly mutilated form is brought to the sickbay for examination.

Just as Kri'lik is about to start examining her, Fiator says, "Captain, there's something wrong.  It's something with the life support in the strongroom."

(The strongroom is M15 on the map.)

"What is it?" Ellen says, highly agitated by this time.

"A containment breach.  Someone will have to go down there to see what's wrong."

Ellen looks over at your team.  "Well, you wanted something to do.  This disaster sure has given you purpose."

"I'll go with them," Fiator says.

"No," Ellen says.  "To be perfectly honest, all these deaths are getting awfully suspicious, and they keep blaming some crazy computer virus.  I think they're covering up something.  You want to be in danger, then go with them.  Otherwise, stick with me."

Fiator's dralasite eyes now fix on you in the sickbay, as if registering for horror that he might be looking at the murderers of his fellow crewmembers...and possibly him.

"I know my people aren't responsible and I'm pretty sure that you're going to tell me that you and your other colleague aren't responsible for the deaths of your crew.  If we know it's not each others crew, then who the hell is killing off everyone around here?  We need to find out who or what is killing the people on your ship Ellen!  You've got us to help you find out what's going on since we're in this together."

Ellen seems unsure.  "Well, go check out the leak then, and let me know what you find.  This is all very suspicious.  You have your experts on our computers checking things out."  She looks at Yag.  "And I don't know what he's set up.  Then you've got your medic, and all I have is his word to trust."  She looks at Kri'lik when she says this.  "I can't even double check his medical findings.  To me, it looks like you are all trying to pin these murders on me."

She seems to reconsider her previous statement.  "If you want, we'll all go together down to the strongroom.  You might need my codes anyway.  Is that a reasonable compromise?"

Sergi says, "Fine.  Let's all go together.  But if anyone has the right to be suspicious, it's us.  The captain died and you get to take over.  You never seem to be around us when these bad things happen, or are within reach of a computer to make them happen.  We have nothing to gain.  You have everything."

Having vented, Sergi makes sure his weapon is at his side.

In reply to GM Heath (msg #48):

"Very reasonable!"

Though it's usually hard to tell, with a vrusk, S'Krllk appears to be simmering with anger. At the decision to check the containment breach, he gathers some gear and nods to both Desiraye and Ellen before commenting, "Perhaps it would be best of we maintained groups of three from here on out. Assuming there is something malevolent behind this, that would make it easier to, at least, witness the malevolence and thereby determine its source."

Having discovered Daqor's cause of death Professor Kri'lik is very reluctant to leave the body of Baralou unexamined. "I would like to stay here and continue with the autopsy. This could be very important. If need be I can stay by myself with my comm channel open." He pats the laser pistol at his side indicating hes not helpless.

You go to the strongroom (M15).  Previously, you had passed through the lobby and seen the security cameras (M11), but the strongroom area had been secured without access to you.  This time, Ellen lets you in.  You pass through a security room (M14), which contains a security robot (DB-0 security robot), and into the strongroom itself.



This room houses the M/MN (Main), M/GL (General) and M/LS (Life-support) computers. There are 10 chemical storage tanks (identical to those on Jetsom - area E5) in a rack against one wall. Five are labeled "PURE Cys-DE" and the other five "PURE Meta-TI". Two of each type are full of their respective chemicals. The others are empty.

The toxicity in this room immediately affects you.  You each suffer 1 point of damage from poison.  You see the problem.  Someone has shot holes into the tanks containing the "PURE Cys-DE."  This is a powerful toxin, and it is going into the life support to be spread around the ship!

Ellen jumps back at the sight and gasps at the stinking air.  "Get your gas mask!" she orders Fiator, and the two of them run off, aware that time is very limited until the entire ship reeks of poison.  As they are leaving the room so quickly, she says, "Get your gas masks on!  Meet me in the bridge."

Unfortunately, Kri'lik is still in sick bay, obvlivious to this discussion and does not know what is going on.  However, he continues examining the body.

Oblivious to what is happening in the store room. Kri'lik continues to examine the female yazirian corpse when he discovers something very odd. "Time to get to the bottom of this..." He mumbles to himself as he is currently alone in the medical room. Picking up another scalpel he begins to cut further into the body to solve the answer to his new dilemma.

S'Krllk has confirmed something, and as he hurries to don some form of respiratory protection (do Vrusk have spiracles?) he considers an extreme method of testing his theory. Perhaps it is in search of an antidote to the toxin, or maybe some other reason, but instead of heading to the bridge he rushes to sick bay.

Sergi goes to his gear and puts on his gas mask.  Then he will make sure he goes to sick bay to tell Kri'lik to put on a gas mask too.

Yag puts on his gas mask, then immediately goes to the computers to get on the life support systems. He'll try to figure a way to stop the system from blowing the toxin throughout the craft.

Desiraye will also put on her gas mask.

You all go to the sickbay to let Kri'lik know.  Yag jumps on the computers and everyone gets their gas masks on.  Ellen and Fiator have run off to get gas masks of their own (yours was luckily in your gear), and they are waiting for you at the bridge.

Yag gets into the computer system.  He finds that he can get the system back to normal in about 5 minutes if the M/MN/LS program is manipulated back to
normal or life-support system #2 in room M26 is turned on manually.

Yag does this, and the air starts to get filtered.  It is while you are waiting that Ellen says over the intercom, "Get to the bridge!  Something's not right with Fiator."  You hear gasping in the background.

On the way to the bridge, S'Krllk espouses the theory that there is someone else here. "Assuming we can account for all the corpses, there has to be someone hiding and doing the damage. I don't know how, but there must be a way to bring them out."

Having gotten the word about the air quality Kri'lik puts on his air mask. "This is most intriguing everyone. At first inspection Baralou looks to be a female yazirian but a closer look points to a male. I must look further."

Then the intercom chirps again. "Of course there is something happening again!" The doctor looks to the rest of the group. "I'm not really dressed for a bridge visit, but if I'm needed I'll come." He says while indicating his bloodied apron.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:30, Fri 15 Oct 2010.

"I'll stay here with the Doc.  The rest of you head up to the bridge to see what's happening now!"

S'Krllk follows Desiraye's instruction, except that on the way to the bridge he insures that he loses sight of no one. In considering his current situation, he wonders if the doc can diagnose the onset of paranoia. Unfortunately, he's afraid to ask the doc because the doc might be out to get him.

Those who go to the bridge find the dralasite Fiator dead on the ground with Ellen leaning over him.  His gas mask is still on.

"He started clutching his neck and then fell down, spasmed and died," she says.

There are no apparent wounds on Fiator.

S'Krllk will do a cursory check of his gas mask. Maybe it had a bad seal.

Making sure that her Albedo Screen is still on, Desiraye has her laser rifle kept at the low-ready and her SEU's are set out 10 SEU/shot.  She then turns to Kri'Lik, "What do you mean Doc you're not sure if the Yazirian is a male or female?  OK, OK.  Look, before you continue your work here, make sure your defensive screen is up and you have a ready weapon handy.  Something's going on here Doc and it's getting real deep around here.  Now their saying something is wrong with Fiator."

"Its as I said. This yazirian is not what it appears. I need more time to be sure of course but something is very odd about it."

When Desi mentions his defenses the doctor nods in understanding and reaches down to his belt and activates his albedo screen. He also makes sure his laser pistol is attached to his power belt and set to 5 SEUs.

S'Krllk finds that the filter in Fiator's gas mask has been removed, making it essentially useless against the poisons that had just come through the life support system.  However, Ellen's gas mask seemed to have worked fine.

All right," rasps Yag, "someone is systematically killing off the crew. And since that corpse doesn't seem to be Baralou, that makes him/her/whatever our best suspect. Since the crew are getting killed off one by one and Ellen is the only one left, I think we need to stay with her at all times. Sorry Captain, but you're not going anywhere on your own."

Sergi says, "If that's accurate, then we need to find out where this attacker is at.  Any ideas?"

S'Krllk turns to Ellen, "Are the gas masks stored with the filters installed, or is that part of the procedure to don them. If the former, you should check your equipment. Fiator's filter has been removed, but it could have been just as effective, yet slower, to leave the filter installed and damage it."

Ellen says, "All our gas masks are ready to go with filters in case of emergency.  His had to have been tampered with."

Sergi says, "I think our prime suspect is right here."  His gun is leveled, but not menacingly, at Ellen.  "No one else could have done this.  Even if it was the Matrix, it couldn't very well shoot holes in the tanks or remove air filters, right?"

S'Krllk is very matter of fact as he states, "The creature in front of you may be the prime suspect, but at this point wouldn't it be prudent to believe she is not who she seems? Frankly, I'm beginning to wonder if we're not involved in some feverish nightmare while in reality nothing is happening."
S'Krllk goes on muttering in the vein as he attempts to locate the storage area for the gas masks, the only words he says that can be made out are 'despair squid'.

Ellen says, "I think it must be this Matrix you spoke of.  It must be responsible for these deaths.  We need to remove the Matrix infection."

Sergi says, "So where to first?  We can't just sit around because whoever's doing this, if it's not Ellen, is somewhere in the ship and turning the ship against us.  They even tried to kill us in that elevator, if you recall."

Ellen says, "So what did you do to remove the Matrix before?"  She says, "In the Captain's cabin, I think there is some sort of computer/robot system manual.  Did you shut down the computers and simply reboot the system?

Back in medical Dr. Kri'lik continuse to work on the yazirian.

Desi stands by defensively while Kri'lik continues to do his work.  Her laser rifle is in hand and her albedo screen is also on.

Kri'lik determines that the yazirian is definitely male, though it was hard to tell through all the damage after the explosion.  He further determines that the yazirian was dead before being hit by the explosion.

"This yazirian is definetly a male. Most intreging. I have also determined he/she was dead before the explosion in Snobol happened." The doctor then takes off his medical garments and begins to clean up. "Perhaps we should go to the bridge and see our next body?"

S'Krllk finds that the gas masks were stored in the individual cabins.  Everyone had their own personal one.  There were also general use ones in equipment closets, but Ellen and Fiator both got their personal ones since they were closest.

Ellen says, "Well, if everyone's dead and I didn't do it, and I know I didn't, then it had to be a robot, especially if it's infected by that Matrix thing you keep mentioning.  Didn't you heat up the place there to kill it?  Or reroute programming or something?"

Sergi says, "Is there any way to check what the robots have been up to?  What about video files or surveillance?  Can we see who has done what?"

"Now, all of a sudden, you believe the Matrix was real? And you believe that it went around killing everybody?" Yag seems disgusted at Ellen's quick turnabout. "Look, there are two possibilities here. One is that Baralou faked her own death by killing a male Yazirian, and is still running around here trying to kill us all. The other involves YOU, Ellen.

So sure, I'll see if I can get on the computers and check surveillance cameras and see if anything interesting comes up. But I think our best bet is to all stay with Ellen. She either needs protecting or she needs arresting. We just need to figure out which one."

Yag gets on the computers and tries to access surveillance video, asking the computer to pull up anything unusual.

S'Krllk comes back from checking the gas mask issue, and speaks "I had hoped to allay suspicion on you by discovering that the filter was removed from a random mask, but I find that it was not. However, if we focus on whatever security data comes from Fiator's cabin, then by discovering who removed the filter we will discover who is planning these deaths."
"Frankly, I think it's the Spirit of Murphy that the humans curse about so often. You would think a civilized race would have figured out what sacrifice placates such a spirit."

The videos find that surveillance has, not surprisingly, been wiped during that time period.  However, right before the gas leak, you see the security robot headed in that direction.  There are also miscellaneous deletions in the security logs which appear to be someone--or something--sneaking about the ship.

Ellen says, "I remember when I was moving my stuff into the captain's cabin.  I saw a "Captain's Computer/Robot Systems Manual" in his locker.  You think that might help if it's this Matrix thing and the robots are involved?"

Ellen, obviously wanting to get in your good graces now, says, "I have the passwords to practically anywhere, so if you want to investigate somewhere, just let me know."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:46, Wed 27 Oct 2010.

Desiraye gets on the chronocom, "Listen up!  While I'm down here with Doc in medical, you're responsible for Ellen!  Until we can meet up again, watch her real good, I don't think we're dealing with her as a threat to us.  Do what you have to do and we'll be here.  Keep us updated please!"

"I don't think it would hurt to raise the heat, here. If we assume that various species masquerading as the opposite sex has nothing to do with the deaths, then I'm afraid the matrix infection is the most logical conclusion."
"If we assume the identity confusion is important, then we can't even trust each other. The next logical step, in that case, would be to obtain the captain's manuals and passcodes. Then share them with everyone."
"We might be giving a valuable tool to the killer, but we would be obtaining that tool ourselves. Although this is an even trade, it would exacerbate the situation making resolution more timely."
"Does anyone else have any ideas? Frankly, that's about as far as my poor brain can go."

Sergi says, "If the manual can help us reboot the system or fix things, then I say we take a look at it.  In the meantime, let's work on heating this place up like we did to kill the Matrix on the other ship."

"OK, let's turn up the heat." Yag gets on the life support computer and cranks the heat up to the same level that killed the Matrix on Jetsom.

"Now let's go to the Captain's cabin and get those manuals. Everyone, let's stay together. That includes you, Ellen."

Looking back at the dead yazirian upon the examination table the doctor says to Desiraye, "Do you think its possible that this is not the Baralou that we knew and that she may still be alive and killing the rest of us?"

"Anything is possible at this point Doc.  After what we've seen so far, it wouldn't surprise me in the least," Desiraye says to Kri'lik.