OOC: As mentioned previously, this first adventure is meant to act as a sort of tutorial to help you become accustomed to Paranoia, as well as a fun and exciting adventure (BECAUSE THE COMPUTER SAYS IT IS!).

Alfie pushes you out and closes the steel door behind you.  The metallic clink of the locks falling into place let you know the mission has definitely begun.

Tension Level: 0

TUTORIAL: Tension level tells you how much monitoring the Computer has over you.  I try to include the tension level at the beginning of each thread and update it each time it changes.  Tension level 0 means there is no computer monitoring and tension level 20 is the highest level of monitoring done by the Computer (the bathrooms, for example).  You don't need to worry too much about it right now because I am starting us out at Level 0, but here are the rules (and how to roll related to any treasonous actions) for when we get into higher level tension areas:  link to a message in "Paranoia: They Really Are All Out to Get You"
Please read that now to learn or refresh your memory on the rules about tension.  (That is a Computer order.)

You stand and look out over the jungle.  You can tell from where you stand that the biodome is like a large bowl.  Overhead is a dome, mostly covered with steam and man-made (er...computer made) clouds, with several bright spots emanating heat and light like a sun.  The floor itself dips down like a bowl, with the edges (such as where you are standing) halfway between the bottom center and the top of the dome, so it is like you are looking out over a valley.

This particular valley is full of trees, and you cannot see much of anything, especially because of the nasty fog-like mist that makes viewing long distances obscured.  However, you do see blinking lights from a tower toward the bottom center of the biodome "bowl."

Three paths lead from this particular door.  There is a wide dirt path leading forward toward the center of the biodome, obviously used by vehicles, and there are two paths leading on slopes around to the right and left of the path.  These two paths are less traveled and appear to be footpaths.

Trees and vines are almost everywhere, even covering some of the road and paths.

The robot says, "Which path would you like to EVE?  The straight path or the scenic route?"

EDIT: TUTORIAL ON TENSION LEVEL:  Please keep in mind that the tension level is based on third parties (i.e., NPCs) viewing any traitorous activities.  It plays no part on whether your fellow troubleshooters are monitoring or recording your activities.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:24, Fri 24 Jan 2014.

OOC: Sorry, I should have closed the other thread before posting this one to avoid confusion.  This is now the active thread.

Pausing momentarily as she begins to count the clouds and sun-like bright spots -- what are those? -- Vilfred is taken aback. Lost in a muse, she eventually comes back to the here and now... having determined that she did not have time to count the clouds today.

"Our mission is to approach the tower and assess the state of the transmitter," she says. "I suggest that we take the direct route."

Mark says, "Since you are team leader and I'm the happiness officer, I order everyone here to be happy with whatever our team leader decides.  But don't we have two team leaders?  I'll bet you a credit he agrees with whatever our team leader Vilfred decides!"

Rob shakes his head, "Check you supplies friend. You'll do a much better job of keeping people clean than happy. If that makes you sad I can give you something to help ease the pain. I think the direct route is best as well. Our primary objective is to just get this done."

Bringing up the rear, Justin offered his opinion on the proposed course of action,


In pow'rful Computer's mighty eyes
We are but simple servants here
To root out Commies in lawful guise
And all problems be they far or near.

But almighty Computer is full of wrath
And if in our mission, we should fail
Or merely delay, Does not Computer hath
Sufficient cause our skins to flail?

Mutant stall and take in sights,
And Commies leisure instead of work enjoy
Computer hates these, and by all rights,
It endeavors them to destroy.

So the direct route we must now take
Lest our second clones we wish to wake.

Your troupe follows the middle path, which dips into the jungle.  Soon you no longer see above the trees and realize you could easily get lost.

The dirt road goes for about 100 yards, and then you approach a jeep-like vehicle turned over in the middle of the road.  It lays on its side, blocking the road.

The spider-legged robot stops and says, "We wait here until EVE clears this debris."

The robot stops where it is at, though you could all easily go around the turned over jeep by simply taking a few steps into the jungle to sidestep it.

Vilfred approaches the jeep to see what happened. Any signs of an accident? Any bodies about?

Copper sets a wide angle lens on his multicorder and waits for Vilfred to be eaten ... I mean do something heroic ... either would make for good footage ... though secretly he hopes Vil gets eaten as "Burn That Commie" pays better.

"Mph ba wobow wowmphs uph pa wayw, whem whaphs whap whewl woo." Johnny loyally declares... around yet another pen.

Rob hmmms... "I don't know... this reminds me a lot of a Green Agent of Sector G episode... I say we wait until the debris is cleared."

It is unclear what caused the crash.  There are a few items that fell out and scattered, but they are on the far side of the jeep.

As Vilfred starts forward to investigate, the robot says, "You must wait for EVE to clear the debris.  Do not interfere or circumvent the debris.  Do not deviate from the path.  That is what EVE commands.  So shall it be done."

Vilfred stops short.

From where you stand, you are all staring at the bottom of the jeep.  There are four tires, axles and typical car parts.

You can skirt around the jeep if you desire by stepping into the shrubbery, or you can climb over the jeep.  In any case, to truly investigate the jeep, you must get to the other side, exactly what the robot seems to be forbidding you to do.

Vilfred slowly approaches the bot. "Wait for Eve?" she says. "Bot: How long has the vehicle been here? Access security cameras and EVE-1 maintenance records."

For GM:

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Uses Hardware and Bot Programming to assess whether the bot is fully functional, and whether she can divert it from this commandment.

---

TUTORIAL:  When someone wants to roll, this is a time when you can use perversity points to increase their chances of succeeding or failing the roll (up to 5 total points expended).  I have not yet given you perversity points to use, so we are not using it yet.  The problem with RPoL and perversity points is that I typically don't wait too long to post, so your window of opportunity might be short.

Vilfred has a score of 9 in Bot Programming.  She must score 9 or less to succeed.  The roll was a 9.  She therefore succeeded (barely).


Vilfred attempts to access the bot programming.  She has a little success.

"The crash was reported to EVE 6 days, 13 hours ago," the robot states.  "I have just repeated the request to clear the debris when we arrived.  EVE reports back that Stasis Bots, Combat Bots, and Garbage Bots have been dispatched to clear the debris and take care of the wetware standing behind it.  Arrival estimated in approximately 3 minutes."

Looking over the wreckage of the jeep and the surroundings, Justin sat down on the path behind everyone, content to wait until the cleanup crew arrived, voicing his opinion thusly:

Going 'round the wreck rings ill in my ear
Off of the path is a place we should fear
Our armor is red
And we'll likely be dead
If the green stuff we tread too near.

But just as he was about to relax - hey, he had three minutes - he did thought about the robot's last words, and his eyes widened. He didn't like something he'd heard. Standing, he moved towards the front, and towards Vilfred.

Vilfred, you should ask your friend
Which wetware his fellows mean to end
To his meaning we're blind
Of which side is behind
And it could be our wetware he means to rend...

"Three minutes? We can wait that long," she says, stepping back to assess the team's positioning. "Justin-R, secure a perimeter on this side of the vehicle. Fletch-R, prepare to assist the arriving bots if needed. Cop-R, document our teamwork and service to the Computer. Others, stand by."

She starts, at Justin's statement. "R-rend? Computer: From which direction are the bots approaching?"

"Hee-hee-hee," Gene says, erupting in nervous laughter. "I think these bots mean to eradicate us just like the rest of the people who were out here.  Everyone should do a quick cleanliness check to make sure they are hygenically prepared for soiling themselves.  Robot, does EVE mean to kill us?  And is EVE the same as the Computer?"
This message was lightly edited by the player at 18:26, Wed 29 Jan 2014.

Backing away a few steps, Justin readied his clone prod, hoping it would do something, anything, if the robots arrived. He also turned on his multicorder's radar program, and quietly pushed a few extra buttons. He felt ready for a fight.

The robot says, "EVE is a divergent AI from the Computer.  EVE seeks to reunite with the Computer but operates independently from it.  The bots are approaching from the south along the road.  The stasis chambers will preserve all wetware indefinitely.  Do not resist or you may be summarily executed.  Have a nice day."

Mark says, "I'll bet you a credit we can't survive an attack by robots.  If EVE is not the Computer, we have no obligation to wait or obey.  In fact, I say if we are truly in service to the Computer, we will take this opportunity to flee so we may continue our troubleshooter activities.

He backs up the trail.  "There were two other trails to follow.  Let's retreat.  But let's make sure we do it happily.  Are you with me?

"Hee-hee," Gene says, listening to Mark.  "I'm with you.  No need activating our clones in the first 10 minutes of our mission.  We could go down a different path and see if it is not blocked.  But what does our team leader say?"  Gene gulps, afraid at what the two team leaders will say.

Copper is busy panning back and forth, zooming in and out and playing with the dozens of filters on the multicoder ... Hmmmmmm ... I think this sepia filter will make the WarBots really come through as truly threatening ... Then it hits him and he starts to walk slowly back up the trail while filming the team ... I am going to take a position a little higher up the trail to get a better view of the warbots as they arrive ... As they shred the whole team more than like it.

"Team leader?" she says, looking around thoughtfully. "We serve the Computer, not EVE. I say we find another route toward the tower. Move out!"

For the GM:

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Before following the others, she looks at the robot. Does it have a camera on it? If so, she slaps a micro-cam on it.

---

Justin didn't say anything. He just turned around and led the team back up the trail towards the start.

Oh who am I kidding? Of COURSE he said something! Moving carefully but quickly up the trail, he mumbled to himself.

Vilfred's got the right of it
It's the Computer that we serve
From our purpose we may never swerve.
Put it to you: Eve's a traitor, her life we should quit
In a spirit of Troubleshooting verve.

This message was last edited by the player at 21:06, Wed 29 Jan 2014.

OOC: To answer a pressing question, yes, you all likely have laser pistols without any laser barrels.  Red Clearance troubleshooters are not entrusted with barrels, so you can just swing the pistols around until you get some barrels.  You can't actually shoot them.  (It is not treasonous for you to have the barrels; you just were not assigned them yet.)

You can have barrels taken away from you too as punishment for suspicious activity.

... Pop ! Snapp! ... Cracklelele ... POP !! ...

To remind you what the description of the robot is, here is a reposting of it:

A small robot about 3 feet tall stands in front of the door.  It has four spidery legs and an upper body roughly humanoid.  Its mouth does not move but is instead a permanent smile that lights up when it talks.

This is roughly what I had in mind, along with 4 spidery legs for mobility:



The robot itself does not appear to have any ports.  A panel on its back would open to access any interior ports, buttons, or access.  The panel is only opened with a key, which you do not have.  It is not a combat robot, but instead a typical facilitator robot that can do general functions depending on its programming.

Right now, it sees you backing up and says:  "You must wait here until EVE's robots arrive.  That is a command."  It does not move from its spot, but instead appears to watch you move away as though completely surprised that you would not wait.

The debris you had seen just past the jeep appears to be a knocked over lunch canister with some unidentifiable wrappers, some rotting food, a can of "Happy Slappy Juice" on its side, and a vial of "Flaxil Exuberance" pills to keep one happy in the service of the Computer.  There is also a human shoe.  Just one.  The left one.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:33, Wed 29 Jan 2014.

Vilfred does have a red laser barrel, so she affixes it to her laser pistol... just in case.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:34, Wed 29 Jan 2014.

Yes, some of you do have barrels, whether acquired legally (such as a team leader) or not so legally (but no one knows how you got it, so it could be legal, right?)

Johnny furiously takes notes of the proceedings, being sure to catch the exact wording of EVE.  He is unsure of this robot's true loyalty to the friend computer.  Could robots be commie's?

He scribbled that question down as well for future contemplation.

As he looked up to see Vilfred affixing a barrel to her pistol, he reviews the notes of the recent conversation as their predicament sinks in.  The trouble shooter's eyes go wide.  "Oh my." He says.

Holding his pad in his armpit and placing his pen in his mouth he gets into his pack and retrieves a barrel for his own gun.  "Whaphs a whoob eyeweewah" he says to Vilfred.

The team follows team leader Justin back up to the top of the trail to the door where you entered.

(OOC: I'm not sure if you were all doing that or not.  If you wanted to stay and wait, please put that in your next post, and we'll do a divided party.)

The trail here branches into the main road going south (that you just came from), a road to the southwest, and a road to the southeast.

Rob spies the bottle of pills and snatches them up, "We troubleshooters can never be too happy, we might be able to use these."

So Rob is going to go around the jeep despite the warnings from the robot?  The debris was on the far side of the jeep.

OOC: Sorry, I missed that Part. He's just waiting.

Rob is waiting.  Who else is waiting and who is going back to the intersection of trails?

Copper is heading back up the trail ... filming the happy and loyal tactical withdrawal from the warbots.

Johnny is also documenting the loyal relocation of manual labor as we follow our leader and return to the different paths.

Gene reminds everyone to keep sanitizing their hands as he follows back up to the fork in the trail.

... POP !! ... Crackle ! Pop ! ...

OOC: So reading back over the posts, it looks like Johnny, Team Leader Vilfred, and Rob are staying at the overturned jeep to wait for the Stasis Bots and Warbots to arrive, and everyone else (including Team Leader Justin) is going back to the trailhead where the fork was at to avoid a confrontation.  I will go with that for tomorrow's post unless someone says otherwise.

If possible, I try to post a big move on Fridays that will somehow advance the game--new room or area, new bad guy or puzzle, or something that will get you moving.  This is partly because I rarely post on weekends, and partly to make sure we have a steady advancement of the game.

So for those up at the trailhead, please also indicate which trail you want to follow, and I will advance that tomorrow too.

Vilfred follows her fellow troubleshooters back to the other trails. (My previous post suggested everyone move out to head back to the trails. That's where she's going.)
This message was last edited by the player at 22:29, Thu 30 Jan 2014.

Sorry, I missed that.  I interpreted attaching your laser barrel as staying and gearing for a fight.

Since both team leaders are going back to the trailhead, I will assume everyone goes back there...unless they are not going to follow their assigned team leader, which will not go unnoticed, I'm sure.

Standing near the door Cop-R-Iss-1 jockeys around looking for the best angles and which trail has the best lighting to film the assumed approach of the remainder of the team and the warbots. ... Hmmmmm ... I wonder how big a warbot actually is ... heck I haven't even seen a combatbot ... but they made a terrible mess of cafeteria 212-3 in IST sector a while back.

"Remember, everyone, retreating makes us happy!" Mark says as he helps lead the pack back to the entrance.  "I suggest we take the right path because right is always right.  Right?"

[OOC: Yeah, Johnny is going back up the trail as well.]

Gesturing towards the path to the right, Justin nodded to Mark.

If almighty computer wants us to be happy,
It is treasonous to disobey.
To the right, our happiness officer says, crappy
Lives he's paid to fix, so, put bluntly, that way.

He ends this particular rhyme pointing at the right-hand path, conscious of the crappy rhyme he's just delivered...

"That way?" Vilfred says. "Right as red. Let's get off the main road."

As you leave the robot to go back to the entry area, the robot says, "Don't worry.  We'll be right behind you."  It stays and waits at the jeep while you move on.

Back at the fork, you follow the trail to the right (southwest).  It slopes down for about 100 meters before leveling out.  It continues to move more to the right than to center, meaning that it is not exactly leading you to the center where EVE is at.

The trail is a dirt trail, much less conducive to good clone hygeine than the sanitary walls of Alpha Complex's main areas, and certainly more likely to make your equipment get some dust or sand inside.

You have stopped about 120 meters down the trail because you have found something very strange.

In front of you is a decontamination suit, sometimes used for insulating a person against radiation or other toxins.  The suit is empty and laying on the trail as though someone stripped out of it and ran away.  Next to the suit, you see some personal effects, also just sitting there as though abandoned.  They include:

1 laser pistol barrel
1 set of sunglasses
1 tube of "Tan Away" with the label "Never let suntans be the reason you are called a Commie again!"
1 unlabeled aerosol can
2 six sided dice
1 belt pouch that is closed.  The top has a tag that reads "Yellow Access Only"
1 red crystal
1 yellow crystal

The two crystals are about the size and length of a ballpoint pen, and they are translucent.

To your left, you see an even stranger sight.  Among the bushes and smaller trees, a large tree has grown.  You have rarely seen trees except the well pruned one in Alpha Complex courtyards.  This one is not well pruned.  It is about 25 feet tall with myriad branches, covered with leaves, in need of a good pruning.

But it is what is at the base of the tree that is so odd.  You see 4 Alpha Complex uniforms, all of Green clearance.  Their owners are nowhere in sight, but the uniforms are covered with some dark stains.  Next to the uniforms, you see 4 laser pistols (with barrels).

The trail continues forward for about 30 more meters before splitting off to the left (southeast) and right (west).

Copper reaches down and takes the single barrel in the trail and pockets it. Then he clicks on the multicorder and starts filming ... Got to record the findings ... for posterity !

Then he turns to the uniforms at the base of the tree and takes a good look at them and the laser pistols, retrieving on of them. He also records the uniforms taking time to focus on any name patches or service group labels.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:13, Fri 31 Jan 2014.

Gene begins laughing hysterically. "Empty suits!  What a riot.  Hee-hee.

He takes the yellow pouch but makes certain not to open it.  "At a minimum, we should make sure this pouch is cleaned and returned to its owner, and I volunteer to do just that.  Please, everyone, wipe down your boots and uniforms for a cleanliness inspection in five minutes.

Upon seeing the uniforms, he walks over next to Copper and says, "I wonder what caused these unfortunate stains.  That is very unhygenic.  I hope you are recording this, Copper.  I bet these stains were put there by Commies.  He will investigate the suits and stains.

Justin looks over the remaining effects that Gene didn't remove. Waving to Cop, Justin gestures towards the scene with the decon suit and the items.

Recording officer, I must request
A moment of your time.
As you scan that scene so roughly messed,
Could you take a look at mine?

Curiosities are all around
And there are details to be noted.
And I think that these curiosities we have found
Could relate to EVE's treasonous motive.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:20, Sat 01 Feb 2014.

(Copper already took the laser barrel in the debris.)

And it is a generic barrel that can be used on any laser pistol regardless of clearance.

Fletch-R walks up to the remaining items and picks them up. These items must receive maintenance and be cataloged.

We only have four people doing something?

Fletch and Justin are looking at the dropped equipment.  Fletch is looking at the crystals.  (He can't determine what they are, but they look exactly the same size and shape, so they are obviously used for something.)

Gene and Copper head over to the very large tree with all the branches, vines and leaves.  Gene looks at one of the suits, examining the stain just long enough to realize it is a bloodstain, and then things start happening.

The branches and vines on the tree move quickly--very quickly.  Copper ducks out and under from the branches, escaping them.  Gene, however, is entwined by a vine around his spine.  He begins to whine...

...but it is more of a wheesy sound because the air is being squeezed out of him as the vines constrict.  An area of the tree's trunk opens up, displaying sharp pointed branches resembling teeth and an open maw.

You realize Gene only has about 5 rounds before he is either crushed or eaten.  Gene has one arm trapped and one arm free.

5 Rounds Remaining Until Gene Dies

Copper grabs his laser pistol, attaches the new barrel he got ... then thinks about it for a second ... he slips the barrel into his belt and aims the multicoder at Gene ... Say something heroic !

Gene says, "Gurgle, gurgle!  Get me out of here or you will be wasting a valuable Computer resource that is now being recorded for posterity!"

... Snap ... crackle ... poppopcracklepoppopcracklepop ... He sets the camera down, flips the button to "wide angle" then checks it to be sure that he is still getting a good picture ... and moves cautiously towards Gene ... dodging the trees attempts to grab at him. Copper is contemplating grabbing Genes legs and pulling.

Mark begins running to the tree, but not too close, as he pulls out his laser pistol and makes sure the barrel is attached.  "Remember, everyone, saving each other makes us happy, and when we're happy, the Computer is happy."  He will shoot at the mouth of the tree.

Justin readied his clone prod and ran directly at the tree, intending to stab at tree, aware of the triple-edged sword he wielded. He had to get too close to use it, and it might just shock him instead. But if he could distract the tree, others might kill it...
This message was last edited by the player at 03:40, Wed 05 Feb 2014.

"Happy?" Vilfred, whose barrel was already attached to her laser, aims at the tentacle, just away from Gene's body, and fires. Her eyes are wide.

ROb hears the screams from afar, he turns to look. "Someone doesn't sound happy at all!" he begins to go back towards the group.

Being a loyal Loyalty Officer, Johnny follows his Team Leader's lead and points his laser at the same tentacle and fires.

ROUND ONE

Gene's condition is now WOUNDED.

OOC: See here for combat injury related rules: link to a message in "Paranoia: They Really Are All Out to Get You"


The two shots to the vine both hit, and the vine releases Gene.

More vines fly around from all sides...

Justin misses with his clone prod, and he is left wondering how he could miss hitting a very large stationary tree from just three feet away.  But then he realizes why.  A tentacle has just wrapped around Justin and begun to squeeze.

Justin is now SNAFUED.

Mark shoots at the mouth of the tree, also missing.  He probably missed because he was too busy dodging a tentacle that swung out to get him.

Copper is pulling Gene to safety away from the tree.  Neither is successfully attacked by any flying branches or vines.

Justin is being pulled toward the chomping open maw of the tree.

Fletch is watching his fellow troubleshooters get attacked from the safe distance of the trail.  Meanwhile, Rob is approaching the group and watching as a mass of tentacles is flying through the air from the tree, though he is not quite close enough to be attacked yet.

Copper drags Gene away from the tree, then he gets the multicorder again and sticks it in Genes face talking fairly quickly ... Cop-R-Iss-1 here on the road to EVE. I am speaking with Gene-R-Stk who has just been attacked by a particularly motivated and aggressive Hippocastanaceae. Tell us Gene, how do you keep looking so happy even while being engulfed by an Aesculus ?

"Happy?" Vilfred says, aiming her laser at the tree's mouth and firing again.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:56, Fri 07 Feb 2014.

Gene will quickly fire at the tree while standing a safe distance away.  "If it eats you," he says to Justin, "try not to get dirty.  Hygeine is still important, you know."

Glaring angrily at the tree, Justin swung his clone prod at the tentacle holding him, angrily wishing he had a barrel for his damned pistol. As he swung, he yelled back at the others.

Computer damn it! Now is not the time,
For recording trivialities,
I'm your leader, Computer-Crowned; it's crime
To leave me in such perilous realities!

Get me out of here!

... Snap ! ... Pop !!! ... ?? ... In time ... Maybe ?

As Rob approaches the scene of horror, he looks around fro something he can throw at the tentacles. If he finds something suitable, he throws it at the mass of tentacles, "Help is on the way!"

OOC:

07:58, Today: Rob-R-JBS-2 rolled 16 using 1d20.

While the others are distracted with the tree, Fletch-R stealthily moves out of their line of sight and sneaks a quick look at the contents of the yellow clearance pouch.

ROUND 2
Copper successfully drags Gene away from the tree, just as a flying vine whallops the ground behind him.

The tree's vines fly out but fail to find a victim.

Gene fires but misses the tree.

Vilfred fires and hits directly into the gaping maw of the tree.

Justin hits the tree with his clone prod...and it works!  The tree seems to be abuzz with the electric prodding.

Rob throws a stick at the tree but misses.

Johnny also fires and hits the tree.

The tree seems to be sapped of energy after being hit with lasers and the clone prod.  It cannot attack next round.  (Tree is MAIMED. See here for what that means: link to a message in "Paranoia: They Really Are All Out to Get You" )

Fletch looks into the yellow pouch while the others are fighting.

OOC: Doing things secretly are probably best done in a private line to me.  Then I will reveal privately to whomever may have seen it, and they can do whatever they think is appropriate.  This time, no one sees Fletch peeking.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:29, Tue 11 Feb 2014.

OOC: I realized an accidental incongruity.  Gene took the yellow pouch earlier.  I will have to assume that Fletch took it back from him, being the equipment guy, before examining it.  You can figure out who ends up with it after the fight.

Mark takes this opportunity to quickly snatch up everything by the tree and run back to the trail before it can recover its senses and start attacking again.  He squeaks in fear *hic* as he runs.

Collecting himself, Justin brushed some dirt off his jumpsuit, then charged the tree with his trusty clone prod, stabbing at the main trunk, hoping to put paid to the arboreal terror once and for all...

Justin both succeeds and fails in his effort.  Though he successfully puts the tree out of commission once and for all, the constant barrage from the prod does not mix well with the dryness of the tree.  It catches fire, sending smoke and flames high into the "sky" of the biodome.

Vilfred looks around, assessing the situation. Does it seem as though the team would be able to put out the fire? Assuming not: "We must continue on down the path to make our way to the central tower. This fire is sure to attract attention."

I'm not sure what you have to put out the fire offhand.  You'd need a firehose or something.

Scrambling on all fours away from the now-aflame tree, Justin rejoined the group, stood up and brushed himself off before turning to Gene.

Hygiene officer, I am afraid
That something's gone awry.
I smell of smoke and I'm covered
In dirt so that the tree could fry.
Direct me in your wisdom
How my hygiene I may restore
Or at least forgive me
For treason and disobedience I abhor.

Gene says, "I will vouch for your lack of cleanliness not being your fault.  You were the victim of this EVE, whatever that is.  But first chance you get, you must clean yourself off.  Jump in some water and bathe to get off that dirty soot."

Gene also agrees to continue down the path before the smoke draws unwanted attention.

Tension Level: 0

Having just escaped the tree of death and set it ablaze for the whole biodome to know exactly where you are, you begin gathering your things.  You are sure the robot, the Stasis Bots, Combat Bots, and Garbage Bots can easily find where you've now been and track you down.

Making haste, you continue down the trail.  The trail continues for about 200 meters before ending at a small building.  The building is only about 20 feet by 15 feet, and about 10 feet high, slightly larger than a shed but built strong -- out of concrete and with a steel door.  Electronic locks keep the steel door closed.  There is a computer pad on the wall next to the steel door, apparently to lock and unlock it.  The computer screen is a light green in color.  There are three holes on top of the computer screen that go down into the computer pad behind the screen.  They are about wide enough in diameter to stick your pinky finger in.  There is no writing or anything else to give you a clue what this is.

Vegetation growth around the building demonstrates that either this has not been cared for recently or the weeds are growing like...well, weeds.  They are about waist high all around the building except for the area around the door where the trail ends.

A very narrow "trail" leads around the building on the left.  It was not made to be a trail, but appears to be from people walking over the vegetation around the building and making a trail by continued use.

From here, the center of the biodome is straight and to your left, still a ways off but closer than when you started.

As the group approaches the shed, Vilfred shakes her head. "Jump in some water? If we don't hustle, those EVE robots will get the jump on us." She considers the keypad-locked door to the shed and the improvised trail around the structure. "We should keep moving, to the center of the dome. Pausing here will just give the bots more time to catch up to us."

Gene says, "That's good for now.  I'm just saying as soon as possible.  Let's go around this trail and see where it takes us."

Vilfred nods, waiting for the others to move past her before following along in the rear.

To the GM:

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
She checks the shed's entrance for cameras, and if any are present, slaps a micro-cam on it.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 19:00, Tue 18 Feb 2014.

Mark follows along behind, saying nothing for now.

Rob inspects the trail closer, but does not traverse upon it yet, just looking for any interesting details.

Copper inspects the lock and pad. Do the indentations look to be of the shape and size as the crystals we picked up earlier ?

Copper inspects the pad.  Yes, the holes are about the size of the crystals.  They would fit in with a little bit sticking out the top.

The trail seems like a normal trail.  NOthing strange about it.  The plants are normal plants and overgrowth.  Unlike the tree, none of them move or seem to be violent in any way.

There is no camera on the building.

Those who walk around on the trail find that it circles the small building.

On the back side of the building, the trail splits off to the south into some trees (that don't seem to be violent and which seem in the general direction of the tower) or toward some bushes to the west (away from the tower).

Even more strangely, there is an odd box on the back of the building.  Or rather, sitting next to the building.  It is about the size of a very large coffin, and indeed, that is just what it likely is.  The box is metal, and a glass top shows you that a person is inside.  The person wears a yellow clearance uniform and is preserved, or so it seems, within.  The box seems to be holding the person in stasis.  On the side of the box is a display that is the color purple, along with three holes.  It looks exactly like the display that was on the side of the building.

Next to the giant box, you see the signs of a scuffle in the dirt in about a 10 foot radius, along with some scattered items.  The items include:

1 laser pistol (with barrel)
1 pair of goggles (with a red button on the side)
1 whitish translucent crystal
1 reddish translucent crystal
1 yellow boot
1 set of small wrenches
1 walkie talkie

*The crystals are exactly the same size and type as the other ones you found, about the size of a fountain pen.

"Ooh! I'll hold onto the crystals they lwophm mmpmphalopm hmpm."

Copper picks up the goggles and takes a good look at them, then gets out the multicorder and begins filming the box. He does a close up of the clone inside. ... And here we can clearly see that a yellow clearance citizen is taking a much deserved nap in a stasis box care of the deranged commie bots that reportedly roam this area ... Lastly heads back around the building chatting to the camera about the structure ...
This message was last edited by the player at 22:42, Tue 18 Feb 2014.

Mark will examine the coffin box and the citizen inside it to see if there's anything strange or notable about them.

Fletch calls out to Johnny, Halt Friend Citizen! All equipment handling and inspection lies under the jurisdiction of the equipment guy! He goes to pick up the items.

Justin had been following the group from behind, watching for trouble or tails, his clone prod at the ready when they stumbled across the coffin and the scattered items. He didn't pay much attention to the coffin - others seemed to have that on lockdown. What did catch his eye was the laser pistol, with barrel. Had he not been bringing up the rear, he would have snatched at it first. Since Fletch claimed the items first, Justin moved towards the equipment clone and tapped him on the shoulder to make a request.

Respecting your position, sir
I make the following suit:
That the laser pistol we've found here
Might become my loot.

I'm a ridiculous combat leader
When in the vanguard I must charge
While all the other clones in theatre
Have laser pistols with barrels large.

So please lend unto me the tool
Mine enemies to fricassee
For the glory of Computer's rule
And the entirety of our safety.

Fletch turns to Justin. Certainly Madame Team Leader, just let me do a quick inspection to make sure its in working order.

You begin sorting out the equipment, with Justin eventually getting a laser pistol.

The datapads upon inspection appear that the crystals could be set into the three holes that are in each of the colored datapads.  (You have seen two so far, one on the coffin thing and one by the door to the building.)  There does not appear to be any way to access, break into, or otherwise hack into the datapads.  In fact, they are rather crystalline and more organic in nature, less mechanical than you have ever seen in Alpha Complex.

The coffin itself appears to be holding the person in a stasis.  The person appears alive (or perfectly preserved) within.  He seems to be a normal citizen.  The only noticeable marks are bruises around the shoulders and arms, and a blackened eye that indicate a struggle.

Having none of the required items, nor technical abilities, Justin takes his new laser pistol and sets himself up, watching the perimeter, so the group won't get ambushed again.

Gene says, "Why don't we move on down the trail to the south?  That gets us closer to our destination."

"Our destination?" Vilfred says. "The tower in the center. Let us make our way southward."

As you are preparing to go south, you hear from the trail behind you (the one you came down a few minutes ago), the sound of something approaching.  A quick peek around the outpost building shows you that your robot escort is coming down the road.  Behind it are several other robots of the not-so-friendly looking variety, with weaponized hands and bug-like eyes.

They surround a vehicle-like robot that they are leading in.  On the back of this vehicle are a bunch of box things--coffins, if you will--that look identical to the one the man near you is in.  They are some sort of stasis cabinets, and you can only guess that they are empty and meant for you.

You continue south to get ahead of the robots...

Their noises seem to stop at the outpost, and you get about 50 yards before you run into another one of those coffin-like stasis devices.  This one has a woman inside it, of yellow clearance.  Just like the other box, on the side of this coffin box is a display that is the color purple, along with three holes that are about the size of the crystals you hold.

You also see here the signs of a struggle, just like at the other box 50 yards up the trail.  The scattered items around the coffin include:

1 laser pistol (with barrel)
1 pair of goggles (with a red button on the side)
1 whitish translucent crystal
1 bluish translucent crystal
1 set of "clean it all" toothpaste, soap, and disinfectant kit
1 walkie talkie
1 folded note, which when unfolded reads, "The message said we must not let EVE interact with The Computer.  This is imperative, no matter what she says."

Justin is visibly agitated, being combat trained and at the back of the line, he got enough of a look at those robots to know they meant business. When the team arrived at the next box, he wasted no time in making his voice heard.

Waste no time, nor tarry here,
For our followers are no longer kind
We must take shelter, because I fear
An attack we're soon to find.

Though courage I have, in greater measure
Than any of EVE's machines,
In advantageless combat, I take no pleasure
So everyone, I say take no leisure
And get the heck inside.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:43, Mon 03 Mar 2014.

I forgot to mention this, but the trail does continue to the south.  You can also at any time deviate from the trails and head into the shrubbery and trees for a more direct approach, if you want.

Fletch quickly picks up the items, then moves to follow the team leaders lead.

Gene says, "I'll take the clean it all kit as the hygeine officer, if you don't mind."  He quickly snags that up and follows the others.

"Mind? Let's get off the trail!" Vilfred ushers everyone into the undergrowth and away from the trail, still heading toward the central tower.

Copper grabs a pair of the goggles ... These have an audio-visual look to them, they might allow me to record in the dark or even in various heroic hues ! ... After that he follows the group filming them as they retreat tactically into the undergrowth. Being ever alert that the robots do not catch him flat footed, he dashes ahead of the group by twenty yards and continues filming them as they pass into the deeper growth. ... Oh yes ... How heroic ! ...

Obviously preferring to dig in and fight over a trek through the jungle, Justin takes up the rear, keeping his laser pistol at the ready, and one eye behind him for the approaching robot horde...

Mark follows them off the trail. "I bet you a credit they catch up to us before we get too far.  Whatever we do, let's do it quickly.  And happily," the happiness officer adds.