Bay 12 Games Forum

GM Note: Love the ideas for all the suits, but realize that there is a HUGE gap between the technology currently possessed by the colonies and what you are proposing. Remember, you just put some neural implants in that effectively disabled or killed 80% of their subjects. That's without even talking about extensive human genetic modification, advanced anti-ballistic materials, regeneration, and so on. So... maybe have those plans in mind eventually, but consider the fact that there are many steps between now and then.

The xenoarcheological outpost attracts roughly 50 volunteers, who excitedly set up a thriving base on the new planet over the next two months. While it contains environmentally stable capsules for living, the volunteers quickly establish (thanks to one brave scientist) that external living is easily doable without breathing apparatuses. Small huts are set up outside the capsules, and a vegetable garden using stocks from the ship of soil and plants is set up (in a greenhouse to prevent cross-contamination). The outpost even has a mascot, a particularly affectionate Giant Bee. His name is Gomer. He is well-loved by all.

A mission is sent out to one of the temperature maintenance stations that is kicking up truly tremendous amounts of water vapor into the atmosphere. After a few days probing around the outside, an attempt is made to enter through what appears to be a maintenance hatch. All hell breaks loose. The communications from the group are incredibly unclear, garbled, and confusing. Satellite images fail to offer high enough resolution. Something loud and high-pitched is heard on the tapes, screams are heard, and then the feed dies. There are no survivors, and no one volunteers to return. Fifteen people perish, in all, although they are mourned as brave volunteers in Aries and Gaia alike. A low level of panic begins to run through Gaia, but they manage to keep it to a minimum.

When the archives are examined again, the same corruption that thwarted earlier attempts to find information about the system and the mission rears its ugly head. This issue seems to be intractable.

The "Moonies," as they seem to be called affectionately by subroutines and colonists alike, are contacted regarding Gaia and the beings that transformed it. They reply thusly: "They have been gone for many [ages or centuries]. They did not [talk or contact] like you do. We [know or tell] no more."

On Aquarius, some progress is made in speaking with the Avians. One tribe seems to be congregating around the Contact Center, and they are picking up the sign language quickly. Within the next few months, a dialogue of some type may be possible. No new insight is gleaned yet, however, as the language is still in its infancy.

The Maven program bubbles up from the depths of the subroutines, and the general is consulted. He seems to be intrigued, and agrees to circulate the program amongst his top soldiers and officers to see if there are any volunteers. After a few weeks, an initial class of 10 Pre-Mavens are selected (7 soldiers, 3 officers).

Neurological implants are surgically inserted to allow them to begin to network together, as this is seen as the most difficult technical issue to master. The surgeries go fine, but the testing phase is... catastrophic. The ability to communicate almost instantly through the implants seems to overwhelm the brains of the candidates, as too many messages begin to shoot back and forth (including things like impulses from their autonomic nervous systems), and they begin to seizure and hemorrhage almost immediately. Five of the candidates die outright, and three of the surviving five are clinically insane. One officer and one soldier remain, thankfully intact physically and mentally after a quick-acting subroutine puts in a program that filters out all non-conscious thoughts from transmission.

On a somber note, the last Pre-Maven to pass away signifies the 100^th casualty of the mission. A small ceremony is held in the chapel to mark the occasion.

Amidst all of this chaos, satellites observing the system report that an asteroid is heading towards Aquarius. It is not extinction-level, but will still wreak havoc if it is allowed to hit. The next two months will be... busy.

Time lapsed in system: 2 years, 4 months

Possibly use our connection with Lady Emerfarth to see if we can get a document drawn up to kick her out of the spot. If not, forge one?

> Ask Yoink if he knows which way leads to the mining town

> Also enquire about bow status

> Suggest we get moving, as we've stripped this place dry.

"We can try to craft some armor for the jeep when we make camp tonight."

> Keep an eye on Yoink. He seems... unstable.

OOC: Feeling under the weather. Will post when feeling better.

I agree that a roles pane would be useful, but probably limit it to above 50% or top 10, either way.