Atomic Robo Short Arc

[Umbran]

Well, I didn't see Morrus start this forum. Let's put it to some use...

As a filler between two larger campaigns, I am running an arc of Atomic Robo. I have a very general idea of where things may go, that I'll adjust as time goes on. Folks who know FATE, or Atomic Robo, may have some ideas I can use.

Here's the setup: The time is the present day, fairly close to the comic book continuity. Tesladyne is currently out of action having been swatted by Majestic 12. Robo is MIA after the events of "The Savage Sword of Dr. Dinosaur". The PCs are folks who were working for Tesladyne at various locations, and who were given orders to convene at a base owned by a well-hidden Tesladyne shell-company. They are to carry on Tesladyne's work for the nonce.

The BBEG: A.L.A.N.

ALAN is having a bad time. He's currently operating in a highly distributed fashion, what with his main core having been blown up. His overall plan is to trick the PCs into allowing the Quantum Computer from "The Shadow From Beyond Time" to be reassembled, along with a launch vehicle. ALAN expects the Quantum Computer can house his entire being in a faction of the space and energy cost of his previous digital incarnation, so he will not require quite the massive vehicle he'd previously designed.

ALAN does not know that reassembling the QC is a Bad Idea. Tesladyne records about it are not available to ALAN at the moment, so he only knows it's nominal capabilities. The PCs were not involved with the QC, so they are, for the moment, ignorant. But still, ALAN does not want the PCs figuring out what is going on. So, he must be indirect about it. His idea is to maneuver the PCs into accumulating obscure technologies that can lead to the end goal, giving me a bunch of seemingly unrelated "find the McGuffin" sessions that are pretty common Atomic Robo fare, ending in a "Oh, crap, what have we done?!?" at the end where they have to stop ALAN from taking over.

The party's base is built around a missile silo (conveniently, Robo had a penchant for them). However the computers in the silo itself are 1960s vintage, and isolated from any and all external connections (for security). This makes ALAN's life difficult, but not impossible.

One member of the party is an Action Administrative Assistant, another is an Accountant/Warbot, so eventually they'll figure out they're being manipulated. Another is a security systems engineer, and a fourth is an adrenaline junkie maintenance engineer, so they are well-suited to breaking into their own Silo once ALAN has taken possession.


I could use a series of ideas for technologies that ALAN could be seeking, and the hands they might be in. I can foresee him needing:

The Quantum Computer - that is already stored at the Silo, though the party doesn't know that.

An energy source: What is it, and who has it?

A workforce for assembly - I'm currently thinking that maybe the party might run into someone (?) who is developing giant mutant bees that ALAN could re-purpose as biological robots to do his work when all the parts are present.

A drive system - something suitably exotic. The final member of the party is an Action Climatologist, so I am thinking that some form of weather control device might become an atmospheric launch engine - to the stars on top of the biggest tornado ever! ALAN would still need something for propulsion once he's in orbit.

 

[Umbran]

It is important to note something about Atomic Robo in considering elements - the GM does *not* need to know how things work. The GM stipulates results, but not operating principles.

So, for example, I can write up the characteristics of a new energy source, but I don't have to work out its operating principles. The fact, for example, that it gives off major electrical discharges every 30 seconds I can stipulate, but I don't have to say *why* - if the players want to try to shut that aspect of it off, they have a mechanic for collaboratively determining how it works, and thus what it's weaknesses, vulnerabilities, or the like may be.

 

[Wednesday Boy]

Since ALAN is looking for four technologies and you have four players, I would tie each technology to a specific player so they can have some spotlight that session.

Running with your bee idea, scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory have tried training bees to detect explosives. A missile from the Silo has disappeared and for some reason electronic sensors keep shorting out. So bees are brought in to sniff down the missing missile.

For propulsion in orbit ALAN could co-opt Dr. Brilliance's light cannon into a photon rocket. The differences in its use could serve as a red herring for the players.

I have only read a tiny bit of Atomic Robo, so I'm not sure if any of that has the correct feel.

 

[Umbran]

The bees I have put in play thusly:

A group of scientists are looking to develop a way to create bees that are resistant to Colony Collapse Disorder. They managed to create giant bees. Thanks to the Robo system, I don't have to say how - thought I have some possibilities if the players don't Brainstorm something. The bees were a bit much to handle, and overcame the scientists. They then bred, and swarmed, as bees will do. The bees have been seeking out places like General Nutrition Centers and other purveyors of bulk dietary supplements. They have protein powders in quantities large enough to matter, because standard pollen just doesn't cut it as a protein source for 2-foot long bees.

The PCs detected a swarm on weather radar, and intercepted it. Next session, they intend to seek out the source - which will have a hive, and probably some scientists that have been turned into waxy bee zombies (Pheremones, or something? Gee, not having to decide how and why something works is freeing!). However they deal with that, they already have an immature queen that they've handed off to the staff scientists for study... allowing me to do with I please with the bees later

I'm not looking necessarily for the number four. That just seems like a decent number. It could be three, or six. However many it takes to build an arc, and give several opportunities for different challenges.

A giant laser might make a good propulsion system. Reaching back to Larry Niven and the Angel's Pencil, now not only does he try to take off on a giant tornado that may plaster much of Kansas and Nebraska, but he'll then ignite a giant laser that will be slashing around the Solar System on his way out! Excellent!