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[Spaceship Zero] Q-Ship (actually updated 19 May 2007)
- Thread starter Capellan
- Start date
GreyShadow
Explorer
I love this SH.
So when do we see the girl get wrapped up like a mummy?
So when do we see the girl get wrapped up like a mummy?
Capellan
Explorer
There will be a proper update sometime this week, but in the mean time, an anecdate:
Over the weekend just past, I ran Q-Ship four times at a convention. The game began with the four crew members (plus a stowaway character) about to make their first test of the drive. As with the home game, they would jump out, jump back, and end up in a parallel universe where space mould had destroyed the Earth.
I expected new players to try different things from the home game, and was basically intending to wing what happened after that, based on whatever they did. This included using some story elements from the 3rd session of home game (which I won't spoil for you).
In any case, the first, second and fourth games went much as I thought they would: the group jumped in, jumped out, learny about the mould and the parallel universe, react to it and generally embroil themselves in one scrape or another thereafter ...
The third group, however ...
Arriving back in the solar system, and receiving no response to their radio calls to Mission City, they flew down to the site of Pluto Base. It, of course, was missing. Investigating the completely empty site, Fury's player said to Gustav's:
"Doctor, do you have any theories as to what might have occurred?"
And Gustav's player, without batting an eyelid, said:
"Indeed. Zere can be only one explanation: a crime as terrible as zis can only be ze vork of mine arch-nemesis, ze evil Doctor Gustav Alois!"
Two hours later, after locating Alois' Secret Underwater Arctic Base, defeating his army of Killer Death Robots, and escaping the Sauna of Doom due to the defection of the lovely Agent X (whose heart was swayed by Fury's impassioned 'pep talk' ability), these Q-Shippers thwarted their enemy's last gambit (a Lava Death Winch with an unfortunate tendency to jam when marbles are thrown into the cogwheels), and restored the atomically disrupted Mission City to its original state.
Inventing an entirely new module on the fly is FUN, even if I could barely talk by the end of it
Over the weekend just past, I ran Q-Ship four times at a convention. The game began with the four crew members (plus a stowaway character) about to make their first test of the drive. As with the home game, they would jump out, jump back, and end up in a parallel universe where space mould had destroyed the Earth.
I expected new players to try different things from the home game, and was basically intending to wing what happened after that, based on whatever they did. This included using some story elements from the 3rd session of home game (which I won't spoil for you).
In any case, the first, second and fourth games went much as I thought they would: the group jumped in, jumped out, learny about the mould and the parallel universe, react to it and generally embroil themselves in one scrape or another thereafter ...
The third group, however ...
Arriving back in the solar system, and receiving no response to their radio calls to Mission City, they flew down to the site of Pluto Base. It, of course, was missing. Investigating the completely empty site, Fury's player said to Gustav's:
"Doctor, do you have any theories as to what might have occurred?"
And Gustav's player, without batting an eyelid, said:
"Indeed. Zere can be only one explanation: a crime as terrible as zis can only be ze vork of mine arch-nemesis, ze evil Doctor Gustav Alois!"
Two hours later, after locating Alois' Secret Underwater Arctic Base, defeating his army of Killer Death Robots, and escaping the Sauna of Doom due to the defection of the lovely Agent X (whose heart was swayed by Fury's impassioned 'pep talk' ability), these Q-Shippers thwarted their enemy's last gambit (a Lava Death Winch with an unfortunate tendency to jam when marbles are thrown into the cogwheels), and restored the atomically disrupted Mission City to its original state.
Inventing an entirely new module on the fly is FUN, even if I could barely talk by the end of it
Ao the Overkitty
First Post
Oh man. That sounds great. And a yeah for an update this week. Been going through Q-Ship withdrawal.
Capellan
Explorer
"Space Tomb" - Part 6
"I am no Earthling." S'Ondra raises her chin imperiously, "I am Venusian."
Xinthon inclines his head, acknowledging the correction,
"I apologise, my lady. Whatever your species, your beauty lights the room."
S'Ondra squashes the look of girlish glee that briefly flits across her face, acknowledging the compliment with a graceful nod of her head. Her gaze locks with the smouldering eyes of the stranger, and a faint blush rises up her neck.
Fury grumbles under his breath, then shakes his pistol in an attempt to reclaim control of the situation.
"What are you doing here?" the Captain demands, "Space Force has no record of your D'Bari Alliance."
"Indeed, you would not." Xinthon answer is directed to Fury, but his eyes remain on S'Ondra, "My homeworld is several star systems from here."
"Impossible. It would take hundreds of years to travel between solar systems."
Gustav opens his mouth, then yelps as Fury none-too-subtly kicks him in the ankle, forestalling any mention of the Q-Drive.
"Actually, it took eleven months." Xinthon appears not to notice the two men's interaction. "The D'Bari Alliance has developed an engine which is capable of spanning the vast space between stars. I came here in a vessel equipped with such an engine, many years ago. I assume from your comment that your people have not yet discovered this technology."
"They're really very primitive." S'Ondra agrees. Fury scowls,
"Details of Earth technology are classified." He narrows his eyes, "You never said why you are here."
"I began to do so, but was interrupted." Xinthon gives a very slightly smug smile, "I am - or was, for this occurred long ago - an explorer, sent out by the Alliance Council to explore the galaxy and discover new worlds, peoples and knowledge."
"How long have you been here?" S'Ondra interrupts.
"I do not know, exactly. A moment, and I will check my instruments." Xinthon turns with a sweep of his black cloak, and places his hand on the metal dais. A hatch opens, revealing a small monitor and keyboard, marked with strange symbols. The alien's fingers race across the keys, and glowing amber text scrolls across the screen. "According to the computers, your world - or I should say, Earth, since not all of you are from there - has orbited this sun over five thousand times since I entered stasis."
"Five thousand years?" Fury snorts, "That's -"
"I assure you it is quite possible." Xinthon overrides the inevitable objection, "When last I was there, a tribe known as the Egyptians were the most advanced of your people. Are you of their kingdom?"
"We are representatives of the United Earth Government." Fury makes no move to lower his gun, "I am Captain John Fury, of Space Force."
"I am indebted to you for finding me, Captain, and trust I will be able to persuade you of my peaceful intentions in due course." Xinthon inclines his head gravely, "I must seek the aid of your people, after all. But tell me, who are you companions?"
S'Ondra does not wait to be introduced.
"I am Princess S'Ondra." She announces, "And I speak as the representative of Venus, not of Earth."
"I am Doctor Gustav and zis is Archie." Gustav waves at the robot by his side, "Your stasis device is remarkable. How does it work?"
"Unfortunately, my expertise is biological science." Xinthon gestures at the plastic block, "I could give you a full explanation of the effects it has on my physiology, but not on the functioning of the device itself -"
"Who built it, then?" Fury challenges, jiggling the weapon in his hand to underscore the question. "For that matter, who maintained it while you had your five thousand year nap?"
"Captain, your hostility is really quite unnecessary." Xinthon raises his hands placatingly, "I will tell my tale from the beginning, if you will simply give me time to do so."
"We're listening."
"As I said, I came here five thousand years ago, aboard a D'Bari exploration ship. The vessel, since I am sure you will ask, is on this asteroid. There were three of us in the crew; myself, as Biological Sciences Officer, and two others, each with their own specialisations. Unfortunately, shortly after we arrived in this system, we experienced a malfunction to the shields. Our pilot was killed when some space debris struck the cockpit, leaving only myself and the technical officer. He was able to restore shields, but not before damage from the debris caused an overload in the Stardrive. He was killed in the explosion. I was in my laboratory in the time, and survived, though I was injured."
"I could fix zis drive for you." Gustav volunteers, "It vould be most interesting."
"Let's hear the rest of the story, before making any offers of assistance." Fury nods for Xinthon to continue.
"The Stardrive - which is used for interstellar flight - was destroyed, but the Planetary Drive survived. I was thus able to travel within this star system. Seeing signs of civilisation on the third planet, I landed there, and encountered the people known as Egyptians. Unfortunately, their civilisation was not sufficiently advanced to aid me in repairing the Star Drive, so I decided to go into stasis here. It was my belief that, by the time your people were sufficiently advanced to find me, you might be able to offer me the help I needed." Xinthon gestures around the room, "I designed my home for this time to resemble the tombs of your people. It seemed to me that you would be drawn to such an anomaly, when you discovered it; a theory that I see was correct."
"Why is it that a member of such an advanced race would need our help?" Fury asks, caustically.
Xinthon sighs,
"As I said, Captain, my field is biological sciences, not machinery. The Star Drive was damaged beyond my capacity to repair it. That is why I need the help of your government."
S'Ondra nudges Gustav,
"Doctor, shouldn't we tell him the truth?" she whispers, "There's no human government for him to talk to."
Gustav flicks his aside,
"It is of no concern, leibchen. I am sure I can make ze repairs zat our new friend requires."
"Is something wrong?" Xinthon asks, brow furrowing as he notices the whispered conversation.
"No, not really." S'Ondra gives him a warm smile, "I was just noticing how similar you look to the more handsome members of my own race."
Xinthon gives a low chuckle,
"I could say much the same of you, your Highness."
Gustav frowns,
"Archie, do you zink zis is an inappropriate advance?" he whispers, pulling a battered notebook out of his pocket, "I am sure zat my wife said zat I should make sure to stop any of zose."
"I think it is acceptable, Doctor." Archie renders his verdict, "Mister Xinthon keeps his quarters very tidy. Unlike some people. I approve."
Fury, who still hasn't holstered his pistol, interrupts. His tone is quite peevish, by now.
"You can't repair your drive, yet you built this place. That's quite an achievement for a 'biological scientist'. How did you do it?"
"I did not." Xinthon shakes his head, "This structure is comprised of pre-existing machinery and schematics. I simply ordered the builder-bots to construct it, and they followed the plans. If I had the appropriate parts to repair the drive, they could have done that as well, but many supplies were destroyed in the explosion, and I do not have the schematics to build some of the missing items from scratch."
"Builder-bots?" Archie's console lights up in interest, "What are builder-bots?"
"I am no Earthling." S'Ondra raises her chin imperiously, "I am Venusian."
Xinthon inclines his head, acknowledging the correction,
"I apologise, my lady. Whatever your species, your beauty lights the room."
S'Ondra squashes the look of girlish glee that briefly flits across her face, acknowledging the compliment with a graceful nod of her head. Her gaze locks with the smouldering eyes of the stranger, and a faint blush rises up her neck.
Fury grumbles under his breath, then shakes his pistol in an attempt to reclaim control of the situation.
"What are you doing here?" the Captain demands, "Space Force has no record of your D'Bari Alliance."
"Indeed, you would not." Xinthon answer is directed to Fury, but his eyes remain on S'Ondra, "My homeworld is several star systems from here."
"Impossible. It would take hundreds of years to travel between solar systems."
Gustav opens his mouth, then yelps as Fury none-too-subtly kicks him in the ankle, forestalling any mention of the Q-Drive.
"Actually, it took eleven months." Xinthon appears not to notice the two men's interaction. "The D'Bari Alliance has developed an engine which is capable of spanning the vast space between stars. I came here in a vessel equipped with such an engine, many years ago. I assume from your comment that your people have not yet discovered this technology."
"They're really very primitive." S'Ondra agrees. Fury scowls,
"Details of Earth technology are classified." He narrows his eyes, "You never said why you are here."
"I began to do so, but was interrupted." Xinthon gives a very slightly smug smile, "I am - or was, for this occurred long ago - an explorer, sent out by the Alliance Council to explore the galaxy and discover new worlds, peoples and knowledge."
"How long have you been here?" S'Ondra interrupts.
"I do not know, exactly. A moment, and I will check my instruments." Xinthon turns with a sweep of his black cloak, and places his hand on the metal dais. A hatch opens, revealing a small monitor and keyboard, marked with strange symbols. The alien's fingers race across the keys, and glowing amber text scrolls across the screen. "According to the computers, your world - or I should say, Earth, since not all of you are from there - has orbited this sun over five thousand times since I entered stasis."
"Five thousand years?" Fury snorts, "That's -"
"I assure you it is quite possible." Xinthon overrides the inevitable objection, "When last I was there, a tribe known as the Egyptians were the most advanced of your people. Are you of their kingdom?"
"We are representatives of the United Earth Government." Fury makes no move to lower his gun, "I am Captain John Fury, of Space Force."
"I am indebted to you for finding me, Captain, and trust I will be able to persuade you of my peaceful intentions in due course." Xinthon inclines his head gravely, "I must seek the aid of your people, after all. But tell me, who are you companions?"
S'Ondra does not wait to be introduced.
"I am Princess S'Ondra." She announces, "And I speak as the representative of Venus, not of Earth."
"I am Doctor Gustav and zis is Archie." Gustav waves at the robot by his side, "Your stasis device is remarkable. How does it work?"
"Unfortunately, my expertise is biological science." Xinthon gestures at the plastic block, "I could give you a full explanation of the effects it has on my physiology, but not on the functioning of the device itself -"
"Who built it, then?" Fury challenges, jiggling the weapon in his hand to underscore the question. "For that matter, who maintained it while you had your five thousand year nap?"
"Captain, your hostility is really quite unnecessary." Xinthon raises his hands placatingly, "I will tell my tale from the beginning, if you will simply give me time to do so."
"We're listening."
"As I said, I came here five thousand years ago, aboard a D'Bari exploration ship. The vessel, since I am sure you will ask, is on this asteroid. There were three of us in the crew; myself, as Biological Sciences Officer, and two others, each with their own specialisations. Unfortunately, shortly after we arrived in this system, we experienced a malfunction to the shields. Our pilot was killed when some space debris struck the cockpit, leaving only myself and the technical officer. He was able to restore shields, but not before damage from the debris caused an overload in the Stardrive. He was killed in the explosion. I was in my laboratory in the time, and survived, though I was injured."
"I could fix zis drive for you." Gustav volunteers, "It vould be most interesting."
"Let's hear the rest of the story, before making any offers of assistance." Fury nods for Xinthon to continue.
"The Stardrive - which is used for interstellar flight - was destroyed, but the Planetary Drive survived. I was thus able to travel within this star system. Seeing signs of civilisation on the third planet, I landed there, and encountered the people known as Egyptians. Unfortunately, their civilisation was not sufficiently advanced to aid me in repairing the Star Drive, so I decided to go into stasis here. It was my belief that, by the time your people were sufficiently advanced to find me, you might be able to offer me the help I needed." Xinthon gestures around the room, "I designed my home for this time to resemble the tombs of your people. It seemed to me that you would be drawn to such an anomaly, when you discovered it; a theory that I see was correct."
"Why is it that a member of such an advanced race would need our help?" Fury asks, caustically.
Xinthon sighs,
"As I said, Captain, my field is biological sciences, not machinery. The Star Drive was damaged beyond my capacity to repair it. That is why I need the help of your government."
S'Ondra nudges Gustav,
"Doctor, shouldn't we tell him the truth?" she whispers, "There's no human government for him to talk to."
Gustav flicks his aside,
"It is of no concern, leibchen. I am sure I can make ze repairs zat our new friend requires."
"Is something wrong?" Xinthon asks, brow furrowing as he notices the whispered conversation.
"No, not really." S'Ondra gives him a warm smile, "I was just noticing how similar you look to the more handsome members of my own race."
Xinthon gives a low chuckle,
"I could say much the same of you, your Highness."
Gustav frowns,
"Archie, do you zink zis is an inappropriate advance?" he whispers, pulling a battered notebook out of his pocket, "I am sure zat my wife said zat I should make sure to stop any of zose."
"I think it is acceptable, Doctor." Archie renders his verdict, "Mister Xinthon keeps his quarters very tidy. Unlike some people. I approve."
Fury, who still hasn't holstered his pistol, interrupts. His tone is quite peevish, by now.
"You can't repair your drive, yet you built this place. That's quite an achievement for a 'biological scientist'. How did you do it?"
"I did not." Xinthon shakes his head, "This structure is comprised of pre-existing machinery and schematics. I simply ordered the builder-bots to construct it, and they followed the plans. If I had the appropriate parts to repair the drive, they could have done that as well, but many supplies were destroyed in the explosion, and I do not have the schematics to build some of the missing items from scratch."
"Builder-bots?" Archie's console lights up in interest, "What are builder-bots?"
Plane Sailing
Astral Admin - Mwahahaha!
So, the other two members of the team died in "accidents" huh?
Don't drop your guard, Fury!
Don't drop your guard, Fury!
Ao the Overkitty
First Post
I keep thinking of Khan while reading this guy's lines, for some reason.
Another great update.
Another great update.
KidCthulhu
First Post
More please! Make with the posting, ya lazy Aussie git. It's not as if you have any other story hours to post!
Capellan
Explorer
Hmmph. The lack of appreciation for hard work in this place is terrible. Art takes time to produce, you know ... 
I'm actually working on an update right now. Well, not right right now, since right now I'm typing this message ... but I was working on it two minutes ago and I will be again in two minutes more.
Oh, though now does seem a good time to mention that I'll be floating around the north-east corner of the US in August this year
I'm actually working on an update right now. Well, not right right now, since right now I'm typing this message ... but I was working on it two minutes ago and I will be again in two minutes more.
Oh, though now does seem a good time to mention that I'll be floating around the north-east corner of the US in August this year
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