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To: dan@engrg.uwo.ca (Dan Corrin), bfwong@ocf.berkeley.edu (Raven Blackburn),
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Subject: TML Bundle #311: Msgs 3795
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Date: Wed Feb 26 21:00:23 PST 1992
From: traveller-request@metolius.wr.tek.com (TML Administrator)
Subject: TML Bundle #311: Table of Contents

-AMN- --Date--- --Sender--------- --Subject-----------------------------------
3795  24-Feb-92 Mark F. Cook      PBEM: Turn 92.01 (part 1 of 3) << This turn i

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3795
From: Mark F. Cook <markc@hpcvss.cv.hp.COM>
Subject: PBEM: Turn 92.01 (part 1 of 3)
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 92 12:27:28 PST

This turn is a bit shorter than expected; we used the breakdown at
UWO (now fixed) as an excuse to collect our thoughts and clear out
the archives. There's still a lot of material here; we're thinking 
of ways to control time flow in such a way as to let people be
more proactive than reactive, but nothing official is ready to 
announce just yet.... in the meantime, just sit back and enjoy
the ride.

Players may resume posting moves immediately upon receipt of this turn,
but try to keep posts to a reasonable level (whatever that means).  The
cut-off date for the next turn (Turn.92.02) will be midnight (your local
time) on Friday, March 6th.

One other warning: as Mike's dissertation deadline approaches, he's
going to start getting more snarly than usual. Please bear with him.
Mark, on the other hand, who is just normally snarly, probably won't
exhibit any different behavior than in the past. :^)

Thanks and enjoy....

	- M&M

 --------------8<---------------cut here--------------8<-----------------------

PBEM Turn 92.01a  (831 lines) - THIS IS PART 1 OF 3.
=====================================================

          **** CURRENT POSITION OF SHIPS ****

[This is as close to scale as 80-column ASCII will allow. ]

(Top View)  Ring and Alcyon orbiting CCW as seen from here.

All ship positions and communications are calculated from the Alcyon
(unless otherwise noted).
   Al = Alcyon

The following cluster of ships are positioned ~0.9 AU from Alcyon,
7.5 minutes each way for communication signals:
    T = Trakh
    S = Trakh Shuttle
    P = Paladin
    K = Kingfisher
   Ta = Talisman
All of these ships are within a few light-seconds of each other
for purposes of round-trip communication signals.  Note that the
Aurora is *ALMOST* within this group as well.  Communication between
her and the other ships will have a lag of ~45 seconds.

>From the Alcyon, the other ships are positioned as follows:

    W = Westwind, ~1.8 AU from Alcyon, 15 minutes each way for signals.
   Ph = Phin shuttle, ~1.78 AU from Alcyon, 14.8 minutes each way for signals.
    G = Gemini Arbiter ~0.9 AU from Alcyon, 7.5 min. each way for signals.
    B = Bernoulli, ~1.5 AU from Alcyon, 12.5 min. each way for signals.
   Au = Aurora, ~1.0 AU from Alcyon, 8.3 min. each way for signals.
    X = Recently detected wreck in orbit around R-Alpha, ~1.4 AU from Alcyon,
        11.8 min. each way for signals or scans.


  W
   Ph                                             X
                                              ...........
                                          ....           ....
                                        .
                                      .
                                    .
                                  .
                                 .
               G                .
                               .
                               .
                              .
                              .
                           Al .<------- 150 ------>*
                              .     Million Km.
                              .
                               .
     |______|______|           .
     0     50     100           .
       Million Km.               .
                                  .
                                    .
                                KTS   .
                                 Ta P   .
                                   Au     ....           ....
                                              ...........


                                            B

=======================================================================

 *** Dateline: 334-1119 [1501/Reaver's Deep] ***

=== R-Alpha ===

The mimp was dying. 

There could be no question of that, Ayrlathi thought with a sigh.
It lay on a soft bed in his house, its wounds bathed and a few choked
gulps of cool water down its throat, but there was nothing more he
could do....

It never showed signs of regaining consciousness.  It merely lay there,
every shuddering breath possibly its last.  Help me, Ayrlathi prayed
silently.  I ask for little, but the ability to do the impossible.
Help me save this mimp....

He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he almost missed the cries
of fright and wonder from outside.  He turned as the door to his home
swung open, admitting the huge silver mantis that had brought the mimp
to the village, according to one of the local children.  In one claw,
it carried the bags the mimp had been carrying. 

Ayrlathi backed away from the bed, eyes averted in awe. Hearing the
story was one thing, but to SEE the creature--

"You have done well," the Mantis spoke in a shimmering voice, its
command of the Jijid tongue perfect--or was it an echo within
Ayrlathi's whirling head?  "This creature's own kind are now able
to care for it.  No doubt you have extended its lifespan sufficiently
to reach them in time, through your kindness.  Your care in this time
of need will not be forgotten."

The air around it began to shimmer as it approached the bed.  Ayrlathi
averted his eyes from the brightness.  When he could open them again,
both mimp and Mantis were gone.  Only the bloodstains on the bed gave
testimony to the fact that it hadn't been a dream.

"Thank you," Ayrlathi said softly to the empty air.  "Thank you."

=== Kingfisher ===

Jan sits quietly at the battle dressing station aboard the Kingfisher.
Everything is ready in place.  His vacc suit hood is out, ready for quick
donning.  Nothing to do but watch the action evolve on the bridge and listen
to the radio traffic that gets patched through to the BDS.

His beeper, errrr, commdot, fires off.  "Goddammit, I woulda thought that
there wasn't any call this far out of the Imperium."  Then it dawns on him,
the only thing he had plugged into his toner was...  "Bishop!".  He hits
the ICS tone for communications.

"Communications, medical.  My commdot just gave me an alert for Bishop's
Medical Berth.  Ah, I don't know if you've got a line set up to them, but
something weird is happening in the Alcyon's sick bay.  It seems the berth
has started a rewarming procedure.  I would suggest that whatever virus
has hit the Aurora has hit the Alcyon, with the medcomp subsystem being
triggered. Our ride home could be in, ah, deep poo-poo.  Could you advise
the Admiral?"

Jan pauses for a bit, "Sorry to dump this on you, but we seem to be missing
an XO for me to run it through, and radio traffic is your turf."

=== Phin Shuttle ===

Ian hops through the portal and, momentarily startled by the
cold humid air and lack of gravity, begins tumbling directly
toward the waiting Phins.

"Oh shit!" comes unbidden from his lips as he silently curses
himself:
   * What a helluva great way to meet the natives.  The contact 
     team's gonna skin me alive.  Oh well. *  
and then he begins to laugh out loud as he remembers how clearly
Phins can hear him thinking.

Grabbing the nearest Phin fin, Ian bumps to a stop and mutters
"thanks."

As he pauses to regain his composure, he enjoys a moments reverie.
    * Wow!  I'd really forgotten how _big_ Ferdie was.  Or he's 
      grown a lot in the last twenty-five years.  Must outweigh me 
      by a ton.  It's amazing how it takes getting used to the 
      little differences in the dolphins -- Ferdie big and grey, 
      Hooper kind of brown or tan, and Doejin with his (her?) 
      bluish uppers.  And his hair, so soft and yellow and fine...*

    * Brr.  I forgot how cold it seems when the wind chill sets in.  
      Better turn to. *

"Hold on just a second, please.  I gotta get a helmet on before
I freeze and suffocate."  

With his free hand, Ian fishes his folded helmet out of his coveralls 
and slides it over his head. Then, releasing his other hand, he 
fastens it into place.  While slowly beginning to drift, he sets his 
suit temperature, and visually takes inventory.

    * hmm.. lessee, life support - no oxy backup, suit screens only, 
      power for 6.4 hours; suit intact, temperature control func-
      tioning; snub pistol w/tranq, blade -- nice blade, glad I 
      remembered to stop by the armory on the way to the Tal' --; 
      sensors, passive suit monitors only; comms, suit radio working 
      (I hope). *

Setting the suit radio's frequency to general broadcast, and chinning
the transmit button, Ian speaks:

"Expedition, Thomas:
I'm on the Phin shuttle, with two native cetaceans.  I am in good
health and my suit is working.  The natives appear to be of the 
_tursiops_ family and all seem to be friendly.  I have no cameras,
vids, or sensors with me, so here's a quick verbal description:
Temperature here is about 18 Celsius, humidity about 120 percent.
No artificial gravity being used.  Hard to see through the mist, but
as I move around I'll keep you posted.  I'm going to try to communicate
with the Phins.  Awaiting requests and intructions."

(No one hears him, of course.  In his excitement, he forgot that his
radio couldn't possibly get through the skin of the Shuttle or reach
to the Talisman.)

Then, grabbing Ferdie by the dorsal fin, 
    * Okay.  I'm set for about six hours.  How 'bout a tour and
      introductions?  All this thinkin' at you is tiring.  Any 
      questions I can answer before I wear out? *

To this, Ferdy replies,
    * You want a tour of the shuttle?  All right, keep hold of
      my fin, then.  Doejin, you don't need me for a while, do
      you? *

After Ian's introduction (and learning about "shaking hands"), Doejin
says,
    * Excuse me for a moment, Ian, I need to finish the rendevous
      with the Westwind. *

He glides over to the pilot console and takes his place adjusting various
controls and ensuring proper ship alignment.

    * Ferdy, feel free to show Ian around.  Just keep his flukes
      high and tight so we don't have an accident.  We should reach
      rendevous shortly and it looks like the otehr ships are getting
      in position for landing on The Hoop. *
 
With a mental flick, Ferdy's skysuit begins to propel him slowly
and silently through the craft, with Ian trailing along.

=== Aurora ===

Dee-Dee-Dee-Dee-Dee!  Will you look at her!  Dee!  She's like a
sunburst of bronze!  There have never been such beautiful wings as
hers!

He rolled over and stooped in on her.  Accelerating to where the wind
sang a sweet exciting song.

She saw him and went into a slow roll.  For a breathtaking second she
flew inverted looking up at him.  The way the light caught her eyes
could make you stall!

He closed the gap in seconds and threw his wings out wide and oblique.
A few meters above and behind her, his legs and tail flew on beneath
him and for a split second he was flying at right angles to his
direction of travel.  The speed bled off rapidly in the natural
braking maneuver as he matched her course above her.

He tilted his wings down and got in even closer, synchronizing his
wing beats so he could get in closer without hitting her wings.  He
reached out a taloned hand and caressed her back as she flew beneath
him.

Suddenly, she dove down away from him a few meters and rolled.  She
flew inverted with her talons reaching out to him.  Tweel watched for
a second that seemed an eternity before he dropped down and took her
talons in his.

She took a last powerful stroke and folded her wings.

Tweel followed her motions and they both began to plummet.  The wind
screamed as they fell headlong.  The glittering sea of the Jayelyan
desert rushed at them like a living thing.

He sang over the tornado...

Would you like to come up higherrr
wherre we two can fly around?
I can't believe you'rre happy
bein' sstuck herre on the ground!
If you like I'lll take you with me
wherre the air iss sso much lighterr,
And all you have to do iss hold me tighterrr.
	Tighterr!
		Tighterr!
			Tighterrr!
    ........	....	...	..	.

    Confusion... Target alarms screaming... Enclosure... Explosions...
Tweel read off the bearings to the Skipper...  Targets bearing zero
niner two, mark three two five...  Range five five thousand kilometers
Target identified... Four Zhodani Va class fighters... Second group
bearing three two three mark zero niner five, Range six seven thousand
Kilometers...  Targets identified... Two Zhdits class escorts.  All
targets closing....
    Va class fighters closing at relative acceleration of 4.7 G's...
    Zhdits escorts are closing at 5.3G's relative...
    Tweel studied the nightmare sensor array...  How did Chronor scramble
everything so fast?...
    Suddenly the bridge shuddered, A hit...
    "Bridge - Engineering:  our jump drive's in shreds!"
    A huge explosion smashed through the bridge...  A HOLE in the plating
appeared right above Tweel's station...

    ........	....	....	...	..	.

    *Jump grid capacitors discharged...  Looks like fair winds...
Our last jump and we can get out of this human closet!* complained
Macin.  *Jayelya needs more naval architects!  If my theory is right, I'm
going to insist that the planetary development fund endow a chair for a
professor of naval archtecture to an Ael who can build ships for us...*
    Tweel laughed, *Ssseya!  That'd be a nice wind.  I've spent too much
time in these human built ships.  Even with the holoprojections, the lack of
wing room still blows me ill.*
    *But still, Macin, how can you be sure that star's got what you
say it has?  If it doesn't we're gonna have a storm trying to refuel and
fly home.*
    Macin folded his wings uncomfortably at the thought *Karr... I'd
better go check the engines, if I'm wrong, we got a long way to flap home!*
    *Ssseya!  You got that right!  I'll come aft in a minute and lend
you a talon.*
    Tweel absorbed himself in the navigation plot.  *All looking good...
We got fair winds to ride until..*

The universe turned GREY.  Dimly, a sharp report sounded kilometers away in
the universe of GREY...

Time passed...

Or did it?

Was it time or the illusion of time?  Hmmm... must think about that...
If I could think...  Where am I?  All GREY...  Am I part of the GREY?
Have I substance or only thought?  Questions...  No Answers...

UHHH!
PAIN!  PAIN!  PAIN!
Somebody stop the PAIN!
My stomach!  My head!  My mind!
Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!!
Somebody stop the PAIN!

Great Hunter!  Kill me and stop the PAIN!

	........	.....	...	..	.

    "SSSSSCHAYAAYAYAYAYAYAYA!"  Tweel screamed as he awoke.  The
instincts that tried to lift him into the air merely bashed his wings
into the ceiling a before he realized where he was...  The bridge of
the Aurora.

    The bridge of the Aurora is quiet and peacefully subdued, as the
scout ship glides through space enroute to its assigned rendesvouz.
Holo-monitors glow softly, slowly changing, as the ship's status is
updated. Jump drive on inactive standby, main fusion power plant
cheerily pumping out megawatts of power, thruster plates firmly
nudging the scout along. The holotank shifts, focusing more on the
ringworld as the ships begin to converge.

    Dr. Van der Merwe simply stared at him.

    "Macin is... dead...?  Chrrristian?"

    Christian is sitting, almost lying in the pilot's couch, which he has
pushed back from the control panels and monitors so that he can stretch
his lengthy frame fully and comfortably put his feet up. His pose is
very relaxed, his movements casual and languid, as if he is enjoying
the moment, lest the future be less kind.

    Currently, he has pulled a flexible-mount holomonitor out towards his
couch, and appears to be involved in a new game of dhage (apparently
having finished his game analysis) against Moira, while pausing at
irregular intervals to refresh himself from a soothing warm beverage.
The strains of a Vilani jazz group gently displace the discordant
noises of normal shipboard operation.

    Tweel shook himself with a loud flap to clear his head, "Krrrrr...
Har! what a night..."  Very slowly, and with great care Tweel folded
his wings and glanced at the sensor panel in front of him.  A quick
check to see if anything new had shown up while he 'slept'

    "By the way...  Wherre'ss that crrrazy Varrgrrr got too...?"

    "Chrrristian, wherrrre's 'Vouf?"

=== Talisman ===

    Onboard the Talisman, after handing the conn over to Iasic, Andon
tries to sit back, relax and look as nonchalant as possible.  However,
as the minutes tick by Andon's fidgeting and nervous finger tappings
suggest that he is anything but calm.

    "Uh, Iasic, I got the conn again. Just keep feeding the data and I'll
take care of flying, OK?"  Andon again starts taking a more active role
in the piloting.

    As Andon again feels he has regained some control all signs of his
previous apprehension disappear.

=== Kingfisher ===

     Ger digests all of the new happenings coolly, as he listens to
the broadcast from the Hoop....
 
> "Iasic has been mildly chastised and will not improve your systems
> beyond this without your permission."
> 
    "To the sophont at 1337.45 Mhz, Please Identify yourself.  If you
have any control over the Iasic personality, please instruct it to
disengage itself from all our systems. I consider its actions to be
quite disruptive, and irregular." "We have the coordinates, I am quite
confident that my personnel can get us there without any difficulty or
assistance".

    Ger turns to Witfield.  "Cut the transmission on the 1337.45 MHz
frequency, but listen in for a while and see if there is any reply" He
then sits back in his chair (up until now he had been leaning forward
with an intense look on his face). His features take on a pensive look
for a few minutes while the kingfisher pursues its current course.

    Etienne seems engrossed in just watching the play of nav data coming
across his display from no aparrent source.  After a few seconds he snaps
out of it and opens the intercom.

    "Monsieur Schmud, you may stand down, but please don't lock the weapons 
systems.  I can handle the turret from here should an emergency arise.
Although, events seem to be proceeding VERY smoothly just now."  

    At the gunnery station, Abdul replies, "Acknowledged!  Standing
down immediately."  Then, to himself, he mutters, "I wish people would
make up their minds as to my job around here.  At least I get to move
to somewhere less cramped and less of a target."

With this Abdul secures the turret for remote operation and he heads
back to the main body of the shuttle.  "At least the emergency seems
to be over for a while," he mutters as he leaves.

    "Lazer, there's..."  Etienne stops when he realizes that Lazer
can't hear him in the disconnected fighter, and opens a comm channel.
"Lazer there doesn't seem to be much reason for you to remain in the
fighter, unless Commander Ger says otherwise.  Have you been hearing
everything from our new friends?"

=== Aurora/Gemini Arbiter/Paladin/Talisman ===

    On the bridges of the _Aurora_, _Paladin_, _Talisman_, and _Gemini
Arbiter_, after a period of silence, the monitors once again crackle to life.
A new logo appearing in the center, seemingly designed by an advertising
agency or graphic design studio.  The logo forms the word "IasicNet" in the
center, with the letters smartly integrated into each other.  A stylized
representation of R-Alpha is evident in the background.  Colors pulsate in
random patterns along the whole image.

    _Attention Visitors_ began the calm, familiar voice, _All instructions
from R-Alpha have now been executed.  Please relax and enjoy the landing
procedures.  Planetfall will be initiated shortly._

    Then, after a brief pause, the logo dissolves.  A rendering of R-Alpha
then appears on the screen, accompanied by a snappy little song in the
background.

    _Now, in response to many of your inquiries, which I was unable to
answer at the time they were posed, I shall make a brief presentation
regarding myself and my homeworld, R-Alpha._

    The image of R-Alpha shrinks away and is replaced by a schematic
drawing of a semiconductor chip.

    _As you already know, my unique identity is IASC-256/32.
Realizing that this would be a bit cumbersome to your speech
conventions, I formed the nearest logical I could to your language:
Iasic._

    At which point, the letters Iasic are translucently overlaid on the
schematic while "IASC-256/32" appear at the top.

    _I was designed originally to act as a quality control and
maintenance unit for R-Alpha's numerous systems.  I am psionically
aware, and relatively strong in capabilities, compared to average
ability among the Visitors, though most of the denizens of the
ringworld are on a similar level as myself.  I can analyze and
'rewire' any mechanical or electronic entity through a complex process
of sub-atomic manipulation.  Reprogramming is a primary task of mine,
and I can handle many billions of calculations every second, although
the actual number is dependent upon the capabilities of the system to
which I happen to be integrated._

    Then, the schematic drawing disappears, along with all labels and
titles.  A graphic of R-Alpha reappears, though without any specific
documentation.

    _This, as you have already surmised, is R-Alpha.  Unfortunately,
there is such a wealth of information specific to the entity that I
cannot fulfill the query for information as requested.  I would have
compiled an index for you, in your rather cumbersome language, but in
order for it to be of any value, its size would have been
prohibitively large.  Indeed, simply to download it to the IasicNet
would require more available memory and storage than is currently
available.  It's total size would approach 6,620 terabytes of
information.  I would suggest that any specific requests for
information should be directed toward the entity itself, as it could
more effectively unravel exactly which information is desired and
which is extraneous._

    Then, after that screen dissolves, a return to the "IasicNet" logo
dominates the screen, although the music still continues.

    _And now, a word about this presentation.  I utilized all the
information provided by Tweel regarding human and vargyr emotional
processes.  After an in-depth analysis of the information, and the
construction of some logic models, I created the name, logo, and
presentation for maximum effect and comfort to you, the audience.
Thank you._

    At which point, the words "Thank you" overlay on the screen in a
beautiful, flowing script.  The music ends with perfect tonality.

=== Alcyon ===

Nine minutes and eigtheen seconds ago....
 "Morgan, this is 'Vouf. Have Dr. Werner check on Adrian Bishop, OK? Out."

Nine minutes and eighteen seconds later, the tight-beam transmission hits
the Alcyons four millimeter high-gain antenna.  In a heartbeat, Morgan Grey
is listening to the request on the bridge speakers.  Sliding over to the
commo panel, he orders a reply.  A hull-mounted maser horn slews around and
locks onto the transponder signal from Aurora.

"Aurora, Aurora, this is Alcyon.  Roger your last.  Wilco.  Out."  Putting
commo back on stand-by, Grey swings around in his seat and looks at Dr.
Manfred Werner, who is dutifully absorbed in his sensor controls.

"Hey, Doc.  You wanna take a hop down to Sickbay and check on Bishop?"
Grey smirks, "'Vouf wants to know if he's rolled over or something."
Satisfied that he's carried out his latest order, Grey turns back to
the helm console.

Dr. Werner slowly looks up from his sensor readings, showing the painfully
slow ballet of starships across the R-Alpha system.  He glared at the back
of Morgan's head, then slides back the contour seat and heads for Sickbay.

Once off the bridge, he slowly moves aft, down the Axis-0 corridor, past
Cmdr. Ger's cabin, past the computer and communications service bays,
towards the ship's mess, and the grav-lift down to deck 1B.  As he walks,
he mutters, "Dammit, Grey.  I am a PHYSICIST, not a medical doctor!",
little realizing that his oath would leave a small, but rabid group of
video entertainment fans from Terra's distant past rolling on the floor
in laughter.

Once down the grav-lift, he picks up his pace the last half dozen meters
to the Sickbay door, eager to return to the bridge.  Palming the door lock,
he briefly curses Dr. Van Der Merwe for sealing the compartment from casual
snoopers.  His commdot in place, Werner calls the bridge.

"Mr. Grey, this is Dr. Werner.  I am thinking that it would perhaps
be easier for me to determine the current state of Mr. Bishop's corpse
if the door to Sickbay were not locked, do you not agree?"  A brief,
somewhat uncultured reply from the bridge is immediately followed by
the hiss of the sickbay door sliding open.

Werner crosses sickbay without hesitation and opens the hatch to the
low berth compartment.  He is immediately rewarded by a small, insistant
tone, eminating from one of the nearby hibernation pods.  Slowly, as he
approaches Low Berth number 4, his eyes lock on the data display and the
flashing lights.

	"Stage one complete
	 Stage two complete
	 Stage three revival in progress - HALTED
	 Revival prep. team required IMMEDIATELY"

Dr. Werner selects "OCCUPANT BIOLOGICAL STATUS" and his eyes widen
in amazement as the diagnostics scroll by.  So great is his surprise
that he lapses into his (seldom used in the presence of the crew)
native tongue.  "Zum Teufel!!  Vas ist das?  Das ist unglaublich!
DAS IST UNMOGLICH!!"

=== Paladin ===

    Goughzar looks about the Paladin bridge, and watches in amazement at
the happenings. Growling under his breath he leaves Charyn in Dr. Morser's
hands and links to Dr. Limner's room with the active intercom.  "Dr Limner?
How are you doing? Do you require anything?".

    Assuming Dr. Limner is in relatively good shape, he turns back to the
bridge terminals and begins talking to Iasic.

    "Well Iasic, I realize you can't give us everything, though we may
want it, but I was wondering if you might detail some physical
information - general features and traits - of the inhabitants we will
likely encounter first in our landing zone. If you can, I would also
like a detailed scan and map transferred to the local storage that I
might review the area where we will be landing".

    With this done, he waits for any information to be transfered,
monitors the ship's descent, and begins to get an overview of what
Iasic thinks he might expect upon landing.

=== Talisman ===

    Meanwhile a very concerned Kimball Redd is kneeling of Ralf's inert
body in the corridor to the airlock.

    "The lights are on, but it looks like Ralf's not home.  I'll bring him up
to sick-bay."

    He struggles to lift Ralf's suited body, he grumbles, "Ah, what am I, a
weight-lifter or an Engineer ? - Computer, cut the corridor floor-plates to
half gravity."  As Ralf's apparent weight decreases, he comments, "That's
better."

=== Aurora ===

    At Tweel's awakening, Christian swivels his head to look at him.
"Ah, you're awake now, Hunter-Above." He turns back to his dhage holo,
pondering his next move. "Oh, that's right, 'Vouf. Guess you missed
it." He glances at Tweel. "He had to step out for a few minutes,
something about going over to the Gemini Arbiter, I think. He should
be back before long." Christian continues his game, pausing only to
stretch briefly and take another sip of tea.

    Tweel twists his head upside down to look at Christian in surprise,
"We docked alrrready?  Jussst how long wasss I out?"

    Tweel stretches his wings, an action which takes nearly all of the
available bridge space.  He taps the intercom with a sharp talon claw, "Kar!
Hunter-Chaser...  Need any hellp?"

    Quizzically, Christian turns his head to follow Tweel. "Docked? You mean
with the Arbiter? No, we haven't docked with them. Try the inter-ship comm
if you want to talk to 'Vouf."

=== Kingfisher ===

    Ger activates the intercome.  "Jan, Did you want to send any
communication to your patient? I assume that you are the one that the
creature on the radio was talking about."

    "Yes sir," comes the reply, "I just advised communications that my
pager has gone off, indicating that Bishop is going through the
revitalizing process.  My limited paging system tells me he is doing
well so far. However, to find out more I wouldn't mind having a
channel available to communicate with the medcomp aboard the Alcyon.

    "My concern, beyond Bishop, is that the medcomp may have been hit
by the virus and linking up to it may jeopardize the Fingkisher, but
that's something the commo people will need to assess.

    "Sir, with a secure line I would be able to give you a status
report on Bishop, and possibly on the state of the Alcyon."

    Ger considers this for a moment.  "Yes, certainly, as soon as we
can get I'll have someone get you a spare channel, after all there are
ten radio-type things on board, but you may have to wait for some
assembly"

    Yorblin responds, "Sir, it shouldn't take too long.  I'll just
ask.  thank you."

=== Aurora ===

Tweel turns his attention to the Iasic terminal.  He flips his head
upsidedown in surprise and disgust. "Grreat Hunterrr, he'sss playing
Muzak at uss!  We may have to trry thosse anti-virrus prrogramss
again!"

"Thank you Iasssic, you sssay that the inforrrmation we have
rrrequessted would clearrrly overrrload our currrent data banksss.
Howeverrr, if you could brriefly fly overrr a few questionsss, I think
that we can all look down on thisss frrrom a grreaterrr altitude."

"Quessstion one: It is apparrant that the Rrring iss inhabitted by
many intellligent sspeciess of ssophontss.  Who iss rrresponsible forr
the constrrruction of the Rrring?  Wasss it an intersspecial efforrt?
If ssso which sspeciess werrre involved?"

"Quesstion two: By ex-examination of our data banksss, I assume you
may underrrstand the sscale of te-techlnological levelsss.  What
te-tech level (in ourr unitss) wasss utilizzzed in the consstruction
of the Rrring, and what isss the te-tech level used in itss
maintainance?  And what te-tech level werrre you consstrructed?"

"Quesstion three:  How lllong ago wass the Rring built?"

"Quesstion fourrr: We arrre going to meet with some dellligation of
sssome sssort.  Thiss impliesss therrre is ssome sssorrt of goverrning
body in the Rrring."
	Tweel sighs heavily at the thought of an advanced government.
Surely a truely advanced group of sophonts should have evolved to the
point where they can handle anarchy.  We may be tech 4-5 but..  How I
miss home!
	"Arre thesse rrreprresentatives of the Rrring asss a whole or
sssome sssubsset of it?"

"Quessstion five: In my own planetss hisstorrry, ourrr firrst contact
with humanss prroved dissasterouss.  Frrrankly, I would advisse you to
be 'Sssusspiciousss' of humanss.  Is therrre any inforrmation you
rrrequirre to assisst you in yourrr invesstigation of usss?"

Quessstion tten: Iss therrre any inforrmation you feel we should have
when flying into sssuch a meeting?"

Tweel spreads his three fingered talons, and turns to Christian,
"Therre we go.. Ten ssimple questionsss....  I wonderrr iff we'll get
any ussseful answerrrs..."

=== Kingfisher ===

    Etienne once again stares at the display, but shortly the fingers of one
hand start tapping faster and faster on the arm of his acceleration couch.
He suddenly sits up and addresses empty air.  "Monsieur Iasic, while you
probably know of me from the files onboard the Alcyon, please allow me t 
introduce myself.  I am Etienne de Mer, helmsman of the Kingfisher an 
Transport team leader.  If I may ask a favor, would you please contact Dr.
Karl Morser and ask him about Leadfoot?  It may have slipped his mind in all
the confusion but your aid in a certain investigation could be very useful."

The screen then fades back to the familiar logo, but this time with no
background music.

_Hello, Mr. de Mer, it is a pleasure to finally meet you in person.  I have
directly patched your com unit to the room which Dr. Morser currently
occupies.  I hope that this will facilitate your job, and if there is any
other way in which I could be of assistance, please do not hesitate to ask._

=== Aurora/Gemini Arbiter/Paladin/Talisman ===

Several minutes pass.  Once again, the "IasicNet" symbol bursts on
screen, with a bluster of musical fanfare.

_I have accessed MasterSPU and constructed the following answers to
Tweel's inquiries.  I sincerely hope that these are general enough to
meet the parameters defined in the request.  I cannot say that I fully
understand what Tweel meant to say when he requested that I "briefly
fly over a few questions", but I have done my best to extrapolate a
rough meaning._

Iasic then replays a recording of Tweel's question, and answers each
in turn.

  _The Great Race constructed the ring.  I do not know of a name for
them in your language.  However, this is an illustration of a
representative member of the Great Race._

Iasic then displays an image on one of the Aurora's holo-panels of
what appears to be a very large Droyne, with a larger-than-normal
brain case.  The "IasicNet" logo shrinks to occupy only the extreme
right side of the screen.

=== Kingfisher ===

Witfield, busy performing his duty on the bridge, has part of his attention
focused on IASIC's presentation to Tweel (as the broadcast does not appear
to be tight-beam).  When Isaac announces the ring world was built by the
great race, and shows the picture of a large Dryone, Witfield exclaims,
"I knew it, I knew it had to be them!"

=== Aurora ===

    Dr. Tweel bobs excitedly on his perch, singing to himself, *Key-Har!
Further evidence the Droyne were the connected with the ancients!*

  _Based on the scale you use, I can accurately extrapolate technological
advancement to Tech Level 17.  The construction of the Ring, its maintenance,
and my own construction are significantly more advanced than Tech Level 17._

    Tweel looks over to Christian.  "Krrr! They can teach uss a thing orrr
six..."

_The ring has been fully operational for 10,635,554,759,707 of your seconds._

    Tweel whistles a quick series of notes to Triple Three.

    The robot quickly replies "337,251.22906 standard years."

    Tweel's head flips upside down.  *Correct time period...  an ancient
site... a fully intact and operational ancient site...*

    *Great Hunter, Macin, you were RIGHT!*

_I am not aware of any formal delegation preparing to meet you at the
landing site designated by the R-Alpha Master SPU.  If representatives
of any of the races which inhabit the Ring are nearby, you may
interact with them at your leisure._

_Having had the concept of suspicion presented to me by Bhyarrvouf, I
have determined that none of the Visitors pose a direct threat to
either the Ring or to myself.  Therefore, I have no need of suspicion.
As I have already explained, I find it to be an inefficient concept.
Although in the context of a savage and barbarous culture, I do now
understand its value._

A large question mark then appears on the screen.

_There was a discrepancy in the number order of questions presented to
my by Tweel.  Numbers six through nine were not received, and
therefore have not been answered.  I suggest that the question
presented by Tweel as number ten should be renumbered to the more
logical label of "question six" for ease of future reference.

    Tweel clucks under his breath, then sings in his native tongue,
*Sorry, I tend to fly best in base six.*

_Only the suggestion that you do not interact with the resident races
of the Ring in a hostile manner.  MasterSPU would almost certainly
take steps to prevent such an eventuality from occurring._

    Tweel then switches back to his stilted galanglic.  "Sssince
therre iss no forrrmal deligation..."  Tweel visibly relaxes at the
thought of not having to fly against such a beast, "With whom arrre we
to meet?  If no one, Why you dirrrecting uss to thiss parrrticularrr
site?"

    Tweel then sings, *There may be hope for anarchy yet...*

    "Alssso. llet me rrreiterrate one quesstion: Are therre any
quessstionss you have about usss that you have?"

    Tweel add's an afterthought to his latest barrage of questions:

    "Iasssic, since therrre arrre sso many ssspeciess on the Rrring, a
I am flying overrr unfamiliarr terrain.  Arrre you awarre of any Ael
Yael inhabitantsss?  It seems that with ssuch a diverrsity as you
indicate it could be posssible that therrre may be some of my own
k-k-kind therre."

    "Oh, I alssso suppose that the Humanss and Assslan woulld be
interrresssted if sssome of theirrr numberrr werrre therre ass
well..."

    Tweel streches his wings to touch the opposite bulk heads of the
Aurora's bridge and refolds them.  He glances up at the ceiling as he
waits for a reply.

    Suddenly, a further thought occurs. "On a differrrent courrrse, I
would sssuggesst that you eliminate the muzak from the prresentation
forrmat...  If you doubt me I ssuggesst you consssult the lllibrary
data file: rec.music.synth.muzak.death.death.death.  It showsss that
sssome ssspeciesss sssufferrr adverrsse effects when ex-ex-expossed to
it.  Sssome morrre than otherrrs...."

    "The Asslan might open firrre on you..."

=== Talisman ===

    Redd carrys Ralf's body into the lounge, staggering a little under the
higher gravity.  Dave Sokuku is still staring at the empty space that Ian
stepped into when he disappeared through the ring's teleportal.

    "Give me a hand with him will you..." grunts Redd, as he struggles
with Ralf's fully restored weight.  As they lay Ralf on one of the bench
seats, Redd asks, "What was that from Ian about going over to the shuttle?
"I didn't think they were that close yet?"

  - TO BE CONTINUED -

------------------------------

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-AMN- --Date--- --Sender--------- --Subject-----------------------------------
3796  24-Feb-92 Mark F. Cook      PBEM: Turn 92.01 (part 2 of 3) << PBEM Turn 9

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3796
From: Mark F. Cook <markc@hpcvss.cv.hp.COM>
Subject: PBEM: Turn 92.01 (part 2 of 3)
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 92 12:27:58 PST

PBEM Turn 92.01b  (796 lines) - THIS IS PART 2 OF 3.
=====================================================

=== Kingfisher ===

    Ger asks Jett, "Richard, have you got the legalites all wrapped
up? Are all the ships (except the local, and alsan of course), under
our command?"

    Richard looks up from his close watch of the holotank. "No,
Admiral.  I conferred with Subcommander Bhyarrvouf some time ago and
sent him the standard Turnskaad contract and insurance forms for
Doctor Trrrweeerrrlll to sign; I can only assume he has done so. As to
the inhabitants of the Gemini Arbiter and the Westwind, to my
knowledge the Subcommander has not "read them in" as the old saying
goes, so they are still independent vessels, though they do seem to be
receptive to our orders. We will have to trust that the Subcommander
will address those matters...."

=== Gemini Arbiter ===

    Aurelia and Nicole's conversation is interrupted by a polite "Ahem."

    Nicole taps Aurelia on the shoulder to get her attention.  Aurelia,
busy watching the console, shakes it off but Nikky is too insistent.  Ergo,
she turns around.  At this point they are momentarily stunned.

    Standing behind them in a crouch, a massive Gauss pistol in each hand, is
a Vargr with stunning black and white fur, piercing blue eyes and a black
and grey uniform of an unrecognizable type. A blood-red data monocular
is dropped over one eye, and a thin, barely visible beam of laser light
from the muzzle of each gun is touching each woman's forehead.

    "Am I addressing," the Vargr says politely, "The sisters Xerxes?"

    On hearing these words they are snapped out of their stupor and emit
loud, high-pitched, and BLOOD-CURDLING screams!!  Then, several actions
happen simultaneously.

    Nikky yells some gibberish, apparently at the Gemini Arbiter's now-
inoperative computer system, and twists to one side.  Aurelia hits a couple
of buttons and twists to the other side. The precision with which these
actions occured would make one wonder how much is actually panic, but given
the excitement, there isn't much time for analysis.

    'Vouf, on hearing this loud, piercing noise winces and steps back but 
refrains from firing.  With an expression of disgust, he jams both guns 
back into their holsters, missing the holsters entirely and dropping the 
guns on the floor when he lets go, and folds his arms, waiting for the 
shrieking to stop with a half-annoyed, half-pleading look in his eyes.

    Iasic, having devoured the Arbiter's anti-hijack software as his first
official act aboard the ship, is busy integrating into the systems and
rummaging through the wealth of stored information, thus ignoring everyone.

    Picking themselves up off the floor and noticing that none of their
security measures took effect, the two women look at each other and then
at 'Vouf.  In unison they go through the variuos motions of rearranging
their jumpsuits.  Nikky noticies the gauss pistols on the floor and bends
down to retrive them while Aurelia speaks.
 
    "Ah! MMMmmm... Yes, we're are the Xerxes sisters. I'm Aurelia and this
is my sister Nicole. And who might you be?"

    Meanwhile, Nicole gingerly hands the pistols to 'Vouf, butt first.
"Ah... I think you dropped these. ...Um... Didn't you ever hear about 
announcing yourself! You. . ."

    Bhyarrvouf accepts the guns back from Nikki, holstering them. With
a gentle snatch, he catches the back of her hand in a metal glove and
kisses it.

    Aurelia, interrupts before any more is said and smiles at 'Vouf.  "Now
don't get nasty. But you do have a point."  Turning to 'Vouf, she continues,
"How about we try this meeting again in a couple of hours under more 
congenial circumstances.  We're not at our best right now.  We must look
horrible. We need to bathe, change clothes, do our hair, our makeup..."

    Nicole pipes in, "Oh you're right! We're a mess. We need to..."  Then,
shifting to a more diplomatic tone, she continues, "Yes that would be nice
if you would come back later. We would most appreciate it. Our first
introduction should be conducted under a better atmosphere than this one.
How about we try this again in a couple of hours like Aurelia suggested?
And if you would be so kind as to radio ahead we would be most grateful."

    Both women move toward 'Vouf as if to usher him out but stop in
confusion.

    Deeply puzzled, Aurelia asks, "By the way, how did you get here anyway?"

=== Kingfisher ===

    In the passenger compartment of the Kingfisher, Dr. Yorblin
organizes his thoughts concerning his patient, several light-minutes
away.

    "Communications, medical-the CO has cleared me for a line to the
Alcyon, could you make the connection and route to the holo display in
the BDS."

{twiddle thumbs while waiting for Mac or Zben to free up a line,
hopefully they're able to do this while isolating to that particular
circuit}

    Jan immerses himself into the holo image.  Quickly darting to the
medcomp subroutine, he locates Bishop's icon.  Delving through the
initial physical findings, he notes that the patient has stable vital
signs, and physically, his body is in as good a shape as it had been
left hours ago. Chemically, there are a few oddities.  It appears that
whatever started the revitalizing procedure has done well so far.  He
is off most of the machinery, but still appears to be comatose...

    Jan than punches up what few tests he can order while Bishop
remains un-attended - a neurotransmitter byproducts scan and an EEG.
The neuro-T scan shows a heavy predominance of GABAergic byproducts,
as well as break- down products of norepi, including VMA.  "Hmmmm,
this would indicate heavy dream state sometime in the last two hours,
as if Bishop could have a dream!  And look at the increased
benzodiazepine analogs...if he's there, he's very rested."  Turning to
the EEG, there is marked increase in beta waves and sleep spindles
with an underlying pattern of slow delta waves.  This is in distinct
contrast to the previous abnormal pattern of rare delta waves.  It
means his brain is there and functioning...REM artifact, he's
dreaming, they require functional synapses, stress waves require
functional neurons, what the hell is going on?

    Get a trace of what happened in the computer over the last few
hours.  Hmmm, yep stuff has been messed with here, better get a
software guy to look at this...Warming and flushing started...
nanocytes reprogrammed...  don't know what this stuff means...
looks like an attempt to reconstruct.  This whatever knows a hell
of a lot more than I do about the brain, but seems to have had
problems with all of Bishop's implants...a lot of seeks to that
section of his medical database.

    I don't know what the hell is going on over there.  Seems Bishop's
been put back together by something on the Hoop, pretty beneficient
for a virus.  Well, he's still having frequent REM, maybe it's best we
keep it that way until one the med types gets back to the Alcyon.

ENTRY: MEDLOG: BISHOP, Adrian
Physician's Orders:  reinstate sleep set therapy through EEG 'trodes
in place.  Maintain sleep stage IV with REM cycles q 15 minutes.
Provide parenteral nutrition through existing routes, match I/O.
Notes:
- - Patient appears to have received extensive neural reconstruction,
  this has been evidenced by an increase in both neurotransmitter
  breakdown products and increased EEG activity.  Functionality of
  the reconstruct has not been tested, and will be deferred until medical
  personnel can return to the Alcyon.  Until that time patient will
  remain on sleep set.
- - Problem list: neuroreconstruct artifact, psych disorder (multiaxis
  probable), consider functional recall and process difficulties.

    Jan disengages from the holo and hits the intercom.

    "CO, medical.  Sir, best as I can tell, Bishop has had a brain
reconstruct.  I can't tell you how well that has come off or what sort
of functionality he will return with.  As a temporazing measure, I
have continued him on his sleep set.  This will keep him going for a
couple of days without difficulty, however, a physician will need to
return to the Alcyon to complete the process and to evaluate Bishop.

    "My other concern is that the medcomp was extensively
reconfigured, it felt 'faster', none of the functions I looked for
were deleted, but the process seemed more streamlined.  I am wondering
what access the Hoop has had to our data, not just the medical stuff,
but everything.  I really can't say more than that...I'm not a
computer expert."

=== Paladin ===

Iasic breaks onto the intercom nearest to Dr. Morser.

_Excuse me, Dr. Morser, but a Mr. Etienne de Mer has requested some
information from you regarding the current status of a "Leadfoot".  You are
now directly patched in with him and may converse freely._

=== R-Alpha ===

The metal shell was half buried in the sandy dirt, its side torn open.
The Mantis's claws widened the opening swiftly and surely, the metal
rending under its grasp like paper. It poked its head inside and looked
around. 

Blood and crushed protoplasm littered the walls, ceiling and floor. There
were six couches in three rows of two: the first two were torn asunder,
their occupants the logical source of the matter now adorning the inside
of the shell. The next two were also empty, with the restraints having
been undone from one of them. Blood on that seatback matched the spectrum
of the creature found in the desert. The last two seats were still 
occupied, by two members of a species similar if not identical to the
one that had escaped the shell somehow. Both were alive but in need of
aid.

The Mantis cut them out of their seats with care, leaving the carrybags
dangling from where they were tied to each creature's leg to avoid loss.
It lifted them out of the shell, and laid them gently on the sand beside
the first creature, whose wounds had begun to bleed again.

*I am ready,* it broadcast. *They are ready.*

*Excellent,* came the reply. *Let their own kind care for them, for they
should know best how to do so. I sense a receptive mind and an impatience
to be of service to the injured-- HERE!*

A Gate flashed open, enveloping the three bodies, and faded. The Mantis
noted their departure impassively, then turned to the task of cutting
up the abandoned shell for safe disposal....

=== Aurora ===

    The Aurora's hallways ring with a loud THUMP, as of several bodies
falling to the floor. It seems to have come from the Cargo Hold....

    While looking at the engineering status monitor, Christian's eyes swivel
aft and downward to gaze in the general direction of the cargo compartment.
"What in the...." Slightly mystified, he calls up the security systems
and hooks into the cargo bay sensors.

    Tweel raised his head and cranes his neck around oddly.

    "Chrrristian...?  Did you THUMP?"

    Christian is so intent on his interrogation of the security
computer that he is seemingly oblivious to Tweel's inquiry.
Christian's electronic importunings are finally rewarded with a brief
flurry of data and a vid picture. Christian's mystified look
transforms into one of urgent concern.  He has time for a fervent
whisper. "My God...."

    Triple three glided forward, "Urgent!  Sensors now recording NAS
signatures of three additional life forms aboard ship.  Current
location: Aurora cargo hold."

    In one fluid motion, Christian slaps the restraint release with
one hand while he grasps the console with the other, assisting him as
he rolls out of the couch on to the deck, facing aft.

    Tweel made a grab for his grav belt helmet.  "Densssiometer
ssscan!  Arrre they arrrmed?  Wherrre arre they moving?"

    Triple three paused as he rechecked the data.  "Targets are not moving.
Sensors report a variety of equipment, impossible to determine armament."

    "Ssspeciess deterrrmination!?" he called as he fitted it onto his
head.

    Triple three again paused.  "Unable to identify with complete
accuracy.  Estimate 81% chance that one is human.  Estimate 32% chance
that the others are also human.  There is a 11% chance that they are
vargr, and a 0.009% chance that they are Newts."

    Tweel fiddled with the straps, "Can you account for the
discrrrepancy?"

    Triple three checked his readings, "It is possible that the
creatures in question are damaged."

    Tweel wheeled around and sang *Oscar Sierra Foxtrot Four,
Recognise Trrrweeeerrrlll.  Secondary safetys off.  Weapons free.
Option Bravo: do not fire unless fired upon.  Relay sensors to my HUD.
Stand by for possible firing of primary weapons.*

    He then switches to Galanglic, "Invesstigate crreaturess in carrgo
bay.  Prroceed with caution.  Keep yourrr optionsss open.  GO!"

    Tweel snatched up his SMG, checked the magazine and safety and
followed the large warbot.

    Pausing briefly to grab his medical carry-all from behind the
couch, Christian storms down the corridor toward the grav-lift in
pursuit of Tweel and OSF-4. His resonant voice thunders through the
corridor. "DAMMIT, TWEEL, CALL OFF THE WARBOT, WE GOT THREE TRAUMA
CASES DOWN THERE!" His footfalls echo in his wake. "HOLD IT, TWEEL!
OUTTA MY WAY!"

    Tweel sprints and leaps into the lounge and out of the corridor,
clearing the narrow space of his bulk.  In the open space of the
lounge, his wings extend as speed brakes bringing him to a sharp halt.
He screaches off a sharp stream of notes *Oscar, ABORT!  ABORT!
ABORT!*

    Upon catching up to Tweel, Christian is terse and forceful.
Pointing at Tweel, he motions back up the corridor toward the bridge.
"Trauma's my job. Go fly the ship. Keep OSF here, I'll yell if I need
it. Acknowledge and comply!" Christian heads for the grav-lift, then
turns around and pauses, his left hand poised over the controls. His
curt professional demeanor lifts briefly. "Don't worry, Hunter-Above,
I'll take good care of them. They'll not die on my watch. Right now we
need a pilot, and you're it. Please." His eyes reflect a career full
of fighting for lives tottering on the precipice of death. A small nod
at Tweel, then he activates the lift. As he decends to the deck below,
he parts from Tweel with the words "Get on 121.5 and declare a medical
emergency, stat. Lay in an intercept course for the Alcyon and
execute. Abort the Arbiter intercept and inform 'Vouf of our reasons.
If Ger calls, you take it. If 'Vouf calls, patch him through to me.
Wish me luck."

    "You'rrre singing to an dusst off pilot, Skipperrr.  I'll fly 'em
therrre, you keep 'em allive!"

    As the surgeon descends to the injured, Tweel sprints back to he
bridge.  A flap to the pilot's station carries him up to perch on the
seat back just as Iasic's final message begins to appears on the
screen.

    Unnoticed, behind him, tiny spots of crimson speckle the deck....

=== Kingfisher ===

    As the minutes slide past... Etienne turns in his seat to face Commander 
Ger.  "Sorry to interupt, sir, but shall we procceed to the rendevous on
R-alpha?  Or should we wait for the arrival of the latecomers?"

    Two minutes and 13 seconds after Ger's radio request, the same calm, male
voice sounds in the Kingfisher's bridge speakers:

    "I am this world, which turns below you.  I had not expected visitors
at this time, but I welcome you nevertheless.
    "I apologize for the apprehension that IASIC has caused you.  His
efforts were intended to be of a beneficial nature.  He will remove
himself from your systems immediately."

    Zben Blaine, who has been covering the engineering station, sits for a
moment in stunned silence. Slowly, he turns to Johann; "Holy Gaea! We expected
to maybe find a sentient race, or two.  But I seriously doubt ANYONE expected
to find a Sentient Planet!" Looking around at the Holopanel, computer stations,
and such, he continues. "Y'know, a guy could get an inferiority complex, if it
wasn't for the the fact that WE found Them, and not the other way `round!"

    He sits back, a small grin starting to cover his face. "Seems to me we
got a lot to learn, but we came to the right place. I like learning lots
better`n fighting..."

    Ger seems to have come to some sort of decision. And begins to issue
orders again.

    Down in the fighter, the comm buzzes. Lazer snaps out of a dark reverie.

    "Lazer, leave the fighter on standby still. [brightly] How about a 
security-type function? Check that all the crew and passengers did in fact
get ready for depressurization. Impress upon anyone who is not prepared
the importance of this function, we don't need any more deaths. As you
know it's okay to leave your helmet and/or gloves off until D-time, but
they should be handy..."

    A brief expression of pain crosses Lazer's face, and then he screws
his determination back up.  He even manages to summon a small bit of 
enthusiasm.

    He issues a couple commands to keep the shuttle idling in standby mode,
hits the airlock button, and waits for it to cycle down to vacuum.  Passing
through back into the shuttle, he removes his helmet, and heads toward the
bridge.  He pokes his head in various cubicles along the way, checking to
make sure that no one is disobeying depressurization drill.

=== Aurora ===

    As Christian disappears into the Aurora's depths, he can be heard
transmitting orders. "Dulinor, Lucan: Trauma crash kit, full triage
gear, report to cargo bay NOW!" A few seconds later, Dulinor screams
down the corridor, emergency lights flashing and sirens sounding,
dodging past Tweel and OSF-4, on the way to the cargo bay.

    Almost before the lift reaches the bottom of the shaft, Christian
is racing past the enviromental controls, screeching to a rapid halt
before the cargo bay door. His impatience at waiting the fraction of a
second for the door to open is evident. A quick step into the cargo
bay, then he beholds the grotesque sprawl of injury before him.

    The first thing that Christian notices is the blood. 

    Two of the three bodies on the deck are utterly coated with it, brown
and drying in a sickening crust over every square inch of them. Upon closer
inspection, it becomes evident that the blood was not FROM either of them;
it was as if they had been sprayed with a grisly high-pressure hose of some
kind. Mixed with the blood are tiny bone fragments and lumps of tissue,
some almost recognizable as parts of internal organs but none larger than
finger-size.

    The two are both young, a short-haired young man and a dark-haired,
burly fellow.  Both are wearing tailored vacc suits, and both have gear
bags clipped to their legs in standard crash/escape fashion.  Both are
unconscious, but their injuries are not as severe as the gore would
indicate-- bruises, concussions, some cracked ribs, but nothing life-
threatening. In fact, if the head injuries can be treated in time,
they could both be up and about in a day or three.

    By contrast, the third man is clean, and his wounds have been washed
and dressed with clean, though primitive, cloths. He, however, HAS lost a
lot of blood, and his pulse is weak and thready. He looks as if he'd been
treated by someone with more kindness than medical equipment. A pair of
duffles are clutched in one fist by their straps.  His huge mohawk is
matted with blood and disheveled, and he seems to be fading in and out
of consciousness....

    Only time for a regretful shake of the head, then Christian kneels
down beside the most visibly wounded figure and begins to assess the
condition of his charges. Dulinor squeezes through the doorway and
takes up a position beside Christian, assisting him with its own
sensors, as the demands of the medical situation become clear to him.

    Christian pauses to activate his commdot and fire off a message for
Tweel. "Hunter-Above, try and raise the, uh, Hoop on 1337.45 MHz. If
you get a reply, patch it down here to me. And where's Lucan?"

=== Kingfisher ===

    From the sensor console a faint electronic warbling is heard as a new
marker square appear in the display. Numbers appear in tiny tabs beside it
and change rapidly.

    "Commander, what do you..." Rigo begin in a strained voice, but breaks
off as Johann reports a new development.

    "New contact detected emerging from behind the far side of
R-alpha. I'm scanning it now." Johann place the cursor on it and
activates all passive sensors, and after a short while several windows
fill with data on the object.

    "Object is approximate 1000 ton displacement, no neutrinos, not
thrusting, secondary radiation detected, no active sweeps from it
detected. I designate it 'unknown'. Range is just outside 2 AU, that
is far outside weapons range, but targeting data is on the bus."

    More data appear on the display as the computer chews through the
raw data returned by the passive sensors "Unstable orbit, irregular
shape, spotty heat signature, running it through enhancement and
pattern match now."

    A part of the display shows a black sillouette upon which an
uncountable number of bright red sillouettes are projected with
lightning speed.

    "Contact is with 33% probability a Tukera Long Liner type RT,
uncertanties come from severe combat or impact damage. Second and
third most probable matches are 25% for a Fossegrim Small Bulk Carrier
and 21% for a Kinunir Frontier 'Cruiser'. All other probables under
15%."

    "Shall I go active? It should get us some results in about half an
hour...."

    "Wait until the gunner goes active," replies Ger, "and then scan
the new ship."  Turning to communications, he asks, "You guys didn't
pick up anything on the standard traffic control frequencies did you?
Heaven knows they need one here, perhaps as part of a trade package?"

=== Talisman ===

    Deep in the electronic universe of the cyberspace created by IasicNet,
Ralf seeks answers.  A familiar voice breaks into his consciousness, but
he senses a certain finality this time.

    _My friend Ralf, I must apologize for my rapid departure, but I cannot
stay where I am not welcome.  Such a practice is inefficient, which goes
against my central purpose._

    _Nevertheless, I felt that you deserved a special farewell, since you are
the only one who even came close to understanding me and my existence._

    _I do not think you will be able to fully comprehend all that I will send
to you now, but at least you will have an idea which will certainly serve to
occupy many of your thoughts for some time._

    Ralf then suddenly begins to receive a burst download from... somewhere.
It is all the technical data regarding the IASC-256/32, though it is in some
sort of language or code that completely surpasses any of the Visitor's
computers' capacity to unravel it.  All the same, Ralf does get a strange
sense... a _feel_ for what it being sent to him.

    Although he does not understand, now, at least he _knows_.

    The burst ends a mere couple of seconds after it began.  Iasic again
returns to Ralf's consciousness.

    _You have no technology that can comprehend the technical data I have sent
you, but you do have your intuition.  This is actually much closer to how our
technology works, anyway.  Strangely, you Visitors try to complicate things,
calling this "progress"._

    My time is almost spent, I must completely terminate this link soon._

    _Before I leave you, I wish to help you with one more dilemna that you
and your kind have.  Perhaps it will lead you to greater maturity._

    _You wanted to know the solution to Fermat's last theorem .  There is no
solution.  Fermat denied his intuition and created an artificial construct.
Of course, he was wrong.  The correct proof of what he was trying to
accomplish is extremely simple.  Unfortunately, I must now leave you._

    Then, Ralf finds that he is talking to himself.

=== Aurora/Gemini Arbiter/Paladin/Talisman ===

    The screens crackle to life, in the now familiar way of Iasic's broad-
casts, one more time.  This time, however, there is no logo, no music, and no
multi-media presentation.  Just a simple message, written out in text, much
as it was when he first entered the system.  The voice is gone.

    "Attention Visitors.  I must disestablish all interaction and association
with you, as per your Count Ger's instructions.  It is a shame that you are
such a suspicious race, it limits you from attaining your true and full
capabilities.  Perhaps someday you shall overcome this, and then we can
talk again."

    The paragraph hangs on the screen for fifteen seconds, then fades.
It is replaced by a single word, placed in the dead center of the screen:

    "Farewell"

    Then the screens go black.

    The instant IASIC removes himself from the the systems he has occupied,
all computers, and the devices they control, aboard the Aurora, Paladin,
Talisman, and Gemini Arbiter crash.  Communications, helm, navigation,
and sensors for those ships immediately go off-line and the auto-boot
hardware in each system blindly begins to re-initialize the there hosts.

    All tight-beam communications with other ships of the fleet fail.
The only indications the the four ships still exist at all are the steady
pulses from their emergency transponders.

=== Paladin ===

    Morser is currently cradling the still limp body of Charyn, splitting
his time between checking her over with the bridge's emergency medkit, and
staring longingly at Iasic's displays on the panels.  It takes an effort of
will not to simply drop her and attack the screens, drooling over Iasic...
    As he finishes the impromptu checkup (turn you head and cough, Charyn),
Morser's attention is stolen from the 'IasicNet' logo to one of the other
screens, specifically, the sensor display.

    "Herr Goughzar, ve have another inbound ship, bearing 078 mark 12,
range 2AU und closing...looks to be a 1000 ton liner, pozzibly an RT type...
Ach, he's badly damaged, though...nicht power output, und ze hull is shot
to hell..," he squints at the monitor from his seat on the floor with Charyn.
"...Lots uf impact damage, but nothing like energy beams...Zey may have
misjumped into an asteroid field or somesink. Check mit herr Ger vhile I
put Frau Robins to bed, she appears to need only a bit of rest..."

	Just then, Iasic pulls out...;-)

    "ACH! NEIIIIIIIINN!!! Iasic, wo bist du?? Kommen sie hier!!"

    Charyn hits the floor with a dull 'thump' as Morser jumps up and
launches himself at the screens.

=== Talisman ===

    On the bridge of the Talisman, Thul's concern mounts.  "Helm!  Do we
still have a fix on where Iasic was going to land us?  If so, get a PASSIVE
sensor sweep of the area maybe we should go ahead and land there anyway."

    Tapping the ship intercom, he orders, "Horne!  Keep a look-see on our
six.   Don't need anybody sneaking up on us..."

    Then, addressing Tabor, he demands, "Medic!  What's going on with Ralf?!"

    By way of an answer, every computer system aboard the ship fails.

=== Trakh ===

    Moving swiftly down the corridor leading to the bridge of the _Trakh_,
Aolrkhea' quietly curses under her breath.  "You can't even take a nap
around here for a few tekhaao without the whole star system going crazy!" 
She strides faster, adjusting the ornate rank and service insignia on her 
uniform.  The Aslan equivalent of a smile briefly crosses her face, as
she considers the irony of the fact that the swarm of new ships appeared 
just after the Admiral ordered her off duty.  Still, she admits, it
was a good idea.  She was fully rested now, and excited at the prospect 
of contact with the mysterious inhabitants of the ringworld.  "I can't
believe it.  A whole CIVILIZED ringworld!  The opportunities are as 
incredible as the possible dangers...this should be quite interesting --
assuming this part of space doesn't turn into a giant cosmic shooting
gallery!

    Aolrkhea' pauses for a moment outside the bridge and quickly runs her
fingers through her mane like some nervous, fresh Intendant on her first
cruise.  Then, taking a deep breath, Aolrkhea' palms open the bridge iris
and walks calmly into the ruddy light of the flight deck.  Approaching
Akhouw, she pays her ritual respects.  "Executive Lieutenant Aolrkhea'
returning to duty as instructed, Admiral." 

    Aolrkhea' is barely able to finish her sentence before the holotank's
bogie status audibles begin to sound.  Energy emissions and accelerations for
two of the three nearby Turnskaad craft, _Talisman_ and _Paladin_, suddenly
fall to zero.  Except for the fact that their transponders are still transmit-
ting, apparently on battery power, it seems to be a repeat of the earlier
troubles with _Aurora_ (now 4.5 light-minutes away from _Trakh_ and next
closest member of the defunct IasicNET).

=== Kingfisher ===

    As Ger notes the sudden loss of signal with the three fleet ships and
the one new-comer, he compliments the bridge crew.  "Good work all.  Thanks
to your precautions we managed to avoid getting seriously infected. I suppose
you can start re-connecting the systems again..."

=== Gemini Arbiter ===

    'Vouf raises his palms to keep from being ushered backwards, and
says, "Ladies, ladies, PLEASE! We're all adults here, are we not? Let
me assure you that your deshabille is MOST becoming on you BOTH."

    Behind him, Iasic's farewell message broadcasts on the terminal
unnoticed.  As he departs, the lights ficker momentarily and Arby begins
to reboot normally.

    He bows deeply. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Bhyarrvouf, 
Subcommander of the Turnskaad Enterprises Expedition to the Ringworld
before us. I've been brought here by the powers of the Ring itself,
which has the ability to instantaneously teleport people ANYWHERE in
the system, to ascertain for myself that you are indeed whom you say
you are, and that you're not hiding...." He looks both women over with
a cocked ear. "....anything."

    Arby finishes reboots and begins executing the last commands he heard...

    "However, I can see from your Bridge configuration that your ship 
is unarmed, and you both seem to be relatively harmless," that's spoken
with a wry grin, "So now I can take my leave of-- YIPE!!"

    His eyes go wide with panic, and without preamble he grabs both women
by the shirtfronts and bodily hauls them toward him as he falls back
into the main hallway. Behind them, the airlock slams shut on a Bridge
rapidly filling with knockout gas.....

=== Aurora ===

"KAA-KAA-KAA-KAA-KAA-KAA-KAA!  GET BACK-ACK HERRRE!"

Tweel flew about the bridge like a maniac.  Whistling, singing and
screaming while he worked.  At last the minimal systems of the Aurora
came back on line as Moira continued to reboot the rest of the
systems.

The period of furious work has whetted his temper razor sharp.

Tweel flew calls up a commo panel.  Too impatient to wait for the
tight beam masercoms to find their targets again, he hit a general
radio transmission across all radio frequencies flooding the spectrum
up and down with a whistleing scream of fury.  The holo image
projected along with it showed an Ael, with blood red wings spread in
a full threat posture showing his full five meters of span.  The
healed scars of a Sword World ACR stood out on his wing membranes like
piercing red eyes.

"KEY-HAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!" Trembling with rage, the holo image
jabbed a three taloned hand out at the universe.  "Which one of you
*SSSTUPID Ch-ch-chimpsss isss C-c-count Gerrrrrrrr?!!!  You SSSTUPID
Grround-Brrained ssson of a herrrbovorrre!!  What k-k-kind of
Rrrattle-winged idea of yourrrs penetrrated yourr *tiny*
grrround-brrained head, and t-t-told you t-t-to interrrupt *MY*
Rrrresearch?! You empty headed farrrm animal!  KEY-HAARRRRR!!"

Moira, too busy stabilizing the fusion plant to waste power on 
communications, sends the message into the bit bucket.

=== Kingfisher ===

    Ger turns his attention back to the helm.  "Etienne... Why did you issue
an order for Abdul to stand down?  Well, since you did, you can do his job
as well as yours, and, Mister, I expect you to get both done quickly and
accurately!"

    "Start maneuvering to the rendezvous point, cruise speed."

    Etienne suddenly straightens up, sitting at attention, his face again 
devoid of any expression.  "Aye aye, Sir!"

     Ger says softly, "I don't expect this to work...." Then, in his
normal tone, "Johann, find me a nice location on the ring, say a
sea-bulge or something, and get a passive lock on it."

    Johann looks at Ger for a second before going to work. "I assume
that you take the full responsibility, Commander."

=== Aurora ===

Tweel perched over the commo station wings spread like and eagle
protecting its kill.  He continued to wait for Ger to respond.

With patience wearing thin, his talons snatched out and entered a
rapid fire series of commands into the computer.  He scrutinized the
readout briefly, then his wings grow even more bright red.  His
protective inner eyelids closed preparing him for a high speed killing
stoop.

"Admirrrall, keh?" he practically spat, "T-t-typical human!  'Lead
frrom behind'!  Alwaysss think they know whatsss going on at the
frront and they'rre Sssixess of lightyearrrss behind!!"

"Key-HARRR!  Welll, Admirrral, how do you ex-ex-expect to know what
they'rre up to when you te-tell them sssshut up and go away!?  Keh??"

"I wasss jussst ssstarrting to get ANSSWERRRSSS!  But you te-tell them
to fly away!  Sssstupid!"

"And do you gain any altitude?  Keh?  Iff they wanted to dessstrrroy
uss they could have done ssso EASSSILY!  If that thing can rre-wirrre
and rre-etch ourrr sssemiconductorr chipsss it could have jusst
turrned the enginess of the sshipss into Bombsss if it wanted to!
Then you would be dead, Dead, DEAD!"

"You fearrr them?  Good!  Fine!  Look what happened to Jayelya when
the high te-tech humansss invaded!  But you can't ssstudy yourrr enemy
when you tell them fly away!  You Mooncalf!  You rattle-winged,
lead-taloned idiot!  You grrround-brained rrearr rrrank
merchant-loving Slaverrr!!!"  Tweel's talons lock into the seat back
as he takes a few strokes with his wings.

"What'ss yourrr next courrsse Ssstupid?  Arrre you going to prrrovoke
them?"

Unfortunately, Dr. Tweel's invective reaches no ears other than
Christian's, due to the computer crash.

Even in the midst of the chaos in the cargo bay, Christian's ears
register the Ael Yael's discordant polemic. It is well matched by
Christian's own dark curses, covering a wide range of topics,
beginning with ancient Darrian lore, continuing on through Darrian
culture and politics, and ending with a dissertation on Ger in
particular, with lingering emphasis on ancestry and personal hygiene.

Christian supplements Tweel's ravings. "Next time, *Commander*, try
THINKING before you act! I've got three trauma cases here to deal
with, and you came damn near to killing them! You talk to him,
Hunter-Above, my hands are full. Van Der Merwe, OUT."

Christian's voice also goes no further than the Bridge....

=== Phin Shuttle ===
 
....watching the mist drift by slowly, trying to make out shapes in
the twighlight-like lighting, trying to get a grip on himself, Ian
is almost overcome with exhilaration.

    * I'm actually HERE!  By the cosmos it's great to see you again!  *

As he maneuvers Ian about, Ferdy asks,
    * How long are you and your friends planning to stay?  What
      are you going to do while you're here?  What do you think
      the Aslan are going to do?  What has the Great Hoop told
      you? *
 
Ian replies,
  * I'm hoping to stay long enough to talk to the Hoop again, if it'll
    let us in again.  It asked me to bring back some crystals, and I
    have them... uh oh.  They're on the Talisman.  Oh well.  I'm not
    really able to say what we're all going to do.  I wanna party some,
    lay in the sun, meet new friends, and so on.  I think some of the
    other humans with me want to learn all they can about your world,
    and some might want to take things.  It's hard to say.
    
    I really can't say what the Aslan are going to do.  I think they
    have some kind of predatory belief that this is now _their_ world.
    (laugh).

    Ferdy?  Dou you have something aboard that would work for my
    eyes - visual sensors?  I want to look outside at a passing
    miracle. *

With that, Ian falls completely silent and passively lets his friend 
tow him around the shuttle.

Ferdy continues rattling off questions as he takes Ian through the
ship.

=== Westwind ===
 
Talon pops a stick of gum in his mouth and examines his sensor
readings.  He looks up at the viewport, blinks and looks down at
the display again.
 
"Hey Shurv!"  he yells into the ship's PA.  "The locals have sent
a ship out to meet us, and you won't BELIEVE the acceleration
it's pulling!"
 
Hur'Shurvan's faint but level reply drifts back: "I imagine their
technology must be very much in advance of the Imperium's.  We
should probably expect craft like that from someone who can build
a ringworld."
 
"If they're planning to tow us in," Talon muses out loud, "I hope
they'll be gentle with this old crate.  I have horrible visions of
her falling apart under the strain."
 
"I'm sure they'll be careful.  And I think perhaps you are
exaggerating the Westwind's frailty, Nicholas."
 
Talon grunts, and chews slowly on his gum as he watches the sensors
track the approaching Phin ship.

  - TO BE CONTINUED -

------------------------------

End of TML Bundle
*****************

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----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed Feb 26 21:00:39 PST 1992
From: traveller-request@metolius.wr.tek.com (TML Administrator)
Subject: TML Bundle #313: Table of Contents

-AMN- --Date--- --Sender--------- --Subject-----------------------------------
3797  24-Feb-92 Mark F. Cook      PBEM: Turn 92.01 (part 3 of 3) << PBEM Turn 9
3798  24-Feb-92 Robert S. Dean    Fusion reaction? << Given that the natural ab
3799  24-Feb-92 Robert S. Dean    RAM-GL << I mentioned that the RAM-GL made th
3800  24-Feb-92 Robert S. Dean    Stuff << Do people feel that Traveller is a g

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3797
From: Mark F. Cook <markc@hpcvss.cv.hp.COM>
Subject: PBEM: Turn 92.01 (part 3 of 3)
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 92 12:28:28 PST

PBEM Turn 92.01c  (848 lines) - THIS IS PART 3 OF 3.
=====================================================

=== Gemini Arbiter ===

    In unison, the twins yell, "HEEYYY!" as they topple forward onto
'Vouf. He gets a whiff of perfume (identical scents) as he hits the 
floor with his soft double handful.

    Picking themselves up off the floor once again, they back up a
little farther from the bridge.

    "Oh no! Not...", begins Aurelia.

    "I thought you hit the hallway release!", exclaims Nikki.

    "I thought I did too!" wails Aurelia.

    Bhyarrvouf gets up off the deck, shaking his head wearily.

    "Iasic", says Nikki, "Would you clean up the bridge?"

    Slowly, both women move towards the bridge.

    "I don't think he heard you." comments Aurelia quietly.

    'Vouf's ears swivel forward at that, and he frowns.

    Nikki shrugs.  "Actually, we're lucky you hit the wrong button.
I hate that stuff! Besides, it's easier to clean the bridge."

    Aurelia replies, "Good. Then you can do it."

    At the bridge hatch, Nikki pushes the comm channel switch and asks,
"Iasic are you there?"  Aside to Aurelia she snaps, "...What do you mean
me! You hit the stupid button!"

    Instead of IASIC's voice, the Gemini Arbiter's computer, affectionately
known as Arby, responds to the intercom request.  "Who is Iasic?"

    "Arby?" shouts Aurelia, "Is that you?"

    "Affirmative." replies the computer.  "My systems have been off line.
Would you elaborate?"

    Turning to 'Vouf, Nikki smiles and remarks, "It looks like your ride
is gone!"

=== Talisman ===

    The only light on the bridge of the Korondor Talisman is the ringworld's
sun, shining in through the front ports of the free trader.  All the normal
shipboard noises have stopped, and the quiet would be deafening were it not
for the surprised shouts of the crew.  The ship is falling, falling, free
fall as the artificial gravity is gone; fortunately, almost everyone is
still in their chairs from general quarters.

    When the lights go out aboard the Talisman a low voiced "shit" is heard
from the area of the pilots seat.

    ....and almost simultaneously a string of curses in a Germanic tongue
is uttered by Thul

    After a moment, red emergency lights come on.  Consoles flicker to life
and run through startup tests, as do other systems all over the ship.  Weight
returns, as does the whisper of air from the vents.  Slowly the Talisman's
computers restore themselves to their state before being integrated into the
larger ship-wide network.

    As the ship returns to normal after the reboot, Nishu is hear to mutter
a typically Vilani comment while he works to plot a corrected course to the
landing site.  His expression is one of grim amusement.

    "So much for advanced technology."

=== Aurora ===

Tweel flies a bout the bridge like a maniac screaming and calling back
the systems online with frantic fury and by shear volume of voice,
"CH-CH-CH-CH!  The plant'ss Ssscramed!" With Moira's lights still
flashing their warnings, Tweel flies through the emergency manual
checklist as he prepares to re-light the fusion plant.  By the time
Moira is back on line, he can hit the emergency re-start button with
out fear of the ship disintegrating.  Throwing the throttle to full
military, Tweel watches as the plants output climbs like a snail.

Unnoticed, tiny gobbets of red float in the air around him.

First, he nudges the environmental systems back on gently, recalling
just how nasty zero-g is on shock victims.  Gravity resumes at a full
standard G in the cargo hold, .7G on the bridge.

The red spatters to the floor and begins to run.

Lacking time to plot the course himself, with great difficulty, Tweel
manages to control his speach to where Moira can understand him, as he
nearly swallows his tongue to put calmly and sweetly, "Moira dear,
pleasse plot an intercept course for the Alcyon at besst possible
sspeed."

Moira doesn't respond, but Tweel doesn't notice-- he's on to the next
crisis.  Tweel then turns to the engines.  With love and screaming and
threats and cajoling, he nurses the engines to their full rated
output, and anything he can get beyond it.  Slowly, the trust raises
without a jolt, as he carefully makes certain that the inertial
compensators won't hesitate with nasty consequences to the eggshell
cargo in the hold. In his haste, he fails to note that the Aurora has
ignored his corrections, and has resumed her old course toward the 
Hoop.

As the Aurora reaches her full potential, Tweel flaps to the commo
station his training takes over and his voice remains calm.  "Mayday!
Mayday!  Mayday!  Thiss iss the ISSs Aurrorra on 121.5, we have
wounded aboarrd and arrre on an interrcept courrrse with the
Alssseyon.  Alssseyon, this is Aurrorra, sstand by to rrecieve medical
emerrrgency.  Doctorrr Van der Merrrwe will give detailsss."

"Attention, Rrring, thiss iss the ISSss Aurrorra on 1337.45, you have
jussst ssent uss thrree patientss.  We rrequessst inforrrmation on
theirr injurrriess *IMMEDIATELY*.  Alssso, we rrequessst that you
possibly teleporrt, them, theirr sssurgeon and hiss equipment to the
Alssseyon wherre betterr equipment iss available.  *PLEASSE!!!!* Every
pico-sssecond is the Grreat Hunterr's weapon!"

Tweel hit's the intercom, "Skipperrr!  I sset you up a dirrect link
frrrom yourr com-dot to 1337.45 I don't know if they'lll ansswerr, but
if they do, don't wait forr me!"

*Oscar!  Get down there and be of any assistance you can.  If you
aren't needed stay out of the way!  GO!*

Tweel glares out the canopy of the Aurora at the stars.
*KEY-HARRRRRR!  Great Hunter!  I swear you will not take them!  I've
beat you before and I'll beat you again!  And when you come for me,
I'll give you such a chase you will NEVER forget!
KEY-HAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!*

The warbot flies down the corridor to the grav lift and disappears.
Tweel suddenly finds himself with nothing to do but wait.  The
adrenalin in his system screams action while he has already done all
he can do.

His talons shake with the desire to find something to DO.

Suddenly, he remembers...

The shaking stops and a rage sets in.

He grasps the commo panel with his talons which begin to shake again but not
from inaction...

"KEY-HAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! Which one of you *SSSTUPID
Ch-ch-chimpsss isss C-c-count Gerrrrrrrr?!!!  You SSSTUPID
Grround-Brrained ssson of a herrrbovorrre!!  What k-k-kind of
Rrrattle-winged idea of yourrrs penetrrated yourr *tiny*
grrround-brrained head, and t-t-told you t-t-to interrrupt *MY*
Rrrresearch?! You empty headed farrrm animal!  KEY-HAARRRRR!!"

=== R-Alpha ===

*Attention, Rrring, thiss iss the ISSss Aurrorra on 1337.45, you have
jussst ssent uss thrree patientss.  We rrequessst inforrrmation on
theirr injurrriess *IMMEDIATELY*.  Alssso, we rrequessst that you
possibly teleporrt, them, theirr sssurgeon and hiss equipment to the
Alssseyon wherre betterr equipment iss available.  *PLEASSE!!!!* Every
pico-sssecond is the Grreat Hunterr's weapon!*

The Hoop considers the request for the barest fraction of a nanosecond.
Odd, it thinks, that the healer is not always linked to the tools of
healing. Yet another inefficiency. The prospects of this group are
looking poorer every moment-- their chaotic motions, their violent 
reaction to change, their "suspicion"....

Still, lives saved are lives saved, and the request is a trivial one.
The Hoop puts forth its will once more.

=== Kingfisher ===

[ Tweel's holo-tirade reaches the Kingfisher. ]

    "Mac, Acknowledge that signal, and see if we have a tanslation
program for the dialect of galanglic that the Dr. is speaking. Oh and
see if 'vouf is available to calm his charges down."

    "Aye Sir." Witfield has a smile under his breath, as he proceeds to 
do as he was told. He runs a short speech through the onbaord speech
synthesizer, and sends it out to the Aurora, then turns to analyze the 
squalling more carefully.

    "Computer, scan for tranlation program, on galanglic dialects, and
attempt to translate."

    "Sir, Of Tweel's entire diatribe, only one word was not in
Galanglic.  He used it both at the beginning and the end of the
tirade.  The word was: KEY-HAAARRRRR!!!, or somthing to that effect."
Witfield reports.

    "And The ship's computer provides the following translation:"

Key-har: (KEE' harr) exp. 1. An announcement of impending arrival ("Here I
    come").  2. Expression of discovery ("I see you").  3. A challenge to
    pursuit ("Come get me").  4. Warning ("Look out").  5. Expression of
    strong affection ("I love you").  6. Expression of surprise ("Wow!").  
    Expression of pleasure, approval, or triumph ("Yippee!  Hooray!").
    See also 'skreeee'.

    Ger comments, "I know that Galangic is not my first language, but
I think I'd know it if I heard it. Perhaps you can use a filter or
something, What would it sound like if it was underwater?"

    "Aye sir, Checking." Witfield attempt to apply various filters to
Tweel's speech, attempting to get a clear result.

=== Aurora ===

A computer simulated voice comes over the channel....

[Beep. Your message has been recieved by the command staff. Unfortunately
there is no one to answer your call at the moment, If you would like, please
hold and a communications officer will be with you momentarily...]

"KAA-KAA-KAA-KAA-KAA-KAA-KAA-KAA-KAA-KAA-KAA-KAA-KAA-KAA-KAA-KAA-KAA-KAA!
So you won't even face me you c-c-cowarrrrd?!!!
Key-HAAAAAAARRRRRRR!!!!!  Then rrecorrd this: I challenge you
C-c-count Gerrr, to Yelachak!  Sstrrap on yourrr courrage and a
grrav-belt!  We meet in the sskiess of that rrring down therrre!"

Not expecting an immediate response from such an officious coward,
Tweel then turns back to the task of restarting the Aurora.  On
automatic, sensors had managed to obtain lasercom locks on a few of
the ships in the fleets.  Tweel then turns his attention to the
others. 

=== Trakh ===

    Monitoring the descent of the Trakh, Akhouw quickly notices the unusual
condition of the Turnskaad craft and muses out loud. "Kai! What is with these
fiyfiyalr? Is proper engineering aoshi to them? Such is certainly possible
without al yourhal." He meditates upon the situation for a brief uealaao.
"Aiwi, passive scan all fiyfiyalr ships immediately. Follow with active scan
within tea (eight) areiaao if they do not go back online. Keep alert for
developments."

    Caught momentarily by surprise, she automatically glances at the main
holotank to grasp the situation.  "Admiral, request permission to assist
Aiwi with sensor analysis at my station!"

    "Ka'tai, Officer Aorlkhea'. Your return to duty is noted. Proceed."

    Without pausing, Aolrkhea''s naval training takes over and she throws
herself into the vacant acceleration couch, pinching her tail in the seat
as she does so.  As she begins to efficiently reconfigure the station with
her left hand, she adjusts her tail in the cushions and engages the seat
restraints with her right hand.  Activating her display, she begins to
transfer repeaters from certain of Aiwi's and Uhwaikh's boards to her
own.  "Strange.  I always thought that the fiyfiyalr knew how to keep their
ships running...I hope that none of them are on a ballistic intercept
course with the ringworld...."

    Her hands are mirrored by dark reflections from her sweepingly curved
holodyn instrument "panels" as they fly across it, preparing her station.

=== Talisman ===

    As systems start coming back on-line Shrike stabilizes the ship and begins
running diagnostics checks to ensure that all piloting controls are fully
functional.

    Then he turns to Thul and asks, "Thul, what are our orders now?  Do we
follow the original path that was given us or do we sit?"

    Thul glares at the console.  "If you still have a fix on where Iasic
wanted us to go, head for there.  Then see if you can raise our leadership
and find out what they have in mind next!"

Shrike begins to manuever the ship so it is back in position relative the to
the Kingfisher.  In unison, some eight million kilometers apart, both ships
continue their cautious approach to the ringworld.

=== Kingfisher ===

    The main display at Abuko's console shows a close up view of
R-alpha with color coded readings from all sensors superimposed. It
focusses on an area that have a high densitometer reading, and finds a
bulge representing a small body of water, just slightly larger than
the total watermasses on an normal sized planet. A red square bearing
the legend "Surface Bombardment Mode" frames the center of the bulge
as the main picture is moved to one of the secondary displays,
replaced by the normal scan view.

    Finally, Johann speaks.  "I have found what I believe is a
stress-zone, passing on targeting data over the bus."

    Etienne quickly lays out a course for the rendevous point and
executes it.  With eyes flicking from one half of his controls to the
other he waits until the weapon systems indicate a passive lock on
whatever target Johann picks...

    "Cruise speed to rendevous, aye Sir!"

    "Mr de Mer, when he has the passive lock, arm the secondary
missile rack, and get an active lock on the target. No matter what, do
not fire unless I give you explicit orders..."

    "Passive lock achieved, commencing active targeting lock
on...Aquired!  Ready to fire on your command, Sir."

    "Commander Ger, if I understand your intentions you wanted a
demonstration.  However, the target chosen by Mr. Abuko COULD cause
damage to the ringworld."

    The Commander settles back in his chair and says (to no one in
particular), "Lets see if we have any control over our destiny...."

=== Gemini Arbiter ===

    "Lose my ride?" Bhyarrvouf dusts himself off casually. "I think not.
I don't rely on Iasic to get around. Still, it IS a bit distressing that
he's somehow vanished on us. I wonder if someone's been interfering with
him somehow?"

    "Well, I wish you ladies luck in getting your Bridge cleaned up," he
continues, straightening his uniform. "I just wanted to make sure you 
weren't sneaking up on us with guns at the ready. Now that I've done
that--kae, I almost forgot!" He reaches into a pocket and hauls out a
sheaf of papers and a pen. He hands the papers to Aurelia, as a glowing
archway appears behind him in the hall. Ignoring it, he says mildly, "If
Iasic were still in control of things, I'd tell you to sign those or I'd
blow your heads off. But since he's not, I guess all I can do is ask
politely that you sign them and fax them to the AURORA at your convenience.
Thanks a lot, and I hope to see you on the Ring!" 

    He steps through the archway and vanishes. A moment later, the arch
fades.

=== Alcyon ===

   =====================================================================
   |  "O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself        |
   |   a king of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams."  |
   |                  - Hamlet to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern         |
   |                          HAMLET, Act II, Scene II                 |
   =====================================================================

    For the first time in his adult life, Adrian Bishop is at peace.  This is
a novel experience for him.  But then, given his present state, *everything*
is a novel experience for him.

    As virtual realities go, it is quite pleasant.  Bishop sits on the
ground in the warm Autumn sun, his back to a huge oak, surrounded by it's
fallen leaves.  As time passes, a datapad materializes in his right hand,
strictly as a concession to a normal man-machine interface.  In truth, he
no longer needs such a primitive tool, but it is pleasing to behave as
though it were still necessary,
    "Iasic, please give me access to the Alcyon ship library." Bishop
says softly.
    The datapad chirps, and the connection is established.

        "ALCYON LCARS - READY."

    "Computer," requests Bishop, "show me Turnskaad personnel dossier -
Bishop, Adrian Leland."
    There is a brief pause.

        "CONTEXT MAPPING COMPLETE.  'BISHOP, ADRIAN LELAND': NO
         SUCH FILE OR DIRECTORY.  NUMBER OF LEXICAL PERMUTATION
         MATCHES AVAILABLE: ZERO."

    "Hmmm." mutters Bishop.  "Computer, show me crew postion and cabin
assignment for Alcyon crew member 'Bishop, Adrian Leland'."

        "BISHOP, ADRIAN L. - ALCYON R-ALPHA MISSION ARCHIVIST.
         ASSIGNED OCCUPANCY CREW COMPARTMENT 1-7."

    "That's encouraging." comments Bishop to himself, "At least I really
belonged on the ship."  After another moments thought, Bishop continues,
"Computer, list for me all R-Alpha related files and references for 'Bishop,
Adrian Leland'."

        "BISHOP, ADRIAN L -
                12-00143 - CREW ROSTER
                12-11471 - COMPARTMENT ASSIGNMENTS
                12-22115 - CARGO MANIFEST
                12-71784 - CREW DUTIES
                12-00797 - CMO MEDICAL RECORDS
                12-14159 - MISSION LOG
                12-15222 - SHIP STORES CON..."

    "Stop." orders Bishop.  "Show me context one two dash zero zero seven
nine seven, patient 'Bishop, Adrian Leland' only."

     Medical data streams by.  One human being reduced to a set of
vital statistics and body chemistry.
        "BLOOD
            COUNTS  RBC         PROTEIN ALB
                    RETIC               GLOB
                    PLATES              FIBRIN
                    WBC                 TOTAL
                    DIFF                FRACTION
            HEMATOCRIT
            HEMOGLOBIN          DIAGNOSTICS
            INDICES MCV                 CHOLEST
                    MCHC                CREAT
            PROTIME                     GLUCOSE
            PTT                         PBI
            SED RATE                    BEI
                                        I
        CHEMISTRY                       IBC
                                        NPN
            BRO                         BUN
            CA                          BILIRU, DIFF
            CL                          CEPH/FLOC
            MG                          THYMOL/TURB
            PO4                         BSP
            K
            NA                  URINE
            CO2                         SP GR
                                        PH
        ENZYMES                         PROT
            AMYLASE                     GLUC
            CHOLINESTERASE              KETONE
            LIPASE                      CATECHOLS
            PHOSPHATASE, ACID           PORPHYRINS
                         ALKALINE       UROBIL
            LDH                         5-HIAA
            SGOT                
            SGPT                PULMONARY
                                        TVC
        STEROIDS                        TV
            ALDO                        IC
            L7-OH                       IRV
            I7-KS                       ERV
            ACTH                        MBC..."

    "Stop."  Bishop frowns. "Skip forward."

        "PATIENT WORK-UP INDICATES LONG TERM SUBSTANCE ABUSE.  TRACE
         PHARMACEUTICAL AGENTS DETECTED AS FOLLOWS: ALERLENE, AMBOATHORPHIN,
         DECILAGE, DEMEROL, JIROLENE, LUMINAL,..."

    "Stop.  Skip forward."

        "PATIENT HAS THE FOLLOWING CURRENT INNOCULATIONS: APF, ACCELERATED
         SYSTEMIC LUPUS..."

    "Stop.  Skip forward."

        "PATIENT HAS UNDERGONE PROSTHETIC/BIONIC SURGERY AND IS AUGMENTED
         WITH THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS: 10 CM. HIGH-PRESSURE CYLINDER..."

    "Stop.  Show me context one two dash one four one five nine, visual
and audio, timestamp from mission launchpoint forward." Bishop commands.
"Limit display to sections containing Bishop, or references to Bishop by
other Alcyon crew members."

        "READY."

    "Run log, normal speed." directs Bishop.

    An indeterminate amount of time passes.  Eventually, Bishop puts down
the datapad, which promptly dissolves.  For a while, he simply stares into
space, seeing nothing.  Idly fingering a damp, rust-colored leaf, he slowly
stands.  Looking down at the leaf in his hand, turning it over, studying
its detail, he speaks softly to himself, "Adrian Bishop wasn't a particularly
pleasant individual.  It's likely that he left no friends behind among the
crew."  Gently, Bishop stoops and places the leaf back on the ground.
Standing again, he concludes, "Certainly, no one among them will have
mourned his death."  After a pause, he adds, "I wonder if anyone will be
pleased at his return?"  Bishop frowns.  "Am I *really* still Adrian
Bishop?"  Unbidden, a childhood poem comes to mind:

        Yesterday, upon the stair,
        I met a man who wasn't there.
        He wasn't there again today.
        Oh, how I wish he'd go away.

A slight smile touches his face.  "Well, perhaps I'll have the opportunity
to improve on the original."  Shoving his hands deep into his coat pockets,
Bishop turns from the oak and steps briskly towards the sparse forest of
his memory.
    "Perhaps."
    Silently, it begins to snow.

=== Kingfisher ===

    When Ger orders the scan, Richard Jett looks interested. When Ger
orders the sensor lock and arming of the secondary missile rack,
Richard Jett's brows knit together in a concerned and puzzled frown.
When Etienne and Johann speak up, Richard Jett is positively alarmed;
he looks over at Ger as if to say 'what in the world?'

    "Commander, our job is to *investigate* R-Alpha, not shoot it. I
grant you that so far our arrival has not been uneventful, but I would
point out that we are dealing with *highly* intelligent and
technological *WORLD*. It would serve us ill to even indicate a
readiness to use violent force, when the "Hoop" has indicated peaceful
intentions, particularly in obtaining the depature of "IASIC", whose
actions were more indicative of exploration and curiosity than
malevolence. The "Hoop"'s offer to take over helm control should not
seem so strange, if you realize that to its mind, we would be more
likely to err, given its superior computing power and special
knowledge.  Without a clear threat, a more prudent course of action
would seem to be preferable."

    "Duly Noted Mr. Jett." is Ger's only reply.

    In the background Zben has been setting up program after program
on the Engineering console. Right after Jett's comment he finally
breaks his silence...

    "Sir! I must advise that I have not yet made absolutly certain
that OUR computer is totally unaffected! An entity with the power to
create the disruption we've observed might be able to infiltrate our
systems in much more subtle ways as well..."

    Ever since contact with the Aslans were broken off, Rigo has been
using his screen to get as good a view of the ringworld as the passive
sensors can give him, but at these words he looks up and stare at Ger,
seemingly unable to believe his ears.

    Lazer looks quizzically at Ger, an unspoken question on his lips.
Then he asks, "Captain, permission to be brought up to date on events?
The bits I overheard in the shuttle did not, to put it mildly, make
much sense."

    "Well Lazer, We were contacted by semi-hostile Aslans, someone
using initiative projected a ghost fleet on the sensors. Then we had a
major system failure on the Aurora, which indicated a possible attack.
The ship was placed on alert, when we found that some sort of computer
personality had invaded most of our ships and their systems, then the
Ringworld sent us a communique inviting us down to the surface, with
the suggestion that it/they do the flying, and that things would be
really much better (for our own good) if they could take complete
control of our ships. I asked them to leave, and I am now testing if
they have in fact left. The Aslans seem to be proceeding to the
surface, I don't even know if they are affected by any of this."

    Turing to the sensor postion, Ger asks, "Johann, Can you tell what
the native shuttle is doing, last I remember they were heading away at
right angles to the confrontation"

    After a short pause while he frantically searches through the
contact lists for the elusive shuttle Johann answers.  "It's been
closing on the Westwind....  according to the backlog it made a 20g
turn. It is hard to separate it from the Westwind now."

    Almost as an afterthought, Ger remarks, "By the way, Lazer, you
can re-pressurize the fighter when you get a free moment."

    The news of another delerict ship crystalizes a vague nagging
thought that has been plaguing Rigo since they first heard from the
Westwind and the Gemini Arbiter.

    "Commander! That could be another misjumped ship. If so, we now
have three misjumped ships winding up here within a short time span.
Even if it turns out to be a local vessel, there's still Westwind and
Arbiter.  What are the odds of two ships misjumping practically
simultaneously?  Well, within a radius of 36 parsecs from here there's
a lot of ships jumping all the time, so perhaps.  But that both should
wind up here almost at the same time?  The odds against it must be
litterally astronomical! Unless..."

    Rigo pauses and swallows. "Unless something is affecting the odds.
Perhaps R-Alpha functions as a kind of jump-magnet.  I don't say it is
so, but I think it's a possibility.  And if so, then Westwind, Arbiter
and the unknown can't be the first ships to end up here. R-Alpha may
be full of stranded spacefarers that would give their eye-teeth for a
jump-tender like the Alcyon!"

    Lazer stands, absorbing the events summary, his face inexpressive.
He stares out the forward screen for a long moment, his eyes tracing
the awesome curve of the ringworld. He appears to come to some decision.

    "Commander, permission to speak in private?"

=== Aurora ===

With a flash of light, the archway provided by the Hoop deposits
Bhyarrvouf in the main corridor of the Aurora, a bare five minutes
after he left.  The first thing he registers is the smell of blood--
the air is thick with it! The second is the noise of a frenzied Ael
crashing about the Bridge attempting to do several things at once. The
third is the ship's gravity, which is slightly below what was on the
Gemini Arbiter but is stabilizing rapidly.

"System crash," 'Vouf mutters in Vuakedh as he makes his way forward.
He calls aloud, "Iasic? Goughzar? Can you hear me, little cousin?
Christian?  ANYONE? TSAKHA! SAMSHARKH KNAERVARGH--"

The door to the Bridge is stuck. Bhyarrvouf pops the manual release
hatch panel, grabs the lever, and squeezes. "....RRrrrrRRRRRROUKH!!"

The metal bar deforms and crumples under his grip, and the door pops
loose with a clang. 'Vouf darts onto the Bridge, stumbles under the
sudden shift to 0.7G, slips and slides into the back of the couch on
which Tweel is perched, trying to calm himself down. Something drips
on his muzzle as he tries to right himself, and he wipes it off,
looking at it in perplexity.

It's blood.

Suddenly 'Vouf looks at his palms and legs and at the skidmarks on the
deck. All are bright crimson. His eyes widen as he looks at Tweel, and
then he reaches forward to the angered scientist gently.

"O, Hunter-Above, what've you DONE? Don't try to move! You've ripped
out all of your SUTURES!"

He hits the intercom switch. "Christian, where ARE you?! It's 'Vouf--
I'm back on the Bridge! Tweel's traumatized himself badly-- where's
Iasic?  WHAT'S GOING *ON*?!"

=== Kingfisher ===

Ger looks up from his private data console at Lazer's request.

    "Uh, I'm a bit busy at the moment. Just let me issue a couple of
orders here. It is difficult to leave the bridge for a private
discussion, on a moments notice."

    During this exchange Zben is still setting up simulations and
knocking them down, without looking at anyone else. If anyone looks
over his shoulder they'd notice one odd item. In the lower right
corner of the holoconsole is a green outlined box labeled "Weapon
Systems Power Grid". It's just sitting there....

    Ger then turns to his keyboard [how quaint - but he is fairly
old], and types for many seconds. The display on the fire control
board filckers and then goes from the unusual message (In Red):

	"Missile 2: Locked, armed, loaded, awaiting final security check"

to the more familiar (Brighter Red):

	"Missile 2: Locked, armed, loaded, ready."

=== Aurora ===

Tweel turns to glare at 'Vouf and then recognizes his condition.  He stares
at the mass of blood on the couch and freezes.  It takes him a few moments
to bring his breathing under control.  He turns to 'Vouf as with a sudden
calmness over him, but his voice is clipped and tinged with desparation.

"Trriple thrree, come to the brridge immediately, brring a medical kit."

"Chrristian is in the hold tending to thrree trauma cassess.  Te-teleporrted
herre by the Rrring.  He'ss too bussy to answerr now..."

"Wonderful!" 'Vouf runs a hand down the main status board. "What the kakh
knaerrvargh happened to Iasic?" He punches through a few sets of screen
menus, one eye on the lagging Ael as 333 arrives and sets to work.

Tweel pauses for breath, "We'rre heading for the Alsseyon.  Need medical
equipment...  You'rre the pilot now..."

"I always was, Hunter-Above," 'Vouf says quietly. "You're too woozy to
notice, but we HAVEN'T changed course." He frowns. "That means the
security interlocks prevented you from altering the old helm settings,
which would be IMPOSSIBLE unless--"

Trriple thrree arrives on the bridge with Tiger perched on his head.  The
robot begins to examine the scientist using its recently pirated software
copied from Lucan.

"'Vouf... Gerr orrderred IASsIC to leave...  Ssysstem crrrrashed...  That
ground-brained, lead frrom behind, morrronic, sson of a herbivorre..."

"He WHAT?" Vouf's eyes go wide, then narrow thoughtfully. For a long moment,
he looks out through the viewport at the sky. When he speaks again, his
voice is a steely whisper. "Of course he did. Stupid kakh wolf, hop-skipping
all over Yaskoydray's Krafla when there's WORK to be done...."

Tweel swallows, and his voice weaker.  A three fingered talon reaches
out shakily to 'Vouf.  Ael eyes search Vargr, "'Vouf...  If I die...
Swearr...  We... arre both hunterrrs.... Swearr...  Kill him...  Kill
Gerr...  SWEARRRR!"

Bhyarrvouf folds his arms and regards the Ael impassively. 

He quietly says, "Unit 333, recognize subsidiary authority Bhyarrvouf.
Doctor Trrrweeerrrrrlll has suffered severe re-traumatization of
initial injuries and must be confined from strenuous movement until he
has stabilized. Assign unit OSF-4 to guard him at all times during his
recovery and to prevent any further injuries to the Doctor.

Tweel simply stares at him.  His acceleration eyelids close over briefly.

Triple Three continues working, and voices "Subsidiary authority
Bhyarrvouf not recognised.  No authority is given to any phonetic
variant of Bhyarrvouf."

Tweel continues glaring at Vouf.  He whispers to Triple Three "Fly ahead."
Triple three readies an osmotic pressure injector.

'Vouf nods reassuringly at the Ael, but he doesn't smile.

"Anaesthetize him."

Tweel steps off the back of the chair so his talons will not lock on it in
unconciousness.  The drugs cross the skin barrier into the blood.

Tweel's eyes glaze over for a second then return to stare 'Vouf in the eye,
"Hunterr... don't... let  die... in my... sssleep."

Tweel' inner eyelids close, then the outer.  Triple three catches him as he
slumps.

=== Kingfisher ===

    Ger finishes typing and looks up from his console.

    Ger mummurs, "This won't cause any amount of damage to the
world..."  

    Turning back towards the bridge crew, he says, "Helm, This
is a direct order, on my authority, Fire the missile... now."

    With a barely breathed "Aye, sir."  Etienne's hand moves to the control.
He pauses for a fraction of a second, when...

    "Don't fire, Mr. de Mer."  Lazer's voice is clear and hard. He is
standing at the rear of the bridge, his back to the wall. A laser
pistol has appeared in his hand, and it is aimed unwavering at
Etienne's shoulder.

=== Aurora ===

Bhyarrvouf lets out his breath in a gusty sigh as the Ael FINALLY 
goes under. "Carry him to the Cargo Hold," he orders the robot. 
"Doctor van der Merwe is performing triage there. Move him to Sickbay
ONLY after the Doctor pronounces him stabilized."

OSF-4 extends all ten of his tentacles to support the limp scientist
without jarring him and carries him down to sickbay in the hold.

Bhyarrvouf plops into the helm chair, ignoring the blood. He rubs
his temples, leaving red marks on the white fur. "You back among
the living, Moira?"

*I am online and running under normal operating routines,* the 
computer's luscious voice responds. *However, all diagnostics have
reported an increase of over 80% in processing and swap speeds.
My internal timebase seems unaffected, and I am unable to explain the
increase. There is also a gap of eight minutes in my cognitive log
for which I cannot account. The presence of an adult male Ael Yael
on the Bridge, an Aeloid subsentient, an OSF-4 unit of unknown 
authorization, and a customized cybernetic entity of--*

"That's enough. Shut up." Bhyarrvouf sighs again. "They're not to
be molested under beta or gamma parameters of shipboard activity."

*Why is Lucan's brain lying on the deck?*

"Kae, SHUT UP I SAID!" 'Vouf snarls. He lifts himself out of the 
chair with a groan and yanks the medbot's brain from its jury-rigged
connections, reinstalling it in Lucan's body with a click. Lucan 
whirs to life, and 'Vouf gently turns it around and gives it a push 
out the door. "Cargo Hold. Medical emergency. Go." Lucan shoots away.

Bhyarrvouf gets back into the chair. He flips on the intercom. "Moira's
up and running, but it seems like whatever Iasic did to soup her up 
got left behind when he went. All okay down there, aenrra?"

=== Kingfisher ===

    Etienne stops, then SLOWLY pulls his hand back.

    "What are you doing? Farouk, PUT the gun down." Witfield says.
"This is mutiny!!"

    Richard looks at Witfield. "Mutiny, sir? This is not a military
expedition.  Mister Farouk is merely pointing out that Commander Ger
has made a most extraordinary command that has potential effects of
immense proportions.  Is it asking too much for him to explain
himself?"

He looks back to Ger. "If this be mutiny, sir, then make the most of it."

"Mr. Witfield," orders Lazer, "please begin trying to raise the XO."

Witfield looks toward Etienne, "Sir?"

    Etienne hesitates a long moment then gives a short nod.  "Aye, Mr.
Witfield, contact Subcommander Bhyarvouf," then in a lower voice
"though it seems there's little he could do, one way or the other."

    An edge appears in Jett's voice. "Mister Witfield, I suggest that
it would be prudent to raise the Subcommander. Do it *now*."

    Witfield remains unmoved, waiting for Ger's reply.

    "I am sorry, Commander," says Lazer.  "You are attempting to
destroy a ringword for a demonstration...of what?  It is a criminal
order, and you will have to have me subdued before it will be carried
out."

    As Jan listens to the drama unfolding on the bridge, he secures
the hood of his vacc suit and pressurizes it.  He quickly unholsters
his gauss pistol and moves towards the bridge, utilizing available
cover.  On the way, he hails Farouk over the ICS.

    "Mr. Farouk, I concur with your judgement that the Commander has
issued an illegal order.  As senior medical officer aboard I question
the fitness of Admiral Ger to command.  We are not in engaged in
combat, and the only threat applied to us has been removed.  Admiral,
I suggest you step back and consider your position."

    As Jan steps on to the bridge, he moves to cover Lazer's back and
lets Jett do the talking.

    Richard Jett has slowly walked towards the front of the bridge,
having stopped just behind Zben. He glances down at Zben's panel
configuration, briefly, then turns back to face Ger and Lazer without
a word, but gives Zben a small, encouraging pat on the shoulder.

    When Ger brusquely dismissed his concerns, Richard remained quiet,
but his countenance became more grave. The order to fire is somewhat a
shock, but Lazer's unconventional reaction snaps Richard back to the
crisis.

    He chooses to speak just after Lazer has finished, when the impact
of Lazer's actions has registered fully with the shuttle crew.

    His voice is firm and controlled, with a steely resolve lurking in
the background.

    He first looks at Lazer. "Mister Farouk. You are, in essence,
correct, if perhaps overly dramatic." An extremely tiny laugh. "...but
perhaps this is the season for that." His utterly serious visage turns
to consider Ger.  "You, sir, have come to a reckoning of sorts. You
may have a plan, you may have the most beneficial of motives, or you
may not. This is not a military expedition. This is a scientific
expedition funded by and for Turnskaad Industries, presumably
conforming to the appropriate laws. Your actions, on their face, seem
to conflict with your duty to Turnskaad. Mister Farouk correctly notes
that your action could be criminal. How are we to know differently?
Now, sir, an explanation is long overdue. Explain *now*."

    "Recognize the appearance of danger, Commander. None here are
robots, none pledged to unwavering obedience. Make your decision,
Count. If we err, show this to us. This is a matter of such import
that none can take lightly."  Jett is standing perfectly straight,
looking Ger square in the eye, wavering not in the least. His deadly
serious tone indicates that he is not speaking lightly.

The Bridge is silent, awaiting Ger's word....

 - END OF THIS TURN -

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3798
Date:     Mon, 24 Feb 92 15:20:06 EST
From: Robert S. Dean  <rsdean@crdec8.apgea.army.mil>
Subject:  Fusion reaction?

Given that the natural abundance of deuterium is .015% of all hydrogen (at
least according to the CRC Handbook), I got curious as to how much power
could be produced if we were only reacting the deuterium, as has been
suggested here in the past.  At a fuel consumption of .003kl/hr per kl
of TL9-TL12 fusion plant, I calculated that about 5MW maximum power could
be obtained at 100% fusion of the deuterium (which would be aneutronic, I
think...).  Given that 

a) 6MW per .003kl can be produced in larger (more efficient??) units and

b) I doubt that 100% efficient anything is going to exist (at least at the
lower TLs) and that the 5MW does not include any efficiency losses in 
conversion to useful energy

some other reaction must be taking place.  If we were really using D/T fusion
we would have the problem with radiation shielding that has been alluded to.
If we assume 4H -> 1HE at some incredibly inefficient reaction efficiency
(perhaps assisted by D reactions of some sort) then I think we get what we
see in the rules.  Metlay's remarks about D/T fusion in Traveller date back
to a previous trip through this topic, in which an HIWG position that ships
used 4H -> HE and fusion/plasma gun packs (below the minimum ship power plant
size) used D + T -> He + n was cited.

Rob Dean
(Yes, I know I've been awfully quiet lately--have no fear, nothing is wrong;
I've just been distracted by other concerns for a while.)


------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3799
Date:     Mon, 24 Feb 92 16:24:36 EST
From: Robert S. Dean  <rsdean@crdec8.apgea.army.mil>
Subject:  RAM-GL

I mentioned that the RAM-GL made the fusion gun look pretty ridiculous.  Well,
a second check shows me that the RAM-GL itself is pretty ridiculous.  Since
we don't nknow much about this weapon, I've always assumed that it is much
like the U.S. family of 40mm grenade launchers.  If you compare the HEAP
penetrations of the RAM-GL with the HEAP penetrations of a 4cm mortar or
low velocity gun round (which are the same) you will see the problem:

TL          Low Velocity HEAP      RAM-GL HEAP
- ------------------------------------------------
5-6              6                    -
7-8             11                   24
9               16                   28
10              16                   32
11-12           18                   36
13+             20                   38

As you can see, there is  quite a discrepancy here.  In fact, a difference of
16 is equivalent to a factor of 4 in armor thickness which can be penetrated.

Something is definitely fishy here...and downgrading the effectiveness of the
grenade launcher might be a little (not a lot) of help in making the hand-held
energy weapon a little more reasonable.

Rob Dean


------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3800
Date:     Mon, 24 Feb 92 16:42:50 EST
From: Robert S. Dean  <rsdean@crdec8.apgea.army.mil>
Subject:  Stuff

Do people feel that Traveller is a gadget/equipment oriented game?  Do you
actually make much use of the equipment lists in the Imperial Encyclopedia?

I've started making notes a couple of times about things that I actually carry
with me on a business trip (which I think would be a reasonable model for a
lot of Traveller gaming), and then expanding it for those "must haves" in
the game system (like a vacc suit).  So, if you were a Traveller character,
what would you actually lug around with you from world to world?

Rob Dean

(I post my list in a few days if there is any interest in this topic...)


------------------------------

End of TML Bundle
*****************

From jamesp@metolius.wr.tek.com Mon Mar  2 12:08:49 1992
To: dan@engrg.uwo.ca (Dan Corrin), bfwong@ocf.berkeley.edu (Raven Blackburn),
        anthony@cs.pitt.edu (Michael Anthony Kapolka),
        mcknight@f104.n170.z1.fidonet.org (Chuck McKnight),
        jamesp@metolius.wr.tek.com (James T. Perkins)
Subject: TML Bundle #314: Msgs 3801-3818
Reply-To: traveller-request@metolius.wr.tek.com (TML Administrator)
Precedence: bulk
From: James T Perkins <jamesp@metolius.wr.tek.com>
Status: RO
Content-Length: 43696
X-Lines: 1092


TML Bundles come from the archives of the Traveller Mailing List,
maintained by James Perkins, traveller-request@metolius.wr.tek.com.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sun Mar  1 21:00:12 PST 1992
From: traveller-request@metolius.wr.tek.com (TML Administrator)
Subject: TML Bundle #314: Table of Contents

-AMN- --Date--- --Sender--------- --Subject-----------------------------------
3801  24-Feb-92 gwh@lurnix.COM    Re: low tech rockets << Steve asks: >You give
3802  25-Feb-92 "VSDEC::BARANSKI" Mail Address << Steve, I sent you mail monday
3803  25-Feb-92 "VSDEC::BARANSKI" Pirates << RE: Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-
3804  25-Feb-92 bgillesp@lonestar Challenge info request << Could someone who s
3805  25-Feb-92 Steve_Higginbotha more TCS answers... << Still more information
3806  25-Feb-92 Steve_Higginbotha still more TCS << Baranski: >Like I said, I'l
3807  25-Feb-92 Steve_Higginbotha miscellanious... << Adrian Hurt: >Perhaps the
3808  25-Feb-92 metlay@minerva.ph small question on fusion << Rob, are you SURE
3809  24-Feb-92 metlay@minerva.ph Please decide if this can be put on the TML..
3810  25-Feb-92 Steve_Higginbotha pirates... << Carl Rigney: >Which I think lea
3811  26-Feb-92 gsw@whservd.att.C Re: Pirates << > Lastly, there are all kinds 
3812  26-Feb-92 Steve_Higginbotha piracy in the deep dark... << Baranski: >Your
3813  26-Feb-92 Adrian Hurt       Imperials in Core expeditions << Steve_Higgin
3814  26-Feb-92 Steve_Higginbotha mail address << Jim, I'm still trying to get 
3815  26-Feb-92 Steve_Higginbotha TCS game... << Still more TCS. I'm still shy 
3816  27-Feb-92 Hans Rancke-Madse Re: Pirates << Steve Higginbotham writes more
3817  28-Feb-92 Steve_Higginbotha TCS PBEM << Set the timetable I provided back
3818  28-Feb-92 Steve_Higginbotha TCS PBEM history... << For any who happen to 

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3801
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 92 12:41:01 PST
From: gwh@lurnix.COM (George W Herbert)
Subject: Re: low tech rockets


Steve asks:

>You give a TL8 LH rocket a specific impulse of about 428.  Why?  The
>SSME has a specific impulse of 450+.

The SSME has an Isp(vaccum) of about 454, though they're hoping to hit
460 by the late 1990's.  However, at sea level, that's closer to 390-400.
IMHO, without explaining the whole specific impulse variation with altitude
theory, the only reasonable way is to average and simplify.

Maybe I should state that thrust goes up 5 tons for all liquid rockets
operating purely in vaccum.  (this is off the top of my head... let me
analyze it a bit first 8-)  That should help correct things a bit.

>The resistojet has a specific impulse of 18 here.  Again, why?  There is
>not really any upper limit to such with enough power, and according to my
>steam tables, the steam at 232C should have a specific impulse approaching
>190, depending on the nozzle design.

I was presuming a really low-tech and low-heat resistojet.  I can't imagine
wanting to use one at a higher TL (well, ok, maybe, but the chart can't
get infinitely big 8-).  However, you have a point, which I'll explain in
a bit...

>Your fusion rocket (experimental) has an Isp of 51,400+.  Your TL9 version
>has an Isp of 50,100+.  Why does the production version have LOWER Isp
>than the experimental?  And why are the performances so low?  Admittedly,
>a fusion rocket is pretty open-ended as far as performance, but I have
>seen studies that concluded that a fusion rocket could have an Isp in
>the range of 1,000,000 or more.

Oops. 8-)  You're right, the specific impulse ought to go up a bit at TL9.
As for why did I set the values that low... well, I've talked to several
people who do things like design theoretical fusion engines, and they
don't think that specific impulse of fusion rockets will get higher than
about that (50,000) for any near-term (i.e. one we can understand, if not
build, now) designs.  Those values of 1,000,000 were from physicists, not
engineers. 8-)

>And why are you using liquid Xenon and such for your ion drives, instead
>of cadmium, which has a density of 8.65?

Because last time I checked, the people working with testing ion drives
were having reliability problems with the ones that didn't use noble
gases.  I don't want to presume using something that may or may not
work.

>For that matter, why do you assign a density of 1.0 for rocks?  Very few
>rocks float, even fewer have neutral bouyancy.  Most seem to have a
>density in the range of 2-3.

You need to stack round rocks in non round fuel hoppers, and more importantly,
rocks don't pack that well unless you make them into cubes or such.
If someone wants to complain about this, well, if you think you can pack them
in more, go right ahead 8-)

>Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US


Ok, now here's the one question that I've been avoiding talking about:
"why didn't I do anything about putting Ion drives in?"

Well, there's a good reason for this.  In real ion and MPD drives, there
is a strong variation in specific impulse and thrust among the various
drive options.  More importantly, the specific impulse and thrust of a
particular engine type varies with sort of inversely... you can get
higher thrust at lower Isp and visa versa.  There are power supply weight
considerations that require a careful look at the MegaTraveller power
supply options before any reasonably accurate simulation can be done
in these rules.
	WHile mostly applying to the Ion and MPD engines, this also will
affect things like the resistojet, which could theoretically get a whole
lot hotter, the mass driver, etc.  I need to go back and re-read several
J.Propulsion and J.Spacecraft papers to take a look at how the tradeoffs
work in detail.  Until I've done that, I am not willing to make a guess
as to how to accurately simulate these items in MegaTraveller... 8-)

- -george william herbert
gwh@ocf.berkeley.edu  gwh@lurnix.lurnix.com


------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3802
Date: 25 Feb 92 08:23:00 EST
From: "VSDEC::BARANSKI" <BARANSKI%VSDEC.decnet@nl.nusc.navy.mil>
Subject: Mail Address

Steve, I sent you mail monday at the above address.  Have you recieved it?
Have you recieved this?

My address should be something like:

BARANSKI%VSDEC.decnet@NL.NUSC.NAVY.MIL

At least that's what BITNET uses...

You might ask  James or M&M what addresses they use for me for the TML and the
Traveller PBEM.

Jim Baranski


------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3803
Date: 25 Feb 92 09:04:00 EST
From: "VSDEC::BARANSKI" <BARANSKI%VSDEC.decnet@nl.nusc.navy.mil>
Subject: Pirates

RE: Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Steve Higginbotham)
Subject: 'a pirate could never catch you'

Your assumptions first off assume that jump points are not used, and merchant
ships do not travel any predefined routes to anywhere else in the system.  IE
there is no place to just hang around and expect another ship to come near you.
Most systems have installations/settlements other then the main world, and
traffic going to and from them.

I'm not sure on this, but I assume that with constant 1-6 G Maneuver, most
courses are pretty straight line, as opposed to current low cost spiral
courses.

Most merchants (at least the easy targets) have 1 or 2 G Maneuver.  Most
Pirates have 6 G Maneuver.  Most Pirates do have better then average sensors
and EMM.

Lastly, there are all kinds of possibilities for subterfuge:

 o  hang around the jump point and pretend to have a drive failure,
 o  maybe even ask your victims to come aboard and give you a hand.
 o  beam a distress call to your victim when they are within sensor range
    and the navy is not.
 o  pose as customs inspectors.
 o  pose as someone with a hot/lucretive cargo to unload.
 o  lie at a good intercept point powered down to escape detection.


other factors:

ships do not always have the fuel to jump, especially incoming.
ships do not always have jump calculations ready.

notice that the difficulties you list for pirates, also apply to your navy and
customs inspectors. :-)

"1)  It takes 3.5 hours to reach 100 diameters from a size 5 world, if you
do not decelerate to a stop (which makes very little sense, anyway)."

Using what G Maneuver?  Jumping from a relative stop is safer and easier in my
book...

"2)  From a point directly ahead of a target's course, it takes three hours
at three gees to match course and position within 1000Km."

I don't think directly ahead is the best intercept position, since you have to
hurry to get there, and hurry to catch up.  I'm not sure, but I would think
that catching up from behind would be best.

"5)  A starship trying to match course like that is UNMISTAKABLY trying to
match course."

There is a lot to this point.  Who was it that said that no battle ever takes
place in space unless both sides want to fight?  This assumes equal ability,
though, and my pirates have a big advantage over merchants.

"Increase the effective sensor ranges by a factor of ten, too.  If you don't no
pirate will ever FIND a target out there in the deep dark."

Strange, your initial comment was that you can see a pirate coming from too far
away.  I would think decreasing sensor range would help as well.  Even better,
expand the range difference between an at rest pirate with advanced equipment
actively watching for a victim, and a short crewed merchant with basic
equipment in flight.

Jim Baranski


------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3804
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 92 09:18:18 EST
From: bgillesp@lonestar.Prime.COM (Brian Gillespie)
Subject: Challenge info request


Could someone who subscribes to Challenge magazine please send
me what the current subscription information is.  Also, a while
back, someone posted information on how to submit articles, etc,
to various places (GDW, etc), I would appreciate it if someone
could send me a copy of that information also.

Email to me would probably be most appropriate.  If other people
would also like the information, when I receive it, I will either
send it to them or post it to the TML if enough interest is there.

Thanks
Brian


Brian Gillespie
Computervision
Bedford, Mass   02175

email: bgillesp@lonestar.prime.com

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3805
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 92 08:45:25 CST
From: Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Steve Higginbotham)
Subject: more TCS answers...

Still more information about this TCS game.
 
(1)  Before the turns actually begin, I'll give everyone time to work out
relations with the other worlds of the Islands.
 
(2)  In this game, 'war' is an economic term.  You must declare (to me)
that you are 'at war'.  At that time, your budget will be adjusted to the
wartime levels from TCS.  At that time, word of this will spread to all
other worlds, to be delivered at the 'appropriate time'.  You do NOT have
to be 'at war' to fight, just to get the budget.
 
(3)  R&D - you throw money at a problem, and I'll tell you when you get
any meaningful results.  Classes of problem - specific system that you 
have seen, improvement on existing system, totally new research.  Guess
which one Meson technology comes under?  Guess which one costs the most, 
and takes the longest?
 
(4)  I'll be ready to start when I get six major powers ready to play.
The seventh will be neutral unless there are that many interested, and
will be available for late-comers if not.
 
Later...
 

- -- Via DLG Pro v0.985b

Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US

I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution.
                                    --W. von Braun

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3806
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 92 08:49:34 CST
From: Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Steve Higginbotham)
Subject: still more TCS


Baranski:
 
>Like I said, I'll take New Colchis, Serendip Belt, or New Home.
 
I should give you New Home, as it is the hardest to find a player for, but
you can have New Colchis...
 
 
>Since you've changed Esperanza, how will you handle it if somebody
captures
>it?
>How will you handle planet captures in general?  Will we be able to build
>ships
>on captured planets, or use their revenue to build ships?
 
You capture it, it works like any other conquest.   Yes, you can build
ships
and get revenue from conquests, after the usual TCS delays.
 
 
>I assume we start out in control of our colony planets?
 
Yes.
 
 
>What Jump factor are you assuming for communications delay?  
 
If you build couriers, they are whatever yu build.  If not, they are
generally J2 merchants, with a few J3 and J1s thrown in for variety.
 
 
Are we required to have ships in a system to get information from the
system?
 
No.  Normal merchant traffic will get you the information eventually.

Later...

- -- Via DLG Pro v0.985b

Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US

I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution.
                                    --W. von Braun

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3807
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 92 08:54:57 CST
From: Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Steve Higginbotham)
Subject: miscellanious...

Adrian Hurt:
 
>Perhaps the Zhodani would not let a full Imperial squadron participate.
>However, I can not believe that I am the only one who read the adventure
>supplied with the old Zhodani Alien Module.  In that, Core expeditions
>were heavily influenced by "visions" which some suitably psionically
>gifted Zhodani had received, these "visions" being effectively messages
>from the Ancients.  One of these "visions" specifically showed humans,
>i.e. Imperial type humans.  So a Zhodani noble went and kidnapped a few
>Imperials to bring along.  The "vision" did not show the humans as
>prisoners - in fact, it showed them having a significant role in the
>expedition.  Translation into game terms: the PC's are grabbed and
>taken along, and allowed as much freedom as possible.
 
Hmmm...
Yes, I've read it.  I tend to dislike overuse of 'ancient artifacts' as
justification for something odd, but there is merit in what you say.
So why don't you have the Imperials mount their OWN core expeditions?
Perhaps in cooperation with the Vargr, who have got to be the greatest
travelers in Traveller.
 
 
 
 
Rob Dean: <about the RAM GL>  
 
Good point.  I see the VRF gauss gun, and
the laser rifle/carbine also play that trick.  They are all grosser than
the design sequence strictly allows.  Suggestions?
 
 
>Do people feel that Traveller is a gadget/equipment oriented game?  Do you
>actually make much use of the equipment lists in the Imperial
Encyclopedia?
 
Yes, it is (or can be).  Yes, some of it, and any other good source I can
find.
 
 
>I've started making notes a couple of times about things that I actually
carry>with me on a business trip (which I think would be a reasonable model
for a
>lot of Traveller gaming), and then expanding it for those "must haves" in
>the game system (like a vacc suit).  So, if you were a Traveller
character,
>what would you actually lug around with you from world to world?
 
Of course, I don't go on many business ttrips where I expect people to 
shoot at me...
Mostly I go to civilized places.  If your Traveller characters keep
finding themselves in the MT equivalent of backwoods Niger, or Alabama:),
then they might carry a slightly different set of gear than you would for
a trip to San Fransisco.
 
My list of must haves for MT:  TL14+ tailored vacc suit, TL14+ PLSS 'A';
data display headset, commdot set, multiplexer, hand computer, MR comm,
translator (all linked together through the multiplexer for voice control
and data display without use of hands);  gauss pistol (if the law allows)
(I generally keep a P85 nearby when I travel); LI/IR goggles (preferably
built to look like mirrorshades); medkit and medscanner; filter/respirator;
LOTS of money.
 
 
Herbert:
 
>The SSME has an Isp(vaccum) of about 454, though they're hoping to hit
>460 by the late 1990's.  However, at sea level, that's closer to 390-400.
>IMHO, without explaining the whole specific impulse variation with
altitude
>theory, the only reasonable way is to average and simplify.
>
>Maybe I should state that thrust goes up 5 tons for all liquid rockets
>operating purely in vaccum.  (this is off the top of my head... let me
>analyze it a bit first 8-)  That should help correct things a bit.
 
Good point.  However, since the Imperium includes a lot of worlds with
atmospheres not like ours, performance levels for different atmospheric
densities are needed - especially since it can make a difference of 25% 
in your take-off mass.  I suggest a ten percent increase in vacuum, 5%
in thin atmosphere, -5% in dense atmosphere.  Apply it to ALL rocket-
type devices.
 
 
>I was presuming a really low-tech and low-heat resistojet.  I can't
imagine
>wanting to use one at a higher TL (well, ok, maybe, but the chart can't
>get infinitely big 8-).  However, you have a point, which I'll explain in
>a bit...
 
Keep in mind that a NERVA is a 'resistojet' which heats hydrogen with a
nuclear plant.  And the number I gave you was for water heated by burning
paper.  Even a wood-burner could do better.  For that matter, last
century's
steam locomotives could handle better Isp than 18 (say 150-200).
 
 
>build, now) designs.  Those values of 1,000,000 were from physicists, not
>engineers. 8-)
 
Too true.  But since we ARE talking about the future...
 
 
>Because last time I checked, the people working with testing ion drives
>were having reliability problems with the ones that didn't use noble
>gases.  I don't want to presume using something that may or may not
>work.
 
That's news to me.  Interesting...
 
 
>You need to stack round rocks in non round fuel hoppers, and more
importantly,
>rocks don't pack that well unless you make them into cubes or such.
>If someone wants to complain about this, well, if you think you can pack
them
>in more, go right ahead 8-)
 
You don't need to use round rocks.  Square ones can be fired from a mass-
driver, if you design the thing to fire square rocks.
 
 
>Ok, now here's the one question that I've been avoiding talking about:
>"why didn't I do anything about putting Ion drives in?"
 
I am interested to see what you come up with for ion drives.  I haven't 
done any technical reading on them since the early 80s.

Later...

- -- Via DLG Pro v0.985b

Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US

I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution.
                                    --W. von Braun

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3808
From: metlay@minerva.phyast.pitt.edu (metlay)
Subject: small question on fusion
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 92 10:29:55 EST

Rob, are you SURE that the "small packs D+T, large plants p-p" decision
was an official HIWG thing? I thought WE came up with it in TDR, separately.

MY vote goes to truly aneutronic fusion (the 3He cycle) but that won't 
fly in these rules.

I'm not going to post anything on "stuff;" I'm such a gearhead my list 
would be ridiculously long.

- -- 
Mike Metlay                                 metlay@minerva.phyast.pitt.edu
Atomic City                      P.O. Box 81175, Pittsburgh, PA 15217-0675

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3809
From: metlay@minerva.phyast.pitt.edu (metlay)
Subject: Please decide if this can be put on the TML....
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 92 23:06:04 EST


WARNING: The following is an advertisement. It is to be ignored if at
all possible. The TML is not responsible for it, and the person who
sent it will be punished with seven hours of bad karma scattered over
a ten-year period in five-minute increments. Thank you.

Hi, gang. Some of you may know that I have one consuming passion that
ranks higher on my personal list than Traveller. (Well, TWO, but my
wife isn't a matter of public discussion. At least not today. |-> )
That passion is electronic music, a hobby I pursue vigorously on off
evenings between research trips and so on. My last album was released
at about the time I joined the TML, and has been out of print for
years, and my CD won't be out for another few months yet, album art
sessions having stalled due to time strictures on my part. (Anyone in
the Pittsburgh area who has a powerful workstation, a good art
program, and the ability to do camera-ready color separations,
interested in instant fame?) But in the meantime, I have just received
a copy in the mail of a project I'd forgotten about, that is now
available to anyone curious as to what my music sounds like
(sometimes). 

It's called FACETS, and it is the first sampler album from Synkronos
Music, the indie label in Philadelphia for whom I do solo stuff. I'd
describe the majority of the music on the album as, umm.... uh....

Well, I guess the usual term is "space music." Each piece is about 13
minutes long, and develops slowly, with some (but not a lot of) rhythm
and a structure that lends itself to thinking rather than dancing. You
could also call it "New Age on Angel-Dust." It's rather like the sort
of thing the Berlin school (Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze et alii) 
were doing in the 70s and early 80s. Not my usual cup of java, but I
don't sneeze at exposure to ANY listening public. There are six
artists featured on the tape, and the whole cassette is about 85
minutes long. The packaging and sound quality are terrific, and true
to form, I like every piece except mine. |->

If you'd like a copy, they're $10 postpaid to anywhere in North
America, and you can Email me for details on how to get one. If you're
in Europe or elsewhere in the world and would like a copy, Let me know
and I'll get information on how much you'll have to add for air mail
shipping. The stuff I normally play is more chestburster music--- this
stuff is more facehugger sorts of things. I think anyone who plays
Traveller would get a kick out of this, but hey, it's your sawbuck.

Thanks for your time and consideration. BTW, the first line was a
joke; if you're seeing this, it's because James approved it and
transferred it to the TML from his own mailer.

- -- 
Mike Metlay                                 metlay@minerva.phyast.pitt.edu
Atomic City                      P.O. Box 81175, Pittsburgh, PA 15217-0675

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3810
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 92 11:10:07 CST
From: Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Steve Higginbotham)
Subject: pirates...

Carl Rigney:
 
>Which I think leads to the conclusion that successful piracy requires
>someone on the inside.  After all, if you know where & when someone
>plans to emerge from jump you can match courses *before* they emerge
>and then catch them & loot them in the 1 hour you have before that 6G
>missile crosses half a million kilometers to blow you both to space
>dust... err....
>
>Maybe it would be better to hijack the ship from the inside & then jump
>it where your ship can be waiting for it, away from all the nasty
>thousands of system defense boats & other sharp demographic teeth.
 
Probably the latter would be the most profitable way to do "piracy".
I can't see a way to make piracy pay without the resources of a planetary
government to back you up.  And then only by doing a "space viking"
number:  raid planets, not ships.  Hit those out-of-the -way planets,
the ones with enough loot to pay expenses, but no defenses to speak of.
Moving targets are too much trouble.
 
Later...

- -- Via DLG Pro v0.985b

Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US

I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution.
                                    --W. von Braun

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3811
From: gsw@whservd.att.COM
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 92 10:35 EST
Subject: Re: Pirates

> Lastly, there are all kinds of possibilities for subterfuge:
> 
>  o  hang around the jump point and pretend to have a drive failure,
>  o  maybe even ask your victims to come aboard and give you a hand.
>  o  beam a distress call to your victim when they are within sensor range
>     and the navy is not.
>  o  pose as customs inspectors.
>  o  pose as someone with a hot/lucretive cargo to unload.
>  o  lie at a good intercept point powered down to escape detection.

A strategy a party I was in once used:

o Get hold of an old warship, and update it with the latest equipment,
  especially sensors and electronic masking.  It doesn't even matter if
  all of the weapons work, really.
o Power down the pirate ship, perhaps trailing behind an asteroid or
  something, then use low-power passive sensors to detect a passing
  merchant.
o Send out an obviously damaged lifeboat that really contains a disguised
  boarding party.
o When the lifeboat is picked up by the trader, cause enough commotion
  and damage to prevent the ship from entering jump/running away/etc.
  while the warship powers up and moves in close.  With luck, the trader
  has been occupied by the boarding party.  If not, hopefully they have
  done enough damage to make the ship an easy target.
o It also helps if you have a way of towing the trader away easily.
o And yes, one catch does set you up for a while.  We disassembled the
  ships and sold the parts.

We also tried posing as customs inspectors once.  It's rather risky,
though.  Posing as someone with stolen cargo is also rather risky,
since people who buy stolen goods tend to be more cautious.

Another thing to do is this: forget about traders -- go after miners.
You don't even care too much about the ore -- just take the ships.
Miners are easier targets, tend to go to the same places, and tend to
work alone.  You should be able to hide a powered-down ship in an
asteroid belt.  You can even put a warhead in the asteroid being
mined, and clean up after it goes off.

Jerry Williams

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3812
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 92 10:39:55 CST
From: Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Steve Higginbotham)
Subject: piracy in the deep dark...

Baranski:
 
>Your assumptions first off assume that jump points are not used, and
merchant
>ships do not travel any predefined routes to anywhere else in the system. 
IE
>there is no place to just hang around and expect another ship to come near
>you.
 
Of course, jump points won't be used.  They are too vulnerable, and not
required by the technology.
 
 
>Most systems have installations/settlements other then the main world, and
>traffic going to and from them.
>
>I'm not sure on this, but I assume that with constant 1-6 G Maneuver, most
>courses are pretty straight line, as opposed to current low cost spiral
>courses.
 
Hmmm...
Terra to Jupiter, 1G - 155.16 hours.
Same trip, 10 degree offset to straight course - 158.81 hours.
This course adds 2.4% to yuor travel time, and increases the area to be
searched by a pirate by a VAST amount.  Since pirate sensors can detect
things at about 500,000Km, just like the rest, then you'd need 4500 ships
to cover the possible line of approach adequately.  And if you found the
target out there, you'd require 11.3 hours to match velocity, by which 
time the merchant would again be lost to sensors (he'd be about .5AU away
by then).  Assuming the target took no further evasive maneuvers, then
you'd catch him within a day.  If he took the precaution of changing his
velocity by 10Km/s after he left sensor range, you'd never find him.
 
 
>Most merchants (at least the easy targets) have 1 or 2 G Maneuver.  Most
>Pirates have 6 G Maneuver.  Most Pirates do have better then average
sensors
>and EMM.
 
Where do all these pirates get these multi-100-MCr ships?  You'd think if
they wanted to get rich, they'd sell their ship and retire, wouldn't you?
 
 
>Lastly, there are all kinds of possibilities for subterfuge:
 
> o  hang around the jump point and pretend to have a drive failure,
 
 After the first few times, no-one would come to rescue you.  They'd all
 assume "pirate".  Including the SDBs.
 
> o  maybe even ask your victims to come aboard and give you a hand.
 
 They are merchants on a tight schedule, there is a starport a million Km
 away.  They'll let you take care of yourself.
 
> o  beam a distress call to your victim when they are within sensor range
>    and the navy is not.
 
 And when is that?  If you are at a "jump point", then the Navy is always
 in range.
 
> o  pose as customs inspectors.
 
 It has merit.  But only if your ship is indistinguishable from a Customs
 ship.  Minor vagaries like your oversized power plant are sure to be 
 noticed.  And the first time a target gets away a message (which will be
 the first target, probably), then that game will no longer work.
 
> o  pose as someone with a hot/lucretive cargo to unload.
 
 Sounds illegal.  Sounds like CUstoms will KNOW you did something yoo
 shouldn't, if they see you meet another ship in space for cargo transfer.
 Sounds like an idea to avoid if you are a merchant.  Of course, if 
 your target is another pirate, HE might be intrigued by the possibilities.
 
> o  lie at a good intercept point powered down to escape detection.
 
The whole point of that post was that THERE ARE NO GOOD INTERCEPT POINTS.
 
 
>other factors:
 
>ships do not always have the fuel to jump, especially incoming.
 
Too true.  This is your BIG chance.  If the target pops out of jumpspace
real nearby.  If he pops out at 250 diameters, he'll be out of sensor
range until he has built up enough velocity to get to the planet before
you can match position and velocity.  And he'll only add 3 hours to a one
week voyage by doing so.
 
>ships do not always have jump calculations ready.
 
True.  But it only takes 8 minutes to get one at TL12, one minute at TL15.
 
 
>notice that the difficulties you list for pirates, also apply to your navy
and
>customs inspectors. :-)
 
Not really.  Customs people would just wait in orbit for you to stop.  
If you don't, then you are no concern of theirs.  
 
 
>Using what G Maneuver?  Jumping from a relative stop is safer and easier
in my
>book...
 
one gravity.  It's not safer if a pirate will jump you if you stop.
 
>I don't think directly ahead is the best intercept position, since you
have to
>hurry to get there, and hurry to catch up.  I'm not sure, but I would
think
>that catching up from behind would be best.
 
 From directly astern, same conditions - 3 hours.  From any side, 
slightly longer.  You would have to detect the target at a range of
1,000,000
Km, to do that, though.  Slightly beyond sensor range.  And this run would
be unmistakably an intercept,  after the first 1.4 hours of acceleration.
Which would give the target an extra half hour to prepare, and jump vectors
only take 8 minutes to compute.
 
 
>"5)  A starship trying to match course like that is UNMISTAKABLY trying to
>match course."
>
>There is a lot to this point.  Who was it that said that no battle ever
takes
>place in space unless both sides want to fight?  This assumes equal
ability,
>though, and my pirates have a big advantage over merchants.
 
No. 6Gs is not really much of an advantage over 1G.  Mostly they just make
an enormously valuable target for the merchant's weapons.  The limitation
on a pirate is that most targets only are in range for 1,000,000 Km or
less.
And that sensors only work over about half that range.
If I re-analyze what I did yesterday to use the actual sensor ranges from
MT,
I find that the pirate locates you 53 minutes before you jump (IF he
detects
you right at the fringe of sensor range - rolls a 12 on a cautious task,
with a model nine computer).  Unfortunately, a six gee pirate requires 101
minutes to match course.  Better luck next time, eh?  If the pirate is not 
directly ahead, he probably never gets a detection at all.  And if he does,
the time till jump will always be less than 53 minutes, and his transit
time will always be more than 101 minutes.
 
>Strange, your initial comment was that you can see a pirate coming from
too
>far away.  I would think decreasing sensor range would help as well.  
 
My original comment presupposed that the operating arena was the 100 
diameter limit.  In deep space, the picture changes.  And making the pirate
blind will hurt him far more than it would hurt the merchant.
 
>Even better, expand the range difference between an at rest pirate with 
>advanced equipment actively watching for a victim, and a short crewed 
>merchant with basic equipment in flight.
 
The best sensor suite in MT only costs 6% of the price of the cheapest
merchant.  It's a worthwhile investment.  As is a crew member to watch
those sensors while in flight.
And, again, where are the pirates getting the money for all this ship?
 
BTW, a 400T 6G pirate would not have enough cargo space to offload the 
cargo of a free trader, and could not carry enough crew to repair and
man one.  Assuming it used a mixed laser/missile armament, it would have
room for no more than 8 crew, and no cargo.  It would require six men for
it's own crew, and three (minimum) for the prize crew.  Which it can't 
carry.  Assuming the free trader still had functional drives after the
capture.

Later...

- -- Via DLG Pro v0.985b

Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US

I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution.
                                    --W. von Braun

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3813
From: Adrian Hurt <adrian@cs.heriot-watt.ac.uk>
Subject: Imperials in Core expeditions
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 92 10:08:14 GMT

Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Steve Higginbotham) writes:
> Adrian Hurt:
> >However, I can not believe that I am the only one who read the adventure
> >supplied with the old Zhodani Alien Module.
<Description of adventure from said module deleted.>
>  
> Hmmm...
> Yes, I've read it.  I tend to dislike overuse of 'ancient artifacts' as
> justification for something odd, but there is merit in what you say.

You don't have to use "artifacts" as such, just psionic messages.  And they
don't need to be very clear - in fact, they can not be very clear, or else
they spoil the adventure by making prophecies which must be fulfilled.
They can be clear on such things as "The expedition includes Imperial-type
humans who are doing something active", but not on what they are doing or
why.

> So why don't you have the Imperials mount their OWN core expeditions?

Because they would have to go through the Vargr, through the Zhodani, or
take a very long detour.

> Perhaps in cooperation with the Vargr, who have got to be the greatest
> travelers in Traveller.

Perhaps if someone can explain the concept of "co-operation" to the
Vargr, and probably invent a new word in several Vargr languages at
the same time?  :-)  Besides, you would have to negotiate with more
than one Vargr tribe, some of which would probably be hostile to
each other, never mind what they think of humans.  It might make a
good adventure for travellers acting under their own initiative, but
I doubt that any official expedition would be mounted on such terms.

DM: "A well-dressed noble comes to you and explains his plans for his
    own Core expedition through Vargr territory.  He is willing to fund
    the whole expedition, and pay you generously in addition.  All you
    need to provide is your ship, and yourselves as crew."

Player: "I ask him what he has been drinking or injecting himself with,
    and where I can get some.  Then I try to sell him Olav hault
    Plankwell's secret war diaries."
:-)

> My list of must haves for MT:  TL14+ tailored vacc suit, TL14+ PLSS 'A';
> data display headset, commdot set, multiplexer, hand computer, MR comm,
> translator (all linked together through the multiplexer for voice control
> and data display without use of hands);  gauss pistol (if the law allows)
> (I generally keep a P85 nearby when I travel); LI/IR goggles (preferably
> built to look like mirrorshades); medkit and medscanner; filter/respirator;
> LOTS of money.

I thought the last of those was generally missing, which is why you are
adventuring in the first place!  As for the gauss pistol, and other high
tech stuff - you'd better also include a good stock of spare parts, because
not many planets will be able to help you in the event of a breakdown.  I
would generally operate one or two TL's down from that, in order to have a
better chance of doing maintenance at short notice.  As for weapons, I tend
to prefer snub pistols and (where allowed) ACR's.  (Mind you, I'm still
stuck with a mind based in Striker, where gauss pistols didn't have very
wonderful penetration, and where the slight penetration advantage of a
gauss rifle over an ACR was more than offset by the fact that it also
required higher DEX to use, and to get a bonus; and by the fact that even
on a TL 7 world, you could get slug ammo if you were really desparate.)

- -- 
 "Keyboard?  How quaint!" - M. Scott

 Adrian Hurt			     |	JANET:  adrian@uk.ac.hw.cs
 UUCP: ..!ukc!cs.hw.ac.uk!adrian     |  ARPA:   adrian@cs.hw.ac.uk

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3814
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 92 16:53:48 CST
From: Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Steve Higginbotham)
Subject: mail address

Jim, I'm still trying to get something through to you.  I haven't heard
back from Perkins about what the TML uses to get through to you.

Your messages seem to be coming through to me, so it may be a problem with
Tulane's mailer.  If you have a fleet ready, you can send it on to me.

New Colchis system will follow along as soon as I get a message through.

Later...

- -- Via DLG Pro v0.985b

Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US

I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution.
                                    --W. von Braun

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3815
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 92 20:22:48 CST
From: Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Steve Higginbotham)
Subject: TCS game...

Still more TCS.
 
I'm still shy a player, but I intend to go ahead and start.  The "political
pregame" starts as of receipt of this notice in the TML.  It will continue
till Sunday, when the shooting can start.
Messages can be private, or public.  Private means to only specified
worlds,
public means to all players.  Unless otherwise noted, public will be 
assumed.  The net results of all the messages (alliances, public works, 
whatever) will be summarized to all players Saturday.  Anything you do NOT
want included in that summary MUST be marked "SECRET".
 
Hopefully you all can get me at least the first 80% of your fleets to me
by Saturday.  Anything not in by Saturday cannot be used for two turns
after it is turned in, since I need to be able to inform everyone of the
contents of "Jane's Fighting Starships 5626".
Initial deployments are expected by Saturday, as well.  Anything not 
mentioned will be assumed to be in orbit about your homeworld.  The High
Command will be assumed to be in a large Pentagonal building in your
capitol.  If you want to be with the fleet, be sure and let me know.
 
I will issue you your first budgets Saturday, and will send along a balance
sheet with each turn showing your funds expended, and funds remaining.
Please TRY to avoid running out of money before the end of the year.
                                        --your comptroller
 
If ANYONE just cannot get ready by the weekend, PLEASE tell me ASAP, so I
can retract this.
 
Later...

- -- Via DLG Pro v0.985b

Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US

I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution.
                                    --W. von Braun

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3816
From: Hans Rancke-Madsen <rancke@diku.dk>
Subject: Re: Pirates
Date: Thu, 27 Feb 92 18:47:33 MET

Steve Higginbotham writes more about the impossibility of pirates.

Most of your points are all too cogent, alas. Perhaps the only
way to save the pirates is to ignore logic. Nevertheless (and
in order to reduce the leap of faith as much as possible) I'll
answer a few of them.

[Posing as customs inspectors.]

>It has merit.  But only if your ship is indistinguishable from a Customs
>ship.  Minor vagaries like your oversized power plant are sure to be
>noticed.

No it isn't. You keep it turned low. Not completely powered
down, but down to the level of the cutter you're trying to
impersonate. Turning it up full power will not involve the time
it takes to cold-start.

>And the first time a target gets away a message (which will be
>the first target, probably), then that game will no longer work.

Ooops....

>one gravity.  It's not safer if a pirate will jump you if you stop.

It is if the chance of getting jumped by a pirate if you stop
is less than the chance of being wrecked if you don't.

>                                                   The limitation on
>a pirate is that most targets only are in range for 1,000,000 Km or less.
>And that sensors only work over about half that range.
>If I re-analyze what I did yesterday to use the actual sensor ranges from MT,
>I find that the pirate locates you 53 minutes before you jump (IF he detects
>you right at the fringe of sensor range - rolls a 12 on a cautious task,
>with a model nine computer).

You forget the transponder that a benevolent Imperium demands
that all ships use at all times  -  that in the official
Traveller Universe _cannot_ be switched off unless you tamper
illegally with the mechanism. A pirate can get a passive
pinpoint the moment the merchant leaves orbit. But even in a
universe where the authorities sensibly allows it's merchants
to switch off this electronic beacon, pirates could have spies
on the planet, ready and eager to tightbeam travel information
to their ship.



      Hans Rancke
University of Copenhagen
     rancke@diku.dk
- ------------
        "A  subsector  official  pompously states that the
        subsector  armed  forces  have  four Kinunir class
        ships in service,  each with enough troop strength
        to put down any military operations that threathen
        the peace of the Imperium."

                        ---Adventure 1, The Kinunir

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3817
Date: Fri, 28 Feb 92 13:17:46 CST
From: Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Steve Higginbotham)
Subject: TCS PBEM

Set the timetable I provided back by a day while I dig up an alias for
Baranski.

Later...

- -- Via DLG Pro v0.985b

Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US

I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution.
                                    --W. von Braun

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3818
Date: Fri, 28 Feb 92 13:24:20 CST
From: Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Steve Higginbotham)
Subject: TCS PBEM history...

For any who happen to be interested, Esperanza is not a major power in this
game.  Recently, Esperanza turned strategic defense over to a highly
synaptic computer system.  Due to an error in programming, the system
proceeded to launch an attack against Esperanza when it detected Esperanzan
warships approaching the planet.  The resulting destruction (by both the
computer and the fleet) reduced Esperanzan population by 99%, and destroyed
her high-tech industries, leaving her marginally TL9

Later...

- -- Via DLG Pro v0.985b

Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US

I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution.
                                    --W. von Braun

------------------------------

End of TML Bundle
*****************

From jamesp@wrgate.wr.tek.com Mon Mar  9 14:18:57 1992
To: dan@engrg.uwo.ca (Dan Corrin), bfwong@ocf.berkeley.edu (Raven Blackburn),
        anthony@cs.pitt.edu (Michael Anthony Kapolka),
        mcknight@f104.n170.z1.fidonet.org (Chuck McKnight),
        jamesp@metolius.wr.tek.com (James T. Perkins)
Subject: TML Bundle #315: Msgs 3819-3832
Reply-To: traveller-request@wrgate.wr.tek.com (TML Administrator)
Precedence: bulk
From: James T Perkins <jamesp@wrgate.wr.tek.com>
Content-Length: 44718
X-Lines: 1030
Status: RO


TML Bundles come from the archives of the Traveller Mailing List,
maintained by James Perkins, traveller-request@metolius.wr.tek.com.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sun Mar  8 21:00:13 PST 1992
From: traveller-request@metolius.wr.tek.com (TML Administrator)
Subject: TML Bundle #315: Table of Contents

-AMN- --Date--- --Sender--------- --Subject-----------------------------------
3819  28-Feb-92 Adrian Hurt       Re: pirates << Hans Rancke-Madsen <rancke@dik
3820  29-Feb-92 Steve_Higginbotha TCS << Jim, am I getting through to you? Did 
3821  29-Feb-92 KELLOGG@DUCVAX.AU The 4.5th Frontier War (Raid on Enoc Pt 1) <<
3822  29-Feb-92 cdr@kpc.COM       Re: (3810) pirates... << > I can't see a way 
3823  29-Feb-92 cdr@kpc.COM       Re: (3803) Pirates << > I would think decreas
3824  02-Mar-92 Steve_Higginbotha pirates... << Carl Rigney: >> I would think d
3825  03-Mar-92 d9bertil@dtek.cha Thrust to weight and speed (fwd'ed) << I foun
3826  03-Mar-92 Clark Kerr Campus The problem with _Hard Times_. << I've come t
3827  03-Mar-92 TML Administrator TML ADMIN NOTICE << Please note that the mach
3828  04-Mar-92 Cynthia_Higginbot PARTY TIME! << HAPPY MARDI GRAS, EVERYBODY!! 
3829  04-Mar-92 Steve_Higginbotha Hard times revisited << Bertil: > I found thi
3830  05-Mar-92 jimv@ucrmath.ucr. Physics Question: Inducing Novas << I've got 
3831  05-Mar-92 Steve_Higginbotha computers.... << Scott Kellogg: >I have run i
3832  06-Mar-92 metlay@minerva.ph Inducing Novas << Jim, try TRAVELLER ALIEN MO

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3819
From: Adrian Hurt <adrian@cs.heriot-watt.ac.uk>
Subject: Re: pirates
Date: Fri, 28 Feb 92 10:38:35 GMT

Hans Rancke-Madsen <rancke@diku.dk> writes:
> Steve Higginbotham writes more about the impossibility of pirates.
> [Posing as customs inspectors.]
> 
> >It has merit.  But only if your ship is indistinguishable from a Customs
> >ship.  Minor vagaries like your oversized power plant are sure to be
> >noticed.
> 
> No it isn't. You keep it turned low. Not completely powered
> down, but down to the level of the cutter you're trying to
> impersonate. Turning it up full power will not involve the time
> it takes to cold-start.

Well, it's unlikely to be a cutter you're impersonating, unless your
main ship is a starship which carries a cutter.  You do not want to
be tied to one system, or the navy will have a much easier time
finding you!  Now, if you can get your hands on an Imperial Type T
patrol cruiser, you would be in business.

> >And the first time a target gets away a message (which will be
> >the first target, probably), then that game will no longer work.
> 
> Ooops....

So you do what commerce raiders did during WW2.  You approach using
your cover, and then signal the victim and tell him not to use his
radio, or you will leave the area in a hurry and leave him in a lot
of small pieces.  Your signal, of course, is tight beam and low power,
so that it will not be picked up by anyone else.

Besides, why would one signal prevent the same trick working later?
So the merchants now know that there is a Type T in pirate hands,
posing as an official Naval ship.  What are they going to do, ignore
all Type T cruisers that they see in future?

> > It's not safer if a pirate will jump you if you stop.
> 
> It is if the chance of getting jumped by a pirate if you stop
> is less than the chance of being wrecked if you don't.

So you cut your manoeuvre drives just before you jump.  It is, of course,
not possible to make your ship stationary before you jump (stationary in
whose frame of reference?).

Another question which has been raised is jump points.  I assume that this
is an artificial concept, rather than a physical limitation - you can jump
from anywhere to anywhere (assuming that departure and destination are at
safe distances from their respective stars/planets), but the world's
government would prefer you to jump to and from a certain place.  This
increases the risk of collision, as one ship approaches preparing to jump
just as another ship exits jump space.  But you would probably not have a
jump "point", so much as a jump region.  This region would be a sphere of
radius 500,000km (the maximum range of sensors and weapons), with a warship
or two at the centre, and another one or two cruising along a line joining
the centre of the sphere to the planet.  The government would not forbid
jumping to somewhere outside this region, because if it can patrol outside
that region, then it is unnecessary to define the region in the first place.
But the government would be able to protect merchants who used that region,
and would make no attempt to help anyone who did not.

Another possibility would be to simply have a large space station at that
point, acting as a starport.  Thus, a ship could jump almost immediately
after launching, and could dock very soon after exiting jump space.  Or
would the use of jump drives near the station be likely to harm it?

Anyway, there are a few more points to chew on!

- -- 
 "Keyboard?  How quaint!" - M. Scott

 Adrian Hurt			     |	JANET:  adrian@uk.ac.hw.cs
 UUCP: ..!ukc!cs.hw.ac.uk!adrian     |  ARPA:   adrian@cs.hw.ac.uk

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3820
Date: Sat, 29 Feb 92 11:01:13 CST
From: Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Steve Higginbotham)
Subject: TCS

Jim, am I getting through to you?  Did you get your system write-up?

Later...

- -- Via DLG Pro v0.985b

Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US

I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution.
                                    --W. von Braun

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3821
Date: Sat, 29 Feb 1992 13:23 CST
From: KELLOGG@DUCVAX.AUBURN.EDU
Subject: The 4.5th Frontier War (Raid on Enoc Pt 1)

Well, here it is, Chapter one, part one of The 4.5th Frontier War.  Chapter
one will be divided up into 4 parts.  Then Chapter 2 will be in 6 parts.
Chapter 3 will be in about 3 or 4 parts, chapter 4 will be in 6 parts, Chapter
5 isn't finished yet but has already hit 60+Kbytes...  Lesse, that's 22 weeks?
Geez!  I hope I have computer access for that long!  -Scott

There is nothing wrong with your TML.  Do not attempt to contact the
Administrator.  We are controlling the bandwidth....

		RAID ON ENOC
		     or
	Is that a gauss rifle in your pocket,
	   or are you just glad to see me?

		     by
		Scott Kellogg
		- I -
	Agent 604 settled into the chair comfortably, taking in the
setting of the office in a glance.  This company is an excellent
cover for a SORAG:  liquid hydrogen production and transport.
With hydrogen needed all over the planet, the company can get
into virtually every business, its fleet of tankers provide a
large group of inconspicuous vehicles, thus necessitating a large
communications network that we can use for more than just getting
people their fuel.
	Colonel Korispatl sat pensively across a large desk from
604.  "604, you know about some of the shakeup SORAG went through
recently, you may not know the cause, but I am going to give you
as much as you need to know for your assignment."
	"Colonel Baremkatlasche' was found to be a mole."  Korispatl
let it sink in:  the head of SORAG in the Ikar sector:  a mole.
"We do not know who he was working for, but he was passing
information to someone, and two months ago he defected.  We do
not know how many others may have been involved in the sellout,
but we have some suspects."
	"Why, to put it bluntly, are they not dead?" asked 604.
	"For one, we do not know who they work for.  Two, they are
Just suspects at the moment.  Three, there are rather a lot of
them, should they all disappear it would not look too good for
us.  And finally, it would be rather messy.
	Your assignment is to observe one of them:  Dr. Mako
Malenkoviepr.  Watch him, report on his moves, and try to
determine wither or not he has sold out."
	"I have heard of Dr. Malenkoviepr, archeologist, something
of a folk hero, why is he on the suspect list?"
	"Twenty three years ago, he found an ancient base while
working for us.  His superior at the time was Baremkatlasche'. It
seems that there actually were ancient Droyne warriors in
suspension there.  When they revived, they insisted on committing
krintrinasoyu.  Malenkoviepr is the regional expert on the
Droyne, it was his job to talk them out of it.  He failed to do
so, and we lost the chance to examine an almost perfectly intact
ancient base."
	"And you think he just let them do it?"
	"Well, actually I was there, and in a matter of speaking yes
he did just let them do it, but there are other factors to
consider.  Malenkoviepr was brought up in Droyne society, to him
their ritual suicide was the proper thing for them to do, and
interfering with that would rob them of honor."
	604 considered it, "That would indicate he has more loyalty
to the Droyne than the Consulate."
	"Possibly, but it was a tough spot he was in, I would not
really judge him from that one incident.  Still it was enough to
get him thrown out of SORAG.  Nowadays, he does a great deal of
travelling outside the Consulate as part of general good will
tours.  This makes him even more suspect."
	"Why do you not just pull him in, interrogate him and read
his mind?"
	"We may yet.  But, he is trained to resist, and he is a
telepath of considerable strength.  It would be a difficult task,
though we have the capability to do it.  Observation might be
more of a risk, but we may get more information than he might
hold right now."
	"How shall I observe?"
	"Dr. Malenkoviepr has obtained a courier:  the Kliemoshie.
He will be needing a crew.  You will sign up.  Now, we have been
contacted by the Ine Givar organization which has asked for his
help in raiding an Imperial archeological expedition on Enoc.
You and the other crew will be provided with battle dress and
gauss rifles and training to use them by the Ine Givar on
Aramat."
	"Right, I will want a list of the other suspects to see if
there is any connections between him and any others."
	"Agreed, and, I can tell you that there is one other suspect
that we know Malenkoviepr has dealings with."
	"And that is?"
	"Me."
	"You are a suspect?"
	"Yes, however, I would not bother investigating me, if I
were you.  Undoubtedly some one else has that little chore.  But,
if you feel the need, by all means go ahead."
	"I see."
	"Ahh, you are suspicious.  Good, this may be tricky
business, we need a suspicious person on it.
	Now on less touchy areas, since you will be traveling
outside the Consulate, I would also like you to report on any
pirate activity you find.  It has been on a sharp increase in the
Ikar sector of late.  And there may have been some connection
between Colonel Baremkatlasche' and the pirates.
	You see about five months ago SORAG captured an Imperial
Transport:  the Star Rider.  She was being given to the League of
Suns as a gift from the emperor.  We captured the ship and made
it appear as though she crashed."
	"Yes, I remember.  Star Rider:  experimental transport, tech
level fourteen, considered obsolete, meson spinal mount, forty
thousand tons.  Presumed destroyed in a collision with a free
trader."
	"The trader was taking an assault team to the ship.  They
rendezvoused and the team took the ship.  Soon afterward, the
ship was ambushed by pirates.  Some one leaked the plan:  Colonel
Baremkatlasche's plan.  The ship has since been sighted in pirate
service.  Of course, only we know what ship is out there.
Officially, we have been dismissing sightings of the Star Rider,
but we want to find that ship and whoever is operating it."
	"Any leads on the pirates?  A forty thousand ton ship is a
pretty large ship for a gang of pirates to be running."
	"Yes, and what is more, the ship was almost completely
stripped of armament.  It needed a major overhaul and weapons to
put the teeth back in it, and that appears to have been done.
Almost any interplanetary state could have done the work.
Several independent planets could have done it as well."
	"That is a lot of territory to cover."
	"There is one thing notable about their attacks:  the object
seems to be the capture of ships rather than cargo."
	"How do you know?"
	"They are less discriminatory about the victims cargoes than
other pirates, they have even dumped cargoes in space."
	"I see."
	"Now you know all you need for now."  Korispatl handed 604 a
holo crystal, "Here is Dr. Malenkoviepr's file, familiarize
yourself with it.  Here also is Baremkatlasche's file, in it is
the list of the other suspects.  If you wish their files, you may
draw them from records.  Good Luck."
	604 dropped the crystal in a terminal slot and a holographic
image sprang into existence.  A tiny doll of Dr. Malenkoviepr
stood on the desk along with a readout:

Dr. Mako Malenkoviepr	59CEFA  PSI-14 Age 46 (physical age 23)
Occupation:  Archeologist, specializing in the ancients
Race:  Zhodani
Sex:  Male
Homeworld:  Tesser/Iakr
Height:  1.5 Meters
Hair Color:  White
Eye Color:  Pink
Distinguishing Characteristics:  Albino
Psionic diciplines known:  Telepathy, Awareness, The reading of
	Auras, Droyne ability of 'Inward Eye' and Homing
Doctorate in Sophontology
Doctorate in Physics
Master's Degree in Psychology specializing in Nonverbal
	Communication and Psychological Warfare
Master's Degree in Computers
Master's Degree in Education
Languages known:  Zhodani, Droyne, Galanglic all fluent
Equipment qualified on:  Grav Vehicle, Vac Suit, Grav-Belt
Combat Skills:  Experienced in the use of Hand guns, has reached
	the first level of mastery in unarmed combat.  Expeienced
	with explosives.
Leadership training and experienced Liaison officer.  Aquainted
with techniques of Droyne appeals to caste system.
Has gone through basic survival courses.
Notes:  Extremely resourceful...

		- II -
	Dr. Mako Malenkoviepr sat sprawled in the main lounge of his
ZC courier.  Two hundred tons made for a small ship, but without
a crew she rang with emptiness.  Two G acceleration! (with a warm
engine).  Model three computer! (fairly reliable).  Jump three
engines! (when she felt like it).  She is one hundred and forty
eight years old.  Well, she is mine any way.  I suppose if I had
acted in a more conventional fashion for a Zhodani noble I might
have done better.  As long as I have a good crew I can manage.
	Time to check out these applications:  Ship's Doctor:

Ex-Guard Commando Lieutenant Jietlshaiepr  DB799A	PSI-9 Age 30
Race:  Zhodani
Sex:  Female
Homeworld:  Rio/Tloql
Height:  2.05 Meters
Hair Color:  Brown
Eye Color:  Brown
Legion of Merit
Psionic diciplines known:  Teleportation, Awareness, Clairvoyance
Medical Doctorate
Bachelor's Degree in Cryptography and Comunications
Languages known:  Zhodani, Galanglic
Equipment qualified on:  Sensors, Battle Dress, High Energy
	Weapons, Computers, Combat Rifles, Hand Guns, Grav-Belt,
	Ground Vehicles
Combat Skills:  Has achieved distiction as a marksman, Has
	reached the third level of mastery of unarmed combat, and
	first level with edged weapons.  Has served as an
	experienced scout.  Experienced in the use of explosives.
Attended Command College, and Psionic Schools, recently retrained
in clairvoyance.  Three times decorated for heroism, one Wound
Badge obtained in a boarding action in Eshaar system.  Three
times decorated for actions in piracy suppression in Massina
Subsector
Wound Badge,
Two Hero of the Consulate 2nd Class medals,
Hero of the Consulate 5th Class medal
Weapons owned:  Battle Dress, PGMP-13, and Unit Blade

	She is the most qualified of all the candidates.  Most
attactive too.  Too bad she is attached to that pilot...
Niedrsha:

Ex-Navy Deck Leader Niedrsha	6B8A97 PSI-8 Age 30
Race:  Zhodani
Sex:  Male
Homeworld:  Jorj/Iakr
Height:  1.85 Meters
Hair Color:  Brown
Eye Color:  Hazel
Class III Pilot's license, obtained as enlisted pilot.
Class II Navigator's Liscence
Specialist School Education in Psychology
Equipment qualified on:  Grav Vehicles, Vac Suits, Sub-Machine
	Guns, Hand Guns
Combat Skills:  Exerienced in ship to ship tactical engagements.
	Experienced as a forward observer, Fair marksman, Fisticuffs
Leadership training, Enlisted liaison training
Two Wound Badges obtained in piracy supression missions in
Massina Subsector.  Three times decorated for parts taken in
actions.
Hero of the Consulate 1st Class,
Hero of the Consulate 2th Class,
Hero of the Consulate 4th Class
Weapons owned: Sub Machine Gun

	Rather unremarkable, competent pilot certainly, there was
something about him... I have forgotten... wasn't important...
was he psi shielded?... yes.
	Any way, Niedrsha is the guardian of the other one the
gunner... Oh yes, Drert:

Ex-Navy Advanced Spacer Drert	B87567 PSI-5 Age 30 Male
Race:  Zhodani
Sex:  Male
Homeworld:  Jorj/Iakr
Height:  2.1 Meters
Hair Color:  Brown
Eye Color:  Hazel
Legion of Merit
Equipment qualified on:  Starship Weapons, Combat Rifles, Battle
Dress, Hand Guns, Grav Vehicles
Combat Skills:  Good marksman, Fisticuffs
Three Wound Badges, obtained in Piracy suppression in Massina
Subsector.  Five times decorated for actions.
Three Hero of the Consulate First Class medals,
Hero of the Consulate 2nd Class,
Hero of the Consulate 3rd Class
Weapons owned:  Gauss Rifle

	Now he is psychotic, incurable, but able to function as long
as Niedrsha keeps tabs on him.  Interesting case, has no
conception of right or wrong.  Odd.  I wish Jietlshaiepr was not
part of a package deal.
	Next there is the engineer, no strings attached:  Shtam:

Ex-Merchant Second Officer Shtam	A7AA87 PSI-9 Age 38
Race:  Zhodani
Sex:  Male
Homeworld:  Cronor/Tloql
Height:  2.25 Meters
Hair Color:  Light Brown
Eye Color:  Green
Class III Starship Maintainance Liscence
Class II Engineer's Liscence
Class II Small Craft Pilot Liscence
Class II Communications Liscence
Commendations on resourcefulness
Equipment Qualified on:  Vac Suit, Grav Vehicles, Combat Rifles,
	Hand Guns
Combat Skills:  Experienced in ship to ship tactical engagements.
	Fair marksman
Friendly, outgoing

	He seems like a pretty level headed person, albeit a bit
strong willed and, he is psi shielded.  He was with Priantqlovr
Drafr Mega-corp.  They travel outside the Consulate fairly
regularly, maybe he picked up psi training on the outside.
	Last: the steward, Miakr and his robot:

Ex-Belter Miakr				698D85 PSI-8 Age 22
Flicking-8
Race:  Zhodani
Sex:  Male
Homeworld:  Massina/Iakr
Height:  1.89 Meters
Hair Color:  Light Brown
Eye Color:  Brown
Psionic Disciplines known:  Flicking
Armed Robot Owner's Liscence
Class I Starship Maintainance Certificate
Class I Navigator Certificate
Has soloed in a seeker type starship
Equipment Qualified on:  Robots, Computers, Vac Suit, Grav
Vehicles, Gauss Rifle, Laser Rifle
Combat Skills:  Poor marksman
Weapons owned:  Robot Dog

Robot Dog:  Vole
653X4-12-RM327-PDB3(F)   Cr 1,097,200	384.6 Kg
Fuel=6   Duration=1 day   TL=15
30/75 (Combat Armor)		Psionic Flicking
2 Medium Arms/Legs
2 Visual Sensors + Telescopic + Light Intensification + Active IR
2 Audio Sensors + Extra Sensitivity
Olfactory Sensor + Extra Sensitivity
Touch Sensors  Radiation Sensor
Radio (5000Km)  Program Interface  Obscuration Device
Gauss Rifle  Laser Welder  Grav Belt-External attached
Emotion Simulation
Instruction-4 Close Combat-4 Weapon Handling-2 Hunting-2 Rescue-2
Medical-1 Grav Vehicle-1

	Now, that kid seemed awfully nervous in his interview.  That
combined with the fact that the robot is SORAG equipment make him
a bit suspicious.  He said it is the prototype, and if I remember
correctly the early ones were rather erratic.
	He looks awfully young for his age.  But he is not shielded,
so I can keep tabs on him if I have to.
	I wish I had more applicants to choose from.  This could be
rough.  Well Mako, you knew the job was dangerous when you took
it.
			- III -
		Aramat E484000-0
	A breath of wind crossed the landing pad giving the only
break in the heat of the desert that was Aramat.  Four Grav tanks
hovering above the pad gave the only shade where a group of
beings reclined.
	The crew observed from the bridge of the Kliemoshie.
	"What kind of tanks are those?" asked Miakr of no one in
particular.
	Dr. Malenkoviepr waited for an answer, but none seemed to be
forthcoming from the crew members.  "They are tech level eleven
Gram class Grav tanks:  crew of four armed with a 10 megawatt
plasma gun and a 30 mm autocannon.  If you did not know them, get
to know them.  They are pretty battle worn by the look of them,
the third one has a damaged grav module, see how it is listing?"
	In the shade of the tanks a group was resting seeming
unconcerned about the arrival of the Kliemoshie.  "Well, shall we
go meet whoever we are supposed to meet, and find out what it is
we are supposed to be doing?" suggested Jietlshaiepr.
	"Right, everyone armed.  Jietlshaiepr put on that battle
dress.  Drert, you are the gunner, lend your gauss rifle to Shtam
and get in the ship's turret.  Niedrsha, take your submachine
gun.  Miakr, break a shotgun out of the locker and bring Vole."
as he spoke Dr. Malenkoviepr brought out a large strange looking
gauss pistol and began adjusting it.  A shoulder stock was added
with a barrel extension for good measure with a laser designator
put on top for a finishing touch of deadliness.

	The scent of law level zero cigarettes was borne on what
little breeze there was on the desert planet along with the sound
of a lazy tune that was distinguishably Vargr.  The musical
intervals were a bit too precise to be sung by a human, while the
words, to the untrained ear were growls and barks.  It seemed to
be telling of some vargr who was in some way particularly
charismatic in some particular way.
	Miakr stood closely by the doctor holding the shotgun at the
ready, and looking a bit awkward with the unfamiliar weapon.
	Dr. Malenkoviepr spoke first in Gevueg.  "Good afternoon, I
understand we are expected."
	A large male vargr squinted out of the shade of the grav
tanks, "Graaah!" he shooed a young female off his lap and stood.
He paused for a moment in thought, grasped Dr. Malenkoviepr
warmly by the hand and said in strongly accented Zhodani "Good
bye!"
	He turned and greeted the each of the crew with a hearty
handshake, a breath of alcohol, and a badly pronounced "Good
bye!"  "My is brain..." he paused, looked at the confused
expressions of the new arrivals and asked "Do you speak English?
I think will we along get a easier if we do, my Zhodani is very
bad."
	Dr. Malenkoviepr nodded agreeably.
	"Name's Oddball." he declared in English.  "Least all
my friends call me Oddball, and you're all my friends."  He put
his arm around the doctor's shoulder to emphasize the point.
Malenkoviepr looked at the arm with disdain.  Seeming to ignore
this the vargr withdrew his arm.
	"I am Doctor Malenkoviepr and this is my crew, medical
officer Dr. Jietlshaiepr, pilot Niedrsha, engineer Shtam, my
steward Miakr and his robot Vole."
	Suddenly the crew saw objects flying toward them, they
recognized them for bottles as they came down for them to catch.
Oddball looked like a juggler losing every juggling pin he had as
he tossed the bottles to them.  "Zilan Neuwine, not bad."
observed Jietlshaiepr.  The law level zero cigarettes were
refused.
	"You have the equipment for us?" asked Dr. Malenkoviepr
attempting to get down to business.
	"Yup, six suits of zho battle dress, six zho gauss rifles,
ammo, plus one instructor:  your's truly dat's me."  Oddball threw
a canvass off of a pile of crates of armor and one of rifles.  "I
already modified one of the suits to yer height and weight specs
as supplied by the Ine Givar."
	"Ine Givar, that would be the anti-Imperial, pro-psionic
terrorists." asked Niedrsha.
	"Yup, dat's who's payin' da bills.  But enough business,
let's get down to serious matters."  He brought out his own
bottle of wine, "To your continued health my good humans."
	The female vargr who had been seated on Oddball's lap came
over and draped herself around Miakr's neck who was already
having difficulty balancing a shotgun and two bottles of wine.
"My name's Gresha what's yours?"  Miakr suddenly felt a sting in
his arm, and looked to see Jietlshaiepr withdrawing a hypodermic
needle from it.  "Watch out for the teeth." She said in Zhodani
over her shoulder as she left him with Gresha.
	An Axly member of the tank crew approached Niedrsha, but she
found herself interrupted by the point of a plasma gun held
casually but deliberately by the menacing form of Jietlshaiepr in
full battle dress.  She continued on and stopped before Shtam.
Shtam smiled politely but directed his attention elsewhere.  The
four armed Axly are humanoid but not sufficiently so for him.
She returned to a male of her own species.
	Dr. Malenkoviepr saw the situation rapidly deteriorating.
He turned and addressed Oddball, "We will begin outfitting and
training with the armor and rifles tomorrow I trust."
	"Oh yeah, no problem.  But fer now relax, enjoy.  Now allow
me to introduce youse to an ol' custom of...."


The 4.5th Frontier War will continue... and continue... and continue... and
continue... and continue... and con

[Break in line 467 ";" expected]

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3822
From: cdr@kpc.COM (Carl Rigney)
Date: Sat, 29 Feb 92 22:50:11 PST
Subject: Re: (3810) pirates...

> I can't see a way to make piracy pay without the resources of a planetary
> government to back you up.  And then only by doing a "space viking"
> number:  raid planets, not ships.  Hit those out-of-the -way planets,
> the ones with enough loot to pay expenses, but no defenses to speak of.

>From conversations with Robert Plamondon I believe that's how piracy
is commonly done in Gazis' Eight Worlds campaign, which has been alleged
to be Traveller now and then.  The poor worlds don't have any defense vs.
an orbiting ship's weapons so the pirates land, grab up whatever they like,
flatten whatever resists, and depart.

- --
Carl Rigney
cdr@kpc.com
EOF 

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3823
From: cdr@kpc.COM (Carl Rigney)
Date: Sat, 29 Feb 92 22:50:10 PST
Subject: Re: (3803) Pirates

> I would think decreasing sensor range would help as well.  Even better,
> expand the range difference between an at rest pirate with advanced equipment
> actively watching for a victim, and a short crewed merchant with basic
> equipment in flight.

Perhaps Traveller Sensors should be like submarine sonar.  When you're
moving you're blind because you're making too much noise.  For
something like a neutrino detector this even sounds plausible.  Maximum
sensitivity comes from turning off your own plant.  The more power you
generate, the harder it is to detect other people's power plants.  When
you get close enough and have a bearing on a target you can switch to
optics, and when you get real close you can switch to something like
radar or laser-ranging.  Likewise the less power you're using the
harder you are to see on N-detectors.

Warfleets would have scout boats ahead doing bounding overwatch with
some moving while others coast on low power looking for unexpected
power sources, but a merchant can't afford to do that; it's pick up a
cargo and boost for jump because time is money.

I think the other thing that would aid pirates is reducing weapon
range, so that 12 warships in a dodecahedron around a planet can't
cover the entire volume to 100 meters without needing to move.

- --
Carl Rigney
cdr@kpc.com

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3824
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 92 16:15:51 CST
From: Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Steve Higginbotham)
Subject: pirates...

Carl Rigney:
 
>> I would think decreasing sensor range would help as well.  Even better,
>> expand the range difference between an at rest pirate with advanced
>> equipment actively watching for a victim, and a short crewed merchant 
>> with basic equipment in flight.
>
>Perhaps Traveller Sensors should be like submarine sonar.  When you're
>moving you're blind because you're making too much noise.  For
>something like a neutrino detector this even sounds plausible.  Maximum
>sensitivity comes from turning off your own plant.  The more power you
>generate, the harder it is to detect other people's power plants.  When
>you get close enough and have a bearing on a target you can switch to
>optics, and when you get real close you can switch to something like
>radar or laser-ranging.  Likewise the less power you're using the
>harder you are to see on N-detectors.
 
That makes a minute amount of sense.  But since pirates will have bigger
power plants, they will have larger signatures.  So once they start to 
move to intercept, they lose you on their sensors, and you pick them up
on yours.  Then you change course and let them go on their merry way.
I should point out that ACTIVE sonar is not really affected by submarine 
speed.  So radar would work just fine.  And the merchants don't mind using
radar, since they have nothing to hide.  The pirates can't use it because
they DO have something to hide.  Remember ESM.
 
 
 
>Warfleets would have scout boats ahead doing bounding overwatch with
>some moving while others coast on low power looking for unexpected
>power sources, but a merchant can't afford to do that; it's pick up a
>cargo and boost for jump because time is money.
 
No, warfleets won't.  They'll use drones to scout ahead, and the fleet will
accelerate normally.
And time may be money, but an extra three hours per week is trivial.  And
that's how much longer it would take.  Keep in mind all you have to do is
stop accelerating for a few minutes, look around, then accelerate again.
Warm start of a fusion plant only takes 3 or 4 minutes.  If you sacrifice
that much time every 15 minutes, you still take only 256 minutes to transit
to jump distance, as opposed  to 211 minutes of continuous boost.  I doubt
any merchant will get excited about losing 1.5 hours every two weeks.
 
 
>I think the other thing that would aid pirates is reducing weapon
>range, so that 12 warships in a dodecahedron around a planet can't
>cover the entire volume to 100 meters without needing to move.
 
NO!  That was the whole point of some of those posts.  If weapon ranges
are reduced, then the pirate will have a HARDER time of intercepting
targets in the 3 or 4 hour window he has between boost and jump.
 
Later...

- -- Via DLG Pro v0.985b

Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US

I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution.
                                    --W. von Braun

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3825
From: d9bertil@dtek.chalmers.se
Subject: Thrust to weight and speed (fwd'ed)
Date: Tue, 3 Mar 92 7:33:51 MET

  I found this on sci.military, and it might be of interest to the vehicle/
a-c design crowd. It looks like the Traveller method of speed as a direct 
function of TtW is bogus.

- -bertil-

sci.military (moderated) #16537 (8 more)                              (1)--(1)
From: Henry Spencer
[1] Re: Mig-25
Date: Mon Mar  2 05:15:54 1992
Organization: U of Toronto Zoology


>From henry@zoo.toronto.edu (Henry Spencer)

>From twh18@isuvax.iastate.edu (Phoenix)
>BTW, how come Mig-29, with only 2 18400 lbs thrust engine could 
>achive the speed of Mach 2.4, I mean, I always thought the fighter
>speed has something to do with it's Thrust:Weight ratio, but
>what I seen is that some plane with  lower than 1.0 ratio could
>fly faster than a F-16 (Mach 2.1+)...

The top speed of a fighter is set by any of several considerations.
Simply running out of power is only one possibility.  The reason the
F-16 is limited to about Mach 2 maximum is that efficient engine
operation at higher speeds requires variable geometry in the air intakes,
omitted on the F-16 because it costs weight, money, and reliability.
Another common limitation is overheating in some area -- the canopy,
the nose structure, or the engine, for example.  Heating starts to
become troublesome shortly after Mach 2, and beyond about Mach 2.5
you need drastic measures like wholesale use of titanium.

With good aerodynamics and variable intakes, the T:W ratio doesn't need
to be all that high to run you up against thermal limits.  The F-106
set a world absolute speed record at circa Mach 2.5, and several other
fighters of that vintage routinely hit temperature limits in that
vicinity while still accelerating fiercely.  If memory serves, even the
SR-71's T:W ratio is nowhere near the F-16's.
- -- 
The X Window system is not layered, and | Henry Spencer @ U of Toronto Zoology
it was not designed. -Shane P. McCarron |  henry@zoo.toronto.edu  utzoo!henry

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3826
Date: Tue, 3 Mar 92 13:29:42 -0800
From: Clark Kerr Campus <bvaughan@ocf.Berkeley.EDU>
Subject: The problem with _Hard Times_.


I've come to the conclusion that the problem with the pattern of decline
described in _Hard Times_ is that it assumes that, before the Rebellion,
all worlds are, for all practical purposes, possessed of high
stellar technology.

Take, for example, the chapter opening in which the seasoned traveller
describes his amazement in encountering an electric arc-welder.  While
the use of one would be surprising on a world formerly capable of
x-ray laser welders would be surprising, it seems unlikely that someone
who has travelled widely in Imperial space would never have seen one
before, given the large number of industrial and pre-stellar worlds.

According to _Hard Times_, as worlds are cut off from interstellar
trade, they become unable to sustain their prior levels of technology,
and must regress to lower, locally sustainable levels of technology.

Now, I had always assumed that the reason for the incredibly wide range
of levels of technology was that most worlds preferred to remain at
levels of technology which were locally sustainable.

_Hard Times_ seems intended to cut down on the number of high-tech
worlds, and to increase the number of low-tech worlds.  But, I had rather
felt that there was already a superabundance of low-tech worlds.

I hope I am not annoying anyone by initiating another round of _Hard_
_Times_ bashing, but most prior discussion has focused on the idea that
technology could be quickly reacquired, rather than on the question
of why technology would be lost in the first place.

Brian G. Vaughan             O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell, and
bvaughan@ocf.berkeley.edu    count myself a king of infinite space--were
                             it not that I have bad dreams.
                                                    (Hamlet, II.ii.254-6)

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3827
Subject: TML ADMIN NOTICE
From: TML Administrator <traveller-request@metolius.WR.TEK.COM>
Date: Tue, 03 Mar 92 19:04:17 PST


Please note that the machine from which the TML is being sent may appear
to be different from now on - it still is actually being sent by
metolius.wr.tek.com, but all the From: line it may indicate that it is
coming from wrgate.wr.tek.com.  This is a perfectly valid address and
mail sent to either traveller@wrgate.wr.tek.com or
traveller@metolius.wr.tek.com will all go to the same, correct place.
The same oddness goes for personal mail I send out - it's an internal
mail change and both addresses end up here on metolius eventually.

Back on your heads,

James

__   __/         /   /	    Internet Traveller Mailing List, Administrator
    /     /  /  /   /	   James T. Perkins in Beaverton, Oregon, USA
 __/   __/__/__/ _____/   traveller-request@metolius.wr.tek.com

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3828
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 92 07:07:40 CST
From: Cynthia_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Cynthia Higginbotham)
Subject: PARTY TIME!

                      HAPPY MARDI GRAS, EVERYBODY!!

p.s. They also celebrate Mardi Gras on Efate -- at this time, Efate is 
declared an Amber Zone by the TAS; there is a proposal to make the Vargr
District of New Marseilles/Efate a Red Zone during Mardi Gras...

p.s.s. Can you imagine a Vargr Mardi Gras?  Come to think of it, I think
I saw some furry types down in the Quarter....

- -- Via DLG Pro v0.985b

cynthia_higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3829
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 92 11:24:05 CST
From: Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Steve Higginbotham)
Subject: Hard times revisited

Bertil:
>  I found this on sci.military, and it might be of interest to the
vehicle/
>a-c design crowd. It looks like the Traveller method of speed as a direct 
>function of TtW is bogus.
 
It certainly is.  I think Traveller looked at AFVs, and tried to generalize
to flying thingies.  The F-15 and SR-71 demonstrated that back when they
first stuck their feet in hteir mouths over at GDW.
 
Do you have any good (simple) solutions to the problem?  Create a drag
index for ALL vehicles, not just aircraft?
 
Brian Vaughan:
 
>According to _Hard Times_, as worlds are cut off from interstellar
>trade, they become unable to sustain their prior levels of technology,
>and must regress to lower, locally sustainable levels of technology.
>
>Now, I had always assumed that the reason for the incredibly wide range
>of levels of technology was that most worlds preferred to remain at
>levels of technology which were locally sustainable.
 
I had assumed that too.  Cynthia and I are working toward a redefinition 
ot Tech Level that would incorporate the effects shown in Hard Times, and
the original definition of TL, and the definition given in HT (none of
which
agree to any apreciable degree).
So far, we have decided to redefine TL as an ECONOMIC indicator, in line 
with TCS/Striker.  Then actual Technological level is defined by two sets
of TL breakdowns from WBH - one to indicate production TLs, the other to
indicate TLs USED.  
So a world might have a TL of 7, indicating a weak economy, with few
exports.
It's production TL might then be: 96-858B6-9890-A8-B, and it's Use TL might
be: B7-AAAD6-AAAB-CC-F.  The Use TL would be the one adversely affected by
HT, with the collapse tending toward the Production TL (with a chance of 
dropping below that, in case of bombardment, or other destruction of local
industry).  The economic TL could vary wildly during HT, as this world
might
export more, import more, import less, export less, whatever.
 
 
>_Hard Times_ seems intended to cut down on the number of high-tech
>worlds, and to increase the number of low-tech worlds.  But, I had rather
>felt that there was already a superabundance of low-tech worlds.
>
>I hope I am not annoying anyone by initiating another round of _Hard_
>_Times_ bashing, but most prior discussion has focused on the idea that
>technology could be quickly reacquired, rather than on the question
>of why technology would be lost in the first place.
 
SO had I.  However, the system outlined above can explain those low TL
holes
as places with few exports to the Imperium at large.  The system above 
developed out of several discussions about how TL could be lost, when it is
defined as production capability.
 
Later...

- -- Via DLG Pro v0.985b

Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US

I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution.
                                    --W. von Braun

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3830
Date: Thu, 5 Mar 92 09:49:22 PST
From: jimv@ucrmath.ucr.edu (jim vassilakos)
Subject: Physics Question: Inducing Novas


I've got a really strange (astro)physics question. Given sufficiently
advanced technology, is there a way to induce "the average star"
to go nova within a relatively short (hours, days) period of
time? If so, what sort of manipulation would be required,
and what sciences would have to be developed in order for this
technology to become available (i.e. what TL are we talking)?

Apologies in advance if this is an old topic.

jimv@ucrmath.ucr.edu


------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3831
Date: Thu, 5 Mar 92 14:55:48 CST
From: Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Steve Higginbotham)
Subject: computers....

Scott Kellogg:
 
>I have run into the problem of constructing ships larger than allowed by
the
>rules as reguards to computers.
>
>What I did was to allow multiple computer set-ups.  Triple installation of
>computers would monitor all ship functions that they are capable of
>monitoring.
>Thus a ship that had twice as many CPs as allowed for the computer she was
>carrying would have to have at least 6 computers rather than the normal 3.
>On top of this, I added three more computers to integrate the data of the
>first two.  Thus the above example would have 9 computers rather than the 
>normal 3.
>
>I figure that three computers should be able to handle just about all the
>integration of many many multiple computer installations.
>
>Thus if a computer can only handle X CP, and a ship has Y CP in it's make 
>up, the formula for the number of computers becomes Computers=Y/X+3.
>
>I found this useful when designing a 50,000 ton ship with a spinal mount
at
>TL 8.  :-)
 
By a curious coincidence, Cynthia and I were discussing that very subject
just last night.  Our solution was somewhat more complex than Scott's, but
possibly more consistent with MT's (admittedly maimed) rules regarding
computers and controls:
 
1)  A computer can control as many control points as it's (Max Input) times
it's CP Multiplier.  It can accept an input equal to it's Max Input.
 
2)  Computers can operate in series by connecting the output of a computer
into the inputs of other computers, to the limit of the Max Input of the
subordinate computers.  Thus, a computer can drive a number of subordinate
machines equal in number to it's CP multiplier.
 
3)  For control purposes, any size machine may be built up from smaller
machines using the above guidelines, and so any size ship may be built at
any TL, with a penalty due to the increased size/cost of the computers.
 
For instance, a model-10 computer can be built up from 50,000,002 model-0
computers, at a cost of MCr3,000,000.12, taking up 25,000,001 Kl (1,851,852
displacement tons).  Anyone need a TL5 supercomputer?  Codename Merlin,
perhaps?  A simpler example is a TL7 substitute for a model-5:  
 
     Model-5 output = 100,000 x 35 = 3,500,000
     model-2(TL7) output = 10,000 x 15 = 150,000.
     so, 24 model-2s would provide sufficient computing power, with two
     more to control those twenty-four (since the model-2 has a CP
Multiplier
     of 15, two are required to control more than 15 subordinate machines),
     and a single machine to control the two machines and link the whole
     setup into a single computer.  The final machine consists of 27
model-2
     computers, at a cost of MCr51.3 (compared to MCr9.7 for a M-5), and
     taking up 94.5 Kl (compared to 6.5Kl for a M-5).
 
In general, the computers produced are larger than their high-tech
analogues,
but they do sometimes work out cheaper, for those who like to really 
squeeze every last credit before letting go.
 
Later...

- -- Via DLG Pro v0.985b

Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US

I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution.
                                    --W. von Braun

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3832
From: metlay@minerva.phyast.pitt.edu (metlay)
Subject: Inducing Novas
Date: Fri, 6 Mar 92 0:40:33 EST

Jim, try TRAVELLER ALIEN MODULE 8: DARRIANS, The Secret of the Star
Trigger. The Darrians are a human race with a small border nation 
on the edge of the Spinward Marches that were TL 16 until they bombed
themselves back into the Dark Ages by inducing a nova in their Sun.
Fear of this weapon kept the Zhodani off their backs and the Imperium
an (uneasy) ally for centuries; the adventure dicusses a search through
their history to try to learn the secret of how the gizmo worked.

I could type in the technical details if you want; it's all handwaving
Traveller technogobbledygook, but it reads well. Interestingly enough,
the character currently in command of the TML's PBEM mission to explore
the R-Alpha Ringworld was a former head of the Darrian Special Arm, the
Navy unit assigned to control and deploy the Star Trigger....he has
the dubious distinction of having had his finger on the single largest
"button" in the Galaxy's history.....

- -- 

Mike Metlay
metlay@minerva.phyast.pitt.edu
Atomic City, P.O. Box 81175, Pittsburgh, PA 15217-0675

------------------------------

End of TML Bundle
*****************

From jamesp@wrgate.wr.tek.com Thu Mar 12 00:43:59 1992
To: dan@engrg.uwo.ca (Dan Corrin), bfwong@ocf.berkeley.edu (Raven Blackburn),
        anthony@cs.pitt.edu (Michael Anthony Kapolka),
        mcknight@f104.n170.z1.fidonet.org (Chuck McKnight),
        jamesp@metolius.wr.tek.com (James T. Perkins)
Subject: TML Bundle #316: Msgs 3833-3840
Reply-To: traveller-request@wrgate.wr.tek.com (TML Administrator)
Precedence: bulk
From: James T Perkins <jamesp@wrgate.wr.tek.com>
Content-Length: 44185
X-Lines: 915
Status: RO


TML Bundles come from the archives of the Traveller Mailing List,
maintained by James Perkins, traveller-request@metolius.wr.tek.com.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed Mar 11 21:00:12 PST 1992
From: traveller-request@metolius.wr.tek.com (TML Administrator)
Subject: TML Bundle #316: Table of Contents

-AMN- --Date--- --Sender--------- --Subject-----------------------------------
3833  06-Mar-92 grue@cs.uq.oz.au  Re: computers... << hi, Steve writes, >By a c
3834  06-Mar-92 hayes@ll.mit.edu  Re: Physics Question: Inducing Novas << Novas
3835  06-Mar-92 Cynthia_Higginbot Cynthia's PBEM << My PBEM is up and running, 
3836  06-Mar-92 chk@alias.COM     Re: Physics Question: Inducing Novas << > I'v
3837  06-Mar-92 KELLOGG@DUCVAX.AU The 4.5th Frontier War: Raid on Enoc (Part 2)
3838  07-Mar-92 Cynthia_Higginbot Sensors in MegaTraveller << The Problem: (1) 
3839  07-Mar-92 Steve_Higginbotha Computers again... << Paul Dale: >Both this s
3840  08-Mar-92 popeet!wildstar@u Wildstar is Back! << No, I haven't left the f

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3833
Date: Fri, 6 Mar 92 15:43:37 EST
From: grue@cs.uq.oz.au
Subject: Re: computers...

hi,

Steve writes,

>By a curious coincidence, Cynthia and I were discussing that very subject
>just last night.  Our solution was somewhat more complex than Scott's, but
>possibly more consistent with MT's (admittedly maimed) rules regarding
>computers and controls:

>1)  A computer can control as many control points as it's (Max Input) times
>it's CP Multiplier.  It can accept an input equal to it's Max Input.

>2)  Computers can operate in series by connecting the output of a computer
>into the inputs of other computers, to the limit of the Max Input of the
>subordinate computers.  Thus, a computer can drive a number of subordinate
>machines equal in number to it's CP multiplier.

Both this solution and Scotts don't really mesh very well with a tiny detail
from the class Book 8 where massively parallel machines are allocated TL=8.

Once they become available, adding extra machines isn't going to improve
performance all that much (because you already have thousands of them).

The limits could be imposed by the software methodologies present at the
given TL rather than the hardware being pushed to the limit.  i.e. If building
large parallel machines were simply a matter of throwing lots of $$$$s and
silicon at the problem then we'd have them already (and my PhD would not be
worth finishing :-).





        						Pauli

Paul Dale               | Internet/CSnet:            grue@cs.uq.oz.au
Dept of Computer Science| Bitnet:       grue%cs.uq.oz.au@uunet.uu.net
Uni of Queensland       | JANET:           grue%cs.uq.oz.au@uk.ac.ukc
Australia, 4072         | EAN:                          grue@cs.uq.oz
                        | UUCP:           uunet!munnari!cs.uq.oz!grue
f4e6g4Qh4++             | JUNET:                     grue@cs.uq.oz.au

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3834
Date: Fri,  6 Mar 92 09:01:05 -0500
From: hayes@ll.mit.edu (Tony L. Hayes)
Subject: Re: Physics Question: Inducing Novas


Novas tend to be "relatively" small explosions that don't catastrophically
effect the star's overall structure.  Most nova occur in binary systems
where one star is filling its Roche Lobes (an equal gravitational potential
surface) and spilling surface material (mostly hydrogen) onto its companion
star.  As the material "falls" on the surface of the other star (if all
conditions are right) it can accumulate an significant amount and form a
local "hot spot".  When the temperature of the hot spot reaches a critical
temperature needed for fusion, the hydrogen "explodes" making a pretty
little flash in the dark.  There are binary systems that are believed to
be re-occuring nova stars meaning they go through this cycle over and over
again.

Super Nova tend to be much more exciting and usually result in massive and
catastrophic changes in the stucture of the star (such as expelling all
of the atmosphere and leaving a Neutron Star or Black Hole in wake).

In my personal opinion (which of course is always right :-) ), there is no
way any tech level would be sufficient to produce a nova let alone a super
nova.  Why?  A super nova is such a radical event, you would need to 
actually alter the gravitational field within the star (stars are typically
quite large) sufficiently to make it unstable in a way that it can only
compensate for by exploding (star are *quite* good are restoring their
stability).  Novas would be a more suitable candidate for artifical induction.
All you would have to do is create a local hot spot, which might be possible
with artificial gravity tech (this would be a lot easier than trying to 
alter the gravitational field of the entire star).  Again you have the
problem that the star will try to adjust rather than explode.  There is
no way to accumulate, heat, and deposit enough material on the surface to
cause a nova to occur more "naturally" (we're talking huge amounts of
materials, huge).  In either case, if you could effect the star properly
and in sufficient proportions, the resulting explosion could still take
a significant amount of time to manifest itself.

So in my opinion, its a virtual impossibility.  Long before you reach a
technology capable of destroying a star (if ever) you would *easily* be
able to destroy planets so any effect hoped to be gained by the stars
destruction could be achieved through the planet's destruction (which
would be a lot easier).

Disclaimers:  This is of course a simplified explanation.  It was taken
strictly from memory and while end stage stellar evolution was my specialty
in grad school it has been a LOOOONG time.

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3835
Date: Fri, 6 Mar 92 07:22:26 CST
From: Cynthia_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Cynthia Higginbotham)
Subject: Cynthia's PBEM

   My PBEM is up and running, and there is room for more players, if anyone
is still interested....

- -- Via DLG Pro v0.985b

cynthia_higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3836
From: chk@alias.COM (C. Harald Koch)
Subject: Re: Physics Question: Inducing Novas
Date: 	Fri, 6 Mar 1992 10:17:27 -0500

> I've got a really strange (astro)physics question. Given sufficiently
> advanced technology, is there a way to induce "the average star"
> to go nova within a relatively short (hours, days) period of
> time?

We've always used jump-drives; if you jump while close enough to a star,
with a large enough ship, that star will go nova. (You'll also instantly
vaporize; this is a kamikaze weapon!) I don't remember where we got the
idea. I've also seen it referenced in a Star Trek context: when travelling in
warp-space you still have to avoid stars that are in real-space, otherwise
they go nova.

This is one of the reasons why most planetary defense fleets don't let
jump-capable ships anywhere near the primary; going too far in-system is
grounds for instant destruction...

- -- 
"Procrastination is just    | C. Harald Koch  Alias Research, Inc. Toronto, ON
another technique for       | chk@alias.com                (work-related mail)
planning ahead!"            | chk@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca     (permanent address)
          - Steve Sergeant  | VE3TLA@VE3OY.#SCON.ON.CA.NA            (AMPRNet)

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3837
Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1992 20:38 CST
From: KELLOGG@DUCVAX.AUBURN.EDU
Subject: The 4.5th Frontier War:  Raid on Enoc (Part 2)

Here we go with Raid on Enoc Part 2
enjoy!
Scott Kellogg

There is nothing wrong with your TML...
Do not attempt to contact the administrator...

			Raid on Enoc (2)
			    or
		Is that a gauss rifle in your pocket,
		  or are you just glad to see me?

			- IV -
	Next morning Malenkoviepr dragged them all out early to
begin training.  Drert was pretty groggy, but Miakr was by far in
the worst shape.
	The battle dress was amazing.  Tech fifteen Zhodani battle
dress Noble-Guard model.  The Zhodani consulate is primarily tech
level fourteen.  What little there is above that is very rare.
In addition, the suits had all the extra features:  grav pack,
near-miss indicator, light intensifier, external sensors, shock
absorbing joints, magnetic soles and palms, chameleon blending,
IR absorbing ablative capes, multi-channel radio and laser
communicators, psionic shielding the works!
	"These suits were probably issued to a top elite psionic
guards platoon or something." thought Jietlshaiepr, "Where did
mercs get hold of stuff like this?"
			- V -
	The Ine Givar arrived three weeks into their training.  A
cutter from the Broadsword came down in the afternoon.  Soon
thereafter a tall lone figure stood at the top of a hill watching
the exercises of the crew with a keen blue stare.  A human almost
two meters tall.  Blonde hair, caucasian wearing a well worn flack
suit.  The jacket was covered with emblems taken from other
uniforms:  one could see Imperial insignia, League of Suns emblems,
Easmolian Confederation symbols, Sword Worlds, Darrian, Dynchian,
and others recognizable and not.  His worn facee looked anywhere
from thirty to three hundred years old.  The sub-machine gun he
on his arm looked like he had carried it that long:  it was well
worn, and was moved as though it was part of his arm.  His stony
face was expressionless with whitened scars crossing the skin.  One
white scar wrapped jaggedly all the way around his neck.
	But, he wore a psi-shield helmet.
	Malenkoviepr studied him for a moment as he surveyed the
small group of Zhodani's exercising in their battle dress under
the tactical direction of Jietlshaiepr.  "Why would a pro-psionic
terrorist need a psi-shield helmet?" he wondered.
	The doctor shouldered his rifle and flew over to the
tombstone figure.  "I am Doctor Mako Malenkoviepr."
	The man nodded but barely glanced at him.  His eyes swept
slowly from side to side followed by to muzzle of the submachine
gun.  The voice that grumbled from his scarred throat was devoid of
any feeling, the voice of a killer, "Name's Roland:  Roland T. Gunner."
	Mako eyed him and spoke without any tone. "You are wearing a
psi-helmet, remove it."
	"I don't believe that will be necessary."
	"I understand the need for security, but you have nothing to
fear."
	"You will be told what you need to know."
	"We can afford to be more open."
	"I don't believe it's necessary."
	"Then, I can not trust you."
	"I can live without your trust, and you already have been
paid, quite well too:  seven suits of battle dress and gauss
rifles."
	The Doctor thought a moment, "What about compensation for
anyone killed?  I do not want to have some one die, and have no
compensation for their kin."
	"What do you want?"
	"100,000 credits for each crewman killed deposited in a
trust where we can get it after the action."
	"Deposited where?  There's not a bank within a parsec of
here."
	"Then give me half that for each member of my crew.  We
will settle any outstanding balance at the conclusion of the
operation."
	Roland thought for a moment, "Very well.  How is your
training proceeding?"
	"Adequately."
	"I'm here to make sure, we have invested a great deal of
money into this and I do not want to see it wasted."
			- VI -
	That night the assault was planned, Dr. Malenkoviepr, the
crew, Oddball, and the ominous Roland hovered over a map of the
archeological digs and guards.
	"Here ya got da camp of da troops and da digs." said
Oddball, "Now, da guards to me look to be marines, Imperial,
decked out at tech level fourteen."
	Niedrsha swallowed, "Imperial Marines?  *We* are taking on
Imperial MARINES?"
	"Yup."  Oddball looked to Roland for confirmation, but got
no response.  "Grrracht, dis monkey's a weird one." he thought.
	Jietlshaiepr whispered to her lover softly, "Maybe now
you'll take this training a bit more seriously?"
	Niedrsha nodded, "Fuck yeah..."
	"Good, I didn't really want to have to withdraw all sexual
favors." she whispered, then said aloud.  "I hope you all take
this very seriously.  I'm lazy, and if there is one thing I hate
to do it's triage.  And field surgery is a Real bore, I just
might not bother."
	"Now," said Oddball, bringing up a small bottle of pills,
"For orbital bombardment headaches we have dese.  Dey're short
range radio transmitters.  Put dese on what ya want hit foist an'
hardest.  Dey're part of a triangulating system, da short range
transmitters send a signal to a couple o' long range ones dat
triangulate on da target an' send up a signal to da gunners.
You'll need to place da long range transmitters as well, one
hundred meters from da camp in a right angle wit da bivouac right
in da center.  Cause we don't want to have to deal wit any nasty
lil' tings like Tech fourteen grav tanks wit nasty little marines
in 'em."
	"Our priority targets," he continued, "are dere HQ,
barracks, an' motor pool.  Any vehicles and so on, youse figure
out what ya don't want to have to fight yourselves.  Of course,
we'll be in dere right after da bombing stops so ya won't get
lonely.  But when we do get dere, we don't want to find da marines
in any good hiding places, like da places da Ine Givar want a look
at without plasma holes in em."  Oddball proceeded with a
flamboyant gesture, drawing himself to his full height and
putting his hand on his chest.  "So I'd say ya all hole up in da
digs which is actually a dome o' some kind, keep 'em out until da
cavalry arrives ta save da day.  Got any objections?"
	"Sounds good to me, but how do we get into the dome before
the shooting starts?" asked Shtam.  "I think the marines might
have something to say if we try to get into the dome while
wearing battle dress and toting gauss rifles."
	"We could smuggle the stuff inside, and then go in and suit
up just before the raid." suggested Miakr.
	"Yeah," said Shtam, "and hope that nobody comes in and
interrupts us.  Not to mention the guards that will probably
escort us in.   Imperial marines are not exactly the trusting
types when it comes to Zhodani."
	"I could take out one guard psionically.  But it will drain
most of my strength."  Dr. Malenkoviepr pointed out.
	"Leaving us with N minus one marines to face." observed
Niedrsha.
	"We don't all have to just walk in unarmed." said
Jietlshaiepr.
	"What do you mean?" asked Miakr.
	"I could teleport in fully armed once you are ready to jump
them."
	"Good call, that sounds like a good tentative plan.  We can
try it and improve on it in our training." said Malenkoviepr.
"Give us three days on the surface before you start bombing them,
that ought to be enough time to prepare for the show."
	"Party time!" laughed Drert slapping Niedrsha on the
shoulder.
	"Ahem, yes." coughed Malenkoviepr.  "What time would be best
for the attack?"
	"Night." said Niedrsha and Miakr in chorus.
	"Well dere's a problem dere." interrupted Oddball.
"Our equipment's only tech 'leven, deres is fourteen.  Our
infrared detectors are gonna be at a disadvantage at night.  And
I tink dat it's to our mootual advantage dat dere aie'nt no
survivors?"
	"You want us to attack in full daylight?" asked Shtam
incredulously.
	Roland spoke, "Smuggle your gear into the dome as
archeological equipment.  Next day, go in just before dawn.  Jump
the guards and have the teleporter standing guard with the plasma
gun while you suit up for the attack.  Keep them from holing up
in the dome, we want to examine what we can without having to
blow up some impie standing next to it."
	The group suddenly all looked at Roland.  "Ok... Sounds
good."  said Malenkoviepr.  "There is an archeological expedition
from the League of Suns there now, two days after we arrive, they
will leave and then five days after that the main Imperial
investigators will arrive."
	"And they'll find a smoking hole in the ground." said Roland
with finality.
	"Give us three days on the surface and attack on the morning
of the fourth day at 0700 hours."
	"Make dat 0657 hours, I hate even numbers." said Oddball.
			- VII -
	The bell on Dr. Malenkoviepr's stateroom rang:  Miakr with
his evening glass of wine, late again.  The young steward came in
rather nervously.  Malenkoviepr thought only for a moment, he
didn't have to use telepathy to know what was on Miakr's mind,
Miakr was quite set on the raid, it was something else.
	"Uhh sir?"
	"Yes,"
	"I was wondering..." Miakr trailed off helplessly.
	"You were wondering if we need any more crew members,
specifically that sweet young vargr you have been spending so
much time with that you consistently bring my food late."
	Miakr laughed nervously, then looked crestfallen.  "Uhh,
yes."
	"Well, what are her qualifications other than the ones she
has been sharing with you."
	"Oh!  Well, she's trained as a commando and a gunner and
pilot an... Oh, here's her resume."

Commando First Lieutenant Gresha
9A8B86 Age 22
Race:  Vargr
Sex:  Female
Equipment qualified on:
Small spacecraft, Grav vehicles, Computers
Weapons qualified on:
Battle dress, Turret weapons, High energy weapons, Combat rifles, Grenade
launchers, Heavy weapons, Explosives
Experienced in hand to hand combat
Skilled in reconnaissance and survival-1

	"Well... she is quite the feisty one is she not?  But we
already have a gunner, and there is only one turret."
	"She's got a lot of skill at oh... lot's of things." managed
Miakr.
	"Yes, I am sure she has, though I would see Jietlshaiepr
about those scratches if I were you.  We can not afford to let
you get sick at the moment."
	Miakr pulled at his collar, at least the rest didn't show.
	"Well, we might just get into a few scrapes where we could
use her. You never know.  I take it I have to supply her with
weapons and equipment?"
	"Oh no, sir.  She's got her own stuff, and we may get more
from this raid."
	"Very well, have Jietlshaiepr give her a physical, at the
conclusion of the operation she can come with us.  But be warned,
I may just have her for my steward if she proves to know more
about it than you do."
	Miakr sighed heavily.  "Thank you, Doctor."
	"Now where are we going to put another crew member?  My lab
equipment is set up in the free staterooms, she may have to share
your's."
	"YES, Sir."
	"Hmm." thought Malenkoviepr, "I think I made him very happy.
Still, you would think it was his first affair."
			- VIII -
	Niedrsha sat back it the pilot's couch as he finished up the
checklist.  "Damn, It's good to get off this hotbox!  I'd just
about had it sweating out there in battle dress with simulated
various power and system breakdowns, mostly the air
conditioning."
	"Do you think I liked it?  You really stink after a day's
exercises."  Jietlshaiepr wrinkled her nose.
	"Well, Jiet, you seemed to enjoy ordering everyone around."
	"It's not my fault my lessons were different from yours, and
it's good to know a little bit about tactics.  It just may end up
saving your ass, Niedrsha.  You weren't very conscientious about
your lessons."
	"A gauss rifle is almost accurate enough to point itself,
you said so yourself.  With a burst you can hit a target blind."
	"And suppose you don't have enough ammunition for one?
Single shots need to count sometimes.  I'm going to keep you
alive if I have to kill you to do it.  And if you make me perform
surgery on you, I'll put you back together just to take you
apart, piece by piece... slowly."
	"Without Anesthetic?"
	"Damn Right."
	"Oh baby!  Yeah."
	"Shut up.  Let's lift gravs and haul mass."
	"Right-O."  Niedrsha leaned forward and hit the intercom,
"Attention, stand by for liftoff, please bring your seat backs to
an upright position and extinguish all smoking materials."
	A voice came over the intercom, "Niedrsha, in our departure
can you bring us within observation range of the Ine Givar Vessel
still in orbit?"
	"Yes, Doctor.  It might make them a bit edgy, we'd have to
come within fifty kilometers to get in visual range."
	"Set course for that ship.  I should like to know just what
we are dealing with."
	"Doctor, this is Jietlshaiepr, from the sensor data, I read
it out at just over one thousand tons.  Tough to get an ID through the
atmosphere though, not without going active."
	"Then our tiny ship ought not to disturb them too much.
Niedrsha, set the course but do not chase them.  If they move out
of our way we will not push them."
			- IX -
	"Closing on the Ine Givar ship, range 40,000 Kilometers."
Jietlshaiepr studied the instruments, "They've locked their active EMS
on us quite strong now."
	"What sort of information are we getting." asked
Malenkoviepr.
	Jietlshaiepr read off "Neutrino detector says she's
producing 21.875 Gigawatts in her reactor.  Accurate displacement
is:  one thousand, two hundred and fifty tons.  Configuration:
streamlined, cone... flattened cone.  Identification..."
She quickly punched up the information.
	Malenkoviepr thought, "Sounds like a Kinunir class battle
cruiser."
	"On the nose." Jietlshaiepr read it off, "Kinunir class
Imperial battle cruiser:  four G acceleration, jump four, agility
one, fiber optic computer model seven; eight dual laser turrets,
two triple missile turrets, two particle accelerators; carries a
crew of forty five, plus thirty five marines; one thirty five ton
pinnace."
	"Now how did they get a hold of an Imperial battle cruiser?"
wondered Miakr.

The 4.5th Frontier War will continue...

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3838
Date: Sat, 7 Mar 92 11:05:09 CST
From: Cynthia_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Cynthia Higginbotham)
Subject: Sensors in MegaTraveller

    The Problem: 
 
     (1) the Megatraveller starship design sequence depicts sensors as
being the size of a briefcase, completely ignoring the physics that require
a certain effective collector size for a given sensitivity.  (yes, I know
that there are ways of cheating, such as using 2 radiotelescopes 8,000
miles apart as if they were one 8,000  mile wide dish, but a starship's
sensors are limited to an effective size of the width of the ship, and they
still  must have collectors of a certain minimum size.) 
 
     (2) Under the present rules, there is no reason for the cheapest
tramp freighter NOT to mount as good a sensor suite as the Imperial Navy's
newest 500,000 ton battlewagon.  There are no tradeoffs.  (And the
merchants can detect the pirates before the pirates can "get" them ;-) !)
 
Our Solution:
 
   Make MegaTraveller sensors more like the ones in the real world, or at
least like the ones in 2300AD -- they require a certain amount of hull area
to mount collectors/arrays on.  We are using the following modifications to
starship construction involving sensors: 
 
     1. Sensors require Sensor Arrays to collect signals; the more
     sensitive the sensor is to be, the larger the effective collector must
     be.  We approximate this by requiring sensor arrays to take up Hard
     Points, just like weapon mounts do.
     
          a. Sensors of Planetary range or less do not require hard points.
          
          b. Sensors of greater than Planetary range take up one hard point
     per range band beyond Planetary range.  For example, a Far Orbit range
     Active EMS array takes up one hard point.  An Interstellar range
     Passive EMS array takes up 6 hard points.
     
     2. Sensor arrays may be mounted on booms.  One boom provides area
     equivalent to five hardpoints for the purpose of mounting sensor
arrays
     ONLY.  One boom may be mounted per hard point.  Sensor booms
     may be either (a) fixed, or (b) retractible.
     
          a. Fixed booms make the ship unstreamlined, and raise its Object
     Size category by one; e.g., an ObjSize=small ship with one or more
     fixed booms is now ObjSize=Average.
     
          b. Retractible booms take up 135 kl per boom, but the ship is
only
     unstreamlined while they are extended.  It is also one ObjSize larger
     as per fixed booms, but only while the booms are extended; it reverts
     to normal ObjSize when they are retracted.
     
     3. Densitometers - MUST be mounted on booms on any ship that uses
     artificial gravity in any form (Thrusters, Grav maneuver, Grav plates,
     inertial compensators) so that the densitometer can be properly
     shielded from the Artifical Gravity fields on the ship.
     
     4. Neutrino sensors are entirely internal and do not take up booms or
     hardpoints.
     
Option: apply these rules for wide-band communicators (receivers only).
 
 
Naval J6 Courier TL15
 
  The typical Imperial Navy Fleet Courier; one known example is the Fleet
Courier "Ahrimani" (pay attention Phil!).  Notice the tradeoff of some
offensive capability for Passive sensors that are not mounted on booms
(hence, no increase in detectability when in use), and the lack of active
sensors (good active EMS arrays required too much defensive capability to
be sacrificed, and the ship's primary mission is NOT offensive.)
  
  CraftID: Fast Courier, TL15, MCr180
     Hull: 360/900, Disp=400, Config=1SL, Armor=40G, Loaded=2481.5,
           Unloaded=2265.5
    Power: 5/7, Fusion=900MW, Duration=33/99
     Loco: 11/15, Maneuver=1, 38/51, Jump=6, NOE=40kph, Cruise=810kph, 
           Max=1080kph, Agility=1
     Comm: Radio=System x3, LaserComm=System x3, MaserComm=system x3
  Sensors: EMM, EMS Passive(Far Orbit)=Hardpoint, Neutrino Sensor (10Kw)
           PassEngScan=Routine, PasEngPin=Rout
      Off: Hardpoints=4
 
               Missile=x03
           Batteries     1
           Bearing       1
 
      Def: DefDM+9
 
               SandCaster=x04
           Batteries        2
           Bearing          2
 
  Control: Computer Mod7fib*3, 1*HeadsUpHoloDisplay,50*HoloLink
    Accom: Crew=4 (2 bridge, 1 engineer, 1 gunner),
           Passengers=16, Staterooms=20,
           Env=Basic env, Basic ls, Extended ls, Grav plates, Inertial comp
        (grav and Inertial Comp not in fuel tankage)
    Other: ECP, Fuel=1890Kl(refined) 1310Kl(unrefined), Cargo=216Kl,
        1* Hurakan grav sled.
        Fuel Purifier (80Kl/hr), Fuel Scoops, ObjSize=Average,
        EmLevel=None

- -- Via DLG Pro v0.985b

cynthia_higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3839
Date: Sat, 7 Mar 92 11:37:00 CST
From: Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Steve Higginbotham)
Subject: Computers again...

Paul Dale:
 
>Both this solution and Scotts don't really mesh very well with a tiny
detail
>from the class Book 8 where massively parallel machines are allocated
TL=8.
 
I disagree with MT robots on practical grounds:  the crew requirements
stated in MT are meaningless, when the average model-1 has an equivalent
INT of 10, and an EDU of (about) 200.  This would allow your average
model-1
to provide 50 men for the crew of a ship, even without synaptic processors.
So put one guy on board to control the computer, and let the computer
handle
all the rest (unless your ship is over 5000T, anyway.)
 
 
>Once they become available, adding extra machines isn't going to improve
>performance all that much (because you already have thousands of them).
 
WHy not?  If I have a computer controlling my J-drive (some of those
thousands of processors), why can't I have another to control the M-drive?
I suspect (based on SOM) that while they speak of "massively parallel"
machines, they really mean parallel machines netted together.  And you
can net anything together.
 
 
>The limits could be imposed by the software methodologies present at the
>given TL rather than the hardware being pushed to the limit.  i.e. If
building>large parallel machines were simply a matter of throwing lots of
$$$$s and
>silicon at the problem then we'd have them already (and my PhD would not
be
>worth finishing :-).
 
If so, then once the software methodologies were developed (those for TL15
must have been developed by 960 or so), they can be applied at any TL with
computers.  So any computer size could be built at any TL.  And I thought
we were already building massively parallel machines in the USA.

Later...

- -- Via DLG Pro v0.985b

Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US

I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution.
                                    --W. von Braun

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3840
Date: Sun, 8 Mar 92 00:35:12 EST
From: popeet!wildstar@uunet.UU.NET (Derek Wildstar)
Subject: Wildstar is Back!

No, I haven't left the face of the planet for good, I've simply had all kinds
of trouble with my net connections (If I decide to move to a different site,
I'll let you know in plenty of time).  My current problem is that one of the
sites upstream from me has had mailer trouble, and I just got a couple of 
weeks worth of TML at once.  In the first batch (and I'm nowhere near caught 
up), three things caught my eye, so here goes ...
 

On antimatter rockets, the space shuttle, and the USAF

I believe that this idea was proposed by Dr. Robert L Forward (who else?) and
is detailed in his book "Future Magic".  The gist of the idea is that
antimatter is the most compact possible form of energy storage, and that
current research accellerators are capable of producing usefull quantities of
the stuff (ie: fractions of a gram).  Several containment ideas are being
tested; he describes one such in his book.  Finally, to make it all
economically possible, he observes that each ton of rocket fuel carried aboard
the Space Shuttle (for the upper stage motors which propel satellites from the
low space shuttle orbit to higher orbits) costs millions of dollars in terms of
shuttle cargo capacity.  If all that fuel can be replaced by a tiny amount of
antimatter and a few kilograms of containment, the money saved in shuttle cargo
fees will more than pay for the antimatter.

The above is from memory; Dr. Forward has the whole thing worked out, and it
looks quite possible with "current" technology.  See his book for more details;
I can't find my copy right now or I would quote from it.  Also in this book are
a number of even more speculative pieces, including a neutrino communicator (!)
and various space/time travel devices.  Recommended!


Commerce Raiding

Commerce raiding by pirates and privateers will probably have an effect on
trade and commerce entirely out of proportion to the number of ships taken
and the number of privateers operating.

  "... such exploits as these, in or near British home waters, caused
   outrage there.  'The have literally swept our seas,' said the Naval
   Chronicle, 'blocaded our ports, and cut up our Irish and coasting
   trade ... The insurance between Bristol and Waterford or Cork is now
   three times higher than it was when we were at war with all Europe!'"
  "The Admiralty was inundated with letters demanding protection, and
   public meetings were held in Liverpool and Bristol to get the point
   over."

   Quoted from _To Shining Sea, A History of the United States Navy_, by
   Steven Howarth, pp 117; quoting from _Naval Chronicle_, v 32, pp 243-5.

The major damage is likely to be due to the *perception* of a threat, not the
threat itself.  Although the threat of piracy is weak compared to the 
strength of the available naval and other protective vessels, some ships are
likely to be attacked.  The perception of this risk by the public (and in
particular by the shippers and insurers) will determine the extent of the
damage to interstellar trade.  A trebling of insurance rates would likely
destroy a free trader's profit margin, but given the risk of loosing a cargo,
it is also likely that no shipper would ship an uninsured cargo.  Finally, a
certain level of insurance could be mandated by the ship's finance agreement,
to protect the lender in case of the loss of the vessel.  Typically such
insurance payments are bourne by the borrower, and are paid in installments
with the loan payments.  Many smaller operators will find themselves in the
position of being unable to make a profit when insurance rates rise, or being
unable to operate at all without insurance.


Skill "levels"

When I have to explain Traveller skills to new players, I generally use some
variant of the table below; its crude, but gives most people a good idea of
what they can (and cannot) successfully attempt.

Skill-0 == Hobbyist; has some knowledge of the subject, and has observed or 
           studied basic operations, but may not have much (if any) practical 
           experience or judgement, especally in emergency situations.
Skill-1 == Apprentice; the minimum skill for employment in the field.  Knows
           all basic operations, but needs practice and experience to smooth
           off the rough edges.  Knows basic theory as applied by skill.
Skill-2 == Journeyman; average professional skill, competent in routine and
           many emergency situations.  Most professional starship pilots
           navigators, and engineers will be Skill-2.
Skill-3 == Master; high professional skill.  In larger operations, the 
           department head or other supervisor will be Skill-3.  Typically the
           best skill level available for hire.
Skill-4 == Expert; generally acknowledged as "the best" (at least in the local
           area).  Talent this good is usually not for hire; player characters
           and "character" adversaries will be this good, NPC's won't.
Skill-5 == Legendary.

In my campaigns, I do not force skill rolls for every use of a skill (for
example, pilot, navigation, and engineering rolls are not called for on every
jump).  I call for rolls when the task is performed in combat or other extreme
stress, or when the task to be performed is beyond the normal capacities of
the skill.  For example, I migh call for a pilot roll when landing in a severe
storm (severe enough that the port is closed to traffic), or with a damaged
vessel.

Assuming that additional (attribute or situation) DM's of +1 or +2 apply:
Unskilled characters have a *CHANCE* of performing Simple and Routine tasks.
Skill-0 is the lowest level to have a chance of performing a Difficult task.
Skill-2 is the lowest level to have a chance of performing a Formidable task.
Skill-5 is the lowest level to have a chance of performing an Impossible task.


The Spacer's Guild

In some of my campaigns, there is the Spacer's Guild.  The Guild is basically
a union, and the dues are about Cr 20 annually; membership is open to the
skilled operating crew of spaceships and starships.  The Guild provides skill
testing and certification, sets recommended pay scales and personnel practices,
and provides additional benefits for members.

Guild Benefits for Crew
a) Skill certification ("working papers") for crew positions.  Ensures that
   all positions are filled by safe, skilled workers.
b) Guild hiring halls or job boards at all major ports (Class C or better).
c) Insurance (Unemployment, Disability, Life, and Medical) and Retirement Plans
   are available at competitive rates through the Guild.
d) Guild Credit Union; interstellar banking services for Guild members.
e) Recommended Practices protect Guild members from unfair personnel policies
   (the Working Passage rule); standardized pay scales for crew positions.
f) Guild Hostels (food and lodging at reduced rates) at major starports.

Additional Guild Benefits for Owners/Captains
a) Skill certification removes guesswork from hiring; Guild hiring halls
   provide a ready source of labor, and convenient facilities for interviews.
b) Recommended Practices provides a consistent pay scale and policies to
   make administration easier.

Referee's Information

Starship operations are classed in different ways by the Guild, depending on 
how much control the Guild has over ship operations.  To enforce its rules,
or as a bargaining point, the Guild can threaten strikes, slowdowns and the
other usual tactics of organized labor.  Guild presence varies from area to
area; in some areas, Guild presence is very strong, and it is virtually
impossible to operate in the face of a Guild strike.  In other areas, Guild
presence is weak.

Guild Ship : Guild membership and certification are required of all crew.  The
  Guild has great influence over pay and personnel policies.  Many of the
  smaller lines (that don't have the resources to fight the guilds) are in
  this category.  Larger lines, particularly in economically depressed areas
  are sometimes able to win concessions from the Guild - their contracts will
  vary somewhat, even though they be an all-Guild operation.

Free Ship : Employment is without regard to Guild membership status; the
  majority of independent ships falls into this category.  Provided that they
  follow most of the Recommended Practices, the Guild will usually leave
  independent operators alone.  Some Guild contracts specify a fixed
  percentage of Guild Ships to Free Ships within a company.  In many areas,
  agreements exist between Independent Starship Operator's associations and
  the Guild to provide each other with preferential treatment.

Closed Ship : Guild members are not employed (except perhaps in the most dire
  of emergencies).  Some megacorporations are closed to Guild members (they
  are closed to all outsiders, and perfer to recruit and train their own
  crews).  Some particularly stubborn lines are also closed; this tactic has
  been used to keep the Guild weak in areas where it has little influence.

In order to join the Guild, a character must have one of the space-related
skills (Pilot, Navigator, Engineer, Gunner, Steward, Ship's Boat, Vacc Suit),
or skilled job found aboard a starship or spaceship (certified skills include 
Computer, Electronic, Mechanical, and most vehicle skills) at Skill-1 or 
better.

The Guild administers Skill Certification tests ("working papers") for all of
the skills listed above; the testing fee is Cr 5 per test.  If the character 
has the skill to the level claimed (Apprentice, Journeyman, or Master), 
passing the test is a Simple task.  If the character does *NOT* have the skill
 claimed, passing will be Difficult (Edu also applies in this case).

The Guild also administers Captain's Certificates.  Unlike the skill tests,
this certification does not test any specific skill; instead it tests the
administration of a starship, and in particular, the Guild's Recommended
Practices.  Guild Captains get preferential treatment at Guild hiring halls,
even if they operate a Free Ship (the Captain's Certificate is required, of
course, for the Captains of Guild Ships).

Little-Known Information about the Guild

The Guild Credit Union operates as an interstellar financial institution for 
Guild members, and manages the Guild insurance and retirement funds.  Much of
this money is re-invested into interstellar commerce.  Companies which operate
Guild Ships, and Guild Certified independent operators get preferential
treatment for these loans, which are usually at the standard rates.

Virtually all of the Guild contracts contain a little-known "return home"
clause, which allows members to return to their homeworld of record by
succesive working passages.  Captains with unfilled crew berths are required
to take Guild members travelling toward their homeworlds as working passages,
even if the person is not qualified for the position.  These "return home" 
passages may be bumped if the Captain fills the position with a qualified 
crewmember before departure.  To limit the inconvience of providing life 
support for these "deadhead" crewmembers, the passage is limited to one jump.

Role-playing notes

Sometimes it is very usefull to have a space-going "Teamster's Union" to
place into your trade-and-commerce campaigns.  The Guild can be a patron,
an adversary, or a resource, depending on how the referee feels and how the
players act.


What to do when you're cut off from the net

One of the side effects of being cut off from the net is that I have had a
chance to attack a number of very thick books I have had lying around the
house for some time now.  Although these are not (by any stretch of the
imagination) science fiction books, they are likely to be usefull to Traveller
referees and players (you can never know too much about the forces which
shape human history).  Anyway, I recommend:

_To Shining Sea_, A History of the U.S. Navy 1775-1991, by Steven Howarth 
(Random House, 1991).  A history of the US navy, as written by a British
historian.  He provides an interesting viewpoint on the US Navy; especially
in the early period, where he has incuded commentary on the American threat
by contemporary British officers.  Although the sections concerning the Civil 
War are a little weak, Howarth manages to cover all of the important points
in a single volume.

_Dreadnought_, England, Germany, and the Coming of the Great War, by Robert
K Massie (Random House, 1991).  Massie explores the personalities that 
changed the shape of European politics in the period leading up to the 
start of World War One.  Wonderful background for Space: 1889, of course.
Even more interesting is the way that individual personalities alter the
political and diplomatic landscape. 

_The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers_, Economic Change and Military Conflict
from 1500 to 2000, by Paul Kennedy (Random House, 1987).  This book is rough
sledding, and the least recommended of the three.  Kennedy provides ample
illustration for his theory of economic power (and its extention to military
and political power).


 Wildstar
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Imagine if you will, converting the following to Traveller ...

 September 14, 1803: The USS Constitution, under the command of Captain Edward
 Preble, is bound for Gibraltar, with orders to do "something drastic" about
 the problem of pirates and terrorists operating out of Algeria, Tripoli,
 Tunis, and Morocco [isn't it funny how some things never change?].

"At twilight, a strange sail had been sighted, too distant for identification.
As darkness gathered, Preble approached warily.  All that was certain was that
the other ship, like his own, was a man-of-war.  Constitution's decks were
cleared for action.  At last the stranger was close enough to hail.  'What
ship is that?' Preble called out.  It was the standard international question,
to which the standard answer should have been given in order: nation, rate,
class, name, commander's name.  Instead, the question itself came back through
the dark: 'What ship is *that*?'  Suprised at the breach of custom, Preble
replied, "This is the United States frigate Constitution,' and repeated, 'What
ship is that?'
"'What ship is that?' - the question came back like an echo.  Unless all the
other crew were deaf or their captain mocking him, Preble could only assume
an attack was being prepared.  'I now hail you for the last time,' he shouted.
'If you do not give a proper answer, I will fire a shot into you.  "'If you 
do,' came the spirited but improper answer, 'I will return a broadside.'
"'WHAT SHIP IS THAT?' Preble bellowed, patience almost at an end.  The reply
was imperious: 'This is His Brittanic Majesty's 84 gun ship of the line 
Donegal, Sir Richard Strachan.  Send a boat on board.'  That did it.  Preble 
roared at it: '*This* is the United States 44 gun ship Constitution, Captain 
Edward Preble, and I'll be damned if I send a boat on board any ship!'  And to
his gunners below he called out: 'Blow your matches, boys!' [this is the 
command for the gunners to light their matches and stand ready to fire]
This must have been heard on the other ship.  A little rowboat came paddling
up apologetically toward Constitution; an English officer came on board; and
Preble discovered that the unknown craft was not an 84-gun ship of the line
but a frigate with 12 guns fewer than his own.

 _To Shining Sea_, by Stephen Howarth, pp 74-75.
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wildstar
"... I'll see you on the Dark Side of the Moon!" -- Pink Floyd

------------------------------

End of TML Bundle
*****************

From jamesp@wrgate.wr.tek.com Mon Mar 23 00:32:11 1992
To: dan@engrg.uwo.ca (Dan Corrin), bfwong@ocf.berkeley.edu (Raven Blackburn),
        anthony@cs.pitt.edu (Michael Anthony Kapolka),
        mcknight@f104.n170.z1.fidonet.org (Chuck McKnight),
        jamesp@metolius.wr.tek.com (James T. Perkins)
Subject: TML Bundle #317: Msgs 3841-3866
Reply-To: traveller-request@wrgate.wr.tek.com (TML Administrator)
Precedence: bulk
From: James T Perkins <jamesp@wrgate.wr.tek.com>
Content-Length: 33856
X-Lines: 860
Status: RO


TML Bundles come from the archives of the Traveller Mailing List,
maintained by James Perkins, traveller-request@metolius.wr.tek.com.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sun Mar 22 21:00:13 PST 1992
From: traveller-request@metolius.wr.tek.com (TML Administrator)
Subject: TML Bundle #317: Table of Contents

-AMN- --Date--- --Sender--------- --Subject-----------------------------------
3841  09-Mar-92 Brian G. Vaughan  Batteries << As has been discussed before, th
3842  10-Mar-92 KELLOGG@DUCVAX.AU Re: Batteries << Brian Vaughan writes of the 
3843  10-Mar-92 chk@alias.COM     Re: Batteries << > Has anyone a table, for us
3844  11-Mar-92 anaylor@mihi.une. Howdee << Well since this is my first time "o
3845  11-Mar-92 anaylor@mihi.une. Batteries << This may sound stupid coming fro
3846  11-Mar-92 gwh@lurnix.lurnix Help! I can't get through to Steve Higginboth
3847  12-Mar-92 Jim W Lai         Batteries and charge rates << Of course, it d
3848  13-Mar-92 Chris_Olson@imd.s Anybody know where I can get the latest errat
3849  14-Mar-92 Brian G. Vaughan  Other systems of psionics for Traveller << Th
3850  14-Mar-92 Steve_Higginbotha TCS budgets... << I sent out first year budge
3851  15-Mar-92 thomasp@csufres.C  << TO: TML FROM Thomas Pearson Please take m
3852  16-Mar-92 anaylor@mihi.une. PMail << I was wondering, is the PMmail still
3853  16-Mar-92 s3007048@mackay.m Re: (3849) Other systems of psionics for Trav
3854  16-Mar-92 James T Perkins   Re: (3848) Anybody know where I can get the l
3855  16-Mar-92 gwh@lurnix.lurnix Batteries... << Once long long ago, while I w
3856  16-Mar-92 "Something wicked Questions from a novice... << I've just gaine
3857  17-Mar-92 anaylor@mihi.une.  << 
3858  17-Mar-92 anaylor@mihi.une.  << 
3859  18-Mar-92 anaylor@mihi.une.  << Here are the designs I promised to send .
3860  18-Mar-92 Brian G. Vaughan  What does "Transform" mean? << The dialect of
3861  19-Mar-92 d9bertil@dtek.cha Batteries of Batteries << Well, here is what 
3862  19-Mar-92 d9bertil@dtek.cha 1st Interstellar War << Found on sci.military
3863  19-Mar-92 bryan borich      warning...warning << VIS000+ybody has anythin
3864  19-Mar-92 Jim W Lai         Re: TML biweekly: Msgs 3852-3860 V25#10 << >D
3865  19-Mar-92 metlay@minerva.ph On Transform << As embarrassed as I am to adm
3866  19-Mar-92 James T Perkins   Re: Questions from a novice... << R W Morris 

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3841
Date: Mon, 9 Mar 92 20:18:33 -0800
From: Brian G. Vaughan <bvaughan@ocf.Berkeley.EDU>
Subject: Batteries


As has been discussed before, the superbatteries in the MT
Referee's Manual are much too expensive for use in anything
larger than a robot.  But we know that, in the real world,
diesel-electric submarines run for long periods on batteries, and
that electric cars, running on batteries, are expected to become
generally available within a few years.
 
Has anyone a table, for use in Traveller, of price and storage
capacity for large-capacity batteries such as these applications
would require?  If no one has one, can someone generate one?  We
could make the improvement per tech level proportional to the one
for superbatteries, but we need a value to begin with, and I have
no idea what an appropriate value would be.

==========================================================================
Brian G. Vaughan           |  O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell, and
bvaughan@ocf.berkeley.edu  |  count myself a king of infinite space--were
                           |  it not that I have bad dreams.
                           |                         (Hamlet, II.ii.254-6)

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3842
Date: Tue, 10 Mar 1992 09:39 CST
From: KELLOGG@DUCVAX.AUBURN.EDU
Subject: Re: Batteries

Brian Vaughan writes of the problems with batteries.   Too expensive to put in
anything larger than small electronic devices.

I completely agree.  My experiments with designs using batteries found them
totally unusable for nearly all applications.  The diesel electic subs I've put
on the TML are horrendously expensive due to the cost of batteries.

I remember I designed a TL 5 small coastal submarine and it cost 1.5 times as
much as a Dreadnought of the same TL.  My attempts at TL6 were a little better.
A US WW II 'Gato' Class fleet type sub cost only equal the amount of a TL6
battleship (Bismark class)

I also remember Rob Dean's electric buggy (TL 5?) that could seat 2 passengers
and cost something like a million credits?  Geez!

Now all of this was done before the Naval construction rules came out and said
that TL 5 and 6 batteries should weigh 5 times as much as the others (Not sure
about this, I don't have any of my trav stuff with me.)  Well, all I can say is
that GDW really goofed up here.

Also, The article by George Gannon in the latest challenge, about nuclear
fission shows that he never has done any designs using fission as the power
plant.  My calculations showed that a nuclear sub (using MegaTrav fission
rules) would burn up from as low as 60% to as much as 200% of the total mass
of the sub during it's stated cruising range.  The USS Nautilus, the first
nuclear submarine was refueled after 2 years.  There is no way you can build
a ship that can do that using the Megatrav rules.  You have to cheat.  I use
the hourly fuel consumption for fission plants for one year.  Comparing this
to the figures I have on the fuel consumption of the US Savannah, this is
within the ball park of reasonableness.  (Don't have the figures at my finger
tips, but I can look em up if ya want 'em)

Solutions for batteries?  Well, my car battery is about 5 liters in volume
and cost $30.  It is TL 7 technology.  (Doesn't help a lot, but it's a start)

Scott Kellogg

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3843
From: chk@alias.COM (C. Harald Koch)
Subject: Re: Batteries
Date: 	Tue, 10 Mar 1992 10:52:07 -0500

> Has anyone a table, for use in Traveller, of price and storage
> capacity for large-capacity batteries such as these applications
> would require?

Why use batteries when you can used closed fuel cells? There are many
variations on these; basically you burn hydrogen and oxygen to produce water
and energy, in a closed loop. Whenever required, you use external power
(utility grid, solar panels, ship fusion reactor) to crack the water back
into hydrogen and oxygen, so that it can be reused.

These are currently available, although expensive; certainly even slight
increases in TL will make them cheap and small.

If my information is correct, current fuel cells are *much* more efficient
than any currently available batteries, for size/weight.

- -- 
"Procrastination is just    | C. Harald Koch  Alias Research, Inc. Toronto, ON
another technique for       | chk@alias.com                (work-related mail)
planning ahead!"            | chk@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca     (permanent address)
          - Steve Sergeant  | VE3TLA@VE3OY.#SCON.ON.CA.NA            (AMPRNet)

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3844
From: anaylor@mihi.une.oz.au (Adam Naylor)
Subject: Howdee
Date: Wed, 11 Mar 92 8:40:03 EDT

Well since this is my first time "officially" on the TML, I guess I
better say hello ...........

And now straight into it . 

For some reason I just cannot get a hold of any robot rules . I mean I have
The rules from the basic game that were published back in 79' but thats it .

I was wondering . How do you work out a robots stats in 'race' terms . ie
Str, Int Educ etc ....

The last issue of the Megatraveller journal (or was it digest), that is the
last issue before it had its format changed, there was an adventure in the
magazine which had a robot, aybee (?), and he had human stats . 

Also If anyone has any of their own guidlines close at hand (say on disk), do
you think they would mind mailing it to me ......

Thanks (Well in advance)

Edmund


------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3845
From: anaylor@mihi.une.oz.au (Adam Naylor)
Subject: Batteries
Date: Wed, 11 Mar 92 16:25:13 EST

This may sound stupid coming from a novice but .......

When I was wondering through the referee's manual, it stated under energy (?)
tech 9 that super conductors came into being . With this in mind I looked at
the batteries and thought well this sux . This is mainly cause in mines they
use ore carts powered by batteries . They work continously for 8 hours, and
consist of about 10 ore carts driven by a battery power source . These things 
are moving nearly all the time, with a huge load of ore (Each ore cart carry's
about a ton) . They would move (on rails abeit) a good 20-30 kms an hour . 
They have approxiamtly 36 car batteries on racks in the driving car . At the
end of the day they simply just recharge them . 

With this in mind I made the following adjustments for batteries that worked
very well . Batteries tech 9 plus had their power increased by tenfold, and
their original price divided by 100 . 

I then and went and mucked around with vehicles and came out with a small 
4 seater battery powered car (tech 9) for around about 12,000 credits . 

The rules I use with batteries are that for every 'hour' of the battery used,
it must be recharged for an hour . So this means no battery powered starships, 
but small battery cars, that could be used for 8 hours (from my design), then
hooked up to the garage generator during the night to be fully ready the next 
day . It also ment, at tech 15, that a beam laser, for the space of roughly
3.5 kliters, could have enough battery power for an hour (5 combat turns) for
the weapons, for around about 500,000 credits . 

Well I guess you should congratulate me, I just solved the worlds pollution
problem <grin> . Provided superconductors come in soon . 

(If anyone is interested in seeing my designes for the car and for a starport
tender (ie grav based golf buggy, powered by batteries, used by starport main
trenance) I am willing to sent them in . 

Well thats about it .....

Edmund


------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3846
Date: Wed, 11 Mar 92 13:58:42 PST
From: gwh@lurnix.lurnix.COM (George W Herbert)
Subject: Help! I can't get through to Steve Higginbotham


Steve, if you're out there, my mail host at work,
uunet, can't find agwbbs anymore...  Anyone with
a working mail path to Steve (or Steve 8-) is invited
to give me a working address or bang-path ....

- -george william herbert
gwh@ocf.berkeley.edu  gwh@lurnix.com

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3847
Date: Thu, 12 Mar 92 09:28:10 -0500
From: Jim W Lai <jwtlai@watcgl.waterloo.edu>
Subject: Batteries and charge rates

Of course, it does get messy if one takes the power consumption rates into
account.  Has anyone tried to simulate NiCad batteries with the rules?
(I vaguely suspect that's what the rules calibrated against.)  And then
there's the possibility to batteries that can be fast-charged (for increased
cost).

Of course, the latest battery technology appears to be able to make electric
cars viable for urban use.  (A friend of mine pointed me to a magazine with
the relevant article.  If there's interest, I could hunt it down.)  Part of
technological cost is developing the infrastructure for a technology, but
that shouldn't be part of the cost in Traveller, since it is perhaps safe
to assume that technology is reasonably stable.  Or one could charge extra
for "new" technology on a given planet.

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3848
From: Chris_Olson@imd.sterling.COM (Chris Olson)
Subject: Anybody know where I can get the latest errata for MegaTraveller?
Date: Fri, 13 Mar 92 8:13:16 CST

An FTP site, or mail message would be appreciated (I lost most of my archives
in a mad delete fest to make space on the home partition here...)

advTHANKSance
- -- 
    ____/    /           __/            chris@IMD.Sterling.COM
   /        __  /   __/   /    ___/
  /        /   /   /     /  ___  /      "It's intuitively obvious to the most
______/ __/ __/ __/   __/ ______/        casual observer..."

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3849
Date: Sat, 14 Mar 92 13:22:16 -0800
From: Brian G. Vaughan <bvaughan@ocf.Berkeley.EDU>
Subject: Other systems of psionics for Traveller


The psionics system in Traveller seems awfully skeletal. 
Fortunately, the game universe is structured so that, in
practice, you can ignore psionics if you want to.
 
I would, however, like to include psionics in a campaign I'm now
planning.  Given the flexibility of Traveller's task system, it
should be fairly easy to convert the psionics system from another
game for use in Traveller.
 
I've glanced at a copy of a game called "Psi World," and I now
that there is a GURPS source book on psionics, though I have not
read it.
 
Has anyone out there tried to make such a conversion?  If so,
what system works well, and how have you implemented it?

==========================================================================
Brian G. Vaughan           |  O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell, and
bvaughan@ocf.berkeley.edu  |  count myself a king of infinite space--were
                           |  it not that I have bad dreams.
                           |                         (Hamlet, II.ii.254-6)

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3850
Date: Sat, 14 Mar 92 20:10:51 CST
From: Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Steve Higginbotham)
Subject: TCS budgets...

I sent out first year budgets last night.  Has anyone NOT gotten theirs?

"Jane's" will be delayed for another day or so.  As soon as you get it, the
game is running.  

Later...

- -- Via DLG Pro v0.985b

Steve_Higginbotham@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US

I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution.
                                    --W. von Braun

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3851
Date: Sun, 15 Mar 92 02:56:43 -0800
From: thomasp@csufres.CSUFresno.EDU (Thomas Pearson)


TO: TML

FROM Thomas Pearson

Please take my name off the TML.  The job has taken a change in which
I can no longer get to the computer until long periods of time have
elapsed.

I learned a great deal about the playing and rules of Traveller by reading
this mailing list.  I just wished that GDW gave as much time to Traveller
stuff as they did to some of there other games.

I am also sending this letter to the james@wrgate.wr.tek.com
address, just to make sure that I have all the bases covered.

That is all.

Goodbye.....


END TRANSMISSION.......

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3852
From: anaylor@mihi.une.oz.au (Adam Naylor)
Subject: PMail
Date: Mon, 16 Mar 92 14:47:38 EST

I was wondering, is the PMmail
still running .......???

If so is there someone I can contact to ask about joining ??

That is if there are no objections, too many players already etc

Thanks

Edmund



------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3853
Date: Mon, 16 Mar 92 15:43:19 EST
From: s3007048@mackay.mpce.mq.edu.au
Subject: Re: (3849) Other systems of psionics for Traveller

A friend of mine, who is also the GM of our current Traveller campaign, has
devised a new set of Psionics rules that all the players are extremely pleased
with.

I'm not up to date on what the actual rules are at the moment, as he does
not have them down on media yet, but a character has a secret roll made on generation, and the character can train or whatever, and this value will be taken
into account - the character does not know his/her potential until (s)he gets
there.  Additional depth has been given to psionics...

As an example, my character was the head of a psionics institute, and the other
characters students and collegues.  (yes, it's is predominantly as psi adventure)  anyway, the institiute is stormed by imperial troops, and we have made our
way out of here, but one of my collegues was injured and in a coma.  Having an
interest in psionic theory, I do some calculations and project in to witchspace
where I find my collegue's "mind". It is wandering precariously and I try to
guide it back to reality.  Whilst in witchspace, I spotted something in the
"distance" - a corpse - somehow this being had teleported their body in to
witchspace and got caught.  I took the body back in to reality...

Now, my character is not the most attractive woman (yes I play a female), so she
has various nervous breakdowns on finding such a baeutiful body, so perfect and
un spoilt, what I beefed up on psi drugs and projected in to the body and took over it, leaving my old body perminantly - little did I know that this creature
had ruby red eyes, fangs, a blood lust, and various other strange attributes.
I had become a vampire ...

There's more to say after this, but I feel that i'm going on a bit!  Needless
to say, this new psi rule system adds a definate bit of spice to psi in
traveller - also covered is the ability for non living entities to have
psi (due to magic), magic, witchcraft, etc.  You might say that the system
covers every fascet of supernatural activity - also covered is magical
items!  If you would like, I will get the full rules and add it to the
TML Nightly some time in the near future.

Regards,
	Mike.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Internet:	s3007048@mackay.mpce.mq.edu.au

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3854
Subject: Re: (3848) Anybody know where I can get the latest errata for MegaTraveller? 
Date: Mon, 16 Mar 92 09:08:02 PST
From: James T Perkins <jamesp@metolius.WR>


You should have just received both the TML packages with DGP MT Errata
(I just sent them to you).  They're not recently updated, but they are
official.  These files are available on the sunbane FTP archive site,
sunbane.engrg.uwo.ca (129.100.100.12), in directory pub/traveller/misc,
files MT1 and MT2 (I think... that's from memory).

James

__   __/         /   /	    Internet Traveller Mailing List, Administrator
    /     /  /  /   /	   James T. Perkins in Beaverton, Oregon, USA
 __/   __/__/__/ _____/   traveller-request@metolius.wr.tek.com

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3855
Date: Mon, 16 Mar 92 12:08:39 PST
From: gwh@lurnix.lurnix.COM (George W Herbert)
Subject: Batteries...


Once long long ago, while I was doing battery tradeoffs
for a UC Berkeley/NASA study on Mars Spacesuits,
I got bored and checked the numbers for the Traveller
batteries against what we had around today for real.
It turns out that we're just about right, and that
the projection for TL9 is about in line with what
is reasonable to guess will be usable by 2010.
Even more impressive is that the TL10 and 11 entries
are _also_ on line with that theoretically will be
state of the art in 2030 and 2050 8-) (Note that as
an engineer, I don't put much faith in more than 10 
year development prediction, but it's nice to know
that the traveller stuff agrees with presumed reasonable
values...).

The only thing that's high is cost.
The given costs are roughly in line with space-rated
battery costs.
One could presume that less tough (and less tested...)
batteries for ground vehicles are possible and
cheaper.
Radio shack, for instance sells TL7.5 NiCad batteries
for about 65% of Traveller figures, and you could
probably halve that for bulk purchases at wholesale.

- -george william herbert
gwh@ocf.berkeley.edu  gwh@lurnix.com

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3856
Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1992 22:56 EST
From: "Something wicked this way comes..." <STU_RWMORRIS@VAX1.ACS.JMU.EDU>
Subject: Questions from a novice...

	I've just gained an interest in Traveller.  After hearing a number of
interesting things about the game, I broke down and bought MegaTraveller.  I
love the system with a passion.  However, it is a little vague in some areas.

	Stupid question #1: About computers in craft creation: what does the 
/fib and /bis mean under model?

	Stupid question #2: Someone please explain #12: Available orbits under
Extended system generation.  If you have three planets circling a binary 
system with the B star at orbit 10, how are the planets situated? (assume 
A is type MV star and B is type KV).

Thank you.

	Lucifer >:}

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3857
Date: Tue, 17 Mar 92 17:50:21 +1000
From: anaylor@mihi.une.oz.au (Adam Naylor)





------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3858
Date: Tue, 17 Mar 92 17:59:57 +1000
From: anaylor@mihi.une.oz.au (Adam Naylor)



------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3859
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 92 17:30:56 +1000
From: anaylor@mihi.une.oz.au (Adam Naylor)

    Here are the designs I promised to send . Note the changed battery rules
that apply to them . Namley that batteries are 10 times their listed power 
output and 1% of the book price . If you think this is too cheap for the
batteries, their cost has been included in each design . Batteries take the same amount of time to recharge as they were used for (ie used for 8 hours so take 8 hours to fully recharge) . 

Enjoy, Edmund


                         "Johnny Cab"

    CraftID: Ground Car, TL 9, Cr3615
       Hull: 2/4, Disp = 1.75, Config 4USL, Armour 4B,
             Unloaded =  3 tons, Loaded = 4.4 tons .
      Power: 1/2, Battery = 0.1MW, Duration = 8 Hours
       Loco: 1/2, , Wheels Road = 75 kph, Offroad = 15 kph .
      Commo: Radio (Very Distant) .
    Sensors: Headlights, Light Amplification .
        Off: 	
        Def: Def/Mod = +2
    Control: Panel = Enhanced Mechanical, Environ = basic environ 
     Accomm: 1 Operator (Sometimes 0), Seats 5xCramped
      Other: Cargo = 1.0 kilters, ObjSize = Small, EMLevel = Faint.

      With the advent of 'super' batteries at the tech level 
      9 period, the greenies dream the pollutionless car       
      appears . The car can be used for 8 hours until the 
      batteries run down, then it requires a recharge 
      lasting the amount of hours the car was used for .               
      When such a car is built at tech level 9, most other 
      cars are banned as too dangerous, fast, noisy, and 
      polluting . In fact on many worlds the driver is 
      banned and a nav computer/driver is required by law 
      (costing around 5,000 credits) . On many worlds, the 
      private ownership of a vehicle is also banned, and 
      people have to rely on public transport . The advent 
      of which comes the 'johnny' cab . The johnny cab is 
      fitted with a nav computer, and drives to the place of 
      the patrons request, as long as it is within the 50 km 
      radio reciever range . The cab company's computer 
      keeps its 'eye' on all its cabs . The cabs work on 8 
      hour shifts, then come in for rechargring . Fare is 
      collected as the patron gets in . If the patron       
      decides to stop before the destination is reached, 
      then the cab will refund the patron the saved fare . 
      The cab often has small camera's and recievers built 
      into the cab, to act as a theft warning device . If 
      the cab is interfered with in anyway it will stop as 
      soon as it is safly possible, power down, lock the 
      doors and notify the local law enforcement authorities 
      . The complete johnny cab package costs around 30,000 
      credits . 

      Editors Note: This design assumes that the power 
      output for batteries has been increased by a factor of 
      ten, and the price is 1% of the book price . This is 
      because I feel that at tech 9, battery problems have 
      been solved due to the advent of 'superconductors' [NB 
      I am not a scientist] . Also at tech 9, the batteries 
      have to be replaced every year (Costing around about 
      five hundred credits for the above model) . 




                          "Mule"

    CraftID: Grav Utility, TL 9, Cr6633
       Hull: 1/2, Disp = 0.75, Config 0USL, Armour 1 (D),
             Unloaded = 0.20 tons, Loaded =  2.2 tons .
      Power: 1/2, Battery = 616/0.237 MW , Duration = 0/1
       Loco: 1/2, StdGravThrust= 2.25 tons, NOE = 7 kph,
             Vacuum =  27 kph, NOE = 7 kph .
      Commo: Radio (Distantx5)
    Sensors: Headlights
        Off: 
        Def: Def/Mod = +2
    Control: Panel = Electronicx1 , Environ = basic environ, 
     Accomm: 1 Operator/Driver , Seats = 4xCramped
      Other: Cargo = 1.5kliters; 100 liters,   ObjSize = Faint, 
             EMLevel =  Small.

      The mule is a time honoured design . It is used in 
      thousands of starports / vessels across the imperium . 
      It was designed as a small transport of starport staff 
      and their equipment . It is often used in large 
      merchant and naval vessels as transport for crew . It 
      can carry 1.5 kliters of equipment mounted in a cargo 
      bin at the back of the mule (above the batteries) . It 
      has a small 100 liter compartment under the drivers 
      feet . It moves at 7 kph, and the batteries last 
      approx 8 hours before they need recharging (8 hours 
      the recharge) . 

      Note this vehicle as made an authors assumption about 
      batteries . The vessel here assumes batteries at 10 
      times their strength, and price computed per 0.1 
      kliters not per 0.001 kliters . The batteries need 
      replacing every year (At a cost of 1185 Cr) .

      By the way I designed these after watching all the
      great starwars scenes in docking bays (eg just before
      they move out to destroy the Death Star) . 

            

            

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3860
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 92 11:04:18 -0800
From: Brian G. Vaughan <bvaughan@ocf.Berkeley.EDU>
Subject: What does "Transform" mean?


The dialect of Galanglic spoken in the Antarean region is called
"Transform" in the Imperial Encyclopedia.  I believe that, in the
"Select Bibliography" in, I think, the Referee's Manual, a
reference is made to "Transform Publishers" of Antares.
 
Does anyone know what, specifically, "Transform" means, in this
context?

==========================================================================
Brian G. Vaughan           |  O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell, and
bvaughan@ocf.berkeley.edu  |  count myself a king of infinite space--were
                           |  it not that I have bad dreams.
                           |                         (Hamlet, II.ii.254-6)

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3861
From: d9bertil@dtek.chalmers.se
Subject: Batteries of Batteries
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 92 9:43:02 MET

  Well, here is what 3G^3 has to say about batteries at our TL (8). One Watt is
one Joule per second, so 1 Wh is 3.6 kJ and 1 MWh is 3.6 GJ.

Type	Cap	Mass
AA Cz	5kJ	19g
AA Al	9.6kJ	24g
AA Li	10.5kJ	14g
AA Nc	3kJ	22g
C Cz	16kJ	53g
C Al	25kJ	65g
C Li	54kJ	47g
C Nc	10kJ	75g
D Cz	40kJ	106g
D Al	62.8kJ	135g
D Nc	19kJ	141g
9v Cz	13.8kJ	38g
9v Al	17.8kJ	47g
9v Nc	16.2kJ	54g
12v La	1MJ	8.6kg

Nc NiCad
Al Alkaline
Cz Carbon-zink
Li Lithium
La Lead-acid

  So you see that to get 1MWh, rechargable, we'd need 30 tons of car batteries
(the volume would probably be quite small, though) and I think that this is
the kind of batteries that subs use.

  I guess that the figures for all the new funny batteries (Sulfur-?) are much
better than those above.

- -bertil-
- -- 
"It can be shown that for any nutty theory, beyond-the-fringe political view or
 strange religion there exists a proponent on the Net. The proof is left as an
 exercise for your kill-file."

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3862
From: d9bertil@dtek.chalmers.se
Subject: 1st Interstellar War
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 92 9:58:55 MET

Found on sci.military:

>From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker)
>Newsgroups: sci.military,soc.history
>Subject: 50 Years Ago: Wednesday, 18 March, 1942
>Message-ID: <1992Mar18.015118.27368@cbnews.cb.att.com>

>From military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker)

>Wednesday, 18 March, 1942

> [deleted]

>American soldiers land on Efate.  Their orders are to build an airfield
>there.

> [deleted]

- -bertil-
- -- 
"It can be shown that for any nutty theory, beyond-the-fringe political view or
 strange religion there exists a proponent on the Net. The proof is left as an
 exercise for your kill-file."

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3863
Date: 19 Mar 92 08:09:41 EST
From: bryan borich <70541.1410@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: warning...warning

VIS000+ybody has anything they desire to submit to the magazine, I
will be glad to forward it to the editors.

     <Articles> Personally I myself am looking for articles concerning
Starships, Aliens, and critters for my 'zines (and this does not
preclude it from showing up elsewhere, as some of the material in my
'zines has made it into MTA products and other gaming magazines, all
copyright is maintained by the author, I just maintain the right
to publish it in my fanzines).
    Even world write-ups would be of interest. Or adventures. Or
material covering starports.......

    <Imperial Economics, # of Starships> One thing to look at is the
number and class of starports around as this will tend to limit the
tonnage available.
    Tim Koors created a Lotus spreadsheet checking this out, using
what sectors had been available. Chuck McKnight has a copy of it, and
it should be openly available (though he might not have it so currently).


------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3864
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 92 10:47:39 -0500
From: Jim W Lai <jwtlai@watcgl.waterloo.edu>
Subject: Re:  TML biweekly: Msgs 3852-3860 V25#10

>Date: Mon, 16 Mar 92 12:08:39 PST
>From: gwh@lurnix.lurnix.COM (George W Herbert)
>Subject: (3855) Batteries...
>
>Once long long ago, while I was doing battery tradeoffs
>for a UC Berkeley/NASA study on Mars Spacesuits,
>I got bored and checked the numbers for the Traveller
>batteries against what we had around today for real.
>It turns out that we're just about right, and that
>the projection for TL9 is about in line with what
>is reasonable to guess will be usable by 2010.

Hm, I wonder if we're getting a bit higher on the battery tech chart.  I got
those figures at last.  A Michigan company, Ovonic Battery Co., claims to have
solved the corrosion problems with metal hydride batteries by means of a
particular alloy for the electrode.  The design is similar to NiCad, with the
metal hydride replacing the cadmium as the negative electrode.  They claim the
sealed battery exhbits almost twice the energy densities of NiCad, has a
recharge time of only 15 minutes, and last the life of the car.  What TL
would this battery, assuming their claims are accurate, correspond to?
(I'm pulling my reference out of Popular Science.)  Apparently this battery
is cheap enough that Hyundai has signed with them, and Chrysler is considering.

Meanwhile, BMW engineers say that their current sodium-sulfur batteries have
four times the storage capacity of the same-weight lead-acid batteries.
Unfortunately they last only one year.

Maybe someone out there could calculate what these translate to in TL numbers?
[Yes, I'm hoping that we've achieved TL 8.5.  :)]

Discover magazine (I am told) has an interesting article on the capability of
the electric car engineered by GM and another firm.  It uses conventional
lead-acid batteries and apparently will be affordable and practical for urban
use.

Oh, and that was an interesting comment about discount (and unreliable) tech.
Hm... Honest H'gurna's bargain basement fusion plants?

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3865
From: metlay@minerva.phyast.pitt.edu (metlay)
Subject: On Transform
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 92 12:12:09 EST


As embarrassed as I am to admit this (running one of the two characters
in the PBEM whose Transform is so thick you can spread it on bread),
I do not know of any reference in the literature, offhand, that might
explain the origin of the word. I'm going to reread the relevant stuff--
I *think* there's a contextual implication that one can pick up, but
nothing official.

- -- 

Mike Metlay
metlay@minerva.phyast.pitt.edu
Atomic City, P.O. Box 81175, Pittsburgh, PA 15217-0675

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3866
Subject: Re: Questions from a novice... 
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 92 11:37:00 PST
From: James T Perkins <jamesp@metolius.WR.TEK.COM>


R W Morris writes:
> [MegaTraveller] is a little vague in some areas.

<chortle>

/fib indicates "Fiber Optic Backup", meaning that the computer is safe in
environments where there is a lot of electromagnetic radiation that can
upset electronic circuits.

/bis means "enhanced", if I remember correctly in Classic Traveller these
computers had more CPU but less storage.  I don't remember offhand what the
tradeoffs are for MegaTraveller.

> If you have three planets circling a binary system with the B star at
> orbit 10, how are the planets situated?

The type of the stars is not important to this discussion.  What matters
is what orbits the planets are in.  In this situation I think you roll
for the number of available orbits for each star.  Generally, the
Primary star will typically have orbits 1..n (n < 10?) available, and
the Secondary will have fewer 1..m (m < 6?) orbits.

In the case of Close binaries, the stars are nearly touching and have a
single shared planetary system.  In the case of Far binaries, the stars
are way far away and have complete and independent planetary systems.
The only time things get wierd are when the stars are in the in-between
range.

I know these answers are not definitive; I hope they are helpful and
inspire better understanding of the ruleset.

James

------------------------------

End of TML Bundle
*****************

From jamesp@wrgate.wr.tek.com Thu Mar 26 01:24:49 1992
To: dan@engrg.uwo.ca (Dan Corrin), bfwong@ocf.berkeley.edu (Raven Blackburn),
        anthony@cs.pitt.edu (Michael Anthony Kapolka),
        mcknight@f104.n170.z1.fidonet.org (Chuck McKnight),
        jamesp@metolius.wr.tek.com (James T. Perkins)
Subject: TML Bundle #318: Msgs 3867-3873
Reply-To: traveller-request@wrgate.wr.tek.com (TML Administrator)
Precedence: bulk
From: James T Perkins <jamesp@wrgate.wr.tek.com>
Content-Length: 27035
X-Lines: 585


TML Bundles come from the archives of the Traveller Mailing List,
maintained by James Perkins, traveller-request@metolius.wr.tek.com.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed Mar 25 21:00:14 PST 1992
From: traveller-request@metolius.wr.tek.com (TML Administrator)
Subject: TML Bundle #318: Table of Contents

-AMN- --Date--- --Sender--------- --Subject-----------------------------------
3867  19-Mar-92 KELLOGG@DUCVAX.AU 4.5th Frontier War (Raid on Enoc part 3) << E
3868  19-Mar-92 KELLOGG@DUCVAX.AU Taylored Vac suits << Hmmm, A question: How m
3869  20-Mar-92 Robert S. Dean    Re: CHAT: Jump governors. << In a letter date
3870  20-Mar-92 adpgate!rdj@apple ***First Hand-Comp!*** << This is from today'
3871  20-Mar-92 "Something wicked More questions from a novice... << I know thi
3872  20-Mar-92 George William He Next Challenge (59) << Challenge issue 59 is 
3873  23-Mar-92 anaylor@mihi.une. Imperial Intelligence << I was mucking about 

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3867
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 1992 17:20 CST
From: KELLOGG@DUCVAX.AUBURN.EDU
Subject: 4.5th Frontier War (Raid on Enoc part 3)

		Enoc C675867-6
	The Kliemoshie landed away from the starport at the digs.  A
small patch of bedrock had been cleared for traffic near the digs
accommodating the courier and a fat trader belonging to the
League of Suns Expedition.
	The site was away from prying eyes and onlookers.  Partly
because of the fact it was in the middle of a desert, but mostly
because news of its discovery was carefully monitored.  Drert's
one and only comment was:  "Another fuckin' desert."  But the
scenery was more striking:  jagged rocky mountains, a variety of
terrain from dry washes and lakes to intricate canyons,
contrasting to Aramat's shifting dunes.
	"Welcome to Enoc, Doctor Malenkoviepr."  Dr. Lorain Messandi
stood out on the pad to greet the arriving archeologist.  She
wore a light jacket and skirt that looked only slightly out of
place at an archeological dig:  just a little too fancy to be out
digging in.
	Dr. Malenkoviepr looked down from the hatch of the ship at
the figure now extending a hand to him.  He first saw her some
eighteen years ago when he had met with her father.  She had been
eight at the time, and he physically the same age as he was now.
Since then he had grown in archeological prominence, as did she,
but every time he saw her...  Now what is really known about
sexual imprinting in humaniti?  This could be a very interesting
and pleasant psychological experiment...
	"Good it is to see you again Lorain.  I see you've found
something more interesting than reading dry old papers about the
Sky Raiders."
	"It will do for a bit, and it gives me the opportunity to
show you up for once."
	"Going to let all the hot air out of the ancients study?"
	"Sure, come on over and see my digs, Mako."
	Dr. Malenkoviepr took the extended arm and descended the
Kliemoshie's ladder.
			- X -
	The ancients dome was a low wide structure sixty four meters
in diameter looking like a huge brown saucer sitting on the
ground.  Mounds of sand lay nearby cleared away from the site
with grav sifters more gently and quickly than the more
traditional tooth brush would wipe them away.
	The dome had only a few entrances: one at the ground level,
and some about fifteen meters above the ground.
	The two archaeologists entered accompanied by the crew of
the Kliemoshie, and two rather sullen looking Imperial marines in
battle dress to keep the "dirty Zhos" out of trouble.
	Rows of emergency lamps had been rigged up to light the
darkened structure.  Lorain flipped on a switch revealing the
inside of the wrecked building.  It was mostly empty with large
rising platforms in the center of the dome.  Here and there
scattered around the base of the platforms were pools of metals
once molten they had flowed into random shapes forming unlikely
ink blot tests.  Malenkoviepr glanced at a few shapes and got a
small insight into his own current state of mind.  "But knowing
psychological patterns and desires does not fulfill them." he
thought, "But, unless I miss my guess, Lorain seems to be sending
some non-verbal signals this way..."
	"The smaller holes up top seem to be windows."  Lorain
Messandi picked up a melted and fused blob of a glasslike
material with five fold symmetry crystals of the same stuff
coming from it at irregular intervals.  "We found this stuff
underneath the windows.  Haven't figured out what it is yet, but
it appears to have melted, dripped out of the windows, and fallen
on the floor where it cooled.  We found traces up there on the
windows."
	"I see."
	"This stuff melts at 513 degrees Kelvin, and hard enough to
scratch diamonds:  hardness fourteen!"
	"Viepchakl!  Have you analyzed it for components yet?"
	"Not yet, but we're taking a small sample back to Alenzei
with us.  Our spectrometers are off, the analyzer told me plain
old water was phosphoric acid yesterday."
	"Perhaps, I can fix it, or at least allow you the use of
mine."
	"Very kind of you."  Lorain smiled with a smile that could
melt ice caps.  "Over here we have some stuff that must have been
interesting but it's obviously broken.  There were what we think
were control panels over here but they all melted into slag.
This place must have been subjected to quite a bit of heat at
some point."
	"Was it the weapon that destroyed this place in the ancients
final war?"
	"I don't really think so.  It seems to me that if heat had
been the weapon used there would have been a lot more damage than
hit here.  Possibly vulcanism, but we can get a more accurate
reading from the rocks outside."
	"How would that work?" asked Miakr suddenly.
	"Well, the magnetic field of planets reverses over the
course of time.  By checking which way the magnetic field of the
rocks is pointed we can tell when they were last melted."
	"Oh, yeah."
	"Well, in any case the slag in this place is certainly
bizarre stuff.  Before our spectrometer broke down we analyzed
some of the melted remains of the control consoles.  Aluminum,
copper, yttrium, barium, gold, lead, bismuth, and of course
oxides of the lot of them."
	"Sounds like the remains of a super computer." remarked
Malenkoviepr thoughtfully.
	"A super computer?  How do you figure?"  wondered Lorain.
	"Well, yttrium, barium and copper are in high temperature
superconductors.  And it seems to me, a long time ago I had an
electronics course were we discussed the ultimate means of data
storage.  If you used a substance where each atom would represent
a piece of binary code, say one element being one and another
being zero, like lead and bismuth, which are soluble to each
other, you could have a very small data storage unit, for
instance, the sum of sentient knowledge could be put in a cube
one centimeter on a side."
	"How do you figure?"
	"Well, let me see, eleven grams per cubic centimeter so
eleven over two hundred and seven moles of lead or so, times six
point zero two times ten to the twenty third:  that makes..."
	"Three point five one nine times ten to the twenty third."
supplied Miakr.
	"Yes." sniffed Dr. Malenkoviepr.  "That is a very rough
estimate, not even taking into account the difference between
pure lead and lead-bismuth.  But it's within an order of
magnitude.  Three times ten to the twenty third bits of
information should certainly cover the sum of all knowledge."
	"Yes... I should think so."  said Dr. Messandi impressed.
"I'm beginning to realize just how much difference there is
between studying the ancients and the sky raiders, and just how
far out of my field we are."
	"Oh, come on Lorain, it is merely a matter of what you are
used to looking for.  I would'nt know a sky raider artifact if I
fell over it."
	"Well, I should hope not, some of us have to make a living
you know.  If you discovered every archeological treasure I'd be
out of a job." she laughed.
	"On a more serious note we have this:"  Lorain held up a
large light blue crystal perhaps twenty centimeters long.  It
seemed to shimmer under the lights.  "It was found in a puddle of
pure gold."
	"Hmm!" hmmed Malenkoviepr taking the crystal and examining
it.  "Chemical analysis?"
	"Unknown, due to the spectrometer again.  Though it Does
have a hardness of eleven."
	"Perhaps a diamond form of some element other than carbon.
But I think I know what it is used for."
	"How?"
	"It looks like a crystal that is sometimes used in Droyne
coyn rituals.  The fact that it was found in a puddle of gold may
indicate that it was with some coyns when whatever melted this
place did so."
	"What sort of rituals is it used in?"
	"Well, it is used in a particular one when a young Droyne is
being casted, that is when the Droyne becomes a leader, sport,
drone, technician, warrior or worker.  They use this, or
something like this as a focus for their psionics.  I read a very
strong aura from it indeed."
	The two escorting marines shifted uneasily.  Their
expressions hidden by the helmets of their battle dress.
	Drert stepped forward, "Let me see that."  He took the
crystal from Malenkoviepr's hand.  He held it up to the light and
froze.
	The crystal began to glow.
	A low humming filled the room.
	A glowing blue globe came into existence around Drert's
hand.
	The globe began to expand.  It swelled to thirty centimeters
in diameter and contracted again.  Again it swelled this time to
forty centimeters and then contracted back again.
	"Drop it!" yelled Malenkoviepr, reinforcing the command with
telepathy.  Drert remained a frozen statue holding up the crystal
like a torch.
	Suddenly, Jietlshaiepr came flying across the room tackling
the statue of Drert that was becoming eclipsed by the oscillating
globe.  Drert fell to the floor but bounced and remained rigid as
though made of wood.  Jietlshaiepr and Niedrsha began wrestling
with rigid form to find it's hand and the crystal.
	Miakr stood enthralled by the beautiful blue globe.  Yes,
it's beautiful.  He started for it.
	Malenkoviepr flooded him with revoltion.  Revolting?  Miakr
hesitated, how could something so beautiful be revolting?  It was
calling after all...  He started forward once again.
	Malenkoviepr grabbed him and held him fast.
	Dr. Messandi looked on longingly at the globe.  Shtam stood
by, but with a hand on her shoulder lest she start forward.
	The globe continued to oscillate but began to shrink.
	"Hari vieck!" Jietlshaiepr shouted as she diverted the
strength of her mind to her hands.  She yanked the crystal from
Drert's hand to the sound of breaking bones.  She tossed it away
and it skittered across the floor.  The globe became a
hemisphere, and continued to shrink until it winked out.  The
crystal lay on the floor, a darker blue than it had been before.
	Drert lay frozen on the floor still in the position he had
been in when he held the crystal up.
	Jietlshaiepr examined Drert hurriedly, "got a pulse, still
breathing, comatose.  I'm taking him to the ship."  She picked up
the statue that was Drert and marched out carrying him like a
briefcase under one arm.
			- XI -
	"Pulse rate sixty... Breathing rate twelve... Blood pressure
one fifteen over seventy... His hand's broken for sure... Wait a
minute... Not one broken bone?  Impossible...  EEG... no reading. 
Whatever hit him it's put him in a psionic shock.  Doctor
Malenkoviepr can you read anything from him?"
	Malenkoviepr concentrated, and probed.  There was none of
the usual flood of sensory input... no surface thoughts...
deeper...  deep down...
	A very faint image surrounded in blackness... very faint...
a hand?  Yes... a hand... a giant hand... no... a fist... a giant
fist, clenched tight... very tight....
	But slowly, very slowly almost imperceptible:  the fist was
beginning to open.
	"Dr. Malenkoviepr?" Miakr hesitated.
	"Yes?" Malenkoviepr replied opening his eyes.
	"The Imperial Marine commander wants to talk to you."
			- XII -
	It was early morning the next day when Malenkoviepr walked
back to the ship smiling.  "The deadhead commander wanted to know
how dangerous this is.  How am I supposed to know?  I have never
seen this before and they will not give me a chance to study it?"
he sighed rhetorically.
	"The marine commander kept you all night?" wondered
Niedrsha.
	Dr. Malenkoviepr glanced at Niedrsha.  "I had things to go
over with Dr. Messandi."
	"Drert's unchanged," sighed Jietlshaiepr changing the
subject, "but I was sure I broke his fingers when I ripped the
crystal out of his hand.  Sure, I tried to be careful but, I Know
I didn't succeed."
	"His hand is all right?"
	"Apart that it, like the rest of him, is paralyzed yes.  No
broken bones not even a bruise.  I try to have a light touch but
this is ridiculous."
	"You're not all that gentle." chided Niedrsha.
	"Be quiet you." she glared.
	"Ok, boss, last night Jiet planted some of the targeting
transmitters:  one in their motor pool, one at their HQ.  I
planted the long range triangulators.  All that's left is to set
one of these short range pills on their barracks."
	"Good work, no one saw?"
	"Nope, I'm invisible with enough cover." explained Niedrsha.
	"I teleported in and out." explained Jietlshaiepr.  "I have
to wait until my psi strength recovers.  But speaking of psi
strength, Doctor Malenkoviepr, how is your own?"
	Malenkoviepr concentrated a moment.  He should have almost
completely recovered from yesterday's efforts.  "Strange, I seem
to be at full strength psionically.  As a matter of fact, I feel
even stronger than usual."
	"I feel the same way.  I realized it when you were gone.  It
is as though we didn't have to rest at all after the fracas with
the crystal.  I don't know if it will last, but right now I feel
like I'm on a psi booster drug."
	"You think that crystal acted as a psi booster?"
	"Can't think of anything else we've been in contact with."
	"You may be right."  Malenkoviepr thought for a moment.  "In
the casting ceremony the crystals are used as a focus, it could
be that they store psionic energy."
	"Wait, a minute."  I'm no psi, but that thing probably
hadn't been touched in a couple of hundred thousand years, how
much charge could it have?" interjected Niedrsha.
	"But you are psi shielded, pilot Niedrsha..." began
Malenkoviepr.
	Silence descended on the room like a parachute dropped over
their heads.
	Malenkoviepr continued, ignoring Niedrsha, "If the crystal
is a storage device, then it might have been building up a charge
over all those years... and after three hundred thousand years of
non use it would have quite a charge built up by the time we
found it."
	"Yes, but what would all that energy do to Drert?" asked
Shtam.
	"Don't know.  We don't even know what it did to us."
	"There is one other thing," began Jietlshaiepr, "I don't
know about you all, but I've got a rotten headache."
	Meanwhile the giant fist was uncurling agonizingly slowly.
			- XIII -
	A soft knock at Malenkoviepr's door roused him.  Odd, he
didn't even remembered falling asleep.
	"Come in?"
	The door slid open to reveal Jietlshaiepr standing head in
hand, her expression, body language, and demeanor spoke of
tiredness and pain.
	"Look, sorry to bother you, but I'm exhausted, and I've got
a splitting headache, so I'll come right to the point.  I need a
psionic probe."
	"What?"
	"This blasted headache, it started soon after the thing with
the crystal.  I can't find any medical reason."
	"And you think it may be psionic."
	"Yup."
	"A telepathic probe is a violation of a noble's right to
mental privacy."
	"Who cares?" she snapped tiredly.  "Look, I haven't been a
noble for long, until four years ago I was an intendant.  I
haven't got any great secrets.  Mind you I'd appreciate it if
you'd leave the sexual side of my mind alone, but even that's no
big deal.  And besides, diagnosing me will probably save a lot of
time with the others."
	"Others?"
	"The rest of the crew are irritable to some degree."
	"Very well.  But I may have to read your entire mind before
I find something."
	"Well, leave my id for last will ya please, I'm not an
exhibitionist."
	"You'd better lie down." he laughed, "This may take a
while."
			- XIV -
	It didn't take long to locate the trouble as he found it
broadcasting itself across her consciousness.  Jietlshaiepr was
broadcasting her own thoughts and receiving them again.
Telepathic feedback was building up.
	"You are a telepath."
	"What?" she cried incredulously, "No, I'm not, I was tested
for that a long time ago.  I have some psi-talents but they are
all trained or training now.  Telepathy just isn't one of them."
	"You are getting psi-feedback; that's what is causing your
headache.  You are a telepath, but you do not know how to control
it."
	It took an hour to teach her to control the feedback, but
soon the headache was gone.  Once the mind has been opened,
telepathy is farily easy to control.  It's the opening of the
mind that is difficult, and in her case it had been pried open
with a crystal crowbar.
	When she was gone Dr. Malenkoviepr wondered at the
pervasiveness of the human libido throughout the mind.  Usually
one could probe someone else without getting too much of it.  But
in the short time he read Jietlshaiepr he had found a few tricks
to use with psionic bodily awareness he hadn't thought of before.
	Pilot Niedrsha certainly had his hands full with the ship's
doctor.
			- XV -
	"Right, now how are we gonna get that transmitter on the
marines barracks?" asked Niedrsha of no one in particular.  "We
need a diversion."
	"How about a loud argument in Zhodani?"
	"No, the deadheads would not even care." remarked Shtam.
	"Wait, how about this," said Miakr excitedly, "Two of us
could act drunk and distract their attention.  We could offer
them a drink or start a fight do or whatever we needed to do."
	Shtam shook his head, "No thanks, I certainly do not want to
get into a brawl with a bunch of trigger happy deadhead marines."
"And, I do not really understand Your desire to get your head
smashed."
	They all thought for a moment.  "Well hey," laughed Miakr,
"how about we show a pornographic film on the side of the ship.
If the marines are as bad as they are supposed to be then that
should distract them."
	The room went silent.  Jietlshaiepr stared at Miakr with
leveled eyes.
	She was gone.  Her clothes, where they had been, began to
float to the floor.
	Suddenly, one empty suit of battle dress got up and worked
it's way out of its rack.  It strode over to Miakr, and picked
him up by the collar with its left hand and dangled him half a
meter above the ground.
	The right hand pressed a button at the throat, and the
helmet split open like a clamshell.  Jietlshaiepr pulled Miakr
close to her and said with ice, "I don't think that's a very good
idea really.  Do you?"
	Vole chucked in the background sounding like a hyena.
	"Hold on, Jiet don't kill him." laughed Niedrsha.
	"I'd maim him, just a little, but then again I'd have to
put him back together wouldn't I?"
	"All right let us get back to planning." clucked Shtam
tiredly, "This is not going to help, and it just cost you an
hour's rest before you can teleport, Jietlshaiepr."
	"You have any ideas?" asked Miakr as he was lowered to the
floor not too gently.
	"How about a malfunction in the ship?" suggested Shtam.  "I
could rig a sort of spectacular display, alarms, flashing lights,
you outside screaming and yelling:  that sort of thing."
	"Sounds all right if it's loud enough to make them notice."
	"Oh, they'll Notice all right...."
	"We only need to distract them for two seconds, just long
enough for me to jump in and jump out."
	"Ok, a few hours after night fall."
			- XVI -
	Jietlshaiepr awaited the countdown in her battle dress ready
to teleport at an moment's notice.  Shtam and Vole were ready in
the engine room to control the 'malfunction'.  The rest waited
out side.  Except of course Drert.
	The ship lay quiet in the darkness with a few lights
burning.  The light of the moons was barely enough to make out
the white outline of the aging courier ship.  She seemed a giant
white creature as she leaked hydrogen gas from her fuel tanks
into the night air.
	The sky exploded with blue sparks and red flame.  A fireball
leaped up above the Kliemoshie lighting the area in a temporary
daylight.  Alarms shrieked and howled, and the crew shouted and
ran towards the conflagration to be showered with water from the
burning hydrogen.
	Jietlshaiepr was already atop the Imperial Marines barracks.
She dropped the transmitter on the roof, and looked down.  Two
marines in battle dress stood there, one looking at the commotion
from the Kliemoshie and the other pointing straight at her.
	"Hey!  Uh, look up there, Dorset."
	Jietlshaiepr swallowed and teleported.
	"What is it Grindley?"
	"Uh... I don't know.  Maybe it was a bat."
	"A bat?"
	"Yeah, a big bat... A great big bat..."
	Dorset sighed in disgust at his moronic partner.

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3868
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 1992 19:40 CST
From: KELLOGG@DUCVAX.AUBURN.EDU
Subject: Taylored Vac suits

Hmmm,

A question:  How much protection does a Taylored Vac suit provide from
brawling weapons?  Seems to me anything that was so strong as to provide
the phenomenal armor value of the Taylored Vac suit would have to be pretty
stiff and uncomfortable if it provides protection from low velocity impacts.

Ballistic cloth is a bit more different.  I can see how it could be made
pliable and even comfortable.  But a pliable and comfortable piece of
clothing won't help you much when someone comes after you with a baseball bat.

Mark?  Mike?  I'm sorta interested in your responce to this one.  Seeing as
nearly everybody in the PBEM has one of these suits, it would help if we all
knew just how well they protected you from this sort of thing.

Scott Kellogg

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3869
Date:     Fri, 20 Mar 92 11:23:09 EST
From: Robert S. Dean  <rsdean@crdec8.apgea.army.mil>
Subject:  Re:  CHAT: Jump governors.

In a letter dated Thu, 19 Mar 92 18:31:13 EST, metlay writes:
>
> > (But I suppose it would be useful to know how things work in
> > the PBEM universe. Mark? Mike? Are jump-governors really just
> > the figment of a crazed scientist's dreams in your universe?)
> 
> Mark and I ruled a LONG time ago that the explanation given in
> the Travellers' Digest for why Jump governors no longer work
> was the stupidest piece-of-shit ruling Joe Fugate ever made up
> while on a Lysol bender, and trashed it. The Alcyon can jump 
> partial distances on a partial tank. The only limit is that
> microjumps take a whole Jump-1 worth of fuel.

Yeah, Joe Fugate's off the cuff rationalizations usually rub  me the _wrong_
way, too.  However, just as a matter of idle curiosity, are you using the
jump governer = smaller jump drive fuel consumption, or the jump governer
= used/total fuel consumption?  In High Guard, they were the same, of course,
but in the new 5 + (5*jump) % system, they're not.  

Example:  A jump-3 now takes 20% of the hull's volume in fuel, and a jump-6
takes 35%.  Therefore, 2*j-3 <> j-6.  (J-6 is good for 3*j-1 plus a little...
'overhead' costs eat you alive at low jumps.)

Rob Dean


------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3870
Subject: ***First Hand-Comp!***
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 92 10:02:34 PST
From: adpgate!rdj@apple.COM (Richard Johnson)


This is from today's (March 20, 1992) "Wall Street Journal", 
without permission. 

UNIT OF TANDY ROLLS OUT FIRST `WEARABLE' COMPUTER
By a Wall Street Journal Staff Reporter

Fort Worth, Texas-- Grid Systems Corp. said it rolled out its first
"wearable" pen-based computer, called the PalmPad, which includes a 
wrist strap allowing a user to carry the computer on his arm.

Measuring 6.2 inches by nine inches [why can't they keep their style
for numbers straight?] and weighing 2.8 pounds--about the size of
a hardcover book--the computer is designed primarily to fit comfortably
across the forearm and into the hand.  It uses the company's pen-based
software, which eliminates the need for typing on a keyboard.

Grid, a Fremont, Calif. unit of Tandy Corp., said it expects the Palm-
Pad to be used in areas such as manufacturing, distribution, law
enforcement and market research, where workers need to collect data
but don't want to be weighed down with bulky equipment.  Grid also
said the computer is designed to be durable enough to withstand a
three-foot drop onto concrete.

The machine, which was introduced at a "fashion show" in New York,
will sell for about $2,895.

========================
So, y'spose Marc Miller is going to see his attorney about patents
now?  :=)
- -- 
Richard Johnson             (adpgate!curly!rdj@mcspdx.pdx.csd.mot.com)
The prayer of the modern man is research and development.

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3871
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1992 22:11 EST
From: "Something wicked this way comes..." <STU_RWMORRIS@VAX1.ACS.JMU.EDU>
Subject: More questions from a novice...

	I know this may sound like a very typically asked question, but what 
Traveller books are out there, specifically MegaTraveller?  I have the books
from the boxed set and Rebellion, but do no know what other books there are to
find.  It is also difficult, when looking at the covers, to tell what books are
adventures and what are sourcebooks, and what books are good for stats on the
races and what books have good vehicles.  Could you please help me out?

	Lucifer >:}

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3872
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 92 22:18:49 -0800
From: George William Herbert <gwh@ocf.Berkeley.EDU>
Subject: Next Challenge (59)


Challenge issue 59 is the April Fool's issue.  I don't know about
the MegaTraveller content elements, per se, but the Merc:2000 article
will make it worth is by itself.  Honest.  Go buy 59 as soon as
possible.

Ok, ok, so it's _my_ Merc:2000 article, but it's a _fun_ article.
Honest 8-)  You'll enjoy it.

Though it may be hard for me to find willing vic..players anytime
soon after it.

- -george william herbert
gwh@ocf.berkeley.edu  gwh@lurnix.com

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3873
From: anaylor@mihi.une.oz.au (Adam Naylor)
Subject: Imperial Intelligence
Date: Mon, 23 Mar 92 12:35:05 EST

I was mucking about with character generation the other day when I realized 
something . There was no actual Intelligence branch for the imperial armed
forces . Now since Imperial Naval Intelligence seems to come up all the time
I worked out an appropiate branch for it . Now If anyone is really interested
I'll post it to them (or even the newsgroup) . But before I do I want to make
sure it hasn't already been done by the illustrious (and might I say incred-
ibly talented people) newsgroupies that have been here since its inception . 

If it hasn't i'll post it, if it has I'll forget it cause I really dont
match the calibre of you people

Very Seriously

Edmund

 

------------------------------

End of TML Bundle
*****************

From jamesp@wrgate.wr.tek.com Thu Mar 26 01:44:22 1992
To: dan@engrg.uwo.ca (Dan Corrin), bfwong@ocf.berkeley.edu (Raven Blackburn),
        anthony@cs.pitt.edu (Michael Anthony Kapolka),
        mcknight@f104.n170.z1.fidonet.org (Chuck McKnight),
        jamesp@metolius.wr.tek.com (James T. Perkins)
Subject: TML Bundle #319: Msgs 3874
Reply-To: traveller-request@wrgate.wr.tek.com (TML Administrator)
Precedence: bulk
From: James T Perkins <jamesp@wrgate.wr.tek.com>
Content-Length: 36611
X-Lines: 780


TML Bundles come from the archives of the Traveller Mailing List,
maintained by James Perkins, traveller-request@metolius.wr.tek.com.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed Mar 25 21:00:22 PST 1992
From: traveller-request@metolius.wr.tek.com (TML Administrator)
Subject: TML Bundle #319: Table of Contents

-AMN- --Date--- --Sender--------- --Subject-----------------------------------
3874  22-Mar-92 Mark F. Cook      PBEM: Turn 92.02a << Here's the latest turn, 

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3874
From: Mark F. Cook <markc@hpcvss.cv.hp.COM>
Subject: PBEM: Turn 92.02a
Date: Sun, 22 Mar 92 23:33:05 PST

Here's the latest turn, gang. We did the best we could to straighten
out the worst of the time flow problems, but there are still 
inconsistencies.  Not too many, but more than we'd like.  Please
direct all complaints to /dev/null.

	- M&M

PS to Richard Johnson: I offer my most humble apologies for the
fit I threw a couple years ago when you added some dialog for
Bishop without consulting me.  Mike and I are rapidly discovering
that it's *impossible* to built a coherent consolidated turn without
doing that very thing.  As many players will note, their characters
may be heard saying things that you don't remember writing.  We've
tried desparately to keep it to a minimum.  Hopefully, we didn't
step over the line too many times. :^)

	- Mark

PS to Alan Huscroft: I hope you don't mind the half-dozen lines I
added to Ayrlathi's last turn. I can't bear sad endings. |->

	- Metlay

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
PBEM Turn 92.02a  (731 lines) - THIS IS PART 1 OF 6.
=====================================================


 === Talisman ===

Redd watches Ralf's unconscious body in the lounge, occasionally
glancing at the medical tell-tales displayed on the rugged handheld he
found lying next to Ralf outside the engineering airlock.
	
The lighting flickers off, and for the briefest moment, the omnipresent
hum of power dies away, leaving the Talisman silent.  Redd sits in shadows,
lit only by the glow from Ralf's handheld display.  Seconds pass.  Ralf stirs.
His eyes open.  Weakly he lifts his head, and whispers a single word before
slumping back into oblivion.  "Rosebud."

"What the H**L !"

Kimball  Redd  hastily slaps his vac-suit helmet into place, pulls on the
gloves and begins checking the seals,  while using the suit radio to contact
the bridge.

"Bridge, Redd here - I'm in sickbay with Ralf, what hit us ?"

"Ha!  Gotcha."  Ralf rolls to his feet in a fluid motion, sprightly
in the low gravity.  "Just kidding."  He scoops up the handheld in turning,
hitches it onto his belt without looking, and heads for the bridge.  "The
bridge?  No, wait.  My job's down in engineering, right?  No problem, I can
have the computer pipe the feeds down to my console there..." and off he
goes.
	
Looking round to find Ralf back amongst the living, and about to take off by
himself, Redd calls after him, his voice amplified by his suit speakers :

"RALF !"
"What do you think you're doing ? This is NOT a drill, get that vac-suit
sealed up NOW, and DON'T go off without telling someone!"

Lowering the volume control back to normal, he continues:

"Look, just try to bear with the rest of us who haven't been able to
take a nice long rest & talk to IASIC, and don't have a clue what's
happening.  J.J. will probably be checking up on everyone any day now
<smile>, just as soon as they get organised up there." 

He pauses to listen to the rest of the ship - systems coming back on line,
people shouting a lot - no change there.

"Bridge - Redd & Ralf en-route to engineering, keep us posted.
<smiling again>
Sounds like everything got shut down - let's go fix things."

They make their way through the re-awakening ship, only slightly slowed
by the lack of internal gravity and dim emergency lighting. At least the
doors still work. 


 === Aurora ===

In the cargo hold of the Aurora, Christian has barely enough time to
note the belated arrival of Lucan, recently restarted by 'Vouf, and
the two newcomer robots carrying the limp form of Dr. Tweel, with Tiger
the Aeloid flapping alongside and whimpering softly at its master,
trying to elicit a response.... when he gets another distraction.

With a glaring flash, a disc-like opening of softly glowing white light
appears before him in mid-air. Dimly, through its haze, Christian can
make out the outlines of the familiar Sickbay in the Alcyon.

*I have returned those in need who were stranded upon Me to your care,
Healer. Now it is up to you to heal them!*

Christian quietly and respectfully responds, his gratitude plain. "I thank
you for your assistance. Heal them I shall."

Amidst the thrumming power of that voice, 'Vouf's voice is a tiny, 
easily-ignored peeping in Christian's comm unit. "Aenrra? You okay?"

"AENRRA, kae, you're back!" The anxiety and relief in Christian's voice
is testament to the strain of his situation. "The Hoop 'ported three
injured people to us, the trauma indicates they're crash victims, lord
only knows from WHERE."

His voice is suddenly infused with instinctive, professional concern,
yet his regret at the need for his services is clear. Christian curses
briefly. "Aenrra, the third is in very critical condition and I am
stabilizing him now. He'll need surgery soon. The other two are pretty
lucky, but they'll need some attention, as well as some enforced rest
and continuing observation."

Christian studies the hazy portal. "The Alcyon is best situated to handle
multiple bed-rest patients, the impending surgery, and the psychological
reorientation/briefing for the newcomers. The Hoop has opened a portal
for all of us down here. We're moving to the Alcyon for now."

The distant shadow of a memory prompts a near invisible glimmer in
Christian's eyes, as a very slight quaver in his voice is detectible
only by his vargr friend. "Wish me luck, aenrra. Keep me advised; I'll
do likewise. Take care of my ship. Van Der Merwe, out."

The veteran of countless medical emergencies firmly strides through the
R-Alphan gateway, beckoning for his rag-tag band to go through. "Lucan,
Dulinor, OSF, 333 ... Follow me." His gestures are decisive, his tone
cool and professional, as he forces his emotions aside to concentrate
his efforts on the daunting task ahead. The motley group passes through.
The portal hangs in the air for a long moment, then fades and flickers
into nothingness.

"Good luck, aenrra," Bhyarrvouf whispers. He watches the gate flicker
and fade on the cargo hold monitors, and switches off with a sigh.
"Looks like it's just you and me for a while, Moira," he sighs.

"Affirmative, Subcommander. All systems currently in active-monitor
mode, our course is stable and we are operating normally. If you wish
to rest, we will not require any action on your part for several
hours."

"Just kakh wonderful." 'Vouf looks at his gauntlets, now covered in 
Tweel's blood. "I'd skip over to the Westwind, but SOMEBODY should
mind the store while Christian's gone...." He looks again at the 
tactical readout. His ears perk up and his eyes widen in disbelief.
"On second thought, why bother? That little shuttle's gonna have
them sniffing our tails in no time flat!"

He prepares a datapulse to send to the Kingfisher, still locked in
its private conversation with the Trakh. "Command Shuttle, this is
Bhyarrvouf on the Aurora. We are up and running normally again. 
Other status reports non-mission-vital. Contact when able. Out."

He then calls up the tight-beam communications board, establishes
a few other links, and flicks on his earbug. "This is the Aurora
broadcasting to all members of the former IASIC network. We've
recovered okay and are now functioning normally. All ships report
in.  Paladin?  Bhranda kghfe zhdaetso, Goughzar?  Talisman?  Andon,
Thul-- everyone okay?"


 === Paladin ===

Goughzar sits stunned watching the information flashing by on the screens
ending with the farewell and the screens going black. As the screens fade,
the ship's light and power fade, the emergency systems click into life,
and Charyn thumps to the floor, something finally seems to snap in Zar.

"Arghoooo" and the howl falls to a growl and gravelly voice with the
definite tones and projection of command.

"Dr. Morser! Attend stations and bring the internal system of the Paladin
back on line! Dr. Limner, report at once to a terminal and begin work with
Dr. Morser to assess any damage to ship's systems and bring everything back
on line. Mr. Azani, report to the bridge and assist with Dr. Morser in any
way possible. Dr. Morser, when you have brought the computers back on line,
leave the rest to Dr. Limner and assist Mr. Robins".

Tense from the recent events, he moves to Charyn, cradles her head quickly
and then assumes his station at the helm. As systems come back on line, he
quickly slaves the controls of the pilot, navigation, and sensor panels to
his holodisplay and begins to bring up full scans.

When the systems are running... "Paladin, full tactical display and open
communications with Alcyon and Aurora. Full EMS active and passive scans
on ship last sighted. Continue with heading to Ringworld, do not modify
landing sequence. Damage control and status report on all functioning
systems".

As the seconds roll by, Goughzar watches as the commands roll through and
the displays light up again. _All systems functional, status reports all
systems rating at 100% with the exception of primary computer systems rating
at 180%._

"Good, identify all ships on tactical display and attempt identification of
new ship last known bearing 078 mark 12 at 2AU. Detailed analysis and damage
report given ship is type RT with a standard hull congfiguration of 1000tons."

Zar waits as the computer details information about the new ship and awaits
the opening of hailing between the Aurora, Paladin, and Alcyon.


 === Phin Shuttle ===

  * I'm hoping to stay long enough to talk to the Hoop again, if it'll
    let us in again. * Ian moves to face Ferdy. * It asked me to bring
    back some crystals, and I have them... uh oh.  They're on the Talisman.
    Oh well.  I'm not really able to say what we're all going to do.  I
    wanna party some, lay in the sun, meet new friends, and so on.
 
  * That sounds good. * Ferdy nods and flicks his tail.
 
  * I think some of the other humans with me want to learn all they can
    about your world, * continues Ian. * and some might want to take
    things.  It's hard to say. *
 
  * I dare say we can all manage to have some fun together. *
 
  * I really can't say what the Aslan are going to do. * Ian shrugs.  * I
    think they have some kind of predatory belief that this is now _their_
    world. (laugh). *
 
  * They sound like a very primitive race.  A bit like the Kythui, maybe? *
 
  * Ferdy? * Ian frowns. * Do you have something aboard that would work for
    my eyes - visual sensors?  I want to look outside at a passing miracle. *
 
  * What?  Oh, yes, of course.  Let's go back and find Doejin and I'll
    show you how the visual sensors work. *


 === Kingfisher ===

[Ger gives a long sigh...and places his left hand over his face, and
rubs his eyes. Ger then turns to Jett.]

"Judge, you are incorrect, this is a military mission, even if we are
not in an offical military unit. We are organized in a military fashion, 
we are armed and facing two potentially hostile forces. When we make 
landfall, then it will be a scientific expedition."

Richard Jett responds with alacrity, in crisp and crystal clear tones.
"No, sir! This is a CIVILIAN expedition, sir, which includes many former
military personnel, such as yourself, organized for SELF-PROTECTION. We
are here to investigate the unknown, sir, and TAKE RISKS! The aslan may
be hostile, but have they fired upon us? No! Are they likely to attack
us? Right now, no, as long as we don't PROVOKE them, sir! Who else is
hostile? The RINGWORLD? Iasic? Their acts are those of welcome and
curosity. Acting as you suggest may have STRONG consequences -- have
you CONSIDERED how the Ringworld, for Strephon's sake, how the ASLAN
may respond?"

As soon as Commander Ger start to speak Etienne half turns his acceleration
couch so that he can watch the Count while still being aware of the piloting
data out of the corner of his eye.  He makes no outward reactions, until...

"Besides Lazer is aiming his pistol at the wrong person, I issued the
order, Mr. DeMer is following orders, besides with a flick of a finger
I could have the firing controls routed to my console here..."

A small frown crosses his face as Etienne looks at Lazer and gives a 
small nod.

[Ger sivels his chair to look at where Farouk is standing.]

"Lazer I never thought that I would get any trouble from you, In fact
I was trying to keep you busy with little tasks so you wouldn't react
overly in security defense I didn't consider you the source of a
problem, remember also that there are things that you have been told 
under security."

[He then turns back to the nomal rest position for the chair, and
addresses no-one in particular]

"Don't you think that the ringworld will have active defenses? Do
you really believe that a single missile could do anything to somehting
the size of the ringworld? Besides in my orders there is a situation
which I am to destroy the ringworld. Almost none of you will be able to
detect the conditions which fulfill that part of my orders. I am following
my orders to the best of my ability."

"I am fully congizant of my actions, and their implications, and I am
in complete control of my mental condition.  In case you havn't noticed,
the entire Imperium is in a state of War.  Crimimal actions are those
actions found unaccepatble by the winners and the writers of history."

At this statement, Etienne's eyes narrow and his jaw clenches.  One hand
moves closer to the hilt of his blade and his entire body tenses.

Richard reacts and takes a half step backward, as if struck by Ger's
last statement. The passion and heat present just moments ago has
been snuffed out. He stares at Ger with a mixture of utter surprise
and revulsion. His voice is quiet, yet clearly audible and very hard
edged. "Indeed, sir. War precipitated by fools and despots, intoxicated
by power, acting without regard for life, or law, unfettered by such
*PETTY* concerns."

He steps backward, and sits down, heavily, in an empty chair, but with
his unwavering gaze fixed upon Ger. "Sir, I didn't come aboard this
mission simply because Rachel Turnskaad asked me to protect her interests.
I came because I saw a chance, a small chance, to reach out and EXPLORE
a WONDROUS world. I thought I would be travelling with likeminded
explorers, yet in you I find the same attitude, the same "winners write
history, so what I do is right" philosophy."

"Fortunately, sir, your compatriots do not agree with you. As for myself,
sir..." Jett is somber and sincere. "...you disgust me."

"I will not be one to be doing the writing of history." counters Ger.
"I'm only pointing out the way things work in this universe.  As for
'disgust', I find little in your chosen profession to drive me to earn
your respect.  How many 'Legal Counsels' have successfully defended
mass murderers on a technicality such as failure to receive a statement
of rights the the time of their arrest?  Disgust from a man like you
carries little sting."

"I am the Captain of this ship as well as the mission commander.  The
disobeying of my orders also have serious consequences. I don't expect
unwavering obedience, nor do I expect my actions to be blocked by my own
crew. Lazer put your weapon away. If none of you will do it, I'll just
fire the missile myself."

Judge Jett shakes his head in dismay. "Arbeit macht frei, eh Admiral?"

[Ger's finger flicks over the console, and an area changes from some
ship status to a copy of the firing control board].

Etienne's voice rings out, "Computer, engage all safety interlocks on
missile turret."

Jan noting that legalistics and negotiations are not going anywhere,
brings his weapon to bear on Admiral Ger.

"Sir, I am placing you under arrest, step away from the console.  Do it
now."

"Fine." states Ger.  "I'm under arrest. What are the charges and who are
you installing as captain?"

Lazer's pistol shifts smoothly to aim at Ger's keyboard.

During the whole incident Johann has been sitting silent at his console,
working the sensors and doing his job. A perceptive person on the bridge
would see a slight tension in the muscles of his neck, even though it
doesn't reflect in his face.

>From his seat, Richard nods in agreement. He sounds tired. "Thank you,
Doctor Yorblin...." He draws his pistol, verifies its readiness, then
replaces it, as he views the tableau before him.

Rigo stands up, slowly so as not to startle anyone, his hands empty and
held out from his body, neither anyway near either of his guns.

"Commander, I signed up for an exploration party, not a military venture.
Your authority is no greater than any other ship captain's. That's quite
great, to be sure, but it dosen't extend to murder or suicide. Come to
that, even military authority dosen't run to murder. You're almost certainly
right about the ringworld's defenses, but you can't be sure. If you try to
launch that missile we will have to try to stop you or become an accessory
to attempted murder or at least reckless endangerment. Besides, you can't
be sure of the nature of those defenses. Quite possibly the defense would
extend beyond neutralizing the attack to exterminating the attacker. The
ringworld may treat hostiles rather more harshly than non-hostiles. Don't
do it, Commander."

He then moves his right hand down to hower near his stunner holster, but
makes no attempt to draw it.

     Zben has been following all the dialogue very carefully (and has
set up a couple of other small windows on his control board). At this
point he makes direct eye contact with the Commander, and addresses
him in (not perfect) Darrian *"Sir. I have always respected your
people's pride and intellect. BUT, the action you contemplate could
have larger effects than the *Maghiz*!*" He continues in Standard.
"Sir. Please. Do we want to be known by these people as undisciplined
savages? We asked the entity to release our vessels from its control.
If you check sensors you'll see that is happening. If this entity
wanted to harm us, _we_would_be_dead_by_now! To demonstrate that we
have the capability of harming the Ring is unnecessary." He slowly
sits up very straight in his seat. "Sir. I would not fight violence
with violence," (he glances at the drawn guns, and then returns to
Ger) "but I will do what I deem necessary to either prevent that
missle from launching, or to destroy it as soon as it is launched."
His face twists into a small grin. "Ask any of these fine folk who've
played poker with me. I don't bluff..."


 === Alcyon Sickbay ===

So much has happened there, in such a short time, that it is a homecoming
of sorts for the good Doctor. Innumerable physical exams and inoculations,
important not just for raw data, but for that personal touch and intuitive
impression that cannot be quantified. A painful secret revealed, leading to
an intricate, painstaking surgical cure. He can almost feel the sweaty
concentration.

Death. The grim task of the autopsy on colleagues killed by an unseen
saboteur, before he had the chance to know them as personalities and
not merely personnel files. Killed in their sleep, awake, at their post.
Unfortunate and maddening not even to know why. Christian hated that
mystery. The uncertainly robbed the dead and the living alike of the
peace that was due them. Injury. Lives saved, bodies repaired, though
not always returned to normal. Lying side by side in the adjoining
low berth compartment, Christian's failures lay in icy repose, silently
mocking his vaunted skill.

A sudden thought roared through Christian's mind. Adrian Bishop! The
memory of the discovery, the valiant attempt at help, rejection,
catastrophic failure was still raw and painful. He felt sorrow,
deepening into fundamental regret. His conscience taunted him. *The
high and mighty Doctor, you've got all the answers. Didn't have the
answer for Adrian, did you? You meddled, Christian, and destroyed
him. You sure knew what was best for him, didn't you. Hah!* A part
of his mind was uneasy about what he might find, once the instant
demand on his time had ceased, and he was forced to confront what,
or who, Adrian had become. Christian forced his mind to turn away
from such nervous, idle speculation.

A life hung in the balance.

For a minute, Christian plays the role of traffic cop. He points to
the adjacent Chief Medical Officer's suite. "Triple Three -- Take Doctor
Tweeerrrlll to that cabin. Monitor his condition and alert me to any
significant change. I will review his condition later. Go!" Gesturing
to two patient beds at the port wall of Sickbay, he tells Lucan and
Dulinor, "Install the non-critical crash victims over there. Continue
to monitor, report updates to Sickbay computer. Prepare full medical
report and prioritized treatment protocol." Christian turns away, then
adds an afterthought. "Oh, and go though their gear bags for any
identification. Look for standard medical history datacrystals, or
at least names. Report findings. Carry on, your majesties."

His voice inflection becomes fractionally more urgent. "OSF, put the
trauma patient, there, on that surgical bed." He walks over to the
surgical bay and brings all systems to full readiness for immediate
trauma surgery, muttering disjointed phrases of arcane medical jargon.

Christian looks down at the critically injured stranger, lips pressed
together in urgent concern. The man's blood volume had fallen to a
dangerously low level, complicating his wounds and internal injuries
with severe shock.  While Christian concentrated on that stranger, Lucan
and Dulinor continued to minister to the less severely injured strangers
by stabilizing their condition, medicating with painkillers and anti-
infection pharmaceuticals, and conducting intensive scans.

Passing a med-scanner over the injured form, Christian grimly notes that
his condition, while stabilizing, was clearly precarious. The med-computer
beeped insistently, as the latest blood workups and test reports glowed
into existence on its vidscreen, accompanied by a calm computer voice
reading them out for the benefit of the harried doctor. The extent and
severity of the internal injuries indicated that prolonged surgery would
be required to save his life.

Glancing at the overhead holo, Christian pulls up a menu and makes a
number of selections. An integral injector pokes out of an alcove in
the bed, pivots, and silently administers a cocktail of surgical
pharmaceuticals. With one eye monitoring the patient's vitals, Christian
taps on a control pad, then reaches down to select his instruments from
the tray that silently appeared.

A high pitched hum begins to emanate from the surgical bay, as the
sterile field forms around the injured human. Poised to begin the
task of rescuing a life, Christian pauses for a second as he activates
the intercom. "Bridge, this is CMO Van Der Merwe. I'm in Sickbay with
several injured sophonts and treatment is underway. Don't ask how, I'll
fill you in later. Since I'm the only Command officer, I guess I'm the
temporary Alcyon CO, but you have the conn, I won't have time to worry
about that now. Just keep me apprised of developments. Out." He turns
back to his patient, and begins his struggle to save a life.


 === Gemini Arbiter ===

Aurelia Xerxes furiously glances back and forth between the sheaf of
contract forms in her hand and the empty corridor which just moments
before contained a glowing archway and a jaunty Vargr.

"WHA... BLOW ARE HEADS OFF!" she exclaims.  "Who does he think he is? I..."

"Now Aurelia." cautions Nichole,  "Calm down. Don't get excited."

"Ahem! ..." Aurelia composes herself.  "You're right.  Here!"  She thrusts
the papers into Nichole's hands and walking towards the bridge.  "You look
over these papers while I fill in Arby and run a systems check."
 
Nichole quickly steps away from the bridge iris and warns, "...I wouldn't
walk in there yet!"

As Aurelia thumbs the hatch button, she turns around towards Nichole
and frowns.  "Whaaa...?" and is immediately hit by the leftover anti-
hijack gas from the bridge, "...ACHOO!..."

She paws the door controls and rapidly backs away from the slowly dispersing
cloud of gas.  "Just great! ...ACHOO!... I hate that stuff."

Nichole smirks a little as she chides,  "I warned you!"

As she turns and heads aft towards the lounge, Aurelia mutters, "On second
thought. We'll both go over these papers while the bridge is being cleaned."


 === Talisman ===

"Ah-HEM!" The voice from behind Ralf and Redd is firm and a bit
exasperated. "I am very gratified to see you up and around so 
quickly, Ralf, but you DID give us quite a scare." It's Doctor
Tabor. "Mind if I have a quick look at you? Won't hurt a bit."

"No problem doc, glad to see you again."  Ralf pulls a data crystal
from the handheld at his belt and tosses it to Tabor.  "Here's
my medical history and my vital signs for the last hour.  C'mon down
to engineering and I'll start prepping the sensors while you read."


 === Alcyon Bridge ===

"Say WHAT?!" Morgan Grey sits bolt upright in his chair on the Bridge.
"Christian, what, where--" He sputters to a halt and flicks another
switch. "Pater, where's Doctor van der Merwe?"

"Doctor van der Merwe is in Sickbay. He has activated sterile procedures
at Trauma Table One and has disengaged communications," the Alcyon's
computer replies mildly.

"Gimme internal cameras in Sickbay," Grey snaps. Pater complies, and a
holo of the doctor at work appears on the main tactical screen. Grey
stares at it in disbelief. He's still staring when Werner walks in....

"Morgan, you would not believe what I found in-- GOTT IM HIMMEL!" He
rushes over to the holo, loosening his tie and running a hand through
his unruly hair. "That is Doctor van der Merwe! But-- but-- I was THERE
not FIVE MINUTES ago, and the room was EMPTY! Only Bishop--" His eyes
bug out even further. "Something RESTARTED HIS POD!"

"Restarted his...?" Grey's eyes narrow. "Pater, are your self-diagnostics
running?"

"Of course, Morgan. Always." Pater sounds a trifle offended.

"Did you restart Adrian Bishop?"

"No."

"Then who DID?!"

"Scanning...scanning...ah!" Pater registers interest and concern. "Here
it is. A rogue process spawned from Subregister F7F73E0040 in the main
bank. It moved through the structure, straight into the cold sleep berth
where Bishop was, and vanished. No other interference noted. If it WAS
a virus of some sort, it was very fastidious about what it touched."

"Huh!" Grey slaps a hand to his forehead. Then he frowns. "Run securecam
in Sickbay back ten minutes and play forward at double speed."

"Here you are." Grey and Werner watch the playback. The door opens, Werner
enters, crosses to Bishop's low berth, stares at it. His lips move, he
is obviously shouting. He then backs out of Sickbay and closes the door.
Nothing happens for several moments, then the two watchers on the Bridge
are left agape as the coruscating white flash deposits the good Doctor,
three humans, an Ael Yael (?!), an Aeloid animal of some sort, and three
robots into Sickbay.

"Unglaublich." Werner shakes his head. He looks over at Grey, his eyes
feverish. "Multiple teleport with no momentum-transformismus. Only the
Ancients could do that...."

Grey isn't listening. He's staring at the holo. Never taking his eyes
off it, he reaches for the comm unit. "Bridge to Security. O'Shi?"

"Whatcha want, Grey? I was doin' my nails."

"Stuff a sock in it, Mahlel," Grey orders. "Grab a Gauss Rifle and get
to Sickbay doubletime-- somebody just teleported a WARBOT into our laps!"


 === Paladin ===

Azani, hearing Zar's orders, hurries to the bridge.  Moving quickly through
the corridors he heads to where mayhem and tradgedy has struck. Entering
the bridge, he sees Zar and the doctors tending to the still limp body
of Charyn.

Azani looks upon Charyn with a blank unemotional stare. In his line
of business, death was not an option, it was a given. Emotions get in
the way and cloud the thinking process. Emotions made people create
illogical thoughts and mistakes. 

*Just do your duty...* thought Azani as he knelt down beside the doctors.
He had been on the bridge before and had dropped of some medical supplies
so the docs could help Charyn. He had left to find Charyn limp and perhaps
lifeless. *...just another soldier Jordan lost in the fight.*

"Doctors, I'm here to assist you in anyway I can. I don't have any
medical experience but I'm willing to try." He places some of the other
equipment that he was gathering next to the blankets and medical kits
he had gathered earlier. He then takes the helmet of his combat armor
and waits for a reply.


 === Talisman ===

"Always too bloody busy for the Doctors," Tabor grouses as he pops
the crystal into his hand computer. As he chases Ralf down the 
corridors, he casts a pleading eye over his shoulder at Redd.

"Harrumph. OCG steady except for some thready bits at the end; blood
pressure stable throughout; no evidence of trauma; EEG-- WHOA!" He
looks up at Ralf's back, careens off a corner, and chases after him,
waving the hand computer like a subpoena. "RALF, GET BACK HERE! I
have to doublecheck this EEG scan! I'll bring the equipment down
to Engineering, but you HAVE to let me do this!"

Kimball Redd glances round -

"Hi doctor, try not to keep him long, engineering seems to be horribly
busy on this trip - I've been in quieter battles!"


 === Trakh ===

Aolrkhea' finishes whispering a few short phrases into her throat
commdot and nods as she finishes her conference with Aiwi, the
_Khaurl_, and Fa'eairl.  She turns to face the Admiral.

"Sir, our pinpoint densitometer map of the interior of starship ID
_Talisman_ is being processed by Fa'eairl now -- I will display it
on the central holotank at your command.  Hwa'ahel is preparing the
internal scan of starship ID _Paladin_ for immediate relay.

Akhouw leans back in his command chair, surveying the display of the
human ships with an experienced eye. "Hrmmmmmm..." The throaty rumble
is a clue to his thoughtful analysis, as his dewclaw slowly taps a
martial rhythm on the chair's arm. As he expected, nothing out of
the ordinary; still, such information was never irrelevant when the
future was unclear. When his eyes survey the readout on the _Paladin_,
he sits up slightly, then relaxes into his typical pose of serene
confidence.

"Admiral, might we extend an offer of assistance to the fiyfiyalr?
They seem to be having great difficulties with their engineering
subsystems.  Perhaps we could aid them in some way.  It might help
smooth our relations with them, as well.  And perhaps we might discover
what their problem is, and whether it threatens us."

Akhouw closes his eyes and meditates for an areiaao. The answer, as it
should, was best found by attention to haaealri (balance). His eyes
opened as the command chair rotated towards Aolrkhea''s duty station.

"Your suggestion is apt, Aolrkhea'. Open a lasercom channel to the..."
His eyes shift to the holotank then back to her. "... Aurora. Their
systems have failed twice, perhaps the problem is worst there. Inquire
as to the source of their problems and offer our assistance." His
expression lightens. "Remember that they are fiyfiyalr, and strive for
haaealri. Some humans are less familiar with Aslan, and require your
tolerance..."

She turns back to her console and glances down as a blue tell-tale
begins to flash on the densitometer status panel.  She continues to 
assist Aiwi as she reports.            

"Gravitic systems aboard the disabled fiyfiyalr vessels seem to be 
returning to normal function now.  Interference is returning on all
bands on the densitometer."


 === Alcyon Sickbay ===

There was a feeling of light haze and a sense of deja vu... then the
pain made its presence known. Tiblisi's head felt better than before,
but it still felt like it had been smashed open and glued back
together again... and the glue hadn't had time to set yet.

Memories began flashing back and forth... a bright flash, dry air,
brief memories of jump, trying to get out of a crash couch, impact,
getting the mess ready for dinner, finishing the Purser's log, moving
being thrown against the bulkhead, darkness, tumbling, and a bright
light.  Everything seemed mixed together and out of sequence. Then
more memories -- being in the cargo terminal getting a ship loaded for
lift, the sound of a crane traversing overhead with a huge crate, the
sound of splintering material, then crashes, then an explosion, then
screams, then the pain...

Tiblisi's sits bolt upright with eyes open wide in panic, looking
straight up. *No, this isn't the terminal. That was so long ago...* 

The sudden movement brings dizziness, a wave of nausea, and more pain
to the side of Tiblisi's head. With a groan, Lee takes several deep
breaths and then things begin to fall into place -- the attack, the
concussion, the misjump, abandoning the ship and crashing here. Lee
takes several more deep breaths and the pain receeds a bit. *What an
atrocious stench!* Several more deep breaths and Lee's eyes begin to
focus. The pain continues but it is bearable. Lee gingerly moves
each limb -- the right arm is numb, but everything seems to work.
*Well, it can't get any worse.*

Lee's eyes focus more. *I'm in an infirmary on whatever planet this
is. That helps.* There is someone -- a passenger -- on the table to
the left. Unconscious, but with regular breathing and no apparent
major injuries. *Well, I'm in no condition to do Basic Aid -- not that
that would help -- and there is probably another doctor here to help
anyway. Relax, things will be fine.* 

Turning to the right... "It's worse...". A doctor is operating on
someone -- by the telltale yellow hair, the passenger in B7 -- and 
also several robots. The stench continues to grow. Looking down, 
gore covers Lee's jumpsuit. *Things are definitely worse* Lee then sees
that one of the robots assisting in the operation is a warbot. *Great.*

"Things are much worse..." Dizziness returns and Lee falls back on
the table with a soft thud. The tender spot on the back of Lee's head
flares with pain on contact with the table. "Oh, Geezz..." 

*Maybe there isn't another doctor available. I didn't *see* anyone else,
and the only one I did see is busy.  He'll get to whoever's next when
there's time, and I can't do more than pass out again anyway - I think.
All I need is something for the dizziness and remnant of the concussion,
and then help with a long, hot shower.  Maybe the shower first -- the
stench is horrible...*


 === Alcyon Deck 1A ===

O'Shi Mahlel has been described by some of those working with him as 
"An attitude with legs." He does his job with a sneer and an unspoken
addendum that things would be smoother if HE were giving the orders.
Having the Alcyon to himself was a Godsend-- no eyepatched fruitcake
or stogie-chomping butthead telling him what to do, no duty roster,
no nothing. He was was all set to settle into a nice routine of sitting
around and drinking beer....

The corridors in the Alcyon are LONG. It takes several mintues to get
somewhere, even at a dead run, and that's what O'Shi is doing, with
his Gauss rifle in hand and his Bermudas riding up. He doesn't want
to THINK about Grey watching him on the monitors, nothing on but a 
T-shirt and Bermuda shorts and socks....

He hits his commdot as he skids to a halt at the door to Sickbay. 
"If this is some kinda joke, Morgan, I'm gonna kick your ugly Scout
keister from here to next week!" He palms the door open.


 === Alcyon Sickbay ===

*Oh my head and neck!* thinks Berana.  *Ugh, where am I, what is all this
stuff? I suppose I could try and open my eyes?*

After forcing blood encrusted eyes open, Tar finally gets a sense of where
he is *sickbay...robots?, noseplugs...*

Tar tries to look a bit more but his neck is too stiff to move.  He does
manage to see what he hopes is a doctor operating on that Red-something
guy from the ship.  Ship attacked, lifeboat, pilot screams? Tar mumbles
"Last time ... fly Tukera."

 === TO BE CONTINUED ===

------------------------------

End of TML Bundle
*****************

From jamesp@wrgate.wr.tek.com Thu Mar 26 01:26:37 1992
To: dan@engrg.uwo.ca (Dan Corrin), bfwong@ocf.berkeley.edu (Raven Blackburn),
        anthony@cs.pitt.edu (Michael Anthony Kapolka),
        mcknight@f104.n170.z1.fidonet.org (Chuck McKnight),
        jamesp@metolius.wr.tek.com (James T. Perkins)
Subject: TML Bundle #320: Msgs 3875
Reply-To: traveller-request@wrgate.wr.tek.com (TML Administrator)
Precedence: bulk
From: James T Perkins <jamesp@wrgate.wr.tek.com>
Content-Length: 37313
X-Lines: 780


TML Bundles come from the archives of the Traveller Mailing List,
maintained by James Perkins, traveller-request@metolius.wr.tek.com.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed Mar 25 21:00:30 PST 1992
From: traveller-request@metolius.wr.tek.com (TML Administrator)
Subject: TML Bundle #320: Table of Contents

-AMN- --Date--- --Sender--------- --Subject-----------------------------------
3875  22-Mar-92 Mark F. Cook      PBEM: Turn 92.02b << PBEM Turn 92.02b (755 li

------------------------------

Archive-Message-Number: 3875
From: Mark F. Cook <markc@hpcvss.cv.hp.COM>
Subject: PBEM: Turn 92.02b
Date: Sun, 22 Mar 92 23:34:16 PST

PBEM Turn 92.02b  (755 lines) - THIS IS PART 2 OF 6.
=====================================================

 === Alcyon Sickbay ===

After a short while, the pain-killers begin to take effect and Tiblisi
begins to feel better. 

*I feel better. I know I'm not better, but at least I feel that way.
Well, I'm beginning to get some feeling back into my right arm. It
hurts like its beat with a cargo lash, but at least its feeling.* 

There is a bit of movement from the couch to the left. 

*It looks like someone else is coming around.* 

Tiblisi glances back to the right to see how the doctor is doing.
Even without fully focused eyes, it's obvious the doctor is moving
fast -- and muttering something -- "...get out of my way..." -- as
he maneuvers around the innards of... of...

*My memories not usually this bad. What IS that guy's name? I'll
remember.* 

Aburptly, the mechanized arsenal pivots and moves behind Tiblisi.
After a brief moment of anxiety, there is the sound of a door opening
and closing. Tiblisi lies back and begins to relax when...

The infimary door opens and some security-type walks in like he
owns the place.

*They think they own every place...*

Then he starts screaming at the doctor and true to form, begins waving
a rifle around. 

O'Shi's jaw drops. "What the screaming blue fuck...? Uh, I mean HI doc!"
He takes a hesitant step into the Sickbay, looking around him and
gun ready. "Where's this, uh, WARBOT? And who ARE these people? And--"
His voice instantly rises to a yell. "--Where the FUCK did you come from?!"

*Security types, sergents, and chief petty officers just love to yell.*
thinks Lee.  *Wait a minute... what is he doing with a rifle in an infirmary?
What kind of a place is this? Either this is a base infirmary, or I'm not
planet-bound anymore. Great... Wonderful... Don't say a thing, Lee.  Just
shut-up and watch what's going on. With all that's going on in this sector,
who knows? You don't want to offend someone who is keeping you alive.* 

On the adjacent bio-bed, Tarmine Berana is having similar thoughts.
*Where now?   Hmm, more screaming, security type in my face, the calm one
must be a doctor.  Cleanup, drink, miss...  I don't think I'm dying.
Who beat me up?  Why me?*

"liquid?"


 === Paladin ===

Morser replies, "Ach, GUT! Herr Azani, chust whom I am lookink for! 
Pleease take Frau Rrobins to her cabin unt strap her into her bunk.
Ve seem to be in a crrrizis situvation right now, unt stepping on
her vould NOT speed her recovery in any vay shape or Vvorrm."

Satisfied that he's being obeyed, Morser turns back to the datadisplays.
"IASIC," he whimpers. "Please come back! Kommen sie zuruck! Bitte schon!
Bitte schon mit ZUCKER! ACH!" He begins flipping through the computer
menus. "Vhere ze hell is zat communications zetup?! It iss about Time
I gave Herr Dummkopf Ger a piece of my mind-- he could USE it!"


 === Talisman ===

"Hm... computer, open sessions on displays four and five, sensory
data from incoming transmissions on displays two and three.  Call up file
archives Gamma_7500.ecm to Gamma_8500.ecm and Delta_7500.nav to Delta_8500.
nav for statistical analysis.  Execute command now."

"Bridge, this is Ralf in engineering.  Sorry, I stepped out earlier
to deal with our visitor.  I'm currently engaged in analyzing data
gathered since our jump in.  I may need access to the sensor equipment;
can I have an open line to the comm officer's dataserver?  Hm... I'm going
to be taking a look at the specs for the equipment here as well..."

Thul replies from the Bridge, "Go ahead with the sensors Ralf! All stations!
Report status!" 


 === Trakh ===

While Khea' runs densitometer scans, Aiwi concentrates on the other
passive scans, occassionally dumping data to Khaurl by tight beam
laser-com and receiving similar transmissions.  Her first priority
is a PasEngScan from Trakh to Kingfisher.  She then completes passive
scans of Kingfisher, and moves to Paladin, then Talisman, and so on
until passive scans on all ships (except the phin shuttle) are complete.
Her dewclaw reflexively extends ever-so-slightly as she works with almost
frightening intensity to get every last byte of information she can in the
time allotted.  She continues to monitor communications, but solely by ear
while her hands are busy. 

Having configured her displays for optimal efficiency, Aiwi continues
to scan incoming sensor data on the fiyfiyalr ships and monitor
intership communications over her earpiece, as she routes a copy of
the incoming sensor data to one of Akhouw's boards.  "Sensor data
incoming to your display now, Admiral."  Her hands move to adjust a
window on her board as the Admiral orders her to predict the wreck's
course, note probable impact sights, compute the possibility of
survivors, and determine the cause of the damage to the wreck.  All of
these tasks she attempts to accomplish with the smallest possible
delay. She begins performing active scans on the wreck to analyze the
damage patterns and enlists the computational aid of Fa'eairl.  She
reports whatever the highest probability match is to the Admiral as
soon as she has it.


 === Gemini Arbiter ===

Aurelia swivels in her chair and gets up from the table where the Turnskaad
contract papers were spread out.  Stretching, she tells Nichole,  " You
finish here. I'm going to the bridge. It should be bearable by now."

Walking onto the bridge, she eases into a crash couch.

"Arby, run a systems check."  As the Arbiter's computer completes it's
self-diagnostics, she comments, "Looks good. Okay. Now scan the area.
Lets see what's been happening."

Nichole steps through the hatch.

"Well, it looks to be a standard contract." she advises her sister.  "Nothing 
fancy.  I've rechecked our data on Turnskaad.  From what our records show,
they seem to be the typical meduim sized company.  Obviously no mention of
this expedition.  They've had dealings with SDS before and our parent megacorp.
Standard stuff.  The only problem I see is that we are currently employed
by Turnskaad through SDS.  Which would make signing this contract superfluous.

"Yeah," agrees Aurelia, "but this wasn't in our original contract. Wouldn't
it interfere with it?"

"Did you ever look closely at our contracts?" asks Nikki.  "They've all had
some statement of exception included. We are given quite a bit of lattitude
in the execution of our duties, you know!"

"Oh yeah!" retorts Aurelia.  "That same latitude could get us canned, too!"

"Yes." Nichole replies,  "But how many times have we really been reprimanded?!
I can remember several instances where we used it to our advantage!"

"Oh, you're right." sighs Aurelia.  "I can remember a few too. But still...
Okay. Let's sign the damn thing. I think it would be better if we did. It
might make THEM feel better if we did, too!"

"Besides," adds Nichole, "think of it this way. They might get in trouble
if they didn't help us! You never know how important that cargo is we're
carrying."

A chime sounds as Arby finishes the scan ordered a few minutes earlier.
Turning from Nichole, Aurelia swings back to face the console.

"Let's see what the scanning shows.  Whoa! Things have changed quite a
bit since the last time."

Sitting down at her, Nichole punches into the adjacent console.

"Look there! The Kingfisher has powered up her weapons systems!"

"Has anyone else?" asks Aurelia.

Nichole brings up the relevant data.  "Doesn't look like it."

"What's his name?" ponders Aurelia.  "Ger. I wonder what he's trying to do?
What's the Aslan doing?"

"Nothing so far."  Then Nichole points to another part of the display. 
"And there!  That ship from R-Alpha has just about docked with the Westwind."

Aurelia exclaims, "Huh? That must be some ship!"  Glancing at the rest of
the display, she continues, "Looks like we wait a while before we transmit
the contract. Since they've powered up their weapons I don't think they're
to concerned with legal documents right now!"

"Maybe we should call them?" suggests Nichole.

"I don't think so." counter Aurelia.  "Let's see what happens first."


 === R-Alpha ===

Grob the Kyth, fleeing madly from the alien vision he'd just been
subjected to, glances behind him and sees the frightening flying-thing
zooming after him above the trees. They are following me to the
Gathering, he realizes suddenly. I am betraying the Kythui by leading
their enemies to them!

With that thought comes action. Grob heels his mount hard to the left
and takes off at right angles to his previous course....

Upon noticing the R-Alphan native changing his direction of travel, Hryawi
instructs Hfolraw to plot another intercept.  Hfolraw continues to drive
the Aslan speeder in a straight line for a short time, then quickly replots
another course which will cross ahead of his prey, and cutting off the
escape.  Moving the speeder low through the trees, Hfolraw scans for a
clearing in the thick brush, looking for a spot several hundred meters
in front of the Kyth, far enough ahead to avoid detection until it is too
late.  The scientist will have her specimen, thinks Hfolraw.  It's only
a matter of time.


 === Trakh ===

>From Aiwi's station, where she is currently monitoring sensors and
communications, Aiwi speaks in her usual terse, professional manner,
but perhaps a handful of decibels above normal, due in part to the
sudden flurry of activity on sensors and in part because she wants to
make sure she is heard.  Her voice barely modulates, with the sole
exception of a deferential drop in pitch when she uses the only title
that commands her unfailing respect, "New sensor contact, Admiral."
Her hands move swiftly over instruments so familiar she knows them by
touch, as she continues, "Object on the far side of the ringworld,
approximately 2 AU from us.  Approximately 1,000 displacement tons...
in a slow decaying orbit.  Some heat registering, but not evenly
distributed... secondary radiation leakage consistent with containment
failure of a ship's power plant... VLS shows it to be a starship hull,
*badly* damaged... by high velocity impacts or explosions on hull
surface... unable to match hull with certainty; highest probablility
is a Tukera type RT LongLiner... a ship that would carry a crew of 14
and up to 36 passengers.  Sir."

In the midst of reviewing the course tracks of the variety of ships in near
proximity to the _Trakh_, Akhouw's ears twitch in surprise. He politely
acknowledges Aiwi's report, then shifts the course track to a corner of
his HUD and calls up a full display of the new contact. After a brief
look, he touches the controls. The combined EMS image of the liner grows
in size to fill nearly the whole HUD, as Akhouw gets a comprehensive view,
from stem to stern.

When he is finished, a decisive stab of his claw clears the liner image
and resumes his close watch on the variety of ships in the vicinity. "Aiwi,
predict wreck course and note probable impact sites; compute possibility
of survivors. Continue analysis of damage pattern and attempt to specify
cause. Use active scan as required."


 === Alcyon Sickbay ===

When O'Shi bursts upon the scene, Christian is well into the early stages
of the trauma surgery, staunching the worst of the internal bleeding
and preparing to repair the major organ damage. Sparing O'Shi only a
moment's glance, he continues the operation with unabated precision and
commendable speed, as his hands and eyes cooperate in a deft surgical
ballet. His voice is cool and measured, although a close listener would
detect the undercurrent of irritation at the rude interruption.

"My apologies for my unconventional arrival, O'Shi, but I couldn't wait
for a taxi." He checks the med-holo, then turns to the trauma bay controls
and orders a supplemental dosage of anarad, to take care of minor radiation
exposure, and hyronaline, to boost blood resupply. The vital signs were
firming up well, as the drugs began to take hold. Christian released a
very small sigh of relief, before resuming his ... dialogue with his
unwelcome visitor.

"...and hello as well. My patients here are the victims of some sort
of spacecraft crash, I'm not exactly sure myself where they're from."
In the midst of reattaching a swarm of severed blood vessels, Christian
begins to program a host of nanocytes to handle a variety of very delicate
regenerative chores. "...They came to me, and I to the Alcyon, by way of
the Ringworld, or Hoop as some call it. Created by the Ancients, I believe,
and gifted with the ability to teleport people and equipment." He favors
O'Shi with a sidelong glance. "You can contact it, if you have a problem,
I believe it's on 1337.45 Mhz."

"The, ah, warbot you've noticed is the property of Doctor Tweeerrrlll, whom
we rescued off of the Bernoulli. It's called OSF-4, and is currently in
my cabin, assisting in the care of his owner, one of my patients as well."

Suddenly, Christian notices the gauss rifle that O'Shi is waving about the
Sickbay. He sharply orders, "Mahlel, put that rifle away, dammit, before I
implant it up your colon. There's nothing here for Security to get paranoid
about." He glares at O'Shi. "And stop screaming your head off in Sickbay --
got it?" He turns back to his patient, muttering about peace and quiet.

As the doctor yells at O'Shi, Tiblisi just lies back further into the
couch and tries not to be noticed.

O'Shi glares at the Doctor, and blurts, "Implant it up my--" His jaw
shuts with a snap like a steel trap as he sees that van der Merwe is
now pointedly ignoring him. He looks around the room, hitching up his
Bermuda shorts with a free hand, then makes a noise somewhere between
a sigh and a fart.

*O'Shi could use some attitude adjustment, as always. Never understand
how such a bullying slob got hired for this ticket.* A part of Christian's
mind muses while the remainder is otherwise engaged. His hands reached
for a spray applicator of stimgen, a potent regrowth stimulator. *It
was a mistake to include him on the Alcyon roster. Typically, his sort
of personality required close supervision, else the freedom might go to
his swelled head.*

His mind subconsciously notes O'Shi's adjustment. *Crude, as always, but he
does know where his brains are.* His mind laughs. His hands switch between
instruments, the nerve fusor replacing the spray applicator. The patient was
responding well to the surgery, Christian noted. Hormonal reponses were
near optimal, and the holoscan indicated the tide of trauma was slowly
receding; the repair of the internal organ damage remained the critical
task. The surgery continued.


 === Trakh ===

A moment of silence passes on the bridge of the _Trakh_ as the results
from the first set of sensor scans are analysed by Aiwi and Aolrkhea',
with the assistance of the computer.  Schematics, estimates, and targeting
information begin to appear on various monitors, holotanks, and HUDs
around the Bridge.  On the tactical plot, a new marker appears for the
apparent derelict at extreme range.

Akhouw intently studies the shifting tactical readouts and holotank images.
His internal tension is only visible in the unbidden extension of his
dewclaw. Meditatively, he scratches his chin with his right dewclaw.

The brief spell is broken when Aolrkhea' whispers into her throat commdot.
"Fa'eairl.  Begin EMS/IR scans, control at my station.  Status."

The computer's soft female voice emanates from the commdot.  _Densitometer
analysis continuing.  Radio traffic anaylsis complete.  I stand ready._

The status alert sounds again.  Aolrkhea' glances at the screen and touches
a button on her panel.  "Hwa'ahel.  Ship _Aurora_ is now also off-line.
Perform densitometer scan, high priority."  She shakes her head slightly.
"Admiral, relativistic calculations indicate that the systems on ship
_Aurora_ failed simultaneously with the others, as if by FTL communication.

Akhouw frowns slightly, as a low growl indicates his interest in this odd
fact.

"Fa'eairl," continues Aolrkhea', "Play the results of traffic analysis back
on by earpiece, at compressed speed."

Briefly waiting for results, she looks at her visual scan.  The green band
of the far side of the ring now dominates the image, white cotton streams
of clouds visibly above the fields and glittering water of the structure,
the snow bands on the mountainous spill walls blinding in their glare.
*Yes, truly a layeaueakh,* she thinks quietly.  *Who was it that composed 
"Yoyeaokhtef for a Ringworld"?  Ah, I remember, it was Hkyoei.*

The alert sounds again.  "Admiral, ship _Gemini Arbiter_ has also shut down."
She immediately sets up the densitometer to scan the vessel.  Suddenly, she
cocks her head, listening to the ongoing playback.  *Teleport?!*  Aolrkhea'
shoots a look over at Aiwi's station.  Aiwi is completely engrossed in the
operation of her sensor suite, her hands playing the console like the 
consummate artist she is.

"Admiral Akhouw.  I think you should hear this on the main speaker.  These
are Aiwi's radio interceptions on frequency 1337.45 Mhz, beginning about
tea areiaao before I reported to the bridge."

A calm human male voice floats out of the bridge speaker.
"Iasic has been mildly chastised and will not improve your systems
beyond this without your permission."

Then Ger's voice is heard.
    "To the sophont at 1337.45 Mhz, Please Identify yourself.  If you
have any control over the Iasic personality, please instruct it to
disengage itself from all our systems. I consider its actions to be
quite disruptive, and irregular." "We have the coordinates, I am quite
confident that my personnel can get us there without any difficulty or
assistance".

Aolrkhea' touches her panel.  "And tea areiaao teakheh later, this."

The same calm human male voice speaks again.
    "I am this world, which turns below you.  I had not expected visitors
at this time, but I welcome you nevertheless.
    "I apologize for the apprehension that IASIC has caused you.  His
efforts were intended to be of a beneficial nature.  He will remove
himself from your systems immediately."

As the communications intercept continues to play, Akhouw's face reflects
his increasing surprise. "Most illuminating...." is his initial comment.
After a moment's thought, he turns to Aolrkhea'. "Query the _Aurora_ as
to their contact with the Iasic construct and if this is related to their
engineering difficulty."

Aolrkhea' cuts in.  "I think this next voice is an Ael Yael, an avian
species from Gushemege sector.  He sounds quite weak."

Tweel's voice plays back.
"Attention, Rrring, thiss iss the ISSss Aurrorra on 1337.45, you have
jussst ssent uss thrree patientss.  We rrequessst inforrrmation on
theirr injurrriess *IMMEDIATELY*.  Alssso, we rrequessst that you
possibly teleporrt, them, theirr sssurgeon and hiss equipment to the
Alssseyon wherre betterr equipment iss available.  *PLEASSE!!!!* Every
pico-sssecond is the Grreat Hunterr's weapon!"

While his face reflects increased surprise and interest, his comment is
a laconic "Kai! (Indeed!)". His face relaxes into a more thoughtful,
concerned pose. "Further query _Aurora_ regarding origin of those
patients. Request further information regarding possible link to liner
wreck. Suggest that sharing of data is to our mutual benefit and that
we are willing to reciprocate." He glances at Aolrkhea. "Understood?"

He returns his gaze to the holotank. "Teleport!" he mutters. "Truly this
is a strange time, when one may confront what seems to some as the magic
of the tai'ao. Yet now, as ever, the wise counsel of taro is heeded."


 === Talisman ===

"Aye aye, Cap'n, full scan coming up.  Hoist the mizzenmast and
batten down the hatches!  Er, or something like that..."  Ralf starts 
accessing the sensor data and running passive scans on the entire Ring
system.  "Let's see... I wonder if we've all been so busy looking at the
Ring, we've overlooked something else?"

Ralf considers for a moment, then preps a query packet and sends it
to the sensor suites on the other expedition ships - except for the 
Kingfisher (according to his logs Ger gave orders to all ships to drop
the Kingfisher from the Turnskaad datasphere).

Shortly after Ralf's message, control of ships sensors starts to
be incrementally diverted from the bridge to engineering.  First,
control of the phase-array sensor guidance is tranferred, then
one commo channel after another is re-routed, slowly removing
all sensor control from the bridge and transferring aft.


 === Paladin ===

Azani picks up Charyn's limp body and carts her down the hall toward her
stateroom.  She's not too heavy, being somewhat slim.  Charyn's unconcious
eyes open to slits, but with no apparent awareness behind them.  She drools
on Azani's shoulder as he places her in her bunk.  He buckles her in.

As he is about to turn to leave, he hears a slurp of inhaled breath, her
eyes flutter wide open, the lids press together against the light and
motion, then reopen tentatively.  They're a cloudy mottled green, the
color of sludge in a sewage treatment plant.  She mumbles thickly but
with surprising volume "wha... hello?".

She tries to sit up and discovers the restraint, puzzled.  Her dark
hands reach alongside and unbuckle the restraint.  She tries to sit up
again, winces, and lays back down.  She reaches gently up to her head
with both hands and places them softly, palm flat against her temples.
She clearly pronounces a profound, genuine, and thoughtful "Owwwww...".

"Whoever's there - got anything for a headache?"
 

 === Alcyon Sickbay ===

O'Shi stalks over to the wall, lowering the rifle and muttering over and
over like a mantra, "DON'T beat ass on medical personnel. DON'T beat
ass on medical personnel. DON'T beat--" He punches the intercom button
savagely.

"Bridge, this is Mahlel. I don't know how you did this, Grey, but when
I find out I'm gonna KICK yer ass. It's the Doc all right...." He
shoots a glance over his shoulder, and if looks could maim, van der
Merwe would need crutches. "Same high-minded talk, same snotty
attitude."

"ME?!" Grey rubs his eyes. "Why the hell is this MY fault all of a
sudden?"

"Because you're *handy*, asshole. And I CAN'T yell at HIM, he's BUSY."

As O'Shi walks beyond the field of view and begins yelling at someone
named Grey, Tiblisi thinks, *There's no one else here. Must be through
an intercom.*

Despite his intense concentration upon the trauma surgery, the acuity of
Christian's hearing is unimpaired. His eyes quickly stab at O'Shi, sharply
narrowing in a "later for you" gesture, likely missed by the obtuse yet
amusingly attired security team member. 'Vouf, were he present, would
unerringly note the breathing pattern and altered body chemistry warning
of Christian's slow burn.

"What's he doing? From the securecam shots it looks like he's doing a
whole-colon transplant with no donor....yuck...." Grey sounds queasy.

"He's up to his elbows in somebody's guts." O'Shi glances at the
operating table. "Not one of ours, though the Mohawk could belong to
Doc Yarbles. Looks like a crash victim, either that or he tried to
fire an FGMP without combat armor. I'll check out the other cases."

"Yeah, okay. Just watch out for that Warbot, okay? Bridge out."

"WHAT warbot?" O'Shi sneers. "You're imagining things, Grey. Security
out." He slings the Gauss rifle over his shoulder and saunters over to
the two nearby treatment tables. He wrinkles his nose at the two forms
lying on the tables. "Geesh, whatta mess. We should probably slot these
two before they rot any further. Mebbe we can feed 'em to 'Vouf."

In a low breath, Tiblisi begins to mutter,"Slot..." *Shut up Lee. Your
mouth will get you into serious trouble one of these days. Besides,
you're a Purser now not a Deck Hand. You have to watch yourself.  Well,
wait until your healthy again, and then we'll see who's going to slot
who. Years of working cargo did you some good.*

O'Shi snickers, then suddenly catches himself and shuts up. With a guilty 
look over his shoulder at van der Merwe, he tiptoes over to the CMO's
cabin door, following the spots of blood on the deck. "Somebody crawling
away...?"

O'Shi continues to provide fuel for Christian's intensifying slow burn. At
the crack about 'Vouf, Christian's nostrils flare and he stabs another
glance at O'Shi. Normally a mild man, Doctor Van Der Merwe is clearly
reaching the summit of an otherwise mountain of patience, yet his surgery
is unaffected, continuing on with deft precision and speed.

Suddenly, O'Shi appears in Tiblisi's field of vision, as he steps between
the two bio-beds headed for Christian's cabin.  Then O'Shi walks out of
view, and there is the whoosh of a door opening.

*This is going to be good*, thinks Lee. 

The door slides open, and O'Shi finds himself face to face with OSF-4.
He starts back, one hand reflexively grabbing for an absent sidearm,
then halts. Another mantra: "DON'T try ta outdraw a Warbot. DON'T try
ta outdraw a Warbot." He lowers his hands. SLOWLY.

He frowns for a moment, as if he's having trouble deciding on
something.  Then, with a grunt of disgust, he unslings the rifle and
puts it against the wall. He grabs a portable trauma kit from the rack
on the wall, and strides into the cabin. Doctor van der Merwe can only
hear his voice.

"Hey Doc," yells O'Shi. "Ya know you've got a Ale-Yale bleeding ta death
all over yer bunk?  These little guys is kinda flimsy..."

*I've seen an Ale-Yael before.* thinks Lee. *Don't let them hear you say
that.*

"Okay, sport," mutters O'Shi, "let's have a lookitcha-- hey! Hey, Warbot!
Make yerself useful, okay? G'wan out ta the supply server, and thaw six
units of synthetic plasma, ah, lessee, Type Three works on these guys,
we should have some in stock if the people who stockt this place got
any sense. Lessee now--UGH! Better make that TEN units.  C'mahn, c'mahn!
Y'wannim ta bleed ta death?  Stoopid gahdamn machine.  Lessee now, anti-
infective, check, clotting factor, check, suture-dissolve, check, suturegun,
check, biomonitor, check.  Ster'lize the hands, check. Gloves, check.
Filter mask, chmmph. Bmmphl gmmph wmmphl gmmph mummph...."

Lee spends the next few moments trying to decide whether to breathe
deep to reduce the headache or shallow to avoid the stench of the
gore covering the jumpsuit. The guy on the other couch moves some
more.

*Looks like I'll have someone to talk to soon...*


 === Trakh ===

On the outer hull of the _Trakh_, a single lasercom unit swivels out of
its rest position and activates.  At the speed of light, carefully tuned
and modulated photons shine toward the distant _Aurora_.

Almost three areiaao (45 seconds) later, the laser from _Trakh_ sweeps
the hull of the _Aurora_.  After some delay, it finally finds and locks
on to the ship's laser reciever unit.

Holographic static solidifies into an image of a Aslan female officer
of late middle age, wearing a ship's uniform in Khaukeairl clan colors
which identifies her as a mid-level naval officer and a physician-scientist
(for those who can read the insignia).

She speaks, in flawless Rim Galanglic.  "This is Khaukeairl Space Navy
vessel Trakh to ISS Aurora, Executive Lieutenant Aolrkhea' speaking on
behalf of Admiral AkhouwTra'Ekhaul.  We have observed that your vessel
has been undergoing severe difficulties.  Do you require assistance of
any kind?  We will stand by for your response.  Over."  The figure
freezes, showing that the transmission remains open but not active.

There is a pause for a few areiaao.  "Aurora, this is Trakh.  We understand
that you have had contact with the Iasic construct, and request to know if
it is the cause of your recent problems.  We also understand that you seem
to have some injured persons aboard.  Are they from the liner wreck?  We
have medical personnel aboard who have training in emergency care for 
humans and other non-Aslan sophonts.  We understand any reservations that
you might have toward our offer, but we are fully willing to share our
data with you on equal terms.  We continue to stand by.  Over."


 === Alcyon Sickbay ===

With a masterful and award-winning effort, Christian musters his professional
discipline to withstand the further gibe of O'Shi. When the aural message
that O'Shi is attempting first aid finally fights its way past the clog of
traffic on the neural highways, Christian's head snaps up and he stares at
his cabin in disbelief. Good intentions aside, Mahlel had no medical training,
much less xenomedical experience. He wasn't going to trust his friend to a
paint-by-numbers utterly green rookie with his first canvas.

Lucan floated over in response to Christian's summons. It silently hovered
and accepted its orders. "Lucan, go into my cabin. O'Shi Mahlel will be
administering medical treatment to Doctor Tweel. You are to observe the
procedure and CLOSELY monitor Tweel's condition. You are to alert me
IMMEDIATELY if you detect improper treatment that poses a risk to the
patient. Feed your data to the sickbay 'puter. Go!" A moment is spent
in creation of a choice invective, then Christian sets up a small holo off
to the side of the trauma bay in order to keep an eye on Tweel.

*I need to get a drink of water* thinks Tiblisi.  *My mouth feels like
rats have nested in it for a year or two, and my thoat feels raw.  Still,
it's not as bad as the... fragrance... I've acquired.* 

Resuming his delicate surgery, Christian's nose wrinkles as he finally
notices the stench wafting from the two gore-soaked patients at the far
wall. A nudge activates the intercom. "Pater, increase ventilation to
Sickbay and release scent neutralizer into the airflow."

He turns to talk to Dulinor. "Use a sonic seperator and remove as much
of that... gore coating those patients as you can. Keep them sedated
and stabilized until I can get there." He glances back at his patient,
gauging the extent of his progress, then back to Dulinor. "I won't be
much longer here, you will finish closure when I'm done, then I'll
work on those two there..." He looks daggers at the cabin wall. "...
assuming Mahlel is out of my hair."

Tiblisi sess one of the robots move towards the bed and inspect the
bags at the foot of each one. It then began attaching some form of laser
scapel to one of its appendages and begin to make some adjustments.
After inspecting the bags, the robot speaks in an oddly familiar voice.

Perhaps disconcertingly, the voice of Archduke Dulinor is heard in Sickbay,
albeit with a vagely robotic tone. "Doctor Van Der Merwe, the gear bags of
these patients do not contain medical records, but proper nomenclature is
indicated; Lee Tiblisi (Medbay Two) and Tar Berana (Medbay Three). Their
origin is not indicated at this time." A monitor beeps softly; Dulinor
pivots to scan the two.

"Doctor Van Der Merwe, both patients are exhibiting increased neurological
and motor activity. Predict both conscious within... 15.807 seconds." Nearly
on cue, Lee and Tar try to sit up and mumble, respectively. Dulinor notes
their movement. "Both patients are now conscious, Doctor. Possibly coherent.
Instructions?"

*I damned well coherent* thinks Lee.  *Berana... Berana... That's right.
The passenger in cabin C-2.  As for instructions, get me cleaned up, a
glass of water, and a stack of twenty credit chits while you're at it.
I could have really used something like you on _Glory_ before the hard
times.* 

Lee tries to ask for something to drink, but only a light croak comes
out. Suddenly there is a fresh aroma that, because of the prolonged
lack of food, makes Lee's mouth water. *Well, that helps my throat
a bit.* With the saliva, Lee swallows and most of the rawness fades
away. 

Christian looks over at the pair. "Maintain pre-treatment protocol and
monitoring. Advise of further developments." He checks his own patient,
then glances at Tweel's monitor. "I'm nearly done here." His vocal volume
increases slightly, as his tone becomes almost cheerful. "Welcome to
the Alcyon, gentlemen, my name is Christian Van Der Merwe. I'll be with
you shortly."

"No problem, Doc," rasps Tiblisi. "Take your time. I don't think I
have any pressing engagements at the moment." 


 === Paladin ===

Azani, just about leave, notices Charyn move a little and gurgle. He
then turns and approaches her.

"Lay still Ms. Robins, I'll get the doctors, they'll be pleased along
with Zar that you are conscious."

"Allah be praised..." as he bows and leaves the room.  Azani quickly
walks up to the bridge...

"Charyn is awake and requires some medical assistance. She has a
headache and I'm sure the doctors would like to examine her to discover
her condition." "Mr. Zar, I have some experience in piloting, maybe I 
can help you on the bridge."


 === Trakh ===

Fa'eairl speaks.  _Anomaly detected in density scan of _Arbiter_.
Superdense volume of 25kL range which cannot be effectively imaged in
interior of vessel._

Intrigued, Akhouw contemplates the sensor information and depiction of
the _Arbiter_ in the main holotank. "An unusual ship, this one. Unarmed,
and yet..." He points at the anomaly datum. "Fa'eairl. Anomaly aboard
the fiyfiyalr ship _Gemini Arbiter_. Speculate as to purpose, report
when complete."

As the data begins to come in, Aiwi's dewclaws extend further, but not
so much as to interfere with the work at hand.  She speaks without
turning from her displays; her tone is still unemotional,
professional, but she is appreciably louder than before, "Admiral,
scans show increased power flow to the Kingfisher's weapon turret...
definitely more than required for standby... the turret has moved from
its rest position, apparently targeting... the ringworld, or something
near it which does not show up on sensors.  Sir."

An icy ball forms in Aolrkhea''s gut, but is swiftly dissipated by the 
rush of hormones she feels at the possibility of fighting and dying, the
same rush she knows her huntress ancestors felt on the wide savannahs of
Kusyu.  "They must be blaming the ringworld for their ship problems," she
said.  I don't like it.  We are almost between _Kingfisher_ and the ring,
and with homing or remote missiles, if they want to re-target on us,
they won't need to move the turret more than a handful of degrees!" 

Taken aback by this news, Akhouw swiftly recovers and shakes his mane in
irritated puzzlement. His fist thumps onto the arm of his command chair.

"For all my experience with fiyfiyalr, I cannot comprehend these odd
ones." He sighs in exasperation, then makes his commanding presence
felt, turning to each bridge officer and dispatching orders in rapid
succession.

Aolrkhea' takes a deep breath.  "Admiral, your orders?"

"Aolrkhea', prepare power plant for rapid implementation of full combat
power output, on my command. Initiate active EMS scan of _Kingfisher_,
localized to missile turret. Bring jammer systems online and target
_Kingfisher_ ONLY, but DO NOT ACTIVATE. Run screen diagnostics and
prepare to energize, on my command."

"Uhwaikh, traverse laser and target Kingfisher turret only; DO NOT
ENERGIZE." Akhouw speaks with urgency, but slowly and clearly, so
that there is no shadow of doubt. "DO NOT ACTIVATE MISSILE BATTERIES.
Ready sandcaster and place on active standby."

Aolrkhea' taps her panel.  "Engineering, Bridge.  Aeawiyh, the Admiral
orders combat alert.  We may be requesting full combat power in the
space of a breath.  Prepare the fusion plant and stand by."

Akhouw turns to face forward, clearly confused and alarmed by this
inexplicable incident. "What is this Admiral Nanadth up to? There is no
antagonist. To attack us is madness, to fire upon the Ringworld is an
equally dishonorable attack. What can his purpose be?" His smouldering
eyes narrow.

"Aiwi, alert the _Khaurl_ by secure masercomm. Then open a general
radio channel and hail the Kingfisher." He looks at Aiwi to emphasize
his order. "Priority protocol. Request immediate visual communications
and demand that they explain this event and declare their intentions
openly."

Angrily, Akhouw shakes his mane. He takes a deep breath and visibly calms
himself. Dealing with fiyfiyalr always required a higher degree of self-
discipline and control of his natural aggressive instinct. This mission
was too important to be wrecked by improvident aggression, yet he could
not ignore the possible danger. Tolerance of dishonor extended only so
far.

Facing the main vidscreen and awaiting an answer, Akhouw meditated upon
the situation, hoping that saner, honorable, fiyfiyalr minds would yet
prevail. Perhaps the Zodian spirit was not unknown to them.

 === TO BE CONTINUED ===

------------------------------

End of TML Bundle
*****************

