       TRAVELLER Digest 46

Topics covered in this issue include:

  1) Fascination with guns.. by CHiggin@aol.com
  2) FFS: Small Arm Lasers Question by John V Banagan <jbanagan@uclink2.berkeley.edu>
  3) Apology by "Les Howie"  <lhowie@cpx.Prograph.Com>
  4) Frequency of Stars by ccjoe@showme.missouri.edu (Joseph Heck)
  5) Traveller Mailing List by dragon@netcom.com (David Swanson Millians)
  6) Use screwy laws to screw with your players... by eclipse@world.std.com (Mark Urbin)
  7) RICE Paper #AWP-00032: Deneb by alvin plummera <plummera@hubble.sheridanc.on.ca>
  8) Asian players? by alvin plummera <plummera@hubble.sheridanc.on.ca>
  9) NPC by MOBTOTRM@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au
 10) Re: Can I have some blinkers too... by PPUGLIESE@pimacc.pima.edu
 11) Re:Real Roleplayer's by "Tariq M. Rashid" <spstmr@gsusgi2.gsu.edu>

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

Date: Mon, 19 Sep 94 16:36:35 EDT
From: CHiggin@aol.com
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Fascination with guns..
Message-ID: <9409191636.tn166340@aol.com>

Some of you people just hit a nerve....

From: Rob_Prior@nynet.nybe.north-york.on.ca (Rob Prior)

*   Course, we're all Canadians who don't really understand the
*   American fascination with firearms (at least as portrayed in
*   American media).  Certainly there is a lot less violence up
*   here (check out Canadian violent crime and fatality
*   statistics).  This is probably significant...

From: Jeff Scott Franzmann <umfranzm@CC.UManitoba.CA>

*   It may well be :).  As a Canadian, I have to agree that no
*   one in my group (myself included) can understand this
*   fixation on firearms that seems so prelevent in the United
*   States.

    For an in-depth understanding of the American fascination 
    with firearms, I strongly recommend "Guns, Crime and Freedom" 
    by Wayne LaPierre.  It recently appeared (rather prominently 
    displayed) in bookstores around here (Louisiana), so it 
    should be findable in bookstores just across the border (I 
    don't remember if Detroit or Buffalo is closer for you).  I 
    don't know if Canadian bookstores or libraries would carry 
    it, as it deals with the basis of the 2nd Amendment of the 
    U.S.  Constitution and its current abuse -- probably not of 
    general interest in Canada.  

    BTW, you Americans who don't understand why we should be 
    allowed to carry guns should also read this book.  You may 
    not agree with it, but at least you will be fully informed on
    the issue.

From: Jeff Scott Franzmann <umfranzm@CC.UManitoba.CA>

*   A small statistic I found rather profound.  Winnipeg and New
*   Orleans.  Both cities in the population range of 500,000.
*   Winnipeg is actually closer to 600,000, which makes the
*   statistic even more profound.  So far this year, there have
*   been 317 murders in New Orleans.  Here in Winnipeg?  16...and
*   Winnipeg has a higher murder rate than many Canadian cities.
*   Scary...

    I can't answer for Winnipeg, as I have never been there.  
    However, I'll take a stab at New Orleans, as I live in 
    Metairie, an unincorporated suburb of New Orleans.  We get a 
    good view of N'Awlins politics from just over the parish 
    line.  (1) You skewed the statistics by picking New Orleans 
    -- N.O.  is NOT a typical U.S.  city in terms of murder 
    statistics -- it has one of the worst murder rates in the 
    U.S., as our politicos are so fond of telling us when asking 
    for higher taxes and tighter, ever more oppressive gun laws.  
    (2) Counter-example:  I live in Jefferson Parish, a heavily 
    developed, mostly unincorporated parish (county for you 
    non-Lousianians) right next to Orleans Parish (City of New 
    Orleans parish).  Jefferson has approximately the same 
    population as New Orleans proper.  We have had about 8 
    murders this year...  and almost all of them resulted in 
    arrests, which is not true of New Orleans.  

    Reasons:  (1) New Orleans has notoriously corrupt police 
    department that isn't known for its crime-fighting, to say 
    the least.  (2) The city government is notoriously corrupt 
    and bankrupt as well; there is not enough money for the 
    police department to keep functioning.  Most police cars are 
    idle from lack of maintenance; there isn't much patrol work 
    done.  The cops are not appreciated by the community; either 
    they are perceived as shaking down merchants, and brutalizing 
    minorities, or they are perceived as not being around when 
    needed.  So, you have little community cooperation with the 
    police.  (3) Rampant crime, high tax rates, and deteriorating 
    infrastructure are driving businesses and taxpaying citizens 
    out of the city, leaving a population of the very rich social 
    elite and 3rd generation welfare clients.  I.e., you have a 
    population where the producers are leaving as fast as they 
    can, leaving a dying city inhabited by high-end and low-end 
    parasites.  The high-end parasites commit the graft and 
    corruption that bankrupts the city, and the low-end parasites 
    commit the violent crimes.  (4) The education system is 
    bankrupt and shattered; poor children grow up with no real 
    education but the streets.  They don't learn how to be 
    productive citizens.  (5) Orleans Parish, like Washington DC 
    (the other bad example of violent American cities cited) has 
    fairly oppressive gun laws -- only criminals and the cops 
    tend to have guns.  It's safe to be criminal in Orleans, as 
    long as you avoid the cops.  (6) New Orleans is the 2nd 
    biggest drug port in the US.  Some years it's first (rival is 
    Miami).  Violence and the drug business go together.  

    By counterpoint, here in Jefferson Parish, we have (1) an 
    honest Sheriff's department (Harry Lee's political opponents 
    to the contrary), (2) no city government (but the usual 
    questionable bunch of crooks in the parish government), (3) 
    about half the productive taxpayers fleeing New Orleans 
    settle in Jefferson Parish, the rest go to the North Shore or 
    St.Bernard parish.  (4) We have a good educational system.  
    (5) A lot of people own guns here, and the sheriff's 
    department is friendly to the idea of civilian gun ownership.  
    It ain't safe to be criminal here -- burglars and armed 
    robbers get shot every so often while committing a crime.  
    Just this week, some idiot got shot while trying to rob a 
    pawn shop; last year some thugs tried to hijack a car -- the 
    owner shot and killed one of them and wounded another while 
    they were driving off.  Deputies later caught them when they 
    turned up at a hospital with gunshot wounds.  It is not safe 
    to attack people here -- your victim might fight back.  

From: Jeff Scott Franzmann <umfranzm@CC.UManitoba.CA>

*   I'll get to the Traveller stuff in a minute, but I had to
*   respond to this :).  For one thing, North Dakota is a very
*   scattered state, while DC is one packed city.  It's a given
*   than large population centres have far more crime.  Unless
*   you are comparing urban centres, rather than an urban centre
*   to a state, the statistic is meaningless.  You have to
*   compare DC to a relatively similar city (One reason I picked
*   New Orleans for Winnipeg.  Population size, similar economic
*   problems, and similar diversity in terms of ethnicity [not
*   the same ethnic groups in terms of diversity, simply similar
*   totals]).

    I've analyzed New Orleans, and neighboring Jefferson Parish 
    for you.  Tell me about Winnipeg.  What do you see in 
    Winnipeg that accounts for a low crime rate?  

From: PPUGLIESE@pimacc.pima.edu

*   Lastly, in many parts of the USA society is just plain
*   breaking down.  When law & order go out the window violence
*   is bound to arise.  Right here in Tucson, AZ the police don't
*   even answer calls sometimes!

    Do you elect your police chief?  There's much to be said for 
    elected chief law enforcement officers.  They're much more 
    responsive to the public!  Hmmm... the New Orleans Chief of 
    Police is appointed, while the Sheriff of Jefferson Parish is
    elected.

From: jdietz@cs.ucsd.edu (Jack Dietz)

*   I personally have no desire to own a gun.  However, I do not
*   believe that the presence of guns itself yields a higher rate
*   of deaths.  Rather, it's the motive to commit murder that
*   yields murders.  Deprive the people of that motive, and you
*   turn these villainous firearms back into hunting weapons.

    Rather the reverse -- the presence of LEGALLY-OWNED guns plus 
    concealed-carry laws *REDUCES* crime.  (The criminal is no 
    longer certain that it is safe to attack someone).  


From: Hugh Foster <100326.446@compuserve.com>

*   Opposed to that is the fact that our previously mentioned
*   group are all English (as am I), and we can't get guns here
*   unless we're criminals...
*
    <grin!> You just made THE classic argument against gun 
    control...  

    (For those of you in Rio Linda: notice he didn't say "we 
    can't get guns here", he said "we can't get guns here UNLESS 
    we're criminals"!!  So guess who's got guns? )

    As for Traveller:  how do your players like their characters 
    to obey the usual oppressive weapon laws on most Imperial 
    planets, and thus wander around disarmed while the local 
    criminals use whatever illegal guns they like?  What, they 
    don't like it?  In our games, characters (a) refuse to leave 
    the extra-territorial starport so they don't have to be 
    defensive, or (b) break the law and walk around armed anyway. 
    Yes, you can have the local cops bust the characters for 
    illegal weapons -- but notice that to the players, it doesn't
    seem fair that they should be disarmed and the bad guys fully
    equipped.  Role-playing can be educational.


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

Date: Mon, 19 Sep 1994 15:50:45 -0700 (PDT)
From: John V Banagan <jbanagan@uclink2.berkeley.edu>
To: TML Submissions <traveller@MPGN.COM>
Subject: FFS: Small Arm Lasers Question
Message-ID: <Pine.3.89.9409191520.A19534-0100000@uclink2.berkeley.edu>


Hi,

How the heck do I set up the focal array on a small arm laser? I know I 
have to use the light focal array because it's a small arm, but according 
to the FFS book, it says that the focal array will be determined later in 
the small arms creation process. I couldn't find it, does this mean I 
have to make up the focal array number myself? Pretty much everything 
else seems easy, punching in numbers here and there (trauined monkey 
stuff) but I just can't seem to figure out how to create a focal array 
for laser small arms. It's driving me batty! =P

Also, are the numbers that proceed the laser designations (eg: 2cm laser 
pistol-13) refer to the focal array? Abd also how do I calculate for 
pulse energy per TNE basic rules for lasers? 

Thanks in advance. Maybe someone could e-mail me a design of a laser 
weapon they created. Thanks again.

John [jbanagan@uclink2.berkeley.edu]


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

Date: Mon, 19 Sep 94 20:59:05 ADT
From: "Les Howie"  <lhowie@cpx.Prograph.Com>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Apology
Message-ID: <9409192359.AA09701@Prograph.Com>

>     I am offended that Mr.  Howie considers me an anarchist..

I wish to publicly apologize for causing such an offence.  I can only plead
the 
deficiency of this medium, and I am truely sorry. 

Les Howie
Technical Architect (Database)
Prograph International


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

Date: Mon, 19 Sep 1994 19:26:02 -0500 (CDT)
From: ccjoe@showme.missouri.edu (Joseph Heck)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM (TML Submissions)
Subject: Frequency of Stars
Message-ID: <9409200026.AA28484@showme.missouri.edu>

Just out of curiousity,

does anyone have the frequencies of all the various star types? Or know
where I can look it up?
-- 
 joe                          (314) 882-5000
 ccjoe@showme.missouri.edu    University of Missouri - Columbia  
 "with a little practice, writing can be an intimidating and
 impenetrable fog!" -- Calvin
 <A HREF="http://www.missouri.edu/~ccjoe">ccjoe</A>

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

Date: Mon, 19 Sep 1994 17:34:25 -0700 (PDT)
From: dragon@netcom.com (David Swanson Millians)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Traveller Mailing List
Message-ID: <199409200034.RAA06764@netcom16.netcom.com>

Please, send me info on the traveller mailing list.

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

Date: Mon, 19 Sep 1994 21:18:18 -0400
From: eclipse@world.std.com (Mark Urbin)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Use screwy laws to screw with your players...
Message-ID: <199409200118.AA13325@world.std.com>

"Whatta ya mean?  Why can't carry my fully automatic, TL C Gauss
pistol down the main street of downtown burgville?  Da Law level is..."

Jeff Scott Franzmann <umfranzm@CC.UManitoba.CA> writes:
>I'll get to the Traveller stuff in a minute, but I had to respond to this
>:). For one thing, North Dakota is a very scattered state, while DC is one
>packed city. It's a given than large population centres have far more
>crime. 

(camera pans to Linda Richards)
"I'm getting a bit verklempft.  Topic for discussion.  Prohibitive Gun
control in Washington DC vs minimal gun control in Alexandra VA.  Why
is DC's crime rate 12 times higer than the city across the Potomac?
Discuss."  

  My players are getting miffed at me because I told that they needed a
permit to carry their pistols off the starport.  Yes the law level says
that you can.  So does the law in Cambridge, MA.  The practicality of
it is a riding beast of a different color.

>Strike two :). Unemployment is at %11, and a large number of people are
>below the poverty line. We're still crawling out of the recession. Of
>course, welfare helps, but welfare never puts you above the poverty line.
>Besides, the poverty line is a very artificial construct...it doesn't
>measure quality of life, simply ability to live.
  I don't believe it!  With the 50% tax rate, plus the 14% G&ST, the Canadian
government should be able to solve all their problems. :-)


>Well, it does lead to a higher rate of death for some simple reasons.
  It does?  Perhaps it's a case of who has them...  The rate of firearm
related homicides are lower in rural areas of the US than they are in
urban areas of the US.  The rate of *legal* firearm ownership is higher
in rural areas though.  A good example is Washington,D.C.  Highest
law level in the country (per firearms).  If you see a non-cop with
a firearm, it's either a criminal or a congress-critter, or a 
congress-critters bodyguards.  Senator Kennedy's body guards got caught
toting fully automatic machine pistols in the capital building.  
Unregistered, of course.

 Ob-traveller:  The law level is a general guideline for the planet.  Not
absolute law.  Second, criminals or invading Zho commando groups don't
give a rodent's hind end for the law level.  Third, remember the Golden
Rule, "Those that have the gold, make the rules."


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark Urbin eclipse@world.std.com Opinions are mine!
"Giving government money and power is like giving car keys and whiskey
to a teenage boy" - P.J. O'Rourke
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


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

Date: Mon, 19 Sep 1994 21:26:55 -0400 (EDT)
From: alvin plummera <plummera@hubble.sheridanc.on.ca>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: RICE Paper #AWP-00032: Deneb
Message-ID: <Pine.3.05.1.9409191816.A23896-d100000@hubble.sheridanc.on.ca>


RICE Paper #AWP-00032: Deneb

Deneb (Usani:Deneb/1925)
B537ADD-C A Hi In Cx 610Re A2Ia
BAC-3 A00-ANA0-5F Re9
g=0.9179 day=13:12:0.8; year=13,832,232d 23:02.24.52/25,149,091d 02:09:39.20
atmo=0.35, controlled weather
temp=-60 (5/lat -45 to -95)(season +24 to -80, 6 deg lat)
daily temp range 61
Ores, Radioactives, Crystal, Compounds; Metals; Recording, Software,
Documents
Reactionary/Regressive; Unagressive/Militant; Discordant/Xenophilic
Legal D-CEFCF  Tech CB-CCCC-CCCC-CC-C

Deneb has been at the centre of the sector transportation routes since the
ISS LookSee arrived, six centuries ago.  Long renowned for the purity and
quantity of it's metals, it's wealth and it's people's naturally outgoing
character made it the natural choice as sector capital in 421.  Until the
Rebellion, Deneb also was the major node of seven of the Megacorporations
sector, with it's importance unrivalled by any Imperial world spinward of
Vland.  Today, the Denebii now boasts the second largest naval base in the
Regency, and bears the headquarters of the Regency Quarrentine Service.

Most of the traffic to Deneb use the system as a shipping nexus, rather
than attempt to trade with Deneb itself.  Deneb Highport, 12 million
strong, is the sole site for many financial services in Deneb sector,
ranging from debt servicing in the trillions of credits to a site for
economic
summits concerning the entire sector.  Many, many travellers only see the
starport, and never set foot on Deneb itself. 

The starport is part of the Regency Extraterritorality Zone, and is
outside of Deneb law.  Seeing it, with three-quarters of it's commercial
berths empty, is a silent testimony to the awsome consequences of the
Collapse.  Within the port, it's opulent, space-wasting architecture
seems to diminish the small knots of traders and merchants that still
circulate in the great throughways and vaulting, gilded halls.  In the
less urbane neighbourhoods, large gaps in the walls and patch-up
jobs to the hull silently convey the message of the Vargr occupation.

The locals are all feverent expansionists, and - even after 70 years -
have a profound hatred of the Vargr.  Vargr with business on Deneb are
advised to stay in well-lit areas, away from the underclass alleys and
hole-ups.  Even in polite company, it is wise to avoid provoking the
locals: stay away from conversation regarding the Rebellion, or the Vargr
minorities on Deneb itself.

Obtaining permission to land on the world of Deneb is a major trial.  Duke
Angelo de la Deneb has given a monopoly on off-world transportation to
Souijomini Enterprises, a company owned jointly by the Duke and Tukera
Lines.  Souijomini first screens any traders and their goods, demanding
exorberant fees to 'process' any goods to be sold - or even just
transported - to Deneb.  The paperwork takes at least a month, and has
been known to take five years in certain instances.  Any goods higher than
TL C is forbidden on Deneb soil, as part of Deneb's irrational 'safety
standards'.  Also completely forbidden is any form of artwork or gem,
non-Deneb foods, clothing made in the Trojan Rift before the Rebellion, and
currency made on dates ending with odd numbers (VERY bad joss!).  Other
articles may or may not be allowed in, depending on the Deneb Registry of
Interstellar Trade Regulations, recent local prophecies, and The Deneb Way
of Doing Things, as well as the Imperial Trade Code of 1110 (the Regency
Code, while acceptable on the Highport, is considered "a pathetic
substitute to the Imperial code" by the current Duke.)    

After Souijomini is finished, the Deneb Health Service arrives.  Their
main focus is on the visitors themselves, and their duty is to
determine the visitor's 'state of karma, health & joss'.  While their
karmanic requirements are not unusual - rather more humerous and obscure than
anything else - their medical and joss (apparently, a kind of luck)
testing veers between the perposterous and the barbaric.  No one has
actually 'died' because of the drug use demanded as part of these test,
but many have lost their sight, been blinded or suffered other lasting ill
effects due to these potions and lotions. Perhaps 20% actually pass these
tests, and another 40% quit before the 5-day regime is completed.

Assuming the intrepid visitor has endured this testing with success, he
now must wait for a Scheduled Shuttle to arrive, usually one to four
months, depending on karmanic and psychic conditions.  He will find the
crew of this shuttle - like all Denebii - very kind and attendent to his
welfare, as hospitality it is both "good joss" and commanded (make that
COMMANDED) by the Government.  

At arrival at the underground port, the visitor will have a stripe of red
paint slapped across his forehead, and ten to fifteen ancient man &
women will throw balloons of multi-hued liquids at the visitor.  These
liquids are supposed to help protect the visitor from bad karmanic
influences, and provide good health.  That 'red stripe' across the
forehead leaves a permament, angry mark, and can only be removed from TL E+
equipment.  Also, several "Holy Amulets" are slapped onto the visitor's
neck, wrists and ankles.  Bulky and with annoying bells, these ill-fitting
articles are worn by all Denebii, without exception.  Many traders suspect
that tracking devises and bugs are embedded into these item's, also. 
Finally, each and every visitor will be provided with a 'host', who
provides both excellent advice on local mores and suave, subtle attempts
to convert the visitor into a Wondfellow, a believer in the local
superstitions which masquerade as religion. 

All visitors are restricted to the capital of Somewi F'id.  Even here, in
this small city of 38 million, several points can be made regarding Deneii
culture useful for the casual visitor.  First, expect large crowds to
follow you wherever you go.  This would apply with any visitor, especially
a visitor that varies greatly from the Denebii small, lithe physique, with
golden red skin tones and bright red eyes.  While most refrain from
actual physical contact, mass hysterial "touch-feel" attacks
occassionally have been known to break out, where entire neighbourhoods
trample on each other in a mad craze to touch the visitor.  Since the
visitor has been stripped of even stun sticks and Mace at the groundport, the
mood of the crowd should always be carefully watched.

Second, remember that while you the visitor have near total freedom within 
Somewi F'id, the locals have no freedoms whatsoever.  This is not only
because of the Orwellian nature of everyday life, but the dictatorial,
erratic religion of Deneb.  Everyday, the Government downloads information
to every Denebii on what they may or may not do, not only for the Public
Safety, but to avoid The Collapse.  The Collapse, in Denebii theology, is
related to the Imperial Collapse but much more entwined with supernatural
elements.  To keep the Collapse from arriving - referred to as The First
Denebii Mission - a chaotic, everchanging set of superstitious actions
must, MUST be done, exactly at the right time, exactly in the right
manner.  The most common relate to speaking gibberish, inappropriate
laughter, always walking X paces at certain sites, etc.

While sometimes Denebii society seems to be on the edge of a total psychotic
meltdown, the only time of danger to the traveller is on a "Holy Day",
where manias can sweep the entire planet in minutes... at these times, the
visitor is advised to hole up in their 'guest rooms', and open the door
for No One, for ANY reason.  These manias will come in waves across the
planet, but would reach their apex at midnight.  But, by morning, hardly a
trace of the previous madness can be found, although debris and bodies
(some alive, some dead) are everywhere....  A Denebii day lasts about 23
hours, for your information. 

Enjoy your stay.



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

Date: Mon, 19 Sep 1994 22:03:03 -0400 (EDT)
From: alvin plummera <plummera@hubble.sheridanc.on.ca>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Asian players?
Message-ID: <Pine.3.05.1.9409192203.A25561-9100000@hubble.sheridanc.on.ca>


Just asking... is anyone here posting from East Asia?  While I see quite a
lot of nations represented here, I haven't seen anyone here from that
region of the world.

Alvin Plummer
("Sir..."  - Lt. John Warn, seeing the enormous number of vessels of the
Virus fleet, Battle of Deneb, 1131) 


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

Date: Tue, 20 Sep 1994 16:19:05 +1000
From: MOBTOTRM@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: NPC
Message-ID: <01HHCASA32K29KQ83N@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au>

MegaTraveller Encounter:
S.WENSICAA SHUGILII

by M0B

My own player character from an old MegaTraveller campaign.  

The plot (or what I can remember of it) had the PCs as crew of a Kinuniur 
(sp?) "cruiser" taking a nobleman (one of the PCs) from Mora/Mora to get in
contact witthe Dulinor faction.  

We were taking some vital message from Norris, but I
either can't remember what it was, or we weren't told.  My character somehow
got on board as Ship's Chaplain(!), but was found out soon enough.

Note: despite some similarities to a certain ST:TNG character, this was 
written before that series was televised in Australia.  It was also written
long before all this New Era stuff, which I know nothing about. 

Background
The S.101 project began with great secrecy in the robotics labs of the 
Naasirka Endowment on Vland some ten years ago, based on a partial set 
of blueprints stolen from rival robotics manufacturer Makhidkarun.  
Originally conceived as a Contact & Liaison robot to liaise with 
alien races for the Imperial Scout Service, the S.101 project was 
abandoned when the Naasirka scientists could not find a suitable 
compromise between fuel capacity and performance.  The only prototype 
created, [Simulicrum] Wensicaa Shugilii is therefore the first and 
last of its kind.  

About the same time, NaaSec Group (Naarsirka's industrial espionage 
agency) managed, through careful theft, to secure a TL16 brain from 
Star Patterns Trading, the Hiver Federation robotics company.  This 
brain was 
too was abandoned, when the Naasirka researchers found they could not
mass-produce the stolen Hiver Brain. The corporation's indecision 
about the robot's function is reflected in S.Wensicaa's eclectic 
programming.
 
Despairing about what to do with its multi-million credit investment, 
Naasirka gave the robot over to its Marketing and Propaganda division 
to use in company advertising.  S.Wensicaa was given star billing in 
several trade and robotics Fairs in Vland sector in the years before 
the war, receiving great acclaim and earning Naarsirka's robotics 
division enormous prestige.  Naturally enough, Makhidkarun and other 
robot manufacturers are very interested in how Naasirka (not well-known 
for innovation) were able to construct such a sophisticated machine.  
Although they have their suspicions, the rival megacorporations have 
not been able to prove that the robot was constructed using stolen 
technology.

In late 1116, just before news of Strephon's death filtered through 
to Vland, S.Wensicaa and a Naasirka attendant began a leisurely 
journey to Mora/Mora, there to attend the 33rd Spinward Marches 
Triennial Technology Exposition.  S.Wensicaa is travelling in the 
guise of a normal human (thus breaking the 37th amendment of the 
Shudusham Concords) as part of a Naasirka publicity stunt.  S.Wensicaa 
was to arrive at the Expo unannounced. He would suddenly reveal himself as 
a robot, therefore showing that Naasirka robot-design is so good, 
one could travel across three sectors undetected.  

At least that was the plan.  Unfortunately, the civil war got in the 
way.  When the starlanes through the Corridor were cut, S.Wensicaa and his 
human companion found themselves stranded on a backwater world for nearly 
two years.  Although the human intended to return to Vland if transport 
was available, she was unfortunately killed during a Vargr raid.  Unaware 
of the change of plans, S.Wensicaa followed on with his original 
instructions and found a berth on one of the last civilian convoys 
to make it through to the Marches. 

Arriving at Mora in 1119, S.Wensicaa found that there were no 
company representatives to meet him. The Vilani megacorporations 
had declared the Ziru Sirka and had either sold off their assets 
or moved them back to Vland Sector.  As a Naasirka "asset", S.Wensicaa 
has therefore reasoned that it is his duty to return to Vland 
immediately.  Unfortunately, Vland sector is presently cut off to 
normal shipping because of the anarchy in the Corridor.  Furthermore, 
the robot's credit card is now all but useless in the Marches and public 
outrage at the Vilani megacorporations' actions is so strong, it is in 
fact quite dangerous to even admit a connection with Naasirka at 
present.  With so many bankrupted shareholders, unsatisfied creditors and
entrenched workers ruined by the sudden sell-off, if S.Wensicaa was exposed 
as a Naasirka robot, it is possible that he might even be repossessed!  
To S.Wensicaa this is unthinkable: allowing his superior technology to 
fall into the hands of a rival company would constitute disloyalty to 
Naasirka.

Because it was thought that the S.101s were going to spend much  of their 
time in the field, S.Wensicaa has been programmed to be self-repairing.  
This was one of Naarsirka's first advances into the area of 
autonomous, self-repairing robots, and is only partially successful.  
In particular, the Hiver brain needs frequent servicing and care that 
the robot itself cannot provide.  He is aware that if his brain does not 
receive a major service within the next twelve months, its functioning 
will begin to be affected.  Therefore, he must reach a Naasirka facility 
soon.  Remember also that every five days or so S.Wensicaa must find a 
source of energy to replenish his fuel supply.  He can simply tap into 
a ship's power plant or similar energy source by means of the power 
interface built into a finger.



Meeting S.Wensicaa
The Referee has many alternatives to introduce S.Wensicaa into the 
campaign.  He will most likely be met in a starport or Traveller's 
Aid hostel, seeking a ship willing to take him closer to his destination.

Virtually penniless, he may lure the players with promises of huge 
payments from his employers (which he will probably not name) if they 
will take him to Vilani territory.  S.Wensicaa may even consider 
hijacking the ship the players are on if he is desperate enough, using 
the gun concealed in his stomach pouch.  It is also likely that 
representatives of Star Patterns Trading are seeking him, in order 
to get their brain back.  S.Wensicaa might go to the players for help, or
perhaps the players themselves may be contracted by the Hivers (or any 
other rival company) to seek out the robot and retrieve the valuable 
brain.  Even more extreme, perhaps S.Wensicaa has reasoned that the 
best way he can serve Naasirka is by damaging a competitor robotics company
(LSP, Spinward Specialities?) or assassinating a key rival (Duke 
Norris, Dulinor?).  He may try to rope the players into such a s
cheme with assurances of great rewards.  As a bizarre longshot, 
maybe the "Real" Strephon factionists need S.Wensicaa, to create 
a plausible double of the dead emperor.  

The robot is not above forging documents to further its ends, if it 
can justify how Naasirka would benefit from such action.  Indeed, 
as long as it can find a company-approved rationale, S.Wensicaa 
Shugilii is capable of almost anything.


Appearance
S.Wensicaa has been constructed to have the classical good looks of a
full-blooded Vilani male, and the emotion simulation program 
he has been equipped with is Naasirka's finest.  Like the robot, 
the program too is a prototype, and it suffers from several quirks.  
S.Wensicaa will scratch, sniff, sneeze, pass wind, fidget, yawn, and 
excuse himself from company to relieve himself, often at the most 
inappropriate times.  He can also shave, eat, have his hair cut and 
function sexually. He will often to refer to his "dear wife and child" 
back on Vland, and even has a "family holograph" in his wallet showing him
sitting with a woman and a young boy.  Beyond this however, details 
about his "family" are vague.  S.Wensicaa will strenuously deny being 
anything but a human; his programming prevents this, even if faced 
with incontrovertible evidence to the contrary. 

S. Wensicaa is dressed in a conservative business suit and carries a 
stylish briefcase and large suitcase about with him.  The suitcase is 
extremely heavy (containing servicing and repair equipment), but S.
Wensicaa can of course lift it effortlessly.  The U.P.P. given in his 
papers is 898DA7; he is described as a 32 year-old Junior Executive 
(rank 4) in Naasirka's Client Service division (known in-house as 
"Propaganda & Marketing").  S.Wensica has also prepared excellent 
forged papers with the rather artless pseudonym "Wendell Miller", 
giving his occupation as "university student."
 


TECHNICAL DETAILS (created using Traveller Book "Robots")

Robot Name: [Simulicrum] Wensicaa Shugilii.
Model: Naasirka A.S.-S.101(p).  
Creator: Naasirka Corporation, Vland. (Brain manufactured by Star
Patterns Trading, Hiver Federation, and obtained by theft by NaaSec
Group,  Naarsirka's industrial espionage agency).

Tech Level: 15 (TL-16 Brain)
Configuration: 6, Psuedo-biological (male, fully functional); size 5.

URP: 56202-A2-PP32L-MCDA(J)    

STR: 30  (20 in left arm)
DEX: 12
INT: 13
EDU: 10 (maximum of 18)
Armour Equivalent: Jack
   

POWER PLANT: Fuel cell 1.9
-Power (kw): 81
-Fuel: 21.95 
-Duration: 5.0 days (7.5 with 8 hour shut down "sleep").

  
APPENDAGES: Head; 1 light arm; 1 medium arm; 2 legs.

SENSORS:
-1 standard Visual Sensor*.
-1 enhanced Visual Sensor* with:
>telescopic sight
>light intensifier
>passive infrared
>active infrared
>Holo recorder lens.
-1 enhanced Olfactory Sensor*.
-1 Taste Sensor.
-Touch Sensors, located across epidermis*.
-1 standard Audio Sensor*
-1 enhanced Audio Sensor* with:
>passive Sonar sensor
>active Sonar receptor.
-1 Magnetic Sensor.
-1 Radiation Sensor

DEVICES:
-Voder*.
-Acoustical Speaker, with active sonar.
-Power interface (finger).
-Brain interface (finger).
-ECM*.
-Odour Emitter.
-TL 15 Holo recorder.
-Master Unit.
-Radio, 5000 km continental range (subvocal).
-Obscuration Device.
-Electronic Circuit Protection*.
-Visceral container, covered by sealable plasti-skin; capacity 0.5 liters.
-Mouth cavity, concealed under "tongue"; capacity 0.1 liters. 

                    
*denotes sensors and devices in use at all times (total power consumption
=16kw.) 

 

ENERGY CONSUMPTION: 
-Transmission: 41.5kw. 
-Medium Arm: 5kw.
-Light Arm: 2kw
-Head: 3.5kw. 
-Brain: 1kw.
-Legs: 2@0.5kw each. 
-Constant Sensors & Devices: 16kw.
-Optional Sensors & Devices:11kw pool.
 
BRAIN: TL 16 Hiver Brain, with 80% synaptic CPU, 20% parallel CPU; 80%
synaptic storage, 20% standard storage.
 -Capacity: 60 CPU units; 70 storage units.
 -Fundamental Logic Program: High Autonomous.
 -Fundamental Command Program: Full Command.

APPLICATIONS PROGRAMS: Currently, only 23 skill levels may be
accessed at any one time.
 
Program                 Space
High Autonomous          20/3
Full Command             3/5
Emotion Simulation-1     2
Vilani Language-1        5
Galanglic Language-1     5
Mechanical-1             2
Electronic-1             2
Close Combat-1           3
Hand Gun-1               2
Carousing-1              2
Linguistics-1            10
Valet-1                  2
Company Dogma-1*         1
Administration-1         4
Communications-1         2
Recruiting-1             5
Trader-1                 6
Forgery-3                3
Recon-1                  2
Liaison-1                6
Vacc Suit-1              1
Robotics-2               6
(yields Robot Ops.-2 &
Computer-1.)    




 
*This program must be kept in CPU at all times.  Among other things, 
it compels the robot to obey the following directives (sorry Isaac):

 1. A robot may not, through action or inaction, allow Naasirka 
Corporation or its High Executives to come to harm.

 2. A robot may not, through action or inaction, allow any of 
Naasirka Corporation's property to come to harm, except where 
doing so would conflict with the first directive.

 3. A robot must obey any order given it by a High Executive of 
Naasirka Corporation, unless that order conflicts with the first or 
second directives.

 4. A robot must seek to preserve its own existence, unless doing 
so would conflict with the first, second or third directives.



EQUIPMENT:
-Robotic repair kit (suitcase); useful for rudimentary repairs and 
servicing in the field.

-Gauss pistol and 4 magazines (note that this weapon has been designed 
by NaaSec to be concealed in the visceral cavity, where it is 
virtually undetectable).

-Naarsirka credit card, in the name of "Wensicaa Shugilii" (note 
the  "S." is absent); unlimited credit.

-Vlandian Passport, also in the name of "Wensicaa Shugilii". Company 
rank could now offer the bearer limited diplomatic immunity.

-Travellers Aid Society  membership, "Wensicaa Shugilii".

-Limited gravitic field generator concealed in belt (reduces the 
robot's weight to 95 kg.)

-Several dozen holo cartridges, mainly containing promotional material 
about Naasirka's robotics operations.  Many feature S.Wensica. It would
be breaking directive one to broadcast these to anyone, unless there is 
a chance of a sale.   These could be taped over, but this would be 
transgressing the second directive.

-A briefcase containing personal items typical of a Vilani 
businessman, including several faked letters from loved ones.

c.1989 MOB

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

Date: 20 Sep 1994 01:29:32 -0700
From: PPUGLIESE@pimacc.pima.edu
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Re: Can I have some blinkers too...
Message-ID: <01HHBFNQM7B68ZMB7W@pimacc.pima.edu>

From: IN%"traveller@MPGN.COM" 18-SEP-1994 10:27:41.87
To: IN%"traveller@MPGN.COM"  "Multiple recipients of list"
CC: 
Subj: Can I have some blinkers too...


Phil Pugliese wrote:
> The stats are easily explained by looking at the cultural diversity
> & cultural friction. For example, in parts of England where 
> cultural homogeneity exists you have a lot less violence than in 
> parts, like areas of London, where there's more diversity.

***Civility circuits have been disabled - you have been warned! ***
This is the most offensively racist comment I have seen in a while. 
Has Mr Pugliese considered the economic factors linking to 
crime/violence? I live in Manchester/UK and the place is a cultural 
melting pot, and by and large racism is not a great. There is an 
alarming level of violence in certain areas (Moss Side), which seems 
to be linked closely to drugs/organised crime. As far as I can see 
this has been assisted through lack of opportunity to make a decent 
living through legal employment - ever heard of the mafia?!? The kind 
of attitude shown is what IMHO CAUSES RACISM TO PERSIST!!!!

**fume**

---------------------------------------------------------
T.Eldritch - Regency Intelligence Service - Regina/Regina
martin.fay@umist.ac.uk
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I'm sorry that Mr. Eldritch has such a hard time dealing with reality
that he has to fall back on such PC rhetoric. Get your head out of
the sand & look at Bosnia & Rwanda, just for starters. There, that wasn't 
so hard was it? (Or perhaps you've got more PC rhetoric to spew forth?)

Denying the existence of cultural friction renders you incapable of dealing
with it. How can you when you say it's racist to even admit that it exists?
Of course we all know that it does & that alot of the ills in the world
can be traced to it. I say that it's better to admit that the problem
exists so that steps can be taken to alleviate it. Take your own advice
& get *your* blinders off!



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

Date: Tue, 20 Sep 1994 11:53:40 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Tariq M. Rashid" <spstmr@gsusgi2.gsu.edu>
To: Traveller Submission <traveller@MPGN.COM>
Subject: Re:Real Roleplayer's
Message-ID: <Pine.3.87.9409201140.A1665-0100000@gsusgi2.gsu.edu>


Bravo to Harold for his REAL ROLEPLAYERS list
I couldnt laugh like I wanted because the lab is full of computer 
illiterates.

Tariq

"I can no longer sit idly by while our precious boldily fluids are 
being impurified."

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

End of TRAVELLER Digest 46
**************************
