The Ch'Vax Jungle (S.E.T. 1)

[Recklessfireball]

OOC: Just so you know, I probably won't get to this until monday. I agree though- very ballsy and an awesome roll! It will be interesting to see how you guys handle the subsequent information.

[NJWilliam]

Alex will help with the robot stuff (in good part because he wants a closer look at the rifle).

During the robot event, he says, "You know, what I meant by tell the robot to stay behind, was to see if it would follow that instruction or not as a way of figuring out whether the directive was a possible danger . . . "

He adds with a genuine smile, "But this way seems likely to get more dramatic results, for sure."

[Bhart]

"Heh heh...Yeah I guess that would have been smarter, but not half as exciting." Bishop chuckles at Alex's comment.
The tech wipes the sweat from his forehead before attaching yet more wires to the robot's control boards. He reaches for a small screw driver and begins adjusting something inside the case then tosses the tool aside before grabbing his mini flashlight from the arm pocket of his coveralls.

With the flashlight clenched between his teeth he reaches back inside the robot with a pair of needle nose pliers and twists something. There is a flash of blue light and a loud BZZZZTTT! Bishop jumps dropping the pliers as he jerks his hand away trying to shake away the numbness. "Ouch, damn that hurt." he exclaims as he flexes his fingers to make sure they still work. "Who ever built this security sure knew what they were doing. Alex I'd like to apologize in advance just in case I blow us both up." Bishop says half joking as he connects his portable oscilloscope and takes a reading. He slowly reaches into the robot again and attaches one more bypass clip. "Almost there...come on you son of a ..." Bishop pulls his hands free and looks at the oscilloscope then back to the robot's guts, then back to the oscilloscope. A grin spreads across his face. "That's it, I think I got it! HAHAHA I did it! I got you sucker! Who's your daddy?" he cheers as he jumps to his feet to do a quick victory dance.

[Recklessfireball]

A grin spreads across his face. "That's it, I think I got it! HAHAHA I did it! I got you sucker! Who's your daddy?" he cheers as he jumps to his feet to do a quick victory dance.

Feeling mightily pleased with himself, with the bot safely disarmed and deactivated, Bishop pulls up the command code for the bots primary function. His elation is taken down a notch, when he reads the following:

PGC Directive One-Seven-Seven-Alpha:

1) Observe, record and collect all data on any alien life forms and technology encountered or acquired by Survey Exploration Team 1, during Ark 7 mission.

2) Collate data for future analysis by PGC research scientists.

3) Monitor health of S.E.T. Team members, using Bioscanners (once per twelve hour cycle) to sweep for alien parasites, symbiotes or pathogens that might affect PGC assets. Identify threat level of such infestations and/or possible commercial value for development and application as biological tools or weapons. Use Krantz/V'lar scale to determine probable threat/value level, then take appropriate action- sanitizing infected asset or placing it in biological stasis and returning it to LZ zero-seven-one-four, for retrieval by PGC recovery team, as appropriate.

4) Carefully monitor S.E.T. Team members behavior, using Psichotropic scanners (once per twelve hour cycle) to scan for abnormal brain waves, such as would be present when under the influence of malevolent telepathic entities. Compare scan results with Psismographic charts to determine threat level to PGC operations and take appropriate action- sanitizing or quarantining assets as necessary.

5) If Omega level threat is ascertained (a Krantz/V'lar rating or Psismographic reading of 9.5 or higher), initiate self-destruct by detonating micro-fusion device. If PGC assets are not the source of the threat, destruct sequence should be announced and adequate time given (minimum five minute; maximum one hour destruct countdown) to allow all S.E.T. Team members to evacuate the area.

[NJWilliam]

Alex lets out a brief, low pitch whistle.

[Bhart]

Bishop lets out a long sigh as he flops into a chair, almost as if he were deflating. "Oh boy, we should get the others in here. They should know about this.", he says with a somber tone. The tech begins making notes in his maintenance log about the security lock and how he bypassed it. When that is complete he records the contents of Directive 177A.

[NJWilliam]

After a moment of thought, Alex looks at Bishop and says, "So . . . can I keep the rifle?"

[rremedio]

Akai comes to check how the robot affairs are going. He notes some tension in the air and reads the Directive report, felling more uncomfortable after each line.

Without knowing exactly what to think about it, he turns to the other: "Did you guys notice how much they use the word 'assets'?"

[NJWilliam]

Alex says to Bishop, "Any chance the robot can hear or record what we're saying or doing right now?"

Meanwhile he field strips the robots auto-rifle to see if there is anything out of the ordinary about it.

[Bhart]

Bishop shrugs at Alex's first question. "I don't see why not, he won't need it. Unless I can change his directive or just remove 177A completely, though I've never done something like that on a level 5 before. I'm not even sure I could do it "

The skinny tech waves in greeting to Akai as he enters. Bishop fills him in on their progress then nods in agreement with the Yazarian's question, "Yeah. It looks like our employer looks at us no different than this robot. We are equipment to be used and disposed of if needed." He closes his log book and stands while rubbing the back of his neck. The technician stares at the deactivated Balor V droid. After a moment of thought he looks back at Akai and Alex and asks, " I can't help but wonder if the missing research team we're looking for had a bot like Hal along for the trip. Did you find any more info on that group since we landed?"

Bishop raises his eyebrows at Alex's second question. "Hmmm. In theory no, but Hal is pretty advanced. I suppose it's possible if there is a hidden secondary system that's drawing power from another source than the main power cell."

[NJWilliam]

"Hmmm. In theory no, but Hal is pretty advanced. I suppose it's possible if there is a hidden secondary system that's drawing power from another source than the main power cell."

Alex looks back at the robot, "Like the fusion bomb inside it somewhere? Do you think the company would know if it remained deactivated?

"It would be nice to have something that can detect if we have parasites in us though. Maybe we should ask around the others here if they know of any such creatures on this rock."

Alex adds with a smile, "Oh, and while it's deactivated, can we get it's spare ammunition for my new rifle from it?"

[Rotten]

Stan spits after hearing the news. "There's a reason I don't like technology. Always someone using it against folks like us. I considered this a possible suicide mission anyway. Well, it's no more dangerous knowing this as it was before. I suggest our loyalty lies with ourselves and not to the company. If we find something valuable, lets just keep it and get out of here."

[rremedio]

After a moment of thought he looks back at Akai and Alex and asks, " I can't help but wonder if the missing research team we're looking for had a bot like Hal along for the trip. Did you find any more info on that group since we landed?"

Akai is a little disappointed: "Nothing helpful. They were escorted by a well armed hunter but after watching that giant thing from the river I'm afraid that maybe this wasn't enough. Nothing helpful about the environment either, looks like we are going blind after those scientists."

Then, his usual light and unconcerned ways turn more serious: "Before we leave, it may be wise to inquire the people of this camp about diseases acquired since they arrived here, including their animals. Maybe I should even scan them and everything that is alive here in this camp searching for parasites. Maybe the camp doctor have something to say. I hope we can get a clue about things to avoid, even if it's very unlikely that we will learn something here, since the company is probably after something powerful enough to become a weapon of mass destruction and if something like that already appeared here, they would probably be dealing with it now. But I won't lose any small chance to avoid getting the company fed on our "assets", if you know what I mean."

[NJWilliam]

4) Carefully monitor S.E.T. Team members behavior, using Psichotropic scanners (once per twelve hour cycle) to scan for abnormal brain waves, such as would be present when under the influence of malevolent telepathic entities. Compare scan results with Psismographic charts to determine threat level to PGC operations and take appropriate action- sanitizing or quarantining assets as necessary.

ooc: Can Alex detect abnormal brain waves such as these with one of his telepathic sub-abilities?

[Recklessfireball]

ooc: Can Alex detect abnormal brain waves such as these with one of his telepathic sub-abilities?

That's an interesting question. By-the-book: no. However, I like the idea of it and I'm inclined to allow it. I don't know what percent chance I'll allow you for the attempt, but you can attempt it, if you want. Odds will be affected by distance to the person scanned and how close of a working relationships you have with them (e.g. people you are close friends with will be easier to evaluate than casual acquaintances). I'll put it in the hopper and work up some more specific guidelines to use. Keep your eye on the House rules thread- I'll post them there, when they're ready.

[rremedio]

Before the end of the day, Akai will go after medical care for his injuries and ask the physician about any deaths caused by diseases acquired in the jungle.

[Recklessfireball]

Before the end of the day, Akai will go after medical care for his injuries and ask the physician about any deaths caused by diseases acquired in the jungle.

After tending to your various scrapes, cuts and bruises, Dr. Cl'k'riss listens to Akai's question, with interest. Then he says, "Yes- we did, in fact, have a few incidents, during the time that we were constructing the base camp. But we've given inoculations and provided dietary supplements that provide immunity to all known diseases, parasites and fungi encountered thus far. I'm given to understand that all S.E.T. Team members are treated to the same regimen, at Gamma-Niner, before deploying to the moons surface; so I wouldn't worry much, if I were you. There is, of course, the very real possibility of encountering something new in the more remote areas of the jungle. But I suppose that is a necessary hazard of your trade, so to speak."

"Now then, is there anything else I can do for you, Mr. Ceere?"

[rremedio]

"Thank you, Doc. That will be all. It's good to know that all diseases found so far could be dealt with."

[Bhart]

Alex adds with a smile, "Oh, and while it's deactivated, can we get it's spare ammunition for my new rifle from it?"

"Of course take it all. I think it would be too risky for me to attempt changing his directives. He's just too advanced for my skills and the last thing we need is a robot with a bomb inside it going haywire. I think All of you agree it would be best to leave him deactivated." Bishop replies to Alex.

The tech begins opening his pack and pulling out several sized wrenches and a pair of electrosnips.
"We can't activate him and we can't leave him here. If someone finds him and reactivates him then he will pursue us. Unless any of you can come up with a really good objection I'm going to remove his power core and dismantle him. We can scatter him in the jungle piece by piece as we travel." Bishop says with a depressed sigh and the look of a man who is about to personally put his dog down.

[NJWilliam]

After Alex has retrieved and secured the ammo from the robot for his auto rifle, he, too, will head to the medic to have his scratches from the stampede incident cleaned up.
He will engage the medic in small talk about local parasites and dangers, and while doing so, will attempt to read his thoughts.

Stern Read Thoughts (90-log): [1d100] = 25