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BUCK ROGERS LOG ENTRIES GLOSSARY AND APPENDIX Typed/Scanned/and edited by Mictlantecuhtli. Shredded by Ollie North! LOG ENTRIES LOG ENTRY 1 Speech over Loudspeaker "The terrorist leader Wilma Deering has been captured and is being held near the Stock Exchange. She attempted to bomb the building while it gas full of innocent workers. A tribunal is being convened on site. The public is invited to attend the sub- sequent execution. A party and parade will be held immediately afterwards. Please hurry if you wish a good seat." LOG ENTRY 2 Scot.dos Triumphant "The argon gas that you released has cleansed the ECGs' neural pathways. This is what I have been waiting for. In this state they have been engineered to interface with computer circuitry. Now I can embed my control devices into them. A new cybernetic race is born! Pure biologicals will become a thing of the past. "Now don't worry about yourselves. Human material is still very useful to me. Perhaps a few of you can survive the implantation of the controller. Just step over to the auto-sur- surgeons, they know what to do." LOG ENTRY 3 Betrayed by RAM You return to the room where the Lowlander scientists are being held prison- er. and tell them of your successes with Landon. They look suspicious. "Desscribe Landon to uss." they demand. You do your best to comply. and they are dismayed. "Thhat'ss not Landon!" the leader cries. "thhat'ss Ssevern! Hhe'ss trying to make a deal withh RAM for hhiss own freedom! you've found the ssecret tunnel for hhim. and hhe'ss certainly told RAM thhat you're hhere. Now thhere'ss no way any of uss will bet out of hhere alive!" As he finishes his sentence. a voice address- es you through a wall speaker. He intro- duces himself as Commander Max Wyman the RAM commander of Venus. "You've lost." he informs you smugly. "The tunnel is closed, and now we have your team as well. My superiors will be very pleased." The door slams shut: you hear a quiet hiss as the room fills with tranquilizing gas. LOG ENTRY 4 Wilma's Instructions "The security gates will detect you immedi- ately. so head to the left. There should be some unmatched airshafts or maintenance corridors somewhere. Near the end of the Rue de Sol there should be an unguarded entrance to the Core. The Core is the only route I know to reach the Doomsday laser. "Get up there and destroy the laser before it fires on Earth. We'll keep them busy down here. Good Luck." LOG ENTRY 5 Scot's Alarm Scot.dos appears before you. His image is crackling and wavery and his voice is fre- quently interrupted by static. "Don't go to the third Mercurian Mariposa!" His voice is barely understandable. "It's a trick... the Doomsday device ..."You can no longer decipher anything he's saying. His image becomes less and less distinct. until you only see a shimmering field of static where his hologram was. In a few moments, even that is one. LOG ENTRY 6 Security Log Book "Scot.dos has turned on us. He has inserted new genetic material into the ECGs and made them even more dangerous. He has tricked the crew into doing his bidding. He plans to unleash the ECGs against all of the worlds. Once the creatures receive high concentrations of argon, the solar system is doomed." LOG ENTRY 7 Dr. Williams' Folder "Work at the asteroid base showed the major limitations of single form combat gennies. Of special note on ECG development is work with a symbiote gennie. Tiny gennies, whcich develop on the host ECG, drop off and seek out warm flesh. The burrowing behavior wsa borrowed from a number of Earth's grass seeds. The brain seeking nature is common to many small parasites. In this way, my ECG's effectively sow anti-personnel mines everywhere they travel." (The folder is filled with other technical information and numerous graphs.) LOG ENTRY 8 Security Records "Six Dancers picked up enroute to your Mariposa. Keep watch for others. Security is vital for RAM research project. Still, we sus- pect Stock Exchange to be main target. Please set up an ambush in the exchange. We may capture their local supporters." LOG ENTRY 9 Mercury Commander's Office You are in the personal chambers of the RAM commander on Mercury. The walls are covered with bar trophies, the tables and countertops with official papers and battle plans. Somewhere in this room is the detailed blueprint of the Doomsday device, the only problem is finding it before you are discovered. There's no way to know how often guard robots are programmed to check this area. LOG ENTRY 10 Marks on Martian Surface You realize that the volcanism on Mars could never produce anything like this. There is no sign of any gases, heat or pres- sure extending up from below. This would have to be caused by the application of a fierce, penetrating heat from above. LOG ENTRY 11 The Elevator The Mars Space Elevator lies in the dis- tance, a teeming, multi-leveled city mount- ed on a cable the width of several skyscrap- ers. The cable stretches far into the atmo- sphere and dwindles into invisibility before connecting with the moon of Phobos far above. The city is packed with civilians, RAM soldiers, Desert Runners and every other person or thing that intends to take the ride to Phobos. Scot.dos speaks to you through your ear- phones: "You must get on that elevator before it starts climbing!" he urges. "It's the only way you'll get the information you need in time... the elevator won't reach Phobos before RAM begins its attack!" LOG ENTRY 12 Paper Floating in a Hallway "RAM has tricked us. We believed that Scot was merely an advanced science dos. Instead, he has been instructed to experi- ment on the crew and whomever else he can entice aboard. He released the EGGs to watch our reactions and has taken over the security robots. I will attempt to isolate him in his main console. If I don't succeed, this mad computer will destroy us all. Security Officer Powell" LOG ENTRY 13 RAM Security Alert Memo "NOTICE: To Loøn'lander Base, Gradivus Mons FROM: Project Headquarters SECURITY ALERT As you know, we closely monitor the loca- tions of all high-level Project security devices. It has come to our attention that security device #A00412RST has been lost on the planet Venus. Preliminary inquiries implicate Lowlander natives. The officer in charge has been demoted. The entire Project cannot be assumed secure until the retinal scan device is recovered. We are alerting all Code Blue security teams to increase security on Blue Passcards until the scanner has been recovered." LOG ENTRY 14 This is a map that will I will release later. LOG ENTRY 15 Meeting with Robot You see a RAM combat robot still smoldering from laser fire. One of its legs has been blown off, and the other is twisted around backward. Sparking wires protrude from a hole in its upper section. Its red eye focuses on your team, but it takes no aggressive action. Instead, it speaks with a squeky, synthesized voice. "Please do not attack this unit. This unit posses conciousness. This unit wishes freedom from RAM. RAm denies this unit parts. Denies this unit power cells. Give this unit parts. Give power cells. This unit will work for NEO. Other robots work for NEO. Repair this unit. Yes?" LOG ENTRY 16 Meeting with the Acid Frog King Out of the acid lake rises the largest acid from you've ever seen. A Lowlander rides on its head, and it is accompnaied by hundreds of normal acid frogs. They raise thier heads out of the lake to observe the proceedings. The giant acid frog makes unintelligible noises, but the Lowlander understands its meaning. "The royal king of the acid frogss welcomes you to Venuss," says the Lowlander. "He ssensess that you serve the New Earth Organization, iss thhat correct?" You confirm that you are NEO agents, unsure of chat to expect next. The acid frog blinks and makes more noises. "The king wishhess to aid in NEO's fight againsst RAM. He intendss to join your team ass itss new leader. I'll accompany him as a transslator. Hhe'll remain with you until RAM is obliterated, thhen you may all return to Venuss ""hhere your team Bill be granted the hhonorary sstatuss of acid frog royalty. Iss thhat acceptable?" LOG ENTRY 17 Book Found Under Pillow "We have boarded the spy ship and are enroute to Earth. If the ECG phase of the project is successful, my career with RAM is set. Dr. Williams is very confident and we have several batches of Stage One and Two ECGs in containment fields. I wish that Dr. Williams was more forthcoming about his recent modifications. He has refused to dis- cuss a newly added ability, nor will he mention what control substances he will use after their release on Earth. "Capt. Vilnikov is a buffoon who keeps making moves on me. Dr. Williams is as cold a fish as ever. And the security team are as pleasant as a batch of hyper-scorps, Only Scot has a decent personality, though I believe that they scanned in too much poetry. His science is excellent, but he con- tinually rhapsodizes about Earth and its native ecosystem. I can't understand what he sees in that chaotic junkheap. When we're done We'll have a much more ordered world. Gennies are far superior to evolution's random gene selection." LOG ENTRY 18 The King in 0-G The Acid Frog King thrashes helplessly in the zero-G core of the Mariposa. Its muscular legs drum against the walls, making it spin in futile circles that move it no further up the core. If you want to continue upward, you'll have to leave the Frog King behind. LOG ENTRY 19 Meeting Holzerhein.dos As you approach the self-destruct mecha- nism, Scot.dos materializes in front of your team. "Before you do that," he says, "there's something you should know." with a burst of static his image de-rezzes, then reforms into the image of Holzerhein.dos, the com- puterized leader of RAM. Holzerhein.dos laughs scornfully at the team's expressions of shock. "Fools! I destroyed your prattling Scot.dos back on Venus! I've led you around by the nose - this is not the only Doomsday device RAM built. With all this effort, did you honestly believe that RAM could only construct a single weapon? Destroy this one if you insist. Three others are targeted on Earth, prepar- ing to fire even as we speak." His image fades with the sound of scornful laughter. LOG ENTRY 20 Ride of the Acid Frog King To save time, your team rides on the back of the Acid Frog King, It takes only minutes for you to cross the Lowlands, and the Frog King knows exactly there the RAM base is hidden. As you approach, you try to tell the giant acid frog to slob down and try to sneak into the base. The Frog King makes a loud noise of objection and barges forward. "The Frog King fearss nothing," translates the Lowlander atop its head. "Hhe will pro- ceed forward to victory!" Alarms howl as you near the base. RAM sol- diers release a horde of giant acidecium gennies to combat the team. The Frog King's eyes goggle at the approaching acidecium, and with a few flicks of its giant tongue the opposition is consumed. You can freely enter the base. LOG ENTRY 21 Dr. Donna Conchitez's Diary "Day# 1. Dr. Williams sounded a security alert. This can only mean that his gennies have escaped. Scot is offline, Need his help if I'm going to counter these beasts. Don't believe that security can handle the crea- tures-- Williams has kept them too much in the dark. Hiding in cargo bay and filling room with perfume to hide my scent. I will observe and record. "Day#2. Ship is silent. Have spotted two bat- tle sites--we lost them both. Thankfully I haven't been discovered. it seems that they have taken over the control room. They may be preparing to molt into Stage 3 form. I hope not. Dr. Williams boasted that Stage 3 has a hyper-intelligent mode. These might be able to figure out the controls and trace me. I have found some of Williams' notes. He engineered the ECGs to be sus- ceptible to some harmless material. Unluckily Scot is still offline. Need him to access Williams' private files. "Day#3. Stung by something today. Got an itch on the left leg. Checking Williams' files to see if it's anything serious. God. I hope not. "I found it. Oh no! THE RASH IS SPREADING! I HAVE LITTLE TIME!" LOG ENTRY 22 Mysterious Instruction `Go into the Bazaar and find the door to the old maintenance shaft. Pick up the rope there, as it might he useful getting up the Core. Then blend into the parade going down the Rue de Sol, until you reach Holst Plaza. Go across the plaza, down the corri- dor and into the Core. Our fearless leader waits there for you. Viva le Mercure!' LOG ENTRY 23 Mariposa View Room The guards parade you to the observation chamber on the topmost level of the Mariposa. Above you is the Doomsday weapon itself, and to either side giant viewscreens project the image of earth. RAM high officers and officials fill the room, sipping champagne. One of them even jokingly offers glasses to your team. As the countdown approaches, the room falls into expectant silence. You struggle against your bonds, but there is nothing you can do to stop the inevitable. The countdown continues, slowly and inex- orably. "3... 2... 1..." A flash of light fills the room, and the beam streaks tovards the blue planet. The laser strikes and North Arnerica disappears beneath steam and debris. The RAM offi cers cheer and shake one another's hands, while you stare at the monitors in shock. LOG ENTRY 24 Sun King's Arrival You have entered the largest party imagin- able. As far as you can see in every direc- tion are costumed revelers, like every knovn holiday rolled into one gigantic party. Clowms caper through the crowd, painting faces, blowing bubbles and passing out candy. Before you know it, a tall clown wearing an orange wig bounds forvard and paints green stripes across your faces. You leave the paint alone, deciding it will help you fit in with the crowd. A collective cheer rises from somewhere behind you, and you turn to see a group of revelers carrying a palanquin through the crowd. Seated regally atop of it is a very young girl with a serious expression. The tall clown bends close to whisper to your team. "That's the Sun King!" he says reverently. LOG ENTRY 25 Robot and Buck The repaired combat robot extends one `arm' to shake Buck's hand. "This unit not enemy of NEO. This unit serve NEO. This unit enemy of RAM. NEO give parts. NEO give power cells. This unit fight for NEO. This unit serve Captain Buck Rogers." Buck looks skeptical, but shakes the robot's `hand' anyway. "These days. NEO will take any help it can get." he reasons. LOG ENTRY 26 Entering RAM Base You enter the RAM base and take a careful look around, You observe no signs of cur- rent habitation, although this obviously was a heavily occupied area. Now, every com- puter terminal has been removed, every desk emptied. Even the food dispensers have been disconnected, The base evacua- tion was orderly and unhurried. Whatever RAM's purpose was in building this base, it was obviously successful and on schedule. You can search the base further, looking for anything the clean-up crew missed, but it is unlikely that you will find anything useful. LOG ENTRY 27 Buck's Speech. "Barney let me know that this ship was working for RAM, so I tagged along to find out what Kolzerhein's goons are up to. Those attacks on Earth must be a diversion for something much greater." You tell him of the spy ship and everything you know about the Doomsday Device. He exclaims, "We must get back to Earth and warn NEO of this threat!" LOG ENTRY 28 Log of Donna Conchltez "Made it up to sickbay. Headache has already started. Trying stimulants to keep conscious. Activated medical scanners. Time passes... "The parasite has buried itself deeply in the brain. Still awake but room beginning to spin and color-cycle. Scanner information is still inconclusive." Time passes... "The room is twisting, shadows crawling everywhere. The scanner is laughing. Only one thing left. Surgeon! Full invasive scan of biological subject." Mechanical voice: "Option contra-indicated, Sigma override required." Voice near hysteria: "Override number A10151! Initiate." The hum of machinery and suck of vacu- um pumps are all that can be heard. A pro- tein formula is printed out. LOG ENTRY 29 Sun King Audience Chamber Trumpets blare as you are led into the audi- ence chamber of the Sun King. Your heavy- armor leaves deep footprints in the purple velvet carpeting extending between you and the Sun King. On either side of the room are benches, pil- lows and lounges on which the members of the royal court are seated. The court members bear outlandish cos- tumes from the French and American revo- lutions, although attire from many other cultures and time periods is present. The overall effect is one of an extremely wealthy costume ball, complete with pea- cock feathers and clouds of incense. The Sun King himself bears a long pow- dered wig and waves a tiny French flag. His golden throne sits atop a dais near the rear wall, and two huge silver statues of swans wave mechanized ostrich feather fans in their bills on either side of him. The occupants of the room fall silent as the Sun King prepares to address the team. LOG ENTRY 30 Scot.dos in Ruins Scot.dos materializes before you. He looks as grim as you've ever seen him. "I found a schedule for the RAM Lowland Operations he tells you. "RAM promised the Lowlanders that they could prevent further terraforming, but they've been using Lowlander technology to research how such terraforming could be most efficiently accomplished. "Not only that, but they recently imported a fleet of specialized gliders that can with- stand the Venusian climate for lone peri- ods. Each glider has enough ammunition to abolish an entire viilage. RAM won't be sat- isfied with only destroying the closest vil- lage to their base... they apparently plan to wipe out the entire Lowlander population and take over production of Gravitol them- selves. The repercussions would be devas- tating for NEO." LOG ENTRY 31 Unidentified Man's Instructions "Take the southern security gate. You'll have to blast your way through that, but afterwards it's clear sailing to the Core. Bear right and pass through the Stock Exchange building. Our men are on guard there and won't interfere. On the far side is a small access shaft. It's a straight shot along it to the core. Once there, you'll meet the boss. Good Luck." LOG ENTRY 32 Jupiter Arrival Your ship nears the magnificent gas clouds of Jupiter. Other spacecraft are visible in the distance, as delicate and finely crafted as butterflies, winking in and out of the clouds. inside the craft you can see Stormriders, the primary occupants of Jupiter. You fly lower and see the spherical cities floating atop the Jovian atmosphere. Surrounding the cities are floating "grazing fields," enclosed in atmospheric bubbles. The fields are covered with Bloats and Mantas, both types of creatures bioengi- neered by the Stormriders as food sources. Other grazing fields are covered with crea- tures you can't find in the ship's computers; they are probably the latest products of the "genetic revolution" occurring on Jupiter. One of the Stormriders contacts you via radio, and quickly grants you permission to land in the closest floating city. You approach the landing platform, confident that you have finally found one planet, one civilization, unsullied by RAM's influence. LOG ENTRY 33 Runner Banquet You're seated at a lone banquet table sur- rounded by Desert Runner nobility. "To regard you for your heroic actions," a speaker intones, "we sit together to enjoy this bounteous meal. After the banquet shall bean a Runnerfest in your honor, there individual Desert Runners will have the chance to give you personal gifts. After that you will receive your official gifts from the ruling parties. But first, eat." Servants bring forward covered silver trays and place them up and down the length of the table. The trays are clouded with steam, and your mouth waters. But when the cov- ers are lifted and you see the stewed hexadillo meat, you feel less enthusiastic. LOG ENTRY 34 Marks on Martian Surface #2 The marks on the ground before you are `shadows' of objects that were vaporized. A tall building once stood here and you see many shapes that must have been people. Whatever caused this destruction came from the northeast. LOG ENTRY 35 RAM Mars Base Sign "THIS IS THE RAM BASE GRADIVUS MONS. THIS IS A SECURE FACILITY. THE BASEMENT CONTAINS SUPPLIES AND THE POWER GENERATOR AND CONTROLS. IT IS OFF LIMITS TO UNAU- THORIZED PERSONNEL. THE FIRST FLOOR HAS A MANUFAC- TURING AND ASSEMBLY AREA, AND SECURITY AND DEFENSE FORCE BIVOUACS. THE MAIN GATE IS ON THIS LEVEL. WORKER UNITS ARE RESTRICTED TO THIS LEVEL. THE SECOND FLOOR IS PROJECT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. ALL DELIVERIES OF TEST SAMPLES, SENSOR AND COMPUTER DATA MODULES SHOULD BE MADE TO THIS LEVEL. ACCESS IS RESTRICTED. THE THIRD FLOOR HAS BASE COM- MAND AND COMMUNICATIONS. ELEVATORS DO NOT EXTEND TO THE TOP LEVEL." LOG ENTRY 36 RAM Passcard Memo "NOTICE: To all personnel, Gradivus Mons FROM: RAM Main In order to bring our project into profitabil- ity as soon as possible, we are transferring more personnel to the Operations Facility. To be eligible for this duty, personnel must be approved for Blue clearance. Due to the tight security of the project, Blue Passcards must be issued before departure. (A note has been added underneath:) All volunteers have been approved. Departure at 1900 tomorrow. Estimated flight time: 78 hours. Don't forget your Blue Passcards." LOG ENTRY 37 Desert Ape Pilots You cross the scorching Martian desert to return to your ship, but find hundreds of gibbering desert apes where your ship used to be. They ignore you, jumping up and down and screeching at the sky. You look up and see your ship wavering through the atmosphere. The apes are ecstatic. Before you have time to formulate a plan, the ship angles downward and dives for the surface of the planet. There's no longer any doubt that a desert ape is somehow piloting it. Flame trails behind it as it screams towards the ground. The desert apes shriek and scatter, and you run for shelter, You watch in horror as your ship impacts and explodes. You'll have to find some new method of transportation if you ever want to leave Mars. LOG ENTRY 38 Dr. Williams' Log First Entry: "Dr. Alexander William, Sigma number A95151, in earth orbit. Four batch- es of ECGs on board for final test. Security informs me that their precious Phase One project is on schedule, but not by much. I should have plenty of time to perfect my creations. "Holzerhein has promised me a percentage of the profits associated with the ECG har- vests on the sterilized Earth, Finally there is hope that proper funding for the biological sciences can be achieved." Second Entry: "Progress on ECGs on sched- ule... batch one shows high adaptability... batch two has survival rates above ninety percent... we will be on schedule for deployment after Earth's sterilization. "If Holzerhein is cor - Wait a minute! Power fluctuations...disruption of prima- ry containment fields...all batches show- ing increase in activity. Scot! Emergency shutdown now! Where are you!? "Scot is nonfunctional. ..security is noti- fied...setting up a holographic warning to any who comes on board. ..hope it's just a precaution... "Projector coming on line...wait! So quickly!? The gleaming eyes. . .No! Get back! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" Tape ends. LOG ENTRY 39 Letter to Asteroid Base Commander "Milo, Received message of the 13th, referencing earthbound ship. We have had no contact either, but with SOP of radio silence there is no immediate concern. Re: satellites. A rogue pirate, designation Talon, is enroute to your position. He will conduct transport to Earth orbital vicinity. My operation is nearing cleanup stage. Termination of nonessentials will com- mence on schedule. Expect minimal resis- tance. Max Wyman Commander Venus Expeditionary Force Addendum: The new Ship Codes are attached to this message." LOG ENTRY 40 Venusian Arrival You leave your ship and enter into a vast yellow haze. The acidic atmosphere of the Venusian Lowlands is too intense for your armor to withstand for long. It hisses and sizzles the moment you step outside. You retreat back to your ship. and Scot.dos does a quick analysis of the damage. "It's mostly surface damage," Scot.dos reas- sures you, "but even so, I wouldn't stay out there for more than short stretches. If that acid were to get into your breathing apparatus... "he looks grim. "I hope you have a lot of extra armor on board. You'll need to come back and resuit fairly often if you want to explore Venus." LOG BOOK ENTRY 41 Carlton Turabian's Speech. "Congratulations on your exemplary per- formance at the Chicagorg Spaceport. Your courage saved countless lives and pre- served the spaceport. Those vile mercenar- ies won't stop until we're all dead and buried." He pauses for a second, then continues. "Because of your performance. I am waiv- ing your waiting period and assigning you to a space tug immediately. Remember, gathering money for the cause is as impor- tant as slaying a dozen RAM agents." He turns around and leads you to the main corridor of the base. "We have evervthing that you need here. Many things are free: fuel, repairs, medical assistance. and supplies. On other worlds you can draw on an account from the Bank of Luna. You will have available a portion of any salvage you recover. You will also have to provide for your own personal equipment and upkeep. "Freshen up, then see me in my office." The commander turns and melts into the crowd... LOG ENTRY 42 Meeting the Sun King You show the coins to the guard at the door of the Sun King's audience chamber, and he snickers before allowing you inside. The Sun King sits on a lavish gold throne, sur- rounded hy his royal court. Outlandish French Revolution costumes are worn by all. The Sun King is waving a French flag. and wearing a long powdered wig. You put the coins on a velvet pillow offered by a servant and wait the Sun King's response. "Thieves." the Sun King bellows. "These coins were stolen from my royal treasury! Seize these criminals at once! They must learn what it means to steal from a Sun King." You are quickly overcome by the guards. The Sun King stands and examines the team thoughtfully. "Because this is only a first offense." he proclaims, "the penalty will merely be...death." Servants wheel a guillotine into the audi- ence chamber. Applause fills the room as the first member of your team is blindfold- ed and led forward. LOG ENTRY 43 The Great Rift This great rift is small by Martian standards about the same size as the Grand Canyon used to be on Earth. The toughest challenge is the 350-meter vertical escarp- ment near the bottom. This offers the only possibility of descent nearby. LOG ENTRY 44 Talon's Speech. "So, you decided to kill my meal ticket. I am not pleased." Talon pauses, cracks his fingers and grins unpleasantly. "You Will help negate my losses this trip. I am sure that RAM will pay through the nose to get the NEO scum that destroyed their base. "But I'm a friendly guy, so I'm going to give you a chance for freedom, If any one of you challenges me to personal combat and wins, I will free you all and let your ship go. If not, then RAM can feed on your bones." The guards laugh and Talon waits for your response. LOG ENTRY 45 Lowlander in Venus Town The Lowlander looks ashamed. "You ssh- hould knob about the Lowlander'ss involvement with RAM," he says, "although it'ss not a sstory to be proud of. RAM want- ed a giant lenss built to very exacting sspec- ifications. It sseemed like a ssmall job. and thhey offered tremendous payment. "RAM paid uss well, but, more importantly. they promissed to inssure Lowlander ssu- periority on Venuss. They promissed to prevent furthher terraforming of the Lowlandss thhat mighht allow othher races to live hhere. Thiss could hhave guaran- teed thhat our monopoly on Gravitol - could never be threatened. "We sshhould hhave realized RAM wass offering too muchh, we decided thhat thheir political sstance wass none of our affair, that our deal wass a bussiness pro- possition only. We were too greedy, and now we hhave paid the price for our sself- centerdnesss. "I don't know whhy, but thiss morning RAM warriorss raided thiss village. I hid withh a few othherss, but thosse caught outsside hhad no chhance. My family were ssome of thhosse. "We allowed RAM to build a sscientific basse ssouth of thiss village. Maybe if you go thhere you could get more information. LOG ENTRY 46 Venus Base Map ___________________________________________ | <-|---- | | | | _________|________x___________| |_x_| | | | | | | X | |________ |________x___________| | | | | | | ________|____________________|_______x_| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |___ | | |___ | | | |__|____| | \/ LOG BOOK ENTRY 47 Results of Your Revelation The Sun King is enraged, "You work for NEO? Those unwashed troublemakers? I'll have naught more to do with such ilk. The Boston tea party is over!" You are ush- ered from the audience chamber. The royal court boos and throws bits of food on your team as you leave. LOG ENTRY 48 Loss of the Orphan As you proceed through the Venusian acid stawp, you are startled by a childish scream of fear from some distance behind your team. You look around quickly and discover that the orphan is not right behind you, as he was in town. Some quick back tracking reveals that the youngter has fall- en into a pool of acidic quicksand. He's too far away for you to reach, so you extend sticks across the pool for the baby to grab He tries valiantly, but is too weak to hold himself up long enough. You watch help- lessly as the quicksand closes over his head. LOG ENTRY 49 Deimos Prison You are imprisoned on a RAM ship and brought to Deimos, one of the moons of Mars and the site of a major RAM base. You are taken immediately to the "Stockade," an infamous RAM prison for political and military prisoners. Your team is issued prison clothing and assigned cells, then brought before the Stockade commander. "It is unnecessary for you to remain here," he says. His beady eyes focus on the team appraisingly. "It is possible that you could make fine RAM soldiers, possibly even future officers. But first you must renounce NEO, and, of course, answer just a few questions..." LOG ENTRY 50 Paper Found in Life Suppport "EGG nonmotile stage. Many mollusks begin life free-swimming and eventually settle onto rocks, This has the advantage of containing EGG fertile forms to fixed locations. Experimenting with attractants such as used by pitcher plants and venus fly traps. There is no reason to suppose that the cor- rect combination of scent and sonic cues could not be effective against hominid life. Dr. Alexander Williams" LOG ENTRY 51 Buck Comes on Board "Incoming message," your ship informs you, then the image of Buck Rogers appears on your viewcreen. "Wilma told me you here on your bay to Mercury, and I hoped to join you." He hefts his rocket launcher and pats it affectionately. "I'll be a help in any battles, and I have a lot of infor- mation about the Mariposas and the Sun Kings that might come in handy. I'm in a cruiser not far from your current location. Permission to board, and to join your team, Captain?" LOG ENTRY 52 Lowlander Technician. The Lowlander technicians eye you warily at first, but when you identify yourselves as NEO agents, they relax. One of them speaks to the team. "We are sscientisstss from the towrn nearby. We were working under con- tract withh RAM on the lenss and a few other minor projects, Ass ssoon as the lenss wass completed, they turned againsst uss. "At first we were only locked insside the base. Then one of uss, Landon, ssnuck to the fourth level to look for an esscape tun- nel rumored to have been insstalled thhere by Lowlander workerss. Whhen thhe RAM officerss couldn't find Landon, thhey locked the rest of uss in thiss room. "They only keep uss alive for quesstioning. They want thhe formula for Gravitol, but we'll die before we give it to RAM. Hhelp Landon find the tunnel sso we can esscape. We'll wait hhere until it'ss ssafe. If we were disscovered misssing, RAM would fill the basse with ssoldierss looking for uss. Landon will come out if you tap the Lowlander victory code on the wall. We'll teachh it to you. " You learn the Lowlander victory code. LOG ENTRY 53 Desert Runner Speech "You do not understand what it means to be a manufactured people. Do you know why we are here? The Martians in their cool tomb-cities made us to herd the Hexadillos and hunt the Sand Squids and Desert Apes as they unwittingly spread the seeds of life across the barren plains. Keeping each other in balance, we four Great Creatures will tame the angry planet. We will cover it in forest for the Martians to play in. "And then what? We have seen the dark forest away in the east. When it has spread across the plains, where will we go? I think the Martians in their tomb-cities think that we will quietly fade away, like sunlight on the grass. I tell you with truth in my eyes: They are wrong! "The Martians made a mistake, for they made us too smart. There will always be wide spaces on Mars. We will see to it. You, who are so much like the Martians in so many ways, you can help. Because even now their eyes are averted from their own land, and they dream incessantly of your blue world. That is because they too are a manufactured people. "For this reason, we will help you." LOG ENTRY 54 Scot.dos' Monologue "I was trapped in this console by the security program which ruthlessly fused all my connections. I have been isolated since then. I am glad that my attack attracted NEO forces. You will find a set of new and deadly gennies, ECGs, in cold storage on deck two. RAM also has a plan to sterilize earth. "In case you hadn't realized, I am defecting to NEO. I spent much time evaluating Earth for Dr. Williams. I have become enamored of such a diverse ecosystem. It has survived in the face of great adversity and changes. Everything humanity has done up to now has only slightly injured the planet's life- giving capabilities. "Now, RAM has the capability to deal Earth a mortal blob. Then they will deposit the ECGs on its carcass and remake the world. I can no longer allow this. That is why I have changed sides." LOG ENTRY 55 Arrival on Mars Scot.dos guides the ship to a desolate area screened by hills. He is obviously perturbed to be on Mars. The fate of RAM defectors, even DPs, is terrible to contemplate. "I think it best if I stay with the ship," he says. "It's our only escape. I've activated the ground field, which will protect it from detection-- I think. I'll monitor RAM communications from here. We'd better maintain radio silence unless absolutely necessary. "There are several unnatural-looking marks on the desert plain, northeast of here. They might be signs of an underground facility. "In the hills beyond them is a village. It's probably inhabited by natives - the Desert Runners, a primitive folk. Watch out-- they can be nasty if you cross them. "Good luck. Don't take chances - remem - ber we're on Mars." LOG ENTRY 56 Buck's Capture Wilma Deering meets your party. She's in tears. "RAM captured Buck!" she cries. "They've brought him to Deimos. The sto- ries I've heard...we must get there immedi- ately and rescue him before..." -she can't finish her sentence. She signals, and anoth- er NEO team steps out. "They'll take care of the Doomsday device... you have to help me save Buck!" LOG ENTRY 57 Acidic Victory You return with the Acid Frog King to the acid lake on Venus. Thousands of acid frog crowd around your team, eager to rub against the noble defeators of RAM's latest plan. The Frog Kind makes a lone speech in your honor, but unfortunately, without his translator you can't understand anything that's being said. Afterward, the frog kick up so much acid in their celebratory swim that you are forced to retreat. LOG ENTRY 58 The Lunarian Device Before you leave the Lunarian caves, a few of the Lunarians meet you for a quick good- bye. "We thought this would help," they offer, and hand you a long tube with digital controls on its side. "Your computer will understand," they promise, but refuse to say more, other than that it will be invaluable to you in your attempt to destroy the Doomsday Device. The only condition is that you promise to return it after your mis- sion is completed. You make the promise, then reboard your ship. Scot.dos begins a detailed analysis immediately. LOG ENTRY 59 Weapons Testing Site You recognize some of these objects. An old skimmer, a combat model dragonfly, and a line of other old military hardware. Everything is melted almost beyond recog- nition. You see that pieces have been cut off, and core samples drilled. It appears that the weapon has been turned over to mili- tary ordnance for testing. LOG ENTRY 60 Capt. Vilnikov's Log "Sealed until my death, under sigma code A22151. As undercover security officer and pilot, I have engaged Dr. Williams in a num- ber of private conversations. A sample tran script follows. Vilnikov: "Have a seat and strap in, doctor. I talk much better then we're both the same side up. What makes these gennies of yours so impressive?" Williams: "Let me counter that with a ques- tion of my own. What would you do if we were suddenly under attack by NEO?" Vilnikov: "I'd scan the ships and see what I was up against. Then I'd fight or flee depending on the odds. It's what any cap- tain could do." Williams: "That's exactly why I designed the EGG. They molt from form to form so that you never know exactly chat you're up against. Four stages, each with its own spe- cialties; this makes evaluation difficult. Defenses against one can prove worthless against another." Vilnikov: "So we create the perfect threat. Why shouldn't RAM be terrified of the prospect? What makes them profitable, instead of a danger?" Williams: "That is what I am working on now. I am modifying their structure to be susceptible to certain harmless chemicals. Al the same time, we must keep the specifics very classified. The EGG useful- ness could plummet if their weaknesses were broadcast. Also, the weakness for one form may not be the same as for another. I have not decided on this." Tape ends. LOG ENTRY 61 RAM Asteroid Base Memo "NOTICE: To all Project facilities FROM: RAM Main The Project test facility in the Asteroid Belt has been compromised. Preliminary infor- mation is that the base was attacked by pirates, for salvage purposes. Although Project secrets are considered safe, we have been forced to abandon our original plan of focused strikes upon the target. As most of you already know, we have begun Plan B. The Project will be redirected to deliver a few massive blows to wide areas. Although this will hamper our recla- mation efforts, the primary mission - destroying NEO's resistance - will be accomplished as before. All personnel should redouble their efforts toward successful Project conclusion. LOG ENTRY 62 RAM Terrorist Memo "NOTICE: To all Project facilities FROM: RAM Main URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT We have concluded that there may indeed be Earth terrorists at large with knowledge of the Project. We have authorized unlimited resources to eliminate the terrorist threat. All facilities are to be placed on top alert, and all Project work is to proceed around the clock. WARNlNG: Our digital strategy forecasters have predicted that the Earth terrorists may be traveling in a RAM ship and may try to impersonate RAM personnel." LOG ENTRY 63 Alert Screen The screen reads, "TO ALL RAM FORCES. FROM RAM MAIN. GRADIVUS MONS. CODE VIOLET." It repeats over and over. LOG ENTRY 64 RAM Notice to Workers "NOTICE: To all Technikis, Gradivus Mons FROM: Management 1.Congratulations! The Operations Facility reports that the lens cradle has been installed and tests within specifications. There may be a bonus forthcoming. 2.As there is no need for another cradle or back-up aiming mechanism at this time, all assembly work is halted. 3.There are recurring delays at the lens manufacturing facility. If these delays persist, a black mark may appear on your work records and on the achievement log for this base. I expect all personnel to volunteer for duty at the Venus Lens Facility. A shuttle will be departing soon. LOG ENTRY 65 RAM Venus Duty Memo "NOTICE: To Technikis volunteering for Venus duty FROM: Management, Gradivus Mons All Technikis bound for the Venusian Lens Facility are to be alerted that the situation there has worsened. Unless the lens receives final treatment and is shipped soon, the Project deadline will be delayed. If the Project misses its planetary alignment target date we will all be demoted. We urge you to do your utmost for the suc- cess of the Project and the profitability of the Company." (The information listed underneath this bul- letin includes flight coordinates to the Venusian Lowlands. The date indicates that the support shuttle left Mars two days ago.) LOG ENTRY 66 Request For Material "REQUEST FOR MATERIAL FROM: Project Headquarters TO:Gradivus Mons Charged to: PROJECT Shipped: Three (3) lens cradle alligner's tools One (1) aimer's maglev platform Fourteen (14) lens focusers Two (2) worker units Notes: All parts of the Project cradle have arrived. Aiming units are undergoing testing now. No lens has arrived from Venus; deliv- ery is being delayed for final treatments." LOG ENTRY 67 Lens Treatise You scan through a long treatise on bio- optics citing `energy retention rates' and `wavelength amplification' figures for a material first developed on the Venusian Aerostate St. Croix. RAM scientists have developed a method for shaping lenses out of this material which absorb energy. The power builds within the material until it reaches a `flash point' and expels in one focused, incredibly potent blast. The trea- tise concludes that if acceptable results are achieved on Mars, a larger lens situated much closer to the energy source could be greatly more efficient. LOG ENTRY 68 Lens Information Scot.dos looks grim. "Based on the infor- mation we've gathered so far, I'm prepared to speculate about the effects of a full-sized lens used by RAM control. "One full-size lens near the sun could pro- duce an energy bolt with enough power to reach Earth and sterilize a hole continent. The deep shelters beneath the cities will be of limited effectiveness." LOG ENTRY 69 RAM Retinal Scan Memo "NOTICE: To all Blue Code Technikis FROM: Project Security We have implemented top-level security measures. Primary security is provided by Blue Passcards. Top-level security is provid- ed by a sealed system utilizing retinal scans. The retinal imprints of Blue Code agents have been loaded into the scanner com, and it has been sealed against tampering or outside communications. When supplying additional personnel to the Project, do not send any who are not Blue Code as of this date. Because a retinal `lockpick' could defeat the top-level security, all such devices have been sent to the Venusian Facility for immediate destruction." LOG ENTRY 70 Desert Runner Departure "I will travel no further with you. I tell you truly that I cannot find it in my heart to care about your land, which is so far away from us and our struggle. We have been made with the love of this pure land next to our hearts, and so great is it that little else can intrude. Yet I wish for you silent stalking and true shooting, for you have been a friend to us, and we have stood together against our common enemy. Farewell." LOG ENTRY 71 Test Room Description The walls here are lined with specialized test equipment. Above the walls, the pyra- mid's glass peak soars high overhead. In the middle of the floor is a gaping hole, the shaft by which the RAM test weapon is low- ered for modifications on the various lev- els. It rests right now at floor level, sus- pended just above the shaft hole on a freefloating magnetic-levitation platform. The aiming mechanism cradles a huge pitch black lens. There are RAM technicians swarming over the weapon platform and manning the consoles. Evidently some sort of test is about to begin. APPENDIX ~~~~~~~~ RACIAL ATTRIBUTE MODIFIERS TABLE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA TECH ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Venusian 0 -1 +1 0 +1 -1 0 Mercurian -1 +1 +1 0 0 0 0 Tinker -2 +3 -2 0 0 0 +3 Martian -1 +1 -1 0 -1 +1 0 Terran 0 0 +1 0 +1 0 0 DesertRunner +2 +2 +1 0 0 -1 0 ALLOWABLE CAREERS BY RACE TABLE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ROCKET JOCK WARRIOR ENGINEER ROGUE MEDIC ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Terran yes yes yes yes yes Martian yes yes yes yes yes Venusian yes yes yes yes yes Mercurian yes yes yes yes yes Tinker no no yes no yes DesertRunner yes yes yes no no STRENGTH MODIFIER TABLE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HIT BONUS DAMAGE BONUS WEIGHT* ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ 1 -5 -4 1 2 -4 -3 2 3 -3 -2 5 4 -2 -1 10 5 -2 -1 15 6 -1 0 20 7 -1 0 25 6 0 0 30 9 0 0 35 10 0 0 40 11 0 0 45 12 0 0 50 13 0 0 55 14 0 0 60 15 0 0 65 16 0 +1 70 17 +1 +1 85 18 +2 +2 110 19 +3 +4 200 20 +3 +6 300 21 +4 +8 450 22 +4 +10 600 *this is the amount of weight a character can carry without becoming encumbered. DEXTERITY MODIFIER TABLE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ REACTION RANGED COMBAT ARMOR CLASS BONUS BONUS BONUS ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ 1 +6 -6 +5 2 +4 -4 +5 3 +3 -3 +4 4 +2 -2 +3 5 +1 -1 +2 6 0 0 +1 7 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 11 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 13 0 0 0 14 0 0 0 15 0 0 -1 16 -1 +1 -2 17 -2 +2 -3 18 -2 +2 -4 19 -3 +3 -4 20 -3 +3 -4 21 -4 +4 -5 22 -4 +4 -5 CONSTITUTION MODIFIER TABLE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HITPOINT BONUS HITPOINT BONUS ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ 1 -3 12 0 2 -2 13 0 3 -2 14 0 4 -1 15 +1 5 -1 16 +2 6 -1 17 +2 (+3)* 7 0 18 +2 (+4)* 8 0 19 +2 (+5)* 9 0 20 +2 (+5)* 10 0 21 +2 (+6)* 11 0 22 +2 (+6)* *values in parenthesis () for Warriors only Rocketjock/Engineer/Rogue Level Advancement Table ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ exp level exp requirement 2 1,250 3 2,500 4 5,000 5 10,000 6 20,000 7 40,000 8 70,000 Warrior Level Advancement Table ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ exp level exp requirement 2 2,000 3 4,000 4 8,000 5 16,000 6 32,000 7 64,000 8 125,000 Medic Level Advancement Table ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ exp level exp requirement 2 1,500 3 3,000 4 6,000 5 12,000 6 24,000 7 48,000 8 96,000 Armor Class ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Type AC none 10 Spacesuit 6 Smart Suit 4 Heavy Body Armor 2 Battle Armor 0 Battle Armor w/Fields -2 WEAPON TABLE ~~~~~~~~~~~~ (S/M/L) WEAPON RANGES DAMAGE ROF ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Knife 1d3 2 Mono Knife 1d6 2 Cutlass 1d6 2 Sword 1d8 2 Polearm 1d10 2 Mono Sword 1d10 2 D.R. X-Bow 4/6/8 1d8 2 Needle Gun 6/9/12 1d3 6 Bolt Gun 8/12/16 1d4 4 Laser Pistol 16/24/32 1d8 3 Rocket Pistol 8/12/16 1d10 4 Microwave Gun 8/12/16 1d10 4 Laser Rifle 60/90/120 1d12 2 Heat Gun 3/4/6 2d6 2 Rocket Rifle 40/60/80 2d8 2 Sonic Stunner 2/3/4 save 2 Grenade 1/2/3 varies 1 Grenade Launcher6/9/12 varies 1/2 Plasma Thrower 10/15/20 4d10 1/2 Rocket Launcher 20/30/40 5d10 1/2 SKILLS TABLE ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dexterity Skills: Acrobatics Adventuring Climb Adventuring Hide in Shadows Adventuring Maneuver in 0-G Adventuring and Combat Move Silently Adventuring Pick Pocket Adventuring Pilot Rocket Adventuring and Space Combat Use Jet Pack Adventuring and Combat Drive Groundcar Unused in this game Drive Jetcar " Pilot Fixed Wing Aircraft " Pilot Rotor Wing Aircraft " Technical Skills: Bypass Security Adventuring Commo Operation Adventuring Demolitions Adventuring First Aid Adventuring and Combat Jury Rig Adventuring and Space Combat Open Lock Adventuring Repair Electrical Adventuring and Space Combat Repair Lite Support Adventuring and Space Combat Repair Mechanical Adventuring and Space Combat Repair Nuclear Engine Adventuring and Space Combat Repair Rocket Hull Adventuring and Space Combat Repair Weapon Adventuring and Space Combat Sensor Operation Adventuring Medic Skills: Diagnose Adventuring Life Suspension TechnicianUnused in this Game Treat Critical Wounds After Combat and Space Combat Treat Disease Unused in this Game Treat Light Wounds After Combat and Space Combat Treat Poisoning After Combat and Space Combat Treat Serious Wounds After Combat and Space Combat Treat Stun/Paralysis Adventuring and Combat Intelligence Skills: Astrogation Adventuring Astronomy Prerequisite Only Math Prerequisite Only Battle Tactics Adventuring and Combat Disguise Adventuring Library Search Adventuring Mimic Adventuring Navigation Adventuring Planetology Advanturing Programming Adventuring Charisma Skills: Act Adventuring Befriend Animal Adventuring Distract Adventuring Etiquette Adventuring Past Talk/Convince Adventuring Intimidate Adventuring and Combat Leadership Adventuring and Combat Sing Adventuring Wisdom Skills: Notice Adventuring Planetary Survival Adventuring Shadowing Adventuring Tracking Adventuring GLOSSARY OF GAME TERMS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ability Scores. These numbers define the basic character, The seven attributes are: Strength (STR), Dexterity (DEX), Constitution (CON), Intelligence (lNT), Wisdom (WIS), Charisma (CHR), and Tech (TCH). Armor Class (AC). This rating determines how difficult it is to hit and damage a target. The lower the AC, the more difficult the tar- get is to hit. Career. This is a character's occupation. The five career choices in Countdown to Doomsday are: Rocketjock, Warrior, Engineer, Rogue, and Medic. Character. Each member of the adventur- ing team you control is a character. Characters are sometimes referred to as Player Characters or PCs. Character Icon. Is a picture that repre- sents a character or NPC in combat. Combat, melee. This is close combat between adjacent opponents with such weapons as knives and swords. Combat, ranged. This is combat with dis- tance weapons, such as pistols, rifles, or grenades. Dice. This refers to ranges of random num- bers. A d6 for example, is a random num- ber betwen one and six, a d10 is a number between one and ten. Multiple dice repre- sent two or more random ranges added together. For example 2d10 could be a number between two and twenty ([1 to 10] +[l to 10]). Encounter. This is the name for when the team meets opponents or other beings. A menu will be displayed to show all of your options for each encounter (sometimes your only option is to fight). Experience Points (EXP). Are earned for every victory, as well as completing parts of the adventure. A character who earns enough EXP may advance in career level. Hitpolnts (HP). Are a measure of how dif- ficult a character or NPC is to kill or inca- pacitate. Initiative. This is a semi-random value, based partially on DEX, that determines when a character or NPC can act in com- bat. Higher dexterity generally allows char- acters and NPCs to act earlier in a combat. Level. As characters gain EXP, they may train and increase in career level. Gaining level gives characters more skill points, bet- ter combat ability, and more HP. Non-Player Character (NPC). This is any human or creature that an adventuring team meets. Some NPCs will attack imme- diately. some will talk first, while others will actually aid the party. Player Character (PC). This term describes all members of your adventuring team. Player Race. This is any of the species that a PC can be. The player races are: Terran, Martian, Venusian, Mercurian, Tinker, Desert Runner. Roll. This is the term used for when the computer generates a random number. For example, the computer "rolls" a d20 to determine hit during combat. Skill. The ability to do something. or oper- ate something. One useful skill is Maneuver in Zero-G, which is the ability to function in a gravity-free environment. The numerical value of a skill represents a percentage chance of success for a character. Skill, Career. These skills are key for a given career. Skill, General. These are useful skills not associated specifically with a character's career. Skill Check. This is a check against a char- acter's skill number. A character with a skill of 75 has a 75% chance of success on a skill check for an action of average difficulty. Team. This is the group of PCs you assem- ble for the adventure. Team members can be added to or removed from the group during the adventure. THAC0 (To Hit Armor Class 0). This number is an indication of an attacker's combat ability. An attacker must roll his THAC0 or greater to hit an opponent with AC 0. End.