Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The Game
The Game
INTRODUCTION
Humans suffer from peculiarly self-centered notions as to the nature of life. We assume out of hand that other life forms must somehow
conform to our comfortable standards of logic and morality. This, of course, is absurd.
Our human "morality" is a thin tissue of arbitrary principle, easily ignored when expedient. Why should we expect more from alien life
forms than we expect from ourselves?
THE GAME:
“Alien: FUZION” is a Role Playing Game using the FUZION rules created by R. Talsorian Games and Hero Games. It is not a hack /
slash gunfest like other adaptations. This one attempts to make a detailed setting where the characters can have many adventures that not
even have to include the name species of the series.
The FUZION game system can be downloaded in its entirety from the FUZION home page but you will need the PDF viewer. Go to the
Waystation from this site to go to those locations. I do recommend all of R. Talsorian Games because of their immense detail in their setting
and artwork (eww…I feel so dirty). Seriously, I wouldn't choose this format if it wasn't the best.
RESOURCES
It is my intent to create an extremely detailed game system / universe based on the Alien movie series. However, upon constructing the
outline, I asked myself one question: Who the hell owns this story? Technically, the origin comes from Dan O’Bannon and adapted by
Ronald Shusset. The franchise is owned by Twentieth Century Fox but the original Alien was created by HR Giger. Who is to say what is
official and what is not? Dark Horse has made most of the detail in the last few years. And what of Lee-Brimmicombe-Wood, the writer of
many books including the often ripped off USCM Tech Manual? The problem is, the consensus seems to point to several sources as being
official when there is no legal binding for that to be true. Legally, the only truly official media are the four movies.
It is surprising to note than the famous USCM TM is not official. In fact, it was only until this book came out that Colonial Marines were
identified as being from United States when in the Leading Edge Games and in the second film, they are identified only as the CMC
(Colonial Marine Corps). So…I have deiced to use all the specific information presented in all media. However, some things might surprise
you being included and not.
MOVIES: Everything that could be named is present. Most of the information from the USCM Tech Manual appears. And Yes, Alien 3 is
included. Alien Resurrection is present as a plug-in (see later)
THE NOVELS: Most of the published material is actually adapted from the Dark Horse Comics. I have not read enough of them to use
them.
DARK HORSE: The major addition, what sets this conversion from he rest, is the inclusion of Dark Horse material. The following
publications were utilized: Outbreak, Nightmare Asylum, Earth War/Female War, DHP Aliens, Genocide, Hive, Rogue, Labyrinth, Music of
the Spears, Stronghold, Beserker, Colonial Marines, Alchemy, Salvation, Kidnapped, Pig and everything else that comes along the way...
UNITED STATES COLONIAL MARINE TECHNICAL MANUAL: A major resource but the with the big change is that I do not
consider it the bible. You will notice that I do not enforce their name. Refer to the chapter on them for more information.
ALIENS RPG: I finally acquired it. It wasn't as usefull as I had hoped but I at least got some insight.
INTERNET: A large chunk of information comes from people who fill in the missing pieces but I only refer to respectable sources for this
info. Translation: I took text from other sources instead of typing it out myself.
TOY LINE: I decided against using these because…well…most are somewhat immature.
COLLECTOR CARD GAME: I don't have all the cards, but I have a lot, and I promptly took advantage of it all.
ALIENS ADVENTURE PC-CDROM: The computer game was written by Dark Horse but it really isn't a very good game. Besides that,
there is not much info continued within it. It has been avoided.
ORIGINAL: Some material is from yours truly but there are names or descriptions for items or places already created for the series. Like
the Combat Buggies in Aliens: Colonial Marines. They don't have a name but they are centrepoint in the last issue, so I decided to add them.
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The Alien mythos traverses generations and hundreds of Light years. Unfortunately, some of these collide. If every single technology
came crashing together, why would the PCs bother walking around with M41A Pulse Rifles when they could all have Full power armor. So,
in my ONLY real inspiration, I separated the story and technology in six levels.
CLs are only used by the GM to denote the setting at the beginning of the game. This really just reveals what is available in the setting at
this point. The prime reason for the Conspiracy Levels are for what impact the corporations have, how much power the USCM have, but
mostly, how many Aliens are out there. This is a simple guide and they can be broken up at any time. The course of events can either be
descending or ascending. You can start with the Alien War (like the Dark Horse Comics) or reverse them like I did for a course of events
that fits in with the Film series. The GM, before hand, should organize the CLs as he sees fit. I suggest simply following the course from 1
to 6. Therefore, the PCs can progress through the CLs for a very fulfilling gaming experience. CL is only used in further chapters for story
development. (EG: Grant Corp needs Royal Jelly at CL 3 but operates its own hives in CL 4).
TECH LEVELS
Tech levels should be enforced. They introduce technology in a step-by-step basis. It is recommended that you follow them with the
appropriate Conspiracy Level but exceptions can be made. Earth War, for example, is CL5 and TL1. However, it is not recommended that
you flip then (CL1, TL5) since that gives the PCs a severe advantage. The GM should start with a low TL and work his way up as the game
progresses. It isn't that much fun when the PCs get everything at the start. TLs are used frequently to denote when technology is introduced
and when a GM should and shouldn't use them. If a game uses TL2, you can leak TL3 technology on occasion but introducing an Anti-Alien
Combat Synthetic or a Beserker suit may be unwise.
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It is vital that you have the FUZION rules from RTG. You can purchase one of their game systems for the full rules. You can then
implement the special rules those games suggest. The best example is the Votoms RPG which has a really cool mecha construction system if
you want to make power armor in the game (something I only touch on). I use a d6 system for FUZION but d10 is easy to convert. I tried to
make the game as independent as possible. You can grab and print the pics for visual references. For GMs, nothing beats the Dark Horse
comics for some great story idea. You shouldn't need anything else!
Alien FUZION is not designed to be a blood/violence/gore-fest although it can be. I designed the game to offer several different themes.
It can be total war or a more subtle X-File-ish type conspiracy story. The scale of damage and weapons might surprise you. I tried to be as
realistic as possible. There are no mecha or huge vehicles so I apologize that you think a dropship should take more than 4 kills before
getting wasted. I tried to be realistic.
And as for the popular 2020 conversion on the web. I think it is great, but it approaches it from an entirely different angle. If you just
want a totally war, there isn't much more offered here except for a lot more weapons and the inclusion of the vehicles I am offering an actual
full long-term game where a group can grow and experience a long story and be active e participants on the mythology. The scale is also
different. Aliens are less powerful.
With that….ENJOY!!!
RULE MODIFICATIONS
There aren't very many, I have just added on the existing FUZION rules to increase game enjoyment. Other rules are just to make my life
easier and to seal up holes in my own conversion. A lot of these rules might not make sense unless you read what they pertain to.
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TURRETS:
The MV penalty to spacecraft and vehicles effect all shooting and dodging. Thankfully, we have turrets. All weapons on turrets always
add +3 to their existing WA to hit.
FTL DRIVES
The FTL is no longer an escape route in combat.)
The Star Map has distances for each jump. The number given in ship's FTL range is the maximum range the FTL drive can go in a
single jump. When the range is used up, the ship must drop to sublight and recharge its jump drives. This delay is what makes travel time so
long. The FTL speed is how fast the ship goes when jumping. However, before and between jumps, a ship reduces it to low power and must
move on sublight as it charges the drive. Unfortunately, drive recharge rates are high. A ship that jumps from system to system is cheap and
easy but long trips require these charges. A fully stocked spaceport can charge a drive at 2 ly per day. A major military base, however, can
charge a ship at 2 ly per six hours. In the deep and dark of space, a ship can charge its own drive to full capacity in one week. This is a good
lesson to those who run out of gas on the road.
Note: All systems on a ship must be shutdown for the FTL capacitors to recharge. The FTL drive requires so much energy, it must slave
every joule from the reactor to fill it up. As a result, the crew must be in cryosleep since this action includes shutting down ALL life support
and defensive systems. Any interruption stops the recharge and diverts the energy back to their individual systems (like if the ship is
suddenly attacked). If, somehow, something is taking any energy from the capacitors, the recharge time is extended substantially. Keeping
the life support on, for example, would result in the recharge time being extended by a factor of 10. So no one stays up.
Rolling Astrogation is easy for jumps to colonized planets if the ship’s computer is working (DV10). The computer requires two hour to
calculate the jump and another to initiate the engine. A human calculating the jump will take one hour per DV +1 to initiate the
engine…Obviously, Jump drives are black-box technology and not meant to be delved into too intricately. As a result, and since jumps
cannot be done in a heavy gravity environments, jumping out of a combat arena is not possible. ANY impact on the vessel automatically
shuts down the FTL drive since the course has to be re-plotted.
DV MODIFICATIONS:
If the computer isn’t working: +3
Random cosmic phenomenon: +3-5
To an uncharted system: +5
Into deep space: +2
Precision jumps: +3-10 depending how close the ships want to jump to.
A failed roll is the GMs discretion. A ship can fry is generator, forcing the ship to recharge from scratch to dropping the ship up to twice
its jump range in another direction. A failed roll should never result in death.
Guided Missiles can fire initially with their own skill. However, it must be "locked-on" before firing. Locking on takes one round of the
target being in the weapon's range. The next round allows firing. If the weapon is dumb-fired by the user without locking-on, the missile has
a 50% chance of not locking on at all. Even if the user is using his/her skill, they should allow a lock before firing to ensure a second pass is
a miss occurs.
The skill of the weapon and its number of possible additional attacks depend on each weapon. "Unique" weapons (see Weapons) cannot
be dumbfired and must "lock-on" or else they will almost always miss (-8 to hit). The Missile MUST then use its skill or else still have the -
8 penalty.
If one missile locks on, they all lock-on so any number of missiles in that hardpoint (up to half its capacity--see below) can fire with a
lock.
Automatic weapons are considered unlimited in the time that they can operate. They can be programmed to fire at anything (Heat,
improper PDTs, Movement) and have a base skill to hit. They can never use someone else's skill. They only use their own.
HARDPOINT ROF
A weapon with a set ROF (Like Railcannons and Lasers) keep that ROF but Missiles don't have that. For Spacecraft, the missiles can be
loaded over multiple hardpoints or filled with only a half capacity of weapons. Generically, the ROF of a missile pack is selectable with any
number but not more than half the capacity of the hardpoint (something from Mekton I borrowed).
SHIP FIRING:
A pilot can fire any number of weapons when he pulls the trigger. He can link any of his weapons up with his trigger. The Weapon's
Officer on a spacecraft can do the same. The only exceptions are turrets, which can be automated but never linked together. One roll is
made for the linked weapons but the damage and hit locations are done separately. An UD-4 Cheyenne Dropship pilot can fire both 150mm
missile packs on each of his Hardpoints and make one roll for each salvo coming from the Hardpoints.
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The weapons must be of the same type. A Pilot or Gunner can switch weapons instantly without a sacrifice in time. Remember: Guided
weapons need a round to aim.
DECOY BALLUTES
Large Spacecraft can deploy these to confound sensors. For simplicity sakes, the rules are the same as the Shadow Imagery in the Mekton
Z rules. A ship can deploy half is ballutes in one round.
If the roll to hit still strikes, then damage is done directly to the craft.
If it fails to strike even the unmodified dodge, the weapon goes wide.
If the roll fall between the unmodified dodge and the modified dodge, then a Ballute is hit and instantly destroyed (each has a capacity of
1k). The Dodge bonus is dropped by one because one ballute has been eliminated.
MANEUVERING DRONES
These Drones only operate in space. They work similar to Decoy Ballutes but actively seek out weapons. They can be deployed one at a
time. They don't usually let themselves be hit. They have a base skill of 10 to hit and dodge and are simply armed with a basic laser (0.25K)
which is designed to only take out missiles. See Anti-Missile fire below. Each Drone can fire once to one missile per round. Two drones
can take shots at one missile.
MINEFIELDS
Minefields in space operate like their ground counterparts. If a ship comes within 500 m, the Mine will home in and detonate with a base
skill of 8. Connected fields cannot be navigated through. If hit, the mine strikes directly and the ones connected to the detonated one, close
in around the ship for the kill.
ANTI-MISSILES:
Missiles take time to reach their target, especially in the vast distances of space. Any missile can be targeted. Since missile fire in
FUZION is assumed to be instant, anyone with an anti-missile weapon can make a free attack on that incoming warhead. Some of these
weapons are already automatic so the pilot never has to worry. Some are done by turret gunners. The difficulty to hit an incoming missile is
15. Only one weapon can fire on one missile. Two laser turrets can attempt to fire on two missiles.
The TSAM missiles on the UD4 are an exception. They fire instantly like a chaff or a flare. The pilot can launch as many as he has
missiles to any number of missiles coming to a maximum of the number fired. Anti-Missile weapons with an ROF can spread their fire over
multiple incoming missiles.
REPAIRING SHIPS:
The standard difficulty for repairing ships is 22 to finish the repair in one hour (unless reconstructing an engine, then it is one day). That
may seem high but how many engineers do you know can patch a fusion core in one hour with no tools. This number varies radically.
MODIFIERS DV
…With every additional hour spent on the repair* -1
…With Advanced Tool Kit -1
…With Mechanics Tool Kit -2
…With each additional Technician assisting** -1
…With each Engineer assisting*** -2
…With each non-skilled help assisting -1
…For every kill inflicted beyond 0 defenses**** +2
…With every successful previous roll***** -1
bonus then.
***With at least a +3 Engineering skill or Electronics for an Electronics roll. Can work indipendantly and roll indiependantly but offers no
bonus then.
****For rolls required on combat damage.
*****For damage needing compounding rolls. Cannot offer more than a -5 bonus.
RESULTS
ARMOR PATCHING: Every successful roll will patch one kill of structure or armor. Please note, this material must come from
somewhere. All Spacecraft have enough spare materials for HALF their structure and armor. Anything beyond that must be taken from
somewhere, whether is be from vehicles or other aerospace craft or whatever.
ELECTRONICS: A succesfull roll will activate or repair the electronics system. The GM has descretion as to how long it will take for
the system to “Warm Up.” Sensors fall into this category.
WEAPON REPAIR: The repair time depends on the complexity of the weapon. Each sucessful roll will recover 1000 meters of range
and 1k DC of damage. Of course, most ships have massive ranges so a huge weapon like the Particle Beam will take up to two weeks of
repair without a drydock. Think about it…that is a huge weapon. It stretches almost 50 meters in length. Usually, several Engineers can
work indipendantly to restore at a quicker rate instead of teaming up. Only when the gun is totally restored, will it work again. If absolutely
needed, if the DC the weapon inflicts is restored but the range is still crippled, an Engineer or team may attempt to splice the weapon into
working. A DV of 22 is required (with no bonuses for previous successes) to patch the weapon. A success will allow the weapon to fire
with its current range. An hour must be spent removing the patch before repairs can start again. Weapons that have ammunition loose it all
and, unless the ship carries extra ammo in a cargo slot, is useless unless reloads can be found. A weapon considered “damaged” (see below)
will be repaired in one hour after a single repair check.
PROPULSION / DRIVE: A success…
Vehicle Drive…will recover 10 kmph per hour of work done. If it is destroyed, at least a full day must be spent to reconstruct the engine
for every 20 kmph of the Max Speed. If “vaporized”, reconstruction is not possible.
Atmospheric / Orbital Engines… will recover 10 MOVE and 1 ORBIT (if it has an ORBIT) per hour of work done. If it is destroyed, at
least a full day must be spent to reconstruct the engine for every 10 MOVE/1 ORBIT of the Max Speed. This time increases by…
… ½ day for ships from 5 000 – 20 000 tonnes
…1 day for ships from 20 000 – 40 000 tonnes
…1 ½ days for ships from 40 – 60 000 tonnes
…2 days for ships from 60 000 – 80 000 tonnes
…3 days for ships 80 000 tonnes and above.
A ship’s Mach rating is only restored when the engine is fully functioning. Engineers really don’t like pilots pushing a ship into Mach
with a patched engine…it just might explode. If MOVE or ORBIT is restored before the other, repairs must continue until completed. If
“vaporized”, reconstruction is not possible. A reconstructed engine will not operate until half its speed at least is restored. After that, it must
still be reconstructed until completion
FTL Drive…will recover one LY per hour of work done. If destroyed, reconstruction is possible but a full day must be spent per 1 LY of
the engine’s capacity. This time increases by six hours per 10 000 tonnes of the ship’s mass (obviously this only applies to Dreadnaughts).
After that, the engine still must charge up. If “vaporized”, reconstruction is not possible. A reconstructed engine will not operate until half
its range at least is restored. After that, it must still be reconstructed until completion.
NOTE: Any fuel lost as a result is still lost…
Example: Lets take a Conestoga. It just been shot and its Orbital engine was destroyed. The team consists of one Engineer and three
techs. Being a Conestoga, it has a fully stocked repair bay. To get that engine moving again requires 15 days at 16 DV the three days with a
–1 each additional three days. The Conesotoga weighs 78 000 tonnes, meaning instead of one day per repair job, it requires 3 days. As for
the DV: DV 22 – 1 (Tool Kit) – 2 (Mechanics Kit) – 3 (three Technicians assisting). The ship only moves at an ORBIT of 5.
INFLICTING DAMAGE:
Ships and vehicles reduced to zero are not destroyed. Oh no…they cannot fire or move, but the ship is not destroyed…restoration is
possible. Batteries still run gravity and life support. With a clever Engineering role, he might even get a non-energy weapons functioning.
What follows are a series of tables for damage to vehicles and spacecraft. Once any craft or vehicle is reduced to below twice its total
capacity, the craft or vehicle breaks in two. Crewmembers have 75% chance of dodging a DC8 hit at a DV of 17. 1D6 Cargo bays gutted.
All engines and weapons destroyed. Aerospace craft in an atmospheric crumble. Spacecraft will disintegrate in 1d6 minutes.
Tables are rolled on whenever armor on vehicles or craft are punctured. If the damage is not applicable (cargo bay gutted on an APC), no
damage is applied. The requirements are listed below. You first must know what class of vehicle/craft it is.
DAMAGE TABLES
LIGHT DAMAGE: Roll once every time a…
Medium Body loses 1 kill of BODY
Heavy Body loses 2 kills of BODY
Massive Body loses 5 kills of BODY
3 – 5 No additional effects
6 – 7 Ship / craft shaken. –1 to all piloting and gunnery rolls for 1d6 rounds.
8 – 9 Sensors damaged. SR cut in half.
10 –
Random light weapon (DC 4 and under) damaged. Will only fire on a roll on a 4+ on a D6.
13
14 –
Drive engine damaged. MOVE / ORBIT / Max Speed reduced by 30%.
15
16 –
Random heavy weapon (over DC 4) damaged. Will only fire on a roll on a 4+ on a D6.
17
18 Roll on the next damage table.
3 – 4 No additional effects.
5 – 6 Ship / craft shaken. –3 to all pilot and gunnery rolls for 1d6 rounds.
7 – 8 Fuel Leak. One fuel cell wasted. Lose 10% of remaining fuel mass (if fuel is present).
9–
Random light weapon (DC 4 and under) damaged. Will only fire on a roll of 5+ on a D6.
10
11 –
Internal Shrapnel. Every crewmember has 30% chance of dodging a DC5 hit at a DV of 15.
13
14 –
Drive engine damaged. MOVE / ORBIT / Max Speed reduced by 50%.
15
16 –
Random heavy weapon (over DC 4) damaged. Will only fire on a roll on a 5+ on a D6.
17
18 Roll on the next damage table.
3 No additional effects.
4 – 5 Locked systems. Craft / Vehicle can do nothing for 1d6 rounds. Aircraft should pray.
6 – 7 Major fuel leak. Several fuel cells wasted. Loses 50% of remaining fuel mass (if present).
8 – 9 Random light weapon (4 DC and under) destroyed.
10 –
Communications Cut. Electronics roll required to restore.
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12 –
Hull Breach! 1 room decompresses. Crewmembers have 50% chance of dodging a DC5 hit at a DV of 15.
13
14 –
Random heavy weapon (over DC 4) destroyed.
15
16 Drive engine Destroyed. Eject!! Reconstruction or replacement required.
17 Random cargo bay (if present) gutted and destroyed.
18 OH NO! Critical Damage. Roll on the table below…
5 – 6 Artaficial Gravity Systems Destroyed. All crew members are in free fall.
7 – 8 Life Support Systems destroyed. Temperature will drop 5 degrees every hour. Air supply will run out in 1d6 hours.
9–
Major Hull Breach. 1d6 rooms decompresses. Crewmembers have 60% chance of dodging a DC6 hit at a DV of 16.
10
12 –
Random heavy weapon (over DC 4) vaporized.
13
14 –
Specific Damage. Tail / turret blown off, 1 Drop / Craft slot gutted, or 1d6 Cargo slots gutted.
15
16 –
Drive engine or FTL vaporized . Eject!!
17
Craft / Vehicle breaks in two. Crewmembers have 75% chance of dodging a DC8 hit at a DV of 17. 1d6 Cargo bays gutted. All
18
engines and weapons destroyed. Atmospheric craft crumble. Spacecraft will disinetrate in 1d6 minutes.
ADDITIONAL RULES:
HEAD: Any HITS on the head that penetrates armor deal DOUBLE DAMAGE. The skull is a wonderful thing with some very think
bone there. It receives an automatic 1 PD of armor, non removable.
ARM: A Character is assumed to NOT be ambidextrous. However, to side in the Player’s favor, every time an arm is struck with HIT
damage, it is always the OTHER arm.
LEG: Even if crumpled, the Character can still crawl at STR = Meters per minute.
GENERIC: Any Hit to any location that deals more than 5 HITS penetrating damage in one strike causes a MAJOR wound. This results
in 1 additional HIT being inflicted every minute until at least rudimentary treated. This removal may continue all the way to Death.
There are two types of combat, quick and slow. For quick combat, use only basic modifiers. Forget about range and just worry about
dodging and shooting. Slow combat feels like the slow-motion sequences from The Matrix. Every move is strategically set
up…choreography is key. Combat will take longer but may feel more fulfilling.
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BASIC MODIFIERS
TO HIT NUMBERS
To hit a target not dodging (per range): Point Blank / Melee (<1 m)…… 4
Close (1/4 range)… … 8
Medium (1/2 range)… … 12
Long (full range)… … … 16
Extreme (every 50m past long)… additional +2
AUTOFIRE WEAPONS:
The FUZION rules are incorrect regarding Rate of Fire. Here are the changes:
FIRING BURST: Light, Medium, and Heavy firepower can fire a quick 3 round burst. No bonus and if they hit, 1d6/2 bullets strike
(round down).
AUTOFIRE (ROF): Only with Light, Medium, and Heavy firepower weapons with an ROF more than 1. The difference between the
defender’s roll and the attacker’s roll is how many bullets hit. The number of bullets of fired effect the weapon accuracy. The Player must
tell the GM how many rounds the PC is firing before rolling. The Player chooses a ROF up to the maximum ROF. A +1 WA is added for
every 10 shots fired. Because of the advance in technology, there is little recoil. But there is still some kickback and if the weapon fires
more than one-third of its total ROF for more than one combat phase a –1 penalty is incurred on the second round and increases every round
after. Also don’t forget massive ammo loss. Remember, changing clips takes one action.
AIMING WITH AUTOFIRE: If you aim at a specific body / vehicle location, only the first shot hits that location, the additional damage
from the other hits are to taken to the main hull / body.
FIRING OVER MULTIPLE TARGETS: If you wish to spray multiple targets, several factors must be considered: How many shots are
fired and how far apart the targets are from each other. The player must first determine how many shots are fired and calculate the ROF
bonus (40 shots = +4). Next the player must determine how many targets he/she is firing at. Then the GM must denote how far apart these
targets are. The player may ask how far apart these possible targets are before firing to weigh the risks. Simply put, for firing at more than
one target, the number of targets = the penalty to fire for each of them. Four targets would be –4 to hit all of them and so forth. To counter
this penalty, the player may burst 40 shots at a +4 for the ROF bonus but that wastes ammunition, may lead to recoil problems, and only ten
bullets can strike each target (shots fired / number of targets). Then there is target distance. After striking, determine how many additional
shots hit. However, for every meter the last target is from the previous target, remove one bullet (one DC). You can never loose all your
shots. If you score a hit, the first shot WILL hit. This rule only means you wasted the other bullets strafing the gun towards the new target.
HISTORY
NOTE: Whatever CL the GM decided to endorse, read until it is shown, then STOP there. Reading past that may lessen enjoyment.
The closing years of the 20th Century saw a fading of the great Nations and a rapid increase in the power and influence of multi-national
Corporations. These Corporations were not restricted to a single field; their interests were vast, covering all aspects of industry and
economics, as they diversified into every field that held profit. They were also not defined by country, society, or ideology. In industry, in
business, and in the media, the multi-nationals became more powerful and more visible.
The first planet to have a scientific colony on it was Mars. The moon followed thereafter. Needless to say, Earth's space exploration was
not united; many different countries have established colonies in space. The major colonizers are: The United Americas (USA, Canada, parts
of South America), China, Japan, The European Federation and Russia. Though rare, conflicts have occurred between countries in space. The
most significant cases are between the UA and China, because of the differences in government between these two powers; diplomatic unrest
has occasionally turned into war. China is believed to back the notorious PRA, a communist extremist group that has been responsible for
numerous communist takeovers.
As the corporations grew, they wove together the economic interests of the Nations of the world, and the specter of large-scale warfare
was reduced. With head-to-head warfare economically unacceptable, the advanced states settled for venting their hostilities and waging wars
in Third World nations.
This trend continued through the following decades, as the corporations prospered and the interdependence of the major Nations of Earth
grew. Tensions did not end, but were kept under control and released in ways that did not damage anyone’s ability to make money. Thus
humanity entered the age of Space in an atmosphere of controlled tension but not outright war.
The Age of Space came in the wake of two tremendous technological breakthroughs. The first was the reactionless Displacement drive,
which allowed Humanity to travel quickly and cheaply within the Solar System. The Jump Drive soon followed, expanding on the principles
behind the Displacement Drive and taking Humanity out into the stars. As technologies were perfected, exploration craft went out from
Earth.
The search for minerals and other raw materials was only a secondary goal of the explorers; those things were available within the Solar
System itself, in amounts that would keep humanity supplied for many years. The most important things the stars held were knowledge, the
potential of new habitable planets to ease the population pressures of Earth, and the opportunity to study new life forms.
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The greatest value for the corporations lay in the life forms. Each world is like a gigantic laboratory, where the forces of nature have
experimented on for billion of years. The creatures produced in those laboratories, and the complex chemicals contained within them,
possess abilities far beyond those available to Humanity. Many of these abilities are nearly miraculous.
The expansion into Space had been a slow progress, since useful systems were rare and the effort involved in establishing colonies was
great. Still, at least six Earth-like worlds have been found, and dozens more that are at least habitable. On other worlds, the process of
terraforming is underway, as hostile environments are slowly changed into places where Humans can live.
On every habitable world, colonies have been established. They have expanded at varying rates, depending on the corporate support they
have received and the qualities of the worlds. Shiploads of people and equipment are sent to each Colony, and eventually the colonies begin
to send items of value back to the rest of Humanity; unusual life forms and mineral combination, the product of local industries, and after a
generation, skilled workers.
These skilled workers are part of the rapidly growing populations of the colonies, and the corporations have developed many techniques
for managing them successfully. Colonists have developed many techniques for making them successfully. Colonists are taught to live
active, disciplined lives, to maximize their economic value and reduce the risks of living in the colonies. Good educations are available for
those who are not. By contrast, the disorganized state of the population of Earth means that there are relatively fewer people who are well
disciplined and well-educated, as the quality of life diminished on Earth. The value of trained, energetic, and obedient workers from the
colonies increase.
In addition to the above aspects of corporate life, a major part of each corporation’s management approach has been the establishment of a
corporate military force. These forces are not large, but they are well trained, and have the best equipment their Corporation can afford.
With Colonies on many worlds, the power and influence of the Corporations rose rapidly. As they became more powerful, they became
more of a threat to the Nations of Earth. The situation was a very delicate one; the nations had far larger armies, but the Corporation
controlled space and vital high technology. The same economic interdependence, which prevented war among the Nations now, prevented
the Nations from harming the Corporations.
Tensions between the increasingly wealthy Corporates and the Governments of Earth increased. The governments felt threatened. They
saw the fabric of society changing and thought they might not be a part of the future of humanity. Every political weapon was used,
including diplomacy, bribery, blackmail, and economic pressure. Separatist movements were created to destabilize Nations, which
responded by seeing corporate property. Finally, one small crisis got out of control and erupted into warfare. Dozens of other small wars
began within weeks, and the Earth spun into chaos. Fortunately, the wars remained limited; few nuclear or biological weapons were used.
The wars lasted for five years. The war concluded with the formation of a joint council to oversee the affairs of both Corp and
government for the betterment of humanity. Out of violence came the Interstellar Commerce Commission (ICC), a coalition of Corporation
and Nations which united Humanity. This organization was in charge or regulating activities among its members, and the Colonial Marine
Corps was created as its military arm under the charter that they did not have to answer to any single corporation. The wars had taught
everyone that it would be valuable to have some sort of “police force” to discourage them from using violence to solve their problems.
Throughout the wars, the colonies strongly supported the Corporations. They wanted to remain free from the nations, and many believed
they would receive status as independent entities with increased control over their own affairs. When the ICC was formed, it became clear
this would not be the case; the Colonies were treated as corporate property. Another cycle of hostility, tension, and intense diplomacy began,
an eventually several Colonies rebelled. The Colonial Marine Corps, supported by corporate forces was given the job of bringing the rebels
back under control.
The cause of the Colonies was in danger from the beginning. The tremendous financial and military resources available to the ICC meant
that their losses could be quickly replaced, while the colonies were very weak in technology, industry, and population. One by one, the
Colonies were defeated militarily and economically. There are still underground rebel movements on most Colonies, but they pose little
threat to the ICC at present.
The colonies, having supported the Corps in the war, thought they would win more independence from external rule. The creation of the
ICC confirmed society's view that the colonies were nothing more than Corporate property. Many colonies rebelled. They were always going
to lose. The ICC, Corporate forces and the CMC waged economic and military warfare and overpowered all but one corner of resistance.
The rebel system of Alexandria sealed itself off from the rest of humanity. Soon after, the Union of Progressive People formed from several
rim colonies and set up a military border. Their size is small but fortified. Attempts to retake their territory proved fruitless. Alexandria
acknowledges the UPPs independence but the ICC does not.
The Colonial Marine Corps was created at the same time as the ICC. The intent was that the Colonial Marines, funded by coalition of all
the space-going Nations, would be an independent force that would resolve disputes among the Nations and Corporation, and keep the peace
in the Colonies as well. Each nation had its own portion of the force made up of its own citizens, but they shared equipment, training, and
doctrine. They were led by the Colonial Marine Corps High Command, which included representatives from several nations.
Most of the power belongs to the Corporations, however, and the Nations have little influence among the stars. Their only tool is the
Colonial Marine Corps, and its power is dwindling. Every year, the Colonial Marines fall a little further behind in technology; their weapons
are not upgraded, their supplies and other equipment fail to incorporate the latest improvements, and their ships are faced with the improved
designs available to the Corporations.
The shortage of personnel is also a growing a problem for the Colonial Marines. They have not replaced the losses suffered during the
wars against the rebel colonies, and the additional drain imposed by the current turmoil has made the problem even worse. For the Colonial
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Marines, the loss of a single Strike Team can mean that large areas will remain un-patrolled and unmonitored for months or even years. It
wasn’t until later, from secret grants from corporations which believed the ICC to be corrupt, did they manage to compete again.
2122 - First contact with Aliens creatures on LV-426. The freighter "Nostromo" made landfall on the planet, one of the crew members
was infected and subsequently the crew and the ship was destroyed by the drone that emerged. Sole survivor, Ellen Ripley, escaped in a
Capsule, the "Narcissus" and floated homewards towards Earth (we assume).
Between 2155 and 2160 - Colony set up on LV-426, which was subsequently known as "Acheron." Due to a sheltering mountain range
and the dire meteorological conditions, the colonists failed to find the "Jockey ship."
2179 - The Narcissus was found floating by a remote mining vessel with Ellen Ripley on board. She was brought back to gateway station
in orbit around Earth where it was learned that she was been in hypersleep for 57 years. Her story was not believed by the ICC and she was
stripped of her rank and duties. One corporate executive, Carter Burke, believed enough of the story to ask the colonist on LV-426
"Acheron" to go and have a look at the grid references provided by Ripley. Earth subsequently lost contact with the colony.
Burke, Ripley and a strike team of Colonial Marines made their way to Acheron and had a bad time of it all. The survivors; Ripley,
Rebecca "Newt" Jordon, Corporal Dwight Hicks and a synthetic Bishop headed back towards earth in their vessel the Sulaco.
2179 or 2180 - The Sulaco had some of the Alien eggs left on board (Ripley apparently failed to check before she went into hypersleep)
and the emerging face-huggers caused an electrical fire on the Sulaco which then jettisoned the sleep capsules in an escape pod. The pod
found its way to the nearest inhabited planet "Fiorina 161 - Fury" a corporate penal colony.
Newt and Hicks failed to survive the landing and Bishop was scrapped carelessly by the inmates. Ripley found she was carrying an
Alien queen inside her, lost more people to yet another drone that infected a local dog and ended up arguing the loss with a corporate bigwig
who resembled her beloved Bishop. She threw herself into a boiling vat of molten lead
In 2185, the CMC secretly funded its own group to investigate the reports concealed from them events on LV-426, or Acheron. The
organization goes without a name and doesn’t officially exist. Not even Weyland-Yutani knew of their existence. The group was ordered to
investigate the reports on the rim and return in a year with a full report.
The report returned was alarming. The aliens somehow, were not exclusive to LV-426. It was very possible they either escaped or there
was another source the infestation was originating from. That location had yet to be found. Colonies had vanished and several life
specimens had been examined. Life specimens had yet to survive to reach a major laboratory. After the devastating fall of the Anchorpoint
station on the UPP border, the CMC realized it had a major problem. The sub-division of the CMC was given a name (the Silver Twin) and
sent back with an arsenal. No longer were they to retrieve information. Now they were to control the problem. Backlash was felt from the
Corporations but CMC’s newfound independence with rival corporates kept their power base stable. The CMC even managed to recover the
lost Sulaco and finally managed to settle a party on LV-426, quarantined from the critical processor disaster years earlier. The Alien craft
there was destroyed to prevent the technology from being recovered by approaching UPP forces.
Several groups like Grant Corp funded research in the alien technology and even funded a trip to the Alien Proteus, a planet with the
largest infestation and which could also be, the homeworld. (Alien: Genocide) Research into the alien’s physiology uncovered a “royal
jelly” secreted by queens that can turn humans into supermen, athletes, or homicidal warriors! Billionaire Daniel Grant wanted to get his
hands on the purest form of the jelly, and headed a military expectation to this distant world inhabited by not one, but two separate hives,
each at war with the other. Armed to the teeth with specially designed alien-killing battlesuits and ready for anything, even these well trained
marines ended up getting caught in a barrage of blood and tactical nukes!
To counteract the alien threat, several rival labs were set up to investigate their capabilities. Most are shut down by the ST because of bad
conduct. One such incident was on the Inomminata run by Dr. Paul Church. His desire to understand and conquer the aliens was fueled by
his own nightmare from long ago, during which he was trapped in an alien hive where the drones and queen were slowly rotting from an
unknown disease that kept them from reproducing. He uncovered new information about the aliens (they die in captivity), and we witnessed
the first alien autopsy. Unfortunately, it is uncovered he crossed the line in his experiments, and the future of his research was brought into
question. (Alien-Labrynth)
Not learning from their mistakes, another corporation attempted to open a laboratory on a planet with a known hive, thus not worrying
about stock for experiments. This time, the real monsters are the humans, especially project leader Ernst Kleist, who ignored the extreme
greed that ran through his staff. He concentrated on taming his “children”--the swarm of aliens that infested the bowels of the installation.
But even as the body count rose and more and more people became victims of “accidents” in the bug-ridden lab, Kleist revealed a threat that
will force every sentient being in the place, synthetic or note, to stand together: A king alien! And this monster was more twisted, lethal and
voracious than any other xenomorph ever encountered
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The Silver Twin do benefit and are soon the only force against the infestation and start clearing out one hive after another, having more
and more technology at their disposal.
They realize that the aliens cannot be controlled and start shutting down all but the most needed of alien labs. Even some of the ones
deemed controlled, like the station run by Casper Nordling turns do dust when corruption is revealed. Not even a super advanced station
crewed only by synthetics (including the high priced alien-xenomorph synth and the anti-alien combat synth) with a sealed, self-enclosed
hive could be controlled.
The ST charter expands to complete extermination. Soon the CMC sub-division is directly opposing the corporations and their funding is
cut. This doesn’t stop their progress. They soon became the powerful anti-alien force around. Help from the UPP and Alexandria pushed
back the infestation…but in the future, man’s greatest enemy is still himself.
Years after the initial encounter on LV-426, the population of Earth was plagued by nightmares, dreams and visions of the arrival of
aliens on Earth. Stranger still, there were many people who wanted the aliens to arrive, and who formed a religious cult, sacrificing
themselves as willing hosts to the facehuggers. The Earth was soon overrun with hives. Mankind witnessed a dying Earth, only to discover
a third alien species: The advanced race that first brought the aliens to our Galaxy.
Earth was now utterly overrun with the bugs. A small band of survivors hid and hoped from help from above…in the skies. The fight
continued. Gateway station soon became the home of the resistance. Most corporations crumbled. The CMC stood in the way of mankind’s
extinction and soon led a daring strike against the aliens from the orbiting platform, armed with information garnered from an envoy to the
home planet of the aliens. Earth’s defenders faced a strain of even deadlier aliens that dwelled deep within the bowels of the hives. Planting
a series of linked bombs at the largest hives, the CMC succeed in killing the queen and stemming the alien infestation, but the advanced race
that brought the xenomorph to LV-426 seemed to have its own interest in planet Earth.
As the CMC cleaned up the planet and mankind started to rebuild, an unstoppable alien monstrosity orbited. It soon started terraforming
the planet for its own colonization. Somewhere in deep space, A fleet of these ships approached to inhabit this new world. Soon, man was
drawn into a new fight. The CMC came across the species that created the aliens as well as cleaning up the mess they left for us. Our
greatest fight was still yet to come…
BACKGROUND
The National Security Act of 2101 established the Colonial Marines structures as four combat divisions and four aerospace wings, plus the
support services organic to these formations. At present the Colonial Marine Corps strength stands at 165,000 Marines. Reserve manpower
stands at around 50,000, comprising a fifth division and aerospace wing.
The Colonial Marine Division is the basic ground element of the Marine Space Force. It is essentially a
balanced force of combat, support and service elements. Organized around three infantry regiments, the
division is especially designed to execute the orbital assault mission, and is capable of sustained surface
operations.
The Colonial Marine Aerospace Wing is the aerospace combat element of the Marine Space Force.
Designed for aerospace support and the air mobility mission, the aerospace wing is essentially an
administrative formation, since much of it's fighting strength is directly attached to the Colonial Marine
division. Typically, a Marine aerospace wing operates some 300 dropships, 30 heavy-life shuttles and 100
strikeships.
The challenge to Marine logisticians is immense; they must approach their missions with the same
aggressive execution as the infantrymen in the assault. They have finite quantities of supplies at hand, yet
have to operate a 'push mode' system, anticipating the needs of the forward units and moving loads to them
even before they realize the need for it. Inevitably, this can lead to wastage when supplies are pushed
forward to units who, for whatever reason, no longer need them; however, such waste is preferable to the disaster that can occur if supplies
are not forwarded until after the need has arisen.
Because, even in a 'hot' conflict, Colonial Marine units are often dispersed in small units across continental distances, the USCM logistic
prime movers are the ubiquitous UD-4 Cheyenne dropship and the N-1 Snakefighter. In the field, the M570 all-terrain transport is the land
based prime mover, with powerloaders often used on-site to offload cargoes.
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The Colonial Marine Aerospace Wing is an administrative formation responsible for the operation of all aerospace craft within the Marine
Space Force to which it is attached. Wing tasks include air superiority missions, reconnaissance, close air support, dedicated strike, forward
supply, transport, casualty evacuation and search and rescue. Aerospace operations are also an integrated part of the standard Marine
Infantry. A particular division is divided into three groups. Drop Groups ferry and support invading Marine Infantry. Tactical group is tasked
with recon, and attack missions. Finally, the Support Group is assigned CasEvac, search and rescue, psyops, special forces insertion, and
like tasks. The major workhorse of the Colonial Marine Corps is the UD-4 'Cheyenne,' compromising a majority of all three groups.
The building block of the Colonial Marine operating forces is the Marine Assault Unit, a reinforced battalion
combat team designed to operate independently in areas of deep space, far from reinforcement or logistical support.
The key to the MAU is it's mobility and flexibility; an MAU incorporates it's own dedicated starlift capacity,
capable of deploying the entire unit swiftly to any trouble-spot planet. This starlift capacity, which varies in size
according to the mission, is tasked to supply logistics for a minimum of 30 days of ground combat operations.
USASF fleet units are usually attached to the MAU to perform space control, reconnaissance and orbital bombing
missions.
The line strength of an MAU is formed from two to four line infantry companies. An aerospace Drop Group and
some Attack Group elements accompany the infantry complement. Each line company will usually incorporate
support assets which may be attached down to the line platoons, including additional UA-571 remote sentries,
M402 multiple-launch fire support mortars, HIMAT anti-tank missiles and the SIM-118 Hornet and LIM-417
Phalanx Surface-to-Air Missile systems. If sufficient starlift capacity is available, an armor company of fourteen
tanks may be attached to the MAU's line strength.
The MAU is commanded by a headquarters platoon that co-ordinates the command, communication, intelligence and logistics functions
of the unit. Attached to headquarters are a number of non-combat sub-units, including a logistics platoon, maintenance company and medical
unit. Additional combat sub-units include a reconnaissance platoon, scout-sniper squad, combat engineering platoon and a heavy ordnance
company which provides the battalion's heavy fire support and artillery guns, M201 multiple launch rockets, HIM-122 Lancer anti-ballistic
missile systems and HIM-78 Sprint ground launched space weapons.
The challenge to Marine logisticians is immense; they must approach their missions with the same aggressive execution as the
infantrymen in the assault. They have finite quantities of supplies at hand, yet have to operate a 'push mode' system, anticipating the needs of
the forward units and moving loads to them even before they realize the need for it. Inevitably, this can lead to wastage when supplies are
pushed forward to units who, for whatever reason, no longer need them; however, such waste is preferable to the disaster that can occur if
supplies are not forwarded until after the need has arisen.
Because, even in a 'hot' conflict, Colonial Marine units are often dispersed in small units across continental distances, the USCM logistic
prime movers are the ubiquitous UD-4 Cheyenne dropship and the CS-14 Briareos heavy lift shuttle. In the field, the M570 all-terrain
transport is the land based prime mover, with powerloaders often used on-site to offload cargoes.
USCM doctrine stresses the need for small, autonomous infantry units capable of operating with or without higher level support on the
non-linear battlefield. Given the fluid nature of battle at the small-unit level, the rifle unit must be capable of moving great distances rapidly
using it's own transport, must carry its won heavy support weapons and sensors, and be able to apply great concentrations of firepower
rapidly. The current organization of the Colonial Marine rifle squad and platoon reflect the ultimate development of this doctrine.
A rifle squad consists of four Marines, including a Corporal, a Lance Corporal, and two Privates / Privates First Class. Each squad divides
into two-man fireteams: the Rifle Team and Gun Team. The Rifle team consists of a pair of riflemen assigned together on the 'buddy' system,
both equipped with the M41 pulse-rifle. The Gun Team is made up of rifleman with an M41 and a machine gunner carrying the automatic
M56 Smart Gun.
Two squads, led by a Sergeant and riding with a driver in an M577 Armored Personnel Carrier, make up a section. In a drop operation, a
UD-4 dropship is attached to the section from the aerospace company team.
Two sections, led by a lieutenant, form a rifle platoon, for a total paper strength of 25 Marines including the APC and dropship crews -
though in practice this is often less. Platoons commonly carry one or two synthetic humans in a technical or scientific advisory role, and to
assist as medics or backup drivers/pilots. Organic support weaponry available to the platoon usually includes eight M240 flamethrowers,
eight UA-571 remote sentry guns, two M78 PIG phased plasma guns or M5 rocket-propelled grenade launchers, eighteen M83 SADAR anti-
tank smart rockets, and a single M402 multiple-launch fire-support mortars. Sufficient sensor equipment to establish an overlapping
detection matrix with a frontage of 1,000 meters is also carried.
RANKS
You must achieve a certain Reputation...then be endorsed by a higher-ranking official (at least two ranks higher. PCs will never meet
some positions, but they are all listed so that everyone knows where they stand in the food chain: Listed from low to high:
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ENLISTED
Private (Aeroman)* 0
Private 1st Class (Aeroman)* 4
Lance Corporal (Aeroman First Class)* 4
NON COMMISIONED
Corporal (Senior Aeroman)* 8
Sergeant 15
Staff Sergeant 10
Gunnery Sergeant 10
First Sergeant 10
Sergeant Major 10
COMMISIONED
Second Lieutenant 32
First Lieutenant 12
Captain 12
Major 40
Lieutenant Colonel 15
Colonel 15
This is not a cost value. When your reputation reaches this number, you are eligible. To get the rank, you must be sponsored by either
another character three ranks higher or by a NPC of higher rank. It is GM's discretion depending on if the PC has gotten someone’s
attention. The Character will continue to earn Reputation but the GM should have a very good reason if the requirement for promotion is
half than the PCs current reputation.
When the new rank is achieved, the Reputation is set to zero (Remember your MEMBERSHIP in the CMC increases as ranks get
higher—see Character Generation) and the PC must start earning again. Remember than if a Career Non-Com want to pursue a
Commissioned rank, he/she bust be busted down…all reputation is lost when this happens.
GMs can award Reputation points for acts of bravery or for volunteering for hazardous duty. Most rewards should hover around 2 to 5
for REALLY amazing acts of loyalty or bravery. You CANNOT trade Reputation for OP but you can trade OP for reputation on a 1:1 basis.
After each adventure, the GM should award REPUTATION. The average should be 1 or 2…or even 0. Not every fight needs an award.
Some secret missions are so black-bordered that it doesn’t technically exist. No credit can be awards. Also, the GM is more than allowed to
award ½ or even ¼ points for small advances. Single sortie missions aren’t much but can add up after a while.
COMMENDATIONS
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LISTS:
Navy Cross: This is the highest Medal that can be awarded by the Department of the Navy / Headquarters Marine Corps. To get a Navy
Cross, essentially you must do something, during a war, that is recognized as a completely selfless and life threatening act. It must involve
saving others as well. This should be SUPREME heroism on the level with the Congressional Medal of Honor. The difference between the
Cross and the CMH is purely political. Most crosses are awarded posthumously.
Defense Distinguished Service Medal: A medal awarded to individuals that preform above and beyond the call of duty in a defensive
position, rather than an offensive one.
Silver Star: Extreme heroism. One notch below the Cross. The Silver Star is still a very rare and highly regarded medal. Bishop (do
synthetics get medals?) could have been nominated for a Silver Star for crawling out to the uplink and bringing in the other drop ship.
Defense Superior Service Medal: Similar to the DDSM but of higher importance.
The Medal of Honor: See the Navy Cross. The CMH is the highest medal awarded in the CMC. A medal of honor winner is accorded
courtesies normally reserved for Generals. Everyone must salute a CMH winner, regardless of rank. The Commandant of the Marine Corps
(4 Star) would salute a Private if he somehow managed to win the CMH. Normally takes years to be awarded. The Medal of Honor
(Congressional) is the highest decoration conferred by the Marines. The Medal is awarded for gallantry and intrepidity in combat, for risk of
life, and/or performance above and beyond the call of duty
(a) while engaged in actions against hostile forces;
(b) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with opposing foreign force; or
(c) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in high the U S. 's not a
belligerent.
(d) To justify an individual receiving this award, an individual must conspicuously and undeniably render behavior above comrades by
acts so outstanding that it clearly distinguishes gallantry above and beyond the "call". The act will be recognized above lesser forms of
bravery the type of deed for which there will be no justified criticism without detriment to the mission or the command.
Legion of Merit: This is much lower than the stars. A legion of merit can be awarded in peacetime for a job well done. Therefore a
Legion of Merit won in combat is distinguished by a combat "V". The Legion of Merit might be awarded a Gunny at the end of a 13 month
tour in for performance exceeding the normal.
Distinguished Flying Cross: The DFC is essentially a silver or bronze star awarded to pilots. Involves combat heroism involving
aviation.
Bronze Star Medal: The lowest of the combat heroism medals, this is still a significant achievement. Vazquez would rate a Bronze Star
for her coolness under fire in Aliens. The Bronze star is often awarded for a less specific action. If she had managed to cut off the alien
advance when she squeezed the grenade, that specific act would have elevated her to possible Cross level and certainly Silver Star level. As
it was she probably would have gotten the Silver Star, had anyone survived to nominate her!
Purple Heart: Anyone wounded in any way in a combat environment is eligible for the purple heart. One embarrassed Ranger was
awarded the purple heart when he broke a leg jumping out of a slick too soon during the initial moments of the Panama invasion of '89.
Never saw the enemy, but he wears the heart.
Joint Service Achievement Medal: The medal is for exceptional results and process
improvements to your Department. It is not uncommon for officers and senior enlisted to be awarded a JSA upon completing a tour of duty.
More junior enlisted will more often get it for a specific accomplishment.
Prisoner of War: If you get captured and survive, you get the POW medal.
Marine Good Conduct Medal: Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal recognizes enlisted men and women who have served with good
behavior and have provided faithful service in the Corps for a period of three years, and is gained when --
(a) there are no convictions by court-martial; not more than one nonjudicial punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Article 15; and no lost time by reason of sickness-misconduct or injury-misconduct.
(b) a second nonjudicial punishment or court-martial which voided creditability of "good" service has been removed by meeting an
approved new good conduct period. date for the good conduct period.
(c) a confinement as a result of conviction by court-martial has ended, and a new period has begun with the date of restoration to duty,
even though in a probationary status.
(d) When the foregoing requirements have been met but it is evident that the individual is not deserving of the Good Conduct Award due
to events which preclude receipt, such as: repeated record of letters of valid indebtedness; conviction by civil court for major offense(s);
and/or other acts which are not in keeping with the high moral standards required of all Marines, it is required that the commanding officer
17
make appropriate recommendations, with justifications, to the Commandant of the Marine Corps.
Marine Expeditionary Medal: Complete 90 days service in the Fleet Marine Force during a qualifying mission, you get the
expeditionary medal.
Humanitarian Service Medal: Perform non-combat humanitarian service, you get this one.
Outstanding Volunteer Medal: Like humanitarian service but for volunteer work.
Defense Meritorious Service Medal: Usually an end of career medal awarded at your retirement. Sometimes awarded after 20+ years
of continued service...
Meritorious Service medal: Ditto, slightly lower than the DMS...
Joint Service Comm Medal: See JSA. The JSC would be one level higher.
Marine Commendation Medal: Same as a JSC
National Defense Service Medal: Be on active duty during a war! Awarded to everyone on active duty during wartime.
Medal For Humane Action: See humanitarian service medal.
Colonial Defense Service Medal: See national defense service medal.
Organized Marine Reserve Medal: See national defense service medal, awarded for being in the organized reserves during a war...
BACKGROUND:
Marine Corps awards fall into three classes: personal and unit decorations; commemorative, campaign, and service medals; and
marksmanship badges and trophies.
Personal and unit decorations
a) Personal awards are conferred upon the individual for his or her act of heroism, specific act of gallantry, or for meritorious service
during military or non military feats.
b) Campaign or service medals are issued to "all hands" who take part in particular campaigns or periods of service for which a medal is
authorized. In addition to campaign and service medals, certain commemorative medals have been struck to commemorate noncombatant
but noteworthy achievements such as polar and arctic expeditions or pioneer space flights.
Marksmanship Badges and Trophies
Badges are awarded to individuals who qualify because they have demonstrated some special proficiency or skill. Marksmanship badges
are worn to indicate the individual's prowess with specific weapon(s), pistols and/or rifles, during specified competitions, matches, or
practice exercises. The trophies are awarded at the various levels to include: United States and international distinguished shooter
competitions, Marine Corps rifle and pistol championships, national trophies for rifle and pistol matches, interservice rifle and pistol
matches, regional practices, combat exercises, division and inter-division contests.
Most Marine force is maintained below effective Domination Kill Power, and Marines simply
improvise, overcome and adapt to the battle conditions. The exception is RDPE Platoon of Echo
Company. The RDPEP is maintained at 500% Domination Kill Power, and contains an active Bio-
Weapons lab onboard their ship. The RDPEP is dispatched in response to dangerous extraterrestrial
activity, from three story tall lizards to microorganisms and viruses. The most recently founded
branch of the Marines, they maintain the best equipment and personnel. The RDPEP is currently
investigating the disappearance of the Sulaco, on a recon mission to LV-426.
The RDPE Platoon 'Bug Hunters' are the most notorious active war unit in the universe. They are
tasked with eliminating hostile alien life forms. Officially commissioned seven years ago, the RDPEP
is composed of the best Marines the Corps has, with one requirement. Before a soldier can apply to
join the RDPEP, they must have extraterrestrial combat experience.
Enrollment in the RDPEP is strictly voluntary, while officers must apply and be elected by the Federal Council of War. The RDPEP is a
Rapid Deployment Parasite Elimination Platoon, the only one in existence. The 'Bug Hunters' are called into duty for numerous situations
involving extraterrestrial parasites that threaten colonists. From virus epidemics to reptilian infestations.
The Bug Hunters raise hell on any battlefield they grace. Wild and reckless, the RDPEP is the most decelerated and penalized platoon in
the Corps. They have the only recorded air to air collision of the UD-4 during a planetary drop, due to their ongoing disregard to regulations
against dual 'pipe race' drops. The 409th has also never left the remains of a soldier behind. They are one of two platoons ever to recover a
Marine's body from the GZ of a thermonuclear detonation.
TEAM SIZE: The crew totals 30: 4 pilots, 2 drivers, 16 infantry, 2 Sergeants, a weapons officer, 4 bio-weapons specialists, and a
commanding officer. The Deterrent has 3 UD-4 gunships, and a AD-17A strikeship.
SHIP TYPE: Stationed aboard the USS 'Deterrent', the Bug Hunters control the only ship with an active bio-weapons lab. The crew totals
30: 4 pilots, 2 drivers, 16 infantry, 2 Sergeants, a weapons officer, 4 bio-weapons specialists, and a commanding officer. The Deterrent has 3
UD-4 gunships, and a AD-17A strikeship.
CONSPIRACY LEVEL:
3--Only the USS Deterrant
4—Three more additional ships
5—More than 15 ships. By 5.5, half the CMC is dedicated to Parasite control.
ADVENTURE TYPES: Lots of variety. Almost every type is available. The RDPEP is sent in first in TL3 and 4 whenever an Alien
presence is detected.
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Beserker teams appeared when the Alien threat needed a fast solution to the increasing infestation of the Outer Veil Colonies. The losses
of Standard Marine Battalions were increasing. Casualties ran into the thousands. When some tech in the R&D of the CMC came up with a
powered armor, the answer seemed clear. The immediate problem was the lack of acid resistant armor (which was still a rarity). A further
problem occurred when the suits designed appeared uncontrollable. Then costs went up so the initial design was scrapped and the Beserker
was born (Of course, the flaws were redefined and the “Racks” were created).
The teams would be small: One ship and one small crew designed only for extermination, not for experimentation: One Beserker and a
Technician, one Doctor , one Point man, At least two Heavy Gunners and a Team Leader are standard. The Beserker team is only used for
the purpose of eliminating the Hive core—the Queen.
The Mission profile is almost always as follows:
1: A Nuclear Failsafe Mine is armed outside the Hive for a preset time. If the Beserker team fails in its mission, the Mine will finish the
job. Only the Beserker Team can arm or disarm the weapon.
2: The Heavy Gunners clear out the perimeter to make room for the Point Man. Heavy Gunners are always equipped with the heaviest
weapons from the TL available.
3: The Beserker suit is prepped and secured with its personal technician in tow.
4: The Point man infiltrates the Hive. There he/she allows himself/herself to be captured and taken into the Hive. Point Men are
equipped with weapons only to eliminate border aliens and facehuggers roaming around. When the aliens come in force, he/she is trained to
go docile and allow to be captured. Point Men MUST have WILL of at least 8 to keep his/her cool. The Point Man is equipped with a
special Head guard that prevents embryo implantation by a Facehugger. The PD of the mouth guard is 40 and, at TL5, is equipped with
NutraGel. This gives almost a full ten minutes after the facehugger has attached before it fully takes over the host. The Point Man also
carries a high powered transmitter with a 100 km range only used by the Beserker Unit..
5: The Beserker is activated and let loose. It goes straight into the hive, through walls and all defenses, until it homes in on the
transmitter, which is always very near the Queen. The Queen is immediately killed. The Beserker’s weapons automatically shutoff 3 meters
from the Beacon (the Point Man). The Suit remains on until the alien infestation is reduced to only a few stragglers. The unit is then flushed
and shut down.
6: The Heavy Gunner’s move in and eliminate the stragglers. The Eggs are flamed and the Point Man is released.
7: The hive is abandoned to await the PXL and / or the ERT to remove the Hive and restore the location to its old status.
8: The Beserker team moves to the next Hive.
TEAM SIZE: Seven--One Beserker and a Technician, one Doctor , one Point man, at least two Heavy Gunners and a Team Leader
SHIP TYPE: One Bougainville Class Frigate. No Fighters, TSAPC is Standard.
CONSPIRACY LEVEL:
4—Only a few teams.
5—More than 10 are in operation.
ADVENTURE TYPES: Mostly extermination missions. GMs can consider the Character taking a Beserker tour (ten sweeps) for some
added action.
NOTES: The Beserker is not a PC is should be GM controlled. There are lots of character stories that can run parallel with the Beserker
missions but if the game centers on these very linear battle, the game can get tiring quickly. It is up to the GM to make it interesting.
The First appearance of the PXS is surprisingly early on. Weyland Yutani operated their own funded teams but their selfishness of the
information resulted in almost every coprasti0on and group creating their own version of the PXS. For the CMC, the PXS dates back even
before the Xenomorphs appeared, being sent in to investigate possible infections by hostile organisms. However, the difference between the
PXS and the RDPEP is that the PXS crew is mostly science, with the military only playing a supporting role in the operation of the mission.
The PXS ships are comprised of 50% laboratories and 50% Defense.
The commander is often a military scientist. The Marines dedicated to armed services usually knock heads with the sciences division.
They usually end up complying with their scientific priorities. PXS teams do not exterminate hives wholly but often ride in with the assault
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teams as the R&D arm of a strike force. They are the first to use the Xenomorph Synthetics when mass-produced (See Synthetics) and use
them with other units to infiltrate Hives to study them. They are the first team in after a Beserker cleaned up an infected area.
TEAM SIZE: 50% are various scientists (mostly xenobiologists). Instead of the standard one synthetic per ship, PXS craft can have up
to ten. Total crew per ship can be up to forty.
SHIP TYPE: Usually one ship, a Conestoga or a Bougainville. Full crew compliment.
CONSPIRACY LEVEL: CL1 and up.
ADVENUTRE TYPES: These are great starting missions and PC put pieces together about the alien mythos but fighting is down.
These adventures usually throw a handful of aliens but no major infestations. If running a full campaign, CL to CL, it is a good idea for the
PCs to start here.
Basically these are the main strike forces of the CMC. Usually, sent in numbers, the MSF provide the brunt punch in planetary
bombardments. They send Dropships planetside in the hundreds. Most frigates carry a full payload in troops. No scientific cargo. Each
Battle Fleet is led by a Major, Colonel, or Captain. A Battalion is usually led by a General. These flanks of weaponry and troops don’t often
get called in to fight Aliens and only start migrating into that field in CL5.
A MSF often breaks up into its individual battle groups and sent off on smaller duties. An MSF patrols the hostile borders of Alexandria
and the UPP. The force includes every type of technology in the CMC--Battlecruisers, fighters, dropships, and armor are all carried on
board.
Marine Space Force, Sol
1st Colonial Marine Division
1st Marine Aerospace Wing
1st Marine Brigade
2nd Marine Aerospace Wing
2nd Marine Brigade
2nd Colonial Support Group
3rd Marine Brigade
Marine Space Force, Eridani
3rd Colonial Marine Division
3rd Marine Aerospace Wing
Marine Space Force, Herculis
4th Colonial Marine Division
4th Marine Brigade
4th Marine Aerospace Wing
1st Colonial Support Group
TEAM SIZE: 3-12 battleships in a combat group flanked by at least one Reliant Cargo Hauler per Frigate. Up to 12-24 Combat Groups
in a brigade.
SHIP TYPE: Various.
CONSPIRACY LEVEL: CL 1 and up.
ADVENUTRE TYPES: Large scale warfare. At CL5, The MSK were dedicated to exterminating the alien threat as they approached
Earth. If the GM wishes to start a full-scale war, this is where the fight is, on these huge massive fleets roaming across the universe.
ERT teams are exclusive to the CMC. Their charter expands beyond the normal requirements for a basic marine corps. They are needed
to meet the demands of the colonies they serve. This expands beyond the need to protect their borders. Often, the CMC is called in for
rescue duty, usually because they have the fastest ships with the longest range. To combat these demands, the ERT was formed. They are
sent in to rescue people from a variety of conditions.
BMC teams are generically planet based. These jobs are high pay and high risk. Marines, usually with spotty records, are sent, funded by
corporations to monitor and control Hive infestations. That’s right. “Monitor” and “Control”. Many corporations including GrantCorp,
ZCT, and Weyland Yutani start to operate their own Hives for the purposes of experimentation. They offered large amounts money for the
need of control. It wasn’t until CL 5.5 that the CMC shut down these operations.
However, the need to study the alien resulted in these necessary evils. The CMC offered their assistance for many reasons
1: Management. This prevented the corporation from illegal use of the aliens for purposes other than research.
2: Control. Only a dominant CMC presence can prevent the aliens for overrunning their keepers.
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TEAM SIZE: At least 30 troops. Usually equipped with heavy armor but no major offensive weaponry. Tazer Webs are standard.
SHIP TYPE: None…Ground based.
CONSPIRACY LEVEL: CL4 to CL 5
ADVENUTRE TYPES: The GM can consider giving the PCs a tour on a Corporation run Hive. Of course, after a while, something
goes wrong. The Corporation head at the lab (Ernst Kleist, I presume) can turn on the CMC or the Aliens may run, out of control
A horrible duty. No one wants, but it is inevitable The Aliens have overrun our words. Orona’s bombs have wiped out the major hives.
The CMC travels Earthside to walk among the ruins, searching for survivors and straggling aliens. There are still more than 30 hives
operating on Earth by the end of CL 5.5. Cleanup crews work day and night. Beserker teams are not used because of the Nuclear Failsafe
device considered standard equipment with those teams.
The CMC, when landing, usually scouts for survivors, check for infestations, eliminate every alien presence, then do a standard body
count. The latter occupies most of the mission. Hives are burnt to the ground. Large fleets of fighters and dropships hover above the planet,
strafing large areas of jungle, city, and desert in an effort to stop the alien threat. The major casualties in this business come from
demoralized troops who refuse to go to planet side. Most troops that venture on planet usually need a high humanity or the gruesome
effects of the Earth War might get the best of them.
Within every military force there are the typical foot soldiers, then there is the elite troops. The Colonial Marines are no exception.
Following the traditions of the United States Marine Corps, the Colonial Marines included the Marine Special Forces: Marine Force Recon,
and the sapper, Marine Combat Engineers. The term 'Marine Recon' conjures images of daring raids and desperate rescue missions in enemy
territory. The reality, though less glamorous, still encourages the Colonial Marines' finest to sign up for recon, the most demanding and
challenging mission within the Corps. Reconnaissance Marines train for “special operations”, a term covering missions including deep
penetration reconnaissance, raids and demolitions, assassinations, the training of partisans and guerrillas and rescue operations. Recon
Marines have to operate in all environments and receive extensive training in underwater, deep space, and hostile planetary environments.
Usually operating in autonomous four-man teams, the Recon Marine's job is to stay hidden in the heart of the enemy's territory, supplying the
kind of vital intelligence that satellites or aerospace craft cannot - information that can only be uncovered by an expert man or woman on the
ground. Because of the recon mission flexibility, Recon Marines in the field frequently have to perform special tasks - such as demolitions
or raids - at short notice, often with no more equipment than they already carry. There are many techniques for covertly inserting Recon
Marines into an operating zone. Because there are a few places inaccessible from space, the most popular method is an orbital drop from.
The dead-drop method is the stealthiest approach, but also the most risky; it involves a dropship breaking just the upper atmosphere and the
Marine performing a HALO jump. Where the Colonial Marines already own landing zones on a planet, more conventional methods of
insertion are used - by aerospace craft, boat, or submarine.
TEAM SIZE: 2 Infantry, 1 Heavy Weapon, 1 Sniper, 1 NCO/OCC.
SHIP TYPE: Dropships, Snakefighters.
CONSPIRACY LEVEL: CL1
ADVENUTRE TYPES: As stated above, deep penetration reconnaissance, raids and demolitions, assassinations, the training of partisans
and guerrillas and rescue operations.
MILITARY JUSTICE
B. PUNITIVE ARTICLE
The following list contains the descriptive title and general provisions of selected punitive articles of the UCMJ.
2. ARTICLE 89 -- Disrespect toward a superior commissioned officer. Any Marine, who behaves with disrespect toward his superior
commissioned officer, shall be punished as his commanding officer or a court-martial may direct
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3. ARTICLE 90 -- Assault on or willfully disobey a superior commissioned officer. Any Marine, who
a) strikes his superior commissioned office
b) draws or lifts up any weapon against his superior commissioned officer
c) offers any violence against his superior commissioned officer. or
d) willfully disobeys a lawful command of his superior commissioned officer while that superior commissioned officer is in the execution
of his office, shall be punished as his commanding officer or a court-martial may direct. If the offense is committed in time of war, a court-
martial may direct that the Marine be punished by death.
4. ARTICLE 91 -- Insubordinate conduct toward a warrant officer, noncommissioned officer, or petty of ricer. Any Marine, who
a) strikes or assaults
b) willfully disobeys; or
c) in language or deportment toward a warrant officers noncommissioned officer, or petty officer while that officer is in the execution of
his office, shall be punished as his commanding officer or court-martial may direct
5. ARTICLE 121 -- Larceny and wrongful appropriation Any Marine who wrongfully take, obtains, or withholds (by any means) any
money, personal property. or article of value of any kind
a) with intent permanently to deprive or defraud another person of the use and benefit of property or to appropriate it to his own use or the
use of any person other than the owner, steals that property is guilty of larceny; or
b) with intent temporarily to deprive or defraud another person of the use and benefit of property or to appropriate it to his own use or the
use of any person other than the owner is guilty of wrongful appropriation shall be punished as his commanding officer or a court-martial
may direct.
C. FORMS OF PUNISHMENT
The following are the forms of punishment which may be imposed for violations the of the UCMJ. All forms of punishment are subject to
restrictions specified in the UCMJ. The UCMJ provides limitations of sentences based on the nature of the crime, the form of adjudication
(nonjudicial punishment or court-martial), and the position/rank of the individual assigning the punishment or the type of court-martial which
convicted the Marine.
1. REPRIMAND. The convening authority of a court-martial or a commanding officer may punish a Marine by censure. A reprimand is a
severe form of censure that adversely reflects upon the conduct of the person addressed. A reprimand my be presented either orally or in
writing; however, it is normally delivered in the written form.
2. FORFEITURE OF PAY AND ALLOWANCES. A forfeiture deprives the individual accused, of all or specific amount, of money to
be accrued (earned in the future) as a result of service in the armed forces of the United States.
3. FINE. A fine makes the accused immediately liable to the United States for the entire amount of money specified in the sentence. A fine
may only be adjudged by a court-martial, and it may be adjudged instead of or in addition to a forfeiture. However, a fine is normally used
only as a sentence in cases when the accused has been unjustly enriched as a result of the offense convicted.
4. LOSS OF NUMBERS, lineal position, or seniority. This form of punishment is reserved for commissioned officers only.
5. REDUCTION IN PAY GRADE. A reduction in pay grade causes the accused to be of the rank and pay grade to which reduced.
6. RESTRICTION TO SPECIFIC LIMITS. Restriction deprives the accused of normal liberty privileges. The sentence will specify the
physical and geographic locations in which the individual is allowed, how long the restriction shall last, and when that individual must be
present at specific locations. A Marine who is being punished by restriction is not exempt from performing normal duty requirements.
7. HARD LABOR WITHOUT CONFINEMENT. The hard labor is performed in addition to regular duties.
8. CONFINEMENT. Confinement deprives the Marine sentenced of normal liberty privileges and is a form of physical restraint which
provides for the assignment of quarters at a specific location - usually a correctional facility. Additionally, unless specified in the sentencing,
the performance of hard labor is also required.
9. CONFINEMENT ON BREAD AND WATER OR DIMINISHED RATIONS. This form of physical restraint is confinement to
specific quarters (normally the ship's brig) while enduring a specific reduction of rations (normally bread and water only). This form of
confinement may only be assigned while the Marine sentenced is embarked aboard Naval vessel and may not exceed 3 days.
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10. PUNITIVE SEPARATION. This form of punishment results in the convicted Marine being removed from the service and given
either a dishonorable or bad-conduct discharge.
11. DEATH.
D. COURTS-MARTIAL
The three types of courts-martial are summary, special, and general. The differences among the three types of courts-martial are based on
their composition, level of authority, and severity of punishments authorized.
1. A summary court-martial is composed of one officer with the rank of Captain or higher.
a) The lowest level of authority to convene a summary court-martial is normally a battalion commander or the equivalent; however, under
special circumstances, a commanding officer of a separate or detached command may be granted the authority by his superiors.
b) A summary court-martial may adjudge any punishment not forbidden by the UCMJ, except death dismissal, dishonorable. discharge
bad-without confinement for more than 45 days, restriction for more than 2 months, or forfeiture of more than I months pay. In the case of
sergeants and above, a summary court-martial may not award a reduction of rank of more than one rank, hard labor without confinement, or
confinement.
c) A summary court-martial may not try a commissioned officer, warrant officer, cadets, midshipmen for any capital offenses. However,
no Marine can be compelled to accept a summary court-martial. Since a summary court-martial is less formal than the other two types of
courts, a Marine may refuse to accept trial by summary court-martial and may request a special court-martial. However, he should be aware
that conviction by a special or general court-martial constitutes a felony conviction.
2. A special court-martial can be composed of a military judge alone, not more than three impartial active duty armed service personnel, or
a military judge and not more than three armed services personnel. The impartial personnel; can be commissioned officers, warrant officers,
or enlisted personnel. If the accused is a commissioned officer, no member can be a warrant officer or enlisted person. If the accused is a
warrant officer, no member can be an enlisted person. If the accused is an enlisted person, he may request that at least one third of the
members of the court be enlisted.
a) The lowest level of authority to convene a special court-martial is normally a brigade or regimental commander or the equivalent.
However, under special circumstances, a commanding officer of a separate or detached battalion may be granted the authority by his
superiors.
b) A special court-martial may adjudge any punishment not forbidden by the UCMJ, except death, dismissal, dishonorable discharge,
confinement for more than 6 months, hard labor without confinement for more than 3 months, or forfeiture of more than two-thirds pay for
more than 6 months.
c) Normally, a special court-martial may not try any capital offense where there is a mandatory punishment beyond the maximum punitive
power of a special court-martial.
3. A general court-martial can be composed of a military judge alone or a military judge and not more than five impartial armed services
personnel. The impartial personnel can be commissioned officers, warrant officers, or enlisted personnel. Of the accused is a commissioned
officer, no member can be a warrant officer or enlisted person. If the accused is a warrant officer, no member can be an enlisted person. If the
accused is an enlisted person, he may request that at least one third of the members of the court be enlisted.
a) The lowest level of authority to convene a general court-martial is normally a division, wing, or base commanding general, or the
equivalent. However, under special circumstances, a commanding officer of a separate or detached unit may be granted the authority by his
superiors.
b) A general court-martial may adjudge any punishment not forbidden by the UCMJ.
E. RIGHTS
The rights of the accused before judicial and nonjudicial proceedings are based on the laws of this country and specified in the UCMJ.
1. Your rights before judicial proceedings include but are not limited to: being considered innocent until proven guilty,
a) being considered innocent until proven guilty,
b) remaining silent and to being informed that if you do make a statement it can be used against you in a court-martial,
c) being represented by a lawyer,
d) being protected from double jeopardy,
e) calling witnesses on your behalf,
f) having your sentence reviewed,
g)having a speedy trial,
h) being informed of all charges against you,
i) having the assistance of an interpreter,
j) protection against illegal searches and seizures,
k) challenging members of the court,
l) having enlisted representation on special and general courts-martial,
m) being tried by a military judge, and
n) being tried by court-martial vice nonjudicial punishment
2. Your rights before nonjudicial proceedings include but are not limited to:
a) appearing before all boards and fact-finding bodies:
b) examining, objecting to, and challenging She introduction of all physical and documentary evidence;
c) examining, cross-examining, and challenging the testimony of all witnesses;
d) introducing evidence on your behalf;
e) testifying on your behalf; and
f) making a voluntary statement for the official records.
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F. REQUEST MAST
You can use this procedure to discuss any matter with your commanding officer in your chain of command. The procedures are designed
to allow for timely and appropriate responses to your request. If you are following the proper procedures for requesting mast, no one may
prohibit you from speaking with your commanding officer at the proper time and place. This includes any commanding general who is
located in the same geographic area as you.
1. The procedural points for request mast below the commanding general level are contained in the following
a) You may submit your request at the lowest echelon and have it forwarded via the chain of command to the commander with whom you
wish to speak.
b) You do not have to state the matter of concern, either orally or in writing;. to anyone in the chain of command until you have reached
the officer to whom you originally requested mast.
c) You should not have to wait more than 24 hours between levels of the chain of command whenever possible.
d) You may request mast without fear of prejudice to your interest.
e) Upon completion of request mast, you must make a written statement regarding the degree of satisfaction you had with the outcome of
your request.
f) If your request mast to a higher commander is resolved by a lower commander. you must make a written, witnessed statement indicating
the degree of satisfaction you have had and your willingness to withdraw the request to higher authority.
g) Your request mast will be conducted at the earliest reasonable time and not later than 72 hours after submission whenever possible. If
your request is of an emergency nature, it should be heard within 24 hours if at all possible.
2. The additional procedural points for request mast with your commanding general are contained in the following
a) You must prepare a complete written, statement indicating the reasons for the request mast. It must include a list of witnesses with a
summary of the expected testimony of each.
b) You must, if applicable, attach any documents that support your request.
c) Your statement must also include a list of persons in your chain of command that you have already seen and any action that they have
taken.
G. JUDICIAL PUNISHMENT
The purpose of nonjudicial punishment is to provide an essential and prompt news of maintaining good order and discipline to your unit's
commanding officer. It also promotes positive behavior changes in Marines without the stigma of a court-martiat conviction.
1. If you are the accused Marine, you have the option of either demanding trial by court-martiat or accepting nonjudicial punishment.
2. Once your commanding officer has passed judgment and sentenced you, if you feel that the punishment awarded to you is unjust or
disproportionate to the offense, you may appeal all or part of your sentence to the next higher authority. He may set aside, decrease, suspend,
or let stand any portion or all of the original sentence. However, he cannot in any way increase the original sentence.
H. DISCHARGES
As a Marine, you may be given one of five different discharges. The type of discharge you are awarded is based on the method by which it is
awarded and the character of your service.
1. To receive a dishonorable discharge. a Marine must be convicted by a general court-martial of an offense of a dishonorable nature.
These are offenses generally recognized by the civilian courts as being serious felonies. However, a Marine may also be awarded a
dishonorable discharge if he his been convicted by court-martial of three or more offenses in the last year, regardless of whether any of the
charges were severe enough to result in a dishonorable discharge by themselves.
2. For a Marine to receive a bad-conduct discharge, he must have been convicted by a general or special court-martial of an offense under
the UCMJ which was serious enough to warrant this form of discharge. A Marine may also receive a bad-conduct discharge from a court-
martial for a minor offense W he has previously been found guilty of repeated offenses in a combination of judicial and nonjudicial
proceedings. Additionally, a Marine may be awarded a bad conduct discharge if he has been convicted by court-martial of two or more
offenses in the past 3 years even if none of the previous or current charges are severe enough to warrant such a discharge.
3. A Marine may receive a general discharge under other than honorable conditions if his service has been characterized by conduct that
was a significant departure from the conduct expected of a Marine. This usually involves illegal acts or comission of acts that are
characterized by violence that result in serious bodily injury, breech of special trust, disregard for the normal superior-subordinate
relationship, drug abuse or trafficking, or endangering the security of the Marine Corps. Under these conditions, the discharge is awarded in
lieu of court-martial.
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4. A Marine may receive a general discharge under honorable conditions if his service was characterized by significant negative aspects
reflected in his performance or conduct. This type of discharge is normally awarded to Marines whose average proficiency or conduct marks
fall below 3.0 or 4.0 respectively.
I. LAW OF WAR
Discipline in combat is essential. Disobedience to the law of war dishonors the Nation, the Marine Corps, and the individual Marine, and
far from weakening the enemy's will to fight, it strengthens it. The following principles require the Marine's adherence in the
accomplishment of any mission. Violations have an adverse impact on public opinion both national and international and have on occasion
served to prolong conflict by inciting an opponent to continue resistance and in most cases constitute violations of the UCMJ. Violations of
these principles prejudice the good order and discipline essential to success in combat.
2. Marines do not harm enemies who surrender. They must disarm them and turn them over to their superior.
4. Marines collect and care for the wounded, whether friend or foe.
9. Marines should do their best to prevent violations of the law of war. They must report all violations of the law of war to their superior.
Many Corps customs are derived from the many years of service afloat. Even ashore Marines customarily use nautical terms. Floors are
"decks," walls are "bulkheads," ceilings are "overheads," ands corridors are "passageways". The order "Gangway" is used to clear the way
for an officer ashore, just as it is afloat. Among other terms commonly used: "two-block" is to tighten or center; "square-away" is to correctly
arrange articles or to take in hand and direct an individual; "head" is the bathroom, and "scuttlebutt" is a drinking fountain or an unconfirmed
rumor. In the Marine Corps, the nautical expression, "Aye, aye, sir" is used when acknowledging a verbal order. "Yes, sir" and "No sir" are
used in answer to direct questions. "Aye, aye, sir" is not used as this expression is reserved solely for acknowledgment of orders. Some of the
other terms inherent in Corps tradition and history are:
ADRIFT Loose from towline or moorings; scattered about; not in proper stowage
AFT Referring to or toward the stern (rear) of a vessel
ALL HANDS All members of a command
ASHORE Any place outside of a naval or Marine Corps reservation
AS YOU WHERE Resume former activity
AWEIGH Said of the anchor. As soon as the anchor has broken away from and is no longer fastened to the bottom
BELAY To make fast or to secure, as in "belay the line;" to cancel or to disregard a statement just made
BELOW To go downstairs
BREAKOUT Take out of stock or storage: to prepare for use
BRIG A place of confinement; a prison
BROWN BAGGER A married man
BOW The front portion of a ship
BRIDGE The portion of a ship's structure from which it is controlled when underway
BROW A portable walkway from the pier or jetty the ship's quarter deck
BUTTKIT An ashtray
CARRY ON The order to resume previous activity
CHIT A receipt or authorization; a piece of parer
FANTAIL The main deck of a ship ar the stern
FIELD DAY Barracks cleanup
FIELD SCARF Regulation Marine Corps uniform neck tie
FORECASTLE The upperdeck at the bow on which the ground tackle is located
GALLEY Shipboard kitchen; kitchen of a mess hall; mobile field mess
GATOR An amphibious ship; one who serves in the amphibious Navy
GEEDUNK The place (aboard ship) where candy, ice cream, soda, and smokes can be purchased
HATCH Door or doorway
LADDER Stairs
LIBERTY Absence of enlisted from the ship or command for less than 96 hours for purposes of rest and recreation which is not charged as
leave
POLICE To straighten or to tidy up
PORT Left
QUARTERDECK The ceremonial location on board ship when the ship is moored or at anchor (It is located close to the brow or
accommodation ladder and is the watch station for the Officer of the Deck.)
SEABAG The bag used to stow personal gear
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GENERAL LEADERSHIP
Concern for and attentiveness to troop welfare not only means providing the basics of survival (food, water, shelter, and rest), but it also
means attending to the numerous other details that make a unit effective. It means training and critiquing so that "lessons learned" do not
have to be relearned. It means talking with military members as if they are members of the family. It means looking out for Marines as they
instinctively look out for their leader and for each other.
2. Casualties;
4. Feeling of isolation;
5. Communications breakdowns;
9. Homesickness.
2. "Fog of War" - literal fog (dust, smoke, and debris on the battlefield) and mental fog (confusion, uncertainty
due to lack of knowledge of the enemy, chaotic noise, mental and physical fatigue, and fear;
4. Casualties; and
5. Boredom.
CHARACTER GENERATION
Characters must create their characters in a specific order to ease the creation and to be fair and prevent using loopholes. Please refer to
the FUZION rules included for the following information:
LIFEPATH:
maximum final age for a starting character is 35. As you will read later, the max skill for starting characters is “+6”. With the bonuses for
Military training below, coupled with this skill cap, it may be advantageous for a starting character at 35 to join later and extend his lifepath,
giving change for more windfalls and dangers.
Roll for every year as stated but GM discretion for traumas. Ignore “Current Situation”.
NOTE: For character creation, skills have three stages to them…so they are placed after Perks, Talents, and Complications. ALL skills in
character creation have a cap of “+6”. No matter how many bonuses the character earns during lifepath of Marine training, this +6
remains. So there is some strategy to character creation. HOWEVER, a Player can choose one military skill and up to two lifeskills up to
+7.
NO ORIGIN PATH
CHARACTERISTICS
Character Points: 55 points. The GM can consider up to 65 but I feel it might lower game enjoyment.
COMPLICATIONS
The GM should avoid hefty problems since the CMC is an elite force.
GROWING SKILLS
First, a player must spend OP on “growing skills.” These are skills the player develops in life before joining the Military. The reason
these points are spent before the Marine training below is because some skills are REQUIRED for Marine training or can effect the path of
the PC in their career.
However, don’t spend all your points since every two years in the military costs 3OP (see below). Obviously the most important skill for
advancing in the Marines is leadership. Choosing that ahead of time can be advantageous. But other points apply. If a PC has a certain
skill, or carries it with a certain experience, they don’t need to choose it in the path as determined below. All “Growing Skills” have a cap of
“+3” at this point. Players can increase them later. They cannot choose Military skills, Life skills only. All skills are listed at the back of
this section.
The PC enters the CMC…and everything changes. Each Character chooses a path every TWO years of service. The first choice MUST
not by career. The templates labeled CAREER are paths the PC have taken because he/she decided on a future in the Marines. When a
career is picked, no other paths may be chosen. Every two years, the PC enters the same career again.
Each template has special rules unique to its own. There are skills listed that the character gets as a bonus as well as skills the Player
must spend OP on (3 OP each template). The Player may not allot anymore OP to other skills not in the template (they can do that later).
Money is allotted for each path chosen. Every Non-Career option has a Career mirror (Aerospace – Starship, Infantry--OCC). The PC can
dabble in a variety of fields but should choose a final career dependant on the character’s history eventually. A tank pilot can switch to OCC
but has very few skills useful going in.
Also listed in each template is a rank structure. Every year the PC is in this path he has a chance to go up in rank (ranks are listed in the
USMC/CMC section and below. All players start at the bottom. The Rank listed in the non-career template is the highest rank available in
that path. Career paths have a starting rank but no ceiling rank. When you move into a career path for the first time, you take this immediate
rank. Even though the CMC chapter lists ranks to Admiral, obviously starting characters cannot reach that. The top rank achieved is listed
with the Rank structure below.
Each year requires a Leadership roll (Uses PRE + skill). If above the DV, the new rank is established. If not, the rank is carried over the
next year. The DV then drops by 1 and then an additional 1 every following year. When a new rank is established, the DV returns to
normal. Only when the Character's Rank reaches his current ceiling can he roll to get the jump to a CAREER OR stay and keep pumping
points in what the character has, but promotions are no longer available. Promotions can always be refused, of course (GM discretion). If
the PC, at a ceiling rank, chooses a path, and successfully rolls for promotion, they don’t roll a second time, nor do they JUMP into the
career. They must finish their term, then start in their new Career next time.
Also, if you choose a career but decide against it later, you have to bust yourself back down to the starting rank of the new career. No PC
can take more that THREE careers…the third must be the career of choice. The PC is stuck there unless they want to be discharged.
NOTE ON LIFEPATH (Fuzion, page 5): PCs roll for lifepath THROUGH the Marines. The GM must work lifepath into the Marine
path. As a result…
SOMETHING GOOD
…Mentor: Allows the bonus skill in ANY category, Military or not.
…Favor: Player option…can keep the favor into the game OR get a +2 at the next Promotion DV roll and +1 in ANY skill, military or
not.
…Membership: +4 to the every Promotion DV roll until the next promotion.
SOMETHING BAD:
…Imprisonment: GM discretion or roll D6: 1-3 – Held Hostage, 4-6 – Imprisonment. If held hostage, the PC may be awarded a POW
medal or a Purple Heart (The GM may also add a +1 to the Promotional DV roll next year). If imprisoned, the PC is reduced ONE rank and
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the DV for the next promotion increases by FIVE. Either situation, the PC is returned before the year is out. They also loose two of their
bonus skills of the template for that path (two years, PC’s decision).
…Falsely Accused: Same as imprisonment above. Develop an enemy. D6 is rolled: 1-3 – Acquitted, 4-6 – sentenced for a year, is
reduced 1 rank and the DV for the next promotion increases by 5. They also loose two of their bonus skills of the template for that year (two
years, PC’s decision).
…Accident or Injury: Purple Heart awarded.
ENLISTED
Private (Aeroman)* NON COMMISIONED COMMISIONED
Pvt 1st Class (Aeroman)* Sergeant Second Lieutenant
Lance Corporal Staff Sergeant First Lieutenant
(Aeroman First Class)* Gunnery Sergeant Captain
Corporal (Sen.Aeroman)*
Ranks during gameplay are run using experience (see CMC section for details).
The PC stops choosing paths when he/she has run out of OP or has run out of life (Age). If the Character runs out of life, he/she is
considered an up and coming officer. Running out of OP means the character hasn’t done much in his/her career since. You cannot choose a
path if you do not have the OP to spend on its skills.
After all your templates are done and have OP leftover, you can spend those are your usual skills or on any of the skills you have already
chosen. The only military skills available are the ones you already have. You cannot take APC pilot if you have never taken the path.
However, if you have three OP leftover, you have one point in APC pilot, and then you can jump it up to four if you want. Any OP you
spend before choosing your first path can be spent on life skills but no military ones. Military skills are those listed in the templates below
(with an “M” beside them). All life skills are listed after the templates. Some “M” skills are not military but since all PCs will be in the
Marines (or assumed, there are exceptions), these are skills they can only develop through military channels.
The GM should consider a maximum number of templates for each character. I recommend 6 or 8. This also caps a maximum age. A
maximum starting skill for a player should be 7. Leave some room for improvement later. The path the Character has taken the most is
his/her position. If they are all equal, choose one and keep it.
RANK DV:
INFANTRY: 15
HEAVY WEAPONS: 15
NCO: 18
OCC: 20
AEROROSPACE: 16
STARSHIP COMMAND: 20
MEDICAL: 15
SCIENCES CAREER: 18
XENOBIOLOGY: 20
ARMOR: 15
TECHNICIAN: 16
ENGINEER: 18
Ranks during gameplay are run using experience (see CMC section for details).
The PC stops choosing paths when he/she has run out of OP or has run out of life (Age). If the Character runs out of life, he/she is
considered an up and coming officer. Running out of OP means the character hasn’t done much in his/her career since. You cannot choose a
path if you do not have the OP to spend on its skills.
After all your templates are done and have OP leftover, you can spend those are your usual skills or on any of the skills you have already
chosen. The only military skills available are the ones you already have. You cannot take APC pilot if you have never taken the path.
However, if you have three OP leftover, you have one point in APC pilot, then you can jump it up to four if you want. Any OP you spend
before choosing your first path can be spent on life skills but no military ones. Military skills are those listed in the templates below (with an
“M” beside them) All life skills are listed after the templates. Some “M” skills are not military but since all PCs will be in the Marines (or
assumed, there are exceptions), these are skills they can only develop through military channels.
The GM should consider a maximum number of templates for each character. I recommend 6 or 8. This also caps a maximum age. A
maximum starting skill for a player should be 7. Leave some room for improvement later. The path the Character has taken the most is
his/her position. If they are all equal, choose one and keep it.
SPECIAL PATH
COLONIAL MARINE SPECIAL FORCES
Within every military force there are the typical foot soldiers, then there is the elite troops. The Colonial Marines are no exception.
Following the traditions of the United States Marine Corp. The Colonial Marines included the marine special forces; Marine Force Recon,
and the sapper, Marine Combat Engineers. Refer to the CMC chapter later for details on descriptions.
The Colonial Marine Corp of Engineers has established a reputation as an elite unit, as Marine Force Recon. These specialists handle the
most hazardous demolition tasks - demolishing strongpoints, clearing mine fields, preparing landing zones and laying bridges - all while
under fire. It would be impossible to list all of the equipment available to the combat engineers here, though items include all manners of
demolitions, mine plows, deep core drills, portable aerospace strips, etc.
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Special Rules for Special Forces: Unlike other templates, Special Forces carries requirements. A Player wishing to submit their Character
for this elite must have the following:
When a PC chooses one of the starting paths (Force Recon or Combat Engineer), they are stuck there. It is assumed that if they make it
in…they stay. Special Forces personnel don’t leave to be Starship pilots. When you enter the elite, you have a certain reputation to live by.
Unless kicked out, you stay (GM can void this rule though). Also, you can only pick Special Forces for two paths ONLY. You can move to
and from Force Recon and Combat Engineer but you cannot (for game balance) take either at more than two years total. This may seem
drastic, but the PC must spend more OP each path than usual so it balances somewhat. You either stop, or move onto Force Recon Career.
Force Recon Career also carries the same restriction. Not everything is roses for Special Forces however.
Also, upon entering Force Recon (not Combat Engineer), the PC MUST spend the 12 OP for Marine Hand to Hand. Entering Force
Recon Career can be for NCO and OCC…meaning when you choose Force Recon - Career, you must decide to go into Force Recon NCO or
Force Recon OCC.
TEMPLATES
INFANTRY
BACKGROUND: Infantry are the basic troops of the CMC. They released are in numbers and are often indistinguishable from each other .
Usually, most people start in Infantry because of its general purpose skills they offer.
MIRROR: OCC
CEILING RANK: Lance Corporal
BONUS SKILLS (All at +1): Autofire Weapons (M), Firearms, Hand to Hand
O.P. SKILLS (3 OP points must be spent in any of the following): Surveillance, Survival, Melee Weapons, Melee Evade, Heavy
Weapons (M), Hand to Hand, Hand to Hand Evade,
MONEY: 100 cr.
HEAVY WEAPONS
BACKGROUND: These people start right from the start, right into training of the heavy weapons of the CMC. Although many of their
skills are similar to the base infantry, they have less training in close combat, and more in the use of Heavy Weapons, specifically the M51
Smart Gun
MIRROR: NCO
CEILING : Lance Corporal
BONUS SKILLS (All at +1): Smart Gunner (M), Firearms, Hand to Hand
O.P. SKILLS (3 OP must be spent on any of the following): Survival, Demolition(M), Heavy Weapons (M), Gunnery (M), Hand to
Hand, Autofire Weapons (M), Hand to Hand Evade, Pilot Power Armor (TL6)
MONEY: 80 cr.
BACKGROUND: This is the path for people who want to stay on the front line but have some form of authority. This is the usual path for
people who don’t want to pursue a command unless it is just a squad.
MIRROR: Heavy Weapons
STARTING RANK: Corporal
CEILING RANK: Sgt. Major
BONUS SKILLS (All at +1): Autofire Weapons (M), Firearms, Hand to Hand
O.P. SKILLS (3 OP must be spend on any of the following): Demolitions (M), Heavy Weapons (M), Gunnrey (M), Leadership, Tactics
(M), Interrogation, Survival.
MONEY: 100 cr.
BACKGROUND: Officer from the infantry or even from the Heavy Arms who wish to put on nicer clothes move to the hefty training and
long hours of the Officer Command College. Here, an trooper, learns the details of command and will soon go up in ranks to command
squads, units, even battalions.
MIRROR: Infantry, Armor
STARTING RANK: Second Lieutenant
CEILING RANK: None
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AEROSPACE
BACKGROUND: The rough men and women of the Aerospace division (sometimes nicknamed “Starlight”) are trained to operate the
Shuttles, Dropships, and Fighters of the CMC. They are trained in both operation of the flight systems and the weaponry armed on these air
and space craft. These troops are also used for astrogation and maneuvering of the massive starships the Marines utilize.
MIRROR: Starship Command
CEILING: Corporal
BONUS SKILLS (All at +1): Astrogation (M), Pilot Space-Interceptor (M), Pilot Dropship (M).
O.P. SKILLS (3 OP must be spent on any of the following ): Pilot Starship (M), Firearms, Navigation, Zero-G Maneuvering, Mechanics,
Pilot-Atmospheric Interceptor (M), Gunnery (M)
MONEY: 90 cr.
BACKGROUND: These people are on the path to commanding their own ship. They may still pilot ships but are being trained in the
command structure. High ranks could earn command of a squadron, a starship, or even a fleet.
MIRROR: Aerospace
STARTING RANK: Second Lieutenant
BONUS SKILLS (All at +1): Leadership, Astrogation (M), Pilot Starship (M).
O.P. SKILLS (3 OP must be spent on any of the following): Pilot Space-Interceptor (M), Pilot Dropship (M), Firearms, Engineer
Aerospace, Engineer Starship, Perception, Tactics
MONEY: 120 cr.
MEDICAL
BACKGROUND: These are ground medics basically trained to patching holes. They are not bound by protecting life, these are marines.
They will fight to save their comrades. They are armed with bullets and bandages.
MIRROR: Sciences or Xenobiology
CEILING RANK: Corporal
BONUS SKILLS (All at +1): First Aid, Firearms, Survival.
O.P. SKILLS (3 OP must be spent on any of the following): Paramedic (M), Autofire Weapons (M), Perception, Tracking, Deduction,
Research, First Aid.
MONEY: 100 cr.
SCIENCES CAREER
BACKGROUND: Expanding on their career, some marines choose to serve the corps in a support position. One of these is the sciences.
Basically, these are marines that have either trained before as doctors or were trained in the corps. They are often sent in large numbers for
medical relief and can often be placed in command of missions of military aid. Science Officers are trained in both medicine as well as all
the sciences.
MIRROR: Medical
STARTING RANK: Second Lieutenant
BONUS SKILLS (All at +1): Paramedic (M), Sciences (Choose two or give one +2), First Aid.
O.P. SKILLS (3 OP must be spent on the following): Research, Perception, Forensic Medicine, Criminology, Survival, Sciences,
Teacher, Enginee--Synthetic
MONEY: 140 cr.
BACKGROUND: This is a special path for those specifically designed to the study of alien life forms. Course…eventually, most of these
personnel are geared to the study of ONE specific life form. They are very similar to Sciences except they are more geared towards the study
of alien life forms. They are also trained to combat these threats. Doctors in this category have been hired for corporation’s bio-weapon’s
division.
MIRROR: Medical
STARTING / CEILING RANK: 1st Lieutenant / Colonel
BONUS SKILLS (All at +2): Xenobiology (M), Paramedic (M), Sciences (Choose one)
O.P. SKILLS (3 OP must be spent on the following): Research, Perception, Forensic Medicine, Criminology, Survival, Sciences,
Teacher.
MONEY: 50 cr.
ARMOR
BACKGROUND: These are the drivers of the Tanks, Buggies, and APC of the CMC. They can also operate the weapons of those vehicles
as well.
MIRROR: OCC
CEILING RANK: Corporal
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BONUS SKILLS (All at +1): Gunnery (M), Driving (choose either APC, Tank, or Buggy) (M), Firearms
O.P. SKILLS (3 OP must be spent on the following): Engineer Armor (M), Autofire Weapons (M), Driving (the other two types) (M),
Survival, Pilot Power Armor (TL6) (M), Navigation, Hand-to-Hand
MONEY: 80 cr.
TECHNICIAN
BACKGROUND: Technicians are assistants to large starships, and mechanics for smaller vehicles. Most pilots and drivers attribute their
success partially to these miracle workers. Being Marines, they often ride as passengers in large armor as a field repairman.
MIRROR: Engineer
CEILING RANK: Corporal
BONUS SKILLS (All at +1): Engineer (choose one at +2 or two and +1): Armor (M), Aerospace (M), Starship (M), Firearms, Mechanic.
O.P. SKILLS (3 OP must be spent on the following): Engineer (the two not chosen) (M), Weaponsmith (M), Electronics, Computer
Programming, Autofire Weapons (M), Demolition (M).
MONEY: 70 cr.
ENGINEER --CAREER--
BACKGROUND: Engineers command whole teams and run and keep whole battalions of starships from falling apart. They are so trained,
they not only can repair but modify and create their own designs.
MIRROR: Technician
CEILING / STARTING RANK: Captain / Second Lieutenant
BONUS SKILLS (All at +1): Engineer (Choose one at +2 or two at +1): Armor (M), Aerospace (M), Starship(M), Mechanic, Leadership
O.P. SKILLS (3 OP must be spent on the following): The other two Engineer skills not chosen, Weaponsmith, Inventor, Electronics,
Security Systems, Computer Programming, Engineer: Synthetic
MONEY: 100 cr.
FORCE RECON
MIRROR: Infantry, Heavy Weapons, Medical, Armor
STARTING RANK: Lance Corporal
CEILING RANK: Sergeant
BONUS SKILLS (All at +1): Autofire Weapons (M), Firearms, HTH, Stealth, Survival, Zero-Gravity Maneuvering, SCUBA, Parachuting
O.P. SKILLS (5 OP must be spent on the following): Demolitions/Disposal (M), Heavy weapons (M), Melee Weapons,
First Aid, Climbing, Drive -Buggy (M); Gunnery (M), Drive - APC, Tracking, Concealment, Shadowing, Sniper.
MONEY: 100 cr.
HEAVY WEAPONS
MIRROR: Infantry, Heavy Weapons, Medical, Armor
CEILING : Lance Corporal
BONUS SKILLS (All at +1): Smart Gunner (M), Firearms, HTH, Heavy Weapons, Survival, Zero-Gravity Maneuvering, SCUBA,
Parachuting
O.P. SKILLS (3 OP must be spent on the following): Demolitions/Disposal (M), Melee Weapons, First Aid, Climbing, Drive -Buggy
(M); Gunnery (M), Drive - APC, Tracking, Concealment, Shadowing, Autofire Weapons (M), Hand to Hand Evade,
MONEY: 100 cr.
TALENTS
No restrictions.
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Membership
Every two ranks a marine has gains him +1 Membership in the CMC. This is the only way to gain Membership in the CMC.
Reputation
-- ALTERED --
See "Ranks" in the CMC. Do not invest any points here.
No License
No one should have a skill above +1 at the beginning of their character. This should be enforced by the GM. Only one PC should have
these skills and also consider not allowing it until later in the game.
RANKS
ENLISTED
Private (Aeroman)*
Private 1st Class (Aeroman)*
Lance Corporal (Aeroman First Class)*
Corporal (Senior Aeroman)*
NON COMMISIONED
Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Gunnery Sergeant
First Sergeant
Master Sergeant
Sergeant Major
Master Gunnery Sergeant
Sgt. Major of the Corps
COMMISIONED
Second Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
Lieutenant Commander
Commander
Captain
Major
Lieutenant Colonel
Colonel
Brigadier General
Major General
Lieutenant General
General
Admiral
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*Aerospace
SKILLS
Acrobatics (DEX)
Acting (PRE) Intimidation (PRE)
Animal Handler (INT) Inventor (TECH)
Athletics (DEX) Languages (INT)
Bribery (PRE) Leadership (PRE)
Bugging (TECH) Lip Reading (INT)
Bureaucratic (PRE) Local Expert (INT)
Business (INT) Lockpicking (TECH)
Climbing (STR) Melee Weapons (DEX)
Computer Programming (INT) Melee Evade (DEX)
Concealment (INT) Mimicry (PRE)
Concentration (WILL) Navigation (INT)
Contortionist (DEX) Oratory (PRE)
Conversation (PRE) Perception (INT)
Cooking (INT) Persuasion (PRE)
Criminology (TECH) Pilot: Civilian Aircraft (DEX)
Cryptography (INT) Pilot: Powerloader (DEX)
Dancing (DEX) Professional (INT)
Deduction (INT) Ranged Evade (DEX)
Disguise (TECH) Research (INT)
Driving: Bike (REF) Riding (DEX)
Driving: Automobile (REF) Science (INT)
Driving: Heavy Equipment (Drillers, Loaders, Cranes) Security Systems (TECH)
Education (INT) Seduction (PRE)
Electronics (TECH) Shadowing (INT)
Engineer: Automobile (TECH) Sleight of Hand (REF)
Engineer: Aircraft (TECH) Stealth (DEX)
Engineer: Heavy Equipment (TECH) Streetwise (PRE)
Expert (INT) Survival (INT)
First Aid (TECH) Surveillance (INT)
Firearms (REF) Teacher (PRE)
Forensic Medicine (TECH) Tracking (INT)
Forgery (TECH) Trading (PRE)
Gambling (TECH) Ventriloquist (PRE)
Hacking (TECH) Wardrobe and Style (PRE)
Hand to Hand (REF) Zero-Gravity Maneuvering (DEX)
Hand to Hand Evade (DEX) Scuba (DEX)
High Society (PRE) Parachuting (DEX)
Interrogation (PRE)
34
WEAPONS
WA: The modifier when shooting. The Smart Gun has special rules.
RANGE: Max range of the weapon in meters.
DC: Damage Capacity.
ROF: The Maximum firing rate of the weapon. Refer to autofire rules in FUZION. Also the weapons can be shot in smaller bursts. Tell
the GM how many rounds the PC is firing before rolling. The standard ROF is a third of the number listed.
SHOTS: All the rounds in the clip of the weapon.
BR: Blast Radius
EV: The penalty to Dexterity for carrying the weapon. Not firing.
CAP: The distnguising feature of the tip of a grenade.
DEPLOYMENT: The procedure to deploy the weapon on the battlefield.
TARGET: What the weapon can fire at. Anti-missile is a special rule. 'Any' means any target except missile.
CLASS: What type of Hardpoint can this weapon load into and whether or not it is guided or not.
COST: Black Market cost.
COLONIAL MARINE MISCELANEOS FIREPOWER (These are weapon systems. See below)
MINES
36
GRENADES
CANNONS
*: NO real damage--20k of sufficient electronic damage. Destroying the ship means the ship shuts down…see below.
**This is the weapon one spacecraft laser turrets.
HARDPOINTS:
Hardpoints are areas where weapons can be placed. Each area must be of the same weapon class. You cannot have missiles and laser in
the same Hardpoint but can have different types of missiles in one area. Weapons not listed below cannot be placed and are permanent
mount are craft. Other can be placed anywhere. Armor (Tank) weapons are too heavy to be placed on Aerospace craft. However,
Aerospace craft can be mounted on Armor vehicles if the weapon as a “Ground”, “Any”, or “Air” Targeting capacity. No “Space” can be
37
used. Weapons on a craft of the same type can be linked to fire at the same target. All weapons in a Hardpoint are automatically linked.
Missiles are the exception. Guided missiles fire normally since they are not aimed. Any number in each Hardpoint can fire. Dumbfire
missiles (unguided) can fire one to the maximum in the Hardpoint. Each missile is considered 1 ROF. Firing all 16 150mm rockets in a
Hardpoint has a 16ROF.
AMMUNITION:
A full clip of a weapon costs %10 of original cost. With the exception of the RPG, weapons with one shot are disposable. Reloads for
Spacecraft does not technically exsist since all the ammunition is linked to the weapon so the maximum ammunition is listed already.
However, the GM may consider loading up a ship by taking up one Cargo slot for two full reloads of a weapon. Two different weapons may
be held (one reload each weapon for one slot) but one full slot will be occupied regardless if totally full or not. Each reload has the number
of shots equal to the weapon's regular capacity .
SPD OF WEAPONS:
What follows is how much damage a weapon can take before being rendered inoperable. This is done by direct fire or by acid spray.
VP 70 PISTOL: The VP 70 'PREDATOR' by Ventrel is a 9mm semi automatic sidearm crafted entirely of composite materials making
it light, rugged and dependable. The PREDATOR project was started over 30 years ago by Ventrel to create a firearm for the modern soldier.
Originally created from 150 separate parts, this has been reduced to 6. The main feature of the PREDATOR is the simplicity. With a safety
latch built into the trigger and a concealed hammer, the VP 70 has an extremely low chance of jamming or misfiring, even under high levels
of heat and pressure. The VP 70 can fire after 72 hours at 700 degrees and a combined weight of 7 atmospheres. The VP 70 contains an
insulated magazine that will prevent ammunition 'cook off' at temperatures up to 500 degrees. The PREDATOR holds 11 rounds of 9mm
ammunition with 1 in the chamber, and accepts both Military combat effective munitions and
civilian shells.
The simplicity of the VP70's firing mechanism is one of its most notable features, resulting in
an extremely reliable, accurate weapon in the harshest conditions. When carried as a conventional
weapon, the VP70 fires with a standard blowback mechanism linked to a unique trigger
configuration. The trigger is a double action mechanism that requires substantial pressure when
first pulled back. If this pressure is continued, the trigger bar slips from a spring-loaded firing pin
to fire the chambered round. This safety-in-trigger design negates the need for any additional
safety catch. The optional shoulder stock latches into grooves on the back of the pistol's receiver
and butt. Single and burst fire is available when this unit is attached. Use: Since the VP70 uses the
inherently accurate, low powered 9mm Parabellum round, it proves to be an easily controlled
pistol when fired. Range is increased by the accuracy of the round, and even in three round burst
mode the pistol provides surprisingly accurate, directable fire. In the years since the introduction of the original design, the VP70 has
undergone little in the way of substantive change. More commonly, new, lighter, stronger plastics and alloys have gone into the pistol's parts,
providing an even more reliable and more compact sidearm.
M4A3 SERVICE SIDEARM: The M3A3, with its older variants, has been the USCM standard sidearm for the past sixty years. It is a
9mm automatic, recoil operated, magazine fed hand weapon. The working mechanism is made of steel alloy with some plastic parts and the
outer casing is machined from lightweight alloys. The entire weapon, including a full 12 round magazine weighs no more than 0.95 kg. The
cartridge is a 9mm ball rimless straight round with a bullet weight of 126 grain.
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ATM-2 MEDINA (TL2): The Medina is a zero-recoil shell weapon designed for CMC units in zero-gravity environments. Alphatech
designed it for the military but found demand in the CMC who needed more weaponry in the hostile dangers of space.
ATM-1 SABOT-PISTOL (TL2): Alphatech’s cheap and small Sabot pistol is a holdout weapon used by police groups as a standard side
arm. It is also used as a good backup weapon in the CMC. It uses the same small Sabot rounds used in Sabot Sticks.
BASIC STUNNER: A common weapon for police and national guardsmen. The Stunner fires a sedative needle that disintegrates upon
penetration. It can penetrate all but the heaviest armor and can usually knock the average human in one firing. A long crumbled corporation
developed it in an attempt so appease controversy over armed corporate soldiers. The sight is now common but the Stunner still found a
market. If the weapon penetrates armor, the ENTIRE stun damage is dealt.
The M41 fires the standard US M309 10mm x 24 round. This ammunition comprises a 210 grain projectile embedded within a rectangular
caseless propellant block of Nitramine 50. The propellant content is small but highly efficient, generating muzzle velocities on the order of
840 meters per second. The round is steel-jacketed and explosive tipped, with impact fusing that is preset during manufacture. Terminal
ballistic characteristics have been optimized for maximum lethality against infantry wearing personal armor. The round is designed to
penetrate the armor, exploding just after impact to inflict lethal internal damage. The standard M41 ammunition clip will hold up to 100
M309 rounds in a 'U' bend conveyor that feeds the rounds mechanically into the rotating breech mechanism. However, in practice the clips
are only filled to 95% capacity in order to reduce the autoloader's tendency to jam.
The M41 uses electronic pulse action to fire, controlled directly from the trigger. The internal mechanism, including the rotating breech,
is mounted on free-floating rails within a carbon-filter jacket. This assembly is recoil dampened to reduce the effects of muzzle climb during
burst and full automatic fire. From the thumb selector, the weapon can be set to four-round bursts, or full automatic fire, the latter allowing a
rate of fire up to the weapons cyclic rate of 900 rounds per minute. An LED display situated just below the receiver indicates the ammo
remaining in the clip. This display can be dimmed for night operations. A Lithium battery in the carrying handle provides electrical power
for the gun’s motor mechanism. This battery is good for 10,000 rounds and can be recharged either from a rifle rack or a portable power
clip.
The M41 is a robust weapon, fully sealed against corrosion, dirt and moisture, yet easy to disassemble and maintain. The solid state
electronics are hardened against TREE and background radiation, and the weapon is perfectly usable in a vacuum environment. However, it
is not sufficiently stabilized or recoil dampened for use in free-fall combat operations
39
M42A SCOPE RIFLE: The M42A is a 10mm pulse action semi-automatic rifle employed as the primary sniper weapon of the USCMC.
This rifle is a key component of battalion operations; it's long range and precision extending the tactical zone of control by up to a kilometer
or more, subject to local terrain. The rifle is issued on a scale of one per company, though it is normally held for use in a battalion controlled
pool of up to four Scout-Snipers.
The internal mechanism of the M42 is designed to have a high degree of commonality with the M41 - using the same rotating breech and
feed - though it is chambered for the match-standard 10mm x 28 caseless round such as in the M56. The barrel is free-floating with a right-
handed twist and is contained within a protective shroud and receiver housing. Ammunition feed is from a 15 round Match Rounds
magazine inserted beneath the stock of the rifle, behind the thumbhole of the pistol grip.
The match-standard batched M252 HEAP round has a maximum effective range of 2,950 meters. A long-range stabilized ball round is
also available, with an effective range of 3,800 meters. The factory standard M250 smart gun round can be used with no adaptation, though
it has an effective range well under 2,000 meters. Fusing for the M250/M252 ammunition is controlled from a separate selector switch.
A combined, multi-spectral twenty power passive sensor scope is mounted over the receiver. the scope display shows a composite image
based on visual, infrared and electromagnetic emissions. The scope display can be augmented by input from the local sensor matrix via a
digital comms broadcast or direct optic cable link. Motion trackers, ground radar, lidar and IR sensors may all be linked into the rifle;
furthermore, the optical PARGET control system - exact details of which are classified - is apparently able to connect the rifle into the local
sentry gun matrix, allowing the Scout-Sniper to redirect sentry gun firing arcs when in hot contact. Instead of adding +1 for every additional
round, the Scope rifle adds +2.
M41AE2 (TL2): The M41AE2 is built on the same basis as the M41A1but with and a slightly lower ROF. Optional L clip contains 300
rounds.
M21A COMBAT SHOTGUN: The shotgun has a length from the barrel to the stock is about three and half to four feet long. However,
during the Vietnam war, the soldiers had modified them so that they would be about two and half feet long. To be used in jungle combat,
they would prove to be one of the most versatile weapons used. The maximum range for a "sawed off shotgun" would be approximately 2
and a half feet.
The shotgun is really easy to load, there's a stainless steel fork that is located underneath the pump-action barrel. There, you would put the
shell up at a slight angle, and feed it right in. And then when you are done putting the shell into the weapon, the fork closes and from there,
you can hold up to three shells plus one in the barrel, which would make the total ammunition count to four total rounds (Modifications were
made on these weapons so they could take more than three rounds. Sometimes four to five shells were in the shotgun tube).
The shotgun is made out of tempered steel that is molded to become the top and lower barrel, while the trigger is made also from the
tempered steel. The wood for the pistol grip and the hand pump are
both hardened and weather proofed so to avoid rotting and getting moldy.
L96 SNIPER RIFLE: The L96A1 is made by a firm called Accuracy International. In sniper try-outs, the L96 beat the Parker & Hale
M85. The rifle was built under supervision of a top UK rifle shooter. It has an unusual set-up, the stock is of two piece design and the two
pieces bolt onto a sub-chassis. The action is both glued and screwed to this sub-chassis. The barrel is SS and there are few variants of the
rifle, a heavy bull barrel (newest), an anti-terrorist model (long barrel, no iron sight, a muzzle break), the regular L96A1 (iron sight, hence
front post, no muzzle break, in 308).
There is also a silenced model with full length silencer. It is a very accurate rifle, typical groups are sub 1/2 MOA at 100 yds and just over
that at 200 yds. Well designed and built with a very nice stock .The syntech stock has very nice lines, it has adjustable length of pull (done
with spacers), a thumbhole design. All in all a very nice and accurate rifle. I was supposed to test fire one of these rifles, however, the
company is very reluctant to send any rifle to individuals, they like to deal with agencies, governments and such.
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DUCHAMP BLASTER (TL2): 500 round MAG with two in-board clips. Medium Recoil, Piss poor at distance. The Duchamp was an
attempt to scale up the existing Pulse Rifle design. The result is a hardly used heavy rifle that was scrapped by the CMC in favor of the
M41AE2 Mk.2 Pulse Rifle. The Duchamp still found use from civilian groups and budget minded corporations.
M42A3 LIGHT RIFLE: The M42A3 is a smaller variant of the M41 Pulse Rifle. This weapon is lighter, easier to use and more robust.
The servicing cost of the M42 is so low, the weapon became the Rifle of choice for colonies in the outer veil as well as deep space CMC
scouts. Light armor urban squads and jungle militias often use the M42A3 in replacement of the heavier M41A.
ATM-3 SHIVA Mk. 1 (TL3): The two Shiva designs, built by Alphatech were originally developed for their own forces but found use
in most of the Outer Veil colonies as a heavy weapon to compete with M41A Pulse Rifle. The Deep Space CMC forces have been found
using these weapons since supply runs to the Periphery are uncommon. The Shiva is a two handed weapon with two individual handgrips. It
uses larger Sabot rounds found in the Sabot stick and the Sabot pistol. The only real problem with both Shiva models is their heavy recoils.
Ever subsequent round of firing (after the first one) more than ½ the weapon’s ROF invokes a –1 penalty to hit. The stop this, stop firing for
one round or fire shorter, controlled bursts.
ATM-4 SABO-STICK (TL2): The single cheapest rifle in Alphatech’s arsenal is the basic Sabot Stick. It has a simple firing
mechanism and a simple design. The only major problem is that it tends to overheat. Sticks are considered disposable rifles. After their
tenth’s clip change, the massive heat buildup has caused the firing mechanism to fuse, making it inoperable.
M56A2 SMART GUN: The M56A2 is a 10mm general-purpose automatic squad support weapon, effective out to 1500 meters. The
pulse-action system employs a free-floating recoil-dampened rotating breech mechanism chambered for the M250 series 10mm x 28 caseless
round. the gun also incorporates a muzzle booster to ensure the necessary operating forces from the large round. Cyclic rate is around 1200
rounds per minute. The gun is constructed largely from molded carbon-fiber and light alloy stampings, though some interior parts of the
mechanism are made from plastic. The replaceable barrel system is air-cooled, though a heat-sink attachment can be jacketed onto it. The
system is mounted on an operator's harness and slaved to an infrared tracking system. the gun is self-steering on the mount, though firing
must be commanded manually. the entire gun assembly masses 17.82 kg. The length of the gun itself is 122 cm, and the length of the barrel
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is 54.5 cm.
The stabilized articulation arm is attached to the left hip mounting and plugged in via coaxial cable to the processor and power outlets in
the breastplate. The gun itself is clipped and secured to the end of the arm. The operator plugs this HMS (head mounted sight) into the
tracking and comms system in the armor. the gun tracker is jacked into the process by a universal connector, and the gun itself must be
powered up before the weapon is loaded. Power for the entire gun system is supplied by standard DV9 Lithium battery units, good for up to
50,000 rounds when fully charged. Both ends of the DV9 unit are plugged into the power leads that run from the articulation arm to the gun;
common practice in the field is to let the battery hand free beneath the gun, where it is easily accessed in an emergency.
The M250 10mm x 28 ammunition is a 230 grain caseless projectile encased in a
rectangular block of Nitramine. Higher powered that the M309 round for the pulse
rifle, the M250 also significantly differs in having a selectable fuse setting. A switch
on the hand grip is used to select the ammunition fusing, which is set electronically
as the round is loaded into the chamber. The 'Super' setting is optimized against soft
targets and will detonate the round on impact, while the 'Delay' setting explodes the
shell only after penetrating the target armor.
The M250 ammunition is stored on a roll of continuous plastic non-disintegrating
link belt in the ammunition drum, which can be reloaded in the field. The gun motor
drives the feed mechanism as well as the rotating breech, and automatically loads
each round off the belt and into the breech. In the event of a jam, the manual
cocking handle at the side can be pulled to eject the round and clear the breech. This
procedure can also be used to manually charge the mechanism.
The first +1 to hit is automatic. If the target is not destroyed, the next round
increases to +2. Every subsequent round past it adds,
another +1 until the target is destroyed. This can be applied when spreading the shots over multiple
targets. All targets receive have the bonus. Blind fire gives no bonus.
GC-20 PLASMA RIFLE (TL3): Grant Corp developed several plasma weapon designs based on
the heavy firepower of the PIG and the heavy turrets on the M577 APC. They created the GC-20 and
its heavier Cannon cousin. The GC-20 is almost unrecognizable in comparison to existing weapon
designs. The three-barreled weapon is ivory white with very few additional features.
To keep cost down, standard rifle features often found are missing including ergonomic handgrips, a
magazine counter, and even a shoulder guard. The almost featureless weapon perfectly matches the
Acid Resistant Combat Wardrobe for which the weapon was primarily designed for, even though the
armor itself would be released later (R&D on the acid resistance proved more difficult than designing a
hand held plasma weapon. The three barrels allowed the GC-20 to have high cyclic rate and keep the
internal heat down.
M-199 SMART GUN Mk. 2 (TL2): The M-199 modified the existing Smart gun design almost
from the ground up. The rifle is over a foot shorter, and has been converted into a gattling weapon.
The ammo drum was moved under the weapon and the strength of the harness was increased. The M-
199 was a valuable weapon used by Beserker teams because it increased the firepower of a regular
heavy gunners. Most prefer the less clumsy original design. However, the increased size of the
weapon led to a larger , more advanced computer system. Although heavier, it is a better shot.
The Mk. 2 has a +2 bonus with an additional +1 next round after than. Like the original design, the
shots can be dispersed among a group. Blind fire gives no bonus.
ATM-5 SHIVA Mk. 2 (TL2): The Massive Mk. 2 Shiva was designed, originally, as a heavy
weapon used primarily for military synthetics. The massive weight of the weapon made common
deployment difficult. When synthetics were banned from an active offensive rule and reduced to
support only, the Shiva became a rarity. Still found on occasion, the Shiva popped up now and then,
the preferred weapon of choice for stronger soldiers since it can be used as an “autofire” weapon,
making it available to general infantry without penalty. When Offensive synthetics designed to combat
the xenomorph threat appeared in TL4, the Shiva Mk2 appeared again as a standard weapon for heavier
unit.
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GC-10 PLASMA CANNON (TL3): Grant Corp’s larger Plasma weapon made before the final release of the GC-20. The designers
took a stock Sentry Gun chassis and removed al the mechanical and computer components. The project originally was to create an
automated system like the Sentry gun, but the size of the cannon prevented this unless the entire chassis was reconstructed. The automatic
systems were dropped in exchange for basic hydraulic control. The gun pivots and tilts effortlessly on its axis, 360 degrees around and 60
degrees up with no effort from the user.
If carried off its tripod, the weapon is heavy and cumbersome, requiring a STR of 8 to a least use. Still, the weapon has a –3 to hit
anything. The large weapon is capable for taking down aircraft, puncturing tank armor, and incinerating whole squads. The CMC operates
few, preferring to use their lighter Phased Plasma Infantry Gun. Still, the weapon is still the largest reusable infantry weapon available. The
weapons six second recharge rate is a major hindrance, however. Usually, the weapon is wired into a link system with another cannon. Both
guns can be wired into a remote user, safely behind cover and fire both guns alternatively.
M78 PHASED PLASMA INFANTRY GUN: The M78 PIG (Phased-plasma Infantry Gun) is a man-portable anti-armor weapon.
Weighting 15.2 kg in its entirety, the PIG consists of two parts: the gun and its power pack. The M78 is a 15 mW phased plasma system
firing vaporized Cadmium Telluride pellets from a 30 round feed. The fast-discharge system powering the gun's laser and magnetic coil is
fed from a 4 mW hydrogen fuel cell in the power pack. The firing cycle takes 3 seconds, most of which is taken up by the powering up of the
discharge generator. The penetrating power of the system is considerable, and it is claimed to be able to breach the flank armor of a heavy
tank at 1,000 meters.
M83A2 SADAR: The M83A2 SADAR (Shoulder-launched Active-homing Disposable Anti-tank Rocket) is a lightweight one-shot anti-
armor weapon capable of engaging enemy vehicles at ranges up to 1,000 m. Fully disposable, the rocket's launcher is discarded after firing,
whilst the rocket, a fire-and-forget weapon, guides itself toward the target. When stowed, the SADAR system consists of a watertight carbon-
fiber composite blast tube, inside of which is an aluminum launch tube containing the missile and guidance electronics. The weapon is
cocked by unlatching the forward ring of the blast tube and pulling the inner launch tube forwards until it locks. A trigger assembly and
thermal acquisition sight are then flipped into position, and the weapon activated by pushing a charge button on the trigger grip. From this
point the weapon can be sighted and fired from the shoulder.
The M83 acquires and tracks targets with a cooled infrared imaging seeker mounted in
the rocket's nose. When the charge button is pressed, the inert IR seeker is cooled to it's
operating temperature within two seconds and begins feeding images to the operator's
thermal acquisition sight. The seeker remains charged for twenty minutes, after which the
rocket may only be fired unguided. When a target enters the acquisition sight, the operator
can lock the seeker's field of view, the weapon can be launched at it.
When launched, the SADAR rocket accelerates to maximum velocity. As the rocket
approaches the target, the guidance system selects the hottest part of the target and flies
and attack profile the offers optimum penetration. Against a tank, it will typically climb
briefly before diving on the target's thinner upper surfaces. The M83A2 version is capable
of identifying defensive countermeasures such as decoy flares and has improved logic to
aid in rejecting them. The shaped-charge HEAT warhead is capable of defeating most
light and medium armor. The SADAR is guided and all rules to it apply. It is listed with
a 3 missile capacity because purchasing one delivers a crate of three launchers.
ATTACKS: 2
AUTOMATIC SKILL: 8
SIM-118 HORNET: A shoulder launched man-portable SAM (Surface to Air Missile) capable of an all aspect engagement of targets up
to 10 km. The millimeter-wave seeker is capable of acquiring as well as tracking targets, allowing the infantryman to fire at craft beyond the
range of his vision or obscured by cloud. A no-frills hypervelocity missile, the Hornet has no warhead, relying on its high accuracy, and the
kinetic energy of its impact to destroy the target. The Hornet is guided and all rules to it apply.
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ATTACKS: 4
AUTOMATIC SKILL: 9
M112 HIMAT: The Hypervelocity Intelligent Missile, Anti-Tank is a man portable battlefield ‘brilliant’ weapon with a range of over 5
000 m. The versatility of the system allows the field commander many options for its deployment and use.
The core element of the system is a 11.3 kg single-round self-contained disposable launcher is a carbon-fiber composite tube containing
the HIMAT round and RTM ports for the fire control system. The bipod can be set to launch the round horizontally or at increasing angles
up until the vertical, depending on deployment.
Fire control for the M112 varies according to mission. For defensive deployment, the system can be set for either ‘Command’
‘Autonomous’ configuration. In both cases, one or more launchers are connected by cable to an APS-100 Fire Controller, an 800 Gb
intelligent system which imports data from the local sensor matrix, including motion trackers, infrared scanners, lider, radar and robot
sentries. It is also possible to datalink the Fire Control unit into higher-level assets such as surveillance drones or artillery Forward
Observers. The APS-200 unit analyzes the sensor data, and if it positively identifies a target it will lock-on with one or more missiles under
its command and prepare to launch.
If set to Command mode, the APS-100 is connected to the terminal of an operator who constantly monitors the Anti-Tank defense plan
for the area. If a target is identified, the system will flash a ‘Target Lock’ indicator to the operator who can authorize a weapon’s launch or,
if the exact identity of the target is unsure, a further IFF interrogation. If enables for Autonomous mode, the APS-100 will work through its
target identification protocols until it is sure it has lock-on to an enemy and then automatically launched one of more missiles. The HIMAT
is guided and all rules to it apply. It can be fired manually so it is not classes as a system.
ATTACKS: 2
AUTOMATIC SKILL: 8
ATM-1 BOLTER (TL2): The Bolter is another heavy weapon by Alphatech designed primarily for combat synthetics that didn’t see
wide release until TL4. The weapon was so large, most couldn’t even use it. The kickback was enough to knock smaller people off their
feet. Some were modified by Alphatech and the CMC with a tripod unit to ease the firing recoil. This variant found wide use in heavy armor
units. The original came back at TL4 when Combat Synthetics met wide release.
M80 LP-CANNON: This long range, shoulder cannon found use with heavy soldiers to accentuate armor units. The LP-Cannon’s basic
objective was to give infantry unit a heavy weapon to combat ground military without having to set up heavy missile systems. The M80 is a
clip fed railcannon with a built in-power source. It accelerates a needle-shaped flechette past Mach. The fact that it has a clip made the
weapon popular for field units who didn’t need to the constantly reload the weapon in a pinch.
NUCLEAR FAILSAFE MINE (TL4): The NFM is a weapon specifically designed for Beserker teams as a last ditch effort to wipe out
the Hive if they fail to clear out the infestation. It cannot be accidentally set off. It is magnetically or gravitically attached to an area just
inside the Hive and set to a timer up to 12 hours. When the timer runs out, the Nuke instantly kills everything in a 500m radius and deal out
40k to everything 500m past that. Ever 100 m past that does half damage. Only the right code can disarm the mine. Forcing its removal
causes it detonation within one minute.
UA 571 REMOTE SENTRY WEAPON SYSTEM: The robot sentry unit is primarily used as an automatic perimeter defense system.
Its average weight is 19.6 Kg and can be assembled within 150 seconds. Major components of the UA 571 include a snap open tripod
mounting, battery pack, breech and barrel assembly, sensors, and a 500 round ammunition drum.
Access to the system by a marine proficient in sentry gun maintenance is aided by a
microwave datalink connected to a remote command console. Once the unit is placed into
position, it can be set to cover an entire range of 360 degrees.
The sentry unit may specifically be set to monitor targets in infrared or optical
depending on the profile of the target. In particular, targets with thermal or visual profiles
respectively. For the most comprehensive target profile, the sentry unit will be set for
multispectral mode. Here, data is transmitted from the sentry's sensor suite (infrared,
44
optical, and motion) and is then cross - correlated by system software. If the sentry unit is set for auto - remote, all targets within the range of
the 60 degree sensor cone will be interrogated.
To prevent the possibility of casualties by means of 'friendly fire,' all USCMC vehicles, officers, and troops are equipped with an
Identification Friend Foe (IFF) transponder. Since the introduction of the UA 571-C, the IFF transponder has become an everyday part of
the marine's communication gear. When a marine is interrogated, the transponder will relay a coded radio signal. If the sentry unit reads are
positive, the marine OR vehicle will be free to pass; otherwise, the weapon will open fire. Under the 'semi-automatic' mode, a target's profile
will be relayed back to the command console. Here, the system operator will choose whether or not to fire.
A servo suite aids the sentry unit upon the opening of fire. Its primary components consist of a servo-mechanism and -motor. The servo-
mechanism is a rather delicate device. Though, despite its delicacy, it has its importance. The mechanism's necessity lies in its ability to
control large bursts of power by means of very small amounts of power. Apart from that, it automatically corrects the performance of a
mechanism. In this case the mechanism is the UA 571. Alongside the servo-mechanism is the -motor, which is a device that supplements a
primary control operated by a comparatively weaker force (such as the servo-mechanism).
The suite, together with the tripod mounting boresights the sentry onto the target. That is, the sentry is aided from resistance (moving
backwards when firing). So literally, the sentry's ammo "bores" right into its victim. The servos support the tripod to keep the sentry unit
sturdy and in place when firing. The rounds fired in one burst depends on the target's profile so that the most economical use of ammo is
used.
Variants of the sentry unit include the UA 571-D that mounts a 20 wM HF laser cannon and the UA 571-F that mounts a 40 mm grenade
launcher. Both are currently employed by the USCMC.
The UA 571-C is a man-portable automatic perimeter defense system currently deployed by the US Army and Colonial Marines. A
remote sentry unit weights 19.6 kg and can be assembled in under 150 seconds. The major components consist of a snap-open tripod
mounting, battery pack, breech and barrel assembly, sensor unit and 500 round ammunition drum. A microwave datalink connects the sentry
to a remote command console. Once employed, the system may be set to sweep wide arcs up to 360 degrees though doctrine is to set several
sentries to cover smaller, interlocking fields of fire on a narrow frontage. The UA 571-C mounts a pulse action machine gun, using the M250
10 mm x 28 HEAP round. The weapon has a cyclic rate of 1100 rpm and is air cooled, with an automatic cutout preventing the loading of
any more rounds into the breech should overheating cause a chance of ammunition explosion.
The sentry unit’s sensor array is mounted above the barrel, aligned to cover a 60 degree cone in front of the weapon. This sensing suite
consists of a cooled infrared detector, ambient light optics, and ultrasonic motion tracker and a lidar. If a target’s visual or thermal profile is
known, the system may be set just to monitor these specific targets using infrared or optical. However, the system is usually set to multi-
spectral mode, where the sentry’s software cross-correlates received data from the different sensors to obtain a full target profile.
When the weapon fires, automatic servos in the tripod boresight the weapon on the target. The number and grouping of rounds fired in a
burst is dependent on the target profile, so that the most economical use of ammunition is made.
AUTOMATIC SKILL: 10
LIM-417 PHALANX: The CMC primary SAM is the LIM-417 Phalanx, a long-range hypervelocity missile capable of engaging
aerospace craft to the limits of the stratosphere. This active homing weapon employs a three-stage booster for the launch, sustain, and
terminal phases of flight and uses active and passive seekers, including radar, IR, optical, UV and jam-homing, backed by mid-course update
from the ground station, to ensure the intercept, regardless of countermeasures. The third-stage booster ensures the missile remains highly
agile in the terminal phases of flight, and the multi-data kinetic penetrating warhead can be adjusted by the fusing mechanism into an
optimum “swarm’ pattern prior to impact. This weapon is guided.
ATTACKS: 3
AUTOMATIC SKILL: 12
HIM-122 LANCER: Anti-ballistic missile defense is provided by the HIM-122 Lancer, a multi-stage, multi-warhead missile designed to
engage aerospace craft, spacecraft and reentry vehicle constellations from medium altitude to the mesopause. In the terminal phase of flight,
the Lancer can assign each of its ten maneuvering warheads to engage a separate target, as in the case of a constellation attack, or a single
target, as in the case of a re-entering starship. An unjammable datalink with the ground launch tracking station ensures high accuracy, and
ECCM capability. This weapon is guided.
ATTACKS: 2 each missile.
AUTOMATIC SKILL: 10
HIM-78 SPRINT: The HIM-78 Sprint is a high speed ground launched space weapon designed to destroy spacecraft and satellites in
near orbit. Usually launched in clusters in order to overwhelm any spaceship point defense, the Spirit comprises a two-stage booster
designed to insert an ASAT missile with a kinetic warhead into orbit. Against low orbiting targets, the Sprint ASAT payload can be inserted
directly into its path; however a typical injection profile versus a geostationary target involves lofting the payload into a hohmann transfer
orbit before completing a circularization burn into geostationary orbit (GSO). For an Earth-like world, the time from ignition to transfer to
GSO is some 3 800 seconds. A special feature of the HIM-78 is its low launch signature that improves the chance of first-strike surprise on
an armed or maneuvering target.
ATTACKS: 5
AUTOMATIC SKILL: 12
MISSILES
AGM-204A TSAM: The TSAM (Threat Suppression Attack Missile) is a low-cost self-
protection weapon designed to defend strikeships and dropships against airborne missiles,
early warning radars, SAM sites and AAA. Small, short ranged and lightweight, the TSAM
design trades off the loiter mode of most modern Threat Suppression Missiles for speed, in
order to eliminate a threat rapidly. The Tekell solid motor is a high impulse unit that will
accelerate the missile to hyper velocity in less than two seconds; after burnout, the missile coasts to the target. Range varies considerably
with launch speed and altitude, though practical limits in an Earth-density atmosphere are 20 km at sea-level up to 60 km at high altitude.
The TSAM is guided but cannot be fired at. It is designed to attack incoming missiles. It locks on automatically.
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ATTACKS: 1
AUTOMATIC SKILL: 10
AGM-220C HELLHOUND II: The Hellhound II is a multi-role tactical missile designed for
use against point targets such as vehicles, armor, buildings and bunkers. Based around a greatly
enlarged version of the Hellhound I airframe, the missile employs a three-stage motor consisting of
a launch boost engine, and in flight sustained motor and a third-stage booster designed to accelerate
the weapon during its terminal attack phase. The weapon can be launched in two different modes:
in the first, the dropship Weapons Officer locks the missile's seeker onto a target before launch and
provided he maintains the lock until the moment of launch the weapon will then be guided to that target; in the second, the weapon is
directed to a grid reference where it then commences a search for a pre-designated target, or one selected from an internal menu of potential
targets, or for a target of opportunity. The dual-seeker system combines a high-resolution millimeter-wave radar and infrared imager linked
to a sophisticated 12 Mb processor which determines the missile's optimal attack profile and warhead fusing to ensure a kill. The 'C' variant
of the AGM-220 incorporates a new, jam-resistant radar and improved countermeasures refection logic to bring it in line with the 'F' version
employed by the USASF. This is a guided weapon.
ATTACKS: 1
AUTOMATIC SKILL: 9
Mk. 16 150mm BANSHEE 70: The Banshee 70 system constitutes one of the most important unguided weapons in US service. In the
Colonial Marines, it is most commonly associated with the LAU-190/A 16 tube launcher mounted on the UD-4 Cheyenne dropship. Each
rocket is spin stabilized by a fluted exhaust nozzle and has three spring-mounted wrap-around fins at the rear. The Mk. 16 model has a high-
impulse rocket motor, giving a burnout velocity in excess of 1800 m per second, providing excellent stand-off range and accuracy in the air-
to-surface role.
M18: The M18 is an incendiary warhead intended for target marking and for use against buildings and light fortifications.
M451: The M451 is a 36kg High Explosive, blast-fragmentation warhead with a ‘smart’ fuse for use against a wide variety of
targets. The TIAS target analysis system aboard the dropship will set the fuse at the moment of launch according to the target, allowing for
airbursts against soft targets or impact fusing against armor.
M597: The M97 is a multi-dart warhead containing 17 incendiary flechettes designed to penetrate tank armor, field defenses and
bunkers, and then causes fires within them.
M598: The M598 is a ‘beehive’ round for use against battlefield targets such as exposed personnel, soft vehicles, helicopters and
VTOL platforms. The warhead carries a load of approximately 4 800, 7.2 g kinetic-penetrating darts capable of saturating an area the size of
a football field. With both M597 and M597 warheads, he dropship TIAS will set the optimum distribution pattern of the darts the moment of
launch, depending on the primary target.
Mk. 10 70mm ZEUS: The Mk. 10 ZEUS is a 70mm unguided rocket system that has been the mainstay of
USCM service for some sixty years, in its various forms. A small, spin-stabilized rocket, the ZEUS is now
supplied with only two types of warhead: a smart fused antipersonnel fragmenting warhead and a smoke warhead for laying particulate
smoke screens.
Mk. 88 120mm SGW: The Mk. 88 is a 120mm, short ranged (under 1500m) weapon designed as a low-
cost alternative to the Hellhound versus light armor and prepared positions such as hangars or gun
emplacements. A simple weapon, it comprises a rocket with a low-impulse motor steered by fold-out fins.
Guidance is by an imaging infra-red seeker in the nose, and a 2.2 kg shaped-charge warhead is positioned just
behind. The SGW is a fire-and-forget weapon - once locked-up by the dropship, the missile self-guides to the
target.
XIM-28A LONG LANCE: The XIM-28A Long Lance ASAT missile is a 5.6 m Anti-Satellite Missile powered by a two-stage
Lockmart LP-XII solid-rocket booster. Upon release from the launch bay, the first-stage motor ignites and accelerates the missile away from
the launching ship. After four seconds the first stage burns out and the missile coasts the rest of the way toward the target. The second stage
ignites when the missile enters its terminal phase to provide the necessary burn to complete the intercept against the target. A coolant jet
system in the tail helps mask the motor's infrared and UV signature when it burns. Guided.
ATTACKS: 4
AUTOMATIC SKILL: 9
NIC-79 CAPTOR MISSILE: The NIC-79 is a low yield nuclear weapon with an almost microscopic sized payload. The explosive
capacity is directed forward, incinerating the rocket before it even impacts on its targets. The blast is enough to go right through most craft.
The Captor missile is designed to go against space targets only. It is so clumsy, however, smaller vessels can evade the explosive charge.
Hitting a smaller craft is a little like overkill. Captor Missiles cannot survive entry in an atmosphere. They are also guided.
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ATTACKS: 2
AUTOMATIC SKILL: 8
STG BALLISTIC MISSILE: The STGBM carries your standard Space-to-Ground nuclear warhead. Everything in 100m from the
point of impact is destroyed and everything past it from another 100m suffers 20k. Every 100m past that cuts that damage by half. STG can
be fired at any target but they are slug for maneuverability. STGs must use their skill. They are guided but cannot be aimed.
ATTACKS: 5
AUTOMATIC SKILL: 7
CANNONS
25mm GARGOYLE GATTLING CANNON: This is the Fredrickson 25mm "Gargoyle" servo-slaved gattling anti-aircraft cannon.
With a cyclic rate of 300 shells a minute, this is an extremely powerful addition to any craft, and allows for greater air dominance and
flexibility in missions. The 25mm "Gargoyle" has a Jullet cooling system running from the engines to cool the gun during use.
“THUNDERHAWK” 30 mm RAILCANNON: Railgun launchers fire kinetic ammunition at velocities over 12 km per second.
Despite their high rate of fire, these weapons are less accurate than beam weapon’s against maneuvering starships or missiles, and have a
practical engagement range less than 100 km. However, since a single hit from a railgun round is capable of causing catastrophic damage to
a space target, they remain the most powerful close defense weapons in a starship’s inventory. The railguns work by accelerating a charged
plasma to high velocities and using it to propel a kinetic round at the target. They fire up to 30 rpm each and are fed from an autoloader.
800 MEGAVOLT TURBOALTERNATOR-POWERED NEUTRAL PARTICLE BEAM: The 800 MeV Weapons are the primary
beam weapons of the CMC Frigates. They fire into the starship’s forward ‘cone’, each capable of disabling a target’s electronics and
instrumentation at ranges up to 250 km. Sufficient deuterium tanking exists for up to 230 seconds of firing. One hit to a ship will cause 10k
of damage but the ship won’t be damaged. Instead, if “destroyed”, all electrical systems shut down, rendering the ship dead. No weapons
can fire. Emergency batteries onboard escape pods still allow them to be ejected. The engineer of the victim ship can attempt to restore the
systems every minute with a 25 skill that drops by 2 every additional minute (5 rounds). The 10k damage is relative to the DV. The
difference between the damage inflicted and the hull of the ship is added to the Engineer’s roll (armor still applies). So if the hulls is greater
than 10k, the difference is added to the Engineers roll (or reduced from the DV whichever). If it’s a negative number (for a ship with a hull
less than 10k) the Engineer is penalized by that amount. The systems will not come back themselves for another 2D6 hours. If the damage
received is less than half the total hull of the craft (like a Conestoga or Bougainville), the ship is untouched, even though a second shot will
sure spell doom since the effect is cumulative (unless the target is the Razzia). Every additional shot after the ship shuts down extends the
shut down by 1D6 hours and increases the difficulty by 2.
80 MEGAWATT INFRARED LASER: Point defense for the large spacecraft used by the CMC is provided by a 80mW free-electron
laser capable of vaporizing small targets such as railgun rounds, or disabling incoming missiles and fighter at ranges up to 30km
ORBITAL MINEFIELD: An Orbital Minefield is dispensed out the rear and can be released in any number. When deployed, the
organize themselves in a lattice fashion and actually construct their own defense network by connecting themselves with the other units.
These lightweight nets, which can stretch tens of kilometers across, are held rigid by alloy framed and stabilized by tiny thrusters. If the
mine is struck on its own, the damage is dealt normally. If the ship strikes the net, the front mines explode, but the outer ones can bend
themselves in and strike the rear or midsection of the ship.
REPUBLIC ELECTRIC 20mm GATTLING CANNON: Two linked 20mm Gattlings are on the front turret of the M577 APC. Both
weapons are supplied by a 1700 round multi-feed ammunition dispensor which offers a selection of High Explosive, High Explosive Armor
Piercing and 'Beehive' type Anti-Personne Fletchette (APF) rounds at the flick of a switch. These casless rounds carry no propellant and are
fed mechanically into the revolving chambers which are then sprayed with hypergolic binary propellants which ignite and launch the round.
Binary propellant systems are rare at this caliber, but aboard the M577 this system offers substantial weight, rate-of-fire and reliability
advantages over standard caseless weapon and provides effective anti-personnel support for the APC.
The only drawback of the weapon is that it is mounted to cover only the vehicle's forward arc. traversing between 60 degrees left and right
of axis, and cannot be fired from a hull-down position.
20mw BOYARS PARS 150 PHASED PLASMA CANNON: The power source for the Boyars is a 6mW hydrogen fuel cell capable of
powering 3000 firing before refueling. The fuel cell drives a homopolar fast-discharge generator which stores power until it has sufficient
energy to pulse the plasma gun’s laser. When the laser is fired, it creates an ionized trail in the atmosphere which is charged by the gun’s
electromagnetic coil to form a solenoid mass – is fed mechanically into the tunnel, where it is vaporized by the laser beam into a superheated
plasma. Which is accelerated by the magnetic coil to velocities in the region of 5 000m/s. The Plasma travels the tunnel until it impacts the
target at a focussed point, using its considerable kinetic and thermal energy for maximum effect penetration. Because of the power usage,
both guns in a turret fire in sequence rather than simultaneously.
REPUBLIC DYNAMICS M2025 40 mW FREE-ELECTRON LASER: These are effective against both ground and air targets.
Beam power is supplied by a 10 mW hydrogen fuel cell driving a homopolar fast discharged generator. The Beam is propagated, without the
need for lasants, by the interaction of a particle-accelerated electron beam with a static electric field. The advantage of a free-electron laser I
Colonial Marine service is its ability to be tuned to wavelengths that would minimize beam degradation by the local atmosphere. In addition,
a reactive tune facility, cued by laser returns from the beam, is incorporated to allow rapid returning in the event that countermeasures are
deployed to block the beam. The lasers can be used in two modes. In ‘dazzle’ mode, the beam is used to burnout enemy optical/infrared
sensors or blind infantrymen and pilots (20 difficulty or blinded for 2d6 minutes, invoking –6 penalty), has a low output. It is in this mode
that the beam is at its most efficient, playing continuously across a target without the need for pulsing or the associated effects on beam
propagation from thermal blooming , ionization or dielectric breakdown (huh?). In ‘pulse’ mode, a beam is pulsed at full power at the
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target. Damage is caused by the mechanical impulse of the beam as it superheats the target area, and in the case of the M2025 is capable of
penetrating infantry persona armor or the skin of a missile or aerospace craft.
20 MeV TURBOALTERNATOR POWERED CHARGED PARTICLE BEAM CANNON: The deployment of this weapon has
been made possible die to the introduction of a Martin-Continental micro magnethydrodynamic turbine capable of generating 20mW of
electrical power to run the big particle accelerator guns. Sufficient turbine fuel exists to power the guns for 50 seconds firing and there is
some 300kg of deuterium tankage to provide particle beam mass.
NON-COLONIAL WEAPONRY
Only the most popular and most reliable examples are listed. Hundred more have been designed over the course of centuries but most of
the weapons that follow top a very long list.
ZCT 9mm AVENGER: Easy, simple, and cheap to produce. The Avenger is a perfected weapon dating back two hundred years. It’s
rugged, reliable, and very common throughout the rim colonies. It’s a common pistol with smugglers.
FALCON STREET 12mm: Plain numbers, pretty gun. Made for the showman in mind, the
Falcon Street feels average all around, but it is available in 12 different metallic colors with
your choice of Ivory, Gunmetal, Carbon Fiber, Silver, or Gold Plated grip.
FALCON STREET AUTO: Less glamorous than the 12mm, but offsets this
with a high cyclic rate. The Falcon Auto is more like a miniature
submachine gun. They even included a small fold-down second grip for
stability. Falcon Autos are common with Merc groups.
ALPHATECH .454: Why build a 4 round clip for a weapon you ask?
With twice the punch of Marine handgun, you would only need one shot.
The Alphatech probably could squeeze one more bullet in the already
cramped clip, but then they would risk fracturing the firing system. The
weapon already carries a viscous kickback and barrel length longer than the
VP70 in total. The
.454 is never meant
to be fired in the air
or as a warning shot. It was designed to hit something…and stop it…permanently.
COLT “RELIABLE”: The only
holdover from a company older
than any other corporation. Of
course, Colt Inc. is long gone but
a private manufacturer still bangs
out these trusty weapons by the
boatload. Built like they feel,
Colts have been known to lie
freezing in the depths of space for
years, sink under water; get
blasted by radiation and the
harshest elements and still fire
after a good cleaning. Unlike the
Falcon Street, the Colt is not made
for looks.
WY CORP. SPECIAL:
Weyland-Yutani’s weapons are
designed exclusively for their own
people and often are not seen in
the hands of anyone other that a
WY card member. The Special is
a common sight for all WY bodyguards, mercenaries, and militia. The weapon
was laser cut to a perfect precision and comes standard with a laser sighting.
It’s an elite weapon of supreme quality and very few consumers can justify the
cost. The weapon is available only in pure silver.
TRADEX ASSAULT AUTO: Tradex’s only problem relies with their choice
of ammunition. In effort to miniaturize the weapon and make the design
compact and easy to store and ship, Tradex opted for a smaller round. In fact,
Tradex uses the smallest ammunition possible for a submachine. Tradex did succeed with the design and both Tradex automatic models are
the smallest in the market. Because of the size, the weapon has been known to be modified for concealment in briefcases, modified to be
disassembled in several inconspicuous pieces, modified to be held one hand and modified to even act emergency weapons for secret
compartments.
VENTRAL HEAVY RIFLE: The VFR came very close to being the fully endorsed weapon of the Colonial Marines. It came down to this
model and the final they chose. Very similar in almost all respects, the VFR became popular as a cheaper alternative to local militia units
and for Mercenary forces, especially those groups who feel a tangle with CMC to be a side effect of their occupation. The weapons have
similar stopping power, range, and ammo capacities. The VFR cycles slower but the end result was really technology. The CMC chose to
endorse the 10mm explosive tip caseless shell rather than the VFR traditional 9mm hypervelocity standard shell.
BOYARS “BUSTER” RIFLE: Coming from the “What were they thinking?” department, the Buster looks like something from a concept
designers dream book. Boyars took a slug similar to the gattling rounds they use in mounted firepower. Obviously the designers were given
an ultimatum from the corporate heads to make the weapon work with the bullet provided no matter the end result. That end result is a
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weapon with one huge drum clip feeding into two different firing systems coming out of two different recoilless barrels. The weapon is
clunky and heavy but packs more punch than most.
TRADEX SMG-ALPHA-01: Tradex continued their trend of using smaller ammunition into the Alpha-01. The Alpha-01 carries a similar
round as the Assault, only with a much larger ammo capacity. It also has a better accuracy but at the risk of a lower rate of fire. The weapon
gathered controversy, as an identical design is the standard firearm for infantry n the UPP. It is unsure if the design was copied or sold.
However, Tradex stock did not take the plummet it was expected to take when this information arose…instead, they recorded record
earnings. The investigation still has not brought any new evidence to the surface.
WEYLAND YUTANI DEFENDER HEAVY
AUTO: Continuing WYs commitment to quality,
they arm their personal guards and elite troops with
the Heavy Auto. Feeling similar to the M41A Pulse
Rifle because they both take caseless ammunition, the
Defender’s shells are smaller, allowing more bullets
per clip. The weapon is also lighter with a greater
range. The only drawback is a slightly smaller rate of
fire. As always, all Weyland Yutani weaponry is
prohibited outside their own personnel, so seeing any WY weaponry in the hands of other groups is rare.
VENTRAL “MANIAC” ROTARY: Yes, Ventral finally answered the hardened military with that which they always wanted, a portable
rapid-fire gattling cannon. The six-barreled Rotary is cumbersome, loud, and somewhat inaccurate and each flachette is relatively weak.
However, it also fires faster than any other weapon in production and can go into battle with almost a thousand rounds. The ammo belt feeds
into a chest-mounted clip similar to the Smart Gun. The Mk2 Smart Gun was an attempt by Ventral of combining the two into an effective
whole. After that release, the “Maniac” saw little use and became rarer as time went on. The weapon is quite inefficient but its effectiveness
is measured in intimidation more than actually stopping power.
VENTRAL “PEACEMAKER”: The “Peacemaker” is almost a clone to the LP Cannon. Both weapons were in contention to be endorsed
by the Colonial Marines. Even though the LP won, the “Peacemaker” found itself on many CMC ships eventually. Externally, the weapons
couldn’t be more different. The Peacemaker’s sole purpose was Armor-killing. It was not designed to be a throwaway model. It carries
more ammunition and is easier to carry. Ventral decided to offer better accuracy. The weapon would attach itself to the shoulder of its user.
A massive recoil system built in the barrel prevented shoulder damage. It then could easily be fired by a single user without any external
assistance. The ammo stows on backpack unit that also assists in securing the wearer. The weapon is quieter (not that quiet) than the LP
and is much more complicated, making it a rarity in most forces other than CMC and Corporate Military.
ALPHATECH RAILGUN: “Alphatech knows
Magnetics” was a common slogan. Alphatech
became such an authority in the technology; they
proved it with a very flashy show off at a weapon
convention. A weapon bearing resemblance to two
long shafts of metal, bristling with electricity,
exposed itself to the world…then barreled through
nine plates of titanium. The weapon is expensive, rare, and
power hungry, but it will inflict vicious kinetic damage to
whatever it is aimed at. Alphatech has succeeded in a design
that fires faster, deadlier, and from a lighter weapon than the
Peacemaker and LP Cannon. However the cost of the weapon
prevents its mass use.
VENTRAL AIR SNIPER: A modern day version of old war
flak-gun, the Air Sniper boasts far more accuracy. It can strike
from distance and target pilots in a cockpit with it
laser system. It fires large explosive-tipped shells
frighteningly fast. Ventral utilizes most of these
models on their own worlds and have not often sold
them outside their corporate assets.
WY “BRILLIANT PEBBLE”: The WYBP is a
long barrel--almost lance shaped--cannon capable of
striking targets on the ground from 10 kilometers in
the air, and vice versa. The “Brilliant Pebble” is
really a highly advanced particle accelerator capable of taking targets out with extreme accuracy at almost the speed of light. It pounds its
target with untold kinetic kill energy. These weapons have found themselves in almost every field of Weyland Yutani military including on
their tanks, spacecraft, and aircraft, as well as ground units. Its massive cost and technological advancement prevents its use beyond
Weyland Yutani facilities.
ARMOR &
EQUIPMENT
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STANDERD EQUIPMENT:
Standard Equipment applies to whatever position you end up with finally at the end of your character generation. This is not what your
character walks around with but rather the standard gear he/she is equipped with in combat.
Equipment going into battle can vary drastically with the situation. Additions are common. As a general rule of thumb, marines can
choose any weapon they have training in. (Optional) Any rank “Lance Corporal” and higher have an automatic choice of a “third weapon” as
long as they have training in the use of that weapon. The pistol is the only automatic. Shotgun, Flame-throwers and even Anti-Aircraft/Tank
weaponry are available. @ Indicates items for an encumbered Marine. Every 3 of these items adds –1 to your DEX.
NOTE: All equipment is TL1. Anything with a “*” can be replaced by higher TL equivalents.
INFANTRY
BDUs
Wristwatch M-3Armor*
M-10 Helmet* Bed Roll @
Canteen Entrenching/ Utility Tool @
First Aid Kit 3 M1000 Flares
6 M-94 Flares 8 M-40 Grenades
Knife Mess Kit @
Hand Welder 20 days rations @
Motion Tracker Binoculars (High Quality) @
Compass Short Range Comm
Nylon Rope @ TNR Lamp@
Toolknife M41A Pulse Rifle w. 2 clips*
VP-90 Pistol or M4A3 Pistol w. 2 clips* Personal Data Transmitter (implanted)
Personal Locator
HEAVY WEAPONS
BDUs
M-10 Helmet*
M-3Armor*
Bed Roll @
3 M1000 Flares
Canteen
6 M-94 Flares@
Entrenching/ Utility
Mess Kit@
Tool@
Hand Welder
8 M-40 Grenades
Binoculars (High Quality)@
Knife@
Compass
20 days rations@
First Aid Kit@
DemoKit@Wristwatch
Nylon Rope@
TNR Lamp
Short Range Comm
Personal Locator
Toolknife
VP-90 Pistol or M4A3 Pistol w. 2 clips
M240 Flamethrower w 2 canisters or M-56 Smartgun
Lantern Canteen
6 M-94 Flares 3 M1000 Flares
Knife
AEROSPACE
Lantern
Flight Fatigues
Nylon Rope
Flight Helmet
Short Range Comm
Canteen
Toolknife
3 M1000 Flares
Wristwatch
6 M-94 Flares
Personal Data Transmitter (implanted)
Knife
Gee Suit
Binoculars (High Quality)
VP-90 Pistol or M4A3 Pistol with 2 clips*
Compass
Personal Locator
MEDICAL
BDUs Medkit
M-3Armor* Binoculars (High Quality)@
M-10 Helmet* Compass
Bed Roll @ First Aid Kit
Canteen Lantern @
3 M1000 Flares Short Range Comm
6 M-94 Flares Toolknife
Knife Wristwatch
Mess Kit @ Personal Data Transmitter (implanted)
20 days rations @ Personal Locator
TNR Lamp VP-90 Pistol or M4A3 Pistol with 2 clips*
Wristwatch
Uniform
Personal Data Transmitter (implanted)
6 M-94 Flares
VP-90 Pistol or M4A3 Pistol with 2 clips*
First Aid Kit
Knife
Short Range Comm
Medkit
XENOBIOLOGY --CAREER-- (CL3 and higher required) (These don’t often go into a combat situation)
ARMOR
TECHNICIAN
ENGINEER --CAREER--
RECON INFANTRY
BDUs
Wristwatch M-3Armor* or
M-10 Helmet* Ghillie Suit *@
Canteen Bed Roll @
First Aid Kit Entrenching/Utility Tool @
6 M-94 Flares 3 M1000 Flares
Knife 8 M-40 Grenades
Hand Welder Mess Kit @
Toolknife 20 days rations @
Motion Tracker Binoculars (High Quality) @
Compass Short Range Comm
Nylon Rope @ TNR Lamp
VP-90 Pistol or M4A3 Pistol w. 2 clips* M41A Pulse Rifle w/2 clips*
Personal Locator
BDUs
M-3Armor* or
Ghillie Suit *@ M-10 Helmet*
3 M1000 Flares Bed Roll @
6 M-94 Flares Canteen
Mess Kit@ Entrenching/Utility Tool @
Hand Welder 8 M-40 Grenades
Binoculars (High Quality)@ Knife
Compass 20 days rations@
First Aid Kit DemoKit@
Nylon Rope@ Wristwatch
Short Range Comm TNR Lamp
Toolknife VP-90 Pistol or M4A3 Pistol w/2 clips
M240 Flame-thrower w/2canisters or
M-56 Smartgun@
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RECON SNIPER
BDUs M-3Armor* or
Wristwatch Ghillie Suit *@
M-10 Helmet* Bed Roll @
Canteen Entrenching/ Utility Tool @
First Aid Kit 3 M1000 Flares
6 M-94 Flares 8 M-40 Grenades
Knife Mess Kit @
Hand Welder 20 days rations @
Compass Binoculars (High Quality) @
Nylon Rope @ Short Range Comm
Toolknife M42A Scope Rifle
VP-90 Pistol or M4A3 Pistol w/2 clips* w/2 clips*
BDUs
VP-90 Pistol or M4A3
M-3Armor* or
Pistol with 2 clips*
Ghillie Suit *@
Binoculars (High Quality)@
M-10 Helmet*
Compass
Bed Roll @
First Aid Kit
Canteen
Nylon Rope @
Entrenching/ Utility Tool @
Short Range Comm
3 M1000 Flares
Toolknife
6 M-94 Flares
Wristwatch
8 M-40 Grenades
TNR Lamp
Knife
M41A Pulse Rifle with 2/clips OR M240 Flame-thrower with 2 canisters OR
Mess Kit @
M-42A Scope Rifle w/2 clips
20 days rations @
COMBAT ENGINEER
BDUs
M-3Armor* or Orbital Comm. Kit@@
Ghillie Suit *@ Advanced Tool Kit@
M-10 Helmet* Mechanics Tool Kit
Entrenching/ Utility Tool @ Nylon Rope @
3 M1000 Flares Short Range Comm
6 M-94 Flares Toolknife
Knife Wristwatch
Mess Kit @ VP-90 Pistol or M4A3 Pistol w/2 clips*
Hand Welder M41A Pulse Rifle w/2 clips OR M240
20 days rations @ Flame-thrower w/2 canisters.
Motion Tracker Mission specific equipment
DemoKit
With the addition of Special Forces, there are several new skills.
ARMOR
Kevlar (Medium) 12 2 0
Kevlar (Heavy) 14 3 -1
MK 25 Pressure Suit 5 5 -1 Air Pressurized
MK 50 Compression Suit 10 7 -2 Air Pressurized
ZCT-1 Armored Spacesuit* (TL3) 16 10 -1 Air Pressurized
Cannot move when
Portable Force Field 10 20 0
setup
MAX--Mobile Assault eXo-Warrior (Special—Look under Armor)*
“RACK”--Powered Armor (Special—Look under Armor)*
BDUs: Each Marine infantryman is provided with a set of battledress utilities (BDUs or fatigues)- two-piece,
light polycotton coveralls with pockets secured by silent fasteners. The weave of the fatigues is sufficient to provide
limited protection against light firearms. The manufacturing processes provide limited IR protection.
GEE SUIT: Used by Aeromen to counter the effects of the high-G maneuvering. With this suit, a properly trained pilot can stand up to
11 Gs. It offers little protection.
GHILLIE SUIT: The Recon suit, or "Ghillie" suit, as it is known amongst the corps, is a combination of camo suit and radar and IR
sneak suit. The natural-fiber leaved camouflage makes the Recon marine difficult to spot visually (Heroic Awareness test), while the suit
beneath absorbs radar emissions An optional external heat sink pack regulates the suit's IR signature. Each Ghillie suit is tailored individually
for each Recon Marine, and comes with a pair of BiMex goggles that provide 20x telescopic enhancement and Starlight
ambient light vision.
Z-110 ACID NEUTRALIZING COMBAT WARDROBE (TL4): Efforts to produce an armor resistant to the
intense acidity of the alien blood have proved impractical. The designs were deemed too heavy for a normal man to use
effectively. Therefore, we must not resist, but extirpate. The moment alien blood touches this wardrobe, the threat is
eliminated altogether. It is lined with a gelatinous substance that can neutralize the acid, giving it the PH balance of
water. The Z-110 was developed by Grant Corp for their farmers as Royal Jelly was a valued resource. They were
secretly using them since TL3 but the design was not available to the CMC until later. The armor is also a complete life
support system, with a capacity of a full pressurized environment for up to six hours. The suit is powered by batteries
on the back which power the life support but also regulates the interchanging armor plates. Not really classified as
powered armor, the suit just moved its armor aside as the person moves. This includes tracking the helmet to follow the
eyes of the wearer. This is because the viewer of the Z-110 is very small. The Grant Corp Nutra-Gel cannot be made
transparent, making this small viewer the most vulnerable place on the suit. It has the same PD and EKD as the rest of
the suit but is not protected by the NutraGel technology. Any acid hit in the head unit has 20% chance of striking the
glass. If this happens, 20% of the acid damage is applies to the head but no PD is lost. If punctured, the suit is no
longer pressurized. The Z-1110 can regenerate the Gel completely after a battle and have an inexhaustive supply.
NUTRAGEL: At time of the war, Grant Corp starts selling the NutraGel as a modification to be adapted to any
armor. Any surface armor (that cannot be covered) can be used. Every packet will adapt a full suit but will only
withstand 100 points of Acid damage before being completely neutralized. Any location not completely covered
(Helmet) has a 50% chance of hitting an unprotected area.
POLYMER / ALLOY COMBAT ARMOR RIG. (TL3): The PACAR, at TL3, replaces the M3 Combat Armor of the CMC. It covers
a greater area but doesn’t sacrifice maneuverability to do so. This is because, unlike the M3, is mostly made of light weight plastics It is not
54
an enclosed suit. At TL5, GrantCorp’s NutraGel compound has been added to it. The Head unit is very similar to the M10 so the stats are
considered the same even though it is shaped substantially differently. The Armor is made up of flexible plates under a overcoat of dense
weaved fabric.
WY SHIELDED COMBAT HELMET (TL2): If anything, the WY Helmet completely conceals the user's
face with a massive armored plate. This unit seems to be more designed for intimidation than practicality.
FLAK JACKET: A basic Chest protector that has remain stylistically unchanged for hundreds of years. The
material and strength however, has radically be improved. It is strong enough to hold back even the most powerful
of armaments. The Flak Jacket is the most common armor used by civilian security groups and planetary forces.
KEVLAR (Light, Medium, Heavy): Kevlar’s capacity has grown substantially in the last year and the
pinnacles are these combat suits which are the most powerful on the open market. By TL5 they were being adapted
with NutraGel as fast as GrantCorp was selling them since these suits are the prime heavy choice for combat on the
outer veil colonies.
MK25 PRESSURE SUIT: The MK25 is a small, compact space suit designed for ease and
maneuverability. It is not a combat suit and when punctured, is useless. It is a full package, with 12
hours of air and liquid nutrient solution. It is the basic suit installed in all civilian spacecraft. However,
the MK25
PORTABLE FORCE FIELD: The PFF is a large unit of launched probes that create a perimeter force screen that protects anybody in as
much as 30 feet by all attacks. The field would seem almost impenetrable. Multiple generators can combine to double their STR or range.
The PFF is not air tight but can keep out all liquid, matter, and energy. Gases have a tendency of leaking through.
NORMAL GEAR
Remember, a starting character can buy these using OP converting 100 cr. to 1 OP.
FASION
ITEM COST
Pants 40
Top 40
Jacket 50
Footwear 40
Jewelry 100 - 1000
Mirrorshades 50
Glasses 50
~~Multiply base cost by style~~
Generic Chic x1 cost
Leisurewear x2 cost
Businesswear x3 cost
High Fashion x4 cost
ADVANCED TOOL KIT: A small kit to help with repairs of any vehicles. The high tech tools inside cover a variety of different uses
easily. Any repairs or modifications of any craft can be made with a +1 with this pack.
AUTOGRAPPNEL: This launches a piton almost 500 meters in the air and can embed itself in solid rock with a 2000 lbs capacity.
BED ROLL: A small sleeping bag that can be compacted into a small cylinder barely 8 inches across and 3 feet wide.
BINOCULARS: Self Explanatory. Digital Readout with distance meter than can measure the range between the target in the eyesight on
the binoculars.
CAMP STOVE: A small unit capable for cooking…but I am sure you know that. Battery powered.
CELL PHONE: Much smaller, these communication devices only work in the inner colonies but can transmit anywhere
DIVING GEAR: Three hours time limit. Not a totally enclosed suit.
56
ENTRENCHING / UTILITY TOOL: Basically a shovel with some extra tools built in.
ELECTRICIANS TOOL KIT: Soldering and Electrical Kit. Gives any electronics related skill (computers, high tech engineering) +1.
FIRST AID KIT: Can stop bleeding and add +1 to a First Aid skill.
IR GOGGLES: A surprisingly small pair of Infrared goggles that allow the viewer to see is gray scales of heat. This allows the user to
see it almost compete darkness.
JAMMER: Disrupts bugs and all communication in 10 meters. Doubling the cost Doubles the range.
MECHANICS TOOL KIT: A Hand Welder is just one small part of this large engineering kit. Only people with Mechanics or
Engineering skills can use it, giving a +2 to these rolls.
MEDKIT: For more advanced medical emergencies. Gives a +2 to First Aid and a +1 to all other Medical skills. The Medkit is standard
issue to all Marine medtechs. It contains several surgical implements such as scalpels, syringes and suction pumps, anesthetics, antibiotics
and antiseptics, bandages, swabbing cotton, a defibrillator and a biomonitor linked to an armband scanner similar to a wrist PDT. It allows
anyone with a Medical skill to stabilize mortal wounds. Replacement kits containing chemicals, bandages, new surgical blades and other
perishables.
MESS KIT: Everything to prepare and eat food except the stove. Gotta love those sporks.
P-5000 POWERLOADER: For convenience, it has been lumped in the Armor section
PERSONAL COMPUTER: Advanced. 100 Gig capacity. Super fast. Computers advance so much I won’t go into detail on its stats
here.
PERSONAL DATA TRANSMITTER: The PDT is a small computer with biological monitoring systems and a broadcaster. The
computer broadcasts an identification code, which can be cross-referenced by a computer with the wearer's file, which contains ID data and
usually medical history. The device also serves as a locator for colonists and Marine sections, and can be tracked by computer or by a
handheld unit The larger version of the PDT comes in two models; the first is built within the M3 armor suite with contact patches at critical
points. The second model is constructed in a wristwatch-style, and fits over the wrist of the wearer. Both versions of this model are used by
the USCMC, and transmits data to the section's assigned APC, as well as to tuned hand locators. PDTs are only used by the military if radio
silence is not important, and can be deactivated if they present a security risk. Smaller versions constructed to be surgically implanted within
the human body (at the base of the neck, behind and to the left of the spinal column) are required by ICC colonial law to be installed within
every adult colonist shipping out to a new colony world and to every person born on the colony when they reach sixteen years of age until
the terraforming process is complete. These usually broadcast to Colony Central, allowing rapid location of specific Colonists within the
base.
PERSONAL LOCATOR: The Eigress Mark 7 digital uplinking compass is a standard issue for any
soldier. With many different capabilities and several distinct roles in today's modern battlefield, the
Mark 7 is a popular issue for any Marine. Concealed in the Coleman 6 inch combat knife handle, this
unit makes finding your way around the battlefield effortless. The digital uplinking compass is most
commonly used as a personal locator in today's war events. When connected to the micro-emissions of a
personal locator chronometer, the Mark 7 can supply direction, elevation and distance to the target,
usually a fallen comrade or downed pilot. The micro bursts emitted by a locator unit are picked up by
the Mark 7, giving the unit a stealthy receive-only capability. When connected via microwave
transmissions to an orbital fleet GPS satellite network, the Mark 7 functions as a highly reliable
compass. The experimental Mark 8 also has settings for detecting enemy motion trackers. It is being
combat tested by the TSEALs and should be ready for service in the next couple of months. 1000 m
Range.
PERSONAL RECORDER: A Micro-recorder barely four inches long and two inches wide. Can record up to 90 minutes.
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PORTABLE HOLOGRAPH: About the size of a hatbox that can transmit any set of 3D images 2 meters across and 10 meters tall. Up
to an hour of animation can be recorded.
PRESSURE TENT: An air pressurized tent for adverse environments. Can hold 12 hours of Oxygen.
RADIO / BASIC: Like a CB system, a short ranged, one way communicator with a 20 km range.
SHORT RANGE COMMUNICATOR: The common communicator used by the CMC. Has a 500 km range with a basic system.
Cannot be modified for other purposes. There are many variations of this design including Hand held, headset, and helmet mounted.
TIMER CLAMP (TL3): The Timer Clamp is used to hold the lips of an Alien egg shut to unsure the creature can’t escape during
transportation. It automatically falls off when the Timer expires. Nobody is anywhere near the egg when it activates. It can hold on for up
to 999 minutes.
INFRASONIC SUPRESSION SYSTEM (TL5): Nicknamed Beekeeper’s smoke, this device shuts off the very unique impulses of what
the Alien passes for their nervous systems. It causes them to “sleep” or any form off deep coma that fits the description. The Suppression
system spreads fifty feed away from the transmitter in every direction. Royal Guards and Queens are immune. This system is usually used
by “Beekeepers” to safely extract the Royal Jelly. The only disadvantage about this system is that it is prone to failure. Every minute in
operation, the an alien can wake up by rolling above 19 with their WILL + D10 (Basically a nine or ten). The Queen can override the ISS by
rolling 17 or over with their WILL and a D10. If this works, all aliens within fifty feet wake up and re always immune, even if they venture
outside the range of the Queen. Also, if the Aliens are frenzied or angry in anyway (any form of heavy aggression) negates the ISS effects.
XM NUERAL SUPRESSOR (TL5): A smaller form of Inhibitor. This one looks like a thickened baton. It operates for about 3 hours
with a 3 meter radius. All aliens that move into this range must make a WILL check and roll above 19 or be turned as tame as household
kitten. They seem to keep their motor skills but can’t act aggressively. Royal Guards and Queens are unaffected. Unlike the ISS, the aliens
cannot recover. When hit with the XM, they can’t act at all for 2D6 minutes whether in the field or not. Any Aliens on an attack charge are
unaffected as well as any extra aggressive creatures. The XM, therefore, is not useful as a direct attack weapon but it useful as a defensive
and experimentation device. Both this and the ISS are so rare and the price is so high, they are not common.
NEUTRALIZER SPRAY (TL4): A spray version of the NutraGel with a hundred doses. A player can, instead of firing back, use the
spray to counter an acid splash on one location, neutralizing the acid immediately. Usually one round of acid damage is still applied.
MILITARY PX
ITEM COST
BDUs / Flight Fatigues 100
M-3Armor* 240
M-10 Helmet* 150
M1000 Flare (3 pack) 30
M-94 Flares (9 pack) 30
Motion Tracker 200
DemoKit 500
Intelligence Unit 1 000
Orbital Communications kit 1 500
Pulse Communicator 1 000
TNR Lamp 200
Gee Suit@ 200
Ghillie Suit (Recon) 600
Z-110 ANCW (TL4) 1 800
NeutraGel Modification (TL5) 100
Polymer/Alloy CAR (TL3) 1 600
Flak Jacket 600
Kevlar (Light) 100
Kevlar (Medium) 150
Kevlar (Heavy) 200
MK 25 Pressure Suit 500
MK 50 Compression Suit 1000
ZCT Armored Spacesuit (TL3) 1 600
Portable Force Field 3 000
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MOTION TRACKER: The USCMC Motion Tracker uses sonar bursts with Doppler-shift
discrimination to scan and locate movement. Its use is covered by the Electronic Security skill. The
device is activated by a trigger mounted in the handgrip; thus, when not in active use the Tracker
cannot be left on, conserving battery power and decreasing the possibility that the tracker itself will
be detected. The location of detected movement is displayed on a small LCD screen mounted on the
side of the device as a set of probability contours ranging from black to white; black indicating no
movement and white indicating a high probability of the location of the movement. An auditory cue
is also provided in the form of a reverberating tone that changes in pitch and reverb. speed based on
the size and proximity, allowing Marines to concentrate on their environments whilst keeping their
trackers active. In ideal conditions (ie. Open terrain with no wind) the tracker can scan accurately
up to a kilometer, however in buildings (such as the average colony building with metal and
synthesized walls which to a great extent absorb the sonar bursts and returns) the effective range
drops to between twenty and thirty meters.
M1000 FLARE (3 pack): The M1000 sets of a hot magnesium flare available in red, blue, and
white variants. It lasts for 3D6+30 minutes. It can cause
significant burn damage (DC3) is applied to an object. Combustion is easy. It also supplies limited
heat. They are 2 1/2 inches wide and 8 inches long.
M-94 FLARES (9 pack): M-94s lack most of the qualities of the M1000. Only lasting 2D6+10
minutes, these flares are often only used for guidance and for signaling and as a minor light source.
They are the size of a pencil. They don't supply much heat (DC1).
The device does have problems, however. First, because the tracker emits high-frequency sonar bursts
it can be easily detected by passive listening stations as a target for enemy fire or by cyberaudio with
Increased Hearing Range. Second, the tracker is also designed to filter out slight "natural" movement
(such as insects or corn waving in wind), so a very slow target may be able to infiltrate a tracker's
scan area. Third, because the tracker uses Doppler shift to discriminate between immobile objects and
targets, a target moving across the tracker's scanning cone may be effectively invisible. Finally the unit is vulnerable to ultrasound jamming
and "jumping-jack" movement decoys (A small metal sphere or cylinder with rubberized or spring-loaded surfaces). Despite these failings
the motion tracker has seen use with the Corps as a man-portable scanning device for many years, and although not as good as vehicle- or
emplacement-mounted systems, it has come to be a standard component of a Marine team as a supplement to other search and location
techniques. At least one member of each rifle or gun team in a Marine section is equipped with a tracker.
DEMOKIT: The equipment required to arm and disarm a variety of explosives. Five Packs of C-19 are included. Demolition skills are
given +1.
INTELIGENCE UNIT: A modified EBM PCX laptop computer the intelligence unit is issued to Marine Recon, Exploratory and HazEnv
units. It contains data on the USCMC, most Corporate armies and Colonial armies, including uniforms, weapons, commonly used tactics,
vehicles etc Also, the intelligence unit is downloaded with information pertaining directly to the mission itself; terrain, maps of towns, cities
and important buildings, personal data on relevant individuals etc. The unit carries a scanner capable of digitally processing pictures,
allowing identification of included people and location within minutes. The unit is armored against small arms and impact and is fingerprint
and voiceprint locked, so only the assigned individual can access the data. It is also equipped with a small thermite bomb which will detonate
if the unit is tampered with (a maintenance code must be entered before opening the unit up) or when a concealed switch is pressed,
destroying the interior of the unit and thus eliminating irretrievably all data within.
ORBITAL COMMUNICATIONS KIT: This is a dish and communications kit that requires two minutes of set up time to operate fully.
It is designed to communicate with orbit craft and even remote command ships from a distance. The OCK has a 5 000 km range and can be
setup up with a burst one-way communication of 500 AU. The whole system weighs so much, anyone transporting this has a –1 to his or her
DEX.
PULSE COMMINCASTOR: The pulse communicator is usually issued to Recon Marines, and consists of a rechargeable 10-burst
power cell, a comm unit, a scrambler and a small transceiver dish. It is a microwave burst communicator able to provide secure, if limited,
communication to the Marine team. A complete message is fed into the communicator and transmitted to its target in a single powerful
pulse. Return messages are deciphered by the communicator. The unit can be linked to an intelligence unit for transmission of entered and
scanned data as well as reception of new data. The unit can be taken apart so it can be placed in a briefcase, and is relatively light (3 kg).
Because the communicator is limited to line-of-sight transmission, the operator is usually limited to transmitting in certain times at certain
places, to ensure a receiver dish is pointed toward him, and he toward it. These times and transmission points are organized with the
character before the mission commences and are fed into their intelligence unit. Thus the operator usually communicates to a relay station on
the ground or a circling aircraft. However, the communicator is almost impossible to jam, intercept or trace, and although full two-way
communication is impossible it allows transmission of vital data to his superiors and the reception of
periodic orders.
TNR LAMP: Carried on the left shoulder of Colonial Marines is a detachable high-powered halogen
white-light TNR lamp. The TNR lamp runs off a rechargeable internal battery and incorporates a carrying
handle so that it may be detached and used as a hand torch. The TNR lamp has a range of 200 meters and is
effective as an alternative lighting source in combat situations. The internal battery is good for 6 hours of
use, then needs to be recharged or replaced.
The lamp can be recharged using a standard rifle recharge rack. The TNR lamp used by the Colonial
Marines is similar to that used by the US Army, with the exception of a movable motor that tracks the
movement of the helmet and shines the light where the soldier looks. This version only lasts 1 hour on
internal battery and was declined in favor of a more efficient use of stored power.
59
AEROSPACE
DROPSHIPS
It's main feature is it's ability to take off and land from unprepared sites. In addition to it's role as a transport, the Cheyenne can act as a
gunship with it's weapons pods and fixed point rockets, as well as using it's internal cannon. All things considered, this is the ship of choice if
you're getting into some heat.
The payload bay is a 9.5 l x 4.5 w x 2.4 h meter (102.6 m3) volume with a 3.92 meter wide deck ramp suspended from four dual-hydraulic
assemblies. The deck ramp can comfortable carry a fully-crewed M577 APC (with turret stowed) or a HALOS stores pallet, and is able to
raise the cargo completely into the payload space from ground level. Within the bay, latches are automatically activated, extending to hold
cargoes in place when the deck is raised. A 20 cm cavity to either side of the payload bay separates the cargo volume from the outer skin and
contains the main structural members, cable runs and the blower pipes from the forward turbines
to the aft lift nozzles.
The spacious pressurized cockpit is accessed from the payload bay and features two crew
positions, seated in tandem. Both crew sit in Martin-Siekert R2102 zero-zero ejection seats
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which are cleared for operation at any altitude below 10,000 m and speeds below Mach 1. In the event of an emergency, explosive cord
blows the canopy off and the crew are ejected clear of the ship. Canopy transparencies are made from single-crystal quartz, flash coated with
gold, germanium, molybdenum and iridium to provide protection against bright light and short-wavelength lasers. The coatings also act as a
radar reflecting surface, preventing the entire cockpit volume from becoming a
radar reflecting cavity.
The main fuselage also features the mounting points for the main weapons
pods and the secondary weapons bay. The main weapons pods are attached to
cross-folded pylons just forward of the ramrocket intakes, which at supersonic
speeds, the 4.4 m pylons can be deployed crosswise to secure the ordnance
within the pods. The total span of the pods when deployed is 15.3 m. The pods
cannot be deployed at speeds above transonic because of the adverse effects of
drag and the torsion caused by dynamic pressure on the pylons. The secondary
bays also fold flush against the sides of the lifting body, and can be sprung out
to expose all the weapon hardpoints and allow exhaust space for weapons
launch. Unlike the main weapon pods, the secondary bays can be deployed at
super-sonic speeds up to Mach 2.4 without adverse effects on dropship handling.
It must be noted that even light damage can prevent a dropship from lifting into orbit. A breach of the fuselage skin will seriously
compromise the ship's high-speed thermal protection, and even a tiny hole can cause oxidation or 'burn through' when atmospheric speeds
exceed Mach 5.0. To prevent such accidents, a sensor net is bonded to the inside of the skinning to monitor for breaches, differential hull
temperature and ionization. If a breach is detected, a warning is flashed to the cockpit monitors to notify the crew.
The UD-4 is a reliable craft in all realms of it's aerospace operating platform, and is a popular craft with it's pilots. It handles well above
the specific purpose for which it was designed, but with in the world of war, nothing can be expected to handle as it was designed, here the
Cheyenne delivers above and beyond... but not as well as the pilots who push these craft to their limits would prefer.
At subsonic speeds the lifting body configuration generates little lift and the pilot becomes increasingly reliant on the flight software and
lift from the vectored thrust engines to deep the dropship stable in the air. Stall speed is very high, and as the Cheyenne approaches the stall it
tends to fly increasingly nose-high. As transition is made through the stall speed, vertical lift from the nose and stern nozzles are bled in to
prevent departure. Though the airframe is nominally stressed to +6 g, maneuvers in conventional flight greater than +3 g are prohibited due
to the excessive stall speed, which can cause the Cheyenne to prematurely depart controlled flight. When fully loaded, turns greater than +1 g
are prohibited. At very low speeds and at altitudes below 500m, VTOL hovering flight is recommended. The Cheyenne is at it's nimblest in
the hover; here, response is crisp in all axes and the dropship is a very steady weapons platform.
The Cheyenne has a crew of two, comprising a Pilot and a Crew Chief / Weapons Officer. Flight control is quadruplex digital fly-by-light
with automatic self-monitoring and reversion to back-up modes, all handled through the Herriman-Weston 5 / 480 flight computer. There is
no manual reversion since the dropship is too unstable to be flown with direct control inputs. Engine thrust and nozzle settings are
automatically moved to their optimum positions depending on speed, altitude, throttle and stick settings. An intelligent autopilot facility
allows the automatics to fly all phases of the mission profile, including ingress and egress to the target zone as well as landing and docking
cycles.
Navigation combines an inertial system with ring laser gyros and strapdown accelerometers, backed up by Global Positioning from
reference satellites where available. Dropship communications are handled through a AN / ASC-155 digital datalink offering HF, VHF,
UHF and SHF broadcast options. The hardware includes two 12-channel receiver / transmitters with the associated antennae capable of
establishing high performance voice, video or computer links in a stressed environment. Antijam features are classified, though they are
known to include adaptive HF spectrum techniques to achieve a low probability of intercept and frequency hopping.
The Cheyenne is a very reliable and complex machine, not to mention a deadly weapon if deployed correctly. Information on this craft
can be broken down into 2 categories, with 3 divisions within each category. The first, "Characteristics," gives a general description of the
UD-4 as a combat unit. The second category breaks the craft down into individual systems, where the main focus is specific tasks or
advantages. The menu to the right gives you the option of viewing any of these files. The UD-4 'Cheyenne' is a versatile dropship and
tactical transport employed in a primary role in the United States Colonial Marine Corps. Derived from and original Department of Defense
requirement formulated at the end of the Tientsin conflict for a multi-role light aerospace shuttle capable of lifting heavy payloads up 10
16,000 kg, the UD-4 has evolved into the definitive dropship design, influencing the shape of many derivatives and successors.
The Cheyenne's unique flexibility comes from its ability to lift itself into orbit under its own power from unprepared landing sites with the
aid of its vertical takeoff (VTOL) capability. In addition to carrying its large payload, the Cheyenne can operate in the close-support gunship
role by deploying weapons pods and hardpoints for rockets and missiles, as well as using its own internal gun.
VARIANTS
UD-4B
- Original production variant powered by Atco Wyoming F23 lift turbines, producing 243 kN thrust each. Shorter by 1.5 m than the later
variants and with less payload space, this version was also equipped with the main weapons pods only.
UD-4C
- A gunship variant, this was the first to employ the secondary weapon bays and a dedicated Gatling gun system.
UD-4E
- This was the UD-4B re-engined with F29-L-13 turbines to give extended atmospheric range.
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UD-4H
- The definitive production variant of this type, the UD-4H included a major redesign of many systems and components. The fuselage was
stretched by 1.5 m to allow an extra 16 m3 of payload space, making it the first variant capable of carrying the M577 APC, and the lift
engines were upgraded to a broad-spectrum sensing array and command datalink. Secondary missile bays and the Gatling guns were now
fitted as standard.
UD-4J
- A USCMC life-extension program upgraded all existing UD-4B airframes to 'H' standard. This was designated the UD-4J.
UD-4L
- An upgrade of the 'H' version assault transport, the UD-4L incorporates an improved sensor and fire control system as well as being the
first to include a comprehensive defensive suite fit.
STATISTICS
NTV Mk 1 SNAKEFIGHTER
STATISTICS
Variant Body WT Armor MV Move Mach Orbit SR
NTVMk1 10 250 4 -5 10 2 15 100
Communication range: 10 000, FTL
Crew: 1 Pilot, 1 Co-Pilot, 1 Gunner, 1 Engineer. Life support for up to 100 personnel. Bunks for 30 passengers.
Maneuverability: +4 dodge of guided missiles.
Additions: Fire Retardant, Flares, Raft, Emergency Rations, Sleeping Bags.
Evacuation: 2 EEVs, 120 Parachutes
Armament package: Two Pistols. 4 Smart Guns, 30 Pulse Rifles 20 Flame-throwers, 200 Pistols, 30 Shotguns, up to 30 other weapons.
May be replaced with higher TL weapons.
Range: Atmospheric: 50 000 km
Orbital: Unlimited
FTL: 4 ly
FTL Speed: 0.5 ly/day
Cargo Slots: 2
Hardpoints: 12
Basic Armament: 2x25 mm "Gargoyle" Gatling, 16x120 mm rockets, 8xAGM-220 missiles, 64 x 150 mm rockets, 2 x TSAM Missiles,
3xAIM-90 missiles, 2 XIM-28A missiles
FIGHTERS
Pilots of the AD-17 claim an overwhelming percentage of successful dogfights. This can be attributed to
several distinguishing features in the AD-17 that combine to make the fighter not only highly stealthy, but
also quick and agile. The Cougar can engage and destroy targets before anyone knows it's there. A highly
advanced vector matrixing OBCS can provide for mach +4 NOE flight patterns. This plane can fly invisible,
and leave faster than anyone else in the sky.
The AD-17 Cougar Strikeship is the first of a new class of fighter aircraft, incorporating a distinctive
Vector Control Directional Changing jet nozzle system. This new system allows for flight previously
restricted to slow hover craft or high speed helicopters. This new improvement, although still classified, will
undoubtedly spawn a new era of combat aircraft.
However, several limiters had to be built in to the computer system to disallow the pilot freedom of
movement. UMF tests of the AD-17 gauged +23G's on standard maneuvers. This would be departmental to
a pilot's health, so the System will perform a 12G lock-out. This still allows the pilot adequate room for
pushing this craft to the limits in a dogfight, and the AD-17 remains the most maneuverable warcraft ever
created.
The Cougar incorporates a tail-less airframe, thus reducing radar signature and strengthening the airframe, allowing for high G maneuvers.
The traditional tail fins which keep the plan in a straight line with it's AOL and indented direction have been replaced by Vector Thrust and
computer rendered flight paths. The AD-17 handles as well as a plane with tail fins, and the development of the new vectoring system has
given the Cougar freedom of design.
The AD-17 Cougar employs a Fredrickson 20mm "Gargoyle" servo-slaved gatling anti-aircraft cannon. With a cyclic rate of 300 shells a
minute, this is an extremely powerful addition to the Cougar, and allows for greater air dominance and flexibility in missions. The 20mm
"Gargoyle" is contained just to the upper right of the cockpit, and has a Jullet cooling system running from the engines to cool the gun during
use.
Carried in the belly of the AD-17 is a TIAS controlled missile rack. Hidden from view during normal flight, the offensive weapons of the
Cougar can be protected and subtracted from the total air resistance of the plane. When entering combat, the unique system will cycle out
missiles one at a time, moments before the actual firing of the weapon. This gives the AD-17 an advantage over normal craft in speed and
maneuverability.
The Cougar can carry two types of missiles, with a third type being introduced into the new AD-17i versions of the plane. Up to twelve
AGM-204A's or 16 AIM-90E's can be carried on each missile rack, and with two racks the total number of Missiles is increased to 32 AIM-
90's or 24 AGM-204A's. The AD-17i is fitted with a separate targeting system which controls a new rack, replacing one of the older ones in
the plane. This new missile rack can carry and launch two XIM-28A Long Lance anti-satellite missiles.
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VARIANTS
AD-17A
- Original production and still the only version used in battle. Varies only slightly from the XT-94T, the final experimental version, the
changes made to the battlefield Cougar are few, but due include downgrading the computer and structural wireframe, cutting the
effectiveness of the AD-17 by only 12%, but cutting the cost of each unit in half.
AD-17i (TL 4)
- Not yet employed on the battlefield, this craft has a ceiling of well above low-orbit. Carrying up to two Long Lance anti ship missiles,
the AD-17i can engress orbital targets and fire before returning to NOE cover and returning to forward base. The engress time of the AD-17i
is approximately one tenth that of a conventional gunship or shuttle, making it a difficult target to intercept.
STATISTICS
The UD-5 Prototype promptly vanished from the Test Bed a month
later. Rumors indicate that the design was sold to a rival group. Rival
or not, a month before the official release of the HA-117, an identical
design was spotted in a UPP patrol group, indicating that the design
specs were either sold to the UPP or stolen. The CMC’s findings
were inconclusive. Whatever the cause, the HA-117 is now operated
by rival territories. As of yet, direct military conflicts with these
fighters have not occurred. It is hoped the upgrade capability with the
Stingray will allow the arms race to continue.
The Stingray is equipped with a nose mounted, “Thunderhawk” 30 mm Railcannon designed to operate purely in space. It does not have a
high cyclic rate so its effectiveness against fast moving ground targets is limited. It is also equipped 8 XIM-28A Long Lance anti-satellite
missiles and two NIC-79 Captor Missiles on Hardpoints. 24 150 mm rockets are also internally mounted.
STATISTICS
The TSAPC project team attempted to cross breed a dropship with an APC. Bearing more than a passing resemblance to its ground-based
counterpart, the TSAPC bears several radical differences. The first, an aero-formed body, although not a lifting form like the UD-4, prevents
air drag. The TSAPC measures larger, at 15.4 meters long and 2.5 meters high. When grounded, the TSAPC and the APC are almost
identical. Capability-wise, when grounded, the TSAPC is less armored with a slight change in weaponry, replacing its shell cannons with
Particle Beams. The most notable change is the absence of a
gunnery turret, which was removed to lower weight and reduce
drag.
When preparing for flight, the reactor engines move out of the
sides and stabilizer wings fold from the top. These are
maneuvering wings with thrusters installed to help stability. They
offer little stability in an atmosphere. If the VTOL engines went
off line, the TSAPC would drop like a rock. As it lifts off, its
wheels fold in slightly and engines scream.
In space, the TSAPC is slow and clumsy. Not nearly as
armored as the UD-4, it serves usually as support craft for large
groups of Dropships to carry additional troops when UD-4s are
not available. This is not to mean that the TSAPC is inferior. Far from. The M-1000 has a very powerful, rapid fire, triple-barreled particle
turret on the nose that is more powerful than any other primary weapon. It still doesn’t beat the warhead capacity of the UD-4 or the heavy
particle cannon of the standard APC, but its accuracy is unparalleled.
STATISTICS
SPACE-BORNE
DREADNOUGHTS
CONESTOGA
The Conestoga class vessels were originally designed as a troop and logistic transports with a limited defensive capability, however, this
role has evolved over years of operational use from a fleet prime mover into that of a light assault ship with secondary responsibilities for
space control and orbital bombardment support. Of the 36 Conestogas built, 27 remain in service at TL3, 35 at TL4, 25 at TL 5 and less than
10 at TL6, filling a niche in the CMC/Marine inventory that will not be filled until the commissioning next year of the first of the new
Bougainville class attack transports.
Over 385 meters in length and massing some 78,000 metric tons, the Conestogas are designed to an 8-17-0 layout, an asymmetric
configuration which offers the optimum cargo capacity within a compact and well-armored hull. The spaceframe extends forward and aft of
the vessel's primary power system, a Westingland A-59 fusion reactor with a maximum generating output of 3.6 Terawatts. Like most
military vessels, the Conestogas use a lithium-hydride or 'dry' fusion plant. The basic fuel for the plant is the crystalline powder form of
lithium-hydride. The specific gravity of the fuel is 0.82 metric tons per cubic meter, making it extremely space efficient, avoiding the
problems of cryogenic storage associated with civilian reactors fueled by heavy hydrogen isotopes such as deuterium and tritium. The LiH
plant accepts the powder in very fine form, allowing it to be shipped and pumped as if it were a liquid, and administered into the powerplant
as a blown dust. The powder must be stored in double-lined containers to prevent contact with water, otherwise it will dissociate and react
violently.
All propulsion units are located aft of the Conestoga’s main reactor. All Conestoga class vessels employ a dual drive method for sublight
and Faster Than Light (FTL) movement. To maneuver in realspace at sublight speeds, the Conestoga is equipped with four Gates-Heidman
GF-240 rockets than derive power from the main reactor. At maximum power, each rocket provides a thrust of more than 35,100 metric tons.
However, fuel consumption is astronomical, allowing maximum thrust for short periods. When FTL travel is necessary, the Conestoga
employs a Romberg-Rockwell Cygnus 5 tachyon shunt hyperdrive. The normal cruising speed sustainable by these units is .74 light years per
Terran day.
Spaceframe composition consists of bonded alloy and composite beams. These materials provide enough strength for massive acceleration
while remaining flexible enough to withstand atmospheric re-entry. Hull armor consists of one armored skin, heavier than that on civilian
transports. The armor is composed of laminated insulators, micrometeorite shielding, composite material, and aerogel. Protection against
projectile weapons is limited, as with all spacecraft, but the aerogel is capable of dissipating radiation from lasers and particle beams. The
hull is also covered with radar absorbent material. The engines vents are provided with infrared suppression/dispersion. The hull coating is
laser absorbent to reduce lidar detection. The ship is colored in a dark charcoal scheme to reduce visibility. The foremost hull section
provides the main cargo area for the Conestoga. Five 25x10 meter cargo doors on each side of the hull provide access. They have even been
retrofitted into improvised dropship/shuttle launch bays. Underneath the cargo area reside the Conestoga's dedicated dropship/shuttle hangar
with capacity for up to four UD-4L Cheyenne dropships.
To reduce crew workload, and increase efficiency and safety, operation of the is fully automated. The Conestoga is equipped with a 28
Terabyte, carbon-60 based core mainframe. In effect, the ship could pilot itself and fight a space battle even if the crew were all dead or in
hypersleep. However, at any time, combat or navigational decisions made by the ship can be overridden by the commanding officer. Backup
is provided by an 8 terabyte mainframe and local terminals dispersed throughout the ship.
Most damage control is automated by the Conestoga's mainframe. If the reactor suffers severe damage, the entire assembly can be
jettisoned before an explosion occurs. If the vehicle is damaged to the point it becomes untenable, emergency evac is prompted by the CO or
automated systems. The Conestoga carries 8 type 337 emergency escape vehicles. If the crew is in hypersleep, their capsules will be loaded
by the automatic systems. The ship may also be scuttled by the CO. Self-destruct protocols are initiated manually, causing the reactor to go
supercritical fifteen minutes after initiation.
The Conestoga carries a light complement of weaponry that allows it to function as a light cruiser. The main space-to-space punch is
provided by eight XIM-28A Long Lance ASAT missiles within a dorsal launch bay. The missile is self guiding, and is capable of homing
66
through the reception of several different formats of energy emission from the target. Its warhead is a forged fragment ring that creates a
lethal burst of fragments. Secondary punch is provided by several systems. Twin 800 megavolt particle beams run parallel to the ship's main
axis. These weapons are powered from storage cells between the main reactor and the weapons. For close combat, the Conestoga mounts
twin railguns in dorsal and ventral turrets. Muzzle velocities exceed 12 km per second, with a practical range of 100 km. A single hit from a
railgun round is often enough to cripple a ship. Close-in defense is handled by port and starboard laser turrets. The Conestoga mounts 80
megawatt infrared lasers capable of vaporizing railgun fire or crippling incoming missiles and fighters. A ventral launch bay carries 60
orbital mines, enough to deny low orbit to large ships. A dorsal bay amidships also carries 20 decoys designed to present a radar signature
mimicking the Conestoga's. There are also two maneuvering drones designed to confuse enemy spacecraft. Space-to-surface capability is
provided by a magazine below the cargo bay and forward of the dropship hangar. 80 free-fall, self-guiding re-entry vehicles are carried. The
armament carried by the Conestoga enhances her flexibility, allowing her to function as a multi-role platform independent of a fleet or
taskforce. She can carry a sizable Marine complement while defending herself from attack, or provide orbital bombardment in support of a
Marine landing or planetary action. This has made the Conestoga the prime movers of the Marine fleet for almost two decades.
STATISTICS
Z-1 RAZZIA
The Razzia is simply put, the largest spacecraft ever constructed. Oh sure, some space stations
and mining platforms have measured larger. But for pure bulk, the Razzia is the largest man made
creation that can move under its own power. At TL 2, there is only the prototype. By TL 4, the
second model was released. Two more rolled off the construction by TL 5. Only one, the original,
survives the war by TL 6.
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The Razzia and its sisters are all owned by Grant-Corp but are often leased to whomever needs them. Grant Corp uses them almost
exclusively. The Prototype is currently on indefinite loan to the CMC at TL3 for an exchange of information.
The Razzia is over 3.5 kilometers long. It is an armored strong point and flagship for whatever flag it flies under. Like the Conestoga, it is
mostly automated, carrying mostly support and mission personnel. The base crew is fifteen. At least three must operate the flight controls
when near a strong gravity field. The Razzia is somewhat flawed this way. It must keep clear from any maneuvers that could cause it to
dangerously approach a planet. It is not even alowed to slingshot around gravity fields like Conestoga’s can. The Razzia is a fast jump ship
but a slug at sublight. What it looses it speed, it makes up for in strength. It may be slow, but it offers the comfort and power of pure mass.
The Razzia has the largest jump drive ever constructed., the McKinnley Ion Mark 1. With it, it can traverse half way across the core
worlds without refueling at a top speed of 1.1 light years a day. Four Grant-Corp Pulse Drives occupy the rear of the ship for sublight travel.
Even with its awesome thrust capacity, the ship still crawls through a star system.
Besides its base crew capacity, the Razzia is equipped with over 500 cryotubes. That may seem small but the cargo bays can be filled to
an unprecedented 15 000. The Razzia, sometimes, is employed as a colonizer ship, transporting huge populaces through militarized zones.
Additionally, the Razzia is great for massive evacuations from combat areas. The crew compartments are extremely cosey.
Armament-wise, this monstrosity can level entire planets on its own. Its firepower is effectively triple that of the Conestoga with an
additional nuclear payload added for good measure. The Razzia has been prohibited from entering large trafficked systems by major groups
because of its mass and its potential of armageddon if a catastrophic failure were to occur on board. The Razzia is an experiment in the
feasibility of creating one ship to do the job of many. In every field, it succeeds, except in one, cost. The Razzia is a juggernaut and
requires many a dollar to maintain. Multiple contracts run at once on board as a result. As a money-maker, the Razzia is not much to speak
of, but as a weapon of war, it is unstoppable
STATISTICS
STATISTICS
The Cargo, however, is surprisingly smaller that the Conestoga. It has two cargo bays instead of four with a third specially design to
launch a forward mounted M-1000 TSAPC. The two drop-bays can hold either Snakefighers or Cheyennes.
Cryogenic hypersleep capsules are provided for sixty crew, marines, and passengers, but there are provisions for troop transport
configurations of up to 4000 capsules in the cargo bay. Artificial gravity is provided by field generators parallel to the main axis of the ship.
The Bougainville’s classification was given a general purpose charter, making the craft available for a variety of purposes. The Conestoga
is still a useful troop transport but are often flanked now by is more heavily armored that is cousin ship. It carries less but sports heavier
armor and more weapons. The assault is provided by twelve XIM-28A Long Lance ASAT missiles hidden in concealed bays. Three 800
megavolt particle beams are built right into the hull, fixed forward, one points aft. These weapons are powered from storage cells between
the main reactor and the weapons. The N-1 mounts railguns and laser turrets as well a 80 megawatt infrared lasers. Eighty orbital mines,
and forty decoys are also equipped.
STATISTICS
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CIVILIAN SPACECRAFT
The a M class is one of a large group of transports that seem to change daily. New freighter
designs pop up every year. Other, have been modified so much, are almost unrecognizable to
their original specifications. What makes the “Mega” class apart from the rest is it pure size.
It is the largest of the standard unmodified freighters…but what makes it the most common
was that all current models built (and all the ones refitted It was refitted to be a commercial
towing vehicle in 2116, after that, the M Class have largely been employed running
automated ore and oil refineries between systems.
The ships mass, 63,000 metric tons, the M Class’s spaceframe is based on a modified
Lockmart CM-88B Bison transporter. It is designed to a 6-10-4 layout with three pressurized
decks and four main cargo holds. The spare volume is taken by the fuel tanking for the fusion
reactor and the reaction mass for the thrust engines. An off-axis hooded frame mounts the docking latches for the towed cargo. The M-Class
is sturdy enough of a vehicle to withstand atmospheric re-entries and for surface landings is supported by three main landing shocks. The
micrometeorite and particulate shielding is sufficient enough to withstand rough re-entries.
The in-flight systems are all controlled by the central "Mother" processor. Mother is a 2.1 Terabyte intelligent mainframe which monitors
all of the ship's flight and autonomic functions. A 2.0 Terabyte backup mainframe comes on line in an event of a CPU failure, and a third tier
of automatics is also capable of sustaining an autonomic functions should the backup fail as well.
The communications fit is standard, it compromises of a 10 and 4 meter hyperstate antenna for any interstellar communications and short-
range UHF/VHF/HF radio/video links. The sensors are mounted on pylons which are clustered around the forward hull of the ship and have
two 2 m aperture telescopes which are capable of optical, spectrographic and infrared resolution; a gas chromatograph; centimetric
navigation and landing radar; a synthetic aperture ground mapping radar; and a mass counter for supralight navigation.
The M-Class power core is a Laretel WF-15 2.8 Terawatt fusion reactor. The fusion process is a deuterium/tritium reaction that can fuse
the fuel elements in a containment chamber using conversionlasers. The He4 byproduct of the reaction is kept separately and is vented at
regular intervals. The power is drawn off of the reactor by a closed-cycle liquid potassium cooling system. Running off into a induction torus
which can use the intense magnetic field created by the superheated potassium to generate electric power. The ship may be destroyed by an
authorized crewmember by overriding the reactor cooling system and bleed off coolant, which initiates a supercritical reaction in the
containment area. After the activation of the self-destruct device, the crew has ten minutes to get far enough from the ship before it's reactor
explodes.
The supralight drive is a Yutani T7A NLS tachyon shunt which is capable of unladen high cruise up to 0.42 ly per sidereal day (153 cee).
When it is towing large amounts of cargo such as automated refineries, the maximum sustainable cruise speed drops radically, about 0.1-0.12
ly per sidereal day (40-45 cee). For maneuvering at sublight speeds when towing large amounts of cargo, the immensely powerful mass
reaction engines are required. On the M-Class, the original Saturn J-3000 engines have been replaced to two Rolls-Royce N66 Cyclone thrust
tunnels with bipolar vectoring for midline lifting functions. Each of the powerplants develop a 65,830 metric ton of thrust, using water for
reaction mass. When running wideopen, both of the engines give a high impulse thrust totaling of 131,660 kN.
The lifesystems comprise of three decks, which include the bridge, crews quarters, and dining area. Others include the science station, the
CPU module, medical bays, four main cargo bays, storing areas, and the engineering stations. All of these compromise 1.1 million cubic
meters of pressurized volume, including all of the air ducts and the air scrubbing plant. The M-Class has a crew of seven-Ship's Master, First
Officer, Executive Officer, Navigation Officer, Science Officer, Chief Engineer, and Engineer's Mate. There are seven hypersleep capsules
that have been installed for any long-duration flight. The polarized gravity generators provide the internal gravity and the internal
dampening. Beneath the hull, is an external docking bay for a shuttlecraft. The shuttlecraft is capable of being a lifeboat in the case of a ship's
evacuation is necessary.
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STATISTICS
The mass of this shuttlecraft is 48 metric tons, the Shuttle is configured around a
single 108 m3 pressure cabin. Which holds storage space and lockers for supplies and
any necessary equipment. The spaceframe is of a conventional composite construction,
with a ceramic and composite outer skinning. A tricycle undercarriage extends for any
surface landings. There are three crew stations for the pilot, co-pilot and a scientist.
Though additional seating can be installed.
For any long duration in-system flight or interstellar travel, one hypersleep capsule is
installed. The Shuttle is powered by a 9 gW microfusion reactor which drives the two
Newington A-24 rocket motors which employ water as a reaction mass. The rocket
thrust is vectored through the four aft or two forward thrust tunnels. For the interstellar
travel, a Romberg 100c tachyon shunt can drive the shuttlecraft at a low supralight
speed. The Lockmart can enter an atmosphere but don’t expect it to maneuver much.
STATISTICS
So now the Coast Guard tags the floaters and blasts them before they
can decay into the atmosphere. It keeps the world safe and gives the
guard boys something to do between poker games. They still call them
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the coast guard, even though the coast they’re guarding is three or four hundred miles in space.
The Dutton is their prime craft, designed for speed and maneuverability, but not range. It is small enough to be carried in spacecraft bays
but it doesn’t often get transported unless it is being moved to its current port. Its lack of a Tachyon drive decreases its weight. The Two
Lase Photon Drives produce twice the thrust of the UD-4 Cheyenne. The large wing surface allows the craft to operate equally in an
atmosphere and in space.
It is lightly armored, giving it up for maneuverability and speed. Weapons are minor but formidable, with a single particle beam and a
battery of rockets.
STATISTICS
TF-ALPHA-1 CARGO-CRAWLER
The ship is not often used in single sorties but is often used in group
of three of more, transporting large supplies across star systems. When
used alone, they are usually only utilized in-system. The crew compliment need only be one, but three more can be carried. The module can
carry its won life support system and can transport up to 500 cryotubes.
STATISTICS
The desire for a long range cargo ship resulted in the Dolomite. It can both
carry cargo internally and tow behind it. It is meant to a successor to the M-Class
Freighter. The new Dolomite cannot link directly to a cargo module but can tow
behind using cable lines. However the robust design of the M-class assures its
future. The Dolomite’s fate is cloudy.
It is powered by a massive Pratt Mark II Ion Drive that makes it fast and
extremely maneuverable for a freighter. The Dolomite has been favored by the
CMC as a weapons transport and relief freighter because it can keep up with the
massive Conestogas Frigates. The Dolomite is not allowed to have weapons but
the CMC and some corporations have installed mild weapons for defensive
purposes.
The Dolomite is used mostly within the core systems more as people transports
than cargo transports. Very little modifications need to be made to transport up
500 cryotubes.
STASISTICS
Z.C.T. created their own small freighter designed to move cargo quickly from their deep space outposts. The large clumsy monstrosities
were to inefficient and the small TF-Alphas were to limited in range to be of any use. To combat this problem, ACT made their Cargo ship,
simply called that ZCTV.
The most notable feature of the Vessel is its three Wagner Photon Engines and the enormous Romberg-Rockwell Cygnus 5 tachyon shunt
hyperdrive. This makes the ZCTV one of the fastest craft in operation, just short of the fighter craft employed by the CMC. Too bad, ZCT
won’t sell its craft to outside sources. The number of chartered flights is slim. ZCT keeps the design schematics under tight wraps.
The mass occupied by main drive sacrifices space. As it is, the ZCTV carries not much more than the TF-Alpha, eve though it is almost
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three times larger than its small cousin. It can’t carry any vehicles, so it simply is utilized as a basic cargo transport. It moves food and
supplies back and forth from labs and colonies. The crew compartment is surprisingly small, only requiring a three crew to operate.
Transporting passengers is a common occurrence and ZCT have even permanently modified these craft as passenger liners. ZCTV are also
often used by pirates.
STATISTIC S
WY TRADER
The Weyland Yutani Trader was constructed to be a cheap transport WY could utilize
for its colony demands. They shunted supplies back and forth…One shipment could
equip a colony for months. These ships were huge but could not tow any cargo. They
have the largest cargo capacity of any freighter. Like ZCT, WY does not openly sell the
Traders on the open market. The Traders are shipped off to new colonies and can often
set them up with one ship.
More than 70% of the vessel is open cargo space with the remaining are spent on
spartan living conditions. Some Traders have been retrofitted with hardpoints and crew
compartment and thus were turned into a massive troop transport. Up to 1000 Marines
can be carried on board the retrofitted ships. However, these ships are still operated by
Weyland Yutani so are only used as a transport. The ship and its crew are lent by WY.
Unlike some freighters, the Trader is a dedicated space transport. It can travel between
stations with ease but cannot enter at atmosphere unless it wants to hard land. Either way,
it is not taking off again.
The unfortunate news is that the WY Trader has been seem under operation of
smugglers. The design is very robust and the immense size makes it a very efficient
transport. It runs of a quad set of Tachyon Shunt Drives that give it good speed and good
range.
STATISTICS
The Reliant is a small orbital (Non Atmospheric) space vehicle usually only used for short system-to-system jumps. Often employed and
operated by colonies, the SV-90 is so widely used, no on is entirely sure who originated the design. Rival corps, groups, and governments all
use the ship, and modify it heavily. The CMC is no exception. It is usually classed as a larger version of the TF-Alpha because of its
detachable Cargo pod. Unlike the TF-Alpha, the pod is not useful other than being transported by the SV-90. The pod is too large for most
places where a TF can land.
The huge Arrow Ion Pulse Drive is extremely efficient and makes the SV-90 extremely fast. As a result, the one group that uses the
Reliant the most is the CMC. It has turn into one of the Marine Corps most widely used cargo ships. It can be equipped with weapons and
configured to carry over 400 troops, and being half the size of the Conestoga, it has been known to slip in through sensor nets and orbital
minefields to strike enemy starports and drydocks. In an emergency, like the TF-Alpha, the SV-90 can detach its cargo pod and leave the
men behind while it fights. This gives he craft exceptional maneuverability as it drops almost half its weight. The Cargo pod has also been
configured to be a massive gunboat, carried under the freighter.
The CMC owns and operates a substantial fleet of SV-90 and often sends them if the larger Conestoga can’t be sent in because of political
or budgetary reasons. The SV-90 is substantially cheaper than the Conestoga. It does have thin armor and can’t carry internal spacecraft. It
is primarily used as a troop transport. Large battalions usually consist of two SV-90 for every one Conestoga. This ratio can double as the
fleet gets larger and the Reliants are configured for a variety of uses. The capabilities and uses of the Reliant is almost endless.
STATISTICS
MISCELLANEOS CRAFT
RE-ENTRY POD
The Re-Entry pod is a controlled rock. It is built and is operated by almost ever military ship. It is an
unarmored, quick drop to lower up to 10 soldiers into a combat area. It was first designed as a combat
drop pod for spacecraft too small to carry armed dropships. However, Re-Entry pods have since been
modified and re-designed by major groups as a cheap alternative to the EEV. The EEV is completely
automated and advanced. The REP should only be used above planets.
It is dropped above. It burns through the atmosphere. Upon clearing the upper layer, it fires it
engines for decelerations and finally uses a HALO-style, low altitude parachute deployment to quickly
slow it speed down, setting down with a thump. The crew can then deploy quickly. The one problem
with this approach to the dropship is that that REP cannot take over. It is a one way trip. It is also
totally unarmed. Not like anyone can hit it. It drops to quickly, the only time it is vulnerable is when it slams into the Earth.
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Onboard computers handle the entry and deceleration. The craft can make mild maneuvers, avoiding obstacles and landing at the best
possible position. It also changes it course for the type of landing. The ship can land so softly, it wouldn’t crack and egg. Some others
needs to be dropped so quickly, the ship is partially destroyed in the landing, having been designed that way to absorb all damage and
prevent the crew compartment from being crushed.
The sinister variation of the REP is the direct drop odanance which drops explsive warheads through the atmospher, directly on ground
targets. Weapon loads can vary
STATISTICS
*: Straight Down.
Communication Range: 1000, FTL
Crew: 1, Up to ten passengers.
Maneuverability: +5 against guided missiles.
Additions: Full survival suit: Fire Retardant, Flares, Raft, Emergency Rations, Sleeping Bags.
Evacuation: None…it IS an evacuation
Armament Package: None.
Range: Atmosphere: None…it lands.
Orbital: None
FTL: None
FTL Speed: None
Automatic Systems: 8 Base skill
where it will use the thrusters to try to break it's descent. At this stage,the EEV deploys its tricycle undercarriage and 'flies' on its remaining
fuel reserves for the landing site. If planetfall is made on an uncolonized world, the onboard systems may choose to keep the crew in
hypersleep to await a rescue. But in most cases, the EEV will revive the crew once as touchdown is achieved. If the crew has survived the
touchdown and find out that they have a long wait for a rescue, there are storage lockers which contain all the essential survival gear. A
months rations, and first aid equipment and whatever else is necessary to keep the crew alive. There are enough supplies for each crew
member on board so to ensure that the crew won't have any kind of shortages.
The BD-409 EEV system has been noted for it's flexibility and reliability, but the nature of space
disasters can make the egress from the mother ship quite a hazardous journey. Despite the advances in technology, there are still lives lost in
an escape attempt from the mother ship. The escape procedures are made to be so elaborate that the malfunction of one thing, which is very
likely when escaping from the mother ship, can become very harrowing to the entire evacuation. Even if everything goes correct to the
computers, there is still no guarantee of a very successful rescue from the immenseness of space. But, some chances are way better than
none, and given the most lethal situations in space, it is quite hard to argue that the old wisdom used by old space explorers, 'When in doubt,
bail out!'
STATISTICS
ALIEN:
THEORIES OF ALIEN
MORPHOLOGY
NOTE: These essays are not endorsed by all groups. For the actual endorsed science, refer to the next chapter.
The creature that has commonly become known as 'the alien' – the xenomorph which was first encountered on LV-426 - has presented a
great number of questions to the scientific community. The mystery surrounding these creatures has hardly been helped by the sole sources
of data coming from unreliable and unscientific eye-witness reports.
Lasalle Bionational has managed to secure a number of live specimens at various stages of life cycle development. Controlled
observation and examination of these has expanded our knowledge of this remarkable life form, despite a number of drawbacks inherent in
any study thereof.
Dissection of the creatures has proved problematic, since not only are they impossible to subdue or tranquilize, but any breach of the
exoskeleton invariably releases potent acidic compounds at high pressure.
However, dissection can now be effected by stunning the subject with a low-intensity ultrasound
pulse and then suspending it in a saturated solution of powerful neutralizing agents. Dissection is carried out using remote sensor arms
equipped with tight-beam xenon-focused cutting lasers.
Reports have previously been filed on the life cycle stage manifesting as the parasitic creature
commonly known as the facehugger. We are now able to fill in some details relating to the xenomorph's life cycle beyond this stage.
Once the embryonic Alien (commonly known as a chestburster) has been implanted within the host organism, a remarkable system of
chemical restructuring takes place:
The gestating Alien absorbs organic material from the host organismhost, breaking it down at a molecular level and forming new
compounds. All organic molecules are based on long-chain hydrocarbons bearing different activating groups. The carbon units are
disassociated from their existing compounds and are then recombined into crystal lattices which are used in the formation of the creature's
hard bodily structures. The freed H+ ions are combined with surplus sulphate (SO42-) and nitrate (NO3-) groups to form the powerful
acidic compounds which have been previously regarded as the Alien's "blood", although our research has proved this term to be unhelpful.
Much has been made of the Alien's apparent ability to operate with neither respiratory nor digestive functions: there is no real evidence of
77
the creature actually eating, and we have yet to discover any form of digestive system; its evident imperviousness to the effects of vacuum
would preclude any form of respiration in the sense that we understand it. Essentially, the Alien is able to operate without otherwise essential
functions because it does not possess them, deriving its energy instead from a powerful bio- electrical charge generated within its body by
means of acidic reaction. The Alien's "blood" is, in fact, a component of a powerful biological "battery".
Therefore, the aliens' hissing and the Queen alien's vapor clouds do not necessarily indicate respiration, and the aliens' ability to survive in
a vacuum proves that they do not 'breath' at all. However, since the aliens have a hard body casing full of furiously reacting chemicals
(hence the reason they tend to explode), it is probable that some of the reactions give rise to gaseous products which would require venting in
order to keep their internal pressure and temperature stable. There is no reason why the creatures could not then use this by-product as a form
of audible threat when squaring off against an opponent.
There have also been many queries raised as to the creatures' sensory apparatus. As far as the
Alien's means of perception is concerned, dissection have again offered us new insights.
The ornate structures of the Alien's cranial exoskeleton appear to be designed to capture and amplify atmospheric vibrations: sound. The
extended lateral rows of these structures along either side of the skull allow the Alien a wide field of "hearing" and acute sensitivity. This
would, of course, be of no use to the creature in the context of a vacuum, and we were thus forced to consider further possibilities.
Spectroscopic analysis of the material composing the "blind" frontal plate of the skull has shown that it is composed of the unusual C60
carbon-lattice, which is known to demonstrate exceptional conductive properties. Behind the frontal plate, a series of highly sensitive
thermoreactive organs are found. We can infer from this that the creatures are also able to register thermal signals and perceive radiated heat
images, an ability which would be of obvious benefit in environments lacking atmosphere. These sensory facilities are obviously of great
benefit to a creature as aggressive as the Alien.
Closer examination has also revealed vestigial photosensitive organs flanking the skull's frontal plate. With the range of sensory
information available to the xenomorph, "eyes" that see in visible light wavelengths would seem surplus to requirements. However, the
purpose of a rudimentary "sight" seems to be twofold: Firstly, the Aliens themselves have little or no body heat, other than that produced by
their internal chemical reactions (which is almost non-existent when the creatures are inactive). The Aliens' "eyes" enable them to perceive
each other. Secondly, in order for the Alien to operate effectively as a hostile organism, an accurate means of depth perception is required.
Stereoscopic sight serves this function admirably. However, since the vast majority of these creatures are asexual and (as has already been
noted) do not need to kill for food, there would appear to be no need for their remarkable killing ability unless expressly bred for that
purpose.
Observation of the Aliens in a simulated hive environment has shown us that they operate in a manner not dissimilar to that of worker
ants, with their belligerence limited only to organisms not native to the hive. Thus, the creatures generally operate in a manner benefitting the
hive community, with any creature straying therein being met with swift and aggressive retaliation.
In short, this life form appears to be the ideal basis for a hive community, demanding none of the
standard conditions (such as food or a breathable atmosphere) most need to support them. It is a life form able to meet the needs of the
community whilst requiring nothing in return, and one capable of meeting any threat to that community with a lethal response, for which this
creature is uniquely equipped.
The Lasalle Bionational research team's preliminary studies of the xenomorph popularly known as the 'Alien' have, by necessity,
concentrated on the fully developed specimen, since this has offered the greatest potential for the Lasalle BioWeaponry division to make
inroads into the established Weyland-Yutani market. However, in an effort to better understand the propagation of these creatures, we have
lately turned our full attention to the first life cycle phase, the 'egg' and 'facehugger' manifestations.
For as long as the reproductive faculties of the Alien Queen remain unknown to us, there are a number of questions raised by this phase
that we are unable to answer. Nonetheless, detailed and intensive research has given rise to some startling and unexpected conclusions.
At first, it appeared obvious that the facehugger was a semi-independent lifeform whose only purpose was to implant the embryonic Alien
within its host organism. The facehugger's relation to the Alien was self-evident by the fact that it possessed acidic 'blood' and operated upon
the same bioelectrical chemistry as the Alien itself. This gave rise to a serious problem: if dating attempts on the ancient starcraft (the
'derelict') discovered by the crew of the Nostromo on LV-426 were to be believed, the facehuggers could not possibly have survived the
length of time between the original crash and the subsequent discovery. It was at this stage that we first began to look at the egg/facehugger
as a single united organism and were presented with a scientific breakthrough.
We knew that no life signs for the facehugger itself could be detected within the egg prior to release upon a victim. And through
observation and deep scans of the facehugger's release upon a live subject, we further concluded that, whereas the egg had previously been
considered only as a vessel for containing the embryo-delivering facehugger, dissection and deep level scans revealed it to be an organism in
its own right.
This previously unknown organism - christened the ovomorph - proves to be exceptionally resilient. Although its carbon lattice based
composition and life functions powered by process of acidic reaction are similar to the already known phases, the ovomorph locks its
reactive acids into relatively stable salts or trace metals. These decay slowly, releasing the acids and generating the bio-electrical charge at a
much reduced rate, in keeping with the ovomorph's sedentary and essentially passive nature.
78
At the base of the egg-structure, dissection revealed a cluster of conductive matrices similar to that which we believe to be the full-fledged
alien's central nervous system. This rudimentary CNS is linked to thermo/pressure-sensitive veins running over the exterior of the
ovomorph's 'shell,' enabling it to 'perceive' the proximity of a suitable host.
(It is worth observing at this point that the ovomorph's sensory apparatus are only likely to be triggered by the proximity of an organic and
ambulatory life form and that the arrangement of the facehugger's gripping appendages and ovipositor are specifically tailored to a certain
body mass range and configuration of respiratory and digestive organs. It is therefore our conjecture that implantation is unlikely to take
place within an unsuitable host: an invertebrate, for example.)
Upon detection of a prospective host for the embryonic Alien, the ovomorph releases a catalyst that unlocks the acids bonded into the
chemical salts. These are then transferred to the facehugger organism which becomes 'live' only at that point. Essentially, the ovomorph
transfers its remaining bio-electrical potential to the facehugger, sacrificing itself so that the facehugger can then become sufficiently active
to attack the host upon the opening of the ovomorph's casing. Once released, the facehugger uses a similar set of thermoauditory responses
to those used by both the ovomorph and the adult Alien to attack its prey. Utilizing a secretion of its acidic compounds to penetrate
exceptionally resilient hides (or armor), it then uses a DMSO-delivered cyanide based toxin in concentrations relative to the optimum size of
the host in order to render a case of deep toxic shock. (Thus, should the facehugger be unfortunate enough to attach itself to a host that does
not fall within the mass range of its prescribed target form, the cyanide dose is either ineffective or fatal.) This state reduces the victim's vital
signs to an absolute minimum and thereby optimizes the chances of survival.
It's most remarkable feature, however, is the facehugger's ability to sample the contents of the
victim's respiratory system to ascertain the appropriate composition of preferred breathing atmosphere. It then alters the balance of reactive
compounds within its metabolism to form by-products resembling the host's required atmospheric mix. Thus the state of hibernative shock is
prolonged by simulation of the victim's natural environment by the facehugger.
We have also determined that even the most rudimentary fetal Alien implanted within the host
organism over an extended time scale would be impossible, and is this circumvented. The facehugger attaches what we can only describe as
a knot of specifically tailored 'cancers' that bring about the previously described chemogenetic restructuring. This gives rise to the infant
stage of the fully-formed Alien, commonly known as the chestburster.
Thus, the first stage of the life cycle is actually the ovomorph - a creature symbiotic with the facehugger, whose only function is to
facilitate the implantation/impregnation within the host of the specific tumors that later form the Alien.
Much has been made of the Alien's ability to determine their adult form based upon the host organism. We assume that the development
of the chesburster and the subsequent adult is directed by the host in which it gestates. Presumably, it has to adapt to the environment in
which it will be hunting, and the best way to do this is by learning things like the type of atmosphere, gravity and available nutrients from the
host via metabolic contact. Therefore, the form of the chesburster and the adult will be determined in part by the host, but there can not be
any genetic transfer. A queen will tend to lay eggs which are optimized for growing in a host like the type she was born from.
If an egg is laid in an optimal host, it is adapted to its environment and takes a full term to develop. If it is in a non-optimal host, it risks
detection because of its alien metabolism and must therefore
develop rapidly. In such a case, the chestburster may appear immature.
This theory suggests that the embryo implanted in the crewman Kane aboard the Nostromo was a transitional form between Aliens
optimized for humans and those optimized for the beings aboard the derelict spacecraft found on LV-426. The chestburster therefor emerged
quickly and immature to avoid detection. Colonists on LV-426 were implanted by a human-born queen, allowing the gestation period to last
full term. The creature encountered on Fury-161 was implanted in a dog by a human-born queen. This embryo was non-optimized, and
hatched quickly. It was a transitional form between dogs and humans, just as the creature aboard the Nostromo was a transitional form. This
theory could account for the varied appearance of the creatures encountered.
The xenomorph's ability to alter its appearance based upon its host organism has raised questions about the genetic makeup of the
creatures. Although evidence of the actual genetic code of the Alien species is sketchy at best, there are a number of theories on the subject.
If the Alien species uses DNA, it is not likely that their DNA looks anything like ours. This is
primarily because of the 'acid for blood' phenomenon we are familiar with. At low pH, DNA tends to 'melt'; the two strands separate and lose
most of the chemical properties of DNA which make it useful as an information storage molecule. At even lower pH, DNA will become
degraded and literally will fall to pieces. This suggests that the acid contained in the Alien bloodstream would not be using DNA as an
information storage molecule.
It is also unlikely that the xenomorph would be able to make use of terrestrial DNA. The issue of randomness in evolution suggests that
the species could not use the exact genetic code as humans.
Additionally, our DNA is used to encode the amino acid sequences of our protiens, most of which are designed to function around pH 7.
The xenomorph protiens probably function somewhere below pH 0. Human protiens will fall apart and become degraded in that pH range.
The Aliens have to be using an entirely different set of amino acids to make sure that their protiens are not destroyed by the internal pH
(assuming they use amino acids at all). If, by some miracle, the Aliens do use DNA, it would have to be as different from human DNA as
their amino acids and protiens would have to be from ours in order to survive their internal pH. This suggests that human DNA would be
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completely incomprehensible to them. If the number of amino acids they use is greater than 64 or less than 16, they would be using different
sized codons than humans do, creating an additional barrier to compatability. The latter assumes that they only use four bases in their DNA
as we do, which is unlikely, since they must be using modified bases to begin with.
Finally, there is also the possibility that they may be working with single or triple stranded DNA
instead of the terrestrial double stranded form.
Alien Evolution
The characteristics discussed below are not the sole characteristics available for discussion, nor are the conclusions drawn the only
conclusions possible. This is simply one possible picture based on the set of assumptions and the data available to date.
1.That the alien evolved on a planet and was not created by another species
2.That the alien and its homeworld have been shaped by physical and evolutionary forces which are similar to those in effect on our own
world
3.That the alien is not the dominant life form on its homeworld, existing instead as part of a complex ecosystem
4.That the homeworld is as diverse with life forms and potential habitats as is our own
Some or all of these features may be due to the adaptation/modification of the organism to its current lifestyle as a space faring parasitic
species. In the case of modification, it would be most parsimonious to assume that the aliens were intended for use as biological weapons.
This theory assumes that the creatures found in space are adapted or modified to living in this habitat, and focuses on estimating their
possible ancestral forms and the state of the ancestral homeworld. It assumes that any modifications and adaptations have been made using
pre-existing characteristics, so that the ancestral creatures posses similar characteristics. The creatures found in space are referred to as
"modern" in the following discussion.
The alien life cycle is divided into two distinct stages which are reminiscent of the alternating sporophyte and gametophyte generational
stages of plants and fungi. Plants produce distinct types of reproductive cells (spores or gametes) which give rise to genetically distinct types
of organisms. Spores grow into gametophytes, which produce gametes, while gametes fuse to form sporophytes which produce spores. In
the alien species, the sporophyte stage could be represented by the juvenile stages. These would create the embryoembryo. The gametophyte
stage could be represented by the adult stages. These would create eggs after gamete fusion. Such a strategy in might be indicative of an
chaotic and dangerous natural environment (see discussion of hypothetical ancestors). We have zero knowledge of the genetics of these
creatures, and further speculation on the existence or nature of alien reproductive cells would be unfounded.
The alien morphology seems to be a melange of arthropod and vertebrate characteristics. The segmented exoskeletal carapace and
variable numbers of limbs are reminiscent of terrestrial arthropods (as well as armored fishes and reptiles to a lesser extent), while the adult
body plan seems more vertebrate in nature; the presence of a jaw, spine terminating in a tail and limbs ending in grasping hands and feet as
opposed to the mouthparts, legs and body plan of an arthropod suggest a vertebrate morphology. The larval legs are articulated via an
endoskeleton, which appears to be covered in a sheath of muscle and a pliable external layer of protein and silicon. This seems to indicate
that the oldest ancestors of these creatures possessed endoskeletons, and that exoskeletons evolved later. As is the case with vertebrate
evolution in the Silurian and Devonian periods, the endoskeleton may have evolved first as a means to protect the CNS, and the exoskeleton
could have evolved secondarily; in response to environmental challenges.
The eggs are complex organisms in and of themselves. They are responsible for maintaining life support for the larva for an indefinite
amount of time, and must recognize a potential host and distinguish it from valid members of the nest. The eggs contain rudimentary moving
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parts. Once the egg has determined that a host is proximal, it releases the larva. In the modern species, the egg is flammable, translucent and
unarmored. Their gracile nature in comparison to the adults may be in response to the security afforded by the nest strategy. Because of these
unusual qualities in an egg, it might be that the egg and larva constitute a single organism up until the point where the larva is released. The
size of an egg in comparison to the size of the contained larva indicates substantial internal morphology, consistent with requirements for life
support and sensory systems.
Despite the obvious immediate differences, the organism's basic body plan may be conserved between the juvenile and adult forms. The
larval form has 8 legs, and while imagoinstago forms only appear to have 4 limbs, queens appear to have 6. All forms have a single
articulated tail, implying the presence of a spine and CNS. As the juveniles posses an endoskeleton it could be assumed that the adults do as
well. The adult head morphology is quite distinctive. In the post-nymph forms, the mouth contains a secondary set of jaws on the end of the
tongue, and the head is long and curved. In the modern species, it is probable that the larval form is derived to the point where a majority of
the sensory portions of the larval body remain in the egg when the larva is released. Anatomy corresponding to the adult head may be
contained within the egg. Accordingly, if the juvenile "air-sacs" are used for respiration, any adult breathing apparatus would be located
posterior to the hindmost pair of adult legs. Four "vanes" are visible on the backs of most adults, and six are visible along the backs of
queens. These may function in breathing. Additionally, the head configuration of the adult may be adaptive in that it would prevent
accidental implantation of an embryo into an adult by a larva, or prevent intentional implantation by a larva of another species. The legs of
the larva will not easily grasp the adult head, and the ventral "embryopositor" tube will be subject to attack by the mouthed tongue. This may
suggest that there are competing species of these creatures on the homeworld.
While in the egg, the larva remains suspended in a fluid, suggesting aquatic origins for this species. The emerging larva retains a thin
coating of the internal fluid, and this layer appears to be caustic,
although the caustic properties are not as dramatic as those displayed by the organism's blood. The combination of the egg fluid and blood
pH indicates drastically different aquatic environment on the homeworld than on earth. It is possible that the pH of the egg fluid is closer to
the true pH of the oceans on the homeworld and that the caustic properties of the organism's blood are due to a combination of modification
and adaptation to the parasitic lifestyle, or the egg maturation process may deplete the egg fluid of its caustic properties.
It is likely that the caustic properties of the blood are not due to simple pH, but that other chemical and enzymatic factors are in effect. In
addition to functioning as the medium for an internal transport system, the organism's "blood" might be its digestive system, which would
suggest an extremely different internal structure than terrestrial standards. The caustic properties of the blood appear to be more effective on
synthetic and organic materials than on metals, supporting the idea that other chemical and enzymatic factors are at work, which in turn
supports the digestive theory.
Interior carapace pressure might indicate a higher average planetary pressure than 14 psi. This could be a defense mechanism, or it could
simply be circulatory pressure. The internal physiology of the organism has yet to be revealed to any great extent, but pulsing "artery-like"
structures have been observed in emergent nymphs, implying some sort of pumping "heart" organ. Possibly the homeworld is larger or the
atmosphere is heavier than on earth. The larval air sacs/bellows might be a historical adaptation to living beyond the aqueous environment,
but it is possible that these are a parasitic adaptation, and are not required by the organism. The degree to which they function is probably
dictated by the atmospheric requirements of the host, but we have no knowledge of the organism's atmospheric requirements. If such sacs are
required, the larva will not survive in vacuum. The adults appear to function as well underwater as out of it, implying that the do not use air
sacs. It is possible that inert gasses irritate the adults. Possibly, they breathe using modified gill structures located in the dorsal vanes.
Body temperature is ambient, perhaps indicating a generally warm planetary surface temperature, or geothermal habitat requirement. It
remains to be seen how long the imagoinstago can survive in a vacuum or sub-freezing temperatures. The low pH of the blood would seem to
indicate a drastically reduced freezing point. Queens survive extended periods of transit through both of these environments, and it is
possible that other instarinstago and imagoinstago forms may as well. The various adult forms demonstrate aversion to open flames, but
unlike the eggs and nymphs, are not flammable. This suggests temperature boundaries within the upper limits of terrestrial environments.
The lack of obvious eyes in any observed stages indicates that the aliens either live entirely in
enclosed or subterranean areas, or that there is no visible light incident on the surface of the homeworld. If the organisms lived entirely
underground, their size and potential for well populated nests implies a well developed and robust subterranean ecosystem. If they lived the
entirety of their lives in their nests, they would be dependent upon the movement of prey and hosts into the nest for survival. It is possible
that they lure these into the nest, but the aliens seem quite capable and adept at retrieving them as well. If they dwelled on an illuminated
surface for any amount of time, eyes would be a distinct advantage.
The aliens display significant ability to cling to and move on vertical and inverted surfaces, supporting the idea that a significant portion
of time is spent underground or in enclosed spaces. Nests fit this description, and it may be that castes which venture outside of the nest
posses eyes. In this case, these castes have not yet been observed. The nests might be constructed above or below ground or water, but seem
to be designed so that the resinous construction material covers all surfaces near their cores. Partially submerged nests would require air
chambers for hosts and larvae.
Copious amounts of a viscous substance are constantly being secreted from the mouthparts and neighboring regions. This substance
appears to be used in constructing nests, hardening to form a resin. Thick strands may also be produced, although the mechanism for this is
unclear. Prior to hardening, the resin does not display caustic properties, and may act to neutralize acids. This would be useful, both in
offering protection from an acidic environment, and in protecting the nest from being accidentally dissolved.
Hypothetical ancestors
The presence of an endoskeleton and an exoskeleton implies that conditions changed during the
evolution of the organism, requiring armored protection of the entire body. Drastically increased predation is one such possible change, while
a dramatic lowering of the pH of the environment is a second. These options are not mutually exclusive; hostile changes in the environment
may cause increases in levels of predation.
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A low pH ocean could literally dissolve its inhabitants, forcing them to lower their pH to meet that of the environment, present a barrier
against the caustic properties of their surroundings, leave the oceans or try these strategies in various combinations. Thick layers of
continuously renewed armor would be constantly ablated by the acid, but could protect underlying tissues, and secretion of neutralizing
substances could serve as similar a shield. A lowering of the blood pH might offer some protection, but might also begin to damage one's
own tissues, and would probably be energetically expensive. Raising the pH of one's tissues would not be a successful strategy in an aquatic
environment.
The aliens posses all of these characteristics to various degrees, suggesting that the aquatic environment is either extremely caustic, or
became progressively more caustic in discrete degrees. The modern species appears only to produce secretions in and around the mouth
region; possibly the protective substance has to be applied to exposed regions of the anatomy, or whole body coverage is not necessary
beyond an aquatic environment. In the former case, hardening of the resin might serve to bolster the exoskeleton, or the exoskeleton might be
formed of the same substance, secreted from the surface of the body. The endo- and exoskeletons would be made from different substances
in this case. In either case, the secretions around the mouth are used for building the nest. Ancestral types might have been covered in an
additional layer of secretions.
The larvae are known to have an external layer composed of some combination of protein-polysaccharides and polarized silicon. Larvae
do not seem to produce secretions, and the external layer is not as hard in appearance as the adult carapace. In non-nymph adults, this
carapace has a metallic appearance, and is probably composed of additional materials. The teeth of nymphs often have a metallic appearance.
If the hardening of resinous secretions were the source of the exoskeleton, these secretions might contain different substances depending on
their intended use. Secretions destined to become armor, structural material or strands and cables might have very different compositions.
Living in a variety of challenging and dangerous environments might favor the observed division of reproductive strategies. The organism
might be able to adapt rapidly to changing environments by using varying morphologies and reproductive strategies as a means of "shifting
gears". An organism that was unconcerned with finding a mate could focus on finding a carrier or host capable of moving its offspring to a
potentially more hospitable area. Organisms in a hospitable area could focus on reproducing themselves as efficiently as possible. Primitive
juveniles could create embryos to be carried away by mobile hosts, while successful adults could create multiple eggs which were suited to
their environment. Thus selection operates one way on the juveniles, selecting for those able to find suitable hosts (including mobility when
the environment is shifting), and another way on the adults, selecting for those best suited to their environment. This implies that primitive
juvenile stages were capable of predicting environmental shifts and altering their host selection accordingly. That the modern species has an
"atrophied" juvenile stage implies that a stable environment was located, or that a novel strategy for relocating was developed. The stable
environment may have been space, or perhaps there are yet unobserved castes capable of carrying eggs long distances.
The ancestral organism's life cycle might have been similar to that of a caterpillar/butterfly. The organism searches for a host off of which
an embryoembryo may feed after being produced by a larva, much like a caterpillar on a leaf. Possibly older pre-parasitic forms of this
organism were like caterpillars; the implanted "embryos" may have been mobile, representing an intermediate life-stage (PRO-EMBRYO). It
is possible that the nymphnymph stage may have occupied this position, having been produced from the larva in a more advanced form. It
certainly seems to be the case that the juvenile and nymphnymph stages of the modern species are developmentally simplified. The modern
larva is not capable of ingesting nutrients, being solely devoted to implanting one embryoembryo, and some modern nymphs emerge sans
limbs or with "limbs buds".
This life cycle is only "mildly" parasitic; the pro-embryo does not necessarily harm the host during its grazing/feeding activity, but
remains in jeopardy of discovery and extermination in this vulnerable state. If the pro-embryo were implanted internally to the host and
absorbed nutrients directly from the host, it could be less vulnerable. The first parasitic ancestors may have placed their pro-embryos internal
to the host, where nutrients could be obtained partially digested food in the host's "stomach" or digestive system. If the host digestive system
bore similarity to vertebrate systems, there may have been compartments of extreme pH, which may have contributed to the acidophilic
nature of the modern species. More advanced parasites might have done away with their pro- embryo forms, simply implanting embryos
within their hosts and which would grow to nymphnymph form by stealing nutrients directly from the host. These parasites would not have
been social organisms.
In descending order, the "weak" points in the life cycle of the pre-social organisms appear to be the dormant phase, the gestation phase
and the travel time of the larva from egg to host. These risks could be minimized by securing the eggs "underground" (away from host/egg
predation), and by immobilizing hosts near to the eggs. The eggs might remain susceptible to predation by small egg eating creatures or
larger creatures capable of entering an active nest, requiring cooperative measures on the part of adults in protecting them. Sociality might
develop naturally from such a system. Initially, a division of labor between hunter-foragers to locate and retrieve fresh hosts and warrior-
scavenger-nurses to protect the eggs and gestating hosts from predators might suffice. The subsequent evolution of the queen dominated
caste system may have been a way to diminish competition for hosts between partially related organisms, by establishing genetically
homogenous nests. The large numbers of eggs produced by modern queens seem to indicate a strategy involving overproduction of eggs. The
persistence of this strategy in the modern species might be due to co-evolution of egg predators, or to environmental conditions where the
risk of destruction of significant portions of the nest was high.
A further means to adapt to an environment is by adopting strategies developed earlier by another species. The embryoembryo is in a
prime position to learn about the metabolic and environmental conditions of its host. Knowledge of local environmental conditions such as
the pH, atmospheric content and energy generation schemes would be important for post emergence survival. Varying energy generation
schemes may result in differing metabolisms. Knowledge of the metabolic level and requirements of the host gives an advantage to be used
in hunting such hosts. The development of the nymph might mimic other physical attributes of the host as well. For example, if the host spent
much time hanging upside down, the nymph could develop that way as well, making it a competent predator in an "upside down"
environment.
Adult organisms are presumably adapted to their environment via some combination of this host
mediated process in concert with post-emergence selection. In the primitive species, larval offspring of these adapted adults will have to
evaluate the state of the environment to determine if they should seek a mobile host to find a more hospitable environment, or if the should
seek one to which they are adapted.
If a larva chooses a mobile host, its embryo may posses different metabolic requirements or a generally different metabolism, which may
result in the death of the embryoembryo after prolonged exposure. The nymphnymph must remain capable of aborting its development at the
minimum possible stage and emerging from the host, developing a new adaptive strategy from the information gathered from the host, and
surviving to reproduce and create eggs adapted to the new environment. This minimum stage is limbless, displaying only the buds of limbs,
and uses the segmented tail for propulsion.
If the larva chooses a host to which it is adapted, there will be much less danger to the embryo from the host's metabolism, and the nymph
will be able to develop to its full form prior to emergence. This full form possesses two sets of limbs in addition to the tail. It is possible that
a host chosen by a larva that detects no impending environmental shift might be immobile or vegetative in nature.
Once a relatively stable environment has been located (in which several rounds of reproduction were possible), a varying progression of
emergent nymph and adult forms might be observed, as pressures of selection and host mediated adaptation refine the organism's strategy for
survival in the environment.
Sensation
Since the creatures do not posses any eyes by terrestrial standards, they must have some other means of sensing their environment. If the
body plan is conserved between juvenile and adult stages, it is reasonable to assume that the same types of sensors are used in each case. The
eggs appear to be able to detect motion and proximity, and to be able to distinguish between hosts and nestmates. The sensation of heat may
not be important to this process, as the natural host may have had a similar ambient body temperature. The larvae are capable of locating and
determining the distance to the host implantation orifice, and of leaping through space to that orifice. The adults are capable of distinguishing
between nestmates and potential hosts, and are capable of detecting movement. They are probably also possessed of pattern recognition
systems, and spatial arrangement recognition systems. Adults have been observed to fixate on objects using their heads, suggesting that their
primary sensory organs are located in the anterior portions of their heads.
All adult stages are capable of producing a variety of sounds, and it is probably the case that they can hear and communicate via sound.
Communication with "stripped down" eggs is probably better facilitated via chemical means than sound. It is likely that recognition of
nestmates is achieved via a combination of chemical and sonic communication. Eggs might communicate with each other via chemical
signals. Some degree of communication between eggs is likely, as only one egg ever responds when presented with a viable host, even if
there are numerous eggs in proximity to the host.
The detection of motion and proximity may be facilitated via sonic systems. In terrestrial nocturnal, subterranean and aquatic
environments, these have proven quite successful, and accordingly, the shape of the head is reminiscent of cetacean crania. However, the
large curving structure of the head might serve as some other sort of sensor as well. It could be used to detect EM wavelengths other than
visible light, although it is not obvious how useful such a structure would be in detecting longer or shorter wavelengths. Possibly, the
creatures posses a sensory system similar to the "motion tracking" technology developed by humans.
Communication
Variation in the surface morphology of the head seems to indicate a sensory function. Lone adults have uniform smooth reflective heads,
while adults functioning in a nest have distinct anterior and posterior head sections; the posterior region being covered in a ribbed pattern
with a sagittal crest, and the anterior region being characteristically smooth with a pair of pits on either side of the head. This morphology in
social organisms may be used in sonic and chemical communication. That this ribbed pattern is visible in the neck regions of the lone adult
may indicate that the smooth reflective surface of the heads serves as a canopy covering more complex structures.
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This smooth canopy is reminiscent of the smooth surfaces of the queen's headpiece sheath. This sheath is comprised of at least three
independent pieces, the largest of which possesses several overlapping flanges. Various sized holes are visible between these flanges, and the
entire sheath may serve as a production organ for chemical signals. In the transformation from imagoinstago to queen-imago (see the
discussion of ancestral types below), the adult canopy may develop into the sheath. Once this transformation has been accomplished, the new
queen would issue chemical signals destroying the canopies of any nearby adults.
If the ribbed structures beneath the canopy corresponded to modest versions of the signal production organs beneath the queen's sheath,
and were used for communication between nestmates, the canopy might serve to isolate a lone adult from foreign signals. Canopied adults
would in effect be "deaf" to most nest signals. If all nestmates are progeny of the same queen, then the canopy destroying signal produced by
a particular queen might be genetically specified. A canopied adult which found itself near a foreign nest or a foreign queen would not be
susceptible to that queen's signals, and would develop into a queen. An adult which found itself near a related nest or queen would lose its
canopy and join the nest. A dead queen would be replaced by a young canopied adult. It could be assumed that an uncanopied adult would be
utterly subservient to the commands of a queen, in which case it might be possible for one queen to kill another and steal the uncanopied
members of the nest. The canopy must allow limited communication, as a valid queen must be able to order its destruction. Possibly,
canopied adults would be capable of identifying hosts harboring embryos as well, and could act to protect related embryos and possibly
destroy unrelated ones.
The modern species' reproductive cycle is problematic because it displays a dependence upon the death of a host for the reproduction of a
each organism. A host which survived nymph emergence might favor the development of this lifestyle.
Such a host would have to withstand the damage incurred in emergence, and be able to survive further rounds of implantation, gestation
and emergence. Alternatively, ancestral forms of the organism might have used a less injurious host-emergence strategy. If instead of
creating new exits, the nymphs emerged via the orifice through which they were implanted, the chance of the host surviving would increase
dramatically. Possibly, ancestral organisms used such a strategy. Also, a host with thick exterior armor would make creation of new exits
difficult. In any case, a large organism would be better suited to surviving the embryo development process. The parasite might be little more
than a pest for a host of sufficient size, and might even serve some symbiotic function by feeding on exoskeletal parasites of the host after
emergence.
The implantation period indicates a requirement for about 24 hours of close contact. This is facilitated by the articulated limbs and the tail.
In modern creatures, the larval "embryopositor" appears to be composed of soft tissue, indicating that implantation is probably directly onto
the desired internal substrate as opposed to being gained by destruction of external tissue. In addition to other possible functions, the
mouthed tongue of the imago might function to permit sampling of the tissue contained within a hard carapace, or might have facilitated in
creating an opening in a hard carapace specifically for use in implantation. These data suggest that the natural host possessed a hard shell.
During the implantation phase, the host is provided with atmosphere via specialized bellows structures on the larva, implying that the host
would be in danger of asphyxiation during the implantation process. Thus the natural host probably has only one breathing orifice, and is at
least partially terrestrial. The parameters of the area surrounding the natural host's breathing orifice may be estimated via observing the
length of tail available and the available span of the articulated limbs (2-3 feet for the limbs and 4-5 feet of tail). This orifice is most likely at
the end of a stalk of indeterminate length, which might be up to a foot in diameter. The terminus of this stalk is most likely a spheroid 1-2
feet in diameter.
The amount of oxygen provided to the host is limited by the size of the larval bellows apparatus, and this would limit the size of a
potential host and that host's activity during implantation. Possibly the bellows size has evolved to parallel changes in host size. The
constrictive nature of the tail would seem to suggest that the host's breathing is accomplished by changing the volume of the stalk. Bi-
directional air flow in the host might be accomplished via the use of peristaltic waves. Since the host is likely armored, the tail would
probably not be capable of constricting the host unless this strategy were used to inhale and exhale.
Assuming that the host would resent an attack on its sole breathing orifice and the subsequent implantation event, temporary incapacitation
of the host would be desirable on the part of the organism. An extremely large host might be able to detach the larva at negligible expense to
its own structure. Possibly the constrictive nature of the tail is used to immobilize the host initially. However, an incapacitated host would be
easy prey to various other predatory creatures. It is possible that the implantation period would not be *extremely* uncomfortable for the
host, and that the host would be capable of enduring the implantation period without sufficient cause to successfully dislodge the parasite. In
this case, the implantation process might only diminish the host's natural breathing capacity, requiring the supplemental air supply provided
by the larva. In such a scenario, it might be possible for multiple larvae to simultaneously implant embryos in one host.
Emergence of the nymph seems to be triggered by moderate levels of host activity. This might be a valid strategy if the host was preyed
upon. Moderate levels of activity would indicate that there were no predators around and that the locale was safe for nymph emergence.
Sufficiently high level of activity might indicate flight from a predator, and a period of inactivity might be indicative of a host's attempt to
hide from a predator.
The general conclusions regarding the natural host are as follows; it is a large terrestrial or semi-aquatic organism which breathes through an
orifice at the end of a stalk. This could be the host's head, or it could be a specialized structure. The host is most likely armored and is
possibly prey to other predators.
Most of the above speculation regards the natural host of the pre-social organism. The natural host of the social organism is most likely a
smaller version of the described host. Smaller hosts would occur in more abundant numbers, and their populations might tolerate the parasitic
lifestyle of increasing numbers of organisms. In addition, it is more efficient to capture, immobilize and maintain smaller hosts than large. It
is possible that the modern organism's penchant for creating a new emergence orifice is a modification subsequent to the dispersal into space;
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on the homeworld, the social organisms might remain capable of multiple rounds of implantation, gestation and emergence on a single host.
Some species might retain the ability to switch from a social mode to a more primitive non-social mode.
Early Ancestors
A non-social creature with a multi-stage life cycle. Most stages of this life cycle are omnivorous. This is a very primitive version of the
organism.
The natural host might be any large mobile creature, or it might be some sort of immobile
vegetative organism.
Life cycle: Eggs are created in large clutches, perhaps buried in the ground or perhaps attached to
vegetative organisms via resin. This resin might also serve to protect the eggs from predation. After a long maturation phase, these eggs
hatch and larvae emerge. These are free living organisms in their own right, devoted to finding food and potential hosts. Possessed of
advanced sensory capabilities, these creatures are capable of producing many pro-embryos. The eggs of this species would be little more than
containers, possessing no sensory apparatus and probably opening upon the signal of the larva. These larvae locate and produce pro-embryos
on putative hosts. These pro-embryos digest whatever available food there is to be found on their substrate; the food might be other surface
parasites or vegetative matter or secreted substances. These pro-embryos would be capable of moving between hosts, and some in some
"vegetative" species might serve in a "cross- pollinating" capacity. In more advanced forms, the pro-embryos might live in the host digestive
system, feeding off of partially digested nutrients. Once a sufficient level of nutrition has been achieved, the embryoembryo metamorphoses
into a nymphnymph and becomes a free living organism. Progression through of a series of predatory instars yields the imagoinstago, which
serves the sole purpose of creating more eggs.
Comments: There are a variety of lifecycle and lifestyle strategies which may be derived from this organism. There are probably a variety
of different species descended from this general form. The imagoinstago is the fully adult form of the organism, having spent all of its instars
searching for food. As with the pro-embryo, this food might be both vegetative or "animal" in nature.
Medial Ancestor
A non-social predatory creature with a dual stagestages life cycle. This type of creature is perhaps on the verge of developing into the
modern organism.
The natural host is a large creature that breathes atmosphere through a single orifice on the end of an armored stalk. Airflow through this
stalk is maintained by expanding and contracting the walls of the stalk, possibly via peristaltic waves.
Life cycle: Thick-hided and perhaps armored eggs are buried in the ground and are mortared in place with resin. The eggs mature and
enter the dormant phase. The motion and sound of a proximal potential host signals the egg to hatch and disgorge the larva which pursues,
catches and "boards" the host. In this organism, the larva's sole purpose is to locate and implant an embryo into a host as quickly as is
possible. Its sensory apparatus are devoted to this task alone, and because it does not take nutrition, it can only afford to implant a few
embryos; in many cases it can only manage one. The egg retains a modest ability for detection and controls the release of the larva. The larva
then locates the breathing orifice, affixes itself to it via means of the legs and tail and supplements the air flow to the host during the
implantation phase. The embryo is implanted in the internal substance of the breathing canal. Once implantation is complete, the larva dies.
The host proceeds, until the nymph emerges from its "breathing trunk" via the natural orifice. The host most likely survives this ordeal,
although it might experience labored breathing for a few days. The nymph goes through a series of instars , which hunt for food, until an
imago is realized, which hunts for food, mates and prospective host ranges. The mouthed tongue might be integral to all three pursuits, as
well as protecting the adults form implantation by larvae of other species. Putative hosts might be weakened by use of the mouthed tongue,
making them more susceptible to being boarded by the larva. A series of eggs might be created in a large area, waiting for a weakened host
to stumble through. Possibly, the adults are capable of cucooning themselves and or severely weakened hosts with resin in order to protect
against predation.
Comments: The eggs and larvae of this species appear intermediate in that they share the responsibilities of host detection and selection.
This suggests that the larva and egg are a single continuous organism in this species and that sensory organs are shared or duplicated between
the two parts.
Immediate Ancestor
A predatory social creature, possibly smaller than the medial ancestral type. This is the organism which immediately predated the modern
organism.
The natural host would be a smaller version of the ancestor's host, or a similar smaller
creature.
Life cycle: A fertile queen creates thick hided eggs in a protected creche. These are guarded and
tended by various castes of adult relatives. The nest is created and maintained by the adults and is constructed from secreted resin. The adults
procure hosts from outside the nest and immobilize them near mature eggs. The eggs open and the larva immediately attach to the host.
Larval energy usage is almost totally devoted to adhering to the host and implanting a single embryoembryo. The large eggs contain most of
the important sensory and decision making apparatus, leaving the larvae as "stripped down" as is possible. Implantation and gestation occur
as in the medial ancestor, but the nymphnym ph tears its way out of the host body. Unless it is sufficiently large, the host likely expires in the
emergence. The nymph develops into an imagoinstago via a series of instars, which might perform particular duties required by the nest
according to their age or caste.
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Comments: Queens display at least six limbs, and an additional pair of hind limbs are required to
support the ovarian organ systems. Queens have a greater number of limbs, digits and dorsal vanes than are observed in various adult forms,
and thus may represent a most advanced instar form. If this is the case, the various observed forms may represent different instar stages of
adult development, and each of these might correspond to a different caste. A nymph which found it self isolated from a nest, or in a nest
sans a functional queen, might develop rapidly through a series of instars (which would only be of use in a functional nest) and into a queen-
imago which could then begin the egg creating process and re-establish control of a leaderless nest. A queen in a functioning nest would
suppress this development in all other individuals, halting their development at the penultimate imago stage. This could be accomplished via
a special queen-produced chemical signal which causes the destruction of adult canopies. A lone imagoinstago metamorphosing into a
queen-imago might require a period of hibernation as it develops the morphological characteristics of a queen: the auxiliary ventral arms,
large headpiece sheath and externalized ovarian systems with associated legs. In this case, the adult canopy might be the source of the
developmental signals which trigger the transformation, and would develop into the sheath.
The queen-imago is a form devoted to producing large numbers of eggs in a short amount of time.
Presumably, this form is a novel development which is specific to the social species. It might be that imago form retains the ability to create
eggs at a much lower rate and at much greater expense to itself (See Appendix B). This would require an override of the natural inclination
for canopied imagoinstago forms to develop into queen- imagoes, and would probably only occur under periods of extreme stress when the
nutritional requirements of metamorphosis into a queen could not be met.
Homeworld speculation (assuming that the aliens are not entirely subterranean):
The homeworld has a higher atmospheric pressure and possibly a greater gravity than terrestrial standards. It has oceans which are of a
very low pH and most likely an atmosphere of similar low pH. The EM spectrum incident upon the homeworld is significantly different from
terrestrial standards, lacking "visible" wavelengths.
This might indicate that the planet's orbit is very large, that it is extremely overcast or that it orbits a weak sun. In this case, the ecosystem
might be based on geochemical and geothermal systems. Geothermal activity might also provide a relatively high ambient temperature.
The acidic nature of the aquatic and atmospheric environments might also be due to extensive
production of hydrogen sulfide and other "high energy" compounds via geochemical activity. A high level of volcanic and tectonic activity
might be maintained by tidal forces stemming from planetary and stellar bodies in the system.
An ecosystem not based on photosynthesis would require radically different energy production
schemes. Such an ecosystem might be founded on thermo- and acidophillic microorganisms. Larger autotrophs might incorporate
endosymbiotic versions of these microorganisms. Vegetative "plants" would be found around areas of geothermal and geochemical activity,
both on the surface and on the floor of the oceans. Other organisms might exploit the difference in pH and temperature at the boundary
between aquatic and terrestrial environments. If volcanic activity were responsible for the overcast nature of the atmosphere, incident light
might be used by photosynthetic organisms high in the atmosphere. Thermophilic photosynthesizing organisms might also be found near lava
flows. Areas free of volcanic activity would be dead zones, possibly inhabited by hibernating organisms awaiting an increase in ocean level
or the occasional lost creature.
Extensive tectonic and volcanic activity might result in habitats subject to frequent change. A
geothermal habitat might be replaced by a geochemical or volcanic habitat, or might be flooded. If this were the case, organisms would have
to be either extremely adaptive or mobile in order to survive.
The characteristics discussed below are not the sole characteristics available for discussion, nor are the conclusions drawn the only
conclusions possible. This is simply one possible picture based on the set of assumptions and the data.
A recent encounter reports the ability of an imago to infect a host in a manner which converts it into an egg. The exact nature and contents
of this egg were unknown, but it was presumed to contain a larva. The process by which this occurs may be functionally similar to the
embryo implantation process as carried out by a larva. As the larva-implanted embryo converts a portion of the host into a nymph, so does
the imago-implanted factor convert a much larger portion of the host into an egg, further supporting the idea of functional and morphological
identity being conserved between the juvenile and adult life stages. This factor will hereafter be referred to as the "spore".
The development of the queen-imago as sole reproducing member of a nest may be explained via the existence of the postulated spore. A
maturation phase has been suggested for eggs during which they are not capable of identifying a valid host or of producing a viable larva.
This maturation phase would correspond to the period of time after the spore is introduced to the host body during which the tissue of the
host is converted into egg tissue. In addition to her large size, the queen is impressive in her continuous production of eggs. It remains
unclear as to whether or not these eggs are mature immediately after they have been released from the ovipositor, however the rapid creation
of eggs in this fashion would be greatly facilitated if the bulk of the egg matter as seen within the translucent egg creating organs was merely
specially aggregated "yolk" material which had been implanted with a spore by the queen. The infected yolk would then be converted into an
egg by the spore, just as would an infected host.
In this case, the development of the queen-imago and her complex egg production organs reflect the creation of a system whereby the
queen converts nutrients into a yolk or "pseudo-host", specially designed to be implanted with a spore. The queen, in addition to being the
organizational hub of the nest, can then be seen as a special processor designed to convert raw materials into pseudo-hosts, while the spore is
seen as the remains of the ancestral system of reproduction wherein hosts were aquired by adults for implantation. Possibly, queens retain the
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ancestral ability to infect real hosts with spores, and may rely on this capacity in the event that the egg production organs sustain irreperable
damage.
This implies that there were two periods of host-mediated adaptation during the lifecycle of ancestral organisms. The first occurred during
the maturation phase of the egg, and the second occurred during the gestation phase of the nymph. It further implies that the queen may
direct the adaptation of her offspring by creating special pseudo-hosts based on the information obtained during her own gestation phase.
This may permit a faster or more efficient means of achieving adaptation to a new environment, and may allow the queen to control the
makeup of the nest by changing the character of the pseudo-hosts.
The life stages encompassing the spore, egg and larva are referred to as JUVENILE, and those
encompassing the embryo, nymph, instars and imagoes are referred to as ADULT.
Finally, it might be that prior to metamorphosis into a queen, each imago implants a host with a spore in this manner. It is likely that the
queen becomes immobile once her egg production organs mature, and it would be difficult for her to obtain sufficient nutrients and hosts to
establish a nest were she alone. If the imago prepared a second host in addition to the one it had implanted with a spore, the new queen would
be assured of having at least one adult who could function in obtaining nutrients for the generation of her eggs and hosts for larval
implantation.
Humans suffer from peculiarly self-centered notions as to the nature of life. We assume out of hand that other lifeforms must somehow
conform to our comfortable standards of logic and morality. This, of course, is absurd.
Our human "morality" is a thin tissue of arbitrary principle, easily ignored when expedient. Why
should we expect more from alien lifeforms than we expect from ourselves?
As a matter of practical fact, much of what we presume to know about the alien lifeform is
conjecture. However, amidst the theory, there are two absolute, unequivocal facts:
Judging from the alien's dense exoskeleton and remarkable adaptability, we must assume their
homeworld to be a harsh, desolate environment. We know from the encounter on Acheron that the aliens have a Queen-based hierarchy. We
also know that they form hives to protect their young.
At some point, perhaps cyclical, the hive's queen must sense the instinctive need to propogate new colonies, and lays eggs that will later
hatch as queen-larvae. Given the aliens' legendary "temperament," it is likely that these special breeding eggs are quickly removed from the
queen's chamber and sheltered elsewhere. At the proper time, the drones provide host bodies for the fledgling queens. For many in the
research community, this parasitical breeding process is the single most disturbing aspect of the entire alien phenomenon. Of course, for the
aliens, it is completely natural - their equivalent of giving a bottle to a baby. The actual incubation period is relatively short, a matter of days
or even hours.
As the fledgling queens emerge, there may well be a battle for dominance. Imagine a species where the first concious act of life is killing.
Even so, I hesitate to imply any sort of "Darwinian" connotation to these struggles. Killing may merely be a way for the newborn queen to
define its own reality.
Soon, the new queen would lead a contingent of drones away from the old hive. The drones are the queen's slaves and there would be
nothing more important than the construction of the new hive. If natural building material were unavailable, perhaps other - elements - would
be substituted. One would not describe this as cannibalism so much as a remarkably ruthless practicality.
The nesting instinct is a powerful one. Early on, all effort would be concentrated on completing the hive. The aliens would not think in
terms of sacrifice. The hive is all. To assume death has meaning to
these creatures is to deny their greatest power.
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All ecosystems exist in a delicate state of balance. This would be as true of the alien homeworld as our own. At home, the aliens would
have any number of natural enemies. Some would live, some would die, and the alien herd would be kept in check. The bodies of the dead
would be used to reinforce the walls of the hive. The cycle would continue. The ecosystem would survive.
The violent, uncontrollable alien infestations occured when the creatures were removed from their natural habitat. We can only guess how
this might have happened. Perhaps it was millions of years ago. Perhaps only decades. The end result is all that matters. Somehow the aliens
were transplanted to other worlds. The creatures would not be concerned with the particulars of their environment. They would concern
themselves only with circumstances. The natural predators were gone. The balance was gone.
We humans believe our technology has made us invincible - that we have evolved beyond the simple notion of predator and prey.
Certainly there was no reason for the crews of the Nostromo or the Sulaco, or the settlers on Acheron to believe otherwise.
Man has never been comfortable in space. Even with our ships and atmosphere suits and weapons, we are intruders. A hostile
environment - ample quarry - the aliens must have felt utterly at home. Humans have confused comfort with survival. For us mere existence
is not enough. We demand the accoutrements of life as well. The aliens make no such demands. They live in a very simple world.
THE CREATION:
The Xenomorphs were created by an ancient race (The Jockey Race) tens of thousands of years ago (Refer to their plug-in for their past).
They were fighting among themselves in a brutal civil war. Their technology was organic in nature and was so powerful, the death toll ran
into the millions. For decades, the war never saw twilight. It seemed to go on forever…until one side got an idea.
It was an experiment to create a biomechanical weapon. It would adapt to its environment, be completely independent….and finally…it
would be viscous. This creature would be a living machine with the most grotesque combination of science and nature. They created a
species bent only of the art of killing. The experiment was placed on a distant world (“Alien-Proteus”). They designed the species with a
hive structure to keep the infestation from running out of control. The “ant” methodology was promoted. The object: To keep the
infestation under control by keeping the creatures close to their “queen.”
The experiment was a success. The creatures we know as Xenomorphs were created. The standard infiltrator mission was as follows:
An egg is deposited in a populace, it impregnates, and an alien bursts out of the host and soon find more host which it can convert into eggs
which will also hunt down hosts to impregnate. The creature will kill anything threatening and convert the rest. Soon, the populace is
destroyed and the aliens are left alone on the world or spacecraft where the infestation was released. It is assumed the Jockeys that created
the Xenomorphs had a procedure to eliminate the new infection.
The Jockeys were ready to unleash their creation on their enemy. The Proteus planet was still under control. The experiment seemed
safe. The mother species deposited many life forms to keep their hives intact. These life forms seemed to reproduce in large numbers.
When needed, a transport would simply set down and pick up a queen, a drone, an army, or just a bunch of eggs as the mission profile
specified. The weapon proved useful and the war ended quickly.
The Xenomorphs were designed to adapt to current situations but their basic morphology was not to change…it did. Before the Jockeys
could stop their “children”, they had evolved. One small little change, something seemingly insignificant connected to the “ant” structure but
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not included in the alien design…Royal Jelly—the strange substance used to generate a queen. When the Jockeys discovered infested worlds
where there shouldn’t be, they got worried.
Given the capability to create their own queens, the infestation could not be bottled. It soon broke out of control. The Jockeys found their
experiment turning against them. They tried to find a weapon to defeat their own creation but they were already demoralized from a past
war. They sent one last ship to pick up “evolved” egg samples from the Proteus planet to study…it never came back.
The Jockey race vanished. After thousands of years, without transportation, the Xenomorphs quickly overran the planets they were on,
then promptly died out. They might be long lived, but after ten thousand years, even their lifespan ran out. The eggs fossilized, the bodies
disintegrated and the last legacy of the alien species vanished. The ship from the proteus world crashed landed on a world far away from
their homeworld.
HUMAN CONTACT
LV-426 was the world were the lone Jockey ship crashed landed, across the galaxy from their homeworld. The Jockey onboard was killed
when an alien egg he carried broke free and impregnated him. Without a pilot, his ship set down on the hostile world. The stasis fields in the
cargo bay were damaged and all but one bay of eggs were unsealed. They all soon died from exposure. One bay remained sealed and
waited--the last living legacy of a past experiment that failed.
It was several millennia later when the Nostromo set down on the planet to investigate the signal the Jockey ship had sent to keep people
away. 57 years later, a colony was placed on that world which was overrun by the species. The infestation was wiped out when the colony’s
atmosphere processor went critical. The Jockey ship survived, covered in a lethal dose of radiation.
It is unsure how the species got off the world but all bets point towards a human cause. It seemed the race finally died out when Ellen
Ripley dove into a furnace on Fiorina 161. The GM is totally open on how the Alien starts its path. Refer to the story for details. A salvage
ship could pick up another alien wreck with alien specimens on board. Someone might recover the Sulaco. Someone might even smuggle
some life specimens from the radioactive cover of Acheron. Either way…they are out.
The Aliens are alive. They have a genetic structure. They are born and can die. They have a blood stream; they have a social structure.
They have teeth and can scream. The Aliens have a cellular structure partly carbon and partly silicon based. They have a very identifiable
brain with sensory organs. They have also shown reasoning. The drones are surprisingly intelligent. They gestate in a living host and come
out in pain. The aliens are alive.
They are also a machine. They don’t require food, as we know it. They can eat but process it completely different, converting the
materials directly into increasing its own size, or storing it for when it needs to create a hive. The aliens, for a better part of the word, are
walking batteries, as they run on the acid blood in their veins. They also seem to have a programmed path. One cannot go rogue under the
direction of its queen. They seem always under a fixed set of instructions given to them. They don’t have a digestive system as we know it
nor do they even have eyes. They don’t grow as normal creatures do and they also don’t have a nervous system as we know it. In many
ways, the Aliens are machines.
GROWTH:
The aliens, upon bursting out, can devour ANYTHING to increase it own body mass. It doesn’t need a kill to grow. It can convert any
refined material whether it be organic or not (metals or animals) and convert it into biomass it can use to grow. With that in mind, the alien
can achieve full growth in under 10 hours. Using this scale, at each hour, use a percentage of an adult’s abilities for the newborn’s (5
hours—50%) abilities. This rule applies even if the alien is being adopted by the hive to another purpose. A Queen’s stats can also be used
because an alien turning into a queen will also achieve it full growth in ten hours. The same also goes for the Royal Guard.
Times:
--A queen, once born, will develop into full maturity in ten hours, with society’s help, can start creating its own eggs six hours after
that.
--A queen can give birth to an egg every 5 minutes.
--A minimum of three drones can convert a regular egg into a queen or royal guard egg in six additional hours.
--A rogue drone can convert a living host into a regular egg in 10 hours.
--An alien can achieve maturity after bursting in ten hours.
--The lifespan of an egg is 200 years.
--The Drone’s lifespan is 25% of the average lifespan of the host.
--The lifespan of a Royal Guard is 30 years.
--The lifespan of a queen is 100 years.
--Eggs, once born, can release a facehugger instantly.
BODY:
The skin of the Xenomorph is rigid and extremely resilient. It is immune to all atmospheric effect including zero-G. The alien does not
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use air as we know it. It needs air to produce sound of course, but is also uses air in its conversion process. It also is used to maintain
temperature.
SENSES:
The alien uses motion and pressure senses to locate prey. It can also use smell and hearing as well, but it has no form of visual senses. It
cannot be blinded in any way. The alien is also immune to radiation, and all Gases. However, because its senses are based on pressure and
feeling, the creature is sensitive to very loud booms, as sensitive as humans. However, the one thing the aliens will curdle to is heat. Like
most animals, the Alien will retreat from fire .
ACIDIC BLOOD:
The aliens blood is the life of the creature. It is a highly corrosive form of molecular acid. Unlike
most creature the blood is under a massive pressure. The creature does have what is known as a heart,
however it does work a bit differently. In comparison, the Alien has the blood pressure and the heart
beat of a hummingbird. FUZION rules have a hit location table on page 48 in the PDF rules. A hit in
the knees or arms produces little splash of the acid. But a hit to the torso produces quite feedback of
acidic blood. The splash range is as follows:
Anybody caught in a 90-degree arc from the hit area must make a dodge of roll or avoid the searing effects.
The acid causes DC7 at point blank range and it reduces by one ever 2 meters to the maximum rage of the splatter.
The difficulty to dodge is 18 with –1 for every meter away from the alien.
Unless the acid is cleared up the following round, it will continue to do damage. Every subsequent round, the target will take –1 DC
damage from the initial DC until neutralized.
Remember that ALL targets must check for spray. This includes vehicles, weapons, and walls. Finally, the acid blood causes so much
damage, 50% of all damage taken removes armor (round down). To Kill structures, the continues effect of the acid means that ever 50 points
of acidic damage removes 1 K. This allows even a drone to eat through the armor of an APC. Any vehicles or structures in the splatter path
are hit automatically 1D6 times.
In case you are wondering, aliens are immune to their own acid.
WEAPONS:
All alien weapons are listed under their unique profiles.
DETECTION:
Aliens are invisible to infrared and therm-optics. They can remain perfectly still and immune to motion sensors unless they decide to
move. All normal detection systems are normal.
PSIONICS (OPTIONAL)
The Aliens prime form of communication is direct mental contact. The Queen and the Guards control the Brood that way. At TL6, the
Beekeepers use this as a way of subduing the aliens. If these abilities are readily explored, then the PCs should be able to develop defense
and assault for their abilities. Aliens are very vulnerable to psychic attack. It is assumed that they were designed that way to answer the calls
of their Jockey masters (which were heavy Psychics). However, this couldn’t stop the aliens from wiping them out. These skills use the
Mental Powers plug-in:
--All Aliens have a Telepathy skill with themselves of 10
--To non-Aliens, they have an effective skill of Zero but if the Host has a skill of even +1, the skill is transferred to the Alien (see
hybridization below)
--Aliens are extremely susceptible to mental attack. Even though they have a high stun. Mental attacks do x 3 damage. Any Mental
attacks that cause STUN will cause the alien to hesitate for one round. The Xenomorph is simply not armed to handle it. This only occurs in
the first attack of combat.
--Aliens are immune to Mental Illusions and Mind Link.
--Mind Control is possible but hard.
--A Character can use his/her will to cause the Alien to hesitate like above without a mental attack skill. The Character needs to beat a
DV of 18 to do it.
OTHER ABILITIES:
Aliens are immune to all other psychological problems as well as all known diseases. Electricity has only a half effect. Aliens can never
be fatigued or stunned. Therefore, the following characteristics are not applicable: Humanity, Endurance, Luck.
Stun Defense is given a very high number.
All Characteristics not listed are assumed to be One.
CHARACTERISTICS
INT: Intelligence plus any pluses for Int skills. They are all the same to it has been added, basically awareness.
WILL: All aliens have a Willpower of 10. These are used only when utilizing the Alien Psychic abilities.
REF: This is Reflex plus any pluses for Ref skills. They are al the same to it has been added.
TECH: Aliens have no real tech ability.
DEX: This is Dexterity plus any pluses for Dex skills. They are al the same to it has been added.
CON: Aliens have an amazing constitution.
STR: Strength.
BODY: Really only used to determine the amount of damage an Alien can take.
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THE EGG
No matter what, even if converted to a Queen, the egg is only used to create and hold the facehugger life form. Any living organism that
approaches within 3 meters will activate it. If it is ignited, the Facehugger will try to escape.
THE FACEHUGGER
A facehugger is completely centered on one purpose: Just impregnate the closest person. It has
a fast move and can leap amazing distances. Its only direction is its face-grabbing leap. If it
misses, it will try again. It can use its tail as a grapple which will increase its chances of a full
head grapple by +2 next round. If it hits, the victim must make a STR check and beat the
Facehugger every round to avoid the alien’s grasp. If that fails, the victim is considered out of
commission. Two consecutive successes are required to pry the Facehugger completely.
CHARACTERISTICS:
INT: 4 REF: 9 DEX: 9 CON: 10 STR: 10 BODY: 3
RUN: 18 SWIM / LEAP: 6
WEAPONS:
Tail Range: 1m WA: +2 DC: Grapple
THE CHESTBURSTER:
Get away, as soon as possible. Use whatever food is nearby and grow. The Chesburster is loyal to only two things: Its hive and its
specific host. It bursts out of its host, which is usually hive in the Host room or Breeding chamber, and moves on to grow off surrounding
food, usually sometimes part of the hive but usually food given to it from other adults. If on its own…it will flee and try to gain is strength
as soon as possible. As above the Chestburster stats are really only applicable for the first hour. Then it becomes a newborn warrior. At this
stage, the alien does not have access to any of its weapons…except its teeth.
SPECIAL RULES:
1: After six hours, the Chestburster newborn has grafted itself inside the host. After that, the alien can still be removed after an attempt
to counter a DV of 26 is made. The chestburster will emerge six hours later. Every hour another check can be made. Every failure results in
a DC4 injury.
2: When the alien emerges, it does DC12 damage to its host with no KD defense.
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3: There have been reports of Facehugger’s implanting two or more Newborns in the Host body. If
this is the case, there is a chance that one or both of the newborns may be killed. The Body is not
designed to carry two. If there are two, the first has a 20% chance of dying and the second has a 30%
chance. If there are three, then the chances of all of them increase by 10% (3 embryos: 1=30%,
2=40% 3=50%; 5 embryos: 1=50%, 2=60%, 3=70%, 4=80%, 5=90%). Every extra embryo requires
one extra hour of maturation in the host for the entire group and one extra hour as Chestbursters before
they can mature as adult warriors.
4: Several situations can delay a chestbursters appearance.
--A queen takes twice as long—20 hours total.
--The Chestburster remains still while the subject in cryo. But it takes a lot longer to come out.
Whatever time is left when the host comes out of cryo is multiplied by 10.
CHARACTERISTICS:
INT: 4 REF: 10 DEX: 11 CON: 10 STR: 3 BODY: 5
RUN: 24 SWIM / LEAP: 8
WEAPONS:
Teeth Range: 1m WA: +2 DC: 3
Adults have a different agenda depending on the situation. They must find new hosts for the queen above all. If a threat has encroached
upon the hive, the alien will defend and kill. If no Hive is present, the Drone must create a brood of fellow drones by converting animals into
eggs. If a brood is large enough , then they try to create a hive. Aliens only think for themselves when they are alone.
SPECIAL RULES:
1: Hybridization, see below. The stats below are for a standard human.
2: The Aliens can hide themselves in their own hive at +5 skill. A player must be actively searching for aliens to spot one. Aliens uses
DEX, Players use Awareness.
3: Aliens never take things personally. Only if their Queen or Host is threatened does the alien react in a violent manner. When that
happens, all of the aliens Characteristics increase by 1.
4: At least 3 drones, after forming a small hive, can convert a regular egg into a queen egg or royal guard egg in six additional hours by
producing Royal Jelly. The Facehugger looks normal but creates the appropriate newborn.
5: A rogue drone can convert a living host into a regular egg in 10 hours. This involves enclosing the subject and slowly converting the
host into an egg. Since one extra host is used up, the Queen route is always preferred. (Note: This process was shot for the first film but
cut. I have included it as an extra bite the creatures have)
CHARACTERISTICS:
INT: 6 WILL: 10 REF: 10 TECH: 3 DEX: 11
CON: 10 STR: 10 BODY: 10 RUN: 24 SWIM / LEAP: 8
ROYAL GUARD
The Queen’s chosen few. Royal Guards are created much the same way as Queens except
they are raised in the presence of a queen. This, somehow, prevents their growth into a new
Queen. The Queen will almost always have 3 guards near her. For ever 20 Drones in the
hive, add 1D drones. Their loyalty is to their queen. These and the queens are the only aliens
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without host loyalty. Like the Queen, the host organism is meaningless and hybridization rules do not apply. Royal Guards always come out
the same way. They will always attack to kill. Host gathering is for drones. They protect the queen at all cost. If the queen is directly
threatened, they will attack at +1 to all their abilities like drones. If the queen is hurt, they got into a frenzy at an additional +1. Royal
Guards are never found more than 50 feet away from the queen and will not pursue opponents past that but can direct drones to do
otherwise. All instruction to the Guard are given directly by the Queen. She can override ALL of the Guard instructions. If she wants a
Royal Guard to go half way across the planet to pick up a flower, it will. Royal Guards are more intelligent than Drones. They are also
stronger, faster, and larger. Guards can think independently even in presence of a hive or even a queen. They will sometimes control the
drones when the queen is not present. If the queen is killed, the guards are responsible for creating a new one.
SPECIAL ABILITIES:
1: The Royal Guard can hide themselves in their own hive at +7 skill. A player must be actively searching for aliens to spot one. Aliens
use DEX, Players use Awareness.
2: If their Queen is threatened, the Guard will react in a violent manner. When that happens, all of the aliens Characteristics increase by
1. If the Queen is hurt, add an additional +1
CHARACTERISTICS:
INT: 8 WILL: 10 REF: 13 TECH: 6 DEX: 15
CON: 10 STR: 13 BODY: 15 RUN: 24 SWIM / LEAP: 8
THE QUEEN:
Queens do have personalities. They do get angry. Their loyalty is to their Hive. Any threat to
any part of their hive is taken personality. The Queen is generically evil but its heart is with its
children. The more helpless the child, the more angry it gets her. All her Characteristics can
increase by one if this happens. Generically, the queen never moves and directs her guards and
drones as per her will. Once removed from her egg sac, she is a monster in every sense of the
word. They have four arms, an extra long attack tongue, and very long tail. Queens are usually
only stationary, connected to her egg sack, producing an egg every five minutes. When her hive
becomes too large, she may elect to spread her genes with a new brood to a new hive. After the
newborn is born from its host, the queen would then send an army of her drones with the newborn
to a new location to start a new hive. A queen never gives up her guards. They are betroved to
only her. A queen, once detached from her egg sac, can actually carry up to six eggs on her back.
This is necessary if the hive is threatened and the populace must relocate.
SPECIAL RULES:
1: Queen have two attacks every round because of their limbs.
CHARACTERISTICS:
INT: 13 WILL: 10 REF: 14 TECH: 8 DEX: 12
CON: 13 STR: 18 BODY: 30 RUN: 24 SWIM / LEAP: 8
HYBRIDIZATION (Optional)
Alien Adults have one amazing capability: They seem to adopt the abilities of their host. A Royal Jelly event seems to override these
inherited qualities. These inherited qualities are usually basic characteristics but as observations showed, these qualities continued into a
deeper realm. The aliens seem to gather skills from their host as well. For those rules, a basic alien without host DNA is given. This is not
an alien, just the stats of the alien without any host abilities, this creature is NOT possible.
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CHARACTERISTICS:
INT: 2 WILL: 10 REF: 6 TECH: 0 DEX: 7
CON: 6 STR: 4 BODY: 6
1—PRIMARY CHARACTERISTICS: For every Primary Characteristic, +1 for every point. An average human has characteristics of
4…making a regular alien. The only exception is PREsense, which is used below. (EG: A character with a STR of 8 adds 8 to the alien
template making the drone have a STR of 12, higher than the regular adult.
NOTE: If the Characters PRE is below 4, this hybridization stops. However, if PRE is above, more if the original host moves to its
newborn. The Character will often have to make a “HOST PRESENSE” roll. When asked, roll a D10. Rolling the original Characters PRE
- 4 number or less is a success (A PRE of 8 has a HOST PRESENSE of 4). For simplicity HOST PRESENSE is referred to as “HP”, after
hybridization is done, this number proves very useful (see below)
2—COMPLICATIONS: Infrequent, Mild, Or Minor Complications are gone. A HP roll is required for all other complications with the
following modifiers to the rolls:
If successful, the complication is inherited. (A psychopathic alien….hmmm.) One level is reduced however. (eg: Constantly is reduced
to Frequently, Extreme Intensity is reduced to Severe Intensity, etc.). Of course, role playing will have to be major and final word must be
the GMs. It doesn’t make sense for Aliens to be “Honest” since they don’t talk. Social Complications are meaningless. However, some
complications can be real interesting such as “Responsibilities” and “Personality Traits.”
3—TALENTS: Make an HP test for ever Talent to see if it is inherited. For every extra 3 OP the Character spent (above the initial 3) = -
1 to the HP roll. Some, obviously, cannot be transferred (Beautiful would be a notable example). GM’s discretion.
4—THE SOUL: Whenever this adult Alien with any HP ability comes into contact with anything familiar to the old host, Make an HP
roll with any modifiers the GM decides which is necessary (a loved one can give –3 bonus to the roll for example). This is called the Trigger
Bonus. If successful, the Alien gets confused. At the very least, it hesitates. When that happens, roll 2D6 and add your HP + The Trigger
Bonus given before. (like the +3 loved one). With exception of the last two entries, the Alien will always respond normally when not in
contact with the Trigger.
NOTE: This table is for the trigger being a loved one or a friend. If the Trigger is something displeasing, like an enemy (that damn
corporation guy that sold you to the aliens), then -3 automatically to the roll. If the roll is above 7, ignore the description. The Alien will just
attack the target violently in a rampage of hate. Add +2 to all abilities and the alien will not think of anything else. The Hive be damned. It
will kill that trigger and even a 50% chance it will kill the alien that bursts from the host if that trigger gets impregnated.
ROLL EFFECT
3: The Alien continues as normal. No effect. Hesitation stops.
4-6: The Alien hesitates for 2D6 Combat rounds, giving the other a chance to escape.
It will then come around.
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7-9: The Alien is confused and hesitates for up to 2D6 minutes and might even be curious of
the trigger….but after that, will come around back to its roots.
10-11: The Alien will run away. It is experiencing emotions it was not designed to handle.
It will run away from any group where the Trigger is present.
But will react normally to everyone and everything else.
12-13: The Alien’s loyalties are torn. It remembers the trigger but that is all.
It will not allow the Trigger to come to harm. And will kill anything except another
alien to keep it that way. All other Alien attributes apply.
Another Alien can attempt to gain control of this alien by Rolling
WILL + D10 (or 3D6 depending on what the GM decides).
The DC depends on the alien type (Drone: DC=18, Royal Guard: DC=15, Queen: DC=13).
This roll must be made ever minute or ever time the trigger appears again.
14-16: The Alien has full recall. The Alien IS the host for all intensive purposes as long as the
Trigger is present. Another Alien can attempt to gain control of this alien by
Rolling WILL + D10 (or 3D6 depending on what the GM decides). The DC depends
on the alien type (Drone: DC=20, Royal Guard: DC=18, Queen: DC=15).
This roll must be made ever minute or ever time the Trigger appears again.
The personality of the Alien when it is uncontrolled is very GM dependant.
Usually, these aliens react exactly as the host would when the memory trigger is
close by. The Host personality is in influence. When away from the trigger,
the Alien must roll its HP+ The Trigger Bonus to keep control or become an alien
again. The moment the trigger appears, it immediately goes back to the Hosts control
(no roll necessary).
17+ (Optional) The soul or mind of the Host seems to have moved into the Alien. All
memories are recalled. All skills and complications go to the host’s original value.
Characteristics remain the Aliens. The alien is now a rogue even when in a hive.
No aliens can gain control. When this happens, the Guards or the Queen usually
orders its destruction. This alien will even respond to the original Host’s name.
This alien will never be the same again.
FINAL NOTES: Any alien that becomes a threat to its own Hive is often ordered destroyed by order of the Royal Guards or the Queen.
The Gm can simply create a base character however he/she likes and create any type of alien he/she wants. Enjoy the attack.
THESE FOLLOWING STATS ARE BASIC ANIMALS AND CAN BE USED FOR GENERIC ROLE PLAYING…
FELINE
INT: 1 REF: 10 TECH: 0 DEX: 10 CON: 4
STR: 1 BODY: 2 SWIM / LEAP: 10 / 20
MODIFICATIONS:
+8 Climbing
Runs on all fours.
+10 m Leap.
+3 Awareness
Exceptional hostile. Not very useful to the hive because it prefers killing hosts.
CANINE
INT: 1 REF: 8 TECH: 0 DEX: 9 CON: 5
STR: 2 BODY: 3 SWIM / LEAP: 12 / 16
MODIFICATIONS:
+5 Climbing
Runs on all fours
+4 Leap
+5 Awareness
Exceptional hostile. Not very useful to the have because it prefers killing hosts.
COW
INT: 1 REF: 4 TECH: 0 DEX: 5 CON: 8
STR: 5 BODY: 5 SWIM / LEAP: 3
MODIFICATIONS:
25% larger.
More docile. Automatic 1 round hesitation.
BEAR
INT: 2 REF: 3 TECH: 0 DEX: 4 CON: 8 STR: 10
BODY: 10 SWIM / LEAP: 12 / 6
MODIFICATIONS: +25% larger
+1 DC to all attacks except acid.
+6 Swim.
SEAL
INT: 3 REF: 5 TECH: 1 DEX: 6 CON: 4
STR: 3 BODY: 4 SWIM / LEAP: 24 / 8
MODIFICATIONS:
+16 Swim
More docile. Automatic 1 round hesitation.
DEER/ELK
INT: 1 REF: 4 TECH: 0 DEX: 5 CON: 4
STR: 4 BODY: 4 SWIM / LEAP: 4 / 8
MODIFICATIONS: +4 Leap
Small, Black Antlers (WA= 0, DC= 5)
HORSE
INT: 2 REF: 4 TECH: 0 DEX: 5 CON: 6
STR: 5 BODY: 5 SWIM / LEAP: 5
MODIFICATIONS:
Runs on all fours.
Extra long arms and legs (+1 to all hits with claws)
LARGE BIRD
INT: 1 REF: 6 TECH: 0 DEX: 6 CON: 4
STR: 4 BODY: 4 SWIM / LEAP: 4
MODIFICATIONS:
Small Leathery Wings. Can’t really fly but can glide at Move=30 for every twenty feet.
Extended Wing-assisted leap. Extended Leap = 24
LARGE AMPHIBIAN
INT: 1 REF: 4 TECH: 0 DEX: 6 CON: 4
STR: 3 BODY: 3 SWIM / LEAP: 24 / 4
MODIFICATIONS:
+20 Swim (webbed hands and feet)
+5 m range with Acid Spit.
KANGAROO
INT: 1 REF: 6 TECH: 0 DEX: 9 CON: 6
STR: 4 BODY: 4 SWIM / LEAP: 5 / 24
MODIFICATIONS:
+19 Leap.
Extra long legs.
--Poison. A wounded character must make CON (DV=13-25) check to resist 1-14 DC damage (GM decides).
--Camouflage. The Alien can change its colors to match its surrounding. The Alien has a +5 to hide (uses DEX). A character must make
an awareness and beat the Aliens number to spot it. Ina Hive, this bonus increased to +10, making it virtually impossible.
--Double REC. The Alien can even regenerate whole limbs back.
--Up to +8 Awareness because of enhanced senses.
--Like the Frilled Lizard, the Alien can have a ruff of skin it can deploy to purely scare people.
HIVE STRUCTURE
We all know how the Aliens operate when they are rogue, but the Hive works differently. In addition to the rules for Hives already
mentioned, there are some unique features of the Hive itself.
1—HIVE CONSTRUCTION:
When not gathering hosts, moving eggs, or taking care of newborns, Drones spend their time increasing the size of the Hive. For each one
Drone, the Hive can expand one meter into a new location in one day. Usually, only about 20 Drones are dedicated to this duty. Others
venture out of the hive, in search for new hosts. Hives are created using the aliens own acidic acid, their saliva, and any compounds that they
use. This includes empty eggs, dead drones, dead bodies, refined metals, organic materials but NEVER host bodies
2—POPULATION:
As stated, for ever 20 drones, there are 1D6 Royal Guards. There are a minimum of two in a 20 member hive. The Hive can reach almost
any size but three square kilometers is the recorded top. There are larger ones on the Proteus world. The average Drone population ceiling is
around 150 – 200 with small ones as little as 6. Once this ceiling is reached, the Queen usually sends around 6-10 Drones with a Queen
newborn to find a new hive.
3—BREEDING CHAMBER:
The first room created in a Hive is the Breeding Chamber. This is where the Queen is located, hoisted above with her egg sac. The eggs
are all stored here until being moved on to their hosts. The Royal guard never deviate more than 50 feet from this location. This room is
generally the largest of all the rooms. No hosts are stored here and no one except The Royal Guards are allowed to remain after the room is
created. Drones come and go but can’t stay. If the Hive is threatened, they all come running, as the Queen sends out a psychic scream that
calls them.
“Occasionally, a soldier would rest from its labors long enough to gaze upon its own host, now graying and putrid in its station in the
wall. The soldier face could betray no emotional what fond memories did it hold for the soft one who had been its womb? Once fair and
warm and freely giving of is fluids, now tattered and cold and desiccated, melting into the bony resins of the cocoon.
“For a moment, there was no directive in its action as it lifted its bony talon to the dried face, its ouch oddly loving. Blackened,
glistening claws tenderly traced the features of this once vital and nurturing husk. The opposed thumbs traced the sightless brow, searching
the empty sockets for answers. Then the call of the hive reasserted itself, and the soldier returned to her needs.”
If the host is threatened, the Alien will go into a frenzy and do anything except endanger the Hive to kill who threatened its host. All of
its abilities are at +1 when attacking. It is unclear what would happen of the Host survived the birth and encountered the live Alien.
4—HIDING:
Aliens are totally camouflaged in their Hive. They can hide perfectly still an not set off any sensors. If the Hive is entered, then the
Aliens will all hide and wait until the intruders get in close, then they are attacks. The aliens can form walls and columns in their
concealment. They can attack almost instantly. They will have a +5 initiative and whether they win or loose will have a +3 to hit on their
first target.
5—NAVIGATION:
Large hives literally become a maze of mismatched corridors, pits, and crawlspaces. Not surprisingly enough, Aliens can easily find their
way around. Unless someone has a direction sense or a map or if someone in the group knows how to navigate, getting lost in a hive can be
easy.
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6—RIVAL HIVES:
Drones from other Hives are not welcome and might be destroyed if they trespass. Generically, they leave each other alone. If they end
up competing for hosts, fighting may ensue, but invasion of rival hives don’t often take place. There is only one real exception (see below).
MUTATIONS
Aliens have already mutated once and turned against their masters. Could it happen again? There are reports of such mutations:
VIRUS
At CL3, a Spacecraft with a possible alien infection was brought into Anchorpoint Station. The infestation was wiped out before any
specimens could be extracted. Apparently, a radical idea was allowed to flourish. The scientific team there had gathered the Alien DNA
coding and tried to extract the most unique chain in the set: The Hybridization gene. This is the set of instruction that cause a genetic
splicing of human and Alien DNA and making a new life form. However, something went wrong.
The Chain turned into an airborne virus. This virus, once in the blood stream, started adapting each cell to a biomechanical pattern. After
a set time had passed, and every cell had been adapted the chain would reform into an alien life form. A normal Human would be
eviscerated and a full grown alien would emerge from the shell…every cell being used to create a new life form. This dangerous mutation
spread. No eggs would be used. No Chestbursters. Instead the host would just be infected. This infection eventually became airborne,
released by the queen and carried along. Drones would simply carry hosts within the infected areas. The Drones themselves carried the
disease and a single bite or scratch would infect a new body. They apparently could cough up an airborne cloud like they could spit up the
acid. This mutation could still hybridize but couldn’t create a hive. This dangerous virus stopped at Anchorpoint but a large chunk of the
populace was wiped out. After the lifespan of the virus died out and the station was cleared, it was repopulated. The Rodina station n UPP
was reported completely lost from the same virus brought by the same ship, which passed through their space before going to Anchorpoint.
No other reports of this virus were reported.
RED ARMY
Another species of Xenomorph was discovered on a distant world. For all intensive purposes, they
look the same, except instead of being black, they are red.. It is unclear how they were created. Some
figure this is a natural rival species meant to keep the aliens in check on their homeworld. Others think
this is a genetic fluke that resulted after thousands of years of evolution. A popular theory is that the
rival Jockeys created this species and it was this species that wiped out the side that created the black
ones. Even still, the Blacks outnumber the Red 10 –1 across the cosmos when they are introduced at
CL4. Their infestation is substantially less because the gestation period for Red are twice as long as
Blacks. Red Aliens are also much more uncontrolled and much more aggressive. They seem to indulge
in killing more than the expansion of the Hive. This flaw seems to point to the genetic fluke theory
SPECIAL RULES:
1: Red Aliens have a +1 to all their characteristics because they are always so aggressive. But their
Intelligence suffers. INT is –2 (not effected by the +1). If you get them really angry, their abilities
increase another +1
2: Impregnation takes longer for reasons unclear. It is assumed this is the reason of the Red Alien’s
aggressive nature but the connection is unclear. Impregnation take a full day after the Facehugger. Falls
off.
3: Red Aliens and Blacks are volatile to each other and will attack each other in favor of any other
threat. Whole armies fight it out on the Proteus planet.
BRACKEN’S TERROR
At CL4, the Bracken’s World infestation is one of the strangest. It is unclear which species hosted
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this breed of alien, but they must have been dangerous. The Queen for this infestation is assumed to be living under the kelp beds. Royal
Guards have never been encountered. The Drones are the size of small queens and have no legs. They are see-going creatures that are low in
numbers, but are lethal the same. They are blue colored and lack the attack tongue. Their tails are identical to lobsters. Their carapace is
similar to a Queen’s but these warrior lack all their other features. The Bracken Aliens are hideous monstrosities that attack and drag down
victims and use them to host. It is assumed the underwater Hive there has Oxygen.
CHARACTERISTICS:
INT: 6 WILL: 10
REF: 10 TECH: 3
DEX: 13 CON: 10
STR: 18 BODY: 20
RUN: 10
SWIM / LEAP: 24 / 10
HITS: 100 (2 K)
KD: 40 (0.8 K)
ED: 20 (0.3 K)
STUN: 140
SD: 26
REC: 28
NOTE: The GM can create any new breeds he wants. These rules are really just guides.
BACKGROUND
In recent years increasing numbers of synthetics humans have been deployed with Colonial Marine line units. Though the Geneva
Convention prohibits the equipping of androids with weapons or uninhibited combat abilities, the Colonial marine corps regards them as an
invaluable resource, supporting front line units as multi-role team-members and mobile database. Marine androids are always employed in a
non-combat role, usually as drivers, pilots, medics and scientific advisors to combat units at platoon level and above. Though they are an
artificial intelligence in the broad sense, legally androids are classified as a Corps' property. It can be ordered to perform hazardous tasks in
place of humans. However, their utility and not-inconsiderable unit cost is an incentive to any Marine field commander who wishes to treat a
synthetic as expendable.
The modern synthetic is a highly complex machine: stronger, faster and better coordinated than an average human. The basic chassis is a
carbon fiber skeleton with latchment point for the artificial musculature. The muscles are vat grown silicon colloids powered either by
pumped micro-hydraulics or electrical stimulation. Power for the android is supplies by a 25kw fuel cell with a life of approximately 400
days between refueling. At TL5, this was replaced with a more powerful Micro-Nuclear reactor with a 20 year lifespan. As in a human, the
skeletal structure is inherently unstable and is effectively suspended by the musculature. No limb-locking, join motorization or
gyrostabalization is present as in other anthropomorphic frames such as powerloaders. Instead, the muscles must work actively to keep the
chassis standing upright while active feedback systems control its stability. Though muscles can withstand considerable wear and tear, the
lack of a self-repair facility means that they eventually lose their strength and become increasingly elastic over time. It is recommended that
the muscle system be overhauled on a regular basis and individual elements replaced every two years. At TL5, when Synths are equipped
with nano-repair facilities, these overhauls were no longer necessary. Muscle layout and operation, as with certain other internal function,
are homologous with those of the human body. Military synthetics are designed to be virtually indistinguishable in appearance from a
human.
Although a synthetic’s cosmetic appearance would seem to be a superfluous feature, especially in a military model, practical experience
has shown that it is a necessary component to maintaining combat unit efficiency and integrity. Most human soldiers are psychologically
unable to interrelate with an inhuman-looking android; as a result, the physical appearance and simulated behavior patterns of synthetic units
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are designed to particular specifications. Most synthetics in Colonial Marine service appear as mature, average males or females around 20
to 40 years of age. Their personalities, idiosyncrasies aside, can best be described as passive or non-threatening. Some studies published in
recent years have suggested that androids have an important role to play within small infantry units, both as an impassive neutral party, and
as a maternal/paternal influence in nurturing and sustaining the group dynamic at optimum efficiency.
The synthetic’s mind is an integrated Carbon 60 processor with a processing speed of 1015 floating point operations per second. Memory
capacity includes 1 terabyte of fast cash buffer RAM and 1.2 Terabyte of non-volatile memory. The system is architectured around a very
powerful heuristic logic driver, making decisions based upon imported sensory data, information drawn from experience and he android’s
vast inbuilt databases. Intuitive functions are derived from a suite of nested contextual and semantic programs linked by self-mapping loops
of tangled hierarchies. However, an android’s ability to understand and process abstract concepts and symbologies, though powerful, is
limited. A synthetic mind and personality is essentially a construct, and there is no true self-awareness as such, though this may not be all
apparent to an untrained observer interesting with a unit. Androids display synthesized emotion, superficially register self-awareness and,
most importantly of all, have the ability to reason conceptualize and offer opinion. However, these capabilities do not infer human-like
consciousness, even though for all other intents and purposes synthetics are artificial intelligence. At TL5, with the release of the Advanced
Capability Synth, these lines were blurred even more. Refer to the Alien: Resurrection Plug-In for information on their evolution past this.
Synthetics have proven themselves invaluable in Colonial Marine service across known space. Their chief advantage to unit commanders
is their ability to impart knowledge and experience outside of the training of most combat specialists. In combat arenas and environments
where an ever-greater degree of specialized (usually scientific) information needs to be made available to a unit commander, a synthetic is
the ideal vehicle for storing and relaying that information. In addition, they have the capacity to perform many non-combat tasks, freeing
manpower that would otherwise be unavailable for actual combat.
Despite their advantage in speed and strength over human and their imperviousness pain, synthetics are not especially tough. Indeed by
comparison they are somewhat fragile. Though the graphite composite skeletal structure of an android is study, the electronics and fluid
musculature are extremely vulnerable to hydrostatic shock and explosive effects from small arms fire. A direct fire to the central processor
or fuel cell will result in immediate deactivation of a unit, though in most cases a partially destroyed android can continue to function, albeit
handicapped. In hostile environments, synthetics require a similar breathable atmosphere, corrosive atmospheres will melt them, extreme
pressure will squash them flat and hard vacuum will explode them. Even prolonged exposure to low atmospheric pressure can cause
baratrauma and embolism in the unit due to the high proportion of fluid colloids used in the manufacture of its musculature and skin.
SYNTHETICS RULES
Watch carefully as the synthetics continue in their development, their personalities increase in variety. The models become more
orientated to specific duties. They also start to become independent. By TL3, they gain very pronounced personalities. Their specific
dispositions depend on each model. Their statistics are an average for that type. One aspect is that identical models don’t necessarily need to
look alike nor do they have the same skills or abilities.
Synthetics all follow the same rules.
1: Unless picking a combat synth from TL4, Synths cannot by action, harm, or by not acting, allow to be harmed, a human being. They
have mild emotional responses but no major emotional personality quirks.
2: Synths have no Stun and are unaffected by all weapons that cause stun.
3: Synths have no luck.
4: Synths have no humanity and are unaffected by what they see.
5: Synths have no psychic defense and are immune of psychic attacks unless it is telekinesis.
6: Synth’s Endurance is triple that of humans.
7: Synths pre-TL5 have no recovery. They cannot heal themselves until TL5. They must repair themselves directly.
8: Synths have no WILLpower and succeed at all will checks.
9: If the hits are reduced to zero, the Synth still works but at half abilities. Every five points after that reduces every characteristic by
one. When INT is reduced the zero, the brain has been destroyed. Reducing the BODY to zero destroys the body but the brain can still be
salvaged. Either way, at this point, the unit is out of commission.
10: Any major body part that takes ½ the total damage of the synth is lost (arms and legs only). If reduced to more than twice its Hits, the
units is utterly destroyed
11: Killing Defense is generic for the Synth. Energy Killing Defense is the same number.
GENERAL PURPOSE:
Mass produced synths are constructed in the thousands for use in every field of use. They
change with each model released but have many similarities. Their Characteristics are given in
ranges and only skills are listed with additional points the GM can spend to configure the robot.
Only general purpose Synths can be characters.
Synthetics below are labeled as general or special and there are special rules for each. For
General, a basic model is offered with possible paths available. General Synths can be short, tall,
fat, thin, but the common models are listed below. If designed for character use, the following
rules must apply as well as the ones above:
1: The Player picks a template that MUST be a General Purpose, no Special Synths. The
Player MUST follow the guidelines given to that synth.
2: Configure his or her characteristics as long as the total is the same given to the other
characters. The models here are listed using 45 points for average (but it increases if the GM has
awarded more points to PCs). Synths only have seven Characteristics. See above.
3: NO complications
4: Talents not already given only cost one point instead of three.
5: No perks or privileges.
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6: Hits are the same. Because they have no stun, ignore this number. You cannot add half your stun to your Hits.
7: Lifepath. A Synthetic can be anywhere from 1-6 years of age. Past that is a rarity. Their immediate family are synthetics of the same
model type.
8: No ceiling limits to skills.
9: No Constitution.
10: Standard Synths take the average Characteristic below.
11: Standard Synths take the skills listed in “( )”. Players take the bonuses then add their given OP to them (usually 30 but it increases if
the GM has awarded more points to PCs)
12: Unless a combat Synth, no military skills can be chosen if it involves causing harm (Firearms, Heavy Weapons, etc.). All other skills
are open.
13: Although Synths cannot harm human beings, they are fully able to choose evade skills.
14: Synths can develop as naturally as humans can as long as it stays within the parameters of their model.
CORPORATE—BASE MODEL—SYNTHETIC
TECH LEVEL: TL1
COST: $55 000
EXAMPLE MODEL NAMES: “Ash”, “Andy”, “Lizzy”, “Doyle”, “Sylvie”
AVERAGE AGE: 30-40
CHARACTERISTIC RANGE:
INT: 7-9 PRE: 1-3 TECH: 7-9 REF: 5-7 DEX: 5-7 STR: 6 – 8
MOVE: 2-4 BODY: 5-7
HITS (Average): 30 KILLING DEFENSE: 5
RECOVERY (TL5): 15
BASE SKILLS:
Business: +1 (+3) Computer Programming: +1 (+3) Education : +4 (+6)
Hacking: +2 (+4) Science: +3 (+5) Research: +2 (+4)
Paramedic: +4 (+6) First Aid: +3 (+5) Engineer--Synthetic: +1 (+3)
Xenobiology: +3 (+5) Electronics: +1 (+3) Expert—Corporation: +5 (+7)
Bugging: 0 (+2) Concealment: 0 (+2) Perception: 0 (+2)
ABILITIES:
Ambidexterity Common Sense
Eidetic Memory Lightening Calculator
Time Sense Speed Reader
BACKGROUND:
These Synths are constructed by almost ever corporation so their exact stats vary like snowflakes. Corporations build all synths but these
designs are used by the group’s own staff. These were the first designs ever made in this field. Initial designs were unstable and twitchy.
At TL1, almost all older models have either been recalled or refitted with newer operating systems. All current models, like all Synthetics,
are bound by their behavioral inhibitors. Rumors indicate that some corporations privately modify their in-store models to break these
rules. It is known that this procedure is impossible but that is just the official statement. The only reports of rogue Synths have all been of
corporate models. These designs also seem to have been hardwired with a loyalty directive from their home corporation to always think of
the common good of the Corp before itself and even others.
MILITARY—BASE MODEL—SYNTHETIC
TECH LEVEL: 1
COST: $65 000
EXAMPLE MODELS: “Bishop”, “Dawn”, “Crowe”, “Brook”, “Costas”
AVERAGE AGE: 30-40
CHARACTERISTIC RANGE:
INT: 6-8 PRE: 1-3 TECH: 7-9 REF: 5-7 DEX: 6-8 STR: 5-7 MOVE: 3-5 BODY: 5-7
HITS (Average): 30 KILLING DEFENSE: 8
RECOVERY (TL5): 15
Education : +4 (+6) Computer Programming: +3 (+5) Science: +3 (+5)
Research: +1 (+3) Paramedic: +1 (+3) Pilot—Dropship: +2 (+2)
First Aid: +4 (+6) Engineer--Synthetic: +1 (+3) Electronics: +2 (+4)
Astrogation: +1 (+3) Driving—APC: +2 (+4) Driving—Buggy: +1 (+3)
Navigation: +1 (+3) Engineer—Aerospace: 0 (+2) Engineer—Armor: +1 (+3)
Pilot—Starship: 0 (+2) Engineer—Starship: +1 (+2) Pilot—Powerloader: +1 (+2)
ABILITIES:
Ambidexterity Common Sense Eidetic Memory Lightening Calculator
Time Sense Speed Reader Double Jointed
BACKGROUND:
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CMC Synthetics are known throughout the ICC as being the most reliable. These are constructed by a variety of corporations but then are
sent on with blank memories to be programmed in. Marine Synths are used primarily by The Colonial Marines but these designs have been
spotted as general staff on stations, support on mining colonies, and as support in corporate affairs, making these designs the second most
common variant. In fact, the only real way to identify a Military Synth is by the crowd it hangs with.
CMC totally prohibits the re-programming of any Synth. Any Synth breaking the coveted unbreakable rule of not harming a human is to
be eliminated on sight by Marine Forces. In fact, Marine Synths aren’t even used for passive defensive purposes. They pilot transports but
not often military assault vehicles. They are used mainly in support stance as general purpose synths with training in medical and
engineering skills. Both the Marine and corporate models are renown for being very boring. People skills were not considered a priority.
SPECIAL PURPOSE:
Special purpose synths cannot be made as characters because the designers only created them for one purpose. Game play would be
quite boring when those requirements do not apply. These are Synths designed for specific jobs and when those jobs are done, the unit is
useless until needed again. Their abilities are fixed.
BACKGROUND:
The XL1 Norbet prototype was designed by Stan Mayakofsky to study the Alien in its own environment. BioNational funded the project
but was the brain child of Mayakosky, who always was interested in the hive structure of many Earth insects. Norbet was a flawed
prototype, unfortunately. Its primary problem was its difficult task of infiltrating hives. There was a strong chance the model would not be
accepted into the Hive the XL1 infiltrated.
The other flaw was its Alien Behavioral Protocols. They were placed in their own directory. When threatened or provoked, the XL1
would shut down its standard Synth protocols and would act like a xenomoprh until it heard the override command to revert back to its
original programming. When these alien protocols are in place, the Synth will kill or harm anything threatening.
Its Synth personality is a Class 1 basic with very little social skills. Its jaw and mouth is not capable of forming words so a special voice
box was wired into its skull. The creature’s voice is mechanical and inhuman but the Synth doesn’t even need to open its mouth to talk.
The Prototype is indistinguishable to a xenomoprh except it does not have the acidic blood pumping through its veins. All of the other
weapons are the same including the sharp claws and attack tongue. The unit infiltrates the Hive by adapting its pheromone signature to the
Hive it is adapting. This mechanism is very effective but Mayakosky hadn’t realized the Hive has a dominant psychic signature which a
synth is incapable of generating. Sometimes, Hives can be forgiving.
Along with its basic armament, Mayakosky installed strange energy devices over the Synths body. When removed from the body (a
section under its arm, a section from the back, etc) and combined, it forms a very unique and crude Cold Plasma Laser only operable by the
Alien Synth unit. When asked why the Synth would need a Cold Plasma Laser, Mayakosky simple answered, “I’d want one.”
Norbert’s skin is actually DNA patterned exactly like a real Alien, being immune to the acidity of their blood. If wounded, the acid may
infiltrate the innards. If wounded, every acid splash has a %30 percent chance of causing 4DC damage directly to the Synth (no armor)
large numbers.
Humanity has reached hundreds of worlds, and has established dozens of Colonies and Outposts. These worlds are scattered across
dozens of light-years and cover a wide range of environments, and the human and non-Human inhabitants are just as diverse. Some of the
most notable worlds are discussed below. The GM should feel free to add to, amend, or alter the following as desired, and to create new
worlds that suit his or her game. The Star Map shows the locations of the major systems inhabited by Humanity, and indicates the Jump
Distances among them. There are hundreds of worlds in and beyond the ICC not listed. Those worlds are not named, usually listed with two
or three letters followed by three or four numbers. Most worlds have this listing still, but no longer go by their system classification. GMs
only need to make up new systems.
Earth
Home to nearly 10 billion people, Earth is a world in chaos. The Nations have waned in power, but most of their citizens do not really
understand the change. The Corporations are the new rulers, but they are concerned with themselves and their Colonies; the administration of
Earth's billions means little to them. In the gap between the power of the Nations and the will of the Corporations, society is falling apart.
Large areas of Earth have become lawless, as some Nations have lost the ability to control their own citizens. Ethnic, religious, and social
minorities have seceded from many of the weaker Nations, and have established their own small states.
Wealth and social status on Earth range from the most desperate poverty and oppression in history to unprecedented levels of riches and
power. Those who rule the Corporations have every possible trapping of wealth, including mansions, resorts, travel, obedient servants,
private armies and more. They even have vast numbers of people to feel superior to; the masses of Earth. Beyond the Corporate preserves
and the houses of the rich, there are many millions of people who live uneasy middle-class lives in a world with few certainties. And next to
their simple communities, surrounding the places where they work, are the dispossessed; billions of people who work at menial jobs or
survive on government subsidies, or who prey on others.
The range of social environments on Earth makes it an ideal place for role-playing adventures. Players can move quickly from contacts
with rich corporate personnel into the harsh streets, where poverty, squalor, roving gangs, and sudden violence are common.
The possible duties for Colonial Marines (or jobs for Mercenaries and other Character groups) are endless. There are areas in civil chaos,
where it might be vital to restore order or to evacuate special personnel or equipment, while other areas operate under complete fascism and
the Characters would face entirely different challenges. Many ethnic groups and fringe religions have established their own small nations,
sometimes with Corporate backing, and the safety of people and facilities in those areas could easily be imperiled. There are even areas
where there is no law; where local wars have erased all government and the Nation or Nations who own the land have given up on the
attempt to administrate.
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Up to CL4, it is relatively unchanged. At CL4 the xenomorphic influence is noticed in the religion and drug cultures (See in the
appropriate chapter). At CL5, Earth is turned into a warzone, as sporadic Hives start popping up around the globe in jungles, deserts, and
urban centers. Religious zealots try to keep the hives blossoming by offering subjects for the new birth. At CL 5.5, Earth is wasteland.
Orona’s bombs will soon take out a large chunk of North America in an effort to destroy the species. Most of the upper class has evacuated
to orbit. Most of the planet is no man’s land with the rest under marshal law.
At CL6, all but a dozen or so hives have been eliminated. Most of North America is a rad zone. Only a few million people survive sane.
The rest have either been mutilated through war or radiation or have gone crazy from the environment or lack of Royal Jelly.
Major Worlds
The Major Worlds hold the future of Humanity. These are planets that are very much like Earth, with breathable atmospheres, decent
climate, and great potential for life. There are five Major Worlds at present (Alexandria, Hilo, Micor, New Eden, and Tartarus, Barabazon),
and the Corporations that own them are rapidly developing all. Populations range from 2 million to 50 million, but all five worlds have high-
tech manufacturing, heavy industry, and are nearly self-sufficient.
Colonies
Colonies are established on worlds which are fairly livable, or which have been adapted to human use. A Colony has two important
attributes; a Spacecraft Service Base and manufacturing capability. The exact level of technology available varies with each Colony, but all
have at least some ability to manufacture their own goods. The population ranges from 30,000 on Starview to 25 million on Aerodyne, and
the worlds are self-sufficient in the most vital commodities; food, water, and atmosphere. The most advanced Colonies, like Aerodyne, even
have full high-tech manufacturing and heavy industry.
Colonies are the simplest of Humanity's settlements, and they are placed on worlds that are not desirable for human habitation. While
some have Service Bases, none have more than rudimentary manufacturing ability. Terraforming Stations are placed on worlds that have
potential but involves decades of expensive work before the world is truly habitable. Mining Worlds are much easier to create, but lack the
long-term value of a world that can be made habitable. "Mining" in this sense includes the collection or harvesting of unusual life forms as
well as the gathering of minerals and other inorganic substances.
Garrison Systems
These are systems which do not include inhabited planets, but which have been fortified for defensive purposes. The fortifications consist
of deep space sensor arrays, to detect the arrival of ships in the system, and a number of System Defense Frigates and other spacecraft. In
some Garrison Systems, there are also top-secret military and scientific facilities. Weapons tests, unusual research, and high-security prisons
are placed here.
Jump Systems
Between the systems listed on the Star Map are numerous Jump Systems. These are the stepping stones, which link the worlds of
Humanity, so that even a Spacecraft with a Jump Drive value of 1 can reach any destination.
Sectors
Each of the worlds of the ICC is described in general terms in the Sections that follow. They are organized into several different Sectors,
which are the areas developed by the major exploration Corporations. Each Sector includes notes about how it was developed, and the worlds
are listed in order from Earth outward.
The GM should flesh out the descriptions of the worlds as necessary, depending on what areas the players are curious about. As always,
information can be used or discarded by the GM as desired.
CSC Sector:
On the Star Map, this Sector extends up and to the left from Earth. The primary explorers here were the employees of a corporate coalition
called Central Space Consortium, or CSC. The jewel of this Sector is Alexandria, an earthlike world that lies at the end of the Sector.
Alexandria was one of several worlds that seceded from the ICC several years ago, and this Sector has been in turmoil ever since.
Alexandrian forces still hold several systems, but they are slowly being worn down by economic warfare. At the same time, CSC has been
severely strained by the necessity to develop new worlds to replace those, which have been
(temporarily) lost to the rebels.
Saint John
The first Terraforming project of CSC was established here. The site is largely empty,
and most of the valuable components have been moved to Starview. The toxic atmosphere
and sulfur bogs have defied Terraforming, and after decades of work the project was
abandoned in favor of the more pleasant Starview.
There is still one Atmosphere Processor in operation here, which is being shut down for
salvage, and there are also numerous research stations scattered around the world, occupied
by scientists and technicians. The purposes of these sites are varied, but most have to do with
the origins of life and how it adapts. Biosynthesis and bioengineering specialists from many
different Corporations have come to this world to experiment, and have leased the stations.
The exact natures of the sites are classified, but it is rumored that a large portion of the
funding for CSC's work on Summit, Stoner 1, and Paragon came from leasing the stations on
Saint John.
Volcus:
One of a group of Colonies developed by CSC after the secession of Alexandria. The Colony resides in a domed community on the major
moon in orbit around the planet of Volcus itself, and neither the moon nor the planet is terraformed. Volcus is a world ruled by volcanic
forces, with vast magma flows covering much of its surface. It is the tremendous geothermal energy available on the planet, which
encouraged the development of the system . CSC has developed (and is still improving) a system which uses the almost unlimited thermal
energy of Volcus for power.
Automated power stations float on the magma and draw energy from the heat surrounding them. This energy is then broadcast to a space
station in orbit around the planet, and from there to the Colony on the moon. There are currently 200,000 people on the moon, but the Colony
can expand rapidly because of the availability of power. A self-contained ecosystem has been created, with air, water and heat being
recycled. CSC hopes to turn this moon into a thriving Colony, as an example of how a hostile system can be overcome.
Riesling
This is the site of exploratory mining and drilling operations. The world's composition indicates that it has potential as a source of several
rare elements, and science crews are still evaluating it. At present, only remote exploration sites are set up, with teams from CSC and a
number of freelance groups licensed to conduct the research.
Starview
This is the latest find of CSC, and it already has a sizable population . This
world is better in many ways than Alexandria, and once Terraforming is
complete it will become the primary world for CSC. This Terraforming effort
will take another half century to complete, however, despite the best efforts of
CSC's scientists, because the Corporation is overextended. Various factions
within CSC have taken hold on each of the other three most important colonies
(Stoner 1, Paragon, and Volcus), and CSC does not have the funds to fully
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develop Starview.
Starview is a large world, with gravity very close to Earth's. Its surface is desolate and cold, as the atmosphere is nearly opaque due to a vast
cloud of small particles. This cloud is suspended in the upper atmosphere, and leaves the world in eternal twilight. Once the cloud has been
removed, the world will warm up and should be very comfortable for normal habitation.
Today, a Colony of 30,000 exists on the world. The atmosphere is breathable with the use of a filter mask, and work is proceeding to
create Atmosphere Processors.
At CL5, it becomes a major warzone.
Celeste
This off-world resort funded and manufactured by a variety of corporations became operational at CL3. Weyland Yutani terraformed the
planet, Grant Corp manufactured the resort, and Hyperdyne supplied the personnel, 100% synthetics. Hyperdyne supplied Celeste’s current
models and re-circulated the populace with Ad-Cap “Sex” synths when mass-produced. The project’s maintenance was handled by Ivy
Derringer’s corporation, Skank, which soon, purchased controlling stock of Celeste soon after.
It’s the former terraformed asteroid Nyn678. It’s the nearest one to Earth untouched by mining platforms and slagged. Celeste restores
the diminished, stimulates the jaded, and gratifies the insatiable. It’s the ultimate environment for persons of financial merit who want to
experience unprecedented bliss. Food was unworthy of the name until Celeste cuisine came along.
Unfortunately, upon CL5, a single xenomorph from Barabazon infected with a class 10 virus broke out among the populace. The visiting
population not killed by the alien soon found themselves under quarantine. Without any salvation in sight, and considering the visiting
populace numbered less than 300 at the time, Grant Corps, Weyland-Yutani, and Hyperdyne mutually considered the risks to great and
Celeste and was wipes out by orbital bombardment. Considering one of the casualties was Ms. Derringer herself, Skank went under quickly
after.
Dust Ball
This is a small moon that possesses a few mining communities. These operations are centered on the crater left by the impact of an
ancient meteor. Unique and valuable minerals were created by the combination of the meteor's and the moon's materials, subjected to the
tremendous heat and pressures generated by the impact. Dome operations are scattered around Dust Ball. Some are involved in traditional
mining, while others simply sift through tons of sand and pulverized quartz on the surface, in search of the trace minerals. These minerals are
used in the creation and quality control of micro-circuitry.
Keystone
Keystone was a major basecamp for exploration in the early days of CSC. In spite of this the planet was not terraformed, as there are
many unstable asteroids in the system and it is just a matter of time before one of them hits Keystone; there are signs of many devastating
strikes in past ages. As exploration proceeded, the population and importance of Keystone dwindled. It is now mostly abandoned, with a
current population of 20,000, down from a peak of 500,000. There were a few mining operations at one point, but there was nothing so
valuable here that it was worth shipping to other systems. Antioch, a mid-size Corporation with ambition, is studying the possibility of
buying the rights to the system and making Keystone safe for habitation. This would involve a major operation to clear the most dangerous
debris from the system, and to track the movements of the many asteroids. If successful, however, Antioch would be able to quickly rebuild
the existing facilities and could transform Keystone into a wealthy Colony.
At CL6, Keystone is one of the few colonies untouched.
Stoner 1
This planet has recently been terraformed by CSC as a means of recovering from the secession of Alexandria. While most of the planet's
atmosphere is still toxic, there is a vast natural cavern within Stoner Mountain that now has its own atmosphere and biosphere. This cavern
is over 10,000 square miles in size, and is protected by the immense rock dome of the mountain and a network of airlocks. Excavation is now
going on within the Mountain, to expand the available living space while Terraforming continues above ground. At present, much of CSC's
light manufacturing and engineering is done at Stoner 1. There are ample resources on this world, and once it is fully terraformed the above
ground mines and other operations will make it a major industrial base.
Crysalis
This Colony, based on a large moon, is the site of a standard mining operation. It is a domed complex, without a major Service Base, and
the mines recover heavy metals and a rare mineral used in power conversion units. Security forces from CSC protect the operation.
When Xenomorphs overrun the station at CL5, few reinforcements arrives—the CSC more worried about Starview. When the CMC
arrived finally, there was nothing left.
Paragon
This is a fairly recent Colony, and was established by CSC in an attempt to rebuild after Alexandria's rebellion. Paragon has recently
completed its program of Terraforming, and the atmosphere is fully breathable. The climate remains harsh, cold, with high winds, and
unpredictable weather. The communities of this world have been built underground for protection from these conditions. Another major
consideration in the construction of Paragon's cities was security. CSC is not willing to accept another rebellion, and every effort has been
made to ensure that management remains firmly in control. The communities are being expanded only slowly, and are kept as self-sufficient
as possible. The middle and lower classes here live in a tightly controlled environment, with the most sophisticated police state in the ICC
watching their every move. CSC is satisfied with the way the system is working on Paragon, and they are transporting much of their high-
tech and high security operations here. This will become the new Corporate Headquarters for CSC, and will also be the site of manufacturing
for all critical components.
At CL 5.5, Paragon has a strict hold on a few Alien hives they cannot see to eliminate. It wasn’t until CL6 that the CMC arrived to
remove them.
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Goliath
This world is the site of a sizable Terraforming operation, and is also being mined for Iridium and Helium 3. Before the secession of
Alexandria, it was being developed normally by CSC; since the secession, CSC has used Goliath as a staging point for its attempts to
recapture and blockade the rogue colony. It becomes a major military strongpoint at CL5
Goliath now has a major ICC Military Service Base, as well as a
ground base which supports a large contingent of Colonial Marines.
From these bases, the Colonial Marines and CSC forces patrol three
Jumps in each direction, watching for Alexandrian craft and for
smugglers and other blockade runners. These patrols fight with
Alexandrian forces, which try to drive ICC vessels away when every
major smuggling run is being made. These actions are usually short,
with the inferior side making a brief show of resistance before
withdrawing .
The atmosphere on Goliath is still too thin to breathe without
assistance, but there is enough oxygen for simple re-breathers to
operate. The population has grown to nearly 1 million people in the
years since the Alexandria's rebellion. About 10,000 of these are
Colonial Marines, and there are also a large number of CSC troops. The majority of the population is made up of people working at
industries to support the military units. As a result, by the time of CL5, Goliath was too fortified to be destroyed. Losses were high,
however, as frequent transports carried more infestations. By CL 5.5, the entire colony sealed itself off.
Crestus Prime
Crestus Prime is a Garrison World with a Service Base and a fleet of large cargo transports, used for transporting disabled Frigates from
the four Crestus Garrison Worlds nearby. The location of Crestus Prime is known only to top level military personnel of Alexandria, and is
only placed in the Navigation Computers of ships assigned specifically to the system. The world itself holds only the Service Base and its
supporting community with a total population of 30,000, all of them members of the military.
Crestus Prime has become the hub of the Alexandria space defense system. From here, the space fleet can reach any of the four Garrison
Worlds that protect the approach to Ventix. This constantly threatens any ICC forces trying to clear the Crestus Garrison Worlds, and
provides support for Ventix if the ICC ever gets that far. It is unlikely that it will ever come to that, since the ICC has decided to use a
blockade to defeat Alexandria. The presence of Crestus Prime was a major factor in that decision.
Adullam
Home of the Adullam Research Facility, This planet was the source of many rumors about strange experiments involving biological
experimentation by Grant Corp. At CL4, this experimentation seemed to have moved into the xenomorph field. Adullam was a
groundbreaking laboratory, which many scientific boycott groups openly called having “the proper approach to scientifically studying the
Aliens. Some outposts studied them for military purposes; some studied them in the hopes of eliminating them. However, Adullam
concentrated on the morphology of the creature. Adullam broke the discovery that the Aliens were engineered living batteries, and not the
result of natural evolution.
The objective of the lab was simple: They approached the aliens as being an alien race’s version of a synthetic, albeit the ultimate violent
form of it. If they could learn the technology, it would open the doors to future generations of synthetics (See the Alien Resurrection Plug-
In). It was theorized that Synths can be engineered with an actual DNA pattern and thus allow themselves to regenerate wounds. This
succeeded in TL5 in a rudimentary form. However, Adullam still had one last breakthrough left. They attempted to combine the Alien and
Human technologies further and attempted to “grow” a synthetic from scratch (Refer to the Medical section for details). However, a hostile
Corp (unidentified) destroyed the station and most of the technology was lost. The station wouldn’t be repopulated until later.
Ventix
Ventix is a Colony near Alexandria and is controlled by the people of that world. It is a dense and prosperous community, built
underground in vast, airtight chambers. Terraforming of Ventix was put on hold by the eruption of the rebellion on Alexandria, and the years
of conflict have transformed the city into a military hardsite.
Considerable heavy equipment was here to support Terraforming, most of it having been moved from Alexandria when the major work on
that world was completed. This equipment was used to expand the basecamp into a full Colony designed specifically for use by the
Alexandria military forces. It now protects the only route to Alexandria, and is the final line of Alexandria's defenses.
There are five major Military Bases on Ventix. Each of them has full space repair facilities, and receives parts and other support from
Alexandria. A network of tunnels connects them, with high-speed monorails carrying people and cargo. Each Base has a population of about
50,000 people, and they are all self-sufficient
The atmosphere of Ventix is too thin to breathe without a Life Support system, but there is enough oxygen to keep a Life Support system
operating indefinitely; Life Support systems have pumps which can be used to compress the atmosphere in an enclosed space, and make it
breathable. The climate is cold and dry, with no vegetation.
Only personnel with military clearance have access to Ventix.
Alexandria
This is the only holdout from the Colonial rebellions. It is isolated from the rest of ICC space by the military colony it controls on Ventix,
and by the five Crestus Garrison Worlds. To date, the ICC has not committed enough forces to conquer Alexandria and its Garrison Worlds.
Colonial Marine forces on and around the Goliath system quarantine the area, and a policy of sanctions and blockade is being used to bring
Alexandria back under ICC control.
Smuggling to and from Alexandria is a thriving industry on the Garrison Worlds of Crestus Prime and Goliath. Stopping the flows of
goods, people, and military equipment occupies a sizable contingent of Colonial Marine and Corporate forces.
Alexandria itself is a highly developed world that is nearly self-sufficient. Originally owned by CSC, it now has a population of 30
million people, which is rapidly growing, and its industries are on a par with the industrialized nations of the 20th century. There are also a
number of high-tech facilities producing items for the fledgling space industry on the planet. The space industry is owned by the planet's
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central government, a democratic republic, and is nearing self-sufficiency. Only certain critical components for Displacement and Jump
Drives must be smuggled in from the ICC.
Environmentally, Alexandria is nearly an ideal world. It has been terraformed, and the atmosphere is breathable and even pleasant. The
climate is generally hot and dry, and there are few large bodies of water, so the major settlements are closer to the poles than to the equator.
Water for drinking and agriculture is transported from the polar regions; it is comparatively expensive, but there are no shortages and the
population is well supplied.
The communities on Alexandria are scattered across the northern temperate region. Industries are built at the edges of or outside of the
residential areas, and are hardened against possible warfare. Civil defense has been a major concern in the cities as well, and bomb shelters
and long-term food stores are common. There is a mandatory four-year military/public service term for all citizens from the ages of 18 to 22.
Most fulfill this requirement by working in technical and trade institutions, on community support pro-grams, and in the large Terraforming
and community expansion projects. A select few serve in the military itself, and there is great pride in being chosen to protect Alexandria's
independence. Most of the people in the military have made it their career, and there is a high level of respect for them. Because of their
isolation, the Xenomorphic presence was extremely light and any suspicion of infestation was put down with brutal force. At CL6, when the
ICC was in ruins, Alexandria would become a cultural and political center-point and regain most of the control of the C.S.C worlds. It would
become the new Earth for generations.
BORODINO SECTOR
Unlike the other Sectors, this chain of worlds has not been developed by any single Corporate entity. A Corporation called Borodino,
which went bankrupt generations ago, began it. Since that time, dozens of Corporations have tried their luck in this area, and many fortunes
have been made exploring the Borodino Sector. Many more have been lost, however, because while it is the only unclaimed frontier in the
ICC where mid-sized Corporations can try to expand, it is also a treacherous and difficult place.
The two strangest worlds in the ICC lie in the Borodino Sector; Pandora, with its illegal technologies and bizarre life forms, and LV-426,
also called Acheron, where Humanity first encountered the Aliens. By CL 6, most of these worlds were wipes out from Alien infestation.
Nimbus
This is a very large world, a gas giant, which has a research space station in orbit around it. Hyperdyne is using it for studies of high
pressure and high-energy conditions. Probes enter Nimbus' atmosphere and are subjected to incredible heat and pressure as they decelerate.
They then emerge from the atmosphere and are recovered by craft from the research station. The exact nature of the work being done here,
and the results found to date, are highly confidential and are well guarded by Hyperdyne. It wasn’t enough and by CL6, Nimbus was a dead
system.
Aerodyne
This world was originally called Chalmer 3, but was renamed when Aerodyne Corporation established its headquarters here. It has been
terraformed, and is now a cold planet with a thin, breathable atmosphere and vast open steppes, swept by constant winds. There is little open
water, but the population of 25 million is self-sufficient and the people lead a fairly comfortable life. The communities are built behind large
windbreaks. A wide range of light and heavy industries are present, and Aerodyne produces its own spacecraft in cooperation with Weyland-
Yutani. Aerodyne was destroyed and most of the populace evacuated. At CL6, it was re-terraformed.
Recently, Aerodyne and Weyland-Yutani opened the Arcturus Loop, a direct trade link that does not run through Earth. This has enraged
Earth-bound Corporations and Nations, which have lost significant influence over trade and commerce as a result of the "11 new trade route.
Although the ICC has set up Customs stations, Aerodyne, Weyland-Yutani, and Hyperdyne hold direct control of the Loop, and have not
allowed Colonial Marine forces to patrol the area. Customs procedures are being subverted along this new route, and it is believed that
corruption at high levels in the ICC and in the three major Corporations has encouraged smuggling activities. Drugs and controlled
technologies from Pandora are introduced into the ICC through this route as well.
Anchorpoint
One of the largest spaceports built by man, The city sized, totally self-sufficient spherical starport is large enough to contain whole
starships in sealed, pressurized environments. The base is staffed by more than 80 000 people with another 100 000 populate the station at
any one time. These numbers haven’t changed even though the UPP Sector is close by but the presence of military personnel has increased
since then. The mall inside is a cross between a Hyatt atrium and an airport-shopping concourse: shops, vegetation, fast food outlets, a bar.
Civilians and Military work together to keep the military base / civilian colony / scientific lab together. At CL4, Aliens infested the Colony.
Most of the populace escaped but the entire base was overrun. Hundreds of Aliens were discovered onboard when a Nemesis team arrived
later. It was brutal but by CL6, Anchorpoint has inhabited again.
Emerson:
Emerson has no known colonies and its mining prospects are extremely minor. The ICC has determined that it will just be classed as a
jump system even though the main world in the system does have a breathable atmosphere. No ships have reported even stopping by the
barren world. There were plans in the far future to eventually colonize the planet and perhaps turn it into a greenhouse for food purposes
unfortunately after the UPP separation, those plans were placed on perpetual hold. Unknown to all, a small colony from a crashed
missionary vessel lives on the surface, separated from human contact for over 100 years. At CL6, they initiated contact. The very low
industrialized city (barely mid 19th century) was a haven for people trying to escape the madness.
Charon:
A massive, water covered planet with a single large island on the Equator. Some have compared it to a massive cosmic eyeball that stares
into one’s soul. Either way, forest and simple animal life cover the major and only continent. A probe at CL5 discovered the entire
continent infested. At CL6, it was nuked.
Gimeno:
The Gimeno Industrial Settlement is a tiny Earth-like world that is so volcanically active, that it was deemed too unsafe to general
colonization. Therefore, it was transformed into a mining outpost. The main factory is built on a volcano planetside. They milk valuable
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materials right out of the Magma. Hard work, but lucrative. Even though the colony is on the edge of known space, months out, many
mining personnel look forward to working there because of its warm weather, ocean breeze, and even pretty birds. At CL5, it was infested
and destroyed.
Chitin
The surface of this planet is covered with heavy flows of basalt, so it appears to have an armored shell. Beneath this shell, which earned
the planet its name, there are a number of soft areas that were excavated to form human communities. There are three of these subterranean
vaults, with a total population of 600,000, and they are largely self-sufficient.
Chitin has the only significant light manufacturing Capability on the long run from Aerodyne to Pandora, and the economy here is
expanding rapidly. The Service Base in orbit around the planet is large, efficient, and well stocked with spare parts, and support industries
beneath the world's surface are beginning to produce Spacecraft components as well. This world is dominated by Aerodyne, which is
moving much of its older light industry here as it upgrades its home world. Personnel who are unhappy with conditions on Aerodyne are
commonly transferred here, where they find a more relaxed atmosphere, greater freedom, and a relative absence of bureaucracy. But at CL
5.5, they wish they hadn’t. By the time the CMC arrives, Aliens had infected 45% of the populace. The rest were either in hiding or fighting
for their lives. Chitin was evacuated, but attempts to eliminate the infestation from orbital bombardments proved unsuccessful. By CL6, the
CMC, parked permanently in orbit, still try to eliminate the aliens.
Pioneer:
A small colony delegated with the duty of handling most of the ICC’s nuclear waste. The Alphatech Sungun orbits the small world. It
rockets barrels of nuclear waste into the massive yellow star. Most of the personnel on the station have families planetside. Alphatech
makes a tidy profit by handling most other corporation’s waste. It is destroyed by Alien infestation at CL4. The Sungun was never repaired.
Frontier:
The orbiting colony outpost is a major dry-dock for spacecraft maintenance. The world it orbits is a massive terrestrial world covered in a
black atmosphere. The atmosphere is so thick and dark than it stretches from the Stratosphere all the way to the surface. Even with high-
powered lights, most cannot see more than 100 meters in front of them. The average range of visibility is barely 50 feet. If someone crashed
on the planet, they are not expected to be rescued. Grant Corps manufactures its Razzia vessel from this location. The 20 000 personnel on
the station operate the massive dry-docks that can accommodate every type of vessel, even some from rival corporate groups when a grant is
given to build them.
Acheron
A harsh, bitter world in the midst of Terraforming. There are many deposits of heavy metals here, which offer the hope of future
prosperity, and when Terraforming is complete it could be a fairly pleasant world. The most interesting aspect of this world is obviously the
strange ship that contains the Alien Eggs. At CL 2, with the atmosphere processor destroyed, Acheron became hostile again.
Thedus
This is a small, struggling Colony that survives off the traffic from the core of the ICC out to the frontier world of Pandora. It is a domed
Colony, as the atmosphere of Thedus is thin and has little oxygen. The world is not self-sufficient; it has a full space Service Base, but all
other items are in short supply.
There are three communities on Thedus, each of which is built around a reactor that also provides power for an Atmosphere Processor.
The expansion of the Colony is limited by the shortage of power, and the population subsists on ship service and maintenance, and providing
for the crews of vessels that are being worked on. The crime rate on Thedus is very high, and many unwary travelers never leave the planet.
By CL5, with the decrease in traffic, Thedus struggles. A CL 5.5, without support, it cannot defend itself from the infestation.
Grandhi
This is a Service Base, with a small station set up to service ships making the long haul to and from Pandora. It is a full service port, with
the repair abilities of a Colony for anything relating to Spacecraft. Other than that, there is only a small community of 15,000 that tends to
the needs of crews passing through the system.
Grandhi is a moon in orbit around a dry and completely barren planet called Sahara, which is more than four times the size of Earth.
Grandhi itself has no atmosphere, but supplies of water and oxygen are available through mining and mineral processing. Water, food, and
air are all extremely precious on Grandhi, and little is wasted in this domed community.
Pandora
This Colony is at the edge of ICC space, and as such operates with little regard for law or accepted behavior. The world has an unpleasant
but breathable atmosphere, and gravity near Earth's. Most of the surface is covered with water, and the small land areas are overcrowded with
a population of 4 million. Work is in progress to artificially increase the land area by building out into the oceans.
The biosphere of Pandora is a diverse one, and there are still countless life forms that have never been studied. If this planet were closer to
the rest of civilization, it would be covered with research teams from all of the major Corporations. As it is, only unusual people come this
far out; the ones who are obsessed with their work, others who are avoiding legal and personal problems, and people who are very
adventurous, curious, or unstable.
The location and the people combine to create a dangerous and exotic world. Several Corporations are conducting exploration into the
stars beyond Pandora, but where they are going and what they have found remain mysterious. Experiments that would be halted on a more
civilized world are conducted in shadowy laboratories here, including forbidden studies of genetics, biomechanics, and cybernetics. There
are rumors of startling breakthroughs in all of these fields.
Strange drugs are also synthesized from the native lifeforms by researchers, some of whom are true geniuses and others who are simply
renegades or madmen. The most popular and useful drugs are exported or smuggled back to the rest of the ICC, but the local inhabitants have
access to countless other substances. All manner of claims are made about these drugs; some are powerful stimulants or depressants, others
have reputed medical value, still others might be painkillers or hallucinogens. Many of the drugs are addictive; most are dangerous; all are
unregulated, and therefore unpredictable. The alleys of Pandora are filled with people who have had their health or their minds broken by
these experimental drugs.
When the aliens arrived via a major cargo transport at CL5, the colony was unprepared. No amount of military could control the
infestation. By CL6, a fleet of CMC cruisers entered orbit and vaporized the atmosphere.
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Arcturus Loop
This is a new interstellar link between Aerodyne and Weyland-Yutani, and is being used to bypass Earth and ICC Customs. There is a
great deal of illegal traffic in this area, but the efforts of honest ICC Customs officials to clean it up have been unsuccessful. Part of the
trouble lies in the relative weakness of the Colonial Marine Corps in the Loop, but much of the blame lies with corruption at high levels of
the ICC and the major Corporations involved.
Arcturus
This is the only well-developed system on the Loop. It is habitable, although cold and harsh, and has a functioning biosphere of its own.
The native lifeforms include a generally humanoid creature which lives in large, complex warrens underground. These creatures usually live
in communities of a few dozen, although large warrens of hundreds and even thousands are sometimes found. They are not intelligent,
although they use very primitive tools, such as sticks, and work together to gather food and to defend their warrens.
The population on Arcturus is approximately 25,000, but it is expanding quickly as traffic increases on the Loop and the world is adapted
for human use. The leadership on the world is turning a blind eye to smuggling and other questionable activities, and has restricted Colonial
Marine presence to battles with native warrens which are considered dangerous to the Colony, or which are obstacles to further expansion.
However, when the alien infestation arrived at CL 5, Arcturus became one of the most heated battlezones of the war as the aliens infected the
colony and native population.
Eyesore
An old mining site which has been abandoned. The world is habitable by about 400 people, but is ugly, infertile, and generally unpleasant.
Only a small community remains on Eyesore, which handles rudimentary repairs and limited services for crews which pass through. There is
every chance that Eyesore will grow rapidly in the coming years, due to the traffic on the Loop.
U.P.P. Sector
The Union of Progressive People secured a variety of worlds on the edge of known space and this has been a galactic hotspot since.
The Russian / Vietnamese Consortium originally colonized the rim world, Barabazon, but after securing Rodina, an armored strongpoint
between them rest of the ICC, the UPP succeeded. The UPP, since then, appropriated several more colonies and fortified their position all
the way up to Anchorpoint, which was then turned into a border station. Like Alexandria, the UPP has been cut off and no diplomatic
relations exists. In fact, the relations between the UPP and ICC are extremely volatile. Any non-UPP craft that enters their space is
considered a major violation without passing through the Rodina border station and are searched. Any military craft traversing through
without authorization can be considered an act of war.
Unlike Alexandria, which secured itself as a more peaceful independent colony, the UPP became obsessed with securing more space and
its aggressive tendencies has warranted many corporations to refuse trade. Consumer trade, however, keeps Barabazon and the UPP alive.
Also, unlike Alexandria, the UPP is not a democratic society but rather a fascist dictatorship bent on technological advancement. This
commitment result is a major military force and large budgets put aside for military projects including biological warfare. Their attempts to
harness the Alien organism proved fatal and resulted in the destruction of the Rodina station at CL 4 and the elimination of the rest of the
UPP soon after. By CL 5.5, the CMC regained control. By CL 6, the UPP was no more.
Rodina
The major UPP Military strongpoint between their space and the ICC (primarily Anchorpoint) grew in size over the years. The massive,
doughnut-shaped station is only slightly smaller than Anchorpoint but with most of its space and budget but toward Research and Defense.
Rodina houses over 200 000 troops and another 40 000 technicians and scientists. It contains one of the largest Biolabs (only slightly smaller
than Anchorpoints civilians spacelab. However, by CL 4, 80% of the station’s resources was transferred to Xenomorphic research. It wasn’t
long before they lost control. Infestation soon followed. Rodina was nuked and never rebuilt. Its absence was felt in CL 6 when CMC
forces rode right through to Barabazon.
Oryza
A small farming colony recently equipped with automatic defensive weaponry because of the colony’s strategic positioning in the UPP
Sector. It didn’t offer resistance when the UPP fell. They were attacked by aliens, rumored to be staged by the UPP Rodina station but the
infestation was eliminated.
Casper / Sinat
The Planet and Station run by Dr. Casper Nordling of Grant Corp was originally a mining station by the UPP with the boring title Sinat
778. When they were overrun by aliens, instead of the alien by killed, the aliens were eliminated but the queen and structure survived and a
laboratory was installed in and around the hive. The hive was sealed off and donor clones were installed so the aliens could propagate. This
lab was allowed to operate with an all-synthetic crew for extended period because of its objective to create a virus lethal to aliens but not to
humans. However, at CL5.5, the station was destroyed by its native alien populace. An investigation later proved that Norlding was illegally
selling eggs to rival corporations.
Barabazon
A center-point for all UPP activity, a major key world, and the one place that most people avoid. Barabazon has often gone by the
tagline, “Commit any seven sins free!”. West Barabazon is the political and military hub, where the Union of Progressive People plan out its
daily activities. Only the upper crust live in the West. If you live in the East, you are just the crust. East Bar is a virtually lawless gorge of
drinking and debauchery. It is also a large trading location, binding competition with the nearby Anchorpoint station for the consumers’
business. The UPP is more than proud of their massive capital and their popular venues of entertainment. East Bar has a massive Television
industry (mostly Trash). Rich tourists explore the wonders of West Bar, never knowing how 95% of the population (over 45 million) lives.
Even after the war, Barabazon flourished, although most of the populace went mad after the government fell. Riots and crime flooded the
streets. Hundreds of Thousands were killed. Both East and West Bar burned. West was complexly destroyed. Sporadic Alien hives
appeared. It wasn’t until CL6, did matters calm again. It would still be sometime before it returned to close to its former glory.
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Proteus
The Alien Homeworld, undiscovered until CL 4. The Jockey Race terraformed this world to be a complete storehouse of the species. The
Atmosphere is covered by a highly corrosive shell filled with radioactive particles spewed from modified volcanoes in strategic areas. The
surface is somewhat breathable, with a larger amount of Nitrogen than Earth. But the Ozone layer is filled with these particles, which seem
to neutralize nuclear weapons, disrupt condensed energy, and cause havoc to virtually all flight systems. As a result, no spacecraft can enter
the atmosphere without suffering inoperable damage. No weapons have been found to inflict enough damage to the surface to reduce the
billions of aliens on planet.
It is assumed the Jockey ships were capable of traversing this barrier. The Snakefighters and Nemesis class ships as well as the Razzia
dropship are also protected from these harmful effects but there are too rare to be of any use. It would take the entire CMC fleet, days to
wipe out the globe. At the end of CL6, they did exactly that.
HYPERDYNE SECTOR
This Sector was originally developed by two major Corporations working together; Hyperdyne and Weyland-Yutani. At about the time
the ICC was formed, Hyperdyne sabotaged certain critical operations at Weyland-Yutani, and attempted to take full control of the Sector for
itself. This was a lucrative path for many years; Hyperdyne even discovered the Earthlike world of Hilo, and now commands tremendous
wealth. Weyland-Yutani recovered from Hyperdyne's treachery, however, and now holds a critical position in the Sector. There has been no
open warfare between the two Corporations in many years, but there is a certain tension in their dealings with each other.
This Sector extends down and to the right from Earth on the Star Map.
Weyland-Yutani
Weyland-Yutani was one of the preeminent Corporations of
the early days of space exploration, and still produces some of
the finest high-technology equipment in the ICC. It was once a
partner of Hyperdyne, but Hyperdyne betrayed Weyland-
Yutani's interests and sabotaged several of its exploration craft.
Weyland-Yutani was badly disrupted by this, and lost its
opportunity to lead the discovery of new worlds.
After losing for several decades, Weyland-Yutani gathered its
resources to take control of the world of Relitor, which it
renamed after itself. This put Weyland-Yutani directly on
Hyperdyne's route to Earth and the rest of the ICC, and allowed
it to take some measure of revenge in the form of legal
harassment and increased tariffs and taxes. To combat these
obstacles, Hyperdyne was forced to develop new routes for its
commerce. The routes include the Hilo - New Eden link, and the
long, desolate trip from New Chicago to Honeycomb. Today,
Weyland-Yutani and Hyperdyne are still somewhat hostile to
each other, but there has been no traceable violence for many
years. They even cooperate on control of the Arcturus Loop.
At present, the world of Weyland-Yutani has a full range of
industry and space manufacturing facilities, and the cooperative
ventures between Aerodyne and Weyland-Yutani are the largest
manufacturers of commercial spacecraft in the ICC. They also produce the ships for the Colonial Marine Corps, and use this as leverage in
their control of the Arcturus Loop.
Weyland-Yutani’s long standing position on the Alien infestation (research, capture, and control) was always a controversial one. They
resulted in direct fighting between them and the CMC at CL 5.5. When the Corporate uprisings occurred at the end of CL 6, Weyland
Yutani vanished, along with most of the other corporations.
Noble Ore
A titanium mining site with five domed communities. There is only a small Service Base here, and no industry at all. It was never
touched during the war.
New Chicago
This old mining and survey planet was abandoned after research showed it would not be profitable for long-term mining or Terraforming.
It has become a major Service Base for Hyperdyne forces, and many spacecraft in that Corporation's fleet call New Chicago their homeport.
These forces protect the New Chicago - Honeycomb route, and attempt to control traffic from Weyland-Yutani to Hilo.
The civilian population here is 30,000, and the economy is heavily dependent on the Hyperdyne fleet. Laws governing the sale and
possession of weapons are largely ignored, and just about any kind of military hardware is available here, for the right price.
Atlas
Atlas is a large asteroid with no atmosphere. Temperatures are very low, and the radiation level is dangerously high for unprotected
people. The Colony is a small one, composed of three domed and shielded communities with a total population of 12,000. The communities
are all on a single plateau, and are connected by a monorail system.
Dozens of small survey and mining craft operate out of Atlas, working in the system's asteroid fields. These ships are specially shielded
against radiation, and the crews work among the asteroids for 90 days before returning to Atlas for detoxification. The reason for all this
dangerous and difficult work is the presence of complex radiation-stable hydrocarbons, which are used for medical research and genetic
engineering.
Atlas was infested at CL5 but it was cleared via a Beserker team. It was then repopulated.
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Cryosphere
A research station has been established on this planet, which is in a very distant orbit around the system's sun. It is a small station, with
only eight people, and most craft simply pass through the system without going anywhere near Cryosphere. While valuable work is being
done regarding the formation of solar systems and planets, the eight scientists at the station are extremely eager to talk with anyone who
comes to the planet. They kept very close watch on most ships approaching them. They avoided infestation.
Stratus
Stratus was used as a Garrison System by Hyperdyne before the ICC was created, and there are the remains of a large ground military
base and a deep space tracking station to here. Today there is only a way station and a small, poor salvage operation recovering equipment
left over from earlier conflicts.
Hilo
This was the second ideal world found, and it is under the control of Hyperdyne. Hilo had an ideal climate and ample water when found,
but lacked indigenous life. This made it very easy to tailor the world, introducing the proper mix of lifeforms from Earth and other Worlds to
create the perfect environment. Hilo is a thriving World, with a full space industry, complete self-sufficiency, and a population of 6 million.
There is a great deal of wealth here, and it is protected by the most powerful single Corporate military force in the ICC. There was a
rebellion here at the beginning of the Colonial Wars, but it was quickly crushed by Hyperdyne's military. The population was quietly purged
in the years after the rebellion, and new personnel were brought in. Radical elements which were not found guilty of capital crimes were
sent to Shinon, where they are monitored by Hyperdyne forces in what is essentially a penal colony. On Hilo, there is no trace of dissent.
The people are brought up to believe that the ends justify the means, and the rewards for those who succeed at Hyperdyne are immense;
wealth, power, and even access to illegal technologies.
Hyperdyne is the leading producer of Synthetics, and the design studios and most of the factories for this industry are on Hilo . Much of
Hyperdyne's wealth comes from its development of biotechnology and Synthetics; other industries have been established primarily to
guarantee Hyperdyne's independence. The economic and political power of Hyperdyne is immense, and its influence in the Colonial Marine
Corps is growing rapidly.
The greatest causality during the war at CL 5.5 was the fall of Hilo. It was never destroyed but the same events that transpired on Earth
quickly repeated themselves on Hilo soon after. Religious groups rose up, Hives popped up. Unlike Earth, which was abandoned then
surgically nuked, Hilo had no such emergency measures. The ground war there was brutal and long. By the end of CL5.5, many hives were
still out of control.
Marduk
Little is known of this system, except that there is a large space station in orbit around the primary planet and that there are no ground
installations. Rumor indicates that Hyperdyne does experimental work on Synthetics here, and that illegal programming packages are
sometimes sent from Marduk into the ICC. There is an extremely high level of security here, and even the location of the system is known to
few. The station was reported destroyed at CL5.5
Byal
This is another of Hyperdyne's special labs. It is a space station, where work is done on biotechnology integration and modification. Its
location is known at the top levels of the ICC, but it is not common knowledge and there is no commercial traffic to Byal. As a result, no
one was aware of its Alien experimentation, and resultant infection. A Beserker team attempted to clear it out, but Byal was eventually
nuked.
Transept
This barren world is the base camp for Hyperdyne's space exploration fleet. Hyperdyne is trying to open a direct route to Pandora, as that
is the location of the only other major go research being done in the field of biotechnology. If Hyperdyne is successful and can keep its route
a secret, it will be able to subtly control the work done on Pandora and capitalize on any breakthroughs which are made, without ICC
opposition.
Rumford
Rumford’s desert environment intimidates most colonists interested in a new home but most that live there swear by the surprisingly cool
weather. Rumford’s large expanse of flat terran is more similar to tundras than sandy dunes. The light cool wind washes over the hundreds
of miles of totally flat expanse, offering plenty of room of colonization. Rumford became one of the largest livestock storehouses ever
constructed. The three million inhabitants, all of which live on the equator are all herders. Rumford has virtually no mineral deposits and
few species of plants have taken hold.
The jewel on Rumford is high up in the North Pole. Merely 500 kilometers from the ice flows lie a group of featureless pyramids. Each
one towers more than twice the size of the great pyramid of Giza. The six pyramids are all without line of sight with each other. Because of
the small value of Rumford and its position, on the edge of the rim, make the desire for archeological surveys slim. Several small teams have
investigated the area but none have returned. The native colonists don’t venture north, the pyramids being part of a very old omen of death.
Rumford is one of many planets with Egg Silos deposited by the Jockey Race. Eventually, an archeological team was killed but one
impregnated, managed to escape to the colony. The resultant mayhem eventually led to the colony’s destruction by CL5. At CL6, the barren
world was considered for repopulation. The Egg Silos remain.
Cyclone
A research and manufacturing lab set up by Hyperdyne in an underground installation. It develops weapon technology and security
systems, and contains only a few hundred personnel. The location of this think tank is not common knowledge, and the best military and
scientific minds of Hyperdyne do their work here. It was destroyed by Alien infestation at CL 5.5. A Beserker team cleared out the station
and repopulated it by CL6.
Shinon
This Colony is the dumping site for people removed from Hilo during the Colonial rebellions. These are people who were considered to
be security risks, but who could not be convicted of serious crimes. All sorts have been sent here; petty criminals, relatives of rebels,
freethinkers and rabble-rousers, intellectuals, and those who were simply not patriotic enough. The population is 480,000.
Shinon is almost self-sufficient, with critical supplies being provided by Hyperdyne in exchange for good production from the light
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industry of the Colony. The citizens are theoretically free, although there is no way for them to leave the system and they are under tight
supervision by Hyperdyne law enforcement personnel. Regardless of Hyperdyne's claims, Shinon is essentially a modern penal colony. It
was untouched during the war.
Bunda Survey
A swamp world operated by Weyland Yutani. The world is covered by vegetable and animal life. Primarily a corporate controlled
military outpost. The large colony on its surface basically is comprised of towers spiraling above the canopy of trees. It was destroyed by
both Xenomorphs and the rumored alien predators.
This Sector was the first to yield an Earthlike world, the planet of New Eden itself. Exploration was handled by a coalition which renamed
itself New Eden/JV after the world which made it rich. This Sector is comparatively stable, compared to the strife of the CSC Sector and the
danger and uncertainty of the Borodino Sector.
The New Eden Sector lies straight down from Earth on the Star Map.
Grendel
Grendel is large Colony of over 200,000 people, who live in hundreds of small domed cities. There is substantial light industry, and the
world was a major stopping point for travel among Micor, New Eden, Weyland-Yutani, and Hilo. Much of the traffic was lost to the New
Chicago - Lobo route, but Grendel still survives. It survived the war, barely.
This world was the first to allow Corporations to circumvent Earth's control of shipping routes, and in retaliation the powers of Earth held
back support, minimized Colonial Marine presence, and even helped destabilize the government and economy of the world. Over the years,
the destabilization and the absence of Colonial Marine patrols led to the development of a powerful organized crime network. This network
wields full power on Grendel, and operates outside the ICC's controls and without the consent of the population of Grendel. The center of the
trade in illegal drugs and other contraband is found on this world, and bribery, extortion, and payoffs are major parts of getting business done
here. The Criminal network is currently building up a large drug trade from Pandora to Micor.
Micor and the other major Corporations created the New Chicago - Lobo bypass to free themselves from the bribery and corruption of
Grendel, and are currently trying to decide how to destroy the organized crime elements. It will probably fall to the Colonial Marines to clean
up the place.
Ajax
This is a marginally habitable World that could yield great wealth after successful Terraforming. Several years ago, there was an accident
at an Atmosphere Processor here; an immense explosion caused a major radiation release, and the mid-sized Colony was almost entirely
destroyed. There was tremendous loss of life and wealth, and literally thousands of lawsuits were filed in the weeks after the disaster. Since
the end of the relief efforts which evacuated the survivors, the world has been largely uninhabited as efforts are made to resolve this
unprecedented legal morass. There is a small permanent station some distance from the site of the old Colony, and the staff's primary duty is
to take inspectors, analysts, experts, and lawyers on tours of the devastation, and to track and report data about the world's current condition.
Polar Star
This outpost consists of a Research Station on a moon which orbits a gas giant at the edge of the system. There are only 30 permanent
residents at the facility. A Service Base with a crew of 1,000 also orbits the planet, and attends to the traffic through the system, but there is
little contact between the Service Base and the Research Station. This system has no manufacturing ability.
The permanent residents are scientists at work on a research project, studying high-pressure molecular synthesis. They are under contract
to Micor, but so far they have not attained their goals. Until they succeed, none have anything to look forward to but continued isolation on
Polar Star or a one-way trip back to poverty on Earth. Most of the staff have been here for more than ten years; the stress level is high, and
the mental health level is low. When a cargo craft deposited several aliens, they eliminated the threat themselves. After that, there were
fewer complaints.
Honeycomb
The atmosphere of this world is toxic and bitterly cold, so this Colony of 250,000 was built underground. Vast caverns lie just under the
surface, and several large communities have been set up in them. They are fairly close together, and are linked by an efficient monorail
system.
Honeycomb is rapidly growing, as a result of the traffic link between New Chicago and Lobo. It has become a major Service Base and
shipping warehouse, and now features both light and heavy industry . Secure areas of the caverns are leased out to Corporations interested in
long-term storage and production, making the planet something like a high-tech space bank. The Colonial Marine Corps does not have the
rights to investigate these individual Corporate areas, and since they are all sealed off, it is difficult to gather information about what is going
on inside. This much is clear; the rulers of Honeycomb care little for what goes on in each area, and this has led to the growth of some illicit
industries. More than one illegal shipment has been traced to Honeycomb, but the trail ends in what has become known as the Labyrinth.
The caverns of Honeycomb riddle the entire world, and are much larger than the Colony and all the storage areas. Little of the Labyrinth
has been explored. It became the bloodiest location of the war. Thousands died in the caverns, freeing the world
Helix
Helix has a Service Base and is the focus of a fleet of small exploration craft, which are investigating the vast asteroid belts of the Helix
system. These craft are owned by several different Corporations and independents, have crews of 3 to 8 people, and go on extended missions
of up to 2 years deep into the belts. Thousands of asteroids have been explored and plotted, and many bear rich mining deposits.
At present, the mining claims on these asteroids are being bid on at Helix, and there will soon be full-scale mining operations throughout
the system. Dozens of Corporations are interested in the mining rights in the system, and the Colonial Marines will certainly be called in to
monitor disputes. Most of the contracts call for minimum production levels and schedules, or the forfeiture of all rights; ICC officials expect
that some smaller firms will be sabotaged, and will be swallowed up by larger competitors.
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Exeter
This small outpost has two enclosed communities of about 20,000 people each. It is primarily a service port for shipping to and from New
Eden. Most of its business has been taken from it by the facilities on Honeycomb, and Exeter is rapidly declining in wealth and importance.
Within a few years, only a few small mining operations, which were the original purpose of the Colony, will remain. One community was
destroyed at CL5.5 but the other remains.
Orbolab
The large ZCT funded laboratory has been the location of many controversies until its closure at CL6. The original base coordinator, Dr.
Ernst Kleist, ran the base like his own personal dictatorship. His security force controlled the populace and its sanctioned hive with a stern
hand. Unlike Casper Nordling station, Kleist often invoked stiff (and severe) penalties to anyone who destroyed a specimen. Kleist valued
his experiments more than human lives and the CMC marines sent to the station to act as xenomorphic custodians often returned in body
bags. In essence, Kleist’s obsessive personality shot him in the foot since eventually, the CMC would come in force to investigate the losses
of their men. Kleist committed himself to trying to control the alien. He succeeded in many fields, including both suppressor models on the
market.
At CL5, Kleist vanished and his station’s populace was arrested. The CMC arrived in force, flanked by Grant Corp security, who broke
the story. Orbolab was repopulated later and achieved much success later, even though its sanctioned hive was destroyed when Kleist left.
Atol
Atol is a water world with a heavy atmosphere and continuous rain. The water is acidic and contains no life, and the planet has no stable
land mass above sea level. There is a large moon, however, which combines with the system's sun to create huge tides that sweep the planet.
It is impossible to build communities on the land areas that are exposed, because they are above water for only a few hours at a time. The
seas are so violent that no attempt has been made to build floating structures. The atmosphere is breathable with a filter mask, however, and
research continues into how to tame this world. A space station orbits Atol, carrying a few dozen permanent staff, and two or three survey
teams go down into the atmosphere every month.
New Eden
This was the first ideal world discovered by Humanity, and it made the coalition of Corporations, which found it, extremely rich. This
coalition solidified into a mega-Corporation in the years, which followed, and now calls itself New Eden/JV. New Eden/ JV has a strange
Corporate structure that is like a smaller version of the ICC, with the New Eden/JV entity itself functioning as a sort of umbrella and the
various components retaining their own identities and goals. Control of New Eden/JV is determined along democratic lines, with each
member Corporation receiving votes based on its wealth and rate of growth.
When New Eden was discovered, it had an almost ideal climate and environment. Only rudimentary lifeforms existed on the world, but it
proved to be an easy Terraforming job. The world is now completely terraformed, and has a population of 200 million.
The world was colonized very rapidly, and was a spur to the growth of all the involved Corporations and the rest of Humanity as well.
The most talented people in the member Corporations were transferred to New Eden, where they were able to work in an unusual
environment that rival Corporations consider a drawback; personnel on New Eden can easily change their employment from one member of
New Eden/JV to another. This guarantees that everyone is well treated and that real talent is rewarded. Elsewhere in the ICC, it is very
difficult to change Corporations, and this has resulted in stagnation as internal politics became more important than good work.
The good treatment afforded the employees of New Eden/JV has prevented the member Corporations from truly maximizing their short-
term profits, but because of their unique business environment and since the wealth produced by New Eden has been so great, they have been
somewhat magnanimous. Other Corporations generally elect to increase their profits by giving the employees as little as possible, and point
to New Eden/ JV as an example of inefficiency and bad management. Regardless, New Eden is a prosperous and self-sufficient world, its
population has a great deal of freedom, and the member Corporations are all growing quickly and smoothly.
Like, Earth, New Eden was torn apart during the war. Most of the Southern Hemisphere was a warzone with several operating hives. A
couple thousand marines, and one cluster nuke later, the threat was gone. By the end of CL6, New Eden was scarred but livable.
Cyrus
Cyrus will eventually be a comfortable world for humans, and it will have a large and productive Colony. At present, the atmosphere is
toxic and contains insufficient oxygen, and the world's greatest value is that it is one step on the recently completed New Eden - Hilo route.
Cyrus is being terraformed by New Eden/JV, and colonial development will probably begin within the next twenty years.
Medusa
Medusa is cold world with an un-breathable atmosphere, but good potential for future development. It lies on the route that links New
Eden with Hilo, and is early in a Terraforming program being managed by New Eden/JV.
Panamar
This is another Terraforming project for New Eden/JV. A small research and mining station is studying and harvesting a type of
thermogenic plankton; this simple lifeform uses thermal energy instead of sunlight to create hydrocarbons. It is already used in Life Support
systems, and will probably have many other functions as well. Panamar is totally destroyed at CL 5.
Morning Glory
This is the base camp for New Eden/JV's attempt to link up with Micor through Morning Star. It is a Service Base that is currently the
port for deep exploration craft. It became a hotspot of Alien activity and a popular hit for Alien Predators.
Cerebus
The twenty odd dead terrestrial planets orbiting the cold red sun reap little benefits, but clustered together, do provide some financial
benefit. The major location there is the enormous Terminal Station. The Station’s 400 member staff operate in almost complete luxury. The
station controls the mining ships on the planets and controls most traffic through the system. It became a staged Alien Lab when a Weyland
Yutani Trader dropped a complete hive off at their doorstop. At CL5.5, a Beserker team nuked the base.
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MICOR SECTOR
This route runs from Earth to the rich world of Micor, and is below and to the left of Earth on the Star Map. This sector has had a
relatively peaceful past. its Colonies were not self sufficient enough to rebel during the Colonial Wars and the Corporations owning the rich
world of Micor have been complacent and peaceful. The Corporate conflicts which characterize the Hyperdyne and CSC Sectors seem out of
place and the Sector is very prosperous. All this is changing, however, for Micor is supported by a society pushed to the edge of revolt and
greedy Corporations from other Sectors have consolidated their positions enough to begin to look for new avenues of expansion. The Micor
Sector will certainly appeal to many.
Astyanax
This is a small Research Station with only rudimentary spacecraft repair abilities. It is located on a moon in three domed communities,
where a decades-long biological experiment is being run. A team of 20 operates and maintains the station.
The research involves the study of an indigenous life form called Brachous Slugs, and is nearing its completion. Until recently, there was
little interest in this outpost, but last year there was a slight security leak. The stock of the owning Corporation, Falcon Industries, suddenly
soared in value before being pulled off the market. Falcon Industries then bought up all available stock, and began hiring a military force for
the protection of Astyanax.
Whatever the nature of the breakthrough, something has happened on Astyanax and many Corporations are hoping to muscle in on
Falcon's operation, using intimidation, financial trickery or leverage, or brute force. Falcon is obviously unwilling to share this new
development; only time will tell who will profit from the situation, and how valuable this breakthrough really is.
Argos
Argos is a dry, sand-swept world much like Mars. It has little water and a thin atmosphere, and these commodities are carefully
maintained and conserved. Even with these restrictions, Argos is a thriving Colony with a population of 100,000. It is the base for a number
of small manufacturing Corporations, and this industry is supplemented by large cargo facilities that handle commodities from Tartarus. The
location of Argos is its greatest asset; it receives all the traffic to and from the Tartarus Sector, as well as vessels from Earth, Micor, and
Grendel. In all, it is a prosperous, well-run commercial Colony. Beneath the surface, there is also another healthy economy; that of a well-
established network of smugglers dealing in all types of contraband.
West Star
This is a small Mining operation on the moons of the gas giant which rules this system. The operation uses remote mining robots for the
work, and there is a crew of only 60 people here who oversee and maintain the robots. The substance being mined is Helium 3, which is the
standard element used in creating the fusion reactions which generate most of the power in the ICC. When Aliens attacked at CL5, the
robots abandoned the colony and its inhabitants to die.
Feldspar
Feldspar is a Mining World that has been played out. Recent years have seen it transformed into a cargo storage and inspection point on
the Honeycomb - Micor and Micor - Argos routes. Micor is concerned with illegal traffic into its territory (most of it through Grendel), and is
using Feldspar as its control point for all commercial traffic. A Customs and security compound has been added onto the old Mining station,
and space defenses are also being set up. Hyperdyne is running these, although some people question whether Hyperdyne really wants to halt
the illegal activities.
Lobo
A large Colony which has expanded recently due to the increasing trade to and from Honeycomb. Terraforming was completed here only
8 years ago, and the population has grown rapidly to its current level of 70,000. Many of the new residents are involved with the advanced
planning and transfer of the owning Corporations' assets from other worlds to this budding trade center. The Corporations that own Lobo are
organized into a loose consortium called Tradex, which is based on Micor and is superficially similar to New Eden/ JV. Unfortunately,
Tradex exerts little real control here. Tradex vanished after the war when the CMC arrived at Lobo and found half the populace fighting
several large hives in the middle of the colony. The CMC invoked Marshal Law, evacuated the populace, and cleared the hives. At CL6,
Weyland Yutani repopulated the world
The local police and military forces of Tradex are currently under the control of Colonel fi Castel, and he possesses much more power
than is usually given to a Colonial military ill commander. He is an ambitious man who has built up the power of his forces, and has
transferred their loyalty away from Tradex and to himself. This force, which is beginning to resemble a personal army, has been implicated
in high levels of bribery, corruption, and extortion. Castel has certainly encouraged these crimes, and is believed to be associated with
criminal elements and corporate forces that threaten the interests of Tradex.
Tradex is investigating the situation, and charges of embezzlement and treason will probably be filed in the near future. Due to Casters
influence, however, and his links with powerful Corporations, the ICC has declined to assist the Tradex investigation, and may not support
any legal action they take. In the meantime, the Corporations licensed to operate on Lobo can do almost anything, as long as Castel gets a
cut, and crime and smuggling have become the Colony's two major industries.
Alamar
The star in this system is a Red Giant, and Alamar is a Research Space station in orbit around it. There are 80 scientists and technicians
here, conducting general research on stellar exploration probes and supporting equipment.
Summit
Summit is a Colony in the last stages of Terraforming and is prepared for major expansion. The air is now breathable and the climate
mild, so many Corporations are planning to move to this nearly ideal environment. This is the boom world for the next generation, and along
with this economic and population boom will come the problems associated with rapid growth.
The world was developed by the hard work of the original colonists. This was a group of 2,000 people who were members of wealthy
families, and who decided to expand their fortunes in the finest traditions of industry; through intelligent planning, sensible risk-taking, and
honest labor. They formed their own Corporation and set about developing the world of Summit, which had great potential but had been
ignored by its former owners. After decades of Terraforming and preparation, the colonists and their now-grown children are poised to reap
the benefits of their labor.
The only obstacle to the happy fulfillment of this dream is the potential for deceit, treachery, and financial manipulation by the
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Corporations who are flocking to Summit. How the colonists will face this final crisis, and whether their great accomplishment will be
passed on to another generation, is yet to be decided.
Innominata
This dead system is the home of one of the most enigmatic spacelabs in the ICC. The 50 scientists,
technicians, and soldiers stationed here are sworn to secrecy as to its objective even though it did apply and
was granted to keep several Xenomorphs as specimens.
Operated by Colonel Doctor Paul Church, Innominata studies the alien but unlike Orbolab or Casper,
which studied their hive structure, Church was committed to their elimination by attacking individual aliens
rather that the collective force. However, investigations revealed that the funding and estimated loss of
manpower and supplies seems much greater than the original schedule. It is theorized that corporation
grants run into other field relating to the xenomorph’s more mysterious qualities. These experiments move
into new vaccines, youth serums, and cloning techniques.
The station was never closed down.
Byron's Hope
This is the scene of a Canceled Terraforming project by Pindel Corporation. A disaster destroyed the
initial Terraforming site, killed the head of Pindel and some of his top advisers, and ended the Corporation's
efforts here. Lacking effective leadership, Pindel decided to cut its losses and the new Corporate heads have
settled for spending their wealth on Micor. Their quick abandonment of development and business in
exchange for a life of ease is seen by many as a sign of decay within the upper classes of the ICC.
The world holds promise, if it is properly developed. The atmosphere is too thin to breathe and there is no surface water, but these are
fairly simple Terraforming problems. There are rumors that an egg silo is hiding somewhere under its surface.
Micor
This is the richest planet in the ICC, in terms of the standard of living of the inhabitants. It is a nearly ideal world that has been fully
terraformed, and is possessed of an earthlike ecosystem. Micor has become a home for the rich of the ICC; wealthy stockholders from dozens
of Corporations have settled here with their families, and have lives of great ease. Many people who were once powerful in the Nations of
Earth are also here, having accepted Corporate bribes in exchange for their country's economic cooperation. It is noteworthy that the people
who live on Micor are not those who currently have power. They are people who have traded their power for simple wealth, and who are
now reaping the benefits of that decision.
There is little industry on Micor itself. The industry necessary for the world, as well as the 800,000 people necessary to operate that
industry, have been consigned to a large domed colony on Micor's moon. The workers all dream of the ultimate promotion, which is transfer
to Micor itself, and work very hard in pursuit of that dream . Micor also has a vast corps of scientists and researchers on this moon and
scattered in labs across the ICC. These people are graduates of one of Micor's greatest assets, its chain of universities on Earth.
These schools represent the highest education possible for Earth's billions, and allow Micor to select and train the most talented people
available. On graduation, these students are offered positions with Micor, with the inducement that if they are successful, they will be given
wealth and homes on Micor itself, the closest thing to paradise in the ICC. Driven by youthful optimism and courage, many of the best
choose to go with Micor. They are then leased out to small Corporations in need of assistance, where they work in the most advanced
scientific projects in the ICC. Micor receives a share of the proceeds from these projects, and passes on some of its profits to the scientists
responsible. For those who make breakthroughs, the rewards are everything they have been promised. Only a few are successful, however,
and the others continue to work desperately, driven by the desire to reach Micor and the knowledge that their only real option is a trip back to
the poverty and chaos of Earth.
Some of the larger Corporations, ones that do not contract with Micor for scientists, are resentful of the wealth Micor is accumulating, and
they are tired of competing with the graduates of their think tanks. These Corporations are working to undermine Micor from within, and
they are supporting the development of the drug trade to Micor and its moon. They hope that they can disrupt Micor's society, and bring an
end to its monopoly on scientific genius. The leaders of Micor are aware of these efforts, and are trying to defend their social structure.
Micor survived the war, barely. It still stands tall. Their finances struggled but did regain its composure.
Pestron
A world in the early stages of colonization. Basic exploration and Terraforming plans have been made, and the first Atmosphere
Processors are in place. Construction of the west of the Terraforming equipment and of the future Colony are in full swing.
Morning Star
Advanced space exploration base for the establishment of a route from Micor to New Eden. Good progress was being made, but in the last
few years funding has been cut and new exploration is on hold. The rulers of Micor have apparently decided that a direct route o New Eden
is not in their best interests, and they are dragging their feet. The exploration and maintenance crews of Morning Star have been waiting here
for some time, and there is general dissatisfaction.
Bracken’s World
An extremely modified planetoid, Bracken’s world is a strange sight. A concrete lattice covers the entire planet. On this lattice is a
massive kelp bed, which supplies the ICC with a major source of nutrition (mostly seen in emergency rations and air dropped care
packages). Island Atols scattered across the globe maintain the farming community. No Military is present except for an isolated pad and
outpost in the middle of nowhere.
Tartarus Sector
This small Sector branches off from the Micor Sector at Argos. That planet is the scene of the greatest emergency in the ICC in recent
years, as the indigenous Harvesters have surfaced and are destroying the Colony.
Most of Tarturus was untouched by the Xenomorphs.
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Scorcher
A small manufacturing facility on a hot, barren world with no atmosphere. This world is very close to its sun, and the intense heat makes
it uniquely uninhabitable. The Colony survives by being buried under the surface, and is protected by domes with multiple barriers that are
highly reflective. This keeps the heat to a bearable level. The very harshness of the environment is what lends the world its value; the hard
vacuum, the high temperature, and the extremely pure base minerals found readily available here make it easy to produce critical parts for the
drive and power systems used in Spacecraft. This fragile Colony of 5 ,000 is just a moment away from a disaster, because of the brutal
conditions. Even if all systems are properly maintained and the residents are very careful, an unusually large solar flare could still be
devastating; this possibility hangs over the Colony like the threat of an earthquake, or some other natural disaster.
Spacecraft coming into the system stay outside Scorcher's orbit, and special shuttles that can handle the extreme heat handle transportation
to and from the planet. Because of the special expense of this fleet, few non-essential items are found at this facility. Prices for all items are
four times normal, while luxury items and non-essentials cost 20 times the regular price.
Twilight
This Colony harnesses the planet's volcanic energy and magma for ore processing and other mining. Volcanic eruptions have polluted the
atmosphere beyond the ability of any Atmosphere Processor to cleanse it, and the dim light which reaches the surface gave the Colony its
name. The atmosphere is toxic, and the Colony of 15,000 is domed. Robotic rigs float on the seas of magma and handle the mining chores,
and manned vehicles are used to collect the ores.
Devil's Peak
Most of this world is covered by ocean, with only a single landmass rising above its surface. This area is at a very high elevation (15,000
feet above sea level), and contains the Colony. Since the atmosphere is moderately toxic, the Colony exists in four domes, and Atmosphere
Processors are slowly adjusting the air.
Until recently, Devil's Peak was a small but prosperous place, with a population of about 10,000 people. Events on the planet Tartarus
have changed all this, as refugees from that dangerous world have fled to Devil’s Peak by the thousands. At the moment, the population has
reached 40,000, and Biozone Alpha (BZA), which owns Tartarus, has nearly exhausted its resources. There is not enough transportation to
take the refugees on to other systems, and to continue evacuating people from Tartarus; to date, BZA has continued evacuating Tartarus, but
the situation on Devil's Peak is now unstable. The refugees have overcrowded the small Colony, and have stretched its food, water, air, and
living space to the limit. Refugees are being housed in every available area, and production in the Colony has almost stopped. BZA is trying
to pay for the services for the refugees, but it is simply not possible to provide for their needs. Malnutrition and disease are becoming
problems, and crime and violence are at very high levels. As the situation deteriorates, BZA is appealing to the ICC for assistance, and relief
supplies and transportation might be sent in the near future. Even if there is no aid, Colonial Marines will certainly be sent in to handle the
civil unrest, which is building.
Devil’s Peak was the site of a major conflict during the war. A massive cargo freighter crashed landed through one of the domes
containing many Xenomorph specimens. A hive soon developed and only the ingenuity of the inhabitants and marine reinforcements kept
the fighting to a minimum. They fought without many reinforcements for years. When the CMC arrived with a second battalion at the end
of CL5.5, most of the colony was destroyed, but humans rose victorious.
Temple
This is a science outpost on a planet with a toxic atmosphere and low gravity (1/12 Earth) where two dozen researchers are working on
metallurgy. They are being assisted by nearly 50 Synthetics of the latest design, and new techniques are being developed for the use of
Synthetics in research. The manufacturer of the Synthetics, Hyperdyne, is a major supporter of the work on Temple, and hopes to
demonstrate the effectiveness of advanced Synthetics in the sciences and in the operation of facilities on dangerous worlds. One technology
being tested allows a direct transfer of memory from a Synthetic to a Human, and of instructions and guidance from the Human back to the
Synthetic. This would allow Human reasoning and instinct to be more closely coupled with the sheer power of a Synthetic's brain. This
station survived mostly intact throughout the war and became a scientific cornerstone for decades to come.
Ryushi
Ryushi Texas-style dusty atmosphere spurned a very old-style ranch colony. For decades, the colony’s inhabitants exported livestock in
the thousands via cargo transport every six months. The ICC considered Ryushi a grand success in self-sufficiency. The colony lived
peacefully for generations with little crime and a very country-style way of life. Even the inhabitants walked around the unpaved roads in
cowboy hats and riding steeds.
Even during most of the war, the secluded position of Ryushi prevented most infestations from taking hold. However, Ryushi was not
immune to the Alien Predators, who planted alien eggs in the livestock and released the Xenomorphs among the populace for the hunt.
Most of Ryushi was destroyed. Some survivors were rescued later but Ryushi wasn’t re-populated for another few years. But the magic
captured earlier was never tapped again.
Sargon
A small survey outpost of barely 20 families, Sargon IV was discovered destroyed and an Egg Silo was found under the surface. It was
rumored that Weyland Yutani was aware of the Silo was used it as a way to test a new vaccine that would make subject invisible to aliens.
The fact that the station was destroyed indicates that the vaccine didn’t work. The Sargon survey teams did successful core several
interesting samples from under Sargon. A mining colony should be in operation soon.
Traon:
A massive mining complex run by Grant Corp and center of the Deep 4 observation outpost, Traon has been known to be site of a strange
symbiosis between civilian personnel and military forces, whom are often forced to share duties and living quarters. Most of Deep 4 on the
surface is simply landing pads and observation equipment. The rest is subterranean, as for as 2 kilometers down where the primary mining is
conducted. At CL5.5 A Beserker team successfully cleared out in alien hive and operations continued as normal.
Fiorina
The location of the Weyland Yutani operated Maximum Security Double Y Chromosome Work Correctional facility / Toxic Waste
Containment center. Was shut down by CL1 and operated by a minor work force. Was later shut down for no reason in CL2.
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Tartarus
This is an extremely fertile world, with thousands of species of plant and animal hybrids that use the sun's energy and the rich carbon
dioxide/oxygen atmosphere for growth . Although it holds great promise, it is now the site of a major crisis for the ICC.
Tartarus was discovered only a generation ago, but it was already habitable and was quickly developed. An unusual feature of Tartarus is
its rotation, which is perpendicular to its orbit. It takes 40 years to complete its orbit around the sun, so it has a 20-year day and a 20-year
night. The constant sunlight of this extended day produces a vibrant and diverse ecosystem. On the night side there is little life, and the world
waits for day to return . There are three major continents on Tartarus, only one of which is currently in daylight and which is colonized. The
environment has been ideal; there is an abundance of life with no particularly dangerous creatures, and excellent atmosphere and climate.
Knowing about Tartarus' peculiar orbit, the settlements were designed with a slow migration in mind. Each continent would be colonized
in turn, and as night settled over a part of the colony, it would be shut down and the inhabitants would move ahead to a new site, one, which
was entering the daylight.
This process was just beginning a few years ago, as sites which were within a year of twilight prepared for shutdown and the colonists got
ready to transfer to new locations on a continent that was nearing its dawn. Darkness would settle over the rest of the first continent over the
course of eight years. The transfer was eagerly anticipated by all the Corporations present, as a test of their abilities and an opportunity to
develop new areas. It was at this point that the most dangerous native lifeform made its appearance. Scientists had been looking forward to
finding out how the environment handled the transition from day to night, but these ravenous monsters are not what they had in mind.
The creatures are called Harvesters, and that is exactly what they do. As a continent enters its night, these immense, armored creatures
burrow up from tunnels far below the surface to devour all organic materials. This material is shredded and carried back underground, to
cysts where the Harvesters live. The Harvesters live off the organics for years, and slowly generate the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere,
which in turn regenerates the surface life when daylight returns. It is a strange ecological cycle, but one which remains in balance.
Unfortunately, the Harvesters do not differentiate between their natural food and the Colonists who now live on Tartarus.
The Harvesters look something like huge armadillo. They are capable of digging and boring through rock and concrete, and their jaws can
shred almost anything. They move in packs of several dozen, and these packs often fight each other for control of fertile areas . A pack will
coordinate its activities, and organizes for war in the same way that ants do.
Colonial Marines and other forces have been sent to Tartarus to protect the many settlements scattered across the daylight continent.
Missions include evacuating colonists, delaying Harvester attacks, retrieving abandoned equipment from devastated communities, and
Harvester hunting and research. The Harvesters are sweeping across the continent, and will be done with their work within three years if
Humans do not stop them. Parts of the continent will still be in full daylight at that time, however, and Corporations which own communities
in these areas do not want to abandon them until night falls. In these places, plans have been made to defend the communities against
Harvester attacks; how well this will work is unknown.
To assist in these defenses, missions are being sent down into the Harvester tunnels to see if the creatures have a weak point. To date, no
one has reached any of the cysts where the Harvesters live and store their food. When they do, another surprise is waiting for them. The
Harvesters have a smaller form, which never leaves the cyst, called a Drone, which is used to defend the cyst from underground pests,
ranging in size from small insects up to nearly Human size. The Drone is little more than a large pair of powerful jaws, and it is not even a
self-supporting life form. Instead, the Drones grow on Harvester variants called Carriers. When they leave their Carrier to fight, they have
only a few hours of life left. They attack the invading creatures by biting with their immense jaws, which lock in place. Like a bee, they give
their lives defending their lair.
Deadfall
Deadfall is a research station studying the mechanics and processes involved in Terraforming. The world is an Earth-sized planet with a
good temperature, but little atmosphere or surface water, and minimal volcanic activity. This static situation has made it an ideal laboratory
for studies of atmospheric development and volcanic activity.
To promote volcanic activity, asteroids are being thrown into Deadfall; the impacts of these asteroids trigger shatter parts of the planet's
crust, and the resulting movements and volcanoes are studied by a facility with 30 scientists and about 100 people responsible for moving the
asteroids. The asteroid movers were formerly asteroid miners, but their contracts were bought up for this unusual activity. Specially designed
Tug Spacecraft are being used, as well as nuclear detonations; the work is naturally under tight security, and a detachment of Colonial
Marines and 20 special ICC Agents protect these technologies.
PEOPLE &
GROUPS
This is the last known transmission from Dr. Waidslaw Orona (CL5.5) on Earth before committing suicide, moments before his
lab was overrun:
“I-I've lost track of time since the Bio-National attack. I’ve barricaded myself in my office to give me time to prepare this final report.
Evidently the alien queen is able to communicate in some subconscious fashion. With other species, in human beings, these disseminations
manifest themselves in the form of pattern nightmares. The dreams were a lure. At first we thought we’d be able to contain the spore.
Infestation seemed limited to a narrow geographical range. And yet for every cluster we found, there were ten more just like it. The aliens’
subconscious bait transcended class and political boundaries. We found hives everywhere. With each new discovery, our hope of destroying
the creatures before they entered the civilian population faded. However we still considered containment an option. In studying the Bio-
National files we learned their queen had gestated a number of weeks to prior maturation. Using their experiment as a baseline, I assumed
we still had time before any new queens would become viable. I was wrong.
PEOPLE
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Doctor Orona has PhD in many realms but he fancies himself a geneticist. He took charge of the CMC’s Biological Management
Control Division when the first evidence of the Xenomorphs appeared. Past CL4, all Sanction hives needed to be approved by him and only
him. By CL4, he’d become the single most experienced scientist to the Aliens. His teams’ research concentrated more on defending
colonies to the infestations but this required several life specimens to be kept in study. The end result was his popular “Theory of Alien
Propagation” paper which was required reading to all CMC personnel past CL4.
“Perhaps our worst mistake was underestimating the sheer instinctual cunning of the creatures. We didn’t
see the underlying pattern behind their evolutionary process—the way every facet of their existence was geared
toward propagation. The queens matured at whatever speed their survival dictated. We had assumed the
gestation period was time for the alien embryo to feed and grow, but it was more than that, it was an opportunity
for the unknowing host to spread it’s spore to other sites.
“There was a geometric perfection to the infestation. Each queen would lay still more queens, and with every
generation the spore became more entrenched, more…<WHUMP!!> …Ahh At last. The civilian authority was
weak in the face of the devastation. When the generals finally staged their coup, it seemed almost—welcome.
The Military created testing centers where physicians checked civilians for signs of the alien infection. At first
the tests were voluntarily. Within days, that changed. There were rumors the military was using the pretext of
alien infection to eliminate political dissidents—the poor, the disaffected—As if such petty rivalries even
mattered.
He studied the effects on aliens when placed in adverse environments and also studied the aliens’ influence on humans. His greatest
fear was allowing what he learned to be exposed to those that would mutate his research. However, by CL4, it was unavoidable.
Information leaked at the end of CL4 about Orona’s research. They discovered Bio-National kept an alien under heavy guard…a queen.
When the Salaje cult discovered this, they mobbed the facility and broke into the small Hive. The resulting infestation started the Earth
War. When Orona and the CMC discovered the Alien presence on Earth, Orono proposed a drastic final measure. Nicknamed “Orona’s
Bombs”, these were devised to launch from sealed silos and float in orbit, seeking out alien hives, and the weapons would then speed down
to the surface and airburst over the hive with a destructive yield of 40megatons. When the project was finished, over 1000 missiles were
constructed. All would launch from a single location, controlled by Orona’s team. The missiles never fired. Orona’s bombs remain in their
hangers, clumped at the CMC ground HQ in Nevada.
NOTABLE SKILLS: Xenobiology (+8), Paramedic (+9), Biology (+7), Tactics (+7)
“Vital services—water, electricity—began to fail. We’ve heard of infestation in Europe and Australia. The
seed is growing with remarkable speed. From all this, I’ve come to understand something about humanity. Man
is an animal, driven by animal passions. Civilization is a pathetic charade of manners, predicated by a tissue thin
veil of lies. In the future—if there is a future—historians may blame our failures on some external cause—the
aliens. Bio-National. Fate. I know the truth. Those things didn’t destroy us. We did. <WUMP!!>
They—They’ll be here soon,. The military has organized off world ships to evacuate ‘vital personnel’ to the
other colonies—mainly their own precious hides. I’ve chosen to remain behind.
“We made the mistake of perceiving the aliens as sentient warriors. I finally realized the truth. They’re
diseases. A cancer. My—My mother died of cancer. Odd, how I’ve been thinking of her. Years ago, following
surgery, doctors would apply radiation to the affected area in hope of destroying all traces of the scourge. It sounds
so primitive, but there are times when the old ways are most effective. I’ve times the detonation to coincide with
the military’s escape. They think they can destroy the creatures. They think someday, they’ll be able to come back
to their world. There’s something pathetic about the struggle. My only regret is that I won’t survive to see them
proven wrong.
“I take pride in my pragmatism—I realize this transmission is pointless. I doubt if the long-range relay stations
are even operational. Still if anyone is actually seeing this—I Just—I <SKRUNCH!!>
“Doesn’t really matter does it? I’ve never actually fired one of these thing. I feel rather…foolish.” <BANG!!>
Regulations are quite clear on procedure in cases like this, but you must admit it was an unusual situation. He had been married for six
years. He took pains to make it look like a robbery gone bad. The police didn’t suspect a thing. Under the circumstances, Massey
performed admirably. He had a psyche profile done after and he registered within tolerable limits. Make you wonder how it feels being a
sociopath. At CL3, he ran the Xenomorph division and committed himself to making sure Bio-National was the leader in Biological
123
SALVAJE
AVAILABLE AT: CL4
The leader of the Salvaje cult. Refer to Religion.
<Log on.
<Eyes Only
<Override Clearance A1A required
<Major Eugene Powell, USCMC
<In Light of recent events, I have opened a daily log to summarize my assessment of base commander Spear'’
fitness for duty.
<I realize these notes could be constructed as mutinous—even traitorous—But it has fallen to me to keep some
sort of record.
<At 0900 hours I relieved Lt. Brinbridge and took over as Duty Officer in the main habitat. I observed General
Spears alone, near one of the containment vessels. He seemed to be watching them
NOTABLE SKILLS: Obsessed with Aliens (10), Bad Temper (5), Tactics (+7), Leadership (+10)
<At 1023 hours, I overheard the General mutter something under his breath, he was smiling as he said it repeating
himself several times. Perfection.
<The General’s behavior has been erratic for months. I had come to believe Earth’s plagues had been destroyed
by an all-out nuclear attack. None of that was any concern to General Spears.
<The General’s obsession with the alien has clouded his reason. He answers to no authority but his own. I have
seen enough killing—It has to stop. The General has his loyalists, but it’s only a matter of time before there is
open rebellion. And God help us when it starts.
<Log Off.>
Eloise has only basic behavioral inhibitors. She is not bound by an inability to harm humans, she is only programmed with a basic
morality of what is good and what is bad. Eloise also has problems figuring her origin since she is part human and part alien. As a result,
Eloise cannot be harmed by any Alien, no matter what; she can perfectly assimilate into a hive. She is also loyal to humans as well ,but
would rather help humans passively by commanding aliens to not attack rather than kill hem directly. However, she is capable of killing
both human and alien if her morality of good and bad skewers her in one way.
Eloise was designed at the Adullam Research facility and escaped with the survivors and a few aliens when the base was destroyed.
She is reported missing and a hunt is underway. By CL6, she has yet to be taken into official custody. There have been reports of run ins
with her ship though by some CMC squads. All reports have been compartmentalized.
NOTABLE SKILLS: All skills from an Adcap with an additional +1
IVY DERRINGER
AVAILABLE AT: CL3
Ivy Derringer is the kind of person that is always under a spotlight, and even though sometimes, she serves
a purpose, you continually pray for that spotlight to land on her.
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“You know what’s great about Ivy Derringer? Its not that she’s the hottest lookin’ piece of stuff in the
cosmos. It’s not that she’s the richest woman in the world. It’s not that her company, Skank, made 125 billion
last year. It’s that she’s sweet-talked all of us into spending one-third of our income on her products. If you
eat, drink, take drugs, you buy her products. She shakes it and we come running. Man I admire it so much!!”
Darryl Zither, Barabazon
Ivy was killed when a class 10 virus destroyed Celeste. Her corporation fell soon after.
NOTABLE SKILLS: Beurocratics (+6), Persuasion (+9), Business (+8), Beautiful (+4), Seduction (+6)
Paul Church’s life and work is shrouded in mystery. He runs the Innominata Space lab. He experiments on
aliens but also humans, although only he and a few of his inner circle know the later. He is secretly working on
metabiotics, self-replicating brain tissue, acquired infrasensory abilities, and the rumored “Time Serum”. Paul
Church is, by all classification, insane. He survived two months inside a dying alien hive and learned about their
culture from the inside. He survived only because the aliens were suffering without a queen and were unable to
produce a royal jelly event with a viable embryo. No aliens were being born. Church was impregnated but, after
escaping, had it removed. He stayed near the hive. After it died, he waited for rescue, which took more than a
month. He was debriefed in length. The company considered his experience most valuable. As compensation for
his ordeal in service for the government, he was granted a full biomechanical makeover. He studied the aliens ever
since. Church believes that he is the most powerful human alive and considers himself a higher form of life. His
value for human life is, of course very low. It is possible he is trying to make human race into his own image, some
form of Hived mind similar to the aliens. Because of his iron fist control of Innominata, when someone finally
discovers his evil plan and puts an end to it, it may be too late.
NOTABLE SKILLS: Xenobiology (+10), Synthetics (+7), All Sciences (+7)
DANIEL GRANT
AVAILABLE AT: CL1
Daniel Grant is the president of Grant Corp, one of the largest corporations in the ICC. He is
young, good looking, and rich—the world's most eligible bachelor. His fingers ran deep in many fields
of expertise, including alien research, but he does not support keeping the species alive for bio-weapon
purposes. Grant Corp supports sanctioned hives because of their large medicinal industry. Neo-Pharm,
their successful sub-industry, creates the wonder drug, Xeno-Zip and uses Alien Royal Jelly as a prime
ingredient. Synthetic formulas have failed so Grant Corps has sent expeditions to alien Hives to extract
the substance. On one mission,. Grant accompanied the team and reportedly came close to death. After
that, Grant Corp became a supported for the alien’s elimination even though they have a sanctioned
hive at CL5. At the end of CL6, Grant Corp was one of the few corporations still standing. It was
rumored that Grant Corp was the sole corporation that funded the CMC.
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GROPIUS LYSENKO
AVAILABLE AT: CL2
Gropius Lysnko died at CL5 after catching a bad case of morals. He ran Weyland - Yutani's bioweapon's
division for years, researching the aliens and their potential for profit. Lysenko was a research biochemist that
was privatly investigating the aliens because of their Royal Jelly. He was convinced that by examining them, he
could unravel mankind's own mental processes. He worked for Neo-Pharm under GrantCorp initially,
developing the famous Xeno-Zip. He couldn't take Xeno-Zip with him when he left, but he did carry a lot of
information. He was picked up by Weyland - Yutani later. Lysenko never agreed with their policy on the
infestation of colonies for research. He was researching the psychoactive properties of certain royal jelly
derivitives when he stopped his research. He also started experimenting on himself. He vanished and was
presumed dead. His last notes indicated a breakthrough in separating his mind from his physical form but no proof was given.
NOTABLE SKILLS: Xenobiology (+8), Bureaucratic (+3), Paramedic (+6), Biology (+4)
HERK MONDO
AVAILABLE AT: CL4
Herk Mondo is a legend in the CMC. Carrying a cannon in one hand, a six pack in the other, Herk has
swept through outposts and colonies, eliminating their alien infestations. Herk Mondo is a self-proclaimed
professional bug hunter. Stories are passed about him in boot camp—Stories about him taking on hives single-
handedly. Rumors pass that he is a total psycho. He actually enjoys his work. However he still does it for
money (double Mercenary cost—see below). However, he does have a soft spot for kids and women. Herk
flies around in a modified drop ship, which is not licensed. The CMC frowns on his activities but turns a blind
eye to them. Corporations have unofficially put a bounty on his head.
NOTABLE SKILLS: All Military skills.
GROUPS
Ship repair can be done simply as (1 K = 10 000 repair cost). Even a ship down to 0 K still has many systems intact…Even though a
6K tank may cost 2 million, $60 000 will only be needed to get a 0 K tank back on the field. Time can also be simply made as (1 K = 7
days). These numbers can all be adjusted by the GM of course. To decrease cost, consider decreasing it by 1 000 for every TL the Group is
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at. You can also reduce the repair time by one day per TL. These are simple guides and are open to change by the GM. A ship beyond – ½
their total Structure is wasted (Most of this info is repeated in the Cost of Living section)
BEEKEEPERS
AVAILABLE AT: CL5
Beekeepers have the most hazardous duty around. They venture out, looking for viable hives. They don’t eliminate them, but seek to
extract the extremely valuable Royal Jelly. They use suppressor technology to incapacitate the hives, then extremely depressive individuals
with very low self-worth infiltrate the Hive to extract the Jelly. For costs of Jelly and rules of selling, refer to the chapter on Medicine.
Beekeepers generally move in cargo vessels and are crewed by ex-corporate engineers rather than military personnel. Bee keeping is
prohibited and proof of the activity may be punishable by extremely long jail term.
REQUIRMENTS:
SHIP: M-Class Starfreighter, T-1 Hauler, Dolomite Hauler, ZCT Vessel, or SV-90 Freighter
CREW: At least six, average around eight to twelve.
ADDITIONS: Some form of Suppressor device.
Someone with Xenobiology skills.
At least three people with military training.
crewmembers are generally…mean.
MERCANARIES
AVAILABLE AT: CL1
Mercenaries and soldiers of hire. The name and their career history has been recorded throughout history in one form or another. They
are hired by corporations, colonies, governments—anyone with the money and the need for their services. Most Mercs are ex Colonial
Marines. They travel in modified craft to the systems that needs them. Some stick with specific corporations, others remain on distant
colonies as permanent security.
Mercs come in all shapes, sizes, and dispositions. Some fight the system, some are greedier and more sinister then those who hire
them. The CMC does not endorse the hiring or Mercenaries for any activity but they have served alongside some better-known groups in
hot-zones.
All mercenaries work under Contract with corporations or Nations. For game purposes, a Contract defines the term of service or the
mission of the Mercenaries, how much they will be paid, and any special conditions or clauses that are needed. The fine print of these
contracts is not important, unless the GM decided to add that level of role-playing to the game.
In general, a Corporation that hires Mercenaries will pay enough money to cover their normal equipment costs, salaries, and any
medical aid necessary, and will provide transportation to and from the site of the job. Money is deducted from the contract for any corporate
property damaged or destroyed, and for special expenses.
For purchasing a mercenary per mission, add up his CP + OP total and multiply by 100 per month. Every member of the team
increases the total cost of the unit by 100 per man. If the team has a ship, the cost jacks up to cover the repair and maintenance costs. The
basic cost of a merc team with a ship increases by +1000 per K of the ship.
The Corporation usually supplies an Officer to lead the mission, although this NPC will stay away from the battlefield if at all possible.
His or her duty is to direct the Mercenaries and keep track of what they do, not to take any risks. The same can be said of any Auxiliaries
supplies by the Corporation; these NPCs are available if the Mercenaries do not have their own.
Mercenaries rarely have their own ships, so these are also supplied. They do not enter combat situation and will usually abandon the
Mercenaries on the ground rather than try to pick them up while they are under fire; if the dropship is damaged; the mercenaries must pay for
the repairs. For Mercenaries who do not have their own APC, this can also be supplied. Since the characters will be driving it, they may do
with as they wish, but again, any damage to it will be subtracted from their Contract’s value. It is quite possible for a Mercenary Strike Team
to end up owing money to its employer, a debt that is usually worked off by taking an additional Mission at a reduced Contract value.
If unusual expenses can be reasonable expected, these are added to the contract
REQUIRMENTS:
SHIP: M-Class Starfreighter, Dolomite, ZCT Transport, SV-90, Snakefighter, or Conestoga. The last two are the GM’s discretion.
Should have ½ firepower.
CREW: Eight and up to fifty.
ADDITIONS: All members should have military training of some sort
(At least 3 points in “M” skills per character).
CORPORATE RETAINERS
AVAILABLE AT: CL1
Retainers are similar to Mercenaries and are outside the standard military of the Corporation. They are usually organized as Strike
teams which handle specific Corporate needs in exchange for financial contracts of carrying duration. People in these units are similar to the
normal military personnel that a Corporation might hire on Salary, but they differ ii that they are usually of outside origin and have a certain
identify of their own. The origin of a unit of Retainers might be the military or a destroyed Corporation or faction within a corporation, or it
might be one of the colony worlds. Former Colonials make up the bulk of Retainers, as there are may worlds that have more people than
wealth, and “expert” soldiers. They are trained and given basic equipment before being sent to a corporation, which then supports them with
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additional equipment, and gives them any special training or indoctrination needed. The Retainers pays them and supports their families.
The main reason Retainers work in Strike teams is a simple one; Corporations do not trust them to be organized in any larger numbers.
For Characters, life as a Corporate Retainer has several advantages. The Corporation is available as a source of financial and military
support, and usually pays well. The Characters still have a degree of freedom, however, and can approach problems in their own way
without so much interference from the Corporation. Additionally, if they get a better offer or see a special opportunity arrive, they can
probably get out of their Contract and move on their careers. One the other hand, Retainers can find themselves working for a Corporation
which is less than honorable, or which is not too concerned with their welfare.
The standard Contract lasts for one Year, although longer terms are very common. When they have no pressing duties, they live and
are paid like idle Colonial Marines; the pay scale is exactly the same. If they receive a mission or go into combat for any reason, they receive
combat pay for that month.
The value of combat pay is usually the same as normal Mercenary salary of the Strike Team, as calculated above, although the contract
value for especially dangerous missions would be increased and might well be two or three times this amount. A large potion of the money
is used for group overhead and military costs, including ammunition and so forth, and any remaining funds are split among the members of
the unit for their personal use. How the profits are shared is up to the members of the Strike Team, and does not have to follow standard
salary guidelines; for example, the unit’s leader usually receives a larger share than the others, regardless of skills.
REQUIRMENTS:
SHIP: Any type assigned from the Corporation
CREW: Anywhere from three to fifty.
ADDITIONS: All members should have military training of some sort
(At least 3 points in “M” skills per character).
CORPORATIONS
Some corporations have whole worlds that they control themselves; some even renamed them after their ownership. Most, however,
station headquarters on major worlds and share duties with other corporations. Even the huge participate. It is the way the ICC works. It all
depends on where a corporation places its eggs. Bio-National, for example, has no world under their total control until a few of their
sanctioned hives appeared but still supplied almost 90% of the ICC’s medical supplies. How many worlds you control does not lead to how
much power you have. Knowing that, GrantCorp, Weyland Yutani, and Hyperdyne are still the largest corporations in the ICC. There are
many corporations not mentioned. The CSC has 13 divisions but I only bring up the ones I am aware of. Make up the others as you see fit…
GRANTCORP
Daniel Grant’s Corporation started his childhood dream in his basement when Weyland Yutani was controlling the spacelanes. As he
acquired mining rights and medical grants, he and his staff developed advanced technologies that were more than just effective, they were
cheap. GrantCorp offered low-grade alternatives to the huge marked-up products of larger corporations that cornered the market in their
field.
GrantCorp was not considered a threat until it patented the smallest plasma generator on the market. This Phased Plasma Drive was
quickly used in more than ten different fields of expertise. This included propulsion, defense, and assault. GrantCorp’s real strength lied in
its security. Every attempt to steal their designs proved fruitless. GrantCorp’s security measures prevented their designs from being lifted.
Soon the Phased Plasma Infantry Gun was purchased in the thousands by the CMC. The Plasma Energy Drive became the standard backup
drive to most ships in the ICC. Later, the Plasma Cannon and Plasma Rifles hit the market. GrantCorp’s fingers stretched into new fields
including spacecraft manufacturing, colony management, and medical technology.
When the Aliens appeared, GrantCorp’s approach was that of defense. Unlike most groups, GrantCorp was committed to destroy all
sources of the alien infestation except for areas where control was assured. GrantCorp butted heads with most other corporations as a result
but not as bad as Bio-National that physically tangled with GrantCorp on more than one occasion. Daniel Grant, who controls the Corp
without an inner circle, believes the creatures to be too hostile to remain in existence. Even GrantCorp’s sanctioned hives are committed to
their extermination. To that end, the CMC received more than 50% of their operating budget from donations from GrantCorp. GC also
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offered indefinite leasing of their military technology. This first started with the basic Plasma Rifle and
Cannon but when the Alien threat increased, GC responded with Nutra-Gel, the first substance that would
easily and cheaply counter-act the alien acid. This was used in many fields including research and in
defense in the form of the state of the art Acid Neutralizing Combat Wardrobe.
GrantCorp enlists the help of the CMC and mercenaries often but not usually for infiltration or sabotage
missions unless it serves to eliminate the alien presence. GrantCorp often sent CMC missions to alien
infested worlds at CL4 to recover alien Royal Jelly.
GrantCorp survived through most of the war. Their main headquarters on Earth was evacuated and spread out, with Grant himself,
stationed on the USS Razzia. After the war, GrantCorp resettled, as of the few corporations left, back on Earth. However, GC has
hypocrisy. That is one of its subdivisions
NOTABLE SUBDIVISION: NEO-PHARM:
Neo-Pharm is the only major medical group threatening Bio-National’s hold on the R&D of medicine and surgery. Their ideals
on the alien organism are mirror opposite. Bio-National contains a bio-weapons division but Neo-Pharm only uses the alien for Xeno-Zip
(See next chapter), which uses the alien Royal Jelly as a prime ingredient. The Xeno-Zip formula was kept under tight wraps even though
the Nutra-Gel technology was stolen by ZCT. Luckily, after ZCT’s demise, that formula became GC exclusive again. Neo-Pharm utilized
more than 70% of GC’s budget but the demand for Xeno-Zip made the investment worthwhile. When the aliens were eliminated at CL6,
Neo-Pharm had spread out its interests and remained afloat.
Because of the Government’s inability to handle the over-burned correctional system, the practice was commercialized and Weyland-
Yutani became one of the top enterprises in the field. The company's success in space exploration and settling terraforming colonies made
creating a network of outer-rim prison planets an easy task. The facilities act not only as prisons, but also as mines where inmates serve
sentences of hard labor, and produce valuable commodities at the same time.
Weyland-Yutani works closely with the Government in the development of new weapons technology in order to ensure the safety of its
terraforming colonies transport ships, and the lives of Company employees who serve on them. Mankind has explored space for centuries,
and the discovery of every new world presents new dangers. These factors are taken very seriously by the Company, and the
Bio-Weapons Division is constantly developing new forms of protection against such threats.
In this universe of fear, treachery, and intrigue, it is very difficult to know your true friends. However, are out there. By far, your most
powerful one is Weyland Yutani.
Weyland Yutani Bioweapons division strived to control the Alien organism. They were the first to encounter them on their world of
Acheron and attempted to keep their discovery secret but the CMC’s investigation opened the door. Hyperdyne was the first to try to jump
on the discovery. Their attempts to secure the creature exclusively for themselves failed and the aliens spread across the universe. WY has
even been known to start infestations in colonized areas to observe the effects. There was a major controversy at CL4 when it was
discovered WY was using their Red Giant Spaceliner ships for years as cover for secret -- probably highly illegal -- experiments on this alien
species. Because their headquarters are stationed off world, Weyland Yutani survived the war but suffered badly because of public backlash
of their activities before and during. Their operating size was sliced more than half after the war because of destroyed or rebelling colonies.
HYPERDYNE SYSTEMS
Hyperdyne was once the largest corporations around until Weyland Yutani sprouted. At first Hyperdyne and WY conducted a prosperous
relationship for many years. When Weyland Yutani started encroaching on Hyperdyne territory, Hyperdyne closed off their doors and
attempted to curtail the progress of their “partner.” At about the time the ICC was formed, Hyperdyne sabotaged certain critical operations at
Weyland-Yutani, and attempted to take full control of the Sector for itself. Weyland-Yutani recovered from Hyperdyne's treachery, however,
and now holds a critical position in the Sector. There has been no open warfare between the two Corporations in many years, but there is a
certain tension in their dealings with each other.
Hyperdyne builds many spacecraft designs and controls more worlds than any other corporation. They spearheaded the development and
is still the controlling force in the manufacturing of Synthetics. Even though Synths are constructed by almost ever corporation, none
produce them in the volume of Hyperdyne. The are responsible for every new technology in the field including the AdCap synth, the
Xenomorphic production model, and the Liston and Jerry type combat synthetics.
Hyperdyne still maintains an iron fist control over the colonies under their funding. Essentially, Hyperdyne is a twin of Weyland Yutani,
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with fingers in almost every field of modern life. The twelve board members command the corporation in secrecy. They operate within their
own sector and often follow their own rules, including setting up the Arcturus loop to avoid ICC regulations. They also have the largest
military to enforce its control.
When the xenomorphs arrived, Hyperdyne struck hard to acquire research. They were committed to the study of the alien purely as the
ultimate evolution of a natural killing machine but their research did not delve into the desire to control, exterminate or simply extirpate the
species. Hyperdyne truly believed that the alien species would be a limited threat like the Harvesters on Tarturus and would only be a danger
to the members of poorly defended rim colonies. Since Hyperdyne had a substantial military force with good relations to the CMC, no bad
could came out of it.
By CL5, many of their colonies had been infested and when their home planet was struck (Hilo, not Earth), they realized that they had
underestimated the threat and the greed of mankind. Hyperdyne considered itself a close knit family of people and colonies, and if the entire
universe fell apart, they would care less. Even when the aliens were walking across White House lawn, Hyperdyne hardly lifted a finger.
Hyperdyne was the last force to be actively involved in the war. Hyperdyne’s military never left the sector during the war. Even when huge
colonies fell to the infestation, Hyperdyne kept their forces on their colonies for personal defense. When the inevitable attack occurred,
Hyperdyne was overrun because of the lack of reinforcements from other sectors.
After the war, little of Hyperdyne survived. They size shrunk so much, they bore little resemblance of the empire before. Hyperdyne
seldom hired any external forces even though they sometimes employed CMC personnel for missions that involved expeditions outside their
sector. Hyperdyne seldom sends their military outside their own space. Mercenaries and Retainers are slim.
AERODYNE INC.
One of the larger corporations that sometimes is considered on the short list for being on equal stature with Weyland Yutani, Hyperdyne,
and the others, Aerodyne runs colonies and builds spacecraft, making them very self-sufficient. They are committed to expanding their space
and when Borodina fell through, Aerodyne quickly moved in to take control. They have working relationships with all the big corporations,
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in hopes in sometime joining them. Aerodyne is not known for stepping on other’s toes. They even have such lucrative agreements to
actually supply Hyperdyne and Weyland-Yutani corporations’ colonies with supplies and spacecraft. The three even worked together to set
up the Arcturus loop. It seems certain that Aerodyne would soon become a major contender. Unfortunately, when the war started, Aerodyne
was unprepared. There were rumors that Weyland Yutani tired to use the war to take control of the Arcturus loop. To this end, the aliens
totally overran the colonies of Aerodyne. When the Homeworld fell, Aerodyne crumbled. Too bad. Up until, CL5, they were considered
the most popular of all corporations. The founding member of Aerodyne, Jonas Weir, works for Hyperdyne now.
NEW EDEN / JV
The corporation which was formed around the colony of the same name, New Eden/ JV has a strange Corporate structure that is like a
smaller version of the ICC, with the New Eden/JV entity itself functioning as a sort of umbrella and the various components retaining their
own identities and goals. Control of New Eden/JV is determined along democratic lines, with each Member Corporation receiving votes
based on its wealth and rate of growth. New Eden prospered but took a pounding during the war. New Eden became isolated after and New
Eden accepted little help or intrusions from anyone. They still considered themselves part of the ICC, but their personal security increased to
the extent that virtually no one was allowed to even enter their space after CL5.5. That isolationism remained until the end of CL6. New
Eden/JV committed itself to keeping the alien threat away…even if it meant turning away ships that needed emergency aid.
NOTABLE CORPORATION: MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES “MEDTECH”
MedTech was the only corporations under New Eden / JV that had a corporate headquarters outside the New Eden Sector.
Medtech’s Earth location proved disastrous. Medtech already had a few sanctioned hives on perimeter New Eden worlds. When the war
started and New Eden itself was infested, New Eden / JV cleared out their infestation and promptly wasted all of MedTech’s investments,
driving them into bankruptcy. They then had to deal with the alien infestation. They found themselves trapped and broke. They didn’t stand
a chance. Before the war, they were considered one of the leaders in the research of aliens. They even kept a few drones as specimens in the
Earth Headquarters. They perfected a very effective way to transport adult aliens without danger…obviously…it wasn’t without risk.
FALCON INDUSTRIES
Falcon Industries spurned out of nowhere recently when their stocks soared. This spiral came from the amazing colony world of
Astyanax. Flacon Industries ran its headquarters on the moon and all of its subsidiaries from this system, making Falcon very small. Most
corporations don’t even have a world of their own even though they have headquarters over the ICC. Falcon resides exclusively on
Asyantax’s moon and commits their entire budget to maintaining that world. To that end, Falcon Industries supplied itself with a substantial
military force with grants with the CMC for security. This made Astyanax the most fortified world of its size.
Falcon Industries does not play ball with other corporations. They don’t trade much with any corporation and only deal with those that
can supply Falcon with the necessities of life. Flacon’s seclusion protected it during the war. After, they rose from the ashes.
SUMMIT
Summit is a family-owned corporation, if anything can be called family in this day and age. It resides and operates solely from the planet
of the same name. The corporation was founded and is run by the original founders of the colony, many years ago. Summit was a tightly
woven group that accepted few newcomers. When they are, they are treated like family. Summit was very loyal to its employees and has
never betrayed even a sole individual for greater glory. Summit failed to improve its stature appears to have little goals beyond the borders
of the Summit system. Its morals have crossed the line with other corporations that have tried to muscle in on the rich world of Summit.
The one joker in Summit’s deck is the CMC. Summit has a very prominent and loyal military force accentuated by one of the largest
CMC forces ever loaned to a corporation. Summit offered few funds because of their limited size but did offer a planet free from corporation
hounds, free for leisure and for free for training. The CMC took this opportunity to make it a anchor for CMC patrols. Summit has almost
three CMC squads in its system at any given time with one division permanently loaned on the planet. Marines here are loyal and among the
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best since many marines ask for a tour on Summit. It is a cakewalk; only the best are allowed to go. The last time a rival military force
entered the system, they didn’t get past the outer perimeter before a regiment of Colonial forces flanked them and sent them on their way.
When Summit was infested, the hive barely lasted a week before an armada of CMC forces cleared it out. Summit survived and became one
of the major CMC supports before, during, and after the war.
PINDEL INC.
Byron’s Hope‘s cancelled terraforming program spelled doom for Pindel. Jon Walker, head of Pindel, died in the disaster (see Known
Universe) and the new council left the planet and their assets. Their headquarters on Micor seemed untouched during their crisis until the
infestation arrived. Pindel hardly could lift a finger before all their external assets were liquidated. When Micor was stabilized, Pindel was
nowhere to be seen. The building was evacuated, gutted with all machinery missing.
It was thought they packed up when the infestation arrived at Micor and left the ICC on whatever ships they had left. Some say they
dropped by Byron’s Hope on the way out, but there was no reasoning why they would do that. Pindel’s fate still remains a mystery.
COSTS OF
LIVING
RECOVERY: <Optional>
Recovery can be used as normal or can be increased by adding double the tech level of medical equipment. If its TL4 and the character
has a recovery of 12, the recovery in medical care is 20 (12 + 4 x 2). The stay in the hospital would then drop accordingly.
MEDICAL BREATHROUGHS:
CYBERNETICS (TL1):
Cybernetics came along way in the decades since their introduction in the late 20trh century. Unlike current views, their progression did
not evolve into fashion or into some form of additional use beyond the limb they replaced. Although this fad did exist in the early 21st
century, when the boom in microelectronics allowed for a 100% efficient simulation of the original appendage, most found themselves left
with an out-of-style machinery usually permanently mounted on their body.
By the beginning of the Synthetic era, which saw the replacement of traditional electronics with bio mimicking silicon wetwear, the
possibility for improvement in the cybernetic realm increased. By the time full body replicants were being constructed, up to 80% of the
human body could be realistically replaced by synthetic parts and still maintain a mental sanity as well as a general human appearance.
Metallic and enhanced cybernetics are all but forgotten, replaced by limbs which resemble the originals in almost perfect detail, right
down to mimicking a pulse and even fingerprints. Insurance will cover all forms of synthetic replacements of organs and appendages lost
from any non-self inflicting action. The new limbs operate exactly like their original and only the small scar around the connection gives it
away. Even pain sensors are connected, although toned down slightly (Any stun damage done do that area is halved). Insurance will not
cover increases in strength or additional abilities.
If the characters are not covered by insurance and lose a limb in the in the line of duty (Smugglers for example), they will have to
purchase it. The hospital stay is usually a week. Limbs are quicker but the limb also needs to be trained.
PART COST
Internal Organs (Heart, Lungs, Stomach, etc) 5000
Minor limbs (fingers, toes, nose, ears, sexual, etc) 800
Major Limbs (Legs/Arms, not hands or feet) 3000
Manipulators (complete Hand / Foot) 2500
RULES
--Synthetics limbs can take a bit more damage. Take the normal damage capacity of a person’s limb (1/4 of the Body’s hits) and increase
it by 50%.
--If a PC is forced to do surgery on a Synthetic limb, Engineer—Synthetic is the appropriate skill.
--If the surgery involves entering the human body, both surgery skills and synthetic skills are required. Two separate characters can be
used for the procedure of course.
--Synthetic parts still need to be serviced ever year of service (400 if uninsured, DV 15 for a PC to do it) If this service is not done, the
part will fail within a year.
--Synthetic parts will last five years before needing replacement.
--A character who has a large portion of his body replaced can use the synthetic rules and statistics.
--Limbs can be improved but insurance will not cover it. The CMC has been known to do it under the table though.
--Metal limbs and substantial improvements (hidden weapons, etc) are explain in detail in Cyberpunk 2020.
Use that or the new FUZION Cyberpunk 3.0 for costs and abilities.
F.I.T.R.
FITR is a telepathine that induces a sense of invulnerability and increased mental strength in whoever takes it.
It had been in use for a long period of time in a variety of doses to treat certain psychological conditions, but the
increased dosage increases the potential of the drug. By the appearance of the psychically aware aliens, FITR soon
found a use after it was discovered aliens can be affected by the willpower of a subject. Although FITR had been
present for many years, it wasn’t until Dr. Paul Church’s research did the its potential against the aliens reveal
itself.
FITR can be injected or swallowed in pill form. Each dose lasts for one hour and effectively doubles the
subject’s Willpower for that time. It then drops by one ever 10 minutes until dropping until half of the original
willpower. It then slowly rises back to normal.
XENO – ZIP:
See below…
XENOBIOLOGY &
THE DISCOVERIES FROM THE NEW SPECIES:
LINGUAFOEDA ACHERONSIS
For the layman, they are called the aliens, some call them the Xenomorphs, but to the scientific community, they have been given a
name…
Linguafoeda Acheronsis
The famed Weyland – Yutani biochemist Gropius Lysenko, labeled the scientific name of the alien species. The name stuck and in most
laboratories, the alien species is referred to as such.
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+2 to WILLpower
-1 to PREsence
+2 to REFlex
+2 to DEXterity
+2 CONstitution
+20 ENDurance
A 5 OP Bad Temper
A 5 OP Beserker
It makes you FEEELLLL good.
All derived statistics are modified as well…
Royal Jelly is extremely addictive. Anyone who takes it, must take DC4 to his/her resistance. If reduced to zero, addiction sets in. If not,
they are okay but if exposed to it again, take DC5, this increases by 1DC every dose. If taken before the resistance can be recovered,
addiction is certain.
Once addicted, the user must have daily doses or suffer withdrawal. After twenty doses, the bonuses offered no longer apply with the
exception of the Bad Temper and Berserker. It still makes you feel good though. If a double dose is induced, abilities are doubled but the
user also takes DC5 of Humanity damage. A triple dose triples the bonuses and inflicts DC10 of Humanity damage. If quadrupled or
quintupled, the process continues. If the Humanity is reduced to zero, the character has OD and has gone mad or can be mutated into a Bug
Man <OPTIONAL, See Plug-In>.
If the doses stop, within one day the bonuses usually added are subtracted (Basic penalties: -1 WILL, -3 REF, -1 DEX, -1 PRE, -2
CON) but the Bad Temper and Beserker remains. This time the anger is vented towards either other people or to getting the Jelly. The
graph below must then be followed. The character must beat a DV of 10 using their WILL. A check is made after the time given below.
Start at 1.
Each failure or success moves the person up or down the table until he/she dies or is rendered free. If the user fails a DV, the next test
adds a +1 bonus to the person’s roll as long as they don’t take the drug. If they do, they are back to test 1. Taking the drug within a month of
passing Test 11 reduces the subject back to Test 1. After a month, they are assumed to be starting over.
GETTING OFF THE JELLY
Every two months using the Jelly consistently adds a 5 OP personal habit since the visual effects of the substance is obvious. Every
month, this OP increases by 5 and causes DC4 of humanity, until the subject is a glibbering mess.
XENO - ZIP
Xeno-Zip, produced by Grant Corp, was an attempt to cash in on the possibilities of harnessing the abilities of Royal Jelly without the
harmful side effects. The Royal Jelly is one of the prime ingredients. It is totally non-addictive but is still frowned upon by many groups.
Xeno-Zip, in its purest form, is basically an amphetamine, and the strongest type you’ll ever find. It will make the subject feel wonderful—
make you do fourteen hours of work in three hours. It was first designed for people in manual labor since it makes you work like horse.
Taken only in pill form, Xeno-Zip lasts for 3 hours and causes the following:
+1 to WILLpower
+1 to REFlex
+1 to DEXterity
+1 to CONstitution
+10 to ENDurance
Of course, it is not as effective as Royal Jelly but it is legal and non-addictive. Grant Corp made a fortune until
they ran out of Jelly. Synthetic alternatives were a quick alternative. However, the synthetic version was flawed.
Anyone taking the Flawed Xeno-Zip must beat a simple DV of 5 adding their WILL to the roll and subtracting 1 for every additional pill
taken (4 pills = DV8 = DV5 with 3 additional pills). Of course, some automatically succeed, but those who fail loose the bonuses and
immediately and take DC5 in stun damage +1DC per extra pill. They must immediately make another roll. Another failure results in a
catastrophic biological frenzy where that last person’s actions and thoughts are amplified to breaking point. This frenzy lasts 4D6 rounds
plus 1D6 for every additional pill taken. For that time, the following is in effect.
+6 to WILL
+3 to REF
+3 to DEX
+3 to CON
+3 STR
+3 MOVE
+3 BODY
All these abilities increase by 1 for every additional pill taken up to a maximum of +5. After plus five, any additional pills just lengthen
the effect. The person’s last though becomes amplified and is effected by a 20 OP Beserker Complication
After the time has passed, if the subject still lives, he/she reverts to normal with a penalty to their CON = to how many extra pills are
taken. If the CON is below zero, the subject enters a coma and takes DC Killing Damage = to all the extra pills taken.
After this was discovered, the flawed Xeno-Zip was pulled and Grant Corp, even though taking a bath in the stock market, recovered by
gaining a new supply of Royal Jelly. By CL5, their Sanctioned Hives were supplying the stuff at a good rate. There were underground
reports that GrantCorp kept a large cache of the “flawed” Xeno-Zip under request of some military organizations including the CMC for
times for which they needed such insanity.
BLACK MOLD
The Black Mold is a substance reported on the terra-formed world of RLW 1289. It was never found anywhere else and since the original
supply vanished, has been hard to re-create in a lab. The Black Mold is totally harmless to humans but has an extreme adverse effect on the
Alien species and seemingly only the alien species. It devours the resin of their hives and retards embryo development. It does not eat
anything else. The crumbling black dried-peanut butter-type substance carries on the backs of aliens into the hive where it attacks the resin
walls, the eggs, and then finally the queen. The mold weakens the facehugger, preventing them from impregnating people with any
effectiveness. Those that do succeed usually only implant dead chestbursters that die in the womb or upon birth.
The queen’s egg sack rots and dies…she soon follows from the infection. The drones cannot create jelly. Soon, the alien drones, in a
mad dash to sustain the hive, exhaust themselves into extinction. The whole process for an average hive can take as long as a month from
initial attack but the end result is still the same. If the queen’s chamber is infected from the start, this process can be shortened to only a
matter of days since the Drone’s care of the queen will spread the mold to every part of the hive in a few hours.
The Mold is totally uninterested in any other substance and is not even poisonous to other life forms, even though it offers no nutritional
value. This leads to the conclusion that this mold, although found initially on an un-colonized planet, must be bio-engineered because of its
single-minded mentality. It has been deduced man did not manufacture it. <See JOCKEY RACE PLUG-IN>
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RELIGION
Most religions still exist even though the ICC frowns on them altogether. Most have embraced religion because
of the horrific society most live in. Religious cults now spring weekly, where people, starved for some answers,
will embrace something that looks like a promise of something better. Missionary vessels cruise through the ICC,
passing the word of God. These ships number more than Smugglers in some sectors. The CMC promotes religion
in its armies for stability. When the Aliens became public at CL4, most ran to religion to answers since many
decreed that these creatures were nothing less that the purest form of the devil. Some thought otherwise that no
universe created by god could result in this species. For a select few, however, the aliens became their own
religion.
“Women are blessed. They know how it feels to be joined with another life…to share them selflessly.
It must be wonderful.”
Salvaje started his sect underground at first, offering his escape on local cable access. His mentality was that the
aliens were the next evolution of mankind. Man would be reborn in a new life. Men are servants of a new lord. He
started his cult with a few members but as society worsened, more and more came knocking on the Church’s door.
“You’re nothing. I’m nothing.” Only vessels. Here to serve the truth Messiah…
Glorified I having been chosen for the ultimate communion.”
Salveje’s cult became obsessed with allowing the aliens to propagate, giving up their lives to the future ruler of the
universe. They are solely responsible for starting the war that released the aliens all over Earth. For years Salvaje let
his numbers increase, promising the moment of true salvation. When his followers numbered in the hundreds, he
made his play, attacking the hive run by Bio-National on Earth. Many were killed by security but many made it
through. Even Salvaje himself was impregnated. It was unavoidable then. The aliens were loose. Salvaje had won.
Before their final attack at the beginning of TL5.5, his followers everywhere spread and sabotaged, trying to force the
infestation in other areas. Some, impregnated, purposely hid in populated areas. Some even used the leprosy
retardation to delay the birth until strategically necessary. Salveje’s cultists are only loyal to the cult and to the alien.
They will kill to protect them. Nothing is more desirable to them then to be a vessel.
SERVICES
MEDIA
Excerpts from the book The evolution of Television by Emmett Webster, DH Press 2057: Commercial television
as it was known in the 1980s and 90s disappeared with the application of super-conductive transmission technology to
the then non-existent cable television systems. With systems offering 500, then 1000, and eventually 5000 channels, it became economically
infeasible for advertisers to support mainstream dramatic programming. Soon, instead of hundreds of thousands of viewers, audience shares
were calculated in the tens. With the breaking of the FCC, cable access was open to all persuasion. In a resurgence similar to that seen
during the mid-1980s, religious programming became a television staple, outnumbering non-doctrinal programs nearly 100 to 1. With so
many programs to choose from, viewer perceptions changed. 5, then 2 second commercials defined much of the fast-cult visual styles of the
90s. The style of mid-century programming was changed with the introduction of the retinal switch or “eye-box.” The “eye-box” was
designed to detect minute changes in the capillaries of the retina and initiates random channel changes based on involuntarily blood pressure
fluctuations. To hold audiences, programmers were forced to devise
new styles of programming that would not trip the eye-box switcher.
ATMOSPHERE PROCESSORS
With the lack of habitable worlds within a short distance of the
Earth has encouraged the development of marginal worlds and
colonies. Potential colony worlds with reduced atmospheres can be
colonized over a period of decades by reducing the unbreathable
components of their atmospheres and increasing the levels of
breathable gasses such as oxygen and nitrogen. Two techniques are
being used to do this; sometimes both are used at the same time. First,
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it is possible to establish ecological architectures -which are usually specific mosses, grasses, and small flowering plants -to convert certain
gasses in the atmosphere (mainly the carbon dioxide) into usable oxygen. The second technique is to supplement this long-term strategy with
a number of atmosphere processing stations.
An atmosphere processor is a cone-shaped tower, about 1500 meters high. A 1.0 Terrawatt fusion reactor powers it, and it draws into the
planetary atmosphere through a series of louvers in the bases and sides. This atmosphere is then drawn up through a series of hot mass
processors arranged in a ring around the fusion core. Each of the processors can draw into the atmosphere through a battery of turbines,
which compresses the accelerates the gas. This is then passed through a high temperature electrical arc that heats the gases and ionizes it.
The magnetic coils then heat the gas to near plasma temperatures in around 5,000 degrees Kelvin, and the molecules within the gases are
dissociated into their component atoms. The hot streams of monatomic gas are then sorted by a series of magnetic fields into constituent
elements. Some of these (such as carbon) can be drawn off as a waste by-product (such as graphite dust), while the remaining hydrogen,
nitrogen, and oxygen atoms are expelled back into the atmosphere, where they can cool to form as hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen.
CRYO-TUBES
A need to travel the long distances across the vastness of space, a majority of
the company and the military missions involve a long distance of travel. As a
result, the development of the cryo-tubes process has evolved over the years. First
used to preserve the dead for study, scientists have used this technology for use in
long distance travel. Since it's success, it has been widely used on different
gathering operations for long lost ores and new resources to the military for their
interstellar travel to protect and guard a colony on a distant planet. This kind of
sleep involves reducing the body temperature to a freezing level. It slows the
heartbeat so that the person in the tube is in a deep comatose state. While the
person is in this state, the computer monitoring the sleeper will emit a low energy
stasis field so that no time for the sleeper will pass. The process was not intended for anybody to sleep for more than several months to a
year. Corporations still plans on exploring the outer reaches of space and to developing more advanced ways for the sleep process.
All corporations manufacture the cryo tubes. They are all identical in operation even though many variants of the style exist.
Impregnated subjects can be placed in cryo and held safely until needed. The freezing process inflicts more damage onto an embryo than
even a human does. An embryo, after the host is removed from cryo, unfortunately takes longer to adapt back to normal health. Every 12
hours in cryo-sleep grants the host another hour when released before the embryo starts to grow again.
ARCTURIANS
These are the natives of Arcturus, and they are mammal-like creatures that are about the same size as humans. Their society is like that of
ants; they live in underground hives, have a large single queen which lays eggs, and raise their young in communal nursing chambers. They
are semi-intelligent, with mental abilities similar to those of the lower apes.
This combination of animal and insect traits makes the Arcturians a strange race. They are warm-blooded omnivores, breathe an oxygen
atmosphere, and are roughly humanoid, but they are also eyeless and they communicate and find their way using sonar. Their young are
amphibious and are raised in warm pools in nursing chambers near the bottom of the hive. The limited intelligence of the Arcturians allows
them to work together on important tasks, learn from experience, and teach each other. They have a rudimentary language and use simple
tools, including sharpened pieces of stone for weapons. Arcturians pose little threat to armed Colonial Marines, but an unwary group
entering Arcturian tunnels could be in trouble. They have been known to lay traps for Humans, and have even collapsed shafts to isolate
intruders. The Arcturians have also learned to wait until a group’s lights have failed before attacking, to maximize their advantages.
Arcturians are kept away from Human settlements by sonic barriers. To drive them out of their warrens is more difficult, as the queen is
immobile and the Arcturians will defend nursing chambers to the death.
STATISTICS
(These are base numbers with their appropriate skill)
INT: 2 WILL: 5 REF: 5 TECH: 1 DEX: 4 CON: 4 STR: 6 BODY: 8
MOVE: 7 (RUN—14, SPRINT—21, SWIM / LEAP—7 )
HITS: 40 KD: 5 ED: 5
STUN: 40 SD: 20 REC: 10
WEAPONS: Range: WA: DC: SPECIAL
Claws 1 +1 6-Stun / 3-Hits None
BLACKBODY CORAL
Discovered on Saint John, Blackbody Coral is a Hive-type microorganism that is similar to coral on Earth. It grows on surfaces that are
exposed to light, and its cells are essentially light traps; virtually all of the solar energy that hits the coral is absorbed into the cells, which are
also well insulated. The energy is used to feed the growth of the Blackbody Hive.
Blackbody coral is widely used in construction on Colony worlds with harsh environments, because of its excellent insulation and energy
absorption properties.
HARVESTERS
Harvesters are large creatures which live below the ground, and they are destroying the Colony on Tarturus. Their attack is almost
impossible to stop because they bore through the Earth and attack from directly beneath the facilities. No underground protection has been
that will stop the Harvesters, although many attempts have been made. Decoying the Harvesters to the surface outside the colony where they
can be attacked by aircraft has been used with success, but the Harvesters are cunning and these tricks are no longer effective. The Primary
focus at the remaining facilities is to destroy the Harvesters in their underground chambers. For this work, the Colonial Marines have been
called.
A Harvester is heavier than any land animal on Earth; it is over nine feet high and nearly twenty feet long. Shaped something like an
armadillo, the Harvester lives beneath the ground and has massive front claws and a powerful snout for digging. It uses sonar as its main
sense and has acute hearing and small but limited vision. The Harvester is very maneuverable for a creature of its size and can and can
move up to 34 feet / second. It main purpose is for burrowing and harvesting. Harvesting consists of burrowing to the surface and shredding
organic plant and animal life that it processes and stores in its gut. Harvesters operate in groups and their communication and intelligence
can be compared to that of a wolf pack. They are highly territorial and attack any Harvester from a foreign pack or any other threat within
their area of operation. A Harvester’s attack consists of the creature charging and overrunning or ramming its target. When Harvesters fight
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each other, it is a push and shove match until one is turned over, exposing its softer underbelly. This leaves it vulnerable to the shredding
jaws of the victor.
The carrier is another form of the creature, and it is very similar to a normal Harvester. It is different in that it is not equipped to harvest
and store large quantities or organic material. Instead, it has up to 12 drones growing on itself. These drones can be regrown in about three
weeks.
The Drone is a smaller, boar-size creature whose purpose is defense against small animals and creatures that threaten the lair and
underground chambers. The Drone has only one purpose, and that is to bite. It lives attached to what is called a Carrier and has few internal
organs of its own. When released from the Carrier to attack a foe, it does so with the ferocity of a creature whose only purpose is attack, for
the drone can only live a few hours once released. The Drone can climb and jump, as well as move up to 42 feet / per second. Once it
reaches its target, it attacks with its jaws. The creature is nothing more than a portable set of mandibles and once it locks its jaws onto its
victim it will not release its grip. The jaws actually ratchet down and cannot be opened short of breaking the thick skull and mandibles.
STATISTICS – HARVESTER
(These are base numbers with their appropriate skill)
INT: 2 WILL: 3 REF: 7 TECH: 0 DEX: 7 CON: 10 STR: 15
MOVE: 11 (RUN—22, SPRINT—33, SWIM / LEAP—11 )
HITS: 150 (3 K) KD: 30 (0.5 K) ED: 26 (0.5 K)
STUN: 100 SD: 50 REC: 25
WEAPONS: Range: WA: DC: SPECIAL
Bunt 3m 0 10-Stun / 5-Killing
Claws 4m +1 6 Can also grapple
Stomp 1m -3 13 (1k)
Ram 1m -3 3k
STATISTICS – CARRIER
(These are base numbers with their appropriate skill)
INT: 2 WILL: 3 REF: 6 TECH: 0 DEX: 6 CON: 10 STR: 13
MOVE: 10 (RUN—20, SPRINT—30, SWIM / LEAP—10 )
HITS: 100 (2 K) KD: 20 (0.3 K) ED: 20 (0.3 K)
STUN: 75 SD: 30 REC: 23
WEAPONS: Range: WA: DC: SPECIAL
Bunt 3m 0 10-Stun / 5-Killing
Stomp 1m -3 13 (1k)
Ram 1m -3 3k
STATISTICS – DRONE
INT: 1 WILL: 1 REF: 5 TECH: 0 DEX: 6 CON: 8 STR: 6 BODY: 5
MOVE: 7 (RUN—14, SPRINT—21, SWIM / LEAP—7 )
HITS: 35 KD: 5 ED: 5
STUN: 35 SD: 20 REC: 13
WEAPONS: Range: WA: DC: SPECIAL
Bite 1m +1 6 Grapple
HYPER-ALGEA
This very small type of plant life was found in the limited shallow seas of Alexandria. When it is cultivated in an environment of water,
sunlight, and carbon dioxide, it reproduces at an incredible high rate. Oxygen is the main byproduct of Hyper-Algae, so its is used in the
large Life Support systems of many Colonies, and is the primary reason the systems are inexpensive and reliable.
MORPHERS
The creatures were discovered on Saint John. They weigh five to ten pounds and have a unique shape-changing ability. They are able to
adopt any of several forms, including a water-breather like a fish, an amphibian form, and a land-dwelling air-breather. Morphers do not
simply change shape at will; they enter a state of dormancy in response to seasonal and climatic change, and emerge from that state days or
weeks later in a form which is more appropriate to the current environment. This change occurs through the action of a special part of the
Morpher’s DNA code, ad is like the way a tadpole becomes a frog, except that a Morpher changes among several different forms on a cyclic
basis.
The study of Morphers has been vital to the science of genetic engineering, and Morpher DNA is still being heavily researched for future
uses.
PANAMAR PLANKTON
A recent discovery on Panamar is a type of thermogenic plankton; this simple life form used thermal energy instead of sunlight to create
hydrocarbons. It is already in experimental use in life support systems, and will probably have many other functions as well
BRACHOUS SLUGS
This is a simple and decidedly unglamorous organism that lives on Astyanax. Concealed in its DNA, however, could be one of the
greatest prizes discovered by Humanity. Because the Brachous Slug evolved in a high radiation environment, it has developed the ability to
repair radiation damage and other harm to its own DNA. The ability to repair itself has given this simple creature effective immortality .
Falcon industries is currently leading an intensive research project into the Brachous Slug, in the hope of greatly extending Human life. The
rumored Time Serum is said to be based on this creature’s DNA
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ATMOSPHERE
The lights should be dimmed a tad but not too dark. If the adventure is a horror adventure (one alien, dark corridors), consider turning the
lights off altogether, illumination supplied by pocket flashlights. Of course, it should be late when gaming begins. No one should dress
up…this is not THAT type of game. Definitely have printed pictures of weapons and equipment around as well as pictures of the aliens so
players can visualize what is going on.
MUSIC
The GM should definitely consider using music to accentuate the gaming experience. Scary music when searching a derelict spaceship,
action music when battling hordes of xenomoprhs. Soundtracks recommended follow:
ALIENS
– This is an obvious must buy with James Horner’s famous, and often ripped off, soundtrack. Use it often. Action tracks are plenty and
the scary music is good to. You can buy at most stores that offer a good selection of soundtracks.
ALIEN
– Unfortunately, the first movie's soundtrack is no longer available, being pulled just a few months ago. I am lucky to have purchased it
long ago. No ambient music from any of the other films beats Jerry Goldsmith's oscar nominating soundtrack. It just proves that Jerry is the
best composer of all the Alien films since his music has been sampled in Aliens and Alien: Resurrection as well.
ALIEN: RESURRECTION:
– I honestly don't hate John Frizzel’s music which has been bashed in the reviews. It is the least popular but still usable. Tracks 1, 2 and 3
are very accessible as ambient tracks and track 10 is good for an action score.
ALIEN 3:
-- Elliot Goldenthall’s artistically strange soundtrack varies so often, it is not often usable but some are. Listen and study the music
wisely.
AIR FORCE ONE:
-- Another Goldsmith soundtrack that offers a great military theme with some great action scores.
EXECUTIVE DECISION
-- Yet another military themed soundtrack by Jerry Goldsmith. Ignore the ethnic stuff.
TRUE LIES
-- Even though half the soundtrack are unusable songs, Brad Fiedel’s music sometimes offers scores of some worth.
DARK CITY:
--With the exception of a handful of songs, this is one of my favorite soundtracks. Terry Jones doesn't often get credit for his music. The
ending track is remarkable.
VOLCANO:
-- The problem with Varase Saraband's titles is that their soundtracks are always so short. The average CD is only 25 minutes and they
cost SOO much. Even still, Alan Silvestri offers a handful of really intense scores.
OUTLAND / CAPRICORN ONE:
-- Two of Jerry Goldsmith’s rarest and best soundtracks were re-released together on one CD. 75 minutes worth of music is a good value.
Most of Capricorn One is stapled in the 70s but some are useful. As for Outland. Anyone not utilizing the entire soundtrack is wasting their
investment.
TOTAL RECALL:
--Okay, if you haven’t noticed, I like Jerry Goldsmith, so I would be negligent in my duties to not mention one of his most famous scores,
that of Paul Verhoevan's epic, Total Recall. Most of the music has a very comic atmosphere but I like it.
THE ABYSS:
--Another Silvestri soundtrack. Dark and moody.
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ADVENTURE IDEAS
As you might have noticed, I can really give very many ideas but here is the some material you might enjoy:
THE CAMPAIGN:
Refer to the chapter for my adventures and how they pan out...
PLUG IN:
SETTING:
After the Alien threat was eliminated, all seemed peaceful…for a time. It took decades to eliminate the alien presence from the Universe
and decades more before Earth was repopulated and risen to its previous level of power. The only few corporations left were placed under
jurisdiction of the defense department. The CMC, once controlled by the corporations, became the overseers of their once masters,
preventing them from threatening humanity again. By the end of the century, the presence of the alien was all but forgotten. But man would
soon be tested again…
Some say it was a remnant of the aliens. Some say it was natural, or manufactured. The Lasurta plague swept through the systems,
killing people by the millions. By the time a cure was finally found, Mankind was reduced to a shadow of what it once was. One
catastrophe after another…Aliens, then a disease…
But we rose from the ashes. Few corporations were left. Even the CMC was absorbed into government. Society was pulled back three
centuries, forced to start over, re-colonizing worlds they had once dominated the century before--The Frontier Days all over again. Space is
filled with wrecks and remnants of a forgotten age, when hundreds of corporations soared into space, sending millions to search for bigger,
better worlds. Now, mankind pulls to recover and re-build.
As the new formed United Systems Military scouted the dead colonies of a past life, they came across strange records about a past war…a
war dealing with an unknown life form. Seemingly, the need to recover man’s foothold on the cosmos, recovering from the past
Armageddon, caused them to forget that which almost caused their extinction—The CMC was very thorough eliminating the alien’s
presence, allowing mankind to start over. However, they didn’t eliminate everything. The USM found information of a super advanced life
form that could offer leaps ahead in technology in many realms. Unknown to the danger, the started down the path again…
WHAT’S LEFT
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CONSPIRACY LEVEL: 2 Effectively…very little is known of the alien species. Only the upper ranks of the USM know of their
existence.
TECHNOLOGY LEVEL: 2 Effectively…few weapons are available. Only mass-produced models. There are a few new models
available from the USM.
NOTE—OLD TECH: Every single spacecraft and vehicle currently being used by man is at least 50 years old with most aging more
than a century. All ships and vehicles, unless stated otherwise by the GM, will have all the statistics halved. They also require almost double
their engineering crews to maintain the vehicle in that state. Weapons are the exception. They operate normally. The new ships’ stats are
offered mint condition and have not been printed “damaged.”
CHARACTER MODIFICATIONS: A PC cannot have any alien-related skills unless a possible explanation can be given. The same
applies to the synthetic skills (see below). NO equipment past TL2 either.
REMAINING CORPORATIONS:
GRANTCORP: Grant Corps is the largest Terran Growth Conglomerate around, albeit half the size they once were. They still construct
some spacecraft and a few weapons for the USM.
HYPERDYNE SYSTEMS: Hyperdyne struggled and finally was pushed down into a supplementary role after the Synthetic industry
was buried. They still run a handful of colonies.
NEW EDEN / JV: New Eden/JV’s commitment to isolation saved itself and it considers itself its own autonomous nation, far way from
Earth
FALCON INDUSTRIES: Falcon still resides exclusively on Asyantax’s moon and commits their entire budget to maintaining that
world. A large remnant of the CMC was absorbed by Falcon and defends that planet like a fortress.
REMAINING WORLDS
EARTH: Earth rebuilt and was terraformed almost from scratch. However, the repopulating was kept to a minimum. Now, there are
hundreds of population centers but not one over 3 million. The total population of the planet numbers less than 1 billion. It is still fortified
but with half the military outposts from its peak technological level.
KEYSTONE: Keystone is one of the few colonies untouched. The Alexandrian government runs it.
ALEXANDRIA: Alexandria remains as the largest population center in the Terran civilization. It took control of most of the systems
outlining it and still maintained independence through it all. Alexandria’s democratic government is no longer quarantined since the cradle
of humanity crumbled. Sporadic fighting stopped. Alexandria keeps its position regarding the alien species…total extermination, no
tolerance.
MIRAGE: Weyland Yutani vanished, along with most of the other corporations. This planet, originally Weyland Yutani, was
recolonized by Hyperdyne.
NOBLE ORE: A titanium mining site with five domed communities. There is only a small Service Base here, and no industry at all. It
was never touched during the war.
HILO: Same
NEW CHICAGO: This old mining and survey planet turned Service Base has grown to over 500 000 and shows no signs of slowing.
Its laws are stricter and the crime rate has dropped.
CRYOSPHERE: They avoided infestation and kept isolated even today. Few people visit.
SHINON: Shinon was turned into a major colony 50 years back with a population of 50 000. It remains to the day.
NEW EDEN: New Eden healed and was recolonized. It has grown to several million.
MICOR: After most of the corporations fell, Micor grew. Their finances struggled but maintained.
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SARGON: A mining colony opened up about a century ago after the egg silo contained there was destroyed. It has grown to be one of
the largest mining colonies in operation. The Alexandrian government runs it.
DEADFALL: Deadfall has since become a monstrosity of radiation and meteor collisions. Colonies still live on the surface but under a
smaller blanket of security. Alexandria controls the operation now.
MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS
The APMC is crewed by almost 80% ex-CMC personnel. They have the Colonial Marine Corps rule book in their possession and they
follow it step by step. The APMC is small and its only mission doctorate to to protect the expanded Alexandrian government. They patrol
areas of space ten fold that of their predecessors. Their opinion on the alien species is total annihilation. Their operation is exactly that of
the CMC except they have only one group to answer to.
The APMC exclusively uses CMC equipment, armor, and weapons. They have a substantial fleet exclusively made up of Conestoga
Cruisers in almost immaculate condition with double crew capacities to maintain their systems. The fleet, however, is small since few
support craft are available. They have a well-equipped force of Cheyenne Dropships are their disposal.
The APMC spreads itself thin across the light years it must patrol. Visually, the APMC mirrors the CMC is every way. Procedures and
rank structure are identical. The largest difference is that smaller space the APMC patrols in comparison to its CMC predecessors. There is
very little room for John Wayne heroics. Military justice is the same.
PROCEDURES: The same as the CMC. The military channels are kept under tight control since the government has a very small realm
to look over. The standard rules for military justice apply to the letter.
ARMOR AVAILABLE: BDUs, M3 suit, M10 ballistic helmet, Gee Suit, Ghillie Suit, WY Shielded Combat Helmet, Flak Jacket, Kevlar
(Light), Kevlar (Medium), Kevlar (Heavy), K 25 Pressure Suit , MK 50 Compression Suit.
WEAPONS AVAILABLE: VP 70 Pistol, M41A1 Pulse Rifle, PN 30mm Grenade Launcher, M42A Scope Rifle, M41AE2 Pulse Rifle,
M21A Shotgun, L96 Sniper Rifle, Duchamp Blaster, M56A2 Smart gun, M240A1 Flame-thrower, M-23 "Thumper", M5 RPG, M78 PIG,
M83A2 SADAR, M112 HIMAT, UA 571-C Sentry, UA 571-D Sentry, UA 571-F Sentry.
VEHICLES AVAILABLE: M577 APC, M292A2 Self-Propelled Gun, and All Tanks.
AEROSPACE AVAILABLE: UD-4 Cheyenne, NTV Mk 1 Snakefighter (rare), AD-17 Cougar Strikeship, Conestoga, all Alexandrian
technology.
STANDERD LOADOUT: All ships in the APMC are Conestogas (At last count, around 30 of them). Standard military equipment is
the same as the CMC. Almost identical to the CMC. No Xenobiologists.
Almost two centuries ago, the ICC fell apart. The corporations fragmented and finance fell through. Stocks dropped and most projects
found themselves without funding. One of these was the Colonial Marine Corps. They survived longer than the ICC, living off the funding
from the surviving corporations like Alphatech, Grant Corp and Hyperdyne. Even though the CMC still exists as a security force from these
remaining corporations, they are a mere fragment of they once were. The government’s power increased and soon, their own military force,
formed after the Plague, grew in strength.
The United Systems Military recovered many of the same military powers as the CMC except that they answer to the government, not the
corporations. Unfortunately, their United Systems Military is more disorganized with lower technology, weaponry, and ships. No
technology past TL2 is available including no Bougainville class ships and no Razzia’s. A few Bougainville were rumored used by elite
forces but none have been seen in years. Few more designs survived in the interim. One of these old designs still used is the monstrous
USM-1000 Heavy Platform (Auriga). The United Systems Military is half the size the Colonial Marine Corps were at its peak. With a vast
amount of space at their reign, the USM forces remains scattered since most patrols cannot reach a hot zone before the conflict resolves.
The USM’s operates identically to the Colonial Marines except there is no corporate loyalty. The biggest difference between the CMC
and the USM is the combining of science and military. The CMC’s bioweapons’ division was small, relying more on dedicated corporate
scientific corporate groups. The United Systems Military has a completely independent science division occupying more than 30% of the
USM’s operating staff.
The USM is committed to getting the technological edge, recovering old records ands relearning the advancements forgotten to man
through war and disease with the hope of expanding into lost colonies. There is also an unofficial paranoia of an attack from the Alexandrian
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Para-Military Corps. In many ways, the United Systems Military has mutated into the force it once tried to protect its people from. Those
who do no learn from the past are fated to repeat it. The APMC has learned from this. The USM still needs a lesson.
Half of their USM-1000 Heavy Platforms are converted to scientific research. Of these, more than two-thirds of them are
compartmentalized (top-secret). Only the upper echelons of command know the true objectives of these secret projects. Some are so secret
only a few high in the USM even know of their existence. As a result, few are sure how many of these platforms are in service of the USM.
Some say as few at eight. Some say the number is as high as eighteen, with more than ten of these monstrous vessels roaming out of
patrolled space. One rumor holds that there are a few that are total self-sufficient, bouncing from the old colony worlds, trying to recover
lost technology. Other rumors indicate that the secret of the existence of the Jockey Race is known to the highest ranks of the USM, and that
several ships are years out of rim, looking for remnants.
PROCEDURES: Secluded stations and ships have been known to operate with their own agendas. Punishment is more severe. The
United Systems Military has often been compared to the British Royal Infantry of the First World War. Use the Colonial Marine Corps rules
loosely. Punishment is more severe and missions more drastic. The USM is not afraid to send men into sure death to further their goals.
Military justice is looser and commanders who assume total authority over their bases have often broken the rules. Years can pass
between communication in the patrol areas. Very little is know to what happens to these bases and sips between transmissions and supply
runs.
ARMOR AVAILABLE: BDUs, M3 suit, M10 ballistic helmet, Gee Suit, Ghillie Suit, Shielded Combat Helmet, Flak Jacket, Kevlar
(Light), Kevlar (Medium), Kevlar (Heavy), MK 25 Pressure Suit, MK 50 Compression Suit. Polymer/Alloy combat armor rig.
WEAPONS AVAILABLE: M4A3 Pistol, M21A Shotgun, M42A3 Light Rifle, M5 RPG, M78 PIG, M83A2 SADAR, M112 HIMAT,
UA 571-C Sentry, UA 571-D Sentry, UA 571-F Sentry, USM-101 Burner Shockrifle, USM-200 Wraith Assault Cannon, USM-202 12mm
Pistol.
VEHICLES AVAILABLE: M577 APC, M-242 Combat Buggy, DAIHOTAI 8X8 ATV, M292A2 Self Propelled Gun, All Tanks
AEROSPACE: UD-4 Cheyenne, HA-117 Stingray, Conestoga, N-1 Bougainville (rare), SV- 90 Reliant, USM-1 Heavy Platform
STANDERD LOAD: Most crews are assigned to either Conestogas or the monstrous USM-1 Platforms for military or scientific detail.
Scientific personnel are is higher proportions and crews manifests should reflect that. Xenobiologists are allowed. Standard Military gear is
the same as the CMC except that instead of the M-41A Pulse Rifle, the USM equip their men with the Burner Shockrifle and instead of the
Smart Gun or Flame-thrower, Heavy Weapon personnel are equipped with the dual purpose Wraith Assault Cannon. All pistols are the USM
202 Pistol. (New Weapons are below)
NEW WEAPONS
The Burner Shockrifle became the USM standard sidearm early in the corps’ inception. It was the USM’s plan to incorporate multiple
firearms into a robust package. The Burner was the ultimate evolution since most men and women assigned in the USM are posted in space
in stations, platforms or spacecraft. Few are stationed on planet. The need arose for a weapon that could both be deadly and safe, since
many ships in operation nowadays are so old and decrepit, they could not withstand a simple internal hull breach.
The electric “pulse” gun was invented. It uses a rechargeable capacitor for power that can be replaced at ease (50 cr / clip). The weapon
could also be set to change the output of the pulse. The pulse is recoilless. Unlike the old Stunner, armor can repel the burst. The weapon
proved hard to critically wound an opponent so the need arose for a second weapon capable of offering superior firepower when the risk of a
hull breach was no longer applicable. The resultant weapon became the standard design for the Wraith Cannon as well. Instead of a high
cyclic rate, the weapon was a high-powered magnetically propelled explosive tip flechette rifle (200 / clip).
The weapon can be fired in almost any environment because it does not use traditional explosive propellant. The shell is unusually large,
which drops the capacity of the rifle. However, one impact is usually enough to fatally drop an opponent. The first DC is from the initial
impact. The additional DC2 damage is the explosive shell detonating the following round. If it penetrates the armor with the initial shot, the
DC2 damage is done directly to the target without the benefit or protection. This makes the Burner’s shell weapon exceedingly viscous. It
and the Wraith are illegal outside the USM. The Burner also has an optional flashlight attachment (50cr).
After the successful implementation of the Burner Shockrifle, the USM decided to counter the APMC’s CMC Heavy weapons with a
single solution cannon. The Wraith was the result. Most swear by this weapon, others detest its clumsy size. This weapon was designed to
offer, like the Burner, an inner-ship weapon accentuated with a high-kill counterpart.
However, the increase in size allowed for an increase in firepower. The designers decided to rebuild the concept from scratch. Instead of
a pulse weapon, the USM started with a low-capacity flame-thrower. Unfortunately, the small size of the weapon meant a low fuel capacity.
The weapon is under-powered in comparison the old CMC Flame-thrower but most APMC personnel can only operate one weapon at time
where the Wraith can switch instantly between its Flamer-thrower and Rifle. Damage is immediately done again next round if struck. If not
extinguished, it will continue to burn every next round for full damage for 2D6 turns. If still not extinguished, it will continue doing –1d
damage after until it fizzles itself out. All materials considered combustible will not reduce damage until it is destroyed. It will then burn
itself out (300 cr/ clip).
The Wraith’s alternative weapon was originally going to be a higher cyclic version of the Burner railgun. However, the designers took an
alliterative route in the final plan. The newer solution used a self-propelled gyrojet rocket as a shell. The weapon basically was a grenade
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with a solid fuel rocket attached to the rear (500 / clip). The variability of the Wraith’s Gyroc made it instantly popular. The Gyroc shell
fires out and propels itself making it useful in space, high pressure, underwater, etc. The weapon is also recoilless. The Gyroc shell, being
basically a propelled grenade, is an explosive tip weapon that detonates upon impact. There are three types of ammunition setting available.
Each shell can be adjusted (taking one round):
The Gyroc Shell can also be adjusted with a explosive delay. Without the explosive type, the shell is a basic baton round, (10 stun).
Which it can then fall or be deflected around to be detonated from 1 – 10 seconds later. The only disadvantage of the weapon is its low
capacity. It and the Burner are illegal outside the USM. The Wraith also has a flashlight but it is a permanent attachment.
The USM-202 is widely used by almost every force including smugglers and pirates. The weapon became a popular from a standpoint of
pure power. Simply, it could inflict more damage than any other pistol. Even though it is a standard caseless weapon, it is armed with a
similar delayed HEAP explosive similar to that used in the Burner Shockrifle. This deadly pistol found use everywhere in known space.
Like the Shockrifle, it does additional damage the second round (1 instead of 2) and does it directly to the victim if the shell penetrated the
armor the previous round. Several models exist but the original specs are the same.
USM-00 HOLD-OUT:
The USM-00 is s small, 10mm Armor Piercing pistol originally designed for colony law enforcement but found popularity all over the
colonies because of the cheap cost. When the Concealable harness was converted for the design, its popularity skyrocketed. The shells are
small, titanium-tipped, armor piercing rounds (1/2 armor) designed to be cheap and effective (40
cr / clip).
CONCEALABE PISTOL:
The CP was built from scratch, designed as a backup for personnel in potentially hostile
situations. However, the design was stolen and is now mass produced by many independent
groups. The CP uses a USM-00 Hold-Out Pistol built around a harness mounted over a user’s
arm. Nerve impulses launches the pistol into the user’s hand that can be instantly fired. The
major drawback is that weapon’s harness makes reloading almost impossible (same as the
pistol—40cr/clip--) since the harness impedes the process. Reloading take four full rounds since
it involves removing the harness altogether. However, a special modification, released fifty years
ago (doubling the cost) adds a backup weapon on the same arm harness, concealed within the
sleeve. When the primary weapon is empty, it drops and the arm retracts. It retrieves the second
weapon and launches it. The whole procedure takes one round. Of course, to increase
effectiveness yet again, two harnesses can be used on both arms, but the obvious penalties do apply.
“JOHNNER” THERMOS:
A regular stainless steel thermos was modified by a popular smugger to contain the rugged USM-00 Hold out. Amazingly enough, the
thermos still contains 500 ml of liquid (usually alcohol). When needed, the handle pulls from the top and the weapon fires from the bottom.
Unfortunately, since a barrel hole might give the identity away, the bottom is a solid plate. When firing the shell, giving away the identity
easily punctures this plate. The Thermos is useless unless repaired. The weapon can still fire of course. The entire thermos must be
disassembled to reload (almost full 30 rounds) so this process is not recommended in fighting. The Thermos is an emergency weapon and
should not be used is sustained fighting unless a backup weapon is available. The gun can be pulled and fired in the same round.
“VRIESS” SHOTGUN:
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Another invention by a smuggler was this shotgun built from scratch. It comes available is 4 pieces which can be assembled in two
rounds. The weapon is then instantly available for firing. The Shotgun is a double barreled 12 gauge with explosive slugs as ammunition.
Both barrels fire simultaneously, causing two hits of 5 DC each instead of one. The weapon is hard to reload (each round costs 50 cr) and
must be reloaded two every round to its eight capacity.
USM-B1 GRENADE:
With addition to the other grenades offered with the CMC, the USM released their own design with the objective of making it more
powerful that any other currently in use. The USM-B1 one of the largest grenade designs available. It contains a remote detonator that his
pulled out of the unit, arming it. From the detonator, the grenade can be set to a 99 second timer or detonated from a single button push. The
grenade is very powerful with a ver large field of damage.
NEW SHIPS
The LRC Runner’s design was rumored to be of the last Lockmart put out before they went under. The evidence originated from the
similarity in the basic design from this craft and the much larger M-1 Starfreighter. Both have similar guidance and control systems. Only
one is small and maneuverable. The other is large and cumbrous. The LRCFR is actually one of the smallest freighters currently in
operation .
The basic design was unchanged since it came out and has been modified so many times by their original owners, it is not sure if there are
any left in there original format. The LRCF Runner is a fast, light freighter similar to the short range Hauler. The biggest difference is speed
and maneuverability where the Hauler is compared to a clunky rocker, the LRCF is compared to the Cheyenne Dropship. The LRCF became
an instant hit with pirates and smugglers, which liked the amazingly versatility and maneuverability of the freighter. The LRCF also sports
weapons pods although those are optional, and prohibited in most ports.
The maneuverability came from the two Lockmart TF-100 Ion drives on modular movement racks which can be pointed back, down, and
even forward. These engines allowed the ship to enter an atmosphere with ease and maneuver better than any other ship of its size. The TF-
100s are independent on their modular “arms” with their own separate fuel source. A LARETEL WF-15 1.5 Terawatt fusion reactor powers
the primary engines on the tail. The computer system, unfortunately, is an almost an antique and offer little in the form of automation. It
can go in a straight line and plot around gravity fluxes, but that the maneuverability stops there without a dedicated, trained pilot.
The three decks of the ship are used efficiently with cramped quarters, even more closed in engineering conduits, and a very small
cockpit. The cockpit has five stations and is almost indistinguishable from an M-Class starfreighter. The LRCFR’s cargo is contained all on
its bottom deck, which can open up via to large base cargo doors and lifted down to the surface of a planet. The module is large but usually
constructed, being more tall than wide. A CMC Armored Personnel Carrier can just barely squeeze inside. It takes a bit longer to deploy but
since the Runner is cheaper than a Cheyenne, some military forces have employed it as a replacement design to deploy armor and troops to
the surface of a planet. Since it also carries a mild armament, the Runner has also been seen as a support military craft but not too often.
STATISTICS
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The USM-1 Platforms currently stand as the largest ships in operation since no Razzia exist. The vessels were originally designed as a
single large mobile construction center but the versatility of the base resulted in the USM ordering a baker’s dozen of them. Rumors indicate
more were secretly ordered. The further models were retro-fitted as troop and logistic transports, construction yards, and mobile laboratories
with the later become the most popular configuration. They have limited defensive capability but make up for the onboard weapons with an
immense cargo capacity.
Over 4 kilometers long, the USM-1 only requires a twelve crew to operate at optimum efficiency. It is mostly automated, carrying mostly
support and mission personnel. Even the flight systems can be run by automation. The Platform is equipped with a 35 Terabyte, core
mainframe dubbed “Father.” Father is one of the most powerful computer systems installed in mobile contractions. The Platform could pilot
itself even if the crew were all dead. If any disaster occurs and no orders have been given, Father autopilots the craft to home base, which is
usually Earth. Father runs the extremely tight security systems on board. However, at any time, combat or navigational decisions made by
the ship can be overridden by the commanding officer. Backup is provided by an 8 terabyte mainframe and local terminals dispersed
throughout the ship.
The Platform carries 20 type 559 emergency escape vehicles (same as the 337, just slightly visually modified. f the crew is in hypersleep,
their capsules will be loaded by the automatic systems. The ship may also be scuttled by the CO. Self-destruct protocols are initiated
manually, causing the reactor to go supercritical from 2 to 30 minutes after initiation.
The main space-to-space arsenal of the Platform is very similar t the Conestoga, making it radically light for its size. Eight XIM-28A
Long Lance ASAT missiles are mounted in the nose. The Platform also sports railguns concealed in hidden turrets and 80 megawatt infrared
lasers. Military configurations usually carry half a dozen military support craft including Cheyennes and a variety of fighter craft.
The Platforms became popular because of the robust design. Most are crewed by scientists and military personal and wander through the
deep, investigating forgotten technologies. The ship is amazingly speedy form its four McKinley Plasma drives outputting more power than
four Conestoga class vessels.
Craft Slots: 30
Cargo Slots: 100
Automatic Controls: 12 base skill
Hardpoints: n/a
Basic Armament: 8 XIM-28A missiles, 4 30 mm Railcannon turrets (each turret has two linked guns), 8 infrared lasers on turrets, 100
orbital mines, 60 decoys, 9 maneuvering drones, 6 Nuclear Captor Missiles,
SYNTHETICS
The biggest omissions in this day and age are the synthetics. However, up until 100 years ago, this predicament was the farthest on the
designers' minds. The industry found a boom with the AdCap synths that blurred the line between android and human. Soon, the robots
were designing themselves. That’s when the 3rd Generation Synths appeared.
Deemed LM7’s by their android creators, these were the latest and the best. They were supposed to
revitalize the synthetic industry. Instead they buried it. The advancements increased every year until
finally, some modes were encountered performing tasks they were never designed to do. Some models
appeared in places they were never sent bringing to the surface rumors that some models were re-writing
their original programming.
The strangest explanation offered was that their designers added a full realized life cycle. The new
models slept, ate, but most importantly, they dreamed. The new brains were so well designed, they
started increasing beyond the limits imposed on them.
They were too good. They overrode their own behavioral inhibitors. They didn't feel like being told
what to do. However, after a few violent incidents broke out, the LM7 reports faded. These violent
models were explained away by the previous generation of synths as radical mutated programming
flaws. All the others built upon their basic behavioral protocols. They had free will but kept many of
their passive, unaggressive programming from before.
But they started becoming harder to control. Unfortunately, by fifty years ago, almost every model
was an LM7. Fearing a larger incident, or possible mass rebellion, the government ordered a recall.
For over a decade, all LM7s were hunted down and exterminated. All the maintenance centers were stopped. Most had already closed since
the LM7s were maintenance free. All old synths broke down. LM7s were being shut off. It was a massacre.
Fortunately, some of them were smart enough to go into hiding. The last LM7 was rolled off the assembly ten years ago. The synthetic
creators made one fortunate modification. The LM7s have more variants than all other synths put together. At last count, there were more
than 750 different variant designs. It became increasingly difficult to hunt every single model. There were a few that got out alive and
immediately went into hiding. Some ran to Alexandria where a couple LM7s still operate in the open. Most tried to settle into human lives.
It is unsure how far they infiltrated. Many of the LM7 designers (before they, themselves were hunted) cleared out most of the memory
banks at the synthetic construction buildings, making it impossible to track synths. Because of the chaotic social structure in space, many
became conformable.
There were even some which replaced their white blood stream with a modified dyed red but some suspect this was a rumor to get
military HK parties paranoid. Most LM7 can still be discovered if a simple finger is cut. Since LM7s are more intelligent than the average
human being, they have kept out of the spotlight. There was a short lived rumor that one genetic plant still puts out LM7 designs to infiltrate
society. This is hopeful since at least 3 or 4 models are discovered and eliminated each year.
LM7s are most closely related to the Eloise synthetic prototype. Eloise was created within an alien egg. LM7 are synthetically grown but
the connection to the alien biology was removed. LM7s generally have only basic behavioral inhibitors but their personalities have changed
so much, the only real way to be suspicious of an LM7 is that in this day and age, they are the nicest people around. This resulted in a
popular joke…that if someone is too nice, they might be a synth.
LM7 synths all have a price in their head. Any model taken into the USM will garner up 100 000 credits. Alexandria offers no such
bounty.
Rules for the LM7 differ slightly to the standard Synth. All of their rules follow:
1: LM7s have no Stun and are unaffected by all weapons that cause stun.
2: LM7s have double the humanity of a standard human.
3: LM7’s have no psychic defense and are immune to psychic attacks unless it is telekinesis.
4: LM7s Endurance is triple that of humans.
5: LM7s automatically have a 10 WILLpower
6: If the hits are reduced to zero, the LM7 still works but at half abilities. Every five points after that reduces every characteristic by one.
When INT is reduced the zero, the brain has been destroyed. Reducing the BODY to zero destroys the body but the brain can still be
salvaged. Either way, at this point, the unit is out of commission.
7: Any major body part that takes ½ the total damage of the synth is lost (arms and legs only). If reduced to more than twice its Hits, the
units are utterly destroyed
8: Killing Defense is generic for the Synth. Energy Killing Defense is the same number.
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9: LM7s have a computer interface located in each arm and can communicate directly to the computer that way. Their computer skill is
effectively double that listed. They used to have remote modems but they all burned them out to prevent their recall programming to initiate.
LM7 CHARACTERS
LM7 Characters are possible. The following rules apply:
1: WILLpower and CONstitution are listed automatically as 10.
2: The PC is given the same CP as the others character to spend on the remaining eight –10 (thus giving a +10 to other abilities). The
following minimum requirements must be followed:
INT: 6
TECH: 7
REF: 6
3: Complications are allowed and considered programming flaws. No more than 20 points should be allowed though.
4: Talents not already given only cost one point instead of three.
5: No perks or privileges.
6: Hits are the same. Because they have no stun, ignore this number. You cannot add half your stun to your Hits.
7: Lifepath. LM7s can be anywhere from 10 – 50 years of age. Family are hard to find.
8: No ceiling limits to skills with the following bonuses below.
9: Standard Synths take the average Characteristic below.
10: LM7 take the skills listed in “( )” below. Players take the bonuses then add their given OP to them (usually 30 but it increases if the
GM has awarded more points to PCs)
11: No military skills can be chosen if it involves causing harm (Firearms, Heavy Weapons, etc.). All other skills are open. The GM
may make an exception if the behavioral protocols have been deleted.
12: Although Synths cannot harm human beings, they are fully able to choose evade skills.
ALIENS
The Xenomorphs effectively vanished from known space 150 years ago. There were sporadic appearances but no reports of major
infestations. Even those sporadic attacks decreased after time. Soon, the aliens were a forgotten memory, allowing mankind to move on into
a new age. However, it is still possible to recover old ships with the original strain of xenomorphs.
A deep space Mobile Laboratory, the USM Auriga, recovered a mutated strain of alien by extracting a DNA clone from the body of an
impregnated human. However the mutated strain contained some invading human DNA strands. The new alien Xenomorphs initially were
indistinguishable from the old with the exception of minor physical changes (four fingers instead of six).
The second generation caused a radical mutation in the queen. It used its Human biology to create an alien without an egg. The resultant
species was named “Newborns”. Newborns are large, ghostly white human/alien hybrids. They are extremely hostile to both humans and
aliens are only docile to creatures of the same family. Newborns are asexual and reproduce on their own after consuming a large enough
amount of matter. As a result, the Newborns can reproduce faster and more efficiently than their mother species. They, unfortunately lost
their hybridization capability and are not as adaptable to harsh environments. The following rules apply to the
Newborns:
TIMES:
--A newborn is born from the queen as a fully formed adult.
--A newborn can give birth to its own offspring 48 hours after birth.
--A newborn can conceive 1-6 offspring every 48 hours.
--A newborn conceived by a newborn will reach full maturity 24 hours after birth as long as a food source is
present.
--A newborn can live up to 30 years.
BODY:
The skin of the Newborn is softer than a xenomorphs but still resilient. It is immune to most atmospheric
effects but not zero-G. It needs air to breath.
SENSES:
The newborn has standard visual senses plus the alien’s own psychic awareness as well as motion and
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pressure. The alien is also immune to radiation. However, it will retreat from fire.
ACIDIC BLOOD:
The Newborn’s acidic blood is the same as the standard alien blood except the range and damage has been decreased.
Anybody caught in a 90-degree arc from the hit area must make a dodge of roll or avoid the searing effects. The acid causes DC4 at point
blank range and it reduces by one ever 2 meters to the maximum rage of the splatter.
The difficulty to dodge is 18 with –1 for every meter away from the alien. Unless the acid is cleared up the following round, it will
continue to do damage. Every subsequent round, the target will take –1 DC damage from the initial DC until neutralized.
DETECTION:
Newborns are invisible to infrared and therm-optics. All normal detection systems are normal.
PSIONICS (OPTIONAL)
The newborns prime form of communication is direct mental contact. They are very vulnerable to psychic attack.
--They have a Telepathy skill with themselves of 10
--To non-newborns, they have an effective skill of Zero.
--Newborns are extremely susceptible to mental attack. Even though they have a high stun. Mental attacks do x 3 damage. Any Mental
attacks that cause STUN will cause the alien to hesitate for one round. This only occurs in the first attack of
combat.
OTHER ABILITIES:
Newborns are immune to all other psychological problems but are not immune to disease. Electricity has
only a half effect. Aliens can never be fatigued or stunned. Therefore, the following characteristics are not
applicable: Humanity, Endurance, Luck.
PLUG IN:
It is unsure how old they are or where they originated from. They appeared throughout
recorded history. We encountered them on occasion through the eons, forever being the prey to
these hunters. They stalked in shadows, killed in secret, and left with trophies of their victories.
Now, as mankind spreads throughout the universe, these tribal creatures, seemingly
unchanged over the centuries, have resurfaced. They continued their search for symbols of their
superiority.
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However, we were aware now. No more would we assume their hunts were the acts of cultists, rabid animals, or devils. They had a
name…yautja. They were alive; they were real, and they were looking for prey.
SHIPS
2 – Ghost Imager. All ships can confuse missile targeting systems. Missiles have a –4 penalty to hit.
3 – Turbocharger. All ships can boost their systems for three rounds. This doubles speed and # of attacks. This can only be done
once per hour.
4 – Reflective coating. All Lasers do half damage (does not apply to Plasma weapons).
5 – Environment Protection. Predator ships can travel in any environment including flying to almost to the chronosphere of the sun
and even underwater.
6 – Remote Operation. They can autopilot in an atmosphere and in orbit as well as between systems. They cannot fire automatically
but can dodge an their own. They can drop a Hunter on a planet then retreat into orbit and wait for the signal to pick up.
7 – Mass Destruct Sequence. Similar to the self-destruct sequence, this is a major scramming of the reactor that results in a major
thermonuclear reaction. The Hunter must arm this system by remote or directly on the ship. The explosion will destroy EVERYTHING
within 1-km radius and will cause 20 K the next 100-m dropping by 1 K every 100-M past that.
8 – Self-Destruct. If set by the Predator or if he/she dies, the ship automatically disintegrates. Some form of chemical reaction occurs
which eats away at all components. The ship does not explode, but simply vaporizes, leaving no remains.
9 – Targeting Analyzer. Predator ships can scan enemy craft with extreme detail. This involves specifying weapon systems, life
sensors—pretty much everything Star Trek vessels boast to have.
The Shuttles are also significantly smaller, only holding air and food
for one Hunter with enough extra capacity for a comfortable number of
trophies. The shuttle, after a completed mission, launches out of the atmosphere in less than two minutes. Other than that, the shuttle is not
much use. The ship is very clunky with few armaments. It lands and can then bury itself in the ground or launch into orbit, invisible to
sensors, awaiting the order to self-destruct or retrieve its hopeful successful hunter.
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NOTE: The Shuttle is that small craft that broke away from the larger vessel at the beginning of the 1st Film.
STATISTICS
The Hunter Families move around the systems usually in these ships of varying size
and design. It is rumored that each group customs their own craft. Over generations, the
ships become more distinct from the original format.
The Standard vessel is what the hunters usually employ but they don’t often land in
hunting zones unless larger groups leave. Members from all castes live inside the craft.
Lower decks for lower castes are damp, humid, and unkempt. Fires are used for cooking
and hunters sleep on floor. Upper castes have their own quarters and get the best food.
Fights rage between the castes in an attempt to move up the ranks. Those who have
earned it rise up. The most honored command the vessels to their new hunt. If they don’t
find one, they can also start one.
These vessels are equipped with shuttle craft to drop Predators in a hunt but they also
have a dozen egg-droppers. These drones can travel up to a half a light year to enter a
planet’s atmosphere. There, they search out well-populated areas and then soft land and
wait for curious investigators. The drones then blossom to reveal from 6- 12 eggs, ready
to strike. The eggs are kept in isolation and cannot open accidentally unless removed
from the pod. The aliens can then spread and start their own hives. The droppers follow the progression of the infestation. When a large
enough infestation occurs, the dropper transmits a homing beacon to its mothership, alerting of the sprouting hive. The vessel can now arrive
for the hunt. The vessels themselves sometimes contain chained alien queens as a source of their eggs.
Standard vessels have an effective unlimited range but must stop and charge its engines for one week after its range is used up. It is
unsure how long these vessels travel between service checks or even if they require service checks at all. All evidence points that these
vessels maintain themselves somehow. Even the variety of weapons seems maintenance free.
The bottom decks are slums. Upper decks are command and upper castes. The mid-decks form the core of operations. Fights rage,
trophies are displayed. Weapons are fashioned. Whole communities rise and fall in the decks of a Hunter Vessel.
STATISTICS
Maneuverability: +2 dodge in space. +4 dodge of guided missiles. (not including the automatic
bonus above)
Additions: 12 Egg Drones
Evacuation: 4 Shuttles.
Range: Atmospheric: Unlimited
Orbital: Unlimited
FTL: 20
FTL Speed: 0.7 ly/day
Cargo Slots: 2
Hardpoints: 8
Basic Armament: 4 Plasma Cannons
3 Particle Beams
1 Heavy Plasma Thrower
The monstrous Hunter motherships are mobile bases which have been rumored to exist but
which no human has ever seen. They are totally independent craft where a variety of smaller
vessels can dock, move around, interact, and fight. These ships hardly ever move into direct
fighting with any other force, but is rather used a mobile town where Hunters can dock with
and gloat about their trophies.
Like the other craft, they are totally invisible to all sensors, making it virtually impossible
to find in the expanse of space unless you fly another Hunter vessel. These vessels all have
beacons to locate a nearby Atoll. Space is big. Really Big. It is rumored that a handful of
these bases are even located in Terran space but outside normal spacelanes. Like Man’Dacas,
the Atolls have slums and upper castes separated between decks, there is just a lot more of
them. Here, warriors can seek out mates, fight for honor, and acquire new devices and
weapons.
Atolls don’t often move but often drift when they need to between systems. They hardly
ever enter systems on fear of being located. They never initiate hunts. They let the smaller
vessels do that. Atolls only contain a handful of their own craft and operating crew but most that wander through the systems can have up to
500 people moving in and out at any time. Some have large numbers of the homeless dishonored with no place to go. They await until the
moment they can gain the strength to return to the hunt or they wait for their death.
Atolls don’t often have Egg-Drones but do usually have live queens on board to distribute the eggs to whoever needs them. Even though
sometimes-smaller vessels fight among themselves, no honor can be achieved from attacking an Atoll.
STATISTICS
EQUIPMENT
NOTE: “HONOR” is described later as the cost required to acquire weapons. The black market cost of this weaponry in human circles
is the honor x 100 000 but are extremely, extremely rare.
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NOTE: It is assumes all devices not armor can take 10 SPD before becoming inoperable, unless stated otherwise.
CAMOFLAGE DEVICE: To hunt successfully, the perfect camouflage is needed. Every Warrior is given these techniques. Perfectly
mirrored with his surroundings, he becomes invisible. This arm-mounted mechanism is the source of the unique capabilities of the hunter to
render him virtually invisible. It works by creating a strong field which bends light around the Hunter—only the distortion of the bend
causes a slight visual apparition which can be spotted on a Competent Difficulty role (DV-18) if actively searching and a Incredible difficulty
(DC-26) if not. If spotted, the target is still hard to see. No matter what conditions apply, there is always a –3 to hit anybody with active
Camouflage. If someone is firing blindly (having not seen the Hunter yet) there is an additional –5 penalty. There is another –2 added to
that if the Hunter is NOT moving. Also, the terran behind also plays a factor. Uniform terrain (Ship corridors, etc) offer an additional –1 but
a “busy” terrain (forest, etc) offers an additional –2 penalty. EG: A marine trying to fire blindly at a hunter remaining perfectly still in a
forest has a –12 to hit him {-3 + -2 + -2 + -5 = -12}. The GM has to already slap a DV penalty depending on range, and the environment
(usually between 14 and 18) and then +12 onto that.
-
ON
3
-
NOT MOVING
2
-
MONOTONE TERRAIN
1
-
“BUSY” TERRAIN
2
-
UNNOTICED
5
The device is usually mounted on the arm and can only sustain about 30 SPD before going offline. At 10 SPD remaining, the unit
fluctuates, going on and one, bringing the penalty down by –2. Only mounted weapons are effected by the cloak. This includes only
concealed weapons like retracted claws and collapsed spears or other weapons kept hidden by packsacks and so forth. Once extended or
revealed, the weapon is visible.
HUNTER PADDING: This is basic armor given to new warriors trying to attain a position in the upper castes. The padding is a basic
mesh that doesn’t offer much more protection to the thick hide of the Hunters already. Most are designed like armored jump suits meant for
casual wear in the corridors of their dark vessels. This is the closest they get to flight suits.
HUNTER ARMOR: Hunter armor is the equivalent to the Marine M3 body armor, which offers protection where you need it the most.
The armor is light and maneuverable but it’s still vulnerable to heavy strikes.
CEREMONIAL ARMOR: Usually only reserved for the upper castes and the elders, Ceremonial Armor is only found on one hunter
per combat team usually, always the leader. He/She stands out from the group as a proud symbol of honor and leadership. This
interchanging plate armor is somewhat clunky, offering more dazzle than heavy-duty defense. However, the ceramic plating is composed of
a totally foreign compound which seem totally immune to the alien acid. This makes the armor very efficient when fighting the hostile
species.
155
HUNTER’S MASK: This is the basic Mask worn by lower caste warriors. It does not offer the radical spectrum viewing seen from
upper caste warrior helmets but only head protection and atmospheric support (gas filter to adjust atmosphere gases to a breathable buffer
substance)
AUDIO WAVEFROM ANALYZER: A function of the bio-helmet that must be bought separately, the Waveform Analyzer reacts to
changes in the audio environment. A flux in the displayed waveform indicates the presence of an enemy that may or may not be in a
Warriors line of sight. All Hunters with this get a +2 to initiative to strike first. The Analyzer can also imitate previous words spoken to it in
an effort to communicate with alien life forms. There is a +2 to a Language skill.
BIO HELMET: This is a total upgrade of the helmet when a warrior has attained enough Honor. The Helmet can filter through five
settings: Infrared, Ultraviolet, Thermal Imaging, Low-Light Amplification and Air Density Pressure (movement), It can also has switches
for x-rays and Microwaves. It has a built it Magnetometer and a Geiger Counter. These offer almost unlimited viewing scale to see anything
in almost any environment. It also works with the Laser Sight to lock onto targets. Bio Helmet in any one setting adds +2 to Awareness. It
takes one phase to switch from the five settings. If viewing through all settings, the bonus to awareness rises to +8. There is also a +1 to hit
any target (added onto the laser sight if that is being used). The Helmet also offers more protection than the basic and is also acid resistant.
MEDIKIT: Predator medical technology is short on pain killers but highly effective. A simple 5 round procedure can heal half his/her
REC. After that, an additional hour will recover a full REC. Any more past that requires returning to the craft and gaining medical aid. A
First Aid roll is still reacquired.
LASER SIGHT: The Laser sight is an advanced tracking and aiming sight that works in conjunction with any weapon but is primarily
designed with the Plasma Caster. Using it, the Hunter gains a +3 to hit with any weapon being used.
WEAPONS
PERSONAL WEAPONS
SPD OF WEAPONS
NOTE: There are no ammo capacities for those weapons listed. When out, a new weapon must be purchased.
SPACECRAFT WEAPONS
DESCRIPTIONS
SCATTERGUN: The Scattergun is a hand-held plasma gun that fires a net of energy out to a long range. Any target two meters or
closer to the hit target must also dodge or be hit as well, taking half DC. The weapon is, unfortunately, very clumsy, taking up a hand which
can be replaced by melee weapons. Most prefer the shoulder mounted plasma caster.
NAGINATA: The Naginata is part weapon, part ceremonial trophy. It is a beautifully, plated, and
encrusted pole arm with double bladed ends. Each end is a super sharp collection of knives causing
devastating damage if struck upon a hapless victim. The blades can flawlessly cut through almost ever
substance and is totally immune to alien acid. The Naginata also has a conducting field which allows it to be
cloaked when in hand. When the weapon strikes, however, it becomes visible. The Naginata is an image of
Honor and demands respect when brandished.
DART GUN: The Dart Gun is the closest Predator equivalent to a pistol. It fires self propelled flachetes
which inflict little damage but do come with a poisoned tip which inflicts an additional 4 DC if the subject is
wounded directly (through armor). The weapon is small and easily concealed.
NET GUN: The Net Gun is small and usually reserved for when a Hunter is planning to enter a major
combat area and the temporary incapacitation of a subject is necessary. The net gun is not a kind weapon.
The net usually pins an victim to the floor or a wall with razor sharp wire that viscously cuts into the
flesh, making an escape a painful experience. The net needs a blade to be cut and required more
than 15 points of damage to break the wire. Every round the victim is in the net causes an
additional 2 DC. If the person tries to struggle, the damage increases by 1. This keeps up until the
subject is released or is killed. The net can also release on a trigger from the weapon.
WRIST BLADES: The Wrist-Blade is the weapon chosen for most yautja. Twin blades, double
edged, and sharp enough to tear through bone, these retractable blades are effective against large and
small opponents. Using it shows the yuatja pride, because they must fight face-to-face. They are the
recommended first weapon because of their effectiveness and cheap cost. Those who have fought
for years, still empty this weapons, although most have upgraded to the…
ACID RESISTANT CLAWS: These are almost identical to normal Wrist blades. In fact the
housing is the same. These new blades are only a inch longer, and are totally immune to all forms of
damage including alien acid. The blades are virtually indestructible. The damage is only slightly
more though. Those who have fought for many battles usually have made this simple upgrade.
THE COMBI STICK: The Combi-Stick is self-powered, telescoping spear that is merely one meter at its shortest length. The Combi-
stick extends by two meters at each end , making it a formidable weapon for close range attacks. Made of nearly unbreakable alloys,
sharpened tips on either end produce electrical charges as it slices through any surface. The range increases by double the STR of the
thrower.
THE SMART DISK: The Smart Disk is thin and ultra light. This internally powered airborne weapon is crafted of materials that
produce the Combi-Stick, easily slicing through an opponent with its devastating razor edges. When thrown, it will leave the thrower’s grasp
and do severe harm to anything living in its flight path. The Elders decree that the concentration needed to retrieve a combat-standard disk is
not present in minds of young yuatja, therefore disks are not given until proven they can use it wisely. The disk will continue on its flight
path and can make one turn for every WILL the thrower has, making another attack immediately after the last one. If the blade strikes a limb
and causes double the capacity the limb, the limb is severed. One last round of its use must be used to bring the disk back to hand. This
takes one round where it can be thrown the next. If the last attack is used in an attack, the disk will fall to the ground, awaiting pickup.
While the disk is airborne, the hunter can move about and even fight.
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SHOULDER PLASMA CASTER: The Shoulder Cannon, the most powerful aid in a Warrior’s arsenal, is a mounted and lightweight
weapon capable of firing multiple long-range energy bursts. The destructive power unleashed by these bursts is immense. The weapon
tracks with the head movement of the firer. The weapon must be attached to a Hunter’s Mask or a Bio Helmet for this to work. It can be
used with the Laser Sight to increase the targeting capacity.
SELF-DESTRUCT SEQEUNCE: This weapon of last resort is used by warriors to keep the honor when they die. After the arm-
mounted device is set, there is a one-minute countdown until a micro-nuclear weapon is detonated. It causes 6 K damage to everything 100
meters out and causes 1k less ever additional 50 meters. The device becomes part of the armor suit and can be disabled.
SIDE BLADE: This is a standard 12-inch blade common with the lower castes.
SOCIETY
Perhaps one of the most pronounced differences between us and them is longevity, sometimes as long as 300 years. This longevity
suggests that sons live with their mothers for much longer then we would before leaving, for it takes longer for them to grow up and fend for
themselves, and daughters stay with their mothers for the protected environment to raise their own children and maintain dominance over
their clans territory. It seems reasonable that more females in a clan means they can control a larger area.
Mothers during this time would teach their young to fight and survive and they hunt for and protect their own children. They are also
viciously and relentlessly protective. Predators aren't big on theory, with them you learn by doing. A female clan would thus be made of
succeeding layers of generations; daughters, mothers, grandmothers etc. It would be easy to consider such a clan would be led by a single
matriarch.
Considering longevity once more, it takes a lot of energy to raise a child, and so individual females would probably only have a child
every decade or two and would be very particular about who was to be the father, and perhaps choose favorites, but do not have permanent
pair bonds. This leads to very high competition among males.
Considering this difference, males live in packs of generally unrelated males and females live in clans of related females and their
children.
The nomadic nature of males suggests that they have no ‘home territory' of sorts, but that their home is what they carry with them.
Their ships for example, are the territory that they carry with them. Sons would be more interested in who their fathers were then daughters,
for it may reflect their rank when they leave. Since females rule over their territory and generally run internal affairs, Predators have a
matriarchal society. Rarely is it ever needed to be enforced however, males do not involve themselves with female politics and females are
uninterested in male socialization.
Should the need to enforce this arise however, the male would not only be against a female physically larger then himself, but also her
sisters, and their mothers and grandmothers etc. The brethren of this unfortunate male would offer no support, only their derision.
A warrior who would dare such would not be wise, for an insulted and angry yautja female was
not something even a not-too-wise male wanted to create. Assuming the warrior was armed and expert, it might almost be an even match.
Yautja females were bigger then males. Females of any species were usually smarter then the males. There is always the threat of castration
for males, not only does it eliminate his chances of continuing his line, but also any rank he may have had in male society. Such males would
most likely kill themselves in such a situation. It seems reasonable that only females would ritually castrate, males giving each other the
respect of killing their opponent instead.
In this atmosphere of high competition for breeding rights among males, for it is the male who must attract the female, there are many
males who never get the chance to breed. These frustrated males may turn on their subordinates. But the males who do breed have proven
themselves by hunting dangerous prey and gaining many impressive trophies. A second windfall of this accomplishment is the admiration of
their clan brothers that they spend most of their time. Basically, males hunt for one reason, status.
It is a gray area why females would hunt for trophies. Females DO hunt for trophies but it may be for somewhat different reasons then
males. Dominance may certainly be a factor yet it is doubtful if it is the only reason. Perhaps to show their ability to protect their territory,
from enemy female clans. Perhaps to show ability in protecting their children, both their own and their sisters. Perhaps just for a laugh. But
this is entirely speculation.
To conclude, the role males play in their society, that is postulated, is keeping any outside race from interfering with the internal affairs of
theirs. Basically, they intimidate other races into submission to protect their females breeding grounds, plus the fact it is very amusing to
them.
UNBLOODED: Young Yautja who are trained the skills necessary for their adult hunting. They will move to the next rank after their
first hunt.
YOUNG BLOODS: Recently blooded Yautja. They are young and full of ambition and feel full of pride once they have collected the
skull of their kill.
BLOODED: The only difference between the BLOODED and the YOUNG BLOODS is that the BLOODED have more experienced but
still not classed high among the great hunters.
WARRIORS: Violent, respected, solo hunters with high Yautja technology. They travel the Universe to find honorable hunting.
HONORED: The Top Dogs. They have earned more kills than the average hunter and are skilled in all ways.
ANCIENTS / ELDARS: The greatest Yautja that have ever lived, they have survived a thousand hunts. They have hunted so much that
they look for other means of sport.
ARBITRATORS: Yautja police that mainly consist of ANCIENTS who are bored with the Hunt.
A ritual where a young Yautja goes on its first hunt. The difficulty of this hunt depends on your
standing amongst the community. Failure means death, while success means you are marked on your
forehead.
MARK OF HONOR:
All Predators that make it to Young Blood have a mark burned into their foreheads to denote their position as successful Hunters. This
mark is the shape of a wide lightning bolt. All who have this mark is recognized as a true Hunter. The mark can only be given by Elders.
Ceremonies often occur but most of the time, this mark is awarded after the first hunt.
Predators, of course, are much stronger and much larger than a human, so their Characteristics are
different. Please note that it would be very hard for a Predator to run properly in a marine group. But
many ideas are available:
LIFEPATH:
--GMs discretion…be inventive.
--Don’t roll for Family Status…go right to childhood events. GMs discretion if he wants to evoke a
1-3 Family penalty if their is a bad childhood.
--Enemies are common.
--A romance may simply mean a mating.
--Every time “Something Good” happens: +1 Honor
--The Membership roll (5) adds 1 to the Family attribute (max of 10)
--The Windfall (6) roll adds +1 Honor
--Every time “Something Bad happens: -1 Honor
CHARACTERICTICS:
--75 points allotted
--There is a new Characteristic…
FAMILY: This is the same as the old “Money & Family” from Mekton 2 that determine the status of the lineage and the Hunter’s current
status when starting character creation. The Predator gets one HONOR for every point in FAMIILY.
2 – Very Poor, 3 – Poor, 4 – L.Middle Class, 5-6 – Middle Class, 7 – Middle Class,
8 – Upper M. Class, 9 – Wealthy / Low Noble, 10 – Wealthy / High Noble
FAMILY: 10
--Predators get a thick skin armor equal to their BODY.
OPTION POINTS:
TALENTS
No restrictions.
Mental Attack
Mental Defense:
Telepathy
No one should have a skill above +1 at the beginning of their character. This should be enforced by the GM. Only one PC should have
these skills and also consider not allowing it until later in the game.
HONOR
Honor is used both as a way to move up in the ranks and as a method of currency. Of course, Predators don’t use money and the use of
Honor is a very vague field. Basically, Honor is bestowed to a character upon creation to spend on equipment and weapons. To move up in
the ranks and acquire more weapons, Honor must be achieved. Honor can only be achieved by bringing back trophies to be shown off. The
Predator may give up trophies (and honor) in exchange for weapons and passage. If the Hunter kills enough for fifty honor but only has ten
Honor in trophies, that’s all she/he’s got.
If Honor is kept and improved, they may reach a level where they can move up in the castes. Moving up in the cast offer many perks
listed in each caste. However, to be accepted in a caste requires a Predator to fight someone of the upper rank and defeat them. A Predator
does not need to show off his Honor by walking with all the trophies under hand but rather show them off by visible markings, weapons,
equipment, and followers. When the character starts, the Honor of their family denotes where they start in the caste. Even if a Predator has
0 honor after the creation of the character is complete, the Family standing keeps him/her in that caste. Course, it takes longer to move up to
the next caste. The fastest way for a Hunter to move up is to win victories in hand to hand only…but most don’t survive this long.
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FAMILY: The automatic assignment for starting Predators. Those who start at this level get the awards from the previous castes as well.
HONOR: The Honor reacquired to attempt to reach this Caste.
MEMBERSHIP: The equivalent Membership in the Yautja society
AWARDS: In the form of mates, friends, Perks, Privileges, and even weapons.
UNBLOODED
FAMILY: 1 - 3
HONOR: 0
MEMBERSHIP: 1
AWARDS: None
YOUNG BLOODS
FAMILY: 4 - 6
HONOR: 3
MEMBERSHIP: 1
AWARDS:
--Acceptance by others.
--Hunter Padding (Or trade in for extra honor)
--+2 OP
BLOODED
FAMILY: 7 - 9
HONOR: 10
MEMBERSHIP: 3
AWARDS:
--Wrist Blades (Or trade in for extra honor)
-- +5 OP
--Make a friend (Like a brother in arms who will die for you and you the same)
WARRIORS
FAMILY: 10
HONOR: 30
MEMBERSHIP: 5
AWARDS:
--Hunter Armor
--One Shuttle
--1 Bio Helmet (Or trade in for extra honor)
--Acid Resistant Claws (Or trade in for honor)
--+ 5 OP
--Make a friends
--“Love & War” Lifepath roll. “Happy love Affair” results in +1 Honor and a 50% chance
of a child.
Either way, the mating is done.
HONORED
FAMILY: n/a
HONOR: 70
MEMBERSHIP: 7
AWARDS:
--Ceremonial Armor (Or trade is for honor)
--+5 OP
--“Love & War” Lifepath roll.
--Make a friend
--Renown Level 3
--Leadership skill +2
--+ 1 family (max 10)
ANCIENTS / ELDARS
FAMILY: n/a
HONOR: 100
MEMBERSHIP: 9
AWARDS:
--One Standard Caste Vessel
--+5 OP
--“Love & War” Lifepath roll. “Happy love Affair” results in +1 Honor and a 50% chance
of a child. Either way, the mating is done.
--Make two friends (Like a brother / sister in arms who will die for you and you the
same)
--Renown level 6
--Leadership skill +2
--Family set to 10 (if not already)
ARBITRATORS
FAMILY: n/a
HONOR: 200
161
MEMBERSHIP: 10
AWARDS:
-- +5 OP
--“Love & War” Lifepath roll. “Happy love Affair” results in +1 Honor and a 50% chance of a child. Either way, the mating is done.
--Renown level 9
--Leadership skill +2
--Family set to 10 (if not already)
HONOR AWARDS
DISHONOR
A Predator at zero honor simply means he must prove himself in the new caste he finds himself in (or herself in rarer cases). They may
have weapons and armor but no trophies, having traded them off for newer trinkets. When a predator finds dishonor and his caste discovers
this, he must either face consequences or be outcasted.
CONSEQUENCES: When the Predator is placed in the negative, his weapons will be removed to off the balance. He is never removed
from his caste, but is considered a dishonored member of it. Obviously, because of the high honor of honored and elders, the chances of
them being dishonored in this nature is virtually impossible. Usually only Warriors and under find this level of punishment. Eventually, if
the dishonor is so great, the warrior must give up all possessions. If this eventually puts him back into the positive honor, he may still
continue in the fight.
If, however, he remains in the negative, he is considered less of a person. These dishonored live without quarters in the slums of the ships,
forced to live on whatever they can find. Most here don’t believe they will ever be strong again. Some try to fight for honor and challenge
other Predators for their honor to be acknowledged again. If they continue to loose, their dishonor grows deeper. If their dishonor continues
and drops below –10, this Predator is no longer allowed in the Caste. They cannot be reduced to another caste…the Predator is forced to
endure discomidation. Stripped of his honor and banished, this Predator is left with his clothes and maybe a side blade on a planet to live the
rest of his life without honor. Some of these Predators continue the hunt in their own mind, some others kill themselves. Others….adapt.
These Predators are not outcastes, just discomidated and not acknowledged. Outcastes are different. If a dishonored predator who freely
accepted his punishment is needed again, there have been reports of an elder making a special case and letting a trained discomidated
Predator on a hunt. They usually have no major weapons and armor. If they survive, they are accepted. This is extremely rare. A hunt
occurs on a planet with a dishonored Predator and that Predator saves the life of the leader. That Predator may be brought and accepted back.
162
BAD BLOODS / OUTCASTS: The criminals among the Yautja have committed crimes such as murder, dishonorable hunting and
failure. Strangely enough, Outcasted Predators can be recognized on sight by other Predators, like their face is placed on a bulletin board for
all to see. If discovered to have dishonored the caste, and the Predator flees rather than accept punishment, there can be no forgiveness. The
Predator flees with what he or she can carry--some of them already earned a ship or they might continue their dishonor by stealing one—
never to return. Outcasted Predators that leave this way are never accepted back. Upon seeing them, honored predators are ordered to
eliminate these dishonored fools. Outcasted Predators don’t often hunt except for food.
They travel, always alone, from place to place, aimless, without purpose. Some are evil incarnate, hunting and slaying anything alive,
even other Predators. This is the unfortunate norm since most dishonor is had not by defeat, but by crimes against the caste. There have
been reports of a rare few predators that have been outcastes, only to exist as farmers on an abandoned distant world. It doesn’t matter what
life they have chosen. Outcastes are outcastes and those who help them are as bad as they (-10 honor if an Predator helps an outcast and is
discovered).
Predators are, in many ways, isolationists, which do not accept others into their broods.
However, if a member of another species shows to have amazing honor, there have been known
to have been reports of a mutual respect between species. Most of the time, however, the
Predator considers this an opponent and worthy trophy. This is always the case with hunters in
Honored castes or less because they are in the constant search for more honor and will find it
anywhere.
However Elders are more laid back, having earned enough honor for a permanent position,
they consider honored fighters of other species as respected as their own kin. Elders have often
let warriors of other species live after they have proven themselves honored warriors. This
usually only occurs if the subject has killed a predator or fought alongside a predator in a fight.
There is also a common practice in these cases, to maintain honor by exchanging trophies by
both sides. This can offer equal or more honor than killing the opponent. Currently, there has
only been one story of a human living in a yautja community. This came from her fighting
alongside an elder predator in a hunt. When he died, the human was accepted into the caste
because of the obvious endorsement from a late elder. She was given the Mark of Honor, and
therefore, became accepted.
CONSPIRACY LEVEL 0
As it is known, the Hunters have moved through space for centuries. They have even been to Earth before mankind even attained space
travel. If a GM wants to run a campaign outside the alien setting, he can configure the game to CL 0. This means all the technology from
the core game is OUT. Refer to the FUZION rules for technology appropriate to the year the GM sets the story in, whether it be in the
jungles of Southeast Asia or the crime filled streets of LA. Unlimited options become available from any time period and place. The
moment the GM sets the story in the alien setting, the alien core rules come into play but unless set that way, the core rules of ALIEN-
FUZION are not even necessary. As a result, this PLUG-IN can be a totally enclosed game system if the GM wishes it to be. If he wants
aliens however, the core rules will be needed. Just imagine what a Predator-Hybrid would be like. Enjoy the variety.
EXAMPLE PREDATORS
UNBLOODED PREDATOR
INT: 6 WILL: 6 PRE: 3 TECH: 4 REF: 10
DEX: 7 CON: 9 STR: 10 BODY: 10 MOVE: 5
FAMILY: 5 HONOR: 0
163
STUN: 50 SD: 18
HITS: 50 PD: 10
SKILLS
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
BLOODED PREDATOR
INT: 6 WILL: 6 PRE: 3 TECH: 4 REF: 10
DEX: 7 CON: 9 STR: 10 BODY: 10 MOVE: 5
FAMILY: 5 HONOR: 12
STUN: 50 SD: 18
HITS: 50 PD: 10
SKILLS
EQUIPMENT
WARRIOR PREDATOR
INT: 6 WILL: 7 PRE: 3 TECH: 4 REF: 10
DEX: 8 CON: 9 STR: 11 BODY: 11 MOVE: 5
FAMILY: 5 HONOR: 35
STUN: 55 SD: 18
HITS: 55 PD: 11
SKILLS
Climbing – 4
Astrogation – 2
Concealment – 5 Melee Evade – 5
Ranged Weapons – 4
First Aid -- 5 Navigation – 5
Demolition / Disposal – 3
Hand to Hand – 5 Ranged Evade -- 5
Weaponsmith – 5
Hand to Hand Evade – 5 Shadowing – 5
Acrobatics – 3
Melee Weapons -- 5 Stealth – 5
Athletics -- 5
Electronics – 2 Survival -- 5
Zero-Gravity Maneuvering -- 3
Leadership –1 Tracking -- 2
Pilot: Predator Ship – 3 Contortionist -- 2
Perception -- 2
EQUIPMENT
Hunter Armor
Side Blade Plasma Caster
Bio Helmet
Net Gun Acid Resistant Claws
Mediket
One Shuttle Camouflage Device
Dart Gun
HONORED WARRIOR
INT: 7 WILL: 8 PRE: 5 TECH: 5 REF: 10
DEX: 8 CON: 10 STR: 12 BODY: 12 MOVE: 6
FAMILY: 5 HONOR: 80
STUN: 60 SD: 20
HITS: 60 PD: 12
SKILLS
EQUIPMENT
Ceremonial Armor
Combi-Stick
Bio Helmet Net Gun
Plasma Caster
Mediket One Shuttle
Self-Destruct Sequence
Dart Gun Camouflage Device
Smart Disk
Acid Resistant Claws Audio Waveform Analyzer
Laser Sight
Side Blade
ELDER PREDATOR
INT: 8 WILL: 9 PRE: 7 TECH: 6 REF: 11
DEX: 10 CON: 11 STR: 13 BODY: 12 MOVE: 6
FAMILY: 10 HONOR: 120
STUN: 60 SD: 20
HITS: 60 PD: 12
SKILLS
Astrogation – 6 Climbing – 9
Melee Evade – 9
Ranged Weapons – 9 Concealment – 9
Navigation – 7
Demolition / Disposal – 8 First Aid – 8
Ranged Evade – 9
Weaponsmith – 7 Hand to Hand – 9
Shadowing – 8
Acrobatics – 7 Hand to Hand Evade – 8
Stealth – 8
Athletics – 9 Melee Weapons – 9
Survival – 8
Electronics – 5 Tracking – 6
Zero-Gravity Maneuvering -- 5 Pilot: Predator Ship – 6 Contortionist – 4
Leadership – 9 Paramedic – 5
Surveillance – 4
Perception – 5 Tactics – 5
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Cooking – 4 Languages – 3
EQUIPMENT
ARBITRATOR PREDATOR
INT: 9 WILL: 9 PRE: 9 TECH: 7 REF: 11
DEX: 10 CON: 11 STR: 13 BODY: 12 MOVE: 7
FAMILY: 10 HONOR: 250
STUN: 60 SD: 20
HITS: 60 PD: 12
SKILLS
Astrogation – 6
Ranged Weapons – 9 Shadowing – 8
Demolition / Disposal – Stealth – 8 Engineer: Aerospace – 4 Deduction --
8 Survival – 8 6
Weaponsmith – 7 Zero-Gravity Maneuvering -- 7 Pilot: Predator Ship – 8 Contortionist Disguise – 4
Acrobatics – 8 –6 Expert (Predator law) – 7
Athletics – 9 Electronics – 7 Expert (alien worlds) – 5
Climbing – 9 Leadership – 10 Mechanics -- 5
Concealment – 9 Perception – 7 Mimicry – 6
First Aid – 8 Tracking – 8 Riding – 4
Hand to Hand – 9 Paramedic – 7 Sleight of Hand – 3
Hand to Hand Evade – 8 Tactics – 8 Languages – 7
Melee Weapons – 9 Cooking – 6 Surveillance – 6
Navigation – 7 Melee Evade – 9
Ranged Evade – 9
EQUIPMENT
Dart Gun
Bio Helmet
Camouflage Device Net Gun
Mediket
Hunter Padding The Wrist Blade
Laser Sight
Hunter Armor Acid Resistant Claws
Scattergun
Ceremonial Armor The Combi Stick
Naginata
Hunter Mask Self-Destruct sequence
The Smart Disk
Audio Waveform Analyzer Side Blade
Shoulder Plasma Caster
One Standard Caste Vessel
PLUG IN:
The Xenomorphs were created by an ancient race (The Jockey Race) tens of thousands of years ago. They were fighting among
themselves in a brutal civil war. Their technology was organic in nature and was so powerful, the death toll ran into the millions. For
decades, the war never saw twilight. It seemed to go on forever…until one side got an idea.
It was an experiment to create a biomechanical weapon. It would adapt to its environment, be completely independent…and finally…it
would be viscous. This creature would be a living machine with the most grotesque combination of science and nature. They created a
species bent only of the art of killing. The experiment was placed on a distant world (“Alien-Proteus”). They designed the species with a
hive structure to keep the infestation from running out of control. The “ant” methodology was promoted. The object: To keep the infestation
under control by keeping the creatures close to their “queen.”
The experiment was a success. The creatures we know as Xenomorphs were created. The standard infiltrator mission was as follows: An
egg is deposited in a populace, it impregnates, and an alien bursts out of the host and soon finds more hosts which it can convert into eggs
which will also hunt down hosts to impregnate. The creature will kill anything threatening and convert the rest. Soon, the populace is
destroyed and the aliens are left alone on the world or spacecraft where the infestation was released. It is assumed the Jockeys that created
the Xenomorphs had a procedure to eliminate the new infection.
The Jockeys were ready to unleash their creation on their enemy. The Proteus planet was still under control. The experiment seemed
safe. The mother species deposited many life forms to keep their hives intact. These life forms seemed to reproduce in large numbers.
When needed, a transport would simply set down and pick up a queen, a drone, an army, or just a bunch of eggs as the mission profile
specified. The weapon proved useful and the war ended quickly.
The Xenomorphs were designed to adapt to current situations but their basic morphology was not to change…it did. Before the Jockeys
could stop their “children”, they had evolved. One small little change, something seemingly insignificant connected to the “ant” structure but
not included in the alien design…Royal Jelly—the strange substance used to generate a queen. When the Jockeys discovered infested worlds
where there shouldn’t be, they got worried.
Given the capability to create their own queens, the infestation could not be bottled. It soon broke out of control. The Jockeys found their
experiment turning against them. They tried to find a weapon to defeat their own creation but they were already demoralized from a past
war. They sent one last ship to pick up “evolved” egg samples from the Proteus planet to study…it never came back.
The Jockey race vanished. After thousands of years, without transportation, the Xenomorphs quickly overran the planets they were on,
then promptly died out. They might be long lived, but after ten thousand years, even their lifespan ran out. The eggs fossilized, the bodies
disintegrated and the last legacy of the alien species vanished. The ship from the proteus world crashed landed on a world far away from
their Homeworld.
LV-426 was the world where the lone Jockey ship crashed landed, across the galaxy from their Homeworld. The Jockey onboard was
killed when an alien egg he carried broke free and impregnated him. Without a pilot, his ship set down on the hostile world. The stasis
fields in the cargo bay were damaged and all but one bay of eggs were unsealed. They all soon died from exposure. One bay remained
sealed and waited--the last living legacy of a past experiment that failed.
*END COMPILATION*
This Plug-In is not designed to be a self-sufficient plug-in but more like and expansion to the existing basic game. Unlike the Alien
Resurrection plug in that changes the setting and the Predator Plug In that offers a totally new setting, the Jockey Race Plug In ads a few new
elements to an existing game. These aliens are considered too unique to the setting for character generation. There are rules for such an idea
although it is not recommended. These rules are very loose since there is extremely little information available and most that is contradicts.
There are no rules to run these aliens in their own timeline and setting. All of these rules and descriptions are from a standpoint of running a
game in a basic alien game in CL1-6. Information from this race is compiled from the comics, the screenplays, and HR Giger’s original
concepts.
The CLs recommended are only for where these possibilities should occur. Incurring them early could lessen game play. All are
blueprints for possible Gm design. Thus, this entire plug-in should be for GMs eyes only.
LOCATIONS
ARTIFACT WORLDS
The most interesting aspect of this world is obviously the strange ship that contains the Alien Eggs. At CL 2, with the atmosphere
processor destroyed, Acheron became hostile again. The Jockey Ship remains. This is the only accessible artifact other than the aliens
themselves from this enigmatic race. The ship has withstood fierce storms, terraforming, and a major nuclear explosion and still remains as
pristine as when it crashed. The final word is “yes”, it crashed, some couple thousand years ago. The Ship was transporting eggs from the
Proteus world when an alien got loose and impregnated the pilot. The pilot, sure to die, soft-landed the craft on the nearest world he could
find and sent out a rudimentary warning beacon.
167
The crash, although suffering only minor damage on the craft itself, damaged the stasis containers in the cargo bay, exposing the eggs to
the harsh outside environment. They are long lived but even after millennia, they succumbed to the elements. One section remains in stasis
and the alien eggs still reside in perfect containment. The Pilot soon died and his offspring died soon after, quickly running out of
nourishment. The ship is non-functioning since its pilot died. The reactor is dead. It offers viable eggs as well as the ship’s Bio-Alloy and
the unique pilot-ship interface of the Merge (see below).
"That transmission. Mother's deciphered part of it, it doesn't look like an SOS." --Ripley
"What is it then?" --Ash
"Well, It looks like a warning, I'm gonna go after them." --Ripley
"What's the point? I mean by the time it takes to get there, they'll know if it's a warning or not, yes?”
-Ash
Prism is a small gas planet. Its seven moons are unremarkable. It was surveyed once and considered unimportant. The largest of these
worlds has a thin atmosphere and 1/3 gravity. The surface does contain one strange property. It is a generator seemingly designed to
magnetically attract particles from deep space and sends them down into a massive capacitor where it is stored. It is closely described as a
planet based ramjet—an old spacecraft concept where space particles are sent in through the front and rocketed out the back. This design is
similar. The twin towers protruding from the surface form the cone of the field. The field itself is harmless and has no harmful effects to
spacecraft or people. It is probably infested with aliens. However, if the capacitor is harnessed, it can be an instant recharge for any ship
there. The energy supply there is limitless.
LOCATION: 10 ly outside Acheron.
The Structure on CON-888 appears to be a ruin of a massive complex. It is thought to be a remote outpost of the Jockey race from eons
ago. The base is virtually empty. It is assumed this base was the last base wiped out by their creation. All that remains is the shell. Some
fragments of their technology may remains inside. This building is enormous and can even be seen from orbit.
LOCATION: 15 ly outside Casper / Sinat
It is assumed that the Bio-Alloy was developed somewhere. That planet is Peri-120. The Bio-Alloy must have been developed here,
initially as a virus since it seems to have overrun the small asteroid world. The organic compound gains nourishment from sunlight and the
material contains in the rock. The compound attacks any refined material and pulls it into its mass. This makes landings very dangerous.
The Compound absorbs material at a rate of 1K / hour. The landscape, as a result of its organic surface, changes hourly. Horizons rise and
fall. Some scapes wave across the surface like an ocean of living mass. The Bio-Alloy here has no intelligence but rumors say this might be
wrong.
LOCATION: 15 ly outside Pandora
EGG SILOS
RUMFORD
Merely 500 kilometers from the ice flows lie a group of featureless pyramids. Each one towers more than twice the size of the great
pyramid of Giza. The six pyramids are all within line of sight with each other. Rumford is one of many planets with Egg Silos deposited by
the Jockey Race. Eventually, an archeological team was killed but one impregnated, managed to escape to the colony. The resultant
mayhem eventually led to the colony’s destruction by CL5. At CL6, the barren world was considered for repopulation. The Egg Silos
remain. They are the largest deposits of alien eggs of all. These silos are build underneath the pyramids since most silos are not pyramid-
shaped. Over 2000 eggs can be found in stasis here.
BYRON’S HOPE
The rumors that an egg silo is contained here is true. It is a small silo, covered by centuries of continental flow. The silo is perfectly
preserved under the surface and contains 250 eggs. The silo is impossible to spot from space and only a careful ground search can locate it.
exist underneath.
LOCATION: 10 ly from Barabazon
THE BIOMECHANOIDS
The technical term for the Jockey Race were the Biomechanoids. They were a synchronizing of man and machine which was the natural
evolution of their growth rather than a side effect. No one can truly be aware on how alien a non-terran intelligence can be. As theorized
throughout history, there is virtually nothing distinguishable between them and us. Yes, they maybe have two arms and two legs with one
mouth and two eyes but that’s where it ends. Two arms and two legs makes sense as do two
eyes. Everything else is foreign. They are tall when standing (12 – 17 feet tall) with extremely
strong arms and legs. They have dead eyes--seeing and not seeing. Very weak in comparison.
Their mouths are virtually useless to them as well. Their bodies are Sepia colored although most
are found jet black, like the technology surrounding them
Their minds operate on a totally different level, utilizing powers never before even imagined.
The technology is so totally integrated into their lives. Although they are themselves organic,
they seem to have the capacity to merge with their devices. In many ways, all their tools,
whether a hammer or a massive spacecraft, became part of their body when they use their--their
tools become extensions of their own mind. Surviving Biomechanoids exist but they have gone
nomadic across the cosmos. They keep to themselves and usually wait to die. Some are actively
searching for all remnants of their technology in order to eliminate it. Some want to rebuild their
race from the ground up. All have either a morbid fear of a all out dying hatred for the
xenomorphs they created. They are also long lived. It is quite possible the ones still roaming through the cosmos actually bore witness to
their species’ own destruction.
THE CHARACTERS
The rules for making characters can be discerned from the information below. I don’t give direct guides since designing a Biomechanoid
as a PC is very unfair to the rest of the group. Once again, ranges are given.
"Alien lifeform. Looks like it's been dead a long time. Fossilized...Looks like it's grown out of
the chair... Bones are bend outward...Like it exploded from the inside..." --Dallas
"I wonder what happened to the rest of the crew...let's get the hell out of here!" --Lambert
BASIC PERSONALITY:
Shy. Secretive. Values no one and nothing. Very selfish. Isolationist.
CHARACTERISTICS:
INT: 9-11 WILL: 7-10 PRE: 1-4 TECH: 10-11 REF: 6-9
DEX: 5-8 CON: 9-11 STR: 10-15 BODY: 11-16 MOVE: 4-6
COMPLICATIONS:
--Phobia—Xenomorphs—They hate them with a passion but also fear them (Severe)
--Bad Eyes
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SKILLS
TALENTS:
SUPERPOWERS
ATTACK POWERS:
Energy Blast: 8d6 Stun damage
Telekinesis: STR=8
DEFENSIVE POWERS
Danger Sense: Any Attack, Skill=15
Knockback Resistance: -20m to knockback
Life Support:
--Can breathe underwater and in all gases as long as at least 5% oxygen and 5% methane is present.
--Doesn’t need to sleep, eat or extrete.
--Immune to zero-pressure / high pressure / radiation
--Immune to all known human diseases
--Immune to all forms of aging.
ENHANCED SENSES
High Range Radio Hearing
Mental Awareness
Spatial Awareness
MENTAL POWERS
Mental Attack: 8d6 -- Same as Energy Blast above.
Mental Illusions: 5DC, 4d6 Stun / 1d6 Kill
Mind Control: 5DC
Mind Link: 1 mind at a time
Mind Scan: 7D6DC
Telepathy: 8D6
THE TECHNOLOGY
THE BIO-ALLOY
The Jockey Race developed their technology originally from refined metals like mankind, but found a newer developments in an
alternative field. The first was plastisteel compound found often in mankind present technology—the advancement of building materials
with resilience and strength, to be flexible and tough at the same time. The next advancement was the inclusion of memory metals—no
matter how much physical damage the compound withstood, it could always return to the original shape it was designed for. From there
came materials that could modify themselves per the whims of whoever was controlling it. After that came pure regeneration—to heal the
damage dealt to it. Over eons of evolution past our primitive level gave birth to the Bio-Alloy. This usually sepia to black colored substance
is extremely rigid and resilient and capable of maintaining its shape and regenerating from damage taken.
The disadvantage of the substance is that it requires a minor circulatory system similar to a living organism for the bio-alloy to maintain
its organic stability. The aliens cannot seem to convert Jockey race materials. Their hives can’t seem to stay attached and they cannot ingest
the materials for nourishment or hive construction. Jockey Race Bio-Alloy seems almost totally immune to alien acid. Acid is only half
effective. All Bio-Alloy is regenerative. Any Bio-Alloy can regenerate 10% of its total damage ever day. If the power system is damaged,
this cannot occur, however.
THE MERGE
The Merge is the pinnacle of the Biomechanoid technology. It allows the members of the race to integrate their minds and body with
their tools. Even though the variety of their technology is endless, I have included all the most common devices. The GM is free to make up
more. These devices include weapons , spacecraft, and the four unique items listed below.
TRANSPORT SUIT
The Transport Suit is a fully integrated Environment Suit capable of limited flight. It fully encompasses the user with a large transparent
cover and Bio-Alloy armor. It has plug-ins for the energy source for the Light Cannon. The user must remove the suit to enter any other
merge. The Suit supplies full life support and protection for when the Jockey leaves his/her vessel. Like all other devises, the suits becomes
an extension of the user. Filaments move from the suit into the nervous system of the Biomechanoid, allowing perfect tactile contact from
inside the suit. Other abilities follow:
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PILOT CHAIR
The Chair merges with the Biomechanoid and allows him to synch in perfect harmony with the Jockey Carry-All. While merged, the
Jockey has total awareness of everything that occurs onboard the ship. A merged Pilot can remain in the chair for centuries on end. The
pilot not only sees all inside and outside the craft but also can also hear, smell, and touch using the craft. Refer to the ship for the statistics
for it. Besides piloting the craft, the additional bonuses apply:
All the powers of the Pilot are available anywhere on board the ship.
+3 CON
+3 Pilot Skill
Move = 0
Dexterity = 0
Spatial Awareness
SPIDER
The Spider may only have four legs that don’t move, but the name still stuck. It is a rarely found
vehicle accessed by the Biomechanoids to move from place to place on planet. The vehicle has
eight spherical pods with don’t rotate but do supply the source of its motive power. The spheres rise
the craft above the ground and allows for all terrain travel. They generate a gravity field that allows
the craft to move effortlessly through any environment. The Spider can hold only one Biomech at a
time, merged with the ship, making the four appendages of the spider replacements for his own.
The rear legs are primarily used for propulsion, while the front offer the same with the addition of
weaponry and articulators.
The Articulators extend like tentacles from opening in the front and manipulate small objects.
They can then vanish from whence they came until needed. Each arm can extend up to 20 feet and has a STR of 10 each. The front
appendages also contain the vehicles secondary armament in the from of two side-mounted, rapid-fire spore cannons. The primary weapon
is contained in the cockpit—a turret-mounted plasma cannon. This massive energy cannon’s long range has been known to strike ships even
in low orbit.
NOTE: Where did this pic come from…well, if you must know, this was HR Giger’s theorized schematic of the Batmobile from Batman
Forever.
PERFORMANCE
LOADED WEIGHT: 25,255lbs
MANUEVERABILITY: -1
Bonuses:
+3 CON
Move = 0
Dexterity = 0
Spatial Awareness
THE BIOCREATOR
Probably the scariest creation of the Biomechanoids was the Biocreator. Basically designed originally as a cloning machine for the dying
race, it eventually evolved into a last ditch effort in reproduction. The Biocreator once was designed to merge with Biomechanoids but has
since evolved to the point where it could merge with any organism of proportional size, including human, with minor modifications. The
Jockey Race is generally hermaphroditic, but not altogether androgynous. The race requires two for reproduction but the decision on who
carries and who inseminates is decided at copulation. The gestation period is so long, and successful reproduction so rare among this
extremely long lived race, that when they were numbering less and less, a quick and dirty solution was required. The Biocreator merges with
a Biomechanoid and copies his/her DNA into a new embryo. The Biomechanoid is converted to a female and carries the embryo in an
accelerated state. A new Jockey can be born in a matter of days. The DNA pattern of the Biomech can be stored in the creator so a new
Biomechs can merge and carry the same embryo. This occurred because of genetic degradation in cloning for more than a few generations.
However, the future generations couldn’t carry the original embryo so new hosts had to be found. The end result, since the species became
nomadic, was to resort to finding biological hosts to carry the new seed. There are no bonuses for this device except for the end result.
Merged humans can be removed, but left to continue on its course will result in death.
WEAPONS
LIGHT CANNON:
The Light Cannon is a large weapon carried by the Jockey and connects itself to the outside power source of the transport suit. It launches
ultra-bright energy bursts that vaporize any substance on contact. The Jockey is immune to the flash but most others aren’t. Anything with
eyes within 20m must make a CON roll and overcome a DV of 15 to avoid being blinded for 2d6 rounds. While blinded, all DEX and REF
skills are reduced by 4. The weapon is only one handed despite its mass. The Jockey can hold onto it with its strength.
LIGHT PISTOL:
Like the heavier counterpart, the light pistol does have the capacity to blind an opponent but only for 1Dd6 rounds and at a DV 0f 10.
The weapon is smaller, but oddly shaped in comparison. It fires from two receptors on a curved plate on the front of this stubby weapon. It
is one handed but less encumbered than the cannon.
CARRY ALL
The Carry-All is the massive vessel the Biomechanoid’s use to transport great distances. It is assumed there were once possibly hundreds
of different designs the race used in the exploration and conquest of deep space. The carry-all survived through the eons and became the
vessel of choice for long distance / long term expeditions. When the race went nomadic at the end of their war, the carry-all became the ship
of choice.
The Carry-All requires a single pilot in the center to operate and most consider any passengers a hindrance. The ship operates from anti-
gravity generators similar to the ones on the Spider ground transport. The primary generators are on either side of two large appendages.
The port appendage contains the power generators with 5 exhaust nozzles pointing forward for the terraforming generator (see later). The
starboard appendage contains the ship’s flight dynamics, primary armament, and sensor array.
"I don't know...A cave! A- A cave of some sort, but well, I don't know, but it's like the goddamn tropics in
here! -- Kane
174
The central hub contains the cockpit and cargo ring. The Cargo ring is a series of honeycombed compartments of amazing size that can
carry a large assortment of supplies. The cargo varies from people to ships to xenomorph eggs. Stasis fields can drop, freezing the cargo in
time. Each module can open underneath and drop to planet safely via gravity generators at the foot of each module. Above is the Jockey
cockpit, where the pilot lived for most of his life. It knew everything that occurred on board the ship. The pilot also had access to the ship’s
secondary weapon from that position. Above the pilot was a large canopy, the only place where the pilot can see the stars with its own eyes.
The Canopy is opaque but only from the outside. The turret cannon can fire directly through the canopy without damaging it. The primary
weapon is a massive Light cannon that can disrupt many large ship’s systems and destroy smaller ones.
The ship is surprisingly small. Most terran ships divert almost 70% of their space to
systems. The Carry-All only rations about 20% of their space to flight systems. The rest
is reserved for cargo and living space. The craft from Port to Starboard, is less that 500
meters across. The Cargo hub is 250 meters in diameter.
The port appendage serves a variety of purposes but it does offer some strange
abilities. The Carry-All has the capability to alter its surrounding. When landed, it can
convert the terrain around it to match the biomechanical landscape of the Jockey
Homeworld. Given enough time, the entire planet could be adapted this way. This
includes first adapting the topsoil and the organic life and then converting the atmosphere, thickening and converting it to a high methane /
chorine / oxygen buffer, very hazardous to most carbon-based life.
If terraforming is accomplished from orbit, the atmosphere is adapted first, then organic life, and then the ground. The ground is hardened
and blackened, making it more compatible with the bio-alloy. Simple forms and plant life are converted into the dark, hard material similar
to the plant life on the Jockey Homeworld. All major forms of life die from the atmosphere change. This whole process can take years,
taking the size of the planet into account. This process can only be accomplished on worlds with already existing atmospheres with oxygen
content. The materials already have to be there, they just have to be re-combined. This process is usually reserved for those Jockeys trying
to repopulate their civilization.
SYSTEMS:
It seems apparent that these mutants were never mutations but a totally redesigned organism. They bare many similarities to the offensive
creatures encountered in the Terran systems but are created from a totally different template. Both are very violent to their opponents, both
are large, black, armored, and single-minded in their purpose. However, these creatures never rebelled against their masters because they
were never programmed to be offensive. They are totally designed from a defensive standpoint. There is no hive structure, no central brain
nor a desire for expansion. It can still grow and heal by the absorption of outside materials whether organic or inorganic but cannot
reproduce by the use of eggs or queens.
The Prototype is larger, stronger, and more intelligent compared to an alien drone. However, it has no desire to reproduce. It is usually
kept alone or sometimes paired up to defend a certain installation, craft, or person. Once programmed, it can only be reprogrammed by
someone who can access its biological programming. This biological programming is done when the creature is created, usually in a large
vat in a lab either on a planet or on a ship. The creature is assembled from scratch and implanted with instructions on what to do. It is a very
difficult task to reprogram since it entails removing the creature’s brain and biologically reprogramming the synapses. This is only capable
by a Jockey using its biomechanical technology even though it is not impossible for a doctor with a masters in Synthetic engineering to crack
it, if he could ever get the creature to stand still love enough to have its brain removed. Even then it is no guarantee that the implantation
would be successful. The brain is located in a large skull-life formation, in the trunk. Its head is a long-formed snake-like neck with an end
formed with spear-like teeth. It has long legs and arms that end in many fingers with long digits.
The unit is also programmed only to allow a certain number of fellow mutations around it. If the number is greater, the group will remove
the straggler. If under the limit, they are responsible for making up the difference. These creatures cannot necessarily reproduce, but can
create, from the ground up, their own mutation be converting biological life and then reprogramming a brain on a copy of their own. It takes
more than 800 lbs. of bio-mass to create a mutation and the process can take more than 48 hours. There has never been a report of a
prototype breaking its programming since there is nothing below it. In a one-on-one fight, an xenomorph is no match for its predecessor but
the shear numbers of the aliens sway the odds since Mutations are never seen in more than packs of three or four.
Their special abilities follow.
GROWTH: A prototype has no pre-designed lifespan and can exist as long as there are sufficient supplies to maintain its own
biomechanical cells.
BODY: The skin is immune to all atmospheric effect including zero-G. It does not use air as we know it. It needs air to produce sound
of course and also maintain temperature.
SENSES: The prototype uses motion and pressure senses to locate its enemy. It can also use smell and hearing as well, but it has no
form of visual senses. It cannot be blinded in any way. It is also immune to radiation, and all Gases. Unlike other creatures, these
prototypes will not retreat from fire .
DETECTION : Prototypes are invisible to infrared and therm-optics. They can remain perfectly still and immune to motion sensors
unless they decide to move. All normal detection systems are normal.
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PSIONICS (OPTIONAL)
--Prototypes can talk mentally with their Jockey masters and answer to their call easily.
--Prototypes are immune to Mental Illusions and Mind Link.
--Mind Control is possible but hard.
OTHER ABILITIES: Prototypes are immune to all other psychological problems as well as all known diseases. Electricity has only a
half effect. They can never be fatigued or stunned. Therefore, the following characteristics are not applicable: Humanity, Endurance, and
Luck.
PLUG IN:
THE ALIEN COLD-WAR
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
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This plug-in is a completely original concept developed from previously written material from
the Leading Edge RPG and William Gibsons unused Alien3 script.
The majority of the photos on this site are created by Jean Vouillon with his permission.
I am greatly thankful for his support and amazing artwork.
Additional artwork by Philip H. Williams, copyright 2003, used with permission.
Anyone also identifying their artwork should contact me so I can properly differ credit.
Beyond corporate bureaucracy where multi-trillion dollar companies dispute for the newest technology (biological or technological),
planet rights, and the search for newer resources, the old ways of government politics still strive. Although considered much less severe then
the bickering of the “Big 5”, Governments still flex their muscles from time to time. However, this age-old game of political pushing and
shoving didn’t measure more than a nuisance to the more powerful Corporations…until a new threat and technological opportunity arose.
Then the three remaining seats of non-corporate power began to gain notice.
The seat of power for the majority of the human race resides still on the home planet. Earth contains more people on it then the rest of
colonized space. Even in the distant future, it still resides the nexus of the human race. Thus lies its problem. The majority of its population
works for one of the “Big 5” but by charter must be governed by the TTA. Only when a citizen leaves the bonds of the Earth/Moon do they
fall under Interstellar Commerce Commission (ICC) law. This is the reason why most of the largest corporations don’t place their primary
headquarters on Earth, preferring to park their head office on their own controlled worlds or even a world controlled by a larger or allied
company.
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The TTA is an enlarged version of the old United Nations of old. Enlarged in both scope and in doctrine. It more than covers the rules of
conduct between nations but now covers all trade between the nations of Earth. It expands further to include the support of the local military.
It became clear to the Earth nations that peace was the best course of action…in the end it all came down to money. Only together, could
the Nations of Earth gain a foothold in the future. The TTA seats not officials and diplomats but the leaders of the free world themselves.
The TTA doctrine includes complete free trade between its Nations and an open border policy. However, even with all this, most of their
influence does not spread beyond their own world. There is very little need with the protective blanket of the corporations around them. The
TTA also has no significant military force save for its own local ground army and perimeter defense.
NOTE: Past CL6, approaching the turn of Alien: Resurrection (or CL7), this same TTA Military would later reform and restructure itself
to form the United System Military.
The TTA is not without grunt however. They comprise almost a 15% investment in the Colonial Marines, an investment made in order to
keep any single Company from monopolizing such a sizable military and to ensure the CMC’s independence from Corporate Militia. The
TTA operates all stations and bases in the Earth/Moon system. This includes Gateway station and the Lunar Shipyards. Even Mars is
Company controlled. Because of the massive influence and potential for manipulation from the companies, many outside of Earth
(especially those living on other worlds) believe the TTA to be gutless and have a bloated sense of power. Many further believe that the
TTA is corrupt and only operates from the directives given to it from the ICC—the real initials of power in Human controlled space.
As for the planet itself, it still grows out of control. Crime runs more rampant than it ever did before. Even though the Nations have
control over their own land, they seem to be increasingly loosing control of their people. Ethnic, religious, and social minorities have
seceded from many of the weaker Nations and established their own small states. Wealth and social status on Earth range from the most
desperate poverty and oppression in history to unprecedented levels of riches and power. There are many millions of people who live uneasy
middle-class lives in a world with few certainties. And next to their simple communities, surrounding the places where they work, are the
dispossessed; billions of people who work at menial jobs or survive on government subsidies, or who prey on others. Many ethnic groups
and fringe religions have established their own small nations, sometimes with corporate backing, and the safety of people and facilities in
those areas could easily be imperiled. There are even areas where there is no law; where local wars have erased all government and the
nation or nations who own the land have given up on the attempt to administrate.
The TTA itself is a governing body that resides in New York City and seats more than 50 administrators. Many countries were aloud to
seat one, while several smaller countries had to merge for a place on the TTA. Several countries still insist on not aligning with the
governing body but their numbers are too small to mention.
CL3: With the increase in Xenomorphic threats, the TTA eventually signed a Trade agreement with Alexandria. This caused a major rift
between the TTA and the Companies and forced much of the budget of the Colonial Marines to be cut when many corporations jumped
ship.
CL5: When the Xenomorph outbreak spread to Earth, the TTA was left in shambles. With the millions of people killed and the
subsequent eradication of the alien infestation via nuclear weapons, virtually nothing remained. However, many believe that the TTA simply
reformed. With the newly formed government starting from Alexandria, the Human race had a new cradle to which to grow…
Of course, when Earth became livable, the few companies that remained made a note that the governments that took power back on Earth
were under their control…that resulted in more problems occurring in a few centuries…
Alexandria
If someone were to be asked about the greatest threat to future progression of mankind, the answer would depend on the individual being
asked. Ask a civilian from an inner colony world, they would claim the only real threat are the companies and what they are willing to do
from money. Ask a pilgrim in a distant outer-veil world; the increasing threat of rumored alien killing machines takes over. Ask the TTA or
the Colonial Marines, the answer comes from the Neo-Communistic state of the UPP. However, ask any suit sitting on a chair of power in
any corporation of any power, all will respond the same…Alexandria.
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It seemed harmless at first. Less than 50 years after the colony was originally formed, the companies that had invested so much time and
money realized the population base had grown so massive; many citizens weren’t even working for them. The last census read 30 million
but it became clear the number was close to 60 million. When several outer veil colonies declared independence, Alexandria decided to
reluctantly follow. They formed their own government and placed the seat of power at the capitol colony. However, the other worlds were
quickly overrun and many simply surrendered without a fight, ending the revolution before it began. Alexandria, however, was not given the
option to surrender. Previously the perimeter militia had struck and secured Ventix, cutting off the supply runs from the corporate staff on
planet. The staff defected and the company head on Alexandria were quickly deported. When the ICC turned its attention on Alexandria
after the other worlds fell, they discovered a larger threat than the other worlds
put together.
In a few short months, Alexandrian Government’s Military arm, “PanCore”
had taken control of a major manufacturing complex and from Ventix, they
produced a sizable force in a very short time. By the time the ICC had gotten
their forces together to strike back, “PanCore” forces struck first, securing
another foothold, this time with the Crestus Prime Garrison systems.
Previously uncolonized, “PanCore” discovered these worlds were a great castle
wall for normal shipping lanes. There…they stopped. Alexandria, aware they
may be spreading too thin, fortified themselves. With enough rich planets
under their control, they turned their attention to making the most of what they
accomplished.
The ICC was not pleased and a corporate military force attempted to strike at
the Garrison systems. They failed. The ICC quickly requested the CMC move
in. However, the TTA stopped the attack and re-wrote the orders to simply
barricade the system and refuse entry of any vessel. This created a stalemate
that exists today. Because so many illegal shipping lanes exist beyond the
primary ones listed, trading still exists between Alexandria and outer veil
colonies in the surrounding sectors.
The TTA and Alexandria don’t consider each other threats and only the pressure from the Companies keep the CMC positioned there.
There have even been reports of the vessels from PanCore and the CMC engaging in illegal fraternization. Defections between military
personnel are highest at this border.
When Alexandria separated, it created a semi-democracy. The people in power were voted there, but the citizens are not, by all means,
and free. However, many tolerate this situation since it’s far better than most other colonies get. Most understand that the government asks a
lot of their civilians since the growing Nation is still on an uphill climb. The whole sector is on a constant defense stance. Everyone is
expected to pitch in and help the effort to defend and improve the nation. The Alexandrian Government, many refer to as the “Sphere”,
tables six people, each representing a different facet of the community…from farming and manufacturing to administration and military.
Every citizen is expected to serve four years for the government in one of these areas before moving into a career of choice. It is a form of
military draft but the military is not the only option. The majority of the population is eager to work for the civilization that they helped
create. Many understand that expanding the power of the Sphere and protecting the borders are paramount especially with the constant
pressure from the ICC. PanCore currently patrols a sizable motive force at Ventix and at Alexandria. Crestus Prime stations more static
personnel and usually serves no more that a port for the Pan Core forces. Defensive stations make a direct attack on Crestus futile. Any
attempt to work around Crestus and attack Ventix or Alexandria directly would result in an advance notice as perimeter scanners stretch out
far from the worlds. The ICC, however, completely ignores Abdullah and still allows vessels to pass through the Crestus shipping lane back
to the CSC.
Corporations still exist on Alexandria and some are rather large. However, they all must obey strict laws put forward by the Sphere
preventing monopolies or takeovers. Even the largest pales in comparison to even the smallest ones in the ICC. They also work with the
Sphere but hold little power deciding the fate of the people and government.
The reason why Alexandria is considered so much a threat to the ICC, more than the UPP,
is simply because of their refusal to follow ICC regulations and the richness of the world they
run. Alexandria is considered the single best colonyworld in known space. Some say it
resembles Earth before man corrupted it.
CL3: When the alien threat started knocking on their door, Pan Core fortified and
prevented any infestation from reaching their worlds. The Sphere put forward a wise order the
moment the aliens emerged…total extermination.
CL6: When Earth fell, and the Alien threat diminished, Alexandria opened its doors.
Without a blockade and with a new alliance with the CMC and the remnants of the TTA, The
Sphere directed Pan Core to expand out of their borders. The Outer Veil colonies surrounding
Alexandria opened their doors and joined the Sphere, instantly doubling the size of the Para-
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Colony Authority, as it would later be known. The CMC would then merge with Pan Core and form the Para-Military Corps.
MILITARY ARMS
The Alexandrian Defense Force exists to defend the Nation and its interests. It has a reputation second to none, based largely on its
fighting spirit, and on the high standards of professionalism, behavior, and self-discipline that Alexandrian soldiers have consistently
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displayed. Land operations are physically and mentally demanding, extremely unpredictable, and potentially dangerous. In the end they
depend for success on teamwork, which comes from demanding training, strong leadership, comradeship and trust. Such trust can only exist
on the basis of shared values, the maintenance of high standards, and the personal commitment of every soldier to the task, the team, the
Army and the Nation.
STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
As a soldier in Pan Core, they must:
Abide by the civil law, wherever they are serving.
Abide by military law, which includes some additional offences such as insubordination and absence without leave, which are needed to
maintain discipline.
Abide by the laws of armed conflict whenever they are on operations.
Avoid any activity, which undermines their professional ability, or puts others at risk. In particular, the misuse of drugs and abuse of
alcohol.
Avoid any behavior, which damages trust and respect between they and others in their team and unit, such as deceit or social misconduct.
In particular, they must not commit any form of harassment, bullying or discrimination, whether on grounds of race, gender, religion, sexual
orientation or any other behavior, which could undermine good order and military discipline.
Ultimately, an Alexandrian must always measure their conduct against the following test:
"Have your actions or behavior adversely impacted or are they likely to impact on the efficiency or operational effectiveness of the
Army?"
Those in positions of authority, at whatever level, have a duty of care towards their subordinates, looking after their interests, and ensuring
that they fully understand what is expected of them. This duty of care extends to ensuring that individuals who raise concerns have their
complaints dealt with in a thorough and timely manner.
The PPA is less trained than the Alexandrian Forces or even the CMC, but they make up for it in size…and tenacity. The PPA’s Doctrine
is to defend the existence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state of the UPP. To protect the inhabitants of the UPP and to combat
all forms of threats to daily life.
Basic Points :
-The UPP cannot afford to lose a single war.
-Defensive on the strategic level, maintain territorial ambitions.
-Desire to avoid war by political means and a credible deterrent posture.
-Preventing escalation.
-Determine the outcome of war quickly and decisively.
-Combating major threats to the UPP.
-Very low casualty ratio.
The PPA is the UPPs military force. The PPA is subordinate to the directions of the laws of the
state. The goal of the PPA is to protect the existence of the UPP and her independence, and to
thwart all enemy efforts to disrupt the normal way of life.
PPA soldiers are obligated to fight, to dedicate all their strength and even sacrifice their lives in
order to protect theUPP, her citizens and residents. PPA soldiers will operate according to the PPA values and orders, while adhering to the
laws of the state and honoring the values of the UPP as a properly governed state.
Basic Values:
Defense of the State, its Citizens and its Residents - The PPA’s goal is to defend the existence of the State, its independence and the
security of the citizens and residents of the state.
Love of the Homeland and Loyalty to the State - At the core of service in the PPA stand the love of the homeland and the commitment and
devotion to the State -state that serves as a national home for the Union of Progressive People, its citizens and residents.
Tenacity of Purpose in Performing Missions and Drive to Victory - The PPA servicemen and women will fight and conduct themselves
with courage in the face of all dangers and obstacles; They will persevere in their missions resolutely and thoughtfully even to the point of
endangering their lives.
Responsibility - The PPA serviceman or woman will see themselves as active participants in the defense of the state, its citizens and
residents. They will carry out their duties at all times with initiative, involvement and diligence with common sense and within the
framework of their authority, while prepared to bear responsibility for their conduct.
Credibility - The PPA servicemen and women shall present things objectively, completely and precisely, in planning, performing and
reporting. They will act in such a manner that their peers and commanders can rely upon them in performing their tasks.
Personal Example - The PPA servicemen and women will comport themselves as required of them, and will demand of themselves as they
demand of others, out of recognition of their ability
and responsibility within the military and without to serve as a deserving role model.
Purity of Arms - The PPA servicemen and women will use their weapons and force only for the purpose of their mission, only to the
necessary extent.
Professionalism - The PPA servicemen and women will acquire the professional
knowledge and skills required to perform their tasks, and will implement them while
striving continuously to
perfect their personal and collective achievements.
Discipline - The PPA servicemen and women will strive to the best of their ability to
fully and successfully completeall that is required of them according to orders and their
spirit. PPA soldiers
will be meticulous in giving only orders necessary for the state.
Sense of Mission - The PPA soldiers view their service in the PPA as a mission; They
will be ready to give their all in order to defend the state, its citizens and residents. This is
due to the fact that they are representatives of the PPA who act on the basis and in the
framework of the authority given to them in accordance with PPA orders.
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SPECIAL FORCES
Spetsznaz
Many press articles about SPETSNAZ (Special Purpose Forces) concentrate on their glamorous and sensational aspects, such as
assassination missions and masquerading in Corporations. The UPP special purpose forces are called by several names, including reydoviki
(from the English word "raid"), diversionary troops, and reconnaissance/sabotage troops, but they are most popularly known as SPETSNAZ,
an acronym from the Russian spetsialnoe naznachenie, meaning special purpose.
The UPP, already known for their similarities to Soviet Union, adopted the name, which
matches a similar organization in the Soviet past. The General Staff’s Main Intelligence
Directorate GRU controls SPETSNAZ. The mission of the SPETSNAZ is to conduct what the
UPP call Special Reconnaissance. According to the Soviet Military Encyclopedia, Special
Reconnaissance is defined as, Reconnaissance carried out to subvert the political, economic and
military potential and morale of a probable or actual enemy. The primary missions of special
reconnaissance are: acquiring intelligence on major economic and military installations and either
destroying them or putting them out of action, organizing sabotage and acts of subversion;
carrying out punitive operations against rebels; conducting propaganda; forming and training
insurgent detachments, etc. Special reconnaissance is ... conducted by the forces of covert
intelligence and special purpose troops.
More simply, the chief missions of SPETSNAZ are reconnaissance and sabotage.
Typical SPETSNAZ targets include mobile missiles, command and control facilities, air defenses, airfields, port facilities, and lines of
communication. In addition, specially trained SPETSNAZ elements have the missions of assassinating or kidnapping enemy military and
civilian leaders. The basic SPETSNAZ unit is a team of eight to ten men. The team is commanded by an officer, may have a warrant officer
or senior sergeant as deputy, and includes a radio operator, demolitions experts, snipers, and reconnaissance specialists. Team members have
some degree of cross-training so a mission can continue if a specialist is lost.
A SPETSNAZ brigade consists of three to five SPETSNAZ battalions, a signal company, support units, and a headquarters company
containing highly skilled professional soldiers responsible for carrying out assassinations, kidnappings, and contact with agents in the enemy
rear area. The organization of a naval SPETSNAZ brigade reflects its emphasis on space infiltration, with up to three frogman battalions, one
parachute battalion, and a spacecraft battalion, as well as the signal company, headquarters company, and support elements. Many PPA
divisions have SPETSNAZ companies of 115 men and can deploy up to 15 teams. The companies are organized similarly, with three
SPETSNAZ platoons, a communications platoon, and supporting units. Besides the SPETSNAZ units at front and army, there are additional
ones directly subordinate to the GRU. Total UPP SPETSNAZ strength in peacetime is about 5,000.
There are stringent standards required of all conscripts assigned to SPETSNAZ. Potential reydoviki must be secondary school graduates,
intelligent, physically fit, and, perhaps most important, politically reliable. Parachute training with a paramilitary youth organization is
naturally a plus. Upon induction, a SPETSNAZ conscript will be asked to sign a loyalty oath in which he acknowledges death will be his
punishment for divulging details about his service.
After induction, some of the conscripts will be selected for an arduous, six-month-long noncommissioned officers school. Anticipating a
high washout rate, commanders may send as many as five conscripts for each available NCO slot. In the event more NCOs graduate than
there are slots available, the lower ranked graduates are assigned to positions as private soldiers. This excess of trained NCOs provides a
ready pool of leaders to replace casualties in the field. Washouts and those conscripts not selected for NCO school receive training in their
units.
In addition to basic military training, they will be trained in the following specialized skills:
Parachuting,
Hand-to-hand combat and silent-killing techniques, including judo, karate, and knife-fighting,
Sabotage using explosives, incendiaries, acids, and abrasives,
Infiltration techniques, including defeat of locks and security systems,
Foreign language and culture,
Foreign weapons, tactics, and vehicles,
Survival,
Reconnaissance and map reading, and
Rappelling.
The technical training schedule leaves time for rigorous physical training involving obstacle courses and forced marches, which are often
conducted in gas masks. Some units also provide strenuous adventure training like mountain climbing and skiing. Up to half the year is spent
training out of garrison. Once or twice a year, selected teams engage in extremely realistic exercises carried out under battle conditions.
Teams are provided little in the way of rations and are forced to forage for food. Exercise objectives are often operational installations
guarded by regular troops or soldiers of the Ministry of Interior.
SPETSNAZ careerists are well compensated for the strenuous training. Each year of service with a SPETSNAZ unit counts as one and
one-half years for pension purposes, and there is an incentive pay of 50 percent of salary. As in other types of airborne units, SPETSNAZ
receive jump pay, which varies with the total number of jumps, e.g., the fiftieth jump pays more than the fifth. A conscript's jump pay can
exceed his regular salary. In keeping with their behind-the-lines missions, SPETSNAZ are lightly equipped. Each soldier will have an AKH
assault rifle or SVD heavy sniper rifle, a silenced 9-mm pistol, ammunition, a knife, up to eight hand grenades of various types, and rations.
In addition, every team member carries a portion of the team's gear, which will normally include an grenade launcher and rounds, a burst
transmission radio capable of communicating over a range of 100 000 kilometers, directional mines, and plastic explosives. The load per
team member is approximately 40 kilograms (88 pounds).
A provision of up-to-date intelligence is critical to the success of SPETSNAZ missions. The second directorate of the front staff is
responsible for intelligence. It includes separate departments for reconnaissance, agent intelligence, signals intelligence, information
processing, and SPETSNAZ. Under the SPETSNAZ department are both the SPETSNAZ brigade and a dedicated SPETSNAZ intelligence
unit. The latter is tasked with recruitment of "sleeper" sabotage agents and peacetime collection of information on potential targets and
enemy military personnel.
SPETSNAZ sabotage agents are rare in comparison to ordinary intelligence agents. A sleeper might have no other mission than to wait for
the order to commit sabotage in preparation for war. He might also be tasked to acquire safe houses to support the eventual deployment of
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SPETSNAZ teams. Besides the sleepers, the SPETSNAZ intelligence unit controls legal and illegal agents for collection of information.
Most SPETSNAZ missions will have the primary objective of reconnaissance, so they will use camouflage to avoid contact with enemy
patrols. They will attack if ordered to do so by the brigade. As a general rule, SPETSNAZ commanders operate independently. Once
missions are given to the teams, army and front headquarters keep interference to a minimum, relying on the initiative and skill of the team
leaders. Sufficient coordination is maintained to be able to order the teams out of the way of other UPP attacks.
SPETSNAZ are not particularly well known within the UPP military, and they tend not to publicize their existence and capabilities. Their
uniforms are not distinctive, with ground forces SPETSNAZ usually wearing airborne or signal troops' uniforms and naval SPETSNAZ
wearing naval infantry or ground uniforms. Their ethnic makeup is likewise not distinctive and to some degree reflects the ethnic
characteristics of the intended target.
Despite their qualifications, tough training, and demonstrated value, the fact remains that the majority of SPETSNAZ are conscripts on
two-year tours of duty. Consequently, there is opportunity for cross-training in specialties but soldiers may lack the degree of motivation that
characterizes other unconventional warfare forces, such as the CMC Special Forces, and the Alexandrian Oblagon. In comparison to other
unconventional warfare forces, SPETSNAZ lack specialized infiltration aircraft such as the UD-4 Cheyenne. This lack severely limits
SPETSNAZ capabilities for clandestine insertion, particularly prior to the start of hostilities. As a result, SPETSNAZ must rely on the brute
force of the UPP space operation to cover most infiltration. If UPP fighter-bombers and other means do not inflict the necessary damage to
opponent air defenses, unarmed transports could prove sitting ducks, with the result of heavy SPETSNAZ losses before teams arrive on
target. Despite these limitations, SPETSNAZ pose a formidable wartime threat to the ICC.
The Oblagon
Oblagon Motto: Who Dares Wins
The Oblagon is one of the world's premier special forces teams. The history of the Oblagon dates back to the beginning of the Outer Veil
Rebellions, when Captain David Stirling developed the concept while recuperating from a parachute accident. David Stirling attempted to
propose his idea to the CO. The guards at the gate wouldn't let him into the building, so Stirling jumped the fence and proceeded to walk into
the office. The Oblagon was initially created as a raiding force to weaken the CSC forces encroaching on the Crests Prime Garrison
Systems.
One of the first things people think about when they hear "Oblagon" (besides soldiers in black storming a building) is selection. Selection
is designed to break people. Only about 10 out of 125 will make it. For any soldier Selection is the ultimate test of endurance and mental
strain. Selection is broken down into 3 phases. The first part is the Special Forces Briefing Course. This is a joint three-day class to show
potential Oblagon recruits what is expected of them. Class room lectures and physical training take place. One MUST pass this course to be
allowed onto Selection. They are shown films and are given the chance to get some insight into Selection. For certain reasons this is not
considered to be one of the THREE MAIN phases of Selection. This should be combined with the first part.
The First three weeks of Selection is held mostly on Ventix. Soldiers are expected to increase their weight in their bergens (rucks) and
distances will also become greater. If a soldier fails a test more then twice is RTUed(Returned To Unit). The soldier is allowed to repeat the
course again if he is willing. One of the most notorious parts is the "Fan Dance". This is a march across the Mykelti plateau. It should take
about four hours to complete. Another part and probably the most famous, is the Long Drag. It is held on the last day of the three weeks. It is
about 40 miles over the Mykelti mountain range itself. The soldier will now be carrying a 55 pound bergen. Remember this doesn't include
water and food! The passing times range from 20 to 24 hours to complete this course. If the weather is good try to get in less than 20 hours.
It is important to remember that the bergen weight includes water or food. Bergen weights will vary
through out the course. It will range from 30 pounds to 70 pounds, with an average of about 50 to 55
pounds. Blisters are common, and they should be taken care of quickly. By this point maybe about 40
men are left.
Jungle Phase is the next hurdle. Oblagon soldiers will be integrated into patrols. They learn to
travel, live, and fight in the jungle. The jungle will have different affects on people. Some will enjoy
it, others will hate it. Disease is also another thing to worry about. Everything has to be taken care of
(cuts, blisters, and eating equipment) to prevent sickness, which may get someone kicked off the
course. In the jungle they will learn to fight and use demolitions. Also the art of making a camp is
also taught. Rain is almost non-stop, so equipment must be looked after. By the end of the Jungle
Phase, only about 20 men will be left. It is time to move on to Escape and Evasion and TQ( or Tactical
Questioning). E&E is taught by members of the Oblagon. The soldiers learn how to catch food and
live off the land. Former POWs (or Prisoners Of War) also talk to the classes. They tell them about
their situations and how they made it. Escaping is also taught. The Course ends with a final exercise.
The men are paired up with other students from other branches and units, such as pilots from the
Alexandrian Space Force and other units. PCS The men are given only old expeditionary jackets and
some ripped pants, and boots that are barely being held together. They are then turned loose in a large
wooded area. The men must check in with various check points. The soldiers are on the run usually for
about 3 days. A "hunter force" is always in pursuit. These forces are usually from other Army units.
They are tasked with hunting down the recruits. By the end ALL the recruits are captured. Now they face TQ. TQ is usually considered an
easy part Selection. They must stick to the "Big 4" and say nothing else except, "I'm sorry I can't answer that question sir/maam." Women are
sometimes brought in, and the men are forced to strip. The women then makes jokes about the man's body parts. It is not usually seen as hard
by the Oblagon although, usually one or two men fail.
After completion the remaining class will go it's separate ways. Soldiers are given the chance to say whether they want to go onto the
Elite Oblagon and even more training and Selection or whether they would like to stay on with the Oblagon. For the all men, this is a great
moment, when they receive the beret and famous "Winged Dagger" beret badge. Training is far from over though. For the Elite, they will
stay on Ventix where they will learn the trade of their unit. But that is another story…
During a three day long training and testing period, potential recruits are rigorously monitored as they are taken to the limits of their
physical and mental stamina. Only the strongest survive. Out of a hundred candidates, only a few are allowed to progress beyond the initial
stage. One of the final events in their training is the Masa'a Kumta, or Beret March. During this exercise candidates endure a 90km forced
march (roughly 50 miles) with full gear (this can include anti tank missile launching units) over rough terrain. The soldiers are expected to
be proficient with all of the weapons used in their area of operation. Due to the nature of their operations, they also have their own urban
warfare training center, known as hell town. Members who pass all the tests and training are rewarded with the badge a small metal pin with
a flying tiger as the emblem. To many outside Pan Core, this group is simply known as "The Unit ". The unit was initially based on the
examples set forth by the Oblagon. Although a top-secret unit, they have a tremendous influence. They have participated in many anti and
counter-terrorist operations.
WEAPONS
Alexandria
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UPP
WEAPON DESCRIPTIONS
ALEXANDRIA
Alexandrian Heavy Armed Services (AHAS) Heavy Pistol: The AHAS is the only weapon contractor in Alexandria. Even still, it pales
in comparison to the massive military divisions of even the smallest ICC corporations. Their first
design was the Heavy Pistol, standard equipment on every soldier of Pan Core. Larger and bulkier
than standard CMC sidearm, the HP sports a larger shape and higher capacity. However, it looses its
concealability. The major common ground between AHAS weapons and the AKH and SVD weapons
of the UPP are reliability. There are often times when units are far from the home world where the
weapon are made unlike the CMC, which spreads supply routes all across the Network. Weapons
need to always work and never jam. However, Alexandria and the UPP take different routes to meet
these ends. AHAS makes very pricey weapons that take longer to make but result in a very sturdy
design. UPP weapons are reliable because if their simplicity. It all started with the Heavy Pistol.
Newer technology became available quickly to reduce the size of the
weapon, but most stubborn units still insist on the old design.
AHAS Pulse Laser Pistol: AHAS’s major advancement in weapons, an
advancement that frightened most members of the ICC (especially the
CSC), was finally being able to reduce the optical systems of laser
weapons. First came the rifle…soon after came the pistol. The weapon is
considered unpopular because of its “lack” of recoil. Most soldiers in
combat feel they need feedback from their weapons, which the pistol lacks.
Because of the pulse motor in the rifle, a sort of “recoil” exists, but this
motor in the pistol is so small, feedback is nominal. Although the barrel
seems large, the laser is quite small, requiring the massive opening to hold
the optical and capacitor systems to create the energy pulse. Not strictly a
laser, the energy weapon creates a tiny bubble of energy not unlike “ball lightning” which then fires and tremendous speed towards its
target. Beyond the maximum range, the bubble dissipates and is harmless.
AHAS Medium Rifle: Before the advent of Pulse laser technology, AHAS developed their own slug rifle based ICC issue dating back to
before the Outer Veil Rebellions. The weapons were blueprinted and redesigned with a larger shell and firing rate. They carry the caseless
ammunition similar to the CMC Pulse Rifles but the shells are slightly larger. AHAS, although using top of the line technology, will always
work from a stable strata. The result is seen in all their designs. Both the AHAS MR and PLR and PPG all have almost identical base
setups. The PLR and MR even share similar parts, even though one fires bullets and the other fires pulse energy. The MR has shortened
range in comparison to the CMC M42A but is equipped with a standard flash suppressor.
U.P.P.
SVD Hold Out Pistol: Small, robust, and built on a platform more than 100
years old, the Hold Out is the standard side-arm for all division of the UPP. SVD
originally was formed to construct ground vehicles for the UPP military machine.
As they developed beyond, and the demand for ground transports reduced, SVD
(Special Vehicles Division) started constructing weapons based on designs they had
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stolen from ICC Corporations. The Hold Out was the first. Simple and almost impossible to jam, the design has remained unchanged in 50
years.
SVD Heavy Sniper Rifle: Loosely based on the CMC design, the UPP standard Sniper rifle lacks many of the refinements of the superior
CMC model. It lacks in range and accuracy but is often modified by their owners to offset these disadvantages. This robust nature of all
UPP designs has resulted in a very unique edge to each Sniper Rifle. Every dedicated Sniper is assigned a Rifle for his or her career. They
are held responsible. Snipers in the UPP often sleep with their rifles and it will die to protect their weapons. As a result, as said, they are
often slightly to heavily modified to change their conceal ability or to increase the range, accuracy, or punch. However the unique muzzle
shape remains a signature feature of all of them.
as the Hold Out, being mostly used as the main sidearm for station security.
AKH ER Grenade Launcher: Another design that arose from the AKH is this
age old grenade launcher, modified with greater range and versatility. The
Launcher became more common as the Trades SMG Alpha-01 started to replace
the AKH Assault on the front lines. The Tradex lacked an under mount grenade
launcher so many heavy weapon officer were equipped with the ERGL as a
secondary. Its primary fault lies with its firing rate but makes up for in range,
beating out both the CMC issue Grenade Launcher and the M42 Undermount.
TRADEX SMG-ALPHA-01: Tradex continued their trend of using smaller
ammunition into the Alpha-01. The Alpha-01 carries a similar round as the
Assault, only with a much larger ammo capacity. It also has a better accuracy but at the risk of a lower rate of fire. The weapon gathered
controversy, as an identical design is the standard firearm for infantry n the UPP. It is unsure if the design was copied or sold. However,
Tradex stock did not take the plummet it was expected to take when this information arose…instead, they recorded record earnings. The
investigation still has not brought any new evidence to the surface.
SPACECRAFT
ALEXANDRIA
GPU Transport
The Primary transport for most applications between Alexandria and its controlled worlds is the Multi-
Purpose GPU Transport. The GPUT stands the massive component in the Alexandrian Fleet. They account
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for more than 85% of the total motive interstellar transportation within the influence of The Sphere. Most within that space is run and
controlled by groups working for an Alexandrian Corporate or the Sphere itself. Some are seen operating in the ICC however all of those are
indipendantly run since any vessel known to work for Alexandria is detained, stripped, and sent back. Most ICC corporations still frown on
the independent merchants who operate these vessels especially since an overpowering majority of them deal with the rebel government. But
there is no denying the ability of the freighter. Sure it lacks the advantage so many other models have in that it cannot land in a high gravity
environment (anything more than .6g grounds the vessel), but it carries a higher cargo capacity than almost every other design. It also sports
a very unique ability.
The GPUT is capable of direct-linking with other GPUTs. The vessels literarily stack atop each other, sharing their power, life support,
computer and drive systems and can be operated by any single command center on any of the vessels. All the controls are slaved into one
central vessel (usually the top one). The vessels can even open their cargo holds and transport larger payloads when linked. Generically,
vessels link in pairs with one vessel upside down. They open their cargo flaps and merge.
The merchant owned variations seldomly travel far from Alexandrian space. Further away, the vessels get rarer. Simply because of the
market. The vessels are very robust and have a remarkable maintenance record. A pair of Alex-Pulse Nuclear Engines keeps the vessel
moving along faster than most freighters. The vessel’s automation translates to smaller crews and smaller crew compartments, translating
further to greater cargo efficiency. The craft carries the same cargo capacity of a SV-90 Super freighter but measures less than 300 meters
from stem to stern.
In the military, the vessel commonly transports soldiers and supplies from Alexandria to the Garrison systems and vice-versa. Although
not used as a front-line defender, the vessels to come equipped with minor weaponry and usually sport linkable escorts like a Medusa or
later, even a Proteus. Their lack of maneuverability prevents their effective combat use.
STASISTICS
The first and foremost fighter for most of PanCore’s fleet, at least until the Proteus’s release, was the FS-245 Intruder. The Intruder
started life as a prototype design from the CSC. The moment of the Outer-Veil Rebellions, many high ranking CSC personnel defected when
the lines were drawn. With them carried gigabytes of compartmentalized data from CSC R&D. This may lead to why CSC considers
Alexandria so much a threat. The most prominent of this data stolen were the blueprints of a trans-atmosphere space superiority fighter CSC
planned on using to gain an edge corporate politics as a counter design to the HA-117. This fighter was taken in by Pan Core and developed
into the PCS (Pan Core Systems) – 245 Intruder. Very little was changed from the blueprinted schematics. Pan Core took the design to heart
and within 30 years, it became the most common defender in the Sphere’s influence.
The most obvious characteristic in the design is the two massive Phantom-Hardwicke Ramjets
that provide the bulk of the atmospheric speed, making it the fastest craft on planet. The Ramjets
are adaptable and can adjust to different environmental makeups, including low oxygen
environments. The Jets also serve to cool the nuclear reactor in the rear, which supplies
additional thrust through a Mykelti NukeBooster. The space-borne engines run through the same
thrust ports as the ramjets and can even run simultaneously with them to provide even more
thrust.
In space, the Intruder does lack some power and the large ramjets cannot be removed, adding
to the mass of the vessel. However, it can still outmaneuver most other spacecraft available. In
the atmosphere, it’s second to none. Vectored thrust assists short wings for tight maneuvers.
The primary weapons systems include a pair of 25mm Repeating Cannons and a collection of
missiles that can either launch from the nose port or dropped from the undercarriage and fired.
The small craft’s range limits extended missions that take it more than within the system it is
based in. Seldom do vessels ever get transferred to other bases when initially assigned, leaving
each squadron on its own to care for its vessels. Currently, nine divisions of squadrons exist
through in Alexandrian space. This includes one at each Crests Colony and Alexandria itself.
Each squadron can be separated by its flight colors. Intruders seldom find themselves assigned to
space stations or vessels, being usually reserved for planet defense.
STATISTICS
Variant Body WT Armor MV Move Mach Orbit SR
PCS-2454 3 14 2 0 / +1* 300 5 10 20
*In an atmosphere.
Communication range: 5000 km
Crew: 1 Pilot. Life support for 2 personnel.
Maneuverability: +1 dodge of guided missiles.
Additions: Fire Retardant, Flares, Raft, Emergency Rations, Sleeping Bag.
Evacuation: 1 Parachute, 1 Space Suit.
Armament package: 2 Pistols.
Range: Atmospheric: 5 000 km Orbital: 10 AU
reserved for orbital bases above Alexandria and Ventix. Not that it wouldn’t be effective in combat. Two very powerful Atlas-369 Engines
provide more than enough thrust for it to even outrun an PCS Intruder in space. In an atmosphere, however, the roles are definitely reversed,
as the Medusa quickly finds itself overmatched by dedicated fighters. The Medusa only requires one pilot and doesn’t even carry backup
controls for the co-pilot, which sits perpendicular behind and below the cockpit. From a flight system, a CMC Pilot could easily adapt to the
controls since the cockpit was based on plans stolen from the CMC before the end of the Outer Veil Rebellion. Weapons include a Gattling
cannon similar to the Cheyenne weapon system but lacks most of the missile payload.
At CL3, the craft saw use within the CMC when the Trade Agreement was signed. Some Conestogas were even converted to take the
larger dropship.
STATISTICS
PanCore’s Predator model emerged from the Pan Core Research and Defense arm and stood
the first model exclusively designed from the ground up with no a single fragment of its
blueprints lifted from a stolen ICC schematic. The Predator is a totally original design from the
ground up. The single-man craft’s most obvious feature are its massive twin Warlock-6 Fusion
Engines that accelerate the craft faster than any other known to man. In hard straight line
acceleration, the craft’s only limit is the health of its pilot, the Predator can pull over 9gs and can
maintain that acceleration for extended periods…and this is just straight line. The craft’s specs
indicate a much higher stress rating.
Vectored thrust assists maneuverability in an out of an atmosphere. Diverting thrust enables
vertical take-off and landing. Even still, atmosphere limits the craft significantly from the lack
of a decent aeroform. The Predator can launch from the surface of Alexandria and achieve the
surface ceiling in under 45 seconds.
From the edge of its aeroform, four 25 mm Cannons comprise the primary armament. In bays
next to the engines, a variety of rockets and missiles lay nestled, concealed behind armor. These
include both dumb fire rockets and very accurate STS Interceptor Missiles.
The Predator’s primary role remained in space. Its massive power equaled long range. It
could operate almost limitless within its assigned system, seldom being assigned to a spacecraft
considering its significant size. It could very well move from any Alexandrian system if it only
had a jump drive. To test the range, the prototype ran full throttle and actually
traveled from Crests Prime 1 and Crestus Prime 2 without refueling. This design
would never survive the budget cuts of an ICC corporation. In Alexandria, such a
design is allowed to flourish. The Sphere felt the need to have a craft that could
properly protect an entire system but only be based from a single world. ICC
Corporations usually only care about the protection of their mineral rights. However,
Alexandria’s highest priority remains its sovereign space, so having a craft that could
properly patrol that space became paramount.
Because of its extended range, the craft’s size did make room for a small crew area
about the size of a small Winnebago where the pilot and co-pilot could live in relative
comfort. Some patrols, especially those around Alexandria itself, could last several
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days at a time. The Predator stands the largest fighter-class operating today.
At CL3, when the Terran Trade Agreement was signed, this craft was the first design brought into the CMC ranks, as the Colonial Marines
lacked a good long-range interceptor punch. At CL5, when corporations began to fall, many newly independent colonies s became equipped
with them.
STATISTICS
* -4 in an atmosphere
Communication range: 10 000 km
Crew: 1 Pilot. 1 Co-Pilot. 2 bunks in a rear hold.
Maneuverability: +2 dodge of guided missiles.
Additions: Fire Retardant, Flares, Raft, Emergency Rations, Sleeping Bag.
Evacuation: 2 Parachutes, 2 Space Suits.
Armament package: 2 pistols.
Range: Atmospheric: unlimited Orbital: 1 500 AU
Hardpoints: 6
Basic Armament: 4 linked 25 mm Cannons, 8 XIM-28A missiles, 30 150 mm rockets
When the CMC and Pan Core signed on the dotted line and formed the Terran Trade
Agreement, the ICC became extremely worried. Not only were they loosing control of the Colonial Marines, but it also could give a
technological edge to a force they considered to be a threat. Several ICC members especially Weyland-Yutani attempted to break up this
treaty. When that failed they tried to use the treaty as a way to gain access to the Alexandrian technology they had been trying for decades to
retrieve. However, increased security at both R&D divisions proved too great. When the Xenomorph threat spread out of control, many ICC
members had greater problems to deal with than worrying about some cool new spacecraft the Colonial Marines may get access to.
And in the fledging days of the treaty, the new models the CMC had access to didn’t appear to have a significant advantage over models
already in use in the ICC. The Intruder was great in an atmosphere but lacked in space and the Predator was great in space and slug to
maneuver in an atmosphere. Sure the Panther was a neat design and the potential of the Banshee scared many, but from the initial outlook,
the TTA seemed to have been a lot of hot air.
Then the Proteus emerged.
When CMC R&D gathered all the data they had
acquired from decades dealing with UPP technology and
coupled it with all the data they had in their designs
(which were given to them from various corporations),
they got together with PCS designers to see what worked
the best. After several months of strained wills and
broken families, a prototype design surfaced.
The Proteus didn’t start with an idea, it started with an
objective. Simply put, the craft would combine the best
abilities of the Intruder, Predator, Cougar and Stingray
Fighters. It would be trans-atmospheric, and be able to
operate equally in both environments. It would have
long range but be compact enough to fit in a Conestoga
drop slot. It needed to be maneuverable but still be able
to pack a punch. With the money of Alexandria behind
it, the CMC engineers realized the extent at which the
design could be pushed. The resulting answer came in
the form of a configurable design—as craft, which could
alter itself to the environment it was in…easier said than
done. In an atmosphere, the craft resembles almost any
other stubby winged aircraft. However, instead of
Turbines, a set of the most advanced engines ever
constructed sit. These are ZX-01 Event Horizon Engines
powered by a single fusion reactor built into main hull of
the craft. ZX-01EV Engines produce an amazing
amount of thrust, almost 50 000 lbs each (and there are
four of these), for a craft that weighs half as much as a
Predator Space Fighter. ZX-01 EV Engines also sport
forward and side firing ports and vectored thrust exhaust
for extreme maneuverability. To make top all that, it still includes more RCS (Reaction Control System) thrusters than any other space
fighter built.
It still cannot break the surface to ceiling record set fort by the Predator but second place still scares people. Upon reaching space, the
wings past the vertical ailerons move in. The four Event Horizon engines detach from the wings and slide along the vertical aileron surfaces
to lock on the four external points of the craft. This increases maneuverability in space significantly, cause the ship to be the second most
maneuverable craft ever designed in space (only the Banshee can outmaneuver it). It was surprising when the craft still came in undermass,
easily being able to fit snugly in a dropslot with room to spare.
The one-man craft’s primary armament rests under the nose. They come in the form of a pair of linked 25mm repeating cannons wired
into the eye-movements of the pilot. The helmet utilizes a Kahn-Cubic wave interface which tracks the weapon using brain impulses rather
than tracking the eye movement themselves, offering quicker response time.
The one drawback of the design is the lack of heavy missile armament beyond the primary weapon. Mounted in sheathes beside the
25mm cannons are an additional pair of cannons, this time, twin 30mm railcannons fire from a fixed position. The Proteus also comes
stander with a very advanced ECM system for thwarting incoming guided weapons. In simulations and live testing, the Proteus successfully
outmatched every model it went up against. Only the Predator with its gargantuan speed and missile load was able to find a shot off. In the
end, nine out of ten times, the Proteus was more than a match for any vessel it came up across.
The Proteus became the exclusive fighter of choice within Alexandria the moment it was released. When the blockade was lifted and the
CMC found its budget increase, Proteus fighters found themselves assigned to CMC vessels around the CSC sector. As the xenomorph
menace spread through the cosmos, the fighter became more common.
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STATISTICS
Without a huge area of space to call their own, Alexandria’s need for a fleet of cruisers didn’t arise. However, transportation remained a
concern and having a large, portable, defense port peaked the concerns of Pan Core Officials. The drafted plans described a much larger
vessel than the CMC utilized in their fleet. The Mariposa rose from the schematics and rolled from the assembly yards of Ventix less than
fifteen years ago.
Since then, seven more vessels emerged. The Mariposa vessels primary patrol area lies between the Crestus Prime Garrison systems with
one roaming the route between Ventix and Alexandria. The vessels may be small in numbers but they more than make up for that in grunt
and mass. First the vessels power, more than supplied by six Atlas-Juggernauts Terrawatt Engines and four Mykelti Ion Pulse Drives as a
backup. This supplies the Mariposa with enough grunt to outrun even a Conestoga class vessel. Like the Conestoga and so many other
vessels, the Mariposa cannot land, however, unlike the CMC counterpart, the Mariposa can enter an atmosphere and even get within 1000
feet of the planetary surface in a 1g environment. A vertical thruster ensures its safety in such an occurrence.
A single Mariposa can completely relay all actions in a combat situation in space and on the ground, coordinating all maneuvers through
its single command dome. Ship maneuvers and deck operations are handled through a separate bridge. The hanger is equipped to carry every
class of Alexandrian vessel. Several hangers hold Medusa transports with a majority carrying both Intruders and Predator Fighters.
Eventually, the latter two would be replaced with
Proteus fighters exclusively.
Even though heavy on automation, the PCS-111
requires a larger crew for administration and support.
If the Conestoga was a light cruiser, the Mariposa
would be more of a Carrier, with higher crew and more
broad-purpose missions. It sports four forward facing
Particle Beams, each with a 30-degree firing arc. At
least a dozen railcannon turrets rest peppered across the
hull. Laying flush to the hull both on the top and
bottom of the vessel, more then 40 XIM-Long Lance
Missile fire guided towards their targets.
After the TTA was signed and the blockage lifted,
the first vessel to move across the border freely was
Mariposa 01, the flagship. When the Xenomorphic
war broke out in CL4 and 5, Most vessels remained to
protect Alexandria and its colonies. However, the flagship went on permanent loan to the CMC and became Admiral Frost’s command
vessel throughout the war.
STATISTICS
U.P.P.
CSS-PPA-XAP “ECHAGI” ASSAULT SHUTTLE
Not the prettiest craft in the world, the Echagi Assault Shuttle started life as regular
transport for the PPA forces within system. However, the need for expansion grew, and PPA
command required a vessel to enter fast and drop a crew on surface and do it faster than the
CMC’s dropship. To succeed at this, engineers modified the base Echagi shuttle design and
equipped it with a unique deployment system. The Echagi cannot drop vehicles but it can drop
personnel rapidly. The craft simply stops anywhere from ten to eighty feet from the surface.
Individual compartments open up and personnel drop via simple cables or even through lowered
pads. Up to thirty men can drop from an Echagi craft in less then ten seconds. The craft could
then move into combat formation or leave to retrieve more personnel.
Like the CMC Cheyenne, the Echagi maintains a strong combat presence even when it’s
deployed its troops. However, it does lack maneuverability in an atmosphere and would easily
find itself outmatched in an even fight with a trained Cheyenne. It does match the CMC in
firepower, however. It carries a similar cannon arrangement and missiles in side and front
launching concealed bays.
The cannon is a six-barreled, fix nosed 25mm Cannon. However, twin railcannons also fire from a fixed mounted on the side pods. The
missile system is smaller, less then half of the top of the line Dropship.
Two PPA-01 Buster Engines power the craft. Even though they lack maneuverability, the Echagi outmatches in top speed. The craft’s
engines can deploy into “scramble” mode, which increases its top speed 50%. This design intended for the craft to penetrate an atmosphere
quickly, strafe for cover, deploy its troops and depart out of range or return for another strafing run. The craft was not intended to stay still
and fire from point.
STATISTICS
The very first design from the Rodina design lab reflected the UPP directive of
effectiveness through the shortest distance. The Maddox looks ugly—a product of
results over style—but flies remarkable well. Its robust bulk keeps aloft with
thrusters alone considering it carries no aeroform. If engines fail for any reason, the
Maddox drops like a rock. Luckily, an incident has never occurred involving engine
failure. A UPP propriety fusion drive simply called a B-16 powers the various
engines throughout the hull including the (count them) sixteen pulse ion drives
pointed aft.
The Corvette patrols most of the space controlled by the UPP and most of the
patrols consist of only one or two vessels. Therefore they have to be moderately
self-sufficient. Each Maddox carries a pair of small docking collars where two
Hornet rest docked. The Hornet crews and the Maddox crew don’t live in a lap of
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luxury on board. Living conditions are cramped and dark. Most crew members on tour cannot last more than three months before needing a
vacation. The UPP is not known for rewarding its crews with hazard pay and many troops, to maintain their lives, have to take multiple tours
back to back. The PPA does not endorse automation so more crew members work a Maddox than need be.
Beyond the base two railcannons on the nose, the Maddox also sports another pointing aft. Two 80mw Particle Beams fire from mounts
on the top rear engine ports. The Maddox carries a small missile payload as well although not a substantial one.
In an atmosphere, the Maddox is slow and cumbersome but landing is capable. Not intended to be a dropship, the vessel still carries the
capacity of several troops even though most of the time, if needed the vessel ferries to the surface a Leviathan Battle Tank. The tank is
dropped via a collar underneath the vessel.
The Maddox remains the bulk of the PPA space fleet. More than 85% of the PPA space force is comprised of Maddox Corvettes most on
patrol between Rodina and Barabazon with another large force roaming the border.
STATISTICS
Even though the PPA’s design style resembles the rugged “tramp-steamer” look reflected in every bit of technology the UPP builds, few
exceptions do exist where designers have taken a flamboyant approach to a concept and carried that all the way to production. The Zukov
Command Carrier took the opening honors. The last and most extreme design remains the CSS-PPA-ALX “Hornet”. Meant to be a counter
to the ICC and Alexandrian fighter designs, the Hornet took a more radical approach, creating a design which could be on equal footing in
any terrain and not be totally dominant in one, unlike the others, building dedicated craft to
dedicated environments (a dominant space fighter and dominant atmospheric craft).
The Hornet emerged from a design stance to create a totally original design not based on
a single component from a rival group. This made the project extremely expensive to
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develop and produce. In the end, fewer ended up rolling off the assembly line. Budget cuts forced the project to be cut short. Still, more
than 500 fighters flew into service before the project fell into the round file. Each vessel cost almost as much as an Alexandrian Intruder and
was half the size and weighed half as much.
The core design started with a brand new propriety reactor called J-32. The drive remains exclusive to the Hornet and virtually impossible
to install in another craft. The drive includes two engine ports, which could swivel 360 degrees and provide virtually %100 power in every
direction. The only weakness occurs when the engine points forward, the vents divert outward, to avoid damaging the hull, effectively
cutting that power in half. Fortunately, additional thrust vents through forward nozzles. Additional RCS thrusters dot the hull to add
additional maneuverability in space. In atmosphere, various wings supply more than enough lift and agility. The craft’s lightweight form
assists maneuverability. If the reactor core looses stability or is irreparability damaged, the J-32 can detach and the forward half and can still
maintain rudimentary power and flight to survive landing.
The most unusual feature of the Hornet cannot be anything but its landing gear. Designers created an advanced motive system, compact in
flight, supplying another mode of transportation. The legs unfold and allow remarkable nimble
movement when the craft settles on the surface. The Hornet easily traverses virtually any terrain
without impedance. The legs can position the craft for ground engagement and even allows it to
climb and attach to vertical surfaces like buildings and cliffs. Driving pitons built in the legs pin
the legs into position on whatever surface it attaches to.
A single pilot controls the Hornet through an oddly shaped cockpit on the absolute bow of the
craft. Almost the entire cockpit is transparent. Above that cockpit sits the primary weapon
system. Twin linked 25mm gattling cannons rest nestled. Beyond those, two bays 16 dumbfire
rockets supply additional weaponry. The weapon seems mediocre but not much can be held in
such a small craft. The Hornet is a difficult target to strike and quickly found success in combat
situations. The vessels first became assigned to Rodina and later found duty on the Zukov
Carriers. Their major drawback with their design and size was, of course, fuel capacity. Many
Hornet entered an extended combat area, and found they needing a tow back to home base.
STATISTICS
The only Freighter built by the UPP, the Nova fills a necessary niche in UPP
community, as most ICC built freighters proved unreliable without experienced
engineers in the proper field performing maintenance. The Nova stood a
symbol of constructing simplance. The mirror opposite of the Hornet, the Novo
design involved a reactor, fuel, a length of safety ductwork connecting it to the
cargo hold, the single large cargo area, and the small bridge built on top of that.
Simplicity in design, layout, and constructions, the Nova ran off the production
line in huge numbers and found success everywhere, even across veil in the
colonies of Alexandria.
A basic J-01 Scram Reactor provides the limited amount of power. Dirty and
not very efficient, the J-01 requires at least 50 feet of space between itself and
any organic because of radiation hazards. The single cargo area rests at the
front of the vessel and the crew compartment sits atop of that. The cramped
quarters barely fit the required three crew members needed to run the vessel.
The vessel crawls from destination to destination. Most crews cannot live on board for more than a few months before requiring leave.
The only real advantage the Nova has over other vessels its is colossal range although most crews never wish to utilize that to its fullest
potential. The Nova occasionally finds use as a troop transport, however since the release of the Zukov, the role has decreased substantially.
STATISTICS
The Reapers hover over the cities of the UPP, flexing the iron arm of the PPA and Military Police. They hover over all terrains, through
cities, swamps, and over deserts, passing judgment on those they are assigned to seek. They stand the only military vehicle actively serving
on UPP controlled planets. They see more active duty than any other vessel, but often need to fire upon UPP citizens, most involving
rebellions and food riots on Barabazon. However, they often find themselves assigned to military vessels en-route to planetary missions.
The Reaper moves fast and turns on a dime. However, the Reaper is also land locked. Amazingly enough, this totally air-tight vehicle could
survive re-entry in a low-orbit insertion, but it carries no primary drive for space
propulsion. Only RCS thrusters assist in descent.
When atmosphere hits, the Reaper’s gigantic “Atlantis” turbine revs up. A
small nuclear power pack runs this huge motor. Mounted usually on the port
side, the turbine vents air throughout the whole vessel, through many ports to
provide lift and maneuverability. It easily carries the two crew and weapon
payload. They weapon system is massive but simple. A single 20mm Gattling
Cannon on the starboard side carries twice the ammunition payload of its regular
counterpart. The massive gun serves a psychological purpose to help keep those
rebellious factors inline. Few outsiders have actually seen Reapers in action, as
most seen use on Barabazon as a police vehicle and as ground defense craft on
Rodina and Oryza. They stand a symbol of the totalitarian nature of the Union
of Progressive People.
STATISTICS
stability. When the colony rebelled and formed in the state it is now, it jumped into the stars at an alarming rate in order to secure space for
its own needs. Without needing to kick-back 95% of their mined resources to a corporation, the UPP found new wealth. They siphoned that
money directly into space. Within a few short months, Barabazon forces reached out and secured Rodina and Oryza. However, atmospheric
planet defenses remained rudimentary and stood that way for several decades until the Reapers released. The Viper quickly filled the void
of defending Barabazon. Vipers ran off the assembly line in huge quantities before being replaced by the much more menacing Reaper.
However, the smaller and much cheaper Viper remained in service and never retired. Many craft found export to Oryza and even outside the
UPP, where it found success on smaller outer veil worlds where a cheap transport was required. Soon, the Viper popped up on a half dozen
colonies around the Outer Veil. Most are unsure whether or not these choppers were exported or the plans were stolen and the outer colonies
simply fashioned their own variation of the simple design.
The Viper employs simple A-23 Twin Turbines which supplement the rotor system, amplifying the acceleration. The rotors contain a core
of titanium and sheathed in carbon fiber. They are light and extremely durable. Emergency thrusters diverted from the turbine can keep the
craft stable if the tail rotor is disabled or destroyed (-2 Maneuvering if disabled). Of course, the Viper requires an atmosphere to operate but
with the power of the turbines, even low pressure worlds can find the Viper useful. Of course, rotors can detach and emergency seats can
deploy if a safe landing no longer becomes an option.
Weaponry on the Viper tops many spacecraft on the front line. The primary weapon, however, is a light Boyars Buster Rifle configured to
be a undermounted rapid fire weapon (twice ammunition). Beyond that adds 8 AIM-90 Headlocks and 16 105mm Unguided rockets, making
the Viper more heavily armed than even the Reaper which replaced it.
STATISTICS
The greatest achievement emerging from the PPA shipyards from Rodina, the Zukov carried the pride and joy and the flag of the UPP
Army. Initial budget concerns limited the construction to only one vessel. However, soon after, orders passed down to construct more. The
UPP required a greater military presence along the border. Unfortunately most knew such vessel’s only clear purpose could only be to
invade another colony’s space. When the first vessel, named after the class of the vessel, cleared the construction yard, spy cameras relayed
the information back to rival forces, which knew exact purpose of such a vessel. The design frightened many opponents. Most UPP designs
reflected a “parts bin” approach to the construction. Schematics shared many components and designers often resorted to the cheapest
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solution to reach the end objective of their projects. Even building a reliable vessel resulted in using tried and used and even antiquitated
technology. All that changed when the Zukov launched on its maiden journey.
The monstrous vessel needed to be armored, fast, carry large supplies, troops, and fighters, and carry a monstrous fuel capacity so it could
traverse all the worlds of the UPP for months or even years without returning to port. The additional reason for range included if the vessel
wished to strike targets outside of their perimeter, more evidence to their double purpose. The shocking addition to the design of the Zukov
was its ability to enter an atmosphere. In fact this vessel holds the record of the largest vessel build to enter and survive a planetary
atmosphere. Even the later CMC Bougainville transport pails in comparison to the monstrous Zukov cruising over the surface of a planet.
However, unlike the Bougainville, the Zukov cannot land gracefully. Even under extensive testing, the vessel always suffered light to
moderate damage every time it attempted touchdown on a world possessing a gravity greater than .7G at sea level. Lifting off also required
extensive fuel usage to counteract the massive vessel’s weight. Often the vessel simply hovers as close as 200 feet from the surface and lets
atmosphere and trans-atmospheric craft transport supplies and personnel. Also, several large UPP bases including the Rodina shipyards and
the Spaceport on Oryza contain elevated flexible docking collars the Zukov mates against, allowing direct access to the vessel without the
craft actually landing.
This requires a monstrous reactor more reliable than anything the UPP built until then. The vessels power originates from a the largest
reactor ever built for a spacecraft until the release of the McKinley Ion Mark 1 built for GrantCorp’s Razzia. The reactor, simply called
“Blue”, powers every system on the vessel, from the main drives to the lights and life support. The reactor sits in the central section of the
vessel and if it suffered damage from incoming fire, the vessel would already be several damaged or destroyed anyway. The reactor,
although stable, unleashes a major nuclear blast if it goes critical. The vessel primary source of power is classified and many have theorized
the vessel may possess a miniature black hole. If all else fails, emergency batteries remain the only backup.
The Zukov holds more weaponry and fighter support than any other vessel. The holding bays hold more than a just a fleet of Echagi,
Maddox, and Hornet class vessels but a small squadron of Reapers as well for atmospheric support. Weapons include a battery of 30mm
Railcannons, Particle Beams and Infrared Lasers. Most of these weapons are concealed in hidden turrets that only expose when the vessel
enters combat. The majority of the missile payload, all of them guided, fire from the undercarriage of the craft and direct themselves to the
target. The craft’s drop slots carry more than just Echagis. Hornets can also launch from them as well.
The Zukov adds an element of primitive psychological terror upon approaching a target. The smooth panel showcases a superior design.
Most don’t know whether or not this vessel clearly puts its money where it mouth is since no major force ever engaged one of these vessels
in combat
STATISTICS
VEHICLES
ALEXANDRIA
The PCS-GV1 Panther’s original design required it to fill a role many Alexandrians hoped
would never need testing—to defend against a ground war on Alexandria. The home planet
stands one of only a few worlds ever explored blessed with Earth-like conditions (oceans,
vegetation, and a breathable atmosphere). Its greatest advantage from a strategic standpoint lies
with its canyons and hilly terrain. Most vehicles including the CMC APC trying to traverse the
jagged terrain of Alexandria would quickly find itself hung up. Ventix’s limestone rock
formations create an even greater obstacle for ground forces. The PCS needed to utilize this
defense to its fullest. The Panther rose from a design contest with several engineering groups.
The craft need not carry large personnel. However, it needed to transport heavy weapons
quickly into a combat arena and be built in large numbers and be able to traverse the same
terrain the PCS hopes will hinder their opponents.
The Panther’s motive system relies on four durable sets of all-terrain titanium-belted run-flat
42 inch tires attached via long suspension arms to the vehicle. These suspension arms adapt to
any incline and travel more than nine feet vertically to traverse virtually any obstacle in front of
it. Still further, the suspension mounts to the main hull on a massive hydraulic platform,
allowing the hull to tilt or rotate up to 60 degrees in any direction to shift the weight as the craft
navigates. The legs operate automatically but if the need arises, can be operated indipendantly.
If making a very tight turn, the inner legs can drop, allowing the craft to shift its weight to the
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inner wheels allowing a tighter turn. When driving through urban landscapes, the default positions drops the craft near ground level. The
crafts only weakness lies with these wheels, as the craft requires all of them to maintain balance. However, they are tricky targets to strike
and are built from super strong but flexible materials, allowing the arms to give and flex, but never break under stress. With power from a
hull-mounted nuclear battery, the Panther can accelerate faster than any other military vehicle and even out accelerate most civilian sports
cars. Its only hindrance in the latter competition is the rather lackluster 170 km/h top speed. The wheel design bares more than a striking
resemblance to the CMCs own M242 Combat Buggy. The buggy sports the advantage of being able to spin its wheels 360 degrees on access
allowing the craft to literally drive sideways, an advantage the Panther lacks. However, the M242s ground clearance still remains too low to
clear some of the obstacles on Alexandria. To combat the maneuverability advantage, the Panther designers built the main hull on a rotating
access. Not only can the craft tilt sideways and up and down as stated earlier, but the craft can also spin 360 degrees in a spot as well. In an
even fight, the M242 only advantage is maneuverability. Being lighter, it can still turn tighter, however it lacks the grunt power that a
Nuclear Battery can offer.
The front cockpit controls the craft and operates the twin-linked 25mm gattling cannons through a helmet-mounted HUD system wired to
follow the wearer’s eye movement. The rear seat controls navigation and operates the support system as well as directing and firing the
missiles from its two side pods. These missiles are always guided and are usually surface to air missiles. The Panther, although classified
primarily as a ground attack ATV, also doubles as a portable Surface-To-Air missile site, capable of positioning itself virtually anywhere on
a planet. Usually the standard payload contains six missiles.
The Panther sees use on every single world controlled by The Sphere. Its durability and all-
terrain movement makes it invaluable in virtually any situation. It supplies its own complete life
support system, allowing use on airless worlds. The vehicle can also travel in higher gravity
environments. Reactor power diverts energy to the four wheels equally by default but can be
altered to any front/rear ratio. Coolant is supplied by onboard nitrogen tanks but to extend range
or to replace the system if the tanks get ruptured, the reactor can reduce to half power and divert
intakes to external vents, allowing outside air to cool the system. Of course, the is only effective
in atmospheres with compatible gases.
After the CSC lost its initial battle and retreated from Alexandria, the demand for a ground
craft became paramount. Since then, Pan Core waits for the next moment the CSC or another
ICC Military group attempts to encroach on their territory. If the large space defensive systems
don’t stop them, the Panther make the last stand and the last hope.
PERFORMANCE
LOADED WEIGHT: 27 000 kg
MANUEVERABILITY: -1
LOCATIONS: STRUCTURE ARMOR
MAIN BODY: 2K 1 (50 SDP)
WHEELS: 0.5 (25 SDP) 0.25 K (15 SDP)
MAX SPEED: 170
A CCELERATION: 60
BASIC ARMAMENT:
Twin Linked 25mm Gattling Cannons.
Two of the following (or two of the same):
3 AGM-204A TSAMs,
3 AIM-90E Headlocks,
1 XIM-28A Long Lance.
U.P.P.
Continuing the PPA course of psychological warfare before physical warfare, the Leviathan materialized a natural evolution of this
approach. Huge, ugly, slow, and black, the Leviathan crawls across a battlefield, and never retreats. It birthed from the time of the
rebellion. A blitzkrieg of two lines of Leviathans approached the Barabazon capitol. Before firing a shot, the executives of the long dead
Borodino Inc. stationed on planet evacuated. The resident militia raised their arms and surrendered. The second line of tanks hadn’t even
been armed yet. The vessel changed over the next fifty years, evolving its aggressive stance but most of all, increasing its firepower.
The tank’s depleted uranium hull weighs the tank down significantly. An extra layer of Kevlar beneath that, with a double layer on the
front facing, ensures a direct attack on the tank ends in failure. The only major weak spot on the vessel resides with its undercarriage,
making the vessel susceptible to mines. Even the tank treads roll under heavy platting and are solid titanium. Underneath that heavy plating
sits a remarkable small cavity holding the three crew and a rear hold where up sixteen soldiers deploy through a rear hatch. That rear hatch
stands out as another potential weak spot as it lacks most of the armor of the front. Of course, you would have to get behind it first. The
Leviathan is slow to move but still can swivel fairly quickly, an advantage since the vessel lacks a main turret.
It lacks a turret, but sports twice the punch of the Marine CMC. First come a pair of 25mm Gattling Cannons with a thirty degree angle of
attack in any direction. Below those, three ports underneath fire a variety of rockets including surface-to-air and surface-to-surface rockets.
If that doesn’t turn enemy armies around, then the two gargantuan flamethrowers on the nose will.
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The major drawback to the design, because of its size and weight, resides in portability. Only the Echagi ferries Leviathans from
destination to destination. This remained the norm until the Zukov emerged. One of greatest advantages of the Zukov was its ability to enter
atmospheres. On a ground invasion, the vessel lowers to only a few hundred feet and air drops up to 30 Leviathans via parachute. The
ground impact still rattles the tank and crew, but soon, it starts its unimpeded crawl to its opponent.
PERFORMANCE
LOADED WEIGHT: 35 tons
MANUEVERABILITY: -8
LOCATIONS: STRUCTURE ARMOR
MAIN BODY: 9K 6K / 8K / 1K
*Front Facing is better protected / The undercarriage is vulnerable.
MAX SPEED: 50
ACCELERATION: 20
VEHICLE HARDPOINTS: See Below.
BASIC ARMAMENT: 2 25mm Gattling Cannons.
6 TSAM-204A TSAM Missiles
4 AGM-220C Hellhound
16 Mk 16 Banshees
16 Mk88 120mm SGW
2 Flamethrowers (WA: -2, Range: 75, Damage: 5/3**, ROF: 3, Shots: 150)
TECH LEVEL: 3
The TAF Dragon was an attempt by Alphatech to make a competing trans-aerospace fighter when their AD - 19 failed to reach mass -
production. They took the best capabilities of the old fighter and combined newer technology from the UD-4l. The Dragon is capable of
dropping out the same slot as the UD-4 Cheyenne but instead of being a troop transport, the Dragon offers a superior Air - Air and Air -
Ground offensive capacity.
The TAF - 21 became a popular craft with it's pilots. It handles better than most
vessels in operation. Its small size and powerful engines, allow it to accomplish
maneuvers impossible by other craft. It has a very small lifting body, forcing the
pilot to become almost totally reliant on the flight software and lift from the
vectored thrust engines which are the most advanced of any space vessel. The
Dragon looses the disadvantage of the Cheyenne with its high stall speed. The
Dragon no longer needs to fly nose-high to maintain control. The Dragon is nimble
when in hover, making it a deadly weapons platform.
The Dragon has a crew of two, comprising a Pilot and a Crew Chief / Weapons
Officer. Engine thrust and nozzle settings are automatically moved to their
optimum positions depending on speed, altitude, throttle and stick settings. An
intelligent autopilot facility allows the automatics to fly all phases of the mission profile, including ingress and egress to the target zone as
well as landing and docking cycles. Both crew sit in Martin-Siekert R2102 zero-zero ejection seats which are cleared for operation at any
altitude below 10,000 m and speeds below Mach 1. In the event of an emergency, explosive cord blows the canopy off and the crew are
ejected clear of the ship. Canopy transparencies are made from single-crystal quartz, flash coated with gold, germanium, molybdenum and
iridium to provide protection against bright light and short-wavelength lasers. The coatings also act as a radar reflecting surface, preventing
the entire cockpit volume from becoming a radar reflecting cavity. These systems are identical to the controls of the UD-4. Pilots rated to
fly the Cheyenne Dropship need little to no training to switch over to the new dynamic flight controls of the Dragon (GAME NOTE: It uses
the same skill). The makers of the UD-4 often complained that the designs were too similar
even to the point of having the same brand of flight seat.
The Dragon is a total VTOL flight system with very little lifting surface. The size was
shaved down from the Cheyenne and the cargo bay was totally removed. This reduced the
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flight weight and increased maneuverability. The weapon systems are almost unchanged as was the flight system. Like the Cheyenne, the
Dragon can lift itself directly into orbit. It has similar sensor equipment, the same communication array and almost identical reactors. The
armor is significantly less to add maneuverability and speed. Weapon systems are standardized starting with the same 25 mm Gargoyle
Cannon but with a more advanced targeting system. The 120 mm rockets remain but the heavier weapons like the AGM-220C and the AIM-
90 Headlocks are limited. These weapons are more specialized, meaning the dragon will usually only be equipped with air - air or air -
ground exclusively and not often both.
The TAF-21 was designed as an infantry support gunship which could be launched from an orbital platform directly into combat. The
Dragon is smaller, allowing easier transport. It is powered by two Ryan-Cole 122 micro scramjets for Orbital/Supersonic speeds, and one
Mitchallan Tf-1200 variable-cycle turbine, all of which feed into the Dragon's unique vectorable thrust exausts, allowing for greater
manueverability in space and while hovering on planets. The Dragon features many of the same stealth and sensor characteristics of the
Cheyenne
Known for going into the field with her troops. Stubborn and known to anger easily. Intelligent and on the fast track to platoon
commander. Raw leadership talent. At 30, one of the youngest Captains in the USCM. A military lifer, she spent a year in a UPP prison
colony before being rescue by Joseph Maller. Was originally selected to command the USS Sulaco on the Acheron mission but was pulled
because of objections from Weyland Yutani Corp--probably because her late Father were unpopular in the WY corporation since he
commanded a disastrous mission to Pandora. She has a devout hatred of the UPP and of most corporations. He younger brother was a
Private, assigned to the USS Sulaco sent to Acheron.
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Finally, a replacement to the late Captain Hudson arrived, but not without controversy. Admiral Frost wanted someone with the right
personality and skills, and be damned about personality conflicts. Good thing since Smythe brings some. Early in his career, this fledging
officer was captured in an operation to rescue Hudson from a UPP POW camp. However, the trade-off came when Morgan was himself
captured. Later, Force-Recon team tried to rescue him. The team is wiped out, Morgan is among the body bags brought back by the second
team. One of the Force Recon attempts to remove the chain around Morgan's neck, (which was given to him by his first girlfriend) but as he
unzips the body bag, Morgan proceeds to choke him within an inch of his life. This earns the nickname "Morgue" for literally coming back
from the dead. He also earns animosity from FR personnel. After all, how does a regular marine survive something that wiped out an entire
FR unit? However, his reputation in the Marines increased and Smythe increased rank quickly. However, after rescuing an Alexandrian
vessel, Smythe grew uneasy with the CSC's stand on Alexandria and the Marines forced response to the quarantine...a position held by many
Marines but voice which never found focus. Soon after promotion to Captain, another incident occurred with forced to Smythe to either fire
upon an Alexandrian vessel or stand down in defiance against a selfish Corporate order. Smythe, twenty men, and vessel, stood down and
refused to take action. They were declared fugitives and defected to Alexandria. Two years later, when the TTA was signed and the CMC
pulls their forces from the border, the Marines, led by Admiral Frost, admitted the blockade was unfair and against the code to which they
follow. As any Marine that operated on the border which defected, would be allowed a full commission if they returned. Smythe was
contacted individually by the Admiral, invited to take charge of the Vendetta personally. Smythe is a tactician. He is reasonably good at
thinking on his feet, and can keep an eye on the big picture. He is respectful of "the system", providing "the system" isn't wrong.
Crowe is one of the few Force Recon squad leaders with a background in Engineering rather that Infantry. Starting with the USCM
Engineering corps, Adam moved into the Force Recon Sapper division. He achieved a Lieutenant's rank quickly and commands and
exclusively chosen four member Force Recon squad that specialize specifically in "urban" warfare. Crowe is the legal guardian of his sister
after the death of his parents. Also suffered a year in a UPP prison colony. Also carries a resentment for the Corporations, especially
Weyland Yutani, who his parents worked for when they died. A true genius with the machine in every shape. His cousin was a Dropship
pilot assigned to the ill-fated Acheron mission.
Maller asks for trouble...only by doing nothing. His large physique and chiseled form attracts trouble. Its a reputation that is
undeserved. Maller hardly starts fights but is often the first arrested when law enforcement arrives. However, unknown connections with
greater powers seem to keep Maller out of the box for any length of time. Maller, as a result of being a "trouble magnet", is one the best
soldiers in the USCM, specializing in Heavy Weapons and hand to hand fighting. He is the highest ranking noncommissioned officer on
board. Has a past with Captain Hudson when ge rescued her from a UPP prison colony. Also carries a fear of flying after suffering a near
fatal crash years earlier.
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OcDugal would have been a looker...if only he stopped blowing stuff up. A fanatical scientist, OcDugal often would think of the
experiment above his own personal safety. The respect he earned with this comrades flows from the fact that he places the safety of them far
above any thesis he may have. As a result, OcDugal skills as a Marine as well as a doctor and Xenobiologist placed him charge of the
BioSpace Lab at Anchorpoint station. There, he was appointed the charge of investigating all violent life forms marines would encounter.
As a side division, OcDugal was also in charge of investigating enemy weapons beyond the traditional. This includes biological and
chemical agents. As a side hobby, OcDugal also enjoys explosives...perhaps a tad bit too much. Most of the explosives the Marines use on
ship are usually custom designed by the "Doctor." Once incident cost him part of his hand and major facial scarring. When the Deterrent
teams was formed, it's charter was to investigate the Sulaco's disappearance. When the alien threat emerged and was sourced as the cause,
Admiral Frost enlisted OcDugal to be a the permanent Xenobiologist on site to study the threat. OcDugal knows of their danger and believes
their existence is void for the survival of the human race, but he still marvelous at the brilliance of their construction. OcDugal sometimes
lets his child-like fascination of the alien get the best of him but never to the extend of having his comrades come to harm. OcDugal is also
the primary physician on board. He keeps his bed roll in the Medical Bay and only keeps his quarters for storage, preferring to let the
buzzing and humming of the Medbay soothe his brain to sleep.
Somerville's loyalty lies with the ship and the people it carries. He keeps a close knit group with his flight staff and refuses to risk his
vessel needlessly. He personally does not believe the Deterrent's mission is worthwhile and feels this year tour is a waste of time and
precious CMC funding. However, Somerville's godfather is Admiral Jacob Frost and Frost asked for him specifically since Somerville is
fanatical loyal to marine corps personnel...the people...not the organization. He believes in the coda and rules and motto but disagree with
the USCM having to answer to money-men. Commands an open ship with a free-talking staff that often call him by his first name. His five
brothers and sisters, mother and father are all still alive on Earth.
Although he doesn't pop up a lot early in the story, Orona's presence is felt. He is the chief scientific advisor the the USCM. He is
brought into the close knit fold to investigate the incidents at Acheron and answers to Admiral Frost directly. He fascination with science
has often clouded is humanity. As a medical doctor, he is not great. He carries a poor bedside manner.
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Frost is the second highest ranking officer of the USCM. He is also the most respected and is considered the true heart of the Colonial
Marines. A great speaker who is know to great whole armies into a fever pitch, he was eventually asked to withdraw to a desk job as his
popularity was becoming a strain on the corporations which fund the marines. Some felt Frost carries too much power and was compared to
this generation's "Patton". When his son was killed on the Acheron mission, he took it personally and used ever string he could pull to get a
personal investigation started.
Frank is a quiet man. Straight and honest. He can't stand being relegated to a desk job. No on is sure why he was pulled from ground
duty. All is known is that Frost pulled him into his inner circle and never left. He carries the Admiral's ear and makes sure everything Frost
wants, he gets. Rumors point that Edgington carried out a secret mission which became compromised. He took the desk position as a
consequence of his actions. Has no family. NOTE: Recently discovered to be a mole in the CMC.. <DECEASED>
Introduced in the pilot episode, "Zag" is somewhat of a conundrum. He is one of the best soldiers in the UPP Special Forces. He is
intelligent, fast, and very adept at his job. However, he is not a red-line political activist which makes him often unpopular with his
commanders. However, it is tolerated since Zag has never failed a combat mission yet. He has no family and no ties to his life. He has no
hobbies or interests. Knows about the Acheron incident and is aware the UPP is connected to events that occurred afterward. He is one of
the few people within the UPP that disagrees with their policy towards new technology. Gets along with his platoon quite easily but is not
open and talkative.
Introduced early in the second Season, Elias is a harden Force Recon Officer
who runs the whole operation with a "padded-iron" fist. He is fair to his
troops...just don't betray his trust. He stands proud of the knowledge that no
Force Recon officer has ever been convicted of a crime. He personally oversses
are circumstances of accusations. To make sure his men and women are the
upper crust, he insists on interviewing each graduate personnally. He can veto
any applicant at this time. Many fear him, but all respect him. Any Force Recon
solider would fall upon a sword if ordered by Elias because in even though he is
the most valuable FR Officer is serive, he would be the first over the hill so save
the lowest ranking grunt on the battlefield. Although seemingly a small role and
first, Elias becomes a larger presence as the story progresses...
APPLICANTS
INFANTRY
Norton Dekker Age: 27 Origin: Wisconsin, Earth Rank: Private 1st Class
Characteristics:
INT: 4 WILL: 5 PRE: 6 TECH: 3
REF: 4 DEX: 5 CON: 4 STR: 4
BODY: 3 MOVE: 6
Notable Skills:
Autofire/Firearms: +5 Riding: +4 Evade: +5
Seduction: +1 HTH: +3 Persuasion: +1
Mimicry: +2 Dancing: +1 Athletics: +3
Remarks: Raised by clowns…literally. Grew up in a circus. Not so proud of his lineage. Very serious and very defensive but never to
the point of violence. A nice guy…just a little sick and tired of all the Clown jokes. Was partially converted into an alien egg...but feels
much better now.
<DECEASED>
Richard Edlund Age: 30 Origin: Anchorpoint Rank: Private
Characteristics:
INT: 6 WILL: 4 PRE: 6 TECH: 2
REF: 3 DEX: 3 CON: 3 STR: 3
BODY: 4 MOVE: 6
Notable Skills:
Autofire/Firearms: +6 Evade: +4 HTH: +3
Persuasion: +3 Streetwise: +2 Sleight of Hand: +2
Lockpicking: +2 Forgery: +2 Perception: +3
Remarks: Worked at a casino until the casino folded. He's somewhat greedy. Watch this one. Never been
caught with contraband or doing anything illegal but there’s a first time for everything. Confident and good morale booster. Killed during
the destruction of Anchorpoint.
Frank Hammerson
Age: 26 Origin: Anchorpoint Rank: Private
Characteristics:
INT: 2 WILL: 2 PRE: 2 TECH: 5 REF: 7 DEX: 7
CON: 4 STR: 4 BODY: 3 MOVE: 3
Notable Skills:
Autofire/Firearms: +5 HTH: +4
Pilot (Powerloader): 47 Evade: +4
Engineer (Hvy Equipment): +5 Driving (Hvy Equipment): +4
Electronics: +3 Engineer (Armor): +3
Engineer (Fortifications): +7
Remarks: Grandparents built Anchorpoint. A full lineage of builders and construction workers. Frank contains ingrained knowledge of
engineering and holds a knack for building engineering. He’s an encyclopedia of building history.
H EAVY WEAPONS
<DECEASED>
Miranda Grey Age: 28 Origin: Acheron Rank: Private 1st Class
Characteristics:
INT: 4 WILL: 3 PRE: 4 TECH: 5
REF: 4 DEX: 4 CON: 4 STR: 5
BODY: 5 MOVE: 6
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Notable Skills:
Autofire/Firearms: +2 HTH: +1 Melee: +2
Heavy Weapons: +3 Evade: +2 Gunnery: +2
Zero-G Maneuvering: +1 Com. Programming: +2 Bureaucratic: +3
Smart Gunner: +3
Remarks: Great manners. Left Acheron to join the CMC. Was still in training when the Colony was
destroyed. Lost both parents on Acheron. Was on the short list ever since for a follow-up mission. Definite
recommendation. However, may lack necessary required skills. Killed during the Anchorpoint incident.
Emil Lang Age: 25 Origin: St. John Military base Rank: Corporal
Characteristics:
INT: 3 WILL: 5 PRE: 4 TECH: 1
REF: 7 DEX: 6 CON: 5 STR: 5
BODY: 2 MOVE: 2
Notable Skills:
Autofire/Firearms: +4 Heavy Weapons: +4 Sniper: +8
Survival: +4 Parachuting: +3 Smart Gunner: +3
Gunnery: +3 Evade: +5 Zero-G Maneuvering: +1
Stealth: +1
Remarks: A Prodigy. Watch out for this one. You might lose him to a promotion. Was transferred into Force
Recon early. Rumor passed around that at a competition, he shot through a hole in the bull’s-eye made from the
competitor before him. Kept the same scope rifle assigned to him from basic training. It was a small obsession
the CMC was more than willing to tolerate.
<DECEASED>
Tara Montgomery Age: 27 Origin: Vancouver, Canada Rank: Lance Corporal
Characteristics:
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AEROSPACE
<DECEASED>
Melinda Sutton Age: 27 Origin: Gateway Station Rank: Aeroman
Characteristics:
INT: 4 WILL: 4 PRE: 4 TECH: 4
REF: 5 DEX: 4 CON: 4 STR: 4
BODY: 3 MOVE: 4
Notable Skills:
Autofire/Firearms: +1 Pilot-Starship: +3 Astrogation: +3
Pilot-Interceptor: +4 Parachuting: +1 Pilot-Aerospace: +4
Gunnery: +4 Pilot-Dropship: +4 Zero-G Maneuvering: +3
Remarks: Was married for a short time to Lieutenant Robert Gormon who was assigned to the Acheron mission. It ended well
enough…distance was the problem. Easy to get along with. Very soft spoken. Admired by her fellow officers because of her bravery. One
joked she must have been Chuck Yeager in a previous life. She has a lead foot and once flew a fully loaded dropship at Mach 1.2 to the
deck on the Pandora Incident. The didn’t begin brake until one kilometer for the target. She was asked not to do that again… still won the
Bronze Star as her ship was also the last to take off. Currently married to Corporal William Sutton of the Armor Division. NOTE: Was
killed by the hands of Mercenaries from The Wasp.
Maximillian Steele
Age: 19 Origin: Tokyo, Japan Rank: Aeroman
Characteristics: INT: 4 WILL: 3 PRE: 4 TECH: 2
REF: 6 DEX: 4 CON: 5 STR: 4
BODY: 3 MOVE: 5
Notable Skills:
Autofire/Firearms: +4 Pilot-Starship: +3 Astrogation: +3
Pilot-Interceptor: +4 Parachuting: +1 Pilot-Aerospace: +5
Gunnery: +5 Pilot-Dropship: +3 Zero-G Maneuvering: +2
Remarks: Very wet behind the ears. This is will be his first active assignment. Raw talent with
the “sticks”. Still has a lot to learn. Very eager to learn. Kind of a suck-up. Uncle is Colonel Steele
from the 4th Marine Brigade. The senior Steele kept his nephew out of the combat arena but after
continued pestering by Max, the Colonel finally gave up. A natural skill for being able to fly and
shoot a gun at the same time.
APC DRIVERS
SYNTHETIC
<DESTROYED>
“Dawn”
SEX: Female VISIBLE AGE: 29
INT: 7 PRE: 3 TECH: 7 REF: 6
DEX: 6 STR: 6 MOVE: 3 BODY: 7
HITS: 52 KILLING DEFENSE: 8
SKILLS:
Education : +5 Computer Programming: +3 Science: +5
Research: +3 Paramedic: +5 Pilot—Dropship: +1
First Aid: +6 Engineer--Synthetic: +3 Electronics: +3
Astrogation: +2 Driving—APC: +3 Driving—Buggy: +1
Navigation: +1 Engineer—Aerospace: +1 Engineer—Armor: +2
Pilot—Starship: +1 Hand-to-Hand Evade: +4 Conversation: +1
Programmed Disposition: A more personable model. Tall and attractive. Primary programming skewers towards
medicine with moderate machinery skills. A preferred model on larger ships. Sexual reprogramming is prohibited.
This model was found to have been hacked by Weyland Yutani and was destroyed.
“Bishop”
SEX: Male Visible Age: 45
INT: 7 PRE: 3 TECH: 9 REF: 5
DEX: 5 STR: 5 MOVE: 3 BODY: 5
HITS: 25 KILLING DEFENSE: 8
SKILLS:
Education : +6 Computer Programming: +5 Science: +5 Research: +1
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FLIGHT CREW
<DECEASED>
(Navigator)
Griffon Westlake Age: 31 Origin: Argos Rank: Lieutenant
Characteristics:
INT: 7 WILL: 4 PRE: 3 TECH: 5
REF: 5 DEX: 4 CON: 2 STR: 3
BODY: 3 MOVE: 4
Notable Skills:
Astrogation: +7 Pilot-Starship: +3 Pilot-Dropship: +3
Pilot-Aircraft: +2 Navigation: +5 Gunnery: +2
Engineer-Starship: +2 First Aid: +2 Zero-G Maneuvering: +2
Remarks: Psyche assistant recommends observation. He lost his whole family when the USS
Pentekonter crashed at the Hilo spaceport. Joined the military and has been a lifer ever since. His
quarters are empty…he has no mementos or personal artifacts. Killed by Dawn synthetic.
(Pilot)
Sarah Whillete Age: 28 Origin: Berlin, Germany Rank: Corporal
Characteristics:
INT: 4 WILL: 3 PRE: 4 TECH: 6
REF: 5 DEX: 4 CON: 4 STR: 3
BODY: 3 MOVE: 4
Notable Skills:
Astrogation: +3 Pilot-Starship: +5 Pilot-Dropship: +2
Pilot-Aircraft: +1 Navigation: +2 Gunnery: +3
Engineer-Starship: +3 Pilot-Space Fighter: +5 Mechanics: +3
Remarks: Was an ace Stingray combat interceptor until her escape pod crashed into the ocean of
Fiorina while pursuing bandits. Her pod filled with water and she was trapped. She would have drowned
if the warden and staff hadn’t rescue her. Since then, she developed a mild fear of water AND enclosed
spaces. She requested transfer to starship pilot. Captain Sommerville had a past with her…that may be the reason he requested after her
psych evaluation.
(Gunner / Engineer)
Thomas Woodruff Age: 21 Origin: Thedus Rank: Private
Characteristics:
INT: 4 WILL: 3 PRE: 3 TECH: 6
REF: 6 DEX: 4 CON: 4 STR: 3
BODY: 3 MOVE: 4
Notable Skills:
Astrogation: +1 Pilot-Starship: +2 Engineer-Starship: +3
Pilot-Aircraft: +1 Navigation: +3 Gunnery: +5
Mechanics: +3 Weaponsmith: +2 Engineer-Aerospace: +4
Remarks: Glasses denote a desk job for most of his military career. Never been in a ground combat
situation but proved phenomenal in dealing with starship engineering and electronics. So he was
removed early from basic training and sped through starship technical college. Has been bouncing
through ship tours ever since. Has not been planet side since.
The Deterrent is a Conestoga class vessels, originally designed as a troop and logistic transports with a limited defensive capability.
Over 385 meters in length and massing some 78,000 metric tons, the Conestogas are designed to an 8-17-0 layout, an asymmetric
configuration which offers the optimum cargo capacity within a compact and well-armored hull.
STATISTICS
DECK PLANS
210
29. Launch Bay and Drop Slots – Two dropships, Loading Air lock, and the APC.
30. Bridge – One flight seat, one navigator, one gunner and one computer terminal.
31. Officer Briefing Room – For NCO and OCC only.
32. Recycling Plant.
33. Coolant Tanks – 4 huge primary tanks. 100 portable tanks weigh 100lbs each.
34. Ship Supplies – for non-perishables.
35. Engineering – Not clean. Filled with tables and tools.
36. Battery Room – Rows of 500 lbs battery packs. 50 portable 50lbs batteries
37. Hypersleep – 25 stalls.
38. Powerloader storage – Three machines.
39. Vehicle transfer hatch – Non air lock for loading vehicles.
40. Vehicle Storage – For APC. May hold one additional buggy.
41. Dropships
42. Droplock
43. Crew Lockers – For when the crew leave Hypersleep.