For those of you keeping track, NOVA starts its twelfth year as a member of the American AutoDuel Association on April 15th of this year. This makes NOVA the oldest (not to mention the most active) chapter around. But we won't brag about it.
    The Maniacs are dead (we hope). However, we have received some rather disturbing reports from Florida which may' indicate the Maniacs aren't quite as dead as is hoped. Time will tell.
    NOVA has several projects in the works at the moment: a full update of the NOVA Works catalog, with revisions of older gear alongside the seemingly never-ending supply of new stuff; an update of the Midwest Vehicle Registry (nee "Encounter Guide" -- the old name was somewhat misleading); and Chris French will be working on a codification of the Compendium, with an eye towards eliminating any and all rules loopholes/obsolete rules (did you know that if a car flips onto a mine counter, according to CWC2, no matter which of its sides the car lands on, the mine's damage automatically goes to the Underbody (cf. p. 28)?! True -- totally wrong, but true. -- CF). These projects should be finished by summer's end, with copies possibly available at GenCon.
    And now to the rest of this August tome ....
 

The world changes, and (just so we understand ourselves) there's naught one can do to stop it. One can attempt to direct the flow at times, but then only rarely. What a crazy universe we live in. I believe I've about wibbled myself away over the horizon.
    NOVA has held its 2046 Club Dueling Championship twice, with the same result both times: Initially, it appeared Tim Jacques had won, but questionable rules calls and blatant rules-lawyering forced both sets of results to be pitched. This rules-lawyering has everyone driven to distraction -- I do believe we found more rules loopholes in those two duels than in all our previous events combined. For more on this, see "Nuts & Bolts" and the Championship Reports later this issue.
    After almost 11 years as NOVA's gaming HQ, the sci-fi/space store STAR REALM closed its doors on February 3. It was quite depressing for all NOVA members. As with seemingly every other store closing, SR held a clearance sale -- and it did not take long for the vultures (and clowns -- according to Chris, two shoppers dressed as clowns appeared and snatched up a not inconsiderable amount of goods) to arrive.
    NOVA is taking a six-month hiatus from dueling and racing. This will allow us to complete the aforementioned projects, as well as allowing us to prepare for GenCon this year. NOVA will still appear at local conventions, running events.
    New Omaha has begun rebuilding following the "Maniacs War". The process has been slightly slowed by typically peculiar Nebraska weather. Mayor Bill the Cat and Police Commissioner Smith are heading up the efforts. Some groups in the area have complained vigorously concerning Smith's handling of the rebuilding -- specific complaints have been voiced concerning the use of convicted criminals for extremely hazardous duties (checking building structural integrity by walking around inside the structure, for one). Smith replies that "prison time was never meant to be a picnic -- and would you rather I used civil employees who are currently keeping the streets safe, or the offal who are making them hazardous?"
    DKI has come under fire -- both verbally and physically -- for its recent "Corporate Challenge" events. The controversy stems mainly from the lopsided results, and has led to serious questioning of DKI's command staff and business practices. This is not good for one of New Omaha's largest vehicle producers, especially as this bad P.R. may affect DKI's standing in the civilian vehicle market. DKI's designs of late have all been high-dollar gunships, out of reach of all but the richest duelists (starting at $30,000, and reaching up to $100,000 in certain cases).
    Reports from Florida ,seem to indicate the Maniacs are at it again; Los Disneys has been hit with a series of computer viruses. No other attacks have been reported. Strangely, no reports have been received from Dragonmazer.
    The locations of the AADA Dueling and Racing Championships are the same as the year before -- Dueling at Origins, Racing at GenCon. In a recent Pyramid, SJG editor Scott Hating apologized for the inexcusably sloppy handling of both Worlds. Whether this year's events will show improvement remains to be seen. Hopefully, the GMs and set-ups will be better than last year's.
    To the notice of almost none, SJG released an "updated" Compendium -- that is to say, they put in new artwork. No effort was made to fix the plethora of screw-ups in the text. Perhaps that will come next year.
 

12/10/2045: Joseph Ratner announced that the AADA has renewed NOVA's chapter charter for their 11th year.

12/15/2045: The DKI Corporate Challenge was held today. DKI handily crushed its foes; however, within hours of the event's end, incidents of violence and threats of lawsuits were reported (see article this issue).

12/17/2045: The Nebraska State Dueling Commission has announced that it, the AADA, and other state government organizations have formed a committee to investigate the particulars of the DKI Corporate Challenge.

12/20/2045: A car bomb detonated outside the perimeter wall of DeathKnight Industries. The blast leveled some 20 meters of perimeter wall, killed two DKI security personnel, and injured 16 others. NOPD is investigating.

12/30/2045: Tim Jacques of Hammer's Slammers took first place ill NOVA's Club Dueling Championship, held in the Aksarben Arena.

12/31/2045: The AADA has nullified the results of NOVA's CDC, citing several serious vehicle design and rules interpretation foul-ups. The event will be rescheduled later, in a different Division, at Aksarben Arena. Happy New Year!

1/2/2046: In response to tire controversy over DKI's performance in the Corporate Challenge, DKI Senior Legal Counsel Irving M. Wird released the following statement: "No one forced those corporations to challenge us. We merely responded. The miserable performance of some of our opponents was due to resoundingly poor design skill."
    According to Nebraska State District Attorney Reinhold Fielding, DKI's statement "fails to account for several very disturbing details of this event." Fielding would not comment further on these "details".
    Steelfist, Executioner, and Peacemaker voluntarily entered Advanced Research Company to have most of their cybernetic attachments removed and have new bodies cloned. Said Michael Shadow: "The process should take about six weeks, plus normal recuperation." The trio underwent the operations to comply with the anti-cybernetics laws enacted last year.

1/6/2046: Unknown assailants destroyed a DKI convoy on 1-80 just west of Grand Island. The attackers used explosives to destroy a bridge in front of the leading trucks, causing what one Nebraska State Trooper called "one almighty train-wreck." Casualties stand at 6 DKI personnel dead, 9 injured; two civilians were injured as well.

1/9/2046: Another DKI convoy was destroyed today. The attack took place roughly one mile west of Cozad, NE. The attackers once again used explosives to collapse a bridge in front of the convoy. State authorities are investigating.

1/13/2046: Norman McMullen beat Don Jacques in a Division 10 ice race (trikes) at Carter Lake HydroArena. This was the first NOVA event in some time that was not won by Chris French; French did not attend the event, as he had other business. McMullen said after the event, "It feels good to finally get the checkered flag, especially after last year's Worlds."

1/17/2046: Shadow-Walker announced she was resigning as head of security at DKI, effective February 1, due to "lack of executive support of DKI security" and "personal reasons". Michael Knight, CEO of DKI, has yet to appoint a new head of security.

1/20/2046: NOVA reran its CDC; Mike Garrity was not present due to other commitments. Tim Jacques won posthumously, scoring 3 kills and being killed.

1/23/2046: Last night, seven car bombs were detonated outside the homes of high level DKI executives, killing 14 and injuring 10.

1/28/2046: Joseph Ratner announced that NOVA "has decided to take a break from dueling and racing for six months. We will return to the Racing Worlds and again try to take home some trophies. This decision was made following the unfortunate troubles with the Club Dueling Championship. We look upon those as a learning opportunity -- one which we will not waste."

2/1/2046: The committee formed to review the DKI Corporate Challenge announced, "After much analysis and consideration, it is clear to this panel that the contests were blatantly unfair, that the vehicles fighting against DKI were not equal matches for their opposite numbers, and that too many' irregularities exist to allow these results to stand." The committee recommended that state and Federal authorities investigate further.

2/5/2046: Imperial Motors, Budget Motors, and Sabre Motors announced a joint lawsuit against DKI for misrepresentation, libel, slander, and a host of other charges stemming from the Corporate Challenge. Said one corporate rep, "There is no way on Earth we'd be fools enough to send vehicles that poor into a one-on-one duel with DKI's dreadnoughts." Asked about the rash of attacks on DKI personnel, none of the reps would comment.

2/6/2046: The Nebraska State Dueling Commission informed the principles in the Corporate Challenge that their presence would be required at a rematch of the event, involving more rounds and different, low-priced vehicles. The principles acquiesced within hours.

2/14/2046: The Corporate Challenge Rematch was held today. In a stunning turn of events, DKI failed to win a single round (see article this issue).

2/15/2046: Imperial Motors, Budget Motors, and Sabre Motors announced that "despite the results of the Corporate Challenge Rematch," they would continue with their lawsuit against DKI. Said the Imperial Motors rep, "Our reputations have been stained by DKI. This stain cannot be erased in any arena. We demand satisfaction."

2/16/2046: The Nebraska State Police released copies of a videotape received yesterday. On the tape, a masked figure using an electronic voice distorter calls for "all right-thinking citizens to rise up against the fascist forces of the Knight of Hell" and "turn back the inhuman usurper's black legions."

2/20/2046: The case of Imperial/Budget/Sabre v. DKI began today with opening statements from the parties' respective attorneys.

2/25/2046: The Four Cyborgs of the Apocalypse Detective Agency announced its name was being changed to Apocalypse Detective Agency. The ADA is run by Robo-Jed. Steelfist, Executioner, and Peacemaker.

2/28/2046: At 0230 this morning, a series of bombs detonated inside some of DKI's security personnel barracks, killing some 70 personnel and injuring 90. A fire started as well. The responsibility was traced to a DKI explosives technician, whose body was found in a lavatory elsewhere in the compound (she had committed suicide). The NOPD is conducting an investigation. Commissioner Smith could not be reached for comment.
 

Despite the best efforts of the layers upon layers of editors we employ around here, a couple of details in NOVA Works were missed. They are:

-- Expanded Spikes: Standard expanded spikes are NOT destroyed after doing damage.

-- Improved Solar Panels: Flush-mount panels generate 8 PU per 10 minutes in full sunshine.

I'm quite certain this will happen again (this being said, of course, it won't...)
 

March 30: Spring Campaign '96, Ralston, NE. NOVA will be running all event there, although attendance is expected to be low.

July '4-7: Origins '96, Columbus, OH. Site of the 2046 Dueling Worlds.

August 8-11: GenCon '96, Milwaukee, WI. Site of the 2046 Racing Worlds. NOVA will host the Midwest Racing Championship and "It Came To Milwaukee" (Godzilla event). Hammer's Slammers will run the Hot Asphalt Dueling Tournament. Gamemasters will be running IROC 3D. GenCon will likely be quite busy.

September 28-29: NukeCon 6, Omaha, NE. NOVA may run an event there.
 

Now Playing: Rumble In The Bronx (a No-Gun flick); Broken Arrow (stolen nukes); Down Periscope (more payback for Top Gun); Executive Decision (Die Hard on a 747).

Video Releases: GoldenEye (EMP from LEO).
 

This issue's N&B deals with mines and similar explosive devices. Long ago, mines were the only devices that could damage a car's underbody while the car was still on its wheels, and then only if the car was in contact with or within 1/4' of the mine counter ( and then a roll was needed to see if the mines actually detonated). If you were between 1/4" and 1", your tires could take burst-effect damage. However, the years have seen the arrival of devices such as remote-detonators, which allow mines to be set off when both the firer and target are away from the mines, and new editions of the CW rules, whose phrasing of some rules needs serious help. Example: In the first edition of CW (Pocket Box), the rules on mine damage state, "Dropped-mine counters work the same way [as spikes], except that if any wheel of the vehicle crosses the counter, the mines go off on a roll of 1-4 [on ld6]. Each tire within 1" of the counter then takes 1 die damage, while the underbody of any vehicle affected takes 2 dice damage. [emphasis added] (p. 15)' That word "affected" is not the best choice, but does indicate that the target must be over either the 1-4 or 1-2 detonation chance areas. In CW Compendium (second edition), it states the following: "Each tire within 1" of any edge of the mine counter takes ld damage, and the underbody of the vehicle that set the mines off takes 2d damage. [emphases added] (p.33)" There are two major changes here -- first, the clarification of the tire damage zone; second, and more importantly, the change in phrasing of the underbody damage rule. The way CWC phrases it, if a driver remote-detonates mines, his car takes damage no matter where he may be in the arena/Also, if two cars are side-by-side while crossing a mine counter, and one detonates the mines, the other driver takes no damage/And it gets worse -- the following is from the Catalog From Hell: "Does 2d to Underbody and l d to all tires within l". (p.15)"
    Reading only this description, one could interpret it as saying that a mine detonation 15 feet away from a vehicle somehow slithers across the ground until it is under a car, then goes up. What's worse, on p. 28 of CWC2 is this obsolete rule: "The underbody is automatically the target of a mine." So, if a rolling ( 1l-12 on Crash Table 1 ) car's left side lands on a mine counter and sets it off, the explosion wraps along the car's left side to its underbody, then does damage. Exsqueeze me'?! In the words of Goofy, "Thar's sumthin' wrong heer."
    An inquiry of our resident explosives expert, Michael Garrity, elicited the following: "The only conceivable way that a mine explosion could damage all four of a vehicle's tires and that vehicle's underbody is for the vehicle in question to be directly over or very near the mine counter (within 1/4" game scale). The reason for this is that an explosion does not propagate directly along the ground surface. Instead it goes upward and outwards. [see below for example -- CF]" Notably, CWC2 says the same thing (p. 30).

This year's club championship was more troublesome than most. We postponed it from September (our usual time) to late December due to scheduling difficulties. The event was rerun due to rules violations on the parts of some duelists. The event came to a conclusion on January 20, 1996. I'm not disturbed by this, don't get me wrong. To put it plainly, it was a frustrating championship for all involved thanks in part to those patchworks of Car Wars rules called the Compendium and the Catalog From Hell, and overzealous rules-lawyering (a gaming phenomenon I detest, personally). Surprisingly, the results were the same both times we ran it. Call it what you will -- it happened.
    It was agreed upon by all duelists that the arena and division would be different from the first attempt. Carter Lake Arena (Colorado State Arena, in the Flashfire Circuit) and Division 30 were chosen. The following rules were used: 1) HESH ammo had no burst effect; 2) mines and spikes could be dispersed by weapons fire (cf. Beacon Mines, CFH p. 35); 3) no "one maneuver per phase"; 4) The event would end at 5 PM. That settled, cars were prepped and checked. The duelists were: Don Jacques, Norman McMullen, Chris French (defending champion), and Tim Jacques (of Hammer's Slammers).
    At the start, Chris and Norm turned toward each other and started circling one another for position. Meanwhile, Tim worked his way toward the canyons between the central jumps; Don headed Tim's way. Don hit Tim's fight side with his laser, doing moderate damage, as Tim cleared the canyon. Tim dropped two mine counters, then remote-detonated them as soon as he was out of range and Don was in range: the blasts opened Don's underbody and set the car ablaze seconds later. Tim exited the canyon and unloaded more mines. Don got off one more shot at Tim, ripping off over half of Tim's rear armor (lucky die rolls). Then the fire detonated Don's power plant, ending his day.
    Norm, having failed in his effort to ram Chris, broke off and ran; Chris put three RR rounds into Norm's rear as he ran. Norm twisted to get Chris off his tail. Then Tim entered the fray. Tim began dropping a double-row of mines while going partially onto one ramp. Norm turned back at Chris, but Chris danced out of the way. Norm saw the mines and did a hard swerve to avoid them, but Tim's passenger detonated a set of them, barely getting Norm. The damage all but destroyed Norm's LR tire, opened his underbody -- and killed the driver. Norm's car rocketed into the outer wall. The resulting ram-plus-bumper-triggered-RLs ripped a hole in the wall that allowed the car to scream into the pit area, where it plowed into a munitions locker. The explosion caused extensive collateral damage, destroying a quarter of the garage area, the munitions locker, and an entire section of bleachers. The driver's body was never found.
    Chris and Tim then engaged each other, trading RR fire; Chris's 3-to-1 advantage in this regard helped slightly. They avoided ramming, but in doing so, they sideswiped each other and ended up heading the same direction up a ramp. Chris unloaded spikes under Tim; Tim replied with his mines. Tim's passenger detonated those mines; both vehicles lost tires, their underbody armor, their power sources (Tim's was electric, Chris's gas), and their top armor. The wrecks slid off the ramp; Chris's began rolling, so Chris bailed out, diving over his car's right-rear quarter panel. This not only placed his wrecked car between him and Tim's vehicle, but placed him out side the damage radii of both Tim's mines and his own wreck's (it caught fire shortly after he bailed out); this would become important later on. Tim's car flew ever so briefly, then crunched to a halt. It exploded fractions of a second later.
    At this point, the event disintegrated into chaos. Tim's crew demanded Chris's surrender; due to a garbled communication, Tim thought Chris had agreed. In fact, Chris had bunkered down and was waiting for Tim's crew to poke their heads out of their vehicle, when Tim's vehicle exploded, it threw the championship into a tie match (Tim: +2 [kills] -1 [killed] = 1 pt.: Chris: 0 [kills[ + 1 [survivor point] = 1 pt.). Had Tim's crew lived, and subsequently been killed by Chris, Chris would have polled an extra point and won the championship. When Chris bailed out, he landed in a location outside the area of any mines or exploding vehicles. The matter was further confused when it was later discovered that Tim's mines could not conceivably have damaged Don or Norm (ironically, it was Chris, the only person not affected by this judgment, who pointed this out to the referees). Word of this was brought to Tim, Norm, and Don; when they were told that the results would again be expunged, both Tim and Don stated that they would not attend another rematch.
    In a related story, Chris stated that he would spend the next several months studying the CW rules, "so that rules-lawyering like this never happens again."

Standings (unofficial; later expunged):
Tim Jacques: 2 kills, killed.
Chris French: 0 kills, survivor point.
Don Jacques: 0 kills, killed.
Norman McMullen: 0 kills, killed.

Elapsed Time of Event: 14 seconds.

Vehicles:

DMN-8R (Chris French): Luxury; x-hvy, chassis; hvy. susp.; 150 cid engine w/turbo; 5-gallon dueling tank; 4 PR snow tires; driver. 3 linked RRs w/HEAT ammo (F); 2 linked SDs w/incendiary ammo ( 1 B, 1 R): 2 ext. mag. w/SD incendiary ammo (1 each SD): HD brakes: HRSWC (RRs); streamlining: overdrive: cargo cap.: 1 sp., 5 lbs. Sloped armor: F 75, B 70, L 60, R 60, T 1. U 5. Accel. 5 (10 @ 40+): TS 70 (90 w/O-d); HC 3; 6,595 lbs.; $27,937.
    Personal equipment: BA: FJ: HAVR w/LTS and UBGL (expl. grenade). $2,025.

Amex Combat Autoworks "Rudolph" (Don Jacques): Sedan: x-hvy, chassis: hvy. susp.: large PP w/PCs: 4 PR tires: driver. HL w/pulse mod (F): SD w/link to HL, BTC (BR): ext. mag. w/SD ammo: SWC (HL): CA - driver ( 10 pts.): CA - HL ( l0 pts.). Sloped armor: F 53, B 50, L _50, R _50, T 5, U 5. Accel. 5; TS 92.5; HC 3:6,117 lbs.: $29,318.
    Personal Equipment: BA: SMG; 2 expl. grenades. $670.

Gloucester Supreme (Tim Jacques): Luxury: x-hvy, chassis; hvy. susp.; large PP w/SCs: 4 FP PR snow tires; driver, passenger. RR w/HESH ammo (F); 3 linked SMD w/napalm ammo (radio-detonated) (2 B, 1 L); 3 ext. mag. w/SMD napalm ammo (radio-detonated) ( 1 each SMD); 2 IcD (1 L, 1 R); 2OD (l L, 1 R); HRSWC (RRs): 2 BT (! L, I R); weapons timer (SMDs). Armor: F 70, B 50, L 45, R 45, T 4, U 8. Accel. 5: TS 90: HC 3; 6,595 lbs.; $28,035.
    Personal equipment: FJ (pass. l: radio detonator: PFE; 7 thermite grenades; foam grenade. $1,530.

Speed Kills (Norman McMullen): Luxury; x-hvy, chassis; hvy. susp.; 400 cid engine w/ TH; 5-gallon dueling tank; 4 PR radials; driver. 3 linked RLs (F); SWC (RLs); spoiler: airdam; BT (F); streamlining. Sloped armor: F 80 (RP), B 38, L 36, R 36, T 1, U 2. Accel. 15: TS 132.5: HC 4 (5 @ 60+); 6,600 lbs.; $29,861.
    Personal equipment: HP, Expl. grenade, fake grenade. $138.
 

Vehicles from the 1st running of the CDC:

Note the stunning similarity of the designs -- they could almost be variants of one common design. Also note that, compared to other groups' Division 10 designs, these vehicles are nearly invulnerable to weapons fire, while retaining impressive firepower. Cthulhu help the poor souls who encounter these vehicles in an arena. The event was held on snow: therefore, all vehicles have snow tires.

CME-2A (Chris French): Compact: x-hvy, chassis; hvy. susp.: medium PP w/SCs; 4 PR snow tires; driver. RR w/HEAT or HESH ammo (F); ext. mag. w/HEAT or HESH RR ammo; SWC (RR). Sloped armor (metal/plastic): F 13/10, B 12/10, L 12/5, R 12/5, T 0/1, U 0/3. Accel. 5; TS 92.5; HC 3; 4,439 lbs.; $9,439.

Wendigo (Mike Garrity): Compact; x-hvy, chassis: hvy. susp.; medium PP w/SCs; 4 PR snow tires; driver. VMG (F); SWC (VMG): CA - driver (5 pts.). Sloped armor (metal/plastic): F 15/20, B 0/40, L 10/15, R 10/15; T 0/2, U 0/3. Accel. 5; TS 92.5; HC 3; 4,440 lbs.; $9,960.

Filed Tip (Don Jacques): Compact: x-hvy, chassis; hvy. susp.; medium PP w/PCs; 4 PR snow tires: driver. RL (F); ext. mag. w/RL ammo; FoD (B); SWC (RL). Sloped armor (metal/plastic): F 18/40, B 0/50, L 0/50, R 0/50, T 0/5, U 0/5. Accel. 5: TS 90; HC 3; 4,410 lbs.; $9,654.

Blitz III (Norman McMullen): Compact: x-hvy, chassis; hvy. susp.; medium PP w/SCs; 4 PR snow tires; driver. HMG (F); 2 SD linked to HMG (1 B, 1 R); Sloped armor (metal/plastic): F 14/4, B 12/4, L 12/4, R 12/4, T 0/2, U 0/1. Accel. 5; TS 92.5; HC 3; 4,440 lbs.; $9,303.
    A variant: MML vice HMG; add 37 pts. plastic armor, SWC (MML), incendiary ammo to SDs. $9,383.
    B variant: MG vice HMG: add 25 pts. plastic armor, SWC (MG), incendiary ammo one SD. $9,460.
    C variant: LL vice HMG: add 25 pts. plastic armor, SWC (LL). $10,161.
    D variant: DWM (SD ammo) vice HMG; add 35 pts. plastic armor, incendiary ammo to SDs, fake weapon (F), 2 BTC ( 1 each SD), streamlining. TS 100; $9,003.
(Note: In the event, Norm used the D variant; Tim used the basic model, with both SDs aimed B.)
 

"It was murder, pure and simple," said AADA Competition Director (Central Div.) Bradley Webster.
    This was the opening statement in what is sure to become the biggest controversy in the history' of New Omaha dueling. The issue at hand -- is DeathKnight Industries criminally liable in the deaths of two duelists.'?
    The controversy began some six months ago, when three corporations (Budget Motors, Sabre Motors, and Imperial Motors) apparently challenged DKI to a series of tete-a-tete encounters at Aksarben Arena in New Omaha. Immediately, one fact became apparent -- only Budget Motors' Div. 5 selection had even the remotest chance of defeating its DKI mirror (see next article). Duel-watchers everywhere asked why the trio had selected such substandard vehicles for the event; each of the vehicles in question was at least 5 years out of date. Also, the Div. 60 and Div. 100 vehicles had little more armor than the Div. 5 (D5: 90 pts.; D60: 132; D100: 126). Firepower of the challengers was, in every case, weaker than the DKI entries (see next article).
    As the event date drew near, the rumblings grew louder. Retired pro duelists stated that the Div. 5 would be the only fair fight, that the others would be slaughters. Parimutuel wagering facilities refused to offer odds or accept wagers on the outcomes of the events, triggering more speculation. Rumors concerning possible event tampering, possible criminal prosecution if the event went off, among others, flew wildly. It remained only for the actual event to be run, to see the end of the speculation.

Round 1: Div. 5 -- DKI vs. Budget Motors
The vehicles left their respective gates (DKI: 3; BM: 1), reaching engagement distance in 4 seconds. DKI scored first hits -- with tracer-loaded LMGs, doing minimal damage. Seconds later, BM unloaded all 8 of its rockets at DKI -- scoring two hits and light damage. Now offenseless, BM ran, closely pursued by DKI, who continued plinking off bits of BM's armor. DKI evidently pushed the pursuit too closely -- BM dropped spikes, which took out DKI's right rear tire. DKI maintained control, broke away briefly, then took up pursuit again -- and promptly blundered headlong into another set of BM's spikes. One destroyed front tire later, DKI slid to a halt, immobile, but with armor unbreached and weapons intact; BM had no way to destroy DKI save by ramming, and BM had insufficient armor to do so without also destroying itself. Result: a draw.

Round 2: Div. 60 -- DKI vs. Sabre Motors
The "battle" lasted all of four seconds. In the third second, DKI and SM exchanged fire. DKI scored -- SM missed spectacularly. That first volley ventilated SM's front and severely damaged its engine. Before SM could react, DK! unloaded a second volley that tore a hole through SM. SM's laser scored minor damage on DKI's front. SM exploded fractions of a second later. Result: DKI victory.

Round 3: Div. 100 -- DKI vs. Imperial Motors
IM blew nitrous right from the gate, bringing it into mutual firing range in four seconds. DKI and IM traded one volley of fire; while IM's shots burned off slightly over half of DKI's front armor, DKI's volley ripped through IM's front armor, one XL, the engine, the driver, the fuel tank, and the TL. The smoking wreck rocketed into the arena wall and exploded. Result: DKI victory. The next morning saw huge crowds of rioters outside DKI's gates, crying for vengeance upon DKI and Death Knight: DKI security remained quiescent while NOPD dispersed the crowds. Later that day, the NE State Prosecutor's Office handed down multiple indictments against DKI for manslaughter (the two drivers); the corporations filed lawsuits for defamation of character shortly thereafter. The AADA, NOPD, and NE State Dueling Commission have begun investigations into the particulars of the challenge, specifically:

-- why were the most common dueling Divisions (15-30) left out of the Challenge? -- why would the challenging corporations have employed 5-year-old designs against DKI's newest designs?

-- why would the challengers have used clearly inadequately-armed and -armored designs against superior DKI vehicles?

-- did the challenges actually originate from the challengers? If not, from whence did they originate?

-- in Round 2, was that miss an honest miss?

-- also in Round 2, did DKI give its opponent time to surrender?

In the meantime, since the challenge, DKI property have been targets of vandalism, employees victims of harassment. One thing is certain -- repercussions from this will be felt for some time to come.

Vehicles and Assessments:

Division 5:
Budget Motors "Platypus": Compact: std. chassis; it. susp.; med. PP; 4 HD tires; driver. Mini rocket platform with 2 LRs; MFRP (F); 2 linked SDs (1L, 1R); BTC (MFRP). Armor: F 25; B 19; L 17: R 17; T 6: U 6. Accel. 5: TS 102.5; HC 1; 3,430 lbs.; $4,995.

DKI Automotive "Kobold": Streamlined lt. trike; std. chassis; hvy. susp.; sm. cycle PP w/ PC & SC; 3 HD tires; cyclist. 2 linked LMGs w/tracer ammo (1 L, 1R); CA - driver (10 pts.). Sloped armor: F 25; B 20; L 15; R 15; T 6; U 5. Accel. 5; TS 100; HC 2; 1,380 lbs.; $4,915.

    The Kobold is a sloped light trike (-3 TH from side: -4 from F or B) with a top speed of 100 MPH (-6 TH) -- nearly impossible to hit even with the most accurate of weapons. The Platypus's armament -- 2 LR and an MFR (TH: 9) That the BM driver managed 2 hits out of 8 at point-blank range is a miracle. The only reason the duel lasted long enough for the Platypus's spikes to come into play was the Kobold's armament -- 2 tracer-loaded LMGs (average damage: 1.5 each). Had the Kobold deleted the tracers (which are worthless in arena duels), the Platypus would have died much earlier. The Platypus would best serve as a team-event rearguard; the Kobold as a team-event "buzzard" (picking off cripples).
 

Division 60:
Sabre Motors "HiLo": Van; x-hvy, chassis; hvy. susp.; 200 cid engine w/VP turbo; 1 l-gallon dueling tank; 6 plasticore tires; driver. 2 linked LG HR (F); Laser w/LGL (turreted); VMG w/expl, ammo (B); cyberlink (Ls). Sloped FP armor: F 30; B 25; L 25; R 25; T 15; U 12. Accel. 10; TS 72.5; HC 2: 7,194 lbs.; $59,760.

DKI Automotive "Massacre": Luxury (CA-frame); x-hvy, chassis; hvy. susp.; 150 cid engine w/BP, TH, & VP turbo; 5-gallon dueling tank; 4 PR radial tires; driver. 2 linked HVMGs w/HD ammo (F); SS w/hot smoke (U); 5 LRs (F, B, L, R, T) linked to SS; HRSWC; HD shocks: safety seat: 1 tank N20: FPCA - driver (10 pts.): FPCA - engine (10 pts.); FP insulator fuel tank. Sloped armor: F 65; B 55; L 60: R 60: T 10; U 14. Accel. 10; TS 70: HC 4: 6,600 lbs.: $52,608.
    Driver's equipment: IA; FT' suit; 3-bbl. GS w/LG AP ammo; LTS w/LGL (GS). $6,750.

    A van in an arena -- a hemophiliac in a swimming pool of double-edged razor blades has a better chance of survival. The HiLo's forward battery may look impressive, but it's one shot only; alter that it's only 3d6 -- Div. 20 designs have better. The B-mounted VMG is ineffective; dropped weapons would have been better. The Massacre -- 8(1+8 forward battery (average damage: 36, vs. armor of 30, 25, 25 8,: 25 -- do the math), armor sufficient to stop a tank gun shell; in short, a battleship. Outcome of this fight is a foregone conclusion.

Division 100:
Imperial Motors "Polaris": Van (CA-frame): x-hvy, chassis: hvy. susp.; 200 cid engine: 10-gallon dueling tank; 6 FPSB solid tires: driver. 3 XLs - 2 linked F. 1 turreted w/link to F XLs; MFRP w/LG (B); TL w/LGL (B); FcD (U); HRSWC (XL link): 1 tank N20; spoiler: tinted windows; BTC (MFRP). Sloped RPFP armor: F 20; B 25; L 25; R 25; T 25: U 6. Accel. 5; TS 65; HC 2; 7,058 lbs.: $99,928.

DKI Automotive "Star Cruiser": Luxury (CA-frame): x-hvy, chassis; hvy. susp; 150 cid engine w/BP, TH, & VP turbo; 5-gallon dueling tank; 4 FP solid tires; driver. 2 linked pulse XL (F); cyberlink (PXL link); laser battery: FPCA - driver (10 pts.); FPCA - engine (10 pts.); FP insulator - fuel tank. Sloped FP armor: F 75: B 70; L 65; R 65; T 10; U 10. Accel. 10; TS 70; HC 3; 6,580 lbs.; $99,980.

    Another van -- if it's lucky, it might get to employ its 12d6 (average damage: 42) forward battery. Its armor is so weak (20, 25, 25, & 25), a Div. 20 could tear it to bits! Against the Star Cruiser's 8d+8 (average damage: 36) battery -- boom. The S.C.'s armor can handle at least 2 volleys from its own battery, and the CA gives it an extra margin or protection. Again, a walkover.
 

The Rematches:

Round 1: Div. 5 -- DKI "Kobold" vs. Sabre Motors "Lo-Beam"

Starting from opposite sides of the arena, they engaged head-on, with DKI getting the worst of it. They circled, then engaged head-on again, with DKI again getting hit hard. A third head-on pass netted DKI its first good score against SM. SM broke off, swung through a tunnel, and emerged behind DKI. SM plowed three shots into DKI's rear. DKI did a T-stop; SM clipped DKI in passing.
    Combat paused while the drivers maneuvered for position; finally, after a head-on pass which scratched both vehicles, SM swung around, missed a pair of long-range shots, then closed and nailed DKI at point-blank range. DKI, already at the edge of control, lost it and spun into the central bunker. Its front and LR tires blew out, and it rolled. SM, adding insult to injury, clipped it as it rolled, breaching its U armor. SM swung round to where DKI had come to rest -- on its side with its U exposed. Sabre fired one shot into DKI; DKI surrendered.

Assessment:
Kobold: A sloped light trike (-3 or -4 TH) is an impossible target at greater than point-blank range; it great speed exacerbates this. However, in arenas, eventually someone will close to p-b. Also, the low weight makes collisions lethal for it. The tracer ammo is all but useless -- losing 1 point of damage rolled for a + 1 TH that doesn't appear until the fourth second of fire. By that point, someone's armor should be breached. This design would be better as a convoy scout.

Lo-Beam: Swap the LL for an MG w/SWC, and add armor. Lasers aren't worth it in Division 5.
 

Round 2: Div. 15 -- DKI "Quickmatch II" vs. Budget Motors "Light Show"

DKI scored early, nailing BM's right side with its R-mounted ML. DKI then missed it next two shots: on top of that, it lost control and clipped the central bunker! This slip-up proved fatal: BM parked in DKI's rear arc and slammed three TwL shots into its rear. The third shot scored maximum damage, ripping through the already-breached B, destroying the driver's CA, vaporizing the driver, and all but annihilating the PP CA. What little remained of DKI plowed into an obstacle.

Assessment:
Quickmatch II: A sloped light trike capable of great speed -- opponents must close to p-b to hit this thing. The weapon is good -- a 2d6 laser with a huge firing arc. Drawbacks are lack of mass (rams...) and low armor (Div. 15 vehicles with double the armor and firepower of this vehicle exist).

Light Show: The focal point (no pun intended) of this vehicle is the devastating Twin Laser -- devastating damage, but equally devastating to this vehicle's cost. The armor is weak, and the handling is worse. Effective versus "garden-variety" vehicles; a dedicated dueller will demolish this thing.
 

Round 3: Div. 20 -- DKI "MDV-L" vs. Sabre Motors "Omega 20-X"

First fire was head-on, scoring both vehicles' front and right sides. A long-range exchange produced no hits. Another head-on pass ripped up both vehicles' fronts, then DKI plowed shots into SM's front, while SM missed. More shots ripped up the vehicles' right sides, then another head-on exchange did more harm to their fronts. Having battered each other, they split off and looked for position. SM got it, and slammed four shots into DKI's rear, exactly destroying DKI's rear armor! DKI slowed, hoping SM would dodge. Instead, SM rear-ended DKI, destroying his OJ and damaging his driver's CA. SM followed with a shot that eliminated the CA. DKI lost control and hit the wall. SM shot past and swung around; DKI fired two volleys -- and missed both times. SM unloaded into DKI's front, while DKI hammered SM's left. DKI yanked and banked to shake SM, lost control again, and clipped the wall. SM squared up and fired into DKI's rear, killing the driver and half-destroying the PP CA.

Assessment:
MDV-L: A good effort -- heavy armor, highly accurate weapons, and CA on the major internal components (driver and PP). Its failings include overly-heavy front armor, a main battery no better than most mid-sizes, and no effective dropped weapons (an OJ only works if someone maneuvers on it). As a "minimalist" dueling vehicle, a good effort, but needs work.

Omega 20-X: A rolling brick, with the additional plus of being a sloped compact (-2 or -3 TH). The Ls is expensive, but effective. This vehicle's major drawbacks are a lack of dropped weapons (one SD is not effective) and very. weak tires (SB Std.).
 

Round 4: Division 30 -- DKI "Fumigator" vs. Budget Motors "MacMurphy Special"

This fight ended as suddenly as it began, The first exchange of fire reduced each vehicles' front armor by 1/3. The second exchange shredded their right sides. The third volley all but destroyed their front armor. The fourth volleys went internal -- BM lost one RR and most of its engine; DKI lost 2 RLs, its PP CA, and most of its PP. Both vehicles promptly caught fire; the drivers bailed out. The match was declared a draw; no one seemed to mind.

Assessment:
Fumigator: A fair vehicle -- armor is a tad low, the dropped weapon is ineffective, and the main weapons aren't very accurate, but the incendiary loads for the RLs and the CA on the driver and PP make up for some of it.

MacMurphy Special: A solid piece of work -- excellent forward battery, maneuverable (spoiler, shocks, H-D/ABS), excellent armor. Drawbacks include low top speed and an overly large fuel tank (drop 5 gallons fuel cap., add 10 pts CA to the engine, and this vehicle improves nicely).
 

Round 5: Division 60 -- DKI "Massacre" vs. Imperial Motors "Rhino"

The first exchange of fire was head-to-head; IM scored with 4 of 5 rockets, while DKI severely damaged IM's turret. IM swung around, caught DKI, and unloaded 5 rockets into DKI's left side (IM fired at the front half of DKI's left side, avoiding DKI's LRW-activated HSS!). DKI tried to dodge, but IM put 5 more rockets into DKI's right, doing even more damage.
    Desperate, DKI tried to run; however, IM was faster. IM parked itself on DKI's rear bumper and began firing its TL -- no rockets, just the TL. In short order, DKI's HSS was empty. IM unloaded 5 rockets into DKI's rear, then rear-ended it twice in succession, wrecking its rear armor. Panicking, DKI fired its 3-bbl. AP gyroslugger at IM -- and failed to score a single hit (the driver had no Handgunner skill!). Imperial unloaded 5 more rockets into DKI's rear: this ventilated DKI's rear armor and knocked the driver unconscious. Uncontrolled, DKI sailed out of the arena.
 

Assessment:
Massacre: Two HVMGs with HD ammo, 264 points of armor, CA on driver and engine, and a HSS with a LRW -- this vehicle seems invincible. Unfortunately, it is sorely flawed -- if a vehicle with non-laser weapons gets behind this thing, it will die painfully and pathetically; with no effective dropped weapons to cover its rear and its HSS all but worthless, it is doomed.

Rhino: This vehicle needs work -- the weapons are accurate, but at this level, hot smoke is far too common. Also, the turret is a weak point; scrap it, and the rockets are useless. Its engine and fuel tank could also stand being downsized (its top speed is well beyond what is needed in an arena). Plus, the MMLs should be in the car, not on it.

Vehicles (The Kobold and Massacre were described in the previous events' write-ups. Also, the challengers' designs have been altered to "legal" status):

DKI Automotive "Quickmatch II": Light trike: x-hvy, chassis: hvy. susp.: med. cycle PP w/SCs: 3 PR radial tires; cyclist. ML (R): HRSWC (ML): FPCA - driver ( 10 pts.); FPCA - PP ( 10 pts.). Sloped armor: F 34: B 30; L 30; R 30; T 10: U 10: 10-pt CWG: 2x 10-pt. WG. Accel. 5; TS 92.5: HC 3: 1,920 lbs.; $14,343.

DKI Automotive "MDV-L": Luxury; x-hvy, chassis: hvy. susp.; large PP w/SCs; 4 PR tires: driven 2 linked VMGs (F); OJ (B); SWC (VMGs); FPCA - driver ( 10 pts.); FPCA - PP ( 10 pts.); Cargo: 1 s p., 5 lbs. Sloped armor: F 70; B 40: L 45; R 45; T 9; U 10: 2x 10-pt. WG; 2x 10-pt. WH. Accel. 5: TS 90: HC 3; 6,600 lbs.; $19,368.

DKI Automotive "Fumigator": Luxury: x-hvy, chassis; hvy. susp.; large PP w/SCs; 4 FP solid tires: driven 3 linked RLs w/incendiary ammo (F); SS w/hot smoke ammo and link to RLs (U): ext. mag. (SS hot smoke); HRSWC (RLs); FPCA - driver (10 pts.); FPCA - PP (10 pts.). Sloped FP armor: F 55; B 45; L 50; R 50; T 10: U 14. Accel. 5; TS 90; HC 3; 6,600 lbs.; $28,406.

Sabre Motors "Lo-Beam": Subcompact; hvy. chassis; lt. susp.: small PP; 4 std. tires; driver. LL (F): Cargo: 1 sp., 60 lbs. Armor: F 20: B 16; L 15: R 15; T 4; U 4. Accel. 5; TS 92.5: HC 2: 2,400 lbs.; $4,964.

Budget Motors "Light Show": Compact: x-hvy, chassis; std. susp.: med. PP: 4 HD tires; driven TwL (F): Cargo: 1 sp., 26 lbs. Sloped armor: F 40; B 30: L 27; R 27; T 5; U 10. Accel. 5; TS 90; HC 2; 4,200 lbs.; $14,588.

Sabre Motors "Omega 20-X": Compact; x-hvy, chassis: hvy. susp.; 150 cid engine: 5-gallon dueling tank: 4 SB std. tires: driver. Laser (F): SD w/explosive ammo (B): link IL - SD): SWC (L): fake ramplate: 2x BTC (1 each weapon): Cargo: I sp.. 50 lbs. Sloped armor: F75: B 65: L 60: R 60: T 10: U 10. Accel. 5: TS 72.5: HC 3: 4.440 lbs.: $19.451.

Budget Motors "MacMurphy Special": Luxury: x-hvy, chassis: hvy. susp.: 200 cid engine: 10-gallon dueling tank: 4 solid tires; driver. 3 linked RRs (F); HRSWC (RRs), spoiler; HD shocks: HD brakes: ABS: N20: streamlining; CA - driver (10 pts.). Sloped armor: F 65; B 53; L 50: R 50: T 15: [J 15. Accel. 5: TS 72.5: HC 3/4 (w 60+); 6,600 lbs.: $29,006.

Imperial Motors "Rhino'*: Luxury (CA-frame): x-hvy, chassis: hvy. susp.: 400 cid engine; 10-gallon dueling tank: 4 FP PR tires: driven 2-sp. turret: 2x 2-sp. EWP: TL w/LGL (turret); RL w/LG (turret): 4 linked MMLs w/LG (F-mounted in EWPs); 3 links (TL - MMLs; 'FL - RL: TL all rockets); HRSWC ITL): streamlining. Sloped armor: F 65; B 50: L 50; R 50; T 39; U 2; 20 pts. EWP armor (10 pts. each EWP). Accel. 10; TS 117.5: HC 3; 6,600 lbs.; $56,682.
 

Hindenfloat: Any airship filled with hydrogen; more commonly used to describe the larger Zeppelins. Some carders even place arms shipments on these, thinking no one would be foolish enough to risk shooting at what is essentially a giant floating bomb.

Armor-heavy/firepower-heavy: Terms used to describe vehicles where one element is emphasized, usually to the detriment of the other. The "armor-heavy" vehicle has low-damage weapons and lots of armor (likely a ram-car); the "firepower-heavy" vehicle can shred average vehicles in one or two volleys, but cannot withstand much punishment itself (a good example is the "Grand Slam" series).
 

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to hide the bodies of the people I had to kill because they pissed me off!" -- Anonymous (three guesses as to who contributed this one .... )

"Next time you have a chance to kill someone, don't hesitate." <BLAM> "Thanks for the advice." -- Unidentified terrorist and John MacLaine, Die Hard

"Nothing more useless than a gunfighter who can't kill people." -- Little Big Man

The next two apply to the failed efforts to run the NOVA CDC:
    "If anything can go wrong, it will." -- Murphy (yes, that one)
    "The 11th Commandment: Thou shalt not get away with it." -- Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins

"The truth hurts, doesn't it, Hapsburg?! Oh, sure -- maybe not as much as jumping on a bicycle with the seat missing, but it hurts!" -- Sgt. Frank Drebin (Det. Lt., POLICE SQUAD), Naked Gun 2 1/2
 

This issue we cover a martial-arts comedy and a Die Hard-esque B-rate flick. These are greatly entertaining for myself and my friends -- good comedies are hard to find.

Rumble In The Bronx: Kueng (Jackie Chan) comes to the Bronx to help his uncle sell his market and get married. Everything goes quietly until Kueng stops a local gang from robbing the market: this leads to lots of fighting (of course). Kueng meets the gang leader's girl, Nancy. and falls for her. Meanwhile, a gang member gets his hands on some hot diamonds, annoying the White Tiger Gang (a high-roller crime syndicate), which leads to even more mayhem -- everything from rampaging hovercraft to misused shopping carts. A must-see. ****

Interceptor: A Stealth fighter pilot has to ride on a C5 with a couple of Stealth fighters on their way to Europe. A tanker full of terrorists take over the C5; the fighter jock fights back, leading to some hideously unrealistic effects. This film is badly written and badly filmed (one can see desert and mountains where the Atlantic Ocean is supposed to be -- under the airplane...). Fun to watch for the mistakes alone. *

"Would you, could you, on a plane?/Would you, could you, on a train?/Would you, could you, on a boat?/Would you, could you, on a float?" -- Dr. Seuss (if he had gone to Hollywood in the '80s and '90s as a action-adventure scriptwriter -- Cthulhu forbid...)
 

So we wrap up yet another fun-filled issue. We apologize for not having a NOVA Works or Showroom this issue -- the Championship and Corporate Challenge ate up most of the space. We'll make up for it next issue (it ain't like we're lacking for material!). We'll also have a look at GenCon and the Road Trip Of Doom. By then, we should have the new 2046 NOVA Works Catalog and 2046 Midwest Vehicle Registry available. Copies likely will be available at GenCon. Until then -- watch your six (and pray Spring arrives soon...)! Drive Offensively!
 
 

Norman McMullen NOVA President

Chris French NOVA Vice-President

Opening Fire: Norman McMullen

10 O'Clock News: Chris French, Michael Garrity, and Norman McMullen

Nuts & Bolts: Chris French

2046 NOVA CDC: Norman McMullen

DKI Corporate Challenge: Chris French, Michael Garrity, and Norman McMullen

Duelslang: Michael Garrity and Norman McMullen

Vehicles: Chris French (CME-2A, DMN-8R, Light Show, Lo-Beam, MacMurphy Special, Omega 20-X, Rhino); Michael Garrity (Fumigator, Kobold, Massacre, MDV-L, Star Cruiser, Quickmatch II, Wendigo): Don Jacques (Filed Tip, Rudolph); Tim Jacques (Gloucester Supreme); Norman McMullen (Blitz III, Speed Kills); Loyd Blankenship / David Searle (HiLo, Polaris, Platypus)

Typesetter: Chris French

Editors of Der Grossamerikanischeroman: Chris French, Don Jacques, and Norman McMullen

If you thought that was interesting, just wait 'til next issue ...

Nightmessenger is published quarterly by the New Omaha Vehicular Association 2524 Madison Street, Bellevue, NE 68005. All material is copyright December 1995 by New Omaha Vehicular Association. All rights reserved.

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