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NIGHTMESSENGER NOVA's Quarterly Newsletter Vol. 6, No. 1, Spring 2042 OPENING FIRE
Ah, spring is in the air and it's that time of the year for changes. Ramplates for starters, and what's next? It's hard to believe NOVA has been around for eight years. We've not always seen eye-to-eye with SJG and AADA. Editors have come and gone, there have been numerous supplements. Rule changes have been fast and furious. Isn't “Car Wars” grand?

NOVA would rather have friends than foes any day. That's why we are glad to have good relations with GHOST and TRAACS, with whom we exchange ideas, gadgets, and other mayhem. We would like to extend our network to other chapters and duellists worldwide. Presently our network includes GODS, GEARS, Matt Tackett of GEARS, GHOST, TRAACS, Ian Knights of England, Stephane Galley of Switzerland, Michael Garrity of Rhode Island, and Shea Montgomery of Nebraska. As I said before we are always wanting to expand the network for those duellists who like to duel on the wild side.

NOVA WORKS

Recently we received the latest development from Switzerland: Hydroxide Engines. To make a long story short, we're going to publish them in their entirety. If you were expecting a whole lot of new gadgets, sorry, not this issue. Read on, MacDuff.

Hydroxide Engines

As the saying goes, in Europe, we don't have gas, we have ideas. The latest of those ideas is the long-awaited mass-release of new engines that run on substance much more available than gas and electricity: water. To be more clear, in what is to be called hydroxide engines, a combination of hydrogen and oxygen replaces the old petroleum standard (for more details, ask your favorite physics teacher).

There are a significant number of advantages. The hydroxide engines (HO for short) don't pollute, and are slightly less dangerous, not to mention that water is much more common than gas. Don't get me wrong. HO engines don't operate on water, but from the hydrogen and oxygen in “dissociated” water. The main disadvantage is price, as well as the fact it's a new technology, and thus very few mechanics so far have the knowledge to fix them if the need arises.

Some Basic Facts The HO engine in itself comes in the same cubic sizes as gas engines (this includes the various gas engines for trucks, boats, etc.), but not jet engines. They share the same DP, weight, power factors, etc.. The price, however, is four times the base cost of the equivalent-sized gas engine. The prices will come down if the public responds favorably to the new engine.

A gas engine cannot be converted to a HO engine. It's an entirely different system. However, a HO can be retrofitted into a car that used to have a gas engine. Its a very hard task for a mechanic and it costs an extra $200 per space of the vehicle being fitted.

A HO engine can use the same accessories as a gas engine, but the prices are doubled. Nitrous oxides bottles in this case are actually compressed hydrogen or oxygen gas.

Theoretically a HO engine needs two tanks: one for oxygen and the other for hydrogen. However, to let things be as simple as possible, let's pretend that it's a unique, double-bodied tank. A basic HO tank has 5 DP, costs $50 and weighs 5 lbs per gallon. The heavy-duty version has 10 DP and costs $250 and weighs 20 lbs per gallon. A gallon of hydroxide weighs 6 lbs and costs $1. A breach in a basic tank is treated like an economy gas tank, while the heavy-duty behaves like a racing gas tank.

Since HO engines are so new, there aren't many stations that carry hydrox fuel. A water disassociator can transform water into such fuel. It costs $10,000 and weighs 250 lbs per 10 gallons of capacity. It can dissociate a quarter of its total capacity in one minute.

How does it behave? Acceleration and top speed, as well as fuel consumption, is calculated the same as gas engines. Unlike gas engines, however, fire extinguishers work normal on HO engines.

THE WORLD "OUT THERE"

Ah, yes, the world. What a concept. Something big and round where people fight in vehicles. Believe it or not, Elvis has been spotted in our fair city. He has stopped several robberies and other crimes. The Police are baffled and the newsstand tabloids are going wild. He drives a pink Cadillac, uses a golden mike as a handweapon, has a hypersound system, and knows martial arts. Is this the second coming of Elvis? Sure sounds like it.

Brian Faulkner, our dear mayor, has been having troubles lately. It's rumored that his house has been broken into, and he has moved to an unknown residence. There have been several attempts on his life recently. Is this Kilroy's doing? The Police are still investigating.

Psycho's Pet Patrol has stopped operations for the time being, much to the relief of the city. I don't think the ASPCA could stand any more clashes with Psycho. However, there are reports of a monster tank running through the city, looking for Psycho and causing problems. Anyone wanting a slightly used Hammer? It was flatten recently by the monster tank. Now it's only six inches high.

The city is being rebuilt at an energetic pace. The warm winter has helped in the reconstruction, along with the help of Gadgets and Guns, Far Designs and Radius/Ace. The NOVA HQ is back on schedule after some attempts were made to damage it. I will not say where I am doing this newsletter for security purposes.

The Great ASP Hunt is still going, according to the Mongoose. “The ASP attempt on my life was planned for and the joke's on them”, said during a telephone conversation. Why would ASP think the Mongoose lives in the New Omaha area anyway?

To all reports ASP is being hurt badly. They are presently at war with GNATS, DEATH, ARF, bounty hunters and duellists. Does the Black Asp know what he's in for? We shall soon see, won't we?

10 O'CLOCK NEWS
    October 30, 2041: 23 ASP commandos were captured at Doc's Truck Stop when they tried to kill the Mongoose. The Mongoose was in Denver on business, but said he knew of the attempt. His only comment was, “Stupid snakes”. He announced that Operation No-Shoulders will commence in 2042.

    January 15, 2042: Elvis kills several mobsters on I-80. He signed some autographs afterwards and left.

    January 18, 2042: Sam Zen won the second off-road race at the Blitz Track outside of New Omaha. The race saw Rocky's crazy try to take the track at 200 mph. He crashed horribly and died instantly. His competitor, Death Head, also crashed but survived with minor injuries.

    January 21, 2042: Several GNATS were found dead with Black Avenger cards on their bodies.

    January 28, 2042: Sightings of Elvis continue in New Omaha.

    January 29, 2042: Elvis stopped several criminals with his microphone.

    February 4, 2042: The city council meet with the mayor to discuss the new police interceptors. Both agreed on a limited trial of jet interceptors and tank police. They will be limited to two jet interceptors for summer use and one tank for year-round use. The streets are going to get interesting.

    February 6, 2042: Ambush and the Police raided a mobster's business. In the shoot-out all the mobsters were killed with only the loss of two policemen.

    February 7, 2042: The Batman killed several GNATS in southwest New Omaha. He left only one alive to tell the Police what had happened.

    February 13, 2042: The monster tank called Urban Justice and the Death Knight's Death Machine monster car met when trying to find the Psychedelic Leadfoot. The two battled it out on the streets with neither being the winner. Both drivers survived unharmed. A city block was totaled by the battle.

    February 14, 2042: Elvis killed several GNATS in north New Omaha near the Coast Guard base.

    February 17, 2042: MMI expands it's HQ in New Omaha. A convoy of rigs entered the city. The mayor announced a city-wide lock down. He stated security reasons for this action.

    February 18, 2042: The Black Avenger killed several mobsters in south New Omaha. He left a note for the Police, but they aren't saying what was written on it.
    MMI HQ lost power and water at midnight. All attempts to use secondary power and water systems failed. Strangely, no other businesses were affected. MMI security forces were unable to restore primary power and water systems. The NOPD later fixed the problem and discovered that the systems were sabotaged.

    February 19, 2042: The Giovanni Italian Restaurant burned to the ground. Two large men were seen entering the restaurant before the fire. Their bodies were found outside of the structure.

    February 20, 2042: Ambush and the Police killed several GNATS that were posing as customs agents. The Police and the National Guard announced a security check of all local personnel.
    Several GNATS bodies were found in Denver, St. Louis, New York City, Chicago, and Dallas. The Mob is suspected for these killings.

    February 22, 2042: ASP tried to steal a gold shipment in Grand Island. They lost several helicopters and over 40 troops in the attempt. The National Guard and the president thanked DGAG for their help in defending the shipment.

    February 23, 2042: Power and water was finally restored to MMI HQ. OMEN HQ was taken over by EMI for reasons unknown.

    February 24, 2042: Unconfirmed sources say that the Mob has put hits on Elvis, the Batman, Ambush, and the Black Avenger for their vigilante activities.

    February 27, 2042: A well-known mob hitman was found dead in the Holiday Inn Central with the Black Avenger's card on him.

    February 28, 2042: Another mob hitman was killed by Elvis. The body was dumped at a police station.

    March 1, 2042: A mob hitman was delivered to the Police by the Batman. The Police purged its ranks of mob and GNATS agents.

    March 2, 2042: The National Guard purged its ranks of GNATS and mob informants. The Guard said it would continue the purge even though most of the agents were low-ranking officers in non-vital areas.

    March 3, 2042: An ASP convoy was destroyed by the Mob outside of Lincoln.

    March 4, 2042: Several mob establishments were destroyed in Chicago, St. Louis, and Denver. ASP was suspected. A major Mob-ASP war is likely.

    March 6, 2042: Emergency Services Inc. (ESI), Advanced Research Company (ARC), and the New Apocalypse Armament Systems (NAAS) announced a merger under NAAS effective this date.

    March 7, 2042: The ESI building collapsed due to previous carbomb damage. No one was injured. The ARC mountain fell onto the company complex, completely destroying it. Luckily no one hurt. Peacemaker and Michael Shadow couldn't be reached for comment.

    March 9, 2042: The city council took a vote of confidence on Mayor Faulkner. He failed and was replaced by the council president until a permanent replace can be found. The council also canceled all new contracts that Faulkner had made this year. Faulkner had no comment.

CONVENTION CALENDAR
It's about the same as the last issue.

April 4, 1992: Impact 1.6 gamefest at the Holiday Inn Central in Omaha, Nebraska. NOVA will hold the Midwest Regional at this con.

April 4, 1992: Southwest Regional at Enterprise 1701 Comic and Wargames in Orlando, Florida. Hosted by GODS and starts at noon. GODS has sent out open invitations to anyone out-of-state to attend this regional.

July 24-26, 1992: Impact 2 at the Holiday Inn Central. NOVA will run a Car Wars Tournament here.

August 20-23, 1992: GenCon/Origins '92. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Both World Championships are going to be held here along with the NOVA grudge matches.

We've just received some bad news. Craig Sheeley will be running both World Championships. Yes, you read correctly. I'll let you decide whether it's a good or bad thing.

MOVIE RELEASES

Among the movies being released, in this case re-released, this year is Blade Runner . It's a limited re-release with a different ending, not the happy one seen previously. This is how Ripley Scott wanted the film to be. The film is slated for showing in February or March, so look out for it.

March: The Lawnmower Man.

June: Batman Returns.

Summer: Robocop 3, Universal Soldier.

July: Cool World.

August: Army of Darkness.

RETURN FIRE

Recently Martin, a subscriber from Miami, brought up the point of NOVA being the “unofficial” spokesgroup of the autoduelling world. In some ways we are. He wants us to encourage others to get involved. In other words, get more gamers actively speaking to each other and SJG.

This also brings up the possibility for lobbying for rule changes. Let's get back the old versions of things we like before the advent of the whiners and “game balance” excuses. We like to see the reinstatement of the two-dice VFRP rockets and lighter gas engines and the original ramplate rules. To tell you the truth, we can. Just be writing enough letters to SJG they will have no choice. That means you and your friends writing on what you like to see changed.

We have the power to make or break “Car Wars”, either in its entirety or in pieces. If you hate something (supplement, gadget, vehicle, etc..) write to them. It's that easy. The more letters there are, the more likely they'll change it.

Don't whine because whiners are what changed the VFRP, gas engines, and ramplate rules. State your position firmly, and don't repeat yourself. Have confidence that you can accomplish what you set out to do. The destiny of Car Wars is yours; do with it as you will.

And now a letter from Canada. Sean Wilkinson of Medicine Hat, Alberta, has announced he's forming a new duelling called the Southern Alberta Coalition for Racing, Intense Firepower, and Internal Combustion Engines. The group's name is almost as long as the address. We wish them luck and hope to see more from them soon. In the future they plan a newsletter called The Accelerator.

Sean has the same opinion of Tim Ray that NOVA does. We believe Mr. Ray should crawl back under whatever rock he came from. From a note to Chris McCubbin, I quote Sean: “I'm glad the ADQ editors didn't ask him to tone it down or even edit it themselves. By keeping the letter intact, it serves to show Mr. Ray for what he is: a spoiler who can't enjoy the game for the fun and camaraderie it provides. Also the wild stories, as illustrated by the ADQ report on Miles Messervy's jump jet maneuver in the Hex - unbelievable! I want to shake that man's hand! That's autoduelling magic, and experiencing that kind of action first-hand, to me, would be better than any prize. ‘Nuff said on Mr. Ray.”. I quite agree that Mr. Ray is history, and the future has yet to be written.

DUELLING IDEAS For years we've kicked around new things for Car Wars. Well, here's a few:

Slamarama: An arena duel with only Grandslam designs (to date there's at least six of them). Decidedly short for arena combat.

Demolition Derby: Low division cars with no vehicular weapons. Just ramplates, bumper spikes, and handweapons. Optional settings like Chassis and Crossbows, metal armor, even rear-mounted ramplates are possible.

Deathraces: Racing across country, killing as many pedestrians as possible with cars, armed or unarmed, and not getting caught. Handled as a Convoy-type adventure.

Car Wars/Ogre crossover: It's been suggested once or twice at NOVA. Granted, some control must be taken to tone down the Ogre equipment. GEV and battlesuits could be used instead of the Ogre. Believe me, the differences won't matter. I have several ideas on this.

Send us your ideas; we'd like to hear them.

DUEL SLANG Our section on duelling slang makes a comeback with some more words to liven up any duel.

Shuttlecraft: any streamlined or sloped van, because of their resemblance to a Star Trek shuttlecraft.

Motopsycho: It's not Psycho on a motorcycle. It's the mad Biker from Hell. Any lone biker that takes on whole armies.

“The gift that keeps on giving”: ramplates, even though this is contested.

Micronuke: a space or more of either plastique or nitroglycerine. Remember, these are conventional explosives with unconventional damage potentials.

Blowing Chunks: destroying metal armor.

GAME NEWS On The Road The ASP War and Terrorism The ASP War, if you can call it that, has been mainly a few incidents between NOVA and ASP with ASP losing. What started this so-called “war” is hard to explain. Back in April of 2039 DEATH killed some ASPs in Springfield, Missouri. In retaliation for reporting the incident ASP attacked Nebraska City with four of its Mambas (see the “What a Lie” adventure). We are happy to report that the Mambas were shot down over their target with only minor damage done to Nebraska City. This attack didn't sit well with NOVA and it reinforced our terrorist policy - a good terrorist is a dead one. To counteract ASP in Nebraska, we declared a general war on them in late April, 2039.

The Black Asp upped the ante and bombed our headquarters on Christmas Day at exactly 12:01 a.m., 2040. Luckily the bombs only destroyed our decoy headquarters in the Boneyards. Then the mysterious Mongoose announced his Great ASP Hunt which continues to this day.

In early 2041 ASP cowardly carbombed New Omaha to near destruction. At the same time they assassinated Mayor C.B. McSmith. In the chaos that ensued the city council nominated a replacement and the city calmed down considerably. However, Mayor Faulkner failed a recent vote of confidence and has been kicked out of office. Two city council people have followed him due to terrorist ties.

The next major incident happened when ASP tried to infiltrate NOVA HQ but was stopped at the last moment. GNATS (Greater North American Terrorist Society) made its presence known by starting that it's a blood rival of ASP, but this has proven to be false. Last fall ASP failed another attempt to attack Nebraska. They were met by the Weasel's Thunderstorm Mercs, GNATS and DEATH and were promptly destroyed. At Christmas ASP tried another attack, only to be stopped b TRAACS, GNATS, DEATH, and a blizzard. It's good to know that nature abhors ASP much like a vacuum.

ASP is a group of second-rate punks who should be put out of their misery. They're not real terrorists; they're somewhat fanatical, but are certifiable idiots.

COMBAT ROCK

This section is surprisingly popular. I never expected it to skyrocket as it has.

Metallica - “Damage, Inc.”

Razor - “Death Race”

The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme) from The Empire Strikes Back

George Througood and the Destroyers - “Bad to the Bone”

Holst - Mars, The Bringer of Wars

Blue Oyster Cult - “Black Blade”, “Burnin' for You”, “Veteran of the Psychic Wars”, and “Godzilla”.

Weird Al Yankovic - “Dare to be Stupid”

Lulu - “Man with the Golden Gun”

Paul McCartney - “Live and Let Die”

THE SHOWROOM
This issue we have a variety of vehicles covering land, sea, and air.

Mjolnir II: Luxury, x-hvy. chassis, hvy. suspension, super power plant w/PC & SC, 4 SBPR radial tires, driver, VFRP front w/AP rockets, turreted RR w/HEAT ammo, hi-res computer, HD shocks. Armor: F70, L50, R50, B60, T15, U10 with 4 10- point wheelhubs. Accel. 5, top speed 112.5, HC 4; 6,595 lbs., $29,550.

Sprinter: Speedboat, HD power plant w/jet drive, pilot, half-top, 2 EWPs (left has VMG, right has 2 high-speed standard homing torpedoes), rocket platform with 2 RGMs, 5 FcDs, spoiler, depth finder, radar, HRSWC for VMG. Cargo bay: 3 spaces and 200 lbs. 3 links. Armor: F30, L30, R30, B30, T20, U20. Accel. 25, top speed 110, HC 3; 6,800 lbs, $50,000.

Sprinter XT - waterproof VMG and RGMs, add EWP ejection system (no extra link included). $52,500.

The Killer Boomerang is a parasite bomber, launched and recovered by airship. It is capable of carrying a variety of bomb types, including laser-guided. The Boomerang is a perfect stealth bomber, with no infrared sources other the rocket boosters (which would be used before reaching the target) and a very low radar cross section.

Killer Boomerang: Large cargo flying wing microplane, small cycle power plant, 2 HRS boosters, landing skid, pilot, ITL in universal 0-space turret UF, LGL, hook, STOL/heavy lift wings, one pair of maneuvering foils w/10 points of RP armor each, ejection seat, IR system, radar, radar detector and jammer, LD radio, improved tail assembly, weapons timer, HRSWC - TL. RP armor: 40 points on all sides. Accel. 10 w/HSRs, top speed 30 mph+, HC 1; 9,135 lbs. unloaded, $71,720. Payload of 26 spaces and 5,865 lbs.

Rocketeer: Sleeper Longnose, x-hvy. chassis, super truck power plant, 10 solid tires, driver, turret-mounted super rocket launcher w/AP ammo, SRL magazine w/ HESH ammo, magazine switch, IRTL in turret, LGL for all rockets, heavy rocket launcher front w/AP ammo, bumper trigger front, HRSWC - TL. Armor: F60 (ramplate), L40, R40, B25, T25, U30 with 6 10-point FP wheelguards. Accel. 2.5/5, top speed 165/100 full load, HC 0; 16,195 lbs., $125,020.

Caribou: Mid-sized, x-hvy. chassis (w/six-wheel option), heavy suspension, sports power plant, 6 radial solid tires, driver, two linked VMGs front, 10 points of CA for driver, anti-lock brakes, HD shocks, SWC. Armor: F40, L30, R30, B40, T20, U26. Accel. 10, top speed 112.5, HC 4; 5,738 lbs., $27,326.

CHERYL AND DOC, PART 2 BY CHERYL STEVENS     The hush of the road passing beneath the wheels of the Morningstar was barely audible, yet it was the only sound to break the silence. All seemed muffled in the burgundy luxury surrounding Luciano Narelli and his henchmen. Chin in hand, Narelli stared pensively at passing fields. His mood was heavy, lost in currents of possibility; thoughtful, but not grim. In the front seat, computer buttons ticked as “Bones” DiCalabria, his driver, fought the boredom of their two and a half hours on the highway.

    “Hey, Lucci, you know this broad's a deathrunner?”, he called back casually as the computer screen flashed information.

    The usually silent hulk who accompanied Narelli as bodyguard stiffened and snarled politely, “You got a problem with deathrunners, bonehead?”. Maurizio Antonio had worked as a deathrunner in the early days of his mob career, gradually worked his way up to kneecapper and bodyguard.

    “Just readin' the screen, guy. Stop sharpenin' yer fangs.”

    “Deathrunner.” Lucci was mildly surprised. “Which one?”

    “Green Python, plates 2 DRATS, owner: Coeur Watson a.k.a Doc, freelance deathrunner, leader of Packrats...”, Bones rear, “There's more... background stuff. She sure didn't look like a creep.”

    “Scared o' corpses?”, Cap teased, “Well, I guess she's just got more guts ‘an you.”

    “Yeah, maybe a whole collection of ‘em from the stiffs she's picked up... or the guys who've picked her up. You never know with these weird ones, boss; might be dangerous.”

    Cap snorted a laugh. “Now the bonehead's scared o' skirts, too.”

    Narelli broke his thoughtful pose to intervene and change the subject. “Run the other plates, Bones. There might be a clue here to what they're up to.”

    A chatter of buttons carried out his request, but before the driver could read off the response, Doc's friendly greeting purred across the radio.

    “Bonjour, mes amis.” A smile, as always, was in her voice. “‘ppears to be someone far ahead to the left... single vehicle, a sedan, I think. We're gonna slow down and see if we can get him on the radio, OK?”

    “Run the plates when we get close enough, Bones. There's not much of threat this near to the Quad Cities, but I'd rather know what we're dealing with here.” An all-business, alert posture replaced Narelli's casual manner, but still no hint of panic tainted that energy. “We don't need to draw attention just yet.”

    Nareilli's family tactics were rooted in the traditional Mafia values of making show when it was profitable to do so, but keeping a low profile at all other times, melding with the community. Subtlety, a lesson learned during Prohibition, had kept the mob alive, while cunning kept them on top throughout the years. Both traits ensured future success. This was the hope of Don Narelli, to network through the Midwest quietly, spreading out tendrils and being well-established before most even knew they existed. Lucci's place in coordinating that effort was not won through nepotism, but by mastering the skills of showmanship and invisibility. It was clear to him that confrontation here could spoil his plans for New Omaha.

    Mildly agitated, Narelli sat back and drummed his fingers. “Iowa's full of Flamin' Amanas. Last thing we want is trouble with more fanatics like we've got in Chicago.”

    As their caravan closed on the sedan, the Naginata in the lead drew alongside the stranger comfortably. Bones seemed uneasy, flicking on targeting systems while feeding the plate number into his computer.

    “You guys gotta hear this”, Doc's voice instructed, “they're on channel eighteen.”

    At Lucci's nod, the bodyguard leaned up and turned the knob, tuning in to confusing dead air. After a moment of puzzled stares, a whisper crept into the quiet.

    “Shhh... be vewy, vewy quiet. I'm hunting wabbits.”

    “What the.....”, Cap mumbled, “*@#!* fruitcakes!”

    Bones elucidated, “Computer says he's part of some flaky organization that worships cartoon characters.”

    Cheryl's voice chatted amiably with the stranger's, discussing what both referred to as classics of the Fudd genre.

    Thoughtful assessment yeilded Lucci's advice, “There seems to be no indication that this man is a threat. Stay cautious, but don't get trigger happy.”

    “Looks like you and me might be the only sane ones on this trip, boss”, Bones commented, shaking his head.

Cap reached forward and slapped him as playfully as a man who makes his living by maiming can.

Halting his driver's retaliation, Lucci motioned for Bones to hand him the radio mike. His announcement broke in on a spirited version of “kill the wabbit” from the Loony Tunes' grandest attempt at opera. Lucciano's voice was calm, but commanding. “We stop at the Quad Cities.”

....To Be Continued.

CUBE LOGS Time and Again     This issue we look at time travel, Car Wars, movies and books.

Freejack: Emillio Estevez is Alex Furlong, a race car driver who was snatched at the point of his death in a spectacular crash into the future. Fortunately for him he escapes the Bonejackers (body snatchers) to become a freejack (a rouge body). The future is dirty and grimy with enivornmental damage while contrasting with the clean corporations that rule the world.
    Alex must avoid the Bonejackers, led by Vacendak (Mick Jagger). During the chase for his life he is reunited with his old lover Julie Reland (Rene Russo). McCandless (Anthony Hopkins) plays the role of the corporation president involved in the chase.
    Overall a good film with several crashes, futuristic backdrop, and good story. Based on the novel “Immortality, Inc.”, by Robert Sheckley. ***

“Immortality, Inc.”: Boat designer Thomas Blaine is snatched at the moment of his death in 1958 in a car crash. He awakes in a different body in 2110, where bodies are for sale. His future world is filled with suicide booths, berserkers, zombies, ghosts, and death hunts. The novel explains all of these things in detail. The story is different from the movie Freejack and is a little better, too. “Immortality, Inc.” by Robert Sheckley is a definite worthwhile read. ***

The Terminator: In this movie Arnold Schwarzenegger is the Terminator, a cyborg sent back in time to kill Sarah Conner (mother of the future leader of the resistance against Skynet, the world-dominating computer), played by Linda Hamilton. Reese, (Michael Biehn) a future soldier, is sent back to protect Sarah and destroy the Terminator. After the obligatory chases Reese dies and the Terminator is crushed in a hydralic press. End of movie.

Terminator 2: Judgement Day opens with Arnie coming back as a Terminator, programmed to protect the 10-year-old future leader of the resistance, John Conner. A short time later a new type of terminator, the T-1000, arrives; his mission is to kill John. The T-1000 is composed of a metal alloy that allows it to change shape and form weapons out of itself. After a prolong chase scene and a rescue by Arnie John sets out to get Sarah, who is now locked up in a metal institution. After several fights and chases the movie ends with the T-1000 destroyed in a vat of molten steel. The computer chip from the Terminator in the first movie, the one that eventually lead to the creation of Skynet, is destroyed also. Arnie's character, now endowed with human feelings due to capabilities of his computer programming, realizes that his chip can still cause the creation of Skynet. He has Sarah lower him into the molten steel.
    The question of the movie: is our fate predetermined or can it be changed? Can mankind stop destroying itself? Watch the movies and learn. Both movies are great Car Wars-esque films. ****
THE WEASEL SPEAKS OUT Dear Duellists,

    Contrary to current rumors, I, Tim “The Weasel” Jacques, am not terminally ill! The latest batch of letters have only strengthened this controversy. It's time to set the facts straight.

Several months ago I was diagnosed with a seminoma cancer in my lower abdomen. The biopsy revealed that the cancer was in its early sages and had not spread to any other part of my body. I am now going through a low-dose radiation program as a precaution. My treatments will end in early April.

My prognosis is excellent. The cure rate for my cancer is 95% (probably more considering the early detection), and I will lead a normal, healthy life. The only bad thing about the treatments is some minor fatigue and occasional nausea.

I hope that this will clear up the air and put things in perspective. In the words of Mark Twain, “The news of my demise has been greatly exaggerated.”

Look out AADA! Here I come!!

Sincerely

Tim “The Weasel” Jacques

P.S. See you in GenCon/Origins ‘92!

CLOSING FIRE

I apologize for the last issue and all of its errors. Mr. Allen has been taken care of and no more projects will be sent to him for typing.

Next issue will see the write-up on the Midwest Regional. Any opinions, questions, etc.., on any Car Wars-related subject can be sent to NOVA. We are always looking for new gadgets, vehicle designs, stories, variants, etc.... just send them to us. Maybe they'll show up in the Nightmessenger. See you next issue.

Until next time drive offensively!

Norman McMullen, President of NOVA

Tim Jacques, Vice-President

CREDITS

Re-editing of Nightmessenger Vol 6, No 1 completed on 07/19/97 by Donald Jacques.

NOVA Works: Hydroxide Engines by Stephane Galley.

On The Road: Norman McMullen.

Combat Rock: Sean Wilkinson and Michael Garrity.

Duel Slang: Norman McMullen, Jay Chladek, and Chris French.

Cheryl & Doc Part II: Cheryl Stevens.

The Showroom: Sprinter by Ian Knight, Mjolnir II by Michael Garrity, Killer Boomerang by Norman McMullen, Rocketeer by TJ Gates and Caribou by Sean Wilkinson.

All other sections done by Norman McMullen.

Editors: Don Jacques, Norman McMullen, Tim Jacques, and Chris French.

Typesetting: Don Jacques.

Car Wars, Dueltrack, Boat Wars, Car Warriors, Crash City, Truck Stop, Convoy, Uncle Albert's, Autoduel and AADA are registered trademarks of Steve Jackson Games Incorporated, or are used under license. The above trademarks, and the characters and situations of the Car Wars background are the exclusive property of Steve Jackson Games Incorporated, and are used by Nightmessenger under permission.

Reproduction of any material published in the Nightmessenger without the express written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Any reproduction of Car Wars stories published in the Nightmessenger, or any other unauthorized publication of fiction using the Car Wars background, without the express written permission of Steve Jackson Games Incorporated is strictly prohibited.

Annual subscription is four issues at $4, or $1 an issue.

Originally printed as a SpeedScript 3.2 document on a Commodore 64 with an Epyx extender cartridge. The issue was reentered as a Microsoft Word document, converted into a WPWIN 7.0 document, turned into a HTML document by KEYview 5.1, and edited again in Netscape Composer.

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