This system creates a computer-generated landscape (or anything else you can think of) that is so detailed that it is difficult to tell it apart from real life. This created reality is projected onto the heads-up display on the inside of the windshield of the equipped vehicle. The VRTC can cancel one vision-obscuring targeting penalty: smoke, weather, etc. It must be declared what penalty is being negated when the VRTC is being used to target and fired on a target. For an additional $10,000 and 40 lbs.
Full Virtual Reality Upgrade: $30,000,
100 lbs., 1 space. This upgrade to the VRTC makes the whole driving environment
in the virtual world. The driver has an unobstructed 360 degree view of
his world via a neurolink or a virtual suit. A virtual suit is a jumpsuit
that translates a person's body from normal reality to the virtual one.
This suit costs $1,000 and is unarmored; one with 3 DP costs $2,000, an
IBA version is $4,000, and virtual impact armor is $5,000. The to-hit bonus
is +3 and cannot be upgraded further.
Mini-Cannon: To-hit 7, 1D6 damage, 3 DP, $1,000,
170 lbs., 1 space, 10 shots ($20 and 3 lbs. each), loaded cost $1,200,
loaded weight 200 lbs; loaded magazine costs $250 and loaded magazine weight
45 lbs. HEAT and HESH ammo available at the appropriate costs. 1" Burst
Effect.
The Police have deputized a portion
of the Apocalypse Armament Systems and their vigilante vehicles. In a bold
move Police Chief McGland deputized The Batman, Elvis, The Black Avenger,
and The Black Rose.
In Battle, Nebraska things are looking
up with reconstruction on schedule. The Triple Death Arena has reopened.
Chris "Dr. Strangelove" French has
recently earned another nickname: "Mr. Spring". He has won a series of
victories at various arenas as well as the Racing Regional. NOVA always
needs new blood to keep us at our peak (blood is tasty and goes well with
hamburgers, yum yum).
The Mob and ASP forces in the city
have gone to a low profile in their operations. Rumors of the new vigilante,
The Black Rose, have yet to be confirmed. Lately their has been few mob
and terrorist-related arrests. Another rumor is that there's a new cyber
virus affecting cyborgs nationwide. A few of the local cyborgs haven't
been seen in awhile, so it's unknown whether they have been affected in
any way.
The DGAG Legion of reinforcements arrived
at Offutt NGB. A total of 16,000 men with tanks, helicopters, airplanes,
and APCs were unloaded. The legion will reinforce the city defenses and
will secure eastern Nebraska.
March 13, 2042: The NOPD dropped the
first deathrow inmates in the new Fort Calhoun Corrections Facility.
March 18, 2042: A DOL force of four
vehicles attacked a GNATS convoy on west I-80. Of the survivors three were
ranking officers. Interrogation revealed that they knew sensitive information
on the mob in New Omaha.
March 19, 2042: DOL declares war on
the mob in New Omaha.
April 4, 2042: The Death Knight paid
an undisclosed amount to replace the destroyed Urban Justice monster vehicle.
April 10, 2042: The Impersonator,
a monster pink caddy, tried to run over Elvis. Elvis's comment was "Missed
Me".
April 11, 2042: An unnamed Elvis fan
filed a lawsuit against The Impersonator for the destruction of his pink
caddy.
April 15, 2042: NOVA headquarters
reopened. Joseph Ratner said it is 75% completed and ready for use again.
He expects final completion by June.
NOVA celebrates its 7th anniversary.
April 20, 2042: New Omaha is hit by
a late snowstorm. A total of 9 inches of snow slowed the city to a stop.
April 21, 2042: The NOPD tested its
new jet interceptors in an alternate role. They were fitted with skis and
spiked tires. They cruised Dodge, Center and L streets at low speed with
afterburners on to aid in snow removal efforts. The test was an overwhelming
success.
April 25, 2042: Two flights of ASP
aircraft tried to attack Topeka Airfield while tornadoes were wrecking
said field. GNATS shot down the first ASP flight. The second flight was
intercepted by GNATS, the Kansas National Guard, and the Road Kill Cafe.
After the battle three GNATS aircraft surrendered to the Road Kill Cafe.
April 28, 2042: The Chaos Autoduelling
Team (CAT) joined NOVA at a special ceremony. Joe Ratner welcomed CAT into
the NOVA ranks, including the Grim Reaper.
April 30, 2042: The owner of Flash
Amusements, Steve Rory, and several employees were found dead. Clues at
the scene linked them to the mob. The vigilante Black Rose is suspected
in these deaths.
May 1, 2042: The owner of Weld-Tech
and several of his employees were found dead with information linking them
to the mob found near them. The Black Rose claimed responsibility.
May 3, 2042: The owner of Devilin
Imports and his employees join Weld-Tech and Flash Amusements in the grave.
May 4, 2042: Anna-Fortuna's Mortuary
and Flowers makes it a quartet of businesses with mob ties that has found
itself in an early grave. The bodies were found in coffins along with proof
linking them to the mob. The Black Rose said it was in self-defense that
the killed the "suspects".
Also on this date the city council
was elected Mayor of New Omaha by the city council to replace Brain Faulkner.
May 5, 2042: The city took over Apocalypse
Armament Systems after that company's refusal to deputize their vigilante
force. In similar news the NOPD deputized The Batman, Grim Reaper, Elvis,
The Black Rose, and the Black Avenger.
May 6, 2042: A monster truck was destroyed
when it was caught pet hunting by police officers. Rumors of somebody restarting
the Pet Patrol was mentioned.
May 7, 2042: The NOPD banned the use
of monster vehicles for civilian use in city limits. Anyone found violating
this ban will have said vehicle impounded.
May 11, 2042: DGAG and Radius Motors
announced the mass production of hydroxide-engined vehicles. The first
cars rolled out to show rooms in New Omaha.
May 13, 2042: The National Guard impounded
AAS's newest prototype airplane after an illegal flyover of New Omaha.
The city fined AAS $1,000,000. Both the city and National Guard reported
simulated kills of the AAS airplane.
May 22, 2042: The NOPD, LPD, and Nebraska
State Patrol rolled out their hydroxide-powered patrol cars (provided by
DGAG and Radius Motors) for their first day on patrol.
Our summer and fall convention calender
looks busy with GenCon/Origins.
July 24-26, 1992: Impact 2 at the Old Mill Holiday Inn
in Omaha. Chris McCubbin will be the gaming guest of honor.
August 20-23, 1992: GenCon/Origins '92 at the MECCA Center
in Milwaukee. Both World Championships are going to be held there along
with the NOVA grudge matches.
October 10-11, 1992: Nukecon 2 at the American Legion
South Omaha Post #331 in Omaha. NOVA is planning to run a 24-hour convoy
adventure for a world record.
Summer's here, I believe. Nebraska
weather makes the seasons hard to distinguish from each other. One sign
to tell that it's summer is the movies.
June 19: Batman Returns.
Summer: Robocop 3 (video release?).
July: Universal Soldier.
August: Army of Darkness (tentative).
Fall: Bladerunner (Ridley Scott's cut).
More progressive duelling thoughts
for those high-minded duellists everywhere.
Null-G Duelling: anti-gravity cars duel it out in the
arena and on the roads. Maneuvers would be handled either as helicopters/VTOL
or hovercraft. I personally prefer for helicopter/VTOL movement (less gaming
mechanics involved). This is high-tech Car Wars and should be considered
for the future (like 2142).
Marathon Session: Car Wars on long play, with sessions
lasting anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. Either large arena duels or extended
convoy adventures (coast to coast). NOVA is planning an attempt at a world
record session at Nukecon 2 this fall.
From time to time NOVA asks questions
of the duellists to find out what's on their minds. Several issues back
we asked what were your best and worst weapons, accessories, and supplements.
Here are the results.
Best Offensive Weapons:
1. Tie between the VMG and BC.
2. Tie between MG, ATG, TwL, and AC.
3. Tie between RR and OG.
Worst Offensive Weapons:
1. Rockets of all sizes and launchers.
2. Vehicular Shotgun.
3. Tie between the MF and lasers.
4. Tie between the MG and GG (surprise!).
Best Defensive Weapons:
1. Flame Clouds of all types.
2. Tie between FOJ and SD w/explosive loads.
3. Junk dropper.
4. Tie between SS and all dischargers.
Worst Defensive Weapons:
1. Tie between SD and DSP.
2. Tie between PS, OJ, and ID.
3. Tie between JD, SS, and MF (surprise!).
Best Accessories:
1. All targeting computers.
2. Component Armor.
3. Tie between spoiler/airdam and all fire extinguishers.
4. Tie between smart link, HD brakes, and no-paint windshield.
Worst Accessories:
1. Armored Beer Refrigerator.
2. Mini-Safe.
3. Big tie between sound system, rocket magazine, bollix,
computer gunner, and fire extinguishers (surprise!).
Best Supplements:
1. Road Atlases 2 through 5.
2. Dueltrack
3. Tie between Convoy, Truck Stop, and Vehicle Guide 2.
4. Arena Book.
Some people filled out their own sections,
such as handweapons and worst supplements. The best and worst handweapons
will be covered in Questionnaire 3, soon to be sent out. The worse supplements
by additional comments are: Muskogee Mayhem, Vehicle Guide 3, and any supplement
done by Craig Sheeley.
One questionnaire was thrown out due
to non-relevant comedic answers. Many sections had too many answers to
be included. I was mildly surprised that some weapons, etc, ended up on
both best and worst lists.
On April 4 at the Southtown Arena the
duellists of the Central Region gathered together. They were: Don Jacques,
Chris French, Tim Jacques (three-time winner and defending champion), Norman
McMullen, Shea Montgomery, and Matt (last name unknown).
The duellists were assigned their
gates and entered the arena at 30 mph. Don and Shea went head-to-head with
Don scoring heavy damage with his HVMG while Shea hit with three laser-guided
RL rounds. Chris turned towards Matt and opened up with his two laser-guided
RLs into Matts left side. Matt dropped two mine loads to his rear to discourage
pursuit and to make maneuvering in his part of the arena difficult. Norman
hit Matt's front with an effective BC hit. Meanwhile Tim headed towards
the center area.
Shea and Don traded shots again, doing notable damage to each other. Chris and Norman fired upon Matt, damaging him heavily. Tim joined in by hitting Matt's front with his VMGs. The armor caved in and Matt was finished. Shea and Don angled away from each other, and Norman headed for Shea. Chris rounded a corner and faced the now-oncoming Shea and traded shots. Tim joined in the merry spree by going after Chris while Norman continued to chase Shea. Shea suffered two solid hits to the rear. Tim shot and did considerable damage to Norman's right front tire in passing. Tim also dropped four linked flame cloud dischargers in front of Norman. In response Norman turned on his oil jet and turned toward the inside section of the arena.
Don joined the action again by hitting Norman's front, doing minor damage. Norman's return fire did fair damage. Chris headed to intercept Shea at one end of the arena. At the NW corner they caught up to each other and traded shots, heavily damaging each other. Chris rammed Shea's left armor, doing enough damage to render Shea unconscious. Shea's vehicle then collided into a wall, destroying the front weapons, effectively removing him from the fight. While all of this was occurring Norman left a trail of oil in the arena center's SW corner.
Norman turned towards Chris. Chris closed to point-blank range to finish off Shea, but before he could do so Norman fired, doing heavy damage to Chris's left side. Realizing that the next shot could finish him Chris surrendered to Norman. In less than twenty turns the duel was down to three potent fighters. Top speeds reached between 90 and 100 mph as the duellists tried to get to each other, avoiding debris and other obstacles along the way. Tim managed to maneuver behind Norman and shot out his right rear tire. The resulting skid took out Norman's damaged right front tire and the car collided into a wall. Norman surrendered to Tim.
Tim caught up to Don and shot into
his rear armor, destroying it and the power plant in the process. Don surrendered
quickly to Tim. Victorious, Tim cruised into the Winner's Circle in his
battered Trapshooter, the fourth time in five years for this duellist.
Tim "The Weasel" Jacques announced his retirement from the regional circuit.
He still will duel on the World level, he announced later.
Placement and Vehicles
1st - Tim Jacques in a modified Trapshooter
2nd - Don Jacques in a modified Cannon Ranger
3rd - Norman McMullen in a Blastfighter IIJ
4th - Chris French in an Agincourt
5th - Shea Montgomery in a Navigator
6th - Mat in a Hotshot MG variant.
In this new event to the regional circuit
there were only two contestants: Chris French and Norman McMullen.
Held at Bluffs Drag, the first heat
saw Chris beat Norman by several car lengths at the speed of 285 mph. Elapsed
time was 6.2 seconds. In the second heat Chris switched cars, going to
a rocket-powered funny car. Norman chose Chris's car from the previous
heat. Both cars pushed acceleration from behind the Christmas Tree. By
the second turn Chris's car chassis was bent and the vehicle became undrivable.
Norman finished the run in 6 seconds at a speed of 300 mph.
In the final heat, held at the Radius test track in Lincoln, both racers brought in Can-Ams. For the first 14 laps the racers traded paint (sideswipes that did no damage) at 175 mph. At the beginning of the final lap Chris hit his nitrous oxide and started to pull away. As Chris pulled ahead Norman fired two MFRs, scoring numerous hits. Chris took major damage but didn't lose control.
With the checkered flag waving Chris, doing 262.5 mph, and Norman, a quarter lap behind, won the Racing Regional. All designs have been classified by Radius Motors for future use in the Worlds.
On the arena corner a group I was in had a really hot night at the NBDA. The event was a Division 40 race with some special rules: no ram plates, no carbon-aluminum frames and racing bodies, no tire shots, and no dropped weapons. The goal was to complete any three race rings . There were nine competitors. No shooting was allowed until all the vehicles reached the center ring. Two cars literally rocketed to 75 mph in the first second while another entered with a 25 foot trailer with two 4-space turrets.
Mayhem occurred when I t-boned a car going 140 mph. Tough luck for him as my A/P HRs hit him and the resulting hazard sent him into a roll and then against the wall. Can you spell confetti? Then one of the rocketeers crashed at 180 mph into the trailer. The turrets proved to be fakes, but it carried 8,000 pounds of junk, causing a recording-breaking 472 points of collision damage. Confetti II: The Return.
Now the arena was littered with debris, especially the center where the second confetti took place. I was smiling broadly since I was the only one with solid tires. The others had racing slicks or standards, believing that they were safe because tire shots were forbidden. Three more cars lost all or most of their tires by driving on dozens of debris and obstacle counters. I laughed, but I was wrong.
One car went into a roll in a corridor at 120 mph due to a stupid maneuver. Unfortunately I t-boned the car and pushed it against a wreck, then against a wall. Confetti III: The Mission. This time my front armor was gone, and so would've been my engine if I hadn't put a roll cage and 10 points of component around the front HRs. Damage did get through and I rolled a REALLY BAD Fuel System Failure. The engine shut down after five seconds and I had completed only one ring. I let my car come to a stop.
Eventually I ended up in fourth place after missing the last moving vehicle with my two rear-mounted HRs. The bastard was doing 120 mph. He won by getting out of his car, brushing aside the debris, and completing his third ring on foot.
Lots of fun, but a rather slow game: two beginners, nine players, high speeds, and bits of rule-lawyering. But I guess that's the case everywhere....
This issue has more slang then we've
had for some time. Thanks to Stephane Galley sending some slang from the
Driving Tigers/Road Wolves. So sit back and have some chuckles.
Battleship Bomber: The BB-17B in Aeroduel. It
has the strangest designation in history. Is it a battleship (BB naval
term) or a bomber (B air force term)?
Brick: A heavily armored car. Examples are the Navigator
and Blastfighter.
Lightcycle Turns: 90 degree bends done regularly. See
the move Tron for an example.
Powder-Puff: Any event where the killing of peds is forbidden.
(SWORDS term)
Vikings: Cyclists, "Bikers" especially.
Viking War: Cycle event.
Viking Battle: Any event that has a mass of bikers in
it.
Viking Raid: Peds vs. Bikers event (like Midville).
Now from the Flying Tigers Slang Files:
Soap: Hovercraft. Anyone who chased a wet soap bar on
the bottom of one's bathroom knows why.
Soap Opera: Hovercraft convoy.
Mosquito: Small, fast, lightly armed and armored vehicle.
Bluefly: Police helicopter or any Police vehicle.
Dino, Hippo, or Rhino: Any vehicle over 20,000 lbs.
T-Rex: Combat truck or RV.
Chernobyl: Nuclear power plant.
Donut Hunting: Looking for a restaurant.
Electron Cafe: Any recharge station.
Zoom On: Aim at a specific (usually same) target.
Flatliner, Roadkill, Teckel: Flat, aerodynamic vehicle.
The last two names are quite insulting.
This has become a very popular section
among our membership. Everyone likes to duel to music. I guess destroying
a foe in three quarter time helps.
"Viva Las Vegas" by ZZ Top.
"Happiness is a Warm Gun" and "Why Don't We Do It In The Road" by The Beatles.
"Vision Thing", "Ribbons", and "Doctor Jeep" by Sisters of Mercy.
"Earth Inferno" album (live) by Fields of the Nephilim.
"Dreamers in Metropolis" by Anne Clark.
"From out of Nowhere", "The Right Thing", "The Morning After", and "Woodpeckers from Mars" by Faith No More.
"Ram it Down" and "Blood Red Skies" by Judas Priest.
"Rage for Order" album by Queensryche.
"Out of the Sun" album by Joey Tafolla.
"Streets of Fire", "Lost Passion", and "Painted Love" by U.D.O.
"Red Sector A" by Rush.
As a surprise to everyone this showroom
is up in the air, so to speak. To this end we present you with four helicopters.
Super Apache Warlord: Standard Helicopter
w/NOTAR, 2 hvy turboprops w/55 gallon duelling gas tank and inflight refueling
tube, super PP, pilot, gunner, universally mounted high intensity TwL under,
AC front, MML w/AP load rear, ITL front, 2 VFRPs and 2 AAMs in EWPs facing
front, 2 cyberlinks (pilot to TwL, gunner to ITL), IR system, LGLs for
VFRPs, IFE, 2 pairs of maneuvering foils, improved tail assembly, 3 extra
rotor blades, IFF system, surge protector, autopilot w/software, computer
navigator w/1 card. Extra pilot controls, radar detector, 2 radar jammers,
2 safety/ejection seats, tinted/no-paint windows, 2 hi-res computers, LD
radio, radar, 2 particle inlet filters. Metal/FP plastic armor: F20/82,
L15/76, R15/76, B15/76, T10/70, U16/81, 10 points of FP armor for each
EWP and maneuvering foil. 10 Points of rotor armor. Accel. 20, top speed
287.5, HC 2; 22,969 lbs., $432,130.
AH-3A Assault Copter: Standard Helicopter,
standard power plant w/PC & SC, pilot, gunner, 2 VMGs linked front,
VMG in universal turret under, smart link for VMGs, cyberlink - gunner
to turret VMG, 3 incendiary VMG magazines, 1 HD VMG magazine, 3 magazine
switches, fire extinguisher, IR system, 2 hi-res computers. LR metal armor:
F15, L14, R14, B14, T14, U15, 10 points of rotor armor. Accel. 5, top speed
162.5, HC 2; 13,620 lbs., $155,340.
EAH-3 Option: remove front VMGs, magazines,
fire extinguisher, hi-res computers and smart link. Add AC front, cyberlink
- pilot to AC, stealth system, sound system, sound enhancement, searchlight
front. Top speed 165, 13,210 lbs., $182,000.
Whirlwind: Standard Helicopter w/CA frame,
super power plant w/PC and SC, pilot, gunner w/extra driver controls, VFRP
in universal turret under, 2 extra magazines (all rockets are AP), IRMTL
in turret, LGL for all rockets, IR laser rangefinder front, neurolink targeting
system (to VFRP), cyberlink (to EWPs), image enhancement, telescopic optics,
military radio, military radar, radar detector linked to radar jammer,
autopilot w/2 software packages, computer navigator, surge protector, retractable
landing gear, concealed stabilizing rotor w/10 points of FP armor, improved
tail assembly, blade airfoils, 2 pairs of jettisonable maneuver foils w/10
points of armor for each foil, 10 points of FP armor on main rotor, tinted/no-paint
windows. LR metal/FP plastic armor: F20/15, R20/15, L20/15, B20/15, U20/15,
T15/10. Accel. 5, top speed 232.5/242.5 without EWPs, HC 4; 15,740 lbs.,
$367,450.
Standard EWPs: add 2 4-space EWPs,
each with a long barreled AC w/HD ammo, auto-stabilization and 10 points
of FP armor on each pod. Add 3,180 lbs and $41,500 to the copter.
Heavy Armor Option: Add 39 points
of LR metal and 95 points of FP plastic armor. Add 4,080 lbs and $8,918
to the copter.
Apache Warmonger: Transport Helicopter,
standard power plant, pilot, gunner w/cyberlink to HL front, pulse IRHL
in universal turret under, 2 2-space EWPs each with 2 100 lbs bombs and
5 points of armor. Armor: F50, L40, R40, B50, T7, U40. Accel. 5, top speed
145, HC 1; 11,999 lbs., $164,945. Cargo capacity: 17 spaces and 1,000 lbs.
When you say the name Gregory Von Schmeerheim
nothing rings a bell. Even to me I don't know Mr. Scheermheim from my hairdresser.
Well, actually my hairdresser's name is Gregory, and he's German, and he
makes the most wonderful torte cake... but that's neither here nor there.
But most Midwesterners know him as the head of G & G Interests, the
new weapon design concern in New Omaha. Well, anyway, he's such an up-and-coming
star that my editor insisted that I interview him.
Barbie Binkers (BB): Well, thanks for taking the time
out of your busy schedule to have this interview.
Gregory Von Schmeerheim (GVS): Mm.
BB: So, I'm sure our readers are dying to know the who,
what, why, and how about you.
GVS: When.
BB: Well, now of course.
GVS: No, you forget when.
BB: Oh. So tell me, where were you born, where did you
grow up, and all that sort of stuff?
GVS: Omaha, Nebraska, 1962.
BB: You look pretty good for an eighty year old man!
GVS: Yes.
BB: Is it true what the tabloids say about you having
a time machine?
GVS: (Smirks) Now where did they get that idea? To put
that rumor to rest my presence here does have something to do with time
travel, though not necessarily using a time machine.
BB: Oh. (Shrugs) So what schools did you go to? Did you
play sports? I'm sure with those shoulders you were great in football.
GVS: It was wrestling. Omaha Burke.
BB: Any colleges? Don't tell me you didn't play college
football!
GVS: Okay, I won't. I went to college to show that I
knew more than they did. I graduated with a masters in engineering sciences
after three years. I had no time for sports.
BB: How did you learn all your know-how then?
GVS: I learned most of what I know from different places
and from the adults I knew who were willing to teach me. Also I have an
intensive understanding of mechanics. By the time I entered high school
I knew more about mechanical, electronic, and chemical processes than most
college professors.
BB: So what did you do after college?
GVS: Wartek Industries picked me up and I signed a five-year
contract with them. But after two years I'd had enough with designing new
ways to destroy millions of people with one shot. I wanted out.
BB: You reneged on your contract?
GVS: I did more than that. My escape from the Wartek
compound cost them several million dollars in damages and eventually led
to Wartek's bankruptcy in 1990.
BB: So what happened after that?
GVS: After Wartek a few friends invited me into a private
club for freelance operatives.....
Mike Davis (MechMaster) (MD): Adventures, Greg; we were
adventurers.
GVS: She's interviewing me, not you.
MD: Just get your facts straight.
GVS (to BB): We formed the Midwest Avengers in 1984.
In those days vigilantes were frowned upon, so we quickly got special deputy
status from the government to fight regional security threats and other
crimes.
BB: I don't remember hearing anything about that.
GVS: Most of our exploits were kept hidden from the public
at our request. Secrecy is the best way that operatives work.
BB: You've been doing that since 1984?
GVS: No. In 1990 when Wartek folded I was able to pick
up their assets in a government auction. I kept the name and started the
company anew.
BB: When did Wartek became Gadget's Gadgets?
GVS: It didn't.
BB: Then what happen to Wartek?
GVS: In 1987 the Midwest Avengers ran into a mad scientist
who had invented a working prototype time machine. We used it to come forward
to 2037.
MD: Bullpucky! We were pushed in! It was only sheer luck
that it was only set 50 years into the future!
GVS: Mike, get out.
MD: No, this is too much fun.
GVS: (sighs) When we came here we thought we might be
stuck for a while. SO I retrieved a few Swiss accounts...
MD: (to Barbie) Do you have any idea how much interest
accrues after 50 years? No, I see you don't.
GVS: ...and we started building gadgets for the autoduelling
public. That's how Gadget's Gadgets got started.
BB: But what happened to Wartek?
GVS: A few years later a portal opened up where we expected
it would. The business wasn't doing well, and we decided to clear out.
We went back to 1987.
MD: Ward had only just figured out the time machine.
To him, we'd only been gone for a few hours.
BB: I remember you saying that you didn't like designing
weapons. So why did you build Gadget's Gadgets?
MD: Oh my Ford, it thinks. Will wonders never cease?
GVS: (chuckles) I said I'd had enough of designing weapons
of mass destruction. Individual-scale weapons are a different story.
BB: So then what happened?
GVS: In 1992 we came forward in time again to catch up
with Wartek, which had been prepared for the 50 year delay. Over cover
story was we'd been rebuilding Tecumseh, Nebraska into Toytown. Toytown
was built in three months, not four years, because we had moved the entire
Wartek compound underneath Tecumseh. On the second trip I brought my girlfriend,
Dr. Felicity McNeil, AKA Warsprite.
BB: Didn't you have a duelling career?
GVS: On the first trip, yes. Mike and I were duellists
for a while.
BB: So why did you guys stop?
MD: Because a genetic quirk in our bodies prevents us
from being cloned.
GVS: I'm told it exists, but it's very rare. People with
this condition are forbidden to enter death sports.
BB: So tell me about Guns & Gadgets.
GVS: That title is obsolete. As of March 1, 2042, Guns
and Gadgets became G&G Interests, with headquarters in Toytown, Nebraska.
Ever since then our stock has been on a constant rise on Wall Street.
BB: What about Toytown?
GVS: I can't really go into too much detail about Toytown,
because it would take up too much space. Toytown was built to be the facility
where G&G and it's corporations would be headquartered. All personnel
and production facilities will be located there. In practice, it worked
out very well. All necessary functions of a modern city are contained within
Toytown.
BB: Aren't there any houses? Any tri-d theaters? Malls?
GVS: I know that the view of Toytown from my window shows
featureless gray buildings. But like an iceberg most of our facilities
are located underground.
MD: Done for security reasons. We've already had one
nuclear attack here. If it had gone underground...
BB: A nuke!? Come on, I didn't see anything that could
suggest...
GVS: It was actually a crude nuclear device, and the
explosion was contained within the Imagination Arena. It's only been a
few days since we've been able to enter the place. It looks like we'll
have to scrap the interior and rebuild because of the radiation.
MD: And after lunch we do the impossible.
BB: Imagination Arena?
GVS: A similar arena, Magistar, was located outside of
Omaha. But it dissolved before we left.
BB: Wasn't Magistar the arena that could change it's
duelling area?
GVS: Imagination Arena does the same thing, through the
use of holograms, movable walls, gravitic generators, and magnetic force
fields.
MD: It's like one BIG holodeck...
BB: Oh, you guys watch Star Trek repeats also?
GVS: Unfortunately, that nuke destroyed the interior
walls of Imagination, and all the gravitic and magnetic generators were
destroyed as well. The EMP fried the holographic equipment. The radiation
made everything but the exterior walls glow in the dark. We have to rebuild
everything again.
MD: Like that's going to be hard.
BB: So what do you do in your spare time?
GVS: Spare time? What's that?
MD: We don't have any spare time these days.
GVS: Still, it's nice to have a purpose again.
BB: Well, I guess that's about it for the interview,
unless you guys have anything else to contribute?
GVS & MD: No.
on 3D6
3 or less - Black smoke rolls from the engine compartment.
Not enough for a smoke screen, but enough for a scare and to look like
a cracked head. No repair is necessary.
4 - Clang!! Something got hit. On a roll of 1-4 on a
D6 a fan blade is hit. No repair costs. If two or more of these results
are rolled before a monthly tune-up the results of the roll are the same
for a seizure as in #6.
5 - Oil pan is holed. Place 1/2" slick behind car after
one second. Oil gauge drops to 5 psi after two seconds. Every second after
the first roll one die. On a 1-4 the engine seizes; on a 5 or 6 the engine
is okay for another second. If the engine seizes repairs are 80% of the
base engine cost. Before seizure, repairs are 15% of the base engine cost.
6 - Radiator is holed. Steam rolls out from the engine
compartment. A smoke screen-sized cloud is placed on both sides of the
vehicle. In three seconds the temperature gauge show HIGH. On the forth
second, roll one die. On a 5 or 6 the engine seizes and cost 90% of the
base engine cost to repair. If the engine is shut down before seizure repair
cost is 10% of the base engine price. Note that steam, while it cannot
block line-of-sight or incur a targeting penalty, does block IR lasers.
For regular lasers subtract one die of damage when fired through or out
of a steam cloud.
7 - Half an oil slick is produced next turn. The secondary
oil filter is hit. This result is not important unless it happens twice
before a monthly tune-up. If it does happen the result is the same as #5.
8 - The head cracks. Black smoke billows from the engine,
enough for a smoke screen, but has the duration of a paint cloud. Half
an oil slick is produced also. No acceleration is possible. After three
seconds start rolling one die. A result of 2-6 the engine shuts down. At
any time the engine may be shut down and the repairs are 30% of the base
cost of the engine.
9 & 10 - Roll again. If a 9 or 10 is indicated stop
rolling. If the result calls for additional rolling, halve the chance for
seizure, additional damage, or shut down.
11 - A rod lets go. Horrendous noises come from the engine.
The engine shuts down, never to run again until repaired. Repairs cost
85% of the base cost of the engine. The car decelerates at 10 mph per turn
until it comes to a stop.
12 - Fuel system (carburetor or injectors) is hit. Car
may be on fire. Use modifiers from Dueltrack and roll once per turn
(after the first) until engine is shut down. Repairs are 20% plus 1D6 x
5% of the base engine cost. If the car is on fire, it produces a FOJ patch
every second until it is out of gas or shuts down. If nitrous is being
used when the fuel system was hit or after, all fire numbers are increased
by one, and modifiers are +1.
13 - Half a flame cloud (1/2" x 1/2" counter) is produced
by a leak in the gas tank pressure line. It ignites one phase after this
result is rolled, doing flame cloud damage. No repair is necessary.
14 - A grinding noise erupts from the engine. The car
jolts (a D2 hazard and weapons fired from the car have a -2 to hit for
the rest of the turn). There is no other effect and no repairs are necessary.
15 - The exhaust manifolds (or tubular headers if the
car is so equipped) are hit and destroyed. The engine gets loud and engine
produces an additional 10% power factors (with no tubular headers this
is 5%). The bad news is that every 10 minutes or 10 miles the engine is
running roll one die. On a 6 a valve burns. Every time a valve burns the
engine loses 5% of its original power factors. The bonus factors are lost
immediately. Before losing valves the repair costs are 20% of the base
engine price. After a burn the costs are 40%.
16 - The timing chain or belt mechanism is hit and destroyed.
The car shuts down and slows down to a stop, decelerating 10 mph each turn.
Repairs are 10% of the base engine cost.
17 - The transmission is hit. Grinding noises come from
the engine. The car jolts as in #14 and half an oil slick is produced on
the second turn. The car decelerates at 15 mph per turn until 15 mph is
reached. The car may travel at this speed until it is shut down or slowed.
It may not accelerate until the engine is repaired at 45% of its base cost.
18 - Steam is produced and has the same effects as in
#6. It is not serious unless the car is going over 50 mph. If so then the
engine gets hot and in five seconds roll for a seizure as in #6 and the
results are the same as in #6.
Some credit has been long overdue,
namely the Nightmessenger artwork. The NOVA symbol was made by David
Caplinger years ago; the new one is by Ben Scott. Section artwork is by
Cliff Christiansen. Finally, the 50 Caliber Fun is by Jay Chladek. They
deserve a big "thank you" for allowing us to use their work.
Next issue will have more NOVA happenings
and other subjects around the world. A special section will be devoted
to the GenCon/Origins action. More ASP reports and our regular sections.
Drive offensively!
Norman McMullen, President of NOVA
Tim Jacques, Vice-President
Re-editing of Nightmessenger Vol 6, No 2 completed on
08/18/97 by Donald Jacques.
Editors: Norman McMullen, Don Jacques, and Tim Jacques.
NOVA Works: Tire Shield by Michael Garrity, Demon Bullets
by Shea Montgomery, Mini Cannon by TJ Gates, and Virtual Reality Targeting
Computer by Norman McMullen
Europe Report: Stephane Gallay.
In The Arena: Norman McMullen.
On The Track: Norman McMullen.
Duel Slang: Don Jacques, Chris French, John Scheibeler,
Stephane Galley, and the Driving Tigers/Road Wolves.
Combat Rock: Chris French, Norman McMullen, and Stephane
Galley.
The Showroom: Super Apache Warlord by Jay Chladek, AH-3A
Assault Copter by Chris French, Whirlwind by Michael Garrity, and Apache
Warmonger by Shea Montgomery.
Local Hero: John Scheibeler.
Nuts and Bolts: TJ Gates.
All other sections done by Norman McMullen and Tim Jacques.
Typesetting and transcriber of the Great American Novel:
Don Jacques
Nightmessenger is published quarterly by the New
Omaha Vehicular Association, 701 S. 22 Street #73, Omaha, NE 68102. All
material is copyright June 1992 by Nightmessenger. All rights reserved.
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 WordPerfect 5.1 document, turned into a HTML document by KEYview 5.1, and edited again in Netscape Composer