This adventure was designed using First Edition rules and was written for a group of four to six well established (3rd to 5th level) adventurers with no specific background (other than being from the Mutants in Orbit™ setting) or power requirements. Individual GMs may want to change some aspects of this adventure to better suit your group.
PLAYER INTRO
The group will receive a communication from a Mr. Johnson on Yuro Station. In the communication, Mr. Johnson requests that the group meet him at midnight (Yuro time) at the "Stargate" in Italy Wing to discuss a job, he also includes access information for an secure Yuro Bank account containing IOU 2000 (or IOU 500 per character), with another 500 per character deposited if they accept the job.
The Communication is untraceable beyond that it originated from Yuro station. Mr. Johnson also made sure that there was no other way of identifying who he is.
If the group is not from Yuro, Laika, or Outcast Stations, the GM may wish to have Mr. Johnson include forged travel passes to help them gain access to Yuro Station. However, for these characters, it may be more fun to have them find their own way aboard, and should be rewarded appropriately.
ARRIVING ON YURO STATION
Gaining entry to Yuro Station can be a difficult task for those associated with space stations and factions that Yuro views unfavorably (see Mutants in Orbit). Most can gain access by applying for a travel pass, or gaining one by doing business with someone on the station. However, these passes cost IOU 200 and can take weeks to receive security clearance. Bribing officials can cut the processing time down to a few days or even hours depending on how good the bribe is.
Other ways to get aboard can include stowing away on a cargo ship, forging documents, sneaking in through unguarded airlocks, etc.
Once aboard, there is still a chance that station security may request to check the groups documents, if they have any. Those found to be on the station illegally may be jailed, deported, and/or sentenced to manual labor.
Italy Wing, one of the eight nation-cylinders that make up Yuro Station, is divided into twelve blocks which are designated as: residential, commercial, docking, warehousing/storage, factory, medical, support, etc...
In this adventure, the commercial block "The Stargate" is located in is the block that connects Italy Wing to Yuro Station's hub. The "Florence Institute" and "Project X-Ray" are located in a Medical Block located two blocks down, away from the hub. One residential block separates the two.
MEETING AT THE STARGATE DISCO
The Stargate is a Disco club located in one of Italy wing's shadier commerce blocks near the hub. It is particularly popular among the younger crowds from all over the station, attracted by the thumping tunes, flashing lights, and large dance floors. Mr. Johnson will wait for a while after the group enters the club – wanting to be sure they were not followed - before approaching them and directing them to a secluded booth in the back of the club. Before he begins talking, he will activate a small privacy device designed to cancel the ambient noise of the club.
Mr. Johnson will not divulge his real name for his own, and the group's, protection. Mr. Johnson was, until a short time ago, a prisoner of a secret Psionics project in Italy wing called Project X-Ray. The project is attempting to boost and train the psychic powers of its "subjects" and then sell them as espionage tools to the highest bidder. During his time in captivity, Mr. Johnson came into telepathic contact with another captive, Octavian. Octavian is the project's golden child, a powerful psychic whose psionic powers have been boosted so much the project must keep him under constant sedation to control him. However, Octavian had been able to poke out of his drugged state enough on a few occasions for the two of them to communicate and devise an escape plan for Mr. Johnson. The idea was for Mr. Johnson to escape and find someone to break into the project, free Octavian and the other subjects, and destroy or at least cripple the project.
If asked how Mr. Johnson escaped, he tells them that over the period of a month, Octavian was able to implant a series of memories into one of the projects security guards that Mr. Johnson was a friend and that the guard would help him escape. The plan worked, but when the project's security director found out, he had the guard shot and tossed out an airlock. Also, the project was able to convince the wings security force that Mr. Johnson is a spy working for Freedom Station, making him a wanted fugitive.
If asked why he didn't free Octavian, or why Octavian can't free himself the same way, Mr. Johnson will tell the group that Octavian to heavily secured and guarded by robots which cannot be affected by Octavian's abilities.
If the group accepts the job, Mr. Johnson will relate the following information:
- Project X-Ray, and is located in the Florence Medical Institute under the cover of the J.B. Rhine Psychic Research Center
- The project's director is Prof. Alexander Marciano Italia
- The project's chief of security is Col. Yuri Marcinsizyn, an ex-Laika security officer
- Other than Octavian, there are three other psionics held captive in the project
- The project employs several minor psionics as security personnel
If they are able to get Octavian out of the project, another IOU 10,000 will be deposited into the account (this amount is negotiable, GM's discretion). If asked how he was able to get the money to pay the group, he will simply reply, with a grin, that it is his gift.
PREPARATIONS
Characters trying to gather information on Project X-Ray will only be able to dredge up information on the wing's plans to build an X-Ray weapon. Hacking into the Florence Institute (-10% modifier) , characters will find Prof. Marciano, Col. Marcinsizyn, and 40 other individuals linked with the J.B. Rhine Center, the institutes psychical research center. Air duct routes, life support controls, and floor plans (minus any detailed information) can be obtained hacking into Yuro Station's engineering system (-10% modifier).
Security cameras and computer network for the J.B. Rhine Center and Project X-Ray are not connected to anything outside the facility's walls, and will need to be hacked on site (-20% Skill Modifier)
Getting hold of some station or wing service uniforms could be an adventure in itself, but should be relatively easy.
INFILTRATING PROJECT X-RAY
Getting into the project's facility may be the hardest part of the job. If the group asked Mr. Johnson about gaining entrance he will have suggested the following:
Air Ducts: Characters of Size Level 13 or greater with a Large or Medium build will not be able to enter the air ducts. On a space station air ducts are very important to the survival of it's inhabitants, thus air ducts can be found leading everywhere on board. The air ducts leading to the Florence Institute are nothing special and only protected by locked security grates every fifty yards or more. Characters can use computer or electronics skills to bypass the lock mechanism or a PS of 25 or greater can force open the grate. The grates have a SDC of 30.
The air ducts in Project X-Ray, however, have more security in place. In addition to the security grates, they are patrolled periodically by small automated security bots and heat sensors. Bypassing the security locks comes with a -20% modifier while within the project. Three failed attempts to bypass the locks, or attempts to force open a grate will cause alarms to be activated and the section of the air duct to be locked down and purged with a nerve agent that will incapacitate the group, go to Captured section. If the group can make it past all the security systems, they will only be able to get as far as Level 4.
Airlock: There is one air lock that can be used to access the facility's 4th level. Skill checks to bypass the airlock's security lock are made at -25%, three failures will alert the project's security personnel who will send out a half dozen security officers in EVA suits and armed with energy weapons. If any characters are captured, move to the Captured section.
Impersonating Station Personnel: Characters can try to impersonate station engineering personnel to gain entry, but Col. Marcinsizyn is a very paranoid individual and will not let them in unless everything checks out...twice, or if there is imminent danger to the project (hull rupture, gas leak, life support malfunction, etc...). Even then, he will insist on having the group escorted by armed guards (usually three).
Other Ways In: Groups can try to enter as a J.B. Rhine Center patient (they are always looking for new "patients") and/or use their mutant powers to attempt to gain entrance to Project X-Ray, so the GM should try to remain flexible and try to anticipate the groups methods based on previous adventures and the powers the characters may have. Keep in mind that Col. Marcinsizyn runs a tight operation and that every door is protected by security locks (-15% skill checks to bypass, three failures on a single door trips an alarm). He also keeps a close eye on security cameras and has a 10% chance of picking out an intruder every five minutes the group is in the project.
If the group get inside the project, the characters will need to acquire some project uniforms (security or medical/science) to remain inconspicuous while they try to make their way to level 5 where Octavian is kept. However, there is a 10% chance every five minutes that Col. Marcinsizyn will pick the group out on the security cameras as intruders. If this happens he will send a contingent of a dozen armed security guards to intercept and capture the group. Failure to capture the group will cause the Colonel to lock down and flood the area with a nerve agent that will incapacitate the group (see information on nerve agent below), go to Captured section.
PROJECT X-RAY(I was hoping to create a map to go with this, but I'll have to pass on that unless I am hit with a decent dose of inspiration. Map submissions are welcome.)
Level 1:
J.B. Rhine Center front desk, several offices and exam rooms, elevator to Level 2
Level 2:Security control, conference room, patient dormitory, offices, elevator to Level 1, elevator to Levels 3 & 4.
Level 3:
Laboratories, Operation Rooms, elevator to Levels 2 & 4.
Level 4:
Independent life support systems for Level 5 and cryogenics lab, cryogenic chambers, exterior airlock, storage, elevator to Levels 2 & 3, secure elevator to Level 5
Level 5:
The project keeps its more dangerous and difficult subjects here. Including their most prized subject, Octavian Gregorio Italia, on Level 5. Access to this level is through an elevator to a security room manned by three armed guards. An airlock leads out to the main dorm area which which is kept in a vacuum and connects to six cells and the main Psi-Lab.
The guards in security room are all armed and will challenge anyone, including Col. Marcinsizyn, that come out of the elevator. Unless the guards are fooled or incapacitated within the first melee action of combat, one of them will trigger an alarm which will notify security on Level 2, and lock down the elevator's control on Level 5. A contingent of six security guards will arrive 5 minutes later armed to the teeth, with another eight ready to reinforce them if needed. The guards have orders to subdue and take prisoners if possible, but use lethal force if necessary.
NOTE: There is a console at the security desk that will pump air into the dorm area, but will require a -15% hacking or electronics skill check to activate without the security code. It will take five minutes for the dorm area to pressurise.
CELL #3
Securty on Level 2 will be alerted as soon as the door to this cell is opened. It should take about three minutes for security to notify Prof. Marciano or Col. Marcinsizyn about the unscheduled visit. Either one will call for the level to be "locked down" and a security detail sent to investigate.
Octavian is kept drugged and strapped to a medical bed in a bleak and uninviting cell. Several automated medical devices are set next to his bed and maintain the flow of drugs. If the devices are destroyed or disabled, security alarms will be triggered throughout the project. Octavian will start to come around within a minute after the drugs have been stopped, but will be extremely limited in what he will be able to do. Initially he will only be able to use his telepathy, remote viewing and astral projection. It will take at least half-an-hour before he is able to use all his powers again-unless the characters can somehow counteract the drugs in his system.
PSI-LAB
This is the lab where Prof. Alexander performed the majority of his experiments to boost the psychic powers of his "subjects". The room contains numerous drugs, an operating table, cryogenics equipment (just in case a subject gets out of control), several computers and other miscellaneous lab equipment.
ESCAPE
Once Octavian is released from his cell, he will insist that the characters help him free the others from the projects grasp. Unfortunately, all of the other subjects are so far under the influence of Prof. Alexander that none of them will be willing to leave their cell unless prompted to by the Professor.
CAPTURED
If the group managed to get themselves caught by the projects security, they will end up tossed into the two empty cells on Level 5 with all of their possessions removed and placed in the main security bay on Level 1. About an hour later Col. Marcinsizyn and Prof. Marciano will take one member of the group at a time into the Level 5 Psi-Lab for interrogation wanting to know who they are working for, how they got in, and what they are looking for.
Unless the group can figure some ingenious plan to escape, the Professor will eventually flood the cell with nerve gas, place them in cryo, and save them for use in Project X-Ray if any of the characters have significant psionic powers.
NPCs
Mr. Johnson
Alignment: Anarchist
Attributes: IQ 15, ME 21, MA 11, PS 9, PE 7, PP 10, PB 10, Spd. 9
Age: 19 Gender: Male
Species: Sheep
Size Level: 6
Hit Points: 12 SDC: 12
Disposition: Paranoid
Human Features
Hands -- Full
Legs -- Full
Speech -- Full
Looks -- Partial
Powers: Adv. Hearing; Adv. Smell
Psionics: Hypnotic Suggestion; Sixth Sense
Background: Yuro Station (Britain Wing)
Occupation: Astrologer (2nd Level)
Skills of Note: Astrology 35%; Computer Operation 70%; First Aid 60%; Movement - Zero Gravity 58%
Languages & Literacy: English 88/78%, Yuro 88/78%
Weapon Proficiencies: None
Attacks per Melee: 2
Bonuses: None
Personal Profile: Mr. Johnson is really Star Irving Britain, something that he will not freely share with the players. Star is, or rather was, an astrologer with a travelling carnival until he was lured to the J.B. Rhine Center with promise of a large sum of credit if he would allow them to study his psychic abilities. Now, as a result of Prof. Alexander's experiments and treatment, Star has become very paranoid and slightly delusional. There is a 30% chance that he will see/sense Project X-Ray agents coming for him when in a stressful situation (roll once after covering the basics in "Meeting at the Stargate Disco"). If he becomes delusional, Star will do everything in his power to escape, and will attack blindly if anyone tries to restrain him.
Octavian Gregorio Italia
Alignment: Unprincipled
Attributes: IQ 19, ME 30, MA 16, PS 5, PE 12, PP 9, PB 16, Spd 12
Age: 12 Gender: Male
Species: Cat (Domestic Shorthair, Black)
Size Level: 4
Height: 3' Weight: 16 lbs.
Hit Points: 40 SDC: 20
Disposition: Vengeful
Human Features
Hands -- None
Legs -- Partial
Speech -- None
Looks -- None
Powers: None
Psionics: [Sensitive] Astral Projection, Clairvoyance, Remote Viewing (new), See Aura, Telepathy; [Healing] Detect Psionics; [Physical] Psionic Claws (new); [Super] Telekinesis, Insert Memory
Level of Experience: 6th
Background: Yuro Station (Italy Wing)
Skills of Note: Psionic Combat (New)
Languages & Literacy: Italian 88/78%, German 88/78%, French 88/78%, Swedish 88/78%, Dutch 88/78%, English 88/78%, Spanish 88/78%, Norwegian 88/78%
Attacks per Melee: 2 (5 Psionic)
Bonuses: +8 save vs. psionic attack; +13 save vs. insanity; 40% Trust/Intimidate; 30% Charm/Impress
* Psionic Combat (new): This skill takes the place of Hand to Hand Combat training. While it does not increaase the basic number of physical attacks a character can attempt in a melee, it does affect the number of psionic attacks/actions can attempt per melee. (Author's Note: I will be posting a full breakdown of the Psionic Combat skill in the near future)
* Psionic Claws (new): Basically, this is a variation of Telekinetic Punch except that it's range is reduced to touch. This is treated the same as the Psionic Claws in Second Edition AtB.
* Remote Viewing (new): See Powers Unlimited or use the following rules: This power is much like astral projection except that the psionicist does not leave his/her body and therefore does not have to worry about all the downfalls of using that ability. The down side is that the psionicist cannot interact with the location they are viewing. It's like the psionicist is piloting a remote camera through the location, but has a hard time reading or hearing what is said (22%/+6%). The psionicist can still move through solid objects and can move at the same rate as the astral projection power.
Personal Profile: Octavian Italia was orphaned at the age of 6 when his parents died in a mining accident. He was placed into a orphanage in the Italy wing of Yuro Station (Mutants in Orbit). At the age of 9, when Octavian first manifested his psionic powers, he was placed in a special program to help develop psionic powers. Quickly rising through the ranks, Octavian was moved into a secret Italian wing military program to brain wash him and push his psionic powers to the limit for use as part of the wings espionage program. Over the past year, Octavian has been secretly using his powers to attempt an escape. Once he is released from his cell, Octavian will do what he can to bring the project and it's leader to their knees.
Prof. Alexander Marciano Italia
Alignment: Diabolic
Attributes: IQ 21, ME 14, MA 12, PS 9, PE 10, PP 7, PB 11, Spd. 13
Age: 31 Gender: Male
Species: Rabbit
Size Level: 9
Hit Points: 28 SDC: 25
Disposition: Fanatic, Patriot
Human Features
Hands -- Full
Legs -- Partial
Speech -- Full
Looks -- None
Powers: Adv. Hearing
Psionics: Detect Psionics (see BtS Psychic Sensitive)
Background: Yuro Station (Italy Wing)
Occupation: Research Scientist (5nd Level)
Skills of Note: Biology; Botony; Adv. Chemistry; Adv. Math; Computer Programming; Medical Doctor; Contacts: The Network
Languages & Literacy: Italian; Yuro
Weapon Proficiencies: Scalpel (Knife)
Attacks per Melee: 2
Bonuses: None
Personal Profile: Profesor Alexander Marciano Italia is a patriot as far as he is concerned. His experiments and projects have always been to improve the state of the Italian wing and eventually put it a possision to controle all of Yuro Station. Several years ago he gained the ability to detect psionics and has become facinated by psionics and how far he can push the psionic powers of others in an effort to create the ultimate spies for Italy Wings govt. However, Profesor Alexander doesn't have the greatest history with the government and had to look for funding for his experiments elsewhere. Enter the Network which has provided the profesor with security and money, and pulled strings to hide the project in the Florence Medical Institute and provide it with a cover.
Generic X-Ray Medical PersonnelMembers of the project's medical personal come from various species on board the station but none have any extraordinary abilities. However, Prof. Alexander has ensured their loyalty through the use of various psionic methods (memory insertion, mind traps, etc.). Therefore, they will fight to protect or the profesor and the project should they see that either are threatened.Hit Points: 12 SDC: 16
Disposition: Loyal to Project X-Ray & Prof. Alexander
Attacks per Melee: 2
Bonuses: none
Col. Yuri Marcinsizyn
Alignment: Aberrant
Attributes: IQ 19, ME 14, MA 13, PS 27, PE 22, PP 20, PB 10, Spd. 14
Age: 27 Gender: Male
Species: Hawk
Size Level: 11
Hit Points: 46 SDC: 114 AR: 15
Disposition: Professional, Focused
Human Features
Hands -- Full
Legs -- Full
Speech -- Full
Looks -- Full
Powers: Increase Body Mass & Natuarl Body Armor
Psionics: Mind Block
Background: Lakia Station
Occupation: Defense Officer (5nd Level)
Skills of Note: Hand to Hand: Expert, Adv. Zero G Combat, Combat Gravity: Adv., Defense Systems, Detect Concealment, Interogation, Demolitions Disposal, Ship-to-Ship Combat, Cryptography, EVA, Wrestling
Languages & Literacy: Russian; Yuro; English
Weapon Proficiencies: Blunt, Dart Pistol, Energy Pistol, Energy Rifle
Attacks per Melee: 4
Bonuses: +12 melee damage; +2 pull punch; +4 to roll with punch/fall; +5 parry/dodge; +6 strike; Kick attack does 1D6; Squeeze does 1D4; Pin on 18-20; Tackle does 1D4 + knock down if not dodged/parried;
Personal Profile: Col. Yuri Marcinsizyn was introduced to Profesor Alexander Marciano Italia through their mutual aquantances in the Network. Marcinsizyn did some work with the Network several years ago, and they continue to hire him when they feel the need. He is very focused on his job and nothing ever distracts him from his goal.
Generic X-Ray Security Guards
The project's security guards were all hand picked by Col. Yuri from those he had served with Yuri on Lakia Station and elsewhere. All guards are combat trained and equiped with medium body armor.Hit Points: 20 SDC: 30
AR: 11 SDC: 65
Disposition: Loyal to Project X-Ray & Col. Yuri
Attacks per Melee: 3
Bonuses: +2 to strike; +3 to parry/dodge; +2 to roll with punch/fall
Psionics/Powers: Six of the twenty security guards have have mutant powers, none have psionic powers other than mind block.
Equipment: Laser Pistol, Rapier, Laser Rifle
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