The Characters

 

 

Scene 7: Chaos 6 - Random Event "Scene Interrupt"

Back the the APC, Pakowski makes another attempt to fix the sensors.

Pakowski - Heavy Machinery Roll - Strength (5), Heavy Machinery (3) 8 Base dice = 1 Success

Nice! Sensors are partly fixed. He'll need 1 more success for them to be fully operational.

But I forgot to roll for my scene interrupt so lets do that now. Looks like fate has another idea for this scene. 

For a clue I roll for "Take + Love".  I know exactly what that is...

Pakowski puts his repairs on hold. He stashes his tools and cracks the knuckles in his hand. Seeing as there is no one around and the storm will slow down his comrades, this is the perfect chance for a little recreation. Pakowski removes a vial of pills from his interior breast pocket and squints through the plastic. He savours it. Then gets a better idea...

He walks over to the wall where a sophisticated medical supply kit is held up behind glass. He opens the cabinet and cracks the seal of the kit. It's a junkie's dream. Needles, pills, potions. Pakowski can take his pick. He reads the labels and doses himself.

Enjoying each second as the chemicals mix with his blood and brain. Worst time to get high.

Does he overdose? "Yes." Perfect...
Is the door to the APC locked? "Yes."

Pakowski slumps to the floor in a state of both ecstasy and hell. He feels as if his eyes are being sucked into the back of his brain. In seconds he forgets about everything else. The sensors. The storm. The mission. It's erased from his memory. Allen's voice comes in over the radio. It sounds desperate, almost afraid. Then Pakowski goes limp.

 

  

Scene 8: Chaos 7 - Random Event "Altered Scene"

The ground squad's radio comes to life. It's Allen sounding desperate and pissed off. He' can't reach Maxx in the APC. This mission is spiralling out of control fast. He reminds them to check their air supply. Consumables roll = 0. They'll be able to remove their helmets further in.

Left or Right? Which way do they go? Mason convinces the others to go left.

"This is stupid. Should have stayed with the APC." Marlaina groans with concern.

"Come on Pakowski. What the fuck is taking him so long..." Kitzmiller wonders aloud.

The team discuss the lore of this place. The story of Hoban, Stan and Julie and everything else from the briefing. Rolling for my altered scene I get "Bay + Debris."

Capilano and the team encounter debris from the old mine. They must be close to the heart of it. Old carts, tracks, supplies all leading towards a door built in the wall of the hive. Marlaina lights it up. On the side of one of the carts it reads, "Bio-Pharm."

Are there bodies? "Exceptional Yes."
Are they Xenomorphs? "Yes." That's unexpected.

The crew marvels at the dead bugs. They resemble giant ants, inky black. They step around their lifeless limbs. Judging from the state of decay, these xenos have been here awhile. Marlaina searches the scattered debris. She peers inside one of the discarded mining carts. Does she find anything? <50/50> "No."

"I've had just about enough of this." Kitzmiller groans. He gets on the radio to the APC.

"Pills come in....  Pakowski do you copy?" But there is no answer. Fuck!

"We can't just keep wandering around in the dark. Someone has to go back." Kitzmiller proclaims.

 Does anyone volunteer? "Yes." I roll a D6 to find out who.

Mason volunteers to go, but Kitzmiller won't allow it. Thinking he’s more experienced, he wants to go in his place.

Kitzmiller - Manipulation Roll - Empathy (2), 2 Base dice = 0 Success

"Quit it, Mason I said I'm going." Kitzmiller pushes him back and starts back. But Mason isn’t the type to be pushed around, he shoots out a hand in clasps it over Kitzmiller‘s bicep, stopping him in his tracks.

“I said I got this.” Mason growls.

Kitzmiller gets in his face. Things are about to boil over. He decides to push the roll.

Kitzmiller - Manipulation Roll - Empathy (2), 2 Base dice + 1 Stress = 0 Success

"Tough luck, Kitz." Mason pushes Kitzmiller out of his face and he stumbles over some of the mining debris. He catches himself just before landing on his ass.

"I'm going. Don't worry, if we can't count on Pakowski I'll fix the sensors myself." Mason takes off down the corridor towards the hive opening. Kitzmiller dusts himself off after regaining his balance. He wants to go after Mason, but Capilano moves in to stop him.

"Alright, regroup. Marlaina, check the door to the mine. See if we can get through." Capilano asks. 

 

 

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think in the comments and keep checking back to find out what happens next.