Adventure 25 - A Night of Long Knives

A Night of Long Knives

Heroes: Jag, Zeke, Balarai Snowe, Atobe Keigo, Dust, and Pacci
Enemies: Jag's College Buddies, Jackie Chiles, Senator Bremingham and Jenissa

Jag – Party Report 1

Recent Duties: Let’s get one thing straight – you’re not a party man. In fact, you weren’t even planning to come to this ridiculous party at all, what with all the important work you have to do. But the thing about this work is, it sure is tough to be the first of your college buddies to start doing any. The only thing they like more than talking is going to parties, and despite your numerous objections, they forced you to come along.
Guest Report

Since arriving at the big party, you’ve seen the following guests hanging around. Of course, it’s a big place, so it’s hard to get a chance to see everyone.

-Your College buddies. Of course, how could you miss these guys, they won’t leave you alone!

-International supermodel Farrah Fawcett. She has a kissing booth set up, but the line-up is a mile long.

-Lieutenant Jenissa. She seemed to be expecting something a little more posh, and quite frankly, so were you.

-Some Mongol Warriors. You have no idea what these guys are doing here, they’ve never struck you as the party-going sort.

-A Man in a White Labcoat. You don’t recognize this man, but he tried to destroy you with his gigantic white eyebrows. Such an unprovoked act might bear prosecution if you weren’t already so busy.

-Steve Wilson. He seems to be upset about the Electran military “selling out to the man.” Whatever that means.
Military Communiques

-The trial of Commander Kilant continues tomorrow. You’ll have to submit your witness list to Jackie Chiles and Judge Vandilet for review, but you’ll never get it done if you can’t get away from this noisy party!

-There’s been a lot of traffic recently over the dedicated Special Forces channels. It seems as though several units are being placed on the alert. It wouldn’t surprise you if they were expecting some kind of trouble from tomorrow’s trial.
Personal Notes

-As expected, Jackie Chiles is making this trial into a media circus. Most likely, the bulk of the cameras and reporters will be there today to try and throw you off and distract you from the issues at hand. Constant phone-calls from newspapers and TV stations have already kept you from getting any real work done today. But you’re more than ready to turn things around and show him that Jag is on top of the game.

-You have got to get away from this party! If you get asked one more time about how many cookies someone has in their mouth, you just might lose it. Your college buddies may have got you in, but there’s got to be a way to get out without their notice.

Mini-Objective

-Find a way to escape from the Party.

Balarai Snowe – Party Report 1

Recent Duties:Some people might not expect a marked man like yourself to attend a highly publicized giant party. That’s in fact exactly what you’re counting on. You’re hoping you’ll be able to just blend in with the crowd and avoid notice. Well, that and the Chief loves parties.
Guest Report

Since arriving at the big party, you’ve seen the following guests hanging around. Of course, it’s a big place, so it’s hard to get a chance to see everyone.

-The Chief. You left him up in the designated Smoking Section so he could enjoy his peace-pipe.

-International supermodel Farrah Fawcett. She has a kissing booth set up, but the line-up is a mile long.

-Daria, who by all accounts is Lt. Dust’s sister. As far as you know, she’s not military, so you don’t know what she’s doing here.

-Smarmy the Dinosaur. Just a minute, you thought you were Smarmy! Someone must’ve gotten a hold of your costume, although you can’t imagine why they would want to, given how uncomfortable it is.

-Bubbleman, from the Megamen hockey team. Naturally, he was hanging around the Culligan Water display.

-Yuri, who appears to be the bouncer at this affair. As an Auxiliaries officer, you had to be careful to duck his attention at getting in.
Military Communiques

-You’ve heard reports that several Auxiliaries units are mobilizing or already on the move. While some might presume this to be in response to the Dragon’s rescue and the inevitable Spheran threat, the Conventionals don’t seem to be in sync with this mobilization.
Personal Notes

-What great luck! You’ve noticed Bubbleman, one of the mediocre players from that Hockey team that defeated the Khanucks in the crowd! This could be the key to your salvation. All you have to do is frame the Megamen for some kind of misdeed in order to get them disqualified from the Games. As the runners-up, this will give the Championship to the Khanucks! Sure, it’s rules-finangling, but that’s how Jag wins all his games anyway.

-You’ve seen some blonde kid hanging around with Dust who seems to be his sister. You wonder whether she might have any information that could be of interest to you.
Mini-Objective

-Frame the Megamen for some kind of scandal to disqualify them from the National Games Championship.

Zeke – Party Report 1

Recent Duties: There’s no doubt about it – you are a stylin’ party man. Your amazing technicolor coat has already earned you endless compliments, not to mention a few inquiries of questionable nature concerning your profession. And while not even you are really sure what your business is, it does manage to make you money somehow.
Guest Report

Since arriving at the big party, you’ve seen the following guests hanging around. Of course, it’s a big place, so it’s hard to get a chance to see everyone.

-International supermodel Farrah Fawcett. She has a kissing booth set up, but the line-up is a mile long.

-Yuri, who is strong like Ukraine. He also appears to be the bouncer for this affair, or at least, the biggest one. He’s made it very clear that even big party is not game to him.

-Phil, who seems to have taken your advice to heart. He’s campaigning for something called the ‘Fredo Foundation.’ You only hope he doesn’t ask you to become chairman or something silly like that.

-Balarai Snowe’s Denchulli Brave statue. It was propped in the smoking section, allegedly smoking a peace-pipe. Its presence can only mean that Snowe himself isn’t too far off, though not surprisingly you have yet to see him.

-Peter Venkman. He better not be after either your Tent of Horrors or your sergeants!

-Lanver, who seemed awfully frustrated at the extremely long line-up to see Farrah Fawcett.
Military Communiques

-You’ve heard reports that several Auxiliaries units are mobilizing or already on the move. While some might presume this to be in response to the Dragon’s rescue and the inevitable Spheran threat, the Conventionals don’t seem to be in sync with this mobilization.
Personal Notes

-For a variety of reasons, you’ve been rather concerned about your safety lately. As such, you decided to see whether there was anything behind this so-called ‘self-defense’ business that’s so popular. Your men weren’t too interested in learning about Karate or anything, but Seigaku certainly was, and you’ve been using them for practice. It turns out there’s nothing to this Karate stuff, and you were class champion within a half hour. Of course, the fact that most Seigaku members are half your size and underage may have something to do with that…

-You’ve also been watching this great movie called Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Funky has tried to tell you that Search for Spock is the better picture, but you don’t see how that could be possible. It’s so deep – just like Karate. There must be some kind of universal katra or something permeating the both of them.
Mini-Objective

-Show off your katra by making up as many “deep” karate sayings as possible.

Atobe Keigo – Party Report 1

Recent Duties: You may be feeling a little under the weather, but it takes more than that to make you miss a good party. Well, not that it would be a good party if you weren’t there. But with some patching up from Nurse Joy and some all-natural pain-killers from Stenda, you’re ready to be the star of the show. There’s no way you’re going to let a Spheran, let alone some angry Spheran redhead whose name you don’t even know, rain on your parade.
Guest Report

Since arriving at the big party, you’ve seen the following guests hanging around. Of course, it’s a big place, so it’s hard to get a chance to see everyone.

-International supermodel Farrah Fawcett. She has a kissing booth set up, but the line-up is a mile long.

-Peter Venkman, the Ghostbuster. Sadly, even being disguised as the Moon Princess didn’t stop him from trying to set up some “psychology” experiments with you.

-Brock. Of course.

-Lieutenant Jenissa. You would’ve though this sort of thing would be below a snoot like her. And by her own account, it is.

-Echizen, who you saw in the line-up for Farrah Fawcett’s kissing booth. You’re going to have to have words with that boy!

-Smarmy the Dinosaur. What’s going on, did Snowe get his disguise back? You have no idea who this fellow is, but he seems bizarrely popular with the ladies.
Military Communiques

-There’s been a lot of traffic recently over the dedicated Special Forces channels. It seems as though several units are being placed on the alert. It wouldn’t surprise you if they were expecting some kind of trouble from tomorrow’s trial.
Personal Notes

-According to Dust, “everyone” is invited to this party, but since Spherans hardly count as people, you assume they’re not included under this invitational policy. Certainly, more Spherans around here is the last thing you need, and you won’t stand for them ruining any party which you attend.

-Zeke isn’t the only one with a flashy costume now: the Moon Princess is here! You’ll show him that a super-heroine is more than a match for a Big-Daddy wannabe any day.
Mini-Objective

-Do not allow any Spherans to attend the Party.

-Upstage Zeke’s Technicolor Dreamcoat outfit as often as possible.

Dust – Party Report 1

Recent Duties: You are perhaps a little nervous, but then, that’s hardly unusual for a Denchulli. Still, Lord Flash has really outdone himself, there’s an amazing number of people at this party, and while you’re glad the party is a success, you’re not used to crowds this big. Of course, it may have more to do with Farrah Fawcett’s presence than with Flash, depending on who you ask.
Guest Report

Since arriving at the big party, you’ve seen the following guests hanging around. Of course, it’s a big place, so it’s hard to get a chance to see everyone.

-International supermodel Farrah Fawcett. She has a kissing booth set up, but the line-up is a mile long.

-Your sister Daria, who is usually at your side. And if you have your way, will stay there.

-Smarmy the Dinosaur. You thought that Snowe had given up on that disguise, but you’ve definitely seen the big grinning dinosaur around.

-Balarai Snowe’s Denchulli Brave statue. You saw it propped up in the designated Smoking Section, apparently enjoying a peace-pipe.

-Some Mongol Warriors. Yikes! You hope they’re not after you! You’re not quite sure what interest the Khan’s men would have in your party.

-The Moon Princess. You don’t remember inviting the Moon Princess or any other campy super-heroines for that matter, but she seems to be here.

-Lieutenant Phil. You saw him and some men putting up a giant portrait of what could only be the late Fredo. You’re not sure who gave them permission, but seeing it has brought up all sorts of ugly memories of grave-robbing, and you want it gone!
Military Communiques

-At the moment, there is a decided lack of Conventionals forces in the city. Most of those that weren’t already out with Gol Draam and his army were dispatched in pursuit of the Dragon. You’re lucky you haven’t yet been given orders yourself, otherwise you would’ve had to miss this party that…Flash worked so hard for on your behalf.
Personal Notes

-Although so far the party is going well, there’s one thing concerns you a little: your sister. You’re not sure some of your military “friends” would be a good influence on her (just look at Zeke and his outfit for one!).
Mini-Objective

-Keep Daria away from as many of your military “friends” as possible.

Pacci – Party Report 1

Recent Duties: It shouldn’t need to be said at this point, but Pacci is an incredibly cool guy. And naturally, such an incredibly cool guy is the life of any party. Some might find this a little surprising, given that all you do at the party is talk to people about Pacman, but you are well aware of the conversational power of vintage arcade games.
Guest Report

Since arriving at the big party, you’ve seen the following guests hanging around. Of course, it’s a big place, so it’s hard to get a chance to see everyone.

-International supermodel Farrah Fawcett. She has a kissing booth set up, but the line-up is a mile long.

-Smarmy the Dinosaur! This is so mysterious! You thought that Smarmy was unmasked as Balarai Snowe, but now he seems to be back and is at the party. Who could he be this time?

-Stone Cold Steve Austin. Unfortunately.

-Your good pal Brock. Poor guy, you’ve felt sorry for him ever since his ‘break-up’ with Keigo.

-Jag’s college buddies. Now they don’t need to phone you to ask how many cookies they have in their mouth, they can just ask you in person.

-Kareem Abdul Jibbar, the famous basketball player. Or at least, you could swear it’s Kareem, but he claims to be Roger Murdoch, a Republic Airforce Pilot. If that’s the case, though, why is he wearing basketball shorts?
Military Communiques

-At the moment, there is a decided lack of Conventionals forces in the city. Most of those that weren’t already out with Gol Draam and his army were dispatched in pursuit of the Dragon. You’re lucky you haven’t yet been given orders yourself, otherwise you might have to miss playing some Pacman. Much like you do when you do anything that isn’t…playing Pacman.
Personal Notes

-You’re intrigued and mystified by the presence of Smarmy the Dinosaur. You thought that Balarai Snowe had given up on that disguise. Is it him again? Or someone else? You’ve got to get to the bottom of this mystery.

-You can’t believe there’s so many famous people at this party! Not only is there Farrah Fawcett, but also famous basketball star Kareem Abdul Jibbar! He may not be Pacman, but his shorts are yellow so you’d like to get his autograph nonetheless.
Mini-Objective

-Obtain the autograph of Kareem Abdul Jibbar.

-Unmask Smarmy the Dinosaur once again.

Adventure Summary

The heroes arrive at the party in the evening, after the botched execution attempt.
Dust and his sister, Daria, seem to be eager to leave, though the latter manages to allow Dust to cut to the beginning of the line at the kissing booth to get a kiss from her friend, Farraw Fawcett. As they try to leave, Yuri, the bouncer, asks angrily if party is game to him. The two run into Zeke and Jag before hanging out at the periphery.
Pacci attempts to get into the V.I.P. area, which is easy, since he's just that cool. He sees the famous basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and manages to get him to autograph a basketball. Getting out of the V.I.P. area is much more difficult, with Pacci having to convince the doorman that he's actually a French waiter.
Jag also gets into the V.I.P. area, attempting to talk to Jenissa, who greets him with a "mimimimimi" as she slowly sips her milk. The lawyer seems keen to gain the services of Vidal Sassoon, and manages to wrangle his phone number, though he's told that the European is not in at the moment.

Meanwhile, Pacci sees Bubbleman near the moat, and is promptly accosted by Dr. Wily. The mad scientist offers to "power up" Pacci, which seems to involve turning him into a robot. Bubbleman becomes drenched with water by Ballarai Snowe, and starts sparking, while Snowe records the entire event on film. The Khan will surely be pleased with winning by disqualifying the Mega-Men, though since that hasn't yet happened, Snowe still has to dodge the Mongol crossbowmen roaming the event, harassing people.
Zeke goes from person to person, telling them that they need to focus their "katra", and that karate is everywhere. Several members of Seigaku, who have apparently been taking karate with Zeke, look pretty banged up, and Zeke is confronted about this. His only response is that "we're all at the same level."
Roaming around the party is Peter Venkmen of the Ghostbusters, who tells Pacci that he's attempting to catch a large purple ghost. He hands Pacci a blaster, and tells him that they need bait for the trap. After much wrangling, the two manage to secure Hermione Grainger and Farrah Fawcett. Eventually, Smarmy takes the bait, and they fire on him, attempting to trap the purple dinosaur. But it is no good, and they end up just zapping Smarmy, who is revealed to be none other than Anton, using the Smarmy costume to get kisses from ze girls.
Keigo, meanwhile, is talking down Zeke's tattered coat to anyone who will listen. As well, when Seravian arrives at the door, Keigo does her utmost to have him thrown out. But Dust is there, and as party organizer, he points out, he controls the guest list. Since everyone on the base is invited, says Dust, Seravian is certainly welcome. Keigo becomes angry, and inadvertantly calls Yuri a "Ukey". This infuriates the big man, and he almost throws her out. Seravian, Dust, and Daria sit at the bar.
Not to have her plan foiled, Keigo gathers her unit, and tells them to use their karate on Seravian. Echizen flies over the bar with a jump kick, with Seravian ducking out the way, surprised, before Momo attacks him with a chair. Yuri tosses everyone out, and Zeke finds himself in an alley with the Seigaku kids. The man tries not to show weakness, but they gang up on him.

The trial continues the next day. Jag, attempting to drum up support, gets the other leaders to cheer for him and Judge Arthur Vandelay at opportune moments. Zeke and the five remaining members of the wheel spell out "KILANT" on their chests, with the foreigner also bringing a nacho hat and beer hat.
Jag calls a number of witnesses, including Kilant, Lord Aeolus, and two disgruntled senators, attempting to show that Kilant was acting in the best interests of the Republic. He also shows footage of Jackie Chiles eating Kupp's lunch, which Jackie denounces as smear tactics.
Eventually, the verdict is in. Kilant is found not guilty of subverting the will of the Republic, but guilty of willfully disobeying orders and encouraging others to do the same. He is sentenced to five years in a medium-security prison. After the verdict is given, rioting ensues.
The heroes arrive back at the base, and are directly summoned to the command tent. In it are Khaurus Vanbaal, Lanver, and Xelme. Kilant, it seems, has been put in a maximum-security prison instead of the medium-security one ordered by the judge. Jag is outraged. A plan is formulated whereby the heroes, plus Khaurus Vanbaal, will gain the access codes known by Senator Bremingham. This will be done, says Vanbaal, by breaking into his estate, and extracting them from him by whatever means possible.

The heroes arrive at the estate later that evening. K.V. informs them that he'll be monitoring things from a nearby window, and that if anyone attempts to leave, he'll shoot them. After quickly surveying the estate, the PCs find that there are no obvious routes in over the high, spiked walls.
Eventually, they decide to forego stealth and use deception instead. Acquiring a car and an army jeep, they pose as security detail, with the Special Forces officers hidden in the trunk of the car, and underneath a tarp in the jeep.
They manage to get access, with Snowe posing as head of security detail, joined as he enters the house by Jag and Keigo. Zeke, Pacci, and Dust join the security details on the wall, but wait by radio for the signal.
Snowe, after talking with the butlers, is led upstairs, followed by Jag and Keigo. However, they are caught off guard when they are met by none other than Jenissa.
The three officers on the wall, upon hearing Jenissa's voice over the radio, decide to take the back entrance. Tossing some beef to the roaming pack of dogs, they go in through the back, where they see a number of officers on a union-mandated break, eating donuts and sandwiches. Dust and Pacci tell them that there's been a disturbance. The officers are a bit dubious, and won't let them go on alone, insisting on accompanying them. Zeke is content to hang back and try to score some donuts.
As soon as they are led into the next room, Dust and Pacci jump the two officers. Pacci shield-punches the first. Dust attempts to shoot the other, but as they have no name, he is unable to figure out who's who, and ends up shooting the already injured one, absolutely killing him. The other surrenders, and after being knocked out with a pistol whip, they tie him up, and rush up a different set of stairs.
Meanwhile, Snowe, Keigo, and Jag face off against Jenissa, two art-wielding butlers, and four armed-and-armoured Senatorial guards. Jenissa's whining deflected a number of attacks against guards and butlers, and both Jag and Snowe have a hard time getting through the armour and deflections of the guards, with the butlers going down easier. Keigo has similar problems, except when breaking out the flamethrower.
Pacci and Dust race down the hallway, and at its end, see the action nearby. Dust takes up position with his rifle, while Pacci rushes in.

Meanwhile, Zeke intends to make the most of his time in a very large, and very well off, estate. In the dining room, he pockets candelabra and silverware, before making his way towards the action.

Back at the fight, Pacci causes massive damage by tossing his Pac-man shield with a cry of "Wakka wakka!" Not to be outdone, Keigo, envious and slightly jealous, grabs his shield and copies the attack, doling out sick amounts of damage between the two of them. Soon after, only Jenissa remains, and not liking her chances, she takes off down another hallway. Dust attempts to get in one last shot on her, but she charges it to her daddy's credit card, and appears unharmed as she leaves. The heroes, save Snowe, take off after her.
They follow the woman's footsteps, and burst into a room at the end of a long hallway: Senator Bremingham's study. Outraged, he demands to know what is going on. Jag explains that Kilant has been mistakenly put in a maximum-security prison, and that they're there for the access codes needed to get him out to transfer him to the medium-security joint prescribed by the judge. Bremingham remains outraged, and orders his men (several Senatorial guard and rent-a-cops, as well as a couple of officers) to attack.
Meanwhile, Snowe has stumbled across the ultimate treasure trove: Jenissa's room. He radios back that he's found some nice jewellry and luggage, and when the heroes relay this information to Jenissa, she is outraged.
The fight continues, with Zeke, then Snowe, eventually joining the fray.
Finally, Vanbaal breaks through the window, firing off six shots with his two Reaper pistols, taking down every rent-a-cop with his action. The remainder of the enemies fall quickly, and as Jenissa is taken down, Dust cocks his revolver by her head, and Snowe holds his thunder sabre near her neck. Under the threat to his daughter, Bremingham relinquishes the access codes, after which he is shot by Vanbaal and falls out the window. Then before anyone can even think of protesting, Vanbaal utters, "no witnesses," and unleashes another dozen rounds into Jenissa. The adventure comes to a close with the heroes, plus Vanbaal, running through the hallways of the Senator's estate, ready to make their escape.

Major Characters this Session
Ridley
Race: Electran
Rank: Senator
Affiliation: Republic of Electra Senate
The blond, well-dressed Ridley is one of the newer and younger Senators of the Electran Senate. He is also known to be a man of who favors those with 'big ideas,' and what he calls 'progress' of all sorts. Calm and calculating, he agreed to testify in favor of Kilant at the latter's historic trial.

Camilla
Race: Electran
Rank: Senator
Affiliation: Republic of Electra Senate
Another of the younger generation of Senators, Camilla wears the latest labels in designer clothing and really would look more at home in the mall than in the marble halls of the Senate. She abhors most of the stodgy old-timers in this government body, accusing them of all talk and no action. She too testified in favor of Kilant at Jag's request during the trial.
Dr. Wily
Race: ??
Rank: Mad Scientist
Affiliation: Himself
Dressed in a white lab-coat with white hair, a mustache and gigantic killer white eyebrows, Dr. Wily is the classic image of a mad scientist. He was the owner of the evil Mega-men team of robots that originally triumphed at the Electran National Games Hockey tournament, and has since sent his evil robots to destroy his nemesis, the video-game hero Pacci. His evil knows no bounds.

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