Heroes: Jag, Atobe Keigo, Pacci, Dust, and Lord Flash
Enemies: Phil Ken Sebben, Ghosts from the Beyond, and Commander Kilant
Jag – Officer’s Dispatch 40
Recent Duties: With the secret brotherhood of the Free Masons protecting it, Electra has never been safer. Well, obviously there are still some kinks to work out what with Senator Ridley's death and all, but at least you managed to protect the Constitution. However, in spite of your conviction on this, there are those who unfortunately do not share your opinion...
Troop Status
-Supplies: Schmitzer SMGs, Armored Flak Vests, Deluxe Laywers’ suits, space-titanium armored briefcases, and a fleet of jet-skis, much to Vidal Sassoon's disapproval.
-Morale: Bad news: he's done it! Phil Ken Sebben has raised the terrorist threat level to Blackwatch Plaid. This has put your men into a state of outright hysteria. They can't get any work done as they're too busy accusing everyone around them of being a terrorist.
-Health: Their panic is so bad your men are even starting to suffer physical ailments. Shellback suffered a minor heart attack and is recovering from the near-coma it almost induced upon him. They just won't be able to take this kind of pressure for much longer.
Military Communiques
-The unimaginable has happened: Phil Ken Sebben has been burgled!! Such priceless artefacts as his four-foot golden Buddha and his baby grand piano have disappeared from his office! Gone! Stolen! Robbed! This event is made even more unimaginable by the fact you didn't know he possessed these items in the first place. Regardless, he has used this event, along with Ridley's death, to instigate a battery of oppressive security measures. You feel like you're being watched everywhere you go, and if you're not, Phil sends you a quick message to remind you. This has got to come to a stop, you just can't work under these conditions.
-Deksiilan 'diplomat' Axen Dredd has protested what he says to be the illegality of Kilant's proposed 'rescue' mission to Denchul, and claims to have 'evidence' of foul play. In response, Phil has had him locked up in Law Division's holding brig, on charges of 'siding with the terrorists.' As an expert on International Law, you have to say for once you may have to agree with Dredd, at least to a degree.
Personal Notes
-You've heard rumors of an attempted jail-break at the top security Diamant Prison. Although you don't know the details, it was apparently unsuccessful and thus no cause for immediate concern.
-Preparations are underway to charge Grand-Marshall Vonderveck and Senator Rysian with high treason for their collusion with the Spheran Coalition. If these charges go through, the penalty is ceremonial execution. In your professional opinion, their odds don't look good.
Mini-Objective
-Find a way to avoid Phil's oppressive security measures.
-???
Atobe Keigo – Officer’s Report 40
Recent Duties: For once, Kilant has actually listened to your brilliant advice. The Denchulli are about to get a taste of how the Electrans do things. Of course, you don't expect those grimy cowards to put up much of a fight. Now if only the Commander would listen to you so closely on certain other matters as well.
Troop Status
-Supplies: FLAME-THROWERS, Steeltek Swords, crimson uniforms, kamikaze headbands, Crimson Armor of the Republic, and Pyre and Pyro, your new twin charmanders. Char char!
-Morale: As ravenous teen-agers, your boys have been busy with Brock's all-barbecue victory feast. Some might have considered the meat a little overdone, perhaps char-broiled, but that's just the way Seigaku likes it.
-Health: Your own appetite has been diminished over concern for your mother. Stenda has been recommending something she calls a seance to get over your depression, but it sounds utterly ridiculous to you.
Military Communiques
-There has been considerable gossip over who will command the invasion – sorry, peace mission – of Denchul. Some say that Kilant himself intends to go, but others contend the political situation at home is too volatile for him to leave the planet. You wouldn't be disappointed if YOU were put in charge, but that's another idea that likely won't be heeded.
Personal Notes
-The blacksmith Watts has been true to his word, and had your armor ready for you right on schedule. The zirlithium chain armor of Sylgris grants you +25 AC with a -4 Agility penalty. You have to privately admit, if nothing else, the Spherans have taste in armor.
-You've heard some unreliable rumors that strange lights have been seen in the sky above the mysterious Isla de Muerta. Given the disturbing events that took place when last you were there, you can't help but find this a bad omen.
-You have still heard nothing on the situation with your mother, and it has you worried sick. In response, Stenda has claimed you need to resolve your latent family issues. According to her, seances are all the rage, and will allow you to hear messages from the great beyond. You remain rather skeptical of what good this will do you.
-On a possibly related note, the ever-popular Major Lanver has been acting awfully strangely towards you lately. Normally, he's more than eager to chat it up at any opportunity, but recently it's almost as though he's been avoiding you and has hurried away whenever you've looked in his direction. Could he know something about your mother? Or is it some other secret bothering the Major? Either way, you intend to find out.
Mini-Objective
-Find out why Lanver has been acting so strangely towards you.
-???
Pacci – supreme Commander’s Report 32
Recent Duties: PAC PAC PAC!!! Once again, you've proven the danger of the 'authorities' not listening to you. If only they'd paid more attention to you, Senator Ridley would still be alive. Oh well, at least you managed to protect the Constitution, which was doubtless the terrorists' real target anyway.
Troop Status
-Supplies: PK-33 Handguns, SIR Rifles, Bright Yellow Deluxe Uniforms, Combat Helmets, Steel Breastplates, a Verizon wireless cell-phone, an amazing vintage Pacman arcade machine, and Protoman’s whistle.
-Morale: The Pac was as sad as chipper pacmen can be over the news of Ridley's death. He was one of the few people who occasionally acknowledged your authority after all. However, their mourning on this count was forgotten just as quickly when the news hit that ghosts might once again be on the loose.
-Health: The Pac has been ordered to hoard food in the event of an upcoming famine. The only problem is they've thus far lacked the willpower not to eat it right away. Oh well, extra food can never hurt, can it?
Military Communiques
-Conventionals General Gol Draam has continued his swift recovery in the hospital, and has voiced his opposition to the planned expedition to planet Denchul. There are even rumors that he may be stepping down from his military post, although it is unclear if this is because of his own initiative or because he has been asked to do so. As far as you're concerned, it's good riddance, the Conventionals only need one Supreme Commander anyway.
Personal Notes
-It's always too late that the authorities decide to heed your warnings. You've heard just now that they are increasing the terrorist threat level to 'Blackwatch Plaid,' the highest possible status. But you suppose it's better late than never.
-You've always known that as a Supreme Commander, you would have plenty of enemies. You've long been the defender of humanity against the evil forces of Dr. Wily and of ghosts everywhere. But now you're being threatened from the world of the supernatural! After returning from your rather large breakfast this morning, you found a threatening ghostly message written across the wall of your quarters in some kind of creepy white lettering. How dare even a ghost threaten the Supreme Commander of the Conventionals? Clearly, the perpetrator must be caught and brought to justice.
-You normally don't pay much heed to your belligerent subordinate, Stone Cold Steve Austin, but lately he's been impossible to ignore. Apparently, some, uhh, 'jackasses' as he puts it, vandalized his truck in the middle of the night. The security level may have been upped around here, but it clearly hasn't been enough.
Mini-Objective
-Find the perpetrator of the ghostly vandalism and bring him or her to justice!
-???
Dust – Officer’s Report 34
Recent Duties: If there's one thing you know, it's that you can smell blarney a mile away, and right now, the whole place reeks of it. You don't trust Kilant much more than any other Electran, and this uninvited 'rescue' mission to Denchul sounds an awful lot like an invasion to you. You may still be a wanted man back home, but you'll hang before you see the green grass of Denchul trampled beneath Electran boots.
Troop Status
-Supplies: X-3 Phantom Rifles, Camouflage Scout Uniforms, Sniper Scopes, Rifle Tripods, Climbing Spikes. You're stocked up on potatoes thanks to Slow Moe – whatever anyone else says, that guy is really the best.
-Morale: Your Boyo Scouts are all shook up over the disturbing news from their homeworld, and most are concerned over the safety of their families. You haven't yet told them you suspect foul play, no point in panicking them further until you have proof on the matter. Dijon, on the other hand, remains irate at your 'cheating' during your duel, and relations between the two of you are strained at best.
-Health: The Boyos are in good health, and if you have your way, things will stay like that.
Military Communiques
-Conventionals General Gol Draam has continued his swift recovery in the hospital, and has voiced his opposition to the planned expedition to planet Denchul. There are even rumors that he may be stepping down from his military post, although it is unclear if this is because of his own initiative or because he has been asked to do so.
Personal Notes
-Virtually all of your time lately has been spent hunched over your shortwave radio, focused on getting news back from Denchul. In general, radio and wireless coverage on Denchul is not widespread, but you have managed to pick up a few radio programs. They reveal that the recent shoot-out took place frighteningly near Dublin, the village near where you grew up. Furthermore, the main instigators seem to have been the McFarlane farmstead and their relatives. Police were investigating charges of several murders and attempted murders, but were driven off through force of arms. Seven police officers were killed in the confrontation, and the authorities are in a complete flap over what to do.
-Your enterprising young private, Malarky, has also been curious about events back home and has been trying to get in touch with his brother, Hoobler. That boy has some good initiative, you might have to promote him one of these days.
-This whole Denchulli situation seems supsicious to you. Unless you miss your guess, there's some real malarky going on, and not the kind related to your private...
Mini-Objective
-Uncover the malarky on the business of the Denchulli shootout.
-???
Lord Flash – Officer’s Report 16
Recent Duties: Lately, you've been so busy being great that there's been a bit of lag-time for you to realize that the war is over!! It's really quite amazing how this could happen before you even got another plane, but the Spherans must have been so scared of this happening they just keeled over out of FEAR! Unfortunately, some highly unscientific people don't subscribe to this hypothesis, and you might have to give them some living proof.
Military Communiques
-The Airforce is being re-equipped in order to support the coming Denchulli expedition, and to escort the Republic landing ships. As such, you've been given an addition 6 Military Credits to equip yourself as you deem fit. This may be your last time on Electra for some time, so you'll have to make good use of them.
-In spite of your many military communiques on the matter, Commander Kilant has refused to issue you the full credit for the prestigious aerial kill of the Dragon of Sphere. Apparently, some kraut who goes by the sissy name of von Richtofen is recorded as getting the kill. For the sake of history, this is one clerical mistake it's your duty to correct.
Personal Notes
-Apparently, your status as an expert on all things wireless is spreading all across the planet. You recently received a phonecall from some confused woman with a foreign accent enquiring as to the level of wireless access in some place called Dubai. Unfortunately, you in fact have no idea even where this place is, let alone its wireless access, but you refuse to let your reputation be tarnished and you intend to find out.
-Someone seems to have the funny idea once again of trying to create the impression of another ghost on the base. Your own ghost has reported that someone has apparently vandalized your very office with some kind of ghostly graffitti on the wall. Your ghost must have really been slacking off on the job to let this happen.
-The supply officer Mahmood seems to be buying in to this ridiculous ghost-thing, claiming once again that his supply tent is haunted. Of course, you know very well that the only ghosts are legends.
Mini-Objective
-Determine the level of wireless coverage in “Dubai.”
-Confront the Red Baron for stealing your kill with a faceful of WAAAFF!
-Confront Commander Kilant for letting the Red Baron pretend to steal your kill with a faceful of WAAAFF!
The adventure begins, surprisingly, not in the O.C. Rather, there is a brief prologue, in which Kilant's face appears in TVs all over Electra. The planet of Denchul, he tells the citizens, is facing a civil crisis. Electra will act in the best way, he explains: by intervening, and bringing the crisis to a halt with Electra's veteran army. Today, he tells them, we begin to send troops to Denchul.
Pacci seems less than pleased at the rather poor quantities of food offered. Dust offers him the rest of his oatmeal, since he has a sack of potatoes in his tent, anyway. Meanwhile, Jag sits down to work, but gets a call on his phone: it's Phil Ken Sebben, the head of Law Division, and he seems less than pleased that Jag "has enough free time to be sitting down". Jag stands up, and proceeds to work through breakfast.
Dust sits down, and talks with one of his Privates, Malarkey, briefly. Malarkey tells him that his brother, Hoobler, went to the site of the shootout between the Denchuli police and the farmstead, looking for a Luger. Instead, all he found were some "strange guns." Dust seems instantly suspicious.
He gets up to leave, but realizes that Dijon's departure leaves a rather large leadership void in the Boyo Scouts. Dust gives Malarkey a promotion to Sergeant in appreciation for the information given earlier.
Jag sets out to look for these objects, but first intends to create a diversion. Meeting with Dust, he agrees to get the Denchuli's papers in order in exchange for a favour. Soon, Dust's twelve boyos begin roaming the base in suits, looking somewhat like Jag.
Jag first heads towards Vidal Sassoon's residence, with whom the Maestro is staying. Entering in, Jag sees a baby grand piano. He tries to get it from the Maestro, but the man is adamant, stating that he needs it to practice the March of the Republic. Jag counters that the Maestro can grab a bite to eat at the O.C., and that this would also allow him to hear the full military band arrangement of the March, which is piped through speakers there at all hours. The Maestro agrees to this, and Jag, enlisting the help of his "body doubles", is able to move the piano back to Phil Ken 7's office.
There is still no sign of the 4 foot tall golden Buddha statue.
After this, Jag and Dust head towards the prison, wanting to talk to Axen Dredd. Dredd tells them that "his agents" have informed him that the weapons used in the shootout on Denchul were of Electran make, and demands to be let free. Dust asks Jag what Dredd is being held for, and the lawyer tells him that it was for his assault on Dust himself. Dust then instantly drops the charges, and Jag has no recourse but to let Dredd go free.
There, a student answers the phone, and seems a bit surprised by Flash's request. The student responds that he's not really aware of the wireless situation in Dubai ("wherever that is," he mutters under his breath), but that getting wireless access is generally about signing up with some sort of service providor, and then staying within some distance of their antennas. Satisfied, Flash hangs up.
Knocking on the front door of the mansion, there is no response. Pacci opens the door and walks in, but the front door, which now looks rather similar to a Mega Man-esque "gate", slams shut. Sitting in the arm chair by the fire is none other than Dr. Wily, who proclaims that Pacci shall meet defeat at his most powerful creation, his ninth robot - Ouija Man!
While this robot's credentials might seem Dubious, Pacci has a tough time during the fight. The robot is able to smack Pacci around with his many Ouija boards, and can channel the spirits of the robots the young Electran defeated. Plus, Ouija Man is apparently amazing, making him incredibly hard to hit. But in the end, Pacci is triumphant, though Wily is still nowhere to be found.
Coming outside, Pacci attempts to explain the situation to the others, and is met (as usual) with general ridicule. He is left to sulk on the boat-ride back to the base.
FLASHBACK: Flash punches out the Red Baron.
Kilant tells Flash that he'll need written proof of this. Flash gives Kilant all the written proof he'll need, hitting the man with a hook punch, and then walking out.
With the door busted open, and Kilant recovering, he tells Keigo, Jag, Dust, and Pacci that he will see them all at once. Dust goes first, telling Kilant that he has reason to believe that the weapons used in the Denchuli shootout were in fact of Electran build. Kilant frowns, and tells Dust that he can either participate in the "expedition" to Denchul, or leave. Dust chooses the former, handing over his stripes and rank to Kilant before storming out.
Pacci is next, and blusters in, demanding to know why Kilant and others haven't been giving him the respect he deserves as "Supreme Commander of the Conventionals." Kilant tells him that it was basically just an honourary rank, given to appease him, and that he is still Pacci's ranking officer. Pacci is furious, and tells Kilant that had people listened to him about Dr. Wily, that 50,000 Conventionals soldiers would not have died from the atomic blast of the Beryllium Sphere. Kilant nods, and sends Pacci on his way, and Pacci joins Dust as he prepares to leave the building.
Meanwhile, Keigo demands to know why Kilant did not inform her of the execution of her mother. Kilant tells her that it would be released in due time through the usual channels, but Keigo tells him that he should at least have the decency to have told her beforehand, before walking out.
Finally, Kilant meets with Jag, who demands to know why Phil Ken Sebben is allowed to run roughshod over the Electran legal system, implementing wiretaps and surveillance wherever he pleases. Kilant responds that in times of war, certain liberties are curtailed, but Jag replies that, since the war with Sphere is over, all civil liberties should be reinstated. Despite Jag's protests, Kilant tells him that Phil Ken Sebben, as well as his regime, will remain in place. Jag seems bitterly disappointed.
As Dust and Pacci try to leave, two armoured guards, armed with republic sabres, tell them to follow them. Dust doesn't like the situation at all, and tosses a Dust bomb at their feet, fleeing through a fire escape to the ground below. Pacci, however, is not so fortunate, and is brought back to Kilant's office.
However, the group is interrupted by the roar of a motorcycle engine. Lanver comes racing up the stairs, and tells them to step away from Kilant. The Commander, he says, set them up with Draven: in exchange for their lives, he was to be released from Spheran custody.
"Think about it," he says. "Why else would you be sent to an air-strip out in the middle of nowhere, with little to no tactical value, especially after you proved your worth at the battle of Romulus?"
Before Kilant can strongly protest, there is a roar of machine-gun fire as Lanver's unit, the Children of Destiny, fly in on their Delta Mark IV bikes. There's only two options, Lanver tells them: join Kilant, of dubious trust, in his invasion of Denchul; or join them as they leave to defend the beleagured planet. Jag, unconvinced of Kilant's love of the law, decides to leave, and pulls Pacci with him, the latter so struck by indecision that he didn't know what to do. Flash joins as well, leaving Keigo as the only of the officers to stay back: the group picks up Dust as they leave.
The bikes make their way towards the spaceport, where Lanver has arranged for transport to Denchul. Everyone gets in, and Flash bolts his jet to the top of one of the transport ships, and the larger part of the divided group makes their way to the green hills of Denchul.
None.