Morrow Project Play-by-Skype

[helbent4]

Currently, I am part of a play-by-Skype Morrow project game, Recon CA-4. We will be starting a new chapter and moving to a new area of operations, so new players are welcome.

1) It's run like a conventional sit-down game, but the players are geographically separated so we need to use Skype in a kind of conference call mode. Our usual "game nights" are every other Sunday, 5:30PM Pacific time.

2) We try to use some kind of added real-time mapping client to keep track of movement in combat, with mixed success. It takes some organising but when it works it rocks, being able to see everything tactically.

3) The CA-4 game is using d20 and is a modernised version of the Project.

http://henrick.com/ca4/

That said, we're taking a break from the CA-4 game and I will be running a 2-3 session "one-shot" relating to my own TMP campaign, which has a different timeline (based on Final Watch and therefore using the TM 1-1 timeline).

1) I'll be using revamped 3rd edition Character and combat rules.

2) PCs will be part of a newly activated Frozen Watch team, Specialty FW-11S. PCs can be from any of the 4 branches: MARS, Science, Recon or Specialty.

3) This one-shot adventure will be using the TM 1-1 timeline, and team freeze date is 1987.

We're going to go back to CA-4 when we're done with this interlude, but the first game will be this Sunday so if you're interested, please PM me ASAP or email with a character concept and I'll send you the character guidelines:

helbent4@gmail.com

or Clive, our usual PD:

clivegh@aol.com

Tony

[LBraden]

I would love to join, but its a bit too late in the day for me, as that I am 8 hours ahead of Pacific time (currently 7 due to USA still on Daylight savings).

But I wish the group well.

[helbent4]

Originally Posted by LBraden

I would love to join, but its a bit too late in the day for me, as that I am 8 hours ahead of Pacific time (currently 7 due to USA still on Daylight savings).

But I wish the group well.

Lee,

Thanks! Yeah, the game would start past midnight for you. Okay if you're an unemployed night owl, not so good if you're not.

Hey, I would love some help with maps and base layouts. I see you're pretty handy with that, mind giving me a hand? I'd need a unique bolt hole plus a few other floor plans and vehicles...

Tony

[LBraden]

I am unemployed, but the new rules in the UK means I may end up either 1) being put onto a 13 week 9-5 "jobsearch course" or 2) Getting stuck volunteering god knows what hours.

So at minute, unhelpful, I may see about getting in this coming Monday, but after that it will be up in the air.

[helbent4]

Originally Posted by LBraden

I am unemployed, but the new rules in the UK means I may end up either 1) being put onto a 13 week 9-5 "jobsearch course" or 2) Getting stuck volunteering god knows what hours.

So at minute, unhelpful, I may see about getting in this coming Monday, but after that it will be up in the air.

Lee,

Yikes, that's kind of brutal.

Hey, shoot me a character concept circa 1987 and I'll create an NPC for you. From the UK is fine. You can join in on the first session and then maybe your PC (tragically) catches a bullet afterwards?

Pre-Freeze Briefing:

The Morrow Project is designed to assist the USA in recovering after WWIII and comprises nationals from the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia and NZ. (The Atlantis Project covers Europe and the rest of the world.) Your briefing is that in the mid-late 90's a failing Soviet Union will make a desperate bid for world domination. This involves launching an invasion of western Europe and the Middle East, with limited preemptive nuclear strikes on US military facilities and biological/chemical strikes on population centres with therefore less chance of provoking a massive response.

While the west abandoned Civil Defence for all intents and purposes, the USSR never did. It's theorised by Project planners that this preemptive strike on the west will give the Soviets the breathing room to recover first from any retaliation, absorb conquered territory in Europe and then deal with China. The Morrow Project is a kind of "privatised" Civil Defence initiative, intended to primarily aid in economic recovery in time to prevent complete Soviet postwar world domination. Political recovery and continuation of government is of course FEMA's responsibility, while the military/police will handle restoring civil order. It's also expect that damage to the industrial infrastructure and population centres (ie: cities) will be a lot less than an all-out nuclear war.

PD Note: My theory is if an all-out war was expected and the nation completely destroyed, the Project would be much better armed and differently organised than it is in the books. For example, while Cadillac-Gage builds the Commando series of APCs and the Stoner system (Dockery said that CG was a COT-owned company) they also build tanks (the Stingray, which Thailand has used in combat vs. Burma). Instead of individual teams scattered across a state (or a nation) it would be smarter to concentrate the Project into brigade-sized units located around a few self-sufficient areas where they can be supported by artillery and air support. And so on. As is, I think the original plan for the Project expected a level of destruction much less than what actually happened or what most people assume, but that's a personal opinion.

Tony

[helbent4]

PD Note: the game has been proceeding along and we completed our second session. Presented here is a summary of our first session. Following will be summaries of subsequent sessions.

Also, this is not the only active player group in this campaign. If there is interaction between player teams, then those will be posted as well, including summaries to that team (providing another perspective on the events of this game as it affects others, or they affect it).

Team Log: Specialty FW-11S (Frozen Watch)

Specialty FW-11S is a Frozen Watch team intended as replacements for Project teams in the central I-5 corridor operational area. FW-11S's bolthole is located to the east of Grants Pass Oregon, within a few kilometres of the I-5's pre-war route. This is a "Special" bolthole in that there is a semi-permanent "Emergency Shelter" built on top, built to look like an abandoned Oregon Dept. of Transport vehicle storage shed. As this team was intended to be activated to provide replacements for all possible team branches (MARS, Recon, Science, Specialty) no periscope or vehicle was provided as it was assumed there would be an on-site team during revival. There was no vehicle door or ramp, although there was a standard personnel exit and cofferedammed emergency exit (that is, filled-in with sand).

The six team members are John Breckenridge (Specialty: Medical), John Barrows (Science), DJ Carson (MARS), Frank Kowalski (Specialty: Field Support), Patrick McMahon (Specialty: Engineering) and Melissa Wolkewietz (Recon). All are armed with Personal Load #9 (Uzi, Hi-Power, grenades, 2x M72s and ammunition). They were frozen in early 1987 at a secure Project cryo-facility, then deployed in the bolthole on 26 August, 1987.

Initially, only four of the six cryotubes entered a proper wakeup cycle (Breckenridge, Barrows, Kowalski, McMahon). The other two (Carson, Wolkewietz) receiving faults and cycling back down into cryosleep mode to preserve the lives of their occupants. The four personnel began post-wakeup routines, removing IV drips, oxygen feeds, EKG/EEG monitor/defibrillation pads, etc., re-hydrating and getting dressed from the clothes/equipment lockers in their cryotubes. Breckenridge commented that no one was going to jump out of the tubes "like Rambo"(PD Note: thus making the first gratuitous 80's reference).

The bolthole computer indicated the cryotubes' wakeup cycles had been initiated by an authenticated ELF signal transmitted from Prime and not a local Mobile Command Team or on-site team. This was unusual but not unprecedented. The team saw there were also several crates and plastic 55-gallon water drums packed into the cramped bolthole (which was already smaller than usual). Although there was no periscope there was a UHF antenna lead next to a charged AN/PRC-70 radio, by some wall-mounted equipment cabinets. The gear listed below is in addition to the Basic Load and Basic Issue of the personnel:

Frozen Watch FW-11S

Team Manifest (supplemental)

1 Fusion Power Cell (Activated for Team Wake-Up)
1 Drug Kit
1 Surgical Kit
4 Personal Medkits
1 AN/PRC-70 secure radio set (at wall battery terminal)
3 AN/PRC-68 secure hand radios
1 Pioneer Kit (Axe, Shovel, Pry-Bar, Bow-Saw, Sledgehammer)
1 Shelter Kit (Tarps, Nylon Cords,ropes, fire-starter)
2 "Stokes" basket-style para-medic style stretchers
6 Cold Weather Kits (1 per personnel)
4 Ration Packs, Dehydrated
1 Water Purifier, Portable
4 55-gallon water drums (Non-carcinogenic plastic)
1 S&W M27 .357 Revolver
3 Speedloaders, 6x .357 cartridges each

Standard Personal Issue (19.69kg)

1 Coveralls, O.D. Resistweave (AC=9)
1 Beret, Green
1 pr. Boots, (AC=4)
1 Underwear Set

1 Webbing w/
2 Ammo Pouches
1 Holster
1 KCB-70 Knife/Bayonet
1 M17A2 Protective Mask
1 M1 CBR Kit w/6 antidote loads (*-*-*-*-*-*---)
1 Pocket Knife
1 Morrow Project ID (MPID)
1 AN/PRC-68 Personal Communicator w/ Scrambler
2 Canteen w/Cup, 1 litre
1 Rechargeable Flashlight
1 Compass
1 Medkit, w/8 loads of the following

Antitoxin *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*---
Antibiotic *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*---
Coagulant *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*---
Pain Reliever *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*---
Sleep Inducer *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*---
Stimulant *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*---

1 Basic Pack w/
1 Mess Kit
1 Waterproof Poncho/Shelter Half
1 Toilet Kit
1 Folding canteen, 5 litre
3 Boxes of Matches (50 each)
1 Sleeping Bag w/Ground Sheet
1 Weapons Cleaning Kit (Multi-Caliber)
1 Underwear Set
1 Nylon Cord, 50 meters (50kg breaking)
Rations, 14 days (*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*---)
1 Coveralls, O.D. Resistweave (AC=9)

Basic Personal Issue (20.564kg)


1 UZI w/12 mags.
1 HP-35 w/3 mags.
4 M26A1 Grenades
2 M34 WP Grenades
2 M72A2 LAWs



While some took stock of the equipment and supplies, McMahon (trained as a backup RTO) attached the radio and proceeded to attempt to contact Prime using CW (Morse code) as per normal protocol. Prime promptly answered with the correct authentication. They then instructed the team to exit the bolthole to set up the collapsible long-range antenna for secure voice communication as the bolthole's UHF antenna package seemed balky. They were informed of the date (24 Oct. 2140) before the transmissions ceased abruptly.

McMahon, also a professional hunter and tracker, was sent through the personnel exit and discovered the hatch did not open to the outdoors but into a small concrete-walled crawl-space under a medium-sized building. The basement/crawlspace was mostly dirt-filled and there was evidence of several years of animal activity (burrows, nests, remains, etc.) There was a second metal trapdoor leading up into the ground floor of the building in one corner, and an "ash trap" for a fireplace in another. Despite there being vents to the outside the air inside the crawlspace was foul and difficult to breathe.

He could hear sounds of partying and merriment came from the building above. Moving closer to the trapdoor, McMahon determined that someone (a woman) near the trapdoor was being threatened with rape or worse if she failed to cooperate and admit guilt to some unspecified crime. There was no answer from the presumed hostage or prisoner. A quick call to Prime asking for reinforcements received a partial reply that amounted to no reinforcements being available, then the radio went dead (again).

It was decided to dig out the emergency exit, as this would almost certainly lead outside the building. At the least this would allow for an alternative and perhaps unseen exit route. Further, it would be a possible means of out-flanking the presumably armed and dangerous individuals upstairs. This was quickly accomplished and an outside investigation revealed the structure on top of the bolthole as a medium-sized 2-story concrete-walled and metal-roofed shed or garage, with an open interior bay area surmounted by a kind of loft over the vehicle-wide doorway. Further careful reconnaissance determined the structure was occupied by 6 armed individuals visible inside and one lookout on the roof. Also, there were 2 female prisoners (1 older, 1 younger) in the corner by the trapdoor in the floor to the crawlspace underneath. There was an apparently unconscious female lying just inside the main vehicle bay door (which was partially fallen off its hinges).

The eventual plan hinged on Breckenridge sneaking from the emergency exit out to the woods and then walking back to serve as a distraction. Barrows, also outside, would cover the inside of the building from a side window. McMahon and Kowalski would pop out of the floor trapdoor and attempt to secure the nearby hostages. Thus the maximum surprise would be generated through deception, threats from one direction (a side window) and entry from an another unexpected direction (the floor in the rear). The armed individuals were dressed in a somewhat archaic "mountain man" and "western" fashion, although hair was trimmed unexpectedly short and facial hair was well-groomed. Various bolt-action, lever-action rifles and double-barreled shotguns were visible but mostly not at hand.

Breckenridge approached from the front, and was challenged by the roof guard (a woman armed with a pump shotgun and revolver). He attempted some subterfuge regarding his identity and purpose (as he was mostly dressed in Project winter gear) and the confused roof guard did not open fire immediately, but hesitated. This drew the apparent leader (a man) outside to see what the commotion was all about. As the two were about to shoot Breckenridge the signal was given and McMahon threw open the floor trapdoor and exited, yelling at everyone to drop their weapons. Kowalski followed and did the same, both were armed with their sidearms. From the window, Barrows fired a burst from his Uzi into the metal roof.

There was a short sharp fight in front that was over in less than ten seconds (PD note: 2x 4-second Combat rounds). The end result was the male leader down on the ground with a carefully-aimed wound to the foot, and the female lookout down on the roof with a leg wound. Just as the people inside the building were secured and the hostages were being freed, an attacker with a shotgun hiding upstairs took a last desperate shot down the stairs (from the loft) and hit Breckenridge as he entered the structure. Breckenridge was unhurt due to his Resist-weave coveralls absorbing the charge of buckshot. The attacker was wounded in the return fire. In all, there were eight armed attackers within the building (6 male, 2 female) and they all surrendered without further incident, not having their weapons in hand and being taken completely by surprise by the sudden assault from all directions.

When the building was finally secure, it was remembered there was a woman on the roof. McMahon set off to find her, while Breckenridge treated the wounded prisoners, Kowalski kept watch on the trail down towards I-5 and Barrows guarded the prisoners. Tracking the woman was simple, there was a little fresh snow, she was dragging a wounded leg and bleeding at the same time. Run to ground behind a fallen tree, she surrendered without a struggle. McMahon disarmed her and escorted her back for medical treatment by Breckenridge.

Back at the building, it was determined that there was a fourth female prisoner, upstairs in the loft on the floor. She had been killed execution-style (shot in the back of the head, arms bound) and was naked, indicating probable sexual assault. Barrows, a former professor of Chemistry who spent years tracking a serial killer who kidnapped and murdered his child, was deeply emotionally affected but did not act out his desire to punish the offenders, even to obtain information. Barrows recalled that using torture during interrogation was not only unethical and heavily sanctioned behavior, but completely unreliable as the victim would simply say whatever they thought would be believed or what was the questioner wanted to hear, and end the punishment.

Captured Weapons:

2 Springfield '08 .30-06 rifles (excellent pre-war manufacture, fair condition) + 8 clips (5 rds. ea.)
2 Winchester '94 .30-30 rifles (poor post-war 6-shot copies, poor condition) + 24 rounds
2 Double-barrel 12 ga. shotguns (fair post-war manufacture) + 29 rounds (buckshot)
2 Bows (good quality) + 40 arrows, 2 quivers
1 Remington 870 12 ga. shotgun (pre-war manufacture, excellent condition) + 9 rounds (slug)
1 Colt Anaconda .44 Magnum revolver (pre-war manufacture, excellent condition) + 8 rounds.

Note: rounds are total, and all are black-powder reloads.

Clothing: fur-lined wool and leather jackets and coats of a vaguely military or police cut. Several pairs of wool trousers and wool shirts in various sizes. Leather thigh riding boots, lace-up calf-high leather boots (military/police-style). Holsters, gunbelts, cartridge belts.

Badges: 6 bronze stars, 1 silver star (all hand-made).