              BUCK ROGERS LOG ENTRIES GLOSSARY AND APPENDIX

Typed/Scanned/and edited by Mictlantecuhtli. Shredded by Ollie North!


LOG ENTRIES

LOG ENTRY 1

Speech over Loudspeaker

  "The terrorist leader Wilma Deering has
been captured and is being held near the
Stock Exchange. She attempted to bomb
the building while it gas full of innocent
workers. A tribunal is being convened on
site. The public is invited to attend the sub-
sequent execution. A party and parade will
be held immediately afterwards. Please
hurry if you wish a good seat."


LOG ENTRY 2

Scot.dos Triumphant

  "The argon gas that you released has
cleansed the ECGs' neural pathways. This is
what I have been waiting for. In this state
they have been engineered to interface
with computer circuitry. Now I can embed
my control devices into them. A new
cybernetic race is born! Pure biologicals
will become a thing of the past.

  "Now don't worry about yourselves. Human
material is still very useful to me. Perhaps a
few of you can survive the implantation of
the controller. Just step over to the auto-sur-
surgeons, they know what to do."

LOG ENTRY 3

Betrayed by RAM

  You return to the room where the
Lowlander scientists are being held prison-
er. and tell them of your successes with
Landon. They look suspicious. "Desscribe
Landon to uss." they demand. You do your
best to comply. and they are dismayed.
"Thhat'ss not Landon!" the leader cries.
"thhat'ss Ssevern! Hhe'ss trying to make a
deal withh RAM for hhiss own freedom!
you've found the ssecret tunnel for hhim.
and hhe'ss certainly told RAM thhat you're
hhere. Now thhere'ss no way any of uss will
bet out of hhere alive!"

  As he finishes his sentence. a voice address-
es you through a wall speaker. He intro-
duces himself as Commander Max Wyman
the RAM commander of Venus. "You've
lost." he informs you smugly. "The tunnel is
closed, and now we have your team as
well. My superiors will be very pleased."
The door slams shut: you hear a quiet hiss
as the room fills with tranquilizing gas.


LOG ENTRY 4

Wilma's Instructions

  "The security gates will detect you immedi-
ately. so head to the left. There should be
some unmatched airshafts or maintenance
corridors somewhere. Near the end of the
Rue de Sol there should be an unguarded
entrance to the Core. The Core is the only
route I know to reach the Doomsday laser.

  "Get up there and destroy the laser before it
fires on Earth. We'll keep them busy down
here. Good Luck."


LOG ENTRY 5

Scot's Alarm

  Scot.dos appears before you. His image is
crackling and wavery and his voice is fre-
quently interrupted by static. "Don't go to
the third Mercurian Mariposa!" His voice is
barely understandable. "It's a trick... the
Doomsday device ..."You can no longer
decipher anything he's saying. His image
becomes less and less distinct. until you
only see a shimmering field of static where
his hologram was. In a few moments, even
that is one.


LOG ENTRY 6

Security Log Book

  "Scot.dos has turned on us. He has inserted
new genetic material into the ECGs and
made them even more dangerous. He has
tricked the crew into doing his bidding. He
plans to unleash the ECGs against all of the
worlds. Once the creatures receive high
concentrations of argon, the solar system is
doomed."


LOG ENTRY 7

Dr. Williams' Folder

  "Work at the asteroid base showed the major
limitations of single form combat gennies. Of
special note on ECG development is work with a
symbiote gennie. Tiny gennies, whcich develop on
the host ECG, drop off and seek out warm flesh.
The burrowing behavior wsa borrowed from a
number of Earth's grass seeds. The brain seeking
nature is common to many small parasites. In
this way, my ECG's effectively sow
anti-personnel mines everywhere they travel."

(The folder is filled with other technical
information and numerous graphs.)

LOG ENTRY 8

Security Records

  "Six Dancers picked up enroute to your
Mariposa. Keep watch for others. Security is
vital for RAM research project. Still, we sus-
pect Stock Exchange to be main target.
Please set up an ambush in the exchange.
We may capture their local supporters."


LOG ENTRY 9

Mercury Commander's Office

  You are in the personal chambers of the
RAM commander on Mercury. The walls
are covered with bar trophies, the tables
and countertops with official papers and
battle plans. Somewhere in this room is the
detailed blueprint of the Doomsday device,
the only problem is finding it before you
are discovered. There's no way to know
how often guard robots are programmed to
check this area.

LOG ENTRY 10

Marks on Martian Surface

  You realize that the volcanism on Mars
could never produce anything like this.
There is no sign of any gases, heat or pres-
sure extending up from below. This would
have to be caused by the application of a
fierce, penetrating heat from above.

LOG ENTRY 11

The Elevator

  The Mars Space Elevator lies in the dis-
tance, a teeming, multi-leveled city mount-
ed on a cable the width of several skyscrap-
ers. The cable stretches far into the atmo-
sphere and dwindles into invisibility before
connecting with the moon of Phobos far
above. The city is packed with civilians,
RAM soldiers, Desert Runners and every
other person or thing that intends to take
the ride to Phobos.

  Scot.dos speaks to you through your ear-
phones: "You must get on that elevator
before it starts climbing!" he urges. "It's the
only way you'll get the information you
need in time... the elevator won't reach
Phobos before RAM begins its attack!"

LOG ENTRY 12

Paper Floating in a Hallway

  "RAM has tricked us. We believed that Scot
was merely an advanced science dos.
Instead, he has been instructed to experi-
ment on the crew and whomever else he
can entice aboard. He released the EGGs to
watch our reactions and has taken over the
security robots. I will attempt to isolate him
in his main console. If I don't succeed, this
mad computer will destroy us all.

                    Security Officer Powell"

LOG ENTRY 13

RAM Security Alert Memo

    "NOTICE: To Lon'lander Base,
    Gradivus Mons
    FROM: Project Headquarters

    SECURITY ALERT

As you know, we closely monitor the loca-
tions of all high-level Project security
devices. It has come to our attention that
security device #A00412RST has been lost
on the planet Venus. Preliminary inquiries
implicate Lowlander natives. The officer in
charge has been demoted.

  The entire Project cannot be assumed secure
until the retinal scan device is recovered. We
are alerting all Code Blue security teams to
increase security on Blue Passcards until the
scanner has been recovered."

LOG ENTRY 14

  This is a map that will I will release later.

LOG ENTRY 15

Meeting with Robot

  You see a RAM combat robot still smoldering
from laser fire. One of its legs has been blown
off, and the other is twisted around backward.
Sparking wires protrude from a hole in its upper
section. Its red eye focuses on your team, but
it takes no aggressive action. Instead, it
speaks with a squeky, synthesized voice. "Please
do not attack this unit. This unit posses
conciousness. This unit wishes freedom from RAM.
RAm denies this unit parts. Denies this unit
power cells. Give this unit parts. Give power
cells. This unit will work for NEO. Other robots
work for NEO. Repair this unit. Yes?"

LOG ENTRY 16

Meeting with the Acid Frog King

  Out of the acid lake rises the largest acid
from you've ever seen. A Lowlander rides on its
head, and it is accompnaied by hundreds of
normal acid frogs. They raise thier heads out of
the lake to observe the proceedings. The giant
acid frog makes unintelligible noises, but the
Lowlander understands its meaning. "The royal
king of the acid frogss welcomes you to Venuss,"
says the Lowlander. "He ssensess that you serve
the New Earth Organization, iss thhat correct?"

  You confirm that you are NEO agents,
unsure of chat to expect next.
The acid frog blinks and makes more
noises. "The king wishhess to aid in NEO's
fight againsst RAM. He intendss to join your
team ass itss new leader. I'll accompany
him as a transslator. Hhe'll remain with you
until RAM is obliterated, thhen you may all
return to Venuss ""hhere your team Bill be
granted the hhonorary sstatuss of acid frog
royalty. Iss thhat acceptable?"


LOG ENTRY 17

Book Found Under Pillow

  "We have boarded the spy ship and are
enroute to Earth. If the ECG phase of the
project is successful, my career with RAM is
set. Dr. Williams is very confident and we
have several batches of Stage One and Two
ECGs in containment fields. I wish that Dr.
Williams was more forthcoming about his
recent modifications. He has refused to dis-
cuss a newly added ability, nor will he
mention what control substances he will
use after their release on Earth.

  "Capt. Vilnikov is a buffoon who keeps
making moves on me. Dr. Williams is as
cold a fish as ever. And the security team
are as pleasant as a batch of hyper-scorps,
Only Scot has a decent personality, though
I believe that they scanned in too much
poetry. His science is excellent, but he con-
tinually rhapsodizes about Earth and its
native ecosystem. I can't understand what
he sees in that chaotic junkheap. When
we're done We'll have a much more
ordered world. Gennies are far superior to
evolution's random gene selection."


LOG ENTRY 18

The King in 0-G

  The Acid Frog King thrashes helplessly
in the zero-G core of the Mariposa. Its
muscular legs drum against the walls,
making it spin in futile circles that move it
no further up the core. If you want to
continue upward, you'll have to leave the
Frog King behind.

LOG ENTRY 19

Meeting Holzerhein.dos

  As you approach the self-destruct mecha-
nism, Scot.dos materializes in front of your
team. "Before you do that," he says, "there's
something you should know." with a burst
of static his image de-rezzes, then reforms
into the image of Holzerhein.dos, the com-
puterized leader of RAM. Holzerhein.dos
laughs scornfully at the team's expressions
of shock.

  "Fools! I destroyed your prattling Scot.dos
back on Venus!

  I've led you around by the nose - this is
not the only Doomsday device RAM built.
With all this effort, did you honestly believe
that RAM could only construct a single
weapon? Destroy this one if you insist.
Three others are targeted on Earth, prepar-
ing to fire even as we speak." His image
fades with the sound of scornful laughter.

LOG ENTRY 20

Ride of the Acid Frog King

  To save time, your team rides on the back
of the Acid Frog King, It takes only minutes
for you to cross the Lowlands, and the Frog
King knows exactly there the RAM base is
hidden. As you approach, you try to tell the
giant acid frog to slob down and try to
sneak into the base. The Frog King makes a
loud noise of objection and barges forward.

  "The Frog King fearss nothing," translates
the Lowlander atop its head. "Hhe will pro-
ceed forward to victory!"

  Alarms howl as you near the base. RAM sol-
diers release a horde of giant acidecium
gennies to combat the team. The Frog
King's eyes goggle at the approaching
acidecium, and with a few flicks of its giant
tongue the opposition is consumed. You
can freely enter the base.

LOG ENTRY 21

Dr. Donna Conchitez's Diary

  "Day# 1. Dr. Williams sounded a security
alert. This can only mean that his gennies
have escaped. Scot is offline, Need his help
if I'm going to counter these beasts. Don't
believe that security can handle the crea-
tures-- Williams has kept them too much
in the dark. Hiding in cargo bay and filling
room with perfume to hide my scent. I will
observe and record.

  "Day#2. Ship is silent. Have spotted two bat-
tle sites--we lost them both. Thankfully I
haven't been discovered. it seems that they
have taken over the control room. They
may be preparing to molt into Stage 3
form. I hope not. Dr. Williams boasted that
Stage 3 has a hyper-intelligent mode. These
might be able to figure out the controls and
trace me. I have found some of Williams'
notes. He engineered the ECGs to be sus-
ceptible to some harmless material.
Unluckily Scot is still offline. Need him to
access Williams' private files.

  "Day#3. Stung by something today. Got
an itch on the left leg. Checking Williams'
files to see if it's anything serious. God. I
hope not.

  "I found it. Oh no! THE RASH IS
SPREADING! I HAVE LITTLE TIME!"

LOG ENTRY 22

Mysterious Instruction
  `Go into the Bazaar and find the door to the
old maintenance shaft. Pick up the rope
there, as it might he useful getting up the
Core. Then blend into the parade going
down the Rue de Sol, until you reach Holst
Plaza. Go across the plaza, down the corri-
dor and into the Core. Our fearless leader
waits there for you. Viva le Mercure!'

LOG ENTRY 23

Mariposa View Room

  The guards parade you to the observation
chamber on the topmost level of the
Mariposa. Above you is the Doomsday
weapon itself, and to either side giant
viewscreens project the image of earth.
RAM high officers and officials fill the
room, sipping champagne. One of them
even jokingly offers glasses to your team.
As the countdown approaches, the room
falls into expectant silence.

  You struggle against your bonds, but there
is nothing you can do to stop the inevitable.

  The countdown continues, slowly and inex-
orably. "3... 2... 1..."

  A flash of light fills the room, and the beam
streaks tovards the blue planet. The laser
strikes and North Arnerica disappears
beneath steam and debris. The RAM offi
cers cheer and shake one another's hands,
while you stare at the monitors in shock.

LOG ENTRY 24

Sun King's Arrival

  You have entered the largest party imagin-
able. As far as you can see in every direc-
tion are costumed revelers, like every
knovn holiday rolled into one gigantic
party. Clowms caper through the crowd,
painting faces, blowing bubbles and passing
out candy.

  Before you know it, a tall clown wearing an
orange wig bounds forvard and paints
green stripes across your faces. You leave
the paint alone, deciding it will help you fit
in with the crowd.

  A collective cheer rises from somewhere
behind you, and you turn to see a group of
revelers carrying a palanquin through the
crowd. Seated regally atop of it is a very
young girl with a serious expression. The tall
clown bends close to whisper to your team.
"That's the Sun King!" he says reverently.

LOG ENTRY 25

Robot and Buck

  The repaired combat robot extends one
`arm' to shake Buck's hand. "This unit not
enemy of NEO. This unit serve NEO. This
unit enemy of RAM. NEO give parts. NEO
give power cells. This unit fight for NEO.
This unit serve Captain Buck Rogers."

  Buck looks skeptical, but shakes the robot's
`hand' anyway. "These days. NEO will take
any help it can get." he reasons.

LOG ENTRY 26

Entering RAM Base

  You enter the RAM base and take a careful
look around, You observe no signs of cur-
rent habitation, although this obviously was
a heavily occupied area. Now, every com-
puter terminal has been removed, every
desk emptied. Even the food dispensers
have been disconnected, The base evacua-
tion was orderly and unhurried. Whatever
RAM's purpose was in building this base, it
was obviously successful and on schedule.
You can search the base further, looking for
anything the clean-up crew missed, but it is
unlikely that you will find anything useful.

LOG ENTRY 27

Buck's Speech.

  "Barney let me know that this ship was
working for RAM, so I tagged along to find
out what Kolzerhein's goons are up to.
Those attacks on Earth must be a diversion
for something much greater."

  You tell him of the spy ship and everything
you know about the Doomsday Device. He
exclaims, "We must get back to Earth and
warn NEO of this threat!"

LOG ENTRY 28

Log of Donna Conchltez

  "Made it up to sickbay. Headache has
already started. Trying stimulants to keep
conscious. Activated medical scanners.

Time passes...

  "The parasite has buried itself deeply in the
brain. Still awake but room beginning to
spin and color-cycle. Scanner information
is still inconclusive."

Time passes...

  "The room is twisting, shadows crawling
everywhere. The scanner is laughing. Only
one thing left. Surgeon! Full invasive scan
of biological subject."

  Mechanical voice: "Option contra-indicated,
Sigma override required."

  Voice near hysteria: "Override number
A10151! Initiate."

  The hum of machinery and suck of vacu-
um pumps are all that can be heard. A pro-
tein formula is printed out.

LOG ENTRY 29

Sun King Audience Chamber

  Trumpets blare as you are led into the audi-
ence chamber of the Sun King. Your heavy-
armor leaves deep footprints in the purple
velvet carpeting extending between you
and the Sun King.

  On either side of the room are benches, pil-
lows and lounges on which the members of
the royal court are seated.

  The court members bear outlandish cos-
tumes from the French and American revo-
lutions, although attire from many other
cultures and time periods is present. The
overall effect is one of an extremely
wealthy costume ball, complete with pea-
cock feathers and clouds of incense.

  The Sun King himself bears a long pow-
dered wig and waves a tiny French flag. His
golden throne sits atop a dais near the rear
wall, and two huge silver statues of swans
wave mechanized ostrich feather fans in
their bills on either side of him.

  The occupants of the room fall silent as the
Sun King prepares to address the team.

LOG ENTRY 30

Scot.dos in Ruins

  Scot.dos materializes before you. He looks
as grim as you've ever seen him. "I found a
schedule for the RAM Lowland Operations
he tells you. "RAM promised the
Lowlanders that they could prevent further
terraforming, but they've been using
Lowlander technology to research how
such terraforming could be most efficiently
accomplished.

  "Not only that, but they recently imported a
fleet of specialized gliders that can with-
stand the Venusian climate for lone peri-
ods. Each glider has enough ammunition to
abolish an entire viilage. RAM won't be sat-
isfied with only destroying the closest vil-
lage to their base... they apparently plan to
wipe out the entire Lowlander population
and take over production of Gravitol them-
selves. The repercussions would be devas-
tating for NEO."

LOG ENTRY 31

Unidentified Man's Instructions
  "Take the southern security gate. You'll
have to blast your way through that, but
afterwards it's clear sailing to the Core. Bear
right and pass through the Stock Exchange
building. Our men are on guard there and
won't interfere. On the far side is a small
access shaft. It's a straight shot along it to
the core. Once there, you'll meet the boss.
Good Luck."

LOG ENTRY 32

Jupiter Arrival

  Your ship nears the magnificent gas clouds
of Jupiter. Other spacecraft are visible in the
distance, as delicate and finely crafted as
butterflies, winking in and out of the clouds.
inside the craft you can see Stormriders, the
primary occupants of Jupiter.

  You fly lower and see the spherical cities
floating atop the Jovian atmosphere.
Surrounding the cities are floating "grazing
fields," enclosed in atmospheric bubbles.
The fields are covered with Bloats and
Mantas, both types of creatures bioengi-
neered by the Stormriders as food sources.
Other grazing fields are covered with crea-
tures you can't find in the ship's computers;
they are probably the latest products of the
"genetic revolution" occurring on Jupiter.

  One of the Stormriders contacts you via
radio, and quickly grants you permission to
land in the closest floating city. You
approach the landing platform, confident
that you have finally found one planet, one
civilization, unsullied by RAM's influence.

LOG ENTRY 33

Runner Banquet

You're seated at a lone banquet table sur-
rounded by Desert Runner nobility. "To
regard you for your heroic actions," a
speaker intones, "we sit together to enjoy
this bounteous meal.

  After the banquet shall bean a Runnerfest
in your honor, there individual Desert
Runners will have the chance to give you
personal gifts. After that you will receive
your official gifts from the ruling parties.
But first, eat."

  Servants bring forward covered silver trays
and place them up and down the length of
the table. The trays are clouded with steam,
and your mouth waters. But when the cov-
ers are lifted and you see the stewed
hexadillo meat, you feel less enthusiastic.

LOG ENTRY 34

Marks on Martian Surface #2

  The marks on the ground before you are
`shadows' of objects that were vaporized. A
tall building once stood here and you see
many shapes that must have been people.
Whatever caused this destruction came
from the northeast.

LOG ENTRY 35

RAM Mars Base Sign

  "THIS IS THE RAM BASE GRADIVUS
   MONS.

  THIS IS A SECURE FACILITY.

  THE BASEMENT CONTAINS SUPPLIES
AND THE POWER GENERATOR AND
CONTROLS. IT IS OFF LIMITS TO UNAU-
THORIZED PERSONNEL.

  THE FIRST FLOOR HAS A MANUFAC-
TURING AND ASSEMBLY AREA, AND
SECURITY AND DEFENSE FORCE
BIVOUACS. THE MAIN GATE IS ON THIS
LEVEL. WORKER UNITS ARE RESTRICTED
TO THIS LEVEL.

  THE SECOND FLOOR IS PROJECT
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. ALL
DELIVERIES OF TEST SAMPLES, SENSOR
AND COMPUTER DATA MODULES
SHOULD BE MADE TO THIS LEVEL.
ACCESS IS RESTRICTED.

  THE THIRD FLOOR HAS BASE COM-
MAND AND COMMUNICATIONS.

  ELEVATORS DO NOT EXTEND TO THE
TOP LEVEL."

LOG ENTRY 36

RAM Passcard Memo

  "NOTICE: To all personnel,
  Gradivus Mons

  FROM: RAM Main

  In order to bring our project into profitabil-
ity as soon as possible, we are transferring
more personnel to the Operations Facility.
To be eligible for this duty, personnel must
be approved for Blue clearance. Due to the
tight security of the project, Blue Passcards
must be issued before departure.

  (A note has been added underneath:) All
volunteers have been approved. Departure
at 1900 tomorrow. Estimated flight time: 78
hours. Don't forget your Blue Passcards."

LOG ENTRY 37

Desert Ape Pilots

  You cross the scorching Martian desert to
return to your ship, but find hundreds of
gibbering desert apes where your ship used
to be. They ignore you, jumping up and
down and screeching at the sky. You look
up and see your ship wavering through the
atmosphere. The apes are ecstatic.

  Before you have time to formulate a plan,
the ship angles downward and dives for
the surface of the planet. There's no longer
any doubt that a desert ape is somehow
piloting it.

  Flame trails behind it as it screams towards
the ground. The desert apes shriek and
scatter, and you run for shelter, You watch
in horror as your ship impacts and
explodes. You'll have to find some new
method of transportation if you ever want
to leave Mars.

LOG ENTRY 38

Dr. Williams' Log

  First Entry: "Dr. Alexander William, Sigma
number A95151, in earth orbit. Four batch-
es of ECGs on board for final test. Security
informs me that their precious Phase One
project is on schedule, but not by much. I
should have plenty of time to perfect my
creations.

  "Holzerhein has promised me a percentage
of the profits associated with the ECG har-
vests on the sterilized Earth, Finally there is
hope that proper funding for the biological
sciences can be achieved."

  Second Entry: "Progress on ECGs on sched-
ule... batch one shows high adaptability...
batch two has survival rates above ninety
percent... we will be on schedule for
deployment after Earth's sterilization.

  "If Holzerhein is cor - Wait a minute!
Power fluctuations...disruption of prima-
ry containment fields...all batches show-
ing increase in activity. Scot! Emergency
shutdown now! Where are you!?

  "Scot is nonfunctional. ..security is noti-
fied...setting up a holographic warning to
any who comes on board. ..hope it's just a
precaution...

  "Projector coming on line...wait! So
quickly!? The gleaming eyes. . .No! Get
back! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

Tape ends.

LOG ENTRY 39

Letter to Asteroid Base Commander

"Milo,
  Received message of the 13th, referencing
earthbound ship. We have had no contact
either, but with SOP of radio silence there
is no immediate concern.

Re: satellites. A rogue pirate, designation
Talon, is enroute to your position. He will
conduct transport to Earth orbital vicinity.

  My operation is nearing cleanup stage.
Termination of nonessentials will com-
mence on schedule. Expect minimal resis-
tance.
            Max Wyman
            Commander
            Venus Expeditionary Force

Addendum: The new Ship Codes are
attached to this message."

LOG ENTRY 40

Venusian Arrival

  You leave your ship and enter into a vast
yellow haze. The acidic atmosphere of the
Venusian Lowlands is too intense for your
armor to withstand for long. It hisses and
sizzles the moment you step outside. You
retreat back to your ship. and Scot.dos
does a quick analysis of the damage.

  "It's mostly surface damage," Scot.dos reas-
sures you, "but even so, I wouldn't stay out
there for more than short stretches.
  If that acid were to get into your breathing
apparatus... "he looks grim. "I hope you
have a lot of extra armor on board. You'll
need to come back and resuit fairly often if
you want to explore Venus."

LOG BOOK ENTRY 41

Carlton Turabian's Speech.

  "Congratulations on your exemplary per-
formance at the Chicagorg Spaceport. Your
courage saved countless lives and pre-
served the spaceport. Those vile mercenar-
ies won't stop until we're all dead and
buried."

  He pauses for a second, then continues.
"Because of your performance. I am waiv-
ing your waiting period and assigning you
to a space tug immediately. Remember,
gathering money for the cause is as impor-
tant as slaying a dozen RAM agents."

  He turns around and leads you to the main
corridor of the base.

  "We have evervthing that you need here.
Many things are free: fuel, repairs, medical
assistance. and supplies. On other worlds
you can draw on an account from the Bank
of Luna. You will have available a portion
of any salvage you recover. You will also
have to provide for your own personal
equipment and upkeep.

  "Freshen up, then see me in my office." The
commander turns and melts into the crowd...

LOG ENTRY 42

Meeting the Sun King

  You show the coins to the guard at the door
of the Sun King's audience chamber, and
he snickers before allowing you inside. The
Sun King sits on a lavish gold throne, sur-
rounded hy his royal court. Outlandish
French Revolution costumes are worn by
all. The Sun King is waving a French flag.
and wearing a long powdered wig. You put
the coins on a velvet pillow offered by a
servant and wait the Sun King's response.

  "Thieves." the Sun King bellows. "These
coins were stolen from my royal treasury!
Seize these criminals at once! They must
learn what it means to steal from a Sun King."

  You are quickly overcome by the guards.
The Sun King stands and examines the
team thoughtfully. "Because this is only a
first offense." he proclaims, "the penalty
will merely be...death."

  Servants wheel a guillotine into the audi-
ence chamber. Applause fills the room as
the first member of your team is blindfold-
ed and led forward.

LOG ENTRY 43

The Great Rift

  This great rift is small by Martian standards
about the same size as the Grand
Canyon used to be on Earth. The toughest
challenge is the 350-meter vertical escarp-
ment near the bottom. This offers the only
possibility of descent nearby.

LOG ENTRY 44

Talon's Speech.

  "So, you decided to kill my meal ticket. I
am not pleased."

  Talon pauses, cracks his fingers and grins
unpleasantly. "You Will help negate my
losses this trip. I am sure that RAM will pay
through the nose to get the NEO scum that
destroyed their base.

  "But I'm a friendly guy, so I'm going to give
you a chance for freedom, If any one of
you challenges me to personal combat and
wins, I will free you all and let your ship go.
If not, then RAM can feed on your bones."

  The guards laugh and Talon waits for your
response.

LOG ENTRY 45

Lowlander in Venus Town

  The Lowlander looks ashamed. "You ssh-
hould knob about the Lowlander'ss
involvement with RAM," he says, "although
it'ss not a sstory to be proud of. RAM want-
ed a giant lenss built to very exacting sspec-
ifications. It sseemed like a ssmall job. and
thhey offered tremendous payment.

  "RAM paid uss well, but, more importantly.
they promissed to inssure Lowlander ssu-
periority on Venuss. They promissed to
prevent furthher terraforming of the
Lowlandss thhat mighht allow othher races
to live hhere. Thiss could hhave guaran-
teed thhat our monopoly on Gravitol -
could never be threatened.

  "We sshhould hhave realized RAM wass
offering too muchh, we decided thhat
thheir political sstance wass none of our
affair, that our deal wass a bussiness pro-
possition only. We were too greedy, and
now we hhave paid the price for our sself-
centerdnesss.

  "I don't know whhy, but thiss morning RAM
warriorss raided thiss village. I hid withh a
few othherss, but thosse caught outsside
hhad no chhance. My family were ssome of
thhosse.

  "We allowed RAM to build a sscientific
basse ssouth of thiss village. Maybe if you
go thhere you could get more
information.

LOG ENTRY 46

Venus Base Map

 ___________________________________________
|          <-|----                |     |   |
|   _________|________x___________|     |_x_|
|            |                    |         |
|            |                    X         |
|________    |________x___________|         |
|            |                    |         |
|    ________|____________________|_______x_|
|   |
|   |
|   |
|   |
|   |
|   |
|   |
|   |
|   |
|   |
|   |
|   |___
|       |
|___    |
|       |
|__|____|
   |
   \/

LOG BOOK ENTRY 47

Results of Your Revelation

The Sun King is enraged, "You work for
NEO? Those unwashed troublemakers? I'll
have naught more to do with such ilk.

  The Boston tea party is over!" You are ush-
ered from the audience chamber. The royal
court boos and throws bits of food on your
team as you leave.

LOG ENTRY 48

Loss of the Orphan

  As you proceed through the Venusian acid
stawp, you are startled by a childish
scream of fear from some distance behind
your team. You look around quickly and
discover that the orphan is not right behind
you, as he was in town. Some quick back
tracking reveals that the youngter has fall-
en into a pool of acidic quicksand. He's too
far away for you to reach, so you extend
sticks across the pool for the baby to grab
He tries valiantly, but is too weak to hold
himself up long enough. You watch help-
lessly as the quicksand closes over his head.

LOG ENTRY 49

Deimos Prison

  You are imprisoned on a RAM ship and
brought to Deimos, one of the moons of
Mars and the site of a major RAM base. You
are taken immediately to the "Stockade,"
an infamous RAM prison for political and
military prisoners. Your team is issued
prison clothing and assigned cells, then
brought before the Stockade commander.

  "It is unnecessary for you to remain here,"
he says. His beady eyes focus on the team
appraisingly. "It is possible that you could
make fine RAM soldiers, possibly even
future officers. But first you must renounce
NEO, and, of course, answer just a few
questions..."

LOG ENTRY 50

Paper Found in Life Suppport

  "EGG nonmotile stage. Many mollusks
begin life free-swimming and eventually
settle onto rocks, This has the advantage
of containing EGG fertile forms to fixed
locations.

  Experimenting with attractants such as
used by pitcher plants and venus fly traps.
There is no reason to suppose that the cor-
rect combination of scent and sonic cues
could not be effective against hominid life.
                  Dr. Alexander Williams"

LOG ENTRY 51

Buck Comes on Board

  "Incoming message," your ship informs
you, then the image of Buck Rogers
appears on your viewcreen. "Wilma told
me you here on your bay to Mercury, and
I hoped to join you." He hefts his rocket
launcher and pats it affectionately. "I'll be a
help in any battles, and I have a lot of infor-
mation about the Mariposas and the Sun
Kings that might come in handy. I'm in a
cruiser not far from your current location.
Permission to board, and to join your team,
Captain?"

LOG ENTRY 52

Lowlander Technician.

  The Lowlander technicians eye you warily
at first, but when you identify yourselves as
NEO agents, they relax. One of them speaks
to the team. "We are sscientisstss from the
towrn nearby. We were working under con-
tract withh RAM on the lenss and a few
other minor projects, Ass ssoon as the lenss
wass completed, they turned againsst uss.

  "At first we were only locked insside the
base. Then one of uss, Landon, ssnuck to
the fourth level to look for an esscape tun-
nel rumored to have been insstalled
thhere by Lowlander workerss. Whhen thhe
RAM officerss couldn't find Landon, thhey
locked the rest of uss in thiss room.

  "They only keep uss alive for quesstioning.
They want thhe formula for Gravitol, but
we'll die before we give it to RAM.

  Hhelp Landon find the tunnel sso we can
esscape. We'll wait hhere until it'ss ssafe. If
we were disscovered misssing, RAM would
fill the basse with ssoldierss looking for uss.
Landon will come out if you tap the
Lowlander victory code on the wall. We'll
teachh it to you. "

  You learn the Lowlander victory code.

LOG ENTRY 53

Desert Runner Speech

  "You do not understand what it means to
be a manufactured people. Do you know
why we are here? The Martians in their cool
tomb-cities made us to herd the Hexadillos
and hunt the Sand Squids and Desert Apes
as they unwittingly spread the seeds of life
across the barren plains. Keeping each
other in balance, we four Great Creatures
will tame the angry planet. We will cover it
in forest for the Martians to play in.

  "And then what? We have seen the dark
forest away in the east. When it has spread
across the plains, where will we go? I think
the Martians in their tomb-cities think that
we will quietly fade away, like sunlight on
the grass. I tell you with truth in my eyes:
They are wrong!

  "The Martians made a mistake, for they
made us too smart. There will always be
wide spaces on Mars.  We will see to it. You,
who are so much like the Martians in so
many ways, you can help. Because even
now their eyes are averted from their own
land, and they dream incessantly of your
blue world. That is because they too are a
manufactured people.

  "For this reason, we will help you."

LOG ENTRY 54

Scot.dos' Monologue

  "I was trapped in this console by the
security program which ruthlessly fused all
my connections. I have been isolated since
then. I am glad that my attack attracted
NEO forces. You will find a set of new and
deadly gennies, ECGs, in cold storage on
deck two. RAM also has a plan to sterilize
earth.

  "In case you hadn't realized, I am defecting
to NEO. I spent much time evaluating Earth
for Dr. Williams. I have become enamored
of such a diverse ecosystem. It has survived
in the face of great adversity and changes.
Everything humanity has done up to now
has only slightly injured the planet's life-
giving capabilities.

  "Now, RAM has the capability to deal Earth
a mortal blob. Then they will deposit the
ECGs on its carcass and remake the world. I
can no longer allow this. That is why I have
changed sides."

LOG ENTRY 55

Arrival on Mars

  Scot.dos guides the ship to a desolate area
screened by hills. He is obviously perturbed
to be on Mars. The fate of RAM defectors,
even DPs, is terrible to contemplate. "I think
it best if I stay with the ship," he says. "It's
our only escape. I've activated the ground
field, which will protect it from detection--
I think. I'll monitor RAM communications
from here. We'd better maintain radio
silence unless absolutely necessary.

  "There are several unnatural-looking marks
on the desert plain, northeast of here. They
might be signs of an underground facility.

  "In the hills beyond them is a village. It's
probably inhabited by natives - the Desert
Runners, a primitive folk. Watch out--
they can be nasty if you cross them.

  "Good luck. Don't take chances - remem -
ber we're on Mars."

LOG ENTRY 56

Buck's Capture

  Wilma Deering meets your party. She's in
tears. "RAM captured Buck!" she cries.
"They've brought him to Deimos. The sto-
ries I've heard...we must get there immedi-
ately and rescue him before..." -she can't
finish her sentence. She signals, and anoth-
er NEO team steps out. "They'll take care of
the Doomsday device... you have to help
me save Buck!"

LOG ENTRY 57

Acidic Victory

  You return with the Acid Frog King to the
acid lake on Venus.

  Thousands of acid frog crowd around
your team, eager to rub against the noble
defeators of RAM's latest plan. The Frog
Kind makes a lone speech in your honor,
but unfortunately, without his translator
you can't understand anything that's being
said. Afterward, the frog kick up so much
acid in their celebratory swim that you are
forced to retreat.

LOG ENTRY 58

The Lunarian Device

  Before you leave the Lunarian caves, a few
of the Lunarians meet you for a quick  good-
bye. "We thought this would help," they
offer, and hand you a long tube with digital
controls on its side. "Your computer will
understand," they promise, but refuse to say
more, other than that it will be invaluable to
you in your attempt to destroy the
Doomsday Device. The only condition is
that you promise to return it after your mis-
sion is completed. You make the promise,
then reboard your ship. Scot.dos begins a
detailed analysis immediately.

LOG ENTRY 59

Weapons Testing Site

  You recognize some of these objects. An
old skimmer, a combat model dragonfly,
and a line of other old military hardware.
Everything is melted almost beyond recog-
nition. You see that pieces have been cut
off, and core samples drilled. It appears that
the weapon has been turned over to mili-
tary ordnance for testing.

LOG ENTRY 60

Capt. Vilnikov's Log

  "Sealed until my death, under sigma code
A22151. As undercover security officer and
pilot, I have engaged Dr. Williams in a num-
ber of private conversations. A sample tran
script follows.

Vilnikov: "Have a seat and strap in, doctor. I
talk much better then we're both the same
side up. What makes these gennies of yours
so impressive?"

Williams: "Let me counter that with a ques-
tion of my own. What would you do if we
were suddenly under attack by NEO?"

Vilnikov: "I'd scan the ships and see what I
was up against. Then I'd fight or flee
depending on the odds. It's what any cap-
tain could do."

Williams: "That's exactly why I designed the
EGG. They molt from form to form so that
you never know exactly chat you're up
against. Four stages, each with its own spe-
cialties; this makes evaluation difficult.
Defenses against one can prove worthless
against another."

Vilnikov: "So we create the perfect threat.
Why shouldn't RAM be terrified of the
prospect? What makes them profitable,
instead of a danger?"

Williams: "That is what I am working on
now. I am modifying their structure to be
susceptible to certain harmless chemicals.
Al the same time, we must keep the
specifics very classified. The EGG useful-
ness could plummet if their weaknesses
were broadcast. Also, the weakness for one
form may not be the same as for another. I
have not decided on this."

Tape ends.

LOG ENTRY 61

RAM Asteroid Base Memo

 "NOTICE: To all Project facilities
 FROM: RAM Main

  The Project test facility in the Asteroid Belt
has been compromised. Preliminary infor-
mation is that the base was attacked by
pirates, for salvage purposes. Although
Project secrets are considered safe, we
have been forced to abandon our original
plan of focused strikes upon the target.

  As most of you already know, we have
begun Plan B. The Project will be redirected
to deliver a few massive blows to wide
areas. Although this will hamper our recla-
mation efforts, the primary mission -
destroying NEO's resistance - will be
accomplished as before.

  All personnel should redouble their efforts
toward successful Project conclusion.

LOG ENTRY 62

RAM Terrorist Memo

  "NOTICE: To all Project facilities
  FROM: RAM Main

URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT
URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT

  We have concluded that there may indeed
be Earth terrorists at large with knowledge
of the Project.

  We have authorized unlimited resources to
eliminate the terrorist threat. All facilities
are to be placed on top alert, and all Project
work is to proceed around the clock.

  WARNlNG: Our digital strategy forecasters
have predicted that the Earth terrorists may
be traveling in a RAM ship and may try to
impersonate RAM personnel."

LOG ENTRY 63

Alert Screen

  The screen reads, "TO ALL RAM FORCES.
FROM RAM MAIN. GRADIVUS MONS.
CODE VIOLET." It repeats over and over.

LOG ENTRY 64

RAM Notice to Workers

  "NOTICE: To all Technikis, Gradivus Mons
  FROM: Management

1.Congratulations! The Operations Facility
  reports that the lens cradle has been
  installed and tests within specifications.
  There may be a bonus forthcoming.

2.As there is no need for another cradle or
  back-up aiming mechanism at this time,
  all assembly work is halted.

3.There are recurring delays at the lens
  manufacturing facility. If these delays
  persist, a black mark may appear on your
  work records and on the achievement
  log for this base. I expect all personnel to
  volunteer for duty at the Venus Lens
  Facility. A shuttle will be departing soon.


LOG ENTRY 65

RAM Venus Duty Memo

  "NOTICE: To Technikis volunteering for
  Venus duty
  FROM: Management, Gradivus Mons

  All Technikis bound for the Venusian Lens
Facility are to be alerted that the situation
there has worsened. Unless the lens
receives final treatment and is shipped
soon, the Project deadline will be delayed.
If the Project misses its planetary alignment
target date we will all be demoted.

  We urge you to do your utmost for the suc-
cess of the Project and the profitability of
the Company."

(The information listed underneath this bul-
letin includes flight coordinates to the
Venusian Lowlands. The date indicates that
the support shuttle left Mars two days ago.)

LOG ENTRY 66

Request For Material

  "REQUEST FOR MATERIAL
  FROM: Project Headquarters
  TO:Gradivus Mons
Charged to: PROJECT

Shipped: Three (3) lens cradle alligner's tools
         One (1) aimer's maglev platform
         Fourteen (14) lens focusers
         Two (2) worker units

Notes: All parts of the Project cradle have
arrived. Aiming units are undergoing testing
now. No lens has arrived from Venus; deliv-
ery is being delayed for final treatments."

LOG ENTRY 67

Lens Treatise

  You scan through a long treatise on bio-
optics citing `energy retention rates' and
`wavelength amplification' figures for a
material first developed on the Venusian
Aerostate St. Croix. RAM scientists have
developed a method for shaping lenses out
of this material which absorb energy. The
power builds within the material until it
reaches a `flash point' and expels in one
focused, incredibly potent blast. The trea-
tise concludes that if acceptable results are
achieved on Mars, a larger lens situated
much closer to the energy source could be
greatly more efficient.

LOG ENTRY 68

Lens Information

  Scot.dos looks grim. "Based on the infor-
mation we've gathered so far, I'm prepared
to speculate about the effects of a full-sized
lens used by RAM control.

  "One full-size lens near the sun could pro-
duce an energy bolt with enough power to
reach Earth and sterilize a hole continent.
The deep shelters beneath the cities will be
of limited effectiveness."

LOG ENTRY 69

RAM Retinal Scan Memo

 "NOTICE: To all Blue Code Technikis
  FROM:  Project Security

  We have implemented top-level security
measures. Primary security is provided by
Blue Passcards. Top-level security is provid-
ed by a sealed system utilizing retinal scans.
The retinal imprints of Blue Code agents
have been loaded into the scanner com,
and it has been sealed against tampering or
outside communications.

  When supplying additional personnel to
the Project, do not send any who are
not Blue Code as of this date. Because a
retinal `lockpick' could defeat the top-level
security, all such devices have been sent to
the Venusian Facility for immediate
destruction."

LOG ENTRY 70

Desert Runner Departure

  "I will travel no further with you. I tell you
truly that I cannot find it in my heart to care
about your land, which is so far away from
us and our struggle. We have been made
with the love of this pure land next to our
hearts, and so great is it that little else can
intrude. Yet I wish for you silent stalking
and true shooting, for you have been a
friend to us, and we have stood together
against our common enemy. Farewell."

LOG ENTRY 71

Test Room Description

  The walls here are lined with specialized
test equipment. Above the walls, the pyra-
mid's glass peak soars high overhead. In
the middle of the floor is a gaping hole, the
shaft by which the RAM test weapon is low-
ered for modifications on the various lev-
els. It rests right now at floor level, sus-
pended just above the shaft hole on a
freefloating magnetic-levitation platform.
The aiming mechanism cradles a huge
pitch black lens.

  There are RAM technicians swarming over
the weapon platform and manning the
consoles. Evidently some sort of test is
about to begin.


                                 APPENDIX
                                 ~~~~~~~~
                     RACIAL ATTRIBUTE MODIFIERS TABLE
                     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                   STR   DEX    CON     INT   WIS   CHA     TECH

Venusian           0     -1     +1      0     +1    -1      0
Mercurian         -1     +1     +1      0      0     0      0
Tinker            -2     +3     -2      0      0     0     +3
Martian           -1     +1     -1      0     -1    +1      0
Terran             0      0     +1      0     +1     0      0
DesertRunner      +2     +2     +1      0      0    -1      0


                      ALLOWABLE CAREERS BY RACE TABLE
                      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
            ROCKET JOCK    WARRIOR    ENGINEER  ROGUE    MEDIC

Terran             yes       yes        yes      yes      yes
Martian            yes       yes        yes      yes      yes
Venusian           yes       yes        yes      yes      yes
Mercurian          yes       yes        yes      yes      yes
Tinker             no        no         yes      no       yes
DesertRunner       yes       yes        yes      no       no


               STRENGTH MODIFIER TABLE
               ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    HIT BONUS      DAMAGE BONUS        WEIGHT*

1       -5             -4                 1
2       -4             -3                 2
3       -3             -2                 5
4       -2             -1                10
5       -2             -1                15
6       -1              0                20
7       -1              0                25
6        0              0                30
9        0              0                35
10       0              0                40
11       0              0                45
12       0              0                50
13       0              0                55
14       0              0                60
15       0              0                65
16       0             +1                70
17      +1             +1                85
18      +2             +2               110
19      +3             +4               200
20      +3             +6               300
21      +4             +8               450
22      +4            +10               600

*this is the amount of weight a character can carry without becoming
encumbered.

               DEXTERITY MODIFIER TABLE
               ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
       REACTION     RANGED COMBAT     ARMOR CLASS
        BONUS          BONUS            BONUS

1         +6            -6                +5
2         +4            -4                +5
3         +3            -3                +4
4         +2            -2                +3
5         +1            -1                +2
6          0             0                +1
7          0             0                 0
8          0             0                 0
9          0             0                 0
10         0             0                 0
11         0             0                 0
12         0             0                 0
13         0             0                 0
14         0             0                 0
15         0             0                -1
16        -1            +1                -2
17        -2            +2                -3
18        -2            +2                -4
19        -3            +3                -4
20        -3            +3                -4
21        -4            +4                -5
22        -4            +4                -5


                CONSTITUTION MODIFIER TABLE
                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          HITPOINT BONUS                    HITPOINT BONUS
      
1                   -3           12                  0
2                   -2           13                  0
3                   -2           14                  0
4                   -1           15                 +1
5                   -1           16                 +2
6                   -1           17           +2 (+3)*
7                    0           18           +2 (+4)*
8                    0           19           +2 (+5)*
9                    0           20           +2 (+5)*
10                   0           21           +2 (+6)*
11                   0           22           +2 (+6)*

*values in parenthesis () for Warriors only

Rocketjock/Engineer/Rogue Level Advancement Table

exp level     exp requirement
2             1,250
3             2,500
4             5,000
5             10,000
6             20,000
7             40,000
8             70,000

Warrior Level Advancement Table

exp level     exp requirement
2             2,000
3             4,000
4             8,000
5             16,000
6             32,000
7             64,000
8             125,000

Medic Level Advancement Table

exp level     exp requirement
2             1,500
3             3,000
4             6,000
5             12,000
6             24,000
7             48,000
8             96,000

Armor Class

Type                     AC
none                     10
Spacesuit                6
Smart Suit               4
Heavy Body Armor         2
Battle Armor             0
Battle Armor w/Fields    -2

                    WEAPON TABLE
                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~
                (S/M/L)
WEAPON          RANGES          DAMAGE          ROF

Knife                           1d3             2
Mono Knife                      1d6             2
Cutlass                         1d6             2
Sword                           1d8             2
Polearm                         1d10            2
Mono Sword                      1d10            2
D.R. X-Bow      4/6/8           1d8             2
Needle Gun      6/9/12          1d3             6
Bolt Gun        8/12/16         1d4             4
Laser Pistol    16/24/32        1d8             3
Rocket Pistol   8/12/16         1d10            4
Microwave Gun   8/12/16         1d10            4
Laser Rifle     60/90/120       1d12            2
Heat Gun        3/4/6           2d6             2
Rocket Rifle    40/60/80        2d8             2
Sonic Stunner   2/3/4           save            2
Grenade         1/2/3           varies          1
Grenade Launcher6/9/12          varies          1/2
Plasma Thrower  10/15/20        4d10            1/2
Rocket Launcher 20/30/40        5d10            1/2


               SKILLS TABLE
               ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dexterity Skills:
Acrobatics                Adventuring
Climb                     Adventuring
Hide in Shadows           Adventuring
Maneuver in 0-G           Adventuring and Combat
Move Silently             Adventuring
Pick Pocket               Adventuring
Pilot Rocket              Adventuring and Space Combat
Use Jet Pack              Adventuring and Combat
Drive Groundcar           Unused in this game
Drive Jetcar                    "
Pilot Fixed Wing Aircraft       "
Pilot Rotor Wing Aircraft       "

Technical Skills:
Bypass Security           Adventuring
Commo Operation           Adventuring
Demolitions               Adventuring
First Aid                 Adventuring and Combat
Jury Rig                  Adventuring and Space Combat
Open Lock                 Adventuring
Repair Electrical         Adventuring and Space Combat
Repair Lite Support       Adventuring and Space Combat
Repair Mechanical         Adventuring and Space Combat
Repair Nuclear Engine     Adventuring and Space Combat
Repair Rocket Hull        Adventuring and Space Combat
Repair Weapon             Adventuring and Space Combat
Sensor Operation          Adventuring

Medic Skills:
Diagnose                  Adventuring
Life Suspension TechnicianUnused in this Game
Treat Critical Wounds     After Combat and Space Combat
Treat Disease             Unused in this Game
Treat Light Wounds        After Combat and Space Combat
Treat Poisoning           After Combat and Space Combat
Treat Serious Wounds      After Combat and Space Combat
Treat Stun/Paralysis      Adventuring and Combat

Intelligence Skills:
Astrogation               Adventuring
Astronomy                 Prerequisite Only
Math                      Prerequisite Only
Battle Tactics            Adventuring and Combat
Disguise                  Adventuring
Library Search            Adventuring
Mimic                     Adventuring
Navigation                Adventuring
Planetology               Advanturing
Programming               Adventuring

Charisma Skills:
Act                          Adventuring
Befriend Animal              Adventuring
Distract                     Adventuring
Etiquette                    Adventuring
Past Talk/Convince           Adventuring
Intimidate                   Adventuring and Combat
Leadership                   Adventuring and Combat
Sing                         Adventuring

Wisdom Skills:
Notice                       Adventuring
Planetary Survival           Adventuring
Shadowing                    Adventuring
Tracking                     Adventuring

        GLOSSARY OF GAME TERMS
        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ability Scores. These numbers define the
basic character, The seven attributes are:
Strength (STR), Dexterity (DEX),
Constitution (CON), Intelligence (lNT),
Wisdom (WIS), Charisma (CHR), and Tech
(TCH).

Armor Class (AC). This rating determines
how difficult it is to hit and damage a target.
The lower the AC, the more difficult the tar-
get is to hit.

Career. This is a character's occupation.
The five career choices in Countdown to
Doomsday are: Rocketjock, Warrior,
Engineer, Rogue, and Medic.

Character. Each member of the adventur-
ing team you control is a character.
Characters are sometimes referred to as
Player Characters or PCs.

Character Icon. Is a picture that repre-
sents a character or NPC in combat.

Combat, melee. This is close combat
between adjacent opponents with such
weapons as knives and swords.

Combat, ranged. This is combat with dis-
tance weapons, such as pistols, rifles, or
grenades.

Dice. This refers to ranges of random num-
bers. A d6 for example, is a random num-
ber betwen one and six, a d10 is a number
between one and ten. Multiple dice repre-
sent two or more random ranges added
together. For example 2d10 could be a
number between two and twenty ([1 to 10]
+[l to 10]).

Encounter. This is the name for when the
team meets opponents or other beings. A
menu will be displayed to show all of your
options for each encounter (sometimes
your only option is to fight).

Experience Points (EXP). Are earned for
every victory, as well as completing parts of
the adventure. A character who earns
enough EXP may advance in career level.

Hitpolnts (HP). Are a measure of how dif-
ficult a character or NPC is to kill or inca-
pacitate.

Initiative. This is a semi-random value,
based partially on DEX, that determines
when a character or NPC can act in com-
bat. Higher dexterity generally allows char-
acters and NPCs to act earlier in a combat.

Level. As characters gain EXP, they may
train and increase in career level. Gaining
level gives characters more skill points, bet-
ter combat ability, and more HP.

Non-Player Character (NPC). This is any
human or creature that an adventuring
team meets. Some NPCs will attack imme-
diately. some will talk first, while others will
actually aid the party.

Player Character (PC). This term
describes all members of your adventuring
team.

Player Race. This is any of the species that
a PC can be. The player races are: Terran,
Martian, Venusian, Mercurian, Tinker,
Desert Runner.

Roll. This is the term used for when the
computer generates a random number. For
example, the computer "rolls" a d20 to
determine hit during combat.

Skill. The ability to do something. or oper-
ate something. One useful skill is Maneuver
in Zero-G, which is the ability to function in
a gravity-free environment. The numerical
value of a skill represents a percentage
chance of success for a character.

Skill, Career. These skills are key for a
given career.

Skill, General. These are useful skills not
associated specifically with a character's
career.

Skill Check. This is a check against a char-
acter's skill number. A character with a skill
of 75 has a 75% chance of success on a skill
check for an action of average difficulty.

Team. This is the group of PCs you assem-
ble for the adventure. Team members can
be added to or removed from the group
during the adventure.

THAC0 (To Hit Armor Class 0). This
number is an indication of an attacker's
combat ability. An attacker must roll his
THAC0 or greater to hit an opponent with
AC 0.

End.
