One Fifth of the Truth (or what really happened to Reboot Alpha):

So you wanna know the truth about what happed since the Crash/Reboot, and why nobody seems to remember any of it? Plus, you wanna know what happened to Alpha Base, Alpha State, and Alpha City? All that and the Kern-U-LLL's secret recipe? Boy you're asking for a lot here!!!

Although, thankfully for you I can provide you with answers to most of your questions. Well except for the Kern-U-LLL's secret recipe, although I do have some agents working on that one…

What the heck happened?

To start things out let's talk about your friend and mine, The Computer. Yup, he/she/it is still insane as ever and has now taken up the policy of pretending the last 10 or so years never happened. That's why we've been celebrating year 194 for the past 4 yearcycles (or didn't you notice?).

Why? Well for some reason The Computer got the idea that year 194 was when all of its problems started, and being a computer, it felt the best way to fix this problem was to reset the system back a few years. How did it do this? Well I'm not really sure, but I've made a few guesses, none of which are very encouraging:

*The Replacement Theory: Everybody you and I know is a clone right? What's stopping the Computer from making more? Basically, one theory is that the Computer has is replacing EVERYONE with a brand new 6-pack. This would explain why some people can still remember the whole Crash/Reboot era, while others scoff at ever hearing about such a thing (of course the fact that admitting knowledge of the Crash/Reboot is a 1st Class ticket to sector DED's organic waste disposal units might have something to do with this). Of course if this theory is true, that could mean you or me could be next. Of course if this is true that means the Computer is keeping this one so quiet that even the High Programmers know nothing about it. Unless of course the Computer is leaving High Programer's off the replacement lists, but I wouldn't count on it. Me? I'm keeping tabs on everything, and keeping my eyes and ears open, but that's all I can do. I suggest you do the same.

*The Mind-Wipe Theory: Well the above theory isn't all that wholesome, so I went about the business of creating a few alternative theories. Basically, we've all been mind-wiped. Why do you and I remember? Well maybe we got a faulty mind-wipe or something, and we haven't forgotten everything. It explains why the transition from Reboot-to-Restart Alpha is bit hazy (well at least it is for me, of course I've been on a Hot Fun induced sugar high for the past 5 yearcycles), and why almost 100% of the population seems to know nothing about the Crash/Reboot. Unfortunately, this theory doesn't seem like something our ever-so-merciful Computer would do.

*The Mind-Wipe & Replacement Theory: This is the worst of both world's scenario. Basically, the Computer's mind-wiped most-to-all of us, and is in the process of replacing us as quickly as it can. Can you say, Not Fun? I *KNEW* you could…

*Millen-I-UMM's Bug Theory: This theory is so wacky it just might be true! See before the Restart there was this nostalgic Computer Phreak by the name of Millen-I-UMM, hence the Millen-I-UMM Bug. Anyway, he remembered all the chaos and destruction caused by that Y2k bug way back in Old Reckoning times and decided to do the same thing to the Computer. Thus, the Computer's forgotten everything and nobody has the gusto to correct it. Which pretty much as usual for normal Alpha Complex life.

*The Not Likely Time Travel Theory: R&D sent us back in time, to prevent the Crash or something. This would explain why some of the EXACT same missions that you remember from yearcycle's past are being repeated, but it still doesnt' explain the presence of the defunct Alpha Base…

Alpha Base?

Yup, Alpha Base. It's still around, well sorta. For the most part Alpha Base can be considered part of Alpha Complex, but with a difference. What's different is that the Computer isn't running the show. How did this happen? Well once Alpha Base learned about how the Computer was making all those copies of itself, AB came up with an ingenious plan. What plan? Well install a submissive copy (well at least to the clones that were in Alpha Base at the time, anybody who came later was fair game) of the original into the system, and try to pass it off as a officalÔ Computer to all those other Computers. It even worked too!

So what's the exact difference? Well in the Alpha Base sectors you'll find an unusual amount of high clearance clones in charge. Those are all the 1st gen people (those people who were around when Alpha Base was Alpha Base, and not Alpha Base/Complex), everyone else tends to be a 2nd gen (vat-grown clones that were born after the Reboot), or a very disgruntled 1st gen who wasn't given any perks. You'll also find the rare occurrence of a Bot with security clearance. Plus, secret society membership in these sectors amost 1st gen, is relatively accepted. Also in these sectors it isn't called Treason, but rather its call Sedition (old habits die hard, don't they?). Of course the 1st gen population loses a member every day, and the pseudo computer is reprogrammed more and more, so given a few yearcycles these sectors will look exactly like the rest of Alpha.

Alpha City we hardly knew ye.

So what about Alpha City? Well Alpha City is now a HUGE smoking crater/parking lot that's open 25 hourcycles a day (Why? Because the Computer said so, that's why!) You really didn't think a place that promoted peace, love, and cooperation would last, did you?

Alpha State University?

Alpha State is currently missing, and could be on the move.

What about the rest of it?

Of course all of this only cover's about 80% of all Alpha Complex. The rest is damaged or still in hands of the non-converted Alpha Bases and/or other groups.

What about all those important people?

Well you have to remember that there really are no important people in Alpha Complex. There's just those that can be killed at the drop a hat, and those who you kill whenever you feel like it.

Elizabeth-R (or Elizabeth-B-QNN): Frankly there isn't much to tell. Basically, just before Alpha Base's Pro-Tech/Clone Arrangers flunkies were about to Memomax her brain's contents into a brand new body her mind went missing. Actually the clone responsible for "losing" her mind was quoted in saying, "Well she's feeling a bit flushed at the moment, and wonders if we could do this later." Thus, in a swift fwooshing of a Comfort Station (or Bathroom) waste disposal unit (toilet), Alpha Complex lost its last and alone chance for sanity, but hey, at least we High Programers got that new line of mindless Elizabeth-R Playclones!!!

*Adventure Idea: Using Death, Lies, and Vidtape as a guide (you *DO* have this adventure, don't you citizen?), have the Troubleshooters battle wits w/ Elizabeth's mutated disembodied brain (remember its been floating in the sewers for yearcycles, who knows what sort of chemicals it could have soaked up?).

Clem Unger (or Clem-U-NGR): Well I'd like to think that the twit managed to get himself flattened in one of the half-a-dozen riots that happened after the Computer's 'Crash', but unfortunately that's just wishful thinking on my part. Actually I've heard that he turned FAN sector into a big spaceship, so he could go Beyond the Rim, and Contact the First Ones. Considering the state of affairs that he left Alpha in the last time he meddled in Alpha affairs, I for one am not too keen on his return.

*Adventure Idea: Using all sorts of space-related sources (Star-Trek, Babylon-5, Spaceballs, and/or Alien(s or 3)) you can devise a grand adventure that places the duty of keeping order on Clem's ship (The Mad Hatter) on it's voyage to seeking the last remnants of humanity (I.E. those people who were intelligent enough to skip town when the asteroid came). Plus, if you recall FAN sector had a working copy of the Computer during the Crash (which is why Clem decided to use this sector BTW), well a working copy that though it was Captain Kirk (which is why Clem is spending most of the trip trying to reprogram the darn thing), so it is bound to have a Classic regression every now and then. Note: Remember Clem is more or less 'sane' and he'll try to keep the regular Alpha Complex way of life to a minimum (via the Troubleshooters and his other underlings), heck he'll even suggest that people ignore what the Computer is saying (since he's just using it to run the ship), but of course old habits die hard (clones even harder) and there's more than a few dissidents that were in FAN sector, when it launched, that weren't invited (FCCP members maybe?), so that'll give you another angle to make the Troubleshooter's lives (all 1-6) a living HEL sector.

*Another Adventure Idea: Well this is sort of a continuation of the last adventure idea. After Clem has gotten together with the humans of Pre-Whoops, they're bound to head to Earth and fix the mess of Crash era Alpha (since Clem probably left during the Crash era), but by the time Clem & pals return to Earth they are greeted by the kindly recently Restarted Computer, and its vast array of forces. Now there are two possible routes you can take here. One: The players play Troubleshooters working for the Computer that must go out and fight off the overwhelming forces of the First Ones. Maybe you could even have them recruit the aid of other Computer Complexes in order to fight off this alien commie menace. Two: The players are Troubleshooters that work for the Alliance (First Ones) and they must infiltrate Alpha Complex and turn off it's defenses (yeah right). This adventure is either a bloodbath, or an end to the whole Paranoia way of life, your choice (of course my vote is for the bloodbath).

Frank and Howard(dem GAMMA guys): Well unfortunately I don't know much about these two esteemed GAMM.. Er.. Higher Clearance UltraViolet Plus clones. All I do know, is that you can thank them for the fact that you didn't asphyxiate from lack of oxygen when the Computer did the fizzle pop spin. They're the ones largely responsible for keeping the Computer's subsystems on-line. Yeah, sure it did make it easier for the ol' Big C to reassert itself because of their work, but I'll take the Computer over dying any daycycle of the weekcycle. Supposedly they had a bit of help from Clem, but since that jerk caused the whole 'Crash' in the first place, I doubt they'd be able to work with him for long. My best guess is that they're currently back to work just like their Pre-Clem/Crash days in CPU sector.

*Adventure Idea: Sorry don't have one, but you seem to be an intelligent fellow. I'm sure there's *SOME* way you could use a pair of imposing GAMMA clearance clones to muck about in your players affairs.

Those that come from Beyond the Alpha Dome (or Mad Mechs Aliens): Who were these guys? Well I really don't know. All I do know is that the reason they came here is because they misinterpreted an Old Reckoning flick. In the movie (Close Encounters of the 3rd kind) a message is broadcast that signifies peace and understanding. Unfortunately, in the alien's language it translates into "would you kindly destroy us please?", but thanks to the efforts Ozzi-O-ZBN-4, the aliens were informed of their mistake. So we shouldn't be seeing their kind again.

*Unless you *REALLY* want them too. Of course the sequel would need to be named Mad Mechs: Beyond the Alpha Dome *shudder*.

Randy the Wonder Lizard:

Shortly after his failed/forced election bid for 'Absolute Dictator/Tyrant of all Alpha Complex' Randy skipped The Computer's inaugural celebration and hasn't been seen since. At least, until now... Yup, Randy has resurfaced and taken up residence at his old digs in LOT sector, Gamma-LOT, and has gotten the Knight Fighters/Knights of the Circular Object to serve as his lackeys (AGAIN!). Right now he's trying to make heads or tails out of Merlin's borrowed book (Read: Stolen), and is sending out the KF squads to locate a Transdimesional Collapstraption in order to get his sorry carcass home.

*Adventure Idea: Uhm.. Did you not read the above? I think that pretty much sums any sort of encounters one might expect from our old friend Randy. So stop bothering me and pester somebody else.

Model 425 Mark IV Warbot:

As we all know, the Mark IV line of Model 425 Warbots is considered by most to be the most successful attempt by R&D to do something right. The 425s that followed, the Mark IVa, the Mark IVa (yes, there are two of them), and the IVb, are all tributes to R&D's attempts to milk this rare success for all its worth. Of course R&D wouldn't be R&D without some failure, and for that you just need to spend a few minutecycles with a Mark IV robot to discover its fatal flaw, an arrogant personality that rivals even that of The Computer. That's why the original Mark (Markie) was given a desk job in charge of all Alpha Complex postal works, the Mark IVa (Marcia) was put in charge of junior citizen entertainment, and the Mark IVb (Marque) was shot into space, never to be heard from again. In fact, only the Mark IVa (Mark) proved to be an asset to the Armed Forces, that is until ne went all pacifist on them. Thus, in order to fix this disastrous mistake the Model 425 Mark V Warbot was to be constructed, but unfortuantly the unassembled parts were misplaced in shipment (gee, I wonder *WHO* could have done that?). In any case, the status of the Mark IVs aren't set in stone and I wouldn't be surprised if I saw the original Mark IV back in action.

*Adventure Idea: None. See, I've never been fond of Markie or any of his cousins and well... frankly I can't think of anything to do with the big lug. The only exception is the Mark IVb space warbot who could run into our adventurous Troubleshooters cruising the heavens with Clem.

Teela-O-MLY

An enigma, wrapped in mystique, dipped in chocolate, and crafted by the finest German engineers, Teela-O-MLY's motives still elude the inquisitive of inquiries. Some claim this is because she has no motives. Others claim that she's a major twitchy female dogbot, whatever that means. However, now that the Clone Arrangers (and most of her clone family) have returned to Alpha Complex, Teela has regained her fan base and has used this leverage to get herself out of twenty-three-hundred news and onto a real show. Thus the "Teela-O-MLY Hour" was born. The show itself is a conglomerate action/adventure/game show/talk show, in which guests of the show talk about themselves while fending off the commie menace while competing for big prizes. Needless to say this show is expected to do rather well in this yearcycle's ratings.

*Adventure Idea: Ahem... The show? Think of it as Jerry Springer meets the A-Team with a little talent contest/game show thrown in for good measure. Basically, contestants/guests need to talk about themselves, score well in the action/adventure sequences, and manage to stay alive (this one's optional). Have fun with this one, I know I will.

Anyone Else I haven't mentioned: If I've missed someone then they're in an adventure/supplement that I don't have or I just didn't feel like talking about them (Kouble-I-KAN-6 and other Dimension X characters pop to mind). So if you want to do an adventure with one of these illustrious characters in Restart Alpha you'll have to figure out how to deal with him/her without my help.