Still incomplete. Last Updated 25/09/07.
LEFT OUT IN THE COLD
1. The dull thud as the inter orbital craft latches on to the Gugurin jolts you from your thoughts. Yawning you release your safety harness and tiredly make your way to the airlock. Once the cycle completes you finally enter the station proper. There is already someone in the suiting room, a tall well built man in his thirties wearing the white fatigues of the Russian space project. "Greetings I am Major Valerik Nikitin, welcome to the Gugurin. Once the security screening is completed you will come with me. General Klimov the station commander wishes to see you straight away."
Once finished the Major leads you swiftly through the station. The normal bewilderment of being shown through a new place settles on you. Several minutes later you are shown into the station commanders room.
As the Major formally introduces you, you notice that the General is a stout male in his late 40's. He is sat by his computer console and makes no effort to get up. He looks at you scowling. "So you are the police officer that I am forced to house. I want you to know from the beginning that you are neither wanted or needed here. You are to keep out of the secure areas, do what you're told and not pester the crew. If you understand this you can go." He indicates for the Major to show you out.
Will you
Leave Go to 115
Stay and remain silent Go to 73
See if you can ask some questions Go to 46
2. Having decided not to bend to the pressure you hang about the places you are allowed to trying to get a feel for the place and it's inhabitants. The dining experience was fairly dire and everybody all but ignored you in what was an obviously organised event. At the end of the day you velcro yourself into your sleeping bay and quickly fall asleep.
MAKE A PERCEPTION ROLL:
12 OR MORE Go to 95
11 OR LESS Go to 74
3. There are no ongoing investigations on the system. Out of interest you check to see the normal pattern of police work on the Gugurin. Once the normal beauracratic records are removed from the search it shows that in the year Dimitri was an ISPF officer he dealt with no crimes or any other violation. From having spoken to David and some of the other Star Cops in the past either the Gugurin is an unexpected oasis of virtue, or there's something strange been happening. Check Clue F (-10)
What do you wish to do?
Check the contents of the ISPF safe Go to 12
Contact Theroux Go to 25
6. Do you have CASH marked on your character sheet? If you do Go to 58
Otherwise MAKE A COMPUTER ROLL
18 or more Go to 24
12 to 17 Go to 15
6 to 11 Go to 42
5 or less Go to 31
8. The communication and traffic control hardware is located in the far part of the module which contains the ISPF office. As you enter a man is facing a console speaking in Russian, you just notice that it is the commander on the screen when the conversation ends. The man spins round in mid air finishing his manoveur with his head at the same level as yours but his feet extending above you. You find it disconcerting when, in line with polite manners, you try to match his orientation he spins at the same rate to maintain the situation. Despite this difficulty you recognise him as the man who was sat opposite the woman at breakfast. The name badge shows his surname to be Popov. He waits until you speak. "I am looking for Vladmir Ilin. I've been told by Yasha Petrov that you have been unable to contact him." You pause expectantly but the man doesn't fill the silence. "Do you know where Vlad is?" "On the station somewhere. Why don't you look for him?"
If you already have Go to 90
If you haven't Go to 118
10. The recreation room only has 3 occupants when you arrive. As you enter the room they get up and leave. You look around the environs of the place dedicated to keeping you amused till relief arrives. A very limited selection of food is visible in the small galley, a drinks dispenser, a short row of tables and benches and a table mounted games console. Well, at least you can't die of excitement here! Once your food has heated you sit down at the entertainment console. Disappointingly the console is an outmoded model with no English facility. You decide to leave it's electronic delights until you are well and truly bored. A visit to the beverage machine is interrupted by a crew member entering the room. He looks towards you, turns round and departs. You leave shortly afterwards with a bad taste in your mouth.
Go to 135
11. You notice that Kiselev appears nervous, his face is white and he is sweating. Go to 71
12. Using your ISPF badge the safe opens smoothly. Strangely it only contains a data storage disc. When you try to display the data on the computer it becomes apparent that it has been heavily encrypted. Add DISC to your NOTES. To find out what the disc contains is likely to be a lengthy process and you decide to start a decryption program on the problem. If you have a LAPTOP computer you can use that or the station MAINFRAME which will be quicker. Write your choice down next to to the disc. Once copied you return the disc to the safe.
What do you wish to do? If you have not done so already you may
Examine your predecessors computer files Go to 110
Contact Theroux Go to 25
13. "What was going on last night?". "Huh?". "The man you helped?". Stanislov peers closely at your face "Aaah, dah". "Well what was wrong with him?". Stanislov shrugs and says "Upset?". "Oh, I'll go see how he is. What's his name?". Stanislov just stares at you mutely for a long pause, shrugs his shoulders and pushes off leaving you going nowhere fast. Go back to 60
15. There is no trace of Vladimir Ilin on the earth based police systems that you manage to access. There’s also no record of him on the ISPF database which means he's not been in official trouble, no surprises there then.
But on the Gugurin computers with a few deft touches you manage to get to Vladamir's personal file. As you sort through the reams of admin stuff you pick out that he's 31, single with no dependants, a flight engineer, pilot qualified and has been in space for nearly five years barring the minimum number of visits to Earth possible. He's got just under 3 months left before the end of his tour.
According to his latest activity logs Vladimir Ilin and Yasha Petrov had been on a freighter, the Red Star, returning serviced spacesuits and collecting used ones to the moon and then the CdG. They returned to the Gugurin yesterday.
If you have DISC LAPTOP written on your character sheet Go to 131
If you have DISC MAINFRAME written on your character sheet Go to 143
Otherwise Return to 26
17. "You will will you. I think I need to remind you that this station is the property of Russia. You have no powers to wander where you wish except with good reason and even better grounds. There is nothing amiss on my station. As we honour our treaty commitments you can use the recreation area, your bed and your office. I don't want to see you sneaking about anywhere else. Perhaps someone as ignorant as you is unsuited for your current career. Now go, I am a busy man". You have offended your host - 2 Russian status points. Go to 115
18. You saw on the tour that the doors of the secure modules were controlled by a normal security card system. You decide to try to enter one of the research modules. There is a small wall mounted box beside the door. The instructions read "For emergency use". Behind the plastic you can see a security card.
MAKE A LAW ROLL
7 OR MORE Go to 107
If 6 OR LESS Do you wish to
Use your ISPF card Go to 146
Use the emergency card Go to 93
See if you can bypass the lock Go to 72
19. Having finished the search without finding anything you feel like you've wasted the last 2 hours. The other feeling in your mind is one of niggling doubt. Did I miss anything? You suspect that however much experience you get you'll always think that after a search.
Go to 69
20. You remove the panel and examine the uncovered electronics.
MAKE A ENGINEERING ROLL:
10 OR MORE Go to 124
9 OR LESS Go to 119
22. FLEE, you know you must go before your seen. You push off with a mighty shove propelling yourself to the corridor hatch. With hands made clumsy with haste you paw at the door.
MAKE A DEXTERITY ROLL
10 OR MORE Go to 55
9 OR LESS Go to 119
23. As you practice with the controls you find out that your competitor is called Vladmir Ilin and his friend Yasha Petrov, the pair of them are the flight crew on the supply freighter Maxim Gorki and have just completed delivering equipment to moonbase and the other space stations. They inform you that there is a bit of a flap due to the suit failures. Which will probably mean more procedures and forms for them. The game intensifies and the conversation dies down. With a skilful touch you swing your screaming star fighter round and lock on to your opponent. Within seconds the game is over. Vlad leans across the console and shakes your hand.
As you enjoy the first sociable contact you've had on the Gugurin an attractive woman in her mid 30's enters the module. Yasha calls out for her to join your group. "You've probably met Svetlana whilst we've been away. She's the best looking backpack technician on the station." She smiles at Yasha, glances at you in an uncertain way and seems embarrassed when she directs the comment "I'll better leave the three of you to talk" towards Yasha. She quickly selects a drink pack and leaves.
Yasha says "That's strange she's normally very friendly." Vlad replies "I've always thought you would like her to be more than friendly with you". It's now copilots turn to be embarrassed.
The subsequent laughter draws the attention of the male sat with the woman at the other table. He turns round, glares at the three of you and then makes a loud exclamation in Russian before facing to his front again. Vlad snorts "Why should we be quiet? Just because golden boy Anatolii says to? We are meant to unwind here." Petrov says "Perhaps he's wound up as I hear he's no longer unwinding with Polina." Vlad replies "Bah, that was just a rumour. Although they do not look as if they are getting on." Copilot says "It's strange, only a couple of weeks ago they were flirting with each other all the time." You look towards Anatolii and Polina; the stony faces, how they look past each other combined with the long silence lead you to think Vlad is right. Check Clue E -40.
Yasha says "Talking of time, according to my rota I am halfway through my sleep period and I still need to pack for my return to Earth. I've got 4 hours till departure. It's been a long tour and I'm not going to miss that shuttle." Vlad replies "I suppose I'll have to get up in my rest period and see you off". It looks like both of them are upset by the thought of parting. Yasha slaps Vlad on back and wearily pushes off. Vlad explains to you that on the way back from the last leg of the journey, moonbase, the Maxim Gorki was having intermitent problems with the secondary enviromental control unit and he has to go check it. He moves off with a challenge to a rematch the next time he sees you.
With the major having left you may, if you haven't already done so;
Speak to the man and woman Go to 53
Go to your office Go to 60
24. To stop anyone being able to monitor your enquiries on the station computer you make an encrypted data link from your laptop to the computer on the Charles de Gaulle. Eventually you manage to hack a view only access in the banking system. Whilst the automatic procedures process your requests you slump back in chair and try to avoid thinking of the consequences of discovery. The screen lights up with the results. Ilin has a decent amount in the bank but looking through the history it does match his wages. Nothing odd.
There is no trace of Vladimir Ilin on the earth based police systems that you manage to access. There’s also no record of him on the ISPF database which means he's not been in official trouble, no surprises there then.
But on the Gugurin computers with a few deft touches you manage to get to Vladamir's personal file. As you sort through the reams of admin stuff you pick out that he's 31, single with no dependants, a flight engineer, pilot qualified and has been in space for nearly five years barring the minimum number of visits to Earth possible. He's got just under 3 months left before the end of his tour.
According to his latest activity logs Vladimir Ilin and Yasha Petrov had been on a freighter, the Red Star, returning serviced spacesuits and collecting used ones to the moon and then the CdG. They returned to the Gugurin yesterday.
If you have DISC LAPTOP written on your character sheet Go to 131
If you have DISC MAINFRAME written on your character sheet Go to 143
Otherwise Return to 26
25. Using the console you contact Theroux and let him know you've arrived. If you have received a letter of warning Go to 103 directly. When you tell him of your reception he grins and all but says I told you so. What do you wish to say
Is this sort of behaviour from the Russians normal? Go to 97
What do you know about Dimitri (the old star cop)? Go to 50
26. You still need to find Ilin, but it's turning out to be less simple than you initially expected. What do you want to do next? Each option may only be chosen once.
Search the station thoroughly Go to 36
Conduct computer searches for more information Go to 6
Recontact co pilot to see if he can help Go to 54
If you have not found Ilin and you have no other enquries left you have failed. For you it is THE END.
Well done on getting this far. You are now getting to the crux of the matter as you investigate the dissappearance of Vladmir Ilin. Needless to say he hasn't fallen asleep!
Any suggestions? Please let me know.
As usual the next update will be a long time coming :-(
27. "What, er, Vodka. No, no, er that is banned. You know that. People be in trouble. You know that? Ah, you are joking? Good, ha, very good. Er, you find it boring here. We have been told that we do not talk to you".
Not quite the reaction you anticipated with your sally. Check Clue B (+30).
Go to 129
29. A quick inspection reveals that the module is devoted to advanced scientific equipment the purpose of which you are unsure about. You begin to study what appears to be a scanner relating to gene research when you find yourself grabbed from behind by several pairs of hands.
General Klimov enters the module. He looks at you in disgust. "So he was right you are a spy. You will have to return to your masters empty handed with your identity known. They will not be happy with you". Everybody ignores your protests of innocence. Within a short space of time you find yourself bundled into a shuttle and subsequently returned to Earth. The complaint from the Russian government is already being acted on by the time you land. After due process you are required to resign from the ISPF.
THE END
30. "Who was that drunk you were with last night". Stanislov seems taken aback by your directness. After a pause he replies "He upset, not drunk". "You're going to risk your job to cover for him? What do you know about the alcohol?" Stan's face blanched whilst you were talking, but now stands mutely and then shrugs his shoulders at you. "Who was he?", you ask. Stan takes a second, composes himself and looks you in the eye before saying "Don't know, not look". He wont add anything further. With no evidence and no admission all you have are your suspicions but you decide to pressure him and see what happens."You know who the man is and that having alcohol is an offence but you still deliberately obstruct me in my duties. I could send you Earthside for this." Stan turns to go. Stan faces you "On this station? Try it!" without a trace of an accent and then departs. You ponder the implications of that before moving on.
Go back to 60
31. You seem to be having problems logging on to the databases you want to access perhaps that might have been the wrong password or maybe something is wrong with the service.
If you have DISC LAPTOP written on your character sheet Go to 131
If you have DISC MAINFRAME written on your character sheet Go to 143
Otherwise Return to 26
32. Despite all your efforts you have to gulp before you answer. "No, I've no idea". You look down at you cup. You stick with this whilst the Major continues to probe you. The General enters the module. Major Nikitin joins him. Whilst they speak in Russian they look over at you both of them still appear suspicious. -1 Russian status point. Go to 135
34. You notice that the general's body language is one of dominance. As he stares at you, breathing deeply, you believe that he feels you are challenging him by questioning him. It is possible he's unsure how to deal with you because you are outside his chain of command. Choose your question carefully. Go to 46
38. The men continue playing on the games console whilst you start eating your breakfast. The taller male introduces himself as Vladmir Ilin and his friend Yasha Petrov. You find out that the pair of them are the flight crew on the supply freighter Maxim Gorki and have just completed delivering equipment to moonbase and the other space stations. As you enjoy the first sociable contact you've had on the Gugurin an attractive woman in her mid 30's enters the module. Yasha calls out for her to join your group. "You've probably met Svetlana whilst we've been away. She's the best looking backpack technician on the station." She smiles at Yasha, glances at you in an uncertain way and seems embarrassed when she directs the comment "I'll better leave the three of you to talk" towards Yasha. She quickly selects a drink pack and leaves.
Yasha says "That's strange she's normally very friendly." Vlad replies "I've always thought you would like her to be more than friendly with you". It's now copilots turn to be embarrassed. The subsequent laughter draws the attention of the male sat with the woman at the other table. He turns round, glares at the three of you and then makes a loud exclamation in Russian before facing to his front again. Yasha says "Talking of time, according to my rota I am halfway through my sleep period and I still need to pack for my return to Earth. I've got 4 hours till departure. It's been a long tour and I'm not going to miss that shuttle."
Vlad replies "I suppose I'll have to get up in my rest period and see you off". It looks like both of them are upset by the thought of parting. Yasha slaps Vlad on back and wearily pushes off. Vlad then leaves explaining that he has work to do.
You can
Speak to the man and woman Go to 53
Go to your office Go to 60
39. The gym consists of the usual resistance type machines although there isn't that many of them. With all of them being used and several waiting in a queue it would have been understandable to think that you might be delayed when you have to do your exercise period but judging from the way everyone slid away it probably won't be a problem. There is nothing of interest in this area. Go to 135
40. "Well I didn't have much to do with him. The ISPF aren't exactly a cohesive organisation, you know, no bugle calls. We all train and work seperately. He worked on the Gugurin before being selected as a star cop abut a year ago. We didn't really hear anything from him, he kept himself to himself. Most of the rest of us try to keep in touch to some extent."
"What about his accident" you ask. Apparently he was working outside when a robotic arm malfunctioned and struck his leg breaking it. He was lucky the suit didn't split. I understand the general had the system checked and it was a software glitch. Mark Clue C (+25).
You query the lack of any cases or actions listed on the system. "Hhhmmm, that is strange. How can I say this. His loyalties were always more Russian than ISPF if you know what I mean". You tell Theroux how the Russians have acted. Go to 97
41. You call the Charles De Gaulle and manage to track Theroux down. He is already scowling before you've even started to speak. “I'm having a bad day with our guests so this had better be good. You describe the call you received. “Right you've done the basic enquiries I presume.” You explain you've had a look around the station before calling. (-1 Star Cop Point) “Jeepers, well I haven’t seen him if that’s what you’re asking but maybe you should be asking questions over there.”
“Hopefully it won't be anything but if you don't find him you need to do a thorough investigation. You need to check who saw him last, who were his friends, did anyone have a grudge? What you do there, good or bad, will end up getting picked over by the hindsight brigade. And trust me you only hear from them about the stuff that went badly. You're on your own there, the lone sheriff, so saddle up.”
Do you want to
Search for Vladmir Ilin Go to 186
Ask at the Comms centre Go to 8
Speak to the commander Go to 151
42. Well there is no record of him on the ISPF database which means he's not been in official trouble, no surprises there then.
You access the public activity logs on the Gugurin computer. According to which Vladimir Ilin and Yasha Petrov had been on a freighter, the Red Star, returning serviced spacesuits and collecting used ones to the moon and then the CdG. They returned to the Gugurin yesterday.
If you have DISC LAPTOP written on your character sheet Go to 131
If you have DISC MAINFRAME written on your character sheet Go to 143
Otherwise Return to 26
43. FLEE, you know you must go before you're seen. You push off with a mighty shove propelling yourself to the corridor hatch. With hands made clumsy with haste you paw at the door. Despite the delay you make it out of the corridor before anyone sees you. To divert suspicion away from yourself you settle down in the recreation room. Slowly the thudding in your ears slows as your heart rate returns to normal.
Shortly afterwards you are joined by Major Nikitin. It becomes apparent from your conversation that it is a bad idea to use your star cop ID and then straight away use the emergency card if you don't want to be caught.
THE END
10 OR MORE Go to 34
9 OR LESS or if you don't want to, continue.
The general slowly says "You may ask the question". What will you say?
As you know the star cops are part time. I'm qualified in my original career. Can I be of any use? Go to 87
I understand the difficulty of having a foreign national aboard, but the star cops are neutral and I have a job to do here. I hope you'll agree that we can work together? Go to 130
I'm going to check for contraband and do some personnel checks on the crew. Where do you think I should start? Go to 17
47. "What was wrong with that man you were helping last night." After a second he replies "I think upset". "I think it was more than that. Do you think he had been drinking?". With a sly smile Stanislov says "Can only smuggle small, too small to be drunk". Suprised by the openess of the reply your timing is off when you ask "Who was he?". Stan shrugs and pushes off.
Go back to 60
48. "Now, I think that you will need to be shown ..." A man calls to Major Nikitin who turns to face an approaching crew member. They then begin to converse rapidly in Russian. Towards the end you think you hear your name mentioned. The Russian crew member looks towards you grimacing, which seems to confirm it. The Major turns back to you and finds you in the middle of a large yawn. "Ah, yes, I believe you are meant to be on your sleep period. I have to go to the control centre. This is Kiselev, a maintenance engineer, he will show you to your cot. I have instructed him to show you around when you wake up". Major Nikitin pushes off, presumably in the direction of the control centre, leaving you to introduce yourself.
MAKE A PERCEPTION ROLL:
9 OR MORE Go to 11
8 OR LESS Go to 71
49. You return to your sleeping bay. Nothing appears to have been touched in your area but you notice that the photographs in the compartment opposite have gone and the sleeping frame is now empty. Go to 135
50F. "Well I didn't have much to do with him. The ISPF aren't exactly a cohesive organisation, you know, no bugle calls. We all train and work separately. He worked on the Gugurin before being selected as a star cop about a year ago. We didn't really hear anything from him, he kept himself to himself. Most of the rest of us try to keep in touch to some extent."
"What about his accident" you ask. Apparently he was working outside when a robotic arm malfunctioned and struck his leg breaking it. He was lucky the suit didn't split. I understand the general had the system checked and it was a software glitch. Mark Clue C (+25). You tell Theroux about how you've been treated. Go to 97
51. You call the Charles De Gaulle and manage to track Theroux down. He is already scowling before you've even started to speak.”I'm having a bad day with our guests so this had better be good.” You describe the call you received. “Right you've done the basic enquiries I presume.” You explain what you’ve done so far. “Well you seem to be doing OK.”
“Hopefully it won't be anything but if you don't find him you need to do a thorough investigation. You need to check who saw him last, who were his friends, did anyone have a grudge? What you do there, good or bad, will end up getting picked over by the hindsight brigade. And trust me you only hear from them about the stuff that went badly. You're on your own there, the lone sheriff, now you need to act like it.”
Go to 26
53. "Hi, do you mind if I sit with you?". The man looks towards you blankly whilst the female looks away. As this is not an unusual response since your arrival you are undaunted and take a perverse pleasure in sitting with him. Your conversational gambits are ignored by both.
On the males overall is the name patch Popov and the females Sorokin. Popov's stony silence is only interrupted when it appears Sorokin may have been about to speak to you.
Growing bored you decide to finish your meal and to go to your office. Go to 60
55. Despite the delay you make it out of the corridor before anyone sees you. To divert suspicion away from yourself you settle down in the recreation room. Slowly the thudding in your ears slows as your heart rate returns to normal.
Shortly afterwards you are joined by Major Nikitin. He leans across the table and stares into your eyes. "Someone has just used the emergency card to gain access to module 6. Was it you?".
MAKE A CHARM ROLL
12 OR MORE Go to 88
11 OR LESS Go to 32
56. As best you can in zero gravity you lay down with your head and shoulders thrust through the panel hatch. You reach up and start to apply pressure with both your thumbs. With a gentle depression of the catches, the box releases it's grip on the console. As you slowly lower it towards your face, a stream of it's possible contents rush though your mind. The closer it gets to you the more dangerous those possibilities become.
As soon as you can you look inside. It seems to be a wad of Eurodollars. Once you extricate yourself from the hatch you begin to count the bank notes. You find it amounts to 5000 Eurodollars; a tidy sum!
But why is that amount of money concealed in the ISPF office on a Russian space station? If it was connected to something official it should have been in the safe.
Add CASH to your NOTES. You place the cash in the ISPF safe. To cover your own back you call the ESL to notify them rather than trying to contact Dimitri Grigorev direct. Oddly the administration staff who feel they are so indispensable obviously don't believe they need to provide 24 hour cover. You end up leaving a message requesting enquiries be conducted with your predecessor.
If you have not already checked the safe Go to 12
Otherwise Go to 2
58. MAKE A COMPUTER ROLL
18 or more Go to 78
12 to 17 Go to 66
6 to 11 Go to 92
5 or less Go to 31
60A.You enter the Star Cops office and take a seat. Hhhmmm, no messages or requests for you. It looks like the dry spell is set to continue. With little else to do your correspondence is soon up to date and you read the sparse ISPF training files. The closest you come to crime is reading detective fiction.
When you first checked the safe you found an encrypted computer disc. Lacking much else to do you take up the challenge and set up a decryption program. You check on the programs progress. You sit bored, with little better to do then watch the progress meter slowly tick up, when you see that you have a transmission from Earth. As it expands across the screen your mind goes blank. "Er.....ISPF".
You're surprised to see Petrov, the man you saw that morning in the canteen, looking concerned. "Hello, this is Yasha Petrov, I am calling you because I am worried about Vlad. Vladmir Ilin my crew member on the Maxim Gorki. I left for Earth and he did not come and see me off." You reply "Well he might have been busy." "No" says Petrov "we have worked together for a year, we are friends. And when I called the station, the comms staff could not find him. I don't know, it was a bit strange. Each time I've contacted the station since, they have given excuses. I cannot think of what to do so I called you."
"It does sound odd. Has Vlad been acting strangely?" Yasha replies "No." "When did you see him last?" "In the canteen, when you were there." "Could he have gone down on the shuttle as well?" "No, I would have seen him and anyway he has over a year left on his contract." You ponder for a moment but can't think of anything else to ask. "I'll go have a look for him and let you know." "OK, I will wait to hear from you." The communication screen closes.
You quickly enter a query into the computer. Vlad is shown to be on the station having his monthly 2 day rest period. So he's most likely to be found in his sleeping area or the rec room. A few key presses later and you know where his sleeping bay is located.
What do you wish to do?
Go look for him Go to 186
Go and speak to the comms centre staff Go to 8
Call Theroux for advice Go to 197
62. A cold shiver runs down your spine as you contemplate what you have done. Major Nikitin flings himself along the corridor with great skill. He vehemently shouts in Russian at you. You would hazard a guess that he is actually swearing at you. By the time he is joined by other members of the crew he has himself under control. He snatches the security card from your hand. "Why have you done this ?". Any answer you give is ignored as General Klimov arrives. "So he was right you are a spy". The general and the major speak to each other for a short time.
The major brushes by you to enters the module. Whilst the major is in the module the general spends his time usefully; apparently practising his glares on you. He seems very accomplished to you as you feel twinges coming from your guts. The major returns and he has another short talk. Whilst they are conversing about your future you once again wish you could speak Russian.
The general says "The Major has checked the records and you did not enter the module. Why did you open the module door?"
MAKE A CHARM ROLL
15 OR MORE Go to 82
10 TO 14 Go to 117
9 OR LESS Go to 104
64. There seems to be more people than usual moving around and they appear to be searching for something. Unfortunately you can't see Vlad amongst them.
If you have not done so before you may
Call Theroux Go to 41
Go to the comms room Go to 8
Speak to the commander Go to 77
66. There is no trace of Vladimir Ilin on the earth based police systems that you manage to access. There’s also no record of him on the ISPF database which means he's not been in official trouble, no surprises there then.
But on the Gugurin computers with a few deft touches you manage to get to Vladamir's personal file. As you sort through the reams of admin stuff you pick out that he's 31, single with no dependants, a flight engineer, pilot qualified and has been in space for nearly five years barring the minimum number of visits to Earth possible. He's got just under 3 months left before the end of his tour.
According to his latest activity logs Vladimir Ilin and Yasha Petrov had been on a freighter, the Red Star, returning serviced spacesuits and collecting used ones to the moon and then the CdG. They returned to the Gugurin yesterday.
Before you log out you view a message from ESL adminstrators. A female staffer succintly acknowledges receipt of your message. After their initial contact with Grigorev when he ended the communication they have been unable to recontact him.They have liaised with the Russian government deny any wrongdoing and state he is unavailable for further questioning. ESl have terminated his ISPF status and canceled his permits allowing him to return to the high frontier. Oddly by the end of the message you managed to get the impression they didn’t appreciate the amount of political waves caused and if they could find a reasonable appearance for it they would have you removed from the Gugurin.
If you have DISC LAPTOP written on your character sheet Go to 131
If you have DISC MAINFRAME written on your character sheet Go to 143
Otherwise Return to 26
67. "OK. It's not as if my breakfast will spoil," You all smile wryly. The smaller male moves across and you take over his controls. The game starts.
MAKE A COMPUTER OR PILOT ROLL
15 OR MORE Go to 23
14 OR LESS, you lost and stop playing Go to 38
69. If you haven't done so already, you may
Look for listening devices Go to 79
Check the contents of the ISPF safe Go to 12
Once finished Go to 2
71. With the Major gone Kiselev introduces himself as Stanislov Kiselev or "Stan". Once the pleasantries are completed Stan indicates that you are to follow him.
Try a joke to break the ice. "I suppose if I want to
fit in I'll have to start drinking vodka?" Go to 27
Do you wish to just follow Stan Go to 129
Ask "What happened to Dimitri 'the old star cop'?" Go to 140
72. Have you got TOOLS listed in your POSSESSIONS?
If you have Go to 20
If you haven't you are unable to reach the lock mechanism.
Do you wish to
Use your ISPF card Go to 146
Use the emergency card Go to 93
Otherwise leave Go to 135
73. As the seconds of silence mount up you start to wonder whether this was a good tactic when General Klimov barks "Well ?" "Sorry" you reply "I don't understand, how do you expect me to do my job with those sort of restrictions?" The first smile you've seen on his face slowly forms. "I don't". Go to 115
74. As you relax in your sleeping bay you muse over the time since arriving at the Gugurin; you've become familiar with the station and some of it's routines, you've learnt to recognise the names and faces of some of the crew. But, as far as personalities go you don't know much more than when you started. Despite English being almost everyone's second language no one speaks to you unnecessarily. You have no primary function to fulfil and have only your ISPF duties to do. In fact you are probably the first full time star cop. The thought would probably bring greater satisfaction if you actually had much to do. The Russians seem to be going to great lengths to avoid you needing to do anything.
You finally meander down to the recreation room for breakfast. The pace of life in Space is often hectic, with the cost of manpower on the high frontier leading to long work rotas but having no other duties at least allows you to take your time. Despite this little of it is wasted in deciding which flavour meal pack you'll have. You've always found that a lack of choice leads to speedy decisions. When you look around the small recreation room you see two men who you don't recognise sat playing with the games table. They appear to be having fun as they laugh together.
Sat on his own at the table at the end of the module is Major Nikitin. From the look on his face his breakfast isn't agreeing with him.
The only other occupants are a man and woman, who look vaguely familiar, they are sat opposite each other at another table. Both are silently staring past the other.
What do you wish to do
Eat your breakfast on your own Go to 116
Sit by the gaming console Go to 106
Sit with the Major Go to 126
Sit at the table with the man and woman Go to 141
77. You are allowed into the commandant’s office when you arrive and explain to General Klimov
about the call you received fromYasha Petrov. Klimov waits until you have finished and calmly says "I have been informed by Popov that we are unable to contact Vladmir Ilin. He has not been seen since he was in the canteen. I understand you were also present. Now I don't wish to make this seem a bigger event than it actually is but I have had all the modules checked and Ilin hasn't been seen. According to the computer he hasn't entered any of the secure modules. The staff in those modules have searched them as well. He's probably fallen asleep somewhere but as we have you here perhaps you can justify having a star cop onboard.” He then waves you out of his office.
If you haven’t already contacted Theroux about this incident Go to 51
Otherwise Go to 26
78. To stop anyone being able to monitor your enquiries on the station computer you make an encrypted data link from your laptop to the computer on the Charles de Gaulle. Eventually you manage to hack a view only access in the banking system. Whilst the automatic procedures process your requests you slump back in chair and try to avoid thinking of the consequences of discovery.
The 5000 Eurodollars you found in the ISPF office has been in the back of your mind for awhile. The thought it was aimed at you doesn’t feel right, everyone on station knows you aren’t able to effect the station politics and the commander could say he had found whatever he wanted and his crew would all have witnessed it. If it was a plot to discredit your predecessor, Dimitri Grigorev, the money would have been removed before you arrived. So, you’ll assume it was Grigorev’s but he wouldn’t have wanted it hanging around any longer than it had to…
The screen lights up with the results. Ilin has a decent amount in the bank but looking through the history it does match his wages. Nothing odd. Whilst you have the access you quickly run a search program through the accounts of the personnel on the base looking for a large cash withdrawal in the period before Dimitri’s last Earth leave and his accident. You find to your suprise
....
There is no trace of Vladimir Ilin on the earth based police systems that you manage to access. There’s also no record of him on the ISPF database which means he's not been in official trouble, no surprises there then.
But on the Gugurin computers with a few deft touches you manage to get to Vladamir's personal file. As you sort through the reams of admin stuff you pick out that he's 31, single with no dependants, a flight engineer, pilot qualified and has been in space for nearly five years barring the minimum number of visits to Earth possible. He's got just under 3 months left before the end of his tour.
According to his latest activity logs Vladimir Ilin and Yasha Petrov had been on a freighter, the Red Star, returning serviced spacesuits and collecting used ones to the moon and then the CdG. They returned to the Gugurin yesterday.
Before you log out you view a message from ESL adminstrators. A female staffer succintly acknowledges receipt of your message. After their initial contact with Grigorev when he ended the communication they have been unable to recontact him.They have liaised with the Russian government deny any wrongdoing and state he is unavailable for further questioning. ESL have terminated his ISPF status and canceled his permits allowing him to return to the high frontier. Oddly by the end of the message you managed to get the impression they didn’t appreciate the amount of political waves caused and if they could find a reasonable appearance for it they would have you removed from the Gugurin.
If you have DISC LAPTOP written on your character sheet Go to 131
If you have DISC MAINFRAME written on your character sheet Go to 143
Otherwise Return to 26
79. You start the search of your office aware that this a probably a little bit paranoid and wonder if this is what it means to be in the police. Using your higher score
MAKE A PERCEPTION or ENGINEERING ROLL:
14 OR MORE Go to 121
13 OR LESS Go to 19
80. You are still concerned about the man Stanislov was helping last night. Whoever it was, he appeared to be drunk. With the dangers inherent in living and working on the high frontier possession of alcohol is sufficient to have the owner permanently sent back to Earth. It shouldn't have got past shuttle security but if there is a cache of alcohol onboard it's your job to find it. With the restrictions you are working under and the limited information you possess; the only practical line of enquiry is to speak with Stanislov.
After looking for him for ten minutes you catch sight of him as he emerges from the docking bay and confront him.
What kind of approach do you wish use?
Confrontational Go to 30
Questioning Go to 47
Carefully Go to 13
82. "I wished to test your crews response to a security situation. I had a, er, limited number of safe options to choose from as you can obviously understand." The General is taken aback by your assertion "You expect me to believe that?". You reply "Why else would I open the door but not enter". When he says "Why did you not ask my permission?" you know you've got away with it. You give the obvious explanation. Before leaving he settles with "You are not here to test and inspect us. Do NOT do anything like this again". The General is still unhappy but has run out of steam. -1 Russian status point. Go to 135
87. The general relaxes slightly. "Your co-operation is welcome, but I have had orders from my superiors that you are to remain separate from the crew as much as is possible". He hesitates. "I do appreciate the offer, now I must get on, I am a busy man". He then looks down at the computer console and starts typing. + 1 Russian status point. Go to 115
88. As calmly as you can you say "So that's why the alarm sounded. I couldn't understand the Russian announcement or I'd have popped down. That's very strange isn't it? Don't you have any ideas?" The Major looks frustrated and quickly leaves with your question unanswered. Go to 135
90. You explain that you already have done so. Popov seems to struggle with what to say. "Well I have tried to call him but he does not answer." You ask "Could he have left the station on the shuttle?" "No, passengers are all double checked. I checked radar log but nothing has left our orbit. You go and see the commander."
You are called straight into the commandants office when you arrive. "I have been informed by Popov that you have been making enquiries into the location of Vladmir Ilin. He has not been seen since he was in the canteen. I understand you were also present. Now I don't wish to make this seem a bigger event than it actually is but I have had all the modules checked and llin has not been seen. According to the computer he has not entered any of the secure modules. The staff in those modules have searched them as well. He's probably fallen asleep somewhere but you did the right thing by coming here. Perhaps you have an opportunity to prove the worth of the ISPF to me.” +1 Russian status point.
If you haven’t already contacted Theroux about this incident Go to 160
Otherwise Go to 26
92. Well there is no record of him on the ISPF database which means he's not been in official trouble, no surprises there then.
You access the public activity logs on the Gugurin computer. According to which Vladimir Ilin and Yasha Petrov had been on a freighter, the Red Star, returning serviced spacesuits and collecting used ones to the moon and then the CdG. They returned to the Gugurin yesterday.
Before you log out you view a message from ESL adminstrators. A female staffer succintly acknowledges receipt of your message. After their initial contact with Grigorev when he ended the communication they have been unable to recontact him.They have liaised with the Russian government deny any wrongdoing and state he is unavailable for further questioning. ESl have terminated his ISPF status and canceled his permits allowing him to return to the high frontier. Oddly by the end of the message you managed to get the impression they didn’t appreciate the amount of political waves caused and if they could find a reasonable appearance for it they would have you removed from the Gugurin.
If you have DISC LAPTOP written on your character sheet Go to 131
If you have DISC MAINFRAME written on your character sheet Go to 143
Otherwise Return to 26
93. The plastic seal parts with a snap. You gently ease up the plastic flap and remove the security card. As you expected the module door slowly opens in response to the card. What you didn't expect were the KLAXONS and the computerised message giving your location.
What do you wish to do?
Examine the module Go to 29
Wait where you are Go to 62
Run Go to 22
95. You wake to the sound of singing, what the singer lacks in talent he makes up for in volume. You pull your partition back slightly and look out, near the module entrance you see the vocalist is being towed in by Stanislov, your erstwhile guide. You can't see who the man is and his badge is facing away from you. Several other sleepers have left their cubicles to see what is going on. Someone shouts out. Stanislov turns around and exits the module pulling his charge with him. You decide to see what's going on and push off towards the exit. Somehow several other occupants end up in your way. By the time the zero g tangle has been unknotted there is no sign of them in the passageway. Frustrated you return to your cubicle and try to go back to sleep. Check Clue A + 20 Go to 74
97. "Well look at it from their point of view, they've spent billions of rubles to give their country an ability to compete in research and exploration. Then a foreigner is foisted on them who could planning to steal the fruits of their labours. After all they've been known to do it. From what you say the General will try to keep you separate from the crew and will pick up on any mistake you make."
When you ask him if he knows anything about the General he is slightly evasive. When questioned about this he explains it with the comment "Look this is going to be a long day showing groundsiders around as it is, think about it, the ISPF offices and the channels we use aren't exactly secure are they ?" before the Charles De Gaulle logo fills the screen.
His comment sets you thinking whether your hosts might be monitoring your transmissions. Then you wonder if they may have taken even more active measures. Go to 69
99. The plastic seal parts with a snap. You gently ease up the flap and remove the security card. As you expected the module door slowly opens in response to the card. What you didn't expect were the KLAXONS and the computerised message giving your location.
What do you wish to do?
Examine the module Go to 29
Wait where you are Go to 62
Run Go to 43
103. David brusquely interrupts. "I know you've arrived. In fact I'd say you arrived with a bang. The groundsiders are hopping. What possessed you to try to get into a secure module for no reason? You came within an inch of being chucked out of the star cops. You've had a busy day, I'm having a busy day. Just go and keep your head down." The Charles De Gaulle logo fills the screen. Go to 2
104. Your subsequent attempts to convince the General that you were "just passing" make him even angrier. Major Nikitin mockingly says "If you can do no better, you should learn to whistle". The General remains convinced that your presence on the space station is for a nefarious purpose. Any explanation you start to make is jeered by the major. You are ordered off the station.
THE END
106. From the badges on their uniforms they're both flight crew. The two men look up as you approach and surprisingly smile at you! They've just finished a player versus player flight game. "You wish to play?" The taller male indicates the games console.
Do you wish to play?
If yes Go to 67
If no Go to 38
107. Thinking about the unlawful nature of what you are about to do and the possible consequences if caught gives you pause for thought.
If you decide not to Go to 145
If you still wish to enter the module do you want to
Use your ISPF card Go to 146
Use the emergency card Go to 93
See if you can bypass the lock Go to 72
109. As you approach the docking bay door it opens. Kiselev glides through carrying a large tool box. He looks towards you and his face contorts. "Have you been following me?" he shouts. Without waiting for a reply he pushes off and leaves you.
You enter the docking bay and see the airlock over to one side. The walls consist of locker doors of various sizes. The lockers you can open mainly contain the crew's space suits and several jet packs.
If you have a space suit listed in your POSSESSIONS it is stored here in one of the secure lockers. Go to 135
110. MAKE A COMPUTER ROLL
8 OR MORE Go to 3
7 OR LESS Go to 125
115. The Major ushers you out. "The General is a hard man. If you disobey him he will make an official complaint to your superiors, just like that. On your first posting I suspect that would do your career much harm, yes?" Go to 48
116. Major Nikitin leaves as you sit down. Needing a distraction from your bland meal you continue to look around. A short time later both the men at the game table finish and head towards the exit. Their path leads them by you and as they pass they both smile and say hello. You see from their patches that they are both flight crew. The taller ones name is Ilin and the other Petrov. The man and woman remains silent the whole time it takes you to finish your meal. You go to your office. Go to 60
117. "I am really sorry. It was a stupid mistake. I hadn't realised what would happen." You manage to convince the General that you are an idiot. He orders you to his office like a teacher would a naughty child and you are left with little option but to obey. There he types a written report detailing your exploits and warning you to stay out of the areas your not allowed in. Once you have signed it he hands you a printed copy whilst transmitting another to Earth. -3 Russian status points & -2 Star cop status points. Go to 135
118. Feeling slightly embarrassed you leave the module and start checking the station. Having checked his sleeping area you quickly look into all the modules you have access to but don't see him. On your return the communications module Popov pre-empts you. "Ilin is not answering when he is called. I have spoken to the commander and he wishes to see you. Now."
You believe you see a slight sneer on his face before he turns back to the communications console.
Go to 77
119. The crew coming to investigate the fault message caused by your tampering find you still trying to open the door. A cold shiver runs down your spine as you contemplate what you have done. Major Nikitin is with them. He vehemently shouts in Russian at you. You would hazard a guess that he is actually swearing at you. By the time he is joined by the General he has himself under control. The General's opening comment "So he was right you are a spy" rightly boded ill for you. Despite what you say to him he is not swayed from his initial opinion. You were caught trying to bypass the lock.
THE END
121. You find a small electrical circuit box underneath the console that seems out of place. It doesn't appear to have any cables or wires going to it. The box, which is the size of a large paperback book, has thumb release catches at each end.
If you wish to remove the box Go to 56
Otherwise Go to 69
124. You realise that it would take about ten minutes to do and it would be a tricky task not to set the alarm off. In this time the chances of discovery are too high. Go to 135
125. You dip randomly into the long list of files and find they consist of the routine permits and reports that you had to fill in back on the De Gaulle.
What do you wish to do?
Check the contents of the ISPF safe Go to 12
Contact Theroux Go to 25
126. As you approach the Major he finishes his drink pouch and floats up from his seat. "Good morning, Major, I was hoping to join you" you say. "Unfortunately" he replies "I have much to do with the Maxim Gorki having docked and the preparations for today's crew transfer". With a nod to you he pushes off towards the exit.
Do you wish to
Sit on your own Go to 116
Speak to the man and woman Go to 141
Sit by the gaming console Go to 106
129. You arrive at your sleeping area, which is located at the end of the module, and dump your personal gear. The sleeping system with its papoose like sleeping bag floating away from the wall. The module is fairly standard, although the bays are smaller than you're used to. The compartment opposite has the dividing screen open and you can see apart from several photos it matches your own. Stan quickly says goodbye and leaves with every appearance of relief. Now that you are on your own in you can feel the tension you have felt since you arrived relax. Shortly afterwards you are asleep. Go to 135
130. He grunts "Let us hope that we both remain understanding then". He then looks down at the computer console and starts typing. The paying of compliments is apparently over before it ever lived up to it's name. Go to 115
135. You are barely dressed when Stanislov knocks on your partition. Stan fails to respond to your good morning and manages to scrape by the next exchanges with nods and grunts. You can't think of anything you've done which would deserve this sort of behaviour. Stan rapidly shows you round the space station with little chance of asking questions and none of dawdling. You notice that you are only being shown the entrances to the communal areas. When you ask if you can pop into one of the other modules Yakov looks surprised "You can not go any place but docking bay, sleeping quarters, recreation room, gym and command module. Other modules secret".
Abruptly Stanislov pulls himself to a stop by the entrance to a module. He informs you in no uncertain terms that the tour is over, he doesn't appreciate your company now or in the future and that the module he is leaving you next to is the recreation module where you can find breakfast. You watch as your guide disappears out of view. A sudden sharp pain in your stomach is either concern over what is going on or your body reminding you how long it's been since you've had something to eat.
Now your are on your own where do you wish to go? Each option may be chosen once only.
The recreation room Go to 10
The docking bay Go to 109
The Gym Go to 39
Your sleeping quarters Go to 49
Try to enter a "secure" area Go to 18
Once finished you go to the ISPF office Go to 145
137. Despite seeing many others you fail to find Vlad.
If you have not done so before you may
Call Theroux Go to 41
Go to the comms room Go to 8
Speak to the commander Go to 77
140. "Er, it an accident, a problem on a arm. He nearly died, he lucky suit not split".
Go to 129
141. "Hi, do you mind if I sit with you?" The man looks towards you blankly whilst the female looks away. As this is not an unusual response since your arrival you are undaunted and take a perverse pleasure in sitting with him. Your conversational gambits are ignored by both.
On the males overall is the name patch Popov and the females Sorokin. Popov's stony silence is only interrupted when it appears Sorokin may have been about to speak to you.
Growing bored you decide to move on. Major Nikitin has left.
What do you wish to do?
Approach the two men playing on the games console. Go to 106
Finish your meal and to go to your office. Go to 60
142. Have you got TOOLS listed in your POSSESSIONS?
If you have Go to 20
If you haven't you are unable to reach the lock mechanism.
Do you wish to
Use your ISPF card Go to 146
Use the emergency card Go to 99
Otherwise leave Go to 135
145. The whole of the station that you have been allowed to view conforms to the same extremely cramped and poorly equipped standard that you are becoming used to since you arrived. By the time that you reach the ISPF office the 1/4 allocation of the command module looks decidedly spacious. You notice it has the standard layout that you have become accustomed to. Before contacting Theroux you think it might be a good idea to get a grasp of the situation in case he asks any questions.
What do you wish to do?
Examine your predecessors computer files Go to 110
Check the contents of the ISPF safe Go to 12
Contact Theroux Go to 25
146. A tell tale light flashes when it registers your card but nothing else happens. The door remains closed.
Do you wish to?
Carry on exploring the station Go to 135
Use the emergency card Go to 99
See if you can bypass the lock Go to 142
151. You are left waiting in the corridor for five minutes before being called into the commandant’s office. Klimov listens half heartedly as you explain why you’ve visited. He interrupts “I know you’ve come straight here since the two calls. This will be a mistake. You must realise how busy I am yet you still come here without bothering to do anything. Do you want me to do your job? Do you think we ignored Petrov?” -1 Russian status point. His tirade is interrupted by the comm. He speaks to the other person, you recognise the voice as Major Nikitin but as they’re talking in Russian you can’t understand what is being said.
"As it happens we have been unable to contact Vladmir Ilin. He has not been seen since he was in the canteen. You were also present. Now I don't wish to make this seem bigger than it actually is but I have just had all the modules checked and Vlad hasn't been seen. According to the computer he hasn't entered any of the secure modules. The staff in those modules has searched them as well. He's probably fallen asleep somewhere but as we have you doing nothing but breathing the air you may as well find him. Perhaps you could somehow justify having a star cop onboard.”
Go to 26
160. You call the Charles De Gaulle and manage to track Theroux down. He is already scowling before you've even started to speak. “I'm having a bad day with our guests so this had better be good.” You describe the call you received. “Right you've done the basic enquiries I presume.” You explain what you’ve done so far. “Well it seems to be going well.” +1 Star Cop point.
“Hopefully it won't be anything but if you don't find him you need to do a thorough investigation. You need to check who saw him last, who were his friends, did anyone have a grudge? What you do there, good or bad, will end up getting picked over by the hindsight brigade. And trust me you only hear from them about the stuff that went badly. If you need to speak give me a call although I’m busy showing the tourists around and Hendvorrsen is going out for a walk.”
Go to 26
186. You push yourself leisurely through the passageways until you reach Vlad's sleeping area. Not wishing to wake him unnecessarily you edge the plastic concertina door open and peer inside. It is obvious he is not in. You look through those portions of the station that you are allowed to access.
MAKE A PERCEPTION ROLL:
15 OR MORE Go to 64
14 OR LESS Go to 137
197. You call the Charles De Gaulle and manage to track Theroux down. He is already scowling before you've even started to speak. I'm having a bad day with our guests so this had better be good. You describe the call you received. Right you've done the basic enquiries I presume. You explain you've called him first. Jeepers, look for him; ask some questions, do something. I thought you would have realised you’re a bit too far away for me to be able to hold you’re hand. Do you think you’re cut out for this? -2 Star Cop points.
Hopefully it won't be anything but if you don't find him you need to do a thorough investigation. You need to check who saw him last, who were his friends, did anyone have a grudge? What you do there, good or bad, will end up getting picked over by the hindsight brigade. And trust me you only hear from them about the stuff that went badly. You're on your own there, the lone sheriff, now you need to act like it.
If you have not done so before you may
Search for Vladmir Ilin Go to 186
Ask at the Comms centre Go to 8
Speak to the commander Go to 151
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