GDW

Looking back on it, you can still remember when you changed your mid. Sure they were desperate, but who wasn’t
anymore? If you left-yourheart break every time 6omBbOcfL else~$oldyou how hard times had become, you’d’ve been
dead a long time a@, trying to save an em- hell-bent on destroying itself
When you arrivedat the Portmasters office the scene was chaos. ourside the panommk window you could see the
wands of sm@k&&illrising from the starpgf flahtline. One of them was from the mhtenance van that had been parked
rbht next to yobr ship. Lucky for you, u n w y for them. M y the m&rs had sfrafedthe port was sti# anyone’sguess, but
if they had hoped to hit every operable shah@in the port, they Mew it. They missed yours.
When the Portmaster fumed to face you, you could tell that she hadnY slepf much late&. She to& you about the raids,
and about how the merchant traffic was drying up because of the danger, and about what would happen I their trade @t
completely cut off.Already, she said, their schools and medh1:facilifieshad closed as the talentedpersonnel needed to
run them fled to safer mrlds. You kept your eyes focused on a point a few inches above her head, thinking a few times
about how you might finish one of her sentences for her. Somewhere In there she must have asked for your help, but you
werenY really paying aften crash as a small boy knoaked over a stack of doarments to msh to
the side of the Portmaster, h know if she MUM came help him fjr some thing or another. But
that’s not what got you. YOU domestic scenes.
As she apologized for Thit’s when it happened. It was such a small thing,
but then so’severything, eventually. when she smiled, you cauQht a brief glimpse of her teeth and hit you thaf there
really weren’t any doctors or dentists here anymom. Here she was, in charge of a starport, overseeing the maintenance
and repair of starships, and her teeth made you think of tho$e w pe on those tech 1 wmWs it used to be quaint to visit.
l
The people that you used to give those trinkets to. and they‘d s& thoseawful little smiles and you’dthink how great it
was that you never had to worry about living like that. The imge you sudden& had of a hollow civilizathn cmmbling in on
itself was hard to shake.
@. You hadnY nothd it 6efore, but now It hit you how
were flipping all the
uracfions foldyou

turned toward you.

“We’re faking a job. t : , .

Contents
Referee’s Introduction......................................... 3 Once More Unto the Breach, Dear Friends ........8
Adventure Background ....................................... 4 Further Adventures Aboard Vigilante................10
The Sittahr System ............................................. 5 Promise Subsector 001-1129 ...........................l 1
Getting to the Research Station .......................... 5 Administering UWP Changes ...........................11
Entering the Station ............................................ 5 Library Data ...................................................... 11
lmperial Research Station Gamma .................. 5 Aboard Vigilante ............................................... 12
Research Station and Pirate Base Floorplans....6 Vigi/ante’sCrew ................................................ 12
Inside the Station ................................................ 7 Vigilante Systems and Operations.................... 12
Arrival: Vigiknte .................................................. 8 Ships Used in These Adventures ........... 14
Gamble at Gorky ................................................. 8 Promise Subsector 001-1121 ...........................16
Assignment : Vigilante
CopyrightOl992 GDW, Inc.
All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. Made in U.S.A.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in wriiing from the publisher.
Permission is hereby granted to photocopy certain portions of the text as indicated in the text for personal use only.

ISBN 1-55878-127-7

Traveller@isGDWs registered trademark for its science-f&ion roleplaying game system. MegaTravelleP and the
Shattered Imperium” are trademarks of GDW.

2
 i

V I G I L A N T E- -
~sslgnment: n sboula~ e g y i a d v e n - f a i r l y w e l W inthetrailingendoftheDiasporaSedor.The POs a b
~ h t e f ~ n c t i oas
tureandaminisouekforadvmringintheDmporaSedorduring bat%thatthe piratesareonthe move in acrudalsystern, and they are
the Had limes era Refereescan use Asslgnment:~ D m f e tsotart askedtoph~htdscrewfortheupcomingoperation.
anewcampaignset intheDiiporasedor, continue acampaignbegun The second adventure takes the group to the Gorky system.
in the Hard Times swrcebwk, or continue a campaign that has Here they defend the system's last chance for livelihoodagainst a
~ n t l y ~ e d t o ~ plot to prevent avilized forces from expanding their protection to
Asaminisourcebook,A:Vpresentsfurther UWPdata,both pre- undefendedworlds. If they win, they will haveboughtat least a little
and post-Hard Times, which expands on the sulwector data that more time for tens of thousands of people. If they bse, the next
appears in Hard Tlmes. With Hard Tlmes and this folio, referees Long Night will be that much closer.
will now have subsector data for threefourths of the trailing edge
of the Diaspora Sector. Beglnnlng Play
Of more interestto campaigns not set in Diasporaisthe starship Assignment: l&i&?nfe can be played as the opening adven-
information presented here. Not only is there UCP data for seven ture of a new campaign set in Hard limes-era Diaspora, as a
new starships, spaceships and fighters, but the deckplans and continuation of a campaign conducted with the Hard Tlmes
expanded description of the Admiral BerfiW~i/anteclassallow sourcebook (either begun there or transferredto that era), or as a
referees to introducea new shipdesignthat will beof great interest continuation of a campaign that has yet to be transferred to the
to players. Wth its ship's troops, fighter and shipto-ship combat Hard Times era.
capability, the Vyi/ante design allows a wide variety of PC crew New Campalgn: Players should generate characters using
positions. Two ways to fit such a ship into a campaign indude Siahr as their homeworld. With the referee's permission, another
allowing the PCs to sign on as crew of a starmerc ship of the homeworld in the Promise Subsector may be chosen instead.
Vyi/anteclass, or work to neutralize a Viking band using a Vgi- Eitherway, the 1121 UWP is usedfor charactergenerationeffeds.
/anteclass ship. If the PCs succeed in boardingand capturingthe Allcareersareopen,althoughtheScout,Metchant, NavyandPirate
ship.they may beabletopressitintosetviceastheirown. Referees careers will requirethe refereeto work more dosely with the character
who own Hard Tlmes are encouraged to use the starmerc unit generatkn procedure. Inthecased the first three, this resultsfmm the
generation rules to create a starmerc unit as a campaign frame- bssof posilionsinthesepdessionsoverthecourseoftheHardlimes.
work, and a krtiWiii/aanteclass ship can be substituted for a The gradual redudion in numbers of senriceable s h i i results in the
result of 2,3,11 or 12 on the Ship Types Table. charactm being placed, out of work, on Siahr. It is m ng y
l recorn-
mendedthat~radersmusteringoutofthesethreeserviceswithfour
REFEREE'S INTRODUCTION or fewer terms runone additionalterm inthe Amy, Marine, Belter,Law
Asslgnment: Mgl&nte is set in the Hard Times era, which Enforcement, Flyer or Saikr careers to simulate their activities after
started at the end of 1124 and runs until the early 1130s. Posses- returning to S i r .
sion of the Hard Times sourcebook is not requiredfor play of this Piratecareerswill requirethe refereeand playertocooperateon
folio, but familiarity with the concepts introduced in that book will establishing how a pirate character ends up involved in an anti-
certainly enhance play. piracy campaign. Perhapsthe characterwas a privateeroperating
The environmentof the Imperiumhaschangedforeverfollowing against invadingSolomaniforces. or was a pirateoperatingnearby
the onset of Hard Times. The wholesale destruction of the Rebel- who has turned away from that former lie. In the latter case,the
lion struck at the heart of Imperial society-the trade between its referee may rule that the character has some inside or personal
11,000 worlds. With the gradual destruction of starports and knowledge of pirate operations that will come in handy in the
merchant shipping, the abilii to move goods from system to coming adventures. However, care should be exercised that this
system deteriorated. The result was the inability of worlds to does not unreasonably skew the adventure.
maintain their technology levels without speaalized imports, and In all cases, the refereeshould see that all characters receiveat
the rapid growth of unempbyment as the inabili to export goods least a small number of space skills. The least intrusiveway to do
led to the closing of industries. Worlds that requiredtechnological this is by counseling in the choice of cascade skills (see New
means to maintain livable environments beganto find their futures Gunslingers on page 8 for useful abilities to suggest).
uncertain. Subsectors once familiar to interstellar travellers are Continulng a Hard Tlmes-era Carnpalgn: This is a simple
now becoming unrecognizableas starports deteriorate, technol- transition to make. At the end of Hard Tlmes, the PCs have just
ogy recedes, populationsdecline and, in the face of this, govern- completed the climactic battle against lndro the Lightless at
ments and law levels become more insular and draconian. Shareduu(26091KhavleSubsector). Ifthey havetheirownship,the
Such is the state of the Promise Subsector in late 1128 when PCs might be encouragedtoheaddowntowardPromisebyrumors
Asslgnment: Vigilante is set. During play of these adventures or of one of the few remaininggood trade routes. If not, perhapstheir
any campaigninthis period, players are only allowedto consultthe contacts at Hortalez et Cie mght off er them work on an expedition
1121 UWP data presented on page 16. Any informationthe PCs to rimward to see how far Indro's forces have advanced.
desire on current conditions must be gained the hard way, by Transplanting a non-Hard Tlmes-era Campalgn: This is the
visiting the worlds and finding out for themselves. This reflectsthe most diffiiult course, as referees must either finagle their groups
sensationthat should characterizethis periodfor the P W e e l i n g across the Imperiumto Diaspora and find a way to turn the clock
like strangers in a place that should be familiar. forwardto 1128, or else adapt the Asdgnment: wi&ntaadven-
The first adventure takes the PCs to the derelict Imperial tures to their existing campaign kales. Possibilities include the
researchstation in the Sittahr system to salvage urgently needed PCsbeingcapturedand placedin low berths, to awaken in Promise
electronic equipment. There they are set upon by pirateswho had when their captors' ship is itself captured, being pursued by
been trailing them. But when things look bleak, the tide of battle factional forces due to some real or imagined transgression, or
turns as an unknown force enters the battle on the PCs' side. having to go to Promise to settle family business involving the
Inthe battle's aftermath,the PCslearnthat theirbeneficiaries arethe inheritance of money, land, or a ship.
starmem of the mercenarystarship Vigilanre,agmupof pirate hunters Local Knowledge: For either of the two previously existing

3
Assignment: Vigilante GDW
campaigns mentioned above, the PCs have access to only the core (12 W, 3tons) are stillintact. If this i
sthe case,they are to carefully
1121 Promise UWPs (page 16) until they visit those worlds and r e m these items and bringthem back to S i r , where they will be
learn more for themselves. Each character generated on Siahr repaired for use there. Electronics, Engineering, Sensors and Cam-
will knowthesittahrstatsandwillalso knowthecurrent(1129) stats puter skills are relevantto theseoperations.
for 1D-2 worlds of the Promise Subsedor, chosen randomly.
Taklng the Job
ADVENTUREBACKGROUND For campaignsbeginningwithAssignment: Crigfbnte,this part
The PCs beginon Sittahr (312Wromise). Siahr is a fortunate is easy. The PCs already havethe job. Sincethe sensor net project
world by most standards. With a diameter of 11,080 km, a standard was establishedsix monthsago, the populationof Sittahrhas been
atmosphere, a base mean surfacetemperatureof 15% and plenty canvassedfor volunteers, who were then screened and tested for
of water, the world is about as hospitableto human lie asany world suitability. The PC group is the team that was chosen (this is why
could be. However, more than the simple lack of active resistance space skills were specified on page 3). Their payment for the
by the environment is necessaryto sustain an establishedsociety. assignment is free training, plus food and housing for them and
Sittahr was settled and grew within the context of an interstellar their families. They are also rewarded with the status of hero4he
economy. As a nonindustrial world, it could not meet all the public responseto the recruitingfor this mission was ovemhelm-
manufacturingneeds of its society. But as an agricultural world, it ing, and the PCs are regarded planet-wideas the people's cham-
could trade its food surplus to nonagriculturalworlds to meet its pions.Theirfolk herostatusiscomfirmedbythefadthatwhereever
manufacturing shortfalls. they go, they are unable to pay for food, drinks and lodging, as so
The loss of trade in Hard Times changed all that. Necessary many citizens compete for this honor. In any case, the motivating
items-from spare parts to keep agriculturalequipment running, force is civic duty, not financial reward.
to educational items for schools, to basic chemicals for medi- The PCs'ship isthe Yo&, part of the S i i h r system'soldtourist
cines-were no longer available, nor was the specialized produc- trade. Yo& is a former Type Afree trader with its jump drive and
tion know-howreadily availableon Sittahr. Sittahr begana gradual jump fuel tankage removedto make room for 2G drives and more
slide down the technological ladder to its current position at TL8, passenger and obsewation lounge space. Yokksewed as a tour
and it is expected to slide farther unless the situation can be boat that took 52 passengers at a time out on a pleasant, 10-day
stabilized. Unfortunately, the growth of piracy in the Diaspora trip to view Hamlet's surface and take a short tour of the research
Sector in the past few years is aggravating the already bad station. Although lying derelict at the starport for years, she has
situation, causing aflight of the most talented professionalstothe been refurbished, and the PC group can conduct familiarization
safer worlds of the independent polities (such as the Unity of "hops" aboard the ship as part of her shakedown, carryingtechni-
Promise three parsecs core-spinward) and away from the ex- cians to the former weather satellites to perform the necessary
posed worlds that need them the most. modifications. For purposes of sensors and communications sys-
Siahr's leadership has calculated that interstellar trade has tems, Yorick should be treated as a standard Beowuklass Type
fallen off 30% in the pastyear alone, down to 18%0f pre-Rebellion A free trader. She is, however, unarmed.
levels. There are no longer any merchant ships registered out of Transplanted PC Groups Owning a Starship: In the case of
Sittahr, all having fled to safer worlds or been destroyed. Siahr a pre-existing campaign, there is no homegrown capability to
was never large enoughfor a planetary navy; now each additional attemptthesalvagemissionatthe researchstation.Allsewiceable
pirate attack inthe system makes Sittahr more of an unacceptable ships either have departedto safer areas or have been destroyed
riskto thedwindling numberof merchantships. Healthcareplanet- in recent pirate raids. Upon arrivingat Sittahr, the PCs will beasked
wide is reaching dangerously low levels as the local pathogens to take the job.
once held in check by imported high-tech pharmaceuticalsgain Sittahr will not be able to offer payment in hard currency. What
the upper hand. the government can offer is free refined fuel, repairs and mainte-
The decision has been made to stabilize, then reestablish nance for their ship (within the ability of Sittahr's starport) in
Sittahr's trade position by creating an effective antipirate defense perpetuity. If the PCs press, Sittahr can additionally offer what is,
around the planet. Since its vast oceans allow cheap electrolytic in effect, the Hard Times equivalent of a subsidized trade route
fuel refining on Sittahr's surface, gas giant refuelling becomes contract. If they;agreetooperateatraderoutebetweenSittahrand
unnecessary, allowing visiting traders to jump from 100diameters Gorky, Davao, NysorbandCosenza, carrying Sittahr's agricultural
off Siahr rather than having to venture through the outer system. products and returning with the exchanged goods, the PCswill be
The first necessary step is an orbital defense and early warning allowed to keep, for their own use or for speculative trade, a
network. As a lLl3 agricultural world, S i r possessed an volume of agriculturalgoods equalto 5% of their cargo space per
extensive system of weather satellites, and most of these are still trip.
in repairable condition. The sensors on these satellites can be PCs with their own interstellar mobility may not see the value in
converted to form the basis of an outward-Wing network, using getting involved with this job and might rather simply jump to
parts scavenged from the former class4 starport. However, what another system. This is adanger in the HardTimes era, due to the
is missing is a sophisticated, high-speed command and control decreasing level of rewards available in this harsh environment.
system to rapidly coordinate the sensors, along with a neutrino The prologue on page 2 presentsone exampleof how a PC group
sensor and a high-penetrationdensitometer. It is known that just might respondsympatheticallytothepboffer, although some may
such systems were installed in the Imperial research station not wish to. The temptationto use a stick to coerce the PCs to take
formerly located in Siahr's outer system (see page 5). Due to the job is discussed below, and only referees can make final
Siitahr's almost complete lack of hardcurrency, it cannot hire ouf decisions about the balance of sticks and carrots in their cam-
for this job, but must find a homegrownway to pull itself up by its paigns. However, sticks cannot work indefinitely, and the very
bootstraps, as it were. nature of the Hard limes framework dictates that PCs will have to
lt is the PCs' job, using the world's last repairablespaceship, to get used to accepting less elaborate matefialcompensatkn.
recoverthat equipment. hkm/compensation, on the other hand, is another issue alto-
gether. The optional bad karmarule in Hard llmes is one example
The Job of a stick that refereescan begin using as a carrot, which is to say
ThePCsaretotraveltolmperialResearchSt;dionGamma,bcated that player groups that consistently behave in a helpful and
on one of Hamlet's moons. Here they are to explore the station and sympathetic manner will find that some things beginto get easier
discoverwhetherthestadion's neutrinosensar(0.2W, 0.095tons),high for them. This is because surviving governments, merchants and
penetration densitometer (7 W. 1.5 tons), and sensors central contrd priiate citizens know the importance of cooperation for mutual

4
 GDW Assignment: Viglante
survival. Once the PCs gain a reputationin a subsector for helping headofthesurfaceaeoesstrunk)andaaosstheentrancebthegarage.
out when things are tough, they should gain positive DMs on However.thedesignersalbwedforthiseventualibymdkingtheentry
reaction rolls with the IYorces of civilization.' For example, they tunneltothe garage unusually hgh and broad, and by pldng d e r
might get discounts on routine maintenance, repairs and refined en$ancewithinthegar;age~.Thereisampleroomforthe~1D
fuel from local worlds, and starmerc groups and remaining plan- maneuver their ship into the shelter. They wii notethe b e m a of the
etary navieswill often provide assistancein combat, or in the form base's50-tonmodularcutter, usedformaintenanceofthearbitalsensor
of information or emergency repairs. arrays (this wastaken by the raiders in the 1121 raid; see Inside the
Player groups with a bent toward empire building will also find this Station, page 7).
useful, as their counsel or assistance may be swght by planetary
governments, and they may be able to gain positionsof political or ENTERING THE STATION
m i l i i leadershpamong the small independent polities. Entry to the station proper is a short walk down the access
0noocasbn.refereesmaystillwishformeanstobringPCstoapoint corridor (see map, page 6) which ends at a standard airkdc once
where they do not wish to go.One possiblesolutiontothis is another of controlled by an electronicpanel respondingto magnetic ID cards
thecrucialdetailsof theHardTmesenvimnment,whichistheattention or keyed commands. However, the panel has been damaged by
to staship systems and maintenance, specifiily the new difficulty in gunfire, with several access panels removedto exposethe wiring.
obtaining it (See Hard l l m s Chapter 5 or lmperlal Encydopedla, PCs with Electronics-1or greater will immediately recognize that
page 92).Giventhe cunent scarcity of highquali starpotts, it is more the mechanism had been overridden with an electronic tool kit.
diffiilt to obtain refined fuel, and misjumps are therefore more com- Such a kit is available aboard the PCs' ship.
mon. A misjump to Sittahr could take place from anywhere in the
ProrniseSubsmor. ItisalsolikelythatthePCs'shipwillbeoverduefor To open an electronic airlock without authorization:
proper maintenance, and certain systems may be functioning errati- Formidable, Electronics, Computer, 30 seconds.
cally.Thefailuredacrudalsy~emwhile intheSirsystemwillallow Referee: Task is Routine with an electronic tool kit.
the Siahr authoritiesto exchange the PCs' serv'kes for the required
repain. Or the technicians might remove a crucial jumpdrive a m p Once the PCs have entered the airbck there are no further
nent which will not be returned until the PCs complete the mission. In barriers to entry, although the airlock controls indicate that the
either case, the residents of S i r will fuAll their part of the bargain atmospherewithin the station is at a pressureof only 0.2 standard
qu'ddy and fully and, in the latter case,with an apology and perhaps atmospheres.
some bonustocompensateforthedevioustadic.ThePCsshouldsee
that the people of S i h r are not untrustworthy.Rather, they are simply IMPERIAL RESEARCH STATION GAMMA
very serious about their need for assistance. This is one of the smallest scientific sites ever given the title
"Imperial researchstation." It is more properly thought of as an
THE SllTAHR SYSTEM observation station, as only data collection, rather than basic
The Sittahr system consistsof a KO Vprimaty, itscompanion,an research, takes place here. The third of Diaspora's four Imperial
M3 dwarf in the 12th orbit, and six worlds in o r b i i 0-6 (orbit 1 is research stations (Alpha at Quarty12933, Beta at St. James/
vacant). Sittahr occupies orbit 0; orbit 2 contains an airless rock; 1521and Deltaat MonctonEl25). Gamma was tasked with the
and 3 through 5 contain gas giants, often used for refuelling by ohsenration of Hamlet, the anomalous gas giant in orbit 6 of
starships passing through the system without paying a call at Sittahts KO V primary.
Sittahr. Hamlet is in orbit 6. Although it had been identified during the time of the First
The system retains a slightly higher density of interstellar gas Imperium as a T Tauri protostar, the aptly named body has
and dust than usual, presumably left over from Hamlet's evolution, refused to behave as expected and continue the process of
but most of this was blastedaway during Hamlet's TTauri stage. It deveioping into a full-fledged star. The violent outgassingob-
-. has been suggested that the system was a pre-existing stable served by the Vilani scientists which should have immediately
system which passed into an interstellar gas and dust cbud-it preceded fusion ignition is evidenced by the HerbigHaro ob-
was this added m a s that pushedHamlet across the boundaryinto jects near the Sittahr system. Yet Hamlet drew back from the
protostar development+ut then the process just as abruptly threshold of stellar birth to its current over-large brown dwarf
stopped. The "why" is still an open question. state, apparently deciding "not to be.' Still massing some 0.08
solar masses, Hamlet appears to have attained at least a
GETTING TO THE RESEARCH STATION temporary equilibriumbetween its internal heat pressureandits
Sittahr iscurrently748 millionkmfrom Hamlet, itsdosest annual gravitationalcollapse, previouslythought impassiblefor a body
approach. One-way travel time at full maneuver (constant accel- this size. In fact, its diameter fluctuates rather wildly, indicating
erationto turn-over at midpoint, followed by constant deceleration) Ihqtjhis equilibrium may be quite fragile.
is 152 hours at 1G, 107 at X , 88 at 3G, 76 at 4G,68 at 5G, and Hamlc was once considered one of the wonders of the
62 at 6G. DiaspraSector. Aside from its scientificrarity, it was popular as
Rosencrantz is fairly close to Hamlet and will be easy to kcate a tourjst attraction. Its constantlychanging, violent atmosphere
upon arrival in the area. The PCs have accurate maps which show glowed with a stunningvariety of light and color, and occasion-
the station's precise location on the surface. ally spewedforth impressiveprominencesof hot matter, which
Rosencrantz is quite tectonically active, and its thin tainted made quite an unforgettablesight.
atmospherecarries large quantities of sulfur compoundsfrom the Imperial Research Station Gamma was established on
numerous volcanoes that cover the surface. Because of these Rosemantz,oneofHamlet'sdoser mwns,to&erveths unque
particulatecompounds, which endlessly settle out in heavy layers, phenomenonfor stellar ewlution research, as well as to provide
ImperialResearchStationGammawas builtwith a large, enclosed, advancewarningtothe inhabitantsofS i r if Hamletshouldappear
garage-stylelandingareafor Yokkand othervisiting vessels. This
ie- ignite. The station was thought destroyedin 1121during a
das!?&wenSokmani and Impetialfomsbecauseitwentoffthe
prevents the accumulation of damaging deposits of the quite air~mmediadely~erthebattleandhasremainedaffeversince.And
corrosive sulfur compounds onto ships during their stay. The PCs as H'mlet's orbit currently has it onthe appaSite side of the system
have been strongly advised to use this facility to park their vessel, fmm the system's useful gas giants, there has been r i reason to
not only to protect it from the fallout, but also because an orbiting go qit and check on its status. Now, however, Siahts need to
vessel will be more readily observable by pirates. rebgildits earlywamingcapabilityhas made it worth sendingacrew
Uponanivingatthestatbn.the Pcswillseethadquitea lotof suHums ! o ~ seek what might& s*qed.
ash has drifted over the surface features of the station (induding the

5
Assignment: Vigilante GDW

Research Station Gamma (Sittahrl3129lDiaspora)

Electronics Bay
Power Converters, Batteries Main Computers

I Food Storage Control Room

Pirate Prefab Module (Both Identical)

Refriger&ed Storage
-
BR= Bathroom
=Doors n=
1.5 m

6
GDW Assignment: Vigilante
~ ~

INSIDE THE STATION that one is dead, but the other two are stabilized at low levels.
The station's interior temperature is 5OC, not uncomfortable, but Attempts to revive them without expert medical attention will likely
the thin atmosphere requires vacc suits to be worn, although the result intheirdeaths.Theother b w berthcontainsone unwounded
helmets may be cracked open. Any PCs who crack their helmets man, TasenGasili, but unlessthe PCs make it tot his area within 15
will be aware of a faint unsettling odor. Gravity is 0.2G. minutes, he will revive and leave the area, leaving an obviously
recently occupied low berth.
Interior Details These individuals are the remaining staff of the station, caught
Except where covered with electronic equipment, the walls are by a scorchedsarth raid in 1121. They resisted long enough to
natural rock sprayed with gray-blue plastic sealant. All electronic prevent the raiders from destroying the base before being forced
equipmentandelectricalcabling iseasily accessibleviaremoveable to withdraw along with their retreatingforces. The last unwounded
metal plates, or beneath nonskid rugs and metal grates. The PCs staff member, Gasili, helped h is wounded comrades (includingthe
will notice damage to the station, mostly in the form of bullet holes station medic) into emergency low berths, hid theirtwosnubpistols
or laser burn marks. in the geothermal column, then tried to repair the communications
ControlRoom: The source of the strange odor will be apparent suite, not realizing there was damage to the surface antennae.
when the PCs advance into the modest control room and see a Failing that, he modified the other low berth for quick, though
man's vacc-suited body slumped over a communicationsconsole. dangerous, revival procedures and programmed the base com-
Examination reveals bullet holes in the back of the neck and puterto revivehimwhen the airkck was next used. Hethen entered
shoulders, and several more holes in the wall consoles, showing hibernation. (The last three staff members were killed while on the
that he was killed by aspray of automaticfirefrom behind.The body surface, cleaning commo antennae and transceivers. Their bodies
has clearly been dead for quite some time, apparent from the are still there, now under several feet of ash fallout.)
desiccated nature of the face, but the thin atmosphere and cold
have led to a result closer to mummificationthan decay. Getting to Work
Althoughthecommosystemsareinoperable(toolsandpartsnea~ Removing the equipment is handled with concurrent multiple
show that someone has attempted to repair the system), the other tasks, one PC per task attempt. Each successful completion
systemsinthe momappear infineshape, andtheirpowertelltalesshow indicates that one hour of the appropriatejobis completed, against
that the station's geothermalplant is deliveringstandby power. Any PC the following totals. The control core requires 20 hours, the
can spot the sensor controls, and those with Sensor Ops or Computer densitometer 10 hours and the neutrino sensor five hours.
skillcanpinpointthelocationofthesensorequipment andcentralcontrol
core. However, attempts to use the sensors will fail. Many of the To remove a component of electronic research equipment:
antennae are on orbital platforms which are out of alignment, and the Routine, Electronics,ComputerSensorOps (seebelow),Ab6olute.
downlink transceivers have been damaged by volcanic ash or other- Referee:Computerskill is used forthe control core, Sensor Ops
wise failed. Nonetheless, the controlequipment the PCsare to retrieve for the two sensors. Unskilled attempts allohed only if made as
is all in good repair. Cautious tasks. ExceptionalSuccess indicates two hours of work
Electronics Bay: Here is the bulk of the equipment the PCs are accomplished. Superficial and Minor mishaps have no effect.
have been sent for. Although monitored and controlled from the Mapr mishap adds one hour back onfo the work remaining.
control room, the sensors themselves, including the backupwide- Destroyed indicates that a portion of the system is ruined.
angle densitometer, are shock-mounted in this "room within a
room" to prevent vibrations from knocking the instruments out of The PCs may be interruptedby Gasili, who will be stalkingthem,
adjustment. There is no sign of damage here. unsure if they are friends or foe. He is armed, having retrieved his
Staff Room: This room shows considerable damage from snub pistols, which are loaded with HEAP rounds.
weapons fire, and there are signs of a large bloodstainon the floor. Tasen Gadll: 587BCB, age 38, 5 terms. skills: Sensor Ops-2,
If the PCs examine the room, they will see notebooks and sche- Computer-2, Physics-2, Chemistry-1, Electronics-1, Persuasknl,
matic diagrams for emergency low berths laid out. Admin-1, Vacx: Suit-0, HandgunO.
Geothermal Tap: The geothermal plant is located a short Gasili is suffering from revival sickness, a result of reprogram-
distance from the station in a nearby hot spot of sufficient tempera- ming the low berth to revive him too quickly. His stats reflect 1D
ture to provide power generation for the station's needs. The hits. He is disoriented and suffers from nervoustrembling, and his
station was built far enough away from such heat sources to skin is temporarily gray and wrinkled. All this will make him look
prevent thermal damage to sensitiie electronics. The illustrated frightening if glimpsed lurking in the shadows. Although confused
column contains power cabling from the geothermal plant and and uncertain about how to deal with the PCs, he is lucid and
distributes it to systems within the station. acting judiciously, under the circumstances. He will act to prevent
Fuslon Booster Plant: Occasional intensive use of active the PCs from reviving his wounded comrades. He is wearing a
sensors requires surge capabilities of power generation beyond respirator and will return to his quarters to get warm clothes. He
the geothermal capacity. This plant cannot be run when taking knowsthe station well and can use ducting systems to sneak past
neutrino sensor readings, as its neutrino emissions pollute the or hide from intruders. He will listen to reason and can be
data It draws on LHyd tankage connected to piping in the garage, persuaded to join the PCs.
allowing the tank to be topped off by visiting starships.
Therewasafirefightinthisroom, indicatedbybulletdamageand Rude Interruption /
I
bloodstains, leading in a trail to the low berths. About 20 hours after the PCs' arrival, a pirateoperatedRam+-
Quarters LevekThis area supports the eight-personstaff of the class missileboat (page14) lands at the entranceto the garage y d
station, including sleeping, lounge, entertainmentand food service disgorges 20 troops. With their ship under cover and the station's
spaces.Thislevelwas reservedforoffdutypursuits;thestaffroom sensors out of operation, the PCs will be unaware of this until-they
on the upper level was used for professional purposes. hear the clatter of the pirates at the airlock.
One of the sleeping quarters has extensive bloodstains on the There are no weapons inthe station (exceptGasili's). Y'dS'shp's
bed, with a trail in the carpeted floor to the low berths. The dining locker contains two autoshatguns, two 7mm rifles, one laser carbine,
area is stacked with several weeks'worth of ditty dishes and empty one 7mm autorifle and four 9mm autopistols.
food containers, and several open low berth tech manuals are The pirates come in shooting. They are dressed in TL12 vacc
scattered about. suits, armed with autoshotguns and 5mm assault riles. They fire
Emergency Low Berths: Both low berths are occupied when with a skill levelof 2. If the PCs have not met Gasili yet, he will fight
the PCsenterthe base. Onecontainsthree bloody,clearlywounded with them against the pirates, attacking by surprise, then retreating
persons (one in pajamas). The life-monitors on this berth indicate to cover to reappear elsewhere.

7
Assignment: Wgjlante GDW
ARRIVAL: V/G/UN7E ing that they are satisfied with their story but that nowadays one
Meanwhile, outside, a Raptor4ass lander sets down behind a must always be "vigilant.'
ridge while Kestrecclass fighters hold down the grounded pirate
ship. With over half its crew away with the assault troops, the GAMBLE AT GORKY
Ramrodcannotliftoff orfight back Within minutes,troopsfrom the The PCs are told that there are still arrangements to be made
Rapfor have used shaped charges to blast through a vulnerable beforethey can leavethe moon. They are invitedto remainaboard
hatchway, and their ldcrew againstthe Rammd's remainingfour, Vgi/anre,but can return to their ship (which remains blocked into
quickly take the pirate vessel. the garage) if they prefer.
The Cavalry New Gunsllngers
Moments later, the troops stotm into the researd,statim, just as Afewhourshter,thePCsareinvitedtoandhermeetirrgwahRivera,
things bok bleakestfor the PCs. These are V g W ssquads 1and 2. Marleneand 'Piper' Kirsidgu. The pirateprisoners (actually members
As they fall on the pirates' rear, the PCs hear, beyond the gunfire, a of a more organized type of pirate band known to the starmas as
strident, wailing sound. Any PC who rolls 3D beneath Educat'm Wings") have revealedan operationabouttotake placeat Gurky, and
recognizesthesoundasbagpipes.ThePCsnoticethatthepi~esare a counteroperatkn must be begun immediately.
distmdeed by the noiseto their rear and beginto panic (RefemsApply While the Ramrod was dropped off by jump shuttle to survey
-1 to pirate skills from this point on.) Siiahrfor a new base, other piratesfromthe same band movedto
Wnh the surprise of Vg/&ntdstroops (stab on p q e 12), the battle Gorky to ambush that world's small fleet of Roughneak fuel
should end quickly. Reasoningthat the enemies ofthe piraxes aretheir harvesters (page 14). Gow,poor in natural resources, has in-
friends, they will offer to assistthe PCs, particularlywith medicalhelpto vested its small remainingcapitalinthese "wildcatterrigs"toobtain
stabilii wounded PCs untilthey can be bmughtto Vgi/antdssurgeon petrochemicals from its system's gas giants (see Hard Tlmes,
( M e d i i 4 Dex9).ThePCscannotretumtotheirshp, aspreparations Chapter 7, for more information),which will permit its industriesto
are being made outside for Vgbtds landing. keepturning out the precision, highly specializedzero43 manufac-
The troops conversefreelywiththePCsabout"V~e,'astheycall tured componentson which Gorky had built its trade. These parts
her; All PCs rolling & on 2D will have heard of Vghte, in fawrable are almost uselesson Gorky itself; this programis agambletogain
terms. Vwiehad been trailing the pirates, from a distance. The troop admissionto the UP onthe strengthof its value as atrading partner.
canying Rqtcx with its s d l e r signature, kept a sensor track of the Without the protectionof the UP, Gorky is doomedto fall to pirates.
pirates, and maserlinked informationbacktothemothership.Whenthe The pirates havebeen hiredby agroupfrom Diaspora's rimward
R m d s e t down and deployed troops, the Rrpptorand its esmrting end, presumably Solomani, to wreck Gorky's industrial plan by
Kesrrels went to the attack, while calling in "the big s t ' M eliminating the wildcatter fleet. This group believes that Gorky's
Once Vgi/anteis down, the PCs will be ushered aboard to be plan might succeed, and it wishes to forestall any further UP
debriefed about the pirate attack. expansion into the area The wildcatter fleet will arrive at the gas
giant in a week for the new 'season,' and it will be a vulnerable
Welcome Aboard target. thought of as not worth a pirate attack.
Wounded PCs (plus Gasili) receive immediate medical treat- Rivera needs the PCs to p i n Vijhte's crew, at least tempo-
ment; the rest are taken to the lower deck mess area to eat. The rarily. They will be paid well (1.5 times the appropriaterate in cash
bulkheads are decorated with photos and unit crests of the as listed in the lmperlal Encyclopedla, page 93, until they are
crewmembers' former units, and souvenirs from many victories. returnedto Rosencrantz,normal ratesthereafter). He will see that
The focal point of the display is Vgilante's "kill board,' sporting red their cargo is taken to Siahr and their ship returned to them in
silhouettesof the six pirate ships she has destroyed, and a tally of perfect working order.
small skulls-black for pirates killed and white for prisoners. One A portion of Vgilante's crew will be left to crew the captured
trooper is painting new skulls onto these tallies, while others argue Rmrodto greet following pirateforces as aTrojan horse. (Seethe
about the new silhouette to be added. As before, there are many Ramrod's listing for required crew-these will be drawn from
troopers happy to discuss the decor and histoty. V g i b d s ship's company, ship's troops andflight crews.Basethis
The PCs cannot leave the area. 'Security,'they are told. on the positionsthe PCs will be able to cover). This leaves V@
shorthanded, and the PCs are needed to fill these holes for
Meet the Skipper Crg17antdsurgent mission to Gorky.
Two hourslater,the PCsaretakentothemaindeckmessarea,whii ThePCsareofferedpositions (aceordingtotheirabili~ies)asgunners
has been set up for an interview. They are seated at a table and (Viidslasertunet). engineers,f~Merpi~andgunners,bidgecrew
introduced to Col. R i i r a . U.Cdr. Marlene and U.Kirsidgu, seated at and ship's troops. tl several join as ship's troops, the senior PC will be
another table facing theirs Here they are questioned on the events appointed as squad leaderof hisfelkw PCs, and Vghntetrooperswill
leadingto this meeting. Rivera explains that Marleneis ps'micand will beaddedtotxingthesquaduptoeight.Bythesametoken,ilthreePCs
be checking their thoughts d u b the questioningto ensure they have fill the q u a l i i i n s for a Kesirelor Rqbrcrew, they can be given
no hidden motivations. Marlene will rarely speak during the interview, command of one for the coming operations.
merely intently watch the PCs. in deep concentration. Armed guards
stand behindthe PCs. ONCE MOREUNTOTHEBREACH, DEAR FRIENDS
Marlene is not ps'mic, but Rivera, Marlene and Kirsidgu have Vgikmteprocedure calls for refuelling immediately upon arrival
devebped an effective intermgation technique ty intmduang that in-system.This allows her fuel purifiertostart "chewingon'thefuel
element of uncertainty into the suljeds' minds. Subjects usually as quickly as possible (this takes just over 2% days) in order to be
respondwith visible nemusnessif they are hiding something, glance ready for quick departure. She is, therefore, ready to go once the
tellingly at each other in attemptsto "synchronizetheir stoty,'or simply PCs have signed aboard. Posse, the re-named Ramrodmissile
breakdown andtellall.The intenugatots have no reasontosuspectthe boat, hastaken orbit around Hamlet, and her crew has established
PCsotherthansimplepNdenceduringthesetimes, andtheyare mostly recognition signals with Vgi/anteso that neither will be 'reverse
interested in gaining any scraps of data the PCs can provide on the trojan horsed' upon Vii/antds return.
pirates' operations. When the PCs mention their mission for S i r , Vii/antds 1G drives require 15 hours to reach 100 diameters
Rieraordersanoffcertocontactthatplan~sgovemment (whiitakes from Hamlet, and during this time, the planning for the upcoming
42minutes atthiirange),towhich Rieraand Vgihlearewellkn, operation begins. The first decision to be made is the arrival point
and confirm the PCs' identities. After an &minute delay, these will be at the end of the jump. The choices are two:100 diameters from
confirmed. As the interview ends, the Vgibte officers' cool re- Bubo to get in quickly, or a point to intercept and join the wildcatter
serve eases, and they warmly welcome the PCs aboard,explain- group on its way to the gas giant.

a
GDW
Gorky -tern Astrography The crew aboard V@hte,meanwhile, will bewaitingforthe pirates
Informationavailable to the crew indudes the current UWP and to anive. Suddenly, their sensors show an expbsi in the tender's
the following: uyogenicfuelstwqearea,and they are asked to m e alongsideto
Gorky, in orbii 3 of its G1 V system, is dependent on ~ccess to renderassistanoe.Thereisahtgehobinthetenderventingcryogenic
complex hydrocarbonswhich it obtains from the outer system gas fuel, and as Vghtecomes indosetogetabetter bdc.severalobjects
giants in orbis 6 to 8. Once a year, Gorky passes as close as 628 dart toward her and danking is heard through her hull.
million km to the nearest of these, Bubo, so it has been chosen as The pirates have a fail-safe component to their plan. Twenty-fnre
the site of the wildcatting operationsconductedby Gorky's fleet of pirates were smuggled onto the tender at Gorky in storage cannisters,
six RoughnetAclass wildcat rigs (page 14) and their mother ship, waitingtoarriveatBubobeforetakingovertheship.Fromthatposition,
a convertedType XT express boat tender (see Hard Tlmes page they could caph~reeach RolAghnedcindiiuallyas if came alongside
81 for standard configuration UCP). to transferits bad, OT strike by surprise in case of emergency as they
Itisherethatthepi- ambushthefleet Theywillattempttocapture havehere. Isolatedintheircannisters,theywereunawareof @ h # s
the R e - so that they can profit by oommting them to other presence until they took over and were, therefore, unable to warn the
purposes or selling them, but they will be paidwhetherthey caprure or moon base. Now, 20 pirates in EVA gear damber over Vjghte'shull
simplydestroythem. Thepirateshaveestabliihedabasewith a handful planting shaped charges to bkw boarding entrances (use skill level 2
of prefab moduleson Bubo'sthird moon (airless, with O S ) orbiting at and Dex 8forthetask above).
456,000km.Thiimoonistidallylocked,withonesidealwaysfacingthe Becausethey are at battlestations, allcrewmembers arefortunately
gas giant. This is all that V 7 s crew knows, atthough they can in their vacc suits with sidearms, but there are no more than eight of
calcu~thatonoeingeosynchlonousorbit,themdhershp,o~tingat V&Wdmopers aboard to meet the threat.
90,400km,willcomewKin366,000kmofthemooneach timethe moon ThepirateswlonlybeabletoenterVgkntethmughholesbkwnin
passes overhead. thetopd the jump and main decks orthe goaseneck, because other
areas have LHyd storage beneath them w h i i spews outto prevent
The Best-Lald Schemes entry and which would freeze any person immersed in it. The PC
Unlessthe PCs push for another plan (this can be roleplayedor operating the laser turret will have the opportunity to engage the
rolled as adifficult confrontationtaskvs. Riveraand Kirsidguusing assaultingpirates, althoughcare must betaken notto ht friendlyfoms
Persuasionand Tactics skills), Vigilante will jump to intercept the who may decide to counterattackfrom the gooseneck or jump dedc
incoming wildcatters and mingle with them. This will conceal airbdcs.
Vgihte'ssignature until she gets close to Bubo and hides herself W& Vghte busy, the corsair dives into Bubo's atmosphere and
in ambush beneath the doud deck. The R-rand Kestrels can beginshuntingfortheskRocrghneda,althoughthedenseatmosphere
then be launchedfrom the tender's sensor shadow to hitthe moon providesprotectknbyraisingal1senswandwe;rponsfire~byone
base from only 366,000km. Such attacks from within the pirates' levelof difficulty. The PCs' Rqturand Kesbielforce should be pacing
perimeter should take them by surprise. thecorsair,andcanporsuetheoorsairintothedouddedcandmaintain
The strike on the moon base will be conducted by the Ritotor, sensor contact, or assist Vg/Mk
escorted by two Kestrels. Their speed and small signatures make
detection less likely. The 13 troops aboardthe Rapforwillinclude Triumph
those PCs serving as troops, equipped as VgiMe troopers with Q h t e will not emetge unscathed h m thii encounter. She will
laser rifles (page 12), with the senior PC trooper holding the presumably require patches to her fuel tanks and probably replace
position of on-scene ground commander. The attack must be a ments to her crew. Patching can be done by the crew with materials
careful room-to-room assault rather than a simple strafing: valu- stored inthe holdover a periodof severaldays, butthe danger of being
able intelligence must not be lost. alWked while vulnerable will require constant Kestrelpat&. On the
Vgilante,holding the other Kestrels in reserve (not all of which strength of their recent performance, the PCs will earn offers of
will be crewed, depending upon decisions made in New Gunsling- permanent crew status from Rivera. Whether they accept or not, the
ers), will meanwhilelurk beneaththe tender while the R o u g h n d next order of business will be to return to Rasencrantz and S i i h r to
begin their work. deliver the eledronic equipment (and perhaps Yor#Ic which is the
p~rtyafSittahr)andperhapsretumthePCstotheirship.IfthePCs
Gang aft agley offer to pin Rivera's Vigilantes as operatotsof their own independent
The pirate base is on side of the moon that faces the gas giant, ship,thiiwillhavetobewwkedoutwiththe referee, although Riverawill
necessitatedby the prefab modules' power needs. Each is pow- be fmrably inclinedto the possibilii.
ered by photovoltaic panels, requiring placement on the "bright
side" to catch the light reflected off Bubo's swirling surface. There Variatlons
aretwo identicalmodules;one is illustratedonpage6. There is also Dependingon the plans that were agreed upon earlier and the
a Type P corsair groundedbesidethem. If the starmercs approach players'decisions, a number of variationsonthe above eventscan
from Bubo, there is a 9+ chance on 20 to take the pirates by take place. The following timedistance table will assist the referee
surprise. If they come in from the open space side, this chance in tracking the events.
increasesto 5+. There are 18 pirates, six each in the modulesand
ship. If surprised, they will not respond until the PCs or starmercs Gorkyb Moonap 100 Diemerevs Tender to
initiate combat. Then roll 1D per piratefor the number of minutes Gas G I m W k a r Tender to Moon Cloud Deck
needed to respond. The ship can lii off once the last pirate 0 (628 mil. km) (366,000 km) (13.6 mil. km) (90.400 km)
crewmember has so responded; those in the modules will don
TLl2 vacc suits and engage with laser rifles.
The PCs have been instructed in the use of shaped charges to
blow their way into the modules or starship. 3.45 75hr 1.82 hr 11.03 hr 53.96 min
Tobbw anentry holeinavacuum modulewithashapedcharge: 5 62.3 hr 1S O hr 9.16 hr 44.82 min
Routine, Vacc Suit, Dexterity, 4 seconds, Hazardous.
R&m: Demoliin skill may replace Vacc Suit skill, if possessed.
Task becomes Formidableif attemptingto bkw the hole in a starship. limes reflect arrivalat zero net vector. To pass through that point
at maximum thrust, multiply listed time by 0.7. Listingfor 3.45G is
If surprise is rot obtained, the oorsair will lift off and engage the the average of Raptorand Kestrelperformance; the referee may
fighters, while working toward the tender's position. use this one figure for both, for ease of play.

9
Assignment: Wglante GDW
FURTHER ADVENTURES ABOARD V / G / W T E The Number of DiceforAppliintscolumn indicatesthe number
The encounters presented above are only the briefest of intro- of six-sided dice thrown for number of applicants per recruiting
ductions to Vigilante's missions in Promise Subsector. Below are period. The main number is for ground troops, and the number in
guidelines for further campaign activities, including day-to-day parenthesis is for starship crew applicants. Quality dasses are
starmerc operations. rolled separately. Each recruiting period lasts one week, and only
one recruiting attempt can be made per month per planet. Recruit-
Starmerc Tickets ing skill allows the PCs to add to each die rolled. For each PC (or
The primary source of income for starmerc units like Rivera's Vgilante ship's company NPC) with Recruiting-1,add one to the
Vigilantes is hiring on as escort for merchant convoys on danger- rolls for recruits. For each with Recruiting-2, add one to each die
ous trade routes or providing troops for "dirtside' operations on rolled for recruits and regulars. Each with Recruiting3 adds 1 to
planetary surfaces. This section presents an abbreviatedversion each die rolled for all classes, Recruiting4 adds 2 to each die for
of the fuller discussion available in Hard Tlmes. all classes, and so on.
The starmerc fee for escorting a merchant convoy for one The Terms of Service (Age)oolumn is a guide for the refereewhen
jump(starp0rtdepartureto starport arrival) isCr750perstarmerc generating the a p p l i i responding to the recruiting efforts. The
crewmemberplus Cr 30 per kiloliter of cargo hold of the escorted 'enhanced generation' notation for Veterans and Elites indicates
merchant vessels. Thus Vigilante's rate with a full crew of 78 characzerS genera3edby the enhanmd mercenary characters proce
would be Cr 58,500 plus the fee for the escorted cargo capacity. dum (or enhanced Naval, scolrt or Merchard Prince characters for
In the example of four Type A free traders, the fee would be space recruits). W others are from the Basic Charader Generation
58,500+(30 x[4xllO~)=Cr191,340. Out of this fee come the TablesforArmy.Marine,LawEnforoementandHunter(orNavy,Soouts.
formidable costs for payroll for Vigilante's crew, plus funds for Merchants, Betters, and Pratea for space recruits) charadem. In all
maintenance, supplies, training, and the replacement and re- cases,the referee should albwthe PCs to see only the applicants'
pair of equipment (including Vigilante herself) placed at con- resumes when intetviewing, and not their UPPs and skills
stant risk in combat. However, as merchants usually use the 100
tons of starmerc per 400 tons of merchant rule, Vigilante'ssize Pirate Operations In the Promise Subsector
makes her rather expensive for groups of small ships. If intendingto conduct a long-termcampaignin Promiseand the
Dirtside missions pay differently, as they are based on the surrounding subsectorsof Diaspora, the referee should consider
numberof troops available, notonthestarmercshiporcrew. Inthe obtaining Hard Tlmes. The referee can then use the rules for
years before the Rebellion, it was considered typical for a merc generating raider bands to populate the campaign area with a
unit to get at least Crl2,OOO per trooper per month. In the Hard balanced 'ecosystem' of riper, corsair and Viking bands, each
Times environment, that kind of money doesn't exist anymore. with its own base and "huntingterritory.' However, the refereecan
Payment will only be a fraction of that scale, and is often offered conduct adventures using the guidelines below.
in trade, services or salvage rights to the defeated enemy's Trade Routes: Pirates operate where there is plunder to be
equipment. had+nore specifically, where there is low-risk plunder to be had.
Nothing draws pirates like a trade route active enough to offer
Recruiting regulartargetsbut not so well-used as to be heavily defended. For
Casualties among Vigilante's crew or her ship's troops will this reason, pirate activity in Promise is lowest among the six
requirethe recruiting of replacements.This is an important activity worlds of the Unity of Promise, as these are protected by the UP
and can be timeconsuming, consideringthe importanceof obtain- Navy (Library Data, page 11).
ingtherightpeoplefortherightjobs. hisalsoquiteapromisingarea Outside the UP, the heaviest (hence, most lucrative, by pirate
for roleplaying, as the PCs will wish to interview some of their and therefore, starmerc standards) traffic runs from Tazmania to
prospectiveemployeesor shipmatesto determine their suitability. ljiwa and Tenmet, from Execute to Exeter and Poznan, between
This presents numerous opportunities for the referee to play the Amoyandthe Blight Subsectortospinward, and betweenMuni and
roleof the NPCjob applicantwho seems to have somethingto hide Daaliisa and Lot.
or who appears to be too good to be true. The FCs can attempt to Pirate Bands: From his base at Campobello (2714/Pasdaruu,
check into the background of such individuals, creating more immediatelytocorewardof Promise), lndrothe Lghtless(see Hard
chances for adventure. Tlmes) hasbeen attempting to topple the KhavleAccordment. But
When recruiting a new crew, the key factors are the world's recent reversals have caused him to look rirnwardto the Promise
UWP population digit and the quality of the personnel being Subsector, where he has probed into Seagull, Orsk, Tenmet and
sought. Treat personnelquality as falling intofour different classes Asena Further expansion is only a matter of time.
as indicated in the table below (see Referee's Companlon, However, Promise already has its own ambitious raider band, the
Large-Scale Combat for further discussion of troop quality and vking a l l i i ofexCol. (Sir) Qmon Milligan, based ai Lekhaanaand
morale). Slii.ThiiwasthegmupthaiVghfetangledwithat SiirandGmky,
thwarting initialattemptsto expand its influence deeper into D@pora,
This formidable group of two allied bands has two powerful but jump
incaperble/3m/uddassmissileboaas(athirdwascapturedbyVighfe
at S i r )which mustbeferriedfmm systemto systemby Milligan'stwo
inepbcea#e600-lonjumpshuttles.Addt'ionalforcesconsistdaType
PcorSair9seenatGoky)andtwloA2fartts. Milliiisarmntlytom
bWveen expanding rimwad toward Sittahr or spinwad to Tmania.
DMs (per die rolled):+2GoVr 7, +3 Law 0, +2 Law 1-2,+1 Law 34, Shouldheleamd Indro'sforays,Mlliganwiilfightferodoustytoprevent
-1 Law 7-8, -2 Law 9-11, -1 TL6-, +2 TL 10-12, +1 TL13+. any intrusionsonto "histurf.'
(Space only: +1 Starport C, +2 Starport B, +3 Starport A)DMs Milliian's sponsor for the operations ai Goky will continue to be
also allowed for recruiting; see below. active, thmgh Miligan's tortes or other as yet u n d i m r e d agents.

10
GDW Assignment: Wgilante
Promise Subsector (UDiaspora Sector) as of 001-1129
Name Hex UWP cbss P P G M stk 2wJ
Seagull 2521 tm13tB-3 NI FI Lo 6W GZV
Amoy 2524 E4546324 NiAg 205 GO V ou
Baraduusa2528 E3422FA-5 NiPoLo 215 G3V ou
Ferenira 2724 D1001A58 N i V a b 123 M3V ou
Daaliii 2725 E7676004 & 914 M i.V OUF
Ebji 2728 D846691-9 NiAg 302 UP MOV ou
Exeter 2729 C769891-B 424 UP K3VM9D ou
Muni 2825 D3428B8-7Po 505 K4VIM6D Ou
Promise 2827 8542998-D H i I n h 502 UP M1V ou
Poznan 2830 E232883-6 PoNa 403 M4V ou
OlSk 2922 -97-9 Nib 912 M4VM9D ou
Lot 2925 C245690-B Ni& 503 UP M V Ou
Vahana 2926 E65A59!%9 NiWa 703 UP M2VM5D Ou
Udone 2927 DOOO590-9 NiAs 314 UP MOV ou
Gorky 2929 D200586-8 NiVa 911 G1 V ou
Execute 2930 X684598-5 NiAg 303 M1 V ou
Asena 3W2 E354832-A 114 M7 II ou
Napiiresha
3023 X5592B5-5 N i b 623 M6VM3D ou
530-053 3027 X4432004 N i P o b 822 M3VM4D OWF
Davao 3029 D100696-6 NaNiVa 113 M3V OUlF
Nysorb 3030 CQB6584-7 NiFl 733 K2VIM4D OUlF
Tenmet 3121 (310774-9 Na 203 K2 111 ou
Tazmania 3123 8456540-A NiAg 104 M1 VM9DM6D Ou
sligo 3126 X878386-6 N i b 703 U7V ou
Sittahr 3129 D7665A4-8 NiAg RsG 405 KOVM3D ou
lja 3224 E3008A4-A VaNa 202 M2VM6D Ou
Lekhaana 3225 X1002983 N i V a b 124 G6V OWD
Cosenza 3228 -7464-9 Ni 312 K2VM2D ou
Alg (Alleglance): UP:the Unity of Promise.
Zn (Zones): No IdkatorSafeFrFrontier0u:Outhnd wi:Wilds.
Sp '(Speclal Indlcator): F: Failing world D: Doomed world
RsG: Diaspora Sector's Imperial Research Station Gamma. Falllng Worlds: These are worlds where a delicate equilibrium
has been achieved between the demands of sunrival and the
ADMINISTERING UWP CHANGES limitedmeanstomaintainit. The peoplecansurvivewith hardwork.
The UWP changes seen in the table above have taken place but there are few resources for anything else, and anything
gradually since the 1121 figures found on page 16 and can be depends on simple luck.
administeredgradually bythe refereewho wishesto game through Unlty of Romlse (UP): This organization was established in
the Hard Times changes reflected in these reductions. Simply 1126 in response to the need for unified authority in the lawless
compare the 1121 and 1129 values and note changes in UWP subsector. The six memberworldshopeto pushbackthesurround-
digits. Reduction in starport values take place from the latter part ing tides of anarchy, and to this end they maintain a credible fleet
of 1124. Reduction in tech levels start in mid-1125; population and retain a large numberof starmercunitsfor eventualities. As an
reductionsbeginto be seen in early 1128; andgovernmentand law island of Outiand surrounded by Wilds areas, the UP is quite a
level changes start by mid-1128. The Hard llmes sourcebook powerhouse by subsector standards; in fact, it is one of the more
provides more in-depth discussion of these issues. powerful of Diaspora's independent polities. However, being the
closest of these to the Sobmani Frontier is quite a handicap.
LIBRARY DATA Given itscashpoorcircumstances,the UPgovernmentpays its
The PromiseSubsector was a war zone throughouttheduration starmerccontradorsintrade when possible,in the form of starship
of the Rebellion. The post-war populationof Promise Subsector is maintenance and repair at Promise's TL13 yards. Since there are
approximately 6.63 billion, representing a total decline of 302 no class-A starports among the UP worlds, new starships in
million from pre-Rebellion totals. Worlds that experienced note- PromiseSubsectorcomemostlyfromRemington(182O/Diaspora).
worthy decreases in population include Seagull, Amoy, Daaliisa, The UPfleet consists of six Gazelleclassclose escorts, Assur-
Exeter, Muni and Lekhaana. The highest tech is 13 at Promise. ance (F-11). Covenant (F-l2), Oath (F-l3), Pledge (F-l4), War-
Two special conditions have been created by the w. On some rant (F-15) and B4nd(F-16); six Sentry-class SDBs (one at each
worlds, special equipment or high technology was neededto support UP member world); four armed Type A2 far traders; three Type T
the population in a hostile environment During the war, a WWS patrol cruisers; one armed Type Y yacht; one Type C mercenary
technokgymayhavedroppedbekwthabwhkhisneededtosustainlie. cruiser; and a capturedType Pcorsair. Smallcraft includea dozen
In that case, a Doomedworld or Failing wdd is the result each of Termagant- and Kestreklass fighters, and 30-some
DoomedWorlds: These are Worlds with hostile environmentsthat pinnaces, ship's boats and cutters used for customs and inspec-
are on the verge of extinctionfrom bssd technology and suppliedt tion duties. An additional force of seven starmerc vessels, includ-
is only a maller of time until they finally fail. Their peopleare desperate ing Vghnte,are kept on reserve status and are frequently hired
togetoff-worldandwillpayexorbitantfeesforevenbwpassage.They for missions outside UP territory.
will also resort to hijacking. extoftion and bribery. For thii reason, While small, this is a considerable force by post-Rebellion
Doomed worlds are not safe phcestovisit. standards.

11
Assignment: Wgiiante GDW
~~~ ~ ~ ~ ~

ABOARD VIGILANTE Lt. Cdr. Marlene is Vg17ante'snavigator and recruiting officer.

Atour d VgiWs interior is a telling study of the different phibso- She has been with the unit since its creation in 1122. She has an
phies of mercantile and m i l i i naval architecture. Vgkntebeganas interest in antique firearms and Terran "cowboysf it was she who
a steuarcbss ~ u b s i i i e dliner, but was left incomplete at ticeter designed the unit's distinctive patch with .tS antique revolvers
followingthecollapseofthecommerdalshipkri#ingmarketintheearly threatening a pirate skull.
1120s. Although taken in hand o m in 1123 for completion as the Marlene is also the ship's chief interrogator. She is a shrewd
warship Admiral 6e/?/7for the Promise Planetq Navy, la& of funds judge of human nature, and can usually get the information she
curtailedthis after the installathof some lL13 systems. wants through questioning and obsetvation. However, if circum-
By late 1125, it was dear that addiial military vessels were stances are sufficientlydire, or her contempt for a pirate prisoner
necessary to control the rising incidence d pimy in the Promise sufficientlystrong, she can use physicalintimidationand coercion.
Subsector. The Exeter shi~ardsprepared several studies on the Col. Rivera is Marlene's husband.
refiing of merchant hulls for military sewice. Among these were two Lieutenant Unglnke "Piper" Kirsidgu: 6A9A95, age 42, 6
Type M conversion schemes, the A h M Mfghtercanying corn- terms. Skills: Leader-1, Tactics-2, Forward Observer-1, Grav
rnerceprot~nshipandthe~~~Wat.whi~tradedthesmallcradt Vehicle-1,VaccSuit-2,Zero-G Envimnment-2, Laser Weapons-2,
for greater power and laser armament These phns were distrbuted Combat Rileman-2, Handgun-1, Mass Driver-1, Recruiting-1,
throughout the Diaspora Sedor as the Extemporized Mercantile-to- Interrogation-1,Gambling-1, Admin-1.
Military Conversion (EMMC) designs. These designs were ideal as Although of absolutely no Sobmanidescent, Kirsidgu has decided
templates for the m p l e t k n of existing incomplete hulk and A h i d hewantsto be Mi, at least forthe bagpipes. If the PCs ask,he'll
Betti/ was again taken in hand to be completed as the first EMMC explain, 'I have a theory, which is my own.The pipesbug people. Bug
vessel. Although Exeter's bcally sustainable tech level was eroding thedaylightsoutd'ern Butifsafunnythii aboutthe pipes. Ifthey're
during this period, the TL13 system installed during 1123 allowed your pipes, they bug you into doing your job M e r and tougher. But if
Bertrrs completionto lL13 standards. they're theotherguys'pipes, they bug you intoscmwing up'7banks to
In 1126, the new Unity of Promise government announced that Kirsidgu's theory, Vgknte'stroopersoften go into battle blaring"scat-
s u b s i i i completion of EMMCvessels would be offered to starmerc landthe Brave: 'Blue BonnetsO'er the Border or "TheSiege of Delhi'
unitsthat would agreeto accept m o b i l i i nduties inthe UPfleet.The (Kirsidgu's fmrite) from portablespeakers.
first unittotakeadvantageofths programwas Col. Robert Riera's unit Many times decorated in Imperialservice. Kirsidgu is rather old
Rivera's Viilantes, who took delivery of AdnM Bertrl on 217-1127, for a lieutenancy. Fordirtsidecadreops, he usesthe rank of Major,
promptly renaming her Vg~Zmte. a title more appropriatewith his age and experience.

V/G/UNT€'S CREW Ship's m o p s

Vgi/antds crew exhibits several clear traits. One is the preva- All ship's troops are identified on their combat armor by tactical
lence of Solomani names in the DiasporaSector. The others are a codes ("laccodes"), indicatedbelow. The 43 troops are dividedinto
result of Hard 'limes conditions. First,crewmembers have a more five squads of eight each plus three command personnel (troop
heterogeneous mix of skills than was typical of pre-Rebellion commander andtwo nonofficer assistants, taccodes01to W).The
individuals. This is a result of the upheavals of the Rebellion and first section (fourtroops)of each squad is equipped and trained for
Hard Times, which forced people to adapt to changing situations zero43 combat with aoceleratoror laser riles and snub pistols. The
instead of becoming experts in the more carefully delineated and remainder are armed with a mix of ACRs and assault rifles.
separated roles of peaceful times. Cunently alltroopsare equippedwith combat armor, althoughwith
Second, there are many family ties among the crew. The a wide variety of captured, salvaged and scrounged mix of bits and
uncertain and violent nature of the times require people to travel pieces rangingfrom n i l - 14.
light and not leave hostages to fortune behind on inadequately Each squad has a squad leader (SL), whose taccode ends in 1.
defendedworlds. When recruiting, Col. RiveraandLt. Cdr. Marlene and an assistantSL, whose taccode ends in 5. The fve squads are
takeeffotisto not spliifamilybonds whenworkcanbefoundaboard each identified by a colored pattern painted on their armor and
for married couples, siblings, and parentswith mature children. At equipment in additionto their taccodes, as follows. 1st: Black and
thesametime, the intimaciesofcommoncause andshareddanger white checkerboard, taccodes 11-18.2nd: Blue and green tartan
havepromptedseveralmarriagesamongcrewmembers, including plaid, taccodes 21-28. 3rd: Cluster of orange fivepainted stars,
Rivera and Marlene. taocodes 31-38.4th: Blue and yellow 'racing stripe:tarxndes 41 -
Colonel Robert R. Rhrera: 7A8BC8, age 40,5% terms. Skils: 48. 5th: Red and white "barber pole' pattern, taccodes 51-58.
Leader-2, Ship's Tactics1, Fleet Tactics-1. Vacc Suit-1, Grav Belt-1, V717anteiscurrentfyoperatingunderstrength,withoutafifthsquad.
Tactics-2, Recon-1, Combat Rileman-3, Recruiting-1, Liaison-2, Three members of each squad (SL,ASL and one other) should
Linguistics-1, History-1,Forward Observer-2, Persuasion-2, Sen- betreatedas havingaskill levelof3 intheir weapon; all others have
sor Op6-0. Engineering-0. 2. All troops have at least Vacc Suit-1. ZemG section members
Bob Rivera is the commandingofficer of the Rivera's Vigilantes haveVacc Suit-2 and Zero-G Environment-1,(2 if the SL). EachSL
starmerc unit, and captain of Vgi/ante,although he retains the additionally has Tactics-1. Two members of each squad have at
traditional colonel rank of merc Cos.He is well-liked by his crew least Medical-1, though no more than level 2.
and is knownfor hisconsideredintelligenceratherthanthe "hellfor
leather"reputationcoveted by many starmerc colonels. He prides V/G/UNTESYSTEMS AND OPERATIONS
himself on his crew's low casualty rate. He is a native of Daaliisa, Viihtds streamlined hull allows her to conduct gas giant
and Vgilantemakes numerous patrolsthere, providing what help refuelling. Although she is capable of take-off and landing within
it can to the population of that failing world. He is married to planetary atmospheres,the gooseneck that joins the forward disk
Vgilantds navigator, Lisa Marlene. tothe mainhullis consideredto be astruduralweakspotthat would
R i r a maintains dose ties to the Unity d Promise government. be endangeredby too much atmospheric maneuvering. Therefore
cementedby Vghre'sfrequentoperations asanawiliirymemberof atmospheric operations are avoided when possible, leaving the
the UPNavy. Heusesthiipositiontocontinuouslypresshomehlsbelii landingof troops or attackingof surface targets to the fighters and
that the UP should work to expand its influence and pratectkn to lander. .
rimward and trailing to the undefendedworlds d the subedor. Entry Points: Three airlocks allow routine personnel entry and
Lieutenant Commander Use Marlene: 886BA9, age 42.6 terms. exit. One is on the dorsal surface of the gooseneck, accessed by
Sh7kNavigation-2, Electronics-2, Pilot-1, -Suit-1, InterrogatbM an elevator, and the other two are at the forward end of the jump
Liaison-1,Recruiting-2, Handgun4 Equestriarr2, History-1,Air/Raft-1, deck on either side.
Rec~n-1. There are three other specialiied entrances. Two, on the dorsal

12
GDW Assignment: vigilante
surface, are the matched flight deck doors, illustrated on the deck, and iscontrolledfromthe bridgeor, alternately, from the main
outboardbowview in anopeningposition. Whenconductingfighter deck engineeringcompartment.The portionof the system respon-
launch and recovery operations, the door is raisedto afully vertical sible for depressurizingand repressurizingthe flight deck, includ-
position. Either or both doors can be used for the launch and ing air compressors and storagetanks, is locatedon the starboard
recovery of Kestreland Raptorcraft, requiringthat the main deck side aft, by the machine shop.
be depressuriiedforward to the gooseneck and aft to the forward The disk's life-support system can only be operated from the
engineering bulkhead. bridge, as an antihijack precaution. This allows the disk to function
The third specialized entrance, onthe ventral surf-, isthe bwered as the citadelwherethecrewcan holdout even if the rest ofthe ship
positknof the cargo lift;it is herethat Vg/h?eis baded and unloaded is taken. The life-support systems there indude a small auxiliary
when she lands on planetary surfaces. Cargo is normally h u g M fusiongeneratoron the starboardsideforward.As thediskcontains
aboard by the Rzptwand is unloadedto the liis upper positiononthe part of the ship's fuel tankage, it can hold out for quite some time.
fligMdedcTheliftcanalsobeextendedtoitslandedpositioninspace, Accommodatlons (LigM Brown): Staterooms in the disk
but this requiresthe depressurizationof the cargo hold and flight deck accommodate26 crewmembers: two bridge crew, both gunners,
four command and the 18 fighter crew. The engineering quarters
Internal Layout abaft (aftof) the flight deck house the engineer and the ship's
The main internal difference between VgIYante as completed steward. All 28 of these mess in the main deck galley in the disk
and her Stellarclass origins is the rationalizationof the Stellar's forward.
split-leveldeck configuration. Rather than having an upper quar- The bwer deck contains 13 staterooms (one dual and 12 quad
ters and lower hold deck with an intermediatslevel passenger occupancy) which house the 43 ship's tmops, sk @Mer maintenance
deck wrapped around the two, Viilante has her file1 storage personneland the ship's medii who shares the double compartment
pushed into the outer wraparound area so that the upper main mssfrom thesidcbay. The herded<has itsowngalleywhichserves
deck can be extended laterally to house the fighters. The former theSOpersonnelberthedhere.Thesidcbayattheaftendcontainsfour
hold deck has been rebuilt as a quarters deck to house 50 crew. beds, each of which doubles as a kw berth.
Because of the tremendous space requiredby the fightercomple- Each stateroom contains one or two (for quad occupancy
ment, the bridge and additional quarters have been located in the rooms) bunkbeds and a multipurpose head (bathroom) unit.
former passenger lounge in the forward disk. Englneerlng and Drhre Systems (Red): The aft end of the
The accompanyingdeck plans have been coloraded to allow lower deck contains the fuel puiiiers and fuel pumps that supply
easier use. the fusion power plant directly above. The main deck fusion plant
Control Systems (Yellow): These comprise the four bridge suppliesthepowerneedsofeverysystemin theshipsavethejump
positions and the four diagnostic and monitoring positions in the drive and supports the twin manewer units immediately abaft it.
engineeringspaces. Onlytwocreware requiredtooperatethe ship The main fusion plant is also connected by a row of three power
under routine conditions, usually both in the bridge. However, at columns to the jump drive fusion core immediatelyoverhead. This
battle stations, there are personnel sufficient to man each of the allows the main fusion plant to draw from the fuel lines that feed
eight consoles. In the bridge are the two bridge crew, one gunner directly into the jump fusion core from the dorsal spine inthe event
and the GO. The engineer, XO and two remaining command of damage to the main fuel pumps.
personnel man the engineering systems. Fuel(Green): Fueltankageismostlywrappedaroundthelateral
Weapons Systems (Orange): Although the ship's weapons and ventral pottions of the main hull, although there is also some
can be controlled centrally from the bridge by the two gunners, tankageatop andbeneaththe forwarddiskThe mainhullfuel is fed
there are five consoles for local turret control (one each, except through the pumps on the lower deck aft, and the disk fuel passes
only one console for both tail stingers together) alongside each through conduits in the dorsal spine.
turret. Also locatedcontiguouslywith each missile and sandcaster EmbarkedFlgMers(B1ue): Inordertofit intothecrampedflight
turret are magazine spaces for additional missiles and sand deck, the Kestrel and Rapt4r craft have folding atmospheric
cannisters. control sutfaces.The wings flickout from slots in the fuselage, and
The sandcaster turrets are almost never manned; their place- the vertical surfaces-the rudder and wing fences-swing upfrom
ment allows optimaldispersionof sand and chafl by computer. The their flat folded positiins.
three missileturrets are usuallycontrolled centrally by one gunner Miscellaneous Facllltles (Gray): The aft end of the lowerdeck
from the starboard console of the bridge, while the other gunner provides352 cubic meters (26 tons) of cargo space, serviced by a
operates the laser turret under localcontrol. While there are safety liftwhichrunsuptothefligMdeckandcanextendallthewaytothe
interlocksto preventthe turrets from hitting other parts of the ship, ground when the ship is landed. The li. when in its up position at
the interlocks for the laser turret can be overridden. This is an the flight deck, creates an airtight seal to isolate the flight deck.
antihijackingcontingency,in keepingwith thecitadelconceptof the When at its two lower positions, bwer deck and landed, the fligM
forwarddisk.Theturret's arcof fire allows it to fire pasttheshuttered deck and cargo hold become one continuous compartment for
former bridge dome at the two airlocks on either side of the jump purposes of pressurization.
deck. and alsodirectlyatthegooseneckairlock.The turretcan also The armory, containingallthe weapons used by V@knte's troop
fire at anything entering or leaving via the flight deck doors. Thus, contingent, is just forward of the cargo area, protected by heavy
the only entry to the ship not underthe protectionof the laserturret locked doors.
is the ventral cargo lift. The flight deck, which constitutes most of the main deck, is
Sensors(Purple): Viilante'ssensors are locatedinthree main accessed by two large doors which hinge at the ship's spine. The
locations. The active and passive EMS arrays are installed in a lift albws cargo to be moved between the cargo hold and the
conformal array around the forward disk and in rear-arc scanners fighters and landers.
on either side of the stinger turret stack aft. The former bridge ThegoosenedcbetweenthemainhullandthediskhousesVg/h#s
dome, retained as a dummy, has beentransformedinto a sensors EVA (eoctra-veharlaradivity)facilii, with an elevator that leads to the
and communicationsturret, housing the highpenetration densite dorsal airlock and adoset staring awide seledion dvaccsuits.
meter, and the laser and maser commo systems. Connectingthe main hullto the forward disk is the dorsal spine,
Llfe-Support Systems (LlgM Blue): Because of the separa- runningdown the centerline, exterior to and above the flight deck.
tion of the forward disk and main hull, and the problemsof running This spine carries power cables and fuel pipes from the engineer-
too many systems through the cramped and vulnerable goose- ingspacesaft,acrossthegooseneckandintothediskforward.The
neck, Vgilante has two independent life-support systems, one equipment packing the spine has made vision through the former
eachforthediskand main hull.The main hullsystemoperatesfrom dorsal briie dome impossible, allowing conversion of the dome
ducting behind the outboard bulkheadson either side of the lower into a sensors and commo turret.

13
Assignment: Wgilante
~ ~
GDW
SHIPS USED IN THESE ADVENTURES
-iin-- I - c l a s s h o n t l e r w ~
L C % W D n o ! s VTOL Frontier Fuel Harvester,

D~r@dn=Us
Loco: 12/24. HiPerfRkt=lG/7020Tt, Duratio-1
I Tao=lbookph,
~.
Crrjise=75Okph, NOE= n/a J
' Comrno: 2zso=FarOrb
~

I
Control:
Computer=2bisx3, CPU=Elearonlotl700, I Env=B&Env, Bscls, ExtLs, GrvP~.~lnt&&th$~'5' I
Environ=BscEnv, BscLs, E&, 2xAlrlock Other: Fueb96 W, BttyRnds-20, ObjSize=Ava, -
I ; - : I, c ~ l , ~ F ~ EmLevekFaint
) ~ ~ ~ ~ J
Oth~Cargo/FX&ageTanks= 650 Id, Carg0=25.6 kl, The TmagiantIs a long-endurancefighter built by a consortiumof
crvofue=i4Wkl, - F ~ d = 3 6 M , m the independent contractors on Cumber (0532/Dlaspora), elthough
The Roughneck Is a low-tech spacecraft of unusual design. Its the design also sees wldespread use In other sactors. It can be
purpose is to collect complex hydrocarbonsfrom the atmospheres operated by a slngle crewmember, but usually carries two on long-
of large gas giants. duration patrd mlssbns. This requiresdouble occupancy accommo-
The Roughneck looks like a squashed sphere. It customarily dations and results In a high sodability rating as a requirement for
begins its missionwith an empty fuel storage cargo hold, reducing prospectiveTennagantcrewpersons.
takeoff weight to 2835 tons. Therefore, lift-off acceleration is ap-
proximately 1.5G, meaning It can lift off even from airless worlds I . :-? 2 1-, , & m d h , M i a l e Bo&&j@lr) csy <@&fl
that do not allow it to use a lift-assisted take-off. CraftlD: Ramrod Missile Boat, TL13, MCr5755
Once in space, the Roughneck travels out to the desired gas
giant. Speed Is of the essence, since the power plant bums the
same precious hydrocarbons that the ship must gather for resale.
Arriving at the gas giant, the Roughneck rendezvous with a
support craft or space station, where its cryogenic rocket fuel is
replenished and its lift envelope (also called the 'air bag") Is
connected. The lift envelope Is a inflatable airfoil of Immense
volume (over 4 million cubic meters). As the Roughneck ap-
proachesthe gas giant's atmosphere, it beglns to collect hydrogen
in its scoops to inflatethe envelope. The hydrogen is pumped Into
the envelope through the same conduitthat is later usedas the run-
off collection funnel to help fill the Roughneck's collection tanks.
The lift envelope is useless at these higher altitudes, but be-
comes increasinglyuseful as the RoughneckdescendsIntothe gas
giant's cloud layer where the atmosphere is denser. At full Inflation, Misaile=xO7
the lift envelope provides 3321 tons of lift-more than enough to Batt 1
keep the Roughneck from sinklng further. At thls point, the ship Bear 1
begins moving toward areas where 'propane rain" is anticipated. r Def: DM+7 '. .
.-'+I
Run-off vents and folds in the top of the lift envelope gather more Control: Computer=7fibx3, LargeHoloDisplayxl
of this rain than could be accomplished with the scoops alone, A#qm: Crew-10 (1 Commend,'2 Bridge,&Eng
resulting in a rapid ability to fill all 650 kl of fuel storage space. nery), Stateroom=& Egv=k!c@y@s$
Tanks full, the Roughnedcboosts back up to the higher reachesof ~ ~ ~ p l t s , l n m c a m- ~ z:b;& . I

the atmosphere, where it pumps its collected fuel into three external Other: Fueb6057kl, BttyRnds=lOO, Fuel Scoops,
drop tanks.Small tenders remove these drop tanks, pump cryogenic Fuel Purifier (12hr), ObjSlze=Large,
fuel into the main rocket tanks and emplace new drop tanks. The EmLewl=Moderate
tenders then take the full tanks back up to orbit A mainstay of varbus home defense fleas throughout Solomani
The primary danger in a wildcatter's occupation Is the need to de- space and Imperial frontier regions, these cheap, mass-produced,
icethe ship, which canbe a risky proposition. Another commonsource slngle-purpose craft are often carried into combat by larger vessels.
of danger arethe titanic lightningstormsthatoccur inthe atmospheres Pirates, needinggreaterflexibility, often reduce the missilestorage
of largegas giants; a singleboltcan dsable the ship andIgnbits fuel to3OOkl(BttyRnds=60)and converttheremainingspacetoaccommo-
stocks. dationswhere wvenship'stroopsarecarried(orasmenyas14by'hot
The RoughneckutilizesaTL7 VTOL hullandTL7controlcompo- bunking").
nents.This makesthe constructionof eachcraft a painstakingeffort
for TL6 worlds, which have to fabricate special, purpose-built I
architectures for each model.
The statisticsfor the lift envelopeare: lnflatedDlsplecernent:20000
inflated Volume: 4.05 million kl Net UR: 3321 tons Wgt: 2025 tons
DeflatedVO/Um8:26.730 kl (althoughnot necessaryto use, thiscan
fit in a 2000-ton carrier) Price: MCr 4.05.
The Roughneckincorporateselementsof the pregraviticspace-
craft design supplement(fromHardTimes) and the aircraft design Comm: Radii=Systemx3, Laser=Systernx3,
supplement (presented in COACC). Maser=Systemx3

14
GDW Assignment: Wgiiante
~assive(~rmsp~~q)ZJ
Neutrino S&ar(lGW)x3, HghPenDenst#heter(lm),
ActobjScan=Rout. AdObjPin=Rout,
PassObjScan=Form, PassObjPln=Form, I
I
Pas_sE_nSca@!W, PassEn-&m=Fmn- _-..
mi- Hardpoints4
I

BLaser=xO3
Batt 3

I SandCaster&
Batt
.- - -Bear- 1
1
NeuMnoSksor (1O h w ) , LowPendensitomet&
(50m), AdObjsCencRwt, ActObjPinPRout,
PassObjScan=Diff, PassObjPin=DHf,

r:
Contr@:__--@quter=5fibx3, QxHeadsUpDisplay,740xDynUnk PassEnScan=Rout, PassEnPin=Dlff
Crew=lO (2 Bridge, 3 Engineer, 3 Gunners, 1 oft: Hardpoints=l
1 Command, 1 M e d i i ) , Staterooms=lO,
-- En!TB&E..m,Extls,ONPL.InrtlCom-
Other: Fuel-2585 W, Cargo=62 Id, Fuel Scoops,
- I Missil&x03
Ban
Bear 1
1

ObjSize-Large, EmLevel=Moderate Antipersonnel Beam Laser

The SentryelassSDBswere first built by atechnicalconsortiumon TL Pwr W Weighr Pen Dmg Range
Dinglr, priorto its reabsorption intotheThird Imper1um.The laser-only
weaponspackagereflectsan emphaslsonreducedloglsticalrequire- I ~~~iii&?kiiE?mTng-IEm?w (mrj
ments; missileresupply problemscannot affectthe Sentgtsoffenslve
r- Control: Comp33x3, HoloUnkx40

-^?
punch. An offidal IDP (Imperial data package) design since 434, Acwm: Crew=3 (Commander, Gunner, Pilot),
vessels of this class maybefoundInplanetarynaviesof this tech level Seats=Roomyx3, Bunks4, Env-BscEnv, BscLs,
throughout the Imperium and beyond. L - --Exl-LS~~.Intrl(=orn _- -
Other: Fuel=27 W, ObjSke=Avg, EmLeveCModerate
The Kestrelis an IDP design produced (under license) by Ung
Standard Products. It is manufacturedthroughout the Imperium.
The Kestrel Is a compromise design. Some capability for space
1 . ~oaded=~ 0625, Unloaded=-W 2 combat was consideredto be essential, but the vehlcle's primary
Power:14/28, Fusion-1 800Mw, D u r a t i o n M role is atmosphericcombat. Accordingly, the computer installation
r L = o ~ i m : M - ~ ~ ~ ; - a a; l;u i 3 3 a ~ a - i i - ~ ,
L__ -. .Cruisez750
. kph Max=l000-.- kph,&i&=O
Comm: RadoESp!em,LaskSystem, MaserSystem
-- 1 was limitedto a Model 3,which still accountsfor 50% of the vehicle
cost. However, for starmerc units which require a great deal of
versatility Intheir subcraft, the Kesrrells an excellent, and frequent,
Active(Planetary),-EMS Rssive(Substel1ar); choke.
Neutrino Sensor (1Ookw),
HighPenDensitomer(1OOm), ActObjScan=Rout,
ActObjPin-Raut, PassObjScan=Diff,
PassObjPin=Dlff, PassEnScan=Rwt,
I d e l 0 1 8 . 4 , Unb&ed=1014.4'
Off: Hardpink6 Powfar: 5/10- Fuslarr--576Mw.Dur=31
Mlssile=~O3BLa~et--O4
Batt 3 1
J
Comm: RadikSystem, LaserSystem, Maser=System
SandCaster-sO4 [-&nson: EMM, EMS Active(Planetary),
2 I EMS Jammer(Planetary), EMS Passive(Substellar),
L_--Baw---2
~~

I
Control: cOrq%&7x3,
m T%- eiw=78
2xHeadsUpHobDlspl&
-- I
(2 Bridge, 1 Medic, 1Engineer, 24 Flight. 1
i LowPen DensHomet%r(50m).
Neutrino Sm~ar(1 OOkw), ActObjScan=Diff,
kmbjPitl=Mlf, P ~ s c a k M f fPassObjPhaii,
,

i -1
43 Troops-indud%gtroop commad, 4 Cornmad PasaEnaRoulsne.
including CO and XO, 2 Gunner, 1 Steward), off: Hardpdnts=l
Staterooms339, Env=BscEnv, BscLs, ExtLa, Mlssile=x03
----I___GrvPits hrtlComp Ban 1
Other: Fuel=2340 kl, Fuel Purifler=80kl:Cargo=337kl (25t), Bear I
BttyRnds=QO. Fuel Scoops, ObjSiZ*AVffage, Antipersonnel Pulse Laser
Emlevel-Moderate TL Pwr Vol We&& Pen Dmg Range
Subcrak6x20 ton craft -_ - 8 109.0 3.30 3.30 5714 100
___ Kmal
-
The Wgilmre(originallyA M r d B e d I ) Isa specially modfiedType Def: Point Defense Tigedng for Laser, D M 7
M liner. Although Wgi/mt#s Internal arrangement is unique, the Control: Computer&4, HeadsL@HobWsplayxl,HoldinloQG
Admiral Beta1 name has been given to a number of Type M conver- ~ ~ t s c R o o m y x(Commander, l 6 Pilot,
sions that have been made throughout the Diaspore Sector. As all of
these vessels were made individuallyto the same overall plans, they
conformdoselyto the figures above, but all havevariationsIn Internal
layout and equipment due to local availability and conditions.
The upgradeto a Model7 computer reducesthe requiredoperatlng
' Other:
Passengers), Env=BscEnv, Bsds,
GrvPlts,-lnrtlComp
FueCll.52 kl. Camo33.2 kl. BtWRnds-10.
ObjSize=Avg,- EmIkl-None
The Raptor Is another IDP design, essentially an enlarged
I

crew to two. The small TL13 fuel purifier Indicated is unique to

Wg17ante,and purifies 229 kl of fuel per hour, or 61.4 hours for the full Kestrel, which serves as a multifunction vehicle. Capable of per-
load. Powerallocationissuchthatthe laserscannotbeoperatedatthe formingas a space or atmosphericfighter, ItIs also equippedto land
same time as the grav plates and the Inertial compensators. a squad of 12Infantrymen. Endurancewas sacrlficedto provldethe
The cost given lndudes the price of the SIXlanders, although other desiredoperatlng features. The Raptorcarrles a space-rated
Wgihte is equipped with five Kestrel-classfighters and one Raptor- triple missile turret, as well as a remote-operated, 100Mw pulse
dass lander. laser In a belly turret.

15
Assignment: Wgi/mte GDW
I Promlse Subsector (L/Dlaspora Sector) as of 001-1121

2524 D454634-8NAg 305u GOV

2528 -1-D M P o b 215 U G3V
2724 B100165-F MValo 123 U M3V MIA
2725 D7677B-7 4 A114 U M1 V
2728 884664742 M& 302 u MO V
2729 A76- W 524 u K3VMQD
2825 B3428cg-c Po A6Q5U K4VIM6D
2827 m - f HlnmCpm u M1 V
2830 C23288MPoNa 403 So M4V
2 a 2 -2l-F NNiLo M 1 2 U M4VM9D
2925 A245666-F MAg m u M5V MUd
2926 B65A577-F NWa 703 U M2VM5D
2927 AO005W-F N l l b 314 U MO V
2929 A200442-F NNIVa 911 U 01 V
2930 c684588-A MAg 303 So M1 V
3022 c35485M: 114 U M7 II
3023 8559230-DMLa 623 U M6VM3D
3027 M o l - 7 Niblo R822u M3VM4D
3029 D100677-D N a M k 113 So M3V
3030 C9B652xNifl 733 So K2VIM4D
3121 8110725-F Na mu K2 111
3123 A456527-F NI& 104 U Mi VM9DM6D
3126 6878322-0 Nil0 703 U K7V
3129 C766530-D M&RsG405 So KOVM3D
3224 B300864-F VaNa 202 U M2VM6D Fbm
3m 5 €100223-8 MVaLo 424 U G6V
3228 8527485-F Ni 312 So K2VM2D
Alg (Allegiance): Li: Lucan's Imperium So: Sobmani Confederation.
Sp (Special Indicator): RsG:DiasporaSector's Imperial ResearchStation
I I Gamma Muni: Muni Owns this world Pmm: Prumise Owns this world.

k-PI9ee Lift Envelope Deployed

Roughnech-,,,
Frontier Fuel Harvest

ollection Runoff Funnel

-
1 (Front View)

- Cable Attachment Track Cover

(Shown in closed position)