Babylon 5 RPG (2nd Ed.)-The Final Flight of Santiago

7/25/2019 Babylon 5 RPG (2nd Ed.)-The Final Flight of Santiago

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Contents & Credits

Designation of Product Identity: The following items are hereby designated as Product Identity in accordance with section 1(e) ofthe Open Game License. Version 1.0a: Any and all Babylon 5 logos and identifying marks and trade dress, including all Babylon 5product and product line names; any elements of the Babylon 5 setting including but not limited to capitalised names, planet names,alien species names, ship names, organisation names, characters, equipment, setting and historic events, episode descriptions, any andall stories, storylines, locations, plots, thematic elements, documents within the Babylon 5 world, quotes from character or episodes,all artwork, symbols, designs, depictions, illustrations, maps and cartography, likenesses, poses, logos, symbols or graphic designs;any other unspecified incarnations of Babylon 5 creative property, including elements either derived or inferred from the Babylon

5 setting; and website support materials and all future incarnations, online community donations and all free game support items,except such items that already appear in the d20 System Reference Document and are already OGC by virtue of appearing there. Theabove Product Identity is not Open Game Content.

Designation of Open Game Content: Subject to the Product Identity designation above, the following portions of the The FinalFlight of Santiagoare designated as Open Game Content: all character statistics and creation rules, all new character classes andabilities, all new feats, powers and skills, all rules systems and mechanics, all statistic blocks and paragraphs specifically explaining rulesmechanics or special qualities. The use of Product Identity in these circumstances is limited solely to mechanical effects and systems,not to the items previously stipulated as falling under the PI. Printed in China

Credits

AuthorGareth Hanrahan

EditorRichard Ford

Cover ImageBrandon Bray

RPG ManagerIan Belcher

Production DirectorAlexander Fennell

ProofreadingRon Bedison, Scribendi

PlaytestersMark Billanie, Adam Caverly, Trevor Chapman, NatalieChapman, Brian Dennison, Alex Van Donkersgoed,

Vicki Fitzsimmons, Jamie Godfrey, Daniel Haslam, Mark

Howe, Alan Moore, Daniel Scothorne, Michael J YoungSpecial Thanks

J. Michael Straczynski, Fiona Avery, Isabelle Richard,Skye Herzog

THE FIN L FLIGHTTHE FINAL FLIGHT

OF S NTI GOOF SANTIAGO

Copyright 2006 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

BABYLON 5 and all related characters and elements are

trademarks of and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

WB SHIELD: TMand Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

(s06)

Contents

Introduction Page 2

Characters Page 6

The Needs of Earth Page 10

The Mars Question Page 14

Commander-in-Chief Page 19

A Dream Given Form Page 23

Election Night Page 28

The Final Flight Page 30

License Page 32


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Introduction

INTOUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Episode ReferencesEpisode ReferencesThis scenario takes places early in Season 1, withThis scenario takes places early in Season 1, withan epilogue at the end of that season. Suggestedan epilogue at the end of that season. Suggestedepisodes to review areepisodes to review are The GatheringThe Gathering,,Midnight onMidnight onthe Firing Linethe Firing Line, as well as, as well as SurvivorsSurvivors andand hrysalisChrysalis..Given the other inspiration for the scenario, any goodGiven the other inspiration for the scenario, any goodWhite House drama (White House drama (The West WingThe West Wingis this writersis this writersparticular poison) could also be a good idea.particular poison) could also be a good idea.

2

258 is an election year. Incumbent PresidentLuis Santiago is fighting a losing battle

against his challenger, Marie Crane. In thiscampaign, its time for desperate measures.

The Presidential election is decided by votes fromeach state in the Earth Alliance. The number of votesaccorded to each state depends on its population,military strength, economy and other factors,calculated according to a complex formula. The oldUnited States of America, the Russian Consortiumand the European Federation offer the vast majority ofthe votes. Smaller, less developed nations have fewervotes, and the various outlying colonies are generallyignored in presidential campaigns. This time, though,the race could be decided by a razor-thin margin andeven one or two electoral votes from Mars or Proxima

could make all the difference.

EarthForce Onewill set off on a tour of the colonies while Vice-President Clark continues to campaign back on Earth. ThePresidents high-profile tour promises to tackle some of the mostdivisive issues of the day. Many of the problems and electiontopics back on Earth (military spending, fear of alien influence,worries about being drawn into another galactic conflict) canonly be solved out here among the stars.

The solutions are up to the characters. In this scenario, theplayers step into prewritten characters, President Santiagosinner circle of advisers and staff. They will travel with himon board EarthForce One, providing their opinions and adviceabout what course of action he should take. If Santiago makesthe right decisions, and they can handle the media spin on hisbad calls, they might just be able to pull off this election.

Running The FinalFlight of SantiagoObviously, this is not your standard Babylon 5 game. In each ofsix episodes, characters will be faced with some problem or issuethat they need to solve. As this is a political game, the characterswill do very little running around. Instead, this scenario relieson the skilful use of influence and diplomacy.

Every episode includes a briefing document for each character,

providing them with some background information aboutcurrent issues in the campaign. After that initial briefing, thecharacters will begin to argue, debate, investigate, argue some

more and react to any events that may occur throughouttheir decision-making. Finally, they will advise

President Santiago what decision he should make,or which new policy to adopt. That decision

plays out in the polls, and will affectthe result of the election.

The Player CharactersThere are six pre-generated characters for use in this scenario.If you have fewer than six players, allow them to pick whichcharacters they want to play and run the others as Non-PlayerCharacters. If you have to drop some of the characters, be sureto keep the Chief of Staff, the Press Secretary and one of themilitary characters.

James Fenton: Chief of Staff. An old friend of Santiagos, heis known for his connections to various corporations, and hisvery public dislike of Vice-President Clark. Some insiders havestated that keeping these two men working together is Santiagosgreatest triumph. Fenton has contacts in the defence industry.

Lian Ko: Intelligence & Military. EarthForce General Lian Kois one of the new generation of officers who rose through theranks after the Earth-Minbari War, and is determined to see theAlliance kept secure against alien invasion. The general does notcare much for politics.

Dr Kingsley Rourke:Science Adviser. Popular and charismatic,this scientist has a gift for publicity. Dr Rourke is able to explainthings in a way that is easy for the general public to grasp, butis dismissed by much of the academic establishment as frivolousand lacking rigour. This science adviser is paranoid and a bit ofa hypochondriac, but is very well-informed.

Jane Cantwell: Press Secretary. One of the presidents staff

since his first campaign, she is secretly a latent telepath. Thisemerging ability gives her an edge in press briefings.

Christopher Gull: Economics Adviser. A newly appointedeconomic policy adviser, he is disliked by most of the otherstaffers. Gull was brought on board by Santiago after he wrote aseries of articles in Universe Todaycriticising Santiagos policies.


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Jerash Aran: Campaign Manager. While he is a gifted spindoctor, he is also a certifiable madman. He will get Santiagoelected, by any means necessary. Aran has some criminalcontacts, as well as a spy in Cranes campaign.

The TraitorOne of the characters is working for Vice-President Clark.Ambitious and scheming, this character is in league withthe Shadows and the Psi Corps. The traitor is spying on theSantiago tour, and will be given special missions during theepisodes. There are separate briefings for the Traitor at the startof the game and during each episode. Any of the six characterscan also be the Traitor. Either randomly determine whichcharacter is the Traitor, or give the role to the player who seemsmost capable of keeping the secret concealed from the others. Itis important to keep the players guessing about which of themis working for Clark, so try not to give it away. Give briefingssecretly, for example.

President SantiagoPresident Luis Santiago is the most important Non-PlayerCharacter during this scenario, and essentially serves as the voiceof the Games Master. It is important to keep Santiago off-stageas much as possible. The President is busy with other aspects of

the campaign (and actually running the Earth Alliance), so heis relying on the characters to do their jobs without running tohim every five minutes. Santiago is an old, savvy politician, butafter having served two terms the electorate view him as stale andout-of-touch. He has sponsored several unpopular programs,like the Babylon Project, that many of his constituents see as a

waste of Earths time and money. Ongoing problems on Marshave also sapped his popularity, and what started out as an easyelection has become a bitter fight.

The PressThe reporters in the press pool on EarthForce One act as theeyes and ears of the voters back home, and staying on the rightside of the media is key if Santiago is going to get re-elected.Each episode includes a press conference that will pose somehard questions for the Press Secretary. Handing out thesequestions to the other players in advance is optional, as doingso will provide them with opportunity to hassle and heckle thesecretary during these conferences.

EarthForce OneThe characters will spend a lot of time on EarthForce Oneduringthis scenario, so it is worthwhile to be well-acquainted with theship. EarthForce One is a converted Bradbury-class liner. The


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But We Know He Wins /Were All Going To DieBut We Know He Wins!/Were All Going To Die!The Final Flight of SantiagoThe Final Flight of Santiago

is a historical scenario, which means the players may object to the scenario onis a historical scenario, which means the players may object to the scenario on

the grounds that they know what is going to happen Santiago is going to win the election,the grounds that they know what is going to happen Santiago is going to win the election, EarthForce OneEarthForce Onewill get blown up, Sinclair is Valen and so forth. There are two ways to handle this:will get blown up, Sinclair is Valen and so forth. There are two ways to handle this:

The aim of the game is the journey. Yes, the ending is pre-ordained, but how do the characters get there? WhatThe aim of the game is the journey. Yes, the ending is pre-ordained, but how do the characters get there? Whatcompromises did Santiago have to make to get elected? Was he a martyr to Clarks ambition, or was Santiagocompromises did Santiago have to make to get elected? Was he a martyr to Clarks ambition, or was Santiagoalmost as bad as his successor?almost as bad as his successor?

Otherwise, this is not a canon game. AsOtherwise, this is not a canon game. As Final FlightFinal Flightis a one-off game, not a campaign, canon can be discardedis a one-off game, not a campaign, canon can be discardedwithout many problems. If the game is played poorly enough, Santiago might actually lose the election.without many problems. If the game is played poorly enough, Santiago might actually lose the election.

outer hull rotates to provide artificial gravity, while the innerhull contains the ships drive and hangars. The ship is divided

into several colour-coded sections:

Blue: Presidential QuartersRed: Press and Public sectionGreen: Staff and Ambassadors, Conference RoomsBrown: Maintenance and recycling, ServicesGrey: Hangars, Sensors, BridgeBlack: Security and Defence, Situation Room

Yellow: Drives and Power Generation

Poll ResultsAt the start of the game, the ISN polls list the followingresults:

Santiago/Clark: 36%Crane/Hamato:44%Undecided: 20%

Whenever there is a shift in the polls, half of the swing comesfrom the undecided voters and half results from support ofthe opponents. For example, if a particular event results ina +8% swing for Santiago, then take half of that swing fromthe Undecided voters (dropping them to 16%) and half fromCranes supporters (dropping her to 40%).

SpinGive the characters a chance to put a spin on events byproviding comments to the media. This is resolved as a Bluff,

Diplomacy or Intrigue check, but the Games Mastershould give a bonus for good roleplaying. The DC

varies depending on how much spin a player wantsto give, as demonstrated in the Spin table.

Spin

Change DC+/ 1% 15

+/ 2% 25

+/ 3% 40

Each change can only be spun once. For example, if Santiagospopularity decreases by 4% over his handling of a crisis duringthe tour, the Press Secretary might make a Diplomacy check atDC 25 to reduce the damage by 2%.

Each character may spin only once during a particular episode.

How The SystemWorksThe players may ask some of the following questions:

How is the winner of the election determined?Everyone in a state or colony in the Earth Alliance votes for theirchoice of president. The person who receives the majority of thestate ballots gains the electoral votes for that state. The numberof electoral votes varies depending on state size, population,military and economic power and so forth. All the big statesand about 90% of the electoral votes are on Earth.

If the colonies count as being independent from the Earthstates, what is the hang-up about independence for Mars?

Currently, the only truly independent colonies are minorones like Jericho, where the world was of no real economicimportance to Earth. The colony pays a small amount oftaxes to EarthGov and has its own local government, but doesnot receive the Earth funding afforded to a non-independentcolony. Earth treats non-independent colonies like Mars asinvestments they have a colonial administrator instead of a


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Introduction

true local government, their number of electoral votes andsenate seats is calculated using a different formula, the non-independent colonies pay a considerably larger amount oftheir production back as taxes or resources, but they alsoreceive much more money from Earth.

Mars wasindependent until the Earth-Minbari War. In thewars closing stages, Mars refused to send aid to Earth. Thisseemed like a purely symbolic gesture of defiance, as bothEarth and Mars were about to get wiped out by the Minbari.However, when Earth survived, EarthGov punished Marsdisobedience by dissolving the local Martian governmentand replacing it with a single Earth-appointed governor.While this was supposed to be a temporary measure, for theduration of the post-war crisis, there have been no real movesto restore Mars independence. The recent Food Riots havemerely reinforced the impression that Martians are ungratefuland incapable of safe self-governance.

The Martians complain that they have no real local governmentbut are under Earth rule, that they do not have the same level of

representation in EarthGov that an Earth state of their size andpopulation should, and that Earth takes a large chunk of theMartian economy as taxes and free resources. Earths countersthat Mars is not a viable colony without massive investment inlife-support domes and terraforming and that Mars would notexist without Earths help.

For more details, see the Free Mars sourcebook.

How much power does the President have?The President of the Earth Alliance (POTEA) can veto bills thathave been put forth by the Alliance senate. The President canalso advise on (and often, practically dictate) new legislation tohis political allies. He can appoint a wide range of officials,and he has a vast amount of influence over the senate andother branches of EarthGov. As the commander-in-chief ofEarthForce, he also has the final authority to order troops intobattle. Offworld, he can overrule any colonial governor.

What powers do we have?In contrast to the President, none of the player characters inFinal Flight have any official power. Characters are advisersand experts not legislators. They do hold a lot of influence,though, and can use that power to make deals and get things.

What about security?EarthForce Oneis one of the most secure vessels in existence. Itis shielded against all known forms of electronic surveillance.Equipped with its own detachment of elite Starfury pilots,

EarthForce secret service bodyguards and marines, thePresidents ship is also escorted by at least one EarthForce capitalship (Hyperion class, usually) while travelling.

Most of the security arrangements for this tour have alreadybeen made.

EpisodesThe Needs of Earth: As EarthForce One departs for its tour,the campaign is rocked by the revelation that the Psi Corps

may have violated its charter by endorsing Vice-PresidentClark. At the same time, Psi Cop Al Bester visits EarthForceOne, investigating the possibility that someone smuggled thetelepathic drug Dust on board.

The Mars Question: The visit to Mars proves divisive on andoff the ship. As the characters meet with representatives of mostof the Mars factions, they strive to hammer out a compromisebefore the sands of the Red Planet are once again soaked withblood.

Commander-in-chief: EarthForce One visits Proxima, theheart of EarthForce. Military spending is a huge issue in thecampaign, but a Minbari ship spotted on the edge of the systemsuddenly raises the cost of vigilance.

A Dream Given Form: The President arrives at the recentlyactivated Babylon station. Lloyds of London gives five-hundred-to-one odds that the station lasts a year. Representatives of thealien governments come to pay their respects, but how do youserve spoo at a state dinner?

The Election: Back on Earth, it is election night. Have thecharacters done enough to save Santiagos political career, or arethey all out of a job when the votes are cast?

The Final Flight: One year later, Santiago leaves on anothergrand tour. Which of the characters are still by his side onthat fateful day at Io, and who will betray the oath made to the

President long ago?


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Characters

CH CTESCHARACTERSJames Fenton,

Chief of StaffYou have known Luis Santiago since college, where you becameclose friends. Back then, you were both virtually penniless andsurvived on noodles and scholarship grants. The two of youworked for various corporations, then Luis left the private sectorto go into politics while you kept climbing the corporate ladder.By the time you reached your forties, he was a respected senatorand you were on the board of Mitchell-Hyundyne, a large andwell-known military corporation. You were one of the rarepeople who could break into the mega-corporate oligarchiesthat control so much of the Earth Alliance.

Ten years ago, Luis came to you with six simple words: I thinkI should be President. You ran his first campaign, and have

been his chief of staff and closest supporter ever since. Therehave been dozens of clashes between you , mainly over the statusof the corporations and military spending. Throughout yourdisagreements, you have always honoured your friendship andthe desire to do what is right for the Earth Alliance. Both of youcan remember the dark days of the Earth-Minbari War whenevery hour brought news of a new defeat, another world fallento an implacable foe. Keeping that from happening again, byany means necessary, has been your top priority since the Battleof the Line. Luis dreamt of the Babylon Project, as troubledand divisive as it turned out to be. You often think back toyour days in the defence industry and wonder if there could bea better approach.

Santiagos old running mate retired due to ill health, and hisreplacement is a weasel called Henry Morgan Clark. Clark haspromised to deliver the EU and Russian Federations votes, andhe has enough sway with the old industrial states to actually pullit off. While you continue to believe that the man is about astrustworthy as a New Vegas dealer, you have to work with him for now, anyway.

5thLevel Human Trader / 3rdLevel DiplomatHit Points:16Initiative:+0Speed:30 ft.DV:14 (+4 class)

Attacks:+4 close combat or +4 rangedSpecial Qualities: Traders Knowledge, Master Trader (+1),

Strong InfluenceSaves:Fort +0, Ref +1, Will +9Abilities:Str 10, Dex 11, Con 9, Int 16, Wis 16, Cha 14

Skills: Appraise +12, Bluff +14, Computer Use +11,Diplomacy +16, Intrigue +16, Intimidate +12,

Knowledge (Centauri) +8, Knowledge (Narn) +8,Knowledge (law) +14, Knowledge (Earth) +14,

Knowledge (Proxima) +11, Sense Motive +20, Subterfuge +9Feats: Contact (CEO, Hyundyne-Mitchell), Contact (Senate

Leader), Contact (Joint Chiefs), Contact (Proxima ColonyGovernor), Iron Will, Skill Focus (Intrigue), Skill Focus (SenseMotive)Influence: Local (EarthDome) +10, Earth Political +20, EarthEconomic +20, Earth Military +15

General Lian Ko,

EarthForceLiaison/Military &Intelligence AdviserEleven years ago, you sat on the bridge of the Perseus and

watched the Minbari jump points open, saw the enemy shipscome through, and knew that no matter how hard or bravelyyou fought there was no way you could hold the Line. Somequirk of fate or alien psychology made the Minbari surrenderinstead of wiping out Earth, but everyone on the Line that dayknows just how close Humanity came to extinction.

Now you are the Presidents adviser on military and securityaffairs for the duration of this tour. Santiago has promised tocurb military spending, and now you have to ensure that hedoes not make any more rash promises that might endangerimportant defence programs. You have little tolerance forpolitics, but you will do your best to follow orders.

Your one concern is that some crisis might hit during this tour.As the only military adviser on the scene, you could end uptelling the President to send EarthForce into war.

7thLevel Human Officer (fleet)Hit Points:19Initiative:+2Speed:30 ft.DV:17 (+5 class, +2 Dex)

Attacks:+8/+3 close combat or +9/+4 rangedSpecial Qualities:Branch Specialisation (fleet), Rallying Call,Way of CommandSaves:Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +6

Abilities:Str 13, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 14Skills: Acrobatics +7, Athletics +6, Computer Use +7,

Concentration +6, Diplomacy +7, Intimidate +7, Knowledge(astrophysics) +7, Knowledge (tactics) +15, Medical +7, Notice+11, Operations (sensors) +7, Pilot +7Feats: Contact (Joint Chiefs), Data Access, Great Fortitude,Martial Arts, Nerves of Steel, Skill Focus (Knowledge (tactics)),Spacecraft Proficiency, Veteran CommanderInfluence: Earth Military +20, Earth Political +10


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Dr Kingsley Rourke,Science AdviserYou have signed onto another few months locked in a spinningmetal coffin, all alone in the night. You hate space travel

the thought of being just inches away from vacuum andunmitigated solar radiation makes your skin crawl. Admittedly,planets are no much better, filled with crawling pathogens,parasites and uncontrolled biospheres just full of things thatcould kill you. You are the Presidents science adviser, gracedwith one of the most brilliant minds in the whole Alliance inthe field of generalscience. With a knack for breaking complexproblems into more manageable pieces, you may be too goodat relating topics and understanding their consequences. Youremember every environmental report about hyperspace drivingpeople mad, about air reprocessors on ships containing lung-damaging particles, about how telepathy might be responsiblefor a high incidence of brain cancer. You are the galaxys biggesthypochondriac.

Once you are on camera or faced with an argument, all thenervousness fades away. You are unstoppable as long as youare proving yourself smarter than the next guy. Only whenfaced without your own fears and worries, when you dont havesomeone else to act as a distraction, do you break down into alittle bundle of neuroses and imagined potential catastrophes.

7thLevel Human ScientistHit Points:11Initiative:+0Speed:20 ft.DV:13 (+3 class)

Attacks:+2 close combat or +3 rangedSpecial Qualities: Mental Agility, Primary Area of Study

(Knowledge (astrophysics)), Alien Technology Familiarity(Centauri, Brakiri), Peripheral Studies (Medical, Telepathy,Biology)Saves:Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +5

Abilities:Str 8, Dex 11, Con 11, Int 17, Wis 11, Cha 15Skills: Bluff +7, Computer Use +13, Concentration +10,

Diplomacy +7, Knowledge (astrophysics) +20, Knowledge(biology) +15, Knowledge (chemistry) +8, Knowledge (physics)+8, Knowledge (law) +8, Knowledge (telepathy) +10, Medical+15, Perform +8, Sense Motive +5, Technical (electronics) +13Feats: Alien Empathy, Contact (EarthForce R&D), Contact(ISN Reporters), Data AccessInfluence: Earth Political +15, Earth Social +10, Earth Military+10

Jane Cantwell (JC) ,Press SecretaryThe job of Press Secretary is to handle the baying hounds thatmake up the press pack. They come at you, slavering with pointed

questions and trying to catch you out on some contradiction orslip of the tongue, and you have to keep dancing ahead of them,anticipating the next questions to ensure that the Santiagoadministrations good name and reputation are maintained.While delivering your media lines you must always be careful toprovide honest and transparent information about the workingsof government.

Two of your siblings (your brother Michael and your youngersister Claire) were taken away by the Psi Corps when they wereeight and seven, respectively. You have always wondered if youhave some borderline psi gift, because you have an undeniablystrong intuition, reading most people like open books. All thepsi tests you underwent came back negative, though, so it must

just be a knack.

Usually good-humoured andlikable, you can be stern or givebad news when you must. Youdislike putting on a frown, becausewith the bunch of depressivesand cynics that make up the restof the staff, someone has to staypositive.

7thLevel Human DiplomatHit Points:11Initiative:+1Speed:30 ft.

DV:14 (+3 class, +1 Dex)Attacks: +3 close combat or +4rangedSpecial Qualities: ImprovedDiplomacy, Strong Influence,Swift DiplomacySaves:Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +5

Abilities:Str 10, Dex 12, Con 11,Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 15


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Skills: Bluff +12, Concentration +5, Diplomacy +19,Intimidate +12, Intrigue +12, Knowledge (law) +12, Knowledge(philosophy) +12, Perform +12, Sense Motive +16Feats: Contact (ISN Editor), Contact (siblings in Psi Corps),Contact (Media Corporation Executives), Hobby (perform),Latent Telepath, Skill Focus (Diplomacy), Skill Focus (Sense

Motive)Influence: Earth Political +20, Earth Social +20

Christopher Gull,Economics AdviserA few months ago, you were writing articles in Universe Todaycriticising Santiagos economic policy and calling the Presidentsadvisers a bunch of corporate lackeys and slack-jawed yokels.Santiago responded by making you his special economic adviser.Now you are the new guy on the team.

The Earth Alliance is in trouble and saving it will mean takingharsh measures. The military build-up since the end of the War

has given the military-industrial complex unprecedented wealthand influence. With the larger fleet and the growing demandfor basic resources, corporations are building new colonies fasterthan the economic infrastructure can sustain. The coloniesare therefore turning to alien traders, opening up the Allianceeconomy to alien-produced goods. Unless the governmentslows military spending, cuts taxes and institutes some form oftrade protection, the Earth Alliance is going to be gutted byadvanced Centauri electronics and luxuries and cheap Narn-made goods.

Of course, everyone else on EarthForce One is justifiably scepticalof your allegiance after your published attacks on Santiago, soyou face an uphill struggle to gain their trust.

3rd Level Human Trader / 2nd Level Scientist / 2nd LevelDiplomatHit Points: 15Initiative:+0Speed:30 ft.DV:13 (+3 class)

Attacks:+6 close combat or +4 rangedSpecial Qualities: Traders Knowledge, Master Trader (+1),Mental Agility, Primary Area of Study (Earth local), PeripheralStudies (Computer Use), Improved DiplomacySaves:Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +10

Abilities:Str 14, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 8Skills:Appraise +8, Bluff +10, Concentration +4, Computer Use+12, Diplomacy +12, Intrigue +9, Investigate +10, Knowledge

(law) +12, Knowledge (Earth) +17, Pilot +5, Sense Motive +13,Subterfuge +7

Feats: Contact (corporate executives), Contact (labour unions),Contact (Universe Today), Data Access, Skill Focus (Knowledge(Earth)), Spacecraft ProficiencyInfluence: Earth Political +15, Earth Economic +20, EarthSocial +10

Jerash Aran,Campaign ManagerYou would characterise your job as similar to that of a lifeguardor a paramedic. If you see someone flailing out at sea, you rushin and save them. It usually involves getting wet and muddy,hammering your survivors chest, and maybe giving a littlemouth-to-mouth, but at the end of the day, you save lives. Youare President Santiagos campaign manager, and he is drowning,politically. He lost this election before it began as a newgeneration of voters, those who barely remember the MinbariWar, refuse to continue spending their taxes to support distantmilitary colonies or build giant new spaceships that never seemto blow anything up anyway. The Crane campaign has painted

Santiago as a doddering old man who rests in the pocket of themegacorporations, and they suggest that he is completely out oftouch with the needs of ordinary people.

This tour is a desperate measure, as it takes Santiago away fromthe real battleground of Earth, and it can only pay off if he canbring the eyes of Earth with him. You desperately need thepress to pay attention to this tour, so much that you are prayingfor something dramatic and dangerous to happen. A newMars revolt or another alien war would be perfect, and wouldcertainly show the Crane voters that Santiago is not dead yet.

7thLevel Human DiplomatHit Points:13Initiative:+0Speed:30 ft.DV:13 (+3 class)

Attacks:+4 close combat or +3 rangedSpecial Qualities: Improved Diplomacy, Strong Influence,Swift DiplomacySaves:Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +8

Abilities:Str 13, Dex 10, Con 15, Int 15, Wis 12, Cha 10Skills:Bluff +10, Computer Use +12, Diplomacy +17, Intimidate+10, Intrigue +13, Knowledge (history) +7, Knowledge (law)+7, Knowledge (philosophy) +7, Knowledge (Earth) +7, SenseMotive +13, Subterfuge +10Feats: Contact (EarthForce Intelligence), Contact (spy in Cranecampaign), Hobby (Subterfuge), Iron Will, Resist Scan, SkillFocus (Bluff), Skill Focus (Intrigue)

Influence: Earth Political +15, Earth Social +10, Criminal +5,Earth Military +5


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Characters

The TraitorOne of the characters is a traitor, secretly working for Vice-President Clark. Choose the player either at random or byselecting the most secretive participant, and give the chosentraitor the following extra information to describe why the

character is working for Clark.

James FentonYou have carried a weak and ailing President through two terms.When you started as Chief of Staff, you were Santiagos closestfriend, but now you can barely stand the sight of him. He doesnot understand or acknowledge the sacrifices you made for him you could have been one of the richest and most powerfulmen in the whole Earth Alliance, but you put all that aside tohelp him govern. He has done nothing of consequence, despiteyour best efforts.

Clark offered you a better deal. With him, you are afforded

more input into policy, and more freedom to do what you thinkneeds to be done. While you pretend to hate Clark, you areactually working with him.

Lian KoThey found it on Mars in 2253, buried deep in the sands an alien ship, black as the night and beautiful in its terriblepower. It used organic technology that is millions of years moreadvanced than anything Humanity had developed to date.With the power of that ships technology, Humanity would besafe forever. You could conquer the galaxy, punish the Minbariand live like gods.

EarthForce is engaged in a long-term project to acquire theships technology, in partnership with the Psi Corps and IPX.This project is so secret that even EarthGov is unaware of itsfull scope and implications. Most importantly, Santiago hasno idea, and he needs to be kept in the dark. You are secretlyworking with Clark, who is an enthusiastic supporter of thesecret project. You need to ensure Clark gets into power.

Kingsley RourkeThey found it on Mars in 2253, buried deep in the sands analien ship, black as the night and beautiful in its terrible power.It used organic technology, millions of years more advanced than

anything Humanity had developed to date. With the power ofthat ships technology, Humanity would be safe forever. Youcould conquer the galaxy, punish the Minbari and live likegods.

EarthForce is engaged in a long-term project to acquire theships technology, in partnership with the Psi Corps and IPX.This project is so secret that even EarthGov is unaware of itsfull scope and implications. Most importantly, Santiago hasno idea, and he needs to be kept in the dark. You are secretlyworking with Clark, who is an enthusiastic supporter of the

secret project. You need to ensure Clark gets into power.

Jane CantwellJane Cantwell is a construct personality built by the Psi Corps.Politically ambitious, the Corps needed a tool. Four years ago,Jane (the old Jane, the dead Jane) went to visit her full-telepathsiblings Michael and Claire. In accordance with the ordersthey were given by the Corps, her siblings destroyed and rebuiltJanes mind in secret. You are unaware of the change, but younow utterly loyal to the Psi Corps and their interests.

The Corps likes Vice-President Clark, and therefore you likeVice-President Clark.

Christopher GullYou hate aliens no, you despise them. They sicken you,scare you, disgust you. Looking into the eyes of an alien isnot like looking at a person or an animal. You can almost tastethe billions of miles and millions of years of evolution thatseparate Humanity from Narn or Centauri or whatever. Youhave learned to hide your hatred, but it is still there, bubblingmenacingly just under the surface.

Vice-President Clark has promised to deal with thealiens, to safeguard Human culture and to keep therace pure. You have agreed to be his spy in Santiagosstaff. Clark is the only hope for the future of the race.

Jerash AranYou did it for the money. Cheerfully amoral, you will dowhatever is necessary as long as they pay. To you, people are onlytools. They will believe what you tell them to believe, and theywill vote for who you tell them to vote for. As a sociopath, youare unable to empathise with others in the slightest (althoughyou are quite adept at hiding this fact), and you would sell yourown mother without blinking. Clark has offered you a lot ofmoney to spy on Santiago by working as Clarks mole on theSantiago staff.


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The Needs ofEarth

THE NEESTHE NEEDS

OF E THOF EARTH

Location: En route to Mars from EarthSynopsis: Three telepath-related crises hit EarthForceOne at the start of the tour.

G The Psi Corps seems to have breached its charter to endorseClark, which is hindering the Santiago campaign.

G Someone has smuggled the telepathic drug 'Dust' onboard EarthForce One, and that nice Psi Cop Al Bester ishere to investigate.

G A passenger liner is hijacked by a telepath on the runfrom Psi Corps. Both Psi Corps and EarthForce HostageRescue want control of the incident. The characters haveto decide which team should take the lead.

EventsWere live from Lagrange One Station, Earth Orbit. The Presidentis about to depart the station on EarthForce One. The honourguard from EarthForce is lining up outside. Theres the Omega-class Heracles and the Alexander, and beyond them are smallerships I believe those are Novas, right Steve? Im informed thePresidents shuttle docked here an hour ago, so EF1 should be gettingunderway any minute now. Im sure the President is glad to getaway from Earth for awhile with all the problems hes facing backhome. Well be going live to Marie Cranes speech at EarthDomein a few minutes, after EF1 has departed and a brief question andanswer session with the Press Secretary.

Here we go! EarthForce Onehas set off from Lagrange Station.She is drifting backwards now, and those little flares of light areher manoeuvring jets as she rotates to line herself up on the righttrajectory for Mars. The honour guard is lining up alongside her.There go the guns! This is a laser salute for the President. Wow!We are going to cut to the press conference on board EF1 now, butselect sub-channel one for continuing coverage of the honour guardfireworks.

Character BriefingsChief of StaffChief of Staff

G The Psi Corps are very unpopular among voters. Most

people want telepaths to keep to themselves and avoidcausing any problems. Clark should know better than todrag the Corps into this election.G It is important to get this tour started off on

a positive note. Clark might be trying to steal thePresidents thunder by having this endorsement

announced at the same time as the tourlaunches.

Military AdviserMilitary AdviserG Security at the launch was sloppy, so the security teams

on board EarthForce One need to shape up.G This stage of the flight takes the ship through some of the

most secure space in the whole Alliance. There is neverany major trouble on the Earth-Mars run. The nearestships outside the Presidential flotilla are the liners SemeleandMariposa, and the cargo hauler Pride of Zaire.

Science AdviserScience Adviser

G There is a drug called Dust, which activates latenttelepathic abilities in most people. It is damaging both

for the user and for anyone he scans, as psychic abilitiescan be very dangerous without training. There is somespeculation that Dust was originally created by the PsiCorps themselves.

Press SecretaryPress Secretary

G Youll need an answer to the endorsement question, andan answer about Chris Gulls involvement before the nextbriefing.

G Find something positive to say about Mars or thePresidents accomplishments.

Economics AdviserEconomics Adviser

G

Marie Crane is just parroting arguments you made inUniverse Today 18 months ago. Youve got a programthat will answer many of her points about trade deficits,but you need to get the President to commit to loweringmilitary spending.

G The Psi Corps are very, very good for the economy. Fraudhas plummeted since the introduction of business scans,and investor confidence is much higher. People do notrealise how much of Earths prosperity comes from theatmosphere of trust created by the Corps.

Campaign ManagerCampaign Manager

G Agh! Telepaths bad! Understandably, people dont like

the idea of telepaths probing their minds thats whythey shuffled them all into a ghetto called Psi Corps!Even after decades of positive messages, the Corps isstill distrusted by the average voter. Make them stopassociating Santiago with the Corps!


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TraitorTraitor

G Clark owes the Psi Corps a favour. Make sure thatSantiagos group does not offend or damage the Corpsstanding.

First Press BriefingThe first press briefing is meant to get the players acclimatisedto the concept and their characters, and there are no harshpunishments if the Press Secretary stumbles in this firstencounter. Skilled roleplays should warrant a +1% popularityboost for Santiago. Questions from the press are as follows:

G Does the President have confidence in Vice-PresidentsClark ability to fight the election on Earth, or is this tourmerely an elaborate way to throw in the towel?

G Will there be any official comment on Marie Cranesspeech at EarthDome? Our sources say that she is going tocontinue to criticise Santiagos handling of the economy.

Can we get a quote from Chris Gull on that, given herrepetition of many of his own published opinions?

G Is the President worried that visiting Mars will stir up badfeelings after the food riots back in 51?

G I understand the President will be meeting with variousMartian independence groups. Is Mars independenceback on the table?

The last question is the most important:

G Is there any official comment on the rumours that PsiCorps has officially endorsed Vice-President Clark astheir preferred candidate? Will they also be endorsingPresident Santiago? Does this endorsement constitute aviolation of the Corps Charter?

At the close of the press briefing, give the players their characterbriefings.

The Corps EndorsementUniverse Today confirms the Psi Corps rumours an hourafter EarthForce One leaves orbit. Under the terms of the PsiCorps Charter, the organisation is not permitted to officiallysupport any political party or politician. While the Corps isnot officially supporting Clark, several senior Corps figures haveissued public statements praising the Vice-President. All thetelepaths have used similar phrases and press quotes, suggesting

that the pro-Clark sentiments are coming through the Psi Corpstelepathic network.

In the past, Clark has worked closely with the Corps, sponsoringlegislation that expanded the range of business and legal affairsthat could be examined by telepathic scan (including divorcesettlements, private lawsuits and other civil cases).

The question posed to the character is whether they shouldcomment on the endorsement. A Knowledge (law) check (DC25) confirms that with a straight reading of the charter, Psi Corpsmembers are allowed to endorse a candidate. This sudden masssupport for Clark, however, is certainly in breach of the spirit ofthe charter. Poll results immediately drop Santiagos popularity

by 2%, as he is seen as being too close to the distrusted PsiCorps.

See Results, at the end of this episode, for the response to anycomments made by the characters on this issue.

Guess Whos Coming To Dinner?While the characters debate the Corps question, Lian Ko andJames Fenton are paged over their links by the ships captain. Itappears that someone has asked for permission to dock and meetwith the Presidents staff. A moment later, a jet-black Starfuryflies past the window, flashing a large omega symbol. It is oneof the Psi Cops vessels, and Mr Bester is on board.

Bester asks to meet with all the characters so that he can explainhis mission. He is here because of Dust a drug that awakenslatent telepathic ability, but is highly addictive and dangerous.Even a scan carried out by a trained telepath can be painfulor damaging on this drug, with dire consequences that extendto horrible psychic or neurological damage from blunderingaround in another persons brain.

Bester has been tracking a Dust-smuggling ring for the last sevenweeks. He captured one of the carriers yesterday, who turns outto be a technician at Lagrange station. During the course oftheir struggle, he was forced to scan the criminal, and caughta glimpse of the carrier hiding a small packet of the drug in asupply crate being loaded onto EarthForce One. Since standardchemical sniffers and scans cannot pick up the trail of this drug,it is likely that the packet made it on board.

Someone on EarthForce One must have arranged for the Dustto be loaded onto the ship. Given the sensitive nature of thesituation, he recommends that he should be granted emergencypowers to scan everyone on the ship so that he can quicklylocate and dispose of the drug packet.


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Whats Going On? The packet was indeed smuggled on board,but the Psi Corps was aware of it. The entire event is staged toremind Santiago that he needs the Corps support. A reportercalled Gregor Reiss has picked up the drug from the storagebay, and he intends to use it to scan various EarthForce militaryofficials during the meetings on Mars. He has heard rumours

about EarthForce finding something out in the Martian desert,and feels that the drug is his best chance of ferreting out thetruth. On his personal computer lectern he has copies ofvarious textbooks about using telepathic powers, as he hopes totrain himself to use the Dust without hurting anyone.

By implicating Reiss, Bester removes a threat to the Corpssecret operations out in the Martian desert (the excavation ofShadow technology) and shows just how vital the Corps can bein maintaining security.

Investigating the Dust: The characters have three options.They can let Bester scan everyone on board EarthForce One,they can have Security investigate the matter or they can maketheir own inquiries. The Bester option is the fastest, but also

the most questionable. Having the Presidents own securitydetachment conduct the search is probably the most logicaloption, but what if one of them is actually the Dust user?

If they make their own inquiries, the first place to start is thestorage bay where the drugs were stashed. The bay is watchedby security cameras, but the person who left the packet waswearing a hooded jacket. No identifying features, not evengender, can be accurately determined. A successful Investigatecheck (DC 20) reveals that the doors electronic lock was hackedopen, and the time of entry was during the press conference.Checking the camera footage of the conference shows that onlytwo reporters from the press corps were absent: Gregor Reissand Isabel Baker.

Both Reiss and Baker will cooperate with questioning, unlessthey discover Besters involvement (in which case both claim PsiCorps harassment of the press). Reiss claims to have been in hiscabin, doing research, while Baker was violently spacesick. Ifthe characters check the computer logs (DC 25), they discoverthat Reiss computer was indeed downloading informationfrom the computer nets, including several books on telepathy,biographies and reports on EarthForce officers, and informationabout archaeologists assigned to Mars. If they ask the shipsMedlab, they discover that Baker requested a strong dose ofanti-nausea medicine, which could be a treatment for eitherspace sickness or the side effects of Dust.

Everyone else on board EarthForce One is either proved

innocent through the security checks or is dismissed fromfurther investigation. The only remaining suspects are Bakerand Reiss.

Closing The Net: If the characters are handling the investigation,they need to figure out how to determine which of the tworeporters has the Dust. If they leave it up to the security forces,both reporters are detained and their quarters are searched,which creates rumours (see the second press conference andresults, below). If they leave it up to Bester, he scans both

reporters and finds out that Reiss is the Dust user, and no oneelse needs to know.

To flush out the truth, options include straight roleplaying(making it clear how much trouble he is in, persuading himto confess voluntarily), secretly searching the quarters of thesuspects (the Dust is hidden inside one of Reiss camera cases,Investigate DC 20 to locate), or exploiting Reiss interest inMars by claiming that some key Martian general has come onboard, prompting him to use the Dust early.

The SemeleAs EarthForce One heads for Mars, back on Earth ISN begins

covering a developing hostage situation. A small passengerliner, the Semele, is reporting difficulties. The Semele is alsoen route to Mars in a parallel trajectory to EarthForce One.Apparently, one of the passengers somehow managed to sneaka weapon on board and is now holding several passengers andcrew hostage. He has gained control of the ships bridge andthe crew have been unable to activate standard anti-terrorismprotocols. EarthForces elite Counter Terrorism Hostage Rescueteam (CTHR) has been called in, and their vessel is currently onits way to intercept the Semele.

A second report follows a soon after the first. The armedpassenger is a young woman named Katya Toitovna, accordingto the ships roster. ISN has gained access to internal securityfeeds from the liner, displaying a few blurry frames of a wild-eyed girl carrying a large BilPro gun. She seems twitchy, butis acutely aware of everything around her. One sequence ofimages shows a passenger trying to sneak up on Katya frombehind. She easily anticipates his actions, spins around andpoints the gun in his face.


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The Needs ofEarth

Bester recognises the signs. The girl is a telepath, probably alate-blooming blip. She is obviously scanning everyone aroundher, and she will pick up on the hostile thoughts of the CTHRteam when they arrive. She is armed with a Binary Propellanthandgun, not a PPG. She must have used her psychic powersto blur the perceptions of the security guards at the spaceport to

get that monstrosity on board the liner. A BilPro gun like thatwill likely cause a hull breach if she fires it.

If CTHR go in, Bester believes that everyone on board theSemelewill be killed. There is another option. Besters Starfurydoes not have the speed or range to reach the ship in time, butEarthForce One does. If the characters can persuade Santiagoand the captain to alter their course and burn harder, then theycan get Bester into position. If he is close enough, he can talkthe girl down telepathically.

While the characters are deciding what to do, the press corpscalls for another conference.

Second Press BriefingThe questions in this conference centre on latest developments.

G Now that the endorsement has been confirmed, is the PsiCorps breaching its Charter by endorsing Clark? Doesthe President have any comment on the endorsement?

G Will Santiago be seeking a similar endorsement?G Is the President aware of the situation on board the

Semele? As EarthForce One is one of the closest ships, willyour crew be providing any direct assistance? If not, whynot? How will the hostage situation be handled?

G Is there any truth to the rumours that the terrorist isactually a telepath called Katya Toitovna?

G Do you believe that this hostage situation connected tothe endorsement?

Other questions will vary depending on how the charactershandled the Dust situation.

G Why is there a Psi Cop on board EarthForce One? Isthere an unregistered telepath on board?

G Can you confirm or deny the rumours about drug use onboard?

G Why are the rooms of certain reporters being searched?Does this administration value the freedom of the press?

The Semele CrisisIf the characters persuaded Santiago to divert EarthForce Oneand let Bester handle the crisis, roll on the following table.

Roll(1d6) Result

1 Bester is forced to ki ll the girl to stop her from hurtingothers. It is a tragedy one Santiago is closelyassociated with.

2 Bester is forced to use telepathic controls to force Katyato give up. The situation is resolved without bloodshed,but leaves the impression that the President authorisedthe scary Psi Cop to mind-control people and turn theminto zombies.

3+ Bester makes contact with the girl and persuades herto give up. Katya tearfully apologises for threateningeveryone, and is taken off to the Psi Corps re-educationcentre.

If the characters left CTHR to handle the crisis, roll on thefollowing table.

Roll(1d6) Result

1-2 During the CTHR assault, Katya fires her gun, punchinga hole through the hull. Everyone on the bridge is killed.

3-4 Katya is killed by the CTHR team, and one of the team iskilled in Katyas crossfire. It is a tragedy.

5-6 Katya is brought down by morph gas and arrested. ThePresident is praised for his calmness and swift action.

ResultsThere are three linked crises here, each of which has an effect onSantiagos standing.

The Psi Corps Endorsement: The safest approach is nocomment, which does not affect Santiagos standing at all.Sounding a cautionary note about the Corps getting involvedin politics gives a +1% increase in support. Attacking Clarkgives a +1d4% increase in Support, but also gives a swing of1d6% to Crane.

The Dust Situation: If the press get wind of the situation,it gives a swing of one point to Crane. This is increased to1d6% if reporters are openly harassed or arrested without animmediate confession.

The Semele Crisis: If the CTHR team is sent in, then Santiagogains a +1% increase in support. If Katya survives, he gets aswing of 1d6%.

If Bester is sent in, Santiago suffers a 2% reduction in support.Again, if Katya survives, he gets a swing of +1d6% (+1d4% ifBester has to control her).

If Santiago can show that he has the Psi Corps well in hand,he gains a swing of +2%. If he seems to be under the Corpsthumb, he suffers a 1d4% swing.


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The Mars Question

Who?The Martian Independence Movement (MIM) is themost reasonable, credible, and peaceful of the various pro-independence groups. They have strong ties with Free Mars.

Why Is This A Problem?

Carter was told to arrange meetings with at least one pro-independence group. While Martian independence is anunpopular topic back on Earth (most of Earths population seesthe independents as ungrateful at best, and terrorists at worst),it does play well in the colonies. Santiago needs to be seenacknowledging their desire for independence.

What Did Carter Expect The Martian IndependenceMovement To Do?The MIM have been pressuring EarthDome for years to give adate for the return of Martian independence. Martian dissentand terrorism keeps rising. If Santiago could get their supportwithout committing to an unreasonable date for Martianindependence, or at least get them to use their influence to calmthe Martian underground, it would be a significant coup.

Why Did The Martian Independence Movement Pull Out?Carter has no idea. This might just be grandstanding, in hopesthat by pulling out at the last minute they might force Santiagoto offer concessions to get them back at the table. Maybe theydo not believe Santiago is willing to listen to them.

Is It Important To Have The Martian IndependenceMovement There?It is well known that the President will be meeting withvarious Martian groups. Failure to meet with at least one pro-independence group would be seen as a deliberate insult to theMartian people, and would likely spark a new set of riots or

terror attacks.

Who Else Is The President Scheduled To Meet With?G Martian Governor Maria Haldecourt: She gave the

order to use lethal force during the Food Riots, whichmade her very unpopular on Mars. She is well liked by thepolitical groups on Earth, and has done well in keepingthe Martian economy and infrastructure running.

G The Mars Business Conglomerate: An alliance of thelarge corporations and industries on Mars.

G Domesteader Association:A political group that servesas a local government for the thousands of small domesand habitats scattered across the Martian plains. TheDomesteaders are an increasingly influential faction onMars.

G

EarthForce Mars Officers: Mars has a number ofbases and research outposts, and there are a lot of troopsgarrisoning Martian cities since the Food Riots.

Can We Get The Martian Independence Movement Back?Maybe, but they are refusing to speak to Anne Carter. It will beup to the characters to talk to the MIM.


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The Mars Question

What If We Cant Get Them Back?The President needsto talk to some pro-independence group. Ifthe MIM will not talk, the characters need to get one or more ofthe following groups to meet with the President.

G Mars Liberation Now!: Smaller and less influential thanMIM, this group is much more vocal. Mars LiberationNow! puts out comments and press releases on almosteverything that happens on Mars. The hard core of theMartian Resistance see them as irrelevant loudmouths,but they are well known back on Earth thanks to theirhuge presence on the net. If the crazier elements ofMars Liberation Now can be reined in, they could be anadequate replacement. However, they draw a lot of theirsupport from universities, so there is a risk that they willtry some sort of stunt.

G Martian Provisional Congress: This is the reformedversion of the old Martian government. It is largelypowerless these days, having lost all its authority to the

Martian Governor. Santiago is scheduled to address theCongress, but is not scheduled to meet with any of itsofficials. Most Martians see the Congress as a joke, oras an Earth-sponsored rubber stamp for the decisions

of the Governor. If the President meets with theProvisional Congress, the characters will need to set

an agenda. A content-free meeting will confirm

the Congress powerless status, but discussing anythingof importance means giving some credibility and powerback to the Congress, undermining the Governor.

G Dejah Thoris: The Daughters of the Martian Revolutionconcentrate on womens issues on Mars, but they arepolitically canny and surprisingly influential. They are anice safe option, but too small to be a significant playerin the independence debate.

G

Free Mars: Free Mars is the heart of the largest andmost powerful independence movement, the MartianResistance. They are also terrorists and criminals, withonly minimal political involvement. Reaching out toFree Mars is the surest way to get the support of theMartian independents, but it would also infuriate Earth,the corporations and everyone else who does not want anindependent Martian state.

G Martian Terraforming Project: Another safe option,

the independence movement are known to be strongsupporters of the long-term project to terraform Mars.The Terraforming Project has largely stalled, as investmentbypasses the cold, dry planet of Mars and goes insteadto Earth-like habitable worlds in other solar systems.Meeting the terraformers and promising new investmentis an option.


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The Mars Question

The Martian Food RiotsThe Martian Food RiotsThe Food Riots took place in 2251. The Earth SenateThe Food Riots took place in 2251. The Earth Senate

had voted to suspend shipments of food to Mars,had voted to suspend shipments of food to Mars,in retaliation for the Martian Congress declarationin retaliation for the Martian Congress declarationof neutrality in the Minbari War. As food suppliesof neutrality in the Minbari War. As food suppliesran scarce, rioting began. EarthDome Mars, theran scarce, rioting began. EarthDome Mars, theseat of government, was besieged until Governorseat of government, was besieged until GovernorHaldecourt authorised the use of force. Many wereHaldecourt authorised the use of force. Many werekilled in the riots aftermath.killed in the riots aftermath.

Whatever the characters decide, they need to makethe arrangements quickly. They are expected to speakto the press sometime today to announce the fullschedule of meetings. Carter tells the characters thatthey really should meet with all the groups listed above(MLN, Martian Congress, Dejah Thoris, Free Mars,

Terraformers), at least unofficially, to understand thetrue situation on Mars.

Making ContactsLet the players argue over which group or groups theywill meet. All the meetings will take place on Mars,so the characters will have to take a shuttle downto the red surface, dotted with crowded domes andtransport tunnels. At some point during this sectionof the scenario, run Deep Throat, below. Each of thegroups is presented in the following format:

Who:Who is the representative of the group that the characters

meet.Where:Where they meet.Group Description:A quick synopsis of the group.Secrets: What an Intrigue or Influence check can reveal aboutthe group.Desires:What the group wants from the characters. There aretwo desires listed for each group. The first is what they reallywant, and the second is what they are willing to settle for.

Martian Independence MovementMartian Independence Movement

Who:Jerry Krahulik, a former EarthForce Officer who quitafter the Food Riots and joined the MIM. (Level 6 Officer;Bluff +4, Diplomacy +6, Intrigue +4, Sense Motive +5)

Where: MIM offices in MarsDome, a rather run-down officethat is heavily bugged by Martian securityGroup Description: Independence activists. Effectively, thepolitical wing of Free Mars.Secrets: (DC 15) Krahulik will not speak openly because theMIM offices are bugged. If you want to get him to talk honestly,meet him outside the offices, in the tunnels. (DC 20) MIMpulled out of the talks because someone told them that Santiagowas only meeting them to get the support of the colonies, andhas already privately promised to keep the Governor in place forat least two decades.Desires: The dissolution of the Provisional Congress and theestablishment of a real Mars government; a limit on how longthere will be a governor in place

Mars Liberation NowMars Liberation Now!Who: Gary Robinson, a young politician and lecturer at MarsUniversity (Level 3 Scientist; Bluff +4, Diplomacy +4, Intrigue+2, Sense Motive +1)

Where: Mars UniversityGroup Description:Young activists and intellectual radicalsSecrets: (DC15) MLN intend to use the meeting to humiliatethe President. They will use holoprojectors to display images

and names of everyone killed during the Food Riots on theroof of MarsDome One, while simultaneously marching on theGovernors office and calling for her removal.Desires: The removal of Governor Haldecourt; an apology for

the way the Food Riots were handled

Martian Provisional CongressMartian Provisional Congress

Who: Burt Mitchell, a middle-aged Martian businessmandesperate for any recognition from EarthGov (Level 2 Worker;Bluff +3, Diplomacy +4, Intrigue +2, Sense Motive +2)

Where: EarthDome MarsGroup Description: A largely powerless group of politiciansand socially ambitious Martians; the best of them end upmaking it to the Earth Alliance senate back on EarthSecrets: (DC 15) The Congress is absolutely terrified ofGovernor Haldecourt, and would not even dream of offendingher directly.Desires: Recognition from EarthGov; the transfer of somepower from the Governor to the Congress (control of Martiantaxes and trade tariffs for example).

Dejah ThorisDejah Thoris

Who: Lynn Tynes (Level 4 Trader; Bluff +7, Diplomacy +6,Intrigue +7, Sense Motive +7)

Where: Dejah Thoris offices, EarthDome MarsGroup Description:Women-oriented political groupSecrets: (DC 15) The governors aide, Anne Carter, is not amember of Dejah Thoris, nor is her cousin and close friend,Amanda Carter. Amanda Carter, by the way, runs the MartianBusiness Conglomerate. The two work together to keep themega-corporations happy.

Desires: Investment in health care on Mars; more access toGovernor Haldecourt

Free MarsFree Mars

Who: Tessa Holland (aka Number One, see Racing Mars)(Level 3 Soldier/Level 2 Agent; Bluff +6, Diplomacy +0,Intrigue +7, Sense Motive +5)

Where: Tunnels beneath MarsDome


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The Mars Question

Group Description: Secretive and highly influential freedomfightersSecrets: (DC 25) The characters must make a successfulIntrigue or a Mars Local or Criminal Influence check to arrangea meeting with Free Mars.Desires: Martian Independence; the removal of Governor

Haldecourt

Terraforming ProjectTerraforming Project

Who: Dr Cate Jenner (Level 5 Scientist; Diplomacy +4, SenseMotive +4)

Where: Bethesda DomeGroup Description: Terraformers and scientistsSecrets: (DC 15) The Terraformation project is opposed byEarthForce and the Psi Corps, both of whom are known to havebases in the Martian wilderness. Making the Martian surfacemore habitable would make such bases much less secure.Desires: The dissolution of the Martian Business Conglomerate,which keeps blocking terraforming efforts and adding unwantedgases to the atmosphere; More money for terraforming

By the end of this section, the characters should have met withat least some of these groups. Note which desires, if any, thecharacters agreed to fulfil. For example, if they promised theTerraformers more money for terraforming, they will have wonthe reduced support of the Terraformer faction, which will givethem a bonus when the final results come out

Deep ThroatAt some point during all the conferencing and deal-making onMars, one of the characters is contacted by a mysterious figurevia standard call over a link. The caller electronically disguiseshis voice and tells the character to go to a particular location inthe deep tunnels. If the character goes, he finds a data crystaland a recorded message. The message says that the mysteriousfigure hopes the information on the crystal will be useful.

The figure is actually a man called Wade, the personal assistantto William Edgars (see Conflicts of Interest in Season 4, or theNo Surrender, No Retreat season book, page 74). Edgars, oneof the richest and most powerful men on Mars, intends to haveSantiago owe him a favour or two by the end of this election.The data crystal is just a taster.

The crystal contains a recording of two conversations. Thefirst is a call by Anne Carter to Jerry Krahulik, the MarsIndependence Movement spokesman. In the call, Carter tells

Krahulik privately that Santiago has no interest in Martianindependence, and that they would do far better by making astand and staying out of the talks. In the second call, Anne

Carter calls her cousin, the head of the Martian BusinessConglomerate, and confirms that she has gotten rid

of the MIM and that there is no chance of any troublesomeindependents threatening the Conglomerates interests onMars.

The data crystals contain enough security data to confirm thatthey are not fakes. Anne Carter sabotaged the talks she was

supposed to be organising in order to prevent the independencemovement from having a voice. The characters can use this datato get the MIM back to the talks, or to extract a favour fromAnne or the Conglomerate.

ResultsThe effect on the election varies depending on which groupSantiago met with, what concessions the characters advisedhim to make, and how the characters choose to spin thoseconcessions to the media. To determine the final effects, addup the modifiers below and roll 1d20+modifiers. There are twocolumns (one for Earth and one for Mars and the colonies).

Action Earth MarsThe President Met With:

Martian Independence Movement 4 +4

Mars Liberation Now! 2 +2

Martian Provisional Congress +2 4

Dejah Thoris +0 +0

Free Mars 8 +8

Terraformers +0 +0

None of the above +4 4

Martian Politics:

Continued with the status quo +8 8

Removed the governor 8 +8

Limited the governors term of office 4 +4

Gave a timetable for Martian Independence 4 +8

Committed to Martian Independence, butgave no timetable

2 +4

Dissolved the Congress 8 +8

Gave the Congress new powers 4 +4

Invested money in Mars 2 +4

Offended the corporations 4 4

The Swing to Santiago

Results Earth Mars


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Commander-In-Chief

CO NECOMMANDER-

INCHIEFIN-CHIEF

Location: Proxima ColonySynopsis: EarthForce One arrives at Proxima, one ofthe most important military bases in the Alliance. Asthe characters try to navigate the debate over military

spending, a Minbari cruiser shows up on the edge of the system.Are the Minbari trying to provoke another war, or is theresomething else afoot?

EventsLast night, Presidential challenger Marie Crane reiterated hercommitment to reduce military spending by up to 50 billion creditsover the next four years. This would bring spending back to pre-

Minbari War levels. Several sources in EarthForce have warned thatsuch a drastic drop in spending could compromise the fleets abilityto protect outlying colonies or defend against another attack.

Character Briefings

Chief of StaffG The majority of the voters are on Earth, and Crane is

making a bid for votes by cutting military spending in theouter colonies. You probably need to do the same.

G Your background is in the aerospace industry. If possible,keep cuts away from the fleet.

Military AdviserG Military spending is going to be curbed, no matter what.

You need to convince them to cut as little as possible,only where possible, but keep it away from the fleet andground troops.

Science AdviserG EarthForce is a huge investor in scientific research, but

fat research grants are always a prime target for ham-fisted politicians wielding the scythe of budget reduction.

Protect those R&D grants as much as you can!G The exploratory fleet is also scientifically valuable. Protectit.

Press SecretaryG Whatever they decide to cut from the budget, your job is

to make it sound like a good idea.

Economics AdviserG A ten-point reduction is exactly right, according to

your calculations. Crane has promised to slash militaryspending to afford a giveaway budget, but that willjust slow the economy in the long run. You need to beprudent.

Campaign ManagerG The key here is spreading the pain as much as possible and

keeping cuts away from Earth and Mars (the big votingblocs). As long as the outer colonies feel protected, theyshould still vote for Santiago. Factory and space stationclosures are a much bigger concern in the more developedsystems.

G Above all, the cuts must not seem like they are reducingthe Alliances security. Most voters still remember theEarth-Minbari War, and a strong military is the pride ofHumanity.

TraitorG Fear of an alien attack will make it easier for Clark to

push through some of his more intrusive policies.Encourage EarthForce to leave the borders as unprotectedas possible to lure the Narn or some other ambitious raceinto making a raid. Clark can push forward whateverlegislation or spending he needs in response to theterror.

First Press BriefingAs EarthForce One enters the system, the scenario opens witha press briefing. Half of the questions are about Mars andwhatever the characters decided to do there, while the rest areabout military spending and the election back on Earth.


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Commander-In-Chief

attempt to assassinate Valen. The files do contain valuableinformation about organic technology and Shadowtech, butthey are couched in religious language about demons andcorruption. Working out what is in the files takes some time.

The Standoff

The Ashbaisoon discovers that Kalenn was picked up by theTrojan, and Captain Valtor pursues the vessel. Do the charactersadvise Santiago to order EarthForce to protect the ship, or dothey allow the Minbari to take Kalenn?

Valtor does not want to get into a shooting match withEarthForce, but he will push them as far as possible. If theAshbai is threatened, it can jump out. It jumped in at the edgeof the system to give its engines time to recharge safely. Valtormay be arrogant and consider Humans to be nothing more thanscreeching monkeys, but he is not stupid.

There is no right answer here. Kalenns claim for asylum israther weak. He is in no real danger if he is returned home,as Minbari do not kill Minbari. Furthermore, he stole secret

information and a flyer out of nothing more than curiosity.However, he is holding useful information, and the eyes of themedia are watching to see how Santiago responds.

Hour Event

1 Kalenns vessel slips through the jump gate at the sametime as another ship. Kalenn is skindancing to stayundetected.

2 Kalenns ship runs out of power and is picked up by theTrojan.

3 The Ashbaijumps in.

4 The Ashbaipursues the Trojan, capturing it if thecharacters do not order EarthForce to intervene.

5 If protected by EarthForce, the Trojanmakes it toProxima Station with the Ashbai in close pursuit.

Results

Military Spending:Military Spending:

The results of the military spending vary, as follows. First,calculate the modifiers for the reaction roll for each planet.

Low Unpopularity Cut on the Planet: 1Medium Unpopularity Cut on the Planet: 2High Unpopularity Cut on the Planet: 4Per extra two point of cuts over ten: +1 to all planetsPer point under 10: 2 to all planets

Roll 1d20 for each planet and check the following table:

Roll Earth Mars Jupiter ProximaOuterColonies


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A DreamGiven Form

EA DREAM

GIEN FOGIVEN FORM

Location: Babylon 5Synopsis: On Babylon 5, the characters attend a statedinner that rapidly degenerates into an argumentbetween the Narn and the Centauri. If the characters

were paying attention, clues learned at the dinner can make allthe difference when it comes to drafting a new trade treaty. TheBabylon Trade Agreement is being blocked by the Narn, butthey are blaming the Centauri. As long as the League worldsthink the Centauri are trying to monopolise trade with Earth,the Narn have the support of the League in the Babylon 5council.

EventsPresident Santiagos continuing tour of the colonies has reached theBabylon 5 station, located in neutral space. The Babylon Projectwas a particular dream of President Santiagos, although even theprojects most fervent supporters questioned the wisdom of buildinga fifth station after the destruction of the first four. Questionsare expected to be raised about Santiagos recent appointment ofCommander Jeffrey Sinclair. While Sinclair has an excellent recordas an EarthForce officer and pilot, he has almost no experience

with a command of this magnitude or with interstellar diplomacy.Candidate Marie Crane has gone on the offensive, calling the stationa white elephant that has accomplished nothing except nearlystarting a war with the Vorlon Empire and a waste of taxpayersmoney and EarthForce resources.

Welcome to Babylon 5EarthForce One arrives at Babylon 5 and the Presidents stafftransfer over by shuttle. Another EarthForce vessel, the Nova-class Laelaps, is also present, and her captain, Hargrew, will beattending the dinner. Hand out the player briefings now. There

are two major events scheduled for the Presidents visit:

G State Dinner on board Babylon 5 for Santiago and thevarious alien ambassadors.

G Finalisation of a trade treaty between Earth and severalalien races, including both the Narn and the Centauri.

The characters are met by Sinclair, Ivanova and the rest ofthe command crew. They have some time to wander around


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(continued from Virs section on page 25) not making(continued from Virs section on page 25) not makingany sense at all, just hoping that if I say enough theany sense at all, just hoping that if I say enough the

other person will realise that Im drowning in my ownother person will realise that Im drowning in my ownwords and reach in and save me, like the poet Sinowords and reach in and save me, like the poet Sinowho was the court poet to one of the early emperors,who was the court poet to one of the early emperors,the one who killed all the Xon, I think, anyway thethe one who killed all the Xon, I think, anyway theemperor really didnt like Sinos poems so he had allemperor really didnt like Sinos poems so he had allthe scrolls turned into this sort of mulch with wine andthe scrolls turned into this sort of mulch with wine andthen he drowned Sino in his own words, what a waythen he drowned Sino in his own words, what a wayto go, I mean Londo once said hed like to drown in ato go, I mean Londo once said hed like to drown in avat of wine but I hear drownings terrible no matter ifvat of wine but I hear drownings terrible no matter ifits water or wine or reactor coolant youre drowningits water or wine or reactor coolant youre drowningin, though I wonder if its better to drown in somethingin, though I wonder if its better to drown in somethingyou like than in something you dont but anywhere,you like than in something you dont but anywhere,er, yes, Im drowning in my own words which I donter, yes, Im drowning in my own words which I dontmuch like so I would be very much obliged if youmuch like so I would be very much obliged if youwould either say something so I could stop lling thewould either say something so I could stop filling the

silence but also and this is increasingly important sosilence but also and this is increasingly important soI could take a breath and not pass out from oxygenI could take a breath and not pass out from oxygendeprivation literally drowning now oh great makerdeprivation literally drowning now oh great makerplease I cant shut up and in conclusion Id just likeplease I cant shut up and in conclusion Id just liketo thank you for your time and observe that Sinos asto thank you for your time and observe that Sinos asbad a role model as he was a poetbad a role model as he was a poet.

Babylon 5, allowing the characters their first opportunityin the Final Flight campaign to spend a few minutes simplyroleplaying. Optionally, run the Deep Throat II encounter (seebelow).

The State DinnerAll the alien ambassadors and senior staff on Babylon 5 arepresent at the dinner. Characters from the series who areattending include Londo, GKar, Delenn (and their assistants),Sinclair, Ivanova, Franklin and Talia Winters. Captain Hargrewof the Laelaps is also present, as well as various other Humandignitaries. Garibaldi is overseeing security, so he willnot be in attendance. Ambassador Kosh, the Vorlon,has not been seen for days.

First, there is a cocktail reception. Allow the charactersto mingle and engage in small talk. Roll on the tableon page 25 to learn who they encounter, and whatpossible rumours might arise. Secrets (denoted byitalics) are obtained either through roleplaying orthrough a DC 25 Diplomacy or Intrigue check,while other information is given freely. Thereare two main plots running through this scene:

G The trade negotiations are stalled because ofCentauri objections.

G Several people are unhappy with Sinclairscommand, and would like to see him replaced.

After the characters have had plenty of time to chatand socialise, move on to the formal dinner. As thePresidents staff, the characters are all seated close to

the ambassadors. It all goes quite well, with rare foodsimported from all over the Alliance, delicacies fromthe distant reaches of known space, and a delicious

spoo stew as the main course.

The servers start bringing out bottles ofwine. GKar stops one of them, hands

the server a bottle fromunder the table, and

gestures for it to be brought over to the Centauri table. It is abottle of a rare Centauri liquor. A shipment of the liquor wasstolen by raiders a week ago. As soon as a rather drunk Londosees the bottle, he gets very, very angry indeed. The charactershear a tremendous, Centauri-accented WHAAAAT? fromLondos table, then see the Centauri ambassador rise unsteadily

to his feet. Londo accuses GKar of being a thief, a liar and apirate. Feigning insult but barely concealing his amusement athaving riled Londo, GKar shouts that if he is a pirate, where ishis eyepatch? Vir begins to flap his hands in a vague attempt torestrain Londo before he makes a fool of himself, while Londocontinues to rant about piracy and how the Narn are a raceof rat-thieves and smugglers. GKar roars that if the Centaurithink of the Narn that way, surely their opinion of the Narnstrade partners must be equally high, and would the Centaurikindly get the hell out of the trade negotiations and leave thegalaxy to races with higher ambitions than drinking themselvesinto a stupor and whining about the good old days when theycould oppress and enslave other species!?

Most of the other people at the dinner are too shocked to

respond. Unless the characters act quickly, Sinclair leaves histable, walks down to Londo, and whispers something in his ear.Londo sits down heavily, his face flushed, and apologises forhis outburst. He then scowls at GKar and raises the liquorbottle in mocking salute. The point of this scene is to reinforcethe hostility between the Narn and the Centauri, and to set upthe two major plot points for the trade negotiations Centauriintransigence, and Narn smugglers.


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Babylon 5 Cocktail Party Rumours

Roll Encounter Rumours & Information

1 Commander Sinclair The Narn and Centauri are at each others throats again, with the Narn winning. The Centauri havedug their heels in about this trade treaty. Possibly, Londo just doesnt want to gothrough the bother of reading the damn thing, but theres something else

2 Lt. Cmdr. Ivanova Please, Mr President, can I have permission to kick about half the people on this station out of theairlock? Things will run much more smoothlyCaptain Hargrew is an old rival of Sinclairs;the Laelapsdiverted from its standard patrol to come here.

3 Dr Franklin Working here at Babylon 5 presents a great opportunity to study xenobiology. Why, just last week Iencountered an alien race that Humans have no records ofcalled themselves the Lekti.

4 Talia Winters Psi Corps believe that Clark will be the next President after Santiago, and are throwing their supportbehind him early.

5 Delenn Sinclair must be allowed to remain as commander of the Babylon 5 station or the Minbari will bedispleased.

6 Lenneir Please speak to Ambassador Delenn on all matters pertaining to the Minbari Federation. If there isanything else I can help you with, please, do not hesitate to ask.

7 Londo The Centauri Republic welcomes closer ties with the Earth Alliance. The Narn are alreadysmuggling goods into the Alliance. They make a mockery of any treaty in which theyare involved

8 Vir Sorry! Er, what? Sorry! I mean, pardon me. Um. Londos much better at this sort of small talk, I justsort of ramble on in a blind panic (continued in text box on page 24).

9 GKar The Centauri are trying to undermine the trade talks! They only want to trade when it is completely intheir favour! Thats not commerce, thats Centauri imperialism all over again! Anything they tell youis a lie!

10 Abbai Ambassador The League of Non-Aligned Worlds wants the trade deal to go ahead, but that wil l require the consent ofall concerned. Normally, the Narn are the most stubborn, but this time it is the Centauriwho are unwilling to move with the flow.

11 Brakiri Ambassador The Brakiri Syndicates are eager for closer trade ties with Earth. Veryeager. We Brakiri love tradeand commerce, and you Humans are rich and moist and juicy. We should cut the Centauri outof the trade talks entirely. Just make a private deal, you and me

12 Drazi Ambassador Drazi Government want trade deal! Whoever stopping deal, Drazi punch through wall! Diplomatically!

13 Markab Ambassador We are glad to be participating in this grand experiment called Babylon 5, but worry that it might need amore diplomatic hand at the tiller. TheCommander is too stern and belligerent. We would

favour the trade treaty if he was replaced.14 Pakmara Ambassador The Pakmara are excluded from trade talks. Excluded from most things. Only here because Vree

ambassador gave us tickets. Vree have no sense of smell. Pakmara see everything, heareverything. Narn have many smugglers, many underhanded dealings. They do notneed treaty.

15 Gaim Ambassador Gaim Queens desire technology of lesser races. Technology obtained through war or trade. GaimQueens do not believe Gaim can wipe out lesser races, therefore, Gaim are willing to trade.

16 Senator Marlo The trade negotiations are nearly complete, if only we could get the Centauri to agree. Personally, Iblame Commander Sinclair. He doesnt have the skills needed to run these types ofcomplex negotiations.

17 Senator Hidoshi The trade negotiations have stalled over Centauri objections. And other people are using this asan excuse to get Sinclair removed and have a more pro-Earth commander appointed.I see the dead hand of the Babylon Oversight Committee.

18 Captain Hargrew The Laelaps is here for R&R and to provide extra security for the Presidents visit. Unofficially,

two members of the Babylon 5 Senate Oversight requested that I divert course to thestation.

19 Mrs Ratasque Im the head of the Babylon 5 Commercial Association; Im here to lend support to this treaty, which wil lbuild on the stations position as a trade crossroads. People have tried to put pressure on meto support a change of commander, but Sinclair seems like enough of a hard-ass tofinally deal with the smugglers and raiders that infest the station.

20 Alan Shaw Alan Shaw, ISN Correspondent for Babylon 5. Theres a rumour running around that thestation commander, Sinclair, might be replaced if these negotiations dont go well. Isthere any truth in that?


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Press BriefingAfter the dinner (and the inevitable hangover) the Press Secretaryhas to cope with another briefing.

G Does the President have any comment on last night's

dinner?G Does Commander Sinclair have the Presidents complete

confidence? Is it true that Captain Hargrew is beingconsidered as a replacement?

G Will the trade negotiations add protection for Earthindustries against competition from alien goods?

G One, two and three blew up. Babylon 4 vanished. Wouldyou care to speculate about how Babylon 5 is going togo?

Deep Throat IIThe mysterious informant from

Babylon 5 RPG (2nd Ed.)-The Final Flight of Santiago

Documents