Campaign: Mauve Squadron

[taalismn]

"If TED sings "You Lift Me Up.." one more time, I swear I'm going to unplug him!"

[SRoss]

"If TED sings "You Lift Me Up.." one more time, I swear I'm going to unplug him!"

"And who was it that said the Transfer orbit was wide enough?"

"Don't look at me! I voted for sending him out past the Ort Cloud!"

[taalismn]

"So, Margarita, if I understand correctly, your family is rich enough to BUY this entire squadron? Or better yet, a commission in some more prestigious posting?"
"You're kidding us. Our very own Margarita's got family that wealthy?"
"Well, duh! Doesn't her last name ring any bells? Her family is THE Miyazakis!"
"No shi---? What ARE you doing commanding this armpit squadron, Margarita?!"
"Because I got something to prove, okay?! That I'll succeed not because of my family's money or social standing! That I'm as good as any of my sisters and I'll be able to stand on my OWN merits, not because I'm banking on, as you put it, THE Miyazaki name."
"...hate to say it, but deliberately sentencing yourself to one of the circles of hell in order just to prove a point does NOT strike me as a smart move..."
"More beer over here! Our commander's good for it!!!"

[glitterboy2098]

would that be the half zent daughter of Maitai?

[Alpha 11]

"If TED sings "You Lift Me Up.." one more time, I swear I'm going to unplug him!"

"If TED sings "You Lift Me Up.." one more time, I swear I'm going to unplug him!"

"And who was it that said the Transfer orbit was wide enough?"

"Don't look at me! I voted for sending him out past the Ort Cloud!"

"So, Margarita, if I understand correctly, your family is rich enough to BUY this entire squadron? Or better yet, a commission in some more prestigious posting?"
"You're kidding us. Our very own Margarita's got family that wealthy?"
"Well, duh! Doesn't her last name ring any bells? Her family is THE Miyazakis!"
"No shi---? What ARE you doing commanding this armpit squadron, Margarita?!"
"Because I got something to prove, okay?! That I'll succeed not because of my family's money or social standing! That I'm as good as any of my sisters and I'll be able to stand on my OWN merits, not because I'm banking on, as you put it, THE Miyazaki name."
"...hate to say it, but deliberately sentencing yourself to one of the circles of hell in order just to prove a point does NOT strike me as a smart move..."
"More beer over here! Our commander's good for it!!!"

[SRoss]

would that be the half zent daughter of Maitai?

Yep

[taalismn]

would that be the half zent daughter of Maitai?

Indeed. because just because you have good genes, a good family, and wealth, doesn't mean you can't screw up big time in your life decisions.
As noted previously, Margarita would be a fairly decent officer if she didn't feel herself buried in the shadows of her sisters. The fact that her parents are painfully rich(despite her dad being, at one time, considered to be the donut hole of the Zentraedi eugenics program), makes Margarita's desire to succeed on her own virtues particularly poignant. That choosing to make a shameful fortune as a strip-dancer would have been more a rational, successful, and plausible choice than taking command of a pariah squadron (maybe THE pariah squadron; Mauve has outlasted a succession of other 'dumping grounds)) in hopes of turning it around is the stuff of epic tragedy career-wise.

[Alpha 11]

would that be the half zent daughter of Maitai?

Indeed. because just because you have good genes, a good family, and wealth, doesn't mean you can't screw up big time in your life decisions.
As noted previously, Margarita would be a fairly decent officer if you didn't feel herself buried in the shadows of her sisters. The fact that her parents are painfully rich(despite her dad being, at one time, considered to be the donut hole of the Zentraedi eugenics program), makes Margarita's desire to succeed on her own virtues particularly poignant. That choosing to make a shameful fortune as a strip-dancer would have been more a rational, successful, and plausible choice than taking command of a pariah squadron (maybe THE pariah squadron; Mauve has outlasted a succession of other 'dumping grounds)) in hopes of turning it around is the stuff of epic tragedy career-wise.

Poor girl, I wish her luck.

[taalismn]

If course, being surrounded by competent people early in her life, she's a bit naive to how slimy and scheming people can be, So she's very likely unaware how much Chief Toombs takes after his da, in backstabbing ambition. Even if one/several of those backs are in the chain of command between himself and Cmdr. Miyazaki.

Though, as much as they rag on their younger sib, Margarita's sisters would likely hunt down and FLAY anybody who hurt her.

[SRoss]

If course, being surrounded by competent people early in her life, she's a bit naive to how slimy and scheming people can be, So she's very likely unaware how much Chief Toombs takes after his da, in backstabbing ambition. Even if one/several of those backs are in the chain of command between himself and Cmdr. Miyazaki.

Though, as much as they rag on their younger sib, Margarita's sisters would likely hunt down and FLAY anybody who hurt her.

Damn Straight!

[taalismn]

If course, being surrounded by competent people early in her life, she's a bit naive to how slimy and scheming people can be, So she's very likely unaware how much Chief Toombs takes after his da, in backstabbing ambition. Even if one/several of those backs are in the chain of command between himself and Cmdr. Miyazaki.

Though, as much as they rag on their younger sib, Margarita's sisters would likely hunt down and FLAY anybody who hurt her.

Damn Straight!

Which suggests an adventure where Margarita disappears under mysterious circumstances, and the PCs are implicated as responsible(either as deliberate cause, or through negligence), with the PCs becoming aware that some awfully big guns on their own side are being turned their way, with a Miyazaki behind the sights.

It turns out to all be a misunderstanding(or somebody else's hairbrained scheme), but for a while, the PC should be fearing for their lives(the Miyazakis aren't the sorts to exile the characters to someplace like Ice Guard, even if they knew it existed).

[Alpha 11]

If course, being surrounded by competent people early in her life, she's a bit naive to how slimy and scheming people can be, So she's very likely unaware how much Chief Toombs takes after his da, in backstabbing ambition. Even if one/several of those backs are in the chain of command between himself and Cmdr. Miyazaki.

Though, as much as they rag on their younger sib, Margarita's sisters would likely hunt down and FLAY anybody who hurt her.

Good to know someone got her back.

If course, being surrounded by competent people early in her life, she's a bit naive to how slimy and scheming people can be, So she's very likely unaware how much Chief Toombs takes after his da, in backstabbing ambition. Even if one/several of those backs are in the chain of command between himself and Cmdr. Miyazaki.

Though, as much as they rag on their younger sib, Margarita's sisters would likely hunt down and FLAY anybody who hurt her.

Damn Straight!

Second!

If course, being surrounded by competent people early in her life, she's a bit naive to how slimy and scheming people can be, So she's very likely unaware how much Chief Toombs takes after his da, in backstabbing ambition. Even if one/several of those backs are in the chain of command between himself and Cmdr. Miyazaki.

Though, as much as they rag on their younger sib, Margarita's sisters would likely hunt down and FLAY anybody who hurt her.

Damn Straight!

Which suggests an adventure where Margarita disappears under mysterious circumstances, and the PCs are implicated as responsible(either as deliberate cause, or through negligence), with the PCs becoming aware that some awfully big guns on their own side are being turned their way, with a Miyazaki behind the sights.

It turns out to all be a misunderstanding(or somebody else's hairbrained scheme), but for a while, the PC should be fearing for their lives(the Miyazakis aren't the sorts to exile the characters to someplace like Ice Guard, even if they knew it existed).

Ya, that could get scary for a while.

[taalismn]

Especially if the PCs wind up being hunted by Skull Squadron. They only THOUGHT the Skulls were out to get them before; now the Skulls really are...and it's PERSONAL(remember, the Skulls' XO is a Miyazaki and one of Margarita's older sisters).

[glitterboy2098]

personally, have her get stuck in some trouble sorta like lafiel did in Crest of the Stars.. stops for a quick repair/refuel at an out of the way outpost, and the local commander gets delusions of grandeur, and tries to keep her there due to her him family ties giving him potential for personal power. she escapes thru sheer skill and talent..

and afterwards Skull gets all the credit for finding her after she arrives at her next stop, and since her actions at the outpost were not recorded/witnessed, and the few that will listen to her about it assume she's exaggerating to look better than her sisters..

[taalismn]

personally, have her get stuck in some trouble sorta like lafiel did in Crest of the Stars.. stops for a quick repair/refuel at an out of the way outpost, and the local commander gets delusions of grandeur, and tries to keep her there due to her him family ties giving him potential for personal power. she escapes thru sheer skill and talent..

and afterwards Skull gets all the credit for finding her after she arrives at her next stop, and since her actions at the outpost were not recorded/witnessed, and the few that will listen to her about it assume she's exaggerating to look better than her sisters..

It doesn't help her image any that when she's rescued, it's apparent that she was subjected to http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GoGoEnslavement

[SRoss]

personally, have her get stuck in some trouble sorta like lafiel did in Crest of the Stars.. stops for a quick repair/refuel at an out of the way outpost, and the local commander gets delusions of grandeur, and tries to keep her there due to her him family ties giving him potential for personal power. she escapes thru sheer skill and talent..

and afterwards Skull gets all the credit for finding her after she arrives at her next stop, and since her actions at the outpost were not recorded/witnessed, and the few that will listen to her about it assume she's exaggerating to look better than her sisters..

It doesn't help her image any that when she's rescued, it's apparent that she was subjected to http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GoGoEnslavement

And of course the Outpost/Local Commander are now a smoking crater.

[taalismn]

And any survivors weren't in on the commander's scheme.
It doesn't help the PCs any that the local commander was actually TALKING to the PCs several times during the escapade, with Margarita tied up in the background(though the PCs couldn't see her), or that he was actually leading them around deliberately to draw attention away from him.
So the PCs will look like chumps even to their own commander.
It doesn't help that Chief Toombs also uses the situation to try to jump several tiers of rank to take command of the squadron(or worse yet, SUCCEEDS, at least until Margarita is freed and returns to find a predictable mess).

[SRoss]

Random Female PC: "Honestly I don't know how the Chief ended up Duct Taped and gagged in the garbage disposal."

[taalismn]

Margarita: "Who the HELL redecorated my office and what the HELL is that hanging on my wall?!"

[Alpha 11]

Especially if the PCs wind up being hunted by Skull Squadron. They only THOUGHT the Skulls were out to get them before; now the Skulls really are...and it's PERSONAL(remember, the Skulls' XO is a Miyazaki and one of Margarita's older sisters).

Ouch!

personally, have her get stuck in some trouble sorta like lafiel did in Crest of the Stars.. stops for a quick repair/refuel at an out of the way outpost, and the local commander gets delusions of grandeur, and tries to keep her there due to her him family ties giving him potential for personal power. she escapes thru sheer skill and talent..

and afterwards Skull gets all the credit for finding her after she arrives at her next stop, and since her actions at the outpost were not recorded/witnessed, and the few that will listen to her about it assume she's exaggerating to look better than her sisters..

Could so see that happening.

personally, have her get stuck in some trouble sorta like lafiel did in Crest of the Stars.. stops for a quick repair/refuel at an out of the way outpost, and the local commander gets delusions of grandeur, and tries to keep her there due to her him family ties giving him potential for personal power. she escapes thru sheer skill and talent..

and afterwards Skull gets all the credit for finding her after she arrives at her next stop, and since her actions at the outpost were not recorded/witnessed, and the few that will listen to her about it assume she's exaggerating to look better than her sisters..

It doesn't help her image any that when she's rescued, it's apparent that she was subjected to http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GoGoEnslavement

Yep, that would do it.

personally, have her get stuck in some trouble sorta like lafiel did in Crest of the Stars.. stops for a quick repair/refuel at an out of the way outpost, and the local commander gets delusions of grandeur, and tries to keep her there due to her him family ties giving him potential for personal power. she escapes thru sheer skill and talent..

and afterwards Skull gets all the credit for finding her after she arrives at her next stop, and since her actions at the outpost were not recorded/witnessed, and the few that will listen to her about it assume she's exaggerating to look better than her sisters..

It doesn't help her image any that when she's rescued, it's apparent that she was subjected to http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GoGoEnslavement

And of course the Outpost/Local Commander are now a smoking crater.

Then can't really get any prof then.

And any survivors weren't in on the commander's scheme.
It doesn't help the PCs any that the local commander was actually TALKING to the PCs several times during the escapade, with Margarita tied up in the background(though the PCs couldn't see her), or that he was actually leading them around deliberately to draw attention away from him.
So the PCs will look like chumps even to their own commander.
It doesn't help that Chief Toombs also uses the situation to try to jump several tiers of rank to take command of the squadron(or worse yet, SUCCEEDS, at least until Margarita is freed and returns to find a predictable mess).

Someone should kill that guy.

Random Female PC: "Honestly I don't know how the Chief ended up Duct Taped and gagged in the garbage disposal."

Margarita: "Who the HELL redecorated my office and what teh HELL is that hanging on my wall?!"

[taalismn]

[
Someone should kill that guy.:

Can't. He has character shields.
And it's illegal for soldiers to frag their own side.
If the PCs succumb to this temptation, the GM is obliged to either frustrate their efforts(the grenade is a dude, Toombs bends over as the shot sails over his head, the airlock door jams, etc.), or, if they manage to succeed, comes down HARD on them and either courtmartials the PCs, or sends them on a REAL suicide(penal kamikaze) mission.

[SRoss]

Margarita: "Who the HELL redecorated my office and what teh HELL is that hanging on my wall?!"

Velvet painting of a half naked chick?

[parkhyun]

The RDF Remedial Training Manual

The situation: Upon the shocking discovery that one of the RDF servicemembers has been illegally brewing his own beer, everyone is forced to go to an all-day training event with Macross's least exciting anti-drug spokesmen, Dr. Boringstrom. All the attendees know they're there because of someone in Mauve Squadron, and want to take revenge. CMDR Toombs knows it was someone in his squadron and is out to find evidence of their guilt. The PCs know that if they tell on Chief Mowbray, they will never get free beer, and they want it. Chief Mowbray knows he hid his stash of home-brew equipment in the PC's quarters and wants them to keep CMDR Toombs from finding it. Skull Squadron knows everybody will try to sneak out of the "training" and wants to keep all the doors blocked. The players know that this is Mauve Squadron, and they are doomed.

In attendance: All of Mauve Squadron, of course (VFs). All the guys from 23rd Air Defense Artillery (Raiders X, see the adventure "The Unit Ball"). The 404th Fires Battalion (Spartans). The RDF Band (strings, and tuba). Skull Squadron (blocking the exits, patrolling the aisles, deeply concerned about this shocking lack of military readiness).

Obstacles: The PCs will have to get out and run back to quarters to hide Mowbray's stuff before Toombs gets there. Toombs is eyeing the PCs evilly, sure that it was them, but eventually they'll see him leave and know where he's heading.

A distraction? The PCs can pretty easily get PO1 Reeper to start a fistfight with the ADA guys. Heck, a fistfight will happen one way or another, given all the snide comments the other guys are making about Mauve.
There are lights the PCs might try to knock out. Otherwise, they'll have to use their wits, so it may take a while.

A chase? Once they do get out, the PCs will find that they're being chased by Skull Squadron. Also, by pretty much everyone else in attendance. They'll have to hide, avoid the angry mob, get back to their quarters, stall CMDR Toombs, hide but not destroy Mowbray's stuff, and then survive the free-for-all that will happen when Skull, ADA, Fires, and Band descend on them in one massive melee.

The violin strings make for good garrotes, though.

Dr. Boringstrom: The great Swedish specialist in the effects of long-term drug and alcohol use. He speaks with an incredibly thick accent, which is somewhat understandable because he ... talks. Very. Slowly. When the brawl if finally over, he will show up, see the wreckage of Chief Mowbray's once elaborate home-brew set-up, and begin lecturing on how this was only a simple design, and modern home-brewers actually use the following, more efficient method...

[glitterboy2098]

Margarita: "Who the HELL redecorated my office and what teh HELL is that hanging on my wall?!"

Velvet painting of a half naked chick?

no, a huge Velvet Elvis.. he redid the whole office over to movie style kitsch.. basically zero taste..

[SRoss]

"You, you, cold cocked Fokker ... WITH A TUBA!!!"

Throw in red alert as Khyron and Maitai attack separately, at the same time, yes they'll be getting in each others way.

[taalismn]

The Band beats everybody. including the Skulls.
(My ol' high school back in the day, the football team lost the game, but the marching band won the fight. The other side might have gotten away scott-free, but they beaned a band member as they were marching out. The band turned with a precision and spirit that would have done Alexander and Frederick the Great proud, and charged back onto the field to commence melee).

[Alpha 11]

[
Someone should kill that guy.:

Can't. He has character shields.
And it's illegal for soldiers to frag their own side.
If the PCs succumb to this temptation, the GM is obliged to either frustrate their efforts(the grenade is a dude, Toombs bends over as the shot sails over his head, the airlock door jams, etc.), or, if they manage to succeed, comes down HARD on them and either courtmartials the PCs, or sends them on a REAL suicide(penal kamikaze) mission.

If I was one of them, I wouldn't care.

Margarita: "Who the HELL redecorated my office and what teh HELL is that hanging on my wall?!"

Velvet painting of a half naked chick?

The RDF Remedial Training Manual

The situation: Upon the shocking discovery that one of the RDF servicemembers has been illegally brewing his own beer, everyone is forced to go to an all-day training event with Macross's least exciting anti-drug spokesmen, Dr. Boringstrom. All the attendees know they're there because of someone in Mauve Squadron, and want to take revenge. CMDR Toombs knows it was someone in his squadron and is out to find evidence of their guilt. The PCs know that if they tell on Chief Mowbray, they will never get free beer, and they want it. Chief Mowbray knows he hid his stash of home-brew equipment in the PC's quarters and wants them to keep CMDR Toombs from finding it. Skull Squadron knows everybody will try to sneak out of the "training" and wants to keep all the doors blocked. The players know that this is Mauve Squadron, and they are doomed.

In attendance: All of Mauve Squadron, of course (VFs). All the guys from 23rd Air Defense Artillery (Raiders X, see the adventure "The Unit Ball"). The 404th Fires Battalion (Spartans). The RDF Band (strings, and tuba). Skull Squadron (blocking the exits, patrolling the aisles, deeply concerned about this shocking lack of military readiness).

Obstacles: The PCs will have to get out and run back to quarters to hide Mowbray's stuff before Toombs gets there. Toombs is eyeing the PCs evilly, sure that it was them, but eventually they'll see him leave and know where he's heading.

A distraction? The PCs can pretty easily get PO1 Reeper to start a fistfight with the ADA guys. Heck, a fistfight will happen one way or another, given all the snide comments the other guys are making about Mauve.
There are lights the PCs might try to knock out. Otherwise, they'll have to use their wits, so it may take a while.

A chase? Once they do get out, the PCs will find that they're being chased by Skull Squadron. Also, by pretty much everyone else in attendance. They'll have to hide, avoid the angry mob, get back to their quarters, stall CMDR Toombs, hide but not destroy Mowbray's stuff, and then survive the free-for-all that will happen when Skull, ADA, Fires, and Band descend on them in one massive melee.

The violin strings make for good garrotes, though.

Dr. Boringstrom: The great Swedish specialist in the effects of long-term drug and alcohol use. He speaks with an incredibly thick accent, which is somewhat understandable because he ... talks. Very. Slowly. When the brawl if finally over, he will show up, see the wreckage of Chief Mowbray's once elaborate home-brew set-up, and begin lecturing on how this was only a simple design, and modern home-brewers actually use the following, more efficient method...

Margarita: "Who the HELL redecorated my office and what teh HELL is that hanging on my wall?!"

Velvet painting of a half naked chick?

no, a huge Velvet Elvis.. he redid the whole office over to movie style kitsch.. basically zero taste..

"You, you, cold cocked Fokker ... WITH A TUBA!!!"

Throw in red alert as Khyron and Maitai attack separately, at the same time, yes they'll be getting in each others way.

The Band beats everybody. including the Skulls.
(My ol' high school back in the day, the football team lost the game, but the marching band won the fight. The other side might have gotten away scott-free, but they beaned a band member as they were marching out. The band turned with a precision and spirit that would have done Alexander and Frederick the Great proud, and charged back onto the field to commence melee).

Wow, seriously? Beat they never let them live that down.

[taalismn]

[
Wow, seriously? Beat they never let them live that down.

It was a classic 15th ATACS moment. There was even a Dana (though he was a guy) on the scene.

[SRoss]

Margarita: "Who the HELL redecorated my office and what teh HELL is that hanging on my wall?!"

Velvet painting of a half naked chick?

no, a huge Velvet Elvis.. he redid the whole office over to movie style kitsch.. basically zero taste..

Velvet painting of Elvis: 1.95 credits.

an office full of Kitsch: 15 credits at a yard sale.

video of Chief Toombs scrubbing the hanger with his toothbrush while wearing a henti maid outfit: Priceless

[Alpha 11]

Margarita: "Who the HELL redecorated my office and what teh HELL is that hanging on my wall?!"

Velvet painting of a half naked chick?

no, a huge Velvet Elvis.. he redid the whole office over to movie style kitsch.. basically zero taste..

Velvet painting of Elvis: 1.95 credits.

an office full of Kitsch: 15 credits at a yard sale.

video of Chief Toombs scrubbing the hanger with his toothbrush while wearing a henti maid outfit: Priceless

But for that mental image, I'll still need bleach.

[
Wow, seriously? Beat they never let them live that down.

It was a classic 15th ATACS moment. There was even a Dana (though he was a guy) on the scene.

If it's on video, I would love to see that.

[taalismn]

[
If it's on video, I would love to see that.

Sadly, none is known to exist. I date myself by saying that this was before the time of cheap digital camcorders.

[Alpha 11]

[
If it's on video, I would love to see that.

Sadly, none is known to exist. I date myself by saying that this was before the time of cheap digital camcorders.

Bummer, would have loved to have seen that, but I thought that would be the case. Sounds like we would be about the same age though. So that means we can't be that old, right?

[parkhyun]

The Death of Mauve Squadron

In a nutshell: Everyone in Mauve Squadron dies.

Background: Having been replaced by a new, insane and totally psychopathic commander, Maitai defects. In an interview with Dana Miyazaki, he explains that the new commander is coming to destroy the SDF-1 with his expert mind and ruthless tactics. In response, Admiral Gloval has authorized operation "Mother Fokker," and selected now-Captain Toombs to lead it.

Signs the PCs will Definitely Die: Even before leaving on the mission, there are certain telling signs that things will not go the PC's way, including

The ship's N-1 (that's personnel, to you) suddenly losing all records of their existence
CMDR Toombs being promoted
The ADA guys being extra-nice to them, for no apparent reason
Sudden, unearned and unexplained respect emanating from Skull Squadron
The RDF Band practicing "Taps"
The lonely howl of the Monkey Man

Operation Mother Fokker: The plan is to launch a team directly into the enemy ship using a bullet-shaped transport fired from the bow of the Prometheus. This will tear into the belly of the ship, releasing a Mac-II controlled by TED to tear its way through the innards. Since the Mac-II has virtually no way of protecting itself at close range, a team of armored VFs with special weapons will accompany it, wreaking havoc on anyone who gets close.

TED: His personality has been programmed to "extreme Zentaedicidal maniac" with no care for self-preservation. The arms of the Mac-II have been fitted with serrated spikes, ostensibly to better tear open walls but effectively allowing a regular punch to disembowel multiple enemies. TED will flail around like crazy, stomping skulls, blasting brains, and tearing through crew members like a golden retriever through Italian-leather footwear.

The "Deathmecha" Veritechs: Since learning of Leena's surprise pregnancy, PO1 Reeper has been unusually despondent of late, but that hasn't stopped him from getting the crew to create the most hideous beasts protoculture can power (the black-metal "corpse paint" over the heads was a nice touch). Give one of the following to each PC:
*Plasma Thrower: Range of only 400 ft, but does 1d100 damage. Yes, you read that right - anywhere from 1 to 100 MD.
*CRAPTASTIC: All of it, on one VF. Even the Mystery Stick, which turned out to be just a hanger brace for the shipping crate. Still makes a good whacker, though.
*Missile Surprise: More random missiles. Like a prize in a box of Cracker Jacks, but with lethal implications.
*Minmei Boombox: Plays only Minmei songs about rainbows.
*Personal toilet: Specially installed in the cockpit of Captain Toombs' VF, "for his convenience."

So then this happens: Massive bloodbath. Literally, there is no end to the number of EVERYTHING the GM should be throwing at the PCs once the transport door falls open (ideally onto some poor sucker's torso). The Mac-II can basically plod its way through a tangled mass of steel walls and hangars, trudging slowly but inexorably to the engine room and leaving behind a trail of giant-intestine soup.

Who's the new, psychopathic commander? It's Steve Liu, of course, with a personal bodyguard of Meltrans in full power-armor. He plans to show the RDF the superior awesomeness of Science Officers by steering a full Zentraedi destroyer directly into the belly of the SDF-1, Khyron-style. His maniacal laughter will only stop once TED crushes him directly into the spinning turbines of the protoculture-fueled engines of the destroyer, creating a nuclear meltdown that kills everyone.

Who do the PCs meet in heaven? Tommy Laun. Or is it "Lawn?"

[taalismn]

SAY IT ISN'T SO!!!!!!


But seriously, if the PCs are egging to get back to serious gaming, this is the way to close out a Mauve Squadron campaign(if they want to revisit comedy later, they can always come back for Mauve Squadron: New Generation).

If the GM and PCs want to continue the campaign, this episode is fully in keeping with the original Macross story arc...have a lead-up to a massive RAIN OF DEATH battle with a mounting per-second-bodycount in the thousands, possibility of instant death for the PCs(especially if they ### off the GM), and Itano Missile Massacres behind every door.
THEN, when the smoke clears and the special effects budget is shot, lower-key Aftermath arc with the PCs (those who survive) looting their buddies' stuff because the UEDF didn't make provision for paying any survivors of Mauve Squadron afterwards. Feel free to roleplay fighting for a spot in line at the soup kitchen because the UEDF has also declared them all dead already, redistributed their bank accounts, and officially wiped them from legal existence. They can't even get themselves transferred to Ice Guard if they tried.
Worse yet, they'll discover that Skull Squadron has been credited with all the ship kills Mauve managed in their Charge of the Light Brigade.

[SRoss]

Remember, some of them must survive to have children who get to be in Mauve Squadron: the New Generation.

[parkhyun]

Thanks for all the encouragement. While you're at it, check out my "supplement" to Heroes Unlimited, with tons of tips on GMing, adventures, and villains:

http://palladium-megaverse.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=142544

[taalismn]

Three words: One night stand. In the event that they haven't already given rise to children, all it takes is one party and failed protection to have children. Could happen the night before they die. If the PC is female, she could have just gotten off maternity leave (or be using a surrogate mother).

*koff* sperm/egg bank.

[parkhyun]

Could someone please draw us a picture of Armored VFs with corpse paint buzz-sawing Zentraedi in half while a Mac-II stomps on a meltran in power armor, impales a Zentraedi warrior with one arm and blasts through a crowd with another? I keep imagining it in my head, and it's super cool.

[Alpha 11]

The Death of Mauve Squadron

In a nutshell: Everyone in Mauve Squadron dies.

Background: Having been replaced by a new, insane and totally psychopathic commander, Maitai defects. In an interview with Dana Miyazaki, he explains that the new commander is coming to destroy the SDF-1 with his expert mind and ruthless tactics. In response, Admiral Gloval has authorized operation "Mother Fokker," and selected now-Captain Toombs to lead it.

Signs the PCs will Definitely Die: Even before leaving on the mission, there are certain telling signs that things will not go the PC's way, including

The ship's N-1 (that's personnel, to you) suddenly losing all records of their existence
CMDR Toombs being promoted
The ADA guys being extra-nice to them, for no apparent reason
Sudden, unearned and unexplained respect emanating from Skull Squadron
The RDF Band practicing "Taps"
The lonely howl of the Monkey Man

Operation Mother Fokker: The plan is to launch a team directly into the enemy ship using a bullet-shaped transport fired from the bow of the Prometheus. This will tear into the belly of the ship, releasing a Mac-II controlled by TED to tear its way through the innards. Since the Mac-II has virtually no way of protecting itself at close range, a team of armored VFs with special weapons will accompany it, wreaking havoc on anyone who gets close.

TED: His personality has been programmed to "extreme Zentaedicidal maniac" with no care for self-preservation. The arms of the Mac-II have been fitted with serrated spikes, ostensibly to better tear open walls but effectively allowing a regular punch to disembowel multiple enemies. TED will flail around like crazy, stomping skulls, blasting brains, and tearing through crew members like a golden retriever through Italian-leather footwear.

The "Deathmecha" Veritechs: Since learning of Leena's surprise pregnancy, PO1 Reeper has been unusually despondent of late, but that hasn't stopped him from getting the crew to create the most hideous beasts protoculture can power (the black-metal "corpse paint" over the heads was a nice touch). Give one of the following to each PC:
*Plasma Thrower: Range of only 400 ft, but does 1d100 damage. Yes, you read that right - anywhere from 1 to 100 MD.
*CRAPTASTIC: All of it, on one VF. Even the Mystery Stick, which turned out to be just a hanger brace for the shipping crate. Still makes a good whacker, though.
*Missile Surprise: More random missiles. Like a prize in a box of Cracker Jacks, but with lethal implications.
*Minmei Boombox: Plays only Minmei songs about rainbows.
*Personal toilet: Specially installed in the cockpit of Captain Toombs' VF, "for his convenience."

So then this happens: Massive bloodbath. Literally, there is no end to the number of EVERYTHING the GM should be throwing at the PCs once the transport door falls open (ideally onto some poor sucker's torso). The Mac-II can basically plod its way through a tangled mass of steel walls and hangars, trudging slowly but inexorably to the engine room and leaving behind a trail of giant-intestine soup.

Who's the new, psychopathic commander? It's Steve Liu, of course, with a personal bodyguard of Meltrans in full power-armor. He plans to show the RDF the superior awesomeness of Science Officers by steering a full Zentraedi destroyer directly into the belly of the SDF-1, Khyron-style. His maniacal laughter will only stop once TED crushes him directly into the spinning turbines of the protoculture-fueled engines of the destroyer, creating a nuclear meltdown that kills everyone.

Who do the PCs meet in heaven? Tommy Laun. Or is it "Lawn?"

But what a way to go, right?

SAY IT ISN'T SO!!!!!!


But seriously, if the PCs are egging to get back to serious gaming, this is the way to close out a Mauve Squadron campaign(if they want to revisit comedy later, they can always come back for Mauve Squadron: New Generation).

If the GM and PCs want to continue the campaign, this episode is fully in keeping with the original Macross story arc...have a lead-up to a massive RAIN OF DEATH battle with a mounting per-second-bodycount in the thousands, possibility of instant death for the PCs(especially if they ### off the GM), and Itano Missile Massacres behind every door.
THEN, when the smoke clears and the special effects budget is shot, lower-key Aftermath arc with the PCs (those who survive) looting their buddies' stuff because the UEDF didn't make provision for paying any survivors of Mauve Squadron afterwards. Feel free to roleplay fighting for a spot in line at the soup kitchen because the UEDF has also declared them all dead already, redistributed their bank accounts, and officially wiped them from legal existence. They can't even get themselves transferred to Ice Guard if they tried.
Worse yet, they'll discover that Skull Squadron has been credited with all the ship kills Mauve managed in their Charge of the Light Brigade.

Ya, that would happen to any survivers.

Remember, some of them must survive to have children who get to be in Mauve Squadron: the New Generation.

Very true.

Three words: One night stand. In the event that they haven't already given rise to children, all it takes is one party and failed protection to have children. Could happen the night before they die. If the PC is female, she could have just gotten off maternity leave (or be using a surrogate mother).

That too.

Thanks for all the encouragement. While you're at it, check out my "supplement" to Heroes Unlimited, with tons of tips on GMing, adventures, and villains:

http://palladium-megaverse.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=142544

Looks interesting.

Could someone please draw us a picture of Armored VFs with corpse paint buzz-sawing Zentraedi in half while a Mac-II stomps on a meltran in power armor, impales a Zentraedi warrior with one arm and blasts through a crowd with another? I keep imagining it in my head, and it's super cool.

That would be kind of cool to see a picture of.

[taalismn]

"What is this picture?"
"Is glorious artistic portrayl of heroic Mauve Squadron in triumphant battle and ultimate victory over dastardly enemy forces!"
"Sooo, it's a fantasy painting."
"I only paint what customer pay me to paint. I no ask questions."

[Alpha 11]

"What is this picture?"
"Is glorious artistic portrayl of heroic Mauve Squadron in triumphant battle and ultimate victory over dastardly enemy forces!"
"Sooo, it's a fantasy painting."
"I only paint what customer pay me to paint. I no ask questions."

[taalismn]

"So what brings you to Ice Guard?"
"I got transfered here from Mauve Squadron."
"Well, that's unusual."
"Why? Never met anybody who transfered OUT of Mauve Squadron"
"Never met anyone who SURVIVED Mauve Squadron."

[SRoss]

Meanwhile, Chief Mowbray and one of the female PC's, probably a technician, Mirya seems to be the only female VF pilot in the Macross saga, get hitched and he makes a fortune on his homemade Calvados.

[SRoss]

*Minmei Boombox: Plays only Minmei songs about rainbows.

Everyone gives a sigh of relief when this one blows up.

[Alpha 11]

"So what brings you to Ice Guard?"
"I got transfered here from Mauve Squadron."
"Well, that's unusual."
"Why? Never met anybody who transfered OUT of Mauve Squadron"
"Never met anyone who SURVIVED Mauve Squadron."

Meanwhile, Chief Mowbray and one of the female PC's, probably a technician, Mirya seems to be the only female VF pilot in the Macross saga, get hitched and he makes a fortune on his homemade Calvados.

*Minmei Boombox: Plays only Minmei songs about rainbows.

Everyone gives a sigh of relief when this one blows up.

[taalismn]

*Minmei Boombox: Plays only Minmei songs about rainbows.

Everyone gives a sigh of relief when this one blows up.

The explosion is a 10-kiloton blast that throws out rainbows. Most of those caught in the blast radius have only enough time to scream "PRETTY!" before being vaporized.

[SRoss]

*Minmei Boombox: Plays only Minmei songs about rainbows.

Everyone gives a sigh of relief when this one blows up.

The explosion is a 10-kiloton blast that throws out rainbows. Most of those caught in the blast radius have only enough time to scream "PRETTY!" before being vaporized.

So that is what they meant by the Minmei is gonna rock your world comment.

[taalismn]

"As part of the post-Khyron austerity measures, we've had to tighten our buckles and re-purpose many of our assets, as well as carve our our deadwood, so I'm afraid I have to tell you that Mauve Squadron has been sold for medical experimentation."

[Alpha 11]

*Minmei Boombox: Plays only Minmei songs about rainbows.

Everyone gives a sigh of relief when this one blows up.

The explosion is a 10-kiloton blast that throws out rainbows. Most of those caught in the blast radius have only enough time to scream "PRETTY!" before being vaporized.

*Minmei Boombox: Plays only Minmei songs about rainbows.

Everyone gives a sigh of relief when this one blows up.

The explosion is a 10-kiloton blast that throws out rainbows. Most of those caught in the blast radius have only enough time to scream "PRETTY!" before being vaporized.

So that is what they meant by the Minmei is gonna rock your world comment.

Well, there are rumors of special entertaining sessions if you pay for a bit extra than the usual back stage pass. They are unconfirmed, and far more than the reduced pay the Mauve Squadron can afford.

The special entertaining sessions are not what most people expect, and the few that claim to have received it refuse to say anything about it beyond showing pictures of bruises they got.

"As part of the post-Khyron austerity measures, we've had to tighten our buckles and re-purpose many of our assets, as well as carve our our deadwood, so I'm afraid I have to tell you that Mauve Squadron has been sold for medical experimentation."

[taalismn]

Adventure: Mauve Squadron(New Generation)
A Second Serving of Pineapple Salad(aka: The Duplex Horror)

Hook: Post Invid Departure, the Squadron is ordered to look into a rash of Protoculture thefts from UEEF facilities on the newly liberated Earth. Normally, this would be assigned to a crack team of Military Police or counter-insurgency commandos, but with everybody else looking for the SDF-3 or readying for hostilities with the Haydonites, Mauve Squadron are the only ones available...after most of their mecha have been taken away from them(or were blown out from under them). Mauve will be obliged to do this on the cheap, with limited mecha, and forced to use whatever conventional vehicles and weapons they can scrounge.

Line:
After chewing up the landscape looking for clues, playing good-cop-bad-cop-incompetent-cop with the locals, and being forced to beg transportation off the re-emergent used-car salesmen of liberated Earth, a rash of people falling down open manhole covers should lead them to realize that all the heists took place near the extensive sewer and subway systems of North America's eastern seaboard. Following the trail will mean going underground, pushng through secret refugee camps, albino allligators, and dope-mutated sewer rats.
Ultimately they will discover the lair of a former UEDF Southern Cross scientist who was tortured by the Invid and has gone quite mad. He is convinced that he has the solution to rebuilding a stronger and more energetic Humanity, through the use of extensive cloning. To that end he has found and cobbled together several old Zentraedi cloning chambers, and located a surviving pre-Invasion gene bank containing cell samples from tens of thousands of human beings. The mad scientist is also convinced that he can replicate the Tirolians’ genetic memory techniques, thus allowing him to not only resurrect the DNA, but the PERSONALITIES of long-dead people, from simply a few cells(“Hey, it worked for Zor!”). All he needed was enough Protoculture for the job, and he has that now. The PCs will find the laboratory geared up to begin, with racks of genetic samples ready to be fed into the cloning apparatus.
One of the sample tubes that the PCs whould be able to read has “C. Toombs’ printed on it.

Sinker:
When the PCs make a move to stop the scientist, he will scream for ‘Igors! Stop them!’, whereupon several dozen more deranged ex-Invid experimental subjects will emerge from the tunnels and behind lab equipment, attacking the Squadron with homemade explosive, acid, and gas bombs, as well as other weapons. Mutant alligators and other sewer pests will also attack from behind, drawn by the prospect of food.
The area also suffers a sudden spike in poltergeist activity as the ghost of Cmdr. Toombs goes all out to try to get resurrected.
In the insuing battle, at least some of the cloning tubes will be engaged, demonstrating how fast and efficient the mad scientist’s methods really are. Halfway through the fight, one of the tubes will open, a tall, muscular, blond-haired man stands up, stark-naked and confused, before bellowing ‘WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!” If nobody responds in a way he likes(which is pretty much any way) he will immediately attack the closest and most belligerent-looking idiot and proceed to kick their asses.
Finally, the battle will escalate(what with corrosive acid spilled on the floor, chemical explosives going off, open flames shooting into the air, massive electrical arcs dancing between metal surfaces) to the point where the lab itself catches on fire and the underground lair fills with smoke and flame. The powerplant begins making ominous noises, as the mad scientist screams “NNNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!”, a cue for the PCs to get out while the getting is good. Moments later, the escape tunnel fills with flame as a massive explosion collapses the tunnel behind the PCs.


Aftermath:
The PCs’ report back to the authorities is met with disbelief and derision; the PCs are criticized for losing a substantial amount of precious protoculture. Furthermore, the collapsing tunnel and laboratory also collapsed an apartment complex on the surface above; the surviving residents are suing the UEEF for damages.
If, against all odds and PC interference, the original Toombs has somehow been cloned and survived, he will immediately try to get re-instated into the UEEF(or whoever is the biggest, best, military authority on Earth) and get a command(not necessarily Mauve Squadron, in fact, ESPECIALLY not Mauve Squadron, since they’re all obvious idiots like the last bunch of jerks Toombs commanded). However, he will be, for the time being, be stuck in the immediate vicinity of Mauve Squadron, since nobody else wants responsibility for him. Chief Toombs the Younger is now faced with a quandry; learn to know and love the father he never met before, or kill this obvious asshoyle who’s treating him like some sort of minion-punk. Father Reeper takes up an immediate interest in plumbing again, and starts rebuilding all the squadron’s toilets and showers.
If he isn’t killed(again) in the fighting, the clone of Roy Fokker will disappear, after stealing the clothes off one of PCs(the ones he beat the $#!+ out of while buck-naked) and hijacks one of their remaining mecha(the most serviceable Veritech Fighter ideally) before vanishing into the wilderness of Earth. The PCs are now stuck knowing that even a disoriented, naked, still-wet-from-the-cloning-tank Roy Fokker can still kick their collective asses.

(Optional) Doctor Duplex’s Clone-o-Matic Success Table
Doctor Duplex’s cloning machines may be on long enough to have generated a few clones(1d4 for every ten minutes of melee). Roll, if you want/dare, on the following:
01-35% Random Macross-era military personnel
36-45% Random Macross-era civilian
46-55% Random Zentraedi
56-75% Random Southern Cross military personnel
76-85% Random Southern Cross civilian
86-90% Random Tirolian
91-99% Random Invid Occupation-era character(Marlene Rush is exempted from this, as the Invid acquired the rights to her DNA).
90-00% Multiple Copies. Roll again, only there are 1+1d4 copies produced.

Most of these clones will probably be wasted in the melee in the laboratory, but a few might escape in the confusion.
-25% chance of them coming out remembering who they were, from the time the cell sample was taken. 30% of them eventually remembering who they were.