Evacuation of Luna IV [M]

[PFC P. Long]

This RP is rated M for potential Violence, Gore, Language and sensitive themes.
After 10 months, I'm back! And this time I intend to launch... this.. darn... RP!

They said the situation on the outer systems was under control
They said that our troops were winning the war
They said that it would never reach Luna IV

They were wrong

The year is 2412. After mankind's successful mastery of space travel, the galaxy has been blasted into life. What used to be inhabitable worlds have now been terraformed, the once barren wastes exploding into luscious jungles, rolling green fields and all sorts of natural paradises. Many of these planets, more specifically those of the inner quadrant have become massive hive planets, riddled with cities that span the continents and home to the largest mass of people in the galaxy. These are the most safe and secure planets in the system, heavily patrolled by the United Planetary Defence Forces (UPDF), and considered man-made wonders by any who can afford to live there. For those that cannot, there is only a handful of options. Enlist in the UPDF, or move to the outer quadrant.

The outer quadrant is made up of a scattered mass of planets, a handful of which have been terraformed, the majority having been left barren and hostile. Pirates roam the much loosely patrolled sectors, boarding supply lines and transports alike. They will simply take your goods and disable your engines, leaving you stranded and starving until a chance patrol pick you up... But only if your lucky. Space isn't the only place in which such atrocities are made, for the planets of the outer quadrant are often left to their own devices when tackling threats such as planet side uprisings. The corruption in the UPDF is all too clear when a single, measly squad is sent in response to an outer planets crisis situations. The men of the squads sent after obviously having received the crap and of the stick are often met with negativity and generalised insults from the natives; it is no secret that any outer quadrant citizen has a lot to say about their "protectors".

Luna IV is one such rock. The fourth planet to a chain of the smallest planets in the outer quadrant, Luna IV is the result of a failed terraforming project. Although the once barren grey wastelands have long been transformed, what it was replaced by is now even more hostile. Intended to be a training ground for elite military regiments, Luna IV was covered in thick jungles, filled with all kinds of carnivorous creatures and poisonous plant life. After an astonishing two months of use, the death rate of trainees forced the UPDF to withdraw the project, leaving the planet open to the desperate outer quadrant colonists. Although large patches of the planet have been cleared and a handful of colonies have been constructed, each penned in by impressive walls and security systems, life on Luna IV is no walk in the park.

Recently however, after the total blackout of three outer quadrant planets within a single month, the United Planetary Defence Force has mobilized to the western front. Reports of unknown attackers have swept the outer quadrant and survivors of escape pods, rambling on madly about fleets of inhuman warships, have entire sectors panicking. In an attempt to stop a mass exodus of outer quadrant refugees heading for the hive planets, the UPDF is constantly sending positive reports to the entire outer quadrant. This is, however, little more than lies and propaganda. The UPDF is loosing ground, fast.

As if to add insult to injury, Luna IV has become the latest planet to be targeted by the alliance of pirates and terrorists known as the Outer Liberation Army. As was expected, only two small teams of UPDF were sent to stop the OLA from burning each colony one by one. Although these teams contain highly skilled men, the top brass has left out one important detail. Luna IV is the next planet to fall under the invasions shadow.
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Spoiler: Extra Info (Qs & As from the OOC) 

Can you explain the comment of 'Inhuman ships'? Are aliens assisting the OLA or is this just the crazed ramblings of survivors?

So far, the idea of inhuman ships is little more than a overblown rumour spread by the handful of people found drifting in space. Typically, if you are found in space no-one has any idea how long you've been out there, so many passed this off as hysterical behaviour. But still, the UPDF's propaganda is all too clear, and there is a war going on in the western front of the outer quadrant. Many believe that it is against a huge cell or army of the OLA.

Now what your character will not know, and for those of you who don't yet want to know:

Spoiler: The Inhuman Fleet 

The inhuman fleet is a race of an aggressive, hostile alien breed. They are entering the galaxy for a single purpose. To destroy, everything. (I'll not give away any more than that for now.)

I'm assuming faster than light travel is developed: How does this work? Is it a gate system or is it something else?

The Outer, and Inner Quadrants are both made up of clusters, each cluster containing a single acceleration gate. Assuming the ship has a functioning warp drive, they may use the gate to jump to another cluster. Without the gate, the warp drive (although fast) is not effective to travel to another cluster.


Who 'rules', by the way? Are each of the hive worlds independent or what?

The hive worlds of the inner circle are defended, and governed by the UPDF. Although the defence force was originally independent, simply pledged to defend humanity as a whole, politics soon weeded their way in. Now, the UPDF is run by corrupt politicians and the inner quadrant is under a martial law. Each hive world will be home to a regiment of the UPDF. One may be governed by the 39th DEU, deep exploration unit, and other governed by the 10th Marine Division. Due to each planet being run by the UPDF, the entire inner quadrant is run by a single body that is deemed Top Brass of the UPDF. In truth, the Top Brass does not contain generals and fleet admirals, these ranks being below the top brass, and is in fact the home of all of the UPDFs dirty dealings.

The outer quadrant, however, is much more independent. In some clusters you may be lucky to find planets that are linked together by trade franchises. Maybe a pair of planets will be governed by one body but the majority of the worlds in the Outer Quadrant do not have a planetary government. Most colonies will have an elected leader or colony commander, a title given to them to try and keep relations good with the UPDF should they every visit.

Spoiler: Rumours 

There are rumours that worlds that openly denounce the UPDF have suddenly found themselves under attack by the OLA insurgency. These are, however, still wild rumours.

Are Aliens in the setting or has humanity remained alone?
Humanity is alone in the galaxy. Or at least it was, until now.


What has happened to Earth and the Solar System?

Earth, the birthplace of mankind. Long abandoned by the billions since exploration units' mapping of the inner quadrant, the planet now serves as a colossal monument that documents the evolution and progression of technology since the stone ages. Its continents still lay shattered and in ruins from wars of a nuclear proportion since before the New World Order Treaty that benchmarked the pilgrimage into space. Although all political importance has long gone, a single regiment of the UPDF still call it their home. The 1st AAU, Arial Assault Unit, buried in tradition and largely considered apart from the UPDF's command and division structure, now monitor the only remaining populated bastion on the planet. Situated over Washington, New America has been rebuilt over the wrecked remains of countless campaigns, leaving Earth home to little more than a large colony in the outer quadrant.

The presence of the 1st AAU makes the Solar System, located on the far eastern front, the most secure cluster outside the inner quadrant. Mars, the first planet to be terraformed is also the only hive planet in the outer quadrant and is considered the first steps of man's relocation to the stars.


Can you tell us more about the technology level of this campaign? What's the norm for the early 2400s?

This is the piece that I would most love you guys to help create. I have ideas in my head but it needs adding to. I'll give you what I have, and leave the rest to you guys.

Life in 2412
Energy is no longer a issue for most worlds, power being drawn from huge solar batteries that act as generators. A single solar battery can power an entire colony for months and there is a large market within the trade routes for bigger and better batteries. Most colonies will put up tax to afford the generators they require however some have turned to other means of power.

Flying cars has been achieved in the hive worlds, and act as personal or hired transports, much like owning a private helicopter. The majority of the population however, pilot grav-vehicles, or are still running off tracks and wheels. Grav-vehicles are not capable of flight, however they do hover, making them ideal urban transports. When pushed off-road however, the grav field will often struggle to support the vehicle being over a surface that isn't hard and thus forces the ground clearance to drop. This can cause a wide range of issues, as if the grav field decreased too much, the vehicle will become grounded like a boat out of water.

Food is often harvested from large agricultural sections of land on the colony it is needed, however it is also shipped from neighbouring planets would the climate be too harsh. Luna IV has its own farmland, however this is outside of the colony walls and offers workers very little protection. Predators can sometimes sneak past guards and lay in wait in the thick fields of crop, attacking the unlucky bugger who might step on it.

Weaponry
Lasers are a big no-no. In fact, the majority of the UPDF still run off slug rounds even though the weaponry has become more advance. The market for arms is one of the largest in the outer quadrant trade routes, mostly sold by fences that the pirates use however the requirement for a means of defence on the colonies is just as large. Many colony guards require the arms trade simply to maintain their small armouries and easy access to firearms has increased the crime rate in the Outer Quadrant. Plasma weaponry, capable of melting through armour and light plating is the latest in the UPDF's armoury and is also part of the OLA's weaponry, having been stolen from secret shipping lanes.

Guns are not the only weapons in the year 2412 and the galaxy has seen the return of blades and close combat weapons. The most expensive are the lightning weaponry. When activated, the blade or bulkhead of the weapon is super heated by a plasma charge within the hilt, making the weapon slice through the opposing material with ease.

These are often combined with a personal shield generator or by a shock shield. These are, yet again, expensive to civilians yet there is still a market for them. The stronger the shield the more expensive it becomes. Shock shields act very much like a normal shield, a small pad that when activated creates a screen that will deflect impact until it burns out.

The defensive walls around the Luna IV colony consist of reinforced walls, electrical fencing on the top to keep creatures crawling in, and automated defence turrets. There are guard towers in the corners and a small security force to monitor the colony via a network of cameras. Even though the walls were built to keep the carnivorous predators at bay... It doesn't always work.

First of all I want to congratulate anyone who managed to make it through that wall of not my greatest piece of text. What would earn you a cookie is managing to read all that and still being interested! Now straight onto the legal stuff before we go any further!

Rules
1- The rating M is simply to cover my own ass and give you guys a little leeway in posting. Include gore, violence or sensitive themes at your own discretion.
2- Having said that, be sensible.
3- Any abusive language or threats towards other posters OOC will get the poster immediately removed... Simple
4- Constantly blurting out one line posts is not an expectable means of participation... Give each other something to work with people.
5- Please Please Please notify me if your going to be absent for a while or if you no longer wish to continue. It's simply rude to get up and leave without telling us.

Okay, now that we've covered those... You may choose what role their character plays. You may be part of the two teams of UPDF sent to stop the OLA, a colonist from Luna IV or any other civilian currently at or arriving at the Luna IV colony. I'd like to have a mix of the two, preferably more civilians than UPDF, and I am not going to allow people to play a dedicated roll in the OLA. In all the RPs I've been in, playing two hostile/opposing factions never ends well. Once this has gathered enough interest I will create a character sheet skeleton for you guys to use. It'll cover everything I wish you guys and girls to include and be open for you should you wish to add more.

Most importantly I'd like you guys to feel free to add to the setting. If you've got ideas that you think would add to the RP don't wait to raise your hand, blurt it out. Any constructive criticism is also welcome as I know I'm not perfect... Yet.

So... any takers?

[PFC P. Long]

The Character Sheet Skeleton
Note that what is here must be covered, however if you wish to add more I would love to see it! Also please note that if you use pictures, please keep them small, or put them into hide tags. Thank you very much.

Name:
Age:
Gender:
Occupation:
Physical Description: A picture is acceptable, but no anime. A description of their attire would also be helpful. For those wishing to be UPDF, simply mention trinkets or accessories (such as a red bandanna) as they will be in uniform. Will describe this more later for you.
Equipment: Remember what you've read please. No-one here is going to have plasma weaponry, it's just too expensive. Weapons are common in the year 2412, however they are not the only equipment you'll have. A doctor, for example, would most likely have snatched up a large amount of medical supplies and anti-venoms. Remember you are living on world where even the plants want to kill you!
History/Bio:This I want you all to put in hide tags. I would like to encourage people not to peek at every characters history, as it'll help entice you guys to build a relationship with the characters around you. If you can't help yourself however, I can't stop you. I do need it written, so that I can see if your character fits into the setting. It must include how you have arrived at Luna IV or the reason you were selected to go on this mission. You've either volunteered, pissed someone off or fell off the monkey bars at the obstacle course again. I'm sure you'll think of something!

[Kris]

Looking awesome.

Why not submit it for Roleplay of the Week or put it in the Roleplaying Games Directory or click here to help attract players?

[PFC P. Long]

Back up and running. Lets see if I can get this running the second time round without a life getting in my way! Jeez that sounds more sad than I thought it would.