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[Gencon] Mars or Bust
Jul. 3rd, 2004 12:45 pmSpace, 1879.
To loud cheers from a crowd of subjects representing all corners of the Empire, Her Majesty’s Aetherial Flyer Ferozeshah lifted gently and almost silently from the facility on Salisbury Plain. Taken aloft by Professor Caractacus Potts’ newly invented propulsion device, the mighty ship turned her nose and headed forth from Earth’s atmosphere.
At the helm, Captain Daniel Dare, RN, gripped his pipe between his teeth with concentration. His was a great responsibility; aboard his craft were gathered the great and good of the Solar System – representatives of the governments of Mars, Venus, and Mercury, petitioning to become the first extraterrestrial dominions of her Majesty’s Empire. But those three were his secondary concern for aboard were other, more important human cargo. A platoon of soldiers led by Captain Flashman VC, hero of Afghanistan, Otto von Bismark, chancellor of Germany, and above all, Her Imperial Majesty, Victoria, set forth to review her putative new dominions.
Captain Dare’s brow furrowed with concern. Rumours had been flying around the officers’ mess before departure. Information indicating the French had completed their own aetherial flyer had come to his ears - and other, more worrying whispers that the plans for a new, improved flyer had been stolen from Whitehall only days previously, possibly by Russian political agents. The trip, considered the captain, was ill-judged. It would have been wiser to send an armed flyer of war carrying this precious cargo, but her Majesty had insisted on carrying the flag of peace – and even that passengers may be carried. Did anyone really believe that this Fogg gentleman really wanted to traverse the solar system in eighty days?
Dare shook his head. It would be best, he thought, if this trip were over as quickly as possible. Ringing down to the engine room, he indicated full ahead and within moments he felt the ship accelerate as Digby shoveled more uranium into the furnaces.
If only, mused Dare, her Majesty would make up her mind which of the planets to visit first. He understood that great political prestige hinged upon her decision, and he had heard that Ming of Mercury, John Carter of Mars, and the Mekon of Venus had been furiously jockeying for position and pre-eminence.
No, mused Dare. This trip had the makings of a disaster, and he feared for the consequences to the Empire should anything go wrong. Setting his cap firmly on his head, he turned the wheel and steered past the moon, giving a silent acknowledgement to her Majestys First Selenite Gurkha Rifles stationed on the surface far below. There were only a few more hours of cruising time before her Majesty must decide where to travel to first. He hoped they would pass without incident.
“Mars or Bust”. Yet another frankly ridiculous event game from Millinnium Moon to be run at GenCon 2004. You’d think we’d be bored of this by now, wouldn’t you? Possibly got a proper job and a girlfriend or something. But no. I bet my parents are ever so proud.
To loud cheers from a crowd of subjects representing all corners of the Empire, Her Majesty’s Aetherial Flyer Ferozeshah lifted gently and almost silently from the facility on Salisbury Plain. Taken aloft by Professor Caractacus Potts’ newly invented propulsion device, the mighty ship turned her nose and headed forth from Earth’s atmosphere.
At the helm, Captain Daniel Dare, RN, gripped his pipe between his teeth with concentration. His was a great responsibility; aboard his craft were gathered the great and good of the Solar System – representatives of the governments of Mars, Venus, and Mercury, petitioning to become the first extraterrestrial dominions of her Majesty’s Empire. But those three were his secondary concern for aboard were other, more important human cargo. A platoon of soldiers led by Captain Flashman VC, hero of Afghanistan, Otto von Bismark, chancellor of Germany, and above all, Her Imperial Majesty, Victoria, set forth to review her putative new dominions.
Captain Dare’s brow furrowed with concern. Rumours had been flying around the officers’ mess before departure. Information indicating the French had completed their own aetherial flyer had come to his ears - and other, more worrying whispers that the plans for a new, improved flyer had been stolen from Whitehall only days previously, possibly by Russian political agents. The trip, considered the captain, was ill-judged. It would have been wiser to send an armed flyer of war carrying this precious cargo, but her Majesty had insisted on carrying the flag of peace – and even that passengers may be carried. Did anyone really believe that this Fogg gentleman really wanted to traverse the solar system in eighty days?
Dare shook his head. It would be best, he thought, if this trip were over as quickly as possible. Ringing down to the engine room, he indicated full ahead and within moments he felt the ship accelerate as Digby shoveled more uranium into the furnaces.
If only, mused Dare, her Majesty would make up her mind which of the planets to visit first. He understood that great political prestige hinged upon her decision, and he had heard that Ming of Mercury, John Carter of Mars, and the Mekon of Venus had been furiously jockeying for position and pre-eminence.
No, mused Dare. This trip had the makings of a disaster, and he feared for the consequences to the Empire should anything go wrong. Setting his cap firmly on his head, he turned the wheel and steered past the moon, giving a silent acknowledgement to her Majestys First Selenite Gurkha Rifles stationed on the surface far below. There were only a few more hours of cruising time before her Majesty must decide where to travel to first. He hoped they would pass without incident.
“Mars or Bust”. Yet another frankly ridiculous event game from Millinnium Moon to be run at GenCon 2004. You’d think we’d be bored of this by now, wouldn’t you? Possibly got a proper job and a girlfriend or something. But no. I bet my parents are ever so proud.
