STORY

 HEARTS OF COLD - REDEMPTION

The year is 2070. The Earth has become unstable and can no longer provide for all our needs. Twenty years ago the World Council ordered that another planet be found that could sustain our population. Father had been assigned as Commander of the survey mission, which would take him away for a very long time. I was six years old. I remember waving goodbye the day he left. I never saw him again. 

So it was that Homo2 was discovered

Things have changed a lot since then and so have I. Homo2 has been made ready to receive our people and I was appointed Commander of a ship in the Orion Fleet which was to be the first making the journey.

Plans for the transfer were finalised over a week ago but as yet few have left. The Controllers have taken over on Homo2. They would have the planet for themselves and have ordered that further incoming traffic from Earth be intercepted and destroyed. There is confusion on Earth. Riots and looting have disrupted communications and there is fighting between rival groups trying to secure a ship to leave. The Orion Fleet has been hijacked and the mass movement of people to Homo2 abandoned. 

All Commanders have received new orders.

MISSION

Go immediately to the nearest military battleport and board the first available ship leaving for Homo2. Your mission is clear - you must take back Homo2 from the Controllers and allow the colonisation to proceed. You will not be allowed to fail.

LEAVING

It was chaos that evening at the battleport, the air was heavy from the heat of the day exasperated by the previous day’s fires. I hurried along the corridor to find the nearest telelift, only to find it destroyed. I began to panic when Andy shouted “hurry up, there’s not much time, the stairs will take us to the roof”. Through the glass we could see ships leaving. By the time we got to the top floor the last craft was about to take off. Outside, making our way along the portway we could see how much destruction there had been. In the distance on the horizon, fires were still burning but we had no choice, we had to go. At the ship we hesitantly boarded as directed.

As the craft broke away and accelerated upwards I took the brief chance to look back and see the Earth disappear from my field of view. There was no time to think about what had happened. I knew that if I was to ever return I would have to complete my mission.

CHARACTERS

CONTROLLER

Dominant Class : Human Droid. Male.

100% Human with the latest processor for a brain. The worst kind of enemy. Clever, flexible and devious. On Earth their primary function was to oversee the running of daily life until they got too big for their boots and tried to take control from mere mortals who they believe to be inferior. You can them apart from all other Humans - they have a Circuitpack at the back of their head.

Power Rating: Low

ELECTRONOID

Destroyer Class Level 1: Human Droid. Male or Female.

Part Human, part machine. The perfect warrior. They have processors for brains and electronically enhanced body parts and functions. They can see in total darkness and some of them can even cloak themselves in daylight. They can calculate an enemy’s range perfectly and their weapons rarely miss their target. You are advised to use cover on approach and run like hell if you can’t. Don’t even think about fighting unless your health level is high – you won’t survive many hits from an Electronoid.

Power Rating: Devastating

THINKCHIP

Super Computer Class : They are only computers, but some with a sting in their tail have a nasty habit of not being very helpful when it matters.

Power Rating: Medium

ROB

Destroyer Class Level 2 & Benign: Robotic Machine.  There are both enemy and friendly varieties. You’ll know which is which. Make sure you don’t need the help of the friendly ones before you leave them behind.

Power Rating: High & Low

BATTLECOP

Destroyer Class Level 3 : Human. Male.

Battlecops are law enforcers. On Earth, they are the mainstay of orderly behaviour. The Controllers on Homo2 have corrupted them, so unless you have a Lifepack full of cash, stay away from them if you can. They are no match for a Battle Commander like you one against one, but they tend to stick together in numbers and could severely damage your health.  With a Powersuit you can survive a sustained attack.

Power Rating: Medium

SURPRISES

Class Level Unknown. 

Surprises are just that. They are the result of the Homo2 Controllers experiments in electro biochemistry, the purpose of which seems to have been to create a new, Super Class - Entity Destroyer.  We know only that the experiments failed and the Surprises are out of control. A Word of Warning : Our intelligence indicates that Surprises will not venture far from their creators so watch your back.

Power Rating: Unknown

ASSASSIN

Human Class : Male or Female. 

The lowest form of Human. They have sold out so don’t feel bad when you spread them all over the scenery. You can’t tell them apart from friendlies until its too late. Approach all Humans with caution. 

Power Rating: Low

FRIENDLIES

Human Class : Male or Female. 

Forced to work for the Controllers they are the only ones you can trust. Some of them have broken away and are forcefully resisting the take over of Homo2. They are unorganised and need your help. All Friendlies will offer information to help you meet your objectives and complete your mission so make sure you check out all Humans before you kill any.

Power Rating: Low

BATTLE COMMANDER

Human Class : Male or Female. 

That’s you.

Power Rating: Medium - High