SPECIAL NOTICE
Malicious code was found on the site, which has been removed, but would have been able to access files and the database, revealing email addresses, posts, and encoded passwords (which would need to be decoded). However, there is no direct evidence that any such activity occurred. REGARDLESS, BE SURE TO CHANGE YOUR PASSWORDS. And as is good practice, remember to never use the same password on more than one site. While performing housekeeping, we also decided to upgrade the forums.
This is a site for discussing roleplaying games. Have fun doing so, but there is one major rule: do not discuss political issues that aren't directly and uniquely related to the subject of the thread and about gaming. While this site is dedicated to free speech, the following will not be tolerated: devolving a thread into unrelated political discussion, sockpuppeting (using multiple and/or bogus accounts), disrupting topics without contributing to them, and posting images that could get someone fired in the workplace (an external link is OK, but clearly mark it as Not Safe For Work, or NSFW). If you receive a warning, please take it seriously and either move on to another topic or steer the discussion back to its original RPG-related theme.

Story beginning: What would you do?

Started by Varaj, March 09, 2006, 09:15:07 AM

Previous topic - Next topic
Print
Go Down Pages1 2 3 4
User actions

Varaj

March 09, 2006, 09:15:07 AM
Dec 11th, 2010 a large rocky meteor breaks up over eastern coast of the US scattering a fine gray ash across most of New York, DC and New Jersey.  Meteorite collectors racing to collect bits of rock notice some unusual properties of the few chunks found.  The rock appears oily to the touch and creates a brief tingling sensations.
Within a few days mass number of mysterious comas are reported in the effected area.  About the same time scientists looking at the collected rocks determine that the rock is permeated with what appear to be nanites.  Further investigation reveals that the people affected have large number of nanites in their brains.  Nanite count indicates they are reproducing in the body.  A few quick tests show that people exposed to the nanites are "contagious" well before coma sets in and that most of the people in the effected area are likely infected.  Since exposure thousands of people have flown to all parts of the world from the major airports in the area.

As the government what would you do?
  1. A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
   2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
   3. A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Cyclotron

#1
March 09, 2006, 09:18:11 AM
Quote from: VarajAs the government what would you do?

It's too late.
Isolate a sample for study.
Isolate an uninfected sample of the populace.
Hope you find a "cure".
Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace,
 NFPA 70E, Article 330.4 (F):
"Laser beams shall not be aimed at employees."

Varaj

#2
March 09, 2006, 09:55:08 AM
Quote from: CyclotronIt's too late.
Isolate a sample for study.
Isolate an uninfected sample of the populace.
Hope you find a "cure".


How would you isolate the sample of uninfected populace?
  1. A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
   2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
   3. A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Xavier Lang

#3
March 09, 2006, 10:05:54 AM
Well, I've already got a full blown pandemic on my hands.  I'm screwed in that aspect, I can't think of a way to contain it.  I would start whatever initiates I thought would keep the populace calm and not rioting or freaking out.

I would try and grab some of the earliest exposed, those at ground zero and have the doctors who treated the coma problem work via telecommunications with the best people I could find to try and determine what the nanties were doing.  My goal is to safely restore to health those infected.  If we can't find a way to disable, or live with the nantie infection we are screwed.  They are self replicating and already world wide spread.
 

Varaj

#4
March 09, 2006, 10:59:51 AM
Quote from: Xavier LangWell, I've already got a full blown pandemic on my hands.  I'm screwed in that aspect, I can't think of a way to contain it.  I would start whatever initiates I thought would keep the populace calm and not rioting or freaking out.

I would try and grab some of the earliest exposed, those at ground zero and have the doctors who treated the coma problem work via telecommunications with the best people I could find to try and determine what the nanties were doing.  My goal is to safely restore to health those infected.  If we can't find a way to disable, or live with the nanite infection we are screwed.  They are self replicating and already world wide spread.

After about a week in coma patients revive and appear healthy.   Nanite infection is heaviest in the brain with nanite structures attaching to neurons.  They appear to attempting to match the brain structure.

Just outside DC and also in upper state New York another variant of nanite is discovered.  This one appears to be building a structure.  Growth is only a few millimeters a day but seems to be accelerating.
  1. A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
   2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
   3. A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Aelfinn

#5
March 09, 2006, 11:14:08 AM
Cordon off the area. at this point, the military will be running a lot of the show. they'll probably want to try and use some form of incendiary device to burn out the nanite colony structure. I'd let 'em.

Martial Law. all citizens must remain in their homes at all times, and streets will be patrolled by the military. All coma victims who have woken up will be transported to a holding area (maybe commandeering one of the larger sports arenas).
Bedd Ann ap lleian ymnewais fynydd  
Iluagor Llew Ymrais
Prif ddewin merddin Embrai
[/SIZE][/I]

Gunhilda

#6
March 09, 2006, 11:16:56 AM
First we would spend time panicking and screaming.

After we got that out of our system, we would attempt to study the nanites and the earliest infected subjects.  We would concentrate on trying to find out exactly what the nanites do, since the contagion is almost certainly uncontrollable at this point.

We would also attempt to figure out what the structure is going to be, but we fear that it will be completed before we know what it is (if we even do then).  We will ready the military, but we are far from confident that anything short of a nuclear attack would be successful.  And nuclear weapons would not affect nanites working in other areas.

We need more information, but we fear we will not be able to gather it before the wee beasties have completed their tasks, whatever they may be.
 

Limper

#7
March 09, 2006, 11:29:58 AM
This is why Threashold didn't work for me it was already to late and the response wasn't as heavy handed or hamfisted as it would be IRL.

Since its to late to contain you study the infection and try and figure out what is happening cause at this point that would be what you could prepare for.

I'd play the game or read the book though.
 

Varaj

#8
March 09, 2006, 11:33:38 AM
Destruction of the growing structures is relatively easily with high temperatures.  It takes a couple of weeks but soon new structures start growing in nearby areas.
Coma rates appear to be close to 1% of the affected population.  Within two months of the first reported case there has been over 1 million nanite induced comas reported.  After reviving, average coma time 3 days, victems report feeling better than they every have before; extra energy, better mood, clearer thinking.
  1. A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
   2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
   3. A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Varaj

#9
March 09, 2006, 11:35:45 AM
Quote from: LimperThis is why Threashold didn't work for me it was already to late and the response wasn't as heavy handed or hamfisted as it would be IRL.

Since its to late to contain you study the infection and try and figure out what is happening cause at this point that would be what you could prepare for.

I'd play the game or read the book though.

Not familiar with the book?
  1. A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
   2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
   3. A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Limper

#10
March 09, 2006, 11:38:22 AM
Quote from: VarajNot familiar with the book?

That was a reference to if this were a book I'd read it... interesting story line.
 

Varaj

#11
March 09, 2006, 12:03:30 PM
Quote from: LimperThat was a reference to if this were a book I'd read it... interesting story line.

Hmmm... I'm a horrible writer. :)
I was thinking of using it as a base for a game.  Not sure what system to use yet.  I was hoping to use this thread to help flush out back story and start the actual game 2015 or so.
  1. A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
   2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
   3. A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Limper

#12
March 09, 2006, 12:13:06 PM
Quote from: VarajHmmm... I'm a horrible writer. :)
I was thinking of using it as a base for a game.  Not sure what system to use yet.  I was hoping to use this thread to help flush out back story and start the actual game 2015 or so.


GURPS would cover it if it isn't High Fantasy but for ease BRP is always my favorite.
 

Varaj

#13
March 09, 2006, 12:21:30 PM
Quote from: LimperGURPS would cover it if it isn't High Fantasy but for ease BRP is always my favorite.

I always enjoyed Chaosium's CoC so it could be a very viable system for it.
  1. A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
   2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
   3. A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Cyberzombie

#14
March 09, 2006, 02:31:10 PM
I don't know if you'd want to go to this much trouble, but this would make a nice, informal, short PbP scenario.  You could have players take the roles of different parts of the government and react to the scenario.

Might be more than you want to do, but it would be fun.  :)
 
Print
Go Up Pages1 2 3 4
User actions