NOVA has gone through some radical changes over the past three years. We've passed milestones that other chapters have yet to dream of. Unfortunately, Car Wars as a game hasn't kept up with us.
    To explain all that has gone on over the past few years would take too much paper for only a single issue. In the short form, NOVA now meets once a month for a duel with as many members as we can get together. Norman and Tim have officially retired from dueling & racing except for rare occasions (such as the upcoming World Dueling Championships). Chris French is no longer the editor of this August publication. Don is taking care of NOVA's web site (which is growing in complexity all of the time; check it out). Mike did a great job last year with the 2046 Vehicle Registry. Norman is currently working on his own business, but is still overseeing the affairs of NOVA as its grand poobah-in-chief. Tim has other activities that keep him busy.
    Last year, NOVA had some internal disagreements over some minor issues. One member tried to make them major issues, but only got an Excedrin Headache # .357 for his trouble. Thankfully, all such wet work is now behind us.
    Through the years, Nightmessenger has changed. It became more interested in side campaigns going on inside NOVA. Though somewhat interesting, they had no meaning at all to some of our readers. At times, we even went too far with some of our comments. Accordingly, we are bringing the newsletter back to its original purpose as a forum of ideas. We won't be as harsh as we were last year, and in so doing we hope to open up more lines of communication with our fellow duelists out there.
 

Over the last several years, Car Wars hasn't progressed very much. In truth, it has lost much ground to the card games which have come to dominate the gaming industry in recent times. This is no surprise to the loyal Car Wars fan.
    Currently, there is no official Car Wars magazine. The only "supplement" which was released recently was Gurps Autoduel. This much-heralded item wasn't even a "pure" Car Wars item. New artwork was added to the Compendium II, but nothing else. The glaring rules errors which we have spoken out against for years are still there. Car Wars needs a fully-revised compendium in order to erase those rules errors. SJG needs to spend more time on Car Wars (developing new supplements, etc) if they hope to pull it out of the slumps. If the people down in Texas wait until the ravening mobs of players are at the door of the SJG office bunker with pikes and torches in hand, it's too late.
    I know that not everyone wants to hear the truth about Car Wars. The simple fact is that the truth hurts. Hopefully, someone will listen to it then do something about the problem.
 

The only news so far on the Worlds isn't news. The program for Origins '97 doesn't list any Car Wars Worlds at all. Does this mean that both Championships will be held at Gen Con '97?? (Editor's note: it is official as of the most recent Pyramid that the World Dueling Championship will be held at Gen Con).
    As previously mentioned, Gurps Autoduel II is now on the shelves for those who are interested. It has some creative editing of the Car Wars universe, chief among which is the fact the war with the Protectorate never happened (thank the deity of your choice). It also has some Road Atlas entries in it too. If you want to keep up on the current state of affairs in Car Wars, pick up a copy.
    In a surprising development, the Death Knight was appointed to be the new Chief of Police by New Omaha Mayor Bill the Cat, thus ending months of speculation as to the future of the previous commissioner, John Smith. Death Knight is expected to be confirmed by the city council in the next few weeks. Smith has been terminated and is now undergoing investigation on charges of misusing the powers of his office.

Norman McMullen--NOVA President
The post of Vice-President has been eliminated because of lack of need.
Michael Garrity--Club Secretary
Donald Jacques--NOVA Webmaster
 

Organ Donor: A crashed cyclist (A contradiction in terms, don't you think?)

Big Mouth: A large-bore projectile weapon.

Track Toad: An AFV crewman.
 

2046 Tankbuster: Sedan, x-hvy chassis, hvy suspension, large power plant, 4 SBPR tires, driver, ATG w/HESH ammo F, 1 extra magazine (APFSDS) w/magazine switch, HDID (B) linked to ATG, SWC, spoiler, no-paint windows, anti-lock braking system, Sloped Armor: F49, B49, R49, L49, T1, U2. Acceleration: 5, HC: 3 (4 at 60 mph+), Top Speed: 90 mph, 5,996 lbs, $18,340.

2046 Pop-Cart: Compact, x-hvy chassis, hvy suspension, 150-CI gas engine w/5-gallon dueling tank, 4 PR tires, driver, HVMG (F), SD w/incendiary spikes B, HD shocks, Sloped Armor: F55, B55, R55, L55, T10, U10. Acceleration: 5, HC: 3, Top Speed: 72.5 mph, Base MPG: 45, 4,440 lbs, $19,907.

2046 Overkill: Hvy trike, x-hvy chassis, hvy suspension, super trike power plant, 3 std tires, cyclist, 2 linked VFRPs (1 R, 1 L), targeting computer, Armor: F45, B45, R45, L45, T5, U5. Acceleration: 5, HC: 2, Top Speed: 95 mph, 3,355 lbs, $14,560.
    --Laser Version: Add Light Laser w/Lgl to F and modify all rockets for laser guidance. Remove 28 pts of armor. $29,668.
    --Division 10 Version: Replace VFRPs w/3 RLs. Downgrade chassis & suspension to std. Remove 65 pts armor. Acceleration: 5, HC: 1, Top Speed: 107.5 mph, 2,800 lbs, $9,800.

2046 Platypus: Compact, std chassis, hvy suspension, medium power plant, 4 HD tires, driver, MML (F), 2 SDs w/incendiary spikes (1 R, 1 L) linked to MML, SWC, Sloped Armor: F45, B45, R45, L45, T2, U3. Acceleration: 5, HC: 3, Top Speed: 102.5 mph, 3,695 lbs, $7,795.
 

Little Big-Gun: Compact, x-hvy chassis, hvy suspension, large power plant, 4 solid tires, driver, ATG (F), Armor: F33, B33, R32, L32, T13, U12. Acceleration: 5, HC: 3, Top Speed: 112.5 mph, 4,280 lbs, $9,915 (this design is AKA the 2047 Pop-Cart).

Blitz II: Compact, x-hvy chassis, hvy suspension, large power plant, 4 PR tires, driver, RL (F), SWC, Sloped Composite Armor: F14/25, B8/25, R7/20, L7/20, T0/1, U0/2. Acceleration: 5, HC: 3, Top Speed: 110 mph, 4,438 lbs, $8,667.

Gibraltar III: Compact w/CA frame, x-hvy chassis, hvy suspension, blueprinted 100CI gas engine w/tubular headers, VP turbocharger & 5-gallon racing tank, 4 PR radial tires, driver, VMG w/rotary magazine F (10 shots HD/10 shots explosive), FOJ (B), SWC, 10 pts FPCA on driver, 4 5-pt wheel hubs, 4 5-pt wheelguards, Sloped Composite Armor: F18/30, B15/20, R12/15, L12/15, T0/4, U0/4. Acceleration: 10, HC: 3, Top Speed: 70 mph, Base MPG: 50, 4,438 lbs, $23,896.

Iron Dragon: Streamlined mid-size w/CA frame, x-hvy chassis, hvy suspension, blueprinted 150CI gas engine w/tubular headers, VP turbocharger & 5-gallon dueling tank, 4 SBPR tires, driver, RL w/extra magazine F, FOJ (B), SWC, Sloped Composite Armor: F20/40, B15/30, R15/20, L15/20, T 0/10, U0/10. Acceleration: 10, HC: 3, Top Speed: 75 mph, Base MPG: 45, 5;740 lbs, $29,243.
    --Arena Option: Remove 40 pts plastic armor. Add 4 1 O-pt wheel hubs & 4 1 O-pt wheelguards. +$96, no weight change.
 

Here endeth yet another issue of the Nightmessenger. Next issue will feature the reports from Gen Con and from the World Dueling Championship (Also included will be our ever-popular annual road-kill count). Who will take the top spot in what is sure to be one of the most hotly-contested battles this year? Could it possibly be a duelist from NOVA?? Only time will tell. Tune in next issue and see for yourself. As always:

DRIVE OFFENSIVELY!!
 
 

Norman McMullen	Michael Garrity
NOVA President	NOVA Secretary

Duelslang: Norman McMullen & Michael Garrity

Vehicle Guide Updates

Overkill, Tankbuster & 2046 Pop-Cart: Norman McMullen

The Showroom
    Little Big-Gun & Blitz II: Norman McMullen
    Gibraltar III & Iron Dragon: Michael Garrity

Articles: Norman McMullen

Typesetting: Michael Garrity

Editing: Michael Garrity, Norman McMullen & Don Jacques.
 

The Nightmessenger is published quarterly by the New Omaha Vehicular Association, 2524 Madison St, Bellevue, NE 68005. All material is copyright 1997 by the New Omaha Vehicular Association. All rights reserved. Car Wars, Dueltrack, Boat Wars, Car Warriors, Crash City, Truck Stop, Convoy, Uncle Albert's Catalog From Hell, Autoduel and AADA are registered trademarks of Steve Jackson Games Incorporated, or are used under license. The above trademarks, and the characters and situations of the Car Wars background are the exclusive property of Steve Jackson Games Incorporated and are used in Nightmessenger under permission. Reproduction of any material published in the Nightmessenger without the express written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Any reproduction of Car Wars articles published in the Nightmessenger, or any unauthorized publication of fiction using the Car Wars background without the express written permission of Steve Jackson Games is strictly prohibited. Subscription rates (for 4 issues): Regularly attending club members-- $4, U.S. subscribers--$6, International subscribers--$12.

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