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NIGHTMESSENGER
The somewhat-quarterly journal of the New Omaha Vehicular Association Winter 2052 Volume 16, #4 OPENING FIRE
Winter is here (I think). It is cold outside, but there is no snow on the ground. Yet another 'brown Christmas' has come to pass. Car Wars 5th Edition is out there somewhere; its status is unknown at present. NOVA isn't playing as much as we would like to be, due mainly to schedule and location challenges. Eventually, we hope to be able to solve these problems. NOVA WORKS
Military Equipment "More bang for you bucks" In this issue we present various sundry types of military hardware. Military Laser: To hit 6, 8d6 damage, 4DP, $25,000, 1,800 lbs., 5 spaces. Area effect, uses 8 power units per shot. Military lasers have a range modifier of -1 per 100". They may use other types of laser modifications at the standard costs. Cranes
Cranes are used for construction and tank retrieval. The crane can be targeted at a -2 penalty; the targeting penalty for the cable is -6. Crane DP is metal. AFV
Tractors
AFV tractors are built to military specifications. Essentially, they are APCs with a 5th wheel attachment. They are primarily used to transport very heavy loads to and from the battlefield. They can use all tractor accessories. Top speed is determined using the formula for AFVs. AFV tractors use off-road tires of the various types. Bridges
Bridges can span a gap of up to 4". They are hinged in the middle so they can be transported by truck of AFV. With a crane, the bridge can be deployed in 15 minutes. Use of a specialized bridgelayer will cut the time to 30 turns. These bridges are 2" wide (big enough to allow the passage of one AFV of any size). Bridgelayer: $60,000, 3,000 lbs, 6 spaces, 15 DP. A bridgelayer is mounted on the front of an AFV hull. An AFV so equipped cannot use any external weapons. A bridgelayer can lift/carry and deploy one bridge at a time. Deploying a bridge takes a firing action, plus 30 additional turns to complete. THE WORLD "OUT
THERE"
Everyone is still waiting for the CW5 design rules and the much-heralded online newsletter. When this comes to pass, SJG will start renewing chapter charters. Your guesses are as good as ours as to when this will happen. Texas and ASP are still going at each other hammer-and-tongs. Predictably, ASP is coming out second-best. It is our opinion that evolution is catching up with these stupid snakes. Our submarine article is now complete. It will be posted on the website, along with the recently-revised Metropolitan Motors Vehicle Guide. We will also be posting more arenas, racetracks and supplements in the near future. Traffic on Mike Owen's Debate Board has slowed to a crawl, due to the interminable wait for the 5th-Edition design rules. We hope that SJG will not wait too much longer, as the boredom level is climbing rapidly. By the time you read this, Delphi will be shutting down the Debate Board. This is a sad occasion, as the Board has been the one truly-reliable way for duelists to get in touch with each other. As we mentioned previously, board traffic has slowed to a crawl because of the long wait for the 5th-Edition design rules. Car Wars seems to be in Limbo, somewhere between Compendium 2.5 and Car Wars 5th Edition. There has been no progress, and even a little backsliding. THE 10 O'CLOCK
NEWS
September 7, 2052: AADA Headquarters in Austin, Texas was damaged in a raid by ASP. Relatively few injuries and no deaths were reported. The building did suffer extensive damage before the attack was driven off. AADA officials had no comment September 10, 2052: Wild rumors of the loss of the new AADA rules have abounded from sources unknown. This (combined with the near-shutdown of the AADA for the past year) has got more than a few duelists on edge. September 11, 2052: The AADA announced that it is still working on its new rules. Repairs on its headquarters have also begun. For security reasons, the AADA is working from an undisclosed location until repairs are completed. September 28, 2052: ASP attacked Austin, Texas again, but was thrown back by the Texas National Guard. Only minor damage was done in the attack, and ASP suffered heavy casualties. October 2, 2052: The Black Asp announced that he as the only copy of the new AADA rules and that he will ransom them back to the AADA for the sum of one billion dollars. AADA officials refused comment, saying only that they don't deal with terrorists. Duelists around the country were stunned and confused by these announcements. October 9, 2052: The AADA announced that the new rules have been delayed for an indefinite time. The Black Asp says he still has the new rules and will sell them to the highest bidder. October 19, 2052: The Texas national Guard destroyed what they thought was an ASP base outside of Ardmore, Oklahoma. It turned out that this installation was a forward base for the Oklahoma National Guard. Oklahoma officials are furious and are demanding an explanation. The Black Asp taunted the Texas national Guard, saying "Care to try again, eagle eyes? Maybe next time you'll be able to hit the barn". October 21, 2052: A Texas Ranger shot up an Oklahoma State Patrol Car today, believing it to be an ASP vehicle. Both governments are investigating the matter as tensions rise between the two. The Black Asp commented "What nice friends those two have...". October 25, 2052: Texas Rangers mistakenly destroyed a granary outside Lawton Oklahoma today, believing it to be an ASP base. Twenty people were injured, and there were no fatalities. Because of this latest incident of mistaken identity, Texas has suspended all investigations regarding ASP bases for the next few months. October 27, 2052: Arlington, Texas was rocked today by several large car bomb explosions. Several hundred people were injured. ASP has claimed responsibility, and promises more such attacks In the future, October 28, 2052: Dave Fletcher, CEO of Blaster Motors announced the release of the New BlastFighter 46 model (with dropped weapons), and updated police, taxi and courier vehicles. November 1, 2052: BLUD declared victory over the AADA after a year of bitter battles. The AADA has been shut down for over a year now. November 2, 2052: An AADA official claimed that the organization is still functioning, despite the year-long shutdown. In a related statement, ARF also claimed victory over the AADA. November 3, 2052: The AADA again denied claims of victory by ASP and ARF. By now, most duelists and the public-at-large are confused the whole matter. November 28, 2052: Happy Thanksgiving!! December 25, 2052: Merry Christmas!! January 1st, 2053: Happy New Year!! MOVIE RELEASES
Sequels and remakes, oh, my!! Now Playing: Die another Day, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Star Trek: Nemesis, Harry Potter II, Treasure Planet Spring 2003: Daredevil (February 14), Gods and Generals (February 21 st) Summer 2003: The Incredible Hulk (June 20th), X-Men 2, Terminator 3 (June 2nd) and Matrix 2. Christmas 2003: The Lord of The Rings: The Return of the King Prequels: Star Wars: Chapter Iii (Vader Rising??)--2005 Sequels: Spider Man 2, Matrix 3, Batman 5, Aliens 5, Blade 3, Harry Potter3 On Cubes: Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Spider-Man, Eight-legged Freaks, The Sum of All Fears, Monsters, Inc, The Scorpion King, and Wind Talkers CONVENTION
CALENDAR
Origins 2003: Columbus, OH, June 26-29, 2003; possible site of the Duelling Worlds Gen Con 2003: August 21-24, 2003 in Indianapolis, IN. This is the first year in Gen Con's new location. Possible site of the World Racing Championships. Nuke-Con 2003: October 3-5, 2003 in Omaha, NE. NOVA will run an event here Origins 2004: July, 2004 in Columbus, Ohio. Possible site of the World Racing Championships. Gen Con 2004: August 19-22, 2004 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Possible site of the World Duelling Championships. Gen Con 2005: August 11-14, 2005 in Indianapolis, IN. Possible site of the World Duelling Championships. Gen Con 2002: August 10-13, 2006 in Indianapolis, IN. Possible site of the World Duelling Championships RETURN FIRE
Just when we think the Web can't get any more weird, we get an e-mail like this one. In the last Return Fire, we said nothing could top the message in that volume. We were rather incorrect in that regard .... :-) Subject: Anti-radar Paint From: "C. Wayne Lammers"<lammers@ozarks.com> Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2002 10:51:37 -0600 (Central Standard Time) To: drjake@novia.net Dear Mr. Jacques: I read the short article on your page about the anti-radar paint. I have a very stealthy composite aircraft and will be doing spectrum analysis in Central America and would feel much better with an even-lower radar signature because of the drug lords in that area. Can you please provide me with the name and contact information of the company you refer to in the article? Thanks for your cooperation Most Respectfully; C. Wayne Lammers lammers@ozarks.com NUTS & BOLTS Surely, the Universe doesn't like us. The non-Einsteinian physics we alluded to in our last issue have re-occurred and swallowed the contents of this section again. As to when it might reappear, try applying Chaos Theory ..... LOL QUOTES
"Let's change the beat" --Zorg; The Fifth Element "Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it" --Goethe "You're never too old to become younger" --Mae West "Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional glance towards the summit keeps the goal in mind; but many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point" --Harold M. Melchart "The landscape belongs to the man who looks at it" --Ralph Waldo Emerson "The distance is nothing; it is only the first step that is difficult" --Madame Marquise Du Deftand "Life is the art of drawing without an eraser" --John Gardiner CUBE LOGS
In this issue, we have a little bit of everything; New, old and older still. Eight-Legged Freaks Chris (David Arquette) comes back to Prosperity, Arizona to take over his family's mine. He tries to get together with his old girlfriend Sam (Kari Wuhrer), who is now the Sheriff. They run into some rather large spider problems thanks to the local real estate developer (Sam; played by Scott Terra). It is a 1950's-style horror flick, with a lot of laughs along the way. It is a good film to rent, made by the same crew that did Stargate, Independence day and Godzilla (the 1997 U.S version).*** Blade II Wesley Snipes returns as Blade. He is forced to team up with his enemies the Vampires in order to take on a bigger enemy, known as the Reapers. These strange hybrids hunt humans and vampires alike. Is Blade up to it?..yes. Is this film very, very bad?...also yes. The cast includes Kris Kristofferson, Ron Perlman and Norman Reedus* The Big Bus Dan Torrence (Joseph Bologna) and Shoulders (John Beck) are the drivers of Cyclops, the first nuclear-powered bus to be built. They have to deal with rowdy passengers, mechanical problems and numerous other incidents. This film was made at the height of the 1970's-era disaster genre; it takes on all of the others and does quite well as a parody. The cast includes Stockard Channing, Lynn Redgrave, Sally Kellerman, Ned Beatty, Jose Ferrer, Ruth Gordon, Stuart Margolin, Richard Mulligan, Larry Hagman, Howard Hesseman and Rene Auberjoinois (Odo from 'Deep Space Nine'). It is good for more than a few laughs on a rainy afternoon.*** Spider-Man Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is bitten by a genetically-altered spider and gains amazing super powers. He becomes Spider-Man and battles the Green Goblin in and around New York City. Along the way, he deals with his high school sweetheart Mary Jane Watson (Kitsten Dunst). This film also features other characters from the Spider-Man comic series; namely Uncle Ben (Cliff Robertson), Aunt May (Rosemary Harris), Norman Osborn (Willem Dafoe), Harry Osborn and Flash Thompson. This movie is an excellent adaptation of the classic comic book and is fun to watch.**** Falcon Down Hank Thomas (Dale Midkiff) is an ex-USAF pilot who is asked to steal an advanced aircraft, the SST (not the civilian transport) The problem is that the aircraft belongs to the USAF and that he is stealing it for an unknown foreign power. The SST resembles an XB-70 Valkyrie, except that it has four engines, a longer fuselage and is painted black. This made-for-video (or cable) flick is a Firefox-wannabe. It also stars Judd Nelson, William Shatner, Cliff Robertson and Jennifer Rubin.** Die Another Day James Bond returns in his 20th film. In it, he is captured by the North Koreans while on a classified mission. Later on, he is exchanged for a captured North Korean agent. Bond tracks the agent to Cuba, London and Iceland on a predictably-explosive trail. Die Another Day features many classic Bond stunts and themes. A particularly-interesting scene is a car duel right on a frozen lake (straight out of Car Wars). Halle Berry plays Bond's love interest Jinx and John Cleese plays the new Q; two new characters to watch out for. Halle Berry was such a hit as Jinx that there is talk of giving her own spinoff series based on the character. This film is one of the better Bond outings of the last decade.**** Men In Black II Agent J (Will Smith) fights to save Earth form the evil alien Serleena (Lara Flynn Boyle). To accomplish this, he must bring Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) back out of retirement. This film is filled with the zany humor of the first film and loads of special effects.*** THE SHOWROOM
Going to extremes!! In this issue, we cover vehicles that run the gamut of extremes in price and firepower. Blitzkrieg V: Camper w/CA frame, x-hvy chassis, hvy suspension, super power plant w/upgrades, 6 FP solid tires, driver, 2 pulse-IR HLs linked F, pulse-IR HL in universal turret T, SD w/explosive spikes B, hi-res computer, smart link (turret-front Hls), radar, radar detector, radar jammer, LD radio, HTMs, overdrive, anti-lock braking system, tinted/no-paint windows, FPRP Armor: F20, B20, R20, L20, B20, T20, U12. Acceleration: 5 (10 w/ HTMs), Top Speed: 100 mph (+ overdrive), HC: 2, 7,793 lbs, $196,340. 2052 Military Grandslam: Van w/CA frame, x-hvy chassis, hvy suspension, sport power plant w. upgrades, 6 solid tires, driver, 10 laser-guided AP super rockets F, 3 3-space rocket EWPs w/3 laser-guided AP super rockets (1 R, I L, 1 T), IR MtL (F), hi-res computer, radar, radar detector, military radio, IR shielding, light amplification, telescopic optics, waterproofing, HD brakes, anti-lock braking system, tinted/no-paint windows, HTMs, overdrive, FPRP Armor: FI5, B15, R15, L15, T15, U3. Acceleration: 10 (15 w/HTMs), HC: 2, Top Speed: 115 mph (+ overdrive), 7,192 lbs, $523,610. Black Hole: Hvy cycle w/CA frame, hvy suspension, 2 FPPR radial cycle tires, cyclist, pulse-IR light laser F, SfS (B) linked to LL, cyberlink (LL), tinted/no-paint windows, cycle windshell, ERIS, LD radio, radar, radar detector, radar jammer, HD brakes, anti-lock braking system, overdrive, HDHTMs, surge protector, vehicular computer, computer navigator, anti-theft system linked to 2 TGD (1 F, 1 B) and FD (on windshell), 2 laser-reactive webs (1 F, 1 B), IFF, ATAD, 2 weapon timers, 2 bumper triggers, FPRP Armor: F27, B27. Acceleration: 10 (20 w/HDHTMs), HC: 4 (5 at 60 mph+), Top Speed: 135 mph (+ overdrive), 1,299 lbs, $65,884. Black Hole II: replace LL and SfS w/2 AP long-range stealth high-speed RGMs and SD w/catalytic spikes. $150,584. Black Hole Sidecar: Light sidecar w/CA frame, FPPR radial cycle tire, pulse-IR LL (F) linked to LL on cycle, jettison joint, HD brakes, overdrive, HDHTMs, FPRP Armor: F3, B3, R3, L3, U2. 400 lbs, $13,860. Black Hole II Sidecar: replace LL w/2 AP long-range stealth high-speed RGMs. $99,360. Police Vehicles 2052 BlastCruiser: Sedan w/CA frame, x-hvy chassis, hvy suspension, large power plant w/PCs, 4 solid tires, driver & passenger, BC w. HESH ammo F, SfS (B), Swc, weapon link (BC/SfS), LD radio, HD brakes, overdrive, HTMs, Composite metal/plastic Armor: F18/33, B7/33, R7/33, L7/33, T0/8, U0/10,. Acceleration: 5 (10 w/HTMs), HC: 3, Top Speed: 92.5 mph (+ overdrive), 6,112 lbs, $28,911. "A" Version: Replace SfS w/OJ (loaded w/pyrophoric oil); $28,911. "B" Version: replace SfS w/SD (loaded with catalytic spikes); $28,911. CLOSING FIRE
We hope the holidays treated you well and that all your resolutions came true. Stay tuned for the answers to the questions regarding the AADA and its future (or lack thereof). When are the CW5 design rules coming out? Is there going to be a Third-edition of the Compendium?Are there going to be miniatures available again and if so, in what scale? Will there be a Racing World Championship? What does the Sun taste like? Until next time, keep your tires on the road, your powder dry and watch out for chuckholes. "DRIVE OFFENSIVELY"
CREDITS
NOVA Works: Norman McMullen The 10 O'clock News: Norman McMullen Return Fire: Norman McMullen Quotes: Norman McMullen Cube Logs: Norman McMullen The Showroom All vehicles designed by Norman McMullen Typesetting & Page Layout: Michael Garrity Editor: Michael Garrity All other sections: Norman McMullen The NightMessenger is published quarterly by the New Omaha Vehicular Association, 2524 Madison St, Bellevue, NE 68005. All material is copyright 2003 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) are: Regularly attending club members: $4.00, U.S.subscribers: $6.00, International subscribers: $12.00. Website Address:
http://www.novia.net/-desslok/nova.htm
E-mail Address: drjake@novia.net Note: This issue is the last one that Michael Garrity will be working on as NOVA Secretary. His unit in the Arizona National Guard has been alerted for deployment to the Persian Gulf and is expected to leave within the month. The deployment may last until early 2004. Back To Nightmessenger Page Back To Front Page |