This issue will be dedicated to GenCon/Origins, the site of many changes in the autoduelling world.

    The latest news on Operation: No Shoulders is that it was completely successful. The Black Asp is currently being held at Fort Bradley, Virginia awaiting trial. All of his clones have been tracked down and destroyed. See the "World 'Out There'" and "10 O'Clock News" sections for more information.

    The Surgeon General has just released a statement about new and deadly clone viruses. Duellists have been informed to check their clones. All Gold Cross facilities are checking and tracking the viruses.
 

    The latest word is that Uncle Al is in intensive care after putting out the Catalog from Hell. He's not expected to recover until next year. Don't worry, fellow duellists, NOVA Works is still alive and kicking with no signs of slowing down. On to the new stuff.

Shaving Cream: 1 GE. A can of shaving cream is not real useful. If the can is punctured in any way it explodes, doing 1D6-4 to all exposed pedestrians within a 1/4" burst radius. Only be the longest stretch of the imagination could it damage any vehicular components. It will not mess up a paint job, but it could be used like paint on a windshield. However, since it has a maximum range of 1/2" (7.5 feet), this is not likely.

Big Bob's Chocolate-Flavored Algaebar: $2, 0 GE. This confectionery treat is chock-full of nuts, raisins, honey, and boy howdy, is it good! Eating a Big Bob takes five firing actions and satisfies that need for a quick bite to eat. Sadly, however, it produces no benefits within the course of an event.

Big Bob's Chocolate-Flavored Nougat bar: $5, 0 GE. The Super Bob is almost a meal all by itself. Its selling like hot cakes and is making Big Bob McNuty richer. Eating a Super Bob takes ten firing actions, eight if you don't mind making a pig out of yourself. As with the Big Bob this bar has no effect in combat, except that you might tempt a hungry opponent with one.
    Big Bob McNuty's Algae Confectionary is a major sponsor of duelling events and the Big Bob has been named the official candy bar of the 2042 World AADA Autoduelling Championships.

Improved Flying Wing: 3x normal body cost, normal body weight. This item is a modification that can be made to any kind of airplane body. It consists of converting the entire airframe into a single hull wing. This has certain benefits and penalties which are described below.

1) Stall speed and top speed are unaffected.

2) Only 50% of the aircraft's actual weight is used to figure acceleration and the ability to take off.

3) HC is improved by one due to the vastly increased control surface area.

4) No side-mounted weapons can be mounted in the fuselage. This also includes side-mounted EWPs.

5) Wing spaces are increased by 1/3 (round up).

6) Wing spaces are added to body spaces.
 

Killer Mines: $200, 10 lbs. each. These mines offer an option to disable a vehicle instead of destroying. When detonated, a killer mine (KM) releases a burst of electromagnetic energy that wreaks havoc with all electronic systems in a car.

    When detonated a KM causes no physical damage. Roll a D6 instead. Internal combustion engines stall on a 5 or 6, with a 3 to 6 for electrical power plants. Stalled engines may be restarted 10 phases later.

    Roll a D6 for each weapon. On a 3 to 6 the weapon's circuit breaker is tripped and remains so until it is physically reset. Computer systems are automatically scrambled and are destroyed on a roll of 1 on a D6. Cassettes and videos made with 20th century technology-based machines are automatically erased.

    In addition to the risk of tripping a circuit gauss guns and other electromagnetic weapons may risk further damage. If fired on the detonation phase roll another D6 and consult the following tables:

1) Ammunition reverses down barrel, applying damage internally. First to the weapon, then randomly to any interior vehicular component.

2-4) Barrel is clogged, neutralizing the weapon.

5-6) Ammunition is shot at double speed and causes double damage.

    Reducing the effects of a KM is possible. Intact armor between the mine and the target vehicle reduces the chance to effect by one. So a electrical power plant will short out on a roll of 4 to 6, computers are unaffected, etc. The only exception is metal armor. Which increases the chance of effect by one, so a gas engine will shut down on a roll of 4 to 6, weapon circuit breakers activate on a roll of 2 to 6, etc. Additionally, if the mine detonated in the 1/4" radius around the counter instead of going at least partially over it reduce all rolls in favor of the target car by 1.

    Killer mines may be fitted with proximity fuses or remote control detonators. Vehicles carrying KMs will suffer their effects if the mine system (MD, MF, etc) is damaged or destroyed, provided at least one mine load is left.
 

    Where do I begin? There will be a special section on GenCon/Origins later on.

    As stated previously, the Black Asp has been captured and is currently being held for trial at Fort Bradley, Virginia. No clones are known to have survived the many raids on ASP installations. Several months ago ARF resurfaced and declared war on ASP. GNATS is known to have stolen ASP's famed Darkwing Bomber and used it to attack Hartford, Connecticut. Without leadership ASP and their remaining rent-a-thugs have run for their lives.

    The Mongoose has revealed himself as being one Rodric Sinclair, formerly of ASP. Rumors have him being an ARF mole that leaked out valuable information to ARF, GNATS, autoduellists and government agencies. He's in hiding until the Black Asp is on trial.

    Currently there is a world-wide clone panic after the Surgeon General announced the discovery of a new virus strain. Gold Cross is currently working on a new vaccine. Rumors also have it that memory storage devices are malfunctioning. As of yet there is no know link between the two problems.

    On the local front Don Viner has won six consecutive arenas. He is going to beat the record set by Chris French earlier this year. Tim Jacques has issued a challenge duel to Don Viner. Who will win? We'll update events in future issues.

    Vigilantes have been busy lately, with new characters joining old. New to the city is the Revenger, who makes citizens arrests and brings the criminals in. The Police are pleased yet infuriated by the Revenger's actions. The Exterminator has returned to the city with a new garbage truck. He has stated openly he won't be playing by any rules. The Exterminator has been deputized and transferred to NAAS as Security Chief.

    A second Executioner has appeared and is targeting the mob. The cyborg Executioner has recently joined the cyborg strike team known as the Cy-Seven. The first Executioner had no comment on the vigilante appearances. Rumors of another mob vigilante called Buffy have surfaced in the city. The Black Rose has disappeared to parts unknown.

    A new company on the scene is Tigers, Inc. Rumors connect them to the Tiger Liberation Army terrorists.

    Doc of Doc's Custom Specialities had some problems lately. First, his mansion burned down along with one-third of the Boneyards. Then his business blew up, inflicting minor damage on the nearby NOVA Headquarters. ASP has claimed responsibility for both events. Most of Doc's crew were killed in mysterious accidents. Currently Doc is rebuilding his mansion.

    For one week the city was blanketed in a cold fog, strange for mid-July. Captain Crunch restarted the pet patrol in the same month, but the Deathknight stopped him. The Deathknight has vowed to stop all vigilante pet patrols.

    The 16,000 man DGAG forces have been broken down to four groups of 4,000 men each for the states of Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri. One of these forces helped destroy the main ASP base in Missouri and assisted in the capture of the Black Asp.

    Rumor has it that the infamous DSA armor commander Samuel Des Grieux planned and led the attack at the request of the Mongoose. The Black Asp was captured following a one-on-one duel between his luxury car and a pickup truck driven by the Mongoose.

    Also from the rumor mill is the snippet that Dr. Darkson was financing ASP. The FBI and national Guard report all ASP finances have been frozen pending redistribution by an international court. Also all clone banks and clones have been destroyed.
 

    June 6, 2042: ASP tried to attack Tampa, Florida during a hurricane. They were driven off by the Coast Guard. GODS reports encountering an ASP force in the eye of the storm. Also involved in this Battle in the Eye was the Coast Guard and GNATS. Losses were heavy on all sides, but ASP and GNATS were forced to retreat.

    June 8, 2042: A National Guard special forces team handled a "situation" at the New Apocalypse Armament System's Emergency Services Incorporated (EMI) subdivision. Details of the incident have yet to be released.

    June 9, 2042: The Deathknight announced the formation of a cyborg team called the "Cy-Seven". The team consists of Deathknight, Executioner, Peacekeeper, Steelfist, Flame, Nightstriker, and Boomer.

    June 20, 2042: The Deathknight eliminated several terrorists with the help of a mysterious helicopter. This date also saw the reopening of the Bill Grush Memorial Arena in Battle, Nebraska. The first duel had two rams performed by Melisa Saunders; one was against Boomer and the other against Isaac Ramsey. It was the fifth consecutive win for her. Amazingly Isaac survived the ram and woke up from his ram-induced sleep a few hours later.
    An ARF/GNATS strike force was stopped by four Illinois duelling groups (ILL, STOMP, GONADS, and GEARS). The battle took place outside of Peoria. The AADA is investigating reports of MADD being linked to ASP. Lt. Col. Jeff Stevens has denied all reports linking him to ASP.

    June 22, 2042: Several reports of mysterious disappearances of local villains were made, including the Ion Storm.

    July 8, 2042: ASP/GNATS attacked San Diego with hopes of taking it over. SPADE, the Police, and the MONDOS held them off. A 4.0 earthquake struck the city during the battle. City Hall and a few other buildings were destroyed as a result of the fighting.

    July 20, 2042: ASP and GNATS tried to recover an SDI satellite in New Jersey, but were stopped by JADE, the National Guard and random space junk.

    August 3, 2042: GNATS stole ASP's Darkwing bomber and flew it over Hartford, Connecticut, but didn't bomb the city. ASP tried to recover the bomber over the city in an air battle with GNATS, GHOST, and the National Guard. Most of the terrorists planes were shot down. The ASP/GNAT alliance falls apart.

    August 5, 2042: ARF announced it had declared war on ASP. The ARF spokesperson went as far as to call ASP "Rent-a-Thugs".

    August 8, 2042: Mt. St. Helens erupted during a terrorist battle on its slopes. The National Guard reported that ASP, ARF and GNATS were involved in the fighting. The connection between the fight and the eruption is unknown at this time.

    August 13, 2042: ASP tried to attack Austin but was defeated by BLAAST, GNATS, and ARF in a wildfire north of the city. ASP's target was believed to be AADA Headquarters.

    August 16, 2042: North of San Francisco an ASP attack group was defeated by DEATH, GNATS, and some local duellists. The battle took place in dense morning fog on the Pacific Coast Highway. Most of the terrorists vehicles were destroyed.

    August 18, 2042: ASP was stopped in Arizona by a local defense group. Several ASPs suffered from heat-related injuries.

    August 20, 2042: The Australian Government reported a large underwater battle occurred off Port Britannia with ASP. The ASP force was soundly defeated. The ASPs were apparently after a sunken government cargo ship.

    August 21, 2042: The Deathknight's Ogre M3A5 took on the Black Asps's Fang II in northern Kansas. The Ogre disabled the Fang without taking so much as a scratch in return. The ASP mercenaries slagged the Fang II with a thermite charge. However, the Deathknight took the slag to make a sculpture for NOVA Headquarters.

    August 22, 2042: The Black ASP was captured outside Springfield, Missouri by the Mongoose. The main ASP base was destroyed by the combined forces of local duellists, the National Guard, ARF, GNATS, and DGAG.
    In related news Lt. Col. Jeff Stevens was arrested for conspiracy, fraud, and several other charges. He has ben linked to ASP as their general of ASP Training Command.

    August 23, 2042: The Mongoose was revealed to be one Rodric Sinclair, the Black Asp's former aid. He announced Operation: No Shoulders has ended, its mission a complete success. The Black ASP was taken to Fort Bradley, Virginia, to be detained for trail.
    The FBI reports that all ARF assets have been frozen around the world and all clones banks of ASP members have been destroyed. The FBI assured the public that their are no clones of the Black Asp remaining.

    August 25, 2042: The Greater North American Terrorists Society (GNATS) officially changed its name to the National Anti-Terrorism Society (NATS) and switched to fighting terrorism, not causing it. As a show of good faith NATS gave the US government four nuclear weapons. No one is sure how they got them, but the government believed that the weapons were stolen.

    August 28, 2042: The US Surgeon General announced that a deadly new clone virus has arrived, affecting both clone bodies and memory storage devices. He recommends that all clones be checked into properly-licensed cloning facilities and high-level clone banks.
    Gold Cross has been thrown into a panic. One comment heard at the news conference was "there goes immortality".

    September 2, 2042: The trial of the Black Asp begins. It is expected to take several weeks. His true identity was revealed as one Melvin Wiggins, a former ARF general that split off due to differences in ideologies.

    September 3, 2042: The FBI released reports detailing the exchanging of the real Lt. Col. Jeff Stevens for ASP general Benjamin V. Cane. All of the real Col. Stevens clones were destroyed by ASP. Reports show that MADD headquarters was used as an ASP training center. There has been no word yet on the fate of the MADD autoduelling chapter from the AADA.

    September 30, 2042: The Black ASP (AKA Melvin Wiggins) was found guilty of conspiracy, blackmail, destruction of public and private property, and numerous other charges (including jay walking and littering). He was sentenced to 20 100-year prison sentences, all to be served consecutively.

    October 1, 2042: Melvin Wiggins was detained in the Fort Bradley Federal Detention Complex in Virginia to serve out his sentences.

    October 6, 2042: ASP general Benjamin Cane was found guilty of fraud, conspiracy, and several other charges. He was sentenced to 70 years. He will be held at the Fort Bradley Federal Detention Complex in Virginia.

    At the moment the convention outlook for the fall is poor. Impact has yet to announce another gamefest. Am I surprised? No, considering their recent problems and strange ethics.
 

    Very few movies releases have been realized so far this fall.

September: Bladerunner (director's cut)
November: Body Snatchers (?)
 

    On the long drive back to Omaha from GenCon I've found that brain grenades have a way of bringing out the strangest ideas. So, if you think our ideas in this issue are strange then the following will more than qualify.

    Godzilla takes Milwaukee: A 3-D Godzilla/Car Wars event for a future GenCon. Complete with a person dressed up in a Godzilla suit being attacked by the local army. The tanks have such weapons like x-ray laser cannons and electricity guns. A good-humored remembrance to all those monster movies.

    Matchbox or Micro Machine tanks will be used, along with cardboard buildings (ready for Godzilla to crush them). Future events include more monsters and destruction of the city.
 

    Some things are better the second time around - NOT! This is the second time of the combination of GenCon/Origins (and most likely the last time) and our trip to Milwaukee.

    Our road trip to Milwaukee have been adventures all onto themselves. This time was no exception. We convoyed out with Cliff Christiansen and company early Wednesday morning. Less than 20 miles out we saw our first road kill: a long red smear of an animal in one lane. In all there were twenty-three road kills observed, including one bird, two fishes and the aforementioned red smear.

    Things were going fine until we crossed into Illinois when the car overheated. After refilling the radiator we pressed on. Again the radiator overheated. Cliff went on ahead to get a tow truck. An hour later one arrived and we thanked the Brotherhood for checking on us. Luckily for us the problem was minor - a broken radiator cap. We were back on the road after spending less than 30 minutes in a service station in Rock Falls.

    The rest of the trip was quiet. I commend Michael Garrity and Chris French for riding on the outside of the tow truck for awhile. I wasn't too sure about Tim; he acted a little crazy when we broke down (again). It looked like a case of shell-shock.

    The return trip was relatively unexciting unless you count the Iowa cowbombs and our personnel getting blitzed on brain grenades (drinks with lots of caffeine, e.g. Mountain Dew, Jolt, etc.). We got silly and crazy as our conversations covered the Worlds, car designs, new ideas and road kills We thank the Garritys for allowing us to stop over on the way back and Michael Garrity for driving most of the way.
 

    The Black ASP predicted that this tank duel would take 12 seconds for his Fang II (not the Adder II) to destroy the Ogre M3A5. Boy was he wrong.

    The location of the battle was in Northern Kansas, with the combatants 600 meters apart. The opening turn saw surprise and shock on the Black Asp's face as he realized this was not the Same Ogre Mk III he'd challenged. The Deathknight was suitably angered by the Asp's desire to use standard equipment. After some quick modifications the Ogre M3A5 entered battle.

    Restarting the first turn the Ogre fired its laser-guided super rockets, 140mm main gun and machine guns at the Fang's right tread, destroying a third of it. It also launched a missile. The Fang fired its 90mm main gun, two long-barreled blast cannons, artillery rockets, and laser-guided rockets at the Ogre's turret, doing minor damage.

    The second turn saw more of the same. The Ogre destroyed more of the Fang's right tread. The Fang kept firing at the Ogre's turret but had no effect. The Ogre, now at 35 mph, dodged most of the artillery rockets. Meanwhile the Fang just stayed put, presenting a good target to the Ogre.

    On the third turn the Ogre's first missile blew off the Fang's main gun barrel. The right tread was also blown off.

    The fourth turn had the Ogre's second missile blow off one of the Fang's blast cannon barrels. The other weapons shifted their focus on the left tread. Continuing its ineffective turret attack the Fang fired some mortar rounds which missed the Ogre by a large margin.

    The next few turns saw the Fang lose its other blast cannon barrel and recoilless rifles to the Ogre's missiles. The Fang lost its left tread during this time. The Fang blasted away with its dwindling number of guns and wild mortar fire.

    The Fang, now fangless, surrendered to the Ogre and to Deathknight. The ASP mercenaries jumped out of the tank as a thermite charge turned it into slag. The Deathknight later took the slag to NOVA Headquarters and made a sculpture out of it. The Black ASP was suitably angered by the Fang's quick destruction.

    When asked what is best in life, the Deathknight answered "To crush my enemies, see them driven before me, and hear the lamentations of his Aspettes."
 

    This year's Duelling Worlds suffered from poor management, poor duelmastering, and bad preparation. We could've run a better tournament - and did. This was even worse than the 2039 St. Louis Regional.

    Problems were evident from the outset. The "stock cars" for the first round were not provided in time, and sudden rule changes abounded. The duelmaster was only interested in who won. Otherwise, he showed on interest in the duels. Instead he talked to other gamers on other business or read magazines.

    The following rounds weren't much better. The third round saw a possible illicit arena switch until Craig Sheeley was told by Steve Jackson himself that Norman McMullen had a copy of the Arches Autoduel Park Arena, so Craig was forced to use the Arches, not the St. Louis Arch (which he wished to use). The final round saw the use of a crude 3-D cardstock Arch Arena with micro machines miniatures for cars.

    Problems of illicit teamwork, remote duelmastering, bad scoring, and bad preparation plagued the Duelling Worlds. We found more people displeased by the Worlds this year than in previous ones. No one can say we're just randomly bitching because we were there and saw everything. This is the reason we are formally protesting both Worlds. This year we have plenty of witnesses too.

    The Racing Worlds suffered some of the same aforementioned problems as the Duelling Worlds. The preliminary rounds were a joke. Racing cycles on a small figure eight flat course doesn't count. We were lucky to make the finals. The one maneuver per phase on a five phase chart didn't' help matters. Tim and I wrecked out of the first preliminary round. Luckily we made it through the second one.

    The finals were on a mostly banked, hastily drawn road course on the back of two Truck Stop map sheets. Four NOVA members started at the front of the starting line with Tim on the pole, Chris second, Norman third, and Cliff fourth. With 14 cars on the starting line we were off at 80 mph. During the first turn one racer sideswiped another, setting off point defense grenades. This took out the tires on the swiped car even before he crossed the starting line. This was in violation of the "no fire on the first lap rule" and it happened faster than breaking a Yugoslavian cease-fire. The poor guy was out of the event even before it started. The next turn saw one corner racer slow down to purposely set off his bumper-triggered FCGS.

    Entering the second turn on the course, Jeff Rakow and Brian Morrison hit their rocket boosters in an attempt to take the lead away from Tim. Tim would have nothing of it; he took a tight bend to cause a double t-bone. He missed his control roll and went off the track. After a few more turns the field came to the unbanked hairpin and S-turn complex, the most difficult turns on the course. Norman sideswiped the outer wall and rolled. Six turns later his car exploded, scattering debris over one corner of the course.

    The rest of the race was mainly good old racing. Once completing the first lap Brian Morrison fired his FCE, leaving it on automatic and Cliff used his three FCGS, blocking off at least two turns on the course. Chris French, having had enough of this blundering, left after crossing the start/finish line. Soon after the race was over and points totaled. The top point earners, in descending order, were: Brian Morrison, Cliff Christiansen, and Jeff Rakow (the former champion). The deciding pass was when Jeff went by a "dead" car. A neutral DM was brought in to determine whether or not Jeff had passed a dead car. It was decided that Jeff did pass the car and won the race, even though he was well back in the field.

    We were angered by the poorly-marked final round course, the firing of weapons during the no-fire first lap, favoritism, points for passing, points for passing dead cars, and immature players. The disappointment of this year's World had set in. I personally was not impressed by Steve Jackson or his employees. If I can help it I will only buy SJG products if I have to.
 

    We met several of our fellow duellists while at GenCon/Origins. They included Cheryl Stevens, Brian Morrison and Todd MacDermid. Overall we enjoyed meeting other duellists more than the Worlds.

    There were a few other Car Wars events. Most were 3-D with Matchbox cars. One was a 3-D boat tournament. GODS brought a 3-D arena which was supposed to be the alternate for the final Duelling Worlds round, but it was never used. We took many photos for the scrapbook.

    We are discussing plans to attend GenCon next year. Tim might go by bus, but we'll see. Perhaps we'll go to Origins instead. It all depends on how we feel by next spring and whether or not the fallout from this year's Worlds has affected the Worlds. As they say we shall see.
 

Groundbeef: The remains of a duellist after a parachute fails to open or other severe impact. Also know as Street Pizza.

Slice and Dice: Shooting up a lightly armored vehicle with a big gun (TG vs. Killer Kart). Alternately shooting a vehicle several times after its armor has been breached.

Jet Jockey: A duellist who uses jet engine cars. Also a jet fighter pilot.

Toothpaste: What's left of a duellist that's been crushed to death while wearing body armor.

Black and Decker: When players are measuring ranges with tape measures.

Moneypit: Any item which eats up money but not space. Examples are carbon-aluminum frames, radarproof and fireproof armor.

Damage Sink: Any item which serves no other useful purpose in a duel except to absorb damage. Examples are armored beer refrigerators and Cargo safes.

Breadcrumbs: Debris.

Harmonic Convergence: Three or more vehicles ramming each other at the same time.

Supertank: Any AFV that weighs more than 100 tons. Such vehicles always have obscenely heavy weapons and armor packages.

Rocket Jock: A duellist who drives a vehicle with a jet or rocket engine.

Sub-Caliber Killers: Division 5 duelling. Also known as 50-Caliber Funnies.

Dreck: The sludge from the bottom of an oil pan or the useless fluid left over when a battery dies. Used as an insult. "Dreck-Face", etc.

MacGyver Move: Any brilliant, spontaneous maneuver or action. Especially those which have beneficial results. Example: taking out a tractor-trailer rig by a critical hit on the driver by a hand weapon.

Nuke: To destroy a target with more force than necessary. Example: a 1,000 lb. bomb hitting a subcompact. In all cases, not even confetti is left.

Brain Grenade: Drinks with high caffeine content in them. Jolt, Mountain Dew, and Pepsi are examples.

Cow Bomb: The smell that blows onto the highway from nearby farms.
 

    Like the Energizer Bunny this section keeps on going and going. More rock for destruction.

"War Child" by Jethro Tull.
 "Life is a Highway" by Tom Cochrane.
 "Trigger Happy" and "I Think I'm a Clone Now" by Weird Al Yankovic.
 "Heavy Fuel" by Dire Straits.
 "Blood from a Clone" by George Harrison.
 "Feed My Frankenstein" by Alice Cooper.
 "Ride With Yourself" by Rhino Bucket.
 "The Hit Man" by Queen.
 

    As a special feature this issue will bring you the World Championship designs. This section includes both duelling and racing designs.

Fightblaster: Mid-size, hvy. chassis, hvy. suspension, large power plant, 4 solid tires, driver, BC front. Cargo Capacity: 2 spaces, 6 lbs. Armor: F42, L41, R41, B41, T5, U13 with 4 10-point wheelguards. Accel. 5, top speed 102.5, HC 2; 5,274 lbs., $14,628.

Gray Zone: Mid-size, x-hvy. chassis, hvy. suspension, 300ci gas engine w/5 gallon duelling gas tank, 4 PR radial tires, driver, RR front, SD w/explosive loads rear linked to RR, spoiler, airdam. Sloped armor: F50, L50, R50, B50, T28, U25 with 4 10-point wheelguards. Accel. 10, top speed 97.5, HC 3/4 @60+; 5,754 lbs., $19,578.

Ren and Stimpy Mobile: Sedan, x-hvy. chassis, hvy. suspension, sports power plant with PCs, 4 SB radial PR tires, driver, HD shocks, MD w/extra magazine (10 radio detonated, 10 proximity) under, ID rear linked to MD, weapons timer, 8 dischargers (seven ice, one smoke), spoiler, airdam, magazine switch for MD, radio detonator for MD. Sloped armor: 231 points total. 10 points of component armor for driver, two fake wheelguards back, 4 10-point wheelhubs. Accel. 10, top speed 122.5, HC 4/5 @60+; 6,096 lbs., $24,953

Comet/Speedy Gonzales/Roadrunner: Can-Am, 400ci engine w/turbocharger, five gallon duelling gas tank, nitrous oxide, 4 PR racing slicks, driver, LFT w/HT ammo rear, SWC, overdrive, spoiler, airdam. Armor: F25, L20, R20, B25, T8, U10 with 4 10-point wheelguards. Accel. 15/20/30, top speed 152.5/227.5 (add 20 to both with overdrive), HC 6/7 @60+; 4,491 lbs., $28,942.
 

DGAG Donnerschlag (Thunderstroke): Cargo Airplane, super power plant w/PC and SC, two propellers, five standard tires (four main, one tailwheel), ducted cowling, pilot, eight 1000-lb cluster bombs linked under, MTL under, LGLs for bombs, streamlining, retractable landing gear, radar w/radar altimeter, terrain-following radar, improved controls, military radio, ejection/safety seat, two HVMGs w/HD ammo linked front in wings, 2 CDs linked rear, 2 SS w/hot smoke loads linked rear, 2 HMGs w/HD ammo linked in wings front, hi-res computer, fake dischargers. Sloped RPFP armor: F50, sides 45 each, TF40, TB40, UF40, UB40, B40 with three points of RPFP wing armor for each wing, 20 points of RPFP armor for each propellor. Accel. 10, top speed 382.5, HC 1; 30,000 lbs., $347,980.

Essex Duelcars 2042 Counteract: Mid-size with CA frame, x-hvy. chassis, hvy. suspension, 150ci gas engine w/tubular headers, five gallon racing gas tank, four solid tires, driver, BC w/HESH ammo front, 2 linked MFRs rear w/bumper trigger and blow-through concealment, spoiler, airdam, SWC. Metal/plastic armor: F25/46, L0/46, R0/46, B0/46, T0/1, U0/1 with 4 10-point wheelhubs and 2 10-point wheelguards. Accel. 5, top speed 60, HC 3/4 @60+; 5,760 lbs., $55,000.

TC-40A Hays (updated TC-32 Hays from ADQ 6-2): Luxury, x-hvy. chassis, OR/active suspension, sports power plant w/SC, 4 FP OR solid tires, driver, passenger, HMG w/HD ammo front, HMG w/HD ammo in universal turret, smart link between HMGs, FOJ rear, HD/anti-lock brakes, vehicular computer, LDR, radar. Cargo Capacity: 4 spaces, 50 lbs. Streamlining. Sloped FP Armor: F40, L30, R30, B30, T30, U24. Accel. 10, top speed 130, HC 3/4 @60+; 6,550 lbs., $51,246.

Zenith: Luxury w/CA frame, x-hvy. chassis, hvy. suspension, 350ci gas engine w/BP, TH, and VP turbocharger, 15 gallon racing gas tank, four FPSBPR snow tires, driver, 2 linked VMGs front w/rotary magazines (5 shots HD, 5 shots incendiary, 10 shots standard each). 10 dischargers: F - PD, R & L - FcD & FD, T - FcD & SkD, B - FoD, U - FoD & SkD. Laser battery, IFE, sunroof, HRSWC, radar, radar detector linked to radar jammer, ERIS, LDR, sound system, surge protector, HD shocks & brakes, anti-lock brakes, safety seat, no-paint/tinted windows, overdrive, spoiler, anti-theft system liked to FDs. Streamlining. Metal armor: F12, L10, R10, B10, T1, U6 with 4 fake wheelguards and four fake wheelhubs. Accel. 20/15 w/overdrive, top speed 135/155 w/overdrive, MPG 20, HC 3/4 @60+; 6,538 lbs., $65,392. ($72,585 retail).
 

    Lately we have been flooded with new gadgets and vehicles. Since we don't have room to print all of them we're going to do so in later issues. There has been talk of doing another NOVA Works and Midwest Encounter Guide to take up the backlog. However at present we have other projects going. We would not get to those two until next year.

    I've heard several suggestions to go to larger newsletters format (more Great American Novels) or to a bi-monthly format (which will have its own advantages and disadvantages).

    The one thing we are going to do is control those late submissions by setting up deadlines for each issue. They are as follows:

Spring: Feb. 15
Summer: May 15
Fall: Aug. 15
Winter: Nov. 15

    These deadlines are not written in stone, but expect to see the next issue appearing about one month after the deadline. All submissions after the deadline will go to the following issue, space allowing. Please don't flood the editor's desk at the deadline. This does not make for a happy editor and may use your submission to line the bottom of the bird cage.
 

    This interview was conducted in Hans Vorsted's office at the Omaha facilities of Deutsches Gefechtflugzeug Anfertigung Gesellschaft (German Combat Manufacturing Company). The first thing one notices about the offices, and indeed the whole building, is its total lack of flash, spectacle, or ostentation. The extent of the office's decorations consisted of an oak desk (of quite solid construction) with a computer on it, a table with a cube player, speaker stakes spaced around the perimeter, a large-screen TV, two large wall bookshelves chock full of books (some first editions there!) and two absolutely huge assault cannons on the wall behind the desk, one each side. These cannons look suspiciously like someone dismounted a 40mm and stuck a pistol grip on it. Amazed, I muttered, "What the hell-?"

    Hans, who met me personally to bring me here, says, "Like 'em? SK with ammo. Your basic hand-held 40 mike- mike with 20 mil gyrojet/grenade launcher, using gauss tech, and anti-recoil system. Carbon-plastic and titanium material. I can haul two at a time, plus ammo. Dangerous." He moves to the desk and flops into the large, cushioned chair behind it, then rolls around the end to the side near me, and indicates another chair of equal size and padding. I sit, and produce a notebook.

    Hans Vorsted (HV): (sighs) A traditionalist. Always a nice to see things done the old way. Of course, I've got recorders on, but where, I ain't sayin'. so what d'ye want to hear?

Chris French (CF): Well, first off, some background on you?

HV: (chuckles) Straight to the point. Born 15 April 2021, of a Dutch lady living in Australia and the man made the Dominion of South Africa what it is today. Mom drove with H.I.T. teams for near to fifteen years before marrying Dad. As he told me, he'd made her an offer to do some test work, a few months later, they were married. Ten months later, guess who appears? Probably during a "chair-cushion test", eh?

CF: No comment. About you being the designer of the Drillflugzeuger, the rumor is you were five when you designed it.

HV: I'd been talking to Dad about vehicle design and related topics. He told me about a problem his design teams had been trying to solve: design an inexpensive trainer that wouldn't kill the trainees whenever they botched a loop. I went off and did some research, asked a lot of questions, and came up with that little bugger a week later. Dad damned near passed out! Showed me as a genius, and got me booted up through the DSA educational system like a bloody artillery rocket! Got out early, and it's off to the test tracks with me.

CF: Then... April 10, 2039.

HV: Snipers from a rooftop, clones aced. Damned near perfect. A chopper whacked their getaway ride. Turned out they were pros from a rival corporation. Those assassins got a one-way trip to the gallows. Slow strangulation, not a neck snap.

CF: Six months later, the CEO of Bavarian Combat Vehicle Works gets whacked. Coincidence, some say. Others say you where responsible.

HV: No evidence, no foul. Whoever did do it had to be damned clever and damned good. Wouldn't mind having him work for me. Good guy to have as a friend, too dangerous to have as an enemy, you agree?

CF: Yep. Uh, how about some info on the Dominion of South Africa? How's it organized?

HV: The DSA is a "corporate military democracy". To earn franchise, one must serve at least five years with no reprimands or court-martial convictions; this service can be in the Regular Army, the Scout Commandos, or any other of our active military units. Reasons: read Heinlein's Starship Troopers.

CF: And that makes people nervous about the DSA?

HV: No. People only get nervous about a nation if it: A) is large, B) has a large military arm, and C) speaks German. We have a large, German-speaking nation with a large military arm. And right next to Israel; lets talk irony.

CF: Your corporation's name seems to indicate you build airplanes exclusively, yet you also build cars, ships, AFVs... everything.

HV: Yep. Diversification. It'd take a hell of a disaster to take us out altogether.

CF: I'd like to know how you brought the "hovertank" into existence. The DSA/USA Wargames have shown the world the outright superiority of the hovertank... or so it seems.

HV: Yep. And we're the only nation that can run an army of those things without wrecking the national infrastructure. But you asked how the concept came about. Credit where credit's due; most of the stuff we make for AFVs, as well as the idea for the hovertank came from a series of sci-fi novels: David Drake's Hammer Slammers series. The man was ahead of his time; a damn genius, I'd say. That's why we named the first design "Drake". As we haven't yet done bench tests on our 20cm plasma cannon we went for a 130mm short three-barreled magnetic cannon. Talk about damage; whoo-boy! But I digress; what happened was that I was sitting around the research bays in Pretoria, reading The Warrior, when a couple of techs came up. They asked what I was reading, I let'em read some of it, and they went off with the kind of look on their faces that meant they were plotting and planning. Two months later they shoot me a design for a hovertank. We built it, and the rest is historical.

CF: And how do you use them?

HV: Think of all the places you can't bring a tank. The hovertank can go there. Neat, eh?

CF: Why did you come to New Omaha?

HV: Research told me this was the place for excitement and inventiveness. They weren't wrong.

CF: The ASP-Nebraska War. Have you been involved at all?

HV: You heard about that little event over Topeka Airfield? It wasn't the KNG that bagged those GNATS. It was me and five of my top test pilots! We'd been ferrying those birds to the National Guard base when the scramble call went out. We diverted and whacked them. Also, that Grand Island affair; I led the Kurzblitz attack. Chalked three kills. I felt damned good.

CF: Why did you get involved?

HV: Put bluntly, it's because the DSA hates anyone who tries to use power for personal reasons. I know I have a lot of power in my hands; the thing is, I don't abuse it. Germans have an excellent reason to dislike power-mad psychos. And anyone who doesn't know what I mean by that, well, I worry for you.

CF: Ah, yes. How have you avoided the ancient South African curse of racial trouble?

HV: Carefully. When Adriaan Vorsted purged the SAAF he only iced the hard-core bigots. Everyone else got a warning; do as they did, be as they are. We've not had any problems. Except for Garbahaarrey. That was ugly.

CF: Anytime a city has to be leveled with 1000-pound cluster bombs is ugly.

HV: And don't think Dad didn't have his reservations. Fact is, I saw him right after he gave the order to drop. He damned near cried. The way he went after the ones responsible, and how he dealt with them, you knew how he felt.

CF: So, what's in the works for '43 and later?

HV: You'll see. Can't say more than that.

CF: One last thing: your personal vehicle. Seems to have quite a few speed-enhancing goodies on it. How fast is it?

HV: Uhh... Let's just say I've outrun NOPD's jet cruisers a time or two.

CF: Eek. Well, I appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with me.

HV: To be true to truth it's been pretty damned quiet. No more ASP to stomp on, no other horrors to face. Whatever am I going to do with myself (throwing himself back in his chair, back of his hand on his forehead)?

    As I stood and walked out of the office, I heard a familiar voice call out, "By the way, you're welcome!"

    Hans Vorsted stands 6'0", weighs 150 lbs., has brown hair, brown eyes, and no distinguishing physical characteristics. He has registered some 350 duelling kills, most of which were in the DSA.
 

    This issue we cover those cubes of soldiers at war with the world.

The Highwayman TV series: This series only lasted six episodes and a movie. It stared Sam Jones (Highway) and Jacko (Jetto). It featured odd-looking rigs with the capability of launching helicopters and cars. Supposedly the episodes took place in the mid-to-late 1990s.
    In their adventures the Highwaymen tangled with ex-highwaymen turned bad, clones, androids and genetic soldiers. One of the most memorable episodes was titled "Mac". In it Highway picks up a hitchhiker with a child's mentality. The hitchhiker, named Mac, turns out to be a genetically-enhanced secret soldier that can regenerate any part of his body. He is being chased by five other clones just like him. If you have a chance to catch any Highwayman episodes do so. It may be a failed Glen Larson series but it had its own style.***

Universal Soldier: Jean-Claude Van Damme (Luke Devereaux) and Dolph Lundgren (Sgt. Scott) are two of a group of Universal Soldiers - genetically enhanced dead soldiers. In the movie they were used to stop terrorists at Hoover Dam. The event triggers long-buried memories in Luke and Scott. Veronica "Ronny" Roberts (Ally Walker), a news reporter who wants to know more about the Soldiers, finds the Soldiers special rig and a "dead" soldier. Only the soldier on ice (literally) is not dead.
    Luke and Scott are sent to stop Roberts and her cameraman. Luke remembers some of his past and gets Roberts to help him. Roberts and Luke escape from the other soldier and the cameraman is killed. Scott chases them back to Luke's home, leading to the final battle. The film is slow in places, but overall it is an okay film.**

Stripes: Bill Murray (John Winger) and Harold Ramis (Russell) join the Army to get away from their dead-end jobs. Warren Oates (Sgt. Hulka) is the drill sergeant and John Larroquette (of Nightcourt fame) is their bumbling captain. This military comedy shows the ups and downs of Army life.
    The highlight of the film is the EM-50 Urban Assault Vehicle ("one heavily armored RV"j). John and friends have to rescue the rest of their platoon using this vehicle. It's a funny film, with great co-stars like John Candy, Dave Thomas, Joe Flatery, and others. ****

Under Siege: Steven Seagal and Tommy Lee Jones star in this action/adventure flick about a gang of terrorists that hijack the battleship Missouri in order to steal the ship's cruise missiles. Seagal character is a former Navy Seal who's finishing his 20 years as a cook aboard ship. Jones plays the terrorist leader, putting in his own personal charm although this type of roll is out-of-character for him. Gary Busey is the psychotic First Officer of the Missouri and is in cahoots with the terrorists.
    As for action there's the usual dose of Seagal brand of butt-kicking as well as the obligatory gun battles. The funniest scene is the one where Jones's character is on deck when the Missouri's guns are fired at the escaping terrorist submarine. Needless to say Jones was "stunned" by the blast. This picture is a must-see (especially for people like No Gun!). ****
 

    I'm sure the fallout from this year's Worlds will affect duellists for the next several months. Whether or not the final outcome will be what we want is another thing. We can only hope things will be better next year.

    Next issue will cover this year's Club Championship, along with our regular sections. We are expecting more Combat Rock and Duel Slang from other groups. I'm still hoping to see some new correspondence. We will keep everyone up to date on the new and unusual events in New Omaha.

    NOVA is thinking about making a special patch for Operation: No Shoulders. Anyone interested in the patch please write us.
 

Drive offensively!

Norman McMullen, President of NOVA

Tim Jacques, Vice-President
 

Re-editing of Nightmessenger Vol 6, No 3 completed on 09/27/97 by Donald Jacques.

Editors: Norman McMullen, Don Jacques, Tim Jacques, and Chris French.

NOVA Works: Improved Flying Wing by Michael Garrity, Killer Mines by Cheryl Stevens. Shaving Cream, Algaebar, Nougat bar, and Confectionary by John Scheibeler.

Duelling Ideas: Tim Jacques, Chris French, Michael Garrity, and Norman McMullen.

GenCon/Origins: Norman McMullen, Tim Jacques, Chris French, and Michael Garrity.

Duel Slang: Don Jacques, Michael Garrity, Scott Haring, Norman McMullen, and Chris French.

Combat Rock: TJ Gates and Norman McMullen.

The Showroom: Fightblaster, Gray Zone and Comet by Norman McMullen, Ren and Stimpy Mobile by Tim Jacques, Donnerschlag (Thunderstroke) by Chris French, 2042 Counteract by Don Viner, TC-40A Hays by TJ Gates, and Zenith by David Delmont.

Local Hero: Chris French.

Cube Logs: Norman McMullen.

All other sections done by Norman McMullen.

Typesetting and transcriber of the Great American Novel: Don Jacques

Nightmessenger is published quarterly by the New Omaha Vehicular Association, 701 S. 22 Street #73, Omaha, NE 68102. All material is copyright November 1992 by Nightmessenger. All rights reserved.

Car Wars, Dueltrack, Boat Wars, Car Warriors, Crash City, Truck Stop, Convoy, Uncle Albert's, 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 by 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 stories published in the Nightmessenger, or any other unauthorized publication of fiction using the Car Wars background, without the express written permission of Steve Jackson Games Incorporated is strictly prohibited.

Annual subscription is four issues at $4, or $1 an issue.
 

Originally printed as a SpeedScript 3.2 document on a Commodore 64 with an Epyx extender cartridge. The issue was reentered as a WordPerfect 6.1 document, turned into a HTML document by KEYview 5.1, and edited again in Netscape Composer

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