We didn't mention it last issue, mainly because ADQ would cover it in more detail. Yes, we are at war with Japan as of ADQ 10-4, "The Last ADQ Ever." Note that the Black Asp has made his last broadcast, just before he was captured at the climax of Operation: No Shoulders.
    The Midwest has been deeply involved in the war, considering it started here. The local area has absorbed several cruise missile attacks. Look for other war reports in other sections.
 
 

This issue, we feature offensive-minded items. All the better to destroy your foes with. Sit back and be ready to be destroyed!

Heavy Rocket Launcher: To hit 8, $1,250, 300 lbs., 3 spaces, 3 DP, 3d6 damage, 10 shots ($50 and 7.5 lbs. each). Loaded weapon costs $1,750 and weighs 375 lbs. Burst effect.

Ultra Rocket Launcher: To hit 8, $1,500, 400 lbs., 4 spaces, 3 DP, 4d6 damage, 10 shots ($100 and 20 lbs. each). Loaded weapon costs $2,250 and weighs 500 lbs. Burst effect.

Rocket Cannon: To hit 8, $3,000, 600 lbs., 6 spaces, 4 DP, 6d6 damage, 10 shots ($100 and 20 lbs. each). Loaded weapon costs $4,000 and weighs 800 lbs. Burst effect. The rocket cannon is a tank-sized rocket launcher and may only be mounted on oversized vehicles. Ammo may be modified at normal costs.

Hyper Velocity Missiles (HVMs) - These missiles come in five sizes.

Light HVM (LHVM): $20,000 + warhead, 100 lbs. with warhead, 1 space, 1 DP, DM 1/5.

• Explosive Warhead: $10,000, 5d6 damage, 2" burst effect.
• AP Slug: $5,000, DM 1/2.
• Combination: $7,500, 3d6 + DM 1/4.

• Explosive Warhead: $20,000, 10d6 damage, 2" burst effect.
• AP Slug: $10,000, DM 1/2.
• Combination: $15,000, 5d6 damage + DM 1/4

• Explosive Warhead: $30,000, 15d6 damage, 2" burst effect.
• AP Slug: $15,000, DM 1/2,
• Combination: $22,500, 8d6 damage + DM 1/3.

• Explosive Warhead: $40,000, 20d6 damage, 3" burst effect.
• AP Slug: $20,000, DM 1.
• Combination: $30,000, 10d6 damage + DM 1/4.

• Explosive Warhead: $50,000, 25d6 damage, 4" burst effect.
• AP Slug: $25,000, DM 1.
• Combination: $37,500, 13d6 + DM 1/2.

Free-Fire Artillery Rockets: These weapons come in two sizes.
 

Size	Abbrev.	Burst	To-Hit	Damage	DP	Cost	Weight	Space
12"	R12	5", 10d6	9	30d6	6	$3,000	1,500 lbs.	5
16"	R16	7", 20d6	9	40d6	10	$6,000	3,000 lbs.	10

The 12" rocket is the type fired from the Multiple Rocket Launch System (MLRS) of the late 20th century. The 16" rocket is a version of the 1950s vintage "Honest John" rocket. The warheads on these rockets are equivalent to aerial bombs and may be of any type (anti-armor, cluster, etc.) at no extra weight penalty. The rockets may use laser guidance and have a range of two miles per inch of rocket diameter.
 
 

War; what a concept. It engulfs us again. And it's not just the Japanese either. Locally, we've uncovered a cybernetic terrorist organization, which has infiltrated local companies for various unknown reasons. The city of Chalco has suffered most, its misfortunes being overrun, being damaged by an orbital weapons platform, and a cruise missile strike. Luckily, the city has been retaken. Local forces continue to battle the terrorists.
    News of huge mob wars have sprung up across the country. The local Norelli family has suffered many hits, losing over 40 members. Bodies litter the streets again. The cause of this mob violence has yet to be discovered.
    The Japanese War fills the headlines and helps reunite our divided nation. News of Texas backstabbing America with a cruise missile barrage brings a new dimension of Japanese villainy. America has responded in kind.
    The President is expected to announce a military draft and Federalizing AADA autoduelists. "You're in the Army now." Life has gotten interesting. Look for further reports in future Nightmessengers and the new Pyramid magazine.
 

August 26, 2042: The Weasel, No-Gun and Deathknight were recalled to active duty with the U.S. Army. They were sent to Fort Riley in Kansas.

August 28, 2042: The Dominion of South Africa issues a statement condemning Japanese and American hostilities. DSA has declared its neutrality in the war.

October 30, 2042: NOVA and the Council Bluffs Police captured a nuclear bomb from the Hellfires, using a tip from Deathadder. Sources say a few ASP survivors supplied the bomb.

October 31, 2042: ASP got a surprise from Deathadder and other local duelists as its Chicago bases were shutdown permanently.

December 12, 2042: The NOPD, NOVA, SWORD, Crime Clown, and EDSEL battled ARF, who had stolen some military vehicles from Daimschell Tread Works and proceeded to attack the city. As a result of the battle, several city blocks, 10 police cruisers, a SWORD helicopter, the Crime Clown van, and some NOVA vehicles were destroyed. ARF was defeated; all of the stolen vehicles were destroyed.
    In what was announced as a test of its Hyper-Sonic Air Transport System (H-SATS), the Dominion of South Africa began launching H-SATS aircraft every hour on the hour, starting at high noon GMT. The flights will continue for three weeks.

December 14, 2042: Chalco Hills received 10 Blastcruiser police cars from Radius Motors for testing.

December 15, 2042: Chalco Hills Police battled the Sarpy County Police inside Sarpy County. The reason given for this action was a "border dispute" according to a Chalco Hills policeman. Five Sarpy County cruisers were captured.
    Ratner Taxi receives 10 Blast-Taxis from Radius Motors for testing. Lightning Express receives 10 Blastcouriers from Radius for testing.

December 17, 2042: Chalco Hills orders 24 additional Blastcruisers from Radius Motors. The dispute between Chalco Hills and Sarpy County continues.

December 21, 2042: The governor sets up a DMZ, patrolled by the National Guard, along the Chalco/Sarpy County border. The Sarpy County DA's Office has taken the dispute to the state court.

December 22, 2042: All Sarpy County Sheriff cruisers broke down on this date. The NOPD orders its first Blastcruiser.

January 2, 2043: Radius Motors announced the opening of Blaster Motors Company. It will make all models of the famous Blastfighter, Hardnose, and Fightblaster. The CEO of Blaster Motors is Dave Fletcher; its test drivers are Dooley, James, and Sam Zen. Blaster Motors Company will be based in Lincoln, Nebraska. Other factories will open in California, the East Coast, and other countries.

January 4, 2043: The first Blaster Motors dealership opened for business. Radius Motors announced future plants will open in Europe, Russia, Australia, and South America. Vehicles will be built under license in the Dominion of South Africa. Dealerships are also being opened worldwide.

January 5, 2043: The Sarpy County Sheriff reports that 14 cruisers have been stolen recently. No suspects have been found. Reports of car theft are increasing.
    The Dominion of South Africa announced the end of its test of the H-SATS system. The test was deemed a complete success, with no ships lost and no fatalities.

January 14, 2043: The NOPD reports a new drug, "Hellfire", has hit the streets.

January 18, 2043: 296 people died as a direct result of using Hellfire. The grapevine says the Raven Gang is supplying the drug.

January 22, 2043: This night, Phoenix Flowers blew up, killing three. Some reports say Brian Faulkner (former New Omaha mayor) and The Black Moon (duelist) were among the dead.

January 23, 2043: Luxury Towers Hotel and Apartments exploded, killing 132. This incident is believed to be mob related.

January 26, 2043: A Dominion of South Africa H-SATS pilot reported sighting a possible UFO. The pilot attempted to film the UFO, but was unsuccessful. The pilot observed the UFO for at one minute; the UFO then left orbit at an extremely high velocity. The UFO was cylindrical, roughly 600 feet long and roughly 60 feet in diameter.

January 29, 2043: A new vigilante made his first appearance in New Omaha today. He used a X-ray laser to burst the front tires of a 10-wheeler involved in a hit-and-run accident on I-80. Witnesses said the attacker struck from a range of over 300 yards.

January 30, 2043: The new vigilante was named "The Master" by a reporter who went to investigate the scene of his latest strike, involving a gang of bank robbers that attempted to escape via a transport helicopter. The Master used his X-ray laser to blast the chopper out of the sky at a range of 450 yards.

February 1, 2043: The Death Machine II was stolen by a DKI employee. The vehicle was last seen driving into the city of Chalco. A media circus formed outside of Chalco's front gate as the Cy-Seven, DKI security forces, the NOPD, SWORDS and NOTS arrived on sight. Later, the vehicle was found abandoned 20 miles south of New Omaha. Another Death Machine was found in Battle, Nebraska. Why the vehicle that was not stolen was recovered is unknown.

February 1, 2043: As a public service, the Death Knight donated twenty of his newly-designed Police Pursuit units to the New Omaha Police Department.

February 2, 2043: The Death Knight formally thanked Lissa Saunders of Chalco for her help in recovering the Death Machine II.

February 3, 2043: The Master destroyed the Road Killers cycle gang in a pitched battle which took place near the I-80/I-680 turnoff in Iowa. The lone survivor said that the vehicle which attacked the gang was an OR-capable truck.

February 6, 2043: Reports of a universal de-tox drug are verified by the NOPD. They say that Kilroy is supplying said drug worldwide. The drug, called De-Tox (how original), nullifies the effects of LSD and heroin-related drugs in the human body and breaks the addiction. However, a side effect is that users are painfully sick for two days.

February 13, 2043: Chalco is overrun by terrorists. Two-thirds of the population flee the city. An hour later, Lissa Saunders's house is blown up. Lissa escapes from Chalco a few hours later, unharmed.

February 15, 2043: Chalco was hit by an orbital weapons strike. The Lissa Estate was destroyed in the process. A crater 50 feet deep and 300 feet wide was formed by the weapon. Later that day, the Battle Space Station took out two enemy satellites.

February 16, 2043: Blaster Motors and Radius Motors turned over their production plants to national defense. Daimschell Tread Works doubled its production of tanks, AFVs, and APCs.

April 1, 2043: NOTS got creamed with real whip cream by a clown. Then Psycho drove into the foam to see if said foam could slow down a car. Several NOTS members were taken to the hospital.
 
 

Not many changes here. We're still planning a road trip to Gen Con this year. One or two of our members may go to Origins.

Gen Con 1993: August 19-22 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOVA will be running "Godzilla Takes Milwaukee: A 3-D Tank Adventure." The Racing Worlds will also be held there.

Origins 1993: July 1-4 in Fort Worth, Texas. The Dueling Worlds will be held there, with Ken Scott likely refereeing.

Nukecon 3 Gamefest: A 36-hour game convention held here in Omaha, tentatively scheduled for mid-October. Possible location of NOVA/Zebra activities.

Fields of Honor 2: In Des Moines, Iowa. No date set yet. Another fall convention, with NOVA/Zebra action again.
 

This issue we cover upcoming theatrical and video releases.

June: Last Action Hero
Summer:  Robocop 3 (tentative), Ghost in the Machine
    Highway to Hell is now on video and on cable for those interested. Robocop 3 will likely go to video, considering Orion Pictures is out of business. Under Siege will appear on video this summer. Batman Returns is going out of circulation, due to a condition in the director's contract. Future Batman movies are a definite possibility. The Terminator movies will soon leave store shelves. Again, this is due to a clause in the director's contract.
 

Bigmouth II is a mini-scenario for one or two players and a referee. If there is only one player, he designs a single $30,000 vehicle (ground, wheeled) for general purpose, to-work-and-back highway-type vehicle. The player must arrive at work within five minutes (work is five minutes away). That works out to 60 mph (no stops) constant.
    If two players take the challenge, they design one vehicle each. One must be able to carry a minimum cargo of 500 lbs., 4 spaces, and may cost no more than $20,000. The other vehicle is an escort; it may cost no more than $20,000. The vehicles are making a delivery to town, and the encounter happens on route. The players must remember to keep their speed at or above 60 mph for five minutes in order to get to town on time (no stops).
    The encounter happens along a straight stretch of highway, infinite in length for game purposes (until it hits town). The players may set any speed within reason, but must be doing at least 60. For each new straight road section generated, roll 1d6. On a 1, it is debris littered, otherwise it is clear.
    The player(s) see four vehicles 12" ahead of them, doing 50 mph. Since the player(s) are obligated to be somewhere at a specific time, they must pass the vehicles. The vehicles are arranged as follows: two side-by-side in front, one in the middle, and one in the rear. The front vehicles are a Bullseye Mark II and a Moose 2040. The middle vehicle is a Saturday Night Special. The trailing vehicle is an O-Gunner.
    The player(s) should radio ahead for permission to pass. The call will be answered by commentator Harold Caswell, a TV sportscaster who is on his twentieth clone (a certain BLUD duelist is on his 23rd clone). He replies to the effect that if the player(s) come any closer he'll "blow your kiddie car(s) all over the pavement."
    If the player(s) wimp out and refuse to pass the convoy, they will lose their job(s).
    When the players engage the Caswell convoy, the Saturday Night Special and the Moose 2040 will accelerate away. The Saturday Night Special will fire its rear FTs at any player car within range. The O-Gunner will begin laying down a trail of mines and the Bullseye Mark II will begin to fire at the escort (if playing the two-player version). The O-Gunner and the Bullseye II will accelerate to stay at 4"-8" range until the Bullseye Mark II has only one pair of HRs left. At this point, the O-Gunner will attempt to paint the player(s) windshields (he'll use the oil, flaming oil and ice rounds before this).
    When the Bulleye Mark II runs out of ammo, it will accelerate or decelerate, whichever will get it out of the player(s) fire. The O-Gunner will accelerate and follow the Saturday Night Special. At the same time the Moose 2040 will slow down, bootlegger, and attempt to stop the player(s) vehicle(s) before they can get to the Saturday Night Special, which will begin firing its LL and HRs at the players as soon as they pass the Moose.
    If the player(s) breach the O-Gunner's armor, or destroy 10 points of plastic and 2 points of metal on one side of the Bullseye II, or destroy a tire, the driver of the afflicted vehicle will radio a surrender. The Moose 2040 driver will not surrender until the component armor around him or the ATGs is reduced to half value or loses one tire and another is damaged heavily (5 points left).
    The Caswell convoy is being followed by a rival network's chopper, which will film the duel. Prestige is awarded as if in an arena (see below). If the player(s) win, the chopper will land and award the surviving players $1,000 apiece for killing Caswell. The players must not blab about the payoff, though; it will look bad for BGN to be paying for Caswell's Death.

The prestige is scored as below:

• 1 point -- The player gets either a mobility or firepower kill. The Bullseye II running out of ammo does not count for either; only if the players force the driver to surrender or destroy the turret are points awarded.\

• 2 points -- The player stops the Moose (as above).

• 3 points -- The player kills Caswell.

• Caswell's Convoy Prestige

1 point -- Forcing the cargo vehicle to stop (mobility kill or surrender).
2 points -- Forcing the escort vehicle to stop (mobility kill only).
3 points -- Destroying either vehicle
• Additional Player Prestige

-4 points -- Escort leaves cargo vehicle.

Vehicles

Bullseye Mark II  -- Mid-size, x-hvy. chassis, large PP, hvy. suspension, 4 PR tires, driver, 2 linked HRs and TL in 2-space turret, two 2-space HR magazines (one for each turreted HR) below turret, 6-rocket LGL. Metal/plastic armor: F0/40 (ramplate), R5/10, L5/10, B5/10, T5/10, U0/21 (20 points/101 points). Acceleration 5, Top speed 92.5, Cruise speed 55, DM 1, HC 3; 5,760, $14,990 lbs.

Moose 2040 -- Luxury, x-hvy. chassis, large PP with SuperCons, hvy. suspension, 4 PR tires, driver, 2 linked ATGs (each with APFSDS ammo) front. Plastic armor: F35, R30, L30, B34, T10, U10 (149 points), 10 points plastic CA around driver, 10 points plastic CA protecting both ATGs together. Acceleration 5, Top speed 90, Cruise speed 52.5, DM 1, HC 3; 6,600 lbs., $19,730.

Saturday Night Special -- Streamlined luxury with CA frame, x-hvy. chassis, large PP with SuperCons, hvy. suspension, 4 FP PR tires, driver, 2 passengers, AP HR and pulse LL in 2-space turret, 3-space AP HR magazine below turret, 2 linked FTs back, 4-rocket LGL. Sloped FP plastic armor: F50 (ramplate), R35, L35, B35, T30, U15 (200 points), four 3-point FP plastic AWHs. Acceleration 5, Top speed 97.5, Cruise speed 52.5, DM 1, HC 3; 6,593 lbs., $36,860.

O-Gunner -- Camper, six-wheel x-hvy. chassis, super PP, hvy. suspension, 6 radial solid tires, driver, FPG (with oil ammunition) in 3-space turret, 3 FPG magazines (1 paint, 1 ice, 1 HT flaming oil) below turret, MD (with napalm mines and extra napalm magazine) back. Plastic armor: F35, R35, L35, B35, T28, U12 (180 points). Acceleration 5, Top speed 90, Cruise speed 52.5, DM 1, HC 3; 7,795 lbs., $31,050.

If the convoy had to be somewhere and was threatened from the front, the Moose 2040 would start firing. The Bullseye Mark II would speed ahead, fire when the range is good, and ram. The Saturday Night Special will use its rockets at the best opportunity. The O-Gunner will try to paint the other cars first and follow either the Bulleye Mark II or the Saturday Night Special.
 

This installment will concentrate on slang for dropped weapons.
Slider: the oil-and-ice dropped weapon combo. A sure loss of control for anyone caught on the stuff.
Passing Gas: using dropped gas weapons.
Diuretic: using excessive amounts of dropped solids and/or liquids. See also "Tijuana Terror."
Graffiti: the aftermath of using paint weapons.
Graffiti Artist: a duelist who uses paint weapons.
 
 

"The Heart of Rock n' Roll," "Who Cares" and "Walking on a Thin Line" by Huey Lewis and the News.
 

The war is on, and our Showroom proves it.

Trekker -- Sleeper longnose tractor, x-hvy. chassis, large OV PP with EPCs, 10 solid tires, trucker, passenger in sleeping accommodation, 2 linked VMGs (each with HD ammo) and DWM (with explosive VMG ammo) front, 9 PDGs (3 linked R, 3 linked L, 3 linked T), windjammer, IFE, HDSAs, 2 plastic OVAs, LD radio, VC, CompNav, pop-up partition between trucker and passenger (5 DP; see ADQ 5/1), radar. Towing capacity: 23,800 lbs. Plastic armor: F60 (bumper spikes), R40, L40, B20, T30, U30 (220 points), six 10-point plastic WGs, 10 points of plastic OVA armor for each OVA, 15 points of plastic fifth wheel armor. Top speed 140, Cruise speed 82.5, DM 4, HC 0; 16,200 lbs., $111,325.
    Trekker ECM -- As above, but add radar detector, radar jammer, link (radar detector and radar jammer), no-paint windshields and surge protector. $115,925.

DSA Marienkafer (Ladybug) -- Medium microplane, sport car PP w/PC & SC, microplane propeller with ducted cowling, OR suspension, 3 OR standard cycle tires (2 main, 1 tailwheel), retractable landing gear in wings, small fixed-wing pilot, 2 linked HMGs (each with HD ammo) front, microplane harness hooks, radar, HRSWC, radar altimeter. Cargo/passenger capacity: 1 space, 160 lbs. RPFP plastic armor: F45, R40, L40, B40, T40, U40 (245 points), 10 points of RPFP plastic propeller armor. Acceleration 10, Top speed 310 (340 with landing gear retracted), Cruise speed 185 (200 with landing gear retracted), Stall speed 30, DM 1, HC 3; 4,500 lbs., $58,900.

Fire Demon -- Luxury with CA frame, x-hvy. chassis, large PP w/PC and SC, 4 SB PR tires, driver, VFRP (with AP rockets) front, IRTL front,  2 linked HDFTs (each with blow-through concealment) back, LGL for all VFRP rockets, HRTC. Sloped plastic armor: F55, R50, L50, B55, T10, U11 (231 points), 10 points of CA around driver. Acceleration 5, Top speed 92.5, Cruise speed 55, DM 1, HC 3; 6,595 lbs., $37,757.

Blastfighter XIV -- Amphibious sedan with CA frame, x-hvy. chassis, large PP w/SC, hvy. suspension, 4 solid tires, driver, waterproof BC (with HESH ammo and extra HESH magazine) front, fake OJ back, SWC. Sloped metal/plastic armor: F18/40, R0/40, L0/40, B0/40, T0/30, U0/33 (18 points/223 points), four 10-point plastic WGs. Land acceleration 5, Land top speed 95, Land cruise speed 55, Water acceleration 5, Water top speed 40, Water cruise speed 22.5, DM 1, Land HC 2, Water HC 2; 6,112 lbs., $35,132.
    Blastfighter XIVA -- As above, but replace suspension to OR and replace tires with four OR solids. Remove 2 points of plastic armor top (18 points metal/221 points plastic). 6,114 lbs., $45,293.
 
 

The New Omaha Police Department of 2043 bears little or no resemblence to its predecessor of the late 1990s. Not only have the normal and commonplace changes been incorporated, such as the use of armed and armored patrol cruisers, its command structure is but a skeleton of what was once a highly effective law enforcement agency.
    To complicate matters further, the NOPD has been plagued by scandals, unnecessary budget increases, overspending, and the legal and moral repercussions of overzealous patrol officers.
    The breakdown of the OPD began during the Grain Blight, when nearly thirty-thousand farmers, ranchers, and small town families migrated to New Omaha. They hoped to avoid the early economic effects of the grain-destroying virus. Overtaxed by an increasing population and crime rate, the NOPD purchased additional vehicles and equipment and increased the manpower by nearly 25 percent. When this move failed to control the growing crime in an overpopulated Omaha, Mayor Dick Wilson took drastic measures. He issues orders that criminals would be shot on sight and imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the city.
    Outrage toward the OPD turned into violence within a month, when a police officer accidentally shot and killed a 16-year-old while pursuing a suspected felon on foot. During the ensuing 15-hour North Omaha riot, nine OPD officers were killed, and 37 civilians were gunned down by panicked riot-control officers. Casualties rose on both sides as a result of smaller riots and demonstrations in the weeks that followed.
    It was during New Omaha's first food riot that the OPD lost all control. Outgunned by the looters of Offutt AFB, officers had no choice but to fall back, thus avoid being slaughtered at the hands of fear-driven mobs. In the first 24 hours of rioting, over 200 officers lost their lives in the line of duty.
    In the following weeks, nearly half of OPD officers abandoned their jobs and homes in search of safe havens. Many more used or sold police department equipment to make quick money or break the laws they had sworn to protect.
    Within a month, the OPD had crumbled. With a few officers left, operations began to resemble vigilante hit-and-run tactics.
    It wasn't until after the downtown section of Omaha was retaken by Nebraska National Guard forces that the OPD was resurrected; the Downtown Division served once more as Command Headquarters.
    As the NG pushed outward, three more divisions (North, Northwest, and West) were formed. In the beginning, new divisions could not depend on Headquarters or neighboring divisions for assistance. Each district had problems of its own, especially those located near the drug infested Boneyards.
    It was from this independent-ops format that the modern-day command structure was formed. By late 2026, the crime rate had started to drop, and supply and communication lines had been secured between Headquarters and each division. However, nearly all involved in the day-to-day operations of the individual districts had become used to the relatively autonomous nature of each division. They wished to continue operations as they were, rather than from a single, solid organization.
    Modern-day NOPD districts are allocated annual funds based upon the district's crime rate (the lower the crime rate the higher the annual funding), the amount of citations issued, and the arrest rates for violent crimes and felony offenses. From this funding, the individual Divisions decide what to pay officers, purchase and maintain their own vehicles, and support any community programs deemed beneficial.
    Because of their independence, NOPD divisions are only required to communicate with Headquarters at the end of each duty shift, to update arrest reports or when a fleeing suspect crosses into another Division's territory.
    During the first few years of operating in this manner, the system worked well -- extremely well. Arrests and productivity went up, as all but the Downtown Division adopted incentive pay programs (where officers would be paid extra based on the amount of citations and arrests made during his or her shift). Motivated by extra pay, officers began a citywide crackdown on crime, from actual felonies to traffic and parking violations.
    The NOPD's prosperity lasted but a few short years. Problems began to appear in Headquarters's annual funding policy. Left unchanged, they caused the overfunding of low crime-rate Divisions, and underfunding of those with high crime rates. Thus, new equipment and additional manpower is placed in Divisions where it is not needed.
    The North District, for example, has to resort to providing its officers with light bars and NOPD decals to put on their personal vehicles. Their annual funding, due to the extremely high crime rate, allows for minimum salaries, small incentive-pay programs and maintenance of the officers' personal vehicles. After these expenses, the North Division has no remaining funding with which to purchase new police vehicles.
    In contrast, the West Division, which has the lowest crime rate, receives more annual funding than any other Division, with the exception of Downtown Headquarters. The average income of a West Division patrol officer is nearly $65,000 a year, and the Division routinely purchases new cruisers, pursuit, and interceptor units.
    As if this were not enough, internal and inter-Divisional disputes plague the command chain. Inter-Division firefights are not uncommon, as monthly quotas must be met and patrol officers violate other Divisions' territory. Although these firefights are hardly ever fatal for patrol officers involved, there is nothing more distressing than seeing two police cruisers dueling on a busy street or in an anti-dueling zone.
    Luckily, there are two exceptions to the normal police divisions -- the New Industrial Park and Northwest Divisions. Although the Industrial Park Division is under the command of Headquarters, it is funded by several Industrial Park Businesses. Rather than normal law enforcement duties, the Industrial Park Division specialized solely in anti-industrial espionage investigations.
    The other exception is the Northwest Division, which currently has the second-highest crime rate. The Division is being used by the city government as a test project, where a corporation is contracted to carry out police duties and is paid on a basis similar to that of the officer incentive-pay programs. Emergency Services Incorporated, a local corporation, is conducting the project, and so far has had several successes and several downfalls.
    With the exception of the Industrial Park and Northwest Divisions, patrol officers are normally very tense. The more violations they can slap on a driver or suspect, the more money they make, thus, they'll usually look for even the smallest violations, such as dirt-covered license plates, or broken head- and/or taillights. As a general rule, accept what a NOPD officer has to say -- they are more than willing to haul you in for obstructing justice or insulting an officer of the law.
 
 

Reporter: Mr. Jacques, we really appreciate you giving this interview. It's getting rare these days for famous celebrities to give ad-hoc, one-on-one interviews.

Weasel: You're more than welcome. I must admit that after 2039, I've become a bit camera shy, mostly due to personal and family reasons. I guess it's about time to break out of my shell.

Reporter: What were your early years like? Where did you grow up?

Weasel: My early years? Hmmmm, let's see, where to begin. Ah, yes. My childhood years were in an Air Force town called Bellevue. It was a town of about thirty-five thousand people nestled next to the Omaha metropolitan area. It's a quiet, restrained, and conservative town. Not too much happens there, and many people like it that way. A nice place to settle down and raise a family if you ask me.
    I stayed there up to my eighteenth birthday (2008), after which I joined the Army under a ROTC program. I was a cadet for four years at t he University of Nebraska-Lincoln. My major was in Elementary Education.

Reporter: What this the first time that you saw the Army as a full-time career?

Weasel: Not really; active duty service didn't really strike my fancy. I was more  than content to serve in the National Guard and spend my days as a teacher. After the cutbacks and political uncertainties, not too many people felt secure in a full-time military job. This, of course, was to change very quickly as war clouds loomed over the horizon.

Reporter: When did you get your officer's commission?

Weasel: May 8, 2012. It would have been a happy occasion if it weren't for the rushed ceremony. What was to be a full-day event of parties, bar hopping and awards turned into a two-minute "raise your right hand" affair (complete with armed guards and travel orders). Right after the swearing-in, me and my fellow officers were rushed off to OBC (Officer Basic Course) schools or to the front lines. I went to Fort Irwin for Armor School.

Reporter: What happened after your military schooling?

Weasel: I was assigned to the First Cavalry Division, then shipped off to Europe. I commanded a platoon of M-1C tanks. It wasn't very long until I got a taste of combat. It's something I'll never forget.

Reporter: Are there any events that stick out the most? Perhaps events related to your two Silver Stars?

Weasel: (Thinks for a while and ponders) Yes, quite a bit "sticks out. After the third day of combat, our batallion fell under a chemical attack. It was an eerie experience, seeing all the wildlife die around you while you're safely sealed off from the outside. Unfortunately, many innocent civilians weren't so lucky. One town I went through had its entire population wiped out, all 257 of them.
    Many civilians perished in that war. Some were caught in the middle of the fighting, others by the hands of the KGB units. We were saving their country, only to be destroying it in the process. Quite ironic if I do say so myself.
    I was quite relieved when the satellite defenses did their job (the best investment our country ever made). Many soldiers were ready to give up when everyone started to "push the button" For a short while, fighting ceased along all fronts, but once everyone realized we weren't going to fry, it was business as usual.
    The event that sticks out the most was when our platoon captured a Soviet division commander. Some intellgence officer accidentally blurted out that this was the guy who gassed us early in the war. He was also the dumb schmuck who lobbed nukes at medical centers and refugee camps. According to certain sources, this general decided to go solo after his higher headquarters ordered him to stand down.
    The general protested furiously, claiming his rights under the Geneva Convention. We gave him his wish . . . by putting him in a POW camp with his fellow soldiers! He didn't last very long in there. They found him dead the next morning.

Reporter: When did you get back home?

Weasel: After a two-year stay in Europe, I was sent back stateside. I requested a new duty assignment and was sent to Nebraska as an active duty liason officer for the National Guard.

Reporter: What did you do as a liason officer? Were you involved in the liberation of New Omaha?

Weasel: As a liason officer, I coordinated my time between the Reserve, Guard, and active duty units. If Federal forces were up to something, I made sure the Guard and Reserves knew what was happening. Whenever it was joint training exercises, inspections, courtesy calls, or staff meetings, my job was to make sure that everyone in the area was on the same sheet of music. I was also responsible with coordinating with the civilian population and its militias.

Reporter: How did you job change during the Dark Years?

Weasel: It didn't change very much, in scope, but it got more intense, especially with the civilians. Many townfolk pulled up stakes and headed for the big cities. It was only a matter of time before things got nasty and I sure as hell knew that we didn't have the muscle to control the situation.
    Like a set of dominos, farms went bust, small towns dried up, and the large town got swamped with refugees and squatters. Once the riots broke out, the only thing the military could do was to retreat to higher ground or fortify the perimeter like a safe-house. It was a mess. If I had a second chance, I would have advised my commanders more strongly to save Offutt. The loss of such a facility was a damaging blow to our defenses.

Reporter: You once spoke of a grudge against the town militias. Do you still hate them?

Weasel: Not anymore, especially after the New Omaha government consolidated and cleared up the mess. Before that, the local militias were the cause of many problems. They were one of the main reasons for why we had food riots here! All those turf wars and petty squabbles made it easy for gangs to slip in and out of the area. Heck, many of the militias participated in the riots! Some even took part in the overrunning of Offutt AFB! Traitors! Every stinking one of them! It was a pleasure to see every one of them hanged for such treason!
    I have no personal grudge against common folk forming their own defense units. What gets me worried is when these same units see themselves as above the law. I'm also concerned about the commanders who control them. The last thing we need is rogue, well-armed "militia gangs" controlled by unknown leaders who haven't sworn allegiance to our country. It seems their loyalties are only to themselves, their corporation or their syndicates. If we had federalized them early on, a lot of this wouldn't have happened. They would have known that betraying the government, once federalized, is a CAPITAL OFFENSE!

Reporter: After Offutt AFB and New Omaha was reclaimed by the Army, what did you do next?

Weasel: I was promoted to Captain (about time!) and sent to Lincoln to command the 604th Armored Detachment. It was during that time that I formed the Avengers.

Reporter: The Avengers did have a colorful past and were very active in the AADA. Why did the group break up?

Weasel: The Avengers broke up because we wanted to. The group's effort to stabilize the city was a complete success plus the general public was confident enough to take matters into their own hands. We were no longer needed. The Avenger members went on their own ways, got married, and settled down to semi-normal lives. I wish them all good things (gives a salute to the camera).
    After the Avengers dispersed, I stayed in the Army for a few more years and eventually retired as a Lt. Colonel. I dabbled in a few business ventures like the Nebraska Security Corporation, now known as Mercs Inc., and did a lot of traveling. After getting bored and lonely, I decided to move back to Bellevue so I can be closer to my parents.

Reporter: What do you think of NOVA? Does it meet your standards?

Weasel: Sir, I don't quite follow you. Please be more specific.

Reporter: There has been some talk about the comments you made years back about NOVA. Something to do about "lack of discipline" or "non-professionalism." The Avengers and NOVA did have a cold relationship for a while.

Weasel: If you're talking about the infamous "Psycho Head Butt" scandal, you're barking up the wrong tree, sir. That incident has been blown out of proportion so bad that it makes the NOVA/RCADA rivalry look like a minor tiff! Trust me, things were patched up quickly and quietly. As to the "comments," I have never made any negative comments about NOVA, ever. You can quote me on that.
    As to the "cold relationship" part, that obviously sounds like sour grapes by the local media. When the Avengers became a functioning entity, the media was pushing, prodding, and praying for a fight between us and NOVA. Good for the ratings, I guess. The reporters kept harping about the hatred between the groups and about the supposed death challenges that had been issued. What a bunch of poppycock and balderdash!
    The Avengers and NOVA were close allies, never forget that. Whenever BLUD, ARF, EDSEL, or any other menace reared its ugly head, both groups worked together to stamp out the threat. Sure, we had our differences, and our way of handling problems, but we always knew that both clubs had a right to exist. It's a shame that you reporters never took the time to explore the real story. All you did was fish around for half-truths and question some of the most unreliable sources.
    Say . . . aren't you the bozo who gave airtime to the ARFs in 2038 (the Weasel looks at the reporter with a stern look)? Perhaps you're an ASP agent posing as a reporter. What station do you come from?

Reporter: (Clears his throat) You've obviously mistaken for someone else. Gee, it's getting awfully late. My, how time flies!

Weasel: Now I know you! You're that gadfly reporter from the Playboy Network! (Pulls out his sidearm)

Reporter: Bob (name of cameraman), looks like we overstayed our welcome. Time to "beat feet." Down boy, good boy, stay . . . stay . . . stay boy. Bob, don't make eye contact. (Weasel growls and begins to foam at the mouth) Run for it!

Camera goes black with the sound of gunfire in the background.

Reporter: Thank God for IBA.
 
 

There was an error or two in the Club Championship write-up. Norman was not killed in the sideswipe with Viner, but did spin out of control and went through a gate. Chris French did not die from the mines, though his vehicle was immoblized (his tires were blown out). Trapped behind the mine trail for several seconds, Chris waited for Garrity to "come and get" him, French requested a judgment from the referee as to who should engage who (in other words, who had to cross the mines). Failing to receive the requested judgmnet, French withdrew under protest, but not before being immobilized by the mines as he attempted  to go over them. He had the choice of going over one set of mines instead of two. Chris went over two sets of mines and paid the price. (END OF STORY). "The ref blew it, badly," French later said. "I was a sitting duck. Why didn't Garrity come and get me?" The judge declared Garrity the winner. The finishing positions reflect this.
    This year's Club Championship was one of the most controversial. With rule problems and design screw-ups of all kinds, it took at least a month for everything to get ironed out. I don't want to go through that again if I can help it.
 

This issue we have a mixed bag of new and old. The new includes Sniper and Highway to Hell. The old is The Blues Brothers.

Sniper (1993): Tom Berenger has the title role in this interesting piece about what should be done concerning drug cartels. He is Gunnery Sgt. Tom Beckett, a Marine Corps sniper who lost a partner on his last outing. Billy Zane plays his civilian spotter/partner Richard Miller. The pair are a sniper team assigned to go to Panama and kill a certain drug lord who is attempting to rig the elections taking place there. Once in Panama, Miller misses his first target, a mistake which gets them chased through the jungle by the drug cartel's hired gunmen. Fortunately, they manage to overcome this opposition and kill their targets. This film has some spectacular special effects, which show a bullet from the target's point of view, as well as several long-range rifle shots. There's also an interesting sub-plot on the psychology of killing. Though not Oscar material, this movie is definitely worth seeing. ***

Highway to Hell: Charlie (Chad Lowe) and Rachal (Kristy Swanson) are two young lovers on their way to Vegas to get married (read "eloping"). A hellcop pulls them over and takes Rachal to the Devil. Now Charlie must get her back from Hell. To do so he must fight the hellcops, cyclists and the Devil himself to save Rachal from Hellcity. The movie is weird at times; best you see it all the way through at least once to understand it. If you're into B-movies, this is the one for you. Mad Max goes to Hell and back on the Highway to Hell. **

The Blues Brothers (1980): John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd play Jake and Elwood Blues, a pair of blues musicians who are on "a mission from God." Their mission: save the church orphanage where they grew up, which is to be closed by the Church, by paying the place's taxes. In the process of raising the needed money, they manage to offend the American Nazi Party, the Illinois State Patrol, the Illinois National Guard and the entire Chicago Police Department. The car chases and car crashes in this movie are some of the greatest ever filmed. The chase under the elevated railway in downtown Chicago is particularly interesting, as it shows just what a good combat driver is capable of. Trivia fans should also look for Steven Spielberg playing the part of the Cook County Clerk. ***
 
 

Ever want to swear, but couldn't because you were in mixed company? Well one solution is to substitute car names or terms for cuss words.

Examples: Son of a Buick; For Chrysler sake; I'm going to kick you in the Nash; I'm going to kick the shift right of you!

Next time you want to say something you shouldn't, think of cars instead. You may get strange looks, but at least it's clean. But it's not as much fun . . .
 
 

Ockham's Razor

Q: What's "Ockham's Razor?"

A. The scholarly forerunner of today's "Keep it simple, stupid" principle. William of Ockham, deep thinker of the 1300s, said any philosophical problem should be stated in its most basic terms, and that any scientific theory should be the simplest that fits the facts. His method came to be known as Ockham's razor, because it was supposed shave away the obscure fuzz around the plain truth.
 
 

The end, already. It comes so quick. We will continue to bring news of the different wars as they happen.
    The Nightmessenger will probably go bi-monthly next year. Plans need to be set up before this will be possible. These plans include: two typesetters, page limits, and same contents. If you like some sections over others, then please tell us. What you want will be found in The Nightmessenger.
    Until next issue (which is already started), Drive Offensively!
 

Norman McMullen                    Tim Jacques
NOVA President                        NOVA Vice-President
 

NOVA Works

• Heavy Rocket Launcher, Ultra Rocket Launcher and Rocket Cannon: Norman McMullen
• Hypervelocity Missiles: Chris French, Michael Garrity and John Schuncke

• Free-Fire Artillery Rockets: Michael Garrity

Adventure: T. J. Gates

Duelslang: Michael Garrity and Norman McMullen

Focus: Q

The Showroom

• Trekker: Ian Knights
• Marienkafer: Chris French
• Fire Demon: Michael Garrity
• Blastfighter XIV, Blastfighter XIVA: Norman McMullen

Cube Logs: Michael Garrity and Norman McMullen

What Does It Mean?: Norman McMullen

Other Sections: Norman McMullen

Typesetting and Writer of the Great American Novel: Don Jacques

Editors: Don Jacques, Tim Jacques, and Chris French
 

The Nightmessger is published quarterly by the New Omaha Vehicular Association, 701 South 22 Street #73, Omaha, NE 68102. All material is copyright April 1993 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 situations and characters of the Car Wars background are the exclusive property of Steve Jackson Games, Incorporated, and are used in The Nightmessenger by 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 rate is four dollars per year. Individual issues are one dollar each.
 

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