Last Contact

When humanity first engaged the prototype Gateway Drive they took their first steps into a wider galaxy, filled with possibility. Little did the fledgling star travellers suspect that, early on in their exploration and colonisation of other star systems, they would discover that they were not alone…

Inspired by both my run through with GURPS using Uglok and revisiting SF themes over the last week or so, I have begun to draft an introductory adventure entitled, 'Last Contact'.


Welcome to Tau Ceti
Only two Gate Jumps from Sol, Tau Ceti is a promising colonial asset, with a very useful garden world suitable for Human habitation. In 2110, with combined funding from the UN Space Exploration Agency and EnTech, the first 100 colonists touched down on the surface and began to hook up the pre-fabricated colony units. A scout vessel was despatched to exploit the second Gateway detected in the system, with orders to survey the neighbourhood and extend humanity's near-space map.

For the last year Tau Ceti's population has thrived, staying mostly on the plains and keeping exploration limited so as to focus upon survival and nursing the first off-world, open air farm. In a few days time the second colony ship is due to arrive with 100 fresh colonists, ready to re-supply the base and pick-up the latest news reports for transport back to Earth.

Excitement and anticipation for the new arrivals is high as the colony prepares to welcome some new blood...

Why Write It?
Partly it's a for-fun write but also it's the birth of a setting that brings together a few cool ideas that have been bubbling around in my head for a while. The adventure can stand as a one-off or, and I hope that this might become a reality, it can provide an introduction to a wider campaign in the setting. I don't foresee a campaign being massively long-running, but you never know.

Campaign?
If the scenario needed to be continued then it offers players the chance to create their own heroes within the setting and set off on a investigation / rescue mission. It would be ideal for a military / special agent style game in which the heroes would rapidly discover the predicament facing humanity in the light of the first story.

All in all, I think the setting will be of interest to any player who is into unravelling the tactical issues of survival, the core theme of the scenarios, alongside exploring a cool storyline.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to write anything hugely innovative, just trying to bring together some cool elements that would make for some exciting, action-packed gaming.

Whether it gets played or not, Last Contact is proving a joy to write.

Game on!