Death From Above

A Mini-Scenario for Boats, Hovers, Copters and Microplanes

By Robert Eikel
HTMLized by Gustav Dahlström.


Banana Computers has had great success with their new Maxintosh line. The computers are a quantum leap both in power and in usability. Ol' International Computing Machines wasn't too happy about that.

When ICM learned that Banana was preparing a Maxintosh II, they resolved to stop the powerful new computer no matter what it took. Once they found out that Banana would be covertly transporting the plans and equipment for the new computer to their top secret R&D facility on the Hawaiian island of Molokai, they decided to try a little industrial espoinage.

Set-up

Use the basic open water map. Vehicles may leave the map and return to it at anytime. With the turning key, a map isn't necessary - players can use the key to measure distances as they move around the tabletop!

The Banana player gets $50,000 to purchase up to five boats or hovers. One vehicle must have room to carry the computer equipment (1 space, 50 lbs.). The Banana forces did not anticipate an air attack, and so cannot purchase more air-defense equipment than a convoy would normally carry. (It helps to have an impartial referee to decide just what is allowed.)

The ICM player gets $35,000 to purchase not more than two helicopters or microplanes.

New Equipment

Air-dropped torpedo: Similar in all respects to normal torpedoes, except it costs $300 more and cannot be wir~ guided. It is usable only by helicopters and microplanes. It is mounted like a bomb and can only be fired into the forward firing arc by a chopper or plane less than 2" above the surface. The torpedo may be placed on a bomb rack.

Victory Conditions

The ICM player wins by destroying the Banana vehicle carrying the computer (they don't know if they succeeded until all members of one side are dead, however).

Variants

Retaliation: Banana learned of ICM's ploy and defended against it. The Banana player may purchase whatever anti-air equipment he wants. To compensate, the 1CM player gets $40,000 and may purchase up to three vehicles.

Counterstrike: ICM's cover is blown. The Banana player may, in addition to his boats, purchase one aerial vehicle, configured for air-to-air action. The ICM player does not know that he faces air attack, and cannot purchase any equipment specifically designed for air-to-air combat.

Double Counterstrike: ICM found out about the counterstrike and prepared for it. The ICM player may purchase any air-to-air weapons he wants. (This can be messy, a referee is recommended.)