Gorilla Uprising

for GURPS

by Eric Funk

At the edge of an alien interstellar empire (or on an alternate earth), there exists an insignificant mining colony, where mankind has been forced into slavery. The reptilian alien masters have forged a mostly benign society based on their culture, trying to take good care of the serfs. While it is true that the Cik'mar (pronounced si'kem-ar) officially consider the humans second-class citizens, there are some Cik'mar who have grown up on this planet, and consider the "gorillas" to have potential. The alien religion is creationist, believing all life was created and has a purpose. Part of their cultural upbringing is that until a being is deemed ready of making its own choices, it must be protected. This currently includes humanity, but that may change. There are humans who cannot abide others having control of their fate and mean to shake the foundations of this peaceful civilization, to rebuild it with the humans as equals (or higher).

Briefing

Contact: Alien Race - Cik'mar
Description: Upright Biped Reptilian

Planetary data and message recorder contents follow.

Planet Cylene

Atmosphere: Dry, warm
Gravity: 1.1 G
Water Coverage: 50%, mostly found in polar oceans
Diameter: 6,000 miles
Length of "day": 29 standard hours
Length of Year: 408 local days, 280 standard days
Most facilities are in arid "subtropical" zones - there is little exploitation of other latitudes.

[Rustling, static]

I am recording this in the hope that this recorder will eventually reach . . .

This article originally appeared in the second volume of Pyramid. See the current Pyramid website for more information.




Article publication date: August 26, 2005


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