THE ALBUQUERQUE STARPORT INTRODUCTION

A GAMMA WORLD™ Mini-Module This GAMMA WORLD mini-module is suitable for beginning
and intermediate characters. The Albuquerque Starport has
been designed to provide characters with a short exploratory
By Paul Reiche III adventure, and a permanent base of operations for later adven-
tures. This mini-module is suitable for three to eight charac-
ters, with six being best. If more or fewer characters will be
On a crisp, clear New Mexico morning in the spring of the year playing, the GM will have to alter the encounters to suit the
2261, the great city of Albuquerque died. The sequence of strength of the party.
events which caused the death of five million people began
with the malfunction and failure of a reaction control force- Although the adventure is set in New Mexico, GMs may
field in the world's largest megafission reactor. A chain of change the location to fit their own campaigns.
coincidental failures, which according to all probabilities nev-
er should have happened, did. One by one the safety system's HOW TO USE THIS MODULE: It is very important that the GM
back-up failsafe devices were engaged, and one by one they be familiar with all the information presented in this module
fused, short-circuited, and failed. In one searing moment the before attempting to run it for players. A thorough knowledge
homes, businesses, theaters, parks, and inhabitants of Albu- of the GAMMA WORLD rules is required also. Careful prepara-
querque, New Mexico, vanished in a wave of blinding light and tion will add much to the enjoyment of both the players and the
furious energy. All that remained was a seething pit of flaming, GM.
molten earth 25 kilometers across.
BACKGROUND: This adventure begins in the burning sands
Many miles away at the city's small starport, a few lucky travel- of New Mexico nearly 500 years in our future. The characters
ers saw the thermal flash and watched as the city rose into a are searching the lands northeast of their home, Tempesa, for
boiling cloud of glowing radioactive dust. When Albuquerque's the fabled land of Aksarben. They are tired, hungry, and very
powerful broadcast power stations disintegrated, the starport thirsty. Worse yet, the sun will set shortly, bringing out the
was plunged into darkness. The few remaining broadcast po- desert's many hungry, nocturnal predators on their nightly
wered cars, bereft of energy, ground to a halt. Swiftly the hunt. Suddenly, one of the characters notices glints of light
back-up power plant was engaged but, to the survivors' horror, —the setting sun reflecting from something in the distance. Ea-
the starport's ultra-radar revealed that the radioactive cloud ger to find shelter, food and drink, the characters make their
was moving quickly toward them. With desperate speed they way toward the source of the reflections. After traveling a few
evacuated the starport and shut down the emergency power kilometers, the party crests a tall dune and stands facing a
plant, leaving the station's robots and other devices in power- strange tower protruding nearly 30 meters out of the sand. It
less immobility. Days later, survivors returned to the starport obviously is metallic and is covered with clusters of unknown
for the stores of preserved food and water left there during devices. Its shining surface is totally seamless, except for a
their panicked evacuation. They found that the radioactivity wide band of dark, smoke-colored glass or plastic near the top.
remaining in the area was too great, and the starport was On the far side of the tower is what looks like a way in — a
abandoned permanently. Eventually Albuquerque was rebuilt jagged two-meter wide hole in the glassy material. The side of
dozens of miles away from its old, poisoned location, but as the the tower looks easy to climb, and with night closing in offers
decades passed people forgot about the abandoned starport. much-needed shelter. The adventure begins here, with the
Now, more than 200 years later, the radioactivity is gone and party scaling the side of the tower toward the dark opening.
only a barren desert remains. The ever-shifting sands cover
the starport in a thick shroud many meters deep. Only the top POWER AND LIGHT WITHIN THE STARPORT: Although
of the starport's tall radar tower remains above the surface of there is no power in the starport when the characters first enter
the burning desert in the year 2471. it, the descriptions of most of the encounter areas are given
with the assumption that the power plant (see 11) has been characters may eat here as often as they wish, but each meal
activated. As a result, the GM will have to describe each area as will cost 5-10 domars per person. The restaurant's cash regis-
it would look without power until the characters turn on the ter (located within the maitre d's chest) currently contains 237
power plant. For example, before the power plant is activated, domars. If the characters will not pay for their meals, or other-
the restaurant (2A) is filled with immobile robot waiters, frozen wise cause trouble (including robbing the register), the maitre
at some stage of their normal motions. All viewing screens in d' will summon the security robot from 16.
the starport remain dark until the power comes on.
2B. THE KITCHEN. This room is filled with all manner of
The starport's main lights will not come on until the power cooking apparatus, including a quark-powered cooker, a sele-
plant is activated, but characters will be able to see fairly well in nium stove, and a maxi-boron boiler. Large quantities of
the dark due to illumination from the many everglow lightstrips canned and freeze-dried foods are stored in a small adjoining
located throughout the starport. room. The restaurant's two cooks (also general robotoids) will
not bother anyone in the kitchen unless they are prevented
from performing their duties.

2C. LOUNGES. These two areas are virtually identical. Both

have dozens of comfortable plastic chairs, a display screen
showing departure and arrival times (none are listed current-
ly), and a friendly information robot implanted in the wall. This
helpful machine will gladly answer any questions the charac-
ters ask about the starport (as it was before the accident), but it
is programed for nothing else.
THE STARPORT
2D. GIFT SHOP. This shop contains hundreds of cheap knick-
1. THE ULTRA-RADAR TOWER. As the characters climb knacks such as imitation turquoise jewelry, miniature plastic
through the gap in the wall they will notice that this room is thunderbirds, small drinking glasses, inedible candy, and piles
filled with all manner of advanced electronic gear. Chair con- of flaky dust which once might have been paperback novels.
soles and display screens line the outer wall. In the center of Sitting behind the counter are three cal then (HD: 6; hp:21,17,
the ceiling is a large round screen. Although all the equipment 15; AC: 9; MV: 4/12 flying; AT: bite for 10-60 points of damage)
in the room appears undamaged, the screens are dark and which flew in through the opening in the tower and have been
none of the electronic devices appear to be functioning. Hid- investigating the starport. If outnumbered, the creatures will
den behind two large electronics cabinets are two hissers (HD: not attack unless discovered. Although the cal then have no
18; hp: 63, 57; AC: 3; MV; 12; AT: by weapon type; MU: sonic valuables, a cash register hidden in the counter will be dis-
attack, mass mind or pyrokinesis). One of the hissers is armed covered if characters spend a few minutes searching for it.
with a vibrodagger, the other with a stun whip. Each device has Inside the cash register are 750 domars.
enough energy left for 14 minutes of use. They will wait until
the entire party is in the room before attacking. On the far wall 2E. RESTROOMS. The east room is for males, the west room is
is an open elevator. Until the power plant is activated, however, for females. None of the devices in the rooms are operable, but
it will not move. On either side of the elevator are doorways there is an undamaged 1 m x 2m mirror in the east restroom. It
opening onto staircases. Both lead down 60 meters to the main is made of polished crysteel, and is very sturdy.
concourse (see 2).

When the power plant is activated, all equipment in the room 3. BAGGAGE CLAIM AREA. This large room was used as a
will light up and begin to function. If the characters try to combination waiting room and baggage claim area. Aside
operate the various devices, they will discover that all the from the many chairs and benches, the only other structures in
display screens show the same message regardless of what the chamber are six half-meter high circular platforms. These
they do. The message reads "NO TARGETS IN RANGE... NO disks were used as receivers for the starport's mass transmit-
TARGETS IN RANGE... NO TARGETS IN RANGE." ters. The luggage and other inanimate objects in each shuttle's
hold were transmitted here. The disks will not function even if
2. MAIN CONCOURSE. This huge chamber is the central the power is on. On the westernmost platform are 10 suitcases.
building for the starport. The concourse's walls and high All are locked, but characters will have little trouble breaking
domed ceiling are decorated with colorful Amerindian mosa- them open. Eight of the suitcases are filled with such use less
ics and painted designs. Located evenly around the outside things as ancient ragged clothing and toiletries. In one suit-
wall of the concourse are large windows, but beyond them is case, underneath the deteriorating rags, is an energy cloak
nothing but packed sand. To the east and west of the central modified to operate on hydrogen energy cells with 10 hours of
group of rooms are two wide passages leading to the east and use remaining. Nothing of value has survived in the last suit-
west terminals. To the south are escalators leading down to the case, but if it is forced open it will release a 3-meter-diameter
baggage claim area. In the center is a circular area divided into cloud of Nervium-12 anti-theft gas. Anyone within the cloud
many rooms. Each of these rooms is detailed below. will be stunned for 20 minutes minus their constitution score.

2A. THE RESTAURANT. This establishment once served

many hungry travelers the finest food in the entire solar sys- 4. THE LOADING ZONE. The party passes through the outer
tem. The restaurant is totally automated. Three waiters and the glass doors into an underground tunnel. The tunnel extends to
maitre d' are simple modified general robotoids (HD: 5; hp: 20 both left and right, but about 30 meters out the roof has col-
each; AC: 4; MV: 12; AT: none). All of the tables are carefully lapsed, closing off the passage. In the open section of the
set, but until the starport's power plant is activated, everything tunnel are three passenger vehicles. They are heavily corroded
is covered with a thick layer of dust. If characters peruse the and will not function. The two cars parked at the curb are
restaurant's menu, they will find many archaic and unknown empty. Inside the third car's glove compartment are 350 dom-
types of food; however, Mygnyl Chorts are available. The ars, a state of New Mexico vehicle registration, a flashlight
(normal illumination but infinite life), a radium chronometer stationery. The shelves contain various objects left and forgot-
(will keep perfect time for the next 400 years), and the car gun ten by the starport's travelers. Among the items are three
— a stun ray with seven charges remaining. The car's rear leatherette jackets, two purses, one camera (self-developing,
trunk is slightly open. Inside the trunk is a mutated chuckwalla three photos remain), one pair of binoculars (amplify vision up
(HD:12;hp:43;AC:5;MV:18;AT:bite for 3d6 points of damage to 20 times), and three sets of keys (none are useful). If the
plus intensity 7 poison; MU: reflection, heightened intelli- characters activate the starport paging system, they will hear
gence, and symbiotic attachment). This iguana-sized intelli- their amplified voices booming throughout the starport.
gent reptile will wait until a character approaches the back of
the car before leaping out of the trunk and attacking with 9. EAST TERMINAL. This huge room contains four ticket
symbiotic attachment. After this first attack, the chuckwalla counters, dozens of benches and a central lounge. The east
will use its reflection power until its victim falls under its con- wall is a huge window made of transparent plastic. Nothing
trol. Inside the trunk is the chuckwalla's treasure hoard, con- can be seen beyond it but a wall of sand. One section of the
sisting of one book explaining the mysteries of Cerebrospan- window has collapsed, allowing sand to pour in. If someone
sial Evolution, 16 dice, three pairs of women's stockings, one approaches within 15 meters of the sand, three seps (HD: 17;
football helmet, one rubber monster, and one canister of hp: 60, 40, 30; AC: 5; MV: 10; AT: bite for 9d6, 6d6 and 4d6
breath freshener displaying the message, "IT SMELLS RIGHT points of damage respectively) will emerge from the sand and
WITH PYRIDITE!" attack the nearest character. If the seps' carcasses are cut
open, the characters will find a pair of reflective sunglasses, a
5. WASHROOM. This room contains all the equipment one large sheath knife, a pair of infrared goggles and a mutation
would expect in a 23rd century restroom, including an egg- bomb. Behind each ticket counter is a room containing ticket
shaped sonic fresher and a low-power disinfecting energy machines and thousands of travel brochures. Each ticket
bath. Anyone who enters the fresher, clothed or otherwise, will counter is equipped with robotic travel agents programed only
be scrubbed clean with energetic sound waves. Any electronic to sell tickets. The robots will charge 1,000-10,000 domars per
devices (ray guns, energy cells, etc.) subjected to this cleans- ticket, depending on the distance traveled. Tickets are useless,
ing have a 20% chance of malfunctioning. The low power of course, since there are no starships left in orbit. In the center
energy bath will totally disinfect anyone who stands beneath of the room is a lounge surrounding a holotank televisor. The
its circular mechanisms. If a force field enters the energy bath televisor shows a short documentary on the healthy effects of
it will cause an electromagnetic flux, destroying both the force weak delta radiation. Leading out of the terminal are three
field generator and the energy bath in a shower of crackling corridors labeled "TO SHUTTLE FOUR," "TO SHUTTLE
energy and shooting sparks. This is harmless to living things, FIVE" and "TO SHUTTLE SIX." Corridors four and six have
but will destroy all electronic equipment within three meters. collapsed, but corridor five is in perfect condition. It leads to
the starport's only operational shuttle.

6. JANITOR'S ROOM. The door to this room is locked, but the 10. MANAGEMENT OFFICES. This room was used by the
lock is weak and will snap if given a hard shove. The room is starport's management staff. The room contains four desks,
filled with all kinds of cleaning devices and fluids (none are eight chairs, several filing cabinets, three neurotypers, and a
poisonous). In a corner of the room is a sani-rob(HD:3; hp: 15; computer access console connected to the starport's brain
AC: 4; MV: 8; AT: none). This robot has a humanoid appear- room. All of the paper material in the desks has long since
ance from the waist up, but its lower body is a box-like hover- disintegrated, but the mechanical equipment is in perfect con-
ing machine. When the power plant is activated, the sani-rob dition. Attempts to use the computer console will get little
will repair the broken window at 9 and clean up the sand which result since the brain's memory has been removed (see 17).
has spilled into the room. The robot is preprogramed to do its The adjoining back room is empty.
job, and will not obey verbal commands.
11. THE POWER PLANT. This chamber contains the starport's
7. THE FLINGING FERN. This chamber is the same as 5, broadcast power receiving station and the emergency fission
except that in the room is a mutated houseplant (HD: 20; hp: micropile power plant. The emergency power plant is in per-
70; AC: 6; MV: 6; AT: eight vines can constrict opponents for fect condition. The small (one meter square) micropile is fea-
3d6 points of damage each up to nine meters away; MU: explo- tureless except for a single large red button. If the button is
sive seeds, squeeze vines, mobility, and size increase). Origi- pressed, the micropile will surge to life, supplying power to the
nally this creature was a small potted houseplant which was entire starport. Lights will come on, the escalators will begin to
left here by a frightened tourist during the evacuation of the move, all of the robotic units will energize, and soothing music
starport. When the cloud of radioactive dust swept over the will begin to filter out of hidden speakers. The miniature reac-
area, it caused the plant to mutate. Over the years the plant has tor will operate the starport for two years. The most important
kept the starport pest-free by devouring all intruders. When device activated when the power plant is turned on is the
characters open the door to this room they will be attacked powerful automatic forcebeam projector located on the top of
immediately by the monster's eight constricting vines. Each the ultra-radar tower. Immediately the device will begin clear-
limb will take 10 points of damage before being severed. When ing sand away from the starport and shuttlecraft. Light will
four or more vines have been severed, the mutant plant will pour into the main concourse and terminals, and the six cor-
start flinging explosive seed pods at the party. Each pod may roded shuttlecraft will become visible several hundred meters
be thrown up to 20 meters, exploding on contact for 5d6 points to the north.
of damage in a two-meter radius. The plant has only 10 pods.
If the micropile is damaged in any way, there is a 75% chance
8. PAGING/LOST AND FOUND. This room was used for star- that the device's delicate internal mechanisms will be ruined
port paging, information, and lost and found. The room is forever. The remainder of the time the micropile will melt down
divided in half by a clear plastic wall. The near side of the room into a white-hot puddle of slag and radiate intensity 12 radia-
is filled with the remnants of what were once chairs, tables, and tion in a 20-meter radius. Under no circumstances can the
couches. Through a door in the plastic wall are two desks, a power plant be used to recharge any device.
control console for intercom paging, and several shelves. The
desks are filled with scraps of ancient paper, pencils, and other 12. WEST TERMINAL. This chamber looks exactly like the
East Terminal, but the west wall is intact. There are two sets of THE SHUTTLE
double doors in the west wall that open to the outside of the
starport, but until the power plant is activated they are blocked Note: As with the previous descriptions, the following sections
by a wall of sand. Three long corridors lead out of the terminal. assume that the starport's power plant has been activated. If it
They are labeled "TO SHUTTLE ONE," "TO SHUTTLE TWO" has not, the shuttle will still be deep in sand, as well as dark and
and "TO SHUTTLE THREE." All of the corridors have col- powerless.
lapsed a few meters from their entrances. If the characters
move down corridor three, they will be attacked by two mutant
The length of the corridor between the east terminal and the
scorpions (HD: 15; hp: 48, 43; AC: 2; MC: 24; AT: two pincers
shuttle is 100 meters. Through windows in the side of the
for 2d6 each plus one sting for 1d6 plus intensity 14 poison;
tunnel the characters can see they are approaching a strange
MU: size increase and increased speed).
spaceship. The outside of the ship is badly corroded, but it
appears more or less intact. In the distance the characters can
13. SECURITY. The walls and ceiling of this room are covered see five other shuttle craft in far worse condition. The corridor
with video screens, each displaying a different section of the ends at an open hatchway leading onto DECK 1.
starport. In the center of the room is a security robot (HD: 12;
hp: 72; AC: 2; MV: 120; AT: two paralysis rods, one slug thrower DECK 1. This brightly lit chamber is empty except for a ring of
with 10 clips of large caliber ammunition, 10 sleep grenades thickly padded chairs (acceleration couches) and a hollow
(treat as intensity 15 poison), and 10 tear gas grenades). The plastic jump shaft running from the middle of the floor to the
robot is in the "off" mode, but will be re-energized if its services ceiling. In front of each acceleration couch is a small porthole.
are needed anywhere in the starport (provided the power is The jump shaft is a null-grav tube made to allow passengers to
on). If characters openly carry any kind of weapon, the robot move with ease between the shuttle's decks. The padded walls
will attempt to disarm them, stunning or slaying anyone who are studded with soft handles so passengers may pull them-
tries to interfere. If characters try to remove the robot's weap- selves along.
onry after they have defeated it, they have a 40% chance of
success per weapon.
DECK 2. This round chamber is the same as DECK 1, except
the jump shaft does not continue down. There is instead a
14. STORAGE ROOM. This room is filled floor to ceiling with locked door opening onto a set of stairs leading down to the
boxes and cartons of office supplies, standard tools, emergen- cargo hold. The door will take 20 points of damage before
cy food rations (enough to feed 100 people for a month), and breaking open.
the starport's emergency water supply, a full 20,000 gallon
tank.
THE CARGO HOLD. This large room is filled with ruined
boxes, crates, and other containers. Many of the objects look
15. BRAIN ROOM. This room is the nerve center for all of the
slightly burned. Hiding among the containers are 20 mutant
starport's electronic and robotic mechanisms. The outer door
rats (HD: 1; hp: 4; AC: 7; MV: 6; AT: bite for 1 point of damage;
is locked and will take 30 points of damage before breaking in.
MU: light wave manipulation and electric generation). These
The walls are covered with control panels, switches, knobs,
creatures have remained in this cargo hold for centuries, sur-
and buttons. From here the lights, power, and robots of each
viving on the contents of the containers. They will attack the
area of the starport can be controlled. The main computer also
characters as soon as the party reaches the hold floor. They
is located here, but its memory tapes have been removed. Any
are cowardly creatures, however, and if more than half their
character with computer skills (and replacement tapes) will be
number are slain, they will use light wave manipulation to
able to reprogram this central brain to run all of the robots and
become invisible and flee. About three-fourths of the contain-
other mechanisms however desired.
ers are completely empty. The rest are filled with useless bits of
what once was clothing, building materials, electronic devices,
and food concentrate. The GM may list the contents of several
boxes, cartons and containers which hold valuable, intriguing
or dangerous objects.

COCKTAIL LOUNGE. This room contains a long hardwood

bar, dozens of bottles of alcoholic beverages, several tables,
many chairs, a large video screen, and 10 tri-vid amusement
games.

COMMAND MODULE. This small room contains four acceler-

ation couches and is packed with switches, dials, and readout
screens. The area is illuminated by a myriad of blinking co-
lored lights. All of the equipment has been disengaged from
manual control and is now on an automatic countdown se-
16. ROBOTICS. In this room are spare parts, tools, and repair quence. If the characters watch the readouts carefully, they
mechanisms for all of the starport's robotic units. Among the will see short reports such as "ATM — OK," "PWR — OK," and
racks of tools are two laser torches that can be used as wea- "ENG — OK" flash across the screens. After a few seconds the
pons if turned up to full power. The laser torches have a message "ALL FUNCTIONS GREEN AND GO" will flash on
one-meter range, do 5d6 points of damage, and have enough and then the screens will read "T MINUS 30 SECONDS... T
energy for 10 minutes of use. Also in the room is the body of a MINUS 29 SECONDS... T MINUS 28 SECONDS," and so on.
malfunctioning general robotoid (HD: 5; hp: 20; AC: 4; MV: 12; Characters will be unable to reach the outer hatch of the
AT: bash with arms for 3d10 points of damage). It will come to shuttle (on DECK 1) in less than 30 seconds. At T minus 20
life and attack the nearest character if it is moved or its mecha- seconds the main hatch will close and lock shut. At T minus 15
nisms are disturbed. The deranged robot will attack until seconds the characters will be able to feel vibrations in the
destroyed. deck floor and walls. At T minus 10 seconds a wailing siren will
sound and the shuttle's bright lights will be replaced by a stop the plague from taking over a body is to remove the
flashing red warning signal. At T minus 0 seconds the ship's affected flesh with a sharp object, causing 1 d6 points of dam-
thorium fusion engines will ignite; the shuttle will shake vio- age per affected area. Once the plague has taken over a body,
lently and begin to move upward at an ever-increasing speed. there is no cure. The plague zombie is clothed in a plain
jumpsuit and has no other possessions.
The G-force produced by the acceleration will cause 2d6
points of damage per round to any character not lying down in The Canopus plague is an alien disease brought back to Earth
an acceleration couch. After 10 rounds of acceleration the by long-range scoutships in the early 2300's. It is highly conta-
shuttle begins to coast, the lighting returns to normal, and the gious and causes its victims' flesh to change into a viscous,
ship's internal artificial gravity comes on. If any of the charac- pudding-like material. Once the plague has totally taken over a
ters look out one of the shuttle's portholes they will see the body, the victim becomes a zombie, interested only in seeking
Earth receding far below them. The shuttle continues on its out healthy humans and infecting them with the foul disease.
course for approximately 30 minutes before the warning lights The Canopus Plague never broke out in epidemic proportions
and siren come back on. Looking out of the portholes, the on Earth, but many space stations such as this were complete-
characters see that the shuttle is rapidly approaching a huge ly contaminated. When this station was infected, the survivors
ring-like construction — an ancient space station. Several were lucky enough to escape and leave the plague-zombies
sections of the station appear to be badly damaged, but the behind. The space station has remained functioning, but
characters can see dim light coming out many small windows. plague zombies wander the rooms and halls in an endless
search for uninfected humans.
THE SPACE STATION C. DESTROYED DOCK-POD. During the battle between the
Note: The GM must remember to announce that the shuttle plague zombies and the survivors, a group of zombies tried to
returns to Earth two hours after it arrives (see LEAVING THE reach Earth by boarding one of the shuttles. To prevent their
SPACE STATION). escape, the station commander blew up the shuttle before it
could leave the station. The explosion also tore open the dock-
pod where the shuttle was docked. Pressure-safety doors auto-
A. DOCK-POD. The GM should determine at which of the four
matically sealed off the damaged pod. These doors (and all
operational dock-pods the shuttle arrives. After docking, the
other pressure-safety doors leading to vacuum) will withstand
main hatchway swings open. Immediately, air rushes out of the
up to 200 points of damage before breaking open. If they are
ship and into the space station. Since the station has lost some
opened, all the air in this section will rush out into space
of its atmosphere to slow leaks, it has a lower-than-normal air
through the shattered dock-pod. Pressure-safety doors im-
pressure. (The outrush of air is caused by the equalization of
mediately seal off the area to protect the rest of the station, but
pressure between the station and the shuttle.) This low pres-
anyone still in the matter transmitter area will be sucked out of
sure will cause some discomfort at first, but characters will be
the station to die in the cold, airless void of space. (If the GM
able to breathe with little difficulty.
feels charitable, he may give the players some warning about
the dangers beyond the pressure-safety doors, such as flash-
The dock-pod is sparsely furnished with aging chairs and ing lights, signs on the doors stating "VACUUM," or a noticea-
couches. Faded wall posters tell the splendors of the cloud ble hissing and outrush of air as the door nears its breaking
cities of Jupiter, the intra-ring pleasure ports of Saturn, and
point.)
many other famous vacation spots around the solar system.
The floor of the dock-pod is carpeted with a bright shag rug,
but in some areas the thick pile seems sodden with a dark D. HAROLD JOHNSON'S FAMILY RESTAURANT. This once-
brown, gooey substance. fine restaurant is now a total shambles. Many chairs and tables
have been broken, others were burned. The backroom and
kitchen are totally demolished. Five corpses lie in the rubble.
B. MATTER TRANSMITTER PADS. This large round room has They have not decayed in the station's bacteria-free atmos-
five separate areas, each marked "TO STARSHIP 1," "TO phere, but have become mummified over the years. If the
STARSHIP 2," and so on up to 5. Each of the triangular rooms bodies are searched, characters will find 20 domars, one laser
is totally bare and empty. The floors are transparent and reveal pistol with two charges remaining, and an energy mace with 30
a maze of complex circuitry and wiring. These rooms are giant seconds of energy remaining (enough for three melee rounds
matter transmitters which once transported shuttle passengers of use).
to the large outbound starships located farther out in orbit.
Age and lack of repair have left all the matter transmitter pads E. THE MOON SURVIVAL STORE. Before the plague, this
inoperable. shop specialized in survival gear for travelers going to the
The carpeted floor of the walkway around the transmitter pads moon. Characters can see the ruined remnants of spacesuits,
is coated in a layer of the brown, pudding-like material noticed radios, food concentrates, and other paraphernalia in the
in the dock-pod. All the transporter rooms are empty except shop. Before the party can do a complete investigation, how-
the one marked with a star (*). In this room the party will see ever, a plague zombie (see B) (HD: 8; hp: 34; AC: 9; MV: 9; AT:
what looks like a man standing with his back to the door. The two attacks for 1 d3 points of damage each, plus plague) rushes
figure appears humanoid, but its body quivers and shakes in a out of the back of the room and attacks. If the characters
very inhuman way. It is a plague zombie, a victim of the horrible search the shop after killing the monster they will find one
Canopus plague. (HD: 8; hp: 35; AC: 9; MV: 9; AT: see below.) It inflatable pressurized four-man tent, one pressure suit with
appears to be made of a dark brown, glistening, gelatinous enough air for 24 hours, two walkie-talkies with a maximum
substance. The disgusting creature will attack the party by range of 10 miles, and a lunar mini-rover which is about 1.5
bashing characters with its two misshapen fists. Each attack meters wide by 2.5 meters long and can carry two passengers
does only 1d3 points of damage, but anyone struck will be and their gear at 20 kilometers per hour over almost any ter-
coated with some of the creature's gooey substance. The rain. The mini-rover is solar powered and will run one hour for
brown material will eat away at the victim's flesh, causing 1d10 every two hours of charging in direct sunlight. If characters
points of damage per round. If the damage taken exceeds the check the back room they will find 10 tanks of pressurized
victim's total number of hit points, the victim will become a oxygen. If any of the tanks are seriously damaged, they will
plague zombie and attack the rest of the party. The only way to explode in a five-meter radius for 10d6 points of damage.
F. PHARMACY. In this drugstore are many containers of drugs J. DESTROYED SECTIONS. These two areas were severely
and medicines. Each container holds 3d10 tablets. The labels damaged during the station crew's panicked evacuation and
are either too faded to read or missing entirely. If characters fight against the plague zombies. They are sealed off from the
swallow any of the drugs, roll percentile dice on the following rest of the station by pressure-safety doors, which will with-
chart to determine the effects. stand up to 200 points of damage before breaking open. If the
doors are forced open, all the air in the characters' section will
Roll Drug Effect rush out into space, sweeping the characters along. Pressure-
1-15 Analgesic Kills pain for one to four hours safety doors will immediately seal off the area to prevent de-
16-30 Anti-motion sickness Prevents nausea for eight hours compression in other parts of the station.
31-45 Oxy-tab Provides all oxygen necessary
to survive for four hours. K. RANDOM ENCOUNTER. Each time the characters pass an
46-60 Vita-fed Contains over 100 vitamins,die- area marked K, there is a 40% chance they will encounter 1-3
tary supplements, and other plague zombies. If the characters are not surprised, they have
healthy agents a 50% chance to avoid the zombies if they wish.
61-75 Aller-tab Stops all allergic reactions for
four hours
76-00 Spoiled medicine Poison, intensity 3-18 (roll 3d6)

G. FASHION OF THE FUTURE. This store would be a yexil's

dream come true. It contains meter upon meter of rayon, nyl-
on, dacron, ultron, and other man-made fabrics. Scores of
fashionable outfits are tastefully displayed on mannequins
throughout the store. As characters investigate this store they LEAVING THE SPACE STATION
will be attacked by two former salesgirls who now are plague
zombies (see B) (HD: 8; hp: 40,32; AC: 9; MV: 9; AT: two attacks The shuttle is pre-programed to return to Albuquerque Star-
for 1d3 points of damage each, plus plague). If the characters port two hours after arrival. The characters may learn this by
search the store carefully they will find 300 domars in a con- checking the readout screens in the command module of the
cealed register. shuttle, or by hearing the programed intercom messages in the
space station. These messages begin with "THE SHUTTLE
H. PERSONNEL QUARTERS. These six rooms once housed BOUND FOR ALBUQUERQUE WILL DEPART IN ONE HOUR
the station's permanent personnel. Each room has several AND 30 MINUTES" and are repeated at 10-minute intervals.
beds, closets, chairs, and a washroom. There is a 50% chance Two hours after the shuttle docks it will automatically close its
that each room will contain 1-3 plague zombies (see B). If the main hatchway, ease away from the space station, and head
characters search these rooms, they will find one or two items back to Earth. Any characters left behind on the station are
of interest per room. These may be chosen randomly from the stranded forever.
treasure tables in the GAMMA WORLD rulebook or devised by
the GM to fit the situation. When the shuttle is halfway back to Earth, the readout screens
in the command module begin flashing messages warning of
I. COMMUNICATION BOOTHS. This room has 10 booths, an overheating element in the shuttle's thorium fusion en-
each containing a telephone-like arrangement with an at- gines. At first the messages are short and not very threatening,
tached video screen. Characters may activate the devices by but as the ship approaches the landing pad they rapidly take
entering the booth and closing the door. To determine what on emergency proportions. Just as the shuttle touches down
happens, roll percentile dice on the following chart. and connects to the access corridor a whooping emergency
siren begins to wail and the ship's lights start flashing orange.
At this point the screens in the command module read
Roll Effect "MELTDOWN IN SECTION 6 — EXPLOSION IMMINENT —
EVACUATE SHUTTLE IMMEDIATELY." Assuming the char-
1-20 Nothing happens acters waste no time leaving the shuttle, as soon as they reach
21-40 A woman's face appears and asks the character to de- the end of the tunnel leading to the east concourse the corridor
posit 1-100 domars. The image is a recording and will not will telescope inward and seal its outside exit. A tremendous
respond to questioning. If the money is deposited, roll explosion rocks the starport, and the characters see all six
again. If no money is deposited, the image fades. shuttles disappear in a blinding fireball.
41 -50 A humanoid mutant with the head of a giant fly appears
on the screen. The creature says something in a
strange language, gestures wildly, and switches off.
51-60 The communication gear explodes, inflicting 2d6 points CREDITS
of damage on the character inside the booth and burn-
ing his or her clothing. Designed and Written by: Paul Reiche III
61-75 An image of a woman (a programed operator) appears Development: Lawrence Schick
and asks the character to pay 1,000-20,000 domars for Editing: David Cook, Allen Hammack, Roberta Reilly,
the call he has been making over the last century (the Edward G. Sollers, Steve Winter
line was left open). If the character refuses to pay, the Art: Erol Otus, Harry Quinn, Jim Roslof, Stephen D. Sullivan
doors will lock shut and the operator will politely berate Typesetting: Roxanne M. Percey
the character for his or her unwillingness to pay up. The Keyline: Joyce A. Kress, Mary Hendryx, Laura Roslof
doors will take 10 points of damage before break- Photography: Joyce A. Kress, Mary Hendryx
ing open.
76-00 An "out of service" sign appears and the character is © 1981 TSR Hobbies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
given a refund, or the GM can create something to fit GAMMA WORLD is a trademark owned by TSR Hobbies, Inc.
the situation. ISBN 0-935696-78-4 Printed in U.S.A. 6501
The Shuttle The Space Station

Command Module

Cocktail Lounge

Deck One

Deck Two

Cargo Hold

1 square = 1 meter

Spiral Stairs Grav Tube

Door Airlock Sealed Area Vacuum

Hatch
1 square = 6 meters