Cricket’s MacGuffin

A 5150 Encounter

Are your characters turning into murder hobos? Do they need motivation for an adventure? Need some suspense in your encounters?

Well, my friend, you need a MacGuffin. What is a MacGuffin, you may ask? A MacGuffin is something the characters and their antagonists are extremely interested in for varying reasons. It’s a – let’s let the master tell us what it is:

Turn 0

The Job

The Team

The Opposition (Hired Muscle)

The Law

The Setting

The game takes place in the space port of Phorix 3, represented on a 2-foot x 2-foot board with enough scenery to break up lines of fire. All civilians are Grunts, Rep 3, and are unarmed, well the bartender does have an ice pick. The exception is Cricket, who is Rep 4.

House Rules

It’s getting hard to remember the last time I played a game strictly with the rules as written. Part of the Two Hour Wargames philosophy is to view rules as a toolbox with which to craft an enjoyable game. Most of the house rules I use can be found in other Two Hour Wargames rule sets.

• Movement – Since I’m playing in a crowded space port on a 2-foot x 2-foot table, I reduced movement to 4 inches.
• Weapon ranges – The latest edition of 5150 New Beginnings is oriented for the use of battle boards where range is not an issue. However, in the back are optional rules for playing on a tabletop and weapon ranges are given. Of course, we’re talking effective ranges and not maximum ranges of weapons.
  • Pistols, BA Pistols and Machine Pistols all have a range of 12 inches.
  • Shotguns and Submachine Guns have a range of 18 inches.
  • Rifles, Autoguns, Plasma Rifles and other long guns have a range of 24 inches.
• Fast Movement – Fast Movement is replaced with a 2 inch Dash (yeah, I stole this mechanic from Five Parsecs from Home), which does not require a test to perform. The extra 2 inches of movement is taken in lieu of firing a weapon.
• No PEFs – I won’t use any PEFs in this game. The opponents deploy on the opposite table edge of the Star character’s group.
• Activation – In this game, the Star’s team always activates first.
• Cricket must spend one round of activation delivering the package to Gutik Qornall located in the space port bar.
• Police Officers will not start moving until there is gun fire. They will arrest anyone carrying a weapon.

Turn 1

Starting Positions

Valerie’s crew moves first:

Hired Muscle moves:

Turn 2

Paisely Bliss steps in sight of the Hired Muscle, to avoid an early fire fight, Valerie’s group dash away down a side corridor leaving Paisely Bliss in cover to await the mercenaries.

Paisely was seen by the Hired Muscle; they dash up the main corridor while sending Dirtside Dan and Legs down a side corridor to approach Batista’s group from behind.

Turn 3

The team dashes down the corridor, while Paisely holds the rear.

Dirtside Dan and Legs continue dashing down their corridor.

The mercenaries advance and catch sight of Paisely using a corner as cover. In an exchange of gun fire Karl Zandt is forced to Duck Back, but Snake Simmons brings down Paisely (OOF).

Turn 4

Upon hearing the gun fire, Valerie fights the urge to speed up and has the team cautiously advance.

However, hearing the gun fire, Dirtside Dan and Legs dash forward hoping to complete the encirclement of Batista’s group.

The main group of mercenaries advance cautiously around the corner stepping over Paisely Bliss. Behind them, Karl Zandt recovers from Duck Back.

The shots and screams of civilians running for cover are enough for Officers Smith and Wesson to leave their office and begin investigating.

Turn 5

As Batista’s group catches Dirtside Dan and Legs Johnson flatfooted and in the open. Valerie fires taking Dirtside Dan down (OOF), Legs grabs a hooker to use as a shield and Ducks Back around the corner.

The mercenaries continue their advance down the corridor. Karl Zandt dashes to catch up.

Officers Smith and Wesson step into the corridor and come face to face with the mercenaries. They order them to drop their weapons, but they raise them instead. The gun fire forces MF Jackson and Snake Simmons to Duck Back.

Turn 6

Valerie’s group moves forward to find Legs struggling with the hooker. Valerie takes a careful shot and Legs is hit (OOF) while the hooker Ducks Back down the corridor screaming.

With a maniacal laugh, Sick Cindy fires both submachine guns at the two officers. Smith and Wesson return fire and kill Sick Cindy (OD). Karl Zandt fires at the two officers forcing them to Duck Back behind cover.

MF Jackson and Snake Simmons recover from Duck Back.

Turn 7

Valerie’s group dashes for the entrance of the space port bar.

The remaining mercenaries advance down the corridor.

Officers Smith and Wesson recover from Duck Back. Officer Smith calls for backup which will arrive in turn 10.

Turn 8

Valerie’s team is successful in getting Cricket into the bar.

The mercenaries advance and take down officers Smith (OOF) and Wesson (OOF).

Turn 9

Cricket begins her negoiations with Gutik Qornall while Valerie and her crew watch the doors and windows.

The mercenaries advance searching for Cricket.

Turn 10

Cricket concludes her business with Gutik Qornall and the team prepares to leave the bar.

The mercenaries dash forward attempting to close in on Batista’s team.

The space port intercoms crackle announcing the arrival of the police and for everyone to remain where they are.

Turn 11

Despite the police warning, Valerie takes a deep breath and steps into the corridor. She hated leaving Paisely Bliss behind, but she had to finish the job and get Cricket to safety. The band dashes out of the space port.

The Aftermath

Valerie Batista and her crew were paid a handsome amount for completing the mission.

Paisely Bliss recovered from her wounds and was convicted of discharging a firearm in public and public endangerment. The judge explained to her that if she were a resident of Phorix 3 she would have gotten probation, but being from off world made Paisely a flight risk and she is serving 24 months in jail.

Officers Smith and Wesson both recovered from their wounds, but Officer Wesson left the force.

Dirtside Dan and Legs also recovered from their wounds. Since Legs used a civilian as a human shield, she and Dirtside Dan are serving a 7-year sentence.

Snake Simmons, Karl Zandt, and MF Jackson were arrested for the shooting of the two police officers, and each is serving a sentence of 12 years.

Summary

This was a fun little game. I needed a break from doing Fantasy and wanted to see how some newly painted figures fitted in with other figures in my collection. I hope you enjoyed this post, and any comments are welcome.