Earth Lore

Conventions used in all adventure scripts: Normal text can safely be told to your players. Bold text is explanatory notes which only the GM / Narrator should see. To read more about the planets, races and tech involved in this adventure, follow the links throughout the script. Names are mostly left open to be described at the GM's discretion.

Introduction

The Crew have just completed their last encounter, and are heading out towards a recently-discovered nebula to chart polaron emissions. Hopefully it will be a smoother mission than the last, time for the crew to pursue other interests. Whatever they be.
However, as they approach the nebula, sensors pick up a Federation shuttlecraft drifting dangerously close to the outer rim of the nebula. The adventure begins here.
[Data's evil brother Lore has lost his emotion chip, and is hell-bent on taking his brother's. He poses as Data on a special mission to gain access to the ship, and plans to take it into the nebula to draw the Enterprise in, so he can meet with the real Data. On the way, Lore is confronted with several problems which could reveal his true identity, before the final encounter with Data aboard the ship].

Approaching the Nebula

The shuttlecraft has lost main power, operating only on reserves. Sensors reveal one life-form aboard... android. Everyone immediately suspects it is Data. The Captain orders a beam-out, and takes the XO and Chief Engineer with him to the transporter room. There, they see Data laid rigid on the deck, unmoving. Initial tricorder scans show he has gone into the equivalent of a coma, to conserve power, but he can be safely re-activated.

Data's Account

Data [Lore] sits and appears to be in perfect working order. His uniform is badly charred, apparently by chemical fire. After a moment's recalibration, he greets the captain and asks if he may hold a briefing as soon as possible. At the briefing, he explains to the Crew that he is working for Starfleet Intelligence on a reconaissance mission, but while approaching the nebula his craft was hit by a concentrated tachyon burst, rendering it useless. A self-diagnostic informs him that 10% of his memory locations are currently inaccessible. He had been drifting for two days. He informs the Captain that as of that moment, he is commandeering the ship to complete his mission. He produces a genuine [falsified] orders padd from Starfleet Command, and asks that the Crew co-operate as far as possible.

Commando

Data leaves for the bridge, while the Crew remain in the briefing room at the Captain's request. He tells them to not cause any problems, or interfere in the android's work. He is clearly angry with Data's manner, but tries to contain it in front of his officers. The Captain assigns the Chief Engineer to work with Data towards restoring his memory, then leaves.
Data is sat at the Conn, and has changed course to a heading leading directly towards the nebula. When the Captain arrives on the bridge, an agitated ex-Conn officer says that they are heading straight into the nebula and will be destroyed if they do not turn around. When queried by the Captain, Data asks for patience. Slowly, the ship nears the edge of the nebula. Everyone expects the ship to implode under the pressures, but suddenly a tunnel comes into view. Sensors show it is barely wide enough for the ship to fit through, and is acting as an anti-beta tachyon dampening field in the nebula.

Into the Nebula

Data informs the crew that he is taking the ship into the nebula, which should be pretty clear by now. The ship enters the tunnel, with the viewscreen illuminated with an array of luminescent phosphodes (?). Slowly it eases through, until after several minutes have passed, it emerges on the other side. Sensors are severely inhibited by the tachyons present, but to the officer's shock, they are suggesting to him that there is a planet inside the nebula with them. A communication begins to come through to the ship, but it is not from the planet... it appears to be from the Enterprise. It is heavily distorted, but seems to say that they should not be entering the nebula, they will be blown to bits very quickly, and as an order they are to leave immediately. A perception check for anyone who particularly observes Data will see him smile slightly [Lore is pleased that the Enterprise is being drawn into the nebula].

Charting the Planet

Sensor scans suggest the population of the planet is limited to a few hundred thousand at most, of unknown race. The Captain appears angry at Data for not explaining his actions, and asks to talk with him in his ready room. Several minutes later, the pair return and the Captain has calmed down. He assigns an Away Team made up of the Crew to beam down with Data to the planet, and help him should he need assisstance in his work [Data told the Captain he must complete his work on the planet, and assured him he would be finished soon. In fact he is merely filling time until the Enterprise decides to enter the nebula after the ship].

On the Planet

The Crew and Data beam down just outside the area of densest population, apparently a large city. Architeture is familiar to European humans as being close to German styles of the medieval period. In the city, Data asks them to mix with the locals and find out anything they can about a local merchant called Bogfor. He leaves towards the docks and arranges to meet them outside the town hall in an hour.
People walking in the street have not heard of Bogfor. But workers or owners in the stalls and shops know he is a trader from far South, who visits twice or so a year to trade his fine wines. They appear intimidated by the mere thought of him. However, one elderly man says they can find him in the merchants guild in the centre of town.
Bogfor is there. He is a fat, sweaty Germanic man, with a red nose and wiry hair. He is pleasant enough to them, offering them a sample of his famous wine. If they accept, it is quite nice, but drugged with a mild narcotic, which will stun humans for around an hour, other races proportionally more or less [Bogfor is also a slave trader]. The Crew will be kept in the guild dungeon overnight, with no chance of escape, before being awaken having been sold to the mine in the North the following morning. Any women in the party will be kept aside for Bogfor's personal pleasure... though resistance will earn her a place alongside her crewmates in the dungeon.

To the Mines, and Associated Torture

The trip to the mines is not especially comfortable. The slaves are cuffed at the wrists, and chained together around the ankles, so progress is slow. Occassionaly a soldier will whip someone to 'encourage' the rest. Resistance is pointless. However, after half an hours journeying, a huge roar shakes the air. The guards panic and most flee before the Crew can ascertain what is happening. Then a giant dragon-like creature storms around the corner. It is huge, around 80 feet long and 30 feet tall, with a vicious-looking tail and unpleasant breath. The slaves try to make a run for it, but only succeed in causing a huge pile-up, with the unfortunate few at the bottom being crushed to death. Luckily, the dragon contents itself with the top few slaves, and the rest can escape, including the Crew (unless they especially want to stay and fight).
The journey back is even worse. The slaves have no sense of Starfleet-like loyalty, and disband immediately, heading off in different directions. The weather worsens, and regular roars in the distance keep the Crew on their toes. A fast-moving stagecoach zooms past them, knocking at least two into the mud. Things could hardly get worse, when they are attacked by a band of robbers and left dazed.

Data's Pleasure

Arriving back in the city, they cannot find Data outside the town hall, and are toothless without their equipment. They should probably head back to Bogfor's guild, if they don't point them that way. Bogfor is shocked to see them, but cannot move his fat self fast enough to escape, partly because Data is stood behind him holding Bogfor's wrists tightly together. A spilt chalice lies on the floor. Bogfor is babbling about the work of the devil or something, but Data seems pleased to see them. He says that he has been waiting for them all night without moving. Bogfor nods vigorously, staring in shock at his wrists.
Data says he has acquired the information he came for, and his mission is almost complete. They can return to the ship. The Crew should be angered by his actions. He is very nonchalant about the situation, and shows no real concern over their apparent injuries. Data moves to tap his combadge, but hits his chest. Looking down, he sees his badge has gone. Spontaneously, his face ignites with fury and he curses the scum who dares to steal from him [this is to give extra time so they can see how 'Data' hesitates to help them later].

Stuck on the Planet

Bogfor is adamant that he sold the communicators and equipment to a passing trader, and does not know how to retrieve them. Data says they will have to wait until another Away Team beams down to check on them. He suggests that they dine at Bogfor's convenience; the look of contempt on Data's face is almost scary.
Bogfor has large holdings at the guild, especially fine wines and food. They can eat well until help arrives. However, Bogfor has managed to cut loose his ropes and makes a break for the door. Data notices and tries to stop him. When he realises he will not make it in time, he diverts to the nearest Crewmember and puts a shard of glass to his/her throat. Bogfor demands that they let him go, or he will kill the Crewman with pleasure. From the look in his eye, that might not be too far from happening. Yet, Data dares him to do just that. He goads him into cutting, calling him a coward. Luckily, Bogfor panicks and flees, just before the next Away Team arrives to beam them up.

Back Onboard

By now the Enterprise is approaching orbit. If there is a Security officer among the Crew, he recieves a personally-flagged message from the Enterprise... from Data [the real Data, who has realised Lore's plan, but cannot risk letting him know this yet]. The message says that in transporter room 3 is a modified phaser which will render Lore immobile long enough for Data to deactivate him. If the Security man on the bridge is not a member of the Crew, the message goes to the highest ranking player on the bridge.
Lore does not seem to have noticed the message. The phaser seems to be functional. It fires a wide-beam polaron burst. Back on the bridge, the Crewman with responsibility for the shot will have anything up to 10 seconds after arriving on the bridge to get off a shot before Lore turns around from the Conn to look. Any delay to the shot will let Lore see the plan.

Bouncing off Beta Tachyons

Whether Lore notices or not, he will eventually be immobilised by the shot [though he is actually unaffected]. The Captain demands an explanation, but the message satisfies him. Data beams over, examines Lore, and picks him up. As he does this, Lore reactivates himself and knocks Data to the floor. Lore presses a quick combination of commands on the Conn, and the ship adjusts course straight towards... the Enterprise.
It is impossible for any Crewmember to get off a sure shot to hit Lore, as Data constantly blocks the way. Several consoles explode under the crashes of each androids weight. The Enterprise hails saying they cannot change course, and to put shields to maximum.

The Outcome

There are several possible outcomes. Firstly, Data will win the fight and return with Lore to the Enterprise, avoiding the collision, and all will be well with the world.
Secondly, Lore will win the fight, and beam both himself and Data to a shuttlecraft, before the two ships collide, massively damaging each other.
Thirdly, and lastly, Data may concede to Lore, and give him his emotion chip if Lore promises to leave the ship. Which he will... won't he?
Or, think of a better outcome. Either way, make sure the Crew have a chance to intervene in the struggle.