Mission Title: The Binds that Tie Us
Synopsis: The Discovery encounters an alien vessel in deep space, and attempts to approach and communicate with them according to First Contact procedures. It turns out that this is a race of cowardly aliens called the Dupoxi, who mistake the deflector emissions of the Discovery as some kind of weapon. They retaliate with a weapon of their own, a Brain Binder. It is a pacifist weapon which works by 'entangling' the minds of random crew members together. This causes random pairs of crew to experience everything the other person experiences, and to know everything they are thinking. This is initially confusing, and then embarrassing. The weapon is designed to temporarily sow confusion, allowing the Dupoxi to escape. The crew of the Discovery do not know this condition is temporary, and pursue the Dupoxi to obtain a cure for the effect. Eventually, they disable the Dupoxi vessel, learn the truth about the weapon, and salvage the First Contact attempt.
Starting Point: The Discovery encounters an alien vessel in deep space, and attempts to approach and communicate with them according to First Contact procedures.
End Goal: The Discovery learns the Brain Binder's effects are temporary after disabling the Dupoxi vessel. They then complete their First Contact and smooth over misunderstandings.
Story points that must be passed?:
I) The Discovery encounters an alien vessel in deep space, and attempts to approach and communicate with them according to First Contact procedures.
II) The Dupoxi mistake the Deflector emissions from the Discovery as a weapon, and retaliate with their own weapon: A Brain Binder. It is a pacifist weapon which works by 'entangling' the minds of random crew members together. This causes random pairs of crew to experience everything the other person experiences, and to know everything they are thinking.
III) The Dupoxi flee as the crew of the Discovery reel in confusion and embarrassment at the effects of the Brain Binder, which renders their every innermost thought bare for their randomly selected 'partner' to receive.
IV) Recovering from their shock, the Discovery pursues the Dupoxi vessel, hoping to disable them and obtain a cure for the effect of the Brain Binder weapon.
V) Once the Dupoxi are defeated in a brief combat, the Dupoxi explain that the Brain Binder effect is temporary, and they were only protecting themselves from attack.
VI) The Discovery explains that they did not attack the Dupoxi. The Deflector Dish is a purely defensive device used to avoid space debris. This misunderstanding is smoothed over by the Captain and senior staff, and First Contact is accomplished as the Brain Binder's effects gradually wear off and life on the Discovery returns to normal.
Departments: (To make sure everyone has something to do.)
- Flight: Flight Control will pilot the ship during a brief pursuit and combat with the Dupoxi. Most of the mission involves the drama and humor of being mentally bound to another random individual.
- Engineering: Engineering may need to maximize the warp drive output to catch the fleeing Dupoxi vessel. Most of the mission involves the drama and humor of being mentally bound to another random individual.
- Operations: Operations will be involved in power transfers to help the Discovery catch the fleeing Dupoxi vessel, coordinating with Engineering. Most of the mission involves the drama and humor of being mentally bound to another random individual.
- Security and tactical: The tactical officer will be operating the weapons during the brief combat with the fleeing Dupoxi. Most of the mission involves the drama and humor of being mentally bound to another random individual.
- Medical: Medical personnel may be able to medically explain the bizarre occurrance which has befallen the crew. But they should not know that it will wear off, or else the Dupoxi may not be chased and the mission resolution may not be achieved. Most of the mission involves the drama and humor of being mentally bound to another random individual.
- Science: Science may work with medical personnel to explain the bizarre occurrance which has befallen the crew. But they should not know that it will wear off, or else the Dupoxi may not be chased and the mission resolution may not be achieved. Most of the mission involves the drama and humor of being mentally bound to another random individual.
NOTE: This mission is primarily designed for character interaction, drama, and humor. It is built as a very short mission, possibly a palette cleanser between longer and more serious scenarios. Anyone who feels uncomfortable with the idea of sharing their innermost thoughts with another PC should simply invent an NPC crew member and unfold the drama with this non-player person. However, I think it would be more fun for pairs of PC crew members to share their brains, as this will enhance character development.