The Complete works of "The S.P.A.C.E Man" so far..

riding on the crest of a wave, here is the seris bible plus updates for Episode 1 and 2:

Spyforce Episode 3

Thanks to a idea I have I now present you Spyforce's 3rd battle report as it was intended to be read!

Fantastic!

Just a bit of Fluff to fill in the new models being used for game 2

Casting Controversies for S.P.A.C.E?

It would seem that controversy is never that far away from set of “The S.P.A.C.E Man”. A few weeks ago the show was accused of disrespecting Vietnam war veterans by its hiring and firing policy. Then The production grew was hit with an “illness” that has caused delays in filming. Add to this the suggestion by some that its dealings with NASA may be a bit more than business then it is not good for the educational spyfy show.

Now the show has courted controversy by its new extras. The show has hired two new extras to replace those who walked off the set after Mark Baconmil was promoted, but as this leaked publicity photo shows, they have also have a third extra, a racy glamour model.

The studio is remaining tight lipped as to who this female actress is, and have issued a statement defending their choice.

“Viewing figures suggest that the inclusion of more female characters (l – R) A new Extra, T.I.T.A.N, Franz Atlas, A extra, John Redstone, Wernher von Braun, Matt Juno, an extra
would benefit the show. We take the
Background of all actors in the show into consideration but see no reason why this gir cannot have a part in SPACE”.

Time will tell if the choice was a good one or not. In further contriversy this leaked photo also shows the cast posing with contriverial moon rocket designer Wernher von Braun. Braun is a contriversial figure due to his relationship with Nazi Germany during world war two and his creation of the V2 rocket that brought so much death to England. A source close to the show suggests Braun is set to cameo in a episode of SPACE. This paper wonders what the aging rocket scientist will make of partaking in such a bizare show. At least given their contriversies they will have somthing to talk about.

News from Spyforce

Hi all. Time for a update. Here is Bobs write up for his game with luke. This should have pictures attached so I will try and repost when  I work out if I can paste in the whole thing pics and all

2^nd Episode of 7TV

The Raid

The second episode of SPYFORCE UK saw them involved in a race to recover a down pilot as of a top secret aircraft with those men and women in very dark blue the “Police Riot Squad in Color”. It was very important that the pilot was quickly rescued by the SPYFORCE UK team so that he could be returned to the RAF for debriefing before any other group could get to him. There have been questions over the trustworthiness of the Riot Police Squad as there have been confidential reports of items they have handled turning up in questionable hands.

For the second time running, luck played a major part in this episode with yet again it going against the SPYFORCE UK team. They must be starting to wonder if things will ever go right for them.

The episode also saw outrageous brutality from the “boys in blue”. Whoever is in charge of these thugs needs to be careful as he is in danger of turning what is supposed to be a “family show” into one that can only be shown after the 9 o’clock watershed.

Both teams were reduced in number but there still seemed to be plenty of Riot Police available especially as they are each equipped with body armour and riot shield not counting their heavy truncheons – one wonders if they are bending the rules. The SPYFORCE UK team only had available: -

Major John Erskine MC leader of the SPYFORCE UK group

Corporal Parker

Private Harris - the team’s Dog Handler with the Team’s mascot and specialist sniffer dog  “Wolfgang”

Private Wheeler - the team’s driver with his trusty Landrover.

The episode started well for SPYFORCE UK with them gaining the best initial deployment but them the “Riot Police” brought in a crane and move two large metal containers – one immediately in front of the Landrover and the second immediately behind it. Thus the SPYFORCE UK team were prevented from using their Landrover.

In fact their first moves where limited to getting out of the Landrover and making limited movement to around the container.

Pat of the Riot Police Squad went and searched for the pilot at one of a number of possible locations. The other remained in their large police van.

Although the SPYFORCE UK team were now limited to walking the checked two locations and Major John Erskine MC found the pilot at the second. Although slightly injured the pilot was able to walk with Major Erskine back towards the other members of the team to enable them to assist him to get back to the RAF for debriefing.

It was at this stage that the Riot Police Squad lunched an unprovoked attack using terrible police violence on the SPYFORCE UK team.

 

This co-ordinated violence included driving their police van at one soldier, attacks on “Wolfgang” and on all other members of the team including Major Erskine.

Everything did not go the way of the Riot Police as one was hit by soldiers trying to defend their colleagues and the unit’s mascot.  Wolfgang also defending one of the members of SPYFORCE UK took down one of the police before being beaten unconscious

However, numbers finally took their toll and the out-numbered members of SPYFORCE were stunned and dragged off by the Riot Police with the injured RAF pilot.

Epilogue

The “Police Riot Squad in Color” cast achieved a Sound Victory gaining 100 production points whilst SPYFORCE UK received only 40. However, they did gain another 10 for having spend less on their cast than the “Police Riot Squad in Color” producers.

Unfortunately in the epilogue event the SPYFORCE UK  team lost 10 points when the show’s accountant unsuccessfully gambled part of the payroll.

The “Police Riot Squad in Color” team won a coveted “Benny” award for the second time running. Unfortunately one of their cast walked out on them disgusted with the

outrageous brutality and violence that he had to take part in.

The SPYFORCE UK team had originally been cast with 250 production points using 242 points leaving 8 points for the initial episode.

At the end of the first episode the team had gained 50 points after the S.P.A.C.E. man had gained a Minor Victory. This gave them 58 points from which production costs of 25 had to be deducted leaving 33 for improving the show. The SPYFORCE UK was then increased by a corporal and a private.

Following the second episode there was only enough extra points to raise Major John Erskine defence factor from 4 to 5.

Production Cost for SPYFORCE UK			Cast rating
Initial Production Sprend		250	250
Actual Spend		242
Left		8
Extra production spend available after episode one		50
New spend		58
10% production cost of 250		25
Left		33
Spent - One soldier with rifle	12		12
One corporal with SMG	18	30	18
Left		3	280
Extra production spend available after episode two		40
Left		43
10% production cost of 250 (size of the game)		25
Left		15
Spend - increasing Major Erskine def factor from 4 to 5		10
Left		5

Of Colds and Silence

Greetings

Not posted in a bit due to varios comittments. The second 7TV campain game took place yesterday but unfortunaly I wasn't near it as I had contracted a bad cold and was not in a good way, Plus nobely I didnt wish to pass this to other cast members.

Annoyingly I discovered too late that I was only taking half the amount of cold capsules I could have been. Never mind.

I do have cast news coming up shortly and I will hope to find out the results of the game I missed.

Spyforce UK

Here is Bobs great fluff for his cast "Spyforce UK"

An updated British series based around the concept set out in the Australian TV series of the early 1970’s Spyforce. Spyforce UK follows the exploits of British Military Intelligence operatives around the world were British interests are being threatened.

The series centres on the action and adventures of lead character Major John Erskine MC and his main support character Academic Jill Steward PHD. The two are part of an elite unit of special operatives, the Special Intelligence Unit. Unlike most previous spy and war Spyforce UK deliberately steered away from the notion that the United States are the most important power in the world

Spyforce UK are military espionage action adventure in the format of a weekly, hour-long television mini-film. They are intended to highlight the important role played by British military intelligence forces in achieving victory in many difficult situations were British or Commonwealth issues are threatened so remain exciting and compelling. Despite being based upon a military intelligence setting, character development plays a key role in Spyforce UK  The way the main characters interact and change over time has been carefully scripted.

Unlike many previous spy and war films, particularly American ones, Spyforce Uk does not portray the protagonists as invincible, who always win an easy victory.  Indeed their human failings are made clear, and their plans do not always come to fruition.

The protagonists are members of a secretive special elite unit known as the Special Intelligence Unit, headed by Colonel Cato, who is only responsible directly to the British Prime Minister. Cato's unit which is outside MI5., MI6 and normal military Intelligence is responsible for covert operations, often behind enemy lines, during the 1960’s and 70’s.

As well as having access to all normal military equipment it also has access to material that has been found and developed by the Royal Society of Touchwood. Founded by Queen Victoria the Royal Society of Touchwood is a highly secret group set up to make use of items discovered during alien incursions of the World.

HG Wells had highlight one of these secret incursions in his book “War of the Worlds”. Treated as fiction it was based on fact, although the forces that attacked Britain were not Martians. Although initially limited by the technology and materials available on earth  continue use was made of the items.

During WW2 the technology was used to build world’s first practical electronic digital information processing machine ‘Colossus’ to break the Lorenz cipher machine which was more complex than the Enigma machine. The first Colossus machine arrived at Bletchley in December 1943 and made use of 1,500 thermionic valves (vacuum tubes).

Main characters

Major John Erskine MC is the hero and main protagonist of Spyforce UK. Erskine background is middle class having gone to a junior public school. His parents were both killed during a bombing raid in WW2. His father had owned his own engineering company that had done some work for the Royal Society of Touchwood. Erskine is an excellent soldier, although often prone to disobeying, or bending orders. He had gone to Sandhurst and joined the Middlesex Regiment before going into the SAS. He won his MC in Cyprus during the EOKA troubles. He also has a ruthless streak, but can be cold and calculating at times.

Erskine's main sidekick is Jill Steward. She is an Academic with a PHD in Ancient British and Viking History and undercover operative who is a master of disguise. She was born in Manchester, studied at Oxford and has contacts throughout the academic world. Stewart is a master linguist, fluent in five languages, and is also a firearms expert. She is an active re-enactor of the Viking age and can often be seen wearing clothes appropriate for a young Viking woman.

Steward has a crush on Erskine, and he an attracted admiration for her, but their relationship always remains platonic.

Colonel Cato is the Commanding Officer of the Special Intelligence Unit, and is directly responsible to the British Prime Minister. He is astutely intelligent, a clever strategist, very cunning and calculating, and is willing to do whatever is necessary to achieve his goals. Cato is not beyond bending the rules, and manipulates both Erskine and Steward. He is not seen in the hour-long television mini-film but his influence is always felt.

Mike French is a Technician who accompanies the team on its missions and deals with a wide range of mechanical and electrical equipment. He has some specialist tools provided by the Royal Society of Touchwood including a special screwdriver that uses ultrasonic frequency waves.

The team has a small group of Soldiers who provide covering fire and search capability when required.

SPYFORCE UK is brought to you by Oxmere Production Limited on behalf of 7TV studios and their owner Sidney Barron.

SPYFORCE UK forces are: -

1 x Military Mind Star,

1 x Investigative Academic Co-Star,

1 x Land Rover with 1 SMG-armed Driver,

1 x Rifle-armed Dog-Handler and Dog,

2 x Rifle-armed Soldiers

1 x Unarmed Technician. 

Game one: A SPACE Man's veiw

Okay so having done some fluff for episode one I feel I should also review my take on the action from a gaming perspective.

I think luck played a big part in this game for me, both good and bad. My opponent was Bob with his “Spyforce UK”. I will post Bobs background on Spyforce as soon as this is posted up, But he has a solid force with a strong military leaning, and a vehicle.

In many aspects the game for me lent on me winning the deployment and turn one roll. The aim of the game was obtaining as many of six intelligence markers  as possible. The markers had been distributed by one of our Warhammer Fantasy playing gamers and the side Bob was on had many more directly obtainable counters. Having won the roll I made the sensible option to swap sides and start first. RedStone has the infiltrate ability and a useful disguise kit meant Atlas also shared this. They deployed on Bobs side in cover and stealthy.  

Come turn one I did a very gamesman thing and used a effect and gadget to give Redstone 4*7” movement. Bob nullified one action but with 21” of movement I snatched a token that was right in front of him. Atlas activated off him as a bonus but really just ran for his home edge. My extras swooped in for two more tokens putting the game as a draw at worse.

In Bobs turn he fired at Redstone (actually a slip on both out parts as Redstone was stealthed at the time) but a “astonishing accuracy” card nullified this. His land rover sped forward and his “historical re-enactor” tumbled out to claim a token.

In Turn two I forget who went first but my tech and extras ran for it. Bobs hero and his driver moved in on a objective that sat next  to a tank of unknown goo.  Redstone realising that token was lost ran for the last token that was behind a fence. I viciously played a card to move Bobs Hero and a extra into the goo. This did them no harm but I found out was a lucky move.

Next turn it turned out that the extra was his driver. So while he swam back to the landrover,  Redstone scaled the fence and nabbed token six.

In the end then, it was a win 4-2 to me, but like I said a lot of it was down to luck.  

I admit the above will make more sense with pictures and Bob took some so I will post them as I get them.

In the post event I rolled snake eyes so this resulted in me losing my two solider extras. After replacing them I discovered that I couldn’t arm my tech, but I did give him a “Also Staring” role, which allowed him to wield a rifle. Finally I bout another solider.  This brings the cast for the next game to seven.

In an attempt to be authentic, I have elected to replace the models of the two solders. I am also changing the Tech model to reflect  his upgrade. Therefore I have four new models to paint before the next game that is slated for the 9^th December.

Finally and for fun here is the surviving cast of game one posing in front of a Mercury spacecraft prop.

Episode one

Hi All, Here is my battle report for the first game. Well its the fluff of the battle report. Later this weekend I will try and do the non fluff report.

Episode one Synopsis “Into the breach”

Plot

The nefarious VOSTOK had stolen a C-130 containing parts of a new upper stage booster vital to a Mars Mission. Luckily they were forced down but not before dumping the cargo across the Florida plains. Fortunately SPACE was nearby and raced to the scene.

With Titan unavailable due to “technical issues”, it fell to John and Franz to save the day. Spyforce, a British task force led by Col Cato were attempting to secure the booster, while taking a look for themselves.

A cordon was created and two parts were quickly secured by SPACE. Then John managed to power run from shadow to shadow to rescue a third. Spyforce drove their landrover  into the cordon and a mysterious lady took one of the components. Meanwhile Cato and his driver had crossed a chemical tank to get a second part of the booster but both had slipped in. While they were swing for the edge Franz tried to take aim at the drive but his conscious stopped him from taking the shot. Meanwhile John leapt over a fence in a single bound and secured the final piece. With the parts secure and the US Army drawing in the Spyforce retreated. Victory was SPACE’s and without a shot fired.

Production

The episode was filmed in an abandoned industrial complex. While considered a ratings success the show was marred with several major flaws. A unarmed tech was played by Mark Hamill and was seen in the original cut to grab a component of the booster and run behind a crate. NASA, who thought the episode would run too short, introduced a scene where the tech met a wondering boy and explained the importance of space. The dramatic performance of this piece convinced the show’s writers to expand Hamill’s role as the tech Matt Juno, A blond farm boy who studied hard to get a job in NASA. The increased pay for what was seen by the extras as corny acting resulted in the extras playing the solders to walk off the project. This increased costs for the next episode, Though one additional extra was hired.

Character Update

Matt Juno
DOB: 25/09/1951	Height: 5’7		Weight: 160lb		Gender: Male
Affiliation:  NASA	Rank: Level 3 Tech		From: Concord, California
Bio
Raised on a farm in Concord, Mattew Luke Juno was a normal American kid with a dream, a dream to be a scientist. Despite his humble upbringings he studied hard and never got into trouble, and managed to gain a university scholarship at Yale. As part of his course he was transferred to Whitesands as a contractor to work on T.I.T.A.N, then on to Cape Canaveral to assist Dr Atlas in R.I.S.T. When T.I.T.A.N was transferred into SPACE, it made sense for Juno to be transferred in, given his technical knowledge of both John Redstone and T.I.T.A.N.
Matt Juno		Mark Bacon-mill

Trivia:

The urban myth that the sound of the malfunctioning booster was ripped from Lou Reed’s experimental track “Metal Machine Music Part 2” is a false hood. While the two do sound similar, Lou Reed’s track was randomly generated 3 years after this show aired.

One of the extras who left was a young Laurence Fishburne who later describe the show as “worthless propaganda”