This is another in what appears to be a trend, game source books made mostly of in character fiction. In itself, that is not a bad thing, infact I enjoyed reading it but it is nearly impossible to play-test such a product as its purpose is to provide background and
atmosphere. Staple bound, and glossy paged, most of the art in this 7"x10" booklet is computer generated and of the highest (Babylon 5) 3D quality. In a word, it's visually striking. Unlike a lot of newer products the boarders are small and detailed, allowing for a
relatively large amount of text, none of which is wasted.
My experience with the Trinity line is limited to their "fast play" mini-rules and advertisements but that was enough for me to follow this supplement as a part of that campaign. Subtitled "A Trinity Universe Update", the text takes the form of status reports
sent by 5 task forces sent to re-establish contact with Earth's out of system colonies. Each task force being lead by a recently completed jump-ships using brand new tesser jump engine technology (previously space jumps were accomplished through the efforts of
teleporting beings who have since, mysteriously, disappeared) and including military and medical vessels making the jump piggy backed onto a jump-ship. It has been five years since any communications were exchanged between Earth and the colonies, a preface fashioned as a report cover letter sets the tone of nervous expectations of what might be found, not found and what the future will hold and require of Earth.
Without ruining the read for other gamers, the five colonies re-contacts break down as follows:
1) After receiving a damaged data pod, a response from Earth requesting retransmission has yet to be answered from the task force at the first colony.
2) One colony is actually our embassy on an alien world. The task force included their embassy staff returning from Earth and new ambassadors are to be exchanged. A lot of mysteries about these alien allies (Qin) are only made more mysterious by the visit. Relations are still good but by no means simple nor without reservation.
3) A free "standing" mining station which was under attack by the Chromatics (aliens) is found in good condition and thriving. Intervention by the lost teleporters seems to be the cause though larger forces are hinted at. The report from this colony contains the
supplements only map and it is vague. The station's 87,000 residents are involved in some sort of mining and manufacturing though no specifics are given.
4) The Chinese colony world is under attack by the Trinity campaign's biggest enemies, the Aberrant. Luckily the Aberrants have split among themselves giving the human population a chance. The task force arrival threatens the balance and a great deal of the report debates how the situation should be handled from here. The choices appear equally unappealing, nuke the enemy and many civilians or begin what promises to be a long drawn out and costly war with the Aberrant forces.
5) The last colony was a Brazilian military base and home to contracted labor force that was in rebellion when contact was lost. Two of the ships in the task force's group are Brazilian military and a new military governor is included. Reports are logged with both
points of view, both sides are reasonable but neither expects the other to be reasonable. The reader is left with the feeling that, regardless, this will not end well.
As I said, I really enjoyed reading this booklet and finished it in a single sitting. It appears to be good Trinity background material but there is no actual game data here, it's almost a game universe based novelette. Players of games with Earth maintaining some nationalism, while it explores space, may find this supplement equally inspiring (2300AD, Jovian Chronicles, XXVc). At the price any scifi and/or gaming fan cannot go wrong.
Style: 5 (Excellent!)
Substance: 3 (Average)
Search
