AN EVENING AT BASE N'FERRA 

The initiate confirms that 'Unknown Group 4' is indeed mastermind. From
some of the followup questions you learn that mastermind is not
currently searching for Z1. The spirits say that the trouble will be
less if N'Ferra initiates contact with Mastermind rather than waiting
until Mastermind is ready. The spirits can't answer any questions about
Mastermind's plans or future actions. They can only answer questions
about his current actions. 

If possible, Z1 asks a few questions about troop deployment around the
solar system. More specifically he tries to estimate the accurate time
before the invasion into N'Ferra. Also, he asks the type of forces being
built up and how much troops are on this side of the wormhole. 

The spirits say that Mastermind has one base. Four large freighters
regularly shuttle between the Dark Sphere and Mastermind's reality. One
large warship sits close by the base. (You don't remember Mastermind
having any large war/spaceships.) 20 fighters, like the ones which
chased you out of the solar system, are also stationed at the base. Six
are powered down, holding station about 1/2 light second out, with ECM
active. Six are active without ECM at about 1/10 light second. Four are
holding positions next to the base in formation with the warship. Four
more are inside the base. More questions elicit that there are probably
500 robots of various types in the base itself. 

After studying this information, you can draw only one conclusion.
Mastermind doesn't know anybody else is here! That leaves the question
of what it's doing here up in the air, of course, but, for right now, it
doesn't know anyone else uses the Dark Sphere. It could start running
scouting missions any time now, but there's no telling when. It's most
likely waiting for some specific resources to do so (probably water). 

Z1: "If the wormhole could be closed right now, the whole danger could
be averted. It is very unlikely that Mastermind would try again unless
it could know what failed. Making a wormhole eats lots of resources." 

When asked about the best course of action to deal with Mastermind, the
spirits are confused. Technology, Alchemy, and Psionics could all be
useful against Mastermind's forces. 

Z1: "They need to eliminated, all of them. There is no other way.
Catapults, ballistas and such simple siege weapons are of no use. High
explosives, heavy firearms and correct tactics could work." 

"For that you need to talk to the Admiral." 

Z1: "Yes. As you said, I will do that tomorrow." 

At this point Adan will pretty much wait for either Z1 or the officers
to come and get see him during the time that he is doing his work, he's
an outsider and doesn't want to but in where he doesn't belong. 

Z1 turns to address the psionic "Now, do you have any plans for the
evening? I would like to discuss some quite personal things, if you
would not mind." 

During the evening that follows, Z1 asks questions about human emotions
and stuff like that. Also, he asks what she feels towards him, if
anything. He explains that learning at least to understand, if feeling
is not possible, human emotions is very important for him. (Low Empathy
is a drag, yeah.. ;) 

"Well, honestly, my feeling towards you are mixed. I mean, you're a
person, but you're not alive. You're really handsome, but your body
language is . . . unusual. And, frankly, the way you learn scares me a
bit. I've dealt with eidets before, but even they pause and make
occasional mistakes. You're a bit . . . implacable." She shrugs and
smiles, "All that said, I hardly know you. I think I