I've been contemplating making a lousy webstory idea I had into a really amazing plugin. While I have written out a lot of background information, and a basic main-plot, I have begun to realize that I don't have the time to actually make it into reality, at least not by myself. With a little help, I feel I could make it work. Tell me what you think.
The idea is unique, as far as I know, among Pluggins. The plot of the story revolves around a Mystery, that the pilot, a.k.a. "Private Investigator" tries to solve. While their is only one true solution, there are many ways a pilot can fail in thier investigation, and not solve the case, possibly, they could cause another war.
Anyway, here is some info:
The Icoban Enigma
Info:
The year is 2347. The Earth was destroyed in a huge civil war over a century ago. Nothing remains but a small planet, which is inhospitable to all but the most primitive and exotic life forms. Since the Great Civil War, the Human race has spread out through the galaxy, and has split into four major governmental factions, The Octand Council, The Centaurian Kingdom, The Freedom Guild, and The Evangelist Society. These four governments, extremely different in almost all view points, banded together after the civil war, and eliminated all rogues, and otherwise worthless renegades under a mutual pact.
However, thier former congenial relations wore thin over the generations. A state of war is currently present in all but name. The stage was set for the next major event in Human history. And it couldn't have been more unobtrusive an event. A famous band, The Icoban, began protest against the war, and all the Governments in the known Galaxy. At first, the Leaders and citizens paid them no attention. Nothing more than a three-member Rebellion.
Things did not stay that way. The disappearance of the lead singer, Robert Thorton, sparked a monumentous flashpoint. Overnight, the Rebellion gained thousands of followers. All four governments began their own investigations into Thorton's disappearance. Origanally, they believed foul play was involved, and each blammed the other Governments. As time wore on, all Governments had lessened their investigations, now believing that Robert had committed suicide, despite the lack of a body. Today, only five investigators are still involved in the all but closed case, and the Rebellion has long since died away.
But new evidence about Robert Thorton's strange disappearance has surfaced. Information that could possibly lead to yet another devestating Civil War.
Intro:
The galaxy has been divided by one huge civil war which destroyed the planet Earth with nuclear warfare and biological weapons. The Human race, now spread about the stars in the year 2347, lives on, although devasted by the destruction in the first space-age civil war. The galaxy, largely unexplored is now home to four seperate Human governments. These governments are currently involved in a four way struggle, with no major victories forseable in the near future.
Over the decades, more citizens have become fed up with the quality of life because of the selfish government leaders' decisions. Many new governments were created by the citizens, but all were quickly squashed in the battle for control of the galaxy.
Recently, Robert Thorton and his fellow bandmates of the Iconban started a rebellion. The disconntent citizens, weary of the other governments retribution, looked on the rebellion with idle curiosity. The government leaders paid them no attention at all.
When Thorton disappeared, Thousands of citizens began protesting. The four governments, overwhelmed by the cries for peace, began to look into Robert Thorton's apparent disappearance on thier own. David Johnson and Chris Walker, Thorton's co workers, hired you to investigate what happened to their beloved lead singer.
Today, the investigation has mostly ended, with the governments suspecting suicide, and the Rebellion now no more than a few hundred strong. You are one of the last few investigators remaining on the case, the others being four inexperienced detectives from thier relative governments.
Reports have been coming in, suggesting that one of the rookie dectectives discovered something about Thorton. A piece of information which is said to have the ability to start another devastating war.
It is up to you to find out what happenned to Robert Thorton and solve this case in the hopes of averting another cataclysmic civil war.
Good luck, Detective!
History:
For Years, all Humans lived in peace and prosperity. After the third World War, Humans had discovered thier own destructive nature, and had banded together under one government, the United Council. The councilors were reselected annually in an honest election. Under the council, Humans developed space flight and high levels of technology. However, a few were unhappy with the system. George Asmandt, a former councilor, became infuriated when he wasn't re-elected for his fourth and final term as a councilor. Asmandt and a few other disgruntled representives of the council began the Freelance Rouge Society. An almost anarchist group, they quickly recruited a large following of members, mostly politicians and those interested in politics. The United council was left with few who really understood the inner workings of a government. The hapless citizens, used to having the councilors and thier representitives control all important matters, were left without leaders. Over time, corrupted officials found there way into councilorship, and the citizens began organized revolts. It was time for the Freelance Rouges to make thier move. The now elderly George Amansdt lead a movement in which the rogues started peacefully protesting corruption, and asked for resignation of the current councilors, not to mention a return to the former peaceful state. The United council responded by masacaring the protesters. The death toll was in the thousands.
With that, The Rouges left Earth, finally fed up with Earth's destructive ways. They fled to Centauri on their fairly new and powerful craft. Under the leadership of Amansdt, the Rouges began thier own government, The Centuarian Union. Once under complete control, Amansdt became a dictator. The citizens were surprised by this brutal and unpredictable turn of events, but could do little about it. They had foolishly followed Amansdt, and now they had to pay the price. However, when the Union was attacked by elements of the council, a group of citizens saw the perfect opening to escape. During the hectic battle ten large cruiser's, with former Union denizens aboard, fled. The captain of the lead cruiser said she was guided by a mystic diety in her dreams; Shen, the goddess of nature and welfare of all living creatures. No one saw the ten cruisers, or thier crewers, who would eventually become the Evangelist Society, again until after the end of the war.
After beating back the Council, Amansdt declared himself king of his new domain, and began a bloody conquest. The newly re-named Centuarian Kingdom quickly began high level research, and soon discarded the old cruisers, in favor of more powerful ships. With their new advantages, the Kingdom had the upperhand in the unfolding war. They took their mighty weapons to the Council's home system and simply wreaked havoc in the year 2225. They released countless biological weapons and nuclear devices, which basically destroyed Earth's surface. The council was in shambles. Their government all but destroyed, the three remaining Councilors organized a peace treaty with the Centuarians. Under the treaty, the council had to weaken thier own power, and allow the Centurians to keep monitoring systems on them. Thus the United council became known as the Octand Council. The final part of the treaty allowed an anarchist society, a former part of the council, to become it's own "organized" government. The Freedom Guild, the last of the four major governments had been formed.
In the following years, The three governments, The Centuarian Kingdom, the Octand Council, and the Freedom Guild created a mutual pact for exploration and defense. Many expedition teams never returned, but one brought back information of another Human government, the Evangelist Society. It was quickly discovered that these were the escapees of the Centuarian Union many years ago. They were brought into the pact as well. In a period of ten years, the allies of this pact helped each other wipe out human resistance and other worthless renegades.
Over time, with nothing to keep these great governments unified, they started having trivial conflicts. The Octand council grew in size, and the Centuarians kept bringing up their treaty to keep them from overstepping thier boundaries, and conflicts became more frequent. The governments started openly waring with each other, each desiring more power while citizens protested. Rebellions were quelled, and the future of the galaxy looked grim.
Background:
Icoban - A highly unique band, no one is really sure when the three members actually started playing together. Robert Thorton, David Johnson and Chris Walker have no affiliation with any of the four Human governments and their brand of music is undescribable and extremely popular. None of the four governments paid much attention to them until the rebellion and Thorton's disappearance other than occassional condemnations from the Evangelist Society. To this day, no one can figure out what the word Icoban means.
Centuarian Kingdom - Formed by George Amansdt generations ago, the Centuarian Kingdom is now the most powerful government in existence. While some believe it is corrupt, many people have come to accept the controlling methods of the government. The Kingdom is now run by one of Amansdt's descendants, and the Centuarians place a high emphasis on technology.
Octand Council : At one point the greatest power in the known universe, the Octand council is once again building it's power. During the last war, they were horribly beaten by the Centuarians after corrupt officials came to power. The council is controlled by eight elected people, choosen on an anual basis. While they have started to reconstruct after thier embaracing defeat in the civil war, their power is still nothing compared to the Centuarians.
Freedom Guild - Formerly a part of the council, these discontent citizens were allowed to create thier own government under the treaty that ended the first civil war. While extremely weak when compared to the other governments, anything seems to go with these people. They really don't have much of a leader, although they will ocassionally follow the commands of their Navy's upper echlons. Despite what the other three governments believe, their society functions fine how it is, and they don't need any help in setting up a more controlling central goverment.
Evangelist Society - Ruled by the higher female clergy, the Evangelist's worship the diety Shen, Goddess of Nature. After Amansdt's betrayl, these brave citizens escaped from the Centuarian Union and formed a new government following the teachings of Shen. While they believe they recieve mystic powers from Shen, most of the galaxy sees them as a cult, practicing unholy witch-craft. Their ships resemble living organisms more than actual fighting machines, and they view men as the weaker gender. After the civil war, the Evangelists were rediscovered and now are considered a major government. They have a strong dislike of the Icoban, seeing them as heretics.
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That's basically what I have in other information. The plot centers around Thorton, with the other band mates becoming involved, not to mention Thorton's wife, Melissa. It all spirals to a big surprise ending, and an overall finale that will completely confuse the player. 
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When did I go Insane?
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(This message has been edited by Igor Rigadaz (edited 10-07-2001).)
