CHAPTER 8: ESCAPE

8.1
FIRING THE ENGINES

HAL does not want to fire the Discovery's engine. One of his directives is to investi- gate evidence of intelligence in the Jupiter system. Another directive is to obey the crew. Unfortunately, those directives are in conflict now. HAL argues calmly, insisting that they stay and investigate the mysteri- ous black spot growing on Jupiter.
The Americans can try to persuade HAL to fire the engine, or they can try to shut off HAL and fire the engine manually. Those two options are explained below. Make sure the players understand both procedures before they decide what to do.

FIRING THE ENGINES MANUALLY

To fire the engines manually, the crew must first shut down HAL. See Hal's Revenge, 3.12, for the ways to disconnect HAL. Dr. Floyd may also use his remote control power-cut-off switch, if it is installed. HAL tries to prevent characters from reaching the circuit breaker room and his logic memory center if he suspects that they are going to disconnect him.
Once HAL is disconnected, the charac- ters must set a timer to fire the engine. Then that must cross to the Leonov. There is a 50% chance that the engine will not fire properly. If it does not fire properly on the low fuel course, the ships plummet into Jupiter's atmosphere, destroying both ships. If the engine does not fire properly on the high fuel orbit, the ships are locked into Europa's orbit.

PERSUADING HAL TO FIRE THE ENGINES

If the crew tries to persuade HAL to fire the engines, keep track of the time with a clock. The crew has only 10 minutes. Make sure the players understand this.
Each time an American presents HAL with a sound reason why he should leave the Jupiter system, there is a 10% chance that HAL agrees to go. If the reason is a lie, HAL will not agree to go. For example, if Walter tells HAL that the Discovery II will come back to get him, HAL won't agree to fire the engine despite a successful roll.

HAL trusts Dr. Chandra more than the other people on board. Any convincing argument from Dr. Chandra has a 25% chance of persuading HAL to fire the engines. However, if Dr. Chandra lies to HAL, his chances are reduced to 10%.
If, after 8 minutes, the crew has not con- vinced HAL to launch, use Bowman Appears, 8.2, below. As soon as HAL is persuaded, Tanya orders the Americans to board the Leonov. HAL fires the engine exactly as planned.

8.2
BOWMAN APPEARS

Do not use this section if HAL was discon- nected ot persuaded to fire the engines.

Suddenly, Dave Bowman appears before HAL, and says, "HAL, let them go; soon it will be time for us to leave them behind."
   HAL says, "I don't understand how you got here, Dave. Where are we going?"
   Dave Bowman answers, "Something wonderful is going to happen. We are going to watch, but they must leave ot they will die. Fire the engines, Hal. I'll be back soon for you."
   As quickly as he appeared, Dave Bow- man vanishes. HAL says, "Ninety sec- onds and counting; I am ready to fire the engine."

8.3
EXODUS

Even when the engines fire properly, there is a 40% chance that the clamp slips off the Discovery, unless the characters aligned the clamp during the hooup (see The Hookup, 7.2). If the clamp slips, the ships separate during the Discovery's burn. On the low fuel course, the ships fall into Jupi- ter's atmosphere and burn up. On the high fuel course, the Leonov follows the correct course at only 1 hex every 2 hours.
If the clamp holds, the ships separate after

the Discovery's burn, as planned. Then the Leonov fires its engines, and travels 1 hex every hour along the dotted line.

DEATH OF A PLANET

Jupiter explodes 2½ days after the monolith disappears or when the Leonov crosses Europa's orbit at hex "B", whichever comes first. A shock wave burning gasses moves 2 hexes each hour out from Jupiter. If the Leonov is not past Ganymede's orbit by the time the shock wave overtakes it, the ship is destroyed.

Jupiter is shrinking rapidly, giving the illusion that it is moving away swiftly. As it shrinks, it grows brighter, turning a brilliant white.
The former giant shrinks to a pinpoint of dazzling white light. Then, in a brief moment, its luminosity doubles, then tri- ples as it explodes silently. Then, a hol- low sphere of white-hot gas begins ex- panding out from the former planet.
It won't be long before the shock wave of burning gas reaches the Leonov. But, the hollow ball of gas is thinning out as it expands. At its center is a shining white star, brighter than any in the sky.

A radio message is transmitted from the Dis- covery just before the shock wave over- takes it. The transmission is aimed at Earth, but can be picked up by the Leonov. If HAL is still functioning, the message is in his voice. If HAL was disconnected, the mes- sage is in Bowman's voice. The message is, "All these worlds are yours - except Europa. Attempt no landings there." The message repeats until the shock wave destroys the Discovery.