Rules & Suggestions

[Fel]

ICFS Rules & Suggestions

Basic How It Works:

I wrote the first chapter, you write the following ones. At a rate of one per week. I would like you to write about 500 words (this is roughly one page in a word processor) for each entry. That is a guideline; but if it's too long I will cut it. Other people need a turn too.

Here's the twist: If you write that they begin a jailbreak attempt, that ends your section (you can explain the plan, but I will write the execution of the plan). Then, I will consider the setup for the jailbreak, the plan, the troops' luck and bravery, and I will write the section containing the outcome. After that, it becomes open to write about, unless our intrepid heroes got away.

If Alex and Thomas get away, the story ends. The story might also end if they are in a situation they can't get out of, such as a high security prison, transferred deep inside Rebel territory, or if they are killed.

Medals will be awarded at the end, based on how many times your story was selected as the section to use... :-)

1) Realism
This story is meant to be realistic. That means no superweapons, no jedi, no force, no magic, no "and then suddenly all the rebels got sick and died", and nobody takes a blaster and kills four hundred enemies within an hour (despite what Jedi Outcast may have taught you).

You have to pretend to be Trooper Motirr. Ask yourself what he (and Alex) would do in the situation. Also, the focus must stay on these two. So that means if they didn't see it, they do not know about it and it's not in the story.

2) Characters
Please try to stick to the characters in the story. You are welcome to add characters if you need (like a prison guard, or maybe the camp commandant), but once characters are added by people, you should stick to them as much as possible. Add only when absolutely necessary.

DO NOT write yourself into the story. It's okay to mention people, but it has to make sense. If you mention that "General Jansen gave the order" - that makes sense, he's someone everybody in the army would know. But if you are an ensign in the Navy, these troops are not going to know you.

3) Characters II

Thomas and Alex are Imperial Stormtroopers and they have received training and follow the Empire's laws and rules as much as possible. You also have a bit of an idea about their training and job history, so you understand what it's like for them.

Remember, they are not superheroes. They have problems and they're not good at everything. They are also not geniuses of engineering - they are basic infantry soldiers.

4) Patience

The plot needs to move at a nice pace. They aren't going to achieve all their objectives and get home all in the first two chapters. It will take some time to accomplish their goals, as always. Take your time.

5) The Enemy

The Rebels are the enemy, but there are a lot more of them at the prison camp than Imperial prisoners. Also, the guards have weapons and our troops don't. A firefight is not a good idea...

The camp commandant is not a nice guy, but so far he has treated the prisoners well. Whether or not this will continue...

6) Rescue

No rescue is coming for the troops (yet). The forces of the Empire do not know where they are, and so they cannot make a rescue attempt without some way of figuring it out. Simply waiting for the Imperials to invade the planet and free the prisoners is not a good strategy.

7) Fellow Prisoners
Their fellow prisoners are people they do not know. Though some of them were probably captured from the Empire, some may be from rogue factions, or pirates, or any number of other groups. Some may even be imprisoned rebels, or rebel spies posing as prisoners. Who to trust is a difficult question...

8) Spelling and Grammar
Proper spelling and grammar are not optional.

Finally, some suggestions to put you on the right track...

- They will need to find weak points in the security if they are to get out
- They might try to signal a rescue, or to escape on their own
- They will be taken for questioning at random by the Rebels
- It will take time to learn the routine and schedule of the prison, and this is important to know
- The Rebels will search the prisoners' cells from time to time, so it's not a safe place to store things
- Gathering good information is the best way to formulate a good plan
- They can't trust the other prisoners - they might or might not be spies or informants
- If they fail in an attempt to escape, then they will be placed under harsher restrictions than before, making future attempts more difficult.
- If they make too many attempts without success, they may not be able to escape at all because the Commandant will have them transferred to a higher security facility, or perhaps executed!
- However, do not make them wait too long, otherwise they may be transferred farther away from the Empire's territory, making escape and rescue almost impossible
- Remember that a good plan and thinking ahead are much more important than bravery and a blaster, and much more likely to succeed
- Failure is a great learning experience for the troops, so they will certainly learn something even if a plan fails.