Lasers & Feelings is a fun role playing game that can be run as a one-shot. Here is a short story from the viewpoint of my character, Fidget, an alien explorer. Fidget is based on “baby Yoda”, but is an adult.
Co-captains, they are. Captain’s chair empty. Climb, wiggle – there! “Captain, I am”, I nod. “Exploring, we go!” Slam hand on nearest button on chair’s arm.
Shaky, oh no! Tumble, fall. Ouch! All on floor now.
Wrong button.
I rub the ouch. Cogbucket co-captain picks me up. Am now in Captain’s chair, but not. Small seat, facing backwards, strapped in. Cogbucket co-captain says “safety” and “baby seat”. Cannot… reach… buttons!
Cogbucket co-captain’s metallic arms … one, two… stuck in seat straps. They have been disarmed. Piano co-captain communicates in musical notes. I tap Cogbucket co-captain’s arms to add percussion to the discussion.
Cogbucket co-captain’s arms are taken. Cannot see who. Facing wrong way, I am. Still cannot…reach….buttons! I hear “away team” and “transporter”. Cogbucket co-captain, now rearmed, frees me.
Transporter panel with so many buttons! I climb onto lap of crew member. Gently push button, “Oh. you’ve deleted the coordinates. I’ll have to put them back,” crew member says. I nod and smile. Crew member types numbers. I look at crew member. Slowly reach for same button.
Someone says to put me down. “I can’t do that,” crew member says, “Fidget is technically my captain.” I nod. I smile. Someone makes offer. “If you go into the transporter you can see shiny things.” My attention, you have. Raise my arms. Cogbucket co-captain carries me to transporter.
Glowing stars, I see! I reach for them, but hard to catch. Fun! It stops. Holding Cogbucket’s ear, I am.
I give it back.
Big room with hole in wall. Piano co-captain sees panel full of buttons and plugs in. Quick, light, musical sounds they make. Other co-captains confused. “Excited, Piano is,” I explain. Piano co-captain communicates with Rodney co-captain, back at ship. I reach up, press nearest button. Growly noise, it makes. One more try. Same result.
Reach for glowing stars again as we transport back. Now holding Cogbucket co-captain’s pinky.
I give it back.
Falling apart, Cogbucket is. Walk to Engineering and point at soldering laser. No one gives me. Back to bridge. Cypre co-captain has one. I point and wait. Success!
Helping, I do. Accidentally remove Cogbucket co-captain’s hand. Melted their watch, I have. Puddle of black goo on floor. Bright yellow flashing lights blink on bridge. Distracted, I am.
Lights stop. I tap Cogbucket co-captain’s leg. “Your watch, I destroy. This, you may have.” I hold up soldering laser.
Two co-captains go to other ship to help. One goes to brig, for some reason. Things not going well, I see. I tap Rodney co-captain’s leg. “Exploring, I go?”
Transported to other ship. No stars to catch this time. Co-captains Cogbucket and Piano are on bridge here. One is dancing.“Captain, I am. To lab, I go,” I announce.
Escorted to lab. Listen to lab person explain. Explore machines, and data, and small, green creatures. Report back to co-captain Rodney. “In safety, they are.”