Is this a fair gambit, or a rotten trick?

[Age of Toast]

My only point, Pericles, was that if the Fesarius *wanted* a back door, he could build one in. If he's prepared to give up his captain, then by all means...

(Heck, you could even let them think the captain was dead for episodes and episodes before bringing her back.)

I, myself, have pulled dirtier tricks on my players— but I never set something up that I'm not prepared to follow through on, or without leaving myself an "out"; because I've learned though experience to NEVER depend on your players to do what you expect.

mmm...Toast.

[Pericles]

Toast, don't get me wrong, I think his idea is a great one and I concur with you to have a back up plan in case the players do something he hasn't planned. I just think the concept of asking if something is a dirty trick is comical from my point of view as dirty tricks are part and parcel of being a GM

[Mitchell]

True, but there are Dirty Tricks, Dirtier Tricks, and "Kill your Gamemaster" tricks.

[Age of Toast]

Can I get an amen...!?!

(an evil, amen. )

and yeah, it is kinda funny, Pericles...

[Lt.Khrys Antos]

If they let or fail to aid the captain then the person replacing the fallen officer may look at the characters in a different light. If I were a newly anointed captain and knew how my predecessor died; I'd keep an eye on the bunch. Just in case, ya never know.

I've used the concept myself with noble/suicidal attempts to save important NPC's lives. The best I've ever had was a PC who risked his ST career to save his wife dying of an unknown disease. Got punished for his actions, but earned some points with me for his actions.

[Balok]

Just to let folks know: this turned out pretty well. Those who advised me against any foreshadowing were right: I thought I was subtle, but three out of four players did the right thing (and the other one tried to interfere in a different way).

That was the last episode I'll run for awhile (we rotate games/GM duties in our group so everyone has a chance to run and to play). But as a result of what the players did, the alien is now interested in them ... so it may reappear in a future episode.

Thanks, all, for the comments and tips!

(I actually ran this awhile ago, but family issues -- chiefly a family member in the hospital -- have made my internet appearances spotty of late. So, apologies for the late update.)