Here's an important note to all teams:
As Todd noted, Robot Game Update 1 was released on the same day as the challenge, and corrects M15, All Samples, so that the 5 points for M15 are earned if all 7 of the manure samples are completely in the Training and Research Area at the end of the match.
As discussed in the Field Setup instructions, two of the disk-shaped manure samples are setup on the field, in the East and West Manure Sample positions.
Of the other 10 Manure Samples, 5 start in Base, and 5 are taken by the referee to use to show Penalties (see the end of the Mission descriptions, under the title "Penalties".)
Question on Points #1--movement of Manure Samples inside Base
The only difference between practice and a competition match is that the referee will set up the table before a competition match, with 5 Manure Samples somewhere in Base. Rule R10, Handling During the Match, allows the team Technicians to touch and move objects within Base (including the Manure samples), and Rule R12, Storage, allows those objects to be moved to off-Field Storage. So the team may move objects around inside Base (and Storage) however they like. (The rules for Launching and Interrupting still apply, of course.)
Question on Points #2 -- scoring
As Todd noted, the team may earn up to 35 points from M09 for the Manure Samples, and 5 more points from M15 if all seven are in the Training and Research Area. And yes, the points for each mission are added up together to create the final score.
Question on Points #3 -- penalty objects
Correct, the team may not do anything with any of the five penalty items (Manure Samples). The Mission description calls them "permanent/untouchable."
Question on Penalties #1 -- triangle
Correct, the triangle is just a convenient, out-of-the way location for the penalties to be shown. By placing the Manure Sample in the triangle, it is clear to both the team and the referee how many penalties have been assessed.
Question on Penalties #2 -- triangle location
No, the white triangle for penalties is far away from Base. If you look at page 3 of the Field Setup instructions, you can see the directions that we use to describe the field. In addition, there is a green and white compass rose on the mat just above (north of) Base. The long wall that Base touches is the South wall, and the southeast corner is at the opposite end of that long wall from Base, near the setup location for the Seal.
Steve Scherr
Virginia-DC FLL Referee Advisor