"Listen here! Now maybe Ocean's Ten shouldn't have taken that contract to rob the Weland-Yutani "Life Sciences" Lab on Paramour. But you know what? Maybe Greywater Solutions should've chilled the frak out with all that gorram HE they fired, amirite? At the end of the day, with containment on a bio-weapon ruptured, ain't nobody getting through quarantine before the mothership's next FTL jump. Dead or alive, their interstellar adventuring days are over folks."
--Overheard gossip at Twenty Forward Lounge on Mothership Leviathan
In the wake of this annihilation, how will the two premier mercenary companies of the 'verse recover and rebuild? Will they hold to their traditions, or blaze a new trail? Can they forget this catastrophe, or are they destined to fight to mutual annihilation?
Welcome to...
Space Cowboys for Hire
Discord Server (https://discord.gg/MqHCkmU)
In Space Cowboys for Hire, a single team of players guide the actions of "Ocean's Ten," an interstellar mercenary crew, on a PvE campaign to avoid bankruptcy and potential bioterrorism charges. The crew will find physical and legal refuge on the Mothership Leviathan, humanity's only interstellar ship, as it follows its three year circular route through humanity's interstellar domain. Core gameplay will resemble a mission-oriented Arms Race, like Deniable Assets, but with a strong narrative focus and deliberately less micromanagement. Missions will take place on four heavily terraformed planetary systems, with settings ranging from Firefly-esque frontier worlds to dystopian cities straight out of Altered Carbon.
Basic Game Cycle:
Contact Phase. After being briefed a summary of the current planetary system, players are presented with a list of contacts and what kind of work they're hiring for. Players must now vote on which contacts to pursue. Contacts may ignore the players if they're associating with an opposing contact, forcing the players to pick sides in certain conflicts.
Contract Phase. Interested contacts will now send the players what detailed missions they want done that month/turn and their pay. Players must now write a quick pitch (one paragraph) to the contact to get hired for the missions they want. The voted pitchs are then either accepted or rejected by the contacts, along with appropriate written feedback as to why, or other suggestions.
Hardware Phase. A traditional AR design phase. Represents a fixed budgetary amount being spent to buy, craft, and eventually maintain, a specific quantity and quality of equipment. Rolled on a 2d4 modified by the difficulty of the design.
Specialist Training Phase. A traditional AR design phase, but for skills. Take a single operator and make him into something interesting. Rolled on a 2d4 modified by the difficulty of the design.
Operations Phase. Players now write how they're going to attempt their missions this turn. The voted mission plans are executed. A 2d4 modified by the difficulty of the plan is rolled for its execution. Another 2d4 is rolled for mission difficulty. And a third 2d4 is rolled for improvisation: situations not covered by the written plan, such as traps, ambushes, loss of key equipment/personnel. The GM interprets all of this into a battle report.
After eight months/turns in system, rent is due. If the players can make rent, they spend the next month/turn in FTL, before arriving in the next system. Failure to make rent will result in eviction from the Mothership Leviathan, and effectively Game Over. It should also be noted that casualties are only replaced during the FTL turn.
Setting and Deep Lore:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I can easily innundate you with details of Gaian Catalysts, Post-Einsteinian Physics, and Transhuman Immortalism. But that's not what you want to hear is it? The Exodus Initiative is going to deliver the shivering remnants of humanity to a New World of our own creation. We will give them life, and they will worship us for it. I'm not asking you to become the next Christopher Columbus; I'm asking you to become the next God."
--Exodus Initiative angel investor pitch (circa 2030 CE)
As the 21st Century trudged along, it was increasingly apparent Earth itself was doomed. Its resources squandered and climate increasingly hostile, nations turned on each other with various quasi-wars and terrorists acts. Amidst this chaos, the Exodus Initiative emerged out of Silicon Valley, with technology and funds to terraform and colonize distant planetary systems. Led mainly by Libertarian tech-billionaires, the Initiative launched FTL AI terraformers to a cluster of four planetary systems. With great fanfare, they then departed themselves on one-way FTL colony ships. As a "parting gift," they released all their data to public domain, encouraging any organization with the funds and willpower to join them in the New Worlds. And to varying degrees of success, several did.
"Varying degrees of success" could be best used to describe the overall colonization effort as well. While the terraformers were able to establish earth-like atmospheres, climates, and gravity on the exoplanets, ecological seeding was erratic. Genetically engineered fast growth forests didn't always work, resulting in most worlds becoming savannahs, deserts, or general wastelands. Entire food webs soon mutated in unexpected ways. Similarly, not all colonial voyages went as expected. While most of the well-funded Initiative vessels performed flawlessly, most of the public domain ships had supply, navigational, and other mishaps. Thus, public domain ships commonly landed undersupplied, off-course, and too late to claim good real estate. Initiative founders soon lived in modern comfort on urbanized glitterworlds while the much of the public survived in Wild West frontier worlds. As tensions between the Initiative haves and the public have-nots simmered over the years, the Libertarain Initiative founders financed various "private military companies," essentially mercenaries, to enforce their interests. Over the decades, the chaos was too much and each system begrudingly incorporated themselves in an emerging central government, the Coalition.
But as the Coalition claimed ownership of the worlds they created, well-off Libertarian hardliners fled to the Mothership Leviathan. With the four New Worlds systems lightyears apart, and repeated FTL difficult and costly, the Mothership Leviathan was the only interstellar vessel transiting these system. Spending only eight months in each system followed by a month sequestered in FTL, the Mothership Leviathan becamea a defacto neutral state outside of any particular system's control. As well as being an irreplaceable means of commerce, the Mothership Leviathan has since upgraded from a beast of burden to a true glittercity of its own. The luxurious residence deck has proudly assumed the moniker of New Monaco. With bleeding edge Transhuman Immortalist Medicine (TI Med) facilities onboard the Leviathian, New Monaco residents are effectively immortal assuming their fortunes never run dry.
In recent years, the Coalition security forces, commonly known as CoFor, have mostly reined in and replaced the mercenaries of old. While few local mercenary companies remain, the two Mothership Leviathan mercenary companies continue to thrive due to their unique legal and physical residence. Not to mention they both benefit greatly from an "all-inclusive" rent-controlled contract dating to before the glitterworld upgrades. To the chagrin of the New Monaco residents, members of both companies now get full TI Med service during every FTL month. Needless to say, an operator who can brought back to life every nine months, is a very dangerous soldier indeed.
Space Cowboys for Hire (Turn 0)
*ring* *ring*
"Mrs. Ocean."
"Neil McCauley? Do you know what time it is?!?"
"I'm sorry ma'am, but we need to meet in the briefing room urgently."
"Fine. First thing in the morning, 9 sharp."
"I'm sorry ma'am, but that won't do. Sam Goldman is already here too."
"Gorramit, I'm on my way. This better be really good, or really bad Neil."
***
It's just after 4am as you enter the room in a bit of a huff. Neil grimaces awkwardly and is about to say something before Sam cuts him off. "Now I'd like to remind everyone that as legal counsel to Ocean PMC, everything discussed in this meeting is protected by attorney-client privilege..."
Neil interjects, "Ma'am, I'm sorry, but your husband is dead. He insisted on a HALO insert to try and rescue our guys. I tried to stop him, but CoFor now has the whole planet locked down."
Before you're even able to ask what a 'HALO insert' is, Sam continues, "Upon review of the articles of incorporation, all ownership and control of Ocean LLC reverts to you. I know you've prefered to be a silent partner in this business, but we're going to need some quick executive decisions from you right now. Do you understand Mrs. Ocean?"
"Sam, don't you think you're being a bit too hard on her?"
"Neil, we've got 72 hours to FTL. We don't have time to sugar coat this. We lost Daniel and all ten field operators down on Paramour. There's chatter that the Coalition is floating terrorism charges against us."
You chuckle, "Good, the sooner we're out of here, the better. They were all due for a reju-regen anyways."
Neil sighs, "Two problems, we can't recover their TI implants from Paramour and we don't have the rent for this upcoming FTL."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T HAVE THE RENT!" you shout. "I am certainly not getting evicted from this ship, to live like some public domain refugee!"
"Calm down Mrs. Ocean, we're all in this together. If any of us lose our status with the Mothership, we'll likely face felony prosecution from the Coalition."
"Gorramit Sam, was that supposed to be soothing?"
"Neil, as your legal counsel, it's my duty-"
"WHERE THE FRAK IS THE RENT!" you interrupt.
"Ma'am, we had a rough couple months and we were banking on this last op to cover it. But it's okay ma'ma, Sam and me have a plan to get through this. We just need your approval."
They both stare you down pleadingly, knowing that despite their wishes, you're the one calling the shots now. After a long pregnant pause, you oblige, "Fine. It's not like I have a choice do I? As long as somebody tells me what the frak a HALO insert is."
***
"As you surely know Ma'am, every nine months, 500k rent is due. Now paying survivor benefits as well as onboarding ten new operators is going wipe out our entire savings. The only way forward is to empty the armory. I'm talking full firesale."
"We're going back to basics. Obviously we'll keep the shuttle and the handsfree comms. 12 ga pumps, .357 revolvers, and Gerber multitools are the bare essentials, but everything else can go. It's only the Thiel planetary system afterall. If we stick to frontier operations, we shouldn't need too fancy tech. We probably can afford to hold onto about four more hardware systems though."
"Attached I've provided a quick inventory, minus what we lost on Paramour. I wish I could provide more detail or answer questions, but I've only got about 48 hours to sell everything. I've designated the four systems that I, as Chief of Operations, recommend we retain. However, you're ultimately the boss Ma'am, so let me know if you'd prefer four other systems for some reason. Keep in mind that at least one of them should probably be a set of wheels. They don't have Uber in the frontier."
--Signed, Chief of Operations, Neil McCauley
Weapons
(0) Walther PPK .380 Pocket Pistol
(0) SIG Sauer P226 9mm Service Pistol
(0) IMI Micro Uzi 9mm SMG
(0) FN P90 5.7mm PDW
(0) Izhmash Saiga 12 ga Tactical Shotgun
(1) AS Val SP-6 Sound Suppressed Carbine: Ops Chief
(0) AK-74M 5.45mm Assault Rifle
(0) RPK-74M 5.45mm Light Machine Gun
(0) HK MSG90 7.62mm Sniper Rifle
(0) Barrett Model 82A1 .50 BMG AMR
(0) RPG-7 Rocket Launcher
(0) M67 Fragmentation Grenade
(0) TASER Less-Than-Lethal Gun
(0) OC Pepper Spray
Vehicles
(0) Volkswagon Transporter Panel Van
(1) Landrover Defender SUV: Ops Chief
(0) MINI Cooper S Compact Car
(0) Kawasaki Ninja Dual Sport Motorcycle
Equipment
(0) Low Profile Ballistic Vest
(0) Semtex 1kg Explosives Block
(0) Facial Disguise Prosthetics Kit
(1) Mechanical Lockpick Set: Ops Chief
(0) Radio Scanner
(0) Wireless Spy Cam Set
(0) IR Tripwire Kit
(1) FLIR Binoculars: Ops Chief
(0) Hobbyist Quadcopter Drone
(0) Climbing/Rappelling Ropes Kit
(0) Hydraulic Saw
(0) Stinger Anti-Vehicle Spike Strip
(0) Handheld Biometric ID Scanner
(0) Long Range Directional Microphone
(0) Ghillie Suit
(0) DSLR Camera With Super-Telephoto Lens
(0) Concealable Pin Mic Bugs
***
Just as you're about to Google what the hell half those weapons are, you see you have an incoming call from Sam Goldman, "Mrs. Ocean, some distinguished luminaries in New Monaco have heard of the recent tragedy upon their shipmates and have arranged a memorial service for both us and Greywater Solutions."
"I never thought anyone in New Monaco particularly cared for us. Well that's not exactly something we can refuse, can we?"
"Likely it's just someone thinking it's a good humanitarian PR stunt, but no, we need any sympathy we can get. The catch is that Greywater's President, Nick Clay, will be giving a eulogy. Accordingly, you, as Chief Executive of Ocean PMC, should do so as well. I understand that as a grieving widow, you may not be ready for this. Neil and myself will put something together if you like. But with all due respect Mrs. Ocean, I think this could be a great debut if you wanted to pursue a more active role in our business."
"Thanks for the heads up Sam. Who doesn't love public speaking engagements?"
Describe or write an appropriate eulogy to be delivered by Mrs. Ocean, Neil, or Sam. GM will choose the best and grant a reward appropriate to the spoken eulogy. Suggested topics include: your husband, the ten Ocean operators, the mission on Paramour, your relationship with Greywater, your relationship with Weyland-Yutani, your plans for the future, etc. Accuse, apologize, joke, keep it professional, or try a bit of everything; welcome to the world of public speaking. For the sake of brevity, it doesn't need to be word-for-word, just enough for us to understand the content and tone of the presentation.
If no submissions are received, Sam or Neil will speak instead... which may or may not be a good thing.
Discord Server (https://discord.gg/MqHCkmU)
Data Sheet
Personnel Roster
Officers:
Mrs. Ocean, CEO
Samuel "Sam" Goldman Esq., Legal Counsel and Client Relations
Neil McCauley, Operations Chief
Operators (9/10):
Redrick "Redbrick" Batiste (Demolitions Expert) (Callsign: Wreckx-n-Effect)
-(KIA, vehicular collision) (local celebrity on Goodhaven, Harad)
Anna Chapman (HUMINT Collector) (Callsign: Nightmover)
-(KIA, fall from height), (warrant on Flossmore, Lossarnach), (dislikes Redbrick and Mr. Blonde), (known on Harad), (civilian cover on New Dublin, Anghabar)
Erik Heller (Blackbagger) (Callsign: Gibson)
-(warrant on Flossmore, Lossarnach), (respects Anna)
James "Hoxton" Hoxworth (Callsign: Raptor)
-(Voluntarily Separated without Prejudice), (likes Nikita)
Ethan Hunt (Gun Geek) (Callsign: Zero Cool)
-(prosthetic non-dominant hand), (distrusts Anna), (possible underworld cover on New Dublin, Anghabar)
Angus MacGyver
-(KIA, DOW)
Evelyn Salt (Callsign: Trinity)
-(critical condition), (multiple compound fractures), (persona non-grata on Flossmore, Lossarnach) (likes Vic)
Nikita Taylor (Scout & Pickpocket) (Callsign: Ravenclaw)
-(likes Hoxton)
Simon Templar (Tactician NCO) (Callsign: Greybush)
-(warrant on Flossmore, Lossarnach)
Victor "Mr. Blonde" Vega (CQB Team Leader) (Callsign: Pipehitter)
-(in-patient narcotics rehabilitation), (spinal injury), (dental prosthesis), (likes Salt), (possible tourist cover on Flossmore, Lossarnach), (possible local celebrity on Rattlesnake Ridge, Harad)
Hardware Inventory
Vehicles:
"Centennial Hawk" Spaceplane Shuttle (Quantity: 1)
-A purely utilitarian intrasystem space plane, capable of both atmospheric and non-atmospheric flight. Unarmed, unarmored, and has the interior capacity of roughly a city bus. Requires a secure space port to safely land/takeoff.
Land Rover Defender 130 SUV (Quantity: 1)
-The military version of the 20th century British 4x4 offroad safari jeep. An extended version of the common 110 series, with a four person crew cab and a relatively small bed. Powered by a 111hp 300 TDI engine on a manual transmission. A vehicle snorkel and waterproof wiring allow for adventurous attempts at river fording. Prominently features a hood mounted spare tire, a roof rack for fuel jerry cans, and a brush guard front bumper with a recovery winch. Notably devoid of any modern luxuries such as airbags. An inauspicious utilitarian workhorse from before Land Rover became a luxury brand in the 21st century.
John Deere Gator XUV 825i ATV (Customized) (Quantity: 3)
-A sportier high performance version of the John Deere Gator, the XUV 825i is a 4x4 two-seater All Terrain Vehicle (ATV). Can reach 45 mph on open roads. Enough capacity to carry or tow 1500 lb of payload. Stylishly painted matte "Midnight Black." Upgraded with a hybrid engine to enable quiet electric operation. Includes goggles and crash helmets for riders.
"Beast" Custom Up-armored Technical SUV (Quantity: 1)
-A 1990's Land Rover Defender 130 SUV overloaded with heavy steel armor and poly-carbonate glazing. Small arms and fragmentation resistant, but a complete beast to drive. Unmistakably paramilitary in profile. Seats four and a turret gunner in the crew cab. Includes bullhorn, siren, fire extinguisher, and gunner's harness.
Weapons:
Colt Python .357 Revolver (standard issue)
-Peak performance double-action six shooter with a six inch barrel, firing hard hitting .357 Magnum rounds. Generic knockoffs are incredibly common among even civilians due to their low cost and minimal maintenance.
Remington 870 Pump Action 12 ga Shotgun (standard issue)
-Timeless pump-action shotgun with a twenty one inch barrel, firing a variety of 12 ga projectiles from 7+1 round internal. Buckshot, rifled slugs, and birdshot shells are currently stocked. The ultimate "garden gun," generic knockoffs of the Remington 870 are the most common civilian firearm in the New Worlds. Includes a variable choke and a two point sling.
AS Val SP-6 Sound Suppressed Carbine (Quantity: 6)
-In Russian, "Avtomat Special'nyj Val," literally "Special Automatic Rifle Shaft," or more precisely "Special Assault Rifle, Codename 'Shaft'" The AS Val is a late 20th century integrally suppressed assault rifle, designed specifically for Soviet Spetsnaz operators. Fires the custom SP-6 9x39mm subsonic round. Revised off the infamous 7.62x39mm intermediate rifle cartridge, SP-6 has roughly twice the muzzle energy of the 9mm pistol cartridges commonly used in Western SMGs. Fires in semi or auto from a 20 round magazine and effective to 300 meters. Externally, very similar to an AK-series carbine with a folding stock, except for its prominent namesake "shaft" suppressor barrel. Weighs 6lbs loaded without optics and is two feet long with the stock folded. Even into the 21st century, it only saw limited production and was never legally exported out of Russia.
"Tachanka" Chinese Type 53 7.62x54mmR LMG (Quantity: 1)
-A Chinese licensed version of a WW2 Soviet DPM LMG. Fires rifle caliber 7.62x54mmR in full auto from an antiquated 47 round pan magazine, effective to 800 meters. Cannot be shoulder fired, but includes a bipod and can be mounted to a pintel. Weighs 25lbs loaded and is four feet in length. Appears to have been a service weapon in North Korea.
Hi-Point YCG1 9mm Compact Pistol (standard issue)
-A cheap compact pistol of questionable taste and craftsmanship. A kludgy toy-like black plastic shell encloses loosely-fit zinc-alloy parts. This special edition of the Hi-Point C9 features a threaded barrel and "Yeet Cannon G1" prominently printed in white lettering on the slide. Small enough and hammerless for easy snag-free concealed carry. Packs 8+1 9mm parabellum/luger rounds. Common FMJ and JHP ammo provided.
Equipment:
Gerber MP600 Multi-tool (standard issue)
-The Swiss Army knife gimmick of the 20th century refined as a proper backup tool, the Gerber MP600 is a ruggedized set of black anodized needle-nosed pliers, combined with 14 other basic handtools. Always handy for cutting wires, field stripping weapons, and prying things open.
"Covert-In-Plain-Sight" CIPS Handsfree Smartphone Headset (standard issue)
-Designed to mimic common white Apple earbuds, the CIPS system allows an operator in plain sight to disguise his tactical comms as just another distracted ipod user. Includes a separate push to talk button that can be concealed within a pants pocket or strapped to a longarm.
"Wave" Open Source Commo App (standard issue)
-An open source app that can be installed on most smartphones to convert them for operational use. As a security precaution, the app disguises itself on the device, and will uninstall if accessed improperly, such as during an invasive search or capture. Forked inhouse to relay encrypted audio/video feed and control among networked devices.
1kg Semtex Plastic Explosives Brick (Quantity: 4)
-Ever try to handle nitroglycerin? It's the kind of thing you get to try exactly once. Plastic explosives stabilize extremely volatile high explosives into a ruggedized piece of hardware suitable for battlefield conditions and handling. Waterproof up to 100m, pliable from -40C to 60C, can take a bullet and still not detonate. Can be incinerated as dry firewood in an emergency situation. Roughly the same performance as similar plastic explosives, actual effectiveness is highly based on the skill of the user in terms of placing, molding, tamping, and overall charge size. Physically looks and feels exactly like red modeling clay. Blasting caps, command wire, and manual clacker included.
FLIR Recon BN6 Thermal Binoculars (Quantity: 2)
-The world's first set of "true" thermal binoculars in terms of both capability and size. Outputs "white hot" images at 640x480 resolution and can operate for two hours on a pair of recyclable 3V CR123A tactical flashlight batteries. A 4lb set of aluminum binos, with 100mm lenses that otherwise isn't conspicuously distiguishable from large field binoculars. An uncommon item in its day that had to be custom ordered by US military and law enforcement personnel.
Custom Button Camera 2.0 (Quantity: standard issue)
-A custom inexpensive watch-face-sized HD video camera designed to be worn or otherwise concealed. IRNV sensors have also been added. Bluetooth pairing allows a real-time audio-video feed to a smartphone. With the inhouse fork of the Wave commo app, can also stream encrypted video from one smartphone to another for remote viewing. Includes removable 24hr battery, removable encrypted NM card, and included non-marking double-sided tape.
Custom Personal First Aid and Survival Kit (PFASK) (standard issue)
-A two piece issue consisting of a military style IFAK MOLLE medical pouch and a civilian style Copenhagen tin pocket survival kit. Provides a full spectrum of Tactical Combat Casualty Care ("TC Three") solutions for stabilizing otherwise mortal traumatic wounds. Of additional medical note: includes antibiotics, general and local anesthesia, suturing supplies, and common NSAIDs. Lacks the space and/or refrigeration to carry intravenous products or other larger devices. The inconspicuous Copenhagen tin pocket survival kit provides means for water-sterilization, firemaking, and rudimentary shelter. A handful of other utility items in the tin may have specific uses for a survival trained operator or general improvisation.
USMC Scalable Plate Carrier w/ ESAPI plates and ECH (Quantity: Standard Issue)
-An externally-worn coyote tan ballistic vest, the USMC SPC provides ballistic protection of the vital chest cavity. The issued pair of ESAPI ceramic plates can stop most rifle rounds, while clocking under a total weight of 20 lbs. For additional protection, side plates and a groin protector are issued (although most true operators wouldn't be caught dead wearing any of it). The SPC is covered in PALS/MOLLE webbing, doubling as a chest rig, thus allowing a highly customizable layout of ammo/gear pouches. The purchase also includes a matching Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH), an early 21st century US military helmet also able to stop most rifle rounds. The helmet includes a NOD mount and a headband. The SPC, plates, and helmets have been stocked in a variety of sizes to fit the full range of our personnel.
Blackhawk! Dynamic Entry Backpack Kit (Quantity: Standard Issue)
-A black backpack of 40 lbs of anodized steel hand tools for forced entry. Kit includes a Halligan bar, Thundermaul axe/sledge combo, BoltMaster camming bolt cutters, and a Break-N-Rake window raking polearm. Likely too heavy and conspicuous for general wear, these kits will likely be stowed in the back of vehicles prior to immediate deployment. Combined, these tools provided a variety of brute force solutions for bypassing locked doors, windows, restraints, padlocks, and fences.
WhiteFalcon! Covert Entry Kit (Quantity: 2)
-A small tool bag of devices to pick mechanical locks and clone low security electronic keys. Includes picks, torsion wrenches, snap guns, bump keys, and tryout keys. Even unspecialized operators should be able to bypass most everyday mechanical locks without leaving obvious evidence. Palmable magstripe skimmer, pocket-sized magstripe reader/writer, and a couple of handheld RFID reader/writer tools allow cloning of many common electronic keys in the field. More advanced or exotic locks, not to mention those integrated into a centralized security system, will likely require additional hardware and/or training.
WhiteFalcon! Basic Safecracking Kit (Quantity: 2)
-A medium tool bag that holds a cordless drill set, punch rods, and a stethoscope. Unfortunately, spending a half hour drilling through a hardened steel case is actually the easy part of safecracking. Knowing exactly where to drill for a specific safe requires specialized training.
Specialist Summaries
Redbrick the Demolitions Expert
-Able to rig, place, and attach demo charges safely and reliably. Understands appropriate use of demo charges. Broad but shallow knowledge of a wide variety of explosives and demolition techniques.
Nikita the Scout
-Slightly better than an untrained operator on general reconnaissance and stealth. Still requires guidance on what intelligence to focus on. Lacks the knowledge base to fully identify and analyze what she observes. No additional proficiency in signalling techniques or camouflage.
Anna the HUMINT Collector
-Highly proficient in collecting intelligence from witting and unwitting sources via elicitation and debriefing. Understands intelligence requirements and priorities. Culturally and socially savvy in a wide variety of environments. Competent in the creation and use of disguises and cover identities. Writes and briefs in a professional manner. Trained in deception detection.
Simon the Tactician NCO
-An effective leader and competent small unit tactician. Trained extensively on commanding combat riflemen against peer adversaries. No additional proficiency with more advanced means of warfare such as combined arms or complex threats.
Vic the Pipehitter
-A small-arms focused CQB assaulter. A master of room clearing. Proficient in breaching techniques. Can lead a team-sized element on a CQB assault.
Erik the Blackbagger
-Can assess a site for forced or covert entry. Familiar with common locks and security systems. Aware of some bypassing techniques, but not skilled in them.
Ethan the Gun Geek
-A walking encyclopedia on weapon systems both big and small. Can identify and safely operate most firearms without additional familiarization. Can identify types of common munitions and their textbook usages. Can identify heavier weapon systems, but may not be able to operate them safely.
Nikita the Pickpocket
-An unassuming young woman in a crowd who can discreetly swipe an object in the blink of an eye. A master of slight of hand and misdirection.
Mission Log
Month 0. Weyland-Yutani Lab Heist on Paramour. Catastrophic failure. Lethal opposition by Greywater Solutions. 1 CEO and 10 operators MIA.
Month 1. Int Geo Smilodon Recon on Lossarnach. Success. Zero casualties, 1 EKIA. 30k profit.
Month 1. AMR Strikebreaker Escort on Anghabar. Success. 2 WIA (1 critical condition, 1 light duty), Unknown EKIA (at least 3), Unknown EWIA. 30k profit.
Month 1. Goodhaven Sheriff Training on Harad. Success. Zero casualties. 20k profit.
Month 2. Red Cross Anghabar Withdrawal. Success. 1 WIA (returned to duty). 30k profit.
Month 2. Harad Marshals Miles Notkin Bounty. Success. Zero casualties. 1 EPOW. 50k profit
Month 2. AMR CI/FP Shamrock Tavern HUMINT Source Spotting. Mostly failure. Non-lethal opposition by Greywater. 1 WIA (amputation followed by physical therapy). 10k profit.
Month 2. Amnesty Interstellar Investigation of Flossmore Prison. Costly Partial Success. 1 MIA (MISCAP, successfully ransomed for 40k). 20k initial profit, net 20k loss after ransom.
Month 3. Goodhaven Sheriff Main Street Bank Standoff. Success. Zero casualties. 2 EKIA. 10k profit.
Month 3. Task Force Orion ISR on Anghabar. Success. Zero casualties. 21+ EKIA. 50k profit.
Month 3. Country Club Smilodon Populator Hunting Party. Success. Zero casualties. 1 EKIA. 20k profit.
Month 3. Amnesty Interstellar 'ELSA69' Investigation of Flossmore Prison. Success. Zero casualties. 20k profit.
Month 4. DFUC/Green Party Flossmore Resort Rescue and Demolition. Success. 1 KIA, 3 WIA (2 returned to duty, 1 light duty.) 21+ EKIA/EWIA. 250k profit.
Month 5. IRA Founder's Fifth Massacre on Harad. Failure. 1 WIA (critical condition).
Month 5. Potter Properties' Inspection Report ISR. Success. Zero casualties.
Month 5. ULM Beast Goes to New Dublin. Partial Success. Zero casualties. 20k profit.
Month 6. CoFor OIC for a Day. Success. Zero casualties. 4 EKIA. 40k profit.
Month 6. Palantir's Highschool of Drama. Costly Success. 1 KIA. 40k profit.
Month 6. Potter Properties' Heist of Martinez & Sons. Success. Zero casualties. 100k profit
Month 6. IRA Gun Walkers for AMR CI/FP. Failure. 1 WIA (light duty.) 4 EKIA.
Cash Reserves: 720k
An expert in the use of explosives of all kinds, able to gauge the best way to achieve any objective using explosives to do anything from breaching through doors/walls/floors/ceilings, disable enemy equipment/vehicles, or set up effective ambushes in the most efficient way possible.
"Looks good Ma'am. Abit broad and unfocused, but let's see what I can drill into this kid's skull."
-Neil
Difficulty Modifier: Hard (-1)
Roll (2d4): 6
Result: 5 - Average
Redrick Batiste takes to the training well. Soon enough, the entire company is calling him "Redbrick" as he spends his days learning the ins-and-outs of reddish Semtex clay. Per request, Neil tried to include some more advanced topics such as improvised explosives, shaped charges, custom initiators, line charges, land mines (manufactured and improvised), incendaries, thermobarics, explosively formed penetrators, runway cratering, and large structure demolition, but Redbrick couldn't get too deep with so many technical topics presented. While needing more work to be considered a true "expert," at the end of the month, Redbrick is a safe and competent user of plastic explosives.
Redbrick the Demolitions Expert
Able to rig, place, and attach demo charges safely and reliably. Understands appropriate use of demo charges. Broad but shallow knowledge of a wide variety of explosives and demolition techniques.
***
The memorial service is held in a small auditorium packed with well groomed figures in black silk suits and gowns. After a brief opening statement from the event's host, Elon Musk the Second, you take the stage. Even after decades aboard the Leviathan, and even getting regular TI Med "reju-regen" sessions yourself, you can never really get used to seeing 100+ year old minds ensconsced within picture perfect young bodies.
You're dressed in an elegant yet modest black gown, in a respectable attempt to both maintain your image as a grieving widow and futilely mimic the high fashion "one percent" of the New Worlds. Hundreds of eyes upon hundreds of unnaturally young faces gaze upon critically as you take the stage. Few really respect the two resident PMC's as worthy of the Leviathan, and their continued presence is generally considered an oddity. But oddities are interesting, and tonight Nick Clay and you are the hot ticket freak show the idle rich came to see.
"I remember the first time I met Danny... we were so young. So full of fire. I asked him who he was. He looked at me and said "I'm just a good old-fashioned cowboy". I laughed. Before I knew it we where giving each other vows."
"He said I'd never have to worry while he was around. He brought me here. He built this place as our home. He followed that vow every day. Ocean's Ten made sure he didn't do it alone. We're family here. They share a blood shed on the battlefield, with my Danny as the stern father keeping the band of brothers in line."
You pause as you try to hold back tears, "He died trying to pull our boys out. I remember I asked him once: "Are you scared of dying? You know, for real?" He looked into my eyes and said "I didn't when I was young. Now I've got you and the boys, and what would y'all do without me around?" Well Danny, now you have your answer. This is still Ocean's Ten, and I'm the only Ocean around now. You rest easy. I'll keep an eye on our boys."
"I harbor no ill will towards Greywater. What they did in that Weland-Yutani lab was an accident. A strategic miscalculation that cost them as much as it did us or Weland-Yutani. I ask you all to forgive them for this tragedy, as I have. I know what they're going through. We're all going through the same thing. We all do what we must to survive in this galaxy. We've all lost people we cared about. While we may find ourselves on the opposite ends of an armed conflict, we both call the same ship our home at the end of the night. Bad blood will only weaken our community. Greywater has learned their lesson. We all have to move on to the bright future. For those we lost and those they left behind. Thank you for coming, everyone..."
With a polite embrace, Elon Musk the Second, takes back the stage to introduce Greywater Solutions PMC President, Nick Clay. You don't think you've ever formally met the notorious Nick Clay, but you feel like you have with how much Neil and Danny have spoken derisively about him over the years. As you see him swagger onto the stage, you begin to understand why.
While Nick Clay did follow the all black dresscode one would expect at a memorial service, the clothing itself was pure paramilitary: black MOLLE tac vest over pressed night ops fatigues, pant legs bloused over spit-shined black leather jungle boots. ...And of course he's open carrying a HK USP .40 in a drop leg holster. Neil would later comment that "at least he took the morale patches off." Whatever that means.
Perhaps misinterpreting your prolonged stare of disbelief as one of interest, he winks at you on the walk up to the microphone.
"For those that don't know me, I'm President Clay, your resident sheepdawg. As a wise man once said, you sleep safely in your beds because rough men standy ready in the night to visit violence on those who would harm you. And those rough men ladies and gentlemen, are Greywater Solutions PMC. We are the Thin Blue Line (or should I say, Thin Grey Line) separating our utopian civilization from the terrorist anarchist chaos that seeks to destroy it."
Although Nick Clay apparently started with an almost absurdly inappropriate sales pitch, your blood goes cold sensing where this speech is really going.
"Now there are some men, who safe-guard the brilliant scientists and industrialists who grant us this remarkable standard of living we all cherish. And there are some men..." he sneers, "well I guess we wouldn't call them men now would we?"
A few scattered chuckles in the audience prove that at least some appreciated the not exactly subtle personal insult.
"I lost five good men on Paramour. My only regret is that I would've lost more, if only to protect you. Taking lives to save lives is what we do folks, and I wish that day on Paramour we did it better."
Your focus on the speech is broken as catch Neil jump out of his seat and furiously storm out of the auditorium.
"Now some of you pro-Coalition political types say guys like us are dinosaurs. That Danny and me were the two last T-Rexes, keeping the cavemen stuck in their caves. Little old me, holding back the age of man they say! Color me flattered fellas!"
The punchline lands surprisingly well, a few more chuckles came out of the now warmed up crowd. Only your simmering anger holds you back from acknowledging a well executed joke.
"I just want those folks to know, that not all PMC's lack a certain moral compass." After a dramatic pause, he continues, "Now I know it's not 'politically correct' to say this, but all of us at Greywater Solutions are upstanding Christian men. I know that's not everybody's thing these days, but I'm a Christian first and a soldier second. I expect the same out of all my men."
"That being said, I invite all of you to join us at Twenty Forward Lounge afterwards for a toast to our fallen operator brothers. Keep the faith."
Nick Clay exits the stage to mild applause, his charged monologue enough to make some forget they were at a funeral. Sensing your discomfort, Sam leans in to whisper to you, "That guy is more full of shit than a Lossarnach stable."
The memorial service winds down to meet and mingle afterward. Sam stays by your side as play the dual role of widow and businesswoman. Many whose names you can't recall offer condolences for your loss. It's overwhelming, and surely most of it is insincere, but you're glad so many paid respects to your deceased husband.
Nick finds you soon enough, "Ms. Ocean! I don't think we've been formally introduced." You smile politely, expecting him to now apologize or otherwise downplay the spectacle he just pulled at your expense. He smiles back, "Nick Clay, President, Greywater Solutions PMC." After shaking your hand he quickly goes for an embrace. His hands get abit more familiar with your body than you'd like. Before you can even respond, he whispers in your ear, "But you Darling, can call me whatever you want."
Sam deftly grabs your hand and pulls you away, "Mrs. Ocean! There's a Zuckerberg I'd like you to meet right over here!"
***
After a month in FTL, you finally reach the Thiel Planetary System.
Space Cowboys for Hire (Turn 1)
You review a quick and dirty summary of the planetary system as you arrive. Out of the corner of your eye, you catch Sam running off to his comm terminal to chase down clients. "The early bird gets the worm, Mrs. Ocean."
Thiel Planetary System
Founder/Proprietor: Confinity Investments LLC
Rivendell
Minor Glitterworld
System capital and HQ of Confinity Investments LLC
Lossarnach
Minor Agriworld
Renowned for both its Country Club and Flossmoor Debtors Prison
Anghabar
Mineralworld
Largest exporter of mineral resources in the New Worlds
Harad
Frontierworld
Sparsely populated and largely ungoverned semi-arid frontier
Contact Phase
It's not long before you meet again with Sam.
"Mrs. Ocean, now its time to get to business. Across the four planets of this system, we have various contacts who may have work for us. Normally they'd be throwing jobs at us, but news of what happened on Paramour is just now reaching them via the arrival of the Mothership Leviathan. In our current state, both Neil and myself strongly recommend we avoid Rivendell. I doubt they'd even find us useful now anyways."
"Avoiding Rivendell, I've compiled a short-list of 17 contacts I believe we could work with this month. Allowing time for negotiation and mission prep, we can approach five of them. Here's a quick list:"
Lossarnach Country Club
-Small Corporation
Upscale recreational club focused on equestria
Potter Properties
-Small Corporation
Local real estate investors and developers
Anghabar Mining and Refining
-Medium Corporation
Largest single employer and exporter in the Thiel system
Tyrell Dynamics
-Large Corporation
High end AI and robotics corporation
Los Tornadoes
-Small Criminal Organization
Rural biker gang
Swearengen's Gentlemen's Club
-Medium Criminal Organization
A franchise of sketchy clubs associated with organized crime
Slavic Vor
-Large Criminal Organization
Multi-polar Slavic crime syndicate operating throughout the New Worlds
Casa Nuova
-Large Criminal Organization
A hierarchical crime syndicate nostalgic for Old World Italian mafioso culture
Goodhaven Sheriff
-Small Law Enforcement
Resident law enforcement for an small town on Harad
Harad Marshals
-Medium Law Enforcement
Aggressive planet-wide bounty-hunters tasked with hunting dangerous fugitives on Harad
Flossmore Warden
-Medium Law Enforcement
Warden for Flossmore Debtor's Prison on Lossarnach
Coalition Expeditionary Forces
-Large Law Enforcement
Militarized security forces loyal to Coalition interests
Interstellar Red Cross
-Medium Political Organization
Non-profit organization dedicated to provided humanitarian relief
Amnesty Interstellar
-Medium Political Organization
Non-profit organization dedicated to advancing human rights and civil liberties
United Labor Movement
-Large Political Organization
Interstellar umbrella organization uniting various local trade and labor unions.
United Green Party
-Large Political Organization
Interstellar left-leaning political organization constantly pressuring the Coalition to adopt progressive policies
Interstellar Geographic Society
-Large Academic Organization
Non-profit organization dedicated to the exploration of the New Worlds and their terraformed wilderness
"Obviously, some of those organizations will offer more legally dubious work than others. Also, some of the more higher tier contacts may still rebuff us for PR reasons. You're the boss Mrs. Ocean, but I recommend the following list of contacts:"
(0) Lossarnach Country Club
(0) Potter Properties:
(1) Anghabar Mining and Refining: Sam
(0) Tyrell Dynamics:
(0) Los Tornadoes:
(1) Swearengen's Gentlemen's Club: Sam
(0) Slavic Vor:
(0) Casa Nuova:
(1) Goodhaven Sheriff: Sam
(0) Harad Marshals:
(0) Flossmore Warden:
(0) Coalition Expeditionary Forces:
(0) Interstellar Red Cross:
(0) Amnesty Interstellar:
(1) United Labor Movement: Sam
(0) United Green Party:
(1) Interstellar Geographic Society: Sam
***
The night of the memorial service still bothers you. Despite your best attempts to present Ocean's Ten PMC as a humble, neutral, and professional organization, Greywater President Nick Clay's diatribe only further radicalized your image. Actions speak louder than words however. While our planet-side missions will define us greatly, ship-side conduct reflects upon us as well. Our entire corporate culture died on Paramour, and none of our operations are entirely sure what norms there are on and off the workplace. Many of our men have taken great joy in the liberties and comfort of the Mothership Leviathan. Anna has been turning more than a few heads with her love of crop tops and short shorts. Hoxton was reportedly kicked out of the Red Light District just last week. Just because something is legal, doesn't mean it's free of stigma. But maybe your operators need to blow off steam like that? Either way, you should set some guidance going forward.
Describe or write some rules or other guidance to define how your men (and women) conduct themselves ship-side. Are you an straight-laced ultra-regimented military organization, or a libertine pirate crew? Are your men always representing the best of Ocean's Ten PMC, or more of a "work hard, play hard" mentality? Is everyone on a first name basis or are ranks/titles/honorifics required? What about uniforms or dress codes? What's company policy on drug use?
At the end of the turn, GM will compile the best of submissions to guide further storytelling. If this doesn't interest you, I'm sure Sam and Neil will work something out as we go.
Part 2/2
Goodhaven Sheriff Training
Two operators on one SUV will recruit, train, and advise a law enforcement body in the town of Goodhaven on Harad. These two Military Advisors will reside in client-provided accommodations in Goodhaven. These mixed gender advisors will be well-equipped and feature a competent specialist to properly inspire our potential recruits and trainees. After confirming the Sheriff's budget, our advisors will seek competent, able-bodied men and women of decent reputation as recruits. The Sheriff will provide this force with shotguns, revolvers, batons, hand-cuffs, badges, and push-to-talk radios. A standard training regime will be developed involving physical training, basic melee combat, basic marksmanship, basic tactics, and communication procedures. Redbrick will provide special lectures on explosives, including their use, detection of traps, and basic disarming. To ensure the best camaraderie, our advisors are authorized to live amongst the people of Goodhaven, and further assist them as their free-time and ability allows.
Raising, training, and advising indigenous militias was once Neil's primary mission as a US Army Green Beret. Thus the plan he wrote for the Goodhaven Sheriff is a genuinely good one. Despite that the so-called Military Advisors, Redbrick and Anna, are relatively green, they touchdown at the Goodhaven Spaceport confident that Neil set them up for success.
After disembarking, they're immediately met by a man with a handlebar mustache in his late forties, a worn cowboy hat with a tin star atop his head. A rather enormous revolver is strapped to his hip, which you later confirm to be a .44 Magnum Ruger Redhawk. He introduces himself as Nash Wilder, "the Sheriff of these parts." Both your men retain the professionalism to suppress an eyeroll.
Goodhaven proper isn't far, and after a short drive from the spaceport, he invites you into the parlor of his home which doubles as his office. Underneath a reproduction Tombstone movie poster prominently stating "Justice Is Coming," you three sit down and lay out your plans for the month.
Sheriff Wilder explains that Goodhaven just incorporated six months ago, with an official population of 659. The town is still growing, and the Sheriff himself had been just a part-time volunteer until the town incorporated. While the Harad Marshals try to keep outlaws like Los Tornadoes from menacing the outskirts, day-to-day law enforcement in-town has been carried out by the Sheriff himself for at least two years now. At least none of the saloons are Swearengen-affiliated (yet), and the large syndicates like the Vor and Casa Nuova are busy chasing bigger fish.
To meet these growing needs, the town approved a budget for a full-time Sheriff Department, with all funds to be spent under the sole discretion of Sheriff Wilder. The Sheriff would like a small police station built, with a holding cell and radio dispatch tower. This station would support a handful of full-time deputies and three service vehicles. In addition, he'd like an auxiliary "posse" that can be raised to augment the force during major incidents.
During this initial meeting, Sheriff Wilder looks and speaks almost entirely to Redbrick. While both operators were assigned to this mission as coequal peers, the older male Sheriff is clearly more comfortable working with the male operator as opposed to the relatively young and very attractive Anna. Redbrick does nothing to discourage this, and becomes the de facto leader of the mission. Anna is immensely irritated at this slight, but knows better than to start an argument in front of a client.
Redbrick gets to briefing Neil's plan. The Sheriff is impressed and fervently agrees. He especially considers the explosives module a welcome surprise. However, Neil wrote nothing about a building or vehicles. Neither operator has construction, telecommunications, or vehicle specialties, and Redbrick has to improvise about the station design and vehicle selection. Pausing in contemplation, the Sheriff approves these additions as well.
The next day, the two operators get to recruiting. As foreigners (one of them an attractive woman) open carrying exotic AS Val carbines, they have no problem catching the eye of folks around town. Most have heard of Ocean PMC before, and are curious to meet them in person. In a few days they make their recruiting target, and training begins.
Training goes well for the most part. Already hardened frontier-folk, the recruits are already physically fit and familiar with firearms. It soon becomes a morning ritual to see the Sheriff trainees jog in formation down main street; early-rising shopkeepers watching with satisfaction the demonstration by Goodhaven's Finest.
After their morning run, most of their morning is spent practicing hand-to-hand combat techniques. Unlike a military force, law enforcement can't go shooting all their adversaries. Neither operator is a martial arts specialist, but the baseline knowledge is enough to teach the trainees how to grapple with perps.
The afternoon is spent mostly at the gun range. While the trainees are focused on becoming proficient with their revolvers and shotguns, every now and then you reward them with a full auto demonstration from a Val. After range time, everyone gets a classroom lecture until the day ends for dinner.
After two solid weeks of training, Redbrick decides the trainees are finally ready for his explosives. He gets plenty of great questions, and gradually learns that many of his trainees were miners, who were vaguely familiar with blasting in their previous profession. While plastic explosives ended up abit too expensive for the Sheriff's budget, he decided to stock a case of dynamite after attending Redbrick's various lectures.
As your two operators neared their end of their mission, a special visitor comes to town. An imposing dark-skinned man in a long-leather duster flashes a wallet badge matter-of-factly, "Colton York, Harad Marshals. I've heard about you Mr. Batiste."
Acutely aware Anna is processing incoming inventory at the spaceport all day, Redbrick anxiously faces the lawman alone. The Harad Marshals are famously a subsidiary of Confinity Security Solutions: well-equipped, well-connected, and firmly CoFor aligned. "Oh, is that true?"
Catching his subject's anxiety, Marshal York smugly returns, "Only good things, Mr. Batiste. Only good things."
Redbrick laughs awkwardly, still not entirely sure he's going to walk away from this conversation a free man and/or alive. Assuming there isn't a CoFor fireteam behind him, Marshal York probably has body armor and a couple body augments Redbrick would rather not discover the hard way. There's no chance in hell of fighting or escaping someone like that when caught so alone and flat-footed.
Marshal York speaks in a steady and methodical timbre, "Relax Mr. Batiste. Let's just say I've never extradited anyone out of Thiel before, and wasn't planning to today. I've heard things about you Mr. Batiste... as we Harad Marshals do... but only good things."
Redbrick twitches as he feels his right hand resting on his sidearm, a subconscious habit he really wishes he didn't have at this moment.
"Seriously, Mr. Batiste? You think you can quick-draw a big-iron like that? I expected better from Ocean PMC. You're lucky I don't offend so easily anymore."
Redbrick raises his hands in mock futility, "You got me, sir. Maybe I should just leave them in the air."
Marshal York grins, "Relax Mr. Batiste. Goodhaven falls within my Area of Operation and I'm curious about this Sheriff Department you're creating. I've already spoken with Sheriff Wilder, but was hoping for a more 'operator-to-operator' level tour. Would you so kindly provide me that professional courtesy, Mr. Batiste?"
Redbrick awkwardly agrees, still unsure of the Marshal's intentions. He considers calling Anna in for the tour, but decides against it. If this was all some sadistic pre-takedown mind-frak, he'd at least like to give her a fighting chance to elude detection and capture. Just to be sure, Redbrick never mentions her once in the tour.
However, Marshal York appears to have been entirely forthright. He's genuinely interested in the nascent Goodhaven Sheriff Department, and complementary towards Redbrick when he sees them in training. The tour goes so well, that Redbrick does a spontaneous Semtex demonstration that even the jaded old Marshal clearly enjoyed.
At the end of the day, Marshal York hands Redbrick a calling card before leaving, "You've done well out here. Let Mr. Goldman know the Harad Marshals might have some work for Ocean PMC in the near future. Good day to you Mr. Batiste."
The two operators' nightly dinner with the Sheriff that night could have gone better. Redbrick casually mentions the Marshal to the Sheriff.
The Sheriff comedically smacks his head, "Oh yeah, he called me yesterday that he was coming! What did he think of the Department?"
Redbrick represses his anger long enough to explain to the Sheriff how he would've appreciated the advanced notice. The Sheriff shrugs it off, oblivious to the crisis he inadvertently created.
Meanwhile, Anna storms off muttering, "Why the frak am I even here?"
She can't believe Redbrick pulled another power-play, freezing her out of a VIP meeting.
The Sheriff shrugs, "Must be hormones."
Eventually the mission winds to an end. Goodhaven is quite proud of their new Sheriff Department and the Mayor declares a public holiday on their graduation day. The main street bank and several other small business-owners pool their funds to import a full mammoth from Lossarnach for the graduation party. The two operators have a great time eating barbecue in a festival-like atmosphere at the town square.
As the festival closes, the Mayor decides to give a speech:
"People of Goodhaven, I'm glad we can all come together tonight to celebrate the growing success of our endeavor here on the frontier. There is no prosperity without security, and thanks to our new Sheriff Department, I'm sure we'll have no shortage of that. First, I'd like to thank 'ole Nash Wilder for all his hard work over the years. Second, I'd like to thank all our new Deputies for their diligence in training and their commitment to civic service. Last, but not least, I would like to extend special gratitude to our distinguished guest tonight, Mr. Roderick 'Redbrick' Batiste, from Ocean's Ten. I can't imagine what fantastic adventure he missed out on to putter around in our dusty little town for a month. While I'm sure you're a busy man Mr. Batiste, you'll always have a home here in Goodhaven. You and your lovely assistant, Anya Clapton, are welcome back anytime."
Mission Results: Success. Zero casualties. 20k profit. Personnel notes updated on Data Sheet.
Plan Rating: Very Easy (+2)
Roll (2d4): 3
Plan Execution Result: 5 - Competent
Mission Difficulty Roll (2d4): 4 - Harder Than Expected
Operator Improvisation Roll (2d4): 5 - Competent
Turn Two
"Did you guys see that Int Geo thing about the tigers on Lossarnach? They're saying Ocean's Ten did that. A real change of course there."
"Yeah, it was good to see something that wasn't about those organized labor terrorists for once. The Red River Riot was a new low for them. I came to the Mothership Leviathan to get away from shit like that, now nobody will stop talking about it."
--Overheard gossip at Twenty Forward Lounge on Mothership Leviathan
Contact Phase
"Not too shabby a start Mrs. Ocean. All three of last month's clients were satified with our work. We now have 80k in reserves and our casualties could've been much worse."
"The other bit of good news is that Neil and I have been following the media all month, and looks like no one but conspiracy theorists think we were at the Red River Riot. There's some motion-blurred and out of focus amateur photos of Victor Vega with his mask off floating around social media, but with his facial injuries I don't think he was too recognizable. In short, we're still anonymous enough to play both sides of that conflict if we like."
"As for new business, Int Geo and Goodhaven gave us a courtesy call that they don't have anything more for us this month. Our boys brought back contact info for an Agent Barclay, AMR Counterintelligence & Facility Protection. My limited research suggests he's legit, and we should be able to find work with him in addition to AMR corporate. In other news, we received a direct message from Lossarnach Country Club, they stated they heard about our Smilodon work want to offer us an exclusive contract regarding it."
"Again, here's an updated list of contacts for the month."
Lossarnach Country Club **DIRECT MESSAGED**
-Small Corporation
Upscale recreational club focused on equestria
Potter Properties
-Small Corporation
Local real estate investors and developers
Anghabar Mining and Refining
-Medium Corporation
Largest single employer and exporter in the Thiel system
Tyrell Dynamics
-Large Corporation
High end AI and robotics corporation
Anghabar Mining and Refining Counterintelligence & Facility Protection
-Small Intelligence Organization
One of AMR's several paramilitary and intelligence apparati, ran by "Agent Barclay"
Los Tornadoes
-Small Criminal Organization
Rural biker gang
Swearengen's Gentlemen's Club
-Medium Criminal Organization
A franchise of sketchy clubs associated with organized crime
Slavic Vor
-Large Criminal Organization
Multi-polar Slavic crime syndicate operating throughout the New Worlds
Casa Nuova
-Large Criminal Organization
A hierarchical crime syndicate nostalgic for Old World Italian mafioso culture
Goodhaven Sheriff **UNAVAILABLE**
-Small Law Enforcement
Resident law enforcement for an small town on Harad
Harad Marshals
-Medium Law Enforcement
Aggressive planet-wide bounty-hunters tasked with hunting dangerous fugitives on Harad
Flossmore Warden
-Medium Law Enforcement
Warden for Flossmore Debtor's Prison on Lossarnach
Coalition Expeditionary Forces
-Large Law Enforcement
Militarized security forces loyal to Coalition interests
Interstellar Red Cross
-Medium Political Organization
Non-profit organization dedicated to provided humanitarian relief
Amnesty Interstellar
-Medium Political Organization
Non-profit organization dedicated to advancing human rights and civil liberties
United Labor Movement
-Large Political Organization
Interstellar umbrella organization uniting various local trade and labor unions.
United Green Party
-Large Political Organization
Interstellar left-leaning political organization constantly pressuring the Coalition to adopt progressive policies
Interstellar Geographic Society **UNAVAILABLE**
-Large Academic Organization
Non-profit organization dedicated to the exploration of the New Worlds and their terraformed wilderness
"Again, I can work out something with up to five of our contacts. Here are my recommendations:"
(1) Lossarnach Country Club: Sam
(0) Potter Properties:
(1) Anghabar Mining and Refining: Sam
(0) Tyrell Dynamics:
(1) Anghabar Mining and Refining CI FP: Sam
(0) Los Tornadoes:
(1) Swearengen's Gentlemen's Club: Sam
(0) Slavic Vor:
(0) Casa Nuova:
(0) Goodhaven Sheriff:
(1) Harad Marshals: Sam
(0) Flossmore Warden:
(0) Coalition Expeditionary Forces:
(0) Interstellar Red Cross:
(0) Amnesty Interstellar:
(0) United Labor Movement:
(0) United Green Party:
(0) Interstellar Geographic Society:
"One more thing Mrs. Ocean. You seem to be really getting into your husband's old duties. Perhaps an update to our insignia or motto might suit you as well? If not, we can always keep the old one."
Draw or describe the current insignia/logo of Ocean PMC. Write whether this was Danny's original, or an update by Mrs. Ocean. Similarly, provide a short motto/slogan for Ocean's Ten to use. Ideally something short, catchy, and possibly even non-English. You haven until Operations Phase to get submissions in. GM will then directly use or otherwise compile submissions of his choosing.
"Button cameras are a classic espionage tool. I'll get right on it."
These spy cameras are adhesive disks around dollar-coin-sized, and which come in a series of different colors that can be taken depending on clothing worn during the mission. As they're very small, they can be attached to clothing inconspicuously, but they do have very limited wireless capability and it's suggested that they not be left somewhere unless the operator is confident that they can be retrieved later in order to be read.
The first "button cameras" were custom pieces of hardware, built in-house by top-tier intelligence agencies in the early Cold War. A heavy trench coat had to be worn to conceal a bar-of-soap-sized "subminiature camera," whose lens was concealed within a large coat button. The camera was operated by a hardwired mechanical remote further concealed in a coat pocket. The CIA would later develop a belt buckle version suitable for use in warm weather (Cuban) climates. While microfilm remained a niche technology in the 20th century, the advent of digital photography and the 21st century obsession with consumer camera phones have made full-color micro-videocameras a common household item.
As a covert piece of hardware, Neil decided to develop a series of custom button cameras in-house to keep knowledge of the device under wraps. It could've gone better. The purchase of refurbished smart phone cameras was a cleverly cost-conscious idea, but figuring out the basic I/O proved more difficult than anticipated. As a result, the planned wireless capability was ultimately dropped as development time ran out. Therefore, all interface with the camera is done manually. On such a small device, this is easier said than done. While an early prototype included an on-off toggle switch, users found it easier just to insert and remove the button cell battery as needed. Furthermore, the footage is accessed only by a removable nano memory (NM) card.
Interface limitations aside, the button camera otherwise works as intended. A camera, microprocessor, memory card and battery all shoved into a tiny plastic case; the whole thing is roughly the diameter and depth of a wrist watch face. It's also light enough to be attached to a vertical surface by a single piece of non-marking double-sided tape (included). Attachment loops on the case also allow the device to be pinned, clipped, or even sewn into worn clothing. Once the battery is inserted, the camera begins recording unencrypted HD video in a continuous loop, until the power source is removed or otherwise exhausted. Battery runtime ends up being roughly 24 hours. The lens itself is only 3mm in diameter, allowing the rest of the device to be concealed or otherwise camouflaged. However, such a small lens innately does not work well in low-light situations. The videocamera notably lacks audio, flash bulb, or night vision capabilities as well.
Custom Button Camera (Quantity: 20)
A custom inexpensive watch-face-sized HD video camera designed to be worn or otherwise concealed. Features removable 24hr battery, removable unencrypted NM card, and included non-marking double-sided tape. No wireless interface or live-feed capabilities. Video only, no audio. Poor low-light performance.
Difficulty Modifier: Normal (+/-0)
Roll (2d4): 4
Result: 4 - Minor Disappointment
Specialist Phase
"Neil here. Ma'am, we're getting into some work where open carry won't always be an option. You can't always guarantee you won't end up in grapple either, like 'Mr. Blonde' found out last month. As a specialist, I'd like to train up a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Fighter. As always, still your call though."
Specialist: Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Fighter
Trained in free-style hand-to-hand fighting, the MMA Fighter can fight on his feet or wrestle on the ground. Based primarily on a cage-fighting style popular in the Old World, the MMA fighter can punch like a boxer, counter-throw like a judo master, and grapple into submission like a Brazilian Jujitsu (BJJ) black belt. Additional lessons in practical Krav Maga turn these prize-fighting techniques into lethal ones. While deadly unarmed, he can temper his attacks to enable non-lethal takedowns.
Erik Heller will be trained as the MMA Fighter this month.
(1) Mixed Martial Arts Fighter: OpsChief
HUMINT Specialist
This Specialist is trained in the art of Human Intelligence, clandestine and non-clandestine. This means that our specialist is trained largely on social grounds, trained in how best to gather information both in non-dangerous contexts through use of interviews and plain conversation, and in more dangerous contexts, where the specialist is trained in how to maintain a cover and how to manipulate their behavior in order to be convincing -- which does mean, to some extent, that our HUMINT specialist is in fact given outright acting lessons. They're also given some training on how to tell when they're being lied to, what to pay attention to and what pieces of information are more or less useful.
"Keeping it tightly focused on direct collection? That's a safe choice to nail down the fundamentals as a singleton HUMINT Collector. I don't see a name in there, but I think this might be a good fit for Anna Chapman."
-Neil
Anna can hardly contain her excitement when Neil gives her the news. After her humiliation at Goodhaven, she's eager to catch-up to Redbrick the Demolitions Expert, "By the end of this month, they can all take their 'Redbrick' worship and shove it!" Furthermore, it's exactly the kind of work she was looking for when she signed on to Ocean's Ten.
When her training begins, it's quickly apparent she's the perfect choice for this specialist. Attractive and socialable, cold calls and social manipulation are second nature to her. Already comfortable with cosmetics, hair-styling, and fashion, she immediately understands how to radically alter her appearance with minimal effort. A professional woman in a testosterone-soaked profession, Anna already know how to alter her persona to perform her duties in an otherwise unwelcoming social environment. Neil is impressed with how quickly she speeds through these portions of training, and adjusts the lesson plan to introduce more material for her.
Not forgetting how badly Nikita the Scout failed this next portion horribly, Neil rigorously trains Anna on general intelligence requirements and priorities. To his relief, Anna proves a tremendous student in this and has no problems identifying hot vs. cold leads and prioritizing critical intelligence for questioning. Given a witting source, she can reliably debrief him fully in a reasonable amount of time.
Satisfied with her tradecraft in elicitation, debriefing, disguise, and socio-cultural awareness, Neil moves her on to less sexy training: reporting. As a wise man once said, "If a tree falls in the woods, and no one knows how to write about it, did it make a sound?" The "best" spy in the world is useless he can't report coherently his intelligence back to HQ. Anna is taught how to write effectively, annotate maps/photos, and orally brief her superiors if needed. While not the kind of aptitude people usually look for in operators, luckily Anna turns out to be a competent writer and briefer.
More than satisfied with her training so far, Neil adds in some advanced modules on deception detection per Mrs. Ocean's request. Although highly difficult to use reliably in field conditions, she can analyze a subject's verbal and non-verbal cues to detect possible lies. Scientific Content Analysis (SCAN) is also taught, to assist in reviewing written statements. More importantly however, she's taught to always question a source's motivation for a given statement, and if it's actually plausible given their established capabilities. Liars are far more reliably caught by simply bad lies rather than trying to decipher micro-facial expressions.
"Ma'am, I think we got something really special here with Anna Chapman. She's going to be a helluva spy, and I look forward to training her further in advanced CI/HUMINT fields such as interrogation, investigations, spy handling, or even polygraphy."
-Neil
Anna the HUMINT Collector
Highly proficient in collecting intelligence from witting and unwitting sources via elicitation and debriefing. Understands intelligence requirements and priorities. Culturally and socially savvy in a wide variety of environments. Competent in the creation and use of disguises and cover identities. Writes and briefs in a professional manner. Trained in deception detection.
Difficulty Modifier: Normal (+/-0)
Roll (2d4): 7
Result: 7 - Very Good
OOC: To keep micromanagement down, the button cameras have been switched to standard issue. Don't abuse this.
Operations Phase
"Eight and a half men split four ways doesn't leave a lot of wiggle room, but you're the Boss on this. As for what happened last month, I apologize for any mission planning shortcomings so far. As I said before, Danny guarded this as his favorite part of the job, so we're still at quite the disadvantage here. Also our green operators seem to need much more guidance than our old vets did. I'll definitely be sure to name Team Leaders this time, as the new crew hasn't quite worked out their pecking order yet."
Shamrock Tavern HUMINT Source Spotting
Two operators will case the Shamrock Tavern on Anghabar, seeking to spot HUMINT sources for AMR CI FP for use against the growing insurgency.
Anna, a trained HUMINT Collector, will be the Team Leader, as well as perform most the intelligence collection. A second operator, Ethan Hunt, will mostly provide security and general support.
Team will secure a small safehouse near the Shamrock Tavern. After first surveilling and its patrons from inside the SUV, team will disguise themselves appropriately to match the observed patrons. Ethan will enter the tavern first, messaging Anna ten minutes later if the room appears safe. As security backup, Ethan will carry a sidearm and generally try to keep to himself. Anna will arrive unarmed and apparently alone, to ensure minimum suspicion and maximum approachability. Anna will then attempt to spot HUMINT source leads AMR CI FP can use, such as personnel associated with organized labor.
As security measures, an AS Val Carbine will be provided. It should be stored in the safehouse off-duty, and kept in the SUV as backup while on mission. Obviously this is non-overt mission, and all personnel should dress and act sterile.
Personnel:
*TEAM LEADER* Anna Chapman (HUMINT Collector)
Ethan Hunt
Non-Standard Hardware:
Land Rover Defender SUV (1)
AS Val Carbine (1)
Miles Notkin Bounty
Two operators will chase a hot lead on a bounty, Miles Notkin, last seen in the town of Goodhaven. Redbrick, having ingratiated himself with the town last month, will be the Team Leader. A second operator, Hoxton, will support Redbrick.
Redbrick will exploit his ties to discreetly liase with Sheriff Wilder, asking for any intelligence on the bounty or further Sheriff Department resources the team could use. Assuming no hot intelligence, the team should discreetly investigate local boarding houses and watering holes, asking about any new folk in town. If no further hot intelligence, the team provide the Miles Notkin's name and photo to the Sheriff Department for wanted posters, hoping that a public manhunt will get results.
If Miles Notkin is located but refuses to surrender, the team should contact the Sheriff Department to cordon the hideout. If the bounty still refuses to surrender, Redbrick should then use Semtex and his expertise to flush him out.
Given our law enforcement affliliation with Goodhaven, the team should have no issues open carrying Val carbines. A Redbrick is already famous in the area and banking on Ocean PMC's ties to the Sheriff Department, all personnel should dress and act overt.
Personnel:
*TEAM LEADER* Roderick "Redbrick" Batiste (Demolitions Expert)
James "Hoxton" Hoxworth
Non-Standard Hardware:
Gator ATV (2)
AS Val Carbine (2)
1kg Semtex (4)
Red Cross Anghabar Withdrawal
An SUV of three operators will escort three round-trip convoys withdrawing the IRC from rural Anghabar. Simon Templar, having previous convoy experience on Anghabar, will be the Team Leader. Erik and Salt will round out the team.
On convoy, Erik will drive the SUV with Simon and Salt as passengers/dismounts. The SUV will drive ahead of the convoy, scouting for trouble. The team leader will maintain communications with the other three vehicles at all times.
At the clinic site, all operators will dismount. Erik will take to clinic rooftop with binoculars to keep lookout as the convoy loads-up. Simon and Salt will keep ground security.
All personnel should open carry a Val carbine when possible. As this is a legal defensive mission for a neutral organization, sterile procedures are not recommended.
Personnel:
*TEAM LEADER* Simon Templar
Evelyn Salt
Erik Heller
Non-Standard Hardware:
Land Rover Defender SUV (1)
AS Val Carbine (3)
FLIR Thermal Binoculars (1)
Amnesty Interstellar Investigation of Flossmore Prison
Two operators will conduct an undercover investigation of Flossmore Prison on behalf of Amnesty Interstellar. Nikita Taylor, a scout by training, will be the Team Leader. Mr. Blonde will exploit his injuries to attempt to conceal contraband in his arm splint.
The team will establish a small safehouse in the town of Flossmore. The team will first use the ATV and thermal binoculars to perform recon on the prison itself. From an overlook in the wilderness around the prison, they will survey the apparent layout of the prison grounds. In addition to the general layout, the team will also note security measures and potential vulnerabilities.
Having established the lay of the land, Nikita the Scout will use her visitor pass to access the prison. To avert suspicion, she will take the bus as a normal visitor would and carry no contraband. Nikita will carefully note any search/security procedures and then anything that should be video-recorded or otherwise investigated by the next visitor. Nikita will then fully brief Mr. Blonde about how to best conceal button cam(s) for his investigation. Mr. Blonde should then attempt to record the evidence Amnesty Interstellar is seeking.
As as security measure, the non-investigating team member should be waiting in the wilderness near the prison with the ATV and binoculars. Should an investigator need to flee the prison emergently, the ATV is ready for rapid extraction. Obviously this is non-overt mission, and all personnel should dress and act sterile.
Personnel:
*TEAM LEADER* Nikita Taylor (Scout)
Victor "Mr. Blonde" Vega (Light Duty)
Non-Standard Hardware:
Gator ATV (1)
FLIR Thermal Binoculars (1)
(1) Neil's Plan: OpsChief
Turn Three
"Did you hear about that doctor going full native on Anghabar?"
"The one doing the masked propaganda videos? Nostagia'd himself as Norman Bethune. A very apt commie pinko nom de guerre if I say so myself."
"It gets better. He defected with a bunch of Red Cross personnel and supplies too. IRC had to abandon the planet before AMR started targeting everything they had."
--Overheard gossip at Twenty Forward Lounge on Mothership Leviathan
Contact Phase
Sam and Neil sit down grimly in the conference room. Neil looks to Sam, "So much happened last month, I don't know where to even start."
"Fine, we'll start with some client feedback. We managed to fully satisfy two of four of the contracts we signed last month. Both Doctor Throckmorton at the Red Cross and Marshal York at Harad Marshals were happy with how things went. Agent Barclay at AMR CI FP was unsatisfied, and just sent us another message this morning. Would you like me to read it or just summarize?"
You rub your forehead in exhaustion, you remember his post-mission reply and know this can't be good, "Your call Sam."
"It's a short one:
While I appreciate a good deception campaign as much as the next CI professional, I don't appreciate being on the receiving end of it. Somehow your idiot's interrogation log leaked to the higher ups, and now every agency (CI FP included) are chasing the "Kringle Krew" in New Dublin now. Besides being forced into a wild goose chase, New Dublin is going to be too hot this month to do intelligence ops in. Thanks a lot."
Neil chuckles darkly, "Eh, Ethan is on medical leave anyways. That kid deserves a do-over."
"We'll get to the casualty report in a moment. As for our last client, Amnesty Interstellar. They were disappointed, but we did well enough to exploit that follow-up if they're willing to break the bank for that Flossmore invitation."
Sam motions to Neil to begin his part, "Speaking of Flossmore, some major developments came in overnight. The Mothership Leviathan Clinic got a formal request from Flossmore PCF related to Evelyn Salt's TI implant. While these requests are usually a post-mortem autopsy situation, Flossmore PCF told the Clinic it's from a detained female who refuses to identify herself or her origins. The Clinic upheld our NDA, and refused to confirm or deny that it was one of their implants."
You anxiously stroke your hair, "So she's alive but keeping her mouth shut. So far, so good. But how do we get her out without straight-up confessing to the intrusion?"
"Well, this isn't the first time this kind of thing has happened. The Mothership Commandant cleans up these kind of messes for ship-dwellers like us. We pay his fee and give him a blank check to negotiate a ransom. They'll probably get spooked that they grabbed some New Monaco kid gone rogue, and settle quietly before they face the wrath of the One Percent. Including the Commandant's commision, he estimates he can recover her for 30-50k. Unless you object, I strongly recommend we do this ASAP."
Sam interjects, "Now this is full devil's advocate speaking. We still have the option of fully disavowing her as well. Though I see absolutely no good reason to do so. First off, it would be a betrayal of an operator in good standing. Also, from a standpoint of pure dollars and cents, it would actually be more expensive to replace her and we still wouldn't be able to get the new recruit TI-modded for several months."
"Gorramit Sam, then why did you even bring it up? 'Ma'am, here's an unethical proposal, that'll likely devastate our company culture, and makes no business sense.' What the frak?"
"Mrs. Ocean needs to know her options, even if they're terrible."
Neil sighs, "Anyhow, as you probably already deduced, I had to spent a lot of time at the Clinic this month. I'll start with the good news and work my way down... So Simon Templar was unlucky enough to receive a mortal gunshot wound, but also lucky enough to be within arms reach of a famous trauma surgeon at the time. Following extensive blood products, he's made a full recovery and returned to duty without restrictions. Vincent 'Mr. Blond' Vega's arm injury has also fully healed, and has also been cleared for unrestricted duty. Getting into the bad news, Ethan Hunt's hand was too badly mangled to be saved and had to be amputated. He's been fitted with a prosthetic hand, and will be taking this month off for appropriate physical therapy. Finally, there's the matter of Angus MacGuyver. There's no easy way to say this, but he will be euthanized later today."
You reel at the last bit of unexpected news, "Wait, the operator who's been hospitalized since the Red River Riot? I thought he was in stable condition?"
"True, but stable in a bad way. Here's how the doctors explained it to me. The TI implant provides a backup copy of brain brain functions. Memories, executive functions, fine motor, gross motor... literally everything. Unfortunately, that everything can and will include brain damage or psych disorders. Now trying to re-engineer someone's mind makes cloning their body look easy. The neurologists try to 'revert' what they can, but too long in a brain damage state can become too pervasive a part of the brain to isolate and and correct."
"So if we let him sit like that for six months until his scheduled new body, the damage would be permanent?"
"That's what it sounded like. They need to put his TI implant into full hibernation ASAP, and he has to die for that to happen. I mean, he'll be back, good as new, next FTL jump... but he's still technically the new crew's first fatality. I don't know if you want to be there when they pull the plug, or how you even want to announce this. But, it is, what it is, I guess."
A pause settles in as Sam waits to confirm that Neil has finished the casualty report, "As for new business, our full contact list is avaiable, except for AMR CI FP and Flossmore."
"Here's an updated list of contacts for the month."
Lossarnach Country Club **WAITING CONTRACT**
-Small Corporation
Upscale recreational club focused on equestria
Potter Properties
-Small Corporation
Local real estate investors and developers
Anghabar Mining and Refining
-Medium Corporation
Largest single employer and exporter in the Thiel system
Tyrell Dynamics
-Large Corporation
High end AI and robotics corporation
Anghabar Mining and Refining Counterintelligence & Facility Protection **UNAVAILABLE**
-Small Intelligence Organization
One of AMR's several paramilitary and intelligence apparati, ran by "Agent Barclay"
Los Tornadoes
-Small Criminal Organization
Rural biker gang
Swearengen's Gentlemen's Club
-Medium Criminal Organization
A franchise of sketchy clubs associated with organized crime
Slavic Vor
-Large Criminal Organization
Multi-polar Slavic crime syndicate operating throughout the New Worlds
Casa Nuova
-Large Criminal Organization
A hierarchical crime syndicate nostalgic for Old World Italian mafioso culture
Goodhaven Sheriff
-Small Law Enforcement
Resident law enforcement for an small town on Harad
Harad Marshals
-Medium Law Enforcement
Aggressive planet-wide bounty-hunters tasked with hunting dangerous fugitives on Harad
Flossmore Warden **UNAVAILABLE DUE TO CONFLICT OF INTEREST**
-Medium Law Enforcement
Warden for Flossmore Debtor's Prison on Lossarnach
Coalition Expeditionary Forces
-Large Law Enforcement
Militarized security forces loyal to Coalition interests
Interstellar Red Cross
-Medium Political Organization
Non-profit organization dedicated to provided humanitarian relief
Amnesty Interstellar
-Medium Political Organization
Non-profit organization dedicated to advancing human rights and civil liberties
United Labor Movement
-Large Political Organization
Interstellar umbrella organization uniting various local trade and labor unions.
United Green Party
-Large Political Organization
Interstellar left-leaning political organization constantly pressuring the Coalition to adopt progressive policies
Interstellar Geographic Society
-Large Academic Organization
Non-profit organization dedicated to the exploration of the New Worlds and their terraformed wilderness
"We still have the contract from the Country Club waiting for us. As usual, I can work out something with up to five other contacts. While we don't have the manpower anymore to go as wide as we did this last month, it doesn't hurt to shop. Here are my recommendations:"
(NA) Lossarnach Country Club: FREE PICK
(0) Potter Properties:
(0) Anghabar Mining and Refining:
(1) Tyrell Dynamics: Sam
(0) Anghabar Mining and Refining CI FP: **UNAVAILABLE**
(0) Los Tornadoes:
(1) Swearengen's Gentlemen's Club: Sam
(0) Slavic Vor:
(0) Casa Nuova:
(1) Goodhaven Sheriff: Sam
(0) Harad Marshals:
(0) Flossmore Warden: **UNAVAILABLE DUE TO CONFLICT**
(0) Coalition Expeditionary Forces:
(1) Interstellar Red Cross: Sam
(1) Amnesty Interstellar: Sam
(0) United Labor Movement:
(0) United Green Party:
(0) Interstellar Geographic Society:
(1) Pay 30-50k to recover Evelyn Salt from captivity: Ops Chief
(0) "We have no idea who you're talking about."
Describe or fully write how you'd like to respond to Angus MacGuyver's pending death. Is it a ceremony or do you brush off death as no big deal? How do you even announce it to the rest of Ocean PMC? Is it time for a pep talk or solemn reflection? Should you take the opportunity to announce or fine tune any code of conduct rules while you've got everyone gathered, or would that seem inappropriate? As before, this event will lock and then resolve during operations voting.
Turn Four
"Did you hear a Casa Nuova boss took a dive down on Anghabar?"
"The news is saying it was a massive interagency operation among various AMR security forces. They did lose a few officers in the process though."
"Officers? You mean heroes. In times like these, you gotta back the blue."
--Overheard gossip at Twenty Forward Lounge on Mothership Leviathan
Contact Phase
Sam and Neil grin triumphantly. "Four for four, with no casualties! Looks like the new crew is finally hitting their stride," beams Ops Chief Neil.
"It was touch and go with Amnesty there, but in the end, all four clients were satisfied," adds Legal Counsel Sam.
"As far as personnel go, we're back up to a nine-man roster. Hunt and Salt are both back to duty without restrictions. He'll never have perfect fine motor skills with a prosthetic, but luckily it's his off hand," Neil states.
"WHAT THE FRAK, MAN! THIS IS SOME SERIOUS BULLSHIT!" Redbrick yells from the hallway.
Neil and yourself make knowing eye-contact and excuse yourselves from your meeting with Sam to see what's up.
As you two approach the barracks, you can hear Redbrick arguing with another operator. "You need to get that shit outta here."
"Aw, come on man. He's just playing," pleads Hoxton.
You two entire the barracks to see a Canadian goose-sized Velociraptor shredding a matress. An exotic animals expert (which neither of you are) could explain that's it's a juvenile Velociraptor mongoliensis with the feather-less mutation. Seeing a clawed beast happily shredding everything in sight, Neil unholsters his sidearm and steps in front of you protectively.
Hoxton pleads, "Calm down Chief! That's my pet, Sid!"
Neil holds his .45 M1911 at the low ready, "This is not okay, kid. Where did you even get that thing anyways?"
Hoxton guides the young dinosaur into a dog crate while explaining, "Sid's my tip from Doc Jack Barbera. He'll be a good boy, I swear."
Neil shakes his head as he holsters his sidearm, "Well I don't know shit about exotic animals, but I do know that's they dangerous and expensive to keep. You can't keep him here, and I doubt you'll be able to rent anywhere shipside on an operator's salary. You need to sell that puppy pronto."
Hoxton looks to you, "Mrs. Ocean, surely we can work someting out? Maybe build him a cage in the motorpool? I'd be willing to gift him to Ocean PMC if you guys take good care of him."
Neil pauses, "...it could work. We've got the space after we sold the Cooper Mini's. It'll take some investment though. Veternarians can't be cheap, and I don't wanna know how much kibble that thing is going to go through. Definitely needs some basic obedience training too."
Hoxton replies, "See Mrs. Ocean. He'll be no problem at all. Maybe we could even train him as a Military Working Dog someday? They say they're smart enough for that."
Neils looks to you, "It's your call Ma'am. I'll get an estimate to safely house this thing, but it won't be cheap"
You finish your visit to the barracks and return to Sam.
"As for new business, Amnesty broke the bank on Flossmore, and can't afford anything until new donations come in. Tyrell told us they're going to be keeping a low profile after such a high-impact operation on Anghabar. Luckily, everything went so smoothly with Task Force Orion that both Casa Nuova and AMR should be receptive. Agent Barclay from AMR CI/FP should be available again too. Furthermore, while Amnesty hasn't gone public with the Flossmore report yet, they've likely contacted Disney-Fox-Universal-Comcast and the Green Party for comment. It's a time-sensitive issue, and I strongly recommend seeking business with those two contacts this month."
"Here's an updated list of contacts for the month."
Lossarnach Country Club
-Small Corporation
Upscale recreational club focused on equestria
Potter Properties
-Small Corporation
Local real estate investors and developers
Anghabar Mining and Refining
-Medium Corporation
Largest single employer and exporter in the Thiel system
Tyrell Dynamics
-Large Corporation
High end AI and robotics corporation
Disney-Fox-Universal-Comcast **NEW**
-Large Corporation
A massive and highly integrated entertainment-media empire built upon Old World intellectual properties (IPs)
Anghabar Mining and Refining Counterintelligence & Facility Protection
-Small Intelligence Organization
One of AMR's several paramilitary and intelligence apparati, ran by "Agent Barclay"
Los Tornadoes
-Small Criminal Organization
Rural biker gang
Swearengen's Gentlemen's Club
-Medium Criminal Organization
A franchise of sketchy clubs associated with organized crime
Slavic Vor
-Large Criminal Organization
Multi-polar Slavic crime syndicate operating throughout the New Worlds
Casa Nuova
-Large Criminal Organization
A hierarchical crime syndicate nostalgic for Old World Italian mafioso culture
Goodhaven Sheriff
-Small Law Enforcement
Resident law enforcement for an small town on Harad
Harad Marshals
-Medium Law Enforcement
Aggressive planet-wide bounty-hunters tasked with hunting dangerous fugitives on Harad
Flossmore Warden **UNAVAILABLE DUE TO CONFLICT OF INTEREST**
-Medium Law Enforcement
Warden for Flossmore Debtor's Prison on Lossarnach
Coalition Expeditionary Forces
-Large Law Enforcement
Militarized security forces loyal to Coalition interests
Interstellar Red Cross
-Medium Political Organization
Non-profit organization dedicated to provided humanitarian relief
Amnesty Interstellar
-Medium Political Organization
Non-profit organization dedicated to advancing human rights and civil liberties
United Labor Movement
-Large Political Organization
Interstellar umbrella organization uniting various local trade and labor unions.
United Green Party
-Large Political Organization
Interstellar left-leaning political organization constantly pressuring the Coalition to adopt progressive policies
Interstellar Geographic Society
-Large Academic Organization
Non-profit organization dedicated to the exploration of the New Worlds and their terraformed wilderness
"Accordingly, here are my recommendations:"
(0) Lossarnach Country Club:
(1) Potter Properties: Sam
(0) Anghabar Mining and Refining:
(0) Tyrell Dynamics: **UNAVAILABLE**
(1) Disney-Fox-Universal-Comcast: Sam
(1) Anghabar Mining and Refining CI FP: Sam
(0) Los Tornadoes:
(0) Swearengen's Gentlemen's Club:
(0) Slavic Vor:
(1) Casa Nuova: Sam
(0) Goodhaven Sheriff:
(0) Harad Marshals:
(0) Flossmore Warden: **UNAVAILABLE DUE TO CONFLICT**
(0) Coalition Expeditionary Forces:
(0) Interstellar Red Cross:
(0) Amnesty Interstellar: **UNAVAILABLE**
(0) United Labor Movement:
(1) United Green Party: Sam
(0) Interstellar Geographic Society:
(0) Pay 30-50k to keep and care for "Sid" the Velociraptor:
(1) "Thanks, but no thanks Hox:" Ops Chief
Checking your email at your desk, you skim an odd message from "GandalfTheGrey@confinity.com." It's some kind of nonsensical poetry that's clearly some kind of prank, if not outright spam. You delete it accordingly and carry on with business.
Breacher: A breacher is an individual dedicated to the sole purpose of breach and clear maneuvers on entry positions from doors, windows, etc and being able to command a small fire team to efficiently take down hostile targets in a safeguarded position and utilizing all of their people at their command to cover adjacent entryways and using other vital military and police tactics to be able to protect our team from returning fire, managing pointman, and other such-known tactics. This training will also include an raiding or rather assault doctrine based on the clearing of fortified positions or buildings, being able to manage their team to clear room to room in an effective manner.
Victor Vega will be trained for this role, as he’s been in a firefight before and has shown camaraderie when he is the designated leader of missions.
"A bit of an exhausting opening sentence there Ma'am, but seems to cover all the bases: less of a generalist light infantry rifleman, more of a pure door-kicker. Turning Vega into a CQB assaulter TL is a great idea."
Close Quarter Battle (CQB) is technically defined as any battle within 50 meters. For most practical purposes, this usually refers to assaulting a structure and the ensuing "room clearing." With the increasingly urbanized combat of the 21st century, light infantry CQB became increasingly common. Almost fetishized in some circles, operators billeted in full-time direct action units were known as assaulters. Highly aggressive by design, the common slang for assaulters were "pipe-hitters," based on a misunderstanding of memorable line in the film Pulp Fiction. Victor "Mr. Blonde" Vega, already a Tarantino fan, gets the reference immediately and latches on to this moniker.
Ops Chief Neil MacCauley is a former US Army Green Beret and is already prepared to give this kind of training. He first lectures Vega the "Three Principles of CQB:" speed, surprise, and violence of action. Speed is obtained through meticulously choreographed movement through a building, relying on pre-planning and standardized room clearing manuevers to resolve the mission before the defender can react. Surprise is obtained by keeping OPSEC and using low visibility techniques (camouflage, light/noise discipline or even disguises) to get as close to the objective as possible before the defender can react. Violence of action is gaining and keeping aggressively overwhelming physical and psychological momentum ("Shock and Awe" in Cold War terms) to "dominate" and suppress the objective before the defender can react.
In case you didn't catch the theme, the goal of CQB is to accomplish the mission without anyone shooting back or running away. Failing any of those three principals will result in an ambush and/or a "dry hole" empty objective.
Vega is initially put off by all the classroom instruction, but perks up once he hears about all the violence and domination.
As the first stage of his practical training, Neil builds a "glass house" by outlining a 1:1 floorplan with masking tape on the deck. Vega can't help but feel a little silly mime'ing room clearing like this, but it's a dirt-cheap and versatile way to get coached in basic room clearing choreography. Once Neil is satisfied with Vega's glass house performance, he takes him to the "killhouse," so he can practice CQB in a more realistic setting. With Neil standing in as a teammate, it's not long before they're going room to room, reflex shooting targets.
Confident in Vega's skills as a CQB operator, Neil moves on to the more advanced components of Mrs. Ocean's request. Realizing the peril of teaching an operator how to break into his office, Neil has the techs build some practice doors onto the killhouse for forced entry training. While all of the operators received a rundown on how to use the newly acquired Blackhawk! dynamic entry tools, Vega gets extensive tutoring on how to analyze a locked ingress point, to apply the right tool, in the right place, with the right technique.
Vega absorbs all of this well, and Neil decides to squeeze in training module on handgun & flashlight techniques. While tricky to do with a large revolver, Vega picks up the classic 20th century "Harries" technique of holding a flashlight in a crossgrip under a pistol. He'd still be firing the Magnum revolver one-handed, but it's better bracing than nothing.
As the capstone of his specialist training, Neil is assigned a handful of tech volunteers to test his capability as a CQB Team Leader. Returning to the glass house, he briefs them the plan of attack and walks them through the mock room clearing. The non-combatants are as clumsy as you'd expect, but Neil is impressed at how well he teaches them how to stack on an door and then move to their "points of domination." It's time to try them out in the kill house.
Vegas barks out his orders, "Fellas, the moment that door pops, everything in that room needs to be dead or compliant within three seconds. It's not called a 'killhouse' for nothing."
Neil would never trust POG's with live ammo in the killhouse, but regardless, they storm and clear each room with speed and violence of action.
Vic the Pipe Hitter
A small-arms focused CQB assaulter. A master of room clearing. Proficient in breaching techniques. Can lead a team-sized element on a CQB assault.
Difficulty Modifier: Average (+/-0)
Roll (2d4): 6
Result: 6 - Good
Operations Phase
"Well Ma'am, these are the kinds of ops your husband lived for. We've got some big shoes to fill in that regard, but at least we've done a helluva job rebuilding our capabilities this month."
"We have two distinct objectives from two different clients: save the princess and demolish the castle. The basic CONOP is to embed Anna as an insider to pinpoint the VIP and her schedule, Templar's team snatches the VIP at a vulnerable time/location, Vega's demo team is then cued to hit the castle, demo team exfils before the demo charges go off and the CERT/QRF makes things too ugly."
"If Anna nails the intel part, she can really pave the way for the two combat elements. Something we should start doing with our ISR tasks is to start giving them explicit 'Priority Intelligence Requirements' (PIRs). PIRs are a handful of key questions an ISR asset is explicitly ordered to find answers to. Anna has pretty solid instincts on what to collect, but it wouldn't help to tell her what intel we really need. Our operators doing other recon definitely could use better guidance though."
Flossmore Resort Rescue and Demolition
All nine available operators will deploy to rescue the "Princess Elsa" (AKA Lise Schubert) from enslavement by Flossmore PCF, and demolish "the castle" at their center of their newly built adults-only resort.
To complete the intelligence picture, Anna the HUMINT Collector will be embedded undercover at the resort. Posing as a former hotel manager from Anghabar, she should obtain employment on the resort. Likely unable to safely rendezvous with the assaulting element(s), Anna should skip work and get shipside before the assault. Either directly through her work or through elicitation with her co-workers, she should focus on the following Priority Intelligence Requirements (PIR)'s:
(PIR 1) What is "Princess Elsa's" schedule?
(PIR 2) What prevents individual PUC's on the resort, like "Princess Elsa," from escaping?
(PIR 3) What emergency procedures does the resort have?
While Anna is performing her undercover work, all other operators will organize shipside into two distinct elements: Templar's Snatch Team and Vega's Demo Team. Each team will prepare for their respective mission, integrating Anna's intel as it comes in. As Templar has no familiarity with the Flossmore area, Templar will deploy planetside ahead of his team to get firsthand recon before the action kicks off.
Confirming that Anna is away from the resort and otherwise safe, the two combat teams will travel from the unlisted spaceport to their objective area(s). Upon snatching the Princess, Simon's team will cue the demo team and evacuate back to the unlisted spaceport in a Landrover. On cue, Vega's team will rapidly storm the castle and find a low interior space with loadbearing structures. Redbrick will emplace Semtex charges on a timer, and then the demo team will exit the castle and evacuate to the unlisted spaceport in a Landrover.
As this will be a high profile and highly kinetic extralegal strike against a supposedly lawful entity, balaclavas and callsigns are a must. All combat elements should wear the new body armor and have the dynamic entry tools available. Bloodshed is likely, so wear those PFASK's and get re-familiarized with them.
Undercover Personnel:
Anna the HUMINT Collector
Snatch Team Personnel:
Team Leader Simon the Tactician NCO
Nikita the Scout
Evelyn Salt
Erik Heller
Snatch Team Hardware:
Landrover Defender SUV (1)
AS Val Carbine (3)
FLIR Binos (1)
Demo Team Personnel:
Team Leader Vic the Pipe Hitter
Redbrick the Demolition Expert
Ethan Hunt
James "Hoxton" Hoxworth
Demo Team Hardware:
Landrover Defender SUV (1)
AS Val Carbine (3)
FLIR Binos (1)
Semtex Brick (4)
(1) Neil's Plan: Ops Chief
"Also Ma'am, we're coming up on last call for that little monster there. Have you decided on that yet?"
(3) Pay 30-50k to keep and care for "Sid" the Velociraptor: Stirk, m1895, Kashyyk
(5) "Thanks, but no thanks Hox:" Ops Chief, Powder Miner, Pokeboss44, King Zultan, NG1999
Turn Five
"How much more idiotic could Flossmore have been? Did they seriously think they could keep such a high risk business venture profitable in the long-term?"
"Oh, come on. Like you wouldn't have paid a premium to put that uppity commie-pinko Schubert in her place?"
"Good sir, I am a man of taste and refinement... yeah, you got me there."
--Overheard gossip at Twenty Forward Lounge on Mothership Leviathan
Contact Phase
You, along with the entire system, is rapt by media coverage of the "Flossmore Rampage." Following chaotic social media posts from the townies of Flossmore, Warden Rayburn makes a formal press release. Anghabar-based Black Mask terrorists had lethally struck the prison, murdering countless God-fearing country-folk and releasing the dangerous Black Mask operative Grace O'Malley and others to further torment the good people of the Thiel Planetary System.
With Flossmore PCF having freshly perjured itself, Amnesty Interstellar publishes their comprehensive investigation in a multi-part series titled "PUC's to Princesses: the Peversion of the Penal Process." In the past two years, Flossmore PCF had moved beyond their original charter as a for-profit debtor's prison and begun attempting more lucrative ventures. While the AMR-sponsored internees were increasingly an open secret, it was generally considered a common-sense solution to the crisis on Anghabar. Housing a glut of insurgency prisoners out of theater in Lossarnach was simply a smart business move for both AMR and Flossmore PCF. But the legal construct of a "Person Under Control" was dubious, and the implications abhorrent. Most people would agree that Flossmore had crossed a red line when they employed the PUC's for sex work. Certain moral norms trumped the libertarian criminal justice laws after all.
And that was just the opening of the series... The second part of the series details the peculiar case of how the blossoming influencer daughter of a prominent Green Party politician vanished from plain sight and became a trafficked high-end escort at Flossmore PCF. Amnesty can't explain who, how, or why Lise Schubert was taken, but alludes to sort some of vague interstellar political conspiracy. Amnesty found no evidence in the judicial system listing a probable cause for arrest, and whistleblowers from the PCF confirm that she was held under alias and essentially off-the-books. As far as associations with the insurgency, there is no evidence that a young glitterworld gal like her had ever set foot on Anghabar. In captivity, Lise Schubert was compelled to perform numerous unpaid acts of a sexual nature, from which the PCF was extraordinarily well compensated for. Amnesty advances the theory that Lise Schubert's case suggests that the PCF held other innocent PUC's completely unrelated to their internment contract with AMR security services.
The third and final part of the series showcases the moral and cultural travesty of the so-called "Mystical Kingdom." Absurdly claiming Fair Use doctrines, Flossmore PCF flagrantly capitalized off erotic services set in well-known intellectual properties. High-end clients could book erotic services under a variety of specific themes. It was a remarkably grandiose operation, including a full size fantasy castle. While most witnesses and staff claim that all the theses sex workers were duly-compensated and consenting adults, Lise Schubert's case is indisputable evidence to the contrary. Furthermore, Amnesty has whistleblower testimony stating that Assistant Warden Calvin Oglivy advertised to prospective clients that the sex workers were PUC's as a signature feature of the resort experience.
The fallout of this viral investigative journalism began as a snowball and then became an avalanche. First, the elderly Warden Rayburn resigned and retired in shame, claiming that Assistant Warden Calvin Oglivy was behind all these misdeeds. Based on his career reputation and lack of concrete evidence against him, he takes a large severance package and leaves the town of Flossmore altogether. Purportedly Warden Rayburn plans to spend his golden years in obscurity, preferably in a warmer climate with Country Club access.
Furthermore, the extensive capital investments to build the Mystical Kingdom never broke even. The debtor prison ironically became a debtor itself, and declared insolvency. Yet the PCF was an institution too big to fail, especially with the ongoing crisis on Anghabar. Coalition Forces (CoFor) under Confinity orders took the unsual step of applying Eminent Domain to all PCF assets. Off-world uniformed CoFor personnel deployed to take over physical operation of the prison on Lossarnach. Upon arrival, all local staff are immediately terminated from employment. As the old saying goes, a new broom sweeps clean.
But the PCF wasn't the only ones to suffer in the town of Flossmore. Even if the catastrophic damage from the Flossmore Rampage could be repaired, Flossmore's dream of rehabilitating itself as a tourist destination was gone. After both the Rampage and Amnesty's P2P series, no one but the most adventurous and deranged could stomach Flossmore as a leisure destination. With the failure of the resort, and the CoFor takeover of PCF operations, unemployment surges. A town already in mourning for their murdered loved ones, the people of Flossmore prepare themselves for an even longer and harder winter than expected. Many wonder if it's finally time to move to greener pastures.
AMR considers itself something of a victim as well. They thought they had legally outsourced specialized services to a trusted contractor. They had no idea the PCF would do what they did, as labor duties were not explicitly detailed in the scope of work. Furthermore, AMR had no legal or ethical grounds to meddle in the affairs of a private corporation on another planet. Requiring such oversight would be a dangerous infringement on corporate rights. For some reason, this non-apology was of no consolation to the fully enraged insurgency. As a concession to an already tenuous security situation, AMR changed tack and announced they were unilaterally canceling deportations to Flossmore PCF. Future detainees would remain in AMR custody on Anghabar. As a gesture of good faith, most PUC's already on Flossmore would be exiled to Harad on AMR's dime.
But what about the Flossmore Rampage itself? Amnesty's P2P series didn't cover it, noting it occured after they completed their investigation. They parroted a common public sentiment that Flossmore PCF had recklessly generated a lot of enemies very recently, and that someone should strike them so suddenly and catastrophically was entirely coincidental to Amnesty's unpublished investigation. Still, everyone has their own theories.
Flossmore apologists are fond of the theory that it was an inside job by Oglivy. Those who knew him remember Oglivy as a hard-working, brilliant, ambitious, but morally flexible man. He conspicuously abandoned his wife and disappeared on the eve of the Rampage with his mistress. The theory goes that the exorbitant costs of the new resort were merely to launder his extensive embezzlement. With the resort construction contracts all paid out, he cashed out his cut, and had it all burned down to cover his tracks. Today, Oglivy's off living in ill-gotten luxury with his trophy mistress somewhere out in the 'verse.
Others believe a version of the initial story put out by Warden Rayburn. Murderous Black Mask terrorists hopped worlds to rescue Grace O'Malley and take out their anger on her captors. Lise Schubert wasn't even the primary objective, but her rescue is further proof the Greens have been backing the anarchy on Anghabar. The Rampage was an impressive feat if anything, and highlights the growing need for a CoFor intervention to end this violence.
Some criminologists and security analysts get closer to the truth, insisting that this had to be a professional hit. Only pros could pull off such a complicated operation. DFUC had the motive, but it was too sloppy to be their own SIMBa. DFUC must've contracted the operation to a PMC. The barbarism of the Rampage fits the modus operandi (MO) of Wagner, but they don't have the legal top-cover to risk such a high profile black operation. But most critically, the PCF guard force reported seeing what resembles a Greywater Solutions gun truck. The Mothership Leviathan is "in town" these eight months, and Nick Clay's Greywater has demonstrated a certain fondness for excessive force. Sure, it could be Danny Ocean's Ten, but this was nothing like their previous MO, and Danny Ocean would never collaborate with Nick Clay like that. Though they can't prove it, "experts" agree it was probably Greywater Solutions that executed the Flossmore Rampage.
(OOC Commentary: Congratulations players, you've completed your first major plot/quest-chain. By now, you've accumlated a relatively comfortable amount of IC resource. More importantly, you should've seen enough to understand your operators, the game world, its' mechanics, and generally how my GM-brain works. You've finished the tutorial now, so expect gradual rule modifications accordingly. It shouldn't be anything too unforeseen, but this is a friendly heads up that you've unlocked the "real" game now.)
Ops Chief Neil MacCauley and Legal Counsel Sam Goldman meet you in the conference room for a formal briefing.
Sam breaks the ice with a whistle, "Well, well, Mrs. Ocean. We made some serious bank last month. Yes, we took some losses, but they were well within acceptable attrition forecasts."
Neil scoffs, "Attrition forecasts? We're rebranding casualty rates now?"
Sam shrugs, "Potayto, potahto."
"As I'm sure you've heard already, our guys pulled through, but got beat up. Batiste was mangled pretty badly, but the Clinic didn't see any problems with his TI mods. We're gonna miss him these last few months, but he'll be back, Ma'am. Hunt and Chapman will have some scarring, but nothing debilitating. Vega jacked up his left shoulder at some point. Probably a dislocation, but the Clinic took care of him. As long as he doesn't push it too hard, he should be fieldable this month. It's worth mentioning USMC body armor saved a lot of lives out there. Plenty of superficial contusions that could've been more traumatic. Vega, Templar, and Taylor could've had fatal wounds otherwise. Prompt tactical casualty care from the PFASK has also been key in mitigating the severity of our casualties."
Sam follows up Neil, "As for our last two clients, they've gone radio silent. After something that newsworthy, I'm sure their Legal Counsel have advised them to keep their heads down until the smoke clears. Both did pay us in full however, so presumably they were satified with our work."
Neil chimes in, "Anything from the O'Malley girl? IOU's aren't very enforceable for extralegal services rendered."
"Good question. As various sources in the media have confirmed, the Grace O'Malley in question was indeed somebody. The name itself is presuambly an alias-"
Neil interrupts, "Revolutionary guerillas prefer the term 'nom de guerre,' Sam."
Sam rolls his eyes, "Potayto, potahto... as I was saying, it's probably not a legal name, but instead a nostalgia'd choice from history. She was a sort of romanticized Irish pirate queen who famously earned the peer respect of Queen Elizabeth-"
"The one who lived like forever?"
"No Neil, the first one. Ever see Shakespeare in Love? That Queen Elizabeth."
"Gorram travesty of a movie. Stole the Academy Award from Saving Private Ryan. Demonstrably Harvey Weinstein's worst crime that he was never jailed for."
Both you and Sam pause to look at Neil incredulously.
Sam resumes his briefing, "Anyhow... She seems to be the real McCoy and deeply involved with the Anghabar insurgency. Salt opened a line of communications with her, and we can develop her as a formal contact if you'd like."
"Really? You don't consider her a conflict of interest?"
"Not yet, at least. AMR is a multi-faceted organization and our efforts with AMR CI/FP haven't progressed particularly well. We aren't that beholden against the insurgency yet. Furthermore, we haven't confirmed what kind of work Grace O'Malley offers. It would be premature to make that kind of determination without seeing a single contract offer."
Neil shrugs, "You're the lawyer, Sam. Nothing makes me happier than some de oppresso liber action, though. Not always the best for staying in the black, but there's more to life than money, right?"
Sam laughs, "If you say so."
Sam resumes his briefing, "As for business this upcoming month, Amnesty, DFUC and the Greens are probably lying low. With the change in management, we're no longer in conflict with Flossmore, though local warrants may be an issue. On the high-end of clients, Tyrell might be operating again too. Also, let me know if you want to follow up with Grace O'Malley."
"Here's an updated list of contacts for the month."
Lossarnach Country Club
-Small Corporation
Upscale recreational club focused on equestria
Potter Properties
-Small Corporation
Local real estate investors and developers
Anghabar Mining and Refining
-Medium Corporation
Largest single employer and exporter in the Thiel system
Tyrell Dynamics
-Large Corporation
High end AI and robotics corporation
Disney-Fox-Universal-Comcast
-Large Corporation
A massive and highly integrated entertainment-media empire built upon Old World intellectual properties (IPs)
Anghabar Mining and Refining Counterintelligence & Facility Protection
-Small Intelligence Organization
One of AMR's several paramilitary and intelligence apparati, ran by "Agent Barclay"
Los Tornadoes
-Small Criminal Organization
Rural biker gang
Swearengen's Gentlemen's Club
-Medium Criminal Organization
A franchise of sketchy clubs associated with organized crime
Slavic Vor
-Large Criminal Organization
Multi-polar Slavic crime syndicate operating throughout the New Worlds
Casa Nuova
-Large Criminal Organization
A hierarchical crime syndicate nostalgic for Old World Italian mafioso culture
Goodhaven Sheriff
-Small Law Enforcement
Resident law enforcement for an small town on Harad
Harad Marshals
-Medium Law Enforcement
Aggressive planet-wide bounty-hunters tasked with hunting dangerous fugitives on Harad
Flossmore PCF (CoFor Management)
-Medium Law Enforcement
Flossmore Debtor's Prison on Lossarnach, recently purged and under CoFor management
Coalition Expeditionary Forces
-Large Law Enforcement
Militarized security forces loyal to Coalition interests
Interstellar Red Cross
-Medium Political Organization
Non-profit organization dedicated to provided humanitarian relief
Amnesty Interstellar
-Medium Political Organization
Non-profit organization dedicated to advancing human rights and civil liberties
United Labor Movement
-Large Political Organization
Interstellar umbrella organization uniting various local trade and labor unions.
United Green Party
-Large Political Organization
Interstellar left-leaning political organization constantly pressuring the Coalition to adopt progressive policies
Interstellar Geographic Society
-Large Academic Organization
Non-profit organization dedicated to the exploration of the New Worlds and their terraformed wilderness
Grace O'Malley
-Possible Insurgent Organization
Rescued political prisoner with ties to the insurgency on Anghabar
"Accordingly, here are my recommendations:"
(0) Lossarnach Country Club:
(1) Potter Properties: Sam
(0) Anghabar Mining and Refining:
(0) Tyrell Dynamics:
(0) Disney-Fox-Universal-Comcast: **LIKELY UNAVAILABLE**
(1) Anghabar Mining and Refining CI FP: Sam
(0) Los Tornadoes:
(0) Swearengen's Gentlemen's Club:
(1) Slavic Vor: Sam
(0) Casa Nuova:
(0) Goodhaven Sheriff:
(0) Harad Marshals:
(0) Flossmore Warden:
(0) Coalition Expeditionary Forces:
(1) Interstellar Red Cross: Sam
(0) Amnesty Interstellar: **LIKELY UNAVAILABLE**
(0) United Labor Movement:
(0) United Green Party: **LIKELY UNAVAILABLE**
(0) Interstellar Geographic Society:
(1) Grace O'Malley: Sam
Before you close out the meeting, you decide to raise one last issue. "Hey, I've been meaning to ask this. Can we get IT to take care of the spam problem."
Neil raises an eyebrow, "Spam problem, Ma'am?"
You pull up your email and put it on the projector. Yet another odd message from "GandalfTheGrey@confinity.com." As far as you can recall, it's the same damn poem since last month.
Sam nearly spit takes his coffee and begins pacing around the room, "Sam, you better take this one."
Sam takes off his glasses rubs the bridge of his nose, "I don't know how to say this politely Mrs. Ocean, but that isn't spam."
"Well, I've been getting the same gibberish constantly for at least a month."
Neil winces and paces some more.
"Well okay... It's an honest misunderstanding, Mrs. Ocean. Some VIP's liked to speak with Danny personally."
"Gandalf the Grey is some kind of VIP?"
Neil sighs in the back of the room.
"More like the VIP, Mrs. Ocean. In case you haven't noticed, Mr. Thiel has a bit of a thing for Tolkien."
Neil laughs, "That's one way to put it. It's practically a fetish at this point."
"Neil isn't wrong. He was a bit of an eccentric in the Old World, and now he's practically in his own universe."
"Or literally his own planetary system, Ma'am."
"Anyhow, I gathered he and your husband would speak occasionally, Mrs. Ocean. I don't have the foggiest clue about what however. I could only speak with his personal staff for the more brass tacks stuff. That kind of nitty gritty was beneath a great man such as him."
You reply, "Well I'm not sure what they were talking about either. Here, take a look."
Spring birds singing,
mantling about the branches.
A familiar tune,
For whose song is this?
The Ochre Owls?
The Tapered Robins?
The Semini and Alchies?
The Blue-winged Finch?
The Nightingales?
The Orchard Kite?
The Red-breasted Nuthatch?
Birds which the Once Man has warned.
Chaotic birds are the old-timers.
The cover-tailed and storm-colored,
Woodpeckers in autumn,
Ashen Woodpeckers in spring.
Is it the wails of the forest doves,
the long-lived daughters of trees?
From the ripe heads of this species,
The moth hosts to the monsters of the forest.
Heirloom bird charms cannot be bought.
Neil shakes his head, "Gorram old-timer weirdos."
Sam squints and spends some time reparsing the text, "Mrs. Ocean, well that's something... I'm not sure what, but something. However, we do need to craft a response. If you're not up to it, I can handle it for you."
Describe or write an appropriate email response to Mr. Thiel. Per usual contest procedures, GM will choose either "the best" or fusion of multiple submissions for the Event Resolution.
If no submissions are received, Sam will craft a response.
There are many situations where we will want to know exactly how someone could covertly enter a location, be it so we can apply appropriate defence measures or so we can actually do the break-in ourselves. Thus a Security Consultant will be responsible for analysing a site's security measures (both physical or digital), as well as identifying weak spots. They will be capable of both exploiting those weak spots and providing solutions to mitigate them.
Erik Heller will be trained as a Security Consultant
Erik gives a smug grin when Neil breaks the news to him, "I actually knew one of those glitterworld cat burglars back in the day. I'm more of a trick bag guy myself, but you gotta respect a classic thief."
As the saying goes, "Brute force is the last resort of the incompetent." Anybody can smash a window, but it takes expertise to intrude without the subject even noticing. In espionage parlance, this is known as a "black bag job." (Apocryphally, the black bag itself is supposedly the lockpick set.)
A good black bag operator can assess the physical security of a site, identifying points of entry and countermeasures. Most people are acutely aware of locking their front door, but are seemingly oblivious of all other means of entry. Windows and side doors are often unlocked or easily pried. Especially using pakour or rock climbing skills, a surprising amount of fences or obstacles can be scaled with minimal to no specialized hardware.
Erik certainly has the moral flexibility and creative ingenuity for this. He eagerly studies on points of entry and common locks. He learns to think three dimensionally, looking for points of entry other than the ground floor. He learns to recognize some common security systems and their sensors.
Your team lacks the hardware to bypass many of these countermeasures, but at least you have the specialist to identify them now.
In terms of parkour, Neil tries to teach him some parkour moves, but Erik doesn't take to it. He gets it on an intellectual level, but can't fully commit to a lifetime of gymnastic training. He learns "how" to scale a wall, but doesn't log the regular physical training to do it himself.
Erik the Blackbagger
Can assess a site for forced or covert entry. Familiar with common locks and security systems. Aware of some bypassing techniques, but not skilled in them.
Difficulty Modifier: Average (+/-0)
Roll (2d4): 4
Result: 4 - Minor Disappointment
Operations Phase
"Call me paranoid, but I'm not sure what to think about this Grace O'Malley op. It's a decent chunk of change from somebody who's supposedly broke, for a seemingly minimal amount of work. I wish I could take her at face value, but we need to handle this one with some skepticism. This girl is unvetted afterall."
Grace's Barbecue Bodyguard
A solo operator will serve as Grace O'Malley's bodyguard at the Founder's Fifth Festival in Rattlesnake Ridge, Harad. Grace O'Malley is technically a fugitive from Flossmore PCF, and apparently a figure well-connected with the active insurgency on Anghabar. Evelyn Salt will be deployed as she already has rapport with the client.
As shipside prep, Salt should do a quick area study online, to familiarize herself with Rattlesnake Ridge and its current events. Then, Salt should look for any public information regarding the festival, confirming its location, schedule, and general nature as much as possible.
Salt will go boots on ground ahead of time, walking the area in civvies to get a baseline threat assessment. She will take the opportunity to mingle when possible, finding what the word on the street is, especially what people's holiday plans are. Rattlesnake Ridge is an established city with a lot of recent immigration; a new stranger finding their way around town shouldn't be unusual. Renting a secure safehouse near the festival site could also make casual collection and a getaway route easy. Taxis should be plentiful, but a Gator ATV is also available as needed.
Priority Intelligence Requirements (PIR)'s are as follows:
(PIR 1) What threats (law enforcement or otherwise) are actively looking for Grace in Rattlesnake Ridge?
(PIR 2) What's the general schedule for the Festival and who's attending?
(PIR 3) What's the best route/means to flee the Festival (with or without the VIP)?
The day before the Festival, Salt should call up the client to confirm plans and general intelligence. Salt should not reveal her present whereabouts, and note any discrepancies in intelligence. From this point onward, operator has full discretion to abort mission if she detects a setup.
Salt should meet the VIP as planned at the festival, and carry out bodyguard duties. Uniform and arms posture should be guided by gathered intelligence. At the very least, a helmet and balaclava is not recommended. An AS Val carbine is available if needed.
Bodyguard: Evelyn Salt
Hardware:
Gator ATV (1)
AS Val Carbine (1)
ULM's New Dublin Bag Man Escort
A heavily armed four man team will transport a diplomatic credentialled VIP with a duffel of hard currency to downtown New Dublin and back. As this is a tactical mission, Simon will be the Team Leader.
Driver and Team Leader should research routes between the union office downtown and the spaceport. Tentatively, the truck should take one route to the office, then a different one back. Gunner and Dismount should research threats and current events in New Dublin, Anghabar.
Priority Intelligence Requirements (PIR)'s are as follows:
(PIR 1) What are the best routes between the union office downtown and the spaceport?
(PIR 2) What criminal or insurgent threats are active in New Dublin?
(PIR 3) What is law enforcement in New Dublin like, specifically how they'll handle our gun truck?
Given the hostility of Anghabar, and how "high signature" the Beast is, dry runs or other on-the-ground recon are not recommended with current resources. This way, they literally won't see us coming.
If the VIP doesn't have a hard schedule, team should arrange travel during the daytime, but between the various rush hours. At pickup, the duffle of money should be carefully tracked and stowed. At arrival at the office, TL and Dismount will go in with the VIP and the money. (Driver and Gunner should stay at their posts throughout the mission.) Delivery will complete as quickly as the VIP will allow, followed by a return to the spaceport.
This should be a legal transport operation with potential for combat. Duty uniform and full kit are recommended: helmets, body armor, long arms, etc. Sterile/deniable procedures should be unnecessary.
Team Leader: Simon the Tactician NCO
Driver: Vic the Pipehitter
Gunner: Ethan Hunt
Assistant Gunner/Dismount: James "Hoxton" Hoxworth
Hardware:
"Beast" Up-Armored Technical SUV (1)
"Tachanka" LMG (1)
AS Val Carbine (4)
Potter Properties' Inspection Report ISR
A three man ISR team will reconnoiter, surveil, and attempt to infiltrate "Martinez & Sons Inc.," a small business in downtown Rattlesnake Ridge, Harad. The team will lay the groundwork for corporate espionage regarding a certain Inspection Report of interest to Potter Properties in the next month. As this is an ISR mission, Anna will be the Team Leader.
Priority Intelligence Requirements (PIR)'s are as follows:
(PIR 1) Where/how is the Inspection Report secured after hours?
(PIR 2) When is the Inspection Report going to be delivered to the Buyer?
(PIR 3) Who handles the Inspection Report?
For shipside prep, Anna the HUMINT'er will research the business, with the objective of infiltrating the business in disguise. Erik will research the building, with the objective of finding covert entry. Nikita will research the neighborhood in general, with the objective of finding observation points and a secure safehouse. All team members should refamiliarize themselves with the button spy cams.
Planetside, Anna will obtain employment of some sort at the business. As an insider, Anna will casually gather HUMINT per PIR's. The insider will also case the office from the interior, to prep for covert intrusion if necessary. The insider should wear a concealed button spy cam to report her intelligence post-mission with other personnel.
Erik will use his new training to case the office building, to establish a mean of intrusion after-hours. Erik will also look for physical security measures, such as cameras and alarms. On such a small building, Erik will likely finish his work relatively early, and should refocus his efforts on insider footage. From insider bodycam footage, he can direct Anna where to emplace spy cams for collection against a specific workstation, file cabinet, or safe.
Nikita will serve as a general lookout and getaway driver.
Operators will keep in mind that the contract stipulates no payout if the operation is proven compromised. Low profile civilian attire is mandatory, and hardware should not be carried in the open. If no suitable observation post can be accessed, a SUV is provided as a stakeout vehicle. FLIR binos are provided for after-dark observation. For an emergency abort, a Val carbine is available.
Team Leader/Insider: Anna the HUMINT Collector
Physical Security Casing: Erik the Blackbagger
Driver/Lookout: Nikita the Scout
Hardware:
Land Rover SUV (1)
Gator ATV (1)
AS Val Carbine (1)
FLIR Binos (2)
(1) Neil's Plan: Ops Chief
Turn Six
"Have you checked your portfolio recently? The market is in the toilet right now. AMR needs to finish this."
"Rumor is, CoFor is deploying as Law Enforcement Aid."
"If AMR can't protect their own property, the 'Defender of Liberty' will protect it for them."
--Overheard gossip at Twenty Forward Lounge on Mothership Leviathan
Contact Phase
Operation's Chief Neil McCauley sits at his desk with a sigh. Salt got tore up, but she's conscious and will survive. Probably won't be deployable until she gets a new body though. The escort mission on Anghbar was a bit of an embarrassment too, but at least the Potter job on Rattlesnake Ridge is looking like a gimmie. He thinks to himself, "We're on track to make rent, and then we'll have enough of a war chest to really rebuild. If-"
An immature male voice calls out from his doorway, "Chief? Sorry, is this a good time to talk?"
"Hoxworth? Sure, what's up?"
"I'm sorry, but I need to give thirty days notice."
***
Neil looks at you, "That's what he said. He's exercising his contract buyout. I don't know where that money is coming from, but that's what he's doing."
You ask, "So what does that mean?"
Sam interjects smugly, "Well first off, that's 200k right into our pockets."
Neil rolls his eyes, "Yes, but that won't last long. It'll take at least a 100k to replace him, and we'll be short an operator for the last two months before the FTL month."
Sam raises a finger, "But we did just make rent."
Neil shakes his head, "Complacency kills."
"That's why we have TI implants."
"Oh frak off, will you? How do I put it in words you'll understand. Businesses that don't grow stagnate?"
Sam quips, "Why are you asking me? I'm a lawyer, not a businessmen."
"Fine. Ocean's Ten is still a mere shadow of its former self. Without further investments-"
You gently interrupt before Neil gets too wound up, "I get it, I get it. It takes money to make money. Out of curiosity, why is Hoxworth leaving us?"
"He's still a teen. Maybe straight up 'failure to adapt?' I had hoped a young kid like him would be a clean slate. Somebody we could mold into the exact veteran operator we needed. Guess, not."
Sam prods Neil, "You recruited him. You didn't see that coming?"
Neil clenches his jaw, "As you recall, I had to find ten men to sign their lives away to us in under a month. I'd like to see you try-"
You interrupt again, "Guys, please. What did he say at least?"
Neil regains his bearing, "His resignation letter was pretty boilerplate. In person though, he went on some hippie bullshit about radiant souls and whatnot. Good luck and God bless."
You raise an eyebrow, "Just like that, our men can leave?"
Sam answers, "Yes and no. Despite our impressive and unique benefits package, we still don't 'own' our employees. Your husband was always emphatic about that."
Neil chimes in, "You gotta be a volunteer, and if you don't want to be here, we don't want you here either."
Sam rolls his eyes, "So our operator contracts have a retirement clause. The buyout sum is a small fortune, but it's enough to cover replacement."
"Yet enough for a burnt out vet to squirrel away for a hard earned retirement. We owe that to our men."
"Well that was Danny's intent at least. I can't recall any employees buying out this early before, and they almost always had the professionalism to serve out the full eight months."
Neil shrugs, "Kids, these days, eh?"
You ask, "It's not like we can say no... can we?"
Sam cleans his glasses, "We can try Mrs. Ocean. You, as CEO of Ocean PMC, need to still sign off on it. The operator contract does include an 'Essential Worker' clause, and we can invoke that to force him to serve out the full eight months if you want to pursue that course of action."
Neil laughs, "I'd recommend against that, but it's your call Ma'am."
Sam changes topics, "So onto new business? Per advisement from Operations, we can pursue business on the glitterworld of Rivendell."
Neil nods, "To be fair, it's still just the Thiel Planetary System, so it barely qualifies as a glitterworld. But after that overture from Mr. Thiel, I'm less hesitant about risking our men on a glitterworld."
You ask, "'Risking our men on a glitterworld?' What does that even mean?"
"Glitterworlds can pose an incredibly difficult and unforgiving operating environment. High security, high tech, and high population density. We can expect well-equipped rival PMC's, various means of technical surveillance, and a lot of witnesses. Furthermore, the glitterworlds are the backyards of most of the One Percent: we wreck somebody's brother-in-law's real estate holdings, we can expect a full forensic-enabled investigation that could lead to lawsuits and warrants."
Sam answers "Mrs Ocean, a savvy tactful operator acting with surgical precision can make a killing."
You stare at the roster on the projector looking for someone to fit that description. Your two subordinates notice you staring at the roster and an awkward silence lingers.
Sam clears his throat, "That being said Mrs. Ocean, I've updated the contact list to include a Rivendell contact. As I'm sure you recall, Palantir has some work lined up there. I'll also insinuate to some of our interplanetary contacts, such as Tyrell and DFUC, that we're looking for work on Rivendell as well. We'll feel out the situation from there. Though I think we're all in agreement we should still avoid Weyland-Yutani for a good while?"
You share a laugh with the other two, "Good call."
"Here's an updated list of contacts for the month."
Lossarnach Country Club
-Small Corporation
Upscale recreational club focused on equestria
Potter Properties
-Small Corporation
Local real estate investors and developers on Harad
Anghabar Mining and Refining
-Medium Corporation
Largest single employer and exporter in the Thiel system
Tyrell Dynamics
-Large Corporation
High-end AI and robotics corporation
Disney-Fox-Universal-Comcast
-Large Corporation
A massive and highly integrated entertainment-media empire built upon Old World intellectual properties (IPs)
Anghabar Mining and Refining Counterintelligence & Facility Protection
-Small Intelligence Organization
One of AMR's several paramilitary and intelligence apparati, ran by "Agent Barclay"
Los Tornadoes
-Small Criminal Organization
Rural biker gang on Harad
Swearengen's Gentlemen's Club
-Medium Criminal Organization
A franchise of sketchy clubs associated with organized crime
Slavic Vor
-Large Criminal Organization
Multi-polar Slavic crime syndicate operating throughout the New Worlds
Casa Nuova
-Large Criminal Organization
A hierarchical crime syndicate nostalgic for Old World Italian mafioso culture
Goodhaven Sheriff
-Small Law Enforcement
Resident law enforcement for an small town on Harad
Harad Marshals
-Medium Law Enforcement
Aggressive planet-wide bounty-hunters tasked with hunting dangerous fugitives on Harad
Flossmore PCF (CoFor Management)
-Medium Law Enforcement
Flossmore Debtor's Prison on Lossarnach, recently purged and under CoFor management
Coalition Expeditionary Forces
-Large Law Enforcement
Militarized security forces loyal to Coalition interests
Interstellar Red Cross
-Medium Political Organization
Non-profit organization dedicated to provided humanitarian relief
Amnesty Interstellar
-Medium Political Organization
Non-profit organization dedicated to advancing human rights and civil liberties
United Labor Movement
-Large Political Organization
Interstellar umbrella organization uniting various local trade and labor unions.
United Green Party
-Large Political Organization
Interstellar left-leaning political organization constantly pressuring the Coalition to adopt progressive policies
Interstellar Geographic Society
-Large Academic Organization
Non-profit organization dedicated to the exploration of the New Worlds and their terraformed wilderness
Grace O'Malley (KIA)
-Possible Insurgent Organization
Rescued political prisoner with ties to the insurgency on Anghabar
Palantir Technologies
-Medium Intelligence Organization
'Big data' analytics company founded by Mr. Thiel, now deeply entangled in intelligence analysis
"We need to contact Potter Properties again assuming we want to finish that contract on Rattlesnake Ridge. I'm also recommending Palantir Technologies. If you follow the news, it looks like CoFor is going to deploy, so both AMR CI/FP and the Expeditionary Forces should have pressing work on Anghabar. For the sake of something 'humanitarian,' the Red Cross might be worth checking up on."
(0) Lossarnach Country Club:
(1) Potter Properties: Sam
(0) Anghabar Mining and Refining:
(0) Tyrell Dynamics:
(0) Disney-Fox-Universal-Comcast:
(1) Anghabar Mining and Refining CI FP: Sam
(0) Los Tornadoes:
(0) Swearengen's Gentlemen's Club:
(0) Slavic Vor:
(0) Casa Nuova:
(0) Goodhaven Sheriff:
(0) Harad Marshals:
(0) Flossmore Warden:
(1) Coalition Expeditionary Forces: Sam
(1) Interstellar Red Cross: Sam
(0) Amnesty Interstellar: **LIKELY UNAVAILABLE**
(0) United Labor Movement:
(0) United Green Party:
(0) Interstellar Geographic Society:
(1) Palantir Technologies: Sam
(1) Good luck and God bless: Ops Chief
You get back to your office and check your email. An email from the Clinic? You open it fearing its an emergency update regarding one of your operators.
To your relief, you open your email to your "Reju-Regen" reminder. You're due for a new body during FTL in three months, and now's the time for your 'morphology' selection. How quickly time when by. Plus, you can't believe you forgot about this. In simpler times, picking out a new body was something you looked forward to every 18 months with a certain amount of self-absorbed obsession. But now, you had other issues on your mind.
While paging through the eye-color catalog, your email chirps several more times. More emails from the clinic? Ten more to be precise? “Wow,” you say aloud. You had no idea your late husband also chose the morphology of his ten operators.
You call a second meeting, and both Sam and Neil confirm this was the case. Sam assures you it's perfectly legal and in all ten of your operator's contracts. (They hadn't updated Hoxworth's employer healthcare guarantor yet.)
Neil explains matter-of-factly, "With modern biometric identification, an operator reusing the same body is bound to compromise their identity eventually. So every FTL, your operator gets a new but different body. Most operators stay fairly consistent in appearance, but at the minimum, all get new fingerprints, irises, voices, and genetic markers. Almost all get minor facial alterations. Other popular choices include changing apparent age. Skin pigmentation is sometimes done as part of a full 'ethnic' package. Most keep a physically fit muscle tone and BMI for performance reasons, but there's a lot of grey area between body-builders and marathon runners."
"And our men just have to go with it?"
Sam responds, "Yes and no. As with all employer provided healthcare plans, we have the legal right to all healthcare decisions. (After all, we're the ones paying for it.) However, your husband waived this right for morphology selection. That's explicitly stated in each operator's contract as well."
"Why would he do that?"
Neil responds, "No offense Ma'am, but because it's a big fraking deal is why. We're not going to force folks to live in somebody else's body. We're not one of those boutique brothels that force their 'employees' into ridiculous gender-fluid bodies. We're better than that."
"Oh, I should've thought of that. So how does this work then?"
"Well we advise each operator what we think would be beneficial for the next Planetary System, and then we trust them to do the right thing. We can veto anything that gets too 'creative' as well. It's a collaborative process and the end goal is a versatile operator that won't give anybody a dysmorphic complex."
"The next Planetary System is Chung-hwa, right?"
Sam nods, "Indeed Mrs. Ocean. Primarily Han Chinese. Be advised, tattoo and body-mod sub-culture never went mainstream like it did in Western cultures. In general, appearances in Chung-hwa are very... conservative."
"That's right Ma'am. Mostly career criminals do that kinda of stuff, and even then, certain designs have to be either earned or denote a specific gang affiliation. It's a cultural taboo I'd prefer we'd avoid."
Sam shrugs, "Though foreigners do have some allowances for such things. Cultural understanding goes both ways."
Neil concludes, "Just depends what roles we want our operators to play. A few native-looking operators could be useful, but white male privilege still opens most doors in the 'verse."
Physically describe Mrs. Ocean and her operators. Per usual contest procedures, GM will choose either "the best" or fusion of multiple submissions for the Event Resolution.
Keep in mind, presently KIA operators obviously cannot collaborate and will be placed in 'restorations' of their natural-born bodies.
Specialist: Weapons Intelligence Specialist
Wow, mankind sure loves inventing means of killing each other, eh? There's just so many weapons system out there. Yet most operators are only trained on a handful of systems. Why should an operator know about a system they're never going to use?
Well in SOF situations, such a kind of professional gun geek is actually quite useful. Fighting against irregular forces in the middle of nowhere, it's sure nice to have a guy on hand who can identify what kind of gear the enemy is packing, and how it works. Furthermore, when it comes time to train a local militia with whatever-the-hell-gear-they-just-showed-up-with, he might have some pointers about using 'foreign' systems he can pass on to the militia. From small arms, to crew served weapons, and even some common munitions, no weapon gets forgotten by the Weapons Intelligence Specialist.
Ethan Hunt will be trained as our Weapons Intelligence Specialist.
A nerd at his core, Ethan sinks into his technical studies. With Neil's guidance on appropriate study materials, he quickly establishes an encyclopedic base of knowledge on small arms in particular. At a glance, he can identify a weapon system, its calibre, and effective range & capabilities. He should be able to load/unload, safety/unsafety, and fire/clear almost any firearm. (Note, precision marksmanship and maintenance are a whole different specializations.)
This knowledge base also covers common explosive devices such as grenades and land mines. He can identify many common grenades as frag, anti-tank, smoke, illumination, gas, stun, or incendiary. Also, whether a given grenade has a timed or impact fuze. Ethan is also familiarized with various mines, their capabilities, and triggers.
Heavier systems are trickier. While he's great at identifying them, they're called 'crew served weapons' for a reason. While manportable systems direct-fire systems like machine guns and rocket propelled grenades can be fired solo, juggling artillery rounds while also setting fuzes, propellant charges, and managing fire direction need a crew to be used safely and effectively. While Ethan is familiar with the theory of how artillery systems work, he isn't practiced enough to lead an artillery crew. (Besdies, you don't want to 'just wing it' with 30 pound 120mm HE mortar rounds or the 200 pound warheads of a MLRS 'Grid Square Removal System.')
All in all, Ethan has turned into quite the know-it-all, and can talk your ear off about how the M-14 service rifle was the worst crime the US Army perpetrated during the Cold War.
Ethan the Gun Geek
A walking encyclopedia on weapon systems both big and small. Can identify and safely operate most firearms without familiarization. Can identify types of common munitions and their textbook usages. Can identify heavier weapon systems but may not be able to operate them safely.
Difficulty Modifier: Average (+/-0)
Roll (2d4): 7
Result: 7 - Much Better than Expected
Operations Phase
"Well Ma'am, looks like he took to that like a fish takes to water. So about mission plans-"
You interrupt him, "Sorry to stop you there, but I'd like to take a shot at it this month."
Neil raises an eyebrow, "Oh."
"I mean, we've been doing this for how long now? I think I understand enough."
Neil pauses in thought, "Well... it's your business Ma'am. I'll still relay you some intelligence and recommendations though."
CoFor OIC for a Day
"Okay Ma'am. The action itself should be over by the time our man gets on scene. Link up with the troops, and keep shit together until relieved in 24-48. This is Simon Templar's gig and shouldn't need any specialized hardware."
Martinez & Sons Break-in for Potter Properties
"We've got this in the bag. Customer will handle the forgery, we just need to break into Martinez & Sons twice. Our Blackbagger, Erik Heller, already has the safe figured out, but our new hardware is a great failsafe. A lookout/driver could also help."
Palantir's Investigation of Cranbrook Academy for Girls
"A low risk op, but tough on our morphology. The most fruitful results will be as a student in on-campus housing. With Salt on the bench, we only have two females deployable. Chapman's got the skills, but is alittle too... er... 'mature'... to pass as a teenybopper. We've never used her like this before, but I think it's Nikita's time to shine. Nikita could probably do this solo, but Palantir can insert another operator as staff/faculty as well. The staff/faculty operator can either support the student operator or pursue their own investigation. I've also confirmed that this is a weapon free campus, but that shouldn't prove too relevant for our work. In terms of hardware, the new cams could prove useful. "
IRA Gun Walking for AMR CI/FP
"This is the one I'm most worried about, Ma'am. We're bringing a truckload of illicit arms downrange, then lying & spying on the IRA. What could go wrong? Ethan Hunt should have the technical knowledge base to pass as an arms dealer, just need to make sure he can get and keep his backstory straight. But real VIP's rarely roll solo, especially not in situation like this. Vega looking diesel AF with the Tachanka LMG could sell the bodyguard part well, not to mention provide very real muscle if we got to shoot our way out of there. The more bodies and hardware we can fill out our VIP's entourage with, the better. Our AMR CI/FP contact is bringing a truck, but we may want out own if we bring enough bodies."
(1) "I got ahead of myself, Chief. I think you should still handle this.": OpsChief
You pore over the morphology selection one last time. You think you've polished it enough to sell to your operators, but you're not sure how well they'll take it. You've changed skins several times before, but they're all 'virgins' so to speak. You have a vision, but they still can refuse. It's what Danny wanted, and you wouldn't have it any other way. "I'll be gentle," you say to yourself.
Month Seven
"Finally some good news from Anghabar! They smoked that commie pinko doctor."
"How long did he think he was going to get away with it all?"
"Dumbass was on borrowed time for sure. That Maoist bullshit needs to stay in the Chung-hwa system."
"Oh yeah, they're real amenable to revolutionaries there."
"Touche. But did you hear the crazy part? Dr. Throckmorton had joined them."
"Gullible frakin' moron. He got what he deserved."
--Overheard gossip at Twenty Forward Lounge on Mothership Leviathan
Contact Phase
Samuel Goldman Esq. greets you in the conference room with a smile, "Congratulations, Mrs Ocean. Under your leadership, we've had our second highest grossing month this cycle."
Operation's Chief Neil McCauley shrugs, "Despite how much they bled, our men brought home the bacon. Shit got wierd for Templar with CoFor, but he pulled it all off. We're still not exactly sure what happened with Chapman, but her body was returned to us by courier from Palantir, and Taylor's intelligence collection still met client needs. Heller brought in the big bucks from Rattlesnake Ridge in a flawless op..."
He pauses.
You and Sam look at him expectantly.
Neil takes a deep breath, "So, Hunt's gun walking op; we need to talk about it."
You wrack your brain recalling the mission plan you wrote, "So was it him or Vega who screwed the pooch?"
Neil smirks, "Actually, neither. I'd even say Vega performed with exceptional valor. He got banged up hard, but the Clinic ducktaped him back together. I've put him on light duty this month, but enshallah he'll be good to go next month."
"So what's the problem then?"
Neil and Sam exchange a knowing look. Sam takes over, "To put this delicately Mrs. Ocean, a client has egregiously broken our contract."
Neil rolls his eyes, "Is that what we're calling this ratfrak? Barclay betrayed us."
Sam concedes, "To put it plainly, yes, you could say that..."
Sam and Neil explain the situation to you. Agent Barclay, a Counterintelligence Agent from AMR, was puppeting the worst actors of the insurgency on AMR. Now that Mr. Thiel is formally involved, Barclay's looking to pin the blame on Ocean PMC for fomenting a radical leftwing insurgency.
You laugh, "Good thing we blow this popiscle stand in two months, eh? Can you say no extradition agreement? Direct all subpoenas to the trash folder."
Sam and Neil visibly cringe in their seats. Neil explains, "Under normal circumstances, yes Ma'am. We've been burned by asshole clients before, yet we're still in business. But with Danny gone, we're now the new kids on the block to the One Percenters. And you know the two things the elderly really hate? New things and communism. We're in a bad place right now."
Sam continues, "And of course the bioterrorism charges..."
Neil replies, "Maybe I'm being optimistic on that one, but I kinda think the Musk clan has our back on that one. I mean, letting rip a bioweapon in Bezos' backyard? I bet they're laughing their asses at that kind of schadenfreude."
Sam cracks a smile, "True, but are they willing to pay for it? If that were the case everytime we benefited a third party, we'd own half this ship by now."
Neil fights back, "Now I may not be a political guy, but we wouldn't still be here if they didn't support us. New Monaco's chance to boot us was after Paramour, but instead they threw us a memorial service."
Sam shakes his head, "Yes, but now we're positioned against Mr. Thiel's interests. He may not be the juggernaut Bezos is, but he's the most respected of the Founders. He's the Godfather of the PayPal Mafia. Something of a kingmaker back in the Old World. He personally made the fortunes of half the families upstairs in New Monaco, especially the Musks and Zuckerbergs. When the Exodus Initiative came along, his Founders Fund was the first to buy in. He may have lost a lot of capital on paper, but those transformative investments in the New Worlds bought him even more respect and influence. It's safe to say he could turn New Monaco against us with just a few phone calls."
You interject, "But we didn't cross Mr. Thiel, and we can prove it. We have correspondence, signed agreements, invoices, wire transactions..."
Sam winces, "Can we though? On a superficial level, confidential documents can be forged. We could show wire transfers, but this client used unlisted intermediary accounts. In context and full totality of evidence, we could explain it, but then we'd have to really 'open our kimono' so to speak. We'd potentially expose other clients in the process, which could destroy our whole business model going forward."
You sigh in frustration, "So we just have to take it then? There must be some option?"
Sam and Neil exchange another glance. Just as Neil is about to begin, Sam speaks first, "As your Legal Counsel, I would advice you to expand your legal representation."
Neil laughs in disgust, "Of course you would. How much would that put us out?"
Sam sketches out some figures on his tablet, "A junior attorney and a paralegal at least. Ideally on full retainer. Remote work probably isn't the best choice either. Thus, we'd also need to arrange ship access for anyone we hire from the planets. 250k upfront minimum for a 9-month fiscal cycle."
Neil gripes, "That much money just to hire more people to tell us how screwed we are? Ma'am, I recommend a more proactive solution."
You look to your Ops Chief, "Proactive?"
"We're looking at a kill or be killed situation, Ma'am. The silver lining here is that Hunt managed to secure an insider with AMR CI/FP as a contact. He got fraked by Barclay too, and should be more than happy to help."
Sam concedes, "Such a kinetic action would certainly fall under the Ops Chief's purview, and I will gladly entertain this contact should you so wish, Mrs. Ocean. In terms of other updates to the contact list, it's safe to say Agency Barclay is no longer a client of ours. Furthermore, I'm sure you've heard about Doctor Throckmorton on the news. Accordingly, I doubt the IRC are in a place to do anything in the Thiel Planetary System anymore."
"Here's an updated list of contacts for the month."
Lossarnach Country Club
-Small Corporation
Upscale recreational club focused on equestria
Potter Properties
-Small Corporation
Local real estate investors and developers on Harad
Anghabar Mining and Refining
-Medium Corporation
Largest single employer and exporter in the Thiel system
Tyrell Dynamics
-Large Corporation
High-end AI and robotics corporation
Disney-Fox-Universal-Comcast
-Large Corporation
A massive and highly integrated entertainment-media empire built upon Old World intellectual properties (IPs)
Anghabar Mining and Refining Counterintelligence & Facility Protection (Contact Terminated)
-Small Intelligence Organization
One of AMR's several paramilitary and intelligence apparati, ran by "Agent Barclay"
Los Tornadoes
-Small Criminal Organization
Rural biker gang on Harad
Swearengen's Gentlemen's Club
-Medium Criminal Organization
A franchise of sketchy clubs associated with organized crime
Slavic Vor
-Large Criminal Organization
Multi-polar Slavic crime syndicate operating throughout the New Worlds
Casa Nuova
-Large Criminal Organization
A hierarchical crime syndicate nostalgic for Old World Italian mafioso culture
Goodhaven Sheriff
-Small Law Enforcement
Resident law enforcement for an small town on Harad
Harad Marshals
-Medium Law Enforcement
Aggressive planet-wide bounty-hunters tasked with hunting dangerous fugitives on Harad
Flossmore PCF (CoFor Management)
-Medium Law Enforcement
Flossmore Debtor's Prison on Lossarnach, recently purged and under CoFor management
Coalition Expeditionary Forces
-Large Law Enforcement
Militarized security forces loyal to Coalition interests, mostly deployed on Anghabar presently
Interstellar Red Cross
-Medium Political Organization
Non-profit organization dedicated to provided humanitarian relief
Amnesty Interstellar
-Medium Political Organization
Non-profit organization dedicated to advancing human rights and civil liberties
United Labor Movement
-Large Political Organization
Interstellar umbrella organization uniting various local trade and labor unions.
United Green Party
-Large Political Organization
Interstellar left-leaning political organization constantly pressuring the Coalition to adopt progressive policies
Interstellar Geographic Society
-Large Academic Organization
Non-profit organization dedicated to the exploration of the New Worlds and their terraformed wilderness
Grace O'Malley (KIA)
-Possible Insurgent Organization
Rescued political prisoner with ties to the insurgency on Anghabar
Palantir Technologies
-Medium Intelligence Organization
'Big data' analytics company founded by Mr. Thiel, now deeply entangled in intelligence analysis
Agent Charlie Lively
-Rogue Intelligence Operative
Former AMR CI/FP Field Agent betrayed by Agent Barclay, embedded with the IRA on Anghabar
"With how much Potter Properties just paid us, I doubt they can again afford our services so soon. On the other hand, the heat should have died down enough on both Disney and Tyrell by now. Palantir and the Expeditionary Forces likely have plenty of more work for us with how the situation is unfolding on Anghabar. I have already been contacted by Mr. Lively, if you would like to develop him as a client as well."
(0) Lossarnach Country Club:
(0) Potter Properties: **LIKELY UNAVAILABLE**
(0) Anghabar Mining and Refining:
(1) Tyrell Dynamics: Sam
(1) Disney-Fox-Universal-Comcast: Sam
(0) Los Tornadoes:
(0) Swearengen's Gentlemen's Club:
(0) Slavic Vor:
(0) Casa Nuova:
(0) Goodhaven Sheriff:
(0) Harad Marshals:
(0) Flossmore Warden:
(1) Coalition Expeditionary Forces: Sam
(0) Interstellar Red Cross: **LIKELY UNAVAILABLE**
(0) Amnesty Interstellar: **LIKELY UNAVAILABLE**
(0) United Labor Movement:
(0) United Green Party:
(0) Interstellar Geographic Society:
(1) Palantir Technologies: Sam
(1) Agent Charlie Lively: Sam
You get back to your office and flop into your office chair. Until today, everything had been going relatively well business-wise. But who could see this coming? Your Danny was unshakeable, but you can't help but think that even this would get under his collar.
In the privacy of your own office, you decide that getting comfortable behind your workstation is the least you can do right now. After kicking off your heels, you unclasp your bra and let your ample breasts hang loose. After pulling you white silk blouse back on, you take a moment to fold the black lace bra with a pink fringe reverantly on your desk. (It's one of your nicer bras after all.)
With a deep sigh, you stretch your aching lower back. The current fashion on the ship is to keep things top heavy, something you knew your late husband definitely approved of. As a dutiful wife, you always felt obliged to maintain yourself according to his tastes. To be fair, you certainly enjoyed how he kept his body of the years too. But as the new head of the family business, you now had a coterie of others to satisfy. Even though you aren't truly of the upper class, a certain sense of physical beauty and fashion was expected from you. With regular Reju-Renu service from the TI Clinic, you don't have an excuse not to play along.
"Excuse me, Ma'am. Do you have a moment?"
Caught off guard, you must've left your office door open, "Chief? Oh, sure. What's up?"
Neil goes ahead and seats himself in your office, "Well Ma'am, we got so caught up in today's meeting that we forgot to discuss upcoming personnel plans."
"Oh, right! Can we pick up that old Greywater guy to fill Hoxton's billet?"
"Yes, Bauer certainly is an interesting prospect isn't he? He does have some baggage though. We definitely should interview him for that billet however, along with some other prospects. I've already cleared this with Legal, but I'd like to expand our roster."
"Wait... 'expand our roster?' Aren't we fixed at ten shipboard billets with full citizenship and TI Clinic membership?"
Your Operations Chief goes on to explain that he has plans to create a clandestine "B-Team" of planetside operators. Through ownership by shell corporations, they'll appear unaffiliated with Ocean PMC, and can be plausibly denied if killed, captured, or otherwise compromised.
"'Killed?'"
"Well Ma'am, we can't extend them the same benefits of our 'A-Team' now, can we? No way we could afford TI mods for them, and would ruin their deniability if we did. Hell, once we hit Chung-hwa, we won't even allow them shipside. Of course we'd have to book them in coach class each FTL jump, but that's better than cutting them loose for 27 months at a time."
"It's sure an interesting proposal, Chief. ...But won't that change operations?"
"Yes, and for better..."
Without ship access, these operators must go full native, living planetside like a true interstellar migrant. As permanent boots on the ground, they can support our A-Team as only a native can. They'll become de facto guides to their chosen area of operation, and may be developed into other capabilities as appropriate with their placement and access. And of course, the B-Team could turn into something of a farm team for us, placing promising prospects into a longterm pipeline as a full-on TI modded shipside operator.
"That's intriguing Chief, but it's a helluva change to how we do business. It also sounds expensive?"
"I hear you, Ma'am. It's ambitious, but it should still fall within our budget surplus. Definitely a better choice that another gorram lawyer getting fat on our dime too. And with so many places going to hell in a handbasket, half the prospects on my shortlist would probably pay us for a ticket out of here anyways. Still, I don't need you to fully commit now, we have to see how the interviews go this month."
You gesture for him to further explain.
"We're in a very niche line of work. It would be nice if I could just walk over and enlist some patron out of the Twenty Forward Lounge, but our operators are cut from a different cloth than that."
You grin in agreement.
"Ma'am, we find our operators on the battlefields we fight on. Men and women we've seen in action, and proven their mettle. Whether they knew it at the time or not, all of our current hires had been previously encountered by on-duty operators from Ocean PMC."
You raise an eyebrow at that last statement, "All of them?"
"Yes, Ma'am. We don't explain for obvious security reasons, but I'm sure they've all figured that out by now."
"So we've already met all these prospects then? You're going to just fly down there and shake some hands now?"
Neil shrugs, "I wish, I could. Half of the people on my shortlist are fugitives in a warzone. Even if that weren't the case, senior personnel are too valuable to endanger planetside, and our field operators have actual operations to attend to."
You joke, "So what, you just slide into their DM's on social media? 'Wanna see the 'verse and live forever? CLICK HERE!'"
"I was thinking more like 'HOT SINGLE MILF WANTS YOU FOR ACTION!'"
You weren't expecting that edgy a joke from Neil and it hits hard. You double over in your seat laughing, but then sober up as you feel your untethered jugs wobbling all over the place underneath your thin blouse.
You catch the man's eyes fixated below your neckline, but he quickly recovers and meets your gaze, "Well Ma'am, there's a contracted intermediary. We've used them for decades without fail. They can discreetly get anywhere and always keep their NDA's. A Mothership Leviathan citizen too."
"You don't say? No offense, but sounds like we should've recruited them to our little family by now."
Neil smiles, "Great point. I asked Danny that about that once. Said he already tried. They like the freedom of being an independent contractor."
"Can't blame them for that. So we give them our list, and then?"
"They dispatch small airmobile messengers to the exact location of the prospect."
"Like drones?"
"No, Ma'am. Birds. Very special ones, obviously. Owls to be precise."
"The things they can do with biotech now..."
"I know, right? They then deliver a handwritten letter. Old fashioned I know, but keeps the whole exchange secure and off the grid."
"Nice."
"But the letter itself is more than it seems. It can recognize its recipient, as well as communicate back to the sender that it has been read."
"Huh, impressive."
"And of course, we use the standard letter head: Ocean School of Mercenaries and Spies."
Quite satisfied with himself, he pauses dramatically and watches you for a response. Confused, you answer him with only dumbfounded silence.
He tries to hide his frustrated disbelief, "You know... like Hogwarts?"
"Oh, I'm sorry," you say. "I'm really regretting having never read any Tolkien these last few months."
"But..." Neil sighs with resignation.
Putting the joke aside, he explains everything about contracted intermediary part was true, except for the whole owl part onward. For 20k, they'll interview five prospects anywhere in the planetary system. By the end of the month, you'll receive a written report with supporting audio logs. They have their own interview script, but they'll ask any additional or specific questions you request. This month, you'll keep our identities and work details generic, in case they back out. Next month, another 20k for follow-up interviews, medical screenings, and initial contract negotiations. If there's someone who definitely fails first round interviews, you can try to replace them with a new prospect for the follow-up month.
"It's a service that's worth every penny, Ma'am."
"If only they had owls though..."
Neil laughs, "Indeed, Ma'am. Of course, contract signing is done right before we hit FTL, then we have a whole month to onboard them before we hit Chung-hwa. Now as for my recommendations for prospects, we've already mentioned Bauer-"
You interrupt him, "-excuse me, Chief. I'd like to take my own shot at this."
He's caught by surprise, "Oh... Okay... Well there's also Goodhaven-"
You stand and wave your hands frantically to cut him off again, "-seriously, Chief. I got this."
Seemingly jarred by the unintentional frenetic jiggling of your unbridled space age knockers, he makes eye contact with you again and backs down, "...Well Ma'am. You're the boss. Let me know if you have any questions."
Name five NPC's you'd like to pursue as prospects. These can be any living named NPC you've encountered so far. In addition to identifying a potential prospects skills and aptitudes, assess if the person would actually want the job you plan to offer them. It's an obvious waste to spend a limited interview slot on a talented operator who ultimately won't sign with Ocean PMC.
As usual, this Event will resolve by Mission Phase.
Month 1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=174771.msg8051793#msg8051793)
- Jack Ryan, Greywater Solutions PMC during receipt of AMR Strike break convoy
-Agent Barkley, AMR CFP during hand off of AMR strike break convoy
- Sheriff Wilder, Goodhaven Sheriff for Sheriff department training montage
Month 2 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=174771.msg8064145#msg8064145)
- Dr. Oliver Throckmorton, IRC, during IRC exfil. Saved Simon Templar's life.
- Janet "Holla" Hollaran, Goodhaven Sheriff's Deputy. Assisted in capture of wanted fugitive
- Jack Bauer, Greywater Solutions PMC after being raided during AMR CFP undercover op
- Agent Lively, AMR CFP when Ethan Hint is recovered from black site
Month 3 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=174771.msg8091213#msg8091213)
- Dorothy Wilder, daughter of Sheriff Wilder. Provided emergency medical to hostage, whilst a hostage
- Janet "Holla" Hollaran assisted at Goodhaven Bank standoff
- Major Nguyen Quan Dung, Orion Six
- Sergeant Major Luke Hartley, Orion Seven
- Matthew Vogel. Patron of the Shildon Hunt
- Doc Jack Barbera, Raptor King. Member of the Smilodon Hunt
- Bellatrix. Doc Jack Barbara's assistant
- "Sid" the Velocirator
Month 4 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=174771.msg8144670#msg8144670)
- Jack Bauer and Jack Ryan (Greywater Solutions PMC) again during landing at Flossmore raid
- Stanley "Stan" Wellmark, ex-Guard and Laundry worker at Flossmore
- Grace O'Malley, Populist Firebrand
- Lise Schubert, multi-talented performer
Month 5 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=174771.msg8188626#msg8188626)
- FitzPatrick, IRA lieutenant
- Jack Bauer again, but privately
Month 6 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=174771.msg8237298#msg8237298)
- SPC Rana Chatterjee, interpretor
- CoFor HQ Platoon Sergeant Jogendra "Jon" Sen, CoFor B/2-2 Rifle Company
- Lieutenant George Rogers, CoFor B/2-2 Rifle Company
- Arkady Tretyakov, Special Military Advisor, Second Regiment/Wagner Group
- Dorothy Rae Miller (nee Dorothy Wilder), widow of Lt Miller, outlived her son. Didn't really want to return to Goodhaven, had a load of crap happen. Army Medic
- Kelsey Bennington - Wild party girl
- Maartje Thyssen - Strong One-percenter chafing at cultural norms
- Pratima Ambani - Idealist funding IRA
- Khadija Gilani - Potter Properties Civil Engineer. Overqualified, but enjoys the freedom of life on Harad.
- Agent Charlie Lively again during the gun-walker mission. Doesn't like Barkley
- Logan Kenny, teen rebel and IRA fighter
I made a list of all the times someone named showed up and then didn't die.
My votes would be for Agent Charlie Lively and Dorothy Miller (nee Wilder) to start, as they both have shown competence in stressful situations, don't have much tying them to their current location and probably want a fresh start under new stars. They've also both got some useful skills as an Intel Operative and a Combat Medic, respectively.
I'd also second Janet "Holla" Hollaran, as she seems pretty competent and quick to learn. No obvious reason I can see either for or against leaving beyond the standard "Go to interesting places. Meet interesting people. Shoot them", angle though.
If we want more guns, Lt Rogers and Sgt Sen from CoFor would be useful as well. Neither of them seem particularly pleased with the crap CoFor is having them pull.
Finally, a couple of slightly out-there options. Maartje Thyssen might want an excuse to be her person out from under her parents thumb, although she doesn't have any obvious perks beyond beef. Khadija Gilani is only working for Potters as it gives her freedom. Perhaps the freedom of going interstellar will be what she wants? Finally, Sid the Velocirator. He probably still needs a home, and screw you all for denying us a dinosaur.
Will think about contacts in a bit.
"Excellent choice Ma'am. The P229 was on my shortlist. Good taste in suppressors as well."
P229 DA/SA Compact Pistol + Accessories
The P229 is a compact pistol series chambered in 9mm Parabellum, as well as some other calibers that don't matter to us. the specific model will likely be the Nitron with the SRT kit unless Neil gets a really good deal on a SAS or legions without all the extra gubbins (sorry Vic, but you really don't need a challenge coin.)
The Suppressor poses more of a problem given we require one that is both compact and worth a damn. our best bet in that field is something like the Gemtech Aurora-II, a 21st century modernization of an old wet suppressor given out as part of US pilots' E&E kit. The Aurora-II itself only came in at around $400 so that leaves a good bit of room to buy more modern designs based on the same concept, possibly using more advanced materials than uh, vaseline or maybe an extra wipe. Plus without the glowies fucking everything up we don't need to send them back to the factory to replace the wipes, which should put costs down by a good bit. Ammunition is obviously going to need to be FMJ subsonic when used with the suppressor, though we may get some gold dot JHP for usage without it.
In the late 1977, the US Department of Defense decided to replace the aging .38 Special revolvers and .45 ACP M1911's in their arsenal with a single modern sidearm. ...7 years later, two pistols crossed the finish line, the Beretta 92FS and the SIG Sauer P226. With about a quarter billion dollars worth of pistols to be sold in the initial 5-year buy (figure adjusted for inflation), Beretta figured the smart thing to do would be to lowball the unit price on such a massive bulk sale that would surely have follow-up orders decades onward. Expecting the SIG importer to make the same calculus, they dropped their final price by a full 18 percent. However, the SIG importer had already made their best offer, and did not lower their price. Ultimately, Beretta's last minute haggling beat SIG by a cool 7 million (adjusted for inflation), and the Beretta 92FS was formally adopted as the M9 pistol. (Within a year of this epic business fail, SIG fired their importer and created their SIGARMS Inc. subsidiary in Washington D.C. to handle U.S. imports.)
Of course this was controversial. Many, especially SOF operators, argued the Beretta wasn't the best gun, and it only was adopted because Beretta were better salesmen. The first thing most people notice when handling an M9 is just how big it is. A "full-size" pistol, it kept the 8.5 in length of the M1911, despite the SIG and every other contemporary pistol managing shorter. The slide-mounted safey on the Beretta was also hated by SOF operators who preferred the SIG's frame-mounted decocker. Finally, when a batch of early prototype 92FS were informally tested by SOF operators, at least one unit fractured, hitting a Navy SEAL in the face. (As it supposedly wasn't a formal test, this failure didn't count, and Beretta was provided ample opportunity to fix the fault before the next formal test.)
Despite DoD formally adopting the M9, many SOF operators fought to keep customized M1911, especially Marine Force Recon and US Army Special Forces. The SEALs, on the other hand, argued that the M9's open slide was problematic for amphibious ops, went and procured water resistant SIG P226's for themselves.
Meanwhile, SOF weren't the only folks in DoD who hated the M9. Air Force CI/HUMINT agents and detectives needed a "compact combat pistol." Not only did they did they need concealable firearms, but female agents and detectives needed a smaller pistol that better fit female hands. After two years of demonstrations where they exceeded all expectations in performance and reliability, the first batch of P228/P229 compact pistols were issued as the "M11 compact pistol" in Spring of 1992. However, as a niche weapon system, they never reached the full popularity of the M9 (only 25,000 M11 purchased vs. several million M9).
Ops Chief Neil McCauley mutters the SIG motto to himself as he cracks open the shipping crate, "Never Settle..."
Even in the New Worlds, SIG P229's were a quality compact pistol, common among well-off civilians as an everyday carry weapon. Sure, the P320 was the more modern version, but most carriers don't care about the modular features or simply like still having a hammer spur on their pistol. Neil had a hard time finding enough for all your operators, but after overnighting them from a seller on Rivendell, here they were right in front of him.
His jaw drops as he lifts a Sig Sauer Airsoft training pistol out of the crate.
"Those motherfrakers!"
Five figures down the drain, Neil tries to keep his cool. His men needed those guns. With resignation, he switches on his terminal, "And so it has come to this..."
Hi-Point YC9 9mm Compact Pistol (Quantity: standard issue)
A 9mm compact pistol, its molded black plastic form vaguely resembles a toy. It doesn't help that the slide prominently states "Yeet Cannon G1" in white stenciled lettering. A special edition of the Hi-Point C9, named by an internet poll, it turned the C9 into even more of a cheap novelty than before. The internals are made out of powderized zinc, certain parts rattle and the brand isn't known for durability or performance. (Sadly for you, Hi-Point isn't around to honor their lifetime-no-questions-asked warranty.) Despite these shortcomings, the Yeet Cannon G1 is still a 21st century engineered striker-fired compact pistol in 9mm. Slightly larger than a Makarov or Walther PPK, the YCG1 is just under 7 in long, yet still packs 8 + 1 rounds in 9mm parabellum. A threaded barrel for a suppressor or compensator included, but otherwise no accessory rails for reflex sights, lasers, or tac lights. 9mm rounds are provided in FMJ and JHP.
Difficulty Modifier: Normal (+/- 0)
Roll (2d4): 3
Result: 3 - At Least It's Not a CRIT Fail
Specialist Phase
"Well Ma'am, our men deserve better than that. Hopefully those hunks of plastic will stay concealed, right?"
"Putting that behind us, we still need to ramp up our urban ops capabilities. There are a few ways to get that thumb drive off the train, but its going to take some skills. For example, a pickpocket-"
You interrupt him, "-Chief, I think I got this one too."
"Oh."
(OOC Rule Reminder! You've now read plenty about your individual operators and should have a decent understanding of their individual strengths and weaknesses. Operator personality and prior training will be factored into the difficulty of the Specialist Design.)
(1) Let Chief Train a Pickpocket: Ops Chief
"Also Ma'am, let me know when you have the five prospects ready to go. Sooner we can get that rolling, the better."
(OOC Still need that prospect list. Also any specific questions to ask on the first round interviews.)
Specialist: Nikita the Pickpocket
"You got this, Chief."
Given latitude to select an operator for training as a pickpocket, Neil decides on Nikita Taylor. Still, he can't help but recall how badly it went the first time. Mrs. Ocean had wanted some kind of glitterworld cyber-ninja done on the cheap, and it didn't work out. Getting laughed out of the TI Clinic put the poor girl on tilt and derailed her training. But given her operational record, perhaps she'd picked up more than she let on? Nikita has since proven herself a tireless operator and a trusted teammate several times over.
Physically, Nikita fits the type of a traditional pickpocket. A young woman of small stature, she doesn't present an obvious threat to most marks. Even better, she already doesn't draw much attention to herself in fashion or demeanor, which should hopefully translate as a polite (but forgettable) "grey man" in a crowd. Perhaps her small hands will deftly and delicately manipulate fasteners and pockets with surgical precision as well?
Neil isn't surprised when she excels in this training. (It's soon obvious she's had prior experience in this.)
Neil teaches her the fundamentals of slight of hand: how to appear to move naturally, but disguise a smaller movement. She picks up the basic "French Drop" immediately, making small objects disappear in the palm of her hand. After mastering the French Drop, she learns how to direct attention and block line of sight with her body. A good pickpocket knows how to force eye-contact and use that moment to make their move. Of course, sight isn't the only sense to be fooled. Nikita learns when and how to touch a mark to desensitize, distract, or disguise from the physical sensation of a theft.
Sitting in his office, Neil awaits patiently as Nikita executes her final exam. It was a live practical exercise, and he had high hopes for her. She enters and holds up a fist full of smartphones. With a proud grin, she places all four on his desk, reciting which operator she lifted them from.
Nikita the Pickpocket
An unassuming young woman who can discreetly swipe an object in the blink of an eye. A master of slight of hand and misdirection.
Difficulty Modifier: Easy (+1)
Roll (2d4): 6
Result: 7 - Much Better than Expected
Operations Phase
"Well Ma'am, I'm feeling better about that job on the train now. Still, that mission on Anghabar is some serious business though. I spoke again with our contact, and he had a lot more to tell us. Here's some imagery of the objective and the surrounding area."
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/624714798109556737/911138710702149632/SPOILER_unknown.png)
"So the objective is set in a dusty neighborhood of goat ranches turned industrial. The land is mostly laid out in 200 meter by 200 meter squares, surrounded by dirt roads. Like most compounds out there, its surrounded by an eight foot adobe wall with a strand of barbed wire on top."
"The VA HQ building is an oddball kind of place. The rancher traded in his goats and rebuild it all as a banquet hall, which is why the main grounds looks like some kind of Mediterranean plaza. All very Godfather-esque with plaster imitation sculptures and whatnot. Kinda reminds me of a tacky version of the Olive Garden."
"Olive Garden?"
"Before your time, Ma'am. Anyhow, the VA Company has taken over the whole compound. According to the IRA's insider, most personnel stay up there for meals, recreation, and training. The parking lot to the east is used as their motorpool."
"That lot looks pretty empty."
"Indeed Ma'am. As our contact stated, most of the company spends daylight hours guarding properties elsewhere." He continues, "Through a double doors from the kitchen, you can see the remnants of the old goat ranch to the South. Here the rancher was trying to build a wedding chapel."
"What?"
"No, really. It looks finished but the IRA insists it was never consecrated. Of more practical concerns, it does have a little mock belltower that they post a lookout in. Everything else in the compound is single story."
"Everything?"
"Yes, Ma'am, including the southernmost portion of the compound, where VA Commander resides. The rancher's adobe home along the west wall, and sheet metal animal sheds along the east wall. I don't see any prominent antennas or dishes elsewhere, so I'm guessing the radio shack is located in the ranch house. Last, but not least, there's a backdoor onto the road there that's normally kept locked. The IRA insider plans to leave that gate unlocked for us. If all goes well, it could be a fast decapitation."
"Very nice, there has to be a catch, though?"
Neil winces, "You are correct, Ma'am. Take a look at this area map."
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/624714798109556737/911138851169394739/SPOILER_Culloden_Area.png)
"What am I supposed to be seeing?"
"So we may be on the outskirts of town, but there are two neighboring AMR facilities that are actively guarded. That irregularly shaped grey factory 250 meters NNE is a tire refurbishment plant with a guard force of VA troops."
"And that thing by the highway?"
"Yes, Ma'am, that a regional fueling point. Main fuel reserves for the whole town, and guarded by a CoFor detachment."
"Shit."
"Yeah, the IRA's plan is to hit the compound from the South, set up blocking positions to hold off reinforcements from the North, and then exfil SW into the wilderness. I sketched out their plan accordingly."
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/624714798109556737/911138937211330570/SPOILER_Culloden_Area_Friendly.png)
"That's a lot of moving pieces."
"It's not as bad as it looks. Lively will be personally taking Orange Platoon on the main assault in the compound. (The IRA has never met Barclay before, so he or us needs to PID the kill.) Green Squad will support by fire nearby with a machinegun. White Squad are their supposed scout snipers, and they'll be set up in the trash dump to hold off anything coming from the fueling point. Gold Squad is the reserve element and guards the trucks everybody will need for exfil."
"So where do we fit in?"
"Well, our choice Ma'am. While Orange will surely need bodies for CQB in the compound itself, White could easily get overrun if they can't hold off reinforcements. Both elements can expect to be committed to combat extensively. However, Green and Gold are choices that will allow us tactical flexibility. (Keep in mind, anybody who can't make it to Gold's vehicles is going to be left behind.) Might be a bit of an image issue though. If I were to spend good money on a outside contractor, I'd expect them to lead from the front."
"I'll have to think about this."
"As for the train job, Ma'am, I don't have much more to brief you. From Lively's photo, our men should be able to PID the mark boarding the train at the spaceport. It's a two hour train ride with two intermediate stops before the mark reaches his destination at Crystal City. Should be ample time for our new pickpocket to setup a pull."
"Well that sounds relatively easy compared to a full on wartime raid."
"Yes and no, Ma'am. We have a lot of witnesses in a confined environment, not to mention armed neutrals present. We cause enough of a scene, and we get get an operator tazed and cuffed. The 9 mil's are nice to have, but if we try to shoot our way off a speeding train, it's going to go badly."
"Surely none of our operators would just take a flying leap..."
You and Neil share an awkward glance.
(1) "I got ahead of myself, Chief. I think you should still handle this.": OpsChief
As much as you'd like to pore over these maps, the recruiting shortlist stays at the top of your mind. Five names, due immediately...
(0) Jack Ryan - Greywater Solutions operator
(0) Sheriff Wilder - The Sheriff of Goodhaven
(1) Janet "Holla" Hollaran - Goodhaven Sheriff's Deputy: Kashyyk
(1) Jack Bauer - Former Greywater Solutions operator: Kashyyk
(1) Agent Charlie Lively - Former AMR CI Agent: Kashyyk
(0) Major Nguyen Quan Dung - Orion Six
(0) Sergeant Major Luke Hartley - Orion Seven
(0) Matthew Vogel - Patron of the Shildon Hunt
(0) Doc Jack Barbera - Raptor King
(0) Bellatrix - Doc Jack Barbara's assistant
(1) "Sid" the Velocirator: Kashyyk
(0) Stanley "Stan" Wellmark - ex-Guard and laundryman at Flossmore
(0) Deniska - Slavic Vor mobster at Flossmore
(0) Lise Schubert - multi-talented performer
(0) FitzPatrick - IRA lieutenant
(0) SPC Rana Chatterjee - CoFor interpreter
(0) CoFor HQ Platoon Sergeant Jogendra "Jon" Sen - CoFor B/2-2 Rifle Company
(0) Lieutenant George Rogers - CoFor B/2-2 Rifle Company
(0) Arkady Tretyakov - Special Military Advisor, Second Regiment/Wagner Group
(1) Dorothy Rae Miller (nee Dorothy Wilder) - widow of Lt Miller, former CoFor Medic: Kashyyk
(0) Kelsey Bennington - Wild party girl
(0) Maartje Thyssen - Strong One-percenter chafing at cultural norms
(0) Pratima Ambani - Idealist funding IRA
(0) Khadija Gilani - Potter Properties Civil Engineer. Overqualified, but enjoys the freedom of life on Harad.
(0) Logan Kenny - teen rebel and IRA fighter
(0) Cormac Connlongas - IRA sharpshooter
Of course you also can suggest lines of questioning to the contractor as well.