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[Stirk]

I have a few questions, mainly I think the AMR mission will most likely be the most difficult so maybe we should sent three men (Mr. Blonde because he’s injured and won’t be as effective on a combat) compared to the military escort because the problem is that even with visitor credentials we need more information for concrete case their abusive with their prisoners then just setting up cameras inside the visitation room. We’d need visual recordings of the prisoner cells, whatever their courtyard is, etc and you can’t get access to those with just being a visitor as I believe. With the amount of security cameras and the physical strength and armed nature of guards, it would make things like sneaking and getting access to camera footage that much more harder.

Ah yes the last the question is why are we intentionally hurting the battery, well it’s actual the wireless capability. I guess that doesn’t matter on how long our phones can track the button cameras, the main question in lifetime, they’d probably need to be useful for at least an entire cycle of day to be useful and to get some concrete proof.

The AMR mission isn't the prison infiltration mission, AMR mission is the HUMINT mission. We just need signs of abuse and the political prisoners. We don't need to see every single human rights violation or the cells or the courtyard for whatever reason, just point the cameras at a couple of inmates and see all their unexplained bruises and the like. Generally there are two types of visitation, contact and non-contact. Non-contact visits are the ones with the glass wall and phone thing, contact visits basically involve going to a meeting room with guards watching everyone to make sure they behave. Smaller prisons just have an empty room with some chairs, big ones have tables, games, vending machines, and a bigger room giving everyone more privacy. We'd probably get better interviews during a contact visit. You generally have to pass at least one checkpoint to get the the visiting area for contact visits, and could potentially move past things like the security camera room or courtyard. Our plan is to wear the cameras rather than setting them up places, since visiting hours arn't 24/7 we have no reason to keep the cameras on all the time and no reason to break into the prison to recover them. We will need several visits, but should be able to find some evidence without too much trouble and bow out without losing everyone if we don't. Ideally we'd have one of the fact visitors passes being a priest or someone else who has a good reason to visit multiple people, allowing for more non-suspicious visits.

[ConscriptFive]

"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.

Spoiler: Roll (click to show/hide)

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

[Stirk]

Cute as a button.

Specialist: Intelligence Operative

With all the cloak and dagger missions we've been running, we need someone skilled enough to pull them off. Intelligence Operatives act as general purpose spies, with a broad skill base including COMINT, HUMINT, OSINT, and managing intelligence operations. Basic spy guy stuff.

Anna Chapman should be trained as an Intelligence Operative.

[Naturegirl1999]

Cute as a button.

Specialist: Intelligence Operative

With all the cloak and dagger missions we've been running, we need someone skilled enough to pull them off. Intelligence Operatives act as general purpose spies, with a broad skill base including COMINT, HUMINT, OSINT, and managing intelligence operations. Basic spy guy stuff.

Anna Chapman should be trained as an Intelligence Operative.

+1

[King Zultan]

+1

[Powder Miner]

I don't think I like the idea of trying to train someone in COMINT, HUMINT, and OSINT -- the three of these, as with all kinds of intelligence, have different skillsets and considering how what we're trying to accomplish with both of these is HUMINT, I would like to specialize into HUMINT to avoid the kind of over-genericization our scout suffered.

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.

[King Zultan]

(2) Specialist: Intelligence Operative: Stirk, Naturegirl1999
(2) HUMINT Specialist: Powder Miner, King Zultan

I changed my vote.

[Shadowclaw777]

(2) Specialist: Intelligence Operative: Stirk, Naturegirl1999
(3) HUMINT Specialist: Powder Miner, King Zultan, SC777

I imagine that you want to use Anna for the HUMINT training?, also I guess Simon Templar should become the Officer, since he seen some horrible combat and mental trauma in his first, didn't take any injuries and was the team leader for most of it

[Naturegirl1999]

(1) Specialist: Intelligence Operative: Stirk
(4) HUMINT Specialist: Powder Miner, King Zultan, SC777, NG1999

[Stirk]

I don't think I like the idea of trying to train someone in COMINT, HUMINT, and OSINT -- the three of these, as with all kinds of intelligence, have different skillsets and considering how what we're trying to accomplish with both of these is HUMINT, I would like to specialize into HUMINT to avoid the kind of over-genericization our scout suffered.

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.

The main issue with hyper-specialized specialization is...they’re hyper specialized. It could be a very long time before we need to do HUMINT again, and while the HUMINT specialist comes with some acting and manipulation as backup it isn’t as broadly applicable as the IntOp specialization. The Scout was fine as a design, it had a -1 penalty and just rolled poorly.

[Powder Miner]

It rolled juuuuust under average, and if it had rolled well I suspect it would merely have been a competent result of what you were looking for. There's simply no way that someone can become expert in all of these disciplines in this timespan, you're just asking way too much, and even if you roll well on the intelligence operative you're going to run 60 mph into a wall of Master of None -- someone who can't actually quite perform their tasks in difficult scenarios... and difficult scenarios seems to be the modus operandi of this game, with the whole improvisation rolls being an integral part of mission rolling.

[Stirk]

It rolled juuuuust under average, and if it had rolled well I suspect it would merely have been a competent result of what you were looking for. There's simply no way that someone can become expert in all of these disciplines in this timespan, you're just asking way too much, and even if you roll well on the intelligence operative you're going to run 60 mph into a wall of Master of None -- someone who can't actually quite perform their tasks in difficult scenarios... and difficult scenarios seems to be the modus operandi of this game, with the whole improvisation rolls being an integral part of mission rolling.

It has the same modifier as the Demo Expert, which got an Average result on a roll of 6. We don’t need the best in the field, just a moderately competent person. The best wiretapper ever to exist would be nice, but someone who can wiretap OK, google something OK, and do HUMINT Ok would be be more practical for an organization that needs all three done but only has 10 dudes to work with.

Not that it matters overly much, seeing as how we can jam multiple specialization into one person over time and get to do so before deploying in said missions.

[ConscriptFive]

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.

Spoiler: Roll (click to show/hide)

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

[Stirk]

Stirk's mods!

One of the biggest things we've been screwing up is intel. Living in the post-information age, we really have no excuse.

>Shamrock Tavern HUMINT Source Spotting

Do your research ahead of time. Look at social media posts, corporate and underground news sources, blogs, whatever. Know the basics of the current political climate in case such things come up, you should at least know enough to pass as a local instead of a spacer.

>Red Cross Anghabar Withdrawal

They're given intel is kinda horrible. If we go in non-sterile and it turns out they poked the AMR bear we could be out of business, for instance. Look up official and nonofficial sources to see who the enemy is, what their numbers are, how well equipped they are, and whatever else you can get from a quick rundown. Go in in baklavas if it is someone we have worked with, wear the logo proud if it is a criminal organization or other unaffiliated group.

Switch Nikita Taylor to this team, add a Gator ATV. With a three man team armed only with rifles, any armed resistance is likely to end poorly for our group. We should instead focus on avoidance. Google the layout of the roads, find as many alternate paths as possible (especially those that avoid areas where the enemy is likely to be from the first search). Nikita Taylor will move 1-2 km in front of the convoy to act as a scout, using the fancy binoculars to spot anything odd including ambushes, mines, road blocks, or dug out areas that look to be hiding bombs. If any are spotted the convoy will immediately reverse direction towards an alternative path - going off road only if the area is verifiably safe. Keep in constant "radio" contact, especially if visibility is low. Print out a warning, something like "ARMED CONVOY DO NOT OVERTAKE", on the company printers and duct tape them to the sides of the vehicles. Keep at the speed of the slowest truck, or the Gator if the trucks happen to be faster. Try to avoid routes where turning around would be impossible (such as mountain passes) if at all possible. In addition, connect the drivers to your "radio" network, the open source code should be free for them too. Give them orders when necessary, we have seen how civi drivers can act under pressure. Having someone who sounds like they know what they're doing should reduce mistakes. Keep in contact with the target bases as well, if there is anyone at the location.

Switch lets say Evelyn Salt to the Amnesty International, and don't forget the FLIR Recon BN6 Thermal Binoculars for our scout.

>Miles Notkin Bounty

The Gator is a two seater, and you guys should probably stick together anyway. Move one of the Gators to the Red Cross mission. Like with the others, attempt to know your location and target using the internet. I'm less hopeful of actually finding anything about this guy, but it might tell us who his buddies are. The guy flew legal, he isn't exactly a criminal mastermind. Even if he tried scrubbing his social media there might be something left.

Taking him alive isn't a priority. Shoot him a bunch if he draws iron.

>Amnesty Interstellar Investigation of Flossmore Prison
Replacing the scout with the non-scout, team leader is now Evelyn Salt. Make sure to have your cover stories right ahead of time. Make sure you know details about who you're supposed to be, if your card says you're a miner you should know enough about being a miner here to pass a casual conversation. Have a valid excuse for the arm brace based on your cover identity. Since we're partially looking for political prisoners, try to find a list of probable political arrests online through social media and match names with faces. Have an escape route planned out ahead.

[Powder Miner]

I think I would actually recommend giving Vega team leader status again -- he was pretty perceptive (actually, moreso in general than I think Nikita is) and pretty capable of holding his shit together during the strikebreaker mission even through heavy injuries, and what issues there were with his command I think are excusable in that context.

(Plus, it's probably better to have somebody who wasn't injured in their dominant arm try to do the camera intel gathering -- I can't help but think two arms would be very useful for concealing things.)