[IC] MnM 3e - In the Shadow of Imperator: Deadline

[mrdent12]

Diego Gonzalez
HP: 2
CND: Haunted, but fine
Form: Solid

Diego simply floated bobbing to show he heard and understood. Naturally, he wanted to inquire more on the plan such as details of targets, plans to hold the city, and such. His curiosity though could wait to be satiated later though. It seemed he could never get enough information lately. After this was all said and done, he would need to pay a visit to Colonel Costa for information on factions, their dispositions, and such for any useful information to get them to join the cause. Praetor Null would not want to share power. So he would need to find other ways to persuade the groups.

While musing in his head, the expected happened. Iona had said too much and as could be predicted said the wrong thing. Diego knew the change in attitude of Praetor Null and base don past experience Iona was going to pay for her comments. The thought did cross his mind though to turn it to his advantage to gain favour with Null. Stopping to think it through, Diego stopped himself from suggesting to use the meeting as a face to track her back to her base of operations so Praetor Null could finish her off with the support of the Ascendants of course. Iona would never go along with it though. Dr. Sokolov has given her a pesky conscious that saw people as sunny. So, instead he remained silent waiting.

Peter was his fellow Ascendant, Iona was not. His mind was still haunted by the nightmarish hell inflicted upon him by Praetor Null for failing to keep the team in line. By speaking up for Iona, he would be dooming himself to be responsible for her too.

OOC
As a player, I would jump in with an aid. Diego though has suffered because of others and he's learned jumping in gets him in trouble more often than not. On the plus, he's not going to jump in with the suggesting of killing Anastasia and taking her stuff.

[Sakuro]

A malfunction notification flashed in Iona's vision. She didn't have time access her self diagnotics before she felt herself loose access to her systems relating to control of the electromagnetic spectrum. Then she experianced a sudden full body burst of pain as she felt herself being pulled in all directions at once. Damage reported rolled through Iona's vision, warring with malfunction indicators. It was hard to pay attention to any of that as Iona endured the experience of tearing herself apart. Right when it felt like that pieces of her were going to be pulled from her body the rebuke ended.

Iona has taken damage to her more sensitive inner workings resulting in a -2 to her Electricity and Magnetic Control Arrays from now to the conclusion of her next mission. She also receives the previously mentioned HP for your choice to accept the one-shot Complication.

Null's fingers retracted into a more mundane, human, appearance and lost their pointed structure. The digits relaxed, and they resumed their languid crawl through the air. Like the tendrils of an ameba swaying in the discordant currents of the ocean. The intensity of the Praetor's attention lessened from Iona and no longer felt like the weight of the world pressing down on her. Turning their head Null looked between Diego's nanite cloud and Peter's mechanical framework. When they spoke to the pair it was as though they had not just paused in their discourse to torture Iona in front of them.

"I would like your input on Iona's proposal ..."

There is a momentary pause, then Null slowly turns to look back on Iona in an inclusionary fashion that invited her to speak despite the abuse inflicted on her earlier.

"… and perhaps Iona can explain why she believes Anastasia would not abandon me as she had Imperator."

Iona is proposing something Null is adverse to: Accepting someone they feel needs to die, as an ally. She also made a social flop in calling Anastasia a Praetor. Anyone who wants to champion the idea may make a Persuasion check (at -5 for Iona and -2 for Diego or Peter) to try to convince Null that seeking Anastasia as an ally is a valid option. Attractive does not apply. Others may Aid or Oppose the proposal. If no one wants to Support the proposal, that is an option as well.

If anyone chooses to Oppose Iona's proposal, those Supporting it will first need to beat them in an opposed check Persuasion check. This reflect establishing social control of the discourse. Getting Null to remain Hostile to the proposal is easy, and you need only win this argument. If Support fails, Null maintains their Hostile disposition to the proposal. If Support wins the opposed check, then the Supporter may make a second Persuasion check to try to sway Null, along with anyone choosing to Aid them.

Whomever has the highest Persuasion takes leads the roll to try to sway Null, the others roll to Aid. You are attempting to improve Null's attitude towards the idea. They start Hostile towards the idea of Anastasia as an ally, and you will need to raise it to Indifferent for them to allow you to peruse the possibility of working with Anastasia, but Null will offer no assistance. With Favorable or higher Null will offer limited assistance such as transportation. Iona receives a -5 if she is making the roll. One of the Ascendants will only receive a -2 to the roll. Aid rolls still receive penalties.

Yes, Diego saying "we should help Null kill Anastasia and take her stuff" is a valid line of opposition.

[Supernaturalist]

Iona
HP:2
Cnd: Damaged (-2 to EM power-array)
P:0

"… and perhaps Iona can explain why she believes Anastasia would not abandon me as she had Imperator."

She barely hears the words of Null through the aftershocks of agony that wrack her mind. Pain, confusion, and even disbelief override her attempts to regain control of her thoughts. At first, she is unable to speak, barely managing to remain conscious. Her body, writhing from the torture inflicted upon her, has wrigled gracelessly out of her chair, and now lies upon the floor. She slowly pushes herself off the the floor, and after a couple minutes manages to resume the seat that she previously occupied.

Her first instinct is to say no more to Praetor Null. If she feared him before, then her disposition now borders upon abhorrence and terror. She had already told him of Anastasia's location. That could not be taken back. The young cyborg tried to formulate some kind of strategy going forward, but flashing damage control warnings streaming data before her eyes and the lingering pain she felt made it difficult. She could only think of one overriding notion. Anastasia, whovever she was and whatever she did, should not die due to Iona's actions. So, best as she could under the circumstances, the female construct summoned up as much willpower as she could to offer a rationale to Praetor Null.

Softy, meekly she begins to speak. "Gr...Great Praetor...she could be a powerful asset. An asset that could help us retake Hadron City with an even greater degree of certainty. You could set terms for her return. Make them harsh if you wish, for you are the master here. Perhaps she could only return with a portion of her strength. And until you are satisfied with her penance, she must follow your instructions without fail. If she fails to do so, then it will be easy enough to destroy her when she has no recourse to her full retinue of minions." Iona pauses for a moment and turns her eyes to Diego. "You could place her under the watchful eyes of your Ascendant of Deception and his lieutenants. She would be a fool to defy you under such circumstances."

Iona stops speaking. Unsure of what to expect next, she braces for punishment from Null. As she clinches the table, her unblemished porcelain-like hands clasp the table as if anticipating another salvo. All the while fear clouds her mind, fear and hatred. She can only think of how much she desires to return to the presence of Dr. Sokolov, and how much her apprehension concerning Null's leadership is justified. For now, she can only wait...wait for the right time

OOC: Here's my first persuasion roll. Normally, it's at +10, but due to the circumstance penalty it's at +5. Supernaturalist:1D20+5 → 8(3 + 5). So, only an 8. I'll spend a hero point for a re-roll. Supernaturalist:1D20+5 → 11(6 + 5). So, a roll of 6+5+10 equals 21. My reroll result is 21. I have also reduced my HPs back down to 2.

[EnigmaticOne]

Peter Ezima
HP: 2

It was a surprise to hear Null declare open conflict would start soon. And this fact being of significant weight, Peter started considering the various factions that could be recruited, however, Diego asked about what Null considered priorities and Peter held off to hear Null's response. Peter's thoughts came to the Reapers upon hearing the requirement for mobility, but then Iona jumped in.

As ever, the emotional distancing of Ascendance paid dividends. Upon hearing the news of Anastasia's return, Peter hid his surprise - and then the very sharp wince remained only mental, not physical. Iona had made a very ill-thought choice of words and as per their habit, Null inflicted a punishment. Anastasia's desertion had very much offended Null, meaning this situation was rife with opportunity and danger simultaneously.

Iona bravely pulled herself together and gave an answer that might suit Praetor Null. Null's request for input made it safe for Peter to mention his thoughts.

"There are two points which spring to mind, Praetor. First, you previously described Dr. Sokolov as 'a coward and fled shortly after the barrier fell.' Still, we have collaborated with the Doctor and his forces to some degree, if only out of necessity. I don't know the specifics of Anastasia's actions or how they compare in severity to Sokolov's. But necessity might constitute a rationale here. Second, Praetor, you may decide it is entirely inappropriate to make any agreement with Anastasia, but there's no guarantee Dr. Sokolov will feel the same way. This way you can control any arrangements that do get made."

Because no matter how well Diego, Peter and Iona might end up working together, she couldn't speak for Dr. Sokolov, and Praetor Null was too distrustful of the Doctor to believe her.

Persuasion: 1d20+4-2 13

[mrdent12]

Diego Gonzalez
HP: 2
CND: Haunted, but fine
Form: Solid

"She deserves death. The traitor Anastasia took her followers and left when Imperator called.", begins Diego pausing to martial his thoughts more than the dramatic pause it might have come across as. "Unless under your order Praetor, I would not account for such a betrayer to the cause. If it has not been made clear by my actions, I have my apprehensions with working with Dr. Sokolov. That is a necessity though. If Dr. Sokolov had arranged a meeting with the traitor, his plans may already be advancing in a direction not conducive to an orderly control of the city after Stronghold is cleansed from it.", says Diego flatly rejecting Ionas attempt to get him on her side and Peters arguments. One former Praetor was enough to deal with, but toss in a fully backed former Praetor and the balance of power shifted too much for Diego to volunteer.

Gathering himself again, he looks floats for a moment. "It is doubtless her resources would be beneficial for an offensive. I have made no secret of my desire for gathering allies with resources to help. That is where her benefit would end. If she could be taken out of action and her resources used for the cause that would be optimal. In my previous experience though, followers do not quickly change allegiances and our timeline is short.", says Diego proposing an alternative solution. Having all that extra man power would of course prove very useful.

Peter siding with Iona, to Diego, was a sign of weakness to his former emotions. Praetor Null had a vision to bring glory back to Hadron city and while not infalible he had more than just cause to not want Anastasia as an ally. Fair weather friends were the worst kind. Diego should know, he played that role several times. "If you will permit me to ask, what was the traitor capable and her roll before abandoning Imperator?", inquires Diego. More information, if they went to the meeting would be useful.

Persuasion 21 Opposed Roll base was 11 including the -2

[Sakuro]

The lidless eyes of Null's mask are brought to bear on each of the three as they speak in turn. The Praetor does not interject or show sign of agreement or disagreement on any point that is brought up. They only listen to the idealism, logic, and pragmatism that is presented for argument on the topic of aligning with Anastasia. All the while their fingers stroke and writhe in the air. After all have said their peace and discussion dies down Null finally speaks, lookin between the three of you.

"The three of you are to go to Singapore. Find Anastasia and learn what you can of her operations. Then you are to terminate her. Feign friendship if you feel it advantageous in achieving her execution. Salvage what you can. Assume her identity if you believe it will enable you to reintegrate her supporters into the fold. The details I leave in your hands. This is your new priority."

There is a pause, indicative or a change in subject, and Null shifts the focus of their gaze to Diego's cloud of nanites.

"Anastasia is a master social engineer. She helped Imperator design a model for the social revolution that was implemented by Dr. Sokolov here in Hadron City. Imperator kept her outside of Hadron City, working to steer the socio-political climate. Anastasia also covered up whatever Imperator wanted forgotten."

"Though a genius in her own right, and a formidable combatant, Anastasia possesses no transhuman modifications other than an extended lifespan. Imperator did grant her use of a potent object: a ring that allows her to project and control the movement of energetic particles. Even forming solid constructs from energy. Make certain to recover the ring and bring it to me."

As Diego is rolling to Oppose the proposal of seeking an alliance with Anastasia, he does not suffer the -2 modifier to his roll. The -2 modifier is to indicate that it is more difficult to push Support for the idea of working with Anastasia, than it is to maintain or feed into Null's Hostile stance. So Diego's result is 23.

Peter's Aid roll adds +2 to Iona's 21, resulting in a 23. We have a tie. Which means the character with the highest Persuasion bonus wins: Diego. No ground is made in your arguments, as Diego meets you point for point in equal measure. As such you do not get the opportunity to Sway Null's attitude on the issue.

[Supernaturalist]

Iona
HP:2
Cnd: Damaged (-2 to EM power-array)
PP:0

After Praetor Null issues his orders, Iona remains silent. She abstains from any further questions, comments, or suggestions pertaining to the mission in Singapore. She continues to grip the table tightly in nervous anticipation of more punishment. Without looking directly at anyone, she speaks in a calm yet noticeably tense tone "My systems-damage will prevent me from performing at an optimal level on this mission. Is it the wish of Praetor Null that I seek repairs or proceed to the mission under present capabilities?"

[mrdent12]

Diego Gonzalez
HP: 2
CND: Haunted, but fine
Form: Solid

Going to Singapore was going to be difficult to say the least. While not Hadron city, the city was covered head to toe with surveillance cameras and there was a reason the city was as safe as it was. Being a financial capital of the world didn't help either in hunting a former Praetor. Diego could likely get by easy enough by shifting into a Chinese person. It was Iona and Peter he worried about. Their appearances were unique to say the least. It helped though that Anastasia was human albeit an exceedingly clever social engineer with a magic ring. If they got the drop on her maybe they could finish her quickly, assume her identity if they can get enough information on her, and bring some of her resources back to Hadron City. Dr. Sokolov and Iona were the wild cards though.

Diego let Iona speak before posing his own question. "We will ensure she dies bringing back as much of her resources as we can Praetor. Is there any other useful information we may be able to acquire on her such as a picture, psychological profile, or composition of her followers before she abandoned the cause?", inquires Diego.

Persuasion 23 for well informed on Anastasia just in case Diego might have heard something in his various chats, in previous classified briefings, etc.

[Sakuro]

Hearing Iona's statement about her status Null looked to the woman. One by one the fingers of their left hand hooked at the air, each in turn, before uncurling. There was a long silence as their mask's black eyes lingered on her. The quiet was broken by the voice of a child, a boy with an English accent.

"You may make preparations before setting out to Singapore, including repairs. Do not take too much time, however. We do not know how long Anastasia will remain at her current location."

Diego spoke and Null's hooded head turned, bringing the shapeshifter into focus. After the information was requested the Praetor's gloved hands tilted upwards, palms facing the ceiling as though to emphasize they were empty of documents or pictures that Diego could view. Then Null went back to making slow and subtle gestures. A new voice speaking, and another after that.

"Speak with Ascendant Costa. You, Ascendant Gonzalez, have permission to access top secret intelligence."

After addressing Iona and Diego specifically Null looked between the three individuals at the table with them.

"If there are no further questions, I will leave you to talk amongst yourselves and begin making preparations."

Iona needs to be hindered by her one-shot Complication before it will go away. Heading to Dr. Sokolov right now for repairs won't cut it. You may play it out, but he'll need to get something difficult to acquire which will take time: narratively, the duration of her next mission.

If you like, you three may take on a side mission to prepare for going to Singapore. That will allow Iona the chance to shed her Complication and give you an opportunity to have a benefit of some kind. It could be aimed at getting special transport, information, equipment, or an ally to aid you on the mission to Singapore.

Well Informed won't grant Diego Restricted or Protected information. He may use his Security Clearance and visit Ascendant Costa to access documents that are Restricted (psychological profile, known supporters, and accurate picture). To get Protected information (history or other personal information) you would need to undertake a dangerous mission to uncover something.

What Diego get's from Well Informed is rumors and chatter he has picked up from people since coming to Hadron City and his prior association with Imperator's people in the past. Anastasia is depicted as some kind of political boogie man, influencer, or shadowy power behind the throne. She builds up governments, or political figures, and knocks others down. She engineers wars and treaties. She also seems to be able to make problems of any size go away. Big events that should have drawn a lot of attention never come to light, there are no witnesses, and no record is ever kept of them. All evidence gone. Descriptions of her physical appearance and ethnicity vary.

If there are no further questions aimed at Null, they will depart, and you may proceed as you like.

[Supernaturalist]

Iona
HP:2
Cnd: Damaged (-2 to EM power-array)
PP:0

Iona appears somewhat disoriented even after Null finishes his orders and leaves the facility. She has never experienced anything like this before: Both in terms if substantial internal damage and the corresponding pain that accompanied it. Outwardly she is silent and her demeanor is icy.

While still sitting at the table, she opens and closes her fingers, turns her neck, and extends her legs, testing various joints to determine their functionality. When and if asked a question, she responds with as minimal an amount of information necessary to answer. Otherwise, she holds her tongue.

After the meeting concludes, she returns to the infirmary in an attempt to do some self-diagnostics before heading to Dr. Sokolov. Like a good patient, any information which she can provide him might speed up his repair efforts on the young cyborg.

OOC: Since Iona has traveled to and from Dr. Sokolov's base several times, is it safe to assume she now knows the way? Also, since she is presently damaged, I assume that she might still need escort to be safe. Finally, If she is asked a question by Diego or Peter, I can edit her response back into my post.

[EnigmaticOne]

Peter Ezima
HP: 2

Null's decision ultimately wasn't a surprise, if disappointing. After Null finished their instructions and left, Peter took a glance at Iona. He understood and sympathized with her position, and he'd offered reasons in favor of reaching an understanding with Anastasia, but you'd have thought she'd known about the likely consequences of mentioning this to Null.

Or that Doctor Sokolov would have warned her, since the Doctor undoubtedly would have known about Null's feelings. Which did raise the question about what Sokolov's plans were in that regard, but what was done was done.

This left the mission to be done, and the issues involved. The longstanding issue of his appearance when venturing into the outside world, was one. Peter was planning on hyper-realistic masking, coupled with long clothing, but he had quickly realized that he would need Iona's medical and biomechanical expertise with designing the synthetic skin involved, possibly Diego for disguise methodologies, and certainly more time than was available now.

Nothing he could do for it. Regardless, this left the first and obvious question. "We'll need air transport." Peter observed to the other two. "Stronghold controls the city airport, so that's contraindicated. As the espionage expert here, what do you suggest, Diego?"

[Supernaturalist]

Iona
HP:2
Cnd: Damaged (-2 to EM power-array)
PP:0

Nothing he could do for it. Regardless, this left the first and obvious question. "We'll need air transport." Peter observed to the other two. "Stronghold controls the city airport, so that's contraindicated. As the espionage expert here, what do you suggest, Diego?"

Just before Iona heads off to the infirmary to run a self-diagnostic, she is stopped by Peter's question. Since it is directed more to Diego, she allows him to respond first. But to her, avoiding complicated solutions is paramount. She now realizes that the Ascendants and herself need some way to travel to far-off locations in a secretive manner. But that is a separate issue to be dealt with later.

After Diego expresses his thoughts on the matter, Iona adds her "2-cents". "We could identify a large commercial airline that's' bound for Singapore and stowaway in the landing-gear housings. Humans have been doing it infrequently for quite some time. Most of them perish due to low pressure and temperatures, but about 1 in 4 survive. Our structures -whether organic or inorganic - are considerably more durable that a humans. It may not be comfortable, but we can survive it. If we were to depart at night, then the chances of being spotted could be minimized greatly, I suppose. Infiltrating us to the aircraft is more Diego's specialty, so I would defer to him on how it could be done."

[mrdent12]

Diego Gonzalez
HP: 2->1
CND: Haunted, but fine
Form: Solid

As Praetor Null left, Diego simple stayed silent in agreement with following Null's commands and guidance. Once he left, Diego listened to the others proposal. After they had failed to swayNull, being too harsh would likely back fire. Even to Iona, he was uncharacteristically softer in tone. "If we do make it through Stronghold security at night, get into a planes landing gear, and make it into Singapore how do you propose a robot that is modeled after a beautiful woman of the highest caliber and an Ascendant with the blessings being easily visible get around? That is if we also avoid the security at the Singapore airport and avoid all the cameras there. A man walking around with bandages or a ski mask on his face will draw the attention of the Singapore police rather easy.", begins Diego. Instead of being authoritarian, giving Iona back some agency might calm her a bit. So far, he had been treating her as a lackey of Dr. Sokolov. Now he needed her to operate with some confidence if they were to succeed. As for Peter, he was battle tested and forged into a weapon by Praetor Null.

"If we had documents and a legitimate reason for whatever disguises we assumed, it would make it much easier to move around. That will only be the easy part of the mission as well. We still need to get close enough to Anastasia to assassinate her and hopefully take what we can from her. For getting in, there may be a smuggler who can provide us forged documents and a way into and out of the city. We have some money and jewelry plus drugs to trade. If that is not enough or we deem fit to use it for other purposes, we may even help the smuggler a little for wha we need. Having a smuggler as an asset is never a bad thing.", proposes Diego. He modulates his voice in such a manner to facilitate discussion instead of direct ordering.

As he waits for a response, he thinks back on his days on the outside during the war. His work as a translator had him globe trotting plus various missions for the U.S government or Imperator gave him a decent sense of the world. Combing it all, he tried to piece together the optimal entry and exit plan from Singapore and Hadron City.

Expertise Spycraft 13. Not today dice, not today
Expertise Spycraft 13 + 10 = 23 to spite the two 1's in a row.
Haven't gotten a good roll yet from coyote code. Probably need to change rollers.

[Sakuro]

Combing it all, he tried to piece together the optimal entry and exit plan from Singapore and Hadron City.

Expertise Spycraft 13 + 10 = 23 to spite the two 1's in a row.

I'm not going to make a plan for Diego. Diego also doesn't know what the Hadron City airport's security is like right now. You'll need to gather that information yourselves.

I will tell you that if you go with a smuggler, they'll have their own strategy for dealing with getting you to Singapore. Should you start making plans of your own the two strategies may conflict. You may even end up hindering the smuggler if you try enacting your own plan then decide later to backtrack and work out something with a smuggler.

Diego realizes that while he may be stealthy, Peter is only passably sneaky, and Iona has shown no aptitude for stealth or infiltration techniques. Iona's proposal would be heavily dependent on the personal stealth of all three of you.

A reminder Iona's damage related Complication would be in effect during your sneaking through the airport and all the way up until the Anastasia related mission is complete. If you want to do a side mission, it needs to happen before you set out for Singapore. Ideally it relates to helping you with your Singapore mission … otherwise you could be seen as procrastinating from Null's viewpoint.

[EnigmaticOne]

Peter Ezima
HP: 2

Peter did some basic searching on Singapore and some more ideas came to him. "Singapore is a major tourism hotspot. With faked up documents, we could pretend I'm going to perform at one of the resorts, ala Blue Man Group."