SPACE JESUS: MASS EFFECT FAWTL

Game Master Freehold DM

”We should warn them. I do not think a frontal assault is advisable in this location - which is rare for me to say. But do we know they are after our team - or is something other than normal business going on here?”

The group makes a hard right as they go inside the building, and Grace swears they speak to someone, and Zinneus can confirm they use a passphrase: "Shepard was wrong" before disappearing down a hallway, any pretext at being a deliery person gone. You know that hustle.

"Hmmm... that's not good. Best stay extra sharp in case we need to mount a rescue."

Grace's hand reflexively moves away from her side slightly, ready to reach for the rifle holstered on her back at a moment's notice. However, she holds her position, still keeping an eye out for any trouble.

Alertness: 4d3 - 8 + 2 ⇒ (1, 2, 3, 3) - 8 + 2 = 3

Hestia tries the hall in the other side of the T, still looking for some secret door, and whispers to Theron. "Maybe the doors are all from the inside, but one entrance? Sounds like a risky bottleneck."

Investigation: 4d3 - 8 ⇒ (2, 3, 3, 2) - 8 = 2

Theron quickly flips the camera to ensure he's not walking into worse than the goons following him... or something that'll tip them off immediately, either.

It's a somewhat sad scene- one lone corporate drone sitting at a state of the art computer rig that is easily the price of a small home in an office that is larger than the setup, though not by much. Make a perception check, otherwise he is simply kind of bopping to the beat of the song he is singing along with, admittedly badly.

Hestia tries the hall in the other side of the T, still looking for some secret door, and whispers to Theron. "Maybe the doors are all from the inside, but one entrance? Sounds like a risky bottleneck."

Investigation: 4d3 - 8 ⇒ (2, 3, 3, 2) - 8 = 2

You are trying to find the seams for the door to the rooms that are doubtless there, but you find nothing. Just then your gaze falls to the floor and you see an imperfection there. Then it hits you- Oh crap. These aren't doors to other rooms. They're PRIVATE ELEVATORS. The old-school kind that open vertically, not horizontally, they melt perfectly into the walls in this decor. You hear them rumbling quietly. Someone- several someones- are on their way to this floor.

Hestia grabs the lunches and scoots over to Theron. "Secret elevators are coming," she whispers quietly. "Can we go in? Should I stall them while you go in?"

Theron watches the man for a moment, making sure there's no other surprises...

Alertness: 1 + 4d3 - 8 ⇒ 1 + (2, 3, 1, 3) - 8 = 2

Depending where that leads -- he'll open the door

Quote:

Theron quickly flips the camera to ensure he's not walking into worse than the goons following him... or something that'll tip them off immediately, either.

It's a somewhat sad scene- one lone corporate drone sitting at a state of the art computer rig that is easily the price of a small home in an office that is larger than the setup, though not by much. He is simply kind of bopping to the beat of an extremely outdated song, at least 15 years or so. The way he is moving is as if it was still a top ten hit. Moreover, you aren't a fashionista, but this guy's suit is equally outdated. You haven't seen suits cut in that fashion in at least 20 years. Even his haircut seems a bit off, something a much younger man would wear. Odd...

Theron pauses a moment, blinks, ....waitaminute..., and quickly tries to force a diagnostic to ensure this is a live feed and not an (old) loop.

Theron pauses a moment, blinks, ....waitaminute..., and quickly tries to force a diagnostic to ensure this is a live feed and not an (old) loop.

From what you see, it is quite live, or at least real. The mannerisms are all too human, even advanced AIs don't twitch, cough, and scratch itches that way.

Theron whispers, "Seems ok, as long as we think the guy in there was in cryosleep for the last decade and nobody told him. Still, dealing with that seems better than dealing with our unwelcome company."[/smaller]

He triggers the door open and motions for Hestia.

Hestia nods, picks up both bags of lunches, and slips throught the door, slipping to the side along the wall as quietly as possible to clear the doorway for Theron.

The infiltration team slips in JUST as the elevator doors behind them open- a few seconds later and it would have been an awkward reception in the lobby. You hear no footfalls in the hall approaching this mini-office, a likely side effect of the noise scramblers and plush carpet, but even without those, the music is near deafening. Despite this, the man at the computer whirls around in surprise.

As this is a very special infiltration team, make an equally very special roll, Hestia with a +2, and Theron with a +3, otherwise, the shocked fellow is in his early 30s and has a few days of growth with respect to beard but otherwise looks very put together despite his lack of fashion sense. "You...aren't the regular crew. Who are you?" He immediately turns the music down.

Very Special Roll: 4d3 - 8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 3) - 8 + 2 = 2

"Lunch delivery," Hestia says, rummaging through a bag for a meal, walking up to the chair, and holding it out to the man with the most cheerful and clueless of expressions.

Deceit: 4d3 - 8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 2, 3, 3) - 8 + 3 = 5

Just waiting on Therons roll.

Very Special Roll: 3 + 4d3 - 8 ⇒ 3 + (1, 2, 2, 2) - 8 = 2

Regular crew? Oh, bloody stars, what have we blundered into... He starts concentrating, ready to use his biotics to cross the distance, cursing that he was forced to leave his sword behind, but stops himself, simply nodding and holding up the bag following Hestia's lead.

Hooboy. Not the greatest special rolls, but considering your backgrounds and the fact that it is the two of you together, you are entitled to some information:

Theron says, "Sorry, you should have been contacted. It's a mess out there right now, and so we're here to bring you lunch... and make sure that you're safe, based on that intruders."

Theron says, "Sorry, you should have been contacted. It's a mess out there right now, and so we're here to bring you lunch... and make sure that you're safe, based on that intruders."

He takes the proffered food, which seems to calm him slightly although he remains a bit flustered. "Intruders? What? Let me check the feed...

He turns around, presumably to cycle over to the camera feed.

"Don't worry; we saw a bunch of security personnel running around while we waited for the elevator," Hestia soothes, "I'll bet they've found them by now."

She grabs the back of the chair as it comes around and keeps turning it so he has to face them, glancing to Theron for help. Do I need a check?

Theron nods, then shakes his head, "Honestly, like I said before we got here, I think it's just one of those bloody security drills that we've been hearing whispers about. I'm sure they just flagged some group of commuters popping home for lunch as 'intruders' to check response times."

Yes please both of you make Deceit checks with a +2 bonus for Hestias amazing roll earlier.

Deceit: 4d3 - 8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2, 2, 1) - 8 + 3 + 2 = 5

Deceit: 1 + 4d3 - 8 + 2 ⇒ 1 + (3, 2, 1, 1) - 8 + 2 = 2

He seems a bit suspicious, but his hunger wins out for now. He devours some kind of veggie bun, and closes his eyes as he chomps

"MMmm. Mm. Okay. So what now exactly? Do we move, or wait for them to come to us so I can give some kind of all clear, or what?"

He rustles about in the bag for more.

Theron nods, "Hole up and wait for further instructions is what we were told."

"Exactly. Luckily, we haven't delivered everything yet, so there are more lunches if you want one. We might be her an hour or more, and nobody's going to want a stale lunch." Hestia sets the bag near the geek and meanders behind the console to get to her Omnitool on the sly.

If she is able to get out of his view, she taps a message to the team. T & I in 101 eating lunch with a geek. Avoided the muscle. Secret elevators near us.

The anachronistic geek seems a lot more interested in the sauce he is dipping his buns in than anything else at the moment. The message sends without incident, but there IS a pounding at the door. He perks up at that.

"Why are they knocking?"

Theron locks his face in a smile, "Probably the all-clear. But, stay back just in case. We'll get the door."

** spoiler omitted **

Hestia turns away from the worker and catches Theron's eye. She points at Theron, then through herself to the luncher, then taps the top of her sternum and points at the door. With a nod, she moves to the door, gives Theron a few seconds to position himself or prepare. Once he signals that he's ready, she palms the door open switch.

Holding on the door open for preparation or plan-changing idea from Theron. Geez, we should have asked the guy's name to make posting easier!

Outside the office complex, Grace glances at her omni-tool, then raises her gaze to meet Dern's eyes, a concerned expression on her face.

"Any idea what's going on? They've been out of contact for a bit..." she whispers.

While Hestia approaches the door, she surruptitiously taps out a message to the others. Door-pounders at 101. Delayed long enough, need to open the door. Any ETA?

The knocking goes from semi polite to official. You get the sense that something is about to happen.

Can put things on pause to give Theron time to come back, or we can keep going! It's up to everyone.

I'd prefer to wait for Theron. It's just a few more days.

Dern taps back to Hestia. Are you in trouble? Do you need support? Artillery, perhaps?

Don't know what or how many or abilities until we open the door. Maybe?

Theron whispers, "Sell it," then lines up toward the door, placing a hand to his ear, "Blast, this isn't a drill. Hide behind something!", he shouts, then triggers his biotic ability, rushing forward, his power taking him through the door to strike at whomever is on the other side.

Biotic Charge phases me through obstacles

Biotics: 4 + 4d3 - 8 ⇒ 4 + (3, 1, 3, 2) - 8 = 5 Hoping there's a +2 for surprise or something, too. By default, it's a Weapon 2 strike - so I'm also hoping it stages up.

"There IS something wrong! Come with me if you want to live!"Hestia drags the worker behind the console (as much as possible) and rolls the chair in front of him. "Down on the ground! You'll have more cover. We've been infiltrated. Whatever you do, don't get up or call for help, or we're gonna die, you along with us! Probably slowly!"

Indimidation, Promise of Pain: 4d3 - 8 + 4 ⇒ (2, 2, 2, 1) - 8 + 4 = 3

Oh man. If that somehow manages to put one stress on him, I spend a FP to put a mild psychological consequence on him, COWERING IN FEAR, so he doesn't look or call for help, just huddles behind the chair/console until told otherwise.

Dern looks at Grace. "Harper's last message suggested their may be trouble. Do we go in? We don't have disguises."

Theron whispers, "Sell it," then lines up toward the door, placing a hand to his ear, "Blast, this isn't a drill. Hide behind something!", he shouts, then triggers his biotic ability, rushing forward, his power taking him through the door to strike at whomever is on the other side

This is strange.

I have checked this page multiple times since these posts were made and I didn't see this, not even once.

I'll have to check with the message board staff because I would have posted literally weeks ago had I seen this.

Anyway, back to the game.

The door EXPLODES in plastwood splinters and Icantbelieveitsnotglass shards. There were- emphasis were- three men on the other side of that door who are spread out across the hallway now, unconscious...or not so unconscious. Unfortunately, they had friends further down the hall, though not many- three to your sight, whom you have taken by surprise. They seem to operate in a world similar to yours- wearing nice suits to blend in, no armor that you can see- but some high end semi collapsible heavy pistols that look like they could do some damage even to someone wearing light armor.

Theron- and only Theron- make a special roll with a +2 bonus. Then roll initiative.

Black Ops Cerberus(?) Initiative 4d3 - 8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3, 3, 3) - 8 + 3 = 7

"There IS something wrong! Come with me if you want to live!"Hestia drags the worker behind the console (as much as possible) and rolls the chair in front of him. "Down on the ground! You'll have more cover. We've been infiltrated. Whatever you do, don't get up or call for help, or we're gonna die, you along with us! Probably slowly!"

Oh man. If that somehow manages to put one stress on him, I spend a FP to put a mild psychological consequence on him, COWERING IN FEAR, so he doesn't look or call for help, just huddles behind the chair/console until told otherwise.

Resolve: 4d3 - 8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3, 1, 3) - 8 + 2 = 3

He takes it all in stride, and takes cover as ordered. He's a marshmallow, but not a complete idiot- this is not his world and he takes orders and acts accordingly as a result.

Please roll initiative for yourself!

Special Roll: 2 + 4d3 - 8 ⇒ 2 + (3, 1, 1, 2) - 8 = 1

Initiative (Alertness): 1 + 4d3 - 8 ⇒ 1 + (1, 3, 1, 1) - 8 = -1 Well, that's less than ideal.

Dern looks at Grace. "Harper's last message suggested their may be trouble. Do we go in? We don't have disguises."

For a moment, Grace seems a bit lost, but as she opens her mouth to answer Dern, she hears the low rumbling sound of a biotic explosion from somewhere several floors above. Her eyes narrow, any trace of indecisiveness gone as she keys her omni-tool to "off" and reaches for her rifle.

"Screw it, let's go. I'll take point."

Dern, clearly pleased by the prospect of something more interesting, grins widely and follows.

Alertiative: 4d3 - 8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1, 3, 2) - 8 + 2 = 2

The men down the hall open fire in a panic. They clearly weren't expecting this.

Guns: 4d3 - 8 + 4 ⇒ (1, 2, 1, 2) - 8 + 4 = 2

Roll athletics or rely on shields? It's up to you.

Are they firing at Theron or at both of us?

Are they firing at Theron or at both of us?

Essentially at both of you although Theron's in front.

Fight v guns: 4d3 - 8 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2, 3, 2) - 8 + 1 = 2

[dice=Fight v guns]4d3-8+1

Whoops, sorry - is it only Athletics allowed, or can we use the other two mentioned vs guns in the book? If only Athletics, subtract one.