You've been framed! Caught for crimes that — for once — you have not committed. They’ve sent you all to the nastiest prison in the system: Isotropa Max Secure. But you're no ordinary prisoners. You've forged an alliance, and you have a plan...
There's a ship docked at the prison: an Imperial corvette. You're going to steal it.
Tonight is the night you spring your plan into action. It’s simple: get free, get to the ship, get out of dodge. Mayhem, profit, and rebellion are optional. Can you recruit any other prisoners? Will you get out quietly or are you going to make the Hegemonic News Network? And how will you get the ship out of the dock? We play to find out.
You’re in the mess on a normal day, eating food, stretching your legs, getting into fights while the guards watch... But you know that today’s the day. There’s a blare of alarms followed by silence. Darkness falls, and it will be a few minutes before anything but emergency lights turn on. In the commotion, a few cell doors spring open. Your gear is in a safe, past a grate and down the hall.
The Hegemony is clean and efficient, but they were not expecting attack by a military-grade AI virus. The guards are confused, trying to find their way without lights. The drones that back them up are the real problem. How will you get past them both and deal with the door leading to your stuff? Well, direct engagement with weapons is completely possible, but so is scrambling through darkened corridors, rigging secure doors, hacking terminals for drone control and valuable information, attuning to the Way... you have a lot of options.
Freeing all the prisoners in the compound will also make a scene, which could be useful. Certainly some powerful Syndicate members are imprisoned here. Probably they'd be willing to pay to get out...
You can have any reasonable makeshift gear (a shiv, some rope from bedsheets). If you want something more elaborate, you can flashback it ("I used the Way to get the guards to ignore my ceremonial belt"). The more extreme the flashback, the more Stress it will cost, typically from 0 to 2. You can choose your load once you get to your stuff.
Our stuff! Where is it?
Over that way --in a safe, past a grate and down the hall. You can beeline straight there, or stop to collect allies and resources... it's up to you.
What's our goal?
Get to the ship and get away. Anything else is gravy. That said, there may be opportunities to make some quick money and/or strike a blow against the Hegemony. What are your priorities?
Is there a clock?
At the moment all is darkness and chaos and alarms. Murphy-7 has been unleashed! So you have some time. At some point, the guards will get their feet under them. Also, Murphy-7 is going to get smarter and more malevolent, until it hits its Hayflick limit and implodes. Hopefully it won't notice you before that happens...
Attero sat peaceably in the cell, the model prisoner. He checked his gauntlets for the umpteenth time that hour. They had power, and were still interfacing with his ASN-7N wired reflexes well enough, but they kept making that odd grinding sound. If he ever turned them on, it might get a touch worse. If only he had a spanner he could fix them, but that's not gonna happen.
"For all the things they could have gotten me on," he opines morosely his fellow inmates, "they didn't have to make something up. Which is why I think this has nothing to do with what we're here for, and everything to do with what we're -not- here for.
Fliss has NOT been a model prisoner (modelling sounds, like really sucky? Like, makeup is cool and this hair totally doesn't srtraitgen itself, yeah, but the whole perfoming thing? And everyone telling you waht to do all the time? It's kinda like being in prison, only permanent?). She's known from the start - ever since she heard what prioson she was being sent to - who set her up for this, and her time in jail has been spent avoiding Davara Yattu. That might even be why she's friended up with Atterro - he's like, *totally* not her sort of person? But he's strong, so he might keep her safe?
The rest of her time has been spent looking for a good broker. In every prison, there's the guy or gal who can get you waht you need - for a price. Fliss needs to get out of here. But first, she has to stay alive long enough.
Flashback:
Fliss hops from foot to foot, anxiously - and not jsut because she's going through cold turkey from her usual diet of uppers, downers, clouders, zoomers and hoppers. She's trying to make a deal, and she knows she doesn't ahve a lot to bargain with. She looks at the broker, a large xeno woman by the name of Jenni. "So look, Jen. Jenni. I heard you're the, like the girl who can get a girl the things she needs? To stay alive, I mean? I don't have a lot of ready cash right now, but if you can get me waht I'm asking for I will *totally* owe you a favour."
Sway:1d6 ⇒ 5
What would the Stress cost be to get us all equipped with torches so that when the lights go out, we can see where we're goint? And would that roll get me more than just torches?
”No, we cannot stay here,” Deirdre agrees. The lithe woman reaches up to tie her red hair back into a ponytail as she prepares for action. ”We need to find Guard THX-1138. They owe me a favor, and I’ll use it to get them to open the way to the safe where our gear is being held. Let’s move.”
Potter sits picking at his food, trying to not focus on the countdown timer. he sighs a bit. "Attero, it won't be long now." He lines some protean sticks and a salt shaker. "The property room, is a straight shot done this hall, unfortunately the opposite direction from the armory. Did you have any finding out who owned that Firedrake, the logs say it is DNA locked and I don't think I'll have time to bypass that.
The rest of her time has been spent looking for a good broker. In every prison, there's the guy or gal who can get you waht you need - for a price. Fliss needs to get out of here. But first, she has to stay alive long enough.
Jenni nods slowly. Well, actually her throat sacs expand and contract slowly, but, you know. Within a day you have three small, easily concealable torches. You can pay her later.
Wow, that seemed... really easy. Okay, you know you rolled some challenge or consequence, but Fliss does not. So, RP: would Fliss look a gift horse in the mouth? -- Also, what faction or Syndicate is Jenni connected to? (If you don't know, that's fine too.)
The lights have gone out. The alarms blare, then suddenly cut off. There are confused shouts.
It sounds like you're all together. Okay, that works. Do you want to beeline for your stuff, or do a side quest? Options for the latter include "commit some mayhem against the Hegemony" and/or "pick up some paying passengers". Those both would involve more risk than just fleeing, but offer the opportunity to build your rep and/or pick up some fast Cred. What think you?
The countdown heads to zero and Potter holds his breath, but nothing happens. He is just about to tell the others to "Trust Me", when the lights go out.
"I need to get my rig before we head out, but there is a fat cat I was hoping to be able to help. Calls himself Carl. I think I saw him earlier." He stands up and looks around the chaos.
Sun Li sat in his prison cell, trying to meditate and focus on the Way as it flowed through all things. His crime was poor luck; his escape pod coasted through space until it was picked up by a Legion cruiseship. After being interrogated, he was nearly cleared to go if it was not for Ismissa. A follower of Doraam and a member of the Nightspeakers on hire to the ship's captain, she recognized Sun Li as Horux's apprentice but did not know that he had foolishly betrayed the order. Seeing a chance to frustrate her rival, she made a mention to the captain and a charge of artifact trafficking was sentenced. In less than an hour, he was on a shuttle to Isotropa Max Secure.
Sun Li arrived like so many others, being pushed through the intake before being systematically isolated in his cell. The Hegemony had not yet recognized him as a wayward Mystic yet but in time, he was certain to be caught out and either indoctrinated or eliminated. He didn't survive all the trials and tribulations of Horux and his fellow Nightspeakers just to die in a jail cell.
The young Altorian had made his out into the prison carefully, studying his fellow inmates and learning who to avoid, who to gravitate to, and who he could trust. The near-human race was recognizable due to their pointed ears and pale complexion. One of the first races to join the Hegemony and help bring an end to the dark age over 1200 years ago, they had spread out across the stars.
Sun Li had made his impact when he got into a scuffle with a number of other inmates looking to break in the "new arrivals". Armed with just a metal spoon, he inflicted severe damage on the unarmed men and moved with an almost uncomfortable alacrity. It was Dutchess that had noticed the almost transparent, violet glow around the weapon when the guards began to fire tear gas and came in armed with electric batons. The young man obviously had some skill with the Way and a mystic could only be a good thing when breaking out. Only a few days ago was he brought into the plot to steal the Firedrake and escape from the prison.
It was free time, an hour to socialize and relax within one's block on the prison station. Sun Li trotted up to Attero's cell and leaned on the door as he looked over the crew inside. Six of them in total; Attero, Potter, Duchess, Fliss, Tiko, and himself. Nervously he looked down the way, watching as a guard took out his frustration on one of the inmates.
"We're all ready?" He asked, his voice youthful and soft. Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself as he listened to the others. Potter's worry brought his attention fully back into the room before he nodded. "It is why I think we should still deactivate the holding cells, give Isotropa its biggest riot ever. Would give us a chance to move quietly, get our friends out, and even maybe keep Yattu busy." The lights suddenly go dark, leaving them in shadows. The alarms die shortly after, a clear sign that something was terribly wrong upon the ship.
"We have to stop by the property room. Rumor has it, they haven't processed my belongings yet. Probably too worried that something will go wrong." Hex hadn't arrived empty-handed. His weapons and clothing were certainly being kept there but before he escaped from the Nightspeakers, he had grabbed a hold of an artifact in their possession and fled with it. That tool alone was worth more than anything he had. "There was another. Bob Breaker was his name. Runs with Draxler and his raiders out of Iota. Could be worth the trouble." Grabbing a shiv hidden in Arterro's room, he focused for a moment and felt his power exude upon the primitive knife. Any guard or prisoner that gets in their way. Moving in the dark, he moves towards where he knows that the initial wave of guards will be coming from and prepares himself.
I am going to use Psy-Blade to gain potency on my melee attacks as long as the enemy isn't shielded. I am looking to use skulk as a set-up action for a scrap roll. I'm thinking that the darkness is likely going to let me do this as Controlled position with Standard effect? I'll make the roll now, just let me know if there is anything you want to change. If anyone want to group roll with me in setting up an ambush, let me know. I'll take lead so you don't need to worry about stress.
Skulk 0; Take Lowest:2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10 That is at least a success with a consequence? Hopefully it will give me better position or better effect?
"Well, finally." Fliss has been jittery for hours, waiting for the lights to go and cahaos to start spreading. There's a sheen of cold sweat on her forehead and down her back, although it's not all from nerves. She's rapdily going cold turkey (they've, like, not let her have drugs in prison. Which is really barbaric? Liike, a total violation of her human rights?).
She jumps to her feet and grabs one of the torches, handing the other two out to the rest of the group. "Cmon comon cmon, let's move, pepole! Duchess, POtter - we're gonna take the safe, get our - our stuff back." Her fingers curl, nails digging into palms as a wave of nausea swamps her. Please Void let my pills be in there somewhere! She flicks on the torch, casting light int the darkness. "Hey, this is like, pretty cool?" She holds the torch just below her face, shining the light up and giving the others a big smile. "Spooooky."
"Right, follow me. Hurry hurry hurry." With that, she's off. "runrunrun" The darkness doesn't seem to slow her down at all.
I want to get to the safe asap so we can crack it open and get our gear bfore the lights go back on, which sounds like a Scramble action. I think having a torch would put us in a Controlled position, but if you diagree then it's probably Risky. So, let's see. Scramble:1d6 ⇒ 4 Success with csonequences. How about: we make it to the safe in good time, but flashing a light around attracts attention - maybe start a 4-clock "the guards see the light" and either tick it 1/4 (for Controlled) or 2/4 for Risky
”1138 will meet us by the safe. I hope,” Duchess mutters as she follows behind Zen.
Flashback:
Deirdre pressed up against the bars to her cell as the guard patrol walked by. One of the guards lingered behind as the others turned the corner, their face completely obscured by the black helmet they wore. They stepped a little closer, allowing them to hear Deirdre’s whispers.
”Did your sister switch to the new medication I recommended?” Deirdre asked. The guard nodded. ”I’m glad she is doing better. Now, I need you to do something for me. Sometime soon, the lights are going to go out. Wait for me by the safe where my supplies are being held. I promise, I will make it worth your while.”
"I need to get my rig before we head out, but there is a fat cat I was hoping to be able to help. Calls himself Carl. I think I saw him earlier." He stands up and looks around the chaos.
[Dice=Study]1d6
Controlled position; complete failure. So, you see Carl... and he's somehow attached himself to the retinue of Lord DiLuaude, the visiting nobleman. Communicating with him will be possible, but difficult; he's behind several guards.
Sun Li sat in his prison cell, trying to meditate and focus on the Way as it flowed through all things...
It was Dutchess that had noticed the almost transparent, violet glow around the weapon when the guards began to fire tear gas and came in armed with electric batons.
Using a shiv as your PsyBlade, hm. The Nightspeakers would see this as an insult to the Way. Are you in agreement (Let us never speak of this again) or is this another way of rebelling against their teachings?
Quote:
"It is why I think we should still deactivate the holding cells, give Isotropa its biggest riot ever. Would give us a chance to move quietly, get our friends out, and even maybe keep Yattu busy."
Mm hm. What do the rest of you think?
Quote:
"There was another. Bob Breaker was his name. Runs with Draxler and his raiders out of Iota. Could be worth the trouble."
Bob /and/ Carl, then? Who first? (Or shall we split the party, he murmured softly...)
That is at least a success with a consequence? Hopefully it will give me better position or better effect?
You move through the darkness to take up point position, ready to attack anyone who might threaten your group. And it's all good! Except... you just tripped over Grunter. He grunts in surprise, and then draws breath to scream an alarm.
Aaand it's baby's first moral dilemma! Grunter is about to yell and blow your cover. You can autokill him -- one quick slash with your Psyblade and he's done; no other consequences, you're hidden and you gain potency and we move on. Any other method of silencing him will require a roll, with possible consequences, failure, etc.
If it helps, Grunter is a moderately violent criminal who probably deserves to be here.
"Well, finally." Fliss has been jittery for hours, waiting for the lights to go and cahaos to start spreading. There's a sheen of cold sweat on her forehead and down her back, although it's not all from nerves. She's rapdily going cold turkey (they've, like, not let her have drugs in prison. Which is really barbaric? Liike, a total violation of her human rights?).
Unaltered, unaugmented reality is cold and dirty and /boring/. Ugggghh.
Quote:
She holds the torch just below her face, shining the light up and giving the others a big smile. "Spooooky."
I want to get to the safe asap so we can crack it open and get our gear bfore the lights go back on, which sounds like a Scramble action. I think having a torch would put us in a Controlled position, but if you diagree then it's probably Risky. So, let's see. [dice=Scramble]d6 Success with csonequences. How about: we make it to the safe in good time, but flashing a light around attracts attention - maybe start a 4-clock "the guards see the light" and either tick it 1/4 (for Controlled) or 2/4 for Risky
Let's say it's "find your way to the grate" and that's a 4-clock. Torch =controlled, so 1/4.
And yes, you're attracting attention. "Hey, who's that?""She's not a guard!""Breakout! It's a breakout! Hey, lemme out!" Note that some prisoners are already out, while others are still in their cells.
I think the Nightspeakers would definitely see it as a "tainted" way to use such an ability but could almost understand it when in such a predicament. Almost.
Grunter's mouth begins to open and there is that first initial instinct to drive his blade deep into the man's chest. It wouldn't be difficult at all to silence him; his arms were wide open in surprise and there was all his vital organs undefended. Yet he rebelled against that thought, that brutal training that Horux had initially given him.
"Be silent and be still Grunter. Don't make me hurt you." Sun Li whispered, his usually soft voice gaining a hard edge to it. He stared into the criminal's eyes and Grunter would realize that he was dealing with another criminal just as violent as him.
I am going to command him to be silent and stay out of our way. Hex doesn't want to kill anymore than he needs to to escape. I am going to push myself for this for two stress. I am thinking that it is Controlled position with Standard effect?
Command (Controlled/Standard):2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7
I think as a minor complication, Grunter demands that we take him with us. Grunter, unlike the rest of the group, isn't really good for anything at all and is a coward as well. That a fair consequence?
With the idea that my roll resolves okay, I would like to make a Scrap roll to attack one of the guards that spotted the group? Perhaps as a way to lower the clock of the guards detecting us or increase the one where we're reaching the gate? I'm thinking that the position could be Risky but the effect may be Great thanks to my potency?
Potter would be following Zen, chaos in reality is not a fun as Nexus chaos. Once at the safe Potter smiles and moves in to get the thing open. "Trust me."
Opening the safe without tools is that Risky/Limited I'll Push for Standard or great.
Rig:1d6 ⇒ 41d6 ⇒ 5
INKER: When you work on a clock with rig or hack, or when you Study a schematic, fill +1 segment. Success with consequence, tripped an alarm?
"Sh'yeah." Fliss rolls her eyes. "Trust is like, way overrated. Show me results, and we'll talk about it." She hops from one foot to the next, imipaatiently waiting for the safe to open.
I think as a minor complication, Grunter demands that we take him with us. Grunter, unlike the rest of the group, isn't really good for anything at all and is a coward as well. That a fair consequence?
I like it! You're stuck with Grunter -- he'll be tagging along.
Suddenly the alarm cuts off. It's replaced by a different sound: the sound of laughter. The happy laughter of a baby, or perhaps a very small child, coming over the intercom system.
There's a shout from behind you. "Hey! It's that little ***** Lux! She's trying to escape!" A couple of cons are running up behind you. In the wild light of your torches you can see that it's Unt and Spargel. (Unt is greasy. Spargel is lean and green.)
"***** you, Spargel!" yells Tiko, and steps forward, fists clenched.
Zen, you are still unseen. So, anything that involves surprise -- like, say, carving these guys up with your PsyBlade using Scrap -- will gain potency against them. Anyone else can react normally... Scrap with them, try to Sway or Command them, whatever.
DMDM, I think you've mixed up me (Zen) with Sun (Lux). If the AKAs are too confusing, we can drop them!
Also, Fliss/Zen has the Keen Eye special ability - is it possible for her to spot the wire just before the alarm trips and pull it out? I'm thinking a Resist roll against the alarm, using Prowess for speed. Lemme know :)
DMDM, I think you've mixed up me (Zen) with Sun (Lux). If the AKAs are too confusing, we can drop them!
No, no -- pray carry on.
Quote:
Also, Fliss/Zen has the Keen Eye special ability - is it possible for her to spot the wire just before the alarm trips and pull it out? I'm thinking a Resist roll against the alarm, using Prowess for speed. Lemme know :)
"You are going to be quiet and stay behind me." Hex muttered, reconsidering whether he should bury his blade into the man's stomach or not. There was no time to consider as the sound of shouting came down the halls and he catches sight of Unt and Spargel moving up with fists closed. There wouldn't be time for peace now as he moved in the dark where Tiko was.
When their co-pilot seemed like she was ready to get into a scrap, Hex would seem to appear from the dark and go after Spargel's gangly form first. The shiv moved quick in the air as he struck after the man, seeking to put him down quickly and efficiently.
So with my position having been good with the Skulk before and with me having potency as well, could we say this is a Controlled position with Great effect? Maybe the Great effect is that I take them both down?
Scrap (Controlled/Great):2d6 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5
So a success with a minor complication. If anyone wants to assist me, feel free to do so. :)
Fliss holds the torch steady as Potter works. Her hands don't shake while she's on the job, although the mantra she's muttering might be distracting to a less dedicated hacker.
"Oh, yellow's not mellow, it's bad for a fellow," "Oh, yellow's not mellow, it's bad for a fellow," "Oh, yellow's not mellow, it's bad for a fellow," "Oh, yellow's not mellow, it's bad for a fellow," "Oh, yellow's not mellow, it's bad for a fellow," "Oh, yellow's not mellow, it's bad for a fell - oh, hello!"
This last is directed to Unt and Spargel, who appeared while she wasn't paying attention. She gives them a smile, as she points the torch beam straight into their faces, blinding them with the light - they're so dazzled, they don't notice Hex turn up out of the darkness until it's too late. "Oops."
Without looking, Fliss calmly reaches out with one arm and pulls the yellow wire out of the wall - juuuust as Potter realises it's the alarm sensor, he's just about to trip it, and he's run out of hands to stop it happening. The alarm is silenced before it even starts. She looks at him, owlishly, before giving him a grin. "You didn't listen to my warning - would you hear me if I bellow? Or signaled with a cello?"
"Titch. Nice catch, Zen was it... Potter dives back into the grate, the straightened bedspring fitting deftly into the mechanism.
Rig+assist:1d6 ⇒ 11d6 ⇒ 11d6 ⇒ 4
Even with lesser effect tinker should allow the clock to fill. Success with consequence. How about the spring snaps slashing Potters hand. But I can't really afford to have a harm right now so I will resist with Prowess to snatch my hand back.
Resist Prowess:1d6 ⇒ 21d6 ⇒ 6
Leaning in over the grate there is a soft click followed by a louder twang Potter snatched is hand back in the nick of time and looks over his shoulder, where the spring is quivering in the torch less than an inch from Zen's finger.
"All good, I might need that back." He gives a sheepish smile and points to the improvised pick.
Even with lesser effect tinker should allow the clock to fill. Success with consequence. How about the spring snaps slashing Potters hand. But I can't really afford to have a harm right now so I will resist with Prowess to snatch my hand back.
Agreed!
Quote:
Potter snatched is hand back in the nick of time
Hooray for resistance rolls!
Okay, you're through the grate. Beyond is a dark hallway. All still staying together, I assume? (Grunter is still with you...)
"Get to your stuff" is a 4-clock. A group Scramble action would be one way, but there are other options.
Fliss ignores the snesible advice from POtter about going first. Her gear is so close now, there must be a pill or two she stasehd awawy for an asteroid day. "Out the way! Out the way!" She rushes forward.
Most of the party, including Tiko and Grunter, plunge forward into the maze of corridors. In a few minutes, you're approaching the secured-goods area. Hey, easy peasy! Except...the door is open, and there's light inside. Someone is already in there.
Deirdre frowns as she looks around the gate. "The guard was supposed to be here..."
[Dice=Scramble]d6
She rushes after the others, but she is distracted as she tries to keep an eye out for THX-1138.
Deirdre has a flashlight, and... wait. A small dark patch in the light. Is that a droplet of oil on the metal floor?
Yes. Yes, it is. And THX is partly mechanical, and... yes, this is the lubricant used in their prosthetics. Not exactly oil, Deirdre thinks. No hydrocarbons. It's actually polysaccharide nanoparticles suspended in a complex alcohol... But THX shouldn't be leaking it, any more than a human should be leaking blood. What happened here? Deirdre follows the trail of droplets: there's one, there's another, there's another... and suddenly she realizes that the rest of the party is nowhere to be seen.
The droplets are getting bigger; was THX moving more slowly? Maybe you're close. Right around that corner? But... it seems very /dark/ at the end of that corridor, somehow.
Deirdre, you're separated from the party. Continue around the corner looking for the guard, or turn around and try to rejoin the group?
The announcement system activates. (That's weird. The power is still off.) There's a hum, then the chimes that precede an official announcement. But they're... distorted. Then, more silence.
Then, the happy giggling of a delighted baby or toddler.
Deirdre glances around the corridor. She is concerned for the missing guard, but she knows better than to try to go off on her own in the middle of a prison break. Hoping they’ll be alright, she turns and hustles to rejoin the rest of the crew,
Fliss isn't sneaky at the best of times, piloting isn't usualy about subtlty. And right now isn't the best of times - whoever is in there is between her and the drugs that she desperately needs. Discarding stealth, she opts for speed instead, blitzing ahead and hoping to get the drop on whoevevr is in the room.
This is probably risky, but I'm thinking whoever is in there might be expecting us to try and sneak in. My plan is to use Scramble to try and win the initiative, letting Fliss get inside the room to see who's there before they can react. I think this is a setup action to allow the rest of the group to act with an improved position or greater effect.
Scrambble:1d6 ⇒ 4I think that means I get the drop on them but there's a complication
Brother Attero cursed his gauntlets. As much as they allow him to dominate in GLORIOUS COMBAT they were not as useful in sneaking away as he would wish.
"Okay, I think we could plan to--," is all he got out before the speedy pilot blitzed into the room.
"Well I kinda wanted to do the same thing," he mumbles, admiring her initiative.
After waiting an appropriate amount of time for her to gather all the attention of anyone in there, he hurls himself into the room, ready to crush something. Anything. Everything.
Deirdre glances around the corridor. She is concerned for the missing guard, but she knows better than to try to go off on her own in the middle of a prison break. Hoping they’ll be alright, she turns and hustles to rejoin the rest of the crew,
Wandering around the prison corridors on your own? Mm hm, mm hm.
What action will you use to find your way and rejoin the others?
