Everyday Heroes: Rogue Pursuits (Inactive)

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Perform: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Altho she has taken zombie movement lessons (three of them, when the werewolf angle was first dropped in favor of aliens and/or zombies), Angelyna instead chooses to harness the generic energy of an extra

Following Angelyna out and toward the crowd, Rosa prepares in her mind that she is trying to avoid Mrs. Henderson, that woman from her rounds in school who followed her around the hospital ward for hours asking for more antacids. She looks preoccupied and energy drawn--certainly if the MIBs moving toward them act in a way that a nearby crowd would look, she looks--but like she's got problems of her own and doesn't have time for yours.

Deception, Cha, proficient: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Ernie has plenty of experience pretending he belongs somewhere he shouldn't be. He also has plenty of experience of that strategy not working out for him, so he tells himself he's ready for action should that become necessary.

Deception: 1d20 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 1 + 4 = 23

You open the door and glance out. In the distance, you see four of the SUVs. Actually, they look similar at first glance, but then your realize they are slightly different. They are outfitted for off road travel and have thick frisbee sized communications modules mounted on the roofs.

Production has ground to a halt. The director is fuming. He stands at the front of a group of actors, background actors, and crew, half protective and half confrontational.

Three agents, two men and a woman, all in dark suits and sunglasses, are moving through the group. Three others move through the various trailers, working their way toward you.

So you are shambling toward the group in bold here?

You shamble in the direction of the other extras. As far as you can tell, you haven't attracted any special attention.

I believe we are moving toward the background actors. I wouldn't say we are beelining for the MIBs, per se, but that if they are moving toward the people, yes, we are with the people and not doing a "oh no, there's the bad guys, run" deal where we make it obvious we are fleeing. Keeping it casual, part of a perplexed group that doesn't know what the f@~$ is going on rather than an obvious group of fugitives.

If any of the other actors are moving anywhere--like they know a place to sneak off for a smoke break or know other ways to get out--we can certainly follow them.

As you join the milling crowd of extras, actors, and crew, a noise from back near the trailers draws you attention. An all terrain UTV with a driver and a passenger makes a break across the dirt floor of the bowl toward the distant ridge. You recognize one of the sfx guys as the driver, sunglasses, long brown hair, goatee, looks a bit like Dave Grohl, and a production assistant named Maxwell, 20s, Black, short hair.

The agent closest to you, one of the guys, moves quickly through the crowd toward them.

Rosa will probably know this because we have played a few games together. In a lot of games, the world only consists of what the GM says. In my games, I like to give players a little more leeway to create the surroundings most of the time. Especially here, in a modern setting, feel free to add and use appropriate details. Throw out an NPC, a piece of equipment, or whatever would be appropriate and useful.

Are any of the black SUVs nearby? Ernie may want to use this distraction to inspect the inside.

The one these three came in is about 60 feet away.

"If we can distract more of them, I could see what's inside of their SUV," Ernie mumbles to Rosa and Angelyna.

He turns to the guy standing next to him, a middle-aged guy in jeans and a flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up. His spectacles are propped up just over his eyebrows, and he's still carrying a beat up coffee mug containing only water that he brought with him from wherever he was working before he was summoned to this gathering. Probably a technician of some sort, but one who's been around the industry for a long time, given his weary attitude as he waits to get back to his work.

"What's their deal?" he asks, indicating the duo on the UTV.

Vague Persuasion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Without revealing herself, Angelyna tries to coax the crowd of extras to mosey closer to the SUV

Sorry I thoight I posted. Help action to Angelyna.

Out of her element, Rosa just tries to play second man to Angelyna, moving in the direction she leans.

Help Action Advantage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Angelyna gives Rosa an appreciative nod as she helps get the crowd in motion, shambling towards the SUV

Having completed extensive training in zombie boot camp, the crowd responds almost instinctively, moving slowly toward the SUV. The other two MiB move toward the escaping UTV, joining their partner in the chase, not paying you any attention at the moment.

When close enough, Ernie tries the door handle to open the driver's side door of the SUV. If successful, he'll slip in and gently close the door.

Ernie's fingers slide under the handle of the door and pull gently. A thin and otherwise invisible line at the edges of the handle flashes red.

Ernie releases the handle and puts his hands up to show he's not touching the door handle.

"My car is, like, eight years old, so I don't know if this is something that new cars do, or if I've just alerted their security spy satellite or something.

"Um..."

Ernie looks uncomfortably around at the crowd of actors and film crew, uncertain how to proceed. With a shrug, he pulls out his kit and sees if any of his lockpicking techniques will work on this SUV with the flashing door handle.

Security: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 2 = 8

When that probably fails, Ernie pulls off a chunk of his prosthetics and stuffs it into the SUV's tailpipe and walks to the other side of the crowd.

Ah, the old Axel Foley.

You don't see any indication that the other three have noticed you.

The UTV is gaining distance on the one who is moving toward them and the other two who have moved in that direction, but not quickly. One of them takes out a phone and slides it open. You can't make out what he is saying from here...

Rosa has no capability to read lips, but tries to get a sense of the MIBs' intent--where are they looking, are they about to attack, are they giving up, etc.

Insight, Expertise: 1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 4 = 18

Ah, the old Axel Foley.

I mean, if there were bananas around, I'd definitely use those.

Seeing that there's no other SUVs around that he can see to investigate and/or sabotage, Ernie shrugs at Rosa and Angelyna.

"Can't get in. But if we want to bolt, these guys can't follow us."

Quietly, Rosa asks Angelyna if this would be a good time for a tour of the stunt driving area.

Rosa has no capability to read lips, but tries to get a sense of the MIBs' intent--where are they looking, are they about to attack, are they giving up, etc.

[Dice=Insight, Expertise]1d20+3+4

They turn back toward the SUV, and one pats his pocket (as if making sure he has his keys, clearly a routine maneuver). Rosa suspects they intend to pursue the smaller vehicle.

"Yeah, but they were going to pursue the other guys, and won't be pleased when they can't. So let's not be nearby."

In addition to your own vehicles, there are many other vehicles should you want to take off.

"Yeah, but they were going to pursue the other guys, and won't be pleased when they can't. So let's not be nearby."

"Wanna tell people to all take a break or something?" Ernie suggests to Angelyna.

To both, he mutters, "I wanna get out of here, but not if they'll follow us. Did they follow us here, and if so, how?"

Is it safe to assume we are slowly shambling along as we talk? Preferably away from the trouble and toward one of these vehicles just in case?

"Just Angelyna isn't an unknown face," Rosa reminds Ernie. "One of them could have reported her presence at the cliff and looked for the nearest film shoot." She looks at Angelyna. "Which is perhaps all the more reason we need to get you out of here."

Works for me for you to be shambling.

Angelyna spots Chichi roaming with some extras in the distance and claps her fingers just so (as a verified #AdventureCat with a significant following on Tiktok, Tumblr, Twitter and more, Cheech has been well trained and knows tricks both cute and genuinely helpful, and is always motivated to return to mommy for more pets). The gray tabby comes running, not at a clip but at a relaxed pace.

"Yes," she nods to Rosa. "Let's."

Rosa nods at Just Angelyna and thinks a moment. "Is there a location manager here? Something like that? Someone who'd be prepared to deal with desert conditions and knows what's in the area? Supply tent with a map maybe?"

A woman with short blue hair, fawn colored skin, and grey-blue eyes moves closer, holding out a hand..."I'm the location manager. What does that have to do with anything? I don't know anything about this FBI s~~*..."

"Heyyy," Angelyna parts her tentacle/vine bangs to reveal her face before continuing, "is there a discreet path we could take to get to our next shooting location? Could you help get us there? And like, away from the feds??"

Do You Know Who I AM??: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Picking as my effects:
• The favor can be dangerous, as long as it doesn’t involve combat and there is a reasonable chance to avoid harm.
• The favor can be illegal or could get the target in trouble, as long as there is a chance of not getting caught.

"The air field? Why would you want to...? Oh, are they looking for you? The advance team is all finished up there, but it is buttoned up. I could take you over there in my truck."[b]

She leans in closer, [b]"It isn't exactly an ordinary truck. We just have to get over there."

That would be another Team check. Could be stealth, could be Deception, or maybe something else.

Ernie nervously glances at the tailpipe stuffed with fake zombie flesh and quickly nods at the other two, even making a subtle pushing motion to urge them along.

As (If?) they follow the location manager, Ernie does his best to walk looking like he belongs on the set, and not like some ex-street kid ready to duck behind the nearest thing that might stop a bullet.

Deception: 1d20 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 4 = 15

Rosa nods. Truck sounds like a good idea for her. As they leave, she extra-walks alongside Ernest. Not sure if I'm helping him, giving him advantage, or just making my own roll, but in case it's the latter

Deception Cha + Prof: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 2 = 19

Angelyna forgets to push the vines back in her face and just follows, full face out.

Deception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

It's a Team check? Maybe that isn't the right term. Everyone rolls and half of you have to succeed.

Which you did!

She moves to the bed of the pickup. "Give me a hand here. We need to pull this liner up."

If you do, the black plastic bed liner lifts out. The metal of the bed has a strange seem, which also lifts out, revealing a hidden compartment that stretches part of the way under the bed and partly under the cab.

"It isn't going to be comfortable, but it is pretty hard to find. I bought it at a police auction. Has a hell of an engine..."

Still learning the system. Sounds good to me. Wish we had team checks in Baldur's Gate 3 (which is otherwise helping me get the hang of 5th ed)

Rosa has known in her progressive religious left civilly disobedient life people who smuggle immigrants and refugees. She knows what she is looking at. She doesn't say a damn word but gives the PA a grateful look and gets in.

"Sandra, you're a life-saver," Angelyna beams, handing her Chichi as she climbs on in

When the secret compartment is revealed, Ernie gives the blue-haired woman a second look.

"Ohhhh! All right, all right," he exclaims, nodding. He offers her a fist bump and climbs in.

"I never thought I'd be using them. Just call me Sandra Solo."

There is one tense moment when she stops for a nerve wracking amount of time and you hear voices muffled by your enclosure. And then, after far too much bumping and jostling (you are now acquainted in ways you have been with likely not too many people) the truck bumps to a stop.

The chunk of pickup bed lifts away and cooler air rushes in. The sky is streaked with a fiery sunset as you climb out.

You see an ancient, well, not really ancient, but very old, World War 2 era air base. The hangars, administrative buildings, and protective bunkers are all buried, appearing like vegetation dotted hills. There are a few remaining buildings that were once half cylinders of corrugated iron. Those are holed and near collapse. The tarmac is broken and scattered with vegetation.

There is a modern water truck and a modern on location kitchen trailer.

"Here we go, Shaw Airfield, what now?"

I'll add some photo references to the slides.

Rosa climbs out, taking her duffel bag with her and grateful she thought to bring it with her earlier. She looks around, taking in her environs. An ex-girlfriend was into video gaming. It reminded her of something when she used to watch her play Fallout.

Then she catches sight of the sunset and just stops to breathe a moment. Creation is huge and wondrous. And she is so small. And yet she and all with her are part of it.

The moment of peace in her mind is just that, a moment. The hypervigilant part of her brain is all too happy to quickly remind her that S*%$ HAS GONE DOWN TODAY. She's part of a group, all by simply being concerned bystanders, now on the radar of a seemingly all-powerful group possibly connected with the Feds. She has no idea what is to come or even if she can return to her life. Focus. Step by step. Triage--most vital to least vital. Do what you can instead of fret over what you can't.

"Sandra, has your phone been on? Is it getting signal now?"

After Sandra lets Rosa know if her phone is working, Ernie pipes up.

"Well, let's head inside. Maybe we can find some place to charge this."

He pulls out the tablet from its heavy-duty case that was originally found in the van that started this whole mess.

"That kid who managed to slip away left this in the medical-camper-van-thing. It don't turn on, and the screen is cracked, but maybe it can tell us something."

Is there anything else in the case? Like the tablet's charger?

The tablet just has a normal USB-C charger/data port. Sandra has a laptop, tablet, plug in charger, car charger, small solar charger.

Sandra pulls her phone from her back pocket and looks at it. "Only 2 bars out here in the sticks, let's see." She pulls up her go to for checking connectivity, GNN (Global News Network). "Looks like we have signal. HOLY S$^T! J-A, look at this."

Breaking News: Movie Star Involved in Shocking Crime

GNN News

In a stunning turn of events, renowned movie star Just Angelyna, known for her captivating performances on the silver screen, has become the center of a major investigation. Angelyna is alleged to be involved in a domestic terrorism incident that targeted a high-profile medical research lab.

A group of unidentified individuals, allegedly including Just Angelyna, reportedly invaded the Category 5 research facility, stole unspecified materials, and led authorities on a high speed chase that included a chaotic and deadly confrontation with local law enforcement. Preliminary reports suggest that the assailants made off with valuable assets and proprietary genetic research data.

Tragically, a local sheriff and deputy were killed during a violent confrontation. Authorities have not released the names of the deceased officers pending notification of their families. The incident has sent shockwaves through the small rural community, leaving residents grappling with the aftermath of the violent encounter.

Alongside Angelyna, authorities have identified Terrence Garrett, a member of the janitorial and maintenance staff at the facility. These other unidentified individuals are considered persons of interest. Authorities are working tirelessly to ascertain the identities of these accomplices and apprehend them swiftly.

The motive behind the alleged actions remains unclear. Investigators are exploring all possible angles, including whether the theft is connected to an underground criminal organization, corporate espionage, or other nefarious activities.

The news of Angelyna's involvement has sparked widespread public outcry. Fans and colleagues alike express disbelief at the notion that the beloved movie star could be linked to such a shocking crime. Social media platforms are flooded with discussions and speculations about the true motives behind the crimes.

As the investigation unfolds, authorities are urging anyone with information related to the incident to come forward. Meanwhile, the entertainment industry and fans await further developments in what is shaping up to be one of the most sensational scandals in recent memory.

I'll put together a more detailed map of the airfield for exploration, but feel free to head to any of the places mentioned above.

"Oh, sweet," Ernie responds when it's revealed that Sandra has a charger. As he's fiddling with the cord and charger, he explains that they shouldn't turn it on until they can find some place where the internet won't reach it before they turn it on, in case it has a tracker.

As the news story is revealed, Ernie gives Angelyna a side-eye, waiting to see how she reacts.