Turn Four, Year Three Reaction Force/Events
- Location
- USA
Reaction Force Results
Though this is exactly why you had the link to the Defense Force Network installed in the first place, you're more than a little sad and/or irate that it's proven to be so necessary so soon. Reports coming in from EUGDF formations of an 'escalation of Kausen raids' in California, at the far southwestern-most portion of the North American District.
Except you know better than to think this is even anywhere close to the bulk of the raiding forces. You simply have information they don't, and you have the commanding officer of the one responsible for fighting Tyrannous' goons on speed-dial.
The raids are lightning-fast affairs, but are proving to be the 'first' eye-witness accounts of seeing the Kausen up-close. Attached to the reports, you are seeing still images of giant robotic figures hitching rides on proportionately-scaled buggies or wagons. Sweeping aside patrols that are not at all geared for such an encounter, they are shown attacking a variety of targets: ammunition depots, motor pools, and of course, caches of refined energy. And in most of the images, you see a familiar looking yellow figure.
It looks like after a few years of laying low, Bandit is back in town. He is also occasionally accompanied by a Kaus that looks like he's barely holding himself together; it almost looks as if the only thing maintaining his structural form is duct tape and dreams. Possibly some sort of partner or second in command.
Still, as active as he and his underlings are, it's not too difficult to pin down Bandit's approximate operational range. He's now an identified threat on the board, one you can start to plan to deal with.
Welcome to the Team
April also sees the introduction of two new members of the team, not including the new pilot candidate.
Zulu, the former Free Brother Drone, is now - though on probation - a member of the team. You're still wary about him, but it wouldn't be unfair to say that you're still a bit unnerved at just how docile he is. Standing just a little shorter than Ichiro at full height, the white-clad Drone's face is almost featureless - a visor and faceplate are all that appear.
Yet Zulu is not only cooperative, he seems content. Ichiro is also a little baffled about this, but Architect pointed out that most Drones in the Free Brothers likely face deactivation and/or recycling at any given moment of their short lifespans; the fact that Zulu is not going to be scrapped on a whim is already doing wonders for his opinion of 'the new boss.' You're...not entirely sure how you'd be able to capture that on an evaluation report.
Regardless, you do see a few potential areas where he could make himself the most useful. The one you ultimately decided upon, however, was:
The other new addition to the team is Adriana. A feisty personality, Adriana has taken to her role as Security Adviser with gusto. Unlike her sisters, Adriana brings quite a bit of energy to the table, and is always on hand to warn people away from doing something dangerous and/or stupid. In particular, she can be absolutely relied on to stonewall anyone without the proper clearance to do something. And unlike normal fleshy humans, she will stonewall someone until either the end of time, or until they have the actual clearance and/or you give her the okay.
You would have killed for this kind of power as a lieutenant. But that's not all that there is, amazingly enough. Internal security is one thing, but Adriana has shown to have another, unexpected talent as well. It turned out:
Though this is exactly why you had the link to the Defense Force Network installed in the first place, you're more than a little sad and/or irate that it's proven to be so necessary so soon. Reports coming in from EUGDF formations of an 'escalation of Kausen raids' in California, at the far southwestern-most portion of the North American District.
Except you know better than to think this is even anywhere close to the bulk of the raiding forces. You simply have information they don't, and you have the commanding officer of the one responsible for fighting Tyrannous' goons on speed-dial.
The raids are lightning-fast affairs, but are proving to be the 'first' eye-witness accounts of seeing the Kausen up-close. Attached to the reports, you are seeing still images of giant robotic figures hitching rides on proportionately-scaled buggies or wagons. Sweeping aside patrols that are not at all geared for such an encounter, they are shown attacking a variety of targets: ammunition depots, motor pools, and of course, caches of refined energy. And in most of the images, you see a familiar looking yellow figure.
It looks like after a few years of laying low, Bandit is back in town. He is also occasionally accompanied by a Kaus that looks like he's barely holding himself together; it almost looks as if the only thing maintaining his structural form is duct tape and dreams. Possibly some sort of partner or second in command.
Still, as active as he and his underlings are, it's not too difficult to pin down Bandit's approximate operational range. He's now an identified threat on the board, one you can start to plan to deal with.
Bandit is actively causing havoc with his own posse. New Actions are unlocked to begin dealing with him.
Welcome to the Team
April also sees the introduction of two new members of the team, not including the new pilot candidate.
Zulu, the former Free Brother Drone, is now - though on probation - a member of the team. You're still wary about him, but it wouldn't be unfair to say that you're still a bit unnerved at just how docile he is. Standing just a little shorter than Ichiro at full height, the white-clad Drone's face is almost featureless - a visor and faceplate are all that appear.
Yet Zulu is not only cooperative, he seems content. Ichiro is also a little baffled about this, but Architect pointed out that most Drones in the Free Brothers likely face deactivation and/or recycling at any given moment of their short lifespans; the fact that Zulu is not going to be scrapped on a whim is already doing wonders for his opinion of 'the new boss.' You're...not entirely sure how you'd be able to capture that on an evaluation report.
Regardless, you do see a few potential areas where he could make himself the most useful. The one you ultimately decided upon, however, was:
[] Kausen Engineering - He's no artist - at least right now he's not - but Zulu has proven to be competent as an Engineer. Wilde and Henry have no complaints about his work, and even Lana had the occasional compliment for his efforts. Choose one Engineering Action this turn. Success on this test will be counted by the value SUM of the dice, not by Thresholds. However, Critical Successes are impossible.
[] Kausen Researcher - Who better to help uncover the secrets of our enemies than Zulu? He's shown to be an adept hand at creating testing rigs for Sam and Max, and just as quickly repairing them when things inevitably go wrong. Both scientists are so far appreciating a lab assistant that isn't bothered too much by pesky things such as explosions. Choose one Science Action this turn. You may add +1 to the value of the lowest rolled d6.
[] Kausen Researcher - Who better to help uncover the secrets of our enemies than Zulu? He's shown to be an adept hand at creating testing rigs for Sam and Max, and just as quickly repairing them when things inevitably go wrong. Both scientists are so far appreciating a lab assistant that isn't bothered too much by pesky things such as explosions. Choose one Science Action this turn. You may add +1 to the value of the lowest rolled d6.
The other new addition to the team is Adriana. A feisty personality, Adriana has taken to her role as Security Adviser with gusto. Unlike her sisters, Adriana brings quite a bit of energy to the table, and is always on hand to warn people away from doing something dangerous and/or stupid. In particular, she can be absolutely relied on to stonewall anyone without the proper clearance to do something. And unlike normal fleshy humans, she will stonewall someone until either the end of time, or until they have the actual clearance and/or you give her the okay.
You would have killed for this kind of power as a lieutenant. But that's not all that there is, amazingly enough. Internal security is one thing, but Adriana has shown to have another, unexpected talent as well. It turned out:
[] Keen Shot - For whatever reason, her subroutines also happened to include fairly potent targeting solutions. Ignatov is...still kind of confused on that one, but Sasaki is happy enough to bring Adriana along with her when the Pegasus sorties. Adriana can designate one Heavy Weapon Strike from the Pegasus to bypass an enemy's defensive abilities. This can only be used once per battle. Can be upgraded in the future.
[] Discerning Eye - Adriana is much, much more perceptive than anyone expects her to be. This includes anyone that happens to cross the wrong end of the Defense Force Research Institute. At the beginning of every battle, enemy stats will be partially revealed. Can be upgraded in the future.
[] Discerning Eye - Adriana is much, much more perceptive than anyone expects her to be. This includes anyone that happens to cross the wrong end of the Defense Force Research Institute. At the beginning of every battle, enemy stats will be partially revealed. Can be upgraded in the future.
The conversations with Peters and Jiro to take place in a follow up post. A bit swamped right now, so can't post more at the moment.
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