WARP Cleanup Quest

Voting is closed. I wonder what fireworks the dice will bring this time.

CW: Contains spoilered and unspoilered themes of terrorism and suicide

"I guess you're right. It's safer to do the investigation as W Corp."

"Of course I'm right. Maybe the younger generation isn't a lost cause yet."

The Director slides a folder to you and Eytan. "Very well. Look at the contacts and report back to me about whether these people were able to provide anything of use."

You skim the folder. It contains pictures of a dozen contacts and basic biographical information. Most of them look like business owners or influential community members.

"Longrow Street," mutters Eytan.

"Longrow Street?"

"You have it easy; it's safe, or at least whatever passes for 'safe' in the Backstreets. If the base really is there, the Terrorists made a bold choice to set up shop close to the Nest."

"If they really are supported by a Wing, it sort of makes sense, logistically. But they're an Urban Nightmare; it seems like the Terrorists should've already been found by their enemies." You think a bit more. "Do they change base often? Are there politics at play?"

The Director smiles. "That's why you're going to look."

After you and Eytan equip your standard vest and gear, you drive a marked W Corp. car through the immigration checkpoint. From what you can see, the area of the Backstreets that you're investigating looks like a downgraded version of the Nest. Vandals spray paint some buildings and the roads have minor potholes, but they look like nothing you couldn't deal with if you had to live here in a pinch.

"Park in that garage. We can walk around this area."

You drive into an underground garage. There's more spray paint plus red stains, but a few armed guards protect the facility. "Thrice the price for something slightly worse than one of L Corp.'s garages."

"Decent security plus the Thumb's markup." Eytan raps his protective vest. "Who's first?"

"Let's see... Amadea from Smoking Gun Workshop."

You and Eytan travel together down Longrow, which turns out to be a long flat road with many shops, some with a broken sign or a cracked window. An old WARP Deliveries deliveryman, who looks like he should be thinking about retirement instead of deliveries, waves as he sprints out of a building to his truck to grab another parcel. Music plays ("Bitch, I'm the fucking terminator / Burn your Rat ass in the concept incinerator!") while a group of about a dozen shirtless tattooed thugs with worn-looking weapons stand watch over someone scooping sludge from a manhole. Some Zwei fixers chat together in the distance.

The entrance to Smoking Gun Workshop, however, stands out from the others for having an undamaged storefront that wouldn't be out of place for a Nest. The clerk blinks upon sighting your entrance; Feathers like you, of course, are out of place in the Backstreets. "W Corp.? What can I do for you?"

You show him a picture of Amadea. "We're looking for this person, Amadea. We were told that they lead this shop."

"Led it. They're gone, actually; they just vanished the other day. Probably suicide; the Misery Terrorists stole their husband one day, and Amadea just hadn't been the same since. But I must ask, why not make a call instead of coming in person?"

Because L Corp. might eavesdrop. "We were in the area, and figured that we might as well ask. Could we please speak to the person in charge?"

"Sorry, but we're busy right now; L Corp. placed a large order for smog bombs, and the new guy's under a tight deadline."

"I see. Thank you for your time." You visit other contacts and ask about the Terrorists.

"Only thing weird here is the Goop Gang syndicate. Pop open a manhole and start scooping sludge for their gutter oil. Gives us hardworking restauranteurs a bad look. Would you like to try our stir fry?"

"Terrorists? They just show up randomly and grab some guys. Move like a blur; I swear that L Corp. must be backing them or something. Uh, but you didn't hear that from me."

"Last fixer fishin' for info on them vanished."

The contacts go on like that, and you shake your head. "If there's a base, it's either concealed really well or they gather infrequently."

"How many we have left?" asks Eytan.

"Last one. Says here that Zuleika recently lost his office after it was wiped out by Terrorists who abducted the client he was protecting." You and Eytan visit an apartment complex, and a guard lets you inside. A few walls in the lobby could do with repairs, and the floor could use a good sweep. After removing your masks, you take a bumpy elevator ride together to a higher floor and see a sight that maybe even L Corp.'s inspectors would never tolerate.

---

One of the new hires flips her black ponytail during introductions. "This is absolutely not what I signed up for. Someone like me, risking my life? I deserve much better than this."

Behind her, the Director rolls his eyes.

"You for real?" asks Katherine. "Who died and made you Head?"

"I was told that this would be a simple job, not... whatever this mess is."

"But it is a simple job; you beat sense into the passengers and put them back onto their seats."

"Hmph! The wPhone is telling me that my first train is going to be Schedule I; you'll let the newcomer stay behind and safely shadow the experts, right? Right?"

"Naveed," you say. "If you were picked for the job, it means that you're strong enough to be helping."

Naveed looks at Blaine. "You're the Captain, right? You, surely, know how to treat a newcomer."

Blaine stares at the table and mutters, "My first train was a Schedule I. You'll manage."

"For Wing's sake!" She turns to the other newcomer, a ginger. "Clover, was it? You believe this?"

"I can see!" she says. "In fact, how are any of you comfortable when not even the Captain seems to care?"

Blaine lifts for head for a second to glare at them before she returns to staring at the table.

"Hey," you say. "Blaine has the longest tenure of all the Captains I served. And she's been through a rough patch recently; her closest coworker just died. Would it kill you to lay off?"

"I get it," says Naveed. "The senior clique showers attention on each other while the newcomers are left to starve."

Katherine leans back with her hands behind her head. "You all suck like babies, but Naveed? You're still wearing a diaper."

"What blatant mistreatment! Director, you need to send her to HR, or better yet, move me to somewhere better."

"Perhaps." The Director looks at his watch. "I have elsewhere to be. Sort it out between yourselves first."

Kerry watches the Director leave. "I suppose it's too much to ask that we all take a deep breath to calm down?"

"I deserve better than this; if I don't complain, nobody will think there's a problem. And there's no way I'm dying alone out front so that my seniors can take it easy."

"They won't," says Bahij. "When Ji-Min owed the crew a favor, she took the trains on by herself last week. You'll be treated fairly."

You treat him to a smile, then address Naveed. "If you're worried about dying on behalf of your seniors, how about we all join you up front? We already need everyone to put their best foot forward anyway."

Clover elbows Naveed before the latter can speak. "It's not ideal for us fresh meat, but I doubt we'll get a better deal for the time being. Can you please agree for now, Naveed?"

"For now, but this matter isn't settled."

Kerry nods. "I think this matter is something that should be settled, and quickly, but we can delay it until after we survive the train."

"As Captain, I'll approve it." You suspect that Blaine will approve anything to make it stop.

"Cool," says Bahij. "I'll help the plan."

When the notification from your wPhone arrives, the crew gears up. Instead of a weapon, Naveed holds her head high as she shows off her prosthetic arms ("W Corp. even gave it a power-up.").

Teresa arrives and looks over Naveed and Clover. "Warms my heart to see two new recruits for the grinder."

"How can every employee be this disrespectful?"

"Rude!"

Even Katherine and Blaine exchange quick smirks before everyone heads to the train. Once in the cab, Teresa runs his usual diagnostics.

"Whenever you're ready, janitor."

A screen pops up in front of Blaine, through which she scrolls. "Oh, great. An assassin from G Corp. And she's got an enforcer. Everyone, stay on your toes."

"Don't forget," says Naveed. She rolls up her sleeves and pockets her gloves. You hear metal interlocking as her arms and hands transform into something like a thin drill tool. "I'm not fighting out front alone."

"G Corp.?" you ask. "What sort of assassin bug are we up against?"

Blaine shakes her head. "It's actually one of G Corp.'s subsidiaries - Glossycat Company."

"Oh!" says Clover. "Aren't they spreading those cat girl maid cafés that started trending lately? I heard they kidnap the prettiest ladies outside the Ci-, err, from the Backstreets, and force them to undergo a procedure. Or they rent the cat girls out as prostitutes and-"

You put up a hand. "I get it, thank you. They're sneaking in an assassin enhanced with catlike reflexes as a cat girl."

"Open it up."

---

INSTRUCTIONS. Submit a plan. You have 2AP remaining.


-[] Emergency. Bahij is calling on you to save him.

--[] Save. You and Bahij take -30HP and increase Favors +3 with Bahij.
--[] Ignore. Bahij dies.

Reminder #1: Bahij must still clear the meltdown check to survive.
Reminder #2: No action is currently asked of the following, but is published as a notice:

Passenger Advisory Report's roll (Week 8): (1)
Week 8 (Work) / Schedule I / If W<17, all agents take -50HP / Conduct Emergency check



-[] Meltdown. Your efforts alone cannot save these agents if they fail the meltdown check, but your care can still earn their appreciation.

--[] Blaine. Increase Favor +2 with Blaine. Costs 2AP.
--[] Bahij. Increase Favor +2 with Bahij. Costs 2AP.


-[] Relationships. Spend time with another agent. Increase Rapport +1. If Blaine is not selected, decrease Rapport -1 with Blaine.

--[] Katherine If Katherine is selected, "Increase Rapport +1" becomes "Increase Rapport +2"; and "If Blaine is not selected, decrease Rapport -1 with Blaine" becomes "If Blaine is not selected, decrease Rapport -2 with Blaine"
--[] Naveed
--[] Blaine
--[] Bahij
--[] Kerry
--[] Clover
--[] Nobody. Regain 10HP

Vote is closed. Warms the heart to see such caring for the crew.

---

For cleanup, Blaine instructs the crew to guide the "lucid" passengers back to their seats with promises of increased Cahaya visits in addition to gathering the remains of the other passengers.

As the heat of battle wears off, your bite and scratches sting more than ever. You drop part of a passenger, and with the cleaner back of your hand, rub the spot on your forehead where Cahaya's punch landed. Today's troubles may or may not be worse than the breathing troubles you had back after you fought the Cleancity robots, but just as you're sure that the Head will enforce order and the sun will rise, you're equally certain that nimble movements are off-limits.

"Ji-Min," says Blaine. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, Captain."

Blaine trudges by you without another word.

"Uh, but are you okay?"

"Everywhere hurts." She stops and leans on a seat. "Of course I'm not."

Your body thanks you as you sit next to a passenger meat pile. "You're not usually this grumpy, though. It's like you switched brains, and I'm not talking to Brain... uh, Blaine."

Blaine gets onto her knees on the seat and leans over the seat back as she faces you with her arms hanging. "Maybe I'm not Brain anymore."

"Ever since Sumaiya died?"

"Yeah, I guess a piece of me died with Sumi. Sometimes, I fantasize about hiring Shi to murder that green Nadiia bastard. Even though we killed the original who killed Sumi, knowing that they get to live and she gets a U-Box frustrates me to no end."

"I can't imagine the pain you're feeling."

"And do you know what it means now that Sumi's gone? The original crew I joined?" Blaine pounds the seat. "They're all dead! And it's only a matter of time before I join them!"

If Blaine died, you realize you'd be in the same situation.

"Sorry," she mutters. Blaine forces herself to her feet. "I shouldn't have said anything; I'm your Captain, and you're my subordinate."

"But aren't we also friends? Your burden must be heavy, so could you please share it with me when it becomes too much?"

Blaine shoots you a confused expression. "You care about me?"

"What? Why wouldn't I care about you? When Sumaiya was still alive, didn't you invite me to lunch? The three of us together?"

"Yeah, guess I did invite you."

"If we put aside the Captain-subordinate thing, why do you think we're not friends?"

"Then..." Blaine stares at the ceiling for a moment, then sighs. "Why are you hanging out with Katherine? You know we don't get along."

"Is it... is it wrong that I want to get along with the crew?"

"Maybe not, but I still haven't forgiven her for how she butted with Sumi. To see you getting along with her like Sumi wasn't anything to you, well..."

You take a deep breath. "I never intended to come across as disrespecting her memory. However, I'm not going to stop talking with Katherine, and I don't think that inherently disrespects anyone."

For a few seconds, neither of you says anything until Blaine starts to leave. "I'll check on your passengers later. See you soon. And... thanks for helping me during the suppression. It means a lot to me."

After the arrival inspection, Katherine splits from the group and wanders to another hallway. As your body aches in protest as you walk after her, you glance back at Blaine, who watches you for a second before breaking eye contact.

"Katherine," you say. "First Blaine, now you. Seems like everyone's having an off day."

"It's always an off day at W Corp. What do you want, Ji-Min? Because if it's more food, I'm not in the mood for a meal."

"If I say I wanted to check in on you because I'm worried, will you give me a hard time?"

"Yes." Katherine leans against a wall and folds her arms as you catch your breath. "It's none of your business, and I don't want to hear anything like 'but your well-being affects the team' or any of that crap."

As you bite the urge to parrot her quote, you lean on the wall, then sit on the floor and then lean against the wall again. "I respectfully disagree that worrying about someone's well-being affecting the team is a crappy reason to ask if someone's okay."

She shrugs. "Well then, my well-being improved ever since I outlived the three slackers who you decided weren't at fault." Katherine starts walking.

"I won't say I regret my decision. If I wounded you that badly, and there's nothing I can do, then I can only accept it. But from the depths of my soul, I want you to be safe and at ease."

"You're worse than a pest." Katherine shakes her head, then sighs. She returns and helps you stand. "Because the worst part is, I think you mean it, and I don't know what to make of it. Blaine seems unusually distant with you, and if that's so, I wonder if that's partially because of me."

"It's complicated like that, yeah." You both walk together to the end of the hall in silence.

"Kerry also said I was acting a bit off. But more and more, I feel as if even someone like me will inevitably die to a passenger. I used to hate my old fixer job before W Corp., but... unlike an office, nobody can leave a Wing and expect to find happiness." She pauses. "Yeah, I'm clearly out of it. Forget I said anything."

You nod.

"Let's talk about something relevant. You're an asset, right? I appreciate that you haven't been invoking your Wing-given rights, but do you mind using your asset powers to help deal with a Naveed-shaped problem?"

"Naveed-shaped problem."

"You've seen how ornery she is, right? You weren't assigned to mop the passengers near her, but did Blaine tell you about Naveed refusing to mop anything before grudgingly relenting?"

"Refusing the Captain? Is that even possible?"

"Blaine was going to petition the Director, but I doubt that'll do anything. I mean, have you seen the Director? I can't imagine why he willingly hired Naveed."

"If the Director can't do anything, what makes me different?"

Katherine winks. "You're the one who embarked on the foolish quest of getting back to my good side. You can try this much, right? Just say something like you have the right to make her life miserable."

The seniors might like it, but that would burn bridges with the newbies. "I'll think about it."

At the lounge, you sink into a soft, plushy reclining chair as it makes a pleasant muffled thump. All your aches quiet down as you close your eyes. The only thing missing are the Sleepills, but once your day off arrives... ah. Right, you still must complete another mission, the raid, before the Director will let you rest freely.

You squirm to reposition yourself as your aches find new vigor.

"Resting well, Ji-Min?"

"Hey Bahij. I'm just, uh, trying to sneak in some rest. That last train was quite the doozy, so I'm sure you understand."

Bahij drops himself into the other reclining chair. "Yeah man, I'm beat, but you really went all-out. I haven't said it properly, but thanks a ton for saving my life back there."

"Of course."

"Want to go out on a date with me?"

"You'll have to ask daddy Director for his permission."

Bahij chuckles. "He sounds like the overly-controlling type."

"Ugh, you don't even know the half of it."

"No kidding." The mirth on his face fades. "Wish life was easy to get through without getting burdened by regrets. Ask a girl out and she turns you down, that's that. Make a life choice with significant costs, and you're stuck with it the rest of your life."

You reflect on the life effort it took you to distance yourself from L Corp. and get into W Corp. as you both rock in your chairs. "We're both exhausted, but you have the energy to jump into something heavy, huh."

He grins. "If watching two seniors die on your first day and then nearly dying yourself doesn't prompt some soul-searching, nothing will."

"Yeah, when you put it like that, it's definitely a wake-up call. So, when you joined W Corp., what were you hoping for? I joined because I didn't want to be sucked into L Corp., but what about you?"

From the desk between you, Bahij picks up a copy of WARP Traveler and flips through it. "You know, like, all these amazing places that the WARP travel ambassadors visit? And the travel packages they sell? I was hoping to get a discount. And the prestige of working for a Wing, of course."

When Bahij hands the magazine to you, you flip through it yourself and stop on some photos from District 10 as you think of your mother. "But we do get discounts, don't we? If you can stomach the trip."

"And if you can survive the job to save enough. If I had known what my job would really be like, maybe I wouldn't have left my office. Not that you aren't awesome, but some great folks were hurt when I left them behind."

"If you think you made a mistake, what would it take for you to get back on course? It's only too late when you die."

"I guess... that's the thing. I'm closer to my dream, but I don't know if I'm happier than before. What about you? Is W Corp. everything you envisioned?"

You think about it. "Well, uh, it feels like jumping from one frying pan into another. Maybe all dreams are like that, and we can only hope the next frying pan is a bit colder."

"That sounds like an apt metaphor for our lives." Both you and Bahij agree to get back to resting.

---

Your day off, also known as Judgment Day, arrives. Injuries tend to recover when given time or medicine. Neither of which W Corp. cares to provide unless it's for surface appearances.

As a result, you strain your expression to hide your aching as you enter the conference room for today's mission. Rusty and Eytan are there, along with Kwame and Imamu.

"We're all here," says Kwame. "Time for a status check. Is everyone in good shape? The Director wants the five of us to handle the raid today."

Eytan swats the air while Imamu grimaces.

"Bit injured, but I can keep up with you kids for as long as it takes."

"Peak fucking shape."

"I've fresh gear," says Rusty. "Can't wait to pull them out for a spin."

"Pah! Nothing an old-fashioned smackdown can't solve."

"Ji-Min," says Kwame. "Since you're in charge of Azure, I wanted to discuss how we should lead our respective teams against the Misery Terrorist warehouse storage. It's not a base, but it's the next best thing. Your report last week didn't mention anything about combat duty, so I was thinking that since you're fresh, you lead the charge while Imamu and I follow behind. If you take a seat next to me, there's some documents I can share with more details."

You force yourself to nod and begin the strenuous journey from one end of the room to the other with the most "natural" movements you can muster. While everyone stares at you, your face burns like the time you were outed as one of the L Corp. kids.

"Are you okay?"

"Been better."

"I'm hurting," says Eytan. "But even I'm here and ready for duty. How can you have the vigor of youth on your side yet look so beaten?"

Kwame taps his glasses. "That 'been better' looks like an understatement. I'm going to ask again, and I want a straight answer. Are you okay?"

"No." You take a seat. Having been outed again, you let the exhaustion wash over your face. "Sorry."

He taps the documents and sighs. "You want to call the Director, or should I? He envisioned the five of us as the strike force to wipe out any resistance, but I don't know if he's okay with fewer."

You grimace harder than Imamu. "I'll call."

"Dialing," says Rusty. Everyone goes silent as ringing fills the room.

"Director Ghaith here."

You take a deep breath as your heart holds its own. "Director, this is Ji-Min. I have a report to make. I'm too injured to lead today's mission." At least rehearsing throughout the week helped you maintain a steady voice.

WHAM!

You jump in your seat as the other assets widen their eyes.

"Stay. Nobody leaves until I dismiss everyone." Click.

"Wing save you," says Imamu as she rubs her head. "Whatever the hell injured you, I hope that was fucking worth it."

You stare at the table and wish for a T Corp. minute. Unfortunately, your wish goes unanswered as the Director opens the door, and his glare locks onto you.

"Everyone but Ji-Min, out." The other assets file out and the door clicks shut. "Stand."

You grit your teeth and fight through your aching to stand.

The Director groans. "No. You cannot help today's mission. Last I checked, you were fine for the info-gather mission that's as stress-free as they get. Explain."

Time for more rehearsal to pay off. "You emphasized many times that, even if the cleanup crew is expendable, wasting them is wasting W Corp.'s time and money. I was injured while preserving them."

"Economics? In that case, who do you think is filling your spot this mission?"

You say nothing.

"I only have so many capable assets. In fact, I specifically arranged the timing of this particular mission to include you, Ji-Min. If this raid fails and the Terrorists get to use their stuff against us, I could sell the entire crew, you included, to an organ harvester and still be in the red. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Yes, Director."

"Review. You must understand the impact of your negligence.

"You have violated my trust, again, to be ready when you knew ahead of time. Your asset work matters much, much more than your cleanup work. Frankly, bringing you aboard as an asset has caused more grief than good. Had you put the same effort into asset work instead of cleanup work, we wouldn't have needed this conversation. You may apologize."

Whether or not you regret saving Bahij and / or helping Blaine, there's only one line you can say. "I apologize, Director. I wasn't able to contribute when you needed me, and I will be more mindful of my role as an asset in the future."

The Director calls Liu Association, and his face sours ("I authorize payment for emergency work classified as an Urban Nightmare."). He then makes another call to Engineering. "I need to schedule a brain surgery appointment for Ji-Min."

---

INSTRUCTIONS. Submit a plan.


-[] Day Off. Distribute AP into one of the following.

--[] Rest. Nobody else will manage your health for you. Set health to 90HP. Set Rapport to +0 with Director. Gain Surgery Lv.1 (Rest on mission weeks only restores 10HP). Does not cost AP
--[] Guard Perimeter. You can at least do this during the raid. Decrease Rapport -6 with Director. Costs 1AP
--[] Raid. Destroy the Terrorist stockpile. Terrorists rolls d6+2 (min. 5) for X / Two assistants make major effort rolls / If AP<X, assets take -30HP or ST +1 and decrease Rapport -8 with Director; otherwise, increase Rapport +6 with Director. Contribute AP to the quota: Removed by Director.



-[] Rabbit Protocol. Blaine is proposing to activate Rabbit Protocol.

--[] Activate. Clears Workweek quota and skips Emergency and Meltdown.
--[] Decline. Decrease Rapport -1 with Blaine.


-[] Workweek. Contribute W with the crew to suppress disorderly passengers.

--[] Make requests:
--[] Contribute W to the quota:


Passenger Advisory Report:
Week 8 (Work) / Schedule I / If W<17, all agents take -50HP / Conduct Emergency check



No action is currently asked of the following, but is published as a notice:

Passenger Advisory Report's roll (Week 9): (3)
Week 9 (Work) / Schedule II / If W<5, all agents take -30HP


-[] Meltdown. Keep an eye on other agents to reduce their damage.

--[] Katherine. Increase Favor between +1 to +3 (more Favor with fewer protectors and failed meltdown check) with Katherine. Costs 2AP.


-[] Relationships. Naveed has been making a ruckus. Support a side.

--[] Support Seniors. Naveed is out of line. Increase Rapport +2 with Katherine, Blaine, and Kerry. Decrease Rapport -3 with Naveed and Clover.
--[] Support Naveed. Seniors shouldn't be harsh. Increase Rapport +2 with Naveed and Clover. Decrease Rapport -3 with Katherine, Blaine, and Kerry.
--[] Nobody. This has nothing to do with you. Regain 10HP. Decrease Rapport -1 all agents.

---

The City is hot and hostile... won't you relax with us? Cool your body with your favorite beverage and cool your frustration with the smiles from our cat girl maids. They eagerly await your visit!

There's only one thing we want at Glossycat Co. - spreading cuddlies.

Voting is closed. Looks like I don't need to roll too many dice today.

"Wait, wait, wait! Just... just because I can't raid doesn't mean you need to modify my brain."

The Director tells Engineering to hold. "Explain. You cannot make meaningful contributions in your state. Why should I risk wasting an asset when I can get you rested and fixed? If you take the surgery, that'll correct your defective behavior."

"I can get through without resting if my work isn't heavily combat-oriented, so could you please let me participate? Maybe I can scout, or someone providing support is unable to help, and I can fill in."

"You don't pick your work. Furthermore, you're injured; you'll be a nuisance instead of help. I cannot afford slipups. Also, do not forget that the mission takes place in the Backstreets; you never know what mess will occur, and you can count on the mess occurring."

"If you know there'll be a mess, isn't that more reason to bring reserves?"

"I want the capable, not the bottom of the barrel."

"What... what about quantity over quality? In that case, you don't need me to be at full strength."

The Director stares at his wPhone before apologizing to Engineering and hanging up. "The perimeter. Yes, perhaps even you can manage guarding it, and the able-bodied guard that you replace might put their good health to better use elsewhere. In that case, all you need to do is look tough and scare off troublemakers."

You dare not show the Director, but your brain exhales a sigh of relief.

"However. Do not expect this to abate my anger. Allowing you to work without surgery is only my acknowledgment of your intent to continue serving W Corp."

"Thank you for your acknowledgment."

The Director calls the other assets back to the conference room. "Azure will switch to perimeter duty. Sapphire will work with Liu. Kwame, I am assigning you extra fixers to do with as you see fit. I look forward to the result. Dismissed." He takes leave first.

"That's a shame," Imamu says to Rusty and Eytan. "Your careers are tanking thanks to the L Corp. bitch."

"Such is the nature of life."

"Hire a child, get a child's work."

"Excuse me?" you ask.

"Guilty by association," says Imamu. "There's rumors floating that those two were assigned to you because they're being relegated to the shit heap."

Kwame covers a smirk with his hand. "Which may or may not have been like the reason that I was assigned as your partner before your surgeries."

She glares at him as Eytan chuckles in the background before continuing. "L Corp. bitch, do-"

"Drop the 'bitch' crap and call me Ji-Min."

"Aren't we high and mighty? You Headfucked your right to be called whatever you wanted when you signed on as an asset."

"Are you picking a fight?"

"Think you can win in your shit state?"

Your aches vanish and you stand up. The other assets poise themselves, but your mind wins over the instinct to attack. "Instead of taunts, shouldn't you be getting ready to work?"

"Unlike you."

After that exchange, you discuss Azure Squad's new role of guarding in the front and a few other logistics. You and a few vans with W Corp. fixers follow Kwame to the Backstreets.

This time, you arrive at a road with faded traffic lines into a parking lot for an industrial park. The cars are parked unevenly. Heavy haze obscures the area, and when you strain your Wing-augmented eyesight down the road, all you spot are pairs of long weathered brick buildings perpendicular on both sides. The occasional truck tankers roll by with dead-faced drivers and break the relative silence with their gas-guzzling engines.

A group of three Liu Association fixers arrive, and you recognize two of them as the passionate pair kissing on the train. The ones who killed Miguel and sent Sumaiya spiraling.

Kwame talks with them for a few minutes, and then radios everyone. "Move out."

With your gas masks and thermal vision on, you and everyone else push open the doors, jump out, and sprint about two thousand meters down the street behind Kwame's strike force. The others pass you while your aches hurt like the training you once endured while younger.

However, you cope like back then by wielding the same determination to bear through it until the next rest period. Just one more drill until it gets easier.

Your squad arrives last at the designated building, and you take your position at the side of the road. If someone approaches, you'll tell them to leave, or beat sense into them until they understand or pass out.

A few minutes later, an explosion booms and several windows shatter as the ground rocks. You glance back and notice smog billowing from the broken windows. Yeah, no way were you living through that mission. You return your attention to the road.

In the distance, a group of red outlines run at you. "We've got company!" Blue outlines nearby run to reinforce your position.

"Shit," says a fixer. "Is this the Smoking Hot Syn-"

BANG. They're a blue outline no more, and the reds stop to move like they're aiming their weapons. Those must be firearms, possibly bayonets.

No choice but to move forward. You grunt as a bullet bounces hard off your vest. You leap at a red and slash one, but you struggle to exert your strength through the ache.

He staggers and covers his wound. "Holy shit! It's W Corp.!"

"Headdammit! Fucking Fergus never said we'd fight a Wing!"

"L Corp. and the Thumb ditched us! Fuck fuck fu--gah!" You dodge and finish off the wounded man.

"But if we pluck some Feathers, Fergus'll pay us for life!"

More shots fire, and another bullet knocks into your vest again and knocks you onto your back. A red sprints at you, but something appears to yank his weapon before someone else clobbers him on the head and un-outlines him.

The blue returns and helps you up while more blue outlines run past you and into a hoard of red outlines as more shots crack the air. "Kids these days are lazy bums."

You hear something like a sawblade whirling and Rusty's deep, robotic voice. "Then you babysit the lass while I try out this toy." One red screams as Rusty cuts him in half.

"I'll be fine, thanks." You join the mass of red and blue outlines. A red jabs at you, but you dodge and slice his wrist, and then kick him to the ground.

"Fall back and shoot'em!" The reds retreat. More gunshots un-outlines one of your allies. In this smog, it would be so easy to stay back and let someone else do the job. And who would blame you, especially when considering your injuries?

But with your current horrible reputation, no way will you allow yourself to be caught cowering, and you have enough allies for support. As the first to advance, you leap forward and tackle one to the ground, then slash his neck as he cries out. Reds surround you, and one smacks your head hard with their buttstock. But as your vision blurs, more blues strike from behind.

"Fuck it, I'm not dyin' as Wing food!" The rest of the reds retreat as you pass out.

You pass in and out of consciousness during the ride back and the Director's debriefing. He comments something about L Corp. or the Thumb undoubtedly masquerading as the Terrorists. Is District 12 suffering terrorism from its own Wing? Does the Thumb hold support from other Wings hoping to undermine L Corp.?

"Remain healthy. The Branch Manager is thinking of another hassle of a mission. Dismissed."

The warning and questions float in and out of your mind as you squeeze whatever brainpower you have left to focus on the trains throughout the week. Alas, you black out while mopping passengers, waking only with Blaine's gentle nudging.

"What is this?" asks Naveed. "How come Ji-Min gets to show up like she partied all night, but I get yelled at for requesting basic courtesies? She's blatantly violating the Manual while I do everything I'm supposed to do? There's no justice in this world."

Blaine groans. "I told you, she's an asset. If Ji-Min has special treatment, that's because she earned it. And why haven't you even started on your passengers?"

"The first week, I thought that there was a misunderstanding or something. But the longer I work here, the more it becomes apparent that everything is biased in favor of the seniors. You guys can pay for your own special treatments with extra work."

As you sit on the seat, you massage your headache like Imamu. "Naveed, could you please cut it out? I seriously can't deal with this right now."

"Yeah? Well, I seriously can't deal with this mistreatment."

"What about pulling your own weight is mistreatment?"

"I already chipped in, at your request, lest you forget, to help deal with that Cahaya train. When do my requests get honored? I'll sit back during the next suppression if that's what it takes."

"No, you won't," you say. "I'll personally make sure you won't hinder the team."

Naveed smirks. "Oh? And what would that look like? Whine to the Director? I'd like to see you try. As far as I'm concerned, if you want the benefits of being an asset, then you can do all the work to earn it."

"I'll tell him that you're forcing me to waste effort on cleanup work instead of letting me save energy for my asset work. I promise you: the Director cares a lot more about my asset work than you."

"Funny you should say that." She continues as Kerry and Clover enter. "I heard a rumor that you and the Director were on horrible terms because you disregarded your own statement."

"What's this about?" asks Kerry.

"Sounds like drama," says Clover.

Blaine puts a hand to her forehead. "Yeah, with Naveed again. We already know that our lives aren't a priority to the Director, but at least Ji-Min cares about us."

"About you!" says Naveed. "Only the seniors."

"Bahij is a single week older than you, but Ji-Min still risked herself to save him. And if you weren't such a drama queen, maybe Ji-Min would feel more inclined to help you if needed."

Clover looks at you. "It's been on my mind, but I thought we're supposed to show up healthy? Actually, doesn't it seem like we've been mopping her share this week?"

"Exactly! The seniors yell at us and get away with whatever they want. And now? Ji-Min's waving her asset duty as an excuse to get out of work despite being a lemon of an asset."

You entertain, just a moment, the notion of strangling Naveed and blaming a passenger. "You know what? Maybe I should focus on becoming a better asset after all. If the Director wants me to be a monster, perhaps he'll praise me if I order you to sacrifice yourself."

"That's uncalled for!" says Clover.

"Why? Naveed already dared me to talk with the Director. Might as well test something extra. How about it, Naveed? Still want to push your luck?"

Naveed balls her fist and walks out as Clover follows. Blaine pats you on the shoulder and leaves.

"Ji-Min," says Kerry. He also pats you. "When you feel better, I want to have a chat with you."

For the next couple trains, Naveed complies with her assignments to mop passengers during cleanup. The Schedule I train arrives, and once in the cab, Blaine proposes Rabbit Protocol. Most of the crew agrees. Naveed opens her mouth, but after an elbow from Clover, they both agree.

"Inspections has no objections. Rabbit Protocol authorized."

---

During the arrival inspection, you search through the passengers with charcoal suits, the signature uniform for L Corp. and Lantern Office employees. In one row, your mother talks with who you assume to be her coworkers. You exchange eye contact, and you both wave. Once the arrival inspection ends, you walk with a big grin to meet your mother outside the train, but you black out again.

"Let me take my daughter back to her apartment!"

"Ma'am, I understand your concern." Sounds like Blaine? "If my son was injured, I'd want to do the same thing. But our employee is still on duty, and our company policy therefore requires Ji-Min to head over to Medical."

You stir to your mother and Blaine arguing while several others watch. Your face burns. "Did I pass out again? I'm really, really sorry."

"Ji-Min, you're awake! Are you okay?"

"Do you need help, Ji-Min? I need to escort you to Medical. If they clear you, then you can return to work."

"Work? Someone passes out, and you're going to put them back to work? What kind of company, let alone a Wing, does that to the employees!?"

---

INSTRUCTIONS. Submit a plan.


-[] Immediate Events - Mother. Your mother would like to return with you to your apartment and tend to you. Increase / decrease Max HP by 5 for each -4 / +4 Rapport with your mother.

--[] Return. You need rest, and you need her. Increase Rapport +4 with your mother and decrease Max HP -5. Apply Motherly Concern Note in Day Off. Decrease Rapport -1 with all agents except Naveed and Clover. Decrease Rapport -2 with Naveed and Clover.
--[] Stay. You're still on duty. No change.


-[] Day Off. Distribute AP into one of the following.

--[] Rest. Two more weeks of missions are coming up, so you better get resting. Each AP restores 20HP. Rest for how many AP:

Motherly Concern Note: If this is applied, restore 30HP after Rest (ignores Max HP).


-[] Workweek. Contribute W with the crew to suppress disorderly passengers.

--[] Make requests:
--[] Contribute W to the quota:


Passenger Advisory Report:
Week 9 (Work) / Schedule II / If W<5, all agents take -30HP



No action is currently asked of the following, but is published as a notice:

Passenger Advisory Report's roll (Week 10): (5)
Week 10 (Work) / Schedule II / If W<3, all agents take -20HP


-[] Relationships. Spend time with another agent. Increase Rapport +1. If Naveed is not selected, decrease Rapport -1 with Naveed. If Naveed is selected, decrease Rapport -1 with Katherine and Blaine.

--[] Katherine
--[] Naveed
--[] Blaine
--[] Bahij
--[] Kerry. Additionally, increase Rapport +1.
--[] Clover
--[] Nobody. Regain 10HP.