WARP Cleanup Quest

+Managing fallout with Blaine.

Voting is closed. Nothing marks the start of a new relationship quite like a mutual trip to anger management.

"Yes," you say to the Director, "I'll visit her." After work, you follow Bahij and Rama on your way home until they pick a different street, then call your mother and share your intention to visit.

The next day, the moment that you open the door to your mother's penthouse, she grins and hugs you. "Ji-Min! It's been so long since you've been home! I thought the day would never come when you'd finally stop by for a visit!"

You smile and hug her back. As you think of your father, and how it's by your hand that your mother now lives alone, you hug tighter, her silky blue dress soft against your arms. For one final time, you pretend that your father is hugging you both, and this is the long-awaited reunion. "I'm glad to be back."

"How is everything? I know this is out of the blue, so I'm not... interrupting your precious rest, am I?"

"I heard your message and thought you sounded a little tired, so I wanted to make sure everything was okay with you."

"I made you worry? I'm sorry..."

"No, it's fine. I wanted to be here anyway."

After you take off your suit jacket, both of you sit together by the couch near the wall window. Thanks to this clear day, you can see all the other buildings below yours, as far as your eyes can see. Reminds you of how your father spent some mornings looking out the window.

"I got word from Lantern Office that your father is away on a mission and that I can't contact him for a while."

"How long did they say?"

"They don't know." You mother takes a deep breath. "But combined with the recent Terrorist incident, I'm scared."

"Scared of what?"

"Part of me is afraid that maybe he's... he's one of the Misery Terrorists, that Urban Nightmare."

You put a hand on her shoulder. "But isn't he an upstanding employee for Lantern Office? There's no way that they'd actively do anything to make the City a worse place."

Your mother studies your face.

"Mother?" You face burns like she set it on fire. "Not even L Corp. wants the District to suffer. Irresponsible? Definitely. But it's nothing worse than self-interest. Besides, wasn't the target this time W Corp.? L Corp. wouldn't poke a hornet's nest."

"It's so weird hearing you defend L Corp."

You both grin.

"Maybe it comes with the line of work that you both chose, but I always feel like he's keeping secrets from me, especially since I barely get to see him. It's like wondering if he's having an affair, only ten times worse."

"That comes with the job, unfortunately. I promise, we took up the work we did because we wanted to make the District a safer place."

"Is the District really safer, though? At the end of the day, even the mighty Lanterns couldn't prevent a Terrorist attack."

"You don't think that keeping the peace is hard? If my father couldn't prevent the attack, it only means that the enemy is well-organized and dangerous. Who knows which Wing is evil enough to use them?"

"But something on a scale this big, and the fact that-" Your mother shrieks as she clutches the back of her head.

"Are you okay!?"

"J-Lock... will be fine..."

You hug her tight until she calms down after a half a minute.

"I'm so sorry!"

"It's okay. I'm here and you're safe."

"I'm scared; I want to share my fears, but there's nobody that I'm allowed to share them with." She gulps. "They say the worst damage comes from the betrayals of the people closest to us."

You stare. What are you supposed to do with a comment like that? However, you hug her. "It's okay to be scared. But Father doesn't want to hurt you. And... I don't want to hurt you."

"I'm sorry." She hugs you back. "I called you out here only to say something like that."

"I don't mind. We both love you, and we'll never do anything to hurt you. Please believe in us."

"With my heart and soul."

---

The morning after your rest day, only Rama misses the Director's routine meeting.

"Bahij. Explain. What lead to the Zwei taking you and Rama into their custody?"

He shrugs. "He disrespected a Wing. Worse, he disrespected the crew. That guy needed serious help to figure out what's what."

"You needed to put him into Medical?"

"But he's still breathing. And if he runs his mouth again, I'll offer remedial lessons for free."

"Sit," says the Director. "Strike. Wear it like a badge if you're so inclined. Rama can also have a strike for his consolation prize when he returns. Captain."

Blaine stares at you, then sighs as she stands. "Yes, Director?"

"The Deputy is calling for a meeting later today. Be prepared to explain why you couldn't manage your crew. I'm disappointed."

"I apologize, Director."

"We are working with the Udjat out of the goodness of Dias's heart."

You can't help but note how he leaves out the part about her plotting L Corp.'s downfall.

"I expect better. Dismissed."

As Blaine leaves, you catch up with her. "Blaine, look..."

"It's Captain," says Blaine. "And didn't I ask you to stop them?"

"You did, and I'm sorry."

"Yeah, right. If that's truly the case, then why leave them alone? All I asked was to keep things cool. But no, I'm seriously about to get chewed out."

"If Bahij didn't do something, don't you think Rama would've continued acting like a jerk? Someone had to make him stop."

"There's a right way and a wrong way to handle these things. And even if you disagree, I'm still Captain."

"Keeping an eye on them, uh, was an order?"

"No, but... as your friend and boss, I thought my opinion mattered more to you. I didn't realize that I should've dragged you kicking and screaming to stop them. My mistake, I guess."

Regardless of who's right, you still want to remain on good terms with Blaine. You both duck around a corner out of everyone else's way instead of finishing the normal path to the lounge. "Does it feel like I betrayed you?"

"Well... sort of. You're still a good friend. I just wish that you took a different course of action, and that's why I'm frustrated. I get why you did it - you have the crew's interest at heart, and I'm grateful, but I didn't want to resolve things that way. Maybe it just hurts more because you're closer."

"Even if we disagree and I hurt you, thank you for not cutting me off."

"Don't thank me too early; I'm still mad at you, and my life's about to suck more. Even if we're still friends, if I treat you coldly for a while, that's because I'm still sorting out my frustration."

In front of her gruff face, you do your best to put on your most understanding smile. "I'm here if you need anything, okay?"

"Thanks. Get out of my sight."

You leave Blaine and head for the lounge.

Bahij greets you near the entrance. "She mad?"

"Yeah. But we're still friends."

"And you two were close. I was sorta close, but I guess I'll have to wait and see where things stand. Gonna be rough for her, you get me?"

"Mm-hm."

"If Blaine starts struggling, let me know to keep an eye on her. That's what friends are for, right?"

A thought crosses your mind. If Blaine is no longer Captain, wouldn't you become the next Captain, given your asset status and improved standing with the Director?

"Ji-Min?"

"Right. We're her friends, after all."

During the week, you take care to steer clear of Blaine.

After one cleanup, as the crew returns to the lounge, Blaine gets in Clover's face as the latter plops into a reclining chair. "Clover, my patience is gone, and you picked the wrong week to make it worse. Every time we go to cleanup, you're never helping, but when it comes time to mop, you're always slacking."

"Sorry, Captain." Clover blinks multiple times like she's struggling to stay awake.

"Get it together."

When the next train arrives, Clover does her best not to look like a zombie, and you wonder if Blaine will tear apart Clover before the Director gets a chance.

In the cab, Teresa smirks after he compiles this train's information. "Whenever you're ready, janitor."

Blaine scrolls through and grimaces. "What the fuck."

"What's wrong?" you ask.

"What in Wing's name causes the passengers to turn into brainsects?"

Lorine covers his mouth, and Clover looks as she goes from sleepy to sick. Bahij raises an eyebrow.

Teresa shrugs. "Probably some other company's experiment, and the long time made it inevitable. Looks like a job for PR. In the meantime, you can do what you normally do."

"Ugh, open it up."

---

The next day, the Director introduces Clover's replacement at the same time when Rama returns to work.

This new agent reminds you of Dias in appearance, but her shorter hair is no royal cape; it only reaches her shoulders. Not-Dias opens her mouth as if to yawn. Then, as if remembering where she is, Not-Dias clamps her mouth shut, straightens her back, and coughs. "I'm Irmtraud. Nice to meet you."

The crew looks at Girish to start the introductions, but his gaze looks unfocused.

"Girish." The Director folds his arms.

"Oh... sorry. I'm Girish."

"I'm Lorine. The King Coals are playing next week, and if you want, we could watch-"

The Director sighs. "Lorine. Stop." The rest of the crew introduces themselves as usual, although Rama shoots Irmtraud a look of disdain.

Once the Director dismisses everyone, you remain seated as Katherine and Amita arrive.

Katherine takes her seat. "Thanks for taking care of that nuisance; feeding Clover to the passengers was a great idea. We were expecting a big scene when the time came to clean her up."

"I'm just glad it's over."

The Director begins after Amita takes her seat. "Background. It's no secret that L Corp. is the most reviled Wing in the City with many enemies. To destroy and replace L Corp., Dias is opting to exploit their grievances from multiple angles and encourage them to act. Our work may ultimately be pivotal or trivial, but every mission is an opportunity to, as the Branch Manager would put it, get the boulder rolling."

"What I'm hearing," says Katherine, "is that W Corp. is basically Dias's pawn."

"Truly," says Amita, "there's no greater honor than to serve Lady Di- ow!"

"Shut up already."

"What's our mission?" you ask.

"K Corp. has been working to coerce L Corp. into following targets that'll reduce pollution. Sometimes, K Corp. sends negotiators to this District - and more importantly, attaches one of their Hero Fixers as a show of much the issue matters. If L Corp. were to say, return their heads in a box, the people of District 11 will demand retribution."

Katherine grins. "Time for W Corp.'s favorite industry: crimes and coverups."

"They'll be staying at Hotel Larierre for a few days. I suggest infiltrating then."

The playfulness vanishes off her face. "Hotel... Larierre...?"

"Where else were you expecting someone of their caliber to stay?"

"But it's under Hana's protection."

"Were you planning to introduce yourself and challenge them in broad daylight?"

"There must be a better way to deal with them." Katherine leans forward with a determined expression. "Can't W Corp. run this mission in District 11?"

The Director shakes his head. "The Hero Fixers are dominating fights because that's a low-priority battlefield for HQ. You'll have to go yourselves, but if that's what you want, I can look into making preparations."

Katherine huffs.

"Katherine," says Amita. "Why are you so determined to avoid dealing with Hotel Larierre?"

"What, too scared to ride the train?"

"Don't dodge it. I don't know about your past, but even if you're attached to them, isn't casting them aside part of being an asset?"

The Director claps. "I couldn't have put it better myself. After all, Katherine, this is the work you negotiated so hard for; I expect you to participate."

"Ji-Min." Katherine looks you in the eyes. "Please say you're analyzing this situation logically. If you think about it, isn't conducting this operation at Hotel Larierre a bad idea?"

---

INSTRUCTIONS. Submit a plan. See bottom of post for preplans.


-[] Day Off. Distribute AP up to one of the following and set the battle conditions for Week 14.

--[] Hotel Larierre. Katherine can suck it up. Katherine gains trait Trauma (Reduce AP contribution by -1), effective this battle. K Corp. rolls d6-1 for X / Assistants make major effort rolls / If AP<X, assets take -40HP or ST +2 and decrease Rapport -4 with Director; otherwise, increase Rapport +6 with Director. Costs 1AP to select.
--[] District 11. Amita can suck it up. K Corp. rolls d6+1 for X / Assistants make major effort rolls / If AP<X, you take -40HP and decrease Rapport -4 with Director; otherwise, increase Rapport +6 with Director / Assets gain ST indefinitely until successful extraction; at the end of each week, Week 14 included, Assistants roll d6 to extract themselves from District 11. Katherine extracts on d6>3 and Amita extracts on d6 = 6. Costs 1AP to select.
--[] Broad Daylight. You can suck it up. K Corp. rolls d6+5 for X / Assistants make major effort rolls / If AP<X, assets take -50HP or ST +3 and decrease Rapport -4 with Director; otherwise, increase Rapport +6 with Director. Does not cost AP to select.
--[] Decline. The Director can suck it up. Decrease Rapport -8 with Director.


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

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

Passenger Advisory Report:
Week 13 (Work) / Schedule II / If W<3, all agents take -20HP


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

Passenger Advisory Report's roll (Week 14): (1)
Week 14 (Work) / Schedule I / If W<17, all agents take -50HP / Conduct Emergency check


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

--[] Girish. Increase Favors between +1 to +3 (more Favors with fewer protectors and failed meltdown check) with Girish. Girish will contribute 0W. Costs 2AP.
--[] Blaine. Increase Favors between +1 to +2 (more Favors with failed meltdown check) with Blaine. Blaine will contribute 0W. Bahij will also reserve 2AP to protect Blaine if this is selected. Costs 2AP.
--[] Sabotage. Blaine dies. Become Captain; as Captain, upgrade Overcharge to provide 6W, and (Authority) may be used freely.

Note: If Blaine dies, decrease Rapport -8 with Bahij.


-[] Relationships. Spend time with another agent. Increase Rapport +1. If Irmtraud is not selected, Irmtraud gains Motive -1 (Motive modifies the Effort Roll by the count shown).

--[] Girish
--[] Lorine. Additionally, increase Rapport +8.
--[] Blaine
--[] Bahij
--[] Rama. Additionally, decrease Rapport -1 for all other agents.
--[] Irmtraud. Additionally, decrease Rapport -1 with Rama.
--[] Nobody. Regain 10HP.

---

PREPLANS. See spoilers for specific details. You may submit a custom plan.

[] Plan: Hotel + Blaine
[] Plan: Hotel + Sabotage
[] Plan: District 11 + Sabotage