A Splinter in Your Mind - Matrix Quest

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◉ CODA ◉​

Alice Lovelace
​
Resolve
3/3​
Detachment
2​
Skill
6​
Gear
6/10​

Paths​
Path of Resistance
Level 1
When you Fight.exe.
When you gratuitously blow something up as an act of resistance.
The first time in a session you tell an authority to go fuck itself.
XP: ◉◉◉◉◎
You may spend Resistance XP to add or subtract Harm you give or take, 1-1.​
Path of Truth
Level 1
When you Prompt.exe.
When you follow your curiosity in a way that doesn't advance the mission.
The first time in a session you discover something new about the Matrix.
XP: ◉◉◉◎◎
You may spend Truth XP to reroll dice when you Charge or Refresh, 1-1d6.​
Path of Enlightenment
Level 1
When you Disconnect.exe.
When you refuse to back down or run away from impossible odds.
The first time you run out of Resolve in a session.
XP: ◉◉◎◎◎
You may spend Enlightenment XP as if they were Detachment, 1-1.​
Moves
Beginning to Believe: You gain +1 Detachment the first time you Charge.
Stop Trying to Hit Me: You take -1 Harm when on the Defensive in Fights.
Mine Now: Spend a Full Hit in Fight to disarm an enemy of their weapon. If you then shoot them with it, take +1.
Try Again: When you attempt a Disconnect you failed before and have not yet succeeded at, you may input one 6 as a True Hit.
Bit of Help: When you spend Detachment on any move other than Disconnect, you get two +1s. They can be applied to the same die or different ones.

Stunts
Jump Impossible Distances Lvl 2*
Hit with Implausible Force Lvl 1
Dodge Implausible Ways Lvl 1
Act with Implausible Slight of Hand Lvl 1

​


CW: Very 90s.

Also, this is going to be a seriously fucked up quest. I'm going to be doing my damndest to channel an appropriately edgy, teen-rage vibe. Expect violence, drugs, sex, etc.

There's also going to be some Pretty Uncomfortable Dysphoria-ing, trans readers be warned.​
 
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We probably want some kind of justification for why we should be guarding the server room. Mechanically I don't think State.exe has any sort of Jedi Mind-Trick abilities; if they don't buy it then you just get a point of Detachment.

Actually, hmmm, this gives me an idea...

[X] Plan Refuge in Audacity
-[X] State.exe [6]
--[X] "Chief, you might want us in the server room. We went to this seminar at Admin, apparently the terrorists have some kind of electromagnetic weapon that can attack our computers. You can build one out of a TV and some parts from RadioShack and put in a car, drive around, and hit everything for a couple blocks, crazy shit. In emergencies, new protocol is to put everything into safe mode. It'll be coming down to the departments in a week or two."
-[X] Disconnect.exe [6 + 1 EXP]: "Fuck with computers."
--[X] Reaching out through the Force the collective unconsciousness of the Matrix, Coda makes the screen of the chief's computer start to flicker like it's in a powerful magnet.
-[X] Prompt.exe [2]
--[X] "Holy shit, look. We need to move!"

Am I using Disconnects as a sledgehammer and treating every problem as a nail? Possibly. Also obligatory RadioShack reference, we have to hit our 90s quota. The Prompt.exe gets rid of that pesky two and partly makes up for spending both of our sixes.

Using EXP here because I don't want to spend Detachment if we're about to be in a fight, and we get +1EXP anyway for doing a Disconnect so it evens out.
 
open_sketch said:
"The agent goes downstairs, and we go to meet him at the elevator, and out comes one of the beat cops, Fat Larry, we called him that because, you know. He kinda fell behind during the chase. He said it was like something took him over, something big and righteous; he didn't really remember it all, but he said he felt like Superman. That's an Agent, right there."

"… you saw this?" you asked, and he laughed.

"Like twenty cops did! Fat Larry said he knew we couldn't tell anyone, we wrote up the bastard fell off the roof, but we all knew what we saw. It's happened a couple of times since, but… I guess they don't tell you guys in Admin."
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

This makes a lot of sense - if agents need a certain mindset to get into someone's head, then people who have that kinda mindset and are pretty compatible with agents... well, even if they do figure something out, or remember a bit of it, why would they think anything is wrong with that? It's like a personal blessing, a bit, the system they work for working through them.
 
Being the mooks sent to get mowed down by redpills must be pretty terrifying if you're just a regular guy. Seeing an Agent come and fight one of them just as you were about to get spin-kicked to death must feel pretty much like a superhero just showed up. Rationalising folklore about Agents into some sort of angelic protectors makes a lot of sense, when you think about it.

Especially because the sheer risk of Agents showing up means that redpills tend to execute wounded enemy bluepills as standard, and don't take prisoners. That's not the Resistance's fault, it's the Machine's fault, but either way, it's going to make cops fucking terrified of redpills, and even less sceptical of Agents than they might otherwise be.
 
Skippy said:
We probably want some kind of justification for why we should be guarding the server room. Mechanically I don't think State.exe has any sort of Jedi Mind-Trick abilities; if they don't buy it then you just get a point of Detachment.

Actually, hmmm, this gives me an idea...

[X] Plan Refuge in Audacity
-[X] State.exe [6]
--[X] "Chief, you might want us in the server room. We went to this seminar at Admin, apparently the terrorists have some kind of electromagnetic weapon that can attack our computers. You can build one out of a TV and some parts from RadioShack and put in a car, drive around, and hit everything for a couple blocks, crazy shit. In emergencies, new protocol is to put everything into safe mode. It'll be coming down to the departments in a week or two."
-[X] Disconnect.exe [6 + 1 EXP]: "Fuck with computers."
--[X] Reaching out through the Force the collective unconsciousness of the Matrix, Coda makes the screen of the chief's computer start to flicker like it's in a powerful magnet.
-[X] Prompt.exe [2]
--[X] "Holy shit, look. We need to move!"

Am I using Disconnects as a sledgehammer and treating every problem as a nail? Possibly. Also obligatory RadioShack reference, we have to hit our 90s quota. The Prompt.exe gets rid of that pesky two and partly makes up for spending both of our sixes.

Using EXP here because I don't want to spend Detachment if we're about to be in a fight, and we get +1EXP anyway for doing a Disconnect so it evens out.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
I mean, he's already looking for two people to guard the server room. We don't need to sell him that hard on those two people being us, never mind that he's impatient and unlikely to appreciate a lore dump.

Also, I think you're asking more of that 7 than it's able to deliver alone. Telepathically fucking with a computer sounds like the kind of thing it needs at least two friends for.

[] State.exe [6]
-[] "Sir, we should be heading to the server room. It's not enough to have someone guard it physically, those servers need to be locked down."
[] Unplug his computer. If challenged, now isn't the time to risk the viruses on it spreading.

When lying like this, less is more.
 
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[X] State.exe [6]
-[X] "Sir, we should be heading to the server room. It's not enough to have someone guard it physically, those servers need to be locked down."
-[X] Unplug his computer. If challenged, now isn't the time to risk the viruses on it spreading.

Less is more, indeed.
 
Torgamous said:
I mean, he's already looking for two people to guard the server room. We don't need to sell him that hard on those two people being us, never mind that he's impatient and unlikely to appreciate a lore dump.

Also, I think you're asking more of that 7 than it's able to deliver alone. Telepathically fucking with a computer sounds like the kind of thing it needs at least two friends for.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

That might be the case, I'm just worried that it's a bit suspicious for us to disobey orders given he's yelled at us to go to the back entrance already. Then again, if he wants two guys on the server room anyway... it's a crapshoot I think.

In terms of the Disonnect taking three dice, I mean, it's pretty useless as Disconnects go? I think it's similar to spoon-bending or other Uri Gellar shit in being such a minor breach of consensus reality that it's easy to rationalise as magnets or something. You're right though, technically I should have checked with Sketch, but I'm pretty certain this is a one dice-Disconnect given as a superpower it would just make you the lamest X-Man ever.

That being said, I like having two plans here, and think it would be a good thing if my plans didn't win all the time. So I tried to push the boat out a bit on this one, to encourage more conservative voters to go for something different.

EDIT:

You might want to add a Refresh.exe to your plan, although we can always do it at the start of the next turn instead so it's no biggie.
 
[X] Torgamous

This plan seems likelier to work, where Skippy's idea seems like it might make him suspicious.

I'm not sure I read things correctly, did the virus work and that's why all the electronics went crazy, or was that unrelated?
 
Fuck. If I'm being namevoted then I have to actually vote.

[X] State.exe [6]
-[X] "Sir, we should be heading to the server room. It's not enough to have someone guard it physically, those servers need to be locked down."
-[X] Unplug his computer. If challenged, now isn't the time to risk the viruses on it spreading.
 
[X] State.exe [6]
-[X] "Sir, we should be heading to the server room. It's not enough to have someone guard it physically, those servers need to be locked down."
-[X] Unplug his computer. If challenged, now isn't the time to risk the viruses on it spreading.
 
[X] State.exe [6]
-[X] "Sir, we should be heading to the server room. It's not enough to have someone guard it physically, those servers need to be locked down."
-[X] Unplug his computer. If challenged, now isn't the time to risk the viruses on it spreading.
 
[X] State.exe [6]
-[X] "Sir, we should be heading to the server room. It's not enough to have someone guard it physically, those servers need to be locked down."
-[X] Unplug his computer. If challenged, now isn't the time to risk the viruses on it spreading.
 
[X] State.exe [6]
-[X] "Sir, we should be heading to the server room. It's not enough to have someone guard it physically, those servers need to be locked down."
-[X] Unplug his computer. If challenged, now isn't the time to risk the viruses on it spreading.

As much as I love a good disconnect I'd rather try to save our resources for now.
 
[X] Plan Refuge in Audacity

Part of this is just I want to see Coda getting more comfortable with casual use of Disconnects after that last experience; the thing this says is partially "fuck the rules, they're made up" - being willing to casually break physics a little to solve problems while not fully buying that anything can be broken completely is an interesting space to be right now.
 
[X] State.exe [6]
-[X] "Sir, we should be heading to the server room. It's not enough to have someone guard it physically, those servers need to be locked down."
-[X] Unplug his computer. If challenged, now isn't the time to risk the viruses on it spreading.
 
[X] State.exe [6]
-[X] "Sir, we should be heading to the server room. It's not enough to have someone guard it physically, those servers need to be locked down."
-[X] Unplug his computer. If challenged, now isn't the time to risk the viruses on it spreading.
 
[X] State.exe [6]
-[X] "Sir, we should be heading to the server room. It's not enough to have someone guard it physically, those servers need to be locked down."
-[X] Unplug his computer. If challenged, now isn't the time to risk the viruses on it spreading.
 
[X] State.exe [6]
-[X] "Sir, we should be heading to the server room. It's not enough to have someone guard it physically, those servers need to be locked down."
-[X] Unplug his computer. If challenged, now isn't the time to risk the viruses on it spreading.
 
5.2: Don't Copy That Floppy
  • Threadmarks
    • "Sir, we should be heading to the server room. It's not enough to have someone guard it physically, those servers need to be locked down," you said, trying to project as much confidence as possible. "They're hackers." You could see the captain's ignorance about technology at war with his hatred of being questioned, and ignorance won.

    "Okay, go. I still want those guys on the door, Chris!" Chambers announced, grabbing his radio and moving out of the room. "Let's get a move on, people!"

    You shared a relieved glance with Cache, then moved into the server room. Before the door closed, you saw two cops take up position on either side, one with a pump-action shotgun as the station lit up with sound and activity. It all faded as the door closed, becoming a distant buzz.

    You sat down in front of the workstation as Cache put his back to the door, just to slow down anyone checking on you. He reached into his jacket and pulled out his signature green-tinted glasses, and when you checked your own you found yours waiting for you. Thanks, Chrysie.

    "I'm installing now," you said, clicking your microphone to keep the operators in the loop as the fed the blue floppy disk into the drive. You ran the disc, and an installer appeared that moved much, much slower than you were expecting. "It's running. A minute and a half. Where's our best exits?"

    "Community centre at Levenworth & Golden Gate, third payphone from the right at the corner. The one with the Adbusters sticker," Chrysie said. "Go as fast as you can; the faster everyone is out, the faster we can push the cracking software."

    "How's the power plant?" Cache asked in a half-whispered.

    "You don't need to know, babe," Vector replied, equally quiet. You winced as you watched the bar crawl along. "They're doing their jobs; they've drawn three agents away.."

    "Three?" Cache replied, then there was a knock on the door that nearly had him jump out of his skin. "Yeah, what is it?"
    "30 seconds heads up, order just came down, we're killing power to the building to secure the servers," the voice on the other side said. Shit, they'd realised it was a distraction. "Finish up and save or whateverthefuck it is you do."

    You checked the estimate. Too close. Fuck.

    "Hold on, I'm encrypting the mainframe! I need another minute!" you called back, saying whatever words you figured these tech-illterate fucks would accept.

    "You don't got it, so work faster," the man on the other side replied. Not knowing what else to do, you just sat and watched the little blue bar fill in, one segment at a time. Come on…

    The screen flipped over, you hit Enter to confirm, and then the lights went out. The windowless room was plunged into absolute darkness.

    "Did it work?" you asked in a whisper.

    "I'm in," Chrysie said, sounding like she could barely believe it herself. "Vector, tell them to get out, we've got it. Coda, get moving; they're going to know that we got what we came for and lock down the stations further. You need to get out before the agents double back.."

    You looked to Cache by the door, who drew his pistol with one hand and checked through the blinds quickly, signalling with his fingers. Two cops by the door, another at the end of the hall, unknown others not visible.

    Reflexively, you ejected the disk and pocketed it as you moved to the door, breathing deep. Show time.

    ---

    ⚅⚄⚃⚁◻​
    ​
    Write In.​
     
  • Threadmarks
    • They don't know we're hostile yet, but we know there's an Agent in the building and a few more about to come in on high alert, so we need to leave quickly.

    Brainstorming options:
    1. The obvious route: Kick down the door, shoot everyone in our path, run like hell.
    2. Play it casual, walk past the door cops and get to a better location, then go through a window or something.
    3. It's a server room, it's going to have a drop ceiling or raised floor for cabling, or maybe cinematically huge air ducts for cooling. Sneak out without using the door.
    4. Use "Hit with Implausible Force" to bust through some drywall and go out that way.
    5. Use our Gear to pull out a flashbang or grenade and use that as an opener before we kick open the door.
    6. Use a Disconnect to sense the cops' locations through the Matrix to plan a clean escape.
     
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