TURN 2 - RIVAL REPORTS
Black Hat Organization
[ ] Acquire Youth Camps
Success
Black Hat's latest acquisition was rather bizarre, this time focusing on youth camps across the USA. The biggest purchase was by and large the Bean Scouts of America, but the Urban Rangers and Forest Scouts were also sweeped up in the massive purchase of just about every organization that was willing to be bought, or in some cases, were the subject of a less-than-amicable buyout. Black Hat has placed Scout Master Supreme Lumpus as the new Black Hat Youth program's director, stating he was "the ideal example of a scout."
[ ] Begin Product Distribution
Failure
With England under his thumb, Black Hat has begun production of his catalogs. Or so he claims. At the time being, it's been rather hard to find one, and even more difficult to receive a shipment in the US. You figure that due to the production being shifted to England, anything over-seas has been waylaid.
Endsville Energy Solutions
[ ] Open New Underworld Energy Plant
Success
Mandy has been ruthless in her industrialization of the energy sector, quickly going beyond the nuclear reactors that Endsville is famous for. These Underworld reactors are reliable sources of energy, though what exactly they're burning remains a trade secret. Once properly integrated, these will provide for the entire state of Texas with electricity. The construction and maintenance of these structures, however, are kept under numerous degrees of secrecy.
[ ] Pursue Government Contracts
Success
Perhaps inspired by your recent actions, or brought about by her own desire to take over a pre-existing system, Mandy begins to pursue a number of contracts for both military and energy sectors opened by the US government. The US, however, seems a touch reluctant to allow her to sweep up that many positions in one go. A few of her propositions have been rejected.
[ ] Improve Daemonic Integration
Success
In the meanwhile, the Demonic Rights Act has already passed through the house and is on its way to the senate. The bill is being propped up by a number of Demon-Rights activists, with Mandy going out and even speaking in favor of it. Despite her cold, ominous tone, her points and logic have a harrowingly effective impact.
Gem Homeworld Colony
[ ] Prepare Defenses
Success
The recent counterattack by US-aligned forces have halted the Gem advance and caused them to retreat. The volunteers aid the American army in breaking the siege around Toronto. However, the further north the army presses, the more desolate and punishing the environment has become. Even worse, the Gems have begun to shore up their defenses and undertake drastic measures to prevent further loss of territory. Fortified cities and outposts have been replaced with strongholds made of impossibly strong crystals. Reports of massive versions of Gems crushing tank columns and other, more esoteric attacks have begun to come in.
[ ] Innovate Technologies
Failure
From the new wheeled artillery being manned by the ruby and quartz soldiers, one gets the impression that the leaders of the Gem army are trying to diversify their arsenal. Unfortunately, these recycled starship cannons have more knockback than even the super tough gems can handle, causing them to roll all over the battlefield. The Gems have also started integrating weapons and equipment pillaged from Canadian army stockpiles into their tactics, but to mixed effect. Leaked drone footage has spotted rubies trying and failing to use grenades as intended.
"Did anyone drop this?" one of the rubies asked their fellow ruby, a pinless grenade in hand.
"Oh, I was looking for that!" the other ruby shouts above active gunfire. "Did you find the--"
The resulting explosion disperses their physical forms and the drone camera goes black.
The Guild of Calamitous Intent
[ ] Formalize Henchmen Recruitment
Success
Normally, you wouldn't pay much attention to henchmen. They were often inconsequential and relatively useless, but you have noticed that there seems to be an uptick in the number of henchmen recruitment sites across your territory. Signing up people to serve under a costume villain seemed rather strange, and more than a few henchmen signup centers were busted by the cops, but there was something to be said for how effective they were.
Katz Ventures
[ ] Release New Food Products
Success
Katz Ventures is at it again, pumping out even more food products, this time even faster than before. And beyond that, people can't seem to get enough! Katz, the owner of Katz Ventures, has made it clear that his intention is to provide the people of America with high-quality food. You suppose the Midwest could do that, but you're not quite sure how Katz is doing it.
[ ] Enhance Vacation Fleet
Success
The Katz Venture Vacation Fleet continues to grow, however small. It seems that the cat has some sort of greater plan in mind, but what it is, you're not quite sure. You do figure out that he has stretched out his budget as far as he can, as he isn't able to purchase any more submarines, blimps, cruise lines or road-side inns.
Mandark Co.
[ ] Increase Production of Robots
Success
Mandark has made it a priority to revamp and reconstruct his business to produce a line of high-quality, warbots. In a surprising turn of events, Mandark even donated an entire company's worth of them to the US war effort. While out of character, you can only wonder why he decided to be so generous.
[ ] ???
???
Reports get back to you as more and more young people of talent seem to be vanishing. One particularly loud exception, however, seems to be a young man by the name of Jack Spicer, who loudly complained to the media about how he was getting passed over by whoever this mysterious assailant was. Sure enough, he vanished the next day….
The day after that, he was found again. Jack Spicer was now complaining about being rejected over embellishments on his resume.
Scam Co.
[ ] Continue Talent Courting
Success
After learning about Mr. Bossman, you've decided to keep a bigger eye on this 'Eddy' and his antics. It doesn't take long for you to realize that the little runt is looking for anybody he can get his grubby little paws on. You find out he's looking for talent quite quickly, as he seems to be approaching just about everyone he knows, or even learns of. While this has resulted in more than a few rejections, he's also been able to pick up the scraps other people left behind.
[ ] Create Jawbreaker Coin
Success
Just yesterday, young entrepreneur Eddy Eddington announced a new and revolutionary form of currency that he claims better fits the modern-day market. He's calling it Jawbreakers. This candy currency, designed and candied by Eddy's own crypto-confectionery servers, is a mixture of real-life candy and online currency. While you have no idea how it exactly works, the new currency seems to be taking off, and has already created a lucrative speculation market on all the different flavors and their worth.
U.S. Government
[ ] Fund Projects
(98)
While you are not exactly sure, your liaisons in the government have given you some forewarning that large projects are now being funded. Projects that the US has explicitly said will 'win the war' with the gems. While details have been hard pressed to get out of them, they have given you a name for one of them: Project H.M.E.R. is nearing completion and will be ready for field testing quite soon.
[ ] Increase Stability
(76)
With the success on the warfront, the US has been given a chance to turn back to the public. They have taken the time to reassure the people that the Government is still there, and still working to serve them to the best of its ability. Even as more news comes out about the state of the world, there is a sense that the US is doing far, far better than most other countries.
[ ] Prepare for Elections
(37)
Informing the public about the candidates running for president has been difficult. Talks with Chris and Moltar have been falling through due to not being very 'exciting' for their programming, and to show it regardless of that would take a bit more expenses than most candidates are willing to spend. Campaigning has been limited to their local area for now, with hopes of sending their rhetoric by newspaper or radio being a last resort.
[ ] Continue Negotiations with Providence
(46)
Negotiations with the global peace-keeping organization known as Providence have been tense and slow, with Providence remaining uncompromising on their need for additional funding ever since they increased their umbrella of aid to cover not only EVOs, but also aliens, cryptids, and other-wordly threats. However, rumors suggest a breakthrough might be on the horizon.