Sector I – Interact (Hikaru), Support Sector VII
You have Maya go to work handling the support for Sector VII and getting things prepped for Sakuina's interrogation. Meanwhile, you decide to have a heart-to-heart with Hikaru and see if you can find out more about him.
(+1 to Sector VII's roll this turn)
)( EXTRA EVENT! – HIKARU ASAHI I )(
Sector II – Build (Enhanced Armor I)
You sign the last few papers and officially okay the production of the new armor. The armor will be available in 3 TURNS.
(-3 Resources)
(ENHANCED ARMOR I is in production. You may BUILD an additional item next turn)
Sector III – Research (Ship Override Codes) – 5, 4 = 9 (FLAWED SUCCESS)
You dispatch a mix of Sector III and IV personnel out to the hanger to see if they can hack into the ship's computer systems and override the security protocols. After the first few days it becomes increasingly clear that this is going to take a while. Geta-Pi-Theta informs you that it's mostly a matter of caution; getting locked out of the ship's systems would render it useless. Still, it's going to take manpower away from the Sector's research systems.
(Research Complete! Ship Conversion added to Build Action)
(RESEARCH action may not be used next turn.)
Sector IV – Scan – 6, 2 = 8 (FLAWED SUCCESS)
With a good chunk of people out fiddling with the alien spaceship, Michelle doesn't get quite as much support. Still, she does find something with her most recent scan.
REPORT 1: (Roll 2) There's been spooky rumors flying around about a mysterious beast that's been prowling near Lake Okutama; rumors of lupine howls in the night and scenes of bloody carnage in the middle of the forest. Some people think it's viral marketing for a horror film. Some of the locals think it's some kind of yokai. You think it's something else. Scanning for abnormal patterns of behavior via local security footage that coincide with the 'sightings' suggests that the answer is an unassuming young man named YUKIMURA OKAMI. Especially when he always shows up on nights during a full moon.
Sector V – Train Touma – 5, 6 = 11 (PURE SUCCESS)
With Touma still injured, you decide the best use of his time is to do some learning outside of his comfort zone. Falter Silk initially is puzzled with what to do with Touma (and irritated by his attitude), but soon figures out that Touma responds better to hands-on teaching than book study. Touma ends up picking up a surprising knowledge base for magical items. Of course, Falter also beats strategy into his head by repeatedly trouncing him at chess.
(Touma gains the Trait – Knows (Artifacts). Cannot gain an additional trait from Sector V)
(Touma: +1 EXP)
(Touma gains the Strategic ATTACK option in combat)
Sector VI – Research (Heirian Autopsy) – 3, 1 = 4 (FAIL)
Autopsying the Heirians proves to be a challenge; primarily because attempting to open their armor causes them to instantly decompose into a slurry of undifferentiated proteins and charred circuitry. The coroners go through several bodies before deciding to hold off and figure out how to prevent the self-destruct option.
(You may attempt this Research next turn. A second FAIL results in losing this Research Topic.)
Sector VII – Interrogate Sakuina – 4, 5, +1 = 10 (PURE SUCCESS)
You're actually looking forward to interrogating this alien bastard. It takes a few sessions, but you start pulling information out of him. It's a good start, at least.
)( EXTRA EVENT – SAKUINA INTERROGATION I )(
* * *
TURN 5 – DRAMA PHASE
EXTRA EVENT 1
Rather than call Hikaru into your office and make him nervous, you decide to go to where he is. It's not hard to find him; he lives on base and aside from the odd shopping trip out into Akiba he doesn't really roam around a lot.
You catch him in one of the housing area's lounges on Sunday morning, the television tuned to TV Asahi as the outro to Super Hero Time plays. Hikaru jumps slightly as he notices your presence. "H-Hongo-sama, I didn't-"
"Relax, Asahi-san," you say, gently waving him off as you take a seat in one of the chairs. "I'm just here for a friendly chat, that's all." You glance at the television with a slightly bemused smile. "Have to admit, it's a little surreal to see people in costume on TV when there's actual henshin heroes running around."
"Well," Hikaru nibbles on his lip slightly, "I guess so. Um… you don't think it's, uh, weird that I watch kid's shows?"
"Honestly? I'm pretty sure my weirdness barometer is broken by this point. Personally, I never really saw much appeal in it. I spent most of my childhood watching crime dramas."
Hikaru blinks. "Really?"
"Yeah. I was obsessed. My mom thought it wasn't really appropriate, but my dad never seemed to mind. 'Better this than cartoons,' my dad always told her."
You and Hikaru talk for a while before you decide to ask him something more personal.
SELECT AN OPTION
[ ] Ask something about himself (his past, his family, his ambitions, etc.)
[ ] Ask something about his powers (how he got them, what he thinks of them, etc.)
[ ] Ask something about his teammates. (what he thinks of them, how they treat him, etc.)
[ ] Suggest something else (write in).
* * *
EXTRA EVENT 2
Sakuina sits in the interrogation chamber, his arms heavily chained behind his back and to the floor, with a thick wall of clear bulletproof and shatterproof glass between you and him. You're flanked by a pair of security personnel while a group of scientists monitor Sakuina with a dizzying array of sensors.
"So," you say, shifting your weight in the chair you're seated in, "let's talk."
Sakuina glares at you. He still looks terrible, but there's an ineffable aura of smugness about him. "If you monkeys think that you can hold the great Sakuina-san for long, then you're sadly mistaken. Death will come for you on swift wings, and the great Sakuina-san will chew on your bones."
(The amount of ego on this guy could choke a whale, but it's not hard to play into that.) "Then I'm sure you wouldn't mind answering a few questions, oh great Sakuina-san," you reply, adding a bit of simper to your voice. "After all, we mere monkeys could never hope to stand up to you and your superiors. At least tell us more about our destroyers, so we may cower in fear."
The fishy alien mulls this over, then lets out an irritated gurgle. "Fine. What do you wish to know?"
SELECT THREE OPTIONS FROM THE FOLLOWING LIST.
THE THREE HIGHEST WILL BE ANSWERED.
ALL ANSWERS WILL BE FACTUALLY CORRECT.
[ ] What is the Valgruss Combine?
[ ] What do they want with Earth?
[ ] What are their forces like?
[ ] Who are Sakuina's superiors?
[ ] Who else are they fighting against?
[ ] What, if anything, is Sakuina hiding from me?
* * *
EVENT
A few days after the Incident in Shibuya, Michelle comes to you with an interesting report.
"There has been a significant uptick in online activity in regards to the incident in Shibuya," she says, showing you a selection of images captured from online message boards and social media sites. "While the topic has been trending, there is a statistically significant increase in negative posts and misinformation in regards to the incident's resolution."
"So somebody's trying to make us look bad by controlling the public perception of the attack?"
Michelle nods. "I believe that is so. My investigation suggests a coordinated and widespread dissemination of false or misleading information; edited images, provocation of conspiracy theories, falsified testimonies from supposed eye-witnesses and so on. The information is being disseminated through multiple vectors both locally and abroad. If we do not act, it will likely cause damage to our organization's standing in the public eye."
You nod and consider your options.
[ ] IGNORE IT – Social media is powerful, but your organization can weather this storm just fine. Responding would just give more fuel to the fire.
[ ] ISSUE A PUBLIC STATEMENT – An official statement to the press and the public should help counter some of this misinformation. Sure, it won't quiet down the conspiracy nuts, but you're more concerned about the people in charge.
[ ] LET'S DO A PRESS CONFERENCE – You need to get ahead of this PR nightmare in a public way. A live press conference will be hard to refute, especially if you rope in Yamakishi. (ROLL REQUIRED)
[ ] MICHELLE, DESTROY THEM – You're pretty sure you know who's behind this. If they want a flame war, then they'll get a flame war. (ROLL REQUIRED)
VOTING CLOSES IN 24 HOURS.