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Mars Bleeds Red - A Red Planet Rising Quest

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    • Scheduled vote count started by TheMaskedReader on Mar 22, 2022 at 11:59 PM, finished with 15 posts and 13 votes.
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    Turn Three Results - Economics/Peacekeeping - Dorms, Deals, and Deaths
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    • More Refugee Housing​

    Ultimately, with the establishment of the New Council, thoughts have been raised about how to house non-Hephaestus refugees, as well as if Hephaestus housing should be considered temporary in the meantime, and the standards necessary to do so, as judged against the speed needed to construct them…

    In short, it's a bit of a mess. While the process itself will naturally take time, and much of the overflow is currently absorbed into your civilian population, there must be solutions to this issue…without compromising what you aim to do.

    Choose as many upsides as you'd like...
    [] Solidarity
    • Hephaestus refugees proved willing to settle for temporary housing until the return to Hephaestus is accomplished, and the general atmosphere with ex-Hephaestus refugees in general is that they are willing to endure hardship until their home returns.
    • Your reputation with Hephaestus increases.
    [] Dual Purpose
    • We've managed to integrate the prisoner facilities we've already started building with additional housing! Obviously, none of the truly hardened reactionaries will be housed with refugees, but this should aid in our rehabilitative efforts, via immersing ex-soldiers with people either buying into Station's culture or Hephaestus's refugees.
    • This will impact rehabilitation efforts positively.
    [] Positive Economic Impact
    • As it turns out, with housing being guaranteed, many of the refugees turn out to be craftspeople or otherwise skilled laborers, who are now more able to put their skills to work for the good of Station.
    • Trade Schools requirement is reduced by one action.

    But choose one downside for every upside.
    [] Pork
    • Managing and building the housing has had to be outsourced to the locals of the region, with recommendations coming directly from the Refugee Office's local coordinators. However, the Refugee Office is already entangled heavily with local politics, and this may worsen the problem.
    • This will increase the chance of corruption and mismanagement with regards to the Refugee Office.
    [] Cost
    • The housing is taking a while to build, and it will necessitate further long-term investment due to the regions in which refugees are concentrated. We'll need to alter our timetable to account for this…However, our economic centralization makes this a minimal effort.
    • A new option will become available in Manage the Economy.
    [] Comfort
    • The housing is cramped, mostly unfurnished, and made as fast as possible. People aren't ungrateful for housing…but there are calls for things to improve as fast as possible, and you've acquiesced to such.
    • For the next 2 turns, Everyday Luxuries or its subsequent research options will be locked in as one of your research actions.

    Establish Trade Schools​


    More development begins, with institutional knowledge codified successfully. Construction begins on the foundation of schools, or, more typically, on the repurposing or expansion of existing buildings and institutions to be fit for such. The unions have begun to centralize teaching resources, as well as beginning to recruit more students in preparation for expanded facilities and expanded demand.

    2/4 Actions complete.

    To Train A Bodyguard​

    The United Nations has bodyguards, of course. Are they better than the ones you could train? Perhaps. But, what they are is available right now to serve as trainers, and the UN is even willing to provide power armor for guards, and training to use it. This is huge. But, it also comes with an appropriately high price tag.

    The United Nations wanted us to commit to not cutting off the MEF economically, and they want us to recognize them as a legitimate government. This is a no-sell, for numerous, numerous reasons. However…we've managed to negotiate them down to their red lines. They want us to commit to maintaining open economic relations with the MEF, even if we don't recognize them as a legitimate government.

    On the side, Shanxi has also reached out to us, and they've informed us that they're willing to break from the UN on this…namely, that they plan to follow our lead in regards to MPA economic policy for the MEF, despite their close ties to the UN. This could be a sign of cracks in their bloc, but it could also simply be Shanxi holding a grudge against ODIN. It's impossible to tell…but we'll be able to capitalize on this regardless.

    Do we:

    [] Take the deal.
    • We'll commit to not cutting off the MEF from the MPA economy. The option to do so will be removed.
    • We will gain power armor for our bodyguards and UN trainers. The recruits will still be ideologically reliable, and training will be monitored, but this could be a first step towards establishing our own power armor corps.
    • Our people will not be happy about this…

    [] Take the deal, but intend to renege upon it.
    • We'll take the deal, but we'll intend to renege upon it as soon as we're in a more secure position.
    • We will gain power armor for our bodyguards and UN trainers. The recruits will still be ideologically reliable, and training will be monitored, but this could be a first step towards establishing our own power armor corps. However, when we break the deal, it is likely that the UN will pull out their trainers and attempt to reclaim their power armor…but depending on our power at that time, they may be unable to.
    • Our people will not be happy in the short-term, and the United Nations will be furious in the long term.

    [] Don't take the deal.
    • We won't take the deal. Simple as that.
    • Nothing new happens, and we'll simply train our own bodyguard unit. No further action investment will be required.
    • Shanxi will still follow our lead on the matter of the MEF.

    [] Don't take the deal and publicize it.
    • We won't take the deal and we'll publicize that we've refused to take it.
    • Anti-Corporate Sentiment will ramp up, as will Anti-UN Sentiment. 6 months will be taken off of War Weariness.
    • This will be popular with our people, but we will lose favor with the UN Bloc.
    • However, Shanxi will still follow our lead on the matter of the MEF.

    A Thorn In Our Side​

    The Admiral-King. As elusive as he is frustrating. During the war, he and Enterprise served as a rallying cry for the MUC and other rebel forces, claiming to show the brutality of the United Nations and the hell their rule would bring upon Mars. MBC coverage of the destruction of Enterprise was nigh-nonstop until they jumped ship after the Night of Dust. The pictures that got out from Candor Chasma were, to be frank, horrifying. We are lucky that we did not endorse or order the UN bombing, that it was done as a unilateral show of force by their government, otherwise, the backlash might have hit us more during the war than it already did.

    Somewhat ironically, during the Enterprise Civil War, before the UN's formal arrival and the outbreak of the Unification War, Armstrong was regarded as something of a liberal reformer, the moderate option between the reactionary forces of the oligarchs of the Council and the outright revolutionary movements of the Strikers and the OLA. The war revealed his true colors, however, and after he crushed the Council and Strikers, and the Nomads intervened to defend the OLA, he installed himself as undisputed autocrat of Enterprise. Now, though, he is King only of ashes and death, and his name is feared by small communities all over the Valley, either from those who remember Enterprise's raids to take serfs and supplies or those who saw the devastation his Crusade wreaked.

    Now, though, he seems to be waiting for something…and nobody knows what he is planning. We must take some kind of action…but what?

    [] Entrenchment
    • We have broken them against our walls before, and we will break them against our walls again. Let them come! Let them lurk in the wastelands they inhabit, filled with their so-called righteous indignation and fear, let them plot, and then let them die with their convictions on our guns. We will destroy any attack against us, but they are of no threat, especially not now that we have mobilized the Inspector Corps permanently.
    • This will unlock a Peacekeeping action to fortify border settlements and provide extra guards to various rail repair crews at risk.

    [] Infiltration
    • Sheer brute force will not serve us against the Crusaders. Their power armor simply affords them too much durability and mobility. However, if we infiltrate their conscripts and affiliated militias, we may be able to predict where they're going and neutralize them with far less effort…but this, of course, will involve decent amounts of risk, and it is unlikely we will ever completely destroy them…but we can ensure they are a small enough threat to never harm anyone again.
    • This will unlock several Peacekeeping and Governmental options to infiltrate and sabotage the Dead Crusaders.

    [] Destruction
    • The best defense is a good offense, and there's no offense like searching for and destroying every single Crusader outpost and camp we can find in a protracted military campaign. We will end the threat of these slavers and killers, and we will kill the Admiral-King once and for all. They have given no quarter, and they will receive none.
    • This will begin a lengthy chain of Peacekeeping and Governmental actions to burn out every last bit of the Crusaders from Melas Chasma.

    The Second Quarter​

    Welllllcome back to the Great Game of Mariner City! We're in the Second Quarter, and the score is currently 3-1, Favor Reds! After a magnificent opening, it is predicted that the Reds have overextended themselves, and due to the need to keep up the pace of the overall offensive, will be forced to slow down integration of any theoretically cleared territory in favor of keeping MUC offensives from pushing them back. Key points of interest this Quarter include the ex-MCPD Headquarters, the Spaceport, and City Hall, all of which are expected to be focal points of MUC resistance and the continued offensive. With that in mind…let's plaaaaaaay ball!
    We're receiving live updates from the field…

    As expected, the Blues have managed to concentrate their forces and push through heavy resistance to successfully clear City Hall. In a symbolic move, Stadium's flag in blue is flying high over the ruins in a hastily erected flagpole. As it was heavily damaged during the Unification War, the prior flagpoles are no longer present.

    The Blues have kept up their momentum and managed to press their advantage into claiming the Spaceport, as well, though it remains fully non-operational due to damage inflicted during the Unification War. Station forces proved invaluable in the final pushes here, as their mechanized corps was able to clear out several MUC hardpoints that had been lynchpins of the defense of the Spaceport. The MUC is down, but clearly not out, as orderly fallbacks have been noted from non-overrun positions, and surrenders are low even among MCPD remnant forces.

    Meanwhile, the Reds have seen far less overall success, but have managed to achieve a key strategic victory. While offensives overall saw very little territorial gain, the key MUC logistical lifeline of Province 10 has been firmly cut off, leaving MUC forces in Provinces 7, 8, and 9 fully isolated from further reinforcement, we believe…

    However, casualties in attempting to take the ex-headquarters of the MCPD have been shockingly high, with reports indicating that power armor has been utilized as part of the defense, bearing Central markings, though those are just as often substituted with the symbols of the MCPD, often crudely painted on. Efforts next month are expected to focus on whittling down the pocket, as Station's Inspector Corps man and reinforce the border with Mariner City to prevent MUC reinforcements and supplies from getting through.

    We're receiving word now that-

    [] Station forces have been able to arrive on the scene due to rapid logistical infrastructure construction by the Station Railway Corps!
    • Mariner City Rail Line Construction: MCPD HQ will go up to 1/2 Actions.
    • The offensive will have a slightly easier time taking territory next turn.

    [] Stadium has been able to steadily reinforce all lines of the offensive, and the advance will be able to proceed as planned next quarter!
    • The offensive will have a much easier time taking territory next turn.

    Author's Note: This took me a while, sorry! The vote will be open for about a day and a half, since there's a lot. Thanks! I'll be around for any questions, of course, and, as always - Please vote in plan format!
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Solidarity and Positive Economic Impact for Comfort and Cost seems... like a pretty decent trade, IMO?


    [] Don't take the deal.
    [] Stadium has been able to steadily reinforce all lines of the offensive, and the advance will be able to proceed as planned next quarter!
     
    [] Plan: Building The Future
    -[] Solidarity
    -[] Positive Economic Impact
    -[] Cost
    -[] Comfort
    -[] Don't take the deal.
    -[] Infiltration
    -[] Stadium has been able to steadily reinforce all lines of the offensive, and the advance will be able to proceed as planned next quarter!

    Yeah, Cost is a freebie for us, so that's good! And Comfort is something I already wanna do.

    Not taking the deal will be controversial, but while I don't want to break with the MEF economically in the next turn or two... I want the option to do so once we've found a way to get around any blockades. But lying to the UN about it seems like a dumb idea.

    And... let's help Stadium win more than helping ourselves.
     
    Last edited:
    [X] Plan: Building The Future
    -[X] Solidarity
    -[X] Positive Economic Impact
    -[X] Cost
    -[X] Comfort
    -[X] Don't take the deal.
    -[X] Infiltration
    -[X] Stadium has been able to steadily reinforce all lines of the offensive, and the advance will be able to proceed as planned next quarter!
     
    [X] Plan: Building Future Railroads
    -[X] Solidarity
    -[X] Positive Economic Impact
    -[X] Cost
    -[X] Comfort
    -[X] Don't take the deal.
    -[X] Infiltration
    -[X] Station forces have been able to arrive on the scene due to rapid logistical infrastructure construction by the Station Railway Corps!
     
    Vote closed
  • Voting
    • Scheduled vote count started by TheMaskedReader on Mar 30, 2022 at 10:35 PM, finished with 11 posts and 8 votes.
    • [X] Plan: Building The Future
      -[X] Solidarity
      -[X] Positive Economic Impact
      -[X] Cost
      -[X] Comfort
      -[X] Don't take the deal.
      -[X] Infiltration
      -[X] Stadium has been able to steadily reinforce all lines of the offensive, and the advance will be able to proceed as planned next quarter!
      [X] Plan: Building Future Railroads
      -[X] Solidarity
      -[X] Positive Economic Impact
      -[X] Cost
      -[X] Comfort
      -[X] Don't take the deal.
      -[X] Infiltration
      -[X] Station forces have been able to arrive on the scene due to rapid logistical infrastructure construction by the Station Railway Corps!
    Click to expand...
     
  • Voting
    • Turn Three Results - Research/Personal - A Future Free From Want
  • Threadmarks
    • [] Plan: Building The Future
    -[] Solidarity
    -[] Positive Economic Impact
    -[] Cost
    -[] Comfort
    -[] Don't take the deal.
    -[] Infiltration
    -[] Stadium has been able to steadily reinforce all lines of the offensive, and the advance will be able to proceed as planned next quarter!

    [] Plan: Trading Up
    -[] Survey the Population
    -[] Propaganda for Hephaestus
    -[] The Coordinators of the Refugee Office
    -[] Establish Trade Schools
    -[] More Refugee Housing
    -[] To Train A Bodyguard
    -[] A Thorn In Our Side
    -    []The Second Quarter
    -[] Communications Infrastructure
    -[] An Answer to Power Armor: Anti-Armor Weaponry
    -[] Learning From The War: Train-Based Warfare
    -[] Hephaestus Lives!

    Communications Infrastructure​


    With MBC's expertise firmly barred from us, we have turned to the independents of Station. Often small-town broadcasters using patchworked setups or those using ex-military comms devices, enough of them have agreed to come onboard that we've been able to try and patchwork together a more decent civilian network. However, our researchers have also been looking into alternate solutions…

    Landlines - We already maintain significant infrastructure running between settlements, which already necessitates . Several of our engineers have made the argument that if we set up landlines, we'll have guaranteed and fairly secure lines of communication between settlements, for both military and civilian purposes. The cons to this are, of course, that said lines will be vulnerable to physical attack and that they'll become inefficient within the next few decades once we're more established and have been able to clean up orbit more…but for now, they're widely regarded as a good choice as a stopgap. A new Economics action has been unlocked.

    Radio     - While we have a patchworked network of radio operators, if we make a concerted effort to establish radio infrastructure, formalize existing positions, and expand radio production, we can absolutely make a significant dent. However, these communications are unreliable at points due to Mars's atmospheric conditions and can be intercepted. If Storm Season begins once more, now that the terraforming network has been crippled, then settlements may be cut off from the radio network…Therefore, it is recommended that this option be utilized primarily for civilian communications. A new Governmental action has been unlocked.

    Communications Satellites     - This is by far the option that's considered to be the furthest off. While Mars was remarkably close to being able to re-establish a satellite communications network, the devastation in orbit caused by the MUC's detonation of League One has led to that dream being dead in the water, along with most plans for space travel. However, we've been informed that there is a chance that we could carefully launch a satellite into orbit below the vast majority of the debris. It would limit the effectiveness of it, naturally, but even partial telecommunications, as well as more efficient communications with orbital UN forces and perhaps even Earth could prove fruitful. Of course, it also comes with the risk of it being destroyed, and much work will need to be done to even make the attempt. A new Research action has been unlocked.

    An Answer to Power Armor: Anti-Armor Weaponry​


    Olivia Lopez of the Reds was having a terrible day. She was hunkered down behind the shell of a window as shots pinged off the walls on the street around her, leaving gouges and holes in the walls. They'd been trying to push into the old MCPD Quarter in Mariner City, and things had been going decently…right up until they rolled right into an ambush by a suit of Central Power Armor with a bunch of well-armed insurgents. She thought they'd destroyed all of those things during the War! They'd gotten pinned down, and, well…

    She took a deep breath and poked her head out slightly at an angle she didn't think exposed her to the enemy as she tried to take a headcount of the survivors behind cover or in buildings like she was. She could only see Jenny, Rob, Idris, Li-

    And as she was counting, there was a sudden explosion and a burst of heat that drove her to dive back beneath the window as the sound of gunfire intensified for a brief moment before halting entirely. She hastily took firm hold of her gun and waited to shoot the first Central bastard that tried to come for her…only to hear whoops of triumph and the sound of Jenny shouting - "Station incoming! They took out the power armor! Those MCPD bastards are running scared, WOO!" Olivia slumped down against the wall, taking deep breaths as she loosened her grip on her weapon slightly.

    Thank Mars, she wasn't going to die today.

    Anti-Armor Weaponry has been deployed to the armed forces. While it's likely there will be an adjustment period, it has already been showing results in fighting Power Armor during the Great Game. However, there have been no opportunities to test it against large concentrations of Power Armor, only individual suits.

    Learning From The War: Train-Based Warfare​


    In this modern age, many have different answers to who is considered the King of the Battlefield. To the citizen-soldiers of Shanxi, it is Armor. To the scientists of University and the weapons manufacturers at ODIN, it is Technology. To the knights of Enterprise and the militias of Stadium, it is Firepower.

    To Station, it is unquestionably Logistics. And to Station, Logistics and their rail network are nigh-inseparable. The trains of Station are a key part of Station's national identity, having sheltered them from the war, and serving incredibly diverse functions over the years. Station's first leaders were the Engineers, after all, who ran the Depot and taught others how to keep it functional, before the full transition into a socialist democracy began once the situation had stabilized.

    In turn, they serve an incredibly vital role in keeping Station linked together, especially with the increasingly centrally controlled economy. It is not an overstatement to say that at this point if the trains were to ever stop flowing…Station would cease to function. Therefore, our priority must be to ensure that the trains do not stop flowing, and to integrate them even further into our system.

    Hardening - The trains must be armored, hijackings must be prevented, secure material and VIPs must be stored safely. Our engineers had designs ready for this, some prepared even before the MUC hijacking two months ago, based on wartime efforts. Unlocks a research option to fight attacks on trains and attempted hijackings.

    Crew     - Conductors and crew are armed, but are they armed enough? We can stock every train with its own armory, and ensure that engineer crews are armed to the teeth to prevent assaults on railway repairs and expansions. Unlocks a research option to fight train hijackings and attacks on railways.

    Weaponry     - We aren't going far enough. Weapons on trains? Armored trains? Listen to yourselves. The trains must become weapons of Station, transforming our greatest advantage into another advantage! Now, I've sadly had to discard plans for any off-rail trains or 'ramming trains' due to logistical concerns and being reminded that it would simply be "reinventing the tank" to be anywhere near practical. However, I have come up with a real winner - We can put long-range firearms on trains, either as turrets or for long-range engagements against fleeing enemies! It's perfect! Unlocks research into…train-based gun platforms? Results are not guaranteed.

    Hephaestus Lives​


    The Stationmaster speaks, and Station listens. The New Council makes their preparations, ensuring that everything is as right as they possibly can make it. Conductors ensure that the Depot is prepared for the event, expecting an influx of visitors and guests. And in a small room, hours before the meeting, the Stationmaster is holding a conference with a few of her most trusted Conductors. "You're sure?"

    "We're sure, ma'am."

    "...Do we announce it tonight, then?"

    Her aide glances to the others. "I think we should, ma'am. It'd be a major morale boost, and the perfect note to hit during your speech as written. Especially with Mariner City being the way it is. The people respect you, but they still need hope and reassurance." There's general murmurs of agreement.

    "In that case, we do it. Alert the New Council that there's going to be some mild alterations to the script, and I might need more time on the stand then we have allotted."


    The New Council Forum​

    "It is my utmost honor to introduce Stationmaster Rutherford, who has graciously agreed to give some remarks tonight!"

    (Synergy with Hephaestus Reputation: Good)

    Clapping echoes through the halls, much of the crowd surging to their feet.

    After a moment, it quiets.

    "My comrades - both those from Station and Hephaestus. We were once together, but we were ripped apart by the cruel auspices of war."

    (Synergy with ???)

    In the Depot, a small community gathers around a radio playing the speech. They listen, quietly, to the Stationmaster speak. It's being broadcast as far as Station can manage, within their own territory. It's not very far…but the Depot is filled with gatherings like this. There are refugees there who couldn't attend the Forum, packed full as it was already with so many.

    "We have all lost so much in the Unification War. We have all lost friends, family, spouses, children."

    (Synergy with Shanxi Strikes)

    Kurt sits in the backseat of a vehicle, part of a convoy. They're leaving. Took them a month or two to make sure everything was ready and in order, but they finally hopped on one of the Station-bound trade caravans, the ones with free passage for Hephaestus refugees. He can hardly believe it. Not a single person of theirs left behind. He watches through a window as they set off towards the nearest rail hub, the Shanxi driver taking a sip of water…

    For a moment, he lets himself hope again.

    "In the chaos of war, the horror of the aftermath - It is easy to feel that there is no recovery, that one cannot reclaim what has been lost. But, to you all, my comrades - Are we not here to build a better future? Are we not here to not simply reclaim what has been lost, but build upon it to a shining, new world, free from want, for all?"

    (Synergy with the Prodigal Sibling)

    "I am proud to be here, able to commit to such a thing. To building the future of Hephaestus with you. I am proud of the people of Station for committing to such, for volunteering their time, their homes, their work to this cause. But most of all, I am proud of the spirit of the people of Hephaestus. I promise you, comrades - Station has not forgotten the decades of sacrifices made between us, deepening our bond - And we will not forget you now."

    (Synergy with the Refugee Office: Action Chain Complete)

    "And with that, I am proud to announce that earlier today, I have been presented with reports from various settlements all across Station. They report that due to the hard work of thousands, refugees and residents alike, that we have been able to end rationing almost entirely. That preliminary housing assignments for newly constructed and newly opened housing have begun to become available. That the Refugee Office has been fully staffed and distribution hubs are operating full time. That the darkest hour of Hephaestus is over, and that we have moved one step closer towards that future free from want! Free from hunger! Free from exploitation!"

    (Synergy with The Refugee Crisis: Solved and Stagnant)

    "Comrades - A new day is dawning. We have renewed our fraternal bond! We have come together as one people! I say to you now - HEPHAESTUS LIVES!"

    And the crowd roars with her.

    "HEPHAESTUS LIVES!"

    "HEPHAESTUS LIVES!"

    "HEPHAESTUS LIVES!"

    (The Second Quarter: Special MUC Resistance Subvote Activates)

    "AND STATION DIES! FOR A FREE MARS!"

    Two shots ring out from within the crowd along with that shouted slogan just as a bodyguard tackles the Stationmaster to the ground. Screams ring out, and more bodyguards leap into action, hastily dragging the Stationmaster back as the crowd turns into panicked chaos, even as the attempted assassin is grabbed by those around him before he can flee and the panic quickly turns into cries of anger. Even as many flee the Forum, a furious group gathers around the assassin, which the bodyguards do not even attempt to get through for now.

    The Stationmaster is alive and uninjured. The shots missed, due to the quick actions of the bodyguard who spotted the gunman just before he fired. But-

    [] The attempted assassin dies of the injuries inflicted by the enraged crowd before he can be interrogated.
    • He was clearly with the MUC, that is not in doubt.
    • However, that does not explain how he managed to sneak so deep into Station territory.
    • He appears to have snuck into the forum by disguising himself as one of the staff. The real young man supposed to be there has been found tied up in his apartment, and has revealed that the assassin kidnapped him a day or so prior.

    [] The attempted assassin was disguised as a refugee, including forged Refugee Office documentation.
    • We are certain he is from the MUC, that is not in doubt.
    • However, this speaks to either subversion of the Refugee Office or that there is some kind of infiltration effort amongst the refugees.
    • The assassin is alive, but has refused to talk, so we're unsure how he got ahold of it.

    [] The assassin has talked, but it's not a politically convenient story.
    • The assassin is clearly from the MUC, that is not in doubt…
    • But he claims to have been able to penetrate deeply into Station territory and sneak in through covert aid from a UN Black Ops cell who approached the MUC.
    • We've found UN equipment on his person, which he appears to have used to gain access to the forum. He could be lying, of course…but we can't be sure.

    Author's Note: So, first off, congratulations! Both on surviving your first (of many) assassination attempts, and on finishing the first major hurdle of the Quest I had planned, in the form of getting the Refugee Crisis to solved and completing one of the permanent mitigations for it, causing it to go from worsening to stagnating! For all that I do my best to be fairly tough on y'all with choices and sacrifices, y'all have played excellently to solve it this early on, while also maintaining the balancing act necessary to ensure nothing collapses or worsens significantly. I promise, despite the subvote interruption, this has had no negative impact on the action of Hephaestus Lives, mechanically. In addition, to make sure the vote is clear - This is a vote on how the assassin got into Station. There is no canon way he got in until the vote is finished. I have a method in mind for each option, which will differ from each other, and may not line up exactly with what the assassin claims or the group you may immediately think is responsible. Please keep that in mind. There are no unlisted negative consequences. Any group who could actually be responsible for this would be trying to kill you regardless.

    To pull back the curtain a bit, because I feel like y'all deserve it for pulling this off at a really fast pace while taking a lot of the actions I intended to be the longest possible paths - I've had this assassination attempt planned for a while, and y'all have finally reached it, and I was able to synergize one of your other actions with it, too. You were never going to die here, if, say, you hadn't taken the guard action. Going all the way back to Turn One, I was always planning on having a Crisis occur sometime during the first few turns, in order to introduce y'all to the system, showcase the balancing act and consequences for if it wasn't maintained, and to act as a pressure valve for if the balancing act ever slipped too far, allowing the factors to 'reset' without crippling y'all as you were figuring out how things work and putting out various fires.

    It was entirely possible that I didn't get the chance, of course, but keeping the balancing act as presented from Turn 1 with the options you guys picked during Setup would've come at such a cost to your own ideals and various other factors in play that I was fairly sure I would. The MEF was a plan I had from the start for if y'all ever alienated the Corporate Bloc too badly in the right circumstances, and it's the one I wound up going with because of the choices y'all made. If I had not been able to find any way to introduce the Crisis system by the time things got to the point at which the Refugee Crisis was resolved (and I'm just now realizing that's a confusing name, huh?), then the First Assassination Attempt and its aftermath would've been your first real Crisis, to signify an end to the first chapter (so to speak) of the game.

    Anyways - Just to make sure I'm clearly signposting things - As indicated above, this is the first major hurdle y'all have cleared. It's also the point at which I think y'all have indicated a clear enough understanding of the balancing act and enough mastery of it that I can throw some more balls into the mix for y'all to juggle. I'm not going to screw y'all over…but expect more proactive enemies, more political interplay, and more choices. I think you guys can handle it!

    This A/N was a lot longer than I meant it to be when I first started writing this, but with all that in mind, the vote is immediately open for the next day or so! I'll be around to answer questions, and thank you all so much for reading!
     
  • Threadmarks
    • No matter what, this assassin has shown that the MUC has the ability to infiltrate agents deep into Station Territory, we just get to choose what method they used to do so. (And what potential backers they have to allow them to do so at all.)

    The implications of the third option are worrying, as a UN Black Ops cell potentially supporting the MUC remnants opens up a whole bunch of problems and inconvenient questions at us. If he's lying, then the MUC has gained access to UN Black Ops gear on their own, which doesn't bode well by itself. If he's not, then it adds more credence to the claim that UN infiltrators committed the New Gorbals Massacre to keep Mars divided and weak, which means that the MUC were right and that the MPA was founded on a lie.

    Choosing the second option is unpalatable to me, considering how we just solved the Refugee Crisis and finished setting up the Refugee Office, as casting suspicion on them could temporarily undo a lot of progress that we've made in that area. While we've done a lot to improve relations between the Hephaestus Refugees and Station/the MPA in general, Hephaestus aren't the only group fleeing to Station territory.

    The first option's danger comes in it's mystery. Unlike the other two, we don't have a clear lead to begin our search on, other than the fact that they also can kidnap people on top of deeply infiltrating our territory. However, I feel that this lack of information at the outset is preferable to the potential leads given by the other two options.

    [X] The attempted assassin dies of the injuries inflicted by the enraged crowd before he can be interrogated.
     
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