I had several very hectic days in a row, but here, indeed, is the update!
Project Results:
[X] Plan: Finishing Basic Infrastructure
-[X] Repair Talia's Morpher [MANDATORY] - Talia's Morpher was damaged. Must be repaired, or you will not have a complete Ranger team to deploy on missions.
Completed
-[X] Scanners
Roll: 1d10+2 = 8. 16/10. Great Success!
-[X] Sidearms
--[X] Ranged: Progress: 0/15. 1 Rare Resource required.
Roll: 2d10+4 = 10.
Progress: 18/15 Success
-[X] Research Facility
Roll: 2d10 = 17. Great Success!
-[X] Medical Facility
Roll: 2d20 = 20. Critical Success!
-[X] Finish the Combat Vehicle Project
Roll 2d10 = 7
Progress 22/25
-[X] Translate the Nik-Nik Language
Roll: 1d10 = 2
Progress: 2/10
-[X] Analyze the Alien Artifact
Roll: 1d10 = 2
Progress: 2/5
First off, Talia's Morpher must be repaired. Without it she can't travel through the Quantum Tunnel, and two Rangers just aren't enough to make a functional squad. The Morphers use several rare, difficult to acquire components - rare compounds that vibrate in tune with the energy of the Morphing Grid. Although it's a bitter loss, the requisitions are made, and Dr. Nzara pronounces the new Morpher as good, if not better, than before.
The handheld scanners are another success. Mostly constructed by Choi, these devices slot easily into the Ranger Suits or can be deployed from the Morphers directly when the Rangers are unmorphed. They can detect a variety of energies on every spectrum and can analyze both living and unliving materials. Even if their databases and analytical programs can't give an answer, they can probably collect data to be picked through later.
Handheld Scanners Developed! These give a +3 to any scientific analysis roll in the field to which they are applicable, and may grant unlock additional mission rewards or story opportunities!
---
"So, tell me about these…" Dorsett raises an eyebrow.
Dr. Nzara clears his throat. "We're calling them Quantum Blasters."
"How do they work?"
"It's an application of the Quantum Tunnel technology, actually. It harnesses the destructive effect of the Tunnel on unshielded individuals, firing a beam that can have… dramatic effects."
Dorsett nods. "Can I see how one works?"
Nzara gestures, and the wall of the small conference room they're in lifts to reveal a glass panel, showing a shooting gallery. Nico stands there morphed, holding a blue raygun. He offers a mock salute with the weapon, before turning and firing at one of a series of paper targets in the shape of a Carrionoid.
A searing beam surrounded by a series of concentric rings shoots out, blasting into the target. An eruption of sparks and flames engulfs one end of the room as the lights in the conference room flicker. Nico spins the blaster on one finger and blows imaginary smoke off the end before placing it back in the panel of his suit where it promptly disappears.
Dorsett feels a slight chill. This is a weapon made for killing, not a tool or something to subdue criminals. The Arcologies have a few weapons with raw destructive power, but none so small and unassuming.
She's going to de-emphasize this in her report.
"Any limitations?"
"Firing the guns is a tremendous energy drain. They currently only have enough charge for one shot per mission."
Quantum Blasters created! The Quantum Blasters can be used once per mission for a single heavy attack! Due to being ranged weapons, they have a variety of tactical advantages, chief of which being the enemy usually won't get to return fire when round unless they have a ranged attack of their own! The Blasters have a static +7 bonus, but note that most of your current bonuses, like martial arts and super-strength from Ranger Suits, won't apply.
---
"A neo-spectrometer? What the hell are you doing over there, Dorsett?" Director Albin, a heavyset man with short-cropped greying hair and a goatee, looks across the set of requisition forms that Dorsett has sent his office.
"Science, sir." Dorsett's voice is calm, but her finger taps on the arm of her chair. A calculated gesture - Albin likes to bluster, and he'd be upset if he thought she wasn't just a bit nervous. "We've come across some very interesting samples, and Dr. Nzara believes expanding our research tool base would yield valuable results."
"Hmm."
Dorsett folds her hands together and slides her arms forward. "I understand your wife's birthday is approaching, sir. And that she has certain… tastes."
Albin's eyes narrowed. "Careful, Dorsett."
"I happen to know where I can get a hold of several bottles of the good stuff. Nearly old world quality."
"You're joking."
"I have my connections, sir."
Albin's eyes glance shiftily around the office. "I could… could be persuaded to authorize your requests. For the good of scientific progress. If you could arrange…"
"Three bottles of the finest balsamic vinegar will be delivered to your residence by the end of the day."
Research Facility constructed! +3 results to analyze any scientific mysteries, including analyzing alien corpses and artifacts!
---
"Watch where you put that!" A woman's voice, starting to go frail with age, rings out as Connor accidentally nudges a piece of machinery against the wall.
"Sorry Ma'am-"
"Doctor! It may be silly but I do insist upon proper respect!"
"Yes, Doctor Rose."
"Very good." Doctor Rose surveys the new medbay from her wheelchair. Everything is state of the art, the best equipment. Imaging equipment, blood synthesizers, the works.
It had been part of her bargain with the Commander, when Lewis had dragged her out of retirement. She'd always known the boy would go on to do great things, but she'd imagined him as the future head doctor at a hospital, not… whatever this was.
But she'd reviewed some of the reports. She had seen some of what the Rangers were in for.
She'd be ready.
---
Medical Bay constructed! Healing time and severity of injuries will be significantly reduced! In addition, due to your Critical Success, Dr. Rose will insist upon certain precautions being taken in the field! Any Ranger with the Medicine skill will be given a medical kit that gives +2 to Medicine checks!
---
Despite great progress, the combat vehicles are still not quite ready. It's clear that there is some elusive link between the Rangers and the Zords that hasn't been ironed out. Some essential synchronization remains incomplete. Commander Dorsett just hopes that whatever the Rangers encounter in the next mission, they will meet it with the same bravery and skill they brought against the Gravity Serpent.
Work proceeds on analyzing the remains of that Serpent, as well as the strange artifact that Talia brought back. It appears to be a metallic disk, though of no known alloy, and it has a series of strange symbols upon it. It's been largely impervious to tests so far, but Dr. Nzara feels certain there's something to be discovered within.
---
The Rangers have leveled up! As a reward for reaching Level 2, the Rangers can distribute one skill point to any skill they wish (including new skills). Mind the skill cap (Level/2 Round Up)
Please vote by plan on skill point distribution!
[] [Talia]:
[] [Nico]:
[] [Lewis]:
It is now time for Personal Actions. Please choose below:
[] Hustle Command or Additional Resources. (DC 3, can be taken multiple times, but each additional attempt increases the DC by 2. Rare Resources increase the DC by +2)
[] Lewis has registered a formal complaint over Talia's recklessness in the last mission.
-[] Meet with Talia about it
-[] Meet with Lewis about it
-[] Meet with both of them about it
--[] In general terms, what do you say?
[] Hold a Meeting with Someone (Ranger, Base Staff, etc.)
--[] Write in who the meeting is with and the purpose
[] Arranger Training for One of the Rangers
-[] Choose a Ranger and a Skill. DC is 3 for level 1, 5 for level 2. Ranger Skills are capped at (Level/2 round up). Progress is kept if Training Check is failed
[] Scout Additional Ranger Candidates
-[] Specify parameters for the search - please stick to one of Background, Personality or Skills.