THE INFINITE BROOD (Starcraft/Supreme Commander Crossover Quest!)

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THE SWARM SHEET
  • Informational
    • The Brood of Blades
    ​
    Cerebrate Prime: Samantha Clarke
    LEVEL: 5
    XP: 205/210
    TRAITS
    Strategic Genius: Once per structured encounter, Sam can create a piece of the environment that is in her favor as a sticky spark. Roll a d3 for its value.
    Empathetic: upon meeting an NPC, learn their motivation!
    Legendary Commander: Gain 4 Command sparks at the beginning of each mission/combat. Command sparks may be spent to give NPCs orders, which they may either obey or refuse to obey (doing nothing instead.) Command sparks may not be regained via skills or powers.
    Hunted: Something wants her - but for what? +1 Danger to all scenes​
    SKILLS
    CLOSE COMBAT (2): Brawling, Edged Weapons
    PERSONAL (2): Awareness, Resilience
    SOCIAL (4): Charm, Empathy, Leadership, Taunt​
    MASTERY
    ACU Pilot (2): Nanofabrication [Mass], ObSat Operations [Range]
    The Hilt (4): Biomorphic Spawning (People), Regeneration (Durability), Physical Perfection (Speed), Telepathic Dominion (Range)​

    POWERS
    The Living Swarm
    Vent: 4-0
    Effect: Gain 1 Living Swarm spark, +1 per vent reduction.​
    The Living Swarm: While this swarm exists, move in three dimensions and through anything smaller than a keyhole, reforming at will. You may expend these sparks to cause 3 Hit Sparks in a Area 2 radius.​
    Area Upgrade: +1 to Area Characteristic​

    Biomorphic Reinforcement
    Vent: 4-0
    Effect: Create 1 Biomorphic Reinforcement spark, +1 per vent reduction, which can be given out to anyone within Range 2, or to yourself
    Biomorphic Reinforcement: +1 to Damage or Mass characteristic for the purpose of raw physical strength/feats.

    Back to Back
    Vent: 4-0
    Effect: Choose 1 ally (+1 per vent reduction), within Range 1. Each can take one action using one of your skills, any of them that you wish. Once they have done so, you may make a free attack with your melee weapon, getting +1 to your skill per ally that acted.​

    Adaptation
    Vent: 4-0
    Effect: Create a number of sparks equal to the enemy's difficulty, narratively based on turning their abilities against them. Works on enemies of Diff 2>, +2 per vent reduction.​

    Just as Planned…
    Vent: 6-0
    Effect: Vent 6 heat and create 1 Planning Spark for her or an ally, +1 Spark per vent reduction.​
    Planning: The person holding this Spark can expend this to get +1 to a skill check as a free action. Using this Stack counts as you are helping for the purpose of relationships.​

    GEAR
    Zeratul's Psi-Blades
    Adds: +0 (Edged Weapons) | Characteristics: Damage [Speed] (4)[1]​
    Shadowstep (3): Can expend as a free action to move without crossing intervening space.
    Guarded Space (3): Can expend to use Damage as a secondary characteristic for Durability, reducing incoming Damage characteristics.​

    GALACTIC WAR
    Victory Points: 5    ​
    RESOURCES​
    TERRAN DOMINION [Background] (1)​
    The men and material of the Dominion - limited, but they're mustering as we speak. ​
    ALLIANCE EXPEDITIONARY FORCES [Mastery] (1)​
    While you have access to several ACUs of every faction, they lack economic and technological support to be fully effective. ​
    ZERG HIVE [Mastery] (1)​
    The scant few Zerg you control that are free of Amon's influence. Mostly Zerglings. ​
    AEON FLEET [Background] (1)​
    While half a dozen CZARs seem impressive, they're not actually well made for ship to ship combat. ​
    ALLIED COHESION [Motivation] (1)​
    The alliance is fragile and weak.​

    FRONTS​
    Trade Sector-34-51 [Pirate Activity]
    Pirates Raiding 6 (Supply Lines in Disarray 1)
    COMMAND: Jim Raynor | ARMY: Raynor's Raiders
    RESULTS: Pending

    Braxis [Zerg Invasion]
    Borealis Siege 6 (Zerg Rampage1)
    COMMAND: General Samantha Clarke | ARMY: Brood Clarke
    RESULTS: Pending

    Typhan II [Active Xel'Naga ACU]
    Typhan II Occupied 6 (Xel'Naga ACU Spotted 1)
    COMMAND: Lt. Colonel Mathew Horner | ARMY: UEF Armored Command Unit
    RESULTS: Pending

    Deep Space Sector 981 [Hive Fleet Identified]
    Zerg Hive Fleet Spotted 6 (Kerrigan? 1)
    COMMAND: Citizen-Commander Dostya | ARMY: CN Armored Command Unit
    RESULTS: Pending
    ​
    ENEMY ASSETS (Currently Known)
    ​
    THE GOLDEN ARMADA
    ACTIVITY: Unknown | Threat Level: 6​
     
    Last edited:
  • Informational
    • DragonCobolt said:
    "A single Ghost with a psi-boosted lockdown round could shut the entire thing off for almost two minuets," she said, smirking as her spined hair flexed in a warm memory - as if she was remembering a particularly entertaining part of her past life. "Turns out, that was a little unfair."
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Probably the second-most-overpowered ability in Brood War (after Dark Swarm).
    DragonCobolt said:
    However, you did notice the other ship that had arrived - the curved, elegant shape of the Gantrithor'es. That was the name, at least, that was displayed below it on the holographic projection.
    Click to expand...
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    I take it this means something like "Gantrithor II"?

    Anyway, do we actually need the Psi Disruptor offline to win? It's a double-edged sword - it disrupts Kerrigan's control, but it also disrupts the Overmind. In canon, that's how the UED was able to attack the Overmind successfully. Since we have troops that can fight under the dampener (all of our allies, plus our infested ACU, plus two ACUs on the E1), we have the advantage. So here's two non-psi-disruptor plans:

    [X] We already have three ACUs on hand, we just need commanders. We're one, Matt is one. Can we convince Dostya to be the third?

    [X] Kerrigan and the Overmind are being affected by the psi disruptor, but our powers and the Protoss don't seem to be affected. Can we find more Zerg who will fight for us without being psionically dominated? (Go looking for Primal Zerg, or free queens like Zagara)

    (I don't think we know of the Primal Zerg right now, but Zeratul does.)
     
    [X] We already have three ACUs on hand, we just need commanders. We're one, Matt is one. Can we convince Dostya to be the third?

    [X] Kerrigan and the Overmind are being affected by the psi disruptor, but our powers and the Protoss don't seem to be affected. Can we find more Zerg who will fight for us without being psionically dominated? (Go looking for Primal Zerg, or free queens like Zagara)
     
    [X] We already have three ACUs on hand, we just need commanders. We're one, Matt is one. Can we convince Dostya to be the third?

    [X] Kerrigan and the Overmind are being affected by the psi disruptor, but our powers and the Protoss don't seem to be affected. Can we find more Zerg who will fight for us without being psionically dominated? (Go looking for Primal Zerg, or free queens like Zagara)

    These two are very much complementary to each other I'd say? Recruit Dostya, grab the primal zerg, crush the new overmind, use the reunited swarm to topple Mengsk, then use the combined might of the Koprulu sector to end the Infinite War
     
    Adhoc vote count started by DragonCobolt on Feb 27, 2024 at 11:14 PM, finished with 16 posts and 5 votes.
    • [X] We already have three ACUs on hand, we just need commanders. We're one, Matt is one. Can we convince Dostya to be the third?
      [X] Kerrigan and the Overmind are being affected by the psi disruptor, but our powers and the Protoss don't seem to be affected. Can we find more Zerg who will fight for us without being psionically dominated? (Go looking for Primal Zerg, or free queens like Zagara)
      [x] Operation Palette Swap: Lets capture the dampener instead so we can use it specifically against the new Overmind. Sarah, you'll have full control over the c-4 we're going to plant inside the thing, just in case it becomes a problem for you.
      [x] Begin with destroying the psi dampener to allow Sarah to take full control of the swarm. With the Swarm caught between her and Daggoth, lead a drop straight onto Char and strangle the Overmind in its crib.
      [X] Plan Internationale -- Get in contact with an outside faction, alright: the Cybran Nation. Return Dostya with an apology and an offer of alliance; Cybran forces (possibly including Dostya, if she volunteers) can help us here, and some of Sarah's Zerg can be sent back in return to help in the Infinite War.
    Click to expand...


    All right!
     
    ACT TWO, MISSION FIVE: True Colors (0.3)
  • Threadmarks
    • Your arms crossed over your chest. "We already have three Armored Command Units in our possession - two UEF, one Cybran," you said, stepping forward and kicking the side of the projection table. Duct tape strained and the green holograph stopped flickering. "We just need commanders. Matt, you're one. I'm the other." You paused. "But we have a third."

    "You have another ACU commander in your pocket?" Matt asked. "Tosh is missing-"

    "Dostya," you said.

    "Think she'll want to work for us?" Sarah asked, her head spines rippling as she frowned. I wouldn't have brought up Dostya if I was you... Her voice murmured, warningly in your mind.

    Trust me, my Queen, you thought back, a bit sardonically. You saw Matt's expression - confusion, first, then shock.

    "Whose this Dostya, Matt darling?" Mira Han asked, throwing her arm around Matt's shoulders - tilting her hand to show off the wedding band she had around her fingers. Your eyes flicked down to check and your eyebrows shot up as you saw Matt had an identical one. He held up his hands and made a 'i can explain' expression.

    ...somehow, you had been almost killed, infested by an alien quasi-hive mind and turned into a living conduit of pisonic energy, and become the quasi-consort of an alien-human hybrid who self styled herself the Queen of Blades and you were still more shocked at the idea of Major Matt Horner marrying a back galaxy merc pirate like Han.

    "He was drunk," Mira said, cheerfully. "And we were gambling. And we won."

    "You won," Matt said, coughing.

    "We won!" Mira threw her other arm around his chest, squeezing.

    "Cute," Sarah said, dryly.

    Congratulations on your matrimony, honorable Major Horner, Artanis added, his mental voice jovial as he bowed low, using his other hand to keep his long, braided band of fiber-like hair from swinging free. Matt's face went beat red, but he focused on what actually mattered by harrumphing loudly.

    "Anyway! General, Dostya is a Cybran Commander, she's been actively fighting the United Earth Federation for ten years - the Cybran Front is hotter than ever - how the hell is she even here? The other factions in the Infinite War don't even know the Koprulu Sector even exists."

    "Apparently, at least one does," you said. "And she stumbled onto Char."

    The homeworld of the Zerg? Artanis asked.

    "Quite," Sarah said. "She's...on the Leviathan."

    I know not of these Cybrans, Artanis said, his voice grave. But if you have harmed this woman-

    "She's fine," Sarah snapped. Her mental voice grumbled in your head. See?

    Sarah. You never managed to actually infest her. Can you get Abathur to...uninfest her?

    Sarah made a face.

    Aloud, you spoke: "With us three, we have the advantage. The Psi dampener influences both Kerrigan..." you gestured to Kerrigan. "And the new Overmind. But with me, Matt, Dostya, and the Protoss, we won't need to destroy the dampener to take Char. We'll be able to claim the planet through weight of arms alone."

    "And what will stop them..." Sarah jerked her chin at Artanis. "From just exterminating every last Zerg on the planet once they've occupied it?"

    You have my word, oh Queen of Blades, Artanis said, putting his hand above his heart. Or where you presumed his heart was. While your kind have done unthinkable harm to the Protoss people, I am willing to...what was the human phrase? Expose a cheek?

    "Turn another cheek, kiddo," Jim Raynor said from where he had been watching the drama with an amused expression.

    Then it is so: this cheek shall turned! Artanis said, his voice deep and resonant.

    "And I have an idea to add some Zerg to this coalition," you said, firmly. "Zagara is independent from the Overmind, right now. There have to be other independent Queens, no?"

    Sarah considered.

    "...I'll have to ask Izsha," she admitted. "But it's possible."

    "Then we have a plan," Jim said. "If everyone agrees?"

    "I'm in," Mira said, immediately. Everyone looked at her. "What?"

    Are you not a mercenary? We of the Khalai do not have what you Terrans consider currency.

    "Yeah! I call dibs on Char's mineral wealth!" Mira said, cheerfully. "Surely, oh Queen of Blades..." She looked at Sarah. "You can spare a fraction of a percent for my men."

    Sarah rolled her eyes to the ceiling, her teeth clenching.

    "We do have two battlecruisers!"

    "I mean, it is a deal for two battlecruisers," Mira continued.

    "...I'll consider it."

    ***
    ​
    In the time between the last time you had seen him and now, a part of you had forgotten how big Abathur was. The Zerg master of genetics loomed over you and Sarah as he sat perched among the glistening strands of muscle and tissue that made up the interior of his brood pits. Bubbling, frothing pits of green slime seemed to stretch off into every angle of darkness, and from them slithered dark, muscular shapes.

    "I DO NOT UNDERSTAND," Abathur said.

    "I am ordering you to remove the Zerg infestation from Dostya," Sarah said, slowly, levely.

    "WHY?" Abathur asked. "STRANDS CHANGED, BETTER. IMMORTALITY, RENGENREATIVE ALTERATIONS. CONNECTION TO HIVE MIND. WHY WOULD REMOVAL BENEFIT THE SWARM?"

    "Diplomatically, it'll be a big win," you said, wryly.

    "DIPLOMACY IRRELEVENT. ONLY PURITY OF FORM RELEVENT," Abathur said.

    Sarah actually rubbed her temples. "Abathur," she said, her voice level. "How about you do it or I rip your head off with my claws and dismember your body, rend apart your essence, and eject your biomass from our Leviathan's sphincter?"

    Abathur was silent for a moment.

    "UNDERSTOOD. SHALL ATTEMPT TO REVERSE STRANDS. WILL TAKE SOME TIME."

    "Good," Sarah said.

    You and her exchanged a glance as you started to walk out of the brood pits. She crossed her arms over her chest as she walked, her frown intent. "Do you think this will work?" she asked. "If we kill Daggoth, I won't have anyone between me and the control of the Swarm. And then..." She was silent, then looked aside. You felt a fluttering, twisting feeling from her. Your hand went to her shoulder, gently.

    "...what were you going to do then?" you asked, quietly.

    "The plans were in the air," Sarah said.

    "What were they?"

    Sarah turned back to you. "If I had the ability and the opportunity? I would dispose of as many threats as I could get away with." Her eyes flared. "Go ahead. Tell me it's stupid. Tell me it's short sighted and will just make more enemies - and then maybe, go to Izsha and look at the history of the Protoss. Maybe look at their planetkillers - their motherships. Maybe remember the last moments of Chau Saura and Mar Sara. Fuck, maybe take a look at the history of our own friendly little species. You've told me that the entire galaxy is at war - the Aeon slaughter whole colonies, the UEF..." She trails off, seeing you looking away. Her voice softens. "I don't like it. But-"

    "But you won't get stabbed in the back again," you said, quietly.

    She was quiet.

    You look back at her and see that her eyes are closed.

    "I can't un-do what has been done. There's no magic box that can make me human. I...stopped being human when I was twelve goddamn years old-"

    "Sarah." You stepped close. Your hands went to either side of her head. You wanted to say so many things - but all the words felt so trite, tumbling together, catching on your throat and piling up behind your tongue. Everything you needed to lay out was so...all consuming, all important. It was stars and hydrogen and burning fusion and beating hearts. And all you had to work with was English. Her name became softer on your tongue. "...Sarah."

    "What would I do without you, Sam?" she whispered, her eyes closed tight. You weren't sure if a Zerg could cry. But you saw gleaming stars, dripping down her cheeks.

    "Make worse choices, I guess," you murmured.

    That startled a giggle out of the Queen of Blades. She wiped at her cheek with her knuckle. "Fuck you," she whispered.

    ---
    HEAT: 1/6

    [ ] "Gladly."
    [ ] "Maybe later."


    Also...

    [ ] Succeed at a diff 10 Awareness check (8 heat - will heavily overheat you.)
    [ ] Fail at a diff 10 Awareness check (resets heat to 0.)
     
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] "Gladly."
    [X] Succeed at a diff 10 Awareness check (8 heat - will heavily overheat you.)
     
    Ironically, if I knew what we were missing I'd be more willing to vote to fail the check.

    And yes I get that's the point.

    [X] "Maybe later."
    [X] Succeed at a diff 10 Awareness check (8 heat - will heavily overheat you.)
     
    DragonCobolt said:
    Nova, sneakin' around
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    I really wasn't expecting to just be told that. Uhhhh. Jeeze. I could think of a few options where I'd be like yeah sure lets see how this makes things more complicated later. But this maybe not so much. On the other hand hmmmm. Definitely potentially really bad in the long term, but could be entertaining.
     
    [X] "Gladly."
    [X] Succeed at a diff 10 Awareness check (8 heat - will heavily overheat you.)
     
    [X] "Gladly."
    [X] Succeed at a diff 10 Awareness check (8 heat - will heavily overheat you.)
     
    [X] "Gladly."
    [X] Fail at a diff 10 Awareness check (resets heat to 0.)

    I'm willing to let the ominous foreshadowing build for a bit longer.
     
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