Let the games resume.

I'll leave the Ch.3 aftermath thread open for a week or two in case anyone has additional stuff to get out.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:02, Sun 08 July 2018.

Whoo-hoo! We're back, baby!

I've got a couple of questions before I post IC. First is, has the security breach been isolated? I have some intel to pass along from James' movie nights with Attar and I'm trying to figure out when and where to share it. Thanks.

-

The security breach has not been definitively isolated.  Your best analysis points to the missing Captain John Brackney (Commander Vest's boss at ONI Policy Liaison Group).  His wife and daughter are also missing, last seen the day before the Grey Cell assault on the warehouse in Miami.

As an OOC note - neither Mewes nor Bannon has told any PC that Brackney just resurfaced in Cuba.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:12, Sun 08 July 2018.

Thanks. Would it be best to share James' intel in the last chapter's denouement or in the current chapter?

-

I'd go with Chapter Three Aftermath.  That's intel I think (hope) James would have shared with the rest of Grey Cell once he developed it.

In reply to Tegyrius (msg # 5):

Cool. I was going to share it when Dacovetti "sprained" his ankle (BTW, great idea Keys), but there wasn't an opening (I should have asked Keys for a minor edit to create one). I'll try to put something together here.

-

There's always the opportunity for a team night out in Adana!

Sorry about the delay in responding.  I'll try to get an IC post in Chapter Four up later today.

Hey, team.  I feel like we may be better shifting the planning discussion to OOC so we don't get bogged down with the extra layer of in-character writing.

To sum up:

Base mission is to enter Cuba to grab:

(A) Konstantinov, the Russian mafioso from Miami who was assisting the enemy during the last mission, and

(B) eight shipping containers (or as much as you can get) of unspecified materials, believed to be alien equipment from their Miami op.

Secondary mission is to draw out a UFO so your newly-formed multinational Typhoon support can shoot it down.

You'll be staging out of Pride Kansas, an oil drilling platform 40 miles from Havana.  You'l have three Bahamian-registered cigarette boats and the Mi-24, as well as Vidry's air commandos.  There will be additional support back at Key West (where the Typhoons will be based).

False IDs and the cigarette boats, combined with known compromises in Cuban border security, can get you into the country.  There are also two flight corridors that can be used for low-level helicopter insertion if combined with ECM or inclement weather.

OK, just throwing some things out to brainstorm off. First question is does everyone want to go after A and B simultaneously or prioritise one objective (presumably A) over the other (B)?

Maybe we could go after A and leave the Air Commandos to tackle B offscreen? That avoids splitting the PC’s into two groups however if we do concentrate on A and decide to storm the place we might miss having the Air Commandos for back up.  (@Teg can you remind me how many Commandos are available for this op. I’m sure it’s probably been posted somewhere but I’m at work and trying to do this on the downlow so searching threads isn’t all that practical).

I’m also not sure how practical storming a Cuban beach resort to apprehend a gangster law abiding Russian citizen would be – it’s more or less an act of War against two Sovereign States (imagine the uproar if a Spetznaz team stormed a resort in the Bahamas) and not exactly low profile.

Some sort of covert James Bond style cloak and dagger approach is probably preferable. Sneak in, drug him, sneak him out in a laundry cart and get him to the helo, something like that. Ergo my initial thought was that at least some of us could actually go to the resort posing as tourists. However such a scenario probably runs the risk of sidelining anyone not directly involved. I’m also aware that non combat cloak and dagger type scenarios aren’t always universally popular.

Re the secondary mission (let’s call that C), presumably that’s going to be influenced by whether or not we hit certain ‘tripwires’ while carrying out A and / or B so is something we would trigger indirectly rather than directly. Ergo I think we don’t have to plan for it directly, we just need to consider what’s going to cause that sort of reaction while planning A / B. My initial thought is that going after B (alien equipment) is more likely to trigger the desired UFO response than going after A (human fixer) but YMMV.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:07, Mon 13 Aug 2018.

I know espionage can go a bit slow around here, but I think we should probably try to get a handle on where our targets are (via boat insertion with gear and after setting up a safe house), and set up an electronic monitoring network.  Ideally we'd hit objectives A and B simultaneously, which would probably provoke the desired UFO response.  If we don't hit them at the same time, we risk tipping the other target off and losing that objective.

That leaves what we want our characters to do.  From a story point of view, a covert grab of Konstantinov probably makes the most sense for our characters.  From a game-play point of view, in the interest of posting momentum, I wonder if it wouldn't be better for us to set up the grab, turn it over to the commandos, and then hit the containers ourselves.

Okay, first off, sorry about the delay in responding IC and OOC; not any excuse really other than personal lameness (and losing track of time - this summer has been a bit of a blur).  I will try to respond IC tonight, if possible.

I'll admit that one of the reasons that I had problems penning Hannah's response was that I am unsure of how much time we have to fulfill either/both of the main mission objectives.  It sounds like not much time, since we are to be on the platform in less than 36 hours, if possible.  So, how much reconnaissance/on-site planning are we going to be allowed/supposed to do?  That is why I don't know how to respond to the tourist question - Hannah is more than able to play the tourist - honestly, there's not much play-acting involved:  she's never been to Cuba; doesn't know the people, geography or language; and in 2015 weren't diplomatic relations renewed between the US and Cuba?

Also, while nabbing Konstantinov covertly is a good "small" party op; just for the record, not much in Hannah's skill set (except maybe and that is a big maybe her developing psi powers) is geared towards that type of operation per se.  I guess she could be an okay wheel-woman/getaway driver, but that is about it.  Her stealth and weapon skills are middling at best.  That said, she is more than willing to try (and everyone has to start somewhere), given that Grey Cell is her peeps after all.

I agree with Dealer though, the timing is crucial (and a simultaneous strike is the most likely to provoke the desired 'C'-level response).  It is debatable, if we want to be at ground zero of the engagement zone (for some reason, I am presuming that the containers/equipment grab is the more obvious target for that - though I suppose that Konstantinov could be just as likely, I guess); especially since we won't actually be involved in the real dogfight (just potentially subject to the figurative and literal fallout).  I suppose if we wanted to follow the 'standard' XCOM trope, then if the alien ship crashes/gets shot down, then we are the 'away' team to investigate the wreckage - and then the closer we are to the scene the better...

Honestly, as a player and character she has little druthers (though, I think that Mewes did say that nabbing Konstantinov was of slightly higher priority); both are likely to be ... uh ... fun (i.e. detailed, thrilling/action-packed/engaging and highly enjoyable - if harrowing and dangerous) and good RP no matter what.

The rush is to get you in position.  Once you're on the platform, you're not on a fixed timeline.  The sooner the better, obviously.

I said this as James, but I think it bears repeating OOC: IMHO, splitting up the core team is too risky. I'd prefer we focus our full PC strength on one target or the other.

-

OK, so from what’s been said so far there’s some reluctance to split PC’s into two teams, in which case we'd need to choose one objective and focus on it.

It sounds to me like we’re saying that we’re in agreement that some sort of covert attempt to grab the Russian is a logical IC option but may not be the best strategy from an OOC point of view for various reasons (espionage scenario runs the risk of slowing things down, potential to sideline some players, some characters’ skill sets not best suited) so on a meta level the best option may be to ‘delegate’ grabbing the Russian to the French commandos and concentrate our efforts on kicking down doors at the container facility? @Keys, I hear ya about having PC's initiate the surveillance of the Russian then handing it over to the Commandos to do the grab. I'd be happy to run with that, I just don't know how it would work with keeping everyone involved).

(I’m also presuming that the objections to splitting the team don’t extend to splitting off some of the Commandos to try and grab the Russians).

Is that an accurate summary of what people are feeling? Or am I totally off the mark? Any thoughts / comments / suggestions? And if we do go down this road and actually grab the stuff at the container port does anyone have any suggestions as to how we get it off site?
This message was last edited by the player at 09:34, Tue 14 Aug 2018.

You've captured my preferences. I'm OK with splitting the team for surveillance only, if that's something y'all would like to play out, but for any sort of direct action, I think the team should operate as one (I'm fine, however, with tasking the NPCs with whatever objective we decide to forego). As always, if the consensus is to go another route, I will roll with it.

-

This.

I'd be up for having Cooper work the container angle.  He is the son of a shipping exec after all.  My general thoughts are:

1) Locate the containers and conduct surveillance to determine who/what is protecting them.
2) Strip away the security, through a diversion, or eliminate it through direct action.
3) Transport the containers offsite, onto a ship, and back to the USA.

Depending on how hands-on they are about container transport, it's possible we might be able to play the shell game to some extent.  Perhaps we could work up a set of containers with identical markings/numbering and swapping them during any transport phase.  It's highly unlikely that they can be eyes-on material transiting commercial ports at all times (transport, loading/unloading, delivery, etc.).

@Anders

That's a pretty cool angle.  We can get some straight up Oceans 11 stuff going on.  I think overall Dacovetti would want to lay down a pretty sophisticated electronic monitoring net to try and get a grip on the hostile communications.  Especially if we can spook a significant response.  But if we can get the containers out quietly (and the Russian), so much the better.

Are you proposing that we put the Russian in one of the containers?

I am not sure that Hannah knows how to drive a loading crane.  Though she is more than willing to try ... :D

EDIT: Oh, and the cargo containers and shell game mention always makes me think of the A-Team remake ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0429493/?ref_=nv_sr_1 ) with Liam Neeson and Bradley Cooper and where they literally try to do the shell game with a cargo crane and containers.

Though Ocean's Eleven (new and old) is a good reference, too.  If we can work in some armoured trucks, motorcycles, or mini-coopers (ala The Italian Job) that might be interesting as well...:D

Side note: I was going to say that a single container might be managable with a sky-crane helicopter (say, a Sikorsky CH-54 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikorsky_CH-54_Tarhe ), but eight containers is likely going to require time (to load) and a ship ...

Or eight helicopters and pilots, I suppose.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:56, Tue 14 Aug 2018.

In reply to Hannah Omdahl (msg # 20):

Well, I wasn’t suggesting smuggling them out together, but it is definitely an option.  Also, the image of set piece battle with multiple sky-cranes moving cargo containers full of alien hardware while a fight rages on the ground and in the air between Typhoons and a UFO is pretty damn epic.

If our investigations lead to the conclusion that ET are sending a ship (one that goes on the sea, not in space) to move the containers somewhere we could let them go to the trouble of loading them up and then intercept the ship on the high seas.

Heh, we get to be pirates.  Nice.  Might eliminate some diplomatic issues (if they are on international waters?) while creating others, potentially (Maritime law isn't my strong point).

But, we would still likely have to 'motivate' our targets to move the stuff.  The raid on the base in Florida was the only way we got them to flee to Cuba in the first place; so, no matter what, I think that we are doing some naughty sh*t on Cuban soil.

http://www.plenglish.com/index...cy-and-safety-photos


The container terminal at the Port of Havana

I'm not sure we need pilots or pirates as much as we need a good hacker.  Change a shipping manifest or bill of lading and we may be able to have those eight containers delivered anywhere in the world.

In their place, we route 8 containers full of Hello Kitty backpacks to our alien friends.

^
|
Yeah.  That.

Go Dealer!  Hannah is more than willing to pack special exploding Hello Kitty backpacks for just that occasion.

Right, so putting this into the context of the whole mission...

1) We conduct surveillance/recon of the container site and the Russian simultaneously.
2) We line up the container swap, to be conducted when the adversary pulls out.
3) The entire team conducts the direct action required to secure/exfil the Russian.
4) That action triggers the air-to-air engagement and subsequently the container removal, which, Insha'Allah, goes according to our plan, not theirs.
5) A few weeks later, containers arrive at their respective locations.

As part of the container recon, one option we might consider is emplacing a few demo charges on them, to trigger simultaneously to the Russian takedown, depending on how close we can get during recon.  We could rig the charges to malfunction, destroying perhaps only one or two containers, leaving the others to look like a damaged det cord link kept them from blowing.

When they don't all blow, we call in a direct airstrike to take out the remaining 6-7.  That could trigger a UFO response, as they seek to counter our incoming air-to-ground assets (which are really Typhoon air-to-air interceptors) to prevent the destruction of the remaining containers.  #allwarfareisbasedondeception

When the dust settles on the atmospherics, they'll be wanting to move those containers to their next location ASAP.  That's when our container re-routing plan kicks in.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:03, Tue 14 Aug 2018.

That's two thumbs way up from me.

-

I’m down with all of that.  Michael isn’t a hacker, but we’ve already established that he knows people who are.

Side trip!!!

I’m good with most of the above - I have some reservations about calling in an airstrike on Havana harbour per what I said earlier about acts of War although I suppose there’s no reason why a ‘training flight’ can’t head straight for Havana provided they peeled off before they crossed into Cuban territorial waters in the event the aliens didn’t take the bait.

Feast your Kiroshi's on this Chombatta...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euqbMkM-QQk

In reply to Cooper Williams (msg # 30):

want, want, want

Sign me up. Now that I've finally finished the main quest in Fallout 4, this game is pretty much the only reason that I haven't gotten rid of my X-Box. I wish there was a release date. To quoth the late great Tom Petty, the waiting is the hardest part.

-

Holy crap, they actually recorded Johnny Silverhand music.  I hope the soundtrack is available.

With this on the horizon, hipsters playing 5e, and a turn-based Battletech game already released, it seems that we are in a Golden Age of old-school Gaming!

Unfortunately, I am completely failing to get traction on this game right now.  Is there something else you guys have been wanting someone to run that I might try to organize as a change of flavor?

Based on the above, maybe Cyberpunk.  I’d be disappointed to watch this halt, but it has been lacking velocity for a bit.  I’ll just write Dacovetti fan fiction.

Also, if you mix Ender’s Game, X-Com, The Last Starfighter, and Ready Player One, you get Earnest Cline’s Armada, which isn’t as good as Ready Player One, But is still pretty okay.

Agreed. I bought it in hardcover, day it came out, on the strength of RPO. It went in the resale pile as soon as I was finished with it.

Teg, honest answer, is this lack of traction due to player inactivity? I can only speak for myself, and this is a really bad excuse for not posting, but I've been waiting to see if someone else would go first. I've been working on a Lizard King on a speedboat post, but didn't want to fast-forward too far, in case others had unfinished IC business they wanted to care of. I've confessed before- and it's still true- that I sometimes hold back because I'm not sure what the expectations are.

Last time you asked, we were all more (me) or less (?) gung-ho to continue. I don't think there's a lack of interest, just uncertainty of how to pick up the thread of the story and get going again. Like I've said before, I could use a wee bit more structure.

On the other hand, if you're just not into the milieu any more, than I shouldn't try to talk you into continuing this campaign. It was real good while it lasted. If it's a case of concept burnout or whatever, my vote is for something cyberpunk flavored. After watching that CP2077 gameplay footage, I'm super jacked for that sort of thing.

-

I feel like I’ve been struggling with Seb for a while. It’s definitely a case of ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ but I just can’t seem to find his voice at the moment. It started during the last Aftermath interlude - Rae, it’s the main reason I never came back to you about the prisoner interrogation.

So apologies if I’m causing a hold up inasmuch as the designated IC team leader isn’t doing much err...leading. I’ll take that on board and look at how to resolve it.

If, as Rae has said, there’s other reasons why you might want to take things in a different direction I’m fine with that too although as most of you know my knowledge of other genres / rulesets is pretty limited so I might need some help dependent on what direction we ended up going in.