Some time ago
Omada suggested some methods of control which I
noted and prepared to roll, but didn’t. D’oh!
I also am creating a more detailed system to measure civil disruption: The Civil Disruption Quotient
This is simply the percentage of the 2nd dice that will be lost, rounded down. CDQ 75% = 1d4, CDQ 50% = 1d3, and so on.
It starts at 40 and goes down 5% every day (in-game) that nothing increases it.
The penalty for civil disruption applies to these as well. The penalty for paying up, however, does not, as this predates the paying up in game-time
Roll 1d6 + 1d4, “Locating leak”, where:
2 to 4 = No cigar.
5 to 6 = Some minimal information given
7 to 10 = There is a ⅓ chance the person you got is involved, I will roll hidden dice.
11 to 12 = Gotcha!
Result: 5 + 3 = 8 → We got someone!
Roll 1d6 + 1d4, “Investigating leaders” where:
2 = Your poking is used as a talking point by the protestors. +10% CDQ
3 to 4 = Nothing is found
5 to 7 = Nothing scandalous is found
7 to 9 = Something scandalous is found
10 to 12 = It is shown that the organization is actually a business enterprise.
Result: 4 + 1 = 5 → Not much
Roll 1d6 + 1d4, “Point out upsides of canine intelligence” where:
2 to 5 = Seized upon as more hypocrisy because they don’t question the empire, +10% CDQ
6 = Protesters take offense, chances of negotiation and dialogue decrease
7 to 10 = They now demand that the dogs be granted citizenship
11 to 12 = It cools a deal. -10% CDQ
Result: 2 + 1 = 3 → +10% CDQ
Roll 1d6 + 1d4, “Let canines speak for themselves”, where:
2 to 4 = They shout hypocrisy again, yadda yadda, +10% CDQ
5 to 8 = They dart and bag a dog!
9 to 12 = It cools a deal. -10% CDQ
Result: 4 + 6 = 10 → -10% CDQ
There is no plausible mechanism for gruesome surgery images so I’m skipping it. The original gore images were just for show, the actual sticking point is the extreme loyalty and militarization
Roll 1d6 + 1d4, “Make rebels look like they’ve done the Cherub thing”
2 to 3 = Everyone finds out, +15% CDQ
4 = The blackmailer finds out
5 to 6 = A scientist comes forward with moral qualms
7 = Notes are burned but obvious evidence exists
8 to 9 = Paper trails are disguised but still findable and there is no cover story
10 = A weak cover story is put into place
11 to 12 = A strong cover story is backed by falsified evidence
Result: 3 + 3 = 6 → That one good mook…
We begin an investigation into the source of the leaked information. It seems that the photographs and notes originated from one Sark Rayburg, the surgeon in charge during the operations.
We drag him in for questioning, but he refuses to say anything and asks for his lawyer.
The investigation of protest leaders doesn’t go much better. One, Pileus Read, got into a divorce around 12 years ago, but that can’t be used for anything.
Our attempts at pointing out canine intelligence are just met with more claims of hypocrisy. “You’d never let them join human society!” one protester derides. “They’re just weapons to you and you’d like them to stay that way!”
What helps a bit more is that the dogs give a rather… rousing speech, in which they explain the reason for their loyalty and deride the protestors for insulting their intelligence. “We have decided that the Republic is a cause worth fighting for,” they say. “A pack must stay together to survive. Dogs and humans have very different talents, but that makes it all the more important that we stand together against the evils outside and the darkness within!”
In a surprise turn of events, the dogs also formally request to be acknowledged as citizens of the Republic. This is of course for the courts to decide, but a little pushing from Erin can’t hurt.
Finally, efforts are underway to disguise our part in the Cherub project. Namely, to pin the blame on another rebel group in Brazil. Elaborate sets of fake evidence are being created when one scientist, whose notes were used to falsify evidence, comes forward. He says he’s seen some suspicious things done with his notes and demands to know the reason for this.
CDQ: 75% 25%
For my own benefit as well as yours, here’s everything the Republic has so far:
- +1 military
- +2 scientific
- +0 informational
- +0 political
- BONUS: Scientific designs get one die automatically 4
- BONUS: D7s are rolled on anything relating to Wenton Celling
- Fingerprint scanners on military base doors
- Uplifted dogs
- Lobotomized child soldiers called “Cherubs”
- Plans for a shield against Andantesite wormhole disruption, although power-intensive and requiring a lot of Andantesite
- Large, cracked Andantesite shard, ready to link
- Radio-frequency Andantesite disruptor - 14.03 hour working time
- Loading of wormhole onto SFN Pylos planned, to follow Magellan back home
The following questions are up- How much do we tell the manager? Knowing that he’s a “rebel fraud” and “utter fake”
- What do we do about Sark Rayburg, suspected of leaking information but uncooperative?
- Do we lean on the courts to allow Canine citizenship?
- What do we do about the scientist, who knows what we’re doing with the fake evidence but is now in our office and could be silenced if needed?