We’re going to do a flash-sideways now.
“He actually blamed the Cherubs fiasco on me?” Quill asks.
“Yeah. When it came out, Padelheb painted you as an amoral mad scientist that was corrupting the children of Antarctica and everything.” Enir Nest, new Guardian of the State, explains. “Lots of us don’t believe it, of course, but the public ate it right up. How did your meeting with the activist go?”
Roll 2d6-1 (political) where:
1 to 3 = You lose the support of the group entirely. -1 political, and they will launch an attempt to steal the data. Naturally, this will be disguised as a 4 to 6 so you don’t see it coming.
4 to 6 = The group launches a campaign against you. -1 political, but they make no attempts to steal the data.
7 = They reject your solution, but they say some things that you could use against them, if you so choose. More choices.
8 to 9 = They do not like your solution but are willing to keep working with you, they go to other means to change your mind. Ongoing problem.
10+ = They like your solution. I’m going to remind you here that there’s reasons we don’t use synthetic meat in the real world (it’s ridiculously expensive to develop and make) so you’re going to have to let them down eventually.
Result: 5 + 4 - 1 = 8 → Activism for everyone!
“I mean, I’m sure they were listening. But it seems they’re going to try to get more public support for the idea.”
“That could go
south reasonably quickly,” Nest muses. “But we’ve got to make a statement as to the Cherub problem.”
What do you tell the people?A: “I did it, I admit it. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but it’s terrible and we’re going to reverse the effects of it on the children.” (
-1 political) (
you can decide whether to actually reverse the effects of it later)
B: “These things are necessary to keep the Republic running. It was a bad idea, but what’s done is done and nothing can be done for these kids.” (true) (
-1 political or worse)
C: “Nest, pin it on Padelheb. He’s obviously slandering me for everything he’s done.” (roll on people finding out)
D: “Just deny everything. Burn the evidence and get rid of witnesses, it’s best this never sees the light of day. Anything Padelheb said can be explained as his lies.” (roll to get this done)
E: “Okay, I authorized that decision, but the idea itself comes from one of my colleagues. He’s been fired. (in universe Quill made the entire decision, although
from a meta point of view this is more like the truth) (roll on the scapegoat clearing his name)
F: Something else…
Stats list check:
- +1 military
- +2 scientific
- +1 informational
- -1 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
- Hammerspace parrot
- Venomous implants for dogs
- Hammerspace disruption masers, although in control of Padelheb Fansworth
Plot points to be resolved:
- Interrogating captured rebels
- Armen DeMarco
- Order of the Stick
- Rebel meeting
- Padelheb’s remaining supporters
- PETA