There are many situations where we will want to know exactly how someone could covertly enter a location, be it so we can apply appropriate defence measures or so we can actually do the break-in ourselves. Thus a Security Consultant will be responsible for analysing a site's security measures (both physical or digital), as well as identifying weak spots. They will be capable of both exploiting those weak spots and providing solutions to mitigate them.
Erik Heller will be trained as a Security Consultant
Erik gives a smug grin when Neil breaks the news to him, "I actually knew one of those glitterworld cat burglars back in the day. I'm more of a trick bag guy myself, but you gotta respect a classic thief."
As the saying goes, "Brute force is the last resort of the incompetent." Anybody can smash a window, but it takes expertise to intrude without the subject even noticing. In espionage parlance, this is known as a "black bag job." (Apocryphally, the black bag itself is supposedly the lockpick set.)
A good black bag operator can assess the physical security of a site, identifying points of entry and countermeasures. Most people are acutely aware of locking their front door, but are seemingly oblivious of all other means of entry. Windows and side doors are often unlocked or easily pried. Especially using pakour or rock climbing skills, a surprising amount of fences or obstacles can be scaled with minimal to no specialized hardware.
Erik certainly has the moral flexibility and creative ingenuity for this. He eagerly studies on points of entry and common locks. He learns to think three dimensionally, looking for points of entry other than the ground floor. He learns to recognize some common security systems and their sensors.
Your team lacks the hardware to bypass many of these countermeasures, but at least you have the specialist to identify them now.
In terms of parkour, Neil tries to teach him some parkour moves, but Erik doesn't take to it. He gets it on an intellectual level, but can't fully commit to a lifetime of gymnastic training. He learns "how" to scale a wall, but doesn't log the regular physical training to do it himself.
Erik the BlackbaggerCan assess a site for forced or covert entry. Familiar with common locks and security systems. Aware of some bypassing techniques, but not skilled in them.
Difficulty Modifier: Average (+/-0)
Roll (2d4): 4
Result: 4 - Minor Disappointment
Operations Phase"Call me paranoid, but I'm not sure what to think about this Grace O'Malley op. It's a decent chunk of change from somebody who's supposedly broke, for a seemingly minimal amount of work. I wish I could take her at face value, but we need to handle this one with some skepticism. This girl is unvetted afterall."
Grace's Barbecue BodyguardA solo operator will serve as Grace O'Malley's bodyguard at the Founder's Fifth Festival in Rattlesnake Ridge, Harad. Grace O'Malley is technically a fugitive from Flossmore PCF, and apparently a figure well-connected with the active insurgency on Anghabar. Evelyn Salt will be deployed as she already has rapport with the client.
As shipside prep, Salt should do a quick area study online, to familiarize herself with Rattlesnake Ridge and its current events. Then, Salt should look for any public information regarding the festival, confirming its location, schedule, and general nature as much as possible.
Salt will go boots on ground ahead of time, walking the area in civvies to get a baseline threat assessment. She will take the opportunity to mingle when possible, finding what the word on the street is, especially what people's holiday plans are. Rattlesnake Ridge is an established city with a lot of recent immigration; a new stranger finding their way around town shouldn't be unusual. Renting a secure safehouse near the festival site could also make casual collection and a getaway route easy. Taxis should be plentiful, but a Gator ATV is also available as needed.
Priority Intelligence Requirements (PIR)'s are as follows:
(PIR 1) What threats (law enforcement or otherwise) are actively looking for Grace in Rattlesnake Ridge?
(PIR 2) What's the general schedule for the Festival and who's attending?
(PIR 3) What's the best route/means to flee the Festival (with or without the VIP)?
The day before the Festival, Salt should call up the client to confirm plans and general intelligence. Salt should not reveal her present whereabouts, and note any discrepancies in intelligence. From this point onward, operator has full discretion to abort mission if she detects a setup.
Salt should meet the VIP as planned at the festival, and carry out bodyguard duties. Uniform and arms posture should be guided by gathered intelligence. At the very least, a helmet and balaclava is not recommended. An AS Val carbine is available if needed.
Bodyguard: Evelyn Salt
Hardware:
Gator ATV (1)
AS Val Carbine (1)
ULM's New Dublin Bag Man EscortA heavily armed four man team will transport a diplomatic credentialled VIP with a duffel of hard currency to downtown New Dublin and back. As this is a tactical mission, Simon will be the Team Leader.
Driver and Team Leader should research routes between the union office downtown and the spaceport. Tentatively, the truck should take one route to the office, then a different one back. Gunner and Dismount should research threats and current events in New Dublin, Anghabar.
Priority Intelligence Requirements (PIR)'s are as follows:
(PIR 1) What are the best routes between the union office downtown and the spaceport?
(PIR 2) What criminal or insurgent threats are active in New Dublin?
(PIR 3) What is law enforcement in New Dublin like, specifically how they'll handle our gun truck?
Given the hostility of Anghabar, and how "high signature" the Beast is, dry runs or other on-the-ground recon are not recommended with current resources. This way, they literally won't see us coming.
If the VIP doesn't have a hard schedule, team should arrange travel during the daytime, but between the various rush hours. At pickup, the duffle of money should be carefully tracked and stowed. At arrival at the office, TL and Dismount will go in with the VIP and the money. (Driver and Gunner should stay at their posts throughout the mission.) Delivery will complete as quickly as the VIP will allow, followed by a return to the spaceport.
This should be a legal transport operation with potential for combat. Duty uniform and full kit are recommended: helmets, body armor, long arms, etc. Sterile/deniable procedures should be unnecessary.
Team Leader: Simon the Tactician NCO
Driver: Vic the Pipehitter
Gunner: Ethan Hunt
Assistant Gunner/Dismount: James "Hoxton" Hoxworth
Hardware:
"Beast" Up-Armored Technical SUV (1)
"Tachanka" LMG (1)
AS Val Carbine (4)
Potter Properties' Inspection Report ISRA three man ISR team will reconnoiter, surveil, and attempt to infiltrate "Martinez & Sons Inc.," a small business in downtown Rattlesnake Ridge, Harad. The team will lay the groundwork for corporate espionage regarding a certain Inspection Report of interest to Potter Properties in the next month. As this is an ISR mission, Anna will be the Team Leader.
Priority Intelligence Requirements (PIR)'s are as follows:
(PIR 1) Where/how is the Inspection Report secured after hours?
(PIR 2) When is the Inspection Report going to be delivered to the Buyer?
(PIR 3) Who handles the Inspection Report?
For shipside prep, Anna the HUMINT'er will research the business, with the objective of infiltrating the business in disguise. Erik will research the building, with the objective of finding covert entry. Nikita will research the neighborhood in general, with the objective of finding observation points and a secure safehouse. All team members should refamiliarize themselves with the button spy cams.
Planetside, Anna will obtain employment of some sort at the business. As an insider, Anna will casually gather HUMINT per PIR's. The insider will also case the office from the interior, to prep for covert intrusion if necessary. The insider should wear a concealed button spy cam to report her intelligence post-mission with other personnel.
Erik will use his new training to case the office building, to establish a mean of intrusion after-hours. Erik will also look for physical security measures, such as cameras and alarms. On such a small building, Erik will likely finish his work relatively early, and should refocus his efforts on insider footage. From insider bodycam footage, he can direct Anna where to emplace spy cams for collection against a specific workstation, file cabinet, or safe.
Nikita will serve as a general lookout and getaway driver.
Operators will keep in mind that the contract stipulates no payout if the operation is proven compromised. Low profile civilian attire is mandatory, and hardware should not be carried in the open. If no suitable observation post can be accessed, a SUV is provided as a stakeout vehicle. FLIR binos are provided for after-dark observation. For an emergency abort, a Val carbine is available.
Team Leader/Insider: Anna the HUMINT Collector
Physical Security Casing: Erik the Blackbagger
Driver/Lookout: Nikita the Scout
Hardware:
Land Rover SUV (1)
Gator ATV (1)
AS Val Carbine (1)
FLIR Binos (2)
(1) Neil's Plan: Ops Chief