Hello boys, girls and elves.
I've been playing LCS for a quite long time now, starting with the original. One thing bugging me has been that the Intelligence Agency isn't really scary. Sure, their siege is pretty tough to fight out, but that's it.
I think they shouldn't put up sieges. Instead they should do assassinations and black propaganda. Propability of them acting out should depend on the laws controlling them. If they are conservative, they will have a field day. If the laws are liberal, the agency will be less likely to pull out operations - and if they do, there is a possibility of a scandal breaking out. (New use for intel files?) Few things I think they should do...
1) Assassinations. When a wanted person is up and out, a sniper strikes. Perhaps some check is made to allow him to notice the red dot on his forehead. Maybe a fanatical minion could jump to take the bullet, especially if the founder is targeted? Being hit by a poison needle is another classic. Requires immediate, difficult first aid to stabilize the guy till he reaches the hospital, otherwise it is game over. There are a hundred different variations... Some skill checks should be involved.
2) Black propaganda. False flag operations, where agents go around molesting children and poisoning kittens, screaming "This is LCS!". This should lower popularity of the crime squad. Good place for a scandal if intel files are found and published?
3) Hi-tech military strikes. The squad is driving around in a van and bam, a predator drone hits them with a missile. This is what the American military and intelligence are doing abroad right now. I suppose in a very conservative environment, this isn't that far-fetched for dealing with domestic dissidents. There is little you can do once a predator is after you, but in order to send it, they first have to identify you... So general precautions against being followed and identified should be even more important. (Changing cars often etc.)
4) Future mode specials. Attack robots, anyone? A deadly virus customised for a certain DNA, so it travels as a harmless cough among the general population - untill it reaches the target and melts his brains. Brainwashing/android copies! A member of LCS is captured and brainwashed/replaced, then released. Once free, it will try to assassinate the founder or at least the highest member it knows. Perhaps sabotage or a kamikaze strike with explosives to the base.
I want the intelligence agency to be something I'm afraid of, not just another bunch of guys who try to siege my safehouses. I want covert ops and deadly plots, so that fighting the man will really get tough if you piss them off in the wrong way.