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Good Morning America, welcome back to Enclave Remnant Quest

Here's the Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Enclave+Remnant+Quest

The Character sheets and general information can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1--Lg-RaDz7yqRx1DwUsE6P3qZzQyJlgBekMXIHUR_WU/edit?usp=sharing

The base calculations for Squad and larger scale combat can be found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19aZKpugV9t3Y8P4zmBPgpuAASRjE1kHmDyEb3iUY5fQ/edit?usp=sharing
Those calculations do not account for situational modifiers like commander competence, tactics, terrain etc.

A thorough explanation of the System can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1piKHWUbQHIF1G8F9WsXAJvWg7yWCkyP-Lxw_ba7djRg/edit
Please take your time to familiarize yourself with the rules there if you're new or returning or if you need clarification. You may also ask me if something is unclear.

If there is a tie at the end of the designated voting period then a designated tie breaker period will be established if by the end of the period the tie isn't broken I will roll a d100 and it will be split accordingly to decide.

Last time Ford and the gang were investigating the city of San Francisco for the old Shi cell of the Enclave. They searched the market, spoke with a proprieter named Shen, and bought 10 pipboy 2000s.
_____________________________________________________________________________

Heading out of the merchants shop you walk a fair distance away from most of the busy crowd in the market before stopping and thinking. You'll need to head to the docks to check the 'immigrant' population and 'foreign' merchants to see if any of them are members of the cell. You've been mostly lucky, well discounting Reno, in regards to reconnecting with Enclave cells across California, but with how well established the Shi are it feels like a whole different beast when you consider the issue ahead of you.

If the cell was still around in the city they're either in deep cover or.... they may have completely abandoned their roles. You shake your head, that's a very unlikely circumstance. For one the only real defector or awol unit you've seen was Granite's and you know well that he's a unique case. You don't have much more time to dwell on this when a hand touches your shoulder, turning you see it's Thomas, "You good? We need to keep moving." you nod your head, "I'm fine."
The trip to the Docks isn't terribly long, but it is very densely populated. The organization and coordination between the various workers and systems at play here are almost staggering. You had briefly been to Shady Sands once, it was a massive city for the wastes, but it very much still had that post war ramshackle feel, though in part that was due to the incompetence of the NCR's 'democracy'. This was different, it was unsettling in many ways to you to see so many people working in lockstep like this.

_________
>>
Still you make it to the docks to find them filled with ships of varying degrees of technological advancement. Some NCR retrofitted old world cargos hips were docked, next to what looks like a more freshly constructed one that bares the Shi's symbol on it. A quick question confirms that the city does appear to have a dry dock where they've been constructing a few ocean faring ships. One of the NCR merchants speculates they're trying to build a fleet to head back to China. Another shakes his head and says that they're more focused on getting total coastal coverage, it's an efficiency thing.

You're not here to speculate though on what the Shi's naval intentions are you're here to find Enclave personnel. Where do you search first in the docks?

__________

>We should head to the customs office, if they're trading here then it's likely there might be some clue in the registrar or records.
>The Drydock seems to be rather technological advanced, perhaps they settled in as shipwrights?
>We need to head a bit further in, there should be some leisure businesses nearby, and those should be hot beds of gossip for the docks as a whole.
>write in.
>>
>>5856713
>We should head to the customs office, if they're trading here then it's likely there might be some clue in the registrar or records.
Man I still can't believe this Enclave mc likes muties.
>>
>>5856713
>We need to head a bit further in, there should be some leisure businesses nearby, and those should be hot beds of gossip for the docks as a whole.
Glory be, it’s back!
>>
>>5856713
>>We should head to the customs office, if they're trading here then it's likely there might be some clue in the registrar or records
good to see youre alive qm
>>
GOD BLESS AMERICA, NO WHERE ELSE

thrilled to have this back!
>>
>Drydocks

Pretty sure I had a shitload of notes on this qst to bring up next time you ran but my old phone broke so hopefully I stated most of my ideas in prior threads.
>>
>>5856713
>>We should head to the customs office, if they're trading here then it's likely there might be some clue in the registrar or records.
>>
>>5856712
Welcome back Chad.
>>
>>5856804
>>5856844
>>5856908

Thanks.

By my count its
3 for Customs office
1 for Leisure
1 for Drydocks

so it looks like customs office wins.

Writing.
>>
>>5856713
>The Drydock seems to be rather technological advanced, perhaps they settled in as shipwrights?

god Bless America, It returns for Christmas times!

I hope you've had a Feastful Thanksgiving and a good Christmas planned Warden?
>>
>>5857024
Thanksgiving was good, but mostly somber due to a loss in the family.
Not sure what I'm doing for Christmas beyond getting my dog a bunch of treats for being so good all year.

update should be coming relatively soon get your dice ready folks.
>>
>>5857029
Wonderful news, Besides the loss of one of American's Finest.

I do hope the dog enjoys its gifts, and remembers its duty to America!
>>
You're reminded a bit of Vault City in fact at this point as you begin to make your way to the customs office. Simpler times even if they weren't so long ago. Arriving outside the office you find a rather brutalist building compared to the majority of the architecture here. You wave off Rosaline and Andrew, "We're going to head inside, standby to get around the back, Grant'll signal you if it's necessary."

Rosaline nods while Andrew just lets out a quite groan. You've still got some work to do to get Andrew's attitude in line for field work, but they're your best infiltrators so they need to learn to work together at some point, now works. You turn to Thomas who simply holds his hands forwards gesturing for you to head in first.

With that you head into the customs office to find a series of computer terminals lined up with a single person monitoring operations in the back from another terminal. Every one was working on the the computers filling out their registration, paying their dues, and filling out the paper work through them. There's even a couple of civilian models of Protectrons milling about maintaining the queue and acting as servicing stations for any questions about the office.

One of the merchants in here is holding up the queue staring confusedly at the terminal, it's painfully clear they don't know how to operate it and it's not long before they speak up, "Can I get a paper option?" The reply was near instantaneous, "Unless the terminal is currently inoperable paper filling is not available, please head to the back of the queue and address the protectrons they will provide you with the knowledge to fill out the forums. Next." and with that one protectron wraps it's pincer around the mans arm and pulls him away from the terminal as another one steps up to and begins typing on it.

You stare for a moment, did they really have this all automated? On the upside it seems that the building is deeply understaffed of humans. On the downside it seems that most everything here is kept in electronic records. You turn to Jacob, before whispering, "Do you think you can crack the system from here or do you need to get in the back?"

Jacob squints for a bit, "Probably need to go through the back, how about we send Thomas up to fill out the caravans information for appearances?" You nod, "Was just thinking so myself." You pat Jacob on the back turn to Thomas, "So how good are you with computers?" You ask jokingly. Thomas just gives you a dry look before responding, "Better than you." and walking off to the queue.
You frown slightly scoffing you're plenty good with computers. I mean the Z.A.X seemed to like you... you think.... actually you're not certain it's capable of emotions, but it was a stimulating conversation regardless. You shake your head before heading over to Grant who is leaning outside on a nearby wall, you nod your head and he then looks off in the distance before nodding his head.
_________________________
>>
Alright anons I need three rolls of 1d100

Breaking into the Shi Customs Office
Challenging Stealth Test DV 50
Rosaline Washington +25
Andrew Jefferson-Jackson +15
Jacob Hartmen -5

Final DV 85

YOU HAVE 1 STEALTH SUCCESS YOU MAY ADD FOR THIS MISSION

Critical Failure [not possible]
0 successes: This ain't happening, we'll need a different plan
1 success: We're in, but we're gonna need to be real quick [2 turns to crack the shi cybersecurity]
2 successes: Ok Jacob work your magic [3 turns to crack the shi cybersecurity]
3 successes: We've got this you pay attention to the computers [4 turns to crack the shi cybersecurity]
Critical Success: They'll never even know we were here. [6 turns to crack the shi cybersecurity and a +10 bonus to those rolls]
>>
>>5857045
And remember it's a roll under system.
>>
Rolled 68 (1d100)

>>5857045
>>
Rolled 81 (1d100)

>>5857045
Honored to be one of the first rolls
>>
Rolled 75 (1d100)

>>5857045
get;em!
>>
3 successes: We've got this you pay attention to the computers [4 turns to crack the shi cybersecurity]

Alright You've got 4 turns to break into their security.

Crack the Shi's cybersecurity
Impossible tech test DV 10
Jacob Hartmen +25

DV 35

YOU HAVE 2 REROLLS
YOU HAVE 1 TECH SUCCESS YOU MAY ADD FOR THIS MISSION

CRITICAL FAILURE: I've been shut out of the system completely, and I think they're sending security forces this way right now.
0 Successes: I've never seen security this tight before! [no progress]
1 Success: Did their AI set this up? [10% progress]
2 Successes: I'm giving her all she's got! [20% progress]
3 Successes: Somethings got to give! [30% progress]
CRITICAL SUCCESS: I think I found something I can exploit.... [50% progress and an opportunity]

Once more Anons give me three rolls of 1d100, spend the rerolls at your leisure they're available for every relevant test, if you want to use the auto success you can but it's once a mission.
>>
Rolled 19 (1d100)

>>5857070
>>
Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>5857070
Gonna see how it goes, before a possible reroll.
>>
Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>5857070
I forgot how stressful rolling was.
>>
>>5857096
Damn, I'll see what happens next turn before using a reroll.
>>
Rolled 7 (1d100)

>>5857070
Let’s goooooo!
>>
>>5857096
>>5857098
>>
>>5857070
Actually, since we were planning on rerolling anyway, my >>5857100 roll is still legit right?
>>
>>5857106
Yes
the rerolls don't count against you unless you have literally 3 successes and opt to try for a crit success and then roll over the DV.
>>
Well more accurately I think it'd be better to say this.

If you have anything less than 3 successes there's no harm in rerolling one of the failed rolls as it would just be status quo at worst.
if you have 3 successes the rerolls become a gamble if you want to get a crit success as they can then turn in to failed rolls.
>>
>>5857108
>>5857110
I’m quite satisfied with our successes right now, thank you.

On to the next test!
>>
So 3 Successes: Somethings got to give! [30% progress]

Crack the Shi's cybersecurity
Impossible tech test DV 10
Jacob Hartmen +25

DV 35

YOU HAVE 2 REROLLS
YOU HAVE 1 TECH SUCCESS YOU MAY ADD FOR THIS MISSION

CRITICAL FAILURE: I've been shut out of the system completely, and I think they're sending security forces this way right now.
0 Successes: Oh come on?! [no progress]
1 Success: What in the world is with this security? [40% progress]
2 Successes: Half way there! [50% progress]
3 Successes: What are you hiding in there are we sure this is a customs office?! [60% progress]
CRITICAL SUCCESS: So close! I can taste the info. [80% progress and an opportunity]
>>
Rolled 74 (1d100)

>>5857112
LET’S GOOOOO!
>>
Rolled 35 (1d100)

>>5857112
>>
>>5857126
Tieing the DV is a success just to refresh everyone.
>>
Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>5857112
>>
Rolled 13 (1d100)

>>5857112
Reroll?
>>
>>5857138
Mhm
With that you got 2 successes and 1 reroll remaining for this particular test.
>>
>>5857140
Anyone else want to go? Take your stab at it.
>>
>>5857140
>>5857143
I mean, I could reroll my roll again, if that’s alright? Otherwise, I don’t mind waiting for a new anon to take it.
>>
Rolled 57 (1d100)

>>5857112
Fuck it, in the interest of keeping the quest moving, I’ll take the reroll
>>
2 Successes: Half way there! [50% progress]

Crack the Shi's cybersecurity
Impossible tech test DV 10
Jacob Hartmen +25

DV 35

YOU HAVE 2 REROLLS
YOU HAVE 1 TECH SUCCESS YOU MAY ADD FOR THIS MISSION

CRITICAL FAILURE: I've been shut out of the system completely, and I think they're sending security forces this way right now.
0 Successes: Oh come on?! [no progress]
1 Success: Running real dry on time here... [60% progress]
2 Successes: Give me something anything to work with here! [70% progress]
3 Successes: When I break this I'm gonna find that Emperor computer and... [80% progress]
CRITICAL SUCCESS: I'm in! [100% progress and an opportunity]

You know the go by now. Three more 1d100s

We'll get a nice big write up at the end of all this, though for the future I'm going to give larger progress percentages for pacing reasons if this ever comes up again.
>>
Rolled 24 (1d100)

>>5857164
Honestly? Probably should’ve done it anyway- though I don’t mind rerolling just to keep up the pace. Is waiting 10 minutes sufficient?
>>
>>5857176
I think that's plenty in these extended tests.
In a normal roll a little longer is probably a better call.
>>
>>5857181
15, 20? How long we talking here?
>>
>>5857187
15 minutes should be plenty.
>>
Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>5857164
>>
Rolled 7 (1d100)

>>5857164
>>
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>>5857198
hue
>>
Rolled 16 (1d100)

>>5857164
Times up for a reroll
>>
3 Successes: When I break this I'm gonna find that Emperor computer and... [80% progress]

Crack the Shi's cybersecurity
Impossible tech test DV 10
Jacob Hartmen +25

DV 35

YOU HAVE 2 REROLLS
YOU HAVE 1 TECH SUCCESS YOU MAY ADD FOR THIS MISSION

Critical Failure: [no longer possible]
0 Successes: Times up
1 Success: so close yet so far
2 Successes: I'm in, lets see what we've got here. [100% progress]
3 Successes: One for human ingenuity, zero for machine intelligence [100% progress and a bypass set up for the future]
CRITICAL SUCCESS: I'm in! [100% progress, bypass and an opportunity]
>>
Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>5857215
Let’s finish this
>>
Rolled 76 (1d100)

>>5857215
anxiety
>>
Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>5857215
somebody get some rolls
>>
>>
>>5857228
This is some fucking bullshit
>>
>>5857234
you still got the 2 rerolls, only really need 1 success and then you can buy the other one to guarantee the info is gotten.
>>
Rolled 30 (1d100)

>>5857235
Yeah we do but nobody wants to be the one who rolled bad, watch me: REROLL!
>>
Rolled 72 (1d100)

>>5857215
Come on Jacob, come on! You can do this!
>>
>>5857239
So that's 1 success
Do y'all want to spend your 1 auto success to make that 2 successes?

>yay
>nay
>>
>>5857239
I was just waiting for the 10 minute deadline desu

Shame about the bypass, but honestly it’s a miracle we got as far as we did against this bs dc

>>5857243
>nay
Is this vote a joke?
>>
>>5857245
More of a formality

I see no reason for it to be no y'all need that info

As for the DC you're hacking a network set up by a super computer and a faction with just as advanced tech as you guys for the most part it was gonna be very difficult, but Jacob is really just that good to be able to pull this off.
>>
>>5857243
Yay of course.
>>
>>5857243
>yay
>>
Rolled 62 (1d100)

>>5857243
Could we use another reroll instead?
>>
>>5857254
not really you only have two per test and both were used.
>>
>>5857254
What other reroll? We only have 2 and they were used here >>5857239 and >>5857241 here.
>>
>>5857254
Unless that Stealth auto-success upgrades a 3 Success to a crit-success, I’m afraid not mate
>>
>>5857258
>>5857257
>>5857256
Fug, Then I guess ya go for the Auto succ. JUST because this is big money I think?
>>
1 Success: so close yet so far

Auto-Success utilized

2 Successes: I'm in lets see what we've got here [100%]

Congratulations you've managed to crack the Shi's network, once again American ingenuity trumps the Chinese.

I think you'll find the results quite worth while.

writing.
>>
>>5857268
*gumble gumble*…bypass….*grumble grumble*

*sad American noises*
>>
>>5857268
Have we re-discovered the recipe for orange chicken?
>>
>>5857278
Alas no, however if you're looking for that one need only go to the right restaurant in San Francisco.
>>
>>5857280
TO THE LEISURE SECTOR! HI-HO!
>>
>>5857280
>San Francisco
We're more likely to pick up the germ
>>
With that signal Rosaline and Andrew immediately got to work, having spent the last few minutes scouting out the exterior of the building for an employee entrance and finding one. Jacob having came out with you heads over to join up with them to sneak inside and get into the Customs office's computer system.

Rosaline grumbles a bit as she lockpicks the door making short work of the lock in question. Slowly and steadily opening the door she stops part way noticing some basic security systems on the otherside, primarily a camera. She quietly closed the door before tossing a stealth boy over to Jacob as he had caught up, "On my mark." She placed hers on, Andrew had already backed away a bit and was now providing overwatch on the two others. Jacob caught the stealth boy and he looked at her, "Where'd you pick this up?"

Rosaline smiled, "Backroom of that merchant Tom was chatting up."

Jacob blinked for a moment, thinking about objecting to that rather brash action before just shaking his head, that's for Ford to deal with not him, just take the win. He puts it on and waits for her mark.
Rosaline close her fist and turns on the stealth boy and Jacob does so as well, both quickly go through a cracked door quietly closing it behind them before heading around to a nearby backroom. As luck would have it the only worker in the building decided to go on break just as they came in heading off to the small recreational room they have in the building.

Rosaline and Jacob make a break for the main desk, Rosaline keeping an eye on the rec room while Jacob starts to work his way into the system. Immediately he was stonewalled by the network when he attempted to access records, with it asking for authorization codes.

He clicked his tongue, "It's never simple is it?" he cracked his knuckles quickly by clenching his fists and connected his pipboy to the terminal and began to execute several different programs that probed at the systems potential weaknesses, to little avail at first, before resorting to a mixture of brute force and abusing the fact that the worker hadn't logged off when they went on break to access what files he did have immediately available to him hoping to find some security mistake.

It took him several minutes but eventually he stumbled upon one document that had some credentials in it. That got him past the first part, the next part however was much more difficult as he worked his way around various security services and systems to gain further access rights by exploiting a loop hole in the way they were assigned to personnel. Once he had managed to give him self as much authority as he could he finally began to dive through the files in earnest looking for anything at all that might lead the group to the remnants here in San Francisco.


The Shi's network was vast, and extremely well protected, but it suffered from a critical weakness, it was completely interconnected from any terminal should one have the right authorizations.

___________
>>
What he found was disheartening at best and sickening at worst. The records show that the San Francisco Enclave cell had actually been operational for quite sometime after the fall of Navarro, however the Shi Emperor had assigned a 98% probability that it existed. The government had been sent to scour the area which had been further narrowed down to Silicon valley. Within the last year they had discovered them, and they decided to offer them a choice, turn coat or be handed over to the NCR. They chose to turn coat providing the Shi with knowledge of several different Enclave secrets, though nothing best that Jacob could tell that was a critical threat at the moment, though he did remind himself to change the authorization codes to the military site as soon as they got there just in case.

The worst of it however is that this cell seems to have gone entirely native, even before they turned coat it seems they had just completely abandoned their mission to seize or destroy the Emperor and instead just settled into the city.

However it was not all doom and gloom, as the records indicate where their current residence is. Beyond that there's a few other interesting bits of information that Jacob was able to scrounge out of the network, for one the location of a Shi Power armor testing site one in which they were attempting to refine a formula for hardening power armor, both for export and personal military applications. The other being the exact location of the Emperor and it's guard rotations.

Even if the San Francisco cell has turned coat we might still be able to finish what they started and also get a very useful tool for the future as well. Just as Jacob was finishing up and getting ready to create a bypass to allow easier access in the future to this network the employee's break seemed to be ending. He cursed under his breath and ran a quick reset to the systems authorities and quietly made his way out along with Rosaline, and the two of them made their way back to you.

When he got back to you all he did was transfer the data from his pipboy to yours, to which you looked at it. Gritting your teeth, you shake your head, "Well we've already know what we do with traitors. we should pull back for the time being to plan our next moves. Good work Jacob."

Jacob smirks, "Hey I'm not about to let some glorified Chinese robot beat me at my own game."

You're quick to head off to a hotel and rent some rooms for the evening and begin planning the next days moves.
______________
>>
What do you do about the traitors?

>They're no better than Granite, arguably their worse given they gave up without a fight and to the Chinese no less, a traitors death is what they deserve.
>We've already established precedence, it'll be harder but we'll pull them out and have them tried, though this time you've got no interest in playing lawyer.
>They're not worth our time and effort, they made their bed and they'll reap the consequences of it when the time is right.
>Write in?

What's your next move now that the San Francisco cell is known to be compromised?
Regardless of the previous choice that you'll be done with you will...

>Head back to base, our job was to find the cell and we did, we aren't about to go chasing after a formula or risking our lives on blowing up or stealing another super computer. [Can only be taken by itself]
>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows.
>Finish what the San Francisco Cell couldn't, the Shi are to damn dangerous to with this robot in charge, they need to be thrown into chaos and they need to be done so now. [Will require you to call in backup as taking down the Emperor is beyond just your teams capabilities, will be done last if done in concert with taking the power armor formula]
>Write in?
>>
>>5857315
>>They're not worth our time and effort, they made their bed and they'll reap the consequences of it when the time is right.
>>Finish what the San Francisco Cell couldn't, the Shi are to damn dangerous to with this robot in charge, they need to be thrown into chaos and they need to be done so now. [Will require you to call in backup as taking down the Emperor is beyond just your teams capabilities, will be done last if done in concert with taking the power armor formula]
>>
>>5857315
>They're no better than Granite, arguably their worse given they gave up without a fight and to the Chinese no less, a traitors death is what they deserve.
>Finish what the San Francisco Cell couldn't, the Shi are to damn dangerous to with this robot in charge, they need to be thrown into chaos and they need to be done so now. [Will require you to call in backup as taking down the Emperor is beyond just your teams capabilities, will be done last if done in concert with taking the power armor formula]
>>
>>5857315
I'll let this vote go for about ~18 hours which is when I'll have free time to start writing again.
>>
>We've already established precedence....
>Go after the Hardened Power Armor formula...

We should have acted earlier to pit the three (NCR + BOS) against each other, but it's not too late to leave some NCR evidence at the scene when we're done.
>>
>>5857315
>>We've already established precedence, it'll be harder but we'll pull them out and have them tried, though this time you've got no interest in playing lawyer.
>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows.
>>
>>5857315
>They're not worth our time and effort, they made their bed and they'll reap the consequences of it when the time is right.
We've got more important things to do.
>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows.
>Finish what the San Francisco Cell couldn't, the Shi are to damn dangerous to with this robot in charge, they need to be thrown into chaos and they need to be done so now. [Will require you to call in backup as taking down the Emperor is beyond just your teams capabilities, will be done last if done in concert with taking the power armor formula]
Vote for both!
>>
>>5857315
>We've already established precedence, it'll be harder but we'll pull them out and have them tried, though this time you've got no interest in playing lawyer.
Fucking had my hopes up with these guys- so much for being worth all this effort ffs

>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows.
>Finish what the San Francisco Cell couldn't, the Shi are to damn dangerous to with this robot in charge, they need to be thrown into chaos and they need to be done so now. [Will require you to call in backup as taking down the Emperor is beyond just your teams capabilities, will be done last if done in concert with taking the power armor formula]
Ain’t leaving empty handed
>>
>>5857315
>Write in? Scope out the traitors and aquire more information about them, so as to allow the elders more information to decide their faith.
Let's follow protocol for once and bank some goodwill with the leadership.

>Head back to base, our job was to find the cell and we did, we aren't about to go chasing after a formula or risking our lives on blowing up or stealing another super computer. [Can only be taken by itself]
Don't stir the pot, no reason to risk revealing ourselves or raise the alarm prematurely.
>>
>>5856712
HELL YEAH
welcome back, i always believed on your return
>>
>>5857315
>They're not worth our time and effort, they made their bed and they'll reap the consequences of it when the time is right.
Killing them now will attract attention. They will meet justice soon enough.
>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows.
>Write in?
Create tensions and problems between NCR and Shi, we want them to go in an armed conflict. We can start with their merchants here. This is something we can do we need to pick the people to pit against each other through.


Independent merchants should be the only ones going to the Shi, NCR gives a lot of trade for them. Cutting that trade and putting them in a conflict, means they can't do all their little projects anymore and they will do fewer of them and at a slower pace. First we need to weaken them, going after the supercomputer now even with the info on the guard rotations and other security details, we have is a big risk. We will gain other weapons for wipe them out in the future.

>>5856847
i remember that we were doing a series of essentials critical missions (like this one) for properly ensure the exodus of our people could be done with all of the cells reunited, for gain more gear, vehicles, assets and intel, for creating problems for our enemies and lastly because we really need to leave home. It was too near NCR territory and risked too much heat for missions, and really general attention.
Also keeping together our loving family and people.
>>
>>5857499
Tbh I probably would support reintegration (after an innocence proven via trial), if solely for the fact that skilled manpower such as the Shi Enclave are hard to come by. We could never trust them again, but when the Shi-t hits the fan, I do bet they’ll jump ship. Assuming this wasn’t an extreme long-con by the Shi Cell, they’ll probably be more loyal to us than the others in the Wasteland, even if they’ll effectively be regulated to second-class citizens.

The rest of the Remnants may not go for it, but I do think it’s a solid idea.
>>
>>5857315
>We've already established precedence, it'll be harder but we'll pull them out and have them tried, though this time you've got no interest in playing lawyer.

>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows.
>Finish what the San Francisco Cell couldn't, the Shi are to damn dangerous to with this robot in charge, they need to be thrown into chaos and they need to be done so now. [Will require you to call in backup as taking down the Emperor is beyond just your teams capabilities, will be done last if done in concert with taking the power armor formula]
>>
>>5857357
We actually managed to intensify the already ongoing conflict between BOS and NCR, meaning it will last longer. Alongside blocking relations between NCR and Vault City. We achieved our mission objectives here, finding the Cell and scouting the Shi and their city.


>>5857315
Warden are the sacking/scavenging/trapping operations on Santa Rosa still on going ? i remember we had our eyes on a damaged big tank and a damaged fighter i think, beside making sure reaching the ZAX would be very difficult for anyone else coming there (just BOS mostly). I already remember the logistical nightmare of the ZAX so no need to mention it.

>>5857580
i think it's a bad idea, we really don't need to reintegrate traitors. The fact they accepted and also willingly work with the Shi and give up our secrets, makes impossible to have them with us. It would be also the strike that breaks the camel back for our people, this will be bad internally and may put a stop to anything we had in mind. Our internal stability must be restored and should be a top priority.
On top of that, i can't see us convincing this cell well. This place isn't a shithole, and if they collaborated it means they don't live a bad lifes. We offer them a really long trip to an uncertain home, and with a people that bare minimum would reject/despise them utterly if not outright want to see their blood.
>>
i would also recommend anons to reconsider a rapid assault on the supercomputer right now (can't be anything else than that), it requires a full proof plan and it would be far harder than anything we did so far (the Shi have a competent, well trained, well lead, well armed and motivated military. And they control an actual proper fortified city instead of a NCR dustbowl, so they aren't few soldiers or many soldiers but with health problems, rampant indiscipline and poor education).
And Santa Rosa was very difficult for mission.
>>
>>5857315
adding on to >>5857323 >>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows
>>
>>5857315
>They're no better than Granite, arguably their worse given they gave up without a fight and to the Chinese no less, a traitors death is what they deserve.
>Finish what the San Francisco Cell couldn't, the Shi are to damn dangerous to with this robot in charge, they need to be thrown into chaos and they need to be done so now. [Will require you to call in backup as taking down the Emperor is beyond just your teams capabilities, will be done last if done in concert with taking the power armor formula]
>>
>>5857315
>>They're no better than Granite, arguably their worse given they gave up without a fight and to the Chinese no less, a traitors death is what they deserve.
>>Finish what the San Francisco Cell couldn't, the Shi are to damn dangerous to with this robot in charge, they need to be thrown into chaos and they need to be done so now. [Will require you to call in backup as taking down the Emperor is beyond just your teams capabilities, will be done last if done in concert with taking the power armor formula]
>>
>>5857315
>We've already established precedence, it'll be harder but we'll pull them out and have them tried, though this time you've got no interest in playing lawyer.
>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows.
>>
>>5857315
>They're no better than Granite, arguably their worse given they gave up without a fight and to the Chinese no less, a traitors death is what they deserve.
>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows.
>Finish what the San Francisco Cell couldn't, the Shi are to damn dangerous to with this robot in charge, they need to be thrown into chaos and they need to be done so now. [Will require you to call in backup as taking down the Emperor is beyond just your teams capabilities, will be done last if done in concert with taking the power armor formula]
Mix these last two together.
>>
ah whatever
Guess it will be another deathclaw lesson, a lesson is always good.
>>
>>5856712
Excellent welcome back
>>
>>5857658
The fact that we go through a trial and the bar that would be their peers declaring innocence should be enough. We frankly don’t know the circumstances under which they surrendered.

>>5857660
I would be willing to wait until another squad was available and the tech success refreshed, but we on the clock here, and I'm sorta hoping Warden doesn’t throw an extreme mission on us when we just got back.
>>
>>5858037
I made it clear in the option that you'd need reinforcements as this mission is beyond just your team in the choice.


[Will require you to call in backup as taking down the Emperor is beyond just your teams capabilities]
For reference I do think the option is in character for ford given his patriotism and anti authoritarianism stances. However and I will be explicit here again in case it was missed.

The mission is not a solo team affair Fords team can handle. Consider as well that most of the other capable teams are off executing their own operations concurrently. Theres hands to spare but they're less combat capable.
>>
Thing is they surrendered and given up on us, also have given our secrets. Granite is just a step above since he shoot his own kin.

>>5858037
>another squad
Thats the bare minum, we can't do it with just one team. At least three honestly, and if i remember correctly not all of our teams where home. We will also need to study the city, and do more snooping around for computers to hack in to.
>hopeful
Eh no, its our choice if we decide to go for it : is going to be an heavy difficulty if not outright extreme mission. Like this isn't a border garrison, a village or a small military camp.
We want to hit their very heart, in their city. They will fight to the death, they will attempt to use all their advantages and they will have a ton of reinforcements and troops. The window of time will be short for us

And most votes seem to be raiding for the formula and attacking the supercomputer. And i don't think the Shi will have all their buildings close together, like their main lab and their palace.
We will also likely have to put outside the city our land vehicles, has they will just close their gates when the assault starts or use land vehicles of their own for follow us. The vertibird use is for the best, it will increase heat but is necessary, we cannot fight an army and we are fighting them again in their very heart (like assaulting Broken Hills, Arroyo or Shady Sands). This kind of attack will increase heat regardless and the NCR will probably use the opportunity for take out the Shi. Which is unfortunate since they will use the chaos made.
>>
And personally I don't think it wouldn't be fair to Warden for this mission to not be difficult if we go for this additional objectives.
And if we want to win, then the only way is prepare proper plans like is tradition for this quest, thats how our great victories were achieved.
>>
>>5858077
*would
Sy
>>
>>5858072
You mind giving us a rundown on the current missions we’re running, and who’s free? Probably important for us to come to a decision desu- I’d rather not risk New Reno without dedicated fire support like the Veterans on hand.
>>
>>5857315
>They're no better than Granite, arguably their worse given they gave up without a fight and to the Chinese no less, a traitors death is what they deserve.
>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows.
>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows.
>Write in?
>Create tensions and problems between NCR and Shi, we want them to go in an armed conflict. We can start with their merchants here. This is something we can do we need to pick the people to pit against each other through.
>>
>>5858102
Sure I will get that list up after I'm done working
>>
>>5857797
Trial by fire, baby!
>>
>>5857315
>They're no better than Granite, arguably their worse given they gave up without a fight and to the Chinese no less, a traitors death is what they deserve.
>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows.
>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows.
>Write in?
>Create tensions and problems between NCR and Shi, we want them to go in an armed conflict. We can start with their merchants here. This is something we can do we need to pick the people to pit against each other through.
>>
>>5858138
Kek newbie, never change
>>
>>5858120
Appreciate it- also the timeline to our Exodus would be nice. We also have to weigh this action against opportunity-costs of the future, which was why I originally said Yes to both the Emperor and the Power Armor.

Maybe just save the Emperor thing for last of the Squad Actions, in case the reserve team need to assist elsewhere.
>>
Nice to be back!

>>5857315
>They're no better than Granite, arguably their worse given they gave up without a fight and to the Chinese no less, a traitors death is what they deserve.
>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows.
>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows.
>Write in?
>Create tensions and problems between NCR and Shi, we want them to go in an armed conflict. We can start with their merchants here. This is something we can do we need to pick the people to pit against each other through.
Tempted to say 'fuck it we ball's but let's think long term here.
>>
Ok so off work now, Here's my current count

For dealing with the traitors we have
>They're no better than Granite, arguably their worse given they gave up without a fight and to the Chinese no less, a traitors death is what they deserve.
with 7 votes
>>5857735
>>5857736
>>5857773
>>5858116
>>5858144
>>5857324
>>5858169


>We've already established precedence, it'll be harder but we'll pull them out and have them tried, though this time you've got no interest in playing lawyer.
with 5 votes
>>5857357
>>5857403
>>5857444
>>5857604
>>5857742

>They're not worth our time and effort, they made their bed and they'll reap the consequences of it when the time is right.
with 3 votes
>>5857323
>>5857424
>>5857575

And one vote to scout them out as a write in
______

For how to proceed in this mission we have
>Head back to base, our job was to find the cell and we did, we aren't about to go chasing after a formula or risking our lives on blowing up or stealing another super computer. [Can only be taken by itself]
with 1 vote
>>5857499

>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows.
with 10 votes
>>5857403
>>5857424
>>5857444
>>5857575
>>5857604
>>5857742
>>5857773
>>5858116
>>5858144
>>5858169


>Finish what the San Francisco Cell couldn't, the Shi are to damn dangerous to with this robot in charge, they need to be thrown into chaos and they need to be done so now. [Will require you to call in backup as taking down the Emperor is beyond just your teams capabilities, will be done last if done in concert with taking the power armor formula]
with 8 votes
>>5857323
>>5857324
>>5857424
>>5857444
>>5857604
>>5857735
>>5857736
>>5857773

Doing both has 4 votes (these are both counted amongst the individual options counts)
>>5857424
>>5857444
>>5857604
>>5857773

And a write in to create tensions has 4 votes
>>5857575
>>5858116
>>5858144
>>5858169


So currently the out look is the following
Killing the traitors is winning by 1 vote over taking them in for trial
And Getting just the Power armor formula is winning by 2 votes
Taking options individually it has 6 votes vs dealing with the shi emperor which has 4 votes and the write in with 4 votes
taken as a double option (power armor and shi emperor) has 4 votes

So as it stands if I were to call the vote now we'd have
>They're no better than Granite, arguably their worse given they gave up without a fight and to the Chinese no less, a traitors death is what they deserve.
>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows.
as the winning result.

I'm going to call a moritorium on further voting until after I get the list of teams and their operations and the exodus schedule up.
>>
>>5858159
The exodus depends a lot on gaining supplies and our own amount of things we bring away , and how we go about it in bringing the groups of vault dwellers we want to grab to the exodus caravan. The amount of missions we need to do are many, i think it was in at least a full year. It involves a ton of stuff, like planning the whole route, how we go about it, scout missions etc...
>>
Month 5: December - current month in game
Month 4: January
Month 3: February
Month 2: March
Month 1: April
Exodus: June

Operations during December are
Secure Santa Rosa - Redding Stirke team Beta (Nelsons team 2)
Vault City aid - Redding Strike team Alpha (Nelson team 1) [gone until February]
Secure the area around Vault 3 - Enclave Veterans
Investigate the NCR Prison System for Enclave personnel - Senator Rockefeller
Mojave infiltration and propaganda - New Reno Team
Investigate the Shi and Search for the San Francisco Cell - Ford's team

Current combat ready teams in reserve:
None

Reinforcements that can be called upon:
The Commander and Chief of the USA Military (your father)
Your mother
Jacob's Sister
Jacob's father
Grant's father

Mostly just command staff and engineers/scientists at the moment.
>>
>>5857315
>>5857315
>They're no better than Granite, arguably their worse given they gave up without a fight and to the Chinese no less, a traitors death is what they deserve.
>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows.
>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows.
>Write in?
>Create tensions and problems between NCR and Shi, we want them to go in an armed conflict. We can start with their merchants here. This is something we can do we need to pick the people to pit against each other through.

>>5857575
Good thinking anon.
>>
Dammit I'm late. I don't know why it didn't update for me.
>>
After looking at >>5858172 again I just realized it isn't the final tally kek
>>
>>5858200
Nope not the final tally, gonna give everyone an hour from when I posted the operations and exodus timeline before I call the final vote.
>>
>>5858185
Good good, more or less what i remembered.
>>
>>5858185
Ah- then I’d actually prefer we consult with Father via radio befor we move further on the Emperor bid.

>>5858202
Is it alright to bring up the concern about samefagging? Because I am concerned. Also at work, so may be indisposed at times.
>>
>>5858220
Perhaps, though personally best I can tell there's maybe... like two or so posts that feel suspect, but I don't think it's quite enough of a suspicion for me to really bother with asking for verification at the moment.
>>
>>5857315
>>5857735
Fine I'll change my vote to
>They're no better than Granite, arguably their worse given they gave up without a fight and to the Chinese no less, a traitors death is what they deserve.
>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows.
>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows.
>Write in?
>Create tensions and problems between NCR and Shi, we want them to go in an armed conflict. We can start with their merchants here. This is something we can do we need to pick the people to pit against each other through.
It's really just the last write-in I'm changing.
>>
Alright I'm gonna call the vote

>They're no better than Granite, arguably their worse given they gave up without a fight and to the Chinese no less, a traitors death is what they deserve.
>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows.

Looks like that's going to win.
If there's an opportunity to create tensions between the NCR and Shi while doing this he will take it but it's not his priority.

Writing.
>>
>>5858230
It’s mainly the Granite option I worry about- the majority either wants a trial or nothing to do with them, and I’d rather not alert the Shi before we get a crack at their Emperor.
>>
>>5858239
To be fair kidnapping them to put them on trial is no more safe than killing them really in terms of alerting the Shi that something fucky is going on, but either way Ford and company will approach it with as much discretion as they can given the circumstances at play here. Besides this whole operation can be spread out over the course of a month of planning and execution. Think of it like playing Shadowrun if you want.
>>
>>5857315
>They're no better than Granite, arguably their worse given they gave up without a fight and to the Chinese no less, a traitors death is what they deserve.

>Go after the hardened power armor formula, that could prove to be invaluable in the long run and we don't want to be at a disadvantage against the Shi when we inevitably come to blows.
>Finish what the San Francisco Cell couldn't, the Shi are to damn dangerous to with this robot in charge, they need to be thrown into chaos and they need to be done so now. [Will require you to call in backup as taking down the Emperor is beyond just your teams capabilities, will be done last if done in concert with taking the power armor formula]
>>
>>5858249
Shadowrun huh? And a whole month? I’d probably support a play on the Emperor then, especially if near the end of the month we’ll get proper reinforcements, assuming the other missions go well.
>>
>>5858280
I'll have it as an option at the next strategy meeting for the Enclave for the month of January.
As for this month we'll be sticking to the pair of plans from the previous vote.
>>
>>5858287
Ah, shame
>>
The hotel room you ended up renting was relatively well kept, at least by comparison to much of the wasteland. A double bed and basic amenities while being clean. It was refreshing to be on one of these missions and have place to rest and plan that didn't make you feel like you were camping out in a bomb shelter.

Pulling back a chair that was seated at a desk you set down a go over the information's you were recently given one more time. You've currently got about about 4 weeks until most of the rest of the Enclave returns from their own missions with that understanding you table you strong desire to take decisive action against the Shi Emperor. It would be unreasonably reckless to attempt it right now and what reinforcements you could get would leave the home base nearly empty of protection, to say nothing of the risks the idea itself posed.

You heave a sigh leaning back in the chair for a moment before pulling out a small journal and beginning to organize your thoughts. There was the matter of how to deal with the traitors in San Francisco, they had given up state secrets and didn't even put up a fight in doing so. It left a bitter taste in your mouth just thinking about it. They're scum as far as you're concerned, worse than Granite. At least Granite had the balls to fight, at least he seemed to die for a cause he believed in even if it was one that opposed the Enclave.

No you won't be tolerating that while you have the chance to do something about it. They'd be dealt with during your stay in San Francisco, however this won't be as simple as the work in Vault City with Granite. Unlike him these traitors were integrated into the upper echelons of the Shi, that poses a unique set of issues when it comes to delivering justice to them. You have their addresses, but a direct assault on them is too brazen, any form of public assassination is. No you'd have to be patient with this, watch their schedules and habits and pick the best method to be rid of them.

That was a plan that could be developed as the days went on, a more immediate goal however would be being able to steal the information regarding the Hardened Power Armor formula. We don't have to destroy their existing copy, though that would be beneficial in the long run it'd likely make the other task harder by setting the government on edge. If we can get into the facility where this testing and development is taking place and make a copy of their notes and the formula that would be more than enough of a success.
>>
You stand up pocketing the journal as you do so, heading out of your room so that you can gather your team for a meeting to prepare for that task first. It doesn't take long to gather everyone together into your own room, and with them assembled you lay out your views on the situation. It is generally well received, with the exception of Thomas, "With all do respect Ford, why are we wasting our time on killing these turn coats? I get it what they did is reprehensible, but surely we have better things to spend our resources and effort on then that in the short term?" He was alone in his objections.

You clear your throat, "We're going to deal with them because we have the time to do so, and we may well not get another chance to do so. Something has to be done about the Shi and their rate of advancement. The way they're progressing both technologically but also societally is worries me, and getting rid of those turn coats will at the very least hamper them in that regard by removing several technical experts while also making them less likely to have a response to our own maneuvers when the time comes for us to clash." You turn around to look out one of the windows in the room, "We can't take the Emperor, not yet, so this is the next best thing. I won't even dignify these cowards with a trial."

Thomas scowls slightly, "And you did with Granite? Why the sudden bout of hypocrisy?" You turn back to him calmly, "Nothing hypocritical about it, they're both traitors no doubt, both may have operated under duress to turn coat, but Granite chose to live his own life afterwards he was barely an active threat to the rest of the remnants, them? They're actively aiding a foreign occupier in establishing a state on American soil, all the while giving away what's ours. Same crime different severity."

Thomas shakes his head, "You know that's not how that works-" he's about to say more when Rosaline speaks up, "As riveting as you two bickering over morals is can we get back to the part where we're planning whatever it is we're planning?" Thomas gives her a sour look and she just shrugs at him, "Look if I didn't say anything you two would be at it for hours, and you're not even drunk yet." The rest of the team stifled a chuckle at that remark as you glower at them, "Fine." you say in response, "as I was going to say, dealing with them is not our first priority at the moment. Officially our work here is done, but never let it be said that our team does not always go above and beyond the call of duty. We have the opportunity to seize the formula for Hardened Power armor from the Shi and we will be taking it."
>>
Rosaline perks up at this, while Elizabeth has to sock Andrew in the shoulder in order for him to start paying attention. Rosaline speaks up, "So we're gonna be stealing some stuff now?" You nod, "Yes and this time you'll actually have orders to do so." you cough slightly as Rosaline just whistles not even breaking eye contact. "First though I want you, Andrew and Thomas to go scout the place out. Andrew you're on overwatch, Thomas and Rosaline you two will be getting whatever information you can out of the people on site, and if possible map us a root to the lab."

Grant speaks up, "Question if I may sir." You nod, "What will the rest of us be doing?" you pause for a moment, "You, Jacob and I will be heading off to gather some more information on our traitors, first and foremost I want to get a better idea of what their schedules look like. There's 6 of them here that are either engineers or scientists and 2 former soldiers for 8 ex-Enclave personnel that need to be dealt with. The first 6 should be easy enough to take down in any scenario, it's making it discreet that's the issue, the other two seeing as they're now a part of the Shi's military we may have something we can use to deal with them while also pulling in the NCR's attention to the Shi." you say to the group.

There's a short pause before you continue, "We could anonymously inform the NCR that the Shi are harboring Ex-Enclave personnel, use their own paranoia against them by using the truth." There's an odd tension in the room as you suggest that before Andrew of all people speaks up, "Don't you think that's playing with fire?" You shake your head, "Not particularly it's not as if the San Francisco Cell know of us, yes it might validate some of the NCR's fears but it's also more likely to turn them against the Shi by making it seem like we're collaborating when it couldn't be further from the truth, and we all know how brash the NCR's foreign policy is at this point." Andrew doesn't look terribly convinced, "Don't know seems like a needless risk." he doesn't really elaborate beyond that however.

Elizabeth then speaks up, "I feel like I'm being forgotten here." you stop to think for a moment, "You're not exactly adept at handling these sort of situations, you'll stay in reserve and if we need to interrogate anyone we'll bring them to you." She looks ready to object before stopping and nodding. You give her a somewhat sad smile nodding back, you know she wants to prove herself after all that's happened, you'll have to let her know at some point that what she just did was a step in the right direction, but now's not the time.
>>
Still you've got some things to chew on.
What do you settle on for a final plan of action?

Ford, Grant and Jacob: [pick one]
>We'll look into the engineers and scientists first, they're likely to work in close concert with each other so we may be able to plan something out to get multiple at once
>We'll go looking for the two soldiers first, they're more isolated and it's far more likely to die in a military training exercise than an experiment these days we might be able to glean something like that.
>We'll look into the viability of either informing the NCR on the Shi or finding a way to pin their deaths on them.

Rosaline, Andrew, Thomas: [pick one]
>Lets go for a more traditional recon, sneak around the complex, find a entry point, then ask around.
>We can try and find some individuals that we can base some disguises on and attempt to infiltrate the place, if we can do that we might be able to save ourselves a lot of trouble.
>Try not to get ahead of ourselves, let's just ask around about the place first, if we're lucky and smart we might be able to find the person in charge of the experiment, if we can get them that's two birds with one stone.
>>
>>5858280
Maybe next. We aren't on any shortage of missions to do eitherway really, or primary/secondary objectives to achieve (i am fairly sure though that the scouting mission for the exodus will be locked in, because is fundamental, and must be done).

Hell it wouldn't be bad idea, to even make sure more internal stability is established if we can. Though we need to find a way for do so, something smart. Or just something that touches hearts and minds, for morale.

Or to improve relations, with say the Van Graffs (currently the only other faction beside the East Coast that is friendly with us. And the East Coast wanted more to order us around really) through missions for enjoy the benefits of a stronger relation with them. Or maybe gain/create/improve new assets, the Manifest Destiny Caravan is a pretty good asset for aid us for example. Maybe a group of mercs next, or a network of contacts that act has informants for us. If the lab and workshop weren't that basic, something more interesting could be done there. Dogs and coyotes are cheap, and we have those K-9 files for example....
Who knows.

>>5858185
Was Jacob sister a medic ? I think she was. We need one in our squad ASAP, and then our squad is fully ready for any missions.
I wonder if we should have done a different type of training like urban warfare. Night training was a pretty good choice overall, i don't regret it won, what to pick next though. There is a lot honestly we could do there
>>
>>5858353
>>We'll look into the viability of either informing the NCR on the Shi or finding a way to pin their deaths on them.
>>We can try and find some individuals that we can base some disguises on and attempt to infiltrate the place, if we can do that we might be able to save ourselves a lot of trouble.
>>
>>5858357
Jacob's sister is an Enclave Scientist.
Can she do healing? yes.
Do you want her to do healing?
*shrug*
"Jacob's sister was... eccentric at best and absolutely insane at worst, but there were very few people left in your cell that had such a strong grasp of the sciences.
However she was completely locked up in the labs, always experimenting, rarely coming out, only ever to eat and even then she'd take her food and eat outside the lab." is how I described her
>>
>>5858353
>We'll look into the viability of either informing the NCR on the Shi or finding a way to pin their deaths on them.
If is possible that's good.
>We can try and find some individuals that we can base some disguises on and attempt to infiltrate the place, if we can do that we might be able to save ourselves a lot of trouble.
Difficult choice..... though I have the suspicion they might not use english for enter certain sections or do certain tasks in important buildings. Which would be honestly smart by them.

Mmmm we will have to talk with Andrew when the mission is done. Needed, and our sister is fine. Just need a chance to show her worth.

>>5858360
Well thats good can be worked upon. I guess she could be motivated by finding some stuff outside if nothing else, and test subjects Lol
>>
Our sis coild scare someone quite a lot if we need it. Maybe with the NCR here
>>
>>5858353
>We'll look into the viability of either informing the NCR on the Shi or finding a way to pin their deaths on them.
>We can try and find some individuals that we can base some disguises on and attempt to infiltrate the place, if we can do that we might be able to save ourselves a lot of trouble.
>>
>>5858353
>We'll look into the viability of either informing the NCR on the Shi or finding a way to pin their deaths on them.
>Lets go for a more traditional recon, sneak around the complex, find a entry point, then ask around.
>>
Normally I'd let a vote like this run for about 4 hours before calling it but I'm gonna call this one early as I've got to go to sleep soon.

>We'll look into the viability of either informing the NCR on the Shi or finding a way to pin their deaths on them.
>Lets go for a more traditional recon, sneak around the complex, find a entry point, then ask around.

wins

I'll start writing when I wake up tomorrow.
>>
>>5858357
The shortage isn’t missions, the shortage is time- we need to be efficient and effective with our time, and I’m afraid Hardened Power Armor doesn’t cover the opportunity-cost that losing the Shi Cell represents (a Scientist/Engineering Squad would be invaluable, especially relating the the ZAX). In my eyes, only the Shi Emperor comes close to recovering that lost potential, and the opportunity cost that sitting on that mission imposes…irritates me.

Regardless, I believe Santa Rosa does have advanced facilities- maybe a workshop, certainly a lab. Maybe a decent play to temporarily set up command there, or at least relocate the engineering/scientific assets to make use of it before we Exodus.

Jacob’s sister is a mad scientist- while she could no doubt function as a medic, she’s more useful off the field ratchet than on it.
>>
>>5858759
Maybe, but we can't trust them with any kind of work and they would be a great internal problem. Which we don't need at all, since the tension at home is very high already.
A formula instead give us the Shi research, no internal tensions and it doesn't carry the same amount of possible heat creation or risk than an assault on the Emperor supercomputer creates.

Santa Rosa conditions where quite bad, and .. i think we are stripping it bare of anything else we can reasonably take at the moment. The ZAX for obvious reasons already explained, remains there.
A temporary relocation of our engineer and scientists could be problematic (its not a great place to live and the place is going to be a death trap when Redding Strike Team Beta is done there).
>>
Regardless of what we do, tensions need to be increased between the Shi & NCR. A good point was raised about the value of STEM experts though, so maybe we should go for the assassinations but capture if the opportunity is present. Dead or alive essentially; force them to work for us if we can exfil them. If not, no great loss so long as we deprive the Shi & stir the pot with the Californians. Not sure if the the two grunts are worth anything though, unless they relent as soon as they're at plasma-point & have damn good explanations/were sabotaging the Shi from within
>>
First you, Jacob and Grant are going to go looking into the viability of dealing with the traitors by baiting the NCR into dealing with them and the Shi at the same time. It's not exaclty going to be a straight fowrads process though. For one we'll need to come up with convincing enough evidence to support our claims. We know them to be true, we even have copies of the Shi's internal documents regarding the matter however that alone is not fool proof. What we need is irrefutable proof in order to instigate the most immediate response possible.

Proof that can either be manufactured by ourselves, or through circumstance depending on how these traitors conduct themselves. That's what we'll be looking into first you think to yourself. If that proves fruitless then it becomes a matter of convincing the Shi that their deaths are the result of NCR meddling. It'd be easier for us to disguise ourselves as NCR infiltrators, but you get the feeling that this won't have the same immediate response from the Shi as the NCR would have to them knowing there's ex-Enclave personnel in the Shi government.

Heading off to the district of the city that some of the traitors lived in you begin to set up to recon the area and wait to be sure that they're not home and won't be for quite some time. Steaking the place out was more difficult than you had first thought as the security in this place is relatively tight with regular police patrols in the neighborhood along with street camera's all about the place. It's a good thing that Jacob is here as he's able to work his magic and deal with the cameras. However the patrols were a different problem entirely. Had this been the NCR then we could have figured out their comms channel and redirected them after listening in to figure out what the terminology they would use was. However this wasn't going to work because none of us knew Chinese. We found the comms channel easy enough, but we couldn't understand a single damn word being said.

Grant then speaks up, "We're going to either need to just go for it, or do something to draw them away from the area." you nod at this, "We don't have the resources though to pull that off however, neither of you are going to bait for this, it's took risky for one especially if you get caught." you're not very excited about the prospect of just going for it however, with as many eyes on the target as there are it's very possible to have this go very wrong.
>>
Jacob thinks for a moment, "I could set up a signal jammer, if they can't radio in or out of an area then they'll likely want to investigate that area, if we put a few traps we might be able to pull more of them in. Would still probably put them on edge though once they realize it's a diversion, not that they'll know where too though." You think for a moment, "That could work... Alternatively we could try and go for a more social approach. I don't particularly care to speak to these lot, but they themselves might be the best source of information we can get for this. Just need to catch them in a social environment."

What do you do?
>Go for it, they're not here, it'll be a smash and grab in and out with everything we can get. [stealth test]
>Jacob set up that jammer that should give us more than enough time to be thorough. [tech test]
>We'll catch one of them out and try and fast talk them, if we can get them to spill something in their own voice and record it that'll be pay dirt. [speech test]
>>
>>5859042
>>Jacob set up that jammer that should give us more than enough time to be thorough. [tech test]
>>
>>5859042
>>Jacob set up that jammer that should give us more than enough time to be thorough. [tech test]
>>
>>5859042
>>Jacob set up that jammer that should give us more than enough time to be thorough. [tech test]
>>
Drawing a bunch of attention elsewhere will put them on high-alert.

I say we split our forces & go for both stealth + social;
>Go for it...
>We'll catch one of them...
>>
>>5859042
>We'll catch one of them out and try and fast talk them, if we can get them to spill something in their own voice and record it that'll be pay dirt. [speech test]
Fast talking fits with our merchant cover, worst case they think we’re try to sell them something and tell us to buzz off.
>>
>>5859042
>Jacob set up that jammer that should give us more than enough time to be thorough. [tech test]
>>
>>5859042
>We'll catch one of them out and try and fast talk them, if we can get them to spill something in their own voice and record it that'll be pay dirt. [speech test]
>>
>>Jacob set up that jammer that should give us more than enough time to be thorough. [tech test]

wins

Distract the Shi with a Radio Jammer
Challenging Tech Test DV 50
Jacob Hartmen +25

DV 75

YOU HAVE 2 REROLLS

Critical Failure: [Not possible]
0 Successes: What do you mean they found it already? [Shi are put on high alert, you get no good evidence]
1 Success: That's an impressive response time, what do we have? [Shi are put on high alert, you get some minor evidence]
2 Successes: This looks like it's working out just as planned [Shi are put on alert as you're able to get evidence and shut off the jammer before they can find it.]
3 Successes: This was exactly what we needed [Shi are put on a low alert as you're able to find useful evidence and shut off the jammer well before they can find it]
Critical Success: Well well well it would seem things aren't so simple after all.... [Shi are put on a low alert, you find evidence that at least one of the cell are playing a long con as well as useful evidence for getting the NCR involved.]
>>
I need 3 1d100s
>>
Rolled 88 (1d100)

>>5859235
If there was any time to get a crit-success, it’d be now lads. God Bless America.
>>
Rolled 97 (1d100)

>>5859235
That crit reward is juicy.
>>
>>5859239
>>5859249
>>
Rolled 14 (1d100)

>>5859235
Correct me if I'm wrong but don't we have a free pass or something?
>>
>>5859264
That's a once per mission use which was used on the previous tech test.
>>
Rolled 52 (1d100)

>>5859235
>>5859249
REROLL!
>>
>>5859269
Want me to reroll my shit roll or wait 15 mins for another anon to participate?
>>
>>5859274
Well you're roll was 25 minutes ago assuming you were the 88, so you're free to reroll if you'd like to.
>>
Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>5859279
Let’s roll then
>>
Rerolls coming in turning one success to three alas no crit, though perhaps it's not the last chance?
Who knows.

3 Successes: This was exactly what we needed [Shi are put on a low alert as you're able to find useful evidence and shut off the jammer well before they can find it]

writing
>>
>>5858837
It’s not that we can’t trust them with work- we just can’t trust them with important secrets. Think about it- who are they going to turn to when the Shi flounders in the Wasteland? The NCR? The BoS? The wasteland hates them, will most likely try to kill them if they ever find out they’re former Enclave. They got no where to turn to for security but us- and it’s not like we’ll entrust them with the ZAX, but for missions shoring up Vault City? It frees up our squads for other operations, plus they have general utility, not to mention that they know Chinese and how the Shi operates as a society. And this doesn’t take into consideration that we could trade them to the East Enclave for something equally valuable and make it their problem.

As for kidnapping the Shi Emperor, I was only making the point that the only thing I’d consider an equal opportunity-cost trade for a usable Shi Cell would’ve been the Shi Emperor.

As for Santa Rosa, we are stripping the place aren’t we? Still, I would consider utilizing the Research ZAX would be more of a net positive- just a shame we can’t utilize it yet.

>>5859287
>though perhaps it's not the last chance?
Who knows.
Getting my hopes up now lol
>>
>>5858516
>>Lets go for a more traditional recon, sneak around the complex, find a entry point, then ask around.
woops that's not what won for that one, good thing I hadn't posted that part. Funny thing is I was writing for the actual winner which was to find some individuals to base disguises on and came back to double check.
>>
It takes Jacob a couple of hours to rig up a jammer and hide it. The tricky part was making it so that the Shi wouldn't be able to immediately pin point the damn thing as soon as he turned it on by triangulation, but he had a few tricks up his sleaves involving some selective range extenders being placed about to create a more amorphous radius.

Once he had returned the three of you get ready to strike, you'll have assuming things work out about an hour to raid the house. If you're lucky maybe longer, but that should be more than enough time to turn the place over subtly. Everyone is given gloves, masks and goggles to help remove any identifying features. With that all done Jacob flicks a switch on his pipboy and the station you had been listening into turns to radio static.

It doesn't take longer than a few minutes before most of the patrols start to head off in search of the source of the disruption once they manage to ascertain that it wasn't just technical difficulties. With that you seize your chance and move in, you're not much of a lockpicker yourself, but it seems that the front door didn't exactly have a strong lock on it in the first place. Getting through that you get inside and split up to begin searching for any shreds of evidence you can use to bait the NCR with.

You take the nearby bedroom, looks like it's a bed for two, well lived in. A picture frame sits on one of the night stands, a rather tall Caucasian man who looks to be in his mid 40s maybe early 50s is standing besides a somewhat younger Shi woman likely early 40s or late 30s. There's a couple of other pictures of children but most of them seem to be from long enough ago that they've grown up by now, likely having either moved out or away. You don't dwell long on this however, before rummaging through the drawers in the night stand for anything useful.

There's a small journal with a latch on it, you open it up and skim through it. It seems to be mostly a record of the past few years, a lot of civilian stuff, though you notice some inconsistencies in grammar here and there. Likely some kind of cypher, but you don't have time to crack that or even cross reference it with Enclave cyphers....
Do you take the journal?
>Yes
>No

Regardless you here Jacob over comms say he's found something. Heading out of the room you head up to the second story he seems to have found some sort of office space, several filing cabinets as well as a personal terminal. You get to work on the cabinets while Jacob takes a crack at the terminal. Sifting through the cabinets you find little of use, a lot of government records but of the most mundane kind, tax returns, a copy of some sort of certification probably a requirement to perform whatever job he has, proof of citizenship....
>>
You take a picture of that last one, but close the cabinets afterwards. Though before you can get too frustrated Jacob speaks up, "Alright I think I've got something good on this terminal, looks like the guy still has some vertibird schematics as well as energy weapon refining techniques on here." You lean over his shoulder to see and these are definitely Enclave documents, though noticeably they've been recently updated as if this guy has been iterating on the designs.

You pat Jacob on the back, "Good find copy those over to your pipboy, and take a picture of them as well, we can edit these to be more out of date if decide to use them as evidence for the NCR." Grant is the next to call you over having checked out what looked to be a storage room. Seems this guy was nostalgic to some degree, odd given his life choices, as he had an Enclave Scientists uniform well hidden in the back of that storage closet. You snap another picture.

With that you all give the place another cursory check over before doing everything you can to make sure nothing is out of place or amiss and leaving. As you leave you take a moment to check the radio signal, still jammed it seems. Jacob then uses this opportunity to turn of the jammer and the extenders, "If we're lucky they'll think it was a freak technical issue or some sort of weather phenomena, I don't know maybe a solar burst?" he shrugs, "When they've calmed down I'll go pick those up."

The three of you retreat for now back to the hotel, the Shi being none the wiser and only slightly perturbed by this afternoons events. Going over the evidence you have you should have enough to get the attention of any NCR official at least for this one person. Now we just need to wait for the other group to return before we can decide our next course of action.

_______________
>>
Rosaline, Thomas and Andrew headed off to the site in search of some marks that they could use for reference material. Watching them come and go over the course of a day was tedious work, but necessary. Really the more frustrating part for Rosaline was having to deal with Andrew's 'boredom' though Thomas was able to smooth that over for the time being.

Eventually though a couple of marks were found. The difficult part being that a lot of the technical speak that they had managed to eeves drop on was in Chinese. A deeply frustrating realization that made getting in as one of the engineers or scientists nearly impossible. However Andrew came up with a rather clever idea, "If we can't be one of the big wigs, why not a Janitor? Gotta give those guys keys to most of the place right?" the other two thought on it for a moment and nodded. Watching some more it seemed there were indeed a few members of a janitorial staff, that mostly spoke English, one speak Spanish and another some tribal language that none of the group could quite figure out.

Now comes the interesting part, how do we get our hands on these disguises?

>No one's gonna notice a missing Janitor for a day or two [Stealth test]
>Quickest and easiest way is to just apply for the job [Speech test]
>Write in?
>>
>>5859328
>Yes

>No one's gonna notice a missing Janitor for a day or two [Stealth test]
>>
>>5859331
>Yes
>>Quickest and easiest way is to just apply for the job [Speech test]
>>
>>5859328
>>Yes

>>5859331
>>Quickest and easiest way is to just apply for the job [Speech test]
>>
>>5859331
>>Yes
>>No one's gonna notice a missing Janitor for a day or two [Stealth test]
>>
Looks like it's a pretty resounding yes to taking the journal, but a tie on whether or not you want to take the stealth approach or the speech approach.

I'll let the vote go through the night.

Since my Saturday looks relatively clear I should be able to run at a slightly higher pace than tomorrow, but you should expect the average day to go about how the last two have went going forwards.
>>
>>5859328
>YES
>>>5859331
>>No one's gonna notice a missing Janitor for a day or two [Stealth test]
SNEAKY NIGGAS
>>
>>5859328
>Do you take the journal?
Couldn’t we take pictures?

>>5859331
>Quickest and easiest way is to just apply for the job [Speech test]
Unless it’s a tie, than just null my vote to break it.
>>
>>5859470
You know what you're not wrong you absolutely could take pictures.
Completely escaped my mind at the time of that particular bit, but yeah you had camera's. Would probably use up the majority of the film though.... do you figure Fallout would have digital cameras? Legitimate question, though I get the feeling the answer is no doesn't seem to match the atom punk aesthetic.
>>
>>5859471
>do you figure Fallout would have digital cameras?
Yea, mainly because robotic cameras would have to be digital. And that’s just the commercial robots, I’m sure the Enclave would’ve had access to the super high tech James Bond spy shit, certainly some schematics. I just imagine it would look wacky as hell to us though.
>>
>>5859483
mmhm fair enough I suppose.
We'll I'll retcon that option from yes or no to Ford taking pictures of the journal's pages because he literally had a camera with him so why wouldn't he.

Doesn't change too much aside from completely mitigating the downside of either option.
Good catch.
>>
>>5859331
>Yes
>>No one's gonna notice a missing Janitor for a day or two [Stealth test]
Questions can come up with being a new worker here, checking background etc.. is only natural to do.
>>
Not exactly relevant, but checkout the Operation Sunburst series of animations on yt. Really solid combat scenes at Helios One.
>>
>>5859297
So far we have 3 reasons for not trust them, they have throw away their allegiance, given up secrets and work with the Shi. And no evidence for trust them.
Half of the people at home will go pale in the face or become enraged hearing that alone.

The Shi i don't think will go away from their city even if their supercomputer emperor dies, this is their home that they built. They will not give up this place ever, they will die to the last for keep it theirs. Is quite literally one of the best settlements to live in the wastelands. They will have a crisis of leadership, some civilian chaos, a substantially drop of morale : but it doesn't mean the faction dies only that they enter a crisis and that become vulnerable. And that means the traitor cell has no reason to leave either, hell they clearly made new happy lives for themselves here. Unless is too much unrest.

The traitors are a threat for our internal stability which mind you literally risks to not be stable at the moment.
Not everything can be efficient, and we really can't deal with another Granite like trial. Our people might snap here.
The only option if we suddenly want them back would be collar bombs with multiple robot guns always behind them or being given to the East which is a skeptical idea for the travel amount we propose to the easterners to do, for the fact we are giving traitors and because we don't really want to be lord over by the East (the news of their existance weren't exactly flowers and sunshine when we returned back home from Santa Rosa).

I don't think we would have any time for kidnapping it, we would kill or attempt to hack it most likely. Thing is an assault on the heart of a faction, means we will be in danger if being overwhelmed if we aren't quick enough. Its still a large supercomputer we aren't bringing it physically away. The data in it, now that....

Research is up in the air, they might consider the idea in the next strategic meeting. But is a real shithole and being for a few months there wouldn't be great, for anyone.
>>
>>5859623
Soda did a pretty good job with it, same for ones of halo and titanfall.

Here something from a mod about power armor instead
https://youtu.be/1znOwGTCh7s?si=_PObl2z5oJK1dTxv
>>
>>No one's gonna notice a missing Janitor for a day or two [Stealth test]
Wins

As noted before the yes no choice on the journal has been retconned to having just taken pictures of the journal instead as there was no point to having that dilemma in the first place given the context of the situation.

Another thing to note before we get rolling, some stuff has come up I'll likely only be able to do this roll and the subsequent update before having to handle some other stuff today, which sucks because I can't run on Sundays due to tabletop commitments, same with Tuesdays, between work and tabletop that's just not going to happen.

With that advisory out of the way lets get those dice ready.

Appropriating a Janitorial uniform for America
Challenging Stealth Test DV 50

Rosaline Washington +25
Thomas Rockefeller +5
Andrew Jefferson-Jackson +15

DV 100
Automatic 3 Successes the rolls here are to see if you critically succeed.

YOU HAVE 1 AUTO SUCCESS YOU MAY SPEND (Not relevant here in order to guarantee a critical you would need 2 auto successes on top 3 normal successes)

Critical Failure: [not possible due to overwhelming capability in test]
Normal Result: Tagged and bagged, we've got a uniform and no one is the wiser managed to get some spares too. [successfully obtain disguises for the group, gain a bonus while infiltrating the compound]
CRITICAL SUCCESS: Well who said we needed to wait? It's right there after all.... (gain disguise and infiltrate the compound successfully pulling the data on the hardened power armor from their terminals then disappearing like you were never there to begin with)

Give me 3 1d100s anons, crits are on a 1 as always, you can't fail you're just fishing today.
>>
Rolled 10 (1d100)

>>5859832
God exists. And we killed him.
>>
Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>5859832
>>
Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>5859832
>>
Worth a shot if nothing else

Alright Normal Result: Tagged and bagged, we've got a uniform and no one is the wiser managed to get some spares too. [successfully obtain disguises for the group, gain a bonus while infiltrating the compound] it is.

writing
>>
The plan was simple enough, wait for one of the Janitors to head home, follow them, and then black bag them. Once the Janitor has been bagged deal with any other residents and raid the house for some uniforms while taking the one from the janitor themselves as well. Better to have more than you need than to not have enough after all. Once the uniforms were obtained take the janitor and others if there are any to a secured location to have Elizabeth watch over them.

The execution was flawless, Andrew's tracking abilities mixed with Rosalines natural knack for stealth and Thomas' keen social awareness made them a natural grouping for this kind of work. The Janitor didn't even know what hit them when Rosaline knocked them unconscious in their own home black bagging them and then hiding the body while they got the uniform. Lucky enough they seemed to have several uniforms, enough for four people if necessary, and the one on them. One for every day of the week it would seem.

Regardless the Janitor appeared to live by themselves, the house itself wasn't anything special, but it also wasn't your typical wasteland abode, a small space efficient town house, one story with only a couple of rooms. A rather Spartan abode really.

The team once they had an all clear from Andrew evacuated the house with the supplies and the janitor having been placed into a large duffle bag still unconscious. They headed back to the hotel making sure to to take a circuitous route so as to minimize the chance that they were being followed in case they were being watched.

________________________

You're wait for the other team was not long as they had arrived with a set of five janitors outfits and a duffle bag. You eye Andrew who was carrying it questioningly, and he just unzipped it after making sure the blinds were closed and the door was locked to reveal a man sitting inside of it. You pause for a moment before just opting to move on, as long as he can't see anything and we use some voice modulators they'll have nothing to work with anyways.

You double check that the man is unconscious still before speaking, "We've got a good amount of evidence we can use to pull the NCR into conflict with the Shi via the use of the traitors, and it looks like you three have devised a scheme to infiltrate the compound where the formula is. Good. Everyone take a day to prepare yourselves, cause what comes next can't afford any failures." The team nods at you, before you dismiss them.

You still had to decide a few things before going ahead, as well you'd like that cypher from the journal to be cracked first if possible. More evidence is always useful just in case, but that can wait, the rest of the day and the team needs a moment to breath before committing to this operation. A rare luxury in these days as it feels like every time you head out it's do or die to the last minute.
>>
Of course taking a moment to rest doesn't mean letting your guard down. Given where you are you can't really afford that, however now is the time to address any potential command issues that might rear their head before the mission critical stuff happens.

You...
[pick two]
>Talk to Thomas, you're not a fan of sycophants, but you can't have him throwing up hands everytime something unsavory happens. If you're a pragmatic idealist then he's a blind one and that needs to stop.
>Talk to Andrew, you've already talked to him about getting his act together on missions, but it seems bad habits die hard. Give him some motivation or remind him why exactly the easy road isn't always the best.
>Talk to Elizabeth, she needs some positive affirmation of her progress, and now is as good of time as any to do so. The last thing you need is her relapsing during one of these tasks and trying to seek glory where it might get us killed.
>Write in?
>>
>Talk to Andrew, you've already talked to him about getting his act together on missions, but it seems bad habits die hard. Give him some motivation or remind him why exactly the easy road isn't always the best.
>Talk to Elizabeth, she needs some positive affirmation of her progress, and now is as good of time as any to do so. The last thing you need is her relapsing during one of these tasks and trying to seek glory where it might get us killed.

Just found out about this quest and caught up over the course of a week. It's awesome.
>>
>>5860075
>>Talk to Thomas, you're not a fan of sycophants, but you can't have him throwing up hands everytime something unsavory happens. If you're a pragmatic idealist then he's a blind one and that needs to stop.
>>Talk to Andrew, you've already talked to him about getting his act together on missions, but it seems bad habits die hard. Give him some motivation or remind him why exactly the easy road isn't always the best.
>>
>>5860075
>Talk to Andrew, you've already talked to him about getting his act together on missions, but it seems bad habits die hard. Give him some motivation or remind him why exactly the easy road isn't always the best.
>Talk to Elizabeth, she needs some positive affirmation of her progress, and now is as good of time as any to do so. The last thing you need is her relapsing during one of these tasks and trying to seek glory where it might get us killed.
>>
>>5860075
>Talk to Andrew, you've already talked to him about getting his act together on missions, but it seems bad habits die hard. Give him some motivation or remind him why exactly the easy road isn't always the best.
>Talk to Elizabeth, she needs some positive affirmation of her progress, and now is as good of time as any to do so. The last thing you need is her relapsing during one of these tasks and trying to seek glory where it might get us killed.
>>
>>5860153
Supporting
>>
>>5860075
>>Talk to Andrew, you've already talked to him about getting his act together on missions, but it seems bad habits die hard. Give him some motivation or remind him why exactly the easy road isn't always the best.
>>Talk to Elizabeth, she needs some positive affirmation of her progress, and now is as good of time as any to do so. The last thing you need is her relapsing during one of these tasks and trying to seek glory where it might get us killed.

Probably give the chyper to Jacob. Otherwise ... i guess we could study the city map later on. Useful for getting out, reading news and hearing rumors might help for put NCR and Shi against eachother
>>
>>5860075
>Talk to Thomas, you're not a fan of sycophants, but you can't have him throwing up hands everytime something unsavory happens. If you're a pragmatic idealist then he's a blind one and that needs to stop.
Needs to be dealt with
>Talk to Elizabeth, she needs some positive affirmation of her progress, and now is as good of time as any to do so. The last thing you need is her relapsing during one of these tasks and trying to seek glory where it might get us killed.
Don’t worry sis, the Shi Emperor is where you’ll shine!
>>
>>5860075
>Talk to Thomas, you're not a fan of sycophants, but you can't have him throwing up hands everytime something unsavory happens. If you're a pragmatic idealist then he's a blind one and that needs to stop
>>Talk to Elizabeth, she needs some positive affirmation of her progress, and now is as good of time as any to do so. The last thing you need is her relapsing during one of these tasks and trying to seek glory where it might get us killed.
>>
>Elizabeth
>Andrew
>>
>>5860325
I wouldn't be against looking at the map.
>>
>>5860075
>Talk to Andrew, you've already talked to him about getting his act together on missions, but it seems bad habits die hard. Give him some motivation or remind him why exactly the easy road isn't always the best.
>Talk to Elizabeth, she needs some positive affirmation of her progress, and now is as good of time as any to do so. The last thing you need is her relapsing during one of these tasks and trying to seek glory where it might get us killed.
>>
>>5860075
>Talk to Andrew, you've already talked to him about getting his act together on missions, but it seems bad habits die hard. Give him some motivation or remind him why exactly the easy road isn't always the best.
>Talk to Elizabeth, she needs some positive affirmation of her progress, and now is as good of time as any to do so. The last thing you need is her relapsing during one of these tasks and trying to seek glory where it might get us killed.
>>
Alright weekend is over, schedule is good for tomorrow.
>Talk to Andrew, you've already talked to him about getting his act together on missions, but it seems bad habits die hard. Give him some motivation or remind him why exactly the easy road isn't always the best.
>Talk to Elizabeth, she needs some positive affirmation of her progress, and now is as good of time as any to do so. The last thing you need is her relapsing during one of these tasks and trying to seek glory where it might get us killed.

Wins

Write up will go up tomorrow.
>>
Bump
>>
>>5861834
I like this. Thomas is the type who is better cajoled with a whiskey and a bonfire. Andrew and Elizabeth are one on one activity type. We should organize a plinking session with Andrew if we want to delve deeper with him. And for Elizabeth, what does the Enclave do for hand to hand/physical training? She's intense and loses herself in fury. Maybe helping her sharpen her focus while in her element.
>>
Sorry for the late message. When I finished work today, I basically started mentally shutting down right afterwards to the point I just had to lay down myself before my brain did it for me whether I liked it or not.

I'm better right now but I've got no idea why that happened. I'll try and get an update out first thing tomorrow if I can.
>>
Take some time to unwind, Warden.
>>
>>5862788
Fear not Fellow American, For we all struggle in our battles for the return to Normality. Know we all support you in these trying UNAMERICAN times.
>>
>>5862788
Don't worry about it dude. You should take care of yourself first.
>>
>>5862788
No problems chief, take sometime for yourself. We will be here.

Ah thanks for saying something. That is good to have for us.
>>
>>5862788
Don't burn yourself out man, we'll wait.
>>
>>5862788
>>
>>5862788
are you alive friend
>>
>>5866414
I am, I've just been doing as advised and taking some time to breath. Just sat down to write actually.
>>
You give yourself an hour or so to collect your thoughts as well as let everyone else do the same before heading out. You were going to speak with your brother and sister before the start of the next phase of the operation. Andrew because it seems he hasn't internalized your previous conversation yet and that's going to become an issue sooner rather than later, and Elizabeth because you want to affirm her restraint during this mission thus far.

You'll start with Andrew seeing as Elizabeth isn't the immediate concern. You head out of your hotel room to find your brother, however he was not in his own. You furrow your brow as you begin to search for any clue in the room as to where he might have went. There was nothing of substance to be found however. With an exasperated sigh you leave the room and begin checking the others to see if they know where he went.

That was about as fruitful as your initial search with no leads. Thinking about it he probably took the fact that this was leisure time to heart and went to a nearby bar or some other place to relax. Knowing him it was probably the first one he found that had an open spot for him to take. You won't hold this against him though considering that's what the time is for, it's just inconvient at this time.

Heading out of the hotel it doesn't take you very long to find him, just as you had suspected he was at the nearest bar, kicking it back in a booth with a drink staring at the ceiling. Not surprising considering that his main hobby is hunting, there's not a lot to do in a city like this for him. Regardless you walk inside quietly side stepping the doorman who is busy with other patrons at the moment. You sit down in the on the opposite side of the table to him and start, "We need to talk Andrew."

Andrew sits up straight although in a fairly informal manner, "Yeah I bet we do." he says as he takes a swig of his drink. You shake your head as you prepare to address the issue at hand.

>Be blunt with him, you don't care if he's dozing off in leisure time, how he spends his free time is his choice, but his attitude needs to change when working and now.
>Try to subvert his expectations a bit, he's probably anticipating getting dressed down, so if you play it casual to start he might be more open to actually listening.
>Play his game, if he wants to loosen up then we'll loosen up. Besides you're still due a rematch in darts, perhaps the shock of him losing to you in that will finally get him to sober up his attitude on duty.
>Write in
>>
>>5866624
>Be blunt with him, you don't care if he's dozing off in leisure time, how he spends his free time is his choice, but his attitude needs to change when working and now.
>>
>>5866624
>>Try to subvert his expectations a bit, he's probably anticipating getting dressed down, so if you play it casual to start he might be more open to actually listening.
>>
>>5866624
>Try to subvert his expectations a bit, he's probably anticipating getting dressed down, so if you play it casual to start he might be more open to actually listening.
>>
>>5866624
>Try to subvert his expectations a bit, he's probably anticipating getting dressed down, so if you play it casual to start he might be more open to actually listening.
>>
>>5866624
>>Try to subvert his expectations a bit, he's probably anticipating getting dressed down, so if you play it casual to start he might be more open to actually listening.
Its good you are okay
>>
>>5866624
>Try to subvert his expectations a bit, he's probably anticipating getting dressed down, so if you play it casual to start he might be more open to actually listening.
>>
>Try to subvert his expectations a bit, he's probably anticipating getting dressed down, so if you play it casual to start he might be more open to actually listening.

Wins

Writing
>>
Still writing boss?

I'm quite curious about the Enclave who are locked up in NCR custody.
>>
>>5867537
Yeah.
I kinda got side tracked for a couple of hours on something else while multitasking.

As for whose locked up in NCR custody, lets see.

The success rewards were cumulative so
1 Success: Seems there were a few from the Department of Engineering that are still kicking. (5 Enclave Engineers are in the prison system)
2 Successes: If I'm right about this these are the Shady Sands and Hub Cells, they'd make a good corps of political infiltrators... (10 Enclave spies [could form the basis of a diplomatic corps or an a proper espionage department])
3 Successes: There's a few surviving men from Navarro still in the system as well (5 Enclave Veterans are in the Prison System [Another Veteran squad])

Was what the result was in the last thread, there's is also the possibility that Arch Dornan may be alive in the system, but that's not something that's concrete, just something that the wheels of fate have not yet decreed one way or the other.
>>
>>5867545
Fuckin' oath, major boons to be gotten there. Were we able to salvage the gear from Granite's traitor squad?
>>
>>5867548
I believe so? Most of it was damaged if I'm remembering correctly.
Mostly a boon to be had when you get to where you're going as that should have the facilities and materials to actually sustain that equipment in proper condition and repair the broken ones.
>>
You think about the best ways to approach this conversation and ultimately you decide that you're going to try the carrot instead of the stick this time. Not so much as to stoop to his level, but enough to get him to open his guard perhaps. You lean back and wave over a waitress after quickly looking over a drinks menu that was on the table in the booth and order some scotch. You'd mostly be sipping on it through the conversation, you're not looking to hit back the shots or anything of the like, but the burn should help keep you focused while also working to ease the atmosphere.

Andrew cocks an eyebrow at this before taking another swig from his drink and starting, "So is this not going to be about me? we just talking to talk?"
You laugh a little, "No it's still about you." He rolls his eyes, and you continue, "You know Andy, lets try this differently, why don't you tell me your point of view, really why is it you like to treat all of this like a game?"

Andrew looks off to the side before tapping the table with his fingers a few times, and responding, "Because for the last two years everything's been a complete mess. We went from scavenging and surviving with some nice tech in a basement and a story book legacy mom and dad pedaled to us since birth to suddenly uprooting everything and trying to honestly don't even know what." He leans back somewhat exasperated, "I can't get anything straight, because every time it seems like somethings about to settle in to some sort of consistency someone or something turns it on its head. So I make my own consistency. I go at my own pace because I've got no other choice but to if I want to deal with all this shit."

You give him a look for a long while waiting for the drink to arrive while you think. It's not long after actually that your scotch arrives and you're quick to take a drink of it before you respond, "So let me get this straight." you set the drink down and scoot it over to the side, "All this is just you coping?" You look at him dead in the face.

He nods his head, "Yup."

You frown, "Bullshit." he scoffs, "Sure bet it does sound like bullshit, Ford see though here's the difference between me and you on all this, you give a fuck and I don't. I'm here because we're family. I'm here because what other choice do I have hmm? I don't care one lick for the whole politics between you, mom, dad, and the other folk back home, never have I play along because it's easier." he sighs, "You know what I miss? I miss hunting. It's the one thing me you and dad did that didn't feel like it was sink or swim. Felt.... I don't know normal? What even is fucking normal."

You take another drink, "We're more normal than most of the Wasteland Andy, in fact it's the wasteland that's abnormal, world isn't meant to be like this." Andrew rolls his eyes once more, "Oh come on now, you're getting lost in your 400 year old books and documents now, open your eyes Ford, smell the radiation normal isn't static."
>>
You take a breath to cool yourself after that remark, "Andrew we're getting no where fast like this." He smirks, "So I speak my mind like you want and suddenly it's no where fast then?" You narrow your eyes, "Knock that shit off, I'm neither making a scene here or anywhere at this and I'm not dropping this or leaving you alone because of it."

He frowns and leans back, "Well then what? What's your big plan to sway me hmm?"

You look off to the side, "Well aside from calling you a petulant child, I don't have one, at least not any good one right now, ask me again in an hour."

He laughs a little, "What out of fancy speeches?" You shake you're head, "Nah just trying to walk a few feet in your shoes, unfortunately they're a bit to tight for me so I think I'll have to stop short of the mile." Andrew nods, "Sure thing clown feet."

You blow air out your nose, "Ok, but really though I get it... maybe not entirely, but things are moving fast.... perhaps to fast I've never had a year feel so short in my life." you grab your drink and swirl it for a little bit, "It's not easy to keep up with all of it, I'm not even sure I'm keeping up with it at times, the way dads been at my throat along with the way everyone is just ready to tear our community apart."

Andrew gives you a kind of sympathetic look, but doesn't say anything.

You sigh, slamming back the shot like you told yourself you wouldn't, "I don't begrudge you wanting to just say fuck it. you're not wrong it's definitely the easiest thing you can do, in fact I don't care if that's how you feel at home or while hunting or doing your own stuff... just please, I'm asking you as your brother, don't do it while we're out here working."

He purses his lips and looks like he's going to say something before just finishing his own drink.

there's an awkward silence for a bit, but you break it first, "I'm just worried about you and the team. It's part of my job, as a leader and a brother."

He nods, "I get it, I do." he stares at his glass for a while drinking in the previous conversation.

What do you do?
>Leave the conversation there, he's got plenty to chew on right now and you've got another sibling to address.
>Push the point now that he's taking it seriously [speech check]
>Sit there with him in the booth, you've had your serious talk, maybe now you can just hang out for a bit as brothers.
>write in
>>
>>5867627
>Push the point now that he's taking it seriously [speech check]
>Afterwards hang out like brothers
Maybe some boy talk about chasing some tail? I’m sure it’ll get a couple laughs from how serious we’ve been.
>>
>>5867627
>Push the point now that he's taking it seriously [speech check]
>>
>>5867669
+1 to all this, just take it easy with the booze.
>>
>>5867627
>>Push the point now that he's taking it seriously [speech check]
>>
>>5867548
Yes we did is mostly either broken or damaged APA in the google doc that i suggest you to check anon right now. The equipment needs proper materials for proper repairs. And were our exodus will go there is such place
>>
>>5867627
>Push the point now that he's taking it seriously [speech check]
>>
>>5867627
>Push the point now that he's taking it seriously [speech check]
If we get serious is best we remain it. Otherwise we should do one of the two i think
>>
>>5867627
>Push the point now that he's taking it seriously [speech check]

America bro, You can't give up Bro.
>>
A reminder I don't run on Sundays so the vote'll stay open until tomorrow
>>
>>5867627
>>Push the point now that he's taking it seriously [speech check]
>>
>>5868023
gotcha
>>
>Push the point now that he's taking it seriously [speech check]

Wins

Little slow to get up today but thats what happens when you stay up until 4am.

Anyways I'm gonna need three anons to roll me 1d100.

Challenging Speech check dv 50
Rutherford Jefferson-Jackson +10
Brotherly bond +10

YOU HAVE 1 REROLL

Criticals disabled for this test

0 Successes: Your words don't seem to go any further, seems he's quite set in his view at the moment.
1 Success: He's not exactly stirred to action but he at the very least seems to be handled for the moment.
2 Successes: He hasn't quite taken your words to heart but he'll definitely try too.
3 Successes: He's gets the picture for the time being until things have settled he'll try it your way.
>>
Rolled 57 (1d100)

>>5868714
Begone, nerd.
>>
Rolled 42 (1d100)

>>5868714
>>
Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>5868714
DC70 right?
>>
>>5868748
Yes so we got

3 Successes: He's gets the picture for the time being until things have settled he'll try it your way.

Writing
>>
>>5868769
you okay bro
>>
>>5869048
+1
>>
>>5869048
Yeah I'm fine I had to take care of some stuff that took up my whole day. I'll try to get it up tomorrow.
>>
>>5869127
Phrasing
>>
You push your back into the booth, weighing in your mind where to go from here. You could let him stew in his thoughts, or you could try to strike a decisive rhetorical blow to absolutely ensure he internalizes the conversation you just had. Of course that comes with the risk of him outright rejecting it due to push back, but that's a risk you're willing to take.

You take your glass in both hands despite it being empty, mostly just using it to keep your hands centered on something while you speak, "Andrew, I need you to promise me something." He looks up from his glass at you waiting for your follow up. "Promise me that we'll make it through this together. At the minimum until we have a new home, and hopefully beyond that." Your face is soft but your eyes are hard, and Andrew just sighs.

He leans his head back staring at the ceiling for a bit before nodding, "Alright, I promise... won't say anything about afterwards we'll see what it looks like then." You smile at your brother who gives you a small smile back. He then speaks up, "So anything else? Gonna stick around for another drink or do you have other people to lecture mercilessly."

You scoff as you stand up, "First off, my lectures aren't merciless, secondly no, but I do have other people I need to talk to before the days over and our work starts." He shrugs and then waves you off, "Well then get to it you workaholic." You shake your head as you leave, he might be ready to put in some genuine effort for the time being, but you're not sure there's a way to crack through that irreverent attitude. That being said, you're brothers first and soldiers second so you expect this kind of thing regardless of rank even if it's not professional.

You leave the bar to head back to the Hotel. Elizabeth was likely to have remained in her room, not exactly being one to enjoy mingling with others, no less with wastelanders whom she barely tolerated the presence of. You don't exactly blame her the average wastelander isn't anything special, they really do conform to the expectations Enclave Doctrine prescribes to them. That having been said, at least as far as missions are concerned she needs to adjust to being around them more if nothing else for operational security.

The day may come where she doesn't have too, but that day is long from now. Regardless you're not here to talk to her about that, quite the opposite the fact that you can even think about that rather than her lashing out against them mid mission is a step in the right direction. A real showing that she's taken your conversations earlier to heart, and given her feelings of exclusion earlier, some praise would do her well.

[continue]
>>
Heading back up the stairwell and to her door you knock on it. As expected you hear her voice on the otherside, "Who's there?" you respond simple with, "It's me." a few footsteps later and the door is opened and you're let in. The Hotel Room isn't exactly very well kept, but your sister's own room back home isn't either. Maybe it's more comfortable to her like this? You're not exactly sure.

She pulls up a chair for you and sits on the bed herself, "What're we talking about Ford?"

You take the seat, "Just wanted to let you know that I'm aware of the restraint and growth you've had over the past few expeditions into wastelander cities. I appreciate the effort."

She leans back on the bed sort of falling backwards into it, as if letting gravity take away the tension in her body. She's quite for a bit, "I don't like it Ford... I don't any of it." she's straight to the point, "We're out here and all we're doing is skulking around in the shadows. Make's me feel useless." She takes the chance to sit up after finishing the sentence, "Sure there was Santa Rosa, but I got this nagging feeling Ford that there's gonna be more of this and less of that for a long time..."

You get the feeling she's building up to something, but you wait for her to say it.

"Why am I even here on this mission? You trying to teach me a lesson or something? I mean I appreciate what you said earlier, and I guess it wouldn't be proper procedure to not go with the full squad I just don't get it." She says trying to put her thoughts to words, "I mean hell even Grant seems bored out of his mind, and that man's never bored... or well I mean he's usually so stoic I can't tell the difference, but I think he's bored right now?" she scratches the back of her head not certain of her previous statement.

You take the opportunity to speak up, "Well you're hear because not every thing always goes smoothly when we go in quite like this and you're one of the best on the team when it comes to straight up fighting. Same with Grant, he's a good second in command I value his opinion on things even if it's not exactly his forte." You pause for a moment to see if there's a response and she's just waits for you to continue so you do.

How do you continue?
>Remind her that all of this serves a purpose, so that we one day don't have to do this anymore.
>Steer the conversation away from that, you came here to build her up not to have another existential debate
>Take the chance to add some perspective to these choices. Maybe we can find a way to apply that drive outside of combat.
>Write in
>>
>>5869525
>>Take the chance to add some perspective to these choices. Maybe we can find a way to apply that drive outside of combat.
>>
>>5869525
>Remind her that all of this serves a purpose, so that we one day don't have to do this anymore.
>>
>Remind her... purpose.
>Emphasize that everyone in the team has a major role to play, but that each mission requires more or less of a focus from that role. When mutant shit hits the APA reactor cooling fan, there's no-one you'd rather have by your side than her.
>Tell her to clean her room, as an "order" from her brother.
>>
>>5869525
>Remind her that all of this serves a purpose, so that we one day don't have to do this anymore.
>>Write in
>"Elizabeth what we are doing here test us as soldiers of the Enclave and America. Time to time we have to be flexible, we have to be a different weapon. We cant always be ready with an incinerator, we need to be ready with a knife in hand if required or faking to be a wastelander. I know its difficult, and you would like nothing else but to show the enemies our fire and steel, but this mission has a reason. We have to act like this, because if we can keep our cover while taking out the traitors and take away that research from the Shi, we would not only further damage this foe but make justice. For Navarro, for the Rig, for the cells. All without the Shi having a single clue of who we are."
>"And this is important, until we are ready no one must think we still exist. Beth, we have to make sure the Exodus is a success. The cell, our family, that's what matters. I assure you there will be more battles, where we will slaughter the foes of the Enclave but this kind of operations require some level of stealth. Understood ? Beside i have planned something else to leave to the Shi, something to do with the NCR. We will make all of them pay, Beth."
>>
>>5869525
>Take the chance to add some perspective to these choices. Maybe we can find a way to apply that drive outside of combat.
>>
>>5869525
>"Elizabeth what we are doing here will test us as soldiers of the Enclave and America. Time to time we have to be flexible, we have to be a different weapon. We can't always be ready with an incinerator, we need to be ready with a knife in hand if required or faking to be a wastelander. I know its difficult, and you would like nothing else but to show the enemies our fire and steel, but this mission has a reason. We have to act like this, because if we can keep our cover while taking out the traitors and take away that research from the Shi, we would not only further damage this foe but make justice. For Navarro, for the Rig, for the cells."
>"We have to do things in stealth this way for the sake of destroying our enemies. I assure you there will be more battles, where we will slaughter the foes of the Enclave, but we must make sure the Shi and the NCR suffer for all they've done."
>>
>Remind her that all of this serves a purpose, so that we one day don't have to do this anymore.

Wins

Write up should come sometime tomorrow.
>>
>>5869525
>Remind her that all of this serves a purpose, so that we one day don't have to do this anymore.
>Ask her what she sees for her future. What she really wants. Where she sees herself in that society.
>We're going in an indirect way to fulfill the Enclave's mission of restoring America. It's about laying the path that leads to righteous fury. When that time comes, there is no one better to have than her.
>She's our double-edged sword, our Joan of Arc. But Joan had a terrible end, and we don't want to see that happen to her. She's our sister and we want to make a future that she can live in.
>>
>>5869525
>Take the chance to add some perspective to these choices. Maybe we can find a way to apply that drive outside of combat.
I’m curious what this would open up, and it’s a smart way to blow off some steam
>>
>>5869525
>>5869738
+1
>>
Wait the vote ended, sorry.
>>
>>5870221
If it's any consolation anon I'm gonna try and splice the write ins together because they all sort of lend themselves to the same overarching point.

That said still gonna be a few more hours before I can write properly today.
>>
>>5869907
While you didn't see the winner of the vote, i have an idea of your question.
Probably something related to an hobby or some work/study. Beside combat and warfare, which is one core part of the small culture of our people (the other being America), the Enclave cell of Navarro is quite militarized probably more than other cells.
I wouldn't be surprised if Ford offered to study together american history and the constitution, has an option for example.
Elizabeth aside, our little "incident" we are concocting for make a fire between the NCR and Shi if it doesn't immediately work (which i doubt because we have very hot material in our hands), it is quite likely it will be very close to our desired result regardless simply for the nature of it. So we might need to wait or add just a bit more heat..... like a border incident.
Perhaps forcing a Shi patrol and a NCR patrol to collide, and see if there can be some witnesses on both sides for blame eachother. Maybe leaving some NCR dead soldiers around for the NCR patrol to find with clear wounds made by Shi weapons....
We would no doubt need to radio home before we do this (if we need to which I don't think so), but is not impossible and definetly easier than doing any operations inside this city.

Remember when our enemies fight eachother they think less about us, and that means we risk less heat with them.
>>
"I know that things might not seem to have a purpose in the moment, but we're doing this for a reason. We're doing this so that when we're done we never have to do it again." You lean back a bit before straightening your posture, "If we're not careful, if we don't do these kinds of jobs, if everyone doesn't play their part then that's it. For all the power we have we're barely even numbering around 50 or so here and the NCR is thousands, tens to maybe even hundreds of thousand, and then there's the Shi and the Brotherhood both of which are on a more even footing with us, and yet even they're struggling to deal with the influence and power of the NCR."

You stand up to walk over to a window, "But it's jobs like this that let us strike a decisive blow to many threats at once. You're role in this might be a bit part right now, but when the time comes you'll have your chance to shine, and I'm sure you'll shine bright." you look out at San Francisco and frown slightly, "Let me ask you Elizabeth, where do you see us all in the future? What's it that you really want out of all this?"

Elizabeth blinks a few times at the question, before putting on a contemplative look, "I don't know Ford... I haven't really thought about it." she pauses for a bit, "It never really seemed important, I mean can we really afford to think about the future when we don't know if we'll have one?"

You turn around and sit back into the chair and lean forwards, "The Future is everything Liz. It's what we're fighting for more than anything else, the future of America. Whether it will be a land that is healing returning to the glories of the old world, or one marred by it's scars forever more. We have to think beyond the conflict to what kind of world we want to live in truly... I want the America of old, that righteous Democracy that sat pre-eminent in the world. What I see now is so far from that in these wastelands, either a corrupt parody of the system or an attempt at a complete refutation." you take a breath, "Really think Elizabeth, what is it that you want to fight for?"

She kinda freezes up at the question not really sure what to respond with, "I mean.... I'm fighting for America too I suppose." Though she seemed uncertain of the statement. You shake your head, "Think on it Elizabeth. Take some time to really think on that question." Elizabeth nods at this.

You stand up once more to head for the door, as you reach it you stop and turn around, "And Liz, you're doing great. You might not have the answers, but no one ever does the first time. I'm not even sure I do, but I'll find mine as long as I keep looking." you exit the room and close the door then double back, "Oh right and clean up your room." then you leave before she has a chance to protest, though the slightly gobsmacked look on her face after the seriousness of the conversation prior was pretty amusing.
>>
You head back to your own room and settle down on to the bed, having spent most of the time you had dealing with your siblings you haven't had a lot of time to think to yourself on this mission. Thinking back to what you said to both of them though maybe you're a bit more firm in your own understanding of the world than you realized. Still there's always that thin line back home when all of this is said and done. Less than Half a year, if we can make it that far then we'll be set. Doubt creeps up on your mind for but a moment, lingering and reminding you just how tenuous it all is before you brush it away. You can think about what you can do to insure the peace when the missions done.

As it is though you look up and the sun has set. The Time has come to steal that formula.
_______

You gathered the team together and split into two groups, the first group being Rosaline, Andrew, Thomas and Jacob and the second team being yourself, Grant and Elizabeth. The First team would infiltrate under the guise of Janitors to search the compound for the formula whilst keeping in contact with team 2 about their status. If shit hits the fan then you and team 2 will head in faces concealed and with some proper combat equipment and fight your way to the formula.

The back up plan isn't great, but it does give us the opportunity to lay on further animosities between the NCR and the Shi. No doubt the NCR likely has it's own power armor research at the moment stealing this formula would make sense for them. Regardless we'll be getting out of town in this case and heading to an NCR settlement to provide the evidence anonymously before pulling out of the area entirely.

If all goes well however then we'll take the time to gather a little bit extra on the Traitors while helping to plant the seeds of rivalry and disdain between the Shi and the NCR before leaving.
>>
Regardless it was show time.

Brutal Stealth Test DV 30
Rosaline +25
Thomas +5
Andrew +15
Jacob -5

final DV 70

I need 3 anons to give me 1d100

YOU HAVE 1 AUTO SUCCESS YOU MAY APPLY

CRIT FAIL: Oh shit security here is tight! (Team 1 is spotted, the response is immediate it will take 2 combat turns before team 2 can come to aid them against Shi Secuirty Forces)
0 Successes: Do they just have everyone around here on patrol? what's with all these questions?! (Team 2 is stonewalled by the Shi security protocols will require a speech check to proceed if check fails combat begins)
1 Success: Solid progress, but the guards are relentless with these protocols! (Team 2 has found the formula, but can't get into the section they need to retrieve it, speech check to proceed, if check fails several options to proceed will be presented)
2 Successes: Alright we're in, Just need Jacob to get into the systems (Team 2 has managed to get into the area where the formula is being stored as well as their records, a Tech test to hack their systems with a bonus due to familiarity from earlier is needed to get the data)
3 Successes: Without a hitch, Andrews keen eye spotted some notes around the office that let them piece together how to reset the computers password (Team gets in gets the formula and out without any complications or difficulty)
CRIT SUCCESS: When all is said and done it was like they were never there. (See 3 successes, but Jacob is able to put in a backdoor for later, and subtly mess with their research)
>>
>>5870611
Ah crap any reference to Team 2 in Successes 0-3 should be Team 1.
>>
Rolled 13 (1d100)

>>5870611
No rerolls? Was sure we had some.
>>
>>5870613
Not on all tests.

Jacob gets 2 on tech tests
Ford gets 1 on speech tests
Grant gets 1 on combat leadership tests
Andrew gets one when sniping
and the team gets 1 when fighting at night
>>
Rolled 77 (1d100)

>>5870611
Well here’s hoping I don’t fuck us.
>>
>>5870621
Yeah I know, I just thought that Rosaline had one for stealth tests.
>>
>>5870623
oddly enough she doesn't.
She's got a +1 success for speech checks and a +1 success for Stealth checks and then a lot of modifiers to stealth.
she also can't set off mechanical traps
>>
Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>5870611
Ball game.
>>
1 Success: Solid progress, but the guards are relentless with these protocols! (Team 2 has found the formula, but can't get into the section they need to retrieve it, speech check to proceed, if check fails several options to proceed will be presented)

Do you want to spend the success to get

2 Successes: Alright we're in, Just need Jacob to get into the systems (Team 2 has managed to get into the area where the formula is being stored as well as their records, a Tech test to hack their systems with a bonus due to familiarity from earlier is needed to get the data)

Instead?
>Yes
>No

30 minute vote
>>
>>5870633
Do we get that tech save again or does this still count as the same mission?
>>
>>5870645
Same mission, you don't get it refreshed until you're out of San Francisco and have some down time.
>>
>>5870646
Hmmm, would getting 3 successes on the tech test get us something better than 3 successes here?
>>
>>5870633
no

God I hate new captcha
>>
>>5870651
If you're asking whether or not it's better to get 3 successes on the Tech test from the 2 success option or 3 successes on the speech check on the 1 success option then I can't exactly answer that question.

What I can tell you is that you would have to roll less with the Tech test and at a better bonus.

Not to say that the speech route doesn't have other opportunities, but I can't spoil everything.
>>
>>5870633
>NO
Eat the loss.
>>
Alright No it is

1 Success: Solid progress, but the guards are relentless with these protocols! (Team 2 has found the formula, but can't get into the section they need to retrieve it, speech check to proceed, if check fails several options to proceed will be presented)

Challenging Speech Test DV 50
Rosaline +10
Thomas +10
Jacob -5

Final DV 65

Anons I need 3 of you to give me 1d100

YOU HAVE 2 AUTO SUCCESSES YOU MAY SPEND FOR SPEECH TESTS

CRIT FAILURE: We've been made! (Combat begins it will take team 2 three combat turns to reach team 1 as they fight Shi Security Forces)
0 Successes: Crap I think they're on to us (Shi Security Forces begin to investigate the legitimacy of Team 1, options will be provided)
1 Success: Well we got in, but they're watching us like hawks what now? (A stealth check will be required to successfully remove the guard impeding further progress)
2 Successes: And you have a nice afternoon sir (Team 1 makes it to the formula's location and needs to hack in a Tech test will be required [Jacob still gets a bonus for familiarity])
3 Successes: You're just a sweetheart aren't you officer? (Rosaline slight of hands the guards ID, no test required to get the formula, but a quick get away will follow before they can realize it's gone.)
CRIT SUCCESS: Yes absolutely, you passed inspection officer. (Convinced the officer that you're actually Shi officials performing a security test, and have him provide you with access to the formula and other security roles to 'inspect')
>>
Rolled 4 (1d100)

>>5870682
>>
Rolled 35 (1d100)

>>5870682
Oh joy
>>
Rolled 33 (1d100)

>>5870682
With Liberty and Justice for all!
>>
3 Successes: You're just a sweetheart aren't you officer? (Rosaline slight of hands the guards ID, no test required to get the formula, but a quick get away will follow before they can realize it's gone.)

Congratulations gentlemen we got'em

Writing.
>>
>>5870715
bare in mind that I may fall asleep before I finish so it might go up tonight or sometime tomorrow.
>>
>>5870715
Excellent
>>
Will there be more opportunities to find more dirt on the Enclave collaborators it all goes well?
>>
>>5871115
see
"If all goes well however then we'll take the time to gather a little bit extra on the Traitors while helping to plant the seeds of rivalry and disdain between the Shi and the NCR before leaving."
from >>5870610
>>
>>5870682
Its a fucking shame everybody has betrayed AMERICA. But atleast we got the Formula
>>
>>5871514
This formula will help us when we have a proper home. Perhaps the NCR research could be add tp our efforts with a proper intrigue plan on Shady Sands.
Though its a far bigger city.
>>
Alright I've started writing for today, work took longer than anticipated.
>>
Team one having dressed up in their disguises took a bit of a round about way of entering the compound where the formula was stored. As it would be very strange if four janitors all entered the building at once they entered in a staggered pattern, the first in was Rosaline, followed by Thomas, then Andrew then lastly Jacob. Having pilfered the keys from the Janitor they had obtained the uniform from entrance was the easy part.

The hard part was making it look natural beyond that. Luckily the shift schedule was available in the back room where the Janitorial staff got their equipment and took their breaks. It didn't say exactly where every person on duty would be that night, but it was a simple enough endeavor to set up a trap back in the break room. Rosaline would slip some carefully prepared drugs into the water cooler guaranteed to incapacitate anyone that came back there by making them fall asleep. It being the night shift this wouldn't be all too suspicious unless they were unresponsive for to long a period.

It was a matter of carefully waiting, and hiding the bodies once the number became suspicious before getting the right number of Janitors missing so that everyone could wander the halls unacosted. There were a few close calls but pairing up between the two most charismatic members of the group with two of the least was able to allow the team to brush on by most issues.

It took longer than anyone would care to admit, and if it weren't for the intermittent status updates you were getting you'd be deeply concerned about the state of team 1. Still you finally receive the message over comms, "We've found the objective." you nod to yourself, "Understood, any trouble?" there's a short pause, "Negative" it was Andrew over on the comms as he was the best at staying out of sight and mind, "though there's a couple of guards that are outside the place that are heckling Rose and Tom, about permission to enter the premises or something of the like."

You click your tougue, "And how's that going?" another short pause, "Well enough, looks like Rosaline's got one of them tied around her finger, while the other one's being distracted by Tom.... and they're gone." There's another short pause, "Yeah apparently she convinced one of them there was gonna be an inspection or something in a bit, and the other one had to chase after the guy for abandoning post.... holy shit she swiped his keycard."

You blink your eyes a few times staring at the building wondering what exactly is going on in there.
>>
Back inside Team 1 enters to the room where the Formula's research was stored using the guards keycard. Luckily it would appear that the Guards here have some emergency access rights so that they can either retrieve or delete data in the case of some sort of hostile breach. Utilizing these rights Jacob manages to download off the formula for Hardened Power Armor, as well as access some materials necessary to make some of the solution for later down the line. With all of that obtained they exited the area making sure to put everything back in order while Rosaline quietly drops the card where the conversation was happening earlier to make it seem like the guard had dropped it in their haste.

Jacob however was about to double back, before Rosaline pulled him away, "what are you doing?" Jacob looked at her, "Gotta clean the audit logs." Rosaline shakes her head, "No way we've got time for that, come on, no one knows us and we're keeping are heads low we'll be out of town before it even matters."

Jacob clenches his teeth for a bit, but she was right the guards would be back any minute and they didn't have admin rights to mess with the audit logs on those terminals. With that understanding the whole of Team 1 makes their way out of the building in the same staggered fashion returning to you and the rest of your group.

You look expectantly at them and Jacob walks up and links your pipboys together transferring the data over to you. You skim it, and nod, this'll be useful for sure. [Hardened Power Armor when applied will reduce all incoming damage by 1, if an attack would do 1 damage to you it now does 0. Requires Advanced Science Lab 1 turn to make 1 dose which applies to 1 suit of power armor]

With the formula in hand once more you retreat to the Hotel although this would be the last time you'd do this, and mostly it was to get everything packed up to get out of town as fast as possible after your next stop. You really wanted to cement your ploy to get the Shi and NCR hostile with each other, so you'd be heading out in force to do one last sweep over the traitors homes in order to make sure you absolutely had everything you could get.

There's a few ways you can go about this. You could play to your teams advantages since you're heading out of town anyways and just go all in on a night time raid of the residence once you've confirmed there's no one home. It's unlikely that the security forces could respond in time but it's still very risky, one wrong move could have you surrounded.

No you won't play that hand, not when you're so close to getting out of here. You'll keep it cool, another distraction or having your infiltrators create a way forwards is the way to go.
Which do you do?
>Create a distraction [Tech Test]
>Infiltrators [Stealth Test]
>>
>>5871648
>Infiltrators [Stealth Test]
>>
>>5871648
>>Infiltrators [Stealth Test]
>>
>>5871648
>Infiltrators [Stealth Test]
>>
We have bonuses to Tech rolls but not Stealth rolls, correct?

Them catching on to a breach later on could work out in our favor for creating more enmity towards the NCR.
>>
>>5871701
You have bonuses to both they're just different.
Tech has 2 rerolls and +25 to DV
Stealth has with your primary infiltrators +30-45 to DV depending on circumstance and 1 auto success
>>
>>5871648
>>Infiltrators [Stealth Test]
>>
>>5871711
Thanks for the clarification, in that case I'll vote:
>Infiltrators
Holding out hope some of them aren't total sellouts.
>>
>>5871648
>Create a distraction [Tech Test]
I like the rerolls, and maybe we’ll learn some other important things in the process
>>
>>5871648
>>Infiltrators [Stealth Test]
>>
Infiltrators [Stealth Test] Wins

Get your dice warmed up folks.

Challenging Stealth Test DV 50
Rosaline +25
Andrew +15
Thomas +5

YOU HAVE 1 AUTO SUCCESS

Final DV 95

I need 3 people to roll me 1d100

Crit Fail: [not possible]
0 Successes: Looks like there's nothing left to find
1 Success: A few extra bits and pieces of evidence doesn't hurt
2 Successes: Well now how do we get these out of here? (Found a small stash of Enlcave Plasma weapons)
3 Successes: Wow what the hell is an engineer doing with a suit of APA? (in addition to 2 Successes found a suit of APA)
CRIT SUCCESS: Hold up... somethings not lining up with our initial assumption (Find evidence that one of the traitors was playing a long con)
>>
Rolled 45 (1d100)

>>5871781
>>
Rolled 63 (1d100)

>>5871781
Come on crit-success!
>>
Want me to roll again?
>>
Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>5871781
>>
3 Successes: Wow what the hell is an engineer doing with a suit of APA? (in addition to 2 Successes found a suit of APA)

it is.

Writing, will probably post sometime tommorrow.
>>
>>5871799
Hey, we got a 1! Please ignore the 5 pls ignore da 5 plsignorethe5-
>>
>>5871802
T'were that only the case.
Best I can do you for is a 10 in base 15.
>>
>>5871810
;_;

It’s a shame- the real coup would be getting the personnel back, even if it was just a lone wolf instead of a dedicated squad (or two) of expert nerds
>>
That's alright, there's still the NCR inmates, plus who knows, maybe more personnel gathered at Groom Lake, Iron Mountain, Vegas, or somewhere else in the mountains/deserts. Plas + APA is a pretty sweet find.
>>
>>5871815
Sometimes it happens, but walking out of here with formula, more knowledge about the Shi, and creating a conflict between the Shi and NCR is still excellent.

>>5871823
Exactly there are still other cells and personnel out there that, that can be saved if we find them again. Its a shame but it was inevitable to find some rotten apples, not everyone would have remain loyal despite what happened.
Another APA is great though taking it out of the house will be a bit of a nuisance, unless we find the right way for do it. We already entered in the house and have seen the patrols of this city quarter before, so not impossible.
>>
No update today, something came up with work before the holiday season start and I'd prefer to not get bogged down in it while I'm trying to enjoy Christmas. If all goes well I should be able to post an update tomorrow.
>>
You opted to put faith into your infiltrators on this one. That's a luxury you didn't have last time as you were split up at the time. With Andrew, Thomas and Rosaline on point today regarding their capabilities you'll have to remember to commend the whole team for a job well done at the end of this. Just a little bit more and we'll be out of the Shi. You detest this place more the longer you stay in it, something about it just unnerves you even if you can't quite put it to words and you couldn't be happier to wipe your hands clean of it.

The three head off from the group quietly skulking in the dark around the peripheries of the block all separately converging on the property before checking their surroundings one last time. The Front door lock wasn't anything truly amazing and was once again picked with ease. When the three entered the building Andrew immediately noticed something off about the place stopping everyone just short pointing out something that even you and the rest had missed in the ceiling. There was a slight divot in the ceiling that had been painted over very carefully to make it blend in. It was a turret of some kind.

It was sitting near the back of the living room, though the detection system it was using wasn't clear. You ask Jacob to see if he can catch any signals coming and going from it. To your surprise it seems to have been running Enclave FoF, an older signal, but one still on your cells records. That'd make some sense if he didn't want the anyone but other members of the Enclave to enter the building uninvited. Maybe it's a precautionary measure? It was strange, but none the less not the most strange thing there by far as not long after having called out the turret Andrews Scavenging skills came up to bat finding a switch hidden just behind a corner table near the stairwell leading up stairs.

When he hit it the stair well shifted from pointing upstairs towards a downward angle leading to bunker style door, not unlike your own homes, though you didn't have such a needlessly elaborate mechanism involved, yours was more just a hidden cellar. Regardless the three carefully head down to the new found basement/bunker and find there's no immediate way to open the door. Jacob chimed in over the radio to check the upstairs computer, there might be some sort of signal it can send to open the door.
>>
So they head back up, flick the switch again and the stairwell slowly and quietly raises back up Thomas heads up while the other two stay down stairs. He sifts through the computer for a bit after having been fed the password by Jacob, but finds nothing much. He then checks around the desk to little avail. He sits back down looking at the computer one last time before trying something stupid as he was about to give up. He opened the command line on the terminal and ran "Run door.exe" shockingly the downstairs group hear the sound of the door click ever so slightly through the thick walls and floor. When he comes back down Rosaline asks him, "So how'd you find it?"

He looked back at her, "Find what?" she blinked, "The door you found what opened it." He staired for a moment, "I did? I mean I didn't see files or immediate commands available on the terminal so all I did was for the fuck of it try telling the command line to run door.exe" There was a long silence as everyone just processed that information and Jacob had to sit down and hold his hand in his face from your hiding spot muttering something about hidden files in the drive or the like, a simple oversight and can't believe he didn't think of that the first time.

Still the three back in the building flick the switch one last time before heading down to find the small bunker. Inside of it was an Enclave style bunker, fitted with supplies for up to ten people, as well as a small collection of plasma rifles and pistols [five each] along with about 3 reloads worth of fusion cells each. However the real prize was the suit of Advanced Power Armor down there behind a containment field. There was no lock on the field however as an emergency switch next to it shut it down allowing access to the armor.

Scrounging about the place Thomas, Andrew and Rosaline all start taking pictures and seeing if there was anything else of value down here. However nothing availed itself to them beyond what you had just found.

Something in the back of your head was itching for more, like you knew there was something not quite right here. Something felt.... to easy about all of this, but you couldn't put your finger on why. Regardless getting all of that gear out of there would be very difficult as it'd be a few miles you'd have to smuggle the thing out with.

You could probably get the plasma weapons no issue, but the power armor? You're not sure you could swing that past customs, there's just no good way to hide it, and getting past them out of the city unnoticed would be a nightmare. Still it'd be a nice consolation prize if you could get it out....

Do you attempt to take the Power Armor
>Yes [Impossible difficulty stealth check, Bonuses for a good plan to get it out of the city]
>No [you take the plasma weapons and the new evidence, close the door and the stairwell and get out of San Francisco with no extra hassle]
>>
>>5873130
>>No [you take the plasma weapons and the new evidence, close the door and the stairwell and get out of San Francisco with no extra hassle]
>>
>>5873130
>>No [you take the plasma weapons and the new evidence, close the door and the stairwell and get out of San Francisco with no extra hassle]
If anyone has a good plan I'd be willing to change my vote.
>>
>>5873130
Couldn't we just take the power armor apart and disguise it as scrap and/or hide it amongs other junk then put it back together later? They don't have metal detectors and shit do they?
>>
>>5873130
> Something in the back of your head was itching for more, like you knew there was something not quite right here. Something felt.... to easy about all of this, but you couldn't put your finger on why.
Can we also not investigate this feeling further?
>>
>>5873195
It's actually probably not Ferrous so it wouldn't likely show up on a metal detector (Since it seems to be some sort of mixture of light metal alloy, ceramics, and polylaminate) that having been said disguising it as scrap would be somewhat difficult as you don't have much on you, you could try and bury it under some of your purchases from earlier in you time in San Francisco, but they'd still likely want to inventory your goods, and the shi being familiar with Old world tech and using a decent amount of it themselves would have decent odds at sussing out power armor from scrap metal. It's not a bad foundation, but it's definitely not so simple.

>>5873198
You can, it's just not what's on the forefront of Ford's mind at the moment, he's more concerned with getting out of enemy territory after performing a high profile theft and once again infiltrating a high profile individuals home. To add to that he just wants to get out of San Francisco in general, he hasn't liked the feeling of the city since he got here.

There'll be an option afterwards once you get out of the city regardless of which option you take to try and puzzle together what might be at play.
>>
>>5873205
We could make spaces within clothes, backpacks and the like. If there isn't sufficient hidden storage space then get some sort of transporation and make more hidden compartments until we can fit all of it in somewhere. Make multiple trips in and out if necessary.
>>
>>5873130
>Yes [Impossible difficulty stealth check, Bonuses for a good plan to get it out of the city]
Simple- have our stealth people exfil in the night with the armor while Jacob sets up another tech distraction- we should still have our Night Operations bonus helping us out. Maybe even set it up to where an NCR caravan takes the fallor becomes the distraction.
>>
>>5873214
>>5873221
A combination of these two I think would account for enough details for the good plan bonus.
>>
>>5873130
>>Yes [Impossible difficulty stealth check, Bonuses for a good plan to get it out of the city]
Take apart the armor and hide it among some of the group who will sneak out at night. Backpack, clothing, whatever. While we do that, Jacob sets up a tech distraction to put everyone on in high gear and to not care about whatever we're doing. Like how people would blow up cars so a bank robbery could go over smoothly.
Bag and tag.
>>
>>5873222
Also, Im working under the assumption that we're within a walled city. If we're not then this gets way easier. If we are, then we could also search for some vulnerability to sneak through.
>>
>>5873130
>>5873184
I'll change my vote to support a combination of these two >>5873214 >>5873221
>>
>>5873229
There are barriers protecting the entrances and exits of San Francisco, not necessarily solid walls, but a combination of them and military fencing to delineate their border with the NCR.
>>
>>5873234
It's set up such because the Shi is a City state literally surrounded by a Wasteland superpower, so their border is militarized for security purposes.
They've got formal relations, you know an embassy, and trade deals, but the Shi are also not operating under the pretense that the NCR can't or won't become hostile in the future especially as San Francisco grows more and more developed in it's own right.
>>
>>5873234
Then there should be some vulnerabilities available to us, some place with little barriers or guards.
>>
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863 KB
863 KB PNG
>>5873250
Probably, though there's only one true land border, the other two ways require bridge crossings.
I'm going to use a map from Old World Blues, mostly because there's not really a good political map of the setting in general, but it should suffice to make the point.

That main land border is maybe 45 miles wide? There's bound to be a gap, but not one that would stay open for vary long should anything go loud. Assuming there's major bases at the end points and the center point then that's about 22 miles between the two, in good conditions assuming a reasonable pace and vehicles we're looking at 5-10 minute response times.

Which is enough time to get through definitely for a group as small as yours it'd just be a bit tight if it were to go loud. Upside you have is that once your in NCR territory the Shi aren't likely to pursue you very far if they catch wind since they're not exactly (at this moment) looking to pick a fight with the NCR who has one decreasingly important issue of the Brotherhood of Steel.
>>
>>5873267
Do we have NVGs? Good luck to the Shi if we do and then do a crossing at night. Even one would be enough if we do a conga line. Hell, if there's a full moon then we could do it without one.
>>
>>5873271
I'm not sure if it's standard kit for infiltration missions, but regardless of that the APA helmet would have Night Vision, and the group given their training would probably have access to one or two sets of goggles likely.
Of course the Conga line still comes for once you get out of the urban section of the city state, but yeah I see what you're getting at.
>>
>>5873276
Then do we get a further bonus or what?

>>5873130
>Yes [Impossible difficulty stealth check, Bonuses for a good plan to get it out of the city]
In case that wasn't already clear btw.
>>
>>5873292
Yeah I'll bump it up from Impossible to Brutal since it's still incredibly hard to get out of the city, but once you do you're mostly home free as opposed to the monumental task of trying to get out of the city via more legitimate means.

I'll let the vote go for another hour because I've got some other things I need to do real quick and to let everyone take in the current information.
>>
>>5873294
Then, to further enhance our chances, could we use old defunct metro lines or sewers to get around the city?
>>
>>5873298
Well the sewers probably aren't defunct at this point though I can't speak to the level of repurposing vs new sewer lines that are involved here as that's beyond me, not sure about the metrolines... probably haven't rehabilitated those, though there's probably a lot of flooding for parts of them since several lines run under the bay. There's one line that runs to around where the border assuming there's no collapses in it which seems unlikely.

It might help you a bit, but I'm not sure it'll get you as far as you'd like, honestly I can't even find a good map of the sewers for San Fran currently just a couple of coverage areas, and some piping, but none of those lead where you'd want to go except one that's already near the end that doesn't go very far into the city.
>>
>>5873302
Well, kind of running out of ideas now. Maybe we could offer a vagrant a paycheck if he guides us through the concrete jungle discreetly. You'd have to distinguish between the junkies and the urban explorers but I think it's plausible.
>>
>>5873294
Thinking about it, we’ve got a significant charismatic opportunity with our team that we could be taping into. Between Thomas’ charisma, Rose’s lies, and Lizzy’s intimidation, we could feasibly bluff our way though, in addition to stealth. That, or cause such a social stir that it’ll take the heat off of us and provide a easy distraction.

Or we could us it to gain more critical intel on the Shi Cell via a conversation, without them becoming aware. After all, we do trade in high tech cargo, and they are active engineers and scientists.
>>
>>5873304
Maybe just pay for for some smugglers to ship us across the Bay- I’m sure there’s a dingy or two ‘fishing’ in these waters.
>>
>>5873317
the first part yes, the second part is a bit of an 11th hour decision given everything else that is currently happening, if you all opt to come back to San Francisco (which that option may be sooner than you'd think) then maybe.

Regardless I'm calling the vote
Yes wins

Brutal Stealth Test DV 30
Rosaline +25
Thomas +5
Andrew +15
Jacob -5
Ford +5
Grant -5
Elizabeth +0

+20 Good Planning
+1 Reroll Night time operations

Final DV 90

I need 3 anons to give me 1d100

YOU HAVE 1 REROLL
YOU HAVE 1 AUTO SUCCESS

CRITICAL FAILURE: This... did not go to plan... (You are discovered attempting to escape, fight for your lives) Caveat: Will on crit fail if there is a 100 and no other dice succeed
0 Successes: Looks like they're quicker on the uptake than I gave them credit for... (You make it near the edge of the city before a lockdown is called due to them discovering the theft of the formula)
1 Success: That was close, but that border is way better guarded than I'd imagined (You escape the city, but the border patrols are on point today leaving little to no gaps, options will be provided)
2 Successes: We're out, but we can't stop now (You escape the Shi Territory while hearing sirens in the distance, best to keep on the move)
3 Successes: So long San Francisco I will not miss you. (You escape the Shi Territory with plenty of time to spare)
CRITICAL SUCCESSES: Whose to say we can't make a show of it? (You escape the Shi Territory but not before setting up one last false flag to damage their relations with the NCR, gain a permanent team bonus)
>>
Rolled 13 (1d100)

>>5873323
>>
Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>5873323
>>
Rolled 11 (1d100)

>>5873323
>>
Rolled 24 (1d100)

>>5873323
Mainly, it’s just mean wanting to burn their speech auto-successes before the mission is over- since they don’t accumulate and only regenerate, I’d like to utilize then before we lose the opportunity.
>>
3 Successes: So long San Francisco I will not miss you. (You escape the Shi Territory with plenty of time to spare)
>>5873329
Fair enough, that said one need only wait and see what opportunities yet lay before you.


Writing
>>
>>5873330
Actually, quick question- I know it was stated before that we would need two auto-successes on top of three normal successes to achieve a critical success, I’m just curious if this would applies to three normal success, an auto-success, and a reroll success?
>>
>>5873333
It would not, a reroll is exactly as it states, a reroll it replaces a previous roll.
>>
>>5873334
Ah- figured I’d ask just to be sure. Way I sorta figured, could’ve been a gambling mechanic, if a crit success was the equivalent of 5 successes, and that if we failed the reroll, it would’ve downgraded our natural 3 pass to just a 2 pass. No harm in asking for a clarification.

Final question, just to satisfy my curiosity- any chance we could utilize Rose’s Venomous Words auto-success to achieve the false flag, since it synergies well, or is that not possible? I figure there’s no harm in asking.
>>
>>5873335
I'm going to say no for the sake of rules consistency, though I do get where you're coming from.
>>
>>5873335
As for the gamble, rerolls can be used to gamble, you can reroll a success to try and get a crit they're just not additive to any previous success if it's a normal success.

Like if you rerolled that 48 and got a 1 it'd be a crit success. At high DVs there's at least in my opinion a reasonable pay off to rerolling when you have 3 successes for the extra percentile chance at the crit.
>>
>>5873341
That said I'm reminded as to why I've been brewing something in the background for the future whenever I do finally finish this that works on a more mechanically simpler system that still retains a range of motion regarding success and failure.

But that's neither here nor there, Update will probably drop tomorrow morning.
>>
>>5873338
Fair’s fair- no harm in asking

>>5873341
While I get that, I think getting a 1 outta 100 is such low odds that there’s a lack of realistic incentive to gamble- granted, I’m not a number nerd, so I don’t actually know when it would become beneficial to gamble those odds beyond the obvious, though maybe Andrew’s sniping would be the sole exception.

There would probably be a greater urge to risk it on a dice roll if it was additive, assuming the DV was reasonably low- but maybe there is wisdom in keeping it non-additive.
>>
>>5873348
Well considering the scenario where you have Jacob's Tech rolls.
he has 2 rerolls natively to tech tests, on anything that isn't harder than challenging (DV 50 base) he's liable to just crit every single time if they were addative.
Resources in Quests are a fickle thing, as a QM I like them conceptually, but beyond just the balance there's also figuring out the right player impetus to utilize them without prompting.
The latter of which for some things is just not even possible.

Regardless the main reason is I want Critical Successes to remain exactly that, critical successes. At least with the auto success scenario that's a 1 on off buy in that can have a truly pivitol impact, it's engaging.
If the rerolls were additive I feel like that sorta takes away from the experience as soon as you get 2. Still useful beyond challenging tests but a lot of things would just become critical successes at that point right?
>>
>>5873352
well ok all the time is more hyperbole as 5 dice under 75 on a d100 is like almost 1 in 4, that's still a massive increase in critical successes.
>>
>>5873352
Fair- like I said, there’s wisdom in it remaining non-additive.

>>5873356
While that is a massive increase in percentile chance of a crit success, I think risk aversion would render that point mute- why risk a sure thing on a 1% chance on it backfiring?
>>
>>5873364
Maybe, though at this point this discussion is mostly moot, fun exercise though.
>>
Glad we took the armor. Sierra Madre? Never heard of her. If it comes to light that any of the ex-Enclave are playing the Shi, I suggest we send them a message to meet us in the middle of nowhere for debrief, maybe warn about the NCR coming after them.
>>
>>5873330
Excellent finally out of this city. The Shi are nothing to laugh at, glad that we will make sure a conflict between them and NCR starts.

>>5873371
We already searched their home for any more informations, unless we start looking around for more secret parts i doubt we can find anything. And it kinda lost already finding more info two times and we took a decision.
We probably wouldn't hear of this too we don't have informants or people in this city that send us news. Leaving codes for call us here in their home would not be a good idea at all either.
>>
>>5873330
one day we will hit another crit success. But America is built on hard work, not just luck.
>>
I'm talking about once we've decrypted the journal scans we took.
>>
You take a deep breath and give the order for both the armor and the plasma weaponry to be brought back with you. It's certainly worth the risk, and you think that if decisive action is taken it can be done before the Shi even have a chance to get an inkling of what's really happened on this night. With that order Thomas starts packing up the plasma weapons, and Rosaline with Andrew's help start to dismantle the Power Armor. Once Thomas finishes packing the weapons into a duffle bag he goes to help the other two in taking the armor apart. It was going to be a little bit of time consuming process, but a necessary one if the team was going to be able to transport it out of the city with minimal chance for detection. How you'd have preferred to have just had one of them get in it and walk it out of town, but that kind of reckless behavior is exactly what you intend to avoid.

It takes about fifteen minutes for them to dismantle it, some of the plates being stuffed into ballistic carriers where they can fit, others being tossed in the duffle with the weapons. The motors were the hardest part to deal with, but luckily due to the APA's reduced profile and weight the motors weren't nearly as heavy as one would expect, and were able to be placed among some of the kit within the teams back pack. The remainder of the suit's exoskeleton after being broken down into it's constituent pieces were spread about the three's storage filling them to the brim in terms of space. This would need to be redistributed amongst the rest of the team once they had regrouped with them. It also made sneaking about more difficult as all the additional metals and ceramics clattered around ever so slightly despite them being as tightly secured as could be allowed.

Still this didn't stop the three of them from escaping the house after setting the stairwell back into place. Once they had made it back to your rendezvous they began distributing the parts of the power armor more evenly amongst the rest of the team. This helped quite a bit with the clutter issue whilst moving about for them. The six of you once you were ready began to make your way southwards towards the exit of the city, and it's land border with the NCR. All you needed to do was cross the border and you would be home free. Sure they're liable to suspect some sort of infiltration once the breadcrumbs have been discovered, but that would be moot as all evidence will point retroactively to the NCR the moment you tip the NCR off to the enclave turncoats in the Shi's retainer. A smokescreen you're quite proud of ultimately.

However you stop yourself from patting yourself on the back too much yet, you still needed to make it out of the city first, an easier task to say than do. You opted to stick to the alley ways calmly waiting for minimal foot traffic through various streets, making sure to never move all together whilst in the city to avoid suspicion.

[continue]
>>
This works well for most of the while until you reach the downtown area. Shockingly even at this hour, 1 AM as it were, there was quite the bustle in the streets of the city, Thankfully you had anticipated some sort of blockage like this and had Jacob rig up another one of his distractions, though this one would be a bit more overt as it's purpose was to draw a crowd of people not necessarily the police or security forces. Jacob having handed off the device to Rosaline telling her how to enable it and her leaving her gear behind with him, she heads out to a relatively central point as the rest of the group pulls off towards one of the edges of the district. She activates it and then quickly moves to regroup out of downtown with the rest of the team. The Effects are immediate as an unbearable droning noise is heard coming from far away, you can see most everyone's attention turn towards it and take the opportunity to move through slowly drifting along the radius of the emission from the device while playing the part of another curious resident or tourist in the city.

After about 10 minutes the droning stops as it was designed to but by then your team had managed to move through the majority of the cities night life. You were making good pace as you finally made it to the edge of the town. Now came the easy part. At least in theory. You put on some Night Vision goggles your team has for night time combat operations, normally not necessary due to your power armor, here they would come in handy exploiting the night to slip past the Shi border patrols. Minimizing the teams profile you all line up hand on shoulder and begin to move out towards the border. You pick a point furthest away from any major check point, though you find that there's a few Jeeps that seem to be patrolling the border regularly in the more open areas, as well as spot lights on a swivel reasonably spaced out to cover the most area on either side of the border.

Still with the right timing one could slip right on by without anyone immediately noticing, though this would take some ingenuity. You still had one stealth boy left over from Rosaline's appropriation earlier in your visit, between that and Jacob's adept hands when it comes to using a torch you devised a plan. You'd carefully space everyone out. Jacob would clip his way through the wiring and hold it open while each person passes through between cycles of the lights shining on the fence, closing the breach and holding it in place when in the light. Once everyone was through he would carefully and quickly tac weld the fence back together, at least enough to look like it hadn't been cut from a distance.

Putting this into practice was a bit more difficult however than anticipated. There was more than a few times where the light nearly caught the fence while it was open, but luck was on our side and the team made it out and was able to put some good distance between themselves and San Francisco.

[continue]
>>
With the city behind you and your mission functionally complete you take the time to find a place to set up camp for a short break before heading off to submit your evidence anonymously....
However now that you have the space to breath there's something that's been bothering you since you were at that house last. The ease of getting the evidence, the lack of hostility from the turret, the coded messages in the journal, and the equipment in that basement. You hadn't considered the possibility before, but could it be that one of them was in fact a double agent? It'd be hard to confirm, even harder still once the Shi realize what's happened, which makes the window for the confirmation of that hypothesis fairly thin.

You're not even sure how you could without putting the team at risk. You had just escaped, were you really going to go back in just to confirm a suspicion? It would be easier to let it fly and drop the evidence, if they were loyal they'd figure something out surely given the circumstances... You shake your head. You doubt that anyone had you pegged when you entered the city, if one of them could catch on then sure the rest would have, and by proxy the Shi and there's little doubt in your mind, the Shi wouldn't have allowed your actions thus far if they could prevent them.

Perhaps it was a desire to see what you wanted to see in this situation? You're not sure, still you've got a nagging feeling that something is off about that one house or the enclave members in the Shi in general. Even if it isn't as you expected something is not as it seems, you can feel that.

What do you do?
>If they're loyal you'll just have to trust that they'll find a way to turn what's about to happen to their advantage, you can't risk heading back in.
>You're obligated to confirm if there is a loyalist in that den of traitors, but one step at a time, finish the mission and present the situation to command.
>If you're going to head back in, you're going to have to give it some space, you've still got time before the months end, see how things play out and if there's an opportunity to confirm with minimal risk then do so.
>Write in
>>
>>5873834
>You're obligated to confirm if there is a loyalist in that den of traitors, but one step at a time, finish the mission and present the situation to command.
>>
>>5873834
>>You're obligated to confirm if there is a loyalist in that den of traitors, but one step at a time, finish the mission and present the situation to command.
>>
>>5873834
>If they're loyal you'll just have to trust that they'll find a way to turn what's about to happen to their advantage, you can't risk heading back in.
>>
>>5873834
>>If they're loyal you'll just have to trust that they'll find a way to turn what's about to happen to their advantage, you can't risk heading back in.
>>
>>5873834
>You're obligated to confirm if there is a loyalist in that den of traitors, but one step at a time, finish the mission and present the situation to command.
Weren't we gonna blow up the emperor anyway?
>>
>You're obligated...

My fellow Ameranons,
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!
>>
>>5873896
No there is no obligation to do it. We have just made them crash on a course for have a war with the NCR. The Shi are a secondary threat that simply must not be allowed to grow and can be made weaker instead.
We just needed to scout them out and find what happened to the enclave cell here in our priority list for the exodus, that was the mission. What we did here (stealing the Shi power armor formula, creating the conditions of a conflict between NCR and Shi while putting the traitors on the spotlight, plus looting their home) is all a plus.

Going for the emperor is a direct assault (that can only be done with multiple teams of power armored soldiers. Multiple teams that do this specific mission for that month and would need their FULL focus on it) to their fucking hearth, heavily defended and heavily protected for cut their head. Which doesn't kill them but puts them in a crisis that the NCR would use. We don't gain anything else, that's it. Don't think we have the time to loot because this city state has an army. They might not have multiple large armies like the NCR, but is still an army. Better equipped, trained, disciplined, loyal and with higher morale.
We need to go in with the vertibird and then go out in a few minutes, minimum. And vertibird on a city state is free real heat regardless that probably all factions will know simply because is that much in the light, with confirmation of enclave presence and continued existance if you go in more than one APA (they are associated with them). And currently with the BOS heavily occupied in a war, the falseflag of a BOS assault holds little water. No stealth will not work, unless you use years of infiltrations with actual infiltrators doing it. This is the equivalent of directly assaulting the NCR president in his building, expect the same level of resistance and scutiny that makes what we did now look like an easy mission. And the reward doesn't end the faction (much like majority of factions really, they don't cease to exist because their leader dies. They go in a crisis but someone else will emerge for fill the void. Expecting the Shi to abandon such prospering and well made city, even with losing the emperor is ridicolous).

This fish can remain here we have bigger ones to fry, and risking to waste men on a city state that will tighen security even more after knowing the NCR managed to know about their new members, shouldn't be on our priority list.
I also really really dont want to drop another bomb decision like this at home, when the situation there is not happy at all with what we say or do.
Internal unity repairs now that should be a priority.
>>
Also merry christmas to all and a good i don't want heat for the exodus to everyone !
>>
>>5873834
>>You're obligated to confirm if there is a loyalist in that den of traitors, but one step at a time, finish the mission and present the situation to command.
>>
>>5873834
>If you're going to head back in, you're going to have to give it some space, you've still got time before the months end, see how things play out and if there's an opportunity to confirm with minimal risk then do so.
Mainly just want to burn our auto-successes on something productive here.
>>
>You're obligated to confirm if there is a loyalist in that den of traitors, but one step at a time, finish the mission and present the situation to command.

Wins

I'll be taking sunday off as always, and probably monday too because my wrists are killing me and I type for a living so I'm gonna try and avoid carpel tunnel if possible.
>>
>>5873976
It would appear that today was Sunday.
I've lost terrible track of time it would seem, well monday and tuesday then will be taken off for me.
>>
>>5873976
Have a good Christmas.
>>
>>5873976
Man sometimes this decisions guys, whatever. Guess we will have to risk it for one dude with tighter security. The internal reaction will be lovely explosive.
Merry Christmas to all !


>>5873943
Hahaha not like we have a ton of stuff to do already hahaha
>>
>>5873987
>>5874131
Thanks you have a good Christmas too.

Everyone have a good Christmas and whatever holidays you may celebrate as well.
>>
>>5873927
Yeah, I don't want to risk attacking the Shi Emperor either, I just want to be sure there aren't any loyal men among the cell there before we send them off to the NCR gulag. Speaking of, there's a chance those we turn over will end up amongst the prisoners we're already planning on springing...
Merry Chrysler!
>>
You place your hand to your face in contemplation. You're not going back into San Francisco that much you can say for certain, but the question of what to do about a potential loyalist running deep cover still bothers you. You could either opt to have faith in their capabilities should they have them, though you'll be hard pressed to confirm those loyalties should they come to light after the coming events or you could bring it up with command and see if an exfiltration or contact mission can't be set up.

You pause on that thought for a moment. Would they even take into consideration that request? Right now this is all on circumstantial evidence and based on hunches more than anything else. You groan softly to yourself, would this cost even more good will? Surely it wouldn't? There's a no man left behind mentality amongst everyone back at base. Still you'll need to consider this carefully. You hope that Jacob can decipher the journal entries before you get back to base to give more clarity to the situation. It'd certainly make the call easier.

Regardless though you feel obligated to confirm this. You won't be the reason a loyal American gets caught in friendly fire if you can help it. With your mind made up you head off towards home, it was going to be a decently long ride back since you'll have to take the long way around.

________

Your return is unceremonious and despite leaving in the dead of night your arrival just barely cracking over the typical morning hours still hasn't seen dawn yet. It's a good thing most of you have long since learned how to sleep in the back of a troop transport. Jacob staying up through the ride back to decode the journal images pulls you aside as you exit the vehicle.

"Ok so most of the messages are garbage code, I think that's intentional because there's enough actual intelligible messages for it to work out. Probably put those garbage ones in there in order to throw people off. As for the ones that are intelligible, there's not much I can tell that's of value." He hands you some paper that's got the decrypted messages on it and you take a look.

'Where there are no lies, one can not catch any flies. A dumb proverb, the truth is the best lie.' You squint at this line before continuing to the next message, 'The old receptors like new signals so long as they're in line, but new receptors hate old signals.' You think that one is referring to Enclave FoF, though you're not exactly sure what purpose that serves beyond perhaps explaining why you weren't shot at earlier. You scratch your head and move on to the last one, 'Each day presents new opportunities that grow increasingly less opportunistic maybe I'm getting old.' You're not immediately sure about that one either.
>>
Those aren't exactly a smoking gun, but given they were encrypted, if you take them all together it paints a picture of someone planning something, whether or not that's against the Enclave or the Shi you can't quite parse. You grimace in frustration as these really only complicate your argument to investigate. You look at Jacob, "How many cyphers did you try?" Jacob thinks for a moment, "Well I tried about five, all of them old enclave cyphers." Your frown intensifies, looking back at the second one, "Try some of our newer ones, maybe the second one is a hint?" He gives you an incredulous look, "I highly doubt this guy knows our new cyphers." you give him a dry look, "Unless you have a better idea, if not get to work, no stone left unturned." He gives a light sigh clearly resisting the urge to roll his eyes before setting off likely to his house to get some sleep first.

You however aren't really that tired... not like you'd be able to get much sleep to begin with for a while considering you still have a debriefing to give. You rub your temples and take a deep breath before heading into command. Once again you find yourself in front of your fathers desk delivering the results of your mission.

He nods his head at your achievements, "Well done Ford, have the formula sent over to the scientists. When Rockefeller gets back we'll hand off your false flag information to him to execute." You nod once and remain where you are, "Anything else?" he asks.

You look at him, "I've cause to believe that one of the traitors may in fact be in deep cover amongst the Shi, I'd like it to be given consideration for us to find a way to confirm if that is indeed the case. I do not want to have anyone loyal left behind, at least not when I could have a chance to prevent that from happening." Your father pauses for a moment, before lighting up a pipe with some tobacco in it and taking a puff, "That is a commendable attitude..." you suppress an oncoming cringe waiting for the next part, "I'll put it on the itenerary, however I suggest you organize your evidence regarding this supsicion well for whomever is sent to ascertain the truth... but that's for the strategy meeting, go rest." he takes another puff of his pipe, holding it in for a quite some time before letting it out breathlessly as if he wanted to say something but chose not to.

You nod your head and head out.
You've got some freetime now before the end of the month and Christmas celebrations what do you do?
Pick 1
>Spend time with someone (Who and how?)
>Just Rest and relax for once, it's been quite some time since you've been able to properly sit down and read.
>Head out to the site of your first mission, it's no where special, but the emptiness should at least give you room to breath and think
>Write in?
>>
>>5875829
>Just Rest and relax for once, it's been quite some time since you've been able to properly sit down and read.
>>
>>5875829
>>Just Rest and relax for once, it's been quite some time since you've been able to properly sit down and read.
>>
>Spend time with the Veterans, Jacob's Sister, Nelson's Men, or Gerald's Men, whomever isn't busy with missions. About time we made inroads with some of those outside our family & team. One America, One Enclave
>>
>>5875829
>>Just Rest and relax for once, it's been quite some time since you've been able to properly sit down and read.
>>
>Just Rest and relax for once, it's been quite some time since you've been able to properly sit down and read.

Wins

Update will drop tomorrow.
>>
>>5875829
I’d either pick
>Head out to the site of your first mission, it's no where special, but the emptiness should at least give you room to breath and think
Because it sounds like an self-upgrade and kino character arc, or a loyalty mission with Andrew, Rose, or Thomas, to upgrade their stats. Maybe the ZAX as well.

I also do think >>5875880 is smart, or something similar, if solely to benefit from our underutilized Speech successes.
>>
>>5875987
Well I guess my explanation is irrelevant lol
>>
>>5875829
i was thinking of doing some write ins (like reading specific books of history and so on), but some relax is probably best of. In regard to training we will do it later on, maybe urban warfare or some intense combat sessions for begin to be more capable to deal against large numbers during direct combat.
Repairing internal unity should be remembered btw...
>>5875990

Santa Rosa wasn't our first mission and they weren't with us. It would be connected to Jacob, Grant and Elizabeth, but it seems more personal and something for introspection in Ford about the tactics he used in the past or something on his mind.
>>
>>5876139
Our first mission was fighting the BoS and the NCR Ranger at the downed Vertibird- it’s why it would be narratively and potentially mechanically important.

And I was thinking of some one-on-one bonding instead of team exercises- improving our relationship and their skills would be invaluable.
>>
>>5876149
Depends, but i think is for Ford only after reading it again.

If anything is the opposite. We already do the one on one talk has side stuff simply by being here at home + during missions downtimes, team exercises shouldn't be skipped at all they create bonding between everyone in the team by making them work together and help quite a lot.
>>
>>5876207
No, you don’t get it- to get a mechanical upgrade with our personnel, we need to take to them one-on-one on screen, not off screen, otherwise we don’t get an improved trait for said character. And I’d argue that if we had one more stealth auto-success, we would’ve gotten the false flag and a permanent team bonus anyway, meaning that helping improve a single team member actually improves team cohesion and bonuses in the long run.
>>
Unfortunately no update today, I will be aiming for one tomorrow, but that might not be possible, depends on if everything at my workplace stops breaking every other hour for at least a day while I'm on call.

>>5876427
>>5876207
>>5876149
Well to get mechanical upgrades you'll be prompted with a choice on that when it happens. Generally speaking it's during either down time or when you get crits, though you can seek them out via training like with the night fighting bonus.

Regardless all three of the prompts had some sort of mechanical upside though my intent was that the last two, rest and relax, and head out to the site of your first mission were both about Ford and giving him time to introspect and solidify his identity further. You're approaching a sort of critical mass on that by the way, won't be long before he's locked in for something.
>>
>>5876540
GLORY TO AMERICA.
DEATH TO THE MUTANTS!
>>
>>5876540
>introspect and solidify his identity further
Understandable, i had imagine it was about that honestly.
Eitherway we did had him took a certain road in no small part already.

Even with the road chosen, the task ahead of ensuring cohesion is quite difficult. And I don't think bringing victories home is enough. We had a good idea with Jacob with those purity test clinic in the new home.
>>
You roll your shoulders once before the weight of your fatigue hits you like a leaded brick. Perhaps it'd be best that this time, just this once you took sometime for yourself, to breath. Heading off towards your families study you feel a small sense of nostalgia, how long had it been since you just read for the sake of reading? It couldn't have been that long, perhaps a week or two at the most, but it feels as if it's been an eternity none the less. As you settle into the study looking around at the various tapes and books around you, you smile. These histories and stories are a large part of why you are where you are right now. Not just in a literal sense as many of these told about the history of the United States, but also in a foundational sense, in regards to what you believe and feel. It's like returning to your roots.... a place where you won't be immediately put under scrutiny for deviating from the line just a bit.

It hadn't always felt like a sanctuary, growing up it had been a place of bonding, you and your father and later alongside your brother used to come down here not just for education but entertainment. Old folk stories that survived the war and the bombings, some literature from influential American authors and the like. There's even a few books regarding history that seems even more distant now than it likely was when it was recorded. Things about the English, or of Europe, but those were few and far between, mostly to serve as a foundational look into the roots of the American identity and the cultural melting pot that gave rise to it.

You slowly leaf through various recordings and books, you had probably read most of them at this point in your own time. You grab some light reading to start with, the poetry of a naturalist from the late 1800s to early 1900s. You're not sure who exactly it is, because the name seems to have been lost to the weight of time. You find that there's always something to be said about the state of the world and where we stand in it...

What was the name of the poem?
>"Behold the Grave of a Wicked Man"
>"The Road not Taken"
>"The American Mercury"
>Write in? (has to be an American Naturalists Poem)
>>
>>5877973
>>"The Road not Taken"
>>
>>5877973
>"The American Mercury"
>>
>>5877973
>"The Road not Taken"
>>
>"The Road not Taken"

Wins

Writing.
>>
You find yourself drawn to a poem that you've read in passing before, "The Road Not Taken." Yet now it seems all the more poignant. You settle into a nearby chair as you begin to read the poem recalling your own experiences over the last year. Many things have changed, and you've made many choices that when you look back you're not sure if they were the right ones. Success is a fickle thing, so easy for others to identify, but for yourself it feels so very far away at times. You shake your head at this thought, you're not about to discredit yourself and your efforts. You've given your everything to the Enclave since you were able to give it, your successes are many and have been well rewarded.

And yet.... yet still you find yourself feeling alone. You have your friends and teammates who have faith in you and you in them for all of your collective faults. Yet something feels missing... perhaps a sense of validation from your parents beyond your role within the cell? Maybe it's the fact that as your views diverge from theirs it feels like an irrevocable divide keeps growing larger and larger. You want to look forwards to the future, to a free and prosperous America built upon the ideals of the old world. You're sure they feel the same, yet you can not see the future. You can not tell whether or not you walk the same path, nor how trodden it is. What if you're all walking down the same path those on the Oil rig were? What if that path and this one lead to the same destination?

Once again you shake your head, doubts and more doubts creep into your mind. What is the path less traveled in this situation? Is it truly any better? Surely even if we were going down the same road there must be a point where it can diverge to better results. You get an odd feeling of dread in your stomach as you continue to battle this sense of defeatism in your mind. You lean back with the book in hand, and focus your mind on the text before you rather than what thoughts lay inside you just from what you remember. Looking for a way forwards you read,

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;"
>>
There's nothing more one can do but that when given a choice, to try and see how far down the path either route leads, whether it be easy or hard. It's interesting that there's no consideration for the destination in the poem so much as just the focus on the choice itself. Though now you wonder to yourself quietly.... does the end of the journey matter more than the path one travels to reach it? The choices made along the way, how much do they change the ultimate end result? You sigh lightly to yourself, you've always been told the ends justify the means, it's simply the reality of the wasteland. You can't escape the fact that in order to realize the world you want the things you must do go beyond a sense of morality. Why then does that make you doubt? Can America be rebuilt upon a pile of corpses? Is it an empire of ashes like Granite proposed? No you've answered this before to your siblings no less, what happens happens so that those that come after do not have to face those choices. Still....

Do the ends truly justify the means?
>Yes
>No

You look back to the poem and read the next two blocks.

"Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,


And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back."

Where in does the truth of the matter lay? Were you to see your dreams come true, you are but a servant to the people, the future generations there in. Yet, what really is the America you're building? One founded upon the ideals of the founding fathers, a Jeffersonian Democracy. Why is it then that you compromise now to what you want for the future? You walk the line because what little hope there is for that dream is both frighteningly powerful yet incredibly fragile. Your foundation regardless of how it is built must first be built in order for it to have a chance to stand the test of time. More to the point when that time comes, who is to say that just as you look to the past for inspiration in the re-establishment of America that those who come after will not look to the past for direction to the future? Can you truly hold true to your ideals while skirting the line? You're not the only one with a dissenting opinion, you just keep it to yourself for the sake of solidarity. Can you live with the fact that even now as you work towards that foundation you establish a precedence that may well contradict the very future you wish to see come true? Hypocrisy is not fallacy, but it is also not something that is well built.
>>
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Will you indulge in hypocrisy for the sake of stability or will you risk it all to be true to yourself and the future you hold dear?
>I will be a hypocrite now if it means the future I seek is secure, when that peace is won then I can afford to be true.
>It is a hollow stability that is won through hypocrisy, if I seek a future for America where I can serve to my fullest extent I must be true to my beliefs.
>It's not so simple to say whether or not what you do is hypocrisy, that's for those down the line to judge, as it is you can only live in the moment and work towards the future.
>Write in?

You pause on that thought for quite some time before finally finishing the poem.

"I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

It's in these small moments that you truly wonder how everything became so complicated. Your family always mattered more than anything else to you, even now it is everything to you. You're scared of what will come no matter which side you fall upon when the curtain closes. How much longer can these internal conflicts continue before it all comes to a head and brings everything crashing down. You grit your teeth in disdain against the thought. Instead of thinking of whether or not the cell is doomed to explode or the degradation of the bond between yourself and your family, you should be thinking of how to fight against this. What can truly become the rallying cry that all amongst the Enclave you know and love can agree upon? We all fight for America, but we all disagree on what that looks like. The division must end if that goal is to be achieved, but how?

How can you truly bring together all these desperate pieces? You're not the President, but you are a loyal son of America, and your country men will listen to you speak for good or for ill.

What choice will make all the difference this day?
>Write in (Come together anons, tell me well and truly how will you fight to preserve and strengthen the Enclave?)
>>
Gonna leave this vote open for 72 hours, it's a big one, think long and hard anons, the path that lay before you starts here.
>>
>>5878233
>Yes

>>5878234
>It's not so simple to say whether or not what you do is hypocrisy, that's for those down the line to judge, as it is you can only live in the moment and work towards the future.

As for the write in on how we are to preserve it?

All I can say is too look towards the foundation of America, breaking from the British and the fact our children will determine our fate if we're good or bad guys.
>>
Very interesting way to frame this decision, Warden.

>Yes
>It's not so simple...
>America was founded on giving every citizen a say, and Democracy is best carried out on a local scale. Thus it only makes sense for trials, elections, enacting laws, etc. to be a decision everyone in the cell has a chance to vote for. There is no oligarchy to corrupt & subvert the will of the people; military necessity dictates that we abide by a chain of command, but all other decisions should be discussed and deliberated upon. Gridlock is sure to occur, but we are sure to reach wiser conclusions by way of consensus.

I'm kinda' tired so hopefully my write-in isn't garbo.
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>>5878389
If nothing else I figure that using a poem as rhetorical device to frame introspection would help to inform that introspection both for the character and the reader in a thematic way.
I'm not certain of my execution regarding that, but I hope at the very least it's thought provoking regarding the path that Ford will ultimately tread down. If not then well I hope it was at least fun to read
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>>5878407
Honestly you could have just made this quest "Haha plasma make muties melt" but you've really went all-in on crafting a narrative that asks us to decide what the Enclave is & what we stand for rather than any sort of preconceived black and white notions. I doff my officer's cap to you sir.
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>>5878233
>Yes
"Making the mother of all omelettes here, Jack! Can't fret over every egg!"
>I will be a hypocrite now if it means the future I seek is secure, when that peace is won then I can afford to be true.
Same logic here.
>Write in
>To look towards the future we must look at the past and the present. We may not be perfect, but we're America. We are the last hope of a dying world, and we must do what needs to be done in order to secure the future. Whether that means we have democracy now or a military tutelage before that, it is the Enclave's destiny to reunite America. We must work towards reconciling ourselves with the people that we fight for, and try our best to help the restoration of America itself in all of its glory.

>>5878423
Very true. I have to say it's interesting looking at all the choices that lead us here and how well it was all connected and written about.
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>>5878234
>>5878434
+1
based
>>
Also Happy New Year's Eve, my fellow Americans!

You've made a great quest, Warden.
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>>5878233
>>5878234
>>Yes
>>It's not so simple to say whether or not what you do is hypocrisy, that's for those down the line to judge, as it is you can only live in the moment and work towards the future.
>>Write in (Come together anons, tell me well and truly how will you fight to preserve and strengthen the Enclave?)
the usa was founded to break free from the tyrannical british to give the people a say in politics and insure the rights of everyone and become a superpower to give those a chance at democracy and freedom by putting down those who will deny freedom and justice one by one our ideals of our founding fathers country will truly reunite the the home of the free and brave
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>>5878434
+1
America will be REBORN!
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>>5878233
>Yes

>>5878234
>>It's not so simple to say whether or not what you do is hypocrisy, that's for those down the line to judge, as it is you can only live in the moment and work towards the future.
>>Write in (Come together anons, tell me well and truly how will you fight to preserve and strengthen the Enclave?)
How we will fight in this battlefield of ideas, will not be like we did in the past. We must know the arguments we talk about to the fullest, and they must entrench themselves on strong pillars of the american people. We must talk of what we want with a solid base under it, with solid examples and objectives to back them up, we must prove thats what we say will not be bad or evil for the Enclave. It must not look like absurd dreams of a youngster, or worse the fear that we are going on the side of the enemy like Granite did. But something that we could try and do, that would benefit the Enclave, that can in fact bring us close to America even here in the wastelands. A great plan must be devised and considered, well thought and that looks in to the other political ideas of the Enclave right now, for understand how best we can win over them and create true unity. Because we know deep down, everyone would want the past to return but fear, dogma, rage, mourning and uncertainty are beasts that have made a nest in their minds. Those beasts must be put to rest by us, and a new beginning of freedom and justice shown.
Lastly we must not do it alone. Start with our friends, like Grant and Jacob.
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>>5878423
From the start I wanted to explore a bit more of the breadth of possible views the Enclave might have. A lot of these concepts came from me theory crafting an alternative Fallout 3 plot actually. Regardless If this was a Fallout 2 Enclave quest like set during the events or preceding those events then it probably would have been exactly that, because as far as I'm concerned the Enclave before the oil rig's destruction was a monolithic organization, there's no space for dissent let alone ideological divergence, at least not in anyway that could reasonable see a ripple effect like there is in this quest.

As it is the west coast and east coast Enclave were faced with the destruction of their organization, The west coast either gives up on the Enclave or doubles down on it's insularity, which when you have a new generation raised in that environment, reality rarely plays nice with the viewpoint they grew up with. It's like a cult, except it's a cult that needs to give operational independence out of sheer necessity, so it's not a very stable cult once the ball gets rolling.

Where as the East coast faces a different issue, a division between Autumns more dictator of the wastes view point, not to dissimilar to Fords own point of view though more authoritarian, and Eden's Enclave Purist Directives. That divide though in the original Fallout 3 though is... well Eden is a figure head, he's at best a rogue element where in Autumn just outright controls the Enclave de facto. I don't see that as all that realistic, Autumns wasteland dictatorship is a reaction to changing circumstances, but I've little belief that Eden wouldn't have a much more significant camp than he did in the story. Granted that's not relevant to the story of Fallout 3, but that's also one of it's short comings in general is a lack of faction depth. I love Fallout 3 and for what it does I think it does it well enough, but man there's so much squandered potential there.
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>>5878822
Good insights there. Personally I can see lots of possibilities for the Enclave moving forward, such as a caste system with Enclave at the top, then Vaulties, followed by sufficiently semi-pure humans, with normie wastelanders at the bottom and all outright mutants beneath the castes/without rights. Especially because most pre-war ghouls would voice dissent against the return of the government that failed them so thoroughly.
Cloning could be used to bolster the ranks, mass vault-conscription could be put into effect, and some isolated cells might face dilemmas between cultural purity or genetic health if for example dwindling in numbers but encountering sheltered survivors from Canada or Russia.
Of course birth citizenship would likely be judged invalid, necessitating the passing of a citizenship test that would include genetic screening and perhaps IQ or an ASVAB as an equivalent as well before a wastelander could be brought into a more republican offshoot.
Mr. House & descendants of his ilk might be able to redeem their pre-war USD and gold/silver stocks as legitimate currency as an incentive to get them & the rest of their resources aboard.
Sharing anything with wastelanders would likely be labeled as communist subversion.
A national guard could be set up enlisting wasters as cannon fodder, but with military stockpiles they would still be out-gunning most raiders & mercs.
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>>5878233
>No
The means are an end onto itself- to believe the ends justify the hypocrisy of the means just turns the victory a brittle and hollow mockery of our intent.

>>5878234
>It is a hollow stability that is won through hypocrisy, if I seek a future for America where I can serve to my fullest extent I must be true to my beliefs.
>It's not so simple to say whether or not what you do is hypocrisy, that's for those down the line to judge, as it is you can only live in the moment and work towards the future.
It is not up to us, only time will be our judge, but to follow and stay true to our heart, our beliefs- no one may fault.

>Our land of liberty is occupied, and the remains of the true America is under siege- we must focus on fighting our enemies, both foreign and domestic, if we are to weather and reclaim our rightful place under God’s sun. America was not built in a day, and even the revolution was a long process decades in the making- the Enclave must be made to understand that total eradication of the Wasteland can only be achieved after Manifesting our Destiny, and though the tools of Manifesting may be unclean, there is precedent in our Constitution.
Essentially, make the hardliners see sense in not going full-purge immediately, and instead use the Wastelander like a tool, a means to their end, however contentious. Just as the Founding Fathers found sense in utilizing the ‘human’ capital in their days, so to must the Enclave utilize the wastelander in ours (we’ll worry about Emancipation and the questions of citizenship later, maybe following the example of American and Roman history).

Ain’t perfect, but it’s better that fighting a civil war within our 2nd revolutionary war.

Would have replied sooner had it not been for the New Years celebrations.
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24 hour warning, vote closes tomorrow this time.
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>>5878234
>Yes
>It's not so simple to say whether or not what you do is hypocrisy, that's for those down the line to judge, as it is you can only live in the moment and work towards the future.
>To look towards the future we must look at the past and the present. We may not be perfect, but we're America. We are the last hope of a dying world, and we must do what needs to be done in order to secure the future. Whether that means we have democracy now or a military tutelage before that, it is the Enclave's destiny to reunite America. We must work towards reconciling ourselves with the people that we fight for, and try our best to help the restoration of America itself in all of its glory.
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>>5878234
>Yes
>I will be a hypocrite now if it means the future I seek is secure, when that peace is won then I can afford to be true.
>To look towards the future we must look at the past and the present. We may not be perfect, but we're America. We are the last hope of a dying world, and we must do what needs to be done in order to secure the future. Whether that means we have democracy now or a military tutelage before that, it is the Enclave's destiny to reunite America. We must work towards reconciling ourselves with the people that we fight for, and try our best to help the restoration of America itself in all of its glory.
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I'm not opposed to the write-in chosen, but pretty much every other vote had some thought expressed besides these last two that are coming in last-minute if not too late...
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>>5880470
you still got 8 hours anon before the vote closes.
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>>5880470
I was thinking of making the write in about doing some political tutelage using the military, since we're part of the Enclave, something in the style of 'preparing the wasteland for democracy under a temporary military government'. But I figured it would be too radical for people to support it, and the current winning write in is good too.
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>>5880478
That's not a bad idea anon.

>>5878234
>Yes
>I will be a hypocrite now if it means the future I seek is secure, when that peace is won then I can afford to be true.
>Write in (Come together anons, tell me well and truly how will you fight to preserve and strengthen the Enclave?)
>The blood of patriots and martyrs has shaped the Enclave. These are desperate times, where we have to rebuild from the ashes of the Rig. While the ideas of Jefferson and Democracy are ideal, great lengths must be put in place in order to have a society prepared for them. Therefore the wasteland must be put under military tutelage, so that we may have an upright people that is ready for Democracy. We must ensure that the Enclave is reconciled with itself, and we ourselves with the Enclave. Lest we become blinded by our idealism and allow corruption to fester from within, as the NCR has.
Inspired by what the othe anon described.
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>>5878234
>No
>I will be a hypocrite now if it means the future I seek is secure, when that peace is won then I can afford to be true.
>Our land of liberty is occupied, and the remains of the true America is under siege- we must focus on fighting our enemies, both foreign and domestic, if we are to weather and reclaim our rightful place under God’s sun. America was not built in a day, and even the revolution was a long process decades in the making- the Enclave must be made to understand that total eradication of the Wasteland can only be achieved after Manifesting our Destiny, and though the tools of Manifesting may be unclean, there is precedent in our Constitution.
>To look towards the future we must look at the past and the present. We may not be perfect, but we're America. We are the last hope of a dying world, and we must do what needs to be done in order to secure the future. Whether that means we have democracy now or a military tutelage before that, it is the Enclave's destiny to reunite America. We must work towards reconciling ourselves with the people that we fight for, and try our best to help the restoration of America itself in all of its glory.
>The blood of patriots and martyrs has shaped the Enclave. These are desperate times, where we have to rebuild from the ashes of the Rig. While the ideas of Jefferson and Democracy are ideal, great lengths must be put in place in order to have a society prepared for them. Therefore the wasteland must be put under military tutelage, so that we may have an upright people that is ready for Democracy. We must ensure that the Enclave is reconciled with itself, and we ourselves with the Enclave. Lest we become blinded by our idealism and allow corruption to fester from within, as the NCR has.
I like these three.
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>>5879182
>caste system
What is this, India?

I think the Enclave would take inspiration from America’s foundation personally- an Enclave-style ‘Democratic Republic’ in American style, with the House being made up by the popular will of the ‘property owning’ citizens (essentially a mix of the Enclave and the influential non-Enclave), and the Senate being the representatives of the state government (full Enclave ‘We ARE the Senate!’, since Fallout America either revoked the 17th Amendment or never had it in the first place), with the Enclave being the Executive Branch, and the legislature/executive branches ‘packing’ the courts with a mix of Enclave and Enclave supporting judiciary (a mix of Vaulters and Wastelanders for ‘representation’).

We could essentially reboot the American government, have the hardliners treat the ghouls and muties like property (as a step down from outright genocide), and maybe lay down the rails for emancipation and liberalization after the old guard hardliners die off.

Frankly, we don’t need birth citizenship, we can instead develop a ‘Service Guarantees Citizenship’ which would guarantee stability as we induct and incentivize new members into a similar worldview instead of giving any old Vaulter with radical views the privilege of voting.

Redeeming Mr.House’s currency would likely do little to persuade him to get onboard… however, being a reliable ally in the wasteland would, and a formal agreement of him aiding and recognizing the Enclave as the legitimate government authority in exchange for near total corporate autonomy of New Vegas (think Orlando Disney as precedent)? I could see getting him on board with that.

And with the Wastelanders, putting a Service Guarantees Citizenship model, with the mix of ye old Roman Republic giving veterans land (and thus property owning rights) at the end of their service, would probably do really well, since any Wastelander influence in Congress will be mitigated, and the pro-Enclave/American propaganda writes itself. Combined that carrot with the stick labeling Wastelander solidarity as communist subversion and cracking down, and it’s feasible that we could control the Wastelander population to our own designs.
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>>5880470
>>5880478
Unfortunately, being the first vote has enormous momentum, especially in write in situations. It’s a shame last-minute ideas never get the same consideration.

Also, when Warden wrote this
>Write in (Come together anons, tell me well and truly how will you fight to preserve and strengthen the Enclave?)

He meant in a realistic practical idea of maintaining cell unity and cohesion, especially among the hardliners, not blithe platitudes to some higher ideal that Ford personally believes in. He’s asking you how does Ford avoid a cold civil war with the hardliners guys.

>How much longer can these internal conflicts continue before it all comes to a head and brings everything crashing down. You grit your teeth in disdain against the thought. Instead of thinking of whether or not the cell is doomed to explode or the degradation of the bond between yourself and your family, you should be thinking of how to fight against this. What can truly become the rallying cry that all amongst the Enclave you know and love can agree upon? We all fight for America, but we all disagree on what that looks like. The division must end if that goal is to be achieved, but how?

>How can you truly bring together all these desperate pieces? You're not the President, but you are a loyal son of America, and your country men will listen to you speak for good or for ill.
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>>5880590
Just a comment on this- we’ll probably be retreading a lot of old American history like rhymes, especially in regards to the American Government’s response and dealings to the ‘Native American’ question, lol (I can totally see the Enclave hardliners eventually referring to them as Indians, or neo-Indians, or maybe some other short combination like Insoc was in 1984).
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Ok, vote is closed I'm going to tally up the votes tomorrow morning and probably ask some clarifying questions so I can put together the best response to the winning options. Until then everyone have a good night.
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Yes - 10
No - 2
So the Ends Justify the Means to Ford, for him what matters is the ultimate end result more than how he achieves it.
Subsequently when Ford looks to himself

Not so simple - 6

I'm a hypocrite, but that doesn't matter - 6

I refuse to be a hypocrite - 1

He acknowledges his hypocrisy, but believes that it ultimately doesn't matter, others will be the judge of the worth of those choices for him what matters is that America is reborn, gotta crack a few eggs to make that omlette after all.

Lastly how does Ford intend to face the Enclaves immediate problem of growing division and factionalism?

>>5880597 got the right of what the write in was meant to portray, but I can extrapolate methodology out of the more grandiose write ins
I'm tagging the original vote on these as they're summarizations.

Look to the foundation of america for inspiration - 1 >>5878273

Be true to the democratic process, in doing so be the mediator - 1 >>5878389

Stand firm against the anti-democratic elements in the Enclave - 1 >>5878459

Seek Reconciliation between the members of the cells, remind them of our purpose or destiny - 6 >>5878434

Seek understanding of the elements within the Enclave and use that understanding to sway them to a united purpose - 1 >>5878593

Convince the Hardliners that cleansing the wasteland has to be tabled for it to succeed and that sacrifices must be made in the name of preparing that - 2 >>5879314

Empower the military to help enforce unity amongst the Enclave (this ones a hard one to figure out what that looks like in the short term for me I mean your civilian and military government are already one thing) - 2 >>5880525

So what I get from this is that Ford Primarily wants to find a way to Reconcile the differences between the Cells, to start this means he must get all factions to admit some form of concession to the others so that they can all start on an even playing field and feel better about playing nice with each other.

If I misinterpreted any of those or you think my ultimate conclusion is off base from the information provided let me know, ultimately these are a composite of Fords feelings and I'm looking to Rationalize these results into part of his identity, so it's not a winner takes all situation.
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>>5881321
Ya I can fuck with all that of Warden, pretty good outcome.
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I get that this is late, but figured I'd offer it up anyway.

America was not born out of peaceful protest, but out of the storm of war. The founding fathers, such as George Washington were veterans in the colonial wars between Britain and France, and smugglers defying the imposition of taxation by those who failed to provide governance and security. The British, a tiny island on whom the sun never set. Like all the great conquerors from Alexander of Macedonia to the Genghis Khan of Mongolia to Cortes and Pizarro under Spain, the British had expanded Empires in settled lands by helping local lesser powers to overcome their stronger neighbors. Not so in America. America was born of colonization and war. War against the French and Spanish. War against the Mohicans. War against the British and their Hessian mercenaries. War against the British again when they predated upon American shipping. War against many tribes of the Appalachians. War against Mexico, and threats towards Britain, Russia, and Spain. Then, for a time, war against Americans, the bloodiest in history for the Bombs vaporized without bloodshed. With the War Between the States settled, war against the tribes resumed, and when that enemy was exhausted America fought in Europe twice, then in the humid jungles and sun kissed hills of Asia. The peace of the Vaults and the Rig were an aberration in which America forgot how to fight. Instead of winning wars with warriors and firearms, America turned to the Commie weapons of biological warfare and poison. Instead of spreading American culture and knowledge to the wasteland to rebuild, we rigged self destruct mechanisms to our bases and computers, to spitefully deny the mutants the fruits of our shared forefathers. Through this cowardice and spite, we enabled our own defeat.

War and killing are not antithetical to liberty. No, they are required. As Jefferson said, from time to time the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots alike. True peace, free from fear, could only be bought with strength.

Stealth too, was a part of the founding. Did not George Washington cross the Delaware to slaughter drunken Hessian mercenaries? So there is no hypocrisy in stealth. There is no hypocrisy in retreating to the hills to strike the foe with a rifled barrel from hiding. There is no hypocrisy in placing Quaker cannons upon the hill or building the fires high. These are not cowardice, nor is sabotage. But poison and plague, these are not the weapons of America. We grew strong riding the Horseman of War, and we have seen that to change that horse midstream results in failure and death. War never changes, and we should never abandon it.
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>>5881858
Ok this is fucking based and exceedingly well-said, better than my input about democratic procedure that was probably garbo.
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>>5881858
So let me see if I understand what you're getting at at least in regards to how this applies to the question of how to keep the enclave together in the short term.

Are you advocating for convincing the hardliners and curling13 advocates that they're being the cowardly whilst attempting to utilize American history as the evidence for this?

Or are you just looking to stoke the flames of a more 'honest' militarism in the hopes that it'll settle some of the disputes as perspectives on how to fight the conflict ahead becomes more homogeneous?
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>>5882078
It’s more blithe platitudes methinks.
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>>5882093
I mean it strikes me as politician speak as well, but I figure it's worth asking none the less.

Regardless I'm gonna start writing now as it's been about a day without anyone saying anything against my reading of the options.
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>>5882078
I'd assume the second one.

But I also hate Political speak
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>>5881321
While I was more thinking about how this would be about personally reconciling ourselves with how the Enclave currently is, this is also an interesting take on it and I'm not against the interpretation.
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>>5882097
I think anons resorting to abstract thoughts means they don’t have a concrete idea of how to handle the issue of cell unity.

Also, personal take- even if anons voted to be a hypocrite, I do think in practice that anons will vote to hold fast to our beliefs instead make those beliefs hollow. Frankly, I don’t think anons really considered what they were voting for beyond the immediate question, if that makes any sense.
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>>5881858
If i remember correctly the usa kept going in a lot of wars in Fallout. Like south america, africa, middle east and pacific. Plus they fully conquered or put under their complete hegemony all of north america, central america and carabbeans. Then china war. And you did see them send in every war all their military might.

In regard to the Rig the enclave hunter killer teams, were basically killing/terrorizing anyone in the West coast wastelands. The super position of strength combined with dogma probably got to the head of many.


>>5881321
>Seek understanding of the elements within the Enclave and use that understanding to sway them to a united purpose
Yes, learn what they stand for and use it for make stronger our political position. In addition to that, plan long term no half made plan or idea. And no more doing it completely alone.
The Enclave must not break but be reborn. And to have their blood on our hands would be the highest defeat possible and a very hard hit to take for morale. Killing your own community and blood, is something that should be avoided if possible.
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>>5882186
It's a broad issue, and not one that's meant to have an easy or succinct answer. If nothing else these abstract concepts give insight into where the players minds are at, and in a scene predicated upon introspection that's worth something, especially when it comes to actually building the next scene, rarely are moments like this well structured or organized initially. That comes after internalization which is then followed by action at least in my perspective.

I'll grant though they're not clear or even definite answers to the overarching question at hand however, well most of them anyways.

As for the hypocrite part we'll just have to see, I don't think there's enough evidence one way or the other on that to make such a definitive statement unlike the question of cell unity.

>>5882190
To say the Enclave had a superiority complex as an organization is an understatement, it's the crux of their ideolog, they're old world supremacists who in their mind viewed the wastes and wastelanders as objectively worthless. Even Vault Dwellers and their descendants were no better than chattel used for testing their near omnicidal (for the whole of humanity) virus. The organization as a whole in Fallout 2 is suffering from cognitive dissonance between their prerogative, their dogma, and the actual reality of their methodology.

That whole facade breaks down after the Chosen one nukes the oil rig and they're driven from Navarro, and ultimately that annihilation of identity is what the quest is foundationally built upon, finding a new identity for the organization through the growth and development of it's next generation, founded upon it's old views that can't hold entirely to the scrutiny of fresh eyes and reality. Not to say this is about getting away from that, I don't think Ford or any of the Enclave members in the cell don't still see themselves as superior to the wastelanders, it's just that point of view and the status quo of the Enclave is disintegrating as necessity dictates for it's survival. I believe one anon said it well, there's a lot of rhyming going on here with the early parts of American history.
>>
Well, it was both late and rushed, so I didn't get in to everything, but it was more of a justification for killing and stealing from outsiders without that being hypocrisy while also laying out that in order for a numerically smaller force to conquer and maintain control over territory, one needed to ally with the locals (in this case it would be some sort of alliance with ideologically aligned mutants). I mean, if we wanted to hurt the NCR we could try building a fortress and a dam upstream of their city and then destroying the army when they attacked us to regain water, and if we won then political power would likely shift back to the cowboys with their lower population density. Numbers are much more important for conquest than they are for defense. As far as the group's future course, it seems like that is set. Travel east, look for technology, and establish a base. How the political system will shake out is going to be partially opportunistic. The old scientists said that even after a couple generations the vault dwellers had been infected by FEV and were experiencing mutation. As far as martial strategy, I am opposed to putting resources into biological warfare and think that we should focus on traditional warfare, which includes denial of resources, use of military sabotage. The establishment of zones of control when possible.

Currently, the Shi are not a direct threat to us while the NCR is likely to continue to be in conflict with us over time. There probably aren't enough of us to rule the west, so causing destabilization to keep the NCR's attention here while we increase our numbers makes sense.

But should we be a hypocrite? No. As the song says, you've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything. But understanding what you stand for helps. Also, be goal orientated and find the means which will actually achieve those outcomes. If the desired outcome is a restored America with baseball fields and apple pie, then creating bio-weapons capable of overcoming the anti-bio-weapon FEV is counter productive. If our goal is just killing as many mutants as possible (it's not), then developing a super bio-weapon would make sense. Do we want to destroy the NCR or do we want to establish an area to safely train our children in the art of war before throwing them on the front lines? In the first case, cut off the water and dash them (too many letrs)

So my answers would have been
>Yes
>Write in - Don't be a hypocrite, but we aren't acting hypocritically right now anyway, so why worry about it. We were accused of acting hypocritically for choosing to assassinate the Enclave cell rather than try them. We'd like to give them a fair trial, but they are not in our power. We have not yet captured them, nor do we reasonably have the power to do so. We may consider ourselves the law de jure in San Fran, but we are not the law de facto. If we were we wouldn't be sneaking out the armor in a handbag.

Hope this helps.
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Also, don't build self destruct systems into our bases. We're already low on numbers. If we die, we die. No sense being spiteful and leaving the world worse than it was when we came in to it.

But our group is political and ideological, and expressing ideas ideologically using historical examples is in line with our past actions.
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>>5882263
See you say that, But what if instead we build a kill switch in. That makes sure our plan or anti-fuck you disgusting surface mutants missile still fires or a smaller one goes off?
>>
Build a kill switch into the mutants? Or some sort of easy launch switch on missiles? Or are you talking some sort of Dr. Strangelove scenario where we have some pre-aimed missiles and we tell Friend Computer to launch all these pre-aimed missiles if some condition is triggered? MAD is ok, I guess (but still foolish in our psycho world). Self-destruction or a flip to destroy our own assets (probably including any theoretical mutant auxiliaries) is a bad idea because someone is likely to hack the bomb-collars and blow up our troops. It's better not to put all our eggs in a basket that can be destroyed with the flip of a switch.
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>>5881858
Holy shit anon. You should write the speech for the next Presidential candidate.
and a +1 to your post
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>>5882262
I get what you're saying, though I suppose in my perspective of things the hypocrisy is less about whose killing whom here, but more the justification for the killing not lining up with the espoused belief system.

Justification and correctness do not define hypocrisy, hypocrisy is defined by whether or not something runs antithetical to a stated system of beliefs. If one is working under the pretense that all is fair in war then there is no such thing as hypocrisy in warfare as nothing runs counter to the stated system espoused by it's practioner. In that regard I don't think Ford's internal struggle with hypocrisy is about that, what I was looking to convey and will when I get this write up done, is more about the system he wants to see built, as well as the beliefs he espouses in general regarding the American identity. Man's still trying to square the circle on whether or not he's just personifying Wastelanders, or if he's fully bought into them being humans, that question was dodge by him trying look past it by saying it doesn't matter, what matters is if they're American or not.

And it's that latter question that's eating at him as he looks down the path, where does the line get drawn and who decides? Obviously in this regard the Enclave decides, as the Enclave is 'America' it dictates who is a 'citizen' and who isn't. Doesn't address the underlying issue however which is where the hypocrisy nags at him, it's like he wants to admit that those views should be universal, but he refuses to buy into until he thinks their actually even feasible to implement in the first place.

Regardless of that I think it's a fun character development to engage with either way from a writing perspective, and hopefully narratively as well.
>>
Seeing as the mutations creep in to anyone who lives in the wasteland, their children would be considered mutants by the old Enclave (maybe even Ford's generation). So if he goes down the road of 'they aren't even human', he's gonna have that to contend with some day. I was on the Jeffersonian democracy & America is Culture bandwagon, but I am not the Senate. I do think that it's a valid ideology to consider them effectively sub-human for buying into the banditry, thievery, and police corruption of the barbaric nations that preceded America (as many tribes consider those outside their familial / religious / political group to be outside the protection of that group's laws).

In my opinion, rejecting the 'mutants' and saying that they can never be American is incorrect and will eventually lead to failure. Such thinking has always existed in America (see racial immigration quotas and No Irish Need Apply), but was generally overshadowed by liberty and pragmatism. For all their caricaturization, the beliefs of Ford's mother aren't unknown, they just never won out in our America because they are inefficient, illiberal, and against our general moral value of ever expanding political equality.
>>
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Justice for Muties if they pledge allegiance, go to church, and serve in the militia? Eventually the answer would be yes. But how many generations would it take before we considered them 'Real Americans'? Hard to say. But yeah, I'm a proponent of re-establishing a Jeffersonian democracy with 'mutie' participants.
>>
>>5882465
I agree in general from the perspective of the character on those points.

I do regret not being capable enough to make Ford's mother a more nuanced character as unfortunately she's only really been a mouth piece for the aggression of the Enclave, and I think it's one of my bigger failings. I really just am not sure where to take her beyond that as a character, obviously you can humanize her more with more screen time and interactions, but ideologically speaking she's a fanatic and it's hard to not portray (for me) someone so fanatical like that.
>>
I'm not trying to bash you. I wouldn't have written an essay if I didn't enjoy your quest.
>>
>>5882519
I didn't think you were, I'm just lamenting the matter as it came up in discussion.
>>
>>5882438
I think it’s less to do with hypocrisy and more do do with the perspective on what qualifies as human. This was the debate raging in the Founding Father’s time, and their inability to answer it without getting the consensus of the thirteen states to support the revolution is a potent historical rhyme, as you say.

>>5882465
>>5882476
It’s why we table the genocide discussion with the hardliners until after we control all of America’s pre-war territories, give the chance that the old guard may dies off and we can replace the next generation with something more liberalizing. Also why the ‘Service Guarantees Citizenship’ and the general American ‘Democratic Republic’ plan (>>5880590) will eventually lead to a general liberalization and eventual democratic rule, like in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, etc.

>>5882479
Maybe have her be a family first/loving mother? Just dilute the fanaticism with being a decent mother could do the trick, methinks.
>>
>>5882274
Thinking on it.... we might have two or three theoretical mutant/wastelanders auxiliaries that might not remain for too long theory.
If backed up with something solid, it would need some prep and thinking though. Can't make a pet project out of thin air, much like the Manifest Destiny Caravan Company. This is quite likely an after exodus kind of talk because we are filled by stuff to do here at the moment.

The most simple : more Manifest Destiny caravan guards. No particular training needed (unless we want), no particular equipment (again) and plenty of people willing to do the job. No great pay. Can be done even now. Not mercs though and might feel loyal to something greater than mere pay.

Mercs : Establishing a mercenary company or taking mercs in general provides a lot of benefits and additional income. Usually experienced, equipped and will do what money say. Ensure they aren't too few in numbers, and they are fine (most of the time).

Forced/Tricked Tribals or Raiders : Can become problematic without establishing a strong grip of power, control and dependency. There is many ways in how this can be done, eitherway it gives a large amount of the filth of the wastelands fighting for us. Loyalty depends entirely on the method of control used, conditions and what they are. The least likely to happen for many obvious reasons, even has cannon fodder auxiliary.

Van Graffs Enforcers : This would be entirely based on ensuring even better rep with the Van Graffs. If our objective is to assimilate them, then this works hand in hand. Well equipped, decent training, not many not few either can grow a lot.

Wastelanders Militia : Pay wouldn't be high and even with basics given, for establish loyalty you need something greater than that. Like promise of land and an home, security, new beginning, feeding them an ideology and so on. They can be recruited or forced through conquest. Tricky integration, might be more justified with the "purity" checking idea of Jacob and politics.

The vaulters will all be integrated instead. The ones that can fight will probably become Enclave Soldiers. Our exodus is planning to take them with us in the East (we are extremely few and even with more cells found or saved Enclave members, the numbers are too low. No other option really).
>>
Update might be delayed until tomorrow, gonna try and get it out today, but some stuff came up that I need to focus on.
>>
You stare off into the distance for quite sometime after finishing the poem, lost in your thoughts. You're not quite sure how long you stared off into space for, but when you come back to your senses you've made some conclusions about the questions you had been pondering. You feel that you haven't quite found yourself yet, but you're closer now than ever before.

There are likely many difficulties ahead of you and the Enclave. You can't afford to hold yourself back to achieve your goals. You steel your resolve knowing that when the time comes to do what you must you can't afford to hesitate. Though you may not like the implications of what may yet need be done, nor how that paints a picture of the fidelity of your own beliefs, as precious to you as they are, you know that doesn't matter in the end. How you're remembered in the end isn't for you to decide anyways.

You sigh to yourself closing the book of poems setting it back onto the bookshelf before sitting back down as you continue to internalize the your earlier thoughts. All of those things mean nothing however if the Enclave fails to survive it's own internal struggles. You're a victim of this factionalism, caught between people trying to make bids for power. It's frustrating to watch the bigger picture fracture and slowly slip away from you all as the divide between each major member of the Enclave grows. That factionalism has to stop... at least for now, if we're to succeed in our goals of restoring America... of even surviving long enough to think of them.

You clench the side of the chair with your hand as your heart begins to race at the next thought. You would need to step over the line, not to either side but to the end of it. Someone had to speak out against this self-destructive force, yet no side is willing to concede to the other. How could you possibly convince them? You ponder this for quite some time more thinking who you could call upon to help you in this endeavor as it becomes clear that while you have the resolve to stand up and speak out against the growing division, you likely do not have the power to truly sway anyone towards a better path forwards whilst you are alone.

For all that you trust and care for your father and mother you know that they will dismiss you in this regard, not out of malice, but because they see themselves as truly in the right. Nelson is a reasonable man, but he's firmly placed himself in the opposition camp along side Senator Rockefeller as they advocate for increasingly radical departures from Enclave Doctrine. You find yourself agreeing more with them than you'd care to admit, but that's not the point, they want to win this struggle definitively now just like the forces seeking to maintain the status quo.

[continue]
>>
No what you sought was for everyone to set aside this struggle for the soul of the Enclave just long enough for the body of it to not die. This wasn't a question that could or needed to be answered right now, especially if answering it meant self-annihilation through dissolution. Then who could you look to to aid you? There was your squad, you knew for a fact you could count on Jacob and Grant to stand beside you, but they were in the same boat as you in regards to the full force of your voice, you believe you can convince Thomas to stand up for this cause, and you've faith in your siblings seeing your point of view. Rosaline was a wild card in many regards, but wasn't strictly necessary.

Yet the voice of your squad still wouldn't be enough, you needed more beyond that, someone to speak alongside you. Gerald is a relatively apolitical entity within the Enclave, but his loyalty has never been in doubt in regards to the greater picture. His voice is also respected, being the only NCO to speak at the strategy meetings. If you could get him on side for this plan that'd be a great boon. Beyond him though options dried up fast as the lines in the sand for many have already begun to be drawn.

You sigh, you needed a plan, and you needed one you could act on fast. Who knows if we'll even make it to the exodus before this all explodes in our faces. You slide your chair over to a desk and pull out a notebook to begin drafting a plan of action. You would need to seek out Gerald, gain his support and then rally your team. From there you would need to fully learn where each faction stood and what they were flexible on. You might not be able to appease either of them, but you think, you can get them to compromise for the time being. You roll your pencil in hand wondering if this is how the founding fathers felt while writing the constitution after the failure of the articles of confederacy.

[continue]
>>
UNITED WE STAND. DIVIDED WE FALL

For the course of this down time Ford will be taking a series of carefully decided actions in an attempt to bridge the soon to be fatal divide growing within the West Coast Enclave. You will be presented with an a set of actions over the course of the next 4 in game weeks each with their own associated challenges and tests in order to mend to divide.
Success here assures the Enclave will survive as an organization despite it's inner turmoil
Failure.... means Civil War
Fords first action for this week is to convince Gerald and brining his own team in on this project. This action automatically succeeds due to his relations with both entities.

Ford has four more actions this week that he may attempt.
>Speak with the Purists
>Speak with the Reformists
>Speak with the Establishmentarians
>Seek support amongst the Veterans
>Establish secret communications with the East Coast [Warning: This will have long term consequences]
>Determine Current Enclave Unity
>Determine the current Faction balance of power
>Establish an insider in the Purists
>Establish an insider in the Reformists
>Establish an insider in the Establishmentarians
>Attempt to sway a Purist [Who?]
>Attempt to sway a Reformist [Who?]
>Attempt to sway an Establishmentarian [Who?]
>Write in [Must be an action that can be performed within the span of a week relevant to maintain or growing the unity of the Enclave]
>>
>>5884032
>>Determine Current Enclave Unity
>>Determine the current Faction balance of power
>>Seek support amongst the Veterans
>>
>>5884032
>Seek support amongst the Veterans
>Determine Current Enclave Unity
>Determine the current Faction balance of power
>Write in:
>Attempt to find methods to bring the factions together
We aren't ready to speak with any of the factions about uniting. We need to establish how things are first.
>>
>>5884032
>Seek support amongst the Veterans
>Determine Current Enclave Unity
>Determine the current Faction balance of power
>Write In:
>Determine where and who the supplies are Encase a civil war does break out, Get them on our side.
>>
>>5884032
>Seek support amongst the Veterans
>Establish an insider in the Purists
>Establish an insider in the Reformists
>Establish an insider in the Establishmentarians
The insiders will help us determine the current Unity and Faction Power, and will help us bring the factions together.
>>
>>5884032
Hard choice here not just because we're walking on eggshells, but also due to the options given being a bit too rapid-fire and vaguely different IMO. That said,

>Veteran Support
>Current Unity
>Current Balance
>Determine Supply Distribution

Although planting insiders before speaking to anyone first may be the smarter option...
>>
>>5884238
>>
>>5884260
The options will get more specific as information is gathered on each group and a full on plan of action is developed.
As it is these are just the opening moves to help determine where everything stands and how Ford and company go about figuring that out and how that's presented.
At least that was my intention, I won't deny the choices are a bit vague. I can elaborate on any questions anyone may have within reason as we go forwards.
>>
>>5884123
>>5884260
Ngl, wasting an action determining the supply is planning for failure- and that just makes failure all the more likely.
>>
>>5884280
That's a fair point, but it seemed prudent as mentioned by the earlier post writing it in. On second thought I'll change that option to
>Plant Elizabeth as an Insider in the Purists
>>
>>5884280
Niggah you ain't even got a vote up. Throw a 'better' vote up and do your part then.
>>
>>5884285
I did actually >>5884238
Dynamic IP is fun IP =P
>>
>>5884032

>Seek support amongst the Veterans (could use the retrieval of the power armor schematics as leverage here. It's not battlefield conquest, but it is looking after the troops).

>Get Nelson on side. The lone wolf dies, the pack survives. We will do best if we all stick together.

>Get Young Rockefeller on side. We probably can't influence his father directly, but since they are the talky bleeding-heart bunch the old man wouldn't abandon his son.

>Get Dad worried about this. Lay out the facts, and present a potential coalition against his presidency. He's all about survival, and we survive best if we stay together. Besides, he doesn't want to be president when a civil war breaks out (although don't say that directly, as that would make him defensive, allow him to draw the conclusion based on our 'evidence').

I'm assuming that our squad generally supports us, which is why I only picked one of them, and picked him primarily to keep his father from bailing.

Since the general theme here is survival, that means avoiding dangerous strikes at the enemy right now and focusing on the push for the east. We might need to engage in some salvaging, and the jailbreak, but powerbase erosion is a non-priority at the moment. The Purists can be mollified with the idea that if their lab program works, then it will work better in our new home with better facilities. The pragmatists already have survival as their primary objective. The Reformists get limited violence. To the Establishmentarians I suppose we sell the hope for establishing a physical state to the east where we don't need to hide the American flag and can fly it high and free. Unlike here. Also, America held liberty, federalism, and personal self-motivation as high standards, so allowing the other factions to pursue their idea for restoring the Nation would be in line with traditional values, so long as their path isn't endangering the State.
>>
>>5884032
Civil war is not an acceptable outcome. Also we all live in a small village, we are far less than an hundred people and we have live here most of our lifes. Where the equipment and supplies is i think we know it already, so that write-in about supplies guys really hard drop it because our priority its not that and is genuily not useful for what I mentioned.
And dont think even for a second we can come back from a civil war, the losses would be really bad.

>Seek support amongst the Veterans
>Establish an insider in the Purists
>Establish an insider in the Reformists
>Establish an insider in the Establishmentarians
>>
>>5884503
We don't have the best relationship with our dad due to Ford's idealism. Giving him such an implication will inevitable bring in the question "would my son support a coup against me?" to which he would have prior evidence to believe Ford would and take actions against us and those connected to us.
Basically, it would create unneeded paranoia and suspicion.
>>
closing the vote here is my tally.
>Seek support amongst the Veterans (Looks to be universal)
>Determine Current Enclave Unity 4
>Determine the current Faction balance of power 4

>Determine where and who the supplies are Encase a civil war does break out, Get them on our side. 1
>Attempt to find methods to bring the factions together 1

>Purist Insider 4
>Reformist Insider 3
>Establishment Insider 3

So what I can tell the results are the following
>Seek support amongst the Veterans
>Determine Current Enclave Unity
>Determine the current Faction balance of power
>Establish an insider in the Purists

Some stats for you to ponder while I do the write up as two of these won't require a roll
Current Enclave Unity: 47% (Internal Factionalism is beginning to solidify)

It's worth noting that this Balance of power does not necessarily represent combat capability more so how much support each faction has internally and externally
In terms of Combat Capabilities it's roughly equal so long as the Establishment and the Purists remain in a coalition, though the Reformists have the benefit of External manpower.

Faction Balance of Power:
Purists:
Mother, 4 Veterans, Jacob's Mother [6/38] (Loose coalition with the Establishment)
As a Percentage of Power: 14.14%

Establishment:
Father, 3 Veterans, Grant's Parents, Jacob's Father [7/38] (Loose coalition with the Purists)
As a Percentage of Power: 16.77%

Reformists:
Nelson, 10 Enclave Soldiers, Rockefeller [12/38] (Rockefeller contracts 2 mercenaries for his bodyguard, and Nelson holds the ties to the Van Graffs giving him extra power]
As a Percentage of Power: 36.57%

Unaligned:
Ford, Gerald, 4 Enclave Infiltrators, Fords team [5], Jacob's Sister [13/38]
As a Percentage of Power: 32.56%

I'll get to Writing now
>>
>>5885544
>Purists at 14.14
Based
>>
The first order of business was to get a gauge on where the Enclave's unity was at, and then to understand the balance of power at play between the factions. This was something that Gerald was particularly adept at given his role as an infiltrator. In fact he'd been watching the situation develop for quite some time now. All it'd take to really answer the question for him would be to get some casual feelers put out. He had his team disperse to gather information from the three main groups at play.

First were the Purists, another term one could use would be Enclave Traditionalists. This included your mother and most of the Veterans, along with Jacob's mother. They had their hands in a lot of the core institutions while working alongside some of the most important figures currently in the cell. Your mother is vice president and of course the first lady giving her quite a bit of ceremonial power, but also makes her first in line should anything happen to your father. Jacob's mother obviously had her hand on the shoulder of her husband, which was the only Pilot in the cell at large. Jacob's father while not politically or militarily influential has a lot of weight to where he leans due to having a hold over the primary means of rapid response and escape. Lastly Most of the Veterans are in this camp, and it's unsurprising as they hold a massive vendetta against the wastes for having rendered all of their effort to ash.

Second was the Establishmentarians, 'the Government' you could call it, the forces of the status quo. They're not so much centrists as simply attempting to keep things running. In that your goals align, however when push comes to shove they're going to side with the Purists. As such they can be considered in a form of coalition with them. Though less dogmatic than the Purists, the Establishment has no love for the Reformists long term outlook on the Enclave. Many of the old guard also fall into this camp. Your Father, Jacob's Father, Grant's Parents, as well as the rest of the Veterans, in fact the Establishment has control over most of the officers corps by your count. You'll have to see where things start falling, but ensuring that the Establishment retains it's desire for the status quo is likely your best move going forwards.
>>
Finally there was the Reformists, one could call them Radicals, ideological traitors, or even wasteland sympathizers. You lean most heavily towards them, but unlikely them you're not willing to bring the whole system down to have your way. At least not yet, now isn't the time for this. The Reformists are by themselves out of any faction the largest, however accounting for the coalition between the Establishment and the Purists, they're the smallest, but only barely. Nelson and Rockefeller head this operation, though their views on what constitutes reform and change vary wildly. Senator Rockefeller favors a more oligarchic approach to matters, while Nelson is more open to minor integration and cooperation with the wastelanders. Neither of them favor giving wastelanders any important roles, or even see them as equals however, at best second class citizens down the line. Though the exception is the Van Graffs for Nelson, he's worked with them for a long time, and has strong ties with them, he has a genuine respect for their matriarch due to this, but he see's their relationship with the Enclave as a strictly mutually beneficial one. Still between Nelson, his soldiers, Rockefeller and his mercenaries, and the Van Graff Connection the Reformists are actually the strongest of the factions at the moment, but not by much.

If Gerald had to rate them he'd say it's like this, the Reformists have the lead in terms of their control over the cell, then there's a sizeable amount of unaligned primarily meaning ourselves, lastly the coalition between the Purists and the Establishment are the weakest among the groups. The cohesion of the Enclave as a whole he figures based on what his men tell him is starting to fall apart. There's a few factors that go into this, but what it boils down to is Radicalization, and Relations. The more intensely one faction believes in their cause the less likely it is to compromise with it's opposition, this in turn creates a feedback loop where their relations decline and the radicalization increases. Right now the Purists are the main cause of this as they continue to instigate and object against any potential changes. They're begrudgingly even going along with the current plan, but if they're given even the smallest reason it's likely they'll try and force the issue. The Refomrists on the other hand are playing it patiently waiting for the coalition to fall apart before they strike to seize power, or at least that's what Gerald's guess is.
>>
You nod, "Thank you Sergeant." he smiles back, "Ain't no problem kid... we've lost enough folks to stupidity. We'll likely lose a few more inevitably, but it ain't gotta be now." You lean back thinking about your next moves. The Veterans are currently divided among the Establishment and the Purists, that connection forms the core of the coalition currently as they've all bled for each other. You'll need someone with raport with them, but you believe that if you can convince them of the gravity of the situation, that they could be a major stabilizing factor. You doubt it'd be enough to solidify the coalition into one faction, but the less factions the easier this becomes and this is a start.
Who do you send to gain support amongst the Veterans (You may send 2) Whoever you send here will be unavailable to infiltrate the purists as they will be seen as an external force.
>Yourself
>Gerald
>Rosaline
>Grant
>Jacob
>Elizabeth
[invalid]Thomas[invalid] (He is literally the worst possible choice to send here)
>>
>>5886334
>>Jacob
>>Yourself
>>
>>5886334
>Yourself
>Grant
Leader and Giant. Jokes aside, i think all this choices might work in a way because they present a different young child (except Gerald lol, but they would still see him in a good way), that the veterans have seen grow under their eyes and protected, but not Rosaline due to how she acted. No Rosaline would work best not talking here, but has an inside in the Reformists.


Ah we might want another chat with her and Thomas later on.
>>
>>5886334
>Yourself

>Grant or Gerald
>>
>>5886334
>>Yourself
>Grant
>>
>>5886334
>Yourself
>Grant
>>
>Ourself
>Jacob or Gerald

Glad we made inroads with Gerald, now if we can just make ties with some Vets and Nelson we should be able to calm things down.

I'm thinking Elizabeth as a Purist insider, Thomas as a Reformist insider, and Grant or Gerald as an Establishment insider.
>>
Looks like you're sending yourself and Grant to go speak with the Veterans

Writing.
>>
You go and find Grant informing him of your intention of talking to the Veterans and attempting to gain their support in your efforts to stabilize the Enclave. As right now they form the bedrock of the Establishment/Purist coalition. It's a delicate task attempting to ensure that they remain united, but that in their unity they don't some how find greater strength such that the feel capable enough to strike out against the Reformists instigating the very conflict you're trying to avoid.

As the two of you head to the training ground Grant keeps his usually stoic demeanor, although there is an air of apprehension as you get closer. You're not worried about them lashing out at you or Grant, it's more the gravity of the situation that weighs on you. You move past the feeling however as you approach their usual hang out which is a sort of gazebo just outside of the training grounds. They seem to be sitting around shooting the shit and talking about the old days. That's good they're feeling nostalgic, you can use that.

You speak up as you approach, "Hello." you say simply, most of them turn to see you and Grant approaching. The Eldest Veteran gives you a disinterested look, "What do you want kid?" You stop short of going under the gazebo's roof uninvited, "I was hoping we could talk about the Enclave actually."

The Veterans turn back to each other looking at one another silently coming to a consensus, before one speaks up, "What about the Enclave? Ain't nothing you don't already know kid." You shake your head, "No I mean about the Enclave as it is right now... things aren't going well...." You start your move.
>>
Brutal Speech Test DV 30
Ford +10
Grant -5
Veteran's Begrudging Respect +15
A disciplined front [You brought Grant with you, they appreciate the display of strength] +10

I need three anons to roll me 1d100 you're looking to roll under 60
YOU HAVE 1 REROLL

Critical Failure: [Not possible in this test]
0 Successes: Right, like that'll ever happen. (Ford is completely dismissed by the Veterans as they wave him off. Enclave Unity -5%)
1 Success: Uh-huh, Look kid you're over thinking this (The Veterans don't take Fords concerns very seriously, but they do listen, options will be presented to further convince them)
2 Successes: So the politicians are barking at each other, what's that got to do with us? (The Veterans listen to Ford's concerns and acknowledge them, but are still not moved to action. Enclave Unity +5%)
3 Successes: Alright... you may have a point. We'll see what we can do. (The Veterans listen to Ford's concerns and acknowledge them, they will actively attempt to mediate within the Purist/Establishment Coalition to help keep it stable, but may also attempt to push it to strengthen itself further tipping the balance of power. Enclave Unity +10%, Purist/Establishment Coalition Power +5% [unaligned and Reformists -2.5%])
Critical Success: We here you, what can we do to help? (The veterans are swayed by Fords concern and passion for the Enclaves continued survival, they're willing to help keep the peace however they can. Enclave Unity +15% No power shift)
>>
Rolled 33 (1d100)

>>5888064
>>
Rolled 90 (1d100)

>>5888064
Channeling Donny T to win over these boomers.
Captcha: POTMOP
>>
>>5888079
Fuggg, should I reroll?
>>
>>5888080
we wait for the third then decide.
>>
Rolled 63 (1d100)

>>5888064
GAGAGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
>>
>>5888080
yes
>>
>>5888080
yeah go for it. See if it works without any text though.
>>
Yeah go ahead and burn the reroll.
>>
Rolled 23 (1d100)

>>5888079
>>
>>5888117
God Bless America!
>>
2 Successes: So the politicians are barking at each other, what's that got to do with us? (The Veterans listen to Ford's concerns and acknowledge them, but are still not moved to action. Enclave Unity +5%)

Looks like his message got through somewhat, but not quite as much as he'd have liked.

Writing.
>>
>>5888123
good
>>
Rolled 3 (1d100)

>>5888064
fug did I miss it?
>>
>>5888409
>3
Where were you bro!
>>
You look at them seriously, "You have to have heard about the arguments during the strategy meetings, especially the more recent ones." The veterans mumble amongst themselves, before one responds, "Yeah, you and that prick Nelson are rabble rousing." You frown, "I've stepped myself back in those meetings after being told so first of all, secondly that's not the point." Another Veteran responds, "Then what is the point kid?" You clear your throat as some flem gets caught in it before continuing, "The point is that those arguments keep escalating, it's threatening to tear the Cell apart."

One of the Veterans takes a sip from a bottle of beer, watching you as you speak, "And what's that have to do with any of us? Politicians'll bark all day long, but they ain't gonna bite each other." You look to the side and the Grant speaks up, "With all do respect sir, I think you underestimate just how willing some of these politicians are to start a fight. Let's not forget that most of those people are Enclave Officers, and several are experienced soldiers at that, it's not like the Senate back on the oil rig."

The Veteran drinks his beer tipping it a little more exaggeratedly this time as he looks Grant in the eye, "Ok, you may have a point there." The rest of them again begin muttering amongst themselves, before the oldest among them speaks up, "Then why come to us about it?"

You take the opportunity to answer the question, "Because you're the bed rock of the Cell, everyone here looks up to all of you, both as our protectors but also as our heritage." The Veterans seem pleased by this comparison most of them nodding their heads, "I'm just worried that if things keep escalating that these internal division will just keep getting worse and that's something we can't afford right now."

One Veteran stands up, "Sure Ford, I think we'll all keep that in mind the next time we watch your parents bicker at each other over dinner." He laughs and the rest join in, but despite the jab you feel that there was a degree of genuine seriousness in his statement. You're somewhat frustrated that they're not taking it more seriously, but they are at least taking it somewhat seriously. It's not quite the victory you were hoping for all things said.

You finish up your conversation with the Veterans by giving a small laugh at their ribbing and thanking them for their time.
>>
[Enclave Unity increased to 52%: Status: Barely functional]
[Enclave Factions: Purist/Establishment Coalition goes from a loose coalition to a proper coalition, however the factions have not fully united behind a single purpose yet and thus remain separate]

Your next plan was to get someone to be your eyes and ears within the Purists, Grant and yourself won't fly for this job so you'd need to pick someone else.

Who will become your insider for the Purists? [they will be unavailable for any operations going forwards until this event is resolved, aside from Elizabeth and Gerald everyone else will need to make a test to successfully integrate into the faction without suspicion]
>Elizabeth [Auto passes, at risk of becoming a full blown purist if put in]
>Jacob
>Rosaline
>Gerald [Auto Crits, will know all of the Purists actions during each turn allowing you to plan around them. Will not be available to infiltrate any other faction or help with planning from this point forwards if selected]
>Andrew
>>
>>5888449
>Gerald [Auto Crits, will know all of the Purists actions during each turn allowing you to plan around them. Will not be available to infiltrate any other faction or help with planning from this point forwards if selected]

>>5888421
I quite literally work 7-7 each week day and Gook has my Phone provider banned from posting.
>>
>>5888449
Makes a lot sense, our mom educated her afterall i am not inclined to put Elizabeth anymore inside there.
We put a lot of work on her and this is a very very important and delicate thing..... Gerald maybe.. i am not sure I can see Andrew or Rosaline in here. They could make an act about it, but not easy...
Jacob is not really stealthy but he would put effort in anything really.
Choices choices
>>
>>5888449
>>Gerald [Auto Crits, will know all of the Purists actions during each turn allowing you to plan around them. Will not be available to infiltrate any other faction or help with planning from this point forwards if selected]
Ah fuck it, we will think of something else for establishment and refomists.
>>
>>5888449
>>Gerald [Auto Crits, will know all of the Purists actions during each turn allowing you to plan around them. Will not be available to infiltrate any other faction or help with planning from this point forwards if selected]
>>
>>5888449
>Elizabeth [Auto passes, at risk of becoming a full blown purist if put in]
Gerald is a bon-a-find infiltrator- ether to save him and use his experience to plan beforehand, and he’ll be more useful among the Reformers, as a powerbroker/mediator between Nelson and Rockefeller (that snake).
>>
>>5888449
>Elizabeth
Hard choice, but I want to keep Gerald for the establishment/reformists or for other help.

>>5888494
>Gook has my Phone provider banned from posting.
Mutie communists must be behind this.
>>
>>5888449
>Andrew
play the 'this world just doesn't make sense' card.
>>
>Gerald [Auto Crits, will know all of the Purists actions during each turn allowing you to plan around them. Will not be available to infiltrate any other faction or help with planning from this point forwards if selected]

Alright I'll do this write up and then I'm going to archive the thread, I'm hoping to start the next thread sometime next week maybe the week after.
>>
>>5889104
+1 to Gerald even though the vote is decided. I was wary of adding Elizabeth yet figured it was a natural fit, but Grant should fit for the Establishment and Rockyfeller for the Reformers.
>>
You thought long and hard on who to be the insider for the Purists, and ultimately due to their much more close nit and somewhat paranoid attitude you opted to ask Gerald if he was willing to take on the role. Seeing as he was an experienced Infiltrator by trade you were hoping he'd be able to manage this despite keeping himself typically neutral through out his time here. Gerald chewed on the the thought for quite some time before agreeing, "Well can't say it'll be sunshine and roses, but I think I can swing it. This'll be where we part ways then, can't be associating with you any further to keep my soon to be cover. Don't worry though I'll set something up to feed you the goings on over there." You nod, "Thanks Gerald." You debated adding some sort of patriotic, for the Enclave to the end of it, but opted not to as to keep things brief and to the point.

With that Gerald began his work slowly portraying himself as becoming more interested in the Purist cause before leaning to their side in the public forum. This unnerved Rockefeller and Nelson as it was as they perceived it a rather large swing in power, After all Gerald brings with him his squad wherever he goes if things were to come to blows. There were some overtures from the Reformists made to you not long after, with them hoping to balance things out or back in their favor, but you remained stead fast in your neutrality, stating that for the time being you wouldn't involve yourself in these matters.

Of course that was a lie as you had your hands all over the Enclave at this point. Regardless though as the week ended you had made little progress beyond establishing a good foundation for future maneuvers. It was an overall successful week you feel.

However the next week was to come and plans were to be made.

___________
You have three possible win conditions
Enclave Unity Reaches Greater than 80%
Unaligned actual power reaches greater than 60%
Enclave Unity is Greater than 50% and no faction or coalition has more power than 35% other than unaligned


Enclave Unity: 52% [Barely functional]

Balance of Power:
Purists Perceived Power: 27.19%
Purists Actual Power: 14.14%

Establishment's Power: 16.77%

Coalition Perceived Power: 43.96%
Coalition Actual Power: 30.91%

Reformists Power: 36.57%

Unaligned:
Perceived Power: 19.41%
Actual Power: 32.56%
___________________
>>
warning: if a faction reaches a perceived or actual power of 50% they will launch the civil war
If a faction reaches less than 10% power it is disbanded and becomes unaligned unless it's in a coalition then it is absorbed by its ally faction

Purists Moves this week
Attempt to Radicalize the Establishment [if it succeeds: increases unity, decreases establishment power]
Seize control of the Armory [if it succeeds: Increases Purists Power, decreases everyone elses]
Consolidate new recruits [auto-fails due to Gerald being the infiltrator]
Look for ways to deny Reformist outsider reinforcements [If it succeeds: Negates the Van Graff bonus power for the reformists]
Sabotage relations between Nelson and Rockefeller [If it succeeds: Decreases unity, decreases Reformist power, may cause a faction split]

Establishment moves this week
???

Reformist Moves this week
???

___________________

You have 5 actions you may take this week, what do you do?
>Prevent Purist Action [which one?] (You may take this as many times as you have actions)
>Aid a Purist Action [which one?] (You may take this as many times as you have actions)
>Attempt to rally the Enclave against an external threat [Who?]
>Establish secret communications with the East Coast [Warning: This will have long term consequences]
>Establish an insider in the Reformists
>Establish an insider in the Establishmentarians
>Attempt to sway a Purist [Who?]
>Attempt to sway a Reformist [Who?]
>Attempt to sway an Establishmentarian [Who?]
>Jacob's Suggestion: take control of the bases communications so we can listen in on all comms traffic
>Grant's Suggestion: Speak with Nelsons strike teams
>Thomas' Suggestion: Suggest to the president that a forum for public grievances be established
>Rosaline's Suggestion: Figure out if there are any moderates within the factions and get them to drop out
>Elizabeth's Suggestion: Attempt to cool everyone off by reminding them that it's soon to be Christmas
>Andrew's Suggestion: Lockdown those robots we brought back, if either side gets those it won't be good.
>Write in [Must be an action that can be performed within the span of a week relevant to maintain or growing the unity of the Enclave]
>>
For the victory conditions, the first two end the event upon achieving them.
The last one is a check at the end of the final turn.
>>
>>5890099
>Rosaline's Suggestion: Figure out if there are any moderates within the factions and get them to drop out
>Establish an insider in the Establishmentarians
>Jacob's Suggestion: take control of the bases communications so we can listen in on all comms traffic
>Grant's Suggestion: Speak with Nelsons strike teams
>Establish an insider in the Reformists
>>
>>5890099
>Establish an insider in the Reformists
>Establish an insider in the Establishmentarians
>Attempt to rally the Enclave against an external threat [NCR]
>Elizabeth's Suggestion: Attempt to cool everyone off by reminding them that it's soon to be Christmas
>Grant's Suggestion: Speak with Nelsons strike teams
>>
>>5890099
thats a lot uh

>Establish an insider in the Reformists
>Attempt to rally the Enclave against an external threat [NCR]
>Elizabeth's Suggestion: Attempt to cool everyone off by reminding them that it's soon to be Christmas
>Grant's Suggestion: Speak with Nelsons strike teams
>Rosaline's Suggestion: Figure out if there are any moderates within the factions and get them to drop out

Difficult decisions, not easy at all. damn damn.
Putting some light on the NCR could be good, we can use our fight with that ranger and our missions against them. Picturing them in a worse light can be a good idea, plus the prison reminder of other enclavers (thats a new can of worms, they will have their own opinions when they reunite XD).
>>
>>5890372
+1 to the NCR/POWs angle mentioned here
>Prevent Establishment Radicalization
>Prevent Armory Capture
>Prevent Robit Capture
>Get Moderates to Drop-Out

Hopefully these prevent things from getting fucked up with the Van Graffs. We don't want the Reformers powerful, nor do we want useful elements to be made into enemies.
>>
>>5890372
supporting
>>
>>5890099
>Establish an insider in the Reformists
>Andrew's Suggestion: Lockdown those robots we brought back, if either side gets those it won't be good.
>Jacob's Suggestion: take control of the bases communications so we can listen in on all comms traffic
>Grant's Suggestion: Speak with Nelsons strike teams
>Seize Control of the Armory/Prevent the Armory from being weaponized by the other factions

We don’t need an Insider with the Establishment yet- we need to take control of the robots and prevent the Armory from falling into factionalism. Both of these options will also increase our actual power, along with seizing communications.

I like Rose’s and Elizabeth’s suggestions, but they can wait until next week (especially the Christmas reminder, right?)

Even if Radicalizing the Establishment succeeds, the recruit consolidation will auto-fail, allowing us to scoop us the moderates within the Puritans via Rose’s suggestion with ease next turn.
>>
>>5890372
+1
>>
Test
>>
>>5890099
>>5890372
>This one's pretty good. Support.
>>
>>5890372
Looks to me that this set of instructions wins out.
The results of that and the other factions turns will be part of the opening posts for the next thread.
Which I should drop sometime either before or near the end of this month.
>>
>>5890372
>support
>>5890099



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