CincyBattletech

Mess module on Kowloon Class vessel MSV Titanium Dove
In orbit around Illium
August 5 2183

Loadmaster Trishka Hale idly pokes at the non-descript mush on her plate, "Really Ishidah?  I know we're low on real food until our landing window opens, but this is foul."

"It's the best we've got.  It'll be nice to finally get paid so we can restock with fresh food," replies the long suffering cook.  They both turn and look as the door to the mess opens revealing Titanium Dove's Captain and First Mate.  Both have a look of disbelief on their faces.

Captain Nathan Zachary points at the opposite bulkhead, "Trishka, turn on the news.  We just got a flash from Citadel space."

Trishka loads her Omnitool and switches the slideshow of various garden worlds off, tuning in to Westerlund News.  The crew looks on as film from  yesterday plays of the recovery of a large number of lifepods in Systems Alliance livery in the Terminus Systems.  A caption overlay reads, "Lifepods from SSV Normandy being recovered from near the planet Alchera." A male voiceover starts, "This footage was captured yesterday by an embedded journalist on the SSV Fuji.  These lifepods contain survivors from the unexpected loss of the SR-1 Normandy.  The ship made famous by Commander Shepard during the battle to protect the Citadel from a Geth attack on July 4th.  We go now live to the Citadel where Westerlund News has an exclusive first interview with the survivors."

The display changes to a docking collar on the Citadel a caption appears "SSV Fuji docked at Zakera Ward on the Citadel".  The camera pans to reveal the face of a female correspondant.  She takes a deep breath and speaks into the camera, "This is Khalisah Bint Sinan al-Jilani reporting from the Citadel for Westerlund News, where SSV Fuji has just docked with the survivors of the loss of SSV Normandy.  The Systems Alliance and Council have released no information beyond the loss of Normandy on August second and the search for survivors.  Westerlund News is here with an exclusive first look at the survivors."  The camera suddenly pans back to the docking collar as the airlock on SSV Fuji opens.  Several Corpsmen in Systems Alliance uniforms are seen pushing stretchers with wounded crew members down the collar.  They look at the camera and then look away.  A woman in a white combat hardsuit with the helmet under her arm walks out of the collar.  The camera zooms in and al-Jilani says, "Excuse me.  Can you comment on the loss of the Normandy?  Did Commander Shepard make it out?"

The young woman in the hardsuit looks into the camera, "No comment."  She reaches out and pushes the camera aside.  The camera pans to catch the back of her hardsuit as she storms off.  The camera turns back to the docking collar as a Quarian female, a Turian male, an Asari and a Krogan disembark from the SSV Fuji.

The camera focuses on the Turian.  "Garrus Vakarian?  Khalisah Bint Sinan al-Jilani with Westerlund News.  Can I have a moment?"  The camera pans to frame the four aliens and al-Jilani.  "Can you comment on the accident that caused the loss of the Normandy?  How bad were the casualities?"

The Turian looks directly at her, "I can't comment on that.  Now get that camera out of my face."

The camera shifts to focus on the Krogan, he looks at a the camera showing a distinctively scarred visage, looks at the Quarian and then looks at al-Jilani.  "Tali.  Take care of the camera."  He then turns to al-Jilani, "Commander Shepard was a friend to all of us and we don't want to talk about it."  He then punches her in the face, the camera feed turns to static and goes black.

Triska looks away from the screen, "That was unexpected.  Then again she's the most abrasive reporter in the galaxy.  I'll try ANN, see if they have better information live."

The screen flickers and stabilizes showing the face of another human woman.  The Alliance News Network logo shows prominently in the lower left, sports scores scroll across the ticker at the bottom.  The woman begins to speak as a "LIVE" logo appears in the upper right, "Emily Wong reporting from Zakera Ward on the Citadel.  Yesterday the survivors of SSV Normandy were recovered from the Terminus Systems.  A news release from the Systems Alliance has confirmed 21 crew members are missing in action including the Captain of Normandy, Commander Jane Shepard.  The SSV Normandy was lost after contact with a Geth vessel of unknown type.  The surviving crew members escaped thanks to the heroic efforts of Commander Shepard and Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams.  Coming up shortly is a brief retrospective of the heroic deeds of Commander Shepard, the first human Spectre.  Councillor David Anderson has agreed to meet with me later this afternoon so we can recount her actions in defending the Citadel from the Geth."

The screen goes black for a moment and shows stock footage of the Citadel with the Destiny Ascension in orbit.  The image fades out and is replaced with the Systems Alliance logo and a list of the missing crew from Normandy.  The screen goes blank and changes to ANN SportsCenter 2183 .

Several hours later...
Citadel Presidium
Widow System
Inner Council Space

Councillor David Anderson wearily looks up from his datapad as his door chimes.  The door slides open to reveal Emily Wong and a camera drone.  She looks at Anderson, "Thanks for agreeing to this interview Councillor.  I know you're busy so I'll try to keep it brief."

Emily briefly surveys the room and motions to Anderson to join her at the window overlooking the Presidium. She pauses as she looks out at the Presidium, visible scars of the Battle for the Citadel still evident, "I'd like to shoot the piece from here.  It will help showcase the debt owed by the galaxy to humanity and Commander Shepard.  I'll be asking you several leading questions, I'd like to paint a picture of who Commander Shepard was and what forged her into the savior of the Citadel."

Anderson looks at her with a brief flash of grief in his eyes, "Yes Ms. Wong.  You'll get your ratings.  This isn't my first rodeo.  Let's get this over with."

Anderson walks over to a seating area next to the window.  He sits down facing into the room while Wong directs and configures the camera drone with her Omnitool.  She walks over and sits in the remaining chair next to Anderson, "Shall we begin Councillor?" Anderson nods assent and Wong starts recording.

"Emily Wong with Alliance News Network, reporting from the Presidium.  I have with me Councillor David Anderson who has consented to speak regarding the late Commander Shepard, missing and presumed dead since the loss of her vessel, SSV Normandy, on August 4, 2183.  Commander Shepard was the first human Spectre and one of the heros of the Battle for the Citadel earlier this summer.  Councillor Anderson, you knew Commander Shepard for the majority of her career.  Can you elaborate on her career prior to becoming a Spectre?  What events shaped her into the woman we know as a Spectre and a Soldier?"

"Shepard was a colony kid who had a rough start.  She grew up on Mindoir and was there when slavers raided and razed the colony.  She was later rescued by a System Alliance patrol, from that point forward the Alliance became her family.  She came to command's attention during the Skyllian Blitz when she led a squad into a reinforced bunker.  Shepard was instrumental in breaking the final holdouts on Torfan, although there was a high cost to Humanity and the Alliance that day.  Going on from the Skyllian Blitz, Shepard continued to reinforce her reputation of seeing that the mission was completed regardless of the cost.  She was the best candidate to be the first Human Spectre for that reason.  She was like a bulldog and wouldn't let go short of death."

"Can you summarize the events surrounding the recent Geth attack on the Citadel and Shepard's actions leading up to the battle?"

"I can't go into details on some of it Emily, it's still highly classified.  She got pulled into the events on Eden Prime while investigating the colony going dark after a Prothean relic was uncovered.  Normandy was in system at the time of the attack, guess Shepard was lucky that way.  she landed with a fireteam and fought her way through Geth and Geth Husks to where the artifact was located.  Unfortunately the artifact was destroyed by the rogue Turian Spectre Saren before she could recover it.  She did manage to salvage the space port on Eden Prime allowing the Alliance to reinforce and resupply the colony.  It was on Eden Prime and later on the Citadel that Shepard uncovered Saren's collusion with the Geth.  She went on to thwart a Geth incursion on Feros and to stop the actions of one of Saren's allies on Noveria.  At this point the Salarian STG requested Council assistance with the Geth on Virmire.  Shepard discovered that Saren had a research base on Virmire exploring the process of Geth indoctrination and the creation of husks.  Shepard destroyed that research base with the assistance of STG.  Unfortunately Lt. Kaiden Alenko was forced to sacrifice himself in the interest of the mission."

"Did Lt. Alenko's death impact Shepard?"

"Not really.  If anything, it made her focus on catching up with and stopping Saren.  She always said she'd have time to mourn later," Anderson pauses and takes a moment to recover.  He take a deep breath and continues, "During the raid on Virmire, Shepard determined the location of the long lost Mu relay and that Saren's eventual goal was through that relay.  She followed him through to the Prothean planet Ilos where she discovered a relay called the 'Conduit' which allowed Saren to strike directly into the Citadel.  You know the rest."

"Yes Councillor.  Saren came through and compromised the Citadel's defenses allowing his flagship, Sovereign, to dock with the Presidium tower.  During the fight with the attacking Geth fleet, the Alliance Fifth fleet was heavily damaged.  This sacrifice by the Alliance allowed the Destiny Ascension and the Citadel Council to press the attack while Sovereign was docked with the Citadel.  Shepard ended up fighting Saren in the Council chambers resulting in Saren's death and the unexpected failure of Sovereign's kinetic barriers.  Sovereign was promptly destroyed by the combined might of the surviving Alliance vessels and Destiny Ascension, forcing the Geth fleet to withdraw beyond the Veil.  We here at ANN would like to remind you that many beings lost their lives and homes during the battle.  As the Citadel is rebuilt, we urge you to volunteer at your local medical centers or displacement centers."

Wong pauses for a moment and then resumes, "Councillor.  Can you comment on the rumors that Commander Shepard claimed Saren to be under the control of the mythical Reapers rather than allied with the Geth?"

Anderson's face shifts from a forced smile for the audience to a look of frustration, "I can't comment on that Ms. Wong.  I'm sorry, but this interview is over.  I need to get back to work."

Please handle downtime below.  At this time, please establish how long it will be before you seek more work.  Old New York NWSEC is expecting your borrowed vehicle to be returned within the next four weeks.  They may be willing to negotiate an extension.

Assume a lower end hotel will cost you about 50T per night while a better class of hotel will be around 200 T per night.  See 9.1.1 in the CRB for details.  As long as you take the training time and pay an instructor you can perform character development in Talahassee, see chapter 8 for details on spending CDP.

If you wish to use a skill, please note your dice pool and SPL.  I'll roll it out on my end and post the results.

The story so far...

   Our intrepid band of "heroes" has become marooned in a small nearly coastal town in the former state of Georgia near the impact site of the 1 km meteor which created the Atlanta tidal basin.  You were traveling from the New York metroplex to a NWSEC owned site in the Everglades to determine why several remote probes are no longer reporting to the 'Net via a swarm site in Tallahassee.  NWSEC agreed to pay 5000 T per head, reasonable expenses and to provide ground transit for your time.  Due to a combination of heavily damaged sections of interstate and having to skirt the Capitol Sacrifice Zone this was planned and provisioned as a two week trip.  NWSEC has loaned you a Guardian APC for the duration.

   Picking your way around the destroyed metropolitan confines of Atlanta, you were forced to divert out I-85 and later to cut cross country along GA RT 8 to get back onto I-85.  A section of the roadbed washed out severely damaging the rear trans-axle of your vehicle.  You were able to get it into limp mode and make it closer to "civilization".  As you approached the frontier town of Farthington, your intrepid vehicle failed in a cloud of steam as with a grind of burning metal the transmission seized.  A brisk 15 km walk brought you to Farthington, a zero horse town which seems to breed bird sized mosquitos.  The only notable landmarks are a one story building with a faded yellow awning, the hand lettered sign in front reads "Millie's Roadhouse" and purports to offer food and drink.  Lounging against the shattered stump of a roadsign by the half demolished remains of a 20th century fuel station are several seedy locals wearing black silk scarves around their necks.  You learn quickly that these thugs pass for the law in Farthington, a group known as the Roughnecks.

   While poking around town looking for a mechanic to fix your vehicle you noticed a Grigori observing your party and discreetly (for a Grigori) following you.  Upon confronting him, he introduced himself as Markus and offered you a meeting with his employer.  You met with Brandenburgh over a meal at Millie's and he offered you a decent payout for a simple task.  All you have to do is escort his employees into a bank vault to recover an item of interest.  The item is located in a walled city a couple of hours by air away called Madik.  The city dropped out of communication about three days ago for unknown reasons after a large number of localized distree calls went out.  Brandenburgh indicated that the Everyn Sovereignty, a PMC arcology nearby is mobilizing to "liberate" that town.  He is requesting that you recover his valuables before the Everyn Militia arrive and start looting in the name of saving the city. You negotiated an appropriate price and for Brandenburgh to finance the repairs to your Guardian.

   Brandenburgh asked for you to gather your supplies and to meet him at the local transit hub at his Kestrel LLS.  Upon boarding the cargo module of the Kestrel you met Stan, Brandenburgh's driver and mechanic.  Brandenburgh proceeded to take off and combat drop you about 5 km from Madik.  Stan's Prowler APC was slightly damaged by a bull charger which you succeeded in killing.  Upon cresting a ridge, Stan kills the off road lights on the Prowler and switches on a U-Frame system with low light enhancements.  You notice the city of Madik looks mostly dark and abandoned.  There are some isolated fires in various parts of the city.  You uneventfully arrive at the bank and proceed inside.  Markus circumvents the bank's security systems by shorting the electronic security with an acid bath and fooling the final retinal scan with a set of eyes he had brought with him in stasis gel.  You were greeted by an abbatoir of sorts as an automated turret appeared to have malfunctioned and killed the security guard stationed in the vault.  Markus proceeded to retrieve the package you had come to Madik for and handcuffs it to his arm.  Shortly afterward a garbled radio transmission from Stan comes over a handset on Markus's utility harness indicating that you need to get upstairs immediately.  In the background you can hear heavy autofire from the Prowler's mounted support gun.

   You come upstairs as Stan drives into the lobby, slewing the load gate toward the group.  A number of degenerates, humans infected with something that forces them to be driven by id and rage, came charging at you across the shattered glass in the lobby.  After fighting your way to the Prowler, Stan is forced by enormous crowds of degenerates toward one of the main residential towers in Madik.  After convincing Stan to leave his precious Prowler behind, you fought your way up stairway #4 in the residential tower.  After several hours of running battles through the stairwell you reached the roof access.  Markus had previously arranged for Brandenburgh to do an emergency pick-up from the roof.  Markus made a plan with Brandenburgh and proceeded to haul the group across the rooftops through a swirling melee of degenerates, survivors and burning roof heat exchanger units.  You make it off the roof in the Kestrel as the residential tower starts to collapse.

Brandenburgh proceeded to drop you off in Farthington.  He pays you with no issue and arranges to have Stan repair your damaged vehicle.  You still don't know what was in the case, but you do have a storage card that you recovered from the tattered remains of a labcoated scientist's PDA in your fight up the stairwells.  The card is encrypted but may contain clues as to what happened in Madik to make a majority of the population go insane.

You received 5000 T each.

This is the old PC Gen and House Rules Thread.  See the monster ME thread for current rules and PC Generation.

PC Generation Rules: Per RAW except as below.

Rulebook can be obtained relatively cheaply from http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=57713.

Modifications to PC Generation rules:

Starting Trust is set to 5000 since 2500 is totally crap if I expect survivable PCs.
Starting CDP is 750.
Maximum skill ranks for PC generation are per RAW, however since you all have survived one mission you may increase up to 3 extra ranks in skills and up to 1 extra rank in fields.

After you have created your PC you will receive a token amount of Trust for completion of your first mission.  It is assumed you survived Milk Run along with both Stan and Markus (NPCs that you were escorting).  Stan recovered his precious APC and repaired your broken down Guardian APC.  You still have an outstanding mission to place probes in the Everglades from the NWSEC as well as to recover data from several probes that have gone offline and are no longer reporting to the Net swarm in Talahassee.

Brett delivered a healthy boy on March 22 at 2111. He's healthy and both should be discharged tonight.

Estimated Stats:

Height: 20 inches
Weight: 6 lbs 6 oz
Str: 10
Dex: 10
Con: 8
Int: 10
Wis: 10
Cha: 10

Edit: His name is officially Arthur Alastair. I'm springing both from the hospital early today. However in typical form for someone with my DNA he's going straight to a pediatric ENT to fix the nose that was broken on the way out. Potentially requiring sticking plasters at ~40 hours old is some kind of record.