Wolves and Sheep OOC

I'm not going to lie, I am kind of jealous you get a gadget pick.

Oh well, it's my own fault for being freelance.

So a thought: Vex hasn't chosen his extra two mission gears yet, which I am willing to chalk up to system inexperience. So hopefully my stumbling around with gear tables yesterday is sticking in my brain (and not fading due to cram shock), but I seem to remember that Tradecraft and/or Resources allow a Recon pick, and a Dossier pick. I bring this up because I realize that we might not know who or what we are looking for once we get there, and time is of the essence (Dozer might also not want to let on that he knows there's a friendly on the train, not that he knows said friendly has intel themselves). So a Dossier pick to know what target to look for, and a Recon pick (in this case an overhead pic sent to Dozer's phone) to try to narrow down where on the train the target might be (as well as how many possible tangos we're dealing with).

Hey there! Yeah actually I believe it might be... I thought that I would get just 1V and 1W as part of my current level for Wheelman... so do I get to select other two mission gear?

Just as a reminder:
That's one of the neat things about Spycraft, they give you reasons to not make CHA a dump stat even if you are a super physical character. One of them is you get more mission gear depending on if you are working for a faction or freelancing it, because we were able to coax the quartermaster to let us have it, or we were far enough up the ladder that we could just order something like that. In my case we are on higher than average terms (which probably would be better if I wasn't so sarcastic) so he allows me a little wiggle room for how I sort and check out the gear, which allows me to store some surprises in places (and in the case of tradecraft/resources if I could badger someone higher up the chain as long as I haven't taken said liberty with gear beforehand). You, on the other hand, are a respected member of the FBI (and have a pretty face ;) ) so you have even more leverage than I do.

You may also be able to reserve common item and gear picks to use in the field by making Gear or Request checks. The combined limit on these is your Wisdom modifier so you normally need at least a 12 to use this option. The DC of the check and the time it takes to receive it is variable on type, caliber and location.

For example, if you discover that that you are going to need to raid a location during the course of a mission and had a Resource pick in reserve, you could try to call in a Bag Full of Guns to arm your team for the upcoming fight.

Sorry all, got a thing that I need to be at on Saturday (aka tomorrow as of this post). Very sad thing, don't want to go into detail about it. So I might not be in a good enough mood to post anything.

Back from the thing. Mood is okay right now. Been thinking about the plan. Have some questions:

1.) It's been a while since I've been on a train, is there an intercom system?

2.) Can I make an Intimidate check over said intercom system to, say, get the Russians to not kill hostages/surrender?

3.) How can I be intimidating if I'm using rubber bullets? Oh trust me, I'VE GOT AN IDEA.

Getting my strategy/tactics hat on (which, I'll admit, mostly just gets me Flawless missions in XCOM 2 Commander difficulty, I never claim to be a genius), I'm going to guess that the hacker is going to try to force us into a tough choice of going after the hostages or stopping him, so he's probably going to position himself far enough that we won't be able to run to him in time if we go to save the hostages first. However, technically there isn't a time limit on hostage taking, at least not one that can't be extended through talking. While it's true that Stephen has a jammer, if we are going to stay in character then Dozer and Sebastian don't know that.

That said, the headset radios we are using are basic Cal I gear, so the jammer's probably going to take them out. Since Dozer knows there's a friendly on sight, so if his headset goes out, then he'll probably figure that said friendly's trying to make a move, or someone else who wants the thing. Either way, the time limit's extended, so the right move will probably be to bee-line it to the hostages, depending on where he is at the time the jammer goes up.

Going to need to dig out my book again to look up the chase rules, though.

RusVal - In response to your questions. I would think that the train does in fact have an internal intercom (as I'm assuming the engineer would announce upcoming stops), that being said I don't know that you would be able to access it remotely.

Keep in mind that at the moment the Russians don't know that you are pursuing. The only information you have at this point is that the FBI knows the Russians are on the train, though it is unknown if they are there as buyers or sellers. It's probably a safe assumption that they other passengers are hostages but it is not actually known.

The concern with using a helicopter to infiltrate the train was a) spooking the hacker so that he either releases the program online (giving anyone and everyone a program that could hinder those looking for him) or shut down his attempt and walk off the train with the program still in his possession and b) there was a concern he may/may not use the other passengers as hostages

Your point on the jammer is valid ... though I might point out you could easily assume it is the hacker responsible for the signal jamming as well?

Also, I forgot to mention in my post ... the starting lead is 4 (80 ft)

Right, feeling much better today. Was going to post, but have hit a bit of a snag. See, I'm sort of trying to have Dozer remember that Whitmore's character's on the train, try to logic that he's in the last car (which I am assuming because Whitmore said he was "going forward" to the dining car), and gamble that the guy might have a back-up plan for stopping the hacker.
So he figures that a super secret agent man (from off the grid) will probably go first class. Because why not?
But now I'm having trouble figuring out why he would think it was the back.

Am I going to have to make a roll for this?

LOL ... we posted at the same time. See my notes to your previous questions above your 10:02 AM post. Also mentioned that the train's starting lead is 4.

And to respond to your last question. The only information you were provided was that there is a Banshee Net operator on the train. They didn't know if it was a he/she (and if you've been reading Whitmore's posts you have probably gathered that it is a he dressed up as a she) nor where he is on the train (for all you know he could be a train employee). Your objective is to make sure that the program is copied and makes it back to Banshee Net via their operator.

Seuss

Yeah, lol. :)
Oh I've been reading 'em, since I noted that he said he was moving [I]forward[/I] to the dining car, so I figured he was in the far back first class one.

And as an aside, looking at Stephen Fairbank's mug, I can't help but think of Seth Rogan in drag with a Team Fortress 2 Spy style paper mask with a printed picture of a woman on it. I know that probably isn't what's happening, but my brain keeps going there and can't stop laughing. I don't even know why, I don't even find that stuff funny...

But anyways, yeah good point as far as Dozer knows he could also be an employee. Guess I'm trying to fudge the knowledge gap here. ;P

So the initial plan it is: Hacker's got a hard time limit, so he's priority. Once we grab 'em, use the intercom (which I probably can't use remotely, but could possibly use when on the train) to at least delay any other hostiles from popping hostages. Best entry point is (if we can get at least two people on) between the third and forth cars. One guy goes towards the front, tries to get the train to stop, while the other works his way towards the back. First guy can then sprint to catch up once he's cleared the front.

By the by, I realize I might not have calculated my gear weight yet. I [I]think[/I] I'm under the 100 lb. limit for unencumbered (Interceptor Armor makes my carrying capacity strength 18 :) ), but if I'm not I might have Sebastian hold a few of my things (it's a common tactic in squads, Vex, I don't mean anything by it).

(By the way, I don't want to step on Vex too much, so that's why I'm trying to let him do on the Dramatic Chase scene bit. Hint hint)

Hello there!!

Sorry, it has been a crazy weekend and I haven't had the chance to even login here... I'll just post in the next few hours.

It could actually be a cooperative check, with a tactics synergy bonus which if memory serves Dozer has ranks in tactics?

Ooooh buddy, I am max ranks in Tactics over here. :)

Just checking, but does Vex know about the Chase rules?

Not likely, he doesn't.

Take a peek at the Dramatic Conflict Chapter in the Core Rules (Chapter 6). They are very similar to a complex task but with some extra crunch to make for a more cinematic experience. Review the rules and for now you can just read the introduction and Chase sections. If you have any questions ask ... I'm sure between RusVal, Whitmore, and myself we can respond.

Formulate a plan with RusVal and you can pick a strategy. Then send a roll and strategy (you can just edit your previous post as you already established your intent, just pick a strategy (add some narrative flair if you'd like) and go from there (after you review and are comfortable with the rules). I know you and Avenger both are new to SpyCraft so if a post takes an extra day or two it won't be a problem.

Seuss

In this case you are the Predator and the train is the Prey. Each round, both the Predator and Prey secretly pick a strategy, make their opposed rolls (which would be Drive / Maneuver unless the strategy changes it), and the winner may choose 1 or more Advantages from their strategy based on how much they win by.

The Lead represents the distance between you and the train so if you want to get closer to the train, you'll want to pick a strategy that has the Lead advantage which allows you to reduce that distance. Something like "Go, Go, Go!", "Eat my Dust" or "Redline" depending on your cars Acceleration and Handling stats.

But like Seuss said, I am more than happy to help answer any questions.

Did real life sneak up on everyone? Where is everyone?

Gotten kind of quiet 🙁