[Sci-fi/Mass Effect] Tactics - how do we resolve this situation?

[Kiero]

We're playing Mass: the Effecting (http://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Mass:_the_Effecting) right now, we returned to it last week in mid-mission. The PCs are a group of "ethical" mercenaries called Penumbra Securities. The ethical part is important, we treat our contracts as inviolable and try to minimise collateral damage. We even have a charter (http://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Mass_Effect_Transcendence/Mission_Statement) outlining what we will and won't do.

This is long, so I've broken it up into sections for ease of digestion.


Background

We're running through a mission called Green Gold which is going to be turned into an introductory adventure by our GM once he's seen how we pull it apart. Essentially it's all about a Prothean artifact found at an archaeological dig site which everyone wants possession of. We spent the early part of it looking for an Institute of Mars researcher who'd gone missing. Our contract was to find her and extract her to safety. We've accomplished that, she's currently a prisoner aboard our ship being kept temporarily locked up for her own safety (long story).

However, we've now taken on a new contract to retrieve the artifact itself for the Alliance, ostensibly by ensuring it stays safely in the custody of the Institute of Mars, who are the owners of it. The artifact is a green stone pillar, about man-height but quite thick and weighing several tons. It contains starchart information which hasn't been decoded yet, and of course that information is valuable. Think mass relay routes into previously uncharted parts of the former Prothean Empire which haven't been loot-er...explored.

The artifact is still at the dig site, specifically in the researcher's compound above it and connected to the tunnels of a site called The Fastness, which is some sort of Prothean mountain-bunker. One of the researchers hired the Blood Pack to secure the site, so that he could steal the artifact and sell it to a massively wealthy volus collector. He took all his colleagues hostage in the process, and was holding them prisoner.

Not long after they did that, a second party who want the artifact, a dozen turian veterans hired by a local grandee arrived on site. They cut main power, installed a communications jammer and ringed the site with motion detectors and mines. They have at least one sniper roving the vantage points and have surface-to-air weaponry.

We came next, attempting an aerial insertion aboard a shuttle escorted by a pair of gunships. We were shot down shortly after entering the jamming field, though all survived. We left our pilot attempting repairs as we entered on foot. While we managed to sneak in without triggering sensors or mines, they had a sniper perch with a clear view of us, so the turians know we're here. They didn't start a fight because they're pre-occupied with the Blood Pack in the compound and didn't want to weaken themselves.

We managed to get a scout drone into the compound and make contact with the hostages, including getting a map of those tunnels. Using said tunnels, we got into the back of the compound and breached while the turians were making another probing attack to test the defenses. We killed four of the vorcha and got all fifteen hostages out and into the tunnels. While that makes us look good, and clears the field of non-combatants, it wasn't actually our contract. They're also not completely out of danger since they have no supplies and no means of getting offsite or calling for help.


The current situation

We have five PCs (http://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Mass_Effect_Transcendence/The_Principals) in the tunnels behind/beneath the main compound. We have a shuttle, two gunships and our frigate out there somewhere, but the comms blackout prevents us making use of any of them.

We have the Blood Pack; a huge, heavily armoured krogan and about twenty armoured vorcha; in the compound with the artifact. Also in there is the treacherous researcher trying to sell the thing, currently trying to decode it. They are dug in, motivated and prepared for a long fight.

We have the turian ex-military team, about a dozen of them, somewhere outside the compound launching probing attacks at regular intervals trying to find a way in. They have a jamming device stopping anyone talking to the outside world. They are tech-savvy and determined to get this thing.

Somewhere outside this, the volus collector is probably on her way with a team of her own to secure it. We don't know how far away she is, or whether the researcher managed to inform her that he was ready to make the deal.

There is also a salarian team working for a notorious crimelord active on the planet. We haven't seen them at the dig site yet, but they shouldn't be discounted.

Lastly, Baria Frontiers sent an asari executive to get the artifact. We haven't seen her so far, but again we are assuming she's out there. No idea what sort of team she may have brought.

The longer this takes, the more likely it is that the collector will arrive, along with the other parties who aren't evident yet. Not only that, it is also more likely that the researcher decodes the artifact and is able to sell the information without it (no one wants to share it).


Our goals and resources

We want that artifact. Not only because we're contracted to get it, but it will prevent it falling into the hands of criminals and profiteers. Succeeding may also open up some lucrative black ops contracts with Alliance Intelligence in the future, as well as enhance our reputation as people who get difficult things done discretely and cleanly.

There are the five PCs, none of whom are injured and with full stocks of ammo and equipment.

One of our primary strengths is air power. We have a shuttle (hopefully the turians haven't grabbed it and our pilot) and two gunships (one was trailing smoke after the insertion, hopefully it wasn't shot down). Without communications, that's all but grounded since we can't co-ordinate with them. None of the other teams so far have had any air assets, they've been stuck on the ground. With comms back up, we have serious, mobile firepower at our disposal and the means to extract the artifact quickly.

If it comes to it, we can even call in fire support from our frigate (laser batteries, we don't have any mass accelerators being a non-military vessel), or get it to land. But again without comms, they don't even know our status.

We can use the tunnels again, but the Blood Pack will be wary of a second attempt given we stole their prisoners using them. We're assuming they're not going to attempt to sweep the tunnels given the turians at their doorstep.

Then there's the civilians. If we had comms, we could call the shuttle up to evacuate them to town where they'd no longer be our worry. If not then within a day or two supplies are going to become a concern. This is an arid, volcanic terrain and we're a long way from civilisation. The ground transport is inside the compound, where we can't get to it without being shot at by everyone. So either we clear away all the shooters, or find a way to evacuate them soon.


The plan

Storming the compound with all those vorcha (and the krogan tank) is suicide. Not only that, we'd hand victory to the turians. As long as the jamming is in effect, we're at a disadvantage (smallest crew unable to use their trump card).

So I'm thinking we need to take out that jammer. Our tech specialist, Kane, could jury-rig something to allow us to find it (I hope!). We hunt it down and either grab it or failing that, destroy it. Obviously the turians aren't going to just let us do that, so it's not an easy proposition. But as soon as we've either controlled or destroyed it, we call in air support.

Then we can turn our attention to the Blood Pack in the compound. I noticed that the vorcha are wearing body armour, but not proper sealed suits with barrier generators. Which made me think of gas. If we could flood the compound with some sort of knockout or nerve agent, we might be able to take all or most of them down without a firefight. Just leaving the krogan tank to deal with, along with the researcher. That done, we call in the shuttle, load the pillar onto it and bugger off.

Simples, right? :smalltongue:


So if you're still with me after all that, any better ideas/nuances/problems/thoughts on the situation and how to resolve it? Anyone have a better plan?

[Slipperychicken]

How far out does the jamming go? Maybe you can walk out, call in air support from there. Turians probably set the jammer up in their camp, which shouldn't be too hard to find.

You could let one side win, then attack them while they're weak from fighting eachother and trying to haul out the pillar.

You could offer aid to the Turians on the condition they lower the jamming field to evacuate the civilians (let them think you value the civilians lives more than the statue). While sending orders to evacuate, also tell your ships to blast the Turians from orbit when you give the signal. Team up with them, kill the Blood Pack together (ideally letting the Turians take lots of damage by leaving most of the fighting to them, while you stay safe behind cover), then betray the Turians, kill their survivors with a combination of air power and PC-ness, and take the pillar for yourself.

[Dienekes]

Bloody up your best liar send them to the Turians with a map, say the BP killed your group and you're out for revenge, also say the buyer can get there any minute. Of course also claim you want some of the reward your own self so it's believable. This gives access to the turian base and probably their jammer as well, and give your team the element of surprise to eventually wipe out the turians.

In all likelihood there's going to be one hell of a fight when the buyer gets there with the salarians and asari all making their bid for it. I'd suggest not destroying the jammer and sending in your airship until they make their move. But once you do aim for the transportation of the varying factions leaving them grounded and unable to transport the artifact.

On the other hand the two unknown factions may be waiting to attack with their own ships in orbit. I'd need more information to figure out how to deal with that.

[Kiero]

How far out does the jamming go? Maybe you can walk out, call in air support from there. Turians probably set the jammer up in their camp, which shouldn't be too hard to find.

Jamming means our suit radios only work to 50m. The shuttle crashed about a kilometer from the compound, but that's still inside the jamming field. This thing is powerful.

I'd like to find the jammer, but we'd need to focus on the task. It hasn't been trivially easy when we first suggested locating it. The turian camp is a good guess, though, we just have to find it!


You could let one side win, then attack them while they're weak from fighting eachother and trying to haul out the pillar.

That would certainly be a favoured play, given we're the smallest crew here. Just that question of time; the turians are clearly looking for a way in, but no idea when they're going to try for an all-out assault.


You could offer aid to the Turians on the condition they lower the jamming field to evacuate the civilians (let them think you value the civilians lives more than the statue). While sending orders to evacuate, also tell your ships to blast the Turians from orbit when you give the signal. Team up with them, kill the Blood Pack together (ideally letting the Turians take lots of damage by leaving most of the fighting to them, while you stay safe behind cover), then betray the Turians, kill their survivors with a combination of air power and PC-ness, and take the pillar for yourself.

Trust has been in scant supply this entire mission, shall we say. :smallsmile:

That said, some sort of ruse along those lines might work - we did rescue the civilians rather than go directly for the artifact when we had an opportunity, after all. We have a turian PC who's shockingly good looking, she might be able to pull something like that off.

A team-up is problematic because they'd probably be thinking the same thing - double-cross at an opportune moment. Their employer wants this thing just as our employer does, so someone is going to be disappointed.


Bloody up your best liar send them to the Turians with a map, say the BP killed your group and you're out for revenge, also say the buyer can get there any minute. Of course also claim you want some of the reward your own self so it's believable. This gives access to the turian base and probably their jammer as well, and give your team the element of surprise to eventually wipe out the turians.

A bold plan, but as above trust has been in short supply. I worry they'd just execute the erstwhile infiltrator to be safe. Getting at their jammer is definitely high on the list, though.


In all likelihood there's going to be one hell of a fight when the buyer gets there with the salarians and asari all making their bid for it. I'd suggest not destroying the jammer and sending in your airship until they make their move. But once you do aim for the transportation of the varying factions leaving them grounded and unable to transport the artifact.

This is why we're hoping to get it before the buyer arrives, because things get even more complicated then. Same goes the salarians and asari - they just make it even more people who probably want to shoot rather than talk.

Everyone else has, thus far, stuck to ground transport. That's how these two groups got here.

Which gives me an idea; if we can get in touch with our gunships, we know where the turians crawlers are. We could destroy them to cut of any chance of them leaving with it.


On the other hand the two unknown factions may be waiting to attack with their own ships in orbit. I'd need more information to figure out how to deal with that.

We don't know, simply put. Unless someone has a stealthed ship (unlikely) our frigate in orbit will know whether anyone else has arrived. But we can't currently talk to them...

[DJDizzy]

When in doubt: C4

[LibraryOgre]

Well, you have a few options.

1) Get close enough to disrupt or destroy the Turian's jamming. Looks like you need to be within 50m, and keep them from interrupting. If you can't destroy it, then disabling it for a few seconds... long enough to send a packet of data to your ship... will at least let them know what's up.

2) Get a message to your ship some way they can't jam. Microwave is good, but pretty point-to-point... you'd have to hit your ship with a message they'd understand, while they're in orbit above you.

Consider that the different groups CAN work to your advantage... the Blood Pack communications are also being jammed, so they will have a similar interest in disrupting the Turians.

[Forum Explorer]

Overall it seems that most of your problems stem from the Turians. Could you take most of them out without alerting the Blood Pack? Do that and the airspace is cleared + your communications are back online.

Plus they don't seem to be as dug in as the Blood Pack are anyways.

[Ninjadeadbeard]

How extensive are the tunnels? Is there any way to collapse parts of the compound using explosives?

Barring that, scan for the jammer and then let the Blood Pack know where it is. Or tell them you want a team up, then ambush them from the tunnels (or collapse when they're on top of the tunnels) when they show up.

[Kiero]

When in doubt: C4

We don't have much by way of explosives with us. That's down to what the dig team have in the tunnels, and what we can micro-fabricate. There's a big danger of burying ourselves under the mountain if we're not careful, though.


Well, you have a few options.

1) Get close enough to disrupt or destroy the Turian's jamming. Looks like you need to be within 50m, and keep them from interrupting. If you can't destroy it, then disabling it for a few seconds... long enough to send a packet of data to your ship... will at least let them know what's up.

Our techie might be able to rig some sort of temporary overload if he were close enough to it. Failing that we have two PCs with long-ranged rifles who could shoot it if we could see it.

There's just the question of finding it, which hasn't been easy so far. And the turians won't be letting anyone near it.


2) Get a message to your ship some way they can't jam. Microwave is good, but pretty point-to-point... you'd have to hit your ship with a message they'd understand, while they're in orbit above you.

Looking into alternative means of communicating with the ship is certainly worthwhile if we can't circumvent the jammer by other means.


Consider that the different groups CAN work to your advantage... the Blood Pack communications are also being jammed, so they will have a similar interest in disrupting the Turians.

True, but if they are un-jammed, they can contact their buyer and get them to accelerate the timetable to the deal. For all the jamming hurts us, it also prevents the volus collector arriving with her (say) 30+ turian veterans and becoming the biggest threat.

We've already attacked the Blood Pack and killed four of their number, so don't know how willing to talk they'll be after that. And we stole their other leverage by taking the non-combatants out of play. Plus no one in this little drama trusts anyone else.


Overall it seems that most of your problems stem from the Turians. Could you take most of them out without alerting the Blood Pack? Do that and the airspace is cleared + your communications are back online.

Plus they don't seem to be as dug in as the Blood Pack are anyways.

Yeah. I think some stealth assault on the turians is a good play, but one they probably expect since they know we're here. It would solve most of our problems, though.

It would probably require a ruse; they outnumber us (a dozen to our five) and we only have two PCs meaningfully capable of stealth.


How extensive are the tunnels? Is there any way to collapse parts of the compound using explosives?

Barring that, scan for the jammer and then let the Blood Pack know where it is. Or tell them you want a team up, then ambush them from the tunnels (or collapse when they're on top of the tunnels) when they show up.

The tunnels are extensive and not comprehensively mapped. We were given the impression it was a bunker that might be big enough to hold a million people.

I hadn't considered collapsing part of the compound; that could be a good way to draw the turians into attacking by revealing a viable breach for them.

The Blood Pack look pretty settled in. All they have to do is wait until their buyer arrives. I'm assuming a signal was sent to arrange the meet, but possibly not how urgent it was. So even if they know where the jammer is, I can't see them sallying out of their fortified position.

Plus it's unlikely they'd want to team up with us, especially after we stole their hostages and killed four of their guys.

We have to do this the hard way (or one of the hard ways). :smallredface:

[Sith_Happens]

I hadn't considered collapsing part of the compound; that could be a good way to draw the turians into attacking by revealing a viable breach for them.

Do this after locating the jammer. With most of the turians fighting Blood Pact the jammer should be much easier to get to. After taking it out, call in all the air support you have to get the artifact and hostages out ASAP before the other interested parties arrive.