Preamble

Welcome, Gatekeepers, to Into the Megaverse Online!  

We have begun this online segment of our ongoing club campaign to allow members from our far-flung regiments (or those that can't make it on Tuesday to the live sessions) to take part in the campaign in a meaningful way and have fun roleplaying to boot!

Our club hasn't ever done anything like this, so for those of you reading this thread to check us out, please remember it's taking some time to get everyone registered on the site and brought up to speed on how we are going to do things.  A large number of folk have expressed interest in doing this, and even though we are starting without them, they will have plenty of opportunity to join the game pretty much at any time.

Into the Megaverse is planned to continue through Season 1 of 2016, meaning it won't be over until April 1st, 2016!  We took some time to devise a long campaign that has two facets:  the online investigations that will aid the live sessions in various ways by completing objectives, and the live sessions themselves.  Make no mistake - this online game will be VERY important to the live sessions, and they will need both the intelligence you gather and the in-game bonuses you will grant them by completing your objectives here.  

We'll make sure to keep you abreast of all the awesomeness your success provides, and in this way you will be able to share in the success or failure of the live sessions.

In order to keep things moving and paced for everyone, the entire campaign (both online and live) is timed.  Every Tuesday, the live group will meet here at the Wargate to conduct their mission, and have 3 hours of real time to complete that scenario.  On Wednesday, a new scenario will be started here on theRPGsite.  Each online scenario is a precursor to the next live session.  

You have a week to complete the scenarios (which are relatively short, but complex enough to provide a real brain-tease) by simply replying on the story threads during the week.  Throughout each weekly scenario, I will respond to your questions, actions and roleplay daily, so make sure to favorite these threads in your browser for easy access!

This thread will contain all our story posts from Delta Front, while the  character thread contains all our characters for each of the stories.  Also, the character thread will contain all the game resources and references necessary to play.  As the game progresses, the list of resources and characters will expand to cover a variety of Palladium books.

Each story post will state the location, time and characters present.  In the case of a split up party, this makes it easy to run - just look for the post listing your character as present, and react to it like you would normally...except type it in and post it in the thread, as opposed to just telling me as I lurk behind a GM screen.  Well, I guess technically your PC monitor is now my GM "screen".

On the start date of the first scenario here, we only have 1 character (out of perhaps that is finished and ready to start.  Yet, since the live session will be coming up next Tuesday, we can no longer wait to begin as we complete the characters.  As more players get brought up to speed and their characters are added, we'll bring them into the scenario immediately.

Good luck!

A Note Regarding Delta Front Resources

As an agent of Delta Front, you have access to the agency described on the campaign page.  However, a few of these special resources require additional clarification.

• Specialist gear can be requisitioned from the Quartermaster.
• The Official Document Processing department can provide you with credentials for any government (or agency) that is a U.N. member state.  These documents are not forgeries, but are official documents, and as such have a 100% chance to work where they are intended.  However, be very careful with this, as it could get you into hot water where you're not familiar with the nuanced politics surrounding said organizations.

You are assumed to have access to the following equipment as each of these scenarios begins, unless otherwise noted.

• 9mm Pistol and 2 clips.
• Delta Front Cell Phone.
• A laptop computer.
• An issued government car, most likely an older model Ford Taurus.

A Note on Formatting

• Post all actions and questions here in the forum.
• Narrate your intended actions.
• Italicize (and color if desired) your character's dialogue.
• When replying to a specific item, please use the Quote / MultiQuote function to maintain clarity.
• Feel free to utilize pictures in your posts!

Delta Front Regional Operations Control, Washington D.C.

Characters Present

• Hard Mike
  

Operation Briefing

August 25th, 2020 (0800 hours)

The briefing room is silent as you sit alone at the large table.  It's been a while since you were in the field, and you're more than ready for a new assignment.  You've rested well in the hotel provided by the agency for the last few days, and you're feeling in high spirits as Colonel Austin and his aides enter to room to begin your briefing.

You salute the Colonel, and after he and his aides formally return the salute he gestures for you to sit.  The aides produce some documents, and the Colonel launches right into the briefing in his customary way.  Though clipped and generally stern, you've come to know Colonel Austin well over a number of successful operations.  He's direct, to the point and generally dispenses with pleasantries, save for his military etiquette.

"Greetings, Agent," the Colonel begins.

"Two weeks ago, a popular Congresswoman was murdered here in D.C. by an unknown assailant."

The Colonel gestures to some of the papers being spread upon the table by his aides.  This one is a newspaper clipping of the Washington Times with the headline "Congresswoman Elaine Baker Shot Outside D.C. Home".

"She was shot by a high-velocity round from some distance away.  What makes this slightly interesting is that the bullet hit her right in her left eye.  As near as we can tell, the range was extreme.  We couldn't make out exactly where the bullet originated, but what we do know is the circumstances of the evening would make that nearly impossible for a trained sniper working in the rain, at night."

You wonder briefly why Delta Front would put even one operative on this, which wouldn't normally even make a blip on the agency's radar.  Interest piqued, you begin to listen intently.

The aide produces another Times newspaper clipping.  This one reads, "General Royce Peters Dead of Gunshot Wound".  It's dated August 4th, 2020...two weeks to the day after the first clipping.

"The General was shot outside his home a few weeks ago.  The bullet used was of similar caliber, and the circumstances similar.  One shot, right through the left eye.  We estimate the range was from nearly 600 meters, in the dark."

Interesting.  The shot itself was remarkable...but a 600 meter line of sight, in the dense D.C. housing districts?

An aide places a third newspaper clipping, this time from the Post, dated August 18th.  The headline reads "Senator James Ackerman Found Dead".

"Senator Ackerman was found sprawled on his lawn by his gardener one week ago.  You can guess the nature of his murder, but I'll give you a hint:  it was a bullet to the left eye."

As if reading your thoughts, the Colonel continues.

"Normally, serial killings is not in Delta Front's purview.  However, we have reason to believe that these murders are being perpetrated by an Exceptional individual."

That catches your attention.  Exceptionals (supers) are the reason Delta Front exists.  Now it's interesting.

"The media is about to label this a new 'D.C. Sniper' story, but it seems to be far more than that.  An individual has stepped forward and spoken out on the murders."

An aide slides you a government personnel file.  Inside is the government employment records of one Morton Zemecki, an Army research scientist and a Medical Doctor.

"Dr. Zemecki spoke to one of our field agents who was investigating new D.A.R.P.A projects for violations of the Budapest Accord, the international treaty that bans research on Exceptional individuals for military purposes.  Of course, the good doctor didn't realize who he was talking to was a Delta Front operative with a cybernetic recording device imlant."

The Colonel gestures to one of his aides, who has produced a laptop computer.  He presses a button, and an audio recording begins to play.  You hear two voices:  one is clearly the Delta Front operative, and you assume the other is Dr. Zemecki.

***

Static as recording begins, inaudible speech...

"Ok, let me get this straight.  Say it again, this time take your time and spit it out slowly."

"I'm sorry.  I'm just...afraid.  If anyone could help, I thought it would be the Department of Homeland Security.  I don't know who to talk to."

"It's alright.  You're talking to the right guy.  Go on."

"Ok, ok...I'm good.  Ok...the murders?  Baker and Pierce?  I think I might know who killed them, and why."

"Go on."

"They broke the treaty!  We've been put on a black budget program here...the whole purpose of this facility and the training program is to develop a regimen of drugs that we can use to create a 'super' soldier.  It's insane...but what's worse is, it doesn't work."

"It doesn't?  From what I've seen, these guys look pretty dangerous."

"Well, strictly speaking, I suppose it does work.  For a time.  The problem is, from a medical standpoint, this is unethical and dangerous.  These men die within a few months of beginning the regimen.  It's hard on the body and does severe psychological damage as well."

"They die?"

"In a rather gruesome fashion.  So some of the test subjects have found out about this.  One in particular took it really hard...then promptly went AWOL.  No one can find him, and he took enough of the drug regimen to remain active until he explodes."

"Explodes?"

"That's how they die.  It's a biological reaction to the drugs processing in their body.  It's entirely unethical.  What's more, the project controllers know about this, but they make us continue the experiments.  From what I heard, Baker arranged the finances for this project, and I've seen General Peters here at the facility many times.  You've got to get me out of here...if the missing subject is targeting these people who are heading the project...well...I've been head of the medical team here for five years, and have personally oversaw the administration of every single one of the test subjects."

"Can you prove any of this?"

"I've already compiled a file of damning evidence.  I want no more part in this, but I don't think they will let me go.  Or if they do, it won't be any way I want to go, if you get my drift.  You've got to help me - my life is in danger not just from this killer, but from the coordinators of the project here itself."

"It's alright, my friend.  Don't worry...we're going to get you out of here."

Recording ends.

***

The Colonel lets this sink in for a moment, then continues.

"The agent made arrangements to extract Zemecki, but the doctor never showed up to the rendezvous.  After looking around, he found that Zemecki had gone missing.  No one knew where he went, but to the agent it was obvious he had fled the whole mess.

This is where you come in.  You will operate independently here in D.C. and accomplish the objectives outlined in your briefing.  You will have any administrative support that you need."

The aides begin to pack up, and one of them slides you a file.  Most of the information already covered is there, along with a list of objectives.  

"Good luck, Agent.  It's up to you how to proceed.  We know this is right up your alley.  Be careful though...if it's a chemically augmented soldier, this could go bad very quickly.  Especially if this man is out for revenge against those who have essentially given him a death sentence."

With a curt salute, the Colonel and his men leave you in the briefing room to ponder your first move in this new investigation.

Mission Objectives

• Locate the whereabouts of and secure Dr. Zemecki (if he is alive).
• Identify the rogue test subject for an operative team to approach.
• Find evidence implicating or exonerating the murdered officials in this alleged illegal augmentation program.

Armed with all this knowledge, you are set to begin your investigation.

Where will you go, and what will you do first?

Mike sets his briefcase on the table and places the file inside, closing the lid shut with a tight snap. Mike straightens the collar on his tailor suit and pulls his cuffs down to match. Taking his briefcase by the handle, Mike scans his vision around the briefing room to see what all if any staff, technology, or exits are available.

Quote from: Looter Guy;783282Mike sets his briefcase on the table and places the file inside, closing the lid shut with a tight snap. Mike straightens the collar on his tailor suit and pulls his cuffs down to match. Taking his briefcase by the handle, Mike scans his vision around the briefing room to see what all if any staff, technology, or exits are available.

The office building is a large, five story affair with no designation imparting what that building may be used for.  There is one exit in the briefing room, leading into the hallway.  Security is high, especially on the lower level entrances and exits.  Your I.D. card lets you pass through all areas for which you are cleared with minor hassle.

There are no staff present in the briefing room.

The room contains A/V conferencing equipment and a desktop computer with agency mainframe and internet access.

Shaking his head in slight annoyance Mike walks out the briefing room exit with his briefcase. Mike keeps his I.D. card in his hand expecting to use it a few times in his search for a staff member or security guard to steer him in the right direction. Mike will need help running the computer.

Quote from: Looter Guy;783288Shaking his head in slight annoyance Mike walks out the briefing room exit with his briefcase. Mike keeps his I.D. card in his hand expecting to use it a few times in his search for a staff member or security guard to steer him in the right direction. Mike will need help running the computer.

It's easy to find a technician to help in your investigation.  You enter the Information Systems Department, and are assisted by Agent Wilkes.  Wilkes' clearance is high enough to not worry about revealing classified information such as your mission and briefing information, like many of the technicians here.

"Ok, we're all setup Agent.  What is it you need me to look for?"

"Hey, Thanks for helpin' a guy out, Mahn! I need to get some information on a Dr. Zemecki, hes connected to D.A.R.P.A. I need his bank informations too. Is that too big of an order to get served or what?

Mike smiles his best Newark smile, revealing a mismatch of gold and ivory teeth to Agent Wilkes.

"I'd really appreciate it, buddy."

Quote from: Looter Guy;783292"Hey, Thanks for helpin' a guy out, Mahn! I need to get some information on a Dr. Zemecki, hes connected to D.A.R.P.A. I need his bank informations too. Is that too big of an order to get served or what?

Mike smiles his best Newark smile, revealing a mismatch of gold and ivory teeth to Agent Wilkes.

"I'd really appreciate it, buddy."

Wilkes sets to work on the computer, finding all he can about Dr. Zemecki.  Your briefing file also contains some of this information.

"Ok, here it is.  Dr. Morton Zemecki.  This is his military file, says he joined in 2008.  Career military, served in Iraq...transferred to research division in 2014.  He's lived in D.C. for quite some time.  It states here his practice is located at Walter Reed Army Medical Center...but..."

Agent Wilkes clicks some keys and waits for the page to refresh.  As he does so, he references Dr. Zemecki's personnel file from your briefing.

"This D.A.R.P.A. personnel number is tagged to a unit operating out of Fort Meade."

Fort Meade is located 25 miles north of Washington, DC, near Columbia, Maryland.

It provides a wide range of support to partner organizations from all four services and to several federal agencies. Major tenant units include the National Security Agency (NSA), the Defense Information School, the Defense Courier Service the U.S. Army Field Band, the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, First U.S. Army (East), the Naval Security Group Activity, the 694th Intelligence Group (U.S. Air Force) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Center.

"Bank record seems fine, no suspicious activity lately.  His credit card was last used at a convenience store in a neighborhood East of the Anacostia River...at 1 A.M. on August 20th."

Wilkes looks at you with a thoughtful expression.

"That's kinda strange.  That's a pretty bad neighborhood, and I can guarantee no one who lives in Northwest would venture there after dark."

"Id also like to see his DMV and know what he's driving. Can you print me out a picture of his face too while your at it?"

Mike sits down in a chair next to Agent Wilkes.

"Also pull what you got on D.A.R.P.A. for me. I might have to do some homework tonight."

Quote from: Looter Guy;783297"Id also like to see his DMV and know what he's driving. Can you print me out a picture of his face too while your at it?"

Mike sits down in a chair next to Agent Wilkes.

"Also pull what you got on D.A.R.P.A. for me. I might have to do some homework tonight."

Agent Wilkes' face lights up when you ask about D.A.R.P.A.  It's clearly something he's interested in.

"DMV records are going to take a moment.  In the meantime, I can provide you with a wealth of information on D.A.R.P.A."

Agent Wilkes walks a short way to a desk near his computer terminal, upon which are stacks of pictures, official documents and magazines you've never heard of.

"There's a lot to absorb if you've never heard of it.  Some of this is 'official' public information, and some of it is just plain weird.  How much is true or not is difficult to gauge, but we've been watching them a long time.  Read through these while I access the DMV records."

Agent Wilkes nods as you look through the pile of materials, and dives into the computer.

D.A.R.P.A Official Public Information

Widely Known Information

Comedic Pop Culture Reference

D.A.R.P.A. Early Robotics Research Demonstration

H.A.A.R.P.

What was HAARP doing?

H.A.A.R.P Facility Closing

D.A.R.P.A. and the BitCoin Conspiracy

Marvin the Martian ...or How Obama Teleported to Mars

D.A.R.P.A. is terrible at keeping secrets.

You're wondering what all this is about when Wilkes rouses you from your reverie.

"DMV record looks clean.  Not so much as a speeding ticket.  He's got two vehicles registered, a 2008 Blue Toyota Corolla and a 2020 White Nissan Pathfinder.  I also printed a copy of his DMV photo."

Agent Wilkes hands you the printed photo.



"Hope that helps, Agent."

Mike looks away from the monitor after reading the different articles and pages, his face contorts into a mask of scrutiny. Mike obviously doesn't go online often.



Looking to Agent Wilkes, Mike exclaims in a higher pitched voice of excitement:

"Yo dawg, this is some crazy mad scientist Frankenstein type drama fo' show'! Thanks a lot buddy... You've been a huge help to me. Can I put you on speed dial or what?

Quote from: Looter Guy;783323Mike looks away from the monitor after reading the different articles and pages, his face contorts into a mask of scrutiny. Mike obviously doesn't go online often.

Looking to Agent Wilkes, Mike exclaims in a higher pitched voice of excitement:

"Yo dawg, this is some crazy mad scientist Frankenstein type drama fo' show'! Thanks a lot buddy... You've been a huge help to me. Can I put you on speed dial or what?

"As long as you're in D.C. I can help.  Let me get you my personal phone..."

Wilkes pulls out his cell phone and you exchange numbers.  



At that moment, another agent approaches Wilkes' desk.

"Hey, you Mike?  Your partners have a car waiting outside."

The agent is obviously busy, and off-handedly gestures toward the front of the building.

Quote from: Blackhand;783928"As long as you're in D.C. I can help.  Let me get you my personal phone..."

Wilkes pulls out his cell phone and you exchange numbers.  



At that moment, another agent approaches Wilkes' desk.

"Hey, you Mike?  Your partners have a car waiting outside."

The agent is obviously busy, and off-handedly gestures toward the front of the building.

"Yeah... I'm Mike. Give me a few to thank my boy here before I gotta' mash!"

Mike offers a hand and hearty handshake to Agent Wilkes in friendship.

"You helped a brother out big time! I won't forget it soon, you hear me?"

Delta Front Regional Operations Control, Washington D.C.

Characters Present

• Hard Mike
  
• Nikami
  
• MacGruber
  
• The Duke
  

Leaving HQ

August 25th, 2020 (1100 hours)

Hard Mike heads outside to see a few familiar faces gathered around the black 2016 Buick.  MacGruber sits in the driver's seat with The Duke beside him.  Hard Mike climbs into the backseat with Nikami.

Everyone has worked together on one thing or another in the past, and after a few hearty greetings, the operative team is in the car and ready to get on the case.

What will you do now?

Mike chuckles as he gets comfortable in the back seat.

"Well what have I landed myself into now? This must be the biggest collection of haters this side of the Rocky Mountains. 'Never thought Id have the pleasure of seein' any of you guys again this side of the grave."

Mike adjusts his shades on to his head comfortably and leans back in the plush leather seat.

"I got some an idea or two cookin' in my head already but I wanted to hear each of your inputs first before we make plans. Everyone has been briefed already, right?"