Session 24: F.A.T.E. Unravels
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Shadowrun
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Chapter 2 |
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Chapter 1 |
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F.A.T.E. PCs |
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Prelude
It had been nearly a week since Anastasia Ellison was terminated from F.A.T.E. J.P. sent out a memo light on any details. It looked like a cookie cutter explanation from HR, warning agents not to divulge any classified material to her and explaining that her security clearance was revoked. The agents also caught wind of Hector and Van's assignment to monitor her location and communications. Those two have been out of the office ever since.
H.Q. just wasn't the same any more. Anastasia was gone, Barry, Eric, Doc, and Dmitri were overseas and Hector and Van were out on assignment. This just left Oni, Wex, and Desmond among the agents at H.Q. They had all but abandoned the Sacramento office for the time being. J.P. was in and out, making trips to and from Sacramento frequently. Dr. Yau was still at HQ, busy with his staff at his lab, studying new research material that Manami Coltrane had sent their way.
Weeks passed, but nothing changed. The sense of adventure F.A.T.E. constantly provided had faded and was replaced with an uneasy anxiety. The more time passed, the more unusual it all seemed to the agents.
Oni ducked under the doorway and stepped into the entranceway of General Nobunaga's private residence. It was a large Japanese-style mansion tucked away in the hills east of San Francisco. Natural light bathed the large room through the bamboo blinds. The decor was simplistic and elegant, and it felt like stepping back in time several hundred years. Electronics were nowhere to be seen.
Nobunaga guided the troll inside and invited him to sit on a grass mat near the center of the room. Oni felt a wave of nostalgia as he did so. He spent many years here with the General after being taken into his custody.
Immediately after both sat down on the grass mat, a Japanese woman dressed in traditional geisha attire served them both tea. Nobunaga took a sip of his before speaking. Oni wasn't much for small talk or pleasantries, so he cut right to the chase. He spoke, in Japanese, "Director Redman has had nothing but good things to say about you since you joined F.A.T.E., Oni. He has told me of the many situations where your skills were the difference between success and failure for their organization. I am very pleased to hear all of this."
Oni's facial expression remained stern, but deep down, the praise was appreciated. He had certainly come a long way from the broken and battered child who was nearly put to death.
"However, F.A.T.E. has come upon particularly difficult times. It's difficult to know what will happen. Their vision of an apolitical agency has fallen apart." He set down his cup of tea. "Recall your training, many years ago." He paused for a moment, allowing Oni to reflect on the intense training that nearly broke him. The intense situations where he was forced to make quick decisions. "There will soon come a time when you will be faced with tough choices. I am extending your contract with F.A.T.E. because I believe in their mission. They will need your help to emerge from this difficult time."
Briefing
11 JULY 2073 - Interpol has released the following RED alerts. These individuals are considered armed and dangerous. The organization seeks the arrest or provisional arrest of wanted persons with a view to extradition.
SIN: 9H7H-5J2W-IO99 Issuer: California Free State Name: BLACK, Eric Sex: MALE Race: HUMAN Age: 28 Birthplace: OAKLAND, California Free State Nationality: Californian Known Aliases CFS SIN 8K8L-3J0D-KL32 WHITE, Vincent CFS SIN 7T5D-6S3H-EE32 ROBINSON, Ernest Offences Categories of Offences: TREASON Arrest Warrant Issued by: Metropolitan Court, Sacramento / California Free State Last Known Location: NEO-TOKYO, Japanese Imperial State
SIN: 2J8K-9F4Q-UU82 Issuer: Japanese Imperial State Name: NAKAMURA, Kumiko Sex: MALE Race: HUMAN Age: 25 Birthplace: OKINAWA, Japanese Imperial State Nationality: Japanese Known Aliases CFS SIN 7Y5D-4S4W-YB87 UDO, Edward CFS SIN 7H7R-8V4A-TG48 COGBURN, Reuben J. Shiawase SIN 5D2S-8D4C-EF33 SCHUMANN, Jeffrey Shiawase SIN 9S3X-5P9L-VC90 RAYMER, Brandon Offences Categories of Offences: TREASON Arrest Warrant Issued by: Metropolitan Court, Sacramento / California Free State Last Known Location: NEO-TOKYO, Japanese Imperial State
SIN: 9P6V-8G4D-NS67 Issuer: California Free State Name: SHARAKOV, Andrew Sex: MALE Race: ELF Age: 15 Birthplace: SAN FRANCISCO, California Free State Nationality: Californian Known Aliases Shiawase SIN 5D2S-8D4C-DX62 SCHUMANN, Chad Offences Categories of Offences: TREASON Arrest Warrant Issued by: Metropolitan Court, Sacramento / California Free State Last Known Location: NEO-TOKYO, Japanese Imperial State
SIN: 5H5H-2F9G-IN81 Issuer: Italian Confederation Name: STEARNS, Barrington Sex: MALE Race: HUMAN Age: 49 Birthplace: MILAN, Italy Nationality: Italian Offences Categories of Offences: TREASON Arrest Warrant Issued by: Metropolitan Court, Sacramento / California Free State Last Known Location: NEO-TOKYO, Japanese Imperial State
Session Synopsis
J.P. Redman was fighting a losing battle in the country's capital. No amount of back-room deals could prevent the coming storm for F.A.T.E. On July 11, J.P. Redman was indicted on multiple conspiracy charges. Before turning himself into the authorities, he warned that the headquarters would be under siege and he issued one final order to F.A.T.E. and its agents: survive.
Oni, Wex, Desmond, and Dr. Yau were all at headquarters when the message was received. From Japan, Barry Sanders issued the order to evacuate the headquarters in San Francisco immediately. The agents had no time to spare, they grabbed what supplies they could and made their way to the garage. Hector scrambled to release as many F.A.T.E. vehicles as he could. The sedans and SUV he managed to get out of the garage before any authorities arrived. The tractor-trailer, with Oni on his motorcycle in the back, departed just as Lone Star forces arrived.
Hector also indicated that 3 military helicopters were enroute, and scrambled F.A.T.E.'s attack copter in response.
Wex and Desmond followed the semi up the ramp in Wex's personal sedan, electing to leave Dr. Yau behind. Combat broke out on the streets above. 4 police officers were killed and several more were wounded in the chaos. Wex used some heavy traffic to his advantage and was able to pull away from the scene. Oni weaved through traffic and went a different direction.
Wex was spotted near the Nishi-Tokyo Bridge but was able to lose his pursuer. Oni also failed to hide from the authorities. After two agents tried to ram his motorcycle, he shot and killed both.
Oni made his way to Oakland to lay low, while Wex and Desmond headed toward San Jose.
Aftermath
July 11, 2073
SACRAMENTO, CFS -- J.P. Redman, Director of the little-known Federal Agency for Thaumaturgic Exploration, was indicted today on several charges of conspiracy and treason, as the Ellison administration took aim at the secretive and largely autonomous group within the Department of Homeland Security. Redman, 62, turned himself into authorities in Sacramento shortly after the indictment was issued.
The move shocked political observers in California, even among Technocratic circles. Redman is a decorated military veteran, serving in both the United States and California Free State Marine Corps during his career. He was also the Director of the California Intelligence Agency under two different Presidents.
The Justice Department alleges that, at Redman's direction, the Federal Agency for Thaumaturgic Exploration had become a rogue division that has engaged in multiple illegal activities since Ellison took office last year. Further details were sealed from the public, but an anonymous official with knowledge of the situation suggests that the agency was involved in the recent nuclear meltdown at Drakes Bay along with several other incidents that run counter to the interests of the Californian government.
Shortly after the indictment was made public, arrest warrants were issued for four employees within the agency: Barrington Stearns, Eric Black, Andrew Sharakov, and Kumiko Nakamura. Interpol indicates the four were last seen in Neo-Tokyo, Japan.
SAN FRANCISCO, CFS -- 4 Lone Star police officers were killed and several more wounded today in a chaotic scene outside the main San Francisco post office on Market Street. Police swarmed the facility just before noon local time and were quickly embroiled in a car chase as vehicles fled the building.
Three military helicopters arrived on the scene moments later, storming the post office. Officials confirmed after the raid that it was in connection with the rogue Federal Agency of Thaumaturgic Exploration investigation. The agency's director, J.P. Redman, was indicted in Sacramento earlier today.
The government has issued arrest warrants for several at-large suspects who fled the scene following the raid. Gideon Wexler, Desmond Sands, and a troll by the name of "Oni" are all wanted on homicide charges. Authorities warn that these individuals are armed and highly dangerous. If you have any information regarding these individuals you are urged to contact the CFS Bureau of Investigations immediately.
Results
Status: Complete
Dates: July 11, 2073
Quote of the night: "I have a question... do we still have the radioactive sedan?" - Dan
Nuyen: 0¥
Stipend: Assets frozen
Karma Awarded: 7