Orgrcrime and street gangs have been a constant problem in New Angeles, a problem that is unfortunately not going away any time soon. Ever since the Quito Accord and the inception of New Angeles, the few underworld elements in Ecuador were already attached with the territory leased and then others eventually immigrated in the same manner as the rest of the population. Just like the NAPD and the corporations, they have become a fixture in everyday New Angeles life. Dealing with them could be considered routine in some circles.
In the Chakana district, there are thousands of warehouses dedicated to shipping goods both down and up stalk. They unfortunately are a prime target for some street gangs as they skim credits worth of materials from those shipments, selling them in the black market for a quick profit. Most recently, the Vendetta Blood street gang has chased their rivals out of the district and taken over the racket operation. Unlike their predecessors, they have been aggressively skimming from the shipments bound for Heinlein that have been vital to the construction project. If not addressed, the timelines for the project will be pushed further away. The street gang issue will have to be dealt with, one way or another.
For every two Advantages, the player's next roll gains 1 Boost die. For every two Threats, the player's next roll gains 1 Setback die. Each Triumph upgrades the skill used on the next check and each Despair upgrades the difficulty on the next check. This may differ in the Step 3 portions.
Step 1: Find the Vendetta Blood
Despite their bold strategy of stealing from vital shipments destined for Luna, the Vendetta Blood have kept a rather low profile by spreading their operation to several hidden pockets in the city. Each gang almost operates autonomously. They do this to avoid both the NAPD and their formal rivals, in case they attempt to reclaim the territory. Finding them will take some work, especially ruffling some people along the way for information as to where the Vendetta Bloods are headquartered in Chakana.
The Negotiator will have to make either a Streetwise (Cunning) at Average Difficulty (◆◆). If the roll succeeded, proceed as normal. If the roll failed, add a Setback die (+ ■) to the next roll, in addition to any other generated by Threat.
From here, the negotiator has several choices when it comes to approaching the Vendetta Blood:
• If they wish to inform the NAPD, go to Step 2-A: Tattletale
• If they wish to talk directly with the Vendetta Blood, go to Step 2-B: Playing With Fire
• If they wish to personally handle the situation with force, go directly to Step 3-C: So I Started Blasting. They may spend 200 Credits for hired Prisec guards (or equivalent narrative help), giving them two Boost Dice (+ ■ ■) to their roll.
• If they wish to manage logistics, go to Step 3-D: Making The Switch
Step 2-A: Tattletale
After finding information regarding the Vendetta Blood (successfully or not), the negotiator approach the NAPD and attempt to present their findings to the local precinct. With little information to go on other than their whereabouts and methods of operation, it will take more to convince the police that this is more than just a hunch.
The Negotiator makes a Charm (Presence), Deception (Cunning), or Cool (Presence) skill check at Average Difficulty with two Setback dice (◆◆ ■ ■). If the roll failed, advance as normal but upgrade the next skill check (in addition to any Despair rolled).
Go to Step: 3-A: Closing The Case.
Step 2-B: Playing With Fire
The Negotiator approaches the Vendetta Blood directly and attempts to hash out some new terms regarding their operations. Potentially, the gang could stay away from shipments related to the mayor's campaign and focus on the hundreds of other warehouses in Chikana for their gains. However, the Vendetta Blood will not take kindly to being told how to manage their operation, especially when they have fought very hard for this territory. Talks here are very tense and made with a weapon close by.
The Negotiator makes a Charm (Presence), Deception (Cunning), or Cool (Presence) at Average Difficulty (◆◆) to ensure they are earnest with their intention and not attempting to shut down their operation.
• If the roll is successful, go to Step 3-B: The New Deal.
• If the roll is a failure, go to Step 3-C: So I Started Blasting.
Step 3-A: Closing The Case
It takes a bit to convince the police but they mobilize on behalf of the mayor's office, making quick work to round out potential suspects and gang members associated with the Vendetta Blood. The NAPD is efficient in detaining the gang members but it will take a solid case to truly put them away and ultimately make an example out of them.
The Negotiator makes either a Negotiation (Presence) or Society (Intelligence) at Average Difficulty (◆◆). If successful, the Negotiator gains One Negotiation Point for the committee. Any Triumph rolled counts as an additional Negotiation Point and any Despair rolled may result in some future complications with the Vendetta Blood.
Step 3-B: The New Deal
The Vendetta Blood are receptive to making a deal and negotiating stakes in Chikana, even if temporarily. They come to an understanding when it comes to dealing with the city directly and avoiding potential future NAPD raids, potentially thinning the competition as well.
The Negotiator makes either a Negotiation (Presence) or Coercion (Willpower) at Average Difficulty (◆◆), attempting to come out in the better end of the detail with the gang. If successful, the Negotiator gains One Negotiation Point for the committee. Any Triumph rolled counts as an additional Negotiation Point.
Step 3-C: So I Started Blasting
Might makes right here and the Vendetta Blood violently attempt to maintain their claim in Chakana. If possible, they might even wish to make an example out of the negotiator for encroaching on their territory.
The Negotiator makes a Combat Skill check of their choice at Hard Difficulty with one upgrade (◆◆⬟). This is considered to be a contested roll.
On Failure, the Negotiator takes 8 Wounds. On a Despair, some members of the gang make their escape and continue to plague the city from the shadows. If successful, the Negotiator gains One Negotiation Point for the committee as they eliminate members of the gang from the district. Any Triumph rolled counts as an additional Negotiation Point.
Step 3-D: Making The Switch
The most difficult and time-intensive solution to the Vendetta Blood issue, while avoiding conflict directly, would be to reorganize logistics of all construction material and goods destined for Luna. This will require changing the schedule, rerouting transport, and finding more secure warehouses throughout the city to secure all shipments. This won't solve the issue with theft but at least will put the Vendetta Blood at odds as it will cut off a revenues stream in their territories.
The Negotiator will have to pass a Computer (Sysops) (Intelligence), Driving (Agility), or Piloting (Agility) check of 7 Difficulty (◆◆◆◆◆◆◆) in three tries. All Difficulty involved can be split but all checks will have to be successful. For example, the first roll could be 4 Difficulty, then 4 Difficulty (in the situation of a fail), and the final will be 3 Difficulty.
Triumph results will remove one additional Difficulty from the requirement. If a Triumph is rolled and there is no further Difficulty to complete, it will also account for an additional Negotiation Point.
Results
If the Committee collectively manages to get 5 or more Negotiation Points, the Vendetta Blood will not be an issue regarding the mayor's project on Heinlein. The group earns One Agenda Point.
• If a majority of the Negotiation Points were done with Step 3A: Closing The Case, those who used this method gain a Small Favour with the NAPD for their aid.
• If a majority of the Negotiation Points were done with Step 3-B: The New Deal, those who used this method gain a Small Favour with the Vendetta Blood as they maintain amicable contact.
• If a majority of the Negotiation Points were done with Step 3-C: So I Started Blasting, those who used this method are able to skim from the Vendetta Blood accounts and gain 500 Credits.
• If a majority of the Negotiation Points were done with Step 3-D: Making The Switch, those who used this method will gain 1 Funding Point.
In the situation of ties, all tied groups are considered to be the "Highest" as a begrudging balance is struck.
