En route for Romulus ...

[Calcoran]

I just had this idea of a scenario, but it is still very vague, so I need to flesh it out a bit. I thought I might come and ask here .
Some time ago, my players have gone through "Enter Chimera", from the Operations/Tactical. They met Legate Alita, got rid of Chimera and of the Iconian portal, and each ship went back to it's own space with minimum damage.

Now the thing is, the Romulans are plotting something that has to do with the Iconian gateways, and Section 31 has heard of it. (I am still not sure what <I>exactly</I> they are planning ... ideas?)
Section 31 has noticed that Legate Alita is going to be part of the research project. It also happens to know about her past (cf. "Enter Chimera"), and of course has had access to all existing logs about my PCs' mission. Section has concluded that she was its best chance to learn more about the Romulan projects, and thinks it can force her to defect.
Thus, Section 31 (posing as Starfleet Intelligence) plans to enlist my crew and send them to Romulus (as diplomatic attaches maybe) ... and manipulate things so that:
- the Tal Shiar begins to suspect her of being a traitor (which she isn't, of course, but the PCs have already saved her life twice, and combined with her past, this could mean any number of things to paranoid members of the Tal Shiar)
- after a while she has little choice but to flee the RSE, at which point the PCs should be there to catch ... err rescue her (as they are the only outsiders she might possibly trust).

Here are a few things I'm trying to decide:
- should Section 31 tell the PCs what they are there for?
__+ if it does, what do you think the PCs might do to help things (or sabotage things)?
__+ if it doesn't, what leads should I give them so that they have a chance to figure out what's going on?
- ideally, my crew should eventually figure out they're not working for Starfleet Intelligence:
__+ what might give Section 31 away?
__+ once they realise that handing over Legate Alita (whatever the PCs do, she'll have to escape from the Tal Shiar) to Section 31 is certainly not going to do her any good, what happens?

There ... did I make any sense? I hope I did ... what do you think?

[Kronok]

I like your idea(s).

Now the thing is, the Romulans are plotting something that has to do with the Iconian gateways, and Section 31 has heard of it. (I am still not sure what <I>exactly</I> they are planning ... ideas?)

This one is easy. Section 31 protects the Federation at all costs. If a super-powerful artifact exists in the wrong hands, it could threaten the Federation.

Thus, Section 31 (posing as Starfleet Intelligence) plans to enlist my crew…

I love it when the PCs become little pawns!

Here are a few things I'm trying to decide:
- should Section 31 tell the PCs what they are there for?

Absolutely not!!! Keep 31 as mysterious as possible. Give the PCs leads and just when they think they know whom they are dealing with…? BAM!!! Yank the rug out from under them!!!

__+ if it doesn't, what leads should I give them so that they have a chance to figure out what's going on?

Sporadic data inconsistencies are always a favorite. Make communications come from different sources. Have the people involved constantly changing. Fill the game with double agents. If you do it right, the PCs should be in for one h@ll of a ride.

- ideally, my crew should eventually figure out they're not working for Starfleet Intelligence:
__+ what might give Section 31 away?

Again, I would not reveal this. It is like using the Borg as a villain. If you beat them? It’s over. I would use Section 31 the same way. Keep then on as a greatly powerful, reoccurring villain. You should read the Section 31 novels, especially “Rogue.”

__+ once they realise that handing over Legate Alita (whatever the PCs do, she'll have to escape from the Tal Shiar) to Section 31 is certainly not going to do her any good, what happens?

Starfleet personnel who hold Federation ideals true will not turn her over to Section 31 for it would lead to her destruction. Heck, Picard and his crew “fixed” a Borg and sent him home. “I…AM….HUGH?!?!” It’s a pretty good mental dilemma. Should make for some great roleplaying.

There ... did I make any sense?

No, you are totally insane.

[Calcoran]

Originally posted by Kronok
I like your idea(s).

Thanks!

This one is easy. Section 31 protects the Federation at all costs. If a super-powerful artifact exists in the wrong hands, it could threaten the Federation.

Well, I was hoping I could find something a little bit more machiavelic coming from the Romulans .

I love it when the PCs become little pawns!

This is fun only if the players progressively realize that they are just that: pawns.

Absolutely not!!! Keep 31 as mysterious as possible. Give the PCs leads and just when they think they know whom they are dealing with…? BAM!!! Yank the rug out from under them!!!

I guess you are right ... so, Section 31 agents present themselves as SI operatives, and just tell the players they're there to help a potential Romulan defector escape? They'll think of it as a typical Mission: Impossible scenario when Section 31 is in fact pulling the strings behind the scenes ...
The only thing is: how do the agents explain why they ask my crew and not someone else to do this.

Sporadic data inconsistencies are always a favorite. Make communications come from different sources. Have the people involved constantly changing. Fill the game with double agents. If you do it right, the PCs should be in for one h@ll of a ride.

One of the scenes I was thinking about was something along those lines: Their contact tell them they have to pass up important documents to an undercover agent, said agen being Alita. Of course, since she is nothing like that, she'll refuse when they contact her, and she'll probably threaten to reveal them to the authorities as spies (well, she has a debt with them, so she probably won't report them at once). When they come back, their contact will admonish them, and tell them there was a Tal Shiar agent in the vicinity, and that they should consider themselves happy to have survived after such a blunder. He will then tell them to try again, but much more discretely this time ... of course there <I>will</I> be a Tal Shiar agent who will fit somwhere in there .

Again, I would not reveal this. It is like using the Borg as a villain. If you beat them? It’s over. I would use Section 31 the same way. Keep then on as a greatly powerful, reoccurring villain. You should read the Section 31 novels, especially “Rogue.”

Agreed. At least, not from the start on .

Starfleet personnel who hold Federation ideals true will not turn her over to Section 31 for it would lead to her destruction. Heck, Picard and his crew “fixed” a Borg and sent him home. “I…AM….HUGH?!?!” It’s a pretty good mental dilemma. Should make for some great roleplaying.

That's the point of the scenario. I have to make sure this stands out as the climax of the scenario ... Advice on that?

No, you are totally insane.

Now I feel relieved! You almost got me worry there!

[Lancer]

Originally posted by Calcoran
The only thing is: how do the agents explain why they ask my crew and not someone else to do this.?

Just give them a few hints that their personal experience has something to do with it. If the players insist on asking more questions just give them some ominous lines about how "giving you this information now could endanger the life of your contact if you were to fall into enemy hands".
Choosing your players for the mission based on their previous mission with Alita would be a valid reason for SI, as well as Section 31, so you should have no real trouble pulling this of.

That's the point of the scenario. I have to make sure this stands out as the climax of the scenario ... Advice on that?

Depends on how much the characters know about Section 31. If they have never heard of them before they might not even realize what these guys have in store for Alita.
If they decide not to hand over the Romulan the Section could send some people after them. For an added twist have S31 inform SI that a bunch of Starfleet traitors (the PCs) are about to help a Romulan undercover agent (Alita) to enter the Federation.

[Kronok]

Originally posted by Calcoran

This is fun only if the players progressively realize that they are just that: pawns.

What I meant here was that dealing with Section 31 should make the PCs feel almost powerless to do anything. They should feel that Section 31 is so powerful that their actions will do little to effect this organization. The key is to make them realize that they can’t create a cure for Section 31 (Wiping out the organization), but they can treat the symptoms (Do damage control and try to undo some of Section 31’s activities).

I guess you are right ... so, Section 31 agents present themselves as SI operatives, and just tell the players they're there to help a potential Romulan defector escape?

Exactly. I think a TNG episode did something similar as to a defector of some sort. I seem to remember a faked transporter accident with Romulans posing as Vulcans??? That’s the beauty of your idea: Romulans who appear to be Vulcans. Use this often and your PCs won’t know what’s going on. In fact, the paranoia potential here is huge.

They'll think of it as a typical Mission: Impossible scenario when Section 31 is in fact pulling the strings behind the scenes ...
The only thing is: how do the agents explain why they ask my crew and not someone else to do this.

I would try to play on one of the characters backgrounds. Find some piece of information that would make them ideal for this situation. Could be something as simple as “You were the closest ship in this sector” to “Ensign Scooby? You did some Academy work dealing with Covert Communications. Starfleet is in need of your services.” Play on the “patriotic/good of the galaxy” theme as much as you can.

One of the scenes I was thinking about was something along those lines: Their contact tell them they have to pass up important documents to an undercover agent, said agen being Alita. Of course, since she is nothing like that, she'll refuse when they contact her, and she'll probably threaten to reveal them to the authorities as spies (well, she has a debt with them, so she probably won't report them at once). When they come back, their contact will admonish them, and tell them there was a Tal Shiar agent in the vicinity, and that they should consider themselves happy to have survived after such a blunder. He will then tell them to try again, but much more discretely this time ... of course there <I>will</I> be a Tal Shiar agent who will fit somwhere in there .

Whatever works for you is best. I really don’t know too much about what you are planning. Again, this “Idea” of yours is great, but I am curious as to how in-depth you are looking to make it? This could easily be a series of adventures or a little one-shot.

That's the point of the scenario. I have to make sure this stands out as the climax of the scenario ... Advice on that?

To me, the climax of the scenario should be a huge decision with no one right answer. I would make Alita seem to be very honorable and sworn to duty. Make her appear as a good person who is a caught-up victim in all of this. Make her a friend and confidant to the PCs. Now, place the PCs in a position where they have to make a choice.

Allow her to go free and risk, not only, a breach to Federation security, but that the PCs could be court-martialed for doing so.

OR

Turn her over to Section 31 who will, no doubt, execute her.

Originally posted by Lancer

Just give them a few hints that their personal experience has something to do with it. If the players insist on asking more questions just give them some ominous lines about how "giving you this information now could endanger the life of your contact if you were to fall into enemy hands".
Choosing your players for the mission based on their previous mission with Alita would be a valid reason for SI, as well as Section 31, so you should have no real trouble pulling this of.

Great suggestions.

Depends on how much the characters know about Section 31.

A cool twist here would be to have one of the PCs approached by Section 31. Give the PC the choice of helping Section 31 or not helping (Perhaps even joining?). If they choose to help, play on the moral issues of how they are acting against most Federation philosophies and ideals. If they don’t and wish to turn in this information, they risk being “removed from the situation.” Dead men tell no tales. This would be a good time to insert a suggestion. Have one of the PCs’ friends be approached as written above. However, they tell the PC of this and seek guidance. Next thing you know, the friend turns up dead, along with a few other crewmembers, in an “accident.”

Three can keep a secret if two are dead.

For an added twist have S31 inform SI that a bunch of Starfleet traitors (the PCs) are about to help a Romulan undercover agent (Alita) to enter the Federation.

I love that!!!

[Phoenix]

What's the time frame? If it's post DW the Romulans could be trying to figure out a way to battle the Tahuri (if your using them). Alita could break, and tell the PC's about the problem on the other side of their regon of control. S31 would now find themselves at a crossroad, side with the Romulans (using a inside man to counter the tech later). Or to remain on the path of stopping the Iconion research all togeather.

The thought of Alita just trying to prevent another war against the weakened Romulan Empire might (should) have the PC's thinking about disobaying their orders (unless you have players of the calaber "Let them fight until the fight is out of them both" type).

But all this will do is add another hook into your PC's...he he he.

[Calcoran]

Thanks a lot all for the input .
I think it's taking a nice shape, all in all. Here are a few details of how it might work out:
(crew is a liaison team stationed on Empok Nor, in orbit of Cardassia Prime ... as usual ... there'll probably be 2 or 3 Starfleet Officers, and 1 Cardassian Officer)

- The SO's superior contatcs the crew, explaining them that there is going to be some conference on Romulus on the handling of the new Cardassian Republic, and that Starfleet wishes to send them there (as having the best practical experience on the topic). Their fellow Cardassian officer would be welcome to participate too.

- Shortly thereafter, the he'll presents the SO to two SI officers (read Section 31) who are there to explain the real purpose of their mission. The crew will help one of SI's operatives to complete his mission, and then organise his escape. If the players ask any question, the SI officers will indeed tell them that they've been chosen because of their previous accomplishments, and that telling them anything more about their mission could endanger both their lives and that of their agent (thanks Lancer). A contact will brief them on their mission once they are established on Romulus.

- The trick is that the Cardassian Officers's superior has strong connections with what remains of Cardassian Military Intelligence (<I>not</I> the Obsidian Order) and suspects that something foul is afoot. He advises his officer to be extremely careful, and tries to find out more.

- I'll have the PCs travel to Romulus, play the experts for a while, and then only have their contact show up for the end of the first act.

- I think they won't see Alita at first. There are too many ways this could go wrong, either if Alita gets suspicious, or if <I>they</I> get suspicious too early . Instead, their contact will ask them do a few things, alledgedly in order to get the Tal Shiar's prying eyes away from their spy. Of course, this is supposed to do all the reverse.

<I>At this point, I'm still a bit unsure, as I only wan this scenario to last 2 sessions or so, which means that these actions should not take too long to play.</I>

Anyhow, I hope the Cardassian Officer will be smart enough to try and follow them, and possibly realize that what they are doing is definitely not extremely discreet. Not sure either ... but I guess section 31 agents will always shadow the SO, and disguise their tracks so as to leave no doubt to the Tal Shiar that the SO are spies. Will the Cardassian Officer manage to see them at work? Probably not. But I guess he'll begin to worry about his fellows officers' safety.

- Now there'll be the part where they first encounter Legate Alita. As I said, the SO's contact will probably ask them to transmit a few data to her, which will lead to some nice misunderstanding, Alita being of course nothing the crew thinks she is. She'll probably threaten to go straight to the Tal Shiar and have them arrested, diplomatic immunity or not, and then leave. I guess it'd be a nice time to have them arrested by the Romulans indeed ... only maybe I'll have them interrogated by this nice Romulan senator ... what was his name ... he appeared in "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges" ... anyhow, someone who works for Section 31. Nothing fancy, no neural probe or whatever, just enough to have them really fear for their lives ... and maybe Alita's. This should give some credibility to Section 31's lies. Or maybe they'll believe Alita has given them away . Anyhow, they'll be released unharmed, and their contact will admonish them for being so careless, contacting Alita with Tal Shiar agents nearby, what a foolish thing to do, and so on.

<I>Again, if you have ideas you think would work better, I'm all ears </I>

- Thing is, the Cardassian's superior may have heard of the Romulan who arrested the SO. Bashir was so pissed off after the episode on Romulus, he might have let Garak guess more than Section 31 and even Starfleet would have liked to transpire ...

Well, that's the second act. At some point, the Tal Shiar will have to intervene. I guess the players will manage to meet again with Alita in a more secluded area ... maybe they'll just go to her place and hide there . Could be a good time for the Tal Shiar to get there to arrest her ... of course, everyone escapes. Hopefully, the PCs won't have been recognized, but Alita is on the run, and they'll have to find her and help her escape with the help of Section 31 behind the scenes ... which the PCs might spot. (I hope at least one of my PCs is a Mission:Impossible fan, otherwise this part will be a real nightmare for the narrator ).

- Another nicety Section 31 has in store for my players would be to have the Cardassian Officer (the one who might begin to understand what's going on) framed for whatever reason they can find or forge. Not sure how to fit it in there ... ideas?


At the end, there'll be the moral dilemma of turning Alita over or not ... in both cases, things look pretty screwed for her: hunted by S31 and by the Tal Shiar, what a nice future to look forward to! She might not be as grateful to the PCs as they may hope she is . Anyhow, I guess I have to leave this part vague enough to be able to adapt it to the way the players handle the rest of the scenario, so I'll just leave it at that.
So ... What do you think?

[Calcoran]

Senator Koval, that was the name of Section 31's mole!

[Chris Blanchard]

Hey Calcoran,

This is a fantastic idea! With just a little tweeking, it would fit perfectly in my Unity campaign. Mind if I steal it?

[Calcoran]

That's what it's here for, Chris .
And don't hesitate to elaborate on the tweakings you think it might need!

[Chris Blanchard]

Well, the tweeking would be mostly to fit it into my campaign. I haven't run the previous adventure you mentioned, so my PC's woud have no connection with the legate you are using. However, the station the PC's will be stationed on is near by Romulan space, and I'm going to encourage at least one PC to make an SI officer, so getting the PC's involved shouldn't be too much of a problem.