EXITING THE ARMORY
The transport hums quietly as it pulls away from the garage, city lights streaking past narrow viewports.
Mr. Slate stands near the rear doors, reviewing something on his comm, expression calm. Focused.
“Five minutes,” he mutters.
The vehicle slows.
Then—
WHAM.
READ-ALOUD TEXT — THE AMBUSH
The transport lurches violently as something slams into its side. Metal screams. The lights flicker.
Before anyone can react, the rear doors are torn open in a shower of sparks.
A vehicle idles outside—low, armored, bristling with weapon mounts.
Gunfire erupts.
WHAT’S REALLY GOING ON (GM ONLY)
The hit was ordered by DARBY
The attackers are expendable assets
This was never meant to be a fight—only a message
The crew was always part of the calculation
ENEMY: HIT SQUAD
This is not a balanced combat encounter.
HIT SQUAD GOAL
Kill Mr. Slate
Draw attention
Force the crew to scatter
Once Mr. Slate is dead, their job is done.
PLAYER AGENDA
Players may:
Return fire
Grab Mr. Slate’s body or gear
Flee into nearby streets
Steal the attackers’ vehicle
Biker Gang Enforcer
Biker Gang Enforcer
They shout, rev engines, laugh during fights
Fight dirtier than trained squads
Retreat is loud and angry, not tactical
Attributes
Skills
Talents
- Pack Mentality – Gains +1 to Close Combat when fighting alongside another biker.
- Not Worth Dying For – Will not pursue fleeing PCs once dominance is established.
Weapons
- SMG
- bat
Armor
Kevlar Vest
City Police Patrol Officer
City Police Patrol Officer
Officers shout commands and warnings constantly
Attributes
Skills
Talents
- Defensive Formation – Gains +1 to defense rolls when fighting in formation or behind shields.
Weapons
- Stun Baton
- Low-Caliber Sidearm
Armor
Tactical Armor
Equipment
- Restraints
- Body cams
- Comm units
GM Notes
Non-Lethal First – Uses stun weapons unless situation escalates significantly.
Arrest Priority – Will attempt to detain suspects rather than kill.
Escalation Threshold – Will call for backup before pushing aggressively.
Police Drone (Early Response)
Police Drone (Early Response)
Excellent at spotting and tagging. Mediocre at actually hurting anyone.
Attributes
Skills
Talents
- Small & Agile – Ranged attacks against drones suffer –1 unless using heavy weapons, automatic fire, or explosives
- Target Painter – Once a drone successfully Observes a target, ground units gain +1 to attacks or tracking rolls against that target.
Weapons
- Taser Darts (non-lethal, short range)
Equipment
- High-Intensity Spotlight (-2 dice to Stealth in cone)
- Directional Loudspeaker
- Optical & Thermal Sensors (+2 Dice to Observation rolls)
GM Notes
Escalation Node – If destroyed or threatened, automatically alerts police patrols or tactical units.
No Self-Preservation – Will pursue until disabled, ordered to withdraw, or signal loss.
THE DEATH OF MR. SLATE
READ-ALOUD TEXT (DO NOT INTERRUPT)
Mr. Slate turns just in time to register surprise.
The first round takes him in the chest.
The second punches through his throat.
He staggers backward, cybernetic fingers twitching uselessly as blood sprays across the transport wall.
He tries to speak.
Nothing comes out.
He collapses at your feet—dead before he hits the floor.
(Pause. Let it land.)
RULES NOTES — LAW ENFORCEMENT
Police response is overwhelming
This is not a fight to win
Use narration to shut down prolonged resistance
GM SIDEBAR — LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE
Use these stats only if the crew insists on fighting police.
Law enforcement is meant to overwhelm, not kill.
GM GUIDANCE — HOW TO RUN POLICE COMBAT
Police do not fight to the death
Reinforcements arrive every 2–3 rounds
The goal is containment, not heroics
If players try to “win”:
Narrate escalation until it becomes obviously impossible.
This reinforces tone without removing agency.
GM EXIT RAMPS (USE ONE)
If things bog down:
Overwhelming force subdues the crew
A higher authority intervenes (“friends in high places”)
Environmental chaos allows escape
No failed rolls should dead-end the story here.
DESIGN INTENT (DO NOT SHOW PLAYERS)
Police are:
A pressure mechanic
A pacing tool
A reminder that the city is hostile
They are not the real enemy.
If the crew:
Runs: Continue normally
Surrenders: They are briefly detained
Fights: Non-lethal suppression, then detention
In all cases, proceed to the same outcome.
PLAYER AGENCY SAFETY NET
If the crew is arrested or overwhelmed:
READ-ALOUD TEXT (OPTIONAL)
A man in a dark suit steps through the chaos. He flashes a badge you don’t recognize.
He leans close.
“You’ve got friends in high places. Don’t waste it.”
The restraints come off.
No rolls. No resistance.
SCENE END CONDITION
The crew is:
Alive
Armed
Wanted
Leaderless
Mr. Slate is dead.
The job remains.
THE DEATH OF MR. SLATE
READ-ALOUD TEXT (DO NOT INTERRUPT)
Mr. Slate turns just in time to register surprise.
The first round takes him in the chest.
The second punches through his throat.
He staggers backward, cybernetic fingers twitching uselessly as blood sprays across the transport wall.
He tries to speak.
Nothing comes out.
He collapses at your feet—dead before he hits the floor.
(Pause. Let it land.)
SCENE PURPOSE
- Kill Mr. Slate in front of the players
- A quick combat scene to let the PCs learn their abilities and gear
- Turn preparation into liability
- Force immediate action under pressure
This is the moment the adventure stops being optional.
RULES NOTES
STRESS ACTIVATION
This is where Stress comes online. All PCs immediately gain +1 Stress.
This scene does not require rolls by default.
If a PC was:
- Closest to Mr. Slate
- Mid-conversation with him
- Actively trusting him
They gain +2 Stress instead.Do not call for Panic checks yet.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
- Police response is overwhelming
- This is not a fight to win
- Use narration to shut down prolonged resistance