We Don't Have Time For A Gang War

 (Game Date: 4/15/2021)

(Or, This Was Supposed To Be A Side Quest)

There we stood, betwixt the carnage of our skirmish with the Masques and the rubble of their demolished drug factory.  My ears were still ringing from the explosion (Katrya's suppliers have top-shelf military supplies) when the foxkin began herding everyone into various vehicles.   Mostly she sorted them by age and state of injury; those she deemed more at-risk were directed into the "junk" van, while the rest she wanted in Frank.  The new mission, as she saw it and I could not dispute, was to clear out Varfana's shop.  

I waved them ahead, because I wanted to stay behind long enough to harvest a BANlink from one of the fallen gangers.  Gordianus also stayed, because she wanted to try to gather intel from the neighborhood (she actually did overhear a number of conversations, which may prove useful later).  I wished her luck, but also bade her be careful.  Then I took my stolen tek and mounted the Owlet.

I was headed for the mech shop; Frank for the weapon shop to help clear it out.  During the flight, Lohrig got a text which read, "You messed up," and then Varfana's shop exploded.  No one was hurt, thankfully, and most of the important equipment was cleared out, but damn.  We can be grateful for Katrya's quick thinking.

Another message followed quickly:  "Your next delivery is you. One hour. Mess this one up and we order take-out instead."  

Memo to All - Post Battle Notes

 (game dates: 4/1/2021 and 4/8/2021)

I want everyone to know that I take full responsibility for how this mission turned out.

I did not state up-front that it would probably be best to avoid starting a gang war with the Masques.  When Katrya initially mentioned "punching people," I thought that the violence would be confined to intimidation -- to scare them into leaving Varfana's shop and her employees alone.  I failed to take into account just how protective Varfana is of her employees and their families.  This is perfectly understandable, and I should have predicted her reaction.  I will make mission goals more clear in the future.

I failed to make it clear that I was testing the Silver Bullet tag for the first time, and wanted to learn how it would affect a living being, how long it would take to incapacitate him, and whether the safety release would work.  I didn't state that this was to be part of the intimidation process, and that I wanted that particular Masque left alone for the entire experiment to run its course.  Again, it's perfectly natural to want to eliminate all enemies, even if they appear incapacitated.  When I have special instructions, I should make them known to everyone.  

(On this note, you will all be pleased to know that we did gather sufficient data from this experience to move forward with using the tag against the SunChildren, and perhaps other powerful enemies.  I think we should have one along when we attend the fashion gala, just in case things go very badly.)

It was my overconfidence that led to the ambush.  Had I done due diligence, and cased the meeting place thoroughly beforehand, then we would have known that the nearby building was a production facility for Burnout, and a lair for the Masque gang.  Because I made assumptions, we were suddenly faced with far more enemies than originally anticipated.  

While Katrya was able to detonate an explosive within the building, the watcher within still managed to get a call out for reinforcements.  We must now assume that the Masques will retaliate, which is why Varfana and her staff have been forced underground for the time being.

I'm working to locate their leader and home base.  When this is done, we will go in with a real plan.

Some notes:

• We should have gotten Lohrig out of the battle much sooner.
• I've geared my crawler as a medicbot when we are in combat.  If you are hurt, call for Maggy immediately.
• For anyone I've ever given a weapon:  This was not meant as a criticism of your existing weapon skills.  If you have a primary weapon that you are skilled with, by all means, use it. 
• For anyone I've ever given instructions:  If they are not clear, then ask
• Don't let me become lax like this again.  If any plan seems full of holes, it probably is.  On my best days, I am not infallible.  Critique my plans.

There are much worse battles ahead of us, and I want everyone to survive them.  Let's do better.

..::Kai::..