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Session 13: Three Fronts in the Deep
The heavy steel bulkhead groaned as it swung open, revealing the massive, pulsing nerve center of the Duquesne Light power grid substation. The high-voltage buzz hummed through the air, mixing with the hot stench of the swarming hive below. To stop the imminent blackout and flooding of the city, the team had to divide and conquer instantly—three critical jobs, three separate targets, zero room for error.
First came the ambush. Slipping past the main entryway, Uncle Morty’s veteran survivalist crew bypassed the young protagonists entirely to take on the elite overseers protecting the primary control hub. Carl racked his 12-gauge shotgun while Brenda quietly lined up her crosshairs on the towering Reptoid Engineers turning the electrical dials. “Eat lead, you subterranean freaks!” Carl roared, pulling the trigger as a hail of buckshot lit up the chamber.
Target: Carl's Combat Skill is 12. Catching the Elite Reptoid Engineers off-guard gives a -2 modifier.
The Dice: [2] + [3] + [2] = 7 - 2 = 5
Result: 5 is a devastating hit! Brenda's rifle and Carl's shotgun systematically drop the engineers before an alarm can echo through the broader hive grids.
With the engineers suppressed, Sally sprinted low under the flying shrapnel, diving straight behind the main operational terminal. Sparks showered over her as cables shorted out. Armed with her deep understanding of Pittsburgh's water and grid schematics, she tore the primary console panel open, exposing a bird's nest of high-voltage lines. Her fingers flew across the breakers, desperately executing a terminal lockdown sequence.
Target: Sally's Intellect (IT) is 12. She must bypass the active sabotage and isolate the substation electronics.
The Dice: [2] + [1] + [4] = 7
Modifiers: Sally applies her Notice Details (Lv1) talent, reducing the total to 6.
Result: 6 is an outstanding success under 12! The electronic grid clicks shut, locking out remote reptoid interference.
Experience Gained: 12 - 6 = 6 EP earned for Sally (Current Total: 27 EP).
As the electrical systems clicked into a secure automated loop, the automated flood alarms began to blare. The high-pressure river main was still wide open, threatening to drown the facility. Danny didn't think twice. Leaving the terminal cover behind, he sprinted into the wet, spraying darkness of the lower valve chamber. A massive, rusted iron wheel—the primary shutoff gate—stood trembling under immense subterranean pressure.
Danny threw his shotgun over his back, wrapped both arms around the icy metal wheel, and gritted his teeth. Behind him, the remnants of the pack were scratching at the locked security glass. “Not today,” Danny growled, using every ounce of his remaining strength to force the massive valve shut against the raging river torrent.
Target: Danny's Strength (ST) is 12. He must turn the jammed wheel to seal the main breach before the room floods completely.
The Dice: [2] + [3] + [4] = 9
Result: 9 is well below 12. SUCCESS! Danny forces the lock ring home with a heavy, resounding echo.
Experience Gained: 12 - 9 = 3 EP earned for Danny (Current Total: 6 EP).
With a loud, mechanical *CLANG*, the valve locked into place. The roaring water inside the pipes suddenly subsided into a dull, defeated gurgle. The lights throughout the substation flickered wildly for a moment before stabilizing into a solid, bright white glow. Up above on the streets of Pittsburgh, the power grid held. The blackout had been entirely averted.
Sally collapsed against the secure console, wiping sweat and scaly grease from her forehead as Danny slung his shotgun and walked up the steps to join her. They had locked the doors, isolated the grid, and broken the immediate vanguard. But as Uncle Morty looked out the reinforced observation window, his smile quickly faded. The primary hive queen was waking up down in the core basin—and the grand finale was right in front of them.
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