Wanted: Spy
A representative from a local shipyard approaches you with an offer. They
require someone to spy on a ship under construction at a competitor's
shipyard to verify if the competitor stole their design. You must have
shipscanners on your vessel. If you do not currently have them, they will
provide them to you for approximately 40% of the regular cost (paid up
front). Pay is $(cost of scanners + 20%), to be paid upon delivery of the
ship scans.
Security at the shipyards is light, with one old patrol vessel, which only
works 1/2 the time, and 5 security personnel within the shipyards.
Game Master's Notes:
none
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A) All is as stated.
B) All is as stated, except they are trying to steal their competitor's
design to make cheap copies.
C) Your patron is not from a shipyard at all. They are a group of
industrial spies who plan on selling the plans you obtain, to the highest
bidder. If your ship was seen and recognized, the government will put out
a warrant for your arrest (espionage).
D) As stated in (A), but security has recently been increased to twice the
amount listed.
E) As stated in (B), but security has recently been increased to twice the
amount listed.
F) As stated in (C), but security has recently been increased to twice the
amount listed.
G) As stated in (A), but a new security company has recently hired. There
is always one modern *FAST* fighter in the shipyards, and 20+ robots patrol
within the shipyards.
H) As stated in (B), but a new security company has recently hired. There
is always one modern *FAST* fighter in the shipyards, and 20+ robots patrol
within the shipyards.
I) As stated in (C), but a new security company has recently hired. There
is always one modern *FAST* fighter in the shipyards, and 20+ robots patrol
within the shipyards.
J) You are the victim of a scam operation. If you already have ship
scanners, the patron will arrange to meet you, but never show up or be seen
again. If you do not have scanners, they will sell you them and install
them as arranged. The scanners however are phony, merely a pile of junk
and old parts put together to look convincing (which they do).
If you decide to try the scanners once you have left station on the way to
the shipyards, you will discover the disception. An immediate return to
the station and complaint to the police MAY catch the patron before they
can leave. You will then get 60% of your money back, the rest is gone.
If you do not test the scanners until you arrive at the shipyards, then
upon return to the station, the patron will have been long gone, along with
your money, and has left no trail to follow.
Note: A complaint to the police must be a convincing lie. Admitting to
conspiracy to commit espionage, which is a major crime, will not gain their
sympathy. On the other hand, a totally false story will be seen as such,
and also not gain their assistance.