HP:1
Cnd: Physically Disabled (-5 to Circumstance Checks)
PP:0
John isn't back to normal yet. The same vapors that killed Duncan have also seared his own lungs. There is still shortness of breathe and pain from time to time. But as long as he is conscious and capable, John knows that Ascendant Chen isn't going to accept his injuries as an excuse not to submit a report. So he drags himself out of bed and proceeds to his quarters in order to work in private.OOC: I'm going to leave the "Physically Disabled" Condition up until I'm sure it's ok to take it down. I'll also spend my 1pp now to improve John's Vehicle: Motorcycle skill.
OOC: I'm not sure by what means John can send a private, electronic report to Ascendant Chen, so I'll take liberties to assume he has a computer or some other secured device in his quarters to do so.
The veteran soldier has had plenty of time to mull over the last mission. One thing is for sure, John has hitched his wagon to this cause for the time being. As far as he's concerned, he doesn't get paid handsomely unless Null and his regime are successful. To that end John must make sure to provide accurate and relevant assessments to Chen and not get wrapped up in inter-political struggles between Null and Sokolov.
Retrieving the Viridi Mater specimen -despite the firefight and damage that ensued - makes the mission a moderate success. The group -for the most part - created a sound initial plan with a contingency in case their secrecy was blown. Whether Carter Howell's actions initiated Stronghold's progression towards a higher state of readiness cannot be known. But it is not out of the question. The sudden decision by Stronghold to relocate the specimen within a mere 24 hours of the planned mission to acquire it, must be viewed as suspiciously coincidental. It seems reasonable to assume that an intelligence leak exists somewhere. To be frank, if I were in charge, the mission would have been called off. However a cost-benefit analysis could justify the call to proceed. In hind sight, one might conclude my decision to abort the mission would be a conservative mistake. But I shall say that the mission was close to failure on multiple occasions. Only through the desperate effort of our team did the sample arrive at our base undamaged.OOC: What follows are the the key points of John's report to Ascedant Chen.
The groups investment in smoke-generating munitions proved to be beneficial as it provided visual concealment both to attack and to hide. On the other hand, the group's profound lack of secure communications lead to my near capture as well as the inability to coordinate once the cohesion of the initial plan broke down. So, there are really only two assets that are critically deficient at this moment. Secure communications and contingency plans that allow for a rapid concentration of overwhelming force and then a concealed extraction (in force) if a clandestine mission is discovered. I shall be discussing this matter with Ascendant Gonzalez and Dr. Sokolov's android, Iona, at our next meeting. I can say that plans are in motion for the creation of a fighting force. This could help us address the 2nd deficiency in time. I am unaware, however, of any effort to provide communications. Rest assured, Ascendant, that I shall make that my primary mission in the weeks to come.
After submitting his report to Ascendant Chen, John follows Diego's order to report for a private meeting.