King Torino Children's Refuge Attack - Fri, Sep 9, 2016
△▼△TOP SECRET//SI//DGO△▼△
Report No: GT/WT-160909-023240912
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Agents:
Summary:
Agents Steel, Drummond, McCarter, and Cortez engaged in an operation at the King Torina Children’s Refugein Charlotte, North Carolina, to investigate connections to the Cornucopia organization and its former residents. During the operation, they encountered a hostile individual believed to be Samuel Ball, who utilized a bear to attack the agents and civilians. Agents Drummond and McCarter sustained severe injuries but were stabilized. The suspect was terminated. The team is preparing to pursue the final target connected to the investigation.
Operation Report:
- The agents arrived at the Cornucopia House to interview Nika, a former resident and current staff member, regarding her experiences and potential connections to the investigation.
- Nika revealed that she and other children referred to themselves as the “Quiet Children.” She confessed to feeling that she betrayed the others by learning to speak and disclosed that Elle Gable had attempted to kill her during their childhood.
- Nika explained that she remained within the system and received help from Dr. Sarah Bryce. She is now dedicated to helping children with similar backgrounds.
- While conducting the interview in the backyard, the agents observed a pale, gangly white male matching the description of one of Houghton’s attackers (believed to be Samuel Ball) breaching the rear fence using bolt cutters.
- Agent Cortez confronted the suspect, ordering him to drop the bolt cutters and remain where he was. The suspect fled back through the hole in the fence into the woods.
- Moments later, a large black bear broke through the fence, charging toward a group of children in the yard.
- Nika took immediate action, directing the children to safety. Agent Cortez moved to intercept the bear and protect the children. Agents Steel, Drummond, and McCarter, who were elsewhere on the property, heard the commotion and moved to assist.
- Agent Cortez engaged the bear to prevent it from reaching the children. The bear exhibited aggressive behavior and seemed unnaturally focused on attacking.
- Agents Steel and Monroe attempted to find clear lines of sight to the bear without endangering the children. Agent McCarter attempted to pursue the suspect by climbing over the fence but encountered difficulties.
- Agent Drummond ran through the hole in the fence to pursue the suspect into the woods.
- Agent Cortez continued to engage the bear, avoiding injury despite the bear’s aggressive attacks. Agent Steel fired upon the bear, eventually delivering critical shots that incapacitated and killed the animal.
- In the woods, Agent McCarter encountered the suspect, who attacked him with the bolt cutters, causing severe head injuries. Agent Drummond arrived to assist but was also attacked by the suspect and sustained critical injuries.
- Agent Steel and Agent Cortez moved to assist their injured colleagues. Agent Steel engaged the suspect, ultimately shooting and killing him.
- Agent Steel provided emergency medical assistance to Agent Drummond, utilizing his medical training to stabilize him despite life-threatening injuries. Agent Cortez attempted to assist Agent McCarter.
- Emergency services were contacted. Agents Drummond and McCarter were transported to the Carolinas Medical Center for treatment.
- Agent Cortez communicated with Handler Pizzarelli, providing updates on the situation and coordinating with local authorities while maintaining operational security.
- During their recovery, Agents Drummond and McCarter regained consciousness. The agents discussed the events, speculating on the motives of the suspect and the potential lack of uniformity among the targets associated with the Cornucopia House.
- Nika visited Agent Steel at the hospital, potentially offering additional information pertinent to the investigation.
- The team considered their next steps, including proceeding to Florida to pursue the remaining target.
Analysis and Recommendations:
- The suspect’s ability to control or manipulate the bear mirrors previous encounters involving animal attacks, suggesting a pattern among former Cornucopia House residents. This indicates a potential unnatural influence that enables control over animals.
- The aggressive behavior of the bear and its immediate appearance after the suspect’s actions imply premeditation and possible supernatural coordination. Further analysis of the method of control is necessary.
- The severe injuries sustained by Agents Drummond and McCarter underscore the escalating threat level. It is imperative to reassess tactical approaches and ensure agents are equipped to handle hostile entities exhibiting unnatural abilities.
- The divergence in behavior between the suspect and Elle Gable suggests that the targets may not be operating under a unified directive. This could indicate internal conflicts or varying degrees of allegiance within the group, necessitating individualized profiling of each target.
- Nika’s insights into the “Quiet Children” and her personal experiences may be critical in understanding the broader scope of the Cornucopia organization’s activities. A thorough debriefing is recommended, with consideration given to her potential as an informant or ally.
- Agent Drummond’s request to contact his family poses a significant operational security risk. It is recommended that agents be reminded of protocol regarding personal contacts and the importance of maintaining cover identities to prevent potential exposure.
- The team’s discussions about fate and the perceived inevitability of encounters with these targets suggest a possible psychological influence affecting agents’ perceptions. Monitoring for signs of mental stress or destabilization is advised.
- Given the recurring theme of animal manipulation, deploying agents with expertise in occult practices or supernatural phenomena may enhance operational effectiveness.
- Prior to engaging the remaining target in Florida, it is recommended that the team conduct comprehensive planning, anticipate possible ambushes, and consider requesting additional resources or support personnel specialized in countering unnatural threats.
- Minimizing interaction with local law enforcement is advised to prevent complications and maintain the secrecy of Delta Green operations. Any necessary coordination should be carefully managed through official channels.
- A-Cell should evaluate the potential broader implications of these activities and consider initiating parallel investigations into similar cases to prevent further incidents.
The session begins with players troubleshooting technical issues, with Luke suggesting restarting browsers and Mark confirming his connection is stable. Chris expresses frustration over the technical difficulties, mentioning attempts to reboot his system and the need to manage multiple tabs. As Chris prepares to leave to restart his computer, he humorously notes his long absences from the computer, leading to a chaotic discussion about the state of his system. Luke joins the web chat, and the conversation turns lighthearted, with jokes about the internet being a “web of interconnected tubes.” Players engage in banter regarding the technical issues, with Brian and Chris contributing humorous commentary. The conversation shifts to seasonal topics, with Chris mentioning the arrival of pumpkin spice products in stores, evoking a nostalgic response from the group about the current time of year. After some light-hearted chatter, Chris prompts the group to focus on the game, asking if someone will take charge. Robert confirms he is ready, while Chris jokes about the Handler’s role in the session. Luke transitions into the game narrative, providing a recap of the previous session where the agents traveled to the King Torino Children’s Refuge in North Carolina to investigate Kerry Houghton. Luke describes the location as a three-story house struggling with budget issues, noting its less-than-ideal state of repair. Cortez discovers a red car, identified as Kerry Houghton’s vehicle, parked nearby, suggesting her recent presence at the site. The agents manage to convince Dr. Bailey, the supervising psychologist, to discuss past occupants of King Torino, despite her initial reluctance and ethical concerns. Dr. Bailey introduces the agents to Nika Chilikov, a former resident of Cornucopia House, as a potential avenue for information. Nika shares her traumatic experiences, referring to herself and other children as “the quiet children,” and describes a violent incident involving another child, Elle Gable, which highlights the horrors of their past. The narrative shifts as a pale, gangly man—recognized as one of Houghton’s attackers—enters the scene, cutting through the rear fence with bolt cutters. Cortez calls out to the man, who quickly flees back into the woods. Moments later, a large black bear crashes through the fence, creating chaos as children are caught in the path between the agents and the bear. Nika begins to run towards the children in response to the bear’s intrusion. Monroe attempts to balance managing a phone call while holding a gun, adding to the confusion of the situation. As the agents prepare to respond to the bear, Monroe’s phone rings, prompting him to answer, revealing he has a call from his mortgage broker. The agents hear children screaming and realize the urgency of the situation. Chris begins strategizing about how to deal with the bear, humorously speculating about the man potentially being a druid or having wild shape abilities. The group discusses their options, with Drummond suggesting they should head back to where the commotion is occurring. After some back-and-forth, the decision is made to go through the house rather than around it to reach the bear more quickly. Luke places the game into initiative order as the bear is about to charge into the group of children. Monroe expresses his intent to make a phone call while trying to find a clear shot at the bear, indicating he will prioritize calling while also seeking a line of sight for shooting. The urgency of the situation escalates with the bear charging towards the children, prompting the agents to take swift action. Luke sets the stage with the bear’s imminent attack, emphasizing the chaotic environment with children in danger and the agents scrambling to respond effectively. Initiative Order Setup: Nika’s Actions: Bear Encounter Description: Children’s Safety: Cortez’s Actions: Combat Engagement: Bear’s Response: Nika’s Continued Actions: McCarter’s Movement: Drummond’s Phone Call: Shooting Decisions: Graham’s Actions: Conclusion of Combat: The session begins with Luke describing the chaotic situation as a bear lunges at the agents, emphasizing that players will no longer have point-blank bonuses due to the frantic nature of the encounter. Brian suggests that someone might be able to shoot the bear effectively, prompting Chris to joke about using calculus to calculate the shot. Luke confirms that the situation is only getting worse and that Brian needs to make a shot under difficult circumstances. After rolling, Brian receives a disappointing result, with the outcome indicating that the bear’s claw snags his weapon, causing it to fly out of his hand and leaving him disarmed. Chris encourages Brian to resort to hand-to-hand combat, leading Luke to clarify that Brian can attempt to retrieve his weapon on his next turn. Luke describes the bear’s aggressive behavior, detailing it as swiping wildly and frothing at the mouth while Brian manages to stay out of the bear’s range. Nika, a character present, gathers the remaining children and begins retreating up the hill, indicating a sense of urgency in the situation. It becomes McCarter’s turn, and he expresses his desire to vault over a fence to join the others. Luke sets the scene, explaining the layout of the backyard and the position of the fence, noting that McCarter could either run to a gap in the fence or leap over it and specifying the risks involved in both options. McCarter decides to leap over the fence, but rolls poorly on his athletics check, resulting in a clumsy climb that consumes his attention and leaves him momentarily vulnerable. Chris humorously comments on the awkwardness of McCarter’s attempt, highlighting the chaotic atmosphere of the session. Mark, playing Steel Monroe, is encouraged to take action as the other characters manage the situation with the bear and the children. Luke notes that the bear is focused on Cortez, providing an opening for Monroe to act. Monroe attempts to take a shot at the bear but fails to fire, as he struggles to track the bear’s movements while also ensuring he doesn’t hit Cortez. The tension escalates as Luke emphasizes the danger of the situation, prompting players to joke about the bear’s intentions. Brian reacts to the bear’s presence, indicating that his friends are not assisting him effectively against the bear’s attack. Cortez attempts to dodge the bear while trying to retrieve his weapon, rolling for a skill check to avoid being mauled. Luke allows Cortez to make a dexterity check for a chance to quickly grab his gun and avoid the bear, which he successfully achieves. The session continues with increasing tension as the characters navigate their chaotic surroundings, leading to further planned actions and combat dynamics. Luke calls for luck checks from Drummond and McCarter, creating suspense around their fate in the unfolding chaos. McCarter’s failed check leads to a moment of vulnerability, as he finds himself confronted by a man with bolt cutters just as he attempts to climb down the fence. The young man, described as strung out and dirty, poses a new threat, further complicating the agents’ already dangerous situation. McCarter considers attempting to disarm the man, but is forced to back off due to the man’s aggressive swings with the bolt cutters. Steel Monroe re-engages in the situation with the bear and is resolved to take a shot, reflecting the growing urgency of the scenario. The session highlights the emotional stakes and chaos of the mission, with players bantering and strategizing amidst the tension of their surroundings. Player Actions and Rolls: Character Dynamics: Combat Sequence: Weapon Use: Shooting Mechanics: Critical Moments: Bear Encounter: Continued Combat: Subsequent Actions: Environmental Awareness: Player Interactions: Final Notes on Character Status: The session opens with Chris expressing frustration about being 10 feet away from two cars, indicating a tactical situation where distance is crucial. Luke, the Handler, responds by having an enemy take a few steps forward, prompting concern from Chris. Chris decides to take a few steps back to maintain distance, indicating a desire to avoid conflict. Chris asks if he can dodge the incoming attack, to which Luke confirms he can. Luke confirms the dodge action is valid and instructs Chris on the mechanics of dodging in the game, clarifying that “D” stands for Dodge. Chris searches for the dodge option on his character sheet, indicating potential confusion about the game’s mechanics. Brian chimes in, stating that dodging falls under criminology skills. Luke describes Chris’s character swaying back as the attack misses, successfully dodging the attack. The turn shifts to Steel Monroe as Mark expresses his intention to get a new clip for his gun and run towards a hole in the fence. Luke offers Mark options: take a long-range shot at a penalty, make an athletics check, or close the distance without rolling. Mark opts to close the distance, reasoning that the opponent is not as threatening as a bear. Luke agrees Mark can move without needing an athletics check. The turn shifts back to Graham Drummond, with Luke reminding Chris that since he dodged, he cannot attack this turn. Chris expresses frustration at the ruling, questioning the fairness of not being able to act after dodging. Luke allows Chris to speak to the enemy instead, prompting Chris to deliver a heartfelt plea aimed at dissuading the attacker from violence. Chris attempts to persuade the enemy, stating that they do not have to follow the path of violence dictated by their past. Luke prompts Chris to consider how Drummond feels about the situation, which leads to a discussion about Drummond’s character motivations. Chris acknowledges that while he doesn’t want to kill, he is prepared to defend himself if necessary. Luke allows Chris to roll for persuasion, but the attempt fails as the enemy does not respond. Chris expresses disappointment at the outcome but is determined to continue trying. Luke describes the enemy’s reaction as he prepares to attack, indicating that the enemy swings a weapon (bolt cutters) at Chris’s character. Chris quickly asks if he can dodge again, to which Luke confirms he can. Luke notes that the enemy’s attack is a critical success, resulting in a devastating blow to Drummond. The attack deals 14 damage, and Chris announces that Drummond is dead, crumpling under the force of the blow. Luke describes the scene as Steel Monroe witnesses the brutal attack and the aftermath. Mark expresses shock at the sudden death of Drummond, highlighting the unexpected turn of events. Chris and Brian engage in a discussion about the fairness of the critical success mechanics, with Chris expressing frustration over the double damage rule. The group discusses the rules governing opposed tests, with Luke clarifying that a critical success beats a regular success and results in increased damage. Tensions rise as the players grapple with the mechanics and implications of the combat system. Chris expresses feeling upset about the outcome but acknowledges that Luke, as the Handler, has the final say in the rules. The conversation shifts to a short break as Luke indicates he needs to use the bathroom. Robert reminds everyone about the rule regarding rolling for permanent injury if health drops below two, indicating a serious consequence for the characters. Luke reassures the players that they may only be mostly dead, implying potential for recovery. The session becomes light-hearted as they joke about the dire situation, referencing the campaign’s theme. Luke returns the focus to the game, indicating Steel’s turn to act now that Drummond has fallen. Mark indicates he will take a shot now that he has closed the distance, preparing to engage in combat. Luke warns Mark that shooting through trees will incur a penalty due to the obstruction. Mark rolls for his shot but misses, expressing frustration at the outcome. Luke describes David Cortez moving closer to the action but not quite reaching the scene this turn. As the combat escalates, Luke indicates the enemy has turned toward the sounds of gunfire, setting the stage for further conflict. Combat Situation Dynamics: Agent Cortez’s Positioning: Unconscious Agent: Steel Monroe’s Action: Attempted Shots: Cortez’s Turn: Successful Hit by Cortez: Cultist’s Response: Monroe’s Next Attempt: Cortez’s Continued Assault: Cultist’s Wounded State: Monroe’s Critical Success: Triage and Medical Response: Urgent Medical Supplies: Medical Intervention Success: Ambulance Arrival: Conclusion of the Combat: The session begins with players discussing medical procedures, specifically intubation and the use of an ambu bag in ambulances. This indicates a focus on medical realism and situational awareness. Luke, the Handler, prompts the players about the involvement of law enforcement, indicating that there will be a need for communication with them regarding the events that transpired. Brian expresses willingness for David Cortez (Agent Duncan) to talk to law enforcement, while Mark indicates that Steel Monroe (Frank Mason) will ride in the ambulance, highlighting the team’s division of roles in the context of the mission. The players discuss various medical techniques and equipment, such as new materials for staunching blood flow and the historical use of super glue in medical settings, showing their characters’ backgrounds in emergency medicine and military experience. Luke confirms that the injured agents are being taken to Carolinas Medical Center, implying the severity of their injuries and setting the stage for their recovery. Brian, as Cortez, takes a proactive approach to manage the local police narrative about the incident, indicating it was a matter of national security and involving a bear attack. This reflects the theme of secrecy in their operations. Luke provides Cortez with a phone number to direct the locals to, emphasizing the importance of maintaining operational security and the careful management of information. The conversation continues with players humorously discussing the possibility of the local authorities not being informed about the full scope of the events, illustrating the tension between the characters and the bureaucratic aspects of their mission. The session shifts focus to the hospital, where Luke indicates the characters are moved into intensive care after several hours, suggesting a critical state of health for some agents. The Handler initiates a roll for lasting trauma for Matthew McCarter (Connor Murphy) and Graham Miles Drummond (Alistair Russel Whitehead), reflecting the psychological impact of their experiences. Players make successful rolls for their characters, indicating they will not suffer any lasting trauma from their recent ordeal, leading to light-hearted banter about their resilience. Luke jokes about the consequences of potential injuries, referencing humorous scenarios and pop culture, which eases the tension after the serious events of the mission. Luke sets the scene in the intensive care unit, with McCarter waking up first. Brian, as Cortez, is present in the room, showing camaraderie and support among the agents. McCarter expresses concern about the status of the mission and the wellbeing of his fellow agents, indicating strong bonds and a shared sense of responsibility. The characters discuss the outcome of their mission, noting that they have lost one agent but successfully completed their objectives, highlighting the stakes of their work. A sense of urgency is introduced with Cortez texting Assistant U.S. Attorney Pitzerelli about their ongoing situation, reinforcing the need for secrecy and the potential consequences of their actions. Monroe, as a medic, addresses Drummond after he wakes, providing reassurance about his condition and the status of the team, showcasing the support network among the agents. Drummond’s request to contact his family highlights the personal stakes involved in their missions, while also indicating the tension between operational security and personal relationships. The Handler prompts Monroe to make a sanity check due to Drummond’s request, emphasizing the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by the agents as they strive to protect their own while adhering to the mission’s secrecy. Monroe contemplates how to communicate with Drummond’s family without revealing sensitive information, indicating the complexities of their roles as operatives in Delta Green. The session concludes with discussions about the duration of their hospital stay and the implications of their injuries, maintaining a sense of foreboding as they consider their next steps in the investigation and the ongoing threats they face. Recovery of Hit Points: The session begins with the Handler discussing the recovery of hit points for the characters following their injuries. Due to high rolls, the damage sustained was effectively repaired. Discharge Timeline: Chris suggests a timeline for recovery, indicating that he expects to be discharged in approximately one week. Luke confirms this, stating that the characters will not remain in the medical facility for an extended period. Insurance Issues: Brian humorously points out that the agents’ government insurance will not cover their medical expenses due to their non-existent status, prompting Luke to acknowledge that the situation will become apparent to the medical staff soon. Health Care Discussion: Mark brings up the need for the characters to transition to normal healthcare, suggesting a cover story involving a gardening accident to explain their injuries. Character Reflections: Chris expresses frustration over the situation, indicating a desire for the characters to recover while making light of the absurdity of their circumstances. Medical Treatment Mechanics: Luke explains the rules for recuperation in a medical facility, detailing how McCarter will recover 1d4 plus 1 hit points, while Drummond will recover 1d4 hit points. Robert rolls and recovers a total of three hit points, while Drummond recovers five. Pizzarelli’s Role: The characters receive a directive from Pizzarelli, indicating that they need to return to active duty, suggesting urgency in their investigation. Character Dynamics: The group engages in banter about their characters’ health and the implications of their injuries, with Chris claiming he has always been told he heals quickly. Speculation on Samuel Ball: Robert questions the motives of Samuel Ball, leading to a discussion among the players about his intentions and actions. Chris suggests that Ball’s actions seem contradictory, given the context of their previous encounters. Critical Success: Chris rolls a critical success on an insight check regarding Ball’s motives. Luke confirms that Ball’s objective was to create chaos and divide the group, rather than directly target Nika. Comparing Characters: The players discuss the motivations of different characters they have encountered, such as Elle Gable, contemplating their actions and decisions in relation to each other. Thematic Discussion: The conversation shifts to themes of autonomy and agency within their adversaries. The players speculate on the nature of the Silent Ones and their motivations, contrasting them with their own characters’ goals. Player Character Strategies: Chris emphasizes the need for strategic thinking moving forward, noting that the agents should be cautious and assume that future encounters may be traps. Cortez’s Perspective: Brian articulates Cortez’s view that the agents and their enemies may be pawns in a larger game, suggesting that the motives of their adversaries may be irrelevant to the overarching plot they are entangled in. Final Reflections: The session concludes with the players reflecting on their characters’ positions in the ongoing narrative, hinting at the complexity of their situation and the psychological toll it may take as they navigate their roles within the unfolding story. Discussion on Agency and Despair: Character Internal Conflict: Cortez’s Leadership and Morality: Upcoming Character Interactions: Nika’s Potential Threat: Hospital Setting and Consequences: Future Planning and Character Development: Confirmation of Theories: Character Dynamics and Humor:Session Notes
△▼△TOP SECRET//SI//DGO△▼△