MISSION: THE HALFWAY HIJACK

• Time: 6:00 AM
• Location: Dormitory of the Jane Mendoza Gang Headquarters, a cave near the volcano Ralar on the Dark Side.

• Scene: The players wake abruptly as Tom Zanders dumps ice-cold water over their heads. Groggy from last night’s Vowel Ceremony, they are met with his sharp voice:“Being an Outlaw means being faster, smarter, and more alive than those Federal Confederation zombies trudging through their assembly lines in hell. Today, prospects, you get your first chance to prove you're worthy of joining this gang.”

• Location: Gang Kitchen
• Time: 6:30 AM
• Mood: Over a quick, bitter coffee, Tom Zanders outlines the mission:

• Target: Professor Malek Vaross, Dean of the Faculty for Physics and Geology at the Danah-Wanah University, is traveling with a Federal Courier Service caravan from Firetown to New Kourou. His groundbreaking research into Smart Matter is critical to the Federal Confederation, and Jane Mendoza wants him alive for her own purposes.

• Context: The caravan will stop at the Halfway Inn for a mandatory six-hour break. During this time, Professor Vaross, the only passenger in the caravan’s passenger cart, will rest in the Landlady’s Room, a small private space on the inn's upper floor. Alongside the professor, a secure suitcase containing highly sensitive materials will be locked in the safe inside the room.

• Tom Zanders reveals that Jane Mendoza’s inside sources within the Firetown administration tipped her off about Professor Vaross’ travel plans and the suitcase’s contents. These informants, embedded deep within the Confederation's research and logistics networks, flagged the professor’s movements as a critical opportunity for the gang. While Zanders avoids providing further details, he notes that the suitcase and the professor are linked to “cutting-edge developments in a technology” Mendoza is deeply interested in harnessing for her own purposes.

• When pressed for more information, Zanders shuts down any questions with a sharp retort: “Need-to-know only, prospects. Jane’s orders. Focus on grabbing the professor and the case, not digging into secrets you’re not paid to understand.”

• Xiao Mehta, Federal Sheriff Deputy and Personal Bodyguard: Xiao is highly trained, disciplined, and unwaveringly loyal to protecting Professor Vaross. Her mission is not only to ensure his safety but also to prevent him from falling into enemy hands under any circumstances.

• Professor Malek Vaross' Federal Capsule: Professor Vaross carries a Federal Capsule, a small, discreet container filled with potassium cyanide, issued exclusively to secret-keepers of the Federal Confederation. In the event of capture, the capsule allows him to take his own life rather than risk revealing classified information critical to the Confederation’s security. This creates an additional layer of complexity for the mission, as the players must capture him alive while preventing him from accessing the capsule.

• 4 Deputies of the Federal Sheriff: Deputies rotate patrols throughout the inn and surrounding area, with two always on duty and two resting. Deputies include Livia “Valkyrie” Ferreira and Kaian “Raven” Montclair, both known for their vigilance and combat skills.

• Inn Staff: The Halfway Inn is run by three employees: Federal Landlady Florence van Dyk, stable hand Gustav Fjeldstad, and housekeeper Isabelle Pradhan. While they are not combatants, they are familiar with the inn’s layout and have access to defensive measures:

1. Florence van Dyk officially carries a Federal Stungun, authorized to protect herself and her staff from potential outlaw attacks.
2. Florence also hides an old air rifle, a keepsake from her father. Although rarely used, it is fully functional and can be a last-resort weapon.
3. Firework Alarm System: Similar to the Federal Courier Caravans, the inn staff has access to a firework alert system to notify the Federal Sheriff in the event of a security threat. This system allows for quick and highly visible distress signals.

• Capture Professor Malek Vaross alive.
• Anesthetize or neutralize Xiao Mehta without raising undue suspicion.
• Escape the Halfway Inn with the professor before the caravan resumes its journey.
• Professor Vaross must be delivered to the gang’s headquarters within the six-hour window.

• The caravan will arrive at noon and leave six hours later. Failing to act within this window will result in the professor being moved to the passenger cart, surrounded by guards, making capture nearly impossible.

• Floor Plan Provided: Tom Zanders hands over a detailed floor plan of the Halfway Inn, allowing the team to study potential entry points, escape routes, and guard placements.
• Shika Me La: He provides a vial of Shika Me La, a fast-acting sedative stolen from the Federal Sheriff’s supplies, specifically for anesthetizing Professor Vaross. It can be administered via injection or mixed into food or drink.
• Professor's Weakness: Zanders mentions that Professor Vaross is a sweet tooth who cannot resist sugary treats. Leveraging this indulgence could provide a non-violent method to subdue him discreetly.
• Possible Equipment: Apart from firearms (Jane Mendoza forbids their use to avoid drawing attention), the players can select gear from the gang’s arsenal, including all ExoHuman weapons of the Gamma Age, as well as specialized tools such as LumiLights (stolen Federal Sheriff tech). Clothing and uniforms are also available for disguise purposes.

• Capture Professor Vaross alive and relatively unharmed.
• Neutralize Xiao Mehta without drawing undue attention.
• Escape the Halfway Inn before the caravan resumes its journey.

• Professor Vaross is killed or severely injured.
• The players are captured or killed.
• The caravan departs with the professor still onboard.

• Trust within the Jane Mendoza Gang: Progress toward full membership.
• Equipment Upgrades: Access to higher-tier weapons and gear for future missions.

Landlady’s Room (Target’s Location):

• Upper floor, accessible via stairs from the Entrance Hall
• Modest private room with a bed, wardrobe, table, and a secure safe built into the floor. The safe might house Professor Vaross’ suitcase, which contains critical research information.
• A single Deputy guards the stairs at all times, with patrol rotations increasing traffic to the area.

Common Room (Crowded Hub):

• Central area with a large fireplace, used for meals and recreation.
• Constant activity from travelers, caravan personnel and the Federal Landlady.

Stables and Cargo Area:

• 40 Hoos of the the just-pausing caravan are cared for here by the Stable's Hand Gustav Fjeldstad.
• In addition there are 10 Replacement-Hoos in the Stable in case one of the Hoos of the caravan needs further care.
• A potential escape route if the players can commandeer mounts or cargo wagons.

Dormitories:

• Shared sleeping quarters for Coachmen of the Federal Courier Service and Deputies.
• 20 Coachmen and 2 deputies rest here for three-hour shifts, creating a window of reduced security.

Kitchen and Storage:

• Meals from the Federal Food Plant are reheated here by the Federal Landlady, with limited staff access.
• Possible place to acquire materials for improvised tools or distractions.

• Jane Mendoza Gang
• Jane Mendoza Gang Headquarter
• Dark Side
• Ralar Region
• Halfway Inn
• Trade Route
• Federal Courier Service
• Federal Courier Caravans
• Federal Courier Carts

Potentially Involved NPC:

• Tom Zanders (Superior Gang Member, Briefing)
• Florence van Dyk (Landlady, potential opponent)
• Isabelle Pradhan (Housekeeper, potential opponent)
• Gustav Fjeldstad (Stable Hand, potential opponent)
• Professor Malek Vaross(Target person)
• Xiao Mehta (Bodyguard, possible opponent)
• Livia “Valkyrie” Ferreira (Deputy on Duty, potential opponent)
• Kaian “Raven” Montclair (Deputy on Duty, potential opponent)
• Alexis Korvin (1/20 Coachmen, potential opponent)

Adventure “A Dark Conspiracy”

• General Overview: A Dark Conspiracy
• Prologue: Prologue of A Dark Conspiracy
• Mission: Halfway Hijack