It is a dark night but the facade of the New York Central Bank is alternatively lit by the blue then red flashes of Force car lights. You stand before a portly but commanding man with a thick moustache and bald head.
[["What have we got here, Chief?"->opening_2]]
The Chief clears his throat:
"The place was hit around an hour ago by some armed thugs. They cleared out the vault and made a run for it. An explosion was heard, shots were fired and one of the crew was left here for dead. Here's the thing though: there's no security here and the crew were gone before any of the Force arrived."
[[...->opening_questions]]
"Hah are you kiddin'? Why would anyone spend money defending a Central Bank? The paper dollar in that vault is worthless."
[["Of course."->opening_questions]]
[["Then why would anyone want to steal it?->opening_security_2]]
"Yeh just a cleaner - he's still in there now with the Force. Looks like he'll have more demand for his work now what with the mess in there."
[["Anything more you can tell me?"->opening_witnesses_2]]
[["I see."->opening_questions]]
"Well shit. That's why you're here right? Now I don't like these Central Banking traitors any less than the next guy but we've got a job to do."
[["What have you got against the Central Bankers?"->opening_security_3]]
[["Okay chief."->opening_questions]]
You ascend the steps of the bank and enter through the grand double doors.
[[...->lobby]]
The lobby is of neo-classical design with marble pillars and an ornate ceiling.
Two police officers seem busy chatting off to one side.
Small placards are placed on the floor with illuminated digital numbers on their face to mark spots of evidence.
At the far end of the lobby is a fissure in the wall with rubble strewn inward into the next room - the vault.
To the left is the clerks' desks where union heads in days of old would have interacted with the face of their funding. These days they are abandoned - what little adminstrative work still done here happens in the offices behind the scenes.
Near the clerks' desks is a cleaner, visibly shaken.
[[...->lobby_choices]]
Two police officers stand to the side of the lobby chatting with no sense of urgency.
[["What can you tell me about the situation?"->officers_a]]
[["Shouldn't you be doing some police work?"->officers_b]]
A hole in the wall marks the point where the thieves gained entry to the vault. Concrete and rebar from the blast point are strewn inward into the vault. Dark marks line the fissure in the wall.
[[Inspect the breach->breach]]
[[Inspect the rubble->rubble]]
[[Enter the vault->vault]]
[[Return to the lobby->lobby_choices]]
The cleaner is shaken but looks unharmed.
[["Are you okay?"->cleaner_2]]
[["Tell me what happened here tonight."->cleaner_3]]
"Oh. Um yeh... fine... thanks. They didn't hurt me, just pushed me around."
[["Let's start from the top."->cleaner_logic_2]]
"Jeez straight to the point, same as all these other pigs."
[["Let's start from the top.->cleaner_logic_2]]
"Hm nothin' much to say. Classic Grade-E Contributor - skittish, prone to lying, quick to anger. I don't think you'll get much out of him."
[["What makes you say that?"->opening_witnesses_3]]
[["Hm I see."->opening_questions]]
[["How many were there?"->cleaner_question_1]]
[["What did these guys look like?"->cleaner_question_2]]
[["They speak to you?"->cleaner_question_3]]
[["How did they manage to get into the vault?"->cleaner_question_4]]
[["What happened to the guy who was shot?"->cleaner_question_5]]
[["That's all for now"->lobby_choices]]
"I dunno it all happened so fast. They stormed in and started shoving me. I kept my head down."
[["Come on you must have some idea.->cleaner_question_1_a]]
[["I know it must have been scary but if you think hard, how many do you remember?->cleaner_question_1_b]]
"They were all wearing black boilersuits. Real workman gear. And they covered their faces with balaclavas."
[["Anything else?"->cleaner_question_2_1]]
[["Okay thanks."->cleaner_logic_2]]
"Just to shove me around. They came in shouting, telling me to lie in the corner and keep my hands on my head. After that they didn't have anything else to say to me."
[["I see."->cleaner_logic_2]]
"Look I can't remember pal, okay? You try remembering this stuff when you've had guns pointed in your face."
[[...->cleaner_logic_2]]
"Oh yeh, one of them was a woman. She was really laying into the other guys."
[["Interesting..."->cleaner_logic_2]]
"Okay okay jeez, have a little fuckin' sympathy will ya? A small team, just a few guys."
[["A few? Give me a straight answer."->cleaner_question_1_2_1]]
[["Okay."->cleaner_logic_2]]
"Hmm yeh okay you're right. It must have been four guys".
[[...->cleaner_logic_2]]
"I had my head down but look at that damn hole - what do you //think// happened?"
[["Don't get smart with me."->cleaner_question_4_a]]
[["I suppose they blew a hole in the wall."->cleaner_question_4_b]]
"I don't know. Once they entered the vault there was some kind of argument and then I heard a bunch of guns go off."
[[...->cleaner_logic_2]]
"Okay okay sheesh."
[["How long did it take them to set off the explosion?"->cleaner_question_4_b_a]]
"Hell yeah they did. I think my hearing is still fucked from the blast."
[["How long did it take them to set off the explosion?"->cleaner_question_4_b_a]]
"Maybe it was just the fear but it felt like an eternity. And they kept bickering and shouting at each other about it too."
[["Interesting..."->cleaner_logic_2]]
[[Go to the police officers.->officers]]
[[Go to the cleaner.->cleaner_logic]]
[[Go to the placards.->placards]]
[[Go to the vault.->vault_entrance]]
[[Leave the bank.->exit_logic]]
A handful of placards, each labelled with a different number, sit around the location of bulletholes in the lobby's pillars, walls, and floors.
[[Inspect the bulletholes.->bulletholes]]
"Not much. We got here at least an hour after the goons made their escape. The cleaner is the only witness so he's your best bet for information."
[["//An hour//? Why the lack of urgency?"->officers_c]]
[["Okay. Thanks men."->lobby_choices]]
"We came here expecting a good pay-cheque. Once we realised the only thing stolen was a bunch of worthless paper dollars it suddenly became, how do I say, less advantageous to work."
[["Less advantageous? There's been multiple serious crimes committed here, officer..."->officers_c]]
[["What can you tell me about the situation?->officers_a]]
"Look Lancer, you know how it is - we're all on zero-hour contracts; we work what we feel are the necessary jobs that reward the most money. With so many things legalised these days there isn't exactly much crime to investigate, and a bunch of worthless paper money definitely don't fit that category."
[["That was weirdly exposition-heavy, but okay."->lobby_choices]]
Judging from their impacts, the bulletholes appear to all be of the same ammo type - they're all small and don't seem especially destructive. Probably .22 bullets. Not great evidence on its own though; they're a very common calibre.
If I could get a bullet from the scene though...
Where a round has ricocheted into the wall the bullet seems somewhat loose and relatively intact.
[[Try to pry the bullet loose from the wall.->ricochet_logic]]
Your fingers alone aren't enough to pry the bullet loose. You'll need some kind of tool to do this.
[[...->lobby_choices]]
The fissure is rough and uneven and shows cracks running up a great length of the surrounding wall. Messy work - a more experienced explosives expert would be able to create a much cleaner opening.
Lining the opening is blackened, charred plaster. There's bound to be some chemical elements of the explosive remaining in the residue.
[[Take a sample of the residue.->vault_entrance]]
The rubble is strewn inward into the vault with very little on the lobby-side of the wall. Despite the sloppy work this was almost certainly the work of a dedicated breaching-charge. These guys were equipped.
[[...->vault_entrance]]
The interior of the vault is still thick with plaster dust from the explosion.
The vault is lined with pallets of paper dollars surrounded with plastic wrapping. Most of this plastic wrapping is ripped open with the pallets sitting largely emptied of their contents.
On the steel table in the centre of the vault lies a discarded black duffle bag. It is open and paper dollars are pouring out of its over-stuffed insides.
Near the table is a body in a black boiler suit and balaclava pouring blood onto the marble floor of the vault.
[[...->vault_choices]]
The pallets are designed to be carried by forklift. Unlike more modern pallets which have infrared markings for identification by autonomous workers, these pallets are simply wooden.
[[Inspect the money.->money]]
[[...->vault_choices]]
The bag seems unmarked and unremarkable.
[[Inspect the inside of the bag.->bag_2]]
[[...->vault_choices]]
The body is strewn across the floor. A small rifle lies next to it.
[[Inspect the boilersuit.->boilersuit]]
[[Remove the balaclava.->balaclava]]
[[Inspect the bulletholes.->body_bulletholes]]
[[Inspect the rifle.->rifle]]
[[...->vault_choices]]
The money is old paper dollars. Since digital, unregulated currency took off these have been mostly obsolete. Why anyone would want to steal them is a mystery. They are surely marked with an invisible ink but finding a machine to detect it in this era will be challenging.
[[Take a bundle of the cash as evidence.->vault_choices]]
Inside the bag is a small lable. It is a common sports brand that could be found in thousands of stores. This isn't of much use.
[[...->vault_choices]]
In the chest are two closely tracked bulletholes in the centre of mass. Clearly a trained shot made by a calm, collected individual.
Unusually there are no exit wounds in the back - the rounds used must be designed to stay in the body. Although deadly, this is a common procedure for Force weapons to prevent stray bullets damaging personal property.
Trying to extract these rounds would definitely upset the coroner's work. I'll have to wait for his autopsy for more information.
[[...->body]]
A mostly unremarkable caucasian face. A man in possibly his late thirties.
If this was a professional job I doubt anyone will come forward looking for this guy. If it's a small-time job though there might be a wife or friend worried about him...
[[...->body]]
The plain black boilersuit, now stained with blood, doesn't look very interesting.
[[Check the pockets.->pockets]]
[[Check the collar.->collar]]
[[...->body]]
Sadly this guy wasn't stupid enough to carry his wallet or any identification with him tonight. He also isn't carrying any extra magazines for the rifle so he probably wasn't expecting a fight.
[[...->boilersuit]]
The collar has the frayed edges of what's left of the label - they must have cut it out.
[[...->boilersuit]]
The rifle appears to be a crude semi-automatic .22 - the kind of thing used to hunt small game. It's a cheap but serviceable weapon. No doubt the small impacts in the lobby came from a weapon like this.
The safety is off. This guy was ready to shoot.
[[Check the magazine.->magazine]]
[[...->body]]
The magazine is full. Looks like he got hit before he managed to squeeze a round off.
If this guy didn't shoot, the impacts in the lobby must be from other weapons of the same calibre.
[[...->body]]
"Sure I've got some pliers. Here, take them."
[["Thanks."->cleaner_logic_2]]
(if: (history:) contains "cleaner")[(goto: "cleaner_logic_2")](else:)[(go-to: "cleaner")]
[["How many were there?"->cleaner_question_1]]
[["What did these guys look like?"->cleaner_question_2]]
[["They speak to you?"->cleaner_question_3]]
[["How did they manage to get into the vault?"->cleaner_question_4]]
[["What happened to the guy who was shot?"->cleaner_question_5]]
[["Do you have any tools? I need some pliers."->cleaner_pliers_a]]
[["That's all for now"->lobby_choices]]
(if: (history:) contains "ricochet_logic")[(goto: "cleaner_questions_2")](else:)[(go-to: "cleaner_questions")]
(if: (history:) contains "cleaner_pliers_a")[(goto: "ricochet_b")](else:)[(goto: "ricochet_a")]
You use the cleaner's pliers to pull the loose ricocheted bullet from the wall. It comes away from the marble panelling and falls into your open palm. It's damaged and flattened from the impact but it is definitely a .22 round.
[[Take the .22 as evidence.->lobby_choices]]
Maybe do some more detective work before you leave eh?
[[...->lobby_choices]]
[[Inspect the pallets->pallet_logic]]
[[Inspect the duffle bag->bag_logic]]
[[Inspect the body->body]]
[[Leave the vault->lobby_choices]]
The bag seems unmarked and unremarkable.
[[Inspect the money.->money]]
[[Inspect the inside of the bag.->bag_2]]
[[...->vault_choices]]
(if: (history:) contains "money")[(go-to: "pallets_2")](else:)[(go-to: "pallets_1")]
(if: (history:) contains "money")[(go-to: "bag_1")](else:)[(go-to: "bag_3")]
The pallets are designed to be carried by forklift. Unlike more modern pallets which have infrared markings for identification by autonomous workers, these pallets are simply wooden.
[[...->vault_choices]]
(if: (history:) contains "body_bulletholes" and (history:) contains "breach" and (history:) contains "money" and (history:) contains "placards")[(go-to: "exit_chief")](else:)[(go-to:"exit_no")]
You exit the building back into the dark streets. The chief waits for you at the bottom of the steps taking a drag of an old style tobacco cigarette.
"What did you find, Lancer?"
[[...->exit]]
(if: (history:) contains "cleaner_question_1_b")[(display: "exit_cleaner_number_a")]
(if: (history:) contains "cleaner_question_1_2_1")[(display: "exit_cleaner_number_b")]
(if: (history:) contains "cleaner_question_2")[(display: "exit_cleaner_clothing")]
(if: (history:) contains "cleaner_question_4_b_a")[(display: "exit_cleaner_explosion")]
(if: (history:) contains "cleaner_question_2_1")[(display: "exit_cleaner_woman")]
(if: (history:) contains "cleaner_question_5")[(display: "exit_cleaner_shots")]
(if: (history:) contains "bulletholes")[(display: "exit_bulletholes")]
(if: (history:) contains "ricochet_b")[(display: "exit_ricochet_b")]
(if: (history:) contains "rubble")[(display: "exit_breach_a")]
(if: (history:) contains "breach")[(display: "exit_breach_b")]
(if: (history:) contains "money")[(display: "exit_money")]
(if: (history:) contains "boilersuit")[(display: "exit_corpse_boilersuit")]
(if: (history:) contains "rifle")[(display: "exit_corpse_rifle")]
(if: (history:) contains "magazine")[(display: "exit_corpse_rifle_magazine")]
(if: (history:) contains "body_bulletholes")[(display: "exit_corpse_bulletholes")]
[[...->exit_chief_completion]]
According to the cleaner a team of four armed thugs and pushed him around, forced him to lie on the floor while they blew their way into the vault.
There are multiple bullet impacts in the lobby, presumably from .22 calibre rounds.
I managed to pry one of the bullets out of the wall and it's definitely a common .22 round. With some lab analysis we might be able to get an idea of its source.
I collected some residue from the blast into the vault for analysis. Hopefully we can tell what type of explosive compound was used and trace its origin.
The blast into the vault has blown most of the rubble inward - it was almost certainly a shaped charge designed for breaching.
I took a bundle of the paper money left behind as evidence. Hopefully we can find someone to analyse its markings.
The dead guy is wearing the same boilersuit and balaclava the cleaner described - definitely part of the crew.
The magazine was full - he didn't have a chance to shoot the weapon before he hit the ground.
There's a .22 rifle lying next to him - probably the same type that made the impacts in the lobby.
The bullets that entered this guy never exited - could have been the same hollow-point rounds the Force uses. Everything else in the bank points to .22 ammunition being used... so who was firing hollow-points?
The cleaner is too distressed to remember how many were in the crew exactly.
They were wearing black boilersuits and balaclavas.
There was a woman among them who sounded like she was in charge.
They blew their way into the vault with an explosive but according to the cleaner it took them ages to set it off. They've managed to acquire this kit but don't have the know-how to use it efficiently.
Once they entered the vault there was an argument and multiple shots were fired.
[["No security at a bank?"->opening_security]]
[["Any witnesses?"->opening_witnesses]]
[["I'll see what I can find.->opening_ending]]
"Don't play dumb, Lancer. We've all read the studies; the poor economic contributors always have these personality traits.
[["If you say so chief."->opening_questions]]
[["Yeh I hear that."->opening_questions]]
"The fuck is with all the questions? We all know it was Central Banking that lead to all that 'big government' over-spending crap. Since we got rid of those guys, we've been more free than ever."
[["Sure. Just wanted to hear it from the horse's mouth."->opening_questions]]
[["Okay, chief."->opening_questions]]
"Good work, Lancer. That's a lot to go on.
(if: (history:) contains "cleaner_question_2_1")[(display: "exit_chief_completion_woman")](else:)[(display: "exit_chief_completion_no_woman")]
If what you're saying about the hollow-points is true though... damn. That's fucked up. You'd have to be a pretty hardcore civvie to have access to that kind of ammo. Let's hope this is nothing to do with the Force.
(if: (history:) contains "ricochet_b")[(display: "exit_chief_completion_22")](else:)[(display: "exit_chief_completion_no_22")]
[["Okay, chief. See you at HQ."->end]]
Thanks for playing the prototype!
You found enough information to continue with the investigation.
If you have five minutes more it would be greatly appreciated and beneficial to the continuation of the prototype if you could participate in this short survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NZDMJJR
Thanks for taking the time to test this prototype.
If you would be so kind to set the mood, please use the music at the following link:
http://www.infinitelooper.com/?v=N_FV-G1E4Uo&p=n
[[Continue to the prototype.->opening]]
So... a small team using cheap equipment and not much know-how... but packing an impressive explosive. Interesting.
So... a small team lead by a woman using cheap equipment and not much know-how... but packing an impressive explosive. Interesting.
Head back to HQ and get the money and the explosive residue to the labs. By then the coroner should be done with the stiff and have a report for you."
Head back to HQ and get the money, the .22 bullet, and the explosive residue to the labs. By then the coroner should be done with the stiff and have a report for you."