This article was written by Tim Peter with significant development ideas provided by Michael Barry, Jeff Kazmierski, Rich Ostorero, and Tim Reynolds. The Intel skill was created by Michael Barry and developed further by Tim Peter. All copyrights belong to their respective holders, and this article is in no way an attempt to infringe on the copyrights of FarFuture Enterprises, Imperium Games, Authority Publishing, Digest Group Publications, Paranoia Press, the aforementioned authors, or anyone with a really good lawyer and an axe to grind. Hopefully, that'll keep A. Friend quiet.
All apologies to anyone actually in MI who may completely disagree with my interpretation of the rules and ideas discussed on TML.
The Military Intelligence career details members of the Intelligence agencies within the larger framework of the Imperium military services. Each service (Army, Navy, and Marine) maintains their own Intelligence services that are responsible for collecting and analyzing data from potentially hostile states, client states, and even other member worlds of the Imperium. Operatives are selected from the cream of the crop for their investigative and analytical skills. They are often assigned to Intelligence teams, responsible for gathering and analyzing data specific to a given situation within the Imperium.
Intelligence agents are likely to pick up a variety of skills covering electronic information and analysis gathering methods, various technical and interpersonal skills, and self-defense principles.
All references to "parent service" refer to the initial career (i.e., Army, Navy, Marines)
Enlistment or a commission in one of the three services mentioned above is required to be selected as an Intelligence operative.
Routine Tasks: monitor electronic signals, write reports, read reports, read newspapers (TNS, et al), devise theories.
| Enlistment: | 6-; DM +1 if Edu 7+; +2 if Int 9+ |
| Injury: | 8-; DM +2 if Int 7+ |
| Commission: | As per parent service |
| Promotion: | As per parent service |
| Continuance: | As per parent service |
1. Physical 4. Social
1. +1 Str 1. Administration
2. +1 Dex 2. Streetwise
3. +1 End 3. Bureaucracy
4. Melee Combat 4. Clandestine
5. Brawling 5. Charisma
6. Gun Combat 6. Jack-of-All-Trades
2. Mental 5. Career
1. +1 Edu 1. Interrogation
2. Perception 2. Criminology
3. Technical 3. Bureaucracy
4. Perception 4. Intel*
5. Exploration 5. Charisma
6. +1 Int 6. Clandestine
3. Educational 6. Background
1. First Aid 1. Science
2. Research 2. Stealth
3. Law 3. Recon
4. Psychology 4. Grav Craft
5. Linguistics 5. Ground Craft
6. Tactics 6. Vac Suit
*New Skill Intel
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Table of Ranks: Skill Eligibility:
See parent service 1 skill per year
1 skill per term for commission
1 skill per term for promotion
Rank and Service Skills Mustering Out tables:
All Intel-1 See parent service
Rank O6+ Diplomacy-1
Characters in Intelligence no longer receive the rank benefits available to members of the parent service (e.g., +1 Soc for Naval O5+, SMG-1 for Army O1+) to reflect the fact that their job is no longer the same, nor does it require the same skills.
[Designed by Michael Barry, additional development by Tim Peter] This skill is used to collate diverse datum to produce an analysis of a subject's disposition and behavior, and permits prediction of future activity based on said analysis. For Intel to be used data must be available to the analyst (must already have been gathered) and the analyst must have skills related to information being analysed. For example, if the character wishes to analyze fleet movements along the border and predict the most likely time and place of an enemy attack, the PC must possess both Intel and Tactics.
The character would roll against each skill independently, with outcomes determined as follows:
Success vs. Tactics, Failure vs. Intel = Proper data interpretation,
incorrect prediction of likely course of action.
Failure vs. Tactics, Success vs. Intel = Poor data interpretation,
good prediction based on flawed assumptions. (see Bay of Pigs)
Success vs. Tactics, Critical Failure Vs. Intel = Proper data
interpretation, disastrous tactical decision.
Bear in mind all Intel tasks are Uncertain tasks, as data may be out of date, or incorrectly gathered (e.g., faulty sensor logs.) Assume Spectacular success against Intel allows PC to recognize likely validity of data.
Other skills Intel may be paired with include(but are not limited to):
Difficulty levels are as follows:
Difficulty modifiers may include the amount of data available, how recently the data was collected, and how many people are helping in the analysis. For multiple analysts to review the data at least one must have the Leadership skill (Project Lead), and each analyst must possess the skill appropriate to the data being analysed. The team receives a +1 DM per person added to the target number of the most qualified analyst on the team, up to the Leadership level of the Project Lead. All members of the team must possess the Intel skill. Data is often time sensitive, so referees should assess a -1 DM per time period, where appropriate.
That's it. Hope you folks enjoyed it. Now go play.
Joseph Heck
(joe@mu.org)
21 August 2000