Scene 3: Three Roads to the Hollow Vein – The Resonance Run (Development)

Scene Overview

Scene 3 — Three Roads to the Hollow Vein

After the cyber-hound attack and restraint crisis, the escape stops being a single corridor. At Junction Black, the party chooses one of three routes: fight through the Exhaust Gate, cross the Coolant Spine, or restart the Ore Transit Line. Each route is a complete alternative rather than an encounter the party is expected to play in sequence.

Start	End	Shared Requirement
Junction Black immediately after Scene 2.	The Hollow Vein safehouse after the Ashstorm Crossing.	Both twins and at least one PC reach the safehouse. FF survival is variable and serves as a balancing tool.

GM Flow

Scene 3 GM Flow

Step	Procedure
1. Count survivors	Assess the party's condition and decide how many FFs are still mobile.
2. Select support	If needed, choose one active FF specialist to cover a missing skill set.
3. Present all routes	Explain the route strengths, dangers, and known consequences without hiding a “best” option.
4. Run one route	Use only Route A, B, or C. Do not run all three.
5. Cross the storm	Run the shared Ashstorm Challenge, applying the chosen route's modifier.
6. Enter the safehouse	Carry survivor count, evidence, supplies, Trust, and Network Heat consequences into Scene 4.

GM Tool — Freedom Fighter Survivors

The exact number of Freedom Fighters who escape the cell block is intentionally flexible. Decide after Scene 2, once you know how depleted the party is. Do not roll publicly or treat the number as a retcon; describe survivors arriving from side conduits, carrying wounded companions, or failing to answer Rook's comm calls.

Party Condition	FFs Still Mobile	Use at the Table
Strong; most resources intact	Rook plus 0–1	No active specialist. Survivors escort the twins and manage off-map threats.
Normal attrition	Rook plus 2	Choose one active specialist who fills the party's weakest skill role.
Weak, badly injured, or missing a core role	Rook plus 3	Choose one active specialist. A second survivor can provide one emergency assist during the route.
Crisis; likely defeat without help	Rook plus 4	Use two specialists or remove 20 XP of enemies from the chosen route. Never do both unless the group is in immediate danger of a total defeat.

Selecting the Active Specialist

Missing Need	Choose	Best Contribution
Medicine or emergency recovery	Sera “Patch” Vey	Stabilization, field treatment, suit sealing
Computers, Crafting, or Thievery	Kip-9 “Latch”	Bypass work, repairs, security systems
Front line, Athletics, or protection	Brakka Tor	Cover, forced doors, carrying wounded
Survival, Stealth, or Perception	Nima Sable	Scouting, route finding, hazard warning

Keep the PCs central. Specialists do not take complete three-action turns and do not solve a challenge alone. Each provides the single support benefit on their NPC page, normally once per encounter. Other FFs remain in the fiction: carrying the wounded, guarding the twins, holding a rear door, or drawing off patrols.

Scene 3 Story and Encounter XP

Award only the row for the chosen route. All characters receive the same award.

Accomplishment	XP
Overcome the Exhaust Gate encounter	120 XP for the Severe version, or 80 XP if the GM uses the weakened Moderate version.
Overcome the Coolant Spine pressure-run hazard	80 XP.
Repair and defend the ore mag-tram	80 XP.
Complete the chosen route and carry the whole group beyond the prison perimeter	80 XP major story award.
Complete the route's optional rescue, sabotage, or evidence objective	30 XP moderate story award.
Cross the ashstorm and reach the Hollow Vein without losing a survivor	80 XP.
Recover a missing beacon, dropped evidence, or wounded straggler during the crossing	10 XP minor story award.