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M3–M4 — Junction Black: Choose the Road

Branching Decision

Junction Black

The last cyber-hound collapses in the coolant runoff, its claws still scraping at the deck. Ahead, the maintenance conduit ends at a dead switching station where three route lamps blink through the dark. Rook's safehouse beacon is too weak to give turn-by-turn directions, but all three paths eventually reach the abandoned Hollow Vein mine.

The party has time for a brief argument, not a full rest. Explain the three routes plainly and let the players choose. None is the hidden “correct” route. Each emphasizes a different set of skills and leaves a different mark on Act 2.

RouteBest ForMain DangerAct 2 Effect
A. Exhaust GateDirect combat, Athletics, Computers, CraftingWarden Mech and exposed gate consolesFastest route, but Network Heat begins 1 higher.
B. Coolant SpineStealth, Survival, Acrobatics, environmental problem-solvingPressure cycling, freezing coolant, and trapped maintenance prisonersNetwork Heat begins 1 lower if the party seals the route behind them.
C. Ore Transit LineCrafting, Computers, Thievery, DiplomacyRepairing a damaged mag-tram while security drones close inThe party reaches Act 2 with transport parts and a corporate freight manifest.

What the Survivors Know

Information Available Before the Choice

SourceInformation
Tamsin RookThe Exhaust Gate is reliable but defended. She has used the Coolant Spine once and considers it dangerous. She has never seen the ore tram running.
VanyaThe subdermal anchors briefly connected to all three systems. She can confirm that none of the routes is fully sealed.
Research ledgerIf recovered in Scene 1, it identifies a maintenance override for one route. The party gains a +1 circumstance bonus to its first route check.
FF specialistThe active Freedom Fighter recommends the route that best matches their specialty, but does not overrule the players.

A successful DC 15 Computers, Perception, or Survival check reveals the listed Act 2 consequence before the party commits. On a critical success, the party also gains a +1 circumstance bonus to initiative or the first subsystem check on the chosen route.