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What happens to ex-VIPER if the authorities realize?
vendince
Posts: 296 Arc User
I started wondering. One of my characters used to work for VIPER. As a scientist, mind you. Most of that time was spent in a lab.
She's kept that previous employment a secret for the simple reason that she's convinced she'll get thrown into Stronghold. Is she right that it'd be straight to jail for her if Millennium City authorities find out about her VIPER ties? (Not that she has any loyalty to them anymore.)
She's kept that previous employment a secret for the simple reason that she's convinced she'll get thrown into Stronghold. Is she right that it'd be straight to jail for her if Millennium City authorities find out about her VIPER ties? (Not that she has any loyalty to them anymore.)
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Really appreciate the answer, btw.
*edit* Now you got me buying Coils of the Serpent just for the sake of research...that's how many sourcebooks now?
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In any game I ran, she'd be regarded with suspicion, and possibly pulled in for interrogation anytime VIPER pulled any jobs in the local jurisdiction, but "guilt by association" is kind of unConstitutional, so you wouldn't go straight to jail just because you once worked for VIPER - unless, of course, you committed a crime whose statute of limitations had not yet expired (murder, say, or kidnapping), and it could be proved on you...
- David Brin, "Those Eyes"
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Sounds like the overall conclusion is that it'd be rough, and not all that fun, but she'd have a chance.
Japanese and German scientists working for the Imperials and Nazis in World War II did some HORRIBLE things to human beings, the likes of which I won't get into here. However, the United States pardoned most of them under the conditions they gave all their research to us.
If your character's standpoint is: "Yeah, I worked for VIPER, but what are you gonna do- say no to one of the deadliest organizations on the planet?" She/He could make a deal. It's more than likely going to cost the character some shared information and some monitoring. If she left the organization willingly to be a good guy, that counts for something.
Having been a VIPER can't be that bad for your reputation then. I think what's more interesting: What does VIPER do if they realize?
The Doctor on the PDB
Fahrenheit on the PDB
Probably cry loads. Break into your house and fill it with snakes or graffiti your car, something like that.
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RICO prosecution is particularly nasty because the government is able temporarily seize a defendant's assets and prevent the transfer of potentially forfeitable property.
As the Champions Universe is designed to fit the real world as much as possible while allowing for the inclusion of all of the wonderfully exotic elements of a superpowered universe, your charactter, if he/she has been a member of VIPER within the last ten years, faces at least the possibility of prosecution in both federal and state court because of the existence of the RICO act (which has been confirmed as existing in the Champions Universe as recently as the Dark Champions setting books).
Nothing requires the authorities to prosecute your character, but his membership in VIPER means that they could.
In general the government would need to bring charges within four years of discovering your membership in VIPER (or within four years of when they should have discovered such had they engaged in due diligence).
Of course should the government be able to show that you had wrongfully concealed your membership (which would be the case if you did not come forward with that information on your own), that your concealment prevented them from discovering your criminal activity (which it did), and that they had exercised due diligence (which they have as it is established in lore that efforts are ongoing in the fight against VIPER), it would prevent the statute of limitations from running out. In other words the statute of limitations wouldnt protect you until at least four years after the government knew about your membership in VIPER.
'Caine, miss you bud. Fly high.
One of those scientists being Dr Destroyer himself.
So there's actually precedent for her getting a pardon if she turns all research over. Not to mention any other information about VIPER she can think of.
In fact, that would have been my next question. So does anyone know what VIPER would do if they realized who she was?
I doubt it'd be that simple. Not that she owns a car in the first place. But that's the other reason she's lying low. Because she's convinced VIPER would hurt her badly if she was discovered.
Yeah, the fact that she hasn't come forward yet wouldn't exactly count in her favour, true.
They'd kill you (your character of course), quickly and effectively, if the authorities didn't know you worked in VIPER in the first place they could get away pretty easily. If you have the 6th edition Champions Universe sourcebook the Cottonmouth Incident is detailed. A former supervillain of their own surrenders information regarding VIPER in exchange for diminished jail time. He was killed shortly afterwards since VIPER can't have loose ends hanging. The information he did reveal was valuable. VIPER's concern with this situation is probably dictated by the significance you posed in the organization. They may not dedicate any resources in hunting some low-level hireling or else that could mean a significant drain in their resources (since a lot of people have crossed VIPER over the years). Hope that helps.
*edit* Of course, they might spend less effort on killing a scientist than one of their supervillains, but then again, they might not.
I like the cheese of CO, it appeals to me. I don't think everything has to be super serious. So I'd just go with that. Find a character in the Champions lore who isn't too obscure, say you got in with her/him and people trust you based on his/her reputation.
That is the ideal.
If Defender vouches for you things should be fine.
'Caine, miss you bud. Fly high.
I love a bit of cheese myself, so thanks for that pointer.
Forget Defender. Get publicity shots with Thundrax taking up for you!
Good point. Thundrax does predate defender by a few years doesn't he ?
'Caine, miss you bud. Fly high.
What you do is fake a major crime. You know hire some flunkies that never actually get to see your face or anything and have them hold up a bank or something. Definitely make sure that there are hostages involved so you can totally play up the saving of innocent lives bit when you, in all your heroic glory, swoop in to save the day.
Oh, and definitely make sure that either the mayor's daughter, or perhaps Thrundrax's kid brother, are among the hostages.
The heroes fall for it every time.
'Caine, miss you bud. Fly high.
Sneaky idea, though.
By more than a few. Sixth ed. Defender, the one we have in the MMO, started his career in about 1999 in New York before moving to Millennium City to found the Champions in 2001, I read it more as got himself some good heroic mentorship in the Sentinels team there.
Thundrax's origin story and early adventures were in 1982!
This would be my suggestion. If your character is an actual good guy, might as well really earn the forgiveness that s/he seeks.
Hmm, as far as I know you still have the business card of the best villain-for-hire in town? :biggrin:
The Doctor on the PDB
Fahrenheit on the PDB
Dang, didn't know that about Thundrax. He's been around for a long time, that's for sure.
Being an actual good guy? She tries at least. Although I wouldn't be surprised if a condition for actual forgiveness in her case was making her go see a psychiatrist. After all, she needs to quit hurting VIPER operatives.
Except, remember that she already pissed him off once. And she's not even a redhead either.
Chances are if she tried that, she might meet with an accident.
So in my world, if you've left VIPER but haven't gone to the authorities yet, VIPER will leave you alone unless you have something of theirs or possess compromising information on them. (After all, as long as you haven't turned yourself in, you might come back...) OTOH, if you were to turn yourself in, I'd definitely recommend doing it to the DPA or a superhero group, so they can provide you with protection from VIPER. The other issue, of course, and one that I as GM might bring up unexpectedly, would be the reaction of ARGENT, who might well send some people around to try to recruit you, or kill you if you refuse...
- David Brin, "Those Eyes"
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Completely understood. I tend to customize the setting pretty heavily when I use a published setting as well.
I suppose what many people are likely responding to for the OP is the idea that we have no input from his gamemaster (if any) and so only have established lore to work with. I have seen RPers in CO try to avoid contradicting established lore so as to reduce the possibility of conflict when RPing with others who are making an effort to adhere to it.
Personal opinion...don't sweat the small stuff. In this genre you are pretty much expected to shine details such as this on with a wave of the hand. Don't let it get in the way of having fun with your character.
'Caine, miss you bud. Fly high.
I'll keep it in mind, though, thanks.
*edit* Jonsils, thanks for that, you actually answered a question I had before I asked. You guys have all been so helpful, it's marvellous.
So, basically if VIPER catches up to you, you can expect some pretty nasty stuff to happen to you.
Just so. That's exactly the angle I am coming from here.. In my own Champions or Mutants & Masterminds setting, there is no registration.
Also good, but important that others know which angle you are using so false assumptions don't create confusion.