Chapter 7: The Hustle

"The house always wins, unless you know how to count cards."

Modified game mechanics for deception, infiltration, and complex operations.

📖 Modifies STA Core Rulebook, Chapter 7: Operations

Extended Tasks

Planning and executing multi-stage operations

Operation Planning Phase

Intelligence gathering requirements
Resource allocation and preparation
Risk assessment and contingency planning
Team coordination and role assignment

Duration: Days to weeks of preparation time Complexity: Multiple skill requirements and challenges Variables: Environmental factors and opposition response Flexibility: Adaptation to changing circumstances

Multi-Stage Execution

Sequential task completion requirements
Momentum building and resource management
Complication response and problem solving
Success threshold modification based on preparation

Pacing: Tension building through escalating stakes Teamwork: Coordinated actions and mutual support Pressure: Time limits and detection risks Consequences: Cascading effects of failure or success

Heist Structure Template

Reconnaissance: Target assessment and security analysis
Planning: Approach selection and resource gathering
Preparation: Equipment acquisition and team positioning
Infiltration: Gaining access to target location
Execution: Completing primary objective
Extraction: Escaping with assets and evidence elimination
Resolution: Dealing with consequences and aftermath

Infiltration Framework

Identity Establishment: Cover story and documentation
Access Gaining: Physical or social entry methods
Intelligence Gathering: Information collection and analysis
Objective Completion: Mission-specific goals
Suspicion Management: Maintaining cover and misdirection
Exit Strategy: Planned withdrawal and evidence cleanup

The Heat System

Tracking law enforcement attention

Heat Generation

Criminal activity type and severity
Public visibility and media attention
Law enforcement casualties or embarrassment
Pattern recognition and behavioral analysis

Base Values: Standard heat generation by activity type Modifiers: Location, timing, and method factors Accumulation: Progressive increases with repeated activity Decay: Natural reduction over time and distance

Heat Levels and Effects

Cold (0-25 Heat)

Normal law enforcement response
Standard security measures in effect
No special attention or surveillance
Business as usual for criminal operations

Warm (26-50 Heat)

Increased patrol frequency and vigilance
Enhanced security screening procedures
Informal inquiries and information gathering
Higher prices for illegal goods and services

Hot (51-75 Heat)

Active investigation and surveillance
Checkpoint establishment and ID verification
Contact reluctance and network disruption
Significant service price increases

Burning (76-100 Heat)

Manhunt activation and resource allocation
Shoot-on-sight orders for violent criminals
Network collapse and asset abandonment
Complete operational shutdown necessity

Heat Management Strategies

Geographic relocation and territory shifts
Identity changes and appearance modification
Bribery and corruption of officials
Counter-intelligence and misdirection operations

Heat Reduction Methods

Time passage and attention span limits
Scapegoat identification and blame transfer
Authority figure elimination or corruption
Major distraction event creation

Deception Mechanics

Lies, cons, and misdirection

Simple Deception Tasks

Basic lies and misdirection
False identity maintenance
Distraction and attention diversion
Information concealment techniques

Skill Requirements: Command + Presence typically Modifiers: Relationship quality, information complexity, stakes level Opposition: Insight, Investigation, or passive difficulty Consequences: Suspicion increase, relationship damage, heat generation

Complex Con Operations

Multi-stage deception campaigns
Multiple target coordination
Long-term relationship manipulation
Elaborate false scenario construction

Planning Phase: Target analysis and approach design Setup Phase: Relationship establishment and trust building Hook Phase: Initial commitment and investment securing Play Phase: Manipulation escalation and control maintenance Sting Phase: Final objective completion and evidence elimination

Authority figure impersonation
Insider recruitment and manipulation
Information extraction through conversation
Access credential acquisition through deception

Preparation: Research and persona development Approach: Initial contact and rapport building Exploitation: Vulnerability identification and pressure application Extraction: Objective completion and relationship termination

Information Gathering

Intelligence networks and data acquisition

Source Types and Reliability

Primary sources and direct witnesses
Secondary sources and rumor networks
Technical intelligence and electronic surveillance
Open source intelligence and public information

Verification: Cross-referencing and corroboration requirements Timeliness: Information freshness and relevance decay Access: Source protection and operational security needs Cost: Financial, social, and risk-based payment methods

Intelligence Networks

Contact recruitment and management
Information flow coordination and security
Compartmentalization and need-to-know principles
Counter-intelligence and network protection

Structure: Hierarchical vs. cellular organization models Communication: Secure messaging and dead-drop systems Compensation: Payment methods and loyalty maintenance Security: Penetration resistance and damage limitation

Data Analysis and Processing

Pattern recognition and trend analysis
Threat assessment and opportunity identification
Verification and reliability evaluation
Strategic planning and tactical application

Tools: Computer systems and analysis software Skills: Investigation, Science, and specialized knowledge Collaboration: Team analysis and peer review processes Presentation: Information packaging and distribution methods

Manipulating people and situations

Psychological Manipulation Techniques

Authority and expertise exploitation
Social proof and conformity pressure
Reciprocity and obligation creation
Scarcity and urgency artificial generation

Ethics: Manipulation vs. persuasion distinctions Targets: Vulnerability assessment and exploitation Resistance: Counter-manipulation awareness and training Consequences: Relationship damage and reputation costs

Organizational Infiltration

Corporate culture analysis and adaptation
Hierarchy navigation and authority exploitation
Internal politics understanding and manipulation
Security protocol circumvention through social means

Research: Organization structure and personnel analysis Positioning: Role selection and credibility establishment Exploitation: Information access and privilege abuse Extraction: Objective completion and suspicion avoidance

Group Dynamics Manipulation

Leadership identification and influence
Coalition building and alliance formation
Conflict creation and resolution control
Decision-making process influence and outcome steering

Psychology: Group behavior understanding and prediction Timing: Optimal intervention and influence moments Sustainability: Long-term influence maintenance Detection: Manipulation awareness and countermeasure avoidance

Planning Phases

Structured heist and infiltration preparation

Intelligence Gathering Phase

Target assessment and vulnerability analysis
Security system evaluation and weakness identification
Personnel background investigation and leverage development
Environmental factor analysis and timing optimization

Resource Acquisition Phase

Equipment procurement and customization
Personnel recruitment and skill assessment
Financial resource allocation and backup fund establishment
Safe house and operational base setup

Rehearsal and Training Phase

Mission simulation and scenario testing
Team coordination and communication protocol establishment
Contingency planning and emergency procedure development
Equipment testing and backup system verification

Final Preparation Phase

Last-minute intelligence updates and plan adjustment
Equipment final checks and redundancy verification
Team mental preparation and motivation maintenance
Extraction route confirmation and backup plan activation

Complication Tables

When things go sideways

Minor Complications (1-2 on d6)

Equipment malfunction or performance degradation
Unexpected personnel presence or schedule changes
Communication interference or coordination difficulties
Environmental factors and weather complications

Moderate Complications (3-4 on d6)

Security upgrade or procedure changes
Insider betrayal or loyalty questions
Law enforcement presence or investigation escalation
Civilian interference or unexpected witnesses

Major Complications (5-6 on d6)

Plan exposure or counter-intelligence operation
Team member capture or injury
Target evacuation or asset relocation
Rival organization interference or competition

Catastrophic Complications (GM Choice)

Complete mission compromise and exposure
Multiple team member casualties or capture
Network collapse and asset loss
Long-term consequences and relationship damage

Recovery Options: Adaptation strategies and damage control Escalation Risks: Complication cascading and situation deterioration Learning Opportunities: Experience gain and future preparation improvement Narrative Impact: Story development and character growth consequences