OPERATION FROM THE NEST
Handler Information
Over the last seven days, seven newborn infants have been stolen from Massachusetts General Hospital. Staff are baffled, as there is no evidence of them being stolen on cameras or eyewitnesses. Unbeknownst to any on site, an immensely large bird-like creature, the Stork, has been living beneath the ‘Healing Garden’, a ward within the hospital. The creature has been taking children to replace with its own, though it takes seven days for a Brood to be constructed. It will put its own children into the ward, exploiting the kindness of these already grieving parents to raise its young. If allowed to persist for a year, the Brood will grow into more Storks, wreaking havoc upon the hospital. As time progresses and more children are taken or returned, the agents should feel more of a risk that someone may suspect unnatural causes, and may dig deeper to uncover the firm’s involvement in the case.
Briefing
7 Newborn children have disappeared within the Maternity Ward of Massachusetts General Hospital, a bile-like substance left behind upon the cribs. Find out where they’re going, clean up contact with civilians, bring children (or their bodies) back. FBI credentials are provided to the agents as a cover to get clearance within the building. Complete your assignment with subtlety and speed, before the FBI decides to take a crack at the case.
Reappearance
The first of the seven children taken has returned by the time agents reach the hospital. The child seems off, never crying or babbling as an infant should. The child’s hair is longer than expected, a wild mane around its head. Unknowing to the agents, the parents, or hospital staff, this is a child of the being who took the seven children. The child will not attack, and is physically inept, though its biology is distinctly inhuman if dissected. Children returning grow at an unnaturally fast rate, as if affected by some strange form of gigantism. Handlers should have children show up in the ward as the investigation continues, adding pressure as they grow odd and malformed. Grown infants are clearly unnatural, should be disposed of, and will not fight back. If agents kill or dissect any returning children, 1/1d4 sanity loss for Violence.
Massachusetts General Hospital
The building’s plan follows the accurate architectural designs. Security is lax around the hospital prior to infant disappearances, after which they clean up their act in an attempt to cover their asses. Hospital staff have limited information, able to provide agents with parent names, children names (if chosen before taken), and security footage of the ward. With some convincing, they may provide access to the full hospital security system.
Talking to Parents
Sample names and situations are provided, though feel free to create your own. Most parents should be cooperative, though may attempt to hide any negligence on their part. Mothers may note an odd feeling of being watched in the moments after birth, and if so, suspect someone has planned a thoroughly orchestrated theft of their child. The most recent mother will still be in recovery, the least recent few may already be home, all parents will be emotionally unstable.
Maternity Ward
The ward is laid out simply and following safety protocol, many infants are within. Only one scene of a disappearance remains, a crib splattered with a thick, viscous, and acidic deep green liquid. Any testing done on the bile will provide no known source. Much too acidic to be stomach acid, at least of any known creature. Except for that obvious sign, there isn’t much to see here. A (blue/pink) blanket lays on the ground beside the crib, stained with the same liquid. A successful forensics may reveal a clue such as an odd feather made of human hair beneath the crib, no smaller than a human hand, or a slight indentation on the crib, which reminds the agent of a claw mark.
Discovering the Nest
Any way the Handler decides can reveal the nest to the agents, though three are provided here. Firstly; Doctor Sinclar is the man who assisted all seven stolen births, he will hide it though he knows of the nest and the Stork. He believes that he can appease the bird by letting it take them, keeping the rest of the hospital safe. He is wrong, and he is insane.
Secondly; The building plan for the hospital has an odd redacted area under the park, where they were clear to avoid while constructing the building. The architects knew of the den, though it was inhabited by a much different creature at that point. The Stork has built its nest within this den.
Thirdly; Observation, by camera or eye, may note odd avian behaviour within the park. Birds gather upon the boulder over the nest entrance, seemingly unsuspicious, though odd behaviour.
The Nest
Beneath the ‘Healing Garden’ lies a burrow in which the stork rests. The entrance is hidden in boulders and bushes, though is large enough for agents to crawl through with ease if located. Within the nest are the seven stolen infants, they have not been fed or given water within the time they have been away. Only one or two are alive. 1/1d4 san loss for seeing a deceased infant, one time loss for the pile. Multiple small eggs rest in a pile of large tree branches in the middle of the den, incubating Brood. If threatened, or approached, the Stork will attack to protect its young.
The Brood
The Brood, as provided in reappearances, will attempt to follow human customs and behaviour ineffectively. They reach human maturity at around one month, and will grow unnaturally fast to that point before. From then on, they will transform from their humanoid shape into something much more like the Stork, until reaching full maturity at one year old. Brood should not be a threat physically to agents, though should be a hazard to the classified nature of the mission. They must be disposed of for the disappearances to be stopped. Parents gifted a Brood should not give it up willingly, as they believe it to be their child, even if it may be more deformed than previous.
The Stork
The Stork itself is about ten feet in height, while sporting about a 20 foot wingspan. Feathers spun from human hair cover it in sparse patches, sprouting from skin that stretches over a misshapen avian skeleton. Its beak is like a human jaw horribly distorted, pushing forth from warping skin, teeth lining it. It will protect its eggs above all else, and will attack any agent that enters the nest. Brood that leave the nest are not it’s concern anymore. The stork will become enraged if an egg is damaged, by chance or on purpose.
Sample Parents/Missing Children
Amanda Hargrave - Single mother already fallen on tough times, barely holding it together. Named her son Joel before he went missing.
Daniel Douglas and Emily Tracer - Teen parents with an accidental child, decided to keep it. Didn’t name their daughter before she was taken.
Eileen Walt and David Walt - Happily married couple on their third child. Named their daughter Tracy before she went missing.
Brian Alcor and Tyra Hills - Engaged couple, giving birth only a month before the wedding. Didn’t get to name their son before he was taken.
Winona Faln and Michael Faln - Married couple who are struggling in their relationship. Named their son Joshua before he went missing.
Ophelia Imogene and Gabriel Bakerson - Regular couple, except for that Gabriel is having an affair with his secretary. Didn’t name their daughter before she was taken.
Dasha Iwada and Terrence Iwada - Once a loving couple, though Dasha died during childbirth. Terrence will do anything to get his son back. Named his daughter Dasha.
Stat Blocks
Doctor Sinclair
STR 12, CON 11, DEX 15, INT 13, POW 10, CHA 9
HP 11, WP 10, SAN 5
Appearance: A haggard surgeon, eye bags and frazzled hair.
Skills:
Surgery (70%)
First Aid (80%)
Melee Combat (50%)
Psychotherapy (40%)
Persuade (50%)
Armor: 0 points lab coat
Attacks:
Surgical Scalpel(50%, 1d4, 3AP)
The Stork
STR 25, CON 15, DEX 15, INT 10, POW 15, CHA 5
HP 22, WP 15, San??
Appearance: A 10 foot tall bird-like creature, human skin drawn over an avian skeletal structure. Feathers of human hair coat it.
Skills:
Parent The Brood (80%),
Mimic Your Voice (70%),
Bird’s Eye View(70%)
Armor: 3-points Feathers and Scales
Attacks (2/turn, 3/turn if enraged):
Rend(70%, 1d10, 4AP)
Devour(60%, 2d8, 4AP)
Sanity Loss: 1/1d8 To Witness
Credits
Operation From the Nest was written by Bruxa for the 2024 Shotgun Scenario contest.
Source: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GAlJ93xNNWXZNBedJFPMB9MKLyQmwxtqmFZsyLwEqPA/edit