Panic!

I've heard this several times: "I push the panic button."

This usually happens when people are either in over their heads in combats (i.e. getting their asses handed to them), or are attempting to flee the scene (usually unsuccessfully because they're being pursued by helicopters or being trapped on the roof or something) or when they're about to blow the mission for some reason (just been detected, set off the alarms, etc).

What the PC is saying is "NPCs please save us." This may indicate that they are calling their employers or buddies for help. Sometimes this is a group decision, sometimes this is one player who can't think of anything else. This should be explored.


1) How does one push the panic button?

First- who are you calling? How are you calling them? If you're jumping on a cell phone or radio you should know that such conversations may be monitored, meaning that you may be putting whoever you're calling at risk just by making the call. At the very least when you're captured their number will be on the recent call list.

Secondly, who will help you? A shadowrunner is supposed to be a deniable asset, not a government agent. Shadowrunners are sent by a company that cannot or will not send official support- they sure as hell aren't about to go bail you out.

That being said, let's look at a scenario when you CAN call for emergency backup, and the consequences thereof.

2) Who do you call and how can they help?

This isn't D&D: there are no teleporters to zip in and save you. Even if you call someone for help, the most they might be able to do is to run to your house and get rid of all your porn before your mom sees it. Seriously, they can send a car, but if you're inside the building what are they supposed to do, send a rescue team?

If you get away, maybe they can send cars, or a helicopter to pick you up. Such things should be an hour away AT LEAST (maybe more) unless you're working in the same city, but even still the prep time should stop next round rescues. Perhaps if you're arrested they can get lawyers for you, but you're probably loaded with illegal foci and cyberware and weapons, so you're probably better off having the runners who did escape stage a jailbreak.

3) So they did help you, now what?

Okay, let's say you called for help- the helicoptor came and pulled you off the roof or something and now you're away. How pissed are they? First of all, did you complete your mission at all? If stealth was any part of it, probably not. If it was an assassination mission, or a theft mission and you completed the primary goal, at least there's that.

Most employers should consider your rescue to be your pay (or the whole group's pay!), not paying you anything on a successful mission. On an unsuccessful mission they should be very pissed and demand compensation, either in terms of another mission or flat cash. Maybe they demand you try again, regardless of the heightened securty and new danger. They aren't doing this for your health, you know!

If it was contacts that saved you, this counts as a major favor, which requires you to do a major favor back to them at their request or risk losing the contact forever. If I saved your life, then you wouldn't help me move out of my apartment, we would no longer be friends I guarantee you.

As far as experience goes, this is essentially an instance of a failed mission. Even if the goal was accomplished, it seems like you were about to die or get captured if not for that panic button. GMs should consider awarding 1/2 (or no!) karma for such a failed mission. If the mission was successful even if the player died (such as the other PCs got away with the stolen merchandise and only the panicked character got screwed) he might consider this penalty only for that character. If the party wants full karma, they should go back to save their comrade (or put a bullet in his head and finish the job!).

In genaral, a Panic! button situation should only be usable in realist situations, the GM should not be afrad to kill characters (or TPK) if shit happens.