Student Debt

Summary:

Darius contacts you about Brick's financial issues.

Event Trigger Requirements:

• Brick is on the crew roster
• Brick is uninjured

Event Details:

WARNING: SPOILERS

You get an alert from Darius, an outgoing message was flagged. It seems one of our MechWarriors is in great debt. Darius worries if Brick will remain loyal to the company.

"I graduated with a huge debt of around ¢241,000. The Hero Training Institute has sold our loans to a private company which has caused the interest rate to skyrocket. At no point was I consulted about this and of course I would never have agreed to this enormous increase in fees.

From the attached image you will see the sum of my student loan is currently standing at ¢183.568, with the fees raking up over ¢7,000 monthly.

Just to cover the interest, I would need to be earning much more than any employed MechWarrior makes. Unless I earn that much, my student loan will increase due to the interest. This is a predatory business model, and it is a stain upon the Institute.

I hereby ask you to reconsider these practices, and allow me to pay off my debt in full 10 years after graduation, just as was part of the initial arrangement. I would like to request permission to extend this time frame for the inflated debt.

Sincerely yours, Alumni Griggori Izzo"

Option A - (Requirement: Company has at least 200,000 C-Bills) "Have the Company assume Brick's debt.":

You order Darius to contact the Hero Training Institute. Since they are so willing to sell debts, they should be willing to sell Brick's debt to you.

After a few days Brick contacts you with regards to the debt fulfillment. He appreciates you steadying the sum. You don't make a big deal out of it, but you can see the relief.

For a few lasers in budget you've secured yourself a lifelong pilot. There's been worse deals you've brokered.

Result:

• Company C-bills reduced by 190,116
• Brick gains pilot tag: Dependable
• Brick gains High Spirits

Option B - (Requirement: Commander has skill Guts 5 or higher) "Speak with Brick about doing something risky.":

You tell Brick that you can't condone risky plays, as they put the entire company in jeopardy. However, you're willing to let him head out to do something much more dangerous and much more profitable.

There's enough shady deals to direct a good MechWarrior towards. Brick goes AWOL for two months, but he comes back debt free, and thankful for the opportunity. You don't speak of his moonlighting.

Result:

• Brick unavailable for 60 days
• Brick gains pilot tag: Dependable

Option C - "Speak with Brick about financial responsibility.":

Brick is sorry to inform you that he can't stay with your company. The pay is not going to cut it. He's going to have to take riskier jobs.

Result:

• Brick leaves the company

Option D - (Requirement: Commander has skill Tactics 5 or higher) "Bury this. Make sure it is kept quiet.":

You understand this is a private matter, and you know the crew gossips. Time to put a gag order in place. Darius should keep quiet based on his own past. You realize however that Farah might be a risk factor. Seeing how she hooked up the automatic mail filters, she might get some gossip alerts from the get go.

You make your wishes known, and Brick suffers in silence. At least he needs the money, so you know he's not going to leave anytime soon.

Result:

• Brick unavailable for 60 days
• Brick gains pilot tag: Dependable
• Brick gains Low Spirits