Interrogator

Of the 8 Career Skills, choose 4 to get a free rank. Of the 4 Specialization Skills, choose 2 to get a free rank.

Spy Career Skills: Computers, Cool, Coordination, Deception, Knowledge (Warfare), Perception, Skulduggery and Stealth

Interrogator Specialization Skills: Charm, Coercion, Medicine and Perception

Aportion of the most critical military intelligence is never officially documented. Some parts might not even seem like valuable information at first. A Slicer may never uncover a minister’s esoteric hobbies that could be used for blackmail. An Infiltrator might not recognize that an old plaque conceals a datachip loaded with secrets. Skilled Interrogators, however, can uncover secrets that their subjects might not even recognize they possess. Often, this requires that the subject be captured first, but some operatives are so skilled and subtle that they can extract secrets from targets through casual conversation without letting the targets realize what has happened. These specialists grant the Rebellion unexpected and unorthodox advantages that it needs to succeed against enormous odds.

In order to successfully question a target, an Interrogator needs to have some background info about the subject, possibly including personality traits, loved ones, and interests, in addition to knowing what type of information to seek. Personal history is critical to gaining leverage over a target. Interrogators must be versed in a range of information extraction techniques so that they can determine the best method for a particular foe. Physical coercion can work effectively against some enemies, but for others, psychological attacks are far more efficient. Recognizing the best technique and having the appropriate tools readily available makes each interrogation faster and the results more reliable.

A physically imposing questioner may rely upon violence, and this technique can sometimes be effective. However, it is invariably cruel. Further, Imperial officers are trained to resist these techniques, reducing their efficacy. Additionally, some subjects recognize that the consequences for giving in to this type of torture can be as severe as those for resisting it. For these reasons, the most effective of interrogations eschew physical techniques for social ones.

Many Interrogators instead use a combination of Charm and Deception to effectively draw information from their subjects. They may intimidate through threats—often to the subject’s friends, family, or special interests—rather than direct violence. Demonstrations of power over those other parties can provide additional leverage, though such demonstrations may be fabricated as necessary.

Either type of Interrogator may educate allies on the best ways to resist enemy questioning, something even non-combatants in the Alliance may face at some point. This may involve working with students in simulated questioning sessions, but it can also incorporate observation of the Interrogator at work. Crucial to either approach is having students watch people while they are breaking, partly so that students can recognize what this looks like, but also to help them identify the types of leverage that might be used against them, so that they can work to mitigate the effectiveness of those tactics.

Potential Backgrounds

  • Freerunner: Interrogator freerunners clandestinely enter dwellings and other locations, and can secretly question individuals without hauling them somewhere else. In some instances, they may even have to pursue fleeing persons of interest.
  • Law Enforcement Agent: Interrogators share much in common with detectives when questioning suspects. They have similar assessment skills for making the best use of information gleaned and for seeing through any deceptions.
  • Makeup Artist: Interrogator makeup artists can try to imitate or impersonate individuals in a bid to con a target into cooperating. They might also see through the disguises of captured individuals.
  • Performer: Interrogator performers use their acting skills to deceive and manipulate those they question. They might impersonate someone to gain the subject’s trust. They are likely to use a wide emotional range to convince someone of their sincerity, concern, fear, or aggressiveness.
  • Psychologist: Interrogator psychologists can draw on their professional skills to determine effective questions and probe for emotional weak spots. They can also spot deceptive answers better than most. This gives them advantages in effectively conducting their interrogations, and advising others how to do the same.
  • Repo Specialist: Interrogator repo specialists are adept at questioning others about the location of a certain speeder, ship, or individual. They typically aren’t skilled at in-depth investigation, but they can discern much about an individual’s attitude and truthfulness with just a few questions.