In ranged combat, one compares the shooter’s ability to the agility with which the target takes cover.
The attacker is not at risk of taking damage himself here, but he has a few other disadvantages.
Firstly, the distance itself.
Each ranged weapon has a range modifier. One divides the distance to the target by this modifier, and the rounded-up result reduces the shooter’s successes.
Secondly, the defender’s potential net successes give them the opportunity to use these either in a subsequent attack as a cover bonus that reduces the attacker’s successes, or to allow the defender to close the distance to the attacker by the amount of the successes in meters.
(Yes, that corresponds to an acrobatic-cinematic playstyle. But hey, what do you expect in a steampunk-mystery-space role-playing?!?)
Ranged combat test
Projectile weapons / Firearms against Acrobatics
Distance / range modifier = deduction for the attacker
Net successes of the attacker = damage + weapon damage on the defender
Net successes of the defender = either a deduction from the attacker’s successes on a subsequent attack or net successes in meters of closing in on the attacker