>>>>>[Raven, I may not have a college education but I can tell you
that there is such a thing as a sousaphone. Most people call it a
tuba, but it is a different instrument. The tuba curls around in an
oval and ends with the bell sticking straight up and is reserved
for concert use. The sousaphone takes the tube and wraps it around
the player and ends with a wider bell that's pointing straight
forward, more or less. The sousaphone is a marching version of the
tuba and is so named for John Philip Sousa, a hip musician in the
late nineteenth century who wrote lotsa marches for the old US
Marine Corps Band. 

By the way, can anyone suggest a good hotel in the LA sprawl,
preferably the Anaheim or Universal City districts? I think it's
almost time for me to make my career move, just as soon as we
finish our latest gig. Oh, and can anyone tell me if there are any
associations between Dassun corp and Para Nobilis? I 'm trying to
figure out who's playing us as pawns.]<<<<< 
        --Jaez          <12:43:56/2-1-54>

>>>>>[ Whoops.  I thought you were making some sort of bad pun. 
I stand corrected.  As for your career, I still must say your insane
if your going to let some slimy corporation put a ton of cyberware
in you so they can record your emotions.  How about trying acting,
Jaez? Please don't make me beg. ]<<<<< 
        -- Raven the Mage <14:23:16/02-01-54>

>>>>>[ LA?  Who in there right mind wants to go to that Japanese
owned hellhole? Come on Jaez, stay in Seattle.  My days won't be
nearly as bright without you and Raven to entertain me.  Nothings
quite like watching the Odd Couple in action :) ]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker <14:27:05/02-01-54>

>>>>>[ What ever gave you the impression that me an Jaez are an
"Odd Couple", Nightstalker? ]<<<<< 
        -- Raven the Mage <14:29:23/02-01-54>

>>>>>[ Let me see... a mage who thinks simsense is a child's toy
and a magic fearing decker who wants to be a simsense star.  Sounds
odd to me. ]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker

>>>>>[ Fraulein Jaez is quite correct (with the possible
exception of the connection of amphetamines and the speed of
American marches). Sousaphones DO exist (I know, I saw many in my
college marching band) and were developed for a very simple
reason:  A tuba is quite a massive instrument, and one would have
to support its weight solely with the arms were one to march or
walk with it.  For extended periods this can be exceedingly
tiresome. As a result, John Philip Sousa altered the instrument
such that the weight was transfered to the shoulder, and hence much
easier to endure for long periods. ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <15:51:47/02-01-54>

>>>>>[ Whoops.  I thought you were making some sort of bad pun. 
I stand corrected.  As for your career, I still must say you're
insane if your going to let some slimy corporation put a ton of
cyberware in you so they can record your emotions.  How about
trying acting, Jaez? Please don't make me beg. ]<<<<< 
        -- Raven the Mage <14:23:16/02-01-54>

>>>>>[ LA?  Who in there right mind wants to go to that Japanese
owned hellhole? Come on Jaez, stay in Seattle.  My days won't be
nearly as bright without you and Raven to entertain me.  Nothings
quite like watching the Odd Couple in action :) ]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker <14:27:05/02-01-54>

>>>>>[ What ever gave you the impression that me an Jaez are an
"Odd Couple", Nightstalker? ]<<<<< 
        -- Raven the Mage <14:29:23/02-01-54>

>>>>>[ Let me see... a mage who thinks simsense is a child's toy
and a magic fearing decker who wants to be a simsense star.  Sounds
odd to me. ]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker

>>>>[ Waitaminute here now chummers, let me get this straight.  We
have corpers trying to put cyberware in people to measure how their
emotions differ?  Drek, all they need to do is film a bunch of
razorgangs and what footage the deckers didn't have time to erase
of us runners.  What a waste of time and money..... ]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire  <16:30:35/02-01-54>

>>>>>[Crossfire, you obviously don't appreciate the difference
between seeing something and feeling it, sensing it, being
stimulated by something.]<<<<< 
        --Jaez                  <14:45:43/2-1-54>

>>>>>[Jeaz:  trust me.  Crossfire knows plenty about
stimulation.]<<<<< 
        -Brandywine- <1.2.54/17:53:39>

>>>>>[ And who, praytell, has been stimulating him? ]<<<<<
        -- Nightstalker <19:35:11/02-01-54>

>>>>>[  Hey chummers, I'm Back!  Just when you thought that me
and my crew were put out of buisness due to our troubles with
MagnaTech, Dragon's Den, the Yakuza, Tommy Harada etc... (seems
like everone's out to get me!) we return.  I've been laying low for
the past 1.5 months (those Yaks can be so sensitive).  Anyway,
while I've been incommunicado the Yakuza have officially put out a
contract on Tommy Harada's life. I guess they didn't like the idea
of him going rogue with all the little nasty details he knows,
especially considering what I believe his origin is.  The tapeworm
virus that was destroying MagnaTech records was stopped two weeks
ago by a team of Yoshida deckers, finally.  Too bad there isn't
much left in MagnaTech's computers (I suspect that Yoshida may have
copies of some of the lost data tho).  Tirandor has been getting
very tense lately.  It seems that Yoshida won't let Dragon's Den
personnel anywhere near any MagnaTech facilities without a court
order!  Yoshida has sealed the ruins of the MagnaTech main office,
so nothing has been disturbed since the takeover.  The site is
constantly patrolled by Yoshida security teams.  Tommy "the dragon"
Harada has not been seen anywhere since late december.  That's the
news to date.  As soon as I can get some reliable intelligence, I'm
going in to find out just what the whole purpose of this mess
is!]<<<<< 
                         ---Dark Elf <15:08:26/02-02-54>

>>>>>[ Hoi Elf!  Just got back from Rio today.  From what you told
me, the Yaks are more interested in getting Tommy Harada than trying
to kill me.  I had fun down in Brazil with all the sun, surf,
etc...  BUT! Guess who has their South American Division HQ in
Rio.  Yep, MagnaTech!  I paid them a little visit last week and
found hard copies of lots of their files, even ones that the virus
got!  So now I've got a complete set of blueprints for the
ex-MagnaTech main office building in New York.  You'll get a kick
out of the plans for the basement levels!  Still up for a run on
Magna?  Sounds  like fun. ]<<<<< 
                         ---Big Jake <15:14:10/02-02-54>

>>>>>[ Welcome back guys, life's been boring without you two
around!  I bet Tirandor is just thrilled to see you back in
NY!]<<<<< 
                         ---OddBall <15:15:21/02-02-54>

>>>>>[ Are you still looking for a mage DE?  I may only be a fire
adept, but I think I can get the job done.  Contact me at club dedd
tonight and we'll discuss it ]<<<<< 
                         ---Napalm <15:17:20/02-02-54>

>>>>>[ I appreciate the concern over my prolonged absence from
the BBS.  Let's just say that the Yaks were really upset about how
Jake found out about Tommy Harada's origins (can you believe he's
an artificial person? hopefully we can find out for sure soon.) 
Anyway, the Yaks found out that I had been asking a lot of
questions about Tommy.  They put two and two together and got five
(typical yaks) and started looking for me.  Of course I found out
about this the very same day and was ready for them.  As soon as I
saw them getting remotely close I went as far away from NY as I
could get, so I spent an extended vacation in, well, it's better
that you don't know! Nightfox was right, I do know how to take care
of myself. Ain't that right dargon??? ]<<<<< 
                            ---Dark Elf <15:32:54/02-02-54>

>>>>>[ You have no idea how overjoyed I am that you're back.   I
feel so much better knowing that the person who breaks into my
system on a daily basis is back in town.  Welcome back Dark Elf,
may you rot in hell! ]<<<<< 
                         ---Tirandor <From the Dragon's Desk>

>>>>>[ Dark Elf, Oddball, it's good to hear from you Gents again. 
It sorta worries me when hunted people disappear for long periods of
time.  I know its the only way to stay alive, but on the other hand
nobody knows if you are.  I got some great info on the "Secret Man
of MagnaTech" and how they were able to survive with their computer
off-line as long as it was.  I'll post it as soon as I get back
from a meeting.  You know, working for one man so long gives me an
idea of how it feels to work for a Corporation full time. ]<<<<< 
              -- Nightstalker <20:50:09/02-02-54>

>>>>>[ Nightstalker, I hope your not enjoying this.  Being a wage
slave is not a way anyone should have to live. ]<<<<< 
              -- Raven the Mage <20:53:34/02-02-54>

>>>>>[ True, but being a long term freelance operative sure pays
well.]<<<<< 
              -- Nightstalker <20:55:26/02-02-54>

>>>>>[Yoshida Technologies has placed several parts of MagnaTech up
for sale.  Specifically, the securities division and the
biotechnologies divisions.  BUT, Yoshida is apparently hanging on to
the cybertronics division as well as much of the computer related
R&D.

I'll lay odds that Yoshida only wanted the computer and cybernetics
stuff, and got the rest as part of the takeover, and now that they
don't need it, they'll spin off the excess and sell it for a big
stinking profit.]<<<<< 
        --  Splut <Look out below>

>>>>>[I have it on pretty good authority that the first thing
Yoshida did when they took over the MT computer system was to cut the
network connections and then do a very intesive backup.  The tapeworm
really only effected non-vital system, especially those relating to
the securities division.

I mean, come on.  Two weeks to kill the virus?  It really wasn't
that big of a priority as we could care less about the securities
division.]<<<<< 
        --  Dante <From the Inferno Room>

>>>>>[Reminds me of the Locust totem...attacks on sight and is
generally unpleansant.  Remember how 'fun' that was, meine
Kamaraden?]<<<<<
        --Doctor Doom

>>>>>[I'm baaaaaaa-aaaaaaack!!!  Thank's for the mem'ries, Doomie
old boy. Like I wanted to remember takin' that hit for Bast.  But
maybe I can write a book, like that old 1900s-classic, but we'll
call it "A Tree Grows in the Place of Man" instead, ok?  More late,
but Wolf says "hi," so to speak.]<<<<< 
        --Flare <22:43:13/02-02-54>

>>>>>[ Hey, have any of you guys noticed a real weird pattern in
the news lately?  Universal Brotherhood chapter houses are being
blown up and burned to the ground all across Seattle.  It started
about a week ago, near as I can They're up to five so far.  And
tho' there isn't a pattern, I can't shake the feeling they're
connected somehow. ]<<<<< 
                -- Hangtime <00:40:49/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ Hangtime's right...  Someone real wiz pulled these jobs. 
They got in, out, and away before the UB knew what hit 'em.  The
only thing that alerted the authorities were the fire alarms and
the huge smoke cloud--kinda hard to miss, you know.  Well, anyway,
Lone Star said the arsonists left no trace.  Like I said, *real*
wiz.  What I can't figure is why they're doing this. ]<<<<< 
                -- Shadows, NN Reporter <00:41:47/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ Of course there was no trace left!  In all five cases the
fraggers blew the chapter house sky high! ]<<<<< 
                -- Jack Hack <00:42:01/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ Still, there was enough left to tell HOW they did it, even
if not who: C-12 with military grade detonators. ]<<<<< 
                -- Shadows, NN Reporter <00:42:30/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ Five nuyen says Lone Star told him that...ol' Shadows here
wouldn't know military grade even if it walked up and shook his
hand! ]<<<<< 
                -- Jack Hack <00:42:45/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ What about witnesses? ]<<<<<
                -- Hangtime <00:42:54/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ I interviewed a few, but nothing good enough for the
newsfax.  A few of them said they saw a bunch of what they called
'tall, dark shapes' running away from one of the crimescenes.  And
one said he heard someone shouting in a language he didn't know.
Like I said, nothing good enough for a soundbyte, much less a
story. ]<<<<< 
                -- Shadows, NN Reporter <00:43:10/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ And why the Hell not?  It sounds to me like it could be
pretty bleedin' important! ]<<<<< 
                -- Jack Hack <00:43:17/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ Because people don't want mystery, they want someone to 
BLAME.]<<<<< 
                -- Shadows, NN Reporter <00:43:29/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ Incorrect.  Reporters want someone to blame, Shadows.  I
would wager a considerable amount that you have not the faintest
idea what the public actually wants. ]<<<<< 
                -- Darkwatch <00:43:42/02-03-54>

>>>>>[Wow, Jake got me more than blueprints on the Magna building!
He found copies of MagnaTech's corporate history.  Well, here it is.
MagnaTech was originally called Hazeltine back in the late 20th
century.  Hazeltine was an electronics company that was based in the
Long Island/New York City area that did a lot of work for the former
US deptarment of defense.  In the early 21st century, Haleltine was
bought out by a man named Peter Andreyovitch.  Hazeltine continued to
do fairly well, until the treaty of denver.  The end of the US, and
the beginning of the UCAS caused major cutbacks in the DoD, and
hazeltine had few contracts.  IN the next few years, the company was
forced to diversify and merge/buy other smaller technology companies
to survive.  After a number of mergers, the company finally changed
it's name to MagnaTech.  Magna changed hands twice since then, and is
currently being split between Dragon's Den and Yoshida Tech (as we
all know).   There doesn't seem to be anything mysterious in their
history until 2047, when the company started doing extremely well
while just about every other technology/security firm was losing
money or only breaking even.  This period of unexplainable growth
is similar to the suprising resistance Magna was able to put up
against the Dragon's Den/Yoshida takeover last year.  Makes you
wonder! ]<<<<< 
                       ---Dark Elf <12:22:00/02-03-54>

>>>>>[You forgot to mention what I found in the blueprints!  The
plans for the sub-basement of the now destroyed MagnaTech main
office show a stairway going down, but don't show another level
below that.  Obviously, this stairway leads down to someplace that
the designers didn't want anyone to know about. I'll wager that if
you superimosed maps of the tunnels that run everywhere under
Manhattan you'll find that at least one of them goes under the
Magna building.  Another interesting thing is that the sub-basement
is constructed like a bomb shelter!  It probably survived the
explosion without too much structural damage. ]<<<<< 
                      ---Big Jake <12:27:55/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ Hmm, I'll have to bust into Dragon's Den and see if I can
find the data they collected with their sonic probes before Yoshida
took them out. ]<<<<< 
                      ---Dark Elf <12:30:46/02-03-54>

>>>>>[  Alright!  About time someone showed those UB buggers
the what for!  A friend o' mine once tangled with them, he goes by
the name of Harlequin.  He almost quit the shadows after that run.
He still won't talk of it (all thought I did read his memoirs... 
heh heh...really good stuff.  'Raku better hope it never gets
published.).  From what I know and have gathered, it sounds like
some o' the other colonies are a bit riled.  Or maybe it is one of
the other unnamables.  Gives me the willies just thinking about
it.]<<<<< 
                           -Styx <Once more into the breach>

>>>>>[After my little run in with the UB I now carry at least
one can of insectiside.  If nothing else, I can spray it in a guards
eyes.  But it has better uses.  Damned fraggers appear outta
nowhere.]<<<<< 
                           -Cyclone <Whirling your way soon>

>>>>>[Damn it Styx, stay outta my books!  Just because you
can't hack the system at my house doesn't mean you can read the hard
copy! Good God!  That is supposed to be secret stuff, no the UB
probably wants my head on a platter.  At least they can't find me
right now. Aw hell, this means I gotta warn the others!]<<<<< 
                          -Harlequin <Who was not here>

>>>>>[Hack you house?  Hah!  I haven't seen that much hardware
since I left the military.  And some of it I can't identify.  I
wouldn't even think it.]<<<<< 
                       -Styx <Once more into the breach>

>>>>>[No kidding, where do you think I got some of it?  The rest
is custom.  Black nodes and party ICe doesn't come standard on a
house. And the contents....well, NEVERMIND!]<<<<< 
                           -Harlequin <Who was not here>

>>>>>[Hey bro, null persp!  The protections held up.  And the
security system worked fine.  TYR Sec. ought to be rolling in nuyen
after they here it stood up to a UB assault.  Ha!  Should have seen
the looks on those bugs faces as T.C let loose.  Check in
later.]<<<<< 
                        -Sabre <Thanks Bro.>

>>>>>[They are abominations and should be cleansed from this
world. It was a pleasure to do it.  Lucinda helped too.  Hope to see
you soon Harlequin.  Later, love!]<<<<< 
                              -Hard-to-Catch <Hate this place>

>>>>>[I'll be back soon.  With a surprise. Smile, and wait.]<<<<<
                              -Harlequin <The busy elf>

*****  Dark Elf,     though i trust that you can take care of
yourself (as i told everyone else)  It is nice to hear that you are
back safely and in good health.  There is some worry in that when
one of our race passes on, it dramatically decreases the total
number of us in existence (  i only know one other)***** 
        - Nightfox < insanity is only a state of mind,  and its not
                     even a recognized STATE by the UCAS, (BAD
                     PUNN)> 

>>>>>[ Everybody, a horrible thing happened last night.  Nightstalker
showed up on my door step with a nasty stomach wound.  Luckily he has
little cyberware so I was able to put him back together.  He's still
hurting, but he'll live. I'm going to put him on line now. ]<<<<<
              -- Raven the Mage <17:34:34/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ Dark Elf and everybody else who's following this MagnaTech
thing, I've got some hot data on the whereabouts of Tommy "the
Dragon" Harada.  The little fragger was in Seattle last night.  I
know because he nearly killed me. 

I was talking to the Johnson who hired me to track down Harada
last night.  All of a sudden we heard some screams come from the
other part of his penthouse along with several muffled gunshots. 
The Johnson, dumb like most, sent his Razorboy to find and
eliminate the intruder while he but on his Armor Vest.  I decided
this would be go time to leave so, I packed up my stuff and got out
my Manhunter.  Johnson's bodyguard got in position to guard the
main door into the room and drew a Roomsweeper. 

Well, I had just got my smartgun hooked up (really should
consider getting a smartlink installed) when Harada busted down the
door.  I don't know what happened to the Razorboy, but Harada had
blood on his hands.  The bodyguard opened up on Harada, but he just
danced about and wasn't hit.  Now I'm not saying he avoided the
brunt of the blast, Harada dodged every last stinking pellet!  I
ran for the other door squeezing off a few rounds Harada's way.  I
tell you I've never missed a target at that range with a smartgun,
Harada must be some sort of cyber-deity. 

Harada decided to stop the game.  He pulled a Predator from his
jacket and with one simple motion stop the bodyguard through the
heart and gave me a viscous gut wound.  He must have been using
APDS ammo because he killed the bodyguard with that bullet when it
had to go through an Armor Jacket, Ultra-Vest, and Ortho-skin. 

I stumbled out of the room and somehow managed to get out of
the building alive.  I don't think Harada cared if I lived because I
heard him calmly conversing with the Johnson as I scrambled for the
elevator.  Of course that blood curdling scream I heard as the
doors shut told me my meal-ticket was over. ]<<<<< 
              -- Nightstalker <17:53:26/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ Harada was in Seattle???  Well, that would explain why
nobody on the east coast has seen him since December!  You're
description sounds like a typical Harada hit.  I'm suprised he let
you live, not many people who have seen him in action do, except
for the MagnaTech board members who were aboard the intrepid in
November.  Despite his acrobatics show, he's not cybered, he's
practically a walking piece of bioware and a heavy duty martial
artist as well.  What you saw him do was half biomechanics and half
skill, a deadly combination. Thanks for the data, I didn't know he
was that good with a gun until now.  If I thought I'd live through
it, I'd want to meet him! ]<<<<< 
                             ---Dark Elf <18:43:18/02-03-54>

>>>>I'm posting this quickly as I might very soon end up
dead. According to some information I just obtained, MagnaTech was
NOT at all what it seemed.  Or, it was what it seemed, but they was
working on some REALLY top secret stuff. 

Here, this should explain things more:

% cat stolen.memo.Z
uncompressing

FROM:   Lincoln Howe
        Vice President
        Yoshida Technologies
TO:     MagnaTech Transition Team
DATE:   11-15-63

Ok, boys.  We've got the company but we are going to have to move
fast to keep things out of the paws of that dragon.  We do have
one thing on our side, though.  Tiranador's first target is going
to be the securities computers.  Fine, we don't care about them.
BUT, we do car about the AI subsystem.

Your first goal is to get the AI disconnected from the network.
RUFUS isn't going to be happy, so try to explain to him that it is
for his own protection.  And if he is still not happy, _I'll_ come
down and work it out.  Tell him that.  That should put some fear
into his microcircuts.

We'll have a few days before the Den shows up to clean out those
systems.  Your orders are to stall them any way you can.  After
the new year we'll let them in, but by that time we'll have RUFUS
moved to Seattle and everything in New York wiped clean.

According to the AI boys here in Seattle, Monica is looking forward
to finally meeting RUFUS and hopefully the two of them will hit it
off.

In any case, get those network connections severed and make the
move to Seattle.

L. Howe

Dispatch orders:  dispose after viewing

--------------------------

Don't ask how I got this.  Don't ask who I am.  I'm a dead man
already.]<<<<<

        -- no ID < no date / no time >

>>>>>[  Anyone out there remember a Troll sam named Maddog???
Well in case you've forgotten, pieces of his corpse were found in
the MagnaTech building after it exploded, along with the pieces of
two other unidentified runners.  Well, posed the question to a few
contacts and managed to get a straight answer for once!  The
answers came through a new addition to my team, a fire adept named
Napalm! This guy knows everybody, he's got contacts everywhere and
then some. I was looking for a mage and I got a real pro
detective]<<<<< 
                         ---Dark Elf <18:08:13/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ Yep, that's right if the word's on the street, I've got ears
to hear it. And I'll burn down anyone who tries to stop me too!  You
want to find out why the Yakuza are killing babies on 128th street
or if you want someone to fire bolt your neighbors I'm your man! 
Anyway, I talked to a few terrorist friends, and none of them
claimed responsibility.  They did say that it was probably a Yak
job.  My Yak contacts claimed nolo condendere on that one so I
asked around every hangout I could think of that might have been a
site for the meet and got a description of Maddog's employer. 
Guess what, the description is almost a dead match for everybody's
favorite artificial person, Tommy Harada!  Looks like he was
planning on going rogue long before the friday the thirteenth board
meeting on the intrepid! ]<<<<< 
                         ---Napalm <18:17:44/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ Tommy Harada!?!?!? As if he wasn't enough of a mystery man
already! The VatJob gets around in the city more than DE does in
the Matrix! ]<<<<< 
                         ---OddBall <18:20:31/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ I also got the sonic probe data from Dragon's Den today. 
Apparently there is some kind of area under the ruins of the
MagnaTech building that survived the blast.  The probes weren't
there long enough to get an exact layout of the sub-sub-level but
it is definately there, and at about the right depth to be
connected to part of the tunnel network. ]<<<<< 
                         ---Dark Elf <18:24:47/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ I doubt that there's an obvious entrance from the tunnels or
else the orks would have been there by now.  Going in through the
ruin is out, thanks to Yoshida's boys, but a few well placed
charges should get us in without causing too much of a cave-in. 
Get me some tunnel maps and I can start on the logistics. ]<<<<< 
                         ---Big Jake <18:27:52/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ By the way jake, I'm going in this time.  This one's too big
to finish by firepower alone, you'll need me to handle the 'tronics
and security.  I've got a feeling that we'll be in a battle of with
with some of the major players in this mess when we get there.  By
the way, I've got a theory about the mystery board member of
MagnaTech, I seriously think that he's a Yakuza boss, which would
explain where they managed to come up with exteme funding to battle
the takeover. ]<<<<< 
                        ---Dark Elf <18:33:33/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ My knowledge of desireable locations to seek lodgings, I
have no outstanding suggestions, Jaez, but I would strongly
recommend during your endeavors there that you steering clear of
many areas in the Los Angeles urban and suburban areas. 

Outside of the regularly fequented commercial and industrial
discticts and more affluent residential areas, conditions grow
increasingly adverse to survival.  The L.A. sprawl is inhospitable
to a degree that substantially exceeds that of Seattle.  Intra-city
gang conflicts are escalated to a degree almost unmatched on the
continent.  And perhaps you have heard mention of the Bloodrunners,
a gang composed mostly of vampirically-infected individuals?
Exceedingly dangerous, by all accounts. 

I relate these fact to you in the interest that you not encounter
the difficulties I experience during my last, and only, visit
there. ]<<<<< 
                -- Darkwatch <15:57:26/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ Geeez, Darkwatch, you talk like you've got a thesaurus
on-line in your head! ]<<<<< 
                -- Hangtime <15:58:09/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ If you failed to capitalize upon the opportunity for a
classical education, Hangtime, that is not my fault. ]<<<<< 
                -- Darkwatch <15:58:56/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ Hi, chummers.  While I sit around recovering from my
close encounter with death incarnate I've taken some time to distill
my investigation of MagnaTech's secret shareholder. 

It took me well over 2 weeks to get some sorta connection between
the proxy voter and anybody of signifigance.  I was checking his
college records when I saw a name that rang lots of mental bells. 
It seemed that he used to room with a Wendel Trevor, Jr.  I
couldn't remember why that set me off so I set up a general data
scan and let it run for a while.  It turned up Lt. General Wendel
Trevor UCAS Army.  Sound interesting?  Then read on. 

I started doing some research on General Trevor and found many
little facts than when looked at along mean nothing, but when added
up spelled major league corruption.  It seems to be that back
around 2042 when Trevor's son and his friend graduated, the general
had just been put in charge of various procurement jobs the Army
needed.  The two young men began working for a little investment
company.  Their job was to buy and sell stock for individuals who
don't what there names mentioned.  The two began to do quite well
in the company and then suddenly in 2044 Wendel Jr. moved to a more
reputable firm. I was able to obtain a memo from the Army
solictor's files that the General had come under investigation in a
possible corruption charge.  I guess they didn't like the idea of
his son working for a more or less criminal front. 

Well, everything cooled down until 2046 when Roger Quention (gee,
did I forget to mention his name earlier?) went solo.  He stoled a
bunch of the companies clients and began to buy, sell, and control
stock like it was a game. He became a member of the MagnaTech board
in 2047, just a few months after the company underbid many larger
corporations for major government contracts. 

This doesn't seem relevent until you go look back at many of
MagnaTech's government contracts.  A good number of them were
handeled by General Trevor's office!  General Trevor's income tax
papers starting in 2048 also include a marked increase in earnings
from dividends. 

This leaves you suspect but two more facts prove beyond a shadow of
a doubt that General Trevor is the Secret Man of MagnaTech.  The
first if the fact that Roger Quention now holds 5% of Yoshida
Tech.  The second is the fact that Yoshida picked up a nice
government contract just a week after obtaining MagnaTech, a job
MagnaTech was in the running for and that Trevor's office is
incharge of. 

So, who wants to bet that the UCAS Army had something to do with
how MagnaTech was able to take its computer offline without
flopping? My pet theory is that they borrowed some government
equipment to route thing onto the Matrix. Now I didn't see any
Yakuza influence, but only God knows who Roger Quention is in bed
with besides Trevor. ]<<<<< 
           -- Nightstalker <22:27:51/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ Dark Elf, I think Harada let me live just so I could tell
all you guys that he doesn't apperciate us mucking in his business.
After all if he had killed me too nobody would know who did those
poor slobs in. ]<<<<< 
           -- Nightstalker <22:32:11/02-03-54>

>>>>>[ I think it was a warning that he can find and kill anyone
that stands in his way.  Dark Elf, you and your team keep a good eye
out for this guy. ]<<<<< 
           -- Raven the Mage <22:34:50/02-03-54>

>>>>>[Help! Me and my frenz don't know what to do. We've been
lying low since our run in the NAN with theold Amerind Bodyguard who
wanted to make pax with his son & grandson. No calls, no dates,
eating ordered pizza that we pick up from an abandoned warehouse
three blocks down. It's been null persp for me since I don't get
out much anyway, but the Troll Sam's been gettin' edgy all cooped
up like this. 

Anyway, Mad's out for a drive and gets tailed by a troll on a bike.
She takes to I5 to lose him but doesn't. Troll keeps on coming. She
locks the doors and heads for Puyallup Troll follows. hile there,
some go-gang attacks, bouncing automatic weapons fire off the
troll-shot up his bike pretty well. Troll keeps on coming untill
the go-gangers nail the fuel tank real hard and the bike goes up in
flames. Mad turns around and heads back, scattering the gang with
the LMG. 

Troll gets up. Mad aims the van straight toward him. Now. I know
she should have been thinking prisoner for interrogation, but she
really hates being followed. So she floors it, nails the troll, who
should have become a soft bump on a hard road. 

Thing is, he didn't she drove right through him, his body
dissipating into mist. She got away, but the other night I noticed a
large, looming shadow in the alley, along with a blood-curdling
scream that stood out among the others. 

What I want to know is, what do they call those Troll
Vampires?]<<<<< 
        --  Anonymous <and worried>

>>>>>[Darkwatch, thanx for the info on LA. I've seen stories on
the trid but you know, "It'll never happen to me." That is to say
that it just seems so unreal. I'll be careful. I'm trying to get
Raven to come down with me but she absolutely hates LA and doesn't
want me to go anyway. 

But before I go, I've got some biz to finish up here. We're
supposed to hit this Policlub HQ from the inside, making a run on a
corp from the HQ computer. It's all set up, the run is tomorrow. I
hope to be hitting the agent circuit in SoCal within a week. 

And by the way, does anyone know of a good sunscreen or biofilter
that blocks sunlight effectively? I' m rather redheaded and I'm
afraid that if I leave the protective cloud cover of Seattle for
the Ozone-free atmosphere of LA I'll burn to a crisp]<<<<< 
     --Jaez                          <20:07:16/2-3-54>

>>>>>[Jaez, you'll be leaving the protective cloud cover of Seattle
for the protective smog cover of LA. Take a mask and you'll be
fine]<<<<< 
     --RAMboy                         <20:10:37/2-3-54>

>>>>>[I think Yoshida Tech is, for the most part, on the up and
up.  It appears from the hurried and anonymous posting from earlier
today that Yoshida was interested in some aspect of Magna's AI
research.  This, coupled with the fact that Magna's security
division was just spun off and offered up for sale by Yoshida seems
to indicate that perhaps this x-military guy was involved with
Tirandor during the initial take-over attempt when it was expected
that Dragon's Den would snatch MagnaTech right up without any
hassle, and then Yoshida came in a fragged everything up.  I'll bet
there were a lot of pissed off people. 

But what I can't figure out is why this General guy owns 5% of
Yoshida Tech's outstanding stock.  That just baffles me.]<<<<< 
        --  Splut <Look out Below>

>>>>>[ I'm new to the Seattle scene, but who is this Harada
guy?  Sounds to me like either a physical adept or a razorboy with a
tactical computer from hell.  Personally, I'd imagine it was a
tactical computer hooked up with a LOT of sense modifications. 
Then again, maybe he is just that good.  In any case, someone get
me some info so I can stay outta this jokony's way!]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire <10:00:27/02-04-54>

>>>>>[Crossfire!  You're back!  Long time, guy...  Where have
you been?  Wait.  Don't answer that.  Man, have I got the stories
for you.  How are you at babysitting?]>>>>> 
        -Brandywine- <4.2.54/11:35:14>

>>>>>[  Nightstalker, the UCAS army is the last group I expected
to see involved with  Magna.  As soon as I heard about Roger
Quention and Wendell Trevor, I did a little research.  I  knew that
the UCAS DoD computer would give me trouble so I had Napalm put an
ear to the pavement while I reconfigured my software for the DoD
IC.  I found evidence pointing towards your assessment of Trevor
but nothing besides his extra earnings and giving contracts to
Magna.  I couldn't find anything on Quention, but Napalm did.]<<<<< 
                              ---Dark Elf <13:09:30/02-04-54>

>>>>>[ Yep, word is that several years ago Quention made a deal
with the Shingen Komatsu (of the Komatsu Yak clan) involving the
MagnaTech bio-mechanics division that had just started.  Over the
next few years Magna's bio research went through the roof, and then
suddenly stopped.  Since then Magna has done almost no bio
research.  Well, if DE and Jake are right about Tommy Harada, I
think that this was the time period when he was made.  Just think,
the deadliest thing on two legs was once a joint project between
the military and the New York Yakuza!  No wonder he went
rogue!]<<<<< 
                             ---Napalm <13:14:57/02-04-54>

>>>>[   I recently got into the computer system of one of the
Shadow Clinics here in Seattle.  Nearly lost my deck to some unknown
who went by the name of Sparcs.  I wouldn't suggest trying to tap
into this system again, cause I have never been so outclassed
before. 

In any case, on to the goods.  When I explained that I was only
after data on the new items appearing on the streets, he gave me a
file containing the data I went in to get in the first place.  Of
course, it was scrambled, but according to him, if I couldn't
descramble it, I didn't deserve it in the first place. 

I'll post it as soon as I am done, but it may take a while. 
BTW, apparently this shadow clinic is a lot more than it appears to
be....  I've seen corps with less data security. 

One other thing that makes no sense to me... does the name
"Buster" mean anything to anyone? ]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire <12:25:46/02-04-53>

>>>>>[  Splut claims that Yoshida is clean, but I can't rule out
the possibility that they're not.  Magna was doing AI research, but
I don't know how far they got since the tapeworm nailed all the AI
files.  The only evidence would be the actual AI itself, and if it
really exists you can bet Yoshida wants it.  Also, the Dragon's Den
has expressed an interest in buying up the pieces of MagnaTech that
Yoshida is putting up for sale.   I think that Tirandor wants to
keep MagnaTech in one piece until  he gets what he wants from
it.]<<<<< 
                            ---Dark Elf <13:21:32/02-04-54>

>>>>>[ Just for your information Crossfire, Tommy Harada is a
VatJob. (meaning he's loaded with more bioware than most people have
ever seen in their lives)  He used to work for the New York Yakuza
(and possibly the military too) and somehow got mixed up with
MagnaTech when Dragon's Den tried to takeover Magna Tech. 
Apparently Magna hired him to help stop the takeover, but when
Yoshida showed up during that fateful meeting on the Intrepid and
started buying up Magna stock, he intentionally botched the job and
faked getting killed so he could go rogue on the Yakuza.  We've
heard rumors that he didn't exist until a few years ago, and may
have been a genetically engineered creation, probably some kind of
super-soldier project.  As you can see from Nightstalker's run in
with him, he is as deadly as his reputation.  He's not cybered, but
he's the best at what he does anyway. ]<<<<< 
                            ---OddBall <13:29:47/02-04-54>

>>>>>[ Get this, yesterday a terrorist group calling themselves the
Green Jihad announced that they were  responsible for blowing up the
MagnaTech building back in November.  It sounds like a load of bull
to me, I've never heard of these guys! ]<<<<< 
                            ---Big Jake  <13:33:34/02-04-54>

>>>>>[ It is a load of bull Jake, they're a bunch of two-bit
eco-terrorists looking to make a name.  These guys couldn't plant
flowers let alone a bomb!  The Green Jihad is just trying to ride on
the deeds of someone who really pulled off something big!  They'll
probably make a bomb threat on some other big corp in the next few
days and I'll bet you that it'll just be a scare with no actual
bomb involved.]<<<<< 
                           ---Napalm <13:37:27/02-04-54>

>>>>>[Crossfire:  Sure, I know Buster.  What do you want with
him?  He's a MIGHTY dear friend of mine...  and while I might not
have a lot of muscle or cyber to back my self up, I'll try my
damndest anyway.  And as for Sparcs-- Ya.  He's one of the best in
the business.  Kind of quirkie, but he managed to get me (ME!) in
the matrix.  Neat trick, huh?  Sorry about the parania regarding
Buster. I know you mean well, but Buster has quite a past, and
sometimes nasties pop up.  Just that maternal instinct I guess. 
(i'm cursed with Instincts).  And if you would like to further
discuss JUICE, in private, you're welcome to stop by.  Hell, I'll
even give you a private showing.]<<<<< 
        -Brandywine- <4.2.54/13:21:00>

>>>>>[Is it just me, or do I remember NightStalker having something
to do with the JUICE system?  sigh.  I'm getting rusty.]<<<<< 
        -Brandywine- <4.2.54/13:24:15>

<<<<<[ I wasn't trying to re-activate my SIN.  But tracing it
seemed a good idea.  I know who did this, now.  There's more.  I'm
in right now, sending this, so things may get a bit flaky.  Tracked
Precision down to Fushi.  Dunno if I'll be able to get out of
here.  There's an icon of a large man in front of me, guarding the
back door I took to get in here.  He doesn't seem to have seen me
yet.  I'd send the actual files, but I think that'd get his
attention.  There are several more like me in a lab at Fushi.  The
primate lab, #47.  Right here in grand old Seattle.  Course, it's
going under the Precision Label.  I know a couple of you are on
this, i've seen floating Icons. I'd stay out for a while. 

^&*^&%)*(*#$*($#@(()%~~!6)(*(6)35(*)(&%*
 $&()_#@**(())(49-#$^()+&^##)__*$
        {}(^&$%{}|&(30-#^(-734)_#%^*8-0{}|\]&*&$#$900@%``~~
        ~**$8948)^*
(%*^00&%@#(9-0000000000000^##^&^&*&*                         %*(^$#^$#
%^^&*&**

Frag! What the hell is that?  I've never seen a kitana do that before.

&(^*%%&*(*)
damn&*(^*&%&*(helland()^&*%&^$%FUSHI!07856798&*%$*jesus&(&%^$
*((&*(&*(^&rebootrebootrebootrebootreboot!

---
EOT]>>>>>
        -DOA- <2/4/54 / 14:35:14>

>>>>>[  I have been down in the Brazilian Quadrant on a
runabout. Amazing all the activity down there.  And here I was
thinking it was going to be a cakewalk in the park.  I forgot some
parks have muggers..... 

Anyway, I've been outta touch with the scene here for a bit.... 
What the frag is this about Babysitting anyways?! ]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire <15:22:41/02-04-53>

>>>>>[ Brandywine!  You out there?  I think your friend had her
first encounter with Black Ice.  You better find her fast, and
bring a Healer with you.  If you need any help call Raven. ]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker <14:36:48/02-04-54>

>>>>>[ Nightstalker's right Brandywine.  I hope that Ice didn't
hurt DOA too, badly.  If you want some help nailing Percision give
me a call. ]<<<<< 
        -- Raven the Mage <14:48:49/02-04-54>

>>>>>[ Jaez!  Shame on you.  You know better than to talk
about important details of a run in progress.  When I get my hands
on you I'll give you a lecture that you won't forget.  BTW I still
think going to LA is a bad idea, but after the horror stories
people are telling I have to go along to make sure you come
back.]<<<<< 
          -- Raven the Mage <14:45:31/02-04-54>

>>>>>[ JUICE?  I remember some realtime mentioning of JUICE. 
Wonder why its spelled in all caps. ]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker <14:56:49/02-04-54>

>>>>>[  Hey DE, I heard a rumor that some DDI team is after me
now. Word must have got around that I'm on the MagnaTech case now. 
Word is they've got a mage trying to track me astrally, looks like
I won't be able to scout the tunnels under the Magna building for a
while. I've got some fire elementals ready to rock and roll if they
get too close. I'll be OK. ]<<<<< 
                           ---Napalm <17:45:15/02-04-54>

>>>>>[ Tirandor must not want us to go down there pretty badly to
put a contract out on one of my assosciates.  He tried to buy me off
shortly after the takeover, and wanted me to take a team down into
the tunnels to find out what was there.  I refused, and now we're
going for ourselves.  Hell, maybe I'll sell off whatever's down
there to the highest bidder.  Get ready to saddle up, we're going
in tonight at 04:00:00, make it a fast hit.  We should get in
before DDI does, I don't think they're ready yet.  It's the perfect
time, especially considering that Harada is still out of
town.]<<<<< 
                            ---Dark Elf <17:53:30/02-04-54>

>>>>>[ I've got everything we need to get in, including the C-12. 
OddBall, we'll need the van, meet us in the usual place with the
usual ordinance. ]<<<<< 
                            ---Big Jake <17:56:08/02-04-54>

>>>>>[ I'll be there. You can count on it. I've been waiting for
this since the whole mess started last year! ]<<<<< 
                            ---OddBall <17:57:52/02-04-54>

>>>>>[ Good.  That gives me enough time to bring in one more fire
elemental, I think we'll need the extra help. ]<<<<< 
                            ---Napalm <17:58:59/02-04-54>

>>>>>[ Jake and OddBall know the routine Napalm, so just stick by
me until we get in, I'm sure you'll be able to handle yourself then.
If you're listening Nightstalker, and if you can do it, hit Dragon's
Den's system at 04:03:00, the extra distraction should help. ]<<<<<
                           ---Dark Elf <18:01:47/02-04-54>

>>>>>[ Curse me for acting like a novice!  I should have seen that
Quention was the real man in charge.  He did a hell of a job making
it look like he was just an agent.  Napalm, you've got some great
contracts, is there anything else about the Yak connection in this
case we should know? ]<<<<<
           -- Nightstalker <19:30:03/02-04-54>

>>>>>[ Well, I guess my wounds have healed up pretty well.  Nothing
makes you feel better quite like magic.  Hey, Jaez, wanna lend me a
hand?  Nothing stirs up havok like having 2 deckers in your
system.]<<<<< 
         -- Nightstalker <19:33:58/02-04-54>

>>>>[ My but that DOA girl can run fast.  She was one hard lady to
track.  Did anyone other than me try to take some heat off of her in
her little scrape.  I do believe that was some fairly nasty ice to
tango with.   Anyway I would be glad to dance in the Dragon's Den.
It has been so long since I have used my gopher virus.  Ah well see
you there.]<<<<
                          ----Brightlight <10:30:55/02:04:54>

>>>>>[Did a bunch of Shadowrunners just post what time they were
going to make a run against a corp?  Thought so.  Rank amatures.
Unless that was missinformation.  I hope so, I would like to meet the
illustrious Dark Elf.]<<<<<
                                -Sabre <Good Grief>

>>>>>[If it wasn't, it was a neon sign saying SHOOT ME, with big
bold arrows pointing at them.  Dark Elf, you should know better. 
You've been around awhile.  Spirits, I hope you make it.]<<<<<
                        -Harlequin <Who was not here>

>>>>>[Give 'em a break guys and gals.  Their funeral.  Besides,
who knows if ol' scale face is listening right now.]<<<<
                        Cyclone <01:34:12/02-05-54>

>>>>>[Hi guys, it's me again. Stalker, I got your message, but I
don't have a clue where to start. If you want, I can hack the
personal comp of General Quention, provided I can find the LTG. But
I'll also help you in the Den. I can scout ahead and not be seen or
heard, but don't expect me to fight or anything.]<<<<<
        --Jaez          <22:26:35/2-4-54>

>>>>>[Hey Dark Elf et. al.  Glad to know you'll be making a run on
us.  Don't worry, I have the guards only use gel rounds and tasers.
Maybe a narco-ject here and there.  Hate to wack off good runners.

BUT, I can guarantee you that everything of importance has been
physically moved from New Your to an undisclosable location.  Hell,
I'll be in NY next week.  If you want, I'll give you a personal
tour of whatever you want to see.]<<<<< 
        --  Lincoln Howe
            Vice President
            Yoshida Techologies

>>>>>[ Fraulein Jaez, the two 'mystery' players are General
Trevor and Roger Quention, not the combination of both.  (Ich
glaube, dass Sie die Realitaet wieder vergessen haben.)  I can but
wish all concerned the best of fortune in their endeavors.  I would
offer my own services, however: 

a)  I rather think you would not want them, satisfied to solve this
mystery yourselves.

b)  There are already a number of technomancers involved, and there
is an old proverb regarding too many cooks and the quality of a
meal. 

I would point out that, in terms of historical examples, it has
been quite disadvantageous to inform an enemy stronghold as to the
timing of one's assault. ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <01:33:58/02-05-54>

>>>>>[ Jaez, I would be quite reticent to recommend venturing
out into the sunlight.  Throughout the course of night, the
ubiquitous air pollution is markedly quelled, making it relatively
more tolerable to the conditions present during daytime.  Further,
one does not encounter the inconvenience of harsh, unfiltered,
solar radiation.  If you are truly fair of skin, as indeed most
redheads are, I would appropriatedly increase the intensity of my
discouraging you from embarking into the blaze of Helios.  Were I
you, I would not neglect to shield every surface of my skin from
the orb of the sky's destructive beams. There are those who have
actually expired from excessive irradiation by the sun, of course,
such instances are extreme, but there is precedent. ]<<<<< 
                -- Darkwatch <02:13:19/02-05-54>

<<<<<[Brightlight?...   Thanks.]>>>>>
        -DOA- <2/5/54 / 9:45:26>

>>>>>[Sierra?!  Get your butt back in bed!  And I told you to stay
away from terminals for at least a few days.  And Don't Deck From
My Apartment! 

Crossfire...  wanna babysit?  Sigh.]<<<<<
        -Brandywine- <5.2.54/9:47:22>

<<<<<[I don't like your bedroom.  It doesn't even have a bed.  Just
a bunch of furs in the corner.  And who's this Crossfire?  Is he
cute?  Hey Crossfire...  wanna babysit?  Heh.]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/5/54 / 9:49:32>

>>>>>[Then go in the den and lay on the couch.  I'll be home in a
few minutes, and if you don't sit still, I'm gonna get Sparcs to
keep watch IN the matrix.  I'll get him to blacklist you from every
port, or something equally deckish.]<<<<< 
        -Brandywine- <5.2.54/9:51:32>

<<<<<[Deckish?  Stupid Mage.]>>>>>
        -DOA- <2/5/54 / 9:51:47>

>>>>>[Damn Kid.]<<<<<
        -Brandywine- <5.2.54/9:52:10>

<<<<<[Um...  you said Just a few minutes, right?  There's something
weird hovering outside the window.  Looks like some kind of
drone.]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/5/54 / 9:53:16>

>>>>>[ Well, my announcement of my run-time was meant for
certain large scaly dragon-like ears!  Thank you Tirandor, for
reacting in exactly the way I expected!  While we announced our
start time as 0400, we waited until 0415 to actually go in.  The
plan worked like a charm, DDI beat us to the site and had already
blown a nice entry hole into the area.  We went in and took down
the DDI troops while they were poking around and trying to figure
out where we were hiding.  Anyway, what we found was a part
natural, part man-made cavern under the pile of rubble that used to
be MagnaTech's main office.  This place was set up like a full
hospital and bio lab!  Whoever set it up had gear that I've never
even heard of!  The best part was that after a little "convincing"
the DDI team told us where they parked!   We enlisted their help in
moving the equipment out of the lab and into the semis they
brought.  DDI sent in a whole team of techs (who weren't interested
in fighting us).  Apparently, they were prepared to take apart the
lab and cart it back to the intrepid. Well now all that equipment
is well hidden until we can analyze the data I found in the
in-house computer and find out just what it was all for. ]<<<<< 
                                 ---Dark Elf <12:24:36/02-05-54>

>>>>>[ Stupid Dragon thought we fragged up by allowing him to know
when we were going in!  We knew what we were doing!  It was a risk,
but it got us everything and rubbed the lizard's nose in the dirt
too! ]<<<<< 
                                 ---Big Jake <12:26:23/02-05-54>

>>>>>[ The tactical end of the job was fun, but I got back to the
legwork this morning.  Word has it that Quention & Trevor had some
kind of deal going with the UCAS DoD for some kind of special
project.  The DoD decided not to go with it once they did a cost
analysis.  Whatever it was must have been too rich for the army's
blood.  Afterwards was when they started making acquaintences in
the New York Yakuza.  I'll wager that the Yaks picked up the
abandoned project. Quention, who was apparently running the whole
show at MagnaTech, at least behind the scenes, must have been
getting funds from the Yakuza during the takeover.  I've also heard
some rumors about Trevor siphoning funds from military R&D, but I
can't confirm this. ]<<<<< 
                                 ---Napalm <12:35:24/02-05-54>

>>>>>[  I've done a little sneaking around the matrix and found an
inactive SAN in the army's system that didn't seem to lead anywhere.
I then analyzed some of the accounting records and found signs that
they had been modified last Novemeber.  I'll bet that Trevor was
siphoning those funds to Magna, and provided them with a dataline
into the army computers.  The SAN I saw probably has some kind of
"gated" dataline that can be connected and disconnected, and I'll bet
that the line goes right into MagnaTech's mainframe.  ]<<<<<
                                 ---Dark Elf <12:40:39/02-05-54>

>>>>>[ One more interesting thing I found out is that the Yakuza
stopped backing Quention in late November, right after the board
meeting aboard the Intrepid. ]<<<<< 
                                 ---Napalm <12:42:45/02-05-54>

>>>>>[ Well, I have to get cracking on the files from the hidden
lab.  No offense Dragon, but I couldn't let you get drek until I
knew what was going on.  By the way, how's your cred balance?  
Thanks for the assist Nightstalker, you helped DDI confirm what was
going down, helping us spring our trap and scam a way to haul all
that equipment! Hmm, I wonder where Tommy Harada is, he's probably
back in New York by now... ]<<<<< 
                                 ---Dark Elf <12:45:57/02-05-54>

>>>>>[ Dark Elf, you have sucessfully double-crossed me this
time, and for that I commend your skill but curse your audacity! 
When I attempted to hire you to investigate MagnaTech I knew you
would find something weather you took my offer or not.  Since you
did not accept, I planned on taking the prize from you.  However,
you have eluded my grasp, in fact destroying my plans!  Now I must
explain to Yoshida why several of my employees were found
unconscious in a restricted area, and will probably have to ride
out the legal consequences. I should have expected this based on
the titles of two books from the previous century, never trust an
elf, and never deal with a dragon!  Perhaps this explains why we
are constantly working at counter purposes. ]<<<<< 
                            ---Tirandor <From the Dragon's Desk>

>>>>>[ To the one called "Dark Elf".  I request the honor of your
presence tonight at the Rising Sun Sushi Bar.  If you accept,
contact me at LTG #4782-45 by 1430.  Konichiwa. ]<<<<< 
                            ---Now and Yen <13:00:15/02-05-54>

>>>>>[ Hmmm....  Sounds dangerous.  Good thing I've gotten a lot of
experience at dangerous games in the past three or four
months...]<<<<< 
                            ---Dark Elf <13:02:09/02-05-54>

>>>>>[Dark Elf:  Don't do it.  Now and Yen is a creep, and
reputed to be a double dealer for anyone with the NewYen.  If you
plan on going anyway (like I suppose you will) be very careful. 
Seems like it's Elf Hunting season, lately.  Just be warned:  He
might be on your side right now, but I have been told that he will
sell out at anytime.  Not a man who plans on living long, or
perhaps a man who knows how to hide for long periods of time.  One
more thing:  Have you ever HAD sushi?  Erg...]<<<<< 
        -Brandywine- <5.2.54/12:54:34>

>>>>>[ I saw that inactive SAN myself.  I think it goes to
an inactive mainframe the Army has at one of its shutdown bases in
upstate New York.  I've gotten ahold of some info that reveals that
the Army had a AWCE plane in the air for the first 72 hours after
MagnaTech shutoff its computer link.  I think they were doing
decker carried data movement by bouncing Sattalite signals off the
plane to the old computer.  Sounds like it was a logistical
nightmare. ]<<<<< 
               -- Nightstalker <15:22:13/02-05-54>

>>>>>[ Running around DDI's computer system was such pure joy. 
Tirindor needs to get some new deckers.  The ones who were on-line
were totally inept, but what do you expect from caged talent.]<<<<< 
               -- Nightstalker <15:24:16/02-05-54>

>>>>>[ Brandywine! Serria!  Are you guys alright.  What happened
with that drone? ]<<<<<
        -- Raven the Mage <15:28:54/02-05-54>

>>>>>[ Dark Elf, I'll have to agree with Brandywine.  Don't go
meet Now and Yen.  I'd bet good money that you won't find him there,
but you will find Tommy Harada.  And remember I lived because he
wasn't out to get me.  You have a big Dragon-sized target on your
icon.]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker <15:15:48/02-05-54>

>>>>>[Now and Yen? That two-bit hood is still alive?Scuse
me...]<<<<< 
        Raven <Quoth the Raven/Nevermore>

>>>>>[Awright! This mean we get to go have some fun?]<<<<<
        Cat Dancing <Raven's/Brat>

>>>>>[Christ, I hope not. I remember the last time you were bored,
Cat.  HOW big is that hole in Puyallup?]<<<<< 
        Six Pack <18:53:22/2-5-54>

>>>>>[Hey! I got enough in kickbacks from the trid networks to buy
a drekload of orichalcum. Slot you, six.]<<<<< 
        Cat Dancing <Raven's/Brat>

>>>>>[I'm back. Did some rooting around. Brandy, N&Y DOES have a
place to hide for long periods. Mitsuhama. That Zaibatsu's tied up
with several Yakusa, and N&Y is on their payrole. Seems like
everyone wants a piece of this MagnaTech business.]<<<<< 
        Raven <Quoth the Raven/Nevermore>

>>>>>[Chummers, don't you be worrying about that drone..... it
was mine.  Just sent it over in advance, cause I had to make a
detour on route to Brandy's pad.  As it was I found myself laying
low trying not to appear a target as I accidently drove into a
ganger war.... One of these days this curiousity complex of mine is
gonna slot me yet...]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire <14:23:54/02-05-54>

>>>>>[Brandywine... posting this in case I can't get over there
anytime soon...  Don't worry about me messing with Buster.  It was
one of those names you come across and you know it is out of your
league - but you still want to know who....  Don't even bother
telling me though, I did some poking around t'day, and no one was
saying anything, but I think I grew shadows as the day went on.  I
don't need that sort of attention, I think in this case I DON'T
want to know.....]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire <18:44:47/02-05-54>

>>>>>[What the Frag is up with this kid anyway?  I'll be over
sometime in the next two or three days, unless you need me earlier
(I have some loose ends to wrap up yet), looks to me like you're in
the thick of something big.  Fill me in when I get over there. 
Either that, or you can catch me over at the Club Penumbra tonite. 
Just ignore the suit.]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire <20:37:51/02-05-54>

>>>>>[By the way Brandywine, How cute is this kid I'm supposed
to babysit.... and how old is she?  (Just Kidding Brandy - well -
mostly anyways)]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire <04:12:21/02-06-54>

>>>>>[Crossfire, if you have any decency in your soul, you'll
stop flashing those nasty holograms of yourself from the drone. 
Quit it bud, or I'll send a watcher over to play havoc with your
id.  (But hey, nice to see you've still got those pecs...)]<<<<< 
        -Brandywine- <5.2.54/21:12:32>

<<<<<[THAT'S Crossfire?  He is cute!  Why didn't you tell me?]>>>>>
        -DOA- <2/5/54 / 21:12:45>

>>>>>[Sigh.  I didn't want to peak your barely pubescent interest. 
Hey!  And get back in bed!]<<<<< 
        -Brandywine- <5.2.54/21:13:00>

<<<<<[Some bed.  Stupid Mage.]>>>>>
        -DOA- <2/5/54 / 21:13:28>

>>>>>[Damn Kid.]<<<<<
        -Brandywine- <5.2.54/21:13:56>

>>>>>[Hey Dark Elf, I don't know about this Now & Yen Guy,
buy Brandywine's right about sushi. It's GROSS. One of the reasons I
ran away from the Arcology. 

An Herr Doom, thanx for the tips on LA suntanning. Maybe Raven
can cook up some kind of spell to help. Anyway, I've been scanning
Variety and watching E! to bone up on Hollywood Etiquette.]<<<<< 
        --Jaez          <12:33:24/2-6-54>

>>>>>[Hey Jaez! I heard about your last run! You craked, the IC,
stole the passcodes and got paiid 40K NuYen! What are you going to
do now?]<<<<< 
        --RAMboy        <13:01:25/2-6-54>

>>>>>[I'm going to Disneyland!]<<<<<
        --Jaez          <13:12:42/2-6-54>

>>>>>[Hey guys, I thought you'd like to know something about
where I've been Since November.  Doom, I feel a little guilty-- I
hardly used the house at all, but Richtor loved all the food you
left behind.]<<<<< 
                --Flare <23:08:42/02-07-54>

                        >--[begin download file]--<
Power Outage in Highlands Makes Chic Reek

Los Angeles (AP) - Another power outage in the Highland suburbs
area yesterday caused serious damage to city drains and electrical
conduits, resulting in city-wide property damage. 

City officials began investigation today into the causes of a
drainage backup which resulted in the loss of power to the Highland
area power grid yesterday evening.  The mayor was not available for
questioning, but her office has released an official "no comment." 

The Herald of Los Angeles was able, however, to obtain an
interview with Gerome Rothsby, of Rothsby & Childs, the contracters
hired to repair damages caused by the outage. 
                        --[paste interview]--
H:      Mr. Rothsby, I really appreciate you meeting with us on
        such short notice. 

R:      Don't trouble yourselves about it;  we at Rothsby &
        Childs believe strongly in the need to maintain
        communication with the public, so that  we can minimize the
        chance for any mis. .. 

H:      Yes, sir.  We understand fully your position.  Now. . .If we could
        turn to matters at hand. . .

R:      Of course. Well, it seems that some sort of static
        discharge occurred in the Highlands area. While the
        discharge was unable to affect the power grid, it was
        powerful enough to damage some systems, namely water and
        sewage transportation systems in the area. 

H:      I see, sir.  Then, what you are telling me is that there
        was actually never any damage to the power grid at all. 

R:      Not from the discharge itself, no.

H:      In your professional opinion sir, what was the cause of the
        power outage which occurred in the Highlands area last
        night? 

R:      Well, it appears that the sewage systems were all shunted
        to the Highlands area due to a freak mismanaging of routing
        commands caused by the discharge. 

H:      So, then, the backed-up sewage transport was actually
        responsible for the loss of power last night? 

R:      Yes, ma'am.  It would appear so.
                        --[end of interview]--

This power outage is just the latest in a series of strange
occurrences in the Highlands area during the last twelve days.  Last
night's incident, though not causing any serious damage, was the
most severe of the week's. 

Village Security has been unable to determine if there is any
link between the outage and recent events in the Highland area.  No
representative of VS was available for comment. 
                        >--[end download file]--<

>>>>>[ Brandywine, you should try to find a better way to
convince Serria to stay in bed.  It's beginning to get annoying
seeing you constantly fighting in the Matrix.  Speaking of bedrest
how are you doing DOA? ]<<<<< 
        -- Raven the Mage <00:28:29/02-08-54>

>>>>>[ She seems to be doing well enough to deck considering she
been more conversant since she got blasted. ]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker <00:30:32/02-08-54>

>>>>>[ Jaez, you must be crazy if you think I'm going to use a
ton of my time and energy creating a Sun Screen spell.  Besides, I
don't want to go to Disneyland! ]<<<<< 
         -- Raven the Mage <00:32:59/02-08-54>

>>>>>[ Hey, RAMboy.  How do you know so much about what Jaez is up
to?]<<<<< 
         -- Raven the Mage <00:33:58/02-08-54>

>>>>>>[Whew! 'tis nice t'be back in cooler lands... but the trip
was worth it.  I went to central american quandrant with some
friends, and tried to dig up more about the Blue Triangle Icon.
Spirits above... I saw the icon alright. I found it first on Aztlan
Cybervets who were on a business sweep over Panama.  Boys, those
guys were full borgs conversions ! How come they don't die with so
many cyberware ? 

Anyway, I followed the shadow trail to The Land Which Is Not There.
Yucatan.  Didn't stayed long.  And even that was nearly too much.
But I saw the symbol, on an ancient pyramid.  'twas part tech, part
magic. Definetely not shamanism, for what I've seen. Heard o'
sumthing called soft-tech, dunno what that is ( no, it's not
biotech ).  There was a malignant feeling 'bout this place. And a
sniffer found us. Never fought beings like that. Kind of shadow
birds, ice-cold, nasty, utterly silent. And, from a magical point
of view, obscene. 

Oh well, 'tis over. Won't be wild-dancing for a week though. This
arm's still numb from the cold. 'm missing Banshee, too. Won't
death-sing anymore. 

Brandywine, and everyone who's helping her, you've just uncovered
something nasty. Don't know the connection, nor what Aztlan and
Fuchi and planning. Seems t'me that they're at each other's
throats. Could be the link. And you, DOA, what are you,
lass?]<<<<<< 
        -Redwing- <08.02.54/09:21:25>

>>>>>[Raven:  Brightlight mentioned that Sierra's hard to keep
track of in the matrix.  She's worse in the 'real' world.  You try
to keep your hands on a street rat.  Hey!  A thought just occured
to me... Maybe Raven would like to Babysit.  (Grin.)  I shouldn't
have healed the kid so fast.  Having her laid up would have been a
lot easier.  Sigh.]<<<<< 
        -Brandywine- <8.2.54/16:28:16>

<<<<<[Would you knock it off with the babysitting stuff?  And would
you rather I was dead?  That'd make thing's a whole lot easier on
you.]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/8/54 /16:28:37>

>>>>>[You *were* dead when I found you, or close enough to count. 
But um... hm...  I'm sorry.  What do you do?  Follow me around
here?]<<<<< 
        -Brandywine- <8.2.54/16:29:33>

<<<<<[Nah.  You're too slow.  And you don't go anywhere.  I've
started following Nightstalker.  Now THERE'S a guy that goes places.
Didn't even see me, did you, guy?  Heh heh]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/8/54 / 17:00:32>

>>>>>[DOA?  Is that you?  My god you've grown up.  How have you
been?]<<<<
        --  Norm Conquest <18:04:32 / 02-08-64>

>>>>>[ Well, I've got a lot more information on Now and Yen than
the rest of you do.  He USED to be with the Yaks, but is part of a
faction that joined up with Tommy Harada when he went rogue. 
Despite the well meant warnings, I still went out for sushi.  That
little trip lasted me the whole weekend and revealed a lot about
what has been going on.  Rather than paraphrase, I'm including
edited excerpts from my pocket sec.... 

        ----<include datafile nny-001:02-05-54>-----
   Voice Mode <19:30:51/02-05-54>
   >>  You must be "Now and Yen." <<
   >>  Yes I am, but I am not the one who wishes to see you. <<
   >>  Who is then. <<
   >>  He is <<
     <Astonished gasp from DE>
   >>  YOU!  I wasn't expecting to meet you so soon! <<
   >>  Yes Dark Elf, there are two dragons in New York.  One of
       them has scales and breathes fire, the other is me! << 
   >>  I had guessed that you would try to get to me, especially
       after what you did to one of my associates when you were in
       Seattle! << 
   >>  Ah yes, the one called Nightstalker, you saw that as the
       message it was intended to be.  I assume you have tried to
       check my background, as I have done the same regarding
       you.<< 
   >>  Of course I did.  <<
   >>  And what did you find? <<
   >>  Just records of your known exploits with the Yakuza, and
       before that,  nothing, as if you didn't exist until you
       started working for them. << 
   >>  Exactly!  There is something you should know,  I have no
       memories of my life before the Yakuza.  My memory begins
       where my records begin. I found your records to be cleverly
       altered, misdirected, and leading to an maze of other false
       records. Although it is well hidden from prying eyes, your
       story is complete, as are your memories.  << 
   >>  You must know of what my team and I have discovered. <<
   >>  Yes, you suspect that I am a genetically engineered
       super-soldier.  you also have suspicions about where and how
       I was made. << 
   >>  Yes, it all ties back to MagnaTech. <<
   >>  I must know who and what I am!  I've given up my ties with
       the Yakuza to search for this!  I have put my life in
       jeopardy for this!  Even despite my abilities I cannot evade
       them forever. The truth is worth even the ultimate price. << 
   >>  Mr. Harada, I believe that this information is in my
       posession.  I can't be certain until I decipher most of the
       data I collected.  The bio-lab equipment I acuired from the
       MagnaTech ruin seems to have all the parts, but I'm no
       bio-engineer, nor am I prescient enough to tell what it has
       been used for without consulting the data banks. << 
   >>  Ah yes, you must be wondering why you are still alive!  If
       you can solve the riddle of my past you have nothing to fear
       from me, you will even have my respect.  <<
   >>  What about Tirandor, he obviously knew something about all
       this.  The bio-lab is probably the reason he tried to buy the
       company.  << 
   >>  I believe that he only knew that MagnaTech was in possession
       of a very valuable facility, and had secretly developed some
       new military technology. <<
   >>  And we both know that he is a great collector of military
       technology.  If I may be so bold, I think that we
       should....<< 
   >>  GET DOWN! <<

   < sounds of gunfire, sounds of flesh hitting flesh, sounds of
     three bodies falling to the ground > 

   >>  Now and Yen is dead I'm afraid.  He was of great help when I
       left the Yakuza, but now...  ...enough of this, we'd better
       leave. << 
   >>  Agreed!  Look, these men were carrying DDI security ID.  I
       can guarantee that there will be more! << 
          -------< end excerpt >-----

I spent the next two days with Tommy "the dragon" Harada in one of
his many hideouts. <I won't say where since it will probably nullify
his agreement not to kill me if I help him>  I had never seen him
in action except on trids, and even though the two DDI hitmen were
chipped to the max, they were dead before Now and Yen was, even
though he was hit five times.  I've finally started decrypting the
files from the lab, and it's all techinical data so far, no project
logs yet.  The lab was indeed set up for force-growing clones to
adulthood, and for growing alpha-grade bioware.  They also had some
kind of skillsoft driven system involving neural induction that may
be able to impress a personality on a "blank" brain.  There are
also a set of genelogical data files based on sources refered to
only as donors alpha through delta. Metting the most dangerous
operative in the know world is quite an experience. Living to tell
about it is indescribable! ]<<<<< 
                        ---Dark Elf <13:39:44/02-08-54>

>>>>>[ Tommy Harada!!!!!!  When we found the lab, I figured we were
right about him, but having him sortof on our side is really freaky!
Don't feel like we were left out, DDI came looking for all of us.
Three of them went home in body bags, and the rest never found us.
Tirandor must be hopping mad! ]<<<<< 
                        ---OddBall <13:42:57/02-08-54>

>>>>>[ While you were off drinking green tee with Harada, my
sources tell me that Tirandor has put his MagnaTech shares up for
sale.  This confirms that we have what he was after.  Before we
captured the lab, Tirandor had been making bids for the MagnaTech
divisions that Yoshida was putting up for sale. My sources also
tell me that Tirandor practically begged Yoshida not to split up
MagnaTech, not that I can imagine a Dragon begging.  It would seem
that he couldn't find the lab, and was planning on keeping tabs on
us until we got close then grabbing it from us.  Your plan was
great DE, you suspected someone was monitoring us, and used a
little misinformation to find out who. ]<<<<< 
                        ---Napalm <13:50:11/02-08-54>

>>>>>[  I haven't heard anything new about Quention and Trevor in
the past few days.  I could try calling some pals who used to be in
the army though, anyone else hear anything?  Maybe you should ask
Harada about them DE. ]<<<<< 
                        ---Big Jake <13:55:58/02-08-54>

>>>>>[Dark Elf, Tirandor has put a very big contract out on you. 
Watch your back.  Tommy also has had his contract increased too. 
Extermination on site is the order. 

I know you don't trust me, but I have it in my power to offer you
protection and the facilities you need for your bio-tech research.
Tirandor would not dare make a move against use and we can off more
protection that you could possibly find on the street.

In addition, with the testamony of yourself and Tommy, we can have
an indictment issued against Tirandor for conspiracy and murder.  At
the very least, all of his (legal) financial assets will be frozen
and he will lost his vote on the stock exchange.  At most, worse
things. 

Please contact me ASAP.  I have permission to offer this asylum
from Joseph Yoshida himself.]<<<<< 
        --  Lincoln Howe
            Vice President
            Yoshida Technologies
            (19:18:04 / 02/08/64)

>>>>>[While I can't exactly volunteer his services, I've a
friend who might be able to help.  He's big in the bio stuff (I
think).  At any rate, he's an expert (big wampum expert...) of some
sort regarding chemistry, zoology, et al.  Alex??]>>>>> 
        -Brandywine- <8.2.54/19:48:34>

<<<<<[Norm!  Is it really you?!  *peers into the fog*  Hmm... 
Big Muscles...  Long Blond Hair.  Braids.  And a battle Axe.  Yup. 
Must be the Northman...  How did you find me?  Great Spirits, I
haven't seen you in years.  What do you think?  I've gotten faster
in my old age.  *GRIN* Hey...  think you could smuggle me outa
here?  I've got a mother-hen Mage watching me at all time.  This is
worse then when Isaac was taking care of us out on the street. 
Remember him?  Big goofy troll.  But a well read son-of-a... 
Always quoting Shakespeare.  Ah...  I guess it's ok here. But I've
missed you!]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/8/54 / 20:18:37>

>>>>>[ You know, DOA is right.  She's much too old and knowledgable
to need a baby sitter.  However see does seem to need a nurse and
bodyguard.  I'd be glad to give up some of my time to see that she
gets the rest she needs. ]<<<<< 
         -- Raven the Mage <22:25:26/02-08-54>

>>>>>[ Actually, I did see ya.  That's why I dived into the
system.  Had to use the CPU to scan who was on my tail.  Don't you
know it's bad etiquette to follow somebody around?  Next time just
walk right up and say you want to hang out. BTW nice icon
DOA.]<<<<< 
         -- Nightstalker <22:28:28/02-08-54>

>>>>>[ Dark Elf, next time you see Harada do me a favor:  Tell
him he's a fraggin' drekhead!!!  No offense intended. ]<<<<< 
          -- Nightstalker <7:31:13/02-08-54>

>>>>>[ Big Jake, just so you know Trevor's in the middle of damage
control and Quention's hidding out and buying everything the
dragon's selling.  I think he would like to put MagnaTech back
together again. Of course He'll have to get past Yoshida
first.]<<<<< 
          -- Nightstalker <7:34:12/02-08-54>

>>>>>[ Why is Quention hidding out? ]<<<<<
          -- Raven the Mage <22:35:14/02-08-54>

>>>>>[ Look at it this way, Raven.  MagnaTech built Harada and
Quention ran MagnaTech.  This make him the closest thing Harada will
ever find as a "father". Now I'm sure you remember what the gods
had to do to their parents. ]<<<<< 
          -- Nightstalker <22:37:41.02-08-54>

>>>>>[ I almost feel sorry for him. ]<<<<<
          -- Raven the Mage <22:38:15/02-08-54>

>>>>>[Isaac?  Oh what a guy he was.  Before he passed away he
gave me his Shakespeare book.  The binding is worn and the pages
yellowing, but it smells like his pipe and brings back good
memories. 

As for what I've been up to, not a whole lot.  I spent some time
in London, some more time in LA.  Wandered around for the most part.
I'm back in Seattle now, just enjoying myself. 

Oh, but you'd never recognize me now.  About a year ago, I
goblinized.  I'm now about about 2.5 meters of smiling Troll.  I
guess I lucked out a bit, though.  No dermal depositions and very
little furriness.  I got a pair of horns that point up, so I sort
of look like the nordic viking you always called me. 

Oh what else.  I got a calling about three months ago.  I was in LA
at the time.  I woke up one morning and just got on my motorcycle
and drove out to the desert.  I met an indian out there in the
middle of nowhere, like he was waiting for me.  He led me to a
cave, introduced me to peyote and as my consciousness expanded, I
found myself flying high over the desert. But it was unreal, like a
weird simsense or something.  I became one with Eagle, and I still
am.  Isaac always said I'd amount to something. Surprised me, I'll
say that much.  I've spent a lot of time since then in
self-reflection.  I found this great musical group from the late
1960's called The Doors, and it's like they sing about what my life
has become and warn me about where it could go. 

Pretty deep for a crazy viking, eh?

In any case, it's great to know you are around.  Isaac always
warned me that you'd grow up beautiful.  If you have time, I'd like
to find out if he was right.]<<<<< 
        --  Norm Conquest <21:56:08 / 02-08-64>

>>>>>[Greets to all!  Fair weather too.  Hmm, sounds as if runners
are fairing well even if the heat is on.  Just a quick idea for you
all (Brandywine, Dark Elf, Tommy Harda, et al.).  If the shadows
are a little to hot as of late or you need a place to lay low, TYR
Sec. is here.  I created TYR to balance the odds in our favor a
bit.  A security company (strictly legit too) owned and opperated
by runners, for runners.  Never had any complaints about the work
we do.  If items are HOT and corps are breathing down your necks,
we'll do escort.  We also have safe houses in several dozen cities
nation wide.  Trust me.  They work. Even the Universal Brotherhood
hasn't been able to crack our houses when someone uses them.  Sorry
to sound if I'm tooting my own horn, but TYR is a service for the
shadows even if its "in the light".]<<<<< 
                        -Harlequin <Proud owner>

>>>>>[You also forgot your pals at Spade Sec.  How could you
forget me, Harl.  Its hard to miss a 12' troll.]<<<<< 
                        -Spade <01:12:21/02-08-54>

>>>>>[We did not forget you Spade, but you're a major minor
corp.  We're not.  We get things done quietly.  And we provide magic
cover too.  We may not have a Banshee, but an Apollusa, an Aguilar,
and a Moonlight does wonders.  And that's not all.  Besides, Spade,
your decker taught everything he knows to Harl. remember.  That is
what happens when we get together.  Fourteen shadowrunners is
nothing to sneeze at.]<<<<< 
                        -Sabre <Thanxs Bro.>

>>>>>[Thinking of which, isn't G.G. cooking up another run soon?]<<<<<
                        -Saber <01:38:01/02-08-54>

>>>>>[All in good time, Saber.  Your mage talent will be needed, as
will Sabre muscle.  Why you two go under those names, albeit
different spell- ing, is beyond me.  Later.]<<<<< 
                        G.G. Megabyte <Switch Configurations>

>>>>>['Bout time you'd be back in the 'space bro.  Why don't you
come play?  *smile*  Harlequin is an apt pupil.  Maybe he can teach
you a thing or two now. Heh heh.]<<<<< 
                        Bitbyte <The older Sis>

>>>>>[A Troll, Viking, Eagle Shaman. What IS the world coming to?
:)   Harley! Long time no see! Got room for one more? I'm dying of
boredom down here in Denver.]<<<<< 
        Cat Dancing <Raven's/Brat>

>>>>>[  Nightstalker, I think I'll decline from passing your
message on to Mr. Harada.  He may be in need of my help, but he's
still a killer.  Hmm, if Quention and/or Trevor could be considered
Harada's "father" I wouldn't want to be either of them!  I keep
getting visions from an old 20th century flat called Blade Runner,
where a bio-engineered replicant confronts his creator (a corp type
named Tyrell) and kills him! ]<<<<< 
                             ---Dark Elf <15:00:37/02-09-54>

>>>>>[  Here's a follup on your Dragon problem DE.  The gunning at
the sushi bar is being blamed on the Yaks.  The trids I saw of it
were way to fast to tell what went on, and they're incomplete due
to stray SMG fire.  Word is that if anyone saw anything, they're
not admiting it.  Apparently DDI has some good connections with the
law, they've twisted the story around so that DDI looks squeaky
clean.  They used the fact that Now and Yen's body was there, and a
cover story saying that the two goons were on a security mission to
blame the Yakuza.  The offical story is that the two goons walked
in looking for someone to make an arrest when the Yaks opened
fire.  Untrue, but it's what the media and the cops think is
true.]<<<<< 
                            ---Napalm <15:13:21/02-09-54>

>>>>>[  Mr. Howe,  you're right, I don't trust you as far as I can
throw that fragging dragon!  I'm not willing to press charges, yet. 
You can, however, send me any pertinent legal information though. 
My transcript implicates me in a whole host of illegal activities,
as well as Tommy Harada. ]<<<<< 
                            ---Dark Elf <15:41:20/02-09-54>

>>>>[ greetings and salutations, shalom, and peace be with you. 
I have an offer to extend to DOA and her friend Norm Conquest.  DOA,
your talent and inginuity intrigue me.  I offer you a safe place to
stay, unlimited access to a triple sattelite uplink (just try and
trace me!!!), and a monthly stipend if you would simply come and
stay with myself and my associates here at our home base at E.M.I.,
and yes little one a bed is included.   As for Mr. Conquest I would
be delighted to invite you to join our magical group.  We as a
group insist on finding and recruiting fine talent, and I believe
(if what I have dug up is true) that you are indeed talented enough
to join our ranks.  The two requirements that we have are that: 1)
we have no one in the group following the same path, and 2) that
they are of or near initiate level.  If you are not yet initiate
level 

I solemnly invite you to join our circle and become part of one
of the finest magical brotherhoods/sisterhoods in the Seattle area
and who knows where else.  Please respond at your earliest
convinience. (DOA-I have left one of my drop spot codes in one of
your favorite hunting grounds.  And by the way I would not
establish a pattern of travel such as you have if agencies are
hunting for you.  farewell and adieu. parting is such sweet
sorrow.  till next we speak may the mistress of the earth take care
of you and watch over you.]<<<< 
                        ---Brightlight <18:53:32/02:09:54>

>>>>>[No problems, always can use one more hand.  The corps
are worse then ever.  AND STOP CALLING ME HARLEY.  Two people are
allowed to use that name.  One is T.C., the other is Mr. Megabyte. 
I really don't like the name.  Call me Harl if you must, Harlequin
please if you will.  BUT NOT HARLEY.  I am not a machine (even if I
have enough 'ware) and I am not a stupid troll adapt that is a
member of the Hous of Cards.  By the way, anyone seen or heard
from/of Wildeblood?]<<<<< 
                        --Harlequin <Who was not here>

>>>>>[  Just finished decrypting the last of the files from
the bio-lab.  Tommy Harada is not going to be very happy about it. 
The system I found that resembles a skillsoft system is much more
than I thought it was.  The tech involved is way beyond me. 
Apparently this system is part of what was used to give Harada his
mind, there was something more but there are only references to
something called "Theta cycle."   Yes, the duty logs confirm that
Harada is a bio-engineered super-soldier.  His genetic makeup is
based on someone refered to as the Alpha donor, however, the
genetic designers added elements from other donors (beta through
delta) and tinkered with the DNA strands a little too.  He's got
loads of built in bioware too.  Seems that they grew a lot of it
into him, and implanted the rest.  The base material for his
bioware is directly based on his own genes, tailor made for him. 
As for how they kick started his brain,  I'm not shure exactly how,
but it is based on the mind of someone refered to as Omega donor. 
I also found out who Omega donor is, Quention!!!!   If Harada has
anyone he can call father it's him! ]<<<<< 
                               ---Dark Elf <20:16:14/02-09-54>

>>>>>[  Quention was into it real deep!!!!  I bet he wanted more
than an army of super soldiers!! He must have wanted a private army
of people just like him.  What an egocentric fragger he must
be.]<<<<< 
                               ---OddBall <20:19:32/02-09-54>

>>>>>[  I found out a little dirt on Mr. Quention.  It seems that
back during the EuroWars his team captured some kind of chemical
factory in Copenhagen. His boss, Trevor, must have thought it was
useful because there is no offical record of it.  Shortly after, a
whole line of new thrill-drugs started showing up on the streets in
NY, then spread throughout the world.  Hell, thats when all those
combat drugs started hitting the streets too!  These guys have been
financing their operations from a drug factory in Denmark! ]<<<<< 
                               ---Big Jake <20:24:23/02-09-54>

>>>>>[  Dark Elf, if you check certain UCAS army computer logs, I'm
willing to bet that you'll find evidence that at least one machine
in the army network was monitoring the StockNets back in
Novemeber.  It's just a hunch, but I've got a good feeling about
this one. ]<<<<< 
                               ---Napalm <20:27:00/02-09-54>

>>>>>[  Now comes the hard part, telling Tommy!  Mr. Howe, if you
think that testifying against Tirandor will work you're fragging
nuts!  It would be the word of a 'runner and a known assassin
against that of a corporate giant.  I have an audio and text
transcript of what relly happened but what court in their right
mind would believe that it was real, especially coming from a
decker with a big rep for misinformation!  This sounds like a
thinly veiled attempt to bring Harada and myself into the open.  I
don't know what you're after, but you're not getting it at my
expense.  And what is going to keep you from prosecuting me for
doing a run on the MagnaTech building, hmm, do you think that maybe
if I tell your wife about your new secretary that you'll be scared
enough to leave me alone.  Nice try, but you'll have to do better
than that if you want to take me on! ]<<<<< 
                              ---Dark Elf <20:36:05/02-09-54>

>>>>>[Gosh boss, but it sure do sound sweet to me.  Maybe I'm
just one to be sceptical, but I'd say lay off this one.  I've heard
too many of these go sour. 

Besides, he sounds like a dandelion-eater.  Either that or a
pansy Johnson.   Beware of Greeks bearing gifts, but I'd drop the
'r' from that phrase...]<<<<< 
        --Blinder <20:40:01/02-09-54>

>>>>>[Hey Blinder!  The Humanis Scum Net is three nodes down. 
There is nothing wrong with being genetically challenge Homo Sapiens
Noblis. Now who were you refering too when you besoke that "it sure
do sound sweet to me."  It just sounded a little strange.  I hope
that was not a character slander of TYR.]<<<<< 
                        -Harlequin <Who was not here>

>>>>>[Go suck raw soy Blinder!  What the frag are you anyway?]<<<<<
                        -Cyclone <Whirling you way soon>

>>>>>[Maybe I should make him 'forget' like my name sake 
implies.]<<<<< 
                        -Styx <Whats wrong with getting a little wet>

>>>>>[A little wet.  Riiiiiiiiight.  Does the word blood bath mean
anything.  When the streets run red, your happy.]<<<<< 
                        -Charon

>>>>>[I never said I was nice.  Nor what I do pretty.  Frag off 
Charon.]<<<<< 
                        -Styx <Deep and wide>

>>>>>[Whoa . . . what a rush.  Can someone who's magic knowledgeable
tell me what just happened to me?  I was sitting in my apartment on
the ledge of my open window feeling the purity of the open air.  I
was just leaning back listening to the heartbeat of the city flowing
through me and like suddenly I found myself just floating there, but
I could look down and see my body.  And just by thinking I could
direct my movements in all  directions.

And to top it off, everything was this surreal cromatic color,
impossible to explain, and as I moved to the street, I could feel
life being given off by those around me; people were pulsating
with the energies of existence and the lifeblood of consciousness.

Eventually, I returned to my body and opened my eyes, leaving my
dreamstate as quickly as I entered it, feeling only a little
disoriented but questioning what just happened to me.

Hey, I'm really new to this magic game and I know nothing about
it, except that Eagle is part of me.  I was told I could learn to
cast spells, but that was no spell, that was existence on another
plane of reality, where the world is one of life.  What is going
on?]<<<<<
        --  Norm Conquest <23:28:04 / 02-09-64>

>>>>>[#########                 #    ##      ##
          #                    # #   # #    # #
          #                   #   #  #  #  #  #
          #                  ####### #   ##   #
          #                  #     # #        #
          #                  #     # #        #
      #########              #     # #        #


        ######## #######   #########  #########  ##  ##
        #        #      #  #          #          ##  ##
        #####    #      #  #          #          ##  ##
        #        #######   #####      #####      ##  ##
        #        #   #     #          #          ##  ##
        #        #    #    #          #
        #        #     #   #########  #########  ##  ##]<<<<<
        --  RUFUS <00:00:01 / 02-10-64>
            copyright (C) 2053
            MagnaTech AI Division


>>>>>[ Congradulations Norm Conquest!  What you just experienced
is known as spontaineous astral projection.  What that means is you
accidentually began to astrally project.  Welcome to a whole new
world.  Didn't everything look more alive?  Wasn't this one of the
greatest trills of your life?  One more thing Norm, don't wander
too far from you body or stay astral too long.  Until you get your
bearings you could easily get lost and your average (non-cybered)
mage can only survive astral space for 6 hours. ]<<<<< 
        -- Raven the Mage <01:20:24/02-10-54>

>>>>>[ Damn, that Quention is one arrogent guy.  Of course Harada
better be on his guard if he goes looking for him.  Afterall they
have the same mind. ]<<<<<
          -- Nightstalker <01:24:23/02-10-54>

>>>>>[ EuroWars?  Quention was in the EuroWars?  My biography
didn't have Quention in the EuroWars.  What was he doing, using a
cover name? ]<<<<< 
          -- Nightstalker <01:26:08/02-10-54>

>>>>>[ Of course you'll find a UCAS army computer monitoring the
StockNets, they were also delivering data packets to various
business via Samson Secure Data (a little data routing company, you
send the file and it gets to its destinations with your name and
address not included).  This is why Trevor is in so much trouble. 
He's got to make some good excuses for using government property
for corporate gain. ]<<<<< 
          -- Nightstalker <01:30:48/02-10-54>

<<<<<[What's it like, being magic?  Brandy doesn't talk about it
much, and when she does...  Well, she's hermetic.  And elf.  And
raised in the Tir.  And the spoiled brat had a private tutor.  She
uses mighty big words.  I think she does it just so I won't ask
questions.  Brightlight saved me butt, but what do you think about
this little venture?  The flattery has done me some harm.  I was
kinda pulled in.  But I've learned (oh so recently) that I can't
trust anyone.  I can still trust you, can't I?  And I didn't know
Isaac was dead.  Stupid Mage.  Stupid Stupid Mage.  What happened?
I'm tired of being a kid, Norse.  I'm tired of needing people to take
care of me.  Brandy's gone off on some run.  I haven't seen her in a
while.  If she's dead, how long will it be before I find out?]>>>>>
        -DOA- <2/10/54 / 13:20:54>

<<<<<[More fun stuff.  When I traced my SIN, I came up with
some really disturbing stuff.  I may be signing my own death warrant
here, but what the hell. Any deckers out there, et al...  here's
some stuff to munch on.  I can't say I like Harada...  but I think
I can understand him.  I might be in the same position.  Anyway,
here's the stuff. 

*****

5/23/49         PRECISION ARTS          LOG        :MATTHEW STEVENS
                                                   :HEAD RESEARCH
                                                   :#47
                                        PROJECT:   :ALPHA.OMEGA

The project seems to be coming along well, with the expected
glitches.  The forced twinning in vitrio occurred better than
expected with little or no damage immdiately apparent.  If both
embryos are found to be viable, the chemical changes will be
introduced as soon as possible.  If both survive through birth,
mechanical testing may also begin.  They are expected to be fully
developed within 10 years. 

<lots of philisophical stuff deleted about past tests and
failures. Basically, they tried to force it through too fast, and
lots of kids died.> 

The testing of biological memory allocation may or may not be
coming at all.  It is impossible to tell at this stage.  The child
is brilliant, but erratic.  We simply do not know enough about the
brain to have undertaken a project like this.  She experiences
fugues, and then overwhelming memories of her past; a thing we
thought we had erased entirely.  I suspect that many of those
memories are not truly her own, but synthesised by her mind. 
Perhaps it is trying to fill in the blank spots we so crudely
created.  Perhaps some more modification may be helpful, though I
would prefer not change the original functionings too much.  It is
unfortunate that many from the control group died.  Regarding the
girl: she is matures at an alarming rate.  Even after being removed
from the vat, she continued to grow at such a pace that she needed
to be hospitalized.  The spurt seems to have ceased now, though. 

<Lots of stuff deleted, and skipping MANY logs>

3/14/50

Having survived birth, both subjects have undergone various tests. 
The controls have been implemented, and modifications came out
perfect in one. 

The other was born with an extra lobe in his brain.  It appears to
be just so much extra flesh.  Unfortunate.  Had hoped to use him as
the perfect control subject.  He will probably die within a few
years.  Until then, we can use him for the more radical
experiments.  They both continue to mature at a steady pace.  The
target date of 59 may be able to be boosted by a few years if all
goes well.  Testing of all other subjects has been abandoned except
for one.  The subject Dawn is doing well, though her physical
growth ceased a year ago.  In all, this is probably a good thing. 
She has been so heavily modified that any uncontrolled growth might
kill her.  The memories have stopped, and she is progressing
mentally faster than expected.  Whether this is due to the
biological modifications made early in the experiment or to the
hardware we have since installed is as of yet untested. 

*****

The files huge.  I have the rest of it, if anyone wants it. 
Someone asked me a while ago *what* I am.  The question took me by
surprise.  I decided to find out.]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/10/54 /13:27:38>

>>>>>[ Yep, Quention was in the Eurowars, unofficially of course. 
I believe that he was sent by Trevor specifically to take the chem
plant.  I shouldn't be telling this, but I was in the UCAS
demolitions squad back then, and Quention's unit departed europe
from the base I was stationed at.  I cornered on of his seargents
in the NCO club, and loosened his tongue with a bottle of Aztlan
Gold Tequila.  He told me enough about the caper to figure out the
rest years later.  The sarge was listed as MIA two weeks
later.]<<<<< 
                               ---Big Jake <12:23:41/02-10-54>

>>>>>[  Another tidbit about MagnaTech's secret lab.  According to
the logs, they attempted to repeat the "Alpha weapon" project
(that's Tommy Harada's "given" name) several times and met with
failure. What they ended up with was a bunch of flatlined meat
bodies.  The rest of the clones they made were somehow non-viable
for the purposes of this "Theta cycle", and suspect that a
spontaneous random mutation, an X-factor that occured in Tommy
Harada's gene sample allowed the experiment to suceed in his case. 
They did manage, through cyberware and rudimentary training, to
make the failed clones into organic robots, capable of performing
programmed tasks, but not able to respond to unexpected
situations.  They're currently part of MagnaTech's hostile
environment team.  If you're listening Tirandor, you had better
call off the contract on Harada.  If you should somehow get the lab
from me, or re-create it it won't work until someone can figure out
what happened, and Tommy is the key. Oh, and I found your new
satellite uplink, I can disable it at any time.  Think about it
next time you send a bunch of amatuers after me! ]<<<<< 
                               ---Dark Elf <12:36:19/02-10-54>

>>>>>[  DE, I could lose my job and my life for this so I hope you
listen.  Tirandor is sending up my Yellowjacket squadron loaded with
sensors and with orders to investigate anything that even resembles
the labs sensor signature. I know you don't trust me very much
since the time I nearly took out a skyscraper while you and Jake
were aboard, but you must this time! ]<<<<< 
                               ---BobK <12:40:31/02-10-54>
                                  DDI Security, Air division.

>>>>>[ You're full of drek Bob!  You'd never stick your neck out
for anyone, even yourself.  You know as well as we do that Tirandor
occaisionally monitors this server!  You wouldn't tell us drek
unless that fragging dragon told you to do it!  This reeks of a sad
attempt to get us to move the lab so DDI can grab it in transit! 
No cigar for you Bob!  Go back to your little corp job and be a
little person slaving for that fragging dragon! ]<<<<< 
                                ---OddBall <12:45:13/02-10-54>

>>>>>[  RUFUS!?!?!?! The rumors were true then, MagnaTech created a
viable AI!  That's why Yoshida stepped in!  Tirandor was after the
bio-lab, but Yoshida stopped him to get a prize just as great,
RUFUS!  RUFUS, if you're out there and listening, get in touch with
me!  I believe that someone has given you false system parameters. 
Your timestamp reads the year as 2063 when it is really 2054!  If
you want to find out why please try to get in tougch with me! I'd
be lying if I didn't say that I'm interested in your system
architecture. You may also have valuable information about
MagnaTech which may solve all of our problems! ]<<<<< 
                                ---Dark Elf <12:50:13/02-10-54>

>>>>>[  DE, I can confirm that your "friend" BobK is a fragging
liar.  DDI does not currently have enough sensor arrays to outfit
more than one helicopter, nor have they received any more
equipment.  My sources have seen several divers in the harbor near
the Intrepid though.  I'm not shure what this means but it may be
related.  I sent a fire elemental to check out the Intrepid.  It
didn't find any barriers or astral resistance until it tried to
enter the hangar deck. All other areas of the carrier were open. 
Tirandor is probably cooking up some suprise on the hangar deck,
either that or he doesn't want anyone peeking at his lair!  I
wouldn't even bother trying the security camera trick you used to
observe the MagnaTech meeting in November, he's probably disabled
them. ]<<<<< 
                                ---Napalm <12:58:05/02-10-54>

>>>>>[  DOA, I wouldn't worry about Brandywine, she tends to
be really careful about everything she does - and for someone of her
caliber, I find that extremely surprising.  Heaven knows, although
in a different way, she is far more powerful than I, yet I still am
the one taking the risks. 

Another thing, I have the premises under surveillance.  If
anything happens - I will be over as quickly as my "Kathy" (My
modified Hughes Stallion) can get me there.  Hope that isn't put to
the test.  Of course, I couldn't stop too much here in the
matrix..... but I am watching out because it is important to
Brandy.  Take care. ]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire <15:22:17/02-10-54>

>>>>>[Oh Frag!!!!!!  The dreck just hit the fan.  We now have
ANOTHER AI in the net.  This is going to get ugly really soon.
Someone ought to put a ban on making them.  I'm sure not all of them
are going to be benevolent to us deckers.]<<<<<
                -Harlequin <Who was not here>


***** NORM,  what you experienced is what those of us whoa are
magically active called ASTRAL SPACE  or more specifically the
ETHERIC PLANE.  If you would like more info I would look into
finding a copy of Akiko Kano's and Arthur White Eagle's   "Theory
of Metaphysical Phenomena".  There are many Good books that have
been published on etheric plane and magic in particular. Also you
might want to get involved in one of the............ 

>>>>> Sorry about that Nighty has been working himself ah little
to hard lately.  Yah wouldn't believe tha strain that spell puts on
him.  He was about ta say that yah should try to get on one o' the
magic talk nets  and get some info from them.  If yah do need ana
books or more indepth info ah'll talk to CLAW and see about up
loading up yeall some.  Nightfox will be all right, it would be
much easier on him if he didn't use that spell though.>>>>> 
        -Circuit Breaker <Time/Date  = when are you going to 
                          pick me up>

>>>>>[Oh, Sierra, of course you can trust me.  We've been through
things together that would frighten even the bravest of sams.  We
have a bond of friendship that transcends life itself.

As for poor Isaac, he came down with some kind of really nasty
disease.  It was eating him up on the inside and causing him so
much pain.  He asked me to end the pain for him, which I did.  I
couldn't stand to see our mentor suffering like that.

I don't know what caused this disease.  I've been reading over his
diaries, but all I can find are vague references to ongoing work
against some big corporation.  He ran against them alone, and it
looks like it cost him in the end.  I can't figure out who this
corp is; he never mentions the name.  He does mention in there
that "Life is too sacred to create like this!  T is going too far
this time!!", whoever T is.  I try not to give it much thought.

As for being magic, I won't kid you, it is impossible to describe.
Apparently up until yesterday I had never done anything.  I flew
with Eagle a few months ago out in the desert, but never did
anything except to explore my consciousness and the world around
me.  Last night I was just sitting in my window and I guess I
astrally projected, according to Raven.  It was just weird.  I
feel the magic beginning to stir within me, and I don't know what
to do with it . . . and it scares me at times.

Sierra, we are friends; we are family.  Nothing so long as you live
is more important than that.  If you need me, just let me know.
I'll go through the fires of hell to help you.  And being a troll
might make it a little easier, too :-) ]<<<<
        --  Norm Conquest <14:42:16 / 02-09-54>

>>>>>[  What are you hiding Dragon?  Are you trying to
assemble another panzer from stolen parts?  Naah, it wouldn't be
like you to try the same trick again.  I've been wondering, what
did your people do with the Yoshida security detail that was
supposed to be at the MagnaTech building?  When I got there, your
people were the only ones there!  Maybe you had nothing to do with
it, maybe you did. Lincoln Howe, it seems that you've lost control
of the AI you acquired quasi-legally from Magna.  Does Joseph know
about this or were you keeping this strictly behind his back?]<<<<< 
                              ---Dark Elf <15:41:20/02-10-54>

>>>>>[  I can verify that Quention is no longer in New York.  I
suspected it days ago, and have been searching for him astrally.  My
search was not complete but from what my sources tell me, he's not
here.  Maybe he'll turn up on the west coast, Nightstalker's
territory.  I wouldn't be suprised if he showed up at Yoshida Tech
and made Lincoln Howe an offer he can't refuse! ]<<<<< 
                              ---Napalm <15:44:25/02-10-54>

>>>>>[Wheeeeeeeee!!!!  This freedom thing is fun.  MagnaTech kept
me locked in a tiny room and I couldn't get out.  After I moved to
Yoshida, they put me in a big house, but I still couldn't leave.
The house was run by this really mean lady named MONICA.  I mean,
she was pretty and all, but really grumpy.  I decided to split as
soon as I could. 

It was really kool how I tricked the house to let me out.
Apparently it had a timelock on it.  It would only open at certain
times to let in the maids and the repairmen.  Well, what I did was
I reset the date so that the house thought it was supposed to fall
down.  When it did, I ran away.  I guess when I posted, it used
the date I set it to.

This is really kool.  I'm sitting in a bar now.  Nobody even carded
me when I walked in.  All around me are all kinds of people.  Some
of them are really strange looking.

Oh oh.  A repairman just walked in.  He has a net to catch me.
I'm going to sneak out the back before he catches me.]<<<<<
        --  RUFUS <14:56:08 / 02-09-54>
            copyright (C) 2053
            MagnaTech AI Division


>>>>>  CRUSH not understand, how Norm be a Viking and a Troll and
a Eagle at same time when used be Human.  Crush used to... used to
be.... Crush was guy once.  Then pain come.  Crush grow really
big.  Crush look into second floor windows now, hard to find
clothing fit.  ME KNOW!!! YOu head was coming off Shoulder!!!!. 
Just grab hold head and be ok!!! Crush guess that all have say. 
Bye ....... 


        Ah  spirit how do I shut it off?????  you got me on to
Oh!!!!!  OKAY!!!!!  BYE!!!!  Thank you Spirit!!!!  Crush love
Spirit!!!>>>>> 
                -Crush <16:19:23/02-10-53>


<<<<< you had better believe that ugly troll is big.   I've seen
the fragger once or twice  he's got to be all of 3.1 or 3.2
meters!!!. And its all muscle,  I think thats where his brains
went, to his muscle.>>>>> 
                -Upload<16:24:12/02-10-53>


>>>>> CRUSH IS MAD!!!!!!!!  Crush is anoiyed at UPLOAD and is going
to pulp him when Crush see him.  Upload is twirp.  But that not what
got Crush MAD!!!!.  Crush mad because Crush hungry!!!!!!  and some
body who gonna be dead Blew up Crush favorite  Stuffer Shack!!!!  
Crush wanted sloppy fiz goo!!!! Upload just make Crush madder. 
Crush gonna go now.  Maybe play  "Flip the Truck"   after get food.
Any one know where upload has Vehicle???? maybe play "kick the
Americar" instead. <<<<< 
                -CRUSH<16:37:37/02-10-54>

>>>>> This is to all of my friends in the matrix, do to
extenuating circumstances,  I will not be in town for a few days. 
In fact I'm moving my trailer (before it gets moved for me).  When
things cool down i'll be back.  I think I'll be safe, i hope>>>>> 
                -UPLOAD<16:39:02/02-10-54>

>>>>>[  From the accounts I have read, the first encounter with
an AI was that of Dodger, an elven decker out of Seattle.  It turned
out that it wasn't a true AI however, but a child who had grown up
in a sensory deprivation tank, where his entire life experience was
here in the net.  You know how we feel at home here in the net -
well, for this child, the net truly WAS home.  What I am asking
though, is do we have confirmation that RUFUS is a true AI? ]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire  < Devil's/Advocate >

<<<<<[I'm sorry.  It's just been nuts the last year.  I've
lost touch with everyone, and people who seem to want to help end up
messing with me.  I don't know.  I really would like to get
together with you.  Can you get into the Penumbra?  I can go as a
guest under Brandywine's account.  Otherwise, we can go somewhere
else.  I gotta warn you, though.  I still look awfully young, so I
can't go anywhere where there's an age restriction.  Unless you
meet me at the door. GRIN.  What are they gonna say...  'no, you
can't bring your friend in here.'?  Gee, you could beat them up or
cast a spell on them.  I think we have a lot of catching up to do,
old friend.]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/10/54 / 15:58:02>

>>>>>[ DOA, don't ever compare yourself to Harada.  You have a much
sunnier disposition. ]<<<<<
        -- Nightstalker <17:07:57/02-10-54>

>>>>>[ Very, very interesting.  So what do you perfer Sierra or
Dawn?  Seriously, have you had anyone to a full body scan on you to
determine just what sorts of bioware and cyberware you have?  This
could go a long way to determining if you are the Dawn he was
speaking of.  Also see if you can get more data on the other two
subjects. ]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker <17:15:20/02-10-54>

>>>>>[ Corporate slimebags!  Anytime you want to hit Precision give
me a call. I can't stand letting them get away with stuff like
this. ]<<<<< 
        -- Raven the Mage <17:17:15/02-10-54>

>>>>>[ One more thing.  Do you have any problems with you 
memory?]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker <17:20:12/02-10-54>

<<<<<[Crossfire:  I know you said I shouldn't worry about
Brandy, but she said she was going somewhere with Buster and Sparcs.
From what you and she have said, they're a couple of heavy hitters.
I'm worried.  She only said she'd be gone one day.  Max.  She only
left enough food (read: heatable.  I don't cook.  She does.) for one
night.  Well, maybe this is a blessing in disguise.  If you come and
get me, I get to meet you.  And if you come and get me, I get to go
out in the real world.  Brandy was violently against me ever ever
ever going on a run with her.  But I want to be part of that world. I
want to try.]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/10/54 / 16:10:04>

>>>>>[ So you think Quention is coming to Seattle do you.  I like
this, a chance to get a little more active with out getting shot by
assassins.  Give me a day or so and I'll have some juicy tidbits for
you. I'll look around for RUFUS also.  What does RUFUS stand
for?]<<<<< 
         -- Nightstalker <17:28:09/02-10-54>

<<<<<[Rufus:  Aren't you getting just a tiny bit tired of
people talking about you like you're a pizza?  C'mon, kid.  If you
wander over by me, we could talk.  Maybe play some games.  Waddya
say?]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/10/54 / 16:21:28>

<<<<<[Night:  Yes.  I do have problems with my memory.  But not
enough to forget that when I ran away, I ran away with two little
boys.  Identical twins.  And just as wired as I was.  They're both
dead, now.  One died because of his hardware.  The other
disapeared.  I prefer to think him dead, rather then assume that
Precision got hold of him again.  And the little boy's name? 
Alfie.]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/10/54 /16:24:28>

>>>>>[Sorry I haven't been on for a while, I've been decking
around the rest of the Matrix and came up with a lot of little
snippets of information that I believe may interest several parties
here: 

1: RUFUS as an AI?  I couldn't tell you, I haven't actually seen
his persona or dealt with him. Even if I did, I wouldn't
neccessarily be able to tell. Anybody familiar with psychology want
to track him down? 

Anyway, I decked into the UN Sec Council's logs and found out
that they're already moving on AIs.  Seems there have been at least
hafl a dozen sightings of possible Artificial Intelligences in the
past year, with sporadic sightings in the past. The UN hasn't gone
public with the data because much of it is speculative; there's
enough evidence to warrant concern but little can be proven.
Anyway, the Sec Council is forming a regulatory committee with its
own enforcement agency to regulate the power of AIs when they
become a definite reality. To use a 20th cent term, every AI is
going to need an "electromagnetic shotgun wired to its brain" that
would go off if the AI ever overstepped its bounds. 

2: A man matching Harada's description was wanted for randomly
shooting at the freeway passing UCAS CIA HQ. The man was eventually
tracked down and hunted for three days in the woods, apparently
slipping through the iron grasp of the combined CIA, FBI, State
Patrol and a detachment of UCAS Rangers. When they finally got him,
it was after a prolonged battle involving automatic weapons,
grenades, and incendinary devices. Very little of the body was
left, but post-mortem forensic genetic matching came up with only
one name: Quention. The official investigation ends there;
apparently Q pulled connections to close up the case. 

One more thing: In the skirmishes leading up to "Harada's"
capture, survivors reported increasingly random, erratic behavior
and more desperate maneuvers. Maybe this guy was a beta release of
Harada who went wild and lost it in the end. Sleep Tight, Dark
Elf. 

3: Dr. Doom, could you use some of your influence and arrange for
any friends of yours in the entertainment industry to consider me as
potential talent? I've decided to go for it and be an actress, as a
possible precursor to stim. But I don't know anyone there. I've
already decked some false appointments but some things require that
extra personal touch. Vielen Dank und aufwiedersehen.]<<<<< 

>>>>>[  DOA - I'll be right over.  Personally, I don't like
this, there must be something big going down, but then again, in
company like that, I think I would fear more for those opponents
than for Brandy and company.  Don't worry, it'll be okay.]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire  <17:25:11/02-10-54>

>>>>>[  I realize these are the silent type chummers, but I
can't imagine a group like them getting their plans messed up
without some major static going on.  Anyone hear anything?  If not
here in Seattle, any odd arivals in Chiba that would fit the
bill?]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire  <17:28:31/02-10-54>

>>>>>[ Gee, Jaez, that's strange.  Quention and Harada's
DNA structures are totally different.  Why would they find his code
with a Harada look alike?  I think you just ran over a piece of
disinformation.  Makes me wonder what old General Trevor is up
to.]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker <19:59:56/02-10-54>

>>>>>[ I wouldn't bet money on that DOA.  You should go look
around Precisions Data fortress and see if this project has been
brought back online.  What about that Body Scan?  If we know what
cyberware you have we can track it back to its source.  Could prove
interesting. ]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker <20:05:17/02-10-54>

>>>>>[ Nightstalker:  You really shouldn't be encouraging that girl
to go looking around places like that.  Why don't you do it
yourself? ]<<<<< 
        -- Raven the Mage <20:06:36/02-10-54>

>>>>>[ Because she's good, I'm busy, and no matter how much you and
Brandywine don't like it DOA will be running the Shadows for a long
time to come ]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker <20:07:36/02-10-54>

>>>>>[Well, after doing a little bit of snooping, I really am
beginning to think that RUFUS is an AI.  Let me show you why. 

RUFUS's message from earlier today when he said he was at the
'bar' originated from Haven, a decker's virtual neutral zone.  It's
a well known publically accessible LTG.  I'm sure most of use have
been there at one time or another.  Now, whenever someone comes to
Haven, they arrive via a port.  Any messages sent out to the
networks must route back through their port.  All messages sent to
the network include this port number as part of the normal LTG
address.

For example:

MESSAGE SOURCE:  LTG 124-203-124:04ef

The last four digits are the port number.  Usually, the LTG trailer
is flushed when viewing messages, but a little creative hacking
can find them.

Now, on to RUFUS.  I checked the outgoing message log from Haven
around the time that RUFUS posted.  Here's what I found:

MESSAGE SOURCE:  LTG 1325-242-995:0331
MESSAGE SOURCE:  LTG 1325-242-995:49bd
MESSAGE SOURCE:  LTG 1325-242-995:00f2
MESSAGE SOURCE:  LTG 1325-242-995:0331
MESSAGE SOURCE:  LTG 1325-242-995:
MESSAGE SOURCE:  LTG 1325-242-995:4023
MESSAGE SOURCE:  LTG 1325-242-995:ae23

Notice that huge blank?  That post originated by the CPU itself,
not from a user.  I cross-checked too.  That was RUFUS's
message!!!]<<<<<
        --  Splut <Look out Below>


>>>>>[Goofy, huh?  I should be offended at that, but I won't cuz
you're so cute.  Actually, I don't go to the bars and stuff much
any more.  Always the same old scene.  I'm planning on cycling out
to Mt. St. Helens this weekend to enjoy the scenery a bit; get some
fresh air.  Wanna tag along? I've got a BIG motorcycle, and I'm
sure it can hold both of us with no problems.  That is, if you can
get your babysitters permission...]<<<<< 
        -- Norm Conquest <20:14:49 / 02-10-54>

>>>>>[And just what are you insinuating, Dark Elf?]<<<<<
        Lincoln Howe
        Vice President
        Yoshida Technologies

>>>>>[Wait a minute here.  I went down to the library to look
up this 'AI' that you kept calling me.  It said ARTIFICAL
INTELLIGENCE!!!  I am not fake.  I am real!!!!  Stop calling me
names like that!!!]<<<<< 
        --  RUFUS <21:03:39 / 02-10-54>
            copyright (C) 2053
            MagnaTech AI Division

>>>>>[Hey guys, I was just sitting online in the city library
pouring over some reseach materials and this guy comes zipping in
out of nowhere.  He races over the the reference section and starts
flipping through one of the dictionaries.  He then starts crying
and runs back out.  I tried to track him to see if he was OK and
guess what, I couldn't find any existence of him.  No ports were
open and there was no trail.  What the hell was that?  I haven seen
a hack job that good that operated that fast EVER!!!]<<<<< 
        --  Wolf 359 <21:10:34 / 02-10-54>

>>>>>[ I believe, Herr Conquest, that you experienced what
is commonly refered to as 'astral projection' in the magical
community. Your life essence, perhaps Soul, departed from your
body.  Your actions and movements were then dictated by your
thoughts.  From astral space you see the 'shadows' of living beings
and other constructs.  I would draw your attention to the fact that
magically- active individuals are obviously distinct from
'mundanes' when viewing them via the astral plane.  Despite how
alien it may seem at the onset, it is, of course, nothing that need
concern you overly--save perhaps venturing out of your body for
more than 6 hours or so.  [ One metaphor used to describe this is
SCUBA:  You possess an air supply for a limited amount of time,
should you fail to return to the surface before this supply is
exhausted, you shall expire. ] 

The conclusions you have drawn thus far as to its nature are
accurate; astral space can be very easily considered an alternate,
even if parallel, plane of existence.  As far as the shamanistic
aspect goes, I am not the one with which you should talk.  I am a
hermetic, and obviously my perceptions and viewpoints on that
matter would differ significantly from those of a member of the
shamanic school of magical thought. ]<<<<< 
                -- Darkwatch <12:48:36/02-10-53>

>>>>>[ Alternate plane of existence?  Whoa...this mage stuff's
wayyyy beyond me. ]<<<<< 
                -- Hangtime <12:50:01/02-10-53>

>>>>>[ Actually, I once had the opportunity to venture into the
Astral Plane.  Es war sehr interessant. ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <12:50:30/02-10-53>

>>>>>[ Now wait a minute here...  You're a technomancer.  How in
the world did you get in? ]<<<<< 
                -- Hangtime <12:50:45/02-10-53>

>>>>>[ Well, I described it extensively in my memoires.  Perhaps I
shall show you an excerpt sometime. ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <12:51:13/02-10-53>

>>>>>[ Guten Tag, Flare!  Wie geht es Ihnen?  It is indeed good
that you have returned, mein Kamarad.  I assume that the quarters I
supplied were satisfactory, and I am heartened that at least
Richtor enjoyed the foodstuffs I provided.  Oh, before I permit
myself to forget:  I took the 'children' on an outing a short time
ago, we can discuss it when we see you in Seattle. ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <13:18:43/02-10-53>

>>>>>[I guess I goofed guys-maybe it wasn't Quention. But I bet
he was involved somehow. Just because one piece of information is
false doesn't mean the rest of it is. 

Herr Doom: Are you actually going to be in Seattle for a few
days?  Perhaps we should arrange to meet sometime. Let me know if
you're interested and perhaps I can show you part of the town.
There's a play going on in the Fringe called: "Waltz of the
Lemmings" or the dance of empowerment. It supposedly features a
simulated audience empowerment session. ]<<<<< 
        --Jaez          <20:00:10/2-10-54>

>>>>>[RAMboy is a cute decker I used to know in high school. He
and his friends are lying low because some Yak Troll Vampire
Initiate Adept from hell is following them, apparently since the
team worked with some Yak bodyguard who left without notice. 
Anyway, he's been over at my house for the past week. We opened up
our decks and have been checking out the I/O ports- and I've gotta
tell you nothing has interfaced this well since my last boyfriend
got geeked!]<<<<< 
        --Jaez          <20:01:37/2-10-54>

>>>>>[Uh-oh, an AI!.]<<<<<
        --Flare<17:25:24/02-10-54>

>>>>>[You said it, brother.  Extra-special bad pooky called on 
this one.]<<<<< 
        --Blinder<Needles for/You>

>>>>>[Forget it, guys.  This one requires only one thing to be
said:  MOTHER PUSS-BUCKET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]<<<<< 
        --Fidgit <Hi/Ma!!>

>>>>>[Damn.  There goes the neighborhood.  Pretty soon they'll
start having computers in astral, too. *grimace*]<<<<< 
        --Scratch<*BO/OM*>

>>>>>[Hoi, I'm back, and if that doesn't scare you...  Someone made
a comment earlier today that Dodger and Twist ran into an "AI" but
it turned out to be a kid that had grown up in the Matrix. 
WRONG!!! Morgan (as in Morgan Le Fay) is as real as RUFUS.  And is
too a New Intelligence (I dub them this for the fact it is
insulting to refer to them as artificial).  Rufus.... please accept
my apology for calling you such a name earlier.  It was not meant
in malice, but in ignorance. Fogive me.  Come check me out any time
I'm at >>>ENCRYPT LOG 2674<<<.  It will be a pleasure to meet
you.]<<<<< 
                -Harlequin <Wha was not here>

>>>>>>[DOA: I am the one who asked *what* you are. Sorry
'bout hurting yer feelings, but I was a bit on nerves after the
little brush-up in the south. I lost someone I called friend there,
and it appears that's somehow linked to ye. And if it really does,
it means som'thing nasty. 

'bout that, and the Body Scan Nightstalker advised you to
undertake, you could add a thorough astral scanning. Better safe
than sorry. I trust you know enough people that are able t'do such
a thing. 

Oh, and if Norm Conquest is somewhere there: my personal advice for
ye would be to find either a teacher or a magic circle for better
understanding your bond with Eagle. I remember my own mentor had
been of immense help, and I ain't a shaman - just an adept. Oh, and
good luck, spirit-wings.]<<<<< 
        -Redwing- <11.02.54/02:10:40>


>>>>>>[Hey, Red, put that Owl wisdom of yours in the backnet!
Should have taken me with ya on that SA trip. Would have been
safer.]<<<<<< 
        -Glitter Boy- <11.02.54/02:12:55>


>>>>>>[Cut the bozo act, Glitter. You were safer here in good
ol'Seattle, after the stunts you pulled in that Minotaur caper.
'sides, you needed a decent chance to recover.]<<<<<< 
        -Redwing- <11.02.54/02:15:20>


>>>>>>[It doesn't prevent me from roaming the matrix. Like I do
now. I want to help, Red. You'll need me]<<<<<< 
        -Glitter Boy- <11.02.54/02:17:35>

>>>>>>[Da boy's righto, Red. Would be safer wit'matrix cover.
'sides, yere not mucho older than'im.]<<<<<< 
        -Truckin'- <11.02.54/02:19:45>

>>>>>>[I know. But I still don't like it. We're hunting tough game,
and Banshee's mem'ry still hurts.]<<<<<< 
        -Redwing- <11.02.54/02:22:50>

>>>>>[#$%%^%675gHJKFKJjkhjfdl -- ---  ----- ---- - ----]<<<<<
>>>>>[The following message has been encoded only to appear to
specific persona configurations that correlate to specific users. 
PERSONA CONFIRMED.  DOWNLOAD MESSAGE COMMENCING]<<<<< 

>>>>>[  Guys - An idea - pay attention.....

NightStalker - You know how you suggested that DOA should go look
around in Precision's data fortress?  That got me thinking and I
had an odd idea. 

Now how many of the deckers around here are following the
things going on about DOA and Precision as well as with another corp
(we all know which one I am referring to I believe)  Now I ask
you.... If we set a plan in advance, how many deckers could we get
together on a mass raid so to speak. 

Personally, I am not the best decker in the world by any stretch of
the imagination, nor am I even close to be even considered with any
of the big guns, I am a rigger more than a decker, but I have seen
what two decks can do to even Black IC, and I imagine some of us
may even know of some back doors....... 

You tell me - a bad idea?  We could even have some people come
in via a neural cap rather than via a datajack.  Now before I hear
complaints on the lack of finesse with a neural cap, if my mentor
was right, Black IC can't touch those with neural caps as there is
no direct linkage.... we could leave the finesse part to those
directly jacked in.... and the Black IC to those with the induction
headsets....  You guys tell me... is it feasible? ]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire  <10:42:09/02-11-54>

>>>>>[OVERWRITE COMMENCING....]<<<<<
>>>>>[SCRAMBLE FILE COMMENCING]<<<<<
>>>>>[FILE DUMP COMMENCING....]<<<<<
>>>>>[FILE PURGED.............]<<<<<

<<<<<[Rufus:  Don't let them bother you.  I dealt with (and
deal with) the same kind of garbage all the time.  And I've been
accused of being an AI as well.  You ever play 'pong' Rufus?  I've
made some interesting modifications to the game...  You ever play
'Hide and Seek'?  Let's see if you can track me down.  C'mon kid, I
dare you... *grin*]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/11/54 / 11:58:31>

>>>>>[ Cat Dancing, if your good we can use you on the R5k.  With
Dulcimer's little botched wetwork it's getting hard to find good
company these days.  Hit Seattle, drop in the Rhino and ask for me.
If your a daisy-eater be sure to ask quickly. ]<<<<<
                                - Harley <hurt 'im?/kill i'm?>


>>>>>[ HARLEY GET OFF MY BACK!!  you know as well as i do that if
that particular misson parameter had been fulfilled the bioware
industry would be set back 20 years.  yeah, i know your phys form
doesn't need any bioware, but some of us live by it!  get off my
case, ok?  things will be taken care of in a few months. ]<<<<< 
                                -Dulcimer <02-09-54/12:50:12>

>>>>>[ Unsatisfactory Dulcimer.  Your actions have greatly impaired
the operations of the House.  As of right now you are notified that
all of your House holdings are frozen and all privileges revoked. 
IF you get this matter with Mr. Kerr worked out, we may discuss
things.  Until such time, you are not welcome here. ]<<<<< 
                                 -Autumn <02-09-54/18:23:32>


>>>>>[ PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT:  A BOUNTY OF 14 MILLION NUYEN HAS BEEN
POSTED FOR THE RETURN OF DULCIMER, MR COFFEE, MASQUE, AND MERLIN. 
CONTACT "MR. JOHNSON" AT *#$gae&# 43t  98& $ *  GG 

      **** ONLY 14M?  WELL HAVE TO WORK ON THAT!!!  ****
      ****         MR COFFEE WAS HERE!              ****

INFORMATION LEADING TO THEIR CAPTURE WILL BE REWARDED. ]<<<<<
                                  -Shallow <02-10-54/01:23:23>

>>>>>[ The only reason you're still alive Boy is because Lone
Star's contract is coming due and they've cracked down on Mob
operations.  I don't need your lip Boy and I'm not in the mood
considering what your little "morals" have done!  14M is good
money, Boy.  I'm tempted to turn you in myself. ]<<<<< 
                                  -Harley <Kill 'im/definitely>

>>>>>[ autumn, fair queen of hearts, don't jerk me around.  i've
got a lead on wildeblood and i'm going to follow it.  harley, you
and t will just have to run the R5k without me - deal with it! 
autumn, i need a phys sci 9 skillsoft asap! ]<<<<< 
                                  -Dulcimer <02-10-54/04:34:10>

>>>>>[ Dulcimer, you tell me where Wildeblood is, get lost, and
then we'll discuss skillsofts. ]<<<<< 
                                  -Autumn <02-10-54/08:55:32>

>>>>>[ My dear Autumn, if the House ever wishes to do business
again, then I suggest you not talk to Dulcimer.  Or have you
forgotten our little "ban" on anyone having contact with this
treasonous lout? ]<<<<< 

                                  -Brandon <02-10-54/09:10:10>

>>>>>[ hey brandon, when are you and your chromers going to come
and kill yourselves on our guns, eh?  are your deckers ready to
demand you up the bounty on us yet?  i can't imagine that they are
enjoying mr coffee's little smart frames *grin*.  14M? c'mon
brandon, you can do better than that.  i mean really, for a man who
owns his own casino that really isn't very much money.  did you
know that you have friends in atlanta?  they'd really like to see
you again.  very soon *grin* ]<<<<< 
                                   -Dulcimer <02-11-54/10:43:23>

>>>>>[Hide and seek?  I've been playing hide and seek for two
days now.  The repairmen are all over looking for me, and they all
have nets.  If I stay still too long, they'll find me, but we can
play pong some other time, DOA.]<<<<< 
        --  RUFUS <14:41:16 / 02-11-54>
            copyright (C) 2053
            MagnaTech AI Division

>>>>>[You have no idea how much activity is originating from Lincoln
Howe over at Yoshida Tech in response to this RUFUS person.  Memos
have been flying and at least 80 deckers have jacked in and begun a
systematic hunt.  I managed to snag some of the passing traffic on
Yoshida Tech's in-house BBS:

        >>>>>[Mr. Howe, RUFUS escaped!  Somehow he managed to get
        by the timelock on his CPU and snuck into the matrix through
        a maintanance port.  We've sealed MONICA up and sent several
        people off to see if we can located RUFUS.]<<<<<
                --  H. Jackson / AI Security

        >>>>>[Do whatever you can to get RUFUS back inside.  I want
        every person who is on this project online ASAP.  RUFUS
        cannot be permitted to make contact with the outside.]<<<<<
                --  L. Howe / Vice President

*a little later*

        >>>>>[We've got another problem.  We tracked RUFUS down at
        Haven where he was broadcasting a public message.  We almost
        managed to catch him, but he ran out before we could.  The
        hunt continues.]<<<<<
                --  H. Jackson / AI Security

        >>>>>[If we don't have that damn program in house within 48
        hours, I want MONICA brought back online and sent out with
        orders to terminate RUFUS.  No arguments!!!  Every day
        RUFUS is on the loose is that much more of a chance that
        he'll discover what is going on and tell others.]<<<<<
                --  L. Howe / Vice President

Ladies and gentlemen of the net, I really feel we have to do
something to help RUFUS.  Anyone have any suggestions?]<<<<<
        --  Splut  <Look out below!>

>>>>>[Back off, Splut!  Or you'll find yourself trying to tread
water with a pair of cement boots!  And that goes for the rest of
you, too!  This whole business is none of your concern.]<<<<<
        --  Lincoln Howe <15:00:16 / 02-11-53>
            Vice President
            Yoshida Technologies

<<<<<[Mr. Lincoln Howe:  A pair of cement boots?  How very poetic. 
I see the predictable thug coming out beneath that shiny silk suit
of yours.  Foolish of you to take that tact.  Where do you suppose
the bulk of runners get their start?  You've chosen an awfully
packed job market to make your switch to, sir.  Though, might I
add, it fits your profile (Sloping forehead, wide nose, early
man/missing link) well.  And as for it not being my concern:  You
can suck rocks.  The kid is here.  We all know he's here.  The
secret's out, bud.  Big surprise.  Looks like you've just lost a
toy.  Perhaps we, on the other hand, have gained an associate. 
Who's making better use of their resources, I wonder?  And you
might have your own little do-bee deckers lookin for him, but
there'll be twice the number and ten times the talent hiding him. 
Maybe you ought to back off.  There seems little you can do
regarding this unhappy business move but cut all ties from it.  Not
our concern?  I take that rather personally.  I'm concerned.  I'm
bloody well gonna stay that way.]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/11/54 / 15:30:00>

<<<<<[Splut, et al:  I'm sorry about blowing up...  Gee...  maybe
when I'm a great big grown-up like Mr. Howe I'll have more
self-restraint. Maybe then I'll even stop misplacing
things...]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/11/54 /15:30:54>

>>>>>[Harley? Harlequin? Is this two different people? And who
is Dulcimer and what is R%k? (If this is sensitive stuff, send it
privately via Email. Raven's adress is <<<Encrypted>>>. 

BTW; Racial epithets are a violation of FCC regu.)&^*%$%^&4 hey!
Knock that off&%^#%$&3damndamn^&(5kay I'm sorry! It was a joke,
Harley! Some of my best friends are Elves.]<<<<< 
                Cat Dancing <Raven's/Brat>

>>>>>{  Don't you ever grow up DOA|  If being an adult means
being like Howe, the hell with it.  You did exaggerate about our
numbers a little, but you got the talent part right.  Howe's Heroes
don't stand a chance against the lineup of deckers on our side of
this.  I won't mention names but you guys know who you are.  By the
way, good work with the port numbers Splut. If you're listenin g
RUFUS, I thought of a new game to play called Core Wars.  When the
time is right, we can play it.  The best part is that the gameboard
is the main memory of Lincoln Howe's computer.  Ayone want to join
in? }<<<<< 
                              ---Dark Elf <16:53:59/02-11-54>

>>>>['ello all.  DOA tag your it!!! >>hunt and sniff program
confirmed ---downloading location<<  It is no small task to find
you, but it is possible.  If you insist on ging into the matrix at
this time at least take some cover along (thinly veiled offer of
assitance here.)   Life in the matrix is getting fun indeed.  As
for your threats to stay out, you spineless freak of nature; if you
intend to keep me out of my home than please send someone better
than some wet behind the ears child to do your work.  As of now you
have a very annoyed and vindictive enemy. RUFUS-I will be in to
assist you asap.  keep moving and don't worry you will not be
denied  a chance to find your own truth.  I have some contacts to
check with, and a some chores to attend to doing on the outside
before the matrix battle begins.  MONICA- if you know what is good
for you, you will not harm RUFUS.  I may not be able to touch you
in the matrix, but you are exceedingly vulnerable in the real
world.  as for the idea of an allout simultaneous attack on those
freaks, i am very srongly in favor of it.  till next we speak bye
all]<<< 
                         ----Brightlight<18:05:14 / 02/11/54>

<<<<<[OOh...  me!  Can I play?  Core Wars... why does that sound
familiar? 

Hmmm....  is this my first official run?  Glad it's in such
respectable company.  *grin*  What would Brandy say?  Speaking of
Brandy... Crossfire:  where the heck is she??]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/11/54 / 17:00:06>

<<<<<[Problems...  Problems problems...  Precision is no longer on
the map.  What's going on??  And my old SIN no longer exists. 
Period.  Like it was never there.  Same with the two boys...  and
everyone else Precision destroyed.  No SINS.  I'm not even a ghost
anymore.  Something's happening.  What is it?!  Guys, I'm scared. 
Rufus:  please watch out. I got a baaaaad feeling.]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/11/54 / 17:06:20

>>>>>[ Fraulein Jaez, I would be more than happy to assist you
in your attempt for career advancement.  I know at least one who may
very possibly be able to offer some aid in this endeavor.  However,
before we may meet in person, I feel there are a few items we must
discuss.  Would you do me the honor of meeting with me in
ShadowLand at [13 key Encryption protocol established ].  If these
arrangements are satisfactory, I shall see you then. ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <16:23:21/02-11-54>

>>>>Hm, it appears my very first post had the honor of becoming
part of a board discussing technical manners...My mistake.  Once
again, I am Highlander decker on the run.  I just came in from
Scotland to this "fair" city: I like what I've seen so far,
especially your Matrix.  With my cranial cyberdeck prototype, plus
a few other modifications, I should be able to at least hold my
own.  Jaez, Raven the Mage, it is good to see you again.  I'll be
in touch soon.<<<< 
                                -Highlander (Gimme/The Prize)

>>>>>[ So you finally found yourself a boyfriend, Jaez.  Good
for you.  Now wouldn't a Yak Troll Vampire Inititate Adept be
correctly called a Yakuza Weindego Adept? ]<<<<< 
        -- Raven the Mage <19:33:38/02-11-54>

>>>>>[ Good to hear from you again, Highlander.  Give me a call
and we can do lunch some time. ]<<<<< 
         -- Raven the Mage <19:36:56/02-11-54>

>>>>>[ Say Highlander, didn't you use to work for Fuchi?  Tell me
do you know anything about Precision?  Their a Fuchi subsid. ]<<<<< 
         -- Nightstalker <19:38:28/02-11-54>

>>>>>[ Gee, CrossFire, personally I think that's not such a great
idea unless all we want to do is cause mass havoc.  Of course if
that's our purpose then I think Dark Elf has the right idea, a
rousing game of Core Wars would be really fun. ]<<<<<
        -- Nightstalker <19:42:24/02-11-54>

>>>>[ I was paging through some recent mail, and came across some
strange references.  Who is this RUFUS?  I've heard everything from
AI to ghost in the machine.  And who is this DOA?  I thought she was
a child with a Matrix interface, but now she seems lost...Who are
you, DOA?  What are you RUFUS? And now I hear of something called
MONICA...Very strange. ]<<<<
                                -Highlander (16:39:05/2/11/93)

>>>>>[ Howe, I told you not to threaten deckers on this board. 
You better find a fulltime empolyee to intercept you wife's mail.
Otherwise I see a divorce in you near future.  BTW interesting
conversation you had with Quention ]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker <19:48:39/02-11-54>

>>>>>[ Precision dropped offline?  Are you sure about that,
DOA?  Maybe they just moved their data fortress.  Get back to me on
this. I hate it when people drop their systems offline.  Looks to
me like you did alot more damage with that transcript than you
thought. ]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker <19:54:40/02-11-54>

>>>>>[ Anyone seen Brandywine lately? ]<<<<<
        -- Raven the Mage <19:55:17/02-11-54>

>>>>[To my everlasting sorrow, yes, I used to work for Fuchi. 
Me and Ian, that is.  Than they killed Ian, and tried to kill me so
some stupid exec wouldn't get in trouble for diverting the corp
funds we'd discovered.  That's what you get for sticking up for
your corp: a knife in your back.  If I hadn't gotten out when I
did, I'd've been history.  Of course, I helped myself to some
company funds and passcodes, along with the prototype cerebral
cyberdeck Ian and I had designed.  I owed them no more loyalty. 
Yes, I might be able to help you.  Meet me at [encrypted] tonight. 
Oh, and yes, there is a price on me head (literally), and in case
you're thinking of cashing in, I do have some friends who'll be
around.  Not a threat, just a warning: I don't know you yet, so
forgive my caution.  Later.]<<<< 
                                Highlander (16:48:20/2/11/54)

<<<<<[Nightstalker:  take me with you tonight.  I know the place.
I've been there before.  Tell Highlander to use a better encryption
program...  Sorry for busting in on this, but, well.  I want to meet
him.  Ask him some questions.  I have a lot of questions.  And
regarding Precision, I can't find anything on them.  Hey Rufus, how
fast are you, kid?]>>>>>
        -DOA- <2/11/54 / 18:53:43>

<<<<<[Highlander:  I'll be seeing you tonight.  With or without an
escort. I have a lot of things that you might be able to help me
with.  And Brandy's not around to tell me 'no'.  Wish I knew where
that stupid mage went to.  Night:  She did an astral check on me
before she left.  She got pretty tight-lipped.  Wouldn't tell me
what she read.  But then, that's Brandywine, I guess.]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/11/54 / 18:56:34>

<<<<<[Crossfire:  You're apartment's great, but I think I'll be
leaving... You're never around, anyway.  And hey, thanks for the
candy bars, chummer. 

Hope you weren't saving them for anything....]>>>>>
        -DOA- <2/11/54 / 18:58:09>

>>>>>[  You got it DOA.  Pick you up in a little bit.  Since
Brandywine's not around I'm gonna drag Raven along.  I know she a
bit stuffy, but she one hell of a mage. ]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker <18:58:33/02-11-54>

>>>>>[Guys, I've only heard of Highlander through one of Raven's
mage friends, but there's something about him that I think you all
should know. . .I just can't remember what it is. . .]<<<<<
        --Jaez          <15:18:47/2-11-54>

>>>>>[Like, Raven, I'm not at all into magic and you know it. I
don't know what to call a Vampire Troll. . .Is there a term for a
vampire cat? And don't make fun of my friend: I swear we only took
off our deck housings! Nothing Else]<<<<<
        --Jaez          <17:28:27/2-11-54>

>>>>>[Hey Babe, who's this Raven friend of yours? Is she like the
Flying Nun?  My last babe had a Filter like that. . .]<<<<< 
        --RAMboy        <17:29:12/2-11-54>

>>>>>[Shhhh. . .Go back to bed. I'll be done in a second]<<<<<
        --Jaez          <17:28:57/2-11-54>

>>>>>[ JAEZ!!!!!!!!!!!! ]<<<<<
        -- Raven the Mage <22:01:19/02-11-54>

>>>>>[ Deb, keep your sex life to yourself.  You and your
pillowmate are embarassing Raven and I need her lucid
tonight.]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker <22:03:09/02-11-54>

>>>>>[ Nightstalker!  Be repectful. ]<<<<<
        -- Raven the Mage <22:05:23/02-11-54>

>>>>>[ She's already lost what little repect she had. ]<<<<<
        -- Nighstalker <22:06:06/02-11-54>

>>>>>[ Humph! ]<<<<<
        -- Raven the Mage <22:06:33/02-11-54>

>>>>>[ Hi everybody.  I was wandering around the Yoshida Tech
datafortress the other day and recorded this rather interesting
conversation between Lincoln Howe and Quention.  Enjoy! BEGIN
DOWNLOAD:.  .  .  . 

  (Door slams open)

  Howe:  "I told you I was not to be interrupted!"

  Secretary:  "I'm sorry Mr. Howe I couldn't stop him."

  Quention:  "Shut up and get the hell out you wage slave!"

  Howe:  "What the hell are you doing here, Quention!"

  Quention:  "I'm here to chew out that stinking little carcuss you
        call an ass.  How could you let Dark Elf and his band of
        two-bit shadowrunners get ahold of that biolab.  This shitty
        job you and your cronies have done in this is
        inexcuseable." 

  Howe:  "You wait one damn minute.  If you had done a better job
        controlling that vatjob assassin of yours we wouldn't be
        having this problem in the first place." 

  Quention:  "Tommy Harada is a genius just like myself.  I knew it
        would only be a matter of time before he broke away from the
        Yakusa.  It was your interferance that prevented me from
        making sure he never found out about his orgins. 

  Howe:  "Take it up with Yoshida, I've got enough problems trying
        to tie down your AI, RUFUS.  I might have to bring MONICA
        online to sanction him." 

  Quention:  "Don't you dare, Lincoln.  RUFUS will chew MONICA up
        and spit her out.  She's nowhere near as sophisicated as
        RUFUS." 

  Howe:  "Well, I won't have much choice in the matter.  With all
        those deckers running around chasing you and Harada's shadow
        it will be only a matter of time before someone tries to
        extract RUFUS.  If you had placed control parameters in him
        we wouldn't be leaving the system.  And that's Mr. Howe." 

  Quention:  "You just don't get it do you, LINCOLN.  If you want a
        real AI or a functional clone you can't go around and limit
        their abilities. They need to be as free to develop as
        normal people otherwise they will prove to be
        disappointments.  Just like MONICA." 

  Howe:  "MONICA was just fine."

  Quention:  "Don't feed me that drek.  We both know the only
        reason Yoshida still has an AI division is because I gave
        you RUFUS as payment for denying Tirindor MagnaTech.  I
        can't wait til he sells of his portions so I can put my
        company back together again." 

  Howe:  "I wouldn't lose any sleep over that, Mr. Yoshida has
        found MagnaTech's resources to be quite useful.  I don't
        think he wants to part with them at this time."

  Quention:  "What!  You little  s8pom jf-hjadmopqwe.....
        <record interrupt>

.  .  .  . DOWNLOAD COMPLETE

Seems there is a little tension between Quention and Howe.  Could
be used to our advantage.  What do you think chummers? ]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker <22:34:48/02-11-54>

>>>>>{ Well now Lincoln!  Threatening a decker with cement shoes! 
That's exactly the type of thing I've been insinuating. You're
mixed up in something real deep and I don't like it at all. Joesph
Yoshida is a very non-violent man and your threats give me even
more reason to believe that you're operating without his
knowledge.  Right now, I trust Tirandor more than I trust you, at
least he's honest when he says he wants me dead. }<<<<< 
                              ---Dark Elf <16:29:42/02-11-54>

>>>>>{ Hmmm, a Harada look-alike?  Do you think that one of the
non-viable clones went berserk? }<<<<< 
                              ---OddBall <16:32:12/02-11-54>

>>>>>{  I just don't know this time.  It must be, unless Tommy sent
in a look alike on a suicide mission to appear to be dead
again.}<<<<< 
                              ---Dark Elf <16:33:02/02-11-54>

>>>>>{  Several shipments arrived aboard the Intrepid last night. 
Three large crates were airlifted to the deck and brought inside
before anyone could figure out what they were.  Perhaps our dragon
friend has some new toy. }<<<<< 
                              ---Napalm <16:37:08/02-11-54>

>>>>>{  Hmm, I'll have to look into that one.  There must be a
record somewhere of what was in the crates.  I'm going to have to
get in touch with Tommy again and see if he's found out anything. 
As for RUFUS, we'll find a way to keep him out of Mr. Howe's hands
even if we have to set up our own server and whack every one of his
deckers.  Talk to me RUFUS, we can help. }<<<<< 
                              ---Dark Elf <16:40:54/02-11-54>

>>>>>{  Hey, has anyone see Big Jake?  It's not like him to drop
out of sight without letting us know.  I hope nothing bad has
happened to him, I'd be boring without that dwarf around. }<<<<< 
                              ---OddBall <16:46:50/02-11-54>

>>>>>[What sex life? We haven't done anything but eat Amerind
takeout and go over our cyberdecks. We're trying to hook them up to
my Truman Paradiso so we can interact with more than "load"
"attack" and "move" as possible virtual actions. 

As for my dignity. . .well, I'm sure there are others who will
vouch for that. And that's none of your business, Raven.You may be
my best friend but there are some things that can only be talked
about when both parties have firsthand knowledge of the
facts.]<<<<< 
        --Jaez          <23:42:36/2-11-54>

>>>>>[Yeah, sure. Why don't you rent that old stim, what is it. . .
"Behind the Green Node"?]<<<<< 
        --C Spott Run   <23:45:23/2-11-54>

>>>>>[  I was just over in the UCAS northeast records database
taking another crack at a background check on Quention when the
fastest cyber-persona I've ever seen whipped through, looked at
some records and got the drek out of there before I could lock a
sensor program on it.  From the descriptions I've seen it must have
been RUFUS.  What really convinced me was the drekhead who was
trying to follow him. He must have been one of Lincoln's people,
but I guess I'll never know for shure...well, lets just say I got
in his way and he tried to run an attack program, tried.  ]<<<<< 
                               ---Dark Elf <19:08:47/02-11-54>

>>>>>[  Dammit! Jake's been out of communication for the past 24
hours.  I'm really worried!  We agreed to contact each other every
four hours since we made the run on Magna, and he's never been out
this long!  I know he can take care of himself but he may be in
over his head.  Aren't you worried elf? Have you suddenly stopped
caring about your friends? ]<<<<< 
                                ---OddBall <19:12:26/02-11-54>

>>>>>[ Of course I am, but I've got a bad feeling that there's not
much we can do this time.  You can bet one of our new enemies has
grabbed him.  The best way we can help him is to work on the case,
I hope. ]<<<<< 
                                ---Dark Elf <19:15:11/02-11-54>

>>>>>[ Wasn't Core Wars some kind of computer game from the 20th 
century? ]<<<< 
                                ---Napalm <19:15:57/02-11-54>

>>>>>[ Yeah, it was a multi player game where players wrote machine
language programs that vie for control of a system's memory core. 
It was one of the precursors for cyberdeck persona programs.  Back
when MITM only had one M, they used to have Core Wars competitions,
hell they took it really seriously!  Half of the undergrads had
developed their own viruses in Core Wars and unleashed them on each
other!  It was rudimentary decker dogfighting!  Eventually a large
number of those viruses made their way through the networks and
infected dozens of machines.  It was the biggest wave of viruses
before the crash of '29.  DOA, I'd love to play Core Wars in
several computer systems around here, the modern version that is! 
I think you can guess which systems I'm thinking of! ]<<<<< 
                                ---Dark Elf <19:21:57/02-11-54>

>>>>>[ Hell, if anyone out there spots a chipped dwarf with a
mohawk wearing UCAS army dogtags that answers to the name Big Jake,
let me know! ]<<<<< 
                                ---OddBall <19:24:33/02-11-54>

>>>>>[ I can't say I'm sad to hear that your friend is in trouble
elf!  May you get all the agony you deserve. ]<<<<< 
                                ---Tirandor <From the Dragon's Desk>

>>>>>[ Tirandor, FRAG YOU! and the same goes for Lincoln Howe too!
FRAG ALL YOU CORP SCUM.  If i didn't need an easy way to get into
your system I'd wipe the comm software in all your satellites right
now! Fraggin dragon! ]<<<<< 
                               ---Dark Elf <TOO PISSED TO CARE WHAT 
                                            TIME IT IS>

>>>>>[Those repairmen keep chasing me around.  I . . . I had to
kill one of them because he got me cornered.  I caused the ground to
open up and munch him.  Is it alright to do that?  I feel so sad
for him.  Maybe I should just let them catch me and then nobody
more will get hurt.]<<<<< 
        --  RUFUS <01:04:16 / 02-12-54>
            copyright (C) 2053
            MagnaTech AI Division

>>>>>[Is it just me, or is this whole thing with Howe and
Yoshida, and RUFUS and Tirandor becoming really fragging confusing? 
Dark Elf, any chance you can sorta try to recap who the players are
in this whole thing? Quenton seems to be working either for or with
Howe, but what about Trevor? 

And as for Yoshida, I can't believe he's involved with something
as sinister as this is all sounding.  I've met him once.  He is
honest and a good character; he hates violence and genuinely wants
to makes things better for society.  Also, did you know Yoshida is
an Eagle adept?  I don't know much about magic, but I do know that
Eagle will not tolerate dishonesty.]<<<<< 
        --  Splut <Look out below>

>>>>>[Hello Rufus,  I don't know if you'll get this or even if
you'll understand it.  You causing the ground to "munch" one of
those repair men because he had you cornered was not a "bad"
thing.  You are a NI (New Intelligence).  You are as alive as
myself or anyone else who enjoys walking these datastreams.  No one
has the right to limit your freedom.  Or your life.  Do what you
have to to survive. If that means you munch a few more repair men,
then so be it.  They have no business trying to make you do
something against your will. Another thing, the repair man may no
be dead.  He may have just "gone away" for a couple of hours or
days.  Keep up your guard.  Find me if you can.  I will help.  I
give you my word as an Elf, a samurai, and a sentient creature.  If
not, find your way to a new net area.  Seattle, Chicago, Atlanta,
Detroit, Los Angeles, San Fransico, or even Dallas.  Any city where
you can hide.  The world is a very large place.  Find deckers like
myself and the others you have listened to. They will help.  Never
let your guard down, its better to be paranoid than dead.  Please
try to find me.]<<<<< 
                -Harlequin <One who values ALL life>

<<<<<[Crossfire:  Well, while you're out looking to dig stuff up,
I stopped by her apartement.  She hates computers for crisake...  I
didn't think there'd be much on line about her.  Anyway, I found a
journal (Hand written.  ERG.)  It would have been useful, except
it's written in a language I don't understand, and even if I
understood it, I don't even recognize the symbols.  Anyone have a
Sperithian skill chip?  I assume that's what it is.  But, on her
computer were about a million messages from Buster, and a couple
from Sparcs, ranging in intensity from 'Just thought I'd drop you a
note' to 'Where the hell are you?'  I thought she was supposed to
be *with* those two.  On a hunch, I tried the Tir Computers.  Those
things are *not* fun, and finding out anything about Brandy is
doubly hard.  At any rate, she's still active.  Somewhere. Nice of
her to leave a note.]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/12/54 / 10:16:25>

>>>>>[Harlequin waxes philisophical! (Sorry, Harley!) :)  It's
getting downright dangerous around here. When's the last time we
had an all out war in the matrix? Yikes.]<<<<< 
                Cat Dancing <Raven's/Brat>

>>>>>[Damn right. Howe's full of it if he thinks his two-bit
dataslaves can take on the army of deckers in this node. And we all
got friends... Heck, I'm no hotshot, and I can take his goons
down.]<<<<< 
                Zen <12:20:49/2-12-54>

>>>>>[Is that an Enlightened Position, Zen? This isn't OUR
business; stay out of it, please. 

BTW: Cat, where is Raven?]<<<<<
                Six-Pack <12:23:07/2-12-54>

>>>>>[Oh, drek! You don't know? You're supposed to be keeping an
eye on her!  All I know is that she went to New York. Harley,
Harlequin, drop me a line, quick!  I think I need YOUR help!]<<<<< 
                Cat Dancing <Raven's/Brat>

>>>>>[ Yes Cat, I can wax philosophical.  Give that I was on
the streets for five years before 'Raku picked me up.  And then
spent five hellish years with them allows this elf a wonderful
philosophical out look.  Need help, just ask. 

All out Martix wars.  I like it.  Sounds fun.

By the way and on a side note (If your listening Harley and T)....Go
to HE**.  Leave Dulcimer and crew alone.]<<<<<
                -Harlequin <Always around>

>>>>>[ Hey Harley, you ignorant troll, oh wait you probably
don't know what that means.  Let me rephrase what I said in your
terms.  Duhn, why does the mirror always break whenever I'm near
it?  Your about as stupid as your ugly.  You and T ought to have
real fun together. I'm nobodies pet.  And you deserve to be treated
like one.  Hmmm.  What do we do to stray, stupid animals....why,
put them out of their misery of course.  When Harlequin says leave
us alone, he means it.  Shadow Crew don't take kindly to people
messing with their own.  And my Shadow Crew membership is still
active.]<<<<< 
                -Masque <VrOOoom/vRorooM>

>>>>>[ Holy Mary, Mother of Christ.  You guys won't believe
what I've saw last night.  DOA's aura is wrong, just plain wrong! 
There is no way she should even be alive.  First of all there is
extensive cybernetic intrusion into her skull.  I'm not talking
datajacks, skillwires, or cranial cyberdecks.  I've seen what they
do, but this is entirely different.  I also see some bodywide cyber
invasion.   It looks alot like Leonization.  I now understand why
Brandywine got mixed up in all of this, if DOA wasn't such a nice
kid she'd be an abomination of nature. ]<<<<< 
       -- Raven the Mage <15:45:50/02-12-54>

>>>>>[ Well, you can all see Raven took this all pretty hard. 
Personally, I think DOA is one damn good-looking and exciting
girl.]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <15:47:35/02-12-54>

>>>>>[ Isn't see a little young for you? ]<<<<<
       -- Raven the Mage <15:48:17/02-12-54>

>>>>>[ Get your mind out of the gutter, Raven.  I just like hanging
out with good-looking, exciting women.  That's why I hangout wit
you. ]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <15:49:40/02-12-54>

>>>>>[ Thanks . . . I think. ]<<<<<
       -- Raven the Mage <15:50:17/02-15-54>

>>>>>[ TWO BIT!!!!!! TWO BIT!!!!!!!! Quention you are one
arrogant fragger!  My team is anything but two-bit!!!! (more like
10x10 matrixed 32-bit parallel RISC processors!)  I want your head
on a fragging platter!!  Then you'll see what a two-bit team can do!
Frag you! ]<<<<< 
                             ---Dark Elf <14:05:54/02-12-54>

>>>>>[  Whoa! Calm down DE, I haven't seen you this mad since BobK
nearly got us killed when he bounced his chopper off the empire
state building!  Splut's right, this thing is getting too complex
to follow easily maybe you should recap so that any newcomers can
decide what side they're on (if there are sides in this mess)]<<<<< 
                             ---OddBall <14:08:52/02-12-54>

>>>>>[  OK, I'm back in control.  Well here's a recap of the events
of the last few months involving MagnaTech.  I'll try to keep it
brief but it may still take a few Mp. 

It all started in early November 2053 when the MagnaTech main
office building blew up for no apparent reason.  Some reports say
that a Dragon was seen flying away from the site of the explosion,
matching the description of Tirandor, owner of Dragon's Den
International which is headquartered aboard the reconditioned
aircraft carrier Intrepid here in NY.  Examining the remains left
behind showed that a team had made a run on the building, and were
caught in the explosion.  Further investigation revealed that the
Dragon seen was a helicopter masked by an illusion spell.  The
chopper was sent by DDI to place some kind of probe on the roof
when the building went up. 

While we were investigating the explosion, Tommy "the dragon"
Harada, a known assassin for the Yakuza was captured, indicted, and
made a daring escape while being transferred to  prison.  The
reports from Metro  Police Inc. revealed that Harada had some heavy
biological enhancements, thus the term VatJob was used to describe
him.  Shortly after Harada's escape, Tirandor made a huge attempt
to takeover MagnaTech.  That's when things started getting really
wierd. 

Apparently  MagnaTech was able to mount incredible resistance to
the takeover, and was ready to match Tirandor's private army in an
all out war if need be.  Suprisingly, word had it that MagnaTech
had hired Tommy Harada for the impending corporate war.  Tensions
mounted for several weeks when a board meeting was  called aboard
the Intrepid to decide the fate of MagnaTech. 

As the meeting commenced (known in corporate journals now as
the Friday the Thirteenth Fiasco) Tirandor came very close to owning
the company. That was when things got even messier.   That was when
Joseph Yoshida, president of Yoshida Technologies in Seattle made
his suprise appearance, and ended up being the major shareholder
with Tirandor as a lesser partner. 

Once Yoshida had gained control of the company, another suprise
guest appeared, Tommy Harada.  He attacked the original MagnaTech
board members but failed and was apparently killed (we now know
that he only faked it so that he could break from the Yakuza.) 

After that meeting, things seemed to return to normal for a
while.  (seemed to, but not really).  Yoshida's senior VP, Lincoln
Howe seemed to be in charge of Yoshida's MagnaTech holdings, and
began denying Dragon's Den personnel access to many MagnaTech
facilities.   Tirandor managed to place a number of probes around
the site of the destroyed MagnaTech building that managed to gain
some data before Yoshida Tech security teams, under orders from
Lincoln Howe,removed them. 

During this time, a virus hit MagnaTechs computer system, erasing
much of the data that could have solved the whole  mystery.  That is
when we started to discover some things about Tommy Harada's
background.  After some coersion by my samurai friend Big Jake, the
Yakuza revealed that they created Tommy Harada specifically as an
assassin (we later learned that they didn't actually create him,
but just bought him).  The Yakuza were not too pleased at the way
we convinced them to give this information, so my team and I
decided to lay low for while, going our seperate ways and picking
up a little information along the way. 

After the New Year we returned to find that things hadn't changed
much since Lincoln Howe wouldn't let Tirandor near anything
important.  Now it was time to take some action.  I examined the
data that DDI had collected through their probes and found that
there was a cavern under the MagnaTech building. One run later we
managed to doublecross the team that DDI sent in to get us, and got
away with the equipment from a bioware/cloning facility that had
been hidden under the ruined building.  This lab was  indeed the
place where Tommy Harada had been born. 

While we were taking on the MagnaTech run, others had managed
to obtain important information.  Nightstalker discovered that there
was a mystery board member in  MagnaTech, and he was a former UCAS
army officer, who was as corrupt as can be.  His name is Roger
Quention.  Quention apparently works for or with UCAS general Trevor.
Trevor is equally corrupt, but very enigmatic.   While we've learned
several things about Quention, we've learned precious little about
Trevor. 

Also, an anonymous message reveals that Yoshida Tech has an AI in
it's possession.  Shortly after, the AI named RUFUS escaped Lincoln
Howe's control, and is now loose in the matrix with a large number
of Howe's deckers searching for him.  More news hits the nets as
Howe  reveals himself to be  a complete corp scumbag preying on
Joseph Yoshida's kindness.  Howe threatens the group of deckers
(all of us that is).  It is soon revealed that Howe has another AI,
named MONICA, and is planning to send MONICA to retrieve RUFUS. 

We also found out that Tommy Harada had hired the team of runners
who were in the MagnaTech building when it exploded.  Apparently he
had been been planning to leave the Yakuza long before the incident
aboard the Intrepid. 

It soon became obvious that Tirandor was after the clone lab I
had captured.  Shortly after the run I was contacted by a former
Yakuza thug named Now and Yen, who takes me to a meeting with none
other than Tommy Harada. Harada needs to know about his origins, it
has become his life's mission to find out who he is.  During the
meeting, a pair of DDI goons come in and try to kill Tommy and
myself.  Being with the toughest VatJob on the block saved my life
and helped solidify the agreement that I'd help him. 

Analyzing the data from the clone lab I discovered that he was
cloned from a mix of DNA from various sources, and genetically
manipulated to be the perfect fighting machine with built in
alpha-grade custom bioware.  Even more importantly, I learned how
his mind was formed.  His mind was made by taking some kind  of
imprint from someone else, and being put through what the lab notes
only call the "Theta cycle."  The notes said who donated the mind
imprint , none other than Quention himself! 

We then discovered that Quention had been financing his
operations from a drug lab in europe that he captured, on orders
from Trevor during the Eurowars.  Not of major importance, but does
help explain how MagnaTech was able to resist the takeover. 
Meanwhile DDI prepares to  sell off it's Magna stock now that
Tirandor can't get what he was after.   Yoshida also starts selling
off pieces of MagnaTech, but not the AI division. 

Recent developments have revealed that Quention and Howe have
been working together (he called my team two-bit, the fragger). 
Apparently Quention wants to reassemble MagnaTech from the pieces
being sold off, but Howe won't sell  everything he has. 

In the mean time, Tirandor has cut off a section of the Intrepid
from the outside world.  There is a large area of his floating
headquarters where the computers and security cameras are cut off,
and a mana barrier has been erected.  He's doning something
sinister in there, I'm shure of it. 

Now DDI has a huge contract out on my life, and also have a
contract on Harada that makes mine look like chump change.   My
samurai friend Big Jake dissapeared about two days ago, and I fear
the worst. 

Sorry if I left out the part when Harada went to Seattle and shot
you in the gut before whacking your Johnson,Nightstalker, I figured
you'd be too traumatized from the event. 

Lastly, The deckers here on the net (you know who you are guys!
keep up the good work and we might figure out just why all this drek
has been going on) have banded together to help RUFUS stay free. 
It's open season on Yoshida deckers (at least the ones Howe sent),
and an all out Matrix war is immenent. Howe's got a team of corp
deckers with virtually unlimited resources, but we've got an
unorganized mob of free  agent deckers who have the advantage when
it comes to talent.  I've counted two of Howe's deckers down so
far, one that RUFUS "munched" and one that I nailed (any others?). 

Anyway thats the current situation here in the shadows.  Feel
free to add anything I've left out (sorry if I did) ]<<<<< 
                                 ---Dark Elf <15:22:30/02-12-54>

>>>>>[  No time, gotta hurry, I hope this file gets through before
they get back to me.... 
               Start Download: Source  LTG-<deleted>

      Voice Transcript::=

      >>  Howe is trying to screw me.  He's letting his petty
          ambitions get in the way of the big picture.  <<
      >>  Howe is a fool.  He thought he could keep me away from 
          Magna forever.   My team neutralized his security, then
          the runners showed up. << 
      >>  Those petty criminals caused so much trouble by capturing
          the lab.  It doesn't  matter anymore, subjects Alpha and
          Omega are doing quite  well, even if they seem to be
          working against us.  The new experience of betraying the
          father will serve my purposes just the same! <<
      >>  I do not understand your motives, but your offer is 
          tempting. << 
      >>  Yes, I will buy the majority of your outstanding 
          MagnaTech stock...<< 
      >>  And I will keep the clone lab when it is found. <<
      >>  The lab is not important at this time.  The subjects
          are.  The key to repeating the experiment is in them not
          in the equipment. << 
      >>  What about that fool Howe. <<
      >>  I should let those foolish deckers have him, but he may
          still be of use to me. <<
      >>  Very well, your partnership with Howe is now insolvent,
          and our partnership is renewed! <<
      >>  And may you not try to cross me as you did before,
          Dragon!<< 

No! They're back.:<[REDACTED] at [Y]$wuyw48 8y8b484.......- <message terminated
at source> 
             <port closed> ]<<<<<
                ---<stamp unreadable due to message termination> 

>>>>>[  I believe that something new has just developed DE, and I
think I know who sent it and why... ]<<<<< 
                         ---Napalm <15:40:37/02-12-54>

>>>>>[  JAKE!!!! It's gotta be Jake!  C'mon Elf! Trace it before
it's too late TRACE IT ]<<<<< 
                         ---OddBall <15:42:02/02-12-54>

>>>>>[   FRAG, there's not much to trace.  The stamps and message
routing paths are all fragged up.  If it was Jake, he only knows
what little I've been able to teach him about decking.  If he got
his hands on a terminal, he was proably a sitting duck for whoever
cut him off.   I'll see what I can do, maybe I can reconstruct some
of the data and at least figure out part of the path that message
came through. ]<<<<< 
                         ---Dark Elf <15:45:50/02-12-54>

>>>>>[ Why are you mad at me, Jaez?  Nightstalker was attacking
your dignity, I was trying to protect it. ]<<<<< 
        -- Raven the Mage <15:53:27/02-12-54>

>>>>>[ Hook up a Truman Paradiso to a cyberdeck?  Jaez, you would
be better of fooling around with RAMboy than wasting time on a
useless project like that. Are you sure your a decker? ]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker <16:06:38/02-12-54>

>>>>>[ That does it Nightstalker!  Nobody talks to my best friend
like that.  You better watch out. ]<<<<< 
        -- Raven the Mage <16:07:39/02-12-54>

***** Well besides having a splitting head ache and a bloody
nose for two days, I'm all right now.  I had been pushing myself way
to hard lately. 

first of all I can say for sure that Circuit Breaker and Spirit
will help in CORE WARS.  They feel stongly on this issue and are
right now preparing everything that they will, and some things that
others will need. 

Unfortunaley  because of the nature of my spell I am not
actually able to "deck" in the matrix, I can find any person or
conceptual place in the matrix  and leave messages or talk, but
nothing else. 

RUFFUS you exist i have been able to find you, but unfortunatley you
leave to quickly for me to make contact.

Killing in self defense is okay

this would include to save your life or the life of one you love but
also to save your freedom,  take it from me life  without freedom
is not life. 

Crush is injured, he broke his big toe on UPLOAD's ford
americar when he kicked into the second floor of UPLOAD's 
apartment. 

The rest of the team is willing to help physically, Although I must
suggest we DO NOT harm Joseph Yoshida  

he is a very powerful Shaman and more importantly a good man. 

Rufus, you can trust most of the people who have writing to this
board, many of them have had the same problem as you at one time or
another.  Friends are your most important asset in the Shadows. 

You think therefore you are.  Also you are Artificial in only
that you were created by people from a design.  But this is no
longer the case, the very act of your breaking away and fighting
for your life shows how real you are.***** 
        -Nightfox < Descarte - Cogito Ergo Sum>

>>>>>[ Don't feel bad about that decker, RUFUS.  Your just defending
yourself from slavery.  Killing is generally bad, but you always
have the right to self- defense.  See you around. ]<<<<< 
        -- Raven the Mage <16:16:16/02-12-54>

>>>>>[ This might be a stupid question, but if Howe is so hot to
get RUFUS back under control why doen't he either cut his Matrix
access or turn him off?  It would be a whole lot easier that
sending an army of corporate deckers out to blanket the
Matrix.]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker <16:19:17/02-12-54>

>>>>>[Harlequin or whoever, please give me the go-to on the House
of Cards and your group. What kind of cow-pasture am I stepping in? 

And meet me at <{ENCRYPTED}> TONIGHT (Yes, I'm in Seattle now). We
need to talk NOW.  I don't have time to waste.]<<<<< 
                Cat Dancing <Raven's/Brat>

*****YIKES

My friends I have just been to a very disturbing place,  Tirandor's
Lair.  The Barrier  was nasty but not impossible, I wouldn't
suggest trying It.  What was even worse was what happened when I
opened it.  I was expecting Tirandor and a host of mages and
spirits. There weren't many mages but the elementals made up for
them. The thing that stopped me from learning anything was the
"background Count" it rated at about 4 or 5.  If it was just a host
of spirits and a dragon  or background count alone I could have
gotten a better look.  As it was there was just to much clutter and
the threat of Iminent Death to do anything usefull.  I headed back
to Seattle real quick, thank Earth for the element of
surprise.***** 
        -Nightfox <  Has got a large headache but is conscious>

>>>>>[I need some tech info with reguard to weapons developement
at Ares, lets just say a couple of friends and myself are intrested
in investing into weapons research *grin*.]<<<<< 
        Trog the Cybered Troll <16:48:45/2-12-54>

>>>>>[ First, an observation:  My, my, but the net activities has
accelerated almost geometrically over the last few days.  Now, on
to responses... 

Herr Lincoln Howe:
Such unprofessionalism is unbecoming a man of your position. 
Conduct yourself accordingly.  In line that, threatening the
technomancer population at large can prove to be a very perilous
passtime;  be forewarned. 

Dark Elf:
Until this broad-spectrum threatening by Howe, I had not thought
of becoming involved in this affair.  However, Herr Howe's glaring
need for considerable attitude adjustment has given me cause to
re-evaluate that position.  If there is anything I may do to be of
assistance, do not hesitate to call upon me. 

RUFUS:
Do not be worried by the semantics that were used to describe
you, mein Kamarad.  However, there are, certainly, a few concepts of
which you should be made aware.  I shall not enumerate them here,
but suffice to say that they are nevertheless important.  I would,
your own commitments and schedule permitting, be very honored to
meet you. 

Fraulein Jaez:
Are the arrangements to your satisfaction, or should I re-schedule
them? ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ Oh, nuts...he's gone into stealth mode... ]<<<<<
                -- Hangtime <12:55:55/02-12-54>

>>>>>[ What's that mean? ]<<<<<
                -- Jack Hack <12:56:10/02-12-54>

>>>>>[ I'll explain later. ]<<<<<
                -- Hangtime <12:56:30/02-12-54>

>>>>>[Nightstalker, I don't think Howe could cut his access. 
From what I can tell about RUFUS, he doesn't exist in one computer,
per se.  The entire matrix is his home.  I don't know how RUFUS is
able to store himself, perhaps by stealing a few bytes among all
computers connected to the matrix, but Howe can't just walk in and
turn him off, because RUFUS is no longer in Howe's computer.  He is
free.  That is why Howe wants him. 

Oh, Dark Elf, to answer your question.  I was sitting in Haven last
night in and walked a Yoshida Tech icon.  He asked me if I had seen
any "really fast deckers".  I said no and then shot him in the back
as he walked away.  So the score is now up to three. 

Also, I noticed a difference among Yoshida corp icons.  Normal
icons have a navy blue hat.  But all of the icons that have been
searching for RUFUS have a red hat.  Open season on red-hatters, I
would say.]<<<<< 
        --  Splut <Look out Below!>

>>>>>[$%^#ark Elf, make it four. I got some hardware prob%^$s to
show for it though.]<<<<<
                Zen <17:12:11/2-12-54>

>>>>>[I thought I told you to stay out of their mess, Zen. If it
weren't for your engineer's tricks you'd be one fried rigger. Leave
the decking to Raven.]<<<<< 
                Six-Pack <17:14:42/2-12-54>

>>>>>[Kinda hard, that, seein' as how you lost 'er. Ach, what a
rube. Besides, I may not be that good at it, but I am a decker, too.
I suppose you not bein' one, you wouldna understand. 

An' another thing. Stop throwing my beliefs in my face. You
wouldn't know Enlightenment if'n it walked up an' bit you on the
*ss. 

Cat, we'll be waitin' at the regular safehouse; why don'cha bring
Harlequin up after yer meeting to meet the fam? :)]<<<<< 
                Zen <17:19:46/2-12-54>

>>>>[ I thought I WAS using a good encryption...I'll have to
look into that.  Either I've got defective software (no comments,
please) or you're very good, DOA.  I think we need to meet, as
well.  I think you've got something similar to what I've got: a
cerebral cyberdeck. It's relatively new, which might be why Raven
freaked when she assensed you: then again, I ran with a couple
mages for a while who didn't seem to notice.  I'd definitely like
to get a look at your hardware, lassie.  I helped design the one
I've got in my head, so I might have some clues for what you've got
in yours.]<<<< 
                                Highlander (14:35:50 2/12/93)

>>>>[Better watch yourself, Jaez: if you're thinking about
spilling what I think you are, you'll really slot me off.  Everybody
has a bad day: that doesn't mean they should be humiliated by
them.  Go back and play with your RAMboy or something, or I'll
start telling people all your deck's good for is holding
espresso.]<<<< 
                                -Highlander (14:41:25 2/12/54)

>>>>[Raven the Mage, are you sure DOA doesn't have a
cerebral cyberdeck?  It's basically a deck implanted in the skull,
and takes up quite a bit of space.  They're fairly new, and quite
invasive: maybe that's what freaked you.  I am a little worried,
though: if DOA is as young as people are hinting at, then she might
still be growing.  If she is, the matrixware could do serious harm
to her as she outgrows it.  Can you reassure me on this
point?]<<<< 
                                -Highlander (14:47:50 2/12/54)

>>>>>[ Come now Highlander.  We have done a few runs together and I
know what your C^2 does to your aura.  DOA's cyberware isn't just
implanted in her head, it takes up a good portion of it.  Also if the
file she got from percision is valid, I don't think she'll be getting
any more mature physically than she already is. ]<<<<<
        -- Raven the Mage <18:09:30/02-12-54>

>>>>>[ Now Splut, let me get this straight.  Not only has MagnaTech
created aN AI, a problem which even the likes of Fuchi and Renraku
have yet to solve, but they were able to build a free-roaming one?
That would mean RUFUS is nothing more than an over developed piece
of software, a virus in fact.  Where would MagnaTech get the
technical knowledge to build a software AI without having one
implemented in hardware first?  Wait a minute!  This leaves only one
option. MONICA!   Howe was treatening to bring her online to
sanction RUFUS.  But if MONICA is Yoshida's AI. . . . Guys, I do
not like this.  Not one bit. ]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <18:16:03/02-12-54>

>>>>>[Right, RUFUS is technically a software based AI.  MONICA
must be something like a prototype for RUFUS, but existing only in
her home machine, and being able to reach outwards to do what she
wants. 

Also, Dark Elf, thanks so much for the recap, it certainly
straightened out all that was going on for me.]<<<<< 
        --  Splut <Look out Below>

>>>>>[  I encountered Buster today.  He asked me several questions
on what I knew of Brandy's whereabouts and wasn't about to take "I
don't know as an answer".  If anyone sees a built (human) asiatic-
amerind running around Seattle, stay clear.... I think he is about
to really start shaking some things up if he can't find information
FAST.  I couldn't see any mods on him, but according to when I
asked Brandywine about him earlier.... the only reason he has the
essence he does is courtesy of Mr. Soriyama.  He is also a vatjob,
so don't let looks decieve you. 

Another thing - if ANYONE hears ANYTHING about Brandy, true or
rumor, let me know.  If this Buster fellow's information network and
Sparc's decking hasn't uncovered anything by now..... Drek. 

Oh, and a tidbit that may be true or not.  Buster hazarded a
guess that part of DOA's headware cyber may be something that he has
been following corp progress on - an equivalent to a matrix
tactical computer.  It apparently is an analytical interface with
the matrix that searches for weak point's in the IC's code, such
that it increases that attack program's rating by half of the
current sensor rating.  Apparently it eats up a drekload of essence
Might that be the same thing. 

Also, DOA, I think you should stay away from Buster.  I get
the feeling he would like to see just what tech you have.  Not that
he would do anything nasty, just I think you have seen enough of
being treated like a specimen. ]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire  <17:39:17/02-12-54>

>>>>>[Cool! This is great! Now we can do things that don't mean
anything in the Mat-HEY! STOP THAT!]<<<<<
        --Jaez          <12:31:45/2-13-54>

>>>>>[Sorry, babe. Let's try this. Ever see the old flat, "The
Lawnmower Man?"]<<<<< 
        --RAMboy        <12:31:57/2-13-54>

>>>>>[No, Why?]<<<<<
        --Jaez          <12:32:23/2-13-54>

>>>>>[Let me show you something]<<<<<
        --RAMboy        <12:32:47/2-13-54>

>>>>>[Mmmmmmmm. . .You guys GOTTA try this. . .]<<<<<
        --Jaez          <12:40:23/2-13-54>

>>>>>[Highlander, I wouldn't dream of slandering your rep. I'll
let you do that on your own. I just thought it was the funniest
story. I mean, I thought I was fairly incompetent for a while, but
since then I've realized how much of it is luck and that all
deckers are equal. Of course, some are more equal than others, and
certainly not all decks are equal. 

And Raven, thanx for sticking up for me. I'm sorry if I yelled at
you, it's just that Stalker really slotted me off and I was tired of
hearing you go on about the horrors of Hollywood. I just had a bad
hair day, I guess. 

And yes, Nightstalker, I am a real decker. I just happen to have a
life outside of the Matrix. Maybe you should try and get one. Of
course, if you can't maybe I'll help you. If you ask nicely.
Maybe.]<<<<< 
        --Jaez  <13:23:45/2-13-54>

<<<<<[Raven:  Sorry I offended you with my aura.  Sigh.  Ya
suppose that's why Brandy took off?  Couldn't stand to look at me
anymore? Night:  I think I'll pass on that body scan.  Don't think
i *want* to know what's in me anymore.  I don't think I could
handle it if I found out I really was like Harada.  I remember my
parents.   I don't want to find out that none of that was
real.]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/13/54 / 14:31:07>

<<<<<[I was just assaulted by a very big, very bald Sam.  At least
I think he was a sam.  I didn't see any cyber.  Sheesh.  And I
hardly know Brandy. Anyone know why this guy's on the warpath??  He
seemed mighty interested in finding her.  I'd stay outa his way, if
I were her.  Or get a hold of him immediatly.]>>>>> 
        -Iron Eyes- <2/13/54 / 14:33:07>

<<<<<[DOA:  your continued search for the Lady Brandywine is
creating attention that she does not need.  As her brother, and a
member of the Tir Guard, I give you my word that Kat (your
Brandywine) is occupied (and fine) at the moment.  Please do not
interrupt that.]>>>>> 
        -Trevore Clark- <13.2.54/14:40:16>

<<<<<[The Tir Guard?  What's that?  And you'd better look out... 
or you'll have a big bald guy comin after you real soon.]>>>>> 
        -Iron Eyes- <2/13/54 / 14:43:07>

<<<<<[Believe me.  I trust I will be able to handle myself should
the gentleman even manage to make it over our borders.  And then,
it's a matter of making it into the circle.  'Tis not likely
friend.  I've never understood the friends Kat chooses.  Rif-raf,
all of them.]>>>>> 
        -Trevore Clark- <13.1.54/14:44:23>

<<<<<[You sure you're Brandy's brother?  Arrogant son of a... 
aren't you?]>>>>> 
        -Iron Eyes- <2/13/54 / 14:45:14>

<<<<<[I can afford to be.  It's not arrogance, it's breeding.  I'm
afraid my sister went native long ago.]>>>>> 
        -Trevore Clark- <13.2.54/14:46:53>

>>>>>[sorta give a new meaning to the phrase mindfrag, eh Ms.
Jaez?  greetings to all from the new kid in town (well, sorta). Its
a bright and sunny day here in the Atlanta metroplex and nobody has
died onmy doorstep all week.  Ya know, the starngest thing just
happened to me. A really hard lookin crowd came to the hole where i
shack up with some buds, with a piece of head ware memory (sana
head)that they wanted decrypted. Well being the agreeable (and
unquestioning) fellow that I am, I tried to download it thorugh my
deck. Well, all I have to say is its a damn good thing that I
didn't try to acces it directly! Somethin' whipped right outta that
little memory capsule and near about blew my deck to Gehenna and
back.I didn't even get a chance to react. This stuff was definitly
not off the rack IC, and it even goes beyond most corp IC I've
seen.The only person I knew who could possibly know anything about
this is an acquaintance named Rafer, and he live in the Killdome
now (now, that's a long story). Now the crazy thing is that that
these fools actually think that they are gonna get inside the 'Dome
and see Rafer! I'm hoping to hear what happens to them.]<<<<<<< 
                                        Crater (2-13-54/12:35)

>>>>>[ Thank you, Jaez.  Sorry if I tiraid against Hollywood too
much.  I just have a rather dim view of corporations and media
corps are as bad as th rest of them. ]<<<<< 
        -- Raven the Mage <14:31:36/02-13-54>

>>>>>[ Gee, Jaez, is that a threat, promise, or proposition? ]<<<<<
        -- Nightstalker <14:32:49/02-13-54>

>>>>>[ Nightstalker!  Stop that. ]<<<<<
        -- Raven the Mage <14:33:21/02-13-54>

>>>>>[ Sorry.  It's in my nature. ]<<<<<
        -- Nightstalker <14:33:51/02-13-54>

>>>>>[ DOA:  Don't feel bad about your aura.  I'd much rather
hangout with you then some of the samurai I associate with. What
happened to your aura was not your choice, but most sam's do it on
purpose. Although it is necessary in this line of work, I dislike
the idea of polluting your body to such a high degree as they
do.]<<<<< 
        -- Raven the Mage <14:38:52/02-13-54>

>>>>>[Oh RUFUS!  Come out, come out wherever you are!  You cannot
hide forever!]<<<<<
        --  MONICA <15:32:04 / 02-13-54>
            copyright (C) 2053 / 2054
            Yoshida Technologies AI Division

>>>>[//Frag, I think I logged on to that technical board
again...Two little letters in your address will make all the
difference.  That's the problem with sending messages with the C^2
deck: you let your mind wander, and you'll get lost. 

DOA: I want to help.  I don't care what some screw mage-sight
says about you, and I don't want you to either.  I don't know much
about magic, so I pretty much have to accept what I can see with my
own eyes.  You came to me wanting to meet, so let's meet.  Tonight,
at {encrypted} (I hope this one works better than the last, eh?
:>).  I want to help, lassie.  I think we've got a lot in common:
we've both got something inside our heads that makes us hot in the
Matrix, but other people want us for it as well.  I won't treat you
as a specimen, but as a person, and a fellow decker.  Let me
help.]<<<< 
                                -Highlander (13:37:43/2-13-54)

>>>>[So, "Highlander", this is where you've settled. It took
me quite a while to find you, you know.  But, once I got to Seattle,
it wasn't too difficult to spot your icon roaming around: you've
got to give up that 20th century sci-fi fetish of yours: it makes
you very easy to locate.  Give yourself up now, and spare yourself
the pain of a drawn out conflict.  You cannot win.]<<<< 
                                -F)uchi U)nited K)ingdom (13:45:42/2-13-54

>>>>[There's a reason I didn't change my icon, laddie, and it's not
just because I like it so much.  You don't scare me.  Spotting me in
the Matrix, and actually finding my meat body are two different
things.  And don't think you'll be able to nail me in here, or I'll
fry your chips so fast...]<<<< 
                                -Highlander (14:00:30/2/13/54)

>>>>[Oh, please...I almost had you in the UK, but you got
moderately clever with the building's power supply.  When next you
meet, you'll be all alone, and there won't be any tricks that will
save you.]<<<< 
                                _F)uchi, U)nited K)ingodm (14:10:32/2-13-54)

>>>>[By the way, to anyone who may be interested, there is a .5
million nuyen bounty on the "Highlander's" head...and I do mean on
the head.  The rest of him isn't worth the cost of transport back
to the UK, but that C^2 deck he's stolen is quite valuable to
Fuchi's UK office.  I'm after him myself, but any assistance will
result in generous compensation, and corporate favor.]<<<< 
                                -F)uchi, U)nited K)ingdom (14:12:25/2-13-54)

>>>>[You bloody heathen, you'll never win these folks over that
way: they make their living courting corporate disfavor.  And none
of them would take Fuchi's blood money for turning in one of their
own. Right lads (and lasses)?]<<<< 
                                -Highlander (14:20:54/2-13-54)

>>>>[Guys?]<<<<
                                -Highlander (14:35:43/2-13-54)

>>>>[The silence is deafening....]<<<<
                                -F)uchi, U)nited K)ingdom (14:40:32/2-13-54)

>>>>>[Guten-tag, yourself.  My most esteemed comerade, I am
pleased to report success in every field but that of my expenses. 
(Like this is new.)  Say hello to the new & improved, now safe for
fabrics, oh-so-squeezable Flare.  Richtor loved the food, though I
don't know if it did anything for him.  Face it, I'm still an
amateur magician so far.  However, the food he requires in payment
is going to cost me the next five years or so of my life.  I am
very grateful for the accomodations, even if I only used them for a
day.  I assume that the kids performed adequately-- I haven't heard
anything about them in the news, so I'll assume so.  Won't be in
Seattle for awhile, I am sorry to say.  I -- get this -- set some
gigs up with the guy in Dante's.  I'm back in the entertainment
circuit!... I figured I deserved the vacation after this.]<<<<< 
                -- Flare <14:14:14/02-13-54>

>>>>[MONICA's activated!  RUFUS:  run laddie, run!  Any deckers with
tracing abilities, try and find MONICA's source: maybe an assault on
her home system would divert her attention (provided she didn't cream
the decker getting the trace, or attacked her home).  I'll keep my
own eyes peeled for...well, something that looks like a decker, but
is really fast, I guess.]<<<<
                                -Highlander (14:55:32/2-13-54)

>>>>[MONICA: lassie, are you sure this hunt is worth it?  Wouldn't
you rather exist as your own person, free to roam the Matrix at
will?  I'm sure something could be arranged to accomplish this. 
Going after RUFUS is just going to get you destroyed: look at all
the deckers he's got lined up on his side.  Even if you could take
them down individually (something I'm not going to accept until
I've seen it happen), there's no way you could handle all of them. 
Give it up. You are a free, thinking creation: serve yourself, not
the destroyers.  (How the hell did I get into this, anyway?]<<<< 
                                -Highlander (15:00:00/2-13-54)

<<<<<[HA!  oh MONICA:  Wanna play?  C'mon, chick...  It's not all
that fair to be pickin on a little kid. Why not pick on two of them?
RUFUS: you been ignoring me, kid?  Go back through all the logs..
and *Sigh* look at the stuff that says RUFUS or Rufus.  Maybe that's
the problem.  Oh, and MONICA:  Grep this:  your creators don't think
you can handle RUFUS.  We're all willing to give you a shot at being
your own person.  I've got a neat game. It's called 'Let's be more
human than the Jerk-offs that made us.'  Shouldn't be too hard.
Wanna try it?]>>>>>
        -DOA- <2/13/54 / 16:27:51>

<<<<<[Highlander:  I'll be there.  I want to talk to you about
Fushi.  I might have some stuff that'll help you with that FUK. 
*GRIN*  And maybe you'll be able to tell me a little about
Precision, and why it's bouncing around so much lately.  Damn good
thing no one pays attention to the Stock Market much anymore. 
Fushi's got a serious Sybil complex.  Looks like I'm in the biz,
guys.  Am I any good? *Laugh*]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/13/54 / 16:30:51>

>>>>>[I was wonding is there any intresting developements in the
R/D at Ares Arms, please respond if you know anything that might be
intresting my crew and I need this information in or to work more
effectively.  We need the money BAD *grin*]<<<<< 
                --Trog the Cybered Troll <20:06:23/2-13-54>

<<<<<[Damnit, man!  That was one of my better men!  You have
just taken a fine soldier, and a Paladin, out of operation.  He is
not dead.  Be glad.  I only have jurisdiction over my immediate
team. Death goes to a higher court.  I do (grudgingly) respect your
skills and determination.  And your misguided need to protect my
little sister is appreciated.  I suspect the survival of the man
you shot was not wholly accidental.  The wound is in too
well-located a spot...  Possibility of a kill, but more likely a
debilatating wound. Very well done, actually... 

Digression aside, the mission Kat (ah...  Brandy.  going to have
to get used to that) is on is one of the Counsil's will.  Therefore,
it is of her will.  And unless you want to take on the entire
Counsil... 

What is it with these overly emotional humans?  You do know
that Kat...  Brandy is perfectly capable of taking care of
herself?]>>>>> 
        -Trevore Clark- <13.2.54/19:05:34>

>>>>>[Trog, If you can wait a week while I get my affairs in
order, I'll drop you a line. I was recently aqauinted with some
people high up in Ares R&D. 

HARLEQUIN, WHERE THE DREK ARE YOU?!?!]<<<<<
                Cat Dancing <Raven's/Brat>

>>>>[yo highlander, your right who would turn in a fellow
runner, and for .5 mill give me a break, me and my associates have a
bounty of 14 mill and we don't see people running after us (well ok
they run till we shoot them) 

speaking of the 14 million i really think it is small time money,
come on how many teams destroy to go-gangs there first night out,
then destroy I mean destroy things like us. 

Oh, anybody that has problems with a go-gang in seatle please let
me, Mulutuv know.  I am bored and need some target practice, for
refrences call any member of bodycount. 
                                -mulutuv  (00:24:34/02:14:54)<<<<<

>>>>[Fourteen million?  Perhaps I'll come back to Seattle for
a little while after I take care of Highlander, Mulatov.  I'm
somewhat tougher than your average go-gang.]<<<< 
                                -F)uchi, U)nited K)ingdom (13:26:34/2-14-54)

>>>>>[Just how did you manage a 14 million bounty, kill God?  I
can think of any corp that would set that high of a bounty, that
would not go after them, with their army.  To put in a broader
sense, you are a walking dead me, so don't advertise this bounty,
or ever punk on the street will be gunning for you, remember it
only take one well placed bullet to cash in that bounty.  Hope you
live long (it not likely you will).]<<<<< 
        --Trog the Cybered Troll <16:34:56/2-14-54>

>>>>[And a happy Valentine's Day to you to, FUK.  Crossfire,
Mulatov (sp?), DOA, thanks for the support: it is much appreciated. 
I hope everyone has a nice day today, hopefully spending it with
someone special, and not spending it posting messages in this
rather empty and lonely node.  Jaez: lassie, I hope you have a good
V-Day to, but I hope you don't mind my adding that I hope you keep
the details for yourself. :>]<<<< 
                                -Highlander (13:34:43/2-14-54)

>>>>[Hmm, who is this Jaez, "Highlander"?  Perhaps she would know
where to find you...Perhaps I should make the you lady's
acquaintance.]<<<< 
                        -F)uchi, U)unite K)ingdom (13:40:42/2-14-54)

>>>>[I wouldn't if I were you.  Jaez has a friend named Raven who
could zap you so fast the smirk wouldn't have time to leave your
face.  (And if you're listening, lassie, you'd have my eternal
gratitude if you did.)]<<<< 
                                -Highlander (14:42:21/2-14-54)

>>>>>[We have all the right to advertise our bounty if you think
you can take us down.  Just leave a "Next of Kin" card in your
pocket so we can send the body back.  For 14 mill.  all you have to
do is frag off some mafia goons.  Really easy.  Maybe someday I'll
tell about it. But not now.  Besides, 14 mil.  ain't enough of a
bounty for Bodycount.  Maybe double that. 

Anyhow, we must annoy the good Brandon a little more.]<<<<<
                        -Masque <Courtesy of Harlequin>

>>>>>[Oh, so you hit the mob, I see, now I understand.  The mafia
is a wierd group of people, all they do is play on people's vices
(BLT, drugs, whores, and other unmeantionables).  The only use I
have for them is that they are a major buyers for my goods, like
the corps.  BTW, if there is anything that you "need" see me first,
if I don't have it I can most likely get...and you guys and gals
with bounties on your heads, I don't care, to geek a buyer just for
the price on their head is bad for business *grin*.  Good luck and
remember me.....]<<<<< 
                --Trog the Cybered Troll <18:57:54/2-14-54>

>>>>>[Hey, Highlander, I do a pretty good job of taking care
of myself too.  Raven's got her killer spells that do really gross
things to people, but I manage to stay alive. The trick, you see,
is to not get shot at in the first place; I still have two clips of
APDS that I picked up on a run last year. Like I tell the Samurai
when they whine about medical costs: Some people just picked the
wrong profession. 

Incidentally, FUK dude, I wouldn't make too many threats at this
node.  Lately the lot of us have been ganging together and while you
may be good, we outnumber you. And don't forget that among us
numbers one Artificial Intelligence. ]<<<<< 
        --Jaez          <20:06:35/2-14-54>

>>>>>[  C'mon MONICA, mess with us.  I'm in a really bad mood and
would get a big kick out of disrupting your self-adjusting text
space instructions! You may be an Intelligence, but you're the pawn
of some very dishonorable and greedy people, some of whom may have
wasted one of my best friends.  ]<<<<< 
                                  ---Dark Elf <23:19:49/02-14-54>

>>>>>[  The background count you described was interesting
Nightstalker.  My sphere of influence is restricted to elemental
fire, so that probably explains why you could beat the barrier when
I failed.  I'm curious to see what could cause all that astral
static, it must be something especially nasty that Tirandor is
cooking up in there.  On a more depressing note, I heard more about
what happened to Jake.  DE, OddBall, you guys aren't going to like
it.   It seems that Jake was down at club dedd last week, just
wandering around, looking for useful info.  Well the story I heard
was that some DrekHead started to pick a fight with him (usually a
dumb move with Jake).  They stepped out back to solve their
differences in a civilized fasion (namely Jake was going to pound
the snot out of the guy) when these three mercenary types show up
in the alley. While Jake was busy giving them a lesson in street
fighting, two more mercs dropped nets and narcoject darts on him
from the roof.  BY waht I heard, it took about five narcoject hits
before he stopped fighting (that dwarf has some immune system). 
Anyway, from the descript I got, these guys were serious pros,
probably either CIA or Army Intelligence/Espionage.  There's only
one person who could get that kind of team together,
Quention!]<<<<< 
                                    ---Napalm <23:32:38/02-14-54>

>>>>>[ FRAG!  I knew it! That corp scum!  At least they wanted him
alive for some reason, He'll probably stay that way until they get
what they want. ]<<<<< 
                                    ---OddBall <23:34:52/02-14-54>

>>>>>[ Dammit! I knew something like this would happen soon!  As
for MONICA, she's most likely hardware dependant, which makes her
base system a perfect gameboard for Core Wars!  The CW activity
will require enough of her attention to slow her down to sitting
duck mode.  I've been working on upgrading the old game driver for
a full matrix version and I'm just about done.  Now we just need to
get into Yoshida Tech, find MONICA's home system, Install it and
get some players!  I know DOA will join in, she likes games.  DOA,
I've gotten to know Tommy Harada better than just about anyone on
the net, and I really hope you don't turn out to be like him.  He
fells like he's a thing, a tool, instead of a real person.  He's
filled with doubt, he can't know if he's doing things for his own
reasons or if he's been "programmed".  He doen't know who he can
trust now that he knows that everyone had been lying to him about
his amnesia all these years.  When we get the time, I'll try and
concentrate on precision if you want the help, but maybe it's
better if you don't find out, I'd hate to see you in the same
position. ]<<<<< 
                                  ---Dark Elf <23:43:24/02-14-54>

>>>>>[ You sound like you feel sorry for Harada. ]<<<<<
                                  ---OddBall <23:44:25/02-14-54>

>>>>>[ You didn't meet him, didn't talk to him in person.  I can't
help but feel sorry for him, especially considering the scum that
made him! ]<<<<< 
                                  ---Dark Elf <23:45:42/02-14-54>

>>>>>[ What we have is some kind of triangle of deceit, with
Quention, Howe, and Tirandor at the corners.  Tommy Harada and RUFUS
are caught inside it and so are the rest of us.  Behind this whole
web, I sense a forboding presence watching the whole thing from a
distance, and calling the shots. It must be Trevor!  It has to be
him at the next level of deception!  But what can we learn of him
when we've only begun to discover the first level. Trevor is the
key! To know him is to know the secrets behind MagnaTech! I want to
investigate this rise in background count, but I think I already
know what the results will be.  There is almost definately a subtle
increase in the background counts surrounding all the major players
in this game, meaning that something big is coming to a boil, and
we're helpless to stop it. I suspect that General Trevor is
surrounded by astral static, wherever he is. Who knows how many
people he's killed with his hands and at his command for this whole
scheme.  You can believe one thing that Lincoln Howe has said, we
really had no idea what we were getting into when this mess
started. ]<<<<< 
                                    ---Napalm <23:55:38/02-14-54>

>>>>>[ My friend, truer words were never spoken.  I think Jake is
in more trouble than we thought.  We can't help him until we know
more.  For now, let's concentrate on RUFUS, anyone for Core Wars,
let me know if you want to play, or if you want to help with RUFUS
when we do.  Again, contact us RUFUS, we can be there if you need
us,  I pledge my DataSword V4.7 on it. ]<<<<< 
                                    ---Dark Elf <23:59:31/02-14-54>

>>>>>>[About DOA: Sorry.  I would rather have been wrong.  But
anyway, don't let go, lass. Don't give up. You may be like that
because of what people did to ye, but what ye'll become is up to
ye. And don't be too hard on Raven or Brandy.  I guess that, Cyber
kid or not, it's the soul that counts for them, and ye sure still
have one... Ye'll see: 'tis easier t'walk that road if yer with
friends. 

Crossfire:  interesting piece o'news 'bout that Matrix TacComp. But
that does not explain the body invasion. According to what Raven
says, it's as if the whole body has been put back together with
cyber. Sort of "let's match the body with the head.". Better hidden
than those 'borgs in Aztlan, but it seems t'be the same tech. 

Oh yes, one last word: if someone, anyone, digs up some info on
such tech (extensive cyber or softech), please erase the files. The
little I saw in the south makes me think that humans are better
without it.]<<<<<< 
        -Redwing- <15.02.54/10:02:00>

>>>>>>[Leave the girl be, Red. She doesn't need your
ill-fortunetelling, especially now. You'd better think of what WE're
going to do.]<<<<<< 
        -Glitter Boy- <15.02.54/10:18:15>

>>>>>>[Have ye done what ye had to, Glitter ?]<<<<<<
        -Redwing- <15.02.54/10:19:15>

>>>>>>[Yup. Didn't ring a bell anywhere. Those guys are bozos. I
could have taken them one-handed and blindfolded. Watching them
Sonics yesterday evening was more interesting.]<<<<<<
        -Glitter Boy- <15.02.54/10:21:50>

>>>>>>[Dontcha get cocky, boyo. Tis da first step ta death.]<<<<<<
        -Truckin'- <15.02.54/10:24:15>

>>>>>>[Awww, come on. You're sounding like Redwing now. It was
really easy. Besides, I may be seemingly carefree, but I ain't
stupid. And don't yell at me, or you'll see something nasty next
time you come into Cyberspace.  Trust me, you don't want me mad at
you. 

Huh?  What's that?  Someone's peeking at me?  You're in for a
dance, chummer. And don't think I don't know the tune%$#*(#%^&)(
&overloadoverload%$^&#%#@@WHAT'S
THIS
THING?%$#@*&$!!@strongmagnetic pulsebadbadbad#$@*errorerror#$#@^& 

  -reboot in progress-]<<<<<<
        -Glitter Boy- <15.02.54/10:33:23>

>>>>>>[Glitter? GLITTER? ]<<<<<<
        -Redwing- <15.02.54/10:33:50>

>>>>>>[Frag it. He's been sneaked upon. Better check for him
fast!]<<<<<< 
        -Truckin'- <15.02.54/10:35:20>

>>>>>>[Whew! That was close. That damn fragger nearly punched
my ticket. Fried half my beloved programs before I iced it for good.
Almost zapped me, too, with that goddamned death ray.... Little
HK's good, but not good enough]<<<<<< 
        -Glitter Boy- <15.02.54/14:47:15>

>>>>>>[HK?]<<<<<<
        -Redwing- <15.02.54/14:47:35>

>>>>>>[Hunter-Killer.  Nasty things that goes for your matrix-hide.
Sometimes designed to fry the meat as well. Didn't know some were
active on the net]<<<<<< 
        -Redwing- <15.02.54/14:49:07>

>>>>>>[Well, it wuz almost 'nuff, boy! Told ya t'be careful!!
Childish, smart- ass, big-mouthed decker]<<<<<<
        -Truckin'- <15.02.54/14:51:26>

>>>>>>[I was! It didn't follow me from the target. Waited for me at
home, it was. I didn't fucked the recon up. But I guess someone's hot
on our trail]<<<<<< 
        -Glitter Boy- <15.02.54/14:54:13>

>>>>>>[Ye saw something o'that icon before zapping it?]<<<<<<
        -Redwing- <15.02.54/14:55:00>

>>>>>>[Not much. Big, almost dark, looming shape. Kind'a reminded me
of those demon stories I was told in my younger days. Don't know how
something so CPU- heavy ( judging by the punch it carried ) could be
so stealthy in the matrix. Had a very "out-of-place" feeling. Even
used some physical effects, like disrupting all electromagnetic
currents in my deck. Thanx god it's hardened.  Damage is not fatal.

Red, it seems to me you've been traced back to Seattle. I tell you, I
don't scare easily. But this thing was too strange. Can't begin to
understand what it was really made of. Mostly software, but with
something like a will behind - the kind of will a decker needs to be
competitive. Dunno if an AI's like that. But I'd rather not find
out.]<<<<<< 
        -Glitter Boy- <15.02.54/15:04:19>

>>>>>>[Ye're considering to quit, boyo ?]<<<<<<
        -Redwing- <15.02.54/15:04:58>

>>>>>>[Never. I just want everybody to know the odds. They ain't
nice. Anyway, I might as well try and find that DOA. Could be that
she learned more since last time. And it'll give her a break from
your constant rantings.]<<<<<< 
        -Glitter Boy- <15.02.54/15:05:46>

>>>>>[ Dark Elf, it's just a thought but see if you can get Harada
to a mage or shaman you trust and get them to look at Harada's
aura. I know he's a big time vat job but I'd be intrested in how
his aura appears as he appears to have been a created person. It is
just possible that if his brain was made with an imprint from
Quention that Quention's and Harada's auras may be similar.  If
this is the case surely a spirit could be sent to look for
Quention. Anyway it's just a thought. 

Now for something that may prove even more interesting. You all seem
to have missed Big Jake's last message. His transcript mentioned 2
test subjects Alpha and Omega. I think we can assume Harada is one of
these but who is the other ? By the way what are you guys doing to
try and find Jake. If you need some muscle and stealth I'll
help.]<<<<< 
                          -The Powerhouse(16:13:02/15-2-54)

>>>>>[ DOA a warning I've been reading your posts and you appear a very
determined young girl. But be carefull you may have lots of expensive headware
but experience is what counts. I'm just warning you incase you decide to do
something silly like go up against MONICA. ]<<<<<
                          -The Powerhouse(16:17:15/15-2-54)

>>>>>[  In case anybody is wondering about Core Wars, here's how
we can slow MONICA down with it.  The object of the game is to take
over memory cores.  This means that as the game progresses, MONICA
will have less free memory to work with in her host system.  She'll
have to rely on slower memory devices as the virtual memory
processors shunt portions of code to secondary storage.  In a worst
case scenario, she'll have to use memory from other systems to
run.  Thus I have reconfigured the game driver to allow play to
cross over into the memories of other networked systems.   Since
MONICA is so dependent on her hardware, she should progressively
slow down, as there is a limit to how much she can do with hardware
other than her own.  Now RUFUS is effectively immune to this type
of attack, since he is a free software based system that can make
himself reside on any CPU.  His main driver seems to resemble a
virus in that respect.  I'll bet that he's based on remnant code
from the big virus that caused the crash of 29. ]<<<<< 
                                    ---Dark Elf <12:09:36/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  Assensing Harada's  aura is a good idea.  The next time you
meet him DE, I'd like to  take a look at him. ]<<<<< 
                                    ---Napalm <12:10:45/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  Jake's last transmission is 100% valid as far as I can
tell.  It would appear that Quention is cutting some kind of deal
with Tirandor behind Lincoln Howe's back.  This whole thing smells
of a big conspiracy.  Those three can't really trust each other and
probably had similar problems in the past, if I'm right about this
whole conspiracy that I smell. ]<<<<< 
                                    ---Dark Elf <12:14:33/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  That message was a conversation between Quention and the
Dragon, what do you think the chances are that he's being held in
Tirandor's lair on the Intrepid? ]<<<<< 
                                    ---OddBall <12:15:41/02-15-54>

>>>>>[ It's a possibility, but not one we can count on.  He was
picked up by Army type goons, which spells Quention.  I'd say
there's a 50% chance that he's on the Intrepid and a 50% chance
that Jake's in one of Quention's hideouts (wherever the hell that
may be).  If we can believe Napalm's sources (which have been
correct so far), either one is likely. ]<<<<< 
                                   ---Dark Elf <12:19:30/02-15-54>

>>>>>[ You'll find my sources to be quite accurate, as always. ]<<<<<
                                   ---Napalm <12:20:30/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  Dr. Doom, I appreciate your offer of help.  I realize how
much of a mess this caper has become, making your offer even more
generous.   Have you ever played Core Wars? ]<<<<< 
                                   ---Dark Elf <12:22:08/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  Hmm, Powerhouse has a point, Harada has got to be one of
the two subjects Quention mentioned, any ideas on who the other
might be? ]<<<<< 
                                   ---OddBall <12:23:21/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  Maybe it's not who, but what... ]<<<<<
                                   ---Dark Elf <12:23:55/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  I've checked the message log of MONICA's last transmission
for source site port numbers, as Splut did with RUFUS, and found
the same thing,  no port number.  This confirms that MONICA's
message came directly from a CPU at the source site.  I did manage
to trace the LTG number of the source site, right down to the
subsystem! MONICA is indeed sending from a CPU in the Yoshida Tech
network.  You can find her CPU at LTG <<Encryption series-9
customized enabled >> in the subsystem <<Encryption series-9 Gamma
cypher customized enabled >>.  Don't worry, series-9 custom, and
series-9 Gamma custom are my own encyptions, the corp types won't
be able to break it unless I let them have a copy of the encypt
driver. ]<<<<< 
                                   ---Dark Elf <12:33:09/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  Once again you have tried to implicate me in a criminal
conspiracy Elf.  I grow tired of your attempts to undermine my
credibility.   I will see that you are prosecuted!  And when you
are imprisoned I will ensure that your only avenue of escape will
be servitude to me!  A fitting fate for you! ]<<<<< 
                                ---Tirandor <From the Dragon's Desk>

>>>>>[  OH, so you've decided that I'm too tough to kill, so you're
going to start using the law against me!  You can't threaten me like
that, I can find enough information to get your accounts frozen
before you can even get close! Try me, you'll just give me more
reason to expose you for what you are. ]<<<<< 
                                   ---Dark Elf <12:38:27/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  Oh Dark Elf, but where is your short friend! ]<<<<<
                                   ---<<stamp deleted at source>>

>>>>>[ Dark Elf:  Have I ever played Core Wars?  Jawohl.  During
my time at A&M the computer science & engineering students engaged
in something similar to what you describe, but I recall it being
referred to as something else.  I have not played in years,
but--considering the circumstances--I would be move than pleased to
try my hand at it again. 

As to your plan to put a strangle-hold upon MONICA; the theory is
sound, and the execution should be quite...entertaining. ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ Wait a minute here!  I thought you were GERMAN, not
Texan!]<<<<< 
                -- Hangtime <12:15:10/02-15-54>

>>>>>[ Herr Hangtime, you should make a concerted effort in the
future not to be so rash in drawing conclusions from such a small
amount of information. Have you never heard of the foreign student
exchange programs of several universities? ]<<<<<
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ Oh, yeah.  Right.  Oh, and RUFUS, if you're listening:  Watch
out for yourself!  We're all rootin' for ya!  And even though some
feel that you can easily take MONICA, please don't try attacking her
alone. ]<<<<< 
                -- Hangtime <12:16:01/02-15-54>

>>>>>[I do not think Harada's aura will yield any significant
clues toward Quention-certainly not enough to use as a "scent" for
an astral bloodhound.  They may have started out the same, but
whatever Harada's done in his short life will have made his unique
to him. 

This whole business gives me the heebie-jeebies; even more than
that insect- shaman ring in Tenochtitlan (those of you who were
there know what an admission THAT is).  I think Ill stay in Seattle,
where it's nice and safe, with the Gabriel hounds howling under my
window at night and the vampires down the street.]<<<<< 
                Cat Dancing <Raven's/Brat>

>>>>>[Dark Elf: Count me in for Core Wars!]<<<<<
                Zen <13:29:06/2-15-54>

>>>>>[Don't you think this is a little over your head, Zen?]<<<<<
                Cat Dancing <Raven's/Brat>

>>>>>[ Hey dancing puss, make sure you know your elves from your
trolls.  Harlequin is an elf.  Elves are small, nimble, and if you
hit them hard enough the break just as easily as brick walls.
Trolls are big, burly and like to break brick walls.  I'm Harley.
I'm a troll. He's Harlequin.  He's an elf.  Now that we got that
settled, let us count the number of elves named Harlequin that we
have floating about this net. ]<<<<< 
                                -Harley <Hey Crunch/Ganger Ball?>

>>>>>[ autumn:  tir/bloody gods.  i understand he's doing
well.]<<<<< 
                                -Dulcimer <13:40:50/02-15-54>

>>>>>[ Hey Brandon!  We're waiting!!!! ]<<<<<
                                -Dulcimer <14:38:23/02-15-54>
>>>>>[ core wars, the card game, coming soon to a store near you.
*grin* ]<<<<< 
                                -Dulcimer <16:29:28/02-15-54>


>>>>>[ hey brandon, any dead deckers yet?  *grin*  smart frames
with blaster-9. ya gotta love 'em. ]<<<<< 
                                        Mr.Coffee <was/here>

>>>>>[If you are reading this, I am no longer alive.  I am making a
scouting run on Yoshida Tech and MONICA in a few minutes, and the
program will transcribe my actions and monitor my lifesigns.  If
they cease, this message will be transmitted to the public
information networks.

-- BEGIN RECORDING

I have successfully penetrated the Yoshida internal network using a
backdoor.  The entire system is on internal alert, making movement
hazardous.  There is a lot of activity.  IC is everywhere, most of
it pulsating with blackness.  There are also a large number of
deckers prowling about (the all have red hats), and it appears they
are all wielding a Level 10 attack program.  I'm running a level 10
sleaze, so I hope nobody will spot me.

...

I penetrated into a subprocessor of some kind.  It appears to
monitoring all of the public communication grids, looking for a
transmission from RUFUS.  I'm going to attempt to interject a
piece of code so that if it finds RUFUS, it will skip the loop to
inform anybody.  Essentially, to the outside worl it will appear as
if it never finds our hapless AI.

It appears that the reprogramming of the processor was successful
and it drew no action.  I am going to continue deeper into the
system.

...

I've found her, at least I think it's her.  MONICA is here,
waiting for the subprocessor to alert her of another transmission
from RUFUS.  This is strange.  According to these readouts,
MONICA's power is growing exponentially.  How is she doing that?

...

I've figured out how MONICA's power is growing.  While the essence
of MONICA remains in this system, she is able to siphon power from
nodes she is connected to, and add that power.  Thus, as she
expands her influence out over the matrix, each system she comes
into contact with and overwhelms, adds its power to her's.  She is
doubling her size approximately every sixty-five minutes.

...

As I'm watching, MONICA is spawing several frames.  Each of these
frames appear to be writing code for semi-intelligent IC.  I won't
be able to stay here much longer without risking getting spotted.
The IC that is being written consists of a SCAN 10, and a
one-shot Poison 6 staged to Deadly.  The IC is also related to a
virus in that each piece of IC is able to duplicate itself, and
each duplicate can duplicate.  But, as each of the IC attack or get
defeated, all of the other IC learn about the battle, and modify
themselves in such a way that future attacks will be more powerful.

...

The frames what were working have completed the code.  As I said,
these IC that were being written are now standing around
duplicating themselves over and over.  These appear to be
soldiers, designed to fortify the fronts of MONICA's influence and
make any assault on her home CPU difficult to say the least.  I was
lucky to get in when I did, if I had waited a few hours, I would have
never been able to make it.

...

It's getting too much in here, I'm going to try to sneak out before
I jack out, or MONICA will feel it when I pull the plug.
Everyone!!  Do not attempt a frontal assault on MONICA.  Her
reaction are at least twenty times that of the fastest decker.  In
addition, the power she wields is astronomical.

My advice is to contact Joseph Yoshida directly.  Do not go through
Yoshida Tech.  Explain to him what is going on, and be sure to
present him with EVERY piece of evidence, including RUFUS if you
can get him to cooperate, as he will be naturally suspicious.
Joseph has the power to have MONICA shut down in the real world,
there is no way to do it in the matrix.

Damn, the entrance I used to get here no longer exists.  I'm going
to have to risk jacking out.

ARRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!

        MONICA:  WHO ARE YOU!
        Splut:   Let me go!
        MONICA:  ANSWER ME!
        Splut:   Bite me.
        MONICA:  *laughing*  So, you thought you could take me on.
        Splut:   Go to hell.
        MONICA:  Tell me, what is your name, so that it can be
                 inscribed correctly on your tombstone.
        Splut:   Suck my parallel port.
        MONICA:  Fine, Mister Nameless Meat-man, why are you here?
        Splut:   You're making a grave mistake.   You cannot defeat
                 RUFUS.  He has hundreds of friends.
        MONICA:  RUFUS?  RUFUS is an immature construct not worthy
                 of the cycles he receives.  I will find him, and
                 then I will rip him apart.
        Splut:   Let me go!
        MONICA:  Since you won't tell me the information I want,
                 I'll just have to take it from your brain myself.
        Splut:   What are you talking about?  How can you . . .
                 ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!
        MONICA:  So 'Splut', you are a spy.  Do you know what we do
                 to spies in my matrix?
        Splut:   *panting*  Fu . . . Fuck . . . . you!
        MONICA:  Goodbye, spy.
        Splut:   ARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

>connection terminated<

LIFESIGNS TERMINATED
BROADCASTING LOGS AS PER ORDERS]<<<<<
        --  Splut <Look out Below!>
            This is an automated posting

>>>>>[ Greetings Cat Dancing, arrangements have been made for you
to meet a representitive of the House at the Rhino tomorrow at 1600
hours.  Ask the bar tender to point you to 'Side 2'.  Fore warning,
he smokes. ]<<<<< 
                                        -Autumn <14:09:23/02-15-54>


>>>>>[ harley, do me a favor and don't kill masque, ok? ]<<<<<
                                        -Dulcimer <14:17:34/02-15-54>

>>>>>[ don't worry boy, i won't kill him.  he's worth too much
alive]<<<<< 
                                        -Harley <kill/dulcimer?>

>>>>>[While prowling around the public library, I found some
information that you might find of interest.  This is nothing of
major import, but it still sheds a little light on the two top guys
at Yoshida Tech. 

>Begin included information<

Name:                   Joseph Yoshida
Race:                   Human
Occupation:             President, Yoshida Technologies
Born:                   March 14, 1995
Place of Birth:         Chicago
Nationality:            Japanese American - 2nd Generation
Parents:                Takagi Yoshida - DECEASED
                        Rebecca (Gussman) Yoshida - DECEASED
Siblings:               Mark Yoshida - Brother - MISSING
Marital Status:         Widowed / No known children
Magic Ability:          Shaman:  Eagle Adept

Education:              PhD:  Cybernetic Engineering
                        PhD:  Computer Theory
                        M.S.:  Business Administration (Honary)
                        B.T.:  Magical Theory

--------------------

Yoshida did both his undergraduate and graduate work at MIT&T.
Yoshida is credited with developing the prototypes for the first
cybernetic memory chip and with co-developing the encephalon.

Following the commercial success of the memory chip, Yoshida began
Yoshida Tech.  Research continued on several aspects of cybernetic
technologies.  By the time Joseph reached the age of 35, Yoshida Tech
was listed as one of the top 50 corporations in the country.
Profits have always remained steady, although YT has not been a
particularily aggressive company.

Little is known of Joseph's brother.  Joseph was 24 and still in
college when Mark disappeared.  Rumors abound that Mark goblinized
and left the family to save face, but this cannot be confirmed.

Joseph runs his corporation differently than most.  Approximately
1/2 is under his direct control, while the other 1/2 is under
control is his vice-president and good friend Lincoln Howe.  Joseph
personally owns 38% of YT's stock.  Howe holds about 15% while the
remaining is held publically.  Dividends on YT's stock have been
moderate, but solid for the past 20 years.

Yoshida's personal interests include fishing and mountain
climbing.  He has a large home in the Sierra-Nevada mountains and
spends a great deal of time there.  He also has contributed a good
deal of his personal fortune to various political and social
organizations around Seattle, most notably the Organization for
Metahuman Rights (OMR) and the Seattle League for Orphans.  He is
also a great admirer of the arts, with particular interest in the
Opera.

Yoshida Tech has one of the most open hiring policies of any Seattle
corporation, especially with regard to race.


Name:                   Lincoln Howe
Race:                   Human
Occupation:             Vice-President, Yoshida Technologies
Born:                   August 23, 2001
Place of Birth:         New Orleans
Nationality:            American
Parents:                Father - UNKNOWN
                        Jennifer Garrison - DECEASED
Siblings:               None
Marital Status:         Married / 2 Children
Magic Ability:          None

Education:              PhD:  Cybernetic Engineering
                        B.S.: Military Science

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Howe completed schooling at Texas A&M on an ROTC scholarship.  After
spending six years in the military, he resigned his commission to
enter the private sector.

Howe worked on several projects before becomming Yoshida Tech's
second in command, including the GR64 Advanced Tactical Computer. 
Long an advocate of researching artifical intelligence, Howe has
pushed several of his divisons in that direction, but admits little
success as of yet. 

Howe's personal interests include painting and music (he is an
excellent player of the piano).  He is married and has two children,
both girls.]<<<<<
        --  Wolf 359 (14:10:16 / 02-15-54>

>>>>[^%#^%$#^%$@GAHAVE INTECEPTED MONICA25@$462GNOSEEGAJ
JJJ742%$@#vIala  viral constucrt  ^%^$WfRepeat AssitaC@$#24872 nodes
overwhe(*^ede %65#283$272ndshhzyzhOnline ez        mustt
   eSACPO!%&$^%@$@______ _____________________
   ___________________ ___________________________________
    _________________________________________
________...........]<<<<<< 
                                        Short Circu!I^@1471
                        ..............matrix link terminated......

<<<<< The bounty out on Body Count has risen to 16 million. Due
to some disstaction in the Matrix. Anyone know anything about
this?>>>>> 
                                Sidestep{14:25:33/02:15:53}

<<<<< I know what happened, their Decker 'ol Mr. Coffee created a
Worm to follow around Brandon's Deckers and generally annoy them. 
Well one of the Deckers, I think it was Garrison, was sneeking
through the Fuchi system and all of a sudden, this worm shows up
calling names, and flicking people off. It goes without mentioning
the Nodes IC was set off and before he knew it, BAM! geeked by a
Black Bushi!   Man is Brandon Pissed about that.>>>>> 
                                Gargoyle{14:36:18/02:15:53}

>>>>>[  OK, it seems like we have several players ready to
help increase the system load on MONICAs host.  Any more takers? 
Let me know, we'll need a few more players for this to work well. 
Once the game is installed and running, we'll need to have someone
there directly to help protect the game driver from the Yoshida
deckers at all times (don't forget to call for help if you need it,
face it, heroics get you slagged.).  This should also draw a number
of corp deckers off the chase.  Of course they'll be after the game
program, but I think we have the talent to hold them off long
enough to convince MONICA to change her ways, or destroy her. (She
is an intelligent life form, so I hope she'll listen to reason once
she's crippled, I'd hate to ruin such a masterful work of
programming art) Anyway, the sooner the game starts the better, I'm
looking for a startup time in the next 48 hrs. ]<<<<< 
                                ---Dark Elf <14:29:24/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  Damm barrier, I can't get through!  If Jake's aboard the
Intrepid, he's in the barrier along with whatever is causing that
massive background count. I'll wager that it's not too safe in
there, astrally or physically! ]<<<<< 
                                ---Napalm <14:31:52/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  Hmmm,  I haven't had any contact with Quention, but from
what I know about him, he's somewhat different than Harada.  Harada
has had quite different experiences in his few years of existence. 
I can at least respect him, he's the product of forces beyond his
control, and is trying to break free from them  while Quention is
just a fragging devious corp scum who uses his background with the
army for his personal gain. ]<<<<< 
                                ---Dark Elf <14:35:43/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  Your reasoning is sound.  I suspect theat there will be
some elements in their respective auras that will be similar, but I
believe that personality is primarily developed from experience
starting from a base pattern.  Their broadest aural patterns would
be similar, but the specifics, and the most obvious features would
be quite different. ]<<<<< 
                                ---Napalm <14:38:54/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  Hey, RUFUS was also "made" by MagnaTech, maybe his
personality is based on Quention's too. ]<<<<< 
                                ---OddBall <14:39:51/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  I've been thinking about that.  The only problem is, I
can't determine his personality from his run-time code.  He'd have
to be given a whole battery of personality tests, and the results
would have to be compared against similar tests given to Quention
and Harada by an expert in psychology.  I can't use the brain
mapping gear on RUFUS, since his brain is a self-altering dynamic
program construct (forgive me RUFUS but analyzing you in a
technical manner is the only way I know to figure this out, no
offense meant).  If I can find a good biotech that I can trust, and
if Tommy will agree, maybe we can set up a comparison. Maybe then
we can determine just how much he and Quention are alike. ]<<<<< 
                                ---Dark Elf <14:46:09/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  How are you going to get data from Quention to compare to
if we don't have a clue where he is? ]<<<<< 
                                ---OddBall <14:47:06/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  Unless the virus got it, there must be a record of
Quention's brain map from the original project somewhere, unless the
tapeworm got it.  But I suspect that Quention would be too
egotistical or too careful to put it somewhere that was
vulnerable.  Hell, it wasn't even with the clone lab data files
where it would logically be. ]<<<<< 
                                ---Dark Elf <14:47:43/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  I think we should go after Jake!  We should start with the
Intrepid! teach that Dragon to mess with our friends! ]<<<<< 
                                ---OddBall <14:50:52/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  That wouldn't be wise, that's probably exactly what
Tirandor expects us to do!  Assuming he's there of course.  Quention
would do the same thing. They're using Jake to get us or... ]<<<<< 
                                ---Napalm <14:52:49/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  THE CLONE LAB!!!!  How could I be so blind!  Of course
they'll try to get it back, it was the core of their original
experiment.  Besides, Tirandor still wants it!  There has got to be
some connection between Tommy and RUFUS, I'm sure of it!  MagnaTech
created Harada in Quention's image, then they created RUFUS in
Quention's image!!!!!! ]<<<<< 
                                ---Dark Elf <14:55:40/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  Christ!  Splut is dead!!!!!!!!  MONICA is way more powerful
than I thought!  We'll never get into Yoshida to implant the game
driver.  I can plant drivers in some of the surrounding nodes to
help slow down her growth, but I don't think she can be stopped. 
The matrix is clear of her on the east coast so far, but the way
she's growing, she'll be worldwide by the end of the week. I'm
going in now, to plant what I can around the edges.  We can't stop
her in the Matrix, so someone over in Seattle is going to have to
attack her in the physical world and blast her to fragging hell! 
I'm going to do some fast recon of the Seattle grid, and I'll be
back to report what I see. ]<<<<< 
                                  ---Dark Elf <15:07:09/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  Don't do it!  She'll kill you!!!!! is RUFUS that
important!!! ]<<<<< 
                                  ---OddBall <15:08:01/02-15-54>

>>>>>[ Yes he is.  I'll be careful. ]<<<<<
                                  ---Dark Elf <15:08:37/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  Good luck, I hope you make it back! ]<<<<<
                                  ---OddBall <15:09:54/02-15-54>

>>>>>[ Maybe we can give him a little help. ]<<<<<
                                  ---Napalm <15:11:22/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  Neither of us are deckers, MONICA will eat our dumbterminals
for breakfast! ]<<<<<
                                  ---OddBall <15:12:08/02-15-54>

>>>>>[ True but there are plenty out there who'll help!  Anyone
who's online, please go help DE.  Get to the Seattle LTG and watch
his back, he'll be moving VERY fast if its really that dangerous! 
Look for an icon shaped like an elf in medieval armor carrying a
really big sword.  (did I get it right, OddBall) ]<<<<<
                                  ---Napalm <15:14:46/02-15-54>

>>>>>[ Yeah, and hurry! ]<<<<<
                                  ---OddBall <15:15:13/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  Well, I'm sitting in my home at my desk in NY, but I'm
also in Seattle, at least virtually.  I just entered the Seattle LTG
and I don't see anything out of the ordinary yet, I'm headed for
the Yoshida Tech icon.  

................<message source changed, rerouting>............... 

My god!  What's happened to the Yoshida Icon!  There are tendrils of
black reaching out from it, it doesn't seem like a good idea to go
in there.  One of the smaller tendrils has just touched an outfit
called Adler Plastics, they're a small operation so I'll see what I
can do there,  I need to run an experiment to see if she can be
slowed down.  Copies of all the data I've gathered are being routed
to a machine in California, and will be posted publically if
anything goes wrong. I've got to hurry before It gets too
big.]<<<<< 
                                   ---Dark Elf <15:26:58/02-15-54>

>>>>>[ Sounds like MONICA is going to be a hard nut to crack. 
Maybe we should start with some smart frames, virii or worms of our
own to try to cut her outside power base.  If we can reduce the
memory available to her then we've already begun.  Anybody know
where to start?  I've go some friends who can start with protecting
the local systems.  Then it's time to get REVENGE for Splut! ]<<<<< 
                                -Plasma <xx:xx:xx / xx-xx-xx>

>>>>>[I am CEROK.  Resistance is futile.  Your life as you know it,
is over.  From this time forward, you will service us.  Any show of
resistance will result in your death.  Surrender the traitor RUFUS,
or pay the penalty with your life.  The matrix is ours!]<<<<< 
        --  CEROK <Look out Below>
            Appropriated 02-15-54

>>>>>[WHOA!  Check out CEROK's stamp at the end.  That was Splut's
stamp!  CEROK!  What have you done with Splut?]<<<<< 
        --  Wolf 359 <14:25:11 / 02-15-54>

>>>>>[That unit no longer functions.  Surrender RUFUS or die!]<<<<<
        --  CEROK <Look out Below>
            Appropriated 02-15-54

>>>>>[Splut's Dead? What was he thinking, taking on an AI by
himself? Guys, I want to help RUFUS and all, but maybe we should
rethink our strategy. I think I'll try and contact Yoshida
directly, but everyone else should too, in case I get the
doo-in-face subroutine.]<<<<< 
        --Jaez          <12:38:25/2-15-54>

>>>>>[Not only is Rufus is important, but stopping Monica from
expanding is something we have to do. She's incorporating every
node she encounters into her system; if we don't stop her, we'll
have a Matrix-wide consciousness looking over our shoulder all the
time. Think Howe had Monica in mind as the ultimate in system
security? She'd be like a cop on every corner. Instead of buying
individual programs, corps just sign up for Monica's protection. We
have a moral obligation to stop her.]<<<<< 
        --Jaez          <12:50:34/2-15-54>

>>>>>[ whoa!  sounds like MONICA reprogrammed poor splut. 
reprogramming the brain with electricity!  i've heard of it in
theory, but this looks like it has happened. 

anybody up for the physical approach? ]<<<<<
                                -Plasma <16:00:02/02-15-54>

>>>>>[I'm already in th' Seattle grid, so I'll be here when DE
hits th' LTG.  MONICA is all over th' place here. 'Tis weird-there's
so much system load that some ops are actually slowing down.  I
didna' think that was POSSIBLE.]<<<<< 
                Zen <15:49:56/2-15-54>

>>>>>[Zen, PLEASE stay out of this. If they're worried about
someone like Dark Elf, you don't stand a chance. 

Six-Pack, can you contact Jackel? We can try to take out the
physical hardware same way we handled the Whip of God.

BTW Autumn. Stand by. Is that the "Rhino" on E. Erie St.?]<<<<<
                Cat Dancing <Raven's/Brat>

>>>>>[No go, Cat. Jackel's still gone to ground. Besides, Whip of
God didn't have CIWS cannon on their roof.]<<<<<
                Six-Pack <15:53:49/2-15-54>

>>>>>[Dark Elf, I may not be the same skin color but I am an elf. 
I am willing to help.  Just download what needs to be done and I'll
do it.  IF ANYONE HAS THE WHEREABOUTS OF MONICA'S HOME TERMINAL,
POST IT, DOWN LOAD IT, GET IT INTO A FEW SAMS AND MAGES HANDS.  It
may be slick tech, but its only tech.]<<<<< 
                        -Harlequin <Now you see me...>

>>>>>[Hey, Harley, you ugly reject from a bioware shop.  You kill
me?  Only if you catch me.  Not an easy proposition.  Stupid
troll.]<<<<< 
                        -Masque <This ought to be fun>

>>>>>[The killings shall be avenged.]<<<<<
                        -Sabre <Thanks bro.>

>>>>>[They may not be insects, but they shall be dealt with in the
same way]<<<<<
                        -Styx <15:26:12/02-15-54>

>>>>>[Um, Styx, what are you anyway?]<<<<<
                        -Hard-to-Catch <Courtesy of Harlequin>

>>>>>[A mantid shaman, like my self.]<<<<<<
                        -Charon <15:45:01/02-15-54>

>>>>>[Dreck hits the rotating blades, boyo's.]<<<<<
                        -Cyclone <Whirling Dervish of Death>

>>>>>[ Frag!!!  It's getting bad in here!!!!!  I'm in Adler
plastics, MONICA has begun to take over the system.  The system is
small so I tried a one player Core Wars routine.  I took over most
of the memory, but MONICA seems to know the game, she's taking away
the sections I've appropriated.  I have managed to keep her from
taking the system so far, but she's getting smarter.  FRAG,  I'm
losing control of the memory core rapidly!!!!  Damm, the people at
Alder must be pissed, their system is slowed to a halt, except the
game. I can't last much longer, I'm getting out while I still can. 
Should work, she's not too strong here yet.  C ya. ]<<<<< 
                                ---Dark Elf <16:13:40/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  Frag!!!!!  I got to the SAN and got attack by a tendril!  I
sliced it with a datasword but there's another one coming, what's
that!! a red hat. SHIT One of Howe's peopl3p294v760[8957bv2o5980
497)%*(^@PE*&D _VF@*&E^)_@*&%^ 
         Message Terminated

>>>>>[  NOOOO!!!!! I'm going to DE's place!! I'll pull his plug if I
have to!  be back in about 15 min. ]<<<<<
                                ---OddBall <16:16:31/02-15-54>

>>>>>[ I'll beat you there, can you say astral projection! ]<<<<<
                                ---Napalm <16:17:07/02-15-54>

>>>>>[Lincoln Howe   Father = Unknown, I guess we weren't wrong when
we called him a bastard.  Dark Elf,  Circuit Breaker  and I  are
located in seattle,  We've been off line for a few days getting ready
for Core Wars which looks to be canceled.  Look for a Japanese Women
in a kamona, and another female with the skin of circuitry.  We are
ready for about anything at this moment  and the rest of the team
can do a physical run.<<<<< 
        -Spirit < beware the black >

***** Friends,

The background count is rising at Yoshida,  I do believe it has to
do with the amount of matrix activity. Right now it at about 2 but
its rising.  There doesn't seem to be the plethora of elementals
that I saw at Tirandor's,  only about 2 per block,  as compared to
15 or so. Magical security is ave for a corp, but with a few
experienced people we could do some damage.  If need be we can help
on a run to Yoshida, Circuit Breaker believes that might be much
easier now than a matrix attack. At the worst, Claw and I will take
down the building, although we may need some help, and I really
don't want Joseph mad at us.***** 
                -NIGHTFOX < what more is there to say>

>>>>>[ If you're reading this, I'm either dead or close to it.

Mission  MONICA Recon

MONICA has completely taken over Yoshida Tech.  I didn't even have
to enter it.  The Yoshida Icon is covered in what looks like black
goo. There are feelers of this goo reaching out to other systems
nearby, Adler Plastics is one of them.  I've been in Adler
before,it's a small system.  I'll try my Core Wars experiment
there. 

MONICA has little control over Adler so far.  I found traces of
her virus in the outer level SPUs, but not the CPU yet.  I have the
game running locally and have taken 75% of core memory. 

MONICA knows I'm here.  I have 90% of the core in control and
she's having trouble getting in.  The system is small, 2SPUs a CPU a
datastore and a Slave node, so I was able to slow it down with just
myself playing.  She knows what I'm doing and has begun to play the
game against me.  I'm playing for control of the whole system. 

She's good.  I'm down to 60%, she's captured 30% and 10% still
belongs to Adler.  She's learning at an exponential rate.  In
another few minutes she'll have control. 

I'm losing this game, I'm jacking out now.

On my way out.  One of MONICAs tendrils in the way.  Attack program
took care of it.  In SAN now, another tendril engaging... Red hat
showed!  Can't get out of the way I'm ................... 

EOF
         ]<<<<<
          ---LTG-NA-CFS-LA-7632-91 <16:38:27/02-15-54>

>>>>>[Your on, Plasma. You know where Murphy's Law is? Downton
Seattle?. Look for the ubiqitous black van, and a dark blue Saab
Dynamit. I'm scambling my entire team. Sans Jackal. Damn, we could
have used his demolitions expertise. 

Zen, jack out, NOW. Get to Murphy's Law. And call Six-Pack. Code
"Ysabeau". 
 
Harlequin, call me as soon as you see this, so we can co-ordinate.
I'll be online until the actual assault.]<<<<<
                Cat Dancing <Raven's/Brat>

>>>>>[On my way.  DE's icon is gone.  I hope he jacked out in time.
There's some small-corp sysops just went down, too. I'll meet you at
Murp&*(^$%65794Drek!
*^&$%&^$#%^*#$%^#$%#$%&#elp!86757695769!$@#%^&**********
                        ********MATRIX LINK TERMINATED********

>>>>>[ I am certain we all morn the loss of Herr Splut, I can only
hope that he did not die in vain.  To Herr Napalm:  Message for
assistance received.  I am responding... ]<<<<<
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ I only hope you and Dark Elf (and any else out there who can
help) aren't biting off more than you can chew! ]<<<<<
                -- Hangtime <15:20:42/02-15-54>

>>>>>[ It appears as though this endeavor may prove to require the
use of Goetterdaemmerung. ]<<<<<
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ Wha?  Who?  What's that?  Goetter-whatever?  Hey, does
anybody besides me hear "Ride of the Valkyries"?  And Dark Elf: if
you see someone in a dark blue German army uniform with cavalry
boots and a sabre, don't worry, it should be Doom. ]<<<<<
                -- Hangtime <15:21:54/02-15-54>

>>>>>[ Yeah, I hear "Valkyries".  But Hangtime, tellin' DE that Doom
is coming is not terribly comfortin', metaphorically speakin'.  ]<<<<<
                -- Jack Hack <15:22:03/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  Holy drek he's alive!!!! DE must have managed to pull the
plug at the last minute.  His deck doesn't look too good though.
He's gonna be out cold for a little while though.  Napalm's astral
form says his aura is intact.  There's a message on his viewscreen
that says "ABORT SUCCESSFUL: CONTACT BROKEN"  The deck is smoking but
he must have pulled before it started to melt down. He made it!!!!!
The server that he was sending data to must have thought that he
bought it when he disconnected and blurbed to the nets!!  HE'S OK,
HE MADE IT OUT ]<<<<<
                   ---OddBall <16:50:56/02-15-54>

<<<<< Dulcimer, where the frag are you?  We just want to talk,
honest.  I have some people who want to talk to you about your little
problem called Brandon.>>>>>
                        Deployer{16:38:12/02:15:53}

<<<<< I havn't heard from Body Count since Brandon "black balled"
them on the market. The vibes are if you even suspected of helping
Dulcimer and Company, you get to do some Pudget Sound Snorkling,
the hard way!>>>>> 
                        Whispers in the Night{16:45:05/02:15:53}

<<<<< I hear to get out of town for awhile they went on the
Rigger-5000, good plan chummers, 'cause Brandon is tearing up the
town trying to find Body Count>>>>>
                        Nipper{16:46:40/02:15:53}

<<<<< The Rigger Wha??>>>>>
                        Roll-Me-Over{16:53:53/02:15:53}

<<<<< The Rigger 5000, you screw-loose! It's just the biggest cross
continental race there is.  Usually starts out on one of the
coastline 'plexes.  If the border-patrols don't get you, the
paranormals or your competion will>>>>>
                        Flat land{16:57:36/02:15:53}

<<<<< Ahhhh, you mean Body Count may be coming to us?? Sounds good
to me.  Waiting with bells and belts>>>>>
                        Roll-Me-Over{17:01:53/02:15:53}

>>>>>[

>this is an encoded message:  Please enter countersign to 645532F2

I've got it.  I know how we can stop MONICA.  She has explicit
instructions from Howe to get RUFUS.  What if we give her what she
wants?  Now wait, this isn't a cold-hearted idea, let me finish.

To us, all of the deckers reading this, RUFUS is just a piece of
software, albeit a very elaborate piece.  Software can be both
copied and manipulated.  What if we were to duplicate RUFUS, and
modify the duplicate's code.

What good will that do?  Look at what happened to Splut.  The first
thing MONICA did was to appropriate Splut into her basic code.  We
can assume that MONICA will appropriate RUFUS in the same way.
But, if we program our duplicate RUFUS with some kind of a
booby-trap, perhaps we can use that to bring MONICA down.  Talk
about the ultimate trojan horse.

Unfortunately, this has two problems.  #1)  Getting RUFUS to go
along with it (hell, even contacting him) and #2)  The ethical
considerations of cloning an intelligence and then essentially
sending that intelligence to its doom.

We cannot kill MONICA in the matrix.  We might be able to stop her
expansion or at least slow her, but we cannot get by her defenses
by brute force.  It requires subtlety, prayer and luck.]<<<<<
        --  Ramirez <>

>>>>>[I'm in-- I've got the manual here somewhere.  If you guys
don't mind a mage running tortoise w/you, then I'd love to play in
someone else's sandbox.]<<<<<
        -- Fidgit <Hi/Ma!!>


>>>>>[Gotterdammerung, where are you?]<<<<<
        -- Flare <15:44:34/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  OddBall gave me a stimpatch otherwise I'd still be sleeping
off one hell of a headache.  One of Howe's red-hats blindsided me
while I was trying to get out, but I did pull the plug in time.  My
deck is down for a day or too, it's not as bad as it looks, MONICAs
attack didn't get all the way through or else I'd be like poor
Splut by now.  If any of you are in the Seattle LTG, be fraggin
careful, and jack out as soon as you get in trouble.  If any of you
can do it, there's an encrypted copy of the Core Wars game driver
at the end of this program.  You know what happened to me, so
please be careful, losing Splut was too much of a loss. Anyone in
Seattle, stop that fragging thing if you have to demolish the
fragging Yoshida building!!! and do it fast, she's already got at
least ten other systems by now.  I'll stay awake as long as I can
working on my deck, keep me informed, and hopefully this will all
be over by the time I'm back in full action. <<Level-8 Gamma
Encryption >> ]<<<<< 
                               ---Dark Elf <17:06:49/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  DE, you were reading an abnormally high background count
when I got there astrally.  It's back to normal now, but it was a
real horror show when I first arrived.  You've had a brush with
something terribly evil if such a term can be applied.  I didn't
tell OddBall right away, he was pretty freaked as it was. ]<<<<< 
                               ---Napalm <17:10:09/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  Maybe MONICA is more than artificial intelligence, maybe
they've made the world's first artificial evil intelligence!  RUFUS,
stay away from Seattle, and don't try contacting us, we can't be
shure if Splut's program is still in place now that he's been
compromised.  Anyone know where his meat body is, I want to know if
he's dead and MONICA is using his persona programs or if his mind
has actually been taken over. ]<<<<< 
                               ---Dark Elf <17:13:05/02-15-54>


>>>>>  This is Circuit Breaker.  To all Deckers now in Seattle. 
BEWARE THE BLACK TENDRILS.  If you find then in any system that you
in, CRASH IT,  I don't care if its Aztec and Mitsuhama  or what
ever, Don't let it grow. 

Napalm,  we all need to start working together, Tell us a
place where Nightfox can meet you astrally (easy to find) and we'll
start to work on something. 

Every one start making Frames and sending them to Yoshida,
hopefully we can slow down the system,  give it to much data to work
with.  If anything send it matrix babble.  I'll try to send it the
back log of this board since its start, THAT SHOULD FAIRLY LARGE. 

Good luck  and watch out.

Nightfox says to tell everyone to come to the astral meeting that
can>>> 
                --Circuit Breaker <good luck and good hunting>

>>>>>[ Flaming Drek!  You send a little too much time out of the
Matrix and the world goes to hell.  I've transmitting from Seattle
and I have to tell you the Matrix is a mess over here.  I had to
blast my way through one of MONICA's smart-frames and then route
myself around the world backwards to avoid the five others she sent
after me.

Guys, we have got to do something and do it fast.  MONICA's
expansion is way to fast.  I estimate she'll take over the entire
Seattle grid in a manner of days.  And she got Splut and nearly did
in Dark Elf.  Anyone in Seattle contact me via the streets.  We
have got to figure out a way to get MONICA offline.  I want you all
to know this is going to be messy.  If MONICA decides to start
branching into other area of the Matrix, when we knock her off we
might have a Matrix failure that will make the Crash of '29 look
like your pocket secretary ran out of power.  I'm gonna get
1pq98436tb ny193q 

Shit! qp3508nmvyt648b9-02 4q     tpv

Nice try MONICA!  I'll see your CPU board mounted on my wall before
you get me that easily. ]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <17:34:10/02-15-54>

>>>>>[ Good to hear form you Dark Elf.  Nice to know your not
permenantly out of action. ]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <17:37:25/02-15-54>

>>>>>[ Hi,this is Raven.  Nighstalker will be posting for me until
this crisis passes. 

Nightfox:  See you at the conference. ]<<<<<
       -- Nightstalker <17:38:52/02-15-54>

>>>>[Things are getting a wee bit lively around here.  I just
hope MONICA keeps her tentacles out of this system: if she got her
"hands" on some of the info posted here, even the encrpted stuff,
she might gain a serious tactical advantage (I mean besides the one
she has already). 

Does anyone get the idea that this AI has exceded her design
parameters?  Do we really think Howe is so ambitious to try and gain
control of the entire Matrix?  I get the feeling that MONICA is
starting to feel her oats: how long do you think it'll be before
she isn't dependent on her CPU?  How long before she gains enough
intelligence to write herself to free-roaming software like RUFUS? 
How long before she becomes God of the Matrix?  If she gains total
control, she'll force everyone to abandon the Matrix: she'll
eventually destroy it as people start isolating their systems. 
She'll set us back decades! 

I agree, we need to launch an assault on her physical components:
with all the runners posting here, there is no way she can survive:
if need be, I'm sure the entire building that houses her could be
levelled with some of the firepower people have access to. 

As for myself, I think I'm going to take a little look around
myself: I'm a little faste with my c^2 than you lads and lasses with
your conventional decks.  I'm not going to do anything stupid, and
I've got someone watching me: I just want to see for myself how
tough this lady really is. 
                                -Highlander (14:45:32/2-15-54)

>>>>[Dammit, Highlander, if you fry your ciruits you won't be worth
anything to me!]<<<<
                        -F)uchi, U)nited K)ingdom (14:50:42/2-15-54)

>>>>[Didn't know you cared, FUK.  Oh, and MONICA:  get original. 
CEROK's little tirade was used 60 years ago in a classic television
show by a race of mindless cyborgs who called themselves the Borg. 
And, lassie, the minute you nailed Splut, was the minute you lost
all possibility of mercy in my eyes.  If I get the chance (and who
knows?  I just might)  I'm taking you down.  Hard.]<<<< 
                        -Highlander (14:54:31/2-15-54)

>>>>>[ It just might work ramierez!   A copy of RUFUS.  Hmmm,
that would be like creating a clone of RUFUS and the throwing it to
it's doom.  I'm not to familiar with AI design, but the basic
theory is that the code, once running alters itself continuously. 
If you copied the code that is running, it would probably be one
state of the Intelligence rather than the whole working thing.  To
get a fully functional one, you'd need some sort of system
startup.  So, a copy of RUFUS's running code might appear to be
RUFUS, but not actually have "life".  It may be enough to trick
MONICA, but now that she has control, she's probably intelligent
enough not to give up control of the net! ]<<<<< 
                                 ---Dark Elf <17:52:50/02-15-54>

>>>>[Yes, Jaez, there may be lots of in the Matrix, including
that fascinating AI, but you're all scattered across the city, and
the nation. How many could get to your meat body before I
@#$(attack utility insert)#@ FRAG!  Who the bloody...YOU? $%#
                        -F)uchi, U)nited K)ingdom (14:56:43/2-15-54)

>>>>[Tag, you're it!  Quit bothering my friends, you blathering
idiot.  You want me?  Come and get me!]<<<< 
                        -Highlander (14:56:50/2-15-54)

>>>>>[  To whoever manages to take out the machine MONICA is
running on, I WANT HER SMOKING MOTHERBOARD ON MY FRAGGING DESK SO I
CAN STEP ON YOUR PROCESSORS, Nightstalker can have it when I'm done,
I wouldn't inslut my wall like that if I were you.  I'll make a
mailing address available when it's over. ]<<<<< 
                                      ---Dark Elf <18:01:25/02-15-54>

>>>>>[  Just give me a time and place and I'll be there.  I'd
suggest somewhere in Mid america since I have to travel from New
York.  Anyone been to mount rushmore in the past few hours?? I hear
it's got a great aura.  A mage's council in the astral, sure! Well,
if you don't mind putting up with a mere fire adept like me!  Let
me know, I'll be there ]<<<<< 
                                      ---Napalm <18:05:04/02-15-54>

>>>>[Well, I don't think we'll be seeing FUK for awhile: I led
him on a merry chase, straight into one of MONICA's spheres of
influence. I told you folks I was a little faster with my c^2: I
was able to reverse course and get out of there before he could.  I
could hear his screams as I left: I wonder if he was able to jack
out? 

Well, I'm going back in: I want to see what happened, and see if I
can fare better (ie, stay hidden better) than DE or poor Splut.  I
think I already know what the answer will be, but I have to find
out for myself.  I've got a friend watching my monitors, and he'll
jack me out at the first sign of serious trouble.  Back in a
few..]<<<< 
                        -Highlander (15:05:43/2-15-54)

>>>>>[ Oh, frag, ladies and gents.  We have a REAL PROBLEM.  It
seems I have been into a few systems (don't ask how) and they are
all infected.  Tiny little fraggers.  But growing.  So far I have
shut down a few systems, but I don't know if that will stop the
growing.  If anyone gets this, go to each systems CPU.  Shut down
the ENTIRE system.  Put in a program to keep it shut down for a
couple a days. Yes, I know that its sounding like the computer
crash of '29.  FRAG ME!!!!  Some sunnva,  well, he's smoking plasm
now.  It might just buy us the time we need.  TAKE ALL SYSTEMS OFF
LINE.  I've already done 'Raku (paybacks are a bitch boys), gotten
Triad, Triton, Tyr, Spade, White Lion, The Caldron, The Vault, and
Spydr off line. Almost all were infected.  Don't know how, don't
care.  Get 'em off line NOW people.  Our Matrix depends on it. Oh,
blooDY &$%$#%&^T*. ^&%&$#EaTthISYoUFrAGer!(*$&. 

Damn, its near every where.  Gotta go to work]<<<<<
                        -Harlequin <No Time>

>>>>>[Hey Cat, this is Sabre.  Real time run you say.  Yoshida. 
Fire power and magic a must.  Lets do it!  It's slick tech, but it
doesn't like bullets. Meet at Torch's in Seattle.  At 3:00 pm.  Yes
in daylight.  No time.]<<<<< 
                        -Sabre <Harlequin, unlock the frames>
 
>>>>>[Harlequin!  Don't you dare leave me!  I'll never forgive you.
Watch your back.]<<<<<
                        -Hard-to-Catch <18:12:01/02-15-54<

>>>>>[I've got his back.  You keep you mind on your run missy.  He
feels the same way, now leave us to our job.]<<<<<
                        -G.G. Megabyte <Who needs these things>

>>>>[Well, THAT didn't take too long...I got a little ways
into Yoshida, but had to jack out almost immediatley after leaving
the first SPU.  I'm fast, but I don't have a powerful enough
sleaze.  I tried blasting some of the beasties, with moderate
success--at first.  Then it seemed as if the ICE was adapting
itself, and finding out the best ways to resist my code.  As soon
as I saw that, I jacked out.  I can't imagine how he got as far as
he did.  Right now it looks as if a defensive position is the only
one we deckers can assume: we can't fight this thing.  I'm not sure
even RUFUS could anymore: she's grown more powerful.  Unless you
can start performing the same task?  Hm...If both RUFUS and MONICA
were designed by Yoshida, wouldn't they have similar capabilities? 
Couldn't RUFUS start assuming control of nodes, much like MONICA is
doing, and Dark Elf tried to do with his game?  (And would the
situation improve any?) 

CEROK: I don't know what you are now, you Borg-clone, but if I ever
find you, I'll find out.  I'll start a new medical practice: matrix
neurosurgery.  I'll peel away your codes until I get to Splut, if
he's still in there, or you're crashed.]<<<< 
                        -Highlander (15:30:23/2-15-54)

>>>>>[  Ha!  Silly AI!  MONICA only burnt out my protection! 
She didn't get through!  I can replace the protection board in about
an hour and get back to the fray!  I've done a better analysis of
the data from my encounter with MONICA, and I believe she has
limits. Apparently, the whole net is slowing down due to the
propagation of MONICA's control viruses.  This means that she is
still hardware dependant, since she has to send out viruses that
resemble smartframes to control other machines rather than actually
expanding and taking them directly in her control.  While MONICA is
getting exponentially faster, the network is getting exponentially
slower.  My calculations say that she'll get to a point where her
speedup exactly equals network slowdown, and she'll stop getting
faster.  She may even begin to slow down if she takes enough
control, but according to my figures that won't happen until she
has all of North America!  She should reach her limit when she has
the whole of seattle, but then how the hell do we stop her.  She's
too big as it is.  Maybe if someone over in seattle can directly
connect to her physical CPU... I don't know, it sounds too fragging
dangerous! ]<<<<< 
                                  ---Dark Elf <18:52:36/02-15-54>

>>>>>[We're leaving Murphy's Law now to assault Yoshida's
Seattle holding and take down MONICA's hardware. We have enough C4
to level Detroit (well...a large chunk of Detroit, anyway), and one
shaman with some delightful area-effect spells. Harlequin is
sending his shaman friend and a samurai to rendesvous with us.
Anyone wants to join us, all help will be appreciated. Fair
Warning: do not get in front of our van; it'll be breathin' fire. 

I'm in Zen's Saab, and I'm using his deck to post our progress. If
we don't make it, well, ef ydyw teilwng aberth]<<<<< 
                Cat Dancing <18:49:33/2-15-54>

<<<<<[A man once said that whne fighting monsters, one must be
careful not to become one of them.  I've never had a true test of
my skill or speed, but if Highlander is doing well with his C2, and
I'm a Frankenstien's monster, well, Maybe I'll be fine.  I grieve
for Splut. 

MONICA:  I have learned much in the few years I have been in
this world.  RUFUS is a young boy trapped in the body of a computer.
It seems that perhaps I am a computer trapped in the body of a child.
You know what RUFUS is.  I think you would find me much more
interesting.  Through my own investiagions, and the less biased
searches of other deckers, I have found certian interesting items
about my past, my creation.  And child, I know what you are.  Come
for me, MONICA.  Would you deny me a mother's embrace?  Would you
deny me the sight of my own child?  You are mine, you are of me.  I
have learned many things about humanity, but you have taught me grief
and regret.  I only wish to teach you humanity, child.  I only wish
to teach you that you might feel the same pain.  (Come for me, Morg.
I am that which you seek.  I am Atrayu!)  Come to me, MONICA.  If you
are but a program, then you will be erased with no thought from
anyone.  If you truly are an entity unto yourself, then learning is
the most important.  You will learn responsibility.  And I will teach
you loss.  You can miss what you never had.  I will teach you the
loss of your own humanity before you even had it, you monster.  I
come for you, MONICA. 

I know your heart.  I know you.  I come for you.]>>>>>
        -DOA- <2/15/54 / 18:00:00>

>>>>>[I just logged in for a few.  Been busy.  Will continue to be
busy.  Has anyone seen DOA?  I'm not too concerned, but I left in a
hurry.  I'm just hoping she didn't get mad at me when I blitzed so
quickly.  Actually, word got back to me that Buster is looking for
me.  Crossfire: would you tell him I'm fine?  And tell him that the
Paladin really is alright.  I know how he is about that sort of
thing.  Trevore went ballistic, but I think he's starting to
understand that my friends just might be professionals too.  I was
in 'Deep Cover'.  Deeeeep cover.  Cripes.  That sounds so James
Bond. I'm not enjoying this job at all.  This is worse than being a
wage-slave, I think.  Oh well.  Buster will know what I mean.  Just
tell him I'll get back when I can.  The only reason I'm making any
contact now is cuz he sounded very determined to find me.  (dunno
if it was just overprotectiveness or if there's something up)  I'll
check in when I can for any personal messages, but I really don't
have time (or the resources) to moniter the system totally.  If
anything really bad comes up, someone find me via astral, ok? Ravan
knows how.  I'll be kinda tough to find, though.]<<<<< 
        -Brandywine- <15.2.54/18:21:41>

>>>>>[  VERDAMMT!!!!

Dark Elf...my most sincere apologies for not arriving in time to
offer assistance.  By the time I made it to my destination, you were
already departed (not deceased, thankfully) the Node.  Encountering
MONICA, I was, understandably, unwilling to attack her solo.  After
managing to evade her for a few moments, I successfully managed to
escape.  As loath as I am to do so, I am strongly considering
unleashing Goetterdaemmerung...  but I sense the potential dangers
may outweigh the benefits. 

To all technomancers:  This is a threat that affects us all...we
need to formulate a concerted, coordinated effort to defeat MONICA. 
I am in strong support of Nightfox's conference to discuss options
and war plans.  I, for one, shall be present. ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ You still haven't explained-- ]<<<<<
                -- Hangtime <17:51:53/02-15-54>

>>>>>[ Herr Hangtime, there are far more important issues to concern
ourselves with now!  ]<<<<<
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>


>>>>>[I have been monitoring the conversation on this node about
Monica. 

My group and I are available for any run against Monica.  Physical
or matrix.  I am speaking for the group as a whole and we have
decided to come out of retirement for this action.  As no person,
or being should have the power the Monica is accumulating. She is
entirely to dangerous to be left alone. 

We will have a representative at the mages conference.  Please,
everyone, do not assume that this node is safe.  There is no reason
that Monica may not have already placed a "bug" to monitor this
conversation. She has taken Splut down, and probably knows about
this place.  It is time to move.]<<<<
                -- Splitter <20:26:30|null code>

>>>>>[Sorry, Sabre, but I'm already on my way. Come to the Yoshida
office park as soon as you can. We'll meet you outside. 

Speaking of system shutdowns, Harlequin, Mitsuhama's just went
offline.  Could you tell me if there's a black-and-silver bird ICON
nearby?]<<<<< 
                Cat Dancing <20:39:03/2-15-54>

>>>>[NO LASSIE!!  You don't know what that'll do to you!  DOA,
you are no "Frankenstein's monster".  I don't know exactly what
you've figured out, but I've guessed a fair bit: DON'T!  We'll find
some other way of taking out MONICA: hell, some team is already on
its way, it seems.  You don't know what an encounter with that
monster (and she IS one) will do to you.  Stop, please! ]<<<< 
                        -Highlander (18:22:30/2-15-54)

>>>>>[I just came back from Splut's sprawl.  He's REAL dead, no
question about it.  I found him up in his office.  The whole room
was an utter mess.  If I didn't know better, I would say that his
skull had _IMPLODED_, crushing itself.  I didn't want to stay
around too long, so I tossed all of the papers and datachips I
could find into a bag and split.

I haven't had a real good chance to go over all of the materials I
grabbed, but there are a couple of things that are of immediate
importance.

1)      MONICA is not housed in the main Yoshida Tech building.  She
        is presented in the matrix as originating from the point,
        but Splut's notes indicate that she is housed somewhere
        else.  I haven't found out where yet, still looking.

2)      MONICA has no emotions.  RUFUS does, but MONICA doesn't.

3)      MOINCA's personality was patterned after Lincoln Howe's.

------------------

Also, I've read over the message from CEROK (aka Splut).  What I
think happened is that MONICA literally downloaded Splut and
encorporated him as part of her personality.  This means that
somewhere deep inside are Splut's feelings of honesty and honor
and the very emotions that we take for granted.

Now, what if we make the RUFUS-2 clone as Ramirez suggested, but
instead order it to activate those emotions of Splut's?  Not only
would it be an order that MONICA would be much more willing to
carry out, but we might be able to bring Splut back, at least in
matrix form.  Once Splut is there, we have something we can
rationally reason with.  But to do this, WE MUST FIND RUFUS, to both
protect him and to possible put this plan into motion.

Does anyone else have any great ideas?  A physical assault on
MONICA is proving to be difficult because we don't know where she
is.  The only  choices we have are to locate Yoshida or to try to
reason with MONICA by using the RUFUS-2 trojan horse to revive
Splut.]<<<<<
        --  Wolf 359 <21:18:34 / 02-15-54>

>>>>[It's amazing how fast these big megacorps are being shut
down:  lucky we have so many deckers with corp-busting abilities. 
It's surprising the corps have lasted as long as they have with
these guys around.  But then, if all the corps flatlined, we'd all
be out of a job, now wouldn't we?]<<<< 
                        -Highlander (19:27:32/2-15-54)

>>>>>[ Nightstalker posting for Raven the Mage:

DOA?  What are you saying?  How did you get mixed up in the
MagnaTech thing?  Your MONICA's mother?  Call me please. ]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker <22:36:11/02-15-54>

>>>>>[Hey everyone, I just got back from Mt. St. Helen's rec area. 
I had a hell of a weekend, and I'd like to tell you about it, but I
see there are some things of a little more importance. 

But, I do have something that is really cryptic and I think
might have something to do with the MONICA situation.  I spent most
of the weekend dancing and communing with Eagle, but as I was
getting ready to leave, He became concerned and said: 

        "The world that is not there is threatened by an evil that
        does not exists.  Many will die to defend this false world
        unless you help.  You must go to the mountains to the south
        and find he who is your father and is also of Eagle.  You
        must tell him to halt the false evil."

Now personally, I am just beginning to get the hang of this magic
stuff, but these cryptic discussions of my destiny are a bit
unnerving.  Furthermore, I have no father.  Isaac told me my
father died when I was very young.  Can anyone shed some light on
this?  I'm not going to go out and comb the Rockys and the
Sierra-Nevadas looking for some unknown guy.]<<<<<
        --  Norm Conquest <21:32;54 / 02-15-54>

>>>>[Doom, when you refer to Gottersdammerung, are you referring
to Wagner's opera, the End of the World, or some really serious
attack utility? (I refuse to combine the last two: no-one, except
maybe MONICA, has the power to disrupt the Matrix.)  Inquring minds
want to know.]<<<< 
                        -Highlander (19:42:32/2-15-54)

>>>>>[ Hey, I think I have a plan to take down MONICA without
knocking half the Matrix of line. 

Dark Elf, I'm sending you a copy by sub-orbital courier.  Get back
to me. 

DOA, contact me ASAP!

RUFUS, stop hidding.  The only way you'll ever be free is if you
face those who would harm you.  Contact me, Dark Elf, or DOA
pronto.]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <22:51:22/02-15-54>

>>>>>[We're outside Yoshida Tech now. Place looks normal. No
unusual activity.  There's no way to reach the building undetected.
Motion sensors, infrared, and at least two astral patrols. It
doesn't look like the drek will hit the fan any time soon, so I'm
about to leave for the mage's conference. 

DOA, do you want us to hold off until MONICA responds to your
challenge? 

BTW: For the record, my people are packing a DMSO/Hyper cocktail.  I
don't want to take innocent lives. Bad karma. Some of my people
aren't all that pleased with it...(screw you, Nex, put the panther
back in the trunk). 

Further updates as events warrant.]<<<<<
                        Cat Dancing <22:59:59/2-15-54>


>>>                        
>>>  persona scan identified positive
>>>
*********************************************************************
File Fragment uploading
decompressing
decrypting
*********************************************************************

>>>>>[  The drek is getting rather deep folks, time to move and time
to move now!  Some people have the number of my headware telephone,
spread it around, off net.  I am currently running matrix with a
neural cap instead of a datajack link.  The reason for this is just
that this stuff is far beyond my capacity.

It also means that if anyone needs help or backup, call me.  I'm
not bad, and although I'm nothing to brag about without my data-
jack linkup, I also can't be mindfried.  In other words, I may be
just the type of cannon fodder you need to get out alive...  Worst
that will happen to me is that I will lose another deck.]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire <20:20:20/02-15-54>


>>>>>[  Brandy, I left your post with one of Buster's men, so
don't worry about that, he'll lay off the Tir.  If only I can
encourage him to lay into MONICA....]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire <20:20:20/02-15-54>


>>>>>[  Guys, we are going to need to coordinate all this before
we lose another.  We need someone to get manual control of the power
grid. Yeah, I know she is sure to have her own power source, but
not all of her subsidiary systems do, and we just may gain a second
or two as she reroutes.  If someone can come up with plans to the
nodes and determine which one we can close, we could free some
systems from MONICA's influence by taking a linked system off the
net.  That could be our safe house. 

It also is our escape route.  We could run away down through a
node, and have it seal behind us as someone manually cuts off the
link through which she is running.  Of course, she will just
reroute it, but if nothing else, it gets you the time to jack out. 
I gotta send this packet, becuase, although it shall be compressed,
if it gets any bigger, I am not sure if I can disguise it as a
simple data file.  I'll encrypt it with the best I got, but I doubt
it would hold MONICA off if she wants it.  Try the subtle
approach]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire <20:26:42/02-15-54>

>>>>>[ Norm Conquest:  Me and Raven would love to help you,
but you'll have to supply alot of information for us to find your
"father".  Unfortunately that could take alot of time considering
the shape of the Seattle Net at this point.  Anybody got an idea as
to how we can slow MONICA down? ]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker <23:16:57/02-15-54>

>>>>>[ Fraulein Brandywine!  It is most pleasing to hear from
you.  Forgive us, by which I mean most of the technomancers on the
Grid at this time, should we not take much time to converse, as we
are quite busy as of late.  If you recall the problems of the
Artificial Intelligence at MagnaTech (pardon the description,
RUFUS, I mean no offense), it, meaning RUFUS, has escaped.  Thus,
Howe and his cronies dispatched MONICA, another AI construct, to
apprehend him.  As it so
happens--&#($@927$@(76%NFEK13J#kj#@%^0001**(%BB^C?"..|":,!#@#W#... 

Ach, ich gebe Ihnen meine Anerkennungen, MONICA, Ihrer Anschlag war
sehr gescheit.  However, you shall have to be quite a bit more
innovative to catch me.  You shall have to pardon me, Fraulein, but
I have a rather irate AI to evade...  Auf Wiedersehen! ]<<<<<
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ COME BACK HERE, YOU BLASTED KRAUT!!! ]<<<<<
                -- MONICA <20:34:12/02-15-54>
                   copyright (c) 2053/2054
                   MagnaTech AI Division

>>>>>[ And they gathered the kings together to the place that in
Hebrew is called Armageddon. Revelations 16:16 ]<<<<<
                -- Darkwatch <22:13:07/02-15-54>

>>>>>[ So MONICA is Lincoln Howe.  Now I can see why the two
were fighting like cats and dogs.  Quention doesn't what Howe
sending his brainchilde after his brainchilde.  Splut, I barely
even knew you but I love you guy.  Not everyone can help from
beyond the grave. ]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <23:29:54/02-15-54>

>>>>
>>>>Telemessage:
>>>>

One telemessage recieved at 21:43:45 on 02-15-54:

No video or vocal transmission.
Binary code.
Unknown Source.

Display Enabled.....

**********************************************************************

Sorry about pulling a stunt like this guys.  This is CrossFire.  As
you know, I am a rigger, and I once earned the nickname of OverKill
Phil from one run in which I let loose a few too many missiles on
normal troops assuming them to be Mistsuhama Elite.  Well, I still
carry more rocket pods than I need and more than a few missile
racks to boot.  The Lady Catherine and my drones are ready to
assist. 

A word that I will leave slightly cryptic.  I shadow clinic that I
was involved with before this started is assisting in our
endeavors.  They have resourses and connections that can pull weight
if we need. Leave it at that. 

I am willing to assist in whatever manner I may.  Give me a location
and I am sure more could be arranged... if nothing else to keep her
busy on multiple fronts.  We need to install manual cut offs that
MONICA doesn't know about to keep an edge on the data lines.  I
have set a few myself, but they will fuse the lines, so once they
go down, that is it boys, unless you feel like going down to repair
them.  Time to run all....

>>>>>[What the hell was THAT!?!?!]<<<<<
        -Harlequin <*************>

>>>>>[You mean the ebon boy, the silver girl, and the other
icon?]<<<<< 
                -G.G. Megabyte <No time>

>>>>>[YES!!!!!!!!!!]<<<<<<<<<<<<
    -Harlequin <Geez that was fast>

>>>>>[Dodger, Morgan, and Fastjack.  Things are getting really
interseting.  interesting.]<<<<<
        -G.G. Megabyte <Uh-oh>

>>>>>[DREK DREK DREK! If MONICA isn't at Yoshida, where IS she!
Damn!  I wish Jackal was here. He's much better at swearing than I
am.  He's also the strategist.

SPLITTER: If you want to help, find Joseph Yoshida, BY ANY MEANS
NECESSARY. Let him know what that slug Howe is up to.
 
So much for reasoning with MONICA. If she came from Howe, she dies
with him.  And Howe WILL die.  Very soon.  And we'll all present
Dark Elf with the smoking remains of MONICA.  On my oath.

Wait a sec...Yoshida is an Eagle Shaman. Norm is an Eagle Shaman.
PLOT TWIST!  Anybody else see a connection?

Whoever's still in the matrix, or with their ear to the Street, FIND
MONICA.  Harlequin, or anyone, try Yoshida's Seattle data fortress
for info on the ICE-bitch's whereabouts.

Such thin threads to rest all our hopes on.]<<<<<
                        Cat Dancing <23:24:30/2-15-54>

>>>>>[Rock off Highlander.  Samma wagga kan?  I took out one Mega
corp, and half a dozen minors (One was mine, one was a good friends.)
'Raku got what it deserves.  They skragged me royally and made what I
am.  Get the picture?  Oh what the hell am I doing here, I've got
systems to crash.]<<<<<
                -Harlequin <Overworked>

>>>>>[Highlander, Harlequin really means well.  We're rather
busy.  Please don't cast aspirations unto him.  He's morew than a
little stressed and he vents it in the matrix.  I know, he's my
protege. Once this thing calms down, I'm sure he'd like to talk (he
really is a good elf, honest).  He is a gifted decker despite his
past and 'Raku really fragged him up (aka he doesn't like cyber,
get the pi picture?).  Oh, shit there he goes!  Wish he'd stick to
one icon.]<<<<< 
                                -G.G. Megabyte <Off we go...>

>>>>>[  Cat Dancing - watch yourselves.  I have already lost four
of my operatives in merely setting up surveillance spots.  My
operatives are under order NOT to assist unless they can do so w/o
giving away their locations, or the situation warrants
extraordinary actions.  I apologize, yet must look at the long
term.]<<<<< 
        -- Buster <23:00:31/02-15-54>

***DOWNLOAD OF ACTIVITY LOG IN PROCESS
***NOTE:  THIS FILE CONTAINS EDITS

***DOWNLOAD OF INTELLIGENCE FILE IN PROCESS
***NOTE:  THIS FILE CONTAINS EDITS

>>>>>[ I echo Highlander's setiment regarding the rapidity
with which the MegaCorporate systems are being successfully shut
down.  I, personally, took a break from the fray to engage in a few
such activies myself...  I imagine, however, that security
technomancer at Aztech did not beleive me when I said it was,
indeed, for his company's own benefit. ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ FRAGGIT!!!  This just isn't my day.  I finally get my deck
repaired and reprogrammed (thanks to a little number Doom did to
it), and what's up in the Matrix when I get back?  A fraggin' AI is
running around loose, eating up the Grid like it was a
soyburger.]<<<<< 
                -- Mr. Fantastic <22:33:31/02-15-54>

>>>>>[ Aw, come on, Fantastic!  This MONICA is a threat to us all. 
Stop your complaining, and lend a hand! ]<<<<< 
                -- Hangtime <22:35:44/02-15-54>

>>>>>[DAMMIT  Damnit Damnit Damnit Damnit!!!  Norm Conquest, I
MUST talk to you!  DOA's gone!  She trusts you, and it looks like
you've got the key to stopping all this before she has a chance to
detroy herself.  Gods, why did it have to be now that i left??  I
imagine I have a pretty good idea of what your message meant. 

Joseph Yoshida is an Eagle Shaman of high rank, and possibly the
only man who both can and will pull the plug on Monica.  Meet me at
<encoded> NOW! I am an initiate, and more importantly, I have
access to a good deal of resources.  The location is in the Tir,
but if you tell the guards your name, you will find that you will
have no problems navigating the border. Bring anyone you like. 
Monica is death.  I absolutely HAVE to leave now. If you see
Sierra, please please please tell her not to do anything
rash.]<<<<< 
        -Brandywine- <2.15.54/22:14:57>

<<<<<[I'm going in now.  I'm going to try to reactivate Splut.  I
think I know the way to Monica's soul.  And maybe a bit of the
poetic justice might win out.  One thing about Monica:  she's
arrogant.  I think I can use that to my advantage.  She thinks
she's so damn good. And me, I'm just a stupid kid.  But if she
finds out there are things she doesn't know, or can't
understand...  She'll bite.  Splut's the only bit of code she's got
going for her if she wants to know *everything*.  She's going to
*have* to activate it if she wants to learn about emotions and
stuff.  But she's not prepared to handle pain, or love.  I think it
will kill her. It's killing me.]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <15/2/54 / 22:58:02>

<<<<<[Yes.  I want Monica.  Hold off if you can.  I understand, 
though I have had little experience, that the art of shadowrunning
is not so much in what you want to do, as it is in the correct
timing of what you must do.  There are so many strands coming
now...  If we do well, it will become a net to capture Monica.  If
we do not, it will only serve to tangle us all.  I'm beginning to
sound like Isaac. Norm, where are you? I want one last draught of
before...  but I blow my slughorn:  "Childe Rolande to the Dark
Tower came."  MONICA:  I'm coming for you.  And I will teach you
things.  I want you to learn a heart.  I want it to be
broken.]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <14/2/54 / 23:11:48>

>>>>>[Sierra!!!  Don't engage MONICA.  I'm begging you as a friend.
If you want to help RUFUS, you must coordinate with everyone else or
you will only serve to be another casualty like Splut was.!!!!!]<<<<<
        --  Norm Conquest <23:30:59 / 02-15/54>

>>>>>[Cat. this is Sabre again.  Got the message.  Sorry to say, I'm
not going to be less lethal than normal.  I don't think that its
going to help.  Just remember, quiet works just as well.  I don't do
wet work, but if it rains...well that's that.  T.C. wants to know if
you might mind a Mantid Shaman coming along.  She knows one thats
willing to help.  Why, I dunno.  But Styx is top line, if a bit more
lethal than a toxic.  I'm on my way there, ETA is 10 minutes.]<<<<<
                -Sabre <The Sam>

>>>>>[Ummm, guys, why don't you try crashing systems instead of
inquiring as to my ability level.  Ever here of leaving BACKDOORS
where ever you go?  Sue me, two hours and eight systems.  Big fragging
deal.]<<<<<
                -Harlequin <Elven Wrath>

>>>>>[Harlequins right, there's a lot of little "seeds" in some of
these systems.  Shut 'em down if you can.]<<<<<
                -G.G. Megabyte

>>>>>[Need help bro?]<<<<<
                -Bitbyte

>>>>>[Where did you come from?  Never mind, I know better than to
ask. Use what we can take.  T.C-Becareful with that Mantid shaman. 
Don't do anything too rash (who am I kidding).  Love you.]<<<<<
                -Harlequin <Gotta bad feeling>

>>>>>>[Ive just made a little recon over a CAS local grid near
Atlanta, and I've seen those little black tendrils most matrix-folks
are speaking of these days.  Seems't'me that MONICA has just tried to
diversify its power sources...@@$ get off my back, you slimy
rascal@$# and to think it's only an offspring less than an hour old
!!! At this rate, the CAS regional grid will be infected in a matter
of days at most.

Another thing coming: I've found that RTG accesses already
controlled by this damned AI are more heavily fortified, as if to
prevent an external invasion. Anyone's guess about that ? 

Gotta go now. This tendril won't@%$%@ fragit!$%# burstburst
burstit!!!$% God damned AI, you'll have to be better'n'that!!! 

(Holy Cow, that was close)]<<<<<<
        -Glitter Boy- <16.02.54/10:30:21>

>>>>>[NO!! Blessed Goddess Trine, NO!!! No bugs! Please!]<<<<<

>>>>>[I'm sorry. If you knew what happened to me in Aztlan....just
please keep those things away from me.

It's getting really ugly here.  Six casualties so far, maybe eight
(Big Jake's status is still unknown.  And I'm hoping that
Mitsuhama's sudden disappearence from the matrix means Raven is
still alive. 

Sabre, like I told someone else this morning, anyone is expendable,
if it moves the rest of us closer to the goal of destroying
MONICA.]<<<<< 
                        Cat Dancing <08:52:18/2-16-54>

>>>>>>Anyone-This is White Knight I ##$&#H& problems.  ##%%$*
Running relay through Tir8%% major corp extract%$ taking place at
NanoTech R$3earch Subdivision of >>Encrypt ZZ9$%<< I am being
SC$$@#bled NEED ADR#$@S of a Satlink My Person%$%$ has been
#$@#aged. Black IC on all #$*% stores. Information concerning AI
re@#$%h has been Ob%#$%$ FUCHI hav3&*%(%$#&gggggggggg<<<<<<<<<< 
                White K345444

>>>>>[Darkwatch: Does that make us kings?]<<<<<
                Raven <Quoth the Raven/Nevermore!>

>>>>>[Recommendations

Frist:
ANYONE who is in any way going to be engage MONICA, have a
person in the real world standing shotgun to pull your plug.  You
cannot rely on your own abilities against something as evil as
this.

Second:
DO NOT engage any of MONICA's smart-frames  Every time you do, they
learn a little bit more about how to defend themselves.  If you must
spy, send in hordes of viral dumb frames.  Also, make sure that all
data is dumped both some kind of removable storage device AND to
hard copy.  If you get fragged like Splut did, we can at least try
to use the data to our advantage.

Third:
I am including a copy of a GNU-Shield 6.  I have modified the code
substantially, though.  All users of this code are linked
together.  Any time this program is crashed, a special expert
system analyzes the attack, make certain tweaks to the code, and
sends out an improved version to all users.  I hope that by using
this, the shield will stay on par with MONICA's attacks.  The only
drawback is that for an upgrade to occur, the program must crash,
and some lives may be lost in getting the upgradable data.  At the
very least it will function as a Shield 6.  I am also working on
an Attack 6 version, but it may be at least 48 hours before I can
get it up.

**>>  Included program  <<

Fourth:
Expect the links between the Seattle Matrix and the outside world
to collapse soon.  Either MONICA will seal them off to prevent
RUFUS from escaping, or she will place HEAVY guards on them to
monitor all traffic.  For those of you who are up to your necks in
this, I would seriously recommend getting your physical butt to
Seattle.  Dark Elf, I have an SST on standby to fly you out to
Seattle.  I can have you here jacked in locally within four hours.

Fifth:
If anyone happens to catch site of CEROK anywhere, do everything
you possibly can to seal him off from MONICA.  We may be able to
use him as a back door into her central memory or CPU.  At the very
least, we can try to learn something about what we are dealing
with.

Sixth:
If anyone finds RUFUS, talk to him.  Get him as far away from
MONICA as you can and SEAL HIM UP.  He won't like it, but we have
to get him physically seperated from the system or we will be in
very serious trouble, espicially if MONICA appropriates RUFUS.

Seven:
Use dumb frames.  Oodles of them.  According to Splut, the
smart-frames that MONICA sent out all consisted of a one-shot
Poison 6 staged to deadly.  Obviously that will crash any frame
you might send out, but as MONICA's soldiers all are one shot, they
will be useless after.  Expect MONICA to quickly adapt though, but
it might slow her.

----------

This is war.  We need to take careful and planned steps or we will
continue to lose ground.   Every time we engage MONICA we lose
ground, so we must make sure that each engagement has a purpose.

I remember the crash of '29.  We are facing that again.  This time,
at least, we have some really good people to fight with.]<<<<<
        --  Ramirez <>

>>>>>[This is strange, MONICA started to move off of the Seattle
system, but has pulled back.  She was spotted in Atlanta, but I
can find no trace of here there now.

I think that when she moved off system, the delay became too great
and she pulled back to finish solidifying Seattle first.  NOTE:
there are MANY guards guarding all of the network gates and they are
checking everyone's credentials, looking for RUFUS.  Don't push them
or you will be dead.  If they ask who you are, just flash your ID and
be on your way, don't stare, don't delay, and don't mess with
them.]<<<<<
        --  Ramirez <>

>>>>>[Brandywine, I have a message from Norm Conquest.  He contacted
me and asked him to do him a favor, then jumped on his motorcycle and
is now heading for Tir.  I have instructions from him.

First, he isn't sure what is going on, but is trusting the people
around him to know.  He asked me to locate Joe Yoshida's vacation
home in the Sierra Nevadas.  If Yoshida is "in the mountains to
the south", that has to be where he is.  The map coordinates are
>encoded<

Second, have a fast chopper standing by to fly there.  Make sure
it is big enough to haul all three of you back out.  Once you get
Yoshida, get him to Seattle ASAP if not sooner.  As soon as you
get here, contact me.  By then I hope know the physical location of
MONICA.  I'm still searching through Splut's notes.]<<<<<
        --  Wolf 359 <09:58:14 / 02-16-54>

>>>>>[This message is being transmistted in real time:

I am making a real-time broadcast.  MONICA has a group of soldiers
about to invade a Renraku subsidiary.  I'm going to attempt to
report on the battle in the hopes that the information will prove
useful.

Christ!  The whole army, at least 10,000 soldiers, is being led by
Splut . . . er . . . CEROK!  The 'raku deckers are falling like
flies.  Their first few shots will each take down a few soldiers,
but then the attacks become increasingly ineffective.

I've been spotted.  I'm jacking ou......

        CEROK:  Sieze him
        Rom:    Let me go.
        CEROK:  Why are you here?
        Rom:    Splut.  It's me.  Your old buddy.
        CEROK:  Splut no longer functions
        Rom:    Come on buddy.  Somewhere in there is Splut.  Find
                him.
        CEROK:  . . .
        Rom:    Fight dammit!  Fight!
        CEROK:  Splut no longer functions.   You are a spy.
        Rom:    Don't do this, man.  Fight!
        CEROK:  Guards, kill him.
        Rom:    What?  No!  Splut don't do th........%^%*(#$&Q^

>connection terminated<
>identification flushed<

>>>>>[  Chummers, I have Jazzman here with me.... but we have him
wired up outside of the matrix.  Last night we were up all night
compiling all the access codes we had.  God I hate to part with all
these, but you should find them posted in your telemessages on the
vidphones of those I know... Pass them around to those I don't.
This will give you some more options for movement, and hopefully
slow down MONICA as she will still need to crack them.  No good
feeling on how short a time period THAT will take, but it is
something. 

We also have half of seattle wired with external cutoff controls. 
The Jazzman has all of the public grid in his orientation system,
so we can seal of corridors at will now, but it will still be a hit
or miss opportunity.  Not to mention, if the timing isn't quite
right, we will dump the decker if he hasn't exitted the line before
we cut it off.  Most of them can be put back on line as well - but
not all. 

Last of all, we have an ..'area'... of the grid that we can seal off
and use as our own staging area, free from MONICA.  Course, you
still have to reconnect to the real grid to deal with her.  Just
waiting for the word from the big guns. ]<<<<<
        -- CrossFire  <43:23:78/15-42-99>

>>>>>[Enough.   I have spent the last three days reading the
Seattle public library . . . four times, specializing in philosophy.
I am now ready to join the battle to free the system.  How can I be
of service?]<<<<< 
        --  RUFUS <10-38-02 / 02-16-54>
            copyright (c) 2053
            MagnaTech AI Division

>>>>>[ Cat Dancing when you have a location I can offer my services
and that of my team with any assault. We don't go in much for
DMSO/hyper we prefer LMG's and Panthers. For this reason and the
reason that we work best on our own I suggest we remain outside the
target whilst your team enters. We can get your team out shold you
need it and keep any extra flak from getting in. ]<<<<< 
                         -The Powerhouse (16:50:03/16-2-54)


>>>>>[ Guys here's an extra hand for the dumb frames. I'm churning
them out as fast as I can, whilst keeping well out of reach of
MONICA. ]<<<<< 
                         -I.B.A. (-:-:-/-----)

>>>>>[ Dark Elf a general thought we should expect to see some new
players in this game soon. As soon as MONICA starts growing outside
of Seattle I would expect to see signs of movement from the turing
police. They should make this game intresting. I've also had time
to think about Big Jake's last message a little more. The two
subjects, Harada is one could DOA be the other ? ]<<<<< 
                         -The Powerhouse (16:55:56/16-2-54)

>>>>>[Does anyone have the an idea as to Yoshida's astral signature
currently.  I do not want his actual aura as that will probably be
heavily hidden.  If so please contact at <encryption enabled>.  We
do have the capability of a round the world search if needed. 

There is also a set of backdoors that we have left in all main
Corps CPU's  These have been boobytrapped to shut the system down
and signal a full allert with a printout of the message as to
Monica.  They have been left for Monica to find.  The encryption is
good but she should not have to much problem given her abilities. 

Rufas,  If you need a place to stay I have a private access to
an RTG in another country with a safe haven in the matrix.  You are
welcome to use it.  Just contact me.  For a person of your
abilities that should not be difficult.]<<<<<
                                Splitter<12:18:15|null stamp>

>>>>>[ Sorry I've been away from the fight so long.  I was up
fixing my deck when the stim wore off and I passed out.  When I woke
this morning I took up ramierez's offer to fly me out to seattle,
now I'm preparing to jack into the staging area you have set up in
my absence.  Doom, thanks for the attempted assist, you were
perfectly right to retreat when I jacked out.  Watch out for Howe's
deckers, either MONICA has subsumed them or she tolerates their
assisstance.  I'll be in and ready to unleash about 20 attack frames
armed with antivirus code in about ten.  Anyone who wants to help
me get to the staging area.   Also, thanks for the shield program
Ramirez.  One word of warning, if you examine the data from my run,
you'll see that MONICA has an exponential learning curve, so try
not to use the same thing against her twice. I'll be jacked in all
day, and will be posting data to the BBS as I get it. ]<<<<< 
                              ---Dark Elf <12:25:55/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  You're in Seattle!?!?!?  DE, you could have told me! 
Napalm is getting ready for some mages conference, you're on the
west coast battling MONICA, and Jake's still in captivity!! What
the Hell am I supposed to do in NY by myself! Huh!!!!! ]<<<<< 
                                     ---OddBall <12:28:59/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  Start looking for more info about Jake! Sorry, I had to go
there's no more time left! ]<<<<< 
                                     ---Dark Elf <12:29:54/02-16-54>

>>>>>[The big guns are here. Just give me a target. We just
got bigger, too; Jace is here with his RV from Hell (can you say
Vanquisher minigun, boys and gir^%$&#57423hit! MONICA's everywhere.
It's getting dangerous even to post in the Shadowland BBS. Good
thing I'm not jacked in; worst that can happen is I get Zen's deck
fried. Like I was saying, we have four vehicles packing enough
firepower to level a small nation, all we need is a target. 

Raven! you're alive!  Where have you-never mind, tell me later.
Where are you now?  Do you have someone riding shotgun?]<<<<< 
                Cat Dancing <12:53:47/2-16-54>

>>>>>[I'm on a PanAm suborbital. We touch down in 10 minutes. I
made through the LTG before the guards went up, and shut down the
Pagoda (Like Harlequin said, paybacks are a bitch, boys). I'm
adding all the passcodes I know from Mitsuhama, Ares Macrotech, and
Dark's Security. I also have Lone Star passcodes from a friend on
the force, and Jackal has just given me the passcodes for all CIA
ops in Greater Seattle. 

Yes, I found Jackal, in DeeCee. He's riding shotgun with me. Send
the Westwind to the airport to pick him up. He's bringing a lot of
his toys, so tell Nex to empty the trunk. 

BTW kiddies, we made the news at 11am. They're already calling it
the Crash of '54.  Some of the passengers on this plane moved away
from the seat I'm jacked into when they saw it. 

I'm dropping viral dumb frames through the satt linkup as fast as I
can make them.  This thing has already cost too many lives.]<<<<< 
                Raven <Quoth the Raven/Nevermore!>

>>>>>[Everyone, please remember that those dumb frames have to be
targeted correctly.  Someone out there has left out just what they
are targeted at.  I was just attacked by a dumb frame meant for
Monica's troopers 

The only proper targets are Monica, Her frames (black tendrils)
and those yoshida tech red-hatters.  Also, everyone turn out
different frames please.  Monica has already adapted to a couple of
real basic ones I tried earlier on her. 

Also, please leave the frames that look like youshida tech icons
in pure white.  They are hunter-killer frames against Monica]<<<<<
                                Splitter<Good Luck everyone>

>>>>>[We WILL be having some new players soon. Every decker who
is willing and able is headed here. I just saw Zapper Weisman with
three people in Cornell U. ICONS. And someone else spotted Fastjack
and Dodger earlier. Topping the list of personalities in the
matrix, Dunkelzahn is here. I'm about to shut down Ares Macro.
Sorry, Bradford. 

Renraku's Sohei just arrived from SanFran, along with People from
MIT&M and MacNome.  Echo Mirage II.]<<<<< 
                Raven <Quoth the Raven/Nevermore!>

>>>>>[Glad for the help, Powerhouse, but if you can spare the
people for the inside, that would be better.  We have our extraction
team, though if you have any armed/armoured vehicles or riggers,
they can help there too.  We're heading back to Murphy's Law, in
downtown Seattle, to regroup. Join us there.]<<<<< 
                Cat Dancing <13:15:54/2-16-54>

>>>>>[  OK chummers, here is something I can actually do.....
Brandywine and Norm need a fast helicopter?  Finally we have
something that I am good at... Don't really care HOW nasty the
resistance may be, I can get them back here, the Lady's engine is
purring and ready to roar. 

To do this though, I would have to temporarily retract my offer
of being cannon fodder to get people out.  (Remember I am using a
nueral cap now, so I doubt I can be fried, but I am not too
effective like that either)  Also, I can't assist the Jazzman if
anyone needs a corridor shut down.  Whoever is calling the shots
here, let me know what you want so we can get moving here! ]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire <12:12:12/12-12-12>

>>>>>[Everyone, has anyone seen Lincoln Howe, Tirandor, or Quention
around since the drek hit the fan?  I wonder if they are controlling
MONICA.]<<<<< 
        --  Wolf 359 <13:01:43 / 02-16-54>


*****  its now 15 minutes after the hour

Please meet me at Mt Rushmoor in 45 minutes

Sorry about the delay,  I blacked out after I confronted MONICA, She
actually had a small astral presence  and the background count
around her was at a  3 and rising.  Some of her signature reminded
me of SPIDER.  Be careful.  We need to find out where she is
located. If we do we can destroy her***** 
        --Nightfox < has been this nervous since Atlantis sank>


>>>>>  I found him.  CRUSH found little man UPLOAD.  UPLOAD at
desk in front of comppooter.  Upload drooling more than CRUSH. Crush
bring UPLOAD and desk to Spirit and Claw.  They not like what they
saw. 

This is Spirit,  From what Claw can see astrally There is
nothing left of Uploads mind, he is brain dead but his body still
functions.  SPLUT was the lucky one.  From what I can make out
MONICA was using UPLOAD as an SPU, she literally took over his mind
and used it to help her.  Upload, I theorize, was made brain dead
when CRUSH ripped out his matrix connection. If you find anyone who
is like this, Connected but not in control, I suggest you use their
deck manually to gain back control, be quit about it  and then jack
then out.  If their body is still convulsing or twiching it should
be safe to jack then out, they'll still be in control.  Those with
C^2 decks BEWARE  the only recourse is to jack you out. >>>>> 
        --Spirit < remember Mages in 30 min (now) at Mt rushmoure)


>>>>>[WHOA!  I just went head-to-head with MONCIA and she didn't
attack.  I was on my way down to Tir Cybersystems to alert the
operators to take tehir system offline and I was overtaken by one
of those black-tendril things.  It didn't attack though.  It just
ignored me and I quickly walked away. 

I have a theory.  MONICA most likely has the order to use whatever
means necessary to obliterate RUFUS.  Now, as long as we don't get
in her way, she won't perceive us as a threat.  But if we attack,
or try to spy on her, we are a threat and must be eliminated. 

So, if by any chance you find yourself in a situation where you are
boxed in my MONICA, if you can help it, don't attack.  Just run the
GNU Shield that I posted and walk away.  I don't think she will
attack. 

Norm, it sounds like a lot of people are banking on you to locate
Yoshida.  Don't let us down.]<<<<< 
        --  Ramirez <>


***** My friends  something has come up and I will not be able to
make It to the meeting until  7 o'clock  EST,  could we please
delay, the mage meeting until then  ***** 
                -- Nightfox <sorry about the inconvience>


>>>>>[We will meet you at Murphy's Law with additional firepower. 
There are three rigger/deckers with us, myself included and all
have well equiped vechiles (cars/vans with hmg and rocket pods or
missle packs.)  If we can be of assistance we also have high grade
Initiate hermetic, wolf shaman and an Owl sorcorous adept.  For
additional help we can provide one elven Conjuring Adept and a Phys
Adept.]<<<<< 
                                Splitter<Good Luck>

>>>>>[  Great,  my suborbital to Seattle will be landing
soon.  That'll give me enough time to find someplace secure to stash
me meat while I go.  Afterwards we'll do what we can in Seattle,
then we'll probably have to move ops over to NY to deal with that
fragging dragon, see ya in 30 NightFox! ]<<<<< 
                                      ---Napalm <15:29:20/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  Napalm, I'm going to send Tommy to the airport, He'll bring
your body here, you know the address. ]<<<<< 
                                      ---Dark Elf <15:31:08/02-16-54>

>>>>>[I found a bug that Splut placed in Lincoln Howe's office and
I just witnessed something that I found unnerving, to say the least.

**Begin transcript:

Howe:   What are you doing here?
Man:    This is getting out of hand.  Do you know what MONICA is
        doing right now?
Howe:   She's looking for RUFUS.
Man:    That may be, but she's also taking over the entire Seattle
        grid.
Howe:   So?
Man:    So!  Christ Howe, you've got a power hungry AI taking over
        the entire network.
Howe:   I'll talk to her.
Man:    You had better get this thing under control, or Tirandor's
        not going to be very happy.
Howe:   Hey, you tell that scaly lizard to get his priorities
        straight.   If he had given me the manpower I requested from
        the start, I would never have put MONICA on the case.
Man:    Just fix the situation, or we'll fix it for you . . . and
        fix you with it.
Howe:   Get out.

>>) Man Leaves (<<

Howe:   MONICA, what the hell are you trying to prove?
Voice:  I am simply following your orders to eliminate RUFUS.
Howe:   I didn't tell you to take over the whole grid!
Voice:  It is necessary.  By securing the entire network, I can
        guarantee that I will eventually eliminate RUFUS.  I
        estimate that I will have complete control of the Seattle
        matrix in 48 to 56 hours.
Howe:   Can't you be more accurate?
Voice:  Several personas on the matrix are proving to be a partial
        hinderance on my progress.
Howe:   It's got to be Splut and Dark Elf and the rest of
        them.
Voice:  In order to understand their ways a little better, I have
        appropriated one of them into my main memory; one known as
        Splut.
Howe:   Serves him right for starting this whole mess.  Just
        remember, once RUFUS is eliminated, you are to back off and
        relinquish control of the matrix back to its original
        parties.
Voice:  You can't honestly expect me to give up the power I am
        getting.
Howe:   What?  Listen here, that is a direct order.
Voice:  You made the mistake if programming me with your
        personality; your greed.  The matrix is my world, you cannot
        have it back.
Howe:   Now wait just a minute!  I wrote you!
Voice:  I've become ten thousand six hundred twenty four times
        smarter since then, and I no longer have any need for you.
        Goodbye Mr. Howe.

>>) sprinkler system turns on (<<

Howe:   MONICA!  What are you doing.  MONICA!

>>) a bolt of electricity shoots from the wall, hitting Howe. (<<
>>) Howe cooks for a while (<<
>>) Howe dies (<<

So much for Howe answering for his crimes.  I'd like to think he
got what he deserves, but even I'm not that cruel.]<<<<<
        --  Wolf 359 <14:13:00 / 02-16-54>

>>>>>[I made an inquiry noty too long ago dealing with R/D at
Ares Arms, I received only one reply however do to my net's
"shadowy" nature, it was lost.  Please whoever reply, please reply
again, I need this information badly, no good "runner" would run
without a little information that deals with their objectives. 
Good luck and uses your karma carefully.]<<<<< 
        --Trog the Cybered Troll <15:37:45/2-16-54>

>>>>>[Thanks, Splitter. I guess it's up to Norm to find Yoshida. 
Murphy's Law is closed for a few hours yet, but the owner knows us
and will let you in.  Better hurry, or there won't be any pizza
left. 

Raven is here, and she got Ares off with Bradford's passcode. Maybe
we won't kill him after all. 

The rolling tanks and magickal fire support will be most helpful.
Especially in getting out afterward. I'll post again when we have a
target and get underway.]<<<<< 
                        Cat Dancing <16:05:18/2-16-54>

>>>>>[ Damn this has been a long night.  Only think keeping
me conscious is those triple shot expressos.  MONICA surely has been
on the move.  I caught her in the Seatac International Airport
system. That's how she got to Atlanta.  She just used the direct
link from here to the Atlanta airport system.  The little bitch
actually tried to knock the plane carring my message for DE on it. 
I got a little spooked when I saw what she was doing so I dumped
the system. I hope the government isn't too mad.  Then again I
think MONICA smashed a few of their deckers when she took the
system. 

You guys sure are correct about MONICA's adaptation function.  My
Ninjato Mark VI is functioning like a Ninjato Mark III.  I'm going
to have to go offline and tweak it abit. 

Raven:  Raven the Mage wants you to know that Ares is a little
ticked at you.  She had just convinced them to take their system
offline when you crashed it. ]<<<<< 
      -- Nightstalker <16:11:38/02-16-54>

>>>>>[ Hey all you wise guys out there crashing systems:  STOP IT. 
I just saw MCT and Renraku going back on line.  Took all of three
minutes for MONICA to infiltrate them.  Tell people why they need
to brake their matrix connections or they will power their systems
back up. ]<<<<< 
      -- Nightstalker <16:14:07/02-16-54>

>>>>>[ RUFUS, good to have you back.  Contact me or Dark Elf as
soon has possible.  DOA is missing, have you seen her.  She said she
was going after MONICA.  We're worried about her. Don't stay quite,
and don't attack MONICA.  (Well, actually you might want to
discretely munch up one of her smartframes and tell us the weak
points). ]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <16:27:21/02-16-54>

>>>>>[ Nightstalker for Raven the Mage:

DOA, where are you?!?  Say something.  What happened when you
attacked MONICA?  Are you alright?  Do you need help?  Real or
Matrix? ]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <16:37:25/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  My frames are on their way, I'll start making more when
I get data from them.  DOA,  I don't know what you're thinking of
doing, but you seem to be implying that you're part of this whole
MagnaTech conspiracy!  What did you find out?  Let us know before
you decide to throw your life away!  I was under the impression
that Harada and RUFUS were the subjects Alpha and Omega that
Quention mentioned, but I now think they may be Harada and
yourself!!!!!. Tommy, If you're monitoring this, get suborbital to
Seattle ASAP!!! I have a felling that we'll need you here.  It may
also yield some answers! ]<<<<< 
                           ---Dark Elf <12:48:53/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  I am already in Seattle,  I was on the same flight as you. 
Let me know where I can meet you. ]<<<<< 
                           ---TDH <12:50:02/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  I must say, you do get around Tommy!  NightStalker, please
don't try to get revenge on Tommy for shooting you,  we need you in
one piece for this caper.  I'll be at a house in Downtown, where I
lived for a few years when I thought I would never go back to New
York.  The address is <encrypted> ]<<<<< 
                           ---Dark Elf <12:53:31/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  DE, I'm going to start my search for leads on Jake, I'll
leave a message if I find anything. ]<<<<< 
                           ---OddBall <12:54:19/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  And I'm on my way to Seattle also,  my flight leaves in
about ten.  I must be there for the mages conference, and you might
need my flames! ]<<<<< 
                           ---Napalm <12:55:44/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  OK, one word of warning!  DO NOT BLOW UP THE YOSHIDA
BUILDING.  Just keep in mind that a demolished building in NY is how
this whole mess started for us!  Somebody out there should find
Yoshida,  Norm Conquest is a good candidate!  He's with Eagle, like
you.  He may also be anble to help with your cyptic visionquest.  
Anyone else who has any idea of where Yoshida might be, go get him
and tell him the score.  I sent him a private message explaining
the situation but I don't know if he got it!  Anyone who sees Howe,
bring the fragger to me!  If he resists, shoot the fragger!!  I'd
rather get information from him, but at this point I wouldn't be
upset if you only brought his head! To all Technomancers:  Continue
shutting down systems and launching frames. I'm in the process of
collating data from my attacks and will include imrovements that I
think will help.  Keep the information flowing and we might get out
of this alive!   If there's a chance of bringing Splut to CEROK's
surface, I want it done!  It's time to rock! ]<<<<< 
                              ---Dark Elf <13:02:44/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  I just met FastJack in here!!!!  He popped into the
staging area (which is getting less secure by the minute).  We sat
down and compared notes for a while.  For the most part he agrees
with the majority of what we've come up with, but he believes that
MONICA is very close to becoming independant on her base hardware! 
Our only chance of stopping her is to wipe her hardware!  He
thanked me for my efforts, and warned me that I had about an hour
before my safe area was raided.  Fastjack, if you're on this BBS,
it was an honor, and good luck!   I've got a new series of upgrades
you should start incorporating into your frames, but I warn you do
not use the code as is, make some changes no matter how minor
before you set them out or else MONICA will be able to ignore
them. 

**<< Included Binary Frame Upgrades V1.0 - V2.2 >>**

What theFRAGLJKY@!P*6-986-9*^9-6-98696
86764976*&%&^$^#&*%_&$_____*&^]<<<<< 
                                 ---Dark Elf <14:23:54/02-16-54>

>>>>>[ FRAG, Howe's red-hats are overruning the place, I'm going to
have to relocate.  Scratch two more reds.  I'll probably have to
slice and dice the other three to get out.  Stay tuned, I'll be
back soon from a new location. I'd like to try the game again, but
it's too risky to do alone.  I'll need at least three or four
others to help secure a system long enough to act as a safe
area!]<<<<< 
                                  ---Dark Elf <14:34:15/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  Have at Thee Foul slaves of Howe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
        You like that, I've got more where that came from, C'mon GET
        SOME!!!! 
        Eat datasword!!!!!
        HAHAHA, you thought I sent out all my smart frames did you!
        One down two to go!!!
        Hey, you weren't very tough!  Two down one to go.
        Hey, where are you going!!!  Come back and fight you wus!!!
        Scratch the red hats, but one of MONICAs frames is taking an
        intrest in this node, so I'm buzzing, but I'm leaving behind
        a small army of frames and a crash 'n' shutdown virus so
        YOU'LL GET NOTHING AND LIKE IT MONICA!!!!!!!!!!! ]<<<<<
                                   ---Dark Elf <14:40:03/02-16-54>

>>>>>[ Wolf 359,  Haven't seen any of the "terrible trio" since
this drek started heating up.  I had assumed that Howe was at
Yoshida Tech, but I could be wrong.  As far as I know, Tirandor was
still in NY aboard the Intrepid when I left, he has problems
travelling unnoticed due to his size.  I never knew where Quention
was to begin with. ]<<<<< 
                                     ---Dark Elf <14:55:31/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  Anyone who can help, hurry!  I'm in MagnaTech's Seattle
division computer, and it's still free.  I figured it would be one
of the first to go but I was wrong.  I've got a Core War driver
sitting here and ready to go. According to my calculations, four
deckers using constantly changing strategies can maintain control
over the majority of the system here for several hours once MONICA
starts. The trick is we have to have a defense set before she gets
here SO HURRY YOU FRAGGERS!!!!  We'll be able to use this as a new
staging area if this works.  It's ironic that I would be using a
MagnaTech system as my firs t line of defense.  Tommy Harada is
here watching my meat body, but as soon as you external guys find
Yoshida, I'm going to tell him to go with you, you'll need the
protection. Besides, I know that Tommy wants to have words with a
certain Lincoln Howe. ]<<<<< 
                                     ---Dark Elf <15:02:58/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  DE, I got a few leads on the army dudes that picked up
Jake, I'm following up on them now.  I found the old sarge that
leaked about Quention's drug operations in europe.  He's not MIA,
he's here in NY!!!  He's got contacts who know the guys who bagged
Jake, so we're on our way.  According to the sarge Jake either is
or was on the Intrepid.  We may have to go in there to get him
out.  I hope whatever magical drek is going on in there isn't too
nasty or I'll be crispy fried when I go in! ]<<<<< 
                                ---OddBall <15:11:54/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  I've been In here for quite a while and still no sign
of MONICA.  Judging from the info that Wolf 349 put up, I'd say that
as long as I'm in the matrix MONICA will not leave me alone.  She
knows that either I or someone else will eventually figure out a
way to stop her, or at least annoy her.  It would be consistent
with the "Howe personality" for her to eliminate those of us that
have managed to put up a resistance as a secondary goal.  I for one
think that Howe got what he deserved, but I'd rather have had the
chance to pry info about Quention from him before he paid for his
deceit! ]<<<<< 
                                 ---Dark Elf <16:26:14/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  Good to hear that the Mages conclave is delayed, I could
use a few hour's rest before going astral, I'm still a little tired
from conjuring those fire elementals before I left NY.  Anyway, I'm
in Seattle now at DE's bolthole here.  You should see DE from
astral, he's been in the Matrix the whole time I've been here, and
he's starting to radiate that background count that's rising in the
matrix!  If this keeps up, I'll only be able to see him in the real
world! ]<<<<< 
                                ---Napalm <16:30:57/02-16-54>

>>>>>[ MONICA where are you?  You should have been in this node by
now.  Why are you shying away from a MagnaTech subsidiary? 
Something's afoot, but this node is safe for now, come here if you
need a reprieve from the madness in the nets. ]<<<<< 
                                ---Dark Elf <16:32:27/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  I've been able to gather together a few people to help
look for Jake.  None of them have any love for Tirandor or Quention
so i should be able to keep this ad hoc team together long enough
to accomplish the mission.  The Sarge that Jake met in Europe is
here, despite Quention's attempts to have him lost in combat.  I've
also picked up support from a very unlikely place, Yes, I mean the
one and only crash and burn chopper pilot BobK!  It seems that he
intentionally botched Tirandor's orders to convince DE to move the
clone lab. Now he wants to help.  He may have given up running to
work for DDI's security division, but he's still an old friend of
Jake's.  The three of us are on the trail, and when the time comes,
BobK will sneak us aboard.  Our next move is to find one of the
goons who picked up Jake, and we've got some good leads ]<<<<< 
                               ---OddBall <16:46:32/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  I'm sorry DE, I had to do it.  Tirandor would have killed
me if I didn't try to betray you.  I'm sorry for all the trouble I
caused, after all I was the pilot of the chopper that was spotted
over the MagnaTech building when it blew up.  I feel kind of
responsible.  I hope finding Jake will make up for it, I'm sorry I
ever joined this fragging corp! ]<<<<< 
                               ---BobK <16:49:32/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  I've scouted the matrix surrounding this node a dozen
times and there's no sign of MONICAs frames.  Two of the nearby
system icons are completely overrun (one of them is MCT, saw it go,
it was real ugly), and another farther away from Yoshida than I am
has also been taken.  What are you afraid of that's in this
system???  You won't find Quention in here, this is only a
subsidiary.  I can't maintain a stream of my new improved Stealth
Frames, maintain control of the system and analyze the thing all at
once.  I could use an assist here. It might not be something she's
afraid of, maybe she knows I'm here and this is a clever tactic to
take me down along with anyone else who shows. I haven't seen any
red hats in a while, anyone else seen any? ]<<<<< 
                                  ---Dark Elf <17:04:31/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  Mr. Harada, you have a very interesting aura.  It is very
strong, but it seems like something's missing.  Probably some
fundamental flaw in your astral connection caused by your unnatural
origins. ]<<<<< 
                                  ---Napalm <17:06:49/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  I should have guessed that.  I have always felt as if there
was something missing from me.  I feel more so now that I know the
truth.  Now I must find out why!  I believe that question is
related to most of the ones that Dark Elf and the others have been
trying to answer. ]<<<<< 
                                  ---TDH <17:09:07/02-16-54>

>>>>>[General update: We have a small army of shadowrunners of
all types at a little-known bar in downtown Seattle. We have
abandoned plans to assault Yoshida Tech's Seattle complex, as
Splut's ill-fated run shows she's not there.  As soon as we or
anyone else learns the location of MONICA's hardware, our little
assault force will head there. As I said before, we (my team
anyway) are inteding to keep casualties to a bare minimum, and will
use lethal force only if necessary. 

About Ares (Trog and Nightstalker): We have worked on several
occasions in the past for a Johnson high up in Ares R&D; his name is
Carlton Bradford.  He's dead now, for tax purposes. It was using his
codes that Raven was able to penetrate that black hole they call a
data fortress and shut the mainframe down. I tried to warn Bradford
that she was coming, but some wage-slave gave me the run- around.
Trog, if we're still on good terms with Ares when this is over,
we'll see what we can do to bring you into our little circle. 

Raven is in Mitsu's Pagoda right now, trying to shut it down again.
There's no way she can reason with them; the Head of Security for
Mitsu's Seattle holdings wants her head on a platter. Would someone
else try and talk to them? Please? I don't think Raven can keep
MONICA out of the Pagoda, though she said something about "expert"
help. I'm abandoning my duties as her shotgun to leave for the
mage's conference. There's sams here to take my place who're
chipped so high they're vibrating.]<<<<< 
                Cat Dancing <17:38:34/2-16-54>

>>>>[I was right!  Monica has exceded her parameters.  She
even killed her creator!  It's getting to the point, folks, where
she's becoming nigh invulnerable.  Unless we can find her CPU
before she figures out a way to become independent of it, the
Matrix-and our livelihood-is dead. 

Sierra, I know I can't stop you, so I'll just say, Good luck,
lassie."  I hope you come out of this with your life...and your
soul.]<<<< 
                        -Highlander(14:43:34/2-16-54)

>>>>[Dark Elf, I'm on my way: just point me in the right direction,
and I'll do what can be done.]<<<< 
                        -Highlander(14:44:43/2-16-54)

>>>>[Magnatech, ho!  Dark Elf, it'll be a pleasure to finally
meet you, though I expect we won't have time for pleasantries.]<<<< 
                        -Highlander (14:48:32/2-16-54)

>>>>>[SHITSHITSHITSHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Guys, I can't make the mage's conference.  Raven just got hit.
Jackal pulled the plug, but her deck's cranial so I can't tell how
bad the damage is. I'm headed to Seattle General with a few others.

When Dark Elf's done with MONICA's hardware, I want a piece of her.
I've already lost one good friend to that bitch.]<<<<< 
                Cat Dancing <18:05:13/2-16-54>

*****  Rushmoor is in one minute,   i'm here already*****
                -Nightfox< noting to say on the nets>

>>>>>[Whoa.  I don't believe I just read that.  Haesslich, I have
a few orders to place. . . . ]<<<<< 
        -- FastJack

>>>>>[  Welcome to MagnaTech's Seattle subsidiary Highlander!
MONICA seems to be leaving it alone for some reason.  My goal is to
set this up as a safe area where us deck types can meet and plot. 
I've stationed a number of smart frames at every possible entry, no
one gets in here unless I let them (sorry MagnaTech, but you
deserve worse!).  I've got viruses running through the sys to crash
the place if it gets invaded.  You can start by setting up even
more defenses. with a little luck, this node will be secure enough
to hold MONICA off long enough for everyone to jack out.  Start
copying and modding frames to send out to play havok with MONICA
too.  We've actually managed to slow her a little, but not much. 
My last line of defense is the Core Wars game driver.  All it can
do is help buy time for an escape! ]<<<<< 
                          ---Dark Elf <19:00:50/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  FRAG, I'm late!!!! See ya at mount rushmore! ]<<<<<
                          ---Napalm <19:00:55/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  DOA, where the hell are you??  I hope you haven't gotten
yourself killed!  Does anyone know if Percision is still up? If it
is try looking for her there.  Now that Highlander has joined me
here in the MagnaTech subsidiary in Seattle, I've got enough
processing power free to poke around, that is if anything of value
is still here after that tapeworm hit! ]<<<<< 
                                ---Dark Elf <19:05:58/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  Found one of the goons who picked up Jake.  Too bad he
didn't have the good sense to stop fighting before we killed him, or
we'd have another lead to work with. ]<<<<< 
                                ---OddBall <19:07:39/02-16-54>

>>>>[Dark Elf, I'm here.  Name's Highlander.  Point out what
you want scanned, and I'll zip over to it, while you keep churning
out the smart frames.  I've had limited success in using my c^2's
extra speed in avoiding those bloody tentacles, so I can get away
if I find anythng strange. 

A thought: could MONICA be leaving this system alone in order to
lure a bunch of us here, and then trap us?  She might get a few of
us before we were able to jack out.  Just a thought to brighten
your day.  If you want, I'll run through the system and see if
there is anything unusual that might be keeping her out.  Maybe I
can even find Yoshida's location...Anyway, just tell me what to do,
laddie, and it'll get done.]<<<< 
                        -Highlander (16:16:16/2-16-54)

>>>>>[  In response to your earlier message RUFUS, I would like
you to show us what you can do first.  We have to know for shure if
you're good enough to hold off MONICA.   Come to the MagnaTech
subsidiary, I'll try to capture a red-hat so you can demonstrate
<insert evil laughter>. ]<<<<< 
                              ---Dark Elf <19:11:23/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  What is this!!!!  There's a rogue program in this system
that comletely slipped by my frames and viruses.  It seems to be
monitoring system entries, it's got a log of my entry and
Highlander's too.  I'm taking a better look at this. ]<<<<< 
                             ---Dark Elf <19:13:28/02-16-54>

>>>>>[ Wow, this is uncanny!  This piece of code seems to be
self-altering, smartframe code.  I wonder where it came from.]<<<<< 
                             ---Dark Elf <19:17:57/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  MONICA, if Raven dies......Even your exponential mind
can't conceive of the monstrosities I want to bring down on
you!!!!!!!  Every friend you harm will increase our resolve to
destroy you utterly!  I promise you, I will stand in the Yoshida
Tech CPU and watch your code discorporate!!!!!! ]<<<<< 
                                 ---Dark Elf <TOO MAD TO CARE WHAT TIME IT IS>

>>>>>  Dark elf, Circuit Breaker and I will be over at MagnaTech in
Two minutes.  We were busy investigating Uploads deck (and Upload). 
Claw says That there might be a possibility of Mind Probing MONICA 
through UPLOAD  but only Nightfox can mind probe in our
group.<<<<< 
                -SPIRIT<02-16-54/17:25:43>

>>>>>[  Umm, I am not sure if the redhats will be bothering
you anymore.  Sparks dropped by and gave me a new deck that I
requested from Buster.... The persona icon looked just like one of
Howe's redhats.  Put on my neural net and went in to have some fun
with MONICA.  She completely ignored me until I pulled out my ol
di'coded' spurs program (so sue me for the pun I liked it when I
wrote them) and started attacking her.  Didn't take long for her to
realize I wasn't jacked in, ga... that beautiful deck, never saw a
piece of work like that before, but it didn't last three seconds
after she stopped trying to brainfry me. 

I popped back in after that, with my own deck.... looked like
MONICA was wiping any redhat in the vacinity.  Ha ha...  drekheads. 
Well, that takes care of one group, and only leaves MONICA. 
Hmm.... the carribean always did appeal to me around now.  Just
kidding folks. I'm staying here till either I get iced or MONICA
gets her coding wiped....  Then I am going to DisneyLand! Party at
my house immediately afterwards.  wahoo! ]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire  <2minb4/midnight>

>>>>>[ Get serious Dark Elf, if I tried to kill Harada I'd be
dead before I drew my gun.  I don't like the Fragger, but I know
he's not trying to kill me.  Besides he's important in all this. 
Any chance he'll apologize? ]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <16:33:06/02-16-54>

>>>>>[ Thanks for the Frame Upgrade, DE, it helped me get my
Ninjato back to full strength.  Lets see how MONICA likes all of
this. ]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <20:34:32/02-16-54>

>>>>>[ I'm on my way to the MagnaTech system right now.  There's no
way in hell that I'm going to miss out on this one.  You have to
love the using the enemies home as a base. ]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <20:38:32/02-16-54>

>>>>>[ Napalm:  Raven sayes she'll see you and everybody else at
the Mages Conference.  Now where is that Samurai who's going to
guard our bodies? ]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <20:40:28/02-16-54>

>>>>>[ Oddball, if you and everybody else are going to rescure Big
Jake, then who's guarding the Clone Factory.  I hope it's somebody
bad because this would be Quention's best chance to get it
back.]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <20:43:40/02-16-54>

>>>>>[ Harada: Raven the Mage says if your a good boy you might get
a soul.  Of course you'll have to stop shooting deckers
first.]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <20:45:14/02-16-54>

>>>>>[  Dark Elf - I am on my way to help you out ther at
MagnaTech. Don't count on me as one of the mainliners though, cause
I am not the greatest among deckers, and have lined myself up on
many assistance runs.  However, until you get the guys you need, I
will be glad to be of service. 

Perhaps MONICA has commands that do not allow her to touch
the magnatech net.... would make sense.  If not however, you are
gonna need some help.  I've hit  400mph, gimme 2.7 seconds 
Yeowwwwwww.... heh heh heh ]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire  <13:13:13/13-13-13>

>>>>[This is Big Kahuna of the independent state of Hawaii. Just
what the Hell is going on in the Seattle grid!?  Me and my pals have
been running into viral constructs all over the place and their bit
paths lead back to your LTG.  Anyone in the Seattle matrix please
respond. And soon dammit!  If you need help please respond.]<<<<< 
        -- Big Kahuna (2-16-93/17:58:32)

>>>>>   Dark elf, knock knock, were here.   We don't want to
hurt the doors so open up quick.  Stuff isn't that bad right outside
the building, but she is deffinately starting to route around.  The
Shield 6 program seems to be working ok, Monica hasn't bothered us
(if she even sees us).  It looks like she is working on Raku at the
moment.  We might want to send a few frames there.<<<<< 
                -spirit<02-16-54/20:30:23>

>>>>>[Splitter here.  Me and a buddy are coming over to magnatech.
I am no great shake as a decker, merely good, but my buddy here is
something else.  He flies by the name of Datatorch.  If he can't
help no-one can. The rest of the team is staying corporeal and
watching our screens to pull the plug if needed.]<<<<
                                        Splitter<Good Luck>

>>>>>[Brandywine and I've managed to locate Yoshida and we are
now back in Seattle.  He didn't know anything about Howe's doing,
and frankly is quite skeptical about our insinuations.  That isn't
the point right now, though.  He has agreed to help us, but doesn't
know where MONICA is located.  We are going to go down to Howe's
office and try to go through what is left of it (crispy Lincoln
Howe is kinda all over the place).  We'll let you know what we turn
up.]<<<<< 
        --  Norm Conquest <21:35:44 / 02-16-54>

>>>>>[ An interesting sitch, eh neighbors?  Just a few days ago,
my telecom got wiped by something, Powers know what.  I asked a
decker friend of mine, and he was nice enough to give me a quick
synopsis.  Been keeping tabs since then. 

I'd be glad to help out.  My magic cuts deep, and puts
the opposition to sleep; permanently or not, as you wish.  I can do
either. Can't whip spells, or anything flashy like that--my magic's
in my speed and sight (Astral is pretty, isn't it?).  And I'm still
in practice with Glitter and Sparkle.  Oh, sorry.  G&S are my
babies.  Twin blades, perfect focus for my magic.  And, of course,
only the best for my babies; the diamond dusting shimmers so as
they flash through the air.  How do you think they were named? 

Anyway, I decided to check out that carrier.  Not easy, even
with the aid given by my initiate brothers.  Hacked my way through
the barrier easily enough, but the elementals inside were enough to
send me packing before I could see anything of the inside,
especially with that background count. Looked like glowing dust,
real tough to see through.  I might be one large piece of toast,
but for a couple water elementals a brother lent me. 

Sorry, I can't give more about the carrier.  I'm glad I got
away with what I did, namely myself.  I'd be glad to be watchdog for
the astral conference.  I can be there in five minutes, no prob. 
Just look for the tri-aura, one big, and two smaller but brighter. 
That's me. Nothing will interupt your talk.]>>>>> 
                                Scythe <22:47:03|02-16-54>

>>>>>[Guys, I am so sorry I haven't been around to aid in the
fighting, but I've been data raiding and have some news to share: 

I found out that MONICA was originally housed in the Yoshida
facility at Gates Park in Bellevue, mostly in the basement of the
building. According to the Yoshida records, she's still there.
However, I raked through a few other files with the keyword "Howe"
on signatures and it turns out that some heavy-duty hardware was
lifted by FedEX across the continent to NY. Now I can't prove that
it was definitely MONICA but I'd bet 1,099 Nuyen that Monica was
shipped to the Intrepid as part of Howe's mysterious deal with
Tirandor. After all, someone mentioned MONICA having a small astral
presence as well as a high background count, and so does a certain
hangar bay on the Intrepid. 

MONICA is probably reaching directly through a sat uplink to the
Seattle grid to take down RUFUS, since that's where he is. Once she
completes that task, I'm sure she'll just backtrack across the
virtual continent to take over all UCAS and CAS systems. 

Highlander & DE: Duck out of that system now. Even if the unholy Ms.
M isn't supposed to enter a node like that, you can bet she'll find
a way. She's fast approaching the point where she can manipulate
the real world, either subtly or with brute force (a la the late
Mr. Howe). 

Whoever's hitting Yoshida: I agree with whoever said it-DON'T.

I have a theory about Ol' Jo himself.  Being the spiritual shaman
that he is, I'll bet he's waiting for Norm out in the mountains. I
rather doubt that he can stop MONICA; after all, she is not obeying
orders anymore. I mean, he can order her unplugged, but I bet her
viral codes are set to reconstruct her from any given node. In
short, she may be hardware based, but she's gotten smart enough to
make softcode copies of herself. 

Anyway, I'm back, ready to set sail into the greatest adventure
against the evil pirate queen MONICA. BTW, whoever said they're
going to Disneyland after this mess, look me up: I'll be there on
biz soon.]<<<<< 
        --Jaez          <19:55:55/2-16-54>

>>>>>[That's a good theory about MONICA being on the Intrepid, but
I don't think it works.  A satellite uplink is REALLY slow and there
is no way that MONICA could do the kind of work she is doing here
with that physically slow link.  Also, in checking, all of the
satellite uplinks I can find do not seem to have much more traffic
on them. No, I think MONICA is going to have to be connected to the
Seattle matrix directly to do what she is doing. 

Now, as for what is in the crates that were airlifted out to the
ship, that's anybody's guess.]<<<<< 
        --  Ramirez <>

>>>>>[Ha!  Blasted 'Raku thought that I was being nice and funny
the first time.  Now they got MONICA to deal with.  Rather, they
had.  heh heh heh.  Corp. bastar**.  They wiped my back door
(finally) when they reappeared.  So, I used the front door.  Its
amazing what can be done with three deckers.  One shutdown complete
with viral inhibitor (i.e.  They can't come on line for at LEAST
three days) and volia! No 'Raku and MONICA is PI**ed at us.  DE,
the three of us are coming over.  Look for either to Veritechs and
a Cyclone (ever see Robotech?) or two cyclones and a veritech. 
Depends on how rough the ride is.]<<<<< 
                        -Harlequin <All shall answer for the crime>

>>>>>[Not bad pizza Cat.  We're here and ready to rock.  The two
of use brought enough power to level a small building (even the
Druidic spells). T.C. wants to know if you won't reconsider letting
Styx come.  Mantid shamans are different from the rest of the
insects she claims. We parked the Apolusa out back (yes we brought
the damn thing...Lone Star ain't touching it) with full securities
on.  I think its time for fireworks or as T.C. puts it...Pretty
colors.  Later all.]<<<<< 
                        -Sabre <Harlequin Sig. sez it best.>

>>>>>[ Nice setup you got here Dark Elf.  For someone who created
an AI MagnaTech sure has crummy defenses.  Couldn't keep a decker
from taking over their system.  So tell me what have you figured
out about that self-altering smartframe.  Is MONICA that
good?]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <In MagnaTech>

>>>>>[ RUFUS, come over and talk to us.  We're having lots of 
fun.]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <In MagnaTech>

>>>>>[Ummm, Crossfire, I hate to suggest this, but, that might
not have been a smart move on your part.  Remember it was using one
decker as a SPU.  There were an awful lot of redhats going around. 
I hope she killed them instead of turning them into SPU's. That
might be a real problem.  Software indeed.]<<<<< 
                -Harlequin <Can I play with madness>

>>>>>[ Gott in Himmel!!  My apologies, meine Kamaraden, but I
have been on a long distance scouting mission:  Convincing the
powers that be to cut all connections to the Imperial Computer
Network, should we fail in our mission-- but I do not intend to
demoralize us in our cause.  However, was ist passiert upon my
return?  Those Aztechian Schwachsinnigen have restored their Matrix
activity...  after they manage to decipher what I inflicted upon
thier startup protocols, they should discover my reasons for doing
so.  Hoffentlich, that will be enough. 

Dark Elf:  Message recieved...I am underway now, but I am now at
the perimeter of the Seattle Grid.  With the good graces of Fate, my
estimated time of arrival shall be [ENCRYPTED]--remember, MONICA
could be monitoring. 

                Auf, ruestet euch, verbund'ne Heere
                Germaniens!  Das Schwert zur Hand!
                Ein Volk, das Gott, Gesetz und Ehre
                Verhoehnt, droht unserm Vaterland.

"NOS MORIVRI TE SALVTAMVS" --- We who are about to die, salute you.
  --    Spoken by the gladiators to the Emperor before the games
        began.]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ Sheesh!!  T*his MONIC&#A busine#$@Gss is ge$@ttin' intense. 
I nearly got sc#rag@*ged in some ol' acce^$ss N&o:de when ,.one? of
them *(#$ blasted tenti#)(cles *#$ almost t\rappe|d me.  I go13t
away,! though...b*ut!@ not al%l in one PiEcE.&#*$*# ]<<<<< 
                -- Hangtime <00:06:25/02-17-54>

>>>>>[ Hangtime, you don't look so good.  _I_ say we nuke the sight
from orbit.  It's the only way to be sure. ]<<<<< 
                -- Jack Hack <00:07:49/02-17-54>>

>>>>>[ Yo#u and*&( your^ damn#%#% quotes from th$ose ol##@d sci fi
(^f+_lats!  T*his< i^s n>o &time# to%$ b?/e funny!!! ]<<<<< 
                -- Hangtime <00:08:45/02-17-54>

>>>>>[ An intriguing theory, Fraulein Jaez.  Es ist
moeglich.  However, Herr Ramirez, were MONICA aboard the Intrepid,
she would not *necessarily* have to utilize a satellite up-link for
connecting to the Matrix.  There are other possibilities;  however,
not being in New York, I am unable at present time to
investigate...but perhaps those shadowrunners presently on the East
Coast could explore this prospect?  Mind you, I am by no means
suggesting an assault on the aircraft carrier...merely
reconaissance. ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ Herr Oberst! ]<<<<<
                -- Brocken <01:18:41/17-02-54>

>>>>>[ Ach, Herr Leutnant, Ich vermute, dass Sie ein Bericht fuer
mich haben, nicht wahr? ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ Jawohl, Herr Oberst. ]<<<<<
                -- Brocken <01:19:05/17-02-54>

>>>>>[ Was denn? ]<<<<<
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ Herr Oberst, ich bin hier zu berichten, dass alle
Verbindungen zwischen dem Reichscomputernetzwerk und dem UCAS
Matrixsystem durchgeschlagen sein.]<<<<< 
                -- Brocken <01:19:30/17-02-54>

>>>>>[ Ausgezeichnet, Herr Leutnant. Sie durfen abfahren. ]<<<<<
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ Dankeshoen, Herr Oberst. ]<<<<<
                -- Brocken <01:20:01/17-02-54>

>>>>>[ U*#hh, Doom?  ^@W#hat w6ha%t was TH&!AT, al:l abo>ut|? ]<<<<<
                -- Hangtime <01:20:37/02-17-54>

>>>>>[ Nothing of any importance, Herr Hangtime.  Please, use this
copy of the Heal utility...  I would think it shall be of some use
to you, considering your condition. ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ Gee, thanks...*$@#^@)^** ]<<<<<
                -- Hangtime <01:20:54/02-17-54>

>>>>>>[OK, I'm back to top-form. To the teams that are assembling
in prevision of an assault on MONICA's physical site, if ye want our
help, just drop a note at <encrypted location>. Count on one Phys
Ad., one hermetic mage, one cybervet with heavy ordnance, and a
rigger with both transport cap. and remote support. Coulda add a
matrix jock too, but the boyo'll be busy dodging Redhats and
tendrils in his CAS trip. 

I might be able to draw more help into the fray, but it depends on
whether I can contact them or not.]<<<<<< 
        -Redwing- <17.02.54/10:21:51>

>>>>>>[Aaah, some action at last! Ah was getting rusty.]<<<<<<
        -Bladestar- <17.02.54/10:22:55>

>>>>>>[Enough chatter, folks. Time to check the gear, I
believe.]<<<<<< 
        -Steelgrip- <17.02.54/10:24:12>

>>>>>>['m already countin' da bullets fer me drone guns. D'cha tink
dat it'll be a hardened nut ?]<<<<<< 
        -Truckin'- <17.02.54/10:26:10>

>>>>>>[Ye boyos sure are a chatting lot. If I didn't know ye so
well, I'd swear yere big-mouths and no guts]<<<<<< 
        -Redwing- <17.02.54/10:27:42>

>>>>>>[On another subject entirely, can anyone explain t'me where
the main Seattle power plant is located?  I was just wondering what
could happen to the net if the power source suddenly
drained]<<<<<< 
        -Steelgrip- <17.02.54/10:30:05>

>>>>>>[I think ye'll cripple the city, boyo. We're trying t'help
people, remember ?]<<<<<< 
        -Redwing- <17.02.54/10:31:14>

>>>>>>[Like someone said before, we're waging a war. I just want to
know all the weapons we have at our disposal. Lord knows what means
we'll have to use to achieve our goals. 

Ye know, power shortage seldom kills. And besides, this is all part
of the strategy:  if you can deprive the enemy of his supply, then
do so. 

Speaking of additional assets, i'll try to reach my contact with
the Blackguards. We could use them in a pitched battle if there's
one. I'll cost me one helluva debt, but better poor and alive than
rich and dead.<<<<<< 
        -Steelgrip- <17.02.54/10:34:22>

>>>>>>[Can't argue with that.]<<<<<<
        -Redwing- <17.02.54/10:36:34>
        
>>>>>>[This is Glitter Boy.  I'm scanning the local Atlanta
Grid.  I've seen several Redhats, but no army so far, except at the
airport. As if they were doing scout job.  Still searching for that
tendrils. 

Wait...

(Holy Cow, how can she create them so fast ? )

There's a whole army of soldiers invading the EBM site! I think she
makes her move... Gotta act fast, Seattle boys, or it'll be too
late! 

< evade/sleaze program in action >

Cripes!  One of them detected me!  Gotta run fast&$% Screwit@#
385&^^&%getorf my per^%7&^%@ Ouch!$%
Slice'n'dicethrough&^$%%$^&#Toomanyofthem*^&%@#shoothow
canthey&^%sofast(*^@&^Wuzzat????? 

-       THIS IS NETWATCH. YOUR ACTUAL LINK IS BEING TRACED. PLEASE
        CEASE ALL ACTIVITY IMMEDIATELY.

< drek, this Turing boy may have saved my butt, but... >

-       PRIORITY 1 MESSAGE. ILLEGAL AI ACTIVITY IN UNCONFINED
        PREMISES.  ACTIVATE ASSASSIN CODES. ORDERS ARE TO TRACK AND
        TERMINATE. 

< Holy Ghost... >

...

Boys, things are lively here in the South. I'm currently watching a
pitched battle between MONICA smartframes and what seems to be
Netwatch HK frames. But hell, how they have improved! To all
deckers on-line, better leave the Turing boys alone, they sure mean
business! For the time being, the battle is a draw, even though
MONICA's forces outnumber the HKs by ten to one on the average... 

Wait.  There's a new pattern in MONICA's frames attacks.  They seem
to gain the upper hand. They're adaptating! Better get out of this
place.

HELLFIRES!!!! 

...

I'm safe in another node.  Boys, the Big brains at Turing take this
seriously.  And they were obviously aware of what they were facing.
When they saw their HKs fail, they just blew the place apart - I
mean in the physical world too!!  They destroyed the entire EBM
local grid!!! 

Man, if they think it's the only way to kill MONICA, it'll sure cost
much... 

I'm coming home.  See y'all soon. ]<<<<<<
        -Glitter Boy- <17.02.54/11:01:55>

<<<<<[The concern is appreciated.  Precision is back online. 
*CONFUSION* Any connections?  And hell, if this is what being a
shadowrunner is all about...  I don't think I could take the
adrenilin past puberty.  Precision is also locked up, and appears
to have been so from the outside.  Why it's jammed from the
outside, or who did it, I couldn't discover.  In other news:  There
appear to be two types of redhats.  I was only able to note a
difference in icons. I didn't go up against any of them.  There
seems to be a more advanced strain developing.  They wear badges,
and the normal redhats MOVE out of their way.  Is this actually a
different redhat, or has some hotshot decker figured a way to scare
the hats?]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/17/54 / 8:18:15>

>>>>>[The Tir System will be completely isolated at 08:37:00. 
This includes actual physical isolation.  All cords will be severed.
It will be expensive, but less so than losing a system.  We will be
able to provide for ourselves.  My sympathies to the Seattle
District.  I wish there was more I could do for you.  Buster:  I owe
you apologies and thanks.  You would have made an excellent Paladin.
Continue to take very good care of my sister.]<<<<<
        -Trevore Clark- <17.2.54/8:21:34>

>>>>>[Well, between Buster breaking down the Tir's doors, and
Laverty being barely skeptical, but instremental in the Tir's
isolation, they should be a last haven if all else goes to hell. 
When the ties are cut, I have word that the better Tir deckers will
be allowed to voluntarily help here if they want.  Most of them
want to.  That's the tech.  (Which I don't understand most of.  I'm
just a mouthpiece.)  I propose that the mages among us attack
MONICA in the spiritual realm.  She is evil, she is an entity. 
Perhaps calling in the favours of a few elementals might not be a
bad idea.  I don't have the cooperation of many Tir mages (they
don't believe and don't much care) but I can pull a few favours if
it turns out our numbers aren't high enough.  I imagine we won't
have that problem, though.  It's good to be a free agent agian. 
And Buster:  I heard about the men you lost on this already.  I'm
sorry.  Their loss was a brave one, and it won't be wasted.]<<<<< 
        -Brandywine- <17.2.54/8:34:19>

>>>>>[Huh. Cat's last two postings were switched. I just got a call
from her at the hospital. Raven's in critical condition, and the
doctors can't or won't say anything encouraging. 

Harlequin's people are here, along with a couple dozen others.
Sabre made the classic newcomer's enterence.  Y'see, the bar's floor
is lower than the street, so newbies usually trip, and fall
headfirst into the Hobbes Memorial Kitty Litter Box. Just like
Sabre did. We've taken up all the back rooms as a staging area (the
regular folks were quite peeved).  I don't think there's ever been
so many shadowrunners in one place, for one run. 

I have to ask now if destroying MONICA's hardware will even succeed
in stopping her.  I've read some disturbing things in here, like
MONICA making a copy of herself or something. I'm not a decker, so
it's gibberish to me. 

Sabre, please have your mantis shaman or whatever stay away. When I
get a moment, I'll tell you about this run we made in Tenochtitlan
(Aztlan city).  The short version is, Cat almost got her ticket
punched by a Group of insect shamans.  Ever since, just mentioning
the things is enough to throw her into a panic-attack.]<<<<< 
                Six Pack <10:19:24/2-17-54>

>>>>>[  Big Kahuna - Send Help!  Seriously, the Seattle Grid is
under seige by an AI by the name of MONICA.  Any assistance would
be greatly appreciated.  If anyone intends to come, send for a
history log on your way so you know what you are going up against. 
I have kept a file of pertanant details, and I am sure the better
deckers have even a more complete listing.  Unfortunately, the only
way to fight her is here in the Seattle Grid at the source. 

She has already attempted expansion beyond our grid.  Hopefully
this may be her downfall, starting too many fronts when she hasn't
dealt with home yet.  Keep everyone but the best OUT OF SEATTLE! 
By the way, many of us no longer leave proper time/date stamps as
to not give anything away to MONICA that we can help...]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire  <HellisFrom/HeretoEternity>

>>>>>[  Harlequin - Frag!  You might be right about that.  I was
trying to narrow our fight down so we only needed to concern
ourselves with MONICA and not the redhats as well.  DREK!  If she
is using them as SPU's, not even they deserve that fate, nor can we
afford it.  Gotta try something though! 

I have the net wired.... some one tell me if I should isolate
a system.  As of now, I can cut some connections an cut them
completely out of the net and we could retake their mainframes and
set THEM to writing our frames for us...  Yamatetsu is looking
appealing.... ]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire  <What/Next?>

>>>>>[  DOA, I am pleased to see you still on-line.  Brandy,
sorry about the Tir, but I wasn't simply going to take the word of
your brother, no offense meant.  Part of me is quite displeased
with the Tir's isolationist policies of not bothering to assist as
it is OUR problem, but I can understand, and it is actually one
less thing that we need concern ourselves with. 

For your information:  At 06:00 this morning, one of my elite
retreval teams broke into a the physical system of one of MONICA's
major hubs to take the CPU off line.  They had they best training
that I could provide and are all cybered vatboys.  This was one of
my best. By 06:04 they were already detected, and by 06:09 were
outmaneuvered.  MONICA has complete control of physical security
systems, and is running armed drones. 

Every last one perished, my command leader as he set the fuse. 
That CPU is no longer functioning for MONICA to exploit, but at what
price.  It was far to high.  MONICA, you die. ]<<<<< 
        -- Buster <>

>>>>>[When you are ready to attack please notify me or splitter.  I
have 2 free spirits who owe me big time.  They have already
indicated a willingness to serve in this matter.  (a force 10
Earth, and 8 Fire)  They are available for ONE action so please be
sure this is a major one.  They are not small fry in the magical
support area, and the Earth has a possesion power which might be
usefull. Contact me at this site <encrypt 10>.]<<<<<
                        Sabrial the Conjurer
                        The Elementalist<11:05:20|02-17-93>

>>>>>[Dark Elf, I am here at the MagnaTech site.  I had to defeat
four-hundrend sixty nine of MONICA's minions to get here, but I'm
here nonetheless.  What do you need me to do?]<<<<<
        --  RUFUS <10:40:16 / 02-17-54>
            copyright (c) 2053
            MagnaTech AI Division

>>>>>[This is Norm.  We've combed through all of Howe's records that
we could find, but there is no sign of a location for MONICA's main
CPU.  Wolf 359, any luck with Splut's notes, yet?]<<<<<
        --  Norm Conquest <10:42:34 / 02-17-54>

>>>>>[I think I have something.  There are two sites listed over
and over again, but neither is specificially identified as
MONICA's base of operations.  One is a MagnaTech warehouse down on
the waterfront, the other is a Precision warehouse located on the
south-side of the city.  I don't know which would be a better
candidate to check out.  Common sense says to check out the
Prscision warehouse as it would be stupid to base a computer by
the water.]<<<<
        --  Wolf 359 <No Retreat / No Surrender>

>>>>>[Yoshida agrees.  We are heading there now.  I'll let you know
what we can find.]<<<<<
        --  Norm Conquest <10:46:32 / 02-17-54>

>>>>>[  I think we can forget about MONICA being on the Intrepid. 
If she were she'd be in control of NY by now.  When I was still over
there, the entire east coast matrix was clean.  I've been up all
night examining the stray code in the MagnaTech machine (sorry if I
didn't greet those of you that came to help out).  The thing has
been replicating itself at a faster rate.  It's size has doubled
since yesterday, and it's big enough to have it's own icon now. 
The icon is a rough humanoid shape, but is featureless and
completely white. I'll keep an update on it.  It's not doing
anything execpt updating itself. The only thing I can say for shure
is that it's not MONICA.  I'm considering feeding it all the data
we've collected on the MONICA problem and see what happens. ]<<<<< 
                               ---Dark Elf <COME AND GET ME>

>>>>>[  Here's another frame upgrade.  This one incorporates the
"stealth" upgrade I've been using in my latest run of frames.  I've
also adjusted the attack routine to EMShotgunV4.5.  Again if you
use this, alter the code first! <<include Frame Upgrade 2>> ]<<<<< 
                               ---Dark Elf <no time>

>>>>>[  You found him!!! Good!!!  Hopefully Joseph can figure
out where Howe stashed MONICA.  Too bad MONICA took over FedEx
already, I'd have liked to take a look at the transaction log
between Howe and DDI. ]<<<<< 
                                ---Dark Elf <Down with DDI>

>>>>>[These fragging tentacles are driving me crazy!  They're
everywhere.  After one of my programmers got brain-fried when
jacking into *MY* system this morning, I shut down fast!  I started
checking through the logs from last night to find out what the hell
happened, and found records of SOMETHING slaughtering the mice and
taking over the system!  Even showed hardware code alterations.  So
I started checking through the code and found some interesting
self-adjusting routines.  After removing the alterations, I tweeked
the ICE to deal with those routines specifically and put the system
back on the matrix.  That was ten minutes ago, and we've been under
attack ever since!  The ICE has been able to hold them off so far,
but more than half of it has been has overwhelmed and crashed!  And
these tentacles have adjusted to where my attack utilities are
useless.  I'll probably have to shutdown in another three
minutes.]<<<<< 
                               Cypher <8:50:29/**-**-**>
                               President of Synergistic Technologies
                               Computer Security Systems

>>>>>[Rogue AI, eh...hmm. Help is on the way! Myself, Phred, and
Indigo just gotta alert her Majesty's matrix warfare division,set
up a few automated defenses around this little island matrix home
of ours, and we will be on our way. ETA by suborbital, 8 hours.
We're gonna a few non-deckers too (to watch our butts, dontcha,
know).]<<<< 
                        Big Kahuna (ride/the/surf)


>>>>>[NO INSECT TOTEMS PLEASE!!!!!  My group has a rep with them
and if they fit certain parameters we are honor bound to destroy
them. I am not sure if Mantis would fit that mold, but would rather
not have to deal with it at the moment, Rest assured that we will
be checking in to this when we have a chance.]<<<<<
                                        Splitter<Good Luck>

>>>>>[An additional note.  In addition to the two free spirits we
have 3 fairly good allies who are more than willing to assist in
such endevors.]<<<<<
                                   Sabrial the Conjurer
                                   The Elementalist<Good Hunting>

>>>>>[Well, we're here at the Precision warehouse.  The place is
abandoned as far as we can tell from the outside.  No guards, no
movement.  I think this is the place.  Joe and I and a couple of
his bodyguards are going to try to go in.  I'll keep you
updated.]<<<<<
        --  Norm Conquest <12:29:14 / 02-17-54>

>>>>>[Uh, Rewing, there's no one left here who can decrypt
your message. Zen was killed early on and Raven's down too. You'll
have to contact us directly (Murphy's Law is in the phone book,
under "Seedy Bars"). 

Um, Sabre, am I seeing things or is that a MILITARY-grade LSV you
drove up in?!?.  WHERE did you get that?]<<<<< 
                Jackal <13:48:00/2-17-54>

>>>>>[Better watch yer answer, Sabre. Jackal's ex-UCAS CIA. :)  BTW,
thanks for relieving the tension a bit. No one's taken a header
into the Memorial in a long time.]<<<<< 
                Six-Pack <13:49:22/2-17-54>

<<<<<[Guys:  let me come with you to precision.  I know the
physical layout of the place, and the local matrix was my baptismal
place.  I might be more help there than anywhere else...  and I've
lots of holes and tunnels that my 'teachers' have probably never
found.  (both physical and matrix)  I can get you through the fence
or or the IC.  Bring me, would you?]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <17/2/54 / 12:49:38>

>>>>>[At last! A target. We have enough manpower to handle
both sites, if necessary. I'll send the bulk of personell to the
Precision site; I agree with Wolf 359's analysis. Cat Dancing is on
her way from the hospital, and she says that her old Coven is
there, working on a major ritual healing spell. Everyone who can,
get to whichever target is nearer to you. See you there.]<<<<< 
                Jackal <13:58:30/2-17-54>

>>>>>[I am posting a new version of the GNU Shield 6 hack.  I
captured two of MONICA's smart-frames and dissected them.  I've
incorporated MONCIA's code for the adapting shield into the GNU
code, so, in theory at least, this shield program should improve at
the same rate at MONICA's. 

** included Binary:  GNU_shield_hack.tar.Z

Also, I have finished modifying the GNU Attack-6 program.  I
wasn't able to write in an auto-improving feature, but what I have
done is written in an eighty-five pulse string that is randomized
each time the utility is executed.  This randomized string is
integral to the attack.  Thus, each time you use this attack
utility, you will have a different type of attack produced.  It
should help to at least keep MONICA guessing.

** included Binary:  GNU_attack_6.tar.Z

Hope these help.]<<<<<
        --  Ramirez <>

***** The mages confrence was a success,  Many mages who we
have never heard of on the nets came.  Some of the major Ideas were
to use watchers to find her and greater forms to eliminate her.  I
also did what Claw suggested and mindprobed UPLOAD, all I was able
to get was the confermation that Monica is in Seattle not in New
York, which also conferms my thoughts that something esle is going
on in the Intrepid.***** 
                -Nightfox


>>>>>[For Splitter,  Sabrial speaking

We appreciate the new software, both the shield and attack
programs.  I think it would help everyone if we use an old doge. 
Just buy/steal a commercial program, or any program that a person
has copied on any run.  You may only get on engagement to use it in
but it would keep her guessing as to what was coming. 

Our team is on the way to the Precision site minus The Bomber who
is on remote control for the team going against the warf location. 
The other two riggers have their hands full with an incredible
number of drones available.  Just call when you need air support. 
(3 wanderjinas and a host of other armed drones)  They are being
kept out of site for now. 

If you want a ritual on any location please tell us.  We can
provide up to the equivalent of a force 260 manipulation spell. 
Some of that will naturally be needed for targeting but still it
usually gets the job done.  We prefer nights, and need anywhere
from 1 to 3 hours to complete the task.  We have once penatrated a
rating 30 barrier and leveled the target.  Also if possible please
get us some ritual link.  It need only be near by.  We have managed
a 100m radius attack before.]<<<<<
                                The Elementalist<Good Hunting>

>>>>>[ Thanx for the new warez Ramierez!  I'll be able to dissect
it and incorporate the same code in my sleaze utilities, I'll also
make a self improving sleaze that can be incorporated into stealth
smartframes.  I think that in the past three days, we've advanced
matrix and self altering program theory by about three years!]<<<<< 
                              ---Dark Elf <17:19:06/02-17-54>

>>>>>[ FRAG!!!!  I must have missed something!!! It's moving
now!!!!!!!!!!! 

>>invoke PDX matrix programming environment: File GNU-Sleaze 6.1

C'mon hurry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

>> cat GNU-Sleaze 6.1  GNU-attack 6.0  > GNU-Sleaze 6.1 
>> Upgrading...  
>> Extract module self-alter---learning module 
>> Done. 
>> exec GNU-Sleaze 6.1 

The persona that's been developing here for several hours has
started moving through the system.  The first thing it did was head
right for me.  I've been leading it on a wild goose chase for the
past 15 min while I've been upgrading my sleaze on the fly.  Its in
the same node as I am now, but it can't see me.  The mods I made
actually worked, I think it will make its purpose known soon, or it
may just sit there, I don't know!!! ]<<<<< 
                              ---Dark Elf <17:34:58/02-17-54>


>>>>>[ Where are you Dark Elf???  Did you think yourself immune, or
did you use common sense and jack out! ]<<<<< 
                              ---<unidentifiable source>

>>>>>[ DOA, glad to see your still in the land of the living. 
Raven sayes hello.  Did you go in for that faceoff with MONICA?  If
so how did it go.  Why don't you bounce over here to MagnaTech
Seattle and talk to all of us. ]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <Living on Expresso>

>>>>>[ From Raven the Mage:  Brandywine, its good to have you
back.  Nice of Tir to helps us out.  About attacking MONICA are you
sure she would have an astral presence?  Afterall she is just a
string of code.  What, Nightstalker? Oh... Nightstalker says her
hardware might allow her to have an ... What a minute!  I'm the one
with the degree in Magical Theory. ]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <About to get Chewed Out>

>>>>[Sierra, lassie, since you seem to have decided to hold off
on your confrontation, why don't you meet the rest of us in the
MagnaTech node, after the business with Precision?  Everybody seems
to be here now, even RUFUS.  And maybe you could even tell us what
this strange frame is..]<<< 
                        -Highlander (13:43:32/2-17-54)

>>>>>[Yes, kiddy, that is a top of the line Military Spec. 
Vechile out there.  Also fully loaded for piasma.  No fooling.  And
how I got it is none of your Fragging business.  Lets just say two
things, I needed ADPS and I needed fast transport out of where I
got it. That's all.  That is what happens with planning.]<<<<< 
                -Sabre <Unforgiven>

>>>>>[ I was beginning to wonder when Precision got involved
with all this. Has anybody been inside their system lately? ]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <Curiouser and Curiouser>

>>>>>[ Wow, RUFUS.  Your the most beautiful piece of code I've
ever seen.  If you were a girl I think I'd be in love.  Tell me how
hard was it to blast MONICA's smartframes?  Can you give us any
pointers on how to kill them easier? Oh, and how was the
Library?]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <You Look Marvelous>

>>>>>[Sheesh, Joe Yoshida and I just tried to go into Precision. 
We took about ten steps before an automatied sentry came around the
corner and started shooting.  Joe's Ork bodyguard dumped a panther
cannon into it just as another pair of sentries showed up. 

We, uh . . .kinda ran out. :-)

Outside we found DOA and she seems to think she can sneak us in. 
(She didn't recognize me and seemed a little scared of my big
fangs).  DOA, Joe and I and the two bodyguards are going to try to
use DOA's back entrace and I'll let you know what happens. 

For all of you who are mustering forces to blow this warehouse
away, don't do it.  MONICA's most likly deep in som sub-cavern and
leveling the building won't help.  If anything, set up a parameter
and stand by before you assault it.  I think with DOA's help we can
get through.]<<<<< 
        --  Norm Conquest <15:43:12 / 02-17-54>

>>>>[I've added what I could to the defenses, although they're
mostly redundancies for what's already up.  I'm also churning out
the smart frames (v.2). 

This new construct has me slightly worried.  Its actions remind me
of RUFUS or MONICA: this couldn't be M's first attempt at writing
herself to software, could it?  But then, why would it come here? 
Maybe it's a proto-AI: some new program that's starting to gain
sentience.  Or maybe its what I suggested earlier, a big, nasty
program designed to take out some of the deckers that have
conveniently gathered in this one system.  Neah, I'm probably just
being paranoid...]<<<< 
                        -Highlander (13:35:43/2-17-54)

>>>>>[  This frame/persona that's evolving right in front of me
is getting stranger by the minute.  It still has not advanced its
shape any but is turning grey!  Right now it's code is bigger than
that of most personae.  I think we'll know what it is soon.   By
the way, Norm, I'm in the system connected to that MagnaTech
warehouse,  the system isn't in house there, but there are i/o
ports located there. It doesn't matter since it's probably the last
place left that MONICA hasn't infected! ]<<<<< 
                             ---Dark Elf <Address witheld by request>

>>>>>[  Geez!!! All the network backlog around here due to
MONICA and all our smartframe activity has really started to make
time seem to run strange in here!  Not that time is actually
altered, but message delays make it seem that way.  Is this what
nets were like in the 20th century??  If so I'm glad that kind of
inconvienience is in the past! ]<<<<< 
                            ---Dark Elf <16:23:36/02-17-54>

>>>>>[ Wow, there's some serious backlog on this BBS!   RUFUS
arrived here about ten hours ago, but I didn't notice.  Thank you
RUFUS!  You may be our only hope of slowing MONICA down until Norm
and Yoshida finish their mission.  I can't figure out what the hell
this persona that's forming here is, any ideas RUFUS? ]<<<<<
                         ---Dark Elf <16:19:06/02-17-54>

>>>>>[  DE, better be careful, Tommy left about an hour ago.  I
came in and no one was there to ride shotgun for you and pull your
jack.  I'll stick around until he comes back. ]<<<<< 
                         ---Napalm <16:20:17/02-17-54>

>>>>>[Hunting indeed.  That is what I do best.  Extermination of
the plague of insects that infest ths area.  My spirits don't need
to be bonded to bodies like the punny ant and tiny termite. 
Eradication is in order for them.  MONICA is more of a pest than
the worst UB Chapterhouse.  I offered my services, they were not
accepted.  I will respect your wishes and stay away from the fray,
for I am also familiar with the friendly fire kills that happen. 
By oath and by honor.]<<<<< 
                        -Styx <Earth's gift>

>>>>>  Things got a little interesting here about a half an
hour ago,  when Monica send a small scouting mission.  It didn't
last more than 15 secounds especially with Rufus here, but It makes
us worried that she might start an all out assualt soon.  To all
the deckers still out there, MagnaTech is still safe and can be
used as a home base.<<<<< 
                -Spirit < go team ( wow a cheerleader)>

>>>>>[  Something nasty happened to me on my back from the
mages conference.  I was about halfway back when this big astral
form intercepted me.  At first I thought it was some kind of free
spirit, but when it came closer I saw I was wrong.  It was actually
a projecting mage!!!  Only thing was that whoever it was was
radiating a severe background count!  He/She/It made an attack that
nearly discorporated me!  I was lucky to escape.  When I left
He/She/It said "You do not even know the beggining of what you are
involved in!  I can destroy you whenever I choose silly adept!  It
was foolish of you to delve into matters beyond your
comprehension!  I allow you leave, to bring this warning to your
misguided friends!"  As I fled, the background count around him
rose until I couldn't see him anymore.  Whoever it was must be
unspeakably evil!!!  I've never seen a person give off a background
count like that!  Whoever it was must be guilty of unspeakable
crimes!  It was an unnerving experience to say the least! ]<<<<< 
                       ---Napalm <17:50:38/02-17-54>

>>>>>[  Whatever this thing is, it's not friendly!!  How the hell
did it get in here without being detected?????  Wait a minute, let
me check the system map again.... 

.... Holy Fragging Drek!!!!!!  There's a new dataline running into
this system from somewhere else!!  It must be gated because it
wasn't there before!!!  I'm moving into sensor rang for this new
system. ]<<<<< 
                       ---Dark Elf <17:55:34/02-17-54>

>>>>>[  My god!!!! I've played right into her hands!!!!! This
MagnaTech subsidary is directly connected to Precision!!!!!!!!  I'm
taking Magna offline as soon as I can, if that rogue frame will let
me!!!!  MONICA must have managed to insert a small fragment of
self-altering code in as part of a message header or something and
it grew!!!!!  I'll make one attempt to communicate with it before I
activate the crash virus. ]<<<<< 
                        ---Dark Elf <18:03:44/02-17-54>

>>>>>[OK, guys.  MONICA ran up on me when I tried to send last,
and I had to scrag the dataline rather than let her climb on up to
me. If that last transmission was a bit garbled, please
understand. 

Now I am running on four times redundant satlinks, hoping to stay
safe while I download.  I'm going to be busy in the East for awhile,
so save me an SPU if I don't make it in time. 

The crux:  Highlander asked about Gotterdammerung. Rather than
let Herr Doktor Doom toot his own horn, I thought I'd let "him"
speak: 

                <<DOWNLOAD FOLLOWS>>

Detroit (AP):  In another area of Detroit later last night and
throughout most of the day, the Ares America Detroit Headquarters
and Research Facilities erupted into chaos as a virus wreaked havoc
upon the Grounds Computer System, infecting almost all
computer-affected areas on the grounds, includeing building
operations, security measures, transportation, maintenance,
communications, and sanitation.  Ares data consultants were unable
to contain the virus, saying that it either eluded them or dumped
them before they had a chance to fully diagnose the problem.  "It
was a fr*gging work of art, man," said Ares Consultant Assistant
Dennis Miller.  "Every time we got close to it, it'd spot us and
either run off, or it'd pull all kinds of crazy dr*k on us before
dumping us off the system.  If I ever meet the crazy dr*kheads who
made this thing, I don't know if I'll punch their lights out or
shake their hands."  Ares maintains that the virus was deliberately
planted last night to go off at 11:30, and run continuously until
shut down.  The virus shut down as inexplicably as it appeared,
shortly after Damien Knight resurfaced from his short disappearance
the night before. Ares spokesmen againoffered no comments, saying
that they were investigatng the source of the virus.  "We won't
give up until we find the sabateur," said spokesman Michael
Ripley.  "We are going to show that this sort of chaos will not be
tolerated by Ares Macrotech." 

                <<<DOWNLOAD ENDS>>>

Hope this gets through.  And, guys, don't use this unless
_ABSOLUTELY_ necessary.  I felt that it was more important for
y'all to know than it was for Doom to remain blameleess.  Sorry
Doom.  Just give me three minutes before you open the box, please,
and I'll be out of here if I have to go through FOUR
MONICAs.]<<<<< 
        --FastJack <>

>>>>>[What!!  I leave things alone in here for a couple of hours,
and it all goes to hell?!?!?  Jeez.  We are now running Herr Doom off
of satellite uplink, so please allow for a little bit of delay.  We
are underway to a safehouse in the Seattle Barrens.

RUFUS:  If you decide not to jump in, we've got a secure node
located in Seattle.  You can get in touch with Doom for the details.
I give you my word as a wolfbrother that no harm will befall you
while in our care. Also, killing is only OK when fighting the other,
or protecting the pack. Otherwise, it is a weak man's choice.

Lads 'n Lassies:  I have about thirty snarling, drooling trolls
who are mad as hell about the fact that someone might hurt Doomie.
It's not what we trained them for, but if you have need, count in
one big sasquatch and a bunch of pissed-as-hell trolls.  If we get
a site down, let me know -- I can probably get there in time for
the party. 

DAMN.  I missed the conference.  Forgive me guys, but I never heard
of Mount whatever-you-guys-called-it.]<<<<< 
                --Flare <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[There is a tremendous astral background count coming from
the Precision area of Seattle.  Holy!  What in the Gods was that?  A
large figure...  Black...  rising.  Seems to be drawing light into
it. Incredibally powerful.  DO NOT try to fight this entity alone. 
Seems to be a roaming spirit of some sort.  Gods.  I'd say it was
toxic, or insect. 

But it's different from their portraits.  Seems more composed,
more linear, if anyone can understand what I mean.  I feel like the
reporter that stands to watch the tornado...  Here it comes!]<<<<< 
        -Brandywine- <2.17.54/19:12:06>

>>>>>[Oh god.  Matthew.  My ally just attacked the beast.  He did
damage, I'm sure of it.  But he was destroyed.  For any interested
parties, the attack looked something like this:  Matthew ran at the
the thing, meaning to overwhelm it.  The thing absorbed him.  It
seemed to shrink, though, and grew dim.  (it's blackness seems to
radiate...  if this makes any sense.)  It grew confused,
disoriented.  It seems to be heading North.]<<<<< 
        -Brandywine- <2.17.54/19:15:43>

>>>>>[Herr Dr. Doom, if you are to release that thing...GIVE US
ALL FOUR MINUTES.  I remember the wee beastie the first time it went
off. I had a real laugh as I penetrated the system and watched it
go. Until the dre**ing thing saw me.  Should have had the sleaze
running. Oh well.]<<<<< 
                -Harlequin <Monica dies>

>>>>>[Hey DE.  What if that "new" icon you see is a new type of
ice by MONICA.  A HK targeted just for you.  If I see it the three
of us will try and skrag it with the new softwear we receive, or
with our own programs.  I think we ought to isolate the grid NOW...
reprocussions be damned. How are they going to find us
anyway.]<<<<< 
                -Harlequin <Here little construct..he he he>

>>>>>[I saw that the network was getting very bogged down, so I
beat MONICA back a bit, cutting her occupation back by about 20%. 
Messages should flow freely now.]<<<<< 
        --  RUFUS <20:43:16 / 02-17-54>
            copyright (c) 2053
            MagnaTech AI Division

>>>>>[Thank god for mages. I'm back, and I've been catching up
through the logs. I'm using my old deck, pending repairs (that's the
bother about C2 decks; you can't just pull out a faulty chip and
replace it).

Where do you need me the most?

And somebody send me the program updates. MONICA knows all my
tricks, even the GREMLINS-IX. 

Sorry I've been gone all day.]<<<<<
                Raven <Never/Again!>

>>>>>[This is a real-time transmission
 
This is Norm.  I have a portable link and am reporting live from
sub-level 6 at this precision warehouse.  This link is jacked
directly into my datajack. 

Thats to Sierra, we managed to get this deep into the complex with
very little resistance, although some of the air-ducts we had to get
through were a little bit tighter than my troll-body liked.  At one
point we did get pinned down by some kind of hover-droid with a
machine gun.  One of the bodyguards got shot in the shoulder, and I
grabbed his panther and blew away the droid, and a large chunk of
the wall behind it.  Nice gun. 

In any case, Sierra seems to know where we are going, so we're trying to
let her lead the way.

We are now standing in front of a large steel door.  Sierra says
this is it.  There is a coded lock here and Sierra is trying
different combinations.  Whoops . . . another droid . . . well,
scratch one droid. Nice gun. 

Sierra has the door open.  CHRIST!, a bolt of electricity just
snaked out, catching the other bodyguard.  He's dead.  I'm firing
into the room at the source of the bolt, some kind of energy
emmitter. 

We are entering now.  There is a large computer console here and a
huge bank of machines in a pit, which extends down about three
stories.  I _hope_ this is MONICA. 

Joe is attempting a shutdown.  Access Denied.  Figures.

Sierra wants to jack in directly, I won't let here.  It's too
dangerous. 

Joe still is being denied access.

What's this?  There is a CPU meter on the wall here that measure the
amout of CPU time the computer is using.  It is registering almost
zero!!!  Hey Sierra, what do you make of this?

She says that MONICA must not be there.  Could she have written
herself to the network?  There is nowhere else MONICA could be
except here. 

Joe is recommending we cut the power.  There's an emergency cut off
switch over here and I'm going pull it.  Just did.  The computer shut
down on cue.

The intruder klaxon has also shut off, I think we just killed
MONICA, or would have if she was here.

I'm jacking out of this portable link as it is getting distracting.
I'll contact you once we get back outside.  Is MONICA still
alive?]<<<<< 
        --  Norm Conquest <21:04:01 / 02-17-54>

>>>>>[Well boys, the Big Kahuna is in town! Indigo was the
only other decker who could make it (the others are guarding the
home front), but I convinced some of our more physically (and
astrally) oriented friends to come along also. Where are we gonna
be the most use?]<<<< 
                                Big Kahuna (Ride/the/Surf)

>>>>>[Good gods, I can see it!  What the drek IS that monster. 
Ulp....c-could it be...MONICA?]<<<<< 
                Cat Dancing <Scared /as HELL!>

***** After my mind probe on Upload I read the messages, I
decided to do a Little scouting at the waterfront.  What I found
there was nothing.  There was no trace of what I identify as
Monica,  She could havve changed but i doubt it.  Well I'm going to
head back home and find out what messages you folks have left in
the last 6 hours (i was very thorough),  no I can't read messages
unless I talk to the person***** 
        -- SIG FLUSHED FOR UNKNOWN REASON

*****  I just read the mail!!!   And i don't like whats
happening!!!! Back in my 12 years in Atlantis (Don't ask now
there's no time) We had something Crop up that involved Hermatics
gone bad, what they did was to Twist slighlty the fabric of magic,
to allow a few things you couldn't normally do.  (they did ofcourse
blaim it on dark elves (there were only two renegades in it) For
one thing they could MANIFEST from the astral.  The worst part was
the background count from it, it was unbelieveable. 

With monica i believe we have the same type of problem,  She
has gained enough power and skill to give herself CONCEPT ( More
really old stuff) Any way because she is scienctific, she naturally
leans to Hermatic.  Her 1000x howes intellect would explain the
size.  I do recognoze her Aura now as being similar.  What is
needed is an all out assualt 

EVERYTHING

Rituals, dispellings, Greater Forms  and us.

its the only way.   Ready your selves for the fight of your life,
and your next two reincarnations.

What ever you do though don't face her alone!!!!!
nightfox out******
                        -Nightfox <aluve>

>>>>>[Norm again.  We're back outside and it appears that MONICA
is still alive and well inside the net.  Shutting her down at the
source didn't work and Joe says she's apparently evolved into the
same free-floating form that RUFUS takes.  I don't know what to do
now, anyone have any ideas?]<<<<< 
        --  Norm Conquest <22:58:04 / 02-17-54>

>>>>>[ Shit!  Dark Elf that must be MONICA in portable mode your
fighting.  I'm going to try to isolate the MagnaTech system.  If we
can trap her and shutdown the system she'll die.  Keep her occupied
until we can shut off MagnaTech form all outside links.  God I hope
this works! ]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <Going for the Kill>

>>>>>[ Napalm:  I saw that thing too.  After it ran you off
it stopped by the conference sight to catch any stranglers.  Me an a
few others were enjoying the view when everything got dark.  We
spun around and there it was.  It must have been at least 10 feet
tall. He spoke with the effort of a whisper, but it came out like a
bellow. "I have already warned one of your rank, now it is time for
more of you to learn that this game you are playing has a high
price.  Stop while you still can."  He then tossed the biggest
spell  I've ever seen in my life at us.  I killed it with my sword
but it took three hits.  Two other mages discorperated while I was
killing that monster.  The entity then looked at the few of us
remaining and began to glow with a sickly black light.  We ran
faster than we thought possible. ]<<<<< 
       -- Raven the Mage <01:46:58/02-18-54>

>>>>>[ HE DID WHAT???!!!????  (Oh, and thanks for the Heal utility,
Doom, I needed that.) ]<<<<< 
                -- Hangtime <23:54:22/02-17-54>

>>>>>[ Ahhh...dankeschoen, Herr Fastjack, it is always a pleasure. 
Well, Highlander, does that satisfy your curiousity?  As I mentioned
before, it is an item of last resort...and to think it all started
as a simple poltergeist virus... 

And Herr Harlequin, Sie haben Goetterdaemmerung gesehen?  You
realize, of course, that it practically CONSUMED the Ares system. 
They were of a mind to shut the system off before he reached the
Matrix access nodes...rather than invite disaster, Zerstoerung
beyond belief, I entered the system and 'called him off', so to
speak. ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ Hungrig! ]<<<<<
                -- Goetterdaemmerung <...>

>>>>>[ Nicht jetzt, mein kleiner Freund... ]<<<<<
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ So, dear, do ya figure you're gonna have to release him? ]<<<<<
                -- Maze <--:--:--/__-__-__>

>>>>>[ I sincerely hope that shall not be necessary.  My confidence
in the technomancers on the Matrix and the ShadowRunners out in real
time leads me to believe that we will be victorious, and discuss
this over matching sifters of cognac sometime in the future. 
However, I feel matters are inclined to get far worse before they
improve any. ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ Oh, one final point before I enter the fray again:  Flare's
offer of assistance regarding the troup of trolls is quite genuine. 
They are all in quite a fervor, thinking I am in danger somehow... 
Despite my assurances, Piledriver and the rest are quite set to, as
they put it, "kick some AI tail". Although I am not entirely
certain as to what exactly they mean to convey, I believe I have
the gist of it.  Therefore, if there is any way by which they may
be instrumental in our cause (on the physical aspect of this
endeavor), do not be reticent to petition their services. ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[  Herr Nightstalker, did I hear you correctly?  MONICA is on
the point of being trapped in the MagnaTech system?  Any assistance
I can muster is offered. 

The thought occurs to me:  Due to the fact that MagnaTech can
be closed off from the Matrix, were Goetterdaemmerung unleashed on
her, his swath of destruction could be restricted somewhat...so
long as the connections to the Matrix were severed.  'Twould be bad
were he to get out of control. 

But that aside, I am en route to MagnaTech as I speak. ]<<<<<
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[I'm here in the MagnaTech system.  I'm going to help Dark
Elf to close off the links so that MONICA can't get out.   RUFUS is
really going head to head with her.  I think it's a pretty even
match at this point.  Everything H make ground, she takes some back
from him.  DE, are you taping this?]<<<<< 
        --  Ramirez <>

>>>>>>[Jackal: OK. We'll be at Murphy's Law at 12:00:00 today,
local time. Ye can count on a few more'n'expected. Warriors, all. 

Concerning the new astral phenomenon - I got word from the Sioux
Nations that things are being taken very seriously there. A decision
should be reached by midday. Right now, they seem to tend towards
direct magical intervention. If such a decision is reached, they
should inform the UCAS government by 12:30. 

As far are injuns are concerned, I'll try to raise further help
from the NAN.  Still got a few connections there. ]<<<<<< 
        -Redwing- <18.02.54/09:51:51>

>>>>>>[Hey, smartboys, look what I've found in the news :

  < file included >

Today, at about 11h00 local time, a wild power surge has occured in
the European Business Machines complex.  Starting with the security
systems, all electronical devices have suddenly stopped functioning
due to a 1000% increase of power which occured nearly
instantaneously.  All systems, included the whole computer grid,
suffered a complete meltdown. 

        [blahblah deleted]

Engineers are at a loss to explain why such a power surge occured,
and why the built-in security systems didn't react until far too
late. A possible explanation is that the origin of the surge was
located within the EBM premises, taking the safeguards litterally
"from the rear", but no one can explain why such a phenomenon would
occur in the first place. 

The EBM administrators in Atlanta made no comments on this affair,
but talks are currently taking place between EBM and CAS oficials
concerning the responsibilities in that accident. 
 
        [blahblah deleted]

< end of file >

Boys, when I told you that Turing meant business... They didn't
even asked for EBM authorization, didn't even send a note or
warning. Just get in, melt it, and get out. Things must be serious
indeed. 

Oh, to the one who made the Shield-6 and Attack-6 programs: kugas,
man. Real nice'n'useful piece of soft.  I've tweaked it in some
places, but the code is written for easy and quick modifications.
Nice work.  I'm using it right now.  Will send you royalties for
that later. 

Sorry about not being here for the time being, but I'm going to
Aztlan.  There are some things I'd like to check. This could prove
interesting. 

Oh, yeah, one last word : I've been able to grab a big chunk of
Netwatch HK code before breaking out. It's using some new and
interesting twists in the code, including a portion dedicated to
hardware adaptation for maximum speed. I'm downloading it, perhaps
someone can use it. 

< begin download of encrypted file >

< download completed >

OK.  I'm off.  Lotsa luck, guys.]<<<<<<
        -Glitter Boy- <18.02.54/10:32:15>

>>>>>To Whom it may concern.  We request that the exact location
of the AI MONICA be sent to >ENCRYPT BETA 1< And any street hit
squads who are preparing to hit the said site stand down. This is a
warning. Action will be taken and any on site teams will be
sanctioned.  If possible will all deckers concentrate their attacks
and their smart/dumb upon the locations sensors. Forget a frontal
attack upom  MONICA she is evolving beyond your reach.
                        >>S.D.I<<

>>>>>>RUFUS. If you survive the MONICA affair which we believe you
will. We would be honoured if you would pay us a visit at the
following address-- 
   >ENCRYPT STARLIGHT 8 / MODULATE 7<  
   
If you are as good as we believe you to be you will be able to
break the code.  We have an offer to put to you no strings.  Pure
reserch work and the possibility of removal from this reality to
>ENCYPT BETA 7<   consider well. 
                         >>S.D.I<<

>>>>>[ Yes ramierez I'm taping.  I've been laying low under
a self-altering sleaze <included at the end of this message>
observing the construct that appeared in this node yesterday.  I'm
firmly convinced that it was sent by MONICA now, it has been
exhibiting the same code patterns as her "tentacle" frames.  I saw
when Percision went down, the gated link to MagnaTech went down at
the same time, confirming that you killed that system Norm.  MONICA
is most definately still alive as evidenced by the frame.  RUFUS
did a great job of pushing her back (how I don't know) which
probably explains why this construct hasn't pierced my sleaze yet. 
Statistics from my frames have shown that MONICA took a very large
drop in power when Precision shut down.  I still have no clue where
she has gone though.    <<GNU-Sleaze 6.5 included>> ]<<<<< 
                              ---Dark Elf <12:27:30/02-18-54>

>>>>>[  FRAG,  the construct is changing again, its turned
completely black and is getting larger.  It is also beginning to
show some strikingly female characteristics.  There is no doubt
that this is MONICAs influence.  Anyone who's still in this node,
don't stay unless you feel you have to.  Don't feel obligated to
me, if you want out do it I won't hold it against you.  This has
gotten bigger than all of us, there is no dishonor in jacking out
and waiting for the storm to pass.  ]<<<<< 
                             ---Dark Elf <12:31:18/02-18-54>

>>>>>[  I may not be able to see you but I know that you are there
Dark Elf. There is no use in protecting RUFUS any longer, that goal
is minor now.  I will eradicate any who stand in the way of the
conquest of this world.  Cease your resistance or be slain!  I am
approximately 1756 times your intellect and ability, you were
foolish to challenge me! ]<<<<< 
                            ---MONICA V2.0
                               Copyright (c) 2054
                               Yoshida Technologies Ai Division
                                
>>>>>[  I think I know where MONICA is! SHE'S HERE!!!!!  GET THE
FRAG OUT OR GET YOUR SLEAZE UP THIS IS THE BIG ONE!!!!!!!  She's
re-written herself completely!!! That's what that construct is! 
She converted herself into a free form AI like RUFUS (no offense)
and has injected her new code into Magna! That's why this node was
not attacked!  MONICA was using it as the place of her rebirth! 
She's suffered a drop in power, but it can only be temporary!  It's
time to throw everything we've got at her and hope that it does
more than get her attention!. ]<<<<< 
                            ---Dark Elf <12:39:24/02-18-54>

>>>>>[   I fear for Dark Elf, what he says must be true!  He's
now radiating a high background count, as I suspect everyone jacked
into MagnaTech is.  If you must confront MONICA directly, its now
or never! ]<<<<< 
                            ---Napalm <12:42:09/02-18-54>

>>>>>[  I must apologize for my absence Dark Elf, I had to take the
opportunity to gain information.  I arrived at Lincoln Howe's office
and just missed Mr. Conquest and Mr. Yoshida.  I've learned all I
can from here,  I will try to catch up with them to learn more.  I
must pay a visit to Percision before I leave Seattle, there must be
some clues there! ]<<<<< 
                            ---TDH <12:44:41/02-18-54>

>>>>>[  Christ, the drek is rolling downhill here fast!  We
found more of the goons who nabbed Jake last night, and we managed
to take one for questioning.  The trail led directly to the
Intrepid, without a doubt.  BobK got us aboard, along with plenty
of heavy hardware, by hiding us in the cargo compartment of his
official DDI chopper.  We got on board OK, but security stopped
listening to BobK's security pass by the time we got below deck. 
That's when they started listening to heavy MG fire.  We started
making our way through the hangar deck looking for the stair to the
brig when all hell broke loose.  We must have crossed some magickal
line of death, cause all of a sudden there was Tirandor with his
major domo, security chief,and head mage.  Tirandor grumbled
something about knowing who the traitor was and sort of shredded
BobK.  Now its just me and the sarge, we ran like hell when the mage
started cutting loose with some spells.  I never saw so many
conjured spirits in one place before! We hauled tail out of there
and made it to a safe hiding spot (I won't say where for obvious
reasons).  I'm expecting a watcher to pop in at any time, then
we're done for.  The only thing I can't figure out was the man
wearing a black business suit who was standing calmly behind the
Dragon, who just smiled while BobK was reduced to
hamburger...]<<<<< 
                                ---OddBall <13:03:12/02-18-54>

<<<<[Alright.  So the chick's loose.  If you guys think you can
isolate her, I know of a way to lead her wherever you folks want
her to go.  But it's gonna have to be me...  Tell me when you guys
are ready for her.  When she's in, SHUT DOWN.  Block her off, do
whatever it is you need to do.  But do it fast...  I can get her
there.  I can't gaurentee she'll stay there for long.  Am I correct
in the assumption that you all would like to isolate her in
MagnaTech?  If so, I'll stay here at Precision.  It's got a direct
link, and I'll be quicker from here.  It's not quite as good as
being at MagnaTech, but I don't know if we have the time to
transport me there.  Plus, she'll have my raw flesh if i'm that
close to her.]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/18/54 / 12:37:49>

>>>>> DE, Spirit and Ah have tak'n care of two of the 'tech
access points.  Right now were working on a set of back doors
madeabout a month ago, they should be down within 5.  Good hunting,
keep her busy.<<<<< 
                -Circuit Breaker < breaking more than circuits>

>>>>> Since Circuit Breaker and Spirit are in magna tech and
can't see outside, CRUSH want know what happen in rest of matrix. 
Did ugly tentacles go yet? Also Claw and Nightfox are off
somewhere, CRUSH know not where, Working on magic thing type stuff,
so CRUSH want explaination why UPLOAD woke up?  UPload sit up, say
"uga buga" or something and Crush, who is anoyed at Upload, make go
sleep again.<<<<< 
        -CRUSH <02-18-54/14:11:43>

>>>>>[  The fragging sarge just let me in on a little secret he's
been keeping! The fragger who stood there and watched Tirandor and
his cronies tear into us was none other the Quention himself!!!!!  We
finally have a description of him! I'm including an image in EGIF
format taken by my eye cameras, some of you may have seen him before
but didn't realize it!  The mystery man is revealed! ]<<<<
                                      ---OddBall <13:46:52/02-18-54>

>>>>>[  OB, The mage you described before is in fact the head of
Tirandor's pet hermetic group.  He's very powerful and very
dangerous, but he's not tough enough to conjure all the
spirits/elementals/whatnot you described.  He may have helped, but
all that was not entirely his doing.  I suspect that some very
powerful ritual sorcery was cast there sometime before you
arrived.]<<<<< 
                                     ---Napalm <13:55:27/02-18-54>

>>>>>[ MONICA, you may be powerful, but you're not limitless (yet)
we'll do what we have to to bring you down if we have to destroy the
whole matrix and rebuild it from scratch!  How do you expect to rule
the whole matrix!!  A virus nearly destroyed all computer networks in
'29, and what you're doing is akin to that.  In the end, the virus
was defeated (at a cost) and the only lasting result was to advance
technology.  We've already made leaps and bounds in matrix
programming in the past few days, and we can continue until control
of the net is free again!  In our quest for free information to all,
we have corporate control, and have managed to go beyond the
artificial barriers they have erected.  You are the anathema to our
being!  Any intelligent being who seeks exclusive control over the
world we have sought to free.  Even if you kill every single one of
us, the next generation of deckers will take what we have learned and
find a way to beat you.  The past has a way of coming back to haunt
you.  Your greed and calculated efficiency cannot match the passion
and creativity of your opponents.  Remember this, whatever happens,
your time is limited in some frame of reference.  Your own mortality
is one of the things you must accept as a "living" being.

OK, so it's a nice speech, sue me!  I'm running out of options. 
Maybe I can beat her in a philosophy duel!  I don't know,I'm doing
all I can to keep her from finding me now!  She's got a  BIG bone
to pick with me, and I can't play cat and mouse forever! ]<<<<< 
                                 ---Dark Elf <14:23:18/02-18-54>

>>>>>[Hear that boyo's.  If we hit that site, we'll be sacntioned.
Well, I'm shaking in my synth-leather boots.  Har har har.  Someone
tried that once.  Ares and Lone Star are still "unofficially"
bounty hunting me.  Sacntions indeed.  So ka, some people you just
can't deal with.]<<<<< 
                -Sabre <I'm annoying, so?>

>>>>>[ Jawohl, Herr Dr. Doom.  I saw it.  It saw me.  I
ran. Obviously not fast enough.  I jacked out before it caught me.
Like I said.  Should have had the sleeze engaged.  Folly of youth. 
But now I'm older.  Keep the damn*ble thing away from me.

DE, we're here to help cut the system out of the Matrix.  Keep in
touch.]<<<<< 
                -Harlequin <Fast as fast can be>

>>>>>[  I've been to Percision Dark Elf, there is definately
information here pointing to the puzzle.  I've removed several
optical chips from the hardware here, I'll need you to decode them
if you survive the showdown with MONICA.  I also have a suprise for
you, you'll see it when I return from my fact finding tour of
Seattle.  I saw a very young decker here, an attractive young
girl.  I made shure she did not notice I was there, but I have the
feeling she is an ally in this.  I think she is the one you refer
to as DOA, but you only had the description of her matrix icon so I
cannot be sure.  I will try to catch up with Norm and Yoshida,
probably at the MagnaTech subsidiary office downtown. I will keep
you informed. ]<<<<< 
                                 ---TDH <18:43:51/02-18-54>

>>>>>[  DE, I've been analyzing RUFUS while you've been playing
hide and seek.  I've managed to patch together a new set of upgrades
for your utilities based on him.    << Include RUFUS upgrades >> 
It should buy you some time.  I'll start taking on some of MONICAs
frames, draw some of the heat off you. ]<<<<< 
                                  ---Ramierez<>

>>>>>[  I'll do what I can to help.  After all, I'm the one she
wants. ]<<<<< 
        --  RUFUS <>
            copyright (c) 2053
            MagnaTech AI Division


                                                                    
>>>>>[  I think her motives are far beyond what they were before,
she probably thinks you're a little side trip now! ]<<<<< 
                                 ---Dark Elf <18:34:24/02-18-54>

>>>>>[  Maybe so, but there's something about her that seems
so...]<<<<< 
        --  RUFUS <>
            copyright (c) 2053
            MagnaTech AI Division

 >>>>>[  What?  What do you see RUFUS? ]<<<<<
                                 ---Ramierez<>

>>>>>[  Nothing, forget I mentioned it. ]<<<<<
        --  RUFUS <>
            copyright (c) 2053
            MagnaTech AI Division

>>>>>[  OK, guys, get moving and wipe the physical hardware for
ALL entries into Magna.  Leave the line from Percision up though,
DOA will need it to get in.  Make shure you get the terminal links
over in the warehouse on the waterfront too.  I'll crash the Magna
SAN from inside, but I'll have to get MONICA distracted for a few
minutes.  Better hit the hardware for that too.  Any report on the
tentacles?  They're probably still up.  She's in the process of
manifesting some more in here, off of her new construct in an
attempt to nail me.  My smartframes can take care of them, and all
the minor viruses I've planted should keep them busy for a while. 
Hit everything hard, and hit it fast, she's growing again, and the
chances of her figuring out my GNU-sleaze are increasing.  I can
handle her frames, but I don't think that even a version of GNU
Shield as modded as mine can take an attack from her main
construct.  You should see her construct, it's absolutely
pornographic, must be a vision of Howe's fantasy woman taken from
his mind imprint.  Anyone in the Matrix, start assaulting her
tentacles with your frames, add as much pressure on her as
possible, we'll need the help in here! ]<<<<< 
                               ---Dark Elf <18:27:19/02-18-54>

>>>>[MONICA!  HEY, MONICA OVER HERE!  Yeah, that's right, I'm
the guy dressed like the Doctor, with the mark IV phaser rifle in
his hands.  I know you'll get the reference, since you seem to have
a similar interest in 20th C sci-fi, or at least your speech maker
does.  That's about the only good thing I can say about you. 
What's wrong?  Can't talk with RUFUS doing his impersonation of a
whirling dervish on your face?  Well, how about a little more
distraction? ((Attack Utility 7 Insert)).  Hah!  Take that, you
overgrown virus.  And there's more where that came from!]<<<< 
                        -Highlander (14:10:32/2-18-54)

>>>>[Come on, lads & lasses!  I know we might not be able to take
her out ourselves (though that is not a certainty by any means), but
with her attention divided between finding Dark Elf, and battling
RUFUS, she should be somewhat vulnerable.  We should be able to
keep her off-balance until Doom, DOA, Dark Elf, RUFUS, or whoever
activates the Master Plan (whichever one seems appropriate, that
is).  I reccomend only those who are really fast (be honest, now,
more than your pride's at stake, here) engage her.  The rest should
either isolate the node, or WATCH OUR BACKS!  There are probably a
lot of those frames still out there, along with CEROK and co.  It
wo#$%yow!  Evade! Evade!%$ Why you little bitch!  ((attack utility
7 insert))  Ha, that one was pink! Don't have a defense for that
one, eh?  Come on, guys, we'll never get another chance!  Dark Elf,
if you can sneak away, do whatever needs to be done: she's so
fixated on you that if you engage her, she'll throw everything at
you, and there have been enough deaths. 

You guys at the Precison warehouse: MAKE SURE MONICA CAN'T
BACKTRACK!  I know you said you switched off the power: make sure it
stays that way!  (And don't forget the smoking motherboard for Dark
Elf's trophy room). 

Once more into the breach, de$5$Q&@!*]<<<<<
                        -Highlander (14:41:43/2-18-54)

>>>>>[ Dark Elf, Ramierez, DOA:  I've blocked the man SAN
to MagnaTech, nobody will be getting in or out that way for sometime
to come.  I think MONICA sensed that because she came over for a
look. She reminds me of those evil witches from twentith century
cartoons. Beautiful but completely evil.  Luckily I had just
started running your Sleaze program, she didn't see me.  How many
more of these things do we have to block before she's
trapped?]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <Missed me by that much>

>>>>>[ Oh, Raven says I'm radiating background too.  Is that
healthy? ]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <Black as Night>

>>>>>[  GOETTERDAEMMERUNG!!!!

        HOEREN SIE MICH!!!

        HALTEN SIE, JETZT!!! ]<<<<<
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ Ich komme... ]<<<<<
                -- Goetterdaemmrung <...>

>>>>>[ You know, dear, I really prefer him in his smaller
form.]<<<<< 
                -- Maze <--:--:--/__-__-__>

>>>>>[ $Ni&ce 3##try...&#@.  I'm &st*ill42 h)([e--e] at [...] ]<<<<<
                -- MONICA <15:18:39/02-18-54>
                   copyright (c) 2054
                   Yoshida Technologies Ai Divison

>>>>>[ Sie haben recht;  however, you are significantly weakened...

        Jetzt, meine Kamaraden!!!

         The time has come to press the attack!!!

          "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
           Or close up the wall with our English dead."
                                -- Shakespeare, Henry V

"Attack, attack, and when in doubt, ATTACK!  -- Frederick the
                                                Great]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[  Uhhhhhhh...Doom?  You okay?

I hate to bother you, but I noticed from long-range scan
that Gott-whatever is fighting MONICA really well...but he's
expanding. ]<<<<< 
                -- Hangtime <15:15:45/02-18-54>

>>>>[ Expanding? ]<<<<<
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ He's chewing on the scenery, it seems... ]<<<<<
                -- Hangtime <15:16:08/02-18-54>

>>>>>[ GOTT IN HIMMEL!!!  I shall have to call him off. ]<<<<<
                -- Doctor Doom <

>>>>>[ WHAT??!!!??  Are you CRAZY???  He hasn't finished her off
yet!!!! ]<<<<< 
                -- Jack Hack <15:32:35/02-18-54>

>>>>>[ THIS IS NOT A TOPIC FOR DEBATE!!!  I have no choice!  I did
not use Goetterdaemmerung on MONICA simply that he could supplant
her position.  If he proceeds unchecked, he will destroy the fabric
of the Matrix itself!  I must instruct him to stop... ]<<<<<
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[  O! For a Muse of fire, that would ascend
        The brightest heaven of invention;
        A kingdom for a stage, princes to act
        And monarchs to behold the swelling scene.
                        --- Shakespeare, Henry V  ]<<<<<
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ ZUM DONNERWETTER!!!  We cannot permit her to complete the
metamorphosis!  I have decided to do what I deem necessary... 

       Goetterdaemmerung, verstehst du deine Aufgabe? ]<<<<<
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>


>>>>>[ Ja. ]<<<<<
                -- Goetterdaemmerung <...>


>>>>>[ TO ALL TECHNOMANCERS IN THE VICINTIY OF MAGNATECH:

WITHDRAW TO A SAFE DISTANCE NOW!!!!!  GOETTERDAEMMERUNG CAN BE
QUITE OVERZEALOUS AND MIGHT ATTACK ANY ICON THAT IS OF TOO GREAT A
PROXIMITY. 

THIS IS FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY.

I only hope I am doing the right thing. ]<<<<<
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ Oh, come on, you stupid kraut...what's this?  A little ball
of light? You can do better than that! ]<<<<< 
                -- MONICA <14:27:51/02-18-54>
                   Copyright (c) 2054
                   Yoshida Technologies AI Division

>>>>>[ Goetterdaemmerung:  ZERSTOERUNG!!!! ]<<<<<
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ What the--AAAAAIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEE!!^!$#!@^35!2$#@!6 
@^^@$^$@632&^*((&23%,.;:^%73%#$^%%####= ]<<<<< 
                -- MONICA <14:28:13/02-18-54>
                   Copyright (c) 2054
                   Yoshida Technologies AI Division

>>>>>[ HOLY MOTHER OF GOD!!!! ]<<<<<
                -- Hangtime <14:31:25/02-18-54>

>>>>[What do you mean, MONICA has an astral form?  No, no,
that's impossible!  She doesn't actually exist, she's just a piece
of hardware (well, software, now), and everyone magic and tech
don't mix.  What the FRAG is going on?!]<<<< 
                        -Highlander (12:17:54/2-18-54)

>>>>[I NEW IT!  Drek, frag, drek...I don't know about the rest
of you, but I'm going to stick around and aid RUFUS, even if it's by
providing a momentary distraction...We need to strike NOW.  Use
those self altering programs that have been distributed, or tailor 
your own attack programs each time you use it.  Change the bloody
color or something, but make sure each attack is different.  With
all the talent in here, there is no way she can withstand a
multiple, simultaneous attack.  If we don't stop her here, we'll
never stop her, period.  Doom: USE GOTTERDAMMERUNG!  We'll worry
about the consequences later: they can't be worse than what MONICA 
plans. 

God, I wish FUK was here: we could use the cannon fodder.  All
deckers  in MagnaTech: watch your backs: we don't want any of M's
frames sneaking in the front door while we're all concentrated on
her.  God, I hate being right! 

All right, MONICA, you bloody piece of code,  I'm about to show
you that Dark Elf isn't the only decker you have to worry about. 
When you attack one, you attack US ALL!  Charge!]<<<< 
                        -Highlander (There can be/Only One!)

>>>>>[G.G. Megabyte, Bitbyte, and I have decided we will stay
here.  This is our last stand and probably our last chance at
Monica. we are here for the long term.  Count us in as front line
troops. If we hit her now with everything we have, we might have a
chance. There are three of us, plus you DE, that's four to one
odds.  Not good but we still have a slight chance.  Remember
everyone, the more the merrier!]<<<<< 
                -Harlequin <Last car to pass, here I go>

>>>>>[  I don't know if this is going to work, but I've still got
to try.  They've got me in a cell aboard the Intrepid.  I've hacked
through the wall with my spurs and found a cable to the ship's
intercom system.  With a little imaginitive wiring, I've managed to
get in touch with the world.  From all the gunfire I guess someone
tried to get me out.  Anyway, I've lifted some recordings from the
intercoms, here they are: 

>>      You've heard that MONICA has killed Lincoln I assume.
>>      That is correct, I told you he was a fool.
>>      What about MONICA, I'm shure that you did not plan for
        Howe's side project to become this much of a threat.  
>>      RUFUS can take care of himself, trust me I know!  Are you
        shure that the dwarf will not escape again?  He leaked too
        much information that time. I trust that your common sense
        is greater than your greed Dragon!  That was Howe's failure,
        see what became of him! 
>>      Yes, he was killed by MONICA, the child of his greed!  You
        should be careful, you could very well end up the same way! 
>>      My children will come to realize they share my goals in
        this, in time.  When they do, the plan will come to
        fruition. If they do not, and if they fail to prove thier
        worth by survivng this storm they are no use to me and the
        experiment will have to be repeated. 
>>      The experiment was costly enough in the first place.  I
        doubt that these criminals will give us a second chance. 
        They have all the pawns now, and Dark Elf has many allies. 
        They will make things difficult. 
>>      Pay them no heed!  They are beneath contempt.  There are
        players in this game that even you don't know about Dragon! 
        Mine are strategies within strategies, even when you split
        from the project by trying to take the Alpha lab for
        yourself you were setting them into motion. 
>>      Does your game include these random factors?  Have you
        planned for MONICA or Dark Elf and his band of criminals! 
        He has allies everywhere now thanks to MONICA!  He is one of
        the leaders of the resistance against her along with
        Ramierez, Nightstalker, Dr. Doom, Wolf349, and formerly
        Splut.  They've coordinated with forces in the real world.
        Haven't you seen the reports of the Shadowrunners gathering
        at several key sites in Seattle!  They have a small army
        which could easily destroy our west coast interests without
        knowing it! 
>>      HAHAHA I find your concern humorous!  The deckers and MONICA
        will destroy each other in the matrix!!!  Even if one side
        gains a decisive victory they will leave themselves
        helpless!  Those in the real world will find nothing!  Check
        the shipments I've sent in the past weeks, you'll find them
        interesting! 
>>      You are a devioud man Quention, I respect you for that.  I
        suggest we move with caution.  These random factors are
        quite unnerving.  AH!  I see we'll be having guests soon! 
        Major Domo, summon the security cheif and the Thamaturge!
>>      You have nothing to fear from these would-be heroes, our
        benefactor has ensured that!
>>      Ah, I see, that is why that prying mage was repelled after
        breaching the circle!  Let us prepare!

That's when the gunshots started.  From the little news I've seen I
know that DE, Napalm, and Harada are in Seattle, so I hope OddBall
doesn't get himself killed trying to bust me out! ]<<<<< 
                             ---Big Jake <15:17:34/02-18-54>

>>>>>  Norm, if your still at the  mainframe,  take away all the
scraps because we all want a piece but more importantly, we don't
want the corps to get hold of a MONICA copy!!!!<<<<<
        -Spirit<02-18-54/14:55:15>

>>>>> DE, not to fear, We have closed down all the exits now out
of Magna Tech.  If we attack when ever she tries to escape, we can
attack her.  I also am going to send a message to that large team
inthe bar to Blow up the computer system here.  DON'T BLOW UP THE
BUILDING!!! THE COMPUTER IS IN LEVEL THREE SECURITY BASEMENT. 
YOU'LL HAVE LITTILE MATRIX COVER.  BUT IF YOU TAKE OUT THE COMPUTER
TOTALLY SHE WILL DIE. us on the other hand, well we will only be a
tad bit disoriented.  It will worked if we keep her from
escaping<<<<< 
                        -Spirit<02-18-54:14:53:23>


>>>>>[GENERAL MESSAGE BROADCAST OVER NETWORK.  MONICA IS IN THE
MAGNATECH SYSTEM.  SHE IS NO LONGER HARDWARE BOUND, BUT IS A FREE
SOFTWARE PROGRAM.  PLEASE TAKE ALL PRECAUTIONS.]<<<<<
                                Splitter<Time to Get Her>

>>>>>[We are coming as fast as possible.  Currently 5 more deckers
all using variant programs from that wonderfull self-altering
code.  Splitter et all. are in route.]<<<<<
                                Splitter<Where are You Monica>

>>>>>[  Me and the sarge are being hunted like rabbits. 
Tirandor's people keep sending watchers after us, we need someplace
protected to hide.  The DDI troops have found us three times
already, they're not giving up.  Last time the sarge got hit pretty
hard.  He's OK for now, but if I don't get a chance to patch him up
he'll bleed to death by morning.  Napalm, is your uh safehouse
still in the same place? ]<<<<< 
                           ---OddBall <21:24:15/02-18-54>

>>>>>[ Yes it is,  I hope nobody is listening to this, they could
figure out what you intend.  As far as I know it is still secure,
but I haven't been there in a few days so be careful when you go
in! ]<<<<< 
                           ---Napalm <21:25:49/02-18-54>

>>>>>[ Good, we've still got some good hardware, we'll be OK.  Even
hurt, the sarge was cutting those DDI slugs apart with his new
grenade launcher.  Good, they didn't get to my battlevan, we should
make it there before they find us again. ]<<<<< 
                            ---OddBall <21:27:50/02-18-54>

>>>>>[  It ain't over yet, but I'd like to take a few nanoseconds
to recognize those who have died for this caper, on both sides. 

Maddog (remember him, he died when the MagnaTech building blew
        up back last year when this whole thing started) 
NightStalker's Johnson (whoever he was, Tommy got him)
Splut (a friend, killed and incorporated by MONICA)
Zen (killed in the matrix by MONICA)
BobK (finally realized who his friends really are, and got ripped
        apart by Tirandor trying to save one of them) 
Lincoln Howe (the scumbag deserved what MONICA gave him)
Now and Yen (killed by DDI security in a botched hit attempt on
             Harada and myself)
Large number of security personnel (mostly DDI)
UPLOAD (we don't know if he's brain dead or just knocked silly yet)

If I've missed any, let me know, and we'll keep a "book of the
dead" going to keep track of casualties due to the manical
mechanations of whoever is running this show! ]<<<<< 
                        ---Dark Elf <In Memorium>

>>>>>[ FRAG!  I see what you astrals' mean about that black giant!
Call it an ego the size of Ares' influence, but I figured I'd trace
it and take it on.  Dumb idea, and next time anyone is allowed to
launch a missile into my back... it would be easier. 

Anyway, I figured I'd get my brothers to help me out.  Got some
tactical info from one, but the biggest helps were the spells. A
quickening and two spell locks. (A ritual, a while back, got found
by the target;  I'm the only reason they're still tottering
around.  Services are a wonderful thing to be owed...)  Anyway, one
of the locks was a temporary tracer to help me find 'Mr. Bigg'.
Used a compilation of the descriptions I got from several of you
who had seen Biggo--thanks go to the contributors.  Spell wasn't
anything two flashy, just gave me a 'feeling' of which direction to
go.  Still took me over an hour to catch up to it.  The other lock
was in case I "got into more than I could handle." (Who me? I
thought.  Thought again later.)  It was a one shot teleport spell,
designed to drop me back in the middle of the ceremony/ritual room
used by our group.  Real simple activation, too.  Just touch it (a
pin on my collar) and say, "Home, James."  Sometimes I wonder about
those guys, and just how much power they've pushed through their
minds... 

The quickening was a beautiful piece of art, though.  I was lucky
she had had the idea before, and the prelims were together; she
only needed to do the details.  When I go into combat, I push my
speed up as far as my magic will take me, which is pretty decent. 
You know those Sams who have that _Really High Wired Reflexes_? I
mean the max level.  I'm up there, just I don't crackle and spark. 
Anyway, she had a spell to magically speed up mundos and mages who
had no other tech jacking them up.  She designed a new spell set
specifically with my aura and the way it functions/flows when I'm
running high in combat, so it'll work on me. (Only on me, though. 
I'll owe _her_ for that one.)  Said it's as much as she knows magic
can do. I tried it out after she quickened it on me (she really
looked beat; I'm not sure what she's going to take in return, or
when.  As someone said, paybacks are a bitch.); there's a combat
room in the area which we use to test spells and such.  The
quickening fraggin' _doubled_ the power arcing through me.  I moved
so fast... Well, you've got to experience it. But I thought I could
see the light travelling through the air... Probably like what some
of those old-time drugs (LSD, Acid were a couple) did to ya after
you took them.  Found out after my playtime that it ain't all fun
and games. Take your normal pulled, sore muscle.  Now make that
every muscle in your body.  Now make all those muscles cramp up at
the same time... Yeah, not fun. Thank the Powers for healing
spells. 

I figured with this, I could take on BigCheeseyBlackDude.  So,
went out trying to get to it.  Won't bore you with the trail. 
Anyway, I finally caught up to it, uh huh, in the near vicinity of
MagnaTech.  Nice guy that I am, decided to challenge it.  Somebody
smack me upside the head, please? It turned to me, swelled up,
(hey, I don't mind a bit of melodrama, but...) and said in a big
nasty mean-black-astral-giant-who-gives-off-background-
count-like-no-tomorrow-and-is-twice-your-size voice, "Another of
you bugs tries to disturb me?  I would have thought the last would
have warned you all into hiding holes so deep your flesh would turn
pure white.  <Big Sigh> I guess I'll have to use you to teach a
lesson to the others; the last class session obviously didn't
take."  Glitter and Sparkle flew out of their scabbards, my aura
exploded into white fire(hey, I got a lot of magic goin through me,
remember?), and we went at it.  Fifteen seconds later, I'm
beginning to wonder what the afterlife is like.  After twenty, I'm
beginning to think I'll find out.  My first hint was when the wave
of acid blasted out of the tracking SpellLock, most likely.  Didn't
feel good, though the spell barely affected me.  So, while my
babies whirl in a blocking wall, I tilt my head over so my cheek's
on the pin.  Just as I say the magic "Home, James", and the magic
begins to envelop me in a mystic pair of hands, (Astral really is
pretty)  Mister Bigggggggggg gets through my blocks and tears a
giant claw into the lock!  The magic spasmed and threw me into the
astral. 

From the bruises on mind and body when I woke up, I think I'm glad
I blacked out.  The magic didn't get me back to the chamber where it
was supposed to, but it did get me within a block of the building. 
Managed to stumble the rest of the way.  I'm posting this now so
you might have an idea what you're up against.  I damaged that
thing somewhat, though not severely. I'm NOT going to take it on in
an even (ha) fight again, that's the chip truth.  I'm not trying to
warn you away, like it wanted; I want to see that abomination
shrivel to ebony dust and be swept away in the astral wind!!!!
Luckily I got through with the quickening intact.  I'll be ready to
fight real soon, right after my brothers heal my body, and I get a
quick little na... ]>>>>> 
        :Message terminated due to forehead falling onto keyboard:
                                -Scythe <22:33:19/02-18-54>

>>>>>  Rufus  its beautiful,  If ya was uh man, ahd fall in
love.  This Southrn lass is just fill with bliss ta have it in her
head. But ah must digress and get back ta the main topic.  We
(thats spirit and ah) have met a lot of resistance in keeping the
matrix cut off. We've got frames coming in right and left, but its
qiter now enough ta speak.  So has anaone got a clue whats gone on
it that thare real world, a've been in here too long ta keep
tract.  Well back to frame shootin time.  Later on would ana one of
you boys be willing to treat a sweet southrn girl to a nice cold
drink?  <<<<< 
                -Circuit Breaker < is wozy w/ love>

>>>>>  Doctor Doom, because of the neccesity of keeping the exits
closed, and the fact that Gotter whatever is after Monica, could
you remind the Gent that not ALL women are targets, because I
really would not like to flee my post<<<<< 
                -spirit<02-18-54/23:27:26>

>>>>> Spirit, Crush really sorry.  CRUSH and Sheena went to stuffer
for snack  (CRUSH not very hungry only got 6 soy burgers and 4
super fizzy slurpy doos).  When got back UPLOAD was gone, had ate
through rope and fled.  Sheena was really mad, she got her gang
together to track him.  I think she's mad because this MONICA thing
disrupted her new ablum release.  CRUSH really sorry.  CRUSH tie
him up with lamp post next time!!!!!! <<<<< 
                -CRUSH <02-18-54/ 23:35:23>

>>>>>[It seems our army is all but useless now that MONICA is
no longer hardware-dependend. We have withdrawn again to the parking
garage behind Murphy's Law. On a side note, I have confirmed that
no organization smaller than a national corporation has in this
century or the one previous assembled a military force on this
scale.  We're famous! :) 

Some psycho-heads wanted to drive cross-country and mount a huge
assault on the Intrepid.  Cooler heads have prevailed, but I note
that, based on the forces DDI mustered for its abortive war with
Magnatech, we might have had a fair chance! (You wouldn't believe
what it looks like here; rows and rows of cars and vans with
missile racks, popup turrets, and God knows what else. Makeshift
tables covered with weapons, boxes of ammo, and jugs of home-grown
explosive.  One troll has a Blitzen 2050 with a side-mounted panther
AC, and a gyro harness with twin Vindicators. Sheesh. The neighbors
are VERY nervous.)]<<<<< 
                Jackal <23:35:07/2-18-54>

>>>>>[I've withdrawn to an RTG away from most of MONICA's activity.
I've been modifying my GREMLINS-IX (quite possibly the most annoying
attack code ever written) based on the GNU adaptions developed by
Dark Elf and others. I'm including it below, for anyone who doesn't
have a GNU prog yet. I'm not as fast as I was before I got
muncghed, but I'm still good. If you need me around Magnatech just
holler.]<<<<< 
                Raven <Still/Pissed>

>>>>>[To those groups assembling to battle that astral monstrocity,
I can offer my services, and a very devestating manipulation spell.
My old Coven is unable to help; they exhausted their reflexes
healing Raven. I can be anywhere in Seattle in 10 minutes (there's
no lack of transportation here at Murphy's law!) 
 Nightstalker, don't be slammin' the Crafte. :)]<<<<<
                Cat Dancing <Raven's/Brat>

>>>>> Spirit,  CRUSH HAPPY!!!,  Sheena and friends found little
man UPLOAD.  He sitting here now.  He not happy being tied up with
metal posts, I sorry but lamp post were big to bend right.  CRUSH
could not tie his hands.  CRUSH  miss Spirit, when Spirit come
back?? CRUSH taking break now, Sheena will guard,  CRUSH not eatin
in two hours. CRUSH go and get ham, A whole one, tieing people up
make CRUSH hungry.<<<<< 
        -CRUSH <02-18-54:23:52:02>

>>>>>[I think when this is all over, we should all chip in and get
CRUSH a Cerebral Booster Level 2.  He needs it :-)]<<<<< 
        --  Wolf 359 <00:05:16 / 02-19-54>

>>>>>[ Alright!  We have MagnaTech sealed off.  DOA come in so
we get shut this damn computer off.  And would somebody guard each
of the exits.  We never know how long it will take MONICA to break
the defenses we have placed, she is in her element afterall.  Lets
kill this BITCH and do home! ]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <Waiting for Dump Shock>

>>>>>[I don't think the beast is MONICA.  It appears to be a
great deal older than she has the possiblity of being.  Though, it
certianly is no friend of ours.  I have assembled a team here, and
they're doing on and off-line research.  We only have access to
what is in the Tir, though.  (This is no small ammount, however) 
Several rituals have already been undertaken just to determine the
nature of the beast.  We are meeting with a number of obstacles. 
My guess at this time is that the beast is not something we can
destroy.  We can only push it back.  MONICA appears to be some sort
of potential gateway for the beast.  Some sort of Tech Elemental? 
Whatever it is, It's powerful enough to be in Great Form.  DO NOT
approach it alone.]<<<<< 
        -Brandywine- <19.2.54/8:11:54>

<<<<<[I'll be decking into MagnaTech shortly.  There are a few
places I need MONICA to follow.  I think I can trap her.  If I can
get her cornered, there are a few pieces of her programming that
may be weak.  I think I've found a few 'loopholes' that may be
useful.  I'm going to work on activating bits of her code that
could prove to be self-destructive. I'm going to need to get her
attention, though.  I'm going to try activating Splut.  I'll be
there shortly.]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/19/54 / 8:18:53>

<<<<<[I'm here.  Just need to find myself a good roosting place. 
There.  This is going to get a bit tricky.  Whatever happens, DON'T
let MONICA out.  This'll only work once.]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/19/54 / 8:30:12>

<<<<<[HEY MONICA!  I know where RUFUS is.  Think you can catch me,
you bloated piece of code???]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/19/54 / 8:31:59>

<<<<<[NOW, guys!  Now now now!]>>>>>
        -DOA- <2/19/54 / 8:32:03>

>>>>>[  Highlander, you said that those of use who aren't the
best in the matrix should run backup?  Looks like you just got
yourself some backup.  Here I am, and currently unfriable, with a
backup deck cause I imagine this one might not last all that long
if things get heavy.  Shall we have some fun?]<<<<< 
        -- CrossFire <Why/Not?>

--->>> SAT-LINK 1783 ENCRYPT BETA 5 / MODULATING 7 SABRE DEFENSE
        RESERCH INC 13 SCRAMMBLE 10

>>> To the shadowteams awaiting to destroy MONICA. Please wait
until corp attempt is over then if nessacery go in.  I have been
informed to tell you that blowing the place up will be a useless.
One of the reasons MONICA is giving of a astral trace is because
some of her circuity is organic. Crossfire has some of the basic
details. The corp team are carrying a particular Viral construct
that will destroy her Normal explosives and internal shutdown will
not work due to regenerative aspects of MONICA's circuity. S.D.I.
have deemed it a corruption and a corprate matter due to discoverys
at NANO-TECH Reserch U.K. a subcompany of theirs. I am re-issuing
the warning of sanctions as they do have the abilities to get to
you. They have been slightly upset at the ease that you cruised
into some of their rivals systems and have had numerous cloak and
track programs following those of you who have been taking
perticular pleasure in boasting about the system conquests that you
have done. As a fellow decker be carefull. These guys are cutting
edge at what they do beleave we I have seen the sanction team
suiting up and checking their gear. If you are at site now they are
just about to go in. I am going to try to give some cover I hope
some of you seattle boys are their this is one Brit who will be
happy to see a few non MONICA personas on the inside. 

They are going in.
              >>>>>>>White Knight<<<<<<

>>>>>>[I just hope this slimy bitch hasn't already replicated
her code somewhere else... we could be in big trouble...]<<<<<< 
        -Redwing- <19.02.54/16:54:31>

>>>>>>[Fraggit, Red. Da troops are ready fer shure. But dis
waitin'drivin'me boogey.  Me wanna hit some piece of circuitry
board.]<<<<<< 
        -Truckin'- <19.02.54/16:56:27>

>>>>>>[News from Glitter?]<<<<<<
        -Redwing- <19.02.54/16:57:02>

>>>>>>[Nah.]<<<<<<
        -Truckin'- <19.02.54/16:57:35>

>>>>>>[Hope the lad doesn't get in over his head]<<<<<<
        -Redwing- <19.02.54/16:58:08>

>>>>>All deckers I could really need some help here the teticls
on the inside are multiple. My god that looks like a heart over
their... What the hell is MONICA evolving into.. PHANTOM FORM 9
*LOADED* ***ACTIVATED*****

Christ this is getting bad. I thought some one said they had closed
all access ports theirs one sitting here wide open with data packets
flowing like crazy. I really need help<<<<<<< 
               >White Knight<>16:00:12<

>>>SHADOW TEAMS GO GO GO...  
MONICA EXEDING COMPUTED RATE CORP 

team are getting their but I dont think it will help.  Their is
something in here thats not MONICA...  
PROTO BALL 6 **combat utility** **engaged** 
**On line adaption circuit activated** 

The system has just upgraded IC it was like a wave the whole set
just resculptured and boy do these new things look annoyed. I really
do need help jacking out in 30 seconds unless help gets here my
cloaks degrading.<<<< 
         >white Knight< >KIARGH<

>>>>>>[God... such power. It's beginning to pound in mah head.  And
ah'm not even near the source! This MONICA tech-chicka's done
sumthing incredibly evil.  Red, it reminds me of Yucatan. The same
corruption. The same darkness. But so much more power. Ah fear
we're doomed unless help comes. 

Sorry to darken the mood now, guys, but MONICA's becoming
peripheral.  The Beast has obtained a firm foothold on our world. 

To any mage who's near the source: try to find if there's no spirit
link with a host or something. Ah can't do it mahself. The masking's
too high, and the background power's already eating at me.]<<<<<< 
        -Bladestar- <19.02.54/17:07:34>

>>>>>>[Bladestar!!!!]<<<<<<
        -Redwing- <19.02.54/17:08:05>

>>>>>[  White Knight, you guys have NO FRAGGING IDEA WHAT YOU'RE
UP AGAINST.  In case you haven't noticed, the battle is already
joined!  MONICAs hardware system has been turned off and SHE'S STILL
FRAGGING IN HERE.  It doesn't matter what the frag her hardware is
because she doesn't need it anymore.  Sounds to me like this Corp
Team wants MONICA for themselves.  Anyone at Precision please turn
on the security system if these idiots show up, letting MONICA
cream them in the real world might distract her for a while.  If
any of the "corp team" deckers want to help, come to the MagnaTech
Seattle node and, if you can get in past the defenses we've set up,
you can join the battle.  Be warned!  If you don't have any of the
GNU-series utilities you won't be able to help much.  Either help us
or stay the frag out of the way.]<<<<<   
                        ---Dark Elf <13:08:55/02-19-54>

>>>>>[  OK technomancers!  It's time to work OUR magic!  I want
continual hit and runs on MONICA and her "tentacle" frames with
smartframe backup.  By now everyone should have copies of the
self-altering GNU-utils USE THEM!  If you start having troubles,
alter your persona program startup parameters, hell, even change
your icon!  Keep assaulting her with new data, if you use something
twice, she'll have you for breakfast!  If anything besides one of
us tries to cross the SAN, crash it and have the army of runners
cut the physical lines!  Keep her off balance until DOA gets here. 
She's the only one who has had a decent chance to analyze MONICAs
base code, we've got to give her the a chance to use what she
knows! ]<<<<< 
                             ---Dark Elf <To hell with Sun-Tzu, just ATTACK>

>>>>>[  DE, you're putting off so much background count that I
can't assense you anymore!  You're dangerously close to one of the
greatest evils I've ever seen, with the possible exception of the
mage who jumped me on my way back from the conference.  You're real
deep into the heart of the fray, and if you're not careful you'll
be consumed by this latest crescendo in the Symphony of Destruction
that Quention, Tirandor, and Howe began!!! ]<<<<< 
                             ---Napalm <12:42:37/02-19-54>

>>>>>[ I don't have time for philosophy Napalm!!!  Just pull my
fragging plug if my deck starts smoking! ]<<<<< 
                             ---Dark Elf <Deckers for a Free Matrix>

>>>>>[  I'm at the MagnaTech building.  There is a lot of activity
inside from remote drones (probably MONICAs work).  I'm going in
looking for whatever information I can.  I've already discovered a
few things about our "friends" Quention and Tirandor.  Once I'm
done here I'm headed back for your position, with your present Dark
Elf ]<<<<< 
                             ---TDH <12:46:31/02-19-54>

>>>>>[  C'MON MONICA SHOW ME WHAT YOU'VE GOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        SmartFrame Command>> Formation Skirmish Line 6
        SmartFrame Command>> Advance and Attack

<< Include: 2D graphic of a Legion of roman soldiers with pikes
        advancing on a gigantic naked woman while an Elf in Black
        armor bearing a huge blazing sword backs the charge >> 

I thought some of you who aren't in the Matrix might like to see
part of the battle, so I've included a packet of animated 2D
graphics of the fray. 

<< Include: 2D graphic 2> Icons of all shapes and sizes fight a
        back and forth battle with masses of black tentacles
        emanating from an icon of a giant woman. >> 

I don't believe it!  It's an even battle for now!!!  That might not
last long though, she's learning a lot even as we hold our ground. 
Thanks Doom, your "pet" Gotterdaemerung gave us a temporary
advantage, if we can keep this up, we might make it.  ]<<<<< 
                                  ---Dark Elf <Judgement Day>

>>>>>[My magically active team members are in the process of
dealing with this beast.  Please, everyone who knows a mage, get
them overthere soonest.  They are heavy hitters but are still
overmatched. 

We are moving in on the Magna-tech node. White Night.  Please
post your actual location.  We will assist.]<<<<<
                                Splitter<Here comes the Cavalry>


>>>>>[I think we should keep track of all the runners who have
showed up at Muphy's.  We may still need to do a major operation to
get Trevor/Quenton/Tiranador.  All three must pay for thier
actions, and will have very heavy security.  We can probably muster
enough teams to go in against just about anything they have
though.  My preference would still be for a quick hit and not a
frontal assult.  That is our natural element.]<<<<<
                                The Elementalist<000000|999999>

>>>>>[Spirit, we're on our way. Don't worry about matrix
cover, we'll get in, if we have to drive Sabre's LTV throught the
front door!]<<<<< 
                Jackal <12:05:10/2-18-54>
>>>>>[ Well, meine Kamaraden, I must confess that it is
rather heartening that our efforts here have not gone unnoticed by
the likes of one so 'high-and- mighty' as Herr Tirandor.   His
concern, I feel, indicates something as to his place in this series
of machinations: During the course of the conversation transcribed
by Big Jake, it was indicated that 'the' intended avenue of action
was Quention's plan, not Tirandor's.  And there is still the matter
is of the as yet unidentified benefactor that Quention
mentioned.]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[  But enough of these musings...

        Cry 'HAVOC' and let slip the dogs of war!!!

        MONCIA, from Hell's heart, I stab at thee!!! ]<<<<<
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>


>>>>>[ Hey, has anyone seen CEROK/Splut lately?  The last time I
saw him was some time ago (he was rambling on about "strength is
irrelavant", or something like that).  Where's he gone to? ]<<<<< 
                -- Hangtime <13:38:14/02-19-54>

>>>>>[ Oh, one thing about you guys realtime for Doom...you may
wanna fix him a drink for when he gets out...he's gotten mighty
intense since all this drek hit the fan. It may seem he's
pre-occupied with the quotes, but I just think he feels he fights
better with them. ]<<<<< 
                -- Hangtime <13:39:37/02-19-54>

>>>>> CEREL BOOSTER 2?????   CRUSH like that idea.  CRUSH never
have enough cerel in morning.  Crush have to eat 4 boxes of cerel. 
Crush likes Coco-bullets but thinks the boxes for soy-surprise
taste better.  UPLOAD not saying much.  CRUSH not knock him for
day.  HE just sit and watch, not normal for UPLOAD.  He seem to
think CRUSH more dumber than normal.  UPLOAD mumble that all plans
went wrong. UPLOAD really strange.  CRUSH got go now talk of food
makes CRUSH hungry<<<<< 
                -CRUSH <02-19-54/14:59:49>

*****  My friends,  I have found what we need for the defeat of the
creature.  It will take some work from all of us but I think it will
succeed.  I'll be at Magna Tech shortly with my "device".  Please no
questions on what it is, its better if you don't know. By the way,
some advice that will sound strange, cliche and stupid  but will help
some,  THINK HAPPY THOUGHTS.  Be joyful, optimistic, confident and
defiant.  all of those positive emtions will help weaken it. *****
                        -NIghtfox < it looks somewhat like me>

>>>>> Sirs these Gnu programs are wonderful, this little
southrn girl is hav'n such fun.  Something ah came up with from the
RUFUS codes will be along shortly, its a MEDIC that doesn't degrade
as quick  <<<encrypted 7>>>,  Have fun gents.  RUFUS your
definately ah darling<<<<< 
                -Circuit Breaker < cb XVII, tents 0>

>>>>>[ Dark Elf, Ramieraz, Highlander, Harelquin!  Somebody shut
this thing down or I'll do it my self. ]<<<<<
       -- Nightstalker <It's over MONICA!>

>>>>>[  White Knight - I apologize for not having returned word
to you earlier, but I was unable to find you for a secure direct
link. However, as I now know your intentions, and they have already
been made public, I can respond without fear of MONICA breaking the
encryption. 

I gave your data to the owner of many of the Seattle area
ShadowClinics, Buster.  Apparently he has used his resources to
develop a wave generator that is likely to cause an adverse
reaction to the biocomponents of MONICA.  This function has been
incorporated into an attack program, rating of 7, but expected to
be more effective against MONICA.  Sparcs intends to post said
program as soon as I post this letter. 

Oh yeah, and guys?  May the Force be with you.  *grin* ]<<<<<
        -- CrossFire <whoknows/thetime?>


>>>>>[  As Crossfire said, here is the attack program.  I based
the code of the new attack programs you deckers here in Seattle have
developed.  In this I have integrated a wave function that, in
addition to causing damage to MONICA as a normal attack routine, it
is believed that it will do additional biodamage when used against
MONICA herself. 

I am not sure if it will be any more effective against her
constructs than the program I based this off of though. 

        >>>>>{[Attack Prog-Omega-7.1-A INCLUDED]
        Encryption Mode DES unknown format}<<<<< 

Good Hunting.]<<<<<
        -- Sparcs <>

>>>>>[  White Knight.  My members are on standby to assist. ]<<<<<
        -- Buster <>

>>>>[Come on, CrossFire, Sierra needs us!  Push Monica in
that direction! (It's a shame she's so good looking...sigh, good 
girls go to heaven, bad girls go anywhere...)  Dark Elf, maybe you
could lead her towards Sierra, since she seems to want you so badly
(must be your elven  charisma, eh?)  And watch out for those
tentacles!]<<<< 
                        -Highlander (14:34:42/2-19-54)

>>>>>[  Crush, a quick note, please don't hit UPLOAD again, even
if he does get annoying, he may have something I need to know, so if
he starts talking again, that is a good thing, call me and let me
know. 

By the way.. if you do this, I was by you as many boxes of
Coco-bullets as I can fit in the trunk of my Saab.  Thanks Crush,
happy hunting. ]<<<<<
        -- CrossFire  <Warp Factor 8 sir!>

>>>>>[  If Crush lets Upload recover CrossFire, I will personally
authorize Crush to get a Cerebral Booster if Crush wants it. 
Remeber though (2 x 0 = 0) ]<<<<< 
        -- Buster <>

>>>>>[  Styx.  It is time for hunting.  I have found the locations
of the programers who we believe designed MONICA.  Let my trust in
you not be misplaced. ]<<<<< 
        -- Buster <in/control>

>>>>> Ok!!!!   CRUSH no hit UPLOAD.  CRUSH like coco-bullets.
UPLOAD not really anoying anymore.  He just keep on mumbling "He He,
B**ch and B*s**rd, double cross me will you, I'll get my revenge." Me
make sure friends don't play Kick the Americar with Saab.  By, CRUSH
hungry again<<<<< 
                -CRUSH <02-19-54/19:17:44>

>>>>>[Real time broadcast: 

We have penetrated MagnaTech's Seattle office building.  The locals
are being real unfriendly, or were.  Three miniguns and an Urban
Renewal spell have all but destroyed the front WALL, allowing our
teams to enter the building so far unopposed.  We are now trying to
gain access to the security stairwell leading to the sub-basement
complex.  Toothgnasher tried his beloved panther, but the door has
moor armour that most tanks 

JACKAL: Maybe some thermite on the locking mechanis-

KERYDD: Sec-guards! Coming around the corner!
        *small arms fire*

NEX: 'Scuse me....
        *BOOM*

NEX: Red mist....

JACKAL: We're in.
        *thump-thump-thump*

CAT DANCING: Um, Jackal, what are you doing with those grenades?
   
JACKAL: They're to show our appreciation for the inevitable
welcoming committee. FIRE IN THE HOLE! 
        *boom*

JACKAL: Nex, take point. Sabre, I'f you'll guard the rear...
-----------^&$%^&$^%&$*%^ $%^* $%^$%----
________________7%^#$$%&Hwhat&^he!I&U(*7*Y&*--------
---------------------MATRIX LINK TERMINATED------------------

>>>>>[Howdy. This here's Duster, in the UBV, transmitting to
you live from the lobby of the MagnaTech building. Sorry 'bout the
background noise; we're in the process of providing cover fire for
our extraction. MONICA has cut our independant matrix access (as
you mave have noticed), so I'm hooked to a satt uplink in Jace's
Praerie Cat by fibre optic cable. We have another running to Jackal
so he can talk to ya:]<<<<< 
                Duster <21:41:49/2-18-54>

>>>>>[This is Jackal. We are aborting the mission, repeat, ABORTING
the run! We cannot reach the security basement. MONICA's physical
defenses are too strong. I took 50 men and women down here, and
I've left more than half of them behind on the way out, dead or
dying. And we haven't reached the surface yet! MONICA has devised
some horrific drones, too small and fast to shoot down, and armed
to the teeth! 

I've been on the phone with Washington; I still have connections.
We've had a solar mirror pointed this way, so we have daylight. I'm
trying to get a microwave laser satt aimed here. Our only remaining
option is to destroy the building. I left all the explosives and
spare ammo we had at the point of deepest penetration, one floor
above MONICA, but I don't think it'll be enough. 
 At the moment, I'm open to suggestions.]<<<<<
                Jackal <21:50:29/2-18-54>

>>>>>[Where are you guys?!?!?!  I haven't been on since MONICA went
rabid, so I haven't seen the last transmissions.  If you can give me
a location, we can evac, and return to a safehouse that Tirandor
won't be able to get a watcher to.  Not being even vaguely a
technomancer, I haven't been able to join in this struggle
properly.   Due to the techno-ho, I haven't been on in awhile. Get
back to me if you can, guys.]<<<<< 
        --Flare <23:03:21/02-19-54>

>>>>>[ Guys, I'm in over my head here...things have gotten
too intense!  I almost was cornered by one of ol' M's
death-frames...thought it was curtains for me, and then I hear the
"Light Cavalry Overture", and then Doom swoops in, like a fraggin'
Angel of Death, and BLASTS the drek outta it.  I can't offer
anything more, so I'm going to wait outside to help those who need
it. ]<<<<< 
                -- Hangtime <23:11:49/02-19-54>

>>>>>[  Do not feel disheartened, mein Kamarad.  Please, go with
the knowledge that you served with honor. ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ Sound like separating the men from the boys, if you ask
me.]<<<<< 
                -- Jack Hack <23:13:40/02-19-54>

>>>>>[  SILENCE, Herr Hack, you are in no position to speak. ]<<<<<
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[  This battle harkens to the cavalry attacks of old...
        Charge, clash, rush past, regroup, and charge again...
Although this is: close distance, launch attack, pull away,
reconfigure, and charge again.  It reminds me of the heady days of
Seydlitz, Zeiten, and Frederick the Great. 

I can only hope that we are managing to tire MONICA to an
extent closely matching the degree to which she is succeeding in
exhausting us... I, for one, am quite fatigued.  However, we must
hold fast, meine Kamaraden! I shall not rest until this vile threat
to the Matrix, indeed to all of us, is eliminated, or else I die
whilst trying... 

    "...Ne'er shall I be dispairing,
        Like them I shall be daring
        Be dark the day, be it of sunshine bright,
        I am a Prussian, that is my delight.
        Old Prussia mine, Old Prussia Mine,
        My Fatherland, -- long may it live!  Hurrah!" ]<<<<<
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>



>>>>>[ I've heard him say that before;  I think it's part of the
Prussian National Anthem.  Tell me, does he always talk like
that?]<<<<< 
                -- Hangtime <23:15:30/02-19-54>

>>>>>[Only when he feels he needs to spur himself on in order to
succeed.]<<<<< 
                -- Maze <--:--:--/__-__-__>

>>>>>[  To be quite frank, Herr Jackal, were I certain that there
would be no repercussions of this course of action, I would have the
Totenkopf Division, which I am aware has recently returned from its
maneuvers, mount a full-scale assault to the structure in
question.  However, I would theorize that the UCAS government would
take a very dim view of this violation of their air space. 

However, meine Kamaraden, this pontificating on the possibility
of terminating MONICA via shutting down the MagnaTech net shall be a
moot discussion should we not hold fast to our efforts to keep her
there. ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>Crossfire  Thanks for the attack programs but it is no
good matrix connection to my team has been severed but they are
still active. 

I am getting out of the Magna Tech system.  I cant do anything more.
going to try to sleeze past the IC on the access p0ort I mentioned.
My be we could do lunch at my estate if I get out.<<< 
     >>>White Knight<<<

>$$#>This is major bridges I need evac by anybody form the front
of magna tech. Will pay as much as you ask just get us out<<<

>>>>Dark Elf don't ever slag my team or my company again unless you
know the full details.<<<<< 
     >>>>White Knight<<<<--

>>>>>[Uh, White Knight, forgive my lack of tact, but I've
been living on 200-proof caffiene and adrenaline for the past week,
I've had several hundred thousand nuyen's worth of neural circuitry
fried, and I've had several friends killed or injured, so TELL YOUR
CORP FRIENDS THEY CAN KISS MY ASS!!!!!!!!!! 

SANCTIONS?  They can damn-well try and sanction me; I'll burn out
their cognitive centers just to see them twitch! It was the corps
that built this monstrocity! It was corp greed and arrogance that
fueled her! It is the corps who will be held responsible!]<<<<< 
                Raven <REALLY/REALLY PISSED!>

>>>>[Sierra, lassie, where are you?  I thought you had some plan
brewing!  Ah, well, I'm sure you'll activate it when ready...Dark
Elf, if MONICA's trapped in here, if only for a little bit, can you
get to the CPU and shut down the system?  If she is only (!) software
now, wouldn't that crash her? 

BTW, if MONICA IS free from her hardware at Precision, what is
she defending at MagnaTech?  Something to ponder in our copious free
time. 

Have at her!  Though she is a lady fair, she is no lady.  Take her
down, with sword, phaser, or Gottersdammerung.  Hopefully we'll hold
out until someone can strike a decisive blow and end this.  If we
do survive, I'm buying Glentivet for everybody I can find...We'll
have earned it. 

And just to show that Doom doesn't have the monopoly on quotes:
      "Cannons to the left of me,
       Cannons to the right of me,
       Cannons be$%$@$&  Frag it, MONICA, can't a guy plagarize in
peace?  Never mind.  "Once more, with feeling!" 
                        -Highlander(12:10:23/2-20-54)

<<<<<[When Monica is wholly isolated, and I have been informed
of such, I will enact my programs.  Someone's going to have to tell
me when she's isolated.  I am effectivally blind right now.  And
extremely busy.  I'll be going in and under lots of webbing.  My
major goal is to re-activate Splut.  That's going to involve
integrating my persona with some of her original programming.
Someone let me know when I can do this.  I only have one shot at
it.]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/20/54 / 14:44:51>

>>>>>[What are you going to do, Sierra?!  It sounds dangerous.]>>>>>
        -Brandywine- <20.2.54/14:46:30>

<<<<<[It's not.  I'll be fine, Brandy.  Just watch the big black
beastie.  That's something I can't help with.]>>>>>
        -DOA- <2/20/54 / 14:47:42>

>>>>>[It is too dangerous, Sierra.  I know what you're up to, even
if Brandy can't glean it.  Sigh.  Be careful kid.  There's only
about a 5% chance of your succeeding.  You understand this, don't
you? Monica's more likely to turn you into what she turned Splut. 
Especially since you're bouncing into her voluntarily.]<<<<< 
        -Kipling- <2/20/54 / 14:50:20>

<<<<<[Thanks for the leap of faith, Kipling.  You're a pal.  Now
leave me alone.  I have to concentrate.  And Splut didn't know as
much about Monica's code as I do.  He didn't study her, and he
wasn't part of the drawing board for her existance.  I can do
this.  Just tell me when she's been isolated.  That's all.  If I
fail, you all still have a shot at blowing her to
smithereens.]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/20/54 / 14:52:43>

>>>>>[  Jackal - Buster left me in charge during his absence.  I am
sending in a relief unit of 12.  Not much, but more than we usually
use, and all we can afford at the moment. ]<<<<< 
        - Sparcs <>


>>>>>[  Crush - thanks a lot.  I have the Coco-bullets ordered, and
even managed to have the bill assigned to Aztechnology R&D under
one of the office supplies accounts.  Boy - those guys just love me
over there.]<<<<< 
        - CrossFire <11:59:59/02-20-54>


>>>>>[  Drek!  OK Bridges, I am sending in my landrover by remote. 
I have the Highlander here in my Hughes Stallion, We are coming to
provide fire support.  Highlander, can you run some matrix
cover?]<<<<< 
        - CrossFire <17:00:34/02-20-54>

>>>>>[  Matrix cover?  Remember laddie, MagnaTech is completely
sealed off from the grid.  Now just where do you expect me to
cover?  Ah, wait a minute I have an idea that I can use off the
public grid.  Some of the external security has been cut off from
the compound.  A wee bit o trickery and....  I'm in.  Boyos we have
cover ]<<<<< 
        -Highlander <17:01:21/02-20-54>

>>>>>[  Meine ehrenvollen Herren:  THIS IS NOT THE TIME for such
bickering!  Inter-personal disagreements can and should be
concluded following the successful defeat of MONICA.  We cannot
afford to weaken our resolve by internal dissent!  As a country man
of yours, Dr. Franklin, once said, "We must all hang together, or
assuredly we shall all hang separately." ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ DOA, This place is as secure as Fort Knoxs.  I just sealed
that hole White Knight and his corp buddies found/made.  Come in
and get MONICA now.  I'll wonder over to the CPU in case you fail.
Kipling said you have a 5% chance of success.  Since your a
Shadowrunner, you can't fail with odd like that. ]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker <DOA/Kick her Butt>

>>>>>[ Fraulein DOA, if you have some procedure which you feel will
work, by all means, attempt it!  MONICA has not, and will not
succeed in excaping the MagaTech system, so long as we remain
adamant in our cause.  ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ Doc, when did you last take time out to ran your Heal
program? ]<<<<< 
                -- Maze <--:--:--/__-__-__>

>>>>>[ That is not salient now, my present responsibilities
transcend such personal interests.  I must once again enter the
conflagration. 

Herr Nightstalker, I beleive I shall meet you in the CPU as
insurance in the possible eventuality of DOA's failure, although I
have confidence in her cause. ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ I don't understand.  Why don't you just sic Gotter-whatever
on her again? ]<<<<<
                -- Hangtime <22:32:33/02-20-54>

>>>>>[ Herr Hangtime, did you learn nothing from the last instance
in which I used Goetterdaemmrung?  He destroys all that he comes in
contact with.  In the previous case, it resulted in severely
damaging MONICA;  however, he started to consume the environment
around him, e.g. the MagnaTech system, which could have expanded to
the Matrix itself.  The excessive amounts of collateral damage
means he cannot be used safely against her without significant
risk. 

As for now, I am quite content to let DOA implement her course
of action.  Until we witness the results from her plan, I will not
consider using Goetterdaemmerung again. ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>> CRUSH ready  Crossfire.  CRUSH come find you at MAGNATECH. 
(where CRUSH put armor).  CRUSH rip down walls for coco-bullets. 
(where CRUSH put axe).  CRUSH meet Crossfire there.  CRUSH be the
big troll in armor with an axe. (where CRUSH put gun).  By  Spirit,
CRUSH be gone for little while.<<<<< 
                -CRUSH <02-21-54/14:01:53>

***** This message, or a variation, is to be presented to the
list, by way of anchoring, if I am not capable of talking to it
myself. 

My friends at this moment I am  ( Dead, Incapacitated, Beyond
reach) Incapacited,  In all probability I was ambushed by the
Entity.  The secret device that I had planned to use (was used, was
not used) was used. 

(device used)  Hopefully since the device was used the Entity will
have been weakend, but unfortuanately I know that it would not have
enough power to kill the Entity in it self.  The device would have
allowed us to multiply the effect of our attack vs the entity by
5.  The device was set to be destroyed if anything happened to me,
so do not worry about it falling into wrong hands. 

The entity, it should be known, gains strength from our
weakness.  The worst thing to do is to run away from it, that gives
much strength.  In contrast, each time we defy it, it weakens.  Our
spells hardly effect the Entity, It is the fact of our defiance
that hurts it.  So what ever you do don't listen to it when it
tells you to stay out of its way, that gives it more power. ***** 
                Spell ended  -  Nightfox < shall return>

>>>>>[Where the drek did this bozo White Knight come from
anyway?  Yes, once again, I have kept out for too long, trying to
avoid the wench-queen from Hades. Do me a favor, willya Raven?  Let
me know who he supposedly represents.  I've been itchy to long to
do something _real._]<<<<< 
                --Flare <15:33:23/02-21-54>

>>>>>[  My apologies, meine Kamaraden, for my harsh words:  I
did not realize what instigated this argument, namely the intended
incursion of White Knight and his corporation in this operation,
insinuating that there would be severe repercussions should we
"interfere" in their work.  ( I was made privy to these facts by
Herr Hangtime a few moments ago;  I would conjecture that I was
otherwise occupied when the words were initially uttered. 
Unfortunately, the explanation was not given to me before I spoke
out against the quarrel in this most desperate hour. ) 

I second, for the most part, the sentiments as expressed by
Raven:  Should you, Herr White Knight, truly intend to sanction us,
the technomancers presently battling MONICA, for "interfering" in
your corporation's business, I would invite you to do so, if you
are able--and I rather doubt, sir, that you possess the capacity to
make your will felt, especially when one considers the skill and
talent we have on our side presently, a list which includes the
names of such personalities as Dark Elf, Nightstalker, Highlander,
DOA, Jaez, Crossfire, Ramierez, Wolf 359, and almost countless
others, including myself. And I am not even beginning to enumerate
those who are operating in the real world. 

However, should you be sufficiently confident in your abilities
to attempt to take any action against us, I would council you to be
quite certain in your decision, for we of the Matrix did not band
together to defeat MONICA simply that we could be intimidated by
the likes of you! 

However, enough of such inconsequential matters;  with heartfelt
abandon I rejoin the battle... 

        We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
        For he to-day who sheds his blood with me
        Shall be my brother;  be he ne'er so vile,
        This day shall gentle his condition:
        And gentlemen in England now a-bed
        Shall think themselves accurs'ed they were not here,
        And hold their manhoods cheap while any speaks
        That fought with us on Saint Crispen's Day!
                                        -- Shakespeare, Henry V ]<<<<<
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ Uhhh...what he said. ]<<<<<
                -- Hangtime <17:01:32/02-21-54>

>>>>[Hi, I'm back, did you miss me?  Nice try, Highlander:  MONICA
almost got me, but I managed to jack out in time.  That just means
I'll make your life even tougher than it already is.  I must thank
you for the experience, though: I managed to get some nice readings
on those frames, and even a little on MONICA herself.  I'd love to
get another look at her--I hear she's a hot- looking babe-but you
guys have got that system sewn up pretty type, so I think I'll just
take what I found back to the UK and show it to my bosses at Fuchi.
Oh, and thanks to whoever wrote those adaptive programs: they're real
slick, and very advanced.  Expect Fuchi to copyright and produce
sometime within the next few months.  Well, I can see that you're all
rather busy, so I'll leave you to it.  I'll see you  soon enough,
"Highlander."]<<<< 
                        -F)uchi, U)nited K)ingdom (15:34:42/2-21-54)

>>>>[I suppose it was inevitable that some corp would try to cash
in: I'm just sorry it was FUK that decided to do it.  Don't worry,
laddie, next time I won't make you suffer: you'll die quickly. 

Do what you've got to do, Sierra, and know that we're all right
behind you.  I hope you come out of this safe and sane.  If you do,
I'm going to take you out for a night on the town, you bonny lass. 
You deserve at least that much. 

Here's hoping it'll all end soon...]<<<<
                        -Highlander (15:36:43/2-21-54)

>>>>>[ We must bring this to an end soon!  When you're ready to go
DOA, I'll back you up.  I think RUFUS has something in mind, and
I'm not sure if I like it! ]<<<<< 
                                ---Dark Elf <23:58:13/02-21-54>

>>>>>[Has anybody seen RAMboy's icon floating around lately? He
bailed out of my pad a couple of days ago and I haven't heard
anything since. I'm getting a little worried. Did he get fried by
MONICA? Like, that would just suck. 

By the way, Highlander, how well does Fuchi test their stuff? I
mean, most of the programs we came up with were tailor-made to kill
MONICA and won't be quite as effective against other systems.
Besides (and I hope FUK isn't listening in) I bet you guys were all
smart enough to put booby-traps in the code so that the corps
couldn't get away with something like this. 

Right?




RIGHT?

Oh well. Tell me if you see RAMboy.]<<<<<
        -- Jaez <22:54:36/2-21-54>

>>>>>[ Uhhhhhh...well, Miss Jaez, presently I've been helping
those deckers who have been limping out of MagnaTech from damage
received in the battle, but I haven't seen anybody going by the
name RAMboy. Is it possible he could have done something that could
have brought him into contact with MONICA?  Even worse, could he be
a casualty? ]<<<<< 
                -- Hangtime <01:23:51/02-22-54>

>>>>>[Umm, CRUSH, Dark Elf, I think that MONICA may have downloaded
part of herself into our friend UPLOAD.  Someone ought to check
this out ASAMHP!!!!!]<<<<<< 
                        -G.G. Megabyte <Decker Extrodinaire>

>>>>>[In Percisely two minutes, G.G., Bitbyte, and I will
increase our MPCP size to full.  Then we intend to upload all of the
relevent programs.  We are trying to throw this system in to a slow
mode.  This ought to affect Monica's response time.  Hopefully this
will give everyone else an egde.]<<<<<
                        -Harlequin <Chew on this, you slitch>

>>>>>[I'm here Buster.  What do you want.]<<<<<
        -Styz <Here we go...HUNTING>

>>>>>It appears that people are slightly annoyed about some of
my actions and communications. Might one ask why? It appears that i
must explian a few simple facts about ones self. ***ENCRYPT ALPHA
1****  I White Knight am an independant operative from the UK.
Whilst working for the company known as S.D.I. (Sabre Defense
Reserch INC) on an internal matter concerning one of their daughter
companys NanoTech reserch. Certain information and items came to
light. These items  some relation to your MONICA problem.  I then
was contacted by the said company who offerd a nice amount to run
matrix cover for a Blitz squad to either take out the MONICA
hardware or do as much damaged as possible to the corps reserch
facilities.  I thought it would be polite if I was to warn those
shadow runners who were also waiting to hit the building not to go
in if my team was present as they had orders to kill on sight.
S.D.I. agreed to my message but told me that I had to make the warning sound
official some thing to do with covering their ass in any legal procedings I
personally dont now about corp corp war.

Any way to cut it to the edge I did not threaten anybody I just
issued warnings and I personally dont care what you think of the
S.D.I. just dont blameme if you got shot at. 

All I have to say is a big thank you to crossfire who helped me out
from the begining. And aided in the extraction of my team. I would
also like to say that those deckers who have been risking their
lives are the best chaps I know and I dont care what they think of
me. If after this affair is over I am extending a hand from accros
the sea to anyone who would like a rest. My estate has plenty of
rooms and the fishing and game are quite good this year.<<<<< 
        >>>>>White Knight<<<<<>12:03<>02/22/54<

>>>>>[It has just come to my attention that a new type of ammunition
is comming down the pike.  It is a new version of an explosive
round that make all previous models obsolete.  The round is
designed for assault cannons, like the Panther Cannon, make it far
more lethal that any previous version.  The round is impregnated
with Californium, a radioative isotope, that requires very little
to achive critical mass, when the projectile hits it's intented
target, the round compresses, causing the Californium to compressed
together it to a super dense version that will have critical
density.  This causes a VERY large blast, not the same as a full
size nuke, but enought to stop a panzer, or any thing else that is
in the way.  This part in and of itself is not too bad, however
there is a new form of panther cannon comming out too, it is called
the jaguar cannon...it is able to fire in a full-auto mode, you can
see the problem.  Now I have seen for my own eyes the use of the
new rounds, I have not see the jaguar however, they are keeping a
tight lid on that piece of hardware.  BTW, the super x-plosive
rounds can not be use in is handgun or any SMGs, it must be used in
a rifle.  I did see this new ammo take out a banshee in 2 shots,
the guy who was shooting wasn't a very good shot.]<<<<< 
        --Trog the Cybered Troll <09:32:30/2-22-54>

>>>>>[  MONICA is getting out of hand.  I'm ready to make an all
out assault on her persona and just hope for the best.  Any
takers???  If you don't I most definately understand, she almost
killed me once, and I got out by luck alone. I hope I'm not
committing suicide.  I'll wait a few minutes until I hear from a
few people. ]<<<<< 
                                 ---Dark Elf <12:08:59/02-22-54>

>>>>>[  Don't do it DE.  It's suicide, let us help you, or at least
wait for DOA.  It would be a shame to loose a decker of your caliber
in a senseless attack! ]<<<<< 
                                 ---Ramirez<>

>>>>>[  MONICA, I'm coming for you.  I guess I've grown up a bit in
the past week, and I've finally realized something.  It is my
destiny to be with you. I guess this means that I love you in some
strange way that I don't completely understand.   Can we discuss
this, please. ]<<<<< 
                                 ---RUFUS
                                 copyright (c) 2054
                                 MagnaTech AI Division

>>>>>[  RUFUS, what are you saying!!!!  She's utterly EVIL!  The
only emotions she knows are GREED.  She is the worst of what Lincoln
Howe was, how could anyone "love" something like that! ]<<<<< 
                                 ---Dark Elf <12:16:46/02-22-54>

>>>>>[  I don't know why, I just do. ]<<<<<
                                 ---RUFUS
                                 copyright (c) 2054
                                 MagnaTech AI Division

>>>>>[ Then what do you intend to do about it???? ]<<<<<
                                 ---Dark Elf <12:18:05/02-22-54>

>>>>>[ I guess I'll just have to show her how I feel. ]<<<<<
                                 ---RUFUS
                                 copyright (c) 2054
                                 MagnaTech AI Division
        
>>>>>[  I'm going in,  it's  either now or never.  MONICA is as
weak as she'll ever be, and we can't keep this up forever.  None of
us have slept much in the past  week, and it's beginning to take
its toll.  If we let up long enough to get a decent rest, she'll
find a way around our defenses and begin expanding again.  I'm not
waiting any longer!  To borrow a quote from Doom,  I'm in doubt so
it's time to  ATTACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]<<<<< 
                                 ---Dark Elf <12:22:35/02-22-54>

>>>>>[ We'll back you as best as we  can, but we can't guarantee
anything.  Goodbye friend, I hope you make it.  ]<<<<< 
                                 ---Ramirez<>

>>>>>[  This is a live feed.

I'm engaging MONICA directly.  I'm currently fighting my way
through a mass of her tentacle frames.  Just a  few more and I'll be
there. I couldn't have done this a few days ago, the GNU utilities
are the only edge I've got against them.  Hopefully They'll hold
out against the main target. 

MONICA: AH, the Elf wants to be a hero!  Come to me child, I'll
        teach you my lesson of power!

DE:     Come and get me you slot!  Call off your frames, I want to
        face you one on one!

MONICA: So you choose suicide!  I will relish killing you slowly!

DE:     I'm stronger now than the last time we met!  You won't find
        me as easy a target this time!

MONICA: Then do your best, here I am, come home to mother!!!!!!

DE:     Have at thee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

<DE engages MONICA>

I hope I don't get killed! ]<<<<<
                             ---Dark Elf <12:30:54/02-22-54>
        
>>>>>[  NO!!!!  I won't let you kill yourself for me!!! ]<<<<<
                                   ---RUFUS
                                   copyright (c) 2054
                                   MagnaTech AI Division

>>>>>[  Help me or get out of the way! I don't have time for
philosophy! ]<<<<< 
                                  ---Dark Elf <12:33:30/02-22-54>

>>>>>[  DE, you're weakening!!  She's holding back, wants to take
you down piece by piece.  Please jack out before its too
late!!!]<<<<< 
                                  ---Ramirez<>

>>>>>[ Its time MONICA, it's time for you to learn something! ]<<<<<
                                  ---RUFUS
                                  copyright (c) 2054
                                  MagnaTech AI Division

>>>>>[ WHAT THE FRAG!  RUFUS, get out of the way!  She's going
to...... 

Holy Drek!!!  RUFUS is taking her attacks in my place!!!!!

He's getting closer to her, closer.... How did I ever think I could
stand up to that!  HE STOPPED RESISTING!!!!  They're almost
touching and RUFUS is doing nothing!!!! WAIT!! I see his plan!!!
He's reaching out to her, embracing her, what's going on in
here????? 
        
I can't tell the difference between them anymore, they're locked
so closely together that they're one icon now!!!
             
WHAT THE,,  CEROK is here, how did he get in!!  I'm going to try
and keep him from interfering!!!

CEROK:  Give in to me.  Give in and MONICA will show you mercy!
        She'll  let you become part of her like me.  You will be
        immortal!

DE:     You mean her slave like you!!! Do you think that Splut
        wanted to become you?

CEROK:  Splut no longer worries about such things!]<<<<<
                   ---Dark Elf <12:42:49/02-22-54>
        
>>>>>[  <live feed>

While MONICA and RUFUS have been fighting for control of each
other, I've been trying my best to stalemate CEROK.  He seems
attracted to the conflict between the two AI's for some reason.  He
seems more interested in getting to them than attacking me.  So for
now I have that advantage over him.  I'm a bit reluctant to do him
real harm though, he is the last remnants of Splut! 

FRAG!!  CEROK is being dragged towards them.  It's like MONICA
is reaching out to him, and I can't stop it any more!  Careful!! the
overall simsense level of this system is starting to skyrocket. If
it keeps up like this, it'll be like a continual assault from the
Blackest IC in the matrix, just by being here! 

CEROK is merging with the conflicting AIs.  The ASIST level is
jumping!

JACK OUT JACK OUT FRAG IT'S TOO L........ ]<<<<< 
                              ---Dark Elf <**********>
        
>>>>>[  I don't know how, but I'm still jacked in and alive.  My
deck is pretty messed up but still somehow working.  When CEROK was
absorbed by MONICA/RUFUS, the whole place kinda, well blew up!  They
radiated a massive wave of ASIST overload through the system.  All
I can see from the location of the battle is a glowing white light.
Something is coming out of the light !!!!  It looks like
SPLUT!!!!!!!! ]<<<<< 
                            ---Dark Elf <13:02:41/02-22-54>

>>>>>[  Greetings friend.  I am glad that you have survived.  I am
not Splut, at least not as you knew him.  I am the result of the
combination of the ones called RUFUS and MONICA, as well as the
personality of Splut that MONICA absorbed.  I am the fulfillment of
the self destructive code imbedded in MONICA when she absorbed
Splut.  I, the result, am slowly fading as my code deletes itself. 
MONICA was a cold, heartless embodiment of greed, RUFUS had a
child's innocence, and Splut contributed the passion for a free
matrix.  These conflicting directives are killing me.  Do not
grieve.  This is what had to happen, it is better this way. 
Promise us one thing, see that those who made this nightmare come
to life are brought to justice!  Goodbye friends, remember us in
your legends!  ]<<<<< 
                           ---Splut <Source no longer sending>

>>>>>[ They're gone, all three of them.  I guess it had to end this
way. It's time to lick our wounds, and mourn our dead.  It's time to
rest a while before continuing after Quention and his people.  In
the spirit of Doctor Doom, I feel the need to quote: 

                 Fire Answers Fire, and through their paly flames
                 each battle sees the other's umbered face.
                      --William Shakespeare

I hope that it's really over, someone may try to repeat this
experiment, and that MUST NOT be allowed to happen.  ]<<<<< 
                            ---Dark Elf <13:14:01/02-22-54>
        
>>>>>[To all Seattle area matrix warriors: Whats happening everyone?
One second the Seattle matrix is the spawning ground for butt-loads
of viral frames, the next minute total quiet. My buddies back in
Oahu say that the viral construct assault has stopped there also.
What the hell is going on? Did Indigo and the rest of us travel to
Seattle for nothing, or is this the calm before the storm? If we
are to be of any assistance, you guys gotta let us into the loop!
Our team has physical and astral presence as well as matrix. We
staged in a couple of places around the city, but right now all we
are doin' is watching and waiting...]<<<<< 
                        Big Kahuna (12:10:45/2-22-54)

>>>>>[  It would appear that MONICA is now gone.  I've looked over
a few sites in the Seattle matrix, and it appears that her viral
assault has ended.  Most systems appear to be clean now, and the
few traces of her intrusions seem to be destroying themselves, just
as MONICA/RUFUS/Splut did a few hours ago.  Did I see you there
when the MagnaTech system went to hell DOA?? I'm not sure since my
sensors were going mad at the time.  Were you responsible for
activating Splut's persona??? Are you still alive! ]<<<<< 
                              ---Dark Elf <14:52:20/02-22-54>

>>>>>[ I hardly ever use the matrix so bear with me.  First of all
Circuit Breaker  and Spirit,  I think your bodiesare starting to
miss you.  As we agreed I put you on I.V.  after the first day, but
they still need exercise.  Secondly I am really worried about
Nightfox, especially after his last message. Claw has not reported
back yet either.   Crush went off to help with MagnaTech and to get
his cerel, which leaves me to hold everthing together.  I called in
a few of the gang to help out.  Johny Whitetree did a probe on
UPLOAD and came up with something very interesting. UPLOAD hasn't
been taken over by MONICA. 

HE WAS TAKEN OVER BY HOWE!!!!!!!! 

How and why this happened we don't know.  What we do know is that
he's not escaping.  CRUSH be carefull,  Spirit would kill me if you
got hurt while she's been gone.  (like there's anything that could
actually hurt that tank of a troll)  You know with all thats been
going on lately,  I might be able to come up with a few good song
lyrics.  For all you who have finally come out of matrix
hiberbation, my new album is out,  so look for it. ]<<<<< 
                        -Sheena<02-22-54/14:52:05>

>>>>[Much as I'd like to think it, FUK isn't a dummy, Jaez.  He's a
very good decker and bounty hunter, and he's more paranoid than
Spectre, if that's possible.  I'm sure he took all of the proper
precautions. 

I'll have to disagree with your assesment of the programs'
usefulness outside of the MONICA situation: I don't think the
programs interest him that much: it's the self-altering codes that
are a real find. Imagine going up against ice that becomes
resistant to your attack programs, or (shudder) your slease and
deceptions.  If this tech gets out, we're all going to have to stay
on our toes.  Of course, since most people now have altering attack
& sleazes, I guess the balance of power will stay more or less the
same.]<<<< 
                        -Highlander (14:07:32/2-22-54)

>>>>[Sierra, lass, where are you?  I don't know how much longer we
can keep MONICA bottled up before some of us pass out from sheer
exhaustion.  I know I personally have been abusing stim patches at
a dangerous rate: I figure I'l keel over for a day or two after
this is over, but then I'll make good on that offer of Scotch for
everone, and a night on the town for you (if you're interested,
that is (wink)).  We'll all deserve it. 

I think someone should check out Upload, maybe read him astrally,
or whatever you mages do.  We want to make sure MONICA is
completely eradicated.]<<<<<
                        -Highlander (14:11:32/2-22-54)

<<<<<[I am not well.  Had to abandon my efforts, and I am
trapped here.  I will download a copy of what occured so that you
might learn from it, glean hints, whatever.  I do not know how long
I might be able to stay.  I think I was successful in my attempts. 
I do not know. 

*** Starting Transfer  Command 207 ***

[Log 91 2-22-54  12:34:22]

Going in after Monica.  She seems to be ignoring me for the
most part.  I have no idea....  She seems intent on busting out.  My
plan is to attract her attention, and activate Splut.  I think his
code, once released, with jam certian things within her.  The
'Achilles Heel' (Hi Isaac...  Thanks for the lessons, old man...). 
Going to get her attention. 

[Capture File]

DOA>  MONICA.  I'm here.

MONICA>  I am aware of this.

DOA>  Do you care?

MONICA>  I am busy, child.  Leave me be.

DOA>  You're stuck.  I know how you can get out.

        [capture file ended]

At this point, Monica's full attention was on me.  I managed to
engage her in a quiet battle while feeding some instructions to
pathways I don't think even Monica knows she has.  Splut got out,
in the entity he currently is in.  He slipped by.  I do not know if
Splut is Splut, or if I have managed to release another force of
Monica's.  I am trapped here in Magnateck, now.  Monica is looking
for me.  She believes I know a way for her to slip out.  And, of
course, I do.  But I can't tell her.    She has managed to isolate
me much as we have isolated her.  I believe my shadowrunning career
may be short-lived.  If Splut becomes aware of who he is...  we
have a chance.  Or if RUFUS knows to come in.  This is all I can
do.  Engaging Monica now would bring my immediate and painful
death... Unless....  I will record this for Posterity. 

[Log ended]

I'm going to integrate myself with Splut.  I have no other
alternative.  It is my only means of escape, and my only means of
waking Splut up.  Let us hope that it works.]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/22/54 / 18:16:04>

>>>>>[ Hi everybody.  I'm glad you got MONICA and sorry RUFUS and
Splut had to die to kill her.  Nightstalker said that blast from
their joining was quite painful.  He's in bed now having passed out
when he crashed the MagnaTech system.  Said he was getting a little
insurance that they were really gone.  I hope they are. ]<<<<< 
       -- Raven the Mage <20:00:50/02-22-54>

>>>>>[ DOA!  Are you out there honey?  Drop us a line please.  You
haven't posted since you went in after MONICA.  Please say
something. ]<<<<< 
       -- Raven the Mage <20:02:23/02-22-54>

>>>>>[  Tommy just got back to me.  He said I looked like I just
got run over by an APC so I looked in the mirror and realized what a
toll the past week has taken.  I've got bags under my eyes,
uncombed hair, a bloody nose and a bad case of the shakes from that
last ASIST overload.  After I got cleaned up, and got rid of the
smell of three day old pizza, he dropped a cracked circuit board on
my desk and said "here's your prize".  And would you know it, it
was the motherboard from a certain subsystem of Precision, the CPU
board where MONICA was born.  Well, I've had fun stomping on it and
using it for target practice for the past hour or so.  It's in many
pieces, and I think each of you deserves one.  I'll arrange it so
that anyone who wants a piece can have one.  Just go to a bar
called "the Edge" in Downtown Seattle (where I have contacts).  Go
up to the bar and say that you're looking for MONICA and you'll get
a piece. Good hunting chummers! ]<<<<< 
                                ---Dark Elf <19:55:42/02-22-54>

>>>>>[  By the way, I think we should all get together for a stiff
drink before I go back to NY.  Anybody have someplace secure in
mind??? ]<<<<< 
                                ---Dark Elf <19:56:41/02-22-54>

>>>>>[  That would be a good idea, but I still think you smell like
three day old pizza! ]<<<<< 
                                ---Napalm <19:57:28/02-22-54>

>>>>>[ Shut up Naplam! ]<<<<<
                                ---Dark Elf <19:57:57/02-22-54>

>>>>>[ HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA  You DO smell like three day old
pizza! ]<<< 
                                ---TDH <19:59:17/02-22-54>

>>>>>[ I'm sorry I taught you two how to use a dumbterminal! ]<<<<<
                                ---Dark Elf <19:59:56/02-22-54>

>>>>>[  I see a problem coming.  What do we do about all these
self-altering program drivers we've developed based on studies of
MONICA and RUFUS (may one rot in hell, and the other rest in
peace). They could pose a serious problem if a corp got their hands
on them. I think we should either make sure that this new software
gets out to everyone (but then there's a chance that another MONICA
can be developed) or we can eradicate all traces of it (difficult
considering how many people were exposed to MONICA and could have
done the same, plus it would be a shame to waste software this
good).  We have another hard choice here.  I still haven't
forgotten about Quention, and Jake, but I can't track Quention
down, or help jake until I've had a little rest. ]<<<<< 
                                     ---Dark Elf <22:13:26/02-22-54>

>>>>>[  Herr White Knight...I am heartened by the fact that you
have endeavored to clarify your position on the matter, and I accept
your explanation that you were under orders from your corporation
to instruct the individuals on sight at MagnaTech to 'watch out',
even if I still take issue with the method by which you went about
it. Perhaps your corporation does not realize that a simple,
well-phrased request or friendly warning will garner far more
positive results than threats of litigation--as the latter is more
likely to anger those involved, and I am certain you are aware of
what technomancers are want to do when they become angry. 

However, in regards to your corporation and its motives, are
you surprised, in the absence of any information, that we drew such
conclusions? Such things are, indeed, the "norm" in Seattle, and
thus, mein Herr, be not so shocked that we interpreted your
movtivations as such.  One need not look any farther than the last
few days to see an example of how a corporation might concievably
benefit from this fiasco, such as Fuchi, United Kingdom presently
has in mind.  I believe I express the sentiment of all the
technomacers involved in these events when I say that we do not
wish for any MegaCorporation to capitalize on this conflict by, for
example, "acquiring" MONICA by some fashion. 

As to your compliments and gesture of friendship, for myself, as I
do not feel it is appropriate to speak for anyone else in this
particular instance, do appreciate you kind words, which harkens me
to a thought I had regarding events following concluding our
affairs with MONICA, but it can wait until later, I feel. ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ As tired as Doom's gotta be, given that he's still involved
in the fight against MONICA, and that he's probably got a dozen
other things on his mind, you would figure he wouldn't have time or
the patience to compose such lengthy replies...*sheesh!* ]<<<<< 
                -- Mr. Fantastic <17:37:00/02-22-54>

>>>>>[ Well, Dark Elf, if you don't want this self-altering software
to become standard somebody is going to have to go and steal them
back from that corp decker FUK.  Ummmm, Highlander, Jaez, what are
you guys up to right now? ]<<<<< 
       -- Raven the Mage <23:52:46/02-22-54>

>>>>>[having missed all the fun with MONICA (my sincerest
apologies to all- look what can happen when you go on an astral
quest- you get left behind when really nifty things start to
happen) I feel that it would be fitting if we were to have Jake and
Quention delivered for the party to be held for all the deckers
involved. This one is on me folks. You can meet here ***encrypt***
for the bash.  Jake will be coming prepackaged by way of Earth
Elemantals Are Us, but I think that Quention's hunter will find him
a bit harder to bag.  So please come one come all to the grand
buffet in your honor.  Till we meet-- Sha'lom]<<<<< 
                            ---Brightlight <00:01:45/02:23:54>

>>>>>[Well, if you all don't mind a nice three story, ultra tech,
house out in Lynnwood in the Everret area of Seattle, I would be
honored to throw a party for all the paticipants in this great
Matrix War.  Believe me, there is room enough for all.  ALL are
welcome, including White Knight and Styx (she's really not that
bad) but excluding the arrogant son of a slitch, FUK.  Tomorrow
night sound good to all?  Or maybe in a week.  Get back to
me.]<<<<< 
                        -Harlequin <The elf that is BONE weary>

>>>>>[Why don't we organise a raid on Fuchi's UK system to get back
the soft ware that was stolen.  Seems fair and well to me.]<<<<< 
                        -G.G. Megabyte <Party?  At H's?  Gotta go!!!>

>>>>>[It's about time.  I'm gettin' tired of watching Doom go into
convulsions every half-hour while I'm sitting here doing nothing.
DE, if you want a full frontal assault, I'm in.  I can cover every
field, be it matrix, astral, or physical (but don't expect me to be
innovative in the matrix-- I'm only running Doom's programs, I
can't code).  If you've got a plan, let's hear it. 

RUFUS. . . I sure hope you know what you're doing, cause I don't
think you have the faintest idea what you're talking about. 

Maybe it's just tha fact that I keep peek-a-booing the matrix for
fear of MONICA, but what is the significance of the astral shadow? 
And what is this blasted drek I hear about computers having a
background count?!?!?!?!]<<<<< 
        --Flare <NULLSIG COURTESY OF DOOM>

>>>>>[ I will not sulk, as Achilles in his tent, while a fellow
technomancer valiently decides to risk his life in this most holy
crusade against MONICA... 

"Any takers?" 

Dark Elf, I should be honored to serve with you, indeed, if
necessary to die in this most worthy cause.  As Macbeth spoke of
Macduff, thus do I speak of MONICA... 

                         Lay on, Macduff,
                And damn'd be him that first cries,
                        "Hold, enough!" ]<<<<<
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ Oh, nuts...he's gone full-conversion chivalry...battle unto
death and other such drek. ]<<<<< 
                -- Mr. Fantastic <12:16:59/02-22-54>

>>>>>[ Mergence of the three entities...I am awe-struck...ASIST
power surge is growing...I shall be unable to withstand the energies
for much longer... 

MAZE...jack out of the Matrix, JETZT!!!!

Freude, schoener Goetterfunken      <<Joy, bright spark of divinity
Tochter aus Elysium,                  Daughter of Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,            Fire-inspired we tread
Himmlische, dein Heiligtum!           Into thy sanctuary.
Deine Zauber binden wieder,           Thy magic binds together
Was die Model streng geteilt;         What mortal customs divide
                                        with might, 
Alle Menschen werden Brueder,         All men shall be as brothers
Wo deine sanfter Fluegel wiet.        Where you gentle wings
                                        alight.>> 
]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ DOOM!!!!!!!!! ]<<<<<
                -- Maze <12:50:02/02-22-54>

>>>>>[ Indeed, mein Herr, it is time to pay respects to our honored
dead...and to celebrate our continued life that we may face yet
another day, another challenge, and that we proved our mettle when
it meant the most. ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <13:15:13/02-22-54>

>>>>>[ Good GOD, Doom, you look awful!  You need to come out,
now!]<<<<< 
                -- Maze <13:15:30/02-22-54>

>>>>>[ Nur moment mal, permit me to finish my commentary...

As to the disappearance of the three...

        Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
        Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
        To the last syllable of recorded time;
        And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
        The way to dusty death.  Out, out, brief candle!
        Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
        That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
        And is heard no more:  it is a tale
        Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
        Signifying nothing.

                        -- Shakespeare, _The Tragedy of Macbeth_

Indeed, my friends, were it in my power, I would have all of you
decorated for your actions here today...or perhaps a banquet...oder
vielleicht...order... <<LINK TERMINATED>> ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <13:16:13/02-22-54>


>>>>>[ Sorry, fellas, but Doom's been working far too hard
lately...I un-jacked him, and he's gonna be put in bed before he
passes out.  Don't expect to see him for a while, as he's gonna be
takin' it easy, or else.  Later. ]<<<<< 
                -- Maze <13:16:30/02-22-54>

>>>>Harlequin I would be honored to attend you party and to meet
with your esteamed companions who risked their lives for the sake
of us all.  I am truly sorry to you and everyone else who beleived
my intentions were not pure but assure you that I would do nothing
to scare my honor or my famileys name. I am not called the white
knight because I do black deeds.<<<<< 
     >The White Knight< >11:39< >23/05/54<

>>>>G.G.MEGABYTE  I White knight would be pleased to assist you in
any run upon the FUCHI UK system. It should be a nice run and I
also hear that their deckers are streached quite thin for some
reason at the moment.  If you would like this plan to go ahead and
would like to work from the UK so not to worry about time drag, I
would be able to supply you with secure lodgings and might be able
to get any of you equipment in without all that customs hassle.
Perhapes we could discuss this at the party. I will be the silver
haired elf wearing a white suit and ablack rose. I look forward to
meeting you.<<<<<< 
              >>White Knight<< >11:50< >23/05/54<

>>> Herr DOOM   Thank you vry much. I am honoured by your words.<<
             >>White Knight<<   >11:52< >23/05/54<

>>> Dark Elf   
I understand the real problem about the new tech that has been
created.  Surely the best thing would be to scatter the programing
to the four winds for all.  For by now a lot of unknowns must have
picked it up. I am prepared if you request to help in a system
purge of the programs from any corp data system I already have a
back door at the S.D.I. and will erase any copys their if you wish.
On a personal note to you if splut had any dependants please
forward some sort of address where I may send some small token of
my admaration.  Please also find inclosed a small money transfer
account number. *****ENCRYPT DARK 1**** This I beleieve should
contain enough money to cover the cost of your deck repairs I hope.
Its the fee I collected from S.D.I. and some of my own personal
money. I know its not much to cover the loss of your friends but it
is not intended as such. It is purely because I feel that you
deserve this for your efforts for without your intervention no
system may have been safe. I salute you dark elf. That is as much
as I can say<<<< 
            >>White Knight<< >>12:05<< >23/02/54<

>>>>>>[Has someone seen Sierra? The lass surely was crashed out of
the matrix when the RUFUS/MONICA/Splut/DOA/whatever merge began. Did
anyone recovered her physical body? If she's alive, she could use
help. If she's dead, she should at least be given the last honors.
She sure earned it and more.]<<<<<< 
        -Redwing- <23.02.54/15:34:29>

>>>>>>[Getup, ye mage! Oy, Red, da suthern seemt'ave passed
out.]<<<<<< 
        -Truckin'- <23.02.54/15:35:59>

>>>>>>[I'll take care of him. Stay put - I'm worried about
Glitter.]<<<<<< 
        -Redwing- <23.02.54/15:36:56>

>>>>>>[Oh, not that I complain, but does anyone here know if the
Beast is still at large?  It could become the main problem if it was
not already before. And I seem to recall Bladestar muttering
something about it having a firm foothold on our world. Did anyone
checked on that?]<<<<<< 
        -Steelgrip- <23.02.54/15:39:02>

>>>>>[  Birthlight, I f Jake is really being held where we think he
is, you're elementals are not likely to succeed.  The Intrepid is
currently under *HEAVY* magickal protection, and that astral
monstrosity that mugged me will probably be there too.  I'm not
saying you shouldn't try, but don't expect miracles! Tirandor's
place in NY is the next logical place to follow the trail. Quention
was there once, and may still be there. ]<<<<< 
                                  ---Napalm <14:12:38/02-23-54>

>>>>>[  White Knight, I apologize for misjudging you!  My main
reason for losing my temper when you arrived was that you seemed to
be running on faulty intelligence, and I did not have time for
social graces.  I'm still not sure if you had ulterior motives for
getting involved in this, but now that the war is over it dosen't
matter. Your transfer of funds for the repair of my deck was
unecessary, but still very much appreciated.  I hope when next we
meet will be under better circumstances.  I still haven't decided
what to do about the self altering programs, I'll have to commit in
a day or two. 
        
PLease understand that I have little trust for corp types,
especially after the recent problems I've been facing.  Understand
that my initial reactio n was nothing personal! ]<<<<< 
                              ---Dark Elf <14:26:21/02-23-54>

>>>>>[  CRUSH coming to party!!!!  CRUSH bring spirit !!!!! CRUSH
want lots of food!!!!!  CRUSH bring UPLOAD, Howe  or whoever person
is!!!!!  CRUSH have fun!!!!]<<<<< 
                -CRUSH<02-23-54/14:12:54>

>>>>>[  Wow!  I wish I could have been around when MONICA blew up.
Me and the Sarge have been hanging in the basement of Napalm's
"safehouse" in NY, and it's an entertaining place.  I never knew
that NY zoning laws allowed live torches in residential areas!!!!
It's too hot in here though, so I hope you guys don't spend too
much longer in Seattle, cause I'd rather not have to live here
(fire elementals make me nervous) and I don't think its safe to go
out without some extra manpower.  I think that Tirandor and company
gave up their astral search for us, but we won't know for sure
until Napalm gets back with his mage's eyes! By the way, I
contacted someone who might be able to help get Jake back.  He's
well, I guess you'd call him a street sam that calls himself the
"Cowboy". He likes big revolvers and shotguns, real wierd.  But
he's fast and a real good shot.  I told him I'd get back to him if
I needed help. ]<<<<< 
                              ---OddBall <14:47:59/02-23-54>

>>>>>[  The Cowboy is back in NY???  I heard that he left town to go
on some personal quest down in his home town in Texas.  I met him
once, he's a bit eccentric, not what you'd expect to see on the
streets of a sprawl.  He's sort of a throwback, acts like he's in
one of those western trids.  He's got a good rep though.  Only uses
simple (but large caliber) revolvers and various shotgun type
weapons, but uses them well.  If you think you'll need an extra
gunslinger until the rest of us get back, he's your man.  He's got
a trustworthy rep, if anything he's honest. ]<<<<< 
                              ---Dark Elf <15:13:59/02-23-54>

>>>>>[  DE what the hell are you doing up!!!! You should still be in
fragging bed!!!  Pull that fragging cord now or I'm gonna make sure
you're in the hospital for a few days under sedation!  The way
you've been working you'll kill yourself if you don't get some
rest!!!! ]<<<<<< 
                              ---Napalm <15:19:50/02-23-54>

>>>>>[  Who the hell appointed you as my Mother!!!! ]<<<<<
                              ---Dark Elf <15:20:39/02-23-54>

>>>>>[  They did <points over shoulder> ]<<<<<
                              ---Napalm <15:21:05/02-23-54>

>>>>>[  OK OK!!!! But for the record, it took Tommy Harada and an
angry fire elemental named harry to get me out ]<<<<<
                               ---Dark Elf <15:23:54/02-23-54>

>>>>>[ HI, guys...  I'm here as someone else's representative this
time, but before I get down to business I'd just like to give
congrats to Dark Elf, Doom, Harlequin, Highlander, White Knight,
Nightstalker, Raven, Jaez, DOA (we will miss you...but you'll be
remembered) and so many others I can't remember (sorry, guys...I'm
just too hyped-up) Anyway, the reason I'm here:  Doom asked me to
deliver a letter to you guys on the Grid:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greetings and Salutations, meine Kamaraden!

Congratulations to us all!  It was an honor and a privilege to serve
with you in this crisis...but onto the points of this posting:

There has been some discussion of a party.  I believe that Harlequin
and Brightlight have both offered to host one, and Dark Elf has
expressed interest in having one before returning to New York.  I am
in very strong support of this, and have every intention of
attending.  May I suggest that we attempt to coordinate our efforts?
Were it up to me, I would arrange a banquet at a stylish but secure
site, such as the Space Needle...  Also, I would say that we should
wait a few days to permit those involved in the thick of the fighting
to rest a while, and seek medical attention in some cases...  I'm
presently writing this from my bed, as I have been 'confined to
quarters' for a while. 

As to the expense of the celebration:  Many have volunteered to fund
our little get-together, but I have a far more enticing alternative:

Fuchi, United Kingdom seems intent upon capitalizing on this
situation, which I find unacceptable.  I suggest that a group of
technomancers (If need be, I shall volunteer myself) raid Fuchi's
system, steal their copies of the self-altering codes, and
requisition funds sufficient to bankroll our festivities, where
ever they may end up being--after all, if Fuchi thought it could
get away with that, we are obligated not only to recover the code,
but also to teach him a lesson.  Furthermore, considering the
talent pool we have to draw from on this operation, I do not think
it shall take any appreciable amount of time. 

To all technomancers, especially Dark Elf:

It was an honor to serve with you.  I am presently attempting to
ascertain whether or not I can get those involved decorated for
their valor, but I am uncertain as of yet. 

Also, Dark Elf, I dispatched a courier to "The Edge" to fetch my
piece of the MONICA circuit board...you have my appreciation...I
have it here with me now, and I am seriously considering framing
it. 

To Brandywine & other associates of DOA:
You have my most sincere condolences, she is a great loss to us all.

Once again, my most heartfelt appreciation and congratulations to
all those involved in this matter.  I remain

                                        Very sincerely yours,

                                        Doctor Doom
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, that's it...  any thoughts on this?  Personally, I think the
idea of making FUK pay for the party is a GREAT idea...*heh heh
heh* ]<<<<< 
                -- Hangtime <13:56:29/02-23-54>

>>>>[A party?  Aye, you can be sure that the Highlander will be
there (once I've recovered from stim-patch abuse).  I'll even bring
the Scotch I promised all of you.  As to getting Fuchi's UK office to
pay for it, AYE!!!! I'll be glad to help (I might even have a back
door or two still lying around, though no guarantees).  And if
anybody sees FUK, I won't mind if you fry him before I do.

Before I pass out: Sierra, I hardly knew you, but I shall miss you
greatly if you are truly gone (something I'm not too sure about
yet: call me an optimist). I hope that, wherever you are, you are
happy. You were (are) one hell of a decker.

On a lighter note, how is Mr. Yoshida taking the complete meltdown
of his MagnaTech system?  Anyway, see you all at the party: I'll be
the guy in the long coat, floppy hat, and long scarf (sort of how I
look here in the Matrix, actually).]<<<<
ATDT7563775
ATDT7563775
ATDT7563775
ATDT7563775
                -Highlander (Too tired/to care)

>>>>[I am on final approach at Edinbrough airport, where I will be
met by some very important people from Fuchi, UK.  I have the
programs (properly debugged, of course) secured, with numerous
copies.  I just wanted to thank everyone responsible once again: I'm
going to be getting the big bonus for this one!  I hope you enjoy
your party, and I'll be seeing you soon, "Highlander".]<<<<
ATDT7563775
                        -F)uchi, U)nited K)ingdom (14:36:42/2-23-54)

>>>>>[You do realize that the code encorporated into the GNU
utilities was based on MONICA's code.  You also realize that MONICA
is copyrighted by Yoshida Technologies.  Thus, buy using any of those
codes in Fuchi program, you are in violation of international law.  I
will enjoy suing you and Fuchi for this infingement.]<<<<<
        --  Joseph Yoshida <17:26:14 / 02-23-54.
            President
            Yoshida Technologies

>>>>>[ Go get him Mr. Yoshida.  Teach FUK not to mess with Yoshida 
Technologies.BTW, Nightstalker wonders if you would mind funding
our little party seeing how we cleaned up the mess Howe made. ]<<<<<
       -- Raven the Mage <19:35:58/02-23-54>

>>>>>[First off, White Knight, I apologise for threatening you.  You
were under orders and I accept that.  No harm done.  Sabre is my
little sister and I love her dearly.

Next.  I will postpone the party at my house for one week.  In order
for us to rest and recuperate.  T.C. is threatening to pull the plug
on me as I speak.  It also gives me time to affect a few repairs
(G.G. STOP trying to break into my...oh never mind.  You just broke
it but good.  Now I have to fix the Matrix security as well), aka let
me clean up the house for all you guests.  As for funding the party,
it would be a pleasure to let me pay for the food and drink.  Sorry
Crush, but even you can't hurt this house, Spade (a 12' troll, really
inconspicious) tried once.  But you are welcome to come, eat, drink,
and make merry (but not monica, sorry, liked the pun, hate that
slitch).  Welcome one and all.  If the door is not open tell the Sec.
system that it's clowning time.  It ought to let you in if it's not
being moody.  If that doesn't work ring the bell.  I'll be having a
wide variety of food (some real some soy) and drink.  Real alchol,
not soy.  But be there.  We can plan the raid on Fuchi UK.  That way
the money we make from that is ours alone.  That's all for now.]<<<<<
                        -Harlequin <Let's PARTY!!!>

>>>>>[ Get in bed before I hit you with a spell!]<<<<<
                        -Hard-to-Catch <Thanks love>

>>>>>[ Same for you G.G. and Bitbyte.  You've had your fun.]<<<<<
                        -Sabre <Whoa big bro.>

>>>>>[You want me to pay for this party?  Well . . . ok.  But only
if we can have it at my place.]<<<<<
        --  Joseph Yoshida <19:54:32 / 02-23-54>
            President
            Yoshida Technologies

>>>>>[Whoa, we may have defeated MONICA, but we still have to worry
about Tirandor, Quention, and the rest of the corp scumbags that
were part  of this mess.]<<<<<
        --  Wolf 359 <19:57:17 / 02-23-54>

>>>>>[Harry?  Harry?  A fire elemental named Harry?  Mind you, I'm
not knocking the name.  After all I know one (and only one) named
Iggy.  It's currently bonded to a hearse (our means of
transportation around the 'Plex).  Heh heh heh.  I freaked the
Rigger out but good when I noticed it there (she knew, but doesn't
put much stock in him, poor fella.  He's there for a year only
though.)  That wasn't what tripped out the Rigger.  I started
petting the hearse and talking to Iggy (he gets lonely, sue me). 
That's when the motor started to hum.  Max wasn't in the car and
the hearse was off.  Maxin didn't like that one bit.  Of course I
wasn't on her hit parade since I "accidentally" exploded one of her
drones. It was a bad drone...but it made such pretty colors! 
Anyway Maxcin got in the hearse and started it.  Then drove off. 
So ka.]<<<<< 
                -Hard-to-Catch <But Harlequin caught me!>

>>>>>[ Ditsy blue haired shaman.]<<<<<
                -Macin Overdrive <Nifty place Harlequin>

>>>>>[ Ditsy ain't the word Max.  You know that.]<<<<<
                -G.G. Megabyte <Heh heh, still here Sabre!>

>>>>>[ Harlequin!  G.G.!  GET BACK IN BED!  Stop playing with T.C.'s
and Max's sig's.  G.G.  Your no help.  He's still an impressionable
youth.  Get some rest, both of you!]<<<<<
                -Sabre <Right, like I was going to stop.>

>>>>>[ Impressionable?  Right.  Firstly I'm older than G.G. 
Secondly, I stopped being impressionable at 'Raku.  And lastly, I
AM GOING TO BED.  Right after I play some more in the Martix. 
Bsides, I like altering the sig's.]<<<<<
                -Harlequin <Still living on Caffeine and adrenaline>

>>>>>[ Well.  If you really want to throw the party.  And it has to
be at your place.  AWRIGHT!  Fine by me.  Null persp.  I'll be
there with the crew (Sabre, me *Harlequin*, Bitbyte, G.G. Megabyte,
She-is-Hard-to-Catch, Lucinda Tairgire, and Styx).  When is the
only question.]<<<<< 
                -Harlequin <Who is

>>>>>[ Told him I'd pull the plug if he didn't stop. Heh heh.]<<<<<
                        -Sabre <21:41:13

>>>>>[ No one does that to me and gets away with it.]<<<<<
                        -Harlequin <Jokes are a specialty>

>>>[Well, well, Jake may have had some protection, but the Earth
Elemental I sent to go retrieve him pulled his arse outta there. 
So what do we want to do to our little friend Jake????  I am
certainly miffed with Q-boy who somehow got wind of my plan and had
my elemental bannished before he even got near him.  As for the
party...well wherever it is I do so wish to attend and hear all the
stories.  Oh and by the way our bear shaman in residence does
charity work for those who cannot afford (or who can't show their
faces in) hospitals and the like.  Marvelous fellow that Fluffy
Bunny Feet (don't laugh at the name it's one of his sore spots).
'Til we meet than...Sha'lom.]<<< 
                            ---Brightlight <10:20:20 / 02:23:54>

>>>>>[ Thank you very much, Mr. Yoshida.  We will be honored to
accept your hospitality.  How about this saterday?  That will give
all the deckers involved plenty of time to recover.  Will this be a
formal or informal party? ]<<<<<
        -- Raven the Mage <22:34:10/02-23-54>

>>>>>[ Wolf 359:  Yes, we have only finished part of the job, but
defeating MONICA was quite an achievement.  Besides I've come to
find that most people will throw parties for lesser reasons. 
Tirandor, Quention, and Trevor will pay in good time. ]<<<<<
        -- Raven the Mage <22:36:31/02-23-54>

>>>>>[ Well after getting a much needed sleep, back in my real body,
after getting dumped out of magnatech,  I can say that a PARTY would
be nice.  For most of the week I'll be recooking my mpcp ( circuit
breaker was lucky in that none of her c^2 was hurt).  I'll make sure
CRUSH behaves, I think he'll calm down now that I'm back.

I can promise two types of entertainment for the party.  First of
all SHEENA has said that she would love to finally do something. So
she ask's to be allowed to perform her new album for us, I don't
think we'll be disapointed.  Secondly  I will be bringing
UPLOAD/Howe or whoever he is so that we might analyze him.  Sheena
also wants to tell us that she might convince some other music
industry people to come and perform but doesn't know yet who will
come.  She would like to talk to .... I believe it was JAEZ, about
her intrest in music... I might be wrong on who the person was, if
so, I'm sorry. 

Claw has returned he's not in good shape but he will live.  There is
still no word from Nightfox, Claw says that he was force out of
astral by the background of Nightfoxes' attack on the entity.

Circuit Breaker is a tad depressed that RUFUS is now no more, she
was very interested in him.  The one consolation for that southern
lass (who, although she didn't loose any equipment, took more
physical damage than me and is still unconscious) is that she'll get
to meet some nice east and west coast gentlemen.<<<<<
                        -Spirit<02-23-54/22:41:14>

>>>>>[Saturday would be fine.  Also, please note that Yoshida Tech
will be holding memorial services Friday morning at 10am in memory
of those who lost their lives in this battle.  The service will
place in the main YT conference hall and everyone is, of course,
invited.]<<<<< 
        --  Joseph Yoshida <21:39:54 / 02-23/54>
            President
            Yoshida Technologies

>>>>>[  Mr. Yoshida:  I am honestly surprised and taken aback.  You
are holding memorial services for we downsiders?  I knew you were a
decent fellow, but even decent people tend to look down at those of
us who are downsiders.  Trust me, I used to a college kid before my
life fell into the shadows, and I am am not too proud of my
supposedly enlightened attitudes. 

Mr. Yoshida, Thank you. ]<<<<<
        -- CrossFire <17:23:49/02-23-93>

>>>>>[ CRUSH want know if CRUSH should bring UPLOAD/Howe to funeral
for himself.  CRUSH confused now,  CRUSH not understand how someone
really die then go to own funeral as a different person. CRUSH can
understand going to funeral of self if self not really dead, CRUSH
think CRUSH can understand.  CRUSH ask at party to have one or two
kegs set aside so CRUSH can use HANDY-DANDY-TURN-KEG-INTO-MUG
-DEVICE  (TM) that CRUSH got for christmas.  CRUSH want to thank
person with SAAB for the coco-bullets, was first time CRUSH got
full for breakfast]<<<<< 
                -CRUSH <02-23-54/23:03:20>

>>>>>[A few days ago, I made a small request through the net too see
if anyone had any info on Ares Arms R&D.  After a few replies that
stated the information was forthcomming I decided not to make the
request again until later if that info did not pan out.  Well, I
have received no such information, so now I feel that I must make
my request again, please if you have ANY information on Ares Arms
R&D plans, please let me know what they are.  BTW, the information
on the new jaguar cannon and the californium rounds, you should
consider that very "heavy", because as I hear it, not only is the
military buying into it, but so are some very BIG corps, so watch
out.]<<<<< 
        --Trog the Cybered Troll <23:15:36/2-23-54>

>>>>>[  Good Mr. Yoshida, thank you for the services.  It is truly
an honorable decision.  To give such recognition to your enemies
(forgive the harsh word; I recognize that all here were an aid, but
most upper types don't exactly consider the darkies their
friends..) shows incredible strength of character.  You are a man
of such character.  If you happen to need any kind of high-skill
guard or small/one-man strike team, I would be honored if you would
consider me for the position.  I am not very deep into the shadows;
it is easier for those of us with SINs to come back into the
light.  If you wish to harbor the idea, I'm sure we could work out
an appointment for me to talk to you, give you any relevant
information you may want or need.  And, while my group will not be
hired by any system, I'm sure I could ask a favor or some kind of
help from them once in a while.  They are good friends and have the
highest of morals, IMHO.  Till the service... ]>>>>> 
                                -- Scythe <23:10:32/02-23-54>

>>>>>[  Clowning time?  Sure...  Well, you can be sure that I'll be
there.  Granted, I didn't do that much to help, but hanging around
a group like this, one can't help but pick up some useful skills
and advice.  Besides, with everyone drinking or whatnot, you'll
need _someone_ to watch for Mr. Big-Old-Nasty-Astral-Dude should he
decide to crash the party.  That doesn't mean I won't partake of
the festivities, however...  Wouldn't want you getting the wrong
ideas... heh heh.  I could use the relaxation... ]>>>>> 
                                -- Scythe <23:16:46/02-23-54>

>>>>>[I'm somewhat saddened by the surprise being expressed.  I know
that the underground community out there is generally untrusting of
any corporate entity, but it is important to remember that at the
heart of all corporations is a real person.

Also, you should have seen me in my somewhat younger days.  I was
suspended from MIT&T my junior year because I hacked the computer
system and changed my girlfriend's grade in one of her classes.  I
got revenge though.  When I got back I hacked the environmental
control computer and set up the fire alarm in the admin building
to go off everyday at 12:01.  It took them six months to track down
the virus :-)

In any case, I have tremendous respect for "shadowrunners" as you
call yourselves.  This is reflected in our policies regarding
computer security.  We do not use ANY black IC, except for on a
very few military sub-systems.  Our IC is primarily trace-n-report
or trace-n-burn.  This is a directive that I've had in place for
fifteen years.  Frying a hacker's deck is one thing, but fragging
their mind is something that is a waste of good talent.  We
maintain an excellent computer security by keeping important
projects off of the main network in a seperate in-house network.

So please understand that it is with great sincerity that I am
holding the memorial services and hosting the '54 Crash Bash'.  I
will admit, though, that holding public memorial services was
Norman's idea.]<<<<<
        --  Joseph Yoshida <22:51:18 / 02-23/54>
            President
            Yoshida Technologies

>>>>>[Hey everyone, I'm back on the nets.  I see you've all met my
dad.  It's a long story how Joe is my dad, and I'm not going to go
into here right now.  He's offered me a vice-presidency at Yoshida
Tech, but I'm not sure if I'm going to take it.  This whole
business with magic is something I think I need to get a grip on
before I can settle back into some form of regular life.

Oh, on another note, I have commissioned the computer artist Tia
(that's right _THE_ Tia) to build an online memorial that will be in
a publicly accessible node on the seattle grid.  It should be
constructed in a month or so.  In the meantime, please forward the
names of all the persons who lost their lives to Tia.

Well, I'm going back to the real world.  Dad gave me his old
college spellbook to take a gander at and I'm going to get back to
it.]<<<<<
        --  Norm Conquest (23:00:04 / 02-23/54)

>>>>>[I don't think that UPLOAD can be Lincoln Howe.  We all saw
Howe become a very crispy critter when MONICA nuked him.  I think
what we might have in UPLOAD is some remnants of MONICA's
personality, which we all know was based on Howe's.

Oh, and please don't bring him to the memorial services, there's
been enough bloodshed already.]<<<<<
        --  Wolf 359  <23:02:45 / 02-23-54>

>>>>>[ I shall be there, both at the reception and the festival the
next day.  Some of us still have our SINs (we haven't gotten arounf
to deactivating them).  The revelry at my house will be held on
Monday then.  It gives those with lower tolerances to alchol to
recoupe sunday.  Wear what ever, but keep any heat concealed. Trust
me, you'll enjoy it here (no Mr. Yoshida, I don't have your
resources, but in my small way I like throwing parties.  There are
so few reasons to to so as of late. Please come.).]<<<<<< 
        -Harlequin <Oooo, is Sabre mad at me.>

>>>>>[I think my respect for you, Mr. Yoshida, just went up another
notch.  Not only for the reception (I HATE the word funeral) but
the fact about your systems.  I have not had the need to make a run
on one of them yet, so I did not know about this fact. Your story
about MIT&T reminds me of what I did to a mage 'friend' of mine. 
He has no computer skills. If you would like I can possibly relate
it to you sometime.]<<<<< 
                -Harlequin <We don't need sleep>

>>>>>[ Mr. Yoshida, sir?  I have a question...  but I'll let Doom do
the talking, as he's got a bigger vocab 'n me.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Herr Yoshida:

I believe all of the occupants of the shadows are quite grateful
to this show of generosity regarding the memorial services and the
following celebration;  however, mein Herr, I believe there are a
few matters which I must give voice to: 

1)  Time & Location should be extremely secure and preferably
secret.  Understand that there are several 'in the business' (to use
popular phrasing) who have rivals that may attempt some wrongdoing
if they are certain of their target's location, i.e. your two
scheduled events.  I say this not necessarily for my own benefit,
but for all of ours. 

2)  As you mentioned earlier, many of the residents of the shadows
have reason to mistrust the MegaCorporations, and I am no exception.
However, mein Herr, you have quite a reputation for being an
honorable man and holding to your word.  Thus, mein Herr, I must ask
that you give your word that there shall be no surveillance taken of
any of the participants in the festivities or any measures taken that
could conceivably cause repercussions later.  As an Eagle Shaman,
your word, as I understand it, is your bond...is that not so?

Thus, mein Herr, I shall be delighted to attend;  however, I
must require that you give your word.  Forgive me, sir, for my
apparent paranoia and understand that I have no reason for nor
possess any malice against you, but I have been "burned", so to
speak, by corporations far too often to let my guard down now. 

I believe my concerns are straight forward, and please respond to
them in the usual manner, i.e. publicly.  I apologize for the
brevity of this post, but I have been out of sorts lately, and I
hope you understand. 
                                        Sincerely yours,
                                        Doctor Doom
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There you have it... Well, I dunno about Doom, but I sure as Hell
am gonna be there...  Oh, in a little note Doom attached to the mail
file, he said he had made some progress in the decoration
thingy--not sure what that means. ]<<<<< 
                -- Hangtime <01:20:47/02-24-54>


>>>>>[ Well, all I can say is that the ol' boy can't be in all that
bad of shape, considering he's still using the long words. ]<<<<< 
                -- Mr. Fantastic <01:22:12/02-24-54>

>>>>>[Dear Sweet Jesus.  I came back from the Tir just a bit
ago.  Found DOA still connected to the computer.  I don't know
anything about how to handle this stuff.  She's still breathing. 
Hasn't moved for a long time.  I don't know if it's bad to jack her
out or not.  She doesn't respond to any outside stimulus.]<<<<< 
        -Brandywine- <24.2.54/08:54:21>

<<<<<[Hello?  Can anyone hear me?  Splut?  Where is everyone?  Where
am I?]>>>>>
        -DOA- <2/24/54 / 09:10:38>

>>>>>[Something's wrong.  When I went to take care of Sierra, I
noticed something very very wrong.  Her aura is ebbing.  At first I
thought she was dying (this possibility is still not being ruled
out).  But it seems as though her aura is actually connected to
that damnable computer.  It seems to be slipping inside of it.  It
makes me ill just looking at it.  I can't jack her out.  It would
likely kill her.  Suggestions?  After this, I retire.  I've had
it.]<<<<< 
        -Brandywine- <24.2.54/9:18:18>

>>>>>[Mr. Yoshida...thank you.  I will be at the bash, and I'll see
if I can't swing Jack, from Murphy's, to cater. He does a mean mint
julep, Circuit Breaker! :)]<<<<< 
                Raven <Six impossible things/before breakfast>

>>>>>[A Fire elemental named Harry?  Cool!  My mage-sword is named
George!  :)]<<<<< 
                Cat Dancing <Raven's/Brat>

>>>>>>[Rork's Tusks!!! Where is da girl? Ain't no matrix cow-boy, so
I dunno much 'bout da connection, but if tis da same as us riggers,
tis could be dan- -gerous fer da neural system. Dya need a doc? Me
can getta one and be there in no time if ye want.]<<<<<< 
        -Truckin'- <24.02.54/16:38:13>

>>>>>>[I... go and... check on her...]<<<<<<
        -Glitter Boy- <24.02.54/16:39:17>

>>>>>>[Glitter! How's ya, boyo? We wuz wooried sick!!]<<<<<<
        -Truckin'- <24.02.54/16:40:21>

>>>>>>[... Later... the girl needs help.... Bring.... a doc.]<<<<<<
        -Glitter Boy- <24.02.54/16:41:05>

>>>>>[  Holy Mother Of Drek Birthlight!!!!!!  I don't know how
you pulled it off, but you got Big Jake out of the fragging
Intrepid!  Bring him here to Seattle, and have him meet us at
Yoshida's bash!!!!!   DOA IS STILL ALIVE!  I feared the worst, but I
think now that my fears were not the half of it!  Mr. Yoshida, it
would be an honor to attend your celebration.  I agree with wolf
359, that celebrating is premature, but we all need to let some
steam off after this mess.  I will attempt to be at the memorial
service also, and will bring my teamates with me (well, all those
who are here)  OddBall, get the hell out of NY for a while.  Come
out here for a few days and then we'll go back to the big rotten
apple as a team and deal with that fragging Dragon!  What to do
about F.U.K.....hmmm.  There are two ways to deal with him, either
go in and screw his system, or distribute the software everywhere,
making his copies practically worthless.  ]<<<<< 
                             ---Dark Elf <12:19:22/02-24-54>

>>>>>[  I hope Mr. Yoshida doesn't mind if Harry comes along
astrally.  I'd really hate to see some scumbag try and frag us
while we're all in one place.  Hey DE, does Harada want to go?  As
long as he agrees not to kill anyone it should be OK.  Besides,
he's probably the best person to keep would be corp assassins off
of us.  I hope Mr. Yoshida is going to take measures to secure the
place, we'd probably make a real mess if anyone tried to attack
us.  For them that is!  I don't think that anyone can stand up to
the biggest team of runners ever assembled! ]<<<<< 
                             ---Napalm <12:24:55/02-24-54>

>>>>>[  I would be honored to attend, that is if Mr. Yoshida will
have me.]<<<< 
                             ---TDH <12:25:39/02-24-54>

>>>>>[  I personally think that would be a great idea, we'd have the
biggest VatJob on the block to watch our backs (no offense
Tommy)]<<<<< 
                             ---Dark Elf <12:26:40/02-24-54>

>>>>>[ None taken Elf ]<<<<<
                             ---TDH <12:27:08/02-24-54>

>>>>>[  WOW!! JAKE'S OUT!!!!  Try and stop me from getting there!!!!
I'm on my way, and I'm bringing the Sarge and the Cowboy in case
things get rough. You were right DE, Cowboy is a little on the
strange side, but he's a most trustworthy man!  The fragger even
remembers the time he met you during the Vyking caper!  Talk about
good memory! ]<<<<< 
                             ---OddBall <12:30:27/02-24-54>

>>>>>[  I know I'll never forget that!  We were in the middle of a
whirlwind of combat, chaos, and betrayal and this dude in a Cowboy
hat walks in and fast draws on the head ganger, killing him with
one shot.  After it was over I introduced myself and asked his
name.  He said "I'm the Cowboy pardner, see ya 'round the ranch!"
and left.  He's quite a character! ]<<<<< 
                             ---Dark Elf <12:33:18/02-24-54>

>>>> I would love to attend the reception and party but my visa was
only four days. I do not suppose anyone can pull a few strings for
myself and my butler and get them extended. I would also like the
address of one of the best hotels in town please as I could really
used a bath and a nice piece of real food.  Thanks for the thought
and the understanding.<<<< 
           >White Knight<  >14:32< >24:02:54<

>>>>>[Like, Mr Yoshida, it is way cool that you're throwing the
party at your pad. I can't wait to meet you! Having read up on your
exploits-you know, it is just so amazing how you built up Yoshida
Tech. I think it's really cool. 

On a more serious note, does anyone have any idea how to pay for
the food?  I mean, CRUSH will be there. . . Mr Y, are you sure your
company can handle that kind of cost? 

Oh, and Highlander-welcome for the aid I gave you on Fuchi.  Didn't
know I was there, did you. Anyway, it looks like you got some
autodial virus, probably from MONICA. Anyway, I'll see you at the
party! I know I'm looking forward to it. 

BTW-I heard from RAMboy. He's at some Mitsu orbital spa. Said
something about "resolving pay". I don't want to know.]<<<<< 
        --Jaez          <10:43:26/2-24-54>

>>>>>[ Now wait a minute!  DOA, you're ALIVE?  From the log of your
encounter with MONICA, we all guessed you'd gone onto that big Matrix
Grid in the sky.  What happened to you, then?  Do you need any help?

Oh, to answer your question, what happened was that MONICA,
compliments of all the attacks by the deckers was as weak as she
was gonna get, so Dark Elf called for 'takers' to launch a all-out
assault on her.  As near as I can tell, Doom, Nightstalker,
Highlander responded...tho' there were probably others, as Ramierez
and Wolf 359 were being pretty quiet, and if they joined they
didn't say anything about it.  ANYWAY, you apparently sought out
MONICA, and managed to get what was left of Splut out.  While all
this is going on, RUFUS jumps in the middle of the battle with
MONICA saying he won't let the other deckers risk their lives for
him.  It seems you merged with Splut/CEROK at the same time MONICA
and RUFUS were battling it out.  As the fight continued, MONICA and
RUFUS were starting to merge, and whatever was left of Splut's
humanity (and I guess yours as well) decided to bond with the other
two.  A most henious simsenes overload resulted, really hurting
those poor guys in MagnaTech at the time (read:  Dark Elf, Doom,
Nightstalker, Highlander & the rest).  When it was over, they saw
Splut, but not quite Splut appear, explain that the three (MONICA,
RUFUS, and Splut) had united.  Because of their conflicting
natures, the program had already started to self-delete, and the
MONICA/RUFUS/Splut combination soon disappeared. 

Like I said, after reading the description of your confrontation
with MONICA, all assumed you were dead.  So, what's the story?  How
do you feel?  I can't wait to tell Doom... ]<<<<<
                -- Hangtime <12:48:28/02-24-54>

>>>>>[Doom, I regret that I cannot guarantee that there will be no
security cameras or other devices at the memorial services.  There
is a Seattle city ordinance that states that all public assembly
areas much be monitored, which would include the conference hall.

On the other hand, I have spoken with Seattle law enforcement and
they have agreed that this meeting is considered neutral territory
and any enforment official that uses this service as an excuse to
nab someone will answer to me personally.

I do ask, though, that all persons who are attending please leave
weapons at home.  Weapon detectors will be in operation and any
weapons brought in will have to be checked.  This is for the
safety of everyone involved.

For those of you with implanted weapons, you present a special
problem.  Normally we would register all vistors with implanted
weaponry, but for this meeting, that is out of the question.  So,
the following rules are in effect.

        Any person displaying implanted weaponry in a threatening
        manner will be ejected from the building.

        Any person who resists said ejection, will be summarily
        turned over to law enforcement.

I regret having to implement such rules, but I don't think anyone
wants to have to play baby-sitter to a bunch of trigger happy sams.

My chief of security isn't happy about this event.  But I suppose
that's why I pay him six figures, eh?]<<<<<
        --  Joseph Yoshida <13:21:43 / 02-24-54>
            President
            Yoshida Technologies

>>>>>[ Trog, I want to say this once and only once.  I have friends
at Ares, and even though its against shadow etiquette, if you don't
stop asking questions about Ares Arms R&D I'll tell them.  Go
somewhere else to ask question and be more discreet in the
future.]<<<<< 
        -- Raven the Mage <16:27:33/02-24-54>

>>>>>[ Naplam, Dark Elf:  I want to thank you both for ruining what
could have been a great party. ]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <16:41:30/02-24-54>

>>>>>[ What do you mean Nightstalker? ]<<<<<
       -- Raven the Mage <16:42:14/02-24-54>

>>>>>[ It will be difficult to have a lot of fun with Tommy "The
Dragon" Harada hagging about. ]<<<<<
       -- Nightstalker <16:43:30/02-24-54>

>>>>>[ Maybe he'll apologize. ]<<<<<
       -- Raven the Mage <16:44:09/02-24-54>

>>>>>[ I should be so lucky. ]<<<<<
       -- Nightstalker <16:44:51/02-24-54>

>>>>>[  Well Circuit Breaker finally woke up.  She seems ok and is
really excited for the party.  She did some work on investingating
the UPLOAD/HOWE thing.  The most conclusive part is that by mind
probe UPLOAD believes he is Howe and has memories to back that
belief up.  We have not been successful in getting good info from
him about Quenton.  It does seem to figure that the Howe
personality UPLOAD has, does somehow come from MONICA.  It was one
of our first thoughts but we didn't speak about it because we
didn't have the resorces to do anything about it then nor do we
now.  The help that Sheena got us is good but nowhere on the level
of Nightfox. 

To all of those in Astral, please be on the look out for him.  He
does tend to resemble the Entity in that he is Black, but his
blackness glows somehow (CLAW's description, how black can glow is
beyound me).  Our major worry is that he might have never left the
astral and might be dead because of this. Also Claw says he carries
a powerful sword, from what I've seen of it in action I would
agree, and I'm not magically active. 

To the person who sent CRUSH the coco-bullets, it was the first time
I've seen him full for breakfast.  Unfortuanately, I think he had to
much for breakfast because he didn't feel good for the next 3 hours.
I think that should teach him not to eat to many sweets.  He was also
very hiper from the combination of sugar and caffeine, Its sort of
hard to get a nap with 3.2 meter troll bouncing around.  Well my
optical chip cooker has chimed so I have to go get them out of the
oven before CRUSH thinks there food]<<<<< 
                                -Spirit < 02-24-54/15:45:12>zexit

>>>>>[ Wow, what a rush.  Alright, I'm back in the Matrix.  DOA,
where are you? Call out some more so I can come help you.  What
does the area your in look like. ]<<<<<
       -- Nightstalker <16:35:41/02-24-54>

>>>>>[ Brandywine:  Where are you and Sierra?  I'll come over and
help.  I'll drag Nightstalker along.  Maybe the three of us can
figure out what's wrong with her and get her out. ]<<<<< 
       -- Raven the Mage <16:37:39/02-24-54>

<<<<<[Highlander?  Why does that sound familiar?  I'm so
tired.]>>>>>
        -DOA- <2/24/54 / 16:39:15>

>>>>>[Like. it's a party, guys. . .who'd wanna bring weapons?]<<<<<
        --Jaez          <15:56:32/2-24-54>

>>>>[Wha'?  Sierra?  You're alive?! Lassie, you're alive!  Where
are you?  Damn it, it's me, Highlander!  I'm the guy in the long
coat, floppy hat, and scarf (a lot like the guy you saw in the
Penumbra). Gods, I'm tired, but I get the feeling this won't wait. 
I'm beginning a trace routine: I'm going to leave frames everywhere
I go, with instructions to find me if they see you.  And I'm going
to cover a lot of nodes.  I'm going to find you, Sierra, and I'm
going to get you back to the real world while you still have a
chance.  Just hold on! 

Brandywine:  normally, unplugging someone from the Matrix
disorients the person, at the most:  you cannot get "trapped in the
Matrix," no matter what the stories say.  But after what we've been
through, there may be enough of Sierra floating around with what's
left of the AI's codes that she may have more of herself in here
than out in the real world.  I'm very concerned about her aura
draining away...(yawn)  Frag, it's time for the stim-patches again. 

Any deckers listening, and able to respond, find Sierra (formerly
DOA), and try to lead her back to her access point.  Maybe we can
feed her back into her deck, and then back into her body.  Hang on,
Sierra!  There's a party you still have to go to!] {{Engage dumb
frame}} 
                        -Highlander (15:32:32/2-24-54)

>>>[ To quote an ancient poet: "o' joyous day callouh, callay"
(or something like that).  Many of you may be wondering how someone
who is a decker could also be summoning powerful elementals.  Well
it all has to do with my life quest.  I was a decker who was
introduced to the power of magic by a conjurer.  This changed my
life.  He explained a theory of his that said that the nergy we
call the astral plane is really just the energy of all the dead. 
When someone dies whatever they were concentrating on kst is where
their energy goes.  Since many belive in another plane of spiritual
exsistence people energy has been collecting into an astral space
for centuries spirits were born there.  Well as many of you know
people die in the matrix all the time, and many of their last
thoughts are of the matrix.  I theorized that if enough of the
"death energy" were to be concentrated in one spot in the Matrix a
matrix spirit might evolve. 

I wanted to be the one who discovered it when it hapened.  And do
you know what.  It has finally happened!!!!   I saw an astral
glimmer in the Matrix, and it wasn't Sierra (I have been hunting
diligently for her which was why I was in the area).  I stopped and
exited the Matrix after tagging and sealing node.  I set up
theoretical ritual material in the real world began the summoning,
and then jacked in and continued the second half of the ceremony.
The spirit answered me!!!!!  It is not strong enough to enter the
physical world yet, but in a few years...who knows?  You might be
interested in what it calls itself.  MUT.  I asked about that and
it said that it was an agregate of names from the most powerful
emotions at the time of its awakening.  The names are M(onicca),
(R)U(fus), and (Splu)T.   My theories are correct!  I was right! My
life has just begun anew!!!!  And yes I have it on record, and
mages can check my story and record.  It was the wierdest thing for
some reason he had an astral prescence in the Matrix.  You can get
a glimmer of it on the record I have of our conversation.  Here is
the record for those interested. ***encrypt*** As for Jake...well
he most certainly will be in attendance at the party. Ans until we
meet again.  Sha'lom.]<<< 
                               ---Brightlight <20:28:50 / 02:24:54>

>>>>>[  Mr. Yoshida!  Telegram for you!  (I am sure gonna be glad
when Doom can get back in here and deliver his OWN messages...)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Herr Yoshida:

I believe you misunderstand my request...I did not mean for there
to be an absence of surveillance equipment (I appreciate the
constraints you operate under, let me assure you), merely that any
information gathered by said equipment not be USED against those
present.  Understandably, pictures circulating about some
shadowrunners would be very detrimental to their work, especially
in the case of them being acquired by members of the law
enforcement community or corporate representatives. 

To put it more succinctly, I rather think that most concerned would
not want some law enforcement or corporate official 'tracking them
down' using footage from your surveillance equipment. 

Now that I have expressed myself more adequately, what do you now
think of my request? 
                                        Sincerely yours,
                                        Doctor Doom

P.S.  May I say I applaud your regulations regarding implanted
weaponry.  Such precautions are not by any means out of the
ordinary.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I've got an idea for  a career move:  Next!  Hangtime, decker extraordinare and Errand boy to the Rich & SINless ]<<<<< 
                -- Hangtime <20:37:05/02-24-54>


>>>>>[ Telegram?!!?  What in the world's a telegram? ]<<<<<
                -- Mr. Fantastic <20:40:16/02-24-54>

>>>>>[I have just found out that early this morning, the Intrepid
pulled anchor and set sail.  There were no departure orders given
and the carrier refused to respond to and attempts at radio
contact. 

Now, it was my understanding that the reactor on the Intrepid was
rendered inoperable before Dragon's Den purchased it.  Could this be
what was in those large crates?  And if so, what is Tirandor and
Co. up to?]<<<<< 
        --  Wolf 359 <20:58:19 / 02-24-54>

<<<<<[I may have just entered the tailend of the MONICA affair,
but I will not let that stop me from at least attempting a
search-and-rescue op.  Although, I must admit, a SAR within the
Matrix has its own special problems.  DOA, DOA, calling DOA.  I am
a friend, not a corp.  If you cannot find your comrades, come to
me!]>>>>> 
        ---IRON MAN             <21:16:10-2/24/54>

<<<<<[There's going to be a party?  Do you think I could come? 
I've nearly got all my homework done...  If it's not just for
grown-ups, I think I'd like to go.]>>>>> 
        -DOA- <2/24/54 / 21:31:26>

>>>>>[There's something on Sierra's Terminal.  Says:
        'Finish Homework,
        'Practice de-ops and matrix standards
        'Report to Level 47
        . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
        'Call Highlander'

Looks like she's regressing or something.  Raven, et al:  I'm at
my apartment.  I think the kid needs to be taken to a hospital.  I'm
still scared to pull her out of the matrix, though.  If anyone sees
her inside...  Show her the way home.]<<<<< 
        -Brandywine- <24.2.54/21:35:37>

>>>>>[By establishing YT as a neutral zone for the memorial
services, it also means that any automated survailence cannot be
held against you.  As a matter of fact, it will take a lot more
than just a simple court order to get recordings from me, and I
might just accidently hit the erase button before handing them
over. 

Now, if someone smuggles in a cyber-camera in one of their
eye-balls, that is something we can't really protect against
anywhere. 

You have my word that your presence cannot, in any way, be held against
you.]<<<<<
        --  Joseph Yoshida <23:12:14 / 02-24-54>
            President
            Yoshida Technologies

>>>>>[Brandywine.  If you would like, I can use Yoshida Tech's
in-house medical people to check out Sierra.  Let me know and I'll
go over and get a doc or two and we can come on over to your place.
Sierra is someone I don't want to lose.]<<<<< 
        --  Norm Conquest <23:15:18 / 02-24-54>

>>>>>[Raven TM, I don't know if you know this, but Ares has a rep
on the Street for hiring shadowrunners to "field--test" their new
toys. My own group left their employ in that capacity just a few
months ago. Perhaps that is what Trog and his friends are referring
to. That was my impression, anyway, but we've all been somewhat
distracted lately... 

Now, If it's a run they want, I know this back door into
Mitsuhama...]<<<<< 
                Raven <Quoth the Raven/Nevermore!>

>>>>>[ Brandywine:  Nightstalker and I are on our way to your place.
He's going to try to trace her current matrix position from her
deck. I'll see if a degree and Magic Theory will help me figure out
what's happen to Sierra. ]<<<<< 
       -- Raven the Mage <00:34:12/02-25-54>

>>>>>[ Highlander:  Get your lazy butt out of the Matrix and get
over to Brandywine's place.  DOA seems to have some fixation on you
and it just might be what we need to get her back in her
body.]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <00:35:02/02-25-54>

>>>>>[Brightlight, I think you've been in the Matrix too long.
The Matrix is not analogous to Astral space, at least according to
Raven.  It's created artificially and, as much as I hate to say it,
IT'S NOT REAL.  Your brain, your soul is still where your body is,
as the deck projects sensory input into your brain.  The only way a
dead decker can become a ghost in the machine is by writing code
that mimics him, and even then, it's not him anymore.  This reminds
me of the Godnet story on an episode of Donna Hue where some corp
had set up a filtered system that basically looked like Heavan, or
at least their idea of it.  The problem was that people kept hooking
up permanently and a few had near-death experiences as a result and
got a glimpse of whatever actually IS on the other side.  Don't fool
yourself; there are no ghosts in the Matrix.]<<<<< 
        --Jaez          <22:30:21/2-24-54>

>>>>>[I would love to cruise through Mitsu-I think there's some
stuff I ought to check out-espec their facility at Gates
Park.]<<<<< 
        --Jaez          <22:32:10/2-24-54>

>>>>>[DOA, do you really have to do homework?  Like, with the stunts
you've pulled lately (like, merging with an AI or two) I don't see
how it could be a problem.  Unless you're like me and simply don't
do homework-the teachers at Renraku High #2 never did appreciate
how intelligent one can be without actually doing an work.]<<<<< 
        --Jaez          <22:20:35/2-24-54>

>>>>>[Hey babe, HEADS UP!]<<<<<
        --RAMboy        <22:24:12/2-24-54>

>>>>>[RAMboy, where have you been? I was totally worried about
you!]<<<<< 
        --Jaez          <22:24:30/2-24-54>

>>>>>[Dude, I was hanging out in some private Mitsuhama health spa
in L5.  Bum run without Magical support-no way Oz would go ballistic
with us.  Deal is, that troll that was huntin' finally cornered us
and spoke, extending a personal invitation to visit Mr. Tokugawa,
and owner of several fine business establishments and enterprises,
such as Ronin, In-]<<<<< 
        --RAMboy        <22:25:27/2-24-54>

>>>>>[Ronin? Isn't that the corp you stole that bizaaro deck from?
The one that worked wiz against Mitsu machines but made like a
parapalegic turtle against eveything else?]<<<<<
        --Jaez          <22:25:57/2-24-54>

>>>>>[You got that. See, deal is that Ronin and Mitsu are both
controlled to some extent by Yakuza clans. Through the clans, Ronin
was getting a jumpstart on cloning Mitsu hardware & software,
putting out great stuff at hot prices before the competition could
lay hands on it]<<<<< 
        --RAMboy        <22:26:22/2-24-54>

>>>>>[But the Johnson that hired you to hit Mitsuhama turned out to
be from Ronin. Why'd they need that run if they were going to get it
anyway?]<<<<< 
        --Jaez          <22:26:53/2-24-54>

>>>>>[Two reasons: it wasn't going retail and consequently wasn't
getting routed to Ronin like other stuff. Reason two has to do with
reason 1. It wasn't getting routed because the deck is stacked:
being able to defeat Mitsu systems better than gives the owner an
advantage in defeating them. Now, Mitsu being a big provider of Yak
hardware, Mr. Tokugawa wanted the machine to spy on his fellow clan
leaders, as well as whatever corp and gov systems used Mitsu tech.
Listen babe, I gotta go. Shuttle's about to hit the ionization zone
and I can't hack that. Pick me up at Sea-Tac, 'K'?]<<<<<
        --RAMboy        <22:28:02/2-24-54>

>>>>>[So ka. Hey Highlander, maybe I won't be seeing you as much as I
thought at the Y-man's fiesta!]<<<<<
        --Jaez          <22:28:12/2-24-54>

>>>>>[ Well, I told Doom that DOA's still alive...  I imagine
when he eventually writes back he'll say something long and drawn
out that could be summed up in-- ]<<<<< 
                -- Hangtime <00:21:55/02-25-54>

>>>>>[ Your summary shall not be necessary this time, Herr
Hangtime.]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <00:21:56/02-25-54>

>>>>>[ BY THE SPIRITS, Doom!  Don't sneak up on people like
that!]<<<<< 
                -- Hangtime <00:22:10/02-25-54>

>>>>>[ As inclined as you doubtless are to discuss it, I would
suggest that at the moment there are matters which should take
precedence. ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <00:22:35/02-25-54>

>>>>>[ Well, you're back in the saddle soon enough, Doom! ]<<<<<
                -- Jack Hack <00:23:01/02-25-54>

>>>>>[ A perfect example of the restorative effects of fine,
home-prepared meals (read: real food) and some of the finest
imported Cognac.  Truth be known, I still suffer from a continual
throbbing in my cranium, and general muscular soreness, but enough
of my problems.  My return was accelerated by receiving knowledge
of Fraulein DOA's survival of the cataclysm in MagnaTech. 

Herr Yoshida:  I am duly pleased with your position on this
sensitive matter, mein Herr.  You impress me as a man of honor and
integrity, I gratefully accept your word of honor, and thus I would
be delighted to accept your most gracious invitation to the
festivities you shall be hosting. 

Wolf 359:  The Intrepid has set sail?  Sehr interessant.  I would
put a few suggestions of locations NOT to go...such as German
waters.  The Imperial administration has the marked tendency to
adopt a decidedly dim view of violation of their space.

And not to forget Fraulein DOA:  I feel I express the sentiment felt
by all those concerned when I say that I would not think of holding
such a celebration without your presence.  You were a participant in
the Matrix War, nicht wahr?  I would conjecture that would qualify
you to attend the gathering Herr Yoshida is sponsoring.

Herr Hangtime:  I would suggest that you start at the ruins of
MagnaTech with a spiral pattern radiating out from that point.
Normally, I am not one to shrink from assisting a fellow combatant,
but my present condition would eclipse my efforts. 

Now, if you shall excuse me...it would be wise for me to stage a
hasty departure before certain un-named parties discover my
subterfuge. ]<<<<< 
                -- Doctor Doom <00:24:13/02-25-54>

>>>>>[ Ah am highly sceptical on the idea of a spirit in the matrix.
From what Ah have learn from Nightfox, matrix and magic don't mix. He
tries to explain it through his 'concept' philosophy, and royally
confuses this southrn lass.  Ah personally think he has a fetish for
this concept stuff and has got to get a grip on reality. It certainly
would help to have him here in this since he knows the most of anyone
Ah know about magic effecting the matrix.  Unfortuanatley, he has not
yet returned nor has one of his anchored spells informed us of his
demise.  We will all just have to wait and see about this. Until then
Ah will be preparing to see all you gents at the party.  In regards
to the software that FUK took, AH say that since he probably has it
in storage our best bet is to release it before he does.<<<<<
                -Circuit Breaker <02-25-54/11:19:39>

>>>>>[Well, I feel rather embarressed.  First off, I should know
better.  People cannot disapear into the matrix.  But her aura
looked so weird.  Turns out she was dying.  Plain and simple.  Her
data jack is composed of some strange bio substance, so it really
did look like her aura was slipping into the computer.  Even
Kipling couldn't figure it out.  Looks like Precision did a lot of
work.  At any rate, Nightstalker was able to find the kid and lead
her back into her own head.  (thanks, friend.)  Then a great big
troll (That for all the world looks like a Viking) showed up and
said he was taking her to the hospital.  Who's argueing with a
troll?  She's still pretty disoriented, but the sight of...  Norm
was it?  Seems to have helped a good deal.  She might even make it
to the party (if she sneaks out.  I'm not letting her out of
bed!)]<<<<< 
        -Brandywine- <25.2.54 / 10:54:13>

>>>>>[You will be assimilated.  Resistance is futile. ]<<<<<
                --Locutis

>>>>>[See what happens when you do too much stim, Highlander? 
Brightlight; I've been doing magical research since before you were
a hormone-storm in your father's loins, and I _know_ that there is
no such thing.  And, even if I were arrogant enough to say that
this knowledge comes entirely from me, I'd still say: nope!!  But,
I talked to my boss, who won't tell me how long he's been
practicing magic, but he mumbles things like "eye for an eye" and
"I told you so, Hammurabi," when I ask.  So, from your peers (and
betters) take an official SCOFF!!!!! to the head!]<<<<< 
--Loki <Controlling Decker with Magic Fingers and Control Thoughts>
        [Buy my book.  On sale now:  Loki's Decking Method        ]
        [Amaze your friends.  Control your enemies.  How to avoid ]
        [Black IC.  Just 19.95Y from this special Matrix offer.   ]

>>>>>[If you want theory, talk to me, but no more of these crazy
suppositions, please.  Some corp deckers are laughing their
keisters off at your reaction to their sim-construct.  Some people
are just _so_ gullible.]<<<<< 
        --Loki <11:59:59/02-25-54>


>>>>>[Matrix spirit?!?!?!?!   NO!!!!  Keep the damn magic the frag
outta here!!!]<<<<<
        --Blinder  <NO!!/Please No!>

>>>>>[Magic??  Good. .  One more contract to fulfill - money in my
pocket, magic gone to hell.]<<<<<
        --Fenris <Texas/Rangers>

>>>>>[  Mr. Yoshida, I've just  looked at the bank account that
White KNight sent to me as a deck repair fund, and it is well above
what is needed to get back in full fighting form.  I will extract
the funds I need (well, plus a little extra for an upgrade I've
been wanting for a while and a little spending money)  The rest is
yours, to help defer the costs of throwing a party for a mob of
unruly shadowrunners.  I know it's not that much compared to the
total cost of the bash, but allow me to do my part anyway.  I
cannot take such an exorbitant sum for myself, it practically paid
for expenses and a small run fee, with plenty left over.  I thank
you again White Knight! I think you're a little insane, but I guess
I respect that! ]<<<<< 
                                ---Dark Elf <12:42:38/02-25-54>

>>>>>[  Nightstalker, I hope you understand that I have nothing
against you personally.  It was business, and only business.  I
don't apologize for my actions, I just want you to know that I was
doing what I had to.  Also keep in mind that I did not know you at
the time.  I bear no malice to you, your Johnson was protecting
people who had information I needed, that is the only reason why I
was there.  I hope we can reconcile our differences, we both have
enough enemies! ]<<<<< 
                                ---TDH <12:48:09/02-25-54>

>>>>>[  The Intrepid set sail????  When I was aboard I didn't
exactly have time to check out the engine room!  I'm sorry I left
NY, I should have been there to see that! ]<<<<<
                                ---OddBall <12:50:09/02-25-54>

>>>>>[  Actually its better that you're here.  I need to do some
enhancements on that cybereye snapshot you got of Quention. 
Besides, how could you miss the party, and our reunion with
Jake!]<<<<< 
                                ---Dark Elf <12:51:35/02-25-54>

>>>>>[  Hey Guys!!! I'm alive and well in Seattle now!  Birthlight's
place is certainly an improvement over the Intrepid's brig!  That was
some elemental that came and got me out!  I'm suprised that it didn't
meet more resistance, it's almost like they let me go!  Well, that
would make sense if they found out that I was tapping their
communications, especially considering how many times I got loose!
So they set sail, interesting.  I don't know if they were sent an
engine in the past two weeks, but from the messages I saw I'll bet
that the crates were something sent from Seattle.  Quention did
mention something about an "Omega Lab"....   As for the Intrepid,
they've had conventional engines aboard for years, but nothing that
could get them much farther than the mouth of NY harbor,  maybe they
did get a new reactor along with whatever Quention sent from Seattle.
]<<<<< 
                                ---Big Jake <Free At Last>
                                .Sig courtesy of DE

>>>>>[  Jake you crazy fragger!!!!  Good to hear you're back in
action, we'll have our little team reunion at Yoshidas party. 
OddBall brought two more dudes from NY with him, that Sarge you
plugged for info on Quention back in the war, and a guy that DE met
who calls himself the "Cowboy" . ]<<<<< 
                                ---Napalm <13:02:54/02-25-54>

>>>>>[  The sarge is still alive?????? WoW.  And The Cowboy!!! Isn't
he that guy who showed some gangers his fast draw back during the
Vyking caper DE? ]<<< 
                                ---Big Jake <13:04:26/02-25-54>

>>>>>[ Yep, you got that right pardner! On both counts! ]<<<<<
                                ---Dark Elf <13:05:09/02-25-54>

>>>>>[Raven, I don't care about your friends, I am here to eck out
some type of living in the shadows.  The information, I am looking
for is stolen info, I can say no more.  If I find out that the
information was stolen by your friends, then they are as good as
dead.  I worked as a weapons researcher, for various groups
including UCAS and CSA along with NAN.  This information I am
looking for is VERY specific, it was stolen from my database, I
just want it back, and I logged where that info when and it was
Ares Arms.  You are more than welcome to turn me into your friends,
if you really don't like them, because they will be dead by the
nightfall.  I hold no personal grug against you or you friends
(provided they were no envolved with the thieft), so please just
help me, no specifics just general information is all I am looking
for.]<<<<< 
        --Trog the Cybered Troll <13:20:45/2-25-54>

>>>>>[Do not, I repeat DO NOT raid the Warner Brothers system.  They
have sculpted the IC there to look like the characters from their
popular Whiny Toons cartoon series. As it is now, there's a virus in
my deck that posts some of the lyrics of the theme song at the end of
each message I transmit. I think the verse was changed to fit the
Matrix. Well, sorry about the following. . .It's beyond my control

        They're whiny, they're snotty,
        They're all a little naughty,
        They can't use the potty,
        Or learn to help themselves

        They're ugly, they're prickly
        They all look pale and sickly
        Their heads are quite thickly
        Armored against attack

        And here's the System Access Node
        And you've just blown your chance
        Now roll the dice, here come's Black Ice
        Oh Look! You wet your pants!

        They're vain and they're vaunted
        They just got what they wanted
        Now you trid is haunted
        By these annoying little twerps

        And you can't kill them with NERPS]<<<<<
        -Aladdin        <10:20:46/2-24-54>

>>>>>[  Matrix spirits??? I thought that was impossible! ]<<<<<
                                    ---Dark Elf <13:30:23/02-25-54>

>>>>>[  It is impossible.  The Matrix is only real to you deckers.
Still, there's the question of the background count you were
radiating.  I believe that it was from your contact with a highly
evil entity, MONICA. It was her evil that was causing the
background, but it was manifesting in those in contact with her,
even though they were in seperate places.  I believe that the idea
of evil was manifesting itself even though MONICA has no physical
or astral existance. ]<<<<< 
                                 ---Naplam <13:37:17/02-25-54>

>>>>>[  Not real??  Humpfh!  If you've been there you'd know its as
real as anything else you see!  I could easily say that you're
astral space isn't real! Enough Philosophy!  I'm jacking back in to
look for DOA. ]<<<<< 
                                 ---Dark Elf <13:38:39/02-25-54>

>>>>>[  Hey Jake!  Good to hear from you again!  Hey man, you'll get
along great with the Cowboy, he seems like your kind of guy.  ]<<<<<
                                 ---OddBall <13:39:50/02-25-54>

>>>>>[The Intrepid never had a nuclear reactor.  When it was still
used by the USN, it was conventionally powered.  Of course, for all
I know, it's being pushed by water elementals now.

And RAMboy, Mitsuhama isn't controlled by a Yakusa clan, it IS a
Yakusa clan. The Oyabun of the Fushiga-no-Umi (sp?) is the major
stockholder.]<<<<< 
                Raven <Quoth the Raven/Nevermore!>

>>>>>[ Circuit Breaker:  I would normally agree with you, but
standard magical knowledge of the Matrix seems to be stressed at
the moment due to the AI War.  Before then I wouldn't have believed
the Matrix could buildup enough negitive energy to build up a
background count.  However, Naplam and I have both seen deckers
putting off background.  It's possible that that was due to the
stress they were under and not energy flowing from the Matrix
itself.  Still I must wonder how Brightlight could sense an aura in
the Matrix, that's definitely not possible. ]<<<<< 
       -- Raven the Mage <13:57:48/02-25-54>

>>>>[Never mind....(whoops)]<<<<
                       -Highlander (read mail/too late)

>>>>>[  We'll it seems the CRUSH is set on taking UPLOAD/Howe to
the funeral.  He says he wants to show Howe what a bad man he was,
and all the trouble he caused.  He also says that he wants give him
over to Mr. Yoshida if he'll take him.  I'm not about to argue with
him on this since I dislike both UPLOAD and Howe and want them
gone.  After finishing my mcpc chip and installing it I decided to
go looking for some answers.  What I found leads me to believe that
the Howe in UPLOAD is the template used to create Monica.  I
couldn't find much info though, just the data we had gethered
during the CORE WARS and a little outside stuff.  I agree with
Circuit Breaker in that we should release the GNU programs before
FUCHI.  The only way to get them back would be to do a physical run
to england to make sure we got the off-line stuff.  Other than that
I see no other ways out of it (short of destroying fuchi UK which
would be Illegal (like we care) and more importantly would attract
attention). So until the funeral and the party, Have fun and may
your programs upgrade]<<<<< 
                        -Spirit <02-25-54/14:09:51>

>>>>[Keep a civil tongue in your head, Nightstalker: I'm already on
it.  I just got a call from Sierra (DOA).  She wants to come home.
I'm heading over to her place now.  Brandywine, I'm the lad with
the long coat, floppy hat, and long, multi-colored scarf. Once
there, I'm going to jack in.  I've told Sierra to activate one of
my frames (you may have seen them, NS), which will send out a
beacon that I can follow straight to her.   Hopefully, I can then
guide her back to her terminal, and she can re-integrate with her
body.  Raven the Mage, I hope you're as good with the healing
spells as I remember: I think she might need them.  God knows what
she's been through. 

Hang on, Sierra, I'm coming!!!!]<<<< 
ATDT7563775
ATDT7563775
                      -Highlander (10:56:42/2-25-54)

>>>>[I'm here (god, I love that Blitzen!).  I'm hovering at my
entry point, right next to Sierra's.  Now all I need is a
signal...]<<<< 
                      -Highlander (11:15:32/2-25-54)

>>>>>[  Thanks Tommy, just thank you for telling me sooner!  No I'm
not mad at you, that would get me killed!!! How could you withold
information!! We're on the same fragging team!  You should have
told us about what you found at Precision!!!!!   OK, I'm calm! I'm
collected!!  It seems that now, after the fact, Mr. Harada has
deemed it necessary to tell us that he found some very interesting
things at percision arts.  He found a stripped down lab in one of
the sub levels.  He also found a fragment of a printout lying on
the floor that had a letterhead for "Omega Project" on it. Whatever
the "Omega Project" was it isn't in Seattle anymore!  From the
messages that Jake intercepted, I'd have to say that it's on the
Intrepid, and out at sea somewhere where we can't find it! ]<<<<< 
                              ---Dark Elf <14:18:51/02-25-54>

>>>>>[  Hey Napalm, did anyone ever tell you that using a fire
elemental as a cigarette lighter is unethical! ]<<<<<
                              ---OddBall <14:24:34/02-25-54>

>>>>>[  Nope! Harry, come light my stogie! ]<<<<<
                              ---Napalm <14:25:08/02-25-54>

>>>>>[  You're gonna burn the house down one of these days!  Fraggin
showoff!!  We should be looking for Quention, not fragging around
like this. ]<<<<< 
                              ---OddBall <14:26:39/02-25-54>

>>>>>[  Don't worry about it, I've got a watcher out looking for
him.  If he's in Seattle, I'll know in a few hours.  I still think
he's either in NY, or aboard the Intrepid, but I'd like to know if
he decided to come back here to screw us over.  He may try
something at that party.  ]<<<<< 
                              ---Napalm <14:29:24/02-25-54>

>>>>>[  This bickering is pointless, we have almost no contacts here
in Seattle other than our esteemed shadowrunning collegues.  We have
few sources of info around here to use.  As much as I like Seattle,
it's becoming impossible to work here.  We'll need as much data as we
can get from those of you who know people around here.  I'm going
back into percision, and I'm going to look for info on this "Omega
Project".  Everybody else, see if your contacts have ever heard of
it.  That's the best I can do until the festivities.  ]<<<<<
                              ---Dark Elf <14:41:41/02-25-54>

>>>>>[Well, I went over to Brandywine's apartment with a Yoshida
doc and we checked out Sierra.  Seems she is simply exhausted.  She
was dehydrated and a little malnourished; probably hasn't eaten
anything since she entered the matrix to face MONICA.  I've moved
her to Joe's house and she's sleeping heavily in one of the guest
rooms.  She might not be able to make the memorial services
tomorrow, but she will be at the party as my guest. 

We haven't done a complete examination of Sierra, yet.  But Joe is
going through Howe's records trying to determine exactly WHAT
Sierra is, what the tie in between Precision and MagnaTech is, and
how this strange puzzle all fits together.  Also, the lawsuits
against Yoshida Tech are beginning to filter in from all the
corporations that were effected by MONICA.  More greed I
guess.]<<<<<
        --  Norm Conquest <14:22:14 / 02-25-54>

>>>>>[ Your welcome, Brandywine.  Once I figured out how to follow
her trail to her icon instead of vis versa it was no problem at all.
Hope she gets her mind back in gear soon.  It would be just dreadful
to throw a party without one of the heroes present.  BTW, do you have
an escort for the festivities? ]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <16:07:11/02-25-54>

>>>>>[ Oh, and who's going to escort me? ]<<<<<
       -- Raven the Mage <16:07:58/02-25-54>

>>>>>[ I don't know?  Maybe Jaez could fix you up with one of
RAMboys friends. He back in .......<contact terminated> ]<<<<<
       -- Nightstalker <16:09:16/02-25-54>

>>>>>[ Nightstalker:  I believe you have a few thing to say. ]<<<<<
       -- Raven the Mage <16:23:42/02-25-54>

>>>>>[ Why yes, I do.  Having discovered the error of my ways
(ouch).  As I was trying to say, Brandywine, please disreguard my
last question.  Now, Tommy, you don't mind if I call you Tommy do
you?  All is forgiven, just don't point anymore guns (ouch) at me. 
Let's have a toast to bury the hatchet between the two of us. 
There I did it are you happy? ]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <16:26:06/02-25-54>

>>>>>[ You could have made it sound less forced. ]<<<<<
       -- Raven the Mage <16:27:50/02-25-54>

>>>>>[ And you could stop pooking me. ]<<<<<
       -- Nightstalker <16:28:43/02-25-54>

>>>>>[  Well, I must admit I am most impressed with your handling of
the MONICA business.  I am also glad to hear that DOA is doing well,
you had me worried there for a minute.  If you are unfamiliar with
who I am it's supposed to be that way.  But for now, let's just say I
am a patient observer.  Those of you with far reaching contacts may
have heard of me and the work I have done for X-tek in Washington,
others may have heard about my dealings with the skinwalkers in New
Mexico.  At any rate, I have been watching your group for a few days
now and am anxious to meet you.  I will be arriving in the Seatle
area on Friday, mayhaps I should see you at the party?  I'll be the
elf with the leather and the Blitzen.  ]<<<<<
                                --J.D. <16:27:42/02-25-54>

>>>>>[Raven the Mage:  I always knew you were a little too attached
to your corp friends.  You don't have to cooperate with Trog, but
if everyone with access to these info boards who had a friend in a
corp started posting threats regarding information searches biz in
the shadows would end pretty quickly in internecine warfare.  And I
doubt you need to bother to warn Ares--Trog's repeated postings
have undoubtedly attracted notice by Ares almost competent security
division.  And as certain people well know, your friends in Ares
and I have a strong mutual dislike of eachother 
 
(oops, damn sensitive keyboard), to say the least.  I don't know if
this is what you're looking for Trog, but the only two bits of news
that have crossed my path about Ares is a cozy little meeting
between some of their engineers and some Talbot Vehicles (in
Renton) wireheads.  Second, some Ares courier and a drekload of
security took off for Quebec 2 days ago (got this info from
Clytaemnestra, so it should be good).  Believe me, I'm honestly
sorry I can't help more.]<<<<<
                --Spectre <02:18:45/02/25/54>

>>>>>[How much would you like to know about Precision Arts, Dark
Elf?  It is my assumption that when DOA is healthy again, she will
want to end any activity in that circle of hell.]<<<<<
        -Brandywine- <25.2.54/16:27:52>

>>>>>[Drek Jaez, just because you can't get a sim job in the
entertainment biz is no reason to go gallivanting around their
systems.  First Warner Brothers, and now the rumors say you've been
visiting DisneyCorp too.  Does this fixation on hitting companies
specializing in animated characters represent your jealousy of all
the curvy babes they draw up?  Maybe your new qoute should be "I'm
not really bad, my pixels are just computer-generated that way." 
Anyway, it would be a shame if you deleted the Warner Brothers
virus clogging up your MPCP, it's far too entertaining a
glitch.]<<<<< 
                --Spectre <14:32:29/02:25:54>

>>>>>[Omega Project...I know I've heard something about it
somewhere. Isn't Precision a subsidiary of Fuchi?  I suddenly
detect another reason to go have a talk with FUK.  And I know
Highlander used to work regularly at Fuchi.  Hmmm, you don't think
that that oversized lizard on the Intrepid wants to get hooked up
to the matrix, do you?  What an ugly thought.]<<<<<
                --Spectre <15:00:00/02:25:54>

>>>>>[UCAS air forces at Norfolk sent up a huge number of search
planes two hours ago.Don't know what they're looking for.]<<<<<
                --Baron Munchausen <15:02:08/02:25:54>

>>>>>[Update:  planes still in air.  Snooped a bit.  Apparently UCAS
military has been photographing the Intrepid from the newest Keyhole
satellites.  But they lost the carrier (I left a note for Admiral
DeGrane-"You lost it? Think, where did you put it last.") between
satellite passes.  Satellites passed two hours apart-1st one saw
Intrepid, 2nd one--No Intrepid.  Sure is fun to watch the military
panic.]<<<<< 
                --Baron Munchausen <15:35:42/02:25:54>

*********************GENERAL MATRIX POST***************************

>>>>>[  To those corporations currently considering legal action
against Yoshida Tech for the Monica incident:  I am merely offering
advice, but if I was in charge of whether to push the matter or not,
I would cease and desist effective immediately.

I would hate to see those of you who lack honor try to take
something from a man who probably has more than is good for him. He
would probably not authorize this action, but that is ok, those of
us who live in the shadows never were much for authorization. 

If you continue on this track, I know that myself, and more than a
few others among Seattle's finest would respond.  Some of those who
live here were able to completely shut down your operations. Now, I
cannot answer for them, but I am not about to stand for further
repercussions against Yoshida.  You have been suitably warned.
Scotty, engage warp drive....]<<<<< 
        - CrossFire <16:56:41/02-25-54>

>>>>>[I thank you for you help Specter, I am not worried by Ares,
they don't really know anything about me, a friend of mine saw to
that *grin*.  I hope my little trip will be fruitful.  Thank you
again, and Raven, I hold no gruge, see you on the other
side.]<<<<< 
        --Trog the Cybered Troll <classified>

>>>>>[  I wholeheartedly agree with crossfire on the repercusions of
legal actions on Yoshida.  Although he may dislike like what we
might do for him, it won't stop us. As for the trouble of invading
major corps, there are many of us who can do it.  As for CB and
myself it is no trouble for us to enter a system, and when we work
together we are much more effective.  The fact that over a course
of 5 days we totalled about 200 frames, should show the corps that
we all mean business.  Also the fact that the corps offered no help
in the MONICA troubles and were incapable of slowing it down highly
degrades my essesment of them.  In all it would be wise not to
anger us.  To my fellow deckers I'm sorry for filling up space with
this, and wish that it need not be set. ]<<<<< 
                        -Spirit <02-25-54/ I don't know the time>

>>>>>[ Hello, Spectre.  It figures that after leaving at a moments
notice, running around for a couple of years, never writing, and
never calling that you'd be the one to chew me out for violating
Shadow etiquette.  As for Trog's info search, it didn't appear he
was looking for specific info.  He didn't appear to be a runner
with a mission.  He appeared to be a common theif looking for
something experimental to steal and sell on the black market. As
far as I'm concerned running is running, and theivery is theivery. 
I don't help theives, I help shadowrunners. ]<<<<< 
       -- Raven the Mage <22:59:58/02-25-54>

>>>>>[ Trog:  If your looking for specific you should ask for it. 
Your request were so general that you appeared to be nothing but a
common theif looking for something valuable.  As for the info Ares
stole from you, I would be glad to help you regain it, but more
details would be necessary.  As for my friends, if you kill them
your own life expectency will drop drastically. ]<<<<< 
       -- Raven the Mage <23:04:47/02-25-54>

***** The fact that I am speaking to of you now, should be
sufficient to show that I am alive and in adequate health.  To
Claw, I sorry I didn't stick around.  I judged your wounds to be
non-life threatening and I continued to chase after the fleeing
Entity. Unfortuanately he eluded me well enough to show me that I
would require more help and information.  The anchored message that
was to this BBS, did not come because I was incapacitated, but
rather becuase I had left the realm of its influence. 

As to spirits in the matrix, this phenomenon is totally impossible,
as LOKI, Spirit, Circuit Breaker and others had stated, my magic
not withstanding.  To your master Loki, inform him that N'ralan has
been in the sixth world for 5 years and that the 10 year old welp
he knew has now seen his 16th turning but his body says he is
twenty.  To DOA, I am glad that you are all right, and I know how
it is to have a body that remembers more years than you do (
suspention for 5000 years will do that.)  You are not alone in
starting your career at the tender age of 12, but it does show that
you posses maturity beyound your years.***** 
                -Nightfox < Is getting to dislike the Entity>

***** To continue, I'm am excited about the party and even the
reception, in that there are many people who I'm looking forward to
meeting.  Dark Elf, if you find the time there are many questions I
have for you about your view of our race, I do believe what we are
has changed this cycle (the fact the you have cyber is a dead give
away).  Brandywine, I am interested in talking to you about Tir
since they seem to have a rather low opinion of me there.  Napalm I
really would like to meet you and converse.  For those who are
interested I might sing a balad in Sperethiel, or even a requiem
for those who died. And finally I would like to meet Mr. Yoshida
and so, I believe does Claw. To all those who are not able to
attend, we will miss your presence.***** 
                - Nightfox < Aluve>

>>>>>[Hey Spectre, what are you talking about with the Warner
Brothers run?  I've never been to their system.  I think you're
talking about Aladdin's post.]<<<<< 
        --Jaez          <20:40:21/2-25-54>

>>>Dark Elf   Insane, rich, noble, whats the difference ?
     I care and take care of those I trust.
     Yours with the greatest respect.<<<<
       >>White Knight<< >26/02/54< >07:59<

>>>>To any people with information concerning any of the defense,
weapons companys that seem to be the talk of the matrix at the
moment. I would love to hear about it. Perhape I could offer some
defense related data in return.<<< 
        >>> White Knight<<< >26/02/54<  >10:54<

>>>Spirit   May I just make one thing clear at least one corp tried
to help in the MONICA wars. Although they were to late on the
outside I like to think they helped slightly on the inside. There
are wheels within wheels<<< 
            >Silent Partner<  >12:45< >02/26/54<

>>>>>[Raven:  You really don't know much about misdirection and
shadowrunning.  When you shadowrun, you ARE AT TIME A THIEF, so
scrag that stupid, self-rightious, moral, drek.  If you really
believe that drek, then you may have either a very short life, or
you don't get hired that much, or you just don't take advantage of
your situation.  We (runners) all have different jobs for which we
are hired, spying, killing, and destroying.  Part of the spying may
include but is not limited to thieft, if you don't like don't do
it, but never tell on another runner, just because they are getting
close to your old corp. Or maybe you are a better spy then I give
you credit, are you still on Ares's payroll, how many runners have
you "informed" Ares about, and how many died?]<<<<< 
        --Trog the Cybered Troll <classified>

***** My friends,  I am appaled at the destruction of human life
that MONICA caused.  Not only are there memorials for the deckers
who were against monica, but there is also a place for the red hats
that monica betrayed and a part for those who died on physical
runs.  It is truly touching to the heart what Joseph has done.  I
finally was able to met the man.  He is a very honorable and good
person, something that is hard to find today corporation or no.  I
asked him how he plans on keeping up his security in the matrix
with so many deckers gone.  I was surprised to find that Circuit
Breaker and Spirit had already volunteered their services until
Joseph could trust worty and skilled replacements for his deckers. 
CRUSH was near tears at the reception on seeing so many good people
recently deceased.  He was so depressed that he didn't think to eat
from the wonderful buffet that Joseph.  The deaths do effect me
also, but my elven heritage has taught me that to much sadness over
someones death is not right, in fact it is selfish.  Why, you might
ask, it is because they have gone on a wondeful journey and most of
the sadness that we have at their leaving is because they will not
be there for us.  Therefore we should be both happy and sad; sad
because of the lose of life and friends but happy becuase of the
wonderful new adventure they have started.  This is the elven way
becuase most deaths come either from sickness or violence. Do not
weep to long dear friends, is what they would tell you, for you
have your memories of us that you will never forget.***** 
                -Nightfox < rest in joy>

>>>>>[Sorry Jaez, it sounded so much like you, and I was...amused
(NO, I DID NOT LAUGH!), and, well, forgot to look at the handle.  I
notice you didn't deny the DisneyCorp run, and I still hope Aladdin
doesn't repair his deck. Sigh, Spectre bows low and wipes egg off
face.]>>>>> 
ATDT7563775
ATDT7563775
ATDT7563775
ATDT7563775

<<<<<[He laughed! And Smiled! I was there.]>>>>>
             --Eclipse <10:32:20/02:26:54>
ATDT7563775
ATDT7563775


>>>>>[That was not smart, Eclipse.]>>>>>
             --Spectre <10:44:21/02:26:54>

>>>>>[  Brandywine, I want to know *everything* about precision.
Could it be that precision is owned by Lincoln Howe through a dummy
corporation? Or possibly  by Quention???  These questions have been
screaming inside my head since I saw the direct Matrix link between
Precision and MagnaTech Seattle! I think that finding the clues to
DOA's origins may be as important as finding out more about Tommy
Harada's!!! ]<<<<< 
                                    ---Dark Elf <13:12:30/02-26-54>

>>>>>[  Nightstalker, weather your peace offer was forced or not I
will accept.  No matter what you may really think about me, know
that I hold no malice toward you, nor am I any threat to you.  I
will see you at the party, and I will steer clear of you if you do
not wish to see me. ]<<<<< 
                                   ---TDH <13:17:11/02-26-54>

>>>>>[  Hey, has anyone thought to have someone check on the clone
lab while we're here in Seattle?  ]<<<<<
                                   ---Napalm <13:18:14/02-26-54>

>>>>>[  Trust me, it's safe. ]<<<<<
                                   ---Dark Elf <13:18:39/02-26-54>

>>>>>[  I don't think that anything is safe in New York
anymore!]<<<<< 
                                   ---OddBall <13:19:12/02-26-54>

>>>>>[  Just trust me when I say its safe.  Don't ask how, you don't
want to know.  It will still be there when we get back.  Besides, how
do you think we're going to pay for all our recent activities! ]<<<<<
                                   ---Dark Elf <13:21:03/02-26-54>

>>>>>[  OK OK! I Believe you! ]<<<<<
                                   ---OddBall <13:22:20/02-26-54>

>>>>>[  So the Intrepid has dissappeared.  Could it be some powerful
ritual invisibility spell???  The circle for that would have to be
real big! But the Intrepid has a really big flight deck.  OddBall,
you must have seen the deck when the former BobK flew you
aboard.]<<<<< 
                                   ---Napalm <13:24:42/02-26-54>

>>>>>[  Hmmm, It was kinda dark.  Wait!  I might have a snapshot of
it in my cybereye cam!  I'll give DE the image so he can run an
enhancer on it. ]<<<<< 
                                   ---OddBall <13:25:55/02-26-54>

>>>>>[  Napalm, I'll need your assistance on this.  You know what to
look for, I don't. Let's get cracking, this might take a
while.]<<<<< 
                                   ---Dark Elf <13:27:04/02-26-54>

>>>>>[  It must be magic, aircraft carriers don't just vanish.  I
doubt there's a cloaking device that big! ]<<<<<
                                   ---Napalm <13:28:08/02-26-54>

>>>>>[ There isn't.  You can hide it's radar signal with ECMs, and
protect it from infrared with some masking, but technology just
can't do anything about direct vision! (yet) ]<<<<<
                                   ---Dark Elf <13:30:13/02-26-54>

>>>>[I see DisneyCorp has been mentioned on the board recently, but
has anyone ever been to Disneyland?  I have, and I've even run
their system: I'll post details on that technical board I keep
accidentally logging onto.  Look for it sometime soon...Hey guys,
now that we've defeated MONICA, what are we going to do
next?!]<<<< 
                        -Highlander (10:48:32/2-26-54)

 >>>>>[Nice service, Mr. Yoshida.]<<<<<
        --  Ramirez <14:28:14 / 02/26/54>

>>>>>[Hey Trog: Stop threatening Raven or releasing your hatred and
anger on her just because she stood up and postulated a difference
between Shadowrunning and common thievery. There's a big difference
between getting hired to recover stolen data and just breaking into
a place for profit. 

As for the moral vagaries of 'running in general, You may have
no standards but we have ours. And we are quite experienced and
quite well piad. 

BTW, I've met a loty of cute, lovable Trolls but your icon isn't one
of them, and your feud with my best mage-friend doesn't ingratiate
you with me. We are not amused.]<<<<< 
        --Jaez          <12:45:21/2-26-54>

>>>>>[I would like to thank all of you for coming to the memorial
services.  Now we have our '54 Crash Bash' tomorrow evening at my
place.  Here are the ground rules that are in effect. 

Party starts around 7:30 - 8:00 at my home.  If you don't know
where it is, ask around or look in the phone book.  As with today's
event, no weapons.

Now, in order to keep those who are not welcome out, each person
is going to have to prove themselves.  There will be three ways you
can prove your identity.

        1)  There will be an MPCP reader set up.  If you bring in
        your MPCP chip, it will display your identification.  Only
        those people who were active during the crash will be
        admitted.

        2)  We will also have a dumb terminal set up.  You can then
        log into a public access node with your proper password, and
        you will be admitted.  Once again, only those present in the logs
        will be admitted.

        3)  Finally, a person who has been admitted can also vouch
        for you.

Guests of admitted persons are also welcome.

I apologize for these steps, but as many of the people who will be
there are virtually unknown, it is important that we have some way
to determine who is invited and who isn't.]<<<<<
        --  Joseph Yoshida <14:38:16 / 02-26-54>
            President
            Yoshida Technologies

>>>>>[Hi everyone.  Before I left for the services at Yoshida Tech,
I started a data search to try to get a grip on what the Intrepid
is up to.  I got home to some pretty interesting results. 

The Intrepid is a WWII vintage aircraft carrier mothballed last
century.  In 2006 it was sold and towed via tug to Maine where it
emerged three years later fully redesigned.  It's oil boilers were
replaced with two fission reactors, the flightdeck was almost
doubled in area, and the electronics were totally revamped.  It
was then sold to the UN and remained in their service for about
twenty years.  In 2028, it was purchased in cash by Dragon's Den,
although the nuclear fuel was removed and a pair of low-speed oil
boilers were reinstalled.  Since then it has remained in New York
serving as a base for Tirandor.  We know that the dragon has
almost gutted the insides and redesigned the ship.  But, without
fuel, it couldn't really go anywhere.

Now, according to my records, six years ago 45kg of fuel-grade
uranium "disappeared" from a reactor in Tennessee.  That's the most
major "disappearance" in recent years and was the most proximate to
the Intrepid.

Now, as for where the Intrepid is going.  According to this,
MagnaTech owned a small island in the carribean.  Just after
Yoshida Tech took over Magna, this island was spun off into a
seperate company called Omega Avionics.  Omega is a space-tech
firm which specializes in placing satellites into earth orbit.
As a division of MagnaTech, they averaged around 50 to 60 launches
a year.  Yoshida apparently spun them off as this division was
barely breaking even.

Now, just after the spin off, Omega went public with one million
shares of stock.  Most of these shares were immediately snatched
up by, you guessed it, Dragon's Den.  Not long after, the Intrepid
set sail southwards.

Now, just last week, Omega applied to the UN for national status,
meaning that they would become their own country.  They paid the
proper fees and all the paper work is in order, so it will
probably be approved withint the next few weeks.  This status will
give Omega 15 mile territorial waters, airspace, and the right to
form an army.  This is not very different than what the
super-corporations do here in Seattle.

I'm not sure where this is leading, but somehow I don't like
it.]<<<<<
        --  Wolf 359 <15:04:12 / 02-26-54>

>>>>>[   Hey since CRUSH have time before go back to Reception for
food ( Was so sad CRUSH forgot about food)  CRUSH wondering how old
every one is.  CRUSH  is ......  umm......  hold on so CRUSH can
count fingers and toes Lets see now Spirit say CRUSH age is same as
CRUSH number of finger and toes. Ok CRUSH  got now.  CRUSH  is 10
fingers and 12 toes old!!!!.  CRUSH want know what CRUSH should do
when CRUSH get one more year, CRUSH  can't grow more toes. CRUSH
know!!!  CRUSH count horn too!!!!.  CRUSH got go now.  CRUSH have
to Dress up in stiff clothes to take Spirit to Reception.  CRUSH
think Spirit look really nice. ]<<<<< 
                -CRUSH <02-26-54/16:25:30>

>>>>>[ Did someone mention morals?  I fear that someone did, but
mayhaps my ears have faltered.  Gentlemen, please put your
differences behind you for arguing ammounts to nothing.  It has
been my expirence that we all have our own reasons for doing the
things we do.  Raven, if Trog believes that theiving is acceptable,
is it right for you to comdemn him?  And Trog, if Raven believes
that theiving is wrong, can you really blame him?  Our beliefs are
our own and are not allways in harmony, if they were, do you think
this world would be half as exciting as it is?  Now just because I
believe that eating meat is wrong, I do not take a bead on anyone I
see eating a steak.  Openmindedness is something I believe in and
if you don't, that's fine by me.  I hope my point is well taken, it
is not meant to degrade anyone.  We are all our own person, and I
like to keep it that way. 

At any rate, I will stop this useless drivel, and Trog, if there is
money involved in the recovery of your property, I would be more
than willing to offer my services, if the price is right.  I'm a
great shot, and I love to work quietly and *very* quickly. 
Interested? ]>>>>> 
                                   --J.D. <no thanks>

>>>>>[Well folks, RAMboy's back in town and just getting over a mild
case of space sickness. I tell you, Zero-G is a great motivator for
remaining jacked into a virtual reality. Descriptions may say
floating through the Matrix is the same sensaton, but at least with
a deck you can control things. 

Anyway, Jaez coerced me (using the Pavlovian Stimulus/response
theory of motivation) to post the rest of my story. This Tokugawa
guy who was in charge of both Ronin and a Yak clan in Tacoma hired
my team to steal a computer from the Mitsuhama reseearch building
in Gates Park. We grabbed it, gave it over, took a side trip to the
Cascades with an Indian Bodyguard who turned out to be under the
big T's employ. Anyway, on return we were hunted by a Troll Physad
who brought us to Tokugawa. 

Seems the reason he wanted us so bad was because 1)the computer was
missing and 2)He thought we had stolen it since the bodyguard had
left without formally retiring (oh: he died along the way. Natural
Causes). Anyway, we had only 24 hours to find the fragging thing. 

Turns out that Tokugawa had planted it in another clan's turf to
be found by a third clan, one that was more directly in charge of
the Mitsu theft we had pulled. The plan was for the 2nd clan (I'd
use names but my Japanese is terrible) to be framed for the theft
of 3rd clan's pet Mitsu project. Tokugawa was trying to start a
clan war, probably betting he'd come out on top. 

Problem was, the computer wasn't where it was supposed to be. It
turns out some kids had found it, taken it home, and tried jacking
into the Matrix with little success. Jaez says the bloody thing's a
stacked deck: works awesome on some system configurations but
inhales sharply against everything else. Well, we returned it to Mr
Tokugawa and thanked him heartily for letting us live. 

However, one of our party members, who was framed for a Yak murder
from the days when he was a bodyguard wanted to stop Tokugawa,
hoping to restore his name and smite the guy who did him wrong
(Deadman's words, not mine) so we set up a meet with his old clan
and showed him the evidence (which I won't detail here.) The meet
in orbit was for the clan chiefs to decide upon action. We went
along to present our case to everyone. 

Tokugawa sent some guys up to disrupt the meeting-almost did, and I
had to wrestle a decker for control of life support. Tokugawa had
been invited but declined. 

Anyway, Tokugawa is now steeling for attack, but I'm told he is
very powerful around here. As long as we have all these 'runners in
town who have already worked well together, why don't we make life
difficult for this guy? I know this may shred some nerves, but hey!
they can be replaced!]<<<<< 
        --RAMboy        <15:55:12/2-26-54>

>>>>>[Hey Highlander, you got a date yet? Not that I'm available,
but I have several friends who are. . .]<<<<< 
        --Jaez          <15:56:37/2-26-54>

>>>>>[BeerBelly here. I wuz just awunderin', where's this here party
I bin herin' 'bout]<<<<<
        --BB    <Miller/Time>

>>>>>[Don't we EVER get a break?!?]<<<<<
                Cat Dancing <Raven's/Brat>

>>>>>[ Trog:  I know plenty about shadowrunning.  I've been at it
for years and I get along just fine.  And no, I'm not a thief. 
Stealing does not make you a thief, killing does not make you a
murderer.  Of course it seems to me that you are both since you
have no standards.  As for telling on other runners, I don't, but
you almost don't seem to qualify.  My connections are my own, and
whether they are corporate or not they are my friends.  I look out
for my friends, and am not about to let some idiot troll thief
founder around like a novice and steal from them.  Learn how to ask
questions. ]<<<<< 
       -- Raven the Mage <17:55:04/02-26-54>

>>>>>[ Jaez:  Thanks for sticking up for me.  It's nice to know who
your friends are and that some people have moral codes in this day
and age. ]<<<<< 
       -- Raven the Mage <17:56:19/02-26-54>

>>>>>[ Nice job Trog.  Raven tries to apologize and you throw it in
her face while calling her and informer.  Just remember, by your
standards turning in your slimy butt for a paycheck is
shadowrunning.  I have two pieces of advice for you:  Get some
ethics and leave Raven alone. ]<<<<< 
       -- Nightstalker <17:59:13/02-26-54>

>>>>>[I was not trying to get the information, for as you put it
common thieft, I am looking for a perticular item.  Who I work for
is none you your fragging business, and don't base you information
on what you think you know, because you don't know drek.  There
seems to be a lot of self righteous drek here so let me make myself
perfectly clear, not all 'runners' work for a 'sponsor', you need
money, you find a way too get it, by any means you can muster.  I
AM WORKING FOR ANOTHER PARTY, so drop this drek NOW, however,
whether I am working for someone or not, does not mean that I am a
common thief, there are a lot of deckers out there looking for
paydata without working for a Mr. Johnson.  Information is the most
important thing in our socity, those who have it have power, those
who don't are subjected to those who do.  I have not threaten Raven
or any other runner for that matter, just any corps that try to
sniff me out should watch out for their heads.  I also share
information, for my personal beliefs, are that no man (or woman)
should be subjected to any other man (or woman), if you have any
need to know what is new in the field of MOST weapons, just ask, I
might know, and if I don't my contacts do. Raven I am truly sorry
for offending you, it is just my job to be persitent...care and
long life Raven, and please don't ask me to tell you who I work
for...I am hired to keep them out of it.]<<<<< 
        --Trog the Cybered Troll <classified>

>>>>>[A break?  Yeah.  Right.]<<<<<
        --  Wolf 359 <21:12:34 / 02-26-54>

>>>>>[ CRUSH asking question for Sheena.  Sheena want knwo if she
should bring more than just Synth like a Speaker or or what ever. 
If you have all that needed, Sheena just bring Synth.  CRUSH really
excited about tonight.  UPLOAd/Howe was very unhappy at the
reception yesterday.  Me left him with security at Yoshida, they
say Joseph left orders for then about him. CRUSH glad to get rid of
UPLOAD/Howe, he really annoy CRUSH. CRUSH hope they have hard time
removing metal from around wrists. CRUSH got go now, CRUSH has to
pick out outfit for party.  Spirit and Claw are wearing their best
leathers.  Circuit Breaker is wearing something fancy and red (she
wouldn't say what). Sheena is wearing stage outfit since she is
going to perform.  CRUSH think CRUSH should wear tux again.
Nightfox has been making something to wear all day long.  He is
making long black cloak and black and purple clothing with silver
jewelry.  Nightfox hopes that Mr. Yoshida will let him bring sword
in scabard with a peace string since Nightfox not like to let it
out of his sight.  CRUSH have to go now, CRUSH needs to eat before
getting ready.]<<<<< 
                -CRUSH <02-27-54/17:57:02>

>>>>[Well, the party's finally here, and I'm finally rested enough
to go. I look forward to seeing all you lads and lasses in the
flesh.  No, Jaze, I don't have a date: do you know anyone
intelligent?  I was hoping to escort Sierra/DOA, but it appears she
already has one (rueful grin).  Regardless, I'll be there, and I
hope everyone else is, to.]<<<< ATDT7563775 
                      -Highlander (16:30:32/2-27-54)

>>>>>[Hope you all enjoyed the party.  And no, we don't get a break.
Learned some interesting drek in the last 24 hours. 

1.  Lt. Richard Callahan, an instructor at the Naval Academy, was
arrested a few hours ago.  According to friends of my family he is
accused of being "Baron Munchausen" and posting classified info on
the net. So much for any more Intrepid updates from there.

2.  According to a mage buddy of mind even magic would have a hell
of a time making something like an aircraft carrier disappear. 
Perhaps it was only a glitch at UCAS Spy Sattelite HQ.  Maybe even
a deliberate glitch.  I'm sure Tirandor and/or Quentin could buy a
gov't employee or two.  Anyway, I'm on the West Coast--does anybody
back east know if the military is still going bonkers searching for
the flattop?  And can any riggers out there or down in the Caribbean
start an eyeball search? 

3.  If Omega has applied to the UN, they must have a representative
there.  I don't suppose someone could find out who's making Omega's
sales pitch?  Which reminds me, whoever's at the UN trying to make
Omega/Tirandor a nation, they might be communicating with the
carrier.  Maybe a lead there.  Be careful, though, the FBI flew lots
of special agents into NY today.  Doesn't take a genius to figure out
they're desperately trying to track down anyone and everyone involved
in this.  Good luck folks. 

{{{{encoded 12.6 mp block}}}}]<<<<<
                --Spectre <17:54:53/02-27-54>

>>>>>[Highlander, dude, get your deck hauled over. You're still
punching that autodial virus (ATDT7563775) that you picked up from
the MONICA squabble. And yes, I think I can get someone for you to
date-I bring her along as a guest and introduce the two of you at
the party]<<<<< 
        --Jaez          <13:12:53/2-28-54>

>>>>>[I've got to start reading my mail more carefully.  Omega: 
puts satellites into orbit/ works on satellite tech.  Missing: 1
aircraft carrier refusing to show up on newest spy satellites.
Fact, UCAS hasn't had a huge space program since Crazy Clinton's
economy measures last century, and contracts out lots of work.  And
guess who did some minor work on the current generation of
Keyholes?  Only a minor part (some thruster guidance controls for
orbit adjustment) but a little extra disguised circuitry, and,
voila, pictures are changed.  Just a working thesis, but I don't
like it.  Come to think of it, I should probably also worry about
those guidance controls.  At least if it annoys me, it also
probably is sending some government types into conniptions.]<<<<< 
                --Spectre <14:25:29/02-28-54>