***** ENCRYPT TRUE DRAGON 
>>>>> Excuse me, Trinador (excuse my spelling if incorrect).  For the
time being I will put my feelings aside.  I am formally asking you if
you would like to take care of this... shall we say blemish.  Or,
would you prefer others to take care of this "individual?"  If it is
the latter, I bid you adeu, and hope you will be too busy to return
to this node.  If it is the former, I hope you will deal with this
"person" in a manner that is called for.  I may not like you, even
though you did not have anything to do with my lovedones' deaths
*personally*.  I just do not like those of your kind all that much.
I know, I am sure you fell the same so it does not need to be said.
***** END ENCRYPTION
      
False Dragon: I hope that you are more self centered than I think you
are.  I hope that you think fear is not in your vocabulary.  Feel
free to stay on this net.  You have nothing to fear if you are as
powerful as you say.  Please, PLEASE stay a little longer. <<<<<
      -- Lace <15:14:40 MST><07/14/54>

***** Encrypt: ##DRAGONTEAM##
>>>>>[Hey babies, what's the the dig?  Anyway, I've got good news.
Y'all remember that lil' ol' vampee that I tussled with a few nights
back?  Turns out that he runs under the name of Oracle (and that,
before he was infected, he was Sal Paradise [a street sam {not to get
off the subject, but I found out this interesting bit of trivia, the
first time I new vampee assumes mist form, that's the end of their
cybernation, it just drops out on the ground.  They're replaced
limb/organs/etc. regenerate upon return to human form}])].  It also
happens that I've got it on GOOD evidence that he IS on Lord S's
payroll (see ***** Encrypt: Evidence *****) and we all know that
aiding/abetting HMHVV(+) is BOTH illegal AND unpopular in the Tir.
NodeFaerie, if you would be so kind as to pry this data out of the
block of ICE that it's frozen in, we will have a hefty bargaining
chip when we try to convince the good elfish lord that 1) the dragon
is now BEYOND his/our reach 2) he should release Midnight (by the
way, who is this Midnight anyway?) and 3) he should leave us alone.

With regard to Livewire, I've heard his rep & my knees aren't
knockin' (did I ever mention the fact that before I ran with y'all
I was a cutter for the Yak?).  Well, that's my prattle; I'm buzzin'
chumms!<<<<< 
   --  Flittermouse  <16:36:18/07-14-54>

***** ENCRYPT ##TEAM## 
>>>>>[The job as been postponed until later...I just received a
coded message from a contact...they said more paydata is coming in
upwards of 50 million =Y=, just wait a few days, and work out
anything you need, I will send out a new team list as soon as
everything is worked out.  Hope that helps you, also 20,000 =Y= has
been transfered to you respective accoutnts.]<<<<<
        -- Flashfire <16:45:00/07-14-54>
 
>>>>>[If you want to surive on the street remember, keep your back
against the wall, conserve ammo, and never cut a deal with a dragon.
If you remember this, you may live to see the light]<<<<<
        -- Unknown <--:--:--/-------->

***** Video/Audio Download-Live Feed (21:32:12/07-14-54) 
>>>>>[This is Trish Teague, channel 15 news, reporting live from the
scene of tonight's massive explosion along Lake Union. (Camera shows
photos of a secluded plot of land, with a large crater in the center.
Burning debris litters the ground.  The camera is flying over the
scene in a helicopter)

Gunfire originating in this area was reported to Lone Star about 15
minutes ago.  Witnesses on the ground reported drones dueling above
the lake and a house that apparently used to sit on this property.
Franklin Associates reports that a fire alarm from the house
registered at the same time.  Then, about 10 minutes ago the massive
explosion that reverberated throughout the northern end of the
metroplex occurred, leaving behind the wreckage you see below.

A Franklin Associates fire truck and four Lone Star Patrol Ones that
had just pulled up to the house were thrown backwards by the blast
(camera cuts to a close up of a fire truck lying on its side) and
windows were blown out for miles.  Eh....I'm told by my partner that
the magical background count in the area is enormous.

Lone Star police radio has just informed their HQ that several
destroyed drones are scattered around the grounds.  Twelve firemen
and eight cops are killed or wounded.

I think we're moving in closer now, let's see...
***** End Download

This is Anonymous.  Just thought you might like to know about that
blast, if you felt it.  Ritual's totally fragged and we have big
problems right now. More later when we sort this mess out.]<<<<<
        -- Anonymous <##:##:##/**-**-**>

>>>>>[POWERHOUSE: I feel for you... MCT is not exactly one of the
more noble corporations in Britannia... I have tried to avoid
dealings with them, but alas i feel that I may have to experience
their wrath soon... call it an educated hunch...  Readying my sword
and donning my armour...]<<<<< 
     -- Stormblade <20:42:27/7-14-54>

>>>>>[I have finally gotten my new Hitachi.  The computer vendour
gave me absolutely NO chance to haggle the price of the 'ware!
Ignorant sod... 

Thanks for the information, m'lady Jaez.  If you could indulge me a
bit further, I do have a few questions:

Can you get me a bit more information on Midnyght's (did a bit of
research: it's spelled with a "y") relation to Fuchi?  They were
one of the corporates who were inquiring about Midnyght.  Also,
could you LTG me that report from Belle?  Interested in the
warehouse... 

I saw the vid - VERY nice!  I was quite impressed.

Send my thanks to Nightstalker for the directions to Nybbles 'N'
Bytes. Used up the last of my precious Gold (New Yen) on this, but
it was worth it.  I was going into fits being unable to ride my
neon steed in the Matrix! 

Again, m'lady Jaez, the above info would be very helpful to me.  I
can add a few extra digits in gold to your purse if it will help
facilitate your report. *smile*]<<<<<
     -- Stormblade <20:58:10/7-14-54>

ENCRYPT: **WYRM_ONLY**
>>>>>[Wyrm, I am in need of work, as I am new to Seattle and have no
hard gold (New Yen) on my preson at this time, all of it sunken into
my new deck to replace the one traced by british corporations...  LTG
me at **CALLMEHERE** and give me a time so that I can contact you.
Thank thee. *bow*]<<<<<
     -- Stormblade <21:05:55/7-14-54>

>>>>>[Uh, Stormblade, I'd be careful about offering yourself to
Tirandor. He might want to have you over for dinner some time.  And
trust me, it won't be roast beef in the buffet....]<<<<<
        --  Ramirez <>

>>>>>[Hey chummers.I am new to the world of shadows and find I needs
must locate work soon as the nuyen diminish but the expenses remain
stable. Anyone need a quick Matrix run by one new to the game thus
having no obvious enemies? If so contact me soon as my belly is
ready to meet my spine.Who was it that told me this was the
life!]<<<<< 
        --  Diamondback <21:44:20/&-14-54>

*****Encrypt: Captain Midnight 
>>>>>[Thanks Stormblade. Here's what I know so far about the
illustrious "Midnyght".

Midnyght, alias Kim, was a hot-shot Decker for Fuchi. He started
doing some side work, and eventually jumped ship entirely. He did
an excellent job of erasing his trax, and I think the investigation
fell on the back burner for a while--until I started looking into
the Brit Tech connection.

An AI was rumored to be controlling some droids built by Ares and
Motorola. No AI, it was a decker using the same persona as Kim.  When
I tried to look Kim up, it turned out he had apparently faked his
death at Humanadyne Hospital in Chicago. There was a body, but Belle
found files indicating that he may have had his brain removed and
shipped to a Piggly Wiggly warehouse. Warehouse turned out to be a
front, or rather cover, for an immense medical research hive.  Belle
reconnoitered it, we're trying to figure out the LTG# so I can deck
in and see what I can find.

I'm worried, though. I haven't heard from them in a day or
two.]<<<<< 
        -- Jaez <21:05:31/7-14-54>

*****DRAGONTEAM***** 
>>>>>[Flitter', I have alot of respect for you.  Now I have more. It
is always good to know your dealing with pros. I like your style.
Lets kick the drek out of these fraggers!]<<<<<
    -- NightShade (23:12:34/7.14.54)

*****ENCRYPT:[F--P--y] at [kendra]'s 
>>>>>[Well boyz and girlz, I hope you're up for a little story.  As
Millhaus mentioned, I have been in contact with a dear friend of mine
on the Ould Isle regarding the little trinket in our possesion.  The
tale spins thusly (or I could sit down and the tail wouln't spin at
all).

The location at which Cullen/T'Hoth performed his little ceremony of
sacrifice is an interesting place indeed.  It 'twould seem it is a
duplex, of sorts.  First, the foundation is a vast deposit of the
element Millhaus (I beleive) mentioned, and is the focal point of a
ley line.  Second, Ancient myths tell us that this spot is also the
location of an Extremely powerful, yet benign, earth intelligence. 
All accounts from the past lead to the conclusion that this is
indeed true (as my friend across the pond beleives).  It would seem
that Cullen/T'Hoth managed to contact, nay commune with this
intelligence.  From what has been gathered, I would guess the story
to be something like this: 

Cullen became aware of the myth of the spirit residing near the city
of Linao.  Aztechnology became aware of the large Americium (sp?
Mill.) deposit there and was QUITE interested in it's weapons
potential.  They then commissioned the geological surveys. Cullen
became aware of Aztech's interest in the site, and wanted to get to
the intelligence before the site was disrupted. The intelligence
(through communion with Cullen) became aware of Aztech's interest in
the treasure of the site (which is probably some kind of power source
for it).  The intelligence outlined the ritual for Cullen, and
somehow provided incentive for his performance thereof.

The result is that through Cullen's ritual and sacrifice, he (now as
the foci) became the sole means of contact to the intelligence.  The
intelligence/spirit (or whatever you prefer) invoked MANY NASTY
BEASTIES and such to guard the site as long as part of it's essence
was infused with Cullen's in the focus.  Thereby protecting the
sacred site, the ley line, and the rare elements from any approach
as long as the focus existed.  This would explain the great
interest in the focus, as well as the deposits there explain
Aztechnology's interest in the site. 

Enter Moral Delima:  If the focus is destroyed, many besides
Aztechnology will have a chance at access to the rare elements. 
Will this disrupt the ley line?  If the focus falls into the wrong
hands, who knows how it will be used?

I beleive that's enough for now.  I will try to reach Kendra's soon.

Nitro, Legion, Millhaus: We still have our "friend", Merit to deal
with. Have any of you assensed him?  I don't beleive he can be
trusted.  I will see what I can find out about about his "group". 
Kendra, can you dig up anything on them? Anyone: have any ideas?  I
do have a trusted person who is sincerely interested in purchasing
the focus, as well as many of the other trinkets you acquired. More
on that later.]<<<<< 
        --  FraterNay <01:44:09/15-June-54>

>>>>>[I'm still feeling strange -- but I'm getting used to it. Still
feel a kind of craving/nagging . . . but thats not important now.

Bunker, a good ole Seattle bar brawl sounds welcome. Shall we go to
Razor's or The Blood Pit. Your choice - my treat.

Punisher, thanx for the help, but I got it under control. The info
was STILL much appreciated.

Nitro, your probably right. It is just the effects of the Amberlite
gas . . probably.

Yo, chumms. A friend of mine asked me a rather silly question to
today. His name is Enigma, and he deals in . . . magic and
knowledge. He asked me if I believed that someone could use a gate,
by way of a very powerful magical device that created
intermetaplanar intercices, to go to other planes/dimension s to
study the universe from different "angles", And how long it would
take. And how much power would it take, and how I would get back.
And I said "What the fragg are you talking about ?!?!?" since I
know very little about magic. Why the drek would he ASK ME about
that -- he's the expert. But I thought that maybe you magicotypes
would know . . . after all Enigma is a real chumm, and I really
like to do him a favor. You know what I mean ???]<<<<< 
    -- KHANx (23:23:23/7.14.54)

>>>>>[ FraterNay, I just checked out this "Merit" that you met with.
Sorry I took so long to do it. First, he _is_ a magician, but I am
unable to determine of what magnitude. To me he is very obviously a
wage-mage. He was very relaxed in his huge suite. I think the reason
for his being relaxed was that in the adjacent rooms were two two-man
teams of corp bodyguards. Very capable looking and not a bit nervous.
Why he was relaxed when he was supposedly in a hurry is beyond me.

I told Nitro what I assensed and she said that she would go and have
a look. She hasn't contacted me since, so I assume she has
discovered something worth investigating. ]<<<<<
        --  The Ragman <13:05:41/07-15-54>

>>>>>[ Whew! I just got back from checking out Merit, if thats his
real name. He's definitely very sure of his abilities as he wasn't
masking himself. If he was I doubt The Ragman and I would have even
noticed his aura! I suggest we be careful in dealing with him. ]<<<<<
        --  Nitro <13:18:39/07-15-54>

>>>>>[ Stormblade I'm certain that PH will appreciate your comments
however at the moment he is unable to read them being on a hush hush
mission.  I'm sure you will hear details of it later.  But in the
meantime if you need any help against MCT just yell my way.  At the
moment it's just me and IBA but between us we make a rather good 2
man army.  Not forgetting the fact that IBA is a pretty drek hot
decker. ]<<<<< 
        -Punisher (16:28:41/7.15.54)

>>>>>[ Tirandor (the fake one).  I'd just like you to know that if
you show up here again and try to post I have a viral construct set
up just tailored for your MPCP, and would love to try it out.  And
yes I do know what you look like now as I was sat in this node last
night running a sensor scan whilst heavily cloaked, while you came
and posted your message that you didn't know what everyone was so
worked up about. 

Well I'll tell you what every one was worked up about !  Tirandor is
slime but he is also powerful and anyone with the nerve to think
they can come in here pretending to be a person/dragon/whatever who
has put countless people through no end of grief has no idea of how
to treat the shadow community. 

So come on you 1/2 bit decker make my day !!! ]<<<<<
        -I.B.A. (**:**:**/**.**.**)

>>>>>[Stormblade, didn't you say that Midnyght was a mage? The guy
I'm talking about is a decker. The two don't mix well but I suppose
they could be the same- or different. Her's a question:

Does a split personality mage, with a mundane personality, have the
same problems with decking when he's mundane?]<<<<<
     -- Jaez <11:42:31/7-14-54>

>>>>>[Ok.  I'm back.  Just for the record I'd like to state that all
Mages are psychotic, and elves are totally wigged.  Brandywine's
nuts.  Don't let the calm demeaner fool you folks...  She's a
nuerotic basketcase. Man...  when someone p**ses her off...]>>>>>
        -- DOA <12:45:04 / 7-15-54>

>>>>>[Hush, child.  And I told you about the language. 
*smile*]<<<<< 
        -- Brandywine <12:46:02 / 15/7/54>

>>>>>[Oh, ok, Mary Poppins.  I suppose I can't tell anyone what
we've been doing, either?]<<<<<
        -- DOA <12:46:42 / 7-15-54>

>>>>>[Of course not.  Top secret Illuminati type stuff.  You know us
elves.  Besides...  I think it would bore them.  Finding magic
components isn't much to tell a bunch of deckers.]<<<<<
        -- Brandywine <12:47:02 / 15/7/54>

>>>>>[Magic components.  Uh huh.  Have you mentioned where we got
them? Jesu'...]>>>>>
        -- DOA <12:47:42 / 7-15-54>

>>>>>[It was good for you.  Built character.]<<<<<
        -- Brandywine <12:48:13 / 15/7/54>

*****Encrypt: ##Anonymous## 
>>>>>[Anonymous -- I have been instructed by Duke G. to inform you
that he is standing by near Lake Union (last time he told me) and
that he would be tracking your movements.  Here is a transcript of
the vidcall...

***** Video/Audio Download
(Shown is a strong-faced black man, looking much like a well-to-do
college professor or low-level corp executive.  His voice is a close
resemblance to late 20th century actor James Earl Jones.)  To those
responsible for the detonation on Lake Union -- be cautious.  The
Followers of Geeker's Path see the aftereffects of your abortive
ritual, and ponder whether it is an abuse of magical power.  We are
willing to assist; you have but to call.  However, if you attempt the
ritual again, with the same effects, we will be required to take
measures. ***** End Download

I don't know what 'measures' they are, but Geeker's Path is a rather
precautionary group; I wouldn't want to be on the wrong end of their
manabolts, if you know what I mean.  Drop me a note at $$WYRMLOC$$ if
you care for their help.]<<<<<
        -- The (Dead) Wyrm Ouroboros (14:18:00/7-15-54)

*****Encrypt: ##STORMBLADE/DIAMONDBACK## 
>>>>>[Stormblade -- Geneva Groundside, 23:00:00, 7-15-54.  Ask for
"Crunch'n'Munch".  Diamondback, you might care to be there as well --
no point in offending anybody unneccessarily when you can hack and
dump people while getting paid.  Renumeration is negotiable -- we do,
after all, take in such neat things as frame carriers, programs, and
other nice little tinkertoys that every good decker loves.]<<<<<
        -- The (Dead) Wyrm Ouroboros (14:18:00/7-15-54)

*****ENCRYPT:[F--P--y] at [kendra]'s 
>>>>>[FraterNay, you make some damn good encryptions.  I won't tell
you how long it took me to crack this one, but it was longer than
most.  Um, according to Duke G., if the focus (he called it a
'hidden life') is destroyed, there's a high chance the ley will be
disrupted. He has some strong desires not to let that happen, as
(he says) a few rather interesting things happen when it does --
Australia's manastorms are a good example.  He says he would care
to purchase it for safekeeping in the Geeker's Path storehouse,
but, erm.... I dunno.  Your call.]<<<<<
        -- The (Dead) Wyrm Ouroboros (14:18:00/7-15-54)

>>>>>[Somebody keep me posted on how KHANx is feeling; I've got a
toxologist from Berkeley checking the symptoms.  KHANx, I don't
suppose you'd care to, like, go down there, eh?  Thought not.

About Enigma -- tell him yeah.  (Bloody mages.  I'm gonna owe Duke
G. a .lot. for asking him all these questions...)  He says that
time runs differently in other dimensions, and that it doesn't take
a magical creation but rather just finding the right method to walk
it.  He _says_ he knows how, but I get a funny feeling around him
sometimes... maybe he does.  He's a strange bird, anyhow.  I'm
awfully glad he can't read this stuff.]<<<<<
        -- The (Dead) Wyrm Ouroboros (14:18:00/7-15-54)

>>>>>[I can, Kinealthas Morkai.]<<<<<
        -- Cat (ERRORERROR/ERRORERROR)

>>>>>[Drek!  You don't have a datajack!! Drekdrekdrekdrek...]<<<<<
        -- The (Dead) Wyrm Ouroboros (14:20:00/7-15-54)

>>>>>[Oh, come on, DOA and Brandywine.  Can'tcha .please.  tell us?
Y'know, not all of us always wanted to be deckers -- I wanted to be a
mage.  Got my Master's in Theoretical Thaumaturgy to prove it.

*****Encrypt: %%DOA%%
So where .did. you pick the stuff up?  I got a few sources that
might care to pay some good nY for the info, if it's good....]<<<<<
        -- The (Dead) Wyrm Ouroboros (14:25:00/7-15-54)

>>>>>[Doomsday, what the frag is happening with all this drek?]<<<<<
        --Shadowfox <15:02:07/7-15-54>

>>>>>[Don't worry about rescue Midnight.  Since the Lordly Prince
S., didn't hear of your trade in time, Midnight was killed, on the
realization that you didn't have the Drag .. .. <Transmission
Cancelled> 

>>>>>[I don't know what's up, anymore, but I am puzzled.  Whatever
it is, the body count now apparently includes Midnight.  If I find
Livewire, I will do my best to geek that fragger!]<<<<<
        -- Doomsday <15:05:03/7-15-54>

>>>>>[Drek!  I am going to stay the frag away from you right now. 
No offense I hope.  Just safer.]<<<<<<
        -- Shadowfox <15:06:07/7-15-54>

>>>>>[Actually, I kinda expected that sorta response.]<<<<<
        -- Doomsday <15:07:00/7-15-54>

>>>>>[Sorry, Wyrm.  *glances at Brandy* I'm not in a position to say
where the stuff is.  But trust me, it's good.]<<<<<
        -- DOA <16:06:28 / 7-15-54>

>>>>>[It's ok.  We aquired the materials in the Tir.  It's not any
more rare than your 'average' magical components.  I'm not planning
on any major festivities or whatnot.  And...  I don't buy or sell
my components. Sorry.  The trip itself is what made her nuts... 
and the methods that we used to get our stuff.  *grin* If you can
do it quickly...  then do so. And if you know people who can get it
for you, then talk to them.]<<<<< 
        -- Brandywine <16:08:58 / 15-7-54>

>>>>>[That was a _person_?]<<<<<
        -- DOA <16:09:04 / 7-15-54>

>>>>>[That's not a very evolved way of thinking, Childe...]<<<<<
        -- Brandywine <16:09:38 / 15-7-54>

>>>>>[Sorry.]<<<<<
        -- DOA <16:09:46 / 7-15-54>

>>>>>[That son of a bitch..... gentlemen and ladies, I would like to
request a full-scale search for the true identity of Prince S. of the
nation of Tir Tairnguire.  Ollie ollie oxen-free.... and no, I'm not
going to say what I'll do once I acquire this information.  I can
guarantee that it makes the Ritual of Challenge look like a Sunday
brunch....]<<<<<
        -- The (Dead) Wyrm Ouroboros (17:30:**/7-15-54)

>>>>>[Huh.  Well, I don't need stuff like that....  anymore.... I'd
ask what section of TT you went to, but I frankly don't care to alert
any personal patrols.  Oh, and DOA -- you'd be surprised as to what
you might consider a person.  Why, I remember Memorex, the sasquatch
rigger/ decker.... best man you'd ever want to have with you.
'Course, he got hit by the virus that turned him into a bandersnatch,
but the docs over at Nemesis got him through it sane.  You'd still be
surprised as to how scary a 14' see-through shadow can be, even when
he's as nice as Mem. And, of course, when a couple of hoverdrones
come skimmin' in...]<<<<< 
        -- The Wyrm Ouroboros (17:40:**/7-15-54)

>>>>>[Wyrm:  I almost, for one minute, considered humouring you.  But
then I realized...  Na.....

You're going after a Prince?  Odds are, he'll just ignore you.  I'd
quit now.  It's just going to waste time and resources.  And if you
actually get close...   You're toast.  Not a threat, just pointing
out the obvious.

Oh...  and alerting the patrols wouldn't be a problem (regarding the
components discussed in other posts).  I own the land we
harvested.]<<<<< 
        -- Brandywine <17:01:35 / 15-7-54>

***** ENCRYPT:FocusTeam 
>>>>>[I assensed Merit, or rather, I tried to. He's undoubtedly some
sort of very powerful mage (FraterNay - I'd put him on par with
Amelia!), but that's the only feel I could get from him. He's quite
well shielded.

The goons with him are interesting, though. Thanks, Ragman, for the
tip. They're carrying talismans (and have a small bit of magick
talent themselves), and those talismans have a rather different
aura. Last time I saw something like that was when I was doing a
favor for Guillermo, and running against Renraku. I believe Merit
and his henchmen have a corporate sponsor. 

As far as my comments on the focus, I believe we should do anything
but destroy it. My logic has two facets. One, it would open up the
Americium deposit for rape by whatever entity should be so inclined,
and that would cause irreparable damage to the ley line. Our friends
on the Isle would be something less than pleased were they to
discover that we had _anything_ to do with the line's demise. Two,
the focus holds something tantamount to the _soul_ of the late Mr.
T'Hoth. I, for one, don't want to have some sort of spectre hanging
about, seeking revenge for having loosed his essence in a
less-than-timely manner. I also suspect that Merit is the wrong
individual to whom to entrust it. 

That leaves two options. We could keep it, and all go loopy, or we
could find a safe repository for it. FraterNay, time to 'fess up
sweetheart. Who's the buyer?]<<<<<
        -- Millhaus <20:15:42/15-JUL-54>

*****ENCRYPT:AllButKhanx
>>>>>[Anyone else notice that our friend's communiques have been a
bit out of character since the healing episode? Either the bracelet
has had some effect on him, he was exposed to some _wonderful_
substance in Mecca, or ???? His aura hasn't changed (what little he
has left - damned cyberware), but his attitude has. This is
probably nothing, but I'm keeping an eye on him more closely,
nonetheless. Comments from the remainder of the crew?]<<<<< 
        -- Millhaus <20:19:05/15-JUL-54>

>>>>>[Anonymous here.  This is what happened last night. 
Nightstalker was making a recording of events, and between that, my
cameras, and Gepetto's drones we have a pretty complete record of
what went on.  Nightstalker was making a juvenile film of events at
the start of the evening, so that's included here.  Battle footage
to follow. 

***** Download: Video/Audio Recording

Hello everyone!  Welcome to the "Official, One-showing only, Free
Highlander Film".  This is being brought to you by, well, myself of
course, that being Nighstalker.  First of all lets meet the cast.
Everyone might seem a little tense, but that's because we are about
to start the ritual.  Now if Gepetto will have this drone follow me
around we can get this done. 

First of all we have the security detail with Gepetto on drone duty.
He can't be seen since he's controlling the camera.  Wait, here's his
spirit trasher drone.  Isn't it cute?  (Microskimmer with blades
rapidly rotating around the center line)

And here we have our shy friend Anonymous, hidden in the Matrix. 
Come on Anonymous, give us a picture at least.  (Telecom blinks to
life with a picture of a man with a bag on his head waving)

Next we have someone who's actually present, say hi to Lucky. 
(Scowling young Amerindian female in ganger clothes sharpening a
knife, seems unpleased to see camera)

Moving right along we have Fenris who is talking to Regent and
Princess. Princess is part of the ritual team but since she's here
we might as well introduce her too.  Say hello, everyone.  (A well
dressed ork (Fenris) talking to a male elf dressed in ethereal
clothing (Regent), and a blond female elf wearing an off the
shoulder white dress)  (Regent, grinning hugely and nudging
Princess) "Hello.  He's got a cute butt for an ork."  "(Fenris)
Stop saying that!" (Princess) Blushes. 

Now we move on to the muscle of the security, Powerhouse!  Put that
sword down and come talk to everyone. (5'6" Black Englishman with a
really long sword!) "(Powerhouse) Don't you have something important
to do?" 

Spoilsport.  That's it for the security detail, now we move on to
the ritual team.

Leading the team is the mysterious Brandon Lowe.  Say hello to the
camera Brandon.  (tall man with black hair, greying at the temples,
dressed well but functionally, carrying an ornate walking stick. 
He smiles at the camera) "(Brandon) Hello.  I really don't know why
you are making such a fuss about all of this."

For posterity.  I expect ballads to be sung about this.  Besides,
Jaez can only deal with visual explanations of events.

Here we have Blitzkrieg, the lightning mage.  Show us a spark,
Blitzkrieg. (6' man with crew cut wearing a stylish suit.  Nods
politely at the camera) 

Maybe later, I guess.  Next up is Raven.  My girl.  Smile, darling.
(attractive, light-skinned raven-haired woman with a large flowing
white cloak) (Gepetto) "Give her a kiss! Onscreen! Your big moment!"
(Raven frowns) "I think you have something more important than this
to do now."  (Black haired man in jeans with blue jacket and
mirrorshades steps next to her) Not really. Did you know you're
looking exceptionally beautiful today?  (Nightstalker begins to
take her in his arms.  She blushes and pushes him away) "Not in
front of the camera.  Go away.  I'm busy." 

(Nightstalker winks at the camera) Works every time.  Now here we
have the famous, or should I say imfamous, Cerise. (Cerise is a
slim red-headed elf who was talking to Raven, but is now grinning
mischeviously at Raven's discomfort) Say something for all your
fans, Cerise! 

(Cerise) "So tell me do you guys think you have any chance now that
you've seen Powerhouse?   Don't worry, even Cyberbrains has a
chance." 

Insufferable, isn't she?  Well, only a few people left.  Let's see,
that black-robed fellow over there is Drake, and standing next to him
is our very own real FBI agent and coffee drinker extraordinaire,
Cooper. (camera shows the back of a slim man wearing a black hooded
cloak, and a profile view of a tall, affable looking man wearing a
fedora and coat, and drinking coffee from a mug that says 'Coffee is
not just a drink.  It is a religion.'  As Nightstalker moves closer,
Drake half turns.  His face is still obscured by the hood.) (Drake,
very quietly)  "No pictures."  (Cooper chuckles as Nightstalker
becomes fascinated by the view from the window, pulling the camera
after him.) 

Last and maybe least, we have the man of the hour, the proverbial
deer caught in headlights, it's the one, the only, thank God,
Highlander.  Ask everyone for forgiveness for having to drag your
butt out of the fire once more.  (Outraged Scottish Decker with
bandage on right hand starts to speak, but the camera moves away.)

Well, the PLAN (laughter and hoots in background) is for the ritual
team to get the ring off Highlander and cleanse his aura of that
infection, then to destroy the ring and get roaring drunk.  There's a
massive and, I'm told by my spell tossing lady, ludicrously expensive
ward up around the house.  The security people will be in the house,
except for Gepetto's drones. Though Anon won't let me show them,
there are many ways for us to get out and hit assaults on the house
from behind.  We figure that if anything goes wrong it will be in the
form of a massive astral attack on the ward followed by a fight in
the house, so we're not too worried about the outside, though you
never know.  Besides the security people I showed you, there are a
ton of elementals and spirits here to help out.  Since the ritual
team is unfortunately not mobile we're basically facing a massive
brawl and hoping we got more oomph than the bad guys.

Since I find it fascinating, I asked Brandon to explain what will
happen in the ritual. (cut to Brandon)

(Brandon) "The ritual will take 24 hours to perform.  I will be the
ritual leader, directing the magical energy generated by the rest of
the group. Cerise will be the Victim Anchor.  She will link her aura
with Highlander's to strengthen and protect him while the ring is
being removed." 

(Nightstalker, very, very quietly) "Ah, just what she always
wanted." 

(Brandon) "Drake will be the Ritual Weapon.  He and his weapon focus
will receive most of the ritual's magic energy, which will allow him
to shatter the ring, destroying it and it's bond with Highlander.
It's all rather simple, really."

So you've done this before?

(Brandon) "Well, no.  But the theory is a sound one."

Glad to hear it.  I'm sure Highlander is, too.

Well, that will all for right now.

***** End Download]<<<<<
        -- Anonymous <##:##:##/**-**-**>

>>>>>[Anonymous here.  This is the beginning of the ritual, along
with the actual battle.  This is a very long file.

***** Download:  Video/Audio File

The seven mages sit down in a circle, just inside the ritual
perimeter. Brandon Lowe is at the head with, Blitzkreig to his
right.  Continuing around is Cerise, Drake, Princess, Raven, and
Cooper.  Highlander sits in the center of the circle looking
slightly worried.  The bandange is off his hand, and the
spider-shaped ring is plainly visible.  The finger it is attached
to is red and very swollen. 

The runes on the ground glow slightly and then, just for a second, a
dome of blue energy surrounds them all.  (Brandon) "I think we will
begin now." 

He raises his hands and the air above Highlander begins to shimmer.
He then nods at Blitzkreig, who does the same.  The shimmer
increases. Nodding to each mage in turn, Brandon summons them all
into the ritual and the shimmer increases as they join.  By the time
Cooper joins the air inside the dome glows with magical energy.  Then
they began to chant.

<There is a really big lag of lots and lots of chanting which we
removed from the recording.>

(Anonymous) "Hey!  Somebody's opening the front door!" A video
monitor turns on so everyone can see.  Walking into the main hall is
Spectre looking like he's been to hell and back at least twice.

(Gepetto) "What the hell!  Drek! I don't see anyone else coming but I
didn't see him either."

(Anonymous, grimly)  "You're not the only one with egg on his face.
None of the outside sensors I got registered a damn thing."

(Regent manifests suddenly)  "I saw him, but I thought I'd get a
kick out of watching you all panic.  I did, too."

Spectre walks through the house down into the basement where
everyone else is waiting.  He glances around the room.

(Spectre) "They're coming."

(Powerhouse) "How long?"

Spectre shrugs, and turns to the wall monitor.

(Spectre) "Where's the armory?  I need to drop my bag someplace. 
Stuff's useless in a brawl."

<Not quite as much edited out footage of chanting.>

(Regent manifests once again) "She has arrived and brought a lot of
friends with her."

(Nightstalker) "How many?"

(Regent) "Too many.  Way, way too many."

(Gepetto) "We've got incoming drones.  Fifteen of them.  Must be
herding them.  Engaging, NOW!"

Raven, Brandon, and Cerise flinch.  (Brandon) "The ward's starting
to buckle and we're nowhere near the end of this ritual."

(Raven) "Can we do it any faster?"

(Brandon) "Maybe two minutes, but it's not safe.  The backlash will
kill Highlander and Cerise, and the drain might knock us all out."

(Raven) "What if I linked my aura to Highlander's also?

(Brandon) "Hhmmm.  Good idea, but we'll need you and your magesword
to help Drake.  Blitzkreig, link your aura with Highlander.  Drake,
Raven.... argh! Ward's down!"

The security team leaps to defensive positions around the ritual
circle, each member drawing a melee weapon of some sort as
Gepetto's Spirit Thrasher's blades whir to life.  The wall monitor
flashes to a view of the front hallway, where a drone is flying
through the wreckage of the front door, surrounded by manifest
Spider spirits. 

(Gepetto) "Something funny about that drone.  Bullets aren't hitting
it." 

(Anon) "Interior defenses should handle it."

Elementals manifest and attack the spiders in the hall only to be
attacked by yet more spiders.  Concealed weapon turrets are
revealed, spraying the drone with machine gun fire, which have no
effect.  A spirit is destroyed by a hidden laser, narrowly missing
the drone, which flies on. 

In the room itself, Spider spirits begin to manifest and attack the
vastly outnumbered security team.

Powerhouse's sword flashes as he swings it widely, killing two
spiders before they recover from manifesting.  Nightstalker slashes
at one, but it bats the blade away with a long leg.  Lucky cuts a
leg off a spider, dodges its counterstrike and then rips a long
wound on its torso with her knife focus. Spectre charges straight
at the nearest spider.  He grabs a pincer in his cyberhand and
plunges his spurs deep into the spider.  It tries to escape his
grasp, but he just plunges his spurs into it again.  It falls
lifeless and dissapates into vapor.  Fenris turns to the nearest
spider and blasts it with some sort of spell, killing it
instantly.  But more and more are forming. 

(Brandon) "Cerise!  Blitzkreig!  Link up now!"

Cerise and Blitzkeig leave their places at the edge of the circle,
grab Highlander by an arm, and begin to chant.  Everyone in the
circle shudders as spirits, visual only as a distortion in the air,
slam against the now flickering dome of magic.  Another spirit
tears into these spirits, killing two and drawing the others off
into an astral battle. 

(Princess) "Good job, Regent."

Back in the melee, the defenders are still in a circle around the
ritual team. Most are menaced by at least two spirits, and are
frantically defending themselves, only occassionally able to land a
telling blow.  Both Powerhouse and Lucky use their foci
ferociously, and Fenris sends blast after blast into the melee, but
sheer force of numbers prevents the group from gaining any
breathing space. 

A spirit suddenly materializes above the Spirit Thrasher, bearing it
to the ground.  For a few seconds, the blades continue to spin,
chewing up the floor, but then sparks fly from the casing, and the
drone grinds to a halt. 

The room shakes as the sound of a small explosion is heard.

(Anon) "The drone just destroyed the door to the basement.  Expect
some more company.  I can take it out.  Gepetto, you're going to
lose contact with drones in the house in a few seconds.

(Gepetto) "Fine.  I've got a lock on the enemy rigger's location.  I
should have him iced in a few seconds.  Turn off your jammers in
thirty seconds." 

(Raven) "We need more time!  Brandon, can your group send us some
help? 

(Brandon, sighing) "Very well."

(Cerise and Blitzkreig) "We're linked!"

(Brandon) "Good.  Drake.  Raven.  Collect the rest of the energy."

Drake and Raven stand up, each drawing a magesword as they do so. 
They both begin to chant and their swords begin to glow, the
brightness increasing continuously.

At the foot of the staircase the drone that passed the battling
spirits in the entrance hall appears.  Small tubes on each side are
empty, but a barrel is visible from the front.  It moves above the
melee and tracks in on Brandon Lowe. 

(Anon) "Not a chance, sucker.  Activating jammers."

The drone wobbles for second, then resumes it's former position as
the autopilot kicks in.  It hovers uselessly, awaiting new
instructions. 

(Lucky) "Great!  What can you do about Widowmakers?"

(Widowmaker) "Nothing that will save your misible little life!"

The Widowmaker, a beautiful woman with jet black hair dressed in an
extermely provocative dress, forms from something on the floor below
the masterless drone. She smiles slightly as she  surveys the
battle.  Powerhouse notices her and kills the two spirits he is
fighting.  He charges at her, but her smile deepens.

(Widowmaker, singing) "Ah, ah, ah.  Keep that sword away from me."
She lifts her hand and a powerful gust of wind of wind strikes him.
He manages to keep his feet, but his sword is knocked from his hands.

(Powerhouse) "Have to do better than that!"  He charges towards her
and a spider leaps in front of him.  His hands light up and he jams
them both straight into its torso.  It dissapates leaving Powerhouse
just meters from the Widowmaker. 

(Widowmaker, singing again) "I said get back!"  Another blast of
wind catches Powerhouse, lifting him off his feet and tossing him
across the room.  He lands hard, but springs back to his feet in
time to avoid a pouncing spider. 

Lucky kills a spider and quickly switches her knife to her right
hand.  She draws a Remmington Roomsweeper from her jacket and fires
at the Widowmaker. (Lucky) "This if for using me you bitch!"

The bullets bounce off a field a few feet from the Widowmaker and
she laughs. A stream of acid fires from her hands and destroys
Lucky's Roomsweeper. (Widowmaker) "Now, now, fight me like a
magician.  Not a samurai." 

Spider spirits begin to surround each member of the security team,
at least four a piece.  Fenris recieves several more hits from
powerful spider legs, but continues to blast away at them. 
Nightstalker is forced to stand his ground and his guard is
bypassed the pure volume of attacks.  Spectre goes on with his
business, deflecting blows with his arms and slashing away with his
spurs. 

More spirits, almost half as many as those all ready present, begin
to manifest throughout the room.  Fenris blasts away at one that is
forming infront of him, but pauses just after doing so.  (Fenris)
"That wasn't a spider." 

Behind him a spider leaps high, preparing to catch him in its mouth,
but instead of landing on Fenris it lands on the horn of Regent, who
manifests behind him in Unicorn form.  He then shifts into the elven
form he used before.  He is covered in small wounds and heaves the
disintergrating spider aside with some effort.  (Regent) "It's getting
a little crowded around here.  Who invited the Wasps to this little
battle?" 

Widowmaker stands transfixed for a moment, watching even more Wasp
spirits manifest and join the battle.  Then she screams as a
shimmer of an astral being rushes out of her body into the melee. 
The shimmer manifests as a huge spider with razored forlegs.  It
lands on the ground with a large thud with each of the razors
piercing straight through a wasp.  It then strikes outward, a
razored leg spliting another wasp in half. 

Spectre sees the razor spirit and smiles an almost manical smile. 
He then begins to wade his way toward her through the melee.
(Spectre) "There you are." 

Powerhouse smashes a spider aside, rolls, and comes up with his
sword back in his hands. (Powerhouse) "Time to die, Insects!"  He
leaps back into the fray swinging away at both spiders and wasps.

(Nightstalker) "Guys!  Is it me or are the wasps helping us?"

(Lucky) "I don't care.  I want Widowmaker."

Back in the ritual circle, Drake's and Raven's swords glow brightly,
so bright that they are hard to look at.

(Raven) "We have all the energy."

(Brandon) "Excellent.  Get ready to strike at the same moment."

Drake and Raven begin to walk around the kneeing Blitzkreig, Cerise,
and Highlander.  Blitzkreig and Cerise both grab Highlander's right
hand and thrust it high above his head.  The razor spirit glances in
the way of the circle and stops battling.  Several wasp leap on it,
but it ignores them.  It trills in rage, and leaps toward the circle,
scattering the attacking wasp and transferring itself back into
astral space.  It slams into the energy dome, smashing it, and flies
across to the other side where it begins to manifest again.

The seven mages and Highlander all seize up as if they were hit by a
physical blow.  Highlander crumples like a rag doll and Cerise falls
on top of him. Blitzkreig falls over on his back and begins to pant.
Raven and Drake fall to their knees, the light on their swords
disappearing almost instantly.  Princess falls over, seemingly
unconcious.  Cooper extends a hand, holding up his heaving chest.
Brandon falls back knocked senseless from the rituals abrupt ending.

Spiders leap towards the members of the ritual team, as if the razor
spirits attack was some sort of signal.  Two try to attack the prone
Brandon Lowe, but are mobbed by seven wasps.  One advances at Cooper,
who pops some coffee beans into his mouth and then zaps it out of
existence.  Regent lifts a wasp over his head and uses it as a
missile against a spider that attempts to attack Princess. He then
moves to her and begins to cast spells at any spirit that advances on
them.  Several spiders try to attack the five in the center of the
circle, but Raven and Drake struggle back to their feet and slay
them. 

The Widowmaker is standing, back against the wall, behind three
spider spirits. They are being attacked by wasps, but the spiders
hold them off until she has a chance to blast them with a spell. 
Lucky moves towards her, dodging around battling wasps and spiders,
occasionally slashing one with her knife. 

The razor spirit, now fully formed, turns toward the ritual team and
charges towards them.  Drake steps into its path and begins to dual
it, sword versus razor legs.  He stands strong for several seconds,
but the hours of casting have taken their toll, and a leg slips by
his faltering defense, giving him a small wound.  As Drake fights,
Blitzkreig struggles to his feet and joins Raven in defense of Cerise
and Highlander. (Blitzkreig) "We have to get out of here!"

(Raven) "I know!  But everyone is scattered."

(Blitzkreig) "Fine.  I'll go get them."

Blitzkreig stumbles into the melee, clearing his way with bolts of
lightning. He works his way to Fenris, who is spelling away at
anything near him.  Fenris smiles as he sees Blitzkreig join him.

(Fenris) "It's about time!  These guys are tearing me up."

Blitzkreig and Fenris look around the battlefield and see Lucky
reaching the spirits guarding the Widowmaker.  They look at each
other and smile, then turn and unleash spells.  Fenris kills one
and Blitzkreig forks a lightning bolt, killing the other two. 
Lucky charges in and gets hit by a wind blast from the Widowmaker. 
However she continues to advance and slashes a wound on the
Widowmaker's arm. 

The razor spirit battles Drake for several more seconds before
landing a devastating blow to the man's gut, slicing cloth and
skin, and slamming Drake against the wall in a spray of blood.  It
then advances on Raven who stands alone over Cerise and
Highlander.  She turns to face the spirit and pulls her sword to a
defensive position.  Nightstalker appears out of the crowd and
moves to Raven's side. 

(Nightstalker) "You didn't think I was going to let you fight it
alone." 

The razor spirit pulls its forlegs up to attack them both, but the
room is pierced by a frightening yell.

The Widowmaker attempts to dodge Lucky's knife, but receives a
second slash. She then tries to pull back and cast a spell.  Lucky
steps in and rakes her blade across the shaman's stomach.  She
yells and tries to move away, but Lucky then stabs the knife deep
into her torso.  She doubles over Lucky's arm and then drops to the
ground. 

The razor spirit leaps across the room to land right by Lucky. 
Lucky backs off as the spirit attacks her.  Fenris and Blitzkreig
fire spells at the razor spirit, but they bounce off its magical
defenses.  It slashes Lucky in her leg and the dog adept falls.  It
then slams one arm into her left shoulder and begins to bend over
to bite her when Spectre contining his maniacal pursuit slams into
the spirits flank.  It spins around, swing a leg at the samurai who
ducks under it.  Spectre steps up and slashes with his spurs,
cutting a small wound in the spider.  It leaps away yet again. 

Brandon Lowe stands up in the center of the Wasp spirits that guard
him and rushes to Raven and Nightstalker. (Brandon) "We have to get
them out of here." 

(Raven) "You two pick them up and I'll guard you."

Brandon and Nightstalker comply, Brandon picking up Cerise while
Nightstalker gets Highlander.  Regent picks up Princess and joins
the others.  Raven begins to lead them towards an exit which is
revealed when a piece of wall slides open. 

(Anon) "I would advise you all to use the exit.  Right now!  I'll
get Gepetto to ready the boats. Deactivating jammers."

(Gepetto) "It's about time.  Killed the rigger days ago... oh drek!
Where did they come from?"

Cooper takes up a positon behind Brandon and Nightstalker, chewing
away at a hand full of coffee beans.  Fenris picks up Lucky and
carries her to join the others while Fenris clears others out of
the way.  Powerhouse fights his way to Drake, but steps back in
surprise when the black-robed man stands on his own.  The two turn
to rejoin the defenders. 

There is a sudden rush of spiders as they attempt to block the
retreat.  Drake and Powerhouse slash into the rear of the attacking
force, while Blitzkrieg launches a massive lightning bolt.  The
spirits are decimated, but Blitzkrieg succumbs to the combined
exhaustion of the broken ritual and his final spell, and falls
limply to the ground.  Powerhouse scoops up the downed mage on the
run, carrying him toward the exit. 

Raven stands at the doorway guarding it as the others pass through
it carrying the wounded. (Raven) "Spectre!  Time to go!"

Spectre continues his rampage across the room, killing spider and
wasp alike as he tries to catch the razor spirit.  The razor spirit
roams the room hacking away at wasps, leaving quickly disintegrating
corpses in its wake.  Raven continues to stand at the door as
everyone passes her, yelling to Spectre. Raven then starts to
advance into the room, but has her arm caught by Brandon.

(Brandon) "We have to go."

(Raven) "We can't leave Spectre."

(Brandon) "He won't retreat, you know that.  He wants to die.  He
always has.  He can't kill her, but he can't let her get away
either." 

(Raven) "But..."

(Brandon) "No buts.  He's like Wolf.  He either wins or dies."

Raven stands in the doorway, indecision etched on her features.

Spectre suddenly seems to notice the waiting mage.

(Spectre) "You stupid mage, get out of here!  Someone has to get
this thing's True Name, or we'll never be rid of it.  I'll kill it,
you make sure it stays dead!  This is the only favor I've ever
asked you for, dammit!  Go!" 

Raven waits an instant longer, then turns and runs.  Brandon
follows, and the panel slides shut.

The spiders push the wasps harder and harder, until only a few
remain. Only one or two turn their attentions to the raging
samaurai, who ignores all but the razor legged spirit, killing
anything that comes near him with a distracted air.

(Scene shift, exterior view of a dock, with team members loading (or
being loaded) onto two idling Aztech Nightrunners.  Drones with
machine guns and rockets provide cover.  As the last 'runner
boards, the engines race, and both drones and boats take off into
the night.) 

(Scene shift, back to interior of room.)
Only a few insect and spider spirits are left.  Spectre is still
stalking the razor spirit, who is running out of insectoid targets.

(Anon) "We're clear Spectre.  Good-bye."

Spectre grins ferociously at the voice, and springs.

He lands on the back of the razor-legged spirit, and plunges his
spurs deep. Trilling in pain, the spirit leaps, smashing Spectre
against the ceiling. When this fails to dislodge the ronin, the
spider trills to it's fellow spiders, who swarm onto the giant
spider's back, tearing Spectre off the Free Spirit and onto the
floor. 

As he swings wildly, batting spirits off his prone body, his coat,
caught in the fangs of an attacking spirit, is wrenched off. 
Beneath it, covered in blood from a mortal wound to the chest, are
several blocks of plastique, bound to his chest and waist.  As the
Free Spirit rears over the pinned Spectre, he screams in both rage
and triumph.  A small panel on his cyberhand opens, revealing a
concealed switch. 

(Spectre) "I never lose!"

(Scene shift, retreating view of house from escaping boat. 
Suddenly, house is engulfed in a huge ball of fire.  Cries of
disbelief come from off screen.) 

(Anon) "My house!"

(Nightstalker) "So, that's why he put those bags in the armoury."

(Scene shift, interior of boat, group huddled, looking at Brandon.)

(Powerhouse, gripping sword VERY tightly) "You want to tell us about
your _help_, Mr. Lowe?"

(Brandon, unruffled, crouched over the unconscious Highlander) "No.
They saved your lives.  That's enough."

(Drake, whispering) "For now."

(Nightstalker) "Fine.  Later.  Right now, we've got to find a bolt
hole." 
***** End Download]<<<<<
        - Anonymous <##:##:##/**-**-**>

***** Encrypt: %%DRAGONTEAM%% 
>>>>>[ Well as to hitting the mercs once and for all as I told you
chummers last time SpotOn got word to me last time that she ain't
ready yet. But I've just recieved a message from Clockwork, we roll
tonight, everyone get ready to party, I'll have a car pick you up at
00:00:00 ]<<<<<
        --  NodeFaerie <22:30:42/07-14-54>

>>>>>[ The warrior known as Spectre has proved my shame, I am Wolf
yet while I retreated he fought on... how can this be true to my
totem... there is now only one thing I can do... know now that all
who read this are witness, for now I begin my deathmarch to avenge
one who showed more courage than I. ]<<<<<
        --  Fenris <??:??:??/??-??-??>

>>>>>[ Ouch that was bad news.... anyway for all you chummers
enjoyment here is a recording of this mornings events...

***** Download: Audio/Visual Recording

(The screen displays an aerial shot of a wharehouse lot, there are
armed patrols visible as well as a small group approaching the lot
via the shadows.) 

(View swiches to just behind the approaching group, present is
Doomsday carrying what could only be a minigun, Nightshade with her
twin guns, Gawk drooling over the Panther Assault Cannon he's
carrying and Swift who appears to be concentrating, suddenly a
mechanical sounding voice speaks.) 

"OK, showtime chummers".

(With that the group takes up combat positions in the alley and
opens fire at the compound as two rotor drones streak out in front
of the alleyway opening fire, inside the compound several
mercenaries fall to the ground dead while others raise the alarm.)

(The scene continues in a similiar vain for several minutes before, a
black clad group of four figures emerge from the central building, a
fireball immediately blossums from swift towards the group, but when
the flames die down it is seen that all remain standing, yet slightly
dispersed. The nearest of the group, a troll, spins and opens fire
with the LMG it is carrying, while another, obviously the one called
Asp reply's with a fireball of his own. As the flame disperse it is
seen that all of the party in the alley have been somewhat wounded by
the blast, as a strange figure starts to materialise behind Swift,
it's fangs gleaming. 

With an order from Nightshade the small group concentrates it's fire
upon the troll, while the cannon shell misses, several minigun
rounds find the mark the trolls fate decided by Nightshade's twin
spluttering guns. However while downing the troll the elf exposes
himself to the assault rifle fire of another of the group, a human.
The figure next to Asp, the elf known as Sprite chants and throws
forward her hand, but in that second the tell-tale sound of a
sniper rifle sounds out, indicating SpotOn has entered the fray,
the spell is never finished. However the figure behind Swift, who
is still oblivious to the threat, smiles and pummels the mage from
behind, as it bends down towards Swift another figure leaps from
the shadows. 

This new figure is a powerfully muscled elf, in each hand he carries
a sharpened stake of wood and as he springs the words "Creature of
darkness, face your death, for I know your nature" issue from his
mouth. The remaining figures in the alley now focus their fire upon
the human who downed Nightshade, and he falls as a cannon shell blows
away his ribcage. Again the sniper rifle is heard, but this time the
round explodes centimeters before it hits the remaining figure in
black, Asp merely smiles and turns, a manabolt erupting from his hand
shoots of into the darkness, followed by a scream of pain. The elf
and vampire remain dueling, the melee turning back and forth.

Both Gawk and Doomsday then turn their fire towards the mage, but
again no round can penetrate his shield, he smiles but then from a
different direction a low growl is heard. Both the mage and the
camera then spin and the figure of an orc wearing the mask of wolf
is shown as a spirit gain form around him, the snake shaman
hurriedly prepares a spell and fires it at the spirit just as it
materializes, the spirit wavers but holds and then sweeps toward
Asp. Seconds later the shaman lays dead, the orc approaches the
downed body and grab several items froms it, then disappears, The
camera then spins back just in time to see the vampire fall
permantly dead, vanquished by the muscled elf, who runs in the
direction of the compound just as a car pulls up. 

Gawk and Doomsday drag Nightshade into the car as Swift stumbles
into the front seat, then the car speeds off, from in the lot the
elf is seen again carrying another figure over his shoulder, he
disappears into the ARES Dragon parked in the lot, and moment later
the craft lifts off the ground and disappears into the night sky.)

Geez that one was pretty tough, luckily I managed to keep any
reinforcements from arriving with my drones. I wonder where Coffin
took SpotOn I haven't heard from either of them yet. I hope
Nightshade is okay, the only word I've got so far is that she is
stable, what the drek does that mean. Ummm, one last thing, what
was Fenris doing there, I thought he was with that group fighting
the spider spirits? ]<<<<< 
        --  NodeFaerie <05:32:34/07-15-54>

>>>>>[Hey-ho, chummers. Feelin' fine . . almost. Still gettin' used
to some rather amusing mental mods. But 'tsokay.

Hey, Milhaus! We're relaxing! Lets make it a party, get some of that
old cognac I brought out. We'll drink, sing, be merry. And don't
worry 'bout having to much - I'm around, and covering. Drink as much
as you want chummer, old boy. Its truly no prob.

I got PaYen to spend, and I'll be glad to spend it drinking with my
pal. 

It will be good to be me. Home, cozy in Seattle, where runners roam.

No, Milhaus. Don't cheat yourself. Make it a triple shot. Like I
said, I'm right here, with you all the way. CHEERS!]<<<<<
    -- KHANx (22:29:11/7.14.54)

>>>>>[Wyrm Ourobouros -- Berkeley? Sorry, thats a total no-go.  Why
should I go? I fell top o' the world. King of the Barrens. Let those
ripperdocs and Akademes disect me? Fragg No! This specimen is just
fine . . .perfect in fact. 

ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. Sorry about getting you drunk Milhaus, but I had
to get the bracelet. . . . My precious. Thats right, had to get it.
You and FraterNay just don't understand . . . BUT I do. You don't
know. But I found out. Its to precious to go wasting. I'll keep it --
and I'll finally get freedom. 

Thats right, it healed me . . . brought me back from the other side .
. it did. No more fear. No death. Just freedom. . . . Before there
was . . . vulnerabil- ity . . . and fear. . . .two bit ganger could
get lucky with his pinprick blade -- get it between your armor,
through your ribs. Dead. A 500 nuyen a week corp guard could get
lucky with a wild burst -- take you out. . . . Worse, are the Pros.
The cold eyed people that put bullets in your head calmly at dinner
parti es . . . or fiery handed mages who throw fireballs to
extinguish your life. 

Worst are your enemies. We're shadowrunners . . .all made alot of
enemies - very deadly enemies . . . powerful enemies. Legions of
them, each one with a ticket on your life. The dead ones are the
worst . . . 'cause they come back to kill you. You might have used
a silenced shotgun to spray the back of his head on a wall like
graffiti . . . or tore him in two with a burst . . . or stranngl ed
him in his dark apartment while hanging upside down off a ceiling
beam. . . you saw them die - light go out of their eyes . . . but
they come back to kill you. "cause they got girlfriends thirsty for
vengeance, or a Ace Pro brother who wants payback, or a megacorp
wanting to teach you a lesson. They come back to kill you. 

But now I'm free. I got the Juice. Got all the Juice. The bracelet
is the key. Nodody fraggs with you if you come back from any
injury, from seeming death . . like a creature who will not die.
Now thats me. And the bracelet is my Juice. Its my E-ticket to
Freedom from Fear and Vulnerability. Thats why I had to take it
Milhaus. You'd understand . . . if you knew . . .heard . .
.listened . . . . ]<<<<< 
    -- KHANx (23:15:56/7.14.54)

>>>>>[Hey Save_Highlader_Crew... accept my condolences for the loss
of Spectre and the carnage that erupted there. I think you only have
one option left. Get rid of Highlander's finger/hand/arm (I believe
he prefers losing part of him than all of it) and DUMP this Lowe guy.
BTW, next time you try such a stunt do it in a naturally warded zone
(if you like I could give you some locations IN GERMANY. I don't know
any in the UCAS, yet). It ought to make it easier. Ah, well...
Spirits give me the creeps.]<<<<<
        -- Rotfuchs <09:06:45/07-16-54>

***** ENCRYPT:##TEAM## 
>>>>>[Is there any news about our run? If it hasn't been settled in a
few days I may have to pull out. Personal problems.  Anybody out
there know anything about two guys named Hallerman and DeFoe? And
anything connecting them to Fuchi - Europe or SAS in Britain? They
have been trying to get to me for days,n DREK!!!]<<<<<
        -- Encryption active/Encryption active <99:99:99/07-16-54>

***** Encrypt: ##DRAGONTEAM##
>>>>>[NodeFaerie, please inform my sister SpotOn that this lil' ol'
lady from Tejas will be on site and primed to kick some ass!]<<<<<
   --  Flittermouse  <06:48:15/07-15-54>

***** Encrypt: DRAGONTEAM 
>>>>>[Ho, folks, I don't like firefights, but I'll help you as much
as I can -- just let me know where to meet up with ya all.]<<<<<
           --Ratty <14:51:07.44/16-07-2054>

>>>>>[ PH, I just read Anonymous's account of that little firefight.
I'm pleased to see that you didn't show us up, keep up the good work
and never let that Lowe guy outta your sight.  Remember some of the
special techniques I taught you.  If you need to use em !

Myself, IBA and Speed have been offered some security work in, well I
can tell you later where it was.  Anyway I've sorted out
applications for your parents to emigrate to the Carribean League and
I'm sure with IBA working on them there will be no problem. I've
asked a couple of my friends to keep an eye on your folks till they
get sorted though I believe that chick Cerise also has people
watching the place.  Btw, she is cute, it took me a while to
appreciate her but I can really see what you see in her now.

Well I'm off to do some last minute packing (read concealing), I'll
see ya in two weeks.  Keep cool, and keep your head. ]<<<<<
        -Punisher (16:52:55/7.16.54)

***** Encrypt Nitro-MPCP only
>>>>>[ Nitro, Punisher asked me to post this message.

Nitro, I see from KAHNx's messages that he is indeed not well.  I
think you can safely count out my former Mescaline theory as this
would have lost it's effects in day.  From what he was saying I
could have sworn he was talking like a vamp, and believe me we
don't want another vamp on here.  Remember Morrision ?  Mind,
Action Jackson was ok.  Anyway I suggest you get a blood sample and
have it checked for HMHVV and just about every else.  If KAHNx
isn't forthcoming then you'll just have to think up another
method.  I'll be out of town for the next few weeks so let me know
how you got on. - Punisher. 

Sounds nasty, I'd strongly advise taking Punisher's advice, he's ex
special forces and has training in chemical warfare among other
things so I would listen to him carefully. ]<<<<<
        -I.B.A. (**:**:**/**.**.**)

>>>>>[ Hi.  It's been one hell of a day.  Crossing Lake Union was one
hell of a trip.  Brandon Lowe sat at the front of the boat with
Powerhouse staring at him.  He seemed very uncomfortable under his
gaze.  Blitzkreig lay at the bottom, still unconcious for too much
spell casting.  Raven when around the boat healing each of us and
then snuggled up to me.  She cried, murmuring "It didn't have to end
that way. 

Looking at the boat ahead of us, I could see Drake and Fenris
standing at the stern.  They were looking at the ruins.  Drake was
silence.  Fenris raged against the night, losing any resemblence of
composure.  Cooper sat looking back silently while Regent sat on
the bow, protecting the fallen Lucky, Princess, Highlander, and
Cerise. 

When we landed on the other shore, Fenris jumped form the boat and
ran off into the night.  I'm worried about him.  The shaman took
losing Spectre pretty hard. Lucky told me it was because Wolf never
leave a companion to die.  Of course she seemed to mind that alot
also.  I guess that's Dog's loyality. 

Anyway, Gepetto brought up some cars and took us to a safe house. 
We've been there since, recovering from the beating we took.  Heal
spells might seal the wounds, but you still feel like hell of
days.]<<<<< 
        -- Nightstalker <11:16:52/07-16-54>

>>>>>[ Rotfuchs:  The ritual almost worked and it will when we try it
again. We only failed because the Widowmaker attacked.  She won't be
doing that again. Soon her other half will join her in hell.  ]<<<<<
        -- Raven the Mage <11:22:43/07-16-54>

>>>>>[ We can't dump Lowe until he pays up for decieving us.  Plus
we still have to free Cyberbrains and he knows the ritual best. 
Don't worry.  If he doesn't come through in spades I'm going to
make him wish he never volunteered his assistance.

And one more thing Rotfuchs.  We'll do what we want, where we want,
anytime we damn well please. ]<<<<<
        -- Cerise <11:25:10/07-16-54>

>>>>>[Hiya, I am having a decker send this out.  If you are reading
this it means that I am a dead man, and that I didn't make it out of
Livewire's mansion alive.  Anyway, I wanted to take this chance to
say that it was fun working with all the people I have in the past,
and that I want you all to remember the good things about me, not the
. . . well you know. 

What happened is hard to say, since I had to write this before I
left for this, I guess last job.  I decided that it was time to end
this mess with Livewire.  I hope, that you will be reading this
message.  Because this is the message that announces "I KILLED THE
FRAGGER!"  If you are receiving this, it means that I am a dead
man, but so is Livewire. 

To all my friends that now have outlived me, best of luck to you. 
It was a blast until things disintergrated like this.  Oh and if
you ever get the chance, please kill that bastard the High Prince
of Tir.  I know, that's extremely not likely to happen, but it's at
least wishful thinking.  Take care, all of you guys.

This is a timed delayed message.]<<<<<
        -- Iceman <12:20:00/7-16-54>

>>>>>[OUCH! tHIS IS REALLY PAINFUL. i TRIED TO RUN THE "pIGGLY wIGGLY
THAT BELLE GOT THE LTG# FOR. AS YOU CAN SEE, MY DECK IS SCRAGGED. . .
TEXT ONLY, AND THAT HAS TO BE ALL CAPS. HOPE YOU GUYS CAN READ; NO
INCONERATE-ONLY TYPES. . .DETAILS LATER]<<<<<
        --jAEZ <13:29:32/7-16-54>

>>>>>[God, I hate hangovers!  That was one fraggin' experience.  Do
you want any help in tracking down this fraggin' spirit?  I am still
willing to help, because the ritual still needs to be completed.

Doomsday, what the frag is happening?]<<<<<
        -- Blitzkrieg <12:37:43/7-16-54>

>>>>>[I guess you could blame it all on me. . . Livewire, Livewire's
son, Iceman, Iceman's mentor, Q.   All their deaths point to me. . .
. All I can say is I'm sorry.]<<<<<
        -- Doomsday <12:38:52/7-16-54>

>>>>>[Hey, it wasn't your fault Doomsday!  Any one of us, could have
gotten into a sticky situation.  I hate to cause more panick, but Doc
and I got into a fight over this situation, and now she has been gone
for over 24 hours. Does anyone know anything about this.]<<<<<
        -- Shadowfox <12:40:20/7-16-54>

>>>>>[Frag! No, but I'll start looking.  And Doomsday, I am not
blaming you for their deaths.]<<<<<
        -- Phoenix <12:40:59/7-16-54>

>>>>>[Neither am I.  I will try and offer aid as I can.  I am in the
middle of something so who knows how much time I can offer, but I'll
do my best]<<<<< 
        -- Blitzkrieg <12:42:17/7-16-54>

>>>>>[Since all the other deaths are on my hands, I will do my
upmost to try and find her. . . *sigh*  This sucks.  I still have a
job to deal with though, so at first my time is sort of spread real
thin-like. 

This is all my fault.]<<<<<
        -- Doomsday <12:43:59/7-16-54>

***** Encrypt: %%DRAGONTEAM%% 
>>>>>[Chummers-  I'm game as I said before.  Just pick me up.  I'll
be ready for a fight, but I'd rather be covering y'all.  Goin' in is
not necessarily my cup 'o, but I'll do it if required. See ya
tonight.]<<<<<
        --  Swift <14:40:01 / 7-16-54>

>>>>>[Ooooooh. . .My head still hurts. I've got my deck patched for
now. We'll see how long that lasts. . .

Well, I went to the Piggly Wiggly node. Feeble Green node, with
ports accessing various offices and workstations. There was also a
hidden passage I spotted. I followed it into a tougher Green node,
with a couple of datastores attached. But the datastores looked
bogus; they all had the same information, shifted around. It was as
if someone had set each record to randomly select from the same set
of values. Too many files were similar to be coincidence.

I looked around and found another secret connection. I followed it to
a massive Red node with Trace and Burn. I sleaze it, and scouted the
next connection--a blue node. I dropped my MPCP and went there.

Eventually, after maneuvering through this maze of hi/low nodes, I
found a research datastore. There were records of brainwave
patterns, neurochemistry, and the results of several bioware tests,
both on animals and humans.

I went to a private workstation, and met old Kim himself. I can't
really fight, so I raced out--but they'd switched routing on me! I
had to find a new way out of the system. He cornered me in an Orange
node. . .I pulled the plug right as his sword went for my captain's
head.

Something is definitely not right up there. I'm busy here--I can
deck LD, but can't leave town. If anyone wants to meet Belle and
Mind Throttle, I think we could set up a run on this place. . .of
course, the more people, the greater the chance for
detection.]<<<<< 
        --  Jaez <15:05:36/7-15-54>

>>>>>[ To the party offering the meet in the near future, I will be
there. Hope we can do business.]<<<<<
        --  Diamondback <17:12:00/07-15-54>

>>>>>[Wow!]<<<<<
   --  Flittermouse  <09:58:32/07-16-54>

*** Encrypt: Jaez Only 
>>>>>[I grieve for your pains.  Are thou seriously hurt?  I hope my
curiosity has not caused thee great pain.  I feel somewhat
responsible...  However, to business:

Midnyght is, as far as I know, just a decker (not a simple decker as
I was about to say, as your last few posts have obviously shown!).
He might have magik capabilities, but nothing in the precis I
compiled led to such a conclusion.

When Sir Midnyght attacked you, could you tell if he was jacked in
or maybe if he was acting like a program?  AS much as I dispise
AI's, we have to keep the possibility open...

I *do* have some combat capabilities, but my stealth is not as up to
par as I would like.  Mayhaps, my lady, we can work together on the
"Piggly Wiggly" compound?  I am in town, and relatively hard to
trace (being a foreigner), so how about I meet you at a prearranged
location to discuss the warehouse, maybe take a walk around the
location?  It'll do me good to get out of the flat.. 

LTG me on this.]<<<<<
        -- Stormblade <14:48:20/07-17-54>

*** Encrypt: Stormblade only
>>>>>[Where do you think *you're* going?]<<<<<
        -- Thorne <14:49:25/07-17-54>

*** Encrypt: Thorne only
>>>>>[Oh, love... it's only BUSINESS.  I'm not *that* much of a
flirt..]<<<<< 
        -- Stormblade <14:52:17/07-17-54>

*** Encrypt: Stormblade only
>>>>>[Yeah... right.]<<<<<
        -- Thorne <14:52:52/07-17-54>

*** Encrypt: Punisher, IBA, and Powerhouse only
>>>>>[Thanks for the reassuring words, Punisher.  MCT has done its
share against me.  Fact is, m'lord, that I feel those 'Raku heathen
who visited me days ago may have been a front for an MCT probe on
me. 

Paranoia?  Not I.... *smile*

If ever you need another combat decker, or mayhaps just another
crackshot with a Ceska Black Scorpion, send thy messenger to me at
my LTG (mailed seperately) and I'll help ye against our common
oppressers.  My sword is always at your service..]<<<<<
        -- Stormblade <14:59:02/07-17-54>

*** Encrypt: Wyrm only
>>>>>[Message received.  LTG me the mission outline.  Payment will
be half in hardware and software, half in hard Gold (paper New
Yen).]<<<<< 
        -- Stormblade <15:03:07/07-17-54>

>>>>>[I'm sure that this "decker" I met in the PW system is the
actual guy, not just some virtual poser with his MPCP. You see,
everyone has a fairly unique pattern of data entry and manipulation
called a 'fist'. It's not just the persona, but the way this guy
moves. . .it matches every report I've collected on it.

Yes please, Stormblade, fly into Tulsa International. I'll have my
chauffeur pick you up. I've got to do dinner with Erin and Ford,
but if you'll just wait in my pad, we can work up a viable plan to
put into action in, say, a week. Ciao!]<<<<<
        --Jaez <17:40:52/7-17-54>

>>>>>[ I.B.A., it took some time, but Kendra broke the encrypted
message you sent me from Punisher. I don't have an MPCP, or whatever
its called. I'm a magicker, I'm not going to stick any chrome in this
bod. 

Thanks for the help. If we can subdue him for long enough we'll get a
blood sample tested. Right now, though, he's running around Kendra's
squat like a madman. I've tried calming him down with some of my less
powerful spells to no avail. I think he has one of those trinkets he
picked up in the warehouse down in Frisco. Some kind of quickened
spell I think. The way he's running around and acting, though, I
think he's already bonded to it. I would really prefer not having to
use one of my more effective spells on him. They usually take the
recipients of them to the emergency room. Darned hyperactivity and
super-high metabolism.

Back to work. I need a vacation. ]<<<<<
        --  Nitro <13:26:48/07-18-54>

>>>>>[Khanx, now that I've fulfilled my obligations to Highlander and
company ( and will use it for Quest Reimbursement on F-B-I form
121-K, Karma Reimbursement), I'd like to examine you astrally, if I
may, in order to help determine what is affecting you. In the
meantime, try green coffee from Kenya; this has alleviated confusion
in a statistically stable population before.]<<<<<
        --  Cooper <11:47:42/7-18-54>

>>>>>[Jaez, MT and I went to the library in St. Louis. We found
several reports that may be related to the Piggly Wiggly pad.  They
own all land within a mile of their physical perimeter. The
electronic frontier is hidden, and there were a few problems with
locals getting injured or even killed before they got the warning
signs up. Judging by the level of security we saw in the medical
complex below, I'd bet that the sec systems are on a separate
system. 

BTW, if you want MT to run drone support, you'll need to get some
for her. Maria Andretti here doesn't have any.]<<<<<
        --  Packard Belle <11:55:31/7-18-54>

>>>>>[Hey, I'm a circuit racer, not dronemaster!]<<<<<
        --  Mind Throttle <11:56:32/7-18-54>

>>>>>[*SIGH* Amateurs.]<<<<<
        --  Packard Belle <11:56:54/7-18-54>

>>>>>[After careful consideration, I've decided to fly down to meet
thee, Lady Jaez.  We need to discuss some strategies about how we're
going to seige the Piggly Wiggly stronghold, both physically and
virtually.  After we have a set decking plan, I'll travel down to the
warehouse and talk to Throttle and Belle about the physical layout of
the building. 

What I basically have in mind is try to run the LTG from _inside_,
hoping to bypass some of the security and mayhaps get a better
glimpse at ye olde warehouse.

While I'm on my way over to the fair land of Tulsa, could you run a
precis on Piggly Wiggly, centered on who exactly _owns_ the damned
land? 

The tickets are in my hand, and I'm on my way.

P.S. Hope you have room for Thorne, too.

P.P.S. Look for a tall man with long green hair, wearing a T-shirt
saying "Ragnarok CXVII".]<<<<<
        -- Stormblade <14:45:34/07-18-54>

>>>>>[Well, according to county records, Piggly Wiggly does indeed
own the land the warehouse is on. PW is a chain of stores in the
midwestern part of the UCAS and CAS, Stormblade.  Understandable
since you're not from here. 

Piggly Wiggly is owned strictly by private individuals.  Controlling
stock is a nec&neck race between Carl Hughes and Malcolm Briggs.
Hughes has 12% while Briggs has 11.8%, or something close to that.
Anyway, Hughes is an entrepeneur, and pretty much built up the Ares
anthropomorphic drone subdivision by hand.  Briggs' son is chief
researcher with Motorola's Remote Procssing project. Anyway, Both had
bucks to spend, and they founded Piggly Wiggly 5 years ago.

Hughes was mustered out of Ares right before them, but I find it
hard to believe that someone of his calibre and position would have
been "freed" so easily, or that he could start an operation so soon
thereafter. I think Piggly Wiggly is a front, just like in that old
movie Stephanie Spielberg's granddad made about UFOs.]<<<<<
        --  Jaez <14:23:42/7-18-54>

>>>>>[Damn, that was real fun.  I don't believe I missed that guy.  I
think dat we're on da unemployed list again, heh chummers?  Anyone
want to go to Dante's wit me tonight.  I might swing by da local
humanis chapter on da way back for kicks.  Just remeber, if ya need a
someone to make sure ya don't burn yer buns, call me.  I'm allways
lookin' for fun.]<<<<< 
        --  Gawk <15:44:56 7-18-54>

>>>>>[I just love getting paid for watching trid.  When do we hit
this place? What do we hit it with? When can we eat? What's going on?
How can someone like me get bored?  Where, oh, where did everyone go?
DIMsdale, Eros, Flash, you out there still?  Ho, Hum]<<<<<
        --  Couch  <00:00:00 / 00-00-00>

>>>>>[Couch, you must be bored, you turned on your clock.  Now, if we
can just get you to set it.]<<<<<
        --  Me <16:14:56 / 7-18-54>

>>>>>[Me, bite me.  I pay you to drive, not talk.  Sometimes, the
chauffer just gets a bit to cocky. {##3 Min remaining##}  Oops,
gotta switch links.  Talk to you later.]<<<<<
        --  Couch <..:..:.. / ..-..-..>

>>>>>[ Hey chummers that was good fun hey, anyone wanna buy an Ares
Dragon I still have the bloody thing here, Coffin said he didn't want
it. Anyway onto biz, that vampire present at the compound was only
newly infected, in fact he was infected when he went to skrag the guy
that had our tapes apparently there is a nasty master vamp operating
in the Seattle area, in fact that's why Coffin was in town.

Oh yeah Coffin told me to pass on a message 'to any foolhardy
'runners' that the vamp he is after is drek-hot and he can't afford
to have to 'fight his way through newbie's' when he goes after this
one. Guess he want's all the credit. Oh yeah, he doesn't require a
cut of the newyen for helping out, but I suggest no one from the
team apply for the bounty on the vamp, he's already collected it.

Now this run is over lets get together to carve up the proceeds and
party, hey you chummers may even get to meet NodeFaerie. ]<<<<<
        --  SpotOn <22:12:34/07-18-54>

>>>>>[ Hey chummers I agree with SpotOn, it's time to party, my house
is the easiest, I'll send a car to pick you all up, that way you can
get to meet me.

Hey Flittermouse stop sending me hate mail, it wasn't my fault you
were elected to drive the getaway car. Sorry you weren't in the hit
Ratty but SpotOn only gave me 30 minutes to assemble the team.

Ohhh, by the way, Fenris was here earlier and I asked him what he
was doing at the compound. He muttered something about 'collecting
materials' and went straight to the car I loned him to pick up
Lucky a couple of weeks ago. He reached in and pulled out this ugly
looking knife that was lying under the seat, I swear that the hilt
of that knife looked like a spider. ]<<<<<
        --  NodeFaerie <23:12:52/07-18-54>

>>>>>[MILLHAUS, mon frere, How have you been?  I certainly hope you
plan to cross the briney to see me soon.  WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON
OVER THERE ?????  Some aquaitance of yours is running around with a
VERY personal object of mine (created it myself from some older
relics).  I THOUGHT you would remember it from you're last visit once
you had seen it?  Perhaps we were paying too much attention to some
other parts of my collection.  Don't be terribly concerned.  I am
still quite 'linked' to it.  All will be Well dear Milli.  I, as you
I'm certain guessed, have less limited finances than a poor old
professor should have. (I expect you will be kind enough to scold me
for the 'old' remark).  I have a great interest in this little
project you are involved in.  And yes, twas I who was twin to our
beloved FraterNay on that eve.  I'm surprised you didn't recognize
this. 

I simply must hear from you soon.  There are plans in the works (had
tea with the Arch Dru yesterday!)

Can you DISCREETLY send me a little artifacts list ?

That's all till I hear from you. I have students knocking on my
door.]<<<<< 
        -- AMELIA  <07:49:00/19-July-54>

>>>>>[Blessed be, Lady Love! It has, indeed, been far too long since
we've had the opportunity to discuss life and lore over tea and
cigarettes. (I still don't know where you get that tobacco.) I will
admonish you for the 'old professor' comment.  You're not _that_ old,
and you certainly don't have the school-marmy look about you.

I do apologize for not recognizing your projection in the City by
the Bay, but as I'm sure you'll recall, I was a tad busy. What was
that twinning business, anyway? I'd certainly like to enter into
that kind of union with you if possible. Do you gain benefit of
combined magicks? Knowledge? Such bonding I have only heard of in
legend, and then only between true blood twins, or oathbound
lovers. Is there something I should know? 

If you've had tea with the Drui, it must be important. I'm sending a
list of artifacts directly to yet another of your artifacts. Look
for it on the linotype in your home alcove.

As for the bracelet on my cyberlimbed friend, I can only ask you to
get it off of him. I know if it is of your creation, it's effects
will only be helpful (or at least benign) to him, but he's
overreacting to it a bit (designed for those of us whose bodies are
undefiled, I presume - though I could stand a bit more revenge on
him. Few men have ever had me that drunk, that -um- distracted, and
then simply left). *humph* 

And something more puzzles me. If you created the bracelet, how in
the name of the Gods did it leave your side? And what's L'yenthl
got to do with all this? Don't leave me in the dark, k'chara.]<<<<<
        -- Millhaus <22:34:25/18-Jul-54>

>>>>>[Sorry to get you ticked off, Cerise... I only meant to help
and perhaps point something out, that may have been overlooked.
But, prithee, go on with thy scheme as best thou seest. I would
never presume to tech thee what to do. (Picture of a humanoid fox
wearing a medieval ccostume and bowing to the audi- ence)

BTW, I got rid of DeFoe, but this Hallerman guy is still after me...
Could somebody look out for a caucasian male, about 35, 6'10, broad
build, brown hair a small scar on the left cheek and presumably two
fingers of his left hand missing (Did it hurt, Hallerman??) Don't
know if he's cybered, 'cause his aura is too bright to belong to a
mere mundane. On the other hand he is no physical adept either... But
he's FAST...and since he didn't attack me with spells... And
Hallerman...don't try this stunt with the whip again, will ya??]<<<<<
        -- Rotfuchs <10:53:00/07-19-54>  (Via Satellite Uplink
           DataSat 3) 

>>>>>[Mertens, or Rotfuchs as you call yourself now, eat drek. So
you fragged DeFoe? Beats me... He was only MCT-Security...And as
for me losing my fingers just remember the vat you goons wrecked in
the Fuchi-Compound... Be seeing you, Dead Meat.]<<<<<
        -- Hallerman <12:28:25/07-19-54>

>>>>>[ Jaez, Might I fly into Tulsa and meet as well.  Mayhaps I could
work as a secondary decker in other PW areas drawing attention away
from the real probe or run interference of some type.I wonder if its
just that one location or at PW everywhere? Let me know if I should
fly out. It would be a pleasure doing business with you if I
may.]<<<<<
        --  Diamondback <09:20:00/7-19-54>

>>>>>[Hello ? ............#!#$=?.  
??? Fraggin keyboard's nearly Elvis. What ho mates..er chummers (?)
What the name and I seem to be in a spot of bother. My 'friend in the
firm' Mr J, I think you lot call 'em ship me accross the pond to put
a quick job, but it when badly wrong and I was the only one who made
it out.

So I'm stuck in sunny Seattle, in a small hole of a dive with this
lass who fixes thing (?) If any of you lot are looking for Elf
Muscle with that English angle here, I am Just post a note up. I'm
out of action for a while but will be needin' the readies to get
back home.]<<<<< 
                - What <17:44:55/07-19-54>

>>>>>[Milli: Some quick info to satisfy your curiousity.

Regarding the 'twinning', well dear,  I've grown quite fond of
FraterNay over the last year or so.  We have made several visits
over the pond to see each other.  This is however, a personal
matter for friends to discuss face to face.  Feel free to speak
with her.  You do know, however, that we are not blood twins.

It was closer to a channelling than a combination, though.  No, She
hasn't any knowledge of mine that I did not want to let pass.  She is
not prepared for such things.  And for that matter, neither are you
dear (no insult intended dear friend).

Regarding the predicament of your cyberlimbed friend, No, I cannot
remove the bracelet, only he can.  I do, however, still exercise
much control over it's use, and can dampen it's effect.  It was
made as a personal instrument dear.  And there is nothing wild
about it as I am certain you are aware. Convince him to return it
to your possession as soon as possible.  Exactly how did anyone
manage to obtain it from you anyway?  Are you still succumbing to
the weakness of drink?  Or was he just cute enough to distract your
thoughts? 

The bracelet was stolen during a journey I made to see FraterNay. 
I, as I am certain you are aware, had to be extremely cautious in
its transport (I needed it for a 'special' visit with FraterNay).
The result was that I had to very carefully store it on the journey
and could not keep it on my person at some points.  I am still a
bit baffled as to how someone managed to get access to that
particular parcel in my luggage.  I have been investigating since
it happened, which is why I knew it's location when you made your
little journey to S.F.  Imagine my surprise when FraterNay told me
of your 'task'. 

I am still trying to reconcile things with the Drui over here.  They
were just a little upset with what happened.  And as baffled as I.
It's return would bode well for me, as I'm certain you can imagine.
Which is why I will pay quite well for it's return.  And I hope you
also understand why I want the focus (as the Drui do) safe in my
sanctuary with my other 'collectables'.  Nothing has ever escaped
that haven, as I am certain you can imagine.

I will go over the list you sent me in detail.  I am willing to pay
very well for most of the items.  You and your friend's time would
certainly be generously rewarded.  And we shall be able to meet
again.  I am ordering what I require for a generous supply of the
tobacco. 

I await word from you.]<<<<<
        --  AMELIA <21:35:00/19-July-54>

>>>>>[Millhaus: Sorry, but you were away when Amelia last visited.
And we have had no time for personal discussions since.

Foci Crew:  Where is KHANx?  We must convince him to return the
bracelet to Millhaus.  I beleive him to be in do danger from the
bracelet.  But his actions while wearing it I can not
predict.]<<<<< 
        --  FraterNay <12:41:56/19-June-54>

>>>>>[I'll be glad to dole out the portions/PaYen tonight.  Getting
the scrip and partying should relax us after this rather .  . .ehrrr .
. . convoluted run. See ya chummers there. BTW, the portions from the
Fund (who's board of Director s I've spoken to, and cleared things
with), the kids stash of gems (which he left on the bed -maybe he
knew what we were doing for him after all), and the payment in Zurich
Orbital Gold Bonds we recieved from the "family friend" basicly allow
each of us to pocket 50K nuyen.]<<<<<
     -- NightShade (15:50:54/7.19.54)

>>>>>['We can't dump Lowe until he pays up for deceiving us'?  How,
pray tell, did I deceive you?  I told you nothing about my
organization, therefore I gave you nothing with which to mislead
you.  Are you upset with Raven for not telling you about her magic
group?  Or, are you upset that it was insects that saved your
life?  If they had been wolf or bear spirits, you wouldn't have
been upset, but because they were insects, you lash out.  Are you
so hermetic that you cannot see that insects have a place in this
world, too? Broaden your horizons, Cerise, and all you others.  All
the forces on this world are not cute and furry.  Some are
sinister-looking, but their place in the world is just as valid. 

By the way, in case you hadn't noticed, my 'deception' saved your
lives.  I wasn't looking for any thanks for their aid, and I can
see that I'm not going to be disappointed.  And you truly see
yourselves as superior?]<<<<< 
        -- Brandon Lowe (17:02:43/7-19-54)

***** Encrypt Raven-The-Mage MPCP
>>>>>[We still face a common foe, Raven.  If you wish my assistance
when you enter the metaplane of spiders, you have but to ask.  My
knowledge of our foe is not limited to the physical plane.]<<<<<
        -- Brandon Lowe (17:04:21/7-19-54)

***** Encrypt Ritual-Team 
>>>>> I am most disappointed with the results of our efforts.
Although I havvve recovvvered from my injuries, the loss of the one
known as Spectre givvves me an unhealed pain.  I only hope I was of
some assistance to you all.  If I may help you further please notify
me.  I do not feel that this threat has been put to rest.  Please
keep your wits about you. <<<<<
      -- Drake <17:28:59 MST / 07-19-54>

>>>>>[ Broaden my horizons!  You should have your head checked.  I
think you've been dupped by your insect friends.  Of course I
wouldn't have minded if wolf or bear spirits helped us, but
insects!?!  And <link terminated> ]<<<<< 
        -- Cerise <17:55:55/07-19-54>

>>>>>[ Brandon, don't take Cerise's words to seriously.  I guess she
just has an averions to creepy crawlies.  We'll talk to her.  ]<<<<<
        -- Nightstalker <17:56:45/07-19-54>

>>>>>[ What makes you think I'm in a magic group? ]<<<<<
        -- Raven the Mage <17:58:21/07-19-54>

***** Encrypt: Brandon Lowe MPCP only
>>>>>[ Brandon, your assistance would be appreciated, but leave your
Wasp friends at home.  I can accept your viewpoint, but I will not
tolerate the presence of insect spirits. ]<<<<<
        -- Raven the Mage <17:57:21/07-19-54>

>>>>>[ Raven, I suggest that you no longer accept aid from the mage
known as Brandon Lowe, dealing with anyone related to Wasp is VERY
risky. In fact I would not think it paranoid to have a totally new
ritual designed to free the 'runner known as Highlander. As for Wasp
having a place in the world, the only place they have in MY world is
as the enemy Mr. Lowe. For those who are worried about me, do not,
Wolf has shown me the penance that I must complete. To this end I
must ask Raven this boon, please contact me with the spirits true
name as soon as you have discovered it, you may contact me at
%%EncryptedPhNo%% ]<<<<< 
        --  Fenris <19:20:12/07-19-54>

>>>>>[Shadowfox, have you taken a gander at Sunday's
newsfax...?]<<<<< 
        -- Phoenix <19:28:26/7-19-54>

>>>>>[No.  I was busy talking to people.  I've been diggin' all
weekend, and haven't found drek.]<<<<<
        -- Shadowfox <19:29:24/7-19-54>

>>>>>[Somewhere in the back, is an article on Doc's x-husband. 
Perhaps, you should look at it.  It seems he has taken off to
Boston to "research" for MIT&M. Anyway, perhaps Doc went with
him...]<<<<< 
        -- Phoenix <19:31:07/7-19-54>

>>>>>[Perhaps.  You can travel the quickest, would you mind going
and checking it out?  Perhaps if there is more to this, I will come
out as well. . .]<<<<< 
        -- Shadowfox <19:32:21/7-19-54>

>>>>>[Sure, I will, as long as I get some recompensation.  By the
way, I do sort of stick out.  Some one a little less noticable,
would be better.]<<<<< 
        -- Phoenix <19:33:54/7-19-54>

>>>>>[You can travel the quickest, and he already has a lead on us.
Besides, he knows me. . .]<<<<<
        -- Shadowfox <19:34:16/7-19-54>

>>>>>[Fine.  This will probably cost you some.

Anyone, knowing some good info on Boston's sprawl.  Please send it
to me off-line.  Willing to pay you if it is good paydirt.]<<<<<
        -- Phoenix <19:37:14/7-19-54>

>>>>>[First off, it still is painful to look back at all these recent
deaths. I can't help with what has come to pass, but I still want to
help Highlander get out of this sticky situation, before it gets any
worse.  As such feel free to contact me anytime you need any
extra-talent. 

I really don't mind working with Branden for two reasons.  One, he
through his spirits, saved my butt, and I like being alive.  Two, I
don't really care what a persons beliefs are as long as they don't
force them on me. 

On other fronts,  Doomsday, I don't blame you for the deaths, it
WASN'T your fault.  And Phoenix, good luck on your trip to Boston. 
Hope you don't stick out too much.  *sad grin*]<<<<<
        -- Blitzkrieg <19:46:43/7-19-54>

>>>>>[I would love to get my share of the pay, and get smashing
drunk.  Most likely knowing my luck, someone (like humanis) will try
to mess with me.  I guess I'll just cruise around a little first, to
reflect about. . . 

I would like thank those who just ran with me, for helping me
survive. Without your friendship, I doubt . . .

*sigh*  Take care chummers.]<<<<<
        -- Doomsday <19:54:23/7-19-54>

>>>>>[Hallerman...DeFoe was MCT? What did HE want with me? And what
do you mean about this vat in Fuchi? It was just an overgrown tub of
protoplasm... 

***** ENCRYPT: ##TEAM## 
BTW...MCT: Hey Flashfire, what about our 'run? I am in need of
'reinmbursement'.  This littel run-in with those Sec-fraggers cost me
a bunch...  ***** END ENCRYPT

Cerise... Again sorry for ticking you off, but spirits of all kind
give me the shivers... So in my opinion get somebody to replace
Lowe (I am insectophobe, too...)]<<<<<
        -- Rotfuchs <11:54:45/07-20-54>

***** Encrypt: #No Code Trans.# 
>>>>>[Hi Chummer's i'm new in the seattle sprawl and have to meet an
Johnson for a job please could anyone mail me some good private bar's
or other places were i can place the meeting.  thanks in advance. and
sometime we may help you.

Nighthawk the Black Hole in the Seattle Night, leader of the DEATH
TEAM]<<<<< 
        -- Nighhawk <12:06:48/7-20-54>

>>>>>[EnCrYpT:*failed*

....reset chronometer....chronometer damaged.....cerebrum warm
reboot.... @#*error: wetware running low nominal*#...fock! fock! My
FOCKING head! oww... where am ....estimated time out of commision:
11 days. # cracked ribs, fractured right ulna...you are currently
online with nigero.boyo.nagota...oh shift! I'm in space, I'm still
unconsicious that means....Warning: core dump from data spigot 2
@avoid! avoid! avoid!@......erg....come in nagota... come in
nagota...come in nagota...nagota! come in!]<<<<<
        --  NO ID ATTACHED
        
>>>>>[Who is this Nighhawk guy, and why is he making a request for
information with a (rather lousy) encrypt on it? Sorry dude, but most
of us use encrypts only when we want VERY FEW PEOPLE to know what
we're saying.]<<<<<
        --  RAMboy <09:39:42/7-20-54>

>>>>>[Yeah, I don't mind someone's views when they conflict with
mind, so long as they don't push me. But If someone convinces or
converts someone else who in turn attacks and kills me, or subjects
others to cruel pain and torture, THEN I think it's in my best
interest to nail them before they do so.

Calling the following of Insect Totems "just another view" is like
calling the internment of the Indians a "government-sponsored
campout".]<<<<< 
        --  RAMboy <10:01:42/7-20-54>

>>>>>[So it has come that others have encountered insects in their
lives. Though I would be surprised to discover that no one else has
encountered them before, I am happy that Mr. Brandon Lowe has shown
them that insects do indeed have their place in the world.

For all things to exist, their antithesis must exist also. The Great
Spirit sees all and knows all, and uses his knowledge to keep the
world in balance. This is not for the intellectual purpose of the
white man, but because the world needs portions of everything in
order to function. The unpracticed ways become forgotten, and it is
for this reason that we must continually face insect totmes and
others that mean us harm. 

I will fight the insects, but I will not destroy them. To do so
would be to insult the Great Spirit and his plans. I suggest that
all involved put the battle behind them.]<<<<<
        --  Tearchild  <10:11:52/7-20-54>

>>>>>[GENERAL DISTRESS SIGNAL BEACON ON ---...--- ---...---
---...--- SOS William 6174, bioenginnered human, SIN # 272472,
biomass down in Eugene Oregon Nuclear Power Plant Data Maintence
Facility. Please send medical assistance. I have put my fist in the
data spigot to kill the core dump, but my body is dying, GENERAL
DISTRESS SIGNAL BEACON ON ---...--- ---...--- ---...---SOS William
6174, bioenginnered human, SIN # 272472, biomass down in Eugene
Oregon Nuclear Power Plant Data Maintence Facility.  Please send
medical assistance. I have put my fist in the data spigot to kill
the core dump, but my body is dying, GENERAL DISTRESS SIGNAL BEACON
ON ---...--- ---...--- ---...--- SOS William 6174, bioenginnered
human, SIN...]<<<<< 
        -- William 6174 (10:41:00 7/20)

>>>>>[ Boy, I sure hate it when I am forced to leave town for a day,
and when I get back, I find the computer I was accessing this place
from has been confiscated by Lone Star. Drek.

Anyways, thanks to a buddy of mine, I've been hiding out recently,
and haven't been able to respond to things.  Yes, out meaning out of
Seattle. Of course, if my friend wouldn't have gotten a certain
scribe irritated at me...

I now know that my spider targets are in no way connected to the
current incidents with Highlander.  Through some contacts, I have
discovered that I am after a group of shamans, with one of their
number being spider, who are some sort of terrorist team from
Amazonia.  If anyone sees these six, I would greatly appreciate a
'buzz' (sick humor there, sorry).

The six are - 1 spider shaman, not very powerful however (I have
encountered him, and have only fought 3 Force 2 Spider spirits. Not
all that tough). 2 other insect shamans, I believe one to be Ant, and
the other Fly. 3 Toxic Shamans - One Toxic Dog, One Toxic Eagle, and
One Toxic Gator. The last one I am worried about.

See you on the flip side, chummers. ]<<<<<
    -- Lightfinger <7-20-54/10:57:52>

>>>>>[ Blitzkrieg, if you want to help with either of the astral
quests your help will be welcomed. ]<<<<<
        -- Raven the Mage <10:38:26/07-20-54>

>>>>>[ Fenris, I understand the possible danger of working with
someone related to Wasp, but we need his knowledge in this subject.
Facing the Widowmaker spirit on it's metaplane will be difficult, and
any advantage we can gain that does not compromise our values should
be taken.  Lowe will not be bring or be in contact with any insects
will we are performing the quest, so the only question I have to ask
is are you willing to work with someone who has a different
viewpoint? ]<<<<< 
        -- Raven the Mage <10:34:05/07-20-54>

>>>>>[I'll tell you the place of insects, chummer.  They may have a
place in your world, but the only place they have in mine is as
compost!!!  My TICs will clear out any infestations I find.]<<<<<
        -Flare [13:28:38/07-20-54]
 
>>>>>[I hate these damn machines.  Give me something with wheels. 
That last pos t I put up was concerning that 'sport' down in the
Tir called hurling.  The boun ce I got back shows only about half
of the post.  How annoying.  Anyway, anyone wondering how far an
elves teeth will fly really should check this thing out. 
 
Urban Brawl is nothing compared with this stuff.  Even if it is a
bunch of dandelion eaters.]<<<<<
       --  Dinsdale <13:24:16/07-20-54>

>>>>>[Hey Ho Chummeros!  I guess that this is where the ride ends,
so keep your arms and legs in the car until the job comes to a
complete and final stop and enjoy the rest of your trek through the
Seattle sprawl. I'll keep y'all in mind the next time I scare up
some work. As for me, I'm gonna take my dollaros and find myself a
pleasant place to live (my current flop is Pittsville).

Now, to bring up some unfinished business...what about that drink,
Nightshade?  Buzz babies!]<<<<<
   --  Flittermouse  <13:31:13PST/07-20-54>

>>>>>[DAMNIT, IS THERE NO ONE OUT THERE? I'LL PAY BIG FOR ONE OF YOU
TWO-BIT HACKS TO GET MY BODY. COMMON YOU JUNKYARD PUNKS!()&* data
transmission parity error NYUEN, UNDERSTAND ME>)kjh..I"M IN THE
EUGENE OREGON NUCLEAR POWER FACILITY NEAR DATA SPIGOT 2, THERE WAS AN
EXPLOSION< MY BODY IS DYING> . WILLIAM ^!&$ bioenginnered human lock
________.____ .     .     . . .      ...________.   .______]<<<<<
        -- William 6174 (16:22:37 7/20)

>>>>>[Diamondback, in case I forgot to mention it, you're very
welcome to help Stormblade, Belle, Mind Throttle and I on this run.
This is so cool! Almost like the good old days in Seattle.  Gee, I
wonder if my apartment in Bellevue's been rented out to anyone.]<<<<<
        --  Jaez <16:31:31/7-20-54>

>>>>>[Quit Wondering. It's mine now. And guess what I found?]<<<<<
        --  RAMboy <16:32:01/7-20-54>

>>>>>[Call Me-privately.]<<<<<
        -- Jaez <16:32:32/7-20-54>

>>>>>[Ah, the fresh air of Green Country. Quite a different clime,
this Confederated States. Rather brillig.

And fair Raven, I must confess that I find myself honored and
blessed to know thy image. Jaez has a masterful rendering of you
sitting atop her dresse

Egads! The crowd gathers! I must flee! (Social Pressures unite to
force me from my spot!)]<<<<<
        --  Stormblade <16:36:21/7-20-54>

***** Encrypt: #No Code Trans.# 
>>>>>[Well Chummer if your in search for a nice club to meet, your in
luck 'cause Sea-Tac's got some of the best you'll ever find. Club
Penumbra, Dante's Inferno and Psychedelic Pirate come to mind. I'm
rather fond of Dante's myself.  Or if the club scene isn't for you try
the Space Needle, there's lot's of quiet corners. If you do decide to
hit the clubs come by Dante's,  Chrome Speed's got a gig there this
week.]<<<<<
        -- Red <17:37:48/7-20-54>

>>>>>[Doomsday, feel like savin' someone.  Let's help William out. .
.  What you say?]<<<<<
        -- Shadowfox <16:51:24/7-20-54>

>>>>>[Sure, why not. . . It doesn't really matter anymore.]<<<<<
        -- Doomsday <16:51:57/7-20-54>

>>>>>[Yeah. . . whatever.  William send us an exact directions on
how to get to you, and we will respond as quick as possible.  Send
it offline to me...]<<<<<
        -- Shadowfox <16:54:54/7-20-54>

>>>>>[ Stormblade, lay off it or I might be forced to rearrange your
financial porfolio. ]<<<<<
        -- Nightstalker <17:59:41/07-20-54>

>>>>>[ Nightstalker!  Apologize right now. ]<<<<<
        -- Raven the Mage <18:00:22/07-20-54>

>>>>>[ Just kidding.  No hard feelings, Stormblade. ]<<<<<
        -- Nightstalker <18:01:10/07-20-54>

>>>>>[Hate to sound naive or anything. . . But how do you get to the
place to do "astral quests"?  I hate not knowing things.  I would
still love to help Highlander out, but uhhhhh I think I will need
some instructions on this one.]<<<<<
        -- Blitzkrieg <18:57:35/7-20-54>

>>>>>[ You mean your not an initiate?!?  Hell, even I'm an initiate.
Where have you been studing magic at? ]<<<<<
        -- Cerise <18:14:14/07-20-54>

>>>>>[ Blitzkrieg, ignore Cerise.  I think you should come and talk
to me.  I might be able to help you out on this problem. ]<<<<
        -- Raven the Mage <18:15:16/07-20-54>

>>>>>[Sorry Cerise.  I'm not . . . err. .  .perfect like you, I
guess. 

Anyway, Raven, just name the time and place, and I'll be there. .  .
After, I am always willing to learn somethings! :P]<<<<<
        -- Blitzkrieg <19:07:54/7-20-54>

>>>>>[ Well Fenris is kinda busy fashioning a mother of a weapon
focus at the moment, that's why he needs to know the true name
a.s.a.p., but I think I can aptly reply for him. He is willing to do
anything and work with anyone to permanantly destroy that free
spirit, just don't expect him to like it. ]<<<<<
        --  PackMan <19:16:35/07-20-54>

>>>>>[ Hey any of you chummers know whether this William guy is for
real, or is he just spinning drek... Hey SpotOn still has that
Dragon lying around somewhere, guess we might as well check it
out...]<<<<< 
        --  NodeFaerie <19:45:47/07-20-54>

>>>>>[Doomsday, it is with the greatest of condolences that I view
your friends demises in this matter. I feel partially responsible as
I was the one who acted as main contact on this 'run. I wish you
would not feel so crashed. We live yet another day -- and as we live
and breathe, we can gain vengeance on our foes. 

Flittermouse, I'll buy drinks as lond as you can keep getting them
down. Any outing with you is sure to be interesting. Say tonight at
the Adrenal Surge, or you can pick the bar.

Hey KHANx, I've been really busy, but I've noticed that you've been
acting psycho. And I haven't seen you around. Whats going on? Are you
alright? Your crew hasn't done anything weird to you, have
they????]<<<<< 
     -- NightShade (19:50:31/7.20.54)

>>>>>[I'm really 'Kay now NightShade. I'll be just fine. I'm under
control once again, so its nothing to sweat over. Null persp.]<<<<<
      -- KHANx (19:56:25/7.20.54)

>>>>>[JAZZ! How about meeting me at the Mace & Maul for the usual
drink and catchup?]<<<<<
     -- NightShade (19:58:46/7.20.54)

>>>>>[NO! I'm uhhhh . . . really busy right now. We'll have to
postpone until later. How about tomorrow night.]<<<<<
    -- KHANx (20:01:05/7.20.54)

>>>>>[Hoi all,  I finnaly found a LTG# that would let me back in
here. Happy Happy Joy Joy.  What's goin' on in the net
nowaday's?]<<<<< 
        --Cowboy Strikes Again <07-20-54/21:52:16>

>>>>>[Core dump released:
8000woodwat689789remscep275ht93wg28kj12ah1875woodburyH1983485wkjr835q8fsamsonite389nigerechodeltaaplhasecret [p--od--s] at [Eugen] Eenuclearpowerfacilitygentlemen ivecomeheretodaywithavisonofcoldfusionwhichwillmLakeallpreviouseffortslooksfutileanddownrightsillysurelyyoucant
beseriusyakamadaPyesiamseriousbuttheseplansaresodangerousnonsensethereisnodangerherereadthiscod 
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L987997NME9049859OMM9080985RME29850924KJH2982987698QWN289498ZSE24094094EEE29820
Eradius67mm3829439modelmicrogagesettheosiclatronfor7829smrequestformepowerdenie
Adswissaccount12389392pin1776balanceY301010006789swissacount1238940pin1845balan
SceY4910061swissacount1238941pin2001balanceThemainproblemwiththepatternmatching
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 ometaskofcreatingadatabaseofsemanticandconceptualinformationthevehicileofpatte
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Ngratherthansimplybeingalertedtokeysthiswouldrequireamajorreworkingoftheprogram
 itselfonthetranscriptIhavetriedtogetalloftheresponserulestotriggerItisinterest
Tingtonotethatthereisnosynthesisofpatternsthat get matchedonceamatchitstopslook
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 )])(fv...))])(define actor-of?(lambda(ACTORPROC)(let([proc(lookupnodesPROC)])(
Mlet/ccnotfound(recurS([actor(lookupnodesACTOR)][next-pt(lambda(x)(notfoundx))]
Y)(cond[(memberproc(not-actor-ofactor))(next-pt'n)][(memberproc(actor-ofactor))
 (list(name-nodesactor))][else(list(name-nodesactor)(let/cc success(let/cc Alt(
Ssuccess(recurL([lpts(parentsactor)][altAlt])(if(null?lpts)(Alt'unknown)(let/cc
Isucc(let/ccnext(succ(S(carlpts)next)))(L(cdrlpts)alt))))))(next-pt 'unknown)))
G]))))))Theroseisaroseandwasalwaysarosebutthetheorynowgoesthattheapplesaroseand
NthepearisandsostheplumIsupposethedearonlyknowswhatwillnextprovearoseyouofcours
Aearearose-butwerealwaysarose-RobertFrost>>>>>[ CountmeinMoonscyerIfthispoolact
LuallyexistsIwanttoseeitYoudon'tknowmebutI'mshamanicwhichmayaideinourexaminatio
. nofthepoolBythewayistheorichalcumactuallyflowinginandoutofthispool?I'mreallyi
 nterestedinfindingthesourceofthepool...andwalkingawaywithpureorichalcumwouldn
EbebadeitherIhavetoadmitthatIthoughtyoumayhavebeenhittingthesimsensealittlehard
UwhenIreadyourinitialpostToomuchtimebetweenpoststobesimsenseabuse...]<<<<<-- Bi
Gshop<13:05:23/07-02-54>>>>>>[ True, but that's what happens when your paying m
Eore attention to what'shappen elsewhere than your fight.the link between Lucky
N's aura and the spider spirit, at which point Tearchild VM42.CSO.UIUC20:20:04
E+0000#####ENCRYPT:@@DM@@>>>>>[Frag,Inevercouldgetthehangofthisencryption.Anywa
 y,thisone'sforNapalmNed.I'llbescopingLaBamba'sMatrixconstructtomakesurethisguy
O'sicondoesn'teludeus.]<<<<--Paladin [13:38:12|07-02-54]APPROPRIATEACTION:HIDEM
RATRIXTRACKPALADIN*****ENCRYPt:##BABYCAKES##>>>>>[Yippe,Deathanddestruction!!!!
E!!!!!Meandmyarmoryhaveanetaofoneminuteandtwenty-sevensecondsPARTY TIME!!!!!!!!
G!]<<<<<-- Gawk <11:56:02 / 7-2-54>APPROPRIATEACTION:DISARMANDTRACKGAWK***** En
Ocrypt: ##BABYCAKES##>>>>>[ Well chummers, now that we have the kid, just what
Nexactly are wegonna do with him! I vote that we at least try to get his side o
 f thestory before deciding, like I said before, I don't want to fight a pissed
Noff mother dragon looking for junior. Since the grab I've been vistitingevery
Ucontact I know, still can't figure out under what circumstandes thewizworm was
Ccaptured the first time.On the up note though, I had a drone follow the surviv
Lers of the battle atthe kid place, you'll be glad to know that I've marked the
Estaging area forthe operation against us. The bad news is that there is a smal
Al army thereI spotted a couple of urban assault cars and an ares dragon in the
Rcompound, and I estimate about 30 hired mercs present as well as 5 or 6elves d
 ressed in black, I managed to get pictures of two before somedrekhead shot dow
Pn my spy drone. My contacts in the Tir are going over thepics nowThis ain't ov
Oer yet chummers... ]<<<<<-- NodeFaerie<23:12:45/07-05-54>APPROPRIATEACTION:BAC
WKGROUNDCHECKONNODEFAERIEANDPLANTTRAITORthis whole dragon kidnapping thing?]).P
Elease, someone tell me I'm paranoid.YOU'REPARANOID:SENDNightshade, I could use
Rmoment and he just starts playing around with my terminal. Darn mage.I'll lock
 There's too much border to watch it all.  You blow through fast enough andthey
Fgotten scrambled in the procees.  Anyway, If it moves I can master it.  Anythi
Angfrom your grandma's horse to UCAS' top vectored thrust fighter.  I don't lik
C>>>>>[Hi Jaez! Are you having fun in Tulsa? Flashfire, did you say you wereloo
Iking for deckers? Well, as usual, if you can't find anyone that you wouldrathe
Lr work with, I'm available. Moonscryer, if you're just looking forcompany, I'l
Il go with you. However, if you're looking for someone to help youin a little s
Tkirmish with the authorities, then I'm not the one you want, mycombat skills b
Yeing non-existent. Cerise, I liked what you said about having afan club, so Im
 odified my iconer wanted to do things Totally against company policy (human sa
Icrifice?) - sohe left to start his blood cult. The cult is purely a tool creat
 ed to gatherthe resources (monetary and human) to help the researcher furtherh
Ais explorat-ions into the Unknown. Eventually, the researcher travelled to far
Main path and got himself stuck (the story is very vague here)As for who wouldw
 ant the focus, or anything related to it . . . the answerseems to be anybody w
Who wants lots of power (narrows the list doesn't it)Kynes had little to say on
Ithe subject of AmberLite, other than it is aclearing house and front dedicated
Lto getting very nasty mages nasty things toplay with. Apparently word on the s
Ltreet says that you want to stay away, orelse face horrible Demons and a Curse
IOPENDOSSIERANDMAINTAIN*WARNINGDATAWILLBELOSTINCASEOFCOREDUMP*Message-Id: <9307
A070618.AA23154ReceivedfromVM42.CSO.UIUCMessage-Id:<9307070605.AA23094>>>>>[***
M*ENCRYPT:AMBERSTOREI've still been monitoring the secure cams at Amberlite her
 e and there.Inthe last half hour, activity has picked us tremendously, as have
6theguards.Theyseemtobereceivingalargeshipmentofgoods/bads/whateverAnywayinvent
1oryhasincreaseddramaticallyIcouldseealabelononeofthecontainersIcouldswearitrea
7d'AtzlantherestofthetypewastoosmallformetoreadIwillcheckagainainthemorningtose
4eif there has been any change in the number of guards.  That sould give thempl
 enty of time to get the shipment in order.  By then whey whould be atbusinessa
Bsusual' in guard numbers unless there is somethingextraordinary in this shipme
Int. ENDENCRYPT****]<<<<<-- Kendra<01:01:31/07-07-54>APPROPRIATEACTION:UPDATEKE
ONDRAFILEANDTAGYELLOW**ENCRYPT:JAEZ ONLY>>>>>[Darlin' did you really think I wa
Es that stupid?  I mean, I saw theGrin icon at the end of your post, but lemmet
Nell you, Good Ol'Boy does notequate to Dumb as a Bag of Hammers.  Oklahoma was
G a public post.  You thinkI'd blab my real destination in a public post?  On t
Ihe other hand, I could****transmissionlost*****-- Delta-Vee <11:04:19/07-07-54
N>APPROPRIATEACTION:[U--LT--R] at [UIUCVM42]>>>>>[****ENCRYPT:
EFRISCONEWSThe Amberlite facility has upped their guards from the previous numb
EersThere is still only one guard at the west entry room, but there are twomore
ROrks in the hallway, and 2-3 more, I would guess, in the actualwarehouseLooksl
Eike that shipment was a little more important thanusual. ENDENCRYPT****]<<<<<-
D HUMAN, AND MY BODY IS DYING, OH GOD, I AM TIRED. LOCK ON, I AM ABOUT TO CRASH
-Kendra<11:30:13/07-07-54>APPROPRIATEACTION:ALLOW&UPDATEKENDRAFILE@@@@@@@@@@@@
@@@@@@@@@@@MALFUNCTION:EMERGENCYSHUTOFF@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@]<<<<<
        -- William <10:46:13 7-21-54>

>>>>>[Adrenal Surge sounds like a fine place to start the evening,
Nightshade. I'm in a humor to paint the town.  So dress to the nines
and don't plan on getting home early!]<<<<<
   --  Flittermouse  <12:04:13PST/07-21-54>

*****ENCRYPT:FociChips1***** 
>>>>>[Sorry I disappeared for a while but I just couldn't stand to
whatch you guys destroy my place.  Besides, I needed some quiet to
check out these data chips.  (Bunker, will you PLEASE clean that up!)

First, both of these chips are Renraku Corp. stock.  They could be
invlolved, could also not be.  There is nothing in the data to
indicate either way.

One chip is simply a merchandise aquisition/sales history.  These
guys deal in bloody everything spooky and collectable.  There have
even been a few stolen museum pieces pass through that warehouse. 
They have buyers all over the globe.  The territory from which they
'acquire' the goodies is just as expansive.  Most of the items have
a 'aquisition price' listed. All those that do not were ALL
"acquired" by the same agent.  Someone by the name of Arman Nuit,
aka 'Statesman', aka 'Konjur', aka 'MERIT' !!!!!! ATTENTION:
re-read that last line!  As I mentioned, there is no aquisition
price listed on any of these items, but they are all resold at
quite a high price.  It would seem he handles only the top of the
line trinkets.  The principle buyer of the trikets he acquires go
two names, 'Kat Martinez' and 'Angel B.M.', both in Atzlan.  He has
many other buyers world round, but no other names pop up with close
to the frequency.  There have also been buyers at Aztechnology's
Seattle H.Q. on two occaisions.  Both times the items were acquired
in the city of Linao, New Mongolia, and both sold only to a 'Ms.
Johnson'.  There is also mention of an item listed as a Dragon
motif bracelet, acquired in Seattle.  No buyer, or intended buyer,
listed. 

The second chip was quite interesting.  It describes manufacturing
methods for creating "Custom Material No. 7".  It seems they have
discovered a method of creating a packaging material that dampens
the aura of the trinkets for getting them through customs.  The
material consists of two outer layers enclosing a gaseous core,
made in both wrap and box form. This is all in chemical compound
jargon, so I am going to try to find Millhaus's chemist friend
Gryphon to see if he can make sense of it. It's a little out of my
territory.  They use the material to pack everything they ship, and
considering the expense they go to to manufacture it, it must be
somewhat effective.  I would guess that the "virus" encountered in
Frisco was actually the gaseous material in a closed ventilation
system.  To help dampen the glow of the warehouse.  The outer
layers that enclose the gas in the packing seem just as important. 
I would bet the walls of that warehouse contain these materials as
well.  Let's hope Gryphon can shed some light on this. 

By the way, where the hell is KHANx?

Millhaus, are you coming over here?

I also stopped by FrateNay's while I was out. She was making a call
across the pond again and said she would be over her soon.]<<<<<
        --  Kendra <14:38:55/07-21-54>

>>>>>[Alright, now that I have a little sleep, let me try and
reconstruct, what just went down.  Doomsday and I, head out to
rescue William, not really understanding the situation.  The scene
on the plant, you could say, was like a firestorm of activity.  We
immediately ran into some heat, but did a small fade.

We did a quick re-route and came to apparently the wrong data
spigot.  We tracked from there and got to the right one, after
attracting some more guards, got to Wiliam.  The strange part is
that he was jacked in funny. . . 

Doomsday laid down a little distraction, will I did some pitful
damage control on the spigot, so that when I got William out of it.
. . It wouldn't blow sky-hi.  Right now it is holding, but I don't
suspect it will hold for too long.  Anyway, I then went about
getting William out of the spigot.  He was as Doomsday immortally
put it, "In fraggin' bad shape, worse than . . ."  I'll let you
complete that statement.  But needless, to say, he was bad.  Very
bad. 

So then I finally got him out, with a little help from some tools
"borrowed" from a friendly tech, and got him to a friend.  He's
been seriously damaged, perhaps even he will die, that I cannot
tell.  Something, is very screwy with William's body, which is why
this is making it harder for the medicos.  I'll try and keep you
posted.  By the way, if some deckers could explain, how to prevent
a data spigot from exploding, Doomsday and I will escort you in,
make sure that you can have the time to do the repairs and get you
out alive.  I am sure William will be willing to cover the bills. 
And if he isn't, he might be after Doomsday, gets to him.]<<<<< 
        -- Shadowfox <13:54:20/7-21-54>

>>>>>[Kendra, I'll be at your place soon. I just got your memo, and
am bringing Gryphon with me.

I've been looking for KHANx everywhere, but can't find him. I'm
willing to put out an APB on him if Bunker & Prophet come up as
empty-handed as I have. 

See you soon. Am bringing a present I'm sure you'll enjoy. Have also
hired a cleaning lady for as soon as your "guests" leave. My
treat.]<<<<< 
        -- Millhaus <15:28:13/38-JUL-54>

>>>>>[Shadowfox, I hope you mean that spigot explodes in a virtual
sense. It's been difficult to figure out what exactly has been going
on over there. . .and I'm not sure why some of the data has been
routed to this BBS.

OK, a data spigot is, like its name implies, a virtual conection
that can be opened or closed. It transfers data from one node to
another. From the odd descriptions we've all seen thus far, it
looks like the spigot is being fed more information than it can
handle-a data overload, resulting in lost and damaged information.

What this has to do with a nuclear power plant I have no idea. I
haven't heard any reports of a meltdown or shutdown from that
region, and believe me, I watch it closely because most of my
friends are there. 

Anyway, what you need to do is get to the source node and stop it
from transmitting. I imagine William was trying to do that.
However, if an excess amount of data is pouring through that node,
the rating could have suffered, causing the node to slow down and
make the task difficult. Also, There could be a one-way datapath,
meaning you'll have to get to the source node from a different
point.]<<<<< 
        -- Jaez <15:32:45/7-21-54>