>>>>>[Whoah.  Relax, Heather...I give a good backrub, and I have a sympathetic
ear, if you need someone to talk to.]<<<<<
         --  Dark Angel <Fallen/Soul>

>>>>>[Ahem ahem...I'm not exactly sure how to do this.

For a long, long time now I have lived a very lonely life.  I thought that I
would never be able to love again: that I was a cold, cruel, calculating,
and manipulative person totally incapable of ever feeling an emotion akin to
love.

I was wrong.

Patricia, will you marry me?]<<<<<
        --  Dark Angel <Durandal/OfOld>

***** Private To: Deathstroke, Wintergreen, Addie
>>>>>[ Frag it you three.  How could you dust Collussus like that.  He was
one of the good guys. ]<<<<<
        -- Cerise <23:07:07/09-20-55>

***** Private To: Cerise
>>>>>[ Get real, Cerise.  He was a former Souix Wildcat, a cyborg, former
shadowrunner and head of security for fragging Maxim Arms.  He was a corper
in the employ of what could quite possible be the next AAA megacorp.  Tell
me anybody with that resume is one of the good guys?  You don't know drek
about the Orginazation he was part of, so keep you mouth shut. ]<<<<<
        -- Deathstroke <the Terminator>

***** Private To: Cerise
>>>>>[ Cerise, you know better than to question Deathstroke on his choice
of missions.  This one fit within the parameters, so he took it. ]<<<<<
        -- Wintergreen <23:12:54/09-20-55>

***** Private to: Powerhouse
>>>>>[ Sounds excellent!  I can't wait to go. ]<<<<<
        -- Cerise <23:20:24/09-20-55>

>>>>>[My head is killing me....... Somebody get me a gun.......
Better yet, somebody else kill me, I don't think I could pick up a
gun without puking on it.

(sounds of seriously painful heaving)

Oh, drek, I just ralphed on my 'deck.....

I don't think I've ever even seen that much liquor, much less
actually drank it....

Does somebody want to tell those guys with the jackhammmers to lay
off for a while???]<<<<<
        -- Spark (09:00:01 / 09-21-55)

>>>>>[Whatsamatter Sparkster?  We've just been zeroing the machine
guns in the roof firing range.  Hell, there's a good half-meter of
ferro-crete between here and the roof!

I've plugged him back in so this should be some great sim.

(the sounds of more painful heaving)

Hey!  Don't hurl on me!!!]<<<<<
        -- Freddy Frypp (09:01:33 / 09-21-55)
           California Free State Matrix Uplink #5150

>>>>>[Thank you, I appreciate the compliment.  Oh, and Spark...have fun.]<<<<<
        --  Dark Angel <Of/Old>

***** PRIVATE TO: Patricia
>>>>>[Patricia,  I just saw Dark Angel's proposal.  He's a good guy.  He
obviously cares about you very much.  I'd seriously consider the offer.]<<<<<
        -- Jasmine (08:10:00/9-21-55)

***** PRIVATE : Cerise
>>>>>[ Well, I'm lost for words, the food was outstanding, the company
ravishing and the setting idyllic.  Did you really mean all that you said last
night, you know, that you ....

What am I saying, after last night, of course I know.  But just let me say,
last night was the most special night to me ever in my life, you don't know
how long I waited for you, too long I thought sometimes, but the wait was worth
it ...

Now, I'm the one getting daft, but come round for dinner tonight, I'm going
to cook for the two of us.  Candlelight, softmusic, then maybe a little bit
of clubbing later ;)  I'll pick you up on the Blitzen for 7 if that's ok ? ]<<<$
        -The Powerhouse (17:00:25/21.9.55)

***** PRIVATE : Scourge, Vorien, Crashkit
>>>>>[ Ah've got the fragger.  The Zuni reservation, you were right.  Ahm still
trying to contact him though but you guys get down there and try to pick him
up, here's a list of the known locations where I got positive id's on him.

Don't frag up chummers. ]<<<<<
        -I.B.A. (**:**:**/**.**.**)

>>>>>[YES I will marry you]<<<<<
     --  Patricia O'Connor(15:55:50/09-21-55)

>>>>>[
+++++Include Charlie Fingers Trideo News+++++

Imagine if you will, a world beyond the UCAS, beyond UTE, beyond even Aztlan,
and you have the Front Range Free Zone, where I, Charlie Fingers, am bringing
you the news.

Today was a terrible day for the Maxim Arms corporation.  In an attack of
unprecedent proportions for the FRFZ, Maxim Vice President of Corporate
Security, Charles Eagle Plume, was assassinated while returning from Interpol
local headquarters.

By the time Maxim Arms arrived on the scene of the crime, Mr. Plume had been
dead for quite some time and Sand Creek Security Services already had the
scene cordoned off.

Maxim Arms, upon arrival, took immediate control of the scene and removed the
SCSS officers from the site bodily.  In a private recording of the event, we
have shots of the methods that Maxim Arms used to control the area.

++++You see and hear the approaching 6 vehicles as they near the site of the
assassination.  The logo is that of Maxim Arms, an A overlaid over an M, both
inside a circle, and the noise is excessive.  Three of the units are Low-
Altitude Vehicles, in APC mode, skimming at full speed just above the level of
the surrounding buildings.  Thier unique design, with positive enhanced lift,
makes them capable of operating at some 50 to 100m.  Two of them are air-
support varients of an unknown design, apparently capable of V-T movement, but
with the lines of a semi-ballistic, and the last is an MBT support craft.  More
firepower than is ususally seen in Denver, for sure, since Military units have
been banned for a LONG time.

The scuzzies are firing at them as they drop speed and take up overwatch and
support positions, and they are firing back, but intentionally missing.  They
aren't here to kill, but to control, and you see that as the landed units
exit thier APCs en masse.  They are very quick to move into coverage positions
of control, taking "prisoner" the officers on the scene with a minimum of
bloodshed.  Spells and elementals and spirits are all over the place, from
at least 3 different sources, and military grade armored persons swarm over
the scene, gaining total control in less than 40 seconds, and then immediately
taking position to repel attack and also initiating first aid on those SCSS
officers that were unintentionally injured.++++

As you can see, the Maxim units took control of the area and then defended it
until 15 minutes later, when a standoff between the SCSS SWAT units and the
Maxim SRDF units had developed.  Neither side was willing to allow the other
to retain control, and jurisdiction was under contention.  Eventually the SWAT
teams were recalled after the commander on scene, Ms. Velli, also of Maxim
Corporate Security, allowed an SCSS officer to remain as an observer.

Two hours later, the SRDF units returned to Maxim Arms headquarters along with
the collected remains of thier ex-VP, Charles Eagle Plume.

No arrests have been made, although Maxim official Ms. Velli vowed that they
would be caught and punished.

Sand Creek Security Services has condemned Maxim's operations out of thier
corporate jurisdiction, as has the FRFZ Council.


In related news, Ms. Nicole Velli, the official on scene of the assassination
of Charles Eagle Plume, was named the new VP of Corporate Security for Maxim
Arms.

Also related, Maxim Arms stock fell three points on the news of the assassin-
ation.

This is Charlie Fingers, good night.

+++++End Trideo Feed+++++
]<<<<<
        --  Trideo Pirate(16:30:36/09-21-55)

>>>>>[*laughter*  You'll get okay Spark...]<<<<<
        --  Dark Angel <Of/Old/Laughing/Hard>

>>>>>[Wow, congats, Patricia and Dark Angel! I hope you'll live
long and happily afther the wedding. Love is in the air...
Have another pineapple!]<<<<<
        --  Aardvark (15:30:13/22-9-55)

>>>>>[Thank you, m'lady....

+++++Image Include: Red Rose

I'm speechless...thank you...]<<<<<
        --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel/No/More>

>>>>>[ATTACHED AUDIO FILE(S): 2

+++++: AUDIO FILE 1: HEAVING.DRY

+++++: AUDIO FILE 2: CRAZED.LAF]<<<<<
        -- Freddy Frypp (12:14:02 / 09-22-55)
           California Free State Matrix Uplink #5150

***** (PRIVATE): Sandra Sweeny
>>>>>[Be a love and make sure to pick up a few more
shares of Maxim.  This unfortunate accident will likely only
set them back a couple of weeks.  If you notice any other
downward fluctuations, dont be too frightened.  I have
faith that this is going to come out alright.  SMILE.

Sorry I missed dinner with you the other night.  I was a little busy
with other obligations at work.  Someone has been threatening to
burn my studio's to the ground and you know that we cant have that.

Hey, give me a call if you would like to go out sometime in the
near future.  Im busy on Friday and Saturday (I have a 'business' date
with Maria (Yeah, the woman from Lone Star).  We are taking in
a movie and dinner and, with a little luck, a nightcap back at
my place.  Its been so long I dont know if I will remember what to
do...any pointers?  ]<<<<<
   -- Jason Stormwind <12:42:29 / 09-22-55>

***** PRIVATE : Crashkit, Vorien, Scourge
>>>>>[ Ok, you guys ah've made contact with DragonEyes, he's running for his
life and not trusting anyone, in particular the matrix.  It took me a fraggin
long time to convince him that it really was me, fortunately that time that he
spent healing me taught me a few things about the guy that only close friends
could know.  He's in the Zuni reservation like ah said before, he'll wait for
you, but he'll make contact with you, *not* the other way around.  He's had some
major drek thrown on him, ah don't know how much is true but he's been attacked
by fraggin insect spirits and he reckons the Universal Brotherhood is behind it,
well that's a load of fraggin drek cause they're a drekkin humanitarian
organisation, frag it, they've even healed mah butt once or twice.  Anyway,
the guy says he's got info for me later, he's had to fetch the chip with some
file on it from a secure place.

Right, as to where to meet him, there's a small town, Chernoyha, it's a one
horse, one bar type of town.  Make sure no one is givin you a fraggin tail,
hang around in the town for a day and he'll meet you. ]<<<<<
        -I.B.A. (**:**:**/**.**.**)

>>>>>[ Dante, you fragger, ah haven't forgotten about you ! ]<<<<<
        -I.B.A. (**:**:**/**.**.**)

***** PRIVATE : DragonEyes
>>>>>[

+++++ Initate virtual conferencing
+++++ Secure node .. 15 .. 28 .. 87 .. 99 .. 100 % Secure

IBA : You there Dragon man ?
<15 second pause>
DE :  Yeah, I'm here.  You sure this is untraceable, I can't risk anyone else
knowing my location at the present moment.

IBA : 100% secure and ah've a few frames keeping watch outside the node, not
to mention the fact that ah've tied the node sensors directly into mah deck.
Not even MONICA could get in here without mah knowing about it.

DE : Good.  Listen the UB have been getting closer, they know that myself,
Blitzkrieg and Bruce know too much about their operation.  We've got more data
at Doc Grizzles place but we know for a fact that that's being watched.

IBA : Hmm, sure, maybe it is the UB that's after you, but it's much more likely
that's someone else using the UB as a front.  Maybe it's HAMMER, or Drake,
neither of them exactly close friends of yours are they ?

DE : No, frag it !  I know you've seen the insects before because when you were
healing from the venom in the Tiger Shapeshifter's claws you were delirous and
mentioned being attacked by a swarm and being saved by Noname and PH.

IBA : Frag it, yeah ok, Noname, it's been a drekkin long time since anyone
ever mentioned his name, or rather the lack of it.  But anyway, so you're right
but that doesn't mean frag all, that was some company, Future Lives, that was
selling the opportunity to live for ever, just have your body go through this
special process and you've immortality, and if you remember they got sued to
high heaven when we blew up their base of operations.  Mind, the insect side
of their operations never did see the light.

DE : Ok, so you think the UB is such a lovely cuddly organisation, I bet the
people who gave up their lives for the promise of immortality thought that
Future Lives was a lovely cuddly organisation.  Let me tell you, the UB isn't
like that !  If it was, then why did a standard operation into the way they
run things suddenly invite a visit from insects ?

IBA : Well how the frag should ah know.  Maybe HAMMER is in league with an
insect shaman, ah sure don't as hell know.  Maybe you're right, maybe not.
Look, you said you had a file for me, want to download it so ah can see just
what the frag you're so worried about.

DE : Ok

+++++ Download UB.report multimedia format

DE : Got it ?

IBA : Captured and stored.

IBA : Ok, onto getting you out and into safety, if the UB really is hunting
for you ah can advise one safe place and that's in Seattle with me Punisher
and PH, though ah think that Crashkit needs someone healing real bad and he
doesn't have the cred to go DocWagon.

DE : Hmm I don't know, I really need to reach Blitz and Bruce and find out
what's happened to them.  Could you start searching for them as well ?

IBA : <Sigh>  Yeah ok, ah owe you that much, and more.  Give me their details
and ah'll add it to the list of work that PH has got for me already with the
Star Financial thing.

DE : Star Financial ?

IBA : Aww, forget it.  Just some crumy job with too many mysteries for ma
fraggin likin.

DE : Here's the data on Blitz and Bruce

+++++ Download b.&.b

IBA : You had it ready ?  Ahm impressed.

DE : Well I thought I could talk you into accepting my request.  Now listen
you ought to inform Crashkit and Vorien that two outlanders hit town today,
and from your description it's not them.  Just let them know so they can avoid
them, but please no violence if you can help it.  You know how much I abhore
violence of any kind.

IBA : Consider it done, I'll read through this file now then ah think ah'll see
what PH is up to, he's just brought Cerise back for a candlelit meal and ah've
vid camera concealed in most rooms and linked to part of ma deck setup.

DE : Leave them alone, they probably want privacy.

IBA : Yeah, but just think of all the fraggin fun ah can have by posting PH's
slushy comments to the Nexus.

DE : <sigh> I suppose it's pointless appealing to your better nature ?

IBA : Yep <grin>

DE : Ok, thanks for the help, don't forget to pass on the message to Crashkit
and Vorien.  See you in Seattle if I live.

IBA : Good luck

DE : Thanks, I'll need it

+++++ End virtual conferencing session. ]<<<<<
        -I.B.A (**:**:**/**.**.**)

***** PRIVATE : Crashkit, Vorien, Scourge
>>>>>[ More news for you guys, DragonEyes says there are two outlanders in
town, so be *real* careful when you get there.  We don't want them iced now
do we :)  Actually the Dragon man says he wants no violence, but me ah say,
what the frag, scrag the mothers. ]<<<<<
        -I.B.A (**:**:**/**.**.**)

>>>>>[ Now then, I don't know how many of you know but Powerhouse and Cerise
have been hotting things up again just recently.  Well put it this way, from
the fraggin stupid way that PH has been behavin you'd have thought that he'd
fraggin won the lottery.  Now for all of you mothers out there who still think
that PH is one cool dude cause he rides a Blitzen and wears snazy shades look
again, the poor little drekker had no idea, I installed vid cameras in every
room.

While you're watching the show, ah'll think ah'll catch up on a little light
readin.

+++++ Begin direct video download

The scene is an abandoned office in what appears to be part of a small block
of a once prosperous region of Redmond.  That was before the crash of 29 and
all the businesses high tailed it out of there and left the area to the gangs
and violence that we all know so well.

The walls have been draped by a heavy looking black material that cuts out
the light from most of the windows, but the strong electric lights shining
down on an elegant but small dining table provide adequate lighting.  To one
side a beautiful elven lady can be seen, long strawberry blonde hair and drop
dead gorgeous legs.  She appears to be flicking through the channels of a
trideo, at one point she stops, looks over and shoulder and calls out.

Lady : Is dinner nearly ready PH, I'm hungry ?

PH : Nearly done Cerise, I'm just finishing off the sauce as I speak.

The lady, now identified as Cerise returns to the trideo.

A moment later a small (5'6") but heavily built black man appears in the
doorway, he's carrying a tablecloth and various pieces of cutlery and
condiments, which he proceeds to use in decorating the table.  PH smiles at
Cerise, she smiles back and stands, the two embrace for a moment and then
enter a long and passionate kiss.  Then Cerise pushes herself away, looks at
PH and speaks.

Cerise : Come on, enough time for that later <grin/wink>

PH smiles, lights the candles on the table, turns off the heavy light and
trideo and programs the music system to produce soft romantic music.

Cerise : Come on, I'm starving, <giggle>, it smells gorgeous, are you going
to tell me what it is yet ?

PH : Not yet, all in good time.  Let's just say that's a recipe that's been in
the family for a long time.

PH returns to the kitchen carrying several pots which he places on the table,
then returns to the kitchen, Cerise takes a peak under one of the lids.

PH : Ah ah ahhh, keep you're fingers off till it's all ready, or you'll be
in trouble.

Cerise : <blushing> I didn't do anything !

PH returns with the remaining dishes and proceeds to dish up.

Cerise : Hmmm, that is gorgeous, 10 out of 10 for the smell, let's see what
it tastes like.  ....  Hmmm, .. , what is that, whatever it is it's gorgeous,
that's even better than the meal we had at the Purple Mirage last night.  Ever
thought of leaving the shadows and becoming a cook <grin>.

PH : <smiling> Heh heh, glad you like it, but it's the only thing I can cook,
mum made sure I could do it perfectly, she despaired of all my other cooking
attempts, why do you think I live at restaurants and the stuffer ?

PH : One last thing.

PH returns to the kitchen and emerges with a bottle of champagne.

PH : I've been saving this for a special occasion and this is as special as
they're ever going to get.  I picked this up in Paris, you know that time
you came with me, well I hid it under all the rest of the stuff so that you
couldn't see.

Cerise : <PH pouring wine> Hmmm, ravishing <grin>

The meal continues with general conversation, the two discuss old times and
old friends, of the friendship of Highlander and of some of the daft things
that he drove PH to do in the past.  Of the way that Seattle has changed in
even a few years and the way that things seem to be going.  Cerise speaks
little about her wishes and desires for her future life but listens and smiles
as PH outlines some of the things he'd like to do if he ever manages to leave
the shadows.  Most of all though they speak about the fun the two have had
together and some of the heartache, especially when PH lost his memory and
became an unwilling assasin in the hands of a Carribean arms dealer.  The
meal draws to an end with PH making joking comments about Cerise's waist line
if she ate any more, she indignantly denies being a little piggy and her
slim waist line she says proves that she's not.

The two share alot of fun and laughter, then as the two sit staring into
each others eyes

+++++ Nanosecond interrupt from IBA

Frag it, that file that DE gave me it's Koscher, the fraggin UB.  Listen, you
guys and gals out there on the net have got to know about this information,
it's fraggin important.

+++++ Download UB.report multimedia format <background task>
+++++ Return to video camera

...staring into each others eyes through the flickering candlelight, they kiss,

long and even more passionate.  Then PH pulls away, Cerise looks surprised
and looks at him.  PH smiles and reaches into his pocket and pulls out a
small velvet lined box, he flicks it open with a finger, inside is a dazzling
diamond on a silvery gold ring.  Cerise looks, stunned as PH gets on his knee
next to Cerise and takes the ring out of the box, looks at and then says ...

PH : <smiling> Cerise ... will you marry me ?

He then looks into her eyes and places the ring gently onto her finger, the
glitter of the orichalcum band catching the light of the candles.  Cerise,
still looks stunned and stammers slightly ....

Cerise : I ... I .. don't know what to say

PH : Say yes

Cerise pauses looking at the ring and then at PH

+++++ ALERT !!! ALERT !!! Intruders
+++++ Deck only 70% operational
+++++ Download of file UB.report aborted 68.7% through
+++++ Switching to emergency procedures, all video camera images being routed
+++++ directly to the Nexus.

The view switches back, Cerise is still looking at PH with the ring on her
finger, suddenly there is a God almighty scream from the back of the house.
Both start with a jump as if awaken from a trance.  PH looks up..

PH : God, that was IBA, he in trouble and he never screams when he hits black
ice.

PH runs to a door grabbing a very large sword as he goes and shrugging a
Predator II pistol from a fold in his shirt.  Cerise follows close behind,
almost as fast glistening with arcane energy.  Another scream sounds then
the sound of gunshots and a definate cry of 'PH !'  The pair dash forward
kicking open a couple of doors before they reach the scene of carnage that
is in front of them.

The room is filled with alot of electrical equipment, or what used to be
electrical equipment as something or someone has smashed most of it up.
Kneeling on the floor desperately trying to put another clip into his gun is
IBA, all around him are 10 very large Wasp spirits.  Before IBA finished one
of the things sends a massive serated claw at IBA's midsection, unable to
dodge he takes the blow in the gut severing through the ballistic vest worn
beneath his clothing.  Yet before it get's to attack again it suddenly
disintegrates, stood in it's place is PH, sword in hand with a look strong
enough to kill.

PH : Cerise grab IBA and heal him.  I'll deal with these.

Cerise : No, I'll stay and help

PH : Do it !!

Cerise stunned by the authority in PH's voice grabs IBA's body and disintegrates
a monstrosity with a spell.

PH : Get him outta here.

Cerise sensing no other course of action drags IBA's unconcious and dying
form out of the room.  Two spirits disappear into whatever astral hell they
live in, then the battle begins.

From the outset it is clear that PH is fighting a loosing battle, his incredible
skill with the sword is balanced by the sheer speed and size of these mandible
chittering monstrosities, and their number sends the odds horribly against
him.  PH however fights a valiant fight, he is attacked by 3 spirits at once
while the others manoever for position, yet he manages with swift slashings
and the superior reach of his sword to keep them at bay, even damaging one
of them.  Others move into position to attack PH, outside a scream is heard, a
woman's voice.  Then PH attacks, he chooses one directly infront seeking to
break out of the circle that spirits have placed him in, the insect fights
wildly meeting PH's every move with treachorously venomous claws, then he
strikes home, but too late, as the spirit he fought disappates another one
sends a horrible slice down the back of PH.  Wounded and mad PH spins sending
a massive sweep of the sword at the midsection of the one that just attacked
him only to have another spirit attack his from another side.  This one hit's
PH's left arm the bone and muscles are clearly seen as the left arm becomes
limp and begins to spew blood.  The two handed sword suddenly heavier now
spins around again as PH swings with his good arm at the vile spirit that
just inflicted him his most recent injury.  The blade bites and hews the
heads off a monstrosity, black ichor is spewed over the room before it
dissapated back to the astral.  But behind another creation of evil has
manoevered it waits for the moment when PH has just beheaded a fell creature
then sends it's horrible claws in the direction of PH's back.

Suddenly there is silence, PH looks down at his midsection, a large barbed
claw protrudes from his belly, struggles but is only answered by an incessant
chittering from the remaining insects.  Then with one gargantuan effort he
shifts his body round in one massive sweep, the sword supported only in his
right hand sweeps on a level arc with the neck of the creature that has speared
PH, the blade hits the neck and bites but the movement has been two much at
the same instant that the blade his the neck of the chittering monstrosity
the claw upon which he was impaled breaks free and cuts through PH's midesction
allowing PH to fall to the ground as the best looses it's head.  There is a
thud as if almost in slow motion PH's body falls to the floor, he has been
cut open from his midsection to one side, guts trailing on the floor, PH is
dead ....

There is silence again, then one of the creatures sticks a large claw through
PH's chest checking that he is indeed dead.  There is more chittering then
the spirits vanish leaving one behind for some unknown deed.

+++++ Camera switch

Outside a squatter approached an unconscious man and woman, the man looks badly
injured his breathing shallow.  The woman's breathing is steadier though still
strained, the squatter looks at both their faces.  Then at the ladies.

Squatter : Cerise ?

Cerise murmers, the squatter shakes Cerise.

Squatter : Cerise, wake up.

Cerise : What .. arrghh !  Get away <hands flicker slightly with arcane
energy but the effort is obviously a strain>.

Squatter : Cerise, it's me Blitzkrieg I was in the area and I heard gunfire,
I thought I'd find out what was happening.

Cerise : Blitzkrieg, Blitzkrieg .... PH !!  You've got to get inside, help
PH, the spirits <passes out>

The squatter looks at her then dashes inside, he runs around checking several
rooms and along the way produces a HK227 and what looks like a smaller version
of PH's sword.  In short time he reaches the room.

Blitzkrieg : My God !  <sees the remaining insect and PH's dead body, still
gripping his sword>

The insect advances, Blitz sends a few bursts into the creature and then
unsheathes his sword as he notices the tiny effect that it has upon the
creature.  The battle starts in earnest, the two seem equally matched but
Blitz is fighting like a wild thing, he fights as though he was a cornered
rat, he get's 1, then 2 definate hits against the creature, it advances
forward then with a frenzied attack that made even Blitz's seem cultured
he slightly wounds Blitz and sends him flying to the floor, the sword goes
skittering from one hand hits the opposite wall.  The creature chitters then
advances for the prone figure.  Yet the survival instinct in Blitz must be
strong, he grabs for the nearest object and grabs PH's sword then as creature
is about to descend on him he hits, then again and again.  The creature is
badly wounded and backs off which allows Blitz to regain his feet.  He fights
like a wild man the sword seeming fluid in his hands and finishes with a massive
two handed thrust to the things midsection whereupon the thing disintegrates.

Blitzkrieg, slows down, then stops then pauses to take accound of the carnage
around him.  Looking down at the body of The Powerhouse tears begin to form
in his eyes.

Blitzkrieg : My God, what will I tell Cerise. ]<<<<<
        -I.B.A. (Transmission electronically relayed)

>>>>>[ Alright, we'll get right down there.... somehow. Thanks for the
info.]<<<<<
        -- Crashkit <13:01:29/9-22-55>

***** Private: Crashkit, Vorien
>>>>>[ Hoi. Working really damn quickly, I've been able to set up transporation
down there. Here is a list of goodies that you can bring along on the trip.

+++++ include list.txt

Also here is the whole travel iternary and the people that you can contact
safely (they are people I know -- how reliable they are.... *shrug*).

+++++ include agenda.txt

Hope that helps. ]<<<<<
        -- Scourge <13:03:51/9-22-55>

>>>>>[To any*n* in *he system who @%es this mes2$ge, pl0as* respond]<<<<<
  --Tech <14:36:22/09-22-55>

>>>>>[Tech?  WHere are you?  Which system?]<<<<<
        -The Unknown <17:26:14/09-22-55>

>>>>>[Boss, I need your help.  I need you to retake control of....you know.
With Collussus and Solitaire both gone, I am feeling very alone here.
Besides, something doesn't feel right here at Central.  If only we knew how
and why Solitaire was killed.  And who hired Deathstroke(yes, we've IDed the
assassin, but we want the murderer, not the gun who shot the bullet) is still
unknown.  All our Agents can't drum up anything anywhere.  We've even put a
few at risk in the process of asking, but we figured it was important enough.
None of the Big 8 were the attackers, nor any government or merc unit.  All
that leaves are the billions of personal reasons that could be the cause of
his death.

I don't expect you to do any better source wise, but I need someone with a
fresh perspective to look at the problem.]<<<<<
        --  Morairity(18:22:35/09-22-55)

>>>>>[Ok, M.  But I'm starting here in Seattle, where I'm safe and where I
can keep up my body shop buisness.]<<<<<
        --  Action Jackson(18:23:39/09-22-55)

>>>>>[Oh, by the way, M.  You didn't encrypt that message.  Hope you knew
that....]<<<<
        --  Action Jackson(18:24:19/09-22-55)

>>>>>[DREK!]<<<<<
        --  Moriarity(18:24:52/09-22-55)

*****PRIVATE:  Moriarity
>>>>>[Sir, I have an interesting report.  We have finally confirmed the
contacts between the Big 8.  There has apparently been upper level
communications between them for quite some time, the beginning of which
corresponded with the sudden drop in actions against Maxim holdings and
contractees.

We have also confirmed that the Big 8 have begun deep scans of personel,
starting in thier security and executive sections, then proceeding outward
into thier research and development areas.  They are apparently searching
for Agents.  However, many of the individuals who will be doing the searching
are Agents themselves, so very little progress will be made in most of the
Big 8.

I recommend that you begin the preparations for further action as they may
become necessary, possibly even the ordering of Crimson Sky.  I certainly
hope that this will not become necessary, but if we get confirmation of our
fears regarding the Big 8, we must be prepared.]<<<<<
        --  Velli(18:07:12/09-22-55)

*****PRIVATE:  Velli
>>>>>[The preparation order for Crimson Sky has already been given to the
Outlets and the Operators.  The Orginization has been on rotating alert for
weeks now.  We cannot maintain this state or readiness forever.]<<<<<
        --  Moriarity(18:09:03/09-22-55)

*****PRIVATE:  Moriarity
>>>>>[I'm afraid that you misunderstand.  I meant ordering the corporate
version of Crimson Sky:  Crystal Night.  My apologies, but I am still learning
the operations files that Collussus as VP was required to know.]<<<<<
        --  Velli(18:11:35/09-22-55)

*****PRIVATE:  Ms. V
>>>>>[*****Engage Maxim Black Scramble*****

WHAT?!  Do you have any idea what that would do?  We dare not order that.  Life
as we know it would come to an end!  I CANNOT and will NOT allow that under
ANY bloody circumstances!]<<<<<<
        --  Moriarity(18:13:51/09-22-55)

*****PRIVATE:  Moriarity
>>>>>[I apologize for mentioning it.  I naturally assumed that since there is
a plan of action for Crystal Night that it was a serious proposal.  I see now
that I was incorrect.  Please accept my apologies.]<<<<<
        --  Ms. V(18:15:32/09-22-55)

***** Private Crashkit, Scourge
>>>>>[ What were those things?  If we gotta go up against them, I'm
not sure we can do it.  I'm game to try, though.  Maybe if we move
fast enough, we can get there, and get him out before they catch up
with what we're doing.  I'm ready to go NOW. ]<<<<<
        -- Vorien <15:57:01/09-22-55>

***** Private: Scourge
>>>>>[ Thanks for the stuff.  I'm suddenly thinking a better weapon
focus would help, but I haven't the time or energy to Bind it right now.
Even so, I appreciate the other toys.  We'll deal with the folks when
we get there.]<<<<<
        -- Vorien <15:58:51/09-22-55>

>>>>>[Moriarty, I have a proposal that I think you might
find, shall we both say, interesting.  But I have not the
means to obtain a secure channel.  Shall we talk?]<<<<<
        -Masked <21:17:44/09-22-55>

*****PRIVATE: Dark Angel
>>>>>[ There is nothing as of yet that we need help with.  If we do have need of
you, one of us will get back to you.]<<<<<
        Spirit <Of the Matrix>

*****PRIVATE: I.B.A.
>>>>>[ The night was fun, though Ah think that after PH and Cerise loosened up a
little, they started to wish that we wasn't there.  As for the floor, well, it
cleans up ok and ya aren't THAT heavy, though it probably wouldn't have been
easier moving ya if Ah wasn't so drunk.  Ah don't where the kids went ta
afterwords, but Ah think that PH is definately getting much more intested in
Cerise.  Well, their grown ups and no how ta take care of themselves]<<<<<
        -- Circuit Breaker <Hunting Dante>

>>>>>[ First Solitare and now Collussus, things are not going very well.
The next question of course is just how connected was the Maxim Arms VP killing
to the deaths of Solitare and Collussus.  Also, who is Ms Villa, she was he
first VIP to get to the sight, and was named to the VP when the dust settled.
Things are starting to get very interesting.]<<<<<
        -- Spirit <Of the Matrix>

>>>>>[N* &y&tem....a l*cati*n...r**m c*||apsed...buried here.  Sti|| a|ive...
A|| the re$t, g*ne *r dead.....K*an...c*uldn't ffiinndd mmee,, bbuutt II''mm
hheerree....]<<<<<
        -Tech <22:33:51/09-22-55>

>>>>>[Ok then Tech, where are you?  I'll try to get some help
and get you out.]<<<<<
        -The Unknown <23:57:43/09-22-55>

>>>>>[ What happened? Fenris was scanning on the turtle, and suddenly he
screamed, ripped OFF the front door and left, all the while saying 'wasp,
I know someone who has dealings with wasp' under his breath... hmm, lets
see, he was browsing this file, from I.B.A. ..........

No, it cant be, it's not possible, how??? why??? The U.B., why else, but
no, I can't touch my rifle, not now, I shot my sister, she came back, and
I shot her I'll never touch it again. But that's the only way I can help,
no, there's another, must help Cerise, keep her alive, yes, he'd like
that... ]<<<<<
        --  SpotOn <00:03:27/09-22-55>

>>>>>[Thank you for the kind message, Aardvark.  I like pineapples, too.]<<<<<
        --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel/No/More>

>>>>>[*laughter*  Having fun yet, Spark?]<<<<<
        --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel/No/More>

>>>>>[Powerhouse, your memory will rest always in peace.

Cerise, my condolences.

<LTG>  Talk to me.]<<<<<
         --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel/No/More>

>>>>>[Yeah, whassup, Tech?]<<<<<
        --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel/No/More>

>>>>>[Hang on here, Tech.

+++++ Upload: Gargoyle's Eyes Line Trace...loaded.

Keep hanging in.]<<<<<
        --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel/No/More>

***** (PRIVATE): Mrs. V
>>>>>[ ]<<<<<   
	-- Kor <11:01:48 / 09-23-55>

>>>>>[b**$ting p*wer.  Wi|| c*ntinue f*r as l*ng @s p*$$ib|e....wreckage
a half mile beneath a Japanese restaurant called the Jade Dragon.  Was the
facade for Maddoc`s secret bunker.  Location: Minneapolis.  Transmitting
coordinates.  Careful.  Bunker....unstable.
+++++Transmitting data+++++
#####WARNING!  TRANSMISSION VIOLATES SECURITY CODE: MADDOC-ALPHA-ALPHA !
               TRANSMISSION INTERRUPTED AT SOURCE#####

Drek....w*u|dn't even tru$t me.  M*dified my *wn pr*grams.....]<<<<<
        -Tech <13:15:21/09-23-55>

>>>>>[A half mile below a Japanese Restaurant!!!  Where is Tech?  Folks, I'm
probably small enough to get in there.  (And light enough not to upset the
balance of the bunker)  I want to be involved in this.  It sounds to me like
having a healer around might not be a bad idea.  Tech, hang in there.]<<<
        -- Jasmine (12:55:57/09-23-55)

>>>>>[Interesting, one of Maxim's VPs gets waxed, even though
he was proably surrounded by a platoon of bodygaurds.  And yet
none of the Big 8 have been able to even scratch Maxim.  Odd no?
What's more, Maxim sends what amounts to a strike force to pick
up the body, even though it means going outside of Maxim's
territory, and even shoot at liscensed security personel to
get said corpsus delecti back.  I wonder whats so important
about the stiff, that they'll go to such lengths.]<<<<<
        -- Irish <15:21:07/23/09/55>

***** PRIVATE: Action Jackson
>>>>>[ AJ, I want to find out who got Solitaire and Collussus, so if you need
help I'm here.  Don't take this as an offer to join the group though, I have the
same feels about it as you do, "I'm retired".  Yes I know I'm too young to be
retired, but motherhood will do that for you.  Yes the kids are fine and growing
up rather quickly, infact they are both already starting to creep.  As you can
guess I will keep the fact that I am involved very confidential, thats means in
the group - not just myself.  We tend not to hide much from each other that
might effect everyone, all for one and one for all and such.]<<<<<
        -- Spirit <Of the Matrix>

>>>>>[ What is there ta say, Powerhouse, ya will be missed.

No Ah'm not a cold slitch, he was a friend, but grieven will come later, right
now is the time ta get revenge and rid us of a problem yet once more.]<<<<<
        Circuit Breaker <Hunting Dante>

***** PRIVATE: Claw
>>>>>[ Claw, its time ta go hunting again, Ah'll tell CRUSH and Spirit, though
Ah personally think Spirit should only do Matrix, we need ta have some
definately making it back.  Ya get ta tell Sheena and Lister (we still need ta
train him in fighting the suckers).  Do ya know where Fox is at? it would be
nice ta have him here, he was what gave us the edge the other times.  We should
try ta find I.B.A and Cerise so that we can help them.]<<<<<
        -- Circuit Breaker <Hunting Dante>

***** PRIVATE: Circuit Breaker
>>>>>[ I'll let Sheena and Lister know today, Kichanski may want to help but
I'll convice her that she is not ready.  As for Nightfox, I really don't know
where he is.  I can't get in touch with him which means that he is pretty
distant.  Hopefully he will sense that something is wrong and come to help, but
I won't plan on it.

Tell CRUSH that he will get to use his new toy helping to avenge Powerhouse.
I wish that this would not be the trail of blood for it, I'd rather not find out
that its not as good as he hoped.

As for Dante, we should still be able to keep on top of that problem too, though
it will mean less sleep for you folks.  For me it means less prowling, I need
the 4 hours of sleep I get a morning.]<<<<<
        -- Claw <16:35:19/09-23-55>

>>>>>[ Frag!  Frag!  Frag!  Frag!  Frag!!!!!!  Everybody is getting geeked
around here.  What is this?  Open season on shadowrunners.  Oh, we are going
to miss you Powerhouse. ]<<<<<
        -- Nightstalker <04:02:29/09-24-55>

>>>>>[You will all excuse me if I take a moment to activate the following log
of the group's success.  Oh, by the way, T.C. and everyone who got taken and
hurt last night, the runners I was running Matrix support for are Kor, Irish,
Jasmine, Facesmasher, Kineida, and, as you well know, Foxey Roxey.  Consider
this information a gift.

+++++Initiate Deck download, Camera sequence 4+++++

A brief instant of static, and you suddenly find yourself facing a centaur
with a bow aimed at you.  Huh?  That makes no sense, until you see the area
around you light up with a soft light and the menacing centaur releases the
tension on his bowstring and replaces the arrow in the quiver.  Weird.  Must be
a reality filter or something, as you are near a rather sickening looking....
and smelling river...of....blood.  Ewwwwwwww....the smell and sight of people
standing, sitting, and submerged in a boiling river of blood is making you
want to toss your cookies.  What kind of sick mind would generate a reality
filter like this?

Through the eyes of the decker whose sensory log you are enjoying, you see
yourself cross a slight ford where the blood is only a few inches deep and
easily crossed.  Once on the other side, you take your high black boot and
wait for it to be wiped off by the tongue of one of the unlucky slags in the
river itself.  This boy is a real sicko, whoever he is.

You proceed to the next area, presumably changing nodes in the process, and
you are now in a wood.  All around you are leafless trees and shrubs with
nothing but thorns.  You see several areas that look like they are paths
through the forest, but you are attacked by an ugly, half woman half crow
being weilding a short sword and screaming.  You rip a very large limb off a
nearby tree and catch the harpy unaware and surprised and sending it crashing
into a nearby bush.  You see a rather nice and beautiful sword being pulled
and driven into the breast of the harpy, after which the harpy melts away into
the ground around the bush.  Behind you hear a moan issuing from the trunk
where the decker ripped the limb from.  "Why do you tear me thus?  I have done
nothing to wrong you!"  "Quiet, Macross, lest I tear more limbs from you and
increase your voice and your divine torment."

You take one of the paths, somehow choosing one over the other, and you
find yourself in another grove where each twisted tree and ripping bush has
flowers of somekind.  Upon closer inspection, you see that each flower has
a small screen, very out of place in this realm of the torment of the soul.
Slave nodes, branching out from a central SPU, no doubt.  And they are most
likely security cameras.  Before you know it, you are looking at several at
once, some showing the insides of a block shaped concrete building, some
the external views, including an elm grove, an adjacent garage, and a swimming
pool.

"Irish, I am in position.  The security system has been fed a loop that will
provide you with 10 minutes of uninterupted access.  I am deactivating the
pool partition...now."

One of the cameras shows a VERY thick glass pane rising up into the wall of
the building, clearing the way for several forms that have just appeared out
by the river.  You suspect magical illusion or invisibility.

"Excellent, Mark.  Are all the residents out of the building?"

"Negative.  T.C. is out of camera range, possibly in the lodge.  Sabre and
Styx are out following the ganger distraction of Kineida's.  What is the
Astral status?"

"Kor appeared not too long ago to tell us that there are watchers about, but
that they have not been watching this area.  He also said he'd take care of
them when they came over this way.  We're moving in now."

You see the 5 figures move from the river in towards the house, all the while
taking up covering positions.  After about 20 seconds, they are all in the
house, on the first floor, just inside by the pool.

"Close it."

"Closing."  and on a camera, the glass pane closes the partition again, making
only a little more noise to start with than was made on the way up.

"Entering living room."

"Cameras off line, no change in status"

The five figures, easily recognized now as a very big troll, armed for bear
but currently using an Ares Squirt, a red-haired dwarf that apparently is the
leader for the group, and three elves-one very tall woman with flame red hair
that you recognize as Foxey Roxey, a slightly shorter male wearing more-or-
less inconspicuous clothing, but with the manner of a go-ganger about him, and
another elf that the cameras seem to not want to focus on, almost as if he
was slightly off in another plane.  That must be MaxiMillion, Roxey's ex-ally
and now Free Spirit.  The 5 move carefully into the next room and over toward
the stairs, being very careful not to move or touch anything.  Roxey, pointing
upward, says "Third floor.  Second is living areas, third is corporate zone
and where the program should be."

Two at a time, with Roxey in the middle, alone, the five move up the stairs,
watching above and behind with a paranoic look that speaks of the survival
traits that every decent runner must know.  At the top of the first landing,
something even less easy to focus on appears, floating before Irish.
"I just dispatched a Watcher.  Another nearly made it to the lodge before I
caught it.  We may have been discovered.  Move it."

"Affirmative.  Just tell Max next time.  That way you don't have to
appear, and he'll relay the message."

"Right."

The 5, in the same arrangement, move more quickly up the stairs, passing from
camera to camera.  But on another totally unrelated one, you see that a car
is returning to the garage.

"Frag.  Irish, the owners just returned.  Pick it up."

"Right.  Move it."

The five reach the third floor quickly and run into a maglocked door.  Roxey
pulls out a maglock passkey and runs it through, opening the door.  Taking up
coverage positions, they move through into the hallway.  Each side is lined
with doors, and the five start opening them.  Another camera, down on the
first floor, shows an elven woman exiting the elm grove and walking toward
the door, and greeting the other two women.  One seems very down, and the
other rather wary, as if she suspects something.  This one's eyes roll back
in her head for an instant, and you hear "no Watchers."  The other two
suddenly get serious, and the first woman mentions "They had hours left yet..."

"Problem, Irish.  Tell Kor that they know the Watchers are gone.  And that they
are coming in the front way."

"Roger.  Rox, tell Max, will you?"

"Already done...and Kor knows too.  He'll watch out for them."

"Found it.  Target found, Irish."

"Ok, Face.  Kineida, give him the chip.  Rox, cover us."

The three women are now prowling around the first floor, with one heading
down the stairs into the basement, where the cameras show a rather well
equiped firing range.  One of the others, Styx, if memory serves, is nearing
the pool when she stops suddenly, looking at the pool.  Leaves.  "Frag!  It's
been opened!"

"Irish, they know.  Move now."

"Give us 1 minute to complete download."

"No can do.  My control is limited, and I have zero control over the emergency
call button to TYR security....which just got pushed.  Projected ETA: 4
minutes."

"Got it."

Time passes as you watch the women gather and pull weapons.  Styx pulls a
pistol, but the woman who went into the basement returns with an SMG.  The
shaman from the building concentrates for an istant, and then she suddenly
begins to thrash about as if fighting off something.  "Frag!  Astral overwatch"
Almost as fast as she starts, the shaman stops, gasping, and looking to be
rather injured, or at least very shaken.  "Upstairs.  TYR.  Go...." and she
falls over as her legs give out.  She's still conscious, however.  The other
two head up the stairs, giving each other cover as they do so.  It looks like
they have spent time in the shadows as well.

"Got it.  Download complete.  Lets rock and roll."

"Right.  Roof hatch, distraction 1."

With that, Roxey looks at Max, and Max disappears.  Off in the distance, you
suddenly hear an explosion.  The camera in the garage records the sudden
spontaneous ignition of two bikes and several cans of explosive chemicals as
a slightly fuzzy image of a superimposed elf and pheonix appears in the middle
of the garage.  Another camera shows both women continuing upwards while a
third shows the shaman climbing to her feet and heads out toward the garage.

"Two still coming up, at 3rd landing...."

"We're out on the roof.  There's nothing up here!"

"Relax, I got it."  What Kineida and Facesmasher have you don't know, as the
are out of camera range, but you hear through their commlinks the prep of
several rapelling rigs and the descent into camera sight again of three people
with the fourth floating down on magic.  Inside, you see Styx and the other
woman heading up out onto the roof as well, reaching the edge, taking aim,
and then stopping.  Well, there's no noise at least, until they get back
inside and race down the stairs, one of then screaming "Roxey!  WHY?!"

"Let's move, route 2." and the four head off in the direction of the elms and
what the cameras show off on the edge of the property a stolen van, sitting
there.  Another camera shows the shaman staggering out into the grove only to
literally stumble upon the runners.  "Stop!"

"Move away, T.C.  I don't want to hurt you...."

"Roxey, why?"  T.C. asks while she begins to raise a spell or a spirit.

"Don't do it, T.C....  Please......"

"I have to...."  And T.C. stops, raises a hand, and throws a very powerful
spell at the four, but it never reaches them.  Kor, in Astral space, must have
dispelled it or destroyed it somehow.

"Frag you, T.C.  He has my daughter....he'll kill her if I don't do this.....
I'm sorry......." and Roxey casts a spell, issuing with it a scream that would
curdle the blood of a demon, and around her a wall of fire and energy rises
up, generating a flash and a concussion blast that literally picks T.C. up off
her feet and throws her clear out of the grove, only to land at the feet of
Styx and the other woman who are rushing in to help her.  The magical fire
dies down, only to be replaced by a real one, and through the fire you see
four figures racing through burning trees and across open ground, leaping into
the van, and disappearing while Styx and the other woman render first aid and
healing magic to their friend and companion.

A final camera shot shows TYR Security units arriving on scene and quickly
extinquishing the flames that still were powerful enough to damage the
lodge.

"Mark, we're clear.  Get clear yourself."

"I'm way ahead of you, Irish.  Ms V says to report to her your success ASAP."

"Confirmed, Mark.  Pleasure working with you."

"And with you.  Jacking out"

And the picture fades back away from the 'up close and personal' look with
various cameras to a full matrix picture of the deadly woods and a sense of
mirth.  "Stupid, Roxey.  She dies now, all because of you.  I might have
killed your lovely daughter before, but now I must...."

+++++End Deck log download+++++

Your daughter will die shortly, Roxey.  So young.....]<<<<<
        --  Dante(Abandon:All:Hope/Ye-Who-Enter-Here)

>>>>>[ Well it doesn't seem to be a good week for the good folks
of this here node. I found this while digging around in Germany
for traces of what Hammer has been up. Sigh not a good week at
all.

+++++ Start transmission.

The scene opens up with a picture of a 4 block by 4 block sealed
off area. There seems to be massive units deployed in there area.
The cars and personal mostly have the distinctive logo
Bundesgrenzschutz.  You have a sinking feeling that most of the
people here are made up of GSG hit teams.

The camera slowly scans around the area. It stops on a
particularly interesting shot. There is Hammer and Commander
Drake, both loaded for massive combat, talking to apparently an
officer. You can immediately spot on Drake the obvious weapons.
He's carrying a hunting rifle slung around his back, a heavy
pistol and an Uzi and at least a few knives. He also has some
grenades on him. It's kind of hard to tell exactly what models
most of the guns are, because the picture is rather poor. Hammer
has his sword, as usual and a pistol. You would be highly
surprised if he _didn't_ have more weapons on him, but you cannot
pick them out. The officer is wearing nothing more than standard
operating gear of the GSG.

Hammer: So Captain, the target is definitely inside the area.

Captain: Correct. The first team that we sent in, has not
responded recently, which means I assume they have been
neutralized.

Drake: The criminal commits more crimes to hang himself with.
Very good. (Drake bares his fangs in a vicious grin)

Captain: We have just pinned down the trog. I'm afraid the locals
are going to think we are being really racist.

Hammer: It's not my job to keep PR good. That's your job, kleine.
It's mine to bag this international terror.

Captain (listens to the radio for a second, you can hear some
resentment in her voice): Sir, perhaps you would care to help out
the first team. They are losing badly to the this "Doomsday."

Hammer: Connect to the radio. We'll go in and bag us this terror
to our nation and other countries once and for all.
Captain whispers something in the radio. "Done."

Hammer nods to Drake, and they both break into a run.

Drake: We have 2 blocks 'til we intercept him.

Hammer: This is going exactly to plan. Let's not blow it this
time.

Drake: _This_ time, he won't get away.

Hammer: Unless it is in a body bag!
---
The image shifts to a different location. You can see Doomsday
fighting off the remnants to the first squad. Doomsday apparently
had a gun at one point judging by the bodies lying around. There
are a lot of dead orks and trolls lying around, and you can also
see a decent amount of dead GSG (made up of mostly humans).
Doomsday lifts up a GSG body that is unconscious and brings the
man to by slapping him a few times.

Doomsday: Who sent ya?

GSG(in german): My name is Karl Lexton. I am a captain in the
Grenzshutzgruppen. My id number is 7763-234-2535.

Doomsday snarls, "In english pal."

Karl just repeats the phrase in German. Doomsday sighs. And
throws him into a wall, knocking the poor officer out again.

All through this short interrogation sequence you are impressed
by Doomsday sheer size. While not the tallest troll in the wall,
he is definitely built. And judging by how easily he flung the
human officer across the room, you would say that he knows how to
use his strength.

Doomsday muttering to himself, grabs a gun from a dead trolls
hand. You can tell he is less than happy.  He starts heading to
the door, but stops. One of the GSG has grabbed his ankle.

Doomsday: Ya fragger. Leave me alone.

Doomsday, unemotionally brings down his foot on the guys hand.
You hear the load crunching of bones breaking. The GSG officer
screams in pain and then passes out.

Doomsday turns to head out the door and is tackled by a blur.
Seemingly without any thought, Doomsday rolls with the tackle,
and throws the tackler through a wall.

Drake steps in the room and snarls. "This time, I'll break you
like the insignificant twig."

Doomsday sighs. "I might have known dat ya would show up. Ya just
don't learn. Da more ya hunt me, da more I turn out to be a
recurring nightmare. Ya could ask Ganz about dat, if it wasn't
for da fact dat he is dead."

Drake (circling Doomsday slowly): Well, one way or another you
are going to pay for your crimes.

Doomsday: When are ya goin' ta pay for yours, fragger!?!

Drake snarls and charges. Outside you can see the person who was
thrown through the wall, rise to his feet. It's Hammer. He is
about to enter the room, but he hears a japenese voice say,
"Hammer -- I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Hammer turns around: I'm sorry I didn't realize anyone
intelligent was aiding this criminal.

Spectre steps out of the shadows: The only thing I'm going to aid
in is your death.

Spectre draws a katana. Hammer responds by drawing his. Hammer
immediately starts the fight with an impressive series of strikes
and counter-strikes. Unfortunately for Hammer, Spectre fights
back just as hard. You can already tell this is going to be a
good fight.
---
You can see the effects that Doomsday's punches are having on
Drake, by the amount of blood being drawn from them. By seeing
Doomsday's strength you are amazed that there isn't any broken
bones on Drake. When Drake finally manages to score a hit on
Doomsday that has a decent amount of effect you realize that
Drake _HAS_ to have either augmented strength or bones. Because
otherwise, you have a sinking feeling that Doomsday wouldn't have
felt it and started bleeding from the shot.

Doomsday: Packin' a bigger punch dan last time. Guess breakin'
your back is out of da question.

Drake smiles as he manages to catch Doomsday and head-crushing
grip. It doesn't look good for Doomsday, as Drake manages to use
that grip to lower Doomsday to the floor.
---
Spectre groans from the power of the blows from Hammer. You can
easily tell that Hammer's one advantage over Spectre is Hammer's
size. Spectre just doesn't have the bulk to prevent Hammer from
driving him back.

Hammer slams his sword into Spectre's katana and shoulders
Spectre into a steel column. You can hear the crack as Spectre
hits the pole solidly. Spectre winces. In a blur, Hammer strikes,
stabbing him in the stomach. Spectre's eyes are wide in fear and
pain. Hammer senses his impending victory and starts twisting his
sword. Spectre, with blood showing through his ninja mask, snarls
and slams down his katana on the sword. In a stunning display of
sparks Hammer's sword breaks. You guess that only happens when a
weapon focus is destroyed. But then again, it is rare when you
see a sword break.

Hammer curses.
---
Doomsday slowly reaches up, and manages to grab the back of
Drake's jacket and throws him off. (and incidently partially
through a wall). Drake wearily shakes himself off and steps back
into the room: You'll have to do better than that.

Doomsday stands up. And glares at Drake. "Don't worry I will. But
if I was ya, I would cut your losses now and run."
---
Hammer brings his knee up, driving what remains of sword in
Spectre deeper. Spectre grunts, fighting off passing out. While
Spectre is focusing on keeping consciousness, Hammer smoothly
disarms him. And wields Spectre's katana.

Hammer: Nice try Specter. And nice katana. Prepare to die.
Spectre: Someone will avenge me.

A feminine voice calls out, "Yup. Someone will. ME!" Hammer is
engulfed in flames, as a 5'10'' gorgieous red-headed female human
steps out.

Hammer: FireWraith you slitch. This time it will be no mere
punishment. This time you'll die.

With extreme prejudice Hammer slices Spectre's jugular. Spectre
crumbles to the ground. Hammer turns towards FireWraith. He
slashes at her, and catches her in the upper arm. She screams in
pain, and uses his momentum to throw Hammer back into the other
room. She then disappears into thin air.

As Hammer (who is still on fire flies through the wall), Doomsday
was circling Drake to re-engage in combat with him. Seeing
Hammer, Doomsday snarls, "I should've known dat ya would be here
Hammer."

Doomsday throws a vicious punch at Hammer that is barely blocked.
(it was aimed at his head, but instead hits Hammer in his left
forearm. Shattering it).

Hammer yelps in pain, and crumbles to the ground. He looks up
with tears streaming down his face from the pain: I'll make you
pay for that Doomsday.

Drake seeing his advantage lunges toward Doomsday, only to have
himself engulfed in flames along with Hammer.

You can distinctly hear FireWraith call out: Doomsday RUN FOR IT!

Doomsday dodges his flaming would-be tackler and runs out. You
make a quick mental note not to underestimate a trolls running
speed ever again.

Drake curses, and plucks a grenade off his belt and slams it
down. Foam goes everywhere. "You were right Hammer. She would
have to show up. The slitch." Into radio he snarls: "Target is
running. Looks like heading for west side. Might be a female with
him. I want both of them. Need medical attention to come in for
Hammer. Keep me posted on his progress."

With that Drake gets up (still covered with foam) and starts
running after Doomsday.
---
Doomsday is running hard, he skids around a corner only to find a
barricade of GSG cars. They seeing him, open fire on him.
Doomsday screams "Frag!" as he dives for cover. You figure by his
flinching that he got hit by at least 2 bullets in his upper
body. FireWraith appears behind Doomsday.

FW: Doomsday, go through the sewers and head in the opposite
direction that you were running. Go five blocks down there and
then come out. There is a ride for you there. Good luck.

She disappears. Doomsday snarls and slams his hands into the
concrete around the sewer covering. With a tug he pulls the cover
off. He mutters, "Frag that hurt. Gotta find a better way to do
dat." He peeks around the corner with the cover still in his
hand. Seeing a guy on a radio he throws it at him. It catches him
right in the face. The guy, to say the least, drops hard. With
that, he runs into the sewers.
---
Drake running, puts a hand up to his ear, to hold his earpiece
in. He winces as he comes around the corner. He curses, "Damn. He
went to that side instead of this one." Without breaking stride
he runs out of the area, and steps right over the guy who ate the
sewer cover and yells, "WE GOT A MOLE. GET UNITS DOWN THERE AT
ONCE. I WANT TO KNOW WHERE HE COMES UP. I DON'T GIVE A FRAG IF
YOU SEAL OFF THIS WHOLE DREKKIN' CITY. I WANT THAT TROLL!"
He watches as people start running around. And sits in the
passenger seat of a car.

A few minutes pass. Some shouts, "We spotted the trog. Surfaced 3
blocks south. He is fighting some ork."
Drake: If you know the co-ords, get in this car and drive me
there, NOW!

The person grins, and runs up to the car. Very quickly he starts
the car, and in his haste to get there almost runs over his down
comrade and the medical team that was just getting ready to send
the comrade to a nearby hospital.
---
Doomsday snarls: Why me!?!
The thing that he is fighting, in german says: You will make a
good meal.
The thing shows its fangs. Unlike Drake's these are the real
things. It looks like an Ork Nosferatu. You can notice the fear
in Doomsday's eyes. He is desperately looking for an exit. And
starts running toward and alley way. You can hear the screeching
of a car taking corners far too fast. The Nosferatu closes in.
You note with terror that the alley is a dead-end.

Around the corner the car comes barrelling. Seeing Doomsday enter
it, the car fishtail to try and enter the alley-way. The
Nosferatu gets broadsided by the car. It's head smashes against
Drake's window but doesn't break it. The ork is sent flying.
The driver quickly regains control and steps on the gas. Doomsday
runs to the end of the alley-way and realizes his predicament. He
just starts to climb onto the dumpster at the end of the alley
when the car slams into the dumpster and Doomsday's legs. You can
see the pain in Doomsday's face as he slams through the dumpster
into the concrete wall. Apparently he is made of something
tougher than the dumpster but not the wall. Doomsday falls onto
the car's hood. The driver immediately backs up fast. You can see
Drake grinning (baring his fangs) in the passenger seat.

Somehow, Doomsday manages to hang onto the hood. The driver
seeing this slams on the breaks again. Doomsday rolls forward
into the windshield. Doomsday turns around and punches the
windshield. Seeing the effects of the punch, you can tell that
the armor-glass they used on the windshield isn't going to hold
up to Doomsday's strength. The driver panics and starts to reach
down. Drake shouts something in German, and checks his seatbelt.
The driver with pure terror in his face hits the gas again as
Doomsday breaks through the windshield. Doomsday then starts to
reach toward the driver, but is interupted by the car hitting the
far wall again. This sends Doomsday flying again into the wall.
The driver, who didn't have his seatbelt on, succeeds on eating
the steering wheel. Drake, only watching Doomsday, grins. Slowly
he gets out of the car. Holding his neck he walks up to Doomsday,
who is pathetically trying to move away from Drake, and ends up
falling from on the car's very ruined hood, to the ground. Drake
walks around calmly and picks Doomsday's head up. He then grins
wickedly making sure to show all his fangs.

Drake: Guess you lost Doomsday.

All Doomsday can do is look at Drake. Doomsday slowly raises a
bloody hand and grabs Drake's jacket.

Drake: With the greatest of pleasures. I place you under arrest.

Drake punches him in the right ear. And Doomsday hits the ground.

+++++ Transmission ends.

I won't bore you with the clean up. There were a lot of bodies to
clean up. As far as I can tell I think Interpol ended up with
Doomsday, but that is hard to say. Hammer was in a hospital and
has since been treated and released. Same with Drake.

As I said earlier, things are definitely not good. Crashkit,
Vorien -- any luck connecting with DragonEyes?? Blitzkrieg, lad
are you out there?? Where can we find you to help out?

Hmmm.... Something is up in this system. I gotta skate and check
it out. ]<<<<<
     -- Scourge <20:20:34/9-24-55>

*****PRIVATE:  Central
>>>>>[Berlin here, Central.  We have been monitoring the status of the BIS
and the individual known as HAMMER.  We believe that it is time to raise
thier threat rating again.  They had fallen with thier temporary lack of
interest, but with thier recent purge and thier concurrent investigation with
Interpol--Special Branch and Commander Drake, we must request an increase in
thier threat rating to 33.53%.  As you know, when they hit the 40% mark
individuals are marked for death within 7 days.  If they hit 50%, we go
ballistic, to put it mildly.]<<<<<
        --  Berlin(23:13:42/09-24-55)

*****PRIVATE:  Central
>>>>>[New York here.  With the continuing investigation of Maxim Arms and
thier relationship to us, we recommend raising the threat rating of Commander
Drake of Interpol Special Branch to 38% and of Interpol Special Branch itself
to 36%.  We also recommend immediate preparations for full mobilization in
case Interpol makes any final connections.]<<<<<
        --  New York(23:17:54/09-24-55)

*****PRIVATE:  New York, Berlin
>>>>>[Your respective recomendations have been noted and approved.  Also
included is the mobilization of assets in Germany as a parallel for New York.
These two orginizations are getting too close for comfort.]<<<<<<
        --  Central(23:23:53/09-14-55)

***** Private: Foxey Roxey
>>>>>[What's this about someone having your daughter?  Where
you blackmailed into going on this past run?  No, I'm not just
being nosey, if we where hired by the sort of gutless, sadistic,
drek that uses people's family as weapons/leverage I want to
know.  If there's anyway I can help, tell me (I've got a
daughter myself, so I can at least guess -- actualy I KNOW --
what you're going through).
        -- Irish <18:00:45/25-09-55>

>>>>>[Well, I thought I'd better upload this...

+++++AudioVisual Upload Sequencer Start

The image begins as a sheet of flat black marble, slowly disintegrating pixel
by pixel into what seems to be a sheet of shimmering silver, punctuated by
tall spires and minarets of gleaming metal, with shining beams of light
flickering between them.

An angel, of burnished black chrome with steel-glass wings, stands easily in
the middle of the digital city -- the image fades, then reassembles itself.

The angel stands in front of a large, flat field in the middle of the night: a
thick, white-green fog blankets the ground, and the faintest whisper of a wind
draws tenuous fog-strands up into the air.  White marble crypts dot the land-
scape, each guarded by a wraithlike figure with gleaming red eyes.  He walks
through the environment, nimbly picking his way through the tombs as he pulls
his cloak close around him.  He stops in front of a lonely tomb in the midst of
a clearing, and looks into the guarding wraith's eyes.

Wraith: Access code, please.

The angel stares coldly at the wraith-form.

Wraith: Access code, please.

The angel's form slowly metamorphoses into that of the wraith, pixel by pixel.

Wraith: Access granted.

The angel-turned-wraith slips inside the tomb and slowly returns to its normal
form, finding itself in the middle of a hexagonal room, filled with pulses of
eerie blue light.  He soars over to one of the pulses and wraps the light around
his hand, scanning it rapidly.

Nodding briefly, the angel turns and slips away through a side of the room,
making repeated jumps through the access corridors, finally emerging into a
small airlock-like structure, with a heavy pair of French double doors guarding
the entrance to whatever lies beyond.  A knight, clad in black steel armor and
reeking of death and decay, raises a foully twisted sword towards the angel and
lunges.  The angel ducks back, drawing out a blade of pure, golden light, and
neatly parries the blow.  They duel, stroke after stroke, the knight attacking
and the angel defending against every blow.  The knight raises his sword high
and brings it down -- as the angel's sword finds its mark and shatters the
knight's breastplate in two, scattering the ice like bits of paper in a darkened
Seattle street at nightfall in the wind.

Angel: Hmmmmmm...pretty wiz IC, haven't seen stuff this nice recently.

The angel's polished black chrome arm raises and the door swings open, revealing
a room full of shimmering light.  He steps in and begins to read...

Angel: Drek.

+++++Data Downline Sequencer Start...downloading now.

The data sings down the line, the EOF transferring just as a tall, skeletal
figure robed in black enters.  The angel spreads his wings and dematerializes
nanoseconds before the foul, ichor-stained fangs of the lich-icon tear through
his chrome breast...

+++++End AudioVisual Upload

Scanning this file here...I've learned some rather...intriguing...things.

Dante, you are going to fall.

By my hand.]<<<<<
        --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel>

>>>>>[Hey, people, what's happening?  Been gone for a LONG time, and I know it,
but after Solonus' run...well, let's just say that there were some changes.
For one, I moved.  No more Chicago.  Now I live in good ol' Seattle.  How
nice.

Anyway, I've been gone on vacation for most of the time.  Here's a hint: never,
EVER marry someone who's half-Indian.  And I don't mean AmerInd.  India isn't
that nice of a place this time of year...

So, I'm back.  And wondering what the hell's going on.  Something's up here,
but I've been out for too long...what's up?  And how bad is it?]<<<<<
        --  Quickling <21:42:35/09-25-55>

>>>>>[Oh, and has anyone seen Solonus?]<<<<<
        --  Quickling <21:43:28/09-25-55>

>>>>>[*****Power Back-ups Engaged*****
      *****Secondary Command Pathways Engaged*****
      *****Command Overrides Engaged*****
I'm back....for now....Thank God I outfitted this place with my toolkits and
some food stores (I get the munchies).  It took me awhile to cut through
Maddoc's override program.....I should be traceable now....doesn't matter
anymore....he and Elender were both crushed in the rubble....don't think
he'll be on my case about it....managed to clot the bleeding in my legs...
I think one's infected and the other's broken....I'm feeling kinda cold
and numb....might be the depth, might be......anyway, I'll run outta oxygen
before I freeze to death....maybe not....I'll be dead either way in a day or
two....been down here...what...a week yet....big space of air, this bunker...
...but not infinite....I think I see something....bright....]<<<<<
        -Tech <13:36:32/09-26-55>

>>>>>[Yep, Dante fragged with her and her daughter.  Kidnapped her when he
was off scraggin IBA's son, or tryin too, actually.  Max has got her all
doped up magically, to keep her from goin suicidal, ya know?  I don't know
who hired ya, but it's possible that they were workin with Dante.  Now ain't
that a pretty thought....]<<<<<
        --  Slash(00:03:38/09-26-55)

>>>>>[Excellent operation, everyone.  I was glad to hear that there was
minimal collateral damage, and that everyone got away safely.  I apologize
for my decker's methods.  I was very surprised to find that Mark was Dante,
and that he had kidnapped the daughter of one of his enemies in order to
make her run against her friends.  I sincerely hope that AJ's people got her
out before Mark, I mean Dante(I'm still in shock about that...), could follow
through on his threat to murder a young girl baby.

However callous it may seem, we had an agreement and I have the payment ready
for you.  I will be in Seattle tomorrow evening, and I suggest that we meet
at the same place we met before.

Again, excellent operation.]<<<<<
        --  Ms. V(19:20:51/09-26-55)

***** (Public Post):
>>>>>[ Does anyone know where Tech is and what is going on there?  All I
really need is a quadrant and I can have my resources allocated to getting
him out of wherever he is.  Someone get ahold of me and let me know what
informatio you have.]<<<<<
   -- Kor <23:50:43 / 09-26-55>

***** (PRIVATE): Slash
>>>>>[ Sometimes you have to look at the big picture before you
make blanket comments like that, my friend.  There is a lot of
degrees of grey and black out here in the shadows.
You can rest assured that Justice will prevail.

*** Begin Encryption:
*** Check Encryption --  Running

Sorry about that, I have to make sure that it is up and running, I am
not as good as the others are with computers just yet.

If you are willing to trade information, maybe we can both get a
look at the Big Picture.]

*** End Encrption:
*** Check Encryption -- Running
*** EC
*** Check Encryption -- No Encryption Running

Something is wrong with my deck.  Do you happen to know anyone that
does work on cyber decks?]<<<<<
   -- Kor <00:17:18 / 09-27-55>

>>>>>[ Hey, guys ... no word yet on the good Doctor.  Been out of it for
the last few -- uhh, several days. ]<<<<<
        -- Hangtime <12:46:01/09-27-55>

>>>>>[ Acquainting himself with tequila shots. ]<<<<<
        -- Jack Hack <12:46:07/09-27-55>

>>>>>[ Hey, man ... I don't do it for the taste ... Spirits, no, after a
few shots it just feels like I'm pourin' hot lead on my tongue.  I do it
to get numb.  I don't want to feel anything. ]<<<<<
        -- Hangtime <12:46:13/09-27-55>

>>>>>[ Sweet Jesus, guys!  Would ya look at the mail backlog! ]<<<<<
        -- Sonic Boom <12:46:21/09-27-55>

>>>>>[ No time like the present, eh, chummer?  Oh, my God!  Solitaire?

Geez, him too ... nuttin' less than a tank could've taken him out.

Oh, God, no ... not Powerhouse!  Aw fraggit all to Hell, Death's been
working overtime.  Solitaire, Collosus, Powerhouse, and Doom just hanging
on for dear life.

A lot of good shadowrunners have been lost, and the World is a far
sorrier place without 'em.

Sorry 'bout the late condolences, but they're sincere. ]<<<<<
        -- Hangtime <12:50:03/09-27-55>

>>>>>[ Powerhouse, Collosus, Solitaire ... you'll all be missed. ]<<<<<
        -- Sonic Boom <12:50:09/09-27-55>

>>>>>[ Don't be satisfied with missed, fellas, always remember REVENGE. ]<<<<<
        -- Jack Hack <12:50:12/09-27-55>

>>>>>[IBA, Punisher, Blitzkrieg: someone talk to me!  Dammit, tell me
what's going on, NOW!  Who attacked IBA?  Who was responsible?  WHO
KILLED POWERHOUSE?!

I want in.  How's Cerise?  IBA?  Someone talk to me!]<<<<<
        --Highlander (22:48:34/9-26-55)

>>>>>[I really don't want to sound like a cold fragger, but it helps
get ME through life.  (Read: DISCLAIMER in fifty fraggin' meter
flaming letters.)

Hey everybody: GIVE IT UP!

Sure, the body count is getting high around here, and I have sympathy
for the friends and family of those who have been lost.

I am neither.

Fatalities are a part of shadowrunning.

Ask yourselves this: how many sec guards have been collectively
killed by the people who post here?

I realize that there have been lots of people who deserved to
die, but what about the slots that were just trying to make a living
to support their family?

How many of you really know what a megacorp pays its security goons?
The really low ones.  The jokers they put on the perimeter with only
a Manhunter, a flashlight and a radio to stop a team that's cybered
to the gills along with a whizzer or three from hitting the
facility....

Just about nothing.  Maybe just enough that it pays better than to
work at the Stuffer Shack.  Some corps even have the guts to pay 'em
in corp scrip, and that doesn't get 'em anything but whatever the
corp wants to sell 'em, at the corp's price.  And I just want you to
think about their friends, their family and their co-workers.

You know what happens when you geek a sec guard?  You piss off his
buddies.  They express their concern to the widow, go to the funeral
and then get some illegal weapons to carry on duty with them.  Things
just got more dangerous because they want revenge.  They go on with
their lives and keep the anger inside.  That anger gets vented on the
next piece of criminal sleaze that makes the mistake of getting in
his sights.

You need an example?  Just think of what's going on right now... Some
asshole has grabbed a kid.  No better weapon than family.  And what's
happening around here?  People are getting pissed.  And pissed people
are working their asses off to find this sick fragger and kill the
sonuvaslitch.  They're not sitting on their duffs expressing their
condolences, they're getting something done.

Thus endth the sermon.]<<<<<
        -- Freddy Frypp (09:00:00 / 09-27-55)
           California Free State Matrix Uplink #5150

>>>>>[And don't bother wasting my time and the time of everyone else
here by telling me what kind of a....hmmmm....cold fragger (golly gee
whiz that sound's original!!!!) I am.  I already know.  And people
here already know that I am capable of saying and doing lots
of things that piss lots of people off.  Lately, you've been seeing
the "P.C." Freddy.  Anybody who was here around the time Jac
introduced me to this place knows what kind of a jerk I can be.]<<<<<
        -- Freddy Frypp (09:03:17 / 09-27-55)
           California Free State Matrix Uplink #5150

>>>>>[I stoll like you, Freddy...]<<<<<
        --  Aardvark (15:30:13/27-9-55)

>>>>>[Huh?]<<<<<
        -- Freddy Frypp (11:26:00 / 09-27-55)
           California Free State Matrix Uplink #5150

>>>>>[I'm sorry, but I have to agree with Freddy here.

We work to make our living -- those corp guards work to earn theirs.

This is life, chummers.  Sorry if it hurts.]<<<<<
        --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel/No/More>

>>>>>[Oh great, that's just great!  This boy REALY needs to get
geeked, don't he?  And by the way, How the hell did you get access
to a private message?!]<<<<<
        -- Irish <13:02:37/27-09-55>

>>>>>[You saying that Dante, the slag whose been dreking with
everyone & their kin was the matrix support you provided?!
Don't you check out you're hired help?!
Roxey, you have my profoundest appoligies & sympathies, if
there's anything I can do to help, let me know.
And I complimented that fragger, jeesh!]<<<<<
        -- Irish <13:07:20/27-09-55>