*****PRIVATE: M. Executor
>>>>>[Ma'am, it's done. Here's the vid for your perusal.

+++++INCLUDE: Rm.vid

Enjoy. <grin>]<<<<<
        -- Child Killer (12:24:56/05-07-56)

*****PRIVATE: Child Killer
>>>>>[It was very... stimulating.

I will be in contact soon regarding the second installment of your fees.
Please stand by.]<<<<<
        -- M. Executor (13:12:47/05-07-56)

>>>>>[ Oriphin, I'm not sure that the captor in question was acting in
hope and kindness.  I'm sure that person had his reasons, but I don't think it
had anything to do with kindness.  Of course that is just how I read the
events that took place.  Who knows?  Maybe you are right about that. ]<<<<<
        -- Ratspeak <14:13:43/5-7-56>

>>>>>[Heh. Hope and kindness. Yeah, you right. Just what I had on my mind when the Baron tol' me hanzoff.

I may be bigoted, deluded, and maybe even a tad over the edge, but
hell, I don't rape small children, I ain't never been dead, and I
don't hope to be escapin' that fate when it comes.

There's a certain kind o' vamp, ya see, that makes my flesh creep and
my hackles rise. Them's the ones that'd be dead two weeks from
yesterday, but they took ta feedin' off other people so as they
wouldn't hafta.

I been fed off, exploited, had the people I love exploited, been
burned, been hated. But I ain't never cheated the Baron. And as fer
me... I just figger myself like the Baron's collection agency. So far,
he ain't led my hand wrong.

+++++SIGNAL FLUCTUATION AT SOURCE
+++++Continue ? (Y/N)y

You may doubt who I am, young soldier, and you may doubt who you are.
You may think yourself in permutated helices, and you may continue to
exert your will against the fabric of being.

I care not. But know that when you walk through the graveyard, when
you cross the threshold of another tomb, that spirit which does not
exist watches. And should you feel the cracked nails and slime-ridden
bone of a long-dead hand grasp your ankle, doubt will mean
little.]<<<<<
        --  Jolly Roger  < 21:12:49 PST / 05-07-56 >

>>>>>[I know the feeling, Megan.  The only thing I can think of that would get
that lot to put aside their differences is what happened in Chicago, and I'm not
real sure even  that would.

So thats what a cyber-knight looks like?  Jeesh, when Aristo said he lived near
some interesting people he wasn't kiding.]<<<<<
        --  Irish <10:55:38/08-05-56>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[Ummm, this is somewhat embarassing but you are my first choice of
people to ask.

My roomate and I had a serious fight last night, the bitch, and I am moving
out as soon as I can find a new place to stay.  I was wondering if you
could spare a little space for me at your place until I was able to find
another apartment...what do you say?  I promise to be totally low maintenance.
Smile]<<<<<
        -- Trixie <18:17:45 / 05-08-56>

***** PRIVATE: Trixie
>>>>>[  Of course I can spare some space for you.  Let me know when you want to
get out of your apartment, and I'll help you move your stuff over.  Oh, and low
maintenance?  I'm soooo sure.  <chuckle>  ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher < 20:53:08/5-08-56 >

*****Private:Spotter Macros
>>>>>[Painfully and slowly, starting with his companions, then his friends
in CalFree.  But aren't you one of the ones he's hunting right now?  That
might complicate matters...]<<<<<
        --  Vincent <13:30:42/05-09-56>

***** Private:  Vincent
>>>>>[ Painfully and slowly may not be an option for you.  Things are rather
complex just now, yes, but your 'problem' may be taken care of in a very ...
swift fashion.  I am _not_ amused with him just now.  Tell me how much his
death is worth to you, and I may see if I can bring it to you. ]<<<<<
        --  Spotter Macros (18:57:04/5-9-56)

*****PRIVATE: Vargas
>>>>>[Something very...upsetting happened to me yesterday, Enrique.

+++++INCLUDE: Video

You are looking at a video recording, obviously from someone's cyberoptics,
The image seems to bob around in a strange manner as the person walks.
The quality is excellent. Obviously, these are no cheapo implants,
but top of the line eyes.

The image you see is that of a wood panelled lift. The point of view turns as
the person moves his...her head and looks at herself in the mirror.

The image in the mirror is that of an attractive, mature woman.
From her appearance alone it would be hard to determine her age,
she could be anywhere between 25 to 50, considering the medicare the corps
go for. But from her demeanour it is obvious that she's no corp-brat.

Her head turns again as the doors open, and she steps out into a large,
elegant dining room full of people.

She sits down at a large table and succintly orders a light meal.

While she waits, a window opens in her field of vision and text begins to
scroll rapidly. You catch glimpses of the names 'Griffyn, GoD, Freddy
Frypp' among other meaningless stuff. A letter begins to write itself
in the box.

Suddenly, a man sits at the opposite side of the table. The woman blinks
and the window dissapears. 'Who do you think you...' Her outburst stops
when she sees the man's face.

The man is extremely thin. His skin is pale and gray, and his hair looks
flaxen and unhealthy. His smile is meant to be friendly, but his sunken
cheeks make it look ghastly. He looks like a cadaver warmed up.

'You...you are dead...' says the woman.

The man says nothing... just continues grinning hideously. He points at his
neck, revealing two large scars beneath his jaw, and hands her a piece of
paper.

The woman focuses on the hastily scribbled note:

CAN'T TALk, OPeRATION...REMOVED IMPLANTS...WiLL GEt BETTER
NEEDED TO sEE You... I nEED you HElp

The man reaches accross the table and grasps her hand.

The woman flinches violently and pulls back her hand.
'NO!' She screams.

People around stop eating and look in their direction.

The woman points her arm at the man and jerks her hand upwards. The seemingly
innofensive brazalet on her wrist spits fire. The man falls back with a
shocked expression in his face.

The woman starts to run towards the lift. Halfway there she looks back,
The skeletal man is getting up, seemingly unharmed.

He shouts 'Gre-heeee-Haaa', his voice a shrill croak
and starts to chase her.

The woman turns around, and in her haste to escape, collides with a security
guard.

'Stop him! Stop that man!' She says.

The security guard nods and runs towards the man.

The woman reaches the lift and enters it, pushing aside a fat woman with a
little dog. As the lift closes, she sees the skeletal man running towards
the service exit, leaving the unconscious security guard behind him.

As the doors close, several shots ring out

The cyberoptics mist up.

-end video

What do you think? Did I act correctly Enrique?]<<<<<
        -- M. Executor (12:34:23/05-07-56)

*****PRIVATE: M. Executor
>>>>>[You did well Rebecca. It is as I feared. Teutone is aware of our
intentions, and is counterattacking in the foulest manner possible.

I will send Tehuactlipoc to your residence immediately to protect you.]<<<<<
        -- Vargas (12:43:45/05-07-56)

***** Private:kor
>>>>>[what happens now? I can't find him anywhere and it's getting
frustrating.  Do I leave him to the dogs or do I keep lookin?]<<<<<
        -- GoD<wasn't/watchin>

***** Private: GoD
>>>>>[and Whut pray tell, has Your underware all bunched in a knott?  Ya
don't just ask Josh to go finding me and Blastah and tha others just 'cause.
Oh! oh! I see.  What this Geek Think he's That Good? and if he were I'da
heard of'em.  Ballsy, I think that's all I have to say.  As far as I know
you'll just have to let me know when ya need us.  Me and Blast have a little
gig going for good ol'NYU seems that a hive of insect spirits hatched under
the main audience hall. They called us in to exterminate.  Just let me know
when you want us there...]<<<<<
        -- Bright-star <0648:19/05-05-95>

***** Private:Kor
>>>>>[Me and GRiff have moved from TT abode, It seems that the Position was
compromised.  We are at >>Encripted<<, It's not very far from that spot we
crashed in by the bridge.  I'm trying to get us some help I've contacted a
few Good Friends from over in New york.  I'm not sure if they all will come.

Last night, Brimstone attempted to brake the wards I set at the apartment.
He was stronger this time Kor, I'm not sure what TT did, but Brimstone is
back with a vengance.  We barely made it out this morning.
How are things lookin' on your end?  I hope you fare better.  I was going to
ask you to do a little research for me on Oriphin but I know you must be
bussy I'll have Josh take care of it.  Until we meet again...]<<<<<
        -- GoD <isallway/swatchin>

***** Private: Freddy Fripp
>>>>>[ Things are getting hairy boss.]<<<<<
        -- GoD <isallway/swatchin>

***** Private: Kor, Griffyn, Freddy Fripp
>>>>>[He's Gone don't ask me when, cuz I don't know, The doors are still
locked, his room windows are still sealed he's gone.  He was supposed to be
under till seven. I've been sleepin' in two hour, intervals and well as I got
up to turn off the alarm I noticed the kitchen light was on, but no one was
there, so I rusehd over to the room and he was gone.  Be on the look
out.]<<<<<
        -- GoD<isallway/wastchin>

***** Private: Josh Mcnight, Bright-star, Blastah
>>>>>[What's this Fragger Take me for?
+++++ Include: HLE.fil
What does he think he is?  you know what, I have an Idea.
come by the hand out and I'll tell you what I'm thinkin'
I think we can go ahead and take care of a whole-lot-o-geeks
in one shot]<<<<<
        -- GoD<isallway/swatchin>

***** Not to: Nightingale, HAMMER
>>>>>[ I have a feeling this happened a while ago.  Yet, yesterday night is
when I received it.  I can only wonder what it means.   Well... here you go....

+++++ include video

You see two trolls and an ork walking down a dark street.  You can barely see
them in the hard rain.  What makes it hard is that they are dressed for going
out at night and not gaining attraction.  It is further complicated by the
glare of lights off in the distance, and the noticable lack of lights here.
Probably the only thing that makes it easy for you to find them is that they
are two trolls and an ork on a very empty street.

After a few moments of watching them walk along, a young human girl darts
around a corner.  She speaks quickly and quietly into a troll who bent down to
hear her.  The other troll and the ork exchange wary look at each other.  The
troll who bent down, pats her on the head.  You think he quietly tells her in
Japanese to run home and play.  He then looks at the other two and says in
broken English, "Marine around corner."

The ork nods and says, "Go in like you are unsuspicious.  We will come in from
behind.  Give us a minute to get into position.  That sound good to you,
Doomsday?"

Doomsday, the troll that didn't talk to the girl, breaks a smile and says, "It
be good.  Let's have a marine to play with."

The ork nods and says grimly, "Be careful, HAMMER is still out here."  The two
trolls look at each other briefly and bolt off.  The ork follows Doomsday off.
--
You see a tall, well built man in a Japanese Marine uniform.  There is
something that is bothering you about the man.  It takes you a little to take
in all his features.  From his complex braids that he wears to his overall
features.  You think he isn't Japanese.  It is hard to tell from the overall
darkness, but if you didn't know better you would guess that this guy is an
Indian.  Of course it might be easier to tell once you see him in good
lighting, or maybe next to another japanese marine.

He seems a little startled as a troll appears in front of him.  He looks around
and sees absolutely no movement.  You think you see disappointment filter
across his face.  The troll says in japanese, "You are a long way from home and
from the looks of things, you don't belong in the uniform either.  Who are
you?"

The man smiles and says (in japanese no less), "I was merely looking for a
friend.  We were supposed to have coffee.  I really like the french vanilla
type, but ... (he shrugs), I'll do what I have to do."

The troll frowns and starts circling him.  The man sighs and sets into an easy
stance.  The trolls starts to move, and the man casts something.  The troll
looks a little startled as he gets hit by a bolt, but it doesn't seem to affect
him any.

You hear Doomsday's distinctive voice quietly call out, (in English), "Who are
ya Indian?  Ya are a long way from home.  Ya answer me wrong, and I'll hurt ya
for practice."

The Indian turns around in surprise, "I am Kor.  Who are you, if I may ask?"

Before Doomsday can respond, you hear an irish voice respond, "A dead trog, he
be."  Out of the corner of your eye, you see a blur crash into Doomsday.
Doomsday staggers back a little bit and starts trying to break out of the net.
Apparently, they were expecting someone fairly strong, because he doesn't break
free immediately.  You see a tall, wiry figure get tackled by an ork before he
can push a button.  The figure spins and sends the ork flying.

You notice Kor starting to cast something as the other troll helps Doomsday out
of the net.  The figure, an elf it would seem, snarls and ducks into the
shadows.

Doomsday says, "Fenris ya okay?"

You hear the ork - Fenris, respond, "Yes.  Hey daisey-head, care to come out
and play?"

Kor starts to move, and Doomsday stops him.  A van pulls up, and Doomsday
motions to the van.  They all get in real quickly.  And the van takes off.
Unnoticed the elf stalks up and manages to put something on the bumper, and
then runs back into the shadows.  The van pulls off.

As the elf enters the shadows, he springs into a defensive stance as there is a
well-built human with a sword out in the shadows.  The human says quietly, "You
tried killing Blitzkrieg and failed.  Care to try me?"

The elf looks a little surprised, "You should be dead."  He draws a dagger and
assumes a dangerous position.

If there is any indication of what the man says, it is absorbed by the
lightning that shoots forth from the man's left hand.  The elf flinches as he
gets hit but doesn't fall to the ground.  The elf sighs, "So, that is how you
treat an old friend.  You should thank me.  I killed an old chum of yours.  I
believe his name is --- Erik Schmidt."

The man doesn't respond at all.  Suddenly, there is a flash, that blinds the
elf.  The staggers off into the street.  Only to get punched by a troll.  He
flies through a window.  Apparently, though he managed to get up and stagger
off, because you can here running inside.

The man sighs, "Damn he got away again."
The troll says, "One not must rush the waterfall.  Doomsday found the bug he
planted on the van.  Figured you might need some help.  Who is this Kor guy
anyway?"
The man shrugs, "Another piece on the board.  Let's go.  It's almost time for
me to unviel my plan.  I'm sure there will be an interesting discussion."
The troll nods, and says, "I doubt I will be involved in the preliminary
planning.  Still we shouldn't be late."

+++++ video ends

I wonder how long it will be before Justice wields her beautiful sword and
merits out the rewards and punishments that has been lacking for so long.
]<<<<<
        -- Scourge <15:50:00/5-10-56>

>>>>>[Okay, I'm here. bring him on-line and we'll see how he's
doing.]<<<<<
        --Nightstalker (16:33:21/05-10-56)

*****LINK INITIATED

>>>>>[                                  .....no.....No! you can't...

.....you can't make me go back in there...
                               Get me Out of Here!
  please!
                                                        please, don't
        agggggthththhththththththhthththhththththtthhhthththththth
*****LINK TERMINATED AT SOURCE.  ]<<<<<
        --<No Sig.file included> (16:35:04/05-10-56)

>>>>>[Frag! What was that? The kid didn't damage himself, did he?

Never mind, I'm coming over to see him for myself. I have a feeling
there's something more wrong than too much sake; call it Ninja's
intuition. Hope you and the big guy don't mind another houseguest.]<<<<<
        --Nightstalker (16:35:44/05-10-56)

*****Private:Spotter Macros
>>>>>[My current fund for the contract is 300,000 nuyen.  He goes painfully
and slowly, or you will take his place. You don't want to cross me in
this.]<<<<<
        --  Vincent <18:52:42/05-10-56>

*****Private: Wet Steel, Strife, Spotter Macros
>>>>>[The job involves killing the elf called Mr. Purple, or delivering him
to me to be killed.  If you can manage to kill his companions first and make
sure he knows about it, I am certain a bonus can be arranged.  By the way,
the amount for the job is now up to 300,000 nuyen.  (I had a good day at the
stock market.)

Purple also has a group of friends in CalFree, a shadowrunning group known
as Absolute Zero.  They might pose a problem, so expect an even bigger bonus
for offing any of them.  Again, this should be before Purple dies, and he
should be aware of it.

Maybe I'll save them until later...

Oh, well, here's the file on Purple:

+ + + Include:Purple.dossier

Contact me at <ENCRYPTED> for further information.]<<<<<
        --  Vincent <18:52:57/05-10-56>

>>>>>[ Xopipo -- Code Alpha-Cesium-Umbrella 516, CL, Master Gunnery Seargant
Macrosian Trueeye.  Please advise. ]<<<<<
        --  Spotter Macros (19:00:00/5-10-56)

*****Private: Vincent
>>>>>[ In which case, I won't take your money.  He may, on the other hand,
die nonetheless.  And I don't do torture, I leave that for the priests. ]<<<<<
        --  Spotter Macros (19:05:00/5-10-56)

*****Private: Vincent
>>>>>[ One other thing -- don't threaten me.  Don't threaten Macros.
You don't want what that'll bring down.  If Purple gets killed because
of something he does, that's his own fault.  He's done something that
may get him killed, and by Quetzalcoatl, he may pay for his mistake
sooner than he would like. ]<<<<<
        --  Spotter Macros (19:10:00/5-10-56)

>>>>>[I just got this from a friend of mine I think you all know.  This
was the last I've heard from him, so I'm really not sure if he's still
around.  In any case, I thought I should forward this onto the Shadowland.

+++++BEGIN FORWARDED MESSAGE
Well, we had Macros, then we lost him, but not without a fight.
After cleansing my entire database and importing all new, uncorrupted
data, I was finally able to track down Macros the Black.  To keep the
set-up from boring you out of your skull, I'll keep that part short.
Basically, I found out he was headed down to the Carib League, Jamaica to
be more specific. I grabbed Mr.Purple, Spring Rivers, and we jumped on a
sub-orbital (good god our timing was lucky; another hour later and we
would have been screwed) down to the Land of Rum & Marley.  Beat Macros
by about an hour.  Rented an old Land Rover, then waited.  At which point

we join our story, all ready in progress:

+++++UPLOAD AUDIO/VISUAL
+++++SEQUENCE 4523.34.6b

Even with maximum compensation, the view from inside the classic
Land Rover bounces crazily.  The Rover is on a dirt road, driving through

what looks like a lush green sugarcane field.  The camera swivels, and a
woman can be seen driving, her hair a collection of shocking blue
braids.  A graphic appears to indicate "Spring Rivers."  She is
chattering away, but the topic of her rambling is unknown, as her voice
has been edited out.  The camera swivels further back to reveal a normal
looking human sweating in his suit.  The graphic indicates "Mr.Purple." 

The view swivels back around, a disturbing sensation given the insane
bouncing.  Teleoptics kick in on the camera, and the view magnifies in
stages, out to x25 where the rear of a tan 2055 model Land Rover can be
seen.   The driver can barely be seen, but with the intense magnification
it can be seen that a Hispanic dwarf is at the wheel.  Another graphic
appears, a wire frame image of a hard-faced dwarf.  The wire frame
rotates, and settles on top of the dwarf driving the distant Land Rover. 

Bright green letters appear on top of the wire frame indicating "90.325
probability Macros the Black."  A voice is heard behind the camera.  Your
best guess it is the Whistler speaking.
"We have a 90match.  Where did you find this software?"
Mr.Purple speaks up.  "A souvenir I picked up.  Picked it up a
couple of years ago.  Still cutting edge drek."

Spring Rivers voice is cut back in.  "So we got him?"
The camera returns to normal magnification and swivels over to
Spring Rivers.  "Have you been paid yet?"
Spring Rivers frowns.  "No."
"Then we donD5t have him yet."
The camera swings back to the front, and magnifies out to x20. 
The tan 2055 Land Rover swings off onto another, even smaller dirt road,
and is lost to the camera because of the tall sugarcane. 

+++++FAST FORWARD 201 SECONDS+++++

The Land Rover is now out of the sugarcane field.  Off in the
distance is a small wooden house, in the shelter of a montrous tree of
unknown type.  The tan 2055 Land Rover can just be barely seen peeking
out from behind the house.  The camera no longer bounces, and in fact the
vintage Land Rover has come to a complete stop.  The camera (and you now
guess that the Whistler has it mounted on his shoulder) is moved to the
outside of the Land Rover, and suddenly shows nothing but grass as the
Whistler drops prone.

"What do you see Purple?"  asks the voice of the Whistler.
"Looks like we have one signature inside the structure, possibly
a dwarf, but it doesn't stand out with all the background heat.  I can
only see a moving blur to indicate anything."
"Okay, hang on.  I'll be back in a second," replies the Whistler.
"Where you going?" asks Spring Rivers, but she gets no reply.
Several long seconds pass before anything happens, the camera
still showing a view of several ants marching through the grass.
"Shit, this may not be as easy as we thought."  It is the
Whistler's voice.

"I thought you were going somewhere?" asks Spring Rivers.
"I did.  Purple, Macros is a physical adept of some power.  He
didn't see me in the astral, but he is in there, he doesn't seem to be
aware of us, and he _is_ an adept."  The Whistler's voice is tinged with
a touch of fear hidden among the frustrated sarcasm.

"Well, no one ever said it would be easy.  Let's go get the
fragger." Mr.Purple's voice has  a tint of fear also, hidden among the
confidence.

The camera view again shifts as the Whistler stands up.  He is
calmly walking forward, Spring Rivers and Mr.Purple about 50 yards ahead
of him, running in combat crouches.  Mr.Purple has a pistol in each hand,
but it is difficult to tell what.  Spring Rivers is cradling her Ares
Alpha loosely in her hands, but it is clear she is ready to spring into
motion at any second.  Indeed, her motions have the strange grace common
to those with wired reflexes.  It only takes a little over a minute for
the Whistler to cross the entire distance.  By this time, both Spring
Rivers and Mr.Purple have dissappeared from the cameras view, somewhere
on the other side of the small wooden shack.  The Whistler pauses before
stepping onto the wide porch.  The camera looks down as he ejects the
clip from his chromed Savallette, looks at the rounds (which you guess
_might_ be APDS), then slams the clip back into the Savallette.  The
Whistler steps onto the wooden porch with a loud creak of old boards. 

The camera doesn't move for a split second, then the Whistler dives
forward and to the side, slamming against the wall of the shack, just in
time to be missed by a shockingly quiet burst of bullets that explode
through the door.  Inside you hear the loud reports of gunfire, and a
round bursts through the wall right in front of the camera.  The Whistler
jumps up, and starts running towards the only window on this side.  He
gathers himself and dives through the glass, tumbling onto a green
couch.  In front of him is a hispanic dwarf, spinning around to see what
has crashed through the window.  The Whistler fires off a burst from his
Savallette that slams right into the chest of what must be Macros the
Black.  The hard-faced dwarf stumbles backwards, and seems about ready to
fire at nearly point blank range at the Whistler with what must have once
been a heavy machine gun.  But before Macros can pull the trigger,
Mr.Purple suddenly appears behind him, striking Macros in the back of the
head his the pistol in his right hand.   The eyes of Macros go glassy,
and then as a last response before collapsing into a heavy heap he fires
his modified machine gun wildly.  The camera jerks backwards once, and
you can hear the Whistler curse. 

Mr.Purple stands over Macros the Black, both pistols aimed at the
dwarfs head.  He looks up at the Whistler and says "You gonna be okay?"
The Whistler grunts.  "Yeah, one to the shoulder.  You?"
"Caught one in the thigh" -you now notice his left pant leg has
been darkened by bleeding- "but I should be alright.  Everything's revved
up so damn high.  I don't know about Spring though."
"Where is she?"  asks the Whistler.

"Out back.  She got hit hard.  I sure as hell hope you got some
healing magic..."
"I'll be back in a few minutes.  Make sure Macros stay down. 
Kill him if you have to."

The Whistler goes back into the kitchen area and out the door in
the back.  Spring Rivers is lying by the 2055 Land Rover, her head
propped up against the whell.  The Whistler kneels next the the young
woman, and you can know see she has been hit by four or five rounds, and
is bleeding profusely.  Her breath is coming quick and short, and her
eyes have taken on a slightly glassy look.

"I'm gonna die aren't I?  Frag, I didn't think it would end like this."
The Whistler just shakes his head.  Spring Rivers looks the
Whistler in the eyes, a pleading look in her young eyes.  The Whistler
places his right hand on her chest, just above the heart.  The hand
begins to glow with a golden light, which slowly begins to spread to
Spring Rivers.  There is a look of wonder in her eyes as her wounds
slowly stop bleeding and finally close up, fresh pink skin where there
was once an open wound.  The Whistler slowly gets up, and wipes what must
be sweat from his forehead. 

"You should be okay.  I just wouldn't go around and get shot up
anytime soon."  The Whistler's voice is noticebly tired. 
Spring Rivers speaks as she gets up from the ground.  "What about
you?  You're bleeding also!"
"I'll live.  I just need to sit down for a few minutes.  Not a
whole hell lot of you is natural is it?"

+++++A/V INTERRUPT

Let me fast forward a bit.  I healed my damn shoulder before
leaving that little shack.  Didn't bother with Mr.Purple.  Said his
metabolism was revved up so high that no one would know the difference in

a few days.  And Spring Rivers just kept looking at me with, well, awe. 
Like she hadn't ever been healed by a mage before.  Hasn't everyone?
I digress.  We got Macros to what we thought was a secret
hideout.  We tried to question him, but, well, you check it out.

+++++RESUME A/V

        The walls of the small room are a stark white, making the dark
hispanic skin of the dwarf bound to the chair in the center of it all
stand out even more.  The camera is no longer mounted on the shoulder of
the Whistler, as he can be seen clearly, pacing in circles around Macros
the Black.  In fact, the camera seems to be mounted up high, perhaps in a
corner.  Mr.Purple is also in the room, but is sitting in one a chair,
and is leaning slightly backwards.

        The Whistler stops behind Macros.

        "Let's try again.  Your name?"  His voice betrays the long hours
of frustration.
        Macros's voice has a deep, almost gravely tone to it.  "I am
Macrosian Trueeye."

        "Who do you work for?"
        Silence.
        "What is your official capacity within the Aztlan Armed Forces?"
        "I have none."
        "So are you saying you freelance for Aztlan?"
        "I am saying nothing."

        The Whistler walks back around to the front of Macros.  From his
shoulder holster he pulls out his chromed Savallette Guardian.  It has
been given a fresh polish and reflects the light perfectly.  "Do you
understand power Macrossian?  Do you understand the nature of power
relationships?"

        Macros sneers.  "If you are going to kill me, then do it."

        "Maybe you don't."  The Whistler pauses for a long moment, then
with blinding speed brings the pistol down and fires a round into the
knee of Macros.  For a split second the pain flashes across the face of
Macros, but then he masters himself.

        "In order to have power, one must be unafraid to use it.  Surely
you must understand this.  I have the pistol.  I fired it.  It now grants
me power.  But I have much more than just a pistol."
        Mr.Purple is still sitting in his chair, but is no longer leaning
casually back.
        The Whistler kneels, looking directly into the eyes of Macrosian
Trueeye.  "Much more."

        The left hand of the Whistler glows with a golden light, much as
when the Whistler healed Spring Rivers.  The Whistler lays his hand on
the shattered, bloody knee of Macros, and you can see the fibers begin to
knit themselves back together, re-assembling the knee of Macros the Black.

        There is a look of confusion on the face of Macros.  It is
obvious that the actions of the Whistler have been, unexpected, to say
the least.

        The Whistler is the first to speak.  "Where is Spotter Macros?"
        The hard look returns to the dwarf.  "Not here."
        "Obviously.  Where is she?  I'm afraid we lost her in Denver just
hours before you left.  Is she setting up another job?  Doing the
post-mission report to your, what was his name Mr.Purple?"
        "Some damn Azteca name, Xopipo I think."  Mr.Purple steeples his fingers.
        "That's right.  Is she reporting back to Xopipo?  Or is she
setting up another mission?"

        "She is not reporting back to anyone."
        "Ah, I see.  And who might your next  target be?"
        "I don't know.  She doens't let me know until the contract has
been drawn."
        "We figured as much.  So, you've killed over 1000 people, eh?  So
what's it like being a messenger of genocide?  Hmmm?!  Tell me Macrossian!!"
        Macros only glares at the Whistler, who is now only inches from
Macros.

        "I think we've had enough Mr.Purple.  What do you think?"
        "We should turn him over to our employer.  Frag, we get more that
way."  Mr.Purple shrugs as he stands, straightening his suit jacket.

        The Whistler draws back, standing erect, his arm fully extended,
his pistol mere millimeters from the forehead of Macros.  "I think we
oughta do the world a favor and take out the trash.  This...man...almost
killed one of my only friends when he completed a mission several months
ago.  Nearly drive my friend to suicide.  It's time to take out the trash."

        Just as the Whistler is about to pull the trigger, the wall to
his left suddenly explodes, throwing the Whistler to the other wall, but
not before he fires a burst into the chest of Macros.  Blood spurts from
the dwarves chest, a look of pure pain on his hard face.  Mr.Purple picks
himself up from where he was thrown, a pistol almost magically appearing
in each hand.  He is firing into the cloud of dust, but it is unclear
what he is firing at.

        "DIE MACROS!!!"  The Whistler screams and puts his two hands
together.  A bolt of energy leaps across the short distance to slam into
the dwarf, throwing him into the dust cloud, and out of the sight of the
camera.

        Spring Rivers has now entered the room, and is firing wildly with
her Ares Alpha, bright blue braids swinging everywhere.  For long, long
seconds, nothing happens.  Then a small cylindrical device rolls into the
room.  You can see the label, in bright orange against the green,
"I.P.E." and you know what it is.

        A voice, you are unsure if it is the Whistler's or Mr.Purple's,
screams out "GRENADE!!!"

        Spring Rivers dives out the room, back through the door she came
in from.  Mr.Purple dives out into the dust cloud with a sudden speed
indicating he too is wired.  The Whistler is left a mere meter from the
grenade, when the the camera suddenly disintegrates into static.
+++++END OF A/V RECORD.   ]<<<<<
        --the Whistler<18:53:11/5-8-56>

        As you can see, it has the Whistler's ident-tag, but given the
end of the message, I can't be too sure.  Mr.Purple, did you send this
down to me?  But how the frag would you know me?

        Frag, based on the record, _both_ the Whistler and Macros the
Black might be dead.  The Whistler caught a grenade point blank, Macros
caught a few pistol rounds to the chest and what looks like (to my
mundane eyes) like one hell of a Powerbolt.  Can anyone help me out
here?]<<<<<
        --Rhino Chaser<21:56:27/5-10-56>

***** Private: GoD
>>>>>[Drek, drek, drek, drek - frag.  Well, I say there's always the
bounty to go after.....

Watch yer ass.]<<<<<
       -- Freddy Frypp (09:00:00 / 05-11-56)
          President
          Frypp Security, Inc. (CFSM Uplink #5150)

>>>>>[Now that was interesting.

If I see this right at all, Macross (assuming that it was Macross) wasnt
missing (I dont know Azt codes as well as I used to but that last transmission
from Macross' Spotter looked like a MIA or MIT call) for more than a
few hours.  Damn they are fraggin' fast.  I dont think I have ever worked with
a team that could respond that quickly to threat halfway around the world.

Incredible.

For a mundane you seem to know your mana pretty well.  From the casting and
the emotion showing on tW's face, it was a pretty high level power bolt.  It
could have been a ball (the camera went dead before I was able to see the
real effects of the grounding) but that would mean that tW expected or wanted
to make sure both of them died.  A power ball at that range would have splashed
them both and I dont think tW had the control needed to focus it down enough
so he wouldnt take damage.

I wish I had been there.  I had a couple of questions I needed answers to.

That puts a few things to rest for me.  For obvious reasons, I had warped
Macross' physical form quite dramatically.  He was at least 12 feet tall
and carried a small nuclear warhead for a gun.  Heh.  I kinda find it all
pretty funny now.

Xopipo?  Hmm.

Sir, you killed my father.  Macross pulled the trigger but it was you that
killed him.  I do not know what you thought to gain from it.  With Macross
dead, likely to be followed by his Spotter pretty quickly, I have no way to
prove it was you.  Doesn't matter, Ill forward
this along to the council and allow them to take whatever actions they feel
are necessary.  You cannot just go around killing people without reguard for
the reprecussions.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <15:19:49 / 05-11-56>

***** PRIVATE: the Whistler
>>>>>[ALWAYS cover all bases.  If the person is active you either drug them or
you hood them or you do both.  Never leave ANYTHING to chance.  Certainly not
with one like Macross.  He wasnt the one who killed my dad.  Whoever ordered
his spotter to take my father was the one who did it.  I didnt want Macross, I
wanted Xipipo or whatever his name is.  FRAG!]<<<<<
        -- Kor <15:59:01 / 05-11-56>

>>>>>[Here's a little morality play for you scum out there:

+++++INCLUDE: Vid.fil

You see a wide, slightly dilapidated loft, covered in old furniture,
pieces of circuitry, machines, etc...

The vidfeed is coming from a camera in the wall. From this angle, you see
a tall, bald muscular man with a pistol carefully picking his way around
the debris. He has a heavy pistol in one hand, and spurs poke out the end
of his other fist. For his bulk, the man moves extremely silently.

His quarry, however, could not be more oblivious. He is a small, thin man
dressed in baggy fatigues... he is half lying, half sitting on a stained
sofa, his attention divided between a small drone he's tinkering with and
a large vidscreen before him.

The image on the vidscreen is divided in two. One side shows brimstone
fighting a man with a knife. The other side shows Brimstone again, but this
is a different recording. In this video, a man is pointing a sniper rifle from
a rooftop. Suddenly, Brimstone appears before him and takes the rifle from
his hands, crushing it between his fingers. While on the left screen Brimstone
is drowning the knife man with his boot, the right screen shows Brimstone
letting the sniper go.

The man in the couch giggles, and pressing a remote control, freezes the
images. The left side shows the paused image of the man drowning. The right
side shows Brimstone staring at the horizon from a rooftop.

'Hee-he-heh' laughs the small man. 'Going soft in our old age, are we, Brimmy?'
'Gye-he-he'. 'Getting bashed 'round by that Dragon musta given you something
to think, eh?' 'HeHEHEhheheheh-hehehehehehh'

The Bald man is now just behind sofa where the giggling man is sitting.
He kneels down carefully, and puts his elbow on the arm rest.
The laughing man hasn't noticed him yet.

'Didn't your mother tell you not to spy on people, Rumormonger?' Whispers
the Bald man.

Rumormonger starts and turns around, to find the Bald man's spurs under his
chin. 'Erp'.

'You've been a very bold boy, Rumormonger. Following people who didn't want
to be followed, and taking nasty pictures. Not good'

'Wha...!!?! Who are you...!?! How did you get in here!?! My security..!?!?!'

'Your security is a joke' interrupts the bald man.
'I've been in and out of more corp zero-zones than you have fingers...Sorry,
I mean, than you'll _have_ fingers...'

'No...Wait, WAIT!' Screams Rumormonger... 'Who sent you? Teutone? I won't
follow him anymore, I promise!'
'I can pay you... I have money...NO! NOOO!'

The bald man easily parries Rumormonger's weak attempts at resistance,
and, holding him in an arm lock, begins to cut off Rumormonger's thumb.

Among the decker's shrieks of pain you manage to hear the bald man's
words 'You know, I have very specific instructions about you...but they
never said I couldn't be inventive...'

Rumormonger's screams increase in pitch.

-End Video-

Some people don't know when to stop, do they?]<<<<<
        -- Anonymous (11:13:24/05-11-56)

>>>>>[+++++ BEGIN VIDEO:

You see the laughing man from before, sitting in the couch, a cable
running down to a remote control deck in his lap.  Blood runs down
his face from hollow eye sockets.

"Dammit.  You'd think anybody else would be hysterical.  No - not me.
Wake up in a pool of blood, my eyes gouged out and my thumbs in my
ears - mind you, my hands were 'cuffed behind my back."  He holds up
both hands, wiggling eight fingers.  "So what do I do, after panicking
for a sec, slip the cuffs - real easy to do with nothing for 'em
to catch on - find my deck and jack in.  Glad I got the camera working
again on this damn thing or I'd be in really shit shape. <sigh>"

"Hold on, where'd I put those ruby slippers?"  The man jumps up and
looks around before rembering he needs the drone to see.  "Spot,
c'm'ere."  The camera bounces around as the drone traverses the trash
littering the room.

"Bingo, here they are."  Sure enough, Rumormonger finds a pair of red
sequined stilletto heel shoes and puts them on.  "I hope somebody's
gettin' a laught outta this.  There's no place like home, there's no
place like home, there's no place like home.  Brimmy, hurry up and get
yer hoop in here."

The spirit's familiar form materializes in the room.  "I like it."

"Yeah well, frag you an' the bike you rode in on."  The spirit
bristles at the last.

"What?"

"I want you to find the joker that did this to me and bring him to
me.  Then I want you to wave your hands an' grow me some new eyes.
An' then -."  The spirit backhands him, knocking him out of his heels.

"You've had your three."

"Whaaaaaa?"

"My presence, your assailant, his presence.  I will be back."  The
spirit fades from view.

"Dammit"  Rumormonger reaches for his VCR dataport and yanks the
plug, ending the signal.

+++++ END VIDEO

Wait there's more.  Brimmy got 'im.  Lucky he hadn't gone far and my
'Skmimmer latched on to Brimstone's bike's noise.

+++++ RESUME VIEO

The camera flits along the sidewalk, running somewhat parallel to a
figure on a motorcycle.  The helmeted head looks at the camera, which
suddenly veers in another direction after a car.  The camera swings
back around in time to see the biker slowing to the pace of a bald
man walking down the street.

The bald man stops and turns to the biker.  He takes a step forward,
saying something.  The biker lowers his kickstand and steps off of
the bike, leaving it idling.

The bald man takes a step back as the biker raises the visor of his
helmet.  He staggers backwards, half-running, half-tripping into an
alley.  The biker trots into the alley after him.

A flash light erupts from the alley.  The image whitens then dims as
flare compensators kick in.

Burning trash blows out of the alley.

+++++ END VIDEO

Heh.  Pisses me off that Brimstone went ahead and did him in
himself.  I kinda liked the looks of his cybereyes....

On that subject, if yer wondering, right now, I'm floating in a
sensory dep tank while the new eyes take.  It's been a coupla days
since my little.... altercation, somebody posted a replay earlier,
an' I just haven't had a chance to post the rest of it.

Found a doc that had some eyes on hand that he could implant right
away.  The wonders of microsurgery reattached one of my thumbs anyway.
Didn't get a chance to see the eyes <huh-yuck> so I hope they aren't
more of the damn sammy, plain chrome variety.

I couldn't stand having eyes like that....]<<<<<
        -- Rumormonger (Always / Tuned-In)

*****PRIVATE: Rumormonger
>>>>>[If you need prsthetics or bio-replacements feel free to contact me.  I
will pay for your replacements, with no strings attached.]<<<<<
          --Ryuga (10:45:30 PDT/ 05:11:56)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

***** Private: Ryuga
>>>>>[Mind you I'm never one to turn down easy money - but, what's
the catch?  I know you said no strings, but corporate entities,
dragons, or both - in your case - never are willing to give something
for nothing.

Ah, what the hell, what can ya do?  Break my thumbs?  Gouge out my
eyes?  Ha.  Been there, done that.

You wanna spring, I've got a tab runing with the doc.  He says
my little predicament'll set me back about 50 grand - parts,
labor and board.  Just make yourself a deposit at
>>>account #<<<.

Been a pleasure doin' business.]<<<<<
        -- Rumormonger (Always / Tuned-In)

***** Private: Vincent
>>>>>[I'll be there.]<<<<<
        -- Wet Steel <11:25:27/05-11-56>

>>>>>[It would be quite unfortunate for a great number of people if Rumormonger
were unable to continue in his chosen profession.]<<<<<
        -- Crusader <19:55:45 / 05-11-56>
           Bishop
           Ebony Star

>>>>>[No material.  Understood?]<<<<<
        -- Karpov <20:04:41 / 05-11-56>
           Rook
           Ebony Star

>>>>>[Im frosty.  We did some work with him a while back.  His electech
and surv. equipment is novahot.  That is not a piece we want to lose
access to.]<<<<<
        -- Crusader <20:15:45 / 05-11-56>
           Bishop
           Ebony Star

*****PRIVATE: Rumormonger
>>>>>[It has been done...I am a being of my word...when I say no strings
attached...I mean NO strings attached.]<<<<<
         --Ryuga (18:00:30 PDT/ 05:11:56)
           CEO
           Ryaka Science and Tech

>>>>>[Hmmm...It looks like Brimstone forgot my promise...I hope he can prove
that he killed that bald person in self-defense...or I will have to reteach
the last lesson...and this time he may be fully disrupted...or I may decide
to banish him.]<<<<<
          --Ryuga (18:01:30 PDT/ 05:11:56)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

*****Private:Spotter Macros
>>>>>[Looks like Purple wasn't your problem...

Gotta laugh, though.  He's much faster than he used to be.  If you want to
help bring him in, I still have the offer out.  Looks like a dwarf samurai
name Wet Steel is tagging along, too.

Besides the money, I have my own resources to assist in the search.  Maybe
we can arrange a little quid pro quo, if I can help you confirm the
Whistler's death, for instance.  You can trust me on a deal like this.

Just ask Xopipo... we go a ways back.]<<<<<
        --  Vincent <17:31:27/05-11-56>

*****Private:OS^2
>>>>>[Assuming you have seen the video clips of the events surrounding
Macros' capture(?), what do you wish Spring Rivers and I to do?]<<<<<
        --  Mr. Purple <17:44:16/05-11-56>

*****Private:Spring Rivers
>>>>>[Be ready to move.  Spotter is definitely still out there.  If we get
some down time, I'm going to get my ears restored.  Elf pride, you
know.]<<<<<
        --  Mr. Purple <17:46:43/05-11-56>

>>>>>[Are there any cosmetic surgeons out there with experience in restoring
elven ear structure?]<<<<<
        --  Mr. Purple <17:46:43/05-11-56>

***** Private: Nightstalker
>>>>>[ He's sleeping like a baby at the moment, mostly from the patch I struck
on him.  We really should have done this earlier in the day.  It took more time
to actually get the little ones back asleep from Micheals scream than it did to
actually grab a sleep patch from the medi-kit.

I checked out the deck after CRUSH put them all to bed.  Its totally fine, the
problem is with Moonwalker.  He's terrified of the matrix.

As to coming over, I would be happy to host you for a few days, and try to
convince Raven over too.  Its been too long since we all have been together.
This big house seems kind of empty some times, even with three kids crawling and
toddling around after each other (that the two little kids and the really big
one).  Their to small to notice the size of the house, especially since they
never go up stairs or down.  And Craig doesn't notice really beyond the fact
that he can stretch in most of the rooms and not take out the ceiling.

And don't bring any candy for the kids, that would be four now including
Moonwalker, they've gotten too much allready this week.  Listen to me, here I am
hardly two years of "Retirement" from running and I'm telling people not to
bring my kids candy.  Sigh, some days I actually miss the thrill of running.  Oh
well, its rather hard to run and be a mother too.]<<<<<
        -- Spirit <Of the Matrix>

>>>>>[GooD Luck, and I suggest you look at the pick file again..
You know for a dragon you sure are strange... oh well I guess
that's the way of the world.]<<<<<
        -- GoD < 06:43:51 / 05-12-56 >

*****PRIVATE: M. Executor
>>>>>[In the words of a famous 2-d doctor, "She's dead Jim".  Teutone's
place is history.  My friend Fever and myself devised a little plan to
obliterate his place with as little outside destruction as possible.  We
shot a small rocket powered shell into the house.  Well, it was full of
napalm, and the place went up in a hurry.  Course we called the fire
department about the time we did it.  By the time the  guys in
red showed up, his place was destroyed and the fire was just starting to
affect the surrounding areas.  Damn near perfect timing.  I managed to
watch the ensuing battle with the fire by means of a camera on an
adjacent building, for we bailed just after the rocket was launched to a
safe area two blocks away.  Complete destruction is what I saw, and
that's what the news people say also.  There were really no added
expenses, so I expect payment in full when it is convenient.]<<<<<
        -- Roanoke (21:45:23/05-11-56)

*****PRIVATE: Roanoke
>>>>>[Excellent. My congratulations.

+++++INCLUDE: CREDIT TRANSFER 45.000 =Y=

I included a small bonus for the precision of the operation. My sources
inform me that there were no civilian casualties.
Excellent.]<<<<<
        -- M. Executor (06:23:45/05-12-56)

>>>>>[Face me, spineless coward.  This is to be a warning to the
man, or woman, who hid behind a rocket launcher in a pathetic attempt
to kill me.  If I find you, you will wish you had succeeded.]<<<<<
        -- Teutone Bleu (09:33:33 / 05-12-56)

>>>>>[Teutone, it has already begun. Soon you will regret having been born.

Don't pretend you don't know who I am. Your zombie was a good trick, but
I was forewarned that you might try something so low and despicable.

You are going to _die_ Teutone Bleu]<<<<<
        -- M. Executor (09:37:21/05-12-56)

*****PRIVATE: Freddy Frypp
>>>>>[Mr. Frypp, Teutone is aware of my existence and has counterattacked.

A few days ago I was accosted by a...a thing in the shape of Marksanspensah.
My magical advisor had informed me that Teutone was dabbling in blood magic,
therefore I was ready for it. Nevertheless it was an experience I don't
want to repeat. See for yourself.

+++++INCLUDE: Restaurant.fil

You see again the video of the woman in the restaurant, and her encounter
with the skeletal man.

I have contacted all of Marksanspensah's past acquaintances, including you,
in the remote possibility that Teutone may try to use this...aberration
to strike at me again.

If that 'thing' claiming to be Mark attempts to contact you, I want you to
trace it's message and inform me. It must be destroyed.

You may, of course, name your price for resources utilized.]<<<<<
        -- M. Executor (09:57:32/05-12-56)

*****PRIVATE: M. Executor
>>>>>[In the words of a famous 2-d doctor, "She's dead Jim".  Tuetone's
place is history.  My friend Fever and myself devised a little plan to
obliterate his place with as little outside destruction as possible.  We
shot a small rocket powered shell into the house.  Well, it was full of
napalm, and the place went up in a hurry.  Course we called the fire
department about the time we did it.  By the time the  guys in
red showed up, his place was destroyed and the fire was just starting to
affect the surrounding areas.  Damn near perfect timing.  I managed to
watch the ensuing battle with the fire by means of a camera on an
adjacent building, for we bailed just after the rocket was launched to a
safe area two blocks away.  Complete destruction is what I saw, and
that's what the news people say also.  There were really no added
expenses, so I expect payment in full when it is convenient.]<<<<<
        -- Roanoke (21:45:23/05-11-56)

>>>>>[Thaaaat fraaagin self-righteous dragon really rubs me the wrong
way!!!

First time I see Brimstone doing something worthwhile, way I see it.
So what if he fragged that bald bastard? Didja see what he did to Rumormonger?

Self defence?? You fraggin' Lizard... lessee... if Brimstone frags bald guy
in revenge for cutting up Rm, you frag Brimstone... in revenge for killing
bald guy...

In that case, what makes _you_ better than Brimstone, Ryuga? Eh? Eh?

You bloody self-righteous fraggin' shit. Who died and made you god?

And as for paying for Rm's med-bills... hey! The Liu brother's gang told
me they'd remove my legs at the waist and make me eat them raw...I might let
'em do it if you're gonna foot the bill. I could do with a pair of cyberlegs...

(Now I only have to convince them to use anaesthetics and clean knives...
hey, anybody here tried human meat? What does it taste like?)

Jeez. I'll be glad to go back to Nippon.

Oh, yeah, Ryuga...<chuckle>, before you go and set right all the wrongs
of the world, clean up yer own home... Have you checked the business
practices of your simchip departament recently?

Yee-hehehehehh]<<<<<
        -- Goku (Is going/back home)

>>>>>[Well, Flute is fading in and out of consciousness now.  She
still isn't being awake complete enough to talk, though.  I think
Goku helped a lot for her recovery.  I still see these stange lights
in her room at night.  It was start just after most of the others
were leave (to England, i think, i was too busy to find out).  Goku
has seen it too.  Treebear says there is some spirit watching her,
her father or someone.  I don't really want to know too much about
it.  Treebear says it is not bad, so i just leave it alone.  Anyway,
i need to get back to work.  I think Treebear can tell better about
this spirit thing than me.]<<<<<
        -- Basilisk <16:08:46 GMT/12.Mai.56>

>>>>>[Damn right I saw it too. Fraggin' scary.

Me, I'd rather be a ghost in the machine. All this magical drek scares
the shit out of me.

Ehh... Basilisk... I got her a teddy bear that looks like my matrix icon.
Do you think she'll like it??]<<<<<
        -- Goku (12:23:45/05-12-56)

>>>>>[Well, Basilisk got it mostly correct.  I have learned that the
spirit watching over Flute is that of her father.  It doesn't speak,
yet it somehow manages to project basic information.  I have been
trying to communicate with it, I believe with some success.  Normally
I wouldn't bother discussing this here, but something happened that
puzzles me.  Two nights ago, I was talking quietly with, or at least
to, the spirit.  Just general things about Flute's condition, based
on Basilisk's latest tests, and some news I had received that morning
from Sneakthief and the rest about their search for... hmm, I guess
I should say too much about that on an open message.  The news was
basically that they were getting close to some goal.  At this point,
the spirit became much more intense than usual, and after a few
seconds vanished.  I haven't seen it the past two nights, which is
disturbing because it's been here every night for some time.  Does
anyone know why news from Sneakthief, Shadowpriest, or Zactof would
upset the spirit so much?  Oh, the spirit's name is Kovak.]<<<<<
        -- Treebear <09:29:32 / 05-12-56>

>>>>>[GoD, I did double check the pic file...he was never told to kill the
bald person...he was told to bring the guy back...granted we never saw the
rider's face; but according to Rumormonger it WAS Brimstone.  As such, the
burden of proof now rests squarely on Brimstone's shoulders.]<<<<<
           --Ryuga (10:00:30 PDT/ 05:12:56)
             CEO
             Ryaka Science and Tech

>>>>>[Teutone, you had better find out if that attack truly WAS meant to kill
you.  It may have been meant to piss you off...as such you do not have the
right to kill whoever did it.  And if you were to kill the person
responsible, and it was just meant to piss you off...that would mean I would
have to do nasty things to you...which is something I do NOT wish to
do.]<<<<<
          --Ryuga (10:05:30 PDT/ 05:12:56)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

>>>>>[Goku, we do NOT have a simchip department...secondly...I promised
Brimstone that if he or Teutone harmed another person and if it was not in
self-defence, they would have to deal with me.  I am not righting all the
wrongs in the world, just keeping a promise.]<<<<<
          --Ryuga (10:45:30 PDT/ 05:12:56)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

>>>>>[Face me, spineless coward.  This is to be a warning to the
man, or woman, who hid behind a rocket launcher in a pathetic attempt
to kill me.  If I find you, you will wish you had succeeded.]<<<<<
        -- Teutone Bleu (09:33:33 / 05-12-56)

>>>>>[ Ryuga, why are you even bothering?  Granted I don't know much about
Dragons, but still... he is only one annoying person.

Oh, and don't give me that line about keeping a promise.  I want to know
why you made the promise in the first place? ]<<<<<
        -- Ratspeak <11:07:00/5-12-56>

>>>>>[ *rolls his eyes*  Here we go again folks. ]<<<<<
        -- Scourge <11:07:39/5-12-56>

>>>>>[ And YOU compared me to him.   *sniff*  The nerve!  I'm nothing like him.
At least I know when to keep my mouth shut. ]<<<<<
        -- Sprinkler <11:08:22/5-12-56>

>>>>>[ So you think....  I could give you a list of things that weren't supposed
to become common knowledge that did.  I still think that earlier statement
applies.

I'm curious though, why are you posting now?  I thought you would never
come back here after the mess you caused. ]<<<<<
        -- Scourge <11:10:10/5-12-56>

>>>>>[ Things happen.  I'm still playing clean-up from the last mess you
handed me.  Uh-oh.  Gunner is calling and he doesn't seem
 very happy.]<<<<<
        -- Sprinkler <11:11:17/5-12-56>

>>>>>[Uh, no, to tell you the truth, Goku, I didn't see much....
<laught>

Hell, I probably had it coming.  Now, if I just knew who it was I
pissed off enough to get my eyes gouged out.  Kinda symbolic if
you ask me, since I make my living blackmailing some of Seattle's
finest.  Not gonna say who, mind you....

And, hey, Goku, it tastes like chicken.  Wow, I love these
painkillers.]<<<<<
       -- Rumormonger (Always / Tuned-In)

>>>>>[Anybody else in the mood for a worm hunt?]<<<<<
        -- Teutone Bleu (13:30:22 / 05-12-56)

>>>>>[Lions and tigers and zombies, oh, my!

Damn, if Markie don't have class.  Well, don't worry 'bout me.  I've
got a pair of hellhounds with me all of the time these days.  They
get a whiff of anything ugly, they'll eat him.

Watch yerself.]<<<<<
       -- Freddy Frypp (13:45:22 / 05-12-56)
          President
          Frypp Security, Inc. (CFSM Uplink #5150)

>>>>>[ Frag it all, I agree with Goku.  I _was_ pissed when Brimstone killed
Marksanpensah for nothing more than an insult, but becoming some kind of
keeper for them is not the answer.  Self-righteousness can only go so far.
Don't get me wrong, if Brimstone ever crosses my path, I'll take great
pleasure in scattering him into his component energies, but I don't go
looking for trouble.

Fraggin' Dragons. (Christ!  Now I'm starting to sound like Freddy. Ugh!  ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn < 19:29:12/5-12-56 >

>>>>>[Well, here's the scoop thus far on the Chicago run.  We made it to the
edge of the containment zone, but no further.  Not yet, at any rate.  What
follows is the actual footage from the internal and external surveillance
cams aboard the truckster.

+++++INCLUDE:  TRUCKSTER.VID

As the footage begins, the screen is thick with interferance.  After a
moment, the interferance subsides and the sound of the Banshee's proximity
alert klaxon can be heard.
        "Oh hell," Tanp says, squirming at the controls.  "We've got a problem."
        "Such as?" Bedlam asks, without looking up for the game of jacks he is
playing on the floor.
        Before Tanp can answer, a thundering voice errupts through the
communications rig.

        "ATTENTION.  YOU HAVE ENTERED RESTRICTED AIR SPACE.  LAND IMMEDIATELY AND
PREPARE TO BE BOARDED OR WE WILL FORCE YOU DOWN.  YOU HAVE TEN SECONDS TO
COMPLY."

        "Nice work," TopCat says, and cuffs Tanp on the back of the head.
        "I'm open to suggestions," Tanp says.
        Roger closes the book he was reading and asks, "How many of them are there?"
        Tanp checks the sensors.  "Eight.  Maybe nine."
        "YOU NOW HAVE FIVE SECONDS."
        A single shot is fired in the direction of the truckster.
        "I think landing is a viable option," says Johnny.
        "I agree," says Dragon.
        "Oh hell," Tanp mutters as he eases the Banshee to the ground.
        The vid bounces once as the Banshee touches down.

        "OPEN YOUR HATCH AND COME OUT UNARMED AND WITH YOUR HANDS RAISED."

        "That'll happen," Bedlam says, standing up and strapping his katana about
his waist.
        "It might be worth pointing out," Tanp says as he unstraps himself from the
control rig, "that there are lots of military types out there with guns.  Big
guns.  Lots of big guns."
        "Christ," TopCat says, "I should've stayed in bed."

        "COME OUT NOW, OR WE WILL OPEN FIRE."

        "Fraggin' military goons," Bedlam says and opens the truckster's loading
door.  "Relax, we're coming out.  Unarmed."
        Bedlam drops his katana and pistol on the ground and exits with his hands
above his head.

        The scene changes to an exterior view of the Banshee.  The entire crew of
the Banshee is surrounded by military police.
        "It's about time you boys got here," a voice says from the back and proceeds
to push through the crowd of soldiers.  "At ease, gentlemen," the man says as
he emerges from the crowd.

        The man appears to be in his fifties, wearing a UCAS military uniform.  "My
name's Col. John Chavez.  This is Special Agent William Douglas."  Chavez
points to a gaunt man standing beside him, wearing an immaculately pressed
suit.  "We need to talk to you boys."

        Bedlam is the first to speak.  "We . . . um . . . er . . ."
        "Save it, son," Col. Chavez says.  "I know why you're here.  That's what we
need to talk to you about.  Let's have a seat in your Banshee and have us a
little talk.  Nice paint job, by the way."

        The group enters the Banshee and the vid changes accordingly.
        "I'm afraid I don't have much in the way of refreshments aboard," Tanp says.
        "Let's cut the bullshit, shall we?" Chavez says, as he takes a long look at
the group.  "I could have you boys executed for trying to enter the
containment zone, did you know that?  At any rate, Special Agent Douglas has
a few words he'd like to say."

        Douglas steps forward and starts to speak.
        "As Col. Chavez has already told you, I'm CIA Special Agent William Douglas.
 You folks were originally hired by Carter Manheim of BioMed Industries to
retrieve the notes of the late Dr. Taktarov who had been working on an
adrenaline analogue called Red 6.  He sold you out.  Now BioMed and Truman
Tech have linked up and are trying to remove you gentlemen from the picture.
 I have a deal for you.  We will pay you 50,000 nuyen each to retrieve the
Red 6 sample from what's left of the Truman Tech lab in Chicago.  In
addition, we will conveniently ignore the fact that you committed an
executable offense by trying to obtain unauthorized entry into the
containment zone.  Also, if you find anything regarding other versions of Red
6, we want that too.  You boys think about it.  Col. Chavez and I will give
you some time alone.  We'll be back in a bit."

        With that, Col. Chavez and Special Agent Douglas exited the Banshee.

+++++END TRUCKSTER.VID

What do you folks think of that?  This thing just gets better by the
minute.]<<<<<
     -- Bedlam <13:53:19/05-12-56>

***** PRIVATE: GoD, Griffyn
>>>>>[So, tell me again how you lost him?

I've checked into a couple of sources that I have access to but they havent
panned out for me yet.  Sorry.  Right now I have some other business to
attend to.  Gotta pay the bills ya know.

I have faith that you can deal with this situation alone.  Trust in yourself
and those you work with.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <19:31:41 / 05-12-56>

>>>>>[You know what you over grown Iguana, If you haven't paid attention to
any of my post before pay attention to this one. TT wasn't in the appartment
when this happened but what if he had been....
You are good at dealin' warnings, lets see just how good you are at hearin
them. I'm tired of all you self-rightious, under worked want-to-be super
heros, You have too much time on your hands and need to reprioritize your
priorities. since you are so fond of promises Iguana I'm going to make you
one, Mind your bussines or else...  Just to let you know my mama taught me a
couple of tricks or two and I make a wonderful Iguana pot pie....]<<<<<
        -- GoD < 15:09:34 / 05-12-56 >

***** Private: Teutone blue
>>>>>[where are you?]<<<<<
        -- GoD < 15:17:09 / 05-12-56 >

>>>>>[GoD, you failed to remember the vid of what happened to Brimstone when
he attacked me as Ogawa Asaka.  I was just telling Teutone to investigate
before attacking...patience is a virtue and is well used in a situation such
as this.  Know your enemy better than he knows you.  Know the reasons behind
any attack upon yourself, for then you may have a bigger fish to fry.  GoD,
something else, I have lived FAR longer than you; and I have seen many things
that would scare you and even others of my kind.  I know many tricks and I
tend to watch before acting...but in this case, I feel that prevention is the
optimum path of action.]<<<<<
          --Ryuga (13:15:30 PDT/ 05:12:56)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

>>>>>[Ratspeak, I am doing this to prevent rash actions by teutone and
Brimstone.  That is also the very reason behind my promise as well...]<<<<<
          --Ryuga (13:17:30 PDT/ 05:12:56)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

>>>>>[  Don't overstep yourself, Ryuga.  There are bounds that even dragons
should not breach.  If you move against GoD, or Teutone, they will not be
alone in their defense.  ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn < 21:17:12/5-12-56 >

>>>>>[Ok Ryuga, maybe I was overstating the case when I said 'departament'.

Fact is, Ryaka science and tech _does_ have simchip facilities. I wouldn't
blame you for forgetting about them though. They're not exactly profitable,
are they? He-heh. But what else can be expected when you don't allow
them to make entertainment chips? Oh, but educational chips are more
important, aren't they?

Especially the 'Dragon's tail' series of educational chips.
Distributing them for free in the schools of the poorer neighborhoods is
an awfully nice gesture, isn't it?
And they're very popular... the kids love 'em.

Ever wonder why?]<<<<<
        -- Goku (Likes to/Anger dragons)

>>>>>[ Okay given that you want to prevent rash actions on the part of
a spirit and a metahuman, why not interfere in some other people's lives.

Let's see if I got this straight, you involve yourself in making sure that
those 2 don't step out of line, yet you don't involve yourself when another
human comtemplates suicide.  Or better yet, a human decides to kidnap another
for hostage.

That is why I am asking this.  You are troubling yourself with these two, yet
you have chosen to stay out of a lot of other situations that are very
similiar in my eyes.  Why now? ]<<<<<
        -- Ratspeak <14:48:45/5-12-56>

>>>>>[I know Griffyn, but if the situation does warrant my intervention in
order to keep my word, then I do ask that you and GoD allow me to proceed.  I
will do my best not to kill Teutone, if such is your worry.  Remember, I do
NOT wish harm upon Teutone, nor do I wish to harm him myself...but I DO keep
my promises.]<<<<<
          --Ryuga (15:11:30 PDT/ 05:12:56)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

>>>>>[Can;t we all just get along?]<<<<<
        -- Josh Mcknight <BANG!BANG! YOUR DIGITIZED >

>>>>>[Goku, you bring up an interesting point...as I haven't had time to do
my normal unannounced spot-checking...Hmmm...I think I may do one in the near
future...like next week as I have a full schedule until then.]<<<<<
          --Ryuga (08:30:30 PDT/ 05:12:56)

>>>>>[Actually Ratspeak, I did in the past act when another was held hostage,
namely Diana; when she was held by Solarial.  Granted, all I did was have
lunch provided by Etsy at the expense of some of his soldiers.  But that was
a hostage situation, and Etsy was supplying troops to Solarial.  So, your
little statement does not apply.]<<<<<
          --Ryuga (20:33:30 PDT/ 05:12:56)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

>>>>>[Those of you who insist on making public postings regarding Flute's
condition, could you please privitize your messages. I for one, and I'm
sure most of the other public recipients are tired of hearing about
someone whom we've never met. Merci beaucoup!]<<<<<
        -- Sacre Bleu <12:02/05-13-56>

*****PRIVATE: TeuTone Bleu
>>>>>[Monsieur, what exactly is a worm hunt? They must be incredibly big
to require backup. Give me a call.]<<<<<
         -- Sacre Bleu <12:05/05-13-56>

>>>>>[Sacre Bleu, most of us other "public" recipients care about or know
Flute, and some of us are involved in something that was the cause of her
hospitalization.  So, messages about her recovery are QUITE relavent.]<<<<<
           --Buzz (The one the only...Human Bee in the Matrix)

>>>>>[Sacre Bleu:

Frag you and the hog you rode in on.]<<<<<
        -- Goku (10:24:34/05-13-56)

*****NOT TO: Sacre Bleu
>>>>>[Seeing how mister 'Holy Blue' there is so offended by our inane
chatter, I suggest we all place barring encryption against him on our
public postings.

Lets see him squirm when the information well that is shadowland dries up
for him. Show the fragger some respect]<<<<<
        -- Goku (10:27:34/05-13-56)

*****PRIVATE: Ryuga
>>>>>[Yeah, yeah, spot check away... not that it's gonna do you any good
now that you've announced it on Shadowland.

The Yaks read this BBS too, ya know?

Ahhhh....dammitt, I must be going soft... Look Ryuga, I haven't figured you
out yet, but I think you're genuine. I was going to sell this info to
the news agency that bidded the most... ahhh fraggit...

+++++INCLUDE: Sinewave.graph

+++++INCLUDE: Staff_dossier.lis

The first file is a graph marking the signal strength of one of your
'Dragon's tail' educational sims. Well below danger levels all around,
isn't it? But examine loc.903456 and loc.214356.

In those locations, you'll see sudden peaks in the signal. Nothing major,
nearly unnoticeable...subliminal, could that be the word I'm looking for?

The second file lists all the staff of the R&D departament. The ones I've
highlited have been living slightly above their lifestyle, wouldn't you
say?

Of course, all these facts may be totally unconected...]<<<<<
        -- Goku (11:12:56/12-13-56)
           Mudslinger
           Ryaka Science and BTL

*****PRIVATE: Goku
>>>>>[You see when I announced it, they weren't expecting me to show up today
and take a sample from each crate of Dragon's tail chips.  I've had my Matrix
Security Chief analyze those chips.  As of yet no results have been
established.  I have passed on the information to both my Matrix Security
Chief and Site Security Chief.  For the information you gave me, I am willing
to pay for it; for you have done this organization a great service.  How much
do you wish?  You might get it or you might not, depending on if your
information pans out.  By the way, nice title...]<<<<<
           --Ryuga (09:30:30 PDT/ 05:13:56)
             CEO
             Ryaka Science and Tech

>>>>>[ There have been other hostage situations.  Diana wasn't the only one
that has flitted across this node.  A good one would be what was happening
with Prince Solarial's sister.  ]<<<<<
        -- Ratspeak <10:03:00/5-13-56>

*****PRIVATE: Ratspeak
>>>>>[Sir, Alas, I had missed that; as our external systems were down for
approximately one year.  Granted we were able to keep up with our business,
since we keep our internal systems up and running and keep physical contact
with our customers.]<<<<<
          --Ryuga (10:08:30 PDT/ 05:13:56)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

*****PRIVATE: Ryuga
>>>>>[Oh, you'll find that the information pans out well enough.

And as for cash, let's say that you owe me one. The press woulda had a
field day with 'Dragon's corporation hooks kids to BTL's'.
In fact, I'm kinda sorry I didn't go ahead with it...

Anyway, I _did_ skim a few databases while I was there. Heh. Lemme tell
you, your Matrix security sucks big time. I was actually offended at the
complete lack of black ice!

Oh, and I scanned some of your staff's private memos. Didja know they call
you 'Puff the magic dragon'? (P. for short)

Heheh. Stay cool, you crazy lizard]<<<<<
        -- Goku (GoingTo/JapanToday!)

*****PRIVATE: Goku
>>>>>[Yes, I know about the "Puff the Magic Dragon" nickname...I actually
encourage it.  Ahhh...Goku, you haven't tried the Pacifica island
system...created by a well-known decker by the name of Buzz.  I prefer to
capture those with illegal entrance, oh by the way; FL caught you...]<<<<<
          --Ryuga (11:12:30 PDT/ 05:13:56)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

>>>>>[  Yes, Teutone's well being is my main concern.  A friend of mine
believes he has too much talent to allow it to just be wasted by his death,
and I am inclined to agree.  Please think before you move against Brimstone.
If we are not careful, we could push Teutone completely over the edge, and
beyond all help.  ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn < 20:57:13/5-13-56 >

>>>>>[Well, hell, I'm sure I can get some drek from the Truman Tech
computers.  Count me in on anything that goes on.  Heh, heh, heh, maybe i'll
find something worth a liitle money in the old matrix this time]<<<<<
        -- Johnny M <Matrix-god/Bug-killer>

>>>>>[The boy's learnin'!]<<<<<
        -- Freddy Frypp (17:12:33 / 05-13-56)
           President
           Frypp Security, Inc. (CFSM Uplink #5150)