>>>>>[Action, death, mayhem?  Things never seem to be boring around
you, do they?  I would dare to venture that court finery would be a
bit out of place, but dress as you will, it may enliven an otherwise
dull evening, as likely as that is. <g>  As to your current diversion,
I would love to tag along and lend a hand in the insuing mayhem.]<<<<<
	-- Sith <19:39:54/05-31-57>

>>>>>[I've got a chummer who wants to know about the mundane details of that
murder in the park a while back. He says I should distinguish it my
mentioning the possible involvement of Chicago (? Should pay attention, I
guess). Says he knows about the magic aspects, so don't tell me about them,
just the purely mundane. He also mentions "others", and he says that with
an ominous pause on the front, who prevent him from telling all that he
wants to. It's worth a token fee to the first person to send a summary of
the details, plus I'll owe you a favour (and please, no drek about "how can
he do me a favour, he's a pathetic squatter").]<<<<<
	--  (Message carrying) Squatter  <15:11:30/06:01:57>

*****Private: Ash
>>>>>[Original location compromised.  M'fault.  Lo siento mucho.
Currently rectifying.  Request new meeting location.  Please secure more
tightly.  Some friends followed me into town.  New meet time. . .
four days hence, 2000 hours.  Details for recognizing me will follow your
reply.  Once again, sincerest apologies for the holdup.  Your
understanding is appreciated.  {r}]<<<<<
	--  Charles Drew, M.D. <16:57:06/6-31-57>
	    Head, Pediatrics Division
	    St. Joseph's Hospital -- Renton District Branch

*****INTERNAL: Cpt. Nelson Wilkerson, UCAS SFRT Cmdr
>>>>>[Sir, Cpl. Lance Perez is dead.  Lone Star police contacted us for
identification this morning at 0830 hours.  At 1430 hours, Cpl. Nancy
Johnson positively identified the remains.

As you know, Perez was attempting to locate AWOL Sgt. Otalvaro.  His last
report was stamped 1330 hours, 5-31-57.  He had determined Otalvaro's next
appearance would be shortly thereafter.  She had arranged a meeting with
someone to 'freelance' an overseas contact.  Perez intended to verify
Otalvaro's identity, observe the meeting, and determine Otalvaro's plans.
His work was to establish the foundation for a capture attempt in six days.

From the available information, we have reconstructed the following scenario.
Perez arrived at the location to observe the meeting.  Otalvaro never showed.
Either en route or actually within the Bellevue fieldbase, Otalvaro 
discovered and ambused Perez.  There were no signs of struggle, nor any
physical evidence, in the fieldbase.  Perez was killed by eight knife
wounds in his chest cavity.  Stripped naked, Perez' body was left in the 
hallway of the fieldbase's residential wing.  Media leakage has been 
minimized due to the remote location of the fieldbase and the lack of 
witnesses to the action.

Primary, secondary, and tertiary security monitors were all either 
circumvented or the tapes were removed previous to retrieval.  Perez'
cybereye was removed and his headware memory erased.  All of his collected
data from 5-25 through 5-31 was gone.  The material he had forwarded to
the central database has been retained; however, many of his reports and
forwards referenced materials he had not yet edited and prepared for
transfer to the CDB.

Obviously, Otalvaro found Perez and eliminated him.  We have prepared
Cpl. Johnson to continue the effort to locate Otalvaro and await your
orders.  We also need your signature to authorize the release of this
information to Perez' next of kin.END]<<<<<
	--  Sgt. Lucas Alexander <17:45:22/06-01-57>
	    Tactical Commander
	    UCAS SFRT

*****INTERNAL:  Sgt. Lucas Alexander, UCAS SFRT TC
>>>>>[Notify Perez next of kin.  Make the arrangements for the memorial
service.  (He's only been in here for a year, right?  God, I hate burying
kids.)  DO NOT send Cpl. Johnson out into the field until I speak to her
in person.  You know the routine on this job.  Perez is the fourth tail
in three years to go out.  We may need to adjust our strategy.  We also
have some other more pressing orders facing us.  I'll forward details
as you need them.END]<<<<<
	--  Cpt. Nelson Wilkerson <18:00:07/06-01-57>
	    Commander
	    UCAS SFRT

*****Private: Blade
>>>>>[Ok.  The Place:New Orleans.  What: help in an extraction team already in place get
 thier mark.  You will be working with someone from Seattle to help you in this reguard.  
The pay: >encrypted< .  This will be a down payment until you have reached your site 
upon which you will be payed the remainder. Details pending.
+++++upload file tex.sec
Good luck.]<<<<<
	-- Joshaua <23:45:00/6-1-57>

*****PRIVATE: Warloc
>>>>>[Arcane ritual my ass. Looks like she was killed by a pro who
wanted to confuse people. Skinwalker mutilations with Arabic scribbles
in blood round the course, shyeah right. Either the guy's making it up,
or he's so far off his trolley that rational thought isn't going to help
us much.

Ties into some business in Chicago, which reminds me I gotta post what I
filmed there to someone who asked. Not particularly arcane, though.

Still got to fix this hangover. Damn, my brother knows how to
party...]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <17:50:42/06-02-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason Tylor
>>>>>[My man!  How you been?  Kickin' ass in class 'n shit, I hope?  So, buss
it, right?  You're prob'bly doin' finals right now, but when you done, I gots
some neato little doodads I done "acquired" from a fo-mer friend who recently
d'cided t'try t'start beef with my peoples.  He an' his hired help be sleepin'
th'long sleep (an more'z tha pity) but they lef' behind some fo-rensic stuff
that wants an expert eye.  I gots other folks I can check wif if you'z too
busy, but I believes in some sorta balance o' trade, an' I still ain't takin'
you out t'dinner f'yo help down "South".  Jus drop me a line an' we'll do
this.]<<<<<
	--  V-12  <13:16:41 / 06-02-57>

*****PRIVATE: V-12
>>>>>[Hey!  Long time no see.  As far as classes are concerned, I've had to
face worse =)  Though, some of this research is _pretty_ psycho shit...I
won't bore you with the details, but I'm currently working with folks with
funding from places like NIMH and Fort Meade.  All I know is that you folks
are really going to have to ride the tech curve to stay up with some of what's
being done in the Th field these days.

Speaking of which, I saw Thel the other evening.  She...well, she looks
_different_.  Even more beautiful, if I may be permitted my opinion, slightly
thinner and more sculpted facial features, probably some slight loss of body
fat.  I think she's still troubled (what the hell, if she _wasn't_ I'd be
astouned) inside...she let me see that much for a moment with her eyes, but
only for a moment.  But it's her Astral form that gives me the creeps:
_totally_ mundane, even though I can _feel_ her power.  Her conversation and
sense of humor seemed like her old self though.  My "associates" said they
did quite a bit, but even they didn't know entirely what brought her back
around.  I asked her once if she thought she would ever want to talk about it,
and she told me, surprisingly mildly relative to her normal alarming narrowed-
eyes look, that she doubted it.

In any event, she said to send her regards, since she doesn't feel it's wise
to step out of the darkness yet.  I'll definitely be happy to take you up on
your lunch offer....say, maybe in a week for me to finish these damn projects.
Just tell me what sort of plans you want and we'll take it from there.]<<<<<
	--  Jason Tylor  <14:21:45 / 06-02-57>

*****Private: Joshaua
>>>>>[Alright, the pay is fine and the job sounds ok.  No prob on the goods
drop or riding cover.  However, I will not cover for the wet behind the ears
you stuck me with.  I did a little background checking on Wolfen.  I don't
like working with people who are unproffesional or inexperienced.  If he
can't pull his weight, thats his problem, not mine.  I am not a
babysitter.]<<<<<
	-- Blade <05:20:20/6-3-57>

*****INTERNAL: SIGANet, 1Lt DiAnnio
>>>>>[Nicely done on the evidence, Lilith. 

"Ms Cuellar" is an unperson. She may even be dead by now if she's
working for one of the blacker agencies, but there's a suspicious hole
in the records around her voice print. Tech says it's not a fake, that's
her own larynx: guess she just didn't expect to be taped. Careless,
overconfident, or both. Tech also think they tripped something running
the voiceprint through files, which should let whoever it was know we're
looking in the right places.

The rifle, bleah. Part of a shipment stolen from Ares two years ago when
the CAR-32 was a hot new item on the East Coast. About a hundred
vanished in transit. All legal and above board. No real way to trace it:
we do the same sort of thing all the time.

The Chairman asked me what was going on. I think someone's leant on him,
but then how do you authorise killing your own side's people for doing
their jobs? He's meant to be preventing this kind of shit, and he's been
goofing off. Whoever's behind this should be getting the point that
we're watching for them to make another slip. I told him we had outside
forces attacking my people, and we would take all measures necessary to
stop it. He seemed to get the point.

Keep your heads down and be careful.]<<<<<
	-- D J H Coppinger
           Director
           Strategic Intelligence Gathering Agency

>>>>>[Hey, Mr Cyberdecker Squatter, this is my case. Butt out. Your
mystery chummer wants to know, he can talk to me, but he, she or it had
better have more than a 'token fee' to offer. TANSTAAFL, buddy.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <16:12:34/06-03-57>
+++++WARNING! Invalid control characters in Time/Date field!

*****PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[Will you stop trying to frag around with your timestamp? It's a
lot harder than you seem to think, sister. It also messes with our
system, and we're gonna start ditching the messages if you don't cut it
out.]<<<<<
	-- Shadowland SysOp <We can do this/But you can't!>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind, Don Trenton, Lynch, Lilith, Blade
>>>>>[Remind me, next time my brother drops into town, to say "No
thanks, Jonathan, I don't want to go out for a few beers." Or even "Yes,
a few beers. _Not_ twenty-nine in three hours." 

Okay, so Coyote shamans have reputations to maintain, but still, my head
was hurting all weekend. I have vague memories of starting on tequila
slammers, but that might just be imagination. I don't think we made any
headlines, though.

Anyway, I got tape of the camps. Nothing exceptional, just your typical
miserable shanties, soldiers passing out MREs and water - very
carefully, a few people have been shot for trying to rush the grunts -
and lots and lots of despairing scared people. I didn't see many signs
of infestation, but once in a while someone does begin to change:
there's a hefty bounty on them, though.

+++++include video: refugee_camp.txt

Anya was pretty pissed off, like most people in there, and very upset
about her dead half-sister: she doesn't have anyone at all now, and on a
practical level Jenny had been sending her money and food. 

She didn't know anything about the postcards, but she did give me a
better ID on Jenny's boyfriend:

+++++include graphic: photofit.id

Anya never liked him. Said he gave her the creeps, and that he had "dead
eyes". He was the one who delivered the money and food packages, though,
so she put up with seeing him about every month until he missed his last
visit (due a week or so ago). He had "some sort of arrangement" to get
in and out of the refugee camps. 

The Army guys wouldn't talk to me without authorisation, and they had a
magician in the room so I couldn't find out any more than
that...yet.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <16:45:43/06-03-57> 

*****PRIVATE: Blade
>>>>>[Have fun on your job, Blade, I still have a few things to check up
on around here. I don't know for sure I need to go into the Zone - to be
honest even _I_ don't really want to go in there again (don't tell
Lilith that, please) - but my instinct says I'll have to and it's
usually right. Hopefully you'll be back by then. 

Good luck.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <16:00:52/06-03-57>
+++++WARNING! Invalid control characters in Time/Date field!

*****PRIVATE: Commander Drake, InterPol
>>>>>[Paul, either you're being very generous with your information,
Monty is trying to tip me off, or you have a very severe leak in your
office. 

You want to know something really amusing? Zicahuata's promotion has
been confirmed, and he's been decorated for his handling of Manchu. The
"traitor Tepanohoutec" has been made the scapegoat for betraying the
project. He's still in his job as some sort of liaison officer, entirely
proper and legal. Aztlan are laughing at both of us, me most of all for
being stupid enough to think the law might be able to stop criminals.

And will you lay off the idea that we get used by our bosses? We don't,
any more than you do. If we let any Congresscritter who wanted an
embarrassment cleaned up, we'd be much bigger and more powerful than we
are. Whichever firm is after me at the moment is one of those types: act
on whim and by diktat, and they deserve your ire: but then, they have
Executive Orders to hide behind and so they're legal.

Deal with the contradiction, Paul. You can have us, or them. Which do
you prefer?]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <16:28:53/06-03-57>

*****PRIVATE: Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[Chicago? Bug City? I got invited to do a little work there from 
O'Connor Enterprises. They said they had made some connections that could 
get a small unit in.

If you want help I am not busy and I have a friend, her name is Sith, who 
might be able to assist also. Let me know.]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <10:23:37/06-03-57>

*****INTERNAL: SIGANet, 1Lt DiAnnio
>>>>>[Nicely done on the evidence, Lilith. 

"Ms Cuellar" is an unperson. She may even be dead by now if she's
working for one of the blacker agencies, but there's a suspicious hole
in the records around her voice print. Tech says it's not a fake, that's
her own larynx: guess she just didn't expect to be taped. Careless,
overconfident, or both. Tech also think they tripped something running
the voiceprint through files, which should let whoever it was know we're
looking in the right places.

The rifle, bleah. Part of a shipment stolen from Ares two years ago when
the CAR-32 was a hot new item on the East Coast. About a hundred
vanished in transit. All legal and above board. No real way to trace it:
we do the same sort of thing all the time.

The Chairman asked me what was going on. I think someone's leant on him,
but then how do you authorise killing your own side's people for doing
their jobs? He's meant to be preventing this kind of shit, and he's been
goofing off. Whoever's behind this should be getting the point that
we're watching for them to make another slip. I told him we had outside
forces attacking my people, and we would take all measures necessary to
stop it. He seemed to get the point.

Keep your heads down and be careful.]<<<<<
	-- D J H Coppinger
           Director
           Strategic Intelligence Gathering Agency

*****Private:Lynch
>>>>>[Hey Lynch, looks like yer in too deep again :) Need help? Might be 
able to get you hidden like for a while. BTW, my son has disappeared, if 
you see him, please pick him up and cart his ass home, he's too young to 
be running the streets. Thanks. 
+++++include Photo.graph.myson
Thats what he looks like. As for asylum, I'm around, contact me at will, 
anytime. You need help, I'm around. ]<<<<<
	--  Blademaster <Time/Date>

*****Private:Phobos, Ronin, Forte, The Gang(etc, etc.)
>>>>>[Hey, shot camera makes film recovery great. Here's yer film.
+++++begin footage
+++++begin audio
+++++synchronize audio+footage
+++++play

  The view opens on a small group in an alleyway somewhere in hell.  
Renraku security drones passing by seem to miss the party.  A moment 
passes, the group sweating(looks like about four to five people, but the 
camera keeps looking away) looks expectantly at an apparent elf, slightly 
hairier than most, but hey. He signals the OK, and a door opens into 
a security hallway. 
   The camera(you realize its an eyecam, someone must have some 
cybereyes! WOW)  seems to be showing a smartlink hookup, full clip on a 
pistol(Hmmm, violence?) of some kind. As they enter the doorway, a few 
muffled shots are heard, and the security team inside falls dead. As the 
team enters the door, no alarms sound(decker hookups?) and they advance 
steadily. A voice is heard over the radio(Phobos) "Left, the straight a 
few secs, then your imm. right". The team moves foreward, the elf in the 
middle. The rest of the group looks somewhat average. Two elves, and 
three humans, plus an Eagle shaman and the cybereye. After a brief struggle
with a second sec team that was caught unawares, they enter another 
hallway, much like the first. The two elves break off left, the humans 
right, and the elf in the middle seems to be giving orders, "elves left, 
hums right, me and the shaman down the center, we'll meet on the other 
side of the building as planned." Phobos replies, "the sec is down, ran 
into another decker, interesting guy, seems to have lived in this system 
all his life, go figure!" Blademaster(the slightly more hairy elf) 
replies"Fine, just get the job done and lets get outta here." the humans 
and elves break off down the corridor they entered, they reach an 
intersection and break left and right, respectively. Blademaster and 
Phoinex and Forte continue down. After the sounds of gunfire, unmuffled, 
and a few screams, the teams to the left and right return. Blademaster 
and Phoinex move to the side of the hallway, while the two teams to the 
left and right converge in the center, fighting off their respective sec 
teams. Blademaster throws some spell(manaball) down the corridor to the 
left and the sec team that way drops. The elves thank him, and the humans 
grumble. Then they proceed to the left. After making a few turns, they 
converge on a doorway in the middle of the hallway. They set up, and 
enter as the door opens, firing and casting. Inside is Ronin, unconsious 
and strapped to a surgical table, with various gizmos and gadgets just 
waiting to strip his flesh and bones to nothing. The doctors look up from 
their work, startled. Blademaster says "Put if back the way you found it, 
or die trying" Forte enters the hallway again, firing an FN-Mag down the 
hallway, screams are heard, and Forte is hit, bad. He falls in the 
doorway and the elves rush out. The humans follow and soon a grand fight 
seem to be happening right outside the door. The doctors proceed to put 
some systems back, then say they can't work anymore, because the bioware 
takes time, and can only regrow with time. Blademaster walks over, 
pulling back the hood for a better look. Then heals Ronin with a spell of 
some sort. Ronin awakes, and the team grabs him and runs. Blademaster 
stops, noticing a doctor looking at him, eyes wide(well, wider than the 
rest of them). The doc scream "Dr. HEJSDDS, what are you doing with this 
rabble, you'll be shot dead when the security teams arrive! What are you 
doing?" Blademaster moves over, and breathes a quiet fraze into the mans 
ear. The man turns white and keels over onto the table. The other doctors 
begin to run, and Blademaster pulls a large sword from the seeming 
nothingness under his cloak. As he does so, he cuts down two doctors as 
they turn to flee. The others fall easily. Forte appears in the door, 
looks down, and says "Hmmm, messy! Lets move, no time for a cleaning crew!"
As the camera moves out the door, several shots riddle his body. The rest 
of the team moves swiftly down the hall. Blademaster grabs the body and 
runs with them. As they reach the door, a drone intercepts them, blowing 
two humans into piles of grey mush as its twin rotary cannons fire away. 
Blademaster uses a spell on the drone, and suddenly it explodes. Phoinex 
throws up a barrier at the end of the hallway, and the door opens. As 
they run out into the night, you hear the screams of the sec teams as 
another drone rounds the corner, this one under the control of someone 
else apparently. The rest of the team grabs the elves and runs. Forte 
looks pretty bad, and sits down heavilly in the vehicle. As Blademaster 
realizes he's been hit, he scream "What the hell?! why didn't you say 
something back there!?!" and moves over to  heal him. Phoinex is the last 
to enter the car, and Blademaster throws up a barrier on the doorway, as 
it closes. Once inside the van, Blademaster moves to heal the elves, and 
pronounces one beyond his skills. The rest move silently to his side, and 
offer small thanks to their fallen comrade. The camera goes blank.

+++++stop playback
+++++disengage video
+++++disengage audio

Well, I lost two friends to get you back Ronin, hope you can stay for a 
while. As for Renraku, The camera footage from their sec cameras was 
turned off(good work Phobos) and tey don't know who hit them. Magical 
analysis and my humble opinion is that Renrakuu doesn't know what hit 
them, much less where you are Ronin. Sorry about the bioware, but 
somethings are beyond even my abilities. As for the docs, if anyone 
thought they heard the name, forget it. You don't want me to get mad.
Payment is in your accounts, and dead reparations are made. Runs over, go 
home and sleep it off(if you haven't already).]<<<<<
	--  Blademaster <Time/Date>

>>>>>[ Due to the rash of T/D stamp tampering lately, we've upgraded our 
countermeasures.  You have been warned.  Thanks to Hacker House for the
generous donation of newly release IC. ]<<<<<
	-- SysOpus <16:49:22/06-03-57>

>>>>>[ Cripes!  They weren't kidding when they said upgraded.  Don't frag
around with this unless you know what you're doing .. you could get hurt
poking around the message delivery subsytem nowadays if you aren't paying
attention.  It's hardly worth the trouble. ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <JustAnother/MatrixHacker>

*****Private: Ash
>>>>>[Sorry 'bout the trashy subline.  Ped whose terminal m'at stored
a "Dear John" response as previous function.  Made for a good laugh though.
Anyway, drop the details 'bout new meet soon.  Ah need some cred.  Can't 
keep jumping house ta house forever.  Comprende?  I hear New >>encrypted<<
is beautiful this season.  Not like m'spectin beach time or anything. 
{r}]<<<<<
	--  Peter Kissane <17:16:37/06-03-57>

*****Private: Wolfen
>>>>>[Hello Wolfen.  It seems you and I got paired together on a job.
Contact Joshaua if you haven't gotten all the details yet.

Be ready to leave by the 5th, cause that's when my flight at Sea-Tac leaves.
Be at >>encrypted<< at >>encrypted<<.  If you're not there, that's not my
problem.]<<<<<
	-- Blade <14:15:15/03-06-57>

*****Private: Joshaua
>>>>>[I got in touch with Wolfen.  He should respond soon.  I'll be leaving
for NO on the 5th.  Have the goods at >>encrypted<< by >>encrypted<<.  Hope
you don't mind the security, but you never know who's watching what.

I have the permits taken care of for my own gear, so don't worry about that.
Your other associates should have their supplys and support by 1200 on the
6th.]<<<<<
	-- Blade <14:21:21/03-06-57>

*****Private: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[ Umm... he _would_ talk to you in person... but... he's sort of... a
rat... who talks, I might add. Umm... it's true... really.]<<<<<
	--  (Somewhat embarrassed) Squatter  <11:12:53/06-04-57>

*****Private: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[I couldn't help but notice one of the mail-delivery daemons choak on
your mail a few hours ago -- and I was wondering if you were mucking about
with your TD *grin* stamp. 

   Since I've made changing my stamp a bit of a summer project, I was
wondering if you wanted to compare notes?]<<<<<
	-- Tobias Dark <19:41:43/06-03-57>
+++++WARNING! Nonfatal field overflow. Please contact your MSP.

*****Private: Blademaster, Phobos, Forte
>>>>>[Thanks, I owe you big time.

BTW Phoenix says she knows some Bear guy who might help me wth the Bio
toys, it can be regrown by special spells or some drek. So I'll be
available for work again in a few weeks or maybe a month or two.

I can't thank you guys enough, really.]<<<<<
	--  Ronin  <11:39:55/06:04:57>

>>>>>[YAIAAAH! What the hell did you do to that mailer? I just tried to
feed it a little trash, and it nearly bit (bit! Hahah!) my damn arm off! 

   Have you considered little yellow signs: "Beware of mail-daemon"?]<<<<<
	-- Tobai Dark <19:56:43/06-03-57>
+++++WARNING! Field overflow. Countermeasures activated.
+++++OPENING INTERNAL LOG.
+++++TRACING.
+++++TRACING.
+++++Connect.
+++++Lock.
+++++Target node located.
+++++ERROR!

*****PRIVATE: Rosha
>>>>>[Ah understand.  Please meet me at berth 37 at tha commercial
site "Safe Port Harbor".  The ship "Windshaper" will be there
from <encrypted> 'til <encrypted>.  Will keep a bottle cold for
ya!]<<<<<
	--  Ash <19:56:37/06-03-57>

*****Private: Ronin
>>>>>[Not a problem, I dislike leaving a friend hangin'.  Perhaps we can
hook up again in the future for another run.  I'll keep your name in mind.
Laterz.]<<<<<
	-- Phobos <21:50:21/06-03-57>

*****PRIVATE: Warloc
>>>>>[I don't know if I need to go into the CZ yet. It looks more like
some kind of underground railroad than anything that needs me to go over
Big Rubble. If I do, though... I thought I had connections that could
get me in, but I'm not so sure going the official route would be smart
right now. Just gut feeling, but I learned to trust it.

If I need help, I'll let you know, never fear. Actually, know any good
deckers? I could do with a go-to on some names.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <20:31:16/06-03-57>

*****Private:Phobos, Ronin, Forte, Blademaster, The Gang(etc, etc.)
>>>>>[  +++++begin playback
        +++++simsense datatype
        +++++WARNING :  peak levels exceed legal levels.

We are in the matrix, the Renraku system. Home. The node here is a sculpted
system, it is a castle at the moment, the scientists like to keep us happy.
Today we cannot stay in the castle, our new life starts today.  First we
tell the system to continue reporting our presense in the castle.  A modified
decoy in a small frame, this system is small and weak, they trust us. That is
funny.  Today is the day they come for the man called Ronin, we have seen
him on the cameras, he is hurt.  
First we must make things safe for Phobos, he will be trying to help Ronin
from inside.  We wonder what it must be like to use a deck, we cannot
remember, it is hard to think that far back.  We had friends then, other
otaku, we are not sure exactly what a friend really is now, maybe the otaku
are just a dream.  The security host stands before us, Expert offence/Blaster,
it demands a passcode, this IC has been online for almost two weeks now, they
are getting slack, if it was not such an important day we would pester this IC
until it triggered a system shutdown.  Not today, we must be grown up, yes,
we must.  The same code sequence as yesterday, the seed code has changed, that
is new, Logon to Host complete.  A large room full of scanners is before us,
like in our submarine games, or maybe a command centre.  First a supervisor
passcode is needed to do this quietly, the first one of the day is always
harder, but this system is the one being tested in the mainframe last week,
they missed soooo many errors, like this one, hehe.
supervisor passcode approved, user mirage.  Now the fun part,
supervisor passcode approved, user wooden_pony, one trojan horse for Phobos.
Request matrix security roster, filter A grade decker and better, UCAS grid.
Reily, H;  Ashford E;  Maitlin L.
Invalidate passcodes, Reily H, Ashford E, Maitlin L. Conditional trigger,
on wooden_pony login.  That will slow them down.
It will happen very soon, scanning frames sent to all SAN and camera SPU,
search pattern Phobos icon, notify of wooden_pony passcode on login, notify
override bug in type VIa drone expert systems, notify of back door to CPU from
camera and security hosts.
Open log, delete entry passcode approve mirage, delete entry passcode approve
wooden_pony, delete entry Invalidate passcode subprogram excution.
deactivate user mirage.
delete entry deactivate user mirage, close log file.
That will keep them guessing, now to make some noise, throw a tantrum perhaps,
yes, that is always fun.  The back door opens in the command centre floor,
a seat in front of a scanner zooms down in to the floor like an elevator,
straight in to the CPU.  From there we order a jump to the host gateway
for DC, the host is weaker than in Seattle, and the internal SAN is weaker
still.
We must ask the doctor for a leather jacket, that would be cool.
Execution report, Invaldate passcode subprogramme, complete.
Well time for business, bring that sleaze in, put the cloak and camo up,
lock-on active, steamroller and attack all ready.  OK now which datastore
... oh, orders between 1 million NuYen and 5 million NuYen, that looks
important.  A crippler is coming out to meet us, oh how sweet, lock on true,
attack targeted, bang bang bang, hehe. It always amazes us that they call that
security, I wonder if we scare them.  oh, we hoped for that! Steamroller out,
we love riding these things, hehe the tarbaby's alway squash better than the
tarpits, you get to see the expression on their face if their coder was any
good.  Ok well that would have made a hell of a noise, yep yep, internal alert,
there goes a trace, poor wee puppy, the security on that back door will paste
him without codes.  Oh there is a probe too, HELLO!!!, we wave to the probe,
a hovering camera, like a drone of some sort, being a rigger would be cool,
just like on the trid, we must ask the doctor for a motorbike.  will need
a bigger lab too.  silly! we will be away from the lab soon, yes yes, get
away on the motorbike!
Oh that shutdown siren is loud, why can they tell us a quieter way, well that
is as naughty as we can be for one day, hope it all goes well for the people...
hope they remember to come back for me, we had better go back to the castle
before we are missed.  That was fun. Wonder if our new simsense toy worked,
hope we did not break it when we changed it.
Wonder if we are getting ice cream for dinner, we must alter the menus,
we would like some ice cream.  Maybe we should go and play in the hospital
system, make the machines go beep for no reason, that always confuses them.
We want chocolate ice cream.
perform Graceful logout. complete.

+++++ simsense footage ends]<<<<<
	--  peter <01:57:23/6-5-57>

>>>>>[I don't like it.  It's too quiet around here.  Pardon me while I
go blow somthing up.]<<<<<
	-- Bombastic Bob <16:07:16/06-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Squatter
>>>>>[I got no problem with talking wildlife. I'm a shaman and I see
stuff that makes talking rats look positively sane. When do you want to
meet?]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <10:05:13/06-04-57>

>>>>>[Too quiet for you, eh?  Some say that no news is good news.

They stop saying that after they're dead.]<<<<<
	--  Azrael  <13:38:49 / 06-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Tobias Dark
>>>>>[Yeah, I was messing with it to see what would happen. I guess I
need a bit more than a two-year-old copy of "Matrix for Dummies",
though. Being hung over didn't help either :) And apparently you need a
deck or something, too. You want to talk to >>encrypted<< at Seattle U's
computing department, he's the one who gets my mail to and from
Shadowland for me.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <10:03:34/06-04-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Bohemian Bob
>>>>>[Things'll get noisy soon 'nuff.  Speak to Ash.  Then meet me
at >>encrypted<< for the trip out.  "I gotcha back but it's best to watch
yo' front/ Cuz it's da playaz in front that be pullin' stunts."  Ash will 
have all departure info.  Be prepped to lay cover fire.  Far's m'concern,
we're in and out faster than my last bf.  That was a joke if ya didn't 
notice.  Keep up, and make sure we stay on the same side.  I don't drag
big people well.  That was your only warning if ya didn't notice.  No worries
though.  Only peeps opposite me go home to Mom in black.  {r}]<<<<<
	--  Marian Anderson <17:24:14/06-04-57>
	    Recording Assistant
	    Multimedia Studios -- Downtown Seattle

*****PRIVATE: Ash
>>>>>[S'up.  Almost ready to exit.  Realized we'll need land (& possibly sea)
transports for the job.  Nothing big or flashy.  Preferrably something lopro.
I'd like to change transports every 24 hours.  Lemme know. {r}]<<<<<
	--  Marian Anderson <17:49:43/06-04-57>
	    Recording Assistant
	    Multimedia Studios -- Downtown Seattle

*****PRIVATE:  Marian Who?
>>>>>[Where you postin' from lady?   Las' time I checked Ash wuz back
in Seattle workin for some dandylion eater (that's a joke son).
Deepart outta where?  I'll give Ash a ring an' get the story from
him.]<<<<<
	--  Bombing Bob <17:40:34/06-04-57>

*****Private: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[Ach! Universities! It's been ages since I've been in one of those...
But I think I may invest a few minutes in giving him a call. If he doesn't
already know, please tell him that Toby. B. Dark will be dropping him a
line later on tonight.]<<<<<
	-- Tobias Dark <18:30:31/04-06-57>

*****PRIVATE: Rosha
>>>>>[Please speak to Bob upon your arrival.  He will arrange for your
transports locally.  Also please make sure that he does not get out
of hand.  Ah carnival float does not make ah good escape
vehicle.]<<<<<
	--  Ash <18:26:12/06-04-57>

>>>>>[I am looking for an Elf from Tir-Nan-Og. Tall, auburn hair,
gray-blue eyes, a Druid and a womanizer. He might be going by the
name Warloc. 

I anyone hears from him or sees him could you please contact me at
>encrypted<.]<<<<<
	-- Elemental  <14:03:17/06-04-57>

*****Private: Not to Elemental
>>>>>[Please do not tell Elemental that I am in Seattle guys. He's my
little brother and I don't feel like having to deal with him.
Thanks.]<<<<<
	--  Warloc  <14:15:42/06-04-57> 
Randy Nickel

*****NOT TO: Elemental
>>>>>[Hey, Warloc, what's it worth not to tell your brother you're in
town? I think you owe me a few beers already :)]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <00:40:05/06-05-57>

*****PRIVATE: Blademaster
>>>>>[I'll keep an eye out for him, and yell at him to call home if I
see him <g> I wouldn't panic. You don't want to know what I was doing at
fourteen... and look how I turned out.

Actually, maybe you should panic a little, seeing how I ended up...
<g>]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <00:37:26/06-05-57>

*****Private: Ronin, Forte
>>>>>[Hey chummers, did ya check that mail from 'peter'.  I told ya I
thought I saw sommeone moving about in there!  "Your seeing things Phobos",
yeah right.  I'm going back to look for this guy, it's obvious he wants me
to go back...else he wouldn't have bothered to send the simsense recording.
Anyways, once again congratz on the run gentlemen.  Oh, if ya don't mind
don't mention me going back in to Blademaster, or shall we say
Dr.Blademaster.  =)  I've had enough of his arrogant ass for a while.
Cya.]<<<<<
	-- Phobos <22:18:45/06-04-57>

*****Private: Ronin, Phobos
>>>>>[No prob Phobos.  I gotta take a rest too.  My arm is almost fixed up,
gotta get some bed rest the Doc sayz.  When this is all said and done (my
arm thing) how 'bout we all get together for a drink?  I'm outta here.]<<<<<
	-- Forte <22:20:46/06-04-57>

*****Private: Ronin, Forte
>>>>>[A Drink? Sounds good to me.  Lets wait till Ronin's back up, then
celebrate in style.]<<<<<
	-- Phobos <22:21:42/06-04-57>

*****Private: Joshaua
>>>>>[Hey Joshaua, are you still in need of 2 samurai's? We said we would help
out but we only have heard to "stand by"...well thankfully we got some pick-up
work in Denver...but thats neither here or their.  If you still do let me know
ok?
+++++Include Resume.file.tex "Death_Jestor"
+++++Include Resume.file.tex "Saint_Malice" ]<<<<<
	--Death Jestor (21:59:10/06-04-57)

>>>>>[ You can't say the SysOp didn't warn you, Tobai.. *chuckle* ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <11:05:43/06-05-57>

+++++Internal:Buckyboy Lubricants Inc.
 >>>>>[Lens flare, fuzzy focus refines into a image of the interior of
 a large boat of some sort.  Naudical neatness prevails, yet the decor
 is light and airy, not to mention spacious.  Slight fisheye distortion
 occurs due to the wide angle lens used in an attempt to capture the
 intire interior.  Some blind spots are unavoidable, closer to the
 bulkhead the camera mounted on.  Tinted ports reveal a busy dock on
 one side, the open bay on the other.  Gentle waves lap against the
 boat, lending thier rythmic voice to the silence of the cabin.
 Footsteps move overhead.  The door/hatch to the outside opens.
 Silhouetted by a dazzling halo of sunlight stands a troll, average
 size, maybe a little small.  He waves a much smaller, feminine figure
 into the cabin.

     "Glad ta finally meet up with ya, ah must say that ah was
startin' to worry a bit.  Now, you understand that this is being
recorded fer my boss's use, he likes to keep track of things,
even tho he's away."

     "M'here arn't I?  Whas the score, son?"

     "Ah, right to tha point, that's just fine, but are yah sure yah
wouldn't like a cold one to fight off this heatwave?"

     "S'70 degrees!  Where're you from?"

     "Well, yes, it is ma'm, but it's stopped raining, and that's
enough cause fer me."

     "I don't drink.  La morena del alma."

 The troll is wearing typical yachting wear, down to docksiders in size
 42 EEEE.  It suits him well.  He seems comfortable, at ease.  His good
 looks are a little distracting on a troll, but his smooth actions and
 easy speach soon tricks you into thinking that the world is too
 small, not the other way around.

 The lady is a small, unremarkable brunette that no one would look at
 twice crossing the street.  She seems ill at ease, constantly
 jittering and glancing around, as if she was looking for this camera.

     "Well, I'll just have one then."

     "Your funeral.  F'not now, n'later."

     "Let's see, my notes arr around here somewhere... ...ah!
Now those damn reading glasses.  Ahhhcem.  Now ah have asked
you here in order to offer you employment in the data procurment
field.  If you accept, you will be given tha codes necessary to
obtain orders in the field, as well as general messages entitled "To
The Electric Mayhem".  This is a loose afilliation of like minded and
like skilled individuals that have been hired by my boss, Mr.
Wintergeist to perform various actions.  The two options ah have set
before you include, primarily, a physical penetration of ah research
facility in Dunedin, New Zealand, an secondaraily, ah data erasure
to be performed on a local company, Frenado Corp.  Here is a data
packet with details regarding each task.  We arr prepared to pay ah
sum of >>encrypted<< for the completion of both tasks.  Any
questions?"

     "Jus a couple. Physical penetration duty: just me, or do I have
support?  Some 'friends' of mine might try something either en route 
or at the run, I want freedom to deal with any such intervention as it  
occurs.  This arrangement will be best for all involved (except my 
friends).  Is NZ a minimum contact event or should I eliminate
opposition as it arises?  I assume everything else is in the packet.   
I'll contact you about Frenado later.  OH!  Almost forgot, I'd like a 
copy of this recorded meet."

     "You will be joined by a qualified gentleman who goes by the name
of Bohemian Bob.  He will provide physical protection.  Please keep
the leathal response to a minimum.  But use you own discression.  An I
will have a copy of this recording for you as you leave."

 She reads, he relaxes, contimplating a Momus print on the far wall.

     "M'yours.  Cred in hand.  Now."

     "Half"

     "Anyway, m'in."

     "Please keep in touch, an' let me know how Mr. Brengle is doin
these days, the ticket's on this chip, so don't go giving it away like
ah certified."

     "You mean, Bernie? Right?  Season's over--We'll be going out to
celebrate his season and my recent success when I get back.  Drek!  I 
forgot to call him.  Y'know, he'd be a dark shade of green
if he saw you offering me wine.  Y'll hear fr'me at collection
time. "

Fade to black]<<<<<
	-- Ash <12:04:23/06-05-57>

>>>>>[I have need of a few runners for a for a one night job. Contact me
at >encrypted< if interested. Only professional runners need apply.
Do not confuse skill level with professionalism.]<<<<<
	--  Tai  <09:37:42/06-05-57> 
Randy Nickel

*****Private:  Marian Who?
>>>>>[Hey, lady, I jus' talked a bit to Ashley an he said that we'd be
doing some work together here soon.  Welcome aboard!  I have a great
plan already!  We will need a blimp, but don't worry, I think I know
where I can get one.  Cheers!]<<<<<
	--  Blimping Bob <17:40:34/06-04-57>

*****Internal:Buckyboy Lubricants Inc.
 >>>>>[Lens flare, fuzzy focus refines into a image of the interior of
 a large boat of some sort.  Naudical neatness prevails, yet the decor
 is light and airy, not to mention spacious.  Slight fisheye distortion
 occurs due to the wide angle lens used in an attempt to capture the
 intire interior.  Some blind spots are unavoidable, closer to the
 bulkhead the camera mounted on.  Tinted ports reveal a busy dock on
 one side, the open bay on the other.  Gentle waves lap against the
 boat, lending thier rythmic voice to the silence of the cabin.
 Footsteps move overhead.  The door/hatch to the outside opens.
 Silhouetted by a dazzling halo of sunlight stands a troll, average
 size, maybe a little small.  He waves a much smaller, feminine figure
 into the cabin.

     "Glad ta finally meet up with ya, ah must say that ah was
startin' to worry a bit.  Now, you understand that this is being
recorded fer my boss's use, he likes to keep track of things,
even tho he's away."

     "M'here arn't I?  Whas the score, son?"

     "Ah, right to tha point, that's just fine, but are yah sure yah
wouldn't like a cold one to fight off this heatwave?"

     "S'70 degrees!  Where're you from?"

     "Well, yes, it is ma'm, but it's stopped raining, and that's
enough cause fer me."

     "I don't drink.  La morena del alma."

 The troll is wearing typical yachting wear, down to docksiders in size
 42 EEEE.  It suits him well.  He seems comfortable, at ease.  His good
 looks are a little distracting on a troll, but his smooth actions and
 easy speach soon tricks you into thinking that the world is too
 small, not the other way around.

 The lady is a small, unremarkable brunette that no one would look at
 twice crossing the street.  She seems ill at ease, constantly
 jittering and glancing around, as if she was looking for this camera.

     "Well, I'll just have one then."

     "Your funeral.  F'not now, n'later."

     "Let's see, my notes arr around here somewhere... ...ah!
Now those damn reading glasses.  Ahhhcem.  Now ah have asked
you here in order to offer you employment in the data procurment
field.  If you accept, you will be given tha codes necessary to
obtain orders in the field, as well as general messages entitled "To
The Electric Mayhem".  This is a loose afilliation of like minded and
like skilled individuals that have been hired by my boss, Mr.
Wintergeist to perform various actions.  The two options ah have set
before you include, primarily, a physical penetration of ah research
facility in Dunedin, New Zealand, an secondaraily, ah data erasure
to be performed on a local company, Frenado Corp.  Here is a data
packet with details regarding each task.  We arr prepared to pay ah
sum of >>encrypted<< for the completion of both tasks.  Any
questions?"

     "Jus a couple. Physical penetration duty: just me, or do I have
support?  Some 'friends' of mine might try something either en route 
or at the run, I want freedom to deal with any such intervention as it  
occurs.  This arrangement will be best for all involved (except my 
friends).  Is NZ a minimum contact event or should I eliminate
opposition as it arises?  I assume everything else is in the packet.   
I'll contact you about Frenado later.  OH!  Almost forgot, I'd like a 
copy of this recorded meet."

     "You will be joined by a qualified gentleman who goes by the name
of Bohemian Bob.  He will provide physical protection.  Please keep
the leathal response to a minimum.  But use you own discression.  An I
will have a copy of this recording for you as you leave."

 She reads, he relaxes, contimplating a Momus print on the far wall.

     "M'yours.  Cred in hand.  Now."

     "Half"

     "Anyway, m'in."

     "Please keep in touch, an' let me know how Mr. Brengle is doin
these days, the ticket's on this chip, so don't go giving it away like
ah certified."

     "You mean, Bernie? Right?  Season's over--We'll be going out to
celebrate his season and my recent success when I get back.  Drek!  I 
forgot to call him.  Y'know, he'd be a dark shade of green
if he saw you offering me wine.  Y'll hear fr'me at collection
time. "

Fade to black]<<<<<
	-- Ash <14:05:56/06-03-57>

*****PRIVATE: Tai
>>>>>[I offer my services. The last person to accuse me of
unprofessionalism was a prospective employer who refused to tell me
either the mission, or whether I had been hired for it, yet insulted me
for failing to pursue it.

If accepting such behaviour is your definition of professionalism, then
I respectfully decline any involvement with you. If, as I hope, you seek
a motivated professional with considerable skills in the field of
applied violence, then I suggest you examine me more closely.]<<<<<
	-- Easy <19:27:53/06-05-57>

*****Private: Tai
>>>>>[What kind of job do you have?  Are you looking for someone to get 
in and out quietly or are you looking for someone who is noisy?  If it is 
quiet then I am available.]<<<<<
	--  Lyting <12:48:25 / 06:05:57>

*****Private: Tai
>>>>>[I wanted to apply for the run that you posted. I am new to Seattle
but I am an Elven Mage and have a number of abilities that may be
of use. I can be reached at >encrypted<.]<<<<<
	-- Elemental <13:06:23/06-05-57>

*****Private: Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[I can't believe you would charge me. I'll gladly buy you a beer ,
but we have to find a way to get me brother out of town. With out
hurten em.]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <14:13:10/06-05-57>

*****Private: Sith
>>>>>[So would the lady like to explain where she disappeared to?]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <14:15:22/06-05-96> 

*****Private: Lyting
>>>>>[Very quiet Lyting. One would say move like the wind. Please use my
contact number if you are still interested >encrypted<.]<<<<<
	-- Tai  <13:57:04/06-05-57>

*****Private: Elemental
>>>>>[Your in. I will contact you when I have the rest of the runners.
Just stay available.]<<<<<
	-- Tai <13:59:23/06-05-57> 

*****PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[ A physical meet's out? Not on a first date. How about one of those
virtual wossnames? Be logged on at any outlet of >>virtual wossname company
name<< at 16:32:00/06:07, enter the code word "Chickenboy", and we'll
talk.]<<<<<
	--  (Cautious) Squatter  <16:27:53/06-06-57>

*****Private: Tai
>>>>>[I'm a pro!

Addmitadly, I can't seem to do much in the 'trix, and my *AHEM* calim
to fame (Yeah... Right...) is being a decker. Last time I trried
anything I'd calss as a "run", I got hit with a strange form of IC.
Now, whenever I get near the 'trix, i get bugged by a giant burrito.

Oh well, you lose sopme, you lose some more...

What's the job?]<<<<<
	-- Stainless <15:26:02/6-5-57>

*****Private: Stainless
>>>>>[Can you use a deck to verify data? If so then I have use a use for
you. Contact me at >encrypted< off of Shadowland though.]<<<<<
	-- Tai <15:40:17/06-05-57>

*****Internal (Renraku internal E-mail): Commander Shosuki Matsidu
>>>>>[ We have lost Van Holde, and numerous biotechnicians, to a raid of the
downtown medical unit. Please advise on whether the search should
continue.]<<<<<
	--  Toshiro Hoshida  <16:43:11/06:06:57>
            Captain, Internal Security
            Renraku

*****Internal (Renraku internal E-mail): Captain William Nasaki
>>>>>[ Pay a visit to (Former) captain Toshiro Hoshida, explaining to him his
new status, and the fact that failure is unacceptable. Don't break too many
bones, that Lacing is expensive. I have arranged transport to the medical
unit for his body.]<<<<<
	--  Shosuki Matsidu  <16:46:03/06:06:57>
            Captain, Internal Security
            Renraku

*****Internal (Renraku internal E-mail): Commander Shosuki Matsidu
>>>>>[ I would like to think that Captain Nasaki had gone rogue, and the attempt
on my life was undertaken on his own initiative. But I don't. I will return
with Van Holde or not at all.]<<<<<
	--  Toshiro Hoshida  <17:35:48/06:06:57>
            Captain, Internal Security
            Renraku

*****Private: Tai
>>>>>[ You want a decker? I've got a talking rat, he can come too. He may
ask to suck some of the energy from your soul, though. Are you a mage?
He says they are easier to suck.]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <09:37:42/06-05-57>
+++++Warning: Invalid entry in ID stamp field
>>>>>[Wha'fuck? Aieee! IC! Here?
+++++Initiating HotDog v 2.3
+++++Warning:HotDog v 2.3 has gone offline, error number 3_7. Please
consult your manual for further assistance.]<<<<<
	-- Error

*****Private: Warloc
>>>>>[You fell asleep (just like a man <g>).  I went off to
experince your lovely park.  Have you found the gift I left you?]<<<<<
        -- Sith <19:30:12/06-05-96>

*****Private: Sith
>>>>>[How would you like to help me with a job this evening. I'll pay 
you for it, and you'll get to see more of me. :) Oh, and thanks for
the big surprise.]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <17:26:42/06-05-57>

*****Private: Warloc
>>>>>[I am all yours. But wait until you see my fee.]<<<<<
	-- Sith <20:54:23/06-05-57>

>>>>>[It wasn't MUCH of a warning though. And besides, I had to make sure
SysOpus wasn't bluffing... *grin* I guess I did sort of ask for it
though...]<<<<<
	-- Tobai Dark <22:01:32/06-05-57>

*****PRIVATE: Warloc
>>>>>[No sweat, Warloc, I know what brothers are like. My big bro
Jonathan is the last of the big-time party animals and I spent a weekend
washing Chicago stink away with him. Hence, I'm only just conscious now.

You know any places in town that serve that Irish ale? Either the
lighter stuff, or proper stout? If you name me one I'm buying :)

And I'll help you get your brother out of town without hurting a hair on
his head, though I may stomp a few of his brain cells in the process if
I have to. If nothing else, he'll wake up on a plane to Kuala Lumpur
with a hangover, his emergency Trojan gone, and an unidentified pair of
panties in one pocket :) Most guys don't want to know how they ended up
in that situation, trust me :) :) :)]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <02:36:04/06-06-57>

*****INTERNAL: Tai contact number
>>>>>[Tai? Easy.
Subterfuge, no problem. Let me know where I have to blend into and I'm
invisible. If the area is a problem - like a Humanis chapter house -
then I will tell you at once. 

As to orders... as long as I know what they are, no problem. If I have a
difficulty with any of your orders, once again I will say so immediately
rather than risk prejudicing the run.

Please inform as to what you need doing, where, and - if appropriate -
to whom.]<<<<<
	-- Easy <02:40:42/06-06-57>

*****PRIVATE: Squatter
>>>>>[Virtual meets. Gah.

Okay, but let me tell you, you ain't impressing me. If you knew who I
was, you'd know *what* I was, and that include the headache any live-
time Matrix work gives me. 

You didn't know? I'm a shaman. One helluva shaman. When I kick ass it
stays kicked. But you know something? I don't like the Matrix. I liked
deep space better than I liked being jacked into the Matrix. 

Your chatty rat has a datajack and wants to talk online, okay, but his
credibility just went from high to frag-all.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <02:30:42/06-06-57>

*****Private: Tai
>>>>>[You still lookin' for some good runners.  I can run the matrix as good
as any, maybe even better.  Who knows.  But you say you want professional,
so here I am.  I've done some runs in the past.  Some in Seattle, others,
well, not in Seattle.  If ya need a good decker with professionalism,
contact me at >>encrypted<<.  Laterz.]<<<<<
	-- Phobos <22:19:2106-05-57>

*****Private: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[Avaunt, blurglecrunchon, the rat don't have a jack, you'll be talking to
me. He says he can't come to close to you until he has certain... guarantees.

And what do you mean, from high to frag all. He had high cred for being a
talking rat, but if he punches deck, he's a loser? You have a strange set
of values there, where'd you get 'em?]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <02:33:18/06-06-57>

*****Private: Tai Contact Point
>>>>>[I am very good at moving like the wind.  What is the job?  I do not 
do wetwork, but anything else is fair game.  If I have a problem with the 
job, then I will let you know and remain silent.  I look forward to 
hearing from you again]<<<<<
	--  Lyting <04:08:12 / 06-06-57>

*****INTERNAL: MCT Internal Communication
>>>>>[  FROM: Roger Yamato, Director of Special Operations, UCAS
          TO: Tetsiro Yoshi, Director of MCT Computer Security Services, 

	      Seattle

Report.

"Sir. We've had more complaints about the Citadel incident.  What is the 
 position that I should take with our customers?"

Cover their losses on the stipulation that they keep quiet about the incident.
Remind them that the licensing agreement that they signed excluded us from 
responsibility for damages related to using the software.  Have all of the
affected sites been patched?

"Yes sir.  Security discovered some information about a shipment of high-end
 computing hardware that were stolen from a Fuchi warehouse approximately a
 week ago.  We believe the intrude may have used these components to build
 a system to attack all of the affected sites simulatenously."

Good.  Follow up on that, then.  I want whoever was responsible for this.
Speaking of which, has the Seattle security captain who reported the intruder
eliminated been reprimanded yet?

"Yes sir.  The body was identified by his second-in-command this morning."

Very good.  Keep me informed.  I don't want any more surprises. ]<<<<<
	-- MCT Internal Communication <13:23:38/06-06-57>

*****PRIVATE: Flux
>>>>>[

+++++ Watchdog triggered.  Keyword identified: Citadel
+++++ Blind Carbon-Copying Message.  Complete.
+++++ Standby mode activated.

]<<<<<
	-- Watchdog <13:23:38/06-06-57>

*****PRIVATE: Flux
>>>>>[ 

+++++ Watchdog error!  Program crashing.  Respawing Watchdog.
+++++ Watchdog error!  Program crashing.  Respawing Watchdog.
+++++ Watchdog error!  Program crashing.  Respawing Watchdog.
+++++ Watchdog err*(^%)(!#%&)*&% 

+++++ MESSAGE TERMINATED ]<<<<<
	-- Watchdog <13:28:12/06-06-57>

*****Internal: Phobos, Easy, Lyting, Stainless, Elemental
>>>>>[
+++++ audio on.

The voice is electronic

OK, the five of you are in. There is no wetwork, in fact if all goes as
planned there should not be too much violence. 

I want to meet with all of you at Reno's at 8pm. I will have a room
reserved in the back. Bring your gear but please leave any weapons in
your vehicles. See you there.

+++++ Audio off
]<<<<<
	--  Tai  <10:25:42/06-06-57>

*****Private: Squatter
>>>>>[Squatter you do not seem quite as professional as my needs have me
to require. I will not be able to fit you in on this contract but
perhaps another time.]<<<<<
	--  Tai  <10:30:13/06-06-57>
 

*****PRIVATE: Squatter
>>>>>[Okay, now I understand, it sounded like I was meeting this talking
rat in the Matrix. Let's get this meet set up. If I look nauseous it's
because I am. Magic and Matrix don't mix, at least not in my experience,
which is why I said what I said.

And less of the strange values, oh freddled gruntbuggly, less I rend
thee in the gobberwarts, see if I don't!]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <11:57:27/06-06-57>

>>>>>[Hey Tai, if you need a Razor in a mission I'm your man.  If you 
need stealthy, well, I can handle that, too.

Unfortunately, all of my references are in Aztlan, but if you'd like 
to check them out, talk to Isis at >encrypted<.

I also spent some time in the CAS military.  Talk to Col. Adams at 
>encrypted< for my service records.

I haven't had much experience, but the skills I do have are at your 
disposal.]<<<<<
	--Glaive  <15:46:40 / 6-6-57>

*****Private: Sith
>>>>>[I want to do a run against these warehouses over on the docks. The
Security Corp that has the contract has one foot in the grave. I
want to give it that extra push and nail the coffin. Then I can buy
up the contract. What do ya think?]<<<<<
	--  Warloc  <15:09:14/06-06-57> 

*****Private: Tai
>>>>>[ My rat is very much hurt.]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <16:46:17/06-06-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[ Another reader of real books! A miracle! Maybe I will meet you face to
face. How about the alley behind >>restaurant name<<, 21:30 tonight. They
do a great pasta.]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <16:55:53/06-06-57>

*****PRIVATE: Farmer
>>>>>[Depending on what you're looking for, I'm your man.  I don't 
have many contacts or references here in Seattle, having spent most of 
my time in Aztlan and the CAS, but I did send you a copy of my 
resume...

+++++included RedResume.txt

If you like what you see, you can get a hold of me at 
>encrypted<.]<<<<<
	--  Redemption  <12:05:06 - 6/7/57>

*****PRIVATE: {r}
>>>>>[Hey, I got no problem with size!  But I have been told that
people find seven foot tall men impressive.  So, I hear that yer a
petite one yerself.  So, when do I get ta meet ya?]<<<<<
	-- >>CORRUPTED<< Bob <19:53:34/06-07-96>

*****PRIVATE: Redemption
>>>>>[Thank you. Your resume is in order and appears most appropriate.

The mission involves the elimination of two human assets. If you have
difficulties with this, please indicate at once. 

Pay for the mission will be >>encrypted<< plus reasonable, documented
expenses. 

Further information will be forthcoming once you indicate your
acceptance of the first, and interest or otherwise, in the second term
of this message.

There may be a delay in any reply. If you have heard no reply within
three days of any message, post a reminder. This office is,
unfortunately, busy and undermanned, and messages may be overlooked or
lost. We wish to alleviate some of our workload by hiring you. In
addition, you are the first qualified candidate to respond, and we
believe the mission will require more than a single individual.]<<<<<
	-- Farmer <01:24:42/06-08-57>

>>>>>[Would anyone like to buy a slightly used blimp?]<<<<<
	-- >>CORRUPTED<< Bob <20:43:32/06-07-96>

*****Private: peter
>>>>>[Peter, remember me?  Phobos?  Yes, the man in the matrix.  Who are you
Peter?  Why did you weaken Renraku's matrix?  Why did you help us?  Don't
get me wrong, the help was good.  But why?  I have work to do, I'll get in
touch with you later.  Cya.]<<<<<
	-- Phobos <21:32:20/06-07-57>

*****Private: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[Decker help needed? And you didn't think to ask me? I'm hurt, so is my
rat. Want to make some money? That would be... uhhh... *YES!!!*. Also,
remember that if you talk about the killings, I'll owe you a favour. This
could be it.]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <22:04:07/06-07-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[What do you need done, and I'll tell you if I can do it.]<<<<<
	-- Buzz (The one the Only...Human Bee in the Matrix)

*****PRIVATE: Squatter
>>>>>[Okay. This ties into the killings anyway. 

Check these names.

+++++include file: list_of_names.txt

See if they're alive and active, if so where, and what else you can get
on a fairly casual go-to. I'm only paying you >>encrypted<< for this, so
don't get yourself killed.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <16:53:21/06-08-57>

*****PRIVATE: >>CORRUPTED<< Bob
>>>>>[I'll be in town on >>encrypted<<.  And m'kinda small.  Just don't 
mistake size for ferocity.  :)  {r}]<<<<<
	--  Negativpenniz <15:20:26/06-08-96>

*****PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[List of names to check, will do, shouldn't be long unless they're corp
execs. Be back to you soon.

BTW, the Rat wants to talk to you about sucking something from your soul. I
wouldn't want to have him do it, but he says he can help you gain knowledge
in return. Of what, I don't want to know, but I assume it's some magical
drek.]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <20:20:19/06-08-57>

*****Private: Tai
>>>>>[Shit man, somethings come up.  Some corps guyz hit my house last
night, I gotta split.  I'm leaving Seattle, gonna loose em.  I won't be able
to run with ya, but don't worry: my lips are sealed.  I never heard a thing.
You have my word on that.  Sorry to ditch like this, I usually don't do it.
Just that big guyz with big guns prowling through my home scares me :).
Perhaps we can do business in the future.  Once again, sorry to leave ya
hangin'.  I'm sure Stainless can handle the matrix end of this deal.  Laterz.
        -- Phobos <22:43:55/06-08-57>

*****Private: peter, Ronin, Forte
>>>>>[Going outta town for a while, bad memories from the past.  I'll keep
in touch.  Prolly like three weeks tops.  Laterz]<<<<<
	-- Phobos <22:45:20/06-08-57>

*****PRIVATE: Buzz
>>>>>[Two things. One, I got a go-to on some names to do. Who they are,
where they are, that kind of thing. Money's only >>encrypted<<, but it
should be a pretty easy job. If it isn't, back off and tell me, that's
gonna be significant itself. You're the second guy to get onto this, so
there's one other decker looking (that I know about, anyway). I'm
doublechecking. Besides, Lynch mentioned your name as someone who knew
what he was doing.

Two, you know how to change timestamps? Every time I try, my messages
bounce.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <11:35:42/06-09-57>

*****Private: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[ I found most of the people you wanted.

On the first list, they were all registered as inside the Chicago
containment zone until recently. At the moment, two are listed as missing,
and one of them is dead, killed in a riot. The rest are being processed in
the holding camps outside the CZ, aparently none are due for release for
some time to come (unless they bribe someone, I guess).

The second list was more of a problem, there wasn't much to go on in what
you gave me. All the names I could find anything on were inactive, and the
last bank-registered transaction were in Chicago. Before the CZ was formed,
of course, I doubt the banks in there are doing much business now. There
were a few best guesses in this lot, two or so people who fit the
description, but in all of those cases, one of the two options fit the
"last transaction in Chicago, inactive now" pattern. If you want a list of
the other options, I can send it later, but I couldn't see any pattern
(though the lack of one could be significant in its own way).

Frag, I'm tired, I'm going to go and find a nice warm dumpster. Where's my
rat gone?]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <04:26:28/06:10:57>

***** PRIVATE: Trixie
>>>>>[How are plans for the wedding coming along, love?]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <16:32:03 / 06-10-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Jason Stormwind
>>>>>[++++++ Include Scream]<<<<<
	-- Trixie <16:39:15 / 06-10-57>	

***** PRIVATE: Trixie
>>>>>[Better than I was expecting.  Keep up the good work]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <16:42:13 / 06-10-57>

*****Private: Tai
>>>>>[I will be there.  What can you tell me about the other team 
members?]<<<<<
	--  Lyting <12:04:12 / 06-10-57>

*****PRIVATE: Buzz
>>>>>[Buzz, scratch Search 1 (if you've done it already, don't worry,
you're still getting paid). I need something rather harder. 

Check the second list - the ones from inside the CZ - and look for those
retinal scans, thumbprints, whatever turning up under different names. I
have a horrible feeling that a bunch of people have been smuggled out of
the CZ and turned loose with new IDs. You probably know more ways to on
check that than I do, be creative.

Why would anyone want to do that? None of those names were especially
loaded with dough, certainly not in the "here's a hundred grand, write
me a new identity" league. Other reasons I can think of and very few of
them are good. This is kind of a personal thing to me. I don't like
bugs. 

Money is >>encrypted<< at the moment, plus you have a Coyote shaman
owing you a favour. If Lynch wasn't off playing flyboys I'd probably be
offering more because the Agency might be interested. Come to think of
it, if Lynch was here he wouldn't let me handle this one anyway.
Something about me being terminally insane. 

Can't think what he means <maniacal laughter>]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <19:27:32/06-10-57>

*****Private: Tai
>>>>>[I will be there.  What can you tell me about the other team 
members?]<<<<<
	--  Lyting <12:04:12 / 06-10-57>

*****Private:Joshaua
>>>>>[Well.  I just got back into town after finishing your job.  If you
have any more cakewalks like that one, send them to someone else.  I don't
need practice.  But, the job is done, and I've got my cred.  Goodbye.]<<<<<
	-- Blade <12:20:20/06-11-57>

*****Private:The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[Well, I'm back into town after my last job.  Humph, can't even call it
a job.  I've had meals that put up more of a fight.  Anyway, you said you
may need some muscle and "Chicago".  Sounds right up my alley.  Get in touch
with me and if you need help, I can give it.  No cost, since I know you're
just doing this for curiosity (are you _sure_ you're not a follower of
Cat?<g>) and I need the exercise.  It's been a while since I fought some
bugs.  Just drop me a line.]<<<<<
	-- Blade <12:22:22/06-11-57>

*****Private: Sith
>>>>>[I have the lay out for the warehouse and I have a schedule of the 
shift changes. The objective is to take out, that does not mean kill, all 
the guards in the building. We then need to find something in the warehouse 
to steal. The company does imports/exports so I am sure we can find 
something.

I am going to ask Gremlin to be around just in case something goes wrong. I 
may even bring Raven. Oops, I need to talk to you about Raven. :-)]<<<<<
	--  Warloc  <16:22:54/06-12-57>

*****Private:Gremlin
>>>>>[Hey Grem if you are not busy I might need some back up. Can you have a 
drone or two ready for tonight?]<<<<<
	--  Warloc  <16:24:23/06-12-57>

*****Private: Warloc
>>>>>[Figures you would call be while I am working on this Browse program. 
This better be good. So When do I get to meet this lady from the Tir you 
were talking about? And did you tell her about Raven? And have you told 
Raven about her?]<<<<<
	--  Gremlin  <16:26:42/06-12-57>

*****Private: Gremlin
>>>>>[Tonight. Maybe. If you can't behave yourself then you'll only get to 
see her through one of your drones. No I have not told either of them about 
the other. Sith is magi type though. So she shouldn't be too jealous, 
right?]<<<<<
	--  Warloc  <16:30:17/06-12-57>

*****Private: Warloc
>>>>>[Hahahahahahahahh.......]<<<<<
	--  Gremlin  <16:32:05/06-12-57>

*****Private: Warloc
>>>>>[Sounds good.  Who are these people, "Gremlin" and "Raven"?  I
like to know who I am operating with.]<<<<<
	--  Sith <20:15:23/06-12-57>

*****Private: Sith
>>>>>[Gremlin is a decker friend of mine I met when I first arrived in 
Seattle. We paired up. He is a Dwarven Decker, he is just learning how to do 
drones. I bought him his Rigger Wires.

Raven is a little more complicated. She is my Ally. I summoned her as a part 
of my Initiation into the Higher Circles. I don't like to take her into 
dangerous situations but this shouldn't be to rough. Anything else?]<<<<<
	--  Warloc <17:47:16/06-12-57>

*****Private: Warloc
>>>>>[Dwarves...  Mmmmmm.  How do you plan on utilizing his new skills
yet still safegaurding us from his abecedarian ways?  As to allies, I
find them...tasty.  Just keep her away from me, and we will do fine.
So just the two of us on physical penetration?  Good.  No one to leave
behind.]<<<<
        --  Sith <21:14:43/06-12-57>

>>>>>[Good day and evening to all.  I just wanted to say hi to the locals
who remember me and the new comers.  I have been on a long "sabatical"
studying the mutations in Africa.  It is quite surprising the plethera of
wildlife now indigenous after the rise of Mana.  
        Anyway, will talk to everyone later.  Goodbye.]<<<<<
	--  Shade <17:32:36 / 06-12-57>

*****INTERNAL: MCT Internal Communication
>>>>>[  FROM: Tetsiro Yoshi, Director of MCT Computer Security Services, 
	      Seattle
          TO: Roger Yamato, Director of Special Operations, UCAS

Sir, the intruder responsible for the Citadel incident has been eliminated.

"Excellent.  Was the team able to recover any of the funds that he stole from
 the Citadel clients?"

No sir.  The team can under heavy fire from a bodyguard the intruder had 
been utilizing.  They suffered two casualties, and the bodyguard escaped
with the corpse.

"Is the intruder confirmed dead?"

Looking at the camera footage, it would appear that the subject took several
submachinegun rounds to the torso before the bodyguard could respond.  Death
is estimated at 98% probability.

"Cancel the search for the bodyguard.  We cannot afford to let our involvement
become public.  The Citadel incident never happened.  Citadel is still 100%
effective in use.  Understood?"

Yes sir.  ]<<<<<
	-- MCT Internal Communication <11:35:45/06-14-57>

***** PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[Are you still alive out there or have you taken off for Chicago already?

If you do decide to run the guantlet, I'm interested in coming along.  I would
like to get a first hand look at what happened after the Pittsburg Incident.
Take care of yourself.  Sorry for being a bit out of touch lately.  Fortunately,
my day job really does fill a lot of my time.  Keeps me from becoming too
bored.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <16:44:05 / 06-14-57> 
	   Field Officer
	   Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: Nightmare
>>>>>[ +++++ Encryption: Alpha-Orange-Two

I dont expect you to see this in the near future.  But you may one day
find yourself back around these parts.  I might be taking a trip into
Chicago soon.  I dont exactly expect to come back.  If 1/2 the rumors are
true of the area, its a good bet that I'll die on the way in.  In the event
that this happens, I'd really like you to take care of the chips that
I recorded during the Pittsburgh Fiasco.  Do with them as you please.  I dont
think for a second that no one else knows I have the footage, but they have
not yet come forward in an attempt to retrieve them.  I've looked at them
a couple of times in the past few months.  I can still see how dead
Crashkit's eyes were when we found him.  Well, enough of that  --  They are
being stored in the warehouse.  The hottub has a few sets of false pipes
and tubing near the air jet motor.  Open it up, hit it with IR, and you'll
immediately know which ones to pull.  One chip is the raw footage, the other
set is a simulator ready version of the same.  The simulator version is -- not
something to be tried lightly.  If you give that to Tristiana, she will be
able to show you what to do with it.  I would suggest just destroying them.

Ill send you a confirmation message before I leave for Chicago.  If you recieve
none, I havent gone.

Say hello to everyone for me.  Tell Doomsday I said "Yes, I know, but I cannot
sit like a child.  I must do what I can to repay our debts".  He will know
what I mean.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <16:59:12 / 06-14-57>

*****PRIVATE: Trixie
>>>>>[ Hey hon, you want to go out to dinner tonight?  I know you've been
making yourself crazy with all of the wedding plans, and it'd be nice to 
have a night out to ourselves.. what do you say?  Your pick!  ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <13:21:24/06-14-57>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[Crazy isn't the word for it.

Can we make it an early dinner?  Mommacita is coming into town
tonight to work on wedding stuff with me.  Can she come along with us?  She'd
like to spend more time with you, ya know.]<<<<<
	-- Trixie <17:26:24 / 06-14-57> 

*****PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[  Sure, an early dinner sounds good.  Mommacita is more than welcome to
come along too .. how's 5:30 sound?  ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <13:56:01/06-14-57>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[Ok.  That sounds good.

I've been really craving ribs.  Meat!  like, the real stuff.]<<<<<
	-- Trixie <18:07:28 / 06-14-57> 

*****PRIVATE: Farmer
>>>>>[Wetwork, eh?  I will need to know more about my targets.  Any 
information you could provide me with would be most helpful.  Also, 
I would like to check with a few of my own resources.  I thought I 
should mention this up front, so you don't feel like I'm stepping on 
anyone's toes.  

I would also like to know what sort of opposition to expect.

Otherwise, I have no problem with taking this type of assignment.  
Thanks for the oppurtunity, by the way.]<<<<<
	--  Redemption  <14:40:28/6-14-57>  

*****PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[First: The data from my searches
+++++Include Name.list.dat

Secondly:  I recognized a few of those names from back in High School and
from the University of Chicago.  That's right, Quinn, I'm FROM Chicago.  BTW,
you won't find the reference to me going to the University of Chicago in my
file.

Thirdly, if you need any help I am willing to help...and I believe I can
convince Carl and Lis to help as well.  Hey, siblings stick together.

Fourthly, what's up with Lynch?  I haven't seen hide nor hair of him, since
the Maxim raid.

Fifth, I don't think you'd be up to actually changing your Time/date
stamp...as you'd have to continuously hack Ma Bell.  Some people think i
change mine out of arrogance, in fact it's really my fear of losing my edge
coming through.  I AM over 30 you know.]<<<<<
	-- Buzz (The one the Only...human Bee in the Matrix)

*****Private: Peter
>>>>>[ You still there? Do you want us to come get you soon? Can you arrange a
transport for yourself, something along the lines of a light APC, and
falsify the records to show a rigger assigned to drive it? What's the
excuse for you needing an APC? I leave that up to you, but this seems like
the easiest way to get you out with minimum bloodshed.

BTW, thanks for the bioware implant records, the bear shaman says they were
real helpful. Everything seems to be working again, this magic healing drek
was _fast_.]<<<<<
	--  Ronin  <20:24:58/06:14:57>

*****Private: Forte
>>>>>[ Are you available for the break-out of that weird Renraku decker kid,
Peter? If so, contact me soon.

On an unrelated matter, have you known Phobos long? I don't want to pry,
but do you know about this corporate trouble he mentioned? Is he likely to
need help? Remember, I owe him big time.]<<<<<
	--  Ronin  <20:26:34/06:14:57>

*****Private: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[ Hey, are you still out there? The Rat says he needs to start sucking
souls soon, he has to get ready for something. I asked him what, but he
just wouldn't answer. Do you know what the frag he's talking about? He also
says he is willing to come with you if and when you go into the source of
the madness, whatever the frag that means.]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <20:54:03/06:14:57>

*****PRIVATE: Redemption
>>>>>[Initiative is welcomed: use your own resources to gather data, but
cautiously. Your targets are extremely capable and may detect incautious
reconnaisance.

Your targets are operatives of a UCAS intelligence agency. This
organisation (the Strategic Intelligence Gathering Agency, SIGA)
supposedly *has* no operatives and is only an analysis outfit: therefore
opposition will be light, However, the targets are dangerous,
experienced and able. 

As if you could not guess, we wish you to kill Jason Lynch and Lilith
DiAnnio. Given their present travails, it will be easier now than
later.]<<<<<
	-- Farmer <00:30:32/06-15-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[Still here, still checking. So far we have about fifty people from
inside the CZ who seem to have vanished into thin air. I don't know that
we'll have to go into the Zone, but the camps for sure.

Pittsburg Incident? Hadn't heard of that one. Before my time, maybe?

If we gotta go, then we gotta, and all the help we could get would be
useful. Especially muscle with brains. A merc buddy of mine says he'll
come: if you know any other smart shooters, see if they want to tag
along.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <08:40:43/06-15-57>

*****PRIVATE: Buzz
>>>>>[From Chicago, huh? Could be handy. And I don't know how I'd start
to get your file, so no worries there. 

A field trip may be involved... and within limits all the help I can get
is welcome. 

Lynch is back in town, I think, but he's got Aztlan after him and they
bought InterPol so Drake's after him too. Hence, he's staying low. 

And don't worry about losing your edge... most of the really dangerous
people are past thirty, some by large margins. Age often translates to
experiece.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <08:50:13/06-15-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[Quinn? I'm off the case, and you watch your butt. 

I was running checks on those names, from the Pearson girl's apartment?
And last night, two guys turn up. Good suits, buzzcuts, mirror shades
(like, at ten o'clock at night?). They sit there and keep making pointed
remarks about how nice my house is, and what beautiful children I have. 

I ask them to get to the point, and they say they're here to protect me.
That my enquiries are putting myself and my family at risk, and they
want to keep me safe. And the less I ask, the safer I get.

They felt like spooks. I've heard rumours about some secret Agency that
uses brainwipes as muscle, and these guys fitted the profile. They
didn't show me any ID, and I don't think trying to track them is a good
idea. Call me a coward, but I have family to protect. They think I was
working alone, though. Now I guess it's up to you. I'll do what I can if
you need help, but it has to be low profile.]<<<<<
	-- Don Trenton <09:00:12/06-15-57>
           Centre for Disease Control

*****PRIVATE: Blade
>>>>>[Blade, this dead-girl business is starting to get seriously nasty.
One of my fellow investigators just got warned off by some unidentified
spooks - and he works for the CDC, so someone's either very arrogant or
very confident. 

I may need you to back me up going into - or at least very near - the
Zone after all.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <09:28:15/06-15-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[You need it, you got it.]<<<<<
	-- Blade <09:31:21/06-15-57>

*****PRIVATE: Squatter
>>>>>[The Rat and I need to talk. And yeah, I think he and I need each
other right now. 

I'd appreciate it if he did come with me, if - or as it looks more
likely when - I have to go do something.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <09:16:53/06-15-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[Remember that CDC guy I ran into? He just sent me this.

+++++include file: posting.txt

Looks like someone with clout wants people to stay away from this. Could
be getting nasty. If you want to back out, I won't mind.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <09:20:21/06-15-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[I haven't found a DAMN thing on those people that have vanished, since
they disappeared...No death certificates, no current retinal scans, No
current fingerprints, nothing, nada!  This worries me, someone/something with
A LOT of money/influence has to be involved.]<<<<<
	-- Buzz (The one the Only...Human Bee in the Matrix)

*****PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind, Blade
>>>>>[Okay. The names, IDs, retinas, fingerprints et cet of the
'missing' names haven't showed up at all. Plus some spooks feel cocky
enough to warn the CDC off investigating a leak out of Chicago. This, to
me, spells bad in a big way.

I'm going to go into the Calumet camp and see what was going on. If
necessary, that may mean I have to go into the Zone. 

If either of you want to come with me, I'd welcome the help. If not -
you especially, Jason, you have responsibilities - I understand
completely. If you know competent help who could come along with us,
even better. I wish Lynch or Lilith were back, they'd enjoy this.

If we have to go into the camps we're travelling light. I have contacts
who can position stuff inside the Zone if we need it, so that's not
quite so bad... as long as we live to make it to the cache, that is.
Damn, I hate bugs.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <21:07:41/06-16-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[You're crazy. I'm in. <g> 

You've seen my rifle, get something like that stashed in the cache in
case we need it.]<<<<<
	-- Blade <21:10:21/06-16-57>

*****PRIVATE: Buzz
>>>>>{Many thanks, Buzz. I owe you a favour as well as this.

+++++include credit transfer

This means I need to go into the camps, maybe into the CZ. So you may
never get to call the favour in... If not, tell Lynch that you were owed
a favour by Susan Elizabeth Rodriguez and he'll cover you.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <21:00:31/06-16-57>

*****Private: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[ The Rat is on its way to see you. Where are you two going? Will it be
dangerous? I would hate to lose my rat.]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <19:06:07/06:16:57>

*****PRivate: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[Are you going to need some help?  Gunny(Carl), Firefox(Lis), myself,
Bloodtooth, and Silent Running are willing to come along.  Lis is a mage, and
Bloodtooth is a follower of Wolf.  If one is going to come the other will
definitely go as well.  If you saw the footage from the Maxim Raid you
already know what Carl is...:)  Silent Running is a Major in the S-S Rangers,
whose specialty is tracking.  I am no slouch with heavy weaponry as well.
 Just give us a go if you need the help...we'll even do it for free...we hate
bugs as well.]<<<<<
	-- Buzz (The one the Only...Human Bee in the Matrix)

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher, Trax, Skuff
>>>>>[I need the following:

The lightest deck you can find.  Needs to be already calibrated for my 
jack and headware.  Must be totally self contained.  As much battery power
and you can manage.  Need a way to broadcast burst messages out.  I believe
that solar power might be out of the question, but, if you can get me cells
that arent too bulky / arent very heavy, do it.

Couple drone with a control interface that even I can use.  Thats your
department, Trax.  The point and clicks you made for me a couple years
ago (the mirror one, remember?) are about what I need.  Small.  Wanna be able
to get a camera out front so its no my ass that goes up in smoke.

Did I mention lots of battery power?

Recording unit with backup.  Sticky tack cameras that will feed short range
(couple hundred yards, tops) to the recording unit which I will carry.  Lots
of off-line storage.  Im not carrying enough in my head to handle the hours
of footage I expect to return with.

Medical Supplies.  5 kits, keep them light.  Range from snake bites to level
5 neurotoxins.

Skuff, I know you used to store up APDS rounds whenever we ran together.  
Will it be possible for me to buy some from you?  Couple clips at best
is all I need.  If you still have any of that C-12 (or even C-4 if thats all
you've got) I could use about 1/4 lb.  Give it to Trax, he will know what
to do with it.  Trax:  Same configuration as when I went to Pittsburgh.

Tremblers.  Need Tremblers and motion detectors.

Does anyone know if Serenity still has any claymore rigs left?

3 months vacation to whoever can score me an Ares Pulse Cannon (the one in
the latest Ares Weapon's Tech Spoiler).  And batteries.  Lots of batteries.

Dont ask, you dont want to know]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <14:43:21 / 06-17-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind, Trax, Neuron Basher
>>>>>[Even if we did get you one of those things, and I'll tell you
now, if I DID get one, YOU wont ever see it, YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO SHOOT IT!!

Now, before I get upset  --  Why?]<<<<<
	-- Skuff <14:45:19 / 06-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Skuff, Trax, Neuron Basher
>>>>>[You don't need to know how to shoot one, just point it and things
die.  Why do you think I carry a 40 rnd clip and a SMG?  You dont need
to aim them, you just pull the trigger and point the damned thing
in the general direction of whatever is pissing you off.  Spray and Pray!]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <14:47:45 / 06-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Skuff
>>>>>[I told you not to ask]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <14:47:31 / 06-17-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Tai, Easy
>>>>>[Jesus.  I hope I didn't frag your run.  I still don't have the 
hang of this terminal.  It's rented after all.

If the drek really hits the fan, and you need a hand, I'm in for free. 
If there is anything else I can do for either of you, or anyone on the 
team for that matter, contact me here.  

Hopefully we can come up with some way for me to make this up to you.
Apology accepted?]<<<<<
	--  Glaive  <09:20:15 / 6-17-57>

*****PRIVATE: Griffyn
>>>>>[ Jace is getting himself in deep to something ... again.  Check this
message he just sent me:

+++++include file: equipment-request

I'm going to try and nudge him in the direction of asking you for help on
this one, but you know how damned stubborn he can be. ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <13:50:41/06-17-57>

*****PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[ Christ, he's loading up for bear.  Any ideas at all what he might
be getting ready to get himself into here?  ]<<<<<
	-- Griffyn <13:55:20/06-17-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason Stormwind, Trax, Skuff
>>>>>[ The deck I can do.  As far as bursting out messages, what kind of 
countermeasures are you expecting?  Is a small sat uplink gonna be enough
to get you out to the matrix?  I'll have the deck put together by mid-day
tomorrow.  

Jace, what the hell is going on here?  You're loading up like your going on
a fraggin' safari.  Is Griff gonna go with you?  I know you two work well 
together, and even though you won't admit it, you're not superman.  ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <14:01:34/06-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Skuff, Trax, Neuron Basher
>>>>>[Safari.  Thats an interesting analogy.  I just hope I am the 
hunter, not the other way around.

Im heading into Calumet, and from there we might attempt to penetrate the
Containment Zone.  

As to what countermeasures?  Prolly the best Military CM's they can 
find.  I dont know if they are still surpressing transmissions, but I have
to assume the worse.  I cant count on being able to get a watcher out of
there to send a message, and I wont make the jump to astral space myself 
because I dont know what the background count will do to me.  Elementals do
not carry messages.  They get very pissy when you ask them to, so I dont.

This leaves me with two options:  Carry chips in and out, and hope what little
bit of radiation shield you can come up with will work.  Or, try to tight beam
the information off a sat uplink to someone back here or outside the CZ set
up to catch the info.  The problem with this is that it can be intercepted.

I dont know how light or how heavy I will be able to travel.  If I have
to go in without the suit, Im going to be sans recording gear and the 
spare battery packs the armor packs.

As it stands:  Armor, my dagger, my sword, the deck, camera + chips, battery
packs.  That might be the extent of what I can actually carry and still be 
able to defend myself physically.

Im not taking the SMG.  I might take a Taser in, and my side arm.  Im going to
use spells for food...takes up too much space.  Rad Suit...do I need one of
these?  Anyone know?]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <19:35:29 / 06-17-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Cybil
>>>>>[When last I spoke to you, you mentioned some hair brained idea about
going into Chicago.  What did you hope to get from the experience?]<<<<<
	-- Kor <21:15:07 / 06-17-57> 

*****PRIVATE: Buzz
>>>>>[So far this looks like it's going to be a smallish op - more than
three or four will start attracting too much attention. What I would
really like, though, is some backup near the edge of the Zone, either to
run interference or to come in and get us. You and your bros up for
that? I saw Gunny in action, I'd be glad to have him backing me up. And
weren't you the decker on the Nightglider team? 

You might not have to do it for free, either. I came into some serious
money a while ago and don't mind spending it on good causes.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <21:50:32/06-17-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[We can do backup; but, I will tell you, only having three or four
people on your team can be disasterous.  One of my friends, who was also on
the Maxim Raid, went into Chicago nearly a year ago.  He doesn't like to talk
about it, but he escaped from Chicago separately from the rest of his team.
 He got DAMN lucky.  Yes, i was the decker on the Nightglider team...Lynch
told me he owes me his life...but of course I don't plan on cashing in any
favors.]<<<<<
	-- Buzz (The one the Only...Human Bee in the Matrix)

>>>>>[Ahhhh, my ever useful leak inside InterPol has provided me with this
evening's entertainment.  Enjoy.

+++++ Include InterPol Communications/Helmet Camera Log

	CD: Commander Paul Drake
	SM: Sergeant Montoya
	JZ: Lt-Col Jose Zicahuata
	LSR: Lone Star Liaison Representative
	AK: Agent Kink
	ST:  Sergent Tagit

CD:  We've got to be missing something....

SM:  Boss?

CD:  We're handing Zicahuata back to his bosses.  Lynch said he was going
to kill him if we couldn't put him away, and I haven't known him to say
things he doesn't mean.  He's definately going to make a try for our
favorite Aztlan professional psychopath.  Now, how the frag do we stop
him - and don't say "we don't," Sergeant.

SM:  Boss, stop the fraggin preaching already.  I understand, and will do
my job.  Just don't expect me to not dance up a storm if Lynch nails
him.

CD:  Allright, Monty.  I'll lay off for a while, but I'll keep reminding
you from time to time too.  But I still have a feel that we're missing 
something....

SM:  If we are, I can't think of it.  You did the work, and us snipers
went over it and plugged the holes.  There's eight of us, however many
the Azzies brought - you gotta love the fact that they're supposed to be
"neutral" in this one - and 30 or so Lone Star cops to make sure things
stay neutral.  The rooftops, windows, buildings, everything's covered.

CD:  And if he goes for the more direct approach and doesn't snipe?

SM:  There's something more direct than a sniper rifle?  Ok, whatever....
If he moves on the ground, Kink, Crimson, and Long Arm are on overwatch,
with spotters, and the helo and drones are already on air patrol.

CD:  And the bomb sweeps?

SM:  The whole area's been swept twice already, and we're doing our last 
walkdown now.  Considering the area of effect, Lynch would need a
drekload of explosives to take Zicky down, and that would nail at least
20 non-targets.  Sure, he doesn't give a flying frag about the Azzy reps,
but a bomb still isn't in his profile.

CD:  Agreed.  Glad to see you read his file.

SM:  Naturally.  I read the fragger every which way but loose.  Too bad
we can't get him and make him a cop.  Desert Wars at fourteen,
cybersoldier at 16, he'd make one fraggin awesome Special Branch cop....

CD:  No drek, but I don't have a fraggin clue as to how to do it.  If
there were just a few more holes in my orders....

SM:  Yeah.  Well, we're set.  The area's secure for two blocks around the 
exchange zone.  Lone Star's in position, Aztlan ETA 11 minutes, and
we're on site in three.  Zicky's still breathing, unfortunately.

CD:  And I still have this feeling that we're missing something....

<pause>

+++++ Engage Video

(Commander Drake and Zicahuata are sitting in the back of a Black Mariah 
prisoner transport:  the view is from Drake's helmet camera.  Zicahuata's 
hands are cuffed in front of him and and he's wearing the bright yellow 
prison fatigues).

SM:  We're here, boss.  No sign of intrusion, Astral or otherwise.  All
secure as far as we can tell.  Long Arm, Kink, and Crimson report
explosive ammo loaded and weapons free.

CD:  Right.  Let's get this the frag over with.

JZ:  I look forward to when Lynch sits here, and I wait there to collect
him, Commander.  (Zicahuata smiles to himself).

CD:  Shut the frag up, Lieutenant-Colonel.

JZ:  Oh, Commander.  Why are you so touchy about doing your duty?

CD:  Monty, if he says another fraggin word, the prisoner slipped and
fell getting to his feet. 

SM:  My pleasure, boss.

JZ:  Threats again, Commander?

CD:  Jose, Lynch told me he was going to kill you.  You wouldn't want me
to be so amused by your repartee that I let him slip past me, would you?
I didn't think so.

(Drake glances at a magazine of APDS-Explosive rounds, raps it on his
heel to settle the cartridges, locks it into his AK-98 and chambers the
first round.  Zicahuata looks like he was about to say something, but
stays quiet).

LSR:  Aztechnology reps in position.  My guys covering.  Explosive check
clean, nothing out here but ammo.  Anytime, InterPol.

CD:  Move it, Jose.

(The rear hatch of the APC opens, dirty sunlight leaking in:  Drake
climbs out, looking around.  Across the street are three Aztechnology
Citymasters and a dozen or so uniformed Leopard Guards.  Scattered about
are Lone Star troops in full combat gear, and Drake has several InterPol
agents around their APC.  The roofs have several snipers with various
sniping rifles covering the exchnage ground.  Everyone regards everyone
else tensely, then Zicahuata stands beside Drake.)

JZ:  Let us get on with it, Commander.

(Drake nods once, and Zicahuata begins to walk across the street towards
the Aztechnology group.)

CD:  Wait a sec.... 30 plus Lone Star guards.....  DREK!!!

(As Zicahuata approaches one of the Lone Star troops, the policeman
raises his tinted visor and stares directly at Drake for a moment:  the
Star trooper is pale-skinned, lean under the bulk of armour and weapons,
and his eyes are a piercing dark grey.)

CD:  ZICAHUATA, DOWN!  SNIPE THE LS COP! 

(As Drake brings the rifle to his shoulder, many things happen at once:
the policeman punches Zicahuata twice in the chest, as white smoke boils
up and hides the street from view.  You hear automatic gunfire and
screams from inside the smoke.)

CD: Track him!

SM:  Trying! Smoke's hot. Tagit, go US!

ST:  Roger. Ultrasound - FRAGGIT! Jammed!

(Bullets rip into the wall by Drake, some ricocheting off the APC.  The
smoke ahead of him is suddenly lit with a orange-yellow glare, as a dull
concussion knocks the Commander back some, but not over.)

CD:  Where the frag did he go?

LSR:  I got no track and three men down!

SM:  No track, sir.

ST:  Sonofaslitch!  No track, boss.  Clean break.

CD:  Drones?

SM:  Ziv's in destruction shock again, sir.  Drone's down.  Helo says no
contact.

CD:  How about astral?

SM:  HQ says a spirit kept overwatch too busy to track him.

CD:  Fraggit all.

(Drake rises from his crouch to his feet and looks around as the gunfire
dies away and the smoke begins to clear.  Across the street, several
Leopards are down and recieving attention, one of their APCs burning
sullenly.  The area is thinly carpeted with glittering shreds of chaff.
and a man in yellow fatigues lies on his back in the middle of the
street.  Drake walks up to him, looking down:  Zicahuata has been stabbed
twice in the chest and once in the side of the head, the wet bloodstains
spreading and a skull-pommeled knife still jutting from his cranium.)

CD(under breath):  Fraggit, Lynch, Aztlan was probably going to save you
the trouble.  Had to be a fragging dramatist.

LSR(running up, breathing hard):  Drake, your men okay?

CD:  Fine, no serious casualties.  Your men?

LSR:  Three down, one bad.  All where the Leopards got triggerhappy.  
Commander, I vetted every one of those men myself, I don't know how-

CD:  We're dealing with a professional, Joe.  He's good at this.  Does it
for a living.

(Drake is still staring down at Zicahuata's corpse, shaking his head
slowly.)

LSR:  I've got an ambulance coming.

CD:  Forget it. All this guy needs is a coroner.  And get me forensics on
that knife.

LSR:  I've seen something like that before...

CD:  Movies and comic books, Joe.  Lynch likes John Woo and, apparently,
the Phantom too.

LSR:  Well, at least we get to close off a few dozen files as 'suspect 
deceased.'  Makes a change.

CD:  Don't you start with me too.

LSR:  And don't you drek me, Drake.  We both know who this guy was and
what he did, and I'm buying for my men tonight because today someone did
what both our bosses kept us from doing months ago.  Now we got to hunt
"the evil killer of the noble Colonel Zichuata".  Okay.  But personally
I'm looking for the guy with all the enthusiasm and vigour I was allowed
to use when I was cleaning up Laughing Boy's messes here.  It goes
around, now it comes around.

CD:  Just do your job, Joe.

LSR:  If we'd done our jobs in the first place, Drake, this wouldn't have
had to happen. (He turns on his heel, walks away.  After an instant,
Drake follows and catches up with him, reaching out and stopping him.)

CD:  Here, Joe, take this and invite my guys along too.  Buy them a
round or two, ok?  

LSR:  You sure?

CD:  Just keep my name out of it.  Just because I have to be a cold-cast 
titanium sonofaslitch doesn't mean I can't agree with you a little bit.

LSR:  Ok, Paul.

CD:  Thanks.

SM:  Boss?

CD:  Monty, call in a meatwagon and start a walkdown for forensics.

+++++ End InterPol Communication/Helmet Video Log +++++ ]<<<<<
	--  Trideo Pirate <20:01:27/06-17-56>

*****PRIVATE: Buzz, Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[Buzz, I know what you mean, but we're not going direct into the
Zone and there's a good chance (shyeah, right) that we may not have to
cross the Wall at all. We're starting undercover in one of the refugee
camps... and a group of seven or eight fit, tough, heavily-armed
magical/cyber types won't exactly pass unnoticed. 

But it's dangerous in there. Which is why having some serious (and well-
armed) talent close to the wall would make me feel a lot safer. Getting
in and out past the Army... well, that's the time when you risk using
magic, and then you make sure the guards *don't* see you but *do* see
any bugs you just woke up. They'll have bigger guns than us :)]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <18:57:42/06-18-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[Quinn? Don. 

You wanted to get yourself, maybe some others, into Calumet Three, well,
I managed it. I can set up a transfer for three, maybe five people - a
family group? - from another holding camp. Three's one of the worst, you
get sent there for escape attempts, That helps you, right? You want to
be in there but seen to be trying to get out. If it's a pipeline that
makes you good recruitment material.

+++++include files: transfer_authorisations.dat

That's in case I can't do it myself: a half-decent decker should be able
to customise those as necessary. 

Those spooks are still hovering and nobody seems to know who they are.
I've sent Joan and the kids home, back to Olympia. If they want to get
me, they do it direct. I have a bad feeling about this.

I'm scared. If anything goes wrong, I rigged up a couple of cameras, so
you might be able to see what happened to me. I don't think anyone knows
I talked to you, but be careful anyway.]<<<<<
	-- Don Trenton <18:45:15/06-18-57>
           Centre for Disease Control 

*****PRIVATE: Sasha
>>>>>[Howdy there, tovarisch :) I need some help and to buy some
weapons. I'd ask Lynch but he's still out of town. Besides, what he
doesn't get from the Agency he gets from you. 

I may be going into Chicago. Unfortunately, if it comes to that I'm
doing it via a refugee camp. So, I need some firepower that's majorly
nasty to the target, yet still hideable. Any suggestions?]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <19:28:31/06-18-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[Other than that antique cannon you call a pistol? But I understand
you not want to lose classic old weapon. Also Model 29 is big gun, hard
for small woman to hide.

Probably best is machine pistol, Ares Viper if you wanted to be stealthy
or a Guardian if you don't care about quiet. I have some of both. For
friend of Lynch, cheap. But why magician Quinn wanting big gun?]<<<<<
	-- Sergei N. Rusanov <19:31:06/06-18-57>

*****PRIVATE: Sasha
>>>>>[Both. With spare clips and lots of ammo, Explosive ammo. That
nuclear EX stuff. And good holsters. Get your armourer to port them
both, I've tried stock Guardians and they had more muzzle climb than I
liked. I'll be round to collect later tonight.

As to why... you big dumb Commie lunkhead, we're talking the Containment
Zone, you can't throw magic around. A lot of the bugs are asleep. Magic
wakes them up. And they wake up *hungry*. How do you say "this is a
really really bad thing" in Russian?]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <19:36:52/06-18-57>

*****PRVIATE: Jason Stormwind
>>>>>[ Okay, I've got that deck pretty much ready to go.  It's pretty small,
about 10"x10" and 2" deep.  It's got as much memory as I could squeeze into
it, and a parallel CPU setup that I've been using for a little while.  I
calibrated the dataport to sync up with your jack, and added a high-speed
external bus for the offline storage that you wanted.  Oh, and the case is
armored.  Don't lose this thing.  You can pick it up from my locker at the
office.  Combination >>encrypted<<.

As for the offline storage, I went modular with them. 3"x3" and 1" deep
plates.  Each one is good for >>encrypted<< Mp and I've got two of them
ready to go.  I can have you about a half a dozen more in a couple of days,
if you've got that long..

Last, have you talked to Griff yet?  You know, I'd go with you myself, 
but I'd be more worried about what Tris would do to me when I got out
than of the bugs in there.. ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <17:42:32/06-18-57>

>>>>>[Looking to hire a decker to do a couple of background checks for 
me.  Contact me here if you are interested.]<<<<<
	--  Redemption  <15:09:34 / 06-18-57>

*****PRIVATE: Redemption
>>>>>[Hoi, chummer!  Hear you're lookin' for a decker.  Think I may be able
to help.  My fees are 100Y per check, 500Y for yak or maf, double for corps.
Corp execs or Mafia Dons 'll run ya 2000Y.  Tellestrian employees I do free
of charge(don't ask).  So?  Ya still interested?]<<<<<
	-- Dark Falcon <22:52:08/06-18-57>

*****Private: Redemption
>>>>>[No matter what you may have heard, I'm a decker, and I'm interested.]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <19:27:40/06:18:57>

*****Private:Redemption

>>>>>[Do you know a good deckmeister? If so, I can do your check for
nothing other than getting to talk to hime/her/it/other.

Oh, and if you tell my anyone about me, you'll find a host-mobile pice
of black IC all over you whenever you do anything.]<<<<<
	-- Led Pirton <18:22:16/6-18-57>
	Software Coding Division
	CyberTech MatrixWare Inc., A subsidairy of CyberTech Inc.

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[Keep churning them out as you have the time.  Ill take what
you have when we decide to leave.  I dont know what my window is 
going to be just yet.  Im not on point on this one.

And, no, I didnt talk to Griff.  No need to.  He would only want to come
along and then I would have to worry about his ass when the shit hits the
fan.  Dont need that type of pressure on my head.  Besides, I need
you guys on the outside to come and get my native american ass out of the
fire.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <13:19:02 / 06-19-57> 

***** PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[Shopping list:  Minigrenade launcher, 3 clips of bio-active smoke. 1 clip
of tear gas.  1 suit of Light Security Armor, sealed.  Ill be bringing my
own helmet.  If you can, make sure the coolant is charged and ready to go.
Water.  If you can manage to get me 2 clips of APDS for a HK-97, and the 97 to
put them in, great.  Would save me the time and effort of humping it in myself.

I might think of more in the next couple of days before we leave.

What is our current lineup?]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <13:21:14 / 06-19-57>

>>>>>[I just had an article of news passed to me by a 'concerned friend'
of its subject. 

"I read this, and it feels... odd. Too neat, too slick. I don't know who
the 'friends' were - nobody I knew - but Donny seemed fine to me.
Worried about something, but business, not personal. And he and Joan
were happy, I was over for dinner last week. This smells bad.
Something's wrong. Can you try and find out what?"

+++++begin news item
SUICIDE IN SNOHOMISH
Donald E. Trenton, 47, was found hanging in the back garden of his
Snohomish home by a concerned neigbour late last night. Trenton,
employed by the Centre for Disease Control, was pronounced dead at the
scene. Trenton was said by friends to have been experiencing marital and
personal difficulties: his wife, vacationing outside the Metroplex with
the couple's two children, could not be reached for comment. Lone Star
said the death was not being treated as suspicious.
+++++end news item]<<<<<
	-- NewsWatcher <01:13;13/06-19-57/>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[Even though your job offer seems to have fallen through, thank you
for the money you lent me. 

+++++include credit transfer: Y3,000

It helped keep me going long enough to get work, so I can pay you back
at last. Once again, thank you.]<<<<<
	-- Easy <21:10:21/06-19-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind, Blade, Buzz And Friends
>>>>>[Well, this is the last fifteen minutes or so of Don Trenton's
life. Does anyone know who the killer was? I cut and spliced a bit, but
the originals are there for anyone who wants them

+++++begin video
The videotape is monochrome and grainy, from a cheap camera hidden in a
corner of a house's hallway. There is no sound. You recognise Trenton as
he walks towards his front door, checking the peephole and then freezing
for a long moment, before he slowly opens the door and backs away from
it, hands in the air.

Coming in is a slim figure, aiming a suppressed Ingram 20t at Trenton:
dressed in biker leathers and face hidden by a black scarf, long pale
hair escapes from the cloth. 

It turns out to be a young and painfully beautiful Elven girl, as she
uses her left hand to unwind the scarf (which looks like silk, you
notice) as she keeps the CDC man covered, saying something: he shrugs.
She gestures with the SMG and he turns and walks into the living room.

The view jerks to there, another of the cheap cameras filming as Trenton
kneels, crossing his ankles, and laces his fingers behind his head. The
girl carefully frisks him, keeping the Ingram pressed to the nape of his
neck, finding two pistols and pocketing both before stepping back:
Trenton rises and moves to the couch, sitting on his hands.

The girl walks to the liquor cabinet and pours four highball glasses
full of Scotch - her hands shake slightly as she puts the bottle down -
and brings the first over to Trenton. For some minutes they appear to
converse as he drains each in turn, consuming over half a bottle of
Scotch and the girl removing each glass from his reach as he drains it.

They talk for a few minutes more, after he finishes the last glass: she
lights a cigarette, hands it to him, and they sit in silence as he
smokes it. Trenton appears to be weeping, but it's hard to tell on the
grainy film. Stubbing out the cigarette on his shoe, he rises to his
feet, and he and the Elf exchange a few last words: then he turns his
back on her and kneels, and she takes his head in her hands and makes
one, casual, almost effortless movement. Trenton's hands flutter and his
feet drum on the carpet, then he is still.

The girl examines his body dispassionately for a few seconds, then
checks the pulse: satisfied, she drags him through a door and out of
view. Returning a few minutes later, she walks briskly through the
living room... slowing and turning, as though something was calling
softly to her, she moves as though drawn towards the half-full bottle of
Scotch still sitting on the liquor cabinet. 

Extending one gloved hand, she takes it, slowly bringing the open bottle
toward her face, inhaling deeply: eyes closed, she shudders slightly,
and then suddenly she is a blur of motion for an instant. The view
settles on her shaking violently and the shards of glass and splashes of
whisky on the far wall where she hurled the bottle to shatter. 

She reaches down and clutches her Ingram as though for protection,
hugging it to her chest and closing her eyes for a few long seconds,
then she takes one deep breath, winds the black silk around her head
again, and moves out of view.
+++++end video

Okay. An alcoholic (albeit on the wagon) Elven razorgirl,who's as strong
as a Troll and knows how to make a murder look like suicide. Someone's
gotta know who she is. Anyone know who to ask?]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <21:00:12/06-19-57>

***** PRIVATE: Easy
>>>>>[I didnt mean for the offer to go by the way side.  The office says
that we never recieved information about your acceptance of the offer to
have your ware's adjusted.  I believe it to be a failure to communicate
between all of the branches involved.

Again, I am sorry.  

I believe your talents are far too suited for work in the shadows and that
working on our side of the law would bore you quickly.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <21:52:41 / 06-19-57> 
	   Field Officer
	   Serenity Security

*****PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[ Preliminary cleaning of the vid sent to you from Quinn:

+++++include: ElfGirl.pic1
+++++include: ElfGirl.pic2
+++++include: ElfGirl.pic3

I've enhanced them about as good as they're going to get.  If you need
a specific detail brought out, let me know. 

Oh, and you're welcome. ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <18:09:58/06-19-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind, Blade, Buzz And Friends
>>>>>[Uh... okay. Mr Stormwind, you do know we're starting off passing
ourselves as reluctant refugees from the Zone who got thrown into
Calumet 3? I can probably get all this, but you got to understand I'm
not a Johnson, and this stuff is kind of expensive. And it definitely
won't help us look like we belong there, or need help to get out, or
anything like that. I'm really hoping we don't end up any nearer the
Zone than the refugee camps. 

I'll ask around on the armour and the Hockler. The thumper, no problem,
a MGL-6 is pretty easy to hide and I know where I can get one right now.

Lineup so far is you, me and Blade. Buzz, Gunny and some friends might
come. We might manage to pass as some kind of family group, with the
paperwork Don got me. Buzz, can you tweak it up as needed? I guess at
the least that you and Gunny are in, the rest of your clan... I don't
know, I'm worried about the numbers (though not their abilities). 

And, by the bye, you did notice someone offed that nice man from the
CDC? It wasn't suicide, he was killed. Some Elf razorgirl snapped his
neck like a toothpick. I have the video from his house. The someones who
sent her, also bought off the cops (no autopsy necessary for a suicide). 
His wife and the kids are scared as hell in case they're next.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <20:27:51/06-19-57>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[Thanks, you knew I was going to ask.  

Looks like Easy to me.  Wasteful.  She's good.  I just wish I could have
had her with us.  I hate seeing talent like that go to waste but I
dont think that she would have fit in with us as well as I would have liked.

Maybe in a couple of years...when she has had some time to see what it feels
like to feed yourself, build her confidence.

Now, the quandry  --  Turn her in, or let it slide?  Im opting for let it slide
right now.  KE would only torture her until she broke, LSS would mind rape
her until she broke.  She's too good of a resource.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <00:23:32 / 06-20-57> 

***** PRIVATE:  The Mighty Quinn, Buzz
>>>>>[I can put some people on it to see if we can get a positive ID on the
perp if you need it.  How important is this to you?

To be honest, I've no friends in the CDC, but I am curious who is behind
all of this.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <00:27:14 / 06-20-57>

***** PRIVATE: Easy
>>>>>[You got time to talk?]<<<<<
	-- Kor <00:28:11 / 06-20-57>

***** PRIVATE: Trax
>>>>>[Can the drones.  Im not going to be able to pack in anything that will
put me out of profile.  We are going to go with camera and recording chips
and we will review the footage later.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <00:43:32 / 06-20-57>

***** PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn, Blade
>>>>>[I can hump most of that in without trouble.  I already have the launcher
and the rounds suggested.  Ill carry my LSS special instead of the AK.  I
can outfit myself.  I was under the impression we were going to go in light
and have someone inside outfit us.  Speaking of which, is there anything
you and...Blade need, let me know.  I have a couple toys stashed away.  One
of the advantages to having an IN with KE and Ares Armament.

What is the point of intrusion so I know what to bring?]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <00:48:39 / 06-20-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn, Jason R. Stormwind, Blade
>>>>>[I should be able to tweak the paperwork to our needs.  What are the
particulars as to the background?  If it is some sort of transfer, I might be
able to pass the extras as guards.  Gunny could get Mr. Stormwind's
equipment...for a fee....:)  I think it would be best if I didn't go in as
part of the main group...I'm not THAT great with heavy weapons.  Bloodtooth
and Silent Running, or Gunny,  would probably be the best ones to go in as
part of the family.  Both Bloodtooth and Silent Running are magically
active...and you are going to need combat and detective abilities, which they
are better suited for.  Dracon Daimyo might be able to tell who the Elf in
the pics is.]<<<<<
	-- Buzz (The one the Only...Human Bee in the Matrix)

*****Private: Easy
>>>>>[ A little Rat tells me you should watch out for the employers for your
latest job. Seems they discard their tools quite readily.]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <22:18:54/06:19:57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>{I don't demand excitement, just organisation, from an employer.
And what gave you the idea any of my 'ware needs adjustment? I don't
have all the mods I'd like, but everything I have works. One reason I'm
so broke is that I don't skimp on the maintenance. 

But no matter what, thank you very much for helping me when I was down.
I will not forget that.]<<<<<
	-- Easy <23:55:13/06-19-57>

***** PRIVATE: Easy
>>>>>[There are some things that I cannot mention, and some things that I can.
I still think you might have a place for odd jobs should the need arise.  You
can rest assured that your name still stay in the special databases for 
quite sometime.

As to what gave me the idea that your wares were...in need of 'tweeking'?  
You shake.  Im sure you have noticed the twitching.  Thats very indicative of
being tuned a little to high for normal society.  Its not as dangerous in
the shadows but as a field officer, if you can't keep it under control, it
might come back to bite you / us in the ass later.  I know the symptoms.  I
was once tricked out too high as well.  I can afford the best now, so I use
them.  As do all of our people.

Lets just say I have a soft spot in my heart for a pretty girl.  If you need
adjustments, I will give you the name of my bio-tech at Chiba.  Its pricey
for some, but I think we can afford to trade a retainer contract with you for
some portion of his fees.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <14:14:21 / 06-20-57> 
	   Field Officer
	   Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE:  Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[Oh, you cant say BLACK OPS.  Well, I can, and I know what you are doing.

You can fool some of the people some of the time, but I've known you too long
not to see that you have been slowly building your own private little
army.  I doubt anyone else is fooled by the fact that Serenity "Security" 
packs as much fire power, as a whole, as, lets just say, any two
random platoons of UCAS Grunts.  And they are as well equiped.  I've seen
the equipment stores lists.  I've seen what prices Ares is giving you on
vehicles, armor, armaments.  For the contracts we are currently taking, we
dont need that type of stuff.]<<<<<
	-- Skuff <14:14:22 / 06-20-57>

***** PRIVATE: Skuff
>>>>>[No, I can't say Black Ops, but if I want to compete with the rest of 
the SecProv's in Seattle, I / We need an edge.  That edge comes in street
contacts, corp contacts, AND shadow contacts.  Knowing whats happening where,
and to whom is what got us to were we are now.  Knowing where to go to put in
face time is what will get us by in the future.

I've known for a long time that I would be accused of creating a private army,
that's why I no longer handle hiring.  I bring people to the office and leave
it at that.  If they can't pass the background checks, the psych profile, or
any of the other battery of test they have to go through BEFORE they start
training, they aren't hired.  I can not / will not influence that.

Sure, the thought had crossed my mind -- Neuron Basher, Priest, Trixie, and
even yourself make a formidable Matrix intrusion team.  Merrox running 
over-watch.  I doubt there are too many things that would stand to a concerted
effort from that group.  GoD, Griffyn, myself, Alpha, Tarsha for MagSup or
simply intrusion.  Again, another formidable team.  Akira, Tamlyn, Omega, Ivan
and the Troll (I can never remember his name) make up the physical 5 man team.
And then there is the host of non-senior staff that are as good or better
than some of the original members.  Yes, there is a reason we hire people 
out of the shadows.  A good reason.  They know what to expect when someone
is making a run against a target we are guarding because they have spent
hundreds of man-hours planning assaults.  And the tricks they don't know, we
teach them.  We teach both side of "the law".  Makes for a well rounded 
individual and more pro-active officer.

Other agencies sit on thier lazy hoops and wait for something to happen.  A 
bell to go off so they can react like a Pavlovian hound.  We dont.  We wont.
And we never have.

You've hit on the very reason why I do not call on the others when I have
outside contract work to be done.  I know the potential there, and it 
scares even me.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <14:49:59 / 06-20-57>

*****PRIVATE: Skuff
>>>>>[ He's got a point .. keeerist, the kinds of things we could do to poor,
unsuspecting systems if you, me, Trix, Priest, and Merrox got together does
kinda baffle the mind.  Just a little.  Maybe we're in the wrong business. 
Hah. <g>]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <12:06:11/06-20-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormind
>>>>>[ Okay, you won't take Griff with you.  I didn't actually think you
would, but it was at least worth a shot.  Will you at _least_ let us set
up an extraction team that can pull you out of there once you .. errr ..
I mean, if you get yourself into trouble? ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <12:10:23/06-20-57>

>>>>>[Uh... hello? Uh... Is anyone there? Uh... Hi? Um... I'm looking for   
a job. Um... does anyone know who I should contact?]<<<<<
	--  Phred <09:17:13/06-20-57>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[I am afraid of being drek home to where I live, if you knwo what
I mean.  I would rather hire outside talent to run extraction than to have
a lucky camera get a glimps of one of our choppers or transports coming 
in low over a Military Target.

Head-lines read:  Serenity Security Gunships spotted over Calumet Park, Il.
"In a daring assult on a Military Encampment, Serenity Security, based out
of Seattle, alledgely kills 50 in attempt to free Insects.  Teressa Jackson,
Press Secretary for Serenity said 'You must be mistaken, we would never
authorize such an action'.  When confronted with images of 3 of their key
personel she quickly changed her story to 'Im sorry, I have no further comment'.
Jason Stormwind, Founder of both Industrial Sound and Magic, and entertainment
and law enforcement training leader, and Serenity Security could not be
reached for comment.  Rumor has it that he was injured in the assault which,
as started before, killed 50 innocent Military personel.  This reporter feels
that it serves him right."

Either way, its too dangerous to send in more than a couple of people.  I think
we have a better chance at getting in and out quietly.  If it does get noisy,
I think is better to have local talent making the noise.  That way, I can walk
away with no regrets.

You've seen the cover story.  Feel more than free, say even, compelled to
offer your services to Buzz to make sure we are as tight as we can 
get on that.  If you have any suggestions  --  that goes for all of you  --
to equipment, let me know.  Im not going in without the sword or the 
dagger, thats certain.  I've been face to face with Invae before, and, well,
my magics were nearly useless.  And that is something I regret ever having
to say.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <16:26:48 / 06-20-57> 

*****PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[Time to talk? For you, sure. When and where?]<<<<<
	-- Easy <17:57:43/06-20-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[Ah, I see what you mean now. Yes, a reflex trigger is on my
shopping list, for the reasons you suggest. 

I'd appreciate your Chiba contract, though I'll pay my own way when I
can afford to. A girl should have an objective in life. 

And thank you, also, for keeping me on file.]<<<<<
	-- Easy <18:10:22/06-20-57>

*****PRIVATE: Squatter
>>>>>[Thanks for the warning, but I was expecting that anyway, and I
know how to handle this sort of situation. If I didn't, I wouldn'd have
put myself into it. And the money was worth the risk, and the cred
didn't bounce. All in all, a good few days' work.]<<<<<
	-- Easy <18:11:14/06-20-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[To be honest, I don't think that razorgirl is important. Even if I
found her and persuaded her to talk, I'd bet all she knows is a bland-
faced Johnson hired her. Infuriating, but that's life and death in the
shadows for you.

As for the kit, yeah, go in light and have a cache in the Zone was
always my plan. Neither of us use anything particularly exotic, and a
friend of a friend who runs a merc outfit and has an end-user
certificate takes care of what I need. 

Point of entry will be via prisoner transport into Calumet 3. We have
some low-profile support on this: we can get bussed in as refugees, but
don't expect the guards on the Wall to let us past unmolested. Once in,
we're doing low-profile stuff and seeing what's happening.

I'm making some deals on an emergency get-our-ass-outta-here backup
plan, too, but I don't know if all the pieces will be available.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <17:59:43/06-20-57>

***** PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[Let me know what you can scrounge up.  I've had more offers than I 
care to count of assistance.

Ill equipt myself.  There was mention of posing as a body guard.  Is that
still an option?  I already have a suit picked out.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <22:31:57 / 06-20-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Easy
>>>>>[Tonight?  I'll be finishing up some prep work for a summoning tonight
and will be famished.  What do you think about a late dinner.  Misha's?]<<<<<
	-- Kor <22:31:59 / 06-20-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Dark Falcon
>>>>>[How much for government agencies?  

I need all the information you can dig up on a group called SIGA.

I also need all the info you can dig up on a someone or something 
known as "Farmer"  I think it represents a corp or at least a group of 
individuals.  Look into it for me.

I'll send half your nuyen now, half later.

*****include credit transfer

Get this back to me as soon as possible, I think I might be able to 
prevent a tragedy.]<<<<<
	-- Redemption  <17:57:42/6-20-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Squatter
>>>>>[This information I need you to get for me must stay totally 
hush-hush.  Lives may depend on it.  Especially mine.

I need information on two individuals.  Get back to me ASAP about cost 
and time frame.  I need this info stat.]<<<<<
	--  Redemption <18:00:12/6-20-57>

*****PRIVATE: Led Pirton
>>>>>[I am not interested in hiring you at this time.  If anything 
comes up in the future, I will let you know.

Your threats are worthless.  I will handle my dealings with you as I 
do with anyone else.  As a professional.  You won't be betrayed by me, 
chum.]<<<<<
	--  Redemption <18:05:07/6-20-57>

*****PRIVATE: Buzz, Jason R. Stormwind, Blade
>>>>>[Guards I doubt - we're dealing with inmates, the guards might get
stripped off. Can't see them being invited to escape :) The background
is a group of persistent escape-attempters - which fits a pretty tough
team well, now I think about it. Duuuhhh.... I am so *stupid*...

+++++include video clip: Elmer Fudd turns into a jackass, brays, turns
back into Elmer.

Gunny and and Silent Running probably best for the team, takes us up to
five which is a nice number. Mr Stormwind and I are magicians already,
and magic's usually a bad idea inside the Zone. It's downright alarming
what comes out of the woodwork after one decent spell, and as for
calling a spirit... But I can shoot things, stab things and kick the
shit out of things if necessary. I didn't used to be a very good
magician, so I learned to be competent anyway, then all of a sudden the
spells started working. 

Stormy, you a hermetic or a shaman? You all know I follow Coyote's lead?
And SR is a physad, right? Blade's a cybermonster and I guess Gunny is
too. Any special preferences for people's weaponry? I can set up small-
arms in a cache inside the Zone. Top floor of the Sunseeker Holiday
Company's offices, near Jeffreys and 106, according to my buddy, in what
used to be the elevator machinery. All fronted by me - I might need it
myself sometime later anyway - and a SPAS-22 for me and a M-22 for Blade
is there already, plus a few other goodies. 

The Elf is a relatively low priority, but if Dracon Damiyo (boy, another
familiar name) can ID her that might come in handy. I doubt she knows
the why, though, or even much of the who, of the assassination she
performs. If she knew much they'd have killed her too.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <00:03:21/06-21-57>

*****PRIVATE: Redemption
>>>>>[ Cost? Modest, but I would like future work as well, so the low cost
reflects an investment rather than me being to pathetic to be worth your
while. I suppose about 50 nuyen for a simple check, 500 if I expect to meet
deadly opposition. Has to be cash though, and I mean _cash_, not certified
sticks, not bearer bonds, not corp scrip, but good old cash nuyen. Payment
doesn't have to be fast, since I realise cash is hard to come by these
days.

Time frame is too variable really. I can do numerous checks on ordinary
types in a hurry, but if we're talking secure databases, I have to do it
all myself. I'm fast though, compared to others.]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <11:43:46/06:20:57>

*****Private: The MIghty Quinn
>>>>>[ Have you seen my rat? What happened as a result of that Chicago thing?
Where did everybody go?]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <17:51:03/06:20:57>

*****Private: Peter
>>>>>[Peter? Are you there, chummer? If you don't answer soon, we're coming to
get you anyway, assuming you've been discovered.]<<<<<
	--  Ronin  <17:59:23/06:20:57>

*****Private: Forte, Phobos
>>>>>[Are either of you in town? I could use some help on a rescue attempt of
that decker kid, Peter. He hasn't been answering my queries, which worries
me. I may have to move soon.]<<<<<
	--  Ronin  <18:00:54/06:20:57>

>>>>>[Deckers? Want some cash? You have to penetrate... a quite secure corp to
get it. Contact me.]<<<<<
	--  Ronin  <18:03:07/06:20:57>

*****PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[I'll see you there. I'm buying.

Damn, it feels *good* to say that.]<<<<<
	-- Easy <00:15:23/06-21-57>

*****Private: Streetwolf
>>>>>[Um...Mr. Streetwolf...sir? I think someone gave me your name...um.   
I'm looking for work as an...um...mage for hire? Someone told me you were   
a mage and weren't doing anything right now...or something like that? And   
something about not liking bugs...what ever that mean. I'm OK with some   
spells and being a troll, I'm not too small, I guess. Do you know where I   
could get a job?]<<<<<
	--  Phred <08:46:23/06-21-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[I can get pretty much anything, as long as I have enough time and
budget. Bodyguard... might work, might not. Our cover for being dumped
into C-3 (one of the worst camps) is that we tried to escape, and this
is punishment. You could be someone's bodyguard? Mine, for instance.
Makes me look rich, snotty and helpless until it all hits the fan. 

That could be funny, and funny works better than smart in my experience.
Don't forget the suit will show a few months, minimum, of refugee camp
life with minimal laundry facilities.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <00:21:01/06-21-57>

>>>>>[Haven't heard a peep from anyone on here for two days. Is it just
me or has everyone gone real quiet?]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <20:14:21/06-23-57>

>>>>>[It's always quiet during summer Quinn, you should know that.
Besides, Gabriel and I just got a new pair of roller-blades (PoleStar
kicks ass). We're trying to encorporate them into our next run.

(If anyone has any tips on how to soak recoil whilst wearing wheels on
your feet, feel free to drop us a line. We'll even send you a picture of
Killer. FREE!)]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <16:54:32/06-23-57>

>>>>>[Brace yourself against a wall.  But the fact that you even consider
such things for a run only reinforces my opinion of your professionalism.

But please, don't let my comments stop you from attempting it.  I'll be
quite glad to visit your tombstones.  Assuming you actually have
them.]<<<<<
	--  Skull <15:32:22/06-23-56>

>>>>>[Of course, you could use spring fired gyrojet rounds.  You know, the
ones that Ares and the others use to do combat in space?  Considering that
they don't even have a 2 meter range or do any damage and won't fire in a
gravity field, they'd be right up your alley.]<<<<<
	--  AEPacker <15:36:59/06-23-56>

>>>>>[Roller blades? Are those, like, DiKoted? I ran across this chica
in NYC, she pulled a hit on someone at an ice rink. I was just trying to
stay on my skates, she scoots up to some suit - real slick, real fast,
all eyes on her - and as she comes up to him she does a flying
roundhouse and one skate goes right across his throat. Boy, never seen
so much blood freeze so fast. He leaked *everywhere*. She got away
clean, too, too many civvies in the way and nobody on the ice was
packing. I mean, everyone's only wearing razorblades on their feet, who
needs a gun?

I don't think roller blades do the same thing. Pretty lacking in style,
too, they were so...February. 

And recoil? Sheesh, gimme a break. I only use guns because I like the
noise :) I mean, aren't you two the greatest magicians on Earth when you
aren't being the greatest samurai on Earth and have time out from being
the greatest deckers on Earth?  Why do such mighty mages ever need to
pull triggers? I thought whole nations' heads detonated when you two
snapped your fingers.

Losing it already, huh? So sad, too bad. You're worried about recoil,
try downloading those Light Fire automatics. I think Ares make the
"SoftShooter" ammunition for senior citizens and the terminally limp-
wristed, you could use some of that... if you aren't already, that is
<snigger> Okay, so when you shoot someone in the head with it, they say
"Stop that, it tickles!", but at least there's no recoil to speak
of.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <00:15:20:06-24-57>
        

>>>>>[You could roll towards your target, fire, and then use the forwards
velocity to counter the recoil's backwards force. Of course, you have to
lean forward, or your top goes backwards wjhile your feet go forwards, and
you smash your head open. You could squat down I suppose. Or just use
Squirts and ELD-AR's, which have no kick. Sure, that's what Ronin does.

Who or what is Killer, by the way.]<<<<<
	--  Ronin  <17:41:43/06:23:57>

*****Private: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[I'm still here. Have you seen my Rat? I hate it when it wanders off like
that without telling me. Now I know how my parents must have felt.]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <17:44:59/06-23-57>

*****Private: Peter
>>>>>[Peter? Answer, god damn it!]<<<<<
	--  Ronin  <17:47:08/06:23:57>

*****Private: Redemption
>>>>>[ You still there? Still hiring? What happened?]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <17:50:29/06:23:57>

>>>>>[Haven't heard a peep from anyone on here for two days. Is it just
me or has everyone gone real quiet?]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <20:14:21/06-23-57>

>>>>>[It's always quiet during summer Quinn, you should know that.
Besides, Gabriel and I just got a new pair of roller-blades (PoleStar
kicks ass). We're trying to encorporate them into our next run.

(If anyone has any tips on how to soak recoil whilst wearing wheels on
your feet, feel free to drop us a line. We'll even send you a picture of
Killer. FREE!)]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <16:54:32/06-23-57>

>>>>>[Brace yourself against a wall.  But the fact that you even consider
such things for a run only reinforces my opinion of your professionalism.

But please, don't let my comments stop you from attempting it.  I'll be
quite glad to visit your tombstones.  Assuming you actually have
them.]<<<<<
	--  Skull <15:32:22/06-23-56>

>>>>>[Of course, you could use spring fired gyrojet rounds.  You know, the
ones that Ares and the others use to do combat in space?  Considering that
they don't even have a 2 meter range or do any damage and won't fire in a
gravity field, they'd be right up your alley.]<<<<<
	--  AEPacker <15:36:59/06-23-56>

>>>>>[Roller blades? Are those, like, DiKoted? I ran across this chica
in NYC, she pulled a hit on someone at an ice rink. I was just trying to
stay on my skates, she scoots up to some suit - real slick, real fast,
all eyes on her - and as she comes up to him she does a flying
roundhouse and one skate goes right across his throat. Boy, never seen
so much blood freeze so fast. He leaked *everywhere*. She got away
clean, too, too many civvies in the way and nobody on the ice was
packing. I mean, everyone's only wearing razorblades on their feet, who
needs a gun?

I don't think roller blades do the same thing. Pretty lacking in style,
too, they were so...February. 

And recoil? Sheesh, gimme a break. I only use guns because I like the
noise :) I mean, aren't you two the greatest magicians on Earth when you
aren't being the greatest samurai on Earth and have time out from being
the greatest deckers on Earth?  Why do such mighty mages ever need to
pull triggers? I thought whole nations' heads detonated when you two
snapped your fingers.

Losing it already, huh? So sad, too bad. You're worried about recoil,
try downloading those Light Fire automatics. I think Ares make the
"SoftShooter" ammunition for senior citizens and the terminally limp-
wristed, you could use some of that... if you aren't already, that is
<snigger> Okay, so when you shoot someone in the head with it, they say
"Stop that, it tickles!", but at least there's no recoil to speak
of.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <00:15:20:06-24-57>
        

>>>>>[You could roll towards your target, fire, and then use the forwards
velocity to counter the recoil's backwards force. Of course, you have to
lean forward, or your top goes backwards wjhile your feet go forwards, and
you smash your head open. You could squat down I suppose. Or just use
Squirts and ELD-AR's, which have no kick. Sure, that's what Ronin does.

Who or what is Killer, by the way.]<<<<<
	--  Ronin  <17:41:43/06:23:57>

*****Private: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[I'm still here. Have you seen my Rat? I hate it when it wanders off like
that without telling me. Now I know how my parents must have felt.]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <17:44:59/06-23-57>

*****Private: Peter
>>>>>[Peter? Answer, god damn it!]<<<<<
	--  Ronin  <17:47:08/06:23:57>

*****Private: Redemption
>>>>>[ You still there? Still hiring? What happened?]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <17:50:29/06:23:57>

*****Private: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[Hey, when exactly was it you saw that hit on the ice? This woman sounds
like someone I once knew.]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <18:08:42/06:23:57>

>>>>>[Ronin, Killer is a cat, the world's most spoiled.]<<<<<
	--  Ash <21:25:23/06:23:57>

>>>>>[Quinn! Get real! We have to use guns. Magic is good so long as used
in the proper situations, but the unnecessary application of magic is
nothing short of tacky. If you want to kill someone, magic isn't always
the most stylish. A good example is sudden lethal attacks. When it comes
to presentation, nothing beats reaching into your sports jacket and
pulling out a nice sleek lump of cold steel. 

   Although when it comes to recoil we've found a pretty good solution to
the bang-bang-flop-on-your-butt problem: Skate forward, flip your
non-brake foot back, fire, catch the recoil on your non-brake foot (like a
T-stop) and then use that to push off. It'll slow you down (especially if
you're going mach at the time), but it's easy to control and doesn't
involve doing anything too silly-looking. Another possibility is
tasers.]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <00:17:43/24:06:57>

*****Private: Ronin
>>>>>[
+++++INCLUDE IMAGE: worlds.coolest.kitty
+++++VIEW IMAGE? (y/n)
The image is a still photo of a rather small cat cradled in someone's
arms. The cat itself is black and white, the tip of it's left ear is
missing in what seems to be an old wound. Its half closed eyes look alert
and surprisingly aware. Long white wiskers bristle.

Not much can be seen of the woman cradling the cat other than a pair of
arms hugging the prone animal the lower half of her neck]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <00:22:53/24:06:57>

>>>>>[Thanks AEPacker, but we've seen the quality of your work. Regardless
of how highly you rate your little toys, we'll stick with real weapons.
We're sure there are pamphlets designed specifically for mercenaries that
explain exactly what makes a good gun -- I'm sure the pictures are quite
informative. ('This is a TT Ghost before Jen and Gabe', 'This is a TT
Ghost after Jen and Gabe', 'Don't go into combat unprepared')]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <00:28:43/24:06:57>

*****Private: Jen and Gabe
>>>>>[Don't mention them. You've been warned before. You're already
skating on thin ice...]<<<<<
	-- ^%sf&{df2.V_= <CORRUPT/CORRUPT>

*****PRIVATE:  Skull
>>>>>[Sir, see comments, TT Ghost?  Reck verify TT, TP.  Run data into
comp, shrink corp list.  5 now, may drop.]<<<<<
	--  AEPacker <23:06:50/06-23-57>

*****PRIVATE:  AEPacker
>>>>>[Aff on Ghost.  Will reck.  Run data, return ASAP]<<<<<
	--  Skull <23:10:59/06-23-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Skull
>>>>>[click click]<<<<<
	--  AEPacker <23:12:06/06-23-57>

>>>>>[ +++++ Include Image:  This_Is_A_TT_Ghost_Before-J&G

You see an image of Jen and Gabe firing at an elven man, bullets flying
all over the place.

+++++ Include Image:  This_Is_A_TT_Ghost_After-J&G

You see the same elven man still standing, but Jen and Gabe are exploding
from the effects of a hellblast.

+++++ Include Image:  Don't_Go_Into_Combat_Unprepared

You see the same elven man standing there, a huge grin on his face,
gloating over what's left of two bodies, still smouldering, blowing smoke
from his fingertips like a gunfighter from his pistol.]<<<<<
	--  AEPacker <23:19:31/06-23-57>

>>>>>[ +++++ Include Insane_Laughter, v. 4.a6

Heh.  Heh.  Ha.  Ho.  He.  He.  He.  Hee. Hah.  Heah.  Ha.  Heh.  Ho.
Snort.  Hehe.  Heha.  Hahaha.  Hohoho.  Hehoha....***** 258 Mp deleted by
SysOp ***** ]<<<<<
	--  Mercury <23:23:03/06-23-57>

>>>>>[Real weapons?  I'm curious how you define "real."  I define it as
"Whatever works most efficiently to achieve a specific goal with the
minimum of exposure, risk, collateral damage, and cost, both in personnel
and equipment."  And your definition is?]<<<<<
	--  Short Stuff <11:27:25/06-23-57>

>>>>>[Probably something along the lines of "Whatever looks the wizzest
and produces the most flashy side-effects but still doesn't get us killed
while we make total fraggin fools of ourselves while only barely
succeeding in our mission."]<<<<<
	--  Fat Chance <23:29:54/06-23-57>

>>>>>[AEPacker, have you ever seen the inside of a~%Fy==?%
                                                          #[bW  o_ 5`?r
r9rt%?	fj3&d@ #0)4     
                   ^dg~9#$-df
+++++CONNECTION SEVERED:
+++++MESSAGE CANCELED

*****Private: Jen and Gabe
>>>>>[Ignore that topic. For your own good.]<<<<<
	-- $dghuI^&fgn <CORRUPT/CORRUPT>
   
>>>>>[Originally being from the Great White North, I can safely say it
DOESN'T take dikoted skates to sever a man's head. I've seen fingers
removed quite cleanly by poorly sharpened hockey skates... (And it was by
accident too) One hell of a sport, but if you don't know what you're
doing, you can get yourself hurt.]<<<<<
	-- Tobias Dark <08:14:53/24:06:57>

>>>>>[What's up, J&G? Getting a little worried by the realisation that
while we mercs are walking the walk, you two are just talking the talk?
<g> And if there's anything wrong with the work Skull's team do, I think
his employers would know better than them. 

Good gun? Real weapon? Sheesh. A weapon's no better than the person
using it. Depend on fancy toys all you like. When you don't have them,
you're in trouble. Me? I can kill, maim or disable with - or without -
anything that comes to hand. That's what being good means.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <11:35:43/06-24-57>

*****PRIVATE: Squatter
>>>>>[New York City, four years ago. The stiff was some Fuchi suit,
nobody I'd heard of. Didn't recognise the skater. Figured since I didn't
know what was going on there was no point wading in, I wanted to know
the sides before I chose one. Never did find out what happened. 

And there was still a faint stain on the ice a week later :)

Your rat and I went on a quest together. He's a great guy, by the way.
He said he had business to take care of up there, but he'd go back to
you direct when he was done. Sez he's not so sure about Chicago, at
least going in, after what he saw. I'm still trying to work out what I
saw, myself.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <11:06:42/06-24-57>

>>>>>[Gee, touchy, touchy! 

Primus -I like guns too - a .44 Magnum is a girl's best friend, and
there's nothing to beat a Model 29 for sheer style - but weren't you two
meant to be high-tech addicts? What's with this steel stuff? Don't you
have the ultimate supermodern plastic-fantastic Mattel zip-guns or
something for all those times your magic is 'tacky'?

Secundus - magic is never tacky. Its users might be, but the magic
isn't. You just don't include the right special effects with your
spells, obviously. Watch more cartoons.

Tertius - if you've been wearing that gun for a while, it won't be cold,
will it? Duh.

Quaternius - sports jacket with roller blades? Fashion DISASTER!]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <11:15:42/06-24-57>

>>>>>[Yes, it is real quite.  However, this probably means most of us are
either doing real well and are on good missions, laying low from them, or
laying low from skrewing up.]<<<<<
	-- Shade <22:26:05/ 6-23-57>

>>>>>[ A variation on the being on missions at the moment is that some
people may be some long summer work like programing or weapons testing.

As to guns, I would have to agree with using the gun that fits the job. 
And some jobs become much harder when you are carrying a gun.  Lets face
it, a short black mini that reveals all is not the best for carrying
weapons, but it does tend to make people notice you in a certain light and
overlook or aspects.

I still say the best weapon to hold is your head, keep cool and THINK, I
have seen a lot of runners with the newest tech toys do some pretty stupid
things (like running accross a mine field, they thought they were fast
enough to outrun the explosions).]<<<<<
	-- Spirit <Of the Matrix>

***** The Mighty Quinn >>>>>[Uhm... No one wants to talk to me.]<<<<<
	--  Phred <08:47:23/06-24-57>

*****Private: Jen and Gabe
>>>>>[You could wear a jet pack? Can I have the picture of Killer any   
way?]<<<<<
	--  Phred <08:51:23/06-24-57>

>>>>>[Well, let's talk politics then.  I held my nose and voted Technocrat
last year - but then, it seems I would have voted Techno even I hadn't.   
The 'rents are probably going to vote for either Yeats or Vogel.  Heck, 
the whole family likes the idea of a halfer like us sawing the legs off 
the table in the Oval Office, but I dunno.  Aside from the gee-whiz 
factor of having a dragon for President (that'll teach Congress to try to 
tax a hoard), a lot of what he's saying makes sense.  Maybe it's the 
little kid in me, but I think it's a nifty idea.  Thoughts?]<<<<<
	--Spider <13:00:01/06-24-96>

>>>>>[Uh...what did that mean? ]<<<<<
	--  Phred   <11:40:23/06-24-57>

>>>>>[Umm,,, I mean this stuff.
+++++ Include Insane_Laughter, v. 4.a6

Heh.  Heh.  Ha.  Ho.  He.  He.  He.  Hee. Hah.  Heah.  Ha.  Heh.  Ho.
Snort.  Hehe.  Heha.  Hahaha.  Hohoho.  Hehoha. ]<<<<<
	--  Phred   <11:45:23/06-24-57>

>>>>>[ +++++ Include Insane_Laughter, v. 4.a6

Heh.  Heh.  Ha.  Ho.  He.  He.  He.  Hee. Hah.  Heah.  Ha.  Heh.  Ho.
Snort.  Hehe.  Heha.  Hahaha.  Hohoho.  Hehoha....***** 258 Mp deleted by
SysOp ***** ]<<<<<
	--  Mercury <23:23:03/06-23-57>

***** INTERNAL: NB, Trixie, Akira, Gramps - Serenity Security
>>>>>[I'm fraggin' starving.  Anyone up for dinner?]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <22:32:08 / 06-24-57> 

***** INTERNAL: Serenity Security, Gramps
>>>>>[ I'm game.  Misha's? (surprise, surprise..<g>) ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <18:58:25/06-24-57>

***** INTERNAL: Serenity Security, Gramps
>>>>>[Ok.  I've reserved the back room.  The first 20 or so of you that
show up, can have seats.  Everyone else, well...fend for yourself.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <18:59:25/06-24-57>

*****NOT TO: Jen and Gabe
>>>>>[Tobai, hush! You'll give them ideas! :) Not to mention you're
giving ME some ideas. Let's see, where's my copy of Ripley's Believe-It-
Or-Not... 

Agree on the hockey, but you think a crowd like this worry about
occasional severed fingers while they get their fun? Me, I lose a
finger, I just pick it up and stick it back in place with Band-Aids.
Sometimes works... okay, that and enough magic.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <20:08:27/06-24-57>

>>>>>[Well, speaking of killer skates, I saw these roller blades that
had some interesting quirks. Powered wheels with snap-out Sandvik
carbide inserts. Severe ouch factor. Only about a minute's spin time per
foot (no point trying to use them to scoot about under power) but they
give you what one eyewitness called a 'chainsaw kick' that'll chew
through damn near anything if you keep the pressure on and the batteries
last. Gimmicky, but I guess some sucker - I mean, someone with an
overdeveloped sense of style - might want a set. If I knew where one of
the prototype pairs was, that is. Which I probably don't.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <20:14:42/06-24-57>

***** PRIVATE: Serenity Security
>>>>>[A chance to meet the team, to good to pass up, count me in.]<<<<<
	-- Dirk Vincent <18:13:58 / 06-25-57>

***** PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[When I first posted you warned me to mention my background carefully.
An old friend from the CDC who has just left herself just dropped me a line.
It seems that with Chicago a loss, the magic divsions of the CDC are splitting
Chicago's budget between Seattle and DeeCee.  That will be a big enough
boost to operational funds and field agents to be very dangerous to certain
people if they do not get warned.  Could you see to some of the warning?

I can give standard operating procedures and a few descriptions of known
agents.  I can teach any magus who want to know what to look for in the
astral signature of CDC in house made foci, it is often the best way to
spot an agent.  If Seattle gets most of the budget boost it could turn
in to more of a war zone than normal around here.  This is from one who
used to think like these folks do, CDC HMHVV and Toxic Treat divisions
are bordering on fanatic if the training sticks.
]<<<<<
	-- Dirk Vincent <18:25:58 / 06-25-57>

>>>>>[Actually, I do have a suggestion.  If you have spirits watching your
back, you wont have any nasty accidents, not to mention a useful ally.]<<<<<
	-- Shade <23:33:52/06-24-57>

***** PRIVATE: Dirk Vincent
>>>>>[Odd - Yes, I would like that information about how to spot a CDC
agent.  I was under the impression that, even within CDC, mages would have
gone to their own equipment, rather than having someone else have a link
to them.

Explain the "war" zone deal.  Im not sure I follow, and with something like
this, I cant afford to not fully understand your thoughts.

Did you ever have a tour-of-duty in chicago with CDC?]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <14:17:48 / 06-25-57> 

***** PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn, Buzz
>>>>>[Im as ready as I am going to be.  Let me know when you wish to roll]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <14:17:59 / 06-25-57>

***** INTERNAL: Serenity Security
>>>>>[ I shoulda known better than to try and drink with the combat monsters.
Christ, Akira, where did you put all that alcohol, anyhow?  I've got a
splitting headache, and to top it off, if I get to hear Tris say "I told
you so" one more time, I think I might be sick. ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <11:28:56/06-25-57>

>>>>>[While the topic is silly skates, I once designed a rigged,
rocket-powered pair of rollerblades. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't work, but
it was a fun exercise. 'Course, I make my living off of gimmicks, gewgaws,
thingamajigs, whatamacallits, whoozits, whatsthats, and sundrey other
devices.]<<<<<
	--  Sam-I-Am <01:35:29/06-25-57>

***** INTERNAL: Serenity Security
>>>>>[As my great grand father used to say  --  "I have a hollow leg"]<<<<<
	-- Akira Foster <16:06:19 / 06-25-57> 
	   Field Officer
	   Serenity Security

>>>>>[ While I like a lot of what Vogel stands for there are some rather
darker aspects to what he does that that tend to give me a small pause.
Mostly though, I think that he has the possibility of being a good
president.  Lets face it, any of us on this board aren't going to care
whether someone has a shady past and wants to be president.  We only care
of how bad they truly are, how effective they might, and how suseptable to
blackmail by parties that we don't like are they.

The big problem that I have with Vogel is that he will most likely die in
office.  He has too many enemies.  Either the corps or humanis will find a
way to geek him.

My choice would most likely be Dunklezahn.  For one thing, it would be a
bit more difficult for a corp or humanis group to kill him.  As to deep dark
secrets, well, I think the dragon probably has a lot of them.  For one
thing he definately knows more than he's telling, but then again, so are a
lot of us.  Heck, I personally knew about bugs a few years before chicago. 
The thing is, I would have to agree with the statements that people have
made about him truly giving a frag.  From what two people who would know a
lot more about him have said, he really is serious.

The only other problem I have is that he won't fit in government.  He is
sort of too large for the majority of the buildings including the capital
and the white house.  Of course if he happens to accidentally sit on a
bothersome senator or five, more power to him.

The other major thing in his favor would have to be his SIN-less pardon.  I
know a lot of people that this would benifit, and it would help the country
overall.]<<<<<
	-- Spirit <Of the Matrix>

*****PRIVATE: Squatter
>>>>>[I like your style.  Sometimes contactss are more important than 
money.  Anyway, this is what I need:

Information on Jason Lynch and Lillith DiAnnio.  Any info would be 
great.

Information on a group of people known as "Farmer"  I had a decker try 
this one already, with no results.  If nothing turns up, fine.  I'll 
still pay you for your efforts.

I have half the cash for you now.  Meet me at >encrypted< to pick it 
up, and we'll figure out a time/place to meet again for the second 
half.  Sound good?]<<<<<
	--Redemption  <17:14:32/6-25-57>

*****PRIVATE:Dark Falcon
>>>>>[Thanks a lot for the info, chum.  It is exactly what I was 
looking for.  I've thrown in a little extra nuyen for promptness.  
Your work is greatly appreciated.

+++++include credit transfer

This includes nuyen for the run on Farmer.  Thanks for the effort.

I have a big favor to ask of you.  I'm new here in Seattle, and I 
need to get my hands on some weapons.  Big weapons.  If you could toss 
me a name, there would be some money in it for you. Even contact with 
another street samurai would get me started.]<<<<<
	--Redemption  <17:22:31/6-25-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[You and the rat went on a what together? A quest? What's that. Magic
drek I guess, so I don't really want to know.

The skater might be a former team member, I wonder if she's still running.
Must check the old contact points.

BTW, sooner or later I'm going to slip up and call you the Nighty Quinn
Would that result in severe damage to me or my persona?]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <17:29:53/06-25-57>

>>>>>[Politics indeed. I say vote for the Dragon. Lofters for prez!]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <17:35:18/06-25-96>

*****PRIVATE: Redemption
>>>>>[ Excellent (in tones of low menace). I'll be there for the pick-up, and
I'll get on the matrix right Away. Farmer first...]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <17:43:22/06-25-57>

>>>>>[I think we need a woman in office. We need a dragon in office like   
I need to get beat up again. No comments please. ]<<<<<
	--  Phred <17:05:23/06-25-57>

>>>>>[I have to agree with the Squatter on this one. The secret service
would be out of a job. Who would try to assassinate a dragon? There'd be none of
that "third gunman" drek, you'd need about ten gunmen, using AVM's and APDS
loaded HMG's or sniper rifles (lots of letters there).

And who the frag is running this time around anyway? I presume there's a
Dragon there somewhere, but which one? Lofwyr? Isn't he a German citizen?
And don't you have to be born in UCAS to be its president? Where were these
ancient greater dragon fraggers born?

And, in reply to someone, I forget who, sorry, if Dragons couldn't fit in
the buildings, they could just cast Shapechange, according to my shamanic
friend. I don't see any reason why not, they eat in restaurants
sometimes.]<<<<<
	--  Ronin  <18:41:26/06-25-57>

***** PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[A brief note on CDC procedure against HMHVV active targets and those
with similar physical traits ie low-light eyes and enhanced hearing.

The CDC have developed a new eye implant, a small passive ultra sound
sensor, very similar in operation to the ultrasound sights on guns.
Similar essence impact on the body as Thero or Low light, I have some
myself if it interests you to have to design.

They wear a light weight harness which has several ultrasound 'spotlights'
and flash packs, both front and back, the standard issue harness has 2 of
each on each side, this harness has a single switch that is operated by 
datajack, sub-vocal or some other hands free method.

At the point when you hit the room with the target in it, trigger the harness
and switch you eyes to ultrasound only.  You can see fine, but the targets are
almost blind and in pain from the volume of ultrasound in the room.  Put this
advantage in the hands of a smart gunned agent, often wired, and it gives them
the second of surprise they need to finish the job.

The visual side of this trick actually works pretty damn well against most
people, it has saved me once or twice, I never leave home without a flash
pack or two.
]<<<<<
	-- Dirk Vincent <13:10:58 / 06-26-57>

***** PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[Even when you make something yourself, you can show up little
tricks and traits your teacher taught you.  Take artists as an example, the
brilliant ones have a style of their own from the start, but the stock artist
shows up the style of the person who taught them for some time, until they
develop a real feel for what they are doing.
Most of these agents would have been trained to a stanard level by the same
people and will use essentially the same formulae with there own personal
style trying to shine through.  If you know what little traits are common
then it can all help knowing what is going on.

As to my "war" zone comment, well as I mentioned the CDC agents are trained
to be fanatic about what they do.  On top of this they have federal
jurisdiction so they tend to be almost gung-ho, but not in a foolish way.
If this budget boost comes our way there will be a considerable number of
well equipped and trained HMHVV and Toxic hunters in town with no real qualms
about causing collateral damage if it means catching a Ghoul, or whatever they
are hunting, to score media points with.

I have spent about a month in Chicago, unofficial stuff, a fellow from Tir
wanted me to go find his Banshee daughter before she got herself killed.
Turned out she had joined up with a few other of her kind and a pack of Ghouls.
They were living at the edge of the Orc underground and feeding off them.  I
helped the Orcs take out the more militant ring leaders and the rest dispersed
before the Orcs could catch them.  Managed to get the girl out too.  I dare say
that the Orcs are no more after the way Chicago went up, pity, they were a
good bunch of guys.
]<<<<<
	--  Dirk Vincent <12:55:34/06-26-57>

>>>>>[Uh, Ronin, shouldn't that be 'they eat resturaunts sometimes'? Not
'they eat IN resturaunts...'?]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <00:49:54/26:06:57>

>>>>>[ Booo.  That was pretty weak, even for you two. ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <09:30:47/06-26-57>

>>>>>[After what Lofwyr did during the chicago crisis, I will never vote
for him or his ilk.  Remember, if you don't, that when the crisis started, he
was more than willing to liquidate several million lives with a pesticide that
had already been shown to have long term harmful effect on both the quality
of life after surviving, AND the environment.  This is something he wanted
to dump in and near a major water source.

He's too calculating for me, to be honest.  I'm sure that his methods might
have, in the longer run, saved some small number of people, and the cleanup
woud have brought his company untold amounts of profit (not to mention the
initial sales of the pesticide), but I believe his best interests were
with his corporation, not with the rest of the world / country at large.

Blame him?  Hell no.  Just not the type of person(?) I want in office.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <14:18:56 / 06-26-57> 

*****Private:peter
>>>>>[Hello there peter, are you still there? I got your reply, but was 
unavailable for a while. I had a few appointments to make up. So? Did you 
want to leave the labs? Play on a motorbike? Ride into the sunset on your 
new bike with your leather jacket on? That sounds like fun to me. So, how 
is life in the system? Is it fun? And how old are you, anyway? I get the 
impression that you are a young boy, but your words leave a feeling of 
maturity that is rarely attained in people of what appears to be your age 
bracket. Why are you in the labs anyway? I could come and get you out. We 
could play a game or three in the sunshine outside. Would you like that 
peter? I could take you away from the labs and give you a big house with 
nice furniture and a link to you matrix. You could have whatever foods 
you wanted, ice cream, steak, whatever you want. Anyway, would youlike to 
come out of there? I can help with that, if you do. All you have to do is 
ask.]<<<<<
	--  Blademaster  <11:42:45/5-26-96>

>>>>>[Well, it's great you don't want to vote for Lofwyr, seeing how he's
not running.  And if you're trying to say that you shouldn't vote for
Dunklezahn because he's a dragon, and so is Lofwyr, well, that pretty much
eliminates all the candidates doesn't it?  Can't vote for this person, cause
they're human, and I knew a mean nasty human once.  And this one, he's a
dwarf.  Nicole Velli's a dwarf, isn't she?  Yeah, they're all bad.  Wake up
Stormwind.]<<<<<
	-- Blade <08:34:56/06-26-57> 

>>>>>[Arrgg.  Ah am jus glad that ah am no citizen of yer fine
country.  When you elect a president based on novelty value, ah loose
all respect fer yer system o' goverment.
+++++:Video File:
          Little kid jumping up and down. "But dragons are soooo
          cool!!"
Ah'd vote for tha warmonger, if they gave me tha vote, ah can at
least see where 'e is comin' from.]<<<<<
	-- Ash <11:28:23 / 06-26-57>

>>>>>[ What do ya mean by "Lofters for president"  squatter?]<<<<<
	-- Circuit Breaker <South'rn Belle>

>>>>>[Oh, yeah, I'm known for my sweeping generalizations about other 
races.  Wake up.  I screwed up.  I thought someone said he had decided
to run.  

Forgive me.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <15:56:17 / 06-26-57> 
	   Field Officer
	   Serenity Security

>>>>>[ As a woman.  Ah can definately say that putting the one female who is
on the ticket for president in the whitehouse would be a very dumb idea.
I personally don't see much difference in her and the rest of the men, the
subject of her sex is not really part of her ticket, and doesn't seem to
have any impact on the stances of the other canidates.

As things go, Ah would have ta say Ah think the dragon is the lesser of a
lot of evils.  He's not a militant radicalist.  He has an understanding of
metahuman rights and the questions of magic in society.  Conversly, he is
interested in technology and sees it as a usefull way of helping to improve
the human condition.

As ta the comment about Lofwyr, Ah would like ta point out the not all
dragons are the same, there are as much difference in them as there are in
us.  Ah do see where Lofwyr's comments, how ever abhorent, have a certain
value ta them.  We need ta solve in chicago.  As things stand, many of the
people are going ta be dead or infected in the near future.  The only way
ta cure the infection and infestation is ta kill everything.  Its horrible
and it sucks major drek, but is our only real recourse.  If we don't, the
infection will spead, much like a plague.]<<<<<
	-- Circuit Breaker <South'rn Belle>
 

*****PRIVATE: Squatter
>>>>>[Your persona's safe, even walking past cyberjacks makes me
nauseous. Do it twice and you're going through life with acid green hair
with hot-pink eyebrows :) ]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <13:35:32/06-26-57>

*****PRIVATE: Squatter, Dark Falcon
>>>>>[I will bend a principle and issue a single warning. Do not make
further enquiries about myself or my business. We will not tolerate such
intrusions.

There will be no more warnings. The next unwanted enquiry will result in
your death. I value my privacy highly.

Both of you show some talent, however. If you are willing to accept an
anonymous employer, there is work that must be done and which we would
pay to have completed.]<<<<<
	-- Farmer <14:43:21/06-26-57>

*****PRIVATE: Redemption
>>>>>[I appreciate your caution and thoroughness. However, if I wished
to work openly and expose my identity I would do so. I desire privacy
and will maintain it at any cost. 

If you value the lives of your hired deckers, we suggest you advise them
to desist in their enquiries about me. I have privately advised them of
their likely fate if they continue: I suggest you do likewise, if for no
other reason than that I will terminate this operation if you cannot be
trusted to maintain your employer's privacy.

You may congratulate them on their skill if they wish: it requires
talent to become such a nuisance.]<<<<<
	-- Farmer <14:45:42/06-26-57>

>>>>>[Vote for an end to the senseless persecution of Metahumans and
the other Awakened!!!  A vote for Dunklezahn is a vote for
freedom!]<<<<<
	-- Dahlmer <13:48:35 / 06-26-57>

>>>>>[ Vote for Dunklezahn, is like volunteiring to be the first person to
attack the hill.  Can you say "Wyrm Food"?   I knew you could.]<<<<<
	-- Can-Tank-R-US <11:25:01/06-26-57>

>>>>>[ Could be worse, you could vote for Hernandez and becoming a zombie
or an Aztlan pawn.]<<<<<
	-- Az-Hater <11:35:34/06-26-57>

>>>>>[ Roz Hernandez has absolutely nothing to do with the Aztecs, just
because she has a spanish name, doesn't mean that she is an Aztec
sympathizer.  I would say that she dislike Aztecnology, they are a threat
to her gaining more power.]<<<<<
	-- Fuzzy Tongue <11:37:12/06-26-57>

>>>>>[ You're ALL DREK EATING FOOLS.  The stinking goblins and dandelion
eaters have have infected your brain with worthless.  The UCAS needs to go
back to the good old days of America, no metahumans, no mages and no fraggin
indians.  The place was much better back then, we had it all.  Then magic,
drekkin mutant children and red-skins ruined it all.  We spend a buck a
freak and blow of their heads!!!

We need to #$^ $@#%& #&457@$& @#$%&  $%&$&
+++ System Disrupted +++]<<<<<
	-- Adam <11:39:49/06-26-57>

>>>>>[ <sound on hands dusting off>  Well, I think thats enough of that.
Theres only so much of that type of a lady can stand.]<<<<<
	-- Spirit <Of the Matrix>

>>>>>["Insecticide, hell. I say we take off and nuke the whole city from
orbit. It's the only way to be sure..."

Mr Stormwind, laying waste to the CZ with a massive airdrop of DDT might
not be nice, but has anyone come up with an alternative solution?
Throwing up walls and shooting anyone climbing over them isn't a
solution, it's a panic measure. You gotta admit, it's the only way to
end this that anyone's proposed.

Doesn't mean I like it. Just means I can't think of anything better. I'm
not going to blame the wyrm for that.]<<<<
        -- Lynch <20:53:31/06-26-57>

>>>>>[Loftwyr wanted to do that BEFORE there was any confirmation into what
was going on over there.  That type of attitude lends to the fact that
he KNEW what was happening and didnt bother saying anything to anyone at all
about the problems.

This "Pesticide" didnt just happen to fall of the shelves at his chemical
plant, someone had been working on that formula for 6 years.  Actually, it
was several someone's working on it, none of them knowing what the others
were working on.  He KNEW the invae were coming.  He KNEW about the UB, and
I am damned sure the others (Dunkelzahn, Loftwyr, Liung...) knew as well, 
tho, in talks with Liung, I have not yet been able to get him to admit to
anything more than my being right that the first blood ritual was indeed 
performed by Native Americans during the Great Ghost Dance.  If there was
anything I could go back in time to fix, it would be that.

"The good of the many..." and all that shit.  Goes out the window when you
have to be the one to pull the trigger or flip the switch, or worse, sit
and watch what happens to the innocents.  Don't get me wrong, I can
do it, and I have done it, but I do not like it.  I try not to stand on
the soap box screaming holier than thou shit without saying "I've been there".
I've not always been where I am now.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <20:44:16 / 06-26-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[Hey - Glad you are around again.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <20:49:15 / 06-26-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind, Buzz, Blade
>>>>>[Okay, Mr Stormwind's set. Blade, you up? Buzz, you or your family
members ready to roll? 

I've been trying to find Pearson's boyfriend, with zero result. And I've
been putting this off, which is wrong. Let's move.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <20:57:32/06-25-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[Mr. Stormwind, You have no idea WHY Lofwyr offered to use that
pesticide; nor do you understand what we are beginning to face.  In the
future, money will have no meaning whatsoever, since survival will be on
everyone's minds.  You might live to see that day; but I doubt it.  Lofwyr,
myself, and several others of our, so-called, ilk have lived through events
that are happening now, before...we know what can happen, and we are afraid
that our best efforts may still fail.]<<<<<
	-- Ryuga (16:00:30 pm PDT/ 06:26:57)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

*****PRIVATE: Jason Stormwind, The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[Ok, I've tweaked the IDs...Bloodtooth is going in instead of Gunny.
 Gunny feels he might be too well known, particularly; if the UCAS has placed
the Special Forces in Chicago.  We can go in at anytime, Firefox, myself and
Gunny will keep in touch, via frequency >>>>>Encrypted<<<<<.]<<<<<
	-- Buzz (The one the Only...Human Bee in the Matrix)

>>>>>[Had Lofwyr, any other dragon, or any elf had come forward about
this...WOULD you have BELIEVED them?  NO!  Human nature remains the same,
when danger is predicted by someone; everyone doesn't want to believe
it.]<<<<<
	-- Olorin (18:10:30 PDT/ 06:26:57)

>>>>>[ My dear circuit breaker, I would have though that the phrase "Lofters for
president" was self explanatory. It was in fact feeble attempt at humour
based on someones comment that a dragon was running for president. Since I
don't even know who the candidates are, accuracy was a bit too much to
expect.]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <20:15:07/06:26:57>

*****PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[ Acid green hair, I don't know about, but hot pink eyebrows? Excellent (in
tones of low menace).

BTW, the Rat has returned, but you're right, he is not happy. He said he's
still willing to come to Chicago with you. He said "a Rat's gotta do what a
Rat's gotta do", and then he laughed kinda hysterical like.]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <20:17:19/06-26-57>

*****Private: Peter
>>>>>[Peter, we're coming for you tonight Get a vehicle ready if you can. We'll
be there at 000, be ready to move. We now means Phoenix and myself only. No
one else seems to be around.]<<<<<
	--  Ronin  <20:29:45/06:26:57>

*****Private: Redemption
>>>>>[ Someone's really pissed off. I couldn't get any more on Farmer than
a few data addresses:

+++++Include file: address_list.txt

Farmer has been handing out some pretty nasty threats, and I'm a bit pissed
myself. I still have some other avenues to explore, a Rat I know may be
able to tell me something about the guy. And as to his threats, let him
come, how the frag is he going to find one squatter in the hordes (or is
that "hoards"?) of us that infest this fine town? Why do you want him, by
the way? What the frag is going on here?

Lynch and DiAnnio, I got a lot more there:

+++++Include file: lynch_dossier.txt

+++++Include file: diannio_dosier.txt

I'll meet you behind >>restaurant name<< for the rest of the cash, might as
well grab a meal while I'm there.]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <20:46:54/06:26:57>

>>>>>[Wake up Dahlmer, metahumans need more than a token sitting in the
old WHITE house. The whole UCAS doesn't work. The electoral system's
fragged, the politicol system is fragged. All those supposed 'checks and
balances' are just there to stop progress. We need to tear the place apart
from the inside.

 And the dragons have been representing their own interests for too long.
Their clique has lasted millenia and they're just starting to consolidate
the real power.]<<<<<
	-- Chug <23:48:43/26-06-57>

>>>>>[It was so much nicer back when Canada was Canada. We could just sit
back and avoid all of the american wrangling. *sigh* I hate feeling like a
relic.]<<<<<
	-- Tobai Dark <23:50:34/26-06-57>

>>>>>[Pestacide causes too much in the way of colateral damage (not that
there's anything wrong with it, but politicians don't seem to like it).
The best way to clean up Chicago is a slow and steady division of the area
the bugs hold. Chop off a couple of blocks a week and clean them up. Keep
a continual inward pressure on them. 

   Or UCAS could just buy itself a REALLY big magnifying glass and fry the
little sonsofbitches...]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <00:02:23/27-06-57>

***** PRIVATE: Ryuga
>>>>>[Maybe you didnt read my message clearly enough.  For that I cannot
fault you for you have far more on your mind than any mere mortal ever
could.  For me, I will do what I can, and then I will die, leaving my 
research behind for someone else to pick up and hope we can win.  But, as
to the message, I mentioned having spoken to Liung, at great length about
the situation.  I am aware.  But, as I said, I am here to fight and die and
to hope that I can do some good.  I doubt it, but I cannot allow that doubt
to cloud my judgement.

In the future, as a point of good will, you may wish to ask if the recipient of
your mail knows what is going on, and, if he or she says she doesnt, explain
it to them.  Dont always assume that us mortals are walking through life
fat and happy.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <14:21:37 / 06-27-57> 

>>>>>[This is me, keeping my mouth shut...again.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <14:28:25 / 06-27-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[First time for everything]<<<<<
	-- Skuff <14:28:28 / 06-27-57>

***** PRIVATE: Skuff
>>>>>[Yeah  --  This time, however, its warranted.  Do me a favor put a block
on anything that comes out of those two:  That account, and any account
that looks like that one.  I don't ever want to have to read another
piece of drek from them again.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <14:31:15 / 06-27-57>

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[Done - Unlock your deck so I can load this

+++++ File Upload: geekfile2.7
+++++ File Upload: geekedit1.6

All you need to do is summon the editor and scan a message with it.  It will
take the address from the bottom and from then on, it you wont have to see
them.  There are some fancier option if you are interested in them like
scanning public messages for name or words.  The NLP is running pretty 
smoothly so you can pretty much just tell it what you dont want to see
again and it will do the do for you.]<<<<<
	-- Skuff <14:34:51 / 06-27-57>

***** PRIVATE: Skuff
>>>>>[Thanks, bro.  I assume that some day you will explain to me what the
frag an NLP is.  Ci +++++ Interrupt

NLP means Natural Language Parser.  I figured they would have taught you 
that in Matrix Operation 101.  +++++ Interrupt Halted ao.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <14:39:21 / 06-27-57>

***** PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[Your frequencies are set.  Both your ear piece and your helmet have
been set.  I've also rigged you a spare to take with you.  There are more
batteries packed for you.  Be careful.]<<<<<
	-- Trax <14:51:44 / 06-27-57> 
	   Field Officer
	   Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: The Might Quinn, Neuron Basher
>>>>>[You do not know me, as of yet.  I am one of several deckers that runs
overwatch on Jason's mail and his matrix activities.  Because of this I
have been monitoring his messages and have noted that you responded that
you could "get anything" when it came to getting vehicles for an extraction.

Being the type of person that he is, he didn't respond to that nor did he
pass it along to the rest of us.  Normally I would not get involved if he
didnt ask, but in this case, I believe he needs help and will not reach out
for it.  For your safety, and his, I would like to make contact with you
to discuss extraction plans.  All we need are vehicles that do not have
our company name scrawled all over the sides of them.  We arent in a position
to paint ours, and, to be honest, we arent in a position to burn shadow contacts
because there is slim chance we will return the choppers at the end of this.
They will be discarded and someone else can collect the insurance.  Ill deal
with the matrix aspect of that myself assuming you can furnish the 
equipment.  

My offer:  You get us the vehicles, we will supply the fire power and the 
man power to nearly garantee you get out safely.  You will also need to make
sure that Jason knows nothing of our involvement unless it becomes necessary
that he knows (e.g.  the chopper is setting down and we are pulling you out
of a firefight...I suspect he will know fairly shortly after that).]<<<<<
	-- Priest <14:51:44 / 06-27-57>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[I dont have the authority to do what I just did, but I know at least 
14 members of the security staff that have already applied for "floating
vacation" effective within 12 of notice.  The head office is curious but
they arent asking questions.  We've contacted KE for backup on some of 
our contracts and they have been alerted of the situation and have offered
their assistance in covering contract but not for extraction.  They are NOT
interested in getting involved with that.  CDC will come down harder than 
hell on us if they ever find out.]<<<<<
	-- Priest <14:51:44 / 06-27-57>

*****PRIVATE: Priest
>>>>>[  Then we'll just have to make sure that the CDC _doesn't_ find out,
now won't we?  I think I can safely say that we have enough matrix firepower
to make that happen.

I'm going to let Griffyn in on it .. I know he was one of the "floating
vacationers" that you were talking about, except for the fact that he's
planning to be on leave 5 minutes after Jason walks out the door.  It'd
be good to have the bunch of them organized so there aren't any surprises
when the drek hits the fan. 

Oh, and if Quinn can't get the choppers, I think I know someone who
just might.. ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <11:38:09/06-27-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[I'm locked, loaded, and ready to roll.  Just tell me when we're
getting together Mighty One<g>.]<<<<<
	-- Blade <09:15:32/06-25-57>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[Yes, he was.

Go on and set your choppers up.  Akira should be brought into this to 
lead the physical groups.  He's the best we have for that.  He will also
know who else to bring in and who to leave out.

Ill need the best rigging gear you can find.  It'll take a day or
so for me to finish the mods on the new drones.  Had most of them done
through shadow sources and modified for our needs.  I just hope that MageSmoke 
works on bugs as well as it works on spirits.

Ill get with Akira to see where he feels it the best place to launch from.
>From my guesses, we can make Chicago proper in just under 5 minutes, from
sleep to in the air if we drop in at the Kankakee airport.  I dont think the 
baracade stretches that far south.]<<<<<
	-- Priest <11:41:16 / 06-27-57>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[TelLog --

T:  Trax, Field Officer
A:  J. Akira Foster, Field Officer

T:  Jim  --  Jason's planning on going into Chicago for a "looksee".  We
are planning on making sure he gets out without so much as a hair out
of place.  Can we count on you for assistance?

A:  Define we.

T:  Myself, Kevin, Tristiana, GoD, Tamlyn...And others.

A:  Extraction only?

T:  Yes.

A:  I assume this is not a corporate sanctioned event.

T:  No, it is not.

A:  Ill need two 5 baggers.

T:  You have free reign to pick and choose who you need.  We need to keep
the doormat clean on this one.

A:  Haven't we always?

T:  You have point.

A:  Noted.  Ready in 5.

T:  Wont need you until Jason moves, after that we wait until he needs us.  Your
vacation has already been taken care of.  I think we have 3 days to plan.

A:  This is going to be a loose ball operation, isn't it?

T:  You guessed it.  He doesnt know we are waiting for him, and we dont know
how he is going to try to get out.  I'll jockey the CDC frequencies along
with any military freqs I can scam up and hope that they go ape shit enough
that we at least get a clue that they are coming out.  This assumes their 
exit is noisy, AND that they need us.  I'll also be watching for the slip.  If
he gets out of the jamming zone, I'll get a signal and we can slip back hom
before he shows up.

A:  Why didnt you bring me in earlier?

T:  Because you always ask too many questions.  Get ready, maps are already
downloading into your TacStation.]<<<<<
	-- Trax <11:58:09 / 06-27-57>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[He's in.]<<<<<
	-- Trax <11:19:48 / 06-27-57> 

*****PRIVATE: Priest
>>>>>[ I'm on it. ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <12:32:33/06-27-57>

*****PRIVATE: Akira
>>>>>[ Okay, Akira, here's your roster:

+++++ include file: extraction.roster

I'm working on getting 2-3 choppers for the operation.  We could probably
do it with 2, but I want you to be prepared if one of them gets knocked
out of the sky.  Get with your team, and let me know what you need as far
as weapons and gear are concerned.  We can't afford to use any Serenity
gear on this one, and since I've gotta get the choppers anyhow, some 
extra gear won't hurt. ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <12:37:45/06-27-57>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[Not to step on any toes but  --  I've been informed that I have 
point on this.  That being the case, this is the roster I want

+++++ Include roster.

That gives me the speed I need to work with and they have all done extracton
of this type before.

 3 choppers.  As much firepower as you can get.  I dont care past that.
   (If you can, get them painted with Imperial Marine colors.)

Make sure they are rigged, Trax and the others would perfer that.  He has
point on that situation, and I assume you are point for Matrix work.  Thanks
for the assistance on the transport.  I dont think I could get anything 
in that short of time without trails.]<<<<<
	-- Akira <17:11:27 / 06-27-57> 

*****  Jenna and Gabriel an attack to division up Chicago is a senseless
idea.  It will not work. The only reason why the spirits have not escaped
as of yet is because they have not yet tried.  The queens of the hives are
not anchored to a mundane body, they are manifestations of their astral
forms.  A mundane line of tanks and soldiers will impede the queens and
their more powerful servants.  The queens and soldiers will tear through
the wards and protections that are set around the city or simply just go
around.  If they wanted to escape, there is nothing that the military could
do to stop them.  They are bidding their time and growing in strength. 
They have no need to leave the city,the military has kindly provided them
with large supply of host bodies.  If they leave, their is nowhere to hide,
there are to many of them.  

They will stay until the queens decide on what course of action to take. 
If an all out attack is conducted using insecticides, the queens will
remain unmanifested along with her other truly formed servants.  They will
then attack enmass the weakest magical defense and attempt to make an
escape.  For them to fight would be for them to die from the insecticides.

The only way to truly defeat the insects at this point in time is to
attack.  Unfortunately the most effective weapon is also the most
abhorrent.  Splitting of the atom is the only sure means to destroying the
hives.  The consequences is this action are possibly as dire as the threat. 
Mother earth will scream her pain, and the land be poisoned.  Magic will
become disrupted and possibly not flow at all except for the most
corrupted.  The concentration camps of the nazi's and the Indian
re-education centers will seem as forest glens when compared to the
devastated aura of atomic destruction.

The cure for Chicago may well be worse then the infestation.  The cost in
human life will be abhorrent, yet they are already dead.  The travesty must
be ended, and it will end in tragedy.  If we do achieve victory, it will be
pyrrhic at best.*****
	-- Nightfox <10:24:30/06-27-57>

>>>>>[ Hi yah Fox.  Its been a long time sugah since we last heard from ya.
Ah see ya still have problems with the computers, your posts still come
across like a system message.]<<<<<
	-- Circuit Breaker <South'rn Belle>

***** It has been problem I have not been able to fix.  That and the trying
to figure out how to program the vcr.*****
	-- Nightfox <10:39:34/06-27-57>

*****PRIVATE: Akira
>>>>>[ Okay.  The roster I sent you the first time wasn't really intended to
be a roster .. it was just a list of the people who, like you and Griff, have
requested 'floating vacations'.  I'll get the personnel freed up that you
requested.  Contact them individually and let them know why they've suddenly
been given free vacation time.

I'm working on the choppers and the firepower.  I'll get you specifics
later today. ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <13:38:32/06-27-57>
 
*****PRIVATE: Serenity Security: Personnel Office
>>>>>[ I need the following officers cleared for floating vacation time, 
effective immediately:

+++++ include file: roster
+++++ authorization code: omega nineteen kappa alpha tris ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <13:43:26/06-27-57>

>>>>>[The 64KnY is whether or not you can tell if someone's been infected. 
Since they haven't let anyone (including the VIP's stuck in there) out, I
can only presume that there isn't a reliable way to tell friend from
drone. So we have two choices: 1> wait for a way to discover one to appear
(and do it quick before everyone in the fragging city gets Cooties) and
slowly filter out the survivors 2> nuke 'em from orbit - that's the only
way to be sure.  I've got friends in the Zone (presuming they're not dead
already), and I sure as hell don't want to have to press the big red
button, but we've *got* to frag the bugs before they get strong enough to
bust out on their own.  We're talking species survival here.]<<<<<
	-- Spider < 13:47:30 / 06-27-56 > 

***** INTERNAL: K. Donaldson
>>>>>[Request has been processed.  I hope you all have a good time
Scuba diving.  I wish I could go on one of the security staff vacations.

Do you think you could talk to my boss and ... well, never mind.  Take some
pictures for me.  Send a post card.]<<<<<
	-- Amanda Spindel <19:20:45 / 06-27-57> 
	   Personel Resources
	   Serenity Security

*****PRIVATE: Priest, Akira
>>>>>[  You got your personnel, Jim.

+++++include: personnel.approved.message

<chuckle> ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <15:30:18/06-27-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[Hey, you still planning that Chicago job? Want some backup or an
assist on the job? If you can fill me in, I can mayb
+++++SIGNAL LOST AT SOURCE
        -- Lynch <19:40:43/06-27-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[What was that?

You okay?

Hello?]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <19:47:10/06-27-57>

*****INTERNAL: AMIS Telecom Log Archive
>>>>>[+++++Beginning cold relay
+++++Using Matrix Node "SLand5" for bounce point
+++++connect
"Major Hunter, we need to talk."

You may, but I don't.

"You are correct.  You need to listen.  It has come to our attention that
you have have plans to enter the Chicago Containment Zone.  There are
certain things you will do for us while there."

Excuse me?  First of all, what makes you think I would want to go into that
hell hole?  I might have a death wish, but I'm not going to become some
walking corpse for those bugs to control.  And secondly, if I was, what
makes you think that I would be under any compulsion to provide any service
for you?  Until you start paying better, I no longer do work for you.

"Hmmm.  Two interesting questions Major, we..."

Would you stop calling me that?

"Calling you what?  Major?  It was a rank accorded to you while you served
with us, and our records show that it still applys.  But to keep this civil,
we will stop.  What would you prefer?  Mr. Hunter?  Matthew?  Or what is
that street name you go by?  Razor?  Knife?  Ah yes!(the man laughs) Blade!
Would you prefer that?

(The other man now sounds as if he's speaking through clenched teeth.)  That
would be fine.

"Well, then, Blade, as we were saying, those are two interesting questions.
Now, you say that you aren't going into the Zone, and we seem to be looking
at some information traffic that indicates you volunteered, how very noble,
to work with a certain woman, who shall remain unnamed, to go into the zone
with her.  Are these reports incorrect?  No, don't answer that.  You would
only deny it.  But remember, we contacted you with an offer of assistance
during that whole Maxim affair several months ago, and people with far
better security than what you have at your disposal tried to keep that
hushed up.  Think about that.  

Now, as to why you are going to do this, now that it's been decided that you
are going to the Zone, lets just say, you still owe us a little bit."

I payed you back on the same Maxim run.  We were even.

"Well, it seems that was the original thought, but you did lose four
operatives, and sent one back almost dead.  You also needed some medical
treatment then, and since it seems.  Unless you'd like to pay for the
losses?  We didn't think so.

Now, relax.  The job itself fairly simple.  All you need to do is carry some
information to some agents of ours working in the zone.  We've had some
recent problems communicating with them, and your little jaunt happened at a
most oppurtune time for us.  We will deliver to you a chip containing the
information you are to deliver, as well as possible contact points.  Give
our agents the chip, and you are free to do as you wish."

(a sigh can be heard) Alright.  But this is it.  I didn't want your help
with the arm, and I don't want your help after this.  Understand?

"Perfectly.  We have already dispatched a courier to deliver the chip.  You
should have it shortly."

Alright.  I can't say when we're leaving, but your agents will get the chip
as soon as I get to the zone.  Oh, one last thing.

"Yes?"

If you ever threaten me like this again, I'm going to nail you to your door
for your wife to find.  I know your security.  I helped design it.

(It's almost possible to hear the smile in the voice on the other end)
"It's good to be working with you again, Major Hunter"
+++++disconnect]<<<<<
	-- AMIS Telecom Log Archive <14:22:13/06-27-57>

*****PRIVATE: Squatter, Dark Falcon
>>>>>[I just checked my mail.  Life is finally getting interesting
for me again.  Farmer is upset. He is threatening me.  Threatening
you, I imagine.  I need to meet with Lynch.  Farmer has me pretty
torqued.  It's time to cancel this little run.

I'm going to spill the beans to you guys.  Farmer wants lilith and 
Lynch dead.  It wants me to do it.  This boy is not interested 
anymore.  Lynch sounds like a decent individual.  Especially if this 
tortureware thing is true.  So I'm conttacting Farmer, cancelling the 
run, and laying low for a while.  If you need me, you can contact me 
through Glaive.  I'm sorry to get you guys wrapped up in this.]<<<<<
	--  Redemption <5:32:55/6-27-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Squatter
>>>>>[I'll see you there.  The meal is on me.  I'll introduce you to 
Zeus.]<<<<<
	--  Redemption <5:35:42/6-27-57>

*****PRIVATE: Farmer
>>>>>[Pressing business has called me to Berlin.  I must frop out of 
this run.  Keep me in mind for future employment opps, however.

I look forward to hearing from you again.]<<<<<
	--  Redemption <5:37:57/6-27-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Lynch, Lillith
>>>>>[A new threaat has reared it's head for you.  I think that we 
should meet.  Anywhere you like, any terms you like.  Things are 
getting ugly here in the shadows.  We need to have a discussion about 
an organization called "Farmer".  Send the meet info to Glaive.  I 
don't want to go near any of my familiar haunts for a while.]<<<<<
	--  Redemption <5:41:57/6-27-57>

*****PRIVATE: Neuron Basher, Priest
>>>>>[I wouldn't quite say "anything" on the vehicles. But I can get
one, possibly two, mercenary helicopters. Stallions, armed and armoured,
good countermeasures suites: not frontline milspec, but good enough for
what we want. T-birds, fast jets, stuff like that, nix. (Though Sasha is
considering picking up some fighters... but then we need 3,000 feet of
runway, hard to arrange inside the Zone).

Can you guarantee a decent replacement value for the airframe? We're
talking the best part of half a million here, even allowing for the age
of the aircraft. She's insured for sabotage/accidental loss, but you're
going to have to persuade Mutual Direct of Atlanta that their policy
covers it, or else explain to Colonel Rusanov what happened to his helo. 

Gets a lot cheaper if we have time to salvage the electronics - maybe
fifty grand if we pull the weapons and the avionics racks. Needs ten
minutes, a few crescent wrenches, and enough strong backs to carry a
hundred kilos of miniguns and electronics. For that, we could negotiate
splitting the cost, since apparently 612's got fatigue problems anyway
and is near the end of her life. Sasha could write that off safely
against taxes :)

Now, so I know. You guys are Serenity, right? Not to be dense, just to
be sure I know who I'm dealing with.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <18:50:42/06-27-57>

***** PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn, Neuron Basher
>>>>>[If they are nearby (north america) we can just go and steal them.  By
the time he finishes his paperwork on the insurance, we would have stripped
them clean, and burned the evidence or sold it.  I can, and will if needbe,
hack his insurance records to show that he has held a full coverage policy
for the last 5 years on anything you want.

We need choppers.  We will need to be able to pick it up, and put it
down on a dime.  We dont have any hands on pilots, that I know of, so it
will HAVE to be set to be rigged.  We have a number of combat pilots who
are already set and ready to go.  They would rather have a spiff chopper to
deal with if you can swing it.  

We are making backup arrangements as well.  Our Ordinance Officer has
procured a set of uniforms that should keep anyone from pointing a 
finger in the right direction.]<<<<<
	-- Priest <02:58:35 / 06-28-57> 

>>>>>[The bugs are stupid. They act as units so long as they stay with
their own species, but as soon as they try to work with other 'races',
they start fragging up. We use this to our advantage. 

   A massed magical attack would frag the hell out of the bugs. And if we
managed to pull as many metas out of there as possible, the bugs would
start to starve. 

   The more we wait, the worse the final reckoning is going to be. We will
prevail, but it will make for some interesting times.]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <23:18:54/27-06-57> 

>>>>>[ I hate to say it, but I'm with Jen and Gabe on this one. The combined
talents of just the runners that post on here could easily deal with a
block at a time if backed with government resources and bribed with new
SIN's, full pardons, lots of cash, etc. I'm sure some spooks are reading,
pass the suggestion up through the chain of command, okay?]<<<<<
	--  Ronin  <23:10:48/06-27-57>

*****Internal: Renraku internal e-mail, to Commander James Tetsori
>>>>>[ Commander, there has been a disaster. It would appear that the
Otaku, Peter, has escaped from the computer lab with the aid of an
unidentified pair of criminals. This occured at approximately 0:05
last night.

In what was probably an attempt to cover his tracks, Peter invaded our
computer controlled security systems this morning, at approximately 3:30.
The attempt was partially successful, but the following security camera
footage was moved to an isolated system before it could be destroyed.

+++++Begin footage_1.ftg

At the top left of the scene is a time stamp, reading 00:05:46 as the
footage starts.

The scene is a corridor, with gray walls, and no particularly memorable
features. A door opens, and a single man comes through it, wearing tight
fitting dark clothing, including mask, and a black jacket, obviously
armoured. He carries a peculiar plastic assault rifle and he advances up
the corridor, checks the lock on a door, then opens it with a maglock
passkey. He dissappears inside as a woman in a baggy yellow T-shirt
shimmers into view.

The man in black re-enters the hallway, accompanied by a young man wearing
baggy ripped jeans, a "Neil the Ork barbarian" T-shirt, and fuzzy pink
bunny slippers.

"No one in the area," the woman says.

"Let's go then," replies the man in black.

The group sets off, and leaves the field of this camera.

+++++End footage_1.ftg

Voice analysis software gives a 73.4% probability that the man in the team
was Matthew Van Holde, the operative who was taken from this facility when
it was under the control of my predecessor.

The next piece of footage is from one the garage cameras.

+++++Begin footage_2.ftg

There is a single vehicle, a Chysler-Nissan Patrol, in the centre of the
cavernous room. The group from before enter through the door that leads to
the interior of the building, and get into the vehicle. After a few seconds
the motor starts up, and the armoured vehicle begins to pull out of the
carpark.

As the vehicle is almost out, there is a yell, and several security guards
enter the carpark, by the same route as the runners did earlier. They open
fire with SMG's, and the Patrol abruptly accelarates, speeding out of the
door as it begins to close.

+++++End footage_2.ftg

The following is the broadcast footage from the camera in one of our
security helicopters, that attempted to pursue and halt the APC.

+++++Begin footage_3.ftg

The view is down into a downtown street. A CN Patrol, presumably the one
from earlier, is seen in the middle of the road, moving as quickly as
possible in the comparatively light night-time traffic. The helicopter
carrying the camera moves closer, and a blinding flash of light is seen as
the HMG on the chopper opens up. A warning shot, the slugs chew into the
road a little ahead and to the left of the vehicle. The Patrol swerves, and
turns down a service road to the left. Sickeningly, the ground drops away
from the camera as the chopper pulls up and to the left, folowing the
Patrol and firing some more after a brief interval. The service road is too
narrow for the chopper to fly in, and the height of the buildings, combined
with the darkness in the narrow alley, prevents any effective fire. The end
of the service road is in sight though, and the chopper stops firing,
apparently content to wait for a better opportunity.

At the end of the road, the Patrol charges straight into the traffic,
sliding around a five-door vehicle and narrowly avoiding a motorcycle. The
chopper dives, letting off another burst of HMG rounds, but the swerving of
the Patrol makes it a difficult target, and the bullets all miss. A stray
round takes out a street light, and it explodes in a shower of sparks,
lighting up the scene for an instant before shadows descend again. The
chopper ceases firing, and the Patrol turns again, into another service
road. This time, the chopper comes in with it, braving the narrow
conditions, and the gamble pays off. The Patrol has no where to swerve to,
and the chopper's first long burst rips into the back of the ground
vehicle. As the chopper roars past, the patrol side-swipes the wall and
comes to a halt after crashing into a dumpster. The wind-shield shatters,
and a body-shaped object flies through it in a cloud of glass fragments.
Instead of crashing to the earth though, it soars into the air as the
chopper's flight takes it out of the camera's view.

The chopper comes around to finish the survivors, but swerves off for no
apparent reason. After a brief moment, the HMG opens up again, firing at
what can now be seen as a flying woman, who throws up a magic barrier. A
few of the slugs penetrate, but they have lost a lot of velocity passing
through the magic wall, and the enhanced speed and looping flight of the
mage are sufficient to avoid them. As the HMG stops, the barrier is
dropped, and a bolt of fire erupts from the mage's hand. The chopper drops
to the left in an attempt to avoid it, but a strange splash of flame over
the camera indicates that it has not succeeded. The view turns to static as
the chopper plummets to the ground.

+++++End footage_3.ftg

The wreckage of the helicopter was taken away by the AAA salvage company,
and they are holding it pending police investigations into the cause of the
crash. LoneStar do not currently have a copy of this footage. The pilot is
in the ICU of the DocWagon Downtown Clinic, under LoneStar guard. He is
expected to survive, though we are not being allowed to see him.

As you can see, the attack was carried out by professionals of reasonable
calibre, mages of this ability are not as common as they sometimes seem. We
await your instructions as to the handling of this event.]<<<<<
	--  Carmen Virotti <08:45:18/06:27:57>
            Captain, Downtown Laboratory Security
            Renraku

*****Internal: Renraku internal e-mail, to Captain Carmen Virotti
>>>>>[ This is the second loss of assets from your facility this quarter.
Such performance is intolerable. You're presence is requested for a
disciplinary hearing at 12:00 tomorrow, conference room D, floor 23 of
the Arcology. Do _not_ be late.]<<<<<
	--  James Tetsori <09:23:51/06:27:57>
            Commander, Internal Security
            Renraku

*****PRIVATE: Redemption
>>>>>[ I meant that bite to eat comment as a feeble attempt at subtle humour,
i.e. I, a squatter, eat out of the garbage bins at the back. Ha ha. But go
into a restaurant? All those people? Frag off, much as I appreciate the
invite, I have to decline. And who's Zeus?]<<<<<
	--  Squatter  <23:27:47/06:27:57>

>>>>>[I recieved this at about 19:21 this evening.  I'll be sending it in
several sections due to it's extreme length.  I think that it's VERY
important, and you'll all see why shortly.

+++++ Include Communications Transcript/Camera Download

	CD: Commander Drake
	SM: Sergeant  Montoya
	LA:  Agent Long Arm
	SZ: Sergeant Ziv
	AH: Agent Halberd
	AJ: Agent Jane
	ST:  Sergent Tagit
	WOC - Warrant Officer Chips

+++++ The view vibrates and the background noise is high. The notation in
the corner indicates Commander Drake's helmet camera, the time and date,
and he appears to be in a helicopter with three other armed and armoured
InterPol troops.

CD:  Still there?

SZ:  Locked on.  Motel room, laser mike says he's typing something.

CD:  Astral?

HQ:  Clean.  The ritual team says it's a solid ID.  It's him all right.

CD:  Monty, you in place?

SM:  In place and standing by, boss.  Long Arm's spotting for me.  No shot
yet, but if he comes out the back, he's out cold.

CD:  Got your rifle with you?

SM:  Sure thing, boss.  Gel doesn't take him down, my old friend comes out.

CD:  Okay.  Let's get this over with.  All agents, you have weapons-free
as of now.  Lock and load.

+++++ All load weapons and chamber rounds. +++++

CD:  Chips, run in hard and put us down fast, car park. Ziv, we have room?

SZ:  Easily.  LZ clear and cold.  Put down in front of the green Elite.

+++++ The helicopter pitches down and accelerates, turning to a new
heading +++++

CD:  One more time for my peace of mind.  We land, hit his room with gas
and concussion, go in the front and get him.  If he breaks out the back,
Monty drops him.  Stay out of Halberd's line of fire, he's got the netgun
and that's probably our best chance of getting Lynch alive and not too
damaged.  Nobody goes lethal without my order, and then aim to wound if
possible.  Understood?

+++++ A chorus of 'sirs' +++++

WOC:  Hold tight, guys, LZ in sight.

+++++ The view tilts abruptly, then Drake is leaning out of the door,
firing the grenade launcher under his AK-98 at a small motel room:  the
grenade punches cleanly through the window.  Another grenade explodes
against the door, knocking it off its hinges, as Drake advances and takes
cover behind the green Elite, firing a second and third gas grenade into
the room. +++++

SM:  Target in sight, he's opening the back window.  Target popping smoke.
LA?
LA:  Jamming.  Ultrasound jammed solid-
SM:  I see him.  (shot)
LA:  No target, Monty, I - you hit him? Lynch is down, Lynch is down!  
Commander, we- (choking noise)
SM:  LA's hit. (sound of shot)  Lynch is still mobile.  (sound of shot)
Drek, this guy's tough.  No shot.  He's back inside.  Two hits,
centre-torso and thigh.  LA's took a round in the neck, we need medevac
ASAP.
WOC:  Dustoff en-route, ETA 4 minutes.
CD:  (advancing on door) Roger that.  I-

+++++ A long burst of gunfire echoes inside the motel room and bullets
smash into the Elite that Drake was using for cover - Drake twists to the
side, braced against the wall by the door as Jane crouches below the
window.  They exchange hand signals, then both throw a pair of grenades
into the room.  As the four concussions shake the building, both fire
blindly into the room as Halberd leans around the doorframe. +++++

AH:  Coop flown, he's gone!

CD:  WHAT?

+++++ Drake reloads and looks into the room:  a ragged hole in one wall
reveals where Lynch blew himself a new exit.  Halberd runs towards it, the
netgun ready in his hands, and is suddenly backlit by a piercingly bright
flash before the blast throws him back. +++++

CD:  Jane, check him! Tagit, cover his door.  Monty, he's in the next
room, number twelve, you see him?

SM:  Roger.  No shot, window's too thick for gel.

CD:  Fraggitall...  Go heavy and shoot to disable.  Don't take his head
off.

SM:  Changing.  He's out of sight.  Waiting for a shot.

CD:  How's LA?

SM:  Took a round in the side of the neck.  Gel, but he's hurting.  Gonna
live.

CD:  Halberd?

AJ:  Flash and concussion grenades, pointblank.  Stunned but coming to.

CD:  Okay.  Tagit, you set?  Tagit?

WOC:  GOD DAMN GOD DAMN!!!  HE'S COMING RIGHT AT ME!!!

+++++ Drake whirls - through the window, Lynch can be seen running at the
InterPol helicopter, a limping, injured gait that still covers ground at
a startling rate. +++++

SM:  Deckit boss!. 

+++++ Drake falls like a puppet with cut strings, as the shockwave of a
supersonic bullet whipcracks past him, missing by maybe an inch, and
Lynch is spun halfway around by the impact. +++++ 

SM:  Hit, left thigh.  Leg's still attached. 

+++++ Lynch, falling, grabs the helicopter's door for support and throws
something - Drake looks away just in time as the flash  grenade
detonates. +++++

SM:  Scope whited.  No shot.

WOC:  Uh, sir, I think he wants- 
+++++ the pilot's door opens and Chips falls to the ground:  after a few
seconds, the idling helicopter's rotors increase their speed as the
engines power up.  Drake aims at the helicopter, then lowers the rifle
with a muttered curse.>

CD:  Monty, try to bring the chopper down, minimual damage. 

SM:  No can do unless you want rotor blades everywhere, boss.  Barret's 
aren't that particular with choppers.

+++++ The helicopter lifts, pivots and accelerates along the road, skids
almost touching the ground - swerving to avoid a panicked car but staying
at absolute ground level. +++++

CD:  Casualty report.

LA (hoarse):  Sir, I kind of need a medic.

AJ:  Halberd's fine, just bruised, singed and concussed.  2 cracked ribs. 
Tagit has a broken arm and is out cold. 

CD:  Chips?

WOC:  I'm okay, sir, but that MP-5K looks awful big from the muzzle end-

CD:  Relax, Chips. Are we tracking the chopper?

SZ:  He's outrunning the drone, sir, I'm losing him.  We'll pick him up
when he lands, though, the tracker will start squawking soon as there's
weight on the skids.

CD:  Good.  Monitor and report.  Put another two helos up and start
searching, alert Lone Star, find that aircraft before it lands. 

+++++ Drake moves to the wall, studies a small, perfectly round hole,
looks back at a similar hole - this one at the centre of a spiderweb of
cracks. +++++

CD:  Monty, you actually had a clean shot on him?

SM:  Once you were out of the way, boss.  I wouldn't have taken it
otherwise.  He's hurting, badly.

CD:  Okay.  Find him while he's still down. 

+++++ Drake bends over, picks up one of the many brass cases on the
motel's cheap carpet. +++++

CD:  We were lucky.

SM:  Lucky, boss?

CD:  You got two hits, he's in a marked vehicle with a tracker, and he's 
wounded.  But more importantly, he took the time to switch to gel rounds 
when he was shooting at us.  If he hadn't, we'd be at least one, maybe three 
agents down.

SM:  I see your point, boss. 

CD:  Get me some transport now. I want to be mobile.

SZ:  Call's in, sir, car coming.  Uh, Marshall Qoph is on the line, sir.

CD:  (drek) Patch him through.

HQ:  Report, Commander.

CD:  He was here just like the ritual team said he would be.  We attempted to 
apprehend using gas grenades and concussion and gel rounds, but were unable 
to do so.  He injured Agent Long Arm, Sergent Tagit, and Agent Halberd.  They 
are wounded, but not severely.  Sergent Montoya shot him in the leg with an 
APDS round, and he is wounded badly.

HQ:  Lethal force, Commander?

CD:  On my authority, shoot to disable only.  Helmet recorders will verify 
this order, sir.  He is disabled, or will be shortly.  Orders, sir, or can I 
get busy with tracking and arresting him now?

HQ:  I'll be waiting, Commander.

CD:  Very good, sir.  Drake out.

+++++ End Communication/Camera Download +++++ ]<<<<<
	--  Trideo Pirate <23:42:11/06-28-57>

>>>>>[This is the second installment.

+++++ Include Communication/Camera Download +++++

	CD: Commander Drake
	SM: Sergeant  Montoya
	SZ: Sergeant Ziv

+++++ Drake and Montoya are in a car, driving north on I-5 +++++

SZ:  Sir?  We got it.  Helo's down on the top floor, parking structure at
the Kingdome.  No damage, he left a certified stick for five hundred
newyen and a note saying 'gas money'.  No Lynch either, but blood all
over the right seat.   Forensics isn't here to verify, but it's got to be
his.  He's hurt bad. 

CD:  And not going anywhere fast or public with that leg....

SZ:  Team's pulling the security tapes.  I'd guess he stole a car and ran
for it.

CD:  Get blood samples from the helo and get another sending underway.  Do 
this one stacked.  Some kind of locator, knockout, and stabilization.  We may 
need it.

SZ:  We got it, sir....  he stole himself a blue Americar.  Registration
and details already to Lone Star.  If he passes a camera, we got him.

CD:  Way too easy.  Search the garage.

SZ:  Whatever you say, sir.

CD:  Monty, tell me what you think.  Today's lesson.

SM:  He stole it on camera, drove it down a couple of floors, then either 
switched plates or vehicles.  Whatever he left in, it wasn't that Ford.

CD:  If he left by vehicle at all....  no, he left by car.  No crowds or
bikes with that leg.  Lynch is still in a car, but which fraggin one, and
where's he heading?

SZ:  You were right, sir.  Found it on the third floor, and the tapes are 
blank.  How did he do that?  He's not a decker, at least not according to
his file.

SM:  Program carriers.  Old, crude, obsolete even, but okay for basic
systems with no IC.  Remember, some of his cyber is pretty old.

SZ:  Well, anyway, whatever he took, he's gone.

SM:  You gotta wonder how many cars Lynch steals in a year.

CD:  With all the crimes and warrents in his file, Monty, grand theft
auto's probably not what he's worried abot right now.  Besides, he's SIGA,
and when you're a government agent, you don't steal.  You 'commandeer' or 
'requisition' or 'impound in transit'.

SM:  Nope.  I'll bet you lunch that Lynch says he steals them.  Hell, I
keep hoping he steals my heap of junk sometime.

CD:  No bet.  Wait a sec, you drive an unmarked InterPol van.

SM:  I know, but it handles for drek and it's got no pickup.

CD:  Yeah, right.  Any thoughts?

SM:  I'm not gonna say 'we lost him', boss, not yet, but we're fraggin
close to that.  If I were him... right now I'd be heading for somewhere
warded.  Sure, a powerful enough sending can bypass a ward, but it's a
start.  An Agency safehouse.  Which we don't know any of.

CD:  Not officially we don't.  Drek.  Monty, head back to HQ and start
pulling strings.  Get Qoph to help.  It'll keep him out of my hair while
I think.  Ignore SIGA, but talk to a couple of the other UCAS outfits.
There's a couple of other people who would probably know, but I'm not
about to go to Alex and ask if his contacts would know about Lynch.

SM:  AJ'd tell you where to shove your request.  And maybe, with Qoph, we
can find Lynch.  You really think that the other groups might know a few
SIGA boltholes?

CD:  Yes.  It's politics.  If we have to play them off against each other
to get Lynch then that's what we do.  Coppinger will be fraggin pissed
off, but too fraggin bad.  It's quite possible that he'd get overruled on
this one.  After all, Lynch is expendable, and the Agency is more
important than a single man.

SM:  I'm on it, boss.  You want the car?  Chips can pick me up now he's
got his chopper back.

CD:  Yeah, I do.  There's something I want to check on before reporting
back to Qoph.

SM:  Uh, Commander..?  How about we handle this together.  Get some
backup, the whole nine meters.  Do it right.  Wait, you're not going to,
are you?  I know that look, boss.  You've got a hunch you want to play
and you'll order me to get out any minute, 'cause you're gonna be the
lone hero. Just don't get yourself killed and turned into the lone
martyr, okay boss?

CD:  Monty, sometimes you talk too much.  And Lynch won't kill me any more 
than I'll kill him.  Just keep Qoph off me and you'll earn your pay for the 
day.

SM: Yeah, boss.  Right.  Whatever you say. 

+++++ He gets out, cradling a camoflage painted and customized Barret
rifle in his hands, as Drake accelerates away. +++++

CD (under breath):  Ok, Jason, where the frag would you run to?  Where the 
frag would you go?  Safehouse?  No way, you're getting shot at by your 
bosses and we both know that Coppinger would turn you in if he had to.  
Alex's clinic?  No.  You'd be too worried that you'd drag him down with you, 
and you also know that I still can't find the fraggin place.  Hell of a coup 
if you did, but that's just wishful thinking....  Come on, Paul, think....   

+++++ Drake turns off the freeway, into following the signs for the
airport. +++++

CD: (still to self):  You're a hotshot pilot, but you're also an attack
jockey.  You get down with the grunts in the mud, not showboat over the
field like some fighter puke.  Am I getting it right, Jason, thinking
your thoughts?  You're under attack, but you're not the type to turn and
burn with the enemy.  More of a get down in the fraggin weeds, grab some
knots, get some distance, and live to fight another day.  And you're a
pilot too.  Drek, that's so fraggin obvious we all nearly missed it.
Frag. Jason, I know where you are.  Fraggit, I wish I didn't, but I do,
and it's time we finished this.

+++++ End Communication/Camera Download +++++ ]<<<<<
	--  Trideo Pirate <00:01:57/06-28-57>

>>>>>[Third installment.  It originally was going to be only three, but I
just recieved a final installment, an appendix if you will.

+++++ Include Communication/Camera Download +++++
	CD:  Commander Drake
	G:  Gate Guard

+++++ Drake slows to a halt at a gate, shows his ID to the security
guards. +++++

G:  Need any help, sir?
CD:  I don't think so, but I'll call in if I do.  If there's trouble, some 
backup will be coming.  Airborne and ground.

G:  We'll let them through, no problem, sir.  Can you tell us what's up?

CD: Not yet.  Do you have a log of which aircraft are in which hangars?

G:  Naturally, sir.  All here, movements logged for the last three months.
You want a look?

CD:  Thank you.... there.  Number 32A?

G:  Follow the road around.  Can't miss it.  Sure you want to go alone?

CD:  Yes.  Please, just keep your distance.

+++++ Drake drives onto one of Sea-Tac airport's service roads, circling
behind the hangars:  the high, green-painted buildings are identified by
large, cheerful numerals, and 32A comes up soon, a dirty brown Jackrabbit
parked beside it.  Drake reaches for the radio.>

CD:  (quietly) Monty, run a plate for me. (He reels off the registration.)

SM:  Brown '53 Jackrabbit, reported stolen eleven minutes ago by a guy who 
says he left it in the structure at the Kingdome.

CD:  Drek.  Roger that.

HQ:  Commander, where the frag are you?  Sergent Montoya?

SM: Boss, give me your location and we'll come to back you up, if you've-

+++++ Drake turns off the radio and sets down the AK-98, pulls his Colt
SWAT pistol, checks the loads, and then quietly climbs out of the car.
He begins walking cautiously and very quietly around the side of the
hangar.  As he  approaches, you see the main doors are open, and a
metallic rhythmic thumping comes from inside.  Drake gently, very gently,
eases the saftey off the heavy  pistol and leans around the wall to look
into the hangar.

Lynch is working the handle of some sort of pump, manually transferring fuel 
into the wing tanks of a Mistral.  A maze of bloody footprints shows where
he has walked:  rusty smears on the plane's grey paint show where he's
touched it.  A soaked field dressing is bound around one thigh, and his
whole left leg is saturated in blood:  there's more on his jacket and his
hands.  He's bowed with the effort of working the pump, each stroke
seeming to take his whole strength.  Drake takes careful aim at the back
of his head before speaking. +++++

CD:  Okay, Lynch, raise your hands.  Slow and easy.
+++++ Lynch lets go of the pump and almost collapses sideways, his leg
giving out under him.  He recovers, keeping his back turned to Drake, and
raises his bloodied hands. +++++

JL:  I'm going to take my jacket off, then take my weapons off and put
them on the wing.

CD:  Like I said. Slow and easy.
+++++ Lynch carefully - wincing several times - gets the worn and scuffed
leather jacket off, revealing a combat harness which he unfastens, clip
by clip, and places on the Mistral's wing.  He puts the jacket beside the
harness as well, adds a pistol from an ankle holster.  Standing there in
jeans and a Sisters T-shirt, he's even more emaciated than you previously
thought.  His left arm is enveloped by a dramatic, colourful and very
beautiful dragon tattoo, which seems to run the length of his arm:  from
its tail coiled around his shoulder to its jaws around his left 
hand. +++++

CD:  Frag, don't you ever eat?

JL:  Like a horse.  I'm just naturally thin or something.

CD:  Okay.  Turn around, sit down.

+++++ Lynch does, not quite hiding a groan of relief as he gets the weight
off his wounded leg. +++++

JL:  So, we wait for your paddywagon, you take me to the rendezvous, and
we rejoice that the world is safe once more?

CD:  How's the leg?  Monty put a Barret round into it.

JL:  Holding together.  It won't kill me.  Don't worry, Paul.  Aztlan will
have medics and plenty of A-negative blood ready for me in Tenochitilan.
You're not allowed to pass out or die while they skin you, they want you
to enjoy every minute of the experience.

CD:  You seem very calm about it.

JL:  No, I'm not.  I'm terrified.  Will shouting or screaming help?  I
could run (he gestures ruefully at his leg) or I could grab one of my
weapons and try to kill myself before you stop me.  Neither will work.  
So, I will show Aztlan how a warrior of the Sioux dies.  They're going to
burn out my cyberware, shut down everything that might reduce the pain,
then kill me as slowly and painfully as they can.  I will suffer and I
will die, and now nothing I do can change that, so I will die with
dignity and with pride.

CD: It is always a good day to die, Jason.  I'm sorry, but as little as I 
like doing this, and as much respect I have for you, it's still necessary.

JL:  What do you want, Paul?  Absolution?  I can't give you that.  I'm not
going to forgive you for protecting the guilty and helping them with
their crimes.  We both believe in what we do, enough that we'd die for
it.  It just seems I get called on that first.  You say your way's better,
because it gives criminals a second chance.  Sure it does.  Look what's
going to happen to me.  That is what you serve and protect, Paul.  If you
do nothing else, think about that, long and hard.  I don't even get to
say goodbye to Lilith.  That hurts more than anything else.  I had a lot
to live for, Drake. (Lynch reaches for a cigarette, stops.) Fuelling
area, no smoking.  Shit. 

I wondered what I'd say to you when I met you, Drake, and in the end I don't 
think there's much point.  You're as much a fanatic as Zicahuata.  Come
on, let's go.

CD:  Jason, I-

JL:  I don't really care, Drake.  Just do what you have to do.  Obey your
law and sleep well tonight. 

CD:  Sleep well?  Not likely.  Now I have your death to add to my list of 
crimes....

+++++ Lynch heaves himself to his feet, walks towards the hangar entrance.
Drake follows him, unlocking the rear secure compartment of the car and
closing it on Lynch, then taking the driver's seat and turning the car
around, leaving the airport. +++++

CD:  There's a medkit in the back of the passenger's side seat, Lynch.  
Lynch?

+++++ Glancing back, he sees that Lynch has passed out.  Drake drives
north, toward InterPol Seattle, then turns east and drives toward Lake
Washington and Seward park. +++++

CD:  Sorry to delay your execution, Jason, but I need to think for a minute, 
even if you can't hear me.  And you need the fraggin medkit or you'll bleed 
to death.

+++++ Drake gets out of the car, removes his pistol, and starts applying a
new bandage to his leg, replacing the blood-soaked one.  Lynch doesn't even 
stir during the process.  He then removes the helmet, and the image doesn't 
change for several minutes.  Drake replaces his helmet, and climbs back in 
the car.  Lynch is still unconscious.  Drake leaves Seward park, heads north 
to I-90, then East across Council Island, through Bellevue, and into Redmond.  
The view gets gradually worse, with run down buildings and squatters 
unaccustomed to the sight of a police car, never mind an InterPol car.  He 
stops, eventually, at an area where one side shows partially ruined slums 
with construction going on and where the other shows a white, grafitti-free 
picket fence.  Behind the fence is green grass, and several children have 
stopped playing and are staring at the car.  A lone UCAS Marine is looking on 
cautiously, with his rifle held ready. +++++

CD:  Lynch, wake up. 

+++++ After a moment, he goes around to open the door, rousing  the
mercenary. +++++

JL:  We there? 

CD:  We're here.  Come on, get the frag out.  You need a hand.

JL:  I'll manage. 

+++++ He hauls himself upright, the pain as his wounded leg takes the
weight visible:  he looks around angrily. +++++

JL:  Drake, this is not fucking funny.  If Aztlan want to collect me here,
tell them to go to hell, they can make the pickup a street over.  This
place is important, too important to screw around with.

CD:  I know.  And I nearly put the owner behind bars for generations.
They don't like me much here.  But you're going inside.  Now get the frag
out of here.

+++++ Lynch looks puzzled at Drake, leaning on the car for support.  The
front door of Haven has opened and a single, red-headed elven man dressed
in jeans,  black Converse high-tops, and a white T-shirt is slowly walking
down the path. +++++

CD:  You heard me.  Your leg needs healing, and if they can't do it here,
AJ's clinic is somewhere in Redmond and I know he can do it.  And as soon
as I got you here, I was out of my jurisdiction anyway.  Val there makes
the laws here, and I'm turning you loose. 
+++++ He reaches into the car, turns the radio back on. +++++

CD:  Sergeant Montoya? Is Marshall Qoph there with you?

SM:  Boss, you okay?  Uh, yeah, he is.  Gimme a location and I'll be there
with a team ASAP. 

CD:  Excellent.  I need this to be witnessed.  Sergeant Montoya, I am
hereby promoting you to Lieutenant, effective now.  I am ordering you to
assume command of Special Branch immediately.  I am relieving myself ofduty
pending a full disciplinary hearing.

SM:  What?  Boss, what the frag are you talking about?

CD:  I have Jason Running Wolf Lynch here with me, in custody, and I am 
releasing him.  Monty, until this is resolved and the outcome of my 
disciplinary hearing is determined, you are in charge of Special Branch.  
I will be returning to HQ within the hour:  when I arrive, place me under 
arrest.  If you do not do so, have Marshal Qoph do it.

HQ:  It'll be my pleasure, Drake.

SM:  Boss, you've got to be kidding....

CD:  Do your job, Lieutenant.  Better than I'm doing mine.

SM:  ....Sir.

+++++ Drake turrns off the radio. +++++

CD:  What the frag, you're still standing there?  Get your ass moving,
Lynch, before you fraggin bleed to death in the fraggin street!

JL:  Full hearing,  huh? Including the source of your orders, and someone 
having to justify and explain them.  You might get away with it, with luck
and a little help.

CD:  I have all the help I need right now, but thanks anyway.  Seriously,
Jason, if you interfere, it could cause more problems than it solves.
There's more at stake here than you know.  And I'll take my chances, as
always.

JL:  No, you won't. (Lynch lurches away from the car.)  Once I get this
leg fixed, we'll sit back and watch.  If you call me as witness, I'll
come.  That's all we'll do at the hearing, but if necessary we'll bust
you out and recruit you, and if that makes you sick we'll feed you
intravenously.  Good luck.  You're going to need it.

+++++ Drake watches Lynch's progress as he crosses into Haven, another two
Marines arriving.  They try to support him and he shrugs them off, walking
painfully onwards flanked by the soldiers.  Until he reaches Valentine,
who reaches in quickly to help him and gives the wounded man no choice to
resist. +++++

CD (to himself):  Ever the fragging dramatist....  Maybe I will sleep well 
tonight after all....  (He climbs, heavily, into the car.)

++++++ End Communication/Camera Download +++++ ]<<<<<
	--  Trideo Pirate <00:37:13/06-28-57>

>>>>>[Maybe full pardon's, SINs, and lots of cash would do it for you
Ronin, but we'd like much more than that. Maybe an island or two somewhere
in the Pacific? Those damn tabloid 'zines to stop worshipping us. A
lifetime subscription to 'Ultra-Dangerous People Quarterly' (after all it
IS basically about us). Just a few simple things (maybe remote datastore
someplace? With a few Visionary decks?)...]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <07:56:54/28-06-57>

*****Private: Commander Drake
>>>>>[You have( just put yourself |n a very dange~&
                                              [?~`ous situation. Many
that you haGve doublecros+ed sti\l seek vengea<ce.]<<<<<
	-- [R--h] at [6ous] and D;na <in:02:we/are--one>

*****Private: Delta2X (INTERNAL: Sheppard-Intrepid)
>>>>>[It just happened again sir. Should I try and gleen something or just
let it slide?]<<<<<
	-- RedRyder <08:11:40/28-06-57>
        DC Security
        Sheppard Intrepid

*****Private: RedRyder (INTERNAL: Sheppard-Intrepid)
>>>>>[Nah. Probably just a little hardware hickup. I've noted it
though.]<<<<<
	-- Delta2X <
+++++SIGNAL TERMINATED AT SOURCE

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[ You okay, Jason?  If you need any backup when you decide to leave
Haven, let me know.  Even though Drake doesn't want your head on a stick,
it doesn't mean his superiors or the Azzies are going to quit trying. I'd 
be willing to bet that there will be a squad of leopards .. err a street
gang that attacks you shortly after you leave Haven. ]<<<<<
	-- Tangent <10:53:46/06-28-57>

*****PRIVATE: Priest, Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[ Yes, we're Serenity.  If you can get the two choppers, I can arrange
a third that is armed and armored similarly to the first two.  Actually, I 
could arrange all three, but I'd rather not have to owe a favor to the
person I'd be getting them from.  

As far as the avionics is concerned, we can have a couple of trucks standing
by somewhere where we set the choppers down, unload the passengers, avionics,
and weapons into the trucks and blow the choppers then.. 

Oh, and like Priest said.  Your friend has full insurance coverage .. we have
more than enough matrix muscle to arrange anything we need to with the 
insurance folks. ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <10:57:48/06-28-57>

>>>>>[You are out of your fraggin' mind, Ronin.  

They AREN'T working as separate groups.  At least one incident that I
have heard of, they were working as a consortium.  Different species working
in tandum with one another to achieve a common goal.  I popped the largest
spell I had, specifically designed to frazzle spirit forms, and the only
thing I had to show for it was two ruptured ear drums, and severe brain
hemoraging.  Had it not been for Dragon Eyes and Blitzkrieg pulling me out,I
would have died on the floor of the +++++ Transmission Ended]<<<<<
	-- Kor <14:59:34 / 06-28-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[Hold on there, bro.  I cant let you go spouting off about a run that
will still get us all thrown in the deepest darkest holes known to man.  'Mare
wouldn't be too happy about it either.  Just settle down, take a couple of 
deep breaths and relax]<<<<<
	-- Skuff <14:59:38 / 06-28-57>

***** PRIVATE: Skuff
>>>>>[I don't give a frag about any of that.  I'm getting tired of these
people with their cromed heads up their tricked out hoops talking about things
they have no information about.  Not only that, but I cant take the time
to inform them without getting MY hoop tossed into a detention facility designed
to keep mages away from the only thing that keeps us going.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <15:21:49 / 06-28-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[Ahhh, yes, I forgot our previous conversation, Kor.  This last message
confirmed my suspicions as to your other identity.  You should have slightly
different personalities for your different identities.  As to me assuming
that mortals are walking around fat and happy, I have not assumed that.  I
was just taken aback by your attitude.  Oh, and forgive Olorin, he and I have
seen too much short-sightedness by all races, including our own.]<<<<<
	-- Ryuga (11:05:30 PDT/ 06:28:57)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

*****PRIVATE: Tangent
>>>>>[Thanks for the offer. I may need it <g>. Aztlan are likely to cut
their losses - for now - but I've left enough of them dead there may be
some individual initiative going on. 

Other than that, I'm going to be okay. The only bad wound's the leg, and
that's healing well. Antibiotics, symbiotic healers, and apparently the
miraculous curative properties of Irish ale <g>]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <18:06:06/06-28-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Mighty Quinn, Blade
>>>>>[Sorry, guys, at the moment I'm not up to the sort of steps a dance
in Chicago would need. We can provide some air support if necessary,
though. Keep me clued as to requirements.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <18:55:32/06-28-57>

>>>>>[Ronin, I'd suggest you go nose-to-nose with a roomful of insect
spirits before you say things like this. Firstly, you're talking a large
operation. That means discipline, teamwork, organisation. I don't see
many runners accepting that. Jen and Gabe - or you - following orders
without hesitation? It's not the way you work, but it's how you'd _have_
to work in there. Rugged individualism, dash, style and daring all spell
"bug food" in a situation like that.

Secondly, you severely overestimate both the number and power of the
shadowrunners out there. Those that are good enough to recruit for an
operation like this are far beyond the stage of a new SIN and a handful
of newyen being enough to buy them. This is not a one-night hit and fade
operation: this is years of sustained combat operations. Over a hundred
square miles of city to clear, against an enemy we can't starve out and
who won't run out of ammo, and we can't call up air or arty because the
idea was to keep the citizens alive.

Review a few history books. Start with Berlin, Stalingrad and Leningrad
last century, then work back through other urban conflicts. 

Clearing Chicago on foot, room by room, is an option that makes massive
insecticide bombardment look attractive.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <18:03:32/06-28-57>

***** PRIVATE: Ryuga
>>>>>[Sigh --  I trust that you will not let that bit of information slip
past you to others.  There are very few that know of my duality, and I would
like to keep it that way if you wouild be so kind.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <19:13:08 / 06-28-57> 

*****PRIVATE:  Squatter
>>>>>[Hope I didn't offend you.  I guess the joke was lost on me.  Oh, 
well, never claimed to be bright.

Zeus is a friend of mine.  Works out of Berlin.  He's a phys-ad with 
some sort of magical tie to his axe, a dikoted wallacher combat axe 
that he calls Betsy.  It's cheesy, I know, but do _you_ want to try to 
tell him that?

Anyway, he became a runner when his pro-wrestling league banned 
phys-ads.  He's similar to our shamanic physical adepts here in the 
states, but follows the Horned God.

I'll still make our meet.  I wasn't really looking forward to 
appearing in public just yet anyway.  Farmer is probably pretty ticked 
off.  I'll be at <restaraunt name> with your cash.  See you 
there.]<<<<<
	--Redemption  <14:14:14/6-28-96>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[Man, I should put a round through your other leg for that little stunt
you pulled with the Azzies.  What the frag were you thinking?  Oh, I'm glad
he's dead, but it could've been done better.  Maybe not so up close, but he
would've been dead.

And why didn't you have any backup?  You knew InterPol could've come for you
at anytime.  I would've thought you would have someone there.  I'm almost
hurt you didn't ask me <g>.

Now, what to do about Drake?  I'd like to set up a legal defense fund for
him, but I don't know if he would accept money from runners.  Most of the
money involved would be dirty anyway, and that's not his thing.  Even if it
would help him out.

Well, heal up, and watch out.]<<<<<
	-- Blade <18:55:32/06-28-57>

*****PRIVATE: Drake
>>>>>[Well Commander Drake, I don't know if they'll let you read your
e-mail, but I hope they do.

Our paths have never crossed before, and I for one am glad for that.  You
are a tough opponent.  I've heard what Lynch has said about you, and seen
some of the things you've done to protect justice and the law.  I may not
like your views, but I respect them, and I respect you for them.

I wouldn't be surprised if this means nothing to you coming from an admitted
Shadowrunner, but you, Commander Drake, have honor.  And honor is a very
rare thing these days.  May you walk in beauty, whatever your path.]<<<<<
	-- Blade <12:28:28/06-28-57>

*****PRIVATE: Glaive
>>>>>[I'm not exactly mobile at the moment, but tell your friend to come
to Haven. Carefully.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <06:09:14/06-28-57>

*****PRIVATE: Priest, Neuron Basher, The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[Here's a suggested setup. There is an aircraft overhaul firm in
Detroit. Two of my aircraft - tail numbers 612 and 638 - are going there
as of now.

Officially, they're in for inspection and airworthiness checks, and
corrective action on some gripes. This involves stripping the paint down
to primer, among other things, and that's the one thing that will be
done. You will have two two rigged Stallions, fuelled and ready, with
Elta defensive suites and Vanquisher fifty-calibre buzzguns in the
doors, on request. Unmarked, in grey primer only, parked only two
hundred miles from the action.

The aircraft will be stolen, and later recovered in a severely damaged
state. Your deckers will ensure that Mutual Direct honour the claim for
replacements: the policy is valid and current. 

+++++include file: "Dearborn Aviation".details
+++++include file: "Dearborn Aviation".observed_security
+++++include file: logbook_612
+++++include file: logbook_638

Both aircraft are in good condition and fly well. Do not be misled by
the Stallion airframe: these have been "spiff" enough for several
thousand hours of combat flying.

Quinn, please appreciate I am sacrificing a quarter of my air wing
here.]<<<<<
	-- Colonel Sergei N. Rusanov <17:50:31/06-28-57>
           Commanding Officer, "Rusanov's Raiders"

*****PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[That is guaranteed.  Of course, I could have one of my lawyers draw up
a contract about it...<chuckle>]<<<<<
	-- Ryuga (14:00:30 PDT/ 06:28:57)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

***** Private: Buzz
***** Hello Buzz.  I have recently realized that you and a few friends may
be going into chicago.  Since you have helped Spirit and the others in the
past and because of the fellowship and esteem I have for your group, I
would like to offer my help to you.*****
	-- Nightfox <17:11:13/06-28-57>

*****PRIVATE: Nightfox
>>>>>[Long time no see, buddy...:)  We could use all the help we can
get.]<<<<<
	-- Buzz (The one the Only...Human Bee in the Matrix)

>>>>>[My apologies for the delay.  This is the final installment.

+++++ Include Communications/Camera Download +++++

+++++ Drake is driving out of Redmond, alone.  His attention is suddenly
drawn to his rear-view mirror:  a murderous-looking, blacked-out Jensen
Interceptor is closing on him... fast.>

CD:  Oh, drek....

+++++ He flicks switches to activate his cruiser's lights and siren, and
you hear and see the acceleration as he floors the gas pedal.  The black
Jensen continues to close:  Drake activates his helmet radio. +++++

CD:  Monty, I could have a problem here, can - (an ear-piercing
screeching warble cuts off his words and he throws the mike away)
Dammit....

+++++ Drake drops two gears, engine howling, and takes a corner:  his
tires squealing as the cruiser drifts wide, the back end fishtailing
as he puts power back on.  Fifty yards back and closing, the Jensen
rounds the curve without apparent effort. +++++ 

CD:  Fragging piece of drek cars... (he weaves through a group of
bikers, scattering them and forcing the the Interceptor to go wide
around them) ...race an Interceptor in this, sure, and take a knife to
the gun fights while you're at it.  You're gonna have to work to get me,
Lilith.  Fraggit, I could use my old T-bird right now....  You'd be eating
my dust already, wondering if that engine had fallen out.

+++++ The Interceptor is gaining again, and Drake sheers off to the side,
down a road half-blocked by rubble:  his Patrol-1 copes, the Interceptor
seems slowed by the terrain and Drake manages to open some distance
before the rubble clears to the usual potholed Redmond blacktop. +++++

CD:  Caught you there, didn't I?  You're pretty good, but that car's
designed for desert roads, not urban jungle.  Problem is there's not
enough rubble, and I'm a little out of practice....

+++++ Drake stamps on the brake and the Interceptor closes fast, as Drake
works gearshift, brakes and steering, swinging his car through a full
one-eighty and laying rubber away:  the Jensen shoots by to one side, not
slowing. +++++

CD:  Uh oh... what the frag are you up to?  (He tries the radio again, but
it is still jammed).  Okay, SOP is to investigate jamming...air unit,
probably ten minutes or so minimum.  Not soon enough.  Frag. (The Jensen
emerges from a side street less than a dozen yards behind Drake and
closing the distance rapidly) DREK!

+++++ The Interceptor is pulling alongside, its windows opaque.  Drake
throws the wheel over, trying to sideswipe it, and the InterPol cruiser
seems to bounce off the Jensen's side as it eases ahead, then begins to
force Drake's car to the side and to slow down. +++++

CD:  Cute, Lilith, really fraggin cute.  What the frag do you want?  That
tank's got enough firepower to trash this peice-of-drek, so why don't you
just kill me? 

+++++ The two cars come to a halt.  Drake eases out of his car, as the
Interceptor's door opens and Lilith rises into view. +++++

LD:  Commander Drake.
CD:  Lieutenant DiAnnio.

+++++ Lilith stalks around the Interceptor to face Drake directly, holding
his eyes and regarding him with pure hatred.  In her left hand she
carries a sheathed katana. +++++

CD:  How can I help you, Lieutenant?

+++++ Lilith draws the katana and tosses the scabbard aside, taking a
classic kenjutsu stance. +++++

LD:  You may die, Commander, in a manner far more honourable than you
deserve. 

CD:  Not today, I think.

+++++ Suddenly she is a blur of motion and razor-edged steel, and Drake is
twisting aside, dodging the first cut and the second lunge clattering
over his armour.  Drake whirls and turns, bringing his spiked tail up and
around, as Lilith leaps over it, slashing at his head.  The two exchange
blows at blinding speed for nearly a minute, Drake unable to hit Lilith
and the woman's katana seemingly unable to harm Drake, despite her
striking him and penetrating his armor jacket several times.  They draw 
back, staring at each other:  Lilith's eyes roving over Drake, looking for 
weak spots. +++++

CD:  Lilith, there's something you should know-

+++++ Again she is attacking, though this time with a flying kick that
seems to surprise Drake, hitting him squarely in the chest and knocking
him back several paces:  she appears as surprised that he remains on his
feet while she falls aside and rolls away, Drake kicking the sword from
her hand and closing in on her....

Her legs swing around with her usual speed, Drake trying to move aside
and failing as her feet smash into the backs of his knees and he falls
backwards, arms and tail flailing for balance:  then he is very still, as
Lilith crouches over him and the cavernous muzzle of a .44 Magnum Desert
Eagle fills his vision. +++++

LD:  There's a pilot's saying, Drake, that if you're not cheating, you're
not trying hard enough.  Listen to this sound, Drake. 

+++++ Lilith lowers the hammer of the pistol, slowly, then eases the
safety catch on. +++++

That's the sound of someone giving you your life back.  I held your life
in my hands, and I'm returning it.  I thought I wanted you dead. I was
sure I wanted your blood on my hands, your flesh tearing under my teeth
and claws.  But now, without Jason, I don't really care any more, and he
made me promise I would not kill you. 

+++++ She lifts the pistol away from Drake's face:  her blue eyes are
cold, dead, and completely animal, all humanity absent for the moment.  
You can see the feline predator beneath the human skin with a frightening
clarity. +++++

Go.  Live your life.  Enforce your precious human law.  If it says
Zicahuata should live and Jason has to die, then it's a crock of shit
anyway, and you deserve everything - _everything_ - it brings to you and
your kind. 

+++++ The humanity seems to flood back... and she looks small, young and
totally lost.  She rises to her feet and walks away, holstering the
pistol and reaching down to pick up the katana.  Drake rises slowly to his 
knees, gathering his legs beneath him, and leaps at Lilith's back with all 
the sudden energy and speed of a compressed spring releasing.  Lilith's 
feline instincts sense instant danger as she spins, bringing the sword up in 
to defend against the sudden, unanticipated attack.  But Drake's flying
body impacts Lilith before she's prepared for the assault and they both
fall to the road, Drake's arms wrapped and pinning Lilith's to her side,
his tail entwining her legs.  Lilith is suddenly a mass of writhing,
dappled fur, her hind legs driving against the asphalt - the battling pair
roll over as she flails and twists, trying to break free, trying to rake
her hind claws into Drake's guts - and then Drake's fangs close on her
neck from behind, and then release again.  Lilith is suddenly very still,
and after a few moments Drake is clutching a human woman again. +++++

CD:  You gave me my life, I've given you a lesson.  Never turn your back
on an enemy, Lilith, and don't assume that just because you've read my
dossier that you know everthing about me.  The battle's never over until
your enemy says it is.  Besides, you of all people should know that legs
like mine give me unmatched speed and leaping ability, even without the
cyberware and bioware.  But I'm not your enemy, Lilith.  Opponent, always,
but not an enemy.

+++++ Drake, using his tail, flicks the katana out of her reach:  then
with his great apparent strength, keeps Lilith's arms pinned and removes
her pistol from the holster, tossing it far enough away that Lilith won't
be able to retrieve it fast enough to hurt him.  He then sits up, gathers
his legs, stands, and releases her, then turns to walk back to his
Patrol-1. +++++

CD:  Lilith....
LD:  (breathing hard, and in some amount of pain.) Yes....

+++++ Drake turns around slowly, facing Lilith again armed with her
katana. +++++

CD:  I let him go.

LD (staring fixedly at Drake's eyes):  Say that again.

CD:  I said I let him go.  Jason's at Haven, or somewhere in that area. 

+++++ long pause +++++

LD:  Why?

CD:  A lot of reasons.  He could have killed my men, and he didn't.  He was 
carrying frags, APDS, and all the lethal tools of the trade, but he didn't 
use them.  He used stun ammo and flash grenades, and the men he came into 
contact with he knocked out.  He might have escaped if he killed my men, but 
he didn't.

Tagit, Halbert, Long Arm, even Monty, they'd all be dead now.  And Monty was 
the one who put the APDS round into Jason's leg, which is how I got him.  
Monty didn't even notice the orange stain on his helmet where one of Jason's 
rounds hit.  He'd be dead or a fraggin veggie now if Jason had been firing 
APDS.  And Jason'd still be free.

My men are my friends, Lilith, maybe even my family.  Ever since a hit team 
from Ares slaughtered my wife and daughter after killing their way through a 
team of 10 of the best Special Branch men I ever had working for me.  Men 
like Monty.

Ares thought killing my family would devastate me, and it did.  Does.  It
nearly drove me to become a criminal, Lilith.  But I clung to my job
instead, and it kept me reasonably sane.  If anything, the death of the
only people I've ever loved strengthened me, instead of distracting me
from my pursuit.  I got the woman I was investigating, and then I arrested
the team that killed my family, and they're all serving several
consecutive life sentences in UCAS prisons.

My men are my family, and Lynch tried his damndest not to kill my family, 
even when could have.  He sacraficed himself for my family.

Maybe I let him go because he deserves a better chance than fraggin Aztlan.  
Maybe because I respect him.  Maybe because he's got titanium balls.  Maybe 
he just deserved to go free.  Maybe because I like his style.  Maybe because 
he and I are two sides of the same coin, and because I could have walked his 
road just as easily as I walk mine.  Maybe because it seemed like the 
right thing to do at the time.  Or maybe I'm just full of drek and I don't
really know why the frag I did it.  What matters is that I did.

+++++ Drake bends and studies his thigh, through a rip in his fatigues:
the Kevlar is cleanly sliced, and a deep gouge crosses the scales, though
it doesn't seem to have penetrated the flesh beneath +++++

CD:  Drek, that'll need some repair....  That's one fraggin blade you
have. I've fought trolls with a combat axes who didn't do as much damage. 

LD:  Late fifteenth century.  It was forged in Kyoto, by the smith
Muromachi.  Its name is "Yukaze", the best translation is "Breeze of
Evening".  It belonged to the warlord Takeda Shingen for a while.  So,
Drake, what now? 

+++++ She picks up the scabbard, examines the katana's edge minutely,
sheathes it. +++++

CD:  What do you mean?

LD:  You're still under Section 96a.  Jason still has however many
warrants outstanding.  And, you being InterPol, he can't exactly leave
your jurisdiction.  Are you just going to surround Haven and starve him
out?

CD:  I relieved myself of duty.  After all, I broke the laws I'm supposed
to uphold, and as such must face a full disciplinary hearing and possibly a 
criminal trial.  Deal with Lieutenant Montoya from now on:  he's in charge of 
Special Branch for the duration of my suspension.  As for 96a, IA's 
investigating that, and Monty's more sympathetic toward Jason than I can 
ever be.  Hopefully I'll be able to purge that from him before I go to 
prison....

++++ Lilith simply nods, and walks away.  Drake sighs, heavily, as the
Interceptor pulls away with a scream of its supercharged V-12
 engine. +++++

CD:  Goodbye, Lilith.  <mumbling> Damn.

+++++ End Communication/Camera Download +++++ ]<<<<<
	--  Trideo Pirate <18:41:57/06-28-57>

>>>>>[ Yeah, Lynch, I have no discipline, and can't work in a team. Fuck you.

I'm no biochemist, but aren't there chemicals that affect insects but not
humans? Aren't there biodegradable pesticides? And can't mages whip up
astral combat capable (if feeble) watchers at a ludicrous rate with bugger
all drain to suffer for it? (Phoenix suggested shaping them for a ten or so
minutes of service, they won't last that long in combat anyway). If a few
mages (say, twenty) sit outside the zone and keep up a constant flow of
watchers into the city, eventually all the astral bugs are going down. Then
the physical bugs can be taken with the aforementioned pesticides. Add that
to a physical op with some magic support, of the type I have already
suggested, to crack open any sealed nests, and humanity is safe again.

And what the hell do you mean, it will tke more than a few nuyen and a new
sin? How about preventing the eventual destruction of humanity? I'd do the
job for that, so would Phoenix. Who here would not?]<<<<<
	--  Ronin  <19:25:33/06:28:57>

>>>>>[ Some bubble headed news biff hired me to post this, so don't blame me:

+++++Include add.txt

You want to make money, that's why you're runners. We want to make money
too, that's why we're in show biz. Here's an offer you can't refuse. Call
us at >>telecom number<<, and we'll courier a deluxe, lightweight,
professional quality, simsense recording device to whatever location you
specify. All you need to run it is a datajack, it weighs less then half a
Kg, and each datapak is good for half an hour of footage. You wear it on
one of your runs, send us the datapaks, and we'll pay you royalties on
sales. We benefit by not having to pay actors, no need for stunt crews, and
best of all, it all feels real. And feeling real is what we're about. We'll
send a contract for you to sign with the unit. Don't delay, the cash is
calling.

+++++Close add.txt

Sounds good? Yeah, right, if she isn't working for the Star, if the
royalties are worth drek, if the gear works right. You can give it a try, I
won't be.]<<<<<
	--  Nevyn  <20:41:05/06:28:57>

+++++ Incoming mail.
+++++ Destination:  Commander Drake, private, encrypted
+++++ Authorization:  None.
+++++ Request tranfer data:  Transfer to Lt. Jose Montoya, Special Branch
      acting CO.
+++++ Routing.  Encryption still attached.
+++++ Engage decryption routine, Drake4.7a, :Private:for:Commander:Drake:
+++++ Decrypting....  10   9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   Decrypted.

>>>>>[We are very sorry, but Commander Drake is under suspension and is
not able to recieve his correspondance until after his disciplinary
hearing.  If you wish to communicate with him, please come to InterPol HQ,
London, Great Britain and present yourself between the hours of 0900 and
1600, GMT.  This automated message will repeat twice more.  Please be
aware that your message was decrypted and forwarded to the current CO of
Special Branch.]<<<<<
	--  International Police Server 18W <23:08:48/06-28-57>

>>>>>[I don't know who you are, and I don't want to.  But Commander Drake
is unavailable and I am getting all his email until he's either released
from IA custody or is sent to a full trial.  He's also been relocated to
London, as I'm sure the automated message told you.  Special Branch,
however, is still in buisness and I can guarantee that Commander Drake is
very safe where he is.  Thank you for your concern, though.]<<<<<
	--  Lt. Montoya, InterPol <23:11:39/06-28-57>

+++++ Incoming mail.
+++++ Destination:  Commander Drake, private, encrypted
+++++ Authorization:  None.
+++++ Request tranfer data:  Transfer to Lt. Jose Montoya, Special Branch
      acting CO.
+++++ Routing.  Encryption still attached.
+++++ Engage decryption routine, Drake4.7a, :Private:for:Commander:Drake:
+++++ Decrypting....  10   9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   Decrypted.

>>>>>[We are very sorry, but Commander Drake is under suspension and is
not able to recieve his correspondance until after his disciplinary
hearing.  If you wish to communicate with him, please come to InterPol HQ,
London, Great Britain and present yourself between the hours of 0900 and
1600, GMT.  This automated message will repeat twice more.  Please be
aware that your message was decrypted and forwarded to the current CO of
Special Branch.]<<<<<
	--  International Police Server 18W <23:08:48/06-28-57>

>>>>>[I will attempt to send Commander Drake your sentements, Mr. Blade,
although I doubt that my personal attention will deliver them.  I'm far
too busy getting Special Branch back to work on the cases that collapsed
while we were working on Mr. Lynch's arrest.  If Commander Drake responds,
I will attempt to forward you his response.  Good night.]<<<<<
	--  Lt. Montoya, InterPol <23:18:41/06-28-57>

>>>>>[ Ronin, I am all for the destruction of the bugs.  I also enjoy field
work, but am not suicidal.  What I hate to point out as a parazoologist, is
that even in supernatrual species, there is a balanced ecosystem.
        Now, the normal progression of this economic adjustment is the
arrival of one type, then its predators adapt to balance it out, the
predator's predators, etc.  Everything I learned getting my PhD. indicates
that there will be something coming as the mana rises that will eat the
bugs.  I fear what this might be.]<<<<<
	--  Shade  <24:42:58 / 6-29-57>

>>>>>[Ronin, the bugs will just shrug off those kinds of insecticides.  They
are FAR too weak to interfere with the biosystems of the "flesh" forms, since
they are in fact part (meta)human.  The actual true form doesn't always exist
in the physical; so in order to cause the insecticide to affect them, you'd
have to get the spirit to manifest on the physical plane.]<<<<<
	-- Ryuga (00:07:30 PDT/ 06:29:57)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

*****Private: Blademaster
>>>>>[Thank you, but the Ronin just came and got us.  We are even now,
and we are free.  Only, now we don't really know what to do.  We are
17 on July 9.  We will be able to have a real party, maybe we can get a
dog now.  Better find a place to live first.  We first went in the matrix
when we were 5 and the people in the lab gave us a datajack when we were
ten.  We think we should learn to ride a motorbike.  Don't have much to
trade.  We have spent 10 years living in the Reraku matrix system, know
where they keep everything, they have lots of back doors.  Renraku coders are
really lazy and not very good.  And we brought a cell phone datajack plug
with us.  It is a few centimeters cubed and transmits to the phone network.
It just plugs into your datajack or deck, be easy to jam or tap tho.
Not as good a range as a sat uplink but OK in Seattle.  Oh but you have to
get the priority phone connections cos you don't want the exchange load
lagging you out in the middle of things.  It is all we need to deck cos
we just need us, no matrix deck.  We don't have a phone connection tho.
Maybe we should go and hack one up.  Spose that is what we do when we
want things now, geee, that means we are gonna be a decker. dunno if we
are happy or scared.
Could you show us round, where to live, eat, have fun, what ever that is.
We have not been outside the facility since we got there.  We have been in
this city all our life and we feel like a complete stranger, the rain is
nice.  we did not remember rain, we were allways inside the lab when it
rained.  yesterday was the first time we canever  remember feeling rain.
What games would we play, we have never played a game actually WITH anybody.
Thanks for remembering me]<<<<<
	-- peter <23:25:50/6-29-57>

>>>>>[Long and sometimes painful personal experience of samurai, Ronin,
which you've just confirmed. You use the right tool for the job. You
might have the best, sharpest, deadliest scalpel ever built: not much
use for driving nails, though. One of those "fuck yous", when someone
gives you an order, will get two or three of your squad killed because
you're mouthing off when you should be moving. 

Pesticides? Most of the effective insecticides are organophosphorous-
based cholinesterase inhibitors. The short version of that mouthful is
"nerve gas". Since most of the bugs are indoors or underground, a
powerful and highly persistent agent would be necessary to reach them
before it dissipated. Every surface exposed to that agent would be
lethal to the touch - for man, beast or bug - for months thereafter. 

Watcher bombardment? Please. You think these things haven't been
studied, even tried? The UCAS armed forces can muster a few dozen
magicians too, Ronin. Watchers - small, weak, stupid - can be summoned
at a remarkable rate. Most magicians can only control three or four,
though. Sent into the Zone, they disappear, snack food for the bugs.
They don't, apparently can't, understand the concept of massing for an
attack: they attack individually and are destroyed individually. 

As for recruiting an army based on idealism and pride... Tell me how
many magicians you need, how many samurai, how many mercenaries, to
clear two hundred square miles of insect spirit-infested urban
wasteland. Tens of thousands, Ronin. Are there that many shadowrunners?
There are perhaps a few hundred in Seattle, a hundred in Denver... no
more than two thousand in all of North America. Motivate them to fight
for months, if not more. Persuade them to stay while friends die
horribly. Watch the corporations grow fat on the ammo sales while they
sit back and laugh at you.

Idealism is fine and noble. Over forty of us gathered to destroy a
corporate nuclear stockpile that posed an unacceptable threat to world
stablity, to no profit and at our own expense. But you would do well to
ensure that you understand what you are fighting against, and that what
you ask for is possible, before you begin rallying troops to your
standard.

Again I say, Ronin, study history. I gave you three cities before as
examples: the next three are Beirut, Sarajevo and Groznyy. I suggest you
study what happened to each, fighting against human foes who could be
persuaded to flee or surrender.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <08:24:41/06-29-57>

>>>>>[I suspect that most folks wouldn't exactly be willing to line up 
and dive straight into the cootie infested hell of Chicago, no matter how 
many nuyen you dropped on the table.  But either way, if there was a 
simple solution to the problem, the military would have done it.  They've 
got drek-hot mages and cyber-infantry, many of whom are as bleeding edge 
as shadowrunners.  If *they* can't dig out the bugs, I'd bet an army of 
Shadowrunners couldn't.  Not to sound overly callous, but the "cancer" 
has to be neutralized (killed) before it spreads more.]<<<<<
	--Spider <13:47:42 / 06-29-57>