>>>>[
+++++download: Trail_report_VI.b
+++++download: hunting_snail_frame]<<<<<
	--JayCee<19:05:32/09-30-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Squatter
>>>>>[Well, it take me a while to get in touch with my friend.  He is 
mostly cut away from the rest of the world.  He can't be tell me 
anything specific, only some general informations, and even that is a 
risk for him to talk.

Basically, the body is a very complex thing and is constantly 
monitoring itself and changing to maintain itself in the environment. 
Every time some cyberwares are put into the body, it interferes some 
with this feedback and as you know if too much is put in, the body 
can't maintain itself any more and the person dies.  With better 
techniques and refining the equipments, the impact of implanting 
cybers can be reduced, but there are still limits of about 40% non-
neural replacements.  Neural is much more sensitive and really can't 
be replaced above about 5%, only augmented.

Refining the components and techniques is reaching a plateau for 
reducing implant trauma, although carefully matching and integrating 
cyber components (i.e. installing them as a SYSTEM instead of pieces) 
may also help.  The next step seems to be Cybermancy.

Cybermancy, at least in theory, will push non-neural replacement 
tolerances to 90%+, and maybe even allow neural replacements.  It 
uses a combination of experimental drugs and magic to keep the 
remaining tissue functional.  The individual components in the system 
have to also be carefully integrated to make sure they are 
compatible, and installed in a specially designed regimen.  It is a 
very intensive process and must be continuously maintained or it 
starts to degrade.

This is all just experiment so far, and is only worked on seriously 
in a few labs, and very secret.  I don't know any labs, but they 
would be need much funding, so probably they are in big corporations 
or governments.  I also never hear of any work on people that have 
success over a long period, but that would be secret anyway.  I think 
it will be many years before this technology reaches a useful level, 
and even then it will be too expensive to build and maintain to use 
in most areas.

That is all i may tell you now.  I hope this helps.]<<<<<
	-- Basilisk <22:47:51 GMT/01.OCT.57>

*****PRIVATE: Cassandra
>>>>>[What the frag did you get me in to?!  I was walking 
down the street to see a friend and this thing just comes right 
up to me.  Usually I keep away from the squatters and all but 
this guy just walks right up like he knows me. Next thing I know
 my ally starts screaming something about an astral shadow 
and tells me to run! well i didn't know anything about "astral 
shadow's" so i look and sure enough this thing  walking up to me 
has what looks like a black aura or shadow all around it. so i start
 to turn and run away but the things all ready next to me, he was 
so close i swear i should have felt his breath but it never seemed 
to breathe at first i was afraid to even look up at it but then it started 
asking me about you. where did you live, where do you go, who are 
your friends, etc. that's when i looked up. the thing didn't even have 
a face it was just a skull with these weird eyes that glowed. i think
 i gained about 3 years at that point. it just kept asking me the same 
questions over and over. at first i didn't know what to say, but i figured
 you didn't need anything like this so i said i didn't know who he 
was talking about and started to walk away. that's when it got mad
 i think, it grabbed my arm and it felt like he would have ripped it 
off if my ally hadn't attacked him. it let go of me and these blades 
came out of his hands and he started to slice at my ally. the damn 
thing KILLED it like it was just a fly, i saw the spirit try a spell
but nothing happened that's when the thing tore into it.
seeing that i tried to throw a fireball but all that did is burn the
things cloak. that's when I decided to disappear it looked around for a
few minuets then walked off mumbling something about evita. you better
tell her to be careful this thing made tarlen look like a normal guy.
what ever it is i wont be around for a couple days, good luck and stay
alive.]<<<<<
	-- Dirk <17:29:03/10-01-57>

*****Private: Ms. Johnston
>>>>>[Questioning didn't work as had hoped ran into a small difficulty.
I will pursue a different person to find subject.  Any extra information
would be useful.  Also I am having minor problems with my internal
weapons this may slow my work if I cant find the appropriate tools soon. 
I will continue on main objective until further notice.]<<<<<
	-- The Skull Bearer<17:40:26/10-01-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Skull Bearer
>>>>>[Hmmm.  I assume you questioned Cassandra's mage acquaintence.  Did 
you kill him? I hope so. We don't need him warning the others.  Come to
>>encrypted<< this evening. I will have you restored to full working
order as best I can.  For the record, you are a magically sustained 
machine, no?  I will have personnel available with the appropriate tools.
Do not move forward until we have affected your recuperation.]<<<<<
	-- Ms. Johnston <20:57:00/10-1-57>

>>>>>[An I will be righ' ther' wi' ya, I wa' in on th' run tha' got th'
fragger]<<<<<
	--  STREETWOLF(Fire is an Elf's Best Friend)<00:29:59/10-02-57> 

*****PRIVATE:Nameless
>>>>>[So when do we get the details?]<<<<<
	-- Evita <15:45:32/10-02-57>

*****PRIVATE:Valentine
>>>>>[I have found Sarah's father, there are some complications
involved...since you're the unofficial protector of Sarah and her mother,
can I meet with you to discuss this?]<<<<<
	-- Cassandra <15:49:12/10-02-57> 

*****PRIVATE: The Group
>>>>>[We really need a name.

Anyways, I'm back, so now I can tell you where I was. Gibraltar, up the
rock thereof, in this corporate hotel thing. I was under exec disguise, as
were a few other Seattlite runners. We mingled with the other execs, drank
some champagne, talked about corporate policy, and saved the world from a
madman with a big nasty virus. Boring, all things considered.

Also, I need your guy's help in a ritual to initiate again, can we meet
soon? Same place as the last one, >>time<<.]<<<<<
	--  Ice  <15:25:27/10-02-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Cassandra
>>>>>[Of course.  I am always here at Haven.  Stop by when you can.]<<<<<
	-- Valentine <16:15:39/10-02-57>

*****PRIVATE: L
>>>>>[Here's the report on the festivities at the Rock hotel, Gibraltar.

It mabe a little disorganised, but what am I, a secretary? I divided it by
days... but firstly, here's a series of pictures of the principals so you
don't have any trouble with the various footages.

+++++Include Blackthorne.pic
(Male, Amerindian, human)
Decker, AKA David Buchanan, SK Exec.

+++++Include Blackhawk.pic
(Male, Amerindian, ork)
AKA Ralph Serpiko, SK Bodyguard.

+++++Include Blademaster.pic
(Male, caucasian, elf)
Mage, AKA Eric Lees-Berry, SK Exec.

+++++Include Easy.pic
(Female, caucasian, elf)
AKA Leiah Brightfield, SK Exec.

+++++Include Ice.pic
(Male, caucasian, elf)
Mage, AKA Murray Jerzyck, SK Exec.

+++++Include Shockwave.pic
(Male, caucasian, human)
AKA Bill Steiner, SK Bodyguard.

+++++Include T'Shon.pic
(Male, albino caucasian, elf)
Physical adept, AKA Alan Thomas, SK Bodyguard.

+++++Include Whitetyger.pic
(Male, Eurasian, human)
Mage (adept of some sort), AKA Jared Chan, SK Bodyguard.

********************

Okay, in case you have to send this on to other departments or some damn
thing, I'll save you the trouble of adding the list of missions and goals
we had:

Talk to Renraku about anti-aztech cooperation.

Show Bevan Ratekov, a Yamu exec, that SK has his kidnapped step-son
Willard, but prevent Yamu resnatch at all costs.

Talk to Eric Goldmann, Shiawase exec, about defection, deliver a message,
get any replies.

Scope out aztech guards, write report on weaknesses, strengths, etc.

Find out why Hans Gagnon, geneticist, used to work for an SK sub, has been
traced to the Rock. Not very important, apparently, but ye gods and little
chickens, it turned into a killer...

********************

Day 0 (Tuesday)...

Some stragglers still arriving... out of our group, Easy and T'Shon arrived
first, which got us the second floor from the top of the hotel on the
first-in highest-room system. Aztech slipped in ahead of us to score top
floor. In descending order it went Aztech, us, Shiawase, Renraku,
Yamatetsu, Fuchi, Ares, and Mitsuhama.

The guided tour was vaguely interesting... Gagnon was unavailable when I
asked a few questions, so I gave the faked message to a miscellaneous
flunkey. The guy said he'd see he got it, but also that he doubted Hans
would even read it if he knew it was from BlueGenes. None of the others
found out anything about Hans either.

Blackthorne hit the matrix right away that night, took a look at some of
the security measures, but mostly spent his time familiarising himself with
the system and making sure he wasn't setting off any alarms. The Aztechers
got to the hotel first, so they'd had the opportunity to mess with the
system before we got there. Blackthorne thought not, and we trusted his
expertise.

The false execs mingled some, I had a try at meeting Goldmann, never got
around to him though, I wanted to establish a rep as something of a talker
before seeing him. I met a guy named Mercer, Renraku, though, and dropped
some hints about the anti-Aztech thing.

********************

Day 1 (Wednesday)...

Okay, we went to the meetings, managed to keep from falling asleep, but we
didn't do a lot of the constructive talking. Looks like the other execs'll
go home thinking SK was unusually quiet this year.

Anyway, while Easy, Blademaster, Blackthorne, and I were in the various
conference rooms, the rest of the team were having a look around the hotel,
checking out the security for keeping Willard on our side of the chicken,
that sort of thing. Turns out the place is a nightmare for defence.
Climbing down the hotel on the outside is as easy as an easy thing, it is
on enough of a slope that one can drop from one balcony to the next down
with ease, and there's enough room to land safely too. The locks on the
doors aren't bad, but not enough to stop anyone who knows what they're
doing. No alarms that wake us up, they're set up to tip off the central
security system only.

Evening, the virtual party thing... the icons were mostly ordinary stuff,
corp issue, but there were a few corp deckers who showed clearly (computer
security guard division? Or deckers disguised as plain execs? we started
checking...).

Later, after the party, Blackthorne hacked into the security system. On his
return, he reported that he had rigged up a subroutine to send a wake up
call to us if the alarm for any of the rooms on our floor went off, so that
was one problem solved.

********************

Day 2 (Thursday)...

More meetings, as per yesterday. Got a bit more into the swing of things
acting the corp type... lot's of fun.

Shockwave and the other bodyguards had a few games with the Aztechers, more
about that later...

Evening, the Tir Ballet Troupe event... a bit of mixing, but it was harder
during the performance (as the simporn star said to the bishop). At the
gathering afterwards, I met an old friend who was in the Tir Troupe... guy
name of Aleksandro, a real smoothie. Tir intelligence. We made eye contact
across the room, both jerked in surprise, faked like we were choking on our
drinks... you know the drill. We met up later on in the party, introduced
ourselves, staying in cover of course, and played the old
"I-can-lie-more-outrageously-than-you-can" game for a while. I let him
believe that I was a legit SK man, and told him subtly that he better
promise to tell me anything he found out, or I'd blow the whistle right
then and there. He recognised that I'd won this round, and gave me his word
he'd drop off a chip later if I stayed out of his way for the rest of the
evening. He even kept his promise. The chip had some info on Mitsuhama,
looks legit but I don't know if it'll be useful, I'll include it in the
miscdata file, which you will find included at the end of this report.

Turns out Aleks was trying to spy on SK too, which must have been why he
wanted me out of his way. When I told the rest of the team, next morning,
Easy said he had been hitting on her all night. From the look on her face
when I mentioned he was Tir intel, Aleks was lucky he'd already left the
hotel. There was also something going on with Aleks and T'Shon too, but I
didn't get the details. Given that it was probably intel related, I don't
think I want to know.

Some of the Yamatetsu boys tried to talk to Willard Ratekov. Blademaster
kept them away by subtle social methods, held them up long enough for the
keeper to pull Willard out of the area. I think we made it quite clear that
they could look but not touch or talk to.

Blackthorne got some stuff on Gagnon, just rumours mostly. I'll include it
in the miscdata file too. Could be that we were a little forward on this,
made it seem like a big thing to us. Considering how things turned out, it
didn't matter much, but it could have I guess.

********************

Day 3 (Friday)...

Meetings, meetings, meetings...

Bodyguards challenging Aztechers some more.

Blackthorne spent his time talking to Renraku, I don't think anyone saw
anything unusual in it, it looked like biz to me. A few knowing looks among
R's boys that were explained by later events. It's only through hind-sight
that I think about it at all.

Evening, the town visit... we stuck around here, watching Willard. Never
knew when Yamu might be after him. Still, if they came at all, it meant
they knew about the blackmail, and the kid was useless. There's still
revenge, I guess.

********************

Day 4 (Saturday)...

Most of the exec section spent the day firmly crushing the Shiawase Execs
in the lasertag arena (before you shriek about cover blowage, we had our
reflexes toned down a little to keep it close to even. Tactics won the day,
not magic or cyber enhancements).

Blademaster did some chatting to execs in the games room, and he pulled off
the message drop to Goldmann during a game of Mahjongg. Damn, it was good,
the way he tells it anyway. You play Mahjongg? Well, anyway, he played for
a draw, and passed the chip during the swapping tiles part of the goulash.
Cunning as a bucket full of cunning things.

Back at the lasertag, the bodyguards had a few rounds with the Aztechers,
looks like the boys from Aztlan may have had similar orders... to check out
SK I mean. They were easy to persuade to compete, and by saturday, it
seemed like our bodyguards were competing with theirs in every free moment.
It got quite nasty there near the end. T'Shon wrote up some stuff on it,
I'll include the file at the end of the report. I got the feeling that it
was close to even, with the luck coming down on our side.

Evening, the virtual party wasn't bad, we talked to people, mingled,
maintaining the old corporate cover thing. The icons had improved a little.
Blackthorne pulled out some more info on Gagnon by... shall we say...
dubious methods... approaching a staff member with the icon of an
exaggeratedly sexy elf-woman. Personally, I thought it wasn't very
subtle... but the target was too dazzled to notice. I've included what he
got in the miscdata file.

Blademaster ran cover on Willard again. No-one was trying anything tonight
though. Made some of the team edgy... not me, though, I have to admit.

At some point during the evening, Whitetyger got Mercer (the Renraku guy
from the first day) alone for a minute, and made a comment about a meet
after the party, to discuss the anti-Aztech thing.

I was back at my room just before midnight (narrowly avoiding the
transformation of my headware back into a pumpkin). Went to sleep, then, at
around 2:00, I got this call...

+++++Begin sndfile

(I: Ice
M: Jonathon Mercer, Renraku exec)

I: >>miscellaneous grunt<<... Y'ello?

M: This is Mercer. The coast is clear for that meeting your bodyguard mentioned.

I: Umm... okay. Now? Where?

M: Fifth floor sundeck, fifteen minutes.

I: Right, I'll wake the rest...

M: No. Come alone, as I will be.

I: Not likely, mate. One bodyguard each?

M: That is not acceptable. If there is no trust between our corporations,
how can we work together on the... situation? Be there, alone, fifteen
minutes.

<Call disconnected>

+++++End sndfile

Okay, so I listened to what he had said, and went alone. Yeah right, and I
also have a bridge I'd like to sell. Are SK interested in large scale real
estate?

Here's what happened down on the fifth floor:

+++++Begin footage

Black screen bearing the words "Supposed Renraku meet, Ice's Cybercamera.
Principals: Mercer, Whitetyger."

The view is of the Rock, a many layered facility on a steep slope, such
that each balcony ends about two metres back from the ending of the one
below it. The effect is remarkable in the dark with the lights from within
the building reflecting off of the stainless steel railings. The camera is
situated on one of the balconies, about twenty-five floors down from the
top.

The view changes, looking at a darkened section of window, and revealing
the camera-man in the reflection. It is Ice.

He turns, looking over the sea. Far out over the mediterranean, a freight
vessel is visible by it's running lights, an anachronism in these days of
radar and satellite navigation, but still a legal requirement nonetheless.
>From behind the camera comes a cough, and the POV rotates through 180
degrees, turning to face a suited man, not particularly tall, grey-haired,
trim build.

"You came alone?" asks the suit, joining the camera-man at the railing,
standing with the railing to his left.

"Yes," replies Ice, "So, what can you offer?"

"We're interested in your comments regarding the... offensive entity," says
Mercer, "What would be the extent of your operations?"

"That would depend in part on the... commitment displayed by your
operatives," replies the camera-man, "Though I must add that we would
prefer to avoid excessive disruption of the status quo. There are many who
envy our positions, which are not set in stone... look at what happened
when our newest brother joined the family."

"Then we can at least arrange some exchange of information. If we can set
up some sort of secure channel for communication between our operatives and
your own, we can begin this dialogue."

"That sounds acceptable. What do you have in mind?"

"Let me be frank. We own a small corporation, hidden under many shells. We
use it for some of the... activities we run that must be deniable. You know
about that kind of thing, no doubt, and must have a similar... asset."
Mercer pauses, looking over the ocean, "Quite simply, Mr Jerzyck, you show
me yours, I'll show you mine."

"I am not authorised to make that kind of revelation," says the camera-man,
his voice beginning to sound less confident.

"I had though I would be talking to someone with more power than that,"
says Mercer, sensing a weakness, "Who would be better suited to our
requirements?"

"I can get you in touch with someone," says the camera man grudgingly, "It
will have to wait until after the conference is complete though."

"In that case, Mr Jerzyck, we have nothing more to discuss," says Mercer,
half turning away, then turning back, "Oh, except this."

On the last word, he extends his right arm towards the camera-man, his
wrist cocked back 90 degrees. A small hole opens in the heel of his palm.

"This cyberarm," he says, "contains a CO2 powered cyber-weapon. Please
remain perfectly still."

The camera holds steady.

"No reason for a fight.... What do you want?" asks Jerzyck.

"Ratekov," Mercer answers, "I'll hand you back to your bodyguards tomorrow,
but Ratekov goes down the hill tonight, to a Yamatetsu transport flight
leaving in thirty minutes. I'll have to ask you to disable his cortex bomb,
or whatever precautions you have taken to render his escape impossible."

"I can't do that," replies the camera-man, "and I do mean that literally.
On the other hand, I can pay you double what the Yamatetsu people have
offered."

He risks taking a quick glance around and out of the corner of his eye, you
notice a slight glimmer on the level above, before his eyes fall back on
Mercer.

"Come now, Mr Jerzyck, don't be difficult. I _belong_ to Yamatetsu. In
fact, the entire Renraku contingent is from Yamatetsu. Renraku chose not to
come to the conference this year, and you would not believe how much it
cost us to replace their team with ours. Shiawase know, and I suspect some
of the Aztechnology contingent are on to us. But your sad excuse for a
chain of corner dairies? No, Mr Jerzyzk, Sadder-Krupp remains, as usual, in
the dark. Now, let us go to wherever you are holding the boy."

"Take him now," says Jerzyck.

For an instant Mercer looks uncomprehending, then, realising Jerzyck was
calling for backup, he fires at the camera. A spitting noise comes from his
cyber-weapon as a spray of gas exits the palm-hole, and Jerzyck shouts in
pain as he goes over backwards. From the ground, the camera observes the
Yamametsu man step forward readying another burst with a faint look of
surprise towards his still breathing quarry. As the cyber-arm is raised the
earlier shimmer moves off the railing and a loud kiai attracts Mercer's
attention skyward. Before his hand can raise high enough to block or shoot,
the blur connects with his shoulder, sending him spinning backwards, his
arm smashing hard into the rail. Conversely, what must be assumed to be
WhiteTyger's form lands safely. Mercer's arm slashes out in an arc, his
palm open, causing the cloaked form to commit to a diving roll, but no
bullets spray from the cybergun.

"Damn..." Mercer swears, his other fist coming down on the rail with a blow
that dents it. "I guess I'll have to rip you two apart with my bare hands."

The faintly shimmering form pauses for less than a second before he and
Mercer seem to switch into high gear trading a series of blows and blocks
at dizzying speed. WhiteTyger seeming to keep himself just out of reach of
Mercer connecting, while his strikes causing Mercer to do little more than
shake out his head. Finally, Mercer's Muay-Thai leg block, known for its
brutality on both attacker and defender, brings a brief pause to the fight
as WhiteTyger's leg begins to show slightly, its faintly limping pattern
digitizing into and out of focus.

"I've been working Black Ops since I was a teenager," Mercer laughs at his
mostly unseen opponent. "You're going to have to do better than that...."

WhiteTyger stands his ground. Taking his delay as a chance to finally move
in, Mercer leaps. What must be the arms of Ice's ally blur into motion,
avoiding Mercer's strike and rending a bloody track from Mercer's abdomen
to his chest. The surprise and pain this brings render Mercer unable to
shield himself from the strikes that finally knock him to the ground
motionless. WhiteTyger's body finally becoming fully visible as being
covered in a dark grey cloth, he pulls off his hood and yanks the mask and
goggles of what appears to be a stealth suit off his face. His large
cat-slit eyes are wide with rage. Moving through a few rapid motions of
some form, he draws back his fist.

"Alive," gasps Jerzyck, in some pain judging by the sound of his voice.

WhiteTyger looks up, and the anger quickly leaves his face. His fist
closes, and he instead kneels next to Mercer and clasps hands on either
side of the Yamametsu agent's neck. Waiting for another half minute, he
then releases his hold and drops Mercer's head to the ground with a
quasi-metallic thunk.

"He is not faking," Whitetyger says, "What about you?"

"I should live," Jerzyck gasps, "thanks to L's ever so wiz high tech
armour. I'm holding a healing spell now, it'll take a while to work."

"Thank you for helping me keep my head, but what about him?" the Eurasian
asks getting up with a slight limp. "I can heal this myself."

"Let him sleep it off, I guess," replies Ice, "We can't kill him, someone
would notice. Damn it, he knows we're not execs, that's for sure. And Yamu
must know about the blackmail attempt. Frag it!" The camera jerks as
Jerzyck rises to his feet. "Right, that's done," he says, his voice
stronger now, "But what the hell do we do with Mercer?"

"He won't tell the other corps about us..." reasons Whitetyger, going
through some meditative motions and placing his hands on either side of his
shin, "he has no reason to... but yes, he will probably tell the other
Yamametsu agents, and that means two teams to worry about. The Renraku
replacements are probably all Black Ops, too... Bevan has seen his stepson;
Willard should go down the hill tonight. We've done what we can..."

The rest of WhiteTyger's comments are cut from the recording.

+++++End footage

I didn't completely agree with some of the stuff he said, but Whitey had a
point. Thusly, we got Willard and his keeper the hell out. As we found out
later, Mercer was working directly for Bevan Ratekov, so the rest of Yamu
don't know. More about this in the footage of the final night virtual
party.

And the comment about the Renraku swap... seems to me a place at this
conference isn't worth the same thing as money... it's either worthless, or
more than anyone can afford. But maybe Yamu agreed to let Renraku have
their places last year... or next year. Something to think about, look over
the reports from last year, see if there's anything there that didn't make
sense at the time...

********************

Day 5 (Sunday)...

Spent the morning recovering from last night's fun and games. Played a bit
of chess and the like in the games room, got pretty much hammered, which
didn't do much for my ego. Still, the players were corp boys who I'd kill
in hand to hand, so we all have our strengths and weaknesses.

Blademaster and WhiteTyger held up our end of the mind games, and did some
more chatting. I think he distracted them enough to cover up for my injury
troubles.

Blackthorne spent the day in the matrix, I don't think he came up with
anything special though.

Evening, dancing and dinner with escorts... the dancing was good for
mingling. Goldmann danced with Easy, they made quite a hit, that guy can
move, and Easy was like lightning. Anyway, she says he was almost ready to
talk business, but wanted a little more time.

Shockwave talked to some of the escorts, got some pillow-talk type info,
but I don't know how valuable it is. Nothing on any of the mission-ops,
I've put it in the miscdata file.

********************

Day 6 (Monday)...

Meetings, meetings, and more fraggin' meetings. I hate this suit drek.

Virtual performance that night. Blackthorne rigged up a frame that imitated
me, and I went wandering. The rest of them covered for me in the virtual
viewing room. I found something that worried me a little, something to do
with the hotel itself, not the tasks you gave us. There are about four
stories below the hotel complex. None of the elevators went down that far,
and they weren't even mentioned in the tour thing. I didn't look any
further then, it didn't seem like it was my business. I mentioned it later
though, and Blademaster wanted to take a look. We decided to wait until
after the final night party.

********************

Day 7 (Tuesday)...

Meetings. Need I say more?

Party... wild... Not very suit-like at all... several indiscretions noted
among various exec contingents... included what I saw in the miscdata file.
I also got some footage that I might try to sell to one of those on-line
trash-news services, if you have no objections. "X-corp Chairman John Smith
in Three-in-a-Bed BTL-Sex Romp" sort of thing, probably nothing you can
use, but footage from inside an exclusive corp meeting like that'd be
priceless to the gutter press. Of course, if you don't want me to sell it,
just say so. You're paying enough to call the shots here.

T'Shon noticed the bodyguards from Yamatetsu were missing, and mentioned it
to me. Seemed strange, but what can one do? Alerted by that, he said he had
checked on the "Renraku" contingent, and half of them were missing too.
Mercer was still here though. Strange, but we didn't care, Ratekov was
already down the hill and gone.

I'll include a few of the more interesting pieces of footage from the
party, both virtual and real...

+++++Begin footage

Black screen, bearing the words "Blackthorne's Icon".

The screen blossoms with a chaotic view of a room full of light and dark
patches, and fastastic beings. The foregrouynd is lit well, and several
humanoid animals are dancing in the centre of an open space. In the
back-ground is a view of a galaxy or more of stars, winking on and off, and
shifting according to no recognisable pattern. A door at one end of the
dance area opens, and a burst of smoke and flame comes through.

When the cloud clears, a large red dragon stands just inside the doorway.
>From its size, it could not have enterred through that door in the real
world. It roars, and a burst of flame flows from its mouth, seperating into
a number of small fireballs that fly about the room, shooting at people's
heads and pulling up at the last moment. Some seem angry, several applaud,
and most can't seem to decide which way to jump.

+++++End footage

For the icon contest, there were three sections: general, flamboyant, and
abstract. Blackthorne won flamboyance, and I came second in general. Added
to Shockwave's first in abstract, that put SK at the top of the table for
the corporate icon contest. Does that get us a bonus?

+++++Begin footage

Black screen, bearing the words "Virtual party, Mercer killing Ice's
children. Also present, WhiteTyger and a miscellaneous escort."

Once again, the virtual party room unfolds onto the screen. There is a
large silver tiger in the foreground, facing the POV and talking to a
midnight-black woman with angelic wings. Standing back, but paying
attention, is a humanoid tiger in the robes of a monk of some sort. A small
swarm of (very cute) baby silver tigers is visible in the background,
chasing each other in circles. They stop as a waiter-robot glides past, and
all jump on it. Some curl about it's tracks, stopping it, others climb on
the drinks tray it carries. It beeps in electronic protest, and several
nearby icons laugh at its distress.

Then a demonic image comes to the waiter's rescue. It is taller than a
human, and its red hide is covered with tiny spikes. It scatters the baby
tigers with a gout of fire form its mouth, then turns to the larger tiger
with a sneer. The angel look disgusted, and the demon leers at her, then
walks around her in a close circle, looking her up and down.

"Very nice," he hisses, "But I think you should leave now, the... tiger and
I have... business to discusssss."

The angel departs, flying directly upwards with a flap of her wings and a
look of disapproval.

"Very friendly," says the tiger, sitting down on its haunches and licking
one paw, "Now what business do you have in mind?"

The demon replies with a snarl.

"I have a message from Bevan Ratekov," he says, and he doesn't sound happy
about the role of message-boy, "He will co-operate with the... requests,
and he agrees to the original proposal."

"Tell him forget it," says the tiger, looking directly into the demon's
eyes, "As a penalty for the attempt on myself and, through me, Ratekov
junior, Bevan will pay the agreed penalty twice. The exact circumstances of
his payment for the second installment will be arranged at our convenience.
And I recognise that you have no control over his response, so simply give
him the message."

The tiger turns it's back, and begins to recreate its children, weaving
them from sparky lines on the ground. The demon advances, anger plain on
it's face, but the tiger-monk steps forward, gripping a staff
threateningly. The demon backs off, raising it's hands in placation, and
leaves a short-lived pixelating after-image as it's human counterpart jacks
out.

+++++End footage

I hope that didn't mess with your plans too much. It sounded almost like I
knew what I was talking about, and if Bevan cares enough to mess with his
corp twice (once as per the agreement, and again by using Mercer without
saying why), why not a third time?

+++++Begin footage

Black screen, bearing the words "The message-drop, Ice's cybercamera. Easy,
Goldmann".

This time the view opens on the real world, in a large ballroom. Visible in
the back-ground are a number of tortoise booths, about half are occupied.
At one side of the POV stands a tall elven woman, Easy, at the other is a
middle-aged human male. Between the two of them and the camera, they form
an equilateral triangle. All hold drinks, and they are chatting about the
icons in the virtual party.

"I loved your little tigers," says Easy, looking at the camera.

"I always had the feeling they were looking over my shoulder," says the
middle-aged man, looking hard at the elf woman.

"Well," she says, with barely a moment's hesitation, "they aren't now."

"Then would you like to dance again?" the man asks, taking her in his arms.

The camera catches him slipping a chip-case down past the cuff of her long
black glove, but real eyes wouldn't have spotted it. The elf laughs and
waves to the camera as she is led away, but her smile does not make a dent
against the triumphant look in her eyes.

+++++End footage

So, as you see, Goldmann dropped a message with Easy. We didn't read it,
figured it wasn't for our eyes. But he looked to me like he'd made a
definite decision, and it was probably your way from the paranoid reference
to people watching him.

After the party we went down the side of the rock, had a look at those
lower levels. We knew from the start they had something to hide, but
frag...

+++++Begin footage

Black screen, bearing the words "Lower levels, the Rock, Ice's Cybercamera.
Principals Blademaster, T'Shon, Easy, Hans Gagnon. Full chorus of religious
nutters, security guards, and Yamatetsu hardmen".

The view is from the lowest sun deck of the hotel, looking down towards the
hidden levels. They have no balconies, and few windows. Those few that are
visible, however, look to be penetrable.

"Okay, who's going to watch while we climb down?" says a voice, and the
camera turns towards it.

The speaker is Blademaster, and he holds a rope in one hand.

"I'll do it," replies Ice, "Then I'll hide the rope, and follow in lizard form."

"Okay," says a third, T'Shon, "Me first, Easy, then Blademaster."

T'Shon steps onto the railing, and attaches the rope to a hraness, then
swings over and down. Easy follows, as does Blademaster and the POV looks
around, keeping watch.

"We're in," comes a call from below.

The POV moves to where the rope is anchored, and Ice detaches it and stows
it away behind a large pot plant. Then the POV drops in a sickening manner,
as Ice makes the transformation to a lizard. His clothes retain their
shape, droppping to the floor, leaving him inside them. He waits for a
moment, and the clothes start to writhe, changing shape until they are in
the from of a long piece of string. The lizard grips one end in its jaws,
and moves towards the edge then over it.

The view of the sea far below is distracting, but Ice seems to have no
trouble with it. Apparently, he has done this before. He approaches a
window, and slips inside.

"Lizard works," says T'Shon, "but Spider Monkey leaves you with thumbs to
manipulate things. Just a thought."

Ice looks at him for a moment (and until one has been glared at by a
lizard, one has not been glared at), then starts to pull in the rest of the
string. Blademaster works out what he's doing, then takes over, pulling
much faster than the lizard could have. After the line is pulled in, Ice
reforms his clothing, and climbs inside. The POV jerks, and he resumes
human form.

"All righty, then," Ice says, "Let's take a look around."

The group is in a hallway, running paralel to the surface of the rock, with
doors in the inner side and several shuttered windows in the outer. The
shutters on the opening through which the runners enterred are intact, but
the bar is broken.

"Can we fix that?" asks Ice, pointing at the bar.

"We talked about it while you were on your way down," says Easy, "We agreed
to leave it closed, fake it fixed, and escape out another way."

"Not necessarily possible, but we couldn't close it from the outside
anyway," adds Blademaster from down the hall, "Now can we go?"

Ice approaches him, and Easy and T'Shon fall in behind. The team proceeds
down the corridor, moving carefully and silently, but quickly.

Suddenly Blademaster stops, Ice nearly walking in to him.

"What the frag was that?" he says in a whisper.

"What," asks T'Shon.

"Gunfire, I think," says Blademaster, "Below us, one level maybe."

The team moves forward again, slower and more carefully.

"Stairs," says Blademaster, "Up, down, which?"

"Up?" replies Ice, "Check escape route?"

The others nod, and they enter the stairwell, moving upwards. There are no
levels above the one already explored, and the stairs end at an almost
featureless ceiling. In the centre of it is a palm-print reader.

"Not that way then," mutters Ice.

The group moves downwards again, past the first level, and moves in
leap-frogging cover formation. Ice is at the front when they come to a
door, leading off the stairwell, out towards the surface of the rock. He
listens at it for a moment, then checks the knob. He turns to the others,
holds up three fingers, and drops the first, then the second, then the
last, then throws open the door and rolls through.

The others follow, out of the camera view while Ice is moving. The POV is
now in a hallway, similar to the one above, but without any windows. It is
empty, but a noise can be heard, the sounds of a struggle. It is coming
from around a left-turning corner some thirty metres to the left of the
exit from the stairwell.

"I'm going to turn into a tiger," says Ice in a low voice, "Don't mistake
me for an enemy."

First the clothes change shape, ballooning out at the waste and shortening
at the limbs, Ice watching them carefully to be sure they will fit. Then
his bones and flesh seem to melt, and white fur grows. The result, when Ice
looks over his body, is a large siberian tiger, wearing what looks like a
bodysuit in predatory cat form and a silver-studded leather collar. He
stretches, and speaks, the sound apparently coming from micro-speakers
somewhere, probably on the collar.

"Okay, ready."

T'Shon moves past him, towards the sounds of combat, and Blademaster
follows, keeping his distance from the tiger. Easy follows, and Ice brings
up the rear, bounding along with playful abandon and batting occasionally
at Easy's feet. After the second evil look from the pale elven samurai, he
calms down.

At the corner, T'Shon stops, drops to a crouch, and takes a long thin
object from a pouch in his combat harness. A closer look from Ice reveals
that it is a mirror on a stick, such as dentists used back before
fiberoptics were commonly and cheaply available. T'Shon holds it's
reflective surface out beyond the corner, then mouths the words "three
targets, five metres". He stands, readying himself, then holds up three
fingers, drops one, then a second, and then the last. As the last drops,
the team moves quickly around the corner.

In the corridor are three standing men, kicking the body of a fourth, who
lies on the floor. The fallen man is wearing a suit, and the three that are
kicking him wear light armoured jackets.

They don't even notice the approach of the group until one is down, thrown
to the floor by a flying kick from T'Shon, and they don't get a chance to
react before the others are down too, dropped by some sort of area effect
spell from Blademaster.

T'Shon checks the suit, then the others.

"Guards unconscious, suit's dead."

Ice moves forward, looking at the suit.

"Mercer," he says, "I wonder why the hell he was down here."

"Who?" asks T'Shon, "Never mind. Let's move."

He steps past the bodies, and Ice follows. Blademaster takes the rear,
looking over his shoulder as Ice glances back at him. The group moves down
the hall, the comes to another hallway, turning another ninety degrees to
the left. This corridor contains three doors, two to the left, therefore
leading to the interior of the C shape travelled so far. One door, the
closest of the two on the left side, is open, and T'Shon kneels outside it,
readying his mirror.

Before T'Shon can look inside, Ice swears.

"Astral enemy," he snaps out through the speakers, "One mage, two spirits.
Going up."

T'Shon rears up, glancing about, and Blademaster moves forward, as a pair
of fiery columns appear in the corridor. The camera drops as Ice makes the
shift to astral space, leaving his body lying on the floor. Blademaster
shouts, then makes a hurling motion with one hand, destroying one of the
spirits with a bolt of lightning. Easy moves back, dodging under a gout of
flame fired by the remaining spirit, and she leaves the camera's field of
view. T'Shon gets up and glances around in time to see a trio of security
guards with SMG's burst from the open door to the left. Easy moves forward
again, jumping gracefully over the camera-tiger's prostrate body, and takes
the gun off one of the sec-men before he can fire it. One of the others
opens up in her direction, but she spins the now empty-handed guard into
the path of the long burst as she empties his weapon into the third
sec-man. Her two victims goes down as T'Shon attacks the second spirit,
striking it approximately halfway up it's height, and there is a flash of
released mana as his hand passes through the fire. The column of flame
loses definiton, and the spirit disappears in a burst of sparks and smoke.
Easy finishes the last standing sec-man by hurling the body of her
temporary shield into him then punching him twice in the face and slamming
him into a wall. The camera lurches as Ice returns to his body, and gets to
his feet.

"Got him," says the tiger's speakers, "Astral is clear."

T'Shon, meanwhile, is moving through the door, and after a moment, Ice
follows him.

The room beyond, about three metres square, is empty of people, holding a
single table and four hard chairs. There is a window in the far wall, and
through it is visible another room, in which a number of people, mostly
men, are attached to rail on the wall with handcuffs.

"He's from Renraku," says Blademaster, pointing through the window,
"Yamatetsu, that is. And so's she. Execs, or false ones."

"What the hell do you think is going on here?" asks Easy, entering the room
and approaching the window, "And what's this? Biolab gear?"

She is examining an alcove in the wall, containing the entrance to a
human-shaped suit with an extendable umbilicus between it and the alcove.
She stpes into the protective gear and advances into the room beyond the
window.

"How the frag do you..." she mutters, "Oh here it is... you, what happened
here?"

One of the people beyond the window speaks, but no sound reaches the
camera. Easy continues the conversation for about thirty seconds, then
steps out of the suit.

"They say they that Yamu heard something was going on here," says Easy, "So
they were sent to take a look. They were gassed in the stairwell on the
next level down, and draged up here in their sleep. They say Mercer shot a
guard with his cybergun and made a run for it. That would be the guy we saw
getting the drek kicked out of him back there a ways," she ignores Ice's
muttered protest that he had already mentioned that fact, "Anyway, three
guards chased him, and the rest sealed this room and played with some
controls out here. A gas of some sort was pumped into the room, but they
don't know what was in it."

"From the gear," says T'Shon, "it'll be a bioagent of some sort. But why
the frag would they have this weak point in a holding cell? Do they want to
study their victims, or what?"

"Secret bioweapons lab under a hotel?" asks Ice, "I don't think so. It's
too... I don't know... cheesy."

Blademaster steps into the suit, and asks a few questions of those inside.

"They say Yamu heard there was some sort of religious group here," he
reports, returning, "Supposedly they to wipe humanity from the face of the
planet. You know the drill, we are not worthy to live, and so on. How they
heard it, no-one in there knows."

"What do we do about them?" asks Ice.

"Leave them, I guess," replies Easy, "There's nothing we can do to help
them if it's a bio-thingy."

Ice grunts an unhappy agreement, and Blademaster tells the Yamu team the
bad news. They don't seem surprised.

+++++End footage

I cut out a lot here, we did some more exploring on that level, found
another experimental victim type room, empty. The last door on that level
lead to a stroage room, there was all sorts of bio-filter gear, agar and
drek like that, culture containers, incubators, boxes of bijou bottles
(whatever the frag they are)... biotech toys generally.

This bit starts on the next level down. We plugged up the gas holes, Easy
had asked the yamu boys where they were, this seemed to be the lowest level
to which the stairs we had found went.

+++++Begin footage

The view is of a corridor, same decor as the upper levels. Ice is third in
the row, behind Easy and Blademaster, T'Shon presumably bringing up the
rear.

"An alarm should have gone off," says Easy, "We didn't avoid the trigger of
that trap, it would have had other functions too."

"Yeah, but what can we do but be alert?" says Blademaster, "And we were anyway."

"Tension mounts," whispers Ice, drawing a grin from Blademaster and a sneer
from Easy. T'Shon stays out of it.

The group proceeds along the corridor, windows and the rock's surface to
the right, featureless wall to the left.

"Enemy," says Ice, "Sec-guard types, three or four, routine patrol I think,
just become aware of our presence or I would have picked 'em up earlier.
They can see us somehow, they're coming here..."

"Any more info?" asks T'Shon.

"Maybe when I see them," replies the tiger.

"Okay, they can see us, so maybe they can lip-read. Audio?"

"Don't know," says Ice, "But they won't be able to lip-read my speakers. So
listen real close."

T'Shon leans close to the tiger's neck, and the others follow suit. The
noise is barely audible to the camera, certainly not understandable. After
a moment, the team stands again, and move down the corridor. They stop at a
corner, and look back at Ice.

"They can't see us any more, but I can feel them... thirty metres," the
tiger announces quietly, then begins counting down in fours.

As he gets to two, Easy and T'Shon step around the corner closely followed
by Ice and Blademaster. The camera reveals four armoured security guards,
followed by a woman in a red silk robe. Easy steps up to the first of the
guards, shoving aside his SMG, and slashes him across the throat with a set
of retractable razors, as T'Shon lunges forward and hits a second guard
with a couple of punches to the face. As the guard goes down, T'Shon takes
his SMG from him. The woman in red silk raises her hands, and shouts out
the words to a spell, even as Blademaster begins to use one of his own. Ice
moves forward as a bolt of fire shoots past him at Blademaster, drawing a
shout of pain from him. He yells again, and a sparkling bolt of lightning
shoots past the camera, striking the red-robed woman in the face, and
throwing her backwards to the floor. She rolls to her feet, her face red
and raw in places. Ice attacks a sec-man, and the panicked guard fires at
almost point blank range, a long burst of which Ice catches the first
couple of rounds less than a second before he tears the guard's face off.
Easy scoops up a fallen SMG and fires a short burst past the tiger, taking
down the last of the sec-men, and T'Shon puts a couple of rounds into the
red-robed woman. This time, she stays down.

Easy checks the bodies, taking a few clips of spare ammo, and announces
that all but one are dead or headed that way. She cuts the throat of the
merely unconscious one, correcting that state of affairs. T'Shon looks
faintly disapproving, but remains silent.

"You hurt?" asks Blademaster, speaking to Ice.

"Yeah," answers the tiger, "Could you do the healing? I'll probably mess it
up in this state."

Blademaster drops to one knee, closes his eyes, concentrating, then slaps a
hand down on the tiger's shoulder. After about ten seconds, he gets up, and
looks up and down the corridor.

"Where now?" Blademaster asks.

"Keep going," says T'Shon, "Ice, can you tell where this lot were when they
first saw us?"

"Yeah," replies the tiger, "up here, around fifty metres... ummm... through
that door there."

The group moves up the corridor, to the door Ice indicated. It is on the
right of the passage at another turn to the left, leading out of the
c-shaped main corridor.

Okay, seems clear," says Ice, "No-one who knows about us is there, anyway."

"Then through we go," says Easy, and is true to her word.

The room beyind the door is devoid of other exits, and is occupied by a
larg computer monitoring system. Several screens show views of varying
parts of the complex. Ice looks closer at one of them, what seems to be a
chapel of some sort, empty of people. There is a large symbol on the wall
above an altar, a cruciform occupied by what looks not unlike a lunar
landing molecule.

"Bacteriophage?" says Blademaster, "Some sort of viral capsular form,
anyway. Wonder what that signifies."

The group leaves the room, heading down the lower end of the c-form
corridor. Easy takes the lead, her borrowed SMG extended, and Ice follows.
The others fall in behind, and they advance down the corridor, checking
each of the three doors they pass. They are labs, viral or bacterial by the
equipment, all empty of people. The group does not check very carefully
though, there could have been peopl lurking under tables. The fourth door
they check opens onto some stairs, going down.

"Down?" suggests Easy.

Ice nods, and the elven woman enters the stairwell slowly, looking around.

"Optical trigger," she says, "I can see the receptor, but not the projector."

"I've got a spell to mess with that," says Blademaster, "There any more
tricks in there?"

"Not that I can see," says Easy.

"All right then," says Bademaster, and moves forward to touch Easy on the
shoulder.

She disappears from view, and Blademaster speaks again.

"Tell me when you're at the next level."

A grunt comes from below, and Blademaster casts his spell on Ice, who moves
down the stairs. They stop after only one level, and when Ice enters a
corridor and calls up to Blademaster, the spell is released. The procedure
is repeated with the last two.

The corridor is directly below the one above it, and follows the same
c-form pattern judging by what is visible. The team follows it, coming
across only one door on the way. It leads out from the centre of the
hypothetical c-shape, and is made from some sort of heavy composite
material. Ice steps up to it, batting at the round doorknob with one paw.

"Very cute," snaps Easy, "Now get the frag out of the way."

Ice moves back, and Easy listens at the door for a moment, then kicks it
open. There is a loud snap of a breaking lock, and the door is thrown open.
Easy moves inside, followed by T'Shon and Ice, Blademaster bringing up the
rear. Inside the door is a short corridor, carpeted in dark blue,
wall-papered in the same. The door at the other end is wood, real by all
appearances. Easy moves forward, and listens at the door.

"What?" whispers Blademaster, after ten seconds of this.

Easy makes shushing motions, and the rest of the group waits. Then Easy
moves back, directing them with her.

"Sounds like a religious leader in there," she says, "We will be protected
by the lord, so we can survive to spread the seed, that sort of thing.
Another guy's handing out weapons, and a lot of people are saying that they
should talk to us instead, that we'd surely see the light. Weapon guy says
that it might work, but he'd rather they were armed just in case."

"Let's get in there and jam an area effect spell down them, then," suggests
Ice, "Me and Blademaster can each pop one off, then you too hose down
anything that's still moving."

"It might not work," says Easy, "If they've got magic cover, we're hosed,
there are a pack of them. If you two could go for an astral jaunt first..."

Ice replies by dropping to the floor, and Blademaster follows suit. The
camera remains still for a minute or so, then moves again.

"Blademaster, you alright?" asks Ice.

"Mmm... yeah," replies the other mage, "that was overwhelming, wasn't it?"

"Frag yes," says Ice, then, to the others, "It's the chapel thing from the
sec-cam upstairs, they must have been out here when we looked before. All
that buggering around on the stairs gave them time to get in there first.
No mages. Twelve or thirteen people in there, they're creative types and
thinkers, big auras, maybe a touch of cyber or bio toys, but it's all
headware."

"Okay, then," says T'Shon, "Let's just go in talking, and see what the
light is, exactly."

T'Shon steps up to the door, and knocks. After a second, it swings slowly
open, and T'Shon steps inside. Ice follows, provoking a number of comments
from those inside.

The chapel is about twenty metres wide, and twice that long. At the far end
is the altar, a pulpit in front of it, and the cruciform symbol behind it.
the ceiling is high and arched, and soft electric lights hang from it on
chains. There are numerous rows of seats, behind which are the twelve or
thirteen people Ice mentioned on returning from his astral travel. One, an
elderly man with a short beard, white hair, and blue robes, stands, and
steps forward.

"Welcome," he says, "Though it is something of a cliche, we have been
awaiting your arrival."

Ice glances at the others, and a flashing lights up on one of them,
followed by the word "Gagnon", presumably an editorial modification.
Meanwhile, T'Shon steps forward to meet the elderly man.

"I am Alan Thomas," he says, "What is the light of which you spoke, that we
would surely see."

"Hans will explain," he replies, "but later. First you must have food and
drink, and rest a while."

"No can do," says Ice, "Let's hear it now."

The blue-robed man glances down at the camera.

"Is this a manifestation of the true way?" he asks, "A Raised Beast?" and
one can hear the capitalisation in his voice.

"No," answers Easy, "But the tiger speaks the truth, Hans must talk to us now."

Gagnon steps forward.

"I told you they would be like the other outsiders," he says,
"disrespectful and foolish. But I will speak to them of the Way."

He beckons, and the group follow him towards the altar. Ice watches the
remaining people carefully, but sees no hint of trouble. They sit down, and
begin talking quietly among themselves. The only things that look out of
place are the heavy pistols carried by about half of them. Ice turns back
to Gagnon, who is pointing up at the cruciform symbol.

"We have found a virus that is to be the weapon of the Way," he says, "It
will cleanse the world of all bacteria, animals, plants, and especially
humans, in no more than a month, but can last in dormant form for at least
a thousand years.

"I am aware that you are thinking something not unlike 'what a psycho', but
you are wrong. We do not want to destroy all life, just most of it. We have
come up with a technique to grow people who will be invulnerable to the
virus, because their genetic material will have different bases. Are you
familiar with the structure of the nucleic acid? In any case, I will tell
you what a lay-person could understand, so that you may be fully persuaded
to our cause.

"Viruses require certain enzymes and materials from the cells of their host
to replicate, and without replication, they can do no damage. These new
bodies will have different genetic materials, they will use what I have
called M, N, O, P, and Q in place of the standard A, C, G, T and U. We are
in the process of designing a genetic material which encodes the different
enzymes that will be required for life using these bases. The virus that
will be our messenger is ready, held in containment areas around this
facility. When a population of MNOPQ people is ready, we will release the
virus to ourselves and walk the world, spreading it. No doubt you will
think of many flaws in this plan, but we welcome that, for the release will
be delayed until they are fixed. We are not stupid, nor are we insane."

"You're talking about the murder of the human race," states Easy in a calm
voice, "and it's replacement with what you think of as perfect people."

"Yes," replies Gagnon, "But the world will be perfect too! No more tsetse
flies, no more malaria, no more rats, no more snakes. We..."

"No more shapeshifters," says Blademaster.

"No more mages," says Ice, "Or have you found the mythical magus gene?"

"No more Elves?" asks T'Shon, "Or maybe no more humans. Which of the
metaraces qualify for existence in you new world?"

"What am I, a Humanis thug?" asks Gagnon rhetorically, "Race is less than
nothing. I am killing myself in this way too, you fools. Would I do that if
I didn't think this was right?"

"It is not acceptable," says Easy. "To some I'm subhuman. To others, Elves
are the master race... yet even to those Elf-Nazis, the People of
Remembrance are scum to be forgotten." Her razors glitter at her
fingertips. "I'm tired of these judgements. You die."

A number of shots ring out from behind the camera, and Ice spins, roaring.
Easy closes on Gagnon as Ice's spin take her out of the view of the camera,
and the geneticist gives an abruptly curtailed shout of pain. Several of
those at the far end of the chapel are firing at the group, who take cover,
and several have fled out the door. The blue robed man is one of the
latter. Those that remained are not marksmen, but one of them seems to have
managed a lucky shot that hit T'Shon in the left leg. He is down and
swearing, sheltering behind the altar, one hand clamped over the wound.
Blademaster is crouching behind the closest of the seats, getting ready
move around the side of the chapel. Ice, keeping his head down, joins him
as T'Shon opens up in covering fire with the SMG he took from the last
group of guards. Easy starts firing too, and there are screams as several
of the opposition go down. Ice moves along the left side of the chapel,
matching Blademaster's advance, and soon he can see a number of the
religious fanatics.

"Give it up!" calls T'Shon, "You know we can kill you all!"

"Our leader can escape!" shouts one of them, "We will gladly give our lives..."

A spell, presumably from Blademaster, immolates the fanatic, just before
Ice casts a spell of his own. Numerous fanatics fall to the ground, stunned
by a blast of some sort of magic force. Ice shakes his head, then bounds
forward, looking for more targets. Blademaster approaches from the other
side of the chapel, and Easy and T'Shon come down the middle to meet them.

"I'll chase the rest," says Ice, "I can feel the leader with my detection
spell. You check them, then follow."

Ice bounds from the room, and through the two sets of doors into the
corridor. It is devoid of people, and Ice turns left and proceeds along it,
head down as if sniffing for tracks. He comes to a door, straight ahead of
him, the corridor turning to the right, and he jumps towards it, his weight
slamming it open. Beyond it is a group of fanatics, all of whom are
drinking from culture bottles. They look up with triumph in their eyes. Ice
backs off as they approach him, then casts a spell, knocking them all to
the ground. The tiger continues to back off though, and turns to run.

Arriving back at the door to the chapel, he keeps going.

"They've released their virus!" he calls, then keeps moving, "Get out!"

He is followed in his rout by the other three, but he does not look back.

+++++End footage

So, we all got out okay. Maybe the virus couldn't handle the change from
tiger to human. Maybe I never got it in the first place. Maybe it's got a
long latency period. Lot's of maybes. I haven't felt anything yet, but I've
been quarantining myself as much as is possible.

I know the leader escaped, he wasn't with the others, and (with magic
senses) I felt him leave the area at high speed. Some sort of ejecting
escape toy? I have no doubt that he took his information with him, and
maybe he can find others willing to continue Gagnon's work.

Speaking of Gagnon, I don't know if what he was talking about was possible,
but I suggest you think about it. The corp you work for trained him, that
makes him partially your responsibility. I hope you plan to do something
about tracking down the leader. I for one would be interested in the job.

********************

Day 8 (Wednesday)...

Got back up to our rooms fast, woke the others, and left the hotel somewhat
early, for obvious reasons. Didn't have any trouble getting out.
Blackthorne went in to the security system, messed up their records, he's
pretty sure he cleaned out any trace of our actvities here. He also dragged
out pretty much every file he could find in the hope of getting something
valuable. I'll include it all in the file ntnlddwn at the end of the
report. There's some footage of corp dealing, but mostly I can't see the
use of it. Of course, some of it may be useful to you...

********************

Here are all those files I promised during the report...

+++++Include file aztgrds.txt

+++++Include file miscdata.txt

+++++Include file ntnlddwn.txt

Alrighty, that's the lot... look forward to working for you again. Next
time you need a run done (preferably the PacRim, but anywhere's cool),
please don't hesitate to contact me. I think the rest of the team were
pretty happy with the way you operate as well.]<<<<<
	-- Ice  <18:22:16/10-02-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin
>>>>>[Ok, you want the idol and we've got it.<snip>]<<<<<
	--  Evita  <23:00:00/10-02-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin
>>>>>[Ok, you want the idol and we've got it. We'll give you the idol if you
give Ronin his body back in good condition. Don't try to mess with us again,
give Ronin his body back while I'm there to see it, and we'll tell you where
the idol is, we've got no reason to want to keep it. Meet us at
<<encrypted>> at 1200 tomorrow.]<<<<<
	-- Evita  <23:16:20/10-02-57>

*****PRIVATE:Ice, Rosha, Wolfen, Runs-Over-Pedestrians, Shiftboy
>>>>>[I need your help. Can you be at <<encrypted>> at 1200 tomorrow? I
really REALLY would appreciate it.]<<<<<
	-- Evita <23:17:12/10-02-57>

*****PRIVATE: Evita
>>>>>[Y'don't even need t'ask, kid. :)]<<<<<
	-- Rosha <07:44:21/10-3-57>

*****Private:Evita
>>>>>[Man, I check my messages and finally find one! Good stuff!
I'll be ther, sounds good. So whats the gig?]<<<<<
	-- Wolfen  <11:40:31/10-2-57>


*****PRIVATE: Ice
>>>>>[What has happened to the second section of your report? I presume it
is intended that I receive it?]<<<<<
	-- L  <12:24:23/10-03-57>

*****PRIVATE: L
>>>>>[Stupid shadowland... I sent it off again, it should be in your hands
by now...]<<<<<
	-- Ice  <12:24:23/10-03-57>

>>>>>[Thanks to all who were involved in the... recovery. I don't know all
your names/addresses, but you know who you are. If you ever need my help,
contact me, I owe you big.]<<<<<
	-- Ronin  <17:03:43/10-03-57>

>>>>>[   ++++Begin footage

The screen fades in and seems to juggle up and down as it is moving down a
street late in the evening.  Apparently, someone is wearing a helmetcam and
is running somewhere.

A comm_unit-processed voice intones, "Rosha, beginning Ronin-rescue
recording, moving to rendezvous under cover in support function for Evita."

"Contact in 3 .. 2 .. 1 ..."

The scene is of an alley at night. Some feeble light comes from the street,
enough to see three people waiting at the mouth of the alley. Two are tall
and bulky, the third is shorter. One of the taller ones rests an arm on the
shorter.

"Please," says the shorter figure nervously, "DON'T do that!"

"You know you love it, babe," replies the taller, in the voice of a male.

"Give it a rest, Donny," says the second tall person, also male from the
sound of it, "We're on biz."

"Frag you, Picker," replies the first man, Donny, "We aint on biz yet."

The camera moves closer, right up behind the one with his arm on the woman.
He suddenly gasps.

"That," says Rosha, "would be a blade ready t'reduce y'r already pat'etic
manhood, esse. Don'tcha know m'loco?'"

"Rosha!! What are doing...how did you...why..." Evita tries to ask several
questions at once, none of them quite making it out.

"Not lettin' y'hog glory on this job. Plus, y'need qualified help t'keep
yer arse fr'm fryin on this one."

She casts a dismissive look at the gangers.

"Yeah, but how...nevermind. Oh, they're not that bad." She turns to face
the camera. "And I'm sure he didn't mean any harm, so how about letting him
go?

"Nah. M'n the mood f'r a souvenir," she watches the ganger's eyes bug out,
"psyche. Y'sure y'r off da street, kid?"

Donny relaxes a little as Rosha backs up.

"How the frag did you get so close anyway," he asks, sounding injured.

"Trade secret, buster. An stop askin so many questions.  We ARE on the
clock now."

"Okay," says Picker, "Time to move."

The group leaves the alley, crossing the road, and begins to walk up the
street. Rosha looks around.

"Whas the transport, bloodclot?"

"We walk," says Picker, "Didn't Evita tell you anything?"

"OH! We can roll f'ya want!" Rosha replies, spitting disgustedly, "Whodafuq
are these two, Ev? Dios!" she turns half away, but keeps an eye out.

"Okay," replies Picker, "The nest is in an apartment in a building up there
a ways. We go in and bash the hell out of any bugs we see, and burn out the
nest."

"Then we're in," says Rosha.

The group continues to walk, at a fairly relaxed pace. It is late, and
though several cars pass, no-one is out on foot. Donny and Picker glance
nervously about every minute or so, watching for whatever their paranoid
brains fear. Eventually Donny stops at a builing, and steps up to the door.

"This is it," Picker says as Donny slides a magkey card into the reader.

The door clicks, and Donny shoves it open, moving inside followed by the
others. Rosha takes the lead.

"Takin' lead cover," she snaps, "Stay sharp - 'L'be in touch. Where we lookin?"

"The spir..." starts Evita, "well, the third floor, apartments D, F, and H.
I guess they've been joined together by the bugs taking out some walls."

"Rendezvous third fl'r stairwell. Don't be late, son."

The group enters the stairwell, and climbs to the third floor. Rosha leaves
the rest there, and wanders down the corridor. The building is less than
sumptuous, the floor is covered in stained carpet, torn up in places. The
doors are those of residets who fear their neighbours, heavy and covered in
warning signs. The corridor ends in a window, looking down to the street.
Rosha looks out it, seeing the fire-escape that leads down to yet another
alley. She returns to the stairs, noting the fact that the ten doors each
hold a letter, A, C, E, G, I on the left when looking towards the stairs,
B, D, F, H, J on the right.

"Clear run s'far. S'keep movin."

"We've got a key for the door to D," says Picker, "but we thought that me
and Evita would kick down F while Donny tried to surprise them through D."

"M'down wit' Donny." says Rpsha, then, to Donny, "'You down wit OPP?"

She laughs at his confused look, then backs off a little when the gangers
pull their weapons, a Colt Manhunter heavy pistol for Donny, a Remington
Roomsweeper for Picker. They grin, but at each other, not at her expense.

"Let's rock," mutters Picker.

"Now you're talkin'," answers Donny.

Picker and Evita move down to the door to F, and Donny and Rosha get ready
at D. Facing the doors, the stairs are to the left, D closer to them than F
is.

"We should do this all at the same time, right?" Evita looks at the others
for approval, realizes they're waiting for her, and states "On three, then.
1, 2, 3."

Picker waits as Evita counts, then drives his heel into the door at the
lock. It shakes, and he kicks it again, breaking it open this time. Donny
slides a key into the door of D as Evita rolls through her door, Rosha
waiting in the hallway. Picker is next through. Donny slips inside his door
followed by Rosha who takes a last look at the hallway before entering. It
is empty, no-one has been disturbed yet.

In the front room of D, Donny is advancing in a crouch, holding his
Manhunter out ahead of him.

"No sign," he says, "Are they astral, or whatever you call it?"

"No can do, buckaroo. Stay sharp, though, they'll be on us quick."

Donny safes his weapon, and looks through a door.

"The connection to F is through here," he says, "Can't see the others."

As if his comment were a prophecy, there is a yell from F. Donny hurries
through the door he was looking into, and Rosha plunges after him. They
turn right after entering F, and see Picker straight away. He is firing
into the body of a woman lying on the floor. Donny puts his hand on
Picker's shoulder, pulling him away from the woman on the floor. Picker
stops firing, out of rounds.

"Calm down, drekhead," Donny yells.

"You didn't see it's fragging face!" shouts Picker, "Look at it!"

Donny kicks the body over, and stares into the face of the woman. It is
twisted and inhuman, the mouth filled with weird scrapers and mandibles,
the eyes compound and huge.

"Basic roach," says Rosha, "Flesh form, 'think."

"Yeah," says Donny, "Whatever the hell that means. Let's burn the place and go."

"The cops might be on their way," begins Picker, reloading his shotgun,
"Let's..."

He is interputed by a scream of rage from the direction of H. The group
spin around, Evita raising her monosword, and Rosha pulling out a monowhip,
the two gangers raising their weapons.

"Oh, no! Ronin, that's Ronin! Let's get in there!" screams Evita.

"Who?" asks Picker, then follows anyway as Evita and Rosha charge through a
door and into a short dark corridor. Donny brings up the rear.

The corridor ends in a hole in the wall, leading next-door, to H. Evita
dives through it, and the others follow. As Evita rolls to her feet, Rosha
climbs through, panning her camera around the room. It is occupied by a
number of comatose people, all coccooned up in web-like excretions. Another
shout comes from beyond a pile of coccoons, and Evita moves around it,
followed by the others. Visible on the other side, to Evita's shocked gasp,
is a huge cockroach thing. It and a human male are struggling, the human
trying to keep on it's back, the roach trying to throw him off or roll and
crush him.

"Ronin!" shouts Evita, and the human looks at her.

The distraction is enough to prevent him from maintaining his grip when the
roach bucks, and he is sent flying off it. He lands with a thud, then rolls
to his feet and leaps towards the roach, one foot out in a flying kick.
Evita moves forward too, but she is blocked by another, smaller but still
giant, roach that appears out of thin air. She stabs at it with her sword,
but the weapon passes straight through the bug. A scream comes from behind
Rosha, and she spins to see Donny being attacked by a huge roach that has
appeared on top of him. Picker fires twice, blasting huge chunks of chitin
off the beast, but then he too is attacked, by a fourth roach. Rosha moves
forward, slicing Donny's assailant in half with her monowhip. It
disappears, but it has already ripped out Donny's guts, and he stays down.
Picker screams at Rosha to help him, and she turns towards him. The roach
has pushed him up against a wall, and is holding him there. He has thrown
away his shotgun, and is stabbing frantically at the insect's back with a
switchblade. He screams again as Rosha runs towards him, and blood starts
to drip down from one corner of his mouth. The roach surges, pushing
harder, and the drip becomes a torrent as Rosha arrives to attack the roach
from behind. The roach spins as she slices off three or four of its legs,
and drops Picker. The ganger slides down the wall, his entrails mostly
missing, as the roach leaps at the camera. Rosha ducks and the roach lands
behind her, and she spins around, using the momentum to send the monowhip
straight through the centre of the spirit. Like the first one, it
disappears. Rosha turns, looking for Evita, and sees her backing away from
the larger roach. Ronin is nowhere to be seen.

"'I came to bring the pain,'" Evita shouts, "'Hardcore from the brain, come
inside my astral plane.' Hey! Where'd Ronin duck to? Ev?"

"He ran out that door!"

Evita continues to back away, and the roach does as well, snarling at her.
As Rosha advances, the roach disappears, making the shift to astral space.

"He grabbed a stone crab-looking thing," says Evita hurriedly, "He went
that way, but she's after him!"

"Time t'recoup the man's body then," replies Rosha.

She turns, running past the dismembered bodies of Picker and Donny, and
stops, hearing a retching from behind her. She turns, seeing Evita looking
at the corpses.

"Help Ronin," Evita gasps, "I'll be alright, they didn't deserve this."

Rosha turns again, and sprints out the door, heading for the fire escape at
the end of the corridor. A number of people stick their heads out the door,
but they cower back inside when the monowhip wielding maniac charges past.
When Rosha arrives, she sees that the window is broken, and she can hear
someone on the fire escape. Evita joins and overtakes her as they go out
the window and down the ladder.

At the bottom, Evita runs off into the darkness. Rosha follows, slower than
the other woman.

"Hold up, kid!" she yells, "Can't cover ya f'ya don't wait f'r me!"

"He's this way, I just know!"

She stops, looking around a corner, and after a moment Rosha catches up to her.

Around the corner, Ronin is visible, fighting with the roach mother again.
As the two women arrive, Ronin rolls back a couple of metres and throws his
arms out, sending a wave of flame at the roach. It screams in rage, but
seems almost uninjured, the flames apparently held off by  some sort of
invisible shield. Rosha advances, then stops, seeing a rough stone idol
carved into the shape of a paddle crab lying on the ground. It is
approximately ten centimetres across. Rosha scoops it up and tosses it to
Evita, who is moving towards the fight, a look of fear on her face mixed
with determination.

"This's the ticket f'r the spirit, right?"

"Yes, that's it alright," Evita replies.

"Game, set, match.  Train's leavin the station, kid."

"No, I can't leave Ronin like this!"

"The best way y'll help'm is by getting that free spirit out'f his head!"

"I'm not going anywhere, now get out of my way!"

Evita passes Rosha, heading for the fight, but Rosha attacks her from
behind, throwing her ams around the taller woman's legs and bringing her
down. Evita yells in protest, and rolls over, getting to her feet and
striking out at Rosha with a right hook. Rosha ducks under it, catches
Evita's wrist in her right hand, and spins left, dragging Evita close and
winding her with an elbow to the solar plexus. As Evita doubles up, Rosha
spins back out and throws the other woman to the ground by applying force
to the elbow while keeping her grip on Evita's right wrist. Rosha maintains
the hold as Evita recovers her breath, then starts yelling into her face.

"M'not letting y'cash y'r chips against that Roach. We're out. Now. This
thing is the key t'freein Ronin ... once an f'r all. We stay. We lose the
idol. We lose Ronin. F'r good. Y'see how he's kickin the tar outta the
Roach mom?" she pauses for a moment, allowing Evita to get her head up and
take a look, "Yeah, thought you'd see it m'way. Now let's go. F'he turns on
us, we're toast. Comprende?"

The two get up, and start to run from the area, Rosha glancing back once to
see Ronin drive a blindingly fast roundhouse, his booted foot trailing
magical fire, into the roach mother's head, sending a spray of chitin and
ichor into the air. The insect spirit shrieks, and starts to back off.
Rosha shudders, then turns away again, and keeps running after Evita.

+++++End footage

Seems like "you" got the best of the big roach. Hey, y'ever think about
doin commercials for that extermination service? Anyway, m'glad y'r back
n'yr bod safe and sound. Let's all go out and grab a beer s'mtime--you, Ev,
me, and her roomie Cass. Sounds cool t'you? {r}]<<<<
        --  Elgin Baylor <17:09:19/10-03-57>
            Managing Partner
            Seattle Supersonics

>>>>>[I require a missing person to be identified and located, and will
pay well for this to be done. Reply in confidence for further
information.]<<<<<
	-- Jarman <00:16:42/10-03-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jarman
>>>>>[You could have just dropped by the office. Or looked in the Yellow
Pages under 'K'. What do you need?]<<<<<
	-- Marlowe <00:18:42/10-03-67>

*****PRIVATE: Jarman
>>>>>[This guy's an ex-cop. No cops on this! I want that bitch found and
I want her dead!]<<<<<
	-- Bozeman <00:20:17/10-03-57>

*****Private:Jarman
>>>>>[Got a picture? It might help. I can do it, whats the pay?]<<<<<
	-- Matrix Jockey  <09:10:43/10-4-57>

>>>>>[Just what we need, Nightmare again.  Have you perfected that lovely
spell of yours?  Last I remember, you had it just about right.  Dad
nearly died from the last time.

Don't come sniffing around here.  Dad may have declared you a non-person,
but I still have a slight grudge against you.

Oh, and if you were the one who tried to get Drake out of InterPol HQ in
London, all I have to say is "Bravo!"  Next time, use a team that's good
enough to actually get within 4 floors of him out before they get
captured.]<<<<<
	-- Diana, Mistress of the Night <10:23:31/10-04-57>

>>>>>[I'm certain that they thought it was secure at the time.  It pays to
have excellent contacts, or blackmail candidates.  Then again, what's
the difference these days?  Oh, I heard recently that Lt. Colonel Jose
Montoya testified yesterday.  Hopefully I'll get ahold of the tapes
within the next day or so.]<<<<<
	-- Trideo Pirate <10:26:48/10-04-57>

***** PRIVATE: Rosha
>>>>>[We've got to move, hon.  We've got a meeting set up in just under
6 hours.  We need to be in the air in 2 hours.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <19:05:54 / 10-04-57> 
	   Field Officer
	   Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: Rosha Team
>>>>>[ Akira, Christine  --  You two are with me.  NAN is going to be running
security for the meeting so we dont need the entire team, we'd only get in
their way.  We need to be on the deck in 1.5 hours.

Sorry I'm late, overslept and missed my flight out of Germany.  Im really
sorry.  I should have been back last night for a good night's sleep in my
own bed!]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <19:07:56 / 10-04-57>

***** PRIVATE: Trax, Skuff, Karma, Gemini
>>>>>[Hold the hell on, people.  Let me clear up this meeting and we can
get together.  I should be back in Seattle in just under ... frag it, lets
meet tomorrow at 19:30.  At Naavah's.  Ill call her while I am in the air
and set up a private room.  That will give us a chance to scope out
the op and see what the problem is. 

Karma, relax, bro.  Keep it cool and lock it down.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <19:09:15 / 10-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jarman
>>>>>[i'm game.  I took a rest from the shadows for a while to get some things
in order but I'm back now.  I'm a sammie...but I do do more than just dish out
hits.  Though, if need be I can.  I prefer stealth.  And I mostly deal with 
electronic warfare/reverse engineering (read: eavesdropping).  Contact me at
>>>encrypted<<< with more info.  Cya.]<<<<<
	-- Forte <15:19:32/10-04-57>

>>>>>[Hmmm.  I think you might have missed the point, Dianna.  Im sure that
if Nightmare really needed Drake out of the InterPol pokey, he would be
out now (and likely in a body-cast).

Im sure 'mare knows, as does everyone else here, that Paul wants to stand
trial.  A lot of people are hoping he fries, and a couple of us are just
waiting for the outcome.  Im not sure I like the man, but I do respect him
for what he does and how he carries that out.  And for what he has built over
the years.

Hell, even if anyone had gotten to him to break him out, they'd have a pissed
off Drake fighting them off to stay in.  Drake is respected, I doubt he's 
shackled in any cell anywhere.  Even on my best day I would not want
to have to stand toe to toe with Commander Paul '1.5 tons of pissed off
dragon hide` Drake.  If Nightmare had gone after him, which I personally
doubt, he would have suceeded.  That is, assuming he planned to suceed, which
is a moot point. ]<<<<<
	--Kor <19:26:27 / 10-04-57> 

***** PRIVATE:  Ice
>>>>>[I hear you might be in the market for a new animal form.  Lets talk
in the coming week]<<<<<
	-- Kor <19:28:19 / 10-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R Stormwind, Serenity Security
>>>>>[Jay! Glad t'hear you made it back n'one piece! M'n f'r t'night.
C ya alli.]<<<<<
	-- Rosha <16:44:01/10-04-57>

*****NOT TO: InterPol
>>>>>[Kor's hit the nail on the head. 

Drake has the means and the contacts to get him out. _I_ could have got
him out of there, with the right plan and preparation, and I would have
done so: I'm in the man's debt and he knows it.

But, his trial is already forcing InterPol to examine the corruption in
their upper echelons. You should hear the rumours coming out of the
London HQ... Internal Affairs are cleansing the building with fire and
sword. A lot of dirty cops are, very quietly, being sent on gardening
leave pending prosecution. 

And that's what Drake wants. It offends him that Special Branch is the
only part of InterPol that is percieved as being honest, and that they
still get ordered onto wasteful wild-goose chases when they have better
targets to pursue. He's doing what he can to amend that.

And, because he has a touch of martyr complex, if it costs him his life,
he'll die content.

It's a real pity, you know: I really like the guy. I admire his skill, I
agree with some of his aims, I respect his determination: and he's
sacrificed a great deal for his beliefs. But, if push comes to shove, if
they order his execution I'll do everything I can to save his
life.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <23:40:31/10-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Forte
>>>>>[The subject is a SINless female Elf, hence the job of locating her
and providing details of her identity and residence will not be easy.
Because of this, I am authorised to offer >>encrypted<< for success.

Other parties may also work on this contract. I will pay the full sum
for credible information, even if another has previously provided it: I
consider it valuable confirmation, and my client is able to afford a
duplication of effort. If you discover others pursuing the same line of
enquiry, contact me and I will advise.

If you accept the job, I will provide you with all available data, plus
a 10% advance of the final payment.]<<<<<
	-- Jarman (23:30:18/10-04-57>

***** PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[If it comes to that, you can count on us to assist you.  And I do
mean all of us.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <23:20:40 / 10-04-57> 
	   Field Officer
	   Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[Tell me you are kidding]<<<<<
	-- Skuff <23:22:55 / 10-04-57>

***** PRIVATE: Skuff
>>>>>[He's done nothing wrong.  I've seen no evidence that he even violated
any of InterPol's rules without justification.  This should never have gone
to trial, it should have be as easy as him coming to his superiors saying
"Look, we have a problem, get IA or IAD in here and clean it up", but that
isnt going to happen.  InterPol has gotten large and too sloppy to be
left without being checked here and there.  Drake is pulling a hip-check
which should just be accepted.

You know I wouldnt send an order down the line that would compromise
anyone's personal morals.  If you need to be exempt, thats fine.  Serenity
will likely not exist afterwards if it comes to that.  I hope that
it doesnt.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <23:31:40 / 10-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Matrix Jockey
>>>>>[The payment for the girl's current identity and whereabouts,
without revealing my involvement or interest, is >>encrypted<<. 

She is a SINless individual, who may use a number of aliases, hence the
relatively high pay: I don't underestimate the difficulty of this job.

A picture, a 10% advance and the other information I have on her, will
be made available once you accept the job. Be advised that I may hire
more than one person to find her: if two employees successfully locate
her, both will be paid in full. Success is important to my client.]<<<<<
	-- Jarman <18:50:43/10-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[Where'd you hear that? And what do you mean, a "new" animal form?]<<<<<
	-- Ice  <19:24:06/10-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: {r}, Evita
>>>>>[I'm a bit confused about the sequence of events while I was running
about on the astral. As far as I can tell it went like this:

My body came to Seattle, contacted Evita, then went on a run to grab some
ashes, followed by a second to get hold of an antique clock, then sent
Evita and two gangers to raid a bug-house. While they were there, Rosha
joined up, helping them for a while. My body also turned up, grabbing a
stone idol of a paddle crab, then dropped it while fighting a roach spirit.
Rosha grabbed the idol and persuaded Evita to leave my body behind so the
two of you could use the idol for a bit of extortion. Since the spirit
wanted the idol so bad, it gave me my body back under close supervision
(Who were all those people, anyway?).

Is that pretty much what happened?

And about the drink, how about tomorrow? Around 1900, >>bar name<<.]<<<<<
	--  Ronin  <19:36:15/10-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin
>>>>>[Drink sounds good.  The order o'events seems steady fr'm m'end.
And ya can call me b'name now. Splain that'n later. :)  An' don worry
'bout payback ... y'dve done t'same f'r me, right?]<<<<<
	-- Rosha <22:54:23/10-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Easy, T'Shon, Ice, Whitetyger, Blademaster, Shockwave,
Blackthorne, Blackhawk.
>>>>>[Congratulations on your efforts, here is your well earned payment.

+++++Cred transfer

I will keep your names in mind for future work.]<<<<<
	-- L  <15:14:55/10-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: L
>>>>>[How much would you charge me to change the status of the Jerzyck ID
to that of a discharged (for psychological reasons) SK exec?]<<<<<
	-- Ice  <17:45:18/10-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ice
>>>>>[>>nY sum<<. No bargaining, that's already low considering the sterling
service you provided during the Gibraltar incident.]<<<<<
	-- L  <20:09:39/10-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: L
>>>>>[Okay... and I see the change has already been made.

+++++Crd transfer

As I said before, it's a pleasure doing business with you.]<<<<<
	-- Ice  <23:37:47/10-04-57>

*****INTERNAL: SIGANet
>>>>>[TO: J R W Lynch
No problem, Thunderbird Six detected message and attempting trace,
FAB!]<<<<<
	-- Sgt J S Karlsbruhn <Sergeant:Peppers:Lonely/Hearts-Club-Band>

*****PRIVATE: Lilith
>>>>>[I think Jake's been watching too much of our old video collection.
Move him from "Harmless" to "Mostly Harmless". 

Why was Dexter asking me for help, anyway? All I know about him was that
he was talking about going after JayCee. Never met him, never worked
with him.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <23:45:41/10-02-57>

*****PRIVATE: Blademaster
>>>>>[Thanks for the thoughts, and the offer of help. Want to meet up
for a few beers sometime? 

Coppinger recruited me to SIGA a few months after it all blew up. Back
then I was only called in once in a while. As things got bigger - like
Maxim acquiring nukes, which if we'd had people in the shadows we might
have seen coming - and the Warsaw hit, I ended up spending more and more
time "consulting" so I ended up going virtually full-time.

Used to be a freelance merc, used to be Ares Security, used to be a
runner, used to be a cop... I've been around a while <g>]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <09:43:10/10-05-57>

*****PRIVATE: Apollyon
>>>>>[Mr. Minnifield, I have completely the final edits on the 
audio-visual record you commission our forces to provide for you.  Because
our presence was requested by another organization, there have been no
undue questions regarding the creation of this file.  I hope that you will
be satisfied with my work and continue to maintain such quality relations 
with the Nation in general.

+++++begintrid: 092657.200000  ...  200001  ...  200002 ...

A window opens and fills the screen, and as it does, the flashing numbers
indicating a progression fade from the image.

Replacing them is a view of a rough forest clearing, approximately 40 
feet in diameter.  It is obviously autumn, as multicolored leaves form a 
natural carpet that rustles and swirls in the wind.

You notice the camera angle is elevated looking down on the scene from 
a distance of about 10 feet at approximately a 30 degree angle, obscuring 
the bottom portion of the clearing.

After a few moments, two individuals wearing the deep blues of Serenity's 
light security armor enter the picture. One is a sizable female troll 
with uncharacteristically femine features, a single horn protrudes from 
the long flowing blond hair. The other is a short, stocky man, Asian in 
origin.

They enter the clearing less than cautiously. One walks counterclockwise
to the camera around the edge of the clearing while the other kneels in
apparent meditation. Both take a minute to complete their activities 
before they return to the left of the screen and beckon someone else to
enter.

An Amerind female teenager steps into view quickly. She has a long facial 
scar down her left cheek, and has a very solemn look in her eyes.  Still,
the light of youthful curiosity dances beneath the surface in her mein.

Following her is Jason Stormwind. His long black hair braided back in its 
trademarked intricate design. Seemingly slightly annoyed, he asks the 
male bodyguard, "Any sign of him?"

Akira: "None yet, Jason, but we'll know when he gets here."

The male bodyguard shoots a knowing glance at the female, who returns the 
gesture with a smirk.

Jason: "Everyone in place?"

Christine: "As far as I can tell. We were only allowed the 4 of us, the
rest of security is up to the Elders."

Jason nods and turns to the Amerind girl, his daughter perhaps.

Jason: "Are you sure you're ready for this?" {to the Amerind girl}

Girl: "Jay, stop worryin 'bout me. Ah need t'see this guy, and maybe 
fairytales do come true."

Jason: "Rosha, I just want you to know that every fairytale has its monster,
and this guy might be it."

Rosha: "Think that would be his problem, not mine." {smirking slightly}

Just as the last words come from her mouth, something rustles off camera
to the left of the screen.  Both bodyguards draw heavy pistols out of their
jackets and take aim in the direction of the disturbance; Jason takes a 
long stride and moves in front of Rosha.

A darkskinned man with a shaved head stumbles on to the screen from the left,
nearly falling before catching himself by planting a long silver walking
staff in front of him.  His tattered gray robe seems to have several new 
holes in it.

Man: "Not the best introductory entrance, I could have imagined, but I am
here nonetheless.  I apologize for my lateness, Mr. Stormwind.  Salud, mis
amigos!  I am Hector Otalvaro Minnifield."

Rosha: "Let's see s'm proof, bud. Words are drek."

After stepping from behind Jason while Hector spoke, Rosha is visibly focused
on Hector -- watching his every movement religiously.

Hector: "Certainly! Your suspicion is both expected and welcome."  {as he 
sits down}  "I have both the formal documentation of my identity and the
story of how I came to be here; both for you analysis.  Mr. Stormwind may 
verify that the documents I provide you are copies of the same ones I gave
to him months ago, and that all of them are in order.  Furthermore, he 
can assure you that I am the same man with whom he has met previously.
I am, indeed, your half-brother, Hortensia."

Jason: "Yes, these are the same documents and he did check out."

Hector: "Then let me tell you how this most joyous moment for me has come 
to pass.  I was born in 2029 as an illegitimate child to Maria Otalvaro, 
our mother.  However, because we did not share a father, she gave me up for
adoption at birth.  Her marriage to your father was new at that point, 
and she mistrusted his ability to accept me as his child.  My biological
father was a drug-dealer whom she had fallen in debt to, and an unsavory
individual who met his end in a deal gone wrong in 2032.

Sadly, I never knew either of my biological parents as I didn't become
aware that I was adopted until 2052, when the woman who raised me told
me of my adoption on her deathbed.  Her husband, my father, had died
just two years earlier; ironically, the same year your father died in 
service to the UCAS Army.

Driven by the thought that I had family elsewhere in the world, I used 
all of my adoptive family's resources and influence to collect facts 
about the Otalvaro family--your family.  And, sure enough, I discover that
Maria and Marcus had a child in 2035, a daughter--Hortensia. You.

But by 2053, when I learned of you, you had joined the UCAS Special Forces
and they told you that you had been killed in training.  Upon further 
investigation, I discover that they only half-lied.  Their brainwashing for
your work on the Reconnaissance Team had destroyed your identity as Hortensia
Otalvaro, and left only Rosha.  A weapon for their deployment.  

Though I tried to have political friends of mine secure your release from
the Special Forces, your commander, Nelson Wilkerson, held you on the 
team with the passion of a zealot.  Your exemplary performance record did
little to help my efforts.  However, your ... extracurricular ... activities
with Special Forces in 2054 opened a window of opportunity.  I felt sure
that your discharge would come through and I'd finally be able to meet you.

But Wilkerson's system of Code Red discipline denied me this.  At least, 
until you went AWOL, but that provided other problems.  

By living in the shadows so effectively, you evaded both Wilkerson's and my
efforts to locate you.  And anytime, we did ... you were gone.  Finally,
I changed my methods.  I sought out members of the shadowcommunity to keep
you safe, and eventually, introduce me to you.

When you made contact with Mr. Stormwind, I allowed myself to hope the time
was nigh for our encounter.  I had been informed of Mr. Stormwind's 
fundamentally paladin orientation.  I knew that if I could convince him 
of the sincerity and love in my plea, we could finally talk.  Thus, after
5 years of seeking you, I finally see you sitting before me."

As Hector spoke, he, Jason, and Rosha all sat down in the middle of the 
clearing as the bodyguards maintained a secure perimeter around them.

Rosha: "S'posing I b'lieve you... why?"

Hector {looking shocked}: "Hortensia! It must be obvious!  I have lost 
all others who could tell me something of who I am!  You are my final
chance to learn about my mother!"

Rosha: "Sorry, bud. But I don't remember much. You know about the SpecForc
rehab, nothing is left."

Hector: "Then why have you secured the services of Dr. Bayard Rustin? Yes,
I have been observing you for some time.  And you would not be working
with Dr. Rustin unless he could help restore your memories."

Rosha {angrily}: "So y've been spying n'me! How dare you!"

She rises quickly and turns to leave.

Hector {calmly}: "Think for just one moment would you? If for nothing
else than you're own gain.  Let me provide you a secure life where you
can receive Dr. Rustin's treatments on a regular basis as opposed to 
seeing him at random intervals.  Furthermore, I can afford a team of 
specialists to assist him in recovering your memories.  And you can
trust me in this matter at least, because I have as much interest in your
regaining your memories as you do."

Rosha stops and turns back, looking at Jason.  Jason reflects her gaze, 
leaving the decision in her hands.

The female bodyguard moves swiftly to Jason's side and whispers something 
to him.

Hector {looking concerned}: "A problem."

Jason: "No. A patrol team. We need to move this along, our time in here is
limited."

Hector rises from the ground with a regal air that belies his attire.

Hector: "So, I must ask my final question.  Forever more, will you be Rosha
or Hortensia?"

Rosha looks up into his eyes.  Her image wavers and trembles as if it were
giving off heat.

Rosha: "I think Rosha should find out as much about Hortensia as possible.
Then I'll see if I can answer your question."

Hector looks confused by the answer.  But Rosha waves her arms in front of
her face and body, and the image of the Amerind teenager falls from her.

She loses 4 inches of height and gains 25 pounds of muscle as her complexion
darkens and her hair shortens and glows with an azure hue.  Finally, she
stands before Hector and sparkling lines of midnight blue creep over her arms
and face, making it especially difficult to make out her features beneath
those lines.

Rosha: "Ese fue un 'si'."  And she grabs Hector's left hand with her right.

Looking at the two of them, facing each other, there is definitely a family
resemblance.

Jason: "OK, look, before I start bawling, and the locals start asking too 
many questions, can we make the rendezvous?"

Hector: "May I ..."

Jason: "You don't even need to ask."

At this point, the female bodyguard disappears off the right side of the 
screen followed by Rosha and Hector--still holding hands--, then Jason, and
finally, the male bodyguard.

A wind rustles the leaves on the floor of the clearing, and just for a 
moment, it seems as if they were cackling.

+++++endtrid: 092657.220317

And, for the record, I wish you all the best with your family.]<<<<<
	-- Sgt. Daniel Joseph Stands-In-Shadow <16:32:22/10-06-57>
	    Recording Specialist
	    Salish-Shidhe Border Patrol

*****PRIVATE: Ice
>>>>>[I have an offer for the group that you advertised earlier. I would
like to... sponsor, if you will, such a group, but not let it become
public knowledge. My sources indicate that the group is already
formed, it's strictures set, so I have no wish for my patronage or the
secrecy I require to be part of the structure of the group's binding.
Instead I would like there to be a sort of inner core of members who
know about my purposes, and another section who know you are taking
orders from someone, but not from whom, or why. Note that I would
never expect you to betray your group. In fact, I hope that you would
refuse to do so.

My purposes are mostly bengin, and purely defensive. I would like you to
watch the shadows for runs against my corner of my corporation, having one
or more of your members apply to any offers that I find suspicious, offers
to which I will alert you in such cases. Also, I would like to establish a
long-term employer-employee relationship with a group such as yours, so I
always have access have a team of capable magicians I can trust. My
identity must remain secret, I would regret the consequences of an attempt
to uncover it.

You will benefit by access to certain libraries and other information that
you will find hard to get elsewhere, as well as by a generous monthly cash
payment, the amount to be negotiated once you gain the consent of such
members of your group as you consider to be discreet enough to know the
truth. To earn this, all you will do is be avaiable, and continue to
practice your skills, becoming more suitable for my work as time
progresses. The compensation for any other work you do for me will be
negotiated if and when such a situation arises.]<<<<<
	-- L  <10:19:16/10-06-57>

*****PRIVATE: L
>>>>>[I'll consider it, and discuss it with the group. Leaving out what
little I know about you, of course.]<<<<<
	-- Ice  <16:45:04/10-06-57>

*****PRIVATE: Group
>>>>>[Take a look at this:

+++++Include L's message

The sender was the johnson for that Gibraltar thing I told you about, I
shouldn't really tell any more until we decide whether to accept the offer
or not. But what the hell, he works for SK, and that's about all I know.
The letter L could be taken to mean Lofwyr, but I'm not buying it, he
probably just wants people to think that. Of course, there's no better way
to lie than to tell the truth as if it were a lie...

Anyway, what do you think? I like the idea of a monthly payment, but the
whole thing seems a little too good to be true.]<<<<<
	-- Ice  <16:52:20/10-06-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ice
>>>>>[It sounds interestin t'me. V'got some experience workin the 
corp-protect circuit anyway. So count me'n, Ice.  And how about 'Hecate's 
Star' as potential groupname? Just a thought ...]<<<<<
	-- Rosha <21:14:10/10-06-57>

*****Private:Jarman
>>>>>[Who else have you hired, I'd like to know, so if I run into any of 
them I can help them out/get some help should it come to that. Besides, 
I might know a few of them. As for the finding of SIN and SINless, hey, 
it's a can do]<<<<<
	--  Matrix Jockey  <08:59:31/10-07-57>

*****Private:Lynch
>>>>>[Yes, you have been around a while. Ever deal with Vampire's or a 
Dragon? As for the beer's, I can't stand them, I much prefer hard liquor.
On the other hand, if you'd like meet up and have a few drinks, that sounds 
great.]<<<<<
	-- Blademaster  <09:06:57/10-07-57>

>>>>>[Well, this would be another installment of the hearings.  It's amazing
that there's so many fraggin witnesses.  And I should have Marshall Qoph's
testimony up in a day or two.

+++++ Begin Trideo record, International Police Hearing S57-01 +++++

Clerk:  All rise.

Commander Drake, Lt. Rachel Mizikar, Lt. Gerry Burr, and the clerk all stand
while the panel walks in.  Sir Harold Burns is looking very tired but still
distinguished.  Miyamoto Okyoshu also appears as if the travails of the
hearing are finally wearing him down some.  Chief Eric Skinwalker, however,
appears as solid and stolid as always.  And Rep. Thomas Lang looks more and
more triumphant as the days go on.

Cleak:  Be seated.

Burns:  Well, then, where were we?

Clerk:  We were just about to call another witness, Sir.

Burns:  I know that.  It was a rhetorical question.

Clerk:  Sorry, sir.

Burns:  Call the next witness, then.

Clerk:  The Panel calls Jose Montoya.

The camera turns again, as it has for all the witnesses at this point, and
faces the rear door as it opens to admit Lt. Colonel Jose Montoya, acting
head of InterPol's Special Branch.  He is wearing his black dress uniform,
just like all the other InterPol officers present.  On it are several ribbons
and commendations for various acts of heroism and selflessness, and a very
new rank insignia.  He walks forward, stands behind the witness table, and
waits while the clerk comes forward.

Clerk:  State your name and rank for the record.

Jose:  Jose Montoya, Lt. Colonel and acting head of Special Branch, InterPol.

Clerk:  Repeat after me, sir.  I, Jose Montoya, do solemnly swear....

Jose:  I, Jose Montoya, do solemnly swear.

Clerk:  To tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so
help me God.

Jose:  To tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so
help me God.

Clerk:  Please be seated, sir.

Burns:  Well, whose turn is it this time?

Lt. Burr, Prosecution:  Mine, sir.  Lt. Col. Montoya, you are currently the
acting head of Special Branch.  Why is that?

Jose:  I'm not sure I understand the question.  Could you be more specific?

Prosecution:  Certainly.  Could you please tell me why you are the acting
head of Special Branch and not someone else more qualified?

Jose:  Because Commander Drake promoted me and gave me his command as his
last action before turning himself in.

Prosecution:  Why is that, sir?

Jose:  Because he feels that I am the best qualified to lead Special Branch.

Prosecution:  He told you that himself?

Jose:  Yes.

Prosecution:  What, if you know, do you posses that qualifies you to lead
Special Branch?  Any particular skills or abilities?

Jose:  Nothing that I'm aware of, except that I believe as ferverently about
Special Branch's mission and duties as Commander Drake does.

Prosecution:  Would you say that would be enough?

Jose:  Enough to put me over the top in an equal race, yes.

Prosecution:  But not enough were someone else well ahead of you in, say,
skills or abilities?

Jose:  You'd have to ask Commander Drake about that.

Prosecution:  But I'm asking you, sir.

Jose:  Probably not, then.

Prosecution:  Were you aware that there were several individuals who have
much greater skills in administration and management than you who were being
groomed by the Council and Enforcement Branch to replace Commander Drake when
he retired?

Jose:  Commander Drake did tell me that, yes.

Prosecution:  Did you feel inclined at the time to ask why he was ignoring
them and going to you?

Jose:  No, I did not.

Prosecution:  I see.  Sir, is it possible that Commander Drake wanted to keep
control of Special Branch in the hands of those individuals who were a
product of it's specific doctrine?

Jose:  I'd like to think that's precisely why he did it, but I know
different.

Prosecution:  Really?  In what way?

Jose:  Commander Drake told me at one of our meetings that the individuals
who were being groomed for his position were, if I remember the term
correctly, "megacorporate stoodges."

Prosecution:  Are you saying that Commander Drake accused them of being on
the payroll of any of several megacorporations?

Jose:  He suspected it, but never said anything which could be construed as a
direct accusation.

Prosecution:  I see.  Did Commander Drake ever tell you why he suspected
this?

Jose:  No, he did not.

Prosecution:  Very well.  Lt. Col. Montoya, has Commander Drake told you that
you are next in line for command of Special Branch when he retires?

Jose:  Not precisely, no.  He has told me that I have been designated as his
successor, officially and according to Section 43 of the Special Branch
charter, upon his leaving the position, through voluntary or involuntary
means.  He has pointed out to me repeatedly that he does not expect to live
to a ripe old age.

Prosecution:  And why is that?

Jose:  He feels that he has made too many enemies who see him as an
impediment to thier doing anything that they want.  He led me to believe that
these enemies were corporate, national, private, and even internal to
InterPol.

Prosecution:  And he felt that someone would remove him, perhaps even kill
him, when he became too much of a problem?

Jose:  Yes.  Various people have tried that already, and some have come very,
very close in the process.

Prosecution:  So you are designated Commander Drake's successor.  You are, I
hope, aware that his official sanction of you does not automatically mean
that you would be placed in command of Special Branch?

Jose:  Of course.

Prosecution:  One thing still puzzles me, though.  Why would you be
designated his, well, heir if you didn't have any real skills in that
department?

Jose:  Well, I do have some skill in command or else I wouldn't have been
placed in command of one of Commander Drake's special units.  And I also
believe that Commander Drake thinks that I can learn anything which I don't
already know.

Prosecution:  Indeed.  While we're on the topic, why are you in charge of the
Montoya sniper unit?

Jose:  Because I am an expert sniper, Lt.

Prosecution:  Yet the records show that you have only rarely expressed more
than a passing interest in most sniper weapons, and had, until the pursuit of
Mr. Lynch, not even drawn a weapon from stores larger than an SMG and
standard sidearm.  Why is that, sir?

Jose:  Because, until recently, Commander Drake had restricted my use of
rifles to the shooting range.

Prosecution:  Really?  Why?

Jose:  Your increduality is forced, Lt. Burr.  Commander Drake's restrictions
on my weapon use is well documented, as is his rescinding those restrictions.
The reason is that I am an expert sniper with a past.  I wasn't, after all,
always a cop.

Prosecution:  Really, sir?

Defense:  Objection, Sir.  Prosecution is attempting to turn the focus of
this hearing from Commander Drake to Lt. Colonel Montoya.

Prosecution:  I am attempting to ascertain certain of Commander Drake's
motives and his sudden change of heart, which I have not yet had a chance to
bring up.

Burns:  Overrulled.  But keep it quick, Lt. Burr.  I'm a tired old man, and
all the more crochety for not sleeping well last night.

Prosecution:  Of course, Sir.  Lt. Col. Montoya, what were you before you
were a cop?

Jose:  I'm sorry, Lt. Burr, but because of Special Branch Charter Sections 65
c and d, I am not required to answer that.

Prosecution:  Sir, I put the question before the Panel.  You have the power
to force the answer if you wish.

Burns:  Very well.  Councilman Okyoshu?

Okyoshu:  Hai, he must answer the question.

Lang:  I concur.

Skinwalker:  I do not agree.  Lt. Col. Montoya does not have to answer the
question.

Burns:  And as I am allowed a vote, I concur with Chief Skinwalker.  Lt.
Colonel Montoya, you are not required to answer that question.  Lt. Burr,
either retract the question or rephrase it.

Prosecution:  Very well, honored panel members.  Lt. Colonel Montoya, what
were the reasons for Commander Drake's placing weapons restrictions on you?

Jose:  He felt that my prior history, which I will not discuss, was such that
I was potentially dangerous with rifles.  He felt that this potential should
be limited at all costs, but in a manner which would still enable me to give
the benefit of my experience to others.  Thus I acted as a spotter and
commander of the sniper unit.

Prosecution:  So there were very valid reasons, related to your supposed
sniper skills, to restrict your access to rifles?

Jose:  Yes.

Prosecution:  Yet Commander Drake released those same restrictions the day
before he named you as his successor, correct?

Jose:  Yes.

Prosecution:  Why is that?

Jose:  Because it would have been counterproductive to have me remain
restricted.

Prosecution:  And what did you do as soon as you were released from his
restrictions?

Jose:  I immediately dived into the shooting range to practice and regain my
skills with sniper rifles.

Prosecution:  And the Barret 121 in particular, correct?

Jose:  Yes.  I am an expert in using that particular weapon, while only
extremly skilled in others.

Prosecution:  I see.  And after your restrictions had been released, what
positions did you fulfill?

Jose:  I immediately began carrying a rifle with me when we were setting up
for Mr. Lynch.  In some cases, two rifles.  One for non-lethal ammunition,
the other for lethal in the event that Commander Drake had ordered us into a
weapons-free situation.

Prosecution:  And what were the two rifles, sir?

Jose:  The non-lethal rifle was usually a Walther WA-2100 loaded with gel
rounds.  The lethal rifle was always a Barret 121, for pure stoping power.

Prosecution:  Always the same rifle?

Jose:  Yes.

Prosecution:  Why is that?

Jose:  Because....  Lt. Burr, that question again relates directly to my past
and I am not required to answer it.

Burns:  Lt. Colonel Montoya, I am not inclined to allow you that way out this
time.  Answer the question.

Jose:  Yes, sir.  Because that particular rifle is mine.

Prosecution:  Yours, sir?

Jose:  Yes.  It had been in my possesion before I joined InterPol.

Prosecution:  I begin to see, but since I have been disallowed from asking
too direct questions, I will desist.  Sir, you were the individual who shot
Mr. Lynch, correct?

Jose:  In the leg, yes.

Prosecution:  Were you aware at the time that Marshall Qoph had ordered that
Mr. Lynch be killed?

Jose:  I was.

Prosecution:  And yet you did not shoot to kill.  Why is that, sir?

Jose:  Because Commander Drake's orders, as my direct superior, took
precedence.  In addition, by ordering me to shoot to wound, Commander Drake
was knowingly disobeying a direct order from a superior, while not passing
that responsiblity down the chain of command to me.

Prosecution:  So you knew that, by ordering you to shoot to wound, Commander
Drake was disobeying a direct order?

Jose:  I just said that, didn't I?

Prosecution:  Thank you, sir!  One final question:  Does Commander Drake have
a file of Special Branch personnel; a file outside the normal InterPol
procedures?

Jose:  No, sir, he does not.

Prosecution:  Are you very sure of that?

Jose:  Of course.  He's not in command anymore, thus I have that file now.

Prosecution:  (laughs)  I see, sir.  But he did at one point, correct?

Jose:  Yes.

Prosecution:  No more questions.

Burns:  I call a 10 minute recess.

<pause>

Burns:  Lt. Col. Montoya, may I remind you that you are still under oath.

Jose:  I understand, sir.

Burns:  Excellent.  Lt. Mizikar, your witness.

Lt. Mizikar, Defense:  Sir, how long have you been under Commander Drake's
direct command now?

Jose:  For the last 5 years.  Ever since he formed his special units and he
gave me command of the sniper unit.

Defense:  In that time, have you ever known the Commander to be dishonest, or
to act without any sense of honor or integrity?

Jose:  I have not.

Defense:  And in that time, has the Commander ever ordered you to perform
tasks which were personally degrading or unethical?

Jose:  Unethical, no.  However, the nature of under-cover operations
sometimes requires that a cop do things that he or she finds personally
distasteful.

Defense:  Of course.  In that time, has Commander Drake ever asked you or
your team to assassinate anyone.

Jose:  No, he has not.

Defense:  And why is that, sir?

Jose:  Because to do so would run counter to his personal ethics and to the
spirit of the InterPol charter.

Defense:  How so?

Jose:  InterPol exists to bring some justice to those who break the laws and
escape across national jurisdictional lines.

Defense:  Mr. Lynch said much the same thing in his testimony.

Jose:  I'm not surprised, although I suspect that he and I, and Commander
Drake as well, would disagree as to the correctness of our various methods to
bringing people to justice.

Defense:  I'm sure you are correct, sir. Commander Drake never asked you or
your team to assassinate anyone.  Has he ever ordered you to kill someone?

Jose:  If you are asking about assassinating again, then the answer is still
no.  However, if you mean to kill someone if they became dangerous, then yes,
he has.

Defense:  Could you give me an example, sir?

Jose:  Of course.  When the Commander arrested Dr. Jackson, my unit was on
the site.  Commander Drake ordered us to be ready to kill Dr. Jackson should
he appear to pose an immediate threat to the lives of our arresting agents.
As Dr. Jackson accepted his arrest more or less without incident, his death
was not necessary.

Defense:  I see.  Are situations like this common for Special Branch?

Jose:  In my experience, no.  We are trained to kill only in defense of
ourselves or our fellow InterPol agents.  There have been some unfortunate
incidents, but the individuals responsible were always disciplined, in
several cases the agent was brought up on manslaughter or murder charges.

Defense:  How do you think that this differs from normal police operations,
if at all?

Jose:  Very little, actually.  From my experience, normal police, and indeed
the rest of InterPol as well, treat killing suspects or criminals as highly
undesirable.  After all, a dead suspect or criminal cannot be sentenced or
tried for his or her crimes.  Of course, this is under the ideal situations.

Defense:  What do you mean by that, sir?

Jose:  All police are human beings, Lt.  If a criminal kills a cop, then they
want some measure of revenge.  The percentages of criminals accused of
killing a cop reaching trial are very low.  And there are always corrupt
cops who kill criminals because thier real employers fear what they would
say if allowed to go to trial.

Defense:  Do you personally feel that there are individuals in InterPol who
fit that description?

Prosecution:  Objection, sir.  Irrelevant to the hearing.

Burns:  Overruled, Lt. Burr.  Since the charges of corruption within InterPol
have been repeated by several of the most important witnesses so far, I am
inclined to allow questions of this sort from now on.  But don't let that
stop you from objecting.

Prosecution:  Of course, sir.

Defense:  Lt. Col. Montoya?

Jose:  Of course.  I would like to believe that there are fewer corrupt
individuals within InterPol's heirarchy than within, say, Lone Star's, but I
have no doubt that there are some.  Police are always targets, and police
with InterPol's level of power and responsibility even more so.

Defense:  Sir, you said earlier that you knew that Commander Drake was
disobeying a direct order from Marshall Qoph when he ordered you to fire to
wound Mr. Lynch.  You also said that you followed the Commander's orders
because he is your direct superior and that you knew that he was attempting
to limit your responsibility.  If Marshall Qoph had removed Commander Drake
from command and ordered you to kill Mr. Lynch, would you have done so?

Jose:  No, I would not have.

Defense:  Why not, sir?

Jose:  Because to do so would violate the Special Branch charter and would go
against my personal integrity and ethics.

Defense:  How is that?

Jose:  I personally have no qualms with killing a dangerous criminal who had
severely injured or killed a fellow agent.  I would prefer that the criminal
go to trial, but if the only way to save the life of a friend was to kill the
criminal, I would do so.  If Mr. Lynch had, at any time, killed an InterPol
agent, and I had been ordered to kill him, he would likely not have had a
bullet in his leg, but rather his skull.  However, Mr. Lynch is an honorable
man, in his own way.  He follows his conscience, however much I personally
dislike his means and methods, or how illegal they truly are.  Mr. Lynch
deserves to face a trial by jury for his crimes, not summary execution.  For
those reasons, I would not have fired, nor would I have allowed anyone under
my command to do so.

Defense:  Even at risk of removal from your position?

Jose:  Lieutenant, Marshall Qoph could have held his pistol against my head
and told me to do it or die, and I would not have fired.  Death is not
necessarily worse than sacrificing your integrity.

Defense:  Thank you, sir.  A couple more questions, if you don't mind.  Why
do you think that your arrest of Mr. Lynch took so long to accomplish?

Jose:  Because Mr. Lynch and his associates are highly trained professionals.
Being able to operate outside the law allows them several more degrees of
freedom than Special Branch agents enjoy.

Defense:  Why do you think that Commander Drake disobeyed the orders by
Marshall Qoph?

Jose:  Commander Drake would be the best person to answer that question, Lt.

Defense:  I assure you that I will ask it of him.  But I would still like to
hear your impressions, sir.

Jose:  I believe that he refused to follow the orders because he felt that
they were wrong, and that they were politically motivated.

Defense:  Thank you, Lt. Col. Montoya.  No more questions.

Burns:  Lt. Col. Montoya, do you have any last comments or observations you
wish to add before the panel?

Jose:  I do, sir.  I believe that the entire Lynch debacle was politically
motivated rather than motivated by good sense.  Mr. Lynch is a dangerous
criminal, and wanted by more nations than I can easily remember.  But his
crimes have always been carefully carried out.  He has always targeted those
individuals he believed most responsible for whatever it was he was pursuing
them for.  Yet Special Branch was ordered by the Council itself to pursue
him, and the council was convinced to do so by a nation who is not a
signatory of the InterPol charter, under the pretense that said nation would
become a signatory.

Special Branch was originally formed because so much of the rest of InterPol
was political at the time.  I feel that it still is.  Yet Section 96 allows
for the politicians to control Special Branch whenever they feel like it.
Commander Drake's cooperation with the orders was specifically because he
knew that he would be replaced with a political appointment if he was removed
for disobeying a direct order.  Yet he fought against the orders as best he
could, while still obeying the letter of his orders and following his
conscience.

Commander Drake is facing this disciplinary hearing not because he disobeyed
orders, but because he disobeyed the politics behind those orders.  And
because he has the audacity to be an ethical and uncorruptable officer of the
law.

Burns:  Is that all, Lt. Col. Montoya?

Jose:  It is, sir.

Burns:  Very well.  Witness is dismissed......

+++++ End Trideo record +++++ ]<<<<<
	--  Trideo Pirate <09:54:42/10-07-57>

>>>>>[I suspect that the hearing is independant of an actual trial.  It seems to
be more of a pre-trial, as much to determine whether Drake should be run
out of InterPol and then tried in a UCAS court of law for his actions.

It's never happened before, even those few times that Drake was totally in
the wrong, like the killing of the decker Raven.  But there wasn't as many
people gunning for his job then either.

I suspect that unless Drake has a card or two up his sleeve, he'll be
drummed out of Special Branch and put on a real trial.  Whether he has
those cards or not remains to be seen.  I'm looking forward to his
testimony, actually.]<<<<<
	-- Slash <10:01:41/10-07-57>

>>>>>[Greetings, everyone!  You all know me, or at least know of me.  I hope.

But regardless, I am holding my 23rd annual Samhain fundraiser costumed
ball to benefit Haven again this year.  The party will start at sunset on
October 31 and end sometime thereafter, daybreak at the earliest.

You are all invited, and party crashers are welcome.  Just remember the
rules before you get here.  And be advised that arch enemies commonly show
up and toast to each other's slow and painful demise.  Why, last year we
had two of the Ancients drinking with Foxey Roxey for part of the evening,
and there have been times when Commander Drake and some of the individuals
he was pursuing sat down and drank together.

So, please, come one and all.  Just remember the costume, as you will not
be admitted without one, and the magicians who are responsible for giving
you one if you show up without one have somewhat odd senses of humor.]<<<<<
	-- Valentine <10:07:02/10-07-57>

>>>>>[If it works as well and Lynch and Lilith's wedding, and if you don't 
object strenously to me being there, count me in.  And I'll start working on
the costume.]<<<<<
	-- JayCee <18:10:41/10-07-57>

>>>>>[Everyone is invited.  This party is usually indoors, as it's normally
raining outside.]<<<<<
	-- Valentine <13:59:20/10-07-57>

*****PRIVATE: Forte, Matrix Jockey
>>>>>[You are the two who have expressed an interest in this task. You
may work seperately or together, as you choose: I am merely interested
in success without the target becoming aware of your surveillance.

Please tell me whether you accept the job or not, so I may give you the
information you need to begin your searches.]<<<<<
	-- Jarman <18:20:14/10-07-57>

*****PRIVATE: Group
>>>>>[Rosha sent me a private message (you really should have sent that to
all of us, IMHO) suggested "Hecate's star" as a group name, anyone else got
suggestions? Seeing as half our members turn into wolves or tigers at
little or no provocation, I like "The Seattle Zoo", but I doubt anyone else
will.

Anyway, the selling out to SK thing, Rosha seemed agreeable. I sort of
don't object to the idea, we wont be commiting to anything much.]<<<<<
	-- Ice  <14:48:44/10-07-57>

>>>>>[Hey, Pat, I suppose there's no way I can justify coming armed as
being a necessary part of my costume... guess not :) If I do it'll be a
replica. 

I'll be there anyway. I still have a few brain cells left alive, after
Jason and Lilith got married and That Party. Went off into the Outback
for a few days, ended up staying a month. Interesting place. 

Want some help on costume duty? <snigger> We could cast the whole Rocky
Horror Picture Show on anyone who forgets their outfit.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <21:13:21/10-07-57>

*****PRIVATE: Cass
>>>>>[Cass? You had any more trouble from that cyberman thing? You still
out there?]<<<<<
	-- Squatter  <16:08:52/10-07-57>

*****Private:Group
>>>>>[Hmmm....

What do we have to lose, really? I say try it.]<<<<<
	-- Shiftboy <16:03:19/10/7/57>

>>>>>[Valentine, thanks f'r the open invite. M'still hurt fr'm missin 
the 'weddin of da century'!  Anyway ... I'll be there. Lookin' forward 
t'meetin you ...]<<<<<
	-- Rosha <20:14:11/10-07-57>

*****PRIVATE: Evita
>>>>>[Hey!  Great idea ov'r here! Let's go as EACH OTHER! M'probs wit
Wilk are done, an' he couldn't get into Haven anyway, so ....  whaddya
think?  Would play havok wit ev'rybody else ... esp. Cass, Ronin, Ash,
Jason, and any other Serenity folks in da house. ... C'mon ... it'll be fun!
F'no one notices, we'll switch into somethin else ... Illusions--Essential
for the Ultimate Costume Party!]<<<<<
	-- Rosha <20:18:13/10-07-57>

*****PRIVATE: Golem
>>>>>[I am still awaiting your final report from your TWO WEEK old 
assignment.  I have ascertained that you succeeded, but I still want the 
confirmed, firsthand evidence.  Kindly forward the requested information
asap.]<<<<<
	-- The Saracen <20:21:00/10-07-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Saracen
>>>>>[Unholy bastard! We lost an arm in this action! 'Kindly' back the fiznuk
off of us until we've finished this matter. You'll have your verdammt report.
The kill is absolutely confirmed. Don't press the matter again. Recall who
IS your enforcement wing.]<<<<<
	-- Golem <20:25:43/10-07-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Skull Bearer
>>>>>[Cassandra still walks the streets. She is inquiring after you, no 
doubt. Carry out this matter with no further delay.  As a loose end, I want
her tied in a knot. Literally.]<<<<<
	-- Ms. Johnston <20:29:00/10-07-57>

>>>>>[Cass and Ronin, y'folks goin t'the party! It'll be phat an all dat!
All the Seattle players. Much needed relaxes, f'ya ask me ...  An' ya can
spot me a couple drinks f'r gettin ya back where ya belong. ;)  <---
That would be you, Mr. Ronin!]<<<<<
	-- Rosha <20:34:59/10-07-57>

*****PRIVATE: InfoScholar
>>>>>[Hello, Sage. We have not spoken previously. However, I am told you
might be able to confirm some information of interest to me. Namely, the
death of a UCAS Special Forces officer, nicknamed Stampede. Please 
confirm or deny this for me, if you can.]<<<<<
	-- Apollyon <20:37:00/10-07-57>

*****PRIVATE: Apollyon
>>>>>[Hello, Mr. O-M. The information you require will cost 
>>encrypted<<.  Remittance may be forwarded to >>encrypted<<.]<<<<<
	-- InfoScholar

*****PRIVATE: InfoScholar
>>>>>[Be careful, how you deal with me ... my reach never exceeds my 
grasp.  

+++++credtransfer: >>encrypted<<

Well?]<<<<<
	-- Apollyon <20:40:00/10-07-57>

*****PRIVATE: Apollyon
>>>>>[I'll remember that next time I get some footage of you pleasuring 
yourself. :) 

In any case, I can indeed confirm the death of one Nelson Wilkerson.

+++++minreq1.pic

As you can see, even his reinforced body did not respond well to the sudden
and sustained impact of over 200 tons of titanium-reinforced concrete and
fairly dense earth.  Though the photo doesn't resemble the late captain very
much, I believe that if you reconstruct the facial image, you will find 
adequate confirmation.

Should require further evidence, I may procure the pre and post mortem 
nucleic acid sequences for your perusal, for a small additional fee of
>>encrypted<<.  Speaking of which, you're claiming to be Ms. Otalvaro's
brother  aksdf  dkfy ou  kdfa;lk;a;a

+++++signal interrupted ... re-establishing
+++++SIGNAL LOST!!  TRANSIENT  VIRUS  IMPLANT!!!
+++++DISCONNECT  DISCONNECT DISCONNECT

*****PRIVATE: InfoScholar
>>>>>[I think that just about settles our accounts.]<<<<<
	-- Apollyon <20:42:00/10-07-57>

>>>>>[ Thank you for the invitation, Mr Valentine.  Since I have never
attended your particular shin-ding before, may I inquire what type of costume
would be acceptable? Many thanks... ( I could use a good party,  after the
last bit of biz I had...) ]<<<<<
	--Shockwave <20:49:00/10-07-57>

***** PRIVATE: Karma
>>>>>[You werent at the meeting, man?  Where are you?  If you get this,
please get in touch with me]<<<<<
	-- Kor <22:21:03 / 10-07-57> 

***** INTERNAL:  JRS, personal log
>>>>>[+++++ Include JRSlogentry

The image of a small spartan office unfolds before you.  Seated behind a 
small desk is Jason Stormwind, CEO of Industrial Sound and Magic, and
founder of Serenity Security.  His Amerindian features are striking in the
muted light of his desklamp.

He looks up from the computer on his desk as someone walks in.

JRS:  "Jim, I'm glad you had the time to come and see me, have a 
seat"

JAF:  "Well, I was heading home when I caught your mail.  Whats this problem
you need help with?"

James A. Foster comes into view and sits in the chair offered.  His black hair
streaked with grey is tied back in a loose pony tail and thinning on top.  He
sits heavily, tired from his long day.

JRS:  "Yeah, actually I could use your assistance.  I've got a friend who's 
gotten it in his mind to kill a number of visiting diplomats from the Tir."

JAF:  "What do you want me to do about it?  Call Lone Star and be done with it"

JRS:  "I can't that, Jim.  This man is a friend of mine.  I know him well enough
to know that Lone Star wouldnt bring him down.  They'd botch it and end up
getting a number of their officers wounded, maybe dead and then there would
be nothing I could do for him."

JAF:  "Ok, who is this friend"

JRS:  "Karma"

Akira pushes his chair back abruptly and stands quickly.

JRS:  "Wait!"

JAF:  "Do you have any idea what you are asking me to do?  Do you?  Im not
going to assemble a team of my men go get shot up just because you want
to keep that nut out of prison."

JRS:  "I only need a couple of your snipers to take a look at the area and 
tell me where would be the best place for him to have holed himself up.  Ill
take it from there."

JAF:  "Give me everything I need?

JRS:  "You call the shots around here as much as I do.  You dont need me to
authorize personel for you.  Take what you need to ensure that none of your
people get made.  If you spook him, he will move"

JAF:  "I know the man.  Ill brief a team in the morning and get right on
this"

JRS:  "Sooner?"

JAF:  "You really ARE worried.  Whats the whole scoop, Jas?"

JRS:  "The 'tir contigent' is possibly a ghost unit sent out by someone close
to one of the princes.  They are being very obvious about trying to get
information about an imposter of one of their operatives.  Unfortunately, I
was the imposter.  Karma is trying to protect me in a round about
way and isnt thinking clear enough to understand the reprecussions of his
actions.  If this is really a ghost unit, there will be more, and there
likely are more than just the 6 or so that have been reported"

JAF:  "I assume you were on a run at the time.  You know how I feel about that,
and you know even better how I feel about bring your drek back to Serenity."

JRS:  "I understand that.  Normally I would deal with this myself but he's gone
completely rogue and I dont know where the hell to start looking.  Im not a 
sniper, I dont know how they think.  Working with Karma so long ago, I realize
that he just doesnt think like a normal person.  Sniper's see things differently
from most others.  He can go days without food.  Without so much as even
moving.  I've seen him set up for a job nearly a week in advance with nothing
more than his rifle and his survial suit an a litre of water.  He just doesnt
move.  Look, im pleading here.  My screw up cannot result in the loss of
life.  His, the unit's, or LSS personel."

JAF:  "Relax, Jason.  Ill take care of it.  Ill put a couple people on
maps tonight and have them do set-ups on the building in question.  We'll
go over their perches tomorrow morning, and then go then go over them
again until we get the best places.  He is not active, is he?"

JRS:  "No, but he might have the aid of Gemini, wolf shaman, physical adept of
sorts.  Ill give you the information I have on him and his brother."

JAF:  "I'll handle this."

+++++ END LOG]<<<<<
	-- Kor <23:56:03 / 10-07-57>

>>>>>[ Ya know what, Diana?  I actually agree with the ever humble Kor.

Nightmare, if it was his goal, would have succeeded.  Even his failures 
are pretty successful.  Like the time Doomsday got busted by Interpol 
and Shadowfox by the Sioux Wildcats instead of him nailing AJ to the 
wall.  Lets face it, the man knows how to plan an op.  With that said, 
I can already speculate on what failure would buy him.

To put it bluntly, it casts a new light on Mr. Drake's situation.  
Perhaps he is considering offers from other sectors to further his 
goals.  Perhaps Mr. Drake arranged it with the Baron to point out the 
corruption in Interpol and how easily Herr Nightmare _could_ have 
pulled it off if he wanted to.  Perhaps, we should stop considering Mr. 
Drake as the sweet and innocent guy that he pretends to be.  From one 
of the conversations I listened into between Doomsday and Herr 
Nightmare, Drake had a pretty good idea on how to make best use of 
certain talents.  He had a certain flare for convincing convicts what 
their true options are.  Of course, I could be wrong and that just 
_may_ be speculation on my part.

Or, as Nightmare would elegantly point out -- this could all just be a 
dream of your imagination.  After all, would Nightmare admit in public 
that he wanted Drake to go free -- either in the physical or 
agricultural sense?  I leave it to you, the Muses, to decide.

Let me leave you with this thought:  Most of us will probably never 
know why Nightmare did it -- maybe the question to ask is what is he 
planning to do now that his "percious" op failed?]<<<<<
	-- Ratspeak <21:15:18/10-07-57>

>>>>>[ Truly amazing.  I was beginning to wonder if you were trying to 
get into 'mare's good graces by defending his honour.  Then again, I 
know you better than that. ]<<<<<
	--Black Knight <21:16:39/10-07-56>

>>>>>[ Frag off, Knight.  I'm not afraid of you or him.  We all know 
who can skate a system better.  Until you can match me there, SHUT THE 
FRAG UP, you poser! ]<<<<<
	--Ratspeak <21:19:11/10-07-57>

***** Private: Kor
>>>>>[ Oh, why is it the greatest openings can never be fully taken 
advantage of by those not engaged in the direct conflict?  I bet the 
system could shut them both up.  Too bad it is a waste of money to let 
them feel humilated.  Oh well.  Temptation must be avoided.

One little thing that Mr. Harker asked to pass along (he still hasn't 
gotten his act together to get on here).  Doomsday and he would like to 
meet you for a night on the town.  Sometime soon.  Harker can be 
reached at >>encrypted<< for the next two days.]<<<<<
	-- Scourge <21:21:21/10-07-57>

***** Private: Ratspeak
>>>>>[ My, my.  Looks like Knight touched a nerve.  Well find anymore 
good gossip out, now that you're at: >>encrypted<<? ]<<<<<
	-- Scourge <21:23:27/10-07-57>

*****INTERNAL: SIGANet Archives
>>>>>[+++++Begin video recording
The picture shows the interior of a car.  In front of it, you can see
headlights and the night sky over the desert.  From the way the scenery and
asphalt is moving, the car must be going very fast.  The dash board is lit
up with readouts, most of which seem to cover normal operating functions.
You catch a glimpse of the speedometer, which is holding steady at 350 kph.

>From the way the perspective shifts, and how things are situated, you think
that the video feed is coming from someone's eye cam.  The person turns
their head, and you barely make out the profile of Blade sitting in the
drivers seat.

"Couldn't you have given me any more info than  it's near Vegas?"

"Hey, that's all I know.  It's all the information they were allowed to give
out.  We can't have our citizens knowing where our secret storage sites are,
could we?"  Lynch's voice.  It must be his eye cam.  "You haven't exactly
been talking a lot either.  For example, where are we going?  I know this is
the general way to Las Vegas, but something tells me that's not where we're
headed."

"Correct.  We are going to Vegas.  Eventually.  First, though, I want to
stop off and talk to a friend of mine.  He's an information broker.  The
truck stop we're headed to is a front of his.  If she's done anything
electronically in Vegas, he'll be able to find out what it was."

"Well, well.  You do think with more than your muscles.  Quinn owes me 50
nuyen."

"I resent that."

"I'm sure you do.  You might want to slow down, Blade.  I don't know how
well this highway is patrolled, but I don't think I'll be able to talk you
out of a ticket.  And with the amount of illegal gear in here," and you can
see Lynch's fingers tapping something low on the dash, "you probably donÎt
want to get pulled over."

Blade chuckles.  "It's like I always told my ex-wife, Lynch.  I never drive
faster than I can see.  And besides that, it's all in the reflexes."

With a hard yank, Blade spins the wheel and turns the car into the poorly
lit parking lot of a truck stop that they almost passed.  The view leans far
left as Lynch is pushed over by the force of the turn.  With the squeel of
tires, Blade applys the brakes and stops the car.

"You need some Oh, Shit!' handles, Blade."

"Probably."

Blade and Lynch start to get out of the car.  Blade looks over at Lynch.
"You can leave your weapons here.  You won't need them, and they're a little
paranoid anyway."

Lynch shrugs and you can hear the smack as a what sounds like a couple of
heavy pistols hit the upholstery.

"Oh, and no matter what happens in side, be cool."

As Lynch turns and begins to walk towards the entrance, you get a much
better spot of the restaurant.  It looks awful.  You think the name of the
place is "The Desert Twister", but the only letters lit up spell "he se t
Twi".  There are several stations for gas pumps, but they look so old, you
doubt they'd have the right fuel for a modern car.  There are a couple
transport vehicles parked, but other than that, the outside appears
deserted.  Lights are on inside, and you can see Blade open the door and
enter as Lynch follows behind.

The inside doesn't look much better.  A couple large, bored looking orks sit
at a table, eating and talking too quietly to be heard.  Behind the counter
is a old grimy looking grill with an equally pleasant cook.  Sitting at a
booth alone is the woman who appears to be the lone waitress.  The only
person who looks up as Lynch and Blade walk in is the cook.

Lynch just glances around, taking in the view, before whispering to Blade
"Booth or counter?"

Blade makes a motion towards the counter.  "Counter."  Walks over and sits
in one of the swivel stools.  As Lynch takes a seat, you can see Blade grab
a menu.  Lynch takes one as well.  As he looks it over, you can see that
it's usual greasy spoon food.  Well, except that the menu appears to be
about as old as the place it's in.  One item refers to something called
"USDA Choice Beef."

The cook walks up "Waddaya want?"

Blade looks up to the cook and smiles "Two whole fried chickens.  And a
chocolate milkshake."

"_Two_ _whole_ chickens?  You sure about that?  Cause I think we're out."

Blade just keeps smiling.  "That's O.K.  Hey, does Ricardo still work here?"

The cook leans forward slightly, his hands on the counter top.  "Yeah,
chummer, he still works here."  As he finishes, the windows all go pitch
black and Lynch's ears pick up the sound of an action going back.  His hand
reaches inside his jacket for the guns that aren't there.

"Be cool Lynch.  Just be cool."  Blade turns his attention back to the cook.
"Tell him Gillette is here to see him."

At that, the cook smiles, and you can see the reflections of the orks in the
back of the grill go back to their seats.  The windows remain dark, however.
"Sorry about that Blade.  But, well, you know how paranoid he can be."

"Not a problem Murray.  Mind if we go downstairs?"  Blade points towards
Lynch.  "Don't worry about him.  He's clean."

"Sure thing.  You know the way."

Lynch and Blade stand up and head towards the back of the restaurant.  In
the stockroom, out of Lynch's view, Blade does something to one wall, and a
floor panel pops up revealing a set of stairways.  Blade gestures for Lynch
to go first.  The stairs don't seem to be too long, but are dark.  Reaching
the end, Blade brushes a hidden switch and the lights come up.  With the
lights on, you can see a nice size chamber furnished like a small bunker.
It has one well equipped terminal and a couple of bunks.  There is, however,
a nice kitchen.  Blade walks over to the terminal, flips it out of low power
mode, and logs in.

"What is this place?"  asks Lynch

"Like I said, it's the front for an information broker friend of mine.  He
goes by the name of ÎThe Bard of Bermuda'  Easily the best decker I have
ever worked with or against.  We used to be teammates, but he hated having
to put his physical body on the line for meets and certain runs, so now we
just work together when he can do the job remotely.  When he decided he
didn't want to meet with people, but still work, he had to set up secure
places for people to contact him.  This is one of those places.  The windows
are two way video screens, so that when they blacken on the inside, it plays
a smart recording of what was happening inside with some few modifications.
The building could take a hit from the main gun of a Stonewall tank, and
this bunker could withstand a nuke blast.  All the people upstairs are hand
picked by me.  So I designed these, and he feeds me information when I need it."

Just then, the telcom screen blinks on.  "Evening Blade.  What brings you
out of this part of the world?"  The voice has a very cultured British
accent.  When Lynch and Blade move in front of the screen, the camera shows
a well tanned, young looking blonde man in a suit.  The image appears to be
live, but you can see nothing of his surroundings except a blank gray wall.

"Hoi Bob.  I need you to do find a woman for me.  Think you can do that?"

The man called Bob chuckles.  "I don't know.  You've been trying for 27
years and haven't found one yet.  I don't know what you expect me to do.
Set you up with my sister?"

"Haha funny man.  You know what I'm asking."

"Well, what do you have on her?"

"Let's see."  Blade pulls out a small data pad and hooks it's fiber optic
cable to a port on the computer.

Bob whistles.  "Moving into the 21 century I see.  What made you decide to
finally use that?"

"I figured that if you were going to give it to me for Christmas, that I
should probably use it.  At least in front of you.  Anyway, here we go.
Name: Byrnes, Elizabeth Michelle.  Byrnes is B-Y-R-N-E-S.  Need me to spell
the rest?"

"No.  Continue."

"Ok.  SIN number <<encrypted>>.  Date of Birth: 11 November, 31.
Downloading image now.  Went to school at University of Mississippi,
graduated with a doctorate in Pharmacy in June of 53.  A full bio is
included with the image.  Need anything else?"

"Likely area to start searching?"

"Vegas.  Work out from there."

"Alright.  By the by, may I presume that your companion is the infamous Mr.
Jason Lynch?  If so, tell him that while I do not mind if he records this
conversation and reports the location of this contact point, please make it
plain to him that I would become very upset if any of this information was
to get into the hands of the wrong people."

"Sure thing, Bob."

"Good.  I'll contact you in 8 hours."

The screen goes blank.

Lynch looks at Blade "Now what?"

Blade shrugs.  "Now?  Now we wait."

+++++end video

+++++begin video

The view returns, again from Lynch's eye cam.  All you can see is brown
glass, but after a few seconds, it lowers and you can see Blade sitting
across a small table from him.  The object blocking the screen was
apparently a bottle of beer.

"Your friend might be paranoid, but the people he hires sure know how to cook."

Blade chuckles  "Murray sure does.  In fact, it's why I picked him.  I love
to eat, and he cooks like no I know.  And it's all real food too, even the
meat."

"Bet that costs."

"Don't know."  A beep can be heard in the background.  "That's probably The
Bard."

Lynch follows Blade over to where he can see the screen.  The same blonde,
tanned man as earlier is on the screen.

"Well, your bounty might be a good micro-biologists, but she's an awful
espionage artist.  Potential, but not much skill."

"What've you got, Bard?  I need the info, not a run down on where she should
best be used."

"Always in a hurry.  But here you go, I'm sending the full report to the
console.  You can download it from there.  Until you have a chance to read
it, though, I'll give you the salient points."

"She checked into a Las Vegas hotel using her mother's maiden and her
sister's middle name.  She made transactions around the town using this name
before switching to another.  This one was a little tougher to piece
together.  Apparently, it was her maternal grandmothers married name.  Well,
using that and a fake SIN she picked up on the street, she's booked a flight
to Newark.  Oh, the SIN is good enough for the flight, and to get into
Newark, but it won't allow her into New York.  She won't have the right
passes for that."

"Any idea why she's heading for Jersey?"

"Well, my guess would be that that is where one of her contacts is.  If not,
then a boyfriend."

"What makes you say that?"

"Well, over the last year, a little before the time the Doom agent became
available on the black market, she started making phone calls to a telecom
number there.  Really, the cold relay was fairly poor, not even a challenge
to follow.  But, after leaving 'Desert Door', she made several calls to this
same number from her hotel room."

"Wait a second, what's 'Desert Door'?"

"That's the base.  Or didn't they tell you?  No matter, it's not important
in this instance.  To continue, her flight leaves in aproximately 16 hours,
so you may want to hurry up and find her."

"Thanks BOB.  You know how to get me if you need anything.  Watch out for
reefs."

"Thank you, Blade.  Try not to get dead."

The screen goes blank.

Blade looks at Jason "Lets go.  I don't have much time."

"Sure thing.  And don't worry, I won't be looking over your shoulder for
much longer.  Lilith will take over as handler from a more remote position
shortly.  We just wanted someone with you for the beginning to..."

"Make sure I could be trusted?"  Blade smiles  "No problem.  You have to
watch security just like anyone else."

+++++End video recording]<<<<<
	-- SIGANet DC <01:24:24/10-08-57>

*****PRIVATE: Group
>>>>>[Sure, I could always use some extra nuyen, this sounds easy. And I
don't care about a name really, but I don't fit into the zoo concept. So I
guess I'll vote for Hacates, unless someone else has a different
suggestion.]<<<<<
	-- Evita  <23:11:20/10-07-57>

*****PRIVATE: Valentine
>>>>>[I'll be there, I'm already thinking of different costumes.]<<<<<
	-- Cassandra  <23:12:00/10-07-57>

*****PRIVATE: Dirk
>>>>>[This thing scares me, Squatter n I couldn't really find anything,
although we turned up someone else I was looking for. Any ideas on possible
weaknesses? My gun didn't do anything to it. Tell ya what, meet me at
<<encrypted>> and we'll discuss it. Please?]<<<<<
	-- Cassandra  <23:14:22/10-07-57>

*****PRIVATE: Squatter
>>>>>[Nope, been busy. Whas up?]<<<<<
	-- Cassandra  <23:16:55/10-07-57>

*****PRIVATE: Rosha
>>>>>[Nah, come up with something else, please...can you make me really
pretty? I wanna impress someone I hope will be there.]<<<<<
	-- Evita  <23:18:34/10-07-57>

*****PRIVATE:Ronin
>>>>>[Are you going to the big bash? I hope so. What're you going as?]<<<<<
	-- Evita  <23:20:05/10-07-57>

*****PRIVATE: Evita
>>>>>[Awww, party poop! "Real pretty, eh?"  OK OK ... wha's da scoop, kid?
Who's dis f'r? Ah need t'know f'I'm goin to make a pit'chr they'll like ...
{smirk}. Tryin t'persuade m'bro t'go, but he's suspicious o'Haven ... btw
he's fairly cool, a li'l rigid fr'm time t'time, but he cares bout me a 
lot ... an not like Wilk either ... mebbe y'll meet 'im one time. Let's 
hang out t'morrow night ... no practice, just chill f'r a bit ... 
y'free?]<<<<<
	-- Rosha <07:52:11/10-08-57>

>>>>>[So there I am, totally fleeced of my windfall, nearly penniless 
in 'lantic City.  So, I'm on the right coast an' figure, "What the 
hell, it's an election year."  

Sos I scoot down to eFfDeeCee to cee what I can cee - and, oh yeah, 
make a buck or three on the side.  

Like I said, it's an election year and folks with my... talents are 
always in demand.  Pros, not like those dumbasses that bungled 
rolling a hotel.  I mean, sheesh, it was the Seventies, how tough was 
security?  Buncha mechanical locks and a coupla guards.  Oh, yeah, 
and a pres that can't keep his trap shut.

Anyway, so I figure I'll cast my nine votes for General Yates.  But 
what happens?  Some scuzbucket ices him.  So I figure, I'll vote for 
the dragon.  

Yippee, the dragon wins.

Uh-oh, somebody blows up the dragon.

Well, needless to say, that whole place is just too crazy for me 
right now. I made my money, so here I am, back in Seattle.

Whuzahappenin' Seattle!!!]<<<<<
	-- Rumormonger <Always / Tuned-In>

*****PRIVATE: Blademaster
>>>>>[Vampires, one's a friend. Dragons... two I'd call friends, two
I've killed, one left me with the interesting scars on my gun arm (while
I was hanging out of the door of a Learjet at 18,000 feet, but that's
another story). 

Meet up with me at >>encrypted<<. Good vodka and some of the best Scotch
you'll find in Seattle. Needs to be soon, I may have business elsewhere. 

Looking forward to finally meeting you.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <00:25:31/10-08-57>

*****PRIVATE: Rosha
>>>>>[Sure, where? and when? Ice cream?]<<<<<
	-- Evita <10:01:11/10-08-57>

*****PRIVATE: Evita
>>>>>[Let's meet at >>encrypted T & P<<. Ice sounds heavenly.]<<<<<
	-- Rosha <12:25:12/10-08-57>

*****Private:Group
>>>>>[I dunno, sounds good, but who is this L person anyway? My pops told 
me to stay away from working for a corp, if I had no other choice, find 
another were his exact words. This L sounds like he is a corp. Any 
answers?]<<<<<
	-- Wolfen  <23:43:32/10-8-57>

*****Private:Forte
>>>>>[Forte, so nice to have a job with you. I'm acepting, but I didn't 
know you were in the information buisness. Oh well, guess Phobos was busy :)
Where do you wanna start?]<<<<<
	-- Matrix Jockey  <23:34:54/10-8-57>

*****Private:Jarman
>>>>>[I accept]<<<<<
	--  Matrix Jockey  <23:34:55/10-8-57>

*****Private:Lynch
>>>>>[Sounds good. Looking foreward to finally seeing you face to face too.
The vampire and dragon question was a bit leading. I seem to be having 
trouble with some vampires, and I do monetary concerns and help a dragon. 
So you see, I needed to make sure there were no biases against or for 
either, just in case one or the other decided to call on me while I was 
out. The dragon prbably wouldn't, but the vampires have been leaving 
calling cards everywhere. It's starting to annoy me, I may have to do 
something about them. Anyway, >>encrypted<< sounds great. I'll meet you 
there around >>encrypted<< tommarrow?]<<<<<
	-- Blademaster  <23:15:31/10-8-57>

***** PRIVATE: ICE
>>>>>[Lets just say a little bird told me that a spider monkey has thumbs to
manipulate ropes while a lizard does not.

Do you want the formula?]<<<<<
	-- Kor <17:50:52 / 10-08-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Trax, Skuff, Khan
>>>>>[Karma is missing.  Since neither of the twins showed up at the meeting
Im assuming that they are working with Karma on trying to remove the Ghost
unit from operation.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <17:52:32 / 10-08-57> 

***** PRIVATE:  Navaah, Icepick
>>>>>[We have a problem.  Karma has gone rogue as far as I can tell.  I suspect
that he has set up somewhere near the Jo'Boy and is planning on cleaning up
the problem at hand.  Can you survive that type of heat, if not give me a 
day or so to work on digging him out]<<<<<
	-- Kor <17:53:41 / 10-08-57>

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[No.  You have until tonight to rope him in or I will have him and anyone
working with him killed on the spot.  I am not in the best of graces with
a number of the factions in the Tir and I am not at all interested in having
one or more of them swarming around my bar asking questions I dont have
the answers to.  I've worked too hard and too long setting this operation
up to have it go under.]<<<<<
	-- Navaah <17:58:10 / 10-08-57>

***** PRIVATE: Khan
>>>>>[I have a  couple of possible locations for Karma to be set up.  I have
to assume that he is working with Gemini on this.  I need backup to try to
check out the locations astrally.  

I dont think that either of the twins is stupid enough to attack either of 
us, but just incase, I want to make sure that they wont do it again.  Karma I
want alive, you already know how I feel about Gemini.  I need you as soon
as you can be ready.  We are going to have to be mobile for this.
Get here ASAP]<<<<<
	-- Kor <18:08:11 / 10-08-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Kor
>>>>>[On my way.  Let Skuff know Im coming and so I dont get shot]<<<<<
	-- Khan <18:11:18 / 10-08-57>

***** PRIVATE: Skuff, Trax
>>>>>[Skuff, I've got company coming in to the warehouse.  Khan.  We are going
to check out the roosts astrally.  Navaah responded poorly to 2 days, and has 
given us until close tonight to stop him.  Trax, I need you and the van out
here at the warehouse as soon as you can get here.  I'd like you and Skuff to
sit in the vicinity of Navaah's place and wait for us to contact you.  When we
find him, we will send a watcher to you to lead you back to our physical
location.  We wont be able to handle him in manifest form and if we do manifest
he will only relocated to one of the other spots.  We'll come back for our
the meat, then advance on him.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <18:16:21 / 10-08-57>

***** PRIVATE: Kor, Skuff
>>>>>[Im not bringing my van withing 1/2 mile of Karma and his rifle.  Ill
risk a couple of drones if they are masked but thats about it.  I dont mind
carting your bodies around either but that will be about the extend of my
involvement.  Karma is old enough to take responsibility for his own 
actions.  That goes doubly so for the twins.    If they frag themselves, let
them.]<<<<<
	-- Trax <18:36:45 / 10-08-57>

>>>>>[Oh, boy, you're gonna enjoy this one.  Well, at least I did.

+++++ Begin Trideo record, International Police hearing S57-01 +++++

Clerk:  The panel calls Marshall Xavier Qoph.

The camera turns to face the rear door as it opens and a tall human man
strides in, a look of supreme confidence on his face.  He is about 50, with
greying blond hair cut in flattop.  His dress uniform is covered with medals
and pins earned over several decades of InterPol service.  He walks up the
aisle and then sits down, pointedly ignoring Commander Drake's presence.
Drake, on the other hand, appears to be all but staring at Marshall Qoph,
almost as if he is daring his nemesis to lie, or perhaps accusing him of
having done so already.

Sir Harold Burns:  Clerk, swear in the witness.

Clerk:  For the record, state your name and rank.

Qoph:  Xavier Qoph, Marshall, International Police, Seattle.

Clerk:  Repeat after me:  I, Marshall Xavier Qoph, do solemnly swear....

Qoph:  I, Marshall Xavier Qoph, do solemnly swear.

Clerk:  To speak the whole truth and nothing but the truth....

Qoph:  To speak the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Clerk:  So help me God.

Qoph:  So help me God.

Burns:  Very good.  Marshall Qoph, you are now under oath.  Conduct yourself
accordingly.

Qoph:  Of course, sir.

Burns:  Lt. Mizikar, you may question the witness.

Lt. Mizikar, Defense:  Thank you, sir.  Marshall Qoph, you are personally
responsible for bringing many of the charges against Commander Drake, is that
correct?

Qoph:  It is.

Defense:  Which of the four charges are yours?

Qoph:  The charges of dereliction of duty and disobeying a direct order of a
superior officer.  The other two charges were brought as a function of the
Commander's actions.

Defense:  Could you explain the chain of command between Special Branch and
the rest of InterPol for the panel, sir?

Qoph:  Special Branch is the only branch of InterPol which is semi-
autonomous.  What this means in terms of the chain of command is that the
commander is completely responsible for those agents under his command,
worldwide.  In turn, the commander is responsible only to the Council or
those individuals of higher rank that the Council sees fit to designate.

Defense:  So, normally, you would not have been considered Commander Drake's
superior officer.

Qoph:  In rank, I am his superior.  However, because of the Special Branch
charter, I am not his superior under normal operations.

Defense:  Then could you please explain how you became to be his direct
superior for this particular operation.

Qoph:  I approached the Council after I became aware of Section 96a and
voiced several concerns about Commander Drake and his ability to perform his
job correctly.  The Council decided that it's orders would be better carried
out if Commander Drake they had someone overseeing him.  As Mr. Lynch was in
Seattle and I am the Seattle InterPol commander, I was the natural choice.

Defense:  What concerns did you voice to the Council, sir?

Qoph:  I supplied them with transcripts of Commander Drake's communications
with Mr. Lynch.  These transcripts suggested that Commander Drake was too
personally involved with Mr. Lynch to objectively pursue and arrest him.  The
Council felt that this feeling was justified.  And Commander Drake's actions
have verified my concerns.

Defense:  Which of the Council members did you approach first, and why?

Qoph:  I approached Rep. Lang first because he is the UCAS representative to
the Council.  As Seattle is in the UCAS, it would have been inappropriate of
me to approach anyone else.

Defense:  And Rep. Lang approached the Council, correct?

Qoph:  To the best of my knowledge, he did.  However, as I am not privy to
the Council meetings, I have no personal knowledge of that.

Defense:  Do you have any personal difficulties with Commander Drake, sir?

Prosecution:  Objection, sir.  Irrelevant.

Burns:  Overruled.

Defense:  Sir?

Qoph:  Since the beginning of this case, our relationship has been strained.
Prior to this, however, we could have been called friends.

Defense:  But now, you say your friendship has been strained.  Where do you
stand regarding Commander Drake now, sir?

Qoph:  Our friendship is over, Lt.  It was over the first minute that
Commander Drake second-guessed my orders.

Defense:  I see.  And which orders were those?

Qoph:  The first time I ordered Mr. Lynch killed and Commander Drake refused
to order his agents to do so.

Defense:  The first time, sir?  I take it then that you ordered Mr. Lynch's
death more than once?

Qoph:  I ordered it twice.  The first time Commander Drake talked me into
altering the order.  The second time and thereafter he manipulated
circumstances to enable Mr. Lynch to remain alive and at large.

Defense:  And why did you issue that order the first time, sir?

Qoph:  Because I felt then that Mr. Lynch was going to kill, and kill without
conscience or remorse, which he did at the Five-Eyes motel and other
locations.

Defense:  If you felt that way, sir, then why did you capitulate to Commander
Drake when he asked you to reverse the order?

Qoph:  Because the Commander made an excellent argument that Mr. Lynch would
not do what I feared.  Tragically, I proved to be correct and several dozen
people now lie dead, directly or indirectly because of Mr. Lynch and
Commander Drake.

Defense:  When did you issue your second order, Marshall Qoph?

Qoph:  After the Five-Eyes Motel incident, when I was sure that I was right.

Defense:  Are you aware, sir, that the International Police Charter
specifically forbids the issuing of death warrants under any circumstances,
even after lives have been lost?  That the killing of a suspect can only be
justified when another person is in immediate danger?

Qoph:  Yes, I am.  I logged in with the order that I felt that Mr Lynch's
continued survival constituted placing all of Seattle in immediate danger.

Defense:  And you feel that was justification enough for your actions, sir?

Qoph:  I do.

Defense:  One last question, sir.  Why do you feel that Commander Drake
disobeyed your orders?

Qoph:  Because he is incapable of separating his work from his personal
attachments, and that he had become biased toward Mr. Lynch, a bias which
gave tacit approval of Mr. Lynch's actions and later enabled Commander Drake
to release a known criminal into freedom again.  And because Commander Drake
is unqualified to responsibly lead Special Branch.

Defense:  But not because your orders were, at best, bending the regulations,
if not breaking them?

Qoph:  No.

Defense:  No more questions, sir.

Burns:  There will be a short recess.

<pause>

Burns:  Marshall Qoph, you are still under oath.

Qoph:  Of course, sir.

Burns:  Lt. Burr, your witness.

Lt. Gerry Burr, Prosecution:  Are you currently aware of the charges that
Commander Drake has levied against you, sir?

Qoph:  I am.

Prosecution:  Would you be so kind as to inform the panel what those charges
are?

Qoph:  Of course.  Commander Drake has charged that I willfully went against
regulations regarding the issuing of a death warrant.  He has also charged
that I was responsible for the release of Jose Zicahuata, a criminal who was
possibly guilty of crimes against humanity on the Yucatan Peninsula.  He has
also charged that I have been corrupted and bought by the Aztechnology
corporation and/or the Aztlan government.  And finally, he has charged that
personal biases against him and Special Branch were part of why he is now up
on charges before this panel.

Prosecution:  And what do you think about these accusations?

Qoph:  Utterly preposterous.

Prosecution:  Why is that, sir?

Qoph:  Well, if I may, I'll take each charge in turn and explain.  First, I
have no special bias against Special Branch.  Yes, I am a member of
Enforcement, and the inter- branch rivalries are alive and well within me,
but Special Branch does perform its duties, for the most part arresting minor
shadowrunners and clumsy terrorists.  While I personally feel that Special
Branch's agents and materials would be better spent and better utilized if
Special Branch was still a sub-unit of Enforcement as it originally started,
this personal opinion has not hampered my relationship with Special Branch
agents and officers in any way.

Second, I have no bias against Commander Drake himself.  As I told Lt.
Mizikar, the Commander and I were once friends.  My reasons for no longer
calling him a friend are professional, not based on personal bias.

Third, I was not responsible for the release of Jose Zicahuata.  The facts of
the matter are that I ordered the late Mr. Zicahuata released because
Commander Drake and the rest of Special Branch could not provide me with
evidence which could be used to link him to the crimes which Commander Drake,
and Mr. Lynch, accused him of.

Fourth, I have already explained my rational for ordering Mr. Lynch
eliminated.  I feel that the deaths of Mr. Zicahuata, the innocent men and
women at the Five-Eyes Motel, as well as the InterPol officer will bear
witness to the dangerous nature of Mr. Lynch.

And last, the charge that I have been corrupted by Aztlan or Aztechnology.
How can I answer this one except to say that I have never taken money or
favors from members of the nation or the corporation.  I'm afraid that there
is nothing else that I can say regarding this.

+++++The camera had turned slowly to cover the faces of Commander Drake and
the panel members during Marshall Qoph's explanation.  Drake, his body an
face totally impassive, is revealing his inner rage only in his eyes, which
apparently have a cosmetic modification beyond the slit pupils.  In those
pupils has appeared the deep red of a nuclear explosion, a sure testament to
the Commander's mood.  And the panel is sitting there, listening to Qoph's
testimony with various expressions.  Rep. Lang still appears confident,
almost as if he fully believes that Commander Drake's fate is already sealed.
Miyamoto Okyoshu is outwardly calm, but some minor emotion of, perhaps,
worry is appearing in the lines around his face.  Sir Harold Burns has a thin
smile manifesting at one corner of his mouth, almost as if he finds something
quite humorous, and Chief Eric Skinwalker, normally as solid as if he were
carved of marble, has thin eyes and a slight frown on his face.+++++

Prosecution:  You are the individual personally responsible for two of the
charges against Commander Drake.  We have already covered his disobeying your
direct order.  I would like to turn now to the charge of dereliction of duty.
How was Commander Drake, in your estimation, derelict in his duty?

Qoph:  Commander Drake willfully ordered his officers to shoot to wound
incapacitate Mr. Lynch the first several times that his agents had Mr. Lynch
in their sights.  Commander Drake also willfully ordered his tracking drones
to stay back far enough from a marked vehicle containing Mr. Lynch to not be
sighted.  Yet the drones were sighted, and Lone Star records show that the
drone was not only close enough for the occupants of the vehicle to see it,
but it was "waggling" its wings in an effort to alert Mr. Lynch to his
pursuit.

Prosecution:  Excuse me, sir.  Honored panel members, this evidence has been
made available for you via your terminals.  I'm sorry, Marshall.  Please
continue.

Qoph:  Commander Drake also knew that Mr. Lynch would attempt to assassinate
Jose Zicahuata and intentionally did not take adequate precautions at the
exchange site, nor did he equip his agents for the expected level of
opposition should Mr. Lynch make his appearance.

Defense:  Objection!  How could Marshall Qoph possibly know that Commander
Drake's precautions were inadequate?

Prosecution:  Marshall Qoph has provided the panel with a list of additional
measures that he would have implemented which he says would have made it
impossible for Mr. Lynch to have successfully assassinated Mr. Zicahuata.

Defense:  Marshall Qoph has the advantage of 20/20 hindsight.  I have seen
the list of alterations, and they are all so far outside the realm of
reasonable that Commander Drake would have been drummed out of InterPol for
suggesting a single one of them, never mind the entire batch.  Commander
Drake's precautions were already considered overdone, even for someone as
skilled and well equipped as Mr. Lynch.

Prosecution:  Does Consul presume to be able to determine what would be
considered adequate precautions under these circumstances?

Defense:  No, she _knows_ what is considered adequate....

Burns:  Lieutenant Mizikar, Lieutenant Burr, compose yourselves!  Lt.
Mizikar, your objection is overruled, but I will allow you a _short_
statement as explanation for the outburst.

Defense(glaring at Lt. Burr):  I wish it to be known that Commander Drake's
precautions were well in excess of normal for such exchanges, and all for a
man he personally felt should not be released.  However, I will concede that
those precautions were still insufficient.

Burns:  Thank you, Lt. Mizikar.  Lt. Burr, you may continue.

Prosecution:  The Prosecution acknowledges the concession.

Burns:  Noted.  Continue with your questions, Lt.

Prosecution:  Yes, sir.  Marshall Qoph, are there other specific case of
dereliction of duty which you wish to bring before the panel?

Qoph:  No, those are the primary reasons.

Prosecution:  Thank you, sir.  Now, how does Commander Drake ordering his
agents to shoot to incapacitate Mr. Lynch constitute dereliction of duty?

Qoph:  Normally, it would not.  However, Commander Drake knew from his
conversations and Mr. Lynch's dossier that Mr. Lynch was a very tough
individual, and that knockout gel rounds to his head would not severely
damage him.  Knowing this, the Commander nevertheless ordered his agents to
use gel rounds to knock out Mr. Lynch, knowing that they would only daze him
and allow him a chance to escape.  Obviously, this particular circumstance,
and indeed all the dereliction charges I have filed, fall under aiding and
abetting as well.

Defense:  Objection.  Speculation.

Qoph:  There are no other possible conclusions which can be drawn from the
dossier which Commander Drake used to plan his arrest attempts, Lt. Mizikar.

Burns:  Marshall Qoph, next time allow the Prosecution to answer the
objection.  Objection overruled.

Prosecution:  Very well, sir.  Then how does the spotting of the drone
constitute as dereliction of duty?

Qoph:  As I have already mentioned, the drone was not only not out of sight,
but was actively attempting to gain the attention of Mr. Lynch and his party.
One of the pieces of evidence is a signed and witnessed deposition by the
drone pilot that Commander Drake had ordered him to enable Mr. Lynch to see
the drone in an attempt to provide a means of escape.  The deposition also
states that the pilot did not object because he felt that Mr. Lynch was
honorable and did not deserve to be extradited to Aztlan for trial.

Chief Skinwalker:  Excuse me, but why was this individual not made a witness?

Prosecution:  He was dismissed from his position immediately for conduct non
becoming of an InterPol agent.  I'm afraid that about a week after his
release, the Halloweeners, a Seattle gang, rampaged through the streets in
his neighborhood, raping and killing residents and looting homes.  He was
killed trying to save a woman's life.

Skinwalker:  I may be getting cynical in my old age, Lt. Burr, but doesn't
that strike you as terribly convenient?

Prosecution:  I wouldn't know, Chief Skinwalker.

Skinwalker:  Very well.  Continue.

Prosecution:  Are you done answering the question about the drone and pilot,
Marshall Qoph?

Qoph:  I am.

Prosecution:  And, without touching again on the precautions for the
Zicahuata exchange, could you explain how Commander Drake was derelict there
as well?

Qoph:  Of course.  The Commander simply refused to provide his agents with
the gear that would have allowed them to successfully arrest Mr. Lynch.
Commander Drake fully expected that Mr. Lynch would be capable of jamming the
ultrasonic sights, as Mr. Lynch had been surprised by them previously, and
should have provided his officers with the means to cut through the jamming
in some way.  Microwave imaging systems, of which Special Branch has several,
would have provided a method to cut through the ultrasonic jamming and still
take down Mr. Lynch.  However, Commander Drake did not issue them to his
sniper unit.  But more importantly, Commander Drake did not immediately warn
his agents when he saw Mr. Lynch, but hesitated just long enough for Mr.
Lynch or his associates to activate the jamming and pop thermal smoke
grenades, which was sufficient to cover Mr. Lynch's escape.

Prosecution:  It sounds almost as if you are accusing Commander Drake of
collusion with Mr. Lynch.

Qoph:  As much as think that might be possible, I'm afraid that the evidence
that I know of which points in that direction is all circumstantial at best.
The evidence that Commander Drake aided Mr. Lynch and was derelict in his
duty, however, is solid.

Prosecution:  On the final charge, that of being responsible for the death of
the InterPol agent, why do you feel that Commander Drake is responsible?

Qoph:  For two reasons.  First, simply because any superior officer is always
held accountable for the actions of those under his, or her, command.
Similarly, a superior officer is held accountable for the injury or death of
any individual under his or her command.  But more importantly, and more
damning, is the fact that, had Commander Drake not been derelict and aiding
Mr. Lynch to remain at large, that officer would still be alive today.
Commander Drake is as responsible for the death as if he had pulled the
trigger himself.

Prosecution:  No further questions.

Burns:  Before I dismiss you, Marshall, do you have any further comments to
add?

Qoph:  I feel that Commander Drake allowed his personal sensibilities to
cloud his judgement in this case.  For that reason, I feel that the Commander
should be removed from his position as head of Special Branch, and that you,
the panel, should find him guilty of the charges before you.  However, I also
feel that a trial, while serving the law, would not serve justice.  While
Commander Drake must be removed from his position, that alone will be
punishment enough for such a man as he.

Burns:  Thank you for your opinion, Marshall.  You are dismissed....

+++++ End Trideo Record +++++

Now, wasn't that just _special_?]<<<<<
	--  Trideo Pirate <>

*****Private:Group
>>>>>[The way I read it, wolfers, is that we aren't working for him, we
are simply remaining available in case he needs an asset such as us. The
reason he'd be making training and other help available is so that when the
time comes, we are sufficiently capable to help him. We won't have any real
obligations, except that he may know a little about us.]<<<<<
	-- Ice  <23:43:32/10-8-57>

PLAYTHING OF A CRUEL GOD
JAIMIE NICHOLSON

*****PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[I'm not sure what formula of shapechange you're using, but mine allows
all sorts of animals.]<<<<<
	-- Ice  <18:22:03/10-08-57>

*****PRIVATE: Magical Group, Blackthorne, Easy, T'Shon, Blademaster,
Shockwave, WhiteTyger, Blackhawk
>>>>>[What do we know about a guy named Kor? He seems to know more than
he should about that Gibraltar thing.]<<<<<
	-- Ice  <18:24:34/10-08-57>

*****PRIVATE: Blademaster
>>>>>[I see what you mean about problems... this place should be okay
while you're there, but it's deeper Puyallup so watch your ass going in
and (especially) out. See you there.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <00:07:31/09-10-57>

>>>>>[Thanks, Trideo Pirate, I was looking forward to this one.

So my continued survival placed all of Seattle in danger? Sheesh. I'm
meant to be able to exterminate nearly four million people and level a
city all on my lonesome? What am I, Godzilla, Rodan and Mothra all
rolled into one? Qoph needs a dose of perspective, at the very least.

And the Five Eyes... I pulled the autopsy reports and read them. One guy
died of burns and smoke inhalation in his room: tore the flesh off his
fingertips clawing at the window, trying to open it. So he was a Leopard
Guard, present illegally, that's a shitty way to die and I wish he'd
gone easier. 

But I know what I did, I have the nightmares to prove it. And I would do
it again. But I would much rather find a way to make it unnecessary.

I have a conscience and I feel remorse, because I killed a lot of people
that day. And I killed them. If Aztlan hadn't ordered their killers into
my country, those men would still be alive. Aztlan and I carry the
responsibility: if Drake had stopped me, the next step would have been a
Marine battalion led in by SEAL Team Seven and with air support, and a
lot more people would be dead. 

Think we're joking? We're not.

Oh, and another minor point: gel rounds to the head put me out cold. If
I hadn't had backup, I'd have been caught. Monty trained his snipers
well. 

If Drake had somehow been colluding with me to help me escape, he hid it
well. As I said at the hearing: that was only the second time, in... too
many years, I've ever been captured, and Drake didn't have the help
Mitsuhama did.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <00:40:41/10-08-57>

*****PRIVATE: Magical Group, Blackthorne, Ice, T'Shon, Blademaster,
Shockwave, WhiteTyger, Blackhawk
>>>>>[Kor is a very good friend of mine and can be trusted. He has
connections in a number of places, only a few of which I know about. He
may have heard from corporate sources, for instance.

If you have a problem, Ice, let me know and I will pass your concerns on
to him. Please don't do anything rash: I have too few friends to allow
harm to come to them, and I hope you might join that category: but if
you attempt action against Kor, you will find me opposing you. I would
regret that for many reasons.]<<<<<
	-- Easy <00:52:17/10-08-57>

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[You and I need to have a long discussion.  Some of my superiors would
very much like to know how you pulled off your little charade.  Aleks has
stirred up quite a bit of trouble for me due to your little misguided 
operation.

+++++ Trace Detected
+++++ "I got it  -- dead"
+++++ Trace Detected
+++++ "Stopped"

As I am unable to...extract myself from my current assignment, I will have
to bring you to me.  3 of my operatives will assist you in finding your
way to my current location.  Please do not make this harder than need be.]<<<<<
	-- T'Shon Twinbough <00:58:33 / 10-09-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Ice, Easy
>>>>>[He is a meddelsome mage of no small aptitude.  I suspect that he 
was the one who went by the code-name of T'shon.  Elven lad, about my
height and weight, not nearly as charming.  

+++++ Trace Detected
+++++ Routing Establi
+++++ "<translated from sprethial -- DAMNIT!>"
+++++ Tra
+++++ "Hurry up!"

Young one, are you taking good care of yourself out in the world of 
savage monkey's?]<<<<<
	-- T'Shon Twinbough <00:59:32 / 10-09-57>

***** PRIVATE: T'Shon
>>>>>[As ordered, I stopped all but the traces from command, Sir.  One got
very close, likely has a general location for your last transmission.  This
node is far too insecure to use for comminication, shifting to land.]<<<<<
	-- <01:00:02 / 10-09-57>

***** PRIVATE: Gemini
>>>>>[Stand down.  We've taken posession of Karma and alerted LSS, KE, and
the ghost operatives to your plan.  No names, just times and places.  I'd
suggest you not continue with this course of action.

Karma asks me to tell you that he is fine and sorry for having drug you
into this, his payment to you for your services has been transfered to
your account.

If you needed the money, you could have asked, man. You know me better than
that.  I'd rather you keep up with your Dojo than to have you getting yourself
arrested and thrown in jail...I might actually feel obligated to get 
you out.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <23:24:30 / 10-09-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[A couple of friends and I are going out for a beer tonight, care to
come along?  We'll be at O'malley's down on 2nd.  From the way they talk,
we will be closing the place down and looking for somewhere else to go]<<<<<
	-- Kor <23:29:14 / 10-09-57>

*****Private:Group
>>>>>[O.K. sounds good. I'll go along with that.]<<<<<
	-- Wolfen  <08:49:30/10-9-57>

>>>>>[ Here are a few news items that everyone in the shadow community
should make note of:

[SEATTLE] Lone Star investigators continue to be baffled by the ongoing
wave of kidnappings in the Tacoma area. All the victims are are children
between the ages of 7 and 12, and of human or elven genotype. There seem
to be no other corellations involving econimc means, employment of 
parents, or in appearance. No ransom demands in any of these 12 cases
have been made.

DE's note: What the cops haven't picked up on is the fact that all the
victims live within 2 kilometers of one of the three Aztechnology
facilities in Tacoma. More importantly, Each of the children involved
has at least one magically active relative.

[CHICAGO] An entire platoon of soldiers guarding the southern border
of the Chicago containment zone were slaughtered in their barracks last
night by forces unknown. Forensic experts have stated that the manner of
death is consistant with an insect spirit attack. General Marcus Haig,
commander of thesouthern portion of the containment action has assured
the Chicago city government that this incident does not indicate a
major breakout, and is likely the work of a small group of insect 
spirits that have managed to find a previously unknown exit from the
containment zone, most likely a long-forgotten branch of the sewer 
system. Military analysts are currently searching through records and
plans dating back to the turn of the century in an effort to locate
the possible gap in defenses.

DE's note: It's doubtful that something broke out. The attack is more
likely consistant with something trying to break IN. I'm also willing
to bet that it wasn't done by bugs, and that the military knows this
and is covering the fact up. 

[New York] The New York Stock Exchange closed at an all time low today.
Investor confidence appears to be low. Several smaller brokerage houses
are rapidly approaching bankruptcy and have turned to their larger
brothers and sisters for help. The larger brokerage houses, while
suffering a loss at today's trading have only suffered a minor hit,
though their future may be in jeapordy if they are forced to continue
to issue "bail-out" loans to smaller firms. Merill-Lynch-Yamato, and
Shearson-Leahman-Sato have granted the largest loans, betting their
continued profits on the market's ability to bounce back.

DE's note: Interestingly enough, none of the top tier megas had any
problems, all of them either closed higher than they started, or broke
even on NYSE, with the biggest gains going to Aztechnology and the Draco
Foundation. The Draco Foundation can be expected to soar over the next
year or so no matter what happens to the rest of the market, they just
have too much in the way of resources from the Big D's estate for 
any big market crash to be anything more than an annoyance.
Aztechnology, interestingly enough, did better on NYSE than on NASDAQ
and AMEX combined.

OK, so what do a wave of kidnappings, a possible bug breakout, and the
NYSE taking a large fall while the other stock markets in the UCAS
go on business as usual all have in common? The Azzies look like they
may have had something to do with two of these. However, the deal with
the stock market is nothing too unusual for the megas, and the 
kidnapping is just as likely a move to discredit the Azzies as it is an
Azzie plot.

If it's so coincidental, then how come I can't shake the feeling that
something VERY bad is going on behind the scenes...]<<<<<
	-- Dark Elf <**:**:**/**-**-**>



***** PRIVATE: Serenity Security - Overwatch
>>>>>[ I concur .. T'shon is most likely not dead according to what's being
said on the street.  I've got an idea though.  I want to do a ritual sending
with Jason's sample and see if I can locate him.  Does anyone object? ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn <11:11:37/10-10-57>

***** PRIVATE: Serenity Security - Overwatch
>>>>>[ No objections, but I want you to have Castor and Pollux with you in
case something chases you back down your sending.  I'm going to try and do
some digging in the Tir systems.  Up for a quick jaunt, Skuff? ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <11:15:29/10-10-57>

>>>>>[Just who is this friend, names or aliases would help a bit.]<<<<<
        --  Wolfen  <23:48:43/10-10-57>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[Damned straight, bubba!  Should we bring priest along or do you
want to leave him behind as well?]<<<<<
        -- Skuff <16:49:27 / 10-10-57>

***** PRIVATE: Kor, Karma, Khan, Gemini, Trax
>>>>>[I dont know what you guys did, and I dont care.  Thank you.

+++++ Begin Footage

This is a scene from one of many security cameras mounted in various locations
around a moderately sized night club and bar.  Workers are busily tidying up
and rearranging tables back to their original positions from the previous
night's festivites.  Behind the bar stands a its tender, a troll of no small
stature.  He delicately cleans and polishes the glasses and goes about his
work with an almost calm serenity.

The image changes again, to the outside of the bar.  Paper swirls around
caught in the eddies of the wind.  A patron, or just some poor homeless person
lays huddled against the side of the building.

Again the image changes rapidly through a number of variously sized rooms
obviously set up for clandestine meetings.

+++++ End Footage

As you will note, there are no more fraggin' Nazi Tir pukes sitting around
my bar.  Sometime during the night they just all stood up
and walked away.  Good job, as always.

Dont let anything like this happen again!]<<<<<
        -- Navaah <17:27:34 / 10-10-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Dark Avenger
>>>>>[There, that should do it...  Ok, got the trace eliminated, I hope...
Had bugs in the deck, literally.  We need help, man, bad...  Penth got
fragged, Marie's down and needs help, and Johnny's real messed up.  Kept
muttering about a bug the size of a house, but I couldn't see nuthin'.  If
you can help, we're at >>encrypted<< and have cash...  Appreciate the help.
And watch out for the wasps...  Seems some got out same time we did.]<<<<<
        -Bull (13:58:23/10-10-57)

*****PRIVATE:  Inferno
>>>>>[Thanks for the help, man...  Bugs got to the deck...  Trace should be
nullified now.  Didn't know they cold do that.  Fraggers had a bugged out
decker workin' for emm...]<<<<<
        -Bull (14:02:30/10-10-57)

>>>>>[OK, got in touch with a buddy who sorta does "odd jobs" for the
SEC, mostly investigating insider trading allegations (meaning he's
never out of work the way the megas have been going lately).

Seems the board of the NYSE has been keeping a tight wraps on the
behind the scenes of this week's trading. Today, again, while NASDAQ,
AMEXX, and just about all the foreign markets continue to perform as
usual, NYSE on average continued to drop through the floor, though
not nearly as fast as last time- looks like it'll level off just above
the low Dow limit (at which point the market will shut down rather than
continue to self-destruct) by friday.

Anyway, the inside scoop at NYSE, the thing they want to keep real
quiet, is that they have been targeted by some sort of sabotage-
either a group of individual companies as yet unidentified are
coordinating their trading to send the market into a downward spiral
(which I find hard to believe can be pulled off without causing similar
ripples in NASDAQ and AMEX as well as several forign markets) or
someone has done an ace job of slicing some code on their network.

If someone's hacking into NYSE, they're either better than anyone I've
ever seen, or it's an inside job. Considering NYSE's matrix security
is on the same order as that of Zurich Orbital (in fact some of the
same freelancers do security coding for both), it's most likely an
inside job.

The how isn't important. Who's doing it is. Why they're doing it is
the most critical concern by far.

Also, there was another kidnapping in Tavoma, this time two Lone Star
officers are dead. They must have stumbled onto the perps and bit off
more than they could chew. Interestingly enough, note that the news
feeds refer to the cause of death as by an "assault," and never mention
anything about gunshot wounds. They still haven't elaborated.

There were no more incidents over at Bug City, however, I've heard
rumors that the active bugs in the CZ seem more agitated than usual,
whatever the hell that means.]<<<<<
        -Dark Elf <**:**:**/**-**-**>

*****PRIVATE: Jarman
>>>>>[I'm in for good.  Send me all the info.  Cya.]<<<<<
        -- Forte <15:34:33/10-10-57>

*****PRIVATE: Matrix Jockey
>>>>>[you didn't know I was in the info business 'cause we don't know each
other. If you wish to work with me thats fine, finding a SINless person
in the matrix could be hard.  but you might not like footwork.  Contact me
later.]<<<<<
        -- Forte <15:37:21/10-10-57>

>>>>>[Difficulties certainly exist that preclude the simple execution of
a Matrix assault upon such systems as Zurich-Orbital.  However, finessing
oneself into such systems can be accomplished by those with sufficient
dedication and tenacity.  Similarly, the NYSE system may be accessed, and
all without interior connections.

There are those alive whom have accomplished such feats of skill.]<<<<<
        --  Mercury <14:08:37/10-10-57>

*****PRIVATE: Rosha, Evita
>>>>>[It's pretty sweet all ready, if you think about it. Aparently it's
talking legal simsense, not BTL, copies of what'll probablty be a major
hit, you know how art appreciates after the death of the artist. All those
previously unreleased recordings of assorted OD'd artists over the years,
even as far back as the ninteenth century. All it would take is getting the
chips to any branch of Truman Technology, who own the rights to the
production, and the salvage payment would be staggering.

And as for what it did to me, well now it's doing the same thing to some
poor trog named Thirstein, and I would like to put an end to that.]<<<<<
        --  Ronin  <15:54:24/10-10-57>

*****PRIVATE: Forte
>>>>>[Excellent.

Your target is a female Elf, between seventeen and twenty years old. She
suffers from a severe form of albinism and is unable to tolerate
sunlight: this also affects her appearance, as she is - apart from her
eyes, which we believe are now cybernetic - almost devoid of any
pigmentation.

The last confirmed sighting was at a club called the Sexy Shidhe, three
months ago, where she was one of their "exotic dancers" under the name
Ice Maiden.

+++++include picture: Elf_girl_dancer.jpg

A word of warning. Do _not_ approach the subject. My clients wish to
speak with her concerning several killings and a number of cases of
dealing in body organs: basically they believe she has murdered people
and sold them as spare parts. They inform me she is both ruthless and
dangerous.

Our data on her begins in Fort Worth, though she may originate
elsewhere. She has no SIN, hence no registered name, and probably
operates under a number of aliases.

I look forward to hearing of your success.]<<<<<
        -- Jarman <22:25:41/10-10-57>

*****Private: Bull, Dark Avenger
+++++Begin Encryption sequence.
>>>>>[Glad to help. Where abouts are you? I might be able to help.]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <23:58:06 GMT/10.OCT.57>

>>>>>Greetings Inferno, long time no see.  Still giving the orders I
see.  Whassamatter, can't forget the stripes huh?  Mind you Bull, he's
got a point, if you don't drop the sig, some drekkers gonna come and
jump up and down on your butt. This would not be a good thing.  Now,
about that extraction, can you make it to a clear location.  And when do
you want out.  Assuming you do want to get out.<<<<<<
        - Avenger (13:14:10/10-10-57)

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[I wouldnt do that if I were you.

Kor is fine, as it his woman friend.  I had a need to debrief him on his
contact with a collegue of mine, Aleks, which he had chance to meet while
on a run.  I am sorry for the inconvience of having your mage wisked away
from you on such short notice but I didnt have time to dally.  Please
accept my apologies.

He's asked me to relay a message to a Black Knight or a Doomsday that he is
ok as well.  I cannot directly send mail to these two as my connect time to
this node needs to

++++++ Trace Defeated

be kept a a minimum.  If you would be so kind as to make sure that the
above

++++++ Trace Stopped

people recieve that message, it would be greatly appreciated.

++++++ Trace has aquired target
++++++ Trace returning

++++++ Transmission interruption  --  SIR:  That one got through.  We've been
made.  I dont know where it came from, it was piggy backed on the last
trace from Neuron Basher and his team.  I couldnt stop it.  Log out NOW, we
need to be gone from here! +++++ Persona Dumped +++++]<<<<<
        -- T'Shon <02:38:25 / 10-11-57>

*****PRIVATE: BULL
>>>>>>[Can you and your people make it to >>encrypted<<?  Can have two
Yellowjackets in for support if needed, on small transport for carry
out.  Say, near dark.  Will wait offshore for signal. Leave Penth, can't
help corpses. How bad rest of team, medical extraction can be authorised
by UCAS forces, can get in easier if I know better what the hurt is.
Also makes it easier for medic to prepare.  Yellowjackets will deal with
wasps, money not needed, glad to help another chummer, talk payback
later.  Bring evidence.  No one out here knows what's going on, we need
to expose this.  Anything you can get.  If extraction is unavailable
will drop supplies at >>encrypted<< at time >>encrypted<<.  Will drop
medical and ammo.  Do you need clothing or other supplies?  Will supply
whatever required.  All insurgency operations expedited at utmost
priority.  Hang on chummer, we're coming.<<<<<<
         - Dark Avenger (14:01:13/10-10-57)

******PRIVATE:  Inferno
>>>>>>[Inferno, if we run this, I might need to apologise for that
incident down south, and request you run interference on this one.  If
the sit inside is as bad as appears, two jackets won't be enough.  Can
you still provide cover. And how much d'ya want?<<<<<<
         - Dark Avenger (14:05:22/10-10-57)

***** PRIVATE: Serenity Security - Overwatch
>>>>>[ Lookie what I just got:

+++++ include: t'shon.message

Are you guys ready to move? ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <13:20:36/10-11-57>

***** PRIVATE: T'Shon
>>>>>[ Apology noted.  Now return him.  I don't like playing games, especially
when my friends are involved.  ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <13:21:36/10-11-57>

***** PRIVATE: Doomsday, Black Knight
>>>>>[

+++++ include: t'shon.message

I don't believe the fragger, though.  I'm planning an op to go get Kor out.
I'd appreciate it if you'd coordinate anything of the same sort with me so
that we don't get in each other's way. ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <13:25:49/10-11-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Saracen
+++++loadencrypt: fractalay.enc ... running ...
>>>>>[Sorry about the blow up earlier. We lost Marduk. You'll come to
understand why. Your body was more monster than you let on. Dropped both Ogun
and Chang Ti -- one on one.  Fragger is done, though. Believe me, there
are no doubts about this one.  NO one survived except us.  Anyway, I've
spliced together my surveillance footage from inside, complete with
comm_traffic from the on-base forces.  And they were waiting for us. If
your distraction hadn't been there, we probably wouldn't have gotten the
job done.  I've also recorded post-op commentary from the rest of the
team and placed it appropriately.  Here goes ...

++++begin miss1022.cmp ....

A window opens in the middle of the screen showing a barbed wire fence about
200 yards directly in front of the camera.  Focusing in on a sign attached
about halfway up the 20' fence, you can read, "MILITARY FACILITY: NO
TRESPASSING."  There is a picture of a piasma's face underneath the words.

The angle then zooms back away from the fence and pans to the left and right.
There are 35' tall guard towers to the extreme left and right, each has two
guards armed with rifles looking  vigilant standing in them. In the upper
left corner of the window, the date/time index reads "09-26-57 ::
19.53.16 ... 19.53.17 ... 19.53.18 ..."

A voice breaks in, "Operative four, matrix and physical penetrations are
complete.  Autodef shutdown in 90 seconds.  Awaiting prelim strike from
East.  All standards ops are running."

The image shifts in the window momentarily as the word "ultrasound"
flashes in faint blue across the bottom.  Four large, doglike outlines
appear on the screen wandering back and forth along the fence.

"Barghests located. Dispatching ..."

Responding to the voice, the four figures dash away from the fence in
three different directions.  However, there is an immediate response from
a three member group, running onto the screen from the right, with large
guns in their possession.

"Oh HO! The boys and girls actually have a pulse. Note: Distraction is
late, minus forty - ... check that"

The soldiers at the gate open fire through the fence into the periphery of
the forest.  Because it is night, only the muzzle flares provide lighting
in the first moment.  However, seconds after the gunfire, the spotlights
at the two towers, spring to life.  Similarly, the "ultrasound" message fades
from the camera window and is replaced by a flashing red "infared" ...
at the forest border, the spotlight reflect off of ... something for an
instant before ...

"Oh that's not fair! No ganging up on our poor boy!"

And the spotlights fade.

A different voice, fighting a great deal of static interference, "Sir! Our
systems have been seized and we're locked out!  Furthermore, our spotlights
are down and ....  skkkreeeee .... BOOOM!"

Twin shrieks drown out the voice as two streaks of light and smoke trail at
the towers on either side of the screen.  The streaks enter the tower's
canopies and utterly destroy them in huge explosions.  The initial three
guards at the fence have now been joined by ten compatriots ... eight of whom
are firing assault weapons of various types into the woods, deforesting a
significant area.

The original voice chimes, "So let's see him already!"

But, as the soldiers cease wasting their ammunition against an opponent
they have not yet seen, an eerie silence creeps over the scene.

The clock reads, "19.56.11" when one of the figures in the back of the
defending pack screams as a blue-green flash of magical energy lashes out
from his outstretched arms at a shadow that had somehow remained unnoticed
in the camera's eye.

The figure seems to absorb the bolt and move to its left on the opposite
side of the fence from the soldiers.  It is a blur that the camera is
having a problems catching up with.

In nearly a heartbeat, the fence has exploded at its base and the figure is
through the resulting hole.  It is wearing black cloak, and seemingly,
reflective armor of some kind.  But it moves to quickly to be sure.

The soldiers are firing once again, but because the interloper is so
quick and they are surrounding it, they drop several of their comrades
just trying to hit it.

And as this creature moves in one directions, the opposing flank of soldiers
steps right into an explosion.

The screen freezes unnaturally at this point.

"This is Ogun. After Apollo showed me this bit, it's my opinion that the
thing that made the penetration was receiving mid-range coverage from an
assault cannon of some sort, using explosive rounds.  Furthermore, the
explosion at the fence appears to have been caused by an explosive shell.
Shape of the crater, burn marks on the remains of the fence. All point
in that direction."

The screen resumes motion.

The cloaked figure is moving through the stacked lines of the bases defenses.

"Apollo here." This is the same voice that was speaking at the beginning
of the message. "Slowing the images down reveals that this thing isn't
wearing armor.  It's moving too quickly and flexibly. However, it takes
literally hundreds of medium munitions rounds before finally being forced
to withdraw by heavy, mounted machinegun fire.  It cut down nearly two dozen
of the base's infantry forces, and half of the on-site mages were too
freaked out by it to do anything except get gutted.  Furthermore, the two
earth spirits they managed to summon might as well have stayed home because
he carved one into a sod farm and nearly ripped the other in half.  Where did
you find this guy so I can be sure to never visit there!?"

"Ogun speaking. Don't let toy-decker-boy here lick your new recruits private
parts too much. It's obvious to me that you've just found a local talent
to match the international squad you compiled.  I'm wrong, right?"

"Apollo. Clipped the remainder of the cloak's performance.  You know, enough
of the undercards... time for the main event ..."

The window fades to black after the comments, the cloaked figure had just
revealed two cyberspurs in each arm and was moving towards a large earth
elemental.

Apollo's voice intones again, but it is more like the first time he spoke.

"Operative four. Distraction was extremely effective. Forces reduced by a
third due to losses and pursuing weakness.  ... Strike team arrival in
180 seconds...  Sending the autodef's after the on-base forces.  Sealing
target in SB-Delta.  Matrix defense active ... all codes rejected ...
Rock and roll never dies!"

The screen fades in again, but this time, you are viewing the main
entrance to the facility.  The clock reads "20:08:34" as a GMC Banshee
smashes through the gatehouse under rifle fire from the guards formerly
therein.

"Chang Ti speaking. Marduk was screaming about how he could always make an
entrance.  When he spoke the words, I felt the bad karma.  I wish he could
have made the exit."

There are five autocannons firing at will on the Banshee ... two on each
side and one on the roof.  Any infantry that weren't wiped out by the cloaked
figure are wishing they had been.  Shortly behind the Banshee comes a
Yellowjacket copter ...  it fires two missiles from an undermounted
launcher, leveling the building that the camera is mounted on.

"Chang Ti. I apologize for that destruction. I didn't realize Apollo was
using that particular camera.  I was shot down shortly thereafter. Karmic
retribution."

Sure enough as the window reopens, you immediately notice that it is an
interior camera in use. Through a large hole the wall to the left of the
screen, you can see the burning remains of the Yellowjacket in the background
while the smoking front of the Banshee is nosedown in the rubble remains
of the wall as the base of the screen.

"Mordred here. The Trojan Horse part of the plan was predestined. As
anticipated, in the wake of their losses, they dropped back to the
command center to regroup.  This information was relayed to the
second strike team who opened the facility to find that I had removed all
magical resistance.  Imagine the look of surprise on the mundane's faces
as their magical "support" disappeared when I dropped the illusion."

"Ogun. Taking them out after that was easy. Their hearts broke."

"Apollo. You know I saved the photo!"

A still image of four men and three women fills the screen.  They are looking
in all different directions with their weapons down.  Two actually are
slack-jawed.  It might actually be funny, if this wasn't the last photo ever
taken of them.

"Ogun.  By 20:30, we had made our way down to SB Delta.  Apollo had radioed
that he had sealed the target in with a single decker. From the profile,
we figured the target would probably kill the decker out of sheer
frustration.  However, we still hadn't located 9 members of the elite
defense."

"Mordred.  That didn't last. They didn't count on my being behind the lines
so it was pretty much easy pickins.  But you can see for yourself."

The camera angle shows four individuals standing in an elevator.  The
camera is behind them, so you can't see their faces,  but they're all
wearing night camouflage heavy security armor.  As the digital display
directly across from the camera shows "SB <triangle>", the elevator humms
to a stop.  Darkness emanates from the individual to the bottom right of
the screen until it fills the elevator.  Near silently, but just loud enough
to be heard, the doors slide open.

Muzzle flashes from outside the elevator unnaturally do not create a
strobe effect in the elevator.  The normal flashes cease at the elevator
door.

"Chang Ti. Marduk covered us with night substance. Then, once we got out
the battle was joined."

As the picture resumes, the  muzzle flashes slow, then cease.  And
immediately the darkness expands outside of the elevator ... brilliant
light explodes from outside the elevator, attempting to hold the darkness
at bay.

The light illuminates three heavily armed, heavily cybered individuals with
their backs against a triple, metallic, double-maglocked door.  Within three
seconds, all three disappear from the camera's eye, but it was already
too late.

A shadowblur blitzed across the screen the instant the light went up.  As
the cybersoldiers faded into invisibility, two of their respective heads
tumbled to the floor and the third was struggling in vain to keep his
intestines from falling to the floor before he did.

"KEEEE YAAAA  HEY!"

Two figures materialize -- one in the elevator, which the darkness has
now fully vacated -- and one a meter in front of where the cybersoldiers
fell.

Again, the image freezes.

"Apollo. Mordred--Did you ever figure out how you missed those two?"

"Mordred. Some sort of astral invisibility lock as far as I could tell.
I may have missed them.  But the 'Duk didn't.  Saved my a_s.  Oh yeah,
I had the two covering mages to take out, remember?"

"Apollo. <chuckles> So you admit you were outclassed?"

silence ...

the picture moves again ...

To the upper left of the screen, a shadow figure rises from the mass of
darkness on the floor ... it is hissing and it's tentacles are wrapped around
something ...

A body!  An Amerind female ... middleaged and apparently getting older by
the instant ...  she's now screaming and her arms are thrashing ... or
rather her hands and feet are thrashing as the rest of  her is held immobile.

One of the two figures that materialized ... a muscular Asian male elf, about
six foot and change leaps at her assailant.  He looks like a legendary hero
as he flies at the shadowcreature in his tattered and torn fatigues ...
when in mid-flight, his body bursts into flames, and his charred remains
slam backwards against the metal doors opposite the camera.

The shadowcreature never turned its attention from the woman, whose
skeleton is all that remains, and rapidly that is covered by the black
form ... and then it recedes back to the mass, leaving only ashes to fall
to the floor.

<rumble>

<rumble><rumble><rumble>

"KRA-BOOOOOOOM!"

A dent about two feet in diameter swells out towards the camera from the
opposite side of the metal triple door.

"KRA-BOOOOOOOOM!"

Another appears to the upper right of the first!

Frozen picture.

"Apollo.  At this point, the base was cleared.  With only cuts and
scrapes to the penetrating team.  However, the target was restless."

Picture resumes ...

The mass of darkness vanishes, revealing the four individuals in black
secarmor standing among the remains of eight individuals.

"Alright, ... Op 4?  Time for us to Go Barca. Let 'im loose."

"Op 1.  Uhm ... I can't."

"Op 4, say again? You didn't say 'can't' ?"

"Op 1. Affirmative. Strictly temp. ... Gather yourself for El Toro."

"KRA_BOOOOOOOOOM!"

"Tell 'im to gather himself."

Suddenly, the image goes down.  Only the intermittent rumbling and crashing
of the door is heard.

"Uhm.  Op 4 ... we're all a bit concerned down here.  Lights, please?"

"Op 1.  Doors and lights.  Coming, sir!"

The lights pick back up ... the door looks like it's a jigsaw puzzle
barely holding together.

"Chang Ti. From this moment on ... nothing would be the same."

"Op 4.  We're going in.  This guy's in too much pain. We're putting him out."

Responding to the statement, the camera view is abruptly cut off as a
thick metal wall slams to the floor where the elevator doors slid open.
And a computerized voice intones ...

"Auto destruct sequence authorized ... in T-15 minutes  ... mark ...
counting ..."

"Apollo speaking. At this point, both comm's and surveillance were all
off line ... The signal couldn't get out, and the camera's were
destroyed. Mordred can probably tell you the most."

"Ogun. Yeah Mordred might tell you the most, but he'll distort it to
favor himself.

We had the lights on, and we could hear the countdown ... Target had stopped
pounding on the doors ... I know now he was waiting for us ...  Chang and I
leaned into the remains of the door with a running start.  It fell easy
enough.

On the other side, we saw the body of a skinny darkhaired human ... probably
the decker that the target had sealed in with him.  The doors opened into
a 35' wide corridor with dimly flickering lights in the ceiling ...  he was
at the end of the corridor, squatted down ... at that distance, he looked
a lot like a big, furry boulder ...

Seeing what he did to the door, not me, not Chang, not nobody wanted to fool
around with him.  Me and Chang cut loose -- my LMG and his Minigun.  We
smoked up til he was just a blur in the fog ...  We started to let the smoke
clear and dust settle ...

BIG mistake ... He unloads two of the weirdest biggest guns I've ever
seen (and YOU know I've seen plenty!) on me and Chang.  Now I'm wearing
armor ... and have as much titanium in my chest as you can get ... and it
took me two weeks to piece my sternum back together from his cannon ...
Chang took a shot in the leg, but didn't seem to feel it.   He just ..."

"Chang Ti speaking.  Let me tell my story, Ogun.  I felt the pain, but I knew
 that if both Ogun and I fell, all of us would die ... so I stood and charged
the beast.  Wilkerson was easily a foot taller than me.  And he seemed
crowded even in that enormous corridor.  He charged forward ... I know now
 why he was called  "Stampede."  We collided and I was thrown backwards
severely ... I nearly lost consciousness from his blow, yet so quick was
he ... that he caught my foot before I had even hit the ground, and that
is my last memory of that night."

"Mordred here.  Well, I saw what was happening Chang.  Holding you by your
foot, he slung your body head first back and forth against both walls.
Then slammed you down on top of Ogun to make sure you both stayed down.

The files  on him were correct cause I cast the Allergy on him and his skin
immediately blistered and popped.  He screamed, "At me ... we're all
going down together, mage!  I don't care how I feel!  You're dead!!"

Marduk stepped forward and touched my shoulder.  I felt his mind touch mine.
He said, "Take Ogun and Chang Ti.  I will stop this monster."

Now you know me.  I never leave a fight, but I think Marduk knew that he
had to die if we had to live.  I felt him WILL me to his plan.

I turned and saw flames spread over all of his body and he walked calmly
up to this frothing, bleeding minotaur.  The beast smashed a backhanded fist
across Marduk's face, but he just took the blow!  Before he turned back to
Wilkerson, he stomped his foot on the ground and a compression wave swept
all three of us up and out of the corridor back to the sealed elevator door.

I cast a manabubble to carry us up to the ground level, and smashed
through the sealed wall with a Ram spell that made my ears bleed.  As I
carried us up the shaft, I heard Marduk scream.

I don't know what could have made him make that sound, but I hope I never
ever find out."

"Ogun.  Yeah, I heard that too.  The sound of victory and defeat, life
and death all crashing together and consuming each other ... frightening."

"Mordred.  But I felt this thoughts with me, and I felt his final
casting.

Ogun realized we were out, and gathered his sense enough to mumble the
distress code to Apollo.  'Pollo had figured out something was wrong, so
he was already at the rendezvous with the van.

But that's not the important part.  We had gotten about 200 meters off
the grounds, when I felt him sling it for the last time.  Even though
Wilk was crushing the life outta him... Even though he was all alone ...
he  ... well ... you wouldda had to see it.

It was, like, the closer he got to dead, the more mojo juiced outta him.

He cast his earthquake shot.  Normally, anybody's tell you ... he might
throw a bus ... topple a house ... nothing too big.  This time--by the
time we got 400 meters away, there was nothing left of the base ... I mean
nothing!  Earth just opened up and swallowed the place ...  and about
two minutes later,  EVERYTHING went nuts.

All the ground that the base was on ... just exploded ...  And I felt him
vanish ...  and it was raining ... but not water ... soil and rock ...
and metal and blood and flesh ...    But he still kept pushing me ... get
Ogun and Chang away."

"Chang Ti.  And it is good that you did.  Death was mere moments from
claiming both Ogun and myself as well."

"Ogun.  True enough.  'Dred won't even admit it, but I saw a salty diamond
escape when him and 'Pollo dragged me into the van.  The 'Duk was his
brother.  Spirit and blood.  Just like the rest of us.  I think we'll all
need some time off.  I know you'll understand."

+++++end miss1022.cmp

Listen, we'll contact you when we're back in service.  But physically,
mentally, emotionally, and especially spiritually, we're never going to
be the same.  You know the rite ... meet us at >>encrypted<< for The Passage.
Bring the prize for all this effort.  We have a gift for her.]<<<<<
+++++closencrypt fractalay.enc
        --  Golem  <23:59:53/10-10-57>

>>>>>[I'll tell you this for free... another coincidence was that the
"bug breakout" happened not only while the JSTARS surveillance aircraft
was on the far end of its orbit and coverage of that area was marginal,
but almost dead-centre between KH-14 passes.

Might just be lucky bugs, or lucky runners, or lucky refugees. Or it
might be something more sinister. If anyone finds out more, I'd like to
hear it. And ignore what Jake's probably doing to my ID and/or
timestamp, it's nearly time for his medication anyway.]<<<<<
        -- J R W Lynch <22:10:31/10-10-57>
           Killing People And Breaking Things For God And Country
           Strategic Intelligence Gathering Agency

>>>>>[ Don't even ask how I got this photo. Don't even think about asking.

+++++Include Corpse.jpg

As you can see, whoever this unlucky fragger was, he wasn't killed by
gunshot. The large slash/puncture trauma to the chest area is consistant
with a bug assault (though there are things other than a bug that could do
that, such as a really pissed off troll with a really bbig axe...). The
head "wounds" are interesting, the skull is partially crushed, and the
markings on the skin seem to indicate some kind of claw or large hand shaped
appendage did the deed. All four limbs have been forcibly torn from the body,
and appear to have been partially consumed by something that appears to be a
large animal. Look closely at what's left of the neck- you can clearly see
ligature marks consistant with a choking action, and if you zoom in, you
can see a pattern that looks like some kind of scales.

I don't have a photo to back this up, but sources tell me that the body
was found, along wih the others at the site, arranged in a rough circle.

In case you haven't figured it out yet, the photo is of a corpse of one of
soldiers found dead near the Chicago CZ.

On another point, today's trading appears to be going better for NYSE than
it has in the past few days. NYSE appears to be rising in general, albiet
at a snail's pace. However, if you look at the NASDAQ ticker, it's obvious
that NASDAQ is going into the same kind of panic that hit NYSE. It's too
early to tell if the NASDAQ hit is a deliberate act like NYSE appears to
have been, or just a nervous reponse to NYSE's troubles. It'll be easier to
tell once trading resumes after the weekend. Looks to me like someone was
testing the waters, setting up for something big. Either that whatever
agenda is at work here was successful and well disguised.]<<<<<
        -Dark Elf <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[Absence is merely the presence of all simultaneously.]<<<<<
        -- InfoScholar <10:34:12/10-11-57>

>>>>>[Okay, got the costume.  Just hope that no one else comes in a similar
one, or this is going to get confused. <g>]<<<<<
        __ JayCee <09:30:07 / 10-11-57>

>>>>>[Well, I've gotta admit that it's beyond my capabilities to do it. At
least via the matrix.  But it *is* worrying.  Part of my money is tied up
in there at least, and if a large proportion of the 'little investors' are
starting to worry over this, there will be no need to whoever is doing it
to keep doing it.  They merely have to push enough pebbles to start a rockslide.

I agree who and why are important: any chance you can feed over the LoneStar
report on those two officers who got toasted down in Tacoma ?  Pop it up
here where we can all see it in the raw, and all the heads can bounce together
on it.  That's if you can access that.]<<<<<
        -- JayCee <09:23:14 / 10-11-57>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[As you wish.  Kor says he needs to see some friends before
he leaves but will be in contact with you shortly.]<<<<<
        -- T'Shon <18:33:57 / 10-11-57>

***** PRIVATE: Black Knight
>>>>>[Im with 'Mare.

I made a mistake worthy of a severe flogging but have managed to skirt the
brunt of it.  Its a long story.  You buy the wine, and Ill tell it.

Get this information to those who need to know.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <18:39:20 / 10-11-57>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[I'm fine, really.  Im in Germany with some friends.  Ill explain
T'shons stupidity when I get back.  My flight should get me back in Seattle
by midnight or so tomorrow.  I've got a stop over in New York of a couple
of hours.

Feed Dweezil for me.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <18:51:19 / 10-11-57>

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[ You've got alot of explaining to do ... Dweezil is taken care of. ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <15:04:59/10-11-57>

***** PRIVATE: Serenity Security - Overwatch
>>>>>[ Stand down. I just got a message from Jason that seems to indicate that
he's alright.

If I don't hear from him late tomorrow night, or early the next morning, we're
goint hunting in full force.  He says he'll be in by then. ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <15:06:57/10-11-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin, Evita
>>>>>[A'ight. M'n f'Ev's goin. Still don' like much walkin n'to Bugtown
w/o m'can o'Raid.]<<<<<
        --  Rosha <15:30:35/10-11-57>

***** INTERNAL: Serenity - Overwatch
>>>>>[And you believe this message?

If I wanted to buy time, I'd force him to send out mail as well.  Just
something to think about.  Im moving forward.  It would take too much time
to move if we find out later this was a hoax.]<<<<<
        -- J. A. Foster <19:35:20 / 10-11-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: Serenity Security - Overwatch
>>>>>[ There's a lot of things that he could have said in the message to
indicate that he's in trouble.  He didn't.  He sent me the message that he's
okay, and that he's not being forced to write the message.

Anyway.  If you /are/ going in though, I don't want you to be unprepared.
 Here's a log of access to his account over the last week or so.  I know Griff
wants to go along, but who else are you planning to take?  I can have new ID
and Passports ready with a couple of hours notice.

We need to tread carefully with Ares breathing down our necks about being a
private army.

I hope I'm not wrong about his message, but if I am there's going to be hell to
pay.  Has everyone on this alias looked over RETRIBUTION lately? ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <16:23:01/10-11-57>

***** INTERNAL: Serenity - Overwatch
>>>>>[I understand how the retribution order works.  I am not willing to
invoke it pro-actively.  Not at this time.  I just want to be in
position in case he needs us and incase he was forced to write that.

Ghost units, Tir Special Forces, and now one missing Jason  --  This doesnt
add up to a good thing in my mind.

Ill move my team to New York, assume our identities there, and move to London
for staging.  If Jason shows up, like your information states, then we will
see him and stand down.  If he isnt on the flight, we will move.

Im taking:

Myself
Alpha
Omega
Griff (did you get anything on your ritual or was it blocked?)
Dirk --  I've not talked with him but he would be good for a mission like
this.

Ill fill in the rest of my needs with a few merc contacts in germany.  As to
Ares, I dont give a frag about them.  We will continue to get pay checks even
if they do pull their support.  I am more worried about the krauts, to be
honest.

Do you think that "friends" would mean Herr Nightmare?  I dont think he would
have been in a position to mention his association with him to you.  Or me
for that matter, I just happen to have access to information he doesnt know
I have.  That was who he went to visit on his way back from his last "vacation"
so I'd be willing to guess this is where he's ended up again.]<<<<<
        -- J. A. Foster <20:56:25 / 10-11-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

*****Private: Inferno
>>>>>>[++++++Begin Encryption 
Hiya, thanks for the offer of assist. Mucho appreciatedo man.
Base of operations at this time is the Country Club down by Hazel Crest.
Come and say hi.  Do you still have contacts with the old squad?  We
could do with some experienced help here.  I've got three rookies on
line and one vet. Still waiting for Bull's response as to LZ, when I
know more I can plan a strike to extract him and team.  Visit soon, need
your style. ++++++End Encryption ]<<<<<<
      - Dark Avenger <00:12:11/10-10-57>

>>>>>[If we are going in for Bull count me in. He was of great help to
me during my first Years here in Ucas.I can be Contacted at
Seanet/Tac/35632.]<<<<<
      -Smudge(10:04:21/10-11-57)-

*****PRIVATE: Dark Avenger
>>>>>[kjha*n$ you make this out?  Working under heavy fire here, I
apologi*&%% Alright...  We can be there...  Fighten our way tehre now,
seein' as it's getting close to dark...  How the hell ya gonna get past
UCAS?  Frag, doesn't matter, as long as ya can make it.  We ^%&%*@KHJ@#$4...

Fraggin' deck's wet...  Hold on...  There.  Ok, summoning that spirit took a
lot outta Johnny.  Long story, but the short version is we had to cut
through Clamaet swamp to do some retrieval.  Got hit by Roaches and
Mosquito's...  Johnny summoned up a huge fraggin' spirit to deal with them,
but it took a lot outta him.  Soon's he dismissed it, he went down like a
rock.  Marie's got a nasty gash on her arm, Xuxa's unconcious and lost a lot
of blood, and I can't tell what's wrong with Tailspin.  The  fraggin'
Roaches there were Toxic, least that's what John said.  Tailspin went Nova
to take out the Queen and the Shaman, and he's been in a coma since...

Penthisil's gone.  We lost him to the mosquito's.  Frag, seems like every
bug in the place knew we we're makin' a break tonight.  I gotta broken arm,
but it's my left...  I can still hold my fraggin' guns...  and the kids are
ok, just shook up...

I've head the headcam on the whole time...  Will send footage when
possible... Frag, here they come again...  See ya at the meet spot...]<<<<<

        -Bull (21:34:51/10-11-57)

*****Private Bull
>>>>>>[Got your message, hold on Chummer we're comin I'm hoping an old
acquaintance is gonna be here soon, he's got more pull than I do.  don't
worry about the mil. they're cool.  We know what to do.  The jackets
will be at your location in 3 klicks, can ya hold out till then?
Transport is coming in low and fast, we'll need to extract ASAP.

Medics onboard, bringing plasma and patches, we'll fix ya'll up.

Hope to have Corp backup on-line in 2 clicks.  Will arrive locked and
loaded hot and running.  Can you cope, sounds like your on your own
there, if you've got people down, tag 'em, we'll pick up if possible.
Dewy is sending spirits your way, astral backup should arrive any time,
don't know how useful they'll be but at least it's interference for you.

Kids!  how many, who's carryin' 'em, it's a small transport, we can
manage maybe 8 bods at a squeeze, not much more, specially if the med's
got bleeders, he needs room to work.  I count 4, two down, one gone plus
? kids - who the frag's carryin' 'em?

Comms says the mil. are movin'  they've got some heavy drek hittin the
north and west walls.  Makes our lives easier, and the cost less.  Good
news for all.  Keep humping air pal, you're almost out.<<<<<<
        - Dark Avenger (21:42:13/10-11-57)

*****Private: Inferno
>>>>>>[+++++Begin Encryption sequence.
Drek's hittin' the fan.  We're goin' in.  Need interference at
>>encrypted<< and we need it now!  Any help appreciated.  LZ is hot.
Team under heavy fire, varied assailants, need some extra hitters in
there.  Jackets are going in point, but I don't know how long they can
hold out.  I don't wanna lose this one!  I hate to lose. Any assistance
appreciated.  Will reimburse later.]<<<<<
    - Dark Avenger (21:37:43/10-11-57)

*****PRIVATE:  Dark Avenger
>>>>>[Ok, I'm here...  We can hold on for the moment, I think...  We seem to
have a nice lull in the combat...  It's been a running battle to reach the
LZ though...

Ummm, let's see...  Just so you know who we got coming...  We got Me,
Johnny, our Shaman.  He's starting to come around now.  His wife Xuxa.
We...  lost...  His other wife Becky.  Tailspin's also a Shaman, but he's
still out cold.  My wife Marie.  And my two kids, Reba and Billy.  Total's
7, not counting Penth who didn't have much of a body left.

Umm, I should also warn you about Daytripper ahead of time...  He's a free
spirit that's sort of attached himself to our family...  He's pretty
powerful and been a big help, but around here everyone gets jumpy with
spirits, so I thought I'd give ya fair warning.  If you see a spirit wearing
Day-Glo Tie Dye and looks a bit like that old actor from teh Twentieth
Century, Don Knotts...  It's Daytripper...

We'll be ready...  See ya soon...]<<<<<

        -Bull (23:22:41/10-11-57)

*****Private Bull
>>>>>>{ I feel for you pal. If you scan the LZ, you'll see a small
gazebo, err, summer house, near the centre of the LZ, stay near there,
it gives the jackets a field of fire, and plenty of space for the
support MGs on the transport.

7 huh?  Bit of a squeeze but we can accommodate ya.

Oh great, just what we need. A freebie in dayglo, drek...  hold on....
OK, jackets are informed, will watch out for it/him.  However, if he
crosses the bead, he's gonna get wasted, mini's ain't fussed who they
hit.  Locking down now, should be with you 35 seconds.  Corp is clear,
we have passage.  It'll need to be fast, contact can't hold the system
for long.  As soon as you see the chopper comin' in, start movin'.<<<<<<
        -Bull (23:32:14/10-11-57)

*****PRIVATE:  Dark Angel
>>>>>[<<.23 MP data lost>> everywhere!  tell you're men to watch out for the
wa<<.31 MP data lost>> astrally!  Frag, where'd they all come from?!?  We're
holed up near that little summer house...  We're taking heavy hits here...
We had a few others with us joined at the last minute, but they're gone
now...  Bugs ambushed them.  We're <<,50 MP data lost>> -eems to be having
trouble.  Hope this got through...  Watch out boyz.  They're hittin' us
hard...]<<<<<
        -Bull (00:11:46/10-12-57)

*****PRIVATE: Ronin
>>>>>[Well, I wasn't sure about the simsense, but I can't let that thing do
to someone else what it did to you. Yes, I'll go with you. Enough is
enough.]<<<<<
        --  Evita  <22:39:24/10-10-57>

*****PRIVATE:  bull
>>>>>>[Move! Move! Move!  We're coming in... NOW!!!]<<<<<
        - Dark Avenger (00:11:54/10-12-57)

*****PRIVATE: Dark Avenger
>>>>>[We're in position, DA.  Ready when you are... I look forward to
meeting you, friend.]<<<<<
        -Bull (01:41:45/10-12-57)

*****PRIVATE:  Inferno
>>>>>[Well, chummer, much thanks for the thoughts and the offers to aid our
escape.  We just pulled out and will need some help shortly.  Dark Avenger
will contact you with further info.  For now, here's the scene as we escaped
so you know what you missed...

++++ begin recording, Bull's headcam.

Two yellowjackets screech over the park border, twin minguns blazing,
tracer lights the trees and bushes as explosive buletts detonate on the
ground and in bodies, some creatures fly apart in the hail, others turn
towards the new threat.  A loud buzzing comes in from the north and one
of the jackets pulls heavy G's heeling over into the new threat,
slamming into the wasps,  guns and rocket pods spitting fire and explosive
death.  Within seconds the jacket is a flaming wreck, it hits the ground
with an echoing explosion as the fuel tanks and remaining ammo detonate.

The second yellowjacket moves in a desperate spinning ariel dance with
the wasps, guns blazing.  Two smaller craft join the combat, dark,
unidentifiable, no lights or markings, spitting flame in an almost
constant stream.  Under this hail of fire, a small huey drags the grass
as it thunders in.  Miniguns at its flanks desperately churning lead
into the horde of creatures gathered near the summmer house, attempting
to clear a path to the refugees desperatly fighting for their lives.
Two soldiers leap from the chopper, and race to the summer house.

"Bull??  Grab your kit.  MOVE!!!  NOW!!! WE ARE LEAVING!!"

<The camera view shakes once, as if the person filming all this nods.>

"Yes sir."  A deep, tired voice replies.

The camera spins and faces the small and battered house.  From inside
several figues can be seen moving out of the building.  One is a tall, young
Indian.  He wears jeans and a t-shirt, and carries a large Katana at his
side.  Slung over his shoulders is another Indian, a much older man, wearing
more traditional Indian leathers and feathers.  Behid then come a battered
looking human woman, her blond curls plastered to her forehead.  She is
helping herd two scared looking ork children toward the Huey.  Behind them
is a Dark haired human woman.  She has a large bandage over one shoulder,
and blood can be seen seeping through it.  They limp their way toward the
camera, and the barrel of an assault cannon can be briefly seen as the
camera weilder shifts his hold on it.

Suddenly, the dark haired woman shouts and the camera spins.  three hideous
looking flesh-form wasps swoop down toward the group, while a horde of huge
roaches swarm toward the group. One of the soldiers dies in a spray of blood
as the battered family drag themselves and friends to the Huey.  The second
dies as he fires into the swarm of roaches attempting to cover the escape.
A loud roar is heard from next to the camera's mics as teh carrier fires his
assault cannon toward the bugs.  He backs up, and climbs into the chopper
once the rest of the family is in.  The Huey lifts off, swaying under the
heavy load, rotors cutting the night air as it desperately struggles to
achieve height, and escape.

The last Yallowjacket slams into the park grounds exploding debris and
burning fuel creating a flaming pyre, marking the end of a nightmare, a
wasp tangled in the rotors. The two smaller black craft slip into escort
alongside the Huey, within seconds they cross the CZ, and turn south
towards their base.

A tall grizzled, man with a face like a map of the rockies leans out
from the co-pilot's seat.

"You must be Bull, My name is Avenger, pleased to meet you. This your
family?"

++++ end recording]<<<<<

-Bull (04:23:13/10-12-57)

>>>>>[Glad to have you along Smudge.  Things are in hand at present,
but we could do with some help pretty soon.  Meet us at >>encrypted<<
I'm sure Bull would be grateful for a helping hand and a friendly face,
as I figure it, he's got cut up real bad in there. Welcome
Chummer]<<<<<<
      - Dark Avenger (17:40:22/10-11-57)

>>>>>[Ummm... Dark Elf, don't you think you might just be a taaaaaad too
paranoid on this one? What with all the other drek that's been going on,
it'd be understandable for the markets to take a bit of a dive...

  (Just a thought)]<<<<<
        -- Tobias Dark <04:58:54/10-12-96>

>>>>>[ Tobias, there's never such a thing as too paranoid. Some of
the drek that's hit my fan over the years makes conspiracy theorists
look blind deaf and dumb. Nobody believed me when I said that a high
level corp official, a faction within the UCAS military, and a dragon
with a spiffy aircraft carrier were up to something... until everything
came to a head. There are still unanswered questions about that caper,
despite the fact that the great matrix war and the omega rebellion
were events that shook the world.

I see trends that are setting off warning lights all over the place.
the only way to know for sure that the tidal wave is coming is to watch
how fast the water rises. Trust me, the water is rising right now.

I don't have photos from the cop killings associated with the last
Tacoma kidnapping, I've been concentrating more on the stock market
events. I do know for a fact that the two officers were killed with
10mm pistol rounds, possibly a manhunter or an ultra power. One
officer took two rounds to the chest, one completely penetrating his
vest (most likely a close-up shot), the other took two in the leg and
one in the throat and probably bled to death a few minutes after the
shooting. There is an interesting possibility... one of the officers
may have been equipped with a reinal camera. Lone Star has been
experimenting with them lately as a way to have an analyzable visual
record of crimes, evidence in the case of cop killings, and ammo for
the internal affairs boys. It's possible that there is a recording of
the crime in progress, a thought that has me VERY interested.]<<<<<
      -Dark Elf <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[I thought most cops had retinal cameras?]<<<<<
        -- Tobias Dark <10:07:54/10-12-57>

***** INTERNAL: Neuron Basher, Serenity Security
>>>>>[We have an all clear.  The plane landed 45 minutes late and one
tired by happy Jason Robert Stormwind exited.  On his arm, a very attractive
brunette.  Me thinks I understand why he booked the lay over in New York over
coming directly back to Seattle.

We've made no contact with him, fading back to the offices in time.  Do me
a favor and make sure that I am around when he decides to explain what
the hell just happened.  I think it would be education to see what types
of people he considers to be friends.

Change of plan --  Im heading back, everyone else has decided they want
a vacation on company time.  With the way everone is talking you'd think
we never let them out of the office.]<<<<<
        -- J. A. Foster <14:26:56 / 10-12-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

>>>>>[Dark Elf:  That really wasn't information that LSS would have liked
to have gotten out.

According to my sources (which are fairly close to LSS), less than 1 percent
of their Seattle branch have retinal cameras.  The cost is prohibitive
enough that they are only really installing them in ranked officers.  Of course,
all of IAD's officers have them in hopes of keeping them honest.

Retinal cameras are starting to work fairly well as a "black box" of sorts.  The
officer goes down and, if the perp doesnt purposefully remove the recorder's
data, there is record of what happened.]<<<<<
        -- Trax <14:59:18 / 10-12-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

******Private: Bull
>>>>>>[OK dude, we're gonna let you lay up here for a while. We have
medical facilities here that should be able to cope with the injuries of
you and your friends.  If we can't help the Mage, he will be flown to a
neuro-surgeon who will be able to help.

Once you and your friends are a bit healthier, we're gonna shift you to
a safe house outside of Chicago.  As soon as you all feel up to it, you
will be transfered to sheltered housing in Seattle. I recommend you stay
there for a while.  It's going to be difficult for the unpleasant
gentlemen from UCAS to find you there.  You will be safe, and we will
look after you.  You're the first to come out of there, alive.

Now, regarding the data we asked you for... What did you bring out with
you, it's vital that we are able to supply our sponsors with something.
They are desperate to find out what is happening in the CZ, and let the
world know about it.  But first, I've got to find out exactly what it is
we've got.  Don't worry about the kids and family they'll be well looked
after, and food is being prepared now. We've got some beds sorted for
you.  So go and get that arm seen to, and get some groceries down your
neck, a couple of hours shut eye, and we'll talk. OK?]<<<<<<
        - Dark Avenger (02:37:15/10-12-57)

>>>>>[Dark Elf, there certainly is such a thing as being too paranoid.
So many people -- shadowrunners, gangers, criminals, wage slaves, corp
execs, etc. -- believe that paranoia is a way of life, the only way to
survive in a harsh, uncaring world where everyone is out to get you.

Why live in fear?  That's all paranoia truly is -- the fear that what you
cannot directly control is only trying to kill you.  Living in a state of
pure paranoia is only the manifestation of living in total fear,
perpetually.  That's not a very pleasant way to live.  And what life is
that?  Certainly, I have no wish to die, but I have no desire to continue
living if I must always look back over my shoulder to see if the sword I
once lived by is coming to remove my life from this body.  For I cannot
enjoy life in such a manner -- it is but half a life, at most, and
usually far less.

And I'm afraid that I must disagree about the importance of the Omega
Island rebellion.  Such hick-ups in the world have such little long-term
meaning to future generations that they might as well be ignored.  The
true changes in life, the true earth-shattering events are performed one
person at a time, one day at a time, on student at a time.  For if one
person, say a child, can ever learn the value human life and true to that
value, then he or she can pass that value on to others.  If one child
ever learns the value of personal honor, or of integrity, or how to trust
someone else, or how to care, or how to love, then he or she can see the
reality of this world, just how warped and fucked up it really is, and
can teach others.

Military conflicts, while vital to those involved in them, are nothing in
comparison to the teaching of our future, our children.  For the only
truly earth-shaking events are being created, day by day, thought by
thought, in the minds, hearts, and souls of the children.]<<<<<
        --  Valentine <11:58:37/10-12-57>

>>>>>[Wow, I almost expected to hear a plea for donations to Haven at the
end of that spiel.]<<<<<
        --  Slash <12:00:20/10-12-57>

>>>>>[I have made my appeals to that effect enough times, and enough
people have answered the call.  If you don't know that Haven always needs
money by now, then you never will.

But I would like to re-extend the offer to attend the party on Samhain,
Halloween for those of you non-Celtic/Wiccan/etc.  It's a fund raiser,
but it's more of a party.  If you got a written invitation, then that
means I'm hitting you up for donations.  If you're reading this, I can
almost guarantee you're not getting hit up for a donation, and by all
means, feel free to crash.

One of my instructors reminded me that, with the large turnover in
Seattle of those people able to read this, not all of you likely are
aware of the rules.  Simply put, no weapons of any kind, for any reason.
This includes everything, including cyberweapons.  Cyberguns are unloaded
and deactivated at the door, and spurs, fangs, and razors are either
restrained, or temporarily deactivated as well.  No exceptions.  Casting
spells upon unwilling individuals(with the exception of the Costume
Enforcement Magicians at the door) will get you thrown out, especially if
the spells are dangerous.  Those will get intercepted.  Attending
via Astral is allowed, but not recommended.  The Veil has grown very
thing at this point in the year, and the background count will likely be
quite high.  And the spirits attending the party might not appreciate it,
although they obey the rules too.

Furthermore, any violence of any kind will get you thrown out, no
exceptions.  If you're a violent drunk, don't drink, and if you do, the
Drinking Enforcement Magicians will detoxify you, forcibly if necessary.

It is a party, and as such I want everyone to have fun.  But it's a safe
party, not a violent one.  Oh, and there will be music, as always, so
feel free to bring instruments if you would like to perform.

One last warning.  Haven is extraterritorial and the only truly safe gang
area in Seattle.  You will very likely see Ancients alongside
Halloweeners patrolling the grounds.  If you have animosities toward
gangers, keep them to yourselves.  I assure you that the gangers are
there by my request.  They're my area security team.  Once you pass the
pure white picket fence, you're in Haven.  Leave your problems outside
the fence.  You can pick them up again afterward.]<<<<<
        --  Valentine <12:16:50/10-12-57>

>>>>>[According to my sources, however, a significant percentage of
InterPol cops have retinal cameras.  About 10% of the base InterPol, and
a whopping 35% of Special Branch agents(and, like LSS, almost all of
IAD's folks).]<<<<<
        --  Trideo Pirate <12:19:55/10-12-57>

*****PRIVATE: Valentine
>>>>>[Mr. Valentine, your party sounds as if it will be a very good time.
Unfortunately, I am committed to be out of the country for a time period
overlapping your celebration.  However, I am relatively certain that my
sister, Hortensia Otalvaro, known to this BBS as Rosha will attend.
In the name of our family, I would like to make the following annual donation
to Haven.

+++++credtransfer: >>sevenfigurenuyen<<

I hope this will help you maintain your facility until we can make our
donation next year.  Your party is certain to be a success, please try
and keep an eye on Hortensia for me ...  I believe she is coming as
>>encrypted<<.  Maybe someday we will meet face to face.]<<<<<
        --  Apollyon  <14:30:00/10-12-57>

******PRIVATE: Dark Avenger
>>>>>[I'm sure you don't remember me, but believe me I know you.
Concidering what you did for me I thought I'd return the favor. I've
heard some rumbling, and the contacts are impecable. What ever
operation you just ran has got some suits slitching flamed. Who ever you
extracted is HOT. Stick to him like glue and keep him safe. He must
know something - or seen something

You might think about changing safe houses; they might be
waiting.]<<<<<
     -Wells (12:46:35/10-12-57)

*****Private: Invasion_force.1
>>>>>[Stripes? Avenger... I have absolutely no idea what you're talking
about......By the way... I think you need to get your deck sorted out a
bit...
Your format's getting a little scambled as well.]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <21:00:06 GMT/12.OCT.57>

Jason moved slowly down the alley, a few spot light suspended from the
factory walls were the only intermitent light. He slowed as he reached a
area where the last of the lights shon down. Jason re checked his weapon,
making sure the safety catch was slid down ready to fire. Benet was here
some where lurking in the shadows. Jasons heart began to pound as he stepped
acroos a puddle, the rain continued to fall slower now than earlier this
afternoon when he had had to stand out side "Benet's" office wating for him
to emerge. Now it was pay back time.
 The sound of a steel bin lid falling to the floor rang like thunder down
the alley. Jason rised his weapon and squeezed the trigger pionting the
silver colt pythons long barrel toward the head of the dark figure who had
just given his hiding place away. The colt belched a red flame and the
bullet struck the dark figure on the upper body, Jason did not have time to
see where the dark figure had been hit whilst he had ducked for cover. All
was silent, the only sound that of the rain fallind a water dripping from
the broken gutters of the factories. Jasons was surprised at the lack of any
kind of return fire. After waiting a few minutes he carefully peaked arounf
the corners of the door way he had found for cover, there was nothing, no
movement, no sound the dark figure lay slumped againest the side of the
alley about thirty yards away, still. Slowly Jason moved closer darting from
place to place incase the figure was not dead. But dead the figure was,
Jason was just able to make out from the remains of the skull which had
taken the hit from the soft nosed 11mm custom python pistol. A alarge jagged
hole just above where the left eye once was showed that jasons, shot had
been more accurate than he had intended. The pistol in the right hand of the
dead figure showed that this persons was waiting for him, but it was not
Benet. After searching the rest of the alley way Jasons decided to return to
his flat, again Bent had got away, But a cat has only nine lives and Benet's
were fast running out.

>>>>>[Im still looking for my friend, her name was cassandra, she was a decker
last i heard, if anyone has any information contact me through this bbs.]<<<<<
        --  Joe Runner <14:43:59/10-12-57>

++++Begin Encryption
*****Private: Invasion_force.1
>>>>>[I'll try to get in contact with a few old... acquantances. It's been a
few years though, so I can't guarrantee anything....]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <21:40:06 GMT/12.OCT.57>

*****Private: Flash
>>>>>[Oi! Flash! I've got a job for you. Wake up.]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <21.40.15 GMT/12.OCT.57>

*****Private: Running Horse
>>>>>[I have a job that you might be interested in... Contact me. Please,
it's been too long, old friend]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <21.40.45 GMT/12.OCT.57>

*****Private: Inferno
>>>>>[This is a standard message. The alias (Flash) you requested has been
inactive since <10:22:32 GMT/22.JAN.55] and has been cancelled. I appologise
for any inconvenience this may have caused.<<<<<
    -- SysOp <21:50:06 GMT/12.OCT.57>

+++++Begin Encryption
*****Private: Invasion_force.1
>>>>>[Sorry guys... The best Cyberfighter I know is uncontactable. Possibly
dead. I'll miss him. I think old Running Horse is still active. I'll let you
know.]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <21.55.12 GMT/12.OCT.57>

++++Add alias: Smudge >> Invasion_force.1
*****Private: Invasion_force.1
>>>>>[Welcome to the team Smudge. (If it's the Smudge I think I've heard
about, then doubly welcome.]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <21:57:56 GMT/12.OCT.57>

*****Private :Invasion_force.1
>>>>>[DREK!!!! Oh DREK!!!! Your last mailing didn't arrive 'till 22:00.
There must be some serious lag at one of the nodes. I'm sending help now. I
just hope it's not too late!!!!! Expect a few Fire Elementals... Soon!]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <22:00:40 GMT/12.OCT.57>

*****Private: Bull
>>>>>[Oh god I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. The message arrived late... Too
fraggin late! I sent the elementals and got back to find the drek had hit
the fan 18 *HOURS* ago! I wasn't looking at the date! DREK! Whatever's
happening on the matrix between you and me, it's fragging things up
somethihng rotten! More death.....]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <22:40:47 GMT/12.OCT.57>

*****PRIVATE: Rosha, Evita
>>>>>[Can you both meet me at >>time and place<<. The spirit will be there,
with its new body.]<<<<<
        --  Ronin  <14:30:26/10-12-57>

*****Private: Inferno: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>>[Yes you do, sir... Sorry about the scrambled format, some
unexpected interference.  Mil. tried a trace and scramble, beat it, but
it shot the transfer, garbled some messages held locally and in transit.
Damn I hate it when that happens.  Got it sorted and locked down now.
Hopefully the incident will not repeat itself.  Welcome Inferno, I hate
to say it, but it's good to see you.]<<<<<
     - Dark Avenger <21:12:03/12-10-57>

*****Private: Inferno: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>>[Good to know, I seem to recall you had a long memory.  Could
certainly do with those elementals.  Bull seems to have attracted some
serious attention, not sure why yet.  But when this goes down, it's
gonna be hot, hard and heavy.  Payment request accepted >>Begin trans<<
A small bonus is available if we get this guy out in one piece, will
transfer that when available >>end trans<<  I'll let you know more as we
get to it.
      - Dark Avenger <23:10:13/09.10.57>

*****Private: Inferno
>>>>>>[Thanks for the assist Inferno, those elementals pulled out butts
out of the drek that time.  Lost both Jackets, Corp support arrived
late, but on time, without those elementals we would've been toast.
Thanks man, I owe you one. What the drek were those fraggin' things
anyway, they looked like insects, but so fraggin' huge, I mean Jeez,
they took a jacket out without fraggin' trying.  Something is very very
wrong here.  More so than we ever suspected.  Bull and co are OK,
hopefully he can answer a few questions.  Man's cut up pretty bad,  got
a smashed arm, but he stands there at the side of the chopper firing
this assault cannon like it was a fraggin handgun.  Never seen anything
like it.  Not since Hanghand bought it anyway.  Looks like he might be a
good guy to get on our side. Gotta go, things to fix]<<<<<<
      - Dark Avenger (04:22:27/10-12-57)

>>>>>[Bravo, Pat.

Personally, I gave up on paranoia, but then I know who most of my
enemies are in any given situation: sometimes those who were trying
their utmost to kill me last month are this week's staunch allies,
because this time our goals coincide. If I got paranoid I couldn't get a
quarter of what I do, done. Instead, I usually stick to pragmatism.

I'd add this to what Pat said: one of the Marine credos is that when the
meek inherit the Earth, the strong will take it away from them. The
Marines are there to protect the meek. I think Pat matters because he
teaches people - and not just his students - that not all strangers are
out to kill you, that not everyone hates your guts (until you give them
cause), that while this world contains plenty of darkness there is a
surprising amount of light.]<<<<<
        -- Lynch <22:46:41/10-12-57>

*****PRIVATE: Valentine
>>>>>[Pat, I don't mean any disrespect (except a sly humour) but if
Lynch has to disarm his spurs and blades, how do I (short of radical,
painful and unpleasant surgery) remove my teeth and claws? I am, after
all, one of the world's deadliest predators... and I can't think of any
way short of bolt cutters to get rid of my fangs.

I know, I know, if I pounce on anyone I'll land outside the fence with
my head spinning, I was just amused by the slight inconsistency.

Music, eh? I'll bring my sax. If you're lucky, I'll talk Lynch into
taking his Strat and a Marshall.]<<<<<
        -- Lilith <22:52:16/10-12-57>

*****Private: Dark Avenger
>>>>>[You mean the elementals made it in time? How is that possible? I
didn't send them until 22:30.... Hmmmm. Even taking into account time zones
and drek, they would still have been 12 hours late..... What the DREK is
going on? I think you might have had an unknown helper out there.]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <22:40:06 GMT/09.OCT.57>

*****Private: Dark Avenger
>>>>>[You mean the elementals made it in time? How is that possible? I
didn't send them until 22:30.... Hmmmm. Even taking into account time zones
and drek, they would still have been 12 hours late..... What the DREK is
going on? I think you might have had an unknown helper out there.]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <23:00:06 GMT/12.OCT.57>

*****Private: Invasion_force.1
>>>>>[Come on Avenger. You know I let you off for that... Incedent, years
ago. As for interference... My elementals are at your disposal, as are any
spells you may need while you're running. Payment? I'll settle for >>
Encrypted<<. That should cover the costs and a few living expenses.]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <22:40:06 GMT/09.OCT.57>

******Private: Wells
>>>>>>[Wells, I know that name from somewhere?  Thanks for the data, I
figured it got kinda hot in there.  I though Inferno sent in some
elementals to assist, but rumour has it they weren't his.  If the
choppers and the elementals didn't belong to him. Means we had a heavy
hitter comin' in anonymously.  That makes me nervous.  Will move to safe
location as soon as possible.  Thanks for the warning Wells.  Call me
direct, I would like to say HI, Personal like.  The LZ was overrun with
creatures like I never seen before, and this guy's right in the middle.
There's some serious fraggin' drek happenin' here, and someone is lying
- bigtime.]<<<<<<
      - Dark Avenger (13:18:23/11-12-57)

******Private: Inferno
>>>>>>[Sorry, I assumed you did. If you didn't send the things then who
the frag did!?.  We seem to have a heavy hitter hiding out somewhere.
This is beginning to make me really nervous.  Inferno we are moving,
now, I can't take the chance of waiting for clear weather, things are
getting strange.  Meet us at >>Encrypted<< I think we need to talk.
Looks like someone else is in here, and I don't know who it is.  Can you
run interference for us. And see if we've got an astral trace or
something tagging somebody here.  I don't know drek about magic, but is
this possible]<<<<<<
      - Dark Avenger <00:09:37/13.10.57>

***** INTERNAL: Serenity Deckers
>>>>>[I'm in town.  Im sorry about the problems I've caused.  That
last job was not in anyway worth the time or trouble.

First off, T'shon intercepted my fraggin' payment.  Secondly, he flatly
refused to give it back.  'consider it rent on my name an identity and payment
for the 'pain and suffering' caused by your actions'.  Secondly it
didnt take the edge off of my boredom.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <23:30:58 / 10-12-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: Rosha
>>>>>[Everything going according to your plans?  I've been away from
the office for the last few days and I wanted to check to make sure
you were doing ok.  Whats going on with Hector?  Did he check out
for you or no?]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <23:35:16 / 10-12-57>

***** PRIVATE: Black Knight
>>>>>[Frag!

If this is going to happen everytime I go drinking with you and Doomsday I'm
going to have to gracefully bow out of your next outting.

Im sure you know by now that I took an unscheduled trip to see a friend in
Hamburg.  If I remember the most of it, it went like this:  Michelle and I
moved our section of the party up to a private room.  Sometime before
the break of dawn I awoke to someone entering our room.  Insert image of
everything happening too fast and then everything going black.  The next
time I awoke was listening to the hum of a small military troop transport's
whining engines, hooded, gagged, and pissed off.

A short one-sided conversation later, and the hood was removed.  It seems that
a 'friend' had a need to debrief me on my last job.  Whatever happened to
just asking?  To make a long and somewhat tiring story shorter, we reached
our destination, shot the shit for a while, and I'm back.

+++++ Begin Scrg.encrypt
Im clean.  We are still go on your op.  Count me in.
+++++ end  encryption

By the way, where did Michelle come from?  She just attached herself to my
hip at some point doing the night.  Im sure she will be a little more careful
the next time she picks someone up in a bar.  I have to admit, she was a
trooper through all of this.  Being kidnappeed by
evil shadowrunners can be a bit of a hair raising experience :).  She seemed
to really thrive on the cloak and dagger stuff.  I might keep this one for
a while.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <23:45:58 / 10-12-57>

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[keeping secrets from us?]<<<<<
        -- Skuff <23:45:59 / 10-12-57>

***** PRIVATE: Skuff, Deckers
>>>>>[If I encrypt something, please dont break it.  I understand that you
are out to keep me safe, but this job is a bit too sensative to let anything
leak out right now.  Honestly, its for your protection as well as your
own.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <23:49:31 / 10-12-57>

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[That looks like something Scourge would have cooked up.  I wouldnt
touch that with Kev's deck.]<<<<<
        -- Skuff <23:49:58 / 10-12-57>

*****Private: Invasion_force.1
>>>>>[I'll start on the astral overwatch a 02.00.00. Be ready. I'll send one
of my elementals to let you know I'm there..... It will >>encrypted<<]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <01:39:30 GMT/13.OCT.57>

*****Private: Dark Avenger
>>>>>[I will be on overwatch, but the elemental will actually do
>>encrypted<< on appearance. We may have an inside man.....]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <01:40:03 GMT/13.OCT.57>

******Private: Inferno
>>>>>>[Thanks for that, I appreciate it, a lot.  There's something
definately fishy goin' on, and I don't mean the lake.  Someone sent in
some backup, to help us out of the CZ.  As I said, we were getting our
butts kicked in there.  Those damn creatures are tougher than rock.  The
overwatch will be very useful.  I'm hoping nothing will come of it, but
it's best safe than sorry.  Are you OK for meeting later, or do you need
backup?  I can provide a couple of guys, but most of my team is dead.
Hoping to make contact with some of the old guys, but at the moment I
can't track 'em.  Smudge is sick, down with something, so he's laid up
for now.

Inside man, that's a horrible thought.  Mind you, Bull brought a couple
of Mages or Shamans with him, Native Americans looks like.  Maybe
there's a connection?  I don't know. Will contact you when we arrive at
the safe house, there may be some delay in messaging as I'm going to use
a couple anonymous routers to confuse any trace.  Will meet you at
>>Encrypted<< in 24 hrs.  Should have security lock by then.  Again,
thanks for the help.]<<<<<<
      - Dark Avenger <**:**:**/**-**-**>

******Private: Bull
>>>>>>>[Somethings not right here, get your people together.  I've got a
BAD feeling.  Some dude called Wells buzzed me, and said you were pretty
hot property.  I can't quite figure it, but I know the name.  I can't
tell you where we're going yet, because it's gonna take a while before
I'm convinced that we're not being traced.  There are others involved
here, and when we get to where we're going. You and me are gonna talk.
There's more to this, this... mightmare than meets my eye, and I figure
you know what that might be.]<<<<<<
      - Dark Avenger <**:**:**/**-**-**>

*****Private Inferno
>>>>>[Im active again.Im Currently in <Encrypted> let me know were you want
me to meet you im Bringing Bear and Katana With me as Muscle. I know I know
after
the Lassiter Investments Fiasco they are the people you least wish to see
but ill keep them on a tight lesh and they are two of the best people to
have if the led starts flying]<<<<<
   -Smudge(34:21:56/&//$(&))=(()= Connection damaged.

*****PRIVATE: Evita, Ronin
>>>>>[I'll b'there. W/ Bells on.]<<<<<
        --  Rosha <22:41:43/10-12-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind, Serenity Security
>>>>>[S'far s'good. Hasn't 'noyed me too too bad yet. A l'il o'rprotective's
all.  Seem t'attractive men like that.  {smile}  Y'in f'r the party at Haven?
Hope I'll seeya there.  Gotsa a job soon though.  S'also good t'hear fr'm ya.
Really hope we can stay n'touch.]<<<<<
        --  Rosha <22:44:14/10-12-57>

>>>>>[Mr. Joseph Runner, the person you seek has recently had an attempt
on her life.  You might consider verifying your motivations before
attempting to locate her.  Should you be able to convince some of the
readers of this system of your reasons, perhaps someone might help you
find your 'friend.'  Advice from one postmaker to another.]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar  <10:51:41/10-12-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin
>>>>>[I'll be there.]<<<<<
        --  Evita  <21:45:26/10-12-57>

*****PRIVATE: Edgewood
>>>>>[HELP! Did you see a message from a Joe Runner? I DO NOT know any such
individual. Either it's Tarlan suspecting I'm not dead, or this this thing,
or somebody. It's not someone I know, I keep track of my friends. What do I
do? I am not eqipped to defend against either of the first two suggestions.
I might have an option, though. Can you come to my place? Thanks.]<<<<<
        -- Cassandra <21:49:44/10-12-57>

*****PRIVATE:Jason R Stormwind
>>>>>[Is that offer of employment still open? If so, is your training camp
fortified? I could definitely use six months someplace I can't be
found...and no, it's not the law that I'm running from. Is it possible to
meet with you? Thanks.]<<<<<
         -- Cassandra <21:51:22/10-12-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Dark Avenger
>>>>>[Ok, Avenger, sounds good to me.  Nobody's hurt too bad, and my arm'll
heal up nicely in a few weeks.  Johnny's cool, he just knocked his own ass
out summoning up a spirit a little too large for him to handle...  And
Tailspin will be fine as soon as he settles down.  He's in shock at the
moment.  The girls and the kids are holding up really well, all things
considered.  I think they came out of that better than us so-called
"Shadowrunners"...  <grin>

As for that data you asked for, I got about 10 hours worth of vid recordings
for you.  Some of it's a week old, but it's got some weird stuff on it...  I
haven't figured it all out yet...  I currently going over it to see what I got.

Oh, by the way, I went over the recordings I made of our escape.  Take a
look at this and see if this makes any sense.  I have a few suspicions, but
they scare me.  I've given several shots a voiceover so that you know what
to look for, as at least one scene the item of interest is very small, even
with magnification.  Ok, let's roll 'em...

++++++Vid Recording, Bull's Headware.  Sequence #23

"Honey, the kids are frightened.  When will the chopper be here?"  A very
frightened looking young woman asks the camera.  She is dark haired and
lovely, with a strong build.  Her face is a bit smudged with dirt, and two
cleaner tracks run down her cheeks, as if she had cried recently.  Her
shoulder is bandaged, but blood is still seeping through.

"I don't know, Marie."  A tired sounding voice replies.  The voice is
apparently whoever is weilding the camera.  "I wish I di-"

"Bull!  Something's happening!" Another female voice yells to him from
nearby.  The camera swngs around to face a beatiful blond haired woman
wielding a nasty looking knife, the blade of which has an odd goldish color
to it.  She points outside the small wooden building that the group is holed
up in, and the camera shifts to follow her finger.

Outside the window, several very large insect spirits are huddled in
gruoups, watching the building.  Several bodies lay strewn about the ground
in front of them.  They appear to be mostly human, except for every one has
some sort of distinguishing deformity.  Sevral are transformed enough to
make out that they are fleshform roaches.

Across the sky, burning like a comet is the form of amanifested Fire
Elemental.  Several Wasp Spirits are buzzing through the air, and they move
to intercept.  The frame freezes and then magnifies several times to give a
better view of teh elemental.

The fire elemental is vaguely humanoid in shape, although this is hard to
make out in it's glowing, fiery form...  However, it seems to be formed in a
female figure, with somewhat elongated forearms.  There is an odd shape to
the head as well, and the legs seem to bend at an awkward angle.

<Voiceover>:  This is just a rough guess, but we've "met" the Mantids
several times.  We know for a fact that they use Mages as well as Shamans,
unlike most of the other Insects.  I'll give you more detail on our
knowledge of the Mantids later, but I would hazard a guess that this
particular Fire Elemental, as well as the other two that we saw, were quite
possibly summoned up by the Mantids.  Why, though, I coudln't say.

+++++End Vid Sequence #23

Also, we have an eyewitness account that I don't have film for on several
Earth Elementals that struck at the same time.  Johnny was the one that saw
them, and he ascensed one of them astrally.  He is fairly certain that he
knows who summoned it up.  We've been in contact with the Ghoul community in
Chicago on several occasions, and even aided them once or twice...  Johnny's
worked with a ghoul Mage on several occasions name Buddy.  John's fairly
certain the Elemental was his...  Seems we had some "odd" help on this one...

This next clip is the one you have to watch closely...  Seems we had a
little more help than any of us knew...  Were any of your boyz wizards, DA?
If so, they may be able to give a little more confirmation or denial of
this, since I can't see nor film teh astral.

+++++Vid Recording, Bull's Headware. Sequence #25

There is a loud roaring sound and a flash of light as an assault cannon
booms next to the camera.  The bugs are rushing the position, and the
defender's are fighting with all they got.  Several of the bugs go down in a
hail of fire, then they are upon the small group.

From the camera's point of view, there are maybe 8 fleshforms.  However,
they seem to be very large forms.  You see the camera look down at the body
carrying it, and a large hand grasps a wooden shaft that's attached to his
belt.  He holds the shaft up and presses a button, and it elongates into a
six foot pole with a large golden blade on the end.  The weilder holds it
out in front of him and prepares to meet the bugs.

The camera freezes once more and magnifies a location out over the docks.
It appears to be an empty scrren.

<Voiceover>:  Watch this space carefully.  I'll play the frames in slow
motion so that you can catch it.

Slowly the frames move, one at a time, then something flickers in the upper
left hand corner.  Something brown in color forms on the screen, appearing
to be a large flying insect of some kind, possibly a wasp.  Moments later
another shape flickers, and a green form appears.  This form is much more
difficult to make out, but it appears also to be an insect.  It seems to
have four legs and to long appendages that it holds in front of it.  The
green form dives toward the brown, then the both fade from view again.

+++++End Vid Sequence #25

Johnny's looked at this one and thinks that possibly, several Mantis
spirits, true spirits, not the flesh forms, were battling it out overhead.
He said possibly that the wasp manifested, trying to throw off the Mantis
that was chasing it, then went astral again.

I'm not really sure what all this means, but we really need to talk.  I'm
nothing special, just a hacker from bug city.  I don't know what all this
attention is about, but I want to know, and I want to know now...

I hope you can help, and if things are as bad as they seem, we may need to
have whatever friends you can summon up...  This could be big...]<<<<<
        -Bull  (23:44:19/10-12-57)


>>>>>[As for the stock markets, this is VERY unusual behavior.  Rarely does
one stock market crash, while the other markets keep chugging along.  Plus,
i've never heard of one market crashing, while the others keep rising...then
another one starts crashing while the first recovers and the rest of the
markets keep rising.  THIS should be setting off warning bells in your
heads.]<<<<<
         -- Ryuga (01:00:30 PST/ 10:13:57)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

***** PRIVATE: Rosha
>>>>>[Hey, I just noticed  --  you've your own account.  Excellent.  Didnt
occur to just until just now.

I dont think that I will be able to make it to the party.  If I do, you'd
probably pick me out in a second, even in costume.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <05:35:11 / 10-13-57>

***** PRIVATE: Cassandra
>>>>>[With the same stipulations as before, yes, the offer is open.

As to the fortifications.  I would be willing to say it would stand up to
all but the most determinded assaults.  We arent the vault at LSS but
most people arent willing to walk into an area where everyone carries a live
weapon at all times and are drilling 75% of their day.  If the people
are you attempting to be away from are that type, then, we might
not be able to keep them away from you.  They will sustain heavy losses
in the attempt, I can assure you of that.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <05:37:14 / 10-13-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

*****PRIVATE: cass
>>>>>[I dont think it's tarlon after our last session he said he was going
to europe for a while. I dont think he is comeing back, I scared him a
little if you know what i mean. And the other thing i dont know. Do you think
its smart enough to think of useing an identidy when he went for me he seemed
very single minded. maybe its just someone who knew you when, you know an old
guy how kknew you more then you knew him that kind of thing. just a thought
anyway i cant go anywhere for awhile this is my last post for a little while,
im getting my ally back. big ritual you understand. tell me how this thing
turns out.]<<<<<
         -- Dirk <24:00:22/10-12-57>

*****Private: Cassandra
>>>>>[Have you had anymore problems with the cybertroll.
i have some ideas on how you can handle him.
meet me at >>Time&Place<< hope too see you soon.<<<<<
                          -- dirk <07:41:15/10-13-57

*****Private:Ms. Johnston
>>>>>[I'm trying something different to find the subject.
have had considerable trouble locating her this time.
i am expecting little resitance from her but will be prepared as always.
if all goes as planned you wont have to worry about her for a while.
there was a saying once "watch your enemys closely but watch you
friend's even closer" im hopeing she's never heard it. i enjoy my job
too much.]<<<<<
                  -- The Skull Bearer <07:47:21/10-13-57>

*****Private: Smudge
>>>>>[Dammit. Oh hell, I suppose they'll have to do then... I've agreed to
meet Avenger at >>Encrypted<< by about 01:00:00 tonight. Be there, we all
need to get together and sort this out.]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <15:17:23 GMT/13.OCT.57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[Yep.  Things have become much more positive since ah last saw ya.
Hector's cool, s'far.  An' he's away enough not t'cramp me.

Sorry y'r not goin t'be at the party. D'ya have time t'hang outside o'that?
I don' have many friends ... y'r 'bout as close as I got ... 'cept Ev ...
the girl y'met at sai practice awhile back?]<<<<<
        --  Rosha <10:45:23 PST/10-13-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Skull Bearer
>>>>>[Hmmmm. Very well then.  I have been waiting for your action for
some time now.  Proceed.

I have seen your actions on the other matter I assigned you a few weeks
ago.  You performed well enough to receive a bonus.

+++++credtransfer:  >>encrypted<<

Perhaps I can assist in your efforts to locate the decker. I shall be in
touch.]<<<<<
        -- Ms. Johnston  <10:50:00 PST/10-13-57>

*****PRIVATE: Apollyon
>>>>>[Mr. Minnifield, the officer you had inquired after has been killed
during a training exercise.  Though I am sure this is not how you envisioned
achieving your goals, it has none the less eliminated our state's primary
interest in finding your sister.  I wish you luck in your presumably
continuing efforts to locate her.  Please don't hesitate to contact me if
you require our assistance again.]<<<<<
        --  Adrian Spain  <10:55:52/10-13-57>
            Interning Cultural Liaison, Milwaukee
            United Canadian and American States Government

*****PRIVATE: InfoScholar
>>>>>[Hello. My name is Ms. Johnston.  I have an interest in purchasing
information regarding the location of an attractive, brunette female elf.
She has been known for her skill on the Matrix, and I wish to retain her
services.  However, due to constraining circumstance (from my employer),
I must contact her in person.  Would you be able to assist me in this
matter?]<<<<<
        --  Ms. Johnston  <11:00:00 PST/10-13-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ms. Johnston
>>>>>[There seems to be substantial interest in the person you speak of.
As such, I have ... inquired after her already.  So I may have information
which may assist you.  However, I remain unconvinced about your motivations
for locating her.  You could be the individual who tried to end her life
recently for all I know.  Convince me of your intentions and transfer
>>encrypted<< into <<encrypted>>.  Later this evening, if I am satisfied
with your explanation, will receive your information.  If not, you will
find your donation has been refunded.]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar  <11:05:43 PST/10-13-57>

*****PRIVATE: InfoScholar
>>>>>[My employer has made me aware of the circumstance surrounding
this woman. I apologize for not being better informed.  The following
material had been edited to provide you of the sincerity of my motivations.
However, parts have been deleted to protect the interests of those involved.
You will find that it is a normal dossier for a "shadowrunner" minus
the references to myself, my employer, and the target.

+++++download:  dossedt1.txt

I hope this will provide the 'evidence' you require of my motivations.
If it does not, I will have to find my information elsewhere --
uncharacteristic for someone with you reputation.

As the second matter,

+++++credtransfer:  >>twice encrypted amount<<

Thank you for your attention to this matter.  I look forward to your
reply.]<<<<<
        --  Ms. Johnston <11:10:00 PST/10-13-57>

*****PRIVATE: Valentine
>>>>>[Did you receive my last message.  A large sum of money was involved
in a layered transfer so I want to make sure that you received it.  If you
did not, someone (either at your end ... which I doubt  OR in Shadowland)
has stolen money from both you and I ... which, if true, I say we pool
our resources to correct this individual's error.  Please let me know as
soon as possible.]<<<<<
        --  Apollyon  <11:14:00 PST/10-13-57>

******Private: Bull
>>>>>>[Alright, good to see your crew are holding up, Doc should be able
to cook something up that'll keep the worst of the pain out, and do
something for the kids if thay've got any problems sleeping.  If the
kids come out of better than us oldtimers, it's probably because they
don't fully understand the threat.  Kids have a real nice way of dealing
with things like this.

Interesting to see, what do you call 'em, Mantids seem to be against the
bugs.  You'll have to excuse my ignorance, I've no knowledge of what's
going on in there, I was left here on overwatch by >>encrypted<< to
watch for any potential break outs, and to assist if possible.

This is all new stuff to me, and pretty damn frightening.  Bugs... for
Frags sake!! What is going on here? Where did these things come from, is
it some sort of corp experiment that's gone out of control.

Nah, can't be.

Oh jeez, they're spirits. Bloody hell!  This is too Big...  They didn't
know!...

They use Mages and Shamans, Bull, whatdya mean the USE them?

None of my boys are mages, I've got one coming in.  Inferno, he's about
the best I know.  Real tough guy.  I thought he'd sent the help but he
says no.  Maybe he can answer when he gets here.  We don't always see
eye to eye, but he's *very* good.

Vid sequence 25:  What the frag was that?  Shit I don't what's happening
here.  I only hope it won't be too long before Inferno get's here, he's
the Magic master.  Drek Bull, what have you got yourself involved in
here.  What have I got involved in?

OK, your just a hacker, I have a little more experience on the streets,
used to be special ops, but that's over now, has been for a while, but
I've never met anything like this.

I have a number of people I can call on, but... not until I know more
about this.  I'll contact Inferno and see when he's going to get to our
location.  Maybe he can shed a little light on this thing.  He's
hopefully bringing help, but I don't know who yet.  He's one of the old
school, total professional, but he's got a couple of interesting
foibles.

We've together before, I trust him implicitly.  He may be our one hope
of figuring this out.  I need to contact control with this material, and
see what they want to do next. It may be that we're going to have to
bury you real deep, and figure out a way to make this public. This
cannot remain hidden...  I've got an idea, let me work on it, but the
first and most important thing is to get you out of Chicago.  And
somewhere I can defend you, somewhere I know...  OK, let's get to the
safe house.  Inferno will meet us there.

Keep that data handy Bull.  It's going to be our most powerful weapon in
this.]
      - Dark Avenger <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[Gaddammed bugs.  Gettin' smarter every day.  They've had two
years to weed out the weak hives.  Without the Brotherhood to keep
them together, they've been going at each other.  The dumb hives keep
getting chewed up by the smarter hives, the army and the corp strike
teams.

And don't forget the reports of exceptional numbers of flesh forms.
Even though I'll bet most of those are just extreme low-lifes who've
realized that the bugs are the Only power in the zone.  You want
anything, the bugs have got it.  You want what the bugs have, you
do dirty work for them: start rumors of supply horde, try to get lots
of people together, funnel rumors back to the hive, you don't need
insect spirits to do that, just some scumbags who don't deserve to
call themselves human.

The last time I was dropped into the Zone, I was scared silly.  The
bugs are getting too strong.

Face it, evolution is taking place at an outrageous rate in there.
It has to, resources are so slim.

And, prediction time, watch the aggressive hives.  They've got the
numbers to really put the hurt on the solitaries and the weaker
hives.  I'll bet good money there aren't any Firefly spirits left in
the zone, they don't have the heart to stick around.  The Mantis'll
always be around, they're the most dangerous of all, attitude alone
will keep them going.  The hives that are in torpor will go quickly
too, if they haven't already.

I'll bet a month's wages that by the end of this winter, Ants and
Wasps will be the dominate types.  Maybe the Cockroached, just 'cause
they can live through anything.]<<<<<
        -- Snake <13:45:00 / 10-13-57>

******Private: Dark Avanger, Bull
 >>>>>>[ Confirmed, DA, these beasts are spirits. Repeat, you met spirits.
Can't say I know who send you the elementals, but can confirm a astral
dogfight of several spirits near your LZ. Sorry I couldn't help, had to cover
some chummers on their way in.
These buggers are bad news, watch out.
Bull, you said these were Mantids? Never met 'em buggers before. Did go
against triple enemies. I didn't wait to see who won, though.
Do you need magical/mediacal help out there? Johnson and chummers are were
they wanted to go, I can offer help now. Can't stand if youngsters are under
attack.
Drek, how does one turn off this voice-input &/ ")!SB"S! ]<<<<<
       - Canis <OR:IO:ND/ID-TH-IS>

******Private: Canis
>>>>>>[Thanks Canis, you've just ruined my year.  Where the frag are
these spirits coming from?  I've never seen anything like this.  Bull
tells me Chicago is riddled with 'em, he started telling me some of it,
but we're in transit at the present time.  Things got real hairy in
there for a while. We have astral and spirit cover at this time, but may
need some more strength later, I've got a few things to do to lock the
safe house down, es[ecially now with these things fraggin about in the
area.  We have a couple of non-combatants with us, and would appreciate
any help you can give us to protect them.  Like I said, I've got a Mage
assisting at this time, but I don't want to burn him out, and this is
going to take some time, he can't be expected to maintain an overwatch
continually.  It wouldn't be fair on him.  Contact Inferno on
>>enrypted<< and chat to him.  I'll run a scan from here on the ground.
We are relocating to >>encrypted<< and I would personaly like to see you
and talk.  Welcome to the team Canis, nice to see you again.]<<<<<
      - Dark Avenger <**:**:**/**-**-**>

******Private: Dark Avanger, Inferno
>>>>>>[ Always glad to help, DA. Especially to get non-combatants out of the
line of fire. Will send astral help ASAP, expect arrival of a ghost within a
few minutes. I myself will follow as fast as I can, but I will have to shift
my meat bod somewhere near the area. Can't offer much firepower, so I will
stay clear of your safe house for now.
Let me know if you want the next year ruined, too, I have some more news about
those spirits, we have faced 'em before. Cost me an arm and a leg (well, the
leg was just wounded...) Against these beasts the whole mankind is a single
pack and should act together.
Sorry, didn't manage to contact Inforno directly, I'm not really skilled on
this wirebox, most of the decking part does a chummer (You will have noticed
him in the time stamp). Ask him to set up a ward, or at least one of their
strange pentagramms or whatever those mages call it. should help.
Pay's as last time: A package of cigarettes. Good to be aboard with some old
chummers.  ]<<<<<
       - Canis <OR:IO:ND/ID-TH-IS>

*****Private: Invasion_force.1
>>>>>[Welcome Canis.... Now, what's going on... DA. Where are you? I've not
heard from you in a while? How's Bull? Oh, and I don't want to be ominous,
but I think we need a serious talk when I get there. I should be there by
midnight.]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <21:50:01 GMT/13.OCT.57>

*****Private: Inferno
>>>>>[ My arrival will be delayed. Someone broke my netsecurity sez my
decker. Expect Okami to be at Dark Avanger's safehouse, keeping astral watch.
With her will be a spirit of the skies.
Oh, one more thing - please don't adress Okami as "it", although she's a
spirit, she's a bit touchy here. Thanx. ]<<<<<
       - Canis <22:57:13/10-13-57>

*****Private: Dark Avanger
>>>>>[ Have someone check your dataline checked. My decker sez someone routed
back some trace programm (whatever that is) and did a report. Orion sez it
must have orginated near your current position. He sez he's sure all is safe
again, but how can electrons running through cables ever be safe? Better be
careful. ]<<<<<
       - Canis <23:01:02/10-13-57>

******Private: Inferno
>>>>>>[Inferno, thank god, your back.  Thanks for the cover.  If there
was anything up there, it looks like the elemental held it off.  We've
arrived at the safe house, my people are just locking the site down now.
As soon as it's secured we;ll be in.  Bull's fine, though very quiet.  I
think the strain of what he's been through is beginning to tell on him.
He's a big guy, and tough as nails, but...  hell a person can only take
so much.

About that serious talk, you are NOT wrong my friend.  There is some
serious drek coming down here, and I have no idea what it is or how to
deal with it.  Canis says he's got a line on some of this drek, but I
won't know more until he gets here.  He's sending some astral help to
give you a break, kinda take the pressure of you a bit.  We have some
*interesting* vidcam recordings for you to watch.  I won't say any more
about this until you get here, but it's pretty scary stuff.  OK pal, see
you soon. I hope we can get out of this one, it's some serious drek.  If
the situation inside the CZ is as bad as Bull says, then it looks like
we've not only got these Bug things to worry about, but Gov. too.  You
might want to rethink that payment request. <grin>]<<<<<<
      - Dark Avenger <**:**:**/**-**-**>

*****Private: Invasion_force.1
>>>>>[DA! Thank god! you were out of contact for too long!!!!! I think you
should start using the alias I'm building.

+++++Include: Alias: Invasion_force.1

Use that. Then everyone who's in on it will know what's happening. Now,
what's this you said about vid footage???]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <22:26:12 GMT/13.OCT.57>

******Private: Canis
>>>>>>[Canis, check your deck, you might have a trace....  Lose the
.sig. Some in the CZ area have used this to trace people.  Thanks for
the astral, will tell Inferno he can relax a tad.  If what Bull says is
true, then we might need magical rather than mundane firepower, so you
may be of more use than you realise.  Will inform you when safe house is
secured.

Any news you can provide regarding these *bugs* will be much
appreciated, only Bulls people know much about them, and they're pretty
beaten up, we can't do much until they've healed somewhat. Tha way you
say that, it sounds like these... things, are a bit of threat.  Would
appreciate anything you know, that will help us to overcome the present
problem.  Like I said, I have a serious lack of experience in the team
at this time, and could do with people who know what we're up against.
I will co-ordinate the effort, but it's hard work without knowing what
I'm up against.  One pack of the usuals waiting here for your arrival
<grin> Thanks Canis, good to have you along.  Now if I can find a couple
of the other old timers, we might have a chance with this, situation.]
      - Dark Avenger <**:**:**/**-**-**>

*****PRIVATE: Ms. Johnston
>>>>>[Having received your file and reviewing it thoroughly, I can find some
 holes in your strategy, but that's your concern.  It was a convincing piece
of work for your purposes with me.  And the payment you enclosed was a
pleasant surprise.

Therefore, you'll find the x's and o's of the data you requested in
this file.

+++++download: cassadd1.txt

Her residence is more secure than normal living arrangements would be, but
you should be able to use the address above to make your approach and
proposition.  Good luck!  With the plans I saw, you'll probably need
it!]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar  <17:49:44/10-13-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Skull Bearer
>>>>>[I have procured the primary target's address for you.  Do your
best, or is that, 'your worst?']<<<<<
        --  Ms. Johnston  <17:51:00/10-13-57>

*****Private: Inferno
>>>>>>[Inferno, when you approach the safe house you will be challenged
reply >>encrypted<< or I'm afraid the guy on outlook may fire on you.
This would not be a good thing. We're all a bit nervous up here, and
getting twitchier by the minute.  Seems we've got another decker lurking
somewhere in the area, he's been trying to trace me and Canis.  My
decker is hunting him now, so I'll haop off, and leave him in peace.
Talk to you when you get here]<<<<<
      - Dark Avenger <23:20:14/10-13-57>

*****Private: Invasion_force.1
>>>>>[Willco old chap, sorry about the delay in contact, I figured that
with some of the things that have been happening here, it might be a
good idea to take the long route around, check for tails and suchlike.
Seems we're in the clear, but my Decker can't find this lurker. He's
very good, one of the best, but this other fella has got himself
concealed somewhere.  Never mind, we'll find him, and waste him.  C'mon
home Inferno, Coffee's hot.]<<<<<
      - Dark Avenger <23:20:14/13-10-57>

*****Private: Dark Avenger
>>>>>[Password received and understood.... I'll be there about midnight.
Hopefully]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <23:03:43 GMT/13.OCT.57>

n 13 Oct 96 at 22:43, Dark Avenger wrote:
*****PUBLIC:
>>>>>[ I am looking for a Decker aliased Pegasus. He broke some real good
security protocols and even destroyed a cross-referenced demon that changed
time stamps through several RTGs.
I have some private questions to him (her?), so if anyone can give me a
pointer towards him (her?), it'd be appreciated. Rewards will be paid.
I want this Arschloch that burnt my system! ]<<<<<
        -- Orion (00:15/10-13-57)

*****Internal: Long Distance Phone Call
>>>>>[From: Canis (NA/UCAS-SEA-2206-xxxx-xxxx)
     To: <Unknown User> (NA/CAS-SB-0199-xxxx-xxxx) <relay>
     To: <Unknown User> (NA/AZ-SU-4242-hihi-hihi) <relay>
     To: <Unknown User> (NA/TT-0001-1111-1111) <relay>
     To: Dark Avanger <garbled access number>

Hoi, Dark. Hope you have this phone still running. This is a tape
calling you, I don't trust this stupid Matrix thing. Orion stopped his hunt
for the Decker that screwed us just long enough to make this call somewhat
untraceable. Let's hope the best.

The chase that strange Pegasus gave us took some time, but expect me to arrive
within 36 hours. Astrally, that is.

Okami reports one of the children with you is magically active. She sez the
kid is quite powerful.  Ask Inferno to keep her - its the girl - within a ward
to avoid unwanted attraction.

Should a woman, a wolf or a raven appear within your safehouse before Inferno
arrives, don't be too concerned. It should be Okami. I hope. Well, be a bit
concerned, might be someone else.

Well, I am off now, gotta cover some Spuren, err, tracks. Oh, if you gotta
contact me, try the voice box at NA/UCAS-MW-0000-1111. Orion sez it will
encrypt anything comming in and burn any traces. Well, should do. Damn Matrix.
]<<<<<
        --  Canis (00:57:56/10-13-57)

*****PRIVATE:  Appolyon
>>>>>[Yes, sir, I did recieve your generous donation, and as such,
retribution of any sort will obvoiusly not be required.  Thank you very
much, and look forward to meeting your sister at the party, and yourself
at a later date.]<<<<<
        --  Valentine <17:46:27/10-13-57>

*****Private: Canis
>>>>>>[Quite possible, as far as I've been told there is a person
hanging in on our conversations.  my guy says it's some dude from the
gov. but I don't know.  He's had a trace that has been altering my mail
a tad, and says no-one is tapped in, but there's definately somebody
listening.  Will be ready for your arrival when you come up the drive
you will be challenged answer >>encrypted<< or I'm afraid the guy will
probably waste you.  We're all a little nervous up here at the moment,
and the guys are getting twitchy trigger fingers.]<<<<<<
      - Dark Avenger <23:10:14/10-13-57>

*****Internal: Long Distance Phone Call
>>>>>[ From: Dark Avenger (NA/UCAS-CHI-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx)
     To: Canis <NA/UCAS-MW-0000-1111>
Have phone running, sorry Orion couldn't trace the SOB.  OK, will
expect your arrival in that time.  We should be heading out within 72
hrs to >>Encrypted<< would like to meet you physically at this time.
Will inform Inferno of this development regarding the child. And a word
with Bull.]
      - Dark Avenger <01:02:14/10-14-57>

*****Private: Inferno
>>>>>[ Good to hear that Inferno, you're needed.  By the way, are you
still into cookies with your cuppa?  If you need an escort let me know,
I've got two guys I can spare to bring you home]<<<<<
     -- Dark Avenger <23:31:07/13-10-57>

>>>>>[Ryuga, trends are everything as far as the market is concerned.
 you are right, a trend like this is VERY disturbing. Smart money says
that every trader on Wall Street is chain-smoking and gulping soykaf
nervously because they're wondering what surprises next week's trading
day will bring. With about 8 hours to go before the New York market opens,
the tension is probably extremely high right now. None of them are probably
sleeping well, if they are at all. The suits are scared out of their minds.

In fact, the trader whose apartment window I can see into (with the aid
of a good pair of binoculars) has been pacing all night, watching the
newsfeeds and apparently fighting with his wife once every hour. He's
on his second pot of soykaf and is almost done with his first pack
of smokes. He just hung up the telecom- probably talking with his boss.
He knows he's in trouble tommorrow. I have a good idea just how bad
it's going to be for him.]<<<<<
        -Dark Elf <**:**:**/**-**-**>

*****PRIVATE:  Dark Avenger
>>>>>[Ok DA...  Here's a rundown on what we know for all you outside the
CZ...  Basically, there has been an invasion into Earth by some really nasty
spirits being called Insect Spirits, as they tend to reflect similar insects
here on earth.  Here, take a look at this file that has been distributed
among the CZ for a while now.  This explains a lot, and should give you some
idea about what it's like inside.

+++++File Bug.Cty >>Chicago, City under Seige<< transferred

As far as we can tell, the Mantis spirits are hunting down the other Bugs.
As a Shaman once said, "As above, so below".  Here, real Mantids hunt other
insects...  This seems to hold true with the spirits...  We've gotten to
know a little more than i would have liked about the Mantis spirits, but
that's something Johnny will have to tell you when he gets the chance.  He
was...  real close to one of them once...  Long story, though chummer, and
not mine to tell...

No probs about the ignorance, pally...  Seems Ucas and Ares are real keen on
keeping Bug City (Chicago's Nickname in teh CZ) under wraps...  They fed us
that Viras scam too when the wall went up, but...  That's not something you
hide real well....

Give your employer my regards and my thanks, and tell them that if they want
anything on the city, they've got it, on the condition that it get's out to
the public...

BTW, tell your employer that aiding every breakout attempt may not be a good
idea, at least not without heavy astral backup and recon.  As you can see
from the Bug City file, they can look very human.

I really don't know where they came from...  That's something to ask a
Shaman, and good luck getting a straight answer.  No one knew inside, and
it's a good bet no one knows outsaide.  And the bugs ain't talking.  I'll
tell you one thing, it's not a corp.  At least not directly.  I have my
suspicions that things may have been helped along by certain individuals,
but for now I won't say anything, as I don't know for sure.

Apparently, unlike other Shamans, the spirits actually control the Shaman,
rather than the Shaman works with and for the totem.  These are alien to all
known magic.  And they should be unable to use Mage powers.  they should be
Shamanic only, but they are...  ask a mage for a good definition on those,
cause I can't give it.  I don't really understand the magic drek myself. And
as I said, get all the magical help you can get.

Show Inferno the Vid Sequences when you get a chance...  He'll understand
them better.  And you, my friend, have gotten involved in some big time bad.
Unfortunately, I'm right there too, so...<grin>

Please don't discount me as your average hacker.  i've seen my share of the
streets.  Granted, the keyboard is my home turf, but I can hold my own.  You
can count on me if things get thick and hairy.

Please post that file to everyone concerned with this operation, as well as
your employer.  This needs to be known.  Also, we need to be careful, as I
believe several of the spirits after our party may have escaped the CZ
during our fight.  Thanx.]<<<<<

        -Bull  (03:43:21/10-14-57)

*****Private: Invasion_force.1
>>>>>[Hello all.  I just wanted to say hi to those of you I haven't met yet.
My name is Bull, and I've just left teh Chicago CZ, and I am kissing the
Bug-Free ground as we speak.  For those of you unfamiliar with what is truly
happening inside the CZ, here's a file that was compiled inside.  Please
read it and distribute it to all your friends.  The word most go out.

+++++File Bug.Cty >>Chicago, City under Seige<< transferred

There you go.  Please read that and----  >>message interupted<<

*****Mirrors Program Operating.
*****Routing.
*****Routing.
*****Trace Defeated.

Dammit!  Some fraggin' decker tried to trace that file transfer...  I got
rid of him, but he's good.  Watch out Boys and Girls...  someone's watching
us closely.

Well, I look forward to meeting you all.  Thanks.]<<<<<
        -Bull (03:56:57/10-14-57)

*****PRIVATE:  Black Knight
>>>>>[Sir, I just picked this up off shadowland.  I believe it's that decker
we've been watching.  I managed to defeat his trace without him knowing.
Here's a copy of the file, as well as one he was sending out.

+++++File Bull.1, Encrypted

+++++File Bug.Cty, Encrypted

Anything else, sir?]<<<<<
        -Black pawn (04-01-52/10-14-57)

***** INTERNAL: Serenity - Overwatch
>>>>>[ I wasn't suggesting that we invoke it at this time, only that we

As for Nightmare being the 'friend' .. it's hard to say.  Jason hasn't
received any mail from Nightmare recently, but that's not proof positive.
I just don't know. ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <10:51:34/10-14-57>

***** PRIVATE: Valentine
>>>>>[  Tristiana and I will be there .. wouldn't miss the party for the
world.  ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <party/animal>

***** PRIVATE: Serenity Deckers
>>>>>[ Why'd he hafta go and do that.  He _knows_ we're going to be
tempted as hell to play with that encryption.  Sorry, guys, I'm not
going to make that game of Jungle Battle X2 tonight.  I'm going to
be busy.. ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <12:03:58/10-14-57>

>>>>>[DA! Bull! Anyone!!!!! Where are you?]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <17:48:32 GMT/15.OCT.57>

Personal:Inferno
>>>>>>[Im here Inf whats the problem?]<<<<<
    -- Smudge <18:04:45/15:10:57>

*****Private: Smudge
>>>>>[No problem now. Panic's over. I thought I'd lost 'em for a moment, but
I'm there now. (I got delayed a bit.....)]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <18:30:14 GMT/15.OCT.57>

*****PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[Inferno, I read you load and clear]<<<<<
        -Wells (10:38:22/10-14-57)

*****PRIVATE:  Inferno
>>>>>[I got your message, Inferno.  What's wrong?  We are still waiting for
you at >>Place<< but cannot wait much longer.  Please respond.]<<<<<
        -Bull (12:50:26/10-15-57)

>>>>>[New York market dropping like a stunned falcon? Oh, goody, time to
build up my stock portfolio again. Buy cheap, sell dear, be rich and
happy. Even I know that much.

A friend tells me that the London markets are just pegging New York:
there doesn't seem to be any downward momentum there that he's noticed.
Yet. He tried to explain it all to me, but it made my head hurt:
basically he doesn't think it's an accident and he (and everyone else)
is trying to figure it out so they can ride it out and make money on its
back.

Good luck to him, is all I can say. As long as I still come out ahead in
the long run, I'm happy.

Oh, by the way, any samurai want to make some easy money and have some
fun? I'm recruiting OPFOR, we want people to be "the enemy" for a
training exercise. Money's >>encrypted<< and all expenses are paid, plus
there's going to be a hell of a post-exercise party. You just need to be
reasonably clean with the British government (no major warrants
outstanding).]<<<<<
        -- The Mighty Quinn <18:00:15/10-14-57>

>>>>>[Hey, Quinn, you need ony physicals, or would a couple mages help
you out a bit?

I'd be happy to send a small detatchment of my people to give you a good run
for your money.

Dianna's group (formerly AJ's group) is also really good to train against.  They
are the people I call when I want to give the Serenity workouts a little
spice.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <20:37:26 / 10-14-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

>>>>>[Unfortunately, all of us have some rather unpleasant warrants for our
arrest in Britain.  They've always taken poorly to our supplying the
various metahumans with a signifigant percentage of thier weapons.  Of
course, we don't do that anymore, but the statute of limitations has a
LONG time before it runs out.  Sorry, no dice.]<<<<
        --  Diana, Mistress of the Night <15:00:51/10-14-57>

>>>>>[My team, on the other hand, is always in need of professional
training.  Fighting minor warlords in Africa is hardly what I would
describe as a challenge.]<<<<<
        --  Skull <15:02:06/10-14-57>

***** PRIVATE: The Might Quinn
>>>>>[ How large a team of hostiles are you looking for, and what type of
scenarios do you have in mind? ]<<<<<
        -- Imp <16:43:26/10-14-57>

***** PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[ How would you feel about setting the new FRT squad up as the hostiles
in Quinn's training excercise.  It'll be great training for the team. ]<<<<<
        -- Imp <16:50:30/10-14-57>

>>>>>[I can vouch for Skull and his group as well.  They are quite
professional and are good at doing what they say they are going to do.

It would be a pleasure to work with your group again.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <21:06:10 / 10-14-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: The Might Quinn
>>>>>[Sure.  Go and do this when I already have a job.  Actually, the way
things are looking now, I might end up near Britain.  If you give me a
number I can stop by when this job is finished.

Oh, and if you see Lilith soon, tell her that she'll have a full report on
my doings for the last week and a half in a few hours.  Things have been too
busy lately to send anything off.  Thanks.]<<<<<
        -- Blade <18:26:26/10-14-57>

>>>>>[The Zone's getting worse, true enough. The gangs are getting more
and more blatant, the bugs better and better organised, and Snake's
right - they seem to be learning how to use collaborators as well as
their own sort. Basically, any time you go in there, you virtually have
to consider anything moving to be hostile. If it wasn't hostile, it
would be hiding from you.

A few groups are still ferrying weapons, ammo, trained bodies in, trying
to protect a few enclaves. Some of those enclaves are getting lifted out
now, a few dozen at a time, but it's a drop in the bucket compared to
how many people got caught inside the Wall. Must be over half a million
dead now, and winter's going to kill a lot of the remaining survivors:
no heat, no power, never enough food.

It's harder and harder to find airdrop sites where the food actually
reaches those that need it, and casualties among the strike units who
try to enforce distribution are getting to unacceptable levels. Manning
the CZ is bleeding us white.

I still think that, within a year, there'll be so many bugs and so few
peoples that we'll be left with just nerve-gassing the whole city with
thickened VX and killing everything inside. I can't see any other
option, against the numbers and strength of the insects in there, other
than just keeping the Wall manned.]<<<<<
        -- Lynch <17:50:42/10-14-57>

>>>>>[Can't you fools see that the whole bug fiasco is nothing but a vile
meta-"human" conspiracy?]<<<<<
        --  Dominique Vega  <15:47:51/10-14-57>
            Communications
            Humanis Policlub, Seattle

>>>>>[ Inferno, this is Orion speaking. Canis and I are on the run. We  are
physically near the mentioned place. We had severe problems, someone was
following us.

Canis took care of the pursuers, but it took him out cold. But it was a nice
firework, if I may say so. Our arrivial will be delayed, I fear.

Watch out, there seems to be a real heatwave coming down, and your...
operation is the only one we are connected to that might be the reasons. Watch
security protocols on all channels, even private and/ or encrypted ones. Looks
like this Pegasus-Arsch was better then I thought.

How is your team? Any casualities yet?  ]<<<<<
        -- Orion <00:37/10-15-57>

>>>>>[Hello Orion.  Nice to trace, err...  meet you.  I'll be seeing you.
BTW, for future reference, you shouldn't post private transmissions on the
public post.  Very, very sloppy.  But don't stop on my account.  It makes my
job sooo much easier <g>.]<<<<<
        -- Black Pawn (18:40:29/10-14-57)

*****PRIVATE: Blademaster
>>>>>[Thanks for a good evening. You do know there's a pack of vampires
following you around? They buttonholed me while I was waiting by my bike
(letting the detox patch burn off the whiskey before I rode anywhere)
and basically said I should stay away from you, unless I wanted to make
some money killing you and some of your friends.

I do so love people who do their research before they threaten people...
anyway, I was polite and didn't give them an excuse to start a fight. We
might not be taking long hot showers together, but you're a good guy to
drink with and I don't intend to let any vampires get in the way of a
promising acquaintance.]<<<<<
        -- Lynch <18:07:42/10-14-36>

*****PRIVATE: Spirit
>>>>>[I have a special requirement for some more of your arrows: I need
twenty with wooden heads, or some implementation thereof. The reason, as
you might guess, is that I may have vampire troubles in the near future.
Can you manage those?]<<<<<
        -- Lynch <18:09:24/10-14-57>

*****Private: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[Sounds interesting, and I have a Brittish Passport, the old man was a
ex-pat' who livied in Hong Kong...so I wsa able to get a Brit SIN with no
problem.   And the SIN is clean. contact me @>HERE<]<<<<<
          --Death Jestor (19:01:42/10-14-57

***** PRIVATE: Orion
>>>>>[Excellent to see you are still alive.  I've been a bit worried
about you since your last leave.

So, do you have time to have dinner with myself and possibly a guest?]<<<<<
        -- Kor <02:04:48 / 10-15-57>

>>>>>[To Dearest Darling Vega:

   Eat drek and die.

This has been a public service message from your favourite running duo:
Jen and Gabe. (Nah, we don't usually push PC buttons, but when dipdrek
here opens his hoop and starts spewing, you just have to respond, so
kah?)]<<<<<
        -- Jen and Gabe <22:16:32/10-14-57>

*****PRIVATE TO: InfoScholar
>>>>>[How are you when it comes to confidential information
gathering?

     Even though just getting mail from us should be payment enough, we're
willing to pay >>a lot<< =Y= for a job well done.]<<<<<
       -- Jen and Gabe <22:45:43/10-14-57>

*****PRIVATE TO: Jennifer and Gabriel
>>>>>[My services do extend into the less than well known.  How secure
the information, and where my particular sources are placed have a great
deal to do with my success.

As in most situations, the more nY you spread, the more success is achieved.

What are you interested in?  And how badly (?? nY) do you want to know?]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar  <23:03:37/10-13-57>

>>>>>[Obviously, Jen and Gabe are either demons or the flunkies of demons.
Which is worse?]<<<<<
        --  Dominique Vega <21:08:26/10-14-57>
            Communications
            Humanis Policlub, Seattle

*****Invasion_Force.1 :Open broadcast. Headset radio
>>>>>[Sorry to leave you like that people, something needed to be
sorted.  An idea I had about our opponents seems to be panning out.
Have set a small trap for them. I'm hoping my people will be able to
delay them long enough for us to get Bull and company out.  I'll have to
leave you in charge for no Inferno.  I'm gonna run interference, don't
know when, or if I'll make it back.  Keep the coffee hot, let me know
were you take everybody.  I'm going to get the Boppers that are tagging
our butts. Recommend you bug out from safe house.  It might get a little
warm in there soon.  Sorry to do this to you Inferno, but circunstances
demand my personal attention. In case I don't see you again.  It was
nice knowing you.]<<<<<
      -- Dark Avenger <19:36:13/15.10.57>

***** PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[Ok, I would like to have that job. Consider me as having officially
accepted that offer of employment. What are the details...when is the next
session of your training camp? Thanks.]<<<<<
        -- Cassandra <23:12:14 / 10-14-57>

***** PRIVATE: Cassandra
>>>>>[Come in now!

I need to get some sleep, but you can stay at my place for now, and when
I get up later this afternoon Ill drive you over to the training facility.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <06:32:36 / 10-15-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

>>>>>[He who shouts loudest generally has something to hide, Dominique.]<<<<<
        -- JayCee <09:50:35 / 10-15-95>

>encryption / hidden<
+++++ Download Trailer v2.02b: target Vega, Dominique
>encryption off/ hidden off<

>>>>>[Part of the reason for fluctuating the markets might be to cause a
stampede of people moving shares around.  I don't like the way that one
stablises and another goes... sooner or later they'll all go. I think.

Regarding Lynch's comment on the Zone and annhilating everything in it:

It might not be a bad idea, but some of those bugs plan, and well.  I have
a deep suspicion that somewhere in all the people coming out are some mixed
collaborators. Hellfire - even a few good flesh forms.  Eventually there
will be little pockets everywhere outside the wall as well.  Winter might
be too late.]<<<<
        -- JayCee <09:52:37 / 10-15-95>

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[ Huh? Not that I have ever been known to turn down an offer for a
dinner, but I am quite sure here's a mistake...

I am relatively new to this region, have haunted the CalFree Shadowland BBS so
far. But if that doesn't keep you from inviting me... *grin*

After I get that Arsch who blew my system, of course. You don't happen to know
someone named Pegasus, do you? ]<<<<<
        -- Orion <12:48:36/10-15-57>

>>>>>[ Black Pawn (yup, this is going public, too, so even your bosses can
read what I think of you) it was fully intentionally I set it up public. What
use is it to

+++++ Trace IC detected....
+++++ Relocate Stardust activated...
+++++ Relocating...
+++++ Trace IC defeated.
+++++ Stardust Report: Trace Benchmark: 5
                       Trace Location: NA/UCAS-MW (98.2 %)
                                  LTG: 3312 (47.1 %)
                               Access: 7834 (0.9 %)

What, that's all? What use it is to hide the data stream if Pegasus is still
on my hoop? I didn't offer any data you shouldn't have had for a long time if
you were earning your money, slavedeck. But enjoy.

Who are you working for, anyway? ]<<<<<
        -- Orion <10:43:13/10-15-57>

>>>>>[Yeah Vega, we're demons. Now acquire a brain cell before we toast
your pink ass.]<<<<<
        -- Jen and Gabe <10:14:54/15-10-57>

*****PRIVATE TO: InfoScholar
>>>>>[We're looking for the happenings around an incident we were
supposedly responsible for:

   A few months back a certain research executive was (supposedly) killed
in his home. Null persp -- We care not. But the walking fasion-disasters
who were pretending to be us did a good enough job that the nobrained
execs of that corp decided to blame us. The basic information regarding
this event was posted to Shadowland -- so you've got a running start.

Requirements: Who. When. Where they are now. How... And that this
investigation remain entirely confidential.]<<<<<
        -- Jen and Gabe <10:21:23/15-10-57>

>>>>>[ Well maybe not demons, but definitely corporate backed.  Not all that
much difference, the way I see it. ]<<<<<
        -- Tangent <10:25:37/10-15-57>

>>>>>[Tangent:

   Disturbingly competent != corporate backing. At least not in our
case...

 Now stop trying to cover up for your own inadiquacies by insulting
your betters.]<<<<<
        -- Jen and Gabe <10:32:14/15-10-57>

>>>>>[ Any time, any place, Jen & Gabe. ]<<<<<
        -- Tangent <11:15:15/10-15-57>

>>>>>[Jen and Gabe may be flunkies of demons(whichever corp is backing
them, of course), but whichever is worse is obvious.

Choose one of the following:

A:  Demons
B:  Flunkies of demons

I choose C, _you're_ worse.

Have a nice day.]<<<<<
        --  Slash <09:28:18/10-15-57>

>>>>>[Disturbingly competent you two are not.  Tangent's and my teams have
had the opportunity to run up against each other on occasion, and I
assure you that what we've been through would have left you both dead,
or at least so far from life that cybermancy or HMHVV would have been
required too bring you back.

I'm surprised your handlers let you out so soon.  It's obvious that your
embarressing episode which was so publically distributed disturbed them
enough to call you home for a full debriefing.

It's unfortunate that they didn't call you home permanently.]<<<<<
        --  Skull <09:35:23/10-15-57>

>>>>>[ Although I don't know who they were, I wish tooffer my condolence to
the families and friends of the people who died today in a black Westwind at
about 09:30 hours. I think their death was unneccessary and their employers
are to blame who gave orders rather to shoot at us then let us escape.

I acted in self defence, but do feel really sorry for the death of these - as
I have no reason to doubt - valuable and brave people. I mean it, I feel
sorry.

To those who sent them out to follow us. Such attempts will not be taken
lightly, and opposition should be expected, although I don't normally try to
kill of employees. Please be in the vehicle yourself, next time. Thank you.  ]<<<<<
        -- Canis <16:37:27/10-15-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_force.1
>>>>>[ Ah, finally Orion set up this Alias-Thingy for me. Good...

To all, as I suppose Orion has already informed you, we have been followed by
a car when we were closing in towards Chicago. After we nearly managed to
shake them, they opened fire, using some kind of assault rifle. I was forced
to use a spell to stop the car, unfortunately it was a bit... strong.

Orion said the Westwind nearly dissolved into its parts, a behaviour that's
not clever at a speed of more then 200 kilometers per hour. I don't want to
cite what Orion said, he's a bit tactless sometimes, but I take it the
passengers were immediately dead. He said there was nothing left to examine,
plus the "show" (his word, not mine) did attract too much attention, so he
made our gettaway.

Can someone point me to who is tracking us this effectivly? The Wichsers need
to be stopped ASAP!

I will not join the team right now, not until time has shown we really did
loose all followers. Instead, I will do a quick trip to where the battle with
the bugs took place. Maybe I have a chance to find traces of these strange
elementals. This means I will need Okami, so you'll have to take full astral
cover, Inferno. Is there any help nearby you can draw to your aid?

Avanger, good luck for you, too. Sorry, I don't dare to come near the
safehouse now, can't assist you. But don't be so pessimistic: You GOT to get
out there: You are owing me a pack of cigarettes! So cover yourArsch, damit!
Got that?

Bull, Orion sez someone might be not only tracing the messages we leave here,
but may even be deciphering them. Is this possible? When will you be in a
position safe enough to examine? Orion will be needed to cover my meatbod, so
he can't do it himself. ]<<<<<
        -- Canis <16:44:33/10-15-57>

>>>>>[NASDAQ continued to take it's lumps yesterday, but is back to
normal today. Now AMEX is taking the hit. I'd be stating the obvious
if I said it looks like someone is nailing each of the major
domestic markets for two days in a row...

Anyway, I think I've found another pattern in the Tacoma kidnappings.
Most of the kidnappings are just random, designed to throw off
pursuit. BUT If you look closely at three specific cases, you'll
note that they occurred the day before each of the three domestic
stock markets crashed. Coincidence... doubt it. I've got a frame
sorting through birth records and current adresses of relatives
stored in several different public databases. Unfotunately, it's going
to take a few days to get a good picture of what's going on, and by
then, the damage may already be done.]<<<<<
        -Dark Elf <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[Ah, it's great to be back. Once again, all of Seattle has a
yardstick to compare itself to.

Although we are left wondering: What DID Skull have to do without us
around? You can only posture with yourself for so long... (After that, it
gets immoral)]<<<<<
        -- Jen and Gabe <12:57:43/10-15-57>

>>>>>[Tangent: If you are sooooo certain of your abilities, why not take a
brief jaunt down to Actechnology tonight? Get as far below the arcology as
you can. When you get there, you'll find out why...]<<<<<
        -- Jen and Gabe <12:57:43/10-15-57>

*****PRIVATE TO: Jen and Gabe
>>>>>[Do you two EVER shut up?]<<<<<
        -- Ghost Mailer <CORRUPT/CORRUPT>

>>>>>[The only demon here is you Vega. Take your crap and your ass
somewhere outta my way or you might find an un-happy ork runnin over you
in your own car(if ya gots one!). Or maybe I'll just nukle your house
while you're inside. Take care of the whole problem. But wait, I forgot,
that racist bullshit is an excuse to make good natured orks like me do
stuff like that so we can become a more plausible target for
"extermnination of the demons!". Well, care to try exterminating this
one?]<<<<<
        --  Hit and Run  <13:10:32/10-15-57>

>>>>>[Shields, I've seen a few of those kids you were talkin' bout few
weeks back.  Chased one, a girl, into an alley in Belltown on the
Waterfront.   Ya know, down by Post Alley?   Anyways, the kid
frickin' vanished.   You sure we ain't chasin' spirits.   I'm
pretty beefed, and that girl was bookin']<<<<<
     -- Guido <10:20:32 / 10-15-57>

>>>>>[WHOA!!!! Guido, hey, there's a voice from the past.  Last I knew,
you were in CFS somewhere.  San Diego?   What brings you back to
Seattle?  So, how far from Post Alley were you?   Basilisk still
needs to look at the wiring stuff we got from the dead kid.   Send
me whatever info you've got, Guido.]<<<<<
     -- Shields < 10:23:43 / 10-15-57 >

***** PRIVATE: Canis
>>>>>[No casualties yet, but my suspitions are building. Get here. I think I
might need a mage before I reveal what I suspect!!!]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <19:18:22 GMT/16.OCT.57>

***** PRIVATE: Jason RW Lynch
>>>>>[A short while ago you and I discussed a matter that might have had
the need to come to the attention of your superiors.  I have, unfortunately,
recently been informed that that matter has come to an unnatural close.

Wilkenson, also known in the shadows as Stampede, is dead.

I suspect internal, but its not my place to dig into UCAS matters any further
than necessary to fulfil my contract to my charge.

I'd like to thank you, both personally, and corporately, for your help and
the help of your agency.  I hope we will be able to work together again
in the future.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <17:48:34 / 10-15-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

***** INTERNAL: Serenity Field Officers
>>>>>[One of our newest recruits, L. E. Brody also known as Cassandra, is
coming in a bit on the hot side.  I dont know who or what is following her
but Ill take a good field op anyway I can get one.

I would, however, like to know what the hell we are going to be in for when
the proverbial shit, hits the fan.

Get out there and find out, 'k?]<<<<<
        -- Jason <17:59:52 / 10-15-57>

>>>>>[As if immoral has ever stopped Skull.  Or you two, for that matter.

But if you're really interested in learning what Skull and the rest of our
unit were up to, here's a list.

Desert training in Somalia
Jungle warfare in the Ivory Coast
Concealed naval assault in Indonesia(you'll forgive me if I don't mention where)
Aiding the Yucatan resistance
Submarine combat training in Hawaii
Airborne training over the Rocky Mountains, Pueblo Training Grounds,
Algonkian-Manitou icefields, and the Togo jungles.
Weapons testing for 4 corporations.
Night combat drops over 4 continents
And 6 other combat operations which will not be discussed.]<<<<<
        --  Fat Chance <12:34:05/10-15-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_force.1
>>>>>[Hmmm, better make sure we're not traced on this...

+++++Download Anti-Trace Program  Re-route_66.exe

+++++Begin Re-route 66.exe

Ok people, it's me again...  Things have ben a bit busy around here
lately...  Ok, I've gotten a lock on our tracer...  Managed to follow him
home before I got detected and had to burn him down.  Seems that Black Pawn,
I believe he's a friend of yours Orion?  <grin>, works for Ares or the UCAS
governement, not sure which.  They seem to be working jointly on this, so
the decker could have belonged to either of them.  Also, seems taht there is
more than one Black Pawn.  All their slave-deckers use that handle, I believe...

Also, I have not been able to track down *anything* on this Pegasus fellow.
I even managed to contact an old decking buddy from down Atlanta way, and
he's never geard of the guy.  And Spinning Diamond's been running teh
shadows and the electron highways since I was born.  Either this Pegasus is
extremly new, or he's VERY good.

Canis, Orion...  Good job handling that tailer.  The deaths are regretable,
but we seem to have gotten involved in something that at least two parties
want left alone, and the play for keeps.

Keep yourself hidden, Canis...  We look forward to seeing you, but if
tehy're following you that closely, go to ground for now...  If you need
supplies, call a Dwarf named goober at >>encrypted<< and tell him I sent ya
and that he should bill me for the supplies.  he can get ya just about any
hardware you may need.  Just tell him that "Bull owes him a Mox" for the
supplies and he'll know what you're talking about.

As for the astral, Johnny's back on his feet and eager for some payback, so
we should have enough magical support between him, Inferno, Daytripper, and
Xuxa...  You keep your own rear covered on this one.

IYeah, we've been made several times, but i am currently re-routing the
signals now that I have my equipment running again.  the trace shouldn't
happen again.

Ok people, we look forward to seeinbg you all when we can.  Hopefully we'll
all be able to meetup soon.

+++++End program Re-route_66.exe]<<<<<
        -- Bull <14:13:37/10-15-57>

>>>>>[As long as the magicians are happy throwing non-lethal stuff,
fine. Water bombs, stun bolts, illusions, nicely placed barriers... I
find strategically icing over stairs to work well. This is, after all,
only an exercise. Let me know who you intend to send so we can sort out
the visas and whatever.

I'd like to work with Diana - I hear good things about her - but I think
it would be difficult for her and for us to get her and her people in.
This does still involve crossing borders, and is pretty official.]<<<<<
        -- The Mighty Quinn <18:40:31/10-15-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind, Skull, Imp, Blade, Easy, Death Jestor,
Lynch, Lilith
+++++Create alias: Hat Squad
>>>>>[Okay, you're the people (or the leaders of groups) who have
expressed interest in this little hop.

Briefing: we're providing OPFOR to A Company, 3 Para, for a ten-day
exercise based in Whinney Hill training area. We'll basically be playing
ourselves, in both offensive and defensive roles (hostage-takers,
terrorists, armoury raiders, covert infiltrators, snipers, whatever) for
exercise Burning Plain IV, from 22-31 October.

Accomodation: we'll be in quarters in Catterick for most of the
exercise, or sleeping out in the village for a couple of nights. We'll
mostly be eating in the officer's or SNCO's messes (probably end up
being individual choice), so bring your manners :) It's also likely to
be cold, so make sure you take your wooly vest. I'm not kidding about
the weather, this is North Yorkshire in November and it's odds-on to be
wet and windy. Being casevacked with hypothermia is not fun.

Weapons: a slightly tricky issue, the British not being fans of armed
self-defence, and there being very obvious safety implications on an
exercise like this. Basically, the deal is this: we can bring in damn
near anything we like, but no ammunition: training will be with gel
rounds, which they can provide in most common calibres. If you don't
want wear and tear on a personal weapon, there's a passable collection
of firepower there which you can sign out as needed.

For the paranoid, though, I negotiated permission for a handgun each,
plus ammo, for security and defensive purposes (us being rough uncouth
colonials - or colonised - and all), but it goes in the armoury before
you go onto the training area. No live rounds inside the training zone.
Period. And you can't take it off the garrison, either, unless you're
able to negotiate - or have already done so - a FAC "with carriage".

Contact me for details if you think you need this, though I can assure
you that nobody's shot at anyone else in Catterick for years (apart from
a bodged raid on the post office) and I won't be armed off-base.

Money, sum as discussed, plus all medical and repair expenses (this
could be rough, people lose teeth and break bones occasionally), payable
in certified credit on completion. It's not exactly retirement cash, but
the phrase "money for old rope" leaps to mind - we're going to be
shooting guns and jumping out of windows and having fun, there's minimal
risk, and we're getting _paid_ too? :)

Other issues... the Paras are a rather rowdy bunch. Don't take any crap
from them - they'll take the mick out of anyone and everyone, and expect
to get it back in equal measure. When we hit town for the party,
remember British beer's rather stronger than the gnat's piddle they brew
over here. And, in the restaurant, don't worry about the menu, just ask
for the Vindaloo Extra :)

That's it. Comments, questions, ideas?]<<<<<
        -- The Mighty Quinn <19:40:21/10-15-57>

>>>>>[That's the problem, Jen and Gabe. The only way the two of you
manage to survive is by corporate backing... notice the way you were
reeled back in after that hopelessly bodged run?

The people who remind you that you're two overdressed, underskilled
wannabees have established reputations. You two don't (what you say
about yourself doesn't count). What matters is your work, and we've seen
it... and we are _not_ impressed, though your backup is rather good.

Presumably you're meant to be a deniable front. It doesn't work.

We know who you are.

We know who you work for.

We're watching you.]<<<<<
        -- Lilith <19:01:06/10-15-57>

>>>>>[No, the bugs were being bred by Alamos 20,000 who intended to
release them in Tir Taingire, but they screwed up and the bugs got out.
I have evidence to prove it, too.]<<<<<
        -- The Mighty Quinn <18:50:21/10-15-57>

*****PRIVATE: Imp
>>>>>[Team numbers, almost as many as I can get: anything up to thirty
or so will be fine, means we're not all working flat-out if we have
extra people along. If you want to bring a group, great.]<<<<<
        -- The Mighty Quinn <18:45:21/10-15-57>

>>>>>[Lynch has suggested the use of thickened VX toxin to wipe out the
remaining enhabitants of Chicago, or what is now known here as "Bug City."
While this may aid in removing the problem of corporeal life in the city
grounds it suffers from two considerable problems.

The first, is simply mounting the support for such an action.  Only the
UCAS government would be able to mount such an operation (possibly with
the aid of Corporations, but, a corporation would not do this without the
tacit approval of the UCAS).  It is doubtful that they could justify to
their "constituants" the loss of life that that would cause.  Is there not
in the Judeo-Christian tradition a story where their God was asked if he
would destroy a city if there were but a handful of good people left
within it, and he said he would not?  While I believe the UCAS lacks the
reservation of a deity, I don't think they could justify the slaughter of
the innocent with the damned.

The second is that while the bodies of the people within the CZ would be
destroyed, the actual insect spirits themselves could remain free from
harm within the astral plane.  Worse yet, the nature of the VX chemical
would no-doubt render the entire CZ a toxic zone.  The insane rage of a
spirit affected by his domain becoming so polluted, I have been told,
could be far worse than what difficulty exists now.  This is educated
speculation on my part, perhaps some of my magically enclined brethren can
illuminate more on these issues.

All told, the "clensing" of the CZ will not be a viable option until it is
reasonably assured that all attempts to free the unaffected individuals
has been made.  Next, a less toxic method must be found (perhaps napalm
enducing a clensing fire).  Finally, there must be a considerable effort
to simultaneously wipe out the threat that exists outside of mundane
existance.  I only wish that I could some how be a part of it.]<<<<<
        --  WhiteTyger <12:49:43/10-15-57>

>>>>>[Thanks for the vote of confidence, Quinn.  Being blatently illegal
has its disadvantages.  Just keep me in mind for the future.]<<<<<
        --  Diana, Mistress of the Night <13:49:20/10-15-57>

***** PRIVATE: Inferno
>>>>>[ Uh - I thought I did make clear what I think of joining you right now.
But if you insist, I suppose there has to be a good, convincing Grund. OK,
expect my arrival at about 23:30 hours. We will come in in a somewhat battered
grey Nomad, with two fresh holes in the back. And the reason is better Good
with capital "G".

Oh - one more thing... I am NO mage. Please. I follow Wolf, not the strange
totem of higher mathematics.

When you are not at >>Encrypted<<, call me at the number I gave DA. Oh - and
have people out to cover us when we come in - I am still not convinced we
really shook all folowers, although anything is quit right now. Deadly
silent...

We will use the password DA gave to us when we come in. Oh - speaking of wich,
any news from him? Did his plan already have success? I do not dare calling
him now for obvious reasons... ]<<<<<
        -- Canis <21:40:12/10-15-57>

***** INTERNAL: Inside safehouse in Chicago, near CZ
>>>>>[The area was calm. Slightly the colors of anger, fear and nervosity  drifted in
from the next room, where the runners her master had told her to protect were
discussing what to do next very loudly. Well, for now it didn't concern her.
And there was this man now, who was obviously capable of taking her part.

If it weren't for the children, this last order of her master would have been
awfully boring. They were sitting on a matress in a corner of the room, playing
something with paper and pencils. Every now and then, they would start to
laugh, both of them, not as reaction to stress, as she had seen with these
strange Shadowrunners sometimes, but out of pure joy of life.

They were refreshing, especially the girl. She had power, lots of raw power.
She wondered what might become out of that litttle kid that took so easily what
the older humans feared so much. She herself feared them, too, these monstrous
spirits that were making all of her instincs cry out.

The feeling in this room was good, peacefully, even filled with joy. Slowly she
materialized, looking the children over. With the physical view she saw two
small orks. The boy looked surprised, but not fearful, while the girl just
smiled at her. She had known the girl had noticed her while she kept guard.

She walked two steps over to the children, and gave them both a quick stroke
over the head.

"I hope we will se again," she said.

After that, she dissolved her physical presence, and followed her master's
call. Work was at hand, and Okami was willing to take her part.]<<<<<
	-- Sascha <13:50:02 / 10-15-57>

>>>>>[Don't forget natural predators, there 'Tyger.

The heavily armed, metahuman with magical backup has been proven to
be _the_ most effective weapon against bug infestation.

It will probably never be known the total number of hives
exterminated outside of Chicago, for the most part without the use of
traditional chemical weapons.  FAE's are good ways to clear out the
broods and any slow flesh forms.  The trues are tougher, natch, but
elementals running shotgun tend to help with them.  More often than
not, destroying the queen can throw a hive into such a disoganized
state, the clean-up is just a matter of time and rested mages.]<<<<<
        -- Snake (14:50:02 / 10-15-57)

>>>>>[I and some felow team members are looking for some competant help.
Experts in teh fields of magic, decking, and combat are needed.  If
interested, please contact either myself, Canis, Inferno, or Dark Avenger
privately to set up an interview.]<<<<<
        -- Bull <15:07:57/10-15-57>

>>>>>[ Strange to find rasism on both sides, with my "noble cousins" from the
Tirs and the "honorable guys of the <wherever>" to the same extend. Will
people never learn?  ]<<<<<
        -- Orion <22:13:12/10-15-57>

>>>>>[To the Moronic Gaijin Duo: Jen and Gabe

Do not butcher my language with your diarrheic prattle.  You talk about
having to respond when someone opens their "hoop" and starts "spewing"?
Before you try to insult someone with another language, know what you are
saying, so you don't sound like an infant gurgling.  "Soo ka?" is a
questioning response, as in:  "Jen to Gabe wa, baka desu ne?" would cause
the response, "Soo ka?" >That is so, isn't it?<  I'd tell you to buy a
clue, or not finding that, a dictionary, but for the scrip you corp must
pay for your kind of incompetence, you probably can't afford either.]<<<<<
        --  Arashi  <13:28:46/10-15-57>

*****Private: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[I would like to know if your offer for participation in you training
exercise is still open.  A recent run has let me know that I require
additional training myself in order to be up to the standards of the
Shadowrunning community here in Seattle.  While I am not a Samurai, I am
trained considerably in hand to hand combat as well as stealth / evasion /
counter-technique.  I am, in addition, an adept in what is known locally
as a Shamanic tradition although of an Oriental flavor.  My spirit is one
with Tiger.  While not perhaps as physically qualified as others applying
for the excursion, since I have no cyberwear, I do make a rather difficult
target, and would appreciate the chance to further my training.  My legal
record is, so far, spotless.  Currently, I have no plans pending, so
please respond at your earliest convenience.]<<<<<
        --  WhiteTyger <11:50:46/10-15-57>

***** INTERNAL: Radio Message near Chicago CZ
>>>>>[ Drek, will please get CLEAR? Whadda mean come in - come not in? Will
you please discuss matters before sending me stuff seperatly? I am hanging
here in the street now, and I don't feel good. Get

+++++ Static Error
+++++ Data Loss:1.8 Mp

and find a soultion till then. I will meet your friend, Mr. Hauer, but find a
solution FAST! Orion, street still clear? Good.

Get back to me fast!  ]<<<<<
        -- Canis <22:54:33/10-15-57>

here are a multitude of things that you can do and likely get away with
that I could only dream of trying to attempt in "the line of duty" without
being burried under a mile of very sticky red-tape covered paperwork.

Just something to remember.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <19:52:04 / 10-15-57>

***** INTERNAL:  Imp, Ken, Jim, Jas
>>>>>[ I want to go.  I've already checked and I cannot bring in a
vehicle, but that doesnt mean I cannot bring in the portable transmitters
and the like.  I promise to leave the C-12 drones at home.  I've got to
get out for a bit.  All of you have been trapsing around the
country doing runs, setting up shops, taking vacations and what have you
done?  LEFT ME BEHIND!]<<<<<
        -- Trax <19:59:08 / 10-15-57>

***** INTERNAL: Kenney, Imp, Trax, James
>>>>>[I think we'd better take Trax with us or we run the risk of
returning to smoldering ashes were our building used to stand.

We could use communication in the field.  If we are going to run this
as much as a training session for them as ourselves, we should make sure
we are prepared for an extended field march.

Anyone, other than myself and Jim with non-urbanjungle experience?  Its a
lot different dealing with hills and trees as opposed to small vehicles and
light poles.

I noticed that Imp was separate on the list.  Did Quinn say how many
people you can bring along with you or are we supposed to be going
singly?]<<<<<
        -- Jason <20:32:54 / 10-15-57>

*****PRIVATE: Matrix Jockey
>>>>>[hey, meet me at >>encrypted<< if you can at >>encrypted<<.  I think we
could find this person quicker if we worked together.  But thats upto you.
I'll send you an encryption scheme soon, I don't want any unwanted eyes to
be watching.  I know how prying they can be, cya.]<<<<<
        -- Forte <17:14:10/10-15-57>

>>>>>[Fat Chance, we are impressed! All that in three months! All we
managed to do in that time was a quick global circumnav$UYHBd

vs$%
    $%^Gbnv

+++++LINE ERROR: MESSAGE NOT SENT

*****PRIVATE TO: Jen and Gabe
>>>>>[We said: Shut up. Got it?]<<<<<
        -- You know who <And if you don't/You're in deep drek>

>>>>>[Impressive Fat Chance. All that in three months? Now we KNOW you're
full of drek]<<<<<
        -- Jen and Gabe <18:09:23/15-10-57>

>>>>>[We're pleased you find us so interesting Lilith -- and you're
certainly not the only ones watching us (hell, our fan club has over
3,500 official members). But if you want personal attention, you'll
have to wait in line.]<<<<<
        -- Jen and Gabe <18:09:38/15-10-57>

***** INTERNAL: Radio Message near Chicago CZ
>>>>>[Go Canis, get clear.  i'll talk to DA and Inferno and figure out where
the mix up is.  We've been seperated for teh last day or so, and signals
have been mixed on occasion.  I will contact you when it's clear.  We will
also hopefully be getting you some reinforcements.

Can you handle whoever's following you?]<<<<<
        -- Bull  <22:55:31/10-15-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Black King
>>>>>[Sir, it appears there's some confusion in the ranks now.  I advise
moving the strike team into position to hit this wolf shaman and his pals.]<<<<<
        --  Black Pawn 2 <23:10:31/10=15-57>

>>>>>[Arashi dear:

   Before you try giving language lessons, buy yourself a better deck. If
your poor 'pooter can't properly handle embedded native language support,
don't blame us. And certainly don't try correcting us -- you'll only get
yourself in trouble.]<<<<<
        -- Jen and Gabe <18:15:34/15-10-57>

*****PRIVATE TO: InfoScholar
>>>>>[Payment numero uno:

+++++CREDIT TRANSFER: >>encrypted<< =Y=

   This is for any and all background information. We again stress that
confidentiality is of utmost importanct.]<<<<<
        -- Jen and Gabe <18:20:32/15-10-57>

***** PRIVATE: Bull
>>>>>[I see you're looking for some hired help. Let me know if I can be
of use - I've got some limited skill with magic (though mostly support
magic, rather than heavy-grade firepower) and I can also rig.

Yeah, don't ask. A magic rigger, I've heard the jokes before.]<<<<<
        -- Minx <08:26:09/10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jennifer and Gabriel
>>>>>[After some diligent inquiry, I have discovered some details about your
 ... ahem ... 'duplicates.'  They are not to be trifled with, thus, my
increased security in communications with you.  I appreciate the advance
payment.  I shall require three more like it due to the extremely
hazardous nature of your targets.  I assure you that discretion is not an
issue with my services.

+++++download: JGimpact1.txt

This is the initial information I have compiled for you.  It is sparse, but
I am only just beginning.  Within >>encrypted<<, I will have the
remainder of the information for you.  Please make the payments every other
day until the completion of this assignment.]<<<<<
	--  InfoScholar  <18:34:56/10-15-57>

>>>>>[Bugs being produced by Alamos 20,000.  An interesting hypothesis.
Might I examine your evidence sometime, O Mighty Quinn?  My interest is
purely ...  academic.]<<<<<
        -- InfoScholar  <12:38:11/10-15-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[Sounds good Minx.  We need all the help we can get.  Canis, Orion, if
you read this, send Minx a line.  I think at the moment your team needs the
most support.  Also spunds like a rigger could come in hady for you guys.

Thanks for the offer Minx.  the pay will be >>encrytped<<.  Will send you
more info once you've talked to Canis.]<<<<<
        -- Bull <09:12:10/10-16-57>

*****INTERNAL: Weeklog.101357 ... HOM
>>>>>[Negotiations have proceeded according to schedule.  The Polish and
Russian affiliates do not suspect the Azanian involvement in North America.
That should change within the week.

The Passage rite always depressed me.  Desmond was a fine shaman. Arguably,
the best in Azania.  I miss him already.  But his Passing has made us all
stronger.

Hortensia took to the ceremony relatively well.  Her face and body
language try to hide her spirit's ready acceptance of its birthpattern, but
slowly she is beginning to recognize and accept.  I am proud of her.

Meeting with my Amazonian affiliate manana.  With the steady swiftness of
the Tortoise, all the pieces fall together.  Apollyon will be pleased.

The metaworld may be his home, yet his time on this plane has changed him
remarkably.  I am glad to have forgotten my mortal existence previous to his
revelation.  Much good for all is the ultimate result.

I wonder how my metallic friend in Seattle fares.  Hopefully, I will be
able to complete my final payment to him and be done with such ...
distasteful matter.  Hmmmm ... perhaps I have not been so affected by
Apollyon's presence after all.

Cognac '73 ... amazing that its taste evokes such memories of the last
millenium.  Truly among all men, I have been most blessed.

"Excuse me, Mr. Minnifield?"

Yes ...

"Incoming call for you, please place your credchip in the slot."

Who from?

"A Mr. Chetan Gopal?"

Excellent.  <slight click>

Chet!  Magnificent to hear from you!  We're still to meet in Madrid, no?

+++++end of recording]<<<<<
        --  Apollyon  <19:21:00/10-15-57>

*****INTERNAL: Todd, Enforcement Division
>>>>>[People such as Ms. Vega do our organisation no good at all. See that
she is dealt with, if you please.]<<<<<
        --  *&^(*H <15:53:46/10-15-57>
            Humanis Policlub, Seattle

***** PRIVATE: Bull
>>>>>[I've just had a private communication from a friend of mine. He's
worried about his lines being traced by certain unfriends, so he'd like
to apply for employment via me. Name's Hamish - he's a pretty competent
fighter, and fairly dependable. Your friends might be able to use his
help.]<<<<<
        -- Minx <09:41:58/10-16-57>

***** PRIVATE: Canis
>>>>>[Bull figured I might be of some use to you, and made me an
employment offer. I have some magical ability, and I can rig too. How can
I help?]<<<<<
        -- Minx <09:43:57/10-16-57>

>>>>>[Speaking of bugswatters, I've heard that Ares has put a lot of effort
into developing autonomous and/or remotely piloted robots. In particular they
are supposedly developing something for the UCAS military that can go into a
hive to kill bugs. The advantages of such a thing would theoretically be mass
producibility, toughness, and resistance to the magical powers of insect
spirits. Anyone more informed care to comment?]<<<<<
        --  Fisher <16:32:03 EST/10-15-57>

>>>>>[Or really anger you.  I'm certain that would get immediate
attention.]<<<<<
        --  Short Stuff <19:11:39/10-15-57>

*****PRIVATE: InfoScholar
>>>>>[If I had any evidence you could see it, but I just made that up to
piss them off. A lot of my friends are metas and they aren't demons.
Sorry.]<<<<<
        -- The Mighty Quinn <01:13:31/10-16-57>

>>>>>[I personally was not involved with all of it.  But considering that
the unit is more than just a single squad(actually, Macross Rangers
numbers 10 squads, precisely 120 mercenaries).  Please read more
carefully, as I said that Skull's group did all that in the past 3
months.]<<<<<
        --  Fat Chance <19:15:47/10-15-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[Wilkenson was Stampede?

Damn! We missed that completely.

It wasn't us that caused his demise, at least not directly... we just
pointed out to a certain two-star general that his team was causing
ripples and generally making a mess. In short, not career-enhancing for
someone who was due for his promotion board.

I don't _think_ that led to his death. His outside activities may have
had more to do with his untimely demise...

Anyway, if we can help you again in future, let me know: if we need
anything from you we'll ask. We owe you one for that tip, anyway, you
didn't have to tell us that for free.

You in on the Para exercise Quinn's recruiting for? Should be good for a
few giggles.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R W Lynch <01:20:51/10-16-57>
           Strategic Intelligence Gathering Agency.

>>>>>[Oh, damn. Thanks for the magic lesson, WhiteTyger. I never thought
about the toxic zone angle, I was concentrating on killing the bugs I
could see. So, we can't even poison the bastards.

The collateral casualties... by next spring, I honestly doubt there'll
be more than a few hundred people left inside the Zone. Everything
inside there is broken. You need weapons to fight the bugs, but there's
no ammo. You need medical attention when you're wounded, there's no
medicine. You need fuel or warm clothing in winter, there's none of
either. And less and less food is reaching the people who need it.

If we sit and wait, the problem of civilian deaths goes away because
they've all frozen, starved or been taken by the bugs.

I mean, does _anyone_ know how we could clean out two hundred miles of
bug-infested city centre and still keep a few of our own people alive?
Napalm's out - won't get into the buildings, and do you know how much
nape you need for _that_ much city? Nothing works when you're facing a
threat this tough, this numerous, mixed in with your own people.

But don't worry, WhiteTyger. When something gets found that might work,
there'll be plenty of room for anyone who wants to help.]<<<<<
        -- Lynch <01:31:38/10-16-57>

>>>>>[Their little robot's only saving grace is that they are fairly
simple to put together, guide into and out of hives (though, I cannot at
all imagine any of them ever managing to get out, certainly not with all the
C-12 packed inside), and operate.

I've seen some of the test footage for the new drone (last I checked, they
weren't named yet) and I honestly do not think that they will stand up to
an insect spirit attack.

When they become available, We'll pick up a couple and see how they work
for normal urban situations.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <01:15:41 / 10-16-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

>>>>>[Oh, don't worry, Jenna and Gabriel. We don't need to join your fan
club (there's a misplaced decimal point there - shouldn't it be 3.5, and
even that's including Killer as a full member?) to fatten our files on
you. And believe me when I say I have nothing to fear from your
'personal attention'.

Sadly, you can't say the same about us.]<<<<<
        -- Lilith <01:35:16/10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE: Bull, Canis, Inferno, Dark Avenger
>>>>>[I'm on leave and I could be free if it's interesting and it pays
all right. I shoot things. And blow things up. And drive over things in
a tank. Except it's not _my_ tank, so you'd have to provide one, or
steal one, or something, if that's what you want. I don't _need_ the
tank, I'm just good at commanding them. Lots of them, actually. But not
many people have lots of tanks, so that's not very useful.

And I can do magic, too. Especially big spells. _Really_ big spells. The
bigger the better, except I fall over after I cast them sometimes, but
they really, really blow things up, which is why they make me fall over.
Daddy calls it "astral recoil" and says I should use smaller spells, but
if I have to do magic it's _obviously_ dangerous, so I should use _big_
spells to stop it being dangerous.

Anyway, I'm really good in a big fight, but apparently I'm not very
subtle. Is that any use to any of you?]<<<<<
        -- Stephanie <02:10:35/10-16-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_force.1
>>>>>[Stephanie sounds like my kind of girl.... What'd'ya think guys? (And
gals?)]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <02:34:56 GMT/17.OCT.57>

*****PRIVATE: WhiteTyger
>>>>>[Sure, no problem. You're added to the alias file as of now, you
should be in on any debate. Here's the spiel...

+++++include briefing.txt

Look forward to working with you.]<<<<<
        -- The Mighty Quinn <01:34:31/10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE: Canis, Dark Avenger
>>>>>[Should you require the services of someone in the "strong, silent,
tall, and dark category ... I know someone who would exceptional for you.
Are you interested?  Only a moderate >>small nuyen<< finder's fee.]<<<<<
        --  Ms. Johnston  <21:40:00/10-15-57>

*****PRIVATE TO: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[Upon seeing the petition to workout overseas, I immediately thought
of an individual who has been of great service to me lately that will
be willing to be out of the area for awhile.  No legal problems.  Clean
history as far as I can tell, but you can discuss this with ... him.  You
can reach him through Shadowland at "The Skull Bearer".  Will definitely
make you exercise more interesting ... just make sure you tell him no
lethal force.  Consider this professional courtesy if you end up inviting
him along.  If not, don't hold it against me.]<<<<<
        --  Ms. Johnston  <21:48:00/10-15-57>

*****PRIVATE:  The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[How large a group can you handle?  My command unit could use the
workout, but so could about half of the people not on assignment.  If you
can handle it, I'd like to bring about 3 squads, plus myself, Fat Chance,
Short Stuff, and AEPacker.

That's 37 mercenaries.

Of course, fewer than that is also acceptable, but I'd like to go no
lower than a full squad.  We train in squad units, and breaking up the
squad would run counter to that training.]<<<<<
        --  Skull <19:55:19/10-15-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[Ok, Minx...  You and Hamish are now part of this party line.  Myself,
Orion, and a couple others monitor this encrypted line pretty heavily to
avoid a trace.  You should be safe using it, as should be Hamish.  I'm
working on some hardware to make communication easier for us.

Ok, what's Hamish do?  We need all the people we can get, so he's welcome
aboard.  If the two of you work as a team, have him contact Canis as well.
I wouldn't want to split up partners.

Dark Avenger...  Where in the hell are you?!?  I haven't had contact with
you in over 24 hours...  Please respond.]<<<<<
        -- Bull <22:59:12/10-15-57>

*****Private: Ms.Johnston
 >>>>>[As requested the subject will not be a problem for some time.
 may i say now that i have enjoyed our buisness together and look foward
 to future endevors.

 +++++include video 1.003

 The view comes into focus looking toward a large apartment complex.
 There are heavy iron bars encircling the building, and the neighborhood
isupper middle class. No one is seen wandering the streets.

 The camera moves toward a gate and guard shack. A cyberarm slowly comes
 into view and a gun slides out from its compartment in the forearm.
 Several shots to the hinges blow the gate open.

 When inside the view changes to thermo. Two figures are seen running
 toward the camera; both appear male. One stops approximately 20 yards
away and starts to yell to the other to "get Lonestar this thing aint
even a freakin meta-human.......what the frag are you?". As the second
begins to turn back and presumably "get lonestar" hydraulics can be
heard from just behind the camera. The first guard yells "get down
Matt!" and he dives behind a bush. Matt attempts to drop, but as he does
his body is cut in two by what sounded like sub-machinegun fire. Seconds
later the bush is also destroyed in the same manner.

 The camera goes to each body and arms are seen picking
 them up. The view then climbs several flights of stairs before laying
down the bodies outside of door 243. The image is still thermo and one
female body can be seen inside, evidently putting things into a
something. On further view, it looks as if she is packing. A loud knock
is heard, she calls out, "Who is it?" Upon hearing nothing, she
evidently panics, and begins digging through things, possibly looking
for a weapon.

 View changes to show the bodies...a hand is searching them, and finally
 comes across a mag-key. The key is inserted in the door, and it opens.
The image changes back to normal. The apartment looks like a hurricane
hit it, clothes are scattered everywhere, some neatly stacked on a
couch, others tossed this way and that, apparently thrown there as she
looked for her weapon.

 The apartment is searched, and the woman is seen crouching in a closet,
 holding a monofilament whip. She manages to get a strike out, but
although some damage is done, it isn't nearly enough. She is forcibly
gagged, and tied to a chair. The hand smacks her across the face,
drawing blood.

 The two dead guards are brought in.
  The cam focuses back on the girl, it is easy to see that if not for
the blood soaking her face she might be quite attractive. Just then, a
spur appears from a hand and jabs into her chest just below her lungs,
ripping muscle from the diaphram. She screams through the gag. The view
goes back to the guards who are hung upside down next to the girl, the
skulls are stripped of flesh and left limply hanging from the bodies.
Blood soaks into the plush carpet.

 View changes back to the girl. She is evidently in extreme pain, and
appears to be suffering from shock as well. A gentle yet chilling voice
then says quietly "you were warned" and a fist strikes her in the back
of the head causing an obvious bump to appear in millisecounds. She sags
in her bonds, unconscious.

 Sirens can be heard and seem to be getting closer. The image changes
back to thermo and leaps out of the door. Ignoring the steps the veiw
falls 2 stories then continues to move down the street.

 +++++end video

 as always if you aver need me just drop a line also if you could spred
 my name around with anyone needing my special talents i would be most
 appriciative.]<<<<<
         --  The Skull Bearer <08:30:48/10-15-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_force.1
>>>>>[Ummm, but what do we do with her?  Are we planning to invade
somewhere?  I say sure, let's get ehr on board, but...  Where???]<<<<<
        -- Bull <23:30:21/10-15-57>

*****Internal: ChicTelCo Call
>>>>>[Hey there Canis.  Wwe've got a couple new recruits that I'm sending
your way.  You should have heard from them or be hearing from them shortly.
Sound like a decent pair of runners, and could be..*&^%@KJH#@#

+++++Line Trace Detected
+++++Execute Re-route_66.exe
+++++Failure:  Re-route_66 not activated in time
+++++Trace Successful

Oh shit...]<<<<<
        -- Bull <00:49:38/10-16-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Black King
>>>>>[Sir, we finally got a trace on tehre location, through the phone
lines.  you were right, they weren't nearly as secure.  I suggest sending a
strike team tehre immediately.]<<<<<
        -- Black Pawn 2 <00:51:10/10-16-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Black Pawn 2
>>>>>[Good work.  Strike team is mobilizing as we speak.  Keep trying to
track down that arrogant Orion.]<<<<<
        -- Black king <00:55:23/10-16-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[Shit!  Drek!  Goddamn it!  We've been compromised!  Safe house is no
longer safe.  We're moving.  I'll let you all know when we get set up again.
Frag, I don't need this shit!  God damn phone lines weren't secure and I
didn't catch the trace in time...  that fraggin' slave-decker is really
pissin' me off!  Stay off the phones till I contact you.  I'll try to get
something set up to help us avoid this shit in the future.]<<<<<
        -- Bull <00:51:23/10-16-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Black King
>>>>>[Sir, the strike team reports that they were unable to locate the prey.
They moved out as soon as Bull realized we'd traced him...  The place was a
wreck and it looked like tehy'd cleared out just minutes before the team
arrived.  We're monitoring the airports and roads now to make sure they stay
here.  We'll find them sir.]<<<<<
        -- Black Pawn 2 <01:19:18/10-16-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Black Queen
>>>>>[My queen, it appears our prey has escaped us once more.  We have
doubled our efforts to find them.  We are very close.  The ork shall not
escape to tell our secrets.]<<<<<
        -- Black King <01:29-51/10-16-57>

>>>>>[ Well, it wouldn't be a week without some sort of tidbit for you
all.

+++++ begin transmission

A beautiful, and extremely angry female voice shouts, "Frag you,
Blitzkrieg!"

An equally angry male voice retorts, "Bite it, whore!"

"Why YOU -" A door slams shut.  "Fine!  Walk away, you sorry
muscle-headed idiot.  I'm better off with out you."

"You're a fragging whore for money, fame, and music!  You have no
concept of the words quality and taste!  You just agreed to work with
me so you would have a shot of dating my brother!  Fragging WHORE!
Good FUCKING RIDDANCE!"  A door slams hard.

You see an angry man in a trench coat storm out and onto the sidewalk.
People scramble out of his way as the shaved-headed man storms down
the path.   The left hand, a cybernetic one, ruthlessly shoves people
out of his way.  A kid, not moving fast enough gets a fist to the face,
breaking the kid's nose.  The man, Blitzkrieg you assume, continues
storming along like the kid never existed.  He fails to notice that a
white van starts to follow him.  He also fails to notice that this van
has no tags on it.

As he is passing a troll, he suddenly stops and looks at the troll in
surprise.  The troll grins viciously and says as he slams a fist into
Blitzkrieg's right shoulder, "About time, breeder!"  Blitzkrieg grunts
and spins around and a smooth motion is backing away and drawing a
pistol.  You can see a man leans across the driver of the white van.
He pokes an assault rifle out of the window and everything seems to
slow down.

Blitzkrieg, unaware of the van opens fire at the troll, who is diving
(because he is aware of the van).  The guy with the assault rifle fires
on Blitzkrieg and the crowd.  Blitzkrieg finally realizing what is
happening, hits the ground as well.   He takes a bullet in the left
arm, but seems to ignore it.  He rolls around and shoots at the van.
The first shot misses but the second shot nails the rifleman.  The
troll, meanwhile, springs to his feet (extremely quick for a troll) and
right after Blitzkrieg's second shot, nails him with a punch.

Blitzkrieg slams into another kid and backs out onto the street, as
another gunman opens fire at him and the general crowd.  Blitzkrieg
starts running in-between cars as the troll takes off after him.
Suddenly, the troll grabs a bystander.  The bystander screams in terror
as the troll holds her in-between him and Blitzkrieg.  "Drop the gun,
Blitzkrieg!"

"Frag off, Whirlwind!"  The white van pulls up. and blocks Blitzkrieg's
only escape route.  Blitzkrieg swears and shoots the hostage in the
leg.  Whirlwind, surprised, drops her and opens fire on Blitzkrieg.
Blitzkrieg jumps over the car as bullets come crashing in all around.
Suddenly, a dull thump is heard and the other gunman has stopped
shooting.

Whirlwind shouts, "You can't escape, fool!"  As he jumps on the hood
of the car with the now blaring alarm.  Blitzkrieg runs and crashes
into one of the few brave people standing.  The boy he crashes into (a
decently in-shape 15 year old) stops him and shouts, "You shot my
sister!"

"Get out of my way, kid!"  Blitzkrieg shoots him in the groin area and
smashes him aside with the butt of the pistol.  Ejecting the clip, he
jams in another one into the pistol.  You think you hear him mutter,
ãWhat a fucking time to be packing normal rounds."  As he races around
a corner.  Whirlwind hot on his heels tramples the still falling boy,
but dives back as yet another gunman opens fire.  This one at the
troll.  You hear someone shout, "Take that you stinking, trog!"

Whirlwind quickly breaks for the van, and enters through the side door.
The van surges forward, ignoring the bullets from some unseen assault
rifle.  The van breaks through the traffic jam (by ramming any vehicle
in its way) and races around the corner that Blitzkrieg took.
Blitzkrieg however is nowhere in sight.  Hearing the police sirens.
Whirlwind curses, but the van drives out of the area.

+++++ end transmission

The van was found later.  There was one dead ork in the van that had
his cyberware ripped out.  The police have identified the ork as "J.R."
a local punk with an attitude and a rap sheet a mile long.  The police
have issued warrants for Blitzkrieg and Whirlwind, but so far neither
has been found.  Although I hear Blitzkrieg's lady friend was
questioned extensively about Blitzkrieg.  Body count is 10 with another
35 or so wounded.  Some of them aren't expected to survive the night.

The name Whirlwind seems to ring a bell.  I believe he gave Doomsday
some fits guarding the children from the massacre a year or so ago.
Didn't he have run ins with Whirlwind both in Seattle and Germany?
]<<<<<
       -- Ratspeak <21:40:14/10-15-57>

>>>>>[ Very perceptive, my rodent chum.  I believe you are correct.
Whirlwind among others was speculated as having been involved in the
massacre.  Rumor has it, that when it was realized to have been a
failure, and they finally got up the nerve to tell him that they
botched the job, he told them to go frag themselves.  (He ended up
murdering the slot who had hired him in the first place.  I guess not
all the money in the world can remove guilt.)  The guess is that the
Wanderer hired him (and some friends of his) for his past record of
dealing with Doomsday.  He went after Doomsday with zeal.  First in
Seattle, and then chasing him to Germany.  Things in Germany got ugly.
But ultimately, we got the poor troll and ork orphans out with only two
more deaths in the children.  How is not my story to tell though.  It
was tricky though, because at the same time all this was going on,
DragonEyes was going through his crisis. ]<<<<<
        -- Sprinkler <21:42:04/10-15-57>

>>>>>[ Oh that.  I remember that, almost old news.  I hear that Kor
learned the true meaning of non-violence, eh? ]<<<<<
         -- Ratspeak <21:42:26/10-15-57>

>>>>>[ I hear that you are a dead man, if I ever get my hands on you.
At least you didn't show what the person I was arguing with looked
like, you miserable slot.  Shadowfox, I believe I'm going to call a
favor you owe me. ]<<<<<
         -- Blitzkrieg <21:50:12/10-15-57>

***** Private: Blitzkrieg
>>>>>[ Contact >>encrypted<<.  He will get your identity clean, and get
you on the first plane to here.  Once you arrive here, we'll discuss
things.  And Blitz., I owe you nothing.  I'm doing this because you are
a friend.  Meanwhile, I'll also have my chum put out some feelers to
see if we can track down Whirlwind.  See you soon, Blitz. ]<<<<<
        -- Shadowfox <21:56:31/10-15-57>

***** Private: Scourge, Kor
>>>>>[ Contact Doomsday and Harker and warn them that they could
have company in their yard.  Whirlwind won't waste much time now
since he is probably assuming that Doomsday already knows.  I suspect
he will first go for Nightingale since he failed to get Blitzkrieg.
I've already contacted a friend and told him to get her to Boston,
where Gunner can help her out.  I guess this is what happens when you
are decently visible.  I wonder if this means he will try and go after
Nightmare soon. ]<<<<<
        -- Shadowfox <22:00:00/10-15-57>

*****Internal Seattle FBI Surveillance dep to Directors office
>>>>>[Sir we managed to take these pictures of the suspects.Here are the
Downloads.

Begin download.
++++++Loading surveillance Clip 3455b Sea-tac Airport
Subjects Alias:Smudge
Static fills the screen but then clears up to show the front entrance to the
Sea-tac arrival Terminal. The camera Pans in on a man exiting the building
A short man with long blond dreadlocked hair and beard wearing a
conservative buisness suit carrying a Brown Leather Briefcase.The man Looks
around and walks toward a parked taxi he bends down and says a few words to
the driver then get in and the taxi drives off.+++++Clip ends...]<<<<<
	-- Special Agent Driscol Surveillance dep <06:45:32/10-17-57>

*****Internal Seattle FBI Surveillance dep to Directors office
>>>>>[Sir the Subject has been identified as one of the people wanted for questioning
concerning the Lassiter Investments terrorist bombings.We have a second clip
that shows him with two of the others wanted for questioning ready to
receave clip?.

begin Download?:Begin
+++++Loading Surveillance clip 45644ty FireHouse Nightclub
Subjects: Alias:Smudge Alias:Katana Alias:Bear
A short burts of static that fills into a shot of the front side of the
Firehouse a small Nightclub In Redmond Seattle.
The same Blond man from the first Clip is seen stading by the entrance
lighting a cigarette the flame from the lighter glitters coldly from an
uncovered cyberarm.He puts the lighter away and walks towards a side
alley.As he approaches two shadows form out of the alley into the shapes of
two men one is a tall amerindian wearing feathers in his long greasy hair his
clothes are those of a street ganger leathers with what seems to be a west
made of ammo shells from a hip belt two revolvers hang in plain sight.The
second man is a tall Caucasian wearing biker leathers and carrying a black
helm with golden lightings painted on it he constantly scans the area around
him in short nervous movements.The blonde man smiles as he sees them and
grabs hold of them hugging them and laughing.The two men smile and slap his
back.After some hasty talking they move farther down into the alley out of
sight, A few minutes later three bikes come roaring out the alley and down
the road all ride heavy BMW 2052  B4s
The camera folloew them until they disappear then shuts of into static.
+++++Clip ends. ]<<<<<
-Special Agent Driscol Surveillance dep<06:57:45/10-17-57>

*****Internal Seattle FBI Surveillance dep to Directors office
>>>>>[As you can see the Amerindian is the terrorist Bear who was arrested
and sentenced to life inprisonment for the bombing.We beleave the other to
be the Terrorists Katana but we are not sure since Katana was reported to
have had extensive plastic surgery and body modifications done.Request
Permission to
Deploy a team of agents to capture the group]<<<<<
-Special Agent Driscol Surveillance dep<07:03:21/10-17-57>

*****Internal Seattle FBI Directors office to Surveillance Dep
>>>>>[Request denied keep them under surveillance and report any activity
directly to me.]<<<<<
-Director heiss Seattle FBI<07:05:34/10-17-57>

*****Internal Seattle FBI Directors office to project Knights Gambit
>>>>>[We have confirmation on the three men you requested being searched for
they are all in the Seattle area,but have not made any moves towards leaving
the city nor has there been any evidence that the fourth man Inferno has met
with them or been in the city. Am keeping them under surveillance as ordered.
I wish to restate my protest that these terrorists be allowed to move
freely.]<<<<<
-Director heiss Seattle FBI<07:012:53/10-17-57>

*****Internal knights Gambit to Seattle FBI Directors Office
>>>>>[Protest Noted continue with surveillance as planned if subject Inferno
is seen with them or they make ready to leave the city notify imeadietly]<<<<<
-Black Pawn 4 <07:045:09/10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[Glad to be aboard lad....sorry I couldna offer me services in
person, but I was having a wee spot of trouble with some old unfriendly
aquaintances. It should be all sorted out now, and I think some poor
bastich is going to have one hell of a headache...isn't it grand having
decker friends. Glad to know you're watching this line though...would
hate to inflict me problems on the rest of you.

What do I do? He he...what don't I do? I've done six years Special Ops out
of Glasgow, and two years running in UCAS, Seattle mostly. Tactics, recon,
wetwork, demolitions... you name it, I can do it. Sounds like you guys
need some heavy firepower, and that's what I do best. If you need me, I'm
yours. Just eager to get in there and start blasting some bugs...been
sitting on my arse for way too long...

Canis...where do you want Minx and meself to report? Bull says that you
could use us. I am meeting Minx at >>encrypted<< and we'll try and catch
up with you lads from there.]<<<<<
        -- Hamish <23:27:17/10-15-57>

***** INTERNAL: Radio Message near Chicago CZ
>>>>>[ Read ya, Bull. Cover my sorry ass at adress mentioned. Really need some
stuff, hope the <cough> er, ... well, he's as good as ya say. Good luck to
yall. ]<<<<<
        -- Canis <22:55:58/10-15-57>

***** PRIVATE: Stephanie
>>>>>[ Hello, Stephanie, sounds like we could use you. Please prepare to meet
at >>encrypted<< at >>encrypted<< local time. You will meet an elf who wears
black tatoos in his face. ]<<<<<
        --Canis <12:05:38/10-16-57>

***** PRIVATE: Minx, Hamish
>>>>>[ Read you. OK, let's meet ASAP. Place is >>encrypted<<, time is
>>encrypted<<. You will be expected by an elf with black stripes tatooed in
his face. Be there in time. ]<<<<<
        --Canis <12:03:01/10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE TO: InfoScholar
>>>>>[Not bad for a day's worth of work. Keep it up.]<<<<<
-- Jen and Gabe <9:54:32/16-10-57>

>>>>>[About those 'bot bug swatters: Don't spirits have to be whacked by
something with 'spiritual force', like magic or a sword?

(Silly me, beleiving the media and all =)]<<<<<
        -- Tobias Dark <9:55:31/16-10-57>

*****Private:Lynch
>>>>>[Hmm, they do anything interesting, or just talk? I really need to
get rid of these guys, they're starting to mess with some of my close
friends. I just hope they don't find Wolfen before I can warn him, maybe
he'll come home for a bit, I can defend him better there. Oh well, can
you keep an eye out for Wolfen? He's my son. I'll let him know otherwise,
just tell him to get in contact with me if you see him. I don't trust the
Matrix now, so have him call me if you see him.
+++++include Wolfen.pic
Other than that, know any vampire hunters? I can pay well to hav a few of
these gotten rid of. I can deal with smaller numbers, but this many, even
with a lot of them new, is too much for just me. Thanx for the warning
and the drinks, it was an enjoyable evening.]<<<<<
        --  Blademaster  <10:03:41/10-16-57>

>>>>>[ Nuke it from orbit.  It's the only way to be sure. ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn <11:55:16/10-16-57>

***** PRIVATE: Bull
>>>>>[ Your job offer sounds interesting.  Are you in need of another Wolf
Shaman for support? ]<<<<<
        -- Nomad <12:00:32/10-16-57>

***** PRIVATE: Valentine
>>>>>[ Hello, Val.  I'm back in the area for a few days and I was wondering
if it would be okay for me to come to Haven for a couple of days and visit
some of my old friends.  ]<<<<<
        -- Kenneth Donaldson <12:04:58/10-16-57>

>>>>>[Ok ... who let Sigourney Weaver on set?]<<<<<
        --  Hollywood Historian <12:05:10/10-16-57>

>>>>>[ Son of a bitch. ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn <12:09:30/10-16-57>

***** INTERNAL: Serenity Security: Personnel Division
>>>>>[  Mark me as being on indefinite emergency leave, effective immediately.
I suspect Jason won't be terribly far behind me. ]<<<<<
        -- David Jarman <12:12:50/10-16-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: Jason Stormwind
>>>>>[  I'm going after that fragger.  He disappeared on us last year, but
he won't get away again.  ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn <12:14:21/10-16-57>

***** INTERNAL: Serenity Security: Personnel Division
>>>>>[  I'm on personal leave, effective immediately.  ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <12:15:54/10-16-57>

***** PRIVATE: Jason Stormwind
>>>>>[  I _want_ that fragger that Wanderer was working for.  Bad.  After what
Wanderer did to Tris, he's got to pay.  I'm on personal leave until further
notice .. personnel has already been contacted. ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <12:18:12/10-16-57>

***** PRIVATE: Doomsday
>>>>>[ If you or your brother need anything, I'm here.  I didn't forget about
the massacare last year, and that fragger still needs to pay. ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn <12:20:30/10-16-57>

***** PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[ All my old contacts have dried up, so I need to ask you a favor.  Do you
have any contacts that I could use to get a hold of a little bit of gear?  I
need some untraceable weapons as soon as possible.  Nothing heavy, just an
assault rifle, some grenades and such. ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <12:22:17/10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Kenneth Donaldson
>>>>>[Of course, Kenneth!  Feel free to stop by.]<<<<<
        --  Valentine <10:41:54/10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE:Bull

>>>>>[ If you are still looking for some magical support I may be able to
help you out.
Have combat experience especially with spirits.  Let me know.]<<<<<
        --Caric<10:04:29/10-16-57>

>>>>>[Don't think it hasn't been suggested.]<<<<<
        -- Snake <12:30:22 / 10-16-57>

>>>>>[Hey, Griff, you didn't hear this from me, but I've heard the
UCAS AF has a FOBS bird parked in geo-sync orbit over Chicago, just in
case things get really out of hand.

Wonder if they've taken into account wind speed and direction?  I
mean, hell, Damien Knight might get mighty pissed off when fallout
starts dropping past the window of his office in Detroit.....]<<<<<
        -- rumormonger <Always / Tuned-In>

>>>>>[Hmmm.  I guess it's lucky for Blitzkrieg that his opposition was
almost as incompetent as he was.]<<<<<
        -- Blade <20:45:00/10-16-57>

>>>>>[Yeah, tough, pack a bunch of explosives an' dumb as bricks.  To
be really effective and flexible, a rigger hasta be hardwired to the
drone and follow it into the hive.  Just put a big-assed bomb on the
back of a snooper, cue some chemo sensors to the pheremones the queen
releases and send it in.

I know it might be crazy, why do spirits need pheremones?  Hell
if I know, but hives stink inside.  Maybe it's just me, but I
swear I've seen people do goofy things in hives, gotta be the
pheremones.]<<<<<
        -- Snake <12:35:22 / 10-16-57>

>>>>>[Buy a clue, buy a vowel, I don't care, but don't dis my deck,
she-bitch and pet, (yeah you Jen & Gabe).

I've got your embedded native language support right here....  And a few
other things I'd like to embed IN YOUR FOREHEAD.  Ji-chan would roll on
the floor laughing if he heard you wankers.  So let's settle this like
reasonable adults:  recognize your mistake, acknowledge it, and come back
here an kiss Arashi's toe in gratitude for pointing out your ignorance
like good little pups, and maybe we'll forget the whole thing.]<<<<<
        --  Vernier <11:48:25/10-16-57>

>>>>>[No idea, Tobias. I've vaguely heard some of them, at least, can be
hurt by guns, but the only bugs in my job description are software. You'd
think that Ares would get someone who knows to tell them whether or not it
would work before spending lots of money on the project, but I've seen some
fairly impressive cases of corporate stupidity, so I wouldn't depend on
it.]<<<<<
        -- Fisher <14:38:56 EST/10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE: Skull
>>>>>[A full platoon? Yipes.

We're more interested - for this exercise - in the small numbers of
specialists than we are in merc units: different threats, different
tactics. Also, we're not budgeted for that many people.

However... I did pass your message on to a couple of riva^H^H^H^H
friends from another units, and they may well make contact with you for
those exercises where we _do_ want to train against military units. So,
you may get further offers (though probably not through SLand).

We'd still like you and your team - with squad to suit, since you should
be gaining training value from this too - along: your reputation is
considerable.]<<<<<
        -- The Mighty Quinn <17:20:31/10-16-57>

>>>>>[Big bomb? How big? A sub-kiloton nuke didn't work too well on
Cermak, did it?

The deeper you get into the hive, the more you're dealing with beings
that are mostly astral and treat their meat bodies as merely convenient
tools to rip you up with. You want a dead queen, take a powerful shaman
and make sure she gets there alive. Plain high explosive doesn't work.

Flamers are good, but manpack ones don't carry enough fuel. Green Ring
works, too, but you need to be damn careful where you use it, and again
you can't get enough or carry enough... plus, one tear in your suit and
you're in trouble, and fighting hand-to-hand in full NBC is a losing
proposition against bugs.

I really hate the insect spirits. Not like me to do that, but I
do.]<<<<<
        -- Lynch <20:00:16/10-16-57>

>>>>>[I just returned from an "extraction" from that hellhole we all know
as Bug City.  People, something must be done, and done fast.

I've dealt with these demons for the past two weeks, and God help me, I'm
going back.  Here's what I learned from my experiences that might help you
tech boys out:  Fire and water attacks are more effective than bombs and
bullets.  I think it has to do with their primal elemental nature.  We've
actually made makeshift flamethrowers with the leftover fuel from the bus
depot and airport.  The bugs' armor doesn't handle flames too well, and
they worked great against the damn fly spirits.  Just don't use them
indoors.  I've seen few of Chicago's Bravest, the firemen, drive away a
beetle spirit with just their water hose on their truck.  They actually
knocked that walking tank over and bought us some time to escape.

I hope this small amount of info helps.  If anyone wants to help out,
please reply back to me.  If you need to find me inside the CZ, I'll be at
Little Earth.]<<<<<
	-- Daredevil <08:35:29/10-16-57>

>>>>>[Well, Jen and Gabe, I see you're carefully avoiding a chance to
train against some of the finest soldiers the world has to offer.

It won't be _that_ hard. They promise not to laugh at your dress sense,
and the company CO says you can bring your rollerblades too. You can
have manicure breaks, and there'll be a helicopter standing by to whisk
Jenna off to a hairdresser if she suffers another of her coiffure
disasters.

Come on, come and play with the grown-ups for once.
        -- The Mighty Quinn <17:25:31/10-16-57>

>>>>>[I got word from one of the bartender's at Dante's Inferno this
morning that a kid has been hanging out around "Hell".   You know,
the private meeting place at the Inferno.   Anyway, she said the
kid fits the description of our little urchins.    I'm checking it
out.]<<<<<
       -- Jasmine <12:49:00 / 10-16-57>

***** PRIVATE: Bull
>>>>>[I'm here to offer you my services.  Whereas I am not an accomplished
fighter, can't stand fighting, and barley passable as a decker, what I can
offer you is resources.  I am an accomplished reserch scientist in computers
and in cyberware, and my services could prove to be invaluable.]<<<<<
        -- Harkion <14:50:10/10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE: Blademaster
>>>>>[They just talked. Threatened me a little, which was funny: hinted
they might offer me money to move against you, which was really funny. I
kept my face straight and nodded and behaved myself.

I'll keep an eye out for your boy, too, no problem. As for vampire
hunters... I don't know offhand, at least not for Seattle. You could try
InterPol or CDC, it's their jurisdiction, but they're usually worse than
useless. I'll see what I can do, and I might end up helping you out
directly. I don't like being threatened.]<<<<<
        -- Lynch <19:40:31/10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE: Action Jackson
>>>>>[AJ, a nodding acquaintance has vampire problems.

+++++include message traffic: Lynch <=> Blademaster
+++++include video: vampiric_intimidation

Not having much experience of vampires, and the only one I know well
being something of a friend, I thought I should seek advice. Do you know
these guys? Are they as well-adjusted as you, or a threat to the public?
Is Blademaster a good guy or a bad guy?

Basically, do I walk away or pick a side?]<<<<<
        -- Lynch <19:42:56/10-16-57

*****PRIVATE: Jason R Stormwind, Serenity Security
>>>>>[Jas, know any vampire hunters? A guy called Blademaster has
problems and they threatened me indirectly: by rep he's a good guy, in
person I liked him, so I figured I'd see if you had any contacts. It's
not my area of expertise, all I can do is direct him to CDC or InterPol:
neither of which I'd trust to take out my trash, let alone deal with a
threatening group of vampires.]<<<<<
        -- Lynch <19:46:31/10-16-57>

>>>>>[Hell with the native language support.  It's not how hot the hardware,
but how you handle it. >}  Speaking of which, all you hot-and-heavy deckers
should come on by and say hi to with Jabberwock2.0a.  She's _really_ friendly
as daemons go *smirk*.  I'm sure noone will have any complaints about going
"hot" with her...if you're good enough.  Consider it a personal invitation to
<<ENCRYPTED>>.  ]<<<<<
        --  Azrael  <12:44:58 / 10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE: Azrael
>>>>>[Temee!  All those drooling incognoscenti can end up on your processor
allocation, you know.  She is _not_ intended as an amusement part sideshow.
]<<<<<
        --  LowlyKahn  <12:52:41 / 10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE: LowlyKahn
>>>>>[Iii ja nai.  Most of these people won't even make it through the mirror,
and if they do, most of the rest will just get tossed out of hand.  The system
loading only starts if someone manages to get "serious" with her.  Besides, we
both know that there's more going on than just the (considerable) physical
benefits...]<<<<<
        --  Azrael  <13:38:13 / 10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE: Azrael
>>>>>[Hmmm....we'll just have to wait and see how skillful these deckers have
become.  Remember that she is only one aspect of our work...]<<<<<
        --  LowlyKahn  <13:42:59 / 10-16-57>

>>>>>[And Roxey pointed out that there might have been one up near
"Heaven", that other private meeting place in Dante's, but don't quote
me on that.

I'm still keeping my eyes open, but the person really to ask is Val.  With
all his gang contacts, he must have heard of something.]<<<<<
        --  Slash <14:36:44/10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE:  The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[Of course.  And, unfortunately, there are situations where terrorists
are in squad sized units where an extraction must be performed.
Thankfully rare situations.

One squad it is.  FYI, I will be in command, but the rest of my command
team will be otherwise occupied.]<<<<<
        --  Skull <14:39:35/10-16-57>

>>>>>[Big enough to destroy the brood chamber's big enough.

Exactamundo on the deep part.  Keep the astral stuff in the holster
when you're in deep, though.   However good it works on the
street.  The bugs hafta manifest to do any harm.  That's when you
drop 'em.  Wallacher Combat Axe right through the ole cranium'll do
the trick.  Wired 'flexes help rip through 'em quicker and don't run
the risk of quickened spells acting as big signs.  The problem with
that is heavily cybered types are relatively unattractive hosts, they
like 'em fresh an' juicy, not crunchy.

The bugs cue in on magical types.  They'll swarm an aggro shaman
before they go toe to toe (mandible to tooth, boot to abdomen...) with
us heavies.  'Course masking'll cut down on that some, just forget
about going straight astral, or so I'm told.  Hell, even astral
perception can get dicey, I'll bet.]<<<<<
        -- Snake (15:32:00 / 10-16-57)

>>>>>[Wow Vernier, your hardware seems a little TOO important to you. You
aren't trying to make up for something, are you?]<<<<<
        -- Jen and Gabe <17:47:54/10-16-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_force.1
>>>>>[Well I'm the hired help, so I don't really get a say in the matter
- but I'd love to work with her.]<<<<<
        -- Minx <07:45:10/10.17.57>

*****PRIVATE TO: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[Sorry Quinn, we were ignoring you. What was it you were talking
about?]<<<<<
        -- Jen and Gabe <17:51:32/10-16-96>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher, Griffyn
>>>>>[I guess we are mobilizing.

Ill get ahold of Black Knight.  He's our contact point on this end.  My plan
is to offer my services to him as needed.  Nightmare needs to be kept out
of this.  I suspect that someone is just pushing buttons to get him into
the open.

Ratspeak is a target of oportunity.  100 knY to whoever brings that slitch
down.  Dont let that bit get out.  And dont let it come back to me or
Nightmare will crawl up my ass and out of my mouth.  I dont need that
right now.  Im sure he'd understand but I think he's able to manipulate
'speak somehow to his own needs and removing one of his unwitting dupes wont
go over well with him.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <22:22:29 / 10-16-57>

***** PRIVATE: Black Knight
>>>>>[I guess we have a couple of off duty officers that need to have a
talk with Blitz's friend.  I happen to be one of them.  Rather than
bumbling over one another, I've pointed them at you.  Feel free to contact
them as need be.

+++++ include: history.nb
+++++ include: history.griffyn

You should remember them from before.

If you need me in Boston, Im there.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <22:28:29 / 10-16-57>

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[SHIT!  Did you mean for that to go to him with your real name?????]<<<<<
        -- Skuff <just/on>

***** PRIVATE: Skuff
>>>>>[The German contingent knows who I am.  It happened right after
Powerhouse's death.  It was the only way I could get an "in".  Blind trust
won out.  Dont think I'm stupid enough to do that again]<<<<<
        -- Kor <22:28:41 / 10-16-57>

***** INTERNAL: Scourge, Serenity Security, Consultant
>>>>>[+++++ Encryption: On
Please don't fiddle with mail messages that I encrypt.  Puzzle or not, it
would annoy me to find you doing it
+++++ Begin Alpha.scrg

I made contact.  Now we wait.  I wasnt expecting this puke to turn up
again but I guess I should have known better.  Most important is to
keep Nightmare clean in all of this.

Do you even check your mail on our systems or do I need to go land for you?
+++++ End Alpha.scrg
+++++ Enctryption: Off]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <22:32:24 / 10-16-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

*****PRIVATE:  Lilith
>>>>>[Your right, it is easy to get Jen and Gabe riled up.  Unfortunately,
Jennifer took their taunt a bit to heart.  Kept her from doing anything
stupid.  So, what do you know about these punks anyway?  I like to know a
bit more about who I'm poking fun of usually, unless of course they're
Aviators of Navals....

By the way, the offer on the simulator ride got postponed for a bit.
Jenny mentioned it in passing to the "Old Man" and was told that she just
might get what she wished for.  Will let you know more later.]<<<<<
        --  Arashi <15:59:39/10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE: Rosha, Evita, Wolfen
>>>>>[I don't like what I've been hearing about the CZ lately... but what
can one do? We leave tommorrow morning, meet at 0830, >>place<<.]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <16:23:53/10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Info-Scholar
>>>>>[It has come to my attention that you are in a position to acquire
valuable information.  An associate of mine has come to cross digital
paths with a pair calling themselves Jen and Gabe (what seems to be short
for Jenna and Gabriel).  The pair seem to be a pair of shadowrunners in
the Seattle area, of some renown if one is to believe them.  Conversely,
rumor has it that they are a pair of corporate operatives, if not
braggadocious simpletons who happen to know how to milk the local matrix
for their own amusement.  I am in a position to offer considerable funds
in return for the true story of who they are, what they are, and who they
work for.

I place considerable value on my associate and would not like to see any
harm come.  As well, I am of a natively curious sort.  However, you can
appreciate that certain inquiries, or the depths of certain inquiries can
be beyond the capability (physically or simply legally) of some.  Please
reply at your earliest convenience an estimate you would place upon such
an inquiry.  Note there can and will be a considerable bonus if the data
was to be more verifiably illuminating or hazardous to you.]<<<<<
        --  Hephaestus  <16:22:14/10-16-57>

*****Private To:  Azrael
>>>>>[Sukebe.... (do look that one up)

Kudo's on the Lewis Carol motif, but that's not any interpretation of the
story that I know....  And if anything, she sure didn't "burble as she
came." -_^ God, I don't believe I just said that.  Anyway, not my type, too
aggressive, and the tail was a tad too long (could get mighty uncomfortable
if anything).  Brings "sleaze" to an all new...low.

So
, what about the ladies--not as adventurous as I--who try the site?
Check out the icon file I left behind:  JabberBoy2.1b, a little something
I cooked up and tossed in on a return trip (think that funky ancient
rocker David Bowie crossed with the archangel named "Light-bringer" and
your almost there).  Don't worry I didn't bother messing with anything
else; nothing was as amusing as the login.

And I handle my hardware just fine thank you.  :P  ]<<<<<
        --  Vernier  <16:49:34/10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE: Vernier
>>>>>[Naaani?  Nihongo o shiranai wake nai ja nai ka?  Besides, some friends of
mine have persuaded me that the Japanese entertainment industry has managed to
produce some worthwhile material, even if it is aimed at raking in the money.
Hit the net and see if the name "CLAMP" adds any perspective to the matter. =)
I could comment about the tail, but I'll let it suffice to say that my
lady-comrade in arms finds it quite "convenient"....

Oh, as for the file you left around; I liked the artistry enough to save it
from being trashed out of hand, but you should be aware for the future that
the garbage collector at that site doesn't take too kindly foreign objects...
Call it a lack of a sense of humor, if you will.  Decent code, though.  I
don't suspect it'll stay around long due to the usage requirements of the
system, but maybe we'll keep you in mind if we want some input into our
front-end design. ]<<<<<
        --  Azrael  <17:03:49 / 10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE TO:The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[Say, is your "we need someone to be the badguys" offer still
open? If so, can I come? I promise I won't hurt anybody too
bad-They'll still be alive. :)]<<<<<
        -- Shiftboy <17:09:44/10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE: Arashi
>>>>>[Jenna and Gabriel? Oh, just use them for amusement. They're a pair
of corporate expediters, who claim rather more ability than they've
demonstrated so far: apparently they're deckers, mages, samurai and
riggers all at once. Considering how hard I work to stay on top of half
that, I'd say they're liars.

There was a rather amusing incident a while ago, when a pair of bumblers
botched a run in front of a security drone: it appeared to be Jen and
Gabe, and they got _very_ upset when it was alleged to be them. Their
problem is, since nobody's worked with them or seen them in action, they
couldn't point to any mistakes and say "see? you know we never do that".

Still looking forward to the sim ride. Probably easiest if we come to
your facility: less high-volume traffic attracting attention, fewer
bandwidth problems. It promises to be... challenging.

OBTW, Jason and I were going down to the Tailhooker in Everett tomorrow
night, to have a few with anyone from the _Koontz_ who's there... you
and your partner want to come along?]<<<<<
        -- Lilith <00:20:42/10-17-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jen and Gabe
>>>>>[What was I saying? Oh, yeah. Work. Training. Having fun. Going a
few rounds with 3 Para at Whinney Hill and getting paid for it. Plus at
least one free piss-up and curry in Catterick afterwards.

Like I said, though, probably out of your league.

I shouldn't have asked you, actually, except I misread the memo -
thought I saw an "in" beside the "competent runners" and immediately you
sprang to mind. Then I read it properly and I invited Skull instead.

It's too difficult and dangerous for you. Stay home and fiddle with your
processors instead.]<<<<<
        -- The Mighty Quinn <00:25:07/10-17-57>

*****PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[Rifle, grenades, no problem. Untraceable limits me a little - most
of my sources are legitimate - but I happen to have a few cold,
unregistered weapons for just this kind of contingency. AK-97 clones,
Chinese: good quality weapons. Let me know what modifications you want
and I'll gunsmith it up for you. Ammo, I have damn near anything, and I
can even pass you a clip or two of sabots: weapons have serial numbers,
bullets just have headstamps.

Grenades, easy, just gimme the list of what you want.

Consider this a favour: if you're a friend of Stormwind, you're probably
a good guy to know.]<<<<<
        -- Lynch <00:12:16/10-17-57>


*****PRIVATE: Hephaestus
>>>>>[I cannot discuss this matter with you at this time. Contact me next
early next week, and we can do business.]<<<<<
	--  InfoScholar  <21:18:13/10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE: Azrael
>>>>>[Greetings and a couple of comments from another "freelance computer
security consultant" and Lewis Carroll fan. Normally I prefer to interact
with constructs from the other side of a good suite of programming
utilities, but you need some real-time testing to find out how well things
really work. So I thought I'd go and test the latest versions of my analysis
utilities against your construct. Results included below for your amusement.
Overall, looks pretty good, although it doesn't look much like any Carroll
illustration I've ever seen. I prefer my version myself, but that's probably
just programming style. There's a possible weakness or two shown in the
report below, which you might want to check out, and fix for the next
version if they're real. I didn't have the time or inclination to actually
tangle with such a potentially formidable construct for fun, so I don't know
how it'd actually do in "combat".

++++include analysis
]<<<<<
        --  Alice  <18:42:16/10-16-57>

***** PRIVATE: Bull
>>>>>[It would be sounding that you are in need of some Magical help.  I
can be reached through >>encrypted<<  Ring me up.]<<<<<
        -- Celt <16:37:09/10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE: Bull
>>>>>[I highly recommend an individual named "Skull Bearer" for your work.
He has done extraordinary work for me already. You may contact him
through Shadowland.]<<<<<
        --  Ms. Johnston <23:01:00/10-16-57>

>>>>>[To whoever/whatever hurt my friend Cassandra.

She's in the hospital now, are you happy? Probably for awhile. She's in a
coma. She was getting ready to go somewhere, and you had to wreck it, and
I'm really mad at whoever you are. Cass is a really nice person, she does
not deserve what you have done to her.

I really hope you get what you have coming to you, and if I can be the one
to administer it, good. If someone else does it, good.]<<<<<
        --  Evita <21:32:36 / 10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE: InfoScholar
>>>>>[I would like any information you may have or be able to get on an
attacker who is incredibly strong, and was in the vicinity of the Appleridge
apartments on or about 0830 on the 15th of October.]<<<<<
        --  Evita <21:33:40 / 10-16-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Evita
>>>>>[I sent Cassandra for to training this morning.  What the fuck is
going on here?

Any second now you are going to tell me that you are joking and that
she made it to her orientation session fine, right?]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <04:09:38 / 10-17-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE:  Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[Ok guys and girls, we've managed to secure a safe house for the time
being.  The local is only temporary for now, though.

Ok, after the last safe house got blown because of the phone lines being
traced, we now need to deal directly through Shadowland, as myself, Orion
and the other Matrix Jockeys can help protect our data better.

Now, i realize that some of you are not technically inclined, and currently
have deckers working overtime to put your sorry carcasses on teh matrix.
<grin>  So, I have a new gadget all worked up that I will be sending out as
soon as they're ready.

Here's the gist of them though.  It's a small device that will record your
voice, and translate it as an electronic message.  Not taht big a deal, I
know.  Well, hear comes the tricky part.  They are set up so that all you
have to do is plug them into a dataline, and it automatically dumps the data
to a central data dump.

The devices have several inbuilt programs to help insure safe transmission.
the first is a very powerful program to defeat traces.  It will re-route the
message several times to avoid the trace, with close to 2000 different
destinations that it randomly re-routes through.  this is a modification of
my own re-route program.  Also in it is a encryption program that can be
read with one of these devices.

They will also pick up your mail.  It will work like old style e-mail with a
central mailing list, except that it *should* be heavily protected.  Also
aiding this will be that our team's deckers, including myself, will be
patrolling and actively protecting teh dump site at all times.  We're
calling in a few other deckers to help on this, although they will not be
present for any physical meets.

The devices, the "E-mailers", will be handed out to each team member as they
are hired on, whether they can deck or not, providing us with a univeral way
to contact each other.  Canis and Orion, as the team leader for "B" team,
will get a supply of tehse, and Myself, inferno, and Dark Avenger will also
have a supply.

Updates on the two programs will be supplied every couple of days to prevent
them from being broken.

Any questions, team?]<<<<<
        -- Bull <15:39:01/10-16-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[Hey! What the Aitch Eeee dubble hockey sticks is this thang? 
I got a package this morning that had this lil' doohickey in it, and a 'trix 
jack hangin' off'n the end of it. I goes and plugs it in an' alluvva sudden 
I get some flakey message from some Cow or Bull fella askin' ifn' I cain 
use a 'pooter!

Thet thar don' make no kinda sense. Ah ain't never met nobuddy name o'
Bull afore. But seein' as how you seem to need some hailp within' some
kinda bug Ah reckon' Ah cain give ya a hand. Y'all jess tell me when and
where ta meetcha and Ah'll ride on up in my Gopher with both barrels
a'blazin!]<<<<<
         -- Bubba <10:25:03/10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE TO: Lilith
>>>>>[Hi Lilith.  I guess I've got some explaining to do, huh?  Well, here
it goes.

Lynch told me that I should send updates to you while I was on my own (which
makes me feel like I'm ten, by the way).  Not a problem, but I suppose you
wanted them more than two weeks apart.  Oh well, it's field work, what can I
say?  Actually, this would've been to you two days ago, but I don't know how
good the encryption is, and I didn't want anyone to find where I was, when I
was there.  So what I did was set up a delay of four days.  Anyone who
traces this send is going to be too late.

But for the information.  Here it is in a day by day breakdown.  It starts
on the fourth, a few hours before I dropped Jason off for his flight.  What
isn't captured on the body cam and mike you gave me I filled in with my
personal notes.  I also voice overed some of the video.

+++++Begin video 041057.20:15:90.MDT
The view from the camera shows the inside of a smoke filled bar.  The hands
of the person the camera is attached to, obviously Blade, show parts of him
on the sides of the view, but the picture is centered on a doorway to the
right of the actual bar that stretches the length of the room.  A man walks
out.   He look fairly normal, except for a long mohawk.  He walks over to
where Blade is sitting and mumbles a few words, which are too low to be
picked up by the microphone.

Blade turns slightly to where another man, Lynch, is sitting.  "This
shouldn't take too long."  Lynch just nods before turning his attention back
to the room.
Blade stands and follows the man with the mohawk across the bar, through the
door, and up a long flight of stairs.  At the top, the man opens a door and
gestures for Blade to walk through.  Blade does, and the door closes behind
him without the other man entering.

The room upstairs is a cut above what was below.  Not a big cut, but it's
obvious that this is where the true business of the place is done.  Sitting
behind a desk is a scrawny looking fellow.  His greasy black hair is tied
back, but it does nothing to neaten up his appearance.  Nor does the poorly
cut raw silk suit that he's wearing.  Behind and to the left stands another
man.   From his stance, he's either a bodyguard, an advisor, or both.

The man at the desk speaks with a voice heavly accented from the streets.
"Good evening Mr. Blade.  I've heard many good things about you.  What may
my business do for you tonight?"

Blade sits down in a chair in front of the desk, and leans back.  "Lets cut
the drek, shall we?  There's only one thing you guys have that no one else
does."

The advisor/bodyguard leans down and whispers something into the man's ear.
The man behind the desk smiles.  "Ah, yes.  I must say, this has made our
rather small orginaztion grow.  I presume you are speaking of Doom?"

"Of course."

"As I thought.  And might I add that you may want to treat us with more
courtesy, seeing how we are the only distributors of such a valuable
resources on this side of the continent.  We don't take kindly to people
coming in and bossing us around."

"I don't give a hot damn what you think, Carpacci.  You are going to tell me
who sold it to you.  No negotiations.  No swindling.  You tell me, and I
give you a nice certified credstick and don't burn you to the ground.  Sound
fair?"

The advisor leans torwards Carpacci's ear, mumbling into it for only a
second.  "Mr. Blade.  Such threats.  I don't think we can deal with you.
You will leave now."  After saying that, he reaches into a desk drawer.

Before he can do anything, however, the picture blurs and the bodyguard is
underneath Blade.  The view shoots to the side as Blade turns and stands,
drawing and pointing a heavy pistol at Carpacci as he stands, but Carpacci
already has a gun out and is turning torwards him.

Blade snaps the gun up to the man's temple.  "You!  Stop moving!"

Another man enters the room from a side door, holding a SPAS-22  "No, move
all you want Ed.  This fragger's the one who's going to stop moving."  He
moves the shotgun to aim towards Blade's head

Before the new guy has had a chance to finish talking, Blade moves his hand
under his trench coat in a move too fast to follow and comes up pointing
another pistol at him.  The third guy under Blades foot squirms and gasps
for breath.  His hands grab Blade's ankle and try to move him.  Blade
doesn't even look at him.

"You know, they can put guns in cyber legs, too."  The man freezes.

Lynch struts in.  Taking note of the three-way standoff Blade is in, he
chuckles.  "Got things under control?"

"Well it's about goddamn time.  Think you could help me out here?"

"Which one do you need?"

"The one under my foot."

The three other men in the room just watch the conversation in amazement.
Sweat beads on the man with the shotgun's forehead.  "You move and I'll
fraggin' blow away your friend's fraggin' head!"

Lynch just smiles again.  "On three."

"O.K."  Blade pauses.  "Is that one, two, three go or one, two, three and go?"

"On three.  One, two, three, go."

"Isn't that after?"

"Fuck it."

Blade falls back and aims both Predators at Ed, firing.  Lynch draws his two
Colt .45's and nails the man with the shot gun.  All three men hit the floor
at about the same time, two with wounds oozing out of their chests.  The
third man starts to scrabble away before Blade catches him in a scissor hold
with his legs.  "Ah, ah.  Not yet."

Blade holsters his two pistols and picks up the bodyguard/advisor.

"Before you try to put one of your stooges in your place, try to sort out
his answers before hand.  It won't look like you're in charge so much."

The camera is centered on the man's sweating face.  His eyes are round and
he's started to hyperventilate.

"Oh, frag.  Jesus, frag, frag, aw, drek.  Man, please don't, don't kill me.
I'll tell you who we got the stuff from.  It's in my note book, in the top
desk drawer."

Blade turns torwards the desk as Lynch cautiously opens up the drawer and
takes out an old looking notebook.

"The guys name is, uh, Daverys.  Walter Daverys.  Goes by the name of
Recluse.  He works out of Cairo.  At least, he did when we dealt with him
last time."

"When was that?"

"Last week.  Jesus, don't kill me.  Please."

Blade turns back to Lynch, who has the notebook open.  He looks up at Blade
and nods.

Blade sets the man back down.  "Looks like another day of wine and roses for
you."  Then he pulls back and hits him square in the jaw, knocking the man
out.  Blade takes the notebook from Lynch and they start to leave.

Lynch turns to Blade as they walk out.  "I heard what you said back there.
I didn't know your leg was cyber."

"It's not."

Lynch's laughter echoes as the door closes.

+++++end video 041057.20:15:90.MDT

So that was then.  I dropped Lynch off at the airport before hitting the
streets for more info on Byrnes before I left for Newark.  I figured she had
about a day on me as it was, and one more wasn't going to make that much of
a difference.  Didn't find out more than what I already knew, except for
some potentially useful descriptions.  Everywhere she went, she spent money
like it was going out of style.  The hotel screamed money from the moment
you drove up to the moment you left.  So did the places I was able to track
her shopping at.  The Bard was right.  This woman might be a great
biochemist, but she was no field agent.  Lucky for me I guess.

Well, since I couldn't find out anymore in Vegas, I hopped a flight to
Newark.  Speaking of Newark, do I get hazardous duty pay for that?  Anyway,
Newark had it's own bag of tricks for me.  First of all, her parents had
moved from their original address, and tracking down their new one was a
bitch.  Usually, finding a couple of SINners in a city like Newark would be
easy, but her parents had not only moved, but had lost their jobs.  So they,
as I found out by finding and paying off the right people, had moved into
one of the uglier sides of an ugly city.  This is what I found when I got there

+++++Begin video 091057.06:01:45.EDT

From the outside, the duplex doesn't look any worse than it's neighbors.  A
little sad, perhaps.  But no grayer than the other houses it rubs shoulders
with.  As the view travels up the short set off stairs to the door, you can
see that something isn't quite right with it.  A hand, Blades, reaches out
and pushes on the door, and rusty hinges squeel as the door slowly opens.

Stepping inside, the first impression is that either a storm front hit or
the people living here doesn't keep a very clean house.  Drawers are open
everywhere.  Furniture is smashed, the upholstery torn apart.  Tapes and
hard copy books litter the floors.

Blade takes a sniff, and then a longer one.  "Ughh."  He begins to walk down
a short hall to what looks like a kitchen/dining area.  The area is the same
as the front.  Soy and flavoring are splattered everywhere.  Something
catches Blades eyes in the corner, near a sink and window.  He looks up, and
something dark can be seen dripping from the ceiling and down the wall.

Blade starts opening up doors, finally finding one with a set off stairs
leading up.  He takes them slowly, and finally reaches a alcove that
connects three rooms.  The first two he checks are in the same condition as
the downstairs.  Someone was apparently looking for something that they
wanted very badly.

Blade walks up to the third door, which is slightly a jar.  He pauses a
second before pushing this door slowly open.  A few flies cross the view as
he steps in.

Inside is a nightmarish scene.  It looks almost as if someone had tried to
paint the walls in red blood, now gone darker with drying.  The floor is
sticky as Blade walks around in the room.  On one side of the bed is the
remains a womans body.  She has cuts all over her.  The view moves away and
into an attached bathroom.  In there is a man hanging from a rope around his
neck dangling from the ceiling.

+++++end video 091057.06:01:45.EDT

As you can see, not a pretty end for either of her parents.  After a little
bit of searching, however, I was able to find a few things that the killers
missed.  One was a piece of clothing from an expensive store in Vegas.
Apparently, her daughter had been there.  That's probably what got her
parents killed.  I'll have to tell her when I pick her up.  Anyway, the
other was under a magnet on the fridge.  Why they didn't check there, I'll
never know.  But they missed this.

+++++include picture FridgeNote.091057.06:25:67.EDT

The picture shows a short note written in very precise script on the back of
a soy cereal box.  It says:

"Mom and Dad,
   I've got some business to take care off.  If I don't see you before I
leave, have a great time in Hawaii.  I'll send you pictures of the pyramids.
         Love
          Libby."

+++++end include picture FridgeNote.091057,06:25:67.EDT

I think she's headed for Cairo as well.  When I didn't know, though.

The Bard dropped off some info for me, which helped immensley.  The target
had apparently holed up in a cheap coffin motel, and left for Cairo on the
first flight out two days ago.  The next flight leave in an hour, and I've
got a ticket for it.  You should recieve this message on the 16th, if the
software works right.  If it doesn't, I have no idea.  Either way, shortly
thereafter, you'll have my next report.]<<<<<
       -- Blade <00:43:10/10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Nomad
>>>>>>[A little amgical support would be lovely, Nomad.  Contact Canis and
have his decker Orion add you to the private mailer.  They can set you up
and give you a few more details on the job.]<<<<<
        -- Bull <01:01:23/10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[Sounds good Caric.  Please meet me at >>encrypted<< at >>encrypted<<
for more details.]<<<<<
        -- Bull <01:12:41/10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Harkion
>>>>>[Harkion, welcome aboard.  Contact Dark Avenger, and he'll give you
some more details and get you set up.  We could use a good techie in the
group.  I do my share, but Hacking's much more my gaem.]<<<<<
        -- Bull <01:29:27/10-17-57>

>>>>>[This just might be the last one.  But as I've not seen the entire
transcript, don't quote me on that.  Everyone, welcome to Drake's Hell.

+++++ Begin Trideo record, International Police Hearing S57-01 +++++

Clerk:  The Panel calls Paul Drake.

The camera turns and faces the Defendant's table, behind which sits Commander
Drake.  The man that is the "dragon" pushes his chair back from the table,
and rises is impressive 1.8m height, standing on legs that look remarkably
like the hind legs of a dog.  Considering the slit-pupil eyes, elongated
muzzle, and fangs, never mind the retractable claws or the overlapping
scales, perhaps saying that they look like the hind legs of a dragon would be
more accurate.  After standing, Drake takes a second to straighten out the
imperceptible wrinkles in his black dress uniform, and walks to the witness
chair, his spiked tail shifting slightly.  The chair creaks under his weight
as he sits down, the only testimony to the massive amount of cyberware he
must have in his body.

The clerk picks up the Bible sitting on the table, and presents it to Drake.
Drake puts his left hand on the Bible and raises his right hand.

Clerk:  State your name and rank for the record.

Drake:  Paul Drake, Commander, InterPol Special Branch, currently relieved of
command.

Clerk:  Repeat after me, sir:  I, Paul Drake, do solemnly swear....

Drake:  I, Paul Drake, do solemnly swear.

Clerk:  To tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so
help me God.

Drake:  To tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so
help me God.

Burns:  Commander, you are now under oath.  Lt. Burr, your witness, but I
caution you:  treat the Commander with the proper respect.

Lt. Burns, Prosecution:  Naturally, Sir.  Commander Drake, I'll start with a
very simple allegation which was discovered in the course of my examination
of the various witnesses, so that it will not detract from my later
questions.

Drake:  You mean about the data file, correct?

Prosecution:  Yes.  Please explain your behavior with regards to it.

Drake:  I keep active files on all my agents, including complete backgrounds,
current activities, everything.  The file store is an old RNA system,
obsolete, but also easy to destroy and erase should unauthorized access be
attempted.  In addition, it is also kept isolated from any Matrix system.

Prosecution:  You are aware, Commander, that keeping data such as that is
against InterPol regulations.

Drake:  I am aware of it, yes.

Prosecution:  If you are an ethical man, like I have heard so many people
describe you, how can you maintain the data store and not report it?

Drake:  Very simple.  The backgrounds of all the agents in InterPol are
available to the regional commanders.  The reason this data is available is
so that the commanders know instantly the various skills, medical problems,
etc. of the men and women under their command.  Due to the special natures
of a good many of Special Branch's agents, the data is under tighter guard,
and one of the last Sections to the Charter addresses this issue.  Section
92, in essence, says that the backgrounds and other information regarding
the agents in Special Branch should not be available to the Commander unless
he can provide some reason why he should know the information.  I feel that
knowledge of my agents' skills and backgrounds is vital to my being able to
command them, and I feel that is reason enough.  As the Special Branch
charter contradicts this, but the InterPol Charter does not, I have copied
the information, which I have always attained through proper channels, to
the RNA storage medium, the only way that I can have instant access to
everything that I need about one of my agents.

Prosecution:  So, you attain your files properly, and then copy them....
Correct me if I'm wrong, sir, but isn't copying these files against
regulations, even if your requisitioning them is not?

Drake:  The InterPol charter prohibits wholesale copying or the placing of
material where it can be accessed by the Matrix or be read by unauthorized
individuals.  As the only person who ever reads those files is me and the
individual whom I recommend to replace me, in this case Jose Montoya, there
are no unauthorized individuals who have access to the files.

Prosecution:  It appears that you have a found a grey area, Commander.

Drake:  Of course.  It is quite possible that, should Internal Affairs, who
have been investigating me since before I released Mr. Lynch, see fit to
require that the data store be destroyed, so be it.  However, I will continue
to play within this grey area until full access has been granted to Special
Branch, and the relevant lines and paragraphs in Section 91 stricken from
the Special Branch charter.

Prosecution:  I see.  Very well, Commander Drake, let us begin the real
questions.  Could you please recollect for the panel what your actions were
after you dropped off Lt. Col. Montoya and headed toward Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport?

Drake:  I had a hunch.  Mr. Lynch, through all our conversations, was not the
type to go to ground immediately after his location had been compromised.
And he was a pilot.  I suspected that his instincts would be to get the Hell
out of Dodge, if you catch my meaning, and then to lay low and heal up as
soon as he was out of harms reach.  And at that point, there wasn't anywhere
in Seattle that could legitimately qualify as out of harms reach.

I followed my hunch to the airport.  As wounded as he was, he couldn't have
gone in the standard public entrances, so that limited it to employee and
private hanger access.  The private hanger access would appeal to a pilot,
and there was a very good chance that one of the hangers would be rented out
by Mr. Lynch's employers for an escape plane.  I drove quietly and slowly
around the hangers until I saw a car that matched the description of the
vehicle missing from the Dome parking garage.  I called it in to then
Sergeant Montoya, and after his affirmation of its identity, I left the car
and approached the hanger.

Inside the hanger was a small twin engine prop plane, and Mr. Lynch was
slowly hand-pumping fuel into it's tanks.  At that point, he had a tourniquet
tied around his leg, but everything below his upper calf was soaked in blood,
and there was almost a dance of bloody footsteps on the hanger floor.  I
ordered him to turn around and remove his weapons, which he did.  I must
admit that I was a bit surprised to find that he went without resisting, but
his honor had decreed that, if he couldn't remain free, that he would die
with as much honor as I or the Aztlan government would allow.  I placed Mr.
Lynch under arrest, and put him into the back of my car, which I then drove
out of the airport.

Prosecution:  Excuse me, sir, just a minor point.  Were you in contact with
the Seattle headquarters at all during this?

Drake:  Only when I called in with the stolen car's bar code, and again when
I had arrested Mr. Lynch.

Prosecution:  And did HQ tell you anything in the time you were in contact?

Drake:  The Sergeant Montoya suggested that I wait to arrest Mr. Lynch until
he could get a proper arrest unit down into the area.  I declined by turning
off the radio.

Prosecution:  I see.  Thank you, sir.  Please continue with your
recollection.

Drake:  After arresting Mr. Lynch, I proceeded north from the airport along
Intercity-5.  During this time, I was suffering a crisis of conscience with
regard to Mr. Lynch, and at one point I turned back and noticed that he had
passed out.  I left the highway and headed off to Seward Park, where I found
a relatively secluded area and applied emergency first aid to Mr. Lynch.  It
was my opinion at the time that he could have died of blood loss had I not
done so.  After doing that, I walked around the park for a few minutes, and
then got back into the car.

>From the park I drove east around the south end of Lake Washington, north
into Bellevue, and east on Intercity-90 into Redmond.  I drove to Haven,
woke Mr. Lynch, who was extremely agitated regarding where he was, upon
recognizing it, and released him.  I then turned the radio back on, promoted
Sergeant Montoya to Lieutenant Colonel, and then relieved myself of duty
pending a full disciplinary hearing to investigate my actions.

Prosecution:  Thank you, sir.  You said that you walked for a few minutes in
Seward Park.  What precisely were you doing as you were walking?

Drake:  Thinking.

Prosecution:  And what were you thinking about?

Drake:  What I should do.  I had been suffering a crisis of conscience about
the morality of turning over Mr. Lynch to the Aztlan authorities.  Yet my
ethics required that I turn Mr. Lynch over to those very authorities, who I
knew had already convicted him.  In addition, I knew that he would be killed
slowly and painfully as a means to send a message to everyone who would dare
to frag with either Aztlan or Aztechnology.  In addition, I knew that as soon
as I turned him over, Aztlan would find a convenient excuse to renege on it's
agreement with the InterPol Governing Council.

But I had to turn Mr. Lynch over to them, because he was a criminal.  He had
broken the laws of a great many jurisdictions which currently have
jurisdictional agreements with InterPol.  However, Mr. Lynch was not about to
be extradited to one of those nations, but to a non-signatory nation.

As you can see, I was caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place.

Prosecution:  So you chose to release Mr. Lynch while you were walking,
correct?

Drake:  That is correct.

Prosecution:  What ultimately put you over the edge on that decision?

Drake:  I don't think that I can truly call Mr. Lynch a friend, but I have a
great deal of respect for him, even if I feel that he is a bit misguided.
That certainly had some effect on me.

Prosecution:  So you allowed your personal feelings to interfere?

Drake:  Please, allow me to finish what I was saying.  I said that my respect
for Mr. Lynch had an effect.  But I have respect for a great many of the
shadowrunners which I have locked away or who were executed over the years,
and my respect didn't keep me from arresting them and bringing them to trial.

I had been struggling with the various issues for a very long time, but I
have struggled with them before.  What finally put me over the edge was
realizing that I could have a greater effect on the events unfolding which I
had put into motion if I released Mr. Lynch than if I had delivered him to
Aztlan.

Basically, by placing myself into the position which I am currently
occupying, I could force the issues to appear before a disciplinary panel
and expose them in a more timely manner, and quickly enough to damage those
individuals and organizations who deserve the scorn and derision for their
part in the comedy of errors which was the pursuit of Mr. Lynch.

Prosecution:  So you broke the law by aiding and abetting a known felon to
satisfy some martyr complex?  How....noble.

Drake:  No, I broke the law because _everything_ has a chance to come to
light in a full disciplinary hearing.  _Nothing_ remains hidden.  Perhaps
you've heard about the forced "leaves of absence" that have struck InterPol
worldwide?  While they would have happened eventually, through Internal
Affair's actions, but there wouldn't have been as many, and they wouldn't
have occurred as quickly had this hearing not been held.

I was going to be up for a disciplinary hearing regardless.  But by breaking
a law rather than just InterPol regulations, I forced a full hearing.  And it
has had the desired effect.

Prosecution:  Yet you berate others, like Mr. Lynch, who break the law for a
"good" reason.  What makes you so different from him, sir?  Haven't you just
said that you did the same thing?

Drake:  The difference is that I have stood up to be counted as the criminal
which I allowed myself to become.  I can do more good by remaining within the
bounds of the laws I support, even if that means I will return to prison
after a true trial, than I can by remaining free.  It is my duty to bring
criminals to justice.  As I had become a criminal, I turned myself in.

Mr. Lynch, as far as I can tell, believes himself beholden only to the
"higher" law of justice.  Thus he believes himself above the laws of the
individual nations and individual corporations that he breaks, even as he
acknowledges that they are the best we have currently.  He truly believes
that he can do more good by remaining a free criminal than he can by turning
himself in.

That is the difference.  Perhaps it's merely semantics to you, Lt. Burr, but
it means a very great deal to me.

Prosecution:  You say that it is your duty to bring criminals to justice.
Did you not release Mr. Lynch again?  Isn't that contrary to doing your duty?

Drake:  My actions were contrary to that particular duty, yes.  And I made
myself a criminal in the process.

Prosecution:  Let the record state that Commander Drake has admitted to being
neglectful of his duty to bring criminals to justice.

Burns:  So noted.

Prosecution:  Commander, did you or did you not disobey direct orders from
Marshall Qoph to have Mr. Lynch killed by the Montoya sniper unit?

Drake:  I did.

Prosecution:  Let the record state that Commander Drake has admitted to
disobeying the direct order of a superior officer who, by prior testimony,
had been placed as the Commander's superior by Council vote.

Burns:  So noted.

Prosecution:  One last question, sir.  Are you, as commander of Special
Branch, responsible for the lives of those individuals under your command?

Drake:  I am.

Prosecution:  Does that mean that, should one die through your action or
inaction, you should be held responsible for their death?

Drake:  It does.

Prosecution:  Let the record state that Commander Drake has admitted to being
responsible for the death of the agent under his command.

Burns:  So noted.

Prosecution:  Commander Drake has admitted his guilt on all charges.  Honored
Panelists, the prosecution rests.

Burns:  There will be a recess for lunch.  Hearing adjourned until 1300
hours.

<pause>

Burns:  Lt. Mizikar, the Prosecution has rested it's case, and Commander
Drake has admitted guilt on all charges.  Unless you have some fantastic
evidence or a huge list of special circumstances which should offset what we
have heard, you have already lost.  Do you still wish to cross-examine?

Lt. Mizikar, Defense:  I understand, sir, and yes, I would still like to
cross-examine Commander Drake.

Burns:  Very well.  Commander Drake, I remind you that you are still under
oath.

Drake:  I understand.

Burns:  Good.  Lt., your witness.

Defense:  Thank you, sir.  Commander Drake, I would like to go through each
of these charges one at a time and, if possible, get your reasoning for why
you performed each of them.  With the exception of why you released Mr.
Lynch, as the Panel has already heard that.  Do you have a problem with that?

Drake:  Not at all.

Defense:  Excellent.  Starting with the charge of dereliction of duty charge,
do you feel that you were derelict in your duties?

Drake:  My duty to bring criminals to justice under the law?  Yes, I was, in
part.  All my duties?  Not even close.

Defense:  Which duties were you not in dereliction of?

Drake:  All of them except bringing criminals to justice.  But I have not
been even close to derelict in searching out corruption, or in training my
agents, or in ensuring that criminals would be brought to justice.

Defense:  Could you explain in more detail, Commander?  Especially your
comment about bringing criminals to justice.

Drake:  I've placed Jose Montoya as the commander of Special Branch, for one.
He is uncorrupted by national or corporate influences, and as incorruptible
as I am.  He shares my ideals on law and justice, even if they are marginally
weaker.  And by placing him in command, I ensured that the others waiting in
line for me to resign or die would have no opportunity to scuttle or pervert
Special Branch and pull it away from it's duty of protecting the law.

Second, I convinced the Council to allow me to use only the local Seattle
forces to pursue Mr. Lynch, instead of using all the Special Branch forces in
the world.  By doing this, I was able to continue business as usual
throughout the vast majority of the world, instead of scuttling all the
thousands of investigations and pursuits which Special Branch is involved in.
In the time it took me and my agents to finally arrest Mr. Lynch, over 50
terrorists and shadowrunners were arrested over 100 investigations had taken
significant steps forward.  All those and more would have crashed and burned
had I not been able to convince the Council to allow me to limit the
mobilization to only Seattle.  But in Seattle, 23 investigations fell by the
wayside, 4 of which were high profile and/or much more dangerous than Mr.
Lynch.

Defense:  You implied in your prior testimony that the two Enforcement
officers which were being groomed for your replacement would have scuttled
or perverted Special Branch.  Why is that?

Drake:  Because one has been caught taking Ares Macrotech bribes, and the
other is owned by Mitsuhama.

Prosecution:  Objection!  Speculation.

Defense:  Fact, actually.  Internal Affairs has recently brought charges of
corruption against both of them for precisely the same reasons that Commander
Drake has alluded to.

Burns:  Overruled.

Defense:  So having a corrupt commander of Special Branch would have been a
bad thing?

Drake:  Obviously.  Having corruption anywhere in InterPol is, as you said, a
bad thing.

Defense:  And is there corruption elsewhere in InterPol?

Drake:  InterPol is rife with corruption.  Special Branch has the dubious
honor of being the least corrupt branch, and Enforcement the most.

Prosecution:  Objection.  Speculation.

Defense:  The defense submits the following reports, and references IAD
reports 143- 52 through 578-55.  In summary, all the reports indicate that
what Commander Drake has just said is completely accurate.

Burns:  Objection overruled.  Lt. Burr, I'd better be sure that what you're
objecting to is accurate from now on.

Prosecution:  Of course, Sir.

Burns:  Lt. Mizikar, continue please.

Defense:  Commander Drake, you said earlier that you had committed a crime in
order to further certain aims which you had at the time.  Could you please
explain to the panel what those aims were.

Drake:  Simply, to expose as much of the corruption in InterPol in as short a
period of time as possible.

Defense:  Do you believe you have been successful?

Drake:  If what I hear about the recent forced retirements, forced leaves-of-
absence, and number of scheduled disciplinary hearings is accurate, then I
have been successful, yes.

Defense:  How does that make you feel?

Prosecution:  Objection!

Burns:  Sustained.  Commander Drake's feelings are not in question, Lt.
Please rephrase the question.

Defense:  Of course.  What do you think the panel will do to you, since you
have been successful in achieving your aims?

Drake:  I don't know.  While I have met my goals, and so my future need not
matter in the grand scheme of InterPol, it means a great deal to me
personally.  I hope that I will be reinstated as Commander of Special Branch
again.  However, as I have broken the law, I simply do not know what will
happen to me.

Defense:  Thank you.  Moving on to the charge that you are responsible for
the death of one of you agents.  Do you believe that there was more that you
could have done that would have meant he would still be alive?

Drake:  In hindsight, I can think of a great many things I could have done,
or perhaps should have done.  But at the time, there was no indication that
the level of opposition would have resulted in the death of an agent, and so
those additional precautions were not taken.

Defense:  So you could have taken additional precautions, but didn't because
you didn't feel they were necessary, correct?

Drake:  Yes.

Defense:  And there were no indications that additional, radical precautions
would be required, correct?

Drake:  Yes.

Defense:  I want you to be absolutely clear on that, sir.  There were
absolutely no indications, whatsoever?

Drake:  None.

Defense:  So you took all the precautions you felt were necessary based on
all the available information you had, contrary to what Marshall Qoph has
testified.

Drake:  Yes, but Marshall Qoph is correct about one thing.  I am the one
individual who is ultimately responsible for the lives of my agents, thus I
am ultimately responsible for his death.

Defense:  Of course, Commander.  However, no court could possibly consider
you guilty of murder for doing everything you could at the time to keep
someone alive.

Prosecution:  Objection!

Burns:  Sustained.  Lt. Mizikar, the Panel will decide who is guilty of what
here, not yourself.

Defense:  My apologies, Sir.  Commander, if we may move on to the charge of
aiding and abetting an known criminal.  Marshall Qoph has indicated that you
were secretly working with Mr. Lynch to keep him alive and free.  Were you?

Drake:  Absolutely not.  I released him at the end, but until that final
action, I had absolutely no intention to aid Mr. Lynch.  And I had every
intention of arresting him quickly, because doing so would have enabled me to
get Special Branch back on track to arresting more dangerous individuals than
Mr. Lynch.  I even attempted to convince Mr. Lynch to turn himself in so I
could do just that.  If it had worked, I might not have lost an agent, but
nor would there have been as rapid a shakeout of InterPol.

Defense:  The Defense presents the complete transcripts of Commander Drake's
attempts to convince Mr. Lynch to turn himself in as evidence.  Commander,
you are responsible for charging Marshall Qoph with a variety of charges,
including conspiracy and corruption.  Why did you issue those charges?

Drake:  Because there is evidence that Marshall Qoph has been paid off by
Aztechnology.  Most of the direct evidence which I had from my pursuit of Mr.
Lynch was, and still is, circumstantial.  But it was enough to convince IAD
to perform a detailed check into Marshall Qoph's background.

Defense:  And what were the results of those findings, sir?

Drake:  I don't know.  I have not been privy to the status of the
investigation for quite some time.

Defense:  The Defense presents the final report on Marshall Xavier Qoph as
evidence.  Marshall Qoph has been proven by Internal Affairs to have 4
separate bank accounts in the Caribbean League and Switzerland to which
monies originating in Aztlan and Aztechnology coffers have been funneled for
the past 13 years.

Burns:  Let us see that, Lt.

<pause>

Burns:  Very interesting, Lt. Mizikar.  Continue, please.

Defense:  Thank you, sir.  Commander Drake, the final charge against you was
disobeying the direct orders of a superior officer, specifically Marshall
Qoph.  Why did you disobey those orders?

Drake:  Because they were from a corrupt officer of InterPol, for one.  Those
orders also were issued from an officer who was placed as my superior by the
Council, which has granted Special Branch a level of autonomy.  That autonomy
does not allow the Council to arbitrarily place an officer over the commander
without first notifying him or her.  The documents presented earlier were
accurate, however I did not receive them until well after the fact.  I had
one of my agents, a decker known as Eight-Ball, do some digging into the
source of the documents, since they professed to have been dated by the
system correctly, but actually arrived several days late.  She discovered
that the documents had been sent 18 hours after the actual Council meeting,
and that the mail system clocks had temporarily been altered by a
sophisticated virus to tag the documents with the prior dates and times.

Defense:  So someone released a virus into InterPol's mail system that
altered the dates and times of just those documents, to make it appear as if
you had been notified before the Council meeting, when you actually weren't
notified until after it?

Drake:  That is correct.

Defense:  What did you do after discovering that information?

Drake:  I informed Internal Affairs, who took over the investigation.  I do
not know what has become of that investigation.

Defense:  The Defense presents IAD document B23-57, which shows that the
results of IADs investigation are the same as Eight-Ball's.  In addition, the
source of the virus is detailed.

Burns:  Let's see that too, Lt.

<pause>

Burns:  It says here that the virus was of Mitsuhama design.  Is that
correct?

Defense:  As far as I know, sir, it is.

Burns:  I see.  As head of this Disciplinary Panel and senior member of the
Governing Council of the International Police, I hereby place Miyamoto
Okyoshu on indefinite leave of absence from all Council duties, including
this disciplinary hearing, pending a full hearing regarding the matter of
corruption, conspiracy, and felony alteration of InterPol documents, as per
the International Police charter and all relevant treaties.

Miyamoto Okyoshu:  What?!  You can't do that!  I'm the senior representative
of Imperial Japan!

Rep. Thomas Lang:  I agree, Sir Harold.  You cannot simply remove a fellow
Councilman from his duties for no good reason.

Burns:  I assure you, sirs, that I can remove a fellow Councilman from his
duties if there is evidence of impropriety on his part.  This report contains
the evidence, and regulations require that I remove Mr. Okyoshu immediately,
regardless of public or private standing.  My apologies, but the Charter must
be followed in all respects.  Good day, Mr. Okyoshu.

+++++ Miyamoto Okyoshu rises slowly from his chair, staring at Sir Harold
Burns, and then glaring at Commander Drake for a long instant before turning
and joining the armed escorts in leaving the room. +++++

Burns:  If there are no further problems, I suggest we continue.

Defense:  Of course, sir.  Commander Drake, did Internal Affairs determine
who had sent the documents?

Drake:  To the best of my knowledge, no.  But they were working on that
problem as well prior to my removal from command.

Defense:  The Defense presents the IAD document B58-57, which contains the
results of this investigation.

Burns:  Let me guess, another Councilman....  <pause>  Damn.  Councilman
Lang, you are also placed on leave of absence, effective immediately, pending
the outcome of a full investigation into your dealings with the Aztechnology
corporation.  Good day, Representative Lang.

+++++ Two armed escorts come in and escort Rep. Lang from the room.  Before
he leaves, however, the microphone picks up some parting words directed at
Commander Drake. +++++

Lang:  You do know that you're lifespan just shrunk significantly, don't you,
Paul?  See you in Hell, Paul.  That's where you and all your kind belong.

Burns:  Now that's over with, does the Defense have any more questions to ask
the defendant?

Defense:  Only a few, Sir.  Commander Drake, why do you think that there were
two attempted runs to release you from confinement here in the HQ?

Drake:  If the first actually was from Doomsday, it was because he knows
enough about me to know that I would have said no, and I would have had to
fight.  Doomsday owes me nothing, and all I owe him is a broken back in
return for the one he gave me some time ago.

And I find that the second run, if it actually was from Nightmare, should
have succeeded.  Why an agent of the German government would want me out of
confinement illegally is out of my ken.  Perhaps we should ask the German
representative to the Council.

Defense:  You really didn't answer the question, sir.

Drake:  Sorry.  I think that they were tried to put an unusual spin on this
hearing.  Doomsday, if he actually had tried this, would have done so to
attempt to throw doubt on my testimony and my integrity by implying that I
have some outside and illegal contacts with criminals.  This would be more
likely to get me locked away for a very long time.  Nightmare, on the other
hand....  As I said, his motives are beyond my ken.  I have done nothing
recently to warrant his attention.  The only thing I can think of, and I
don't think for one second that this is right, is that InterPol has several
warrants for his arrest from other nations whose soil has been the target of
his operations at one time or another.  Perhaps he feels that I have become a
legitimate threat to his personal freedom, since my agents were able to
arrest Mr. Lynch.  As Nightmare is on the list of criminals, but not
considered generally dangerous, his arrest is not a priority, and I think he
likely knows that.

Defense:  The defense rests it's case.

Burns:  Thank you, Lt. Mizikar.  Commander, do you have anything else to say
on your behalf?

Drake:  I believe that everything has been said that needs saying.

Burns:  Thank you, Commander.  You are released.  The Panel, or what's left
of it, will now recess until tomorrow, when we will give our verdict.
Dismissed.

+++++ End Trideo record +++++

Youch.  Long one, this time.  Hope everyone got it.  Looks like he's gonna
get off, too.  Too fraggin bad.]<<<<<
      --  Trideo Pirate <23:36:39/10-16-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Lynch
>>>>>[A group of vamps warned you to keep out of their business?
Interesting.

Unfortunately, due to my tendency to be nice to those whom most of my
"bretheren" would consider to be foodstuffs, I'm not generally overly
welcome in thier circles, but I can give it a look-see and tell you what
I find out.

I suspect that if they wanted you dead, you'd have been dinner by now.]<<<<<
        --  Action Jackson <23:38:30/10-16-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[No, she never got there. I think she was getting ready to go. I didn't
know she was going to you, I wonder why she didn't tell me? Anyway, she's at
Seattle General, and she's awake now. The doc's say she'll be ok. She hasn't
said anything yet, so I don't know who did it, or why, but I have a pretty
good guess.

I have to go out of town for a bit, I think Cass'll be fine until she's out
of the hospital, anyway. Maybe we can spar again sometime.]<<<<<
        --  Evita <07:01:38 / 10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[ Hi. I though you might be interested in how our meet with Stephanie
went... apart from good. We now have someone aboard who's capable of large
scale magics. I wish we could bring her to DA in time...

Now, read this...

+++++ Begin Download: Meet_01.mov
The camera shakes a bit as if someone re-steadies his grip on. Then the
picture slowly wanders down until the large window of a small, run down cafe
comes into view. The camera moves along the window  until a broadly build,
tall elf is in the picture's center. He wears black leather and a black
mohawk and moves with the slight edggy movements of a cybered fighter.
Currently he is bent over and seems to do something with a chair near the
window. When he comes up again, two black stripes running from his eyes down
his cheeks that look like gang symbols, although no common ones.

"Orion, see you," a dark voice says calmly.

"Great, get you loud and clear over here. Now the waiting starts..." It takes
some effort to notice Orion's lips move, he must either use cyber or advanced
technology as a mike. "I just can't see why it's me..."

The picture freezes, and the first voice says "Now we waited. 'twas a good
thing we arrived so early, since Stephanie came in time to the minute."

There is a short burst of static, the the picture moves again. A woman about
160 cms tall just approaches the table Orion is occuping. The camera focuses
on her, and slightly zooms in. Under a long black coat she wears an oversized
white sweater, leggins and knee-high boots.

"Ooops, watch it, Orion, that girl is one capable spellslinger. I'll inform
you when she starts casting other spells then her good looks..." <laughter>

"Shutgrflll" Orion answers muffled, then half raises and adresses the
copper-skinned woman.

"Mr Jo... err,, Orion" he says.

A smile flashes about the woman's face as she answers.  "Hello, Mr Jo-err
Orion. That's a funny Christian name. I'm called Stephanie."

Orion looks puzzled for half a second, while the offline-voice laughs again.

"Well, " Orion starts the interview directly, "what are your specialities?"

As Stephanie answers, Orion's voice can be heared, that muffled asks "Canis,
what the frag is with her hair? Is that magic-stuff?" His lips barely move.

Stephanie answers "I shoot things. And blow things up. And do magic. BIG
magic. And I'm qualified to command armoured fighting vehicles if you have one
handy, but you probably don't." She looks glum for a moment at that. "But I
can do all the other stuff anyway."

"Uh, no, tanks are out right now, sorry. Err, are you currently hunted by
someone? I don't want to know by who, just if."

"Not exactly."

Orion seems to consider this answer for a second. In fact, he just receives
Canis' answer: "Looks fascinating, doesn't it? That blonde lock over the eye
might be natural, the other stripes are dyed in. And the things she has woven
into it don't seem to be magic, but I had to have a closer look."

"Well, thanks.  For your honesty. What is your greatest disadvantage?"

 She looks embarrased. "Apparently I'm not very good at being subtle."

Orion has a distant look on his face for a short moment. This time he doesn't
receive anything from the tech, so he might be remembering something or
someone. With a smile on his lips he goes on:  "Have you been in Chicago
before? And/or in the CZ?"

 "A couple of times. In the CZ once. We were backing up the Army. It was fun."

A gasp can be heared, and since Orion didn't move, it must have come from
Canis. The camera slightly rocks once.

"Do you have any references you could name us, like Well known fixers or the
like?"

 She looks torn. "Not exactly... I mean I could give you a reference, but I'm
not meant to be doing this and my Da- my reference might stop me if he found
out."

"What kinds of runs did you do before?" asks while he still raises his
eyebrows.

"Mostly mercenary stuff. Or smash-and-grabs, and a couple of opposed
extractions."

"How well can you work in a team? With  military command structures?"

 "I _am_ a junior officer, you know. And a mercenary. A good one."

"Glad to hear, and DA will be pleased even more." Orion stops for a moment,
while Canis says in an urgent voice, "Ask her about her magic!"

"By your own description I suppose you are a conjuring adept, is this right?"
Orion doesn't look as if he's moving on verbal home turf now.

"No, I'm a proper magician, I'm a Tiger shaman."

"She is what, Orion? Ask her about it! Where does she come from? Now, ask
her!"

Ignoring Canis on the radio, Orion continues. "Have you objections working
together with Adepts, hermetic mages, or other kinds of shamans?"

 "No."

Orion looks surprised by the shortness of the answer, but then breaks into a
big grin and ends the interview. "Well, I suppose that is great. Welcome to
the team!" They both get up. Orion flashes an apologizing smile towards
Stephanie while he retrieves three packages from the chairs at his table.
Informed watchers might identify these as small amounts of plastic explosives.
Obviously Stephanie _is_ informed, because she scowls at him and says "That
was _rude_." The packages start smoking, and with a horrified look Orion
throws them under the table where they burst into flame.

While the other customers of the cafe just taking notice of the fire, the two
leave the cafe towards a beat-up looking Nomad camping van outside. The camera
rocks heavily while Canis' voice can be heard  "He could at least have asked her..."

A short burst of static.
+++++ EOF
+++++ Done Downloading: Meet_01.mov

I think we agree Stephanie will be a great help, although she is a bit...
short tempered? May I say so, Stephanie?

Oh, and Orion: You could have cut the last bit out, too! ]<<<<<
        -- Canis <13:32:01/10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[ Watch out! What Canis calls short tempered, I'd call VERY EASY TO TRIP
OF. She does seem to be trustworthy, though, although I think she's a bit ...
hyperactive. May be a bit hard to keep her back when trouble starts. When I
was sitting with her in that cafe, she appeared as... well, let's face it,
like a tiger in a cage. I could _see_ her pacing up and down in front of me,
although she was sitting the whole time. ]<<<<<
        -- Orion <13:35:59/10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[ I owe you one, then.  And thanks.  Here's the list for you:

+++++ include file: gear.list ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <10:35:22/10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Canis
>>>>>[ I was referred to you by Bull.  He suggested that I have your decker,
Orion, add me to the private mailer.  I look forward to more details about the
mission. ]<<<<<
        -- Nomad <11:10:56/10-17-57>

>>>>>[Dark Elf, we need to talk. I have some information regarding theTacoma kindnappings you may be interested in.]<<<<<
        -Blake <11:02:21/10-17-57>

>>>>>[No offense Blake, but who the hell are you, and what makes you think I can trust you blindly?]<<<<<
        -Dark Elf <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[I was referred to you by someone going by a rather colorfulsorbiquet. I believe he is an old associate of yours, a fire adept
who calls himself Napalm....]<<<<<
        -Blake <11:07:12/10-17-57>

*****PRIVATE: Napalm
>>>>>[Hey buddy, I know we haven't talked in over a year, but I need toknow if this Blake character is on the level, and why you sent him my
way....]<<<<<
        -Dark Elf <**:**:**/**-**-**>

*****PRIVATE: Dark Elf
>>>>>[Blake's clean chummer. Just because we don't work together anymoredoesn't mean we're enemies. Anyway, if Blake is right, you're in deep
drek (again). You NEED to hear what he has to say, and it should
probably be done in person for security reasons.

Oh, and, Jake says hi.]<<<<<
        -Napalm <11:25:09/10-17-57>

*****PRIVATE: Naplam
>>>>>[OK, I'll trust you on this one. Tell Jake to watch his back.]<<<<< 
       -Dark Elf <**:**:**/**-**-**>

*****PRIVATE: Blake
>>>>>[Napalm says your clean, so I'll agree to a meeting, but it hasto be on MY terms, and MY terms alone. Meet me at <Encrypted> today
at <Encrypted>. Try anything funny and you won't have time to regret
it. A few friends of mine will be in place by the time you decrypt
this to ensure site security. You WILL be searched, and you WILL be
watched at all times for the duration of the meet. You may bring up
to two friends for personal security, but they will remain outside.
If you don't agree, the meet is off. If you violate these arrangements,
you're history.]<<<<<
        -Dark Elf <**:**:**/**-**-**>

*****PRIVATE: Dark Elf
>>>>>[Reluctantly, I agree. I don't appreciate being threatened, butI know you're good for your word. I'll be there.]<<<<<
        -Blake <11:45:22/10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[ Well, right after we picked up those phone thingies Bull has set up for
all of us (I still think it was not OK to let your kid help you an assebling
them, Bull!) we went to meet Hamish and Minx. I could say a lot about that
meet, but our edited (mostly shortened) video sequence should be more
explanationary then my rambling (and i have to type less!)

+++++ Begin Download: Meet_02.mov

A table in a small cafe can be seen. the table is directly at a window, and
the camera has to be somewhere outside and above ground level. At the table
sits an elf wearing black leathers. His hair forms a mohawk, and black stripes
are tatooed across his cheeks. Two people are closing in on the table, a very
attractive female human and a heavily built male elf. The woman seems to
giggle slightly about some joke.

The elf suddenly stops and gives the table and Orion a closer look. His
forehead wrinkles slightly, but then he continues toward the table.

The picture freezes, Orion's voice is to be heared. "I spare us the the whole
'hello-how-are-you-thanx...' stuff. I suppose you already figured out the
woman is Minx, and the elf is Hamish - no, the other one, I am the one wearing
black!"

After a short burst of static the picture resumes motion. Now all three
characters are sitting at the table. Both Hamish and Minx are sometimes
inspecting the area closer as if they were looking for something.

Orion is just about to ask a question. "...anyway, there are a few questions
we have." He smiles as he stresses the "we", and Hamish checks the area
outside through the window again. This motion is so well covered it wouldn't
be noticeable if the picture hadn't zoomed in on him.

"What are your specialities?" Orion continues, and it sounds as if he starts
to get used to asking question like a Mr Johnson.

Minx answeres first, "I'm reasonably capable with magic, and I'm told I'm a
relatively competent rigger." and Hamish - with a slight grin towards Minx -
takes up after that. "Ye name it, I can do it. Wetworks, recon, demolitions," -
he breaks himself with a short chuckle - " or somethin' more subtle if ye hae
the need."

Orion fires his next question,  "Are you currently hunted by someone? I don't
want to know by who, just if."

Minx: "Errr... not that I know of."

Hamish: "Well, I may have a li'l friend interested in me doin's, but it's
nothin' I canna handle."

Orion: "What is your greatest disadvantage?"

Hamish: "Well, I'm told I can get a bit enthusiastic, like, in a scrap, but
I'm not too bad. And, of course, I'm always a softie for a pretty lass." He
displays a broad grin.

Minx coughs and glances toward Hamish before answering, "Hmmm... disadvantage?
Me?" With this she displays an innocent look that shows that on this
shadowrunner an actor is lost, but then continues. " Seriously now, I'm not
able to see into the astral plane,  and I can't summon spirits for aid. And I
*do* see red when someone betrays a  friend of mine."

Canis' voice interfers, while Orion is nodding towards Minx approvingly. "They
both're suspecting something's wrong. And Hamish does search something. You
sure you hid your boom-booms well enough?"

With a smile and a nod Orion takes up the interview agin, answering both Minx
and Canis, "Yes, this is clear. Tell me, ave you been in Chicago before?"

Hamish starts answering, "I've been here a few times in the course o'
business, but not  since strange beasties started appearin'." but is
interjected by Minx who throws in " But don't worry, we've faced them before
and we're  still here to tell you about it."

Orion: "Do you have any references you could name us, like Well known fixers
or the like?"

Minx answers this question, while hamish nods to her words: "Well, you could
try contacting >>encrypted<< - he's the  manager of Gallows Employment Agency,
and my fixer. Or Juan Antonio  Tapias, the manager of Sybrespace in Seattle,
he should be able to vouch for us too."

Orion: "Are you willing to accept an equal share as anyone as payment, from
whatever we are earning in this run?"

This time Hamish answeres: "Certainly," while Minx nods.

Canis' laughter can be heared, "You can say they _really_ are a team!"

Orion has obviously problems to keep his face emotionless and is nearly
coughing, but manages to ask "What kinds of runs did you do before?"

Minx: "I've mostly engaged in thievery, with a bit of extortion,  datatheft
and wetwork on the side."

Hamish: "Mostly firepower for me, quite a few black ops for the SAS and
various corps. I've done a few corp penetrations in my time, too."

Having found controll on himself again, Orion asks his next question:  "Do you
usually work together?"

grinning, Minx: answeres, "If we can." and  Hamish:adds "I wouldna leave me
li'l Minxy to fend for hersel'." Orion once again has problems keeping his
face straight. This seems to be not easy for him.

Orion: "Aeh-hem. How well can you work in a team? With military command
structures?"

Hamish: "Not a problem, what d'ye think I've been doing for the last  eight
years, lad?" He is grinning broadly at Orion.

Minx: "I'm sure I'll be able to cope."

Orion: "Minx, what magical tradition are you following?"

Minx: "Hermetic. I'm what's known (my professor friend tells me) as a sorcery
adept."

Orion: "Have you objections working together with Shamans, full magicians,
or..." In the slight pause that starts, Canis says "OTHER ADEPTS!". "...or
other adepts?" One can tell that magic is for Orion what a spaceship would be
to a caveman.

 Minx: "Not a problem. I've worked with a snake shaman, a wolf shaman and a
rat shaman before."

"Uh- no! Not another Rat..." Canis' voice can be heard muttering.

+++++ EOF
+++++ Done Downloading: Meet_02.mov

Orion, why do you insist of leaving my last comments in? Well, I think we got
another two good people. Slowly we reach a strength to do something seriously.

I gave 'em two of your nice Phoneys, Bull, so they should be able to stay in
contact. ]<<<<<
        -- Canis <16:50:51/10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[ ***** NOT TO: Hamish, Minx
There's more to this Hamish guy then the eye does tell. I swear he
_knew_ there was something around. I am just happy he didn't find my small
explosives. Btw: Both reacted very professionally when I removed my toys after
the briefing, so I think we have high-league players here at hand.

Minx is a strange one. Looks like a lone man's wet dreams (well, if one like
the h.s.sapiens metatype, that is), is extremely professional most of the
time, but throws in some strange, childish jokes on occasion.

I strongly suggest we don't ask them to split up. I don't know if they are
lovers (might be), but they're used to working together, and with as a varied
group of people as we have now this can only be positive. Canis agrees here.

Oh, did I already congratulate you on the re-route routine you wrote, Bull?
Looks great, fine piece of code indeed! ]<<<<<
        -- Orion <16:55:21/10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Nomad
>>>>>[ Hi Nomad. Canis told me to contact you. Welcome to the team, will
inform you ASAP what's going on. Right now we are fully busy getting the teams
together to help Bull.

Please send us a short Bio on yourself, what are your specialities, what kinds
of jobs do you do normally, have you any references (you don't mind telling us
*grin*), what are your weaknesses etc. You know, we gotta know you a bit
better to plan accordingly. I suggest we will meet tomorrow at about
>>encrypted<< local time at the cafe >>encrypted<<. Hope to have your Bio till
then. ]<<<<<
        -- Orion <18:07:03/10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[ Can someone please tell me some good places to hold meetings? I have
used all bars and cafes i happen to know by now, and i am not too used to this
city. Drek, this Mr Johnson stuff isn't my thing to do :-( ]<<<<<
        -- Orion <18:08:33/10-17-57>

***** INTERNAL:  Black King
>>>>>[ Sir, we managed to locate two places where the Decker Orion was
physically within the last 24 hours. He seems to be meeting people. Obviously
the opposition is aware we are on their tails and tries to gather more troops.

I suggest we strike as soon as possible. The places used so far are under
drone surveillance, but we don't expect the opposition to return there. ]<<<<<
        -- Black Pawn <18:08:35/10-17-57>
           Member of Matrix Security
           >>scrambled<<

*****PRIVATE: Evita
>>>>>[I'm looking into the questions you have raised. I'll be in touch
shortly.]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar <12:48:32/10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[Yup, we really could use the help Celt.  Please meet myself at
>>encrypted<< at >>encrypted<< and we'll discuss the job further.]<<<<<
        -- Bull <16:52:20/10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Black King
>>>>>[Sir, we have so far been unable to trace any further messages from
this Invasion fdorce that the Ork is a part of.  Outside sources report that
they have been recruiting heavily, but for what, we aren't sure at this
time.]<<<<<
        -- Black Pawn <18:01:37/10-17-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ms. Johnson
>>>>>[Ok, we thank you for the information and will contact the individual.

+++++Transfer >>encrypted<< to:  Ms. Johnson

Your finder's fee should be making it's way to you as we speak.  Thank you
for your help.]<<<<<
        -- Bull <16:59:41/10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Skull Bearer
>>>>>[A lady by the name of Ms. Johnson reccomended you as some good help.
We are looking for runners currently for a variety of jobs.  if you are
ineterested, please contact Canis, and he will be able to give you more
information and arrange a meet.]<<<<<
        -- Bull <17:02:37/10-17-57>

>>>>>[ You have a good name with some people as a finder of interesting
information, and this skill of your's I'd like to hire.

I am searching for information on three people. My access toi the usual
databases turned up NIL, and since i am too busy right now myself i can't
spend the time for an extensive search. The people i need data about are:

* Ms. Johnston, from all i know a fixer of sorts. How trustworthy is she (?),
how good usable for shadow work are her contacts? And how much does she
normally charge for her services?

* Skull Bearer. This seems to be a shadowrunner. Data needed: Normal jobs
done, price rating, trustworthiness, maybe usual customers.

* Nomad. Most probably a shadowrunner. Same as with Skull Bearer.

I think >>high nuyen value<< should cover your expenses. Please contact me
ASAP with the needed info. Thanx in advance. ]<<<<<
        -- Orion <19:02:32/10-17-57>

*****PRIVATE: Action Jackson
>>>>>[Dinner? Come on, AJ, with the amount of metal in me I wouldn't
even make an appetiser <g>]<<<<<
        -- Lynch <17:57:42/10-17-57>

***** INTERNAL: Serenity Security - Cassandra Team
>>>>>[Seattle General.  Contract is paid, target is a runner that goes
by the name of Cassandra.

There has already been one attempt on her life.  At this time, consider her
to be a Serenity Employee with everything that encompasses.]<<<<<
        -- Jason <17:27:11 / 10-17-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: Evita
>>>>>[Her forms have been back dated and her medical insurance will cover
her stay in the hospital.  There are a couple of body guards being assigned
to her.]<<<<<
        -- Jason Stormwind <17:29:15 / 10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[Interesting report, Canis and Orion.  Great job though.

Stephanie, welcome aboard.]<<<<<
        -- Bull <18:07:28/10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Jason Stormwind
>>>>>[ Heya, Jason.  Look, I'm going to be doing some 'work' in the area
for a while, and I wanted to use you as a reference.  I don't want Kevin
to know that I'm working the shadows, because he'll only worry, but  it
was time for me to go out on my own and practice some of what I had been
taught.

Would it be okay if I used you as a reference to a potential employer? ]<<<<<
        -- Kenneth Donaldson <14:10:37/10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[Well Canis and Orion, great job once again.  Glad to see we're getting
some more players on our side.  I'm getting real tired of getting chased all
teh time.  We need to be able to track down the opposition and strike back
for once.

Now if I can just find the time to arrange interviews with the guys (and
gals) joining my team.

Thanks for the compliments, Orion.  I had a good incentive for those
re-route progs though...]<<<<<
        -- Bull <18:36:31/10-17-57>

*****PRIVATE: Bull
>>>>>[Null persp chummer.  I'm assuming it is BYOM (bring your own MoJo)
I'll be there with bells on.]<<<<<
        --Caric<11:16:12/10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Orion
>>>>>[For a good, runner friendly bar in Seattle, try "The Aedipus Complex".
It even has a private room just for these occasions. Just tell the barman
Inferno sent you and he'll let you use it....

Oh! The address is >>encrypted<<. It's not in any phonebooks....]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <xx:xx:xx GMT/xx.OCT.57>

***** PRIVATE: Nomad
>>>>>[
+++++ begin encryption:  epsilon-iota 4.2

Be careful, little brother..

+++++ terminate encryption

+++++ activate frame: anonymizer 0.4b
+++++ frame running

+++++ transfer nuyen:  source: *^$HD*   destination: nomad
                       amount: >>encrypted<<

+++++ terminate frame

]<<<<<
        -- DATA CORRUPTED <*$:)(:#@/J*-Q2-HC>

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[  Give him his reference .. and don't let him know that I read your
messages.  I'm not going to stop him.  Please tell me that someone from your
group is keeping an eye on him.  ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <15:29:45/10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Stephanie
>>>>>[Yep, welcome aboard. I'm looking forward to meeting you. It seems we
have similar..... interests....]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <20:32:22 GMT/17.OCT.57>

*****PRIVATE:  Lilith
>>>>>[Re: Jen and Gabe, thanks for the info; I'm feeling better already.
Decker's, mages, sams, and riggers?  You're right, they've got to be
kidding, you sure you don't mean that they split up the jobs?
Jack-(asses)-of-all-trades, masters of nothing....  Hell, I've been told
by a wage mage who nearly cried when he looked at my "aura" that if I had
ever had a chance at being a mage, it was long gone with the junk that I
have shoehorned into my petitly stylish frame.

As for the ride:  looks like it's going to happen on <Encrypted>, you
free?  Mind sending the measurements of you and your SO so we can make the
tanks nice and comfy?  Trunked into the supercomp, we're talking as much
full ASIST rigging as you can handle, you won't know you're not on the
tarmac and you'll swear you can smell the hot asphalt.  Don't forget your
flight suit.

I've convinced the "Old Man" that this is still an unofficial-preliminary
evaluation simulation by outside personel.  So, we won't meet you with a
brass band nor pile you up with glossies and brochures, just a few hours
to let you get the feel of the thing and maybe try a bit of engagement,
after that, we can go somewhere and unwind (or I can sneak you out to the
tarmac and see if MAX will let you take her for a real ride, I already
have a live fire test scheduled for the afternoon).  To tell you the
truth, I think I could push the bird a little farther in real life than
the control laws that we have running on the sim.  [Note: you break it,
you bought it.  And I don't think you want this coming out of your
paycheck.]

As for the party, we don't have plans for Friday night.  Don't know why an
Air Force belle and a Marine pounder of ground would be doing hanging with
"Belly-button pilots" but sure, sounds like fun.  Should I go casual or in
uniform (haven't tried that on in a while), or should I just wear my
flight suit?  You know how the female version has those bladders that just
flatter so well. :P We'll be arriving in my Chry-Lamb Lupo.

By the way, have you ever heard of a poem that mentions "vorpal blades"
and "slithy toves?"  Sounds like old English.  Jenny's got me worried
lately about her sanity. ;) ]<<<<<
        --  Arashi  <12:56:33/10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[Ok  --  I have someone on staff, at least I think I do who is
very good with paranormals and fairly versed in the virus.

There is a runner who goes by the name of Shade who is also pretty good
with vampires.

I had a friend who was a vampire hunter a few years ago.  He's since passed.
I still have his library (names of known sufferers have been removed) if
that would be useful.  Its mostly now to kill and torture a vampire, but
information there is still useful.

You know that Dr. Jackson (AJ) is a vampire, right?  He would be a good
source but, if I remember, he doesn't get on well with other's (in general,
maybe).  He doesnt feed from human blood.  Most other vampires consider that
a weakness.

I'd like to know where this information is going, if you could, but its not
overly necessary.

+++++ Include Vamp.lib

Its a bit large, sorry.  Kelory kept really good records.  Too bad for him,
however.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <20:27:46 / 10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Orion
>>>>>[ A bit about me, huh.  Alright.  My specialty is combat oriented magic.
 I'm a full Wolf Shaman.  I won't lie to you, I'm not terribly experienced at
running the shadows, but I've been told that I have a great deal of potential.
 Take that as you will.  As far as references are concerned, I believe that
Jason Stormwind, a Field Officer with Serenity Security would be willing to
vouch for me. ]<<<<<
        -- Nomad <16:49:25/10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Nomad
>>>>>[You've just learned something that few who arent working for me
know.  Do not use this information unwisely.

If you need shadow contacts, use this pseudonym instead.  While Jason has
his uses, he isnt allowed to get dirty, unlike myself.

Welcome home, young one.  May wolf walk with you always.  

 - Jason ]<<<<<
        -- Kor <21:01:22 / 10-17-57>

>>>>>[Dear evita, i'm sorry to her that cassandra is in a coma hopefully
she will recover shortly. however she did some things that made some
people very mad and should have known retribution would have come.
i did get what i deserved and my account is happier thank you.
hopefully i will never be hired to talk to you the way i was with
cassandra. have a nice day.]<<<<<
                -- You know who <15:34:59/10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher, Skuff, Priest, Buzz
>>>>>[Seeking information.  Contact me via land lines for job description.
Your end is information, my end is elimination.  Payment in money if
that is what you need, or favors.  Either way, I need this done fast.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <21:54:16 / 10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE Dark Avenger
>>>>>[Dark Avenger, the one called "Bull" said that I should contact you.  I
have reciently offered my services to your group.  In case that you haven't
been informed, combat is not my forte, but what I can do is technology.  I
used to be a cyberware researcher with Ares, and we left on realitivly good
tearms.  I now own my own cyberware shop, and I live a comfortatble life
designning small gadgets for mostly private investors.  Most of my
concentration is for other researchers like myself, but I do have the
occasional case where somthing stronger is needed, if you get my drift.]<<<<<
         --Harkion <17:17:30/10-17-57>

*****NOT TO: InterPol
>>>>>[Okay, I doubt the Not To: will hold the hounds of the law off for
too long, but I doubt anyone will be surprised. Long-term planning to
bust Drake out, if he's imprisoned, is underway.

I know many of you will disagree with me on this: all I ask is that, if
you're not up for helping me, you stay out of my way. If we get him out,
one job he'll be offered is overseeing SIGA: quis custodiet ipsos
custodes? He's not exactly suited to undercover work, but we could
really use his integrity and abilities.

Hopefully, what he achieved - cleaning out some very dirty cops in
InterPol - will outweigh his crime of releasing me, and the planning
will be wasted. But in case it isn't, I do not intend to leave Paul
rotting in jail.

Anyone willing to help?]<<<<<
        -- Lynch

*****INTERNAL: SIGANet
>>>>>[TO: J R W Lynch
Anyone would think you liked the man.]<<<<<
        -- D J H Coppinger <21:32:21/10-17-57>
           Director
           Strategic Intelligence Gathering Agency

*****PRIVATE: Farmer
>>>>>[The agent is procured and, barring unexpected deployments, the
schedule is to hand. All I need is a date.]<<<<<
        -- Harrow <22:16:17/10-17-57>

*****PRIVATE: Tractor
>>>>>[Do you have a date for readiness? Harrow requires it for your
insurance policy.]<<<<<
        -- Farmer <22:17:20/10-17-57>

*****PRIVATE: Farmer, Tractor, Combine
>>>>>[Jalopy's modification proceeds ahead of schedule. We have been
unexpectedly successful with personnel, and are currently forecasting
readiness two weeks ahead of original plan.

Old MacDonald advises caution, so I will go firm on our planned date. We
will be completely ready to move on that day.]<<<<<
     -- Tractor <22:20:31/10-17-57>

*****PRIVATE: Tractor, Combine, Harrow
>>>>>[And a glorious day that will be.]<<<<<
     -- Farmer <22:23:51/10-17-57>

*****PRIVATE: Shiftboy
>>>>>[Sure, you're in. Glad to have you aboard. And believe me, it may
be _you_ begging for mercy... :)

+++++include past_logs
+++++add Shiftboy to Hat Squad]<<<<<
        -- The Mighty Quinn <21:48:51/10-17-57>

*****PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[No problem. Got it all together for you: how does meeting me at
>>encrypted<< to collect sound?

Let me know if you need any more help, whether for equipment or backup.
Even if I can't make it myself, I know a few capable people who you
might find useful.]<<<<<
        -- Lynch <22:14:28/10-17-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Lynch
>>>>>[But you get my point.

Besides, there was a point, in my early 30s, when I used to drain sams
because thier blood had a tangyness to it.

A bit unpleasant, but that was before I got over being a vamp.]<<<<<
        --  Action Jackson <18:20:34/10-17-57>

++++ Connection established
+++++ Reroute via 2$3^&*(a%$ successful

*****PRIVATE:  Hamish, Minx
>>>>>[Glad ta see the two of you again!  Just back from the elf-land trials,
and lookin for work.  Either of you two have a reasonable cause that needs
some help?]<<<<<
        --  Turbo <10:31:18/10-18-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[I already spoke to AJ, but the others are news to me. I'll bear
them in mind: thanks.

This came from myself and Blademaster going out for a few beers, when
some vampires who are apparently after him threatened me. Blademaster
was a good guy, fun to drink with and pleasant company: the vamps were
rude, and threatening me shows a certain lack of foresight... it's not
that taking me out is _that_ hard, but it could be unhealthy when you
look who might want to exact revenge.

Anyway, he was an OK guy and I liked him, they were rude and I didn't
like their attitude. So far I'm letting it slide. If they push it, I may
push back.

Thanks a lot for the help, I appreciate it.]<<<<<
     -- Lynch <01:24:31/10-18-57>

*****PRIVATE: Arashi
>>>>>[No, they don't split. Decker-mage-samurai both, plus Gabe is
supposedly a rigger. Ho ho bloody ho, as Quinn likes to say.

Funny you mention magic... Jason might have been a Wolf shaman... except
he had a few years of "exceptional trauma" and never manifested any
magical ability. He has an active metagene, but it never did anything,
then he got the cyber and the whole point became moot. He's from a line
of magicians and his daughter is a Tiger shaman, so go figure.

We should be able to make time for a check ride. I assume you know a
barely-official report on what we see will go into the Air Force and
Marine Corps hierarchies? We'll .cc them to you, naturally, anything
else would be unfair.

Measurements...
+++++include file: biometrics.Leopard Lady
+++++include file: biometrics.Psychopath

That good enough? And be warned, we both grew up in old-fashioned
aircraft, and we use rigger gear for feedback and HOTAS for output.
Force of habit, hope you can cope.

This sounds like a very enjoyable check ride, anyway. Just don't worry
if Jason keeps complaining about gust response at low level. Any
altitude in double digits is "stratospheric" to him.

As for a real ride... not yet. I may yet end up on the eval team anyway.
if you get a procurement decision underway, so a simulator ride will
help a lot.

The party? The Navel Aviators are good guys. But they _will_ rag you
senseless unless you're triple-digit trapped on carriers. I'd go for the
flight suit, if I were you: Jason and I will both be there, and the
dress is most definitely casual :) Plus, they'll get the "landing test"
out, and a flight suit both dries faster and flatters more when wet ;).
Parking's safe and properly patrolled, and the anti-ethanol detox
patches are free when you decide to call it a night.

The poem, BTW - according to Quinn - is "Jabberwocky" by Lord Monty
Python. I disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy of that
statement... I merely report, I do not claim the words as truth :)

Side note - are you and Vernier available for hire for consultancy for a
mercenary unit, soon to be acquiring eight reconditioned and updated
MiG-37s, to help kick their pilot and maintenance cadres into shape?
They're also getting eight LZ-2049s, but those are ludicrously easy to
operate, it's the fighters they're sweating: they've got six competent
pilots full-time and want more, and are especially short of
groundcrew.]<<<<<
     -- Lilith <01:10:17/10-18-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[Hey, has anyone else heard from Dark Avenger in the last couple of
days...  He said he was going to go take care of a few things, but I haven't
heard from him since.  I'm starting to get worried that whoevers following
us may have gotten him.

Harkion, since I recommended you to talk to him, I think we'll have to
change the plans temporarily.  Give me a buzz and let me know what kind of
abilities you have, and we'll arrange a meet, or whatever.

I'm going to be meeting with (hopefully) Celt and Caric today, and I'll let
you all know how that goes...]<<<<<
        -- Bull <04:21:52/15-18-57>

>>>>>[ Fire, fire, burning bright...
My I'm glad I'm not in Boston tonight.

Previous tensions broke all new highs today as the death toll
sky-rocketed.  It all started when a group of elves decided to level an
orphanage for ork and troll children.  Only seven children and two
adults survived the brutally efficient slaughter.  Within the hour as a
stunned city held its breath, an unnamed elf said that it was in
retaliation for the string of hit and run accidents that was done by a
"deranged trog" a few weeks ago.

A group of trolls and orks immediately responded with the leveling of a
human orphanage and then sparked a citywide attack on all prominent
elfs, humans, and dwarves.  Violence in city rivaled the Night of  Rage
as city-wide gang fights broke out.  The city officials were
ineffective to stop it.   But as the night has played out, the six hour
long reign of anarchy seems to have ended.  Death tolls are in the
hundreds as city officials wonder how to prevent another wave of
violence happening in the near future.

It's like sitting on dynamite waiting for someone to detonate it.
Fragging dangerous.  I caught the pirate news cast of the leveling of
the human orphanage.  I only identified the one troll who wanted to be
identified (he didn't wear anything to hide his identity - unlike the
others).  It was Whirlwind. ]<<<<<
        -- Ratspeak <22:10:45/10-17-57>

>>>>>[ Oh drek.  Gunner get your butt out of Boston!  (for all its
worth)]<<<<<
        -- Scourge <22:11:00/10-17-57>

>>>>>[ It is probably worth nothing at this point.  First Nightingale,
now Gunner.  Just fragging great.  1+1? ]<<<<<
        -- Shadowfox <22:14:10/10-17-57>

***** Private: Kor, Shadowfox, Nightmare, Black Knight
>>>>>[ Yes.  I'm pulling a physical fade to the safest place I can
probably be.  I recommend you all be on your guard.  He is going after
anyone who has a public life.  That leaves Kor, myself, Knight, and
Nightmare left.  I don't think I need to state the obvious here. ]<<<<<
        -- Scourge <22:15:00/10-17-57>

***** Private: Shield, Jasmine
>>>>>[ Hopefully one of you two can contact Mr. Harker and let him know
what just happened, between New Orleans and Boston.  He needs to know
that Whirlwind has resurfaced.  Doomsday, who Harker can probably
locate, is Whirlwind's goal.  Everything else is just secondary.  At
least that is how it has been in the past. ]<<<<<
        -- Shadowfox <22:30:52/10-17-57>

***** Private: Kor, Shadowfox, Scourge
>>>>>[ I have bad news and worse news.  The bad news is, someone tried
to splatter Nightmare this afternoon.  He is recovering quite nicely.
The worse news is that DragonEyes disappeared somewhere between "home"
and a friend's house.  Nightmare hasn't been told yet, because the
doctors told me he has to remain calm.  Meanwhile, I've organized a
hunt to try and track him down.  (I don't know what luck they will have
if he just decided to pull a fade.  It took us over a half-year to
track him down and convince him not to give up on metahumanity last
time.)

I have been unable to contact Scarface, but then again, he's probably
days away from civilization.  Unless you have this incredible urge to
deal with MET2000 goons, I suggest you don't come visiting for a while.

Speculations on why Ratspeak didn't tell the world about Nightmare?
]<<<<<
        -- Black Knight <22:42:32/10-17-57>

>>>>>[ Fear. ]<<<<<
        -- Shadowfox <22:42:59/10-17-57>

***** Private: Kor, Scourge, Black Knight, Nightmare
>>>>>[ Since a lot of you are already in Seattle, Kor, I think you are
in the best position to try and organize something.  I have just set up
a team in Boston to try and without stirring up trouble look for
Gunner.  Mums the word on Nightingale.  The apartment was obviously
searched and it looked like there was a struggle.  There was also some
evidence to suggest that somehow she managed to get away.  Although ...
I think either Harker or Kor should try to contact >>encrypted<<.  From
what I understand, she's magically active and he has a magical report
that didn't mean to much to me.  It might also give us a little insight
into why Blitzkrieg is so edgy.

If you absolutely need me, I can arrange to have someone else handle my
duties.  Until that time, I'd prefer to stay here and continue working
some things.

Oh!  Someone tell Harker that the timeline can't be pushed back any
further because from what I've heard, they might actually be on
schedule for once.  He'll figure out the reference. ]<<<<<
        -- Shadowfox <22:52:00/10-17-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[Ok boys and girls...  I had the oppurtunity to interview Celt this
afternoon.  I followed your lead, Canis, and had the meet videotaped by
Inferno and Johnny.  We had a sniper poised from across the street
just in case, and I don't believe she saw him.We also had Daytripper
hovering in the astral inside the bar.  She seemed to have noticed him,
but _definately_ was able to keep her cool.

Here ya go...

+++++Begin Video feed Johnny.1

The video begins very fuzzy as Johnny 99, a coyote shaman, attempts
to get teh adjustment and zoom set right.  Finally, with some fiddling
and advice from inferno nearby, he is able to zoom in through the front
window of a local bar and grill.

Bull is sitting at a booth, waiting patiently.  Finally, he looks up toward
teh door, and the image goes fuzzy again, but this time, only in an area
that moves near Bull and engulfs him.

"Bull..."  the coyote shaman mutters over the headset.  "Something
strange is going on here.  She's got some sort of spell up that acts like
a jamming field.  It's blocking the recording.  She needs to drop it."

Through teh static you can here Bull's voice mutter something,
although you can't make the words out.  After several seconds, the
field drops.

"Ok, got it."  johnny tells Bull.

Bull nods once to Celt.  "Thanks.  Ok, now we can begin."

The camera zooms in to get a closer view of the woman.  She seems
to bit a bit on the short side, less than 5 and a half feet tall, but she
carries herself confidently and with an air of grace.  Her features make
her appear fairly young, but her manner suggests otherwise.  Her skin
is pale, with a light dusting of freckles, and she is wearing no makeup.
What seems to be Celtic swirl of some type is tattoed on her left cheek,
and a bracelet of thorns can be seen under the cuff of her blouse.  her
eyes are a vibrant green that take in her surroundings constantly, and
her hair is a silvery white with slight auburn highlights, and a braided
piece taht is a deep auburn that hangs down one shoulder.

"Hey Bull, she is definnately a magician of some type, possibly a
shaman.  Her aura suggests that she is fairly powerful, possibly more
so than I. "

Bull motions for the woman to sit down, and she does so gracefully.
She glances around the room briefly but intensley, ignoring most of the
few other patrons.  Her eyes lock briefly off to one side, and her eyes
possibly widen just a smidge, but it is hard to tell.  The area where she
is looking seems to be empty.

"Well, she definately noticed Mr. Furly, Bull."  Johnny tells the Ork.

Bull waits for her to sit and offers her a drink, which she declines.  After
that, he begins the interview.

"Ok, for starters, what are your specialties?"  Bull asks.

She looks at him a moment, then says "You are looking for someone
who has fought  the...  Bugs, as I believe the common term is,
correct?"

"Yes,"  Bull replies.  "But more specifically, what could you provide for
our team?  You mentioned your post that you were a magician of some
type.  What kind of spells do you specialized in?"

"Whoah, Bull...  She's a bit pissed about that last...  Don't think she
likes to be questioned...  Her aura just flared up nastliy." Johnny calls
to Bull over the headphone.

There is a look of distaste on Celt's face, and she speaks with visible
anger.  "The technical terms are Health agus Manipulation.  I am strong
in my summoning, spirits, not watchers.  They have no use in my view.
I can read a person to know if there is an untruth on them.  My totem is
stong within me."

Bull nods and then looks at her seriously.  "Are you currently hunted by
someone? You don't need to say who, just if.  I don't need more people
after my team."

"Not any longer.  And you."  She brings her leg onto the chair, resting
her chin on her knee.  "Are."

Bull nods again.  "Ok, What is your greatest weakness or
disadvantage?"

Celt thinks a moment, then says "That Caber was unable to offer you
his services, as well."

"Who's Caber?"  Johnny asks?

"We'll run a check on him later.  I believe he is a runner that she was
teamed with until recently.  I'll see if we can get more data on that."
Inferno's voice breaks in.

"Tell me, have you been in Chicago before?"  Bull asks.

"Chicago.  Passed through briefly."  She replies, a look of anger
flashing over her face briefly, and then is gone.

"Jeezus, Bull.  She's one very volatile female.  If she was upset before,
she's absolutely Pissed Off now.  She definately does not like Chicago
at all.  I;d say she more than passed through."  Johnny says.

"Do you have any references you could name us, like Well known fixers
 or the like?"

"You doubt my abilities?"  Her gaze hardens for a moment, then is
replaced by an uneasy smile.

Bull just shrugs and continues.  "Ok, are you willing to accept an equal
share of any cash made on the run as your payment?"

Celt replies "I'd be insulted if you offered anything less than an equal
share."

"Ok, What kinds of runs did you do before?"

"Standard list.  And some not so standard."

Bull pauses a moment for her to continue, and after a moment, she
does.  "Name something.  Your mage can tell you if I am being true or
false.  Do not ask anything more than that."

Bull nods and says.  "Not necessary.  We know some of your past
exploits already.  i just wante to see your reaction."

He smiles, then continues with the next question.  "How well can you
work in a team? With loose military command structures?"

"Well enough, providing everyone else is able to do the same."

"Ok, what magical tradition do you follow?"  he asks.

"Is that really important?"

Bull kinda shrugs, and she conntinues.    "Shamanic is the best
description."

"Can you work with other traditions such as Adepts, Shamans,
Hermetics, whatever?"

She sits back in the booth and replies "Magical traditions have no
bearing on how I work with them.  Followers of Raccoon or Cat,
however..."  With a smile, she lets the unfinished statement
hang in the air between them.

Bull nods again, then turns to the waitress to order a drink for the two
of them.

+++++End Video feed Johnny.1

Well, we discussed everything in a little more detail, but that's the gist
of it.  Celt will be joining our operations on this end for now.]<<<<<
        -- Bull <06:01:39/10-18-57>

***** PRIVATE: Scourge, Black Knight, Shadowfox, Harker, Nightmare
>>>>>[Too much shit going on right now, cannot walk it.  If he's coming,
let him come.  Ill have to deal.

Im on the contact point.  Ill get back to you when I have more
information.

Blitz is here with me as well, Ill try to rope him in but I dont
think Ill have that much luck with it.  Ill at least try to get him to
work in conjuction with the rest of us.  He needs to know things have
been "kicked up a notch".]<<<<<
        -- Kor <23:59:00/10-17-57>

***** INTERNAL: Serenity Deckers
>>>>>[Keep on your toes for the next couple of weeks.  The last time
we had trouble like this it took me 8 months to untangle the financial
fubar that was created when someone pulled a full run against IS&M.  I might
need to take a short vacation just to be sure no one else gets involved
in this.  Some problems just do not go away until you kill them and
everyone who thinks like them.

Im assuming that NB is already out of the office, and I think Trix is
with him.  This is good.  Stay out of the office for a while.  Everyone
who signed up to go on training.  Do it.  Why dont you go ahead and
leave now.  Consider it vacation time.

The team on Cassandra needs to stay there.  This includes both the
physical team, and the astral team.  I'd like to see some results on the
perp by early next week.  I dont care if you have to flood the street with
100 nY notes to get information, do it.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <00:12:14 / 10-18-57>

>>>>>[Oh Shit. Blake's news just ruined my week...]<<<<< 
       -Dark Elf <**:**:**/**-**-**>

***** PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[ You're on for the meet.  And thanks for the offer of help, but this one
is personal.  I owe you one. ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <11:53:16/10-18-57>

*****PRIVATE: Action Jackson
>>>>>[Remind me to bandage my neck in Kevlar next time I visit you <g>

I take your point, but there are side-effects to being... close to a
shapeshifter that many are unaware of. Not to mention - though I
hesitate to mention it - I've met vampires before, and they were much
less likeable and civilised than you. Suffice it to say I'm still here
and they aren't.

I doubt you'd like the taste of my blood, believe me.]<<<<<
     -- Lynch <01:35:18/10-18-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jennifer & Gabriel
>>>>>[Enclosed is the material you requested. I hope will be of some use
to you.

+++++download: JG_comp2.txt

Thank you for your business.]<<<<<
        -- InfoScholar  <12:51:33/10-18-57>

*****PRIVATE: Orion
>>>>>[I have already begun searches into the first two individuals you
mentioned.  Unfortunately, neither search has been very productive.  Ms.
Johnston routes her posts to Shadowland through 3 satellite connections...
she has only employed the Skull Bearer; therefore, there are no disgruntled
employees to contact for information.

The Skull Bearer similarly has appeared from next to nowhere here in Seattle.
I'm still working on his possible residence and motives.  I do know that
he is a likely candidate for the recent assaults on a female elven decker
who works locally.  Matches his style, especially that last public post
to Evita.

I'm just getting started on Nomad, give me a couple days.]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar <13:41:12/10-18-57>

***** PRIVATE: Jason Stormwind
>>>>>[Sir,

You have been named as a reference for an individual we considering to
employee. Since our research has shown only good results on you, we would like
to hear what you might tell us about the person who names himself "Nomad".

Your help will be appreciated, and of course handled with absolute privacy.
Thanks a lot in advance. ]<<<<<
        --Canis <19:52:12/10-18-57>

>>>>>["And what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a hellacious,
>>>>>racist attack on several orphanages...."

Apologies to literary purists.  Boston again has been driven deeply into
racial divisiveness.  And meerly from the actions of a single, terribly
misguided, violent individual.  My humble city, my abode, wracked by
rioting only a few, short years after it was so horribly injured by a virus
run rampant.

Alas, Ratspeak's information is somewhat inaccurate.  Barrens around the
metropolis remain in conflict, yet the news covers these conflicts not at
all for fear they might place a valuable employee within harm's reach.
Certainly, such violent activities are, perhaps, less rare within the
realms of the downtrodden than should otherwise be the case, yet racial
violence is nonetheless signficantly greater today than at any time since
the Night of Rage.

My home is situated within a well secured enclave, yet the gang voilence
still filled the night air with clashing blades and gunfire.  Until the
Mafia, who are responsible for maintaining the safety of the neighborhood
far more than the police, came down upon the fighting gangs as a sledge
upon a rail spike.

With the coming of daylight, Boston has settled down somewhat, but the
atmosphere is thick with dread, lest riots and violence reclaim the
metropolis tonight.]<<<<<
        --  Mercury <11:57:45/10-18-57>

*****Private:Lynch
>>>>>[From what I've seen, Drake would probably rather rot in jail. He
might not take kindly to the break out idea, if he hears of it, or it
goes through. On the other hand, that isn't the way I'd want to spend the
rest of my life(or any signifigant portion thereof). I'll help you as
soon as I take care of these annoying little vampires. One actually had
the nerve to attack my house while I was out! It's starting to really
annoy me. Anyway, I'll help out with getting Drake out. Shouldn't be too
hard(please, laugh with me here).]<<<<<
        --  Blademaster  <11:44:32/10-18-57>

***** NOT-TO: InterPol
>>>>>[  I don't know about busting him out, but I'd definitely be interested in
getting the number for his Lawyer.  Damn fine work on that job .. my money says
he's going to get off. ]<<<<<
        -- Tangent <14:30:06/10-18-57>

***** Private:  Invasion Force Internal Email
>>>>>[***** NOT TO:  Bubba


+++++ Message-From:  Bull
+++++ Subject:  Who the...???

Ok, I'm using the new mailer system for this, so hopefully I got all the
bugs out.  Ok...  Just who is Bubba and how in the hell did he get one of my
mailers??

Also, just what should we do about the situation?  He said he might be able
to help??  Consider him a security breach?  Or talk to him and see what's
up?]<<<<<
        -- IF Mailer Demon <20:37:47/10-18-57>

***** Private:  Invasion Force Internal Email
>>>>>[

+++++ Message-From:  Bull
+++++ Subject:  Bubba

Ok Bubba, you should be able to read this.  Please explain how you got this
mailer, and in English this time.  I'm not sure just what dialect you were
speaking in, but the mailer had a hell of a time translating it.]<<<<<
        -- IF Mailer Demon <20:39:25/10-18-57>

***** PRIVATE: Bull
>>>>>[As I mentioned earlier, I am proficent in most technological things.
I was formerly employed at Ares, and we left on reasonably good terms.  I
specilize in cyberware, but I am good at all electronic gadgits.  I
currently run my own cyberware facility, making mostly passive systems.

As to a meeting, my lab might be the best place to meet.  And because my
combat may be lacking, I have a friend that you might like to meet, he could
take my share of the combat...]<<<<<
         -- Harkion <16:37:40/10-18-96>

*****PRIVATE:  Lilith

>>>>>[I understand about the reports.  Not a problem, I think that may be
one of the reasons why the "Old Man" decided that a more formal invitation
was in order.

The biometrics were almost more than what was needed, Vernier tells me.
The tanks will be nearly custom fit for you guys when you get here.  At
least both of you are within normal human body-size, tanking a troll can
be done, but stuffing him into a human sized capsule can be mighty
uncomfortable, if not embarassing. :)

As for the interface: can do.  I hope you guys can accept datajack feed
like from a sim-sense deck or have that built into your rigger system,
else your going to need a 'trode system that I fully admit will not be as
good.  In case you when you mean old, you really mean _OLD_ I'll spell it
out: Your tank won't have any windows.  You see through they eyes of the
plane, plus, the ASIST will cut out your balance center and reorient it to
the plane, therefore you get to lay down comfortably in the tank and give
your poor heart some help going through the turns (also means that the sim
will feel a lot more like the real thing, since the supercomp just has to
worry about translation to datajack anyway).  Besides, the plane's sensors
are better than anything you can plug into your body.  Wherever/however
you want to look, the system will take that input and shift camera angle,
etc and more, it just takes a bit for your brain to realize that you are
not a hominid anymore and accept you are the mind of a fighter.  The
cockpit data readout's are virtual including a fully 3-D threat display
with some other non-visual clues running through the feedback, I'll brief
you on that when you get here, but trust me it is about as intuitive as
they can make it so they can stuff all that information into your brain at
max speed without confusing you so much you can't fly let alone fight.

Before either of you raises an objection, basically the system is
redundant enough that if that system fails, your wings would have ripped
off several seconds earlier and you should be ejecting anyway.  The system
doesn't override G-stress or else the pilot can still kill herself, so in
the sim, it will give you some feed on that angle.  It does have legal
ASIST limits, but you can't cheat and ignore the little level of pain it
can give you, you'll know when the signal starts to fade on the input (for
fairness, we will all have the same pre-set g-threshold). The plane is
still designed to do what the pilot asks, killing the pilot if they really
ask for it (i.e. overriding all safeties and trying to pull a Mongoose at
Mach 4), then and only then does it consider breaking up.

I myself am a WITAS (Wired Into Throttle And Stick) girl, myself.  My meat
body just isn't fast enough or delicate enough to control the plane with
the kind of speed and precision that I can with a full-rig system.
Needless to say, I also have some connections that I don't let the general
public see that are about the same size as the matrix trunk of a small
corp.

My backup for rig-output failure is a throttle and stick that can come up
to my Left and Right hands respectively as well as a high throughput
datajack connection to data and controls, in yours, they won't be
retracted.  They are the latest standard from the UCAS, so you shouldn't
be surprised.  Just don't press the mauve button. ^_-

Tell Jason in regards to the gust response that he should trust his
autopilot to worry about gust response, and that one of the reasons why
this design is so maneuverable is that while all the RAM and shaping you
can do and all the coatings you can spray on a plane can help reduce
radar, IR, and lidar returns, they're still not as good as a hill between
you and the guy gunning for you.  And since the same can be said,
vice-versa, you need to be able to move with your belly on the deck.  Just
don't suck a duck or hit a tree....  But no, while it can store a few
PGM's on external stores in its less-stealthy, non-hypercruise "let's give
the Earth Pavers some backup" mode, it's capability as an Attack aircraft
is an add on to make some ancient fellow in the Pentagon happy.

Basically the design philosophy was to be able to get the pilot wherever
they need to be, whenever they need to be, make sure they are the ones
choosing to engage, and if they do, give them the best chance technology
can provide to be the one flying home at the end.  With that in mind, they
have expanded the envelope of what you can do with the 3 axis vectoring
system in terms of speed and power, so don't be afraid to try some
maneuvers that you didn't think were possible, the bird will let you know
if you are crazy, while trying to the best of its ability to comply.

>>YAWN<< Sorry, guess I fell into one of the speaches that the boys here
always fall into when talking to a prospective business partner.  Gomen.

See you at the party.  I will have the flight suit on just in case, and I
think having gotten the warning relayed, Jenny's going to go for one of
her more stylish jump-suits.  I'll leave my patches and bars at home,
though and just be "one of the girls."  Maybe dab a little JP-X behind my
ear and break a few hearts. :P

As for the consultant work, how pressing is this, timetable wise an where
on the planet do you hide a mercenary fighter wing?  I might be able to
manage some free time for it.  Jenny wants in just because she's never
worked on anything that "old" before.  Since you are recommending them, I
assume they are the "good guys" if not completely above board.]<<<<<
        --  Arashi <16:11:45/10-18-57>

*****PRIVATE: Magical Group
>>>>>[I would like one or more of you to apply for the job that is
currently being offered by one known as Bull. Act as you normally would,
but keep me informed. I believe that he has data in which certain
colleagues of mine would be interested.]<<<<<
        --  L <19:00:24/10-18-57>

***** PRIVATE: Feral
>>>>>[ Feral, pleased to read you. I gotta admit, at the time of your mailing
my security backup systems were still trashed by... doesn't matter, but I got
them online again. If I may ask ... who are you, and why are you receiving
mail I encoded as PRIVATE? This standard should be quite safe for all I know.
Maybe you are willing to explain?

And/Or pass on the data you have on Nomad? A financial reward can be
discussed, of course, I won't expect to give info w/o payment. ]<<<<<
        -- Orion <05:30:59/10-19-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[ Glad we shared our logs on hiring, Bull, and glad even more Orion
finally introduced me in the fine art of log-checking (I wish I had known of
this feature earlier), I found a possible infiltrator-to-be. "Ms. Johnston"
offered DA and me a contact for cash - like fixers do. Bur she (?) gave the
info for free to you. I think she really wants to get her pawn Skull Bearer
into our ranks, and this makes me verdammt nernous.

SB hasn't contacted me yet, and I suppose neither did he contact you. If he
does, I'd really like to have a... personal discussion on things with him
(her?). Please inform me if (s?)he contacts you. That'll be a boeses Erwachen
for those plant... ]<<<<<
        -- Canis <06:01:23/10-19-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[ This is not really pressing, so I use this way to communicate. Might be
safer, although Orion sez there might be yet another decker be hacking in our
communications, this time even breaking the accepted-as-safe standard of
PRIVATE encryption.

Bull, your question was about the same I'd asked YOU if I had the time.
Unfortunately, I hadn't, running from one meet you set up for me to the
next... *knurr*. How might this bubblegum, err, sorry, Bubba, have gotten one
of our senders? I do know where each of the eight is you gave me, and have
checked after finding B.'s message on our box. Embarrasing that the first
message over your nice (and well-done, as Orion sez) box was a stranger,
breaking security. Makes me think a bit.

Well, another thing... I am nearly finished meeting the new people, and would
like to ask for your ideas what we shall do. I have a few on my own, but would
like to hear you first. ]<<<<<
        -- Canis <05:35:05/10-19-57>

***** Private:  Invasion Force Internal Email
>>>>>[

+++++ Message-From:  Bubba
+++++ Subject:  Mailer thingy

Sorry to be a buggin' y'all Mr. Bull, but Ah just got this thang on muh
doorstep from some feller all in black. He said you'd a want to be
hearin' from me so Ah figgered whut the hail!
Funny thing about thet feller. He had the craziest eyes. Like they was
made outta one a them there Disco balls, ya know?
Anyway, Ah hope ya'll ain't too P.O.'d at me, cuz Ah shore would love to
to join this here shadowrunnin team y'all got.
Ah know Ah ain't the slickest feller you might meet, but Ah'm a dern
fine shot. And Ah knows how ta keep mah mouth shut. Ya cain't ask fer
much more than thet cain ya?]<<<<<
        -- Bubba <14:01:36/10-19-57>

*****Private:  Invasion Force Internal Email
>>>>>[

+++++ Message-From:  Bull
+++++ Subject:  Skull Bearer

Canis, you need to figure out how to get the mail demon working,  he's
crucial to teh encrypts.  Orion should be able to show you.

Ok, as for Skull Bearer, I paid her for the info anyways.  however, we may
want to check him out carefully.  I seem to recall a public log the other
day regarding him and a murder of a young woman.  The reason wasn't given,
but I'm touchy about working with a murderer.  We don't need more trouble
than we already have.

I have yet to hear from Skull BEarer on my end as well, but seeing as how
you have more freedom of movement at the moment, i'll leave him up to you if
you feel you can handle it.

Have you heard from Smudge or Dark avenger lately?  The last thing I got is
at least three days old.

Also, I have a lead on this guy that's been tracking my squad.  Seems he
calls himself the Black King, and his pet deckers go by Black Pawn.  No
other info though, at least not yet.  Give those name to Orion and see what
he can make of them.  See ya later]<<<<<
        -- IF Mailer Demon <06:39:25/10-19-57>

***** Private:  Invasion Force Internal Email
>>>>>[

+++++ Message-From:  Bull
+++++ Subject:  Bubba

I have no idea, Canis.  The only thing I can figure is that somehow he
picked up DA's.  I sent one to where his location was supposed to be, but
have yet to hear from him.  Not good.

As for what next, i really have very little idea.  DA had some plans, but
with him missing, and possibly dead, they've dort of fallen through.
Inferno and I are checking out the few runners we have on our end, as well
as checking into this whole Black King thing.  We need to find out who he is
and what he's up to.

How's the situation with Pegasus on your end?  I also know you're going to
need to go back into the zone soon to get that team you put in.  Let me know
how that goes.]<<<<<
        -- IF Mailer Demon <06:49:25/10-19-57>

***** Private:  Invasion Force Internal Email
>>>>>[

+++++ Message-From: Bull
+++++ Subject: Bubba

Whoah!  Slow down a minute there, pal.  What did this guy look like?  Maybe
his eyes looked like Insect or fly eyes, rather than disco balls.  Would
that sound right?  Are you sure they weren't normal cyber-eyes??

Shit, Bubba, get the fuck out of that building now!!!!!  Get your ass to
>>encrypted<<  at >>encrypted<< and meet a man by teh name of Canis.

Canis, pick this boy up and make sure that he isn't followed.  Frag, I don't
know how they got ahold of that, but that may just tell us what happened to
DA.  untill we hear otehrwise, i think we should consider DA gone.  his
people aren't happy about it, that's for sure.

Fuck.  Canis, what kind of team do you have built so far?  I have a half
dozen low level gilletes standing by courtesy of DA.  Without him, they seem
more than a little lost.  I have Johnny 99, Daytripper, Inferno, and Celt
for magical support, as well as a dog shaman who should be joining us later
on named Caric.  Other than that, I have a few otehr potentials lined up,
but need to talk over details with them further.

Oh frag, things are going to hell in a handbasket here, aren't they.  Damn.
Ok, give me a situation report and then pick up that redneck.  If nothing
else we need to keep an eye on him.  Dammit!  Ok, keep in touch.]<<<<<
        -- Bull <06:55:01/10-19-57>

*****PRIVATE: Arashi
>>>>>[Sounds outstanding. Let's see...

Interface, no problem, we're both able to just jack directly in.

Redundancy... talk to Jason about redundancy :) He brought back an old
Cape Province F-15 that was missing most of a _wing_ one time... he was
hunting SAMs and the Angolans had a nicely-hidden battery of 57mm guns
on his egress route (he was lucky he played smart, the 'obvious' exit
had two Tunguskas parked on it). Since then, he gets grumpy whenever he
doesn't have perspex to see through and manual backup on the controls,
says any flight computer would have made him abandon a salvageable
airframe.

I'm not _quite_ that hidebound ;)

Low level... sounds good, the handling will make him happy. The attack
load, though... firstly, "that ancient fellow" is Sundown Cunningham,
and he's only 52. Secondly, as far as Jason's concerned air superiority
is what you do on your way to and from the target you wanted to bomb...
<sigh> He's a Marine through and through.

So he'll grouch and grumble. Me? I'm looking forward to it. So's he, but
he won't admit it...  See you at the party.

As for the consultancy, it's not particularly urgent. When you're a
licenced merc unit, aircraft are completely legal, until you do
something illegal with them... the Zeps will be in the compound in
Tacoma, the MiGs will be hangared out at Sea-Tac. No ordnance to hand,
and airport security is _tight_, so the FAA are happy. A lot of the
training will be out at sea in international airspace, though
negotiations are in progress for some Aggressor work for various forces.

And yes, they're a good unit. Licenced mercenaries, and while I wouldn't
call them angels they're disciplined professionals and good guys. Run by
a Russian defector - he broke for the border after his Spetznaz team
refused to help State Security "carry out reprisal actions" on a
village.

The MiGs are a little deceptive, though... the basic airframe might be
2020s, but it's been fully relifed and zero-timed, the wing spars
replaced with modern single-crystal forgings, and most of the avionics
are new. Plus the engines are Rolls-Royce Colorados, not those smoky
thirsty Klimovs. Jenny should enjoy herself.]<<<<<
     -- Lilith <00:43:21/10-19-57>

***** PRIVATE: Orion
>>>>>[I think you are mistaken.

+++++ Include message:  Orion <19:02:32/10-17-57>

I had assumed that you wanted a broad base of information and thusly requested
information from all.  I guess we were both on one account or another.

As for Nomad.  He is new, he is inexperienced in the field, but has been
taught well and will be a good addition to your team.]<<<<<
        -- Feral <19:43:43 / 10-19-57>

***** PRIVATE: Canis
>>>>>[
+++++ Include: Nomad.profile
+++++ Include: Nomad.bckgrnd

I hope that helps you out.  You can see he is a bit wet behind the ears, but
has a fairly good potential.

He also has me at his back.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <19:51:39 / 10-19-57>
           Head of Magical FRT Units
           Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: Jason R Stormwind
>>>>>[Impressive title there, big man.  Can I have one too?]<<<<<
        -- Skuff <19:51:43 / 10-19-57>
           God of All I Survey
           Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: Skuff
>>>>>[How can you joke at a time like this??  Nomad needed a leg up in getting
his shadowrunnning career off the ground, I was trying to get him in good
with his need group.

Any information on Cassandra yet?]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <19:55:13 / 10-19-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[Yeah, actually there have been a couple of bites.  There is a new
InfoMancer in town.  Goes by the nick of "InfoScholar".  Reportedly, if
there is something out there in the shadows to know, he knows it.

Word on the street is that he doesnt play favorites.  If the money is
good, he rolls over on the information like a good pup.  He's got a pretty
tight network of people around him for gathering and assimilating information.
While he is not on, say, Navaah's level of "dont touch", he's pretty well
surrounded by people who would be less than amused to have thier information
source kicked around.  So dont even think of nabbing him and extracting
the information through physical coersion.  I've been watching how you've
been acting.  You are starting to slide a bit to the left again.  As
a friend, I am requesting that you slap yourself with a hard check to make
sure you are still thinking clearly.]<<<<<
        -- Skuff <19:56:59 / 10-19-57>

***** PRIVATE: Skuff
>>>>>[Ok, so a light touch is the better path, eh?

Im fine, man.  Thanks for checking on me though.  You know we cant tolerate
people fraggin' with family.

Do you wanna handle extracting information or shall I?  Never mind, Ill do it.
I think I have an idea]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <19:59:01 / 10-19-57>

***** PRIVATE: InfoScholar
>>>>>[This is a bit unethical, I know.  And I would understand if you do not
have the ability to fulfill my request.

I am seeking information about a recent attack on a young woman who
goes by the name of Cassandra

+++++ Include cassandra.image1

The attack, perpetrated by a currently unknown assailant was good enough
to leave LSS with very few clues.  When that happens, I always turn
to the shadows to see what turns up.

My request:  information you might have about the situation.  A payment of
>>encrypted nY<< for just information about what might have happened, a
payment of >>level 7 hermetic library of mana based spells<<, for information
on the assailant, and a payment of >>3 specialized, unpublished spells<< for
information above and beyond that.]<<<<<
        -- Jason Robert Stormwind <20:21:05 / 10-19-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

*****PRIVATE: Jason R Stormwind
>>>>>[Mr. Stormwind, it is indeed a pleasure to meet your acquaintence!
I believe I can help you find what you require.  Though I must say, there
are many people interested in this information currently.  Fortunately,
this does not fall within my constraints as librarian; thus, the information
you seek, while already distributed to another, is still currently available
here.

+++++download:  Cass_hit.cmp

To introduce you to the players, it is my belief that a recent addition to
the Seattle shadows, a Skull Bearer ... is likely responsible for the attack
on the woman you identified.  He, almost assuredly, was in the employ of one
Ms. Johnston to dissuade Cassandra from investigating  ... something.  From
the chronology I have compiled, I think that this Skull Bearer has
encountered Cassandra twice and travelled to Winnipeg for reasons unknown
over the last three weeks.

Furthermore, I believe a recently developed urban myth -- one that does
not concern giant alligators living in our sewers -- may be of potential use
to you.

A gang of young people in the Puyallup Barrens was recently eliminated EN
TOTO by what eyewitnesses describe as a "living shadow" ... a friend of
Cassandra's, one Dirk Edgewood, had encountered a similar personage and
was troubled enough by the encounter to be muttering about it a whole week
later.

There are too many coincidences here to be discounted without investigation.
I take it ... you are interested in the role of investigator?

Regardless of that, you requested ... "What Happened" Cassandra was attacked
by this Skull Bearer  ... "Who was It?"  probably the Skull Bearer  ...
"Additional info"  Skull Bearer's possible residence and probable
employer.

Please forward the compensation for my efforts at your earliest convenience.
It has been a pleasure doing business with you.]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar <18:44:55/10-18-57>

***** PRIVATE: Skuff
>>>>>[Ill assume you got that.  Make sure to keep the name of InfoScholar
close to the top of the data-dex.

His report was...intriguing.

Winnepeg.  I wonder if this has anything to do with the killing of one
UCAS official.  Gravey, to say the least.

Need more information on this Skull Bearer fellow]<<<<<
        -- Kor <23:04:37 / 10-19-57>

***** PRIVATE: InfoScholar
>>>>>[ +++++ Include:  Libary
+++++ Include: Spells

The spells are of my design.  I would be willing to teach them to interested
parties for >>encryted<< or more information about this Skull Bearer.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <23:05:17 / 10-19-57>

>>>>>[My, my, how unexpected.

+++++begin news article
CONNETICUT REPRESENTATIVE STANDS DOWN
Thomas Lang, Technocrat member of the UCAS House of Representatives,
announced his surprise decision to retire from public life in a snap
press conference this morning.

Citing the pressure caused by the sudden collapse of his consultancy
business as the reason, Rep. Lang confirmed that he would stand down
both from the House and from his position as UCAS representative to the
International Police Governing Council.

"At a time of personal crisis such as this, I cannot serve my country as
I should." Rep. Lang said, reading from a prepared statement.
"Therefore, rather than serve badly, I shall step aside, so another can
serve in my stead..."
+++++interrupt news item

He did everything but parade his children, wave a portrait of Mom and
eat some apple pie for the camera.

He's managed to keep the charges against him quiet... they're Interpol
Enforcement Branch's problem, and that's still rotten to the core, so
he's going to walk.

He won't walk far.]<<<<<
     -- Lynch <22:14:37/10-19-57>

*****PRIVATE: Blademaster
>>>>>[I think Drake would rather be out than in, if he thought he could
do some good and make a difference on the outside... inside he's
powerless. If he gets convicted, he's most likely to stay convicted...
not much scope for appeals, and it means he's out of friends with
influence in the right parts of InterPol.

Hopefully, he'll get acquitted, and the issue becomes moot.]<<<<<
     -- Lynch <00:37:51/10-20-57>

*****PRIVATE: Bull
>>>>>[If you are still looking for someone to join your team I would like to
offer my services. I have been kind of lazy lately, a little work is exactly
what I need now. Decking is the kind of work I'd like to do and can do the
best, but I also know how to defend my self.

I am in Seattle right now, but as soon as I get an answer from you I will
start to make the necessary arrangments for the relocation of my meatbod to
Chicago. I'm looking forward to hear from you.]<<<<<
        --  QuickStep <10:35:07 GMT/10-20-57>

*****PRIVATE: Bull
>>>>>[Your open invitation piques my interest since I have decided to
retire from BightEdge and get back to work on the mainland.  I am an adept
mage specializing in recon and spirit warfare.  If you want someone found
and "sanctioned" from afar, I'm your woman.  If you want a person to be
found and recovered, I can do that too.  If fire elemental or bug spirits
are in your way, I'll slice a path through them so wide you'll think I'm
Moses at the Red Sea.

I'll arrive in Seattle this week.  Please send the details of the
confirmation through the usual channels.]<<<<<
        --  Trouveur <01:35:07 GMT/10-20-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R Stormwind
>>>>>[Thank you for your swift payment.  The materials have all been quite
interesting.  I am continuing my inquiry into the matters you expressed
interest in.  Should I discover more material I will pass it along to you ...
for additional 'different' spells, if you please. Bon chance.]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar  <09:56:11/10-19-57>

***** Private:  Invasion Force Internal Email
>>>>>[


+++++ Message-From:  Bull
+++++ Subject:  QuickStep
+++++ Start Rosetta_Encrypt.9 For:  QuickStep Only

Ok, this message is mostly for QuickStep, and the Encrypt is a test to see
how good a decker he is.  A rating 9 Scrambler is not an easy program to
bust.  <grin>

Well, i hope you bust this, QS...  If you do, meet me in teh Matrix at
>>encrypted<< at >>encrypted<< and we'll discuss things further.

+++++ End Rosetta_Encrypt.9 For:  QuickStep Only

For the rest of you, QS is a dec ker, and as I'm sure you all know by now,
one of the biggest problems we've faced so far has been with being traced by
these corp slave-deckers.  Hopefully the addition of another skilled decker
will make our efforts that much easier.]<<<<<
        -- IF Mailer Demon <15:49:25/10-20-57>

***** Private:  Invasion Force Internal Email
>>>>>[

+++++ Message-From:  Bull
+++++ Subject:  Troveur

Ok Troveur, there's a test coming your way.  If you can correctly identify
the Spirit that we sent to have a brief chat with you, then your in.  <grin>
The Spirit will give His/Her name name in casual conversation (obviously not
it's True Name), but wll be masked.

I hope to hear from you within the next couple of days...

Oh, and you will have already spoken with it by the time this message
reaches you.  <grin>

Good Luck.]<<<<<
        -- IF Mailer Demon <15:55:27/10-20-57>

***** Private:  Invasion Force Internal Email
>>>>>[+++++NOT TO:  Troveur

+++++ Message-From:  Bull
+++++ Subject:  New mage

Well gang, we may have a new mage joining us.  She seems to be just a little
too sure of herself, but if she's half as powerful as she claims, she'll be
useful.

As seen in my last message, we sent Daytripper out to meet her, using the
name and identity of Don Knotts.  Daytripper always was a bit strange.

In other news, things have been real quiet around here lately.  I haven't
seen nor heard anything from the tail that we've had seen escaping teh CZ,
but I also haven't heard from Dark Avenger either.  Things are a little too
quiet right now, and that makes me nervous.]<<<<<
        -- IF Mailer Demon <15:58:55/10-20-57>

teven Ratkovich wrote:

***** Private:  Invasion Force Internal Email
>>>>>[

+++++ Message-From: Bubba
+++++ Subject: Eyes

Yeah, Ah guess you could say they was bug eyes.
Why? Does thet mean sumoething?
Ah'm gonna take yer word for it, and head out right away.
Ah'll meet this Canis person at the safehouse y'all mentioned.]<<<<<
        -- Bubba <12:16:26/10-20-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin; The Magical Group Formally Known as ?
>>>>>[Ice here, I'm posting this through a sat-link from near Chicago,
we'll be back in Seattle in a day or so.

Some of you wanted to know what happened to us over the last four or five
days, others of you were actually there, and no doubt some of you don't
care at all, but here it is anyway...

+++++Begin footage

Black screen, apart from the words "Ice's cybercamera, Chicago delivery
run, Evita, Ronin, Rosha, Wolfen in attendance. Free spirit present in the
astral. 2430 approx."

There is a brief flash, then the view is of a city, probably Chicago from
the words just before, under a stormy sky at night. Ice appears to be
looking at the shore from a small motor boat on lake Michigan. The camera
turns, looking around, taking in the sight of four others.

The first, too short to be anything but a dwarf, is a tanned, blonde
haired, blue-eyed woman. Her hair is close cropped, military style and she
has an excited, yet focused look on her face. The name "Rosha" appears at
the bottom of the screen.

The second, also a woman, is fairly short as well, but not to the same
extent. She carries what looks like an Ares Squirt, and a sai hangs from
her belt along with a pouch. She is dressed in black, and her face is
painted in military style night-fighting camouflage. She gets the name
"Evita".

The third is a man of about average height, and carries a fixed stock HK227
with what looks like an ultra-sound sight attached under the barrel. His
clothes too are black, and he wears the face paint as well. The name
"Ronin" identifies him.

The fourth is an elf, tall and well built. He is armed with a pair of Ares
Predators, and carries a long-handled sword in a scabbard strapped to his
back. Like Ronin and Evita, he wears night-time camouflage. The name
"Wolfen" appears below him.

"Okay," says Ronin "One last time."

Ice groans, Evita looks pained, and Rosha turns away from the camera, but
they all seem to be listening. Wolfen continues to stare over the lake
towards the shore, no signs of his emotional state visible.

"We go out onto the lake, and hold just outside the zone, east of it,"
Ronin begins, "Ice calls up his elementals, and goes astral to distract the
UCAS patrol, leading them north. We wait until he comes back to his body,
then move in, under the cover of Rosha's, Ice's and the Spirit's assorted
invisibility, heat barrier, and silence spells. We meet on the beach at no
later than 0015," he pauses for a moment, his eyes going distant, "Okay, T
minus 30 seconds."

"I'll change then," says Ice, and the view begins to drop towards the ground.

Ice looks down at himself, making sure the spell goes right. His body
changes first, unleashing a number of nasty cracking noises, then his
clothes shrink until they wrap snuggly about his new form. The result is a
small black and white cat, wearing a matte black harness, a silver-studded
leather collar, and sunglasses.

"Let's go," says the cat, speaking through the micro speakers on the collar.

Ronin and Evita step over the gunwhale on the opposite side from the shore,
climbing onto jetskis. Rosha follows, mounting a third, after casting a
spell of her own, altering her appearance to blend in with the night.
Wolfen climbs onto a fourth as Ice jumps lightly onto the largest, piloted
by Ronin. The cat settles down between two LMG's mounted at the front of
the small water vessel as Ronin starts up the motor. Evita kicks hers into
life, as do Rosha and Wolfen, and then Ice speaks.

"Silence in three, two, one," he says.

All noise ceases, and Evita moves off, followed by the others. The cat
drops it's head as the team pull away, slowly disappearing from view as
they do so. The camera remains still for the rest of the trip.

They move away from the shore for a while, then turn to the north, moving
paralel to the shore for five or six clicks. They stop there, about three
clicks from shore, and wait. The lights of the zone border are visible, and
every so often a burst of tracers from within the CZ greets a low flying
military surveillance air-ship.

After a moment, the cat raises it's head and nods, and the jetski starts up
again, running towards the shore at full speed. The cat stands up, leaning
into the wind. The others in the group are presumably following, but they
are neither visible nor audible to the camera. The shore approaches
quickly, and the team looks like they are going to make it without official
intervention.

Then, off to the right, a navy patrol boat becomes visible, its current
speed and heading likely to take it across the path of the runners. Ronin
pulls up, the cat almost falling off. Ice turns, glaring at Ronin, but the
samurai is not visible as anything more than a faint flicker.

Ice turns back again, and all is still for a moment. Then the patrol boat
passes, and the jetski starts moving again. After approximately a minute,
it bottoms out, and there is a splash as the still invisible Ronin jumps
off into the water. Ice waits, not willing to get wet, until Ronin has
dragged the vehicle up onto the shore, then he leaps off, and looks around
the beach.

In the darkness, not much is visible past the short beach. A couple of
clicks south a heavily built up residential area is visible. To the
immediate west and north is a large industrial complex, some sort of
chemical plant, judging by the toxic waste warning signs.

The invisibility spell is dropped, and Rosha, Wolfen, Ronin and Evita
become visible, dragging their jetskis up the beach. Ice follows, and
watches as they start to conceal the vehicles under a pile of wooden
crates. He steps away, then begins to change again. This time the result is
a large white tiger, with the matte black harness expanded to cover almost
his entire body. Several stiff plates, presumably armour, are visible in
the shift of the material as Ice flexes his limbs and back to make sure
everything works.

A grey wolf comes on screen, and the name "Wolfen" appears at the bottom of
the screen. Presumably Wolfen has also made a change.

After checking that the jetskis are well hidden, Rosha mumbles, "Clap yo'
hands, ev'rybody... F'you got what it takes... Cuz we're n'here t'take
you out... And these are the Breaks...".

Rosha moves up the beach, and Ice lopes past her, taking the lead. The rest
of the group follows, and they move into the complex.

+++++Splice

Black screen, then the words "Next evening, 1800 approx."

The view opens on a street in a residential area, the buildings about two
or three stories high on average. On the horizon the sun is setting, and
the shots from Chicago's ubiquitous firefights are audible in the middle
distance. Ice is currently looking back at the rest of the team behind him,
Evita closest, followed by Wolfen, then Rosha, Ronin watching over his
shoulder at the rear.

Ice turns back to look forwards again, then comes to a sudden halt. Ahead,
half in and half out of the display window of a long looted electronics
shop, there is a human body. Ice approaches, looking carefully around, but
the surrounding windows are empty. Ice turns back to the corpse, coming
closer, then sees that it has the mouthparts of a wasp or bee. He recoils
as Evita comes up to stand beside him.

"Fleshform," she says, "Wasp maybe."

Ice nods, looking away, as Wolfen, still in wolf form, arrives with Ronin,
and Rosha.

"Anything more around?" Ronin asks, seemingly speaking to the air.

A nearby burger wrapper flutters over, and is suddenly torn into pieces,
which flutter down to land in the pattern of a word. Ice moves closer,
looking down at it, seeing that it reads "No".

"Your spirit friend?" asks Ice.

"Friend?" says Ronin, raising one eyebrow, "But yes, I hope that's who it is."

Ice turns away, and looks around, then sets off again. The others fall in
behind him.

+++++Splice

Black screen, the words "Early morning, 0300 approx."

The view is of a small park, from up high somewhere. In the centre of the
park is a fountain, with a statue of a dolphin leaping from still water.
The pool is almost empty, containing only a scummy green residue at the
bottom. Ice looks around, revealing that he is in a tree at the edge of the
park. The other four wait at the base of the tree, and Ice jumps down to
join them.

"Into the park?" he asks.

"This is where it possessed me last time," he says, "Apparently he can only
get people if they enter the park. So no, we don't go in."

There is a swirl of rubbish, and an angry snarl can be heard, then a human
figure manifests between them and the park. It is a male, tall and very
good looking, but there is a dark look of hatred on its face.

"Give me the items," it snarls.

"The sim-chips?" asks Ronin, "I hate to be mercenary, but this little run
cost us all plenty to set up."

The spirit snarls, and disappears, and the team waits for a minute or so.
Then the spirit enters the park from the other side of it, carrying a small
pouch. It throws the bag to Ronin who catches it and looks inside, then
closes it with a satisfied sounding grunt. He unslings his military style
backpack, places the pouch inside, and takes out three macroplast boxes,
throwing them to the spirit. It catches them, and places them on the
ground.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you all now," it says in a
conversational tone of voice, "I've got what I want, after all."

"Sounds like a decent last wish ..." Rosha says, sounding falsely confident.

The spirit laughs, then disappears. The pool suddenly fills up again, water
gurgling in from a hidden source, and the noise forms into vague words.

"You have three hours, then I alert a nearby hive of wasps..."

The voice tails of as the pool is filled, and Ice looks at the others.

"Let's move," snarls Ronin, and they leave the area in haste.

+++++Splice

Black screen, the words "approx three hours later".

The scene is of the same building in which the runners stayed the day
before. Ice is looking up at it as the group approaches.

"Daylight's breakin'," Rosha sighs, "We diggin' in?".

"What about the bugs it was sending after us?" asks Ice, turning back
towards her. Evita and Rosha both look exhausted and Ronin seems only
slightly better off. On the other hand, Wolfen, still in wolf form, seems
happy to run all day.

"We can't all keep up with a goddamned tiger," snaps Ronin, "We need to
rest. And besides, we've seen no sign of bugs. It was probably lying to get
us away before we decided to torch its home ground."

Ice grunts, giving up, and they head into the building. Wolfen is off
screen when he resumes human form, but he wanders into the camera view
again, heading for the stairs up.

"Let's stick to the ground floor this time," Ice says, "Easier to escape if
we need to, and the top floor is no good for defence against astral spirits
anyway."

"Sounds good," says Wolfen, sitting down and pulling some ration bars from
a pocket.

Ronin, Rosha, and Evita join him, Ice watching them. Ronin eventually
grunts, and throws him a fragment of one of his bars, and the tiger bolts
it down, waiting for more. Rosha laughs, throwing him another piece.

"Alright," Ice says, "There's a limit to how much humiliation I'll take
before eating you bastards. Feed me."

Wolfen pushes an open plastic package across the floor, two bars inside it.
Ice mutters to himself as he eats them.

"Can you do an astral watch?" asks Ronin when Ice has finished.

The tiger nods, then drops his head to the floor. The others wait,
continuing their so-called meal, until startled by the appearance of a tall
elf in the midst of them. He is dressed in white robes, and a small dragon
curls around his left leg, torso, and right arm, resting it's chin on the
back of his right hand.

"No sign yet," he says, "Oh, Ronin, you wouldn't have seen me on the astral
before. This is me," Ice executes a model's spin, then bows.

The astral elf sits down with the group, to the obvious discomfort of
Ronin. Rosha, Wolfen, and Evita seem comfortable with Ice's astral form,
presumably having seen him do this before.

Suddenly the curled dragon raises it's head and hisses, Ice looking up
simultaneously.

"Trouble," he snaps out, and the astral form disappears.

Rosha, Wolfen, Evita, and Ronin leap to their feet, the latter two pulling
their weapons into firing position, Rosha uncoiling a monofilament whip,
and Wolfen drawing his sword. Ronin swaps clips on his HK, as Ice stirs,
getting to his feet.

"Eight or nine bugs," Ice says, "true forms, wasps, should be here any..."

In true dramatic fashion, his words are interupted by the entrance through,
windows, of four giant wasps. They waste no time, throwing themselves at
the team, as more start to manifest inside the room. Ronin opens fire, his
burst strangely quiet, a strange "splat" noise audible as the rounds impact
on the wasp's head. The spirit lunges at him, the chitin where it was hit
visibly ruptured. Evita and Rosha come under attack, but Ice does not see
the outcome, occupied as he is by the attack of a bug of his own. He dodges
it's lunge, and his right paw lashes out, a glowing tattoo visible beneth
the fur, and takes the head off of the wasp. Ice looks around as the bug
demanifests, seeing that the second group have become fully physical.
Several begin to move forward, slowed by their pseudo-flesh, as Ice casts a
spell. A bolt of ice rips through the foremost spirit, throwing it back,
and it disappears as the others move forward. Ronin moves past Ice, firing
into the group, several bugs going down and demanifesting. Wolfen moves
forward, cutting into one of the bugs, and several of them explode in
sprays of phantom ichor as Evita casts a spell. The rest flee back to
astral space.

"Everyone alright?" asks Ice.

"Let's move," Ronin snaps abruptly, over any replies, "North to the double
laned road, then we cut east."

The group leaves the building, moving north, and Ice takes the lead. They
turn east at a large wide road, one that is devoid of any signs of life.

"Ice," says Evita, "I have an idea. If I turn into a horse, Ronin can ride
me, and you can carry Rosha. Wolfen can run pretty fast as a wolf, so we'll
cover ground much faster that way."

"Good idea," says Ronin, touching Evita on the shoulder, "I'm sick of walking."

Ice protests feebly, then agrees. Evita makes the change, clothes first,
including a saddle with her new outfit, then fills the result with horse.
Like Ice's, her animal shaped clothing appears armoured. Ronin mounts Evita
as Ice prepares a saddle of his own, then Rosha climbs up on Ice.

"It's been so long since I rode un caballo, mama!" yells Rosha, digging in
her heels, "Yee-ha-ha!"

"This is ridiculous," Ice mutters, then moves off.

Evita quickly moves ahead, Ronin crouching low and looking very
uncomfortable, and it quickly turns into a contest. As they crest a hill,
the lake becomes visible, and Ice calls out in triumph.

"We're going to make it!"

Evita snorts in reply, and Ronin turns his head to give a slightly nervous
grin. Then the droning noise of a motor of some sort becomes audible.

"Off the road," yells Ronin, and Evita and Ice veer right, off to the side,
down an alley, then turn left again. Ronin is looking back over his
shoulder, barely staying on Evita, but ice keeps grimly looking ahead. The
group are between two rows of middle-class type houses, on a small one way
street. They arive at a crossroads, and keep on going. The motor is
beginning to get louder, but it still seems to be several clicks off.

"Do we run or hide?", asks Ice, the volume of the speakers boosted to make
him audible over Evita's pounding hooves.

"Can' hide fr'm bugs 'gardless. Whas da plan, boss?"  Rosha asks.

"We run, then," calls Ronin, "That'll be effective whoever it is."

Ice moves onto the lawn of one of the houses, jumping a fence, and moves
around behind the house. Evita joins him through the next gap between
houses, Wolfen follows her, and they continue until they come to another
road perpendicular to their direction of passage.

"I'm picking up astral bugs," calls Ice, "They'll be directing their flesh
form... umm... accomplices, I guess."

"Cuantos, chico?" Rosha shouts, then, "How many, man!"

"Three or four," replies Ice, "I think they're some of the ones we injured
back in the house, so they'll be recuperating for a while before they try
anything."

"Where are the rest?" asks Ronin, "In that bus?"

"Bus?" asks Ice.

"That's a bus following us," says Ronin impatiently, "Is that where the
others are?"

"Could be," says Ice, "But I can't feel them yet. I'd go astral, but that'd
leave Rosha in the lurch and my body vulnerable."

"Okay," says Ronin, "Let's go ambush that bus then. Back to the two lane road."

Ice turns left, moving back onto the smaller road, then moving further
north to the double-laned one. Evita follows, and as she arrives Ronin gets
off, almost falling. He swears, then takes off his pack, digging in it for
something. Rosha dismounts, jumping over the tiger's head, and Evita
resumes her humanity as Ronin looks around. Wolfen eventually wanders back
into the field of view of the camera, and he too is now in human form.

"Can you scare off those astral spirits, Ice?" Ronin asks, "I don't want
them seeing what I'm up to."

Ice nods, then goes astral. Ronin moves out of the view of the camera,
continuing to talk.

"Evita, can you perceive the astral, and tell me what's up there?"

"Ice has taken two bugs down with a spell," Evita replies, "The rest of
them have moved west, he's following," she pauses for a moment, "They're
out of sight."

"Excellent," Ronin says, "Rosha, you use throwing weapons, you any good
with grenades?"

"I've seen them on da trid," Rosha says, smirking.

"Take this then," Ronin says, pausing a moment, then moving away from the
camera, "Okay, here's the plan. The bus comes out of there, along this
road, and I fire these charges when it gets to here. That'll stop it in
it's tracks. Then I shoot out a window or two, and Rosha puts that grenade
through one of them. It's an insecticide smoke thing, with an incendiary
charge of phophorous and a touch of C-12. The bugs in the bus will be flesh
forms probably, otherwise they'd have come by astral, so that should deal
with most of them. The rest should be easy enough." His voice grows louder
at the end as he comes back towards Ice's inert form.

"Famous last words," mutters Wolfen.

Ice gets up, then speaks.

"I've seen the bus," he says, "And two of the true form spies made it back
there. There are five other trues in there though, and one of them's a huge
bastard."

"It doesn't change the plan," says Ronin, then goes over it again for Ice.

By the time he has finished talking, the bus is much closer, and the group
barely has time to get off the road when it turns around a corner to the
west, and approaches. Three wasp spirits fly ahead of it, and Ice downs one
with a spell, a second being taken out by a long burst from Ronin's SMG.
Rosha waits, readying a large grenade, Wolfen pulls his Predators, and
Evita readies her squirt, waiting for the bugs to get within range.

The bus crosses a mark known only to Ronin, and there is a sudden explosion
from the road. The bus lurches, rising a little, then strays off to one
side as Ronin opens fire at the windows. The  quiet "splat" rounds are gone
now, what's hitting the bus is armour piercing ammo, and the windscreen
shatters under the long burst. Wolfen fires too, a heavy auto in each hand.
Rosha moves forward, dodging the desperate charge of one of the bugs that
was outside the bus, and throwing the grenade through the windscreen. It
explodes on impact, releasing a gout of gas and flame, and as the bus comes
to a halt at the side of the road, Rosha hurls another package into it.
Ronin opens fire again as Ice casts a spell, it's effect not visible to the
non-magic eye. A few flesh forms escape out the rear of the bus before a
second explosion rocks the vehicle.

There is a brief pause as the flesh forms charge, then four true form
spirits move at the group from behind the crashed bus. One of them throws
itself at Ice, stabbing with its tail, but the tiger dances away and blasts
it with a bolt of ice. He catches a brief glimps of Wolfen meeting a
charge, deflecting an attack with his sword, but does not see the outcome.
Ronin fires at the flesh forms, and three go down. The last takes a hit,
but keeps coming, cyberspurs sliding out from both arms as it closes with
Ronin. Ice rips into another true form spirit with one paw, tearing away a
chunk of it's armoured pseudo-flesh, and the spirit demanifests with a
screech. Ice turns, seeing Rosha move towards the burning bus, backed up by
Evita and Wolfen. The camera turns again, watching as Ronin blocks a slash
with his SMG, and butt-strokes the flesh form in the face. It lurches back
and Ronin leaps forward, kicking it in the chest, then empties the last
couple of rounds from his SMG into it before it hits the ground.

Ice heads for the bus, but Evita waves him off, she and Rosha coming back
towards where Ronin is changing clips. The samurai turns, grinning, then
moves towards the rest of the group. Suddenly there is a disturbance in the
air behind him, and Rosha shouts a warning. Ronin turns, fast, but not fast
enough, and a manifesting wasp spirit appears above him, slashing down with
it's stinger.

"Ronin!" screams Evita, as the samurai backs towards the group, blood
spurting from a wound in his shoulder.

Wolfen charges forward, his sword raised, and Evita joins him, shouting in
rage. Ronin hits the ground, a stunned look on his face, as Ice casts a
spell, the bolt of ice streaking over Evita's head as she attacks the
spirit. It screams as the bolt tears away one wing, then again as Evita
strikes it in its delicate underside. Wolfen attacks also, slashing off a
couple of legs, and the spirit falls on him, knocking him to the ground.
Evita attacks its head and Ice casts another ice bolt as Rosha moves in
with her monowhip, and the spirit demanifests with a final scream of pain
and rage.

Ice moves forward, checking Ronin. The samurai is ashen, and there is a
large swelling building up around the wound. His breathing is laboured, and
he is beginning to shake uncontrollably.

"Poison," snaps out Ice, "Evita, can you do something about it?"

Evita comes forward, laying a hand on Ronin, and Ice also touches the
samurai. Between them, they start to heal his wounds, and his breathing
eases slightly.

"We have to move," he says weakly, "Horse time again."

"Can you ride?" asks Evita.

"I'll have to," replies Ronin, getting to his feet with some difficulty,
even when Evita helps.

Evita makes the change, and Ronin struggles up onto her back. He is still
shaking, and it doesn't look like he'll be able to make it back out of the
CZ.

Rosha approaches Ice with a wide grin.

"Oh joy," mutters the tiger.

+++++End footage

A brief run down to the beach, and out we went, just on dawn. Evita and
Rosha did the disguising magic cover, and I sent a crowd of watchers and
elementals off to run astral interference. We had to do without the free
spirit's heat shield, so we were slightly worried about thermo picking us
up. The temperature differential between water and air might have messed it
up, I suppose. Ronin collapsed and slept for a day once we got back to the
boat, but he's recovered now.

(BTW, those that were there, Ev tells me that Ronin and the simsense studio
are currently negotiating the salvage payment for the chips. It looks like
it'll be in the high five figures.)

(And groupies, we still need a name. And I still like The Seattle Zoo.)

(And if any of you ever mentions "the Ride of Rosha", or any other damn
thing along those lines, there'll be trouble.)]<<<<<
        --  Ice <15:47:50/10-20-57>

*****PRIVATE: InfoScholar
>>>>>[
+++++CREDIT TRANSFER: >encrypted< =Y=]<<<<<
        -- Jen and Gabe <16:55:43/20-10-57>

*****PRIVATE: Righteous and Dana
>>>>>[We need data on the following:

Runners: Lynch and Lilith (where and how well armed)
People: Ronson (his connection with SIGA)
Organizations: SIGA (in connection with Ronson, Lynch and Lilith)]<<<<<
        -- Jen and Gabe <19:00:00/20-10-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jen and Gabe
>>>>>[[W--t] at [are] you wi:ling to of|er in re+urn?]<<<<<
        -- 4&tgfHvK-46#@gf <CORRUPTED/CORRUPTED>

*****PRIVATE: Turbo
>>>>>[Hey there, buddy, how's it going? Hope the trials went good. As
for causes - well, I don't know if it's reasonable, but it's hiring.
Talk to Canis, or Inferno, or Bull. I think they could do with some
more riggers. And the pay's alright, too.]<<<<<
        -- Minx <10:06:01/10-21-57>

*****PRIVATE: Minx
>>>>>[*grin*  The trials went splendidly.  I came out better off than
when I went in, which is always good.

Ok, I'll talk to one of them.  Thanks for the tip.]<<<<<
        -- Turbo <11:01:31/10-21-57>

*****PRIVATE: Bull
>>>>>['Lo there.  A friend of mine, Minx, says you're currently hiring on
people.  If yer looking for a decent rigger, I'm your man.  I'm good for
quite a few other things as well, including going in personally.  I'm
quite a jack-of-all-trades and know at least a little about quite a lot
of topics.  I'm an elf, and yes I am from the Tir.  Don't think I'm
totally loyal to those people though.  I'm about as fanatical about Tir
as you are about the UCAS.

Anyway, get in touch via this address if you want to talk to me.]<<<<<
        -- Turbo <11:07:03/10-21-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Chickens of the Apocalypse
>>>>>[Y'can tell m'vote fr'm my address.  Anyway, we gonna celebrate
our victr'y n'da CZ or what??  M'pad's open ... cat's away, so ah say the
mice should play.  This weekend ... BYOBBB ... "Bring your own brown bag,
BABY!!!"]<<<<<
        --  Rosha  <23:24:32/10-20-57>

>>>>>[This is it, everyone.

+++++ Begin Trideo Record, International Police Hearing S57-01 +++++

Clerk:  All rise.

The hearing again, with only four people currently present in the room.
Commander Drake and Lt. Rachel Mizikar, the clerk, and Lt. Gerald Burr all
stand as Chief Eric Skinwalker and Sir Harold Burns enter the room from the
side door, walk to the head table, and sit down.

Burns:  Sit, please.  Commander Paul Drake, please remain standing.

Drake remains standing.  As during the entire hearing, Drake is wearing his
dress uniform, with no rank insignia or decorations, only the Special Branch
insignia.  It looks almost spartan, and yet not totally out of place for a
man whose decorations are all internal and who is as close to totally self-
contained as perhaps any man can be.

Burns:  Our apologies for taking so much time to come to a decision,
Commander, but the culling of the Panel created some interesting difficulties
which had to be dealt with before Chief Skinwalker and I could come to some
agreements.

Drake:  I understand, Sir.

Burns:  Shut up, Commander, and don't interrupt.

Drake:  Sir.

Burns:  The other reason that we took so long was that we had to speak with
the remainder of the Council as well.  You see, you raised some interesting
points regarding the Special Branch charter which allowed far too many
liberties which I didn't see when I helped write it.  I felt the need to
amend the charter, and wanted to make sure that you had the satisfaction of
knowing those changes prior to us announcing our decision.

Skinwalker:  Commander, the Special Branch charter has been amended as
follows:

A:  Special Branch will now have a full-time Council representative.  This
representative will be appointed by the commanding officer of Special Branch
and be required to attend all Governing Council meetings.  This
representative will have all the same rights and responsibilities as the
Council representatives from the other divisions.

B:  While Section 96 has not been removed as you and your predecessor had
lobbied for, it has been amended such that Special Branch must be notified at
least 72 hours prior to any special Council meetings regarding the invocation
of any of Section 96's paragraphs, except in the case of extreme emergencies.
In addition, if the "extreme emergency" clause is invoked, the individuals
who invoked it will be subject to immediate Internal Affairs review by agents
of the Council's designation.  Hopefully, this will keep that clause from
being used by corrupt officials, or at least give them pause.

C:  The commanding officer of Special Branch will have automatic and
unconditional access to the complete records of those agents under his or her
command.  I need not say that this particular amendment was a bit unpopular.
Sir Harold and I were forced to remove the gloves on occasion to...convince a
few reticent Council members.

D:  Any individual whom the commanding officer of Special Branch designates
as a possible replacement for him or her in the event of retirement or
inability to continue command will be given priority in the command review
process.  The Council had always done this before, but it has now been
codified.

Any comments, Commander?

Drake:  Thank you for the amendments, sirs.  Even such small alterations will
make my successors' jobs much easier.

Burns:  Now we get to the meat of the matter.

Commander Paul Drake, you have admitted guilt regarding all of the charges.
However, many of the charges were shown to be problematical at best.  You did
disobey the orders of a superior, even if that superior had given improper
orders and had been made into your superior wrongly.  You are responsible for
the death of those under your command, even if their death was caused by
something which you could not have predicted.  You were derelict in your duty
to bring criminals to justice, even if you performed the rest of your duties
with your usual distinction.  And you did release Mr. Jason Running-Wolf
Lynch after having apprehended him.

Thus, by your own admission and the determination of this Panel based on
presented evidence and testimony, you are guilty as charged.  Your guilt has
been recorded and filed.

However, the details of punishment are somewhat mitigated by the
circumstances....

Drake:  Permission to speak, Sir.

Burns:  Very well.

Drake:  Sir, if I am guilty of the charges, then I should be disciplined and
incarcerated as per the criminal which I have become.  Nothing less serves
the interests of the public trust or the law.

Burns:  Commander....

Drake:  Sir?

Burns:  Shut the fuck up, and let us at least tell you what we decided before
you go off half-cocked.

Drake.  Sir.

Burns:  As I was saying, there are some mitigating circumstances.  Luckily,
the International Police Charter allows the Panel and Governing Council some
leeway in cases such as yours.

Commander Paul Drake, Chief Skinwalker and I did not see completely eye-to-
eye on this, but we finally reached an agreement.  The public trust and the
law will be better served by having you serving with Special Branch than by
placing you behind bars again.  Thus it is our decision to place you back in
command of Special Branch, effective immediately.

However, don't screw up again, Commander.  If you do, you will be removed
from command permanently and turned over the UCAS authorities for trial and
imprisonment.  Consider yourself under permanent probation.

Drake:  Sir, this does not serve the law which I have sworn to uphold.

Burns:  Paul, I've been an InterPol cop too, remember.  I earned this uniform
I'm wearing, and something that you haven't learned, but Mr. Lynch has, is
that sometimes the only way to save the law is to bend it just far enough
that it has to reorganize itself to fit reality.  And even in the UCAS, where
you committed your crime, probation is considered a viable alternative to
imprisonment.

Rest assured that your punishment is fully legal within the laws of that
nation.

Drake:  I see.  And my breaches of regulations, sir?

Skinwalker:  Due to the extenuating circumstances, we decided to overlook
them.  However, Internal Affairs has been notified of them and they will be
keeping an eye on your actions.

Drake:  Perpetual investigation, then?  I cannot be expected to work under
such scrutiny.

Skinwalker:  Not perpetual, but significantly more detailed and regular than
it has been up to now.  Expect reviews at least 2 or 3 times per year.  More
often, if your actions appear to trigger IADs interest for one reason or
another.

Drake:  I see sir.

Burns:  I doubt it, Commander, but time will tell.  Anything further?

Drake:  When may I resume my duties?

Burns:  Bring in the box!

The camera registers an armed guard enter the room and brings a large, heavy
oaken box to Burns, and then turn and leave.  Burns stands and takes the
oaken box to the Commander.

Burns:  I believe these belong to you, Commander.  You resume your duties as
soon as you put them on again.

Commander Drake opens the box and removes a Colt SWAT heavy pistol.
Inspecting the grip, the etched monogram and custom grip is obvious.
Commander Drake pulls out the shoulder holster and puts in on, puts the clip
in the pistol, and places the pistol in the holster.  Then he picks up the
InterPol badge and reattaches it over his left breast pocket.  Finally, Drake
puts on his coat and hat, snaps to attention, and salutes Sir Harold, who
returns the salute.  Walking tall, he returns the salutes which Lt. Mizikar
and Lt. Burr give him, and then strides out of the main door.

+++++ End Trideo Record +++++

Frag.  Guess that means he'll be back in Seattle before too long....  And to
think I had almost gotten use to a little less paranoia.]<<<<<
      --  Trideo Pirate <22:46:22/10-20-57>

*****INTERNAL:  InterPol Special Branch Communications
>>>>>[Commander Drake here.  Monty, I'm coming back to Seattle on the
next flight.  Upon my arrival, I will be assuming command of Special
Branch again.  Get the unit heads together.  I want to know everything
that has happened.  Plan for food if necessary.  And coffee.  Nothing
personal, but those Brits just don't know how to make a good cup of
coffee.]<<<<<
        --  Commander Drake, InterPol <23:03:57/10-20-57>

>>>>>[Thank you, Jason.]<<<<<
        --  Commander Drake, InterPol <23:04:38/10-20-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Invasion Force Internal Email
>>>>>[

+++++ Message-From: Canis
+++++      Subject: Bubba, Skull Bearer, Pegasus

Hm, this thing works wonderfully. Great not to have to type anything. Well,
we're gonna meet Bubba and che... Orion, how do i delete some&("DD)19xxx

+++++ Transmission Error: Estimated Data Loss: 0.2 Mp

find out more about him, so I assume we can consider this line secure. Please
inform me immediately should DA re-appear, although I agree with you... He's
probably KIA. Someone will pay for this. Soon. Plus, I still had to get my
pack of cigs from him...

Orion got all exited when I told him about those chess-deckers, but i couldn't
understand a word he sed. Damn Tech-babble. He's decking now, "Checking a few
things" as he sed.

Pegasus hasn't shown himself again (or, as Orion sed, has been even better),
and he couldn't find any trace on him, not even in the larger Corporations'
databases on 'runners. Strange.

The Skull Bearer thing.... I think that's a trap. Either someone wants him to
spy us out, or they want us at a special time somewhere where they could
assault us. I don't trust this, and so doesn't Wolf.Maybe here we could use
Bubba's firepower he's so praising.

The team I have gathered so far is one very itchy combat mage, Stephanie, a
merc and spellslinger/rigger duo, Hamish and Minx,  and there will be a wolf
shaman (Nomad, you send him over to me) as soon as his references are checked
and contact is made. Plus Bubba, by the looks of it, and of course orion and
me. As you might notice we have quite good astral power, so we might check on
Bubba's "health". And of course if he's traced by our chitin-clad friends.  ]<<<<<
        -- IF Mailer Daemon <15:26:13/10-19-57>

***** PRIVATE: Bull
>>>>>[ Thanx, pal, thanx a lot for your coded EMailer. Finally I don't have to
nurse Canis whenever he wants to make contact. He's about as much sense for
tech as I have for the international stock market, and I keep my cash in a
sock under my mattress at home :-) Thanx, pal, I owe you one for this! ]<<<<<
        -- Orion <15:26:17/10-19-57>

>>>>>[Looks like your worry was not needed Jason. Drake's out, if someone's
not been editing that testimony.

Btw, take care in Yorkshire, if you're going. Remember the last training
excercise we were both on, with the 3rd party using live rounds ? I'd hate
to think of you getting bullet holes there.  Your innards would rust.]<<<<<
        -- JayCee <09:33:16 / 10-21-57>

*****PRIVATE: Dark Elf
>>>>>[Something to tie the stock market, the cop killings and those kidnappings
together ?  Care to share ?  All I've gotten out of LS is denial of any
camera in the officers.  I got a serious  'you don't want to dig into this'
from some of my contacts over there, so I cooled off rather than putting them
into a bad spot.]<<<<<
        --JayCee <09:35:27 / 10-21-57

*****PRIVATE: Commander Drake, InterPol
>>>>>[You're welcome, Paul. Would you believe me if I said I was glad to
have you back?

Pat's throwing another Samhain party. Hope to see you there.]<<<<<
        -- J R W Lynch <17:55:42/10-21-57>
           Strategic Intelligence Gathering Agency

***** Private:  Valentine
>>>>>[Aiya...Sorry I didn't get to this earlier, I've had your party's
date marked in my P.S. for a long time now, and finally the calender
program started screaming at me to RSVP.  Myself and my friend Arashi plan
on dropping by.  If you don't mind too much, we plan on arriving as a pair
of stunning matched powered armor.  Don't worry, it isn't real, nor are
any of the weapons, I just got a chance to play with a rapid prototyper
in the wee hours of the morning.  Any objections?  Some of the other
matrix jockies that might be showing up will probably get a joke that
goes back about a month or so.  Thanks for the open invite.]<<<<<
        --  Vernier <14:20:37/10-21-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Vernier
>>>>>[No objections whatsoever.]<<<<<
        --  Valentine <19:49:39/10-21-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Chickens of the Apocalypse
>>>>>[The chickens suggestion was supposed to be a joke. But what the hell.
Just don't tell L, he'll never pay us anything if we look like that sort of
loony.]<<<<<
        --  Ice <18:31:10/10-21-57>

*****PRIVATE: Serenity Security
>>>>>[Any word on Cass, is she alive still? Ask her before talking to me,
if you're in "Paranoia/Security" mode. I know I would be.]<<<<<
        --  Squatter <18:59:44/10-21-57>

***** PRIVATE: Squatter
>>>>>[We are, but I know who you are.

You and I, and part of the team watching over Cass needs to talk ASAP.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <02:37:44 / 10-22-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

*****PRIVATE: J R Stormwind, c/o Serenity Security
>>>>>[Yeah, okay, we can talk. Have a car waiting at >>street corner,
time<<, door open, I'll move out of an alley and get in, then we move out
fast, okay?]<<<<<
        --  Squatter <03:48:57/10-22-57>

*****PRIVATE: Rosha, Evita, Wolfen, Ice
>>>>>[The Truman people are dragging their feet on the simsense thing...
meanwhile I'm having a touch of a cashflow problem, so I might be busy for
a couple of days.]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <19:32:13/10-21-57>

*****NOT TO: Assorted law enforcement agencies
>>>>>[I'm after some warm bodies for a breaking and entering job... sort
of beneath big bad shadowrunners like us, but a sammy's got to inject those
anticoagulants. I need a decker, a rigger with CCSS experience, and a mage
for astral backup.

Easy, Lyting, Peter, you still out there? Remember the run on Nova
Research? This'll be another like that. Unfortunately, Phoenix and Johnny Q
are now dead, so I can't ask them along. If you guys are up for it, you've
got first shot at the positions I'm trying to fill.]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <19:41:53/10-21-57>

*****PRIVATE: JayCee
>>>>>[I've been spending time trying to verify what Blake said. I
couldn't come up with much, since it's kinda out of my field, but
I think he's right. The tie in is two words... Blood Magic.

Yeah, we're talking some deep Drek. Chin high in fact. I'm laying low
for a while. I've probably set off too many red flags as it is.]<<<<<
        -Dark Elf <**:**:**/**-**-**>

*****Private:Lynch
>>>>>[Well, he got off! Looks like the issue is moot. On the other hand,
interested in what happened to some of those vampires? They got off
rather easily, all things considered. I'll send you the tapes sometime if
your interested, once I've spliced the video(or had it done by a friend
of mine, whichever comes first). Anyway, gota run, I hear someone
knocking.]<<<<<
       --  Blademaster  <15:45:32/10-21-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lilith
>>>>>[Here's my final report.  I turned over Byrnes to the SIGA agents.  All of
their ID was correct.  So was the payment.

+++++Begin Video 102057.00:13:24.GMT

The picture is dark and blurred.  In green letters at the bottom, the time and
date appear.  They blink and are replaced by the words "Ultra sound rendering.
Tactical Computer engaged."  The blur clears but doesn't lighten.  Apparently
there was a hand in the way of the screen.  The ultra sound imaging overlaps the
picture, and it is possible to make out a neatly manicured lawn beyond a wrought
iron gate and fence.  In the middle of the yard is a three story Brownstone.
The house sits at the top of a slight rise, with lights projecting around and
towards it, like a gem on display.  From what the imaging shows, there isn't
much in the way of cover between fence and front door.

The picture moves to the side of a large brick pillar separating pieces of
fence.  The pillar is about 3.5 meters tall, rising about a half meter above the
rest of the fence.  For the next several seconds the image goes black again.
Then, the picture returns, this time the view seems to be from the top of the
pillar.  The picture moves and it is now within the fence.  The barrel of the
gun swings into view, as the view point slowly starts to move forward.  All is
silent, and everything remains dark, except the house.  The moon isn't out and
the sky is covered with clouds, making it nearly starless.  The person with the
camera has moved their way towards the house and close to the garage.  There it
stops and waits, hugging the wall.  The microphone picks up the person as he
takes three long, deep breaths.  The gun barrel moves out of view to be replace
by a smaller pistol.  Suddenly, the garage door starts to go up, lighting the
area inside and around the portal.  The view blurs as it goes around the corner.
Before things steady, the gun coughs twice and two men slump down, both near the
door.

Quickly, the man moves towards the bodies and moves them out of the way.  He
sets them on their stomachs and ties their ankles and wrists together with
plastic strips.  The men are well dressed, both in suits.  Checking their
pockets, the man finds little.  All that is taken is their sidearms and a mag
lock key.

The man opens the nearby door and slips inside, closing the door behind him
silently.  A man with his back to the door speaks is a language you don't
understand.  A hand reaches out and yanks the man and his chair backwards.  The
barrel of a pistol at the mans neck.  "Don't move and you don't die.  How many
guards?"

The man replies in accented English "Eight.  Myself, the two who just stepped
outside, and five more."

"Where?"

"Two with the lady, one at the front door, one at the top of each stair."

"You'll live another day."

The man steps back, and shoots the man in the back of the neck.  A small dart is
visible as he begins to slump forward.  The man grabs him and sets him up in his
chair.

The man begins to move his way silently through the house.  As he leaves the
entryway, the mike picks up something that sounds like "I should've had a
fucking shotgun for this."

As he begins to turn a corner into a hallway, he bumps into a guard who was
turning into the room.  The bodyguard moves back and begins to yell for alarm as
he brings his gun into line.  But he isn't fast enough.  He only has time to
yell part of his warning before he too is knocked out by a cough from the gun.

"Frag.  Time to bite the bullet."  The man switches the narcoject for a rifle.
He starts walking through the house.  As he nears the stairs, you can see a
small desk where the other guard must have been sitting.  Before the man can
begin to start up the stairs, the screen blinks and a large WARNING sign blinks
on it.  Then, words begin to scroll by.  As far as you can make out, the tac.
comp has decided that there is a 95% chance that the first step will set off a
alarm or a trap.  Apparently, the step is a different height and thermographics
show that it is of different material than the others.  The man steps over the
stair and slowly around the corner.  As he does, several shots hit the corner of
the stairs.

"Frag."  Quickly the man spins around the corner and fires off several short
bursts.  He spins back behind the slim protection of the plaster wall, but there
isn't any return fire.  Slowly peeking around the corner, the image shows that
the two men have been plastered against the wall, one is still moaning slightly.
The person runs up the stairs, and to the next flight, planting a "mercy" shot
in the head of the still moaning guard.  At the sound of the gunshot, another
rain of indiscriminant metal death is fired down from above.  This time, the man
takes a grenade of his belt, yanks the pin and tosses it up the stairs.  He
looks back around the corner to see the scorched remains and the cracked and
shattered plaster off the walls.  Stronger material lay underneath, and is the
only reason the staircase is still standing.

"Frag."

The man races up the stairs and finds the bodies of the last three guards.  He
moves by towards the only door in the hall.  The blast doesn't seem to have done
anything to the door.  The man begins to check the bodies for a key for the lock
on the door.  After a short search, he comes up with the small piece of almost
indestructible plastic.  He then snicks it into place and opens the door.

As the door opens, the sound of a gun is heard and the screen jumps.

"Frag."  The man looks at his assaulter.  It's a woman.  Young, attractive, and
very upset.  She's dressed in pair of jeans and a t-shirt.  The offending weapon
looks to be a Colt American gripped in both her hands.  Quickly looking down,
the man looks at where he was shot.  About half way up the torso on the left
side.  There isn't any blood showing, so the bullet was apparently stopped by
the underlying armor.

The woman speaks.  "You make one move, and I'll shot again.  Only this time, in
the head."

The man just shakes his head.  "Woman, if you want to fight me, you're going to
need to fight someone who can move like this."  With that, he's covered the 5
meters or so to her, grabbed her wrist, and with a sharp snap, disarmed her.
 From the sound the wrist made when he did it, you're pretty sure the wrist is
broken.  The woman falls down, holding her wrist.  The man kicks the gun out of
his way.

"In accordance with UCAS law and pre-arranged extradition treaties, I arrest you
on the charge of distributing a controlled toxin."

The woman just looks up at him.  She says only one thing.

"Frag."

+++++End Video 102057.00:13:24.GMT

And that's about all there was.  I grabbed a car, holed up at the safe house,
and waited for your agents.  They took the woman and gave me the rest of the
payment.  Any debriefing you have is going to have to wait.  I'm just firing
this off.  I'm meeting Quinn in about 20 minutes for that field training.  I'll
see you and Jason when I hit home ground again.  We can reminisce over a few
beers, eh?]<<<<<
     -- Blade <06:00:00/10-22-57>

*****PRIVATE: Dark Elf
>>>>>[Deep deep dreak. Kady - if you get anything you need to dodge sidewise
from, stick your head in on me in Seattle.  Address is >encyrpt<.  Try and
give me some warning first.]<<<<<
        - JayCee <09:55:24 / 10-22-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin
>>>>>[I am still around.  What do you have have on the corp? I have been
away for a while.  I had an opportunity to spent some time back in
Ireland, so I have been away from Seattle.  I am more than willing to give
you a hand.]<<<<<
        --  Lyting <05:02:48/10-22-57>

***** PRIVATE: Bull
>>>>>[Okay, I'll be there. It is quite obvious that I was able to break the
encryption, not too much of a test with the right equipment and software.

Anyway, I have the impression the your choice of the meeting place is more
like a test <grin>. As you don't know what my icon looks like, I will have a
read rose attached to my jacket ...]<<<<<
        -- QuickStep <15:57:27/10-21-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin
>>>>>[I'm in.]<<<<<
        -- Easy <16:55:42/10-22-57>

*****PRIVATE: Easy
>>>>>[We need a loose end tying up.

+++++include file: target_data.txt
+++++include file: target_movement.txt
+++++include file: target_carnal.txt
+++++include file: target_predictions.txt

Payment is >>encrypted<< with 25% up front. No collateral casualties:
that's a condition of the contract. Collateral _damage_ is fine as long
as nobody but the target is badly hurt.

We would prefer this done quickly.]<<<<<
        -- 1Lt J R W Lynch <20:50:31/10-22-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[Consider him dead.]<<<<<
        -- Easy <20:52:21/10-22-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin
>>>>>[Still up for your job, but a short-notice one just came up. be
back in 24, maybe 48.]<<<<<
        -- Easy <20-54-41/10-22-57>

*****PRIVATE: Blade
>>>>>[Well done, Matt. Thank you, and good work. See you in
Catterick.]<<<<<
        -- 1Lt L R W Lynch <Big:Swishy:Tailed/Spotted-Hunting-Cat>
           Strategic Intelligence Gathering Agency

*****INTERNAL: SIGANet
>>>>>[TO: Sgt J S Karlsbruhn
+++++insert audio: low warning snarl]<<<<<
        -- 1Lt L R W Lynch <20:45:31/10-22-57>
           Strategic Intelligence Gathering Agency

>>>>>[Oh, the tragedy. Oh, the humanity.

+++++begin news article
FORMER REPRESENTATIVE GUNNED DOWN IN SAVAGE ATTACK
The former Technocratic Representative for Conneticut, Thomas Lang, was
shot dead late last night in a brutal, apparently professional killing.
No motive has been advanced for his murder.

According to Eagle Security spokesmen, Lang had been leaving the
residence of a constituent at about 0200 when his Nightsky was riddled
by over a hundred rounds of 7.62mm machine-gun fire: ES confirmed that
cases and links recovered from an alley mouth matched those for a
Fabrique Nationale MAG-5, a favoured terrorist weapon, whose high-
velocity "cop-killer" bullets punched through his car's light armour and
riddled the Representative's body.

Rep. Lang had recently announced his retirement from public life, after
his political consultancy business collapsedw with heavy debts.
Allegations of corruption and of criminality had been strenuously denied
by his staff, making the motive for his murder a mystery.
+++++end news item

As if you couldn't guess, the Providence Journal was so far up Lang's
butt they charged him proctology fees.

Anyway, it's a tragic, terrible warning to all dirty politicians of the
fate that might await them at the hands of those whose money they
accept.

In Imperial Rome, corrupt officials used to be sewn into a sack with an
assortment of hungry carnivorous wild animals, and then thrown into the
Tiber. Personally, I think that system had some merit, and I would vote
for its return. However, we will of course diligently and thoroughly
investigate Lang's death.]<<<<<
        -- 1Lt L R W Lynch <03:42/11/10-23-57>
           Strategic Intelligence Gathering Agency

*****PRIVATE: Easy
>>>>>[Well done. Good work.
+++++include credit transfer: >>encrypted<<

In case either of us is busy and can't make the British exercise.
Otherwise, looking forward to working with a professional.]<<<<<
        -- Lynch <03:43:18/10-23-57>

*****INTERNAL: SIGANet
>>>>>[TO: 1Lt JRW Lynch, 1Lt LRW Lynch
Perhaps a little too public. But, everyone who read Trideo Pirate's
leaks knows why we wanted Lang's scalp. Don't make a habit of this,
though.

Good work. We'll keep Elizabeth on file: of the hundred rounds she
fired, preliminary forensics says at least sixty went through Lang. They
needed a squeegee to get him out of that car. Stable, maybe not. Useful,
extremely, but handle with caution.]<<<<<
        -- D J H Coppinger <04:53:18/10-23-57>
           Director
           Strategic Intelligence Gathering Agency

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[Your data was spot on. He must have been very careless. Mission
accomplished - you can pay me in person in Britain.]<<<<<
        -- Easy <01:41:17/10-23-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lyting, Easy
>>>>>[The target's a small office building, we want the third floor,
which is a lawyers office. We have to break in and get copies of some
hardcopy documents, then put 'em back in the safe without anyone noticing.
I've done a preliminary check of the site (had my will changed while I was
there), and I'll include details of what I saw. We'll be wanting more info
though, I saw a "Hardware by Knight Errant" sticker on the front door.

+++++Include WhatRSaw.txt

Still need a Decker to take a closer look at it's matrix profile. Know
anyone? I can probably get hold of a projectable mage and a rigger
through... shall we say other channels.]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <17:44:40/10-22-57>

*****PRIVATE: Evita's Magical Group
>>>>>[I need an astral and conjuring capable mage, do any of you fit that
description? And I believe I heard Evita mention that one of you was a
rigger? Ever run a CCSS system?]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <17:45:50/10-22-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin
>>>>>[I seem to be the only conjuror in the group... I'm a hermetic, in
case it matters to you. For what do you need my abilities?]<<<<<
        --  Ice <21:17:53/10-22-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lyting, Ronin
>>>>>[I have to confess this job doesn't sound like something I can do
very well.

I can get you in there easily, past almost any opposition. But
unnoticed? That isn't my scene. At the least, you have missing guards
and odd brown stains in the rug if you use me. Not at all what you
wanted, and I've got an offer from some British-connected person to play
enemy to their Army for a week or so.

Try Krzdan- Kryzdyn-  Marlowe, a PI based out of Auburn. He's not bad in
a fight, and smart enough to know when to fight and when to run like
hell. He seems better suited to this kind of work. Just use 'Marlowe' as
the address - if you get a daguerrotype of some guy from the last
century, that's the right address.

If you need straight muscle, though, let me know. Breaking people is
what I do best. Sorry to let you down, Ronin, but I don't want to frag
up your run by pretending to skills (like, taking people down without
killing them or permanently damaging them) I don't have.]<<<<<
        -- Easy <02:34:31/10-23-57>

>>>>>[I am in need of some runners for a job.  Those interested should
contact me for further information.  Only professionals need apply.  I can't
stress this enough.]<<<<<
        -- Vladamir Gorchek <22:16:31/10-22-57>

*****PRIVATE:infoscholar
>>>>>[would you be willing to pay for info concerning the cassandra assult?
i think i found a clue as too who or more exactly what attacked her.]<<<<<
                --Edgewood Dirk <22:01:30/10-22-57>

*****PRIVATE:MR. Gorchek
>>>>>[ I would be most interested in a job right now sir.
I am a sort of street sam. and my last employer im sure would be willing
to tell you about me if you would like a reference. contact her through
this bbs at ms. johnston. thank you for your time.]<<<<<
                  -- The Skull Bearer <22:09:12/10-22-57>

*****PRIVATE: Edgewood Dirk
>>>>>[I could be persuaded to offer compensation related to the assault you
mention.  I am relatively aware of the assailant's name and employer, not
to mention likely living and work habits.  What I am missing is a positive
physical ID.  Such a description would be worth >>encrypted<<.
Furthermore, each additional morsel will add to the original figure 20%.
This could be a lucrative venture for you.  However, all information
must be objectively verifiable ... my customers don't take well to ill-passed
second-hand information.  Is this agreeable to you?]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar  <01:02:11/10-23-57>

*****PRIVATE: V. Gorchek
>>>>>[Sup. Name's Rosha. M'specialties are covert penetration, information
acquisition, tactical demolitions, and all-range assassination. 'Scribe
the job, flip the yen, and maybe we'll talk again.]<<<<<
        --  Rosha  <01:06:21/10-23-57>

>>>>>["Over a hundred rounds."  One wonders why a single round would not have
sufficed for the assasin's purposes.  Very messy.]<<<<<
        --  AlexandriaN  <22:50:56 / 10-22-57>

>>>>>[The psychological impact of a single bullet must be measured
against the impact of a cowboying, as was done on Mr. Lang.  It appears
that the assassin was either instructed to cowboy the late Mr. Lang as a
means to send a message to those who would follow him, or chose to do so
for personal reasons.

A single bullet is quick, even merciful.  It leaves the target with some
dignity, even in death.  A cowboying, however, leaves very little.  Open
coffins are impossible, and there are occasionally not even enough peices
to properly place within a coffin.  It leaves the dead with no dignity
and only rarely will the target die instantly.

When I use a single bullet, it is because the target was a friend, or is
someone I respect or respected for any of a variety of reasons.  It is
because I want to be merciful in my killing, to both the target and to
those who must survive him or her.

However, when I cowboy the target, or use an explosive device, it is
because I want to warn all who know the target that thier deaths will
come without respect, without mercy, and painfully.

There are other reasons, but assassination and murder is an excellent
weapon of terror when applied correctly.]<<<<<
        --  Moose <01:04:07/10-23-57>

>>>>>[Lilith, you amaze me. First time without a simsense feed I've felt
the sarcasm dripping off the boards.]<<<<<
        -- JayCee <09:18:23/10-23-57>

*****Private:Shifters, Chickens of the Apocalypse
>>>>>[Hmm, I like shifters personally, but hey, can't win them all :)
BTW, I just found a backlogged message from L, he wanted one of us to go
with the Bull thing, anyone got that yet? I might be persuaded to go
along, but maybe I missed the response. Oh well :)]<<<<<
        --  Wolfen  <08:59:41/10-23-57>

*****Private:Vlad Gorchek
>>>>>[Hope I got the name spelled right. You need a proffesional? If so I
need a little tidbit on the type of job, and the money involved.]<<<<<
        --  Devils Childe  <09:04:31/10-23-57>

*****PRIVATE: Easy
>>>>>[Sorry you had to go.  Give the Brits a hard time of it.]<<<<<
        --  Lyting <0:03:00/10-23-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin
>>>>>[Sounds good.  Any idea what is on papers?  Where do you want to do
the meet?]<<<<<
        --  Lyting <06:04:11/10-23-57>

>>>>>[Thank you for the dissertation.  Given recent events, however, I suspect
"terror" to be very minimal concern.  If this was a demonstration, it was aimed
at people too well-placed to need a gang-style assasination to make them take
heed.  For whom power, not respect, is the motivating force.  And no
professional assasin would allow personal feelings to degrade his results.
Furthermore, a killing this messy tends to attract greater than average
resources for a retaliation, which any sane businessman would avoid like the
plague.

It is in the public's interest for the peace to be kept, at least ostensibly.
And businesses and governments cater to the public.]<<<<<
        --  AlexandriaN  <09:16:22 / 10-23-57>

***** INTERPOL INTERNAL EMAIL
>>>>>[    To: Commander Paul Drake
        Subj: Branch Cooperation.

Hello, Paul .. I've recently been appointed head of Enforcement Division, due
in no small part to your testimony at the hearing.  Let me start off by
congratulating you on the outcome of your trial.  I honestly believe that
you were acting in the best interests of InterPol, and I must admit that I
would have found it difficult to turn over Mr. Lynch to the Azzies as well.

That out of the way, let me cut to the chase.  In the past there has been
rivalry almost on the scale of internecine warfare among my branch of InterPol
and your own.  I think it should stop.  It's hardly productive for our branches
to squabble among themselves.  I strongly feel that InterPol should present a
unified front to the world, and that means cooperation amoung our units.  To
be honest, I'm certain there will be times that we will not agree on the steps
that need to be taken, but I think it's in everyone's best interests if we
cooperate with one another as much as possible.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter. ]<<<<<
        -- Commander Adam Buchanon <12:51:52/10-23-57>
           Commander
           InterPol Enforcement Division

*****PRIVATE:The Skull Bearer
>>>>>[I need a group of runners to extract a certain person from a group of
people.  Preferably without much notice.  And there must be no traceable path
back to myself.  If you are still interested contact me again.  We will discuss
the pay, and you will receive more specific information.  Poka.]<<<<<
        -- Vladamir Gorchek <15:12:32/10-23-57>

*****PRIVATE: Rosha
>>>>>[The mission would be an extraction, preferably unnoticed, of a single
person.  There is more, but I can not discuss them without kowing your
disposition on the matter; contact me again if you are interested.  The pay
is excellent for one of your considerable talent.  I await a reply.  With it
comes for detailed info and knowledge of the rest of your team.  Feel free to
spread the word to anyone you may know of.

                Poka.]<<<<<
        -- Vladamir Gorchek <15:17:50/10-23-57>

*****PRIVATE:Chimod
>>>>>[I need you to find out anything you can on two individuals: Rosha and
The Skull Bearer.  I must know if they work for Ivan.]<<<<<
        -- Vladamir Gorchek <15:20:31/10-23-57>

*****PRIVATE: Vladamir Gorchek
>>>>>[Ok.  But it will cost you double.  Last time I went through that part
of matrixville I met some nasty stuff...]<<<<<
        -- Chimod <15:21:32/10-23-57>

>>>>>[I think perhaps AlexandriaN misses the point. The message might
have been - though of course this is speculation - to remind the Langs
of the world that, when they set themselves above the law and beyond its
restraint, they also set themselves outside its protection, and that
such a decision carries its own consequences.

"The law is not a light for you or any other man to see by: the law is
not an instrument of any kind. The law is a causeway, upon which so long
as he keeps to it a citizen may walk safely."

It is, most of all, in the public interest that the law be seen to apply
to all.]<<<<<
        -- Lynch <18:54:16/10-23-57>

>>>>>[Funny you should say that....]<<<<<
        --  Commander Drake, InterPol <13:57:25/10-23-57>

***** Private:  Bull
 >>>>>[

 +++++ Message-From:  Trouveur
 +++++ Subject:  Daytripper

Impressive free spirit.  For something that looks so incredibly helpless,
especially in the fashion sense, that free spirit has got some serious
power behind it.  It is obviously a class 4 spirit or above that has
"grown" substancially since it was "birthed".  You've been feeding
it, haven't you?]<<<<<
         -- Trouveur <11:04:27/10-23-57>

*****PRIVATE: Wells
>>>>>[Wells, If you are within Chicago city limits please respond. I
have need of your particular abilities.  Have cash, will purchase.
Where are you old buddy?]<<<<<
        -- Dark Avenger <22:05:15/10:24:57>

*****PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[Thanks be to the Gods....  I'm through.  Sorry to crash you like
this people, but DA's kinda pissed and wants this data uploaded to
ya'll.

+++++Activate Frame: Stinkbugtran.ars
+++++Begin trans: >> Vidcomp File: A/7645-1D4/7.hqx  041057-201-590ACX
+++++ Estimated Data Loss: 2.7 Mp

+++++Begin decompression routine.
+++++Playback file: Vidcomp: A/7645-1D4/7.hqx  041057-201-590ACX

+++++CYBERCAM recording: Begin file Exon1a7.vid: (23:12:11)
LLE engaged...
It's raining.  Street lights reflect from puddles on the streets
creating bizarrely writhing reflections in the rippling puddles. Left
the street is empty, to the right is an old disused petrol station,
pumps and Exon sign rusting and almost unrecognisable. Some shelter is
offered by the doorway of the small pawn shop, but the wind blows much
of the rain in.  A battered Land Rover rolls silently into the Exon
forecourt, lights off.

Four men bail out taking defensive positions around the forecourt,
assault rifles at the ready, body armour glistening in the rain. An
officer climbs out, glances around, nods, and walks towards the deeper
shadows near the ruined office.  Something moves inside, a strange
lurching gait, but the figure cannot be made out clearly, though it does
appear bulkier than the officer. Words are exchanged, the officer by his
actions appears to become somewhat agitated.......


+++++ Headset tight beam trans: Thor
>Shado, you getting any of this?( Hisses a voice like gravel
on a beach)
(A strong female voice with oriental undertones, answers.)

>No sir, nothing, weather's jackin' with the mike, gain's shot to
hell, nothing but hiss.
>Ok, people, shut it down, this is pointless, drop to trans.

+++++EOF  Exon1a7.vid

+++++CYBERCAM recording: Begin file Taco2b3a.vid: (05:45:12)
Office buildings tower over the streets  Plascrete and glass fingers
grasping desperately for a steel coloured sky. It's early morning.  A
large number of troops in black uniforms, blue and silver patches on
their arms and breast pockets guard the entrance to what appears to be a
department store.

+++++Headset tight beam trans: Thor
>Shado, get the vehicle registration and the cylon insignia over to
tech ASAP, I want to see if we can trace who these people are working
for, they're not normal KE goons.  And while your there, see if Gates
has got any data on the officer from last night, and get him to work on
enhancing the cam vid, I want to know what was in that office.
Meanwhile I'm going to go and talk to an old friend.]<<<<<

+++++CYBERCAM recording: Begin file Nevyn.vid (21:24:13)
LLE engaged....
The heavily overcast sky enhances the claustrophobic confines of the
small alley, ancient powdering brick towers up on both sides. A dark
shape can be seen climbing the fire escape.  Something large and
metallic moves into camera view, a deafening roar and blinding flash,
only just caught by flare comp.  The figure on the fire escape launches
into the air, off the fire escape and hurtles into the ground with a
sickening crunch, dark fluid gathers around the body.

+++++ Headset tight beam trans: Thor
>Nevyn is down.... Repeat Nevyn is down.  Informant
terminated.

A flash of the other hand and a small device flies towards the body, the
camera lurches as the user suddenly takes off back towards the main
street.  As the street is reached a Black BMW Blitzen slides to a halt,
a slim female with an oriental face sits astride it. A flash from
behind, followed by small amounts of debris. The rider nods....

+++++CYBERCAM recording: Begin file *721*&&*%^!$IV!+_)...
...DATA CORRUPT...
...DATA CORRUPT...

+++++CYBERCAM recording: Begin file SHse2A.vid (21:24:13)
LLE engaged....
A moderately comfortable and friendly looking neighbourhood is revealed
as the cam user turns their head, scanning the streets and other
buildings.

+++++: Headset tight beam trans: Thor
>DA, Shado.  Safe house secured, all quiet, the birds have
flown.
>Grainger.  Area secured. Am in position.
>Winkler.  Area secured.  Ready.
>Hathaway.  Area secured. Locked and loaded.
>Sandler.  Area secured. Target acquired.  ETA 2 clicks. Target 2
standard, 1 carrier. No heavies.
>Waldo.  Area secured. Am in position.

The camera drops behind a wall and faces a tidy two storey building,
whitewashed walls, arched entrance covered with wild rose.  Some other
flowers evident near the main entrance and alongside a pathway leading
from the door.  Lawn stretches out of view to either side.  To the left
is an open garage attached to the side of the house.

Fingers tap impatiently on a folded knee.  The other hand holds a large
sidearm, thumb restlessly stroking the safety.

+++++: Headset tight beam trans: Thor
>Sandler.  Target ETA 35 ticks.

The camera swings, three vehicles are driving up the road towards the
camera position.  Two Landrovers and one Mack panel truck.  Lights off,
moving slowly to minimise engine noise.

+++++: Headset tight beam trans: Thor
>Shado, splash the Mack.  Sandler, Waldo, first car. Hathaway, hose
the second. Grainger, Winkler on me.  On my command.   Gates have you
got through to IF-1 yet?  What the hell do you mean NO!  Jesus Gates get
through, I don't give a flying fuck what the problem is, tell them
what's going down, they're in fucking danger. Shift your ass boy, before
I tear you a new one.
TEAM!....
GO! GO! GO!

A flare from a window near the road slightly behind the convoy, and a
fire trail launches towards the Mack slamming into the soft panelling, a
massive explosion shatters the cargo walls, bodies fly in all
directions. The fuel tanks on the Mack ignite, sending a fireball
searing into the night sky, Tracer rips from a house to the left of the
convoy, hosing through the second vehicle turning it into scrap  in
seconds, fragmenting metal and shattering glass scatters across the
street.  DA's sidearm roars shattering the windscreen of the lead car,
two men appear from cover nearby and automatic weapons trash the
vehicle.

Silence.

Four figures move tentatively towards the smashed and burning vehicles,
weapons ready.  A body moves, a quick burst of fire and silence again.

>Status team?

>Winkler.  No casualties, resources 50 percent. Enemy is FUBAR.  We
can't keep this up much longer DA, we're going to have to go back and
resupply.  Someone's ratting us out every fraggin' time.  We move, they
know where we are.  We shouldn'ta brought that fraggin Ork out in the
first place, not him, nor his trog kids......

One of the men shoulders his weapon and turns towards the camera.

>You cut that shit Winkler!  Bull and the rest have as much right
to life as we do.  I ever hear you talk like that again I'll personally
turn you inside out and feed you to the vultures.  I won't have that
racist crap from anyone in my command, least of all a Bakebrain like
you.

>Fraggin' Brit......

>Give the chimpira to me Clint, I teach him manners.

A short slim figure moves towards Winkler . Fingers flaring as flames
reflect from cold steel .

>Back off Shado. We have enough trouble.

>Hai, Avenger-kun, so ka.

> [GET HO! Bandit!!!

The team scatters, hitting the dirt near whatever cover is closest, The
camera rolls wildly, flashing between ground and sky as DA rolls towards
a wall.  Hitting the wall, the camera scans round quickly, then snaps
towards the night sky,  Flare comp slams in darkening the picture as
FFAR pods and a chin mount minigun erupt in flame.

Hell happens.  Explosions and heap rounds tear into the concrete ripping
huge chunks of the road into oblivion.  Near the two cars, two men are
desperately firing into the air, futilely trying to take down the
chopper.  FFAR's explode turning them into mist and chunks.  Heavy
weapons fire and tracer can be seen coming from a large window, a man
standing upright wearing what appears to be some sort of rig with a
minigun balanced in front of him, fires a stream of tracer at the
oncoming chopper,  the chin turret swivels, and the front of the house
disappears in a rapid series of explosions as heavy calibre rounds
remodel the building.  DA's sidearm flares repeatedly, uselessly.  The
chopper thunders past, swinging wide for another pass.  Two figures
move, one small, clothing torn, the other a massive human,  both
pounding up the street towards DA.  The shorter one, Shado launches
herself at DA, as the other team member, Grainger,  sweeps up a dropped
assault rifle.  The sky spins over....

>GATES!!!!  Fugazi!...  I repeat Fugazi!!.

+++++CYBERCAM recording: Begin file )(&%*EW!%!"...
...DATA CORRUPT...
...DATA CORRUPT...

+++++: Headset tight beam trans: Thor
>Shado, how many did we lose?

>We're it DA, Grainger's hurt, took a bullet in his leg.  Gates is
OK, he picked us up

>Oh....  Fuck!.....  This is bad.  Who's left out of the primary
team.

>We've got six cached with Inferno and Bull, as firepower for them.
Maybe two from Base Camp.

>Let's hope Inferno has things under control up at his end.... OK,
listen up people.  We have an unknown somewhere in the vicinity of IF-1.
There is a mouthpiece loose in the area.  We have been compromised.
Alright.  We go under, Inferno has the experience to guide the team.  I
figure Bull's got the strength of character to hold them all together.
Gates, get us out of here.  We've got work to do 

+++++EOF: Vidcomp File: A/7645-1D4/7.hqx  041057-201-590ACX
+++++ End trans:
+++++Derezz Frame: Stinkbugtran.ars

I have to bug out now, we've got some serious trouble brewing on our
tails, and it's not safe to stay yet.  Will inform DA that you've left
the old safehouse.  He will be relieved to hear that.  Will attempt to
contact you again in 48-72 hours.  Hang in there people.  The horizon
isn't as dark as you may think.  Run the file through a couple of times
once you've got it.  It explains what we've been doing, and gives you
some idea of what's on your ass. DA needs to know what you think that
thing was in the Exon office.  I could enhance the picture much beyond
what was sent to you.]<<<<<
        -- Gates <21:47:54/10:23:57>

*****PRIVATE: Dark Avenger
>>>>>[DA, I'm enroute to Chicago now. Will be available with in an
hour. Please relay coordinates and await arrival.Cash is not
necessary;  purchases can be placed to your credit
balance.Looking forward to the old times again.]<<<<<
        -- Wells < 22:47:04 / 10/24/57 >

>>>>>[Still need a decker and a rigger for a B&E job.]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <17:43:23/10-23-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lyting
>>>>>[I'd rather gather the team before we start discussing the job in
detail. The pay is >>amount<<, in case you need to know the incentive for
waiting a whle. I'll be in touch when I've found the rigger and decker
we'll probably need.]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <17:43:05/10-23-57>

*****PRIVATE: Marlowe
>>>>>[I've been given your name as a decent B&E op. You interested in
some work?]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <17:44:15/10-23-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ice
>>>>>[I'm still gathering the team, but the pay is >>amount<< each. We
have to break in to a lawyers office and copy some documents without
alerting anyone. In the interests of getting started quickly, can you do a
brief astral recon flight at the office building at >>address in downtown
Seattle<<. Third floor is our target.

And what about that rigger Evita mentioned, Runs Over Pedestrians or
something?]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <17:45:03/10-23-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin
>>>>>[I'm on it, I'll report back maybe tomorrow, I need the time to
whistle up an elemental or two, just in case. And I don't know about R over
P, I'll tell him about the offer, he should be in contact with you if he is
interested.]<<<<<
        --  Ice <21:52:45/10-23-57>

*****PRIVATE:Ronin

>>>>>[You need a rigger? Congragulations. You've got one. I need some
money. What are we trying to do, anyway? Steal something?]<<<<<
        -- Runs-Over-Pedestrains <18:10:53/10-23-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Magical Group
>>>>>[Bull thing? I didn't answer it, I was out of town when L's request
came through. I hope somone followed it up though, it wouldn't be very good
for our negotiations with L if we've messed up his first request.]<<<<<
        --  Ice <18:28:35/10-23-57>

*****PRIVATE: Runs-Over-Pedestrians
>>>>>[I'm still looking for a decker, and until I get the entire team
together, I prefer to avoid talking about some of the small details.

General info though... the target is a lawyers office which aparently has a
CCSS system. Are you familiar with this sort of gear? The pay for the job
is >>amount<< each, and we are required to break in and make copies of some
(hardcopy) documents without anyone noticing.]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <18:29:43/10-23-57>

*****PRIVATE:Ronin
>>>>>[Yep. Got CCSS on all my drones. And I think I've got a portable
photocopier around here somewhere...]<<<<<
        -- Runs-Over-Pedestrians <18:10:53/10-23-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin
>>>>>[It's been a while Ronin.  I'm free for some B&E.  Whats the pay?  Contact
me at >>encrypted<<.  Laterz.]<<<<<
        -- Phobos <22:30:12/10-23-57>

>>>>>[So Lang set himself above the law.  Dead with a single bullet in the body
is as dead as with 60-some.  Hell, if the point was to send a message, it might
have been even _more_ effective had his death been something a bit less overt;
say, a BTL overdose (friends and coworkers shocked! at this undiscovered
addiction).  Better yet if it didn't kill him, but left him vegetative as a
breathing reminder to the other "Langs" of the world.  Men like that aren't
ones to be impressed by a show of arms like some street-corner punk would be...

Laws do serve a societally useful purpose, but if you waste too much in
"enforcing" them, especially through means which are themselves counter to your
societal goals and, on top of it, grossly inefficient, you might actually end
up worse off.  Remember the Inquisition...
]<<<<<
        --  Azrael  <19:20:29 / 10-23-57>

*****PRIVATE:InfoScholar
>>>>>[ok here's the deal awhile back about 3 days before she was attacked
i guess, i myself was attacked by something very, VERY strange it was
asking all kinds of questions about cass and it killed my ally.
i will never forget the way it looked astral. ive never seen anything
like it not even toxic spirits look that scary. any way i warned cass
the went about my own buissness. i got back about 2 days ago and went to
see what was up. talked to evita and then did an immediate astral
inspection of cass's apartment. the astral was all messed up besides the
pure emotional traces there actualy seemed to be a shadow or a haze of
blackness to the room the same thing i saw on mr. happy who attacked me.
i dont think to many people leave that kind of trail do you?
i got a pretty good look at the guy when he came at me and my bet is hes
the one who went for cass. he was about 7 to 7 and a half feet tall
looked like he used to be a troll. i say used too becouse he was pure
cyber i didnt see any flesh at all, not even on his face he just had
this cyber skull lookin at me. one other thing he moved fast faster then
ive seen some adepts move. oh also i tried to hit him with a spell but
it didnt even seem to touch him, i usualy expect more from a mana ball.
in case you actually care about this cass is doing better from what
evita tells me and shell be out of the city soon so i dont expect
anymore attempt on her life. hope this help's whoever your getting this
stuff for, you did say you new alot already and since you are an
infomancer it would figure you had more than just curiosity.]<<<<<
                          -- Edgewood Dirk <20:42:57/10-23-57>

>>>>>[Lynch is a hypocrite.]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <21:04:22/10-23-57>

*****PRIVATE: Phobos
>>>>>[Too long.

Pay is >>amount<<. I don't want to talk details until I can get a physical
meet set up with all the participants, which I think I can now do. Thusly,
please wait a moment for my next message... ]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <22:55:59/10-23-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ice, Lyting, Phobos, Runs-Over-Pedestrians
>>>>>[I seem to have found everyone we'll need, though there may be someone
else added later. Intro's at the physical meet, which will be >>place and
time<<, if everyone can make it.

Ice, have you made the astral flyby yet? Phobos, can you see what you can
see in the matrix about the office building at >>address<<? That's the
target, for those who missed it earlier.]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <23:00:22/10-23-57>

>>>>>[Would you like to clarify that Ronin?  Or do you usually go around
insulting people?]<<<<<
      -- Blade <22:00:05/10-23-57?

>>>>>[Everyone who lives inside the law deserves it's protection.  I don't
belive Lynch ever claimed he lived inside the law, did he ?  Maybe he's
sticking to the hazy grey areas nowadays. (Match the grey in his hair *duck*<g>)

But seriously, without knowing what the target did, none of us are in a good
position to judge what was appropriate.  The two people I've ever tried
anything like that on - each time I used a single round.  Gel in one case,
as a warning, and flechette in the other.  But given a choice between
spending 3 rounds, 2 into a dead target, and 1 round, and having to shoot again,
I'll fire 3 every time.  Half a dozen, if practical.

But I'm retired and don't do that sort of thing anymore *wink*]<<<<<
        --JayCee <10:22:16/10-24-57>

*****PRIVATE: V. Gorchek
>>>>>[A'ight. M'n. Sounds like y'r job has a lot n'common w/ m'skills.
M'I meetin ya meatside? Or strictly 'Trix contact?]<<<<<
        --  Rosha  <07:53:11/10-24-57>

*****PRIVATE: Edgewood Dirk
>>>>>[Thank you very much, your description is quite enlightening.

+++++ credtransfer:  >>significant nuyen<<

Do wish Cassandra the best. Hopefully she will someday grace the Seattle
shadows again.]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar  <12:50:44/10-24-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R Stormwind
>>>>>[I have procured a description of the person you're looking for.
Might we make a deal?]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar  <12:51:23/10-24-57>

*****PRIVATE:Mr. Gorchek
>>>>>[What you request sounds interesting and i am more than 
willing to help you accomplish your goal. i await further instructions.]<<<<<
-- The Skull Bearer <11:16:21/10-23-57>

***** PRIVATE: InfoScholar
>>>>>[As always.

I know you are an equal oportunity dealer, and that I respect, I certainly
wouldnt want to cut into your profits but, at this time, I am trying to
track this person down and I'd rather the target not know I've been
nosing around.  What will it cost me to get you to forget my involvement?

Lets discuss a price for your current information.  Let us see what you
have and what its worth to me.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <17:15:11 / 10-24-57>

***** PRIVATE: Easy
>>>>>[Just touching base with you.  Making sure you are alright and
seeing where you are in the current job market.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <17:23:15 / 10-24-57>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[We are all set.

As to the matter we discussed the other day:  I dont know if it is
completely possible.  There are directives in place that would allow for it
if drek really hit the ROD, but that is for "no return" situations.

I think Imp's team is best suited for moving shadowards.  I guess I'd like
to see Serenity continue to grow and work.  What this means in the long
run of things is this --  Another hiring spree.  Mostly lowlevel non-shadow
field agents.  Get them into training and out in 6 months or so.  Shift the
second tier into the first tier, shift the first tier underground and have
third move into second.  For most shadow ops, you dont need administration
so that aspect of SS wouldnt need to be moved and would aid in smooth running
of day to day operations.  We'd be unable to take any of the legally purchased
Serenity equipment with us.  All the unregistered weaponry and vehicles are
fair game.

I'd really like Akira with us.  I know he will be more than reluctant to
return to the shadows.  Like myself, he feels safer having corporate backing
and something to fall back on to safe your ass.  Merc units, while they have
themselves, dont always have that safety net.  Im not really cut out to do
Merc work again.  I dont think I have the edge anymore.

Why dont we all poke around and see if there is a soft spot in the market for
what we have to offer.  Ill do a POC and see if its viable.  Lynch might
be a good contact.  Ill check and see if he has any merc units that we could
hook up with for equipment.

What the frag are we going to offer?  "We are competent...we can alleviate any
problem that might trouble you, dial 555-kick-hoop and consider your troubles
solved?"  Sounds like a bad Jen and Gabe ploy, to be honest.  I havent
seen the team.  Lets see a roster.
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <17:24:59 / 10-24-57>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[Is he really serious about taking Serenity into underground work?
Im rooted.  I cannot go.  Wife and kids to take care, man.]<<<<<
        -- Skuff <17:24:55 / 10-24-57>

***** PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[If a friend had about a quarter of a million dollars and nothing
to do with it and he wanted weapons, armor, and vehicles, would you know
someone or a group of someone's willing to outfit a group of mercenaries?]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <17:26:19 / 10-24-57>

***** PRIVATE: AJ
>>>>>[Are you able to get heavy equipment?  Heavy armored rovers, decent
supply of APDS or DPU rounds?  Just checking the waters, no need to
place an order right now]<<<<<
        -- Kor <17:39:16 / 10-24-57>

***** PRIVATE: Skuff
>>>>>[ He's serious.  Not all of Serenity would be going under, so you'd be
able to stay right where you're at .. I dunno .. I'm just getting bored with
the 'straight' life.  Not nearly as much excitement as I was used to before.
 I'm not sure how Tris feels about all this though. ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <14:29:20/10-24-57>

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[  Imp's team is very well suited to hit the Shadows.  Griff fits in
there, and I know he's getting bored with being legitimate.  As far as merc
units for gear is concerned, Tangent is an old buddy of Griffyn and Imp's,
and he's got mondo contacts.

As long as Serenity and IS&M still exist, we have something to fall back on.
We just have to be _damned_ careful to keep any links from sprouting up between
the shadows and the above-board ops .. but I definitely agree about Akira.

I don't know what we have to offer.  What we need to do is get together and
work up a list of fixers and other contacts that we could list as assets.  From
there, we'd be able to figure out what our next step should be .. if we get
our names out to enough fixers, the work will come in.  ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <14:35:59/10-24-57>

>>>>>[There might be the issue that Lang's assassination was
subcontracted, and the killer was free to use whatever method met the
goal of guaranteeing his death without serious injury to others. I'd
also question the "inefficient" when you compare the cost of 7.62mm FMJ
to, say, Composition 12 or a doctored BTL.

As for the morality issue... above my Director's door it says "He who
fights monsters might take care, lest he a monster become." Words to
recall.

Bottom line, he made himself unreachable by law, so he had to be reached
some other way.]<<<<<
        -- Lynch <19:30:31/10-24-57>

>>>>>[So this is the esteemed ShadowTK?  Where's all the good stuff?
It took me all week to find this place and there isn't anything neat
here!  All it is is a scuzzy bulletin board!]<<<<<
        -- Poppa Chubby <14:55:22 / 10-24-57>

>>>>>[Try two nodes over, on the left, chum-kin.]<<<<<
        -- Rumormonger <Always / Tuned-In>

>>>>>[+++++ COMMAND: LOAD BAND-AID 2.0
+++++ COMMAND: EXECUTE BAND-AID 2.0
+++++ BOD RESTORED

Whoa.....]<<<<<
        -- Poppa Chubby (14:59:00 / 10-24-57)

>>>>>[Care to elaborate, Ronin?

Or, perhaps, to meet in person to discuss the matter?]<<<<<
        -- Lynch <19:32:31/10-24-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin
>>>>>[I'll certainly listen to offers.]<<<<<
        -- Marlowe <19:32:21/10-24-57>

>>>>>[ Rumormonger.  Want to come out a play?  How's that eye doing?  Did the
nightmares stop yet?  ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <16:35:51/10-24-57>

*****PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[I'm fine: doing pretty well, but if you need me I'll be
here.]<<<<<
        -- Easy <22:54:16/10-24-57>

******PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[Depends where your mercs were planning on operating.

My bro Sasha does almost exclusive overseas work - Africa and the
Mideast, some SE Asia - and wouldn't exactly be keen to set up
competition in those markets. On the other hand, if you were thinking
North America, then the only work Rusanov's Raiders do round here is
convoy guard (mostly Seattle-SanFran or Seattle-Denver runs), and for a
unit looking for work on this continent he'd be quite willing to help
out. The answer, anyway, is "definite maybe".

Slightly delicate question, but will this be a registered unit? It's
just that prices are _much_ better when the buyer has an end-user
certificate.]<<<<<
        -- Lynch <23:04:31/10-24-57>

***** PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[Delicate question indeed.

I do not know what their current plans are.  I am acting primarily as a
liaison between this newly / possibly forming group and some of my contacts
in both law enforcement and shadow wise.  Serenity keeps pretty good
Shadow Contacts (funny that).

One would think that you would have to have a reputation before attempting
to form a registered / bonded group.  I know little to nothing about it.

Could I set up a meeting between you and...say, this group in a couple
of days?  My place in Seattle. ]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <23:59:56 / 10-24-57>

*****INTERNAL:  InterPol Internal Mail
>>>>>[  To:  Commander Adam Buchanan
        From:  Commander Paul Drake

Congratulations on your promotion, Adam.  I'm glad to see that all that
time in HQ paid off.  I'm sorry for not responding to you sooner, but I
have been in more meetings over the last few days than I care to
remember, and they were all important.  Couldn't take a nap through a
single one of them.

I agree whole heartedly that InterPol should present a united front to
the world, however unpleasant any internal battle becomes.  And the fewer
internal conflicts our two divisions have, the better.  After all, the
old adage "divide and conquer" works just as well against InterPol as it
does anyone else.  Better, since we have so many regulations and laws
we must obey, and which those who would conquer us can avoid.

Perhaps one of the places to start is with taking a new, open-minded look
at what each of our divisions does, and where we overlap.  If we can
eliminate the overlap in some important areas, then we can, if nothing
else, reduce the chance that we'll get into jurisdictional disagreements
over who gets to arrest who.  Unfortunately, neither of us really wants
to give up some territory, so I suspect we'll both have to make some
concessions.

The problem with this, though, is that changes to my jurisdiction needs
to go through the Council.  Fraggin beurocracy....  If the politicians
would only let us both come to an agreement, write it up, and let us do
our jobs, life would be so much simpler.  But then, it wouldn't be
InterPol either....

I'm sorry, I appear to be rambling.

I'm certainly open to any ideas you might have regarding how we can
reduce the problems between our two divisions.]<<<<<
        --  Paul Drake <21:21:29/10-24-57>
            Commander Special Branch
            International Police

*****PRIVATE:  Kor
>>>>>[Depends on how much money, and how much time you give me.  I made a
hell of lot of money by having a reputation for being able to get ahold
of anything, at a decent price, for anyone within a week, or it was
free.  Unfortunately, I've been out of the loop long enough that I'm a
little rusty and it would take more than a week, and I couldn't guarantee
the "anything" part of it.  But if you like, I can test the waters and,
at least, get some idea.]<<<<<
        --  Action Jackson <21:24:07/10-24-57>

>>>>>[The eyes are taking nicely, thank you.  And to think they
always said I had my father's eyes, now I have someone else's!  And I
got a phone installed in my new hand, looks corny, though.

I took a cue from Mercury and built myself a nice lil' bunker. One
way in and out and I've paid my friendly neighborhood spellslinger to
make sure nothing comes through, that and at least half a meter of
earth on all sides should make sure no more astral hothea - er, ah,
beings pop in to make things fun again.  I sleep very well... in
here... with the covers pulled over my head... and a nightlight....

By the by, I hear shadowhounds are good for keeping agro astral stuff
at bay... anybody know where I can get one?

But anyway, I'm always on the look out for opportunities.]<<<<<
        -- Rumormonger <Always / Tuned-In>

>>>>>[ So much for a polite vacation away from the burdens of society.
Would somebody care to explain to me why I've been dodging what seems like
a pretty thorough team of mercs for the past two weeks?  I haven't found
anything interesting (at least that I'm aware of) and I sure as hell not
the first person I would choose to go after if they were looking for money.

My enjoyment of the past few days is only compounded by returning to
civilization to get jumped by DragonEyes.  By the time I fended off some
spells he was long gone.  I think I surprised him.  So what gives?  First
the mercs and then DragonEyes ... this world is going to the dogs. ]<<<<<
        -- Scarface <09:30:22/10-25-57>

***** Private: Scarface
>>>>>[ Go to >>encrypted<<.  Once there, someone will explain to you why
you have attracted attention.  For the record, it is good to hear your
voice again.  We were beginning to wonder if they got you too.  Let me
worry about DragonEyes for a little bit, while you get a briefing on what
is going on. ]<<<<<
        -- Black Knight <09:31:00/10-25-57>

***** Private: Kor, Scourge, Shadowfox
>>>>>[ Wonders.  Scarface is still around and remembered how to reach this
node.  He is in London, so I sent him to a place where he can get in touch
with Nightmare.  (I'll bet he will be slightly surprised.)  Anyway, it
would appear that DragonEyes is in London, so I'm going to try and set up a
team there to track him.  I'll keep you posted.  Shadowfox any news on
Boston and New Orleans? ]<<<<<
        -- Black Knight <09:31:33/10-25-57>

>>>>>[ Shadowfox? ]<<<<<
        -- Black Knight <10:00:37/10-25-57>

>>>>>[ Oh bloody hell. ]<<<<<
        -- Scourge <10:05:31/10-25-57

*****PRIVATE: Jason R Stormwind
>>>>>[The normal 'forgetter's fee' is 65% of the original info-fee.  In your
case, we've appraised the value of your materials, and the resultant figure
is >>encrypted<<.

As for the new information, I have procured both a positive physical and
astral description of the person you seek.  I believe that this would
be the final piece of the puzzle you need to locate this individual most
 easily.  What is your bid?]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar  <10:43:32/10-25-57>

*****INTERNAL: SIGANet
>>>>>[TO: D J H Coppinger, Director

I survived. Just. Surprised as hell VD didn't vote aye and get rid of me.
Maybe he just wanted Lang taken out, maybe I was so persuasive he set aside
his little temper tantrums and did what he thought was right... I can't
figure the guy.

Anyway, we got away with it this time. They're right, though, maybe we
should let someone else handle these jobs, someone with an Order who can
just kill the guy and walk away clean. It's kind of hard on my nerves.

+++++begin transcript
Minutes of the Emergency Meeting of the Intelligence Oversight Committee,
25 October 2057

Present:
Drexler: BGen Mark von Drexler, UCAS AF (Chairman)
O'Neill: Terry G O'Neill (Senate representative)
Strader: Samantha A Strader (Congressional representative)
Trenton: David G Trenton (Congressional representative)
Lynch: 1Lt Jason R W Lynch UCAS MC(R) SIGA

von Drexler: Mr Lynch, thank you for attending at such short notice. I'm
   sure you can guess why we requested your presence.

Lynch: Lang's murder.

von Drexler: Precisely.

Trenton: Interesting you use 'murder', Lieutenant.

Lynch: He was unlawfully killed with malice aforethought, the word fits.

Strader: I find its use... disturbing.

Lynch: Good. You're meant to.

von Drexler: And that's why you're here, Lynch. Why did you kill him?

Lynch: If you want to be picky, I didn't. I hired an outsider who
   specialises in assassination to kill him: gave her the full file, paid
   her fifty thousand on condition that she take out Lang and only Lang. I
   would far rather have done it myself, but I had other commitments and it
   would have been a dead giveaway if I dropped out of sight for two days
   and Lang was killed during that time.

Strader: But the messiness of it! Even before we get to the _real_ problem,
   that was a horrifically messy job!

Lynch: I know, but it worked. If you have a problem with method, blame me:
   all I specified was that there should be no serious injury to anyone
   other than Lang. The assassin chose her own method and carried out the
   killing.

Trenton: Any idea why she went for such a... dramatic execution?

Lynch: Rumours that he carried an anchored anti-bullet barrier spell,
   perhaps? If that were the case, you'd need to blow away the barrier
   before you could kill the man inside. It turns out that either the
   rumours were false, or he just hadn't been carrying it when he visited
   his mistress.

Trenton: And your choice of agent?

Lynch: An Elven girl nicknamed 'Easy'. I worked with her when we eliminated
   Ploughshare: apparently Ginelli had used her previously, then attempted
   to discard her and her colleagues after they accomplished a mission
   rather than paying them. So they sought revenge, and we became involved
   when a crude attempt to hang my name on the hit misfired. She's
   competent, or I wouldn't have used her.

Strader: And your relationship with this girl?

Lynch: I thought I just described it.

Strader: Nothing more... personal?

Lynch: She doesn't strike me as being receptive to male advances. I
   wouldn't involve her with SIGA as closely as we have Hunter or
   Rodriguez, say, but she is reliable for this kind of work.

von Drexler: In any case, I see no point in quibbling over the methods and
   the details. If you were wrong, you're going to be serving time for
   conspiracy to murder anyway, and if you were right then it doesn't
   matter. What we want to know is, why the hell did SIGA kill a
   UCAS Representative?

Lynch: You've seen the leaked InterPol hearings?

Strader: So he was taking bribes. If you were going to shoot every
   Representative whose finances couldn't stand a nitpicking survey-

Lynch: He was accepting money in exchange for sabotaging InterPol's pursuit
   of criminals, while ensuring that the cases remained in InterPol
   jurisdiction and thus beyond the reach of our law enforcement. He was
   keeping criminals safe, and allowing them to continue their crimes.

Trenton: Lynch, you understand there might be - might at least appear to be
   - an element of revenge in his death. He was, after all, involved in the
   decision to send Drake after you.

<pause>

Lynch: I hadn't consciously thought about that. You could be right.

Strader: So you murdered him in a fit of pique?

O'Neill: Sam, calm down. Lieutenant Lynch, why don't you explain what
   options you had and why you did what you did? We can judge for ourselves
   whether you allowed a desire for vengeance to cloud your judgement.

Lynch: Certainly. We basically had four choices. One, to bring charges
   against Lang for corruption and abuse of office. Two, to allow InterPol
   to deal with him, since they are also aggrieved parties. Three, kill
   him. Four, do nothing.

Trenton: Nice of you to include the fourth.

Lynch: You of all people should know how often it's our only workable
   option.

Trenton: So, I can imagine why you didn't trust the second choice.

Strader: That's grossly unfair to InterPol! Despite a few minor problems,
   they could and would have acted decisively against Lang's crimes.

Lynch: Unfortunately, no they wouldn't. Lang's prosecution was not an
   Internal Affairs priority - they're rather busy at the moment - and they
   estimated it would have taken twelve to eighteen months to bring him to
   trial. By then he'd have been out of reach.

O'Neill: Out of reach where?

Lynch: Aztlan.

Strader: Oh, not _that_ again! You people at SIGA see Aztlan behind every
    street mugging, every-

Trenton: Don't exaggerate, Strader. And Lynch has been proved right in the
   past. Lieutenant, I daresay you'll advance some evidence for this
   supposition?

Lynch: No, we just made it up.

Strader: You see?!

Trenton: Sam, I know you haven't been dealing with Jason for very long, but
   you're going to have to get used to his sense of humour.

von Drexler: But please, Lieutenant, restrain it: these are serious
   matters. Now, I'm prepared to understand why InterPol would be unable to
   prosecute in time. But why not do your usual trick of kidnapping him and
   shoving him in front of a grand jury?

Lynch: Because that works when the crime was committed in the UCAS, and the
   perpetrator resides in another jurisdiction which refuses extradition.
   In Lang's case, that wasn't true, the FedPols or FBI could have picked
   him up before the ink was dry on the arrest warrant. The problem is,
   what would we charge him with?

<pause>

O'Neill: Good question. Corruption?

Lynch: Prove it, beyond reasonable doubt. Without the InterPol evidence.

von Drexler: Why? Surely we could subpoena it and use it?

Lynch: Prejudicial to other cases still pending: it wouldn't be available
   until those were all settled. In short, the same problem as letting IPIA
   handle it, but maybe more so because his lawyer would crawl all over the
   evidence and say it was illegaly gathered by UCAS standards. No
   evidence, no case.

   Our lawyer advised us that we had no chance of a conviction if we moved
   now, and would have to wait over a year for the InterPol evidence: and
   then we had maybe a fifty-fifty chance at best.

Strader: But I still don't see why you had so act so quickly and so rashly.
   Lang had resigned his seat, his business collapsed, he was in financial
   trouble, and you would have had a year to build up the case against him.

Trenton: I think we ought to look a little more closely at the 'collapse'
   of his consultancy, and at Lang's finances, and then the Lieutenant's
   actions might make more sense.

O'Neill: I was wondering the same thing. Why did Lang Consulting go down so
   fast?

Strader: Obviously, word of his corrupt dealings leaked out-

Lynch: Published where? This hadn't touched the mainstream press at the
   point where Lang Consulting began to curl up and die. The only place
   anyone's discussed Lang's corruption is Shadowland, and that's hardly an
   open forum. It hasn't run in any news media yet, apart from a few
   pirates.

Trenton: Which suggests to me that there was other reason, and I'd guess
   Lynch thinks SIGA had found it.

Lynch: Yes, but I'd suggest we break for coffee while you get your staffers
   to pull the data: it's pretty obvious when you know where to look. And I
   think we'd all be happier if you found it independently rather than just
   accepting the SIGA analysis.

<recess, 30 minutes>

Trenton: Well, Lynch, now I see why you were concerned.

Lynch: Neatly done, wasn't it?

Strader: I admit to being confused. What am I looking for?

Lynch: Six major clients, working through his business to gain access to
   Representatives, being advised how to set up PACs, all the usual sleazy
   but legal ways that people turn money and favours into policy. It wasn't
   even the worst offender of the bunch, I guess he tried not to shit where
   he ate.

Strader: And then they pull out in a ripple effect. One leaves, then three,
   then the last two, and the lesser clients stampede en masse. Typical
   behaviour for any business mentality, it's like panic selling at the
   Exchange. I still don't see anything unexpected or out of the ordinary.

Lynch: That's because we're dealing with smart people. The first to
   withdraw its support is the Free And Fair Trade Association. And, as
   they are freely willing to admit, FAFTA is owned by, funded by and
   operates for the benefit of the Aztechnology Corporation. They announced
   that "due to unforeseen circumstances" they were cancelling their
   contract.

   Now, the other clients got jittery, and there were lots of hasty calls
   back and forth: we don't know what was said, but our informed guess is
   that the others were calling up to say "off the record, why did you dump
   Lang?" and FAFTA said "because he's going to go under on corruption
   charges, cut your losses and jump ship". So, they all withdrew as well.

Strader: And I still don't see anything amiss in that.

von Drexler: Representative Strader is correct, Lynch, nothing here appears
   to be out of the ordinary.

Lynch: Notice that their withdrawing from the contracts without notice
   leaves the up-front fees in Lang's hands? And in many cases there are
   penalty clauses for cancellation. Worth it to major corporate sponsors
   who want to be seen to be honest, accepting losses in their haste to
   wash their hands of someone who - shock, horror! - proved to be corrupt.

   Plus, he put his offices up for sale and they went within twenty-four
   hours: prime location, superb premises, he made another slab of cred
   there and all we can trace is that he paid the IRS their cut.

   Lang made a big pile on this deal, yet it's not in any named account we
   can find. Maybe an offshore credit haven, maybe a megacorp, we don't
   know, but he shifted his money to somewhere we couldn't find it.

Strader: Perhaps the concerns were genuine? Perhaps Aztechnology read
   Shadowland too? You can't assume you're the only agency that accesses
   the shadow boards.

Lynch: But FAFTA gave _notice_ to quit, if you check the paperwork. They
   announced it as "withdraw immediately", and spread the panic among
   others that led to the stampede, but they managed to avoid the
   cancellation clauses. Disingenuous, no?

O'Neill: I'd say that was just them making sure a few of their competitors
   got stung for a few hundred thousand each.

Lynch: Why not simply quit citing "personality differences" or announce it
   publicly? The money's almost chickenfeed compared to tying a competitor
   into a juicy bribery scandal. In any case, you look at the money Lang
   held or had coming, and you wonder why the hell he could be called "in
   financial trouble"? He was careful to let that be assumed, never once
   said or did anything to deny it, and if you scan his UCAS accounts he
   was indeed pretty broke.

Strader: And he was selling property and assets off, obviously in
   difficulty.

Lynch: Or he was preparing to blow town and worried about his assets being
   frozen? So he sold them off as fast as he could at what were nearly
   fire-sale prices, to buyers that almost looked pre-arranged.

Strader: Let me guess, to Aztlan.

Lynch: If FAFTA's involvement was to bring down Lang Consulting while
   helping him pocket plenty of cash, it made sense. Plus, look at who some
   of his sales were tO'Neill: nearly half of them to Aztechnology
   personnel. Even his house in Georgetown was being negotiated for by an
   Aztlan, whose interest in the place seemed to die at the same time as
   Lang.

Trenton: Though I can see why they'd want it, it was a very good house.

Lynch: I know. I've got a bid in for it myself.

Strader: Oh, this is ridiculous! Not only do you kill the man, you're going
   to steal his house?

O'Neill: <laughs> I think - or at least I hope - that the Lieutenant may be
   trying to purchase it from Lang's estate, rather than stealing it
   outright.

von Drexler: Do you have any other evidence suggesting imminent flight to
   Aztlan?

Lynch: Well, the fact that Lang was instrumental in invoking Section 96a
   against me is strongly indicative of close ties to Aztlan. Not
   vindictiveness, I hope, just observation. Then there's the help they
   gave him in selling up quickly, and the possibility that they helped him
   extract nearly a million dollars in up-front fees and penalty clauses
   from his business.

O'Neill: Their motivation in this?

Lynch: Well, Lang would be very useful: consider the level of access he had
   prior to his disgrace. He knew a great deal that would be useful to
   Aztlan and damaging to us and our allies. So, they would want him.

   There's also the fact that he'd lost his position, his business and his
   reputation while doing their dirty work, and could go public about it in
   a pretty damaging manner, if they didn't get him out of that situation.

Trenton: Makes sense.

von Drexler: Reluctantly, I agree.

Strader: One question, if I may. How can you afford to even consider
   purchasing a mansion in Georgetown, Mr Lynch?

Lynch: My financial records are available to you through that very
   terminal, Representative Strader.

Strader: Oh. I see. I take it that running the shadows is lucrative?

Lynch: Over time, yes. You'll find most SIGA field agents are either
   independently wealthy, or people to whom money means little. It makes
   us harder to bribe.

von Drexler: May we draw this to a close?

<general assent>

von Drexler: Then let me try to summarise. Lieutenant Lynch determined, to
   all our satisfaction, that Lang was accepting monies in exchange for
   interfering with InterPol's conduct of its business: that was never
   disputed.

   Now, InterPol had bigger fish to fry than Lang, since off the Council he
   couldn't do any more damage and IPIA had a lot of officers still serving
   who were implicated and needed to be either charged or cleared. So, IP
   would need a fairly long time to bring the case.

   We couldn't bring a successful case without InterPol's evidence, and
   even then we couldn't rely on it being admissible. Again, lag and delay.

   And SIGA had evidence that he was going to cut and run to Aztlan, from
   which we all know extraditing him would be like getting eggs out of a
   cockerel: and that he was going to be able to live there in some style
   and comfort. Is this your version, Lieutenant?

Lynch: Spot on, sir.

von Drexler: So. Your conclusion was to kill him rather than let him go?

Lynch: We felt that corruption and deceit, in one entrusted with so much
   responsibility, should not be rewarded. It sends the wrong message if
   that sort of misbehaviour goes unpunished.

Strader: Rewarded?

Lynch: Lang lost his post as Representative, but he was still wealthy and
   free. In exchange for defending criminals and perverting the course of
   justice, he suffered mere inconvenience.

   If we'd had more time, we'd have come up with something neater. But in
   the end we didn't have time or resources to do anything except choose:
   kill him or let him go.

von Drexler: When you say 'we'...

Lynch: The Director approved Lang's death, as he does all murders we carry
   out.

Strader: I still don't like you using that word.

Lynch: It's compulsory in SIGA. Ploughshare talked about "processing"
   people who got in her way. Names are important, and it's a lot easier to
   give the order to "process" someone than it is to say "kill them". If
   you don't feel that you're making the best choice you have, you should
   not kill.

Strader: So you have no regrets?

Lynch: Of course I do. Death's a poor substitute for what we really wanted,
   which was Lang tried, convicted and serving ten to twenty in a Federal
   penitentiary. If we could have done that, we would. He didn't give us
   the chance.

   And I regret not doing it myself. I don't like killing by proxy: it was
   my decision and the blood should be on my hands.

von Drexler: Okay. Nothing to add, Lieutenant?

Lynch: No, sir.

von Drexler: Anyone else have any questions? No? Very well. The Oversight
   Committee is voting on whether to bring sanction against Lieutenant
   Jason Lynch for the murder of Representative Thomas Lang. In the event
   of a tie, the Chairman has the casting vote. Terry?

O'Neill: I vote nay. Necessary, if unpleasant and rushed.

von Drexler: Samantha?

Strader: ...I vote aye. Sorry, Lieutenant, but I think you were wrong.

von Drexler: Dave?

Trenton: Nay: looks like a good job to me.

von Drexler: And I vote against as well. Lieutenant, I appreciate we have
   no power to compel this, and I supported you because I recognise the
   urgency with which you believed you had to act. Nevertheless, I would
   ask that you try to seek our approval before taking such drastic and
   visible action in future.

Lynch: I'll suggest it to the Director, sir.

von Drexler: And thank you for attending so promptly. This must be a little
   nerve-wracking for you.

Lynch: More than a little, sir.

von Drexler: Meeting closed at sixteen forty-two.
+++++end transcript

I'm still shaking.]<<<<<
     -- 1Lt J R W Lynch <17:11:15/10-25-57>
        Strategic Intelligence Gathering Agency

***** Private:  Invasion Force Internal Email
>>>>>>[
+++++ Message-From:  Stephanie
+++++ Subject:  What's Happening?

So, what did I get hired for? How much am I getting paid? What equipment
am I going to need? Who am I working with? Can I hitch a ride with
someone or do I need my own transport or is the job here in Seattle?

I mean, I just thought I ought to ask, otherwise I might never find out.

Which you must admit would be pretty silly.]<<<<<
     --IF Mailer Demon <18:47:47/10-25-57>

***** PRIVATE: InfoScholar
>>>>>[Done.

You afix a great value to my work, thank you.   Lets talk.

I think 50% of the original is a good "forget me" fee.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <19:22:09 / 10-25-57>

*****PRIVATE: Marlowe
>>>>>[The job is a subtle B&E to a lawyers office, we have to copy
some documents without anyone knowing we were there. Pay is >>amount<< each.

If you can make it to >>place<< by >>time, soon<<, then you can meet the
rest of the team.

BTW, Easy was the one that put your name in my ear, in case that matters to
you.]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <18:11:46/10-25-57>

>>>>>[I don't think my comment requires any further elaboration.

Lynch: when and where?]<<<<<
      --  Ronin <18:29:03/10-25-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin
>>>>>[I've taken a look on the astral, there are no patrolling spirits
at all, nor are there mages in evidence. Looks like a pretty small security
force.

I did see some sort of bound spirit though, lurking in a sort of
thick-walled box stuck in a wall, probably a wall safe, but it's hard to
tell from the astral. If that's where the target doc's are kept, there'll
probably be trouble. I've got an idea of how to deal with it, we can
discuss it at the meet.]<<<<<
        --  Ice <20:36:31/10-25-57>

>>>>>[I am in need of a few more runners to complete a job for me.  Contact
me if interested.  Professionals need only apply.  Poka.]<<<<
        -- Vladamir Gorchek <22:15:32/10-25-57>

*****PRIVATE: Rosha, Skull Bearer
>>>>>[If I sent you anything ealier, good.  If not, don't worry.  My skill
with this technology is less than superb.  I must know if you are seriously
interested in this job before I commit any more info to you.  Contact me ASAP.
Thank you.]<<<<<
        --Vladamir Gorchek <22:17:21/10-25-57>

*****PRIVATE: Rosha, Skull Bearer
>>>>>[Oh, the pay is excellent..incase you were wondering.]<<<<<
        -- Vladamir Gorchek <22:19:21/10-25-57>

*****PRIVATE: Evita, Ice, Rosha, Runs-Over-Pedestrians, Shiftboy, Wolfen
>>>>>[I hope that that includes you entire group. A common shadowland
account for you all would make this much easier.

Anyway, have you any news on the matter of this Bull individual?]<<<<<
        --  L <19:34:40/10-25-57>

*****PRIVATE: Evita, Rosha, Runs-Over-Pedestrians, Shiftboy, Wolfen
>>>>>[I'm not telling him, I wasn't even here when we fragged up. One of
you can do it.]<<<<<
        --  Ice <22:56:17/10-25-57>

*****PRIVATE: Vladamir Gorchek
>>>>>[You want any deckers? I'm a decker, and apparently I have what they
call a free spirit hanging around me. 'Course it looks like a talking rat
to me, but who am I to argue with The Mighty Quinn?]<<<<<
        --  Squatter <19:45:44/10-25-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin
>>>>>[Sounds like an okay job. I'll see you there.]<<<<<
     -- Marlowe <09:24:42/10-26-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin
>>>>>[Hell's Kitchen. Tuesday, dawn. The parking lot of the old Arkalon
building, on Worcester and 141st.

Bring a friend, if you have one, to act as second.

Bring a knife, if you know how to use one. If not, you'd better learn
fast.]<<<<<
        -- Lynch <09:34:31/10-26-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[Sure, I'll drop round. Looking forward to it, in fact.

We may be discussing different types of unit - for a quarter-mil you're
looking at a squad or platoon, Sasha's got a combined-arms battalion <g>
Which is why he doesn't do much work in the UCAS - not much call for a
battery of 155s or an armour company around here. At least not often <g>

A small unit like the one you're discussing is a different kettle of
fish, sounds like it falls under "security" rather than "military" for
legal purposes. I'll check with Sasha. Speaking of which, want him along
at the meeting? Might cut down on the potential for
misunderstandings.]<<<<<
        -- Lynch <09:43:41/10-26-57>

***** PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[You've just given me an idea.  Yeah, I would like to have Sasha along
if you can manage it.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <09:03:15 / 10-26-57>

***** INTERNAL: Serenity Lawyer Brigade
>>>>>[Can we have a Mercenary Branch?  I mean, can Serenity actually
splinter off, legally, into an Enforcement Branch and a Mercenary / Heavy
Arms branch?]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <09:05:17 / 10-26-57>

***** PRIVATE: Skuff
>>>>>[Uh oh!]<<<<<
        -- Merrox <09:05:17 / 10-26-57>

***** PRIVATE: Merrox
>>>>>[Thats not the half of it.  I intercepted a purchase order signed
by Jason himself to Ares for lasers.  I mean, battery backpack and all.]<<<<<
        -- Skuff <09:05:17 / 10-26-57>

***** PRIVATE: Skuff
>>>>>[You arent kidding, are you?  I didnt think so.  I'd say he was
off his rocker again but 'Basher and Imp are moving equipment around
too.  'Basher just had the tech's pull all of the computer equipment out of
one of the rovers and upgraded it to the best stuff HE could find.  Not
Ares stuff...mostly black market equipment.

Imp is still putting together his FRT group.  From the bits and
pieces of the roster that I've been privy to, it will be a force to recon with.

I think that is the group that they want to take underground.  Again, from
what I've heard, its not so much an underground, just a offering more
heavy duty fire power to the highest bidder.

On a bighter note --

+++++ Reroute Serenity.Node07 -> Serenity.Node08 Cycle
+++++ Initiate BattleMechv2.01

Come help me play test]<<<<<
        -- Merrox <09:05:17 / 10-26-57>

***** INTERNAL: Serenity Deckers
>>>>>[Who the FRAG created this winter wonderland around here?

I try to cheat up some computing power to play a game and I get mugged
by a wall of ICE taller than I am and about as thick!]<<<<<
        -- Merrox <09:25:40 / 10-26-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

*****PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[Inferno, Bull, Canis....  Any of you guys left out here.  Gates
says he got through. But....

OK I seem to have shaken the tail for the moment.  That was too close
for my liking. I could do with a status report, and what's this I here
about a manic recruitment schedule.  Do you guys know what you're
doing??  Or are things worse at your end than I've heard?

Get back to me. But most importantly, I need a status report.]<<<<<
        -- Dark Avenger <17:30:26/10:26:57>

>>>>>[Wells, I figure you've got yourself settled in Chi now and have
been able to establish what contacts are still operating.  Meet me at
>>place<< around >>time<< and we'll see what arrangements can be
achieved. Some of the gear will of necessity be large. The rest should
be icing.]<<<<<
        -- Dark Avenger <19:26:28/10-26-57>

*****PRIVATE:MR. Gorchek
>>>>>[yes sir, I am always serious. are there any other's as yet?
also how large of a team are we going to have? some people may not work
with me. most are afraid to even look at me. I can work with any team
sir, the question is will the team work with me.]<<<<<
                  -- The Skull Bearer <14:44:09/10-26-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[I'll be there.]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <18:08:40/10-26-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin
>>>>>[Ronin, I assume your allegation concerns my husband killing Lang?
And, presumably, he is a hypocrite because he "did it legally" and "got
away with it"?

In that case, you should perhaps read this.

+++++include file: Committee_Meeting.txt

As background to that hefty transcript, you should realise that Von
Drexler, or VD as we like to call him, used to be a pilot. He wasn't a
particularly good pilot, but he's a good organiser and has lots of high-
placed friends, so he was able to carry on being a command-rated
mediocrity...

Until he came up against the Psychopath at Gunsmoke '55, and the upshot
was that his lack of skill and nerve got exposed: he tried to get even,
and ended up losing his wings. His contacts got him shifted to intel,
but it cost him a promotion board (he passed the next one) and
guaranteed he'd never be Chairman of the JCS.

Now, why is this relevant? Because when Jason killed Lang, he knew he'd
have to face that Emergency Meeting and place himself at the mercy of
VD's whim. One committee member would vote against no matter what: and
with VD holding the casting vote, he could "exercise sanction" against
my husband entirely fairly.

And in these high-placed circles, I'm sure even you realise what
"exercise sanction" is a polite euphemism for. Lynch, like Drake, must
and does answer for his actions: at the hands of InterPol, from the
police, the FBI, his own masters. Lang did his utmost to avoid doing so.

Please remind me again why this makes my husband a hypocrite, and
reconsider your decision to - win or lose - acquire some painful scars
at his hands. I doubt you can match his skill with a knife, and I will
be there as second to ensure that any treachery will result in your
death.]<<<<<
        -- Lilith <15:26:41/10-27-57>

*****PRIVATE: The Skull Bearer, Rosha
>>>>>[Ok, it looks like it is just you two.  Don't worry, thats all you should
need.  I just need you to grab someone from their house and deposit them to a
warehouse.

+++++ include apartment.address
+++++ include warehouse.address
+++++ include description.Alexi

The only resistance you probably would meet is one, maybe two Rent-a-Cops.  No
prob for people like you.  Grab him and deposit him in the warehouse.  When
you do that, I will transfer the NuYen to the account of your preference.

Oh, and grab anything that resembles a Deck.  If its not there, do not worry.

Alexi is the main target, the deck is secnodary.  Nice doing business with you.

        Dac Vidanya.]<<<<<
        -- Vladamir Gorchek <20:01:32/10-27-57>

*****PRIVATE: Chimod
>>>>>[They're moving soon.  If they get the deck, can you crack it?]<<<<<
        -- Vladamir Gorchek <20:05:23/10-27-57>

*****PRIVATE: Vladamir Gorchek
>>>>>[Ofcourse.]<<<<<
        -- Chimod <20:06:10/10-27-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lilith
>>>>>[I didn't realise he was involved with it, just that he seemed
awfully happy to use it as an example. And I thought that what I meant when
I called him a hypocrite was fairly obvious... someone is killed for living
above the law, and Lynch sits around saying "he deserved it", from the
cover of what appeared to be his own above-the-law status.

That transcript reveals things that prove me wrong, though, so I suppose I
must now acknowledge that fact.]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <17:44:43/10-27-57>

>>>>>[It would appear that in calling Lynch a hypocrite, I spoke without
full knowledge of the facts. He is not in fact protected from the legal
consequences of his actions, which I thought he was. I apologise.]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <17:48:55/10-27-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R Stormwind
>>>>>[The flat 65% assessment is fixed.  However, we have adjusted the
appraisal of your materials to coincide more approximately with your
request.

All previous dealings have been forgotten.

Now, as to the descriptions of your target, what is your offer again?]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar  <23:30:33/10-27-57>

>>>>>[*clap, clap*]
        - JayCee <09:08:08/10-28-57>

>>>>>[ Wise move, Ronin. Very wise. ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn <09:05:20/10-28-57>

*****Private:Shifters
>>>>>[Ummm, well... We kinda missed that one, we were out, and didn't get
the message until we got back, and I'm rushing over to sign up right
now!
 Anyone care to foreward that to L?]<<<<<
        --  Wolfen  <09:25:31/10-28-57>

***** PRIVATE: Bull
>>>>>[ Since I haven't heard back from your group in a while, I'm forced to
withdraw my offer of being part of your team .. other opportunities that are
materializing more quickly have taken precedence. ]<<<<<
        -- Nomad <09:34:32/10-28-57>

>>>>>[ Damn.  We almost had Whirlwind.  Fragging mages.  Can't live
with them. . ..  can't shoot them either.  Especially if they are your
employer, eh Knight?

Puppet and Wrecker begged me to show the footage of Saturday night.  After
a brief consultation with some of my colleagues, we decided that they
do indeed deserve some hype.  New kids on the fragging block, but
what they hell.... they got guts like the rest of us.

+++++ begin transmission

A very soft, terse, male voice whispers:  Status

A throaty female voice responds:  The babe magnet has a date.  No
sight on our target.  Druggie is on-time for his fix-up.

Another male voice responds:  I'm in position for a quick get away for
you, the druggie and the fixer.

The very soft voice whispers: I'm in position and set up.   Remember
fixer got an ace up her sleeve.  She's a combat mage.

Male voice #2:  What's her rap?

Male whisper #1:  Nuke was her old running name.  Her old boyfriends
had a nasty habit of winding up dead before she truly started desiring
to break up with them.  The two I knew, one commi
tted suicide, and the
other was a machine afterwards for trying to save her life from a gang
rape.  That one flatlined about the same time I lost contact with the
"magnet."

Female:  She's got style at least.  Company.  Trog on bike.  ETA 2
minutes.  Looks like he knows where he is headed.   Doing image
enhancements to get positive id.  Prelim indications: Whirlwind.

Male whisper #1:  Great.  She set him up.  Bitch.  Let's go with the
backup plan.

Male #2: Right boss.  Weapons online.  My van will be noticible.
*click* *click*
-----
On a pier you see Blitzkrieg standing alone.  Back to the street, he is out
looking at the Sound.  A hot female (human) walks up to him.

Female:  Its been a long time, Blitz.
Blitzkrieg turns and smiles.  "Sure has, Julie.  Sorry to drag you out here,
but I thought it would be nice to see a friendly face considering my past
few weeks."
Julie smiles and says,  "That's okay.  The lights are bit bright for me too.
Had any contact with Flash?"
Blitzkrieg winces and says, "He died a while back.  His girlfriend set him
up real good."
Julie smile fades and says, "Elves never did have real good endurance."
(It is obvious that the cheap shot is forced).

Female: ETA 1 minute boss.  Whirlwind on a bike.
Male #1:  I can't get a clear shot at the mage.  Blitz is in the way.
Male #2: Should I intercept?
Male #1: Never make it with Nuke there.  Fragging wind.

Blitzkrieg shrugs and says, "Its been a lively few years since we have
last seen each other.  What have you been up to?"

Julie responds, "I had to ditch my old running name because it was too
hot."  (Blitzkrieg laughs) "But I still get by.  You?"

Blitzkrieg sighs and says, "I ran into some old family problems that I
was hoping to never see again.  I sort of lost, but I'm still somewhat
alive."

Julie glances at him and gasps, "Not you too..."

At that point you can here the roar of a big ol' bike tearing down the
pier.  Blitzkrieg turns and curses.  Julie dashes to the side.   Julie shouts,
"Well it's been fun Blitz.  We'll have to do it again sometime.  Assuming
you're alive."  She laughs and starts running for cover.  An assault rifle
burst erupts from the shadows of a warehouse.  The burst nails Julie
dropping her.  Blitzkrieg meanwhile being completely surprised by
Julie's statement and gundown gets nailed by a net still attached by
wire to the gun on the bike.  Rapidly he is being dragged to the end of
the pier.

The night seems to be diving to the pier deck.  In a smooth motion an
assault rifle is brought up.  The wielder (which is extremely hard to make
out) looks through a sight and grimaces.

Man #1:  Frag.  Cover blown.  Go to back up plan four.

Man #2:  Click.

Female:  Babe magnet might be in trouble.  Will advise.

Man #2:  Give me directions on where to go.  I can't go in because
this vehicle would get cops all over us.

Female:  Will do over secondary line.

Whirlwind screaming down the pier dragging Blitzkrieg shouts at
Blitzkrieg, "I guess we got some fried machine parts tonight!"  Blitzkrieg
ignores him trying to get his arms free.  He fails because the net is
wrapped around him too tightly.  Whirlwind comes to a t-stop at the end
of the pier and sends Blitzkrieg flying over the pier.  At the last moment
he triggers a button on the gun and a current goes through the net.
You can hear the agonized scream of Blitzkrieg.

The man with the assault rifle crouches and fires off several bursts.
Right before Blitzkrieg is about to hit the water he manages to actually
sever the wire that was sending the current through the net.  Blitzkrieg
hits the water and starts sinking rapidly.  As soon as the wire hits, the
man dives off the pier.  He makes the dive under full burst fire from
Whirlwind.  Whirlwind curses and gets on his bike and drives off.

Man #2:  Should I level him?

Man #2 after no response from the other man:  I'll take that as a
yes.  EAT THIS YA BASTARD!

As Whirlwind is leaving the pier, he effectively enters a warzone of
machine gun bullets.  His bike is decimated in mere seconds and he
barely avoids getting leveled by a van.    Whirlwind, limping, dives for
cover into an abandoned warehouse as the van speeds off.

Man #2:  Damn.  Backup plan #5.  See if you can use your drones to
a) keep a tab for that bastard, and b) look for heat sources in the Sound.
Hopefully I won't have to go swimming, since I don't know how to.

Female voice:  Boss ain't going to register much of a heat source.
His gear blends in.  I'll try and get a lock on the druggie.  Got one.
Druggie's decent just slowed down.  He is now on the bottom.  Hey!
That slitch is still crawling.

Man #2: Any chances that she didn't set him up?

Female:  From what I heard, no.

Man #2:  For some strange reasons, a drone opened fired.  I'm sorry
sir.  I'll have to looking into why the remote did that.

Female:  Damn malfunction.  She ain't moving now.  Trog has
moved further back into the warehouse.  He ain't likely to interfere in the
pickup.  Druggie has moved significantly.  Amazing what cyber can do
for a man I guess.

Male #1:  Drone misfired, eh?  Is the dock clear?

Female and Male #2:  You're alive!

Female: Yes, dock clear.

Male #1:  A little hard to talk while underwater.  Frag the plan.  Pick
us up at the start of the pier.  And Blitz needs medical attention.

You see Blitzkrieg clinging to a pole on the pier underneath where
Whirlwind was when Blitzkrieg was thrown from the pier.  There is a
loud thunk as a rope is harpooned into the edge of the deck.  A dark
mass helps Blitzkrieg swim out to the rope.

"Go first, Blitz."
"You know, you are the last person I expected to see tonight."
"Guilt is a lovely thing.  Move!"
"Yes, sir."

Blitzkrieg moves up the rope pretty well with the man at the bottom
holding it still.  The man soon moves up the now free swinging rope,
pretty well.  Once at the top, he hands Blitzkrieg the assault rifle and
says, "Well, we're almost there."  He then picks up Blitzkrieg and starts
running down the pier.  He gets to the end of the pier out of breath but
shoves Blitzkrieg in the van.  He slams the door shut and the van takes
off.  He then quickly gets Blitzkrieg securely strapped into a seat.

"You and I got to have a long chat about leaving trails.  Whirlwind
almost figured out that I helped you out and would have been able to
ruin my biz."

"I owe you, Fox."

"Why don't you pay yourself for once and take care of yourself?"

Male voice #2: "Harker is in trouble.  You're being dropped off at a
nearby point to rescue him.  He ran into some elves..."

Shadowfox responds, "Just fragging great.  What the hell is Whirlwind
up to?"  He reloads the assault rifle.  He dumps some gear on the floor
of the van.

+++++ pause transmission
I guess I still don't have the complete hang of this.  Overloaded the
system. ]<<<<<
        -- Shadowfox <22:49:43/10-26-57>

>>>>>[ Well... here's part two.

+++++ begin transmission (part 2)
"Honey, I can't wait for a drink.  Feels like I've been slaving away all
week."

"Soon, dearest."  This handsome man kisses a beautiful lady on her
cheek.

The woman giggles and says, "Isn't that odd.  A ganger here.  Handing
cash to a kid."  The man's head whips around and scans the crowd, he
picks out a fleeting glimpse of a young boy fleeing away from a female
member of the Ancients.

The man frowns, still watching the gangmember and says, "Probably
the elf was buying some chips from the kid.  They really should clean up
that drek."

She looks at him astonished.  "I wonder how a kid gets involved with
that so young."

"Mostly it is bad luck and a desire to make some cash pretty easily if a
little risky."

"How do you know so much about this?"

"I --"

"Ahem, Mister Harker, I presume?"  A female gangmember of the
Ancients asks.

"I think you got the wrong person, miss."

"Maybe you respond to Midnight better."  The man's eyes widen
briefly in surprise.  The elf didn't miss it.

"I haven't heard of that name in a long time.  Perhaps we could go
inside and talk about the last time I saw him over a beer or two?"

Another member of the Ancient says, "I don't think so, Midnight."

The man glances around.  He roughly pushes his date behind him and
says, "Look, you got the wrong person.  I hear the Tigers are getting
ready to wipe the floor with you this time around.  You probably don't
want to be wasting your time with one miserable breeder."

Another person says, "Your property.  We're just collecting for a fee."

The man pushes his date roughly into the bar, as the group of gangers
come closer and closer to him.  A troll bouncer says, "Hey lady!  We
don't take people fleein' from trouble.  Against da rules."  The man
whirls to face the troll and grimaces.

"Like you would fragging know a rule if it hit you on the head!"

The woman dodges inside stunned as the enraged troll steps out of the
bar and takes a swing.  The man dodges smoothly and the troll ends up
punching one of the elves.  The man laughs and breaks out of the
rapidly enclosing circle and starts running.  He rounds a corner, curses,
and changes directions as gunfire erupts.  He runs into the street
dodging cars left and right as he makes his way across the street.

"Just fragging great."

"Come back here slave!"

"I wonder if they are Ancients or not..."  He runs down an alley and
climbs over a chain-link fence.  (Ripping his suit in process).  He keeps
on running with the elves giving tight chase.

----
Man #2:  Puppet, fragging figure out where he is going to run to, or use
your drones to herd him somewhere.  Can't help a dead man!

"Blitz, you might want to hold up this riot shield.   I can't predict how
we are going to do the pick-up of Midnight.  Could be in the middle of a
firefight."

"Great."

Puppet:  Cute, Wrecker.  If I could, don't you think I would?  All my
drones with weapons were deployed to try and bag Whirlwind.  Hell
they are still in his area to try and nail him if they get the opportunity.
To many fragging things happening at once.

Shadowfox:  Fuck it.  Where is he now?  We are going public with your
van.  With a bunch of armed elves chasing him, who is going to care
about one van.  We'll get you a new one later.  k?

Wrecker: *growls*  Okay.  If that is the case, can I level those fraggers?

Shadowfox:  Just try to leave one alive for interrogating.  Hopefully, the
slot will know something of use.

Puppet:  He going west on 6th.

Wrecker:  At least he is only running on foot right now.

"Hang on guys, I'm about to break all sort of traffic laws.  Fox, you
might want to strap in until we get close."
---
"Of all the fragging times to run into a bunch of  fragging elves, I'm in a
goddamned suit, dress shoes, and no hopes of getting a gun. Aww
drek.  At least I had fifteen minutes to run free and remember what
freedom is like."

He looks around, surrounded by elves.  All wearing Ancient colors.

"Ancient posers."

"True enough, Midnight, but that doesn't stop the fact that you still
have to serve out your life sentence.  Of course, we could just parole
you here and now."

A female says, "Easier to bring back a dead body than a live one."

A male responds, "They want him alive."

The female angrily responds, "So what?  They aren't here.  He led our
friends to their deaths."

The male responds, "No, they were sent on a mission that no one was
expected to survive.  Midnight got lucky and somehow manage to get
freedom."

The female responds viciously, "Death."

The male calmly says, "He goes back for another trial."

The female still ripping mad, "He gets off to easy if he goes back."

The man asks, "Really?  Living without freedom is worse than being dead."

"Frag you."  She points a gun at the man.  Suddenly only about four
elves are keeping an eye on Midnight.  The rest of the elves have split
into two camps.  The verbal match keeps escalating.  It is about to hit
trigger point when a van sporting obvious "enhancements" comes
screeching around a corner.  Midnight starts running toward the right
side of the road as the van mercilessly opens fire on the crowd of elves.
In the confusion, Midnight drops the elven chick with a vicious fire
bolt.

The side door is opened.  Two arms reach out and grab Midnight.  He is
dragged for a little bit before they can pull him in.  Quickly as bullets
start entering the van they shut the door.

Midnight winces as he hits the floor of the van and swerves around a
corner.  "Ouch!"

"Oops.  Sorry about that.  So come on baby, light her fire...." A man
says with amusement in his voice....

He looks up and smiles.  "Thank god for friendly faces, Blitzkrieg.
Actually, I would say that I just set her on fire."

Shadowfox:  Puppet pull off your drones.  There are hidden ways out of
almost all those warehouses down there.  And in most of them,
Whirlwind would be a welcome sight.  Unless they actually know of
him.

Puppet:  (resigned voice) Figures, sir.

"So people, we need to get to a doc.  Then we can assess how we
fared."

+++++ end transmission

One night's work:  Some gear wasted.  Van could use some significant
repairs from the workout it got.  Midnight, Blitzkrieg, and myself, owe a
friendly doc a decent chunk of change for patching us up, and we
missed nailing Whirlwind.  Midnight is pissed off that he missed
getting a) anyone to interrogate and b) couldn't find that kid that ratted
on him.  On the other hand, the kid probably has written him off for the
dead, so maybe he can use that to his advantage.

And oh, we killed one of our own.  Simply beautiful.

Still if it hadn't been for the heads up thinking by Puppet and Wrecker
we probably wouldn't have been able to catch up to Midnight.]<<<<<
        -- Shadowfox <00:00:54/10-27-57>

>>>>>[ I guess I owe a small explanation for why I wasn't using my
running name.  It was traceable.  Very traceable.  I -- I should explain
why I'm not dead, but what the fuck?  I have a contract out on my head
so its only a matter of time.  Come and get me Whirlwind.  Come on
baby, light my fire. ]<<<<<
        -- Midnight <00:00:23/10-27-57>

***** Internal: Merrox, Jason Stormwind
>>>>>[ I'm flattered that you like my work and the work of my company.
I'll pass it along to the team.  If Serenity approves of your usage of
computing resources to play a certain game, we should be able to
accommodate you and modify the security for the playing of that specific
game.  Otherwise, might I make recommendation?  Buy a separate computer to
use for game playing and keep it off line so that it doesn't represent a
security risk for Serenity. ]<<<<<
        -- Scourge <10:48:30/10-28-57>
           Matrix Security Consultant
           Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE:  Invasion Force Internal Email
>>>>>[

+++++ Message-From: TANK
+++++ Subject:  Work Wanted!

Wanted Work for a Rigger that has Vehicles and will travel! Lots of
exp..Dishonesty will get you killed. All employment opertunities
WILL be screened..Contact this LTG soonest..]<<<<<
        -- IF Mailer Demon <15:22:03/10-28-57>

***** PRIVATE: Harkion
>>>>>[John, I'm not going to be in the lab for about a week, can you do
without me?  I have some discrete business to attend to.]<<<<<
        -- Nodoze <20:00:35/10-27-57>

***** PRIVATE: Nodoze
>>>>>[That's no problem Shawn, but what have you gotten yourself into this
time?]<<<<<
        -- Harkion <20:06:35/10-27-57>

***** PRIVATE: Bull
>>>>>[Bull? Are you there?  I have some free time at the lab if you want to
meet now.]<<<<<
        -- Harkion <20:07:43/10-27-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.l
>>>>>[I need to meet with someone privately sometime in the next few days to
work some things out.  Bull dosen't seem to be too responsive, so whoever is
in charge, meet me at >>Location<<, it's about a hour from Chicago.]<<<<<
        -- Harkion <20:08:35/10-27-57>

***** PRIVATE: Harkion
>>>>>[ Harkion, I will be there. It is not Bull's fault, but he'sreallynot too
responsive right now, with a reason. Will >>time<< suite you?]<<<<<
        -- Orion <20:12:35/10-27-57>

***** PRIVATE: Black Knight
>>>>>[I am.  Ready.  My new spells are all up and running perfectly.

I can roll on the job whenever you guys are set.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <23:46:29 / 10-28-57>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[Are we all equiped and ready to move on a moment's notice?  Trixie's
idea about the Frypp Specials was a good one.  I had to dump my last set of
armor in Japan, but I still have another one at the warehouse.  I dont honestly
need a weapon.  Ill carry one, as always, because it gives me options.  You
know my choices there.

You've got a good look at the target.  He's a sizable fucker, and probably has
enough cyber to sink a small boat.  Pack APDS for me.  I dont need anything
non-lethal.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <23:48:15 / 10-28-57>

>>>>>[Wise move, Griffyn? What do you mean, being man enough to admit I
was wrong? I presume though, my feathered friend, what you actually meant
was "wise move for backing away from a fight with lynch". I'd talk about
the information that changed my opinion of the afore-mentioned, and thusly
forced a retraction, but I don't think even Lynch knew that it was sent to
me. My source almost certainly doesn't want to be revealed, so I won't tell
you about him/her either.

So instead I will fall back on mindless vulgarity... eg: lick up your
patronising drek and swallow it without chewing.]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <17:10:20/10-28-57>

***** Private: Kor
>>>>>[ Spread the word to the others in Seattle.  Will start prelim
surveillance on November 4th.  Unless you feel comfortable moving faster,
we will probably do a week's worth of physical, astral, and matrix
surveillance to figure out the best time to strike.

If you can convince Harker to go, that would be a big boost.  That means of
course that you have to convince his employer to send him with you.
According to Nightmare, he won't even ask for time to go do this.

Team members: Blitzkrieg, Doomsday, Harker (maybe), You and your team,
Shadowfox (if he is still in your neck of the woods and you can get him to
agree), Puppet, Wrecker, and maybe some mercs if we can find quality ones
on a short notice.  Lastly, I will be doing matrix alarm suppression.

Who will you be adding to the team so I can figure out if we have some
weaknesses in the group? ]<<<<<
        -- Black Knight <17:1:42/10-27-57>

>>>>>[Your turn, Griff.  Same parking lot?]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <00:22:56 / 10-29-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: Griffyn
>>>>>[He'll kick your ass in a fair fight.  Good thing you dont have
to fight fair.  Dont ask my why I find this so amusing, but I do.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <00:23:59 / 10-29-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

*****PRIVATE: L
>>>>>[We have had some trouble infiltrating the group in question, we are
trying again, hopefully this most recent attempt will be more successful.

By the way, we have chosen a name, you can contact us all under the s-land
handle "Shifters"]<<<<<
        --  Ice <17:25:53/10-28-57>

*****PRIVATE: Shifters
>>>>>[I bulldrekked L some, we should have some time... good luck
Wolfen.]<<<<<
        --  Ice <17:27:19/10-28-57>

*****PRIVATE: Shifters
>>>>>[I don't want them infiltrated, I just want to be sure that they
survive, and that the data they carry is freely disseminated. Do _not_
betray them.]<<<<<
        --  L <23:05:28/10-28-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin
>>>>>[Someone needs to use better encryption on his com-channel...

+++++Begin soundfile

Voice one: Ronin here, checking.

Voice two: Lyting here, checking.

Voice three: Marlowe here, checking.

Voice four: Phobos here, checking.

Voice five: Runs-Over-Pedestrians here, checking.

Lyting (voice two): All present.

Ronin: Ice and his spirit are going in on the astral.

<30 second pause>

Ronin: Security rigger down, all go.

<A strange rubbing-whistling noise interupted by irregular light tapping
sounds, then five impacts onto a hard surface, running footsteps, door
opening, and people moving down stairs>

Lyting: Ice reports guards not yet alerted.

Ronin: Last flight, shooters forward.

<Footsteps stop>

Lyting: Ice reports four guards in main foyer, two in back room.

Ronin: This door leads to main foyer... kicking on three, two, one, now.

<Sound of a door being kicked open, followed by a shout of surprise,
several sound-suppressed light auto-fire bursts, and a single heavy pistol
shot>

Lyting: All four down.

Phobos: I'm on the telecom lines... backup request intercepted.

Ronin: Lyting left, Marlowe right, R O P wait.

<Brief pause followed by three heavy pistol shots and a grunt, then more
suppressed light auto-fire>

Marlowe: Clear.

Lyting: Clear.

Ronin: Clear, I'm hit, but not badly.

Lyting: Let's go trash the fourth floor.

<Assorted sounds of movement up stairs, doors opening, doors being kicked
open, and quiet swearing>

Marlowe: On the third, starting on the safe.

Runs-Over-Pedestrians: Jacked in, you can stop kicking in those doors now.

Ronin: But I _like_ to, it's...

Marlowe: Shut the hell up will you, I'm trying to concentrate.

Runs-Over-Pedestrians: Ice reports bound spirit is now bound to him... the
deal is made.

Marlowe: What did I just say?

Runs-Over-Pedestrians: Go have...

Lyting: Quiet, children.

<Sounds of glass breaking, wood splintering, metal being bent into new and
interesting shapes, and plastic shattering, for about five minutes>

Ronin: That's trashed up real nice. Data?

Phobos: I drained it dry.

Marlowe: Safe is open... hot _damn_, I'm good. R O P, can you read this?

Runs-Over-Pedestrians: Yeah, once I run it through a few enhancing
routines. Go to the next page... uh-huh... go back one, sorry, that was a
touch too fast to be sure... okay... next... eighth and last... okay,
downloading image files... finished. Jacking out.

Ronin: Are the guards stirring yet?

Runs-Over-Pedestrians: Not yet... the rigger looks like he's about to wake
up... <sound of a blow>... not any more though.

Ronin: Let's go then. You opened the front doors?

Runs-Over-Pedestrians: Yes.

<Sounds of jogging feet, movement down stairs, doors opening and closing,
then silence>

+++++End soundfile

My, my, Van Holde, you are careless.]<<<<<
        --  Lynch <17:35:34/10-28-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ice, Lyting, Marlowe, Phobos, Runs-Over-Pedestrians
>>>>>[The payment is through, here are your shares...

+++++Cred transfer >>account number<< to >>account number<<
+++++Cred transfer >>account number<< to >>account number<<
+++++Cred transfer >>account number<< to >>account number<<
+++++Cred transfer >>account number<< to >>account number<<
+++++Cred transfer >>account number<< to >>account number<<

'Til next time.]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <17:42:42/10-28-57>

>>>>>[Ronin: apology accepted. Thank you.]<<<<<
        -- Lynch <00:52:16/10-29-57>

*****NOT TO: Ronin
>>>>>[Is this guy dumb or what? Does he _ever_ bother checking who he's
mouthing off at?

Griff, in the unlikely event you have trouble finding a second, let me
know. And do you want to go get a few brews sometime with Lilith and I?
Been too long, I've been busy. Give me a call at >>encrypted<< and we'll
set it up.]<<<<<
        -- Lynch <00:53:53/10-29-57>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher, Trax, GoD, Griffyn, Imp
>>>>>[I guess I am adding to our team, as I am sure you both just
saw.  Basher, you and trax would make great additions to Scourge's
matrix group.  Care to run with him?

Griffyn, you and GoD on me.

Imp, are you up for a job?]<<<<<
        -- Kor <01:09:56 / 10-29-57>

*****PRIVATE:Rosha
>>>>>[it would seem that we are to be partners. would you care to 
discuse a plan? from the over view i recieved from MR. Gorchek
this should be very simple, too simple for two persons of what Mr.
Gorchek advertised for. a physical meet would be useful i believe.
it is best to prepare you now i guess, i am very cybered.
feel free to chose a time and place but please somewhere private.
looking forward to meeting you.]<<<<<
                  -- The Skull Bearer <20:58:21/10-28-57>

***** PRIVATE: InfoScholar
>>>>>[Ill pay >>encrypted<< for the information.  I assume that
cash is just as good with you as information.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <05:05:21 / 10-29-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

*****PRIVATE:  InfoScholar
>>>>>[Your earlier comment to delay any request on the matter of the real
identity and occupation of the pair of Shadowrunners accessing the
Shadowland Matrix in Seattle by the name of Jen and Gabe struck me as
meaning one of several possibilities.  At best, you are simply a very busy
man.  At worst, it meant that you were currently dealing with, for, or
about them.  Therefore, I gave you an additional week to clear yourself of
any "entanglements."  I assume you have my original request.  I also
assume you have easy access to the daily public throughput of said
Shadowland, as do I.  Reiteration of any material found within would be
redundant.

What I request is of a more illuminating and verifyable nature.  Since no
reprisals of any sort have occurred towards my associate, I will assume as
of yet that their bark is worse than their bite.  I now ask that you
perform a more thorough investigation, since time is no longer of the
essence.  My curiousity has served me well in the past, and I am
occasionally willing to go to great lengths to satisfy it.  Consider my
curiousity piqued.

Reply at your earliest convenience as to what amount of money you would
need to begin your inquiries, and an estimate of what your investigation
will be worth at its completion.  While I have access to considerable
funds, I also possess information that I may be willing to broker in the
future if our dealings are profitable.]<<<<<

        --  Hephaestus  <21:18:17/10-28-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[%^#*&@$#%KHJGEiduywi

+++++ Initiating defrag.exe
+++++ Defrag complete, 97% of system saved.
+++++ 3% of system lost.  Continue?  Y N
+++++ Y

Dammit, tell me this fraggers working again.  Ok, systems seem to be back on
line...  Fucking bugs in the deck again...

Ok biys and girls, I seem to be back online.  Seems I had a little virus
kicking around the old hard drive, and it slipped past the A-V progs
installed here...  All you deckers and comp cowboy wannabes on the Force,
here's a little prog to slap in in case your deck gets sick.

+++++ Download Pepto.exe

That should help keep the viruses away...

Ok, Harkion, I'll meet you tomorrow at >>encrypted<<.  I'll bring a friend
along, an Indian by the name of Johnny 99.  He's a shaman, and my partner.
Just wanted to let you know ahead of time.  Sorry this has taken so long,
but that damn virus was a bitch and a half.  had me down for the last week.

Ok, after I meet with Hark, I think we need to have a meeting with everyone
involved on the Chicago end at the Asgard safehouse.  I'm not even including
the address on an encrypted line.  Our wizzies already have or will be
informing all the team leaders of the addy through the astral.  too damn
many deckers watching our tails these days, and too many of them are too
fucking good.  Goddamn SOTA.  I got some real catching up to do.  Harkion,
you may be able to help me in taht field.  All my Electronics Fixers used to
be in the CZ.

Also, can each team leader report in and give their team status as well,
along with a brief report on who's involved?  I've been out of touch for a
while now, which sucks hard, but couldn't be helped.  We need to start
rolling, and we need to figure out who we have and what we can do.

Avenger, you with us now?  I know we lost contact with ya, and then
something came through the wire right before I went down.  i know your
troops have been a little edgy.

Also, notice that we've changed data lines once more.  I've sent
instructions to each teams tech-head so that they know how to adjust the
frequencies on the mailers.  I think they managed to track our signals down,
and that's how they got the virus into my hardware.  We're going to start
changing teh encryption lines daily.  I'll send the new channels out to the
teams deckers each morning.  That should at least slow them down.

Ok, it's great to be back online again, now let's get the ball rolling,
before our friends catch up to us again.  I would certainly like to take the
initiative once more... ]<<<<<
        -- Bull <02-28-17/10-29-57>

***** PRIVATE:Orion
>>>>>[ That should work well.  I will anticipate your arrivial.]<<<<<
         -- Harkion <08:52:34/10-28-57>

***** Private: Kor, Scourge, Shadowfox
>>>>>[ Drek.  We tripped the matrix security on the prison that holds
Whirlwind's friend that we put behind bars about a year ago.  (One of the
guys that lead the massacre bunch.)  As such, Nightmare is pulling the plug
on the trade hostages idea for at least 2 weeks.  Sorry.  We'll have to
come up with another way to get our friends out of Whirlwind's hands.
]<<<<<
       -- Black Knight <07:36:26/10-29-57>

***** Private: Kor
>>>>>[ Hoi.  Why don't you, Midnight, and myself kick back tonight and kick
down a few beers and discuss somethings?  The way things are going to break
down, is that for all the "team" knows, you are Mr. Johnson, and will be
along for the ride to make sure they do it right.  They also know that you
have a buyer lined up, but not any more details that.  You will have enough
info to look like you did all your homework before bringing on the rest of
the team.

I have lined up Sprinkler for matrix work, Puppet, and Wrecker to help out.
From what I have heard, they are still on-schedule for starting mass
production of the prototype.  Therefore, the run must go down at the latest
by this weekend if it is going to serve any use.  Btw, Midnight thinks he
might have come up with a way to nail Whirlwind.  Problem he is having now
is figuring out who to use to bait the trap...]<<<<<
        -- Shadowfox <07:43:15/10-29-57>

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[ We're ready to rock and roll, bro.  APDS will be the standard load for
everyone if this guy is as tricked out as you say.  We'll be ready to move when
you give the word. ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <10:17:12/10-29-57>

>>>>>[ Yes, Ronin, I was referring to the expedience of avoiding a fight with
Lynch.  I wouldn't want to tangle with him, and I have certain 'advantages'
that you do not.  You have quite a way of making people dislike you almost
immediately.  Did you have to practice for that, or does it come naturally?
 Enquiring minds want to know.. ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn <10:19:35/10-29-57>

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[ Trax and I are in.  Tris won't let me out of her sight, so I guess she
can run backup and cover our jackpoint from traces.   Oh, and as far as Black
Knight's question about mercs goes, Griff and Imp have contacts with Tangent's
unit, and they're about as good as they come for small-unit Black Ops.  ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <10:25:19/10-29-57>

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[ Wouldn't have it any other way, bro. ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn <10:27:12/10-29-57>

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[ When do you need me? ]<<<<<
        -- Imp <10:29:46/10-29-57>

***** NOT TO: Ronin
>>>>>[ I don't think it's going to degenerate that far .. Ronin's a loud mouth,
but he hasn't really offended me enough that I'd like to put him in the
hospital for a few months.  You never know though .. if he pushes the wrong
buttons, you'll be invited to see the fireworks, Lynch.  I'll take you up on
that beer,
though.  I'll give you a call later to set up the details. ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn <10:33:07/10-29-57>

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[ Smart ass .. and you should know by now that his being able to take me
in a fair fight is irrelevant.  There's no such thing as a fair fight. ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn <10:37:12/10-29-57>

***** PRIVATE: Imp, Trax, Trixie, Neuron Basher
>>>>>[The job I was setting up was just scratched.  We accidentally fiddled
with a trigger and it went off.  We are going to have to back out for a
short while.

I've got something else lined up.  Decker and physical intensive.

Job:  We are going to rip off some 'quipment from Ares.  Talk about biting
the hand the feeds you.  If done right, we will not be implicated, if
done wrong...then, well, we cut and run.  Desert Wars skirmishes are
coming up.  Ares is going to get an advantage.  While I definitely do not
mind this, I've been hired to get the prototype and the design specs and
make sure it points at someone else.

I've got a little more planning to do before I am completely sure
what is going to happen and who I am going to need to take with me.

Im considering hiring outside talent.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <15:56:44 / 10-29-57>

***** PRIVATE: Shadowfox
>>>>>[We are ready to rock and roll, 'Fox.

My place, tonight.  As you said, the time line on this is getting to the
point where we need to move soon.

I need to see the data before I can decide how best to get my team in
and out of there without problems.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <16:04:53 / 10-29-57>

*****PRIVATE: Skull Bearer
>>>>>[A'ight. M'n f'r t'ride. Let's meet t'night at >>encrypted<<.  I'll
be t'short ork with the facial scar. Y'r right ... t'job sounds way too
easy. C'ya lat'r.]<<<<<
        --  Rosha  <11:50:34/10-29-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin
>>>>>[What's up wit t'tridchip negots? Needs t'cash, baby! Will it be 'ere
by Samhain?]<<<<<
        --  Rosha  <11:51:56/10-29-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R Stormwind
>>>>>[Your price is agreeable.  Cash is always negotiable tender.

+++++download: Assailant Description

Hope it is helpful to you.]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar  <11:58:44/10-29-57>

*****PRIVATE: Hephaestus
>>>>>[I was living in a Charles Dickens' novel at the time of your
previous message.  I appreciate your follow-up.  As for the assessment of
my information's value, I'll leave that in your hands ...

+++++download: J&G.txt

This is the sampler ... I'm still compiling some info.  They're more
protected and secretive than their Shadowland behaivor would indicate.
Please return an appropriate one-time fee for the info provided above
and the fuller file that is still to come.

Say, I've always wanted to ask ... how'd you hurt your leg?
{ancientgreekhumor}]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar  <12:02:31/10-29-57>

***** PRIVATE: InfoScholar
>>>>>[+++++ TRANSFER funds

Interesting.  Did you happen to find any footage on this at all?]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <17:05:33 / 10-29-57>

***** PRIVATE: Rosha
>>>>>[Hello, young one.  I'm putting out feelers on the streets for a person
I need to get a hold of.

+++++ Include Description

VERY Dangerous.  I've gotten reports that this is the person that attacked
Cass and put her in the hospital.  There was another attack on Squatter
(another decker).  I dont know what the true connection is just yet.  Just
let me know if you come across anything, ok, love?]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <17:08:32 / 10-29-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: Serenity Street Contacts
>>>>>[+++++ Include Description

This might be our perp.  Keep your eyes open.  In only want INFORMATION.
Please do not make contact.  We dont want to start a body count on this
just yet]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <17:09:19 / 10-29-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

***** INTERNAL: Serenity Mages, Cass Overwatch
>>>>>[This is going to be a problem.

+++++ Include Description
+++++ Include null-magic description

Who the hell like this thing out of Azlan?  First order of business, find a
spell that will work on it.  Since it doesnt have an aura worth talking about,
I will be working under the assumption that you should be able to stop it
with wrecker or something that works on inanimate objects.  When it doubt,
batter it down with physical manipulation spells.

We definitely have a problem.  We pickedup some man pack lasers from
Ares.  I want at least 1 person on every team carrying one.  I know they
are fraggin' heavy, but its smaller than an autocannon and it should
punch about as hard or harder.

Mages  --  start working on some spells.  Find them, buy them, learn them, but
get them.

Physical teams  --  Check in your normal ammo, change to APDS or DPU in your
side arms.

Someone needs to work over the street doc angle.  Get a list of everyone
that deals with heavy cyber.  Cant be magically healed and if it ever needs
repairs, its going to need a serious mechanic, not a dabbler.

Remember, this this is faster than ever I am when fully spelled up.]<<<<<
        -- Jas <17:21:45 / 10-29-57>

***** PRIVATE: Maria Martine, LSS, Magical Forensics
>>>>>[Get this on the streets.  Whatever it is, its been working the shadows
here in town.

I suspect this is the person that took out of on my officers.  Any assistance
would be greatly appreciated

+++++ Include: full disclosure]<<<<<
        -- Jason Robert Stormwind <17:39:39 / 10-29-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: AJ, Basilisk
>>>>>[Sorry for the intrustion, guys.  Just wanted to run some information
past you to see if you've seen anything / heard anything / could point me
in the proper direction.

+++++ Include: description
+++++ Include: null magic

Im assuming cybermancy out of aztlan.  As Bear is my witness, I hope this
isnt the case.  Ill listen to any other thoughts either of you may have]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <17:56:13 / 10-29-57>

>>>>>[Hey, is true what Dr. Quine said about how the Matrix has been
an easier place to work since everything went over to sculpted
systems?  He said something about how the old systems just felt more
foreboding.

I mean, what does soem dodgy old prof know about "foreboding"
systems?   He ain't never seen foreboding.  Not like the time I hit -
nope.  Not gonna tell.]<<<<<
        -- Poppa Chubby (12:00:00 / 10-29-56)

*****PRIVATE: Jason R Stormwind
>>>>>[The videotape has fallen into private possession and is currently
up for auction.  A shadowperson realized it might be valuable and obtained
it.  I am bidding to gain this footage.  I take it you would be
interested?]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar  <13:34:11/10-29-57>

***** PRIVATE: InfoScholar
>>>>>[The footage would only be icing.  No need to bid on my behalf.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <19:05:08 / 10-29-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R Stormwind
>>>>>[There are several interested parties in the purchase of said
footage. I merely wondered whether you would be interested in purchasing
a copy.]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar  <15:07:48/10-29-57>

***** PRIVATE: InfoScholar
>>>>>[ I am looking for some hermetic spells that would cause a great deal of
damage to cyberware components.  I was thinking that perhaps something with
a high-voltage electrical effect or electro-magnetic-pulse might be the best
approach.  Do you have access to spells of this type, or information that would
allow me make contact with one who does? ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn <15:18:10/10-29-57>

***** PRVIATE: Kor
>>>>>[ I sent InfoScholar a request for information about spells to affect
chromeboy, and posted something similar on MagickNet, so hopefully we'll have
some leads shortly.  I'm leaning towards something with a high-voltage
electrical effect or maybe an EMP type attack to cause the most damage.  What
do you think? ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn <15:20:42/10-29-57>

*****PRIVATE:  InfoScholar
>>>>>[I assess you information to be worth:

+++++credit transfer >>X Kn=Y=<<

so far.  From the reputation I had heard attached to you, I would have
assumed you would have already handed me the listed names and addresses of
the faces in your images and what connection they may have to their matrix
access points, but I do suppose that may take you additional time....  If
anything, your data opens certain avenues of inquiry that had previously
not existed.  And seeing as I prefer payment upon completion of services
for the facts that it allows funds to be spread out and separately routed
as well as being commisserate with the deed, if the above transfer is
insufficient for the time and expense you have expended on the inquiry, I
assure you that there is more available for more substantial information.

Be aware that I come to you because you have been reputed to have
considerable access to information not available through the public
domain, and that you are discrete.  That is why I have hired you.

As to you final question, I believe it was just after I uttered the words:
"It's made of monocrystal titanium.  Of course it can handle that kind of
RPM...."  The biografts took nicely though, so at least I need not limp
like my namesake, nor, thankfully is my wife nearly so...improperly
libidinous.]<<<<<
        --  Hephaestus  <13:47:39/10-29-57>

*****PRIVATE: Griffin
>>>>>[I'm looking into your request. It will cost >>encrypted<<. Probable
delivery in two-three days.]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar  <16:48:29/10-29-57>

***** PRIVATE: Griffyn
>>>>>[The discussion on MagicNet has gotten a little heated, but I assume
you know that by now.

I dont work well with Electricity.  I am not entirely sure I know how an
EMP would work and thusly would not be able to envision the spell on my
own.

I was thinking along the lines of maxing out my wrecker spell, and possibly
tweaking the ram spell out a little to try to get those to work for me.  I
am going to just have to assume that mana based spells arent going to work
and astral attacking is probably right out.

I had a friend that was born without an aura (there's been serveral papers
written about that particular thing) and it was found that elementals were
unable to target him for either an attack or able to defend against him.  I
am willing to bet that our perp might have the same effect on my elementals.

I have a battery of reduce cyber reflex-like spells.  They were originally
created to help slow Mercury-1 down after runs (he was chipped pretty
high) but I think they would even the battle field if it came to that.

If magic isnt an option, then we'll have to match muscle with muscle.

There were no reports of cybered weapons other than the body itself.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <21:37:38 / 10-29-57>

***** PRIVATE: InfoScholar
>>>>>[ That will be acceptable.  There is a 25% bonus for delivery within 48hrs
and 50% for delivery within 24hrs.  Time is of the essence. ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn <16:50:03/10-28-57>

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[  Here's what InfoScholar had to say:

+++++include message: infoscholar.response
+++++include message: my.response

His price is a little steep, but if he can get the spell formulae to us within
the timeframe that I responded with, it will be well worthhwile. ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn <16:56:23/10-28-57>

***** PRIVATE: Griffyn
>>>>>[EMP's are like Nuclear bursts, right?

Maybe Ill spend some time reading up on nuclear weapons.  No, I'm not thinking
of using one against him, just that if I can figure out how a nuclear air
burst causes an EMP then I might be able to fake the planet into doing something
similar in a small area.  Problem being, what the hell do we ground it out on?
I dont think its signature is going to be large enough to be able to
get a line on him to get the spell off.

I am not yet convinced that IS is playing an even field.  His name came up
from a couple of our shadow contacts as a good information source for
random things.  I thought I would try him out.  I had to pay a "forget me"
fee.  If that keeps up, Ill likely not use his services again.  A good
information source sells information, not information on his clients.

I've already done a little background checking into him.  If he rolls over,
he will be fairly well protected.  It would take a concerted effort to
dig him out of his safe spot.  It can be done, but I doubt it would be worth
the trouble.  Easier to walk away and not let him build up too much data
on us.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <21:53:04 / 10-29-57>

*****PRIVATE: Hephaestus
>>>>>[Neither so 'improperly libidinous' nor likely as 'exquisitely
sculpted', but you and I might disagree since you are married to her.

In any case, discretion is a service which may be inquired after further.
And public access is my specialty.  However, less obvious information can
be acquired through various avenues known to me.

To this point, you have received an initial unconfirmed photo of your
subjects, a confirming photo and rationale behind the confirmation, the
recorded movements of your subjects in this area, the compiled addresses
of the places your subjects have visited for longer periods of time. Lastly,
and most valuably, I enclosed the ownership profile on the places mentioned
above ... reliably linking your subjects to a possible (probable)
employer.

Of these items, only the first photo was public data. As per your
instructions, I have omitted the transcript of their conversations over
Shadowland.  The probably aren't very helpful in any case.  I am attempted
to ascertain their data_accesses, but that will take some time as I use
... unorthodox methods.

Your payment was moderately sufficient, but as I have indicated above ...
only barely.  Should I ever be unequal to your needs, you have the option
to cease contacting me.

Thank you for your patronage to this point.

You wouldn't happened to have an enchanted set of armor and sword laying
around, would you?(smirk)]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar  <17:11:33/10-29-57>

*****PRIVATE: Apollyon
>>>>>[I hope you're back in town by now.  I was wondering if you had
any knowledge of arcana that would create an electromagnetic pulse in a
limited area ... My inquiries along this line have turned up the fact that
you dabble in the arts from time to time.  Pretty unusual for a mundane, but
I guess we all have our hobbies.

In any case, when you get this, please drop me a line back ... I realize
money means nothing to you, but I've got a tip on your investments
in Tokyo.  New polymer ... limited supply. Interesante?]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar  <17:49:22/10-29-57>

*****PRIVATE: InfoScholar
>>>>>[Provide me the tip, and I will consider providing you the
formulae.]<<<<<
        --  Apollyon  <17:51:00/10-29-57>

*****PRIVATE: Apollyon
>>>>>[Grrrr. I hate needing info.

+++++download: PPIV.trd     ]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar  <17:54:57/10-29-57>

*****PRIVATE: InfoScholar
>>>>>[HA!  HA HA!!!  Yes, yes, yes!  Your little tip is quite worth your
request.  HO HO HO!  Thank you very much!  You'll have the formulae by
the morrow ... I need to retrieve it from the archives.  <chuckle>]<<<<<
        --  Apollyon  <18:00:00/10-29-57>

*****PRIVATE: Rosha
>>>>>[I hope it will be... we'll have to wait until Evita gets back. I
haven't spoken to her for a while (been busy alienating everyone and his
dog) but she seemed confident enough about it a week or so ago.]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <15:54:07/10-29-57>

>>>>>[I am offended that you consider that to be the only reason I backed
off... it was not.

And what is it with you runners that makes you think corporate black ops
team members are somehow inferior to you? I've encountered that opinion
several times now... some of you have obviously never played with the big
boys.

Naturally :P ]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <15:46:22/10-29-57>

>>>>>[Those of us who don't have a lot of faith in corp black ops squads have
that opinion for a reason.  Some of us _were_ the big boys, Ronin.  Just because
you got caught when you tried to leave doesn't mean that the rest of us are as
unskilled.]<<<<<
        -- Blade <22:13:13/10-29-57>

***** Private: Ratspeak
>>>>>[ I hear you are a mudraker par excellence.  Care to do your worst
against the following people and corporations:

>>name.list<<

I would be willing to pay well. ]<<<<<
        -- Whirlwind <15:54:28/10-29-56>

***** Private: Whirlwind
>>>>>[ I am flattered by your offer.  Unfortunately, the first two people,
Nightmare and Black Knight, have an excellent way to get back at me.  While
I could ruin Nightmare's situation real well, I don't think I would live
long enough to enjoy it.

The same goes for Scourge and his corporation.

As for the rest of the list:

Scarface >>encrypted<<
Blitzkrieg - why bother.
Kor >>encrypted<<
Serenity >>encrypted<<
Shadowfox - I could plant more data on him, but he is so wanted already,
what would be the point.
Doomsday - see Shadowfox.
Sprinkler - why bother.
Midnight >>encrypted<<
DragonEyes - why bother.

And the rest of the list could go for ... umm >>encrypted<<.  1/2 up front
and it better be untraceable. ]<<<<<
       -- Ratspeak <16:01:17/10-29-57>

***** Private: Ratspeak
>>>>>[ Very well.  Agreed.

+++++ transfer funds:  >>encrypted<<
]<<<<<
        -- Whirlwind <16:02:11/10-29-57>

>>>>>[ I SAID UNTRACEABLE!  I think the charitable organization I just sent
your dirty money will be appreciative. ]<<<<<
        -- Ratspeak <16:03:50/10-29-57>

***** Private: Ratspeak
>>>>>[ We just wanted to make sure you were as good as your reputation.

Here.
+++++ transfer funds:  >>encrypted<<
]<<<<<
        -- Whirlwind <16:05:20/10-29-57>

***** Not To: Ratspeak
>>>>>[ Ratspeak's public announcing that he wants untraceable money can
mean only one thing.  He's being paid to spread trash and is willing to
accept large nuYen sums to not do the assignment.  It will have to be
pretty large to not make him follow through.  Nightmare and I read it as
follows, the assignment is against somebody he respects and doesn't
necessarily want to wipe the floor with their reputations.  He'll charge
high to do the job in the first place, probably ask for at least half up
front, and then begin on the easiest targets.  What it also means that if
people don't offer up is that he will do the job and do it as only he can.

It is, however, possible that the employer seeing the public posting will
cancel the job.  Be warned though, Ratspeak has never in the past felt need
to drum up business for himself, so the threat is a tangible one and not
some scam to make quick cash. ]<<<<<
       -- Black Knight <16:15:43/10-29-57>

>>>>>[ Uhh .... How can you be so sure? ]<<<<<
       -- Ghoul <16:16:31/10-29-57>

>>>>>[ ]<<<<<
       -- Black Knight <16:18:12/10-29-57>

>>>>>[ I agree with Blades on this one.  There are a lot of people here who
have played either for / against / with the big bad boys in black.  There
are a lot of people haunting this place that could give those boys a very,
very bad experience.  If you don't know who those people are, I'm not about
to tell you.  Just be very careful on who you pick a fight with. ]<<<<<
        -- Midnight <16:27:44/10-29-57>

***** INTERNAL: Serenity
>>>>>[Frag!    Lock it up!  Ice it up, and everyone go on alert!]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <23:43:50 / 10-29-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[He's probably right.  The last time we had to deal with Whirlwind and
his tactics, I lost a house, a best friend, and nearly my company.  Im going
to have to assume that he will try it again.

I need either you to take point on keeping Serenity's systems up and
running.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <23:48:12 / 10-29-57>

***** PRIVATE: NB, Trixie, Kor
>>>>>[I've got a front end in place.   Its not going to be enough to keep
Ratspeak from getting in, but if he has to skate across winter wonderland
out there to get to it, it might be enough to fool him into thinking he's got
pay data.  Can we get Scourge to upgrade the ice past where it is
right now?]<<<<<
        -- Priest <23:48:12 / 10-29-57>

***** PRIVATE: Trixie, NB, Priest
>>>>>[I dont know.  He's going to be busy enough as is.  We are just going to
have to hold our own with what we have.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <23:58:19 / 10-29-57>

***** INTERNAL: Serenity
>>>>>[Ratspeak doesn't even need to get this far.  He can muck you through
public records.  Still if he raided the piggy bank and found some good stuff --
it wouldn't be pleasant.  What do you want to happen to Ratspeak if Serenity is
one of his targets from this unknown Johnson?  Killing the messenger, while it
may feel good, sure isn't going to solve the root of the problem.  And it isn't
going to be cost effective.  (Plus you lose out of using his services in the
future).  A little frame told me that the longest muck attack that he has
launched was a year.  It cost the politician among other things, his family, his
career, and he declared bankruptcy at the end of it all.]<<<<<
        -- Scourge <23:44:50 / 10-29-57>
           Matrix Security Consultant
           Serenity Security

***** INTERNAL: Scourge, Matrix Consultant
>>>>>[You already know how I feel about Ratspeak.  Im surprised you even
bothered to ask other than to get me to publicly say in front of
the rest of Serenity that I would just was well see Ratspeak drowning
in a pool of his own blood by my hand.

If you can make this happen, that would be good enough for me.

As to killing the messenger:  Target of oportunity.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <01:41:21 / 10-30-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

>>>>>[Wells, I don't know what has happened to the others, there has
been some confusion lately.....  I believe the team may have been
compromised.. Do not I repeat DO NOT apporach anyone under the heading
Invasion Force until I can verify their identity.  I have been waiting
three days for a response from the team and received nothing....

I can only assume they are gone... I don't like losing....

I will need ammunition and automatic weapons, preferably Ingrams or
similar, high rate of fire, accuracy not important, also I will need
frag grenades and plastique.  If I don't receive a response from an
identifiable source from within IF.1 inside 24 hours, I'm going to take
down the Chess Men. >>transfer funds<<  That should be sufficient to
purchase the gear I need >>include list<< thanks.  It's been nice
knowing you Wells. You may wish to find a deep hole to take cover in.
Hell's coming for breakfast.]<<<<<
        -- Dark Avenger <01:59:33/30-10-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin
>>>>>[Sorry t'hear y'r pissin the peeps off. Glad t'see y'r still breathin
though.  Anyway, you and Ev been hangin tight lately ... make sure she
don't give you too tough a w'rkout. (smirk) (wink) Take care f'each
other, willyadoe?]<<<<<
        --  Rosha  <20:32:11/10-27-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R Stormwind
>>>>>[Uh... Hi, Jay.  Yeah, well ...  uhm. I kinda just met a guy who
could be one you describe ... except ... ah don't see this one doing ...
what was done to Cass ... I dunno ... lemme sort this out. Talk t'ya
soon.]<<<<<
        --  Rosha  <21:43:21/10-27-57>

>>>>>[DA, understood.

Having problems with some of my contacts here in Chicago. Nothing my
brother can't handle. There maybe a slight delay on one item in the
included list. Just a delay.

As for Hell. That's why I'm here in Chicago; to back you up. I
brought the family and our intrepid rigger of old. We refuse to hide
in the hole. It's not in the blood. But if its some hole creating;
we're here.

I haven't heard of this Invasion Force. But I'll look into getting
Loch to dig up some info. If we're contacted by a member of their
team. You'll know first away.]<<<<<
        --  Wells < 02:46:39 / 10-30-57 >

***** PRIVATE:  Dark Avenger
>>>>>[You still there, DA??  I haven't heard anything for quite some time.
My deck's been down for a while though, so I may have missed something.]<<<<<
        -- Bull <22:18:02/10-29-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Canis, Orion
>>>>>[Let me know how your teams doing.  We're gonna need to move, and soon.
Things are getting a little too tight for the home team.  I'm going to
arrange a little more gear for the team.  You need anything?]<<<<<
        -- Bull <22:20:41/10-29-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Goober
>>>>>[Hey there pally, long time no talk.  We made it out finally (as you
can probably see), and as usual we need some gear.  You still got the kinda
supply you used to?  Oh, and so you know this is really me...
Channel-Fireball.  You used that on me in the last game we played.]<<<<<
        -- Bull <22:24:20/10-29-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Bull
>>>>>[BULL!  Great to hear from you man!  Long time no see.  The wife and
kids make it out ok too?  How 'bout that silly shaman you keep around?

Yeah, supply is not a problem.  Just get me a list.  And we'll discuss price
later.  I still owe ya one for getting my sorry ass outta Chi-Town before
the bugs hit.

Good to hear from ya Bull.]<<<<<
        -- Goober <01:19:31/10-28-57>

***** INTERNAL: Jason R. Stormwind, Field Officer
>>>>>[ Before you get all blown out of shape, putting the system on passive
alert with a decker or two watching over it should be overkill for defenses
against even Ratspeak.  Leaving it at full alert is going to be costly, even for
you.  Now, I recommend that if your deckers see anything strange, the
immediately boost it to full, but that is their judgment call.

Ratspeak may or may not be going after you.  Ratspeak may have just been hired
to bluff.  Ratspeak may be hired to do the initial ground work and nothing more.
There are a hundred what if situations as to what Ratspeak could be doing.
Until you have more information, killing him will gain you nothing, and perhaps
could gain you a lot of heat as well.  In addition, someone maybe hoping you
will play into their hands by going after Ratspeak instead of whoever is truly
responsible for possibly aiming Ratspeak at you.  I suspect that by the end of
tonight, we will know more as to how Ratspeak is playing.  Hell, Ratspeak may
have just said it to stir you up and get you to spend some money.  Not likely
considering what Black Knight said, but within the realm of possibilities.

If it comes down to having to kill Ratspeak, then we will discuss it when the
time comes.  Right now, despite Black Knight's words, I'm not going to do a
preemptive strike against Ratspeak.]<<<<<
        -- Scourge <20:58:03/10-29-57>
           Matrix Security Consultant
           Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE:  Invasion Force Internal Email
>>>>>[

+++++ Message-From: Canis
+++++      Subject: Picking up the pieces, err, people

OK, things have been a bit busy lately, just to inform you others what we at
ODIN are doing: We are right on our way to pick up Harkion (you should
apologize to him when we arrive at the meeting point, Bull) and then find a
place to grab Bubba to bring him to Zeus. We're on our way now...

Canis ]<<<<<
        -- IF Mailer Daemon <10:23:12/10-30-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Invasion Force Internal Email
>>>>>[

+++++ Message-From: Canis
+++++   Message-to: Bubba
+++++      Subject: Meeting us

Hey Bubba, sorry for the delay, we are now ready to pick you up. Can you make
it to >>encrypted<< at >>encrypted<< local time, on November 1st?

Canis ]<<<<<
        -- IF Mailer Daemon <10:26:18/10-30-57>

***** PRIVATE: Dark Avenger, Wells
>>>>>[ Although I don't know you Wells, a copy of this goes to you. Handle
things with care when searching for equipment, there are Scheiss buggers
around Chi-Town right now, and I _don't_ mean our "friends" from inside the CZ
only!

Dark Avenger, HOLD IT! We are still out here, waiting for you to pop up. Team
is enlarged and now operates in groups, read this:

+++++ Include: Groups.txt

Canis tells me to tell you he still gets that package of Luckies, if you still
need an ID from us. You should really not support that habbit *grin* ]<<<<<
        -- Orion <10:38:20/10-30-57>

*****PRIVATE: Invasion_force.1
>>>>>[DA! It's OK. Things have been a bit quiet because I'm studying this
tape of Bulls, and the rest are just sitting tight.

I'm beginning to dislike what I find in the vid. Come home if you can, we
need to talk.....]<<<<<
    -- Inferno <11:50:23 GMT/29.OCT.57>

***** PRIVATE:  Invasion Force Internal Email
>>>>[Quickstep i need to get in touch with you about team Heimdall things
have been happening that i need help on respond Asap. Smudge ]<<<<<
	-- IF Mailer Daemon <12:17:34/10-30-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin
>>>>>[You been pretty busy lately.  What happened in Chicago?  You
mentioned something about having to get in the Containment zone.]<<<<<
        --  Lyting <04:50:10/10-30-57>

*****Private:Bull
>>>>>[Hello there, I hear you need some people to go into the CZ with
you. Hopefully I am not too late as I just recently got back from there
myself. Consider me applying for any open positions for a Physical adept
or front-line fighter. If i missed my window of oportunity, forget I
mentioned intrest.]<<<<<
        --  Wolfen  <09:31:12/10-30-57>

*****Private:Shifters
>>>>>[Well, I replied, hopefully I'm not too late. Wouldn't do to have L
pissed at us like that. Anyone up for tailing them in and helping them
from a distance? Assistance in there is going to be helpful, but hey, who
knows.]<<<<<
        --  Wolfen  <09:34:13/10-30-57>

>>>>>[ I didn't say that was the only reason that you backed off, only that
you made a wise choice.  Read into it what you will.  If you require
satisfaction, I will be more than happy to oblige you. ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn <09:36:27/10-30-57>

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[ Yeah, EMP is what is a side effect of a nuclear detonation.  The more I
think about it though, the less likely that it is to have the effect that I was
hoping for on him.  Sure, it will slow him down, but it wouldn't create the
widescale overload of his systems that I was hoping for.  Most military
cyberware is likely to be shielded against EM emissions, so I'm going to have
to pump the force of the spell into the stratosphere to get past it.  ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn <09:36:23/10-30-57>

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[ No shit.  Don't forget who bought the house right before it blew up.
 Oh, and there's the arm that I lost, and what he tried to do to Tris.  No
holding back on this fragger this time.  ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <09:40:12/10-30-57>

***** PRIVATE: Kor, Serenity Deckers
>>>>>[ Buy the fragger off, hire some outside talent to stand in his way, or
make him too busy running for his life to be worried about fragging with us.
Flux leaps to mind on the second option, and I really wish Dark Angel was still
around.  Dammit, we don't have time to sit around waiting to block an attack
that may never come.

Until we come up with something else, I'm going to run overwatch on the
systems. I've been kinda curious to see if this fragger is really any good.

Suggestions? ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <09:43:40/10-30-57>

>>>>>[Ronin, lighten up a little, will you?

Some of us used to be corporate black-ops. Some here still are. Others
are government agents now. A lot of the people on this net _are_ the
"big boys" you talk about playing with.

Maybe the opinion comes about because we usually beat the corporate
Black Teams? They do have a distressing tendency to consider spiffy
black fatigues and the very latest version of the HK227 (especially if
it has any nickel plating to make it look "really wiz") more useful than
proper training.

Others, I might add, pose serious threats when you oppose them. Don't
take on Leopard Guard casually.]<<<<<
        -- Lynch <17:46:41/10-30-57>

>>>>>[ Greetings, denizens.  I am amazed it took so long to arrive, but I
just received a courier package.  After making sure it wasn't a bomb, we
opened it.

It's a list of demands.

Some are within our capabilities to meet and others are not.  They are
rather steep.

The demands are:
1)  Whirlwind's friend in prison broken out and released in a manner that
will guarantee a long life and not an immediate trip back to the slammer.
2)  The Wanderer gift-wrapped and alive to be turned over to him.
3)  And lastly, Doomsday dead, but body intact for purposes of
identification.  He is planning to use the bone lacing as one of the
identifiers.

In exchange, he will:
A) Pay the expenses (Medical and equipment based on real-time footage) but
not wages involved in freeing his friend.
B) Save the children that the Wanderer was after from ever being threatened
again (at least from the Wanderer).
and C) Free his so far unharmed hostages. ]<<<<<
      -- Nightmare <12:19:15/10-30-57>

***** Private: Ratspeak
>>>>>[ Ratspeak, you aren't reneging on our deal are you? ]<<<<<
        -- Black Knight <12:20:07/10-30-57>

***** Private: Black Knight
>>>>>[ Errrm...  No.  Hmmm.  +++++ long idle pause +++++  It appears that a
certain person has added resources to all of his targets.  Especially to
the ones I outright refused on.  I am amused.  I shall offer you proof, by
limiting the damage they cause you and providing you with a list of deckers
who are involved in going after you.  His other targets are fair game, and
I expect that I was the only one hired directly. ]<<<<<
        -- Ratspeak <12:24:06/10-30-57>

***** Private: Sprinkler
>>>>>[ Hate to be a party spoiler, but you might want to check on those
brats Doomsday save a while ago. ]<<<<<
        -- Ratspeak <12:33:08/10-39-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Bull
>>>>>[Hiya Bull... What in the name of flaming Moses has been going on
up there??  I leave Inferno in charge, find out second hand that some
lunatic is screaming across the Matrix and employing people from all
over the UCAS, for some hairbrained attack on the CZ????

Whadafuckisappenin.

Where the hell is Inferno?

If your deck went down for a while I can understand some of the silence
from you people, but not from Orion and Canis.  Are they still with you?
And if not where the hell are they? How are the family, kids still OK,
and how's your arm, and where the bleeding hell are you?  Right that
should be enough for now.

One thing though.  You have a traitor somewhere in IF-1.  I've been set
up, and the team I took down, knew *precisely* were to look for you.  I
can't if it's any of your people, you know them best, but here me now...
If I find out who it is, their life will be EXTREMELY unpleasant, and
short.

For what it's worth I may have an angle on the opposition, I'm still
awaiting confirmation. But I would suggest you strongly consider getting
your family out of Chicago. NOW. Before these people get a handle on you
again. If you need assistance in leaving the city let me know and I'll
try to get to you, I have an idea that may work.]<<<<<
        -- Dark Avenger <19:00:18/10-30-57>

***** Private: Serenity Deckers
>>>>>[ Ugly.  Pure and utterly ugly.  I suspect Ratspeak was just used as a
lure.  You just had a decker get stomped at the gate of your node.  I just
discovered a small weakness they may be able to eventually exploit.  If
they can figure out the identities for getting in but get the entry process
only somewhat wrong, a decker gets notified, but the wrong person doesn't
get booted from the system.  Between the time the decker gets notified and
gets to the node in question, the decker, if he is real good,  can skate
the first node.

(This analysis was done on a non-alert system that I developed for someone
else.)  I won't go into how you exploit this deficiency.  But if you see
what looks like a hung user that failed to login.  You might want to kick
the system up to full alert (system load should dump the hung user) and
carefully scan adjacent nodes.  With your setup, and typical response
times, if they are real good they could be two away.  More likely they are
next node.  To be safe, I would station a frame in the nodes you think it
is reasonable that they might have reached.  Assuming you don't find them,
scan thoroughly through your system, leaving the frames there to look for
any unusual activity.

We should have a fix for this deficiency by the COB Thursday if not sooner.
Depends on how long it takes to regression test it. We want to use Thursday
for each of us to take a crack at skating the ice at each of the alert
levels. ]<<<<<
    -- Scourge <13:05:53/10-30-57>

***** PRIVATE: Canis, Orion
>>>>>>[Thank God somebody's still awake out there... I've been trying
for three days to get through to you people, where the frag are you all.
I checked the last safe house, but there was no sign.

Did Gates get through to you, he says he did, but you know these finicky
Deckers... They don't like to admit failure.  And what the blue blazes
have you people been doing, One of my contacts mentioned that you people
have been recruiting from all over the damn UCAS, have you all gone
completely insane???  Do you have any idea of who you have with you?

I would STRONGLY recommend you run a full matrix check on whoever you've
brought in, and make sure you've got who they say they are.  My god,
what smartarse nutcase son of a dodo decided to scream across the matrix
like that?....

Don't worry about Wells, he's a pro and has operated here in some worse
hell holes than Chicago.  He can be trusted implicitly, I personally
will vouch for him.  His contacts will be secure.

Thanks for the groups list, I'm beginning to understand why I got jumped
now... I don't know know who it is but you have an informant in the
team, someone set me up. My people got badly hurt. I could do with some
reinforcements, and a Mage... But make sure they're clean before you
suggest someone.

I'll stay out here and keep an eye on our *friends*... I have managed to
track them to an area, and have been watching the building for some days
now, they are busy little people. And we have some serious opposition on
our hands.

Orion, I'll support any habit of Canis, just so long as his habits don't
affect my health, by the way, ask Canis  to let me know which scotch he
prefers, I seem to have "forgotten".]<<<<<
        -- Dark Avenger <18:48:53/10-30-57>

***** INTERNAL: Serenity Deckers
>>>>>[Go to full matrix alert.  K, you've got a physical team with astral
recon at your beck and call.  If you get any twinge, send them out to
wipe the floor with whoever caused it.

Im going to set up house and keep and eye on things.

Merrox, be ready to drop us off the matrix at main access point if
asked.]<<<<<
        -- Priest <20:27:16 / 10-30-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

***** INTERNAL:  Serenity Deckers
>>>>>[Persistant little fragger's arent they?]<<<<<
        -- Tristiana <20:29:19 / 10-30-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Dark Avenger
>>>>>[DA!  You're alive??  We'd feared the worst when we lost contact with
ya.  Things have gone to shit over here on our end.  I'm barely keepin' my
head above water, but here's what I can tell you to bring you up to date.

First off, I've been shot at more since I got out of Chicago than when I was
there.  I'm beginning to think the bugs were sfaer.  Someone's hot on our
asses for some reason, and I don't quite know why yet.

My deck went down with a virus, serious bugs in the hardware, know what I
mean?  Took me forever to fraggin' clean it out.  Here, load this into any
deck or comp youj're using to access the matrix.  It'll help you avoid
contracting Matrix VD.

+++++Download Lysol.exe

That's the newest version of the virus killer that I got.  It should help ya
stay clean and fresh.

Ok, well, the screaming lunatic was me, but we weren't really screaming.  I
just put out an ad for some more help.  We've been a bit selective about who
we hire, and it's looking good so far.  Im currently awaiting reports from
Canis and Orion so I can figure out just what our team roster looks like.

As for attacking teh CZ, well, that's been discussed, but I don't think
that's happening.  We do need to gewt out of Chicago.  We're running out of
hidey hole's fast.  We've gotten as much talent as possible from teh area
and are planning to bust out of here, maybe make for Seattle first.

Inferno's here, and keeping thing's organized out i the real world, while
I've been playing tag with my hardware, and some nasty little corp deckers
using some silly Chess theme for handles.  They're pretty good.

We all thought you were dead, dude, before I lost contact with the matrix.
After that we were pretty much avoiding the 'trix till I found a way to
defeat that virus program.

Family and kids are fine, just a little scared.  We're all a little jumpy
lately.  Stands with a Fist is starting to flake a little.  She's seeing
bugs everywhere.

We are still in Chicago, at >>encrypted<<.  This is not our safe house, but
is a safe spot to meet, and we have someone watching it 24-7.  I'm a little
touchy about revealing the real location cause our encrypts have been blown
several times.

Did you ever get the IF mailer I sent to ya?  If not, have your buddy Gates
set up something like this:

+++++Download IF_Mailer_Plans

It should allow us all to communicate easier.

Orion and Canis are nearby.  They've been doing most of the hiring, so far.
They're doing a great job.

Hmmm, we have a traitor, eh?  That's not good.  Any clues to who it could
be?  I'm gonna have to trust Inferno and Canis at the moment, so I'll inform
them, as well as Johnny.  I'll keep everyone else in the dark for now.
Maybe we can find a way to expose the traitor.

We're planning to move out of the city by the end of the week.  What's your
plan?  We may have the manpower to pull it off now.

Glad to have ya back, buddy. <g>]<<<<<
        -- Bull <18:23:38/10-30-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Inavsion_Force.1
>>>>>[Ok everone, we've got the prelim interviews and meetings out of the
way, i think.  Can everyone please check in, let us know your current
location, and what team you're on.  We need to get things set up, and we
need to move soon.

I've been in touch with DA, and I'm glad to say he's still alive, but not in
great shape.]<<<<<
        -- Bull <18:27:10/10-30-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Canis, Orion
>>>>>[Guys, I need to get a team roster from you.  Also, i've been in touch
with my Armourer friend, and need to know what equipment we need.]<<<<<
        -- Bull <18:30:25/10-30-57>

*****PRIVATE: Minx, Hamish
>>>>>[I'm yet to hear from this elusive Bull.  Can either of you two get
me in touch with someone?  I'm not exactly running short of money, but
it's getting kind of boring around here lately.]<<<<<
       -- Turbo <1:04:25 GMT/31-10-57>

>>>>>[ Looking for a good pirate trid station running out of Seattle.
Anyone know of one? ]<<<<<
        -- Shadowfox <16:22:05/10-30-57>

>>>>>[ I'm curious.  For a small fee, I'll find you one.  Will take some
time though.  Got some other things that demand immediate attention. ]<<<<<
        -- Ratspeak <16:23:01/10-30-57>

>>>>>[ Well, time is of the essence, because I will soon be leaving this
lovely city for a climate more suited to killing.  Debating on where to go
for a vacation this year.... any suggestions? ]<<<<<
        -- Shadowfox <16:24:26/10-30-57>

>>>>>[ Everglades. ]<<<<<
        -- Ghoul <16:25:06/10-30-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Wolfen
>>>>>[Hello there. We currently have several teams in place for an operation
that we are implementing.  Let me know what your qualifications are, and
what you can do, and I'll talk it over with the other team leaders and see
if we need any more operatives.  We just might, as things could get heavy.]<<<<<
        -- Bull <19:39:14/10-30-57>

*****PRIVATE:  InfoScholar
>>>>>[In case it is not specifically clear to you, it would be in your
best interests to maintain confidentiality.  I do not appreciate being
threatened even in jest.  Please, do not make me doubt the judgement of my
associate who recommended you services to me.  If your follow-up
information is useful, expect to be remunerated well in excess of your
first payment.  Additionally, if I consider your work professional, as
you will be able to tell by the final payment, you may consider me as a
source of information of a technical nature.

And since this banter amuses me:  If you believe in Clarke's law, the
answer to you parting question would be yes.]<<<<<
        --  Hephaestus  <17:08:34/10-29-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Inavsion_Force.1
>>>>>[I'm in Calumet City and apparently I'm in Team Loki. But I wish
someone would tell me what's happening because this place is boring and
I thought we were going to do something _exciting_.]<<<<<
        -- Stephanie <00:40:31/10-31-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Inavsion_Force.1
>>>>>[Sorry Steph.  i've had a few probs with the matrix lately, so taht's
why things have been quiet.  We're getting our plans together and will be
moving soon.  I think you'll be pleased to know you'll probably get the
chance to blow up quite a few things.  <grin>

Can you head to >>encrypted<<at >>encrypted<<?  You will be told the
location of our location there by a free spirit named Daytripper, who will
tell you the code phrase >>double encrypted phrase<<.  Meet us tomorrow at
the safe house.  your input in our plans is welcomed, and you can meet the
leader of team Loki.]<<<<<
        -- Bull <21:15:52/10-30-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jarman
>>>>>[Unfortunately Matrix Jockey and I were unable to locate the person
you were seeking.  It has been several weeks, so we broke chase.  Likely the
decline payment.  I feel it would be a crime to...deprive you of funds not
well spent.  Later.]<<<<<
        -- Forte <21:55:21/10-30-57>

*****PRIVATE: Hephaestus
>>>>>[whoa. Settle down, big guy! No one was threatening anyone ... I was
merely explaining the base procedures of our transactions.  Whether you
think I am professional or not, whether you question my recommender's
judgment or not, these are items that do not concern me.

As to 'my best interests', well, that could be construed as a threat.
<chuckle> But I think you would find I'm a little more than difficult to
... remove.  However, I do not intend to challenge your ability or your
willingness to take such action.

I am continuing my inquiries into your subjects. I hope the information
I have provided you has been of some help (though it sounds as if it
has been of relatively little, unfortunately).

Since you do 'have' armor and sword, it don't take it such items might
be for sale.  In any case, you have piqued my curiosity regarding said
'technical information' you could offer me.  Perhaps an indicator/sample
could be included with your next mail.]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar  <22:07:55/10-30-57>

*****PRIVATE: InfoScholar
>>>>>[Here you are.

+++++datatransfer:  Archive_5723EL.txt

Enjoy.]<<<<<
        --  Apollyon  <22:10:00/10-30-57>

*****PRIVATE: Griffin
>>>>>[Here is a spell formula for the effect you requested.

+++++download: scrambler.txt

I believe I made the 24 hour deadline? (smile)]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar  <22:13:21/10-30-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason R Stormwind
>>>>>[I have acquired the recording. Are you interested?]<<<<<
        --  InfoScholar  <22:13:22/10-30-57>

***** PRIVATE:  Invasion Force Internal Email
>>>>>[

+++++ Message-From: Bubba
+++++   Message-to: Canis
+++++      Subject: Meeting y'all

Why do y'all wanna meeet me at thet lil' diner on November 1st?
There's plenty a room here at the farm.
Oh, by thuh way. There was a lady here today lookin' fer someone named
Dark Avenger er sumpin'?
Do you know anybody by thet name?
She shore was a purty lady. She said she was from Chicago. Ain't thet
where Bull is from? Maybe he knows her?
I think she said her name was Adeline? Or maybe it was Adrian?
Oh well.
Shore, I cain meet y'all, just send me a map so's I don't get lost in
the big city.

Bubba ]<<<<<
        -- IF Mailer Daemon <03:11:11/10-30-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lyting
>>>>>[Busy? Yeah... what a week that was. I'd tell you all about it over
a drink or lots, but I have to go to CalFree now... here's all the mail
that went around about it...

+++++Include all the messages about the Ronin-Possession-Chicago thing

That should describe everything that happened.]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <21:04:50/10-30-57>

*****PRIVATE: Rosha
>>>>>[I've decided to give up dignifying their comments with answers,
maybe that'll work.

And I haven't seen or heard from Evita for a while, I'm starting to worry.
Maybe something went wrong in CalFree... I think I'll go down there and see
what I can see. Be back soon, I hope.

Damn, this means I'll probably miss the Samhain thing... no meeting all
those obnoxious people in the flesh.]<<<<<
        --  Ronin <20:53:40/10-30-57>

*****PRIVATE: Bull
>>>>>[Yeah I'm alive. Why, Surprised???  As for shot at more times out
than in the CZ, I don't find that particularly shocking... You seem to
have upset a *lot* of powerful people Bull... I'm kinda curious as to
what the hell you're carrying that's so important to them.  But that's
for later.

As for your recruitment drive, you employ 20+ people from Chicago and
Seattle, and then wonder why you're chased from here to doomsday... Give
me a break!  You have made more noise in one week the VITAS has in all
its incarnations... People from fraggin' Europe heard you! Jeez...

I'm not convinced your deck went down from a virus, I reckon it was worn
out with all the chatter you had to have been making with all these damn
applicants.  Ye gods man, where on earth was your mind when you were
doing this....  You wanted out of the CZ, and then you put the whole
thing at risk...  I ought to kick your ass from here to next Sunday,
except your a bit bigger than I am and I'll probably just break my foot
on that iron arse of yours.

I've got a full employment list from Canis... wherever the hell he is...
and Gates is running it now, hopefully the snake in the grass will be
found shortly.

Preliminary suggestions on team deployment:
Zeus    Odin    Thor    Loki     Heimdall
Once Gates has finished checking these _people_ you've picked up I'll
talk to you, Inferno and Canis about assigning them to the teams.

And if you so much as point one offensive finger in the direction of the
CZ, I'll break it off and shove it so far up your arse you'll be able to
pick your nose with it.  I have a possible route for us out of Chicago
asum....*&*%^T$*%^we 908^^%R$*("

+++++trace detected
+++++IC detected
+++++engage countermeasures
+++++active.. .. ..
+++++engage relocate

What the)&*%*$$

+++++Autodump......

   ]<<<<<
        -- D(^&*%$ <04:05:34/10-31-57>

>>>>>[DA?]<<<<<
        -- Bull <04:06:29/10-31-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[ Since obviously not all of us are having Bull's
wonderful EMailer, we go the old way now... *sigh*

I just tuned in the Decker for HEIMDAL, Quickstep. From
what _I_ can tell, he's verdammt gut in what he does, I
for one wouldn't want to fight it out with him. I'd win,
of course, but it'd be a close one... Well, see my
summary (Drek! I thought I was on this as a Decker, not
an accountant!)

+++++ Begin Download: RunLog3010.mov

The picture is moving incredible fast through a tunnel
where water drips down the walls. It takes you a moment
to realize this is actually a computer-generated scene,
but the horsepower on this host must benchmark in the
High Red areas at least.
Orion's voice informs you "The ones who are good enough
will know which virtual meeting place we met at. I will
pass all the code sequences so no newbie will stumble in
and get toasted.

The picture switches into a big, virtual cave. A human
looking Persona is in the center. It wears a long coat
and leather clothes. Thre are red flames burning around
its pupils, and whenever it moves, there appear motion
blurrs.

Orion interrupts again: "At first I thought my deck was
acting up again, but this blurr effect is printed into
QuickStep's MPCP. Impressive he can keep it up within
the doomcave.

"I will not repeat the whole meeting here, just a few
highlights."

There is another break, and QuickStep's persona seems to
answer a question right now. "...ork, but I've no clue
what's going on. Same for Bugs. I heard some rumours, but
I don't have any ideas about their capabilities, just what
the street says."

Orion: "Why do you mention bugs...  I realise we're in
Chicago and the CZ is only a couple of klicks away,
but..."

QS: "Because I'm not stupid, you're here, you're hiring,
only means you intend doing something here, bugs are here,
hey... I can add up."

A short burst of static...

O: "As do others.... Deckers we have, what makes you any
different?"

QS: "I'm used to working with the military, so I know their
command structure, I know how their minds work, and what
they are likely to do.  Als..."

Another burst of static.

O: "What would you say why we could trust you?"

QS: "Trust me? Hey, my meatbody will be in the safe house, too.
So, I might get away with a betrayal in the matrix, but do you
really believe I would try anything stupid when my meatbod is
actually hostage to you?"

+++++ EOF
+++++ Done Downloading: RunLog3010.mov

I checked QuickStep's reputation with some... friends in
Seattle, and by all I could find out, he's ok. Can we find
a secure way to send the EMailers to Seattle? What about
'Secure Transports Inc.'? I heared they are quite good, someone
infos there?

I asked QuickStep to find a safehouse in Seattle and contact the
rest of HEIMDAL. From there on, they should be able to secure at
least one place on their own. ]<<<<<
        -- Orion <11:07:07/10-30-57>

*****PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[Smudge, if you need my help, here I am.

I think it is high time that we get down to serious preparations.
Therefore, I would suggest that all of us who are members of the
team Heimdall so far meet as soon as possible. Thorn, Trouveur, do
you read this? If I don't get a reply from you in the next 24 hours
I will contact you again via private Email. So if you don't read
this, don't worry.<grin>

I would recommend that we meet at the Banshee (1267 163rd Avenue,
Redmond) sometime tomorrow time. Please contact me in regards to the
exact time of the meet. I arranged for a private room in the back
and took care of the security and privacy.

I'm looking forward to hear from you.]<<<<<
        -- QuickStep <12:17:34/10-31-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ronin
>>>>>[Looks like you had a great deal of fun.  I hope you enjoy your
vacation in Cal Free.]<<<<<
        --  Lyting <04:24:58/10-31-57>

***** PRIVATE: InfoScholar
>>>>>[  Indeed you did.

+++++ initiate credit transfer = amount: >>encrypted<< / dest: >>encrypted<<
+++++ confirm? [y/N] y ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn <10:00:19/10-31-57>

***** INTERNAL: Serenity Security: Mages
>>>>>[ I received delivery of an EMP type spell and I'm preparing to test it.
 The formula has been entered into the database.  [ #SS2349/EMP ]  I'll let
everyone know the results as soon as I test it.  Be forewarned however, that
the drain on this puppy looks quite nasty, and is likely to be physical damage
from what I can tell so far.  It takes a lot of juice to cast this one. ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn <10:05:07/10-31-57>

***** Private: Shadowfox
>>>>>[ The best pirate unit I could find in Seattle is currently located
at: >>encrypted<<.  I think they will be moving soon. ]<<<<<
     -- Scourge <08:36:32/10-31-57>

***** Private: Scourge, Shadowfox, Black Knight
>>>>>[ Okay guys.  Looks like you are turning into 0 for the century here.
Someone has gone through the trouble of kidnapping all the kids Doomsday
put up for adoption save for the two in Seattle.  Apparently, every single
kidnapping happened apparently two nights ago.  Every single one was a hot
zone.  The police think that two different groups were trying to take the
children in question.  The police haven't figured out anything that the
children have in common save for the fact that they are orks and trolls.
It is very hard to say which side got which children.

Of all the luck of things, the first kidnapping happened in Boston.
Naturally, tensions are still strained there. ]<<<<<
      -- Sprinkler <08:40:23/10-31-57>

***** Private: Scourge, Sprinkler, Black Knight
>>>>>[ Thanks for the info, Scourge and Sprinkler.  I'll check out the unit
first and then check on the kids.  I have a sinking feeling I know what I
will find.  I will take Blitzkrieg for backup on this one.  If Puppet
wasn't preparing for something else, I would ask her to run cover as well,
but that would put something else at risk. ]<<<<<
       -- Shadowfox <08:42:50/10-31-57>

***** Private: Midnight, Shields
>>>>>[ Hey Shields, I was wondering if you would be willing to cover some
expenses that I'm about to have to try and give you a helping hand on what
you are working on.  What I'm planning to buy is:

+++++ include shopping.list

I expect it will cost >>encrypted<< to get the stuff.

Ask Midnight for the details of why.  I've got to go, because my lead on a
place to pick up this equipment won't last long, and I desperately need to
check out something else.]<<<<<
       -- Shadowfox <08:43:32/10-31-57>

***** PRIVATE: Flux
>>>>>[ I need your help.  Double your normal rate, but I need you to get your
ass to the Serenity HQ ASAP.  Someone will be waiting for you to bring you
to the safehouse that we're working from. ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <11:12:05/10-31-57>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[ Double?  You've got my undivided attention.  I'm on the way. ]<<<<<
        -- Flux <**:**:**/**-**-**>

***** INTERNAL: Serenity Mages
>>>>>[Let me know if you need me to run back up for you.  Actually, once you've
got it down, are you willing to run a seminar for the rest of us so you can
teach us how to cast it?

I've already taken my own advice, but Im going to pass this along again
just incase some of you missed it  --  CARRY APDS.  In the unlikely event that
you are completely shut down and unable to affect it with spells, shoot the
frag out of it.  I've done a little research and head shots will do the most
damage to the over all system, but blowing a knee out will slow it down
a bit.

Dont forget sensory deprivation spells.  If it works on cameras, it will
probably work on it.  I've just spent a little time re-acquainting myself
with Chaotic World.  Ultra sound will still defeat this, but you can alway
stack some ultrasound scrambing spells on top of that.]<<<<<
        -- Jason R. Stormwind <16:38:44 / 10-31-57>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

>>>>>[Damn talkative bunch aren't, ya?  Gonna hafta tell a couple of
ya ta shut up, so I can get a word in edgewise.

Am I the only one who notices that this place is pretty barren?  Then
how come there's always stuff flyin' through here?  Is there really
that much encrypted, eyes-only stuff up there?  Hell, does anybody
even wo-

+++++ signal alteration
+++++ continue (y/n): y

Whiney little bastard isn't he?  I'm gonna hafta do something about
that, since it looks like I'm stuck with him.

Anyway, felonious fellows, life, or should I say "death" (damn, I
_kill_ me!!!) lesson time.

Back when I was kid, long, long ago, in a place not so far away,
people used to have bumperstickers that said "Life's a Bitch".

Well, they were wrong.  Life's a blast, Death's a Bitch.  Trust me, I
know.

Forget all the bullshit near-death experiences you hear about.
They're just oxygen-depletion induced hallucinations.  There's no
light, no out of body drek, no dead friends and relatives beckoning
you forward, nada.  Hell, with all of my dead friends and relatives
I'd be a pretty damn busy spectre.  Too many people that hold
grudges.

I figured that it might be fun for a while, scaring people, hanging
around in women's locker rooms, you know.  Well, Red and his Heads-
Will-Roll bunch (pretty damn ironic if you ask me) sorta took all the
fun out of haunting people, and the locker rooms, no body to enjoy
it with.

And people have no damn respect for the dead.  I'm getting hip-
checked all the time by meatbodies.  Hey, spellchuckers, ever get
bumped in a crowded room?  I don't think I'll ever be able to play
pinball again... well, besides for the obvious reasons.  I got bumped
into this kid, hell if I know why I didn't bounce off of him, too.
Seems he's he only one I can take over, too.  Damn.

Yeah, Death sucks.

I'll now return you to your regularly scheduled whine.  And would
you like some cheese, sir?

+++++ signal alteration
+++++ continue (y/n): y

-rk around here?  What the hell, are all of you just rich kids with
trust funds and so you're slumming with the shadowtrash?

I always heard the shadows are darker here in the Tir, I guess
they're right.]<<<<<
        -- Poppa Chubby (12:!5:00 / 10-31-57)

***** PRIVATE: Kor, Griffyn, GoD
>>>>>[ Did you two just see that?  Gawd, that sounded like Freddy .. it would
be just like him to not really be dead .. and to not let anyone know it.  Is
this possible?  You spellchuckers ever seen anything like what he's babbling
about? ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <terminally/confused>

***** PRIVATE: GoD, Griffyn
>>>>>[See what?  My filters are cranked up so high I dont see much of
anything these days unless its directed at me (Thanks, guys, I DO really
appreciate not having to see most of the dreck that finds its way here).

Freddy?  Alive?  Unlikely.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <19:01:13 / 10-31-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[ OK, just to inform you all: We picked up Harkion. He's... er... a bit
older then I thought he would be, you'll see when we meet. Bull, here's one
character that had a look at your EMailer and nearly instantly made as
suggestion how to make it more secure, see this file from him:

+++++ Include: Harkion1.txt

And what he's got on 'ware you wouldn't believe. This man is a walking
laboratory when it comes to gathering and processing data. I wish I could
build him into my deck *grin*

And wether you believe it or not, he has an allround-talent he calls his "Lab
Assistant". Well, yeah... but I think I've heared the name already - not on a
job schedule when seeking Lab Assistants myself, mind you. He's called Nodoze.
An Elf. We'll bring him along, Canis said they all were truthfully answering
our questions and we could trust 'em, and who am I to disagree with a shaman
*grin* (Boy am I happy Canis can't read this :-)

Um... and although H. is of an ... older generation, Marvin is not. He'll be
with us, I woun't tell you now, you wouldn't believe. Just make sure you all
have a seat when we arrive - I nearly droped dead from astonishment.

Oh, yeah, the meet. Went down smoothly, not a single problem. Everything
professional as you would want, although I don't understand why Harkion would
want to run the shadows, but Hey, i woun't complain! But with such a lab he
could even... ]<<<<<
        -- Orion <19:30:18/10-31-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[ Um, I didn't want to say it that clear, but this Harkion chap is REALLY
old. I though he was in the early-fifties, but Canis said he'd be older, about
early sixties or above. And again, who am I to... *grin*]<<<<<
        -- Orion <19:32:57/10-31-57>

***** PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[ Orion, yare wrong. By now I know how to reach my Mail even without you,
old chap. Watch your tongue, or it might become a worm... or worse. *grin*
]<<<<<
        -- Canis <19:48:47/10-31-57>

***** PRIVATE: Dark Avenger
>>>>>[ Hey DA, my "scotch" is any Highland Malt (non-syth, of course) from
before 2005 - you know I still bet they starting mixing synthetic alc into it
about then. Glenfiddich or Glen Morangie will do fine, thanx (you mean there
might be a bonus to my "standart payment"? *grin*)

What do you mean, an infiltrator? I know of one possible, called Bubba, but we
haven't even included with the team right now, will pick him up soon. He's no
suspicious matrix entries, seems to be a farmer from the south, but seems to
have had contact to bugs and contacted us on a priviously thought-of secure
dataline. We will see about him...

When were you jumped? This might point us to who is the infiltrator more
clearly. Personally, I checked the people we kept up, and you know (should
know *grin*) I can tell quite good if people are telling me the truth. Plus,
Orion did an extensive Matrix search on each of the people we picked up
(Stephanie, Hamish, Minx, Harkion, and Nodoze) and turned up Null suspicious
facts - or, to be more correct, many suspicious, but Null dangerous for us.

How are you? Wounded? I offer the whoile team ODIN to your support if you need
it, right after we picked up Bubba. we need to have an eye on him (or at least
get that EMailer back).

How are you? How's your team? And - do you still have the habbit of drinking
the first glass of each bottle you hand out? ]<<<<<
        -- Canis <19:46:47/10-31-57>

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[ Just look .. I don't believe it either, but damn, it sounds like him:

+++++ include: poppa_chubby.msg ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <14:20:34/10-31-57>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher, GoD, Griffyn
>>>>>[Ok, Ill admit that it DOES sound like him.  BUT, and this is the
big part, that could only be because I've been thinking about him a lot
lately AND you prejudiced me towards thinking it might be him.

With all the stuff we've got going on right now, its no wonder we arent
all seeing ghosts, today of all days.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <19:23:26 / 10-31-57>

***** PRIVATE: Rumormonger
>>>>>[ Hey Rumormonger, I need some information about the guy who keeps posting
under the name 'Poppa Chubby' .. what'll it cost me to have you do a background
check on him?  I'd do it myself, but I'm busy at the moment. ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <14:33:00/10-31-57>

***** Private: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[500 =Y= an hour plus expenses, five hour minimum.  Damages
might get expensive, though.  He mentioned he was a runner from the
Tir, remember that.]<<<<<
        -- Rumormonger <Always / Tuned-In>

*****PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[I don't know if any (&(&%^T$%" will get th*^ I ^%^$%((* Shit...

OK, I don't know if anyone's listening, but we got hit hard, don't know
where they came from, something *wierd* in the Matrix.. *^$%%$"&*( hard
time..&(&^%$  Awww to hell with this...

+++++Loading maint patch 01/D.fix
+++++Engage countermeasures
+++++Engage frame: simulacra
+++++Uploading file Vidcomp RV4/th-3.hqx
+++++1.3mp corrupted

*&^(%$_"()"&!...

+++++Internal headset tight beam trans: Sound file Tr2a7.snd
"DA!!! DA!!! Gates whathe hell 'appen. O.. kare wa kizutsuku.."
"Godamm it Shado speak English!!"
"He hurt you fuck! What you do him?!!"
"Nothin', oh jeez... Shado drive... get us the hell outta here! I've got
me a decker to kill!"
"Kichigai!"
"Just fraggin' drive woman!.. Oh shit where's the damn medkit."
+++++End Soundfile Tr2a7.snd

&*(%Tv ...//..**&()   .vid

+++++End upload: file Vidcomp RV4/th-3.hqx

Deck's a bit screwed... **(_)% We're OK, something wierd here tho' it
looked *&^R%$&&*&* ..  I got the bastard. Tell all the Jockeys if they
play in the Matrix, to play in pairs... There's something *bad* in here,
real bad.  DA should be OK *(&^) 29(*&"_) you later, he took the dump
bad is all.

+++++Report: Simulacra - destroyed.

Uhoh...
We are mobile at present should be at >>location<< in... 2 hours. Will
await contact there. I should bave Bull box built by then. Gotta go,
they're damn hot up her...

+++++IC detected
+++++Persona detected
+++++Identifying...  ...  ...
+++++Identify - failed

Aw hell here we go again...

+++++Loading Shield
+++++Loading Dragoon

Watch yourselves people. C'mon you sonofabitch, eat this!]<<<<<
        -- Gates <12:14:07/31-10-57>

***** PRIVATE: Rumormonger
>>>>>[ Do it .. I'll pay expenses as long as you don't do something stupid to
incur them.  Here's an advance to get you started:

+++++ shadow transfer: 5,000 =Y= ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher <15:34:59/10-31-57>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[Someone should be there to relieve you shortly.  Im heading out to the
party shortly.  Since things have changed, Im going to have to carry to the
party.  I dont think Val will have a problem with me parking my bike there
so I can leave my side arm there just incase something happens.

Ill be on >>frequency<< unless Val's people ask me to remove my ear piece.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <20:51:06 / 10-31-57>

***** PRIVATE: Bull
>>>>>[ Sorry for the delay, Bull. Canis said he send the info to you, but hit
some wrong keys I never knew i had on my deck and the message tried to include
itself recursivly. When I found out, it was a) late, and b) a hell of work to
get that loop broken and the Mps free again. I tell you: Never let a magic
user touch your deck!

Well, here's what you need:

+++++ Include: Group.txt
+++++ Include: Hamish_Summary.mov
+++++ Include: Harkion_Summary.mov
+++++ Include: Minx_Summary.mov

As you will notice, the results of my digging in the 'trix is already
included, as are Canis' statements on how trustworthy he considers them. He
did some kind of Zauberspruch, don't ask me.

What we need is not much:

About six or eight tactical, headset radios with scrambler rated at least at
benchmark 6, better eight or above,

Four or five SMGs. Half of them Smarted, the rest with Lasersights.

One or two assault rifles. These are not neccessary, but might be handy in
case we really need to help DA.

Whatever you can get of grenades, Frag, Smoke, whatever.

Oh, and Canis asks for several rounds of these custom Barret ammo if
available. Heck, he and his toys... ]<<<<<
        -- Orion <20:40:41/10-31-57>

*****PRIVATE: Bull, Orion
>>>>>[Now, gentelmen, I am confused.  First I was under the impression that
I would be meeting Bull.  Then, after a long pause, whilst your deck was
down, Orion contacted me for a meet.  Which is it going to be?  If one of
you would explain it, I would appreciate it.]<<<<<
        -Harkion <16:35:49/10-31-57>

***** PRIVATE : Dark Avenger
>>>>>[DA; My twin brother Scorpius should be contacting us concerning
the shipment delay.]<<<<<
        --  Wells  < 21:02:25 / 10-31-57 >

***** PRIVATE : Dark Avenger; Wells
>>>>>[Gentlemen, the problems with previously mentioned gear has been
solved. The delay was of a cosmetic nature. The blemish has been
washed clean.

DA; Trinity Company is ready for a local meet. Please transmit
location to either Wells; Loch or myself and we will group within  one
hour after your message.

Wells; Loch has contacted various sources privy to local buzz. The
Invasion Force 1 was originally an extraction team assembled for the
welfare of  "Bull" and his family from the CZ.

They were doing serious hiring for a short period.

Recommend we wait for DA's clear; and surface.]<<<<<
        --  Scorpius  < 21:15:15 / 10-31-96 >

*****PRIVATE: Invasion_Force.1
>>>>>[That's okay Mr Bull. I couldn't bring much explosive, but I did
manage to get some of my other stuff with me and I can do spells on
anything that doesn't follow SOP for machine gun fire.

Standard Operating Procedure for me machine-gunning you is to fall down
dead spurting blood _everywhere_, as if you couldn't guess. My
fath^H^H^H^H my instructor taught me to be a pretty good shot, for
things that magic doesn't work very well with. "If you can't shoot it,
spell it, blow it up or stab it, say sorry and salute it..."

Anyway, I'll see you there. And I won't bring any of the _big_ guns
unless you really think we'll need them, but I heard if you have to
bring a FN MAG-5 to a team meeting you really need a new team, so I
won't. It's a nice FN, though. It's my cupola gun from George.]<<<<<
        -- Stephanie <02:10:12/01-11-57>

***** Private: Ratspeak
>>>>>[I'll assume you will have more info than what I have.  Someone
just tried to scrag Serenity's hq real bad.  There is some other stuff
that seems to be happening as well.  Any details?  After digging around
for a while, Puppet found out that the hit-team might have been
sponsored by LSS.   The way she said it, they were pissed about what
Serenity is up to.

It doesn't quite ring though.  They wouldn't risk an escalating war
with Serenity.  Too much bad press. ]<<<<<
        -- Sprinkler <22:25:32/10-31-57>

>>>>>[ Well it looks like Seattle is on its way to trying to match
Devil's Night in Detroit....

Well ... sort of.

First off, let me say, its been an interesting evening.  Unfortunately,
I have live footage of almost none of it.  Sigh.  Such is life.

The festivities started off when some shadowrunning teams decided to
fight over the last two kids that Doomsday was looking over.  What no
one expected was a third team to show up.  Both children are no longer
with their parents, and LSS refuses to reveal the identities of some of
the bodies found.  If LSS has any leads on the case, they are being
real quiet.  Someone, however, leaked to a news reporter that some of
the findings seem to hint that Serenity was somehow involved ...

Any comments guys?

Those two fire-fights happened about 8pm.  Prime trick or treat time.
Poor kids.  I guess that is what fame does for you.  Kills your family,
then you.  Isn't that right Blitzkrieg?

+++++ trace initiated.
+++++ trace destroyed.

About 8:30 the fireworks started out in the Barrens, where Scourge's
little company (and Scourge you really should do some PR work -- I
STILL don't know the name of it) got raided.  The fighting lasted for
well over thirty minutes.  Whirlwind was spotted, but he wasn't found
in the bodies.  Neither was Scourge.  I don't know for sure, but I
think his gear is scragged real good.

Fragging waste.

The only odd bit of information happened at 8:45.  Some shadowrunners
stole a news helicopter.  They knew what to do to disable the tracker
on the chopper, and when LSS finally caught up with the poor shot-up
chopper, they found the original pilot very dead.  Gunshot to the back
of the head.  RIP Marcus Williams.  You were a good pilot.  Many people
will miss you.  *sniff*

So then things quieted down for a little while ... half an hour ago,
the silence was shattered with a house being blown-up.  I did a little
searching and man, Serenity has bad luck.  It was Jason Stormwind's
house.  By the time I found that out, a pretty hard black squad hit
Serenity.  They didn't just hit the place.  They fragging died trying
to level it.  I don't have any info on the extent of damage, but
Sprinkler told me that someone WANTED it to look like LSS was the
culprits.  I think KE has bought into that, but I'm not sure it is
true.  Not enough evidence.  To much evidence supporting other facts.

Scourge ... you alive? ]<<<<<
       -- Ratspeak <22:42:39/10-31-57>

>>>>>[ Trick or treat?  Thank God for insurance.  Yes, I'm alive.  I
don't know about Shadowfox though.  He was one the one who stole the
helicopter.  Used the helicopter to get me out of the danger.  But he
chose to stay behind.  I don't like to predict bad things, but he was
already injured from earlier action.  I hope God is with him. ]<<<<<
        -- Scourge <22:45:46/10-31-57>

>>>>>[ Scourge, what mere words can soften the blow of what has been
done to you.  I hope financially you can resurrect your company.  Best
luck and wishes.

I, unfortunately, don't have much good news from this side of the pond.
Herr Nightmare and his bodyguards got ambushed.  I, as well, don't
have any camera footage and Nightmare has been rather tight-lipped.
So I don't know any details.]<<<<<
        -- Black Knight <22:49:18/10-31-57>

>>>>>[ That's because I figure I would say it myself.  The Wanderer
has resurfaced and has decided that I must die.  While I commend him
on his choice, I didn't expect DragonEyes to aid him.  With the muscle
the Wanderer had with him, I did the only thing that was reasonable at
the time -- tried to preserved the lives of those sworn to protect me.
Out of eight bodyguards I had with me, I have one who is still living,
and he has been driven completely insane.

Words cannot express my sorrow.  I - I fear we may have lost
DragonEyes. ]<<<<<
         -- Nightmare <22:57:55/10-31-57>

>>>>>[ Oh, God, no -  not this.

Do you know if he broke his vow of non-violence? ]<<<<<
         -- Scourge <22:59:10/10-31-57>

>>>>>[ Not to the best of my knowledge.  It is really hard to say.

Valentine, you have sworn an oath of non-violence.  I don't know even
how to ask this.  In your esteemed opinion, what would a snake
shaman's breaking an oath that he has held all his life, that of
holding all life as sacred, do to him mentally?  I think I might have
an inkling of why he might break it, but not what it means in the event
that he does break it (or already has). ]<<<<<
        -- Nightmare <21:07:18/10-31-57>