>>>>>[HEy this Iz fun!  whatz This buotton do?? -------#^%^$$$]<<<<<
>>>>>[&&&*&)&^%%#$###&*&@&------------------------------------]<<<<<
        --  Grimjack<14:36/3-31-94>

>>>>>{Oops.  Sorry.  ]<<<<<
       --   Grimjack<14:41/03-31-94>

>>>>>[Who the frag is James T. Kirk?]<<<<<
        - Necromancer <15:44:24/03-31-55>

>>>>>[ No, chummer, I get this from a good source.  I respect him and his
word, and he says Dreadnaught's been seen alive. ]<<<<<
        --  Crazy Jake <14:34:43/03:31:55>

>>>>>[ Yeah, go ahead and do that, St. John. It's not that I'm
particularly interested in the previous Pope's death or anything, but I
just HATE not being in the know about a topic as big as this. 
  
Not only that, but the natives here in Atzlan are getting restless (being
the good Catholics that they are). Might be nice to wave this tidbit o'
information in front of their faces. 
  
And Frosty... I'm still trying to draft a plan to nix Mr. Hirisoto. In the
meantime I'm switching to the >>Encrypted<< hotel, since the dive that I'm
in now is REALLY starting to get to me. Something that's cockroach free
would be nice for a change... ]<<<<<
                 --  Warped Warlock <17:44:29/03-31-55>

>>>>>[Well, we're back.  A little late, but back.  Here comes the next
part. And it may even be the last part, but probably not. 

*****Include TNO Trid, Decrypted and Hijacked*****

The scene is still Tara, and it appears that it is Hermit's turn to be
Champion.  And his onus of success or failure. 

"Hermit, step forward and face Beauty, Faith, and your Self."

And the grey shrouded figure, male by voice but not by any distinguishing
features, steps forward and takes a seat within a forming circle of elven
Druids.  And the circle forms, for a total of 9 druids followed by four
within the outer circle of 9, and Hermit at the center.  Hermit sits
facing west, and the others face inward, concentrating on Hermit.  For a
long time Hermit sits there, with his eyes closed, quietly humming or just
breathing and counting his heartbeats.  When he finally opens his eyes,
there are tears in them. 

The head Druid asks him:  "What have you learned and discovered of Beauty,
Hermit?"

"I have found nothing.  There is Beauty in nature, but only so when
interpreted by a mind it can be understood.  For nature itself, beauty
does not exist.  I have failed in this Trial."

"Indeed.  To begin the Trial of Faith, explain your faith."

"Realism, optimism, and existentialism.  I am ed with 

*****Warning, Virus located***** 
*****Virus purge loaded....Virus purged.***** 
*****Restart feed*****

"Realism, optimism, and existentialism.

Realism of the inability of my skills to right all wrongs and fix all that
needs fixing.  Optimism in that I can oppose tremendous odds and still
feel my sense of purpose and retain my willpower.  Existentialism in that
I am ultimately responsible for all that goes wrong in the world as I
could have opposed it were it not for my realism."

"This is self-contradictory.  How can you explain this?"

"A teacher of mine once told me that all is Maya, or illusions.  If this
is true, as it is, then all the contradictions are illusory, as is all
else."

"But 'right and wrong' are also illusions.  Your Order is pragmatic to an
extreme and opposes 'evil' in ways that are not easily understood.  If
evil is an illusion, then how can you oppose it?  That opposition would
also be an illusion."

"It is right to oppose evil because there are only two ways to peirce the
Maya. Become a holy man who has mastered the art of Maya control and
therefore no longer is subject to the illusions.  Or admit that not only
are the concepts of good and evil, and right and wrong, illusions, but
that we are also illusions. Knowing that we are illusions leads to our
being the same kind of Maya as the concepts of good and evil and therefore
bound by the illusory laws of the Maya. But the laws also govern evil, and
therefore I am justified in opposing it."

"Why?"

"Because I say so.  Because I decide what aspect of Maya controls me, and
what aspects I control.  Therefore, as I live by the same rules as the
illusion, I have the power to change the illusion, or at least oppose it
when I dislike it."

"Excellent.  My Lady, he has passed the Trial of Faith.  We are ready for
the final trial, of Self.  Are you ready for your worst nightmares if your
past?"

"As Hermit, I am."

"I doubt it will be Hermit who comes from the past..."

And before you the camera picks up the faint traces of mana as it begins
to coalesce into something encompassing the entire area within the outer
circle of Druids.  And the four inner Druids stand, exit past the outer
circle, and then sit again as the area within changes color and location,
or at least appears to.  And you hear the head Druid again:  "You have the
option to change your history, here.  All you need do is speak a single
word, utter a single sound..."

The illusory landscape shows a dense forest in among mountains.  Many of
you recognize the location as the hills behind Royal hill, in Tir
Taingire.  It is night, the moon is barely risen, and the wisps of clouds
obscure it alternately from a white spot to a circular nimbus as the
breeze blows.  Far off to the west the last traces of dusk are fading from
violet to black.  An early evening fog, rare anywhere, seems to be
creaping up the valley, blown by some unseen updraft.  It is cold, and
early spring.  The northern faces of the hills still hide small patches of
dirty grey snow.  There are three of you, all dressed in camoflage perfect
for the setting, and you are waiting for something.  You all are soldiers,
trained in the art of war, and still you are nervous. 

To the north you see the border, just past and over the rolling fog.  A
border patrol chopper is cruising along at tree-top level, oblivious to
your presence up on the opposite slope, and you take notice of its number. 
It is here that you realize that you are seeing this from a single
perspective, presumbably Hermit's.  The low-light eyes of an elf see well
in the dim light, and the thermographic goggles aid you as you scan the
border for the group you know are planning on crossing.  They are wanted
by the High Prince.  Dead. 

And movement catches your attention.  From this distance you barely
recognize it, but it is the targets.  Eight of them, well trained also,
but attempting to break into the nation you have sworn to protect with
your life.  And you are serving a Death Warrant on your own lands.  They
approach the fence, pause, and then appear to float over it.  They avoid
all the sensors, and begin thier descent into the fog.  Patiently you wait
until they reappear on your side of the fog, and you motion to advance
lest they catch you off-guard and not vice- versa.  And the four of you do
so, cautiously, quietly.  Unnoticed by your prey, you stalk them,
gradually gaining on thier position. 

And the first target, a man dressed in armor and sporting magical foci,
dies as youre second-in-command drives a knife into the base of his skull. 
He lowers the body silently to the ground, but a second target, a woman
also wearing fetishes and warpaint, notices something and your silent kill
approach becomes obsolete.  Your mage kills off thier troll merc, a man
you recognize from your youth.  That's when you realize who you are
fighting and killing. 

Your memories return to your youth, one of the first elves born after the
Awakening, in Australia.  Your friends, all of them changing as the mana
of the Sixth world returned, begin to learn the ways of the streets, and
you join them.  Until you accidently killed a priest, a woman dressed as
you are now, and you learned of her beliefs.  Your friends left the
country for America, and you remained, turned yourself in to those who
taught her a way of life, and 7 years later you returned to the world. 
You still missed your old friends but could not look for them. 

Until now, and they had found you.  But in your goal of fighting injustice
and evil you joined the High Prince, hoping that you would be able to
conquer many of the mindless terrors that drive the world and the
corporations.  And you stand here, killing your old best friends. 

Within a minute, you are done.  None of you are injured severly enough to
warrant a hospital stay or magical curing, but all your targets are dead. 
Why did you do it?  Why did you kill the only woman you ever loved?  Was
it all worth it?  Was it all worth it?  Was it alll.... 

And the scene fades.  Night has fallen on Tara, and the Druids are
impressed. 

"He did not cry out.  Hermit, known as Kahn at the time of this memory,
has conquered the only part of himself that we could find where he
seriously doubted his motives and had severe regret.  And history played
out as it had originally.  Hermit has passed his Challenge as Champion, my
Lady."

And that beautiful voice, still lilting if sounding a little more tired
after the long afternoon, returns and says:  "Patrick John O'Kennedy, your
Champions have passed thier Trials and, through thier actions have earned
you the right to enter the Great Hall of Tara to complete your Challenge. 
Thier Trials are over, but yours are just beginning.  Come, enter, all six
of you, and watch as your friend faces the Trials that only he can
master."

And the view fades as the camera sinks and turns itself off. 

*****End Trideo feed*****

There is more, but it is all within Tara, or what I think is Tara. 
Probably more like a magical arena created for the purpose of these
Challenges.  I'll send it out later.  Work calls...]<<<<<
        --  Moriarity(18:07:42/03-31-55)

>>>>>[ Ah like this concept of ratings for runners.  Ah could prove that
AH was better at magic than Fox or Claw.  All it would take would be some
small fiddling of some data files and Walla!!!  this south'rn lass is
suddenly a powerful mage - atleast thats what the writen rep says. 

As ya can see, its a rather dumb idea.  Instead of people just verbally
claiming that their you, now their gonna try and carry around a piece of
paper stating it.  What ah joke.]<<<<<
        -- Circuit Breaker <needs a T/D stamp>

>>>>>[James T. Kirk was a character on an old Sci-Fi television show
called "Star Trek".  As I understand it, the show used to be pretty
popular in the late 1900's.]<<<<<
      -- Piper <16:30:55/03-31-55>

>>>>>[Can you tell me anything more, Jake?  Future communications should
be under the scheme we discussed at the last job.  I'll get it, don't
worry.  I need to know where he's been seen.  If Dreadnaught gets the drop
on any man, organic or mechanized, that man is dead.  He and I also have
many of the same business acquantances.  It's going to be a tough world
for he and I to live in together.  One of us is going, that's for damn
sure.  Thanks for the tip.  I need someone to be my eyes and ears while
Ithink about how to set up a trap for him.]<<<<<
        Beowulf King-Lear <15:53:21/03:31:55)

>>>>>[I'll be waiting for ya, 'Wraith...packed and racked, and ready to
roll.  ]<<<<<
        --FireJack  (20:41.23/03-30-55)

>>>>>[Damn right I would, drekhead.]<<<<<
        -- Raven <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[ Methinks The Mav has a good point... 

      Shadow Olympics Announcer: Next up on the sniper's stand is John
        Q. Shadowrunner, an amateur here in Seattle. He's got beautiful
        form... look at how easily he took out that innocent bystander!
        Now for the grand finale-

      Voice through Megaphone: Everyone throw down your weapons. This
        is <fill in the name of whoever wins the Seattle contract, here>
        We have the building surrounded. Come out with your hands up.

      News Report the very next day: And in a surprising turn of events,
        <Knight Errant/Lone Star/etc etc ad nauseum> captured hundreds
        of the city's criminals last night, in a raid on an event they
        were holding, known as the Shadow Olympics.

Sorry Jac, but I don't think it would be such a good idea. 'A' for effort
though...]<<<<<
                --  Warped Warlock <16:44:40/3-31-55>

>>>>>[In case anyone is interested, SpotOn is doing much better.  I can't
talk long, as I'm finishing the debugging of the files she brought back
with her.  They are notes on NodeFaeries last run, as I'd suspected. 

I would have had them available a while ago, but I seem to have picked up
a virus, possibly from the files he uploaded.  They made hash of the data,
but I've pieced most of it back together.  I should be able to post them
in a few days. 

All right, I'll bite: who's the bairn?  Did you folks adopt, 'Stalker?
What's the deal?]<<<<<
        --Highlander (22:16:43/3-31-55)

>>>>>[Maybe if you stopped spending all your time cooped up in your
apartment playing doctor, laddie, you'd know things like that. 

Oh, and thank you for a grand time, Nightstalker.  Your company was
charming.  And Colin.....What's this about a Mall? (snicker)]<<<<<
        --Heather (22:18:41/3-31-55)

>>>>>[In response to Inspector Richard Wu:  I never thought I would be
doing this, but I can offer my time and some of my available resources to
your task.  Some associates of mine have a vested interest in maintaining
the status quo where the law enforcement of this city is concerned.  I
currently have other business in progress, but still have enough free time
to be of use.  Please contact me if you desire my services.]<<<<<
        -- Jeweler <02:37:20/04-01-55>

>>>>>[FRAG!  The front company we run to keep our operation hidden had a
group of runners try to break into the R&D facilities last night.  Not
that they even came close to succeeding, but the computer went into
emergency protocols right after I finished uploading part 3 and didn't
come back under standard control until recently.  Anyone know what I
should do with a team of 6 runners who couldn't even get into the main
building before they were caught?  Hmmmm.... Well, I'll think of something
appropriate.  Something that'll keep the corp in the good graces with the
authorities... 

Well, sorry about the delay(again).  Here's the last bit, even if the
camera is a little fragged up by the nature of the Arena Val was in... 

*****Include TNO Trid, Decrypted and Hijacked*****

The camera again fades out, showing that Moriarity restarted the feed with
some overlap from the end of the last part of the feed.  Then it begins to
fade in, but for some reason seems to be out of focus.  Gradually you
realize why. 

You are in Tara, or a peice of it anyway.  This place you are in is a
large circular arena lit by torches and a large bonfire in the center. 
But the flame is cold, as are the torches.  Magical in nature, they cast
light but no heat, and they don't appear to be using anything to sustain
thier flame.  No wood, nothing.  Even what appeared to be torches are just
spots on the wall where the magical flame appears.  And the walls
themselves are unusual as well. Those of you who have traveled the
metaplanes recognize some of the effects, although it is highly unusual
that a technical camera is photograping them. 

The wall is a dark and rippling grey.  It almost appears as if it is a
fluid barrier, or has heat rising off it to create the rippling effect. 
But upon a closer examination you not only see that it is solid, but all
the spectral colors of all the planes exist within it.  And you suspect
that the reason it appears to flow is the inability of the camera to keep
up with changes in a barrier that only barely exists to its purely
physical sight.  But through the wall you see outlines of hills and trees,
and guards.  This arena looks to be a hole in the planes, neither Astral,
Metaplane, nor physical in nature, but part of all three.  How the Seelie
Court was able to do this is beyond you, but they have somehow.  But maybe
it's all just an illusion as Hermit said it is... 

As the camera turns toward the center of the arena, you notice three
stands set opposing each other.  The one you are looking at now is the
main stand, and in it sits the Arbiter of the Challenge, Lady Deigh. 
Beautiful to an extreme, she appears to be waiting for the other two
parties to arrive in thier boxes. Beside her stands several guards, all
elves and definately Followers of one Path or another. 

The next box has Valentine, STREETWOLF, Stormfalcon, Morgan, Little
Dragon, and Hermit in it.  They appear to have just arrived, and all are
wearing thier normal clothing.  Only Val is still dressed in his ritual
robe and mantle, but he still has the lyre slung across his back.  That is
a little strange, but perhaps he thinks he will need it.  STREETWOLF
appears to be tired still from his Trials, but his face expresses the
worry and nervousness that he must be feeling by now perfectly.  His
wounds have been fully healed.  Stormfalcon, still in his armor but
without the cloak, is standing to the right of Val, and Hermit to his
left(STREETWOLF is directly behind Val).  Stormfalcon also appears
worried, almost as if he has an idea of what Val is about to go through in
the name of the Challenge.  And Hermit just looks....  Well, if you had to
hazzard a guess, from the way he was standing and carrying himself, he
looks nervous if a bit subdued.  In many ways his ordeal was the most
difficult especially the Trial by Self, and he might not have recovered
from that long, hard look into his past and personal pain.  Morgan and
Little Dragon are both sitting to the far sides of the four, casting looks
at the other boxes that, were they capable, could easily blow up several
small buildings.  And with the next camera shot, the reason becomes clear. 

The O'Kennedy's.  Standing within their box are six elves, headed by Dane
O'Kennedy herself.  She is dressed in the hooded shadow cloak of the
Steward. On the cloak are all the symbols of the Path of the Steward,
encorporating also her family torc and the symbols of the O'Kennedy's. 
Without the hood lowered you would very likely not recognize her.  Beside
and behind her are 5 others, similarly cloaked and robed.  But you notice
that the robes each display a seperate Path, with the exception of a
double in the Path of the Warrior.  Even one of the elusive Righ Followers
appears to be here, humbly remaining in the rear of the group.  And of all
of them, only Dane has her hood off. 

From the main box, the Queen of the Court calls:  "Approach and state
your buisness."

Both Dane and Valentine exit the boxes and walk to the center of the arena
before the main box. 

"I, Dane Moire O'Kennedy, have been called here with my clan to face a
Challenge, issued by Patrick John O'Kennedy.  My Champions and I have
answered the summons and stand before you to complete his Challenge."

"Are you, Patrick John O'Kennedy, ready to face the Champions of the
O'Kennedy clan, your own family, in the 5 Trials of Tara?"

"I am, my Lady."

"Then let the Trial of the West begin."

*****End Trideo Feed*****

Solitaire has informed me that we are having a small virus problem.  The
decker that tried to run our system last night had a virus attached to his
persona that he was unaware of(bloody unprofessional) and it's trying to
infect our CPU.  So I'll be back shortly to finish off this trid
feed.]<<<<<
        --  Moriarity(11:34:50/04-01-55)

>>>>>[If anyone wants to reach me, I'm gonna be laying low.  It seems that
the people at Allhalous didn't take too kindly to my poking around.  In
fact, I'm putting myself in danger even sending this message.  But, what's
life without a little risk. 

I'll get back as soon as I can.  I need some dedicated runners to
"replace" some of my friends while they're in the hospital... I mean,
while they're resting.  Contact me through my secure line: 
                      <[u--l--r] at [msuvx.memst.edu]>

Hope to tal... *****TAP DETECTED!! TAP DETECTED!!*****
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!< SYSTEM OVERLOAD >WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!

What the frag!?]<<<<<
        ---- Longshot < 10:55:10 / 04-01-55 >

>>>>>[Happy Birthday STREETWOLF.  Hopefully you can enjoy it with Val and
Stormy and Hermit.  I hope everything works out well.]<<<<<
        --  Patricia O'Connor(13:27:15/04:01:55)

>>>>>[Happy Birthday Streetie...... 

Everyone out there be sure to wish STREETWOLF a happy 23rd Birthday today. 
yes he was born on the day of fools.  How appropriate. *snicker* Just
kidding Streetie honey.]<<<<<
        --  Colice Brightstar(13:30:25/04:01:55)

>>>>>[Well, that was easy enough.  Here it is, again. 

*****Include TNO Trid, Decrypted and Hijacked*****

One of the cloaked individuals exits the box and joins Valentine and Dane
on the floor of the arena.  The figure, male or female is hard to tell, is
dressed in the blue, green, and brown of the Order of Ogma and carries the
Ogam stones that only a Follower of the Path of the Druid can create. 
Dane exits the arena and the two of them begin to quote thier
accomplishments. 

Shamanic Moon Druid vs. Elven Hermetic Druid, patience against patience,
mind against mind, accomplishment against accomplishment.  Over the next
several hours(removed mostly from the recording for lack of interest),
they compare thier lives against the others, and Valentine is not found
wanting.  Some of the more interesting accomplishments Val claims to have
done is built a stone circle in North America, having helped repair the
damages done to France and Germany during war, and he was able to access
the powers of the cairn lines, otherwise known as ley energy or background
count.  At the end of several hours of very boring dialogue, you have this
sense that Valentine is more than what he seems.  He is older than his
appearance indicates and has traveled the world.  And the Follower admits
his defeat. 

"You have won your first Trial, Patrick.  Now you begin the Trial of the
East."

Another cloaked individual exits the O'Kennedy box.  It takes you a minute
to realize that it is Dane herself.  The Path of the Steward has her as
thier Champion, and in the arena they too begin a verbal battle not unlike
the previous one.  But you are rather surprised when it is suddenly over. 
Val's work in his past, traveling around Ireland before the Awakening as a
roving bard, shows his ability to be a diplomat.  He has diffused
conflicts that you have only heard of as rumors, and yet you are surprised
that his skill extends into this area.  Perhaps it is a function of his
pacifism, or his humility, that he has never let on that he helped to
orchistrate a gang truce in Seattle from behind the scenes.  And the
amazingly subtle manipulation of Lone Star into allowing his Haven to be a
sanctuary, free from the laws of the city, for the children who had come
there looking for safety and peace regardless of thier prior backgrounds. 
And some of it falls into place.  Like why the gangs didn't destroy Haven
after Morgan and Little Dragon ran into one of them.  It was always
assumed that Haven was guarded when in fact Valentine's relationship with
the gangs, and his being willing to help all who asked for it, and his
feeding those who are hungry, that trust he had earned from the gangs in
fact is what kept them from destroying Haven.  Amazing, even up to the
point that Dane herself concedes victory in the Trial of the East. 

"Thus you have succeeded in passing your two easiest Trials.  Now begins
the Trial of the South."

As Dane returns, still hooded, to her box, a brightly colored and
intricately designed cloak descends from the stand.  A Path of the Bard
Follower, carrying a lyre not unlike Val's, but without the sense of age,
of antiquity, about it. And playing the figure comes.  It is a song of
sorrow.  It's deep rythms and chords contribute to the feeling of
melancholy, of depression, of angst accompanying the beautiful song.  Even
through the camera you can feel its power.  And the Bards are known to be
able to affect those who listen to thier music in a manner that enhances
the effect of their music.  The camera has not the ability to pick up this
influence, but you don't think you really need it.  For the song is about
the pain of loss, of homesickness, of longing for the way of the old and
of fear about what is yet to come.  With the last chord, hanging in the
air, you feel the power of the music.  And Valentine cannot win. 

Honoring the Bard, Valentine even waits several minutes for those in the
boxes to recover, and to overcome his own emotions and the effects the
Bard's music had on him.  But when he starts, you notice the change in the
mood immediately. Val's tune is beautiful, and even is using the very
chords and rifts of the Bard's music, but in a totally differnt manner. 
Here you feel uplifted, almost happy.  Definately in a better mood than
after the Bard's performance.  The tempo is faster, the changes in the
chords evolving and beginning to spin thier own webs of influence on your
minds.  Gradually, almost imperceptably, Val's music transforms the Bard's
from pain to joy to laughter.  And by the end of it all you can hardly
keep a smile from springing to your face.  And it is over. Finished, and
again Val has won and yet still allowed the Bard to retain his honor and
skill. 

"Patrick, are you ready for the Trial of the North?"

Valentine, looking very nervous, sighs and says:  "My Lady, I am not
prepared to do the Trial of the North.  It is contrary to my beliefs and
personality."

"If you do not complete the Trial, your Challenge will fail, your life
will be forfeit, as well as those of your Champions.  Have you come so far
as to give up now?"

"Very well.  I am ready..."

The Trial of the North, the Path of the Warrior.  This is probably the
most difficult thing Valentine has done yet.  It is a trial by combat.  To
the death if the Challenged party so decides.  But what did Dane decide? 
Time will tell. 

The robed figure, in blacks and greys, steps down to the arena and faces
Val in a military stance.  The camera is in a bad place, but you suspect
that he is armed.  If it is a deadly weapon, then one of the two of them
will not leave the arena breathing.  Valentine also shifts into a stance
of his own, a stance born of years of practical experience.  For as long
as you have known him he has been a pacifist and yet his stance shows
consideable more expertise in melee combat than some black belts in the
martial arts have.  And then, in a burst of speed and movement that the
camera was not prepared for, the Follower attacks, weaponless.  Somehow
Valentine is able to avoid the attack. The Follower has the smooth motion
of a highly trained soldier, plus the speed that most cybered individuals
dream about.  And Valentine just stepped aside and threw the Follower to
the ground.  Attacks fly, and yet none of them are from Valentine.  He
always defends, keeping withing his range perfectly and refusing to let
himself be drawn off, tiring the Follower.  Until the Follower pulls the
weapon he had slung under his cloak.  A sword.  An old, celtic
lookingsword with little hilt, and made to look like solid iron. 

Almost immediately you notice something appear around Valentine:  a
barrier spell of some kind.  But the Follower, appearing originally to be
a physical adept, begins to cast some spells of his own, and the barrier
not only falls, but Valentine gets inclosed by a burst of energy.  The
Follower is a sorcery adept of some kind, and Valentine is outclassed. 
Valentine begins to look a little worried as he scrambles for a weapon,
finding only the sickle.  And yet he does not draw it.  It could easily
kill another person, but he does not draw it, choosing instead to stop,
raise several barriers, and wait.  The Follower obliges and begins to chop
through the barriers as if they were non-existant.  Finally the final
physical barrier collapses and the Follower moves to cut Val in half.  As
time appears to slow down, you notice that Val has tears running down his
face, and his body seems to be wracked with spasms of sorrow and soft
crying.  The blow begins to descend, aimed at his head, and Valentine
steps aside again, dodging the blow with the same speed that he had
earlier, obviously spell assisted.  And he steps away, opens his eyes, and
again stops.  The Follower adjusts his attack immediately, but never has a
chance to finish his stroke.  A stream of something appears at Val's
outstrechedhand and arcs over to the Follower.  Hissing and bubbling, it
hits him and washes over the Follower's body.  Acid.  Within seconds, the
battle is over and the screams of the Follower's pain and anguish fade to
mear echos and memories. 

Valentine comes over to the body, kneels, and performs some religious
ceremony. Not Christian, but not Tir based either.  His own prayer for the
soul of an innocent pawn in a game he couldn't control.  And you barely
hear Val as he asks the universe "Why?  Why did you make me kill again? 
Wasn't a town enough? Wasn't the Capitol enough?  Wasn't New Orleans
enough?  Weren't the wars and the trials enough?  Always innocent.  Always
with families.  Always young.  And always my fault.  Isn't the guilt of
20000 souls enough?" And Valentine puts his hands down into the very acid
he cast, oblivious to the pain, and raises his head to the sky and screams
a primal scream of anguish and pain; pain not for himself but for the
reopening of old wounds and the loss of another mind and soul and body
from the world. 

From the main box, the Queen says: "He fought with honor, and you do him
honor in death." and all the elves, including STREETWOLF, who knows the
ceremony, and Valentine too, join her: "He fought and died with honor. 
His next position on the Wheel shall be a greater one."

Valentine, still shedding tears for the dead, stands, gets his acid burned
hands wrapped but turns down the offer of magical healing, and turns to
face the main box.  "I am ready for the final Trial, the Trial of the
Center."

Finally, a last cloaked figure, bearing a sword in its scabbard and
wearing a cloak of black and white and covered with stars, the sun, and
the moon, steps down from the box and approaches Valentine. 

"You refused the healing of your hands.  Why?"

"Because I refuse to let myself take the easy way out.  The pain reminds
me of my duty to myself and my wife and those I protect.  The pain will
keep me humble and remind me of my faults and failures in hopes that I
will learn from in the future."

"Why did you aid the families of Ireland so many years ago?"

"Because they needed my help.  I often lived with a single town over the
long winter.  They supported me and kept me alive through my wanderings
and I kept them sane through the long months of inactivity.  I was often
called upon to tell the stories of the land, and it was my obligation and
my pleasure to do so."

"But you do not continue this."

"I fulfill my obligations to more than my countrymen, but to myself and to
all humanity now.  The wanderer has traveled far and wide, but before you
can truly aid those in need you must pass through need yourself so you
have the knowledge and understanding and empathy that is required.  Haven
exists for this reason. The children are the future, and the children I
serve and help learn from me, and I from them.  For truly the teacher is
the student, and they leave me better for the experience, more able to
understand the world and thier place in it."

"You have succeeded totally, then."

"No person is perfect.  One must remain humble.  I am not expert in all
things. Even if I were, there is always more to be learned, to be
experienced.  And without humility this learning is limited.  One must be
humble enough to be willing to learn all there is to learn, and then throw
it out completely if necessary.  But one must know when to be forceful. 
It is a balancing act."

"I understand completely and find you guilty of good dreams, humility, and
a lifetime of service.  My Lady, Your Majesty, this man has passed the
final trial.  His Challenge is complete, and he has succeeded."

And in the main box, all stand, followed immediately by the other two
boxes. And Lady Deigh turns to Valentine and says: 

"You're Challenge is complete.  With this, Patrick John O'Kennedy is dead,
and the record will show this to be true.  As this is true, the death
order placed on him will no longer be necessary.  The body and his
possessions have never been recovered, and never will be.  Valentine, you
are free to come and go from the Tir as you desire, subject only to the
laws all must follow.  Dane O'Kennedy, Patrick John O'Kennedy has died
here tonight.  His one-time shamanic druidic magic is no longer a stain
upon your family name, and your clan's honor is fully restored.  Go in
peace, all."

*****End Trideo Feed*****

YES!!!!  FINALLY!!!  It's done!  Now I can actually get some electronics
security design work done...  So, as you can see, Val is safe(he and his
friends are flying back tomorrow) and the problems with TNO are over. 
Unless he does something to make them angry as Valentine...]<<<<<
        --  Moriarity(13:30:35/04-01-55)

>>>>>[Well well well... we have a very nice little setup here, don't we? I
am impressed... 

Allow me to introduce myself. You may call me Vengeance, as my true name
is unimportant. Circumstances down in my native California Free State have
placed me in an interesting position... I am now the leader of my shamanic
lodge. With my new position comes new knowledge and new responsibility...
which I shall now expound on. 

It has come to my attention that one William Spiritsong, also known as
Blaze, has taken up residence with a group of Shadowrunners in the Seattle
area, and has appeared on this system numerous times. I would like him. 

He committed crimes against myself and our lodge many years ago, and now
that I am in my current position, I am going to make him pay for his
crimes. Anybody who helps our lodge in this will be well rewarded. I
promise you, he will be found and taken, whether anybody helps us or not.
Any attempts to hide or protect William Spiritsong will result in those
involved to be branded as criminals as well, and will share in his fate. 

That is not a threat, that is a promise.]<<<<<
        -- Vengeance <15:52:55/04-01-55>

>>>>>[Makes me glad I'm not in Seattle...]<<<<<
         -- Dark Angel <21:21:45/04-01-55>

>>>>>[Ah, I see.  Well, only thing I like from the late 1900s is some of
the music, so I wouldn't know.]<<<<<
        - Necromancer <21:26:13/04-01-55>

>>>>>[Dark Angel, I don't believe we've met.  Anyway, I'll only accost
Necro- mancer if he invites it, and I'm trying to hold off some more.  Too
much stuff to do...]<<<<<
        --  Solonus <19:01:07/03-31-55>

*****PRIVATE TO: The Mav
>>>>>[Sure, I'll do some looking around.  What exactly do you need it for,
and, for those I check out, how much are you paying?  I'm probably open
for a while, I only have a few runs coming down...]<<<<<
        --  Solonus <18:58:25/03-31-55>

PRIVATE: Inspector Richard Wu
>>>>>[My condolences on the vehicle and your deck.]<<<<<
         -- Dark Angel <17:44:33/03-31-55>

>>>>>[I don't believe we have, and frankly, I don't really care to meet
you at all.]<<<<<
        -- Dark Angel <23:05:32/03-31-55>

>>>>>[ Hope you got the first two, Beowulf. ]<<<<<
        --  Crazy Jake <03:24:43/04-02-55>

>>>>>[Vengeance - I think I may know where this 'Blaze' person is
operating out of.  Perhaps we can discuss this over dinner

Blaze and I have worked together in the past, but seeing how he still owes
me a large sum of money and has shown little desire to pay, you can count
me in]<<<<<
         -- Karyn <11:15:56 / 05-02-55>

>>>>>[Greetings. I would be very interested in meeting with you. Shall we
say dinner tonight? If that is not possible, please contact me at
***LTG***, and we will make other arrangements. I will have reservations
for us at ***Time*** O'Malley's. Please be there. I am greatly looking
forward to meeting you, and discussing our mutual problem.]<<<<<
        -- Vengeance <13:09:15/04-02-55>

***Private to: Blaze***
>>>>>[Blaze, we got a problem here. Somebody from Cal free is out looking
for you, and now has somebody named Karyn who wants your hide as well.
Something about crimes against a lodge and old debts? Is this something
from that mysterious past you never talk about? Does the name Vengeance
mean anything to you?The two of them have a meet scheduled at O'Malley's
tonight.]<<<<<
        -- Coyote <Howl/Howl>

***Private to: Coyote***
>>>>>[Oh no... I thought I had left that behind when I came north...
damn... 

All right Coyote... I want you and Widow to scope out this meet of theirs.
I'd go, but I think that... Vengeance... would recognize me. That would
cause problems... Send Chance along too... I'll come by later this
afternoon and tell you guys about this. It looks like my past has caught
up with me. 

The name Karyn is familiar, but I don't recall the exact circumstances
under which we met. It was probably something from my early days here in
Seattle. Beats me why she's suddenly resurfaced now... let's see what we
can dig up on her. Can you do that, Coyote?]<<<<<
        -- Blaze <13:25:50/04-02-55>

***Private to: Blaze***
>>>>>[Righto, boss. I'll get digging on it... see you later!]<<<<<
        -- Coyote <Howl/Howl>

>>>>>[ Thanks for the time out, Heather.  We will have to swap Highlander
stories again some time soon. ]<<<<<
        -- Nightstalker <11:43:49/04-02-55>

>>>>>[ Tommy is our foster son, Highlander.  We rescued him from this evil
mage doing our recent absence.  The mage was using Tommy as a spell
battery. Tommy is a mage, and quite good for 8.  He's even better than I
was at that age.  The mage, damn his soul, taught Tommy well.  We are
going to try and give the kid a good life, unlike the one I got. ]<<<<<
        -- Raven the Mage <11:48:15/04-02-55>

>>>>>[ Oh, yeah.  Don't look for me at my place.  I'm over at Raven's
place. I guess it's not just for Raven anymore ;) ]<<<<<
        -- Nightstalker <11:49:22/04-02-55>

>>>>>[Hi everybodyz!!  Now for yor listning pleazzure a brief
song...<123.6 Mp deleted by Sysop> ]>>>>>
        --  Grimjack <13:35/04-02-55>

>>>>>]HEY!  Why didja do that to my pretty song??  Didn't you like it? It
waz a good song, put it back!!>>>>>]
        --  Grimjack <13:54/04-02-55>

>>>>>]I would be most appreciative to learn the details of my 2nd highest
superior's passing.  Those higher up in the Catholic hierchy than myself
refuse to pass along any information.]>>>>>
        --  Father Brian Grant <13:56/04-02-55>

>>>>>]Spirit, I have learned of your foul, unatural relationship with the
evil creature called CRUSH.  Prepare to pay the ultimate price for your
crimes against humanity]>>>>>
        --  Sword of God <14:00/04-02-55>

>>>>>[Hey, father Grant, what's the difference between the Jeromites and
the Benedictines in regard to the Crusades? 

Maybe I'll help-just for the chance to penetrate the home system. Nothing
new has come up... 

A catholic priest is asking for shadowrunners to penetrate the Vatican. I
love it.]<<<<<
        -- Raven <Quoth the Raven/Nevermore>

>>>>>[O'Malley's?  Sure.  I'll be there.]<<<<<
         -- Karyn <18:18:22 / 04-02-55>

>>>>>[It has been far too long...]<<<<<
        --  ABANDON(21:36:05/04-02-55)
Date:         Sun, 3 Apr 1994 01:28:39 -0800
Reply-To:     "Interactive ShadowRun Fiction." <[SHADOW T K] at [HEARN.BITNET]>
Sender:       "Interactive ShadowRun Fiction." <[SHADOW T K] at [HEARN.BITNET]>
From:         "Jason Carter, Nightstalker" <[C--RT--R] at [UPS.EDU]>
Subject:      Re: Spirit and CRUSH?!?!?!

>>>>>[ Sword of God, if you hurt one hair on Spirit's head you will be in for
more hurt than you can imagine. ]<<<<<
        -- Raven the Mage <03:36:57/04-03-55>

>>>>>[ And that's just from Crush.  Imagine what will happen when the rest of
us get a shot at you. ]<<<<<
        -- Nightstalker <03:38:20/04-03-55>

***** Feed initiated...
MUTILATED BODY FOUND IN BRYN MAWR SECTION
Seattle Metroplex, Friday, April 2 / AP
  
This morning a body was found mutilated in an abandoned building in the
Bryn Mawr section of Seattle Metroplex. 
  
Restaurant manager Tom Bower came to work to find a squatter out front
raving about "blood and parts everywhere."
  
"At first, I thought he was having some sort of drug-induced
hallucination," said Bower.  "I finally got him calmed down enough to stop
screaming and tell me just what was going on.  I told him I was going to
go phone the police, and went to unlock the door.  When I turned around to
ask him inside, he was gone."
  
Lieutenant Vance Asselt of the Lone Star Security Agency said, "We
recieved a call from this man [Bower] about 0830 saying that a body had
been found.  He apparently didn't know the details."
  
"[The victim's] body was in several peices, not all in the same room,"
Asselt said.  "There were signs of rape, and briusing around the edges of
the severed parts."

***** Portion deleted *****
  No suspects have been arrested.
*****  End feed...

Sorry guys, but most of that was just fluff anyway.

I did a bit of digging about, and discovered some interesting tidbits.
  
The body of the victim had gashes all over, and all the extremities were
severed.  Fingers, toes, ears, and even her nipples were found lying about
in the garbage.  Blood everywhere.  One of the things they didn't say was
that she was still alive thru most of it.  According to the coroner's
report, death ensued not from lack of blood, but from the head being
removed. 
  
The forensics report said that most of the slicing happened before the
rape, too.  The sicko appearently tied off the peices he was about to cut,
and removed it all before he left. ]<<<<<
        --  Bad Dog <Awrooo!>

>>>>>[ And just where do you get sources like that? ]<<<<<
        --  CoHort <06:58:45/04-03-55>

>>>>>[ Sorry, man, as the old saying goes; "I don't kiss and tell". ]<<<<<
        --  Bad Dog <I'm a bad doggie...>

>>>>>[Gentlemen, did you see the recent news post?  Sounds like it could
be a friend of our Mr. Warner.  If so, it might be worth looking into.
Basilisk, perhaps you could check it out after you're finished with
whatever you're doing with Mr. Smooth.]<<<<<
        -- Jeweler <10:40:24/04-03-55>

>>>>>[It would be a pleasure, Jeweler.  I have had about enough of Jimi
Smooth for a while.  Every time i give him a program, he feels compelled
to alter the graphics in a most distressing way.  I don't know how a man
with such... i hesitate to use the word taste... has survived in the
Matrix. One look at one of his "custom" Ikons, and it is clear who made
it.  I'm surprised the decker community has not hunted him down for
indecency.  I will check the news item when we finish, hopefully
soon.]<<<<<
        -- Basilisk <18:47:30 GMT/03.Apr.55>

>>>>>[Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha hah haaaaaaaaa......]<<<<<
        --  ALL(17:52:47/04-03-55)

>>>>>[I am quite sorry that it has taken me so long to get on the list,
but I have been suffering from jet lag and exhaustion, as well as severe
sorrow since my return from TNO yesterday.  But I must relay the news. 

Stormfalcon is dead.  He was killed by a man identified by Sarah as an old
enemy named Barrett.  He too is dead. 

We had picked up an old(sad chuckle) friend of mine on the way to the
airport in Dublin, a man by the name of DeDannan.  And we traveled to
Dublin talking all the while.  He and I hadn't seen each other for quite
some years, so we were catching up on lost time.  And Stormfalcon, Morgan,
Little Dragon, Hermit, and STREETWOLF were mostly sleeping off the meal
they had just eaten, or listening to our conversation, or just off in
thier own thoughts as we were being escorted out of that beautiful land... 

We arrived at the airport, checked our luggage(what little we had), and
were walking down the concourse when Stormfalcon suddenly got a little
nervous.  We couldn't tell why, and he just mentioned that he felt someone
was watching us, but he couldn't pin it down.  Until we heard a high
piched scream behind us. We still had two TRC bodyguards/escorts, and they
spun and drew pistols. The rest of us also turned to see a grizzled man
with a huge rifle standing there, aiming that thing at us.  And he fired
it, from what was effectively point-blank range, and hit Stormfalcon
square in the chest.  People were scattering and the TRC guards started
firing back, but the man was wearing some pretty heavy armor and thier
pistols were not doing much good.  They called for backup, the real guards
with the rifles and the military armor, and then took off after him. 
Hermit and DeDannan had already taken up the pursuit, but the man was
using the other travellers to cover his escape.  And as they both told me
later, he had obviously planned out his escape, because he avoided the
incoming TRC soldiers and was able to even lose them in the baggage area
beneath the concourse. 

But Sarah was able to catch him.  He had dropped his rifle upstairs so he
would have the mobility to escape.  Somehow she used it to find his aura,
and as he was driving out onto the tarmac, she manifested in front of his
stolen baggage cart.  He spun the wheel, tried to turn around, and she
just looked at him, her face set, and raised her hands palm out.  The bolt
of energy that struk him was very powerful and looked like lightning.  It
was powerful enough that not only did he spasm, and probably die very
quickly, but it grounded out to the cart and the massive charge caused it
to explode.  The she turned around, looked up at us in the concourse, and
disappeared.  We haven't seen her since, but Rebecca here at Haven think's
she's fine.  Just greiving in her own way, as we all will be. 

But STREETWOLF and I stayed with Stormfalcon.  The wound...I've seen many
like it in my time, and I could tell it was a .50 calibre bullet, from a
Barrett sniper rifle.  And it had hit Stormfalcon dead center in his
chest, and he was not wearing his armor anymore.  It was amazing that it
didn't kill him outright,but it might as well have.  As skilled in
physical and magical healing as I am, and with all my experience with
gunshot wounds, I just couldn't help him. STREETWOLF couldn't either, and
all we did was ease the pain as he died. 

Morgan still hasn't said anything to us since Stormfalcon died.  Besides
his requesting that the body be brought back here.  I wish he'd ask us to
have a funeral for Stormfalcon, but he hasn't even opened his mouth, or
been out of his room even, or seen anyone but Little Dragon since we
returned.  And I'm worried about him.  I know what kind of stress that
would do do a person.  But perhaps it is best that Little Dragon talk to
him.  After all, Bruce-I mean Little Dragon- saw his parents killed before
his eyes too, so they can relate all too well... 

I suspect that we'll be having a funeral for a friend shortly, but that
decisionis up to Morgan....]<<<<<
        --  Valentine(18:22:31/04-03-55)

>>>>>]Fools.  Your threats mean nothing to a man with the power of God and
the backing of Alamos 20K!  Spirit will die, and those who ally themselves
with the blasphemer and her demon mate will share her fate!]>>>>>
        --  Sword of God <15:20/4-3-55>

*****PRIVATE TO: SYBRE, TRACKER
>>>>>[Sorry about the cryptic message fellas, but life has been pretty
exiting of late. Let me know when we can get together and catch up. Seems
the three of us always wind up in the same place. Later. ]<<<<<
        --  Halo Five < 18:35:51 / 04-03-55 >

*****PRIVATE TO: LONGSHOT
>>>>>[What a coincidence, you need runners, I need work. Let me know what
you think.]<<<<<
        --  Sybre < 18:42:02 / 04-03-55 >

>>>>>[Necromancer, you don't know who James T Kirk is? 

I'm sure you've at least HEARD of Star Trek...they have about 10 fragging
clones of the show on the trid.  It's had so many spin-offs and
such...anyway, Kirk was the Captain of the first ship that set off the
series.  It was back in the late 1960's, I think, I haven't watched it for
years. 

He was played by...who?  Arnold Shather?  Something like that...]<<<<<
        --  Solonus <20:59:20/04-03-55>

>>>>>[William Shatner.]<<<<<
        --  Quickling <20:59:25/04-03-55>

>>>>>[Whatever.]<<<<<
        --  Solonus <20:59:29/04-03-55>

>>>>>[ I would like extend my condolences to those among you who were
acquainted with Stormfalcon. The loss of a shadow-comrade is something I
have experienced, and although I had barely met Stormfalcon, I know how he
helped my friend, Valentine in his time of need... I, unfortunately, was
unable to make it back to Tir na nOg in time for the Challenge, being
delayed by some freelance research work I was doing in Scotland... Some of
you may remember me from my time in the Shadows here in Seattle, back in
the early part of 2050... Which reminds me - I lost contact with an old
friend of mine, by the name of Doom, or Doctor Doom, several months ago,
for various reasons... He and I used to frequent ShadowLand, but I don't
see any messages from him in the most recent archives... Anyone know if
he's still around, and where I can contact him? ]<<<<<
        --DeDannan (02:17:53GMT/04-04-55)

>>>>>[DeDannan?  Well, well.  Maybe now I get to see the elf behind the
icon, eh?]<<<<<
        - Necromancer <21:18:11/03-04-55>

>>>>>[Shut up, you goddamn Humanis loony.]<<<<<
        - Necromancer <21:19:23/03-04-55>

>>>>>[Fine by me, Mr. Angel.  See ya around the net instead.]<<<<<
        --  Solonus <21:26:07/04-03-55>

>>>>>[I am not "Mr. Angel," drekhead.]<<<<<
         -- Dark Angel <21:30:08/04-02-55>

>>>>>[Uh, what the hell is Star Trek?]<<<<<
        - Necromancer <21:23:33/03-04-55>

>>>>>[I don't care.  Go away, I don't want to deal with you, and I'm not
starting a fragging flame war. 

Get a life, or a run.  Either will get you out of here.]<<<<<
        --  Solonus <21:29:41/04-03-55>

>>>>>['ello, DeDannan.  We'll have to talk again sometime.]<<<<<
        - Necromancer <21:26:27/03-04-55>

>>>>>[Necromancer, Star Trek is the show that has about 15 rip-offs on
various channels.  The original was on the Enterprise...next came Star
Trek: The Next Generation.  After a few shows of the type, other people
began making more stuff with the universe, and now there's Star Trek:
BorgWorld, Star Trek: BetaZed, and a bunch of dumb shows of the type. 
They're getting pretty specific.  The new shows aren't close to as good as
the old ones, but...]<<<<<
        --  Solonus <21:32:25/04-03-55>

>>>>>[(snicker)  The soul, Spirit...]<<<<<
        --  HOPE(22:42:07/04-03-55)

>>>>>[ Necromancer! the same Necromancer I did that Matrix run on the
mainframe at [ENDRYPTED: Necromancer] for? For that Johnson with the
disgusting blue and pink tie? Hell, I think I'm gonna enjoy bein' back
here in Seattle.. I've been spending too much time in the research labs
recently... ]<<<<<
        --DeDannan (02:43:37GMT/04-04-55)

>>>>>[Hello, DeDannan.  I think we met once, a while ago...]<<<<<
         -- Dark Angel <21:50:40/04-02-55>

>>>>>[Yep, that would be me....But to clarify for everyone else, I _am
not_ the Johnson in the blue and pink tie....I was acting as a
fixer....]<<<<<
        - Necromancer <22:03:53/04-03-55>

>>>>>[ After a nice Easter vacation with it always nice to back home and
see that bigotry and hatred still exist.  After celebrating a death and
ressurection of a man who taught us the true meaning of sacrifice and love
for all people, it just makes you wonder who we are when people can listen
with so much attention to his teachings and yet not hear a single word. 

The amazing thing is that this man doesn't even make me that angry, all he
makes me want to do is pity him.  CRUSH does want to hurt the man like did
Dante, yet he too seems tired of all the hate.  I think all that we went
through with Dante showed us that hate never brings any joy into your
life. 

Raven, Nightstalker, Trina and everybody, thank you for what you said, but
don't worry about our safety, we didn't stay at the house too long (I
don't think they know where we live).  We'll be staying somewhere else for
a while.  Claw says that he has a few leads and will actually tell someone
this time before tearing people limb from limb. I think he might let
others help. 

Diana, CRUSH and I will still be coming if you still are doing it.]<<<<<
        -- Spirit <of the matrix>

>>>>>[ God, that tie was revolting.. Made me wanna puke every time I
looked at it... So, what's been going down since I left.. I heard a bit
about the stuff with the Omega Corp from Doctor Doom... You still fixin'?
I may be in the market if the price is right... ]<<<<<
        --DeDannan (03:56:32GMT/04-04-55)

>>>>>[ What a fun filled few days we've been havin'. Glad that's over
with. I'll get to what I'm mentionin' in just a few. First off, I would
like to tell the humanis goon to geek himself. If the bastard even lays a
finger on Spirit, he'll wish the kindest thing I did was kill him. 

It's always sad to here about passing of chums that work the shadows.
Although I didn't really know him... it was a drag to hear about
Stormfalcon. R.i.p. 

Sigh. Anyway, if I wasn't wanted enough by various governments... I'm sure
I didn't help it anyway. Sheesh... seems I like to attract political and
corporate trouble... Prince Solarial, Ganz, Nightmare and Hammer.. . . now
I can safely add the Sioux to the list. 

DragonEyes and I were tryin' to help out the situation abit... It seems
that some of DragonEyes contacts were called in to help out Blitzkrieg.
They were working on Blitzkrieg but it was obvious that they didn't care
whether he about his condition, just wanted the status quo to be maintain
on him so he wouldn't die. DragonEyes and his friends didn't like that.
Neither did I. So we did some groundwork and well. . . I don't have a
video of it, but we kicked some tail. And got Blitzkrieg out. 

Actually it went perfectly, but it seems some mercs decided to help the
Sioux wildcats out. Except they weren't planning on facing a bunch of
determined shamans and such. 

But the point is. . . where out of the Sioux nation, and Blitzkrieg is
undergoing serious medical attention. DragonEyes called in a bunch of his
friends to help him out. He also asked me to mention something to a few
people so here goes: 

WHAT, if you get yourself over ta here, DragonEyes will willingly repair
your gear for free. To all those who wanted to talk to DragonEyes he will
be in the Denver area for quite some time. Unless some foolish people
decide to interfer that is. 

And there are 2 things I want to address . . . Firstly, to all those who
helped us out over the past few months. . . we won't forget what you have
done for us. And secondly, Highlander, I would like to talk to SpotOn
about what happen'd to Nodie. 

And by Gods it feels fraggin' great to actually relax. ]<<<<<
        -- Doomsday <00:04:16/4-4-55>

>>>>>[ That MO looks kinda familiar.  Where have I seen it before? ]<<<<<
        --  Crazy Jake <09:18:43/04-03-55>

>>>>>[Well, I don't do much fixing any more, but I'd be glad to help ya
out.  I will keep my eye open fer ya.]<<<<<
        - Necromancer <07:44:35/04-04-55>

*****PRIVATE:  Doomsday, DragonEyes
>>>>>[You are all back, and in Denver?  And everyone is more or less
alive? Well, I'm in Seattle still and won't be back to Denver in the
forseeable future, but I'll get to Moriarity and ask him to give you
whatever healing materials you need.  And if the drek hits the fan(and I
REALLY hope it doesn't) I'll see if I can convince him to take you into
one of the outlets, or even Central itself.  But I hope you have a long
rest.  You certainly deserve it.]<<<<<
        --  Action Jackson(10:37:37/04-04-55)

>>>>>[DeDannan, long time...  Denver, I believe...  You remember the mage
I Hypered?  The same guy who got fired and started hunting me?  Well, he
finally got his just rewards.  Well, I'm in Seattle right about now, and
I'll be around for a while.  Look me up.]<<<<<
        --  Slash(10:46:12/04-04-55)

>>>>>[WHAT.  I believe you expressed an interest in running sometime?  To
show these combat crazy sams the REAL way to run.  Well, I'm ready when
you are, and if we can find the proper run.  I'll keep my eyes open, and
you do the same. Till then.]<<<<<
        --  Slash(10:47:47/04-04-55)

>>>>>[SandMan, Hellspawn, Shields, I've got a meet planned and need to
know if you boys are still in?  (Anyone else interested in a piece of the
action is more than welcome)]<<<<<
   -- Jasmine (08:45:27/04-03-55)

>>>>>[Jasmine, I've already got a clue to what this is all about.  Can I
run matrix cover for the meet?]<<<<<
   -- Shields

>>>>>[ Yes, 'tis sad that a potential customer....errr I mean fellow
runner's life ended "in the line of duty". But, we all know what risks we
are taking in this occupation and all we can do is plot revenge.]<<<<<
        --  Optimal(**:**:**/**/**/**)

>>>>>[ Hmmm... I think I remember a guy on a research team working
alongside mine sometime back in the late '40s by the name of Dark Angel...
Doing research into the ASIST interface, or something... Is that
you?]<<<<<
        --DeDannan (17:28:52GMT/04-04-55)

********* Encrypt: Wyrmslayer 3.2b : Vilya *******
>>>>>[I know yer, aaahhh, busy fer the next few days, Vil, but there's
been an interesting development in my astral security problem.

Fraggin' drugs are really makin' this hell, that an' I only got one arm
workin' right.  Anyways, I'm typin' this at a private cliinic at - well,
you know how to find me.  A buddy o' mine's gonna post this to the board
for me, so's you can get it. 

Anyway, the other day I wuz leavin' my partment to go look fer tickets ta
next weekz freestyle tourney.  Oh sweet frag these drgus are ruininf me. 
ANyawy, I stepped out of my door to go look for some tickets when I sees
ol Mr MacKenzie goining into his apartment next door.  But then I remember
that Mrs. MacKenzie through Mr. MacKenzie out a couple a weeks ago, then
she moved out.  I remembered I forgot my sunglasses inside so I took out
my billfold to get my magcard to open th dooe.  I was preoccupied thiking
about Mr. MacKenzie and fumbled the card.  As I bent over ta pick it up, I
heard a blast to my left.  My head snapped right just in time to see a
nice chunk o plasetr blast out of the wall next to me.  The sht mustve
buzzzed right over my head! 

I looked bavk left and saw Mr. MAcKenzie chamberng another round into a
shotgun!  I dropped to my shoulder and rolled towards him, reahing for my
boot knife.  I pullef my leggs underneat me and dove for him, popping out
the spurs.  I caught him just as he pulled off another round my way.  The
tackle knocked him off his feet and the shotgun fell away when he started
hhowling with my spurs turning his side inta ground soy.  We exchanged
punches and I was comin' out ahead until I tried to elbow im in the jaw.. 
He catches my hand and just headbutted my arm!  HEadbutted it!  The damn
thing just shatterd. THe bone popped out, blood everywhere.  I started
kicking and thrashing and managed to jump away.  I landed on the shotgun
and rolled over wiht it.  EVer tr y to pump a shotgun with one arm in
shock?  Not fun.  anyway, I managed to blast his chin out the back of his
head and I think that finished him. 

Now the crazy thing isthat he looked like Mr. MacKenzie, but he asn't Mr.
MacKenzie.  His face was thinner at the chin and wider at the top than it
should have been, His eyes were huge and his hands were larger than they
should have been.  Nowthat I think about it, his arms and legs were
thinner than they should ahve beenm, too,.  And his skin... I dont know..
crackled, I guess. It was like he was covered with a thin layer of plastic
or something.  And I never hit bones.  I musta punched him a good dozen
times in the chest, but I never hit ribs!  After I pushed through his skin
there was nuthing undrneath.  And he was faster and stronger than I ever
expectd an old codger like MAcKenzie ta be. 

Before the shock set in too hard, I managed to drag the body into my
apartment.  I've got a trapdoor in the floor to stash weapons and stuff
and he's down n there now.  Go to my apartment and check under the couch
for th key to the trap door.  Open the bedroom door's lock with this
magkey and the trap door'll pop open.  See if you can figure out what
happened to Mr. MAcKenzie an me, Vil. 

Ohh man, do I feel like drek warmed over.  This damn cast is already
drivin' me nuts, an' the bastard ripped my stripes when the bone popped
out.  Damn, I love my tatoos too much to let that happen to them.  The
wonders of modern medicine will only leave me layedd up for ohh, a month. 
I'm gonna kill myself from boredom.]<<<<<
       -- Jacamus (10:32:34 / 04-04-55)

*****Private: Solonus
*****Encrypt: Juggler Experimental (Solonus)
>>>>>[Solonus?  You there?  This is VERY important.  Get to Chicago, ASAP,
I need some MAJOR favors.  I'm in deep drek...I had to get you a message,
and it had to be majorly encrypted.  Frag!  Get over here...I'm mailing
you from a corp machine, it's the only one I can get to.  GET OVER HERE. 
NOW.  I need you here by Saturday, at the latest...just fly into Chicago. 
I can pay you back when you get here.  I need you here NOW.  You know
where I live.  Son, I need you here, I need you here...I need some major
help...you've gotta help me...you've gotta help me.  This encrypt...it's
not even mine.  The terminal thinks I'm doing re- search.  I'm breaking
all the rules to do this, but you're the only one that I know that can
help.  Get over here, please...]<<<<<
        --  Harold Extemlar <12:36:07/04-04-55>

*****Private: Harold Extemlar
>>>>>[What?  What's going on?  You had to stea...never mind, I shouldn't
get into specifics.  You need me there.  That's enough for me.  I'll catch
a sub- orbital by tonight.  I'll be there.  Wait for me.  I don't know
what's wrong, but I'll help.  And DON'T MAIL ME ANYTHING MORE.  If you've
gone through this much, it's gotta be important enough to tell me in
person. 

See you in a couple of days.  I promise.]<<<<<
        --  Solonus <12:38:24/04-04-55>

*****Private: Quickling
>>>>>[Quickling, I need some help.  Something's come up with my Dad, and I
need you to do some work to see if you can find out WHAT.  Do some
research, nothing too dangerous, and see if you can fix anything.  I'm
coming to Chicago tonight, I'll make it to your place.  Just find out
information on Harld Extemlar...thank you a LOT.  I need it... 

And no, I really don't know what's going on.]<<<<<
        --  Solonus <12:40:23/04-04-55>

*****Private: Solonus
>>>>>[Got it, Solonus.  I'll do what I can.  You can stay at my place if you
want, my husband doesn't mind...]<<<<<
        --  Quickling <12:41:09/04-04-55>

*****Private: Quickling
>>>>>[Thanks again, and I think I'll take you up on your offer.  I'll be
there by 2:00 in the morning...probably.  I can just come in, if you
want...I know how to get in on my own.  Don't bother waking up, or jacking
out...]<<<<<
        --  Solonus <12:42:39/04-04-55>

>>>>>[Chummers, I'm in a bind.  A REAL bind.  I'm needed in Chicago, ASAP,
and so, if any of my runs are going on tonight or for a while, I'm not
going to be there to do them.  I'm sorry, I have to do this.  Mail me
privately if you want to make arrangements with me... 

Frag!  I hate it when I don't know what's going on...]<<<<<
        --  Solonus <12:44:08/04-04-55>

>>>>>[ Hell, Slash, it's been way too long... Sure I remember those punks
in Denver... Is it still as much a kickin' city as it was back then? Kinda
like Berlin during the Cold War back in the 1970s... Hey, I'm staying at
[ENCRYPTED] - Give me a call sometime soon, and we'll go for a drink or
something... Cool hearing from ya... ]<<<<<
        --DeDannan (18:07:27/04-04-55)

>>>>>[Solonus gone?  Yes yes yes yes yes.  Now is the time, Dark
Angel.]<<<<<
        - Necromancer <13:56:24/04-04-55>

>>>>>[Yep, I was in on that.  Thought you sounded familiar.]<<<<<
        -- Dark Angel <14:09:56/04-03-55>

>>>>>[ Well, well, well... You still in the same business, or are you a
full-time member of the shadows now? Say, I wonder if you remember a guy
that was working with me back in '49, at DeltaDeck Enterprises, just
before it got taken over, and I left.. He went by the handle 'Doctor
Doom'... You wouldn't know where I could get as hold of him, by any
chance? I lost contact with him a few months back... Say, do you want to
get together for a drink sometime, or somethin'? ]<<<<<
        --DeDannan (19:34:22GMT/04-04-55)

>>>>>[ I'm here and ready, Jas. ]<<<<<
         --  HellSpawn <12:59:59/04-04-55>

>>>>>[ Jasmine, meet me at Jake's tonight (usual time). ]<<<<<
        --  HellSpawn <01:01:01/04-04-55>

>>>>>[How...interesting.]<<<<<
        -- Dark Angel <15:12:06/04-03-55>

>>>>>[ HellSpawn, I can't get out of a previous engagement tonight.  Too
many runs all at once.  I agree that we need to get together, but
tonight's just not going to happen. 

The Johnson for the planned run wants to meet us at a secure table in
"Hell" over at Dante's Inferno.  I've met with him before.  So, I can
vouch that his meets go smoothly.  He wants me to set up a time, and he'll
be there.  You good to go tomorrow? 

Dang I could use 28 hours in a day.]<<<<<
   -- Jasmine (13:20:45/04-03-55)

>>>>>[Sandman, you good to go tomorrow?]<<<<<
   -- Jasmine

>>>>>[According to the minutes of the last few meetings held at the
Vatican between the Pope and the Cardinals, the Pope was trying to
instigate some new policy that would give him more control of the church
in "emergency" situations.  There were a few entries in his personal
journal about some kind of an eminent "attack" on the church, though he
didn't specify what type of attack he was referring to.  Although I don't
believe the Cardinals were directly responsible for the Pope's death, I am
praying diligently that they were not indirectly responsible.]<<<<<
      -- StJohn <14:39:30/04-04/94>

>>>>>[I'm not quite in Seattle right now.]<<<<<
        -- Dark Angel <15:41:32/04-03-55>

*****TO ALL EXCEPT: Action Jackson
>>>>>[Ok, the party is the the 8th, at 1800 hours.  At Harly's place in
Everett.  Where the last one he hosted didn't go off so well.  You
remember, I'm sure.  It's a surprise party, so don't tell Dad.  Hope you
all can still be there.]<<<<<
        --  Diana, Mistress of the Night(17:31:15/04-04-55)

>>>>>[Gone, not yet.  At least I hope not.  I need to get a hold of
him.]<<<<<
        -- Quickling <17:33:37/04-04-55>

>>>>>[Yeah, I'm still here.  Plane (not suborbital, haven't been on a
plane for a long time) leaves in a few hours.  What do you need,
Quickling, and Nec- romancer, shut the frag up.  I'm not in the
mood.]<<<<<
        --  Solonus <17:34:32/04-04-55>

*****Private: Solonus
>>>>>[I've done sone premininary research, Solonus.  Can't find any
records on him anywhere.  I'll do some digging. 

See you in Chicago...the place is set up to let you in.]<<<<<
        --  Quickling <17:35:33/04-04-55>

*****Private: Quickling
>>>>>[Thanks, Laura.  I owe you one.  See you there...]<<<<<
        --  Solonus <17:35:49/04-04-55>

*****Private: Diana
>>>>>[I'll be there.  I can get out of work for a while, at least...

See you there, virtually.]<<<<<
        --  Quickling <18:54:42/04-04-55>

>>>>>[ Hiya, it's your fave messenger to the Rich & SINless! ]<<<<<
        -- Hangtime <18:55:11/04-04-55>

>>>>>[ Otherwise known as the insufferable lacky to Doom. ]<<<<<
        -- Mr. Fantastic <18:55:20/04-04-55>

>>>>>[ Stuff it, Fantastic, I've learned a few things while I've been on
the run, so don't give me an excuse to try 'em out! ]<<<<<
        -- Hangtime <18:55:25/04-04-55>

>>>>>[ Well, it seems Powerhouse hasn't shown himself yet . . . gee, I
hope he's alright. ]<<<<<
        -- Hangtime <18:55:36/04-04-55>

>>>>>[ I really don't think he'd post in the thick of a mission, Hangtime; 
the guy's probably rigged for silent running. ]<<<<<
        -- Sonic Boom <18:55:49/04-04-55>

>>>>>[ Hey, look!  Some chummer that just hit town is asking about
Doom!]<<<<<
        -- Sonic Boom <18:56:01/04-04-55>

>>>>>[ DeDannan, eh?  I don't know who you are, but until I do, the only
thing I'll say is that the Doctor's "out", so to speak. 

I think I'll check some of my old files and see if Doom's ever mentioned
this guy. ]<<<<<
        -- Hangtime <18:56:35/04-04-55>

>>>>>[ Well, I see that I am about to be deposed.  I pray tell where you
got your name sir, and I certainly hope that you find another before I am
forced to find you, and eliminate the man who is short a letter in his
name, and a brain in his head. ]<<<<<
        -- Veangeance <20:13:44 / 04-04-55>

*****PRIVATE TO: Blaze, Coyote
>>>>>[ As I could guess from the coding of your posts, though not the
content, I see a possible problem with this Vengeance character.  Rest
assured though sirs, that this smart-alek is not my brother, and in fact,
is seeming to try to use his notoriety (in name at least) to his
advantage.  If you wish, a couple of my compatriots and I could step down
to O'Malley's this evening and find out what is going on for the sheer the
small price of allowing us the pleasure of pounding the living piss out of
him.  Reply to this asap if you wish our help in this. ]<<<<<
        -- CyberWraith <20:20:17 / 04-04-55>

>>>>>Hey, who let the Almos 20K fragger onto the net?  And on a side note,
anyone want to lay bets as to how long it will be before someone geeks
this bastard?<<<<<
        -- Irish<06:10:55/04/04/55>

>>>>>Hey Caine, you alive out there?  It's considered polite to at least
say "fragg off" when a chummer leaves you a message.<<<<<
        -- Irish<06:22:55/04-04-55>

>>>>>[This is very intresting.  Much better than the "cease your inquiries
or suffer excomunication" I get from my "superiors" at the Vatican. *SIGH*
If any of you who walk in shadows have more information on this "attack"
on the Church I would most appreciate hearing it.]<<<<<
        --  Father Brian Grant <18:29/04-04-55>

>>>>>[Hi Hi Hi (121.45 Mp deleted by Sysop)]<<<<<
        --  Grimjack <18:31/04-04-55>

>>>>>[Who is this fragging idiot!?!?!]<<<<<
        --  Paradox <18:35/04-04-55>

>>>>>[You seek to frighten me and insult my purpose!  I have been given a
vision, a vision of a world freed of the unhuman filth!  Their false
nations will be destroyed in fire and blood!  I shall show God of my faith
by sacrificing the unholy spawn of Spirit and the abomination on the altar
of the Lord!!  All who oppose the holy wrath of God will be destroyed! 
Death to the Anti-Christ and his demonic parents!!]<<<<<
        --  Sword of God <18:40/04-04-55>

>>>>>[ Yeah... we're back in Denver. Thanks for the offer. If we need
it... you'll hear about it... I'm sure. As far as everyone getting out
alive and . . .well alive... it's probably going to be a long, long time
before Blitzkrieg is even a former shade of himself. I hope the drek
doesn't hit the fan. I have never seen DragonEyes pushin' himself as hard
as he is now. . .  We're all just trying to make it through one day at a
time. . . 

Another thing of note, is that we still have no clue whereabouts of
Shadowfox. He may very well be . . . dead. I.... *sigh* just don't know.
Unfortunately, as DragonEyes reminds me, we don't know a hell of a lot
that is going on now. Including what happened to Bruce by the hands of
Nightmare, or what happened to Firewraith at all. I hope Shadowfox and
Firewraith are okay. . . . I . . . *link broken* ]<<<<<
        -- Doomsday <20:44:40/4-4-55>

>>>>>[ Congratulations on making it to Denver. With Blitzkrieg no less.
How impressive. Even though he is a weak blood relation of mine, I'm glad
he has friends like you, Doomsday. Otherwise, he would have died a
miserable death as a traitor in Germany. You and your friends are the only
reason he is alive. Just make sure that it all wasn't just a big waste of
time and money. He may be kin to me, but he is a traitor. Just make sure
he never grows strong enough again to stab you in the back like he did me.
In which case, maybe you will finally understand why BIS and I hate him so
much. Even though he is a traitor, I will say it again. He is fortunate to
have people like you. ]<<<<<
        -- Nightmare <05:50:15/4-5-55> 

>>>>>[ Hey Solonus, if you are need of some back-up, I am available for
work in the Chicago area. I could use the Yen. 

I should also add that the local gangers seem to enjoy reminding me about
the present Nightmare has given to me. They have given me a new nickmane.
If you know what Nightmare left me with, it shouldn't take you too long to
figure out what those . . . those . .  .gangers are calling me. And in
that case, it will be even easier to find me. ]<<<<<
        -- Bruce <21:56:10/4-4-55>

>>>>>[Vengeance, you have been a naughty boy.  Threatening people over the
Matrix...  That's my job.  And don't bother tracing me, or finding me
physically.  I've learned a lot in my time...]<<<<<
        --  YE(23:26:42/04-04-55)

>>>>>[Those who would deem the innocent as guilty are the guilty ones
themselves.  I vow that you shall do no harm to either of them.]<<<<<
        --Caine (20:28:35/04-04-55)

>>>>>[Caine, that's a very good joke.  Vow?  Really?  Idealism has no
place in the Shadows.]<<<<<
        --  WHO(00:07:35/04-05-55)

>>>>>[Ah Grimjack.  He's an annoying but occasionally helpful minor free
spirit. If it weren't for him the Azzies would have fried me in my doss
and I'd be nothing but ash.  But then if my former companions hadn't freed
Grimjack from the Azzies in the first place I wouldn't be stuck in Hawaii.
*SIGH*

By the way Paradox if you can get a hold of Omicron, see if she can get me
a ride back to the mainland.  There is nothing going on over here and I'm
going insane with boredom.]<<<<<
        --  Scorpian <21:25/04-04-55>

>>>>>[Well chummers... things here are very interesting... I don't know
what is up, ow hat it really means, but if what I've seen is any
indication, Blaze may be in for a bit of trouble. 

I scoped out O'Malley's the other night. I got some footage from their
security cameras, but since the place is so low-tech, I couldn't get much.
Widow and Chance got more of a look than I did, but they were too far away
to overhear anything, so we're still pretty much in the dark. 

I will say one thing... this new card... what was her name... Karyn? She's
a looker... here's a pic of her... I already ran it through the public
base, but didn't get any matches... I also ran a pic of this "Vengeance"
guy, and got a couple possible matches... I need to double-check with some
sources down in Cal Free to verify, but I think I have him nailed. 

Anyway, here's the pic of the lady... can anybody come up with something?
I appreciate any help you guys can lend us. 

*****Photo Still 15 Mp

Thanks. Talk tpo you guys later...]<<<<<
        -- Coyote <Howl/Howl>

>>>>>[You may doubt my idealism, but do not doubt my sincerity.]<<<<<
                        --Caine (22:17:34/04-04-55)

>>>>>[I don't know who'll care, but I saw something pretty scary on my
last run just off CalFree.  Big sucker of a Panzer just came out of
nowhere, from the water.  We were pretty low, and it damned near hit one
of the carriers (VTOL boatplanes) before it blew it away with a chaingun. 
I ditched the convoy, and almost had to take a swim (just made it to a
free-trader outpost in time).  I saw that think go back down to sea level
as I left.  The thing just faded to green-blue and almost totally left my
radar-scope.  I guess it might have been a Nippon thing (maybe out of
SanFran) but I never I.D.ed it.]>>>>>
        --  <22:18:47/04-04-94>

>>>>>[ I'm up for anytime.  I'm free right now. ]<<<<<
        --  HellSpawn <00:54:32/04-05-55>

>>>>>[ Hey, Sonic!  I just found a vintage DAT of Thomas Dolby and the
Lost Toy People's "Aliens Ate My Buick" album.  "I Just Want the Key to
Her Ferrari" is a kickin' tune...  You oughta hear it. ]<<<<<
        --  CoHort <00:57:43/04-05-55>

>>>>>[ Certainly, Hangitme, look up your files, by all means, but I'd
better warn you that I haven't been in Seattle since 2050... The Doctor
isn't in some kind of trouble, is he? Last time I spoke to him. a few
months back, he mentioned something about some trouble with [ENCRYPTED:
Hangtime - some guy from GA... Dammit, I warned him anout them druids...
END ENCRYPTION]. In any case, please get back to me as soon as
possible.]<<<<<
        --DeDannan (09:31:06GMT/05-04-55)

>>>>>[ Though I like things HOT, I find that my services are
misappreciated by some people here. I hear the Seattle area will do just
as well, and that you can make a living without anyone bossing you around
demanding freebies. Gosh, I hate that! 

Got any execs need some pressure eased? I'm yer gal. Satisfaction
guaranteed. ]<<<<<
        --  Pet <12.12.35 GMT+2/55-04-05>

>>>>>[Oh, Jesus....shut up, you stupid Humanis idiot.]<<<<<
        - Necromancer <07:48:29/04-05-55>

>>>>>[HellSpawn, I still haven't heard from Sandman.  I have set up a meet
with Johnson at Dante's for 12:00 noon.  The Troll bouncer at the door is
expecting us.  NOTE: Your firearms will be confiscated at the door, but
they are also well protected.  You will get them back.  All I can ask is
that you trust me on this one.  Shields is meeting us there.]<<<<<
   -- Jasmine (8:07:45/04-05-55)

>>>>>[Sandman, If you're around, meet us there.  I'd hate to go into this
with just one "associate" if you get my point.]<<<<<
   -- Jasmine (8:08:15/04-05-55)

>>>>>[Hi guys,

Sorry about the sudden disappearance.  I had to take Gawk back to Seattle
to get his cybereye fixed.  The fragger went blind!  Anyway, anybody know
of a job for a disreputable EX-streetdoc?]<<<<<
        -- Frosty <10:05:45 / 04-05-55>

>>>>>[Frosty, lay off, I only broke a coupla fingers!]<<<<<
        -- Gawk <10:06:21 / 04-05-55>

>>>>>[.....and wrists, and forearms, and......]<<<<<
        -- Frosty <10:06:44 / 04-05-55>

>>>>>[Has anything happened since I have left?  I managed to dig up a bit
of information.  TK was seen in that prison complex as recently as Sunday. 
I say we hit it tonight.  Everyone still in town please meet me at
 ***LOCATION***]<<<<<
        -- Frosty <10:11:33 / 04-05-55>

>>>>>[Hello fellow runners. 

I am called Talon and have been commissioned by the Vatican to investigate
the unfortunate occurances in the Holy City.  I offer a large reward for
viable information.  Please respond so that we may enlighten each
other.]<<<<<
        -- Talon <VITRIOL>

>>>>>[Unhuman filth!?  You've gotta be kiddin' me.  Listen, breeder, I'm
not that easy to get rid of.  Anytime you want to try, I'll be
waiting.]<<<<<
        --  Longshot <11:27:39/04-05-55>

>>>>>[ I've just finished looking over the trid footage of your challenge,
a Vailitin... I see my father was present, commanding the perimeter guard
around Tara... Perhaps it's as well I wasn't there - as you well know
yourself, my father and I do not exactly see eye to eye... 

Going over the footage, I suspect that the "Arena" where the challenge
took place was a domain in the Near Faerie Realm, much the same as that
accessible through the main chamber at my birthplace, Brugh na Boinne... 

I think that your actions as 'An Seabhac Siulach' - James Stewart was the
name you took during that time? - was a major point in both the first and
second trials: Managing to keep the Irish spirit of freedom alive, and yet
holding back when the order to rebel would have meant failure and the loss
of countless lives... To be able to say that you were once the leader of
the Fenians meant a lot, I believe... 

Ah, an ceol.. The music.. The O'Cinneide wrought such a beautiful
rendition of 'An Badaire Uaigneach' - The Lonesome Boatman - from his harp
(Did I hear someone call it a lyre the other night?) that I was moved to
tears, but the tune that you played was full of joy and gladness... 

'Twas a pity about the final trial, but 'tis part of Celtic tradition and
the Brehon law after all... The law under which I still live, by my own
will, fortunately, unlike you, who had it forced upon you... 

Well, I need not mourn the death of Padraig Sean O Cinneide - I knew him
not. 'Tis unfortunate, however that such a momentuous occaision should
have been marred by the murder of your brave friend, Streetfalcon - I'm
still trying to figure out how he managed to get into Aerphort Baile Atha
Cliath, carrying such weaponry... In any case, what's done is done. How is
Morgan doing? I'll call down to the Haven tonight, after I've sorted out
my apartment, and can chat over a buideal of the real uisce beatha, eh?
Aye, and what was that about a party on Friday? I feel like a right good
rave-up at the moment... 'Tis good to be back in Seattle... Ye never know
- I may even bring my fiddle if you're luck! 'Til this evening.. ]<<<<<
        --DeDannan (16:34:10/05-04-55)

>>>>>[Hoi Slash, glad you made it out of Swiz-land in one piece, nasty
business that. I'm still being repaired after my trip to the Astral
Planes. Not a place for a Mundane like meself, but a hell of a place to
see. 

The Job situation, well it looks like everyone's looking for wetworkers.
All muscle, no skill. It still amazes me in how much money is spent on
lead and explosives by the 'runners around here. Some parts of town look
like a bloody war zone. It might be a move to start buying some shares in
the arms industries. *grin*. I'll be at Polish bar tonight Slash, if you
want to pop in for a drink and perhaps you can tell me where you got that
increased hyper from ....]<<<<<
        -WHAT(17:31:15/04-05-55)

>>>>>[Hey, I've got some friends down thataway, who might be intrested in
whatever yuo saw.  Would tyuo be willing to vgo back there with them?? 
BTW, who in the hell are you?  Your puter didn't post a name. 

Oh, yeah, while I'm thinking about it, does anybody outr there know a good
cybertech?" i need someobne who is good with interfaces.  My sensory
interface is fouled up and I'm gettinbg what the doc ias calling "ghost
images"..  What that means is that I'm seeinmg and hearing things that the
shorted interface is generatingf.  Last night I had a conversation with
Elvis.  I've also managed to sever my smartgun's cable.  Tjhe doc has
already recommenmded someone, but I want other referemces. 

Damn, I can't wait ta get outta this fraggin' cast.  At least most of the
drugs have worn off by now....]<<<<<
        -- Jacamus (09:40:34 / 04-05-55)

>>>>>[You're wrong, WHO. Idealism is everything.]<<<<<
        -- Cat Dancing <04:44:57/05-APR-2055>

>>>>>[Jacamus, I can probably be helping you with your deck.  I am very
good with both hardware and biotech.  If you can find a clinic for rent, I
can also do the smartgun link.  I am recently arrived from Switzerland,
and am doing many decking, so the physical work would be welcomed.  I have
just been paid for some work, so fees would be low.  Post to me here if
you are interested.]<<<<<
        -- Basilisk <19:48:02 GMT/05.Apr.55>

*****TO: ALL EXCEPT Action Jackson
>>>>>[Diana, ya ca' expect Patricia, Colice an' m'self at th' party.]<<<<<
        --  STREETWOLF(Fire is an Elf's Best Friend)(14:55:35/04:05:55)

>>>>>[God has room in his heart for all creatures that roam this world. 
He shall be the judge, not you or I, of who is filth and who is worthy of
His grace.]<<<<<
        -- Talon <VITRIOL>

*****Private: Solonus
>>>>>[ That last bit was in reference as to what the locals call me now.
They have taken up calling me by two names. One I absolutely hate, because
it reminds me of what Nightmare did to me in the last Astral Quest I
undertook and the other just confuses me because I don't know it's
reference. If you don't know what Nightmare did to me, I suggest you did
up through the back logs when you get the opportunity. ]<<<<<
        -- Bruce <19:55:40/4-5-55>

>>>>>[Nice of you to tell your compadres in crime before going back ta
Home Sweet Seattle, Frosty! Hopefully the authorities didn't catch on to
your resurfacing there. Gah! I really would've liked to have gone back as
well... these Jesus-freak-Catholics here in Atzlan have been crying and
moaning and mourning for the ex-Pope, like they thought his death was the
end of the world or something. 

At any rate, who else is helping me assassinate Hirisoto, among our posse
members? Gimmee names and "specialties" if you would be so kind. 

Incidently Piper, do you wanna run electronic sabotage/surveilance for us
from UCAS territory?]<<<<<
        --  Warped Warlock <19:30:28/04-5-55>

>>>>>[Well, that's what I get for using a cheap interface terminal...this
time I should have a name below (I hope).  Yeah, I'd go back down there,
but only for a price.  I may be curious about what that was, but fuel is
expensive, and so are munitions (especially missiles).  I might look for
some work in the local region.  Anyone need a chaffeur?...or anything like
that, for that matter.]<<<<<
        --  Mortis (19:00:00/04-05-55)

>>>>>[Blasphemous fools!  You think that moving the foul ones will stop my
holy mission!!  I will burn this unholy city free of the hellspawn that
infest it! All of the infidels shall die on the night of the sacrifice! 

And to the foul creature calling itself Talon.  What other views could be
expected from a pawn of Satan's house on Earth!  You too shall die!]<<<<<
        --  Sword of God <19:02:34/04-05-55>

>>>>>[*SIGH* Sometimes I'm glad I live in New Orleans.  If not I might be
tempted to break my vows of non-violence, espically for pieces of filth
like this.  Even though sometimes I do agree with him about the Catholic
church, that dosn't excuse his racial bigotry.]<<<<<
        --  Father Brian Grant <19:09:21/04-05-55>

>>>>>[Frosty, I have recieved your message.  I will be at ***Location***.
Sorry I was gone so long, but I had some unfinished business to look
after]<<<<<
        -- Mercy <20:53:33 / 04-05-55>

>>>>>['Unfinished Business' That's a nice way to put running around in the
woods looking for an imaginary beast that was in your dream!  It took me a
full week to find him!]<<<<<
        -- Brick <20:54:32 / 04-05-55>

>>>>>[I did a little research this afternoon and found out that there is a
low security transport scheduled to arrive at the complex at 2:35 A.M. 
The Transport is owned by 'La Espada' I did an impromptu revision of thier
route that will give us a chance to "borrow" it. 

I have some language chips that may prove useful.  I will bring them to
the meet. 

So far, only Brick, Mercy, and Gawk have responded.  What happened to the
rest of you?  I hope that this will be enough. 

Couch and I are going to see what we can pull out of the Aztechnology
Complex's system.  Mercy, your talents will be needed inside of the
complex.]<<<<<
        -- Frosty <We be / Chillin'>

>>>>>[Ahhhh...The fresh pollutant encrusted air.  Such a wonderful change
from the sun and clear sky of Hawaii.  Its good to be home.]<<<<<
        --  Scorpian <19:37:20/04-05-55>

>>>>>[Alright, who's the joker?  I got back to my pad and found a silver
bullet with my name etched into it.  Not very funny!]<<<<<
        -- Frosty <21:35:32 / 04-05-55>

>>>>>[Guys,

TK is in the complex.  He is in room B1733.  Don't know where that is but
it is a start.  He is in really bad shape.  He might not be able to leave
under his own power.  I'll let you see what I mean. 

{Download: ##VID.TK.MPG##

The picture is taken from an overhead position.  A nearly naked, pale elf
is laying chained to a steel bed.  Through the dried blood and bruises,
you can barely make out the face of TK. 

ENDFILE}]<<<<<
        -- Couch <..:..:.. / ..-..-..>

PRIVATE TO:  Talon
>>>>>[I would be honored to help you in your endeavor to uncover the truth
about the death of our beloved Pope.  Please check the information I
posted a few days back, and tell me what else you need to know.  If you
could contact the Vatican and ask them to allow me access to their
computer files, that would shorten the time frame a little.  My services
are at your disposal.]<<<<<
        -- StJohn <21:33:35/04-05-55>

>>>>>[Great.  I'll add your names to the list...  Oops, I guess you were
there already(grin).]<<<<<
        --  Diana, Mistress of the Night(01:18:03/04-06-55)

>>>>>[Shares in the arms industry?  (uproarious laughter) Whoa...  Did I
ever tell you...  Well, not here anyway...]<<<<<
        --  Slash(01:36:56/04-06-55)

>>>>>[I'd recommend AJ, but I'm slightly biased.  He's my friend, and a
fraggin good doc, especially if ya need headware like your interface unit. 
But it's your call.]<<<<<
        --  Slash(01:39:53/04-06-55)

>>>>>[Ahhh, the "arms industry." Such subtlty, such irony, such idiocy. 
Only those who don't live by the sword will die by it.  Or as an old
"friend" of mine liked to mention...  C'est la mort.  For the French
impaired, that is Such is death.]<<<<<
        --  ENTER(13:43:42/04-06-55)

>>>>>[Laddie, I passed your message onto SpotOn.  I'm not sure how up she
is for a visit, though. 

What did you think of my posts from the late NodeFaerie?]<<<<<
        --Highlander (23:59:43/4-5-55)

>>>>>[Uh, what posts, Colin?]<<<<<
        --Heather (23:00:00/4-5-55)

>>>>>[What?  Bleeding drek!  That bloody virus!]<<<<<
        --Highlander (23:01:55/4-5-55)

>>>>>[Cerise?  Are you out there lassie?]<<<<<
        --Highlander (23:03:10/4-5-55)

>>>>>[Anybody need a job out there in shadowland? Got some stuff that
needs to be done and the Toy's Team is subcontracting. Give ol'e
Flatlinner a buzz at ****LTG123646142treuhgfbqre76r514~11~864g**** Leave
your name, number and capabilities. Back to the trenches]<<<<<
        --GunBunny <01:49:00/04-06-55>

>>>>>[So the Pope knew about the attack, did he? Did you manage to get
anything else St. John? Copies of the Vatican security logs, perhaps? The
Pope's journal is nice, but unless the fragger rose from the dead for one
last entry, I tend to doubt that it contains anything of substance. 

And the _Cardinals_ were behind it? No offense, St. John, but I feel
obliged to laugh at the idiosyncrosies of your religion... ]<<<<<
        --  Warped Warlock <17:31:05/4-5-55>

>>>>>[ I'll be there Frosty... anything to shrug off this long boring
streak of doing absolutely nothing, except plotting and conspiring. 

Although don't you think it would make the whole thing easier if we geeked
Hirisoto first? I mean, if we break into the prison and free TK, there's
bound to be lotsa shooting, and things blowing up, and general violence.
When that happens, they're probably gonna wanna get the good Chairman
outta the area fast. 

On the other hand, if we kill Hirisoto first, I doubt that they're gonna
move a whole prison. 

Besides, I think he leaves in another day or two... ]<<<<<
        --  Warped Warlock <19:44:/04-05-55>

>>>>>[I appreciate the common sense and honorable attitudes shown by Talon
and Father Brian Grant.  I am not a Catholic, but I do share some of the
same beliefs. 

TO:  Sword of God
Fragging inspirational! (*MAJOR SARCASM*) About my offer,... forget it, I
don't have the time to waste on a dishonorable individual such as
yourself.]<<<<<
        --  Longshot <8:39:55/04-06-55>

>>>>>[I can't stay long because Hain's deckers are still looking for me. 
I need some runners who can fill in for some of my friends who got geeked. 
So far, two... make that three positions have opened.  I require runners
who are "gifted" in the arts of discretion and stealth.  Brute force is
not called for (although it may come in handy). You can still contact me
through a secure line: 
		<[u--l--r] at [msuvx.memst.edu]>
Gotta go.]<<<<<
        -- Longshot <8:56:31/04-06-55>

>>>>>[I don't believe this!  I'm going to talk to the guy I hired to fix
my deck.  Evidently, he didn't get all the bugs out.  If you're interested
in the run, send your name, a brief description of your character, and a
general list of your skills.]<<<<<
        -- Longshot <10:24:19/04-06-55>

***** Encrypt Wyrmslayer 3.2b : Jacamus *****
>>>>>[ I have now been to your living space and found the remains of the
creature you describe as Mr. MacKenzie. 

Beyond doubt the creature has been magically transformed by the invasion
of an insect spirit in the former Mr. MacKenzie's body. This would, of
course, lead to the body gaining a few insectoid features, such as
exoskeleton, lack of endoskeleton, gross stupidity, et.al. I deduce that
the spirit in question is mantis, but this is uncertain. I suggest an
immediate investigation into the whereabouts of Mrs. MacKenzie, as she
will probably pose a far greater threat if what I suspect is true. 

I think we need to meet in person as soon as possible! Are you in a
hospital with a good astral security? If you are, you must arrange the
meeting. If not, I can track you from the residual aural energy of your
beloved weaponry. (Get rid of them!) Please let me know! 

(Oh, by the way: I can provide full time magical medical care for the
right price.)

And please call me Vilya! ]<<<<<
        -- Vilya <GMT 16:34:58/6-APR-55>

>>>>>[ Alright. As soon as we're finished with breaking TK out, and
getting him to safety tonight, we're gonna make the hit on Hirisoto, fast
and hard. Keep in mind that I have little to no idea what your
"specialties" are when you fraggers skirt the shadows, since we just met
not so long ago at that concert, so give me some input if you feel that
your talents could best be applied elsewhere... 

Like I said earlier, Hirisoto's hotel is practically a fortress. Gawk and
I are going to enter from the front, posing as maintenance workers. Piper,
it's up to you to plant false service & maintenance information into their
system, so that they suspect nothing when we show up. Just frag with the
dates a little. And don't worry... the IC is easily crackable, according
to some of the local boys. 

Once we're in, we'll hit the elevators, and gain access to the ventilation
shaft. A little tear gas in the air ducts, and we should be in business. 

Once 15 minutes have passed, we should be in the building, and the tear
gas should have spread to the important areas (the lobby, and Hirisoto's
level). At that point, Frosty, Brick, and Mercy, you'll storm the building
(be careful of any guards who might have gas filter implants), and meet
with us at Hirisoto's door (that's room number 832). 

After that, we drag Hirisoto out, ice the bastard once he's conscious and
told me why he had my mentor killed, and then head back to the good ol'
UCAS. 

I make it sound so easy don't I? 

Oh... and one more thing before I resume my festivities with the lovely
Atzlan seniorita in my room. What will the transport guards have for
weapons/armor/magic/implants, when we go to free TK?]<<<<<
        --  Warped Warlock <10:34:21/04-06-55>

>>>>>[ I wouldn't bother going to the guy who "fixed" your deck... It
looks like it's probably a software probelm from here - try reconfiguring
your textual interface with a slightly higher error acceptance level - I
know it sounds weird, but I'm fairly experienced in these matters...]<<<<<
        --DeDannan (16:36:49GMT/06-04-55)

>>>>>[ It has happened again. The new CO of my old platoon almost caught
me again. I am going to have to ***trace detected*** lay low for a while.
Oops ***conection terminated***]<<<<<
        --  Optimal

>>>>>[VIDEO & AUDIO FEED:
Source: Seattle Newsfeed

ANCHOR:  It was announced that a Mr. John Farkas has been sentenced today
on charges of vagrancy, public deliquency, aiding and abetting, and a
number of other minor charges.  He has been incarcerated inside
<encrypted> Prison for an as-yet-unreleased number of years.  For further
information, reference our net-broadcasts from 03/08/55. ]<<<<<
        -- Seattle Newsfeed Service < 13:50:00 / 04-06-55 >

>>>>>[Frag, Does anyone know what happened to Frosty?  He dumped out of
the matrix last night, but I haven't gotten in touch with him since. 

I heard that the hijacking of the transport was pretty easy last night.  I
guess they wouldn't have to much security on a truckload of food though. 

Any ideas on how they got TK out of the complex so quickly?  He was there
when you guys entered. I'll finish analyzing the security tapes then
upload them for you.]<<<<<
        -- Couch <..:..:.. /..-..-..>

>>>>>[Frag, how da dreck could we have missed da slottin' fragger?  I'll
head over to Frosty's and check up on him in the mornin']<<<<<
        -- Gawk <3:03:55 / 04-06-55>

PRIVATE TO:  Talon
>>>>>[I'd like to join in your search for the truth.  I'm a Catholic
myself and feel like I need to do something.  So, if you need any vehicle
and data, my girlfriend and I would be happy to help.]<<<<<
        --Ripley(13:28:35/04-06-55)

ONLY TO:  Longshot
>>>>>[I am Caine.  I will help you.]<<<<<
        --Caine(13:35:10/04-06-55)

PRIVATE TO: FROSTY
>>>>>[Frosty:  I will be in the compound matrix during the run (don't ask
me how I got the LTG and SAN #s).  I will be able to communicate with you
and see you.  The signal will be ***SIGNAL***.  That will let you know I'm
there.]<<<<<
        -- Piper <14:44:40/04-06-55>

>>>>>[You seem to have made alot of enimes already chummer. Usualy it
takes at least a week to get so many people after your head.  Take my
advice and start running, before one of your new "friends" desides that
he/she has had enough and starts looking for you.]<<<<<
        -- Irish<02:15:30/04-05-55>

>>>>>[Hey WHO, give Caine a break will ya?  Sure he talks weird, and acts
like this is the fragg'n age of chivalry, but he's a good runner and keeps
his word.  What else can you ask of him?]<<<<<
        -- Irish<02:25:12/04-05-55>

>>>>>[Whats with all the criptic babble, Caine?  Can't you just say "Frag
with Crush & Spirit and die"? 
        
Anyway, I have an idea I want to run past you, howsabout we put a bounty
of, oh 400Y, on Sword of God's head?  That way, Sword will be taken care
of, and we don't have to get involved directly. I think Humanis may still
be sore about what happened last time we tangled, no sense in stirring
them up again so soon.]<<<<<
        -- Irish<02:25:12/04-05-55>

>>>>>[Well, you would know more about the Near Faerie Realm than I would. 
I have only been there once, and I hope I never have occasion to do so
again. But I would say that you are right.  It certainly felt that way to
me. 

And I have used many names.  When you are wanted for various crimes
including imaginary one you learn to survive by changing your face and
name and habits as necessary.  I was never able to truly get away from the
people and the land I love.  Perhaps if I could have changed so much I
would have been able to avoid the recent Challenge.  But why did he have
to choose the killing combat? I don't know what is worse:  the fact that I
killed him, or that he was willing to give up his life...  But he deserves
the honor he has been given, and if they are right, he will be reborn
farther along on the Wheel. 

Morgan is doing much better, as you saw last night.  He's talking more,
but he is still very somber.  But there is improvement in his general
mood.  I hope that he is learning to handle the pain as we all must.  Some
earlier than others. 

And I have asked Diana to place your name on the list, along with
Morgan's. Bruce, I mean Little Dragon, will be staying here to catch up on
his school- work.  Morgan, however, needs the distraction.  I certainly
hope to convince him to take the opportunity to get out. 

I am glad you approved of Haven.  I have spent years here working on it,
keeping it clean and open and safe from the gangs and criminals who would
otherwise destroy us.  And through all the hard work, the ones who learn
what you teach move on to teach others.  Eventually things will change. 
Call me an idealist, but I truly belive this.  Maybe not soon, and maybe
not even in my lifetime, but eventually...]<<<<<
        --  Valentine(14:00:25/04-06-55)