>>>>>[We need to talk, as soon as possible.

Some things I don't entrust to even my own encryption.]<<<<<
        --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel>

>>>>>[ No kidding, AJ. Turn around for a minute, get dragged off
by ninjas who brainwash you and implant toxie spirits in your 'ware,
(I'm much better, thanks) and the world has changed. Glad to see a
familiar icon around here...it seems lik e a lot of "old-timers" have
moved on to greener pastures.

BTW, would appreciate talking to you (and taking advantage of your
surgical expertise) about astrally-active cyberware, because I've got
something innnnnteresting to show you. I'm back in business at my old
location over the Stuffer Shack (grife, I hate starting from scratch)]<<<<<
        -- Moonwalker <20:37:12/08-31-61>

***** PRIVATE: Kor, Trixie
>>>>>[  Gee, that was pretty direct.  Guess you finally made up your mind where
my talents would be most useful, huh?  Kewl.

Hey Tris, how would you feel about living on Council Island?  Sound good?
<grin>  Okay, Jas, how much?  ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher < 15:07:01/9-01-56 >

***** PRIVATE: Riddler, GoD
>>>>>[Where can I get ahold of Riddler?  I need to have him here sometime
yesterday.  I can pay to have him flown here from anywhere or I can send someone
to pick him up if you are already in Seattle.]<<<<<
        -- Trixie <20:14:54 / 09-01-56>
           -----
           Industrial Sound and Magic

>>>>>[Okay, TopCat.  Let's do this thing.  What's gonna be the prize for the
person with the biggest body count?  And are we competing for a certain
length of time or is it first one to a certain number?  I've been working
out with Strife to get ready for this.  The time for talkin' is done, my
friend.  Let's boogie.]<<<<<
        -- Bedlam <17:28:53/09-01-56>

***** PRIVATE: Christopher Tarlenton
>>>>>[Do you need face to face communication or will a scrambled line
work?

If the line will work, call me at >>encrypted<<.  I usually carry a phone
with me that ring for the number.  Its set up for encrypted voice and
video.

If face to face is what you need, I physically be back in Seattle by Saturday
night.  Or astrally wherever you need me in the next 2 hours.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <22:52:52 / 09-01-56>

***** Private to: Kor
>>>>>["...or will a scrambled line work?"  If I have problems using my
encryption programs for this, your scrambled line is worth drek.  Face-to-face
in a crowded area.

You can stop by my place, >>encrypted<<, as soon as you get back in town.]<<<<<
         --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher, Trixie, Merrox
>>>>>[Keep and eye out on Christopher.  He isnt overly happy right now but
didnt let me know whats going on.  If he is going to come up missing
too I want a good jump on getting him back.  Dont be overly intrusive, you
know he doesnt like that, just casually check on him from time to time.

I have a "date" tonight with Colleen.  We will see what comes of that.  I hope
to get information back to you guys ASAP.  I suspect that Ares will be
all over us during our meeting.  I doubt I will be able to do a lot of question
and answer with her without alerting everyone and their mother at Ares what
I am looking for / after.

Im going to point her mostly at Sprinkler.  They already know I know him and
have worked with him.  Maybe they will be happy enough with that and
will leave us alone.

Merrox  --  Stay on top of my mail while I am gone.  If Chris drops a line, make
sure you CALL ME immediately.  I might not be able to jack in so you ready to
scramble and read it to me.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <22:57:57 / 09-01-56>

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[Im always ready to scramble.  You should know better than that]<<<<<
        -- Merrox <COMRIG>

***** PRIVATE: Merrox
>>>>>[...You really need to work on your sense of humor...]<<<<<
        -- Kor <23:12:57 / 09-01-56>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[I cannot actually afford to cut you a "deal" on my home on council island.
If I didnt need the money I wouldnt sell it (I am never there and I feel a
bit guilty when I think about people living on the streets when I personally
own hundreds of thousands of square feet of living space and a lot of it is
going to waste).

The days of running all of my needs through IS&M are far gone.  My stocks are
holding up but the cash flow is getting a little tight with payments for
the combat vehicles and communications suites needed in those things.  You
might be quite happy with what Kabuki Man did with the portable security
office.  I hear that the 2 man rigger / decker station is pretty amazing.

Im rambling  --  sorry.  Im a little key'd up about this meeting.  I have
a full load of surveillence counter measures but using them says "I have
something to hide" and not using them is going to send up flags to people
I dont want seeing flags.

Thank you for making your move to Serenity nice and easy.  I was getting
the feeling that your skills were best used in a point-man's position rather
than being behind the lines.

When you have time  --  (this is official Serenity stuff) could you check
into the security records (breakins, attacks, thefts) for all of the
local museums specializing in magical books and artifacts?  A couple of them
have contacted us and would like us to run a quick response sort of deal when
they bring things in that are of value and to do ride alongs on deliveries.
I want to know what the risk is first.  Our insurance can take a serious
hit if we lose something and then find out that they had been robbed 10 times
before and everytime it was with military grade groups]<<<<<
        -- Kor <23:52:12 / 09-01-56>

***** PRIVATE: Griffyn
>>>>>[Are you feeling any better, man?

I dont know if you want to post it or not but I cleaned up the video from
Bill's camera.  I would do it but that really isnt my story to tell.  I wish
you had told me before now about that.  I've seen it many times before
but it is still a shock to watch someone do that.

I dont know how to say this but  --  You are still family.  We will be here
for you no matter what.

+++++ Include: Camera.01.log.ed
+++++ Include: Camera.01.log

I made some edits before sending it out to you then thought that you might
want the original just in case.  If there is anything you want to add to it,
feel free.  IS&M's equipment is available for your use.  If you need help
Trixie can assist you (she's already seen the video, she and Martin (granpa)
were the ones who helped me work on it - I dont know a damned thing about
how that stuff works).]<<<<<
        -- Kor <23:57:15 / 09-01-56>

***** PRIVATE: Christopher Tarlenton
>>>>>[He lands at 3:30 on Sunday.  He will be at your place by 5:00.
He will be taking precautions, please do not be upset.]<<<<<
        -- Merrox <23:35:59 / 09-01-56>

***** Private to: Merrox
>>>>>[Precautions?  If he's not alone, you can expect that I won't even open
the door.  Don't pull any drek.

+++++ Engaged: Graveyard Footprints...scanning...trace found
+++++  Authenticating security levels.
+++++  Trace destroyed.
+++++ Disengaged: Graveyard Footprints...standing by.

5:00 Sunday.]<<<<<
         --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel>

***** PRIVATE: Christopher Tarlenton
>>>>>[I believe that "precautions" in this case, if I understand how Kor
works, is that he will astrally scan the area, and will likely be carrying his
Lone Star equipment.  Nothing to worry about.  He asked me to mention it just
incase Karen (your wife?) didnt approve of such attire.

I'm sure he knows that he is coming to your home and will treat is accordingly.
Your message was

+++++ Trace Destroyed: Counter failed

That was odd.  It seems you have a little more trouble than you are letting
on


+++++ Trace Found
+++++ Destroyed

+++++ Initiate: Mirrors

M:  Skuff, you with me?
S:  Yes.  Whats the problem?
M:  Not sure.  Stay nearby.
S:  Active or Passive?
M:  Your c...

+++++ Counter Trace: ACTIVE

S: Ill be back  --  Ill do that one personally

Sorry  -- You seem to be in a bit of a bind.  The meeting will be as planned.
Nothing to worry about.  Im going to lock down my nodes and wait this
one out.  Let me know if you need any further assistance

S:  Lost it.  Dont think it was one of his.]<<<<<
        -- Merrox <00:55:38 / 09-02-56>

>>>>>[ Yes slavery auctions in the good ol' "U.S.A." did happen.  To tell
you the truth they still happen in the UCAS, CAS, and probably other places
on North America.  It just depends on what mask you are looking at and
whether you can truly see what lurks underneath.

Ask some of the whores in the barrens or any other slum, what their
backgrounds are and reasons for selling their bodies.  For the most part
you will find that they are doing it to get their drugs, or because someone
is forcing them to and they don't have a way out.  And I even hear that
they are still slaving dwarves in particular for mining in Africa.  I
believe "Herr" Nightmare could tell you that from personal experience,
seeing as he had a nice trip down there before HAMMER interfered.  A little
over three days to go.  I must say, I have some quite unique bids from
outside of this little node here.  This proves to be a very hard decision
to make.  I promise, I won't disappoint my bidders though.  They will get
exactly what they asked for.]<<<<<
        -- Christopher Harker <17:52:34/09-01-56>

>>>>>[ You should be even more careful of what you ask for Mr. Harker.
Nightmare will carry through on his promise, and something tells me you
already know what that means. ]<<<<<
        -- Ratspeak <17:54:21/09-01-56>

>>>>>[ Still protecting the ol' Baron even after you sold him out to some
bounty hunters.  You can apply that statement to yourself as much as to me.
Go bother someone else.  I hear Kor is looking for a playmate to try some
new tricks on.  Maybe he will put you into a maze you can't get out of, eh
Ratty? ]<<<<<
        -- Christopher Harker <17:56:53/09-01-56>

>>>>>[ Watch it pal. I don't give a frag what you do to Nightmare, but you
mess with a fellow decker, and I will make sure you pay for it. ]<<<<<
        -- Black Knight <17:58:23/09-01-56>

>>>>>[ What, pray tell, chivalry still exists?  You protect her?!?
Careful, you might get bitten!  Wouldn't want to catch anything contagious,
now, would we?  Make sure you give the rat some rabies shots before you bed
it.  Might make you feel safer at night -- even if it is false security.

+++++ initialize trace.
+++++ trace destroyed.

Bummer about your program.  But I have learned a few tricks over the years
from some very skilled people.  Some of which even frequent here.]<<<<<
        -- Christopher Harker <18:02:00/09-01-56>

***** Private to: Merrox
>>>>>[I have no problems with such attire.  As long as he's there alone.  By
the way, Karen isn't my wife.  Patricia is her name.  Patricia O'Connor-
Tarleton.]<<<<<
        --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel>

***** PRIVATE: Christopher Tarlenton
>>>>>[My mistake.

Its Frypp thats 'dating' Karen, and you are married to Pat.  Got it.]<<<<<
        -- Merrox <02:54:10 / 09-02-56>

***** Private to: Merrox
>>>>>[No problem.

By the way, what's with the matrix watch?]<<<<<
        --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel>

***** PRIVATE: Christopher Tarlenton
>>>>>[Jason missed some information that came down the tubes a couple of
days back and was really pissed off that he couldnt be jacked into the net
24 hours a day.  Thats why he contacted myself and a few decker's he's worked
with before to stand on a matrix watch for information about all of the
missing people we have.

Skuff and I trade off a bit here and watching the Haven, Raven's Place,
The Nineth Plane, and a couple of other popular decker hangouts.  We've
actually got people in Denver and TTG sitting and pumping data out to
us.

I guess he wanted to take the load off of you and NB.  Either that or
one of both of you werent producing enough for him.  He gets like
that sometimes.  He doesnt think anyone notices but we all do.

Were those traces yours or someone elses?]<<<<<
        -- Merrox <03:21:14 / 09-02-56>

***** Private to: Merroz
>>>>>[The trace destroyers are mine.  I guess Jason's in with Kor then?]<<<<<
        --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel>

***** Private to: Freddy Frypp
>>>>>[I need that mainframe, Freddy.]<<<<<<
        --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel>

***** PRIVATE: Christofer Tarlenton
>>>>>[Hold on now, where is your brain?  You are the same Dark
Angel that Jason / Kor hired to watch over IS&M's files and his
personal accounts, right?

This is the same fame I've seen around so it better be you.

Are you realling telling me that you didnt know that Jason was "Kor"?
Did you not have a meeting to initially work out the particulars of
your contract or what?

Hey, are you doing ok, man?  You are seeming a little edgy there.]<<<<<
        -- Merrox <03:32:19 / 09-02-56>

***** Private to: Merrox
>>>>>[I was not _told_ that.  Now I have been told.  Now I officially know.

And feel lied to.]<<<<<
        --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel>

***** PRIVATE: Christopher Tarlenton
>>>>>[In what way?

If you mean the contract thing  --  well, that was the only thing I could
think that would be close to the 'agreement' you are supposed to have.

He did mention something about you NEVER signing contracts.]<<<<<
        -- Merrox <03:40:14 / 09-02-56>

***** Private to: Merrox
>>>>>[Forget I brought it up.]<<<<<
        --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel>

***** PRIVATE: Christopher Tarlenton
>>>>>[Brought what up?]<<<<<
        -- Merrox <03:48:00 / 09-02-56>

***** Private: Trixie
>>>>>[You want me to come with the kid? I know where the Shop is at....
I don't think Well have any troubles from the denizens of the area.
Give me a call at >>EnCRipTeD<< or At >>EnCriptEd<< That's Riddlers...

  Have YOu Heard Anything from Gryff?  I've rung him but he doesn't answer
and his machine doesnt pick up. I'm not really worried about anything
happening to him but you know....]<<<<<
        -- GoD <A day in DaLife>

>>>>>[No fair, no fair! How did I miss that cool transmission? I'm monitoring
the Azzie sattelite 24 fraggin' hours a day! Nevermind... Thanks for posting
it, Rage, my collection wouldn't have been complete without it. Hey, BTW,
you interested in blood sport? I got recordings of the best stuff from within
Aztlan, unavailable through sattelite, plus 'behind the scenes' info, tech
data on the participants and even the uh... 'recruitment' operations they
use to find contestants. Interested?

Can't say I've done a lot of biz in this node... c'mon people, you wimps or
what? I got something else might interest you types... A vid of a canceled
episode of 'Chainsaws of glory' that got trashed 'cos something that looked
like a free spirit bust in to the set and rescued one of the players. I'll let
that one go at 500 =Y= (Hey... once I sell it you make copies, gotta have a
benefit margin, huh?) It's really spectacky stuff]<<<<<
        --  Gutsys (07:32:12/09-02-56)

>>>>>[ Anyone need a former Sec. Officer?  I've been recently "liberated"
from my corporate oppressors.  Respond to this LTG number (you can find
it if you need to).  The line is secure...a decker chum of mine set it
up.

        Need work.  Have corporate experience.  Will travel. ]<<<<<
        -- Crucifix (14:07:10/09-03-56)

***** Private to: Crucifix
>>>>>[What sort of work have you done, and what corporation did you work for?
I think we can arrange some sort of employment.

Welcome to the shadows.]<<<<<
        --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel>

***** Private to: Dark Angel
>>>>>[Thanks, chummer, for entertaining a response.  I am more than
interested.  At this time, I cannot reveal the company that I worked
for.  The heat is still out for my hoop, so for now you'll have to be
patient on that kind of knowledge.  (Just in case this line to you is
being monitored -- which I am sure it is _not_.)

We will have to arrange a meet.  Pick a mutually exclusive locale and
we'll talk.

My decker friend gave me this new program to execute...let's see if it
works.]<<<<<

        -- Crucifix (KingKong/DiedForYerSins)

***** Private to: Crucifix
>>>>>[How about The Black Sun, 2300 tomorrow?]<<<<<
        --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel>

***** Private to: Dark Angel
>>>>>[Black Sun sounds fine.  I know it.  I will be late, say around 2330
or so.  Just need to check out all the usuals...I'm sure you'll
understand.  You'll recognize me by the mirror shades and the black fedora.

I'll be watching.]<<<<<
        -- Crucifix (KingKong/DiedForYerSins)

***** Private to: Crucifix
>>>>>[You'll find me.]<<<<<
        --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel>

>>>>>[ I found something on our ever favorite Megacorp out there.  For
all of you who were invovled with them, you'll recognize some of the
stuff.  For those of you who hate Maxim as I do, you'll find this concept
a bit frightening.

*****Begin News Download****

Hello, this is Charlie Finger and I'm coming to you from the Maxim
Aerotech headquarters in the UCAS Sector of Denver with a bit of news.
In a planned press release this afternoon, a spokeswoman for Maxim
Aerotech announced the release to military and security service providers
a new product, recently developed in Maxim's orbital labs.  Beginning
tomorrow, several of Maxim's military and security vehicles will become
available in a new frame configuration that utilizes microgravity single-
fabrication hexagonal foamed titanium.  For those of you who don't know
the terms I just listed, that's orbitally manufactured titanium honeycomb
for the frame of vehicles.

However, experts have mentioned that this level of technology is unlikely
to be available anytime soon, and certainly not inexpensive enough for
mass production of security vehicles.  When asked, Maxim produced this
video of a Saab Dynamit with a new frame being collision tested.  As you
can see, the damage was severe, but the passenger compartment and frame
were totally intact even at the 210km impact velocity.

Maxim scientists, when reached, said that the new frames would add
stiffness to existing designs, reduce weight, and increase a vehicles
ability to withstand punishment.

After performing some independant research, my team and I discovered
that, while the base of Maxim Aerotech's orbital buisness was originally
purchased from other corporations and nations, they have in fact begun
the construction of a large fabrication plant at Lagrange point 2, which
is slated to be complete by the end of the year.  Apparently it will be
the first platform in orbit to be completely built out of lunar
materials, but this reporter was unable to confirm or deny this.
Considering the limited investment in space in recent decades, I find
this to be unlikely.

But regardless, Maxim's stock rose another 6 points in afternoon trading,
after falling yesterday on the news that thier intended purchase of Ares'
electronic backup giant, Exapulse, had fallen through.

Keeping you ever up to the minute, this has been Charlie Fingers.  Good
night.

***** End Download*****

Great.  Just fraggin wonderful.  Ever see what a titanium frame does to a
vehicle?  Faster, leaner, meaner, and harder to take out.  Any bets the
next step for Maxim Armament Research(the R&D chums) is a new type of
armor, based in similar principles? ]<<<<<
        --  Slash <00:06:44/09-04-56>

>>>>>[ And to think that they got the idea from a "lost tech" vehicle,
isn't that right, Dad?]<<<<<
        --  Diana, Mistress of the Night < 12:07:51 / 09-04-56 >

>>>>>[ Shhhhh....  Everyone will want one.... ]<<<<<
        --  Action Jackson < 12:08:23 / 09-04-56 >

*****Private: Bedlam
>>>>>[Ok, chief.  It's a kill contest.  Scores measured in whole bodies, not
parts thereof (a'la various militaries).  Maimings don't count.  Unconcious
targets don't count.  Melee weapons are cool, but no weapons of destruction
that keep you and the target from being up close and friendly.  I'll be
using my claws, as you probably guessed.  As for time limit, let's set it at
1 week.  Don't want ya to get tired, chummer (heh).  Transport to the
killzone is arranged through Al, contact him with the time you'll be ready
and we'll be set.  Before I leave it off, I want to warn ya to dress light
(grin).  The 'zone is in Yucatan.  You choose the stakes, I chose the
situation.  Ciao til then, bruddah mine.]<<<<<
        -- TopCat <03:59:32/9-2-56>

>>>>>[How many people here think Maxim is getting just a bit too slick?]<<<<<
        --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel>

>>>>>[Me!]<<<<<
        -- Buzz (The One the Only...Human Bee in the Matrix)

>>>>>[Me, too!  Wait a second...I hate me-tooers....]<<<<<
        -- Shadow (08:35:30 PDT/ 09:04:56)

>>>>>[Tricked yourself, eh?]<<<<<
        -- Buzz (The One the Only...Human Bee in the Matrix)

>>>>>[Oh, shut up!]<<<<<
        -- Shadow (08:40:30 PDT/ 09:04:56)

***** PRIVATE: Crucifix
>>>>>[I am in the market for security personel.

I have been dealing primarily with magically active personel but I need to
branch out a bit to cover all bases.

+++++ Include: Serenity Packet

The information there should be more than enough reading for you.  The flat
yearly rate is augmented by the fact that we all share in the contract bonuses
over normal expenditures.

Let me know if you are interested.]<<<<<
        -- Jason Stormwind <16:28:26 / 09-04-56>
           Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: Merrox
>>>>>[The meeting with DA went...oddly.  More later after I have had a
little time to think about what happened.

If you could inform the rest of the team, that would be wonderful.  I have some
business that I need to take care of at the office.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <16:31:24 / 09-04-56>

>>>>>[Finally got the bugs worked out, huh?  Our Bumblebee's got an
extreme prototype version of that stuff.  Absolute crap.  We had to
butress most of the frame and chassis after we got a little close to
the Bay and ripped a coupla good sized chunks off of it.  We had to
increase gross weight by over 10and killed quite a bit of speed.

'Course, our other mods weighed it down quite a bit..... <grin>]<<<<<
        -- Freddy Frypp (08:17:22 / 09-05-56)
           President
           Frypp Security, Inc. (CFSM Uplink #5150)

***** Private: Chris Tarleton
>>>>>[Hey, you know me.... my Matrix connections aren't as hot as
they used to be (ever were, actually...) - and that's quite a shopping
list you gave me.....  Almost got it all, give me another... sixteen
hours - tops.

As for assist, you can have Spark, even though I've noticed he gets
this really cool twitch whenever we're both in the room with him....
I can probably scrape up an outside contractor, but then there's all
of those problems......]<<<<<
        -- Freddy Frypp (09:00:00 / 09-05-56)
           President
           Frypp Security, Inc. (CFSM Uplink #5150)

>>>>>[  Okay, Kor, I guess you're right.  No matter how much I'd like to
keep it between us, there are people here who have a right to know what
happened.  Let it begin.

+++++ BEGIN VIDEO:

The video begins with a poorly focused human face, grinning directly into
the camera.  After a couple of seconds, the focus clears up and a voice is
heard, as the face steps back and a hand reaches toward the camera, and
picks it up, slowly panning the area.

"Okay guys, smile for the camera."

As the image pan, you can guess that the video was shot in a sewage tunnel
of some sort.  The lighting is very dim, but several of the men have
flashlights out, illuminating the immediate area.  There are about 10 humans,
visible in the tunnel, each wearing urban camoflauge fatigues and carrying
a heavy pistols  The camera settles on a tall, well muscled, human who
is apparently the leader, and he begins to speak.

"Alright boys, you heard him.  Now that we've got the camera working we
can move out.  We didn't want the others to miss out on the fun just because
they couldn't be with us tonight, did we?  Besides, this will be a good
memento for you new guys ... it's not every day that we get to send those
poor metahuman slots to a better place," he says with a grin.

The camera shifts back across the group once more, with each of the humans
grinning savagely as they begin to walk down the tunnel in a crude bunch.

"Hey Billy, do you know how they found out that there were some survivors
left down here?  I thought the last group that was sent down here didn't
leave any survivors."

"Well, it looks like that report was wrong, huh?  We wouldn't be walking
through this drek right now, if there weren't any survivors.  Now shut
up and keep your eyes open.  There could be some good samaritans down
here helping the slags from what we've been told."

[ The tunnel fades out of the scene, and Griffyn's face appears in
the camera's view.  Looks as if this part was taken using the video
pickup of a telecom.  "Ok.  I cut about a 10 minute section out of it
here for a couple of reasons.  First, I don't want everyone in the world
to know just what route to take to get where we had the kids stashed.
Second, most of the tape was just the fraggin Humanis talking about how
much fun it was going to be to kill some meta kids.  Fraggers." ]

As the video fades back in, the men come to a halt, and start whispering
to one another.  The camera settles on the leader again.

"Alright everyone, the survivors should be right around the next corner,
if our guess is right.  Take that camera around the corner, and get a
good shot.  We can do some 'before and after' photos," says the leader
with an evil grin.

As the cameraman rounds the corner, the image changes position drastically,
when the camera falls to the ground.   Footsteps can be heard running
away from the entrance as the cameraman runs back to get help from his
companions.

The room in the image is rectagular in shape, looking to be about 25 meters
long, by maybe 15 meters wide.  There is a doorway in the center of the righ
wall, and mounds of trash can be seen littering the room.  Two figures,
identified as Kor and Griffyn by captions on the screen appear to be franticly
trying to get the 7 or 8 children who were huddled around them back behind the
mound they were sitting on near the center of the room.

Several footsteps can be heard rounding the corner as the Humanis storm
into the room and begin firing at the kids.  Griffyn dives behind the mound
at the last second and begins returning fire with a vicious looking
handgun.

Suddenly one of the Humanis looks to the corner and notices a small child
lying down and begins to aim his weapon in that direction.  Griffyn leaps
from behind the garbage and begins to sprint as fast as he can for the
defenseless child as Kor unloads a magical fireball at one of the mounds
of garbage that a pair of Humanis were using for cover.

Just as Griffyn is about to reach the child, the policlubber fires his
weapon repeatedly into her.  An inhuman roar escapes from Griffyn's throat,
and over the course of a couple of seconds there is a very large tiger
standing where Griffyn had been.  Slowly the tiger turns to face the man
who just shot down the child, and a cold light seems to come from his eyes
as leaps powerfully into the air.  The man frantically fires into the large
tiger, but the wounds seem to close almost as fast as they appear on the
huge furry body.  With one massive swing of the tiger's claws, the human
is decapitated as the tiger roars with furious vengence.

Suddenly, another mystical blast detonates in the doorway to the right neatly
sealing it, as the tiger moves to block the one remaining door.  The five
remaining humans cluster together in a corner firing wildly at the beast
who is calmly walking toward them.  As the tiger approaches, one of the
Humanis falls to his knees and starts to beg lamely for his life.

"Please!  Don .. Don't kill us!  We was just getting rid of the damned trogs
anyway.  What's the harm in that?"

The intelligence in the eyes of the beast make you certain that he understood
everything that was said, but at the same time there is a hardness that makes
you just as certain that the lame begging has been pointless.  As if to
confirm your belief, the tiger leaps directly into the corner and begins
laying about with claws and teeth, within seconds killing all but the kneeling
one.

As the tiger eyes the stricken human up and down, Kor steps from behind
the mound where he was guarding the children, being careful to keep himself
between the Humanis member and the kids who are alive.

"Calm down Griff!  I've got some questions for this..."

But his sentence is cut off abruptly as the massive tiger hurls the man into a
wall with bone-crushing force with a contemptuous blow of his massive paw.

Slowly, blood matting his fur and dripping from his savage jaws, the tiger
walks to where the dead child lays and sits back upon his haunches.  A few
seconds later, Griffyn appears once again in his human form, holding the
dead child gently in his arms, weeping.

+++++ END VIDEO

That was about it.  For some reason Kor was a little put out with me later
on that I didn't leave any of them alive for questioning.  I'm sorry, my
friend, but I could not allow them to harm any more innocents ever again.
Don't worry, though.  They have roused a side of me that I have been trying
to deny, and there is nowhere for them to hide when I hunt.  ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn <17:40:20 / 09-05-56>

>>>>>[ This is a general notice to any who would be willing to help me get
information about who was responsible for the massacre in the barrens.  I'm
willing to spend every nuyen I have to find those responsible.  This must
not go unanswered. ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn <17:55:21 / 09-05-56>

***** PRIVATE:  Kor
>>>>>[ Jason, thanks for the support, man ... it really means a lot.  I've
been trying to pretend that I'm human, but my body and heart have shown me
the error of my ways.  I hope that you don't think less of me for killing
those monsters, but it was just something that had to be done.  ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn <17:57:09 / 09-05-56>

***** PRIVATE: Griffyn
>>>>>[As I said.  It was your story to tell.

You know I dont make a point of probing other's auras.  I dont consider it
polite.  I could tell you had something you were hiding but I assumed that you
would tell me when you felt the time was right.  Everything in its own time.

You do not get to choose your family, but you do get to choose your friends.
I am proud and happy to count you among mine.  My family, my friend.

For your information, Doomsday has moved the children again.  I couldnt consider
asking him to stay where he was after what happened.  He feels badly enough
as is.

I dealt with the police reports involving the incident.  I keep forgetting
that there really ARE areas in Seattle that no one even cares about.  Those
bodies could have rotted there for weeks before anyone (other than the humanis
slime) would have even noticed them.  Lone Star was kind enough to send out
a couple of their Meta-Officers to come down and get statements from the
children.  I tried to encourage them to help me move them somewhere else but,
as usual, "Hey, we aint Sister Mother Theresa, YOU deal with 'em".  The other
officer was a lot nicer.  I think he got together with DD and worked up some
type of deal / plan.  Im not sure.  Ill check back in with Doomsday a bit
later.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <21:32:05 / 09-05-56>

>>>>>[I Also!!!]<<<<<
        -- GoD < A day In Dalife>

***** Private: Christopher Harker
>>>>>[ You are very lucky that I wasn't able to talk to you when we passed
each other.  Since you haven't posted your decision yet, I will offer you a
new deal.

>>encrypted<<, plus your life and my services for one reasonable job.
]<<<<<
       -- Nightmare <17:24:35/09-05-56>

>>>>>[ Thank you for you late offer Nightmare, but since the bidding isn't
open to you, I will ignore it.  I was amused to see you, but I should have
known.  Of course you couldn't talk to me because you were too busy giving
the appearance of looking like an honest citizen and couldn't afford to
talk business.  Of course your spotting me, meant that I spent yesterday
relocating.  Thank you oh, so ever much.

        After a debate on whether I wanted to have a bidding war between
Christopher Tarleton and 'a Collector', I decided it wasn't worth the time
and effort to get people to promise stuff they probably won't deliver.
Hence, despite Nightmare's curiously low bid on Blitzkrieg, I will go with
'a Collector'.

        However, I am curious, Herr Nightmare.  Do you truly value your
little brother so little? ]<<<<<
        -- Christopher Harker <17:29:22/09-05-56>

>>>>>[ You are a dead man.  I hope you shall enjoy your last few days.  My
bid was merely based on what it was worth to me for having my
half-brother's drug habit broken.  Since that wasn't your true purpose than
I guess I now know why you excluded me from the bidding.  May you find
peace in your waking state, for when you sleep Herr Harker is when I am at
my advantage.

Oh good, night approaches. ]<<<<<
        -- Nightmare <17:33:53/09-05-56>

***** Private: 'a Collector'
>>>>>[ Dear sir:

Seeing as you had the most attractive of offers, I wish to meet you and
discuss specifics of the agreement.  Since I don't know you as well as I
wish, you will have to accept the fact that I will not bring Blitzkrieg
with me.  Name the time and place of that the meeting is to be and I will
come to you. ]<<<<<
        -- Christopher Harker <17:35:11/09-05-56>

***** Private: Christopher Harker
>>>>>[ Since you will not be bringing Blitzkrieg, I wish to see some proof
that you will not renege on the trade.  Therefore, when you come to the
meeting, bring Blitzkrieg's cybernetic arm.  I have seen the design for the
arm, so I will be aware of a fake.

You can meet me at >>encrypted<<.  Since that is in Dublin, I will meet you
Thursday evening at 8pm.  If you cannot make it, then you may want to
consider reopening the bid. ]<<<<<
        -- a Collector <17:38:47/09-05-56>

***** Private: 'a Collector'
>>>>>[ A trifle gruesome, but I will bring the arm.  I may be arriving late
on Thursday evening though.  That will only be due to the fact that it
isn't exactly trivial to go to Dublin anymore.  Still I have a few tricks
that should aid me in meeting.  Be prepared for a long discussion for we
have a lot to talk about. ]<<<<<
        -- Christopher Harker <17:40:07/09-05-56>

***** Private: Wanderer
>>>>>[ You botched the job!  You promised me complete success.  Until those
miserable trog rats are removed, we ---

You failed the job.  That is the last time we will hire you. ]<<<<<
        -- Mr. Johnson <17:57:21/09-05-56>

***** Private: Mr. Johnson
>>>>>[ It was God's hand that shields those children from you.  Those meant
to die did so.  Those meant to foil you, because of your sin of wanting
them dead for your own riches, survived.

It is also a sign from the almighty that you were stopped a second time.
Perhaps you should pray and actually mean it for once.  Do you wish for me
to help you find true enlightenment?  You kill for personal gain and not
for the lord, our savior.  It would be a simple matter for me to show you
the errors of your ways.  As you well know, the lord and I are on great
personal terms.  I walk in the light, not the shadows of man's corrupt
dreams.  I can bring you to the light as well for I will aid any man who
needs guidance.]<<<<<
        -- Wanderer <18:01:13/09-05-56>

***** Private: Wanderer
>>>>>[ I have a vision.  The men known as Kor and Griffyn, who risk so
much, should be the ones to lead to the downfall of the rest of the
children.  I will make a large contribution to any charities you name, if
you, in God's name, make it so. ]<<<<<
        -- Mr. Johnson <18:07:36/09-05-56>

***** Private: Mr. Johnson
>>>>>[ I will pray on this and see if God approves of your plan.  For they
indeed did kill friends of yours.  It would be only fitting justice for God
to make sure that friends of theirs paid for their recklessness. ]<<<<<
        -- Wanderer <18:08:00/09-05-56>

*****PRIVATE: Griffyn
>>>>>[Griffyn, I would like to offer my assistance with caring for and
protecting the children.  I do not like people attacking children.  Alas, I
would offer my assistance with tracking down the people who gave the offer,
but I just do not have the time (downside of owning your own corp.)  On the
other hand I can offer you equipment.]<<<<<
        -- Ryuga (23:00:30 PDT/ 09:05:56)
           CEO
           Ryaka Science and Tech

*****PRIVATE: Griffyn
>>>>>[I will aid you, and in some cases the victim will never know what hit
him/her.]<<<<<
        -- Dragon (23:06:30 PDT/09:05:56)

*****PRIVATE: Rumormonger
>>>>>[You little voyeuristic sack of miserable SHIT, Rumormonger! Who told you
to dump that Vidclip onto the matrix? I return after a... holiday only to
find all my _private affairs_ aired to the winds... You better pray I don't
catch up with you, you little rat, or you'll be losing a lot more of your
anatomy I

+++++WARNING: SIGNAL ALTERATION. Continue (Y/N)....y

Do not be concerned, weasel. The dog barks, but does not bite.

At least not as long as we continue to have a mutually.... profitable
relationship. Correct?

I will contact you again.

+++++WARNING: SIGNAL ALTERATION. Continue (Y/N)....y

I... I... er, ah... You fraggin' better be careful in the future, ok?
(Damn headache)]<<<<<
        --  Marksanspensah (06:32:28/09-06-56)

***** PRIVATE: Ryuga
>>>>>[  I appreciate the offer, Ryuga, but you will need to contact
Doomsday if you desire to aid in their protection.  It was proved to
myself that I am inadequate for that task, so I now spend my time in the
hunt.  ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn < 16:15:06/9-06-56 >

***** PRIVATE: Serentity_Security
>>>>>[We need to form up sometime in the fairly near future.

We have a couple of contracts pending.  Pending further investigation from
Neuron Basher...do you have time for that or no?

We need to introduce everyone to all of the new employees and field trainees.
If I remember correctly:

        Neuron Basher - New acquisition from another coorp - Matrix Security
        Riddler - Assistant to NB
        Tamlyn - Kennel (whatever you do, dont call him dogboy, he hates it)
        Trixie - Matrix Support, Risk Assessment
        Mitaka Akimbu - Field Officer
        Myomoto Akimbu - Field Officer, Assistant to Tamlyn

We could stand to use a couple more field officers so we dont run into
the time problems we had during our last assignment.  I've already broken
my initial wish of having all magically active's on the force but that wasnt
an overly realistic goal.  Mitaka is an ex I-Marine.  Do NOT attempt to
heal him, its probably not at all possible.  If he goes down, let doc wagon
take him.  Myomoto is wolf.  Also an ex I-Marine (freddy is just gonna love
these two boys.  Unless you astrally scan them, I havent found a way to tell
the two of them apart.  Myomoto liked to change his aura to match that of his
brother (his masking is usually set that way).

There was someone who posted to Shadowland a few days back reporting that
he was an Ex-Security officer and looking for work.  I sent an offer to him
but recieved nothing back.  Oh well, I lost him.

Friday night, dinner, my place.  Ill apologize now for the mess.  Castor and
Pollux have been...teaching...the 4 new pups how to hunt.  The only place they
havent wrecked yet is my bed.]<<<<<
        -- Jason Stormwind <15:39:47 / 09-06-56>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[  Hey Jas, I was able to dig up a little bit more about what was
happening at Ares the night of Scourge's disappearance.  I had to rape
and Ares IntSec Datastore for this information, and it was being protected
rather heavily.  Apparently, they don't want anyone to know that they
couldn't protect their own, right in the middle of one of their own
facilities.  Here's some quick notes I made to summarize the report.

+++++ INCLUDE FILE:  Ares.IntSec.Report.Notes

1.  Scourge arranged a meeting between Shadowfox, Doomsday, two unidentified
    others, and a VP at Ares Seattle.
2.  Scourge was running matrix overwatch during the meeting.
3.  There was an assault on Ares Seattle that night.  The intruders had all
    of the proper access codes for the facility, and walked right through
    the security.
4.  Scourge disappeared.  Appears to have been a _very_ efficient kidnapping.
    Ares Security still has no leads and no clues, and there has been no
    contact from the kidnappers.

+++++ EOF

Here's the original report .. maybe you'll see something that I missed.
I'm going to try and see if I can find out more about whatever else Scourge
was working on at the time.  Maybe there's a connection somewhere.  ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher < 17:09:06/9-06-56 >

***** PRIVATE: Merrox, Skuff
>>>>>[  Thanks for taking care of that trace that Ares sent after me.  I
was coming in fast, and missed it almost completely.  Remind me that I owe
you two a drink some time. <grin>  ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher < 17:21:06/9-06-56 >

***** PRIVATE: Jason Stormwind
>>>>>[  How thorough do you want the background checks to be?  If you want
something generic, I could whip up a frame in fairly short order so that
we could automate the process in the future.

Oh, by the way, I got an assistant, huh?  Is he any good?  ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher < 18:02:06/9-06-56 >
           Matrix Security Specialist
           Serenity Security

***** Private: Neuron Basher
>>>@#[Be#@TTa&^* Th*^an ^*&You ^&*THink!!!]<<<<<
        -- Riddler <BanG YoU'r DiGITIzeD>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[Actually, this is something that Trixie would be doing but I had already
asked you to do it for me before I decided to bring you both over.

Primarily I need to know if we stand to take a beating with taking on a contract
to secure some of their magical shipments.  Things I want to know are:

Have there been any recent (last 5 years) robberies?  If so, what type of
talent was used to liberate the items?  What were the items?  Then from there
back track the item to its origin.  Find out of they have any leaks from
within.

Some of them want us for ride alongs and I would rather have a 5 man mage team
on board to deter problems than to send too few.  Remember how LSS got started?
They quickly got a reputation of using excessive force to deal with nearly
any problem.  Well, I dont want that particular rep, but I do want it known
that we will saturate areas we are protecting with enough deterant power as to
make it just not worth the time.  After than, we can cut back a bit on the
man power.]<<<<<
        -- Jason Stormwind <17:53:36 / 09-06-56>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: Kabuki Man, Freddy Frypp
>>>>>[Vehicles:  Can I have them now or do you still need more time?]<<<<<
        -- Kor <17:58:36 / 09-06-56>

>>>>>[I agree, Maxim has been up to an awful lot of expansion and unveiling a
lot of R&D for a corp which has been through as much in the last year as they
have.  Me thinks something is rotten in the state of Denmark, or however that
line goes.]<<<<<
        -- Irish <11:11:43/5-SEP-56>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher, Trixie
>>>>>[I dont really know.  GoD brought him to my attention and Trixie said
she would check him out.  The only difficulty we might have with him is
that he is very young.  Talented but young.

As Trixie can tell you, young doesnt bother me.  If he can hold his own and
be damned good at what he does, I will be happy with him.   He was a bit of
a  last minute decision.  We needed more Matrix support and I was running
out of options.  Skuff flat out refused (personal reasons) and Merrox wasnt
at all thrilled with me offering him a contract.  These days contracts seem
to spell "death" to a lot of deckers.  I dont know  --  Save for you
and Tris, no other computer expert I have approached has accepted the offer.

Maybe its my breath...nah.

NB, I have a meeting with Ares in the morning to go over specs for the
'battle wagon'.  I would like you to accompany me.  Ill need your input on
how you want the matrix station configured.  Whatever you do, keep in mind that
we definitely have a budget to stay within and it will be a couple months
before the modifications are done]<<<<<
        -- Jason Stormwind <18:04:04 / 09-06-56>
           Field Officer
           Serenity Security

>>>>>[Keep a close eye on the stocks.  Every news release and every press
conference is usually right on the heels of something that could have been
disasterous to the company.  and the stocks take a very temporary dip and
then climb 2 - 7 points over the course of a couple of days.

For the longest time I was afraid to even consider Maxim in my portfolio,
certainly after the hoop kicking I took when I lost contact with my broker
for a couple days and Maxim tried to pull a full coup.  I think I ended up
breaking even on the entire deal but that was one roller coaster I wasnt
interested in playing with again.  But as things stand now, they are definitely
making a comeback (assuming you considered them to be 'gone' at any point
during that time.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <18:15:27 / 09-06-56>

***** Private: Kor
>>>>>[Vehicles?  Huh? Oh, yeah.  With my compliments.  Where do you
need them?]<<<<<
        -- Kabuki Man (14:32:22 / 09-06-56)
           VP-in-C Ops
           Frypp Security, Inc.

***** PRIVATE: Kabuki Man
>>>>>[I need them up here in Seattle.  My driver said that he would be more
than happy to come down and pick it up, but if you want to play with it for
a bit, I'd be happy to fly you back to Cal after you drive it up.  I need it
here by Monday night / Tuesday morning of next week.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <19:39:08 / 09-06-56>

***** Private: Kor
>>>>>[Bringin' her through the tribal lands, myself.  Their borders'll
be easier to run than a straight shot through Pointyland.  I'll call
you on the sat when I'm in sight of the Needle... or the Arcology.

Haven't done any of this for too long.  Miss it.]<<<<<
        -- Kabuki Man (19:55:22 / 09-06-56)
           VP-in-C Ops
           Frypp Security, Inc. (CFSM Uplink #5150)

*****Private To: Jason Stormwind
>>>>>[Please forgive the lateness of my response.  The last few days have
been..well..interesting to say the least.  What is your offer, and I will
consider it?  Update me on what you are and what you do.  All options are
open to me at this time.  I will warn you...Fuchi, as of last night's
little raid on my doss, is still after my hoop.  I escaped with nothing
more than my clothing...and I left two of them in pools of their own
blood.  Ah well, such is my new life.]<<<<<
        -- Crucifix (KingKong/DiedForYerSins)

>>>>>[After a little incident last night with Fuchi, I
have...misplaced...a large portion of my weapons and gear.  Well, all of
it to be exact.  If any of you have a fixer I could come into contact
with, it would be muchas appreciativo.

Once again, you can respond on my private line.  The LTG is there if you
have the know-how to find it.]<<<<<
        -- Crucifix (KingKong/DiedForYerSins)

***** Private to: Crucifix
>>>>>[Clothing I can get you.  I have someone to introduce you to, also.]<<<<<
        --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel>

***** Private to: Freddy Frypp
>>>>>[I have some fresh meat for you to see.

Karen's reading this.  Check your drool, man.  This is buisness meat, not...uhm,
well, maybe I should just shut up now.]<<<<<
        --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel>

***** Private: Crucifix
>>>>>[Try this Number... TEll him GoD Sent you... he'll
take care of you.]<<<<<
      	-- GoD <A day in Dalife>

*****PriVate: Jason Stormwind
>>>>>[Hey Jason, I Need a baby sitter since Riddler is coming with me.
I'll see if freddy will watch Leticia, It's just some of the things she
learns over there scare me...]<<<<<
       	-- Michael McKnight <09-06-56 / 13:47:38 >
           Serenity Security

***** Private: Griffyn, Kor
>>>>>[ So!!!! that's where you've been hiding? Are you Ok?
Look, Don't Ever do that again.... I was going Nuts trying to find you...
Arghhhhh!!! Between you and Kor, I don't know what I'm going to do...

what about the rest of the kids? are they alright?]<<<<<
        -- GoD <A day In Dalife>

***** PRIVATE: Kabuki Man
>>>>>[You know, I can get the visa's and permits to get you through
Souix Nation and UTE.  There is nothing I can do for you when you
need to get through TT.  I usually go around.

If you WANT to run the gauntlet, thats fine.  Scratches, dents and other
problems will have to come out of your paycheck.]<<<<<
        -- Kor <20:44:05 / 09-06-56>