BEGIN WEEK LOG COMPILATION . . . COMPLETE
BEGIN WEEK LOG EDITING . . . . . COMPLETE
BEGIN WEEK LOG VIEWING . . . . . WORKING

LOG VIEW BEGINS

---------------

*****Private: Flamestrike,Windblade,Frosttooth,Tarkis
>>>>>[The meet is at >>encrypted<<. We will also be meeting there with
other runners who have offered to join our team. Be careful, they may
not be genuine... from your title, I assume at least one of you is
magically active. Meet me just outside that area, a few minutes
earlier, and we can do an astral recon before checking in.]<<<<<
        --  Zarkon <19:26:08 / 01-14-56>

*****Private: Death Jester,Strikes-Like-Lightning,Loudo,Rolling Thunder,
              Red Ronin, Tarkis
>>>>>[Your offer of help is greatly appreciated. We will meet you at the
address named, and will be bringing a few others who have offered to help
us. A full briefing on the nature of the problem will be given at that
time.]<<<<<
        --  Zarkon <19:30:23 / 01-14-56>

*****Private: Tarkis
>>>>>[OK, if you're up to it, we need a check on a team called "Heads
Will Roll". They gave me a team picture and info file.. we can go in
blind if you're not feeling up to it, but they may not be genuine.
+++ Download: Pict.file
+++ Download: Resume.file]<<<<<
        --  Zarkon <19:34:37 / 01-14-56>

*****Private: Anti-S.A.I.C. runner team
*****Not-to: Tarkis
>>>>>[I'm worried about Tarkis. He's been very out of it lately... he's
stopped taking his Prosac. I've had to start slipping it into his
food... be careful around him. He's the only one who knows how to
destroy S.A.I.C., and he's a friend of mine, so I don't want to see him
go nuts and wipe himself out. I just thought you should be aware of the
situation. I've been trying to keep him occupied as best I can with
info digging on the run, and with some other projects. If he happens to
flip out on the run, we may need to sedate him in some way.]<<<<<
        --  Zarkon <19:38:18 / 01-14-56>

*****Private: S.A.I.C.
>>>>>[What do you expect to accomplish by this mad conquest? You can't
fight your creator. We know your weaknesses. We're going to destroy
you. There is no escape. Give up now, shut off the computer, and we may
be merciful on you.]<<<<<
        -- Zarkon <21:10:27 / 01-13-56>

*****Private: Tarkis
>>>>>[You've got to calm down, chummer. Are you feeling OK? You haven't
been yourself lately.]<<<<<
        -- Zarkon <21:13:44 / 01-13-56>

*****Private: FlameStrike, Windblade, Frosttooth, Red Ronin, Loudo,
Strike-like-lightning, Rolling Thunder, Death Jester
>>>>>[ helo...I am allmosr  done...with...those things...um oh yeah plans
for SAIC.  Uhhhhhhhhhhh, let me think...um lets do the run in 1 or 2 days...
meet where, where...uh where , damn whats his name....oh yeah Zarkon said
i hop yu gusy don't....damn what was I saying...ahh forget it...well
anyway. ,. !Hey Zarkon here, I sent my Teddeeeeeee to ya. cause you'r a.
Good FRIEND AND ALL ..  .  Um *sniff* damn sniffles... You know once I
took this....*10 min pause* .....Hello ..I am almost...don with
plans...in about two...or um days meet where Zarkon said to meer. Oh here
is my Teddeee Zarkon..I am giving it to you..ca...ya ma friend.  Well bye
all...oh can I have more info on everyone...just tell me about yurs
self..I can't seem to do history checks...i forgot for some reason...oh
well]<<<<<
        -- Tarkis <1-13-56 / 19:25:34>

>>>>>[Well, for those of you that give a damn, I'm back in Seattle after
a too short stint in Wales.  Very fascinating talking to Rhonabwy.  There
is a lot that is to be learned from him, and his kind.  I can only say
that it was a tremendous honor to be allowed to speak with him in
person.]<<<<<
        --the Whistler<20:09:44/1-13-56>

ignore this..its a test to see if my messages are making it to this list

>>>>>[Hey Kor, are you out there?  I seem to recall hearing something
about a rescue, but I was on my way to the airport at the time.  I've
been out of touch for a while (I wasn't exactly allowed to jack in by my
host), but I'm back.  You are still with us, right?  Damn well better
be.  In any case, drop me a line when you get the chance.]<<<<<
        --the Whistler<20:27:35/1-13-56>

testing again

*****Private: S.A.I.C attack team
*****Not to:Tarkis
>>>>>[Tarkis seems to have completely bugged out. I'll still meet
you all, but we're going to be having a bit of trouble with him. I
found some empty chip cases lying around the deck today... I think he's
been doing simsense for a while, he's just starting to care less about
whether I know it. This whole thing with Whisper has got him really
screwed up... and he gave me his bleedin' teddy bear. He's had that
thing since he was 4. It's the only toy he didn't destroy.. he seemed
attached to it for some reason. Anyway, we have to have him with us..
he's the only one who knows enough about this thing to take it down. I
need one or two of you to volunteer to help me watch him... I can't
stay around the whole time because I'm trying to help set up the run.
Anyway, I just hope this doesn't frag everything up... there's too much
riding on this one.]<<<<<
        --  Zarkon <11:31:54 / 01-13-56>

*****Private: Tarkis
>>>>>[Tarkis, take your bear back. I can't take that from you. What's
wrong with you lately? You gotta stop doing that simsense stuff...
it'll totally screw you up. If nothing else, it'll stop you from
helping Whisper. Think about that, chummer...]<<<<<
        --  Zarkon <11:36:17 / 01-13-56>

*****PRIVATE: Zarkon
>>>>>[Would you like us to do a little "gathering" on Tarkis' thoughts?  His
thoughts seem to be a wee bit scattered.  We will not harm him, but if this
is his "normal" self, then we may not be able to do anything.  Oh, by we I
mean myself, Windblade, and Frosttooth.  As for information about ourselves,
all three of us have our residencies in Tir Tairngire.  We are all mages.  As
for how powerful we are, you'll have to see that for yourself.  We WILL NOT
do anything beyond what is necessary.  If someone working with us starts to
get out of hand, we WILL take action against that person(s).]<<<<<
          --Flamestrike (23:50:30 EST/01:13:56)

*****Private: Flamestrike, Windblade, Frosttooth
>>>>>[Thank you for your kind offer, but I do not believe it would do any good.
My own aural reading indicates that he is suffering from a severe case of
depression that was formerly held in abeyance by his friend's presence. Now,
the depression has forced him into a habit of simsense to escape real life,
with the scattering of soul and mind that always accompanies such addictions.
Without curing the addiction itself and perhaps the depression under it,
gathering his mind once would likely serve no purpose. It's something
that we will have to work on.]<<<<<
        --  Zarkon <00:06:45 / 01-14-56>

*****PRIVATE:  Arrigo Conti
>>>>>[I am interested.]<<<<<
        --  Slash <00:51:31/01-14-56>

+++++   Live video feed:
+++++   Download (y/n): y

The night sky  is obscurred by haze.  Tongues of flame leap from
several surrounding buildings, spreading rapidly,  in the quickening wind.
 They lick at the sky, reflecting off the smoke, and casting
flickering shadows dancing across the pitted concrete.

The rapid bark of an assault rifle echoes in the distance, and is
answered by the whine of a mortar round, then the muffled "woof" of
its detonation.

Voices--the shouting of guards, the screams of the dying--mingle
with the weapons fire, and the drone of engines, adding to the hellish
surrealism.

The drone clears the remnants of a burned out tenament, giving you
a clear view of a narrow alleyway, littered with the gruesome
remnants of an earlier skirmish.

And, a clear view of The Nexus, as he makes his unsteady way thru
the wavering shadows.  He moves as if sleep-walking, oblivious to the
voices, the flames, the thunder of high explosives, even the pack
dangling from his right shoulder, precariously close to falling.

Oblivious to the fact that he's wandering directly into the heat of the
battle.

As he reaches the end of the alleyway, he pauses a moment, and glances around
him, without actually _seeing_ anything.  Firelight
flickers over him as the wind picks up momentarily, heightening the
feverish glow of his wide, blank eyes and the unhealthy pallor of his
copper skin.  Blood matts his long, dark red hair, and an ugly bruise
blackens the left side of his face, with swelling visible around the
eye.

He seems terribly confused, not certain of what he should do...or
even of where he IS.  He purses generous, though virtually bloodless,
lips and stares, transfixed, as the battle begins to come to _him_.

At first, it's nearly IMPOSSIBLE to make much, if anything, out.  It
seems as though the entire south end of the street is engulfed in a
wall  of flame.  But, as the flare filters snap into action, it's possible to
distinguish wavering shapes, amid the smoke.

A number of metahumans break from the rapidly diminishing cover,
and rush up the street, turning frequently to spray bullets, ineffectually,
at the armoured vehicles, rumbling along behind them.

The young Elf still regards the seen, in a daze he seems unable to shake.
 Until a  slender Elven woman, her orangish hair cropped
short and tousled, darts from between two moderately-armoured
Trolls, mana crackling from her fingers.

Seeing her, recognition stirs in his glassy eyes, and he starts, as if
to call out to her.  But, the cry dies in his throat, as his handsome
features contort in horror.

"NO!" he screams, a split-second before a blinding explosion sends
him staggering back.

"_CAIT-LIN_!!!!" He rushes forward, as a dozen Humanis troopers
break thru the smoke, firing as they go.  The few remaining metahumans fall
before them, cut down by the automatic fire.

The Elf jerks back a step, and looks as though he may fall.  But, he's
caught by a Troll, who's just raced into the drone's field of vision.

"C'mon, kid!" he says, by way of greeting, and gives him a gentle, if
somewhat tight smile.  He looks a bit long in the tusks, and tired...
but NOT beaten.

The Elf looks confused again, and stares at the Troll blankly.  Then,
he shakes his head, slowly at first--then more violently.  Another Elf
approaches him slowly.  He's clad in baggy, cargo-style jeans, tucked into
hi-tops, and an army-issued t-shirt and field jacket.  His
sandy brown hair is cut close at the sides, and falls over his face
and down to his shoulders in a shagged cut.  Rigger jacks glint across his
left temple, in the flickering firelight.

"Sean?  Let's go...they've found Dragonfly, and he's gonna need
medical attention, ASAP."  he smiles grimly, and reaches up to brush a lock
of blood-slicked hair from the other's face.  "You look
like YOU could make due with some, yourself...come on!  Let's go!"
he coaxes, taking Nex' wrist.

But, Nex only shakes his head, and turns back toward the street,
and the pitched battle the Jonesboro reinforcements have found there.

"_Nex_!?  We've _gotta_ GO..."

"No...Caitlin!  I've gotta...find...NO!"

"Nex!  It's no USE..." he sighs, and takes his friend's shoulder.  When Nex
shrugs him away, he notices the blood soaking thru the
front of his t-shirt, near the jointing plates of his cyberarm.

"Nex...you've been SHOT!  Come ON...before we ALL get KILLED!"

Again, THE Nexus refuses, and tries to push past the Troll, who's
moved to block his path.

HEY...wanna help us out here!?!" the rigger calls to two young Orks
--a male and female.  They appear to be litter mates.  The four of them take
hold of Nex, and attempt to drag him back into the cover
of the alley, kicking and screaming, if need be.  He's _not_ going to
let them down.

He struggles madly, his razors shredding the sleeve of the Troll's
armoured jacket.  He shrieks in raging protest, his tenor voice rising
another octave, and curses them profusely in both fluent Gaelic and
Sperethiel.

"NEX!!  Give it UP...she's GONE!!!!" the rigger finally blurts out, though he
quickly regrets it.  "NO!" the younger Elf screams.  Then,
he goes stock-still, his body so rigid, even the _Troll's_ unable to
move him...not even so much as his ARM.

Nex turns his head so deliberately, he seems to be moving in slow
motion.  The drone has moved, angling its camera down, across the
rigger's shoulder, to get the best veiw of any impending action.

As Nex turns to face his friend, the rigger pulls back a half step.  The
assassin s[eaks one word, and you can hear that his voice has
dropped by as much as _3_ octaves.

"NO..." he hisses slowly, thru extended fangs, in an almost inhuman
rumble.  Slowly, his right hand, pulled into a twisted, claw-like
configuration with the fingers pointing down, comes up, just above
waist level.

As he turns his head away, the air around him seems to ripple and
distort, as if he's suddenly surrounded by waves of intense heat.  The
metahumans begin to shift uncomfortably, and look at one another, unertainty
and apprehension obvious in their features, and their
stance.

In the distace, you can see the invaders, horribly out-gunned, begin to make
an all-out, scrambling retreat.  THE Nexus takes a few,
quick strides toward the fleeing troops, ignoring the friends he's
nearly left behind.  The air around him seems to crackle with a life
all its own.  Again, the drone swings into a more advantagious
position, framing the Elf's striking profile.  His eyes sem to be changing
again, but, not as they did in the warehouse's corridors.

They seem suddenly very pale...almost crystaline.  And somehow
luminescent.  In fact, the whole right side of his upper body seems
almost to glow!  As it reaches his contorted hand, it intensifies, til it
almost seems tangible.  Giving the slightest of shrugs, he allows his
dangling pack to fall.

It's as though he's _waiting_ for something.  And, when the meta
troops are sufficiently clear, he seems to have found the opening he
was looking for.  In the blink of an eye, his hand snaps up, and his
fingers close convulsively into a tight fist.  He winces sharply, as
though in great pain, and the glow increases.  Then, it seems to
disappear, as though it's imploded.  His body begins to shake, and
his head snaps violently back.

With a scream of agony, his fingers fly open, and a raging wind tears
at his clothing and hair.  A blinding flash erupts from his hand, and
blue-white bolts of immense energy explode from his fingertips, arcing with
deadly speed down the avenue, toward the on-coming
assault vehicles.

The energy passes over and thru everything in its path with storm-like
strength and ferocity.  The Elf continues to unleash the devastation
from his strong, slender hand, as the white light crackles and courses
around--and thru--his entire body.

Everywhere it strikes, it leaves behind smoking rubble and bodies,
burnt beyond recognition.  When it contacts the vehicles, it triggers
a chain of massive explosions, leaving only the flaming, twisted
remains to mark where they'd been stopped.

As quickly as the energy seemed to heed his silent summons, it
ceases, expending itself in one final, violent burst, who's force washes
back, over THE Nexus and his companions.  Nex screams
again, as his arm seems to spontainiously combust, sending flames
racing over his bare flesh.

He's flung by the force, back into the rigger's waiting arms.  The Troll
moves quickly to dowse the flames with the tattered sleeve of his jacket.  As
he collapses, he can be heard to utter the Elven woman's
name again.

The rigger lowers him quickly to the ground, his fear obvious.  He
talks quietly to his friend, trying to keep him calm.  Suddenly, Nex'
body goes rigid again, and begins to twitch and jerk with violent
spasms.

>From out of the gloom of a near-by alleyway, a woman let's out a
frantic cry.  As she races out, into the pale light of the only lamps to
survive the magical assault, you can see it's the Elven woman.  She
rushes to the fallen Elf's side, and cradles him in her arms, until his
convulsions subside.

"Sean?  Oh, god, Sean...can you _hear_ me?  Come on, hon...
answer me!" she frantically coaxes.  But, Nex only stares blankly up
at the sky, his breathing ragged and laboured.

"Damn you...you PROMISED me you'd take care of yourself! OH..."
tears form in her eyes, but she swipes them angrily away.  Holding
him close, she closes her eyes, and concentrates, her brow creasing
with the effort of the healing magics.  Little changes with him, though
his breathing evens out, if only slightly.  And the flow of blood slows,
then stops.

Shakily, she opens her eyes, and brushes the hair away from his face. She
leans down, and places a soft kiss on his forehead.  Then
she looks up at the rigger.

"Fast Track, there's...little more...that I can do for him, right now.  I
don't even know what all's _wrong_ with him!  But, magic and bullets haven't
caused ALL his injuries!"  she sighs heavily, and looks down
at Nex again.  He stirs, delirious with pain, and she caresses his
cheek, in an attempt to soothe him.  "We have to get him out of here
...NOW!  I'm NOT gonna have this damned nut die on me!  Not til I've had some
time to get him figured out!"

"They've found Dragonfly.  Or, what's LEFT of him, rather..." Fast
Track informs her quietly.  She nods.

"I _know_...already hit him with a trauma patch.  He's just a fuckin'
deck-head!" she smirks.  "He'll be all right!  Housefly went down, too.
He was ripped up pretty bad.  They're ALL gonna need  SERIOUS
medical attention!  Look, if you can get us back to Seattle...as FAST
as you possibly can...I'll pay you!  It may not be much..."

The rigger waves her quiet.  "Damselfly, nuyen's no problem!  Nex'
ridden shot-gun for me, more times 'an I can REMEMBER!  And,
_saved_ my sorry hoop, twice as often!  He's a great friend...I'll take
'em just about ANYWHERE!  And YOU'RE his friends!  I ain't gonna
leave ya behind!  Besides...I think the kid's kinda sweet on ya...he'd
KILL ME, if he found out I'd left ya behind!"  he smirks, but he's
obviously worried.  "It'll be DAMNED crowded, but I've got StreetWolf
standin guard over Baby.  We'll take him along, for some extra
support!"

Damselfly nods in agreement, and smiles in appreciation.  Planting
gentle kisses on Nex' fluttering eyelids, she whispers reassurances
to him, then reluctantly releases him, as the Troll gingerly takes him
in his huge arms, and starts off down the alleyway.  She rushes after
them, as Fast Track picks up his friend's pack, and hurries behind.

+++++   End video feed

*****Private: Zarkon
>>>>>[ Um.....ok..I will take teddy, Tell all tha ohteers thT THE  best
tiwm to run is monday, its isa going to be dark that day...asnd...um.......
.......it mihgt take 2 days to run it, cause , i made. a plan that will
work...........i did it a while agao also, we will go in, fihgt them,
weaken security, then we will......flee............they think we lost and
gave up.....those let down guard a bitqq....we go back.... and
BOOM!...nothing more said, tell the otherss.....bye Zarkon]<<<<<
        -- Tarkis <1-14-56 / 7:25:24>

>>>>>[Oooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh...SSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!
!!!!!!!]<<<<<
          --Olorin (--:--:-- /--:--:--)

>>>>>[Buon giorno, Slash.  When is a suitable time for us to meet to discuss
this further?

Also, do you know of any others who might be interested?  For a place with
such a reputation I am not impressed by the responses.]<<<<<
        --  Arrigo Conti <14:03:42/13-01-56>
            Director, Security Division
            Venerdi Biomedical

>>>>>[ __SHIT__!!!!   Did you guys SEE that!?!?!?

FAST TRACK!?!  What the FRAG'S goin ON!?!?!  Is Nex a'right!???!
Fast Track, what HAPPENED!?!?!? ]<<<<<
        --  RANDOM ( 21:31:14 / 01-14-56 )

>>>>>[Who is this Nexus individual?  What is his relevance?  What nature
of spell did he cast?  Who where those that rescued him?  Where did this
take place?  I don't like being in the dark, and so far, my sources are
not giving me satisfactory answers.  I am not pleased.]<<<<<
        --the Whistler<21:00:12/1-14-56>

PRIVATE: Arrigo Conti
>>>>>[I have been led to understand that you may have a business
proposition of sorts.  I am interested in a further discussion, whereupon
we can discuss the details and the nature of the proposition.]<<<<<
        --the Whistler<21:41:10/1-14-56>

*****PRIVATE: Olorin
>>>>>[Olorin!  Are you injured?  What happened?  I felt a disturbance in the
mana, is that what happened?]<<<<<
          --Ryuga (23:30:30EST/ 01:14:56)

*****PRIVATE: Rathor
>>>>>[The one has come into the world, we must find him and destroy him
before he gains full mastery of his abilities.  I wonder why he has been able
hide from me...or has my brother been helping him?   That must be it, my
brother must have been keeping him hidden from me.]<<<<<
         --Vader (04:32:30 GMT/15-Jan-56)

>>>>>[Managed to sort out the contents of Dragonfly's headware. Thought some
of you might want to see what happened deep in the bowels of Anna. Here goes:

+++++ INCLUDE VIDEO camera.vid

The camera you are looking through is obviously not top of the line. Its
images are black and white, but vivid enough that you can very obviously tell
that this is what passes for a bank and town hall in Anna. Tellers are lined
up along one wall, standing well clear of the tills which they would
ordinarily work, and a nervous ork with a gun that doesn't seem to fit
comfortably in his hands is pointing his weapon at them, glancing over
occasionally to where an elf sits, his head plugged into a computer system at
the end of the tills.

+++++ INSERT MATRIX LOG anna.first.log

The icon which you see is clearly intended to be a dragon, though it is
unlike any of the dragons you have previously seen, resembling a crude
caricature of what might be a Western Dragon. It stands about man-height, and
is garbed in a gleaming leisure suit of lavender, a matching fedora with a
huge ostrich plume protruding from the hatband. It has a large number of
heavy gold chains hanging around its neck, and wears elevator shoes with
goldfish swimming in the glass soles. As it turns to gesture toward the
datalines streaming around him, you can literally see the cheap cologne swirl
about him even as its 2 nuyen a bottle stench assaults your virtual nostrils.

"I would be the Fly Dragon, and this is Anna's offline system. Not nearly as
impressive as you would think, eh?" The voice has the tinny quality of
echoless Matrix sound, though you can hear a streetwise rhythm in its gentle
roll.

The dragon struts forward, covering huge distances with exaggerated strides.
A large door, blocked by a man in security armor, stands before you. The
figure steps forward, looking for all the world like the model of an attentive
 soldier.

"Identification is required beyond this point, sir," the guard states in a
flat voice.

The Dragon takes a long, very deliberate look at the POV which records this,
waggling over-articulated eyebrows. He snaps his finger, and a leggy blonde
with far too much makeup and a waist-length leather skirt strides up from the
nether realms of the matrix. She steps up to the guard and runs a hand down
his security armor.

The guard, unsure of how to respond to this new stimulus, turns red for a
moment, then reaches out to grab the sleaze program. She steps back, takes
his arm, and leads him off. The dragon grins.

The dragon proceeds to extend a finger, and a gleaming claw pops from the
end. He inserts this into the lock, twists his hand around, and pushes the
door open.

The node which he enters looks like a cross between a warehouse and a bank
vault, crates piled haphazardly on one side, and rows of bags marked "$$$"
along the other. The dragon makes a frame with his hands, and looks critically
 through it, running the frame along the rows of crates. As he does so, the
space between his hands flashes once, and he moves his back to frame that
particular bag.

"I think this bit here is what I'm lookin' for," the dragon mutters. "I'm
thinkin' this here's the link to the holding bank, and these codes should
drain this town dry."

He meanders over to the bag and proceeds to unravel the intricate knot which
holds it closed.

"Hey now. Trade secrets. Go watch the lobby for a while."

+++++END MATRIX LOG

+++++CONTINUE VIDEO camera.vid

{25.6 Mp (2.3 min) DELETED}

The scene is again the lobby, and the ork is sweating profusely now, as is
the elf. The tellers are getting restless, and the customers are
occassionally looking up from their prone positions.

Suddenly, a man steps through the front door, armored in security-grade
armor, walking slowly forward. His eyes are vaguely glassy, and something
protrudes from between his lips. The ork panics and opens fire, his assault
rifle chattering noisily.

The security guard does not respond, but as suddenly as he appeared, he
vanishes in a ball of flame, a ball which expands to engulf the room with
tremendous concussive force. The camera hangs oddly askew, and the lens has
cracked, presenting an upside-down image in three segments. The majority of
this image contains the former occupants of the room -- the present wallpaper
-- a mess of bloody smears, pulped tissue, and oddly twisted corpses peppered
with fragments of security grade armor. The ork is nowhere to be seen, but
the elf's body -- mashed against the armored casing of the computer he was
jacked into -- remains mostly intact, the jack still in his head and still
feeding into the computer. His injuries are hard to determine amidst all the
blood, but it is fairly certain that he is not faring much better than the
wallpaper.

Through the wreckage of the front doors, off in the tiny triangle which
catches that vantage, the ork you immediately recognize as Jolly Roger -- it's
 the top hat that does it -- steps into the carnage. He has an assault rifle
sweeping the room, but when he sees the elf, he pulls it back, resting it on
his shoulder. He reaches into his pocket, grabbing for something, and touches
the elf's... foot, I guess you would call it. The body quivers a little bit,
and a shiver of pain runs through the orks body. He crawls forward another
meter, and begins binding the shreds of the elf's jacket around his ribs.

As he is doing so, a figure appears in the camera's view, gazing around the
wreckage. It is a woman, an elf, with blonde hair and fine features. Roger
stiffens as she approaches (and the bad porno music starts playing --
chicka-BOOM-chicka-BOOM). He turns, and dives for the woman, his finger (no,
the one on his HAND!) extended. He touches her, and she looks down at him
angrily. He doesn't rise again. She kicks him once in the head to get him
away from her feet, looks angrily around the room, (probably trying to figure
out where that damn music is coming from), then disappears in a cloud of
mist.

+++++END VIDEO

Guess we know what hit Nex now, heh?]<<<<<
        -- Damselfly (03:12:24 / 01-15-56)

>>>>>[Anyone out there give me a hand? I need to get the MPCP in this
fraggin' deck changed so it doesn't have this goofy handle on it
anymore.]<<<<<
        --  Damselfly (03:20:32 / 01-15-56)

>>>>>[You asked for assistance, my dear?  I have enclosed a small program that
allows you to alter your "handle" permanently or temporarily as you desire.
Enjoy
*****Enclosed: 1Mp code

If you desire anything else, please feel free to inquire.]<<<<<
        --  Mercury <12:37:54/01-15-56>

>>>>>[HEY, I can see where that could be useful.  Thanks, Mercury]<<<<<

        -- Trick-C <19:04:03 / 01-15-56>
           Scape Goat
           Industrial Sound and Magic

>>>>>[Trixie, I would appreciate it if you did not post to Shadowland
with your official title changed to something that does not shed a
favorable light upon IS&M.

As I am sure you know by now, there are quit a few people who frequent
this board who would assume that you are being treated poorly in your current
position.  If you honestly feel that you are the "scape goat" maybe we can
find someone else to head the soft team, someone else to take responsibility
for getting things done, someone else to get your salary.

I know that this might seem harsh to you but you need to understand what
it means to keep a good reputation.  While it seems that most of the
discussion done here is of an illegal nature, there are still those here that
read messages just to keep informed on the going's on in the world.

Oh, by the way, who is the new guy?]<<<<<


        -- Jason Stormwind <19:20:11 / 01-15-56>
           Executive Officer
           Industrial Sound and Magic

>>>>>[Not at all.  Of course, any decent matrixrunner could duplicate the
program with about a week spent coding.  And naturally, there are ways to
overcome it or return the MPCP to its original operational name.  Ultimately,
the only true method to properly alter your MPCP ID signature is to re-cook
the MPCP itself.]<<<<<
        --  Mercury <19:13:05/01-15-56>

>>>>>[I do mostly software.  I've thought about it a lot and the code
you sent out was pretty nice and clean.  Good job.  I COULD re-do the
chip (I built my own deck, its a screamer) but, like, that would take
time and effort.  I would rather do things with software rather then
hardware, if you know what I mean.]<<<<<

        -- Trixie <00:34:07 / 01-16-56>

>>>>>[Martel, too bad, your bomb didn't quite work on Thursday, old chap.

+++++UPLOAD CAMERA CHIP: Kovak.Disposal
+++++AUDIO & VISUAL (y/n): Y

+++++In front of you there is a man in an armor jacket and carrying what
+++++is a cross between a book bag and a briefcase. The name Kovak appears
+++++beside him.

(Kovak)Is this place cleared yet?

+++++A man in Lone Star uniform walks up to Kovak, beside him is a rather
+++++large, black German Shepard. The name Harding appears beside the
+++++officer.

(Harding)The whole school is empty. What time is left by your count?

(Kovak)Fifteen minutes. I'll hand myself over to your FRT, when I'm done
with the bomb. Tell your dog to start looking.

(Harding)Sabre, Registras!

+++++You move into a hallway. Sabre moved down the hallway and stopped at
+++++the third door on the left. Kovak and Harding both follow Sabre into
+++++the room, which appears to be full of computers. Harding speaks into
+++++his radio.

(Harding)Evac Lead... we're in a comptuer lab. Sabre's tracked the bomb
here.

(Evac Lead)Canine3, we'll send a disposal drone in.

+++++Kovak had followed Sabre to a computer, but now looked up.

(Kovak) Harding, no. I can disarm it.

(Harding)Evac Lead, scratch. We'll disarm.

+++++All of the sudden there is a loud crack and Harding drops to the
+++++floor. You see that a window on the far side of the room is broken.
+++++Kovak grabs Harding's radio.

(Kovak)Evac Lead, shots fired. Canine3 is down. I've got five minutes left,
so I'll traet Harding and then deal with the bomb. You fix in on that last
shot and give me suppresion fire.

+++++The sound of gunfire echos up to the room as you watch Kovak apply a
+++++dressing to Harding's shoulder. Then, crouching, Kovak runs back to
+++++the computer and begins working on the inside. A small counter in the
+++++corner of the screen shows fourty seconds.

+++++Kovak hesitates between to wires, one red, and one white.

(Kovak)Evac Lead. Do you like Red Wine or White?

(Evac Lead)Red.

+++++Kovak snips the Red wire.

(Kovak)Good call. No more live bomb. I'm comin' with Harding. Call for Doc
Wagon.

+++++15Mp DELETED:

+++++Kovak lays Harding on a stretcher. A fair-sized Troll in heavy armor
+++++walks up to Kovak.

(Evac Lead)While we were on our way here, the Exec in charge of Division of
Patrol down here said 'We'll forget he was here.' You'd better get out of
here. If you need to find me you can. By the way, where'd you learn how to
boss an FRT Boss around?

+++++Kovak grins.

(Kovak)I did my years in Chicago. Anytime my department got a call two gangs
just happened to want to protect the bombs. We learned to work with FRT real
good. You get the sniper?

(Evac Lead)No we lost him. Look our bomb technician is fivty-five and pretty
immobile. Take Harding's dog for awhile. We'll tell you when we need it back,
now get out of here. The dog's commands are in Spanish by the way.

(Kovak)Thanks, I'll be in touch.

+++++Kovak runs to his Jeep.

+++++END CAMERA CHIP:

If you pull sniper stunts again Martel. I'm gonna get real pissed.]<<<<<
        --Kovak (05:33:23 GMT / 1-16-56)

>>>>>[ Welp...we're BACK!  Some of us, in fewer pieces than others
I guess...*weak grin*  And, lemme tell ya...that was NOT a fun trip!
I've packed a THIRD stabilization unit inta Baby, after this!

Six hours in a panzer, with _6_ people--2 of whom are critical, and
another who's rapidly declining...and ALL over 6 feet tall!   _No_,
we're NOT doin THAT, again!  *SIGH*

DAMN! Dragonfly was a MESS!  _I_ can't see any way they're gonna
be able to save his arm, poor kid!  It's a fraggin MIRACLE, he ain't
gonna end up a damned VEGETABLE!  His headware's fragged all to
hell and back, to be certain!

Don't know about Housefly...he looked like he'd been _tenderized_!
Lost a good deal of blood, had some nasty internal injuries--but, that
thick ol' Troll-hide of his _probably_ saved his sorry hoop!

As for _Nex_...it's gonna be tough to say, for a little while, at least.
He hasn't regained consciousness, yet.  Took seizures, pretty much
the entire way home, and was so delerious, from pain and fever, he
scarsely noticed there was anyone around.  He _finally_ passed out,
about 2 1/2 hours before pullin into Seattle.

For the _most_ part, his visible injuries seem to be MILD--TOO mild,
for his _condition.  He had a nasty concussion, and most of the left
side of his face was bruised and swollen.  He WAS shot--TWICE:
once in the right thigh...and, once in the chest, just below the
collarbone, on his left side.

But, neither of THOSE were that bad--they removed the bullets, right
there in triage!  No major organs damaged, or anything like that...

But, they claim he'd suffered MASSIVE hemorrhaging, though there
were No signs of heavy bleeding-- ANYwhere!  And, the only internal
bleeding was what he'd incurred with the drain from that...that...
WHAT-EVER he'd done!  That wasn't all that heavy!

They're figuring he should be coming around, in a day or so.  Then,
they'll probably send him home...provided he's out of danger.  I have
a feeling, though, that they're gonna be holding onto Dragonfly and
Housefly, for a _while_, yet...

If anybody's interested in paying a visit, I'd sugest coming thru one of
us...they're trying to keep the number of visitors down, so the guys
can get lots of rest.  It's a private clinic--not very _big_...but, top o'
the line!  If you're not familiar with the place ( meaning, if you have to
ask where they are ), get in touch with me, or one of Nex' other
chummers, and we'll point you in the right direction.

In the _meantime_, I'm gonna go over the footage in one of the
drones Roger'd found trashed, _underneath_ City Hall. ]<<<<<
     --  Fast Track ( 3:00:28 / 01-16-56 )

***** Private: Skuff, GoD, Griffyn
>>>>>[Skuff, what's takin' so damn long?  We've been sittin' on our
asses for the last week.  My people (not to mention me) are getting
twitchy and twitchy people do dumb things.  Besides, the trail is
getting cold.  We don't do something now, we'll hafta wait until the
bozos pull somthing stupid again.  If you've got any leads, I
suggest doing somthing with them.]<<<<<
        -- Freddy Frypp (09:40:04 / 01-16-56)

*****PRIVATE:  Freddy Frypp
>>>>>[As you wish.

Ammunition types:  explosive flechette ammo.  Causes massive hemmraging and
armor degradation.  Available in all weapon calibres.
     Shaped charge ammo.  High explosive in a shaped charge geometry designed
to cut through armor and cause only limited damage to the soft target within.
     Toxin delivery ammo.  hollow ammo encasing a gel pack of a toxin,
generally Mao, Hyper, Neurostun, etc.  Limited armor penetration, suggested
for non-lethal and crowd control.

Bi-ammo rifle(Maxim prototype #12849):  Dual clip assult rifle designed to
carry two different types of ammo, interfaced with a smartlink for clip
switching.  Suggested ammo types:  stun/toxin ammo offset with regular/APDS.

Security version, ramjet rifle:  Security power reduced from military version
already in production.  Fires specialized semi-hollow rounds of armor-peircing
ceramic coated internally with solid fuel.  Electric discharge firing, caseless
ammunition, fully automatic.  Damage and fatality percentages increase with
distance from barrel due to jet action.

Maxim "bumble-bee" Vectored Thrust police cruiser:  full sized version of a
police cruiser, engine modified with new fuel-efficient V-T engines for
security use.  Powered wheels standard for ground transportation and increased
fuel efficiency.  Armored, cybernetically controled, security grade chassis
with weapon hardpoints and firmpoints.

Venus:  anti-mob drug, causes lethargy and gradual unconsciousness over 5
minutes after exposure.  No side effects.  Wears off within 3 hours.  Anti-
toxin available.  Molecule is small enough to pass through 950f gas-masks
and cybernetic filters produced worldwide.

+++++Included:  operations details on above items++++++

That should let you know what we plan.  As you see by the enclosed document,
the cruiser is actually not a panzer, but rather a new breed of security
vehicle.  Are you still interested?]<<<<<
    --  Ms. V <01-13-19/01-14-56>

***** Private: Ms. V.
>>>>>[Well, I've done some checking with the Occupation forces and
they've told me they're gonna throw me before a magistrate if I bring
any of these inside the city limits.  Not really a problem, we don't
keep most of the fun toys inside the city limits anyway.

I'm not sure how much use we'll get for most of the ammuntion anyway.
It sounds a little too lethal for our tastes.  We prefer to use
non-lethal means wherever possible.  We are after all, not real police
officers, but merely a security firm and we therefore have a much
more important image to maintain (both publicly and legally) and the
use of violently lethal ammuntion is not advancing of a positivie
image.

Mob-control is not a part of our charter.  We do not and will not
participate in riot control actions in this area.  Plus, I seriously
doubt its ability to defeat filtration systems.  But, I have not seen
your R&D department's very thorought studies.

The weapons systems and the panzer, however, do appear to have
features that we may evaluate without any adverse effects on our
business dealings.  These systems may be integrated into our Fast
Response Teams to supplement existing systems.

I hope our inability to test certain of your systems will not be
disruptive in any way.  Other corporations would be much better
suited to testing of these products and I can recommend several, if
necessary.]<<<<<
        -- Freddy Frypp (09:54:12 / 01-16-56)

*****PRIVATE:  Freddy Frypp
>>>>>[Excellent!  I will inform my superiors that you have preliminarily
accepted portions of our offer, and rejected the others.  While I was only to
involve myself with your particular corporation, I am sure that others are
involved in other corporations who will be willing to test the materials.  I
do understand your reservations and objections, and will convey them as well.
I will be returning to you a copy of the legal documents and terms of
agreement for you to show your legal department.  They are not notarized, so
they can not be signed.  The actual documents will arrive by bonded courier
sometime in the next few days.  Alterations and negotiations will be handled by
the legal department.

Good day, Mr. Frypp, and I hope our dealings will be mutually beneficial.]<<<<<
        --  Ms. V <11:18:50/01-16-56>

*****Private to: the Whistler
>>>>>[Buon giorno.  I am pleased to have your response; perhaps you would be
aware of some other interested parties?

I shall be contacting all involved shortly.]<<<<<
        --  Arrigo Conti <12:30:13/01-16-56>
            Director, Security Division
            Venerdi Biomedical

>>>>>[I could do that.

How much ya offering?]<<<<<
        --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel>

>>>>>[Val, I could use some help.  I've never been a parent before, and
Adrienne is exhibiting some weird traits that have me a bit nervous.  I know
that the spike made her a really accelerated kid, development wise, including
her magical talents.  But she's coming out more like a shaman than a mage.
She's not doing much with it yet, but her aura is definately magical, and she's
only 8 months old.  That won't be a problem, really, unless she starts
casting spells at me or Max or the babysitter....but I'm worried.

Any ideas?]<<<<<
        --  Foxey Roxey <13:32:14/01-16-56>

>>>>>[Why don't you bring her around Haven?  I'll see if I can't help, and the
other children may help her too.]<<<<<
        --  Valentine <13:33:29/01-16-56>

>>>>>[Thanks, Val.  After she sees Nex, I'll do that.]<<<<<
        --  Foxey Roxey <13:34:07/01-16-56>

>>>>>[Jason Stormwind, did we all really need to hear that?

I didn't think so.]<<<<<
        --  Christopher Tarleton <Dark/Angel>

>>>>>[I do indeed understand the preferance of software over firmware.  It is
far easier to alter to suit the requirements of the moment.]<<<<<
        --  Mercury <13:36:12/01-16-56>

>>>>>[
+++++ Observation Drones 1-5 edited trideo download.

+++++ 02:00:00 Remaining
You see an old battered grey van threading it's way down the busy Berlin
streets against the high-speed traffic.  At one point, it pulls a highly
illegal left turn in to a pedestrian only street.  It screeches to a noisy
halt, which sends pedestrians diving for cover into nearby shop doorways.  The
back doors of the van fly open, as two figures (both male) are hurled out of
them.  You hear a voice from within the van call out in English, "Good luck
'chummers.'  You have two hours to reach the Airport, or you'll be hung from
the most conviented thing we can find for Enemies of the State with your
statures.  Good day."  The van plunges off deeper into the street as the back
doors are closed.

The shorter of the two, an elf dressed in street styled clothes, hoists the
other, an older, bigger human over one shoulder.  The elf then proceeds with
some difficulty down the street in the opposite direction from the van.

+++++ 00:54:13 Remaining
You see the elf in a grimy alley.  He is leaning against the wall as if to keep
himself for collapsing.  He doesn't seem to be up to the challenge.  Of course
that might not all be of his fault.  His jacket is smeared in blood -- of his
companion, that the elf is now carrying.  The human looks paler then death
itself. It seems a miracle that he's alive at all.

A figure steps in to the other end of the alley.  It is a tall, well-built man
in a smart corp suit.  The way he is standing reminds you of some corp hit guys
that you ran up against a while back.  In a perfect monotone (in English no
less)  he drones out, "You have 53 minutes and 24 seconds left and 9.4 km still
to go.  I hope you aren't too tired already.  Why not just leave the vampire
and give yourself a much better chance of reaching the airport, Herr WHAT ?"

The elf stares at the figure with fatigue heavy on his face.  With a strong
English accent, he somehow manages to spit out, "Frag off, Mr-bleedin'-Shadow.
We'll make it there in time."

The figure replies in his still very boring monotone, "I admire your
completely misplace loyalty to the monster.  It will bring me no pleasure to
watch you hang because you were protecting a vampire."

WHAT pushes himself off the wall.  Half carrying, half dragging the human he
walks out the alley and past the other person.  As WHAT passes the person with
the monotone, he snarls, "Stick it, Geek."

+++++ 00:35:51 remaining
You see WHAT and the human (you assume it is Action Jackson) are taking a brief
rest in a burnt out building.  The walls are covered in slogans and gang
insignia.  WHAT is trying to quickly redo the human's bandages.

A sound make both of them try and sink deeper into the shadows.  Five, very
dirty, ragged children are lead into the room by what looks like a twelve year
old girl who is clutching a large knife.  They huddle in to a different corner,
unaware of the two men.  The girl slowly and carefully divides up two soggy-
looking soy burgers between them.  In mere seconds the food is gone.  The girl
shrugs helplessly at the younger children's enquiring is-there-any-more looks.

A med-kit slides across the floor, into the middle of them.  You then hear a
voice in clear German say, "Take it. It's worth at least 200 Newyen.  Don't
accept anything less."  The Girl pauses for a second, grabs the kit, bobs her
head in the direction of the voice (which happens to be where WHAT is hiding)
and disappears with the children.

The Elf leaves the shadows he was hiding in.  He then turns and in a wry tone
says "You realise Aj, that now all the pain killers gone."

AJ pulls back his sleeves.  Both of his arms are horribly mark and disfigured
and are barely half healed. "Look, you'd hardly know I'd hurt myself.  Besides
the kids needed the money more than we do."

The Elf dryly chuckles.  He then responds, "Being nail to a chair isn't what
I'd call hardly hurt.  Come on let's go. We've a plane to catch."

A figure casually strolls into the room.  He emotionalessly says, "I'm
surprised you let those children go.  Probably weren't enough to make a meal
for you, eh?"

"Oh frag off, nonce.  Are you our official Bad Guy to scare us Mr Sad Git?"
WHAT sarcastically retorts.  He then helps up AJ and calmly leave the building.

+++++ 00:31:05 remaining
You see AJ stumble and falls heavily to the ground.  As he is falling, he lets
out an oath.  Blood slow trickles over his boot.  AJ grimaces and from between
clenched teeth says, "My knee's given out."  He pulls himself up and starts
hobbling down the street.  WHAT simple shakes his head and follows.

+++++ 00:23:24 remaining
You see a dark underpass that is filled with rubble, rubbish, and four gangers.
They are blocking the way.  They have the look of wanting everything and don't
giving a frag as to how they get it.  WHAT on the other hand, looks like he's
about to be sick from exertion.  The gangers advance, spreading out in a rough
semi-circle.  WHAT lowers his friend and takes a tired, defensive stance.  The
gangers laugh and advance.  A blurring movement from the floor surprises you
and the first ganger who succeeds in losing his sword only to get his throat
slashed for his troubles.  The second and third ganger die screaming in horror,
as sword and a clawed hands rip them to shreds.  The forth ganger manages to
run a couple of metres before the sword, hurled by AJ, pins him to the earthen
wall through the chest.  The man collapses.  Meanwhile WHAT has his jaw hanging
open, shudders and moves over to gathers up AJ.  In a horse voice WHAT utters,
"Aj ? Are you okay ?"  WHAT suddenly finds himself thrown backwards.

Air rasps through the two protruding fangs in AJ's mouth and his eye are blood
red.  Madness slowly fades from his face.  Cautiously WHAT helps AJ up and they
continue onward.

+++++ 00:08:17 Remaining
The two are huddled next to a burning, overturned car.  A raging gun fight is
blocking their way.  A figure in a doorway behind them reveals himself by
saying, "Only 7 minutes and 12 seconds left and 2.3km to go.  I'm starting to
think you aren't going to make it in time."

A fevered gleam shines in WHAT's sweat stung eyes and slowly a maniacally grin
comes accross his face.  In a slightly crazed voice, WHAT responds with, "Oh
yeah, chummy?"

The ground starts shaking as a low rumbling roar starts to accompany the
gunfire.  WHAT somehow manages to fling AJ over his back and runs straight
at a low wall across the street.  Given the new target, the gangers generously
send a few rounds his way.  WHAT lurches and akwardly tumbles over the wall.
The figure makes a careful path to the low wall and peers over.  Violent
curses are hurled at the railway tracks below him.

+++++ 00:01:56 remaining
Welcome to Berlin Airport station.  Hundreds of people are fighting their way
on and off the trains in a chaotic free-for all.  Two figures fall from the
top of a train knocking down a troupe of commuters.  WHAT and AJ ignore the
shouts and screams of the sprawled, and stagger along.  You note that AJ seems
to now supporting WHAT instead of the other way around.  They head into the
airport's interior.

+++++ 00:00:34 remaining
The fixed smile on the check-in attendant faces wavers for a few seconds as the
two dirty and bloodied air tickets are handed over by the even more battered,
bleeding, ragged half-dead duo.  Her training then kicks in and the smile
returns with pointless pleasantries and their boarding passes.

++++++ -00:01:00 remaining
Four large security guards in security armour and packing assault rifles, ask
the pair to come with them to another section of the airport. Their tone
implies that there are no alternative, and the two wearily comply.

Standing on the tarmac, in the driving rain they stare despondently at a old
battered, livestock cargo plane.  The Company man steps out of the plane with
an umbrella in one hand and a gun in other.  He smiles for the first time, and
says, "Well done WHAT.  You got your abomination here and both of you mostly
in one piece.  You do not look to well though.  A nice, calm, long fight back
should do you the world of good."

"What's the idea with this fragged cargo plane?" snaps WHAT.

"Ah, well as much as Nightmare didn't agree to it, I couldn't live with myself
if I have a dangerous animal like that travel with normal people in an
inclosed space.  He'd more that likely go into a blood frenzy and infect
them all.  At least the ones he left living that is."

"You really are just a ignorant, scared peasant, who can't even see passed his
own narrow-minded fears.  You can't even see how stupid you are to treat
another HUMAN BEING like this.  This man save lives, he's a fragging Doctor."

"Nightmare said you were naive, but you just proven how understated that
comment was.  Enjoy your journey with the pigs."

He steps off the rampway and gestures for them to get on.  AJ moves away from
WHAT and with as much dignity as he can muster board the plane under his own
effort despite his being in a lot of pain.  The figure, however, just slams a
fist into WHAT stomach.  Hatred etched accross his face. "That monster is your
responsibility and the lives he feeds off.  Nightmare asked me to remind you of
that.  The hyper injection you have just received is my gift to you on the
plane journey home.  Have a safe trip, fool."  With that he cruelly hurls WHAT
into the plane.

+++++ Sometime later.
The battered transport plane lands in rainy Sea-Tac Airport.  A horde of
reporters, who are decked out in an assortment of recording equipment, rush
toward the plane's rear rampway.  The ramp opens and two men covered in straw
and pigs muck stumble down.  A barrage of lights and questions assail the duo.
"Aren't you Doctor Alexander Jackson, a vampire and escaped convicted from
Interpol and over government agencies?"
"Mr Jackson do you realise the FBI are still after you?"
"What were you doing in Germany?"
"Are you back to stand trial in New York for your crimes again?".

Before either of two can reply or move, a man steps from around one of the
media-hounds vans and levels an assault rifle at WHAT.  He then shouts over
the racket, "WHAT, you traitorous fragger!  You stole the Sword and now you
must die!"  He then pulls the trigger.

WHAT is thrown backward as bullets slam into him.  The reporters desperately
fight to get the best camera angles on the attack, as AJ grabs WHAT and leaps
off the ramp, and right through a windscreen of a van.  AJ then grabs the poor
driver by the throat and screams, "Drive or I'll crush your fragging throat!"
The driver seeing the light, starts the van and speeds off smashing through a
perimeter fence on off into Seattle. ]<<<<<
    -- Source Unknown <12:45:30/1-16-56>

***** Private: Scarface
>>>>>[ Bruce take WHAT and AJ (as soon as you find them) to >>location<<.  That
is in Seattle.  I have a friend there that should be able to give them medical
aid.  He probably won't be thrilled by the vampire, but if you mention that I
sent you, he _shouldn't_ do anything rash.  Afterwards, make the offer to WHAT
and AJ to come and visit Blitzkrieg. ]<<<<<
        -- DragonEyes <12:47:25/1-16-56>

>>>>>[ Diana, I'm going to pick up WHAT and your father before they get into
more trouble.  I'll contact you as soon as I get them safe. ]<<<<<
        -- Scarface <12:48:04/1-16-56>

*****PRIVATE: Arrigo Conti
>>>>>[I might know of several other business associates that might be
appropriate for your venture.  However, I do not know what your
requirements are.  Neither do I know the exact nature of your business
proposition.  I have heard only rumors, which led me to contact you, but
I would prefer to know more about your business proposal before referring
my associates to you.]<<<<<
        --the Whistler<14:29:09/1-16-56>

*****PRIVATE: Kovak
>>>>>[Good work disarming the bomb.  If you need a cover for any
following bomb attempts, give me a call at >>encrypted<<.  I am a combat
mage with a large amount of combat experience and I have two advantages:
I fly and I can become invisible (improved) at will.  This might be ideal
in finding and tracking a sniper.  Let me know if you need such
assistance.]<<<<<
        -- Spellslinger (15:20:34/1-16-55)

Private: Anti-U.A.I.C Runner Team
>>>>>[I'm afraif there'll be a delay in the run. Tarkis had a total
breakdown... he was doing some physical drugs along with the simsense,
and they fried him. I've managed to keep him from dying through
healing, but he's not going to be ready to run anytime soon.]<<<<<
        --  Zarkon <18:07:53 / 01-16-56>

Private: Anti-U.A.I.C. Magi
>>>>>[Since you're going to be in the area a little while, please stay
at the hotel at >>encrypted<<. I will send you some info files on the
computer, it's weaknesses, and personal strategies, so we can
co-ordinate.
+++Download: SAIC.Plan.txt
Please use these fake SINs from Tarkis' collection to check into the
hotel.
+++Download: Andrew.Bremmer.SIN
             Carl.Grassi.SIN
             Mark.Leo.SIN
I would appreciate any info you are willing to release on your
abilities, but I understand if you do not want to tell me such things.
The other runners will also be staying at this hotel, and it will serve
as a base for us when we do the run.]<<<<<
        --  Zarkon <18:11:24 / 01-16-56>

Private: Heads Will Roll
>>>>>[While you're included in our plans, please stay at the hotel at
>>encrypted<<. The 3 elves who are helping us will also be there if you
need assistance, and we will use it as a base for the run. Included are
plans for the computer and personal strategy info.
+++Download: SAIC.Plan.txt
You may check in on the following SINs from Tarkis' collection:
+++Download: Heads.Will.Roll.SINs
Please don't overuse these accounts... I would appreciate if you would
send us info on your teams planned strategy once you have perused these
files. Thank you.]<<<<<
        --  Zarkon <18:15:58 / 01-16-56>

*****Private:Zarkon
>>>>>Thanx for the sins, we should be pulling up the the hotel in about 5min.
a short break down on the team Death Jestor, Luodo, Strikes-Like-Lighting make
up the ground team Strikes is our magical support, Rolling Thunder is the wheel
man and supplys us with or fav way of entry one wiz F-B Comuter (Q-modified
with all the support a team could want the min-gun has pullied us out of the
drek several times) and watch over them from the matrix. We would like to know
who the other runners are so we can work some thing out so we are not stepping
on someone elss feet. Thanxs for the info will look into it, oh by the way
Strikes says the a good sweat lodge should help out your freind. DJ wants to
know the time table for the run and if we can get some more ammo (our last
fixer shafted us if you could put us on to some one new that would be sub-zero
with us DJ is looking for some Barett sniper rounds) I thinks that is it for
now sezz u later<<<<<
         Red Ronin (1-17-56/ 12:49:10)

*****PRIVATE: Humanis Hater's Club
>>>>>[Housefly? You out there still? Ran into a bit of trouble. I've been
stayin' here with the "underground" faction in Anna. Ther aren't many of us,
but when we come out, don't start poppin' caps. These guys are on our side.

By the by, anybody got a line on a weapon focus? I think it's about time I...
invested.]<<<<<
        -- Jolly Roger (03:12:34 / 01-17-56)

*****PRIVATE: Jolly Roger
>>>>>[The news is not good, Roger. The three bug-people got in a Bean Sidhe
with the one they call Swirling, the pyromancer, and another metalhead. The
T-bird left almost immediately, but I am not sure where they went to.
Wildfire also is gone, though he went the way of noble spirits. He was astral
when the cataclysm occurred, and I have not been able to save him. He passed
away several hours ago.

Apparently, someone cleaned out Anna's bank before we got there. Only about
500k $UCAS remain, and these alone are insufficient to resettle the
survivors. We are trying now to gather transportation, and are dismantling
the few weapons systems which remain functional. These we hope to trade for
housing for the homeless metahumans in town. We are moving what is not
necessary for suppressing the remaining resistance out of town, waiting for
buyers or offers. If you can be of any assistance?]<<<<<
        --  N'gase (03:45:23 / 01-17-56)

>>>>>[Hey, I like this. Um, looks like Damselfly's a thing of the past. Great
utility. Say, when I downloaded that splurge from Dragonfly's headware,
something kicked out of this deck -- a frame of some kind, looks like
Dragonfly's work, I guess. It took off... if anybody sees it, let me know.

Also, if you guys here in Seattle try moving this node, let me know where it
will be, OK? I can barely push this Fuchi-4 around, let alone find the board
every other day.]<<<<<
        -- Geburah (02:45:12 / 17-Jan-56)

>>>>>[A large contingent of metahumans is currently looking for provisions
for resettlement. They have large quantities of military and paramilitary
hardware for sale or trade to further these ends. Messages or offers of
assistance can be forwarded through me.]<<<<<
        --  N'gase (03:32:22 / 01-17-56)

*****PRIVATE: STREETWOLF
>>>>>[Heh heh. Sounds like fun to me. Got any small towns you want razed? And
where did you guys take off to, anyway? How's Dragonfly doing?]<<<<<
        --  Jolly Roger (03:43:23 / 01-17-56)

>>>>>[Really quick note.  I'm back in Seattle.  Alive, healing slowly.  Diana,
I'm ok, but don't try and find me right now.  After running off with the van
and releasing the driver after we'd gotten away, I'm a hot item again(or should
it be still?).  Bruce came and picked WHAT and I up, and we both got enough
treatment to keep us alive until better treatment was available.  Slash, I need
you at the clinic.  I have GOT to purge these clotting agents and anti-healers
from me, and until that happens, I'm in some SEVERE pain.  After that, it's
time to check my messages.  I have some 3 months I'm missing....]<<<<<
        --  Action Jackson <09:33:54/01-17-56>

*****PRIVATE:  Scarface
>>>>>[Thanks, Bruce.  I owe you one.  Sorry I couldn't take you up on the offer
of Denver, though.  That would be too dangerous for all involv......
+++++timeout exceeded:  20.3 minutes+++++

]<<<<<
        --  Action Jackson <09:36:22/01-17-56>

*****PRIVATE:  Velli
>>>>>[Ma'am, as per your instructions, we have been keeping an eye on the
movements of Alex.  He's back in Seattle, and he just posted on Shadowland.  We
are mobilizing our units to trace and arrest him the instant he posts again.
Anything further?]<<<<<
        --  Avatar <09:38:22/01-17-56>

*****PRIVATE:  Avatar
>>>>>[No.  Just bring him via corporate jet to Boulder.  We have a cell all
ready for him.  Until I personally execute the bastard.]<<<<<
        --  Velli <09:39:46/01-17-56>

*****PRIVATE:  Commander Drake
>>>>>[Sir!  Unit commander Maxwell here.  We were instructed by the German
consolate yesterday that Mr. WHAT(see dossier #118934) and Dr. Alexander
Jackson(see dossier #989327-989335) were returning to the Sea-Tac airport via
cargo plane.  However, our units were unable to respond sufficiently quickly
and they sucessfully escaped with the unwitting aid of Lone Star(who arrested
two of our agents for illegal weapons possession) and the media(who provided
the getaway vehicle and driver as well as confusion and innocent bystanders).
The van was found in Puyallup, Tarislar specifically, and the driver had been
dropped off in Tacoma.  The two individuals have not been heard of since, but
we have our limited resources out looking for them as per your standard
instructions.  Hospitals and clinics have been covered, including DocWagon,
and all the private clinics capable of handling WHAT's wounds that we know of
are covered as well.  We will find them, sir.]<<<<<
        --  Maxwell, Interpol <09:46:01/01-17-56>

>>>>>[N'gase, I would gladly offer my Corporation's assistance unto your
friends.  We will provide medical supplies, food and clothing.  As for
shelter, we may be able to supply equipment and personnel.]<<<<<
          --Ryuga (10:00:30 EST/01:17:56)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

***** Private: N'gase
>>>>>[What've you got for sale?  And what do you want for them?]<<<<<
        -- Freddy Frypp (09:16:33 / 01-17-56)

>>>>>[Herr Jackson, you don't know me, i think, but a whle ago Herr
Slash was letting me to use your clinic for some important researches
to helping some Orks.  Since i wasn't paying to use it, i would like
to return the favor instead.  If you are needing an extra pair of
trained hands for medic, then i would like to helping you.  You can
ask Slash about me if you are wanting more information.]<<<<<
        -- Basilisk <16:28:44 GMT/17.Jan.55>

>>>>>[  I think the 'new guy' would be me, Mr. Stormwind.  Just got hired
a few weeks ago, right before everything started going screwy with these
humanis guys.  ]<<<<<
        -- Neuron Basher < 17:13:17/1-17-56 >
           Software Engineer
           Industrial Sound & Magic

*****PRIVATE: Action Jackson
>>>>>[AJ, should you be in need of medical assistance I am always ready to
assist you.  If you do reply, use encryptions as it will decrease the chances
of your location being traced.]<<<<<
          --Dr. Veggie Table (15:15:30 EST/ 01:17:56)

>>>>>[It doesn't look that bad , hey the blonde at the counter seemed to like
me in it, and it seems that she liked me out of it, but thanks for the info I
guess I'll save it for this years halloween party, snd I wouldn't mind
gettin' that hook up with the tailor, and boss umm, I just hafta ask,
Sharskin, boss doesn't that chafe your skin??? ]<<<<<
        -- GoD < 16:50:13 / 1-13-56 >

*****PRIVATE: Freddy Frypp
>>>>>[  Hey! What's going on? I thought you and Skuff where gonna come by to
get us??? umm better yet why don't we come to you? ]<<<<<
        -- GoD < 16:55:23/1-13-56 >

>>>>>[Nex woke up for a few minutes today. He said... well, he said to tell
everyone he was just fine. And he won't teach me that spell of his -- is that
ingratitude, or what? He _is_ getting some color back in his flesh. So I
guess he either is going out a lot while I sleep, or he isn't in immediate
jeapordy of putting those fangs to regular use... If he wakes up tomorrow,
I'll try to have him put some of that time into coming online. Though he
seems to have other things on his mind...]<<<<<
        --  Geburah (13:04:41 / 17-Jan-56)

>>>>>[Roger, Dragonfly will be fine. He probably will end up losing his arm,
and the're probably going to need to rebuild part of his head to fill in what
won't fit after they stick the arm on, though there's a doc here interested
in custom-fitting his head deck design. I just don't know if he'll have the
nuyen for that. Might be lookin' like time to call Daddy.

Housefly's doing a little better. No serious permanent damage I can see,
though his cyberware's been shooting sparks every time they activate it, so
there's still work to be done there. Most of his wounds are just straight
bullet wounds, though, so he'll probably heal up OK. Neither one of them has
regained consciousness since they went down, at least not that I know of. We
may be looking at a coma.

Oh, and Rog, we're in Seattle.]<<<<<
        -- Geburah (13:56:32 / 17-Jan-56)

>>>>>[Last time I change it. I promise. In fact, I'll save the utility to
chip so I'm not tempted.]<<<<<
        --  Shekhinah (14:01:45 / 17-Jan-56)

>>>>>[You wear it with the rough side out.  Besides it isn't as rough
as when it's on the shark.

Ya know, the way this guy latches on to women, it makes me wonder
what kinda spells he's got locked on.  Ya know GoD you might be able
to make a lotta money with a spell like that.]<<<<<
        -- Freddy Frypp (16:31:00 / 01-17-56)

***** Private: GoD, Griffyn
>>>>>[Yeah, yeah, yeah, I still don't know what's goin' on.  I'm
really worried thatthis is turning into a wild breeder chase.

I don't think Kor would appreciate the rest of us taking over his
place.  He's having enough troubles with me.]<<<<<
        -- Freddy Frypp (16:33:59 / 01-17-56)

>>>>>[SEATTLE?! Why SEATTLE? God, what a place. Well, I've got a stop or two
to make in Denver, and I may be here a while longer.

Jeezuz... Seattle. If Housefly wakes up, tell him I'll be around in a week or
so.]<<<<<
        --  Jolly Roger (17:10:12 / 01-17-56)

*****PRIVATE: Resta Hannahgunt
>>>>>[Hey, Resta. How they swingin'? I'm down in Anna right now, workin' on
cleanup. If you didn't see the vids, check 'em out. Looks like some white
knights bit the wrong end of a bullet, yeh? Anyway, I thought some of your
less formal ORC projects might be havin' a use for these boys -- about 300 of
them, semi-trained, with gear and spare to go around. Already know how to
point the barrel at the white sheet. Gimme a buzz if you got any space in
FRFZ for 'em, 'cause I'm headed back that way and can bring as much as you
can hide.]<<<<<
        --  Jolly Roger (17:15:39 / 01-17-56)

>>>>>[AJ?  AJ!  Answer me, fraggit!  Drek!  Rox, Diana, meet me at
>>address<<.  That's his secure squat.  I mean now!]<<<<<
        --  Slash <15:50:32/01-17-56>

>>>>>[Diana, AJ is hangin in one of his secure squats.  He didn't feel too
comfy about hittin home in case it had been compromised.  He should be on-line
shortly.  Again, he said not to look for him, since he apparently has squats
even you don't know about.  A quick note:  He's sufferin from slow recovery
and some major naseua from all the drugs the Germans were givin him, as well
as the drugs he had to take to clean the old ones out.  He'll be a little out
of it for a few days, so lay off him, everyone.]<<<<<
        --  Slash <15:04:42/01-17-56>

>>>>>[Well, looks like I'm back.  Not in the saddle again, but still back.
Basilisk, thanks for the offer, but at this point I don't need the help.  My
body's healing up again, and I'm a surgeon anyway.  It was my clinic you used,
afterall.  But if you ever need some surgery done, feel free to call.  Slash
seems to get along with you, and if he trusted you enough, then maybe I'll even
ask you to come around from time to time for a little help.  Sometimes buisness
picks up, especially when I get a new headware shipment in.]<<<<<
        --  Action Jackson <15:08:19/01-17-56>

>>>>>[Charles.....Heather.....Pete......all dead....  Anyone know who killed
them?  Please, I need to know....]<<<<<
        --  Action Jackson <15:15:44/01-17-56>

>>>>>[Oh, I really need to address this, since I started the whole fraggin
thing.

Nightmare:  I don't know for sure why you didn't kill me when you had the
chance.  From what I know of you, you should have.  And while I still very
much want to live, and I'm not ready to die yet, and all that jazz, in the
long run you would have been doing me a favor.  I'm terrified of death.  My
own specifically, but other's as well.  If only I had faith of what lay beyond
this hell I live in, maybe I could go in peace.  I don't know.  I don't kill
for fun, as much as you might think I do.  I kill when I must, but I can feed
without killing.  Sometimes it doesn't happen, and as the hunger grows, so my
resistance to killing drops.  I keep myself sated as much to save other lives
as my own.  Have I killed before?  We all know I have.  Will I do so again?
Most likely.

I don't know how much you know about me, Nightmare, but here's a little
background.  I led the world in headware implant surgery in my youth, up till
I turned 35 and visited New Orleans for an international conference and had my
life changed forever.  Before then I had never even lost a patient, and
suddenly I had the urges that have lived with me ever since.  For years I ran
an arms smuggling orginization that later became The Org and the reason I was
in Berlin in the first place.  But as my history with Mil Tech and The Org
caught up with me, so to does my original hatred of killing and pain.  I was
a pacifist for most of my youth.  It's why I became a doctor in the first
place.  But then I got vamped and went wild with implants and a terrible
history, the crimes I can neither escape nor forget and for which I was tried
and convicted in New York.  But I have tried over and over to leave my past
behind me, only to have it dredged up over and over again.  My time with Mil
Tech, hell, I founded it.  My days as a street sam.  And one night in New
Orleans.

I don't know if you watched the trial in New York.  I have, over and over
again.  When the judge committed me to prison for life, I was resigned to it,
and would have accepted it even at my extraordinarily long lifespan.  But the
pronouncement of death for just simply existing?  For being what I am?  For
30 seconds one night over 20 years ago?  And for something where I was the
victim, not the criminal?  To this day, that is the only thing about that trial
for which I grieve for myself.  I still have nightmares, seeing the riots after
nex and everyone rescued me.  And I will for years.  And yet you condemn me
as well....

Perhaps you should, for you are right.  I am a predator on society, just as
you and everyone here is.  I am one in perhaps a more literal sense than most.
But I am also a victim, and if there is ever a way to change me back to what
I was before--normal--then I will be the first, and probably the only, person
to volunteer.  But until then, I will live as I have for 20 years:  Hating
what I do to survive, hating what I have become through no fault or desire of
my own, and living in hell on earth because I lack the courage to end it all as
perhaps I should.

Nightmare, you spared my life, for whatever reason or reasons you may have.  I
will not actively hunt you, or even attack you were you and I to pass on the
street.  To me, you are persona non grata and will retain this status as long
as you harm none of my friends, family, or myself.  Until such time as this
occurs, goodbye.

Everyone else:  Thank you for your votes of support, but in all the important
ways, Nightmare was right.]<<<<<
        --  Action Jackson <15:36:27/01-17-56>

>>>>>[Nex!  You old dog you!  Still driving that old peice of drek around?
Care for a rematch sometime?]<<<<<
        --  Action Jackson <15:38:35/01-17-56>

*****Note:  Persona tracking fully engaged:  Target- Action Jackson*****

>>>>>[What the frag?  She did what?

*****time delay: 2 minutes

*****WARNING:  Persona tracked.  Location:  >>encrypted<<
*****SRDF Quad #3/Seattle dispatched.  ETA:  4 minutes

Holy FUCK!  Nicole, you bitch!  You killed Solitaire!  You hired Deathstroke
to kill Collussus!  And while I don't have proof, I _know_ you killed Pete and
took control of Maxim.  And you coordinated the only thing non-corporate that
could be a threat to you under Maxim control.  Well.... I still have some
connections, bitch.  And from what I've read, I can get all the help from the
Big 8 I need.  Almost starting Corp War made yo....*****Link Terminated]<<<<<
        --  Action Jackson <15:43:51/01-17-56>

*****PRIVATE:  Velli
>>>>>[Alex is in our custody.  ETA Boulder:  1 hour, 48 minutes.]<<<<<
        --  Avatar <15:45:53/01-17-56>

*****PRIVATE: Spellslinger
>>>>>[Thanks for the offer, amigo. I can track the bombs with Sabre, I
just have to brush up on my Spanish. I think tommorow there'll be another
bomb deposit. After that I'll let you know if I need your help. Martel's
playing with me, he knows there has to be a fight in which only one of us
walks away.]<<<<<
       -- Kovak (23:40:23 GMT / 1-17-56)

>>>>>[Oh man what happened...my head hurts sooooooo much]<<<<<
        -- Tarkis <Mental/Case>

*****Private: Zarkon
>>>>>[ Hey what the hell happened..last I remember I was sitting at home
doign something, and next I know i wake up here, oh man..I lost so much
memory, I might need a new chip in my head. What happened..what day is
this? Oh crap we have to stop SAIC, Saic sent me a message in my
dreams..I swear he did.  If SAIC hasn't responded or said anything in the
last days..taht means he is on the merge of setting his plan!! We have to
stop him..now, get everyone together..I think I can stand up...*thud*
guess not]<<<<<
        -- Tarkis <Mental/Case>

*****Private: Tarkis
>>>>>[ I was sick and tired of waiting for you.....so i figure your not
coming, ok with me, I can start with my plans now...you better be ready]<<<<<
        -- SAIC <Ultimate Ruler>

*****PRIVATE:  Commander Drake
>>>>>[Sir, Dr. Jackson was traced to an address in Tacoma earlier today and
I immediately dispatched an FRT team to the site.  Upon arrival, the address
had already been raided and Dr. Jackson was not to be seen.  HOwever, after
reviewing Lone Star's police drone logs for the drones in the area, we located
the reason for his being missing from the apartment:  Maxim Arms.  It appears
that Maxim SRDF, or Special Rapid Deployment Force, units were dispatched to
his address upon tracing and arrested him.  Further digging into Lone Star
records showed that the radar tracking of the chopper that hit the apartment
left from MAT-Seattle in Bellevue and directly returned there.  Sea-Tac
records show an MA corporate jet leaving for Denver International Airport 20
minutes later, after filing a flight plan only 5 minutes earlier.  This leads
me to believe that Dr. Jackson has been taken to the FRFZ, probably to Maxim
Arms Headquarters in Boulder.  This is no longer in my jurisdiction, sir, so
I am passing it over to you to reassign.]<<<<<
        -- Maxwell, Interpol <23:32:31/01-17-56>

*****PRIVATE:  Spotted Eagle
>>>>>[Spotted Eagle, Dr. Jackson has been transfered to your jurisdiction,
specifically Maxim Arms HQ, Ute Sector.  Interpol has no direct extradition
treaty with Maxim Arms, but the Ute Nation does.  Begin extradition proceedings
immediately.]<<<<<
        --  Commander Drake, Interpol <23:36/35/01-17-56>

>>>>>[Diana, your father has broken his vow to us and you.  His life is
forfeit for what he just did after purging his body of toxins.  He was nearly
crazed with hunger and assulted a ganger who had not harmed your father in
any way.  This breaks the vow.  Thus, as you will likely have the opportunity
first, you are now officially responsible for the elimination of a creature
who no longer deserves to live.  If you do not, we will consider you both
enemies of us and deal with you accordingly.]<<<<<
        --  Ambrosia <23:46:31/01-17-56>

>>>>>[What?  But....he's my father.....*****Link terminated after timeout]<<<<<
        --  Diana, Mistress of the Night <23:47:40/01-17-56>

>>>>>[Well, AJ is missing again.  And it looks like a corporate hit by Maxim.
The weapon spalling indicates weaponry that only The Org, which is now part of
Maxim Arms, had available to it.  Prototype rifles and that drek.  And it
appears that Nicole Velli, the old second-in-command to Collussus and now
President/CEO of one of the largest, if not the largest second-teir megacorp
on the planet, was responsible for it.  And for Solitaire's, Collussus's, and
Moriarity's deaths.  Directly or indirectly.

And now she has AJ, one of the only people who she might consider a threat to
her position, since he started Mil Tech, reorginized it into The Org, and was
responsible for the formulation of Maxim into the corporation that it grew to
become.

She won't leave him alive long, probably, so we need to move fast.  Call me,
privately and encrypted, to get in on savin his life.]<<<<<
        --  Slash <23:42/24-01-17-56>

***** PRIVATE: Freddy Frypp
>>>>>[  Well, if there's nothing you can do, there's nothing you can do.
We're doing our best to keep from getting restless, but it's starting to
wear on us a little.   ]<<<<<
        -- Griffyn < 14:01:18/1-18-56 >

***** Private: Griffyn
>>>>>[Tell me about it.  This is turning into a major clusterfuck.
I'm starting to wonder if I should have wasted the fraggin' time and
money to bother coming up here.]<<<<<
        -- Freddy Frypp (08:33:12 / 01-18-56)

*****PRIVATE: Olorin
>>>>>[Olorin, are you all right?  I've asked this before, but there has been
no answer.]<<<<<
         --Ryuga (10:00:30 EST/01:18:56)
           CEO
           Ryaka Science and Tech

*****PRIVATE: Ryuga
>>>>>[My friend, I am all right.  My terminal had been slagged from the surge
caused by the Subject.  I am beginning to doubt if he is the one.]<<<<<
         --Olorin (15:16:30 GMT/ 18-Jan-56)

>>>>>[As anybody heard from Tunnel-Rat in the last week or so?  I
need to know where he is and where he's been.]<<<<<
        -- Freddy Frypp (10:28:33 / 01-18-56)

***** Private:  Slash
>>>>>[Slash, I'll help.  I want a peice of the bitch that killed
my 'brother' Collossuss.  I understand that its secondary to the
mission, but its the best chance I have.  Hell, I only met the
man once or twice, but he doesn't deserve to die.]<<<<<
        -Masque <12:23:38:/01-18-56>

***** Private: Slash
>>>>>[Count me in, too, Slash.  I don't know where H is but I'm
sure this is something he'd want to do.  And Sabre says she wants
in also.  AJ always was the life of a party. *grin*  We'll get him
out.]<<<<<
        -Hard-to-catch <12:55:01/01-18-56>

***** PRIVATE: Freddy Frypp
>>>>>[Bring your people in, man.  There is more than enough room for them
either at the warehouse or out at my apartment on the island.

Skuff asked me to pass a message along to you.

"I have someone I want you to talk to.  He has a headache, bring medication."

I dont think I want to know what that is all about but I am curious.  I
gotta get back to work now.  Take care.]<<<<<

        -- Kor <18:22:34 / 01-18-56>

>>>>>[ *sigh*...hey, guys...guess wha:  i'm...back (?)...i _guess_...
i dunno...f.t.--wanna thank ya, chummer...fer draggin my sorry ass
outta there...like tha...ya know...*sigh*

dunno _wha_ happened...so, dun nobuddy ask...ka?  dun remember
_shit_...las thin' i recall...was talkin ta bloodtooth n' his brother...bout
abrams...turnin o'er wha i'd _left_ o' him...then, i wake up _here_, n'
tis ...like, three days later!  *sigh*

ev'ry _inch_ o' my body aches...i feel like i've got a chorus line o'
trolls, clog-dancin in my skull...n' fuckin third-degree burns, half-way
up my arm...*sigh* life bites...

if the way i'm feelin now tis _any_ indication...i dun think i'm gonna
be spendin ta much damn time...runnin round the matrix...fer a while
...so, cait-luv, if ya wanna use the fairlight...jus' lemme know...ka?
havenna been gettin much use outta it, lately, anyway...ow-ech...uhh

+++++ Pause   21.548 sec.

oh...damn...jackin in...bad idea...v'ry _bad_ idea...ah, fuck..._shoot_
me _now_...no...take tha back *sigh*  been limpin, fer the past
week...dun want shot...tha could hurt...dope me up...jack me _out_---
dope me up...it's a _plan_...*delirious grin*

ah, hell...sumbuddy tell me...*sigh* whathefuck's goin on...problem
with _a.j._?  didnna know he was _back_...got anythin ta do with
solitaire...i want _in_!  wanna get me a nice, big chunk a' the bastard
...got tha!  lemme help...*sigh*yawn*  ta tired...fer this...head's killin
me...arm's killin me...why dun sumone jus finish me _off_?

+++++ Pause  14.753 sec.

huh...oh...sorry...damn sedatives...pain killers are our _friends_!  oh
..._gawd_!  ow...ken tell sumone's glarin at me...i'm gonna quit my
ramblin...now...jus...keep...me posted...ka?  wanna know wha'sbeen
goin on, round here...m'be be back...*sigh* later...dunno...still
_ramblin_...sumone _stop_ me...huh...?  oh...ka...

+++++ Link Terminated

]<<<<<
        --  THE Nexus ( 13:15:23 / 01-18-56 )

***** Not to: Aztech and Azatlan operatives, Maxim operatives
>>>>>[This is to any and all chummers Irish may have.  Do me a
favor and keep a _real_ close eye on him.  In his current emotinal
state he's liable to do something stupid.   He should have calmed down
enough to start answering his mail by now, so try to keep him busy and
distracted, or at the very least, don't let him go after Hernandiz by
himself!  Muchas Gracias from the invalid.]<<<<<
        -- Lou <12:48:12/01-17-56>

*****PRIVATE: Flamestrike
>>>>>[Flamestrike, Report.]<<<<<
          --Olorin (20:41:30 GMT/ 18-Jan.-56)

>>>>>[ Sorry it took me so long to get back to ya, Whistler!  As I'm
_sure_ ya can imagine, thing'sve been _pretty_ hectic, around here!
Ya asked some question, a few days back; I'll see if I can answer
'em!

Who's THE Nexus?  Hmm, how to answer that one...Nex is probably
one of the biggest _psychopaths_--and most LOYAL of friends--
you're ever likely to find hangin' out, around this node!  He takes
some gettin' used to!  But, he's worth gettin' to know--as long as
you're not unfortunate enough to end up on his _bad side_! *shudder*

His RELEVANCE?  Uh...o.kay!  He's a master of "devising 'creative
and untimely demises'"!  He's a _kick-ass_ musician--AND, he plays
a MEAN game of basketball!

The _Spell_?!?  I have not a DREKKIN' CLUE!!  I didn't even know he
could DO that! And, from what I gathered, talkin' to him earlier today,
neither did HE!  Kicker IS--he can't REMEMBER any of it!  There's,
like, this _3 hour_...blank, in his memory!

His rescuers?  The rigger's name's Fast Track...he's a wiz chummer
from somewhere's around Denver!  He's drug us all around for
YEARS!  Don't know _nuthin_, about the Troll & the 2 Ork kids that
helped, at first.  Guess they were town natives...and, I just met the
woman.  That's Damselfl...er, Geb...uh-hum...SHEKHINAH!  THAT'S
it!  Shekhinah!  *blush*  Guess he met _her_, in town, too!  But, I
_doubt_ she's FROM that area...his cousin, StreetWolf, was along,
for the ride home, too.

And, last question: Where was this AT?  I gather it was some little
back-water, Southern Illinois hick-town...place called Anna, with a
"sister" town, called Jonesboro.  Racially divided, right-smack down
the middle...

Hope I helped ya out, some...I _try_... ]<<<<<
        --  RANDOM ( 14:45:27 / 01-18-56 )

>>>>>[

++++++ trideo download: (Y/N)?  y

You see a small hospital room.  Inside this room, on the only bed is a man who
is connected to heavy life-support.  Standing to his left is an older Indian
elf, who is calmly reading a chart.  In the doorway is a well-built male with
blond hair.  He has a few days worth of stubble.  The suit he is wearing is
rumpled as if it was slept in.

The elf turns to the man and says, "Well none of the cyberware that was
repaired has been rejected.  It should be only a matter of time before he wakes
up."

The man sighs and then quietly asks, "Do you think he will try and kill me on
sight?"

The elf shrugs and responds, "I don't know.  This whole room will be a
surprise.  Last thing he remembered wasn't pleasant.  He's got a lo...."

The man nods and says, "I'm aware of what he has yet to deal with.  Looking
over his past actions -- umm. . . well yes."

The elf looks at him and seems to just be weighing him somehow.  "You really
should get some rest."

A deep voice from behind answers, "Yea ya should Nightmare."  A trolls hand
rests on the man's shoulder.  "A few messages of note just came in.  AJ
apparently got back ta Seattle with WHAT.  Someone assailed WHAT and screamed
somethin' about gettin' a sword back.  (Nightmare winces).  WHAT didn' survive
it ta well, and Bruce is brin'in' him here.  AJ has a decent length post
directed at ya.  Apparently though, he is in hot water again.  Do you wish to
read dem?"

There is a long pause as Nightmare just looks at the man in the bed,
Blitzkrieg.  He then looks behind him and says, "I have no wish to read
something about Doctor Alexander Jackson right now.  Ch-- Mark is not going to
react well to WHAT being here either.  Looks like you are going to earn your
paycheck, Herr Doomsday."

The elf looks at the doorway with his head slightly tilted.  "Someone captured
a vampire.  I wonder why?"

Nightmare responds emotionallessly, "Well the typical motivation for kidnapping
someone is love, money, or gain in power.  I doubt that it would be the first,
so.... what does that leave?  Add that to certain things that came accross my
doorstep, I would say that something in AJ's past caught up to him."

The elf nods slightly and says, "Hmmm.  Still I know from past dealings that
AJ didn't choose to be what he is.  Maybe we should do something."

Nightmare shakes his and retorts, "Maybe he didn't choose what he is, but I
didn't choose how I grew up, and neither did Mark.  Just because he doesn't
have control doesn't make a good excuse.  Count me out of it.  I want nothing
to do with the bloodsucker."

The voice (most likely Doomsday) behind Nightmare says, "For right now I agree.
We have enough dings ta deal with."

The elf nods sadly and mutters something under his breath that even with
various pickups you can't quite catch.  He then pauses and says, "Why don't
we get some rest while we still can?"

+++++ end trideo clip ]<<<<<
        -- Source Unknown <14:08:54/1-18-56>

***** Private: Kor
>>>>>[I better bring 'em to the warehouse.  I got a crazy feelin'
they'd trash your place.

Yer right, you don't want to know about my family's guaranteed to
work, ancient Scottish headache cure.  Well, actually it might be
Slovak... Hell, we're all a buncha Polacks at heart, so I guess it
doesn't matter.]<<<<<
        -- Freddy Frypp (15:21:01 / 01-18-56)

***** Private: GoD, Griffyn
>>>>>[Allright, this is an honest-ta-Buddah-go.  I'll be by ta pick
you guys up in an hour or so.  Kor wants you guys in the
neighborhood.  And it sounds like Skuff's gotten one o' the little
bastards and I get ta play with him before we put him out of his
misery.....]<<<<<
        -- Freddy Frypp (15:24:59 / 01-18-56)

>>>>>[ Hoi, chummers!  Just signin on to let you all know...they've
sent Nex home.  Though HE probably hasn't even _noticed_, yet!
*smirk*  They have the poor guy so doped up, he could _probably_
sleep for a WEEK!  But *sigh* we all KNOW _that_ ain't gonna
happen!  It's a nice thought, though... *grin*

For our more "anal" friends ( not mentionin Buzz's name, of course!
*grin* ) I called Emily, the other day.  She came in, and got the
place scrubbed down, from top to bottom!  It's SPOTLESS!  How
long it's gonna STAY that way...!?  She's got about 3 1/2 months of
motherin, all stored up...she's about ready to BURST!  I wouldn't
wanna be in HIS place, once she starts gettin on him, 'bout his
disappearin!!  OUCH!!!

If any of the "regular crowd" wants to drop on by, I'll warn ya to keep
it down, when you go in.  They put Nex on the sofa bed, in the
living room...so he'd have the trid, and everything, right there.  Don't
want him gettin bored--a _bored_ Nex is not a _happy_ Nex!  And,
as we all know, a _happy_ Nex is a much more _bearable_ Nex!

I was gonna hang around here, for a little while, just to make sure
they've got him settled in comfortably.  See ya all later! ]<<<<<
        --  RANDOM ( 16:30:47 / 01-18-56 )

>>>>>[ Hey, Random!  Tell Nex-honey that we all love him, and
that he'd BEST be up and around, REAL soon!  I spoke to Afrique,
earlier, and she sends her love, too!

She seems to be gettin' kinda antsy, waitin' to get him back in the studio.
 Can't say I blame her!  We ALL wanna get these recordin's
outta the way! *SIGH*  But, HEY, tell him to take it EASY!  No sense
him stressin' himself out, any more!

'Cody said something 'bout bringin' over the rest of the burgers from
that last behemoth Nex and CRUSH bagged, last year.  I'll drop them
on by, so ya can defrost em...along with a HUGE bag of  _extra_
gloppy Sloppy Soys.  He wakes up, I'm SURE he's gonna want
some!  You KNOW how much he loves _hospital food_!  *grin*

See you guys in a little bit, hon! ]<<<<<
        --  Sahara ( 16:40:18 / 01-18-56 )

>>>>>[ Shekhinah, when you come in, watch out for...the...

+++++ Pause  3.254 sec.

...dog! ]<<<<<
        --  RANDOM ( 16:43:28 / 01-18-56 )

>>>>>[ Well, ya know what they say, time heals all wounds, just so that it can
give ya'll some new ones.

Ah back together after the Lucifer incident, Ah got fixed up, and even was able
ta stick in the new C^2 MPCP, its a bit swifter than the old one.

As ta new wounds, it seems as if a friend of mine has gotten inta a bit of
trouble once again.  Sigh, ya would thing we were shadowrunners or something, go
figure that one out.]<<<<<
        --  Circuit Breaker <Lucifer is Dead Too>

*****PRIVATE: Freddy Frypp
>>>>>[Sorry for the scare amigo. I lost an engine just South of FRFZ and I'm
stuck in the UCAS Airport out here. I don't remeber the name. We got the
cargo delivered Friday night. Let me know if you got some facilities out here
because I can repair the engine if I have an engine to work with.]<<<<<
        -- Tunnel-Rat (01:09:23 GMT / 1-19-56)

>>>>>[ Hey, there!  Hi, there!  Ho, there!  Peoples of ShadowLand!  This
is Joe Shadows, your trusted N.N. Reporter comin' at you with a question that
some of you shadowy-types might be able to explain fer me.  What you're about
to see is from a report I made earlier tonight.

+++++ Include:  NN.Report.011856.Water_Water_Everywhere

+++++ Image of annoyingly-eager reporter grinning stupidly at the camera, not
      noticing that his expressing has made his appearance in a particularly
      gaudy set of raingear, even more laughable.

Hello, everyone, this is Joe Shadows, your ear to the throbbing pulse of
news events worldwide.

DATELINE:  January 18th, 2056.  The odd atmospheric occurrences that have
plagued Northern Germany for the last week or so have finally shown some
sign of letting up, as of earlier this evening.

Although the weather patterns have not yet broken any records as to amount of
rainfall, the heavy winds, nearly total cloud cover and almost constant
thunderstorms have perplexed meteorologists since the extraordinary events
began.

The entire cycle began just some seven days ago, when a unbroken blanket of
haze blotted out the sun all over Northern Germany.  Initially some vague
gray shroud, the weather took a definite turn for the worse, turning into
some inky black cauldron by the beginning of the third day.  That's when
the thunderstorms began, slowly at first, but slowly gathering speed.

+++++ Image of local resident being interviewed by Shadows, wearing signature
      stupid grin, with undertitles.

"It was weird ... you would look out at the sky at noon and it would look it
 was sometime in the evening."

The peculiar storms would only gather momentum, satellite photos showed them
slowly turning in some great wheel-like pattern, it too gaining speed.

But today proved the worst, rain was coming down in torrents and the lightning
was a veritable cannonade of thunder.

+++++ Same resident being interviewed, becoming increasingly annoyed (but
      still civil) with Shadow's grating personality.

"It was like some sort of heavenly twenty-one gun salute ... except there were
 more than twenty-one guns."

Then suddenly, as of 6 p.m. today it stopped.  As unexpectedly as it came, it
stopped at the height of its activity.  Meteorologists all over Europe are
still scratching their heads to put forth any reason for these unusual
happenings, especially to shed light upon this sudden halt.

Oddly enough, damage from the freakish storm has been surprisingly light.  The
rain, although constant for the last several days, has not been terribly hard
except in the last few.  There have been no fatalities during the period
attributed to the storm, nor has there been any property damage from the almost
constant lightning activity.

It is as though the Heavens were attempting to signify some event of great
portent was about to occur ... the calm before the storm, as it were.

+++++ End File

Now, can one of you shadowy types possibly give me some leads on why this could
have happened, preferably one of you magical ones? ]<<<<<
        -- Joe Shadows, NN Reporter <00:32:58/01-18-56>

>>>>>[ Shadows, GO AWAY ...

You're a nosy journalist with a tendency to whip up the drama of the (usually)
piddling news events you cover to grab some ratings, your streetname is so
moronic as to defy description, and you don't have the brains God gave the
common tapeworm.  You've no business here.

Hangtime, do the honors? ]<<<<<
        -- Jack Hack <00:33:14/01-18-56>

>>>>>[ Right-o, Jack! ]<<<<<
        -- Hangtime <00:33:15/01-18-56>

>>>>>[ Now, wait a minute here!  You can't stop the press!  The people HAVE A
RIGHT TO -- J934N35JT42ITM24T2J#@^@***
+++++ LINK TERMINATED AT SOURCE ]<<<<<
        -- Joe Shadows, NN Reporter <00:33:18/01-18-56>

>>>>>[ Sayyyy, that was pretty wiz there, Hangtime.  Can you do that with
anyone? ]<<<<<
        -- Sonic Boom <00:33:20/01-18-56>

>>>>>[ Nah.  I figger'd that ol' Shadows's deck wasn't exactly up to normal
shadow industry standard, if you get what I mean?  Just a few chip more than a
toy ... it was no problem tricking it into dumping itself.  And it'll do that
continually until Shadows can get a REAL decker in there and fix what I did to
it.  Heh.

Oh, by the way:  WE'RE BAAAAACK!!!!]<<<<<
        -- Hangtime <00:33:25/01-18-56>

>>>>>[ Yeah, holidays were fun, I tell you ... gotta lot a new gear passed
around under the tree, bankrolled by some generous corporate contributors
grateful about some meaningless little trinket we hadta track down. ]<<<<<
        -- Sonic Boom <00:33:33/01-18-56>

>>>>>[ Not bad as work goes, Sonic ... 'sides, it would have been a pretty
bare yuletime without their cred. ]<<<<<
        -- Jack Hack <00:33:36/01-18-56>

>>>>>[ You got that right, Jack.

We've been blitzing around (since I'm talking about Sonic's flying, I mean that
literally), looking for work in the post-Christmas rush back to the grind.

Remember the OLD, OLD Tom Lehrer song (compliments o' Sonic):

"On Christmas day you can't get sore
 Your fellow man you must adore
 There'll be time to rob him all the more
 The other three hundred and sixty-four!"

OH!  And a Happy 2056 everyone! ]<<<<<
        -- Hangtime <00:34:00/01-18-56>

>>>>>[ You guys have spent very little time in Seattle for the past year, so
why come back and pester us now? ]<<<<<
        -- Mr. Fantastic <00:34:02/01-18-56>

>>>>>[ I love ya, too, Fantastic.  I hope you know that.

I don't know, I just had this feeling ... something important is gonna happen,
and I wanted to be in earshot.  We'll be around for a few more days.

Bye now. ]<<<<<
        -- Hangtime <00:34:07/01-18-56>

*****PRIVATE:  Avatar
>>>>>[Sir, I apologize for the abruptness of this communication, as well as
the use of a name that I supposedly should not have access to, but my sources
informed me that this was the fastest way for me to contact you.  My
superior officer has instructed me to begin negotiations for the release of
Dr. Alexander Jackson into the custody of myself, as a duely appointed officer
of Interpol.  I have contacted you in this manner in order to hopefully gain
a temporary stay of execution that my sources also mention is to be carried
out by this time tomorrow.  Please contact the orderer of the execution and
ask her to stay it in order that we shall be able to negotiate Dr. Jackson's
transfer to us for trial and imprisonment or execution as per due process of
international law.]<<<<<
        --  Spotted Eagle, Interpol <20:17:25/01-18-56>

*****PRIVATE:  Spotted Eagle
>>>>>[I can guarantee nothing, sir, beyond the purging of your source.  I will,
however, ask her.  It is perhaps to our mutual benefit.]<<<<<
        --  Avatar <20:18:42/01-18-56>

*****PRIVATE:  Internal communications log, Maxim Arms, Avatar/Velli

>>>>>[+++++Begin log+++++

Avatar:  Ma'am, I have been contacted through my Shadowland alias by a
person named Spotted Eagle about a stay of execution for Alex.  He requested
that I talk to you, but not by name, and that you might grant the stay in order
to conduct negotiations for his release to Interpol.

Velli:  And how did he know about the execution order?

A:  Through an informer who I already had pegged as such.  This individual has
already been removed.

V:  I am glad to hear it.  I see from my communications log of your outgoing
mail that you suggested that it might be of use to us to deal with Interpol.

A:  Yes, ma'am.  I suspect that we have something that Interpol, and Drake
specifically, want very much.  This places us in a position of power to demand
certain concessions from Interpol, certain benefits that could improve our
standing in the corporate world.  The security benefits alone are emmense, and
as such should not be eliminated out of hand.

V:  I agree.  The growth of Maxim is of primary importance, and as such I will
grant a stay for the time being.  Here is a list of demands to start with.  The
bulletted items are to be required, but the others can be negotiated away if
necessary.  Only if Interpol brings up something that you cannot handle will
you again bother me with this.

A:  Yes, ma'am.]<<<<<
        --  Private Internal Log, Maxim Arms <20:30:09/01-18-56>

>>>>>[ Hoi there Aa ya septic matey's out there.  Masel is just new in
town and is looking for biz.  I can throw a affa big fire ball which is
enough ta toast most fellas, weel it'd also make a wee mess of most
armoured vehicles.  Sae if yersel isa looking for some real big magical fire
power thats gaun tae take almost anything doon first time, then I'm ya
term.  I's as 'ard as stane, gota plenty of puddens and is nae feart o
nothin'.  So ow aboot in me matey's??.  Seattles nae tae bad, fluffs not
as bad as in glasgow, but ya sherbet's nae so good, well time to go get
steaming at some damn swiss bar, and box some gangers]<<<<<
                -Cinder (10:30:50 GMT/01-19-55)

*****PRIVATE:Freddy Frypp
>>>>>[We are only hoping to help these people relocate, and we have many
firearms, as well as some more heavyweight vehicular-type weaponry -- rotary
autocannons, SAM batteries, and radar-activated mines are the biggest ones,
but we are not complete in our building of lists.]<<<<<
         --  N'gase (04:44:34 / 01-19-56)

>>>>>[Thank you for your benevolent offer, Ryuga. There are many clever
individuals here seeking new lives. They have no home here now, and much of
what once was theirs lies in ruins.]<<<<<
        --  N'gase (04:55:23 / 01-19-56)

>>>>>[That's not a dog. That's a horse with sharp teeth. But seriously, it's
actually the bird that's giving me the most grief. That and... well, never
mind.]<<<<<
        --  Shekhinah  (02:01:23 / 19-Jan-56)

>>>>>[Kovak, or should I say George O'Gradie, the end draws near. Tuesday we
will finish the game. BTW, just to make sure you come I'll leave you with a
message from your daughter.

+++++UPLOAD AUDIO: Flute.Snd

(Flute)Daddy, come get me please.

+++++END AUDIO:

Ta ta, O'Gradie.]<<<<<
       -- Martel (11:10:23 CST / 1-19-56)

>>>>>[And I want Zactof.]<<<<<
       -- Addus (11:12:10 CST / 1-19-56)

>>>>>[I'm comin' for you Addus.]<<<<<
       -- Zactof (11:14:34 CST / 1-19-56)

>>>>>[You bastard, Martel. When I'm done, people are going to speak your name
in contempt. Humanis will regret their association with you. And finally, Addus
and Krager will die with you. Pray that my daughter is unharmed, Martel.]<<<<<
       -- Kovak (17:18:45 GMT / 1-19-56)

*****PRIVATE:Vader
>>>>>[You are correct...We do need to destroy him before he gains his full
abilities; BUT we must be more wary of your twin.  He has thwarted us in the
past, and may do so yet again.  How is production of the prototype
proceeding?  When will it be ready for the demonstration?]<<<<<
          --Rathor (19:40:30 GMT/ 19-Jan-56)

*****Private:Tarkis
>>>>>[I've gathered all the runners at >>encrypted<<. Let's go get
together with them once you're well enough to walk.]<<<<<
        --  Zarkon <18:04:33 / 01-19-56>

*****Private:Anti-S.A.I.C. Runner Team
>>>>>[Ok, people, we're pretty much ready now. Tarkis is feeling a lot
better, and should be able to come with us, we just have to keep him
away from any hostiles. Get ready to run.]<<<<<
        --  Zarkon <18:06:10 / 01-19-56>

*****Private: Heads Will Roll
>>>>>[Surprisingly, Tarkis actually has some Barret rounds lying about.
I wouldn't inquire about the stains on them if I were you. As for a
fixer, you could try Cranial Leach... despite his name, he's proved
reliable for me. The other runners are me, a hermetic mage, Tarkis,
who's mainly along to show us how to destroy the computer, and three
elven mages of unknown power. They are also staying at your hotel.
We'll see ya in a few.]<<<<<
        --  Zarkon <19:12:57 / 01-19-56>

*****PRIVATE: Rathor
>>>>>[My twin...yes, HE is the greatest threat to us.  As for the
prototype...It is proceeding as planned.  When do you wish the demonstration
to occur?  The date we originally established or do you wish to change it,
mein freund?  I need to know to send out the invitations.]<<<<<
           --Vader (00:15:30 GMT/20-Jan-56)

*****Private: Zarkon
>>>>>[ Ok I think I can go, I feel wonderful for some reason, what did
you do to me while I was sleeping? I can't remember that many things, all
i can thyink about are GOOD things..BLEEEECH.  I need to go on this
run..I feel so good, but yet so DARK. Am i blocking something out of my
mind?  God i don't know anymore]<<<<<
        -- Tarkis <Mental/Case>

*****PRIVATE: Flamestrike
>>>>>[Use laes to prevent the knowledge of this construct from ever getting
out.  We do not need my brother finding out about this item and using it to
his advantage, plus we cannot allow any unnecessary deaths.  That means, if
it is not necessary to kill the person using this construct, DO NOT allow it.
 I will leave that judgement up to you; but remember I may criticize the way
you carry yourselves.  The balance must be kept.]<<<<<
          --Olorin (00:30:30 GMT/20-Jan-56)

>>>>>[ Awww, Cait!  Wha's wrong, love?  Dun ya _like_ my demon
dog?  *snicker*  But, 'Rauko seems ta like YA!  He jus tends ta be
a bit..."o'er-protective", tis all!  *smirk*  Figure, I havena been home
on a regular basis, fer nigh on 3 1/2 _months_!  Then, ya bring his
"belov'd master" home--INJURED!  He wasna a _happy_ puppy!  =>

Now, _Mr. Waltrop_?  I'd love ta say ignore him, and he'll go away...
but, he n'er DOES!  Big, blue o'er-grown feather duster's a pain in my
ass!  Dun know WHA possessed me ta get him!  Jus kinda "grows"
on ya, I guess!  Sorta like fungus...

But, HEY, bet _I_ can come up with sumthin, ta take yer mind off
the _jungle_ my place is!  *lascivious sneer*  I've had a nice, long
nap--I've got energy ta _burn_! * evil chuckle*  Didna we have sum
"meditations" ta work on....? ]<<<<<
        --  THE Nexus ( When:the:bullet / Hits-the-bone )

>>>>>[ Fuck _ya_, Martel!!  May wha'e'er deity ya hold dear have
mercy on yer black soul!   BASTARD!  If Kovak dun get ya...twould
make me PROUD, ta display yer empty head on the tips o' my
spurs!!

And dun, fer a MINUTE, think tha I'm not MORE 'n capable o' doin
so!!! ]<<<<<
        --  THE Nexus ( When:the:bullet / Hits-the-bone )

>>>>>[ Kovak, m'friend, hang in there...and _keep_ yer head on
straight!  _B'lieve_ me...I KNOW how ya feel!  My son's only seven,
as well...and, life and limb I'd READILY give fer him!

Take care, shoot straight, and most o' all...GET tha BASTARD!!
]<<<<<
        --  THE Nexus ( When:the:bullet / Hits-the-bone )

>>>>>[ Hello to ShadowLand!

I hope you remember me:  I am the Countess von Doom, although some call me by
my old street name, Maze.

It will come as no surprise that these last several months have not been easy
ones.  Letters and other messages of encouragement and well-wishing, plus the
support of other, un-named parties, has helped me a great deal.  It is never
easy to stand helplessly by and watch a loved one slowly slip away.

Despite the fact that I knew he was in a coma, I insisted on continuing to
speak to him, read aloud to him, and play his music -- including a few of his
own compositions.  Maybe this was only for my own benefit, to try to keep up
appearances, but, deep down, I was /convinced/ he could hear me.

But I'll come right to the point:  Something so bizarre has happened that I
don't think I have any choice but to give you all the facts and let you decide
for yourselves what to think of it.  Do forgive the shortcomings of this
narrative, as I am not a writer, even thought the /details/ are burned into my
memory.  I knew ShadowLand would want to hear about this:

Yesterday ... it was early in the evening.  A violent thunderstorm had been
raging nearly all week, but now the rain was showing signs of letting up with
the odd thunderbolt still ringing out.  Given the somber mood, I had just put
"Siegfried's Funeral March" into the stereo -- it is one of his very favorites,
next to "Ride of the Valkyries," but that called up too many painful memories
of happier times.

Leaning over him, I whispered, "I will be back shortly, my love.  I have to
got talk to the doctors for a moment."  When I reached the door, I looked back
wistfully, thinking about all the things that had happened in the last year.

Then something ... incredible happened.

The window's catch must not have been fastened properly:  It slammed back
thrice against its casing as the windstorm urged it to break free of its
fastenings.  Then, suddenly, joined with a blinding flash of lightning and
a deafening peal of thunder, the music leaped into its first crescendo and
the window violently burst open.

The curtains blew madly back and forth, and the rush of the wind, like some
spectral choral accompaniment, joined in to the murmuring music of the "March."
There I stood, oblivious and motionless from surprise, but the sharp cold of
the storm's breath cut across my face, snapping me out of it;  I started across
the room.

Then, simultaneous with the second crescendo, like a mirage before my
disbelieving eyes a woman's form coalesced, glowing like a shaft of moonlight
given life against the darkened sky, framed by the open window.  Strikingly
beautiful she was, garbed all in white -- the ends of her long flowing garments
were whipping to and fro in the tempest.  Her attention was centered on the
sickbed.  Her long raven-black hair flowing in the icy blast, with an eerie
deliberateness she stepped off the sill and glided towards the prostrate
form of my beloved.

Suddenly, recognition flashed in my mind:  This was the White Lady!  The
Hohenzollern's hereditary harbringer of death and misfortune!  I remembered
Doom mentioning her when he spoke to me of his family's history.  I was
literally gripped in fear, for all I could remember is that her appearance
foreboded an imminent death in the family.

So, this was it?  After weeks, MONTHS of uncertainty, he's finally going to be
taken from me!  No, damnit!  Resistance to Fate may be futile, but I'm only
human, and I refused to simply LET her, Ancestral Horror or no, take HIM, not
now, not after all this I'd endured.

Reaching into my pocket, I withdrew my rosary and brandished the crucifix in
the wraith's direction, and, finding my voice, commanded it,  "Hold, spirit!
Begone from this place!"  As that is how I was taught to speak to ghosts.  I
began to mutter /Ave Maria/ to myself for strength;  sadly, it's almost the
balance of my Latin:  "Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum:  Benedicta tu
in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus."

Her advance halted.  Slowly, laboriously, she turned.  As her gaze fell upon
me, I had a peculiar sense of the ages that must have passed before those
other-worldy eyes and saw the tinge of preternatural sorrow in them.

She addressed me, "No."  Her voice was wholly unlike what I expected -- sweet,
ethereal, and distant, yet I could hear it clearly above the rushing gale,
"Now is not the time."

Probably just from the shock of her speaking, or perhaps that she divined my
thoughts, the only noise was the squall and the sound of my jaw rattling on the
ground.  I gaped unthinkingly at her statement, unable to articulate myself.

"There is much left to do ... Destiny shall Not be denied,"  she added,
perhaps by way of explanation.  Resuming her course, she soundlessly drifted
to Doom's bedside.  Pausing, almost in reflection, she looked down on his
serene, unmoving features.  She then laid her right hand upon his brow and
gravely intoned, "Arise, child of the House of Doom, for your time is not yet."

Her hand started to glow, and all about her and Doom was illuminated in a
bizarre nimbus of white light.  Wagner's dirge for Siegfried ascended to its
stirring climax, enveloping the entire room with its heroic swell.

The ever-present howl of the wind had ceased, as though we were in the Eye of
the Storm, and the scene scene swirled, the light grew brighter and brighter,
and within it I fancied that I saw figures, grim and tall, hovering over the
two forms.  All save their silhouettes were obscured at first, but as the
nimbus waxed in intensity, their features were revealed:  They were all in the
accouterments of war hailing from differing ages past.  Some arrayed in various
styles of knightly armour emblazoned with familiar heraldic devices, some
sporting the rakish tricorn hats of the era of Frederick the Great, still
others garbed in the crisp lines like my husband's own uniform.  All unified in
their passive observance of the scene, the spectral host stood loomed over the
sickbed.

Soon, I could no longer distinguish the sickbed or those with it, the images
having been immolated before the overpowering aurora.  The "March," which had
faded yet again, mounted again the heights of romantic fantasy as another
figure joined the corps;  proud and tall, he strode boldly to the fore of their
rank.  Reaching to his side, he drew his sabre and upon fully outstretching
his arm, with a flick of the wrist, sent it spinning around to the back of his
hand only to complete the circle and return to his grasp, in a way I had seen
my soulmate do so many countless times before.  They drew their weapons, and
raising them on high to return his salute and gave a tumultuous shout, which
was echoed in the rumbling, stirring cauldron of the storm.

Finally, the corona began to dim, the figures' features retreated back to
indistinguishable shadows, and the vision boiled away into the open air as
fog does before the blaze of the morning sun.  The reverberating din of the
revenant's phantasmic fanfare and the Teutonic requiem receded together, and
the the wind resumed its impotent wailing.

The White Lady withdrew her hand, gradually turned, and glided back to the
window.  Alighting the sill, she again looked at me, her eyes fraught with
sorrow, "We ... are not always the bearer of bad tidings."  With a parting
crack of thunder, like the final clang of a heavenly hammer on anvil, her
form just seemed to evaporate into the leaden backdrop of the cloudy sky,
releasing herself to the storm.

I then heard something which I had longed to hear for many months:  Though
still largely motionless, I could hear my husband's voice as he muttered to
himself.  Much of it was difficult to make out, but it sounded like a list
of projects which he was working upon before this Corporate Court business.

I could not move;  did I dare to hope?

His tone became more earnest, but remained distant, "Wir sind ueber dem Berg;
wir werden besser gehen."  A phrase that made me shudder, in spite of myself,
but I still couldn't move.  I just gazed on with amazement, with my hand
unconsciously clapped over my mouth.  Time stood still.

Then his eyes, full of fury, snapped open, and he shot straight up in bed.
"GANZ!"  he shouted, his voice ringing out with his rage and rancor, "Foulest
 Mephistopheles, worshiper of Mammon, I shall sheathe my sword in your life's
 blood and stand in triumph o'er your prostrate form, IN GOD'S NAME, I SWEAR
 IT!"  I rushed to his side, placing my arm on his shoulder.

Inklings of his surroundings finally drifted into his consciousness.  "HOW --
What am I doing here?  What means this apparatus entwined with my limbs?  Why,
one would think I am fit to expire!"  I began to weep for joy at just hear his
voice again.  All the distress and anguish was finally vented in a great
cathartic release.  Swiftly turning his head, he immediately saw me and took
me in his arms.  I felt the tubes from his intravenous solutions softly chafing
my skin, but I didn't care.

He held me for some time, but then shifted position to address me to my face
his brow furrowed, and he urgently inquired, "Ganz?  Did I fall in battle?"

"No.  Ganz is dead; you killed him even in your condition, and it was amazing."

He seemed to take this to heart, smiling wearily at me.  "It follows as such,
as nothing less than a superlative performance would have secured my survival
given the condition in which my, ah, stay at Aztechnology left me.  Still, I
am having difficulty recollecting the events of that day."

"The physician said that some amnesia would be normal,"  I said, reflexively
reiterating one of the many epithets of reassurance the doctors had been
hurling at me during my tortuous wait.  Putting my head on his chest, I
whispered conspiratorially, "I've missed you."

"And I, you, my love.  And I you."

"What was it like, in that coma limbo?"

"Surreal fails to adequately describe it ... a more substantial dreamscape now
 as I think on't, more substantial of sensation, vividness of color, and quite
 dynamic of action.  Phantasmagoria coupled with frenetically metamorphosing
 elements and surroundings, events of my past life were revisited;  scenes of
 victory and triumph coupled with those of despair and failure flashed before
 my eyes.  It was like unto a performance of the Theater of the Macabre, as I
 was subjected to ghastly demented processions of facsimiles of friend and foe
 alike, with whom I alternately battled and communed.

"Moments before I awakened, the environs swathed in a dense encompassing fog,
 I had encountered a great amassing of fiends, who evidently sought my ultimate
 downfall.  They whelmed at me;  however, I flinched not -- determined not to
 surrender this life without a struggle.  The battle was joined, their jeering
 and bestial faces mocking my desperate efforts to find purchase in the
 situation.

"But their en masse onrush was as chaotic as 'twas ineffective.  Their aim was
 to swarm me as unto so many carrion insects 'bout a rotting corpse without any
 design, devoid of thought.  Such a stratagem seldom works with the living. My
 sabre was my argument, and it mechanically rose and fell in a metronome
 marking the measure of the massacre.  Many would find their Fate at the end
 of its gleaming judgment, for soon soon the blade was ensanguined with gouts
 of blackened gore.  I myself suffered contusions and lacerations many at the
 unskilled hands of my enemies, but on I fought ... many a Doom has meet his
 Destiny in battle, to be sure, but none e'er forsook his life by quitting.

"They backed away, betraying their timidity, their gibbering voices hurling
 obscenities and insults.  This game grated 'pon me;  'twas in their power to
 smash the spirit from my body ... I would be done with such wearisome
 taunting.  Strength nigh to spent, bleeding, bruised, I issued my challenge:

"`Art thou finished?  I yet stand!  Come, craven daemon-spawn, fetid thralls of
  villainy, show your colors!  I am one; you are legion!  If ye would assert to
  be my superiors, crush the life from these bones as ye tread o'er my form!
  But know you this:  I shall not quietly yield;  many of your blood-curdling
  cries I shall employ as my funeral dirge, your last rattling gasps serving as
  my death knell.  This I swear by all that I hold Holy.  What say you, curs,
  would you face Doom?'

"Seemingly chastened by my harsh words but angered by my threats, they allayed
 their fears and made to rush 'gainst me.  Then, without warning, I heard the
 brazen, boisterous battle alarums of cavalry in close proximity, and the
 rumbling of charging steeds.

"Out of the fantastic fog roared a mighty host, my kinsmen -- men whom I had
 only seen in portraits.  Horses of jet, horses of alabaster, undulating in a
 sea of Prussian blue, field grey, black and white.  Spiked helmets admixed
 with tricorns, shakos and knightly gorgets.  In the sunlight shimmered the
 burnished surfaces of knights' black iron armor highlighting bold heraldic
 devices, keen lance points glinted, sharp-edged sabres flashed and gleamed,
 and chests spangled with constellations of medals glittered ominously in the
 noonlight.  Ensigns and banners of olde fanned proudly in the wake of their
 tempest;  the heavy rumor of their mounts' footfalls like a rising storm.

"My spirits soared with exultation;  the throng of Hell-born creatures' faces
 were beset with bewilderment and terror.  Towards my stricken foes my kindred
 thundered, impacting the horde with a fulminating crash, riding down the
 infernal rabble and driving the remainder before them.

"However, my eyes then marked a beggar who had been unmoved -- dare I suggest
 even /emboldened/ -- by the charge of my ancestral legion.  He turned about,
 casting aside his rags, revealing a face which had haunted me during my stay
 in this nightmarish existence:  Ganz.

"`Finally,' he said, grinning with his bourgeois self-assuredness.  `Ahhh, my
  dear Count, you have fought well, but even your high-born predecessors cannot
  save you from me!'

"My response was what marked my awakening, apparently, for the scene was fading
 e'en as I uttered my challenge.

"Besides conflict, the only pervasive theme was the numerous temptations and
 enticements to leave, but I remained adamant in my refusal."

My vision still blurry with tears, I still looked up at him and asked, "Why?"

"For I heard you whispering to me."

I admit it, I broke down again ... I couldn't help myself, I don't think
anyone in the same place could either.  You might say "Frailty, thy name
is woman!"  But I maintain that in frailty there can be inner strength.

As we embraced my eyes fell on the clock upon the wall, and only then did
I realize how appropriate was the timing of this happy day was -- for it
was the anniversary of the Declaration of the Empire.

As I said, this happened yesterday and I wrote it down to the best of my
memory, with some assistance (as you can probably tell) from my slightly
more writing-inclined mate.

ShadowLand probably won't be hearing from Doom, at least not directly, over
his vigorous protests, for the next several days -- maybe even a few weeks --
until /I'm/ satisfied he's alright.  When it comes to his health, I am the
colonel's colonel;  we would have words if he even considered entering the
net in his state.  He doesn't need the strain.

There is also all the changes to consider, new lives -- like the Morgans'
children, and lamented departures.  I imagine he shall be quite distressed
at Powerhouse's untimely death.

Bye for now, more news later! ]<<<<<
        -- Maze <23:42:13/19-JAN-56>

>>>>>[ Well, I'll be damned, the old man pulled through!  I think I'll have to
pay a little call on Mr. Fantastic ... he bet me a hundred NuYen that Doom
would never see the light of day again. ]<<<<<
        -- Jack Hack <23:42:18/01-19-56>

>>>>>[ Well, HOT DAMN!  It's great to hear he's back in action! ]<<<<<
        -- Sonic Boom <23:42:20/01-19-56>

>>>>>[ I'm not sure what to say ... I think I wouldn't even mind if he snuck
up on me again like used to, just to see him. ]<<<<<
        -- Hangtime <23:42:23/01-19-56>

>>>>>[ Boys, it's time to celebrate.  Sonic, start yer engines! ]<<<<<
        -- Jack Hack < 23:42:25/01-19-56>

>>>>>[ NUTS! ]<<<<<
        -- Mr. Fantastic <23:42:26/01-19-56>

>>>>>[ You better keep your trap shut, Fantastic, or Doom'll come calling for
that century bill and take it out of your hide. ]<<<<<
        -- Jack Hack <23:42:29/01-19-56>

>>>>>[ Hey, what was that bit 'bout the White Lady? ]<<<<<
        -- Sonic Boom <23:42:30/01-19-56>

>>>>>[ Well, lessee, in a book I saw about the Paranormals of Europe there's
something similar, called a Bean Shide, but that's only for Scottish and Irish
families. ]<<<<<
        -- Hangtime <23:42:33/01-19-56>

>>>>>[ Clans, lad, the word's /clans/, and the name White Lady 'tis not only
used by the Germans.  We Scotsmen have the White Lady of Avenel, and I have
heard tell o' the White Ladies of Normandy.

I don' know that much about German stories about Bean Shide, but I 'magine
they're fairly similar.  A'wailing and howlin' about. ]<<<<<
        -- Donovan <23:42:54/01-19-56>

>>>>>[ True, Bean Shide are only Scottish and Irish, and those of that descent
in America.  However, there are tales of so-called Ancestral Horrors in
Germanic tradition, usually associated with noble houses. ]<<<<<
        -- Darkwatch <23:43:07/01-19-56>

>>>>>[ And Darkwatch's back, too!  Wish we could stay, but we've got an
appointment, with some long overdue partying!  Bye now. ]<<<<<
        -- Hangtime <23:43:10/01-19-56>

>>>>>[ Hangtime!  You forgot, and we haven't heard it in a long while. ]<<<<<
        -- Sonic Boom <23:43:13/01-19-56>

>>>>>[ This is Hangtime, Messenger to the Rich & SINless "Just the FAX, ma'am."
Signing off. ]<<<<<
        -- Hangtime <23:43:15/01-19-56>

*****PRIVATE: Olorin
>>>>>[Milord, we have been accepted to be a part of Tarkis' and Zarkon's
team.  Should we do anything special, or should we just stay within their
wishes?]<<<<<
          --Flamestrike (14:30:30 EST/01:19:56)

*****PRIVATE: Slash
>>>>>[Slash, I know Nex said he wanted to help if things were gonna involve
revenge. And if they do, I want to be there. I've had my share of him coming
home with the zipper half-closed on the bodybag. So keep me informed. And
even if he doesn't go, I'd be more than glad to lend an elemental or
two.]<<<<<
        --  Shekhinah (00:04:45 / 20-Jan-56)

>>>>>[ This bean shide ya be talking aboot is probably nout more than some
 hyperactive storm free spirit. I has never herd of a bean shide out side of
 scotland
or Ireland, and I has had dealing with such creatures, strange.  It wad seem
 that the level o free spirit activity is increasing, as I and my old team back
 in glasgow ran into several
Of these sprits mighty strange beings.]<<<<<

        --Cinder (11:34:53 GMT/20-1-55)

*****NOT TO: Interpol Agents, Maxim Arms Employees
>>>>>[Slash, sir, would you be willing to accept aid from my corporation?  I
am willing to supply a corporate strike team to aid in the rescue of Dr.
Jackson.  He has done a great deal for life in general.]<<<<<
          --Ryuga (0745:30 EST/01:20:56)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

*****PRIVATE: Slash
>>>>>[Hey, Shadow and I are willing to help.]<<<<<
          --Buzz (The one the only...Human Bee in the Matrix)

***** Not To: Kor
>>>>>[This is the good life.  I get to meet amazing new people and
talk to them about their problems.  I could really get into this.
Too bad it's such a drain on me.

Christ, what time is it.... pushin' eleven.... hunh?  Then why's it
bright out?  Dreeek, it's tomorrow.... worse, it's the day after
tomorrow.....

Wow.  I guess I'm really getting into my work.

Hey, Skuff, this - friend - of yours is singin' like a canary.  You
gotta hear this.

Give it a couple hours though.... I haven't slept in -

LINK TERMINATED AT SOURCE]<<<<<
        -- Freddy Frypp (10:48:44 / 01-20-56)

*****Private:Zarkon
>>>>>Thanxs for the fixer info, Crainal Leach says"Hi" we just got resupplied
on ammo.  One Question how "wet" will this run get? Do you want to only leave
dead bodies? or are we going to take them alive? I want to know how we should
lock and load. Thunder wants a holo-map of any site the we may have to get into
to look for any blind-spots to put the bird down in. <<<<<
        --  Death Jestor (12:28:04/1-20-56)

***** PRIVATE: Freddy Frypp
>>>>>[I'll catch you in a bit, Freddy.]<<<<<

        -- Skuff <18:46:13 / 01-20-56>

***** Not to: Lone Star Operatives, Knight  Errant Operatives,
Aztech Operatives
>>>>>[Greatings.  I have been employed to seek runners who may be
interested in adding in a termination.  If you are interested,
please send your resume to >>encrypted<<.]<<<<<
        --Jouq <11:28:01/01-20>

*****Private: Anti-SAIC runner team
>>>>>[ Ok the run will take place when ever your ready..Let me tell you
some things, Do not expect that many humans, and if there are humans,
then they were probably brained washed, so you know..try not to kill
them. But I know how SAIC thinks and works, we won't be fighting humans,
we will be fighting a army of machines...sooooo...this should be fun.
And let me tell you something ..I REALLY WANNA FUCKING BLOW UP
SOMETHING!! ]<<<<<
        -- Tarkis <Mental/Case>


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