>>>>>[Excuse us, but "Authorization Gabriel"? You ARE aware of the fact
that a certain Gabriel is half of the best team of runners in Seattle,
right? And you _are_ aware of the fact that I don't like my name used as a
silly little codeword. ESPECIALLY when it's in a public message. I know
the encryption around here is kind of crappy, but you could at least make
an ATTEMPT at security...

   Idiot. I hope God doesn't pick his weapon, otherwise our opinion of The
Big Guy just dropped. Far...]<<<<<
	-- Jenna and Gabriel <21:25:10/31-03-57>

*****Private: Enchantress
>>>>>[I've run into a slight problem..it seems our friend is out of town.  I
did some checkin around the matrix..

+++++include tickets.txt

seems he decided Philidelphia is the place to be.  I'm catchin the next ride
up their . . .]<<<<<
	-- Phobos <22:07:19/03-31-57>

>>>>>[ Ya know Drake darlin' Ah thought ya was smarter than that.  How many
times are we going ta have ta knock it inta your little ridged head that it was
Dante (my god spit on his sould and use it for a rug) that was responsible for
the Gamma-Anthrax?  For one thing, it doesn't fit her M.O., though it does fit
with Dante's (thank god the fragger is dead.)  Do ya really think that she did
it?

Oh well, we all need our littlee denials to keep us sane.]<<<<<
	-- Circuit Breaker <South'rn Belle>

*****Private: Spirit
>>>>>[ Wendy, prepare ta duck if ya haven't already. Sword of Dog lost his leash
and we forgot ta put a flea collar on him.]<<<<<
	-- Circuit Breaker <Southrn Belle>

*****Private: Circuit Breaker
>>>>>[ How come I not even in town for more than a week and we have to worry
about racist humanist. Yes I did see the post. CRUSH got out a toys.  The kids
are asleep finally, though they will probably wake up when the "fun" starts. 
I think CRUSH misses all the action, though I think both of us could do without
the threat to the kids.

Well, there go the outside alarms. Something big is goig down.  Looks like they
got past the developement security again.

Uhmm, I'll get back to you, Trish, I think they just used an AVM on the bloodty
front door.  Its sure to wake the kids.
*****Disconnect*****]<<<<<
	-- Spirit <12:22:34/04-01-57>

>>>>>[ Hello shadowland, here's a nice bit of civic violence that I picked up
from a KE security drone.  Seems like they had some trouble with a few humanis
frags that got past them. 

+++++ Include KE file 570401-1222.video

+++Warning, KE area alert, perimeter breach, enter record mode.

The image resolves to an image enhanced night time view of a spacious and
influential community which the distant landmarks indicate as being somewhere in
Snohomish.

A dozen shadowy figures are hurrying from the communities' roadway to the steel
gate of a large ivy covered stone house set back on a small hill.  One of the
figures gestures wildly and the gate warps and rips violently from its hinges. 
The image intensify enough to make out that the twelve forms are a motley
assortment of humans.  Some of the them in poorly maintained secure jackets with
a small handful of the individuals wearing light security armor. The house
grounds, which had been gently lighted to emphasize the artistic landscaping,
suddenly fall into the pitch black of the cloudy Seattle night.  The effect only
lasts for a second or two as the figures rush towards the house which suddenly
becomes a brightly glowing beacon in the oppresses midnight air.  

The assailants fall into a moment of disarray as half of force heads on quickly
towards the house while the more disorganize faction hangs back indecisively for
short period of time before advancing on the house.  The forward group slows as
it reaches the oversized wooden door of the dwelling and one of the groups
members quickly sets a rocket launcher to his shoulder.  The roar of explosives
shatters the night air.  A fast shadowy movement from the roof of the house is
the only warning before an enormous form lands with less than gentle energy on
the rear two figures of the advanced group.  The screaming sound of tearing
metal and the loud percussive shattering of ballistic plastic once again
shatters the less than still night air as the looming figure spins. A 3 meter
long Tetsubo quickly follows along the twirl and impacts the armor of two more
assailants with shear brutal force and sends them soaring into night.

The image enhances again revealing the massive form of a mammoth troll, quite
possibly nearly 4 meters tall. The rocket wielder drops his empty weapon and
starts to reach for second weapon while the magician responsible for the gate
begin to speak in an archaic chant and gesture wildly.
It is the action he is able to take before the trolls arm cocks and flies
forward.  A glint of a metal light streaks forward to impact the forehead of the
mage, but it continues on to imbedding itself in the stones of the house.  As
the mage collapses bonelessly to the ground, the rocket wielder frantically
tries to bring his weapon to bear but his line of fire is interrupted by the
troll gripping his head and moving it and the attached body to his rear.  The
sickening sound of bursting vertebrae sounds before the clamor of gunfire
resounds in the night air.  Jerking wildly in the brief flurry of automatic
weapons fire, the body is only given a brief moment of respite before being
heaved irreverently into midst of its still living fellows.

The body is followed immediately by a small cylinder as the troll dives behind
the protection of a low plant holding brick wall.  The attackers not grounded by
the weight of their deceased companion alight into the air under the impulse of
the grenade.

Silence.

Down the street a dog barks vengefully into the night.  The troll slowly stands
from behind the divide and looks down bemused at the carnage.  "Great, now CRUSH
build wall again."

+++++ End KE download

Well, it sort of gets boring after that.  KE pulls up only a few moments later,
too late to be of assistance, but at least they cart away the bodies.  One
strange thing happens as the inevitable questions are asked though when an
annoying voice from inside the house inquired whether any of the people present
wanted a small snack of toast]<<<<<
	-- Snoop Scoop <2:15:25/04-01-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Shade
>>>>>[I appreciate the offer, and at a different time, normally would join
you on such a noble journey.  However, recent occurences, as well as
pressing business, has recently seen to prevent me from becoming to involved
in the Judas affair.

One last thing: Kill that mother-fragger.  String him from a tall building
as an object lesson to the rest of the rascists in our town.  This world
sucks bad enough without having to worry that someone's going to shoot you
cause you're got pointy ears.]<<<<<
	-- Blade <06:22:35/4-01-57>

*****PRIVATE:Hermit
>>>>>[I know where I am, yet I am lost.]<<<<<
	--Joker <RIDDLEME/THIS>

>>>>>[OK, I spoke too soon, chummer, pick up a level two englishtranslator, it has the grammar check, and spelling options pre-loaded.
I bet you're trying to learn by reading books or some such...]<<<<<
	-- Joker <RIDDLEME/THIS>

*****Private:Walsh
>>>Heya man, I got a plan, hire me and you can sleep easy, cause yer bars 
in my hands...  Either way, the dude is gonna show, I'll be there, takin 
hits and shellin em out tenfold if ya hire me. I been around in England, 
and other places too, if ya want a references list, I'll give ya another ring.
My sword means death, and all who faced it have gone to meet their maker, 
Satan God or someone in between... Either way, its a lot cleaner than a 
gun, less blood and all, and Its quieter too, so's I don't disturb yer 
customers. My fee is small, ammo is not a problem, and armor is my speciality.
If ya want the place special security rigged, it'll cost extra, but belive me,
its worth it.]<<<<<
	---Krathen, Bladesmaster(00:00, 00:00, 00:00)

******NOT TO:Judas, Sword of God, Hand of Faith
>>>> I'm in! Time, place, which freak do I get my hands on first?<<<<
    Krathen, the Blademaster (00:00, 00:00, 00:00)

>>>>>[You drek eating piece of shit!  When I get ahold of you I'm going 
to rip out your lungs and eat them in front of you!!

That fragging slime has to be behind it.  I'm going to fragging rim him 
apart!!  Sword of God YOU ARE MINE AND YOU ARE DEAD!!!!]<<<<<
	-- David <9:28:50/4-1-57>

>>>>>[An explanation.  While he was on his way to a meet with a contact 
someone hit Aristo's limo with an anti-vehicular missile.  Killed the 
driver and Mike's in the hospital.  Lucky he keeps his DocWagon payments 
up.  He's suffering from burns all over his body, multiple bone breaks, 
one of his lungs is seriously shot and he lost one of his eyes.

David and Aristo have been friends for years, and he didn't take this 
well.  David stormed out of the hospital with a serious mad on.  So if 
some dwarf is rampaging through Seattle try not to hurt him.  Better yet 
just stay out of his way.

Me and Kneecaps are staying at the hospital to guard Aristo in case Sword 
of God's goons, who else would of done it, try to finish the job.  I hope 
someone does try something, I want to pound somebody.]<<<<<
	-- Thornn <9:43:51/4-1-57>

*****Private: Diana
>>>>>[There could be ways using complex magic which I have heard of or 
possibley Voodoo magic. Diana are your magics Druidic in nature?]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <08:49:54/04-01-57>

***** Private: Griffy, Kor
>>>>>[Ok, I don't know about you too, but that was a little too un-modus operandi as far as spirits anyway, for my taste. first off, what was 
that thing? I could saw it, and I know the rest of us saw it but why 
didn't it manifest on the camera? If gifured that with all the energy 
used in the contact it would have been enough to at least bring forth a 
shimer or some sort of Image. but I ran it thrice andI gave Kabuki a 
copy and he's got nothing.  Now if that wasn't enough for the wierdness.
That thing that attacked you Kor, Shouldn't have been a Banshee, Not in 
a cave several meters underground.  The notion of it acting as a guard 
for the chamber is plausible. I'm not so sure if that was it's function. 
It waited until you made contact before it atacked.  I think we need
few more trips down there with a little less restriction from LS, and 
a some of our better equiptment. 

On a side note, you know some of your connections still surpirse me.
And are you sure I shouldn't have cindered the trolls? I didn't like
those guys at all.]<<<<<
	-- GoD <12:11:23/04-01-57>

***** PRIVATE: Shade
>>>>>[Its OBVIOUSLY not a banshee.  But there wasnt a lot else to liken it to
without scaring the mundanes.

Attached to this message is a file on blood magics and some of the side
effects thereof.  I suspect that you will find them interesting if you have
not already happened across them.  The file is cross refenced by date and
geographical locale.

+++++ Include:  BMDATA

A lot of this is stuff that I posted to MagicNet a few weeks back and quite
a bit of it is already hashed and rehased to death.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <16:47:34 / 04-01-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Cybil
>>>>>[I might have scanned that wrong, but the police report said that the
body was one that had previously been dead.  As in Exummed from some grave
somewhere.  Do you believe that there was some tampering at THAT level of
the Lone Star reports?

The officers in question are indeed on suspension from LSS pending an
investigation.  Could you keep us posted on that situation from the media's
perspective?  I dont have the resources available to me to have someone
sitting on top of that.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <16:48:54 / 04-01-57>

>>>>>[I think we got something related to that Sword fella going on down 
here in the Big Easy.  A chummer of mine, Father Brian Grant, was 
attacked in his church.  The good father runs an orphanage with a large 
number of metahumans and works hard in the community to promote 
understanding between people.

The people attacking the father were mages.  At lest three, maybe more.  
And fairly good ones considering Brian's a highly skilled hermetic.  The 
torched most of his parish and left the Father uncouncious in the fire.  
If Auroch hadn't come by the Father probably wouldn't have survived.  
He's fine now and should be up and around in a couple of days.

And the drek-heads who did this better leave town.  Brian's got a lot of 
friends here in New Orleans.]<<<<<
	-- Tommy Dred <10:17:36/4-1-57>

*****PRIVATE: Allah's Fist
>>>>>[Fools!  The fallen priest yet lives.  Try again and this time do 
not fail.]<<<<<
	--  METATRON <10:21:54/4-1-57>

*****NOT TO: JUDAS AND SWORD OF GOD.
>>>>>[ Hey Chummers, I spoke with
Judas yesterday by phone, he said me that "the Powers of God will kill me
and the "others"" i hav a direction, here is: [ENCRIPTED], That is the
house of that "HP. FANATICO", I have too maps and security systems,
Somebody wants to make a "Chiste" on Judas and His Friens? "Maria" is
anxious... I have some friends already... Want to join in?]<<<<<
	-- OBTULIO VARELA (Is anxious) < 13:26:06 / 30-03-57 >

*****Private: Krathen
>>>>>[Krathen, Crathen, Blademaster, Bladebofoon, whatever!  I think you
should get in touch with Warloc, seems yer having the same formattin
problems he did; though he corrected his.  Perhaps he can help you with
that!  As to which freak..perhaps you chould just lurk about..this
SoG/Judas/HoF people are psychos...]<<<<<
	-- Phobos <12:24:16/04-01-57>

*****Private:Krathen
>>>>>[Would yo take that thing off the end of your posts? It's damn
annoying, and you'll probably get screamed at by the sysops.]<<<<<
	-- Kromofton <04-01-57/09:16:48>

*****NOT TO:Judas, Sword of god, hand of faith
>>>>>[OK. April fools. There is absolutely nothing at *alleged
location of ammmo dump*. Sorry.]<<<<<
	-- Kromofton <04-01-57/09:18:42>

*****PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[  I took care of those searches you wanted me to take care of.  It was 
a little tricky in a couple of places, but I'll go into that in a minute. 
Here's a summary of what I got for ya .. if they're not listed, they don't
have a file on you:

--
TNO:

They've got records of two incidents by Jason Stormwind.  The first was for
murder charges that were subsequently dropped.  The second was several charges
that were dropped after Ares intervention.  They have not made any connection
between Jason Stormwind and Kor.
--
Aztech:

They've got a file on Jason Stormwind.  According to it, you were arrested
on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, but subsequently released.  They
haven't made any connection between JRS and Kor either.
---
China:

I found some strange stuff there.  I don't know who you know over there, but
they've got some pull.  I found your name as a cross-reference in a completely
different file, and followed it to a file that no longer existed.  I had to
undelete and reconstruct a bunch of encrypted data off the system, and I've
spent the last 2 days trying to decrypt it.  I used a little 'feature' I added
to the last release of the IS&M software that we sent out that lets me grab
extra clock cycles from all the franchise sites.  Even with all of that power,
it took a lot of crunching to get the data out.  Someone wanted this GONE.
Apparently a warrant was issued for Jason Stormwind for crimes against the
state.  The really weird thing is that the warrant was (according to the 
records anyhow) recalled 5 minutes before it was issued.  They buried it
deep, and after I got the data out, I made sure that no-one else like
myself could get at it.  It was just blind luck that I ran across it at all.
---

I'm including a copy of all of the details that I left out above.  It looks
like Jason Stormwind != Kor as far as everyone is concerned.

+++++ download file:  jrs.background.search

Oh, by the way, you now owe 15,000 =Y= in back taxes... <chuckle>

+++++ pause: 45 seconds

April Fools!  ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <12:47:24/04-01-57>

>>>>>[  Yup.  

+++++ sound:  primal.scream  ]<<<<<
	-- SysOpus <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[I wondered how long it would take for you to see that someone 
used ShadowLand to launch black ice.

Amazing, isnt it?  

That was about the ICE, wasnt it?]<<<<<
	-- Trax

*****Not to: Judas, Sword of God
>>>>>[So what do ya all say lads? Sorry and lasses. Shall we get 
together and and do the deed. So far I believe the concerned parties 
are; Kromofton, Obtulio Varela, Mr. S, Shade, Lyting, and Johnny Cash. 
I think that is more then enough. Shade had mentioned that there was a 
group killing metahuman children or something similar. Can you tell us 
more?]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <10:11:08/04-01-57>

>>>>>[  Well, someone _thought_ they used SLand to launch ICE, and if the 
fragger ever tries it again, I'm going to nail his sorry hoop to the 
wall.  ]<<<<<
	-- SysOpus <**:**:**/**-**-**>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[+++++ Include: Transaction Log

You can consider that payment for your work, or a donation to the Wedding
fund.  I know how much we pay both of you, and, unless you start doing
illegal things, you might be a little cramped with all of the people you
have inadvertanly invited.

Have either of you decided where you are going to do this?  Im always
afraid that one of these events is going to turn into a field day of
arrests for some law enforcement agency (Drake).  Thats why I stopped
doing the parties that randomly comeup around here.  Its just too easy
to frag 10 - 30 of the better runners in town during something like that.

Im certain that it was Lung that took care of the problems in China.  It
was his hoop we were pulling out of the fire.  I should show you that run
some time.  Its...interesting.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <18:13:22 / 04-01-57> 

*****Not to: Judas, Sword of God
>>>>>[Hey, whoever is going after these two psychos, could ya use another
person?  I just got back from Philidelphia, and I'm really pissed; so I
figure I might as well take it out on someone eh.  So if ya don't mind, I'd
like to help ya deal with these two -- or whoever else they associate with.
Contact me at >encrypted<. Laterz.]<<<<<
	-- Phobos <14:05:07/04-01-57>

*****Private: Enchantress
>>>>>[ Well my search is over.  Here's what I got.  A friend of mine told me
he was in Norfolk, on the east coast.  So I hop the next flight over; only
he has skipped town.  After a little checkin' around his bills, seems he
bought a ticket upto Philidelphia.  So I zip up there, I only got one
picture before three goons tried to nab me.  My friends taught them a few
lessons.

+++++ include : Gib_Hotel.Picture
+++++ include : address.hotel
+++++ include : phone_number.hotel

Here is the only stuff I could get.  I would have tried more but, hell, I
didn't want to run into anymore goons like those three previous.  Hope ya
find what yer lookin for.]<<<<<
	-- Phobos <14:11:42/04-01-57>

*****Not to: Judas, Sword of God
>>>>>[I will be there.  Just name the place and time.]<<<<<
	--  Lyting <13:02:12 / 04-01-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Commander Drake, InterPol
>>>>>[You have some of my sympathy, Commander, but not a great deal.

The reason I chose my path was because the law is only as good as those
who buy it, and I would rather trust my conscience. Now, you find that
the law orders you to allow criminals to escape, because the law has been
bought. This is the cause you chose to serve: live with the consequences of 
that choice, as I do now. 

Is what I do evil? Perhaps it is. Should I give myself up? No. I have to
survive and escape, Drake, and I have to defeat your every effort to 
bring me in. Not even for personal pride: pride is a heavy baggage, I
jettisoned much of mine a long time ago: but because if you succeed 
with me, this will happen again and again and you will become nothing
more than a tool of the corporations, a well-bought expediter protecting
their crimes. If you fail, then the corporations will be less likely to 
buy InterPol next time. 

You cannot abandon this case any more than I can walk into your office with 
my hands in the air: yet, just as my surrender would solve many problems, so 
would your sabotaging your pursuit of me.

If your failure results in harm to you or your colleagues, then I am
sorry. Your success will result in death to me, and probably danger to 
several that I consider friends. Again, live with the consequences of your
choices: you have done so with honour so far.

If I can help you and still survive, I will. You might even ask for 
assistance from the Agency: we do exist to protect and serve, and InterPol 
has enough power that its corruption is greatly to be feared. The Director is
an honest man, though not a law-abiding one <g> and would not allow the fact
that you were in part responsible for my death to influence him. 

You fear me abusing my power? What power? I'm alone, trying to stay ahead 
of you and a megacorporation, with nothing but skill and small-arms to work 
with. If that is power, I should be ruling the world by now.

I'm not a member of a worldwide police agency that can be bought and
sold almost at whim, Commander, and I'm not the one following orders
blindly. For you, the law is shield as well as sword. I have no such
protection. Look closely at the ends you serve, Paul, and tell me that
you belive that what you are doing is right: tell me that your power is 
not being abused.

Don't worry about getting me to Aztlan alive, Commander. Please, let me be
"killed while unlawfully resisting arrest". I know the fate that waits for 
me in Aztlan, and if you have honour, you would not hand me over alive. I'll
try not to give you the choice, but this is something I must ask.

It is a lifetime favour. Please?]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <19:25:42/04-01-57>

***** PRIVATE : Mr S.
>>>>>[Thank you kindly, Mr S, you're a real gentleman. You and any chummers
you want to bring, for the next coupla days. Many, many thanks.

Maybe I'm just being kinda paranoid, but I'd rather be poorer and paranoid
than rich and dead, y'know?]<<<<<
	-- Muskogie Okie <23:03:01/04:01:57>

*****Private:Krathen, Bladesmaster
>>>>>[Come on down to the club at <encrypted>, my man, your aid is most
heartily welcome. Money's <encrypted>, stuffers'n'sodas are on me, and
the ladies may want to show their appreciation as well. You like?]<<<<<
	-- Muskogie Okie <23:07:03/04-01-57>

*****Private: Muskogie Okie
>>>>>[I need to talk to my allies here and see what they think about 
this. The Hand of Glory could be just a front for Judas, the Sword of 
God and their lackies. Which means we could already be helping you. I 
would like to give you aid of some sort though.]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <14:18:02/04-01-57>

*****NOT TO:Judas, Sword of God, and Hand of Glory
>>>>>[So how about it lads/lasses? Are they the same group of twisted 
focks. This seems to be a problem that's getting bigger. Since I have 
been here I've heard of Alamos 20K, the Sword of God, the Hand of Glory 
and Judas as anti-metahuman shits. I would like to make an example of 
one of these groups or all of them.]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <14:23:45/04-01-57>

>>>>>[ CRUSH MAD.  Sword of Dog not nice.  CRUSH want hurt Sword of Dog.  Sword
of Dog attack CRUSH.  Sword of Dog attack CRUSH wife.  Sword of Dog go to jail.
Sword of Dog leave jail and hurt people.  Sword of Dog attack CRUSH again. 
Sword of Dog friends loose again. Sword of Dog dumb.  CRUSH break Sword of Dog.
CRUSH make Sword of Dog into new front gate.]<<<<<
	-- CRUSH <15:32:12/04-01-57>

*****Private: Crush
>>>>>[Crush you seem....upset lad, and rightfully so. If en ya would 
like I'm sure we could use your help to "crush" the Sword of God and 
his allies. Ya want in?]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <14:38:31/04-01-57>

>>>>>[ Hmm, Spirit, sugar. Ah think that CRUSH is gettin annoyed with sword of
dog again. Ya might want ta calm him down a bit before he rampages off and
destroys a few humanis groups.  It wouldn't be too bad but Ah don't think ya
would want the cops ta go after ya again.

How are the little ones holdin up?]<<<<<
	-- Circuit Breaker <Southrn Belle>

>>>>>[ Well, well.  It seems that I have help in my quest for destruction,
atleast most of you will be to busy to help my dear sweet brother.  Oh
brother, how I have dreamed of killing you, it's my most FAVORITE fantasy.
To plunge a knife in your heart would be my utmost pleasure.  Oh were
coming for you, and when your dead we'll kill your little doggy too.  Then
we'll go after EVERYONE.  I AM NOT DEMENTED< I AM NOT PSYCHOTIC< I AM NOT
INSANE< I AM MUFFIN MAN.  And all of you fools who stand in my way, will
learn the true meaning of death.  Judas you think your god talks to you,
well he also talks to me, he says it is my right to kill all who get in my
way.  I AM THE REDEMER, I AM THE PUREIFIER, I AM DEATH.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHaaaaaaaaaaaaa.  I'm out here
Donavin and I'm coming for you. ]<<<<<
	-- Muffin Man <18:41:23/ 4/01/57>

NOT TO: Muffin Man
>>>>>[ All those who said they'd help me, please come to >>encrypt<<, it's
my apartment and it's the most secure place to meet.  As a precation I'd
suggest you come prepared, I'm not sure if he knows my exact location or
not.  Gods speed. ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blackthorne <18:44:54/04/01/57>

*****Private: Judas
>>>>>[ Don't let me catch you in a dark ally my friend, I may not like my
homelands but NO ONE tries to kill my chief.  As soon as my proble is
taken care of your mine. ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blacthorne <18:46:21/04/01/57>

>>>>>[Did I bring something with me across the pond that is effecting 
the minds of people. I mean as soon as I get into town, there's Judas, 
the Sword of God, the Hand of Glory and now the Muffin Man. If you 
could all get in one spot I'd like to take a group picture. I'd like 
you all to squeeze into about an 8 meter radius. Hey that's the area 
effect of my FIRE BOMB. Go figure.]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <16:14:23/04-01-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Warloc
>>>>>[Uh, not even close on the Druidic thing.  I'm from New Orleans, so 
that should give you the idea.  If it wasn't a Banshee, then there could 
be someone else like me around.]<<<<<
	--  Diana, Mistress of the Night <17:20:32/04-01-57

>>>>>[CRUSH!!!!!!  Welcome back!  And Spirit too.  How are you both?  And 
how about the kids?  I'd love to come over some evening and chat, or 
maybe we'd better meet somewhere like Haven because I wouldn't want to 
get Drake on you.

And once this place settles down, we really should play another game of, 
you guessed it, Kick the Americar!  I'll win this time.]<<<<<
	--  Action Jackson <17:35:40/04-01-57>

>>>>>[Actually, Muffin Man was here before you first posted.

I think it came in with him.]<<<<<
	-- Kromofton <16:24:16/04-01-57>

*****Private:Kromofton
>>>>>[I haven't heard much out from anyone. Is something going on I 
should be worried about. Have you heard from Blade, The Mighty Quinn, 
Thornn, Aristo, Lyting, Mr.
S, or OBTULIO VARELA? Nobody is dead I hope.]
        -- Warloc <18:00:03/04-01-57>

>>>>>[Whaddaya talk'n about slum, the Ork Underground is a veritable fantasy
wonderland
with some really great places to hang out. And as for da stories you've heard, I
wouldn't ba'leeve em, probly told to ya by daisy chewers. So if you wanna
have some
real fun, c'mon down, look me up, I'll get funky wit ya toots!]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Ferocious <21:25:12/04-01-57.

*****PRIVATE: Blackthorne
>>>>>[We're on our way. Combat gear, or is this just aplanning
session?]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <<22:13:53/01-03-57>

*****PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[The security rating on this case has been raised, and my sources are
having trouble getting access to it. The latest is:

  She was most definitely alive when she was killed. Whoever tried to
torch her corpse did a pretty drekky job at it, and according to her
corneas, she was about 48 hours dead when she was found. That would put
her time of death sometime around the previous thursday. In other words,
she escaped (or was taken from) the transport, and was simplified (??)
that night. According to my sources, thats LS's take on it.

   Thanks again for that audio equipment. It works like a dream.]<<<<<
	-- Cybil <22;20:12/01-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Mr. Ferocious
>>>>>[You wouldn't know anything about what went down a couple of weeks
ago around >>encrypted<< would you?]<<<<<
	-- Cybil <22:22:14/01-4-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Blade
>>>>>[I wouldn't exactly call this Noble, more than mutual safety.  Anway,
be assured he will be made an example of.  Good luck on your trip.]<<<<<
	-- Shade <20:50:21 / 4-1-57>

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>>[Actuall I haven't checked MagicNet for a while, so I appretiate the
file.  Can you give me any details.  I probably have better research
facilities for this than most, and I prefer knowing what is wandering 'round
the underground.]<<<<<
	--  Shade <21:03:55 / 4-1-57>

*****Not to: Judas, Sword of God
>>>>>>[I do believe said children hunting was the Sword's work]<<<<<
	--  Shade <21:10:08 / 4-1-57>

*****NOT TO: JUDAS AND SWORD OF GOD.
>>>>>[ I will be there.]<<<<<
	--  Shade <21:06:15 / 4-1-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Wintergeist
>>>>>[A far worse state of affairs than not knowing where you are but 
still not being lost.

Are you a pilgrim, then?]<<<<<
	--  Hermit <21:16/29/04-01-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Hermit
>>>>>[I seek wholeness, rightness.  I seek the truth.  If that makes
me a pilgrim, then so be it.  The world seems to have no purpose.  I
saw in your flame a sense of well-being, an aura of rightness.  If you
will show me the way, I will follow you.]<<<<<
	--  Wintergeist <17:42:24/04-01-57>

>>>>>[Hello again, Hermit my friend.  I just wanted to enquire and see 
how you were doing these days.]<<<<<
	--  Diamond <23:59:27/04-01-57>

>>>>>[Greetings to you as well, Diamond.  I am doing quite well.  There 
is a man I have met who is lost and seeking his way again.  I am not 
certain whether he is precisely what we are looking for, but it remains a 
possiblity.]<<<<<
	--  Hermit <00:01:35/04-02-57>

>>>>>[I am most pleased to hear that.  Please, keep me informed as to 
your progress.  And, of course, keep an open mind.]<<<<<
	--  Diamond <00:03:37/04-02-57>

>>>>>[Always, my friend.  And how are you doing this fine evening?]<<<<<
	--  Hermit <00:04:25/04-02-57>

>>>>>[I am doing well.  My, I nearly forgot.  Some of your old friends 
stopped by not too long ago.  They were extremely worried about your 
health and wanted to be sure you were safe.  Unfortunately, they arrived 
just prior to a storm and have been stranded here on the island since.  A 
couple of them tried to outrun the storm, but I'm afraid that thier 
hovercraft was unable to take the heavy seas, and it capsized.  I'm 
terribly sorry.]<<<<<
	--  Diamond <00:07:27/04-02-57>

>>>>>[I appreciate your concern for my welfare, my friend, and I'm glad 
to hear that my friends stayed behind where it was safe.  I shall mourn 
for the loss of the others, though.  Have you shown my friends around 
yet?  I'm certain they would be interested in my old things.]<<<<<
	--  Hermit <00:10:50/04-02-57>

>>>>>[Not yet, but you're absolutely correct, they would find your old 
room absolutely fascinating.  I shall keep that in mind.  Do you know if 
any more of your friends will be stopping by for a visit?]<<<<<
	--  Diamond <00:12:48/04-02-57>

>>>>>[I'm afraid that I really don't know.  If so, I'm sure they'll tell 
me that they're coming.  Until we talk again.]<<<<<
	--  Hermit <00:13:51/04-02-57>

>>>>>[Of course, my friend.  Good night.]<<<<<
	--  Diamond <00:14:18/04-02-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Lynch
>>>>>[The law is not what orders me to allow criminals to escape, Mr. 
Lynch, people do.  I chose to follow my orders because even as cases 
collapse under thier own weight, I can do more good here than I can out 
on the streets.  I live and work within the system because, even with 
orders that go contrary to my personal beliefs and ethics, I can do more 
in the position I am in now than I can as a private citizen, or a 
criminal who follows his conscience.

I have made my choices, Mr. Lynch.  I do not follow my orders blindly, 
but rather follow my ethics as best I can within the framework of the 
InterPol chain of command, Rules of Engagement, Codes of Conduct, etc.  
Yet if a single order I had recieved ordered me to break the law, I would 
have resisted.  They did not, much to my personal chagrin.  It would have 
simplified things emmensely.

There are things that you do not know, Mr. Lynch, which I cannot tell 
you, but this will not continue happening as you fear it will.  If I 
succeed in capturing you, you will be the last.  I cannot tell you why, 
but regardless of your turning yourself in or not, you will be the last.  
And I'm not surprised that you are not willing to surrender.  But I had 
to try.

However much I might want to, I cannot sabotage my investigation.  I have 
never done so, and I will never do so.  My ethics will not allow me to 
stray so far.  If I succeed, I know very well that you will be killed.  
Perhaps my name would live in infamy, or perhaps you would become a 
martyr to a cause.  I am willing to accept the ruling that history passes 
down upon me, for I will know that I have always acted according to my 
beliefs.  If I fail, the greatest harm will come to me, unless you injure 
an agent of mine, but the worst that my superiors could do is fire me.  
Unfortunately, I seriously doubt my replacement would be so upright, 
honorable, and just plain anal as myself.  I am a stickler for the laws, 
and even the slightly less important rules, and I cannot be bought.  My 
replacement would likely not be so.

I cannot tell you that the power I represent and weild is not being 
abused, Mr. Lynch, and I do not approve of the methods and reasons for 
which this whole sorry state of affairs has to take place, but I do truly 
believe that what I am doing is right.

I'm very sorry, Mr. Lynch, but I cannot voluntarily allow you to be, as 
you said, "killed while unlawfully resisting arrest."  I know that in 
some cultures a lifetime favor is not something that can be refused.  I'm 
very sorry, and you may consider me without honor if you prefer, but I 
cannot grant you that favor.]<<<<<
	--  Commander Drake, InterPol <00:45:50/04-02-57>

>>>>>[Miss Circuit Breaker, if you have proof that you wish to present 
InterPol that will clear Raven's record in this regard posthumously, 
please feel free to present it here, in person of course.  There is no 
evidence that Dante was responsible, however much it fits his MO, and 
there was significant amounts that indicate that Raven was.  However, 
with both deckers dead, that particular case is closed and the truth will 
likely never be known.  Unless you, or someone else, can provide proof, 
of course, which repudiates the evidence currently in InterPol's 
possession.]<<<<<
	--  Commander Drake, InterPol <00:53:05/04-02-57>

>>>>>[I like Crush]<<<<<
	-- STRONGARM <09:30:23/04-02-57>

*****PRIVATE:Walsh
>>>>>[I'm game, and the money sounds fine. If you want the "Deluxe" It'll 
cost [Encrypted].  Ther deluxe includes a few elementals, so it may be 
worthe the extra cash. Either way, I think I can handle a few goons. I 
just hope they don't try to torch my place while I'm gone. I'd love to 
see them try though!]<<<<<
	--  Blademaster  <09:43:31/4-1-57>

>>>>>[ok, is it me or are there too many bodies out there withoutnothing to do? is cabin fever hitting at epidemic rates? I'm sayin', 
we got psycho-muffins, deity Swords blowin' up stuff, mad-monks with bad 
grammar (worst than mine anyway), Lunatic Rag-heads (this isn't so new), 
Psycho-bunnies, what's next? the latter day saints? I think it's time we
take out the garbage....]<<<<<
	-- B.R.(The DreD) <09:14:23/04-02-57>

*****PRIVATE:Muskogie Okie
>>>>>[Hmm, same club as Walsh, right? Just sent him a message, and was 
interested to realize that you sent it and not Walsh. Hmmm, intertesting.
Oh well, the same info should aply, so I'lll send you a copy, minus 
walsh, plus <your name here>?  Anyways, deal is [Encrypted] for deluxe 
protection/offense, and if we're after Sword of shit, It's free :)
Have a nice day chummer]<<<<<
	--  Blademaster  <09:52:22/4-1-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jen and Gabe
>>>>>[ Combat gear is a definit, I can't be sure if he has my home address
or not.  And if he does I'd rather be prepared then dead. ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blackthorne <10:25:43/04/02/57>

>>>>>[ Warloc, what a funny name for a person.  Yup, I was here long
before they was and I'll be here long after thier gone.  Yup, me.  MUFFIN
MAN< MUFFIN MAN< MUFFIN MAN< MUFFIN MAN. ]<<<<<
	-- Muffin Man <10:37:23/04-02-57>

>>>>>[I found this bit on the new last night.  Thought some of you might
like to see it:

+++++Begin video sequence
A "I'm no longer an organic life form from all my cosmetic surgery" news
anchor is speaking.  A bar beheath him says "David Benz".  The only thing
more plastic about him than his body is his smile.

"...and in other news, a near disaster was averted today when five men were
apprehended stopped by a vigilante while planting explosives around a
building in Puyallup last night.  We take you now to Aric Goodall, with his
at the scene report."

A window in the upper right corner expands to fill screen.  The scene is a
worried looking man dressed in "refined" street clothes holding a
microphone.  Behind him is the expected view of urban blight in Seattle.
The area, however, looks a little nicer than what one normally sees.  The
sidewalk in front of the building is a little cleaner, the graffiti a little
paler, and a few bushes and small trees are fighting the good fight in a
small plot of dirt at the corner.

The man begins to speak

"Thank you David.  Behind me is the the building that was apparently the
target of anti-metahuman violence.  This building is an apartment complex
that houses people of all the races.  The tenants have worked together to
try and promote a sense of equality among all of them, and to make life
better for themselves and their children.  It is a sad comment on our world
when people come along who find something as rare and wonderful as this and
decide that it must not exsists."

The man begins to walk torwards the corner and down the street.  It is now
possible to see where the incident occured.

"Behind me is the scene of the crime.  After interviewing several of the
Lone Star officers who were first on the scene, and several of the
residents, I have been able to reconstruct what happened."

"At approximately 3:00 am PST, a van of unknown make pulled up across the
street and four human males got out, while another waited inside.  These
four men then crossed the street and began to set several kilos of explosive
around the foundation of the building.  Apparently, it seems that no one
noticed, or no one cared to notice the four men while they worked."

"Accept for one citizen.  At approximately 3:20, a lone figure was seen
heading across the street torwards the men.  I discovered this information
while interviewing a tenant who was coming home after finishing work.  The
woman, who choose to remain anonymous, said that she didn't think anything
of it at first, since 'Something was always happening around here, and it's
better to keep your nose out of it.'  In fact, the woman barely had time to
do anything, because less than a minute later, she heard gun fire start up
from outside.  It was at this then that the woman ran to her apartment and
called Lone Star.  She also commented that the gun play seemed to last
forever, but was probably less than 2 minutes."

"After a 45 minute wait, Lone Star arrived on the scene.  According to a Lt.
Fidelo, there were four bodys, all of which seemed to have died from
extensive gunshot wounds.  The remaining terrorist in the van's cause of
death has been reported by the coroner to be a broken neck.  It was while
Lone Star was examing the bodys that the explosives were found and the bomb
squad called in.  The building was evacuated, and the explosives removed
without further incident.  When this reporter asked Lone Star about the
motives for the bombers actions, the officer in charge had little to say
other than they seemed to be part of some group that hated metahumans.
Propaganda found in the van supported this.  When asked whether Lone Star
felt whether this incident was related similiar incidents of metahuman
violence happening around the country and around the world, I recieved only
a 'no comment'."

"This is Aric Goodall, on the scene.  Back to you David."

The shot returns to plastic man, wearing an almost worried look on his face.

"Thanks Aric."  Turning to the camera "We will report more to you, as it
becomes available." Returning to his normal cheery countance "But until then..."
+++++End video sequence

I love this town.  Never a dull moment.]<<<<<
	-- Trideo Pirate <08:20:12/04-02-57>

*****PRIVATE SHADE
>>>>>[Sorry to lay this on you Shade, but you're the only person I'm
reasonably certain I can trust who's going after Sword of God.  If you think
I should cc this to someone else, give me their address and I will.  But
until then...

I had a run in with what I think were some of Sword of Gods goons last
night.  I wasn't looking for them, but I found them.  They were attacking
peaceful people, trying to destroy what the had made.  Apparently, to them,
nothing is sacred.

Two things.  First, they might not be highly trained, but they are heavily
armed.  And often times that can be more dangerous.  They had some high
grade explosives that I didn't want to mess with, and some very nice assault
rifles.  I got a little shot up, but I should do ok.

Their target started me thinking.  I've heard of this Haven place.  I like
the concept, but have tried to avoid it to prevent any problems my presence
there might cause.  But that's not important right now.  What is is that I
think it likely that Sword of God would make that a major target.  I don't
know how to get in touch with Valentine, and I thought you might be able to
help me, or be able to at least warn him of the threat.  If he or you
require any kind of materials, or want to find some low cost, high grade,
mercs, I'd be more than happy to point you in the right direction.  I'd help
myself, and if things get bad, I may find helping unavoidable, but right now
I'm working on something that I think may end up being a larger problem.

Walk in beauty Shade.]<<<<<
	-- Blade <09:14:23/04-02-57>

>>>>>[ HI AJ.  CRUSH good.  Spirit beautiful.  Kids near 2.  Junior growing
fast.  Shaphealla look lot like Spirit, except for pointy ears.  CRUSH like to
talk.  Spirit say we visit Haven soon.  Spirit want teach course.  CRUSH  help
with grounds.  CRUSH love kids.  CRUSH biuld teetertotter.   

CRUSH want play kick 'mericar.  CRUSH not kick 'mericar in long time.  CRUSH
burst gas-tank last time CRUSH kick 'mericar.  CRUSH toe get too warm.  CRUSH
win,  CRUSH still growing boy.]<<<<<
	-- CRUSH <09:32:01/04-02-57>

***** Private: Alex Jackson 

>>>>>[ Hi Alex. Hows Diane?   Little Craig and Shaphealla are growing up pretty
fast it seems now.  They are of course the sweetest most beautiful and brightest
children I have ever seen, I think I want more.  But thats something for Craig
and I to discuss.  From what N'ralan can tell both of them are going to be
rather active children and rather strong ones at that.  He also said something
about them having a metaphysical connection of sometype, though I have only
noticed that they are very close and seem to have a good idea of what the other
is thinking, basically that link between twins. 

As CRUSH mentioned, I am thinking about doing some teaching at Haven.  Even with
my programming and special security consulting, I still have time to teach a
bit, besides helping to raise the kids.  Special security consulting still keeps
me on top of the heap matrix wise, plus it pays more and I don't make half as
many enemies.  Of course it does sometimes mean not keeping intouch with
Shadowland while on a job.  

As for kick the Americar, I wouldn't suggest it, Craig has grown another
decimeter since you last saw him.  He's somewhere in the range of 3.8 meters
tall now, buying clothes for him and the kids is part of the family budget.
As it is, I think he made be able to put his old record to shame.  Hopefully he
won't burn a boot off like he did last time, size 35 ZZZ boots have to
specially made.]<<<<<
	-- Spirit <Of the Matrix>

*****NOT TO: Judas, Sword of God, or Muffin Man
>>>>>[OK lads and lasses. I seem to remember that a lot of us were 
going to get together and do something about the nut cases we have 
here. Shade told me about this SoG killing metahuman children. To me 
that means he has my undivided attention. If it will bring his goons 
and/or him out into the open I'll volunteer to be a target. But I would 
like us all to come up with some plan for getting this guy. With a 
little luck we can catch Judas in there.]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <09:38:03/4-02-57> 

>>>>>[<Ding, dong>  "Hi, we're Jehovah's Witnesses." 

That's the only thing missing around here - thankfully.]<<<<<
	-- Rumormonger <Always / Tuned-In>

>>>>>[Lookie here, Ma!  Ah just found myself a den o' sinners!!!  Excuse 
me sirs, but would ya enjoy a copy of some of our publications?  They 
tell ya all about how, by finding yourself in the love of Jesus, Praise 
the Lord, ya can be SAVED!  Here, why dontcha have a couple dozen, pass 
them out.  Whoops, Ma, almost forgot this was a den o' sinners.  So I'll 
just do this instead:

+++++ Begin Upload:  247,915 Mp  Are you sure you want to do this(y/n)? y

+++++ Upload commencing.  Time to full upload, 3 hours, 16 minutes.

Come and here me, sinners, and join me in singing the praises of the 
Glory of The LORD!!!  Yay, though I walk through the valley of the 
Shadows....

+++++ Warning!!!!  Hardware corruption.  Persona dumped.  Upload 
terminated.]<<<<<
	--  Praise be to the LORD! <11:56:33/04-02-57>

>>>>>[That's quite enough of that.]<<<<<
	--  Mercury <11:57:06/04-02-57>

*****NOT TO: Judas, Sword of God, Muffin Man
>>>>>[Killing children eh?  Big man this SoG.  I'm in Warloc, we haven't met
yet, but be confident that I can handle myself in combat situations.  Do
unto others is the way I see it.  Lets go hunting.]<<<<<
	-- Forte <14:05:51/04-02-57>

>>>>>[ Good call, Mercury.  I was about to do that myself. ]<<<<<
	-- Flux <14:12:37/04-02-57>

>>>>>[I actually was told once that because I had holes drilled in 
my head to accept my datajack and my rig interface, I'd be closer to 
God.  'Course, the loony toon that told me this had about a dozen 
datajacks.....  

And no, I wasn't in California... I was in Jersey.]<<<<<
	-- Rumormonger <Always / Tuned-In>

***** PRIVATE: Mr. Blackthorne
>>>>>[I'll be there.]<<<<<
	-- Fool-Killer <15:10:46 / 04-02-57>

*****NOT TO: JUDAS, Sword of God or Muffin Man
>>>>>[ I will also be there.  Where are you planning to have him or them 
attack you?  I would like to take them alive and turn them over to Lone 
Star after they answer a few questions.  I can provide upclose support or 
longer ranged as needed.]<<<<<
	--  Lyting <14:58:02 / 04-02-57>  

*****NOT TO: Judas, Sword of God or Muffin Man
>>>>>[I have not a clue, as it was just an option. I could threaten 
Judas or just have my fixer plant some information that I will be at a 
certain place at a certain time. Plus I am getting a bit worried as I 
have not heard from Aristo, Kromofton, or Mr. S in a while]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <13:20:42/04-02-57>

*****PRIVATE: Cybil
>>>>>[Nuth'n, been kinda busy lately, maybe I'll go nose around later.]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Ferocious <17:02:51/04-02-57>

>>>>>[For those of you intrested.  After the attack on Father Brian 
Grant, who's a chummer of mine from way back, I decided to track down 
Sword of God.  Figured there was some connection between him and the 
people who attacked Brian.

And it looks like he's left Seattle.  I managed to follow his trail to 
SeaTac where it looks like he caught a private plane to the CFS.  If 
anyone has any contacts in that area I'd be willing to pay handsomely for 
help in tracking him down there.]<<<<<
	-- Lace <15:59:12/4-2-57>

*****NOT To:Judas, Sword of God, muffin man, hand of faith
>>>>>[Sorry, but I was going through this BTL *waves it around*

+++++Upload file BTL.suggestion now? (y/n)N

and I found some really weird routines:

+++++Display file:BTL.routines

As (some of) you can see, it uses tiral and error to see what provokes
the strongest response. I think it might be one of those tortureware
things Gustys was trying to sell.

But if you look closer...

+++++Display file:BTL.suggestion

It implants a suggestion of some sort during peak levels. I'm not sure
what it does yet, but I'll look at it some more and-

*BOOM*

Oh shit.

+++++Signal cut]<<<<<
	-- Kromofton <15:17:28/04-02-57>

>>>>>[I don't know if they planned this, but something went rather bent in 
Redmond today.  Enjoy the show.  Oh, this upload was originally squashed.  
The "glimpse into the inner workings" of Haven will be recorded at a later 
date.

+++++ Include Trideo Upload

Good afternoon.  My name is Charlie Fingers and this is Seattle VIP.

For those of you who followed the trial of Patrick O'Kennedy last year, you 
know something of the man and his quest for peace, safety, honor, and love 
for the people of Seattle.  But more important than that is his quest to save 
the children.  Mr. O'Kennedy has devoted the last thirty years of his life 
to fostering an environment where disadvantaged children, ususally from 
Redmond or Puyallup, ex-gang members, and his project, Haven, has succeeded 
where so many others have failed.  In the process, Mr. O'Kennedy has earned 
the respect of many Lone Star employees, many of the gangs in Seattle, and 
counts among his friends many individuals who are otherwise cast out of 
society.

We are here this afternoon to provide you with a glimpse into the inner 
workings and daily routines of Mr. O'Kennedy himself, and more important, 
the orphanage and school he runs for the children who are his protege's.

We start our tour descent into the life of a humanitarian and a very special 
place during lunch.  Behind me is Haven itself, an unimpressive limestone 
building surrounded by meticulously groomed grounds of paths, bushes, trees, 
and park benches.  As you can see, the children are enjoying thier time off 
after lunch, doing what every child does with others:  having fun.

+++++ The visuals show children of all ages, up to 18 or so, playing, 
talking, laughing, playing kickball, reading, etc.  Off to one side is a 
small arch, about 4 meters tall, apparently carved of a single peice of 
pure white limestone.  On it is enscribed the words "Alas, that Spring 
should vanish with the Rose!  That Youth's sweet-scented Manuscript should 
close.  Edward Fitzgerald"  and below this, between two carved roses, the 
words "To one whom the gods loved too much".  Around the base and beneath 
the arch are many flowers, and a single young man is standing there, with 
teenage elf. +++++

What you are seeing is the memorial to the young Haven student, Katherine 
Cat-Eye, who was killed in the Hilton elevator accident.  It was graciously 
donated by Serenity Security, and many of Miss Cat-Eye's friends are still 
reeling from thier loss.

For many years now, Mr. O'Kennedy has been instructing children, starting 
with one or two and teaching them himself, and then purchasing Haven some 25 
years ago and expanding his teaching to encompass as many children he could 
afford to teach and feed at a single time.  Since starting Have, he has 
helped over 4000 at risk and disadvantaged children turn thier lives around 
and escape the cycle of poverty so common in the world today.  And with 
Haven's recent encorporation and a donation of nearly 100 square blocks of 
Redmond from Ryaka Science and Technology, Haven stands to become larger and 
reach even more children.

+++++ The screen shows Charlie Fingers and the camera walking along the side 
of the building toward what has been recently turned into a playground and 
grassy field.  On it are several teams of children, and one adult, playing 
soccer. +++++

With the purchase of the land, Mr. O'Kennedy and his instructors have begun 
refurbishing nearby buildings if they were repairable, and knocking others 
down.  Where these children are playing soccer used to be a run down 
warehouse next to Haven.  As you can see, it has been converted to a park 
and playground where, at every lunch, many of the children play, weather 
permitting.  Today the weather is nice enough that several teams are playing 
soccer, and Mr. O'Kennedy, the principle of the school and administrator of 
Haven, has joined them.  I spoke to several of the instructors and found 
that every day at lunch, Mr. O'Kennedy spends his time with the children and 
teenagers under his care.  Today he happens to be playing soccer.

"Football, not soccer!"  "Noooooooo...."

I'm sorry, Mr. O'Kennedy, but in North America it's called soccer, and I see 
the children agree with me.

"I guess I just like clinging to the terms I grew up with.  I'll be right 
over.  Oh, and please, call me Pat.  Most of the children do."

There's no hurry, Mr. O...  Pat.  Please, finish your game.

As you can see, Mr. O'Kennedy has an excellent relationship with the children 
under his care.  Indeed, many of the current instructors at Haven, especially 
those with magical backgrounds, were once students of his.  One, Mariah 
Marshall, was a student even before Haven was purchased.

+++++ The playground you see is bordered on three sides by streets, and on 
the fourth by Haven itself.  There's a few trees and several adults sitting 
talking with children or watching others.  But the presence of adults is 
extremely low for the number of children out and about, and yet they are 
remarkably well behaved.  The scene is almost idyllic.  Until two large 
speeding cars disturb the scene, the rear one slowing, with an open window 
showing several people hidden in the dark inside.  The second car starts 
spitting bullets at the children even before it stops, and the first stops 
and disgorges 5 heavily armed humans, three men and two women. +++++

Drek!  Get down!  Get this on tape!!!!  The children!!!!

+++++ The second car has stopped totally as well, and there are already three 
children wounded or dead in the field.  At the sound of gunfire, some of the 
adults freeze, shocked by the violence while others leap into motion, herding 
the children inside Haven where they will be safer than they are now.  The 
children, however, are mostly running in a panic, with a few exceptions.  
The two boys who were standing by the memorial flash into the camera's view, 
and then are forced to take cover behind a tree.  +++++

My God!  There's wounded out there.  There appear to be something like eight, 
no....ten heavily armed humans running accross the field firing at children 
and adults alike!  I can't be sure, but they appear to be limiting thier 
shots to just the metahumans.  They are mostly charging toward where Pat was 
standing just moments ago, but I can't seem to find him.  Wait a second, 
there he is!

+++++ The camera focuses on a lone elf running toward Haven with a pair of 
twins,  little girls, in his arms.  He's running at a speed that most 
heavily chipped cybermonsters would have a hard time duplicating, and some 
form of barrier spell appears to be keeping the bullets from reaching his 
body or the bodies of the children he is carrying.  Turning back to the 
field, the camera shows suddenly manifesting spirits and armed humans who 
are literally tripping, misfiring weapons, and simply running into problems.  
Except for one, a woman who has stopped firing her pistol and who is probably 
a magician of some kind.  An instant later you hear an explosion and the 
camera spins too fast for any detail to the walls where Pat was rushing with 
the children.  The wall has just collapsed and apparently Charlie fears that 
Val might be under there because he's rushed out to try and move aside some 
of the rubble.  At that instant you hear more screams and the camera returns 
to the field where most of the children are either lying wounded or have are 
cowering under what little cover the trees and playground equipment offers.  
One of the attackers is on fire and is thrashing around, obviously in pain.  
The camera tracks the obvious spell back to it's source, a tall elven man 
with flame red hair. +++++

Tex!  Come help me with this!!!!

Frag you, Charlie!  I ain't goin' anywhere!

+++++ As Tex shouts this out, something happens at the rubble.  Several large 
chunks of limestone and mortar suddenly fly out and away, followed by more 
and more of them, ending only when Val is standing there, his short cut red 
hair disheveled and covered in limestone dust, but alive and with both girls 
alive too. +++++

"Take the girls, Charles."

You're bleeding, Pat!

"TAKE THE GIRLS!!!!"

+++++ As Val shouts that, one of the attackers gets enough of his wits back 
to send a burst in thier direction, and Val blinks out, even off the camera.  
Charlie appears surprised at the sudden disappearance of Val, but picks up 
the girls and clambors over the wall rubble and into Haven and relative 
safety.  Back in the field someone has put the flaming attacker out, or 
perhaps it was a spirit or elemental, but he is not on fire anymore.  Rather 
he is lying on the ground writhing in pain.  Behind the attackers, whose 
advance has slowed considerably, is a single man and the camera zooms in only 
long enough to see that the man is an elf and is standing there as if in a 
haze, staring at the carnage in the park and mumbling under his breath.  The 
camera doesn't show the source, but the sounds of souped-up motorcycles is 
getting very close.  A sound draws the attention of the camera and it turns 
to see a single attacker, male, less than 3 meters away, raising his rifle 
almost painfully slowly.  The attacker says "God demands your death, Demon!"  
And just before he pulls the trigger, the attacker lurches to the side and 
the bullets go wide into the tree Tex was hiding behind.  The camera shows 
the small Asian-looking elf who was at the memorial in an unusual but 
obviously martial stance, just before he blurs into motion with a barrage of 
kicks and punches that lands the attacker on the ground in a lump of flesh 
and broken bones.  The elf pauses just an instant and a second attacker 
appears, shouts "Die!!!!" and fires at the elf.  Somehow the bullets don't 
strike the elf, as the faint shimmer of a barrier spell appears between the 
two.  The camera stops for an instant on the other boy who was with the elf 
at the memorial, crouched behind a tree and staring wide-eyed at his friend.  
The elf dives aside as the barrier collapses and a spirit appears in front 
of the attacker, disarms him, and knocks him unconscious. +++++

Get the kids!  Hurry, before the rest get here!

+++++ The instructors, after getting most of the children inside and behind 
the safety of walls, have returned for the few who are still stuck outside.  
As quickly as he disappeared, Val reappears, this time crouching down behind 
a little cover.  This time the shimmering that appears is much more obvious 
and it has a green tinge to it. +++++

"HURRY!!!  I can't hold this forever!"

+++++ The only two attackers who made it close enough have already been taken 
care of, and the others have suddenly found themselves cut off from thier 
target by a very powerful spell.  And the cycles that were making all the 
noise have just ridden into view.  All different gang colors, two or three 
gangers per bike, have just appeared from around a building.  You see an 
Ancient, a couple of Leather Devils, Buzz Boys, Rusted Stilettos, 
Halloweeners, even some Black Rains from Puyallup, and they're armed with 
pistols and shotguns.  A quick count yields 6 bikes, and all the lead that 
they have started throwing has the attackers worried.  The attackers, facing 
gangers with weapons instead of unarmed children and teachers, begin a 
fighting retreat as the last of the children make it inside.  The green 
shimmering drops and Val rises to a low run, almost like a soldier would.  
Three of the attackers have made it to thier car when another arch of flame 
appears and catches another attacker.  This one is almost instantly engulfed 
by a water elemental, which obviously surprises the other red haired elf who 
cast the spell.  As the rest of the attackers reach thier vehicles, the 
camera sees the elf in the background.  The man, still looking like he's in a 
haze, has raised his hands and appears to be chanting something as Val casts 
a quick spell on the second car.  It's engine, just starting, fails suddenly 
as the first car pulls away with half the gangers in pursuit.  The second 
half of the gangers have started breaking through the windows and the 
attackers are returning fire again.  The tall elf with red hair has run up 
and is casting another spell at the suddenly isolated car when Val rushes 
into the area between.  A column of flame appears again, arcing at the car 
and Val himself, but Val meerly stands in place and the fire washes over and 
around him, then disappears as if it had never existed. +++++

"NO MORE BLOODSHED!  There's been too much spilled here today already!  Back 
off, Streetwolf!"

+++++ With those words, the first attacker, apparently unarmed, is pulled 
from the car by the gangers and thrown into what is becoming a mob of 
arriving gangers.  Val, hearing the commotion and content that StreetWolf 
won't try to kill anyone else, turns to see the rest of the attackers being 
pulled from the car and beaten badly.  One, seemingly chosen at random, has 
been stood up with his back to the car and a dwarf is standing there with a 
pistol aimed at his face. +++++

Ya don't frag wid Haven, drekker!  Dey's our chums and Val id a chum too!  So 
FRAG OFF!

+++++ The dwarf pulls back the hammer on his Ruger only to have it knocked 
from his hands by an expertly thrown small chunk of concrete.  Val puts his 
body between the dwarf and the rest of the gangers. +++++

"I said NO MORE BLOODSHED!  By your own codes, I have been wronged and I own 
thier lives.  I decide whether they live or die.  I CHOOSE!  Not YOU!  And I 
say they live.  They go to jail instead of the gutters!" 

+++++ With those words, a single pistol shot rings out and Val jerks forward 
and blood sprays from his left shoulder.  The impact spins him around 
violently and he crashes to the ground.  The gangers pull the last person 
from the car, a woman holding a pistol.  Val, bleeding profusely from his 
shoulder wound, is still conscious and somehow manages to stand.  Behind the 
gangers the dazed elf in the streets has lowered his hands again, shakes his 
head, seems to think about coming over, and then wanders off. +++++

"I said no more bloodshed.  NO(cough!) MORE!"

Val, da slitch just tried ta wax ya!

"I know.  Give me her gun."

Val?

"GIVE IT TO ME!  (cough cough cough cough)"

+++++ The dwarf gives Val the pistol, who takes it in his right hand and 
puts it up to her head, then turns to fire a single round at a sign, nearly 
80m away.  The report is answered an instant later by the sound of a clang 
and the shaking of the sign.  The gangers, obviously impressed with the show 
of marksmanship, get suddenly very quiet.  Val returns to the woman and 
places the gun to her forehead again. +++++

"Even if I(cough) wasn't a marksman with experience no man should ever have
(cough), I couldn't miss from this range.  Give me your hand.  Here, take 
your pistol.  You could have killed me before(cough) and you put a round in 
my shoulder.  Here's your last chance(cough)."

+++++ Val takes the pistol and places it back in the womans shaking hands.  
He guides the pistol up until it is pointing directly at the bridge of his 
nose.  The woman suddenly stops shaking and drops the pistol to the 
ground. +++++

"Come on, bring (cough) them along."

+++++ Val and the gangers come back, with Val leaning on one of the orks' 
shoulders for support until he sees the instructors at some of the children 
and he hears ambulances approaching from the west.  A human woman, about 35, 
approaches Val and takes over for the ork. +++++

"How many dead, Mariah?"

None right now.  But Madison....

"Where is(cough) he?  Take me to him."

But you're wounded!

"I've survived far worse.  Madison won't get the chance.(cough)"

+++++ Mariah and Val head over toward one of the children, where one of the 
instructors is trying to work some magic on him, apparently without success.  
Val gets down on his knees and Mariah stands behind him. +++++

"Pain, Madison?"

No.  Fear.  What's going to happen to me?

"The gods will see you to a place of beauty, Madison, and you shall be reborn 
into a life without pain,(cough) or fear.  You need not fear anything, 
Madison."

Can I ask you something?  One question?

"Always, Madison"

That spirit, Max, once told me something about you.  That you knew a lot 
about a lot, and he told me why.  Was he right?

"Yes, Madison, he was."

Cool.

+++++ And Val, seeing the life finally drain completely from one of his 
students, begins to weep quietly even as the instructor and Bear shaman 
picks up the child and solmnly carries it to a waiting ambulance.  Val looks 
down at his hands, covered in blood as Mariah kneels in front of him. +++++

"I have blood(cough) on my hands, Mariah.  I have blood on my hands again.  
I always have blood on my hands.  Always, no matter what I do. (cough cough 
cough)  It never goes away, it never washes off, it never dries."

Come on, Pat, we've got to get you to a doctor.

+++++ And both Mariah and Valentine rise slowly to thier feet, with Mariah 
supporting Val as much as she can and with Val staring, dazed and crying, at 
his hands covered in blood. +++++

+++++ End Trideo Upload +++++

Needless to say, this hasn't been relseased to the public.]<<<<<
	--  Trideo Pirate <17:39:01/04-02-57>

*****PRIVATE: Mr. Blackthorne
>>>>>[Well, if you dress like we do, you're always prepared. We just
wanted to know if you wanted us to come _overtly_ prepared. 

  And if you are worried about security, we would be more than happy to
keep your home safe. We won't bother bragging, after all you are about the
have the priviledge of participating in a run with us...]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <21:22:14/02-04-57>

*****Private: Phobos
>>>>>[Thank you for the information.  I did not realize there would be
violence involved in acquiring it for me.

+++++Transfer: 10,000=Y=

I hope this covers your trouble.]<<<<<
	-- Enchantress <19:35:04/04-02-57>

>>>>>[
Initiate Public DataNet Search

+++++Please enter search parameters.

+++++Upload Image: Gib_hotel.Picture

+++++Processing ...32 Second Delay

Search completed.  View search summary?(Y/n) Y

Subject 1: Gib Johnson, age 37, CEO Envirotech Enterprises.  Only child of
Gregory Johnson and Valerie Coolidge.  Born 2020 in Seattle.  Graduated
Harvard Business School 2047.  Became CEO of Envirotech 2055.

Transfer Subject 1 File (Y/n)? N

Subject 2:  Michelle Crispin age 24, no known occupation.  Daughter of
Daniel Crispin and Michelle Saunders.  Born Philadelphia 2033.  Attendeded
University of Vermont 2051 to 2054, did not graduate.

Transfer Subject 2 File (Y/n)? Y

+++++Transfer File: Subject2.dat

+++++Initiate Public DataNet Search

Enter search parameters.

Name = Daniel Crispin

+++++Processing ... 2 second delay

Search complete.  View summary(Y/n)? Y

+++++Begin File

Daniel Crispin, VP Marketing, Turkana Enterprises UCAS-East.  Born Boston
2002.  Graduated Harvard Business School 2026.  Worked for various companies
until 2049.  Joined Turkana Enterprises in 2049.  Became Assistant VP
Marketing 2052.  Became VP Marketing in 2056 after predecessor was killed in
air traffic accident.  

Transfer subject file(Y/n)? Y

+++++Transfer File:Crispin.Daniel.dat

Quit

=====Thank your for using MatrixSearch=====]<<<<<
	-- Enchantress <19:45:47/04-02-57>

>>>>>[ Hola Chummers, I'm in the hospital, my plan doesn't works what I 
think, that Judas is incredible, he put a trap in that direction!!!!!!!, 
a Piano!!!!!!!, my Doc said that i be out in days... Judas remember... 
Obtulio Never forget....("Maria" isn't broken, but i lost my ammo!!!!)]<<<<<
	-- OBTULIO VARELA (Is Sick) <22:04:10 / 04-02-57>

***** PRIVATE: Enchantress
>>>>>[No problem, those goons weren't that much trouble.  Nice doing
business with ya. Laterz.]<<<<<
	-- Phobos <23:07:32/04-02-57>

>>>>>[Three guesses as to who did this deed at Haven.  Attackin' little
children -- does your God promote this, SoG, how about you Judas?  Only
cowards prey on unarmed children and teachers of knowledge. Beware!]<<<<<
	-- Forte <23:14:10/04-02-57>

***** Not To: Judas, Sword of God, Hand of Faith
>>>>>[So, 'bout time we did something about this little fellow and his gang
of psychos.  I say we go huntin ourselves, anyone wanna start a witch hunt?
I sure do..and SoG and Judas are on my list.]<<<<<
	-- Forte <23:16:12/04-02-57>

***** Private: Forte
>>>>>[I say boy, are you just runnin' at the mouth like ah' fish
outa' water, or do you mean to crush that yellowbelly bunch of
son's o' bitches back into the stone age where they belong?  Drop
me a line here if yah wont to put yore guns where yore mout' be.  I am
sick an' tired of hearing you young folks spout off lak dis then
doin' a quick fade when things git down to tha nitty-gritty.]<<<<<
	-- Johnny Cash <23:46:34/04-02-57>

*****PRIVATE: Valentine
>>>>>[I was just checking through my E-mail and I discovered that Haven
would be attacked by SoD through a friend's warning.  I apologize, but I did
not get the message until after the attack.  Such is fate.  I assure you
that we shall aid and prevent whatever we can from further happening.  Do
you know any other location SoD might attack?]<<<<<
	--  Shade <21:08:13 / 4-2-57>

*****PRIVATE: Fuchi.Quadrangle.Hitotsu
>>>>>[
+++++authorization Charon
+++++engage 04401
+++++include BTL.report
Advise.
+++++disengage 04401
]<<<<<
	--  AlexandriaN  <22:16:14 / 04-02-57>

*****PRIVATE: AlexandriaN
>>>>>[
+++++engage 06321
Grave.  We shall consult.
+++++disengage 06321
]<<<<<
	--  Izanagi  <22:49:50 / 04-02-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lace
>>>>>[Whose interests do you represent, and what sort of capital are you
offering?]<<<<<
	--  AlexandriaN  <22:26:54 / 04-02-57>

*****Private: Johnny Cash
>>>>>[Name the time and place -- I'm ready.  And don't worry, I won't back
down when push comes to shove.  I'm game, how 'bout you?  Contact me.
Cya.]<<<<<
	-- Forte <01:46:09/04-03-57>

*****NOT TO: Son of God, Judas
>>>>>[To anyone who is organizing a "campaign" against SOG, I 
will be willing to help finance it.  I also have around 10 individuals 
who would be willing to die to help end this madman's mission of death 
and destruction.  If you are interested in my men or nuyen, please 
contact me as soon as possible.  My only condition is that something 
happen, SOON!]<<<<<
	-- Unity <23:11:54/4-2-57>
           Director
           Poli-Club Unite
 

*****PRIVATE:  Shade
>>>>>[I'm sorry if I intrude on your private conversation, but with Pat 
asleep and out of commission until that shoulder heals, I'm in charge, 
and that means reading Pat's mail.

Shade, there are so many places that his followers could attack that I 
can't even begin to name them all.  A couple, though.  Anywhere in the 
Elven and Dwarven Districts south of Lake Union.  They're Downtown, 
though, and I'm not sure he'd risk that.  The Underground, of course.  
Any of the many metahuman biased or operated restaurants or bars in 
Seattle.  

I just don't know, Shade.  I'm sorry.]<<<<<
	--  Mozart <00:33:20/04-03-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Wintergeist
>>>>>[Truth is what you decide.  We must all find our own truths.  That 
is one of them.

You are already whole.  You need only to be shown.  I need no followers, 
Wintergeist, for the Steps I walk are not for the faint of heart, nor are 
they for individuals without patience.  I have walked the Steps for 
nearly a decade, and I learned the Steps to follow for years before 
that.  There are no easy solutions.

Only you can return meaning to your life, and purpose to the world.  I 
can, perhaps, show you new ways to explore and help you see with new 
eyes.  But without leaving the past behind and following the Steps as I 
and many hundreds of others have, you will not know the precise peace I 
have.  You will know your own peace, however.

You have a choice to make.  Follow me and you shall lose your way even as 
you find it, but you will know the illusion of peace, truth, wholeness, 
and rightness.  But stand beside me and I can show you the paths only you 
can travel, and you shall guide yourself, finding true peace, truth, 
wholeness, and rightness.]<<<<<
	--  Hermit <00:50:58/04-03-57>

+++++RUN LOCAL: Stabilize.002
>>>>>[Blood spilled on Haven's grounds is a contract on your life. You
will die Judas, Sword of God. You have just sealed your fate.]<<<<<
	-- Righteous and Dana <IN:02:We/Are--One>
+++++TERMINATE LOCAL PROCESS: Stabilize.002

>>>>>[  Pat .. anyone .. is Bruce okay?  I don't know what happened.  He was
fighting the guys that attacked us, and then that guy with the gun .. I was 
afraid .. I was afraid I was going to lose another friend.  I felt something
kinda snap .. or .. I don't know how to describe it.  The last thing I remember
was the bullets bouncing away from Bruce, then I felt so weak and everything
went dark.  What happened?  ]<<<<<
	-- Kenneth Donaldson <09:22:25/04-03-57>

***** PRIVATE: Jason Stormwind
>>>>>[ Jason, is it my imagination, or did he cast a spell to protect that 
Asian kid?  I didn't think that he had started learning spells yet.  Is that
possible?  Could he have cast a spell without even knowing _how_ to cast a 
spell?  I don't know drek about magic.. ]<<<<<
	-- Kevin Donaldson <109-24:12/04-03-57>

>>>>>[Who do you walk with Kenneth? Or should I say who walks withyou? If you put the fear aside and embrace your experience, you'll
learn to see the world  with your awakened eyes.  there's so much for
you to learn...]<<<<<
	-- GoD <10:23:21/04-03-57>

***** Private: Kor, Gryffin
>>>>>[I would have given anything to be there to see this kid bust his cherry.  question is  how does he see the world? is he like you 
and me Kor? cursed Mages with the eyes of  Shamans? 

Any word on the information we collected from the tunnel?]<<<<<
	-- GoD <10:25:43/04-03-57>

>>>>>[  I walk with Wolf.  ]<<<<<
	-- Kenneth Donaldson <10:19:22/04-03-57>

***** PRIVATE: GoD
>>>>>[  He's a Wolf shaman.  He doesn't know much, since he just started 
learning.  He's NB's little brother, and NB asked me to talk to him.  Kid
seems pretty bright, and he's been working with an experienced Wolf shaman
over at Haven.  Boy is his teacher gonna be surprised to learn that his 
pupil is casting spells already.  Well .. it wasn't exactly on purpose, 
but we could leave that part out if it. *grin* ]<<<<<
	-- Griffyn <10:25:12/04-03-57>

>>>>>[You know what ever this Goon "Sword of God"  propheses to be, heisn't too smart.  Do you know the needless heat he's just brought down 
on himself and anyone else he associates with? petty, petty.. 
un servidor de dios prodra ser senior, pero un estratigista no 
eres.]<<<<<
	-- El Bandido Loco <03.04.57 / 10:45:23 >

*****NOT TO:Judas, Sword of God, Hand of Glory
>>>>>[I'm up for anything agianst child killers like that. children in 
haven deserve better than that. Mr. O'Kennedy, if you would like help 
rebuilding or cash to help rebuild the wall or any other part of Haven, 
or expand upon it, I will be more than willing to provide them.
Please contact me. As to the others, I am up for anything that will 
kill such bastards that would attack children. This is an outrage, and if 
anyone wants me and my friends to help catch them, I'm in. As for 
contacts in CFS, I may be able to arange something.]<<<<<
	--  Blademaster  <10:29:48/4-2-57>

*****PRIVATE:Sword of God, Judas
>>>>>[You will die for the attack on Haven, if I have to track you down 
myself. You will die a death for every bullet you goons put into little 
unarmed children, for every death you cause, you will die a horrible 
death, and feel their pain tenfold.]<<<<<
	--  Blademaster  <10:32:00/4-2-57>

*****Private:  AlexandriaN
>>>>>[I represent myself and those others who are friends of Father 
Grant.  As for capitol, I can pay what the information is worth.]<<<<<
	-- Lace <9:23:55/4-3-57>

*****ENCRYPTION MING v.4.0
>>>>>[Your pawn is out of control, and threatens to expose us all.
Control him, or we will be forced to do it for you.]<<<<<
	--the watchers <CORRUPT/CORRUPT>
 
*****PRIVATE: watchers
>>>>>[He is not mine. and do not worry, the situation will balance
soon.]<<<<<
	--XINTHIAN <SysError: no T/D recorded>

*****PRIVATE: Arkangel
>>>>>[I would enlighten you, my child.

the daemon who calls himself Judas will be found at <<encrypted>>.

go forth, and slay him, in my name.]<<<<<
	--Jesus <SysError: no T/D recorded>

>>>>>[ As you command, my lord. ]<<<<<
	--Arkangel <08:35:12/4-3-57>

*****Not to: Judas, Sword of God, Hand of Glory
>>>>>[I have heard that most of the people I was getting together with 
are wounded and out of it. I propose this. Judas has said he wishes me 
dead, the SoG I am sure is right along with him as well as the HoG. I 
can let out that we are having a meet, maybe me and two other runners 
at a club. We hang around outside and wait to be ambushed. Now I don't 
really like being bait but I have not heard any other ideas. If anyone 
would like to clue me in on any other ideas I'd appreciate it.]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <08:40:13/04-03-57> 

*****NOT TO:Sword of God, Judas, Hand of Glory, Muffin man
>>>>>[I am up for that. Not many peolpe here know me, but I am worth the 
time to get to know me. Trust me on that. I'll go for bait too. If 
metahumans are his enemy, than maybe a third meta would make it more 
interesting and juicy for him.]<<<<<
	-- Blademaster  <11:50:25/4-2-57>
	

*****Not to: Judas, Sword of God, Hand of Glory
>>>>>[Well, Warloc, if ya need help I can handle myself quite good in a
fight.  Then again perhaps I should be sitting atop an adjacent building --
then when they arrive I get pot shots.  And last time I checked I hadn't
missed at 500 yards.  So whats the deal?  We gonna do this?]<<<<<
	-- Forte <12:01:21/04-03-57>

*****Not to: Judas, Sword of God, Hand of Glory
>>>>>[Does anyone have any contacts amongst the Crimson Crush? They are 
a Ork/Troll gang in the Redmond Barrens.]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <09:01:23/4-03-57> 

*****Private: Blademaster
>>>>>[Yes I can use the assist. Let's wait for a few others to answer 
and then well start talking about time and place. What do you do if I 
may ask? I am a Druid if you did not know.]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <09:05:08/04-03-57>

*****Private: Forte
>>>>>[Forte, I can always use more help. If you feel playing the sniper 
would be a good idea then plan on that. I am waiting for more runners 
to respond and see what we can put together. Stay in touch.]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <09:11:27/04-03-57>

*****Not To: Judas, Sword of God or Hand of Glory
>>>>>[Warloc, tell me the time and place and you will not be alone in the 
trap.  Once again, I would like to stress the need to take these people 
alive to question and turn over to Lone Star in a still living 
condition.  It is important to find out where the leaders are.]<<<<<
	--  Lyting < 11:14:16 / 04-03-57 > 

***** Private: Warloc
>>>>>[Will do, though playing the role of the sniper is just alittle of what
I can accomplish.  But if it helps stop these bastards -- lets do it.  If
things get to hairy, I can leave my pearch and arrive on the ground also.
Whatever gets the job done, whatever.]<<<<<
	-- Forte <12:18:10/04-03-57>

*****Private: Forte
>>>>>[Forte, meet me at tha Space Neddle this evenin' if yah want ta
play.]<<<<<
	-- Johnny Cash <12::43:54/04-03-57>

***** Private: Johnny Cash
>>>>>[Ok, I'll be there.]<<<<<
	-- Forte <13:15:52/04-03-57>

*****Not To:Judas, Sword of God, Hand of Faith +++Include
file:anything.that.sounds.like.another.psyco-fanatic
>>>>>[Ah, good, our connections back up. 

We just had our attack.

+++++Begin Security log:
--Camera 12c
-You see some guy carrying some large guns walking down a hall. They
appear to be rather cautious. They walk around a corner.-

--Camera 47f

-The same guy walk right around the corner and into an
obviously-cybered troll (Cyber legs, arms, torso, head)-

Troll: "Who the hell are you?"
Guy:"Die demon scum!"
*blam blam*
Troll:*Ping Ping*
-The troll reaches out and pulls the guy's head off, amidst a hail of
gunfire.-
"That was dumb."
-The troll pulls out an Ares MP laser and burns everybody's head off.
He shoves his face directly into the camera.-
"Hey, M'Noc, I think we're under attack."
--Datalines to the outside have been cut
--External camera 6r

-The view is of a rather average strret in the barrens somewhere. You
notice that a streetsign has been fuzzed out. A bunch of
nearly-identical goons are charging from an alley accross the street.
They are consumed buy a blast of water. As the diispates, you can see
taser darts flying into the group.-

--Camera 39g

-You see a strange-looking elf poking at a socket in the wall.-
"What the hell happened?"
"Boss, were being attacked by some guys. They called The Tank "Demon scum.""
"That was dumb."
"That's what he said."
"Try and take some alive, I wanna question them."
"Yes boss."
"What happened to my connection?"
"Someone cut the lines."
-Some more goons break through the door.-
"How did they get here?"
-They all fall down, apparently unconcious.-
"Sorry, boss, I can't watch all the cameras."
"It's OK, no big deal."
--External Camera 3q
-Some cybered metas are throwing a s0ome of the goons into what looks
like a Lonestar SWAT vehicle.-
"Where should we put 'em?"
M'Noc:"In the interrogation room. The boss wants to talk to them."
"Will do."
+++++End security log

The attack lasted about half a minute. We wiped the floor with them.
In the words of The Tank: That was dumb.

I haven't gotten around to interrogating them yet.

Oh, and Warloc: Yes, I think I can talk to the Crimson Crush.

Yo! Tank!

"*muffled* What now?"

Go talk to the Crimson Crush! I think Warloc wants to talk with them!

"Yes boss. Oh, has my new Encephalon come in yet?"

Don know.

"OK."]<<<<<
	-- Kromofton <11:43:11/04-03-57>

>>>>>[ Am I on, damn I hate these things.  I've installed enough of them
you'd think I'd know how to use a datajack.  I'm not sure who this is
going out to exactly but I was told to get it on the net as soon as I
could.  Who I am matters little, lets just say that I'm a Doc and a friend
of Mr. Blacthornes.  For those who where there and are well enough to see
this Donavin sends his thanks for your help.  For those that weren't
there, heres a little peak at what you missed:

+++++ open private tridio file 1.0.2.1

     As the pic comes into focus you see what can only be described as an
Amerindians place: Amerindian art and rugs cover most of the walls and
floor.  The cam slowly pans by a painted bulls skull with two tomahawks
behind it, and focuses in on a large wooden table surrounded by an
assortment of individuals.  A black leather clad Amerindian sitting at the
head of the table raises his hand to quite down the group.  Once all is
quiet, the man starts to speak," We're all here for one reason, to stop my
brother.  From the last report Mr. Fool-Killer gave me, he's here in
Pullyaup.  Where, we don't know but he has to be close.  One definate
about my brother is the fact that he likes to be close by his prey."
Another Amerindian, this one wearing ceremonial garb, starts passing
out pictures.
     When everyone has one, the first Amerindian speaks," This is
the most recent picture of my bother, BEFORE he got his cyberware, the
next one was supplied by Mr. Blade, its one of him as he looks now".
     Fool-Killer nods and says", Yeah this is the same guy I followed, a
real wacko but deadly nonetheless."
     Jen and Gabe look at each other smiling, then Gabe says," Yeah well
deadly or not he's ours and after we're done with him he'll just be dead."
     " Now, what makes you think you two will even get a shot at him,"
asks Blade looking up from his soycaf," I mean out of all of us I think
you two have the least chance of getting to him."
     " Hey now thats not fair," states Jen risisng from her chair.
     " People," yells Lynch," lets not degrade this meeting into a name
calling contest."
     As the bickering and plan making go on the cam catches a slight
movement from the window behind the table.  I t raises up a focuses in
just enough time to see the blurry form of a troll burst through the
window.  Before the troll has time to bring his gun to bare Redfeather,
Shade, and Strongarm unload thier clips into him.  As the bullets rip and
tear into the trolls flesh, sending blood and meat flying everywhere,
another form jumps through the window.  This one, a cybered human, comes
through with both his pistols blaring.  Bullets slam into every piece of
furniture and art work in the apartment, pictures and windows explode in
shards of glass as the crazed human sweeps his guns across the room.
Reaching across his back Lynch pulls free a sawed-off  double barrel
shotgun and slames it into the humans gut.  Screaming," Move ", he pulls
both triggers in unison, ripping the man in half and covering Lynch in
blood.  A loud snapping sound sends the cam zooming towards the door.
Wood pieces explode into the room as four humans pour into the room.
Blade, jumping from his chair, soars across the table and slams into the
first one that entered.  As the other three race towards him, Blade pulls
a frag gernade from his belt and slams it into the mouth of the human he's
sitting on.  Just as the first of the three reaches him, Blade jumps off
the human below him, holding the pin in his hand as he rolls across the
floor.  A loud BOOM and a bright flash are all thats seen or heard as
three of the humans are ripped from head to toe by the blast.  Jen and
Gabe pull thier guns out and plug the last human, pushing and jolting his
body out of the door like it was a rag-doll.  Cuval and Wintergeist,
taking the initiative, both start creeping towards the door.  Without even
realizing his danger, an elf appears in the doorway screaming something at
the top of his lungs.  Just before he throws the object in his hand, two
tomahawks slash out of the shadows near the doorway, taking the elfs head
off and throwing it into the hallway.  Dropping the tomahawks, cuval and
Wintergeist pull out thier guns and head back to the rest of the group.
     " Do you think thats all of them," asks Redfeather standing infront
of Mr. Blackthorne.
     " No, by my accounts theres two more left plus Muffin Man." answers
Fool-Killer.
     A thudding sound sends the cam back to the door and focusing in on
two large trolls and a cybered Amerindian man.  The Amerindian man smiles
and says," So my brother we finally end this game.  It's good to see you
again, maybe I won't torture you to much."
    " Bobby it's over if you give up now, I might be able to get you into
a nice mental institute." pleads Donavin.
    " No." sreams Muffin Man as he and his friends pulls thier guns up and
start to unload thier clips.
Just before the cam goes out you see Redfeather rush towards one of the
trolls, two guns blaring in his hands.  The troll pulls up one hand
holding a  pinless gernade in it and starts to throw it.  Seeing this
Redfeather screams," No you bloody bastard" and slams into the the troll
sending them both out into the hallway.  Then the cam goes dead.

+++++ End private trideo file 1.0.2.1

Needless to say it was a short blood filled battle, Mr. Blackthorne is
without his left eye and a lot of his blood.  It is also my unfortunate
honor to tell you of Redfeather's death, for those of you how counted him
as a friend his funeral will be held April 8 on the Sioux lands.  All are
welcome to attend the fenural and the wake.  With that said I'd better
check on my patient. ]<<<<<
	-- Doc Holiday <16:08:23/04-03-57>

*****NOT TO: Muffin Man
>>>>>[Can't make it. Sorry.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <19:25:25/04-03-57>

*****PRIVATE: Mr Blackthorne
>>>>>[I'll be there <g> But without a NOT TO: InterPol, you might not
just get me...]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <19:25:25/04-03-57>

*****Private: Warloc
>>>>>[Sorry, sorry, late, busy, having fun. Want some cover at the ambush
site? I do guns, magic, spirits, standup comedy...]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <19:27:15/04-03-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Commander Drake, InterPol
>>>>>[Why do I have to have *you* after me, Paul? Those AIS spooks are
dangerously good. If they had just picked some of the bad apples in
InterPol and set them on me, I could turn and kill them without compunction.
I can't kill you, and they know it, and they used that. You won't quit
and I won't kill you. 

And you have to bring me in alive? Or at least try? Well, honour comes in
many forms, and you have your job to do. I'll just have to make sure you
don't catch me alive.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <19:32:05/04-03-57>

*****PRIVATE:Blademaster
>>>>>[No, I *am* Walsh, son, I just happen to be from Oklahoma so
I use that as a Net handle for when I gotta talk, or when a friend with
a kewl deck sneaks me in here to hire some competent help. Deal's on,
drop on by.]<<<<<
	-- Muskogie Okie <09:52:22/4-1-57>

*****PRIVATE: Mr. Blackthorne
>>>>>[Sorry we couldn't help with that eye, but after something's gotten
THAT far out of the socket, there's not much even magic can do. Musta hurt
a lot, eh?]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <17:13:59/03-04-57>

>>>>>[Our respects for Redfeather.]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <17:14:00/03-04-57>

>>>>>[Damn, another friend lost. I liked Redfeather. He died like a warrior,
but he's still dead.

I'm too old for this shit. 

And right now I can't even go to his goddamn funeral. Thanks a bundle, 
Drake.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <23:37:21/04-03-57>

*****Private: BladeMaster, Forte, Johnny Cash, Lyting, Crush, Shade, 
Obtulio Varela, Mr. S, Kromfton
>>>>>[OK. This message should be going to everyone that has told me 
they would like to be in on getting SoG. I have a very strong feeling 
that he is not going to risk his neck trying to geek us himself. 
However, it is likely he will send some goons to do the job. 

The plan is this: Crush, me, and Blade will be in front of 
>>encrypted<< at 9pm in the Redmond Barrens. Forte, Johnny, Lyting, 
Shade, Obtulio Varela, and Mr. S; can the lot of you be in the area 
around >>Encrypted<< at that time. We have assistance from the Crimson 
Crush so don't shoot them. If you can't be there, have a prior 
engagement let me know. Try to capture some of them alive. Questioning 
them would be a good thing. If I forgot someone you trust let them in 
on this but let me know]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <15:08:45/04-03-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Merrox
>>>>>[Ill be out of town for a couple of days  --  could you make sure
to take care of import stuff that comes through here or through any
of my other mail accounts?]<<<<<
	-- Kor <23:07:21 / 04-03-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[Dont I always?  By the way, if you are leaving, you might want
to respond to NB and GoD about NB's little brother.  Did you even see
that mail or did it slip your mind?]<<<<<
	-- Merrox <23:07:27 / 04-03-57>

***** PRIVATE: Merrox
>>>>>[Nope, slipped my mind.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <23:17:41 / 04-03-57>

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher, Valentine, Kenneth Donaldson
>>>>>[ Congratulations.  Wolf is a fine one to guide you.  I am not the best
person to talk with about shamanic things, though I am well versed, but if
you have questions of me, I am more than willing to direct you to my
magical group.  I am sure they would be interested in having you join if
you so desire.

Sorry for the late reply, I've been a little busy lately with a lot of
things up in the air.  I had wanted to spend some time talking with you
all but just havent had the time.  Im sorry again.  Forgive me.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <23:35:07 / 04-03-57>
	   Field Officer
	   Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[Serenity?  Can we have him, or are you uninterested in having him go
that route?

My magical group, when I asked them, was very interested in taking him in
if he wants in.  We are a group of mages and shamans primarily of Native
American blood lines.  We have no ties to anything past wanting to increase
our knowlege and helping out those who need it.  They have some political
bends here and there, but that isnt tolerated.  Everyone has their opinions
about things, we just try to keep that out of our research.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <23:36:19 / 04-03-57>

***** PRIVATE: Commander P. Drake
>>>>>[You hiring?]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <23:19:34 / 04-03-57> 

*****Private:Warloc
>>>>>[Sorry, I forgot. Where shhould I be?]<<<<<
	-- Kromofton <15:05:27/04-03-57>

*****Private:Warloc
>>>>>[9pm, 9pm...

I can make it.

I captured a couple of Humanis goons already.

They didn't have much N4.

I've got them plugged into a Billy Ray music chip.

They should be more suceptable to persuasion after I get back.]<<<<<
	-- Kromofton <15:04:04/04-03-57>

>>>>>[ Thanks for your help Jen and Gabe, the Doc says I'll have to have
it replaced but that thanks to you two my nerves wern't damaged.  Red
would want me to thank you too.  I hope to see you at the funeral. ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blackthorne <18:37:56/04-03-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[ I know it may not be of much help considering the shape I'm in, but
if you need my help I'm here for you.  Anytime you need me just call.  As
for the funeral, don't worry Red would understand.  Your right he died
like a warrior, a Cherokee warrior.  Even in the tribal lands they're a
dying breed.  Remember I'm here if you need me. ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blackthorne <18:45:23/04-03-57>

*****Private: Kromofton, Lyting, Forte
>>>>>[Sorry Kromofton. I don't know how I could have forgotten. How 
about you, Forte, Lyting and M'noc at >>encrypted<<. Sound good to 
everyone]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <15:43:27/04-03-57>

*****Private: Warloc
>>>>>[I am still recovering from the Muffin Man problem.  However, I can
offer my aid from a distance via spirits if you would like this.  One idea
for your safety is, as soon as Judas attacks, I can have a Spirit Conceal
you from him alone so that you will seem to just disappear.  You can easily
be assisted by the spirit, then to a place of safety while we use Ares
Squirts, etc. to pacify Judas.]<<<<<
	--  Shade <17:55:52 / 4-3-57>

>>>>>[Nobody wants any toast!  I don't want any toast, biscuits, buns, 
bagettes, crisps, pancakes, brabbles and DEFINITELY no smegging 
flapjacks!!!]<<<<<
	-- Ripley <16:58:46/04-03-57>

>>>>>[Ah, so you're a waffle man!]<<<<<
	-- Talky <16:59:34/04-03-57>
 	MagnaTech Toaster #17
	Owner: Criag W. Morgan III

*****PRIVATE: Lace
>>>>>[Some informal inquiries, highly preliminary, have yielded little
information about this Sword of God.  I have taken the liberty of relaying
your interest to parties more intimately affiliated with the "grapevine", and
they may contact you should anything interesting cross their desk.  Regards.
]<<<<<
	--  AlexandriaN  <16:18:32 / 04-03-57>

*****Private:Warloc, Lyting, Forte
>>>>>[All right if I bring some of my guys?]<<<<<
	-- Kromofton <16:24:30/04-03-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jen and Gabe
>>>>>[I like your style.]<<<<<
	-- Fool-Killer <19:36:34 / 04-03-57> 

>>>>>[ The Song of Qaqatcguk (Tlingit) was taught to me as a boy.  It is for 
RedFeather that it is now sung...

"The man who thought he had perished
dreams thus about himself:
I keep feeling
as if I had gotten home."

Ride well, RedFeather.  We are all right behind you.]<<<<<
	-- Fool-Killer <19:52:41 / 04-03-57> 

*****Private: Kromofton
>>>>>[The more the merrier]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <16:57:09/04-03-57>

*****PRIVATE: Paladin
>>>>>[Report.]<<<<<
	-- Rhodaemis <21:22:36/04-03-57>

*****PRIVATE: Templar
>>>>>[Report.]<<<<<
	-- Rhodaemis <21:22:36/04-03-57>

>>>>>[Mr. Blackthorne, I regret that we were not able to save your brother
from himself.  Let me know if I can be of any assistance to you in the future.  

I will be away for a while.  Taking part in killing another human being has
... disturbed me.  

I knew I should not have taken lethal weapons with me, but the threat that
your brother posed left me little choice.  Well, it is in the past now.]<<<<<
	-- Cuval <20:33:08/04-03-57>

>>>>>[May you be at peace Redfeather.]<<<<<
	-- Cuval <20:36:56/04-03-57>

*****Not To: Skier, Envirotek
>>>>>[I'm looking for some good people for a hopefully noisy job.]<<<<<
	-- Enchantress <20:42:02/04-03-57>

>>>>>[Fuck.  All the fucking smackheads come crawling out from under 
thier rocks at once.  SoG shows up again and for the first time that I 
actually considered helping Drake, he's off chasing Lynch instead.

And now Redfeather is dead.  FUCK!]<<<<<
	--  Action Jackson <02:31;45/04-04-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Jason Stormwind
>>>>>[Not at this precise instant, no.  All of Special Branch is 
otherwise engaged and I have no time to interview or perform the 
necessary level 8 background check.  I'll get back to you.]<<<<<
	--  Commander Drake, InterPol <14:34:40/04-04-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Lynch
>>>>>[Mr. Lynch, thank you.  You just cleared up something for me, but I 
can't tell you what it is.  If you suspect what I do, do not tell me.  I 
suspect that my communications may not be as private as I thought.

I have something of a past with the Azzies, Mr. Lynch.  They might even 
hope that they could kill two birds with one stone.  I'll get back to you 
later.]<<<<<
	--  Commander Drake, InterPol <02:37:55/04-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Fool-Killer
>>>>>[We're irresistable, n'est pas? And why the sudden complement? Are
you looking for a few favours?]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <07:55:12/04-04-57>

>>>>>[I've just about had it with ya'll calling that Sword of God nut 
SoG.  That's an acronym that means a lot to some people and I'm just 
a little miffed that somebody might make the mistake of connecting me 
with that yahoo.  Allright?]<<<<<
	-- Snake (09:20:22 / 04-04-57)
        
>>>>>[SOG, huh?  Special Operations Group?  Ex-Green Beanie?  Or 
something more sinister?]<<<<<
	-- Rumormonger <Always / Tuned-In>
        
>>>>>[No.... it's Studies and Observation Group.  

And no comment.]<<<<<
	-- Snake (10:22:22 / 04-04-57)
        
>>>>>[Uh-huh.  Whatever, Beanie-Boy, that little ploy didn't work 
eighty years ago either.  Do the Green Beanies still eat babies?]<<<<<
	-- Rumormonger <Always / Tuned-In>

*****PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[  Don't do it, man.  Drake is not the right person to work for.  I
_know_ you, Jas.  Just because the law says one thing doesn't mean that
we should follow it blindly.  That's what Drake does.  He uses it as a 
sheild to protect his sensibilities.  You can get more done outside of the
law than within it, and you know it.  ]<<<<<
	-- Griffyn <10:47:23/04-04-57>

*****PRIVATE:Warloc
>>>>>[I am an elf of many talents. Mainly I have been fighting, hand to 
hand or otherwise, and having my spell locks activated first.  I am a 
practicing mage of the hermetic tradition, and am able to handle myself 
quite well in any combat situation.]<<<<<
	--  Blademaster  <11:33:45/4-4-57>

*****PRIVATE: Rhodaemis
>>>>>[Target group infiltrated.  As target's location was unknown to
associates, entegration went smothly.  Primary location abandoned. 
Request futher orders.]<<<<<
	-- Templar <10:07:28/04-04-57>

>>>>>[ Alex, it could be worse, atleast we know Dante is dead.  I'm trying to
find out some word on Sword of Dog, it looks like he may have gone to Calfree
for some reason.  He may have gone to one of the more xenophobic areas where
being metahuman just ain't being human.  Atleast the NAN isn't too bad metahuman
wise, they just have a problem with caucasians.]<<<<<
	-- Spirit <Of the Matrix>

*****PRIVATE:Enchantress
>>>>>[I'm in. Names Smiley and I got plenty of ammo. Noise is my favorite 
type of job,m how loud did you want it? Rocket launchers or just MMG's?
I use anything big and loud, damage is the first objective, after their 
dead, have a fraggin mage talk to em. Reply soon, boom bomms comin to 
town soon]<<<<<
	--  Smiley  <11:58:28/4-4-57>

>>>>>[Hello all
   Names Boom Boom and I'm lookin for work, anyone need somethin ta go Boom?
Have fun and don't forget, Bomm Boom, and lookin for work. I hear Smileys 
in town, if ya is, let me know, we can play explosions again!]<<<<<
	--  Boom Boom a.k.a. Fragger  <12:09:19/4-4-57>

>>>>>[Hey Boom Boom! Ya made it out alive!! Congrats! I thought you'd be 
dead. Anyways, did the building finally go down? I heard it go boom, but 
I never saw it fall, just kinda stood there... Anyways, I'm in town, and 
may have us a job! CYA *BOOM* [ENCRYPTED] starts soon enough, have fun.
Uhh, how do ya put one of these things on "private message"???]<<<<<
	--  Smiley  <12:11:39/4-4-57>

>>>>>[Not sure, when I figer it out, I'll let ya know, deal?]<<<<<
	-- Boom Boom a.k.a. Fragger  <12:13:20/4-4-57>

>>>>>[Deal, remember [ENCRYPRED] starts soon.]<<<<<
	-- Smiley  <12:14:20/4-4-57>

*****PRIVATE:Warloc
>>>>>[Need elementals?]<<<<<
	-- Blademaster  <12:15:34/4-4-57>

*****PRIVATE:WARLOC >>>>>[I'm with ya DUDE, I'm free again, out the
hospital, look Out JUDAS, Look Out, Never turn your back..]<<<<<
	-- OBTULIO VARELA (I'm out again) <11:49:38 / 04-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: EL BANDIDO LOCO
>>>>>[ Oye Parce... Judas y SoG si son una amenaza, acabo de salir del 
hospital por una trampa del maldito JUDAS... Sinembargo, he conseguido 
otra direccion en Seattle, en la cual podria estar, segun un buen amigo 
Decker que conozco. Podriamos aniquilarlo juntos... "Maria" (My Gun) esta 
ansiosa]<<<<<
	-- OBTULIO VARELA (Tambien en Espanol) <11:55:30 / 04-04-57>

*****NOT TO:Sword of God, Judas, Hand of Glory, Boom Boom, Smiley
>>>>>[Freaks. Idiotic Freaks. Thought they could get at me! HA! Check 
this shit out... Stupid freaks...
+++++Upload video:Cameras 4-12

Time: 12:34:24 A.M. 

Picture starts with a view of an unmarked van pulling up a long driveway 
somewhere...

   A small band of people climbs out very fast.. lugging several heavy 
weapons, including a MMG and at least one rocket launcher. One of the 
group touches the gate, and it swings wide open. As the group starts 
foreward, they seem to run smack into a wall...  The group member who 
opened the gate begins gesturing, and finally, after a few minutes, a 
greenish barrier in the form of a wall drops flickers all around the 
outside wall and disappears. A light goes on in the house, one of the 
upper left rooms apparently.  As the group scatters onto the lawn, two 
members locka nd load the rocket launchers.  As the volley of missiles 
flies toward the house, they seem to collide with another wall, exploding 
brilliantly in mid air. The fireworks display lasts for a few seconds, 
then fades as a brilliant greensih wall brightens into view where the 
rockets were hitting, then fades. 
   The group then begins to reload the rocket launchers while another 
group of them loads the MMG brought from the van. The MMG team is done 
first, and begins to unload on the walls, scratching the paint heavilly. 
As the rocket teams get done, a crack can be heard, somewhat like a 
muffled rifle. Then another. As the group rocket group looks around, they 
find two of theior members dropped from sniper fire. The last straw, the 
groups charge the front door, losing the third rocket team member, and 
pound on the door, which easilly yields to thier initial blows. As they 
rush inside, and begin to light torches, obvioslly intending to burn the 
placve to the ground, the door shuts quietly, but firmly. The camera 
watches the door for what seems like an eternity, but according to the 
counter, laste only ftwo minutes. Then the door opens, and a man dressed 
in a butlers uniform begins moving the bodies of the group out to the 
curb, while another man, obviously an elf, goes out and brings the van up 
for loading. When Lone Star arrives later that day(Two hours later, to be 
precise) they knock on the door and the butlers shoes them away.

+++++End Video

Heh heh, the bastards thought the got inside the house.. heh heh

Anyways, they dented my door, and my walls need a new paint job now! DAMN 
THEM! Should have had my them shot on the lawn, but I wanted to have it 
clean.. should have known bettter. Twenty years of this crud and I still 
never learn...

Anyways, CYA round, and watch out for BOOM BOOM and SMILEY, they is bad 
dudes,. Had the unfortunate occurance to run with them once... Loud, 
obnoxios, and they shot at everything taht moved! Freaks if ya ask me.
Anyways, Sword is goin down now, that was the last, final, finishing touch 
and deadliest straw he could have put down! for him at least. Cya round, 
and if anyone wants help with repairs, I'll see what I can do.]<<<<<
	--  Blademaster  <12:37:49/4-4-57>

>>>>>[Yeah, you're right.  If Dante was still around he'd sell his 
services to SoG and then....heh.  Dante would frag him over and sell him 
out to someone.  He was dangerous but predictable, and I'm personally 
very glad he's also very dead.

But some of us still have problems, even being human, with the NAN, 
Spirit.  (grin)]<<<<<
	--  Action Jackson <11:23:28/04-04-57>

***** PRIVATE: Jen and Gabe
>>>>>[Professional admiration.  Because beyond all your bluster -- you are,
indeed,  professionals.]<<<<<
	-- Fool-Killer <14:03:58 / 04-04-57>

***** PRIVATE: Jen and Gabe
>>>>>[And I don't ask for favors.]<<<<<
	-- Fool-Killer <14:04:05 / 04-04-57> 

>>>>>[Okay Ananymous, Muffin-Man is toast. Where's our nuyen?]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <16:01:42/04-04-57>

*****Not to: Judas, Sword of God, Hand of Glory
>>>>>[Well lads and lasses. Here it is, I wont bore you with talk now 
just sit back, grab a pint and watch the fireworks.

+++++ open tridio file 1.0.0.0

"Hold on a minute lads let me adjust the vidcam here. I've only used 
these on hunts in the Tir never for combat situations. Good," the 
accent is definitely Irish and is probably Warloc's. The blurred image 
of a huge troll, Crush, comes into focus and you can tell that the cam 
is a shoulder mount. Behind the Troll is Banshee's in the Redmond 
Barrens. The sounds of urban nightlife fill the air.

"Crush want hurt Sword of God, Crush get em throw him in jail," Crush's 
anger is obvious and the camera moves back a bit. "Crush not hurt 
Warloc. You not worry."

"Good Crush, I've just never seen a Troll your size. I'm impressed. 
Blade; Crush; make sure you both don't get futher then say 4 meters me. 
I'll explain later. Also, I handed out micro-trancievers to everyone 
before we split up. I'll check in on everyone's status. Kromofton, you 
and Lyting, Forte are you in position?"

"Were in place. I can see ya from here. We got the drones, we got 
spirits and we got guns all covering ya. Shouldn't be a problem," says 
Kromofton.

"Good lads, Obtulio Varela, Johnny, and Shade are you all in place?" 

"We're here and ready," the accent is not english. "So what now 
chummer?"

"We wait. It is possible that this Sword of God and his goons will not 
show," says Warloc.

The wait is not long. A dark van drives by the front of Banshees both 
side doors fling open and there is a hail of automatic fire. Instantly 
a blue crackling dome surrounds Blademaster, Crush, and Warloc. Five 
individuals step out of the van and continue firing. "Die you filthy 
metahuman scum, the Sword of God shall smite thee," is screamed at us 
from one of the fanatics.

A great form spirit materializes in the forming of a large trash can 
and begins to spray the goons with garbage. At the same time two drones 
buzz down to the flanks of the of them and an electronic voice say 
"Drop your weapons or we will open fire." 

The driver of the van has decided that he is not quite so fanatic and 
starts to peel away but is intercepted by a number of Orks and Trolls 
on motorcycles sporting the colors of the Crimson Crush. The Crush 
chase down the vehicle and the van stops less then a block away.

The Barrier spell is dropped by Warloc. Crush and Blade make short work 
of the confused goons and they are quickly subdued. The combat is over. 
The SoG flunkies are rounded up and escorted away. 

+++++End trideo file 1.0.0.1

We did not get the Sword of God or Judas. The captured individuals will 
be Mind Probed soon. If I find anything useful I will fill everyone in. 
I appreciate everyone's help and I am glad none us got hurt and the 
ambush went off well. I have not heard anything from Judas in a while 
so if any of you hear anything or find anything send it out quick so we 
can nail these creeps. Thanks for the assist go to Kromofton, M'noc, 
Shade, Johnny Cash, Obtulio Varela, Blade, Crush, Lyting and Forte, as 
well to the Crimson Crush. I owe them a keg.]  
        -- Warloc <13:14:14/04-04-57>

*****NOTTO: Interpol,Sword of God, Judas, Et.Al.
>>>>>[Warloc, I can express my personal congratulations for your little
success, but you should really exercise a bit more discretion.  You have just
implicated yourself and your comrades in a tidy assortment of crimes, including
premeditated murder, kidnapping, magical psychological duress, and several
others.  People are keeping tabs on everything we do here; why create
unnecessary complications for yourself?

If you want to retain your freedom to pursue your ideological goals, you should
perhaps give more thought to its protection.]<<<<<
	--  Azrael  <13:38:32 / 04-04-57>

>>>>>[_Maaan_, Blademaster, whatchuu bin up to, that you got that kinda _lame_
ass bitchez scratchin' at you door, huh?  Bastaads be usin' the _total_ shit
tactics, plus tha fuckin' bargain base-ment ammo.  Looks like someone been
doin' too much crack ta pay fo' some real bangaas.  'Course, I don' hear _you_
bitchin' too loud, do I?]<<<<<
	--  Lopez  <13:44:15 / 04-04-57>

>>>>>[Cool Trap, He? I have some informations about a place where Judas 
an SoG must be...Join Me]<<<<<
	--  OBTULIO VARELA (After all, Is alive) <16:50:00 / 04-04-47>

>>>>>[..when, my lord ?...--* Wait, my dear Judas, wait*--.. yes my God]<<<<<
	-- Judas <17:27:29 / 04-06-57>

>>>>>[Hi Judas. I was wondering...me and some friends wanted to throw 
you a party, would you like to come over?]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <14:17:48/04-0457>

>>>>>[
+++++INCLUDE FILE: 001.vid
+++++VIEW VIDEO FILE? <y/n>y
+++++
The image that appears is dark, like someone forgot to take the lens cap
off the camera. A small green clock in the lower right hand corner is
counting up from 0:00:00. The blur of the passing miliseconds abruptly
freezes as the incoming video stream is frozen. Glaring white text appears
in the upper left hand corner of the screen. The font is harsh and blocky.
Words are formed: 

"Sword of God: You have committed an unforgivable sin. You allowed your 
men to attack the young and innocent. You have killed those who have not 
yet even seen what life has to offer. For this you will be punished, as will
your men, as will your cause. You will never have existed. 

                             You. Are. Ours."

The flow of letters stops. Seconds pass. The image unfreezes. 

The darkness disappears in a sudden wash of colour. Before the camera sits
a man. His face almost fills the screen. He is not fat, but stocky
looking.  Sweat pours down his face and soaks a bloody white cloth forced
between his teeth. Blood is smeared about his mouth and stains his teeth.
His hair is matted down by sweat. His eyes are wide and glassy, staring at
something beyond the camera. They jerk to the right for a second, his head
flinching away from something out of view. 

He steels himself and closes his eyes. A glittering pink droplet of blood
and saliva slips slowly out of the corner of his mouth and down his chin.
His eyes open again, now filled with an unnatural calm. A dull slurring
noise fills the mic as he inhales, catching the flow of saliva. He nods
imperceptably. 

With a roar his head suddenly snaps right. The lens splattered with blood. 
The image is now empty except for a spray of fresh blood on the wall behind
where he sat. A soothing male voice whispers gently:

"Sleep well Metatron. Do not fret. Your master will soon follow."
+++++EOF]<<<<<
	-- R%g@#[REDACTED] at [us] a)d #an^ <In/02/We:Are//One>

*****PRIVATE: SIGA Archive
>>>>>[+++++begin recording

+++++open FedNet link: Denver
+++++verify ID: D J H Coppinger, Director SIGA
+++++verify ID: Maj S Karlsson, Denver SIGINT, NSA
Sir? Something you should see. I believe it ties to a case of yours. Look at 
the usage patterns for this area.
"Yes?...Yes, I see what you mean. That's a busy line. What are they saying? I 
assume you've managed to listen in."
Of course, sir. They keep having very similar conversations. Different people, 
calling a synthetic voice, fifty to two hundred a day for the last week. It's 
beginning to taper off now. One common factor, they all call in, in a state of 
high emotional distress and most of them seem to be hallucinating. By the end 
of the call, they've calmed right down.. Here's the raw data.

+++++include file: data_summary
+++++include file: data_raw

"Strange. Very strange. You're right, this links closely to a case of mine. 
Have you checked ownership records for the dwelling?"
Yes, sir. Rented eight months ago by a Juanita Cuellar.
<pause>
"You're sure of that name?"
Yes, sir. She was murdered in the CAS sector last month, but the rent on this 
house is paid up-front until August.
"Thank you, Major Karlsson."
+++++drop FedNet link: Denver
+++++open FedNet link: Seattle
+++++verify ID: D J H Coppinger, Director SIGA
+++++verify ID: 1Lt L DiAnnio, Seattle SIGA, USAF
"Lieutenant? How is Lynch holding up?"
As well as you'd expect, sir. He's rather depressed at the moment.
"Understandable, in his situation."
But he's had a surprising number of offers of help. Tangent, for instance - 
the leader of the team who hit Cairo? - and Blade. Ryuga's offered him asylum: 
I gather the Dragon's taking an interest in the case. And Quinn turned up and 
is offering to help.

"Susan Rodrigez? Her help could be... interesting. I'm glad she's on the far 
coast."
Lynch could use the magical assistance, if nothing else, sir. And since you've 
told me to stay clear...
"Partly because I need you in Denver by 0700 alpha tomorrow. We're hitting a 
residential address in the Aztlan sector: it seems to be of importance. It was 
rented by the late Major Cuellar."
How the hell did we miss that?
"Rent must have been prepaid, certified funds, and our access within Aztlan is 
not all it could be. That's why Denver is so popular for any sort of covert 
operation. Go in, find out everything you can, extract prisoners if possible, 
get out. This is a military intelligence job, you're seconded, so don't worry 
too much about covertness or deniability. I'd rather like Aztlan to know we're 
onto them."
Sir.
"Anything else?"
The Muffin Man's dead. So are his crew. Lynch lost a friend there, a Sioux guy 
called Redfeather. That 'Sword of God' character is on the rampage: his goons 
went after Quinn, and a pack of them hit Haven.

"The refuge in the Barrens? Jesus... okay. I'll see what I can do. Keep Lynch 
focussed on the tortureware, but let him know we'll do what we can about the 
religious maniacs. I daresay Quinn will jump in on that."
Yes, sir. And he's continuing his debate with Drake. I thought that was 
helping, but now I'm not so sure. Director, you know I dislike the idea, but 
we should consider eliminating Drake. He poses a real threat to Lynch, and-

"We have, carefully, and rejected the idea. Drake is a major pain in my neck, 
but he's my conscience. I have to decide "is this worth the heat it'll get me?" 
any time I go extralegal, and I try to think like him and consider long-term 
consequences, and I like that. Also, if he goes, who do we get instead? Onoshi?"

That Yamaetsu stooge? Running Special Branch?

"Exactly. Makes dealing with Drake look downright congenial, doesn't it?"
Isn't there anything we can do for Lynch?
"Not really. We can keep him fed with information, keep his cover IDs warm, 
clean and funded, and that's it. Even if he'd been working under an Executive 
Order - which he may be, if my suspicions are anywhere near right - he's 
breaking Aztlan law and crossing borders. So, Drake gets jurisdiction. What I 
want to do is to check the higher levels of SB. I'll put Harris and his teams 
on it, but you - and Lynch - keep your ears open for any info. I want to know
who Aztlan bought. I want to rub InterPol's nose in it. I'm kind of vindictive
like that."
You never know, if Lynch asks Drake might tell him. 
"Worth a try. Lieutenant, I'm glad you made me aware of your... close 
relationship with Lynch. Be careful it doesn't distract you from the task at 
hand. If Jason goes down, he'll be hard to replace, and I'll be missing a 
friend, but he's expendable. He has to be. If I have to sacrifice him to 
achieve the mission, I will: he knows it, and you should too."
Yes, sir. That doesn't mean I like it.
"Good. Get out to Denver ASAP and get us some info."
+++++include file: briefing.txt
"Good luck, Lieutenant."
+++++end recording]<<<<<
	-- D J H Coppinger <13:42:02/04-04-57>
	   Director, Strategic Intelligence Gathering Agency

*****PRIVATE: Righteous and Dana
>>>>>[Nice work on Metatron. Good luck with Sword of God. Let me know if
you need any help: I can't get you a physical assist, but I may be able
to pass some info along.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <14:42:15/04-05-57>

*****PRIVATE: Major Zicahuata
>>>>>[Major, my apologies for the abrupt cessation of communications. We appear 
to have been compromised more thoroughly than I expected... As far as we can 
gather, the relay station has been attacked and we have lost our link for 
Project Manchu. One possibility is that the encryption in a Manchu chip was 
defeated during analysis: that would suggest a corporate attack. The 
alternative would be signals intelligence, which would implicate the UCAS at 
least as the directing agency. Finally, it might simply have been Lynch, since 
the residence was traceable to the late Major Cuellar.

For your information, though, Phase Three has been judged a complete success. 
Although the nature of the chips can be expected to be compromised, there are 
other, similar systems which produce the same apparent effect of crude 
conditioning - the `Nuke' intrusion countermeasure, for instance - and we 
believe our work will be assumed to be only a development of that.

Phase Four has also proved to be successful: the information gathered by your 
operation has been most invaluable, and led to the Manchu conditioning being 
successfully implanted by only the boosted signals of a standard BTL chip, 
without the need for the high-level neural stresses generated by the 
interrogation routine. Unfortunately, even high-intensity subject matter does 
not allow the Manchu imprinting to take place via ASIST playback of normal 
levels: that was, however, never considered likely.

Your immediate orders are to cut off supplies of the Phase III chips and report 
in. I assume the ambush you set was unsuccessful? ]<<<<<
	-- Colonel Tepanohoutec <14:01:42/04-05-57>
	   Aztlan Intelligence Service

*****PRIVATE: Colonel Tepanohoutec
>>>>>[The Denver hit could not have been Lynch, sir: he was involved in the 
death of the "Muffin Man" and his associates at that time. I am concerned at 
the effects the loss of the contact number will have on current and future 
Manchu subjects, though, since they will be unable to discharge the compulsion. 
This may draw further unwanted attention to our operations. 

Our ambush for Lynch appears to have failed: luckily without incident. I 
believe, with hindsight, I placed too much bait in the trap, and he became 
suspicious. The InterPol team sent were impressive in their professionalism: 
Walsh and I most particularly enjoyed "interviewing" the female agent they 
wished to place as a dancer. The club was not compromised, and the cost 
involved was small.

I have identified a suitable group for the field-test of Phase V: Corporal 
Ramirez was most invaluable in this matter, and I have field-promoted her to 
Sergeant as a result. She is now in a position to supply a relatively immobile 
and close-knit community of approximately fifty sufficiently affluent BTL-using 
individuals whenever the merchandise is ready: a group of students at the 
University of Washington. We will be in a position to observe the results 
effectively. 
+++++include file: student.BTL.tastes

These are the most popular subjects among this group: Ramirez has also flagged 
those which are currently hard to obtain in the area. Note that several of the 
students eschew sexual material, forming a useful control group.]<<<<<
	-- Major Zicahuata <14:32:51/04-05-57> 
	   Aztlan Intelligence Service

*****PRIVATE: Major Zicahuata
>>>>>[Excellent work, Major. However, avoid the temptation to antagonise 
InterPol. Satisfying as it may be, the current pleasing state of affairs - 
Special Branch bent completely to our will - is expensive and transient. Do 
not give Commander Drake any more reason to turn on us than absolutely 
necessary.

Two shipments are en route to you: one will come by the normal route, and a 
duplicate consignment as follows: 
 +++++include file: flightplan.txt 

We are concerned at the possibility that our Denver supply route may have been 
compromised with the loss of first Cuellar, then the relay station.]<<<<<
	--  Colonel Tepanohoutec <15:02:51/04-05-57> 
	    Aztlan Intelligence Service 

*****PRIVATE: DJH Coppinger, Director SIGA
>>>>>[Sir? Looky what I just got off a comms bird. You said look for Aztlan 
encrypted traffic going to Seattle, well, read this.

+++++intercept daemon: intercept begun (BAND 42567, AZCOM 24T, TENOC/SEA-M)
+++++classify: encryption (mil/corp, level Echo)
+++++trace daemon: scanning
+++++intercept daemon: locked on, transcribing
+++++trace daemon: interrupted, retry? [Y]
+++++intercept daemon: locked on, transcribing
+++++trace daemon: signal error 426, retry? [Y]
+++++intercept daemon: locked on, transcribing
+++++trace daemon: trace failed, retry? [Y]
+++++intercept daemon: locked on, transcribing
+++++trace daemon: system fault 217, retry? [Y]
+++++intercept daemon: signal terminated
+++++trace daemon: signal lost at source

+++++activate Ultra:decrypt (mode AZTLAN-MIL)
+++++decryption 7%
+++++decryption 25%
+++++decryption 47%
+++++decryption 74%
+++++decryption 100%

+++++begin intercepted message
*****PRIVATE: Major Zicahuata
>>>>>[Excellent work, Major. However, avoid the temptation to antagonise 
InterPol. Satisfying as it may be, the current pleasing state of affairs - 
Special Branch bent completely to our will - is expensive and transient. Do not 
give Commander Drake any more reason to turn on us than absolutely necessary.

Two shipments are en route to you: one will come by the normal route, and a 
duplicate consignment as follows:
+++++include file: flightplan.txt
We are concerned at the possibility that our Denver supply route may have been 
compromised with the loss of first Cuellar, then the relay station. 
	-- Colonel Tepanohoutec <15:02:51/04-05-57>
	   Aztlan Intelligence Service 
+++++end decrypted message

Is this the sort of thing you wanted, sir?]<<<<<
	-- SSgt Joseph Carver <15:09:14/04-05-57>
	   Information Warfare Centre
	   Fort Meade

*****NOT TO:Judas, Sword of God, Boom Boom, Smiley
>>>>>[I'm in.]<<<<<
	--  Blademaster  <10:09:55/4-5-57>

>>>>>[Hey Smiley, got a job for you.]<<<<<
	--  Boom Boom  <10:10:32/4-5-57>

>>>>>[Hey Boom Boom, whats the job?]<<<<<
	--  Smiley  <10:11:05/4-5-57>

>>>>>[You'll like it. Meet me at [ENCRYPTED] at [ENCRYPTED].]<<<<<
	--  Boom Boom  <10:11:57/4-5-57>

*****Not To:Sword Of Glod, judas, any other fanatics, Aztlan
>>>>>[I've been poking around at the chip some more, and it has some
real interseting stuff. The suggestion is to call >number< at >time<
after using the chip. The number is no longer existant; However, the
number was rouited through a bunch of stuff, but eventually ended up
somewhere in an Aztlan thingie.

And todays obscure quote:"He can't stop us, we're on a mission from
Glod!"]<<<<<
	-- Kromofton <08:28:12/04-05-57>

*****Not To:Judas, Sword of Glod, Boom Boom, Smiley
>>>>>[Snh snh snh...

Boom Boom want's Smiley to meet him at [DECRYPTED] at [DECRYPTED].

Snh snh snh...]<<<<<
	-- Kromofton <10:25:32/04-05-57>

usually it's intercepted msgs by one or two very good deckers that Got 
lucky  and have a lot of time on their hands. or have the corporate 
assets to decript military incription.

mind you if this was done to further a plot, I aplaud the effort but 
this is unaceptable.  you could have had the msg going from one Decker 
to the ssgt. then to the director of SIGA.

*****PRIVATE:  Commander Drake
>>>>>[Boss, we're out of the Pit.  All of us.  The ambush fell through.  
Hard, too.]<<<<<
	--  My Name Is <12:14:26/04-05-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Hello, My Name Is, Inego, Montoya
>>>>>[I figured.  What happened?  What tipped you off?]<<<<<
	--  Commander Drake, InterPol <12:15:25/04-05-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Commander Drake
>>>>>[The coffee we had deliverd to us this morning.  It had a note 
attached:  "For all those InterPol ambushers, our compliments."  Needless 
to say, it was a bit embarrasing.  We just packed up and left, no trying 
to cover our covers.]<<<<<
	--  Hello <12:17:17/04-05-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Hello, My Name Is, Inego, Montoya
>>>>>[Oh, that's good.  If the cover was blown totally, you should still 
have tried to extract yourselves more professionally.  Don't to that 
again!

Frag.  Ok, here's your orders.  Pound the streets, contacts, corps, 
everything.  We do this one the old fashioned way from now on.  We'll get 
better results, I'm sure.]<<<<<
	--  Commander Drake, InterPol <12:20:27/04-05-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Major Zicahrata, Aztechnology Intelligence Services
>>>>>[You listen really closely, and really good, because I'm only going 
to say this once.

I lost 4 days to your wild goose chase in the Muskogie Pit.  I've got a 
hunch you planted the drek in hopes that Lynch would rise to the bait.  
Well, he didn't, and you've wasted my time when we could have been doing 
other things.

My entire Seattle group is devoted to this, so as much as it's going to 
rub your ass the wrong way, you're going to do what I say.  You will not 
lay any more traps for Lynch and expect Special Branch to be the jaws.  
You will forward us all information you receive about Lynch, unless you 
really don't want him to be caught for you, and you will send it through 
proper channels regardless of how important it is.  And most importantly, 
you will not obstruct my investigation in any way, shape, or form, and I 
describe "obstruct" in extremely broad terms.

Feel free to get really fraggin pissed at my ordering you around.  After 
all, I'm not a megacorp rep.  But if you and your superiors want me to 
nail Lynch for you, you'll still do what I demand, regardless of how 
pissed you are, because if you don't, then you'll never get him.  You'll 
keep getting in the way.

If you're not willing to absorb those terms, then contact whichever of my 
bosses you own and cut me loose and let me get back to being a cop.]<<<<<
	--  Commander Drake, InterPol <12:28:57/04-05-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Montoya
>>>>>[Monty, take your team to the Redfeather funeral.  Minimal weapons, 
clear it with the Souix first so they know you're going to be in town.  
Keep seperate, don't interfere, and don't try to arrest anyone for any 
reason.  If you spot Lynch, tag him and get an aura on him, but do not 
try to arrest.  I don't suspect he'll show, but I want to know who his 
associates are.  No hiding either.  I want news to get back to Lynch that 
I know some of his friends and that they're tagged.  It'll isolate him 
some.  Send me the faces and I'll ID them if you haven't already, and 
we'll get trackers going before they're even back in Seattle.  You've got 
3 days.]<<<<<
	--  Commander Drake, InterPol <12:34:31/04-05-57>

>>>>>[Well Davids finally back from his rampage.  And not surprisingly he 
didn't find anything on Sword of God, but he did get to put the hurt on 
quite a few Humanis types.  And given how badly they've been doing lately 
I wonder how well local recruitments going to go.

But on to Aristo.  Last night some group tried to get into his hospital 
room for sinister purposes.  Luckily they didn't plan on Kneecaps or my 
elemenatals backing up hospital security.  Two of them got geeked and 
three others are currently in Lone Star's custody.  Surprisingly I don't 
think they work for Sword, since two of them were orks and one was an elf.

Also Aristo's doing better.  He's actually conscious right now and looks 
like he'll recover.  Of course he lost one of his eyes and will probably 
walk with a limp.  But he should be up and around soon to help track down 
Sword.]<<<<<
	-- Thornn <12:37:19/4-5-57>

>>>>>[WOW GUYS I DON'T BELIEVE IT! LISTEN TO WHAT I HEARD ON MY SCANNER! CHECK 
IT OUT! AM I COOL OR WHAT? THIS IS SO INCREDIBLE!!!!!

+++++begin radio intercept
F - Frisbee (E-14 AEW aircraft)
LL - Leopard Lady (Hawk Three designated lead)
C - Comet (Hawk Three wing)
M - Motel (USS Koontz)
B - Pilot of CF-KETFS 

F> Hawk Flight Three, this is Frisbee, bogey. Call Bogey-381 at your one seven 
three, your range ninety-four miles. His heading due north, angels twenty-five, 
speed four twenty, squawking Mode III. Steer one seven zero at five hundred for 
a VECINT and confirm Link-21 track, over.
LL> One-three, roger your bogey, now turning to one seven zero at five hundred, 
altitude thirty.
M> Hawk Three, this is Motel. ROE Charlie, stand by for procedure four.
LL> Say again, Motel?
M> Hawk Three,.rules of engagement Charlie are in effect. Carry out Procedure 
Four if required.  I authenticate Zulu Kilo.
LL> Roger your last, Motel. Comet, go to combat spread and check fence, EMCON 
Charlie.
C> <click click>
F> Hawk Three, Bogey-381 is on your nose at thirty miles. 
C> Lady, trap one, Judy.
LL> Rog. Take lead and hook him, I'll eyeball.
<click click>
L> Tallyho one bogey, on my nose, white Lear Platinum. Opening GUARD.
L (on GUARD)> Learjet, this is the UCAS Navy, good morning. You are approaching 
a restricted area.
B (on GUARD)> My chart shows no advisory, Navy. Please give new course.
LL (on GUARD)> Roger, Learjet. I will join on you and lead you clear. 
LL> Going for a beam conversion and I'll- launch! Launch!
LL> Comet, break right!
C> <indecipherable>
<high pitched warble>
C> Mayday, Mayday, this is Comet declaring an in-flight emergency, I have been 
fired on and damaged! 
B (on GUARD)> Mayday, mayday, I am under attack by the UCAS Navy! I am under 
attack! Anyone, please respond! 
F> Hawk Three, I read search and fire control radar from Bogey-381, and an 
emergency beacon. Sitrep?
LL> Motel, Bogey-381 just fired at Comet, Comet is hit! Reclassify Bogey-381 as 
Bandit-1. Request permission to engage, over.
<pause 10 secconds>
M> Weapons free, Lady. Check Comet, then nail the sonofabitch.
B (on GUARD)> I am under attack by the UCAS Navy! I am under attack! Mayday, 
mayday!
LL> Comet, you okay, man?
C> Starboard engine's out, no fire. Main hydraulics are out, controls are 
fucked, and I'm pissing fuel. Belly check?
LL> <click click>
B (on GUARD)> Mayday! I am under attack by the UCAS Navy! I am under attack!
F > Doesn't that fucker know any other songs? Patch out GUARD unless he says 
something useful.
LL> Comet, control check.
C> <click click>
LL> Starboard stabilator's locked solid, starboard rudder's mostly gone but 
what's left still works. The fuel leak is from your seven-cell, the wing looks 
okay.
C> Roger that. Motel, I'm gonna bring her in: rig the barrier and gimme a 
vector to a Texaco.
M> Affirmative, Comet, steer zero four zero at thirty for Texaco Three. Leopard
Lady, you are cleared to engage. Splash the bandit, repeat splash the bandit.
LL> Bandit eight miles, twenty-three thousand. Closing at twenty-five and 
buster. 
<pause>
LL> Tallyho the bandit,  four miles on the nose, diving and turning. I'm at his 
two o'clock and slightly high, angels twenty, five-fifty knots. Master Arm on, 
Mamba selected. Good tone. Fox two.
<pause>
LL> Clean miss. Countermeasures. Fucker's well equipped for a pleasure plane. 
I'm closing for- Shit! 
<heavy breathing>
F> Lady, you okay?
LL> Tail guns, radar aimed. The band's playing, they're shooting ghosts. 
Converting for a beam attack. <rumbling noise> Guns. Guns. Good hits. He's 
smoking.
M> Lady, any damage to you?
LL> Negative, Motel, not a scratch. He's levelling out and slowing. I'm high on 
his ten, coming around.
B (on GUARD)> Navy, Navy, I surrender, please escort me to shore. I repeat, I 
surrender. Cease fire, cease fire.
M> Procedure Four as ordered, Lady.
LL> Roger. <rumbling noise> 
B (on GUARD)> NO! I-<scream>
LL> Guns. Guns. Procedure Four complete. Bandit-1 is on fire and breaking up, 
Motel. No chutes. 
M> Roger, Hawk Three. Joker state?
LL> Nine point two, Motel. 
M> SAR bird en route, ETA forty minutes. Loiter over the wreckage until SAR 
arrives, then hit Texaco Two and RTB.
LL> <click click>
+++++end intercept

THEY LIKE TOTALLY BLEW HIM AWAY! ARE THOSE GUYS HOT? IT WAS LIKE IN "FLYING 
DEVILS" ONLY WAY COOLER! CAN ANYONE GET THE COCKPIT VIDEO? IT MUST HAVE BEEN 
GREAT! GUNS KILLS REALLY ROCK! THEY STOMPED THAT GUY BUT GOOD!]<<<<<
	-- [p--ef--d] at [sol.com] <17:54:35/03-05-57>
	Sign up today for ten free hours!!
	SOL

*****PRIVATE:  Commander Drake, InterPol
>>>>>[Commander, we recieved information that Lynch would attack the
Muskogie Pit. We passed that to your agency in good faith. It appears
we were misled, for which I apologise most profusely. 

However, I am most disturbed by your statement about "whichever of my
bosses you own". Are you implying that Aztlan is involved in attempting to
corrupt InterPol? Commander, Aztlan is perhaps the last truly honourable 
nation, and we bitterly resent your implication. Also, we have always found
InterPol to be totally trustworthy, and are horrified by the suggestion that
bribery and corruption exists within its ranks. 

Also, Lynch is an enemy of Aztlan who has been sought by us for some 
years: yet he continues to elude us. We are relieved to see InterPol 
finally pursuing this dangerous criminal with the appropriate vigour,
and will co-operate fully in any way required to ensure the arrest and
extradition of this individual. We have very little information at present,
but will share what we have with you.

+++++include file: dossier.Lynch.JRW

Please be reassured that Aztlan has always fully observed the laws of the
jurisdictions in which it operates, and will continue to do so. We welcome
this opportunity to co-operate with the agencies of law enforcement and
hope for a successful conclusion to this unpleasant business.]<<<<<
	-- Major Zicahuata <00:24:42/04-06-57>
	   Aztlan Intelligence Service

*****PRIVATE:  InterPol Internal Affairs internal memo
>>>>>[  From:  Paul Drake, Commander Special Branch
        To:  Connie Teller, Seattle Internal Affairs
        Subject:  Recent events

Dear Ms. Teller,

Recently, Special Branch was ordered under Section 96a to pursue with all 
possible vigor the criminal Jason Lynch.  Accordingly, I am contacting 
you as required by Section 96b, presentation of possible reasons for the 
ordering of Section 96a.

I have reason to believe that several individuals, specifically some of 
the my superiors in the North American Headquarters as well as several 
individuals in International Police Headquarters in London, are under 
duress or on the payroll of specific megacorporations, in this case 
Aztechnology.  I have included a summary of the evidence with this memo.

+++++Include Evidence, 23 Mp

As the head of Special Branch, I request the immediate investigation by 
Internal Affairs of the individuals implicated in the evidence as I have 
presented it.

Thank you for your time.

Commander Paul Drake, Special Branch]<<<<<
	--  InterPol Internal Memo <21:42:01/04-05-57>

*****PRIVATE: WARLOC
>>>>>[ Hey, i need you to listen quick cause i ain`t got much time..Whilst 
checking some Aztech datafiles from the local pyramid i just happened to 
find that the Mr.S who is so interested in dealing with Sword of God and 
Judas is in fact an Aztech expeditor
called Damien Saracen...i dont know if thi 

+++++DATA TRANSFER INTERRUPT

+++++SYSTEM SHUTDOWN

*****PRIVATE : WARLOC

>>>>>[ I wish to reastablish my presence in regards to the dismemberment of 
Judas, Sword of God and their various flunkies. I also wish to confirm my 
attendance at any future meeting or event to destroy these fools!]<<<<<
	-- MR.S <19:35:13/04:06:57> --

>>>>>[ A warning to those who haved poked their noses into my business. 
DONT. I will not be snooped on and will use sufficient measures to deal with 
such occasions. Oh yes why i recall....Sword of God & Judas, if you are 
reading this. I surely do not need to
give this warning to you.....Simply ask your god and when he tells you to 
crawl away like the worms you are listen for a change!]<<<<<
	-- MR.S <19:40:23/04:06:57> --

*****PRIVATE: Kor

>>>>>[It looks like those two poor LS transport stiffs are the ones to
blame for that biff's "escape". The Star got ahold of a bunch of security
tapes that have been tampered (according to the report, they were tampered
with pretty well) with along an _alternate_ route (one that would have
taken just as long, but gone basically right _over_ our little hole in the
ground). They also acquired a bunch of footage from the route the van was
supposed to follow. One of them (an in store security cam, probably not
attached to the matrix) shows a very nice looking black van drive by (no
id tho).

This is what LS thinks happened:
 1. Drivers want the chick for some reason (motive) --prolly gang related
(she was a smalltime dealer remember)
 2. They hire a good decker to munch up the sec. cams, and a driver to
follow their _real_ route.
 3. When it comes to actually kidnapping her, they drive along their real
route and have the driver follow. At exactly the same time, the homing pip
in the transport is turned off (so that LS can't track it any more), and a
fake one in the car behind it is turned on.
 4. The car takes the real route, while the transport goes wherever it
wants to (by the trail of skrewed pix, we can assume it went near that
chamber). Meanwhile the decker munges the pictures to look like the
transport is following the route it should be. 
 5. The mage on the transport does something to all the other girls in the
transport and hides our lass in the hole.
 6. The transport meets up with the car on it's route, and they switch the
homers again. 

  Only problems being (these weren't mentioned in the report, but they are
in other LS documents that I've seen):
 - The mage on the transport sucked. (I don't know how powerful a wiz has
to be to put 25 mundanes to sleep for five minutes, or however long it
took to remove Toastie, but I would assume this poor loser couldn't do
it). This also means that he probably didn't to the magic down in the hole
(you said it was powerful right? This guy had trouble making it into the
Thaum div., I don't think he can perform heavy mana).
 - Their bank accounts are stable. No big influx (payoff) or outflux
(paying for the decker/driver).
 - There is no record of the homer being phucked with. They're supposedly
really well hidden, and all that. They are not something you can flick on
and off with the toss of a switch.

  Sorry about my lack of coherence, but easter is a real bitch of a
holiday. All those damn screaming kids and their fragging parents all
wanting to be served at the same time. Frag them. 12 hour shifts suck. 

   Tell me what you think about LS's conclusions.]<<<<<
	-- Cybil <15:40:20/07-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Elyena Hayes via SI Internal Corporate Mail
>>>>>[The AWOL Pair in Seattle has been causing trouble again. This time
with the murder of a Christian Fundamentalist terror-monger. The format of
their message also suggested that they are going on some type of vendetta,
and will probably be going on a killing spree.

We are having a great deal of difficulty tracking them: they appear to
have removed their trackers, and are performing above specifications.
Normally I wouldn't be worried, but they are putting themselves in a
rather visible position. 

Do you wish any specific actions to be taken?

-Joseph Randell
Head of Security
Sheppard-Intrepid Inc.
Global Affairs Div.]<<<<<
	-- Joseph Randell <15:14:12/07-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Joseph Randell via SI Internal Corporate Mail
>>>>>[You know my feelings on Christians.

Get in contact with them and offer them something. But don't dissuad them.
They are well trained and know what they are doing.]<<<<<
	-- Elyena Hayes <15:20:04/07-04-57>

******PRIVATE: AlexandriaN
>>>>>[
+++++confirm link: confirmed.
+++++signal redirect: Suzaku12(Alpha), redirected.
+++++clear realtime: .....connected.
>> Good morning.  I assume this is...important?
<< Alexander.
>> (small gasp, female) Izanagi de aru?  Sashiburi da na...
<< Pleasantaries unnecessary, Alex.  We have...finished analyzing your data.
   You knew what this would mean when you sent it to us?
>> Mochiron yo.  Fuchi's interest in this area is...well-understood.  As are
   the interests of other firms.
<< Your concern for our well being is...noted, as always.  You are Midori no
   Shippu.  Funding has been authorized by the highest authority.
>> Doomo arigatou gozaimasu.  I'll be in touch.
<< Indeed.  Squawk 76.
+++++transfer <ENCRYPTED>...complete.
+++++carrier lost.
+++++link terminated.
]<<<<<
	--  CORRUPT  <13:46:27 / 04-07-57>

>>>>>[--* Judas.. my dear Judas.. Take your H n K mp5 and kill 21 sons of 
the beast in my honor--*... Yes, Lord]<<<<<
	-- Judas <8:20:20 / 04-08-57]
 

>>>>>[Maybe someone should put a dork-filter on Sland's SAN. All these
SOLers and religious freaks are REALLY starting to get annoying (you would
think that SOL had decided to make Sland one of their "discussion
groups").]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <11:54:24/08-04-57>

>>>>>[I found this on a subnewsnet this morning (it was on "MurderTime", I
don't usually watch it -- there was nothing else on). There's a vid-feed,
but nothing really worth watching (unless you're into headless corpses).

LS found a body in the Seattle harbour this morning. Kinda chewed up, but
it was some slob tied to a chair, missing about 80% of his head. By his
jewelry and drek, I would say that is was METATRON. Judge for yourself.

+++++INCLUDE VIDEO FEED: MT.08.04.57.00]<<<<<
	-- Cybil <12:00:00/08-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[Nothing new.]<<<<<
	-- Cybil <12:00:52/08-04-57>
        

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[Dear Sir, 

This automated response is to inform you that you have attempted to send
private mail to a Shadowland user (Righteous and Dana) that does not exist.
A copy of the message follows.

* Nice work on Metatron. Good luck with Sword of God. Let me know if
* you need any help: I can't get you a physical assist, but I may be able
* to pass some info along.

If you have any questions, please feel free to mail a SysOp (although no
guarentee is made as to when he/she/it will respond)]<<<<<
	-- ShadowLand Mailer Daemon <14:42:16/04-05-57>

>>>>>[Time ago, the people belives in peace with god. But this peace was broken by the guns and the cybertechnology. Is the time to finish it n' I will do it]<<<<<
	-- El Obispo <11:07:00 / 04-08-57>

***** PRIVATE: JUDAS, SWORD OF GOD.
>>>>>[bUT ALL THAT CAN I LOOK, YOU ARE A GOOD MAN, JUDAS... mbut, GOD HASN'T A CYBERDECK!!!!!!.. ]<<<<<
	-- eL oBISPO <11:23:00 / 04-08-57>

>>>>>[GOD MADE THE SORCERES... The evil made the cybertech...]<<<<<
	-- El Obispo <11:30:00 / 04-08-57>

*****Private : Obtulio Varela
>>>>>[Hi parce !!! Im in. Where are you, Pana ? I noticed that you had 
problems with a Fanatic...Judas ?? Remember, Pana, Im El Chango... La 
sangre nunca abandona a la sangre....ah...I have the best "white ice" in 
>encripted< ja ja ... the best , pana , the best.We will sold it 
together .... contact me]<<<<<
	-- El chango <12:20:20 / 04-08-57>

>>>>>[ Look who popped up in Seattle.

+++++Video: video camera no 4,5,6 of airport April 05 /57 1400

 A young half Asian man exits the airport sliding doors.  he's wearing a
business suit and carries one briefcase and one small suitcase.  Taxi's are
lined up in the waiting area.  The Half Asian man moves to the cab closest
to him and the cab driver, a troll, gets out of the driver seat and pops
the trunk.  As he places his two cases in the back, a black limo drives up
to the cab three cars up.  The back window of the limo rolls down and an
Elf pops his upper body out of it .  Holding on to a SMG he begins firing
at the cabs and the people near by.  The Half Asian man watches.  The Elf
peppers two trolls, an elf in a business suit and a human.  A mage by the
sliding doors is seen to have cast a spell which caused the Elf  into a
spasm .  The Elf begins bleeding from his ears, eyes, nose and mouth as he
drops his gun.  Two other men get out of the limo and begin firing.  Glass
shatters everywhere.  The Half Asian man just watches.  Two lone star
officers jump out of a door around the corner and begin firing at the men
by the limo.  The mage casts a spell.  The spell is interrupted by a bullet
that hits him directly in the forehead.  The Half Asian man watches.  Three
lone star vehicles drive up to the limo and surrounds it .  The two men by
the limo are shot dead.  The driver got hit too.    The troll cab driver
goes up to the Half Asian man and said "New to Seattle Mr-"
"Toby Kel, I'm from Hong Kong." the Asian man replies
"Welcome to hell Toby" the troll yelled getting into the driver seat.
+++++ End of airport video

He's also known as WuKung a decker who likes to hang out in Mong Kok.]<<<<<
	--The Chinese Corporation review board <12:30:20/04-08/57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason Stormwind
>>>>>[ I'm definitely interested in learning more about your magical group.
I'm just learning how to use my abilities, but I'm really eager to learn.
What can you tell me about the group?  ]<<<<<
	-- Kenneth Donaldson <15:25:42/04-08-57>

*****PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[ Well, he's more than welcome to come to work for Serenity after he 
learns how to use his abilities .. That choice is his to make.  I will
encourage him to talk with you about your magical group, though.  I think
it would be good for him to have experienced people to help him learn, as
well as give him a place where he fits in and feels like a part of something.
Thanks, Jason.  ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <15:27:44/04-08-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jen & Gabe
>>>>>[ Here you go.

+++++transfer: 1=Y=

Pleasure doing business with you.. <chuckle> ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <15:33:27/04-08-57>

*****PRIVATE: Wintergeist
>>>>>[Melancholy and sadness are the start of doubt...doubt is the
begining of despair; despair is the cruel beginning of the differing
degrees of wickedness.  Come back with me, rinelle', and you will be
forgiven.]<<<<<
	-- Rhodaemis <15:27:44/04-08-57>

>>>>>[Hear me , mexicanos , Puertoriquennos.. etc... Im the new boss 
here.. The Drug Angels are my family, yea....We are the masters of the 
Seattle streets ..... esta claro, parces?]<<<<<
	-- El Chango <15:20:20 / 04-08-57>

*****Private: El Chango
>>>>>[Hi, pana, Problems? What did "problems" means? I dont't know thath=20
word... and that man (Judas) Will die in a short time... "La virgencita=20
de Chiquinquira lo est=E1 esperando..." .

I really want "white Ice", man,  You know....

Se ya later.....]<<<<<
	-- Obtulio Varela <15:26:00 / 04-08-57>

>>>>>[Hear me, people and other thinks, "El Chango" will clean this 
city... I will help him in this....

"Maria" will shoot now....]>>>>>

     -- Obtulio "metralleta" Varela <15:34:00 / 04-08-57>

>>>>>[El Chango: Yeah okay. Keep in mind that this is a SHADOWRUNNER
board, not some weird little wanna-be local peice-of-drek.]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <17:06:43/08-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[A pleasure doing business with you. If you need any more work done,
you know our address.]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <17:07:00/08-04-57>
        

>>>>>[Gotta love your sources, neh?  I got another internal transcript.  
At least this one's a little more reasonable than the last.  Enjoy.

+++++ Include InterPol Transcript +++++

	CD:  Commander Paul Drake
	MX:  Marshal Xavier Qoph

MX:  Sit down, Commander.

CD:  Yes, sir.  You said you had orders for me, sir.

MX:  That's right.  Someone in the upper echelons of HQ got a lot of 
pressure applied recently, and so your orders have been changed slightly 
regarding Jason Lynch.

CD:  Excellent, sir.  What are the new orders?

MX:  You are to personally continue with your investigation of Mr. Lynch, 
along with the teams you have currently assigned.  But you are to 
assign one team to the investigation of the terrorist Sword of God.

CD:  Very good, sir.  Why the change of heart in HQ?

MX:  Pressure from one of the aristocrats in London because a relative 
was put into the hospital by this guy.

CD:  I'd prefer to assign more agents than one team, sir.

MX:  Not possible, Commander.  However, whichever team you assign should 
go to the hospital and arrange to meet the wounded man as soon as he's 
released.  He's British and they will be working with him exhaustively.

CD:  Of course, sir.  I'll get right on it.

MX:  Do that.  And get me your progress report on Lynch within the hour.

CD:  Yes sir.

+++++ End of Internal Transcript +++++ ]<<<<<
	--  Trideo Pirate <15:11:18/04-08-57>

*****Private : Obtulio Varela
>>>>>[Hey Parce !! We have a "party" in >encripted< .. White ice, and 
"others surprises" you know, metralleta, the best, the best... see ya 
later Obtulio.. saludos de Ramon]<<<<<
	-- El Chango <16:10:10 / 04-08-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Melles
>>>>>[I know you'll get this soon, Melles.

Bring yourself and your team in.  You're official now.  Some upper class 
Brit got thier kid hurt by Sword of God and so I'm to assign a team to 
him.  I'd give you more than just yourselves, but the fraggin Lynch 
investigation is still keeping me from doing so.  You'll get your orders 
when you get here.]<<<<<
	-- Commander Drake, InterPol <15:14:26/04-08-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Commander Drake
>>>>>[Gotcha, Boss.  We'll be in by 1800.]<<<<<
	--  Melles <15:15:16/04-08-57>

>>>>>[Hey Jen and Gabe... Shadowrun ? Shadowrun ? Do you need a 
shadowrunner ? Im the best, parce, the best... Do you want to know my 
Vindicator? im not another focked gangster, no... ... Remember.. Im el 
Chango, The Drugs Angels boss !!! Im the new streets king in this place...
he hey... Parce... ten cuidado conmigo,o terminaras con el estomago lleno 
de plomo]<<<<<
	-- El Chango <16:30:12 / 04-08-57>

>>>>>[Ahhhhh.  It feels good to get out of bed.  Even if my leg is still 
giving me problems.  But que sera sera.  My brother has informed me that 
one of the good Commander Drake's units has been assigned to aid in 
hunting down Sword of God.  Who from what I hear is somewhere in CalFree.

Anyone who has any information regarding the current location of Sword of 
God or his assiociates contact me at **FTP location**

Oh.  And for those who might be intrested the people who tried to 
finish me off in the hospital were led by a former assiciote of mine.  
A mage by the name of Hocus Pocus.  It felt good to identify his body 
in the morgue.]<<<<<
	--  Aristo <14:33:46/4-8-57>

>>>>>[I'm sure the Ancients would beg to differ with your assessment.  
And the Halloweeners, and all the go-gangers in Seattle.]<<<<<
	--  Foxey Roxey <16:08:28/04-08-57>

*****PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[I just got this today. Sorry about the lack of video, but it's all
my descrambler can manage...

+++++INCLUDE AUDIO TRANSCRIPT:
"It looks pretty routine 'till about here."

"You're lucky this isn't smell-o-vision, because it's starting to get
pretty gross. Light."

"Okay, here's the first one. Pretty gross, huh? It looks like the slag was
killed by having something sharp shoved up the back of his neck. The gun
is still loaded by the way"

<PAUSE: 5 seconds> 

"And here's the rest of the party. It musta been pretty wild, 'cause it
sort of spilled out onto street level. Here we have our first two
party-goers, I'd say they were trying to escape as well, nailed from
inside by someone with a gun. The blast is what put 'em over there."

<PAUSE: 2 seconds> 

"This room stinks of mana. Some pretty hefty hermetics went on in here
within the past 24 hours. Ack. Back to the bodies."

"This is where it all went on. As you can see, the room's about ten by
fifteen, unfurnished. Two visible exits: one to street-level and the other
into the building. Decor done by Sickos-R-Us. Four bodies immediately
visible, all wearing the same gang colours. In the middle of the room, we
have a tarp lain out -- the tarp has the most impressive reek, it was
either a focus or something happened on top of it. Found another corpse."

"Ohp! Make this body number six. Yow. A big mother-fragger. Ork, probably
mid twenties. He's face down but no wounds visible. He's in a massive pool
of blood. Probably his own."

"We're going further into the building."

<Sound of door opening> <PAUSE: 3 seconds>

"Hang on a sec. We have life... Gimme a few moments..." <PAUSE: 2 seconds>

"And contact. There's someone alive at the other end of this hall. Next
room. J'sec. Life alright. Human or meta, scared. She had something to do
with the magic. I'm going in physical." 

<PAUSE: 4 seconds> <Noises from offmic> 

"Request a DocWagon. There's a biff in the next room, she's scared out of
her scull. Probably in shock, by the amount of blood on her, I'd say we
have a witness."
+++++EOT

   The chick's been taken to some DocWagon ward. I don't know what's
happening with her. This is about two hours old, so maybe you have
something? (My contacts are kind of limited once it gets away from the
morgue or data services...)]<<<<<
	-- Cybil <18:51:02/08-04-57> 

>>>>>[the Ancients ?? Kiss my ass Ancients !! Im the new king in this!!
Si o no, Varela, Pana ?]<<<<<
	-- El Chango <18:00:00 / 04-08-57>

*****PRIVATE: Maxim Raiders, Tangent, Ryuga
>>>>>[Hi there, guys. Sorry to intrude, but I need to hire some trustworthy
Matrix help and figured you might be able to recommend some names.

As you may hear soon, I went after another part of the Aztlan BTL line I've 
been beating on awhile. Partial success, but not total, and so I'm still 
working in the dark here. Blade pointed out that maybe we're looking in the 
wrong places, which is why I'm asking here.

Basically, I need some serious decking done on this problem I have, and 
while I can pay pretty well (for what will be a tough job) I don't know 
many deckers of the required calibre. 

Since most of the guys I used to run with are retired, moved or dead, I 
could really use some help finding a trustworthy decker or two. High risk, 
good money. I must apologise for the intrusion here, but I felt you were  
people who I could trust, and who would also know someone appropriate. 

Basically, I need some hot Matrix talent, who's willing to risk getting on 
a serious Aztlan shitlist. Any offers, volunteers or suggestions?]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <23:57:42/04-08-57>

*****PRIVATE: Colonel Tepanohoutec
>>>>>[Sir, I have rather grave news. Lynch has acquired associates and 
struck again, this time with considerable effect. Hermosa is dead, and
the shipment is lost. 

I believe we should reconsider our operation, since we may be compromised
internally. Perhaps I am being paranoid, but it concerns me greatly that
both shipments were destroyed so quickly. I have instituted checks within
my organisation here, and carried out the appropriate contingency plan, but
given the difficulties we should relocate or reschedule.

My opinion only, Colonel, but I hope you understand my fears.]<<<<<
	-- Major Zicahuata <23:12:51/04-08-57> 
	   Aztlan Intelligence Service

*****PRIVATE: Major Zicahuata
>>>>>[Calm yourself, Major. These occasional reversals are normal in an
operation such as Manchu: operating in foreign territory with little 
support, a moderately capable individual such as Lynch can cause a 
disproportionate irritation. However, that is all he is: an irritation.
There is no risk to the project, though from your position I understand
your concern.

The loss of both shipments is coincidence: if both were compromised,
Hermosa would have been placed under observation rather than attacked.
I understand Hermosa performed admirably, ensuring that he was not taken
for interrogation: you have motivated your men well. I also commend you
on your use of hired help, since only Hermosa links the incident to us
and his files were prepared for just this eventuality. We have suffered
a minor setback, no more.

The incompetent from California who contracted to deliver the backup
consignment died because he attempted to shoot it out with the Navy,
rather than apologise for his 'navigation error', and the UCAS appear
satisfied that he was merely a panicky smuggler. Hermosa must have been
compromised because, as we considered possible, the Denver route is
blown. Well, so be it. We have merely been unlucky that both failed
at the same time: I was prepared for this eventuality also. Continue with
your preparations and I will ensure you have adequate supplies.

As for Lynch and his associates, every attack increases the evidence available
to InterPol for their investigation, and everyone who associates with him
joins Drake's "wanted" list, and increases the chance that our security will
destroy him. The odds are against him, Major: time and probability are on
our side.]<<<<<
	--  Colonel Tepanohoutec <00:12:51/04-09-57> 
	    Aztlan Intelligence Service 

*****NOT TO: InterPol, Aztlan, Aztechnology
>>>>>[Figured I'd save everyone time and upload this direct, since everyone
who actively wants me dead right now will get versions of this from 
somewhere else anyway.

+++++begin trideo
The view fuzzes, then stabilises: it seems to be from an airborne platform, 
maybe a spotter drone, orbiting a decent-sized house in a nice area, early 
morning from the long shadows and the dew-covered cars. The view zooms in and 
out, studying two men by the driveway entrance and two more - those, carrying 
HK227s - walking the grounds.

"No obs from the house, shutters still down. Mani's in their Matrix, alarms and 
cameras down. Prowlers behind the house in ten seconds, there for two minutes. 
Anytime, baby." A drawling female voice. Two clicks of the mike are the answer.

A pause, the camera still orbiting, then a red convertible swings into the 
drive - two Amerind men in it, the passenger leaning out to talk to the two 
suited men at the gate. As he reaches out to show them something, one bends to 
look: the other stays a little back, alert and ready.

The driver blurs, bringing up a weapon and firing: the watcher falls, 
convulsing, something smoking and sparking in his chest. The guard bending over 
by the passenger is framed in a millisecond white pulse that flares out the 
camera for a second, and as he staggers back the driver shoots him too. 

"Gate down." The passenger vaults over the side door, reaches back into the 
footwell and comes out with a suppressed MP-5K, then the black holdall that it 
had been concealed in, and finally a pair of black-mirrored aviator sunglasses: 
it's either Lynch, or someone who knows his style well enough to counterfeit 
him well. 

As the driver swings the car around, off the drive but facing out ready to 
leave fast, his passenger moves to the side of the house and waits, the view 
still in longshot to show the two prowler guards - still unaware of trouble - 
strolling around the back of the house and rounding the corner.

"Around the corner. Clear shot, anytime." Lynch leans out and fires, two short 
bursts that drop both guards where they stand before they can react. He moves 
to them, the MP-5K's suppressor still trained on them, and checks both bodies, 
Ty-Wrapping their wrists and disabling their weapons, his companion doing the 
same to the pair by the gate.

"Gate secure, both okay."
"Prowlers secure, both okay."
The woman's voice returns. "Entry point Echo, as planned, target as briefed. 
Joining on the car to cover."

The view switches to headware video - the passenger's, you're looking over 
the sights of his MP-5K as he moves to a shuttered window, glances back to his 
partner - crouched and covering with an assault rifle - before quickly and 
expertly laying a ribbon charge around the window.

"Fire in the hole!" he calls quietly, double-timing back and lying prone: 
reaching down to change the magazine in his submachinegun, from a clip of soft 
orange gel rounds to black-jacketed hollowpoints, as his vision shudders with 
the shock of a small explosion, then whirls and blurs as Lynch moves in, 
tearing the remnants of the windowframe out and covering the room.

The aiming mark of his smartlink roves around the smoke- and dust-filled room - 
a spare bedroom - as his partner throws himself in past Lynch and through the 
window. "In. Move." Lynch follows, moving to the doorway.

"Two outside your door." says the woman's voice. The driver reaches into his 
jacket and throws something through the door, both men flattening back as the 
door blows off its hinges and more dust and smoke roll out, then Lynch is 
coming around the frame, muzzleflash flaring to his side as he fires at a 
staggering silhouette, the ammo counter in the corner of his vision marking off 
the rounds, then scans the corridor - first on visual, but bringing in a 
thermal overlay that cuts through the dirty air.

"Clear! Front door, stairs!"
"Clear. Three doors."
"As planned."
Lynch throws four grenades fast, down the corridor, and moves rapidly back into 
the bedroom as the muffled thumps of his grenades exploding shake his view 
slightly. Coming back out, the whole corridor is ablaze, cutting it off 
completely: shouts of alarm - in Spanish - show someone didn't like that much. 
As Lynch, crouched, moves to the base of the stairs, his partner fires two long 
bursts up them.

"Prep the door!"
"Rog." Lynch sets a housebrick-sized object, wasp-striped in yellow and black, 
on the wall next to the front door. "Done!" More gunfire behind him, several 
weapons, and Lynch turns to spray a burst up the stairs himself.

"Only one upstairs, boys, target alone, be quick - nicely done, Blade." as the 
body of the gunman at the top of the stairs falls limply into view, Lynch 
sprinting up to the landing and hurdling the body to crash through a door - 
slivers of construction plastic flying - and settle the sights of the MP-5 on 
a middle-aged man in the corner, by a blazing waste-paper basket.

The man is rising and turning with a pistol in his hand, then dropping it as 
the targeting mark settles on his arm and a short burst smashes it.

"Sergeant Hermosa, you're under arrest, and you don't have any rights."
"Jason, you still surprise on occasion, but I fear I laugh at your expense 
here." The man comes to attention, clenches his jaw, and a goodly-sized part 
of his head vanishes in a red spray.

"FUCK!" Lynch upends the trash, beating the flames out with a pillow and 
gathering the charred papers.
"What?" Blade appears in the door, changing magazines.
"Fucker blew his fucking head off with a fucking cortex bomb. Motherfucker! Why 
the fuck did the stupid fuck do that?"
"Enough with the Tarantino, Lynch, let's get the goods and go!" 
"Yeah, yeah. Lilith, Orchid is down, repeat Orchid is down, moving on the 
goodies. Sitrep?"

"All quiet on the Western front, boys, I'm half a block away and just waiting 
for the cavalry to come and play with me. Their ETA, ninety seconds." Lynch is 
rapidly setting charges on a small safe, as Lilith speaks.

"Let'em come, then take them from the rear. Fire in the hole!" The charges are 
small and well-shaped, and Lynch and Blade between them manage to wrench the 
door off the safe, revealing trays of datachips which both men rapidly remove 
and stow.

"Company." Lilith's voice, her drawl deeper and slower. "One van. Pulling up 
outside the house."

The camera switches to an exterior view, as an unmarked white van skids to a 
halt in the driveway and six men pile out, all in armour jackets and armed with 
HK227s. As they fan out and surround the front door, a good-sized chunk of wall 
blows out, throwing two of them some distance amidst the rubble. As the four 
others open fire, spraying the holed wall with automatic fire, a blur of 
movement at the gate catches your eye: a tall, lithe woman, long auburn hair 
flaming in the morning sun, leaning over the gatepost with a Kalashnikov-series 
rifle.

She says two curt words: "Engaging, now."

One of the guards goes over  forwards, never knowing what hit him, as the 
others turn to fire back at this new threat. The van suddenly shudders and 
sparks, glass flying as it - and the two men using it for cover - are riddled 
with gunfire, Blade ducking back out of view to change magazines. He must have 
gone out through the guest bedroom to flank the arrivals, you think, as the 
last is kicked sideways, the source of the fire appearing as Lynch emerges 
through the breach in the wall.

"They didn't touch the car." says Lilith, moving to the driver's seat and 
plugging a datalead behind her ear. 
"Then let's go and see what we got." replies Lynch, he and Blade piling in as 
Lilith spins the wheels and sprays grass and earth, accelerating away and out 
of view.
+++++end trideo

Would have been nice to get Hermosa alive, but that wasn't really what we 
were after.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <00:32:42/04-09-57>

>>>>>[Well I'm gone for a few days in the mountains and SoG's top dog 
loses his head. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Maybe I'll shed a tear. 

The only problem with this is that SoG will probably want blood for 
such a public display. I would advise that if you are a metahuman, 
spellcaster or both then cover your arse. Any fair ladies that feel 
they need protection can meet me at >>Encrypted<<. 

Mr. S, if we have another meeting I will be sure to include you]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <16:00:05/04-08-57>

*****Not to: Judas, SoG, Mr. S, Interpol, or fanatics are us
>>>>>[Does anyone know anything about Mr. S?]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <16:01:54/04-08-57>

>>>>>[Since this weekend i am have a very odd person in my clinic.  I 
find him Friday attacking a phone cabin late at night and yelling 
about leeches.  I tranquilize him and bring him to the clinic, but 
every times he is wake up he grabs my phone and try to call >number<.
Too bad the number is disconnect, because when no one answers, he 
starts to cry about the leeches won't come off, and then starts 
hitting the phone.  I have to tranquilize him again and when he wakes 
up it starts all over.  Does someone know something about this?  It 
looks like severe psychosis, but it can't be natural.  He is sleeping 
now, does anyone know what could causing this?]<<<<<
	-- Basilisk <00:09:26 GMT/09.APR.57>

>>>>>[Not all of us are reading this from Seattle, Foxey.]<<<<<
	-- Bushman Bob <16:12:37/04-08-57>

*****NOT TO: InterPol, Aztlan, Aztechnology
>>>>>[Heheheh. Lynch said "fire in the hole"... That's like, SO, '20s. 

I thought we'd gotten over that little phrase. Seriously though: if
you're going to do a run, and do it stylishly (as Lynch has done in the
past), you have to act the part. You can either:
 a> Just keep that stoney "I'll be back" expression, OR
 b> you can have fun with it. Just 'cause your life's on the line
doesn't mean you can't have fun (a good one for disembowling is "he had
guts", a fun one for a threat is shooting over their head and then saying
"PSYCH!", but you can't really keep these on stock. You have to come up
with 'em as you use them). In case you haven't guessed, this is our
preference. 
(c> act in a really "professional military" way. This is sort of a mix of
"a" and "b", but without the fun)

  Now, if you're gonna go for the "c" style, make sure you do it right. If
you recycle a phrase, NOBODY is going to take you seriously (unless it's a
really GOOD phrase, in which case, proper use is essential -- a "fire in
the hole" is NOT an exploding window). As our personal preference, Lynch
should DEFINITELY stick with "a".]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <22:02:14/08-04-57>

*****PRIVATE:Basilisk
>>>>>[I think I know what you're talking about. Lemme see...

Has he had a tortureware chip or strange BTL used on/by him?

+++++Check profile:That.weird.BTL

Yeah, it could come up with that.

If I can see the guy, i ought to be able to hack up some form of Psyco
IC to deal with it.]<<<<<
	--Kromofton <19:45:43/04-08-57>

*****Private: Basilisk
>>>>>[I do not know of this matter specifically, but I have much knowledge
of simsense technology.  It could be that he was suggested this via
subliminal messaging.  I am not talking of the primitive 20th cetnury crap,
but more modern versions because of the access BTL gives to someone's neural
networks.]<<<<<
	--  Shade <23:57:33 / 4-8-57>

>>>>>[ Basilisk, there is a good possibility that if he's a decker he might have
encountered Psychotropic IC.  Other ideas are torture or normal BTL chips, and
time release drug of some type and magical influence.

I would say to find perceptive mage a have him take a look, he should be able to
rule out magic and drugs.  That would leave mental conditioning and the need for
a head shrink.]<<<<<
	-- Spirit <Of the Matrix>

>>>>>[ For once I will even have to agree with Jen and Gabe to certain extent,
for while they normally lack in any qualities I would look for in Shadowrunners,
they do raise a valid point.  Shadowrunning can be fun and should not always be
taken as seriously as it is sometimes.  I have found that a little levity can
make people relax and focus on the job ahead much better.  Also, differing
attitudes can help to confuse an enemy in a time of crisis.

As to anything they actually said besides fun being a neccesary part of running,
I would seriously doubt that anyone without lenient corp backing would still be
alive exhibiting their attititudes.  But they do have their uses, they do make a
wonderful blind for other activities since they draw so much attention.  Take
that last comment as you will, it has quite a few layers to it.]<<<<<
	-- Spirit <Of the Matrix>

*****PRIVATE: Aristo
>>>>>[ I believe that Sword of Dog is in one of the more xenophobic sections of
Cal-Free at the moment.  From what I can gather, he may be getting a bit of
cyber surgery done.  As to where exactly he is, I don't know.  I do know that
since he failed to kill you this time around, and me for the second time, he
will want to come after us again.

I believe that we might be able to get some more of the Sword of Dog infamy club
to join in with us, as long as we can keep Dragon Breath on some type of leash. 
At the moment I'm in the clear, they either don't have enough evidence and had
to let some charges drop or the charges were removed by the people who put them
there.  It helps that I'm legit now.  I'll attempt to stop by and chat with you
somemore, Drake should recognize me and I know atleast one person on his team.
Does lunch time sound good.?]<<<<<
	-- Spirit <Of the Matrix>

>>>>>[ Hey bro, looks like we probably won't have to worry about that Sword 
of Dog guy again .. a buncha UCAS Marines just showed up at Haven so we wont
have repeat.  I almost wish they weren't here .. I hope they come back.  They
hurt a lot of my friends that day, and I think we need to return the favor.
Bruce has been teaching me some stuff since then, and I'm just dying to try
it out.  ]<<<<<
	-- Kenneth Donaldson <11:20:39/04-09-57>

*****PRIVATE: Spirit
>>>>>[Lunch will be fine.  Perhaps the Space Needle.  I've found their 
food to be excellent and their security measures to be outstanding.]<<<<<
	-- Aristo <8:30:47/4-9-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[ Yeah, I've got a name for you.  Contact a runner named Flux.  You
can reach him through >>encrypted<< .. I'll let him know that you may be
calling. ]<<<<<
	-- Tangent <11:56:13/04-09-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[ Excellent Op.  Well planned and executed.  Couldn't have done much
better myself.  I think we should give 'em a surprise next time though.  How
does simultaneous hits on two seperate targets strike you?  That should 
throw them a curve ball, don't you think? ]<<<<<
	-- Tangent <12:03:50/04-09-57>

***** PRIVATE: Cybil
>>>>>[Your message was recieved but unfortunately Kor is out of contact with
the majority of the population  --  I have relayed the appropriate information
to him at his current location and put in place a few tracers to gather more
information.

Kor has requested that I not make runs against certain organizations for any
reason.  For the most part, I agree with his reasonings behind this request.
DocWagon is one such organization.  We have contacts within LSS and KE which
we are currently massaging information out of.  Kor should be back on line
in a few hours as he is cutting his trip short to return immediately.]<<<<<
	-- Trax <16:19:30 / 04-09-57> 

*****PRIVATE: Aristo
>>>>>[ Sounds fine, set up something for around 12:00 to 2:00.  You can get hold
of me at  >>LTG Number<<.]<<<<<
	-- Spirit <Of the Matrix>

*****Private: Aristo
>>>>>[ Hi Micheal,  I hope your feeling better.  Sorry I didn't send to you
earlier, but I just found out about what happened yesterday.  Its not like we
haven't had trouble with rabid humanis dogs before though.

Dad's working for Ares again at the moment, and I'm living on campus here at
University of Puget Sound.  I got in on a gymnastics scholorship  (and the good
old Ares scholorship and the fund for deceased Ares employees, and of course the
one that says Ares would really like to hire me when I graduate).

Also, I have a few friends among the computer major here, so we might be able to
get some more help from them.  Most of them really dislike Humanis and would
love to frag them over some.

Anyway, please give me a call,  I'm at >>LTG Number<<  maybe we could go for a
bite to eat.  

Love Erika.]<<<<<
	-- Erika <10:00:34/04-09-57>

*****Private: Aristo
>>>>>[  By the way, do you think that Dancer would be a good runner handle?
I wanted something that fit.]<<<<<
	-- Erika <10:01:48/04-09-57>

signoff shadowtk

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[As Aztlan/Aztechnology does not get along well with my corporation and
myself; I will be willing to help you fund this venture.]<<<<<
	-- Ryuga (11:30:30 PDT/ 04:09:57)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

*****PRIVATE: Basilisk
>>>>>[I might be able to help you out.  I'm willing to bet he was using a BTL
chip that had a routine that causes the person slotting the chip to believe
in being attacked by some creature if they didn't call a particular number.
 If you would come to >>>>>Encrypted<<<<<, I will be able to give you a chip
that should counteract the effects.]<<<<<
	-- Ryuga (11:34:30 PDT/ 04:09:57)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

>>>>>[Kenneth, vengance gains you nothing.  It harms not only those you wish
to see pay for their crimes, but you as well.  I have lived for many
years...I have seen so much evil, and much good.]<<<<<
	-- Olorin (11:45:30 PDT/ 04:09:57)

>>>>>[ Wolf cries for vengeance against those who have harmed.  I cannot
ignore his cries, and would not if I could.  Those who have killed innocents
should pay for their actions.  They should not go unpunished. ]<<<<<
	-- Kenneth Donaldson <14:50:15/04-09-57>

*****Private: Aristo, Kromofton, Shade, Lyting, Forte, Crush, 
Blademaster
>>>>>[Well lads I have not heard from any of you in a while. Anything 
of importance going on? Perhaps some of us might get together for a 
pint of ale]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <11:20:32/04-09-57>

*****Private: Aristo, Kromofton, Shade, Warloc, Forte, Crush, Blademaster
>>>>>[I could do with a pint or two.  Where do you suggest we meet?  The 
Space Needle would be fine with me, but it could be a bit pricy for 
some.]<<<<<
	--  Lyting <14:51:15 / 04-09-57>
 

*****PRIVATE: Trax
>>>>>[Thanks. Understood. If you don't mind me asking, who are you? (in
a general sense)]<<<<<
	-- Cybil <16:11:15/09-04-57>

*****Private: Aristo, Kromofton, Shade, Lyting, Forte, Crush, 
Blademaster
>>>>>[Aye, the Space Needle would be fine. The drinks are on me if the 
rest of ya would care to go.]<<<<<
	--  Warloc <13:38:21/04-09-57>
 

*****Private: Warloc, Aristo, Kromofton, Shade, Lyting, Crush, Blademaster
>>>>>[Well, sounds good to me Warloc.  Name the place and I'll be there.]<<<<<
	-- Forte <15:46:22/04-09-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[I have been contacted by a business associate who wishes to discuss
certain recent events with you, preferably not in person.  I have been
directed to give you this authenticatable document as a gesture of good faith:

+++++include BTL.warehouse.site.map.auth.anon

My associate is interested in some of the deeper workings of this problem,
and is prepared to exchange sources of information should you be amenable.
I am informed that speed may be of the essence in resolving the issue.
Please contact me as soon as is convenient as to your willingness to 
establish lines of communication.]<<<<<
	--  Sapphire  <14:11:50 / 04-09-57>

>>>>>[Kenneth, Wolf cries for Justice, not punishment.  I had my parents
killed while I was away from my village, and Wolf told me to find my parents'
killer(s) and bring them to Justice.  My brother killed the man who ordered
the destruction of my village, because Justice would not have been served by
the courts.  I tried to persuade the man to face the courts but he kept
bragging on how he would buy the judges.  In the end I was forced to let my
brother hand out street justice, and it never made me feel good.]<<<<<
	-- Bloodtooth (14:15:30 PDT/ 04:09:57)

>>>>>[Oh, how very touching, Redjaw...]<<<<<
	-- Jacob Abrams (14:16:30 PDT/ 04:09:57)

>>>>>[ABRAMS!  You're d...d...dead, Joseph killed you!  I saw him slice your
throat...how?!
+++++Connection Terminated]<<<<<
	-- Bloodtooth (14:18:30 PDT/ 04:09:57)

>>>>>[Abrams, you WILL DIE!]<<<<<
	-- Shadow (14:20:30 PDT/ 04:09:57)

***** PRIVATE: Cybil
>>>>>[In short, I dont exist.  More protracted, I am a friend that keeps
a watchful eye on Kor's cyber'd back.  No matter what he thinks, when he's 
jack'd, he's vulnerable.  We make sure he doesnt get hurt and dump him when
he's been on-line too long.  In short, we are guardians.]<<<<<
	-- Trax

*****NOT TO: InterPol, Aztlan, Aztechnology
>>>>>[Actually, J&G, "fire in the hole" dates back to the 19th century. Comes 
from when they used dynamite for mining, and anyone who knows explosives knows
it means "get your sorry head down or get an earful of flying rubble") and
comes from the days of hand-igniting combustion fuses to the shothole,
which would be packed with nitrocellulose, gunpowder or Dynamite. Hence, 
"fire" in the "hole", and there's about to be enough bang to throw stuff.

Benefits of education and training, I guess. But you knew all this, all the 
time, right? <g>]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <17:24:04/04-09-57>

*****PRIVATE: Tangent
>>>>>[Excellent my ass, we would have liked to get Hermosa alive and the
BTLs were plain vanilla. The interrogation line seems to be petering
out all of a sudden: either I scared them off, or they finished what they
wanted to do. 

Any guesses for which I think it is?

And if you want to come in on this, I can offer >>encrypted<< per hit:
you're right, it'll throw them off. Not retirement cash, but this involves 
risk. As for targets, we're running kind of dry at the moment, but I'll get 
onto your decker and see what comes up.

You know where to reach me if you need me.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <00:32:01/04-10-57>

*****PRIVATE: Flux
>>>>>[Hi there. Tangent suggested I call you. I need someone who's
willing to screw with Aztlan, to do some digging for me. As if you 
couldn't guess, I'm after their mindwashing tortureware business. 

Interested in some high-risk work? Money's going to be around >>encrypted<<,
but I don't have any armour plate for your ass.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <00:38:31/04-10-57>

*****PRIVATE: Sapphire
>>>>>[I'm willing, as long as you can cope with me being rather paranoid,
jumpy as hell, and bringing some backup with me: and having considerable
control over the terms of the meet.

My apologies for the rudeness, but - bluntly - I don't know you from Adam.
If you're genuine, you'll understand that my actions are in good faith, 
because I have no wish to harm a potential ally: but we must accept that we 
are strangers to each other, and there are as many reasons for you to 
harm me as to help me - your patron's particular circumstances notwithstanding.

That explanation aside, how does your employer wish to deal? By intermediary,
by telephone, via the Matrix? I am, provided my paranoia is indulged, 
amenable to any of these and open to other suggestions.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <00:45:31/04-10-57>

 >>>>>[ Okay this ones open to all you wanna-be's with a datajack.  I'm
 looking for two, count it, two experienced deckers.  Now lets get
 something straight here, I'm looking for the best.  I don't want any hot
 shot green boys, who thinks thier hot drek.  I want deckers who KNOW thier
 hot drek, and have the guts to prove it.  If you think you qualify give me
 a buzz, but be warned once your in your in. ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blackthorne <20:05:12/04-09-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[You needn't worry about offending my sensibilities with paranoia.  As
the saying goes: "You're not paranoid if they really _are_ out to get you".
My employer prefers to confine communication to the Matrix as much as possible,
unless realtime communications should become necessary during the course of
your activities.  Due to the nature of the work involved, my employer believes
that using special encryption will be in order.  If you agree to this means of
communication, I will forward you the cypher using the same authenticatable
hash as before, which my employer will authenticate in his first encyphered
message to you.  I can also convey to you that considerable financial reward
will accompany success in your cooperative venture, should you so choose.  I
await your convenience for a response.]<<<<<
	--  Sapphire  <17:17:27 / 04-09-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Mr. Blackthorne
>>>>>[Where. What. How Much.]<<<<<
	-- Paradox <5:55:49/4-9-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ryuga
>>>>>[Thank you, sir, for the informations about the chip.  It is 
definitely from a BTL that he is having these problems.  You see this 
before somewhere, or?  I would very much like any informations you 
can giving me about it.  I will come to the location you said tonight 
at 20:00 for the treatment chip.  I am very honor that you can help 
me.  I hear many good things about you.]<<<<<
	-- Basilisk <02:09:39 GMT/10.APR.57>

>>>>>[Spirit et al., drugs were the first thing for me to test.  It 
look like no recent drug use, so it is not that.  I know a snake 
shaman name Cobra, who test for some magic, but he doesn't find 
anything.  But i have find some BTLs in my patient's posessions.  One 
of them has a strange subroutine burried in it.  Very good burried.  
If i don't know what to looking for, i didn't find it.  Thank you for 
the tip.  Do you see this before?  Now i know the cause, i can maybe 
finding a cure for him.  Thank you.]<<<<<
	-- Basilisk 02:03:18 GMT/10.APR.57>

*****PRIVATE: Blackthorne
>>>>>[We're fragging awesome if you want a system smashed from the inside.
If this isn't what you want, say so, and we'll get out of your face. How's
the eye?]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <00:00:00/10-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: alias: our.sland.pals
>>>>>[Well THANK YOU mister WIZARD! Here we were wondering where that
oh-so-valuable phrase came from. 

Lynch, answer these few questions:
  1> Were you tossing dynamite? (no)
  2> Was there, in any way, a hole involved? (no)
  3> Do you wear purple-polka-dot jeans and radioctive-green cashmere
sweaters to funerals (of friends)? (we hope not)

  IF you had been tossing dynamite (or even a grenade) into a hole, pit,
enclosed area, room, etc., then the phrase "Fire in the hole" would have
been not only stylish, but vaguely useful. (especially if someone had
tossed a grenade/stick of dynamite into a room YOU were in, in which case,
the phrase would have been HIGHLY useful) But no. You blew out a _window_.
Blowing out windows does NOT gain style points unless it's:
  a> Accidentally caused by an explosion (double the point value if you're
in an arco, 500 feet up and there's a crowded street below. Triple it if
nobody gets hurt)
  b> Caused by walking the fire after some mean motherfragger who doesn't
have the fasion sense to die easily. It helps if they're running.
(otherwise it's simple incompetence and an automatic -2 on all further
scores). 
  c> caused by magic. In _any_ way.

  We aren't debating your combat style (good, although a little too
reliant on physical combat. Use a gun every now and then. If possible, use
a rocket launcher (automatic +2 on all further scores, especially if the
rocket hits), or maybe a cross-bow. Outmoded weapons are always good), or
even your dress sense (nice pony tail. Do something about the grey though.
(Please note that Jenna wrote this bit. I (Gabe) have no opinion on this
issue)) -- just your 'running style. On the whole you've been pretty good
so far.]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <00:16:14/10-04-57>

>>>>>[This happened Wed. evening...sorry it took so long to get this out.
 We've been answering questions by the FBI, NSA, and Lone Star; AND fixing up
the damage left by this occurance.

+++++Begin Trideo Upload

It's a well-to-do neighborhood in what appears to be downtown Seattle.  It is
just starting to get dark, if you can call streetlamps and security lights
dark.  Penthouse and Condo complexes litter the area, along with the
occasional cafe, gourmet coffee shop, wine shop, or specialty shop.  The
camera pans back and you realize it is attached to the side of a
Penthouse/Condo building.  There is some motion near the "entrance" to this
particular building.  The camera zooms and focuses on the motion, and about
three
dozen heavily armed figures are seen entering.  Suddenly, sounds of gunfire
come from inside.

The picture changes to an internal view of the building.  It looks like it is
a fairly large lobby, but the chairs and tables have been overturned.
 Several of the human goons are on the ground; some writhing in agony, others
not moving at all.  The rest have taken cover and pop up once in a while to
fire at the small group of security personnel arrayed against them.  The
security force consists of three security guards and The Motley Crew.{Buzz,
Dracon Daimyo, Shadow, a blonde woman(Firefox) with what appears to be
fetishes and foci on her person, a human Amerind(Silent Running) in a
Salish-Shidhe Ranger uniform on the shoulder is a patch signifying his rank
as a Major, another human Amerind(Bloodtooth); who looks similar to the
first, but moves with a predatory ease common amongst Wolf shamans.}  There
is, also, a Sinsearach elf(The Transformer), also with  fetishes and foci;
who has taken up a position where he can come to the aid of those injured in
the fighting without being in the direct line of fire.

One of the goons has cast a Power Bolt towards the Amerind elf; but somehow
it fails to reach him.  A shimmering begins directly in front of the elf, and
it forms a wolf surrounded by a blue nimbus.  The Humanis goons look startled
and the mage starts casting again, only to stop as the point of a katana
slides out of his chest.  The 5' 2" ninja, Dracon Daimyo, spin kicks another
goon then is gone.  Four other goons have fallen from submachine and pistol
gunfire that has come from the security guards, Buzz, Shadow and Silent
Running.

Another goon screams as his ears begin to bleed, and Firefox smirks.  Two
goons stagger back as another unseen spell stuns them; while Bloodtooth
growls.  There is a burst of gunfire from behind the camera and yet another
goon falls clutching his belly.  Firefox turns, while keeping cover, and
yells, "Charleton Donnelly, get back in bed!  You just got out of a coma a
few days ago, dammit!  I'm NOT going to allow you to get yourself killed!"

"Liselle, we need all the help we can get," Buzz states as he fires at
another goon, forcing her to take cover.

"Max, so you want your brother to die to save our hides, hmmm?" growls
Firefox.

"No, Lis, but we DO have work to do, so stop nagging him!" mutters Buzz,
still firing at the goons.

Two of the goons are beginning to take a bead on Gunny, who has finally
entered the picture; and is leaning heavily against the wall.  Suddenly,
there is a glint from the shadows near the far wall, and the two goons fall
with two shuriken sticking out of their throats.  Tjere is a scream as one of
the security guards goes down, and another guard shouts, "Jeffery's been
hit!", as The Transformer lumbers over to the fallen guard and kneels next to
him, while taking herbs and powders out of a pouch.  The Transformer begins
to examine the shoulder wound.  Suddenly Shadow hisses "Everyone, get DOWN!"

The picture changes once again to an external view.  Two white vans have
pulled up and a dozen men in black berets have exited them.  The men line up
facing the entrance to the building and pointing various submachine and
machine guns at the building.  They begin firing until they run out of ammo,
then rush back into the vans.  One of the men stumbles as a burst is fired
from the building, and his beret falls to the ground.  The wounded man is
pulled into the rear van and the vans leave, tires screeching.  The first van
stops near a corner light and a man, unseen until now gets in the front door
on the passenger side.  This man looks eerily familiar.  The vans screech
away into the night as Shadow runs out of the building, and stops knowing the
futility of catching the vans, as sirens are heard approaching.  Shadow
begins to return to the building, but stops and stoops to pick up the beret.
 Shadow enters the building and once again the picture returns to an inernal
view of the building.

The carnage, inside, is great, only one goon is left alive and just barely.
 He is refusing to be treated and is begging not to be arrested.  Dracon
Daimyo and Silent Running question him.  

Shadow asks,  "How many casualties?"

The Transformer answers, "I'm sorry; but Keith has died, Jeffery and Alex are
severely injured but will pull through, and Carl took a bullet in the side.
 Of Course, Liselle had Poledra take him to bed and told her to keep him
there, no matter what else happens tonight."

Shadow looks sad and says, "Well, Carl WAS an idiot coming down here anyways.
 Keith died in the line of duty, and we should have a funeral and/or a
memorial for him.  How soon will Jeffery and Alex take to heal, Beargrip?"

"About a month or so, Conny.  I won't know until a few days have passed." The
Transformer answers.

Shadow walks toward Buzz, a worried look on his scarred face, "I think you
should look at this Max."  He hands the beret to Buzz.

"What, beside the death of your childhood friend, is bothering you, Conny?"
Buzz asks as he begins to examine the beret, "Oh, God, NOW I see what bothers
you.  Everyone, it looks like our old 'friends' are back."  Buzz holds up the
beret and it is a black beret with a white fist overlaid with a red Roman
Numeral 5 on the front.  "We have just had the honor of having a Fist of Five
Firing Squad."

Dracon Daimyo speaks, "These other goons were sent by Sword of God, but as of
now none of them are of any use."

"Thanks, Ishi, now we have to figure out why the Fist of Five would kill
another Humanis group." Silent Running drily remarks.

"Maybe the Fist of Five wanted vengance on us for killing Abrams, Joseph."
Firefox says.

Buzz says, "We might find evidence in the recordings as to why."

"Max, we might not.  The Fist of Five should be disorganized, since Joseph
killed Abrams." Bloodtooth comments.

"Carmen, there might have been a contingency plan that was kicked in for the
Fist of Five, upon Abrams death.  But, we still don't know WHY they would
attack another group from Humanis.  I would think the two groups would work
together, unless...nah, that can't be." Buzz mulls.

+++++End Trideo

I'm willing to bet that the man by the streetlamp was none other than Jacob
Abrams.
BTW, Poledra is Bloodtooth's ally and when she isn't a wolf she's a beautiful
lady.]<<<<<
	-- Buzz (The one the Only...Human Bee in the Matrix)

*****PRIVATE: Buzz
>>>>>[What about Holly?  Abrams has kidnapped her before, he may do it,
again.]<<<<<
	-- Shadow (22:55:30 PDT/ 04:09:57)

*****PRIVATE: Shadow
>>>>>[I think we should bring her here, where we can better protect
her.]<<<<<
	-- Buzz (The one the Only...Human Bee in the Matrix)

*****PRIVATE: Buzz
>>>>>[Ok, but remember don't do anything with her that you are not willing to
die for, you know how Nex can be.]<<<<<
	-- Shadow (23:00:30 PDT/ 04:09:57)

*****PRIVATE: Shadow
>>>>>[I know.]<<<<<
	-- Buzz (The one the Only...Human Bee in the Matrix)

*****PRIVATE: Basilisk
>>>>>[The chips, I suspect, are made and coded by Aztechnology(An
organization I have no love for, and whom I know the feeling is mutual.)  We
have seen this before, as we have been treating one of the original victims,
who is/was a prostitute..I do not know if she will gbet over her drug/BTL
addiction, but we are certainly trying to help.  We are trying to create a
routine that can cure BTL addiction, but we have only been able to create a
routine that reverses the effects of the subroutine.  This is ll the
information I have available at this moment.  If you want I can supply you
with more chips for about 5=Y= apiece.]<<<<<
	-- Ryuga (22:13:30 PDT/ 04:09:57)
             CEO
             Ryaka Science and Tech

>>>>>[Be careful what you call an "outmoded weapon", you two.  An arrow 
will kill you just as dead as any bullet or spell.  Some of us can even 
put our arrows through small cars.]<<<<<
	--  Action Jackson <01:35:42/04-10-57>

>>>>>[Small cars?  Only small cars?]<<<<<
	--  Diana, Mistress of the Night <01:35:22/04-10-57>

>>>>>[Ok, ok, so they're titanium shafted with Dikoted heads and ceramic 
fletchings and go through large armored cars and light tanks.  But still, 
it's an "outmoded weapon."  That was my point.  Lay off already.]<<<<<
	--  Action Jackson <01:39:51/04-10-57>

>>>>>[Awwwwww, Dad's stressed out.  I take it you've finally come down 
off your flourocarbon buzz?]<<<<<
	--  Diana, Mistress of the Night <01:40:01/04-10-57>

>>>>>[Yes, and remind me not to do that again.  Please.  Everyone, remind 
me never to go for blood replacement again.  It does WAY too many strange 
things to the body.]<<<<<
	--  Action Jackson <01:41:18/04-10-57>

>>>>>[I personally believe Kenneth to be right. I have heard the cries 
for vengance, and plan to make sure they are answered. Kenneth, if you 
need help, friends, or just someone to speak with, I will be around.]<<<<<
	--  Blademaster  <09:10:40/4-10-57>

*****PRIVATE: Smiley
>>>>>[Smiley, I got me a decker who can do this junks! Heh heh! Check out 
the private code! rah rah! Anyways, meet me at [Encrypted] at [Encrypted] 
for payment and explanation.]<<<<<
	--  Boom Boom  <9:12:16/4-10-57>

*****PRIVATE: Kenneth
>>>>>[Hiya, hear you might need some help Kenneth. Contact me :)]<<<<<
	--  Boom Boom <9:12:16/4-10-57> 

>>>>>[I personally believe Kenneth to be mostly right. Vengence over 
nothing gains nothing, Vengence over something as horrible as what 
happened at Haven, that should be done. Kenneth, should you need help 
venting your anger, I am sure I can find worth targets, contact me.]<<<<<
	--  Blademaster  <9:17:43/4-10-57>

*****PRIVATE:Warloc
>>>>>[I'm up for it, just tell me when and where.]<<<<<
	--  Blademaster  <09:20:10/4-10-57>

>>>>>[Well, I don't know about you, but we prefer the cool firm grip of an
Intrepid Defiance in our palms. When you have a crossbow with a smartgun
link, THEN it'll be "in moded"(??). Not to mention the reload rate on a
crossbow is a bitch (while the reload on a composite bow is better, you
still have to do the whole reach thing).

  Not to mention, where do you carry the damn thing? Concealing a handgun
is easy (and occasionally mildly amusing), but a bow? Although the style
points alone would make it worth-while. (Consideration: Just carry the bow
strapped to your back and ignore it. Guards on low sec. facilities are
notoriously lax, you might be able to waltz right in).]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <09:37:59/10-04-57>

>>>>>[Anyone guess who this is?

+++++upload video
+++++Begin video

     The picture begins with a scene reminicent of old acion flicks such 
as "Die Hard" etc. A rather large building was lown to the ground, 
completely destroyed by a series of large, apparently well placed 
explosives. All thats left of the building is rubble. The surrounding 
buildings appear to have received cosmetic damage, but nothing more. Of 
course, from this distance, you can't really tell.

     The camera goes to your average news corespondant. Leggy blonde with 
tall male in background looking perturbed. The lady begins speaking.

     "This just in. We are standing at the scene of a deadly and highly 
worrysome crime. A few moments ago, this corporate building just 
exploded. The building was owned by Mistuhama International, a rather 
small, comparatively speaking, corporation that deals in "bodyware" as it 
is known on the streets. The perpetrators of the crime are unknown at 
this time. Our only clues may have been on the cameras, which were 
destroyed in the explosion."

     The man begins speaking.

     "Thats right Jennifer. Just a few moments ago we got wind of this 
horrible act. The nearby buildings have been very slightly damaged. Lone 
Star is scouring the place as we speak. No witnesses have as yet been 
found. Anyone with any clues or any witnesses should contact this station 
and Lone Star immediately.

+++++End video

Hmm, looks familiar, eh? Anyone else here worked for Aztecnology, or seen 
thier files. Looks like Boom Boom really is back in town.]<<<<<
	--  Blademaster  <09:5:34/4-10-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[ I'm in.  And don't worry, I've got the armor plate to cover my own
ass.  Now give me some specifics of what you're looking for, and anything 
else that I should know.  ]<<<<<
	-- Flux <**:**:**/**-**-**>

*****PRIVATE: Sapphire
>>>>>[Go for it.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <02:02:04/04-10-57>

*****PRIVATE: Paradox
>>>>>[ The were is a corp based out of Pueblo, a Bioware and Cybernetics
manufacture called Satyre.  The what is any information they have on a
slitch named Amber Snowmane, she used to work for them until my brother
fragged her.  How much 250,000 =Y=, plus bonus if you get info that will
help me.  Remember this is the Pueblo Matrix we're talking about, you'll
have IC down your ass at the get go.  I can get you a passcode that will
get you passed the low grade security IC, but after that your on your own.
If I can find another decker you'll have one maybe two others in there to
help cover your ass when and if the drek starts to fly.  If you except
this offer I'll expect the info I seek within a week.  A little fast I
know but I got to get my hands on it before they delete it. ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blackthorne <12:17:23/04-11-57>

***** PRIVATE: Kenneth, Neuron Basher
>>>>>[Im back, as if you hadnt already figured that out.  I'd like to schedule
a meeting between the two of you and two followers of Wolf from my magical
group.  One is shamanic, the other is hermetic.

I was suggesting dinner, they were suggesting a couple days out to do some
soul searching.  Personally, I'd like to make sure everyone is working on
the same frequency before you are allowed off by yourself with them.  They are
eager to meet you and will jump whenever you have time.  Please MAKE time
before you make any plans for vengence, ok, Ken?  I doubt that you have
yet learned to hear the still small voice that is Wolf guiding you.  Your
emotions are likely still more in control of your actions than is her
guidance for you.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <16:37:21 / 04-10-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Cybil
>>>>>[Flew in last night.  Have to deal with some other business and get
some things set up before I can devote 100% of my time to the current 
situation.  Rest assured that I'll be looking into things as soon as 
I can]<<<<<
	-- Kor <16:39:10 / 04-10-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jason Stormwind, Kevin Donaldson
>>>>>[ How does tonight sound to you?  And don't worry, I won't do anything 
that'll get me in trouble before I know enough to bail myself out.  I know 
that I'm not ready to take them on yet, and it will be quite a while before
I am. I just want to be able to do all that I can to keep something like that
from happening again. I felt so helpless. Everyone keeps saying that my magic
is going to be very strong, but it's hard to be patient when your friends are
dying around you. ]<<<<<
	-- Kenneth Donaldson <13:00:36/04-10-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jen and Gabe
>>>>>[ Well what I need is a bit more complecated than just crashing the
system.  If you want to except I'll need one of you to retrieve
information for me while the other one goes around and covers the first
ones and my other deckers asses.  Where is this fun system I want you to
go to, why it's the Pueblo Matrix of course.  Yes thats right you'll have
the fun pleasure of running the hardest and most dangerous Matrix out
there.  What's your prize if you do, well it's 250,000 =Y=, plus a bonus
for any helpful stuff you get me.  The corp I'm going for is called
Satyre, they manufacture Bioware and Cybernetics.  I want you to go in
there and retrieve any files on my brother, they may be under Muffin Man
or they may be under Robert Little Water Blackthorne.  Are you two up to
it? ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blackthorne <12:24:12/04-11-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jen and Gabe
>>>>>[ Oh, by the way the eyes fine, I got my cyber-eye replacement in
over the weekend, now I'm just waiting for it to finish healing.  Thanks
for asking.  Did you go to the funeral, it was a nice one lots of flowers
and ruff faces.  I never thought I'd see so many shadowrunners in one
spot. ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blackthorne <12:28:34/04-11-57>

>>>>>[ CRUSH shoot banshee with arrow.  CRUSH make banshee blow up]<<<<<
	-- CRUSH <10:00:05/04-10-57>

>>>>>[ That wasn't a bloody bow and arrow you used!!!  Cripes, for the size of
it I would consider it ballista or some type of seige weapon.  A bloody 2.2
meter long aluminum shaft with an armor piecering titanium head head shot from a
Ranger-x compound bow resized for a very large troll.  I don't even want to know
what the pull or draw or whatever you measure those things in was.

All I know is that it hit the banshee like a APDS-DU round like the old A-10
used to use.  Went through and lodged in the engine block, thats when whatever
toy they had put inside the shaft exploded and blew the thing into quite a few
pieces.   Banshee's were made to withstand force from the outside, not the
inside.

Gives me the shivers to think of someone doing that to a vehicle. ]<<<<<
	-- Lister <10:11:54/04-10-57>

*****PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[There's some pretty major weirdness with the last attack (it was in
the dockside district. The unfasionable part...). LS has closed the entire
building and alley complex that the bodies were found in (they've already
had two officers injured keeping the place closed up), and are going
through there with a fine tooth comb. I don't know what they think they're
going to find...

The autopsies have been completed on the eight bodies (another corpse was
found during the cleanup). Seven died through gunshot (shotgun from close
range and/or bursts from a handgun, virtually point blank) and knife
wounds (the knife was some sort of mono-edge stilletto). The enigmatic
number eight was fried to a crisp from the inside out: "massive
neurological damage from a presumably thaumatogical source". They're still
doing DNA scans on the blood from the scene ( We're talking over thirty
pints), but they haven't found anything too spicy yet. 

As to the biff in the hospital, no news. She's too far from my sources...

 By the way: thanks for coming back so soon. I hope I didn't interrupt
anything important.]<<<<<
	-- Cybil <13:21:42/10-04-57>

>>>>>[A troll with a portable ballista. Now THAT is style. Sorry Lynch,
but you've been WAY outdone with this one.]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <13:24:14/10-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Blackthorne
>>>>>[That isn't our speciality. If you don't mind a lot of loud damage
being done to the system, then we're good for you. We'd be willing to run
cover for other deckers (we can be rather noticable at times), but as to
the recovery: null cred. Not worth our time or your money.

We didn't make the funeral. Killer needed his shots.]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <13:28:43/10-04-57>

>>>>>[While antique weapons such as bows have "style", they hardly have 
substance in most combat, or even most assassinations.  Corporations and 
nations routinely use ballistic tracking systems, and sufficiently 
augmented bodyguards are good enough to get the target out of the way, or 
put thier bodies between the incoming arrow or bolt and the target.

Style is unnecessary, dangerous, flashy, and extremly unprofessional.  
Style gets your teammates killed even if you stay alive.  Style lets your 
opponents or targets escape.  Style shows prospective employers that you 
value people's perceptions of you rather than the reality.  Style is 
hollow.

Yet another difference between soldiers and runners.  Runners value style 
above substance.  But perhaps I generalize too much.  Jen and Gabe value 
style over substance.  I, and the rest of the team, would rather have 
negative points on thier "style scale" and get the job done 
professionally, expertly, while minimizing risk to other teammembers and 
non-combatants, and while reducing exposure to negligable levels.

Even if you can do the job with style, you shouldn't.  It gives you and 
your team a reputation for flippancy and unprofessionalism.]<<<<<
	--  Fat Chance <11:36:27/04-10-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Mr. Blackthorne
>>>>>[I accept.]<<<<<
	-- Paradox <10:52:29/4-10-57>

>>>>>[Depend on what army those soldiers might happen to be in.

Style gets you noticed, and being noticed gets you better picks on jobs on
the street.  Some of us don't have the privilege to be garanteed our rent, food
on the table, or even medical treatment after a job gone wrong.  Sometimes
Style is all you have going for you.

Style, in this case, doesnt always have to mean flamboyant or flashy.  It could
just be the way you carry yourself.  The way you dress.  The way you set up
a meeting.  After your first couple of jobs, no matter how wet they end up
being, you might have amassed a fair amount of money above and beyond your
rent.

Usually when I meet with a Johnson, they are expecting to wine and dine me to
get me interested in their job.  I make sure that I am the one paying for 
dinner.  I take them out, listen to their offer, and tell them Ill get 
back to them on it.  See, this way, they know I dont NEED them, they need
ME.  Just a bit of my...style.  We all have a style, even if we dont
want to admit it.  Cold and efficient, silent and deadly, loud and obnoxious...
all different ways of showing off your wares.  Its a meat market out there,
people.  What we are willing to do for 1k cred, someone else might be willing
to do for 500...its a free market.  It pays to advertise.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <17:47:03 / 04-10-57> 

*****Private: Aristo, Kromofton, Shade, Lyting, Forte, Crush, 
Blademaster
>>>>>[Well I have word from Forte, Lyting, and Blade. So far the four 
of us are planning an outing to the space needle at >>encrypted<<. If 
Aristo, Kromofton and Crush wish to join us well I'll see you 
there]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <11:09:23/04-10-96>

***** Private: Blademaster
>>>>>[My suggestion, if ya really wanna find out who did it; why not check
the video cameras--of the other buildings.  A building which is directly
across from the blown-up building might offer a desc. of all the people
going into the destroyed building, that is if the security camera swept the
building's entrence into view.  Just a helpful hint.  'cause it's not that
hard to recognize someone carrying pounds of c4..]<<<<<
	-- Phobos <15:08:31/04-10-57>

>>>>>[I think we all know who did this.  It was, dare I say it?  Yes.  I
will.  It was Da Mad Midnight Bomber Dat Bombs At Midnight!  Run!  Hide!
Scurry!  Leave your valuables behind!]<<<<<
	-- Cap'n Wacky <13:30:00/04-10-57>

*****PRIVATE: Mr. Blackthorne
>>>>>[I'm interested.  I know you haven't seen me around Sland much, but
that doesn't mean I haven't been around.  I know the racket, and I can get
past IC; though I alwayz appreciate helpful attendants with codez.  Send
more info Mr. Blackthorne.]<<<<<
	-- Phobos <16:15:02/04-10-57>

*****PRIVATE: alias: our.sland.pals
>>>>>[Touchy, touchy, Jenna and Gabriel! Did we forget our second
cups of coffee this morning?

When I set off an explosion, I use that phrase as a warning because, 
corny or not, people recognise it for what it is. Unstylish? Sure.
But it works. They get down in case any big chunks go flying around.
Can happen: since when was demolitions on an unknown structure an
exact science? 

Style points for windows? Could care less. I don't want style points,
I want into the building. And thanks for the advice to use magic. I'll
try that next time <g>. In fact, I'll try it now.

"Window, disappear!"
"Ala-Kazam!"
"Abracadabra!"

Nope. Rabbits keep jumping out of the wastepaper basket, but the window's
not doing anything. Guess I stick to explosives and shouting "Fire in the
hole!". 

Speaking of holes, there was a *virtual* hole there. I just made it a 
*real* hole. So there.

What I do works and I enjoy doing it. You two go for more flash and style: 
fine, it works for you and you look good in the process. Hate to admit it,
but you do. 

Do 20th-century antique firearms count as "outmoded"? I make my own ammo, if 
that helps, and I only use cased stuff...

Why do you ask about the purple-polka dot jeans, by the way? If you want
to borrow some, my pair went at the knees a while ago, but if Jenna can
fit into them she's welcome to them.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <17:23:35/04-10-57>

*****NOT TO: Jacob Abrams
>>>>>[Those who seek vengeance will end up destroying themselves, EVEN over
something as horrible as this.  Have any of you seen your ENTIRE village
destroyed?  Thinking that ALL but one of your siblings were killed?  Your
parents reft from you while you were off communing with your spirit guides?
 All of this occurred at the order of Jacob Abrams to me, and I still sought
justice not vengeance.  The urge to seek vengeance was there, but my belief
in Wolf aided me.  Kenneth do not let yourself fall to the hatred in your
heart, for then you will be no better than the ones you seek to
destroy.]<<<<<
	-- Bloodtooth (14:40:30 PDT/ 04:10:57)

***** PRIVATE: Kevin Donaldson, Kenneth Donaldson
>>>>>[I've been having one hell of a bad computer day today.  I cant
seem to find anything.

Yes, tonight seems good.  Meet me at the warehouse (I assume you know
how to get there still) sometime after 10 pm.  Its going to be a late
night, so be prepared.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <21:53:27 / 04-10-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[Im going to introduce him to Castor and Pollux tonight.   I'd love
to see his reaction to them.  As well as their reaction to him.  Bring one
of your Communications headsets with you.  I know its rude, but I dont
want to leave you out in the cold during the magical portion of the 
discussion.  Ill be able to discuss with you, without disturbing them, whats
going on / what they are talking about.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <21:55:10 / 04-10-57>

***** PRIVATE: Cybil
>>>>>[I have been asked to assist, under the table, a friend in Lone Star.
Was that YOUR footage from the altercation or was that footage from 
someone else?  If yours, what the hell were you doing there?

Ill get back to you when I get a chance to go over my findings with said
friend about the area.  I dont have any real feelings yet.

You didnt interrupt anything, Lone Star did.  I recieved a phone call a few
minutes before instructing me to be on a plane bound for Seattle in 20
minutes.  I recieved your message while enroute.  Right now I have a
dinner engagement to attend to.  Everyone seems to be late.  I hope I am
allowed to get some sleep tonight.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <22:04:45 / 04-10-57> 

***** PRIVATE : Obtulio Varela
>>>>>[ Hi parce, We have problems with Escobar's gang.... I need your help...
... and the maria's help... contactme at >encripted< ... ]<<<<<
	-- El Chango <17:30:34 / 04-09-57>

>>>>>[Blademaster, Boom Boom, how DARE you!?  How can you preach 
vengeance to a teenage boy?  You've chosen your life for yourselves, just 
as have all of you who can read this, and I don't hold that against you.  
But how dare you encourage an untrained and nieve young man to seek 
vengeance?  And against people who will see him as a race traitor and 
kill him if he's caught, or even if they see him with any elf, troll, 
dwarf, or ork?

Kenneth is a young man with as great a future as he wants ahead of him, 
both as an adult and a shaman.  And if he wants to become a shadowrunner 
once he's mature enough to make that decision from an educated 
perspective, then he is welcome to become one.  But now I've been 
entrusted with his wellfare while he's at Haven, and so long as his 
brother feels that I should help Kenneth grow up among friends and in a 
healthy environment, I will NOT allow him to be thrown pell mell into the 
world of revenge.  He has a chance to better himself, and I will not 
allow that chance to be cast off in some rash, impetuous action which 
would probably get him killed.

Stop encouraging him to seek vengeance.  The greatest vengeance he can 
ever know is to become a living testiment to tolerance and the ability of 
all the metaraces of humanity to live together in peace.  His death will 
mean nothing, but his living will.

And this goes for all of you.  Stop encouraging Kenneth.]<<<<<
	--  Valentine <16:32:09/04-10-57>

*****PRIVATE: alias: our.adoring.public
>>>>>[You MAKE your own ammo? Lynch, you have WAAAAAY too much free time.
Creating spells is fine, but making ammo is weird. (Although I'm sure it
does make for good style. We shall have to check the guide)]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <18:53:04/10-04-57>

>>>>>[Got to admit it, J&G, you're right on that. CRUSH, nice work,
can I get some of of those arrows? (Launching them's goimg to be fun,
but right now I could use some entertainment)

Oh, and Jenna? Gabriel? I hear rumours that you know how to deck. 
I may have some work for you, with attendant paychecks. Interested?]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <21:55:04/04-10-57>

*****PRIVATE: Flux
>>>>>[Glad to hear it. This is what we have so far.

+++++include file: Aztlan.covert.ops.1
+++++include file: tortureware.tech.data
+++++include file: interrogation.simsense
+++++include file: story_so_far.txt

Basically, I need either information on their operations, so I have
something to hit, or I need something on where it's coming from.
Someone has to be developing this stuff somewhere.

When I got in on this (almost by accident) I found myself back on the
Aztlan shoot-on-sight list and InterPol leapt on me. In other words,
be careful.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <17:55:03/04-10-57>

>>>>>[Sorry Fat Chance, but if you can't pull of style then just say so.
We won't hold it against you. Much.

Although style can, and will make a big difference when it comes to
employment. If you're doing "odd jobs", like we often do, then your
Johnson isn't a military kinda gal, and style will get you hired again. It
might even get you recommended to someone who matters. It also makes a big
difference in "PR" jobs. We get hired to smash the drek out of stuff. We
do that well (we also make pretty decent body-guards, but thats another
story), and our employers (who always have and always will remain
nameless) want to make an impression. A fragger wandering around, tripping
over his own shoelaces and picking his nose will not make an impression.
Two well trained, attractive, dangerous and stylish runners will. They
tell your target that your Johnson has stature and resources. Or maybe it
would be more accurate to say; WE tell your target that your Johnson has
stature and resources.]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <19:05:14/10-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[That wasn't my camera (way too jerky =), it was some LS grunt. The
picture was being radioed to some LS command and control post. I just
happen to know which frequency to tune into and when... =)

I've tried to get in there once or twice (with fake id of course) to no
avail. They're locking that building up tighter than Chicago. Have you
heard anything about that woman? (have fun at the dinner party)]<<<<<
	-- Cybil <19:13:10/10-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[Um... Speaking of Chicago, you don't think that...??]<<<<<
	-- Cybil <19:13:33/10-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Valentine
>>>>>[_How is the b#y?]<<<<<
	-- Rig&t`ous and[D}na <CORR/COR/CO/
+++++SIGNAL TERMINATED AT SOURCE

>>>>>[Jenna, Gabriel, you need to investigate the miracle of
early 20th century technology called a "progesssive multistage reloading
press". I can crank out a thousand rounds in two hours with mine, any
calibre from 5.56mm to .357 to .50cal BMG, and it's to my spec: hits harder 
and groups tighter than anything you can buy in the shops. Caseless, bleah. 

*Real* ammunition comes in brass cases. Anything else is Mattel.

But you knew that, right? <g>]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <00:10:35/04-11-57>

>>>>>[Beeeutifully sed, Fat Chance, style is for hot dawgs, hot dawgs end up
on da grill.]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Ferocious <19:40:22/04-10-57> 

>>>>>[I don't know, Kor ol' boy, but innit a bad idea to be noticed while in da 
shadows. As for rep, heck if yoor the best yoor fixer'll call ya when da johnson
is willin' ta pay fer da best and satisfied clientele are apt ta use ya again.
Now dat James Bond feller had some style but dat was only on da vid, any wannabe
runner coulda took him being as stylish as dat. "Hi Ya'll I'm ah spy, see how
chill I am?" Style is a target on yoor back!]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Ferocious <19:58:16/04-10-57> 

>>>>>[Well, i am analyzing this chip now to see if i can finding 
anything in the subroutine to help break the condition, but not much 
successes so far.  The treatment chip is helping some for now, but 
not completely.  Maybe he is have a slightly different condition from 
the other one, or maybe the BTL use a different technique than the 
torture chip.  You say the other was from a torture chip, no?  

Are you sure a corporation is do this?  I wonder why?  Maybe if i can 
finish to analyze this thing i can find what the purpose can be.  If 
anyone else knows something about this, i would like the 
informations.  Thanks.]<<<<<
	-- Basilisk <00:56:21 GMT/11.APR.57>

***** PRIVATE: Cybil
>>>>>[I've done a little checking here and there and had some friends
pull the files on the sole survivor of the incident of the other night.

+++++ Include Note from Case Number 1407-27-41057

It seems that the woman was a runaway and has been tagged as a ganger from
one of the smaller outlying gang territories.  The files are incomplete but
she is suspecting of pandering and prostituition.

I have not been allowed to see the girl but that is currently being checked
into.  Maybe later tonight or tomorrow morning I will be given enough time
to extract whatever information she has still available.

The report also states, and this is to be kept strictly to yourself, that 
a great number of alterations to her physical being have been done, and are
seemingly still in progress.  I've seen photos of her that are dated no
more than 3 years ago and a few current ones.  I am hard pressed to say that
its the same person.  The bones in her face, arms, and even parts of her
cranial structure has been dramatically altered.  I cannot yet tell if this
is a side effect of the magic used, or some other effect.  I hope to find
that out shortly.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <23:42:01 / 04-10-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Maria Martine
>>>>>[Hi, love.  How is the visitation coming?  Do I have a chance in hell
of getting in there and trying to get to her before she completely wastes
away?]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <23:48:53 / 04-10-57>

***** PRIVATE: Jason Stormwind
>>>>>[Ill call you]<<<<<
	-- Maria Martine <23:49:31 / 04-10-57>

>>>>>[Lynch, you forget that at that rate, Jen&Gabe could never keep
up.  Let's see, five hundered rounds per hour, divide by sixty and you
get eight point three repeating.  Now when did _you_ hear of a run
that J&G where involved in that averaged less than two thousand rounds
per minute?  And don't give me that crap about downtime, you know
every minute not spent blowing things up is wasted on that damn cat of
theirs.  Even I use more than nine rounds a minute.  Really man,
think these things thru for a bit before you go waggling the wonders
of 20th century tech in our faces. <g>.]<<<<<
	-- Bushwacker Bob <20:12:22/04-11-57>

>>>>>[Its done ok by me thus far.  I'm living well enough that I dont need
to run anymore.  

Its just advice.  Everyone here will have something a little different to
tell you.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <00:26:17 / 04-11-57> 

>>>>>[CRUSH, get a Maxim Improved Mongolian Recurve bow if you can.  
Significantly more powerful than even the RangerX.  I should know, I 
designed it.  (grin)  The only weapon I ever designed that was powerful 
enough to put an arrow through a car.  The Ranger X just couldn't provide 
me with enough power for the draw length.  I don't have the extra-long 
arms to handle a bow as big as your's.

You know, I really do wonder which of us is stronger, CRUSH.  I'd suggest 
arm wrestling, but I just don't have the leverage for it.  How about Kick 
the Americar.  I could use he exercise.  Just tell me when and where and 
I'll be there.]<<<<<
	--  Action Jackson <18:44:47/04-10-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Spirit
>>>>>[Spirit, don't worry about me.  There's not a person I know, troll 
or not, who's stronger than I am.  Collussus wasn't even stronger, just a 
lot tougher.  Sure, your hubby's much taller and bigger, but I can take 
care of myself.  I'll even be nice to him, and maybe let him win too.  
(grin)]<<<<<
	--  Action Jackson <18:47:32/04-10-57>

*****PRIVATE: Valentine
>>>>>[As you know, I am trying to prevent Kenneth from seeking vengeance as
his spiritual brother.  The road is long and frought with peril, but Wolf's
nobility sustains his followers.  My father was a follower of Wolf and the
chief of Silver Lake.  It has been rebuilt, but still the sorrow of so many
people dying needlessly, lies heavily upon me still.  I wasn't there when
they needed my aid.  I returned only when I was told by Wolf, to find my
family dead, and I thought my brother was slain as well...he found me two
years later, here, in Seattle.  He told me everything that he could remember
as he was knocked unconscious by a missile blast, which threw him into a
destroyed home.  I...I...
+++++Link Terminated at Source]<<<<<
	-- Bloodtooth (18:15:30 PDT/ 04:10:57)

*****P{rivate To:Basilisk
>>>>>[Sorery Ab*%out the 00(lin%e noise, but we%#^re fixing our lines.

As to a corp doing it: Hey, I *^%$#$# do it myself. I'mn sure any
%^$#corp canm do ^$$# themselve&^%#&$^#heyh, wht thj#&@he^$#@@&$#
+++++Signal terminated at source]<<<<<
	--Kroimoftn <04-10-57/18:18:12>

>>>>>[Good lord, and I thought I was stupid in my youth.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <01:20:26 / 04-11-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Cybil
>>>>>[ If you are on line, get to your scanner and start trying to find out
what happened tonight.  I just got word of an attempt to penitrate Lone Star's
evidence chamber.  It wasnt much of an attempt but one of the perps killed
had a map on him that lead them pretty damned close to where my evidence is
currently being stored.  None of the intruders survived]<<<<<
	-- Kor <1:20:28 / 04-11-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jen and Gabe
>>>>>[ Great, I'm sure the other deckers would appreciate the time you two
could give them.  The only thing is make sure that Pueblo see's you but
doesn't get a hold of you.  And try not to set off to many alarms. ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blackthorne <21:32:12/04-11-57>

*****PRIVATE: Paradox
>>>>>[ Glad to have you aboard, don't get started yet I'm working on
getting you and my other decker some cover.  I'll contact you when all is
ready and I'll send along the flag with it.  Until then I suggest you get
some sleep or start getting ready for the run. ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blackthorne <21:35:23/04-11-57>

*****PRIVATE: Phobos
>>>>>[ I'm getting together a team to do a Matrix run on the Pueblo
Matrix, are you up to it.  I need you to get info on my brother, it will
either be under the name Muffin Man or Robert Little Water Blackthorne.  I
want ALL the files scanned, from security to junk mail.  The corp you'll
be going after is a Bioware/Cybernetics manufaturer named Satyre.  I will
be providing a code to get you past the lower level security, but after
that your on your own.  The pay will be >>encrypt<<, if you accept contact
me as soon as possible and don't start till I say so. ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blackthorne <21:46:34/04-11-57>

***** Private: Mr. Blackthorne
>>>>>[Sounds good to me, I'm in.  You mentioned other deckers . . mind if I
ask who?  It's not important, just was wondering.  Other than that, its a
go; tell me when.]<<<<<
	-- Phobos <21:10:42/04-10-57>

*****PRIVATE: Phobos
>>>>>[ The other decker I have looking for information is Paradox, I also
have Jen and Gabe possibly doing cover work for you two.  If they agree
they won't be going after anything they'll just be there to cover your
butts.  I suggest you get in contact with Paradox though, maybe you two
can work out a game plan. ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blackthorne <23:33:45/04-11-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Righteous and Dana
>>>>>[Kenneth, or Bruce?  Or the children who are still in the hospital 
recovering from thier wounds?

Bruce is fine.  Kenneth saved his life.  Kenneth, on the other hand, is 
very frustrated and angry.  He feels so weak sometimes, I can tell.  
Almost as if there is nothing he can do about people hurting his friends 
and fellow students.  I understand his anger, but I can't condone the 
violence he wishes upon those who would live by the sword themselves.  
I've traveled that road myself, and found it paved with the human 
skulls.  Kenneth's brother would be more than within his rights as 
official guardian to override anything I do or say regarding Kenneth, but 
I feel very strongly about violence and veangence.  As, I'm sure, you are 
both aware.

The children, though, some are still in the hospital suffering from 
devastating wounds.  We only....lost... one boy, but that was....well, 
one too many.  Of the others, though, Patrica Olive lost her right arm, 
Chris Friday had to have his spleen removed, Sonia Asher had 
reconstructive surgery done on her hips, Micheal Gavin had his right 
femur shattered and had to have about half a meter of his small intestine 
removed, Daniel Penn is still recovering from a collapsed lung and 4 
broken ribs, and Kay Mercy is still in a coma from massive head trauma.  
Those are the ones still in the hospital.  Twelve others were wounded or 
suffered minor injuries and are back at Haven already.

Thank you for your concern.]<<<<<
	--  Valentine <00:17:34/04-11-57>

*****Private: Warloc
>>>>>[ CRUSH go.  CRUSH like Needle. Needle have good food.  CRUSH like menu.
Menu make choice easy.  CRUSH give menu to waiter.  CRUSH tell waiter yes.  They
bring CRUSH lots of food.  Take CRUSH while finish food.  CRUSH usually hungry
after.  CRUSH order desert.

Oh, Spirit want me remind you get big table.]<<<<<
	-- CRUSH <12:08:05/04-11-57>

>>>>>[ CRUSH sell arrows. Arrows big.  Arrows tall as Elf.  CRUSH take arrows
camping.  Arrows make good tent poles.]<<<<<
	-- CRUSH <12:14:23/04-11-57>

*****Private: Lynch
>>>>>[ Good luck Lynch, you'll need it with the arrows.  The fraggin things are
HUGE with a capital "T" for troll sized.  I would suggest using the bloody
things as a spear, thats about I can handle them as.  As to firing them, I would
look into books on seige weaponry, thats what most people need to fire them. 

Contact me at >>encrypted<< if your serious about the arrows and I'll see about
getting a dozon or so to you.  since your rather hot with Interpol at the moment
we might want to extra careful.  Ten to one they will check up on CRUSH's place.
Of course, he hasn't done anything illegal, so they have nothing.]<<<<<
	-- Lister <12:22:54/04-11-57>

>>>>>[ Lynch, I would have to agree with you that making your own bullets is the
best.  I've found that you can get some pretty impressive results if you design
a round that you want.  Then create the gun (computer rendering helps).  I
personally stay away from cased ammon though.  It can be used to trace you
though finger prints and other methods.  Caseless ammo doesn't have this problem
and you don't loose area to the casing, you can use it for power, which is also
a fun thing to design.  Its a lot different then explosives and needs to have
other characteristics.  Over all, I would have to say that the whole process
give you an advantage in that you can design the weapon that you need and it
feel better to you just because you made it.

As to using a lot of bullets, I tend to think of a run where you use more than 
9 bullets in as a run where something went wrong.]<<<<<
	-- Bill the Galactic Hero <12:30:12/04-11-57>

>>>>>[ Hi Bill, long time since we've heard from you.  Are you going to keep
this up or go back into obscurity again.]<<<<<
	-- Kichanski <12:40:02/04-11-57>

>>>>>[ Depends on how much certain aspects of it interest me.  I've been bored
of late and need to have some fun.]<<<<<
	-- Bill the Galactic Hero <12:44:56/04-11-57>

>>>>>[Hmm.  Well, truth be told there are a whole variety of activities out
there that could be called "runs", and on some of these, expending many more
than nine rounds of ammunition is not only expected, but required if the
objective is to be met.  Any reasonable automatic weapon can discharge more
ammunition than that in a single bout of autofire, and certain classes of
weapons exist whose _minimum_ burst length is as much as double your figure.
Now, granted that the larger the weapon, the more conspicuous it tends to be,
but on "runs" where armed conflict is necessary or even deemed likely, it
seems that response, scaled to threat, is in order.  Violence can be a very
valid way of solving problems, though we should not use it without due
cause. =) ]<<<<<
	--  Azrael  <00:30:22 / 04-11-57>

>>>>>[A thousand rounds in two hours? Hah! That's up in smoke in five
minutes or less.]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <11:38:33/11-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[I've got a good lead.  Meet with me at >>encrypted<< soonest.  We may
be able to check it out this afternoon.  You don't need to reply, just be
there]<<<<<
	-- Blade <09:35:56/04-11-57>

*****PRIVATE: Blackthorne
>>>>>[We'll pull the ol' "barbarians at the gate" trick.]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <11:44:24/11-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Valentine
>>>>>[D~na is looking for some [REDACTED] at [n] time. She wishes [o know if Haven can
t;ke her for0a few days. She will be able to h"lp in most ma+ners
require{, although magic is cur^ently beyond h0r. 

To a!de in the repairs%
+++++CREDIT TRANSFER: 7,000 =Y=]<<<<<
	-- Righ&eo`s an} Dana <CORRUPT/C>

*****PRIVATE:  Righteous and Dana
>>>>>[You are both welcome here whenever you like.]<<<<<
	--  Valentine <10:54:28/04-11-57>

*****Private: Lister
>>>>>[Thanks, Lister. Probably best if we hold off until after this blows
over: I'd need a workshop to build what I'd need. Probably a ballista,
though maybe compressed air? No, that's cheating <g> But yeah, once I can
get them without endangering you I'd love a dozen or so. Be even better if
I could see CRUSH show me how they ought to be used, but that's definitely
not possible for a while.

So how far does the Americar go when he kicks it?]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <17:32:52/04-11-57>

*****INTERNAL: Sheppard-Intrepid TO: Jamie Addison
>>>>>[I'm sorry to report that another minor theft has occured. This this
time it was 7,000 =Y= directly from our research funds. We have tightened
matrix security, and are investigating the possibility of larceny. 

The description of the withdrawl was "Chartible Donation". No ID, no TD,
TID.]<<<<<
	-- Rory Tate <14:29:12/11-04-57>
           Sheppard-Intrepid
           Head of Finances
           Seattle Div. 

+++++Video Recording (20:10:32/04:11:57)

+++++Document Feed initiated
+++++Transferring....
+++++Complete.....Picture Integrity 83%
+++++Sound Transfer failure
+++++Begin playback (Y/N)... Y

        A dark misty street that seems to stretch off forever into shadows. 
Destroyed lights casting a dull grimy light over the scene. A black 
motorcycle and rider nearly silently appear towards the end of the street, 
moving slowly towards the intersection
with an equally morbid looking cemetary. Suddenly a blaze of Vivid green 
light appears
near the cycle and from almost mid air a figure of nightmare, composed 
entirely of blood materialises. The cycles driver stops and dismounts the 
bike with eyecatching 
fluidty and seems to stop and greet the spirit with a complicated set of 
gestures.
        Minutes seem to pass and a conversation between the motorcyclist in 
black and the spirit seems to become more aggresive. Eventually they seem to 
come to some arangement and the spirit vanishes as quickly as it appeared. 
The cyclist then remounts his bike and heads quickly off into the distance.

>>>>>[ For those who have just watched the above, let me advise you of the 
cyclists identity........Damien Saracen otherwise known as MR.S]<<<<<
	-- E.Friend <20:05:23/04:11:57> --

*****PRIVATE: Jen and Gabe
>>>>>[ Okay that'll work, I suggest you contact my other two deckers,
Phobos and Paradox.  Thier the ones you'll be covering so it might help
you to know what thier game plan is.  I really appreciate this you two, I
guess half the things I've heard about you isn't true.  I'll contact you
tommorow with the codes. ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blackthorne <14:57:23/04-12-57>

*****PRIVATE: Phobos
>>>>>[ I'll be in touch tommorow with the codes, be ready. ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blackthorne <14:59:34/04-12-57>

*****PRIVATE: Paradox
>>>>>[ I'll be in contact with the codes, be ready. ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blackthorne <15:00:03/04-12-57>

*****PRIVATE: Valintine
>>>>>[ I heard about what happened at Haven, you have my sympathy.  I know
it was a few days ago but I've been busy with my friends funeral and all.
If there is anything I can do please contact me at, it would be my
pleasure to help you.  I would like you to take this donation, it probably
seems small considering all the damage and trama that has occured there.

+++++ Transfer from private account #1276: >>encrypt<<

I hope this in some small way helps, remember if you nedd any help please
contact me. ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blackthorne <15:07:34/04-12-57>

***** PRIVATE: Cybil
>>>>>[I wasnt allowed in to see the girl early this morning so I had to wait
for the Star to finish the paper work to have her moved elsewhere.  Im going
to see what informationI can get out of her.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <18:56:10 / 04-11-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Cybil
>>>>>[Should have waited a few minutes.  She has been moved to an undisclosed
location.  Ill let you know what information I have gotten]<<<<<
	-- Kor <18:59:29 / 04-11-57>

***** PRIVATE: Merrox, Skuff, Priest
>>>>>[Im heading out to go over to the med-facility.  Be ready if something
happens to me.  Thanks.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <18:59:51 / 04-11-57>

>>>>>[Hear me El Chango .. Im Judas.. Instrument of God in his holy quest..
Take your drugs.. and go to hell... Or DIE ]<<<<<
	-- Judas <14:20:20 / 04-11-57>

>>>>>[Kiss my ass.. Motherfucker]<<<<<
	-- El chango <14:21:20 / 04-11-57>

***** Private: Paradox  
>>>>>[I'll be workin with ya on Mr. Blackthorne's matrix run.  So, how do ya
wanna do this, I hear Mr. B may have J&G going nutz while we sift around the
info.  Either way, we need a plan; so as we don't screw each other up.  Keep
in touch, be ready -- Mr. B is about ta give us the codez.]<<<<<
	-- Phobos <14:24:05/04-11-57>

>>>>>[Well, if you wander around with your triggers taped down, so be it...
there are a few of us unstylish dinosaurs who hold the heretical belief that
it's not rounds fired that matter, it's rounds on target. Two thousand
rounds lasts me a couple of weeks. 

Maybe it's just because I hit what I aim at first time? <g>]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <17:21:38/11-04-57>

>>>>>[OK talked to mage buddy of mine, and he said that vidclip sounds like
some kind of blood spirit.  Bad mojo chums, anyone in for scragging one MR.
S?  My old pally says anyone sick enough to deal with that drek needs a lttle
time off from this plane existence if you get my drift.]<<<<<
	-- Jester <21:35:46/04:11:57>--

>>>>>[Lynch, you _have_ triggers?  That would explain why they
wont't let me in all those fancy places.....]<<<<<
	-- Bushwacker Bob <17:36:21/11-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Valentine
>>>>>[  I wanted to thank you and Doug for all of the help and understanding
that you've given me.  It really has helped alot, and I've made a lot of 
friends at Haven.  Maybe someday I'll be able to come back and do my part
to help with the next group that comes through.  

I'll be leaving Haven for a while, and I don't know if I'll ever be back for
more than a visit.  I've decided to join a group that will help me to learn
how to use my magic.  Please don't think that it has anything to do with Doug's
teachings .. he's been great through everything, I just feel like this is 
something that I should do.  I'll be leaving Haven sometime next week .. I'm
going to miss all of the friends that I have made there, so do expect me to 
be a complete stranger .. I'm sure that I'll be able to visit at least once in
a while.

Thanks again for everything .. and don't worry.  I'll not try to get revenge
on those men who attacked Haven.  I'm certain that there are enough people
gunning for them that they'll go down on their own without my help. ]<<<<<
	--  Kenneth Donaldson <16:55:36/04-11-57>

*****PRIVATE: Sapphire
>>>>>[Send me the cypher and let's get to work, then. Thank you.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <23:40:03/04-11-57>

>>>>>[It look like someone doesn't want me to working on that chip.  I 
have a nice visit today from some men.  They must have follow me to 
the clinic.  They ask very nice for my patient and the chip, and even 
let me to see their nice guns.  They ask me if i am wanting a 
demonstration of the guns, but i say i am very busy, so better they 
just take what they want.  They are then taking my patient and the 
chip out of the analyzer, and then take all my notes about the chip.  
So now i am have much less work to worry about!  After i clean up 
some, maybe i read a book.  Oh well.]<<<<<
	-- Basilisk <02:27:05 GMT/12.APR.57>
    

*****PRIVATE: Ryuga
>>>>>[Herr Ryuga, i think i should be keep my messages private from
now.  I think there is something different in this chip than some 
others you tell me about.  The treatment chip wasn't working very 
well.  I couldn't completely understand the subroutine before those 
men are coming, but i have make a copy of the chip that they don't 
find.  You should have more resources for this than me, so if you 
want i can giving you the copy to look at.  It seem strange that they 
make something like this.  Do they only want to cause problems here, 
or are they test something?]<<<<<
	-- Basilisk <02:37:56 GMT/12.APR.57>
    

*****PRIVATE: Basilisk
>>>>>[Keeping these messages private is the best course.  I think I do want
access to that chip copy, as it does seem that there is a different
subroutine at work here.  I'm betting my =Y= on testing something, probably
having to do with behavioral control.  Tell me where your clinic is and I
will send my associate (Gregor Dracolo) to pick up the chip.]<<<<<
	-- Ryuga (21:25:30 PDT/ 04:11:57)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

>>>>>[Hey we all 'ave our own style.  "eck if any a ya remember the Jonestown
run I think it wa'.  Well the way Nex an' I made ou' entrance. We were goin in
ta handle a MINOR vamp problem, an we show up with the fangs glistening, an My
lightin his cig, over the young lass's head.  It wa' wicked fun]<<<<<
	--  STREETWOLF(Fire is an Elf's Best Friend)<01:46:30/04-12-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Serenity Deckers, Kor, Cybil
>>>>>[Kor is fine.  It seems that whatever spell it was he used
to talk with the girl worked but left him a little more than just
out of it.  He's spent the last couple of hours in intense debriefing.

This is the LSS footage of the ritual, at least what I was
allowed to have.  Kor went down and I mobilized a force to bring
him in / assist LSS in making sure they gave him the treatment
he needed.

+++++ Include Camera1.footage

There seems to have been a lot of this edited out for those of you
that have seen Kor do ritual sorcery before.  Whatever spell he is 
preparing to cast is dangerous and he knows it.  He seems to be taking
every precaution to reduce his risks.

There is a short round of rhythmic dancing and singing around a hospital
bed cluttered with life support equipment, monitors, and random medical
supplies.  Huddled in the bed in the fetal position is what must be a 
young girl, barely past the age 14.  She is malnurished and seems to
be drooling slightly out of the side of her mouth.  
Kor raises his hands high, then lowers them to the girl's brow.  He 
stiffen for a moment then releases her.  He sits down on a stool and
looks directly into the camera

Kor:  "Well, she's in there.  Its going to be a little tough going in
after her but we will see what I can do.  We need this information or
we are dead in the water.  I might start babbling incoherently, keep
the camera's rolling.  Record everything I do and say.  It going to be
important.  If I seem to start casting any other spell other than
the one I just cast, take me down as quickly as I can.  I dont know
what was done to this girl and I don wantto react to it by accident.
If I get too deep, I wont be me, Ill be her but with very little control
over my magics.  This is where the hard part comes in."

With that, he stands again and begins to repeat the ritual.

[I cut this part out a bit.  It was about 20 minutes of dancing and
singing and crap]

Once again Kor reaches forward to touch the frail woman's head.  This
time he draws himself closer then struggles to free himself
from some unknown grappling force.  He battles for a few seconds and
ends up flinging himself to the othr side of the room where he
collapses to the ground and curls into a fetal ball just outside of 
the view of the main camera.  

[Im splicing in the footage from camera 2 and the hand held that someone
took in to make sure they didnt miss anything]

The scene abruptly changes to a close up of Kor's face, a bit of spittle
can be seen dancing upon his lower lip.  He seems to be attempting
to talk but having trouble focusing.

Kor:  "Hey there.  You two looking for a party?  *pause*  Yeah, I got
a place in mind, you got cred?  *pause*  Coolage.  Lets go.  *pause*"

There is a bit of mumbling.  He seems to be fighting for words, maybe
having problems having trouble remembering.

Kor:  "Whats your pleasure?  You wanna watch while I do him, or is she
going to watch while I do you?  Maybe a little of both?  Mmm'mmm, yeah,
I like that.  Oh yeah.  Ohh...NO!  NO!"

As Kor begins to scream he flails his arms and kicks trying to get
away from an imaginary pair of attackers.

>From off camera you hear one of the officers exclaim quickly, "HE'S CASTING"
There is a jostling of the camera and several pairs of hands reach into
the frame to restrain him.  A female voice is heard very near the camera's
pickup, "Its just a shielding spell.  Someone get into the astral plane
and make sure he doesnt gather any more mana!".

The people holding him down release him and allow him to tire himself out
with his unknown assailant.

Off camera:  "Ma'am, he's powered up everything he has.  It we dont
stop him now all of us might not be enough to bring him down."

Female:  "Hit the button.  Get Serenity's people here."

Off camera male, heafty voice:  "On three, cut his power sources down, hood
him, and we'll drop him."

A mage hood is quickly and forcefully pulled over Kor's  head and his
body goes limp, the female screams out the halt command and the camera
goes dead.

+++++ End Camera 1

We are supposed to get more information when he is out of debriefing.  As
far as I know he didnt get "stuck" so he should be fine in a couple
of hours or days.  Sorry I had to be the bearer of bad news.  More
in the morning]<<<<<
	-- Trax <04:25:01 / 04-12-57> 

*****Private: Lynch
>>>>>[ Compress air?  Hmm, may work, but you would need a lot of force.  CRUSH
would probably be happy to show you once your in the clear.  He's actually legit
now and wouldn't want to go back to the shadows.

As for the Americar, they don't go for distance, they go for number of flips.
I think the last time he really tried a few years ago he got six flips, of
course he's bigger now and can put more mass behind it.]<<<<<
	-- Lister <12:01:27/04-12-57>

>>>>>[ Lynch, I would agree with you in that making your own ammo is the best
way to go.  For one thing, you can customize your weapons better, even to the
point of using a computer modeler to help build the gun that you want.  I don't
agree with using casings though, I tend to dislike leaving things behind on a
run.

As to large amount of bullets, I would agree with the sentiment that a too many
bullets leads to accidents.  The worst things that happen is when a stray takes
out one of your teammates.  I prefer runs where you go in quitely and come out
even quiter.  I also usually go for one shot, one down.  Either that or I take
them down physically.  Killing is usually a last resort, after all, they really
don't get paid much to put their lives on the line.  And their teammates fight
better when inflamed with rage after seeing a friend die and know their next. 
If your knock out one person, and threaten another, they will proabably give,
but if you kill somebody, the next person will not listen when you threaten them
and they are armed.]<<<<<
	-- Bill the Galactic Hero <12:55:04/04-12-57>

>>>>>[ Hi Bill, whats with the "Galactic Hero" thing?]<<<<<
	-- Lister <12:57:32/04-12-57>

>>>>>[ I got it from a book I read.  I think it was between reading "The effect
of microwaves on crystaline explosive compounds" and "The Prince".  I was in the
mood for some what lighter reading.]<<<<<
	-- Bill the Galactic Hero <12:59:45/04-12-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[My friend went through all that video we had and tried to cull it down
to a manageable file, and this is what he came up with.  I'm sending it
uncompressed so that no video integrity is lost.

+++++begin trideo sequence
The shot is the same as the same as earlier.  An aerial platform several
stories above street level.  The picture is different this time however.
The shot is centered on the red convertable from earlier, this time parked
in an alley.

+++recieving sound

A mans voice speaks.
"Test test.  Lilith?  Is the drone picking this up?"

A recognizable drawl responds.
"Thats an ack Blade.  Outside is under control.  Internal cameras will be
ours in just a couple seconds.  You two are good to go."

A different man's voice this time.
"Then lets get going."

Two familiar figures step out of the car.  Lynch, recognizable in his
mirrored aviator shades, and Blade.  They head out of the alley and down the
street, the drone keeping pace with them.

Lynch speaks.  "How sure are you that this is safe?"

"Pretty sure.  I've only dealt with the Triads on a couple of occasions.
They're as trustworthy as the Mafia or the Yaks."

"Great."

"No kidding.  This is just supposed to be an initial meeting.  I got a hold
of one of their Lt. through a guy I used to run with, and that's who we're
meeting with.  If we play things cool, keep a low profile, and the fates are
with us, we'll be able to meet somebody higher up after this.  From there,
we might be able to work our way up to one of the Dragon Heads.  If that
goes well, we might be able to convince the Triads to watch what they deal.
We just need to explain that it could be very bad for business.  They're
usually understandable, or so I hear."

"Sounds like a lot of mights and maybes to me Blade."

"Yeah, but we might be able to stop some of those chips from getting out
without getting shot at.  That would be a switch, wouldn't it?"

By this time, they've reached the front of a small grocery.  Blade stops and
looks at Lynch

"Remember, low profile.  You may have already upset these guys."

The female voice cuts in

"Stop dawdling guys, you'll look obvious.  And I've got the internals.  I'm
keeping overwatch."

Blade just looks at Lynch, who smiles slightly, and nods.

"Low profile."

The two men walk in to the store.  Perspective shifts, instead of the zoomed
in overhead view, things are now coming in closer and more angled.  Most
likely from a security cam.

Lynch walks up to the counter, snagging a pack of cigarettes and tossing
them on the counter.  A young man working the register scans them and takes
Lynch's offered credstick.  He deducts the money, and hands it back.  Lynch
takes it, packs and opens the cigarettes, puts one in his mouth, all while
standing at the counter, and then speaks to the kid.

"Do you have a match?"

The kid looks at Lynch  "No, but I have a lighter."

"Even better."

"But more dangerous."

Lynch smiles.  The boy steps out from behind the counter.

"If you will follow me, please."

Lynch, Blade, and the kid walk to the back of the store, and into the stock
room.  The kid presses a concealed panel and part of a wall slides away.

Lilith speaks "Wow.  If this gets anymore eye-spyish, I may actually be ill."

Blade almost chuckles, but covers it up by coughing.  The kid looks at him,
and then waves he and Lynch through.

The scene looks to be something similiar to an old opium bar.  Instead of
the pipes of old, there are decks and BTL.  A man stands with two guards
near a wall on the opposite side of the room.  The kid motions torwards them
before leaving.

"Guys" Lilith again. "I just got some weird readings.  You probably just
passed through a weapons detector, I wouldn't be surprised if they knew what
you had for breakfast by now."

Lynch and Blade walk over to the three men, stopping about 5 feet from them.
The man turns his attention to them, and bows slightly, which Blade and
Lynch return, before speaking.

"Gentlemen, my little business is very honored to have you here.  How may I
be of service to you?"

Blade speaks, his voice almost oozing with respect.  "I believe you know why
we are here, honorable one."

"Ah yes, it is a matter of business, not pleasure, that brings you.  Well,
sometimes, it is best to take care of the matters at hand without ceremony
or fanfare.  Please, speak, and then we can move onto more pleasant things."

Lynch takes the lead  "Alright, this is how it is.  There are some BTL chips
being distributed that could be very bad for your business.  You may want to
check out your suppliers and watch what you sell."

The oriental man looks at Lynch hard.  And stays silent for several moments
before speaking.

"So you are _the_ Lynch, hmm?  The one which Interpol is hunting?  Well, I
had not been so certain before, especially when you came in here with this
one." waving at Blade "I am afraid, Mr. Lynch, that you have made me two
gifts today.  One, is the dog known as Blade who has worked with the
barbarian Koreans and Japanese on more than one occasion, and yourself, who,
though you obviously don't know it, has stopped several deliveries of mine.
Very expenisive deliveries.  Yes, I know about the chips.  A corp can't get
anything done on the street without working with someone who is already
there, can they?"

While the man speaks, several figures have been getting up and disconnecting
from the chipdecks.  They slowly begin to surround them.  The mans two
guards, apparently armed only with ceremonail knives, unsheath them and look
at Blade and Lynch with expressions that can only be described as a mixture
of menace and psychotic lust.

Blade and Lynch slowly move their hands up, keeping them away from where
their guns are holstered.  Standing, facing the two guards and the man in
charge, Blade cocks his head slightly torwards Lynch, and winks.

Over the comm, Lilith can be heard.  "You two had better think of something
fast.  You've got about 5 more guys coming from other parts of the building."

Lynch nods slightly.  Blade looks up at the oriental man.

"Every day I hate you guys a little more."

One of the guards shoves Blade back.

+++++Pause

+++++Trideo editor engaged
Raise/lower frame rate? r/l: l
Lower frame rate to : 33%
accepted
rendering
finished
+++++Exiting Trideo editor: This version is Shareware, please register...

+++++Playback resumed

Blade and Lynch seem to be move at normal speed, while the rest of the room
slows down.

Lynch snaps his arms beneath his coat, spins, and comes up with two pistols
and begins to fire at the men around the room, who seem to be (and are
actually) in slow motion.  They also seem slightly stunned and unprepared at
the suddeness of the attack.

Blade falters back, stepping on the guards foot, and grapping his shirt
front.  The guard leans back against the pull, throwing himself off balance
as Blade switches directions and slams his weight forward into him, knocking
him down.  Blade sticks his left hand in the face of the guard, and a small
plume of fire appears in the palm of his hand as the guards face is shot in.
The other guard turns torwards Blade and brings his pistol to bear as Blades
other fist slams into his throat.  The guard gurgles slightly and slumps to
the floor.  Blade snags the oriental man and turns to look at Lynch, who has
dropped two of the guards, but the other four are no longer surprised and
are about to open fire

+++++Pause

+++++Trideo editor engaged
Raise/lower frame rate? r/l: r
Raise frame rate to : 300%
accepted
rendering
finished
+++++Exiting Trideo editor: This version is Shareware, please register...

+++++Playback resumed

Blade speaks softly into the mans ear.

"Tell them to stop, or you die."

The man very quickly yells "Stop!"

The other men train their guns on Lynch and what can be seen of Blade behind
the man, but don't shoot.

Blade speaks again "I'll let you go as soon as we're out of here."

Blade and Lynch start moving torwards the only unblocked door, on the
opposite side of the one they came in from.  Lynch opens the door and heads
out, covering the escape.

"Lilith, we need you here now."

A red convertable screeches up next to him, in the alley and right outside
the door.  Blade keeps backing torwards the door.

Lynch gets in the back of the car, leaving the front door open for Blade,
and speaks to Lilith.  "What took you so long?"

Blade is just outside the door, visable now only by the camera pointing
outside the door.  His image is rather indistinct, but the view of the man
is clear.

Blade whispers into the mans ear

"Remember when I said I was going to let you go?"

"Yes" chokes back the man

"I lied."

The mans head snaps back and his body flys forward into the man coming
through the door.  Blade dives into the front of the car as it peels out of
the alley way, sounds of gunfire behind him.

"Good job Blade.  Don't you think we leave too many places this way?"

"Low profile Lynch.  Low fragging profile."

+++++end trideo sequence

Sorry about all the blood in your car.  All that adrenaline must've been
blocking out the pain.  The doc checked me out.  It was three hole from a
medium caliber weapon.  Obviously just one of the SMG's those goons were
using.  Guess one got off a lucky shot as I was leaving.  I'm gonna go talk
to a mage friend of mine this afternoon and see if he can't help me heal it
up.  Otherwise I'd be out of action for a few weeks.  As it is, I'm going to
lay low for a while.  You know how to get a hold of me.

Oh yeah, word on the street is the Triads aren't to happy with us.  Seems
neither are the Yaks, the Mafia, and a lot of the street gangs.  The
gangs'll probably leave us alone, but the Triads are going to be a problem.
The more traditional Mafioso and Yakuza leaders don't seem to mind our
little interception of street drugs, but their younger counterparts don't
like it.  I can't be sure what they're going to do.  I don't think trying to
talk to anyone is going to be a good idea.  Probably just get us killed.

Well, hope that video helps your analyists.  I'm glad those guys weren't
better trained.  If they had been, we might not have gotten out of there so
easily.]<<<<<
	-- Blade <06:40:23/04-12-57>
Mike Broadwater
http://www.olemiss.edu/~neon
"You only need two things in this world.  WD40 to make things go, and duct
tape to make them stop."

>>>>>[Vengence is what you make it. Take my message literally, and you 
get a person who wants help, look a litle deeper and see all the options 
I have laid out in the way of help for Kenneth. Assistance, if he needs 
it. Advice, if he desires it. Protections if he needs/desires it. Did you 
read my message at all? He can make vengence into what he will, I will 
not stop him, I will aid him, no matter the path he chooses. I know what 
its like to have seen you friends blown up in an explosion one of your 
teamates set. To have you friends die because your "teamate" went for 
style over substance, for too much of an explosion. Yeah, it got the job 
done, but look at the cost. Kenneth, whatever path you cvhoose, let you 
spirits guide you as you will, I will be around, ready and able to offer 
what assistance may be neccessary. I have chosen my path, you are welcome 
to join or decline as you choose. But should you need help, this is 
somewhere you can turn.]<<<<<
	--  Blademaster  <11:03:20/4-12-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Mr. Blackthorne
>>>>>[I'm sorry I don't have more time to speak right now, but I just 
wanted to say thank you.  Every little bit helps.  May the gods bless 
you.]<<<<<
	--  Valentine <11:40:43/04-12-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Kenneth Donaldson
>>>>>[May the gods keep you well, Kenneth.  I have enjoyed our time 
together and you will be missed.  Both by myself and the friends you have 
made here.  I hope your time away from Haven will be far better and 
happier than your time here was.

Just a couple of words of advice, if I may.  You can take them however 
you like, but I offer them as someone who you may someday call a friend.

Don't let yourself grow up too fast, Kenneth.  I know you have suffered 
greatly recently.  Some of it I was around for, some of it your brother 
told me when he asked me to take admit you into Haven for a while.  
Suffering forces a certain type of maturity on people, Kenneth, 
regardless of thier age.  By the time I was your age I had been 
conscripted into the armed forces and had lost more friends than I care 
to remember.  I still have nightmares, after all this time....  But it 
forced me to grow up far sooner than those educated and aristocratic 
children who had the benefit of "good breeding" to keep them out of the 
military, or at least place them instantly in the officer's corp.  While 
we were doomed to die with the ship, the officers were treated to tea as 
befitted thier "higher breeding."  As you can imagine, I didn't exactly 
have a normal childhood.

And you cannot have one either, I'm afraid.  You're pain is too great for 
that.  But don't become an adult before you're old enough to drive.  
Explore your youth while you still have the chance.  Haven would have 
given you that chance, but you feel that the magical group offers more of 
what calls to you soul, or perhaps your spirit.  Don't let them turn you 
into a 16 year old adult, Kenneth.  It happens far too easy in these trying 
times, and this, as much as anything, is why I started Haven nearly 30 
years ago.

Please, Kenneth, take your time.  Follow your soul and your spirit.  Wolf 
will guide you well, but I will pray to the Gods that Wolf's guidance 
involves showing you how to be a rambunctious and annoying teenager 
before It shows you just ho serious being an adult has to be sometimes.

You will always be welcome here at Haven, Kenneth.  Always.

May the Gods keep you well, Kenneth.  But more important, take care of 
yourself.]<<<<<
	--  Valentine <11:58:07/04-12-57>

***** PRIVATE: Serenity Deckers, Kor, Cybil
>>>>>[Kor is fine.  It seems that whatever spell it was he used
to talk with the girl worked but left him a little more than just
out of it.  He's spent the last couple of hours in intense debriefing, and is
likely to be there for quite a few more.

This is the LSS footage of the ritual, at least what I was
allowed to have.  Kor went down and I mobilized a force to bring
him in / assist LSS in making sure they gave him the treatment
he needed.

+++++ Include Camera1.footage

There seems to have been a lot of this edited out for those of you
that have seen Kor do ritual sorcery before.  Whatever spell he is 
preparing to cast is dangerous and he knows it.  He seems to be taking
every precaution to reduce his risks.

There is a short round of rhythmic dancing and singing around a hospital
bed cluttered with life support equipment, monitors, and random medical
supplies.  Huddled in the bed in the fetal position is what must be a 
young girl, barely past the age 14.  She is malnurished and seems to
be drooling slightly out of the side of her mouth.  
Kor raises his hands high, then lowers them to the girl's brow.  He 
stiffen for a moment then releases her.  He sits down on a stool and
looks directly into the camera --

Kor:  "Well, she's in there.  Its going to be a little tough going in
after her but we will see what I can do.  We need this information or
we are dead in the water.  I might start babbling incoherently, keep
the camera's rolling.  Record everything I do and say.  It going to be
important.  If I seem to start casting any other spell other than
the one I just cast, take me down as quickly as I can.  I dont know
what was done to this girl and I dont want to react to it by accident.
If I get too deep, I wont be me, Ill be her but with very little control
over my magics."

With that, he stands again and begins to repeat the ritual.

[I cut this part out a bit.  It was about 20 minutes of dancing and
singing and crap]

Once again Kor reaches forward to touch the frail woman's head.  This
time he draws himself closer then struggles to free himself
from some unknown grappling force.  He battles for a few seconds and
ends up flinging himself to the othr side of the room where he
collapses to the ground and curls into a fetal ball just outside of 
the view of the main camera.  

[Im splicing in the footage from camera 2 and the hand held that someone
took in to make sure they didnt miss anything]

The scene abruptly changes to a close up of Kor's face, a bit of spittle
can be seen dancing upon his lower lip.  He seems to be attempting
to talk but having trouble focusing.

Kor:  "Hey there.", the voice that comes from Kor is light, wispy, and very
confident.  "You two looking for a party?  *pause*  Yeah, I got
a place in mind, you got cred?  *pause*  Coolage.  Lets go.  *pause*"

There is a bit of mumbling.  He seems to be fighting for words, maybe
having problems having trouble remembering.

Kor:  "Whats your pleasure?  You wanna watch while I do him, or is she
going to watch while I do you?  Maybe a little of both?  Mmm'mmm, yeah,
I like that.  Oh yeah.  Ohh...NO!  NO!"

As Kor begins to scream as he flails his arms and kicks trying to get
away from an imaginary pair of attackers.

>From off camera you hear one of the officers exclaim quickly, "HE'S CASTING"
There is a jostling of the camera and several pairs of hands reach into
the frame to restrain him.  A female voice is heard very near the camera's
pickup, "Its just a shielding spell.  Someone get into the astral plane
and make sure he doesnt gather any more mana!".

The people holding him down release him and allow him to tire himself out
with his unknown assailant(s).

Off camera:  "Ma'am, he's powered up everything he's got.  It we dont
stop him now all of us might not be enough to bring him down."

Female:  "Hit the button.  Get *WORBLE*'s people here."

Off camera male, heafty voice:  "On three, cut his power sources down, hood
him, and we'll drop him."

A mage hood is quickly and forcefully pulled over Kor's  head and his
body goes limp, the female screams out the halt command and the camera
goes dead.

+++++ End Camera 1

We are supposed to get more information when he is out of debriefing.  As
far as I know he didnt get "stuck" so he should be fine in a couple
of hours or days.  Sorry I had to be the bearer of bad news.  More
in the morning]<<<<<
	-- Trax <04:25:01 / 04-12-57> 

>>>>>[It isn't that the team _can't_ do style, but rather that we 
_don't_.  It is unnecessary and dangerous, as Fat Chance said.

You don't seem to understand the realities of the streets, you two, which 
is even more evidence of your corporate affiliation rather than your 
independant status.  But I digress.  Style will get you hired until some 
"Johnson" decides your style is too dangerous and provides a trail to 
your actions.  If every target you run against can collect enough data 
about the self-described "best dressed runners in Seattle", your fixers 
and Johnsons will hear about it and realize that you are a potential weak 
link, and a trail to them.  Thus, your sources of income dry up, as do 
your sources of data, gear, intelligence, transportation, illegal 
identities, etc.

All for such an elusive and ultimately meaningless distinction of having 
"style".

Personally, I have no style.  I know it, I'm fraggin proud of it too.  
Because I'm professional.  I never leave enough tracks to trace.  I use 
multiple icons to confuse potential trackers.  I keep a profile so flat 
as to be mere nanometers thick, well below the ambient surface 
irregularties.  But I will never have to worry about being out of a job, 
or having my employers decide that I'm far better off dead than as a 
loose cannon, or having my contacts decide that thier survival depends on 
turning me over to someone else.  Sure, it costs me, and the rest of the 
team, those ever useful "style points", but who the frag cares?  I 
certainly don't.  My employers consider them to be liabilities rather 
than assets.  And, just so you know, the team doesn't always work for 
military types.  We actually do "runs" on occastion too.  But only when 
the employer is willing to provide us with a rock solid, anti-Swiss 
Cheese written and signed contract.]<<<<<
	--  AEPacker <12:20:16/04-12-57>

>>>>>[Ahhhh, that explains where AJ made all his money then.  He said 
that he sold drekloads of ammo to stupid people....  (grin)]<<<<<
	--  Slash <12:24:18/04-12-57>

*****NOT TO: SIGA, NSA, InterPol, Lynch
>>>>>[Let's look at this in perspective and put the pieces together.

Firstly - This "Lynch", by his own admission a government agent for the 
notorious SIGA, begins his "private vigilante crusade" against tortureware 
BTLs.

Next, the entire Seattle branch of InterPol's Special Branch - including the 
legendary Commander Drake - are assigned to pursue Lynch, to the exclusion of 
all else.

Almost at the same time, we hear that tortureware supposedly contains "mind 
control subroutines" planted by Aztlan. Naturally Aztlan is responsible for 
the BTL trade as well.

Lynch miraculously manages to stay ahead of Drake and his Gestapo, and still 
dance rings around Aztlan, attacking them at will and publicising his exploits 
widely. 

What does an analysis of this suggest?

It is, with study, obvious. This "Aztlan mind-control conspiracy" is nothing 
more than a front. The UCAS government is using allegations of their BTL 
dealings as cover and excuse. "Lynch"'s attacks are stage-managed to maximise 
exposure and gain credibility for this idea of undetectable brainwashing by 
sinister foreign powers. I refer you, for instance, to the Government-sponsored 
witchhunts against "Communists" and "Communist front organisations" in the 
former United States barely a century ago, or the investigation and internment 
of anyone suspected of "Aboriginal connections or sympathy" early this century.

I predict that within three months, a "reliable test" for the influence of this 
"Aztlan mind control" will be available, and widely used by the UCAS government 
for "screening purposes". This test, as documents shown to me prove, will be a 
whitewash: a means to remove and imprison, without appeal, any opponents of 
the repressive UCAS regime on grounds of "mental contamination". 

Recall the policy of the Soviet Union, where any disagreement with State policy 
was obviously the result of mental derangement, hence the dissident would be 
imprisoned in a "psychiatric hospital". Now, anyone daring to oppose the 
Government will be ruled to have been "tainted by foreign brainwashing" and 
confined without trial for "treatment".

I further predict that Lynch will appear to be killed in action against Aztlan, 
probably in a manner maximising the "evil foreign power" stereotype, and that 
Drake and his jackbooted thugs will then turn to identifying and arresting the 
"contaminated" under emergency legislation which will be rubber-stamped by 
Congress. Meanwhile, the "Aztlan threat" will require a massive increase
in military spending and further restrictions on the liberties and freedoms
of the citizenry.

A large part of this exercise is intended to gain legitimacy for InterPol to 
further expand its powers, since it is at present "forced to drop cases to 
protect BTL barons". Doubtless the InterPol hierarchy are already manipulating 
public opinion to support a change in their terms of reference, removing any 
obligation to consult with, or follow directives of, corporations or nations 
since "they abuse those powers to protect their criminal acts". In fact, 
InterPol is nothing more than a tool of the UCAS government, and will emerge
as such once its sweeping powers are unshackled. 

I call upon the denizens of Shadowland not to be fooled. This business is 
nothing more than a cunning deceit intended to allow the arrest and 
imprisonment without trial of anyone who opposes the policies and goals of 
certain bodies within the UCAS Government, most notably the National Security 
Agency and the Strategic Intelligence Gathering Agency. If you require proof, 
contact me privately. I warn you, the people here will be the first 
targets.]<<<<<
	-- Professor V. J. Brannigan <19:34:24/04-12-57>
	   Director of Studies
	   Oliver Stone Memorial Foundation

***** PRIVATE: Serenity Deckers, Cybil
>>>>>[The old codger is going to live, no thanks to himself.

I just left the hospital where they have him holed up.  The doctors say
he's about as fit as a bull, and about as subborn.  They've sedated him
again after he attempted to jack in to get some information out. 

This is it:  We have a description of the two goons that attacked the 
girl.  One male, one female.  The male is fairly tall, brownish hair, was
wearing a suit (he thinks).  The woman is a fair bit shorter, hair/eye color
unknown, but Kor remembers her having very strong hands.  

If this is all we got, I wanna know if it was worth it?  I had to sit with
him for 3 hours today while he tried to relearn to wipe his own mouth.  He
had to go WAY too deep to get little to no information.]<<<<<
	-- Skuff <18:33:53 / 04-12-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Serenity Deckers
>>>>>[He's fragged up pretty bad, guys.  Skuff was lying about wiping his
mouth.  He hasnt gotten to the point yet were he can even use his muscles.
His mind has locked up so severely that he's having trouble remembering that
he HAS muscles, let alone how to go about using them.  It looks like whatever
was done to the girl has put a block in his mind as well.  He is suffering as
she is and if we dont get him back to NEAR normal we might lose him.

I have no way of getting anyone to his aid.  He either needs a serious shrink
or some mage to go in and do to him what he did to her.  The bastards at
Lone Star are all standing around with their thumbs up their asses so I`ve
started the leg work on getting him moved to the facility on the island.
Damn it!  One of you fuckers do something or Ill personally tear you a 
new asshole!]<<<<<
	-- Merrox

***** PRIVATE: Merrox
>>>>>[Chill down, man.  We'll get him moved in a couple hours.  I've got some
information that might be useful.  Ill get back to you in a bit]<<<<<
	-- Priest

***** PRIVATE: Neuron Basher
>>>>>[I need you to get ahold of your brother and have him get ahold of
whoever it was you met with last night.  Jas told me you were meeting
with someone from his group.  I need them to fix Jason or at least take a 
look at him.  I dont think GoD or Griff are much for mind altering spells
and thats what the med-mages and shamans are saying is needed.  I dont trust
anyone the LS could bring in.  We need his group or DragonEyes and DE is 
still MIA as far as I know.

Merrox is losing it.  The kid has never seen Kor fuck himself up this
badly before.  I must admit, this is a little above and beyond the call as
far as I am concerned.]<<<<<
	-- Priest <too tired to think>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[Hehehehe.  Found this is my mailbox this afternoon.  I found it
amusing myself.

+++++include file: one.mans.theory

Whether it's true or not.  Well, you tell me.  For your sake, it had better
not be.  I'd suggest watching this Professor Brannigan.  Personally, I'd put
him out of sanction, but it's not my problem so much as how it affects me in
connection with you.

Get back to me on the next target soonest.]<<<<<
	-- Blade <13:50:46/04-12-57>

***** Private: GoD
>>>>>[Uncle Mike, I think you better read this.I think Jas Got into a little something and he needs 
help. 
+++++ include MRX.MSG.TXT

Do something.]<<<<<
	-- Joker <BAnG$# Your@#$/D@#igITIZED>

***** PRIVATE: Merrox
>>>>>[I just heard.  Why did he do this on his own?  Where are you guysplanning on moving him to

***** Private: GoD
>>>>>[Uncle Mike, I think you better read this.I think Jas Got into a little something and he needs
help.
+++++ include MRX.MSG.TXT

Do something.]<<<<<
	-- Joker <BAnG$# Your@#$/D@#igITIZED>

***** PRIVATE: Merrox
>>>>>[I just heard.  Why did he do this on his own?  who besides you guys knew where he went? Where are you guys planning on moving him 
to? I have some visiting friends that might be able to Help, or at least 
do better that stand around with digits in bodily orifices. Let me know 
what's going on.]<<<<<
	-- Michael McKnight <04-12-57/ 16:21:13>

***** PRivate: GRyffin
>>>>>[ have you heard about Jas? He needs help bad I'm not sure what'sgoing on I just flew in from the land of the pass Card and this is what 
I found from My nephew.
+++++ INCLUDE  Jok.MAIl.TXT

What do you think?]<<<<<
	-- GoD <16:17:21/04-12-57>

>>>>>>[For all you idiots using up thousands of rounds a week...  These three
words are the way to go Tasers, shock gloves, narcoject.    If you don't want
to make a mess use these to take down sec. guards, etc. w/ minimal fuss.  I
mean really chummers we aren't out for the body count are we?  Well maybe
sometimes.
Case in point:  I'm a tough fragger of a sammy, but a few well placed strikes
w/ that pesky stun baton and down I go,  in fact a friend of mine whacked me
about a few times.  See i really pissed off my pal Orion and he let me have
it, boy did he...I was ok, two days later.  All i could do was piss my pants
and cry.  Not to mention what it would have done if I had wired reflexes.  So
live and learn, or don't and die.]<<<<<
	--Jester<20:25:23/04-12-57><<<<<<<<<

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[
+++++include Kotobazukai.arch.auth

My employer will be in touch shortly.  Regards.]<<<<<
	--  Sapphire  <13:18:19 / 04-12-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[Greetings, Mr. Lynch.  I present:
+++++authenticate <<ENCRYPTED>>
+++++engage Kotobazukai
Let me begin by introducing myself.  I am acting in the capacity of a freelance
"troubleshooter", representing a certain group of corporate interests whose
attention has been captured by the recent furor involving the BTL chips.  It
is quite clear what sort of implications the brainwashing displayed could have
for the commercial market if practiced on a wide basis, not to mention the
"moral outrage" being committed.  There does not currently exist sufficient
impetus for these corporations to mount full-scale efforts at contraindication
by themselves, and, as a result, they have turned to outside assistance to
manage the effort to stanch flow of objectionable research and development.
Meaning me, in this particular instance.

>From the evidence you and your associates have made public, as well as from
some independent research of my own, it seems you have managed to muster quite
a bit of "runner" talent and have decided to try to do something about the
problem.  I don't doubt that your governmental contacts as fairly eager to have
this problem resolved as well.  As I'm sure you know, your latest round of
busts has generated quite a bit of ire in certain quarters.  A definite dent in
BTL sales, as indicated by certain price rises in street value, is the
immediate result, of course.  However, it may not be that the source _behind_
the bad BTL's is being harmed by action at this level...

Since we both seem to be interested in the same problem, I am offering a
joining of forces and pooling of resources.  I can command (and am employing)
certain resources on both sides of the corporate curtain, both in terms of
people and in terms of facilities and equipment.  There is also a substantial
financial commitment from certain quarters that will mean a tidy profit for
successful results in finding out exactly where these chips are coming from
and silencing it.  There may well be other sorts of benefits available as well,
depending on the particulars of the case.

I know you have every reason to be very paranoid at this point; paranoia is
something I both respect and practice myself.  To be perfectly clear: I have
gotten where I am today by _not_ intervening directly where open conflict is
likely.  My personal expertise is in systems engineering and implementation,
not in armed combat, infiltration, or the like.  However, I have many
associates who do do these things, and I have made my reputation by connecting
these people's skills and "enthusiasm" with corporate and governmental
backing to solve whatever problem is at hand.  I do not style myself as a
savior of the world or a champion of justice, but perhaps I act to direct and
empower such people to meet their goals.

In all fairness, I should ask you if you have objections to being involved with
sponsorship by any particular corporations or government entities.  If there
are no pressing conflicts of interest, we can discuss further.  I hope some
sort of arrangement can be reached, for the sake of everyone involved.  Should
you have specific questions about my past activities, I will endeavor to
answer them as well.
+++++disengage Kotobazukai
]<<<<<
	--  AlexandriaN  <13:54:29 / 04-12-57>

>>>>>[Maaan, I'ont _even_ know 'bout that.  _Tasers_'n shit?  That shit'z only
_good_ against sof' targets, know'm'sayin'?  Shit cain't _hack_ it against
fuckin' armored trench coats, see?  An' fuckin' shock gloves need touch...
if ya cain't get close to ya target you're straight shit-fo-breakfast time,
see.  Gel gots tha _hella_ mo' flex'bility, still good against most armor,
_an'_ still givez you tha range advant'ge.

An that don't _EVEN_ begin ta talk about hard targets.  You wanna fuck with
a noomal armored van or limo, gel won' _do_ shit unless you're firin' it from
a fuckin' autocannon or up.  's why God made fuckin' explosive and AP ammo, G.
And if you wanna beef with anyone who'z _really_ got propz, you'd better hope
your MG's is in order, check it?  Fuckin' HESH time'z what it _amounts_ to,
or A-P-D-S plus!  Hah hah...I wanna fuckin' see some _beeyatch_ take a fuckin'
Banshee with a fuckin' stun baton...get his poo-ass shit fucked up _proper_
like, 's what _I_'m sayin.  Fuckin' sorry ass beeyatch ends up as fuckin'
sorry ass _road_ pizza sauce.  Sheeit.]<<<<<
	--  Lopez  <14:07:25 / 04-12-57>

***** PRIVATE: Griffyn, GoD
>>>>>[He was moved to The Council Island Hospital.  I dont know the name
right off hand as I dont go there very often but you can visit him there
with the proper passes and the like.

I figured it wouldnt take long for you guys to find out.

Why he went off by himself, I dont know.  Maybe he's the only one that
could have done what needed to be done.  I dont know, I dont care, its
neither here nor there, or there or here.  Or whatever.  He's fragged himself
up pretty bad, we're doing everything we can to get him back on his feet.]<<<<<
	-- Merrox <21:39:41 / 04-12-57> 

*****NOT TO: SIGA, NSA, InterPol, Lynch
>>>>>[Well, well, Doctor.  Afraid of the NSA, are we?  Afraid of Big Brother
coming to call one evening very late?  Don't trust the notion of civil
disobedience, or the Freedom of Speech?  Liberties are not protected by
sneaking around and trying to hide from the government, which isn't that
easily foiled anyway.  Or, at least not in a society in the state ours is in.
Not that they can stop us if we're determined anyway.  In fact, people should
be glad that certain folks were willing to put their ass on the line to
preserve the right to say anything.  Even something inane, like the Dr.
Brannigan's message.  Let's see:

Nobody but you is trying to blame Aztlan as the sole source of the BLT trade,
last time I checked.  A certain amount of "research" will show that many of
the "finest" BTL chips are made right here on our precious domestic soil.
It looks to me like you're applying the notion of government "mind control" a
little widely, Doctor;  being the voice of doom crying out from the street
corner isn't going to earn you that many points in a venue like this.  Let's
wait and see if, within three months, every citizen of the UCAS with a datajack
gets tested by some "reliable test".  Highly unlikely, I'd say.  On what
grounds could they force the test?  Good question.  On what budget?  Better
question.  In other words, the notion is most likely so much hot air.  And the
entire military escalation following the theoretical "full discolosure" of the
BTL threat?  On what grounds would such a military buildup be based?  The only
documented cases of "infection" are among BTL addicts, who are by law partaking
of an illegal and unregulated substance.  If you examine the screening
procedures for simsense, you will know that the routines used could not escape
notice.  If they could even be effective at those attenuated levels, which
experience in the field leads me to doubt.

You will have to _prove_ UCAS collusion with Interpol, Doctor, rather than make
claims like "doubtless public opinion is being manipulated".  As for warning
people of the "EVILS" *muahahahahaaha* of government, you're probably
preaching to the choir where this forum is concerned.  However, paranoid
delusions and conspiracy theories do not deserve to be credited by rational
individuals.  ]<<<<<
	--  Azrael  <14:27:55 / 04-12-57>

*****PRIVATE: Trax
>>>>>[Kor's okay, right?]<<<<<
	-- Cybil <18:42:21/12-04-57>

>>>>>[One shot, one down is the best if you have the time and energy, but
it doesn't usually work that way. Most fraggers are wearing a few
centimeters of armourcloth and ceramics. If you're lucky enough to catch
your target with his helmet off, sure, go for the shot. Otherwise, pump a
good strong burst into the guy. Even if the ceramic doesn't shatter,
chances are you're going to break a few ribs -- and that ALWAYS slows 'em
down. ]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <18:47:23/12-04-57>

>>>>>[AEPacker: We'll take you seriously when you figure out how to read
our messages. We aren't "the best dressed runners in Seattle", and we
never said we were. We DID say, however, that we were (and are, and
probably always will be) "the best dressed runners on the planet". I guess
they don't teach the 3Rs at merc. school anymore...]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <19:01:13/12-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Skuff, Serenity Deckers
>>>>>[I'll start taking a look around for a pair fitting that description.
Send Kor a get-well on my behalf. Thanks.]<<<<<
	-- Cybil <19:08:23/12-04-57>

>>>>>[The range on a taser sucks. 'Specially if you're trying to tase
someone through armour. It Just Doesn't Work. Besides, not all of us are
hired to steal hearing aides from the elderly -- on some jobs the body
count is what makes the profit... Not that WE would ever go on something
like that...]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <19:11:43/12-04-57>

>>>>>[Lopez has it right. We think. We're going to reread that again
though, v-e-r-y-s-l-o-w-l-y in the hopes of figuring out what he said...]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <19:14:53/12-04-57>

>>>>>[If you mean "readin, ritin, and 'rithmatic", then you're wrong.  If 
you mean Recoil, Recon, and Reliance, then you're even more wrong.

Of course, AEPacker could just be baiting you.  It's so easy to do.  
After all, all that "style" requires you maintain the appearance of 
independance as well as the hot air of self-importance, you do make such 
a prime target.  Question your pride, and you always respond.  You're 
becoming far too predictable.  Not that I'm surprised, of course.

And by the time you take us seriously, you'll likely have a sniper round 
penetrating each of your heads simultaneously while several spells 
explode around you in addition to several kilos of high explosives and, 
just to make sure, a couple of grenades and two or three elementals.

Of course, there's no profit in it.  We gain nothing by your deaths, and 
you pose no threat to us except in the abstract.  You can afford to not 
take us seriously.  You have very little to fear from the team, you two.  

For now.]<<<<<
	--  Short Stuff <18:10:32/04-12-57>

*****PRIVATE: Blade
>>>>>[Damn!

Someone knows!

Next, this Brannigan guy will find where we hid Hoffa! <g>

Total crap, Blade, don't worry. The last set of posts from the OSF suggested
that there was some sort of government conspiracy and the Agency *bred* the
bugs in Chicago. To which I say, you're going to imprison and seal off
_that_ many taxpayers and registered voters? 

And being a paranoid conspiracy-theorist isn't grounds for execution, or
half the people on Shadowland would be up for the firing squad... ]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <00:43:23/04-13-57>

*****PRIVATE: AlexandriaN
>>>>>[+++++engage Kotobazukai

Thanks for getting in touch. Thank you, also, for understanding my position
and possible objections to corporate/foreign sponsorship: basically, presently 
I am sworn to protect the UCAS. Provided the interests you represent (I
would, of course, like to know who they are, but I doubt that will be possible
<g>) are not inimical to the UCAS, there shouldn't be a problem. 

I've opposed most corporations and many nations in the past, though on 
professional terms: only Aztlan/Aztechnology and Tir Taingire seem to retain 
grudges, though I recently crossed swords with Maxim and they may still be 
angry with me. If they are part of your coalition, one hopes they can set 
aside their urge for vengeance on me while I serve their ends.

So, to paraphrase your words and confirm my understanding: you represent 
interests who want this business dealt with, but at the moment would rather
do it by backing a known loose cannon like me, than involving themselves
directly. Your speciality is in realising their desires without compromising 
your sponsors' involvement.

I have acquired a measure of assistance, and have others I could ask for
help if I needed it. My government contacts are silent, of course, since
any action of the type I carry out would be grossly illegal <g> And you're 
absolutely right. At the moment, I'm chewing on street-level sales outlets: 
while I have a couple of leads, my hope is that their pursuit of me will 
provide more information and give me a clearer target. Hence, they need 
something to chase: hence, I stay in the open.

If you can help me with information, maybe transport and supply, possibly
backup - the usual black-ops stuff, I'd be grateful - evinced by using your 
info plus my own to attack higher up the system. As high as it takes, too: 
right now I don't have much to lose by pissing off Aztlan, and I have
a reputation for insanity to live up to.

As for the rewards, well, I'd like to be virtuous and say I'll do it for free,
but if nothing else my teammates are being paid and should share in the
recompense of their work. 

Basically, it sounds like you want to help me and pay me to do something I
was committed to doing already. I accept, gratefully. I will continue to
treat you with some caution, but you are obviously professional enough to
understand that and accept it. 
+++++disengage Kotobazukai]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <01:05:29/04-13-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[
+++++engage Kotobazukai
Well, I can safely assure you that Maxim is not among the firms I currently
represent, though I would imagine that _someone_ in that corp must have some
interest in the problem as well.  As for the interests of the UCAS, I would
say that the aim of all rational corporations is to make money, which
requires a reasonably healthy, empowered populace to purchase their products.
I think I can safely say that none of the companies involved are eager for
the overthrow of the UCAS, or any other national government either.  Making
money is hard enough, without the obligation of trying to _govern_ the
public. =)  With your assent then, I think we can get down to business.

It is entirely possible that our opposition considers you to be a localized
nuisance, though I would not want to count on that overmuch.  One logical
way of proceeding is probably a substantial amount of netsurfing, on the
hopes of finding something connecting the BTL's to their source.  As I
mentioned previously, I have initiated some preliminary inquiries, but if you
are in touch with some Matrix-competent folks, it would probably be good to
get all our people talking together to coordinate things.  The last thing we
want is the "cover" established by your hits to be blown...I strongly suspect
that this will at best give us a physical locale or part of a distribution
chain which can be followed some distance back.

Assuming that our intelligence becomes good enough to pinpoint a facility,
the remaining question would become how to handle it.  In a matter of this
sort, a suitably public and damning disclosure of the facts might do it, but
that would require extremely solid evidence to make stick.  Failing that, there
is always the option of trying to demolish the physical place or places
responsible for the chips.  This latter option is of course likely to engender
a much greater amount of ill will toward the perpetrators; nevertheless, I
know people who have founded a career on such things.  Some of whom might be
called upon to practice their trade at an opportune moment.  And, as we both
appreciate, sometimes direct force is the appropriate response to a challenge
posed by an adversary.  Take the Maxim base in La Paz, for example...

The information I have managed to acquire so far amounts to a network of local
distributors; the jury is still "out" as to how they are all tied together.
+++++include distributors.alpha
In addition to investigating them through outside methods, it may be desirable
to apprehend one or more of these folks and pose them questions in person.
While not strictly in keeping with your "style", it seems like something you
and perhaps your compatriots would be well suited to handle.  What's your
opinion on the matter?  It occurs to me that even for a man of your skills,
it is possible that one day the opposition might get "lucky" enough to put
an end to your antics...perhaps we can arrange for some additional "insurance"
for you against untimely death in the course of action (in the form of
additional personell or equipment)?
+++++disengage Kotobazukai
]<<<<<
	--  AlexandriaN  <17:42:12 / 04-12-57>

*****INTERNAL:  InterPol Agent Dispatch and Communications
>>>>>[YO, Boss!  I got some news for you that you're just not going to 
like.  At all.

"Really, Montoya?  Let me take a wild guess.  Lynch and friends struck 
again."

Yep, sure did.  One of the Triads.  At least, we're pretty sure it was 
him.  It fit the profile all too well.  Survivors, and those Triads value 
thier secrecy enough that finding one is a surprise, indicated that they 
came in, chatted until threatened, and then fought thier way out.  They 
also killed the local high muckity-muck.

"Damn him...."

Boss?

"I said 'Damn him!'  He's intentionally fragging with all the most 
powerful people in Seattle because he wants so many people gunning for 
his sorry ass that we stumble over each other and kill each other in the 
process of getting him.  He has no problems killing Yaks or Mafia or 
Tongs or anyone else.  He'd have no problems killing corrupt cops, but 
most of us generally don't qualify.  So he's creating enough confusion 
that while we're trying to keep him alive for extradition, we have to 
fight our way through the rest of the people who just want him dead...."

Great.

"Shut up a second, Montoya.  Who hasn't he fragged with?  He's hit the 
Triads and the Seoulpa.  What about the Mafia?"

Don't think so, Boss.  You want me to check on it?

"No, I'll put 8Ball on the data.  She can pull data from some of the most 
unusual places.  Do you know any Mafia who deal with this kind of drek?"

None that I can think of, but I can pound the pavement, turn over a few 
rocks if you like.

"No.  I think he's probably going to pound either them or the Yaks, 
because I don't see any of thier families on the hit list either.  
Montoya, your team is the best IP snipe unit in Seattle right now.  When 
8Ball comes back with some data, I want you to split up, with My Name Is 
as cover.  I don't like it, but I need to be sure that you get a tracker 
shot on Lynch whichever he hits."

Yes sir.  Trackers and gel only, right Boss?

"You got it.  I'll have 8Ball contact you directly."

Got it.  Later, Boss.  Montoya out.

"Comm, get me 8Ball."

+++++ System:  Request acknowledged.  Paging.  Connection completed

'8Ball here.'

"8Ball, I want you to dig through those dusty tomes of paydata you have 
and find some names.  Yaks and Mafia who are known to deal BTLs, 
specifically tortureware.  Failed stings, successful stings, everything.  
And I need it soon.  Send it all directly to Montoya and My Name Is, and 
CC: it to me too."

'Gotcha, Boss.  8Ball out.']<<<<<
	--  InterPol Internal Communications <10:32:19/04-12-57>

>>>>>[The professor presents an... interesting theory. It may even be true. Of 
course, if one truly wishes to consider *all* the possibilities, one must 
wonder if perhaps the good professor has an ulteror motive? Perhaps he is 
*also* part of whatever conspiracy is actually responsible for these events, 
and his seemingly public-spirited warning merely an attempt to sow confusion 
and doubt.

And you must then consider the possibility that *this* message is also 
intended as misdirection and distraction from the truth...

As has been said before, "It's not whether you're paranoid, it's whether 
you're paranoid *enough*."]<<<<<
	--  Moriarty <22:58:44/04-12-57>

***** PRIVATE: Serenity Deckers
>>>>>[He's up!

Trixie, bless her heart, got ahold of the people from his magical group
and then swooped down on him like a flies on a bum.  They came in
screaming orders and taking names.  Things got a little tense when
they tried to push Maria out of the room while they worked their
magic.  I've never been so "in it" before in my life.  That little woman
is one fiesty bundle of energy.  Needless to say, after she emptied a 
round into the ass of one of the shamans things settled down a bit and
she was allowed to stay.

>From what I was able to gather Jason had blockage in his mind.  The mojo
he was working with is supposed to allow him to interface with the person and
gather information, the draw back to this, other than frying your cranium,
is that sometimes you interface too well and lose yourself.  Kinda like
when you stay jacked in long enough for your saline to run dry and your
jo-boy doesnt dump you in time.  Well, kinda like that I guess.  Gets hard
to find your way home, so to speak.  But anyway, the did to him what
he did to her and repaired the broken bits and he's supposed to be all
better now.  I tried to get them to add a bit abut giving us all raises and
giving me a better office, but they were far too anal to do it.  Bummer.

The shamans are supposed to be working on him for a little while longer, he
managed to pull a couple muscles while he was flopping around like a fishy.
I say it serves him right.

We got through another one.  Lets try to wrap this thing up before he 
gets himself killed.  Oh, wait, you'll be happy to know that LS picked up
all of the bills.  I think he and Maria are working on getting back together
based on the lip lock she put on him when he opened his eyes for the first
time without drooling on himself.]<<<<<
	-- Merrox <06:01:34 / 04-13-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Cybil
>>>>>[He's doing better]<<<<<
	-- Merrox <06:01:35 / 04-13-57>

*****PRIVATE: Tangent
>>>>>[Okay, I have something for you. How are you and your team at
opposed extractions?

The target is Buntaka Ohki, leader of the Jade Lotus Seoulpa Ring. He's
based out of Redmond, at >>encrypted<< down in Bargain Basement. If
you can't get him, Lee Kuang Soo expedites the BTK business for the
Jade Lotus and would be the #2 target.

Bad news is that his connection is known - I got it from my first hit,
and the bar was kinked, and the footage went out, which I would have
preferred not to have happen. On the other hand, I think you and I might
want to co-ordinate some work as you suggested. I have a Yakuza in
mind who might share some information without my having to kill him,
but I need to very publicly force it from him to save his face. So,
a fairly public hit that should have more people scrambling after me
and draw some heat off you.

Interested? I can offer you >>encrypted<< for the attempt, and >>encrypted<<
if you get Buntaka out alive and in condition to be interrogated. Soo is worth 
half that. 

How much time do you need for planning? I've got a fixed time for my next hit,
which is going to be mid-morning Sunday. If you can't set it up by then, let 
me know and you can jump in on the next one instead.

And if you don't do extractions, I'll go for him and you can do my cover hit
instead <g>]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <09:30:23/04-13-57>

*****PRIVATE: AlexandriaN
>>>>>[+++++engage Kotobazukai

Okay. At the moment, I have a decker working on finding some data: the
guy answers to Flux, and I'll tip him off that we may have mysterious
shadowy backing <g> I have to admit, the Matrix is not my strong point.

I have some information that might get us someone higher than a dealer, and 
we might be able to grab him alive. That, I'll work on and see how it turns 
out. We could certainly use more data.

And if we find the origin of these chips - which would be a fairly serious
facility, at least in terms of its computing power, and so not a soft
target - then, right now, my mood is to go in and turn it into a crater.
"Ill will towards the perpetrators", well, how much more shit can I get
myself in? <g> Anyone else, of course, will have to weigh their choice
carefully. Volunteers only <g> Maybe we could hire Jen and Gabe...

Extra people, not yet but maybe. Ditto equipment. If I need something,
I'll let you know and we'll negotiate.
+++++disengage Kotobazukai]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <09:00:12/04-13-57>

>>>>>>>>>[I tell you what Lopez,  you meet me down in Denny Park some night
and I'll show how to use that stun baton.  Better yet maybe I'll just tag you
with some nasty hallucinogens from my narcoject rifle and watch while the
park regulars have their way with you, what do you think?  
       Seriously omae, I wasn't suggesting that you try and take down any
T-birds with a taser.  It would be a slaughter, although maybe the world
would be a better place, neh?
      Right tool for the right job chummer, you don't need a fraggin' assault
cannon packing APDS rounds to execute a simple data snatch, unless your a
troll, are you?  They seem to need something big in hand to keep them settled
down.  End of sermon priyatel.
     Anyone needs a subtle samurai ring me, I'll get the job done and for
less than you think.]<<<<<
	--Jester--<13:45:55/04-13-57<<<<  

*****PRIVATE:  Montoya, My Name Is, Commander Drake
>>>>>[Serious breach of IP etiquette, but I don't give a flyin frag, so 
I'm using SLand.  It'll get to two of you faster this way anyway.

Got the names.  There's two Yaks in town who deal with tortureware, but 
only one Mafioso I could find.  The Yaks are Akira Toshuhatsu and Riku 
Matseshori.  Akira's down in Kent and Riku is located right out of 
Downtown, just east of Lake Union.  Here's the addresses >>encypted<<.  
Or rather, those are about as close as I could figure out.

The Mafioso is Poppy Carmenelli, and we're pretty sure he's at 
>>encrypted<< in Maplewood, Renton.]<<<<<
	--  8Ball <09:04:06/04-13-57>

>>>>>['Tha fuck you _think_ I think, holmes?  I think you'z new in town an'
tryin' to catch rep, know'm'sayin'?  Tryin' t' beef with people who you don'
fuckin' have a clue about too, if they even _give_ a fuck about you fo' long.
What you _ain't_ done is do the re-butt-ul t' my comment, but switch up tha
fuckin' subject _instead_.  An' somehow I don' think tha goddamn admins be
too pleased with you hackin' your fuckin' T/D stamp, _eethah_.  When you
getchoo head out you _ass_ an' figyah out what the right fuckin' too' for tha
fuckin' job is, you let me _know_, a'ight?]<<<<<
	--  Lopez  <12:09:06 / 04-13-57>

>>>>>[Short Stuff: It'll take a lot more than that to kill us... And by
the time your merc "team" managed to get all that ordinance to bear, we'd
be long gone anyway... Quit the posturing drek. If you're still suffering
delusions of granduer, fine, just don't inflict it on our mailbox.]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <18:52:32/13-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[What's the news? (Glad to hear you're better)]<<<<<
	-- Cybil <19:23:53/13-04-57>

>>>>>[What the hell are you saying about trolls, Jester? Are you saying
the can't deck? Are you saying they aren't as good runners as you? You
make me fraggin sick...]<<<<<
	-- Chug <19:26:43/13-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Phobos, Paradox
>>>>>[So you two are the datatheives? Decent. We're the distraction. 

Hi. 

Lets talk about logistics. Where do we meet?]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <19:28:32/13-04-57>     

*****PRIVATE: Paradox, Jen and Gabe
>>>>>[I don't care where we get together, you three decide. ;)  Any idea
when we are gettin those codes for the run?]<<<<<
	-- Phobos <20:08:12/04-13:57

>>>>>[Jenna, Gabriel, if you aren't confident that you can kill what you
shoot at... hold your fire. You're magicians? Don't waste ammo, blow
some mana instead.

Okay, there are exceptions. Recon-by-fire, cover fire, E&E, deception ops,
but those are all special cases. 

"Time and energy"? Gimme a break, kids. If you aren't willing to spend the
'time and energy' to get that kill, your enemy will. I've spent eighteen
years surviving, because while an opponent figured hitting my armour 
often enough would annoy me, I was blowing his brains out through the 
back of his helmet. My broken ribs = pain. His head blown open = dead.
Guess what? I win.

Some of us don't have the luxury of throwing a spell when our marksmanship
fails us. So, I have to make sure I hit what I aim at. And I do, it's what
I do best. Oh, and shots to the chest *don't* slow me down. I'm used to it, 
and my ribs are reinforced anyway. Most people can't make limb or head shots 
worth a damn past twenty yards. I can, I do, and that's a big reason I'm still 
alive.

And I'm still hiring, though you didn't answer my last offer. Guess the
kitchen's a little hot for you right now, huh? <g> Never mind. I won't
hold it against you. Knowing your limitations is a survival skill. This
is, after all, a high-risk situation. You might get those designer 
suits bloody if you came in on this, and that would never do, would it?]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <01:10:31/04-14-57>

***** PRIVATE: Cybil
>>>>>[Kor is still recovering.

He's asked me to relay this message to you:

"Thank you for your concern.  Ill be fine in a day or so.  We have a little
more information for you.  The footage they showed you didnt have
really all of what happened on it.  I DID get in touch with her
mind.  It was buried quite deeply and what cognitive awareness that WAS
there was very primitive.  I was able to make contact with her fairly
recent memories which were, thankfully, less primitive.  Unfortunately,
those memories will be with me for quite some time.

The dialog, as I remember it, was between herself and couple interested in
hiring her services.  They spoke little which didnt seem to alarm her at
all.  She took them back to her place (there was a familiar feeling, as
if she'd been there before, but not as if it were her home.  It was likely
just some motel room somewhere, she wasnt working for a local brothel).  She
attempted to see what it was that the two john's were into and was
hit by some spell effect.  That spell caused her to lose muscle control and
she crumpled to the ground.  I get the feeling that she is/was a bit 
claustrophobic because the feeling of being trapped in her own body was 
very over powering.

There were gunshots, fairly close, lots of them.  Someone kicked in the 
door of the hotel room (?).  Some yelling and screamind and then a police
officer was there.  After that there were feelings of bright lights, heat,
clean.  I assume this was the hospital.  Somewhere along the line, along with
her muscles and other bodily functions, her mind started to digress to a 
more gutteral / primitive state.

Im going to see if I can get a little more out of the descriptions but
its unnerving to think to long or too hard about the experience."

Thats it.  According to the doctors, he can go home tomorrow and be back
at work by Monday.]<<<<<
	-- Skuff <02:34:17 / 04-14-57> 

>>>>>["Delusions of grandeur"?  "Quit posturing"?  Oh, that's beautiful.

+++++ Time delay:  4 minutes

Thank you.  I've not laughed that hard for a long time.]<<<<<
	--  Slash <17:45:16/04-14-57>

>>>>>[You're absolutely right, her ideas were overkill.  It would take 
far too long to get all that destructive power into place.  Just the 
snipers would be sufficient, with enough magical assistance to make sure 
you never detected the snipers and so that any active defensive spells 
never had a chance to activate.

Of course, that would be unlikely to happen unless you were to work for 
an opposing corporation or mercenary unit who stood in the way of my 
team's objectives.  You simply are not enough of a threat to my team to 
warrant destruction, regardless of how confused regarding your own 
importance and skill you are.

My unit has earned the right to brag through 15 years of distinguished
mercenary contracts.  And you two really are not in a position to claim 
that we have delusions of grandeur.]<<<<<
	--  Skull <17:53:29/04-14-57>

>>>>>[ Jenna and Gabe

Pot: "Hey kettle, your black!!"

Of course, I don't think you will understand.]<<<<<
	-- Lister <18:02:34/04-14-57>

>>>>>[Trolls is great, eat a lot of cake! Trolls is great, make a bomb go 
up in yo face!
Trolls rage, Jester, and me use taser once, shoot it in some guys eye, 
worked great!]<<<<<
	--  Smiley  <10:22:20/4-15-57>

>>>>>[You know I'm one for Givin an assailant the shock of their livescuz well I'm into shock gloves a whole lot.  But nothing in this world 
Can protect you from a well aimed well placed round from someone who 
knows what their doing and has no qualms about shooting you in the eye.

Any of you Snipers out there who do it the hard way know what I'm talkin' 
about.  No sissy MAGIC.  Just You, The great Mother and all She 
Provides to protect you, and your trustee friend, whom ever he/she might 
be. Happy huntin']<<<<<
	-- Bounty-Killah <04-15-57/10:45:12>

>>>>>[You know,you guys must have pretty thick, armour plating, to match the humongus-Egos and very large mouths, right?]<<<<<
	-- DRED <11:00:12/04-12-57>

>>>>>[Lynch, you've peeked my interest, you sound professional enough and Dedicated enough, what's in the JOB?]<<<<<
	-- BOUNY-KILLA <12:22:22/04-15-57>

*****PRIVATE: Jen and Gabe, Paradox, Phobos
>>>>>[ Sorry my friends but I ran into a little problem getting the codes.
Not to fear though I do have them and now I pass them on to you:

+++++Transfer datapass codes sec. clearance alfazot one:
..........  lowstyle profile clearance one established  ..........
..........  midserc. clearance four established  ..........
+++++End Transfer datapass codes sec. clearance alfazot one

These codes are low security codes used by secritarys in the corp.  It
gives them limited access to almost every datanode in Satyres system.  The
only ones that should be denied to you are the secure nodes, my contact
says that you can't miss them; they're the ones that look like Aztec
temples with all the gaurds around them.  On one last note I must warn you
a thief was caught in the system Friday, the reason it took me so long to
get these codes, so they _WILL_ be looking for people out of place in
there.  When you've complete the run don't send the info directly to me
send it to a friend of mine, his name is Black Crow.  Gods speed. ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blackthorne <12:23:45/04-13-57>

>>>>>[Sorry to disappoint DRED, but armour (even though we have been
approached to test some stuff out by local manufacturers. No idea why),
isn't our crutch. We wear what we need and make up for the lack with style
and ability. It's amazing some of the things you can do with
magic...]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <14:04:54/15-04-57>

>>>>>[Okay Bounty-Killah, whatever you say. A good sniper is only as good
as his smartgun link, otherwise magic is the way to go. Just tag the poor
fragger with a spell lock (or don't), and then nail him/her at your
leisure. There's nothing more impressive than a minor exec's head blowing
up during a board meeting. Except for a CEO's head blowing up during a
board meeting... (We have done a bit of sniping though. Nothing heavy,
just a little bit of fun from the rooftops... You know what they say: a
change is as good as a rest)]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <14:07:00/15-04-57>

>>>>>[Yeah, Smiley. It's good to hear from another meta once in a while.
'Specially with all these humanis bastards floating around.]<<<<<
	-- Chug <14:09:54/15-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: alias: Satyr.lads
>>>>>[Sounds like a blast. So when and where?]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <14:11:42/15-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[ Frag, have I got a headache .. I got a good chunk of data from the 
Azzie databases, but I had to go through hell and back to get it.  Sorry
it took so long, the data was triple-key encrypted, and I've been working
on decrypting it.  Here's the log from the grab:

+++++ begin video sequence:  Aztec.datasnatch

The sequence begins with a view of an androgynous humanoid figure that has
a highly reflective chromed 'skin'.  The figure appears to be in a constant
state of motion, with waves and ripples moving beneath the surface of it's
skin.

In the distance, a large pyramid structure can be seen, with peasants
scurrying in and out of it, some leading mules and carts laden with all
manner of goods.

+++++ engage stealth mode
+++++ stealth mode engaged
+++++ activate doppleganger6.3 .. ready.

The silvery figure appears to shift and mutate until it has assumed the
shape of a peasant, and quickly slips into the line that is headed into
the pyramid.  Two ceremonial guards stand at attention at the doorway to
the pyramid, and scrutinize each peasant that enters.  Their gaze falls
upon the peasant that you know to be the silvery figure, but they do
not appear to penetrate his masking, as he enters the pyramid without 
incident.

As the peasant enters the pyramid, he steps out of the line, and reverts
to his original form and surveys his surroundings.  The area is modeled
after a traditional Cnetral American village.  The peasants split up at 
this point, heading either to individual huts within the village, or 
following a sort of 'main path' through the village, exiting what you
assume to be the other side of the village.

The silvery figure raises his arms, and his hands flow together, creating
a flat display which he points at each of the huts.  After a few seconds,
the figure shakes his head.  Suddenly, the figure turns toward a well that
is at the center of the village, as if noticing it for the first time.
A smile creases his face as he aims the panel toward the well, and his hands
shift back to their normal shape as he darts toward the well at full speed.

+++++ engage bod mode
+++++ loading armor3.41a .. ready.

The figure seems to bulk up, becoming almost blocky, but with the telltale
ripples and waves still evident beneath the surface.

+++++ loading devastator0.4b .. ready.

The figure's right hand seems to be absorbed into the arm, and the forearm
becomes a perfectly round tube.

+++++ loading snoop12.1 .. ready.

The figures eyes seem to flow together, forming a large, central eye
that is reminiscent of the legendary cyclops.

+++++ bod mode engaged

+++++ ready drone: scavenger0.3a
+++++ define target: keywords --> BTL, Lynch, Interpol
+++++ reconfiguring drone ... 1 ... 2 ... 3.
+++++ drone ready for launch

+++++ comment:  Subltlety flies out the window at this point.  The fraggers
                had a virtual machine running, with the real paydata a
		level below.  Sneaky.  I almost missed it.  Azzies have a
		habit of laying the IC on thick, so I'm not even going to
		-try- to sneak past this one .. I'd just lose time switching
		to combat utilities when they found me out.

Seemingly satisfied with all of the preparations, the figure jumps feet-first
into the well.  The scene seems to warp as the figure falls, finally settling
into the form of a large arena which the figure lands in the middle of.
The figure quickly looks around, assessing the dangers, and tosses a silvery
sphere straight up in the air.  The sphere stretches, elongates, and 
metamorphoses into a silver vulture that streaks away from the figure.

+++++ ALERT! ALERT! Black IC detected.

Almost as soon as the bird takes flight, a dragon appears over the horizon
and shoots toward it at a dizzying speed.  The figure aims it's arm carefully
at the dragon, and an intense blast shoots forth, striking the dragon, and
evoking a bellow of rage.  Seeing the rogue decker as the bigger threat, the
dragon changes course, and comes streaking through the sky at the figure.
The figure jumps to the left, but is caught by a raking talon as the beast
roars in fury.

+++++ persona integrity degraded.  current level:  81%
+++++ increase devastator power level:  +100%

The figure turns to face the beast, and his left arm joins with his right,
creating an even larger barrel for the energy weapon that he fired at the
creature, and a dazzling blast of energy streaks from the weapon, striking
the beast squarely in the torso.  With a final cry the beast begins to 
pixellate, eventually disappearing completely.

+++++ devastator overloaded.  program inoperable.
+++++ persona integrity degraded.  current level:  67%

The barrel of the weapon glows white hot, seeming to melt as the figure
wrenches free his arms, once again becoming a completely humanoid shape.

+++++ activate devastator.
+++++ loading devastator0.4b ... load failed.  program corrupted.
+++++ ALERT! ALERT! Decker detected.

An Aztec warrior forms directly in front of the silvery figure, in full
battle regalia.  The new warrior carries a vicious looking sword that has
a curved blade.  He smiles ferally and charges the wounded intruder.  The
intruder tries to dodge the attack, but the damage inflicted by the dragon
seems to have slowed him down a bit, and he is only able to throw up an
arm at the last second to stop the blade.

+++++ persona integrity degraded.  current level: 61%
+++++ activate spurs.
+++++ loading spurs14.2a ... ready.

A large spur flows out from each of the intruders arms, and he backs away
from the new decker in a defensive crouch.  Suddenly, without any warning,
the intruder launches himself at the new decker, feinting with his left 
spur, and connecting with his right, inflicting a wound on the warrior's
left leg.  The warrior pivots on his right leg, and uses both hands to 
deliver a wicked slash to the intruder's back, causing the silver figure
to stumble forward.

+++++ persona integrity degraded.  current level: 32%

The silvery intruder backs cautiously away from the decker, once again
returning to a defensive stance.  As the warrior charges the intruder
once again, the vulture streaks from the sky, reverting to the silvery
blob that it originated as, and merging into the body of the intruder as
it strikes the surface of the persona.  Just as the warrior is about to
deliver a crushing blow, the image dissolves into black nothingness.

+++++ persona disconnected.
+++++ probability of successful trace: 98%

+++++ end of video sequence.

Needless to say, I got the frag out of there post-haste.  Luckily, I had 
planned for this, so the owner of that coffin-motel was probably pissed when
the Azzie goon squad rolled up.  Those guys had some serious drek in there.
If my frame hadn't returned with the data when it did, I'd have been hard
pressed to fight that Azzie decker off.  He was damned good, and I was pretty
hurt from that fragging Black IC.  It's an occupational hazard, so don't
think I'm bellyaching about it.  I'll include the decrypted data in my next 
message.  ]<<<<<
	-- Flux <**:**:**/**-**-**>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[ Pleasure doing business with you.  If you need my services again,
feel free to contact me at >>encypted<<.  You can transmit your payment
to Zurich Orbital Bank, account number >>encrypted<<.

+++++ begin data upload

Overview - Project Manchu
<EDITED FOR CLEARANCE - AZTLAN EYES ONLY, NO HARD COPY>

TECHNICAL HISTORY
Manchu was inspired relatively recently after several of our deckers
encountered "Nuke" IC, which we later determined had implanted a set
of subconscious compulsions that considerably affected the victim=92s
usefulness. The concept of using high-level stimulation to condition
behaviour is not new, of course - aversion therapy has a long history
- but the technology available today allows it to be achieved
remotely, even via disposable chipware, rather than requiring a
laboratory.

Project Manchu - the name gained credence before Security review and
refers to "The Manchurian Candidate" - was proposed and immediately
authorised for covert work. <REMOVED> was appointed to head the
development team, which in Phase One carried out an analysis of media
and concluded that the standard models of interrogation chip were the
most suitable for initial development. The team were allocated a
location, <REMOVED>, which combined isolation (required for plausible
deniability in later phases) with high security.

Phase 2 was funded after the feasability study reported cautiously
positive results, and demonstrated that suggestions, coercions and
behavioural modification could be carried out by the Manchu software.
Experiments with the implant signal indicated that while
interrogation simsense was highly effective as a message medium,
other high-input ASIST could be used as a carrier for the "Manchu
factor": in fact, <REMOVED> considered that even conventional
simsense of the correct type might be used to implant Manchu
directives.

After consultations witb <REMOVED>, <REMOVED> and finally a decision
by <REMOVED>, it was decided to proceed as planned with a field-test
of the interrogation simsense - Phase III - while concurrently
developing other media under Phase IV.

Phase III was an outstanding technical success, demonstrating that
even in uncontrolled conditions the Manchu routines implanted the
compulsions correctly. Phase IV is nearing completion and its field
test is planned, using unfiltered-signal (so-called "better than
life") ASIST: hopes that the Manchu signals could be heterodyned onto
conventional simsense have not yet been realised, despite <REMOVED>'s
(possibly) optimistic projections.

TECHNICAL FUTURE
If Phase IV is unsuccessful, then Phase III remains a useful tool,
though limited somewhat by its compromise and the nature of its
carrier medium. However, Phase IV appears to be succeeding and, if
so, will offer considerable potential. Suggested usages are:-

<REMOVED>
<REMOVED>
<REMOVED>
<REMOVED>
<REMOVED>

All of these could be readily achieved with only minor modification
to the available data, and many more possibilities exist. However,
the future use of Manchu will naturally be decided by <REMOVED>: the
above are only suggestions and are not comprehensive.

SECURITY HISTORY
Project Manchu's field tests were planned for the UCAS, specifically
Seattle, as offering tbe best combination of large market, low
security risk, and accessibility for transfer of the contraband
product.

The field officer assigned was Major Zicahuata, chosen for his
successful handling of <REMOVED> and the manner in which he "cleaned"
all Aztlan connection to <REMOVED>. The commanding officer for the
security aspects of Manchu is Colonel Tepanohoutec, reporting to
<REMOVED>. Denver liaison was handled by Major Cuellar, a decision
which in retrospect appears to have been misjudged: Cuellar, while
capable within her field, lacked experience of this type of operation
and allowed herself to be compromised, then killed.

Security dangers were considered and accepted for Phases III and IV,
since these would involve a largely uncontrolled dissemination of the
Manchu software and compromise was considered likely: in fact, in a
meeting with <REMOVED>, it was ruled as probable and plans were
required to assume compromise would take place. Hence, deniability
and the standard failsafes were introduced throughout, and ther
operation has been conducted throughout in a manner that allows it to
be disavowed as the work of rogue elements if necessary. Work to
implicate "outside forces" in backing these "rogue elements" is
proceeding, though at low priority, with <REMOVED>, the UCAS SIGA and
<REMOVED> as prime candidates.

The main compromise appears to have occured to Phase III, with Phase
IV as yet unknown to the enemy: <REMOVED>, Lynch=92s actions to date
and <REMOVED> support this conclusion. To date, Lynch - officially a
freelance operative, though with connections to the UCAS SIGA - and a
handful of his associates, mostly independent shadowrunners with no
current affilation, appear to be the only threat to the program.
Phase III will end in Plan D-2, with <REMOVED>. Phase IV will proceed
as planned. Major Zicahuata=92s careful work to insulate the two
branches of the project appear to have been successful, allowing
<REMOVED>.

SECURITY THREATS
<REMOVED>

<REMOVED>

Direct UCAS involvement was feared for a while after the shootdown of
the secondary initial chipset for Phase IV by the UCAS Navy. However,
<REMOVED> states that the courier was known to the UCAS as a BTL
smuggler. Hence, while his interception was mere bad luck, their willingnes=
s
to use force and the destruction of his cargo (when the fool opened fire on
a military aircraft) was actually most fortuitous and indicates that Phase =
IV
is not compromised.

<REMOVED>

The only threat to become actual to date has been the UCAS, and that
has been successfully suppressed. The only direct attention has come
from a freelancer who is merely associated with an agency, and anm
agency with little actual power at that. Strenuous efforts to divert
any further investigation have been completely successful: for
instance InterPol have been totally diverted as described below. We
anticipate that the planned closure of Phase III should protect Phase
IV from any threat from this quarter. In addition, schemes to
discredit Lynch - for instance by <REMOVED> - are under constant
review and will be implemented if possible.

A footnote - Lynch is an identified enemy of Aztlan, and his
elimination would be a bonus. However, caution should be advised: the
objective is a successful conclusion to Manchu, not the head of Jason
Lynch. His current depth of involvement can in part be blamed on a
botched assassination attempt, which merely drew his attention to our
operation. However, neither he nor anyone else has admissible
evidence of Aztlan involvement.

My commendations to <REMOVED>, who successfuly set InterPol's Special
Branch upon Lynch: a number of other operations are proceeding at
speed, free from the need to avoid InterPol scrutiny. In addition,
with Lynch and Drake opposed, one or both may be permanently removed
as a threat.

<REMOVED>

CONCLUSION
We expect a successful conclusion to Phase III within two weeks. The
timescale for Phase IV remains indeterminate, but success is
anticipated there as well. At present, Phase IV is being allowed to
slip: protecting its security is considered more important than rigid
adherence to schedule.

+++++ end data upload ]<<<<<
	-- Flux <**:**:**/**-**-**>

>>>>>[..Isnt racism... the bad called metahumans are not humans... Never..
they are only monsters.. God's enemies... is Clear ?]<<<<<
	-- Judas <13:35:30 / 04-15-57>

*****PRIVATE: Blade
>>>>>[Well, Lynch is okay. A gel round in the back, nothing too bad,
he wasn't even hurt much - as you could tell from the way he was swearing.
I put the footage together so you could see how good we all looked.
Tangent says his hit went off well and they grabbed their guy. Lynch
is interrogating him now. I'll keep you informed.

+++++begin video
The drone view pans along a street - you'd guess Renton from the 
signs - zooming in and out on cars and individuals, before pulling 
back to a longshot of several blocks around, checking the roofs. That 
done, it closes onto a blue 3220ZX soft-top, roof down, in a Stuffer 
Shack parking lot. Lynch, Lilith and Blade sit inside, eating and 
talking: the audio feed cuts in with a slight 'pop'. 
 
"Low profile?" 
"Low profile." 
"Yeah, right, low profile. This plan is low profile? What, you're 
putting silencers on the assault cannon?" Lilith smirks at the two 
men. 
"Hey, who invited her?" 
"You did, Lynch." 
"Oh. Enough of the sarcastic remarks, okay?" 
"Sure, Jason. Next, one of you is going to say 'easy in, easy out'." 
"No, not really. 'Low profile' and 'easy' don't match." replies Lynch. 

Blade suddenly grins. "I don't want a match. I want a lighter." 
"You'll get a flamethrower up the kazoo if you don't shut up."  
"Boys, do I have to throw you out of the car until you behave? 
Remember, we want information. Prisoners. Data. " 
"We'll do our best. Let's hope they co-operate." Lynch lights a 
cigarette, passes it to Lilith, lights another himself, as they sit 
and wait and the drone view continues to orbit.
"Do it to plan and it'll work." Lilith draws on her Marlboro. "I hear 
he'll be quite glad to talk, but we have to save his face."

 
"Mani says street's clear. Internal system's cold, he can't touch it, 
but no lurkers outside. Drone One shows rooftops clear, confirms no 
obvious stakeouts. Meeting's breaking up, the Mafia guys are leaving. 
Riku and his men are still inside." Lilith's voice sounds almost 
bored. "Two shows Riku inside with eight, count'em, guards. No 
shoulder weapons visible, the cafe is neutral turf and lightly 
secured. Vittorio's guys are clearing the street. Ready?" 
"Ready." 
"Ready." 
 
The 3220ZX backs out of its slot, and pulls away down the street - 
swerving suddenly as it passes a small coffee shop, scattering the 
sidewalk chairs and tables as it crashes through the glass front. The 
view abruptly shifts to a low-angle from across the street, zooming 
in fast as all three occupants of the car leap into action, the 
camera speed slowing to let you see them move at something like normal 
pace.
 
Inside the cafe, a Japanese is the focal point, at a table with four 
companions - a second before they had been laughing and drinking 
coffee, now two of his friends are dragging him towards the back exit 
while the other two draw pistols, the overturned table spilling cups 
and saucers. At tables either side of Riku's, two pairs of customers 
are likewise turning to fight. 
 
Blade cannons into the left pair, all three spilling to the ground 
and out of view: you see smoke and spent brass spray from Lynch's MP-
5K, and the two men between him and Suriga are tossed backwards, 
vivid orange splattered over their torsos. Meanwhile Lilith has 
launched herself at the pair on the right, one of them trying to 
bring up his pistol as she hits him with a flying kick and 
knocks him into a corner. The other, an Amerind woman, fires a short 
burst from her Ingram, missing; then uses the SMG as a club to lash 
at Lilith, who twists under the blow, chopping the woman's wrist so 
the Ingram flies away (firing another few rounds as it lands on the 
floor). 
 
The Amerind guard punches at Lilith's chest, as Lady steps around 
inside it, smashing the huge pistol she holds into the woman's hip. 
As the Amerind staggers back, Lilith finishes her with a perfectly-
executed flying roundhouse kick to the side of the head: showy, but 
effective. 
 
Meanwhile, Blade is rising and aiming at Riku, as Lynch fires again 
- this time at the door Suriga's last two guards are hustling him 
towards, the impact of the gel rounds slamming it shut. In Japanese, 
he calls "Riku-san! We must talk." as the guards turn to fight - 
one pulling his employer behind him, the other bringing out a 
Guardian automatic. 

"Hold!" snaps Riku, and his guards freeze: there is a long, tense 
moment as everyone stares at each other over the sights of various 
weapons, then Riku gives a curt hand signal and his men cautiously 
holster their guns, one going to check the downed guards.

"Then, let us talk. Lynch-san, Lady-sama, I am honoured by your 
attentions. You, I believe, are Blade-san, a warrior of some repute. 
I commend you on your skill, and - " he glances sideways, nods almost
imperceptibly - "thank you all for sparing the lives of my men." 
 
"Lynch? Star ETA nine minutes. Street still clear." whispers Lilith 
as Riku bows and Lynch returns it.

"And I commend your guards for their dedication and bravery. They 
fought well and bravely. Riku-san, time is short and I must apologise 
for the discourtesy, but may we speak of business matters? 
"Of course, Lynch-san." The oyabun gestures to one of the guards Blade 
floored, who is groggily rising: the man quicky sets out chairs, and 
the three raiders and the Yakuza sit: a jarring sight, four people 
sitting and conversing in the midst of a wrecked coffee shop with a 
car parked in the middle of the overturned tables and broken 
crockery. With a wave, Riku dismisses his men to help their 
comrades. 

"Your interest is the torture chips, of course? Of course. I was 
approached by a most impolite gaijin who offered me the chips very 
cheaply. I refused: I find such matters... distasteful. If a customer 
wishes to destroy their brain or body, I gladly profit from their 
foolishness, but I disliked the notion of using these devices to inflict 
pain on others - but I digress.  

"The gaijin was most insistent, and next offered me money - much 
money - to sell them. He said that they were experimental, and of 
some importance, and threatened me openly that my continued refusal 
would have... consequences for my clan and myself. So, I accepted, 
and I have sold perhaps a hundred of the chips over the last few 
months. However, in recent days the deliveries have stopped, as have 
his communications. It appears that the experiment, whatever it may 
have been, is over." 
 
"And did you investigate this uncouth person?" 
"Naturally, Lady-sama. If you wish, I could arrange for the 
information we found to become yours." 

"We are in your debt, Riku-san." says Lynch formally, rising and 
bowing. "And now we must take our leave of you." Riku also rises 
and bows, then the three raiders climb into the battered 3220ZX and 
it reverses out of the coffee shop. 
 
As Lilith is turning the car, Lynch is suddenly thrown forward in his 
seat and Blade whirls, throwing something that bursts in a dense 
cloud of red smoke behind the car. "Sniper four o'clock, no range! GO! 
GO! GO!" The convertible's tyres lay rubber as Lilith floors it, she 
and Blade hunched down in their seats and Blade continuing to lob 
smoke grenades. The view snaps back to the high drone, which is 
panning around higher and higher until it locks on two figures at a 
roof edge, at least three blocks away: the roofing felt they had 
hidden under lying crumpled beside them as the sniper tracks the 
smoke cloud. Both wear standard raid jackets, with the word INTERPOL 
stencilled in three-inch Day-Glo yellow across the shoulders. The 
spotter suddenly gestures and the sniper turns, aiming at the drone 
which begins jinking away at high speed, losing the view.
+++++end trideo

Oh, and those gel rounds aren't just gel rounds. But I'm waiting to see
what happens about that one. It might be ...amusing.

Watch your ass, though. Drake now has proof positive that you're an 
accomplice and may come gunning for you too. Take care.]<<<<<
	-- Lilith <18:17:52/04-15-57>

*****PRIVATE: 1Lt DiAnnio, SIGA
+++++engage encryption: read_this_and_die
>>>>>[Lilith, you were ordered to keep clear on this one, and I see you 
didn't. Bad Lilith, naughty Lilith.

You're officially suspended for the duration of the tortureware problem 
pending an internal inquiry. 

Good luck and good hunting.]<<<<<
+++++disengage encryption: read_this_and_die
	-- David Coppinger <18:22:42/04-15-57>
	   Director
	   Strategic Intelligence Gathering Agency

*****PRIVATE: D Coppinger, Director SIGA
>>>>>[Are you going to come and chastise me, then, sir? Give me some,
ah, 'stiff correction'? <g> "Secret Agent Needs Spanking". I could set 
it up on a 'phone line and get some spare cash for our budget.

And, what, this doesn't come out of my vacation allowance? How generous.
Is this paid or unpaid suspension... or is that a silly question?]<<<<<
	-- 1Lt DiAnnio <18:24:51/04-15-57>

*****PRIVATE: 1Lt DiAnnio, SIGA
>>>>>[What, you're taking on a conspiracy against the UCAS, risking your
life, fighting for your country against impossible odds, working alone
without support, and you want to be *paid* for it? 

Unpaid suspension. Looks better for both of us if anything goes wrong.
Backdated salary, once you're officially cleared and reinstated. And no,
you aren't getting interest on it. 

I sometimes wonder what it is that Lynch sees in you. Or you in him, for
that matter.

Good luck, both of you.]<<<<<
	-- David Coppinger <18:22:42/04-15-57>
	   Director
	   Strategic Intelligence Gathering Agency

>>>>>[Me a Troll, if ya know what I mean. And I do my big explosions in a 
building! Trolls rage! Taser through eye not as impressive as CRUSH 
anti-tank arrows though. Me want them! Show me how to use CRUSH?]<<<<<
	--  Smiley  <14:44:54/4-15-57>

>>>>>[I am different. Isn't that what this all comes down to Judas? 
I am different from you, and therefore a threat to you, so I must be 
destroyed. Hmm, are you normal? What is normal? Is it you sir, No, you 
have black eyes, not green, thats not normal! You sir, no, you have blue 
eyes, not green. Is it you ma'am. I see you have green eye's. But no, not 
you either, you are a woman, and don't have red hair! Hmm, waht is normal 
Judas? Is it you? I think not. I am Elven, hear me roar.]<<<<<
	--  Blademaster  <14:58:58/4-15/57>

>>>>>[I dont speak with monsters]<<<<<
	-- judas <14:10:20 / 04-15-96>

>>>>>[ CRUSH not understand.  CRUSH dad human.  CRUSH mom human.  CRUSH not
human?  CRUSH go school, CRUSH like other kids.  CRUSH go college.  CRUSH have
lots of pain.  CRUSH bigger.  CRUSH LOTS bigger.  CRUSH slower.  CRUSH still
CRUSH.  Why CRUSH not human.  Spirit say CRUSH human.  Claw say CRUSH human.
Spirit say she Sioux, say CRUSH troll.  Claw say Claw black, say CRUSH troll.

Spirit mom human.  Spirit Dad human. Spirit human
Claw dad human.  Claw mom human.  Claw human.
CRUSH mom human.  CRUSH dad human.  CRUSH human.
Judas say CRUSH not human. CRUSH confused.  Why CRUSH monster?  CRUSH have kids,
kids human.  

Why CRUSH God's enemy?  Gd say "I create in my image."  God give two arms,
two legs, walk up. Everyone have two arm and two legs, everyone walk up. 
Everyone human.

Why Judas say CRUSH not human.  

Judas stupid.]<<<<<
	-- CRUSH <12:34:54/04-15-57>

>>>>>[My, that was a rather large mouthful for him.

Funny thing is, he hit the idea right on the head.  Its so simple that even a
two year old could figure it out.  Metahuman are humans, just ones slightly
changed by the coming of magic.  

It is rather unintelligent and prejudice to say that the coming of magic
suddenly made 10% of the population hated by god.  From all that I was taught
about him, he loves all people no matter what they do.  Of course, he all said
that two of the seven deadly sins where pride and hatred.  Does that not mean
that if you hae another race because you are superior you are commiting 2 of the
seven deadly sins?

I don't really think it matters though. No matter what the truth is and how
unfounded the arguements to hate metahumans, people will still find a reason to
do so.  They will not listen to what you say, or will twist the written word
like a lawyer and not use for what they were supposed to mean.]<<<<<
	-- Bill the Galactic Hero <12:45:04/04-15-57>

>>>>>[ Very well said, CRUSH .. you ARE human, and Judas IS stupid. ]<<<<<
	-- Griffyn <15:41:56/04-15-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Aristo
>>>>>[I have finally located the man known as Sword of God.  He is 
currently at ++location++, a fortified base in the Mojave desert.  He 
moved his base of operations there after he was released from a Humanis 
sponsered clinic.  The evidence suggests that he was there having his 
cyberware repaired and upgraded.  I will endeavor to gain further 
information on his current whereabouts and the security measures 
present.]<<<<<
	-- Merlyn <12:47/4-15-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Jen & Gabe, Phobos
>>>>>[I would be willing to meet you online to discuss plans for the 
run.  I have a private booth at the Spy's Demise and will be there from 
++time++ to ++time++ all this week.]<<<<<
	-- Paradox <12:49:01/4-15-57>

>>>>>["Cain't we jus git along?"]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <19:34:18 / 04-15-57> 
	   Executive Officer
	   Industrial Sound and Magic

***** PRIVATE: Serenity Mages
>>>>>[Ok, I dont know if I passed out the formula for "Mind Rape" but I
am going to suggest that if you have it, you dont use it.  It needs to
be fixed so you dont get stuck and its easier to edit out the external
memories.  I keep having flash backs of being raped...beaten by my father...
and worse yet, I really cant distinguish her trapped memories from my 
own.

Thanks, again, for being there for me, guys.  It had to be done.  I need
to go into the office in a bit here.  Just wanted to catch up on mail before
I showered and took off.  Ill be down at Lone Star most of the day.  My dad
always taught me to work for my pay, and work I will.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <19:39:11 / 04-15-57>

***** PRIVATE: Trax, Skuff, Merrox, Neuron Basher
>>>>>[Thank you for altering my features on that footage.  The kid is a little
to inquisitive to have her accidentally trying to figure out who I "really" am.

I assume you've already nuked the originals, right?  If we need them back I 
can alway request them through channels.  Thats all I need right now is 
some over zealous reporter making links where none should exist.

Oh, guys, be aware  --  sometime in the next month or so, there is going to
be a ton of activity around some of my personal holdings.  I've talked with
Drake at Interpol about...you all know this already.  Why do I bother "keeping
you up to date?  Sometimes I still forget that you are all privy to my
incoming and outgoing mail.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <19:41:18 / 04-15-57>

>>>>>["CRUSH" ?? Give me a best name for a Monster...Hear me , son of the 
beast.. you are an abomination... a monster...you must die... Im the 
instrument of Gods revenge... His Holy hands wants blood.. your blood...
.and the blood of all monsters like you...the final day is near.. Finally 
God will win]<<<<<
	-- Judas <14:50:50 / 04-15-57>

>>>>>[ Arrows not anti-tank.  Arrows made hurt juggernaut.  CRUSH hunt
juggernaut.  CRUSH find Juggernaut.  CRUSH stay away.  CRUSH got close to
behemoth.  Behemoth step on CRUSH toe.  CRUSH stay away juggernaut.  CRUSH not
want juggernaut step on CRUSH toe. 

CRUSH see juggernaut.  Then CRUSH hear noisy.  Noisy get louder.  CRUSH see
banshee.  Juggernaut see banshee.  Banshee see CRUSH. Juggernaut not see CRUSH
Banshee move gun.  Banshee not aim at juggernaut, banshee aim CRUSH.  CRUSH move
out of way.  Banshee fire.  Banshee miss. CRUSH leap.  Banshee fire missle. 
CRUSH fall behind boulder.  CRUSH fall in ditch.  Boulder blow up.  Rocks hit
CRUSH.  CRUSH get mad.  CRUSH take out arrow.  Banshee come back round.  CRUSH
shoot.  Arrow hit banshee.  Banshee go "BOOOM!".  Juggernaut rush to banshee. 
Juggernaut begin eat banshee.  CRUSH hungry.  Juggernaut hungry.  CRUSH not want
hunt juggernaut.  CRUSH not need bounty.  CRUSH leave.  Juggernaut eat.

CRUSH go Stuffer Shack. CRUSH get half isle three.  CRUSH eat.  CRUSH not think
juggernaut taste good like behemoth.  Juggernaut eat too much metal.]<<<<<
	-- CRUSH <13:05:57/04-15-57>

>>>>>[I wonder if Dad's getting hungry again....  Oh, I almost forgot.  
Dad said that Humanis taste worse than Vitas-IV infected cancerous lab 
rats.]<<<<<
	--  Diana, Mistress of the Night <13:59:31/04-15-57>

*****NOT TO: Judas
>>>>>[I don't usually do wetwork for no reason (or for free) but I think
this is a case of maintaining public decency. Someone tell me where this
guy is, and I'd be happy to expend a few very nice pieces of steel
jacketed lead into his sorry hide. 

I admit violence doesn't really solve anything. But it certainly makes one
feel like he's done something useful.]<<<<<
	-- Rattler <14:08:31/04-15-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[  We got him, Lynch .. we're holding him at the warehouse, you know
where it is.  We'll be expecting you.  

+++++ begin video:

The scene opens with a view that appears to be from an airborne drone that
is hovering in what appears to be an upscale residential area.  Centered
in the view is a large single-floor house that has a limousine and several
other luxury cars parked in the driveway.  As if on cue, several oriental
men leave the house and begin to climb into the various cars.  From the bulges
under their suit jackets, it's obvious that most of the men are armed.
The view zooms on one of the men, an middle-aged japanese man who is climbing
into the limousine, and a small window appears with a still image of him
in the upper left of the display.

+++++ identify image.  image recognized:  Buntaka Ohki
+++++ probability: 96%

Thunder:  "Target confirmed.  He's in the limo."

Tangent:  click, click.
Static:  click, click.

Thunder:  "They're on the move.  ETA to ambush site is 4 minutes."

The view follows the limo through Seattle, eventually heading to what
those who are familiar with the area will recognize as Redmond.  Another 
view fills the screen, this time of a poorly kept street in a very bad
section of Redmond.

Tangent:  "Snarl, hit it as soon as Team Two is in position."
Snarl:  click, click.

The cars round the corner, a Mercedes coupe in the lead, followed by a 
Mitsubishy Nightsky that Buntaka is riding in, with another Mercedes
following up the limo.  As the trailing Mercedes rounds the corner, 
a large van pulls behind it, blocking the retreat, and the street
bursts upwards, engulfing the lead car in a large explosion. 

Tangent:  "GO! GO!"

Abruptly, the view switches again, to a stationary position that is apparently
located in one of the buildings to the side of the street.  Two figures can be 
seen rushing the limo, one firing at the tires which soon disentigrate, the
other firing into the front of the limo hitting the driver in the face with
a controlled burst of armor piercing rounds.

Meanwhile, two figures can be seen shooting out of the open door of the
with Light Machine Guns, tearing large holes in the trailing car as
they provide cover for the two approaching the Nightsky.  Within seconds,
there is nothing but a smoking hulk remaining where the second Mercedes
stood.

The two figures who rushed the Nightsky take up defensive positions, 
weapons trained on the backdoor of the limo.

Tangent:  "Please exit the vehicle, Mr. Ohki, and you will not be harmed.  You
have 10 seconds."

About 4 seconds later, the middle-aged japanese man emerges from the back
of the Nightsky with his hands in the air, and a horrified look on his face.
The attacker on the left safes his MP-5, slings it over his shoulder, and
calmly walks up to Ohki.  Suddenly, Ohki swings into action, his hand flying
to his jacket, but before he can even finish reaching for a weapon, the
approaching figure has slammed hard into Ohki's wrist with his right hand,
obviously breaking bones.  The figure quickly reaches into a pouch on his belt,
and retrieves a med-patch which he applies to Ohki's neck, the drugs rendering
him unconcious in seconds.

+++++ end of video

As you can see, the Op went down pretty much exactly as I planned it.  Ohki
tried to be slick at the last minute, but that wasn't exactly unexpected
either, and his wrist should heal up nicely.  We blew the Nightsky when we 
were finished, so as far as the rest of the world is concerned, Mr. Ohki
is dead.  ]<<<<<
	-- Tangent <16:17:08/04-15-57>

>>>>>[ CRUSH not understand Judas.  God say "Love everyone."  God say not kill.
God say turn other cheek.  God say "Love neighbor like love God." God give life
save people.  God create all things.  God say "Adam, I give you all.  You
protect and take care all."  

Judas hate people.  Judas want kill people. Judas want take life.  God want save
life.  Judas and CRUSH talking 'bout same god?

God create all.  God create CRUSH. CRUSH abomination. God create abomination?

God say one thing.  Judas do other.  Judas not follow God.  Judas Bad.]<<<<<
	-- CRUSH <13:34:50/04-15-57>

>>>>>[ I think its rather amusing to see CRUSH out argue somebody.  It shows how
truely ignorant they are. Of course, CRUSH has a rather easy arguement to give,
and it rather hard to refute its simplicity.]<<<<<
	-- Bill the Galactic Hero <13:36:07/04-15-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lilith, Lynch
>>>>>[Glad to hear Lynch is going to be alright, and that Tangent was
succesful.  Thats all good.

Whats bad is the stuff with Drake.  I don't like having warrants issued for
my arrest.  And shoot on sight orders aren't exactly my idea of friendly
hello's.  Leaving now's not gonna help me or Lynch, so I'm staying.  We may
just have to change tactics.

I'll meet with you two soon.  We need to discuss a possible change in
tactics.]<<<<<
	-- Blade <14:25:25/04-15-57>

>>>>>[People who cannot get noticed tend to be obnoxious until someone
gives them the attention they feel they deserve.  Thats likely the case
here.

Rather than just taking him out back and dispensing a bit of the old street
justice, why dont you just get a couple deckers to kick his turtle over
everytime he shows up here.  That should be easy enough to do.  But this
all comes down to "freedom of speech".  He has a right to his opinion, and
I have a right to my filters.  I wont have to listen to his drivvel any
longer.  You all can do the same.

Crush, Welcome home.  I have not seen you in a while.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <20:21:51 / 04-15-57> 

>>>>>[--* Judas, My son, Hear me... the sons of the shadow Lord are in 
all this city... continue with our holy mission...kill'em all !! You have 
my power and protection !! *--.. but my Lord......--* Remember, my son, you 
killed your mother and your father whwn you was a child !!!! you must 
obey me !!!*--...yes , my Lord]<<<<<
	-- Judas <15:30:30 / 04-15-57>

>>>>>[Then again...some people are just off their damned rocker.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <20:38:49 / 04-15-57> 

>>>>>[CRUSH may not be the most verbose troll I've ever met, but he does
make a pretty damn good arguement.  We're all human and Judas is a fragging
twit.  Personally, Judas is boring the drek out of me.  Rattler, you don't
need it, but if you wanna drop Judas, you've got my blessing.]<<<<<
	-- Blade <14:45:45/04-15-57>

>>>>>[ Hear, hear Crush.  I think it's safe to say you speak for most
humans out on this board.  We _are_ all humans, wether we chose to believe
it or not.  If Judas wants to call someone a monster he should look in the
mirror more often, I think that is where the real monster lies.  On an off
topic, I would like to invite you and your wife over to a small gathering.
I know you didn;t know Redfeather, but it is Sioux tradition that after a
warrior dies the family gives his possesions away.  If I recall your wife
Spirit is Sioux, she might find a few things of interest that she might
like.  And if I remember right I believe he had a choker and breastplate
that just might fit you with a little reworking (his cousin was a troll).
To all of you who where Redfeather's friend I invite you to come it will
be at my apartment, or what is left of it, around 8 o'clock or so.  I hope
to see you there.  Oh and just on a side note if any of you less reputable
characters decied to show I should warn you most of Red's family are in
the Rangers.  It wouldn't be a good idea to start anything. ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blackthorne <18:07:12/04-15-57>

*****NOT TO: Judas
>>>>>[I'm human myself, by which I mean not an elf, or troll, or whatever; 
and I find the kind of racist crap people like Judas spew as disgusting as
anything I've ever come across. He both bores me *and* annoys me, a most 
dangerous combination for anyone who wants to continue drawing air in Our 
Fair City.

I've never met CRUSH, but I've heard nothing but the best about him. 
People who'll make decisions based on racial types rather than ability and
competance need at the very least a swift kick in the head.]<<<<<
	-- Rattler <15:04:15/04-15-57>

>>>>>[Guess what? in 1996 I would have been hated for the color of my skin. I am black, something that I have no way of controling or changing naturaly and I have no intention 
of cosmetically changing. Now in 2057, 61 years later, I'm hated by the same doltz and 
idiots, because of my genes and the fact that I've been blessed with abilities, once 
again something that I've not the money or the natural ability or the personal 
inclination to change, things that for me have both a blessing and a curse.  Crush I've 
felt your confusion and at times just like you cannot make the connection. 

 If my recollection of the book called the Holly Bible is correct isn't "JUDAS"
the name a weak and pathetic human, that sold his only chance for spiritual salvation, 
something invaluable, for a mere 50 pieces of silver? who is the enemy of your god, 
Judas? is it Crush whose life has been filled with persecution and hatred
and has found in himself the strength to over come the challanges set for him because of 
his being diferent or is it you and other ignorants like yourself that use Gods wordz to 
justify gross acts against defenseless women and children.  

   I'm a man. I am an elven man.  I am an elven black man.
Once you take out the adjectives I am just a man.  
			-- "The diferences that 
				make us the same
			          R.Rodriguez 8/12/34

Something freddy Fripp made me read once. maybe you should too]<<<<<
	-- GoD <16:45:22/04-15-96>

***** Private: Jen and Gabe, Paradox
>>>>>[Sure, I'll be there Paradox.  We can discuss this thing in more depth.
Contact me at >encrypted<, what is a good day for ya?]<<<<<
	-- Phobos <19:13:42/04-15-57>

*****PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[I'm getting NOWHERE! This is like looking for a needle in a needle
factory! Do you know how many brown haired couples there are out there? We
don't even know where they're from! Ack! I've been going through reems and
reems of fragging images on all the info-fragging-bases I can find. Every
time I get at least 1000 positive ID's! 

Is there anything else you can give me? I know the Star has better search
facilities than I do, but at least it makes me feel useful. Blah.]<<<<<
	-- Cybil <18:28:43/15-04-57>

*****PRIVATE: Phobos, Paradox
>>>>>[Thursday is good.]<<<<<
	-- Jen and Gabe <18:29:34/15-04-57>

>>>>>[No offence, Bounty-Killa, but with the price on my head and a name
like yours... <g> Right now, I'm only hiring people I know, for reasons
I hope are obvious.

Send me some info on your strengths and weaknesses, though. Good help is
hard to find, even if you can't always use it right away. If I get through
this and things cool off, I might need you.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <19:45:32/04-15-57>

*****INTERNAL:  InterPol Command Center Transcript
>>>>>[  CD:  Commander Drake
	SM:  Sergent Montoya
	MX:  Marshal Xavier Qoph

SM:  Morning, Bos...er, Marshal Qoph, I didn't see you there, sir.

MX:  At ease, Sergent.

SM:  Uh, yes sir.

CD:  It went well, Monty?

SM:  Yes, sir.

CD:  Give me a break, Monty.  Just because Marshal Qoph is here doesn't 
mean I want the proper etiquette.  Relax.

SM:  Ok, Boss.  Yeah, we got a direct hit.  If it had been a real bullet, 
he'd be pushing up the daisies now.  Do we have a good signal?

CD:  Sure do.  They're tracking it down now.  It emitted for 5 seconds 
every half hour per design, and we're about to give it the full active 
signal.

SM:  Well, hell's bells, Boss.  I though we'd already got a team on it.

CD:  We do.  Sir, with your permission.

MX:  Of course, Commander.

CD:  Martin!  Activate it!

Martin(Technician):  Yes sir.  Signal transmitted.  We are recieving 
signal in return.  Signal is stationary.

MX:  How long till we have it triangulated?

CD:  With us, a chopper, and a ground unit, maybe a minute.

SM:  Tops.

Martin:  Chopper 2 has vector.  IPHQ has vector.  Waiting for Ground 6.  
Ground 6 has vector.  Triangulating.  Location:  Fourth and Seneca.  
Target is moving slowly, approximately 1.5m/s.  Elevation:  84m.

MX:  Move on it!  Get that sonofabitch!

SM:  Belay that order!  Display location on map.

MX:  What?!  You're out of order, Sergent

SM:  Sir, I know this city, and that's probably not Lynch.

Martin:  Displaying location....

CD:  Downtown.  Explain yourself, Sergent.

SM:  Give me the address, someone.

Martin:  Checking....  Metroplex Hall.

SM:  Sirs, there's no way Lynch is in Metroplex Hall.

CD:  Drek.  Monty, get down there and find the tracker.

SM:  Yes, sir.  Marshal, with your permission.

MX:  Go.

CD:  I suggest you call Metroplex Hall, sir.  Tell them we're coming.  
I'll call Lone Star and tell them that the screaming bug they just caught 
in the Hall was ours.  I wouldn't want them to call in the bomb squad for 
a tracking beacon.  Oh, Monty!

SM:  Boss?

CD:  Call me when you find it.

SM:  Right.

MX:  What went wrong, Commander?

CD:  Lynch found the tracker.  After all, a stun round doesn't exactly 
keep itself secret.  We'll know more when we get the tracker from Montoya.

MX:  I want him disciplined for countermanding my orders, Commander.

CD:  What?  Give me a break, Zach.  You really wanted to have to explain 
to the Governor, plus the UCAS rep and Lone Star what the frag an 
InterPol unit was doing breaking into Metroplex Hall armed with SWAT 
gear?  I certainly don't want to.

MX:  That's not the point, Commander.

CD:  Zach, I'm not going to do it.  If you want him disciplined, you'll 
write up the request yourself.  You know how I train my agents, even the 
ones with the prison histories.  I'll talk to him, of course, but his 
actions do NOT go in his records as coming from me.  And I can fight you, 
Zach.  You're Seattle Head, and nominally my CO.  But Special Branch is 
independant and so am I.  More importantly, so are my agents.  I'd rather 
just drop it, though.

MX:  Can you assure me that you'll deal with Sergent Montoya?

CD:  Absolutely.  But not on the record.

MX:  Fair enough for now.  That's strike one for him.

CD:  As you wish. ]<<<<<
	--  InterPol Command Center Transcript <16:50:57/04-15-57>

***** PRIVATE: Cybil
>>>>>[Im sorry, in all the excitement of trying to get me back and getting
LS off my back long enough for my people to get my put back together I
completely failed to send these out to you.  

+++++ Include Artists Representation

I was able to give a better description of what I saw (she saw) during
the initial meeting.  If you have time, I can give you a better picture.

I've shown it to a couple of the detectives working on doing database
searches.  Unless they have an arrest record with LS, we are going to be,
yet again, at a dead end.  I dont have the pull right now to push it to
InterPol or ask KE to assist.  Ill see what I can do]<<<<<
	-- Kor <23:13:49 / 04-15-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Serenity Deckers, Maria Martine
>>>>>[How are things going?  I read over the police report on the 
balistics from the last attack and I must say I am not overly surprised.

What are the chances that we could, assuming we dont get a good match, we
kick this up to InterPols data jocks to see if they have them on
file?]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <23:14:17 / 04-15-57>
	   Magical Forensics
	   Lone Star - Consultant

>>>>>[ CRUSH and Spirit come.  CRUSH not know any rangers.  CRUSH know some
WildCats.  Guess CRUSH need get out honor feathers.]<<<<<
	-- CRUSH <18:45:12/04-15-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Commander Drake
>>>>>[Hey, Boss, I got the beacon.

I gave it to the forensics folk, but they don't think it'll have enough 
viable tissue for a ritual link, but we're looking.

The beacon got mailed.  The return address was a condemned building that 
we went over and found nothing but squatters who are going to be kicked 
out in a week.  The intended recepient was Governor Shultz.

When I arrived, I was escorted to the basement where security was 
handling the beacon.  It was detected almost as soon as we activated it 
by the internal scanners and security claimed it.  I'm glad Lone Star and 
the Gov's security were notified, because one of them told me that they 
were getting ready to destroy the whole package.

Nothing inside except the beacon and a short, hand-written note:

Nice try, boys.  Better luck next time.

The note was turned over to forensics as well, but I don't expect 
anything from it either.

As for the actual shots, the taggers said that there were 3 people 
total.  One was postively IDed as Lynch and we're running checks on the 
other two.]<<<<<
	--  Montoya <19:46:17/04-15-57>

*****INTERNAL:  Maxim Security Log
>>>>>[Good evening, ma'am.

"Frag the pleasantries, John.  You said that our sources have IDed 
another one of the Cambodia attackers."

That's right.  He's a magician, by the name of Griffyn.  Another one of 
the Seattle crowd.  He was IDed only recently by a snitch we've got in 
Seattle, and we just verified ID with one of our agents today.  We're 
searching for abodes and possible covers as well.  Nothing so far, and I 
suspecte it will take some time.  We've devoted most of our assets to 
recovery.

"Who have we located?"

One of the attackers, Jason Lynch, is spending a lot of time fighting 
Azzie tortureware distribution.  We've acquired some of the chips and are 
analyzing them for potential income.  At this point they're only slightly 
better than the chips and programs we sell already.  The code is, in many 
ways, similar to the Nuke code we've been testing, but integrated into a 
tortureware BTL instead of IC or combat utilities.

We think that another attacker, the ex-Ares employee Blade, is assisting 
Lynch.

"Is that all?"

Currently, yes.  If you would like me to devote more of our intelligence 
resources to the search, I will do so.

"No.  We need them to help with the economic recovery.  Keep the fire 
burning, but don't turn up the heat yet.  Getting our feet on stable 
ground again is more important."

Yes ma'am.]<<<<<
	--  Maxim Security Log <19:58:08/04-15-57>

***** PRIVATE: Blackthorne
>>>>>[I will be there out of respect for a great man.  I apologize for
being unable to attend the funeral.]<<<<<
	-- Wintergeist <21:56:32/04-15-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Spirit, Melles
>>>>>[One of my San Francisco contacts paid off.  I've been sent the 
current location of Sword of God.  He's in a fortified bunker in th 
Mojave desert.  My contacts going to try and get more information on the 
security there.  But perhaps the two of you could check this place out 
with your sources.  The base is at ++location++.

Also my contact informed me that Sword has had his old cyberware repaired 
and some upgrades added.]<<<<<
	-- Aristo <7:49:32/4-15-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Spirit
>>>>>[I wonder if you can arrange for a shadow team to get to Sword 
before the authorities.  I think it's best that Sword be taken out before 
he can be captured.  I don't want to risk him getting free again.  If 
neccesary I can arrange to pay for the team.  And Thornn and David want 
to be in on it.  Thank you.]<<<<<
	-- Aristo <7:50:02/4-15-57>

>>>>>[Managed to catch this.  Thought it might intrest some of you.

***MESSAGE INTERCEPTED/DECRYPTION BEGIN....

DECRYPTION FINISHED....

TO: [a--i--s] at [Gotterdemung]
You idiots!  Not one fully succesful mission!  The ork and the 
priest are only wounded!  The whore and her demon lover are only 
inconvienced!  And the House of Hell known as Haven is basically 
unharmed.  And only ONE known fatality!  I leave you alone for barely a 
month and everything falls apart!  And METRATRON was slain by 
demonspawn!  Must I do everything!  Cease all hostilities and wait for 
my orders.  --  Sword of God <8:21:21/4-15-57>

Oh and the message source was in CalFree.  Unfortunately from a mobile 
satelite uplink somewhere in the Mojave.]<<<<<
	-- Paradox <19:59:21/4-15-57>

*****NOt To:Sword of Glod
>>>>>[Ah.... Mojave... Thganks fer the tip. I'e been looking in all
the wrong places!

Now mebbe I can get something.]<<<<<
	--Kromofton <04-15-57/20:45:22>

>>>>>[I am not d&emon-spawn, Sword of God, I am human like you. We kil_ed
Meta[ron, just as we are ab#ut to kill you. Not for simple revenge, but as
a le?son to all those who wish to damage the dre{m of Haven.]<<<<<
	-- Righteous and Dana <COR/CO
+++++SIGNAL TERMINATED

*****PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[Natch! I've been looking at too many brown-haired pictures recently.
Every damn brown haired person I see looks familiar now. Or maybe I've
just seen those two someplace before. =)

  I'll start a few database searches with those pictures. I doubt I'll
find anything, but you never know. Don't hesitate to mail me with any
news.]<<<<<
	-- Cybil <01:54:31/16-04-57>

>>>>>[Soka....]<<<<<
	-- Bounty-Killa <09:20:56/04-16-57>

***** Private: Lynch
>>>>>[If you wanna know about me, Here's a list of references you might want to Check\
Matrone at >>ENCRIPTED<< or >>ENCRYPTED<<
PINHEAD at >>ENCRIPTED<< 
DRED and DREZ at >>ENCRYPTED<< on the corner of >>ENCRYPTED<< when you
get there just as for them.
  I hope you weren't expectin' a dossier or a resume.
Drek! I'm run the shadows, not the assistant manager at the corner
stuffer-shack.]<<<<<
	-- Bounty-Killa <09:25:23/04-16-57>

Hey !! .. Judas is a character.!!.. He talks like a 
character !! Im not Judas !!  I dont have his idiot ideas !! Never !! If you 
want to reply Judas...talk like a character !!!

Your very-bad-english-speaker-friend Sergio

>>>>>[ Righteous & Dana:  Good luck.  I hope you take him down.  Hard. ]<<<<<
	-- Kenneth Donaldson <11:27:59/04-16-57>

***** PRIVATE: Bounty-Killa
>>>>>[Thanks for the references. When the world stops trying to kill me for
a few days, I'll check them out. Matrone, huh? He's come a long way since
I knew him... 

Anyway, this is good stuff. Thanks.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <17:40:42/04-16-57>

>>>>>[ Why Sword of Dog call CRUSH demon?   CRUSH only have one horn not two.
CRUSH think Judas and Sword of Dog need help.

CRUSH give Sword of Dog lab-a-tommy, yeah that it.  CRUSH rip of head.  CRUSH
replace head with coconut.  Sword of Dog be more smart.]<<<<<
	-- CRUSH <10:03:03/04-16-57>

*****Private: Aristo
>>>>>[ I'll find out as much as I can then get back to you.  Thanks again for 
the lunch, I hope CRUSH didn't cost you too much to feed.]<<<<<
	-- Spirit <Of the Matrix> 

>>>>>[Judas ya go aftre CRUSH, ya go aftre me]<<<<<
	--  STREETWOLF(Fire is an Elf's Best Friend)<14:32:32/04-16-57>

>>>>>[STREETWOLF, if Judas goes after CRUSH, I have a feeling that all
that'll be left of good old Judas is enough to do the DNA confirmation of
death.]<<<<<
	-- Blade <13:50:50/04-16-57>

>>>>>[I've got spells that will take care of the DNA matching posibilities.
I wouldnt concern myself there.

Is that idiot still mouthing off?]<<<<<
	-- Kor <19:16:03 / 04-16-57> 

>>>>>[ Of course he's still mouthing off .. people like that don't know when
to quit.  I personally would pay good money for a pay-per-view simulcast of
CRUSH ripping his head off of his body.  Anyone wanna make a party of 
it? <g> ]<<<<<
	-- Griffyn <15:24:13/04-16-57>

>>>>>[ Actually, if he attacks CRUSH or any of our children it will be me he'll
have to worry about.]<<<<<
	-- Spirit <of the Matrix>

>>>>>[ Well for all of you who came I hope you enjoy your gifts, and I
hope they serve you as they served thier owner.  Crush the breastplate and
choker looked very good on you, they made you look even more impresive
then you already do (and considering how big you are that is a feat within
itself), Spirit I'm sure Red would have wanted the Turquoise necklace to
go to you, it was his grandmothers, a Wolf shaman, so I'm sure it has some
magical properties to it.  If I remeber right I think I recall her saying
that the one who wears it is protected by Wolf, but I'm no expert in the
magic field so I wouldn't know for sure.  Wintergiest, I hope you enjoy
all the fetishes my friend was fond of collecting, I think he got most of
them from the bountys he went after.  For those of you I forgot I am
sorry, but last night was along night of remebering a dear friend so a few
names have slipped my mind.  As one last memorial I'd like to share this
poem with you, Red's grandma used to say it as a prayer whenever any of
her boys went out on a run:

                      " Wolf Clan "

The howling of the wolf calls,
the warrior hears with open heart.
" I shall follow wolf-friend " says the warrior
as he sets off down the path.
Feet turn into miles, miles into days, days into years;
the warrior follows with open heart and shows no fears.
Bloody-fighting, massacures, times of peace; the warrior sees all of these
never going off the path of wolf.
The day comes that the howling stops,
the warrior dies, the path is finished.
His spirit walks in wolf form
he is alive, he is free, he is wolf.

The original author is some Cherokee poet named Gregg Broken Arrow, a
little known writer but a true story-teller.  With that said he is finally
put to rest.  May his spirit ride in the eternal hunt. ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blackthorne <19:49:12/04-16-57>

*****PRIVATE: Wintergiest
>>>>>[ I thank you for attending the dinner last night and so does Red's
family.  I hope you find the fetishes useful, I believe there are a few
talismans in there too.  Awhile ago you wanted me to look for a certain
fountain, if you would like I can continue my research about it.  Let me
know either way. ]<<<<<
	--  Mr. Blackthorne <19:56:12/04-16-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ryuga
>>>>>[First thing, a colleague snatched this out of an Aztlan datastore.
It looks genuine and ties in with what we knows, which still doesn't
mean it's real <g>

+++++include file: Manchu.txt

Secondly, I've been contacted by an 'expedtitor' called AlexandriaN, 
who has some pretty good encryption routines and seems to be for real.
Before I send him this data, I thought I'd check around and see if
anyone - you, for instance - had heard of him, favourably or unfavourably.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <22:36:13/04-16-57>

>>>>>[My house, at showtime, I'd like to see Crush pull offthat coconut bit.]<<<<<
	-- GoD <07:35:45/04-17-57>

>>>>>[Professor Brannigan, I saw those supposed witch-hunts during the
McCarthy era; and during the first months of 1996, Classified documents were
released by the United States Government showing how deep the influence of
Communism was after World War II.  I have copies of those documents, as
historical fact-finding has been a major hobby of mine...it helps to pass the
centuries.]<<<<<
	-- Ryuga (00:00:30 PDT/ 04:17:57)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

>>>>>[Hey everyone. I finally got my stone circle set up. I had to get 
permits from the NAN and all kinds of stuff but it's done. So I have a 
lot of catching up to do. Any of my chummers out there want to fill me 
in on the highlights.]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <09:40:17/04-17-57>

I'm going to put a raptor in a mission but I need some stats 
can anyone help????

<Buster>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[I find it interesting that Aztlan doesn't seem to know of my
involvement.  As for AlexandriaN, I have heard of him; but I have yet to work
with him.  He has a very sound reputation, particularly in regards to
field-testing equipment.  If our information is correct, I will probably send
a team to help destroy the facility.]<<<<<
	-- Ryuga (12:25:30 PDT/ 04:17:56)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

*****PRIVATE: AlexandriaN
>>>>>[A colleague acquired this for me. It appears genuine, and the decker
in question worked very hard to get it: it also ties in to some of what
I've learned.

+++++include file: Manchu.txt

You'll also be aware that I've asked around about you: which is why I
felt I could send you this. I gained the impression that you're a 
professional who works for (or against) almost anyone, and thus betraying
me would be very bad for your business <g>

The Dragon Ryuga has an interest in this also, though of course he may
be one of your employers in this matter already.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <20:46:13/04-17-57>

*****PRIVATE: Mr Blackthorne
>>>>>[Thank you for the memorial service. I was there, though not readily
recognisable. If anyone realised who I was, they were discreet about it. 

I carry Redfeather's combat knife, to remind me of a warrior and a friend.
He will be missed by many.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <20:49:12/04-17-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ryuga
>>>>>[Herr Ryuga, i have been analyze this chip and i think i have 
the code for the subroutine.  Have a look:

+++++include: code.analysis

If you are want to look at the chip yourself, my clinic is at 
>>location<<.  I am think something should be do about this.  Do you 
think i should tell Lone Star about it?  It must be illegal (more 
illegal than the BTL it is on, even).  Maybe i can send it anonymous 
to LS or a government company.]<<<<<
	-- Basilisk <23:33:29 GMT/17.APR.57>
    

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[ He would be happy to see it in the hands of a fellow warrior and a
great man.  Thank you for attending, I wish you luck in all your battles.
You will always be considered a friend to me and Red's family. ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blackthorne <18:43:23/04-17-57>

***** INTERNAL: Jason R. Stormwind, LSS, Magical Consulant
>>>>>[I've pushed the data search through for you but
things are going to be limited from here out.  This is not being placed
on that high of priority for the rest of our department.  Resources have
been allocated pretty thing for tracking down two mages.  I know what
you are going to say before you say it, "what, does it have to be some
rich person's daughter killed before people move their hoops?!" Well, yeah
in some cases, yes.

The DNA samples we pulled down are back from the labs.  They are running
more tests on it but they are sure that its of some unknown genome.  Either
we have the blood of one of the perps or we have a sample from someone who
got away from the encounter.

The Sample is viable.  If you want to lead the ritual, I'd let you, but I would
feel a little more comfortable with you assisting rathter than being in the 
on point.  I have a 5 person team I'd like to send 

+++++ Include Profiles

For the most part, 3 Astral Adepts, you and myself.  Your abilities have chanced
since you and I have worked intimately together.  I would like to have an
updated version of your resume...not the one you use for Serenity, the real
one.  That data jack of yours wasnt on any of my scream sheets.  Have you 
pickedup any new things I should know about?]<<<<<
	-- "Maria" <22:48:34 / 04-17-57> 

***** INTERNAL: Maria Martine, LSS, Thaumaturgy Division Coordinator
>>>>>[Thanks for the help with the data searches.  I've got a coupleof
the people with Serenity doing things on their own, gratis, and thats the
best that I can do.

Yes, I wish to be included in the astral recon (or is this going to be a 
search and return mission).  I dont know if I trust myself to lead just yet
either.  I still am having troubles keeping her memories and reactions to 
some strong stimuli, under control.  I've run a couple simulator scenarios
involving the two perps and thus far my reaction times are on par.  I have
not slowed significantly.  To be honest, I have had to shut down the simulator
once due to overload.  Things were a little too "real".  I've run that 
simulation 15 other times and I reacted without hesitation.  I wouldnt give
myself a clean bill of health, but if you are willing to have me on your
team, thats my real assesment of my situation.

As to my enhancements  --  Dont cringe where you hear this:

Headware:  Cbooster, mneu enchancer, internal 'puter, maxed out internal 
memory, maxed out data jack.  For the most part, thats all you need to
update your records on me.  Its all legal (smile).  Oh, and eyes.  I
had my eyes readjusted for my contract job in TNO.  They dont rightfully
like mages coming in with "combat configured" eye modifications.  Its been
so long since I've been in the vat that I dont remember if there has been
any other mods.

+++++ Include Chiba.bill
+++++ Include Ares.bill
+++++ Include Aztech.bill.altered
+++++ Include Medical Reports
+++++ Include Resume

That should be everything on me.  In the "real" resume I have copies of
letters of recommendation from various corporations I have worked with.]<<<<<
	-- "Jas" <23:14:27 / 04-17-57>

>>>>>[O.K. I want to make some explanations: god made the methahumans, 
and the evil the cybertechnology and the guns....  I will clean this 
world of this thinks. Do ya listen, Judas???]<<<<<
	-- El Obispo  <20:51:00 / 4-17-57>

***** PRIVATE : CRUSH
>>>>>[Hey, think, _If ya know read, "pana", read this: your mother knows 
your father was a monster, "porqueria"....]

***** NOT TO : CRUSH
>>>>>[did somebody don't understand why I hate the magic???]

      -- Obtulio "Metralleta" Varela <20:57:00 / 04-17-57>

>>>>>[Griffyn knows read!!!! It's interesting, but I think he has 
somebody who writes by him.... like CRUSH.

SOLO BASURA METAHUMANA!!!!]<<<<<
	-- Obtulio Varela <21:01:00 / 4-17-57>

***** PRIVATE :  Bill the Galactic Hero
>>>>>[Ya really think CRUSH have arguments???

If the answer is affirmative, did ya have arguments???

"Que porqueriiaaaaa..."]<<<<<
	-- Obtulio Varela <21:12:00 / 4-14-57>

***** PRIVATE : CRUSH
>>>>>[Crush use his brain!!!!

Oh, well, did a monster has brain???

I think ha has a cerebral booster, but it's sufficient if he hates Judas 
too]>>>>>
      -- Obtulio "Metralleta" Varela <21:18:00 / 4-17-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[
+++++engage Kotobazukai
A most interesting read, to be sure.  The "plausible deniability" portions are
entirely what I would have expected, though most major firms would probably
not state such things in briefs of this sort as a matter of prudence.  Not that
such a document as this would constitute admissible evidence in court, of
course.  I assume you have initiated "inquiries" into the names and places
mentioned here: if you could give me a handle to pass on to some of my
affiliates we could try to avoid duplication of effort and possible stepping on
of toes.  In the meantime I intend to prime my resources for involvement in 
filling in some of the holes in the document.

As for your concerns about my sincerity, you once more have my assurances.
As I'm sure you appreciate, if my purposes ran counter to yours, I would waste
neither your time nor my own with (ultimately meaningless) pleasantaries.  As
it is, I intend to meet my objective, and hopefully working with you can form
a basis for future commerce should our objectives match again.
+++++disengage Kotobazukai
]<<<<<
	--  AlexandriaN  <00:13:04 / 04-18-57>

>>>>>[Hey everyone. I finally got my stone circle set up. I had to get 
permits from the NAN and all kinds of stuff but it's done. So I have a 
lot of catching up to do. Any of my chummers out there want to fill me 
in on the highlights.]<<<<<
	-- Warloc <08:57:17/04-18-57>

testing..

*****PRIVATE: Lilith, Blade, The Mighty Quinn, Tangent, Ryuga, 
AlexandriaN, DJH Coppinger
>>>>>[I thought you should all see the raw video, so you can draw your 
own conclusions. My apologies for the length, but for a matter of this 
importance I felt it better to give the full data. 

+++++begin trideo
The camera view is of a small office, where Lynch sits behind a desk. 
He's writing on a pad, using an old-fashioned wooden pencil. He looks 
around as the door opens and Tangent wheels in a Japanese man - you 
recognise Buntaka Ohki - securely restrained in a wheelchair and with 
one wrist splinted.
"What's he here for?" asks Lynch.
"Need somewhere to stow him. Here do? We left him in the closet but 
he kept yelling." Tangent shakes his head at the offered cigarette.
"Okay, park him over there."

Lynch returns to his writing, the only sound in the room the scratch 
of the pencil on the paper, and the occasional noise of an eraser. 
This goes on for over ten minutes, the mercenary covering two sheets 
with his untidy scrawl, before he stretches and swivels in his chair 
to hunch over the wastepaper basket: snapping out a spur, he rapidly 
sharpens the pencil back to a needlelike point before going back to 
his writing.

"I won't tell you anything, you know." says the man in the 
wheelchair.
"Sorry?"
"I said, I will tell you nothing."
"Oh. Good. Could you keep quiet, please, I'm trying to create 
literature here."

The pencil continues to trace across the page, covering line after 
line with text. More minutes pass.

"What are you writing?"
"A novel."
"About?"
"A twentieth-century military story. A battle at a town called 
Arnhem."
"Never heard of it."
"Not many have these days."

Scratch, scratch, scratch.

Time passes.

"I have to go to the bathroom."
No response.
"I said, I have to-"
"Don't distract me, please, this isn't as easy as it looks."
"But I have to go to the bathroom. I HAVE TO GO TO THE BATHROOM!" 
Ohki bellows. Lynch sighs, takes a small personal stereo out of the 
desk drawer, and dons the headphones as Ohki shouts and raves.

More minutes pass, Ohki shouting, whining and pleading as Lynch 
writes, until the Japanese finally shudders and winces.
"Could I please be allowed to clean myself up?" he says after a long 
pause. Lynch, still wearing the stereo, doesn't appear to hear. 

After another twenty minutes, Lynch opens the cover of the stereo and 
extracts the disk, rummaging in his desk for a replacement.
"Could you let me clean myself, please?" repeats Ohki with a note of 
desperation.
"What was that - oh, no." Lynch wrinkles his nose, takes off the 
stereo and hurries out. A few minutes later, he's back with a bottle 
of disinfectant, some of which he splashes - neat - into Ohki's lap. 
"That should take care of it. Why didn't you ask?"

"I did! You gaijin pig, I shouted and screamed and begged, and you 
ignored me! Now I'm sitting in my own piss and you're laughing at me! 
What is this meant to achieve? You kidnap me, lock me up, now you 
ignore me, WHAT DO YOU WANT?"
"Please, be quiet. I don't know what they want. I'm just staying here 
because it's a good place to hide. I didn't have anything to do with 
kidnapping, I'm just trying to write here to pass the time. Please, 
be quiet." Lynch picks up the pencil and carries on writing.

More time passes, nearly an hour. Ohki keeps shifting in the 
wheelchair, obviously in discomfort, but says nothing. The door opens 
and Blade's head appears.
"Lunch, Lynch?"
"I suppose you think that was cutting humour, Blade."
"Gah, you're funny. Not. Here." Lynch accepts a tray - pizza, garlic 
bread and beer - and sits at the desk, eating hungrily. 

"Could I have some?"
"I'm sorry? Oh, of course. Here." Lynch brings over a slice of the 
pizza, then pauses. "Ah. How do we.. well, here." He holds it while 
Ohki takes a bite, then another.
"Slow down, you'll give yourself indigestion." Ohki ignores him, 
wolfing the pizza until it's gone, and Lynch returns to his seat: 
finishing his meal, then resuming his work.

"Why do they want me? And why is nobody questioning me? I would have 
thought you, at least, would have been interested in me."
"I don't know why they want you. Something about an Eduardo Ruggiero, 
I gather, but I've been busy. And why would I be interested in you?"
"Ruggiero? But he's dead! I killed him myself!"
"Well, I heard his brother Tomas isn't. Something about holding you 
here until he arrives in town. Their business, really, I just 
overheard."
"You mean you had nothing to do with it? My kidnap?"
"No, of course not. Why would I?"
This seems to baffle Ohki into silence for some time, until Lynch 
puts the sheaf of pages into the desk drawer.
"Well, time for bed. Good night."
"Wait! What about - do I-" The light goes out.

The screen stays black, the time index fast-forwarding forty minutes, 
and then the light comes back on. Ohki is slumped in his chair, 
asleep. You notice the clock on the wall now reads 08:43, while the 
time index on the camera shows only 21:32.
Lynch sits, and takes out his papers, and starts writing again. 
Suddenly the room is shaken by an ear-piercing squealing scraping 
noise: the mercenary barely moves, the Seoulpa bolts upright in his 
wheelchair glaring around wildly.

"Oh, you're awake. I had thought they would have taken you away by 
now."
"What time is it?"
"About quarter-to-nine." 
"What's that awful noise?"
"The others are fixing their cars where your guards shot them, is 
all." Lynch lights a cigarette.
"Why am I still here?"
"Don't ask me, I don't know." Lynch returns to his writings. The 
clock on the wall seems to be running oddly: as Ohki sits and frets, 
the seconds on the clock are ticking off at barely half the speed of 
the timestamp.

"I'm hungry." No answer. A long pause, about ten minutes. Ohki's head 
begins to nod, until a thunderous clangour of an airhammer jerks him 
back awake. This goes on for some time, Ohki occasionally protesting 
about hunger, thirst, or his need for the bathroom, all with minimal 
response. Once, he falls asleep for nearly twenty minutes, the wall 
clock racing forwards and adding four hours, before someone outside 
begins using a sledgehammer. 

Tangent comes in: it's past midnight by the timestamp, about one a.m. 
- the next day! - by the wall clock. 
"Lynch, we need to prep the room."
"Don't mind me. You need the desk?"
"No, we can do that last-minute." Two others enter, carrying huge 
sheets of plastic which they begin tacking on the walls and spreading 
over the middle of the floor. Ohki stares around in alarm.
"Is all this really necessary?" asks Lynch.
"This asshole killed Eddie Ruger. In person. Typical Seoulpa maximum-
misery splatterjob: nailed Eddie to the wall, made him watch while 
Buntaka and his bozos killed his son, raped and killed his wife and 
daughters, then torched Ruger from the feet up." 
"Why?"

Tangent scratches his head. "I don't know. I guess he's just...not a 
very nice person, or something. Anyways, Eddie's brother and a few 
friends are coming to return the favour. Thus, all the sheeting. At 
least they didn't ask us to borrow some power tools."
"Yeah, yeah. If they want some pro help, I know this guy Skull..."
"The Ruggieros are from Cali, Lynch."
"Oh. I guess you will need all that plastic, then. You might need a 
long-handled mop, too."
"Why? ...oh. Yeah, the ceiling." Tangent looks up at it. "It should 
wash off okay. Speaking of, Static, hose this guy off, he's starting 
to smell."
Ohki protests "If you'd just let me go to-"

"Static, don't talk to him, or we might start getting sentimental." 
Lynch peels off another sheet of closely-written text. "Mr - Ohka? 
Ohki? is going to become intimately acquainted with amateur surgery 
soon. Start chatting to him and we might care about it." 
"Sure." Static wheels the Seoulpa out: a few minutes later, they 
return, Ohki soaked from the belly down: the room is now draped in 
plastic, only Ohki, Lynch and the desk still uncovered. They are left 
alone for a long time, the only sound the repair work from outside, 
Ohki's soaked clothes dripping onto the plastic, and the scratching 
of Lynch's pencil on the paper.

"I never touched them myself, you know."
"Say again?"
"The Ruggieros. I never touched them myself. I didn't really want his 
family killed, but some of my men got a little out of control, and it 
was easier-"
"To let them rape and murder while you watched. Did you get an 
erection while they were screwing his daughters?"

That kills Ohki's words for a few seconds, then... "What about you? 
The vigilante crusader, sitting there scribbling. Do you know what 
they're going to do to me?"
"Something not altogether unlike what your soldiers did to Eddie 
Ruger, I suppose. Maybe you'll get something of what his womenfolk 
got, too. If it was up to me I'd just have killed you when you got 
out of the car, but to each his own. Tangent's being paid to deliver 
you alive for Eddie's brother Tommy to play with."
"You're the moralist. Don't you think it's wrong to condemn a man to 
be tortured to death?"
"He who lives by the sword shall die upon the sword. Does executing 
murderers, rapists and BTL dealers? Not at all, as long as you're 
killing the right people and nobody else." Lynch lights a cigarette. 
"What, are you appealing to my conscience? I could care less. I saw 
the crimescene photos from the Ruggiero hit. How old were his 
daughters?"
"Fifteen and thirteen."
"My Stephanie is fifteen. You see why I could care less? I saw what 
was left, after your animals had finished with them. Part of me wants 
to join in when Tomas and his friends go to work."

"But you could save me."
"Of course I could. I could save your life. I'd really piss off 
Tangent and his crew, who right now are sheltering and protectimg me. 
I'd be intervening to spare a guy who stands and watches people being 
raped, stabbed, nailed to walls, soaked in gasohol and burned alive. 
I'd be rescuing a bastard who deals in drugs and BTLs. Now, Mr Ohki, 
you want to give me one solid reason why I'd want to do all of this?"

Lynch, as he speaks, has risen and moved around the desk until he's 
standing over the dripping, shivering Seoulpa.
"Money. I have money. A quarter of a million, certified and 
untraceable-"
"I'm rich. A quarter-million? That's petty cash, I carry more than 
that in certified. I don't need money, and yours is too dirty for my 
taste anyway." Lynch turns away. "What else could I expect from a 
Japanese Seoulpa? You should have been born American: though even 
they have more pride and honour than you. I need neither your money, 
nor your drugs, nor your whores."
"Information! Your fight, with Aztlan!The torture chips! I know all 
about them!"
"Oh, of course, Ohki-san." An exaggerated bow, far too deep: an 
insult. "And naturally you will tell me all this most secret and 
vital information, which the Aztlan Intelligence Service vouchsafed 
to a Redmond thug, a peddler of chips and panderer of women. After 
this, you will explain to me how the Agency hired Elvis Presley to 
kill President Garraty, and offer to sell me the Renaku Arcology at a 
startlingly cheap price. Somehow, I doubt it." The mercenary turns 
away.

"Lynch-san, I swear by my honour-"
"Honour?"snaps the mercenary in Japanese. Lynch turns back, slowly, 
then takes off the sunglasses. The effect is startlingly menacing, 
and adds emphasis to when he reaches back to one hip and draws a 
knife: a vicious, double-edged, six-inch spline-bladed weapon: a 
professional fighter's blade.

"Do you see this? This belonged to a friend, a good friend, who gave 
his life to kill a dangerous madman. He fought and died, not for 
fame, nor reward. No cash prize, but because he was a warrior and it 
was a matter of honour." Lynch moves the knife to and fro in front of 
Ohki's face. "*He* had honour. How dare you defile a warrior's memory 
by claiming the same? For what will you give your life?"

"Lynch-san, I am sorry, I beg your forgiveness, please! I swear by my 
money, I swear by my drugs and my whores and my chips, I swear by 
anything you wish. I am a filthy dog, yes, Lynch-san. I am scum, I am 
_eta_, I am burakumin, but I beg you to spare my life. Please, Lynch-
san, I have nothing to lose by telling you the truth now, I entreat 
you to hear my words! A lifetime favour, Lynch-san, to hear me, I 
know far more than you or Aztlan realise, please!"

Lynch sheaths Redfeather's knife. "Very well, Ohki. Speak."
"Domo arigato, Lynch-san. Thank you. Please, I will tell all. I was 
approached by one of my usual Aztlan contacts-"
"Xuato?"
"Who, Lynch-san? Our contact was Jose Zicahuata. He had an offer, a 
new chip, a torture chip. He told us it was an experiment, and the 
Army wanted to know how well it worked. We sold some, and used 
several ourselves: they were most useful."
"I'll bet. Breaking in new girls, all that wonderful stuff you people 
do."
"Please, Lynch-san. The chips were most effective at that. Merely a 
minute's treatment would bend anyone to our will, make them compliant 
and accepting. We were surprised to find a market on the streets 
also. There were those who enjoyed forcing the chip on others, and 
who would pay well to do so."
"What was your margin like?"
"Excellent. Jose gave me the chips for free. Thus, they were very 
profitable."
"I'll bet." Lynch lights another Marlboro. "So, this Zicahuata, who 
did he work for?"
"For Aztlan, of course. He is an officer in their intelligence 
service."
"Yeah, sure, Ohki, and I'm the Commandant of the UCAS Marine Corps."
"It is true, Lynch-san. Zicahuata had an assistant, a man named 
Ramirez, who often deputised for him. I was able to discover Ramirez' 
preferences and exploit them: he liked electric lady, and teenaged 
boys. To secure his supply, when his money ran out, I allowed him to 
persuade me to accept information instead of nuyen."
"Smart. Buying a little insurance?"
"Of course." The Seoulpa looks smug. "I know who they are, who they 
work for, where they are. I knew when one of their people in Denver 
was killed."
"Did he say who?"
"A woman, Juanita something. He mentioned an assassination attempt, 
asking me if I knew any hired killers: when he described his target, 
you, I admitted I knew none capable of such a mission, and advised 
him to seek help on ShadowLand. That was a month ago, and I have not 
heard of him since."

Lynch sits on the edge of the desk, bunched plastic rustling 
underfoot. "You got all this out of Ramirez when he was doped up on 
zappers and driving up some adolescent's Hershey highway?"
"Lady, not crackle. If he had been using zappers I would not believe 
him, but electric lady..."
"Maybe. He'd still tell you anything to guarantee his supply. Where 
is Zicahuata based?"
"Everett." Ohki recites an address. "They pose as a firm of 
engineering consultants. I have never been there, though I had others 
check it. Ramirez and Zicahuata both work from there."
"Can you describe Jose?"
"Quite short, but very muscular. Dark hair, dark eyes, quite dark 
skin even for an Aztlaner. He has no cybernetics visible. I assume he 
is a magician."

"When you assume, you make an ass of `u' and me. Stick to what you 
know. "
"Yes, of course, what else would you like to know?"
"How often did you meet?"
"Ramirez or Zicahuata arranged a meeting, usually a luncheon, each 
week. They would supply me with more chips and ask me about their 
effectiveness."
"Where?"
"They chose the location. Different every time, weeks between using 
the same place twice, and no pattern. I assume they were concerned 
about surveillance."

"Did you have any strangeness involving telephones?"
Ohki wriggles uncomfortably. "...how did you know that? Yes, we did. 
Many of our bodies, over about a week, became quite hysterical and 
insistent that they make telephone calls. The first woman to suffer 
this, the manager of her establishment refused to let her have a 
phone. She ruptured her larynx attempting to reach down her throat, 
to remove the wasps that were stinging her heart. After that, we let 
them call. Always the same number, always the same questions."
"What did Zicahuetl say about this?"
"Zicahuata, not Zicahuetl. He told me not to worry and that this was 
normal: also, that the supply of free torture chips would end and he 
would have to charge us if we needed more. A few people are still 
having the symptoms, but the number has been disconnected. I was 
going to ask him about that."

"When was your next appointment?"
"I was on my way to it when I was attacked."
"How inconvenient for you. Did anyone mention any new and improved 
chipware? New supplies, new product lines? Any special interest in 
your users?" The fluorescent lights strike bars across Lynch's 
sunglasses as he stretches.
"No, not really. I simply gave them Soo's requirements and they 
billed me appropriately. This is all I know, Lynch-san, I hope it 
pleases you."
"Oh, it does. Wait here." Lynch leaves. Ohki is left for fifteen 
minutes, though the clock on the wall tells him it's only been five, 
before Lynch reappears. 

"Okay, Ohki-san, your information checks out. I need the money you 
promised to buy off Tangent, though."
"He accepts?" The Seoulpa's eyes glow with hope.
"For half a million, he'll say you died in the limo. Can you cover 
it?"
"Yes. Of course. Take my pocket secretary, call Credit Internationale 
de Berne, and I'll give you the authorisation."
Ohki goes through the complexities of authorising a fund transfer by 
telephone: passcode, voice print and the encryption stored in the 
secretary are all needed before the transfer goes through.

Lynch makes a call of his own, verifying that the funds have been 
accepted. Nodding with satisfaction, he walks behind Ohki. "Well, 
we'll get you out of here. Once we get you cleaned up, where you like 
to go?"
As the Seoulpa, grinning with relief, opens his mouth to speak, Lynch 
draws his .357 and fires, two shots pointblank into the back of 
Ohki's torso. Ohki spasms and twitches for a few seconds, then is 
still, as Lynch checks for a pulse.

Tangent comes in, regarding the dead Seoulpa. "Get what you needed?"
"Eventually."
"Nice trick with the clock. What is it, remote controlled?"
"Yeah, direct from headware radio. Screw with their time perception 
and get food and sleep deprivation going. Never fails, the only 
question is how long it takes."
"Is there a Tomas Ruggiero?" Tangent helps Lynch unchain the body and 
lay it out, face-down, on the plastic-covered floor.
"Yes, there is. He hates his brother and he's busy taking over the 
Amazonia end of the operation, but Laughing Boy never bothered to 
check that, did he? Maybe never even knew Eddie had a brother. And it 
worked, well."
"Wouldn't a more, uh, physical method have been quicker?"
"But less reliable." Lynch lights a cigarette, reloads the Python. 
"This way works better if you have the time, and we do. I don't like 
torture unless there's no alternative, and magic tends to be too 
blunt an instrument. Quinn held a truth spell on me while I was 
working, that's all the help I needed." 

Holstering the revolver, he opens the desk drawer and takes out an 
air-powered circular saw, a pair of rubber gauntlets and a foil 
coverall. "I'll get his headware memory, then we can wrap him up and 
ditch the body in Hell's Kitchen. The ghouls can take care of it from 
there."
"You'll excuse me if I don't watch?" Tangent grins, leaving. As Lynch 
dons the foil oversuit, he reappears for a moment. "Are you really 
writing a novel about Arnhem?"
"You betcha." Lynch's head appears and he pulls the hood up, then 
begins to tug the gloves on. "Get clear or get splashed." 
+++++end trideo record

For now, I suggest surveillance and discreet investigation, neither
of which are my strong suit. ]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <16:57:43/04-18-57>

*****PRIVATE: Valentine
>>>>>[Valentine, this is filthy blood money, and I can think of no 
more fitting irony than that it should go to fund your work at Haven.

+++++transfer 500,000-Y-

>From death and pain, sometimes can life, happiness and beauty be 
brought. If that can be done here, you are the man to achieve it.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <16:58:21/04-18-57>

>>>>>[Come on!  You arent planning on moving shadowland again, are you?

Do you have any idea how much money it costs me just to find this place
again?  It took me three weeks last time and bribes that I still
havent paid off.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <19:20:13 / 04-18-57> 

>>>>>[ Not to worry, Kor .. ShadowLand isn't going anywhere.  One of the
SigOps of the ShadowRN subsystem is pulling out of the staff is all. ]<<<<<
	-- SysOpus <15:51:58/04-18-57>

*****INTERNAL: Aztlan Intelligence Service
>>>>>[+++++begin transcripted call
"Jose, this has better be important for you to use such an insecure 
method of-"
Colonel, a copy of the Manchu project summary was stolen from our 
local Matrix.

<pause 20 seconds>

"A *full* copy?"
Thank the Gods, no. The only full copy outside Aztlan is in my 
headware. This was the edited version for transmission to the 
Pyramid. Although Phase IV's existence is now known, no hard data on 
its planned field test was in that file.

"This is still a massive problem, Major. How did the penetration 
occur?"
We are still trying to find out. An unidentified decker extracted the 
material. Although we successfully traced the location, he or she had 
departed before Security arrived. The style and icon are not in the 
database, though we will continue to query. Could it have been Lynch?
"Almost certainly on his behalf, though of course not Lynch himself: 
he has no skill in the Matrix. He appears to have acquired support, 
as the rumours of his more recent exploits suggest. What of the 
assassination of Ohki?"

It certainly was not Lynch, sir, he was attempting to extract 
information from a minor Yakuza. A dead end, Hermosa handled Riku and 
Hermosa is dead.

"Nevertheless... Major, while we are still within planned limits of 
compromise, there is anxiety. I am releasing additional units to your 
disposal: a company of Leopard Guard from the Pyramid, and a 
contracted team of independent shadowrunners. Make the best effort 
possible to eliminate Lynch and the Lady, and any of their companions 
you may conveniently reach, without diverting yourself from your core 
task. The Leopards will be the best asset for this: they prefer 
offensive operations to security duty."

What of InterPol? Their units are closing on Lynch, and-
"Nevertheless, Jose, pursue and kill Lynch. Force him underground at 
the least: remember, this has been unsuccessfully tried before, and 
while I do not wholly approve of it, he is more exposed now than he was 
previously. You must at least reduce his freedom of manoevre."

Sir, my concern is that Aztlan may be linked to overt acts of 
violence outside our jurisdiction.
"InterPol are safely bought, and Lone Star are very accomodating of 
our need to solve these problems in our own manner. As for exposure, 
we are already compromised: there is little to lose by an overt 
pursuit now, unless you allow it to distract you from Manchu.
"Do not worry yourself with these matters, Major, they are not your 
responsibility. I have also ensured that my earlier orders to you - 
urging you to maintain a low  profile to avoid unwanted attention - 
have been placed on record."

Thank you, Colonel.
"Is there anything else I should be aware of?"
Nothing urgent, no. The rest will go by the usual method.
"Then, goodnight."
+++++end transcript]<<<<<
	-- Major Zicahuata <17:01:35/04-18-57>
	   Aztlan Intelligence Service

>>>>>[Neuron Basher would make a great addition to your team.  I'd be willing
to loan him to you guys for 1/4 his current salary.  It would be nice
to have someone here on payroll.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <21:47:27 / 04-18-57> 

*****INTERNAL:  InterPol Communications
>>>>>[ Well, Monty, what's the lastest this morning with Lynch?

"I still think he's going to hit the Mafioso."

I agree.  He's been quiet too long.  I want your team to hit the 
rooftops.  Trackers and painters only.  I'm not willing to shoot off an 
arm yet.  Do it moderate infiltration.  Go for stealth, but don't take 
too long about it.  What help from me do you need to get there in, say, 
the next 6 hours and not disturb either the bait or the target?

"Nothing immediately.  I'll need to survey the area around the target 
zone first, and then use a cover to get the teams in.  I'll come up with 
something sufficiently....subtle.  What other cover will we have in the 
case of problems?"

Not much.  I'll give you all protection overwatch, but that's about the 
best I can do without possibly alerting the bait or making it too pat for 
Lynch.

"Overwatch.  Astral, or drone?"

Both.  I'm going to talk to Lone Star in about a half an hour and get 
them to loan us temporary use of a couple f thier traffic drones and I'll 
have Martin change the optics accordingly.  Lone Star does some of the 
stuff themselves, but not the same frequencies we use.

And I want him unconscious this time, if possible.  Last time you hit him 
you left him awake.  This time I want him, and whoever else is with him, 
to know that he'd be dead if we wanted him that way.

"Psych!"

Exactly.  If I can force Lynch to make a mistake or two, we can 
capitolize on them.  It's too bad the car didn't pan out.

"It was a copied plate, then."

Sure was.  Mr. Victor Becktor was a bit surprised to see us knocking at 
his door with a Lone Star rep asking to see his vehicle.  The drones 
didn't spot anyone leaving, so Mr. Becktor wasn't hiding them.  We didn't 
need the raid teams after all.  And I've put out a tag on that liscence 
plate, not that I expect Lynch not to have changed the plate by now.  But 
Mr. Becktor was cooperative and promised not to drive his car until we 
told him he could.  So anyone using that plate gets tagged and tracked by 
Lone Star and we get contacted.

"Good deal.  I'm off.  I'll contact you when we're set."

Good luck, Monty.

"Null persp, boss." ]<<<<<
	--  InterPol Communications <09:25:36/04-19-57>

*****PRIVATE: Ryuga
>>>>>[I'd offer a small bet you and your corporation were under one of those
<REMOVED> stamps. And, thanks for the info on AlexandriaN. I'm cutting
him in on everything now, so if he's working for Aztlan at the moment
I'm lightly screwed. Risks of the job, I guess, but then he knows that if
he sells me out I'll make sure the world and her husband know it:
career limiting, for a man in his line of work.

I've just extracted a hot tip, which I shared around as the distribution list
indicates: this might need subtlety to investigate. That means I might not be 
the best man for the job <g>. 

Any offers of help gratefully accepted. As for your offer to help fund the
operation, I'm fronting anything I pull. Once we're done, we'll show you
what we spent, discuss relative benefits, and place faith in your sense of
fairness <g> 

I actually like dealing with Dragons: they take a long-term view that makes 
them much more rational most of the time. Or maybe I'm just crazy.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <23:40:42/04-18-57>

*****PRIVATE: AlexandriaN
>>>>>[+++++engage Kotobazukai
The document is interesting, isn't it? The lack of hard numbers is what makes
me think it's genuine. It has the look of a briefing document, for the
corporate execs in the Seattle area. They need to know a lot of the detail
of their area, but not everything, and they don't need to know the location(s)
for Phase IV. A fake would have been easier to find, and would have somewhere
for us to attack directly.

That's the other kicker. A forgery would tell me something I hadn't guessed
already. I already knew Zicahuata was the agent-in-charge, and that he reports
to Tepanohoutec. Zicky's the real charmer: a century ago, he'd have been
SS Totzenkommando, making sure the Final Solution ran to plan. Forty years
ago you'd see him in Abilene, arranging the orderly disposal of "anti-American"
terrorists. Sort of a toxic Commander Drake.

As you may have guessed, Tepanohoutec and I have crossed swords before. He's
not even that bad a guy, at least he has honour even if he is a fanatic
Aztlan patriot. Zicky's the sort of person I make exceptions for: Tepanohoutec
went down and I left him. Zicahuata would have caught a double-tap to the
cranium as I was leaving, just to make sure. Nothing that serves the greater
glory of Aztlan is wrong, in his eyes. I haven't opposed Zicky directly,

And if my inquiries about you produced truthful results, I would be glad to
co-operate with you in the future, if I survive and we find our goals 
overlap again.
+++++disengage Kotobazukai]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <00:01:04/04-19-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[
+++++engage Kotobazukai
A very interesting little document, to be sure.  At the very least their
engineering conclusions seem to match the analysis I've had done on the
chips' contents.  So, if the names are correct we're dealing with an
honorable, but patriotic Aztlan mainliner and a fanatically devoted hatchetman.
Plus scientists, janitorial staff, and the works.  That leaves us to wonder 
where the big secret installation is, and what specifically to do when we find
it.  It sounds like a systematic assault on Aztlan's procurement/shipping
network is in order, "computationally" speaking, to see if we can finger the
inevitable flow of goods into the base.

Given the current state of affairs, it seems highly unlikely that merely
disclosing evidence of the project will bring it to any sort of meaningful
halt.  If the research is as far ahead as posited in the document, a stronger
message may be in order...it looks like sterilizing the base may be prudent
after all, again assuming we find it.  Even then, they'll have the archives
of the data adduced so far, and we'll probably never be able to expunge
those.  However, if the result we want is a certain amount of hesitation on
Aztlan's part to reinstitute the research, a further demonstration, say an
interruption in the chain of command, may be in order.  You apparently expect
trouble from Zicahuata, and from what I've heard of him I concur.  Perhaps he,
given his position, could serve as an appropriate target when and _only_ when
we are ready to remove the research facility itself.  Your comments?
+++++disengage Kotobazukai
]<<<<<
	--  AlexandriaN  <12:31:03 / 04-19-57>

>>>>>[Well I guess all is quiet. I have not heard from Judas, SoG, or 
this Hand of Glory. So did everyone die or what? Blade, Kromofton, 
Crush, Lyting, ya out there?]<<<<<
	--  Warloc <14:58:23/04-19-57>

*****Private:Warloc
>>>>>[Sorry about being so silent, but I was busy trying to find SoGlod.

Here's what I came up with:

+++++Begin Matrix Log #6729:Millitary sattelite check

+++++Comment:This, BoyzenGirls, is how you deck into a top-security
millitary installation with a tortise!

You see a cybered tortise sitting in the mittle of a 20th century
millitary training field. There are low-ranking soldgiers running back
and forth with couirier packs, which you take to be data packets.

+++++Upload Smart Frame:Reroute Junk Frame
A black hole that you can see a few stars through opens in front of the turtle.
+++++Upload complete.
A black box with 6 tubes (1 labeled "IN", the others "OUT") falls through.
+++++Repeat last command
1 more falls through and falls in the "IN" tube.
+++++Re-routing to destinations....Complete.
1 copy comes out each of the "OUT" tubes, with their "IN" tubes stuck
to the out tubes.

+++++Alert:IC detected!!!

Some planes appear on the horizon.

+++++Uploading Smart Frame:Auto Weapons Platform

A small silvery ball falls in the first router.

+++++Loading Armor 23.6

The turtle is covered in a thicker layer of chrome. The planes are
quite a bit closer.

+++++Rerouting....

+++++Loading HeatSeekingMissles 9.7

A Missile launcher pops out of the back of the tortise.

+++++Rerouting......Done.

+++++Rerouting....
+++++Rerouting....
+++++Rerouting....
+++++Rerouting....
+++++Rerouting....
+++++Rerouting....

++Warning! Incoming attack program!

The planes launch some missiles.

+++Firing Missile...

A missile (much bigger than the entire turtle, let alone the launcher)
streaks off twoard a plane,

++++Activating Macro Repeat Last:
  ++repeat last command
  ++activate macro:Repeat Last

The missile launcher starts blasting out missiles as fast as it can.

++++Rerouting....Done.
++++Rerouting....Done.
++++Rerouting....Done.
++++Rerouting....Done.
++++Rerouting....Done.
++++Rerouting....Done.

36 small drones pop out of the routers. These immedaetly converge on
the tortise and fire small glwing bullets at the planes.

++++Messgae from attack program:Where the hell are the planes?

Sure enough, the planes have dissapered from the sky.

+++++Unloading Attack program
+++++Loading program:What the hell is that?
An impressive array of sensor gear replaces the missil launcher.

++++Loading program:Let's see what's in the slave nodes....

A small datajack appears on the head of the turtle. Maenwhile, the
missiles continue to chase their own tails.

The sensor stuff starts whirring, blinking, turning, and some other stuff.

++++Sattelite slave nodes detected

A big sign appears on one of the bunkers. It says, in huge neon
letters:"Sattelite Node"

The turtle ambles over twoard it.

+++++Cut:293 subjective minutes, 12.63 sec realtime
+++++Comment:So I've got a good reality filter.

The turlte is standing inside the bunker. It opens a maintenence
panel, pulls out a wire, and sticks it in the jack.

+++Serching log files for mojave area....297 suspicios occurences found.
  +++Downloading..............................................

+++++Decker detected!!
+++++Comment:I'm suprised it took them that long. I left smart frames
all over the place.

A guy wearing a very impressive suit of armor bashes the door down,
and promptly takes several missiles and a crane in the chest.

+++++Comment:I forgot to take out the relocate utility.

The guy goes flying off over the horizon.

+++++Comment:I'm still puzzling over why it worked on him.

+++++Downloading..............................................Complete.

The turtle ambles off out the door, down the field, through the rain
of mortar fire, and back to the group of routers and the portal. 

+++++Uploading Smart Frame:Let's take down the system!

Some things come out of the other end of the routers that look like
large chrome ants. THese proceed to march accross the field twoard the
buildings. One passes clos to the veiwpoint, and you can see a seargents insignia painted on it.

+++++Comment:Army ants.

The turtle jumps through the portal, which closes up behind it.

++++++End log

++++Display files:SoG Hideout junk 

As you can see, he seems to be hiding in that base. I don't know if
he's gonna be there when we gewt to him, but we aoughta get a lotta
clues.

Wanna come along?]<<<<<
	--Kromofton <04-19-57/17:39:08>

*****Private: Warloc, Lyting, Blade, Kromofton, Aristo and Co.
>>>>>[ Hi ya boys.  I hope everything is going well.  I have some info on
Sword of Purina.  I think that we techically go after the fragger by using
the international terrorist bounty exscuse.  It won't hold as well in Cal
Free, but as long as we give a glance at legalities, we're ok.

CRUSH and I will meet you boys at >>Encrypted<<.   Warloc, if you can think
of a few people that I missed, please convey the word to them.  I'll be
arranging transport to Cal Free after I get done here.]<<<<<
	-- Spirit <Of the Matrix>

*****PRIVATE: AlexandriaN
>>>>>[+++++engage Kotobazukai
Your assessment of the personalities is pretty much spot on. I wouldn't
know about the flow of goods, though. A development facility like this
is mostly software. Backtrack and look for somewhere isolated getting
a big shipment of computers? You're talking something on the lines of a
Fuchi System 309 cluster, that sort of processing power, according to our
tech guys: not scarce, but not common either. Might be a lead. Crosslink
it with chip blanks and we might be onto something.

Also, I have a lead to Zicahuata. More of which later.

As for trashing the base... good enough. Put a big kink in their plans,
and let them know that their plans are compromised. Once this stuff is
widely known, it becomes dangerous to use except in specialist applications.
The status quo, or a version thereof, returns.

And taking out Zicky-boy would be an absolute pleasure, at the appropriate
time, though personally I'd love to deliver him, gift-wrapped, for Drake.
His trial would be...interesting for Aztlan: they'd probably assassinate
him before that, which would be hilariously ironic. Taking him and his
base of operations out might give us the lead to the source, if more
subtle means fail.
+++++disengage Kotobazukai]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <18:00:03/04-20-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[
+++++engage Kotobazukai
The computers themselves would be one lead, though a corp like Aztlan has so
many of them that tracking from the manufacturer side isn't very fruitful.  I
was thinking more about the food, the clerical and medical supplies, fuel
shipments, "experimental subject" transportation, and the like.  I'm going to
extend a few feelers and see what we can find.

So, you have a bead on Zicahuata?  Very nice.  What logistical constraints are
we under to act on this information?  If it's time intensive, I should alert
any "support" people soon, whether it be "smash" or "grab".
+++++disengage Kotobazukai
]<<<<<
	--  AlexandriaN  <12:24:28 / 04-20-57>

*****PRIVATE: Dystrophy
>>>>>[
+++++authorization <<ENCRYPTED>>
Something interesting has come up.  If you're interested use normal channels.
And I need to know within 24 hours.]<<<<<
	--  AlexandriaN  <12:32:30 / 04-20-57>

>>>>>[Warlock.. Im here...God works in silence]<<<<<
	-- Judas <6:11:10 / 04/20/57>

*****PRIVATE: AlexandriaN
>>>>>[+++++engage Kotobazukai
No tearing hurry to move on Zicahuata yet. We're continuing low-level
attacks at the moment, trying to tail off their effectiveness: make it 
look like we're running out of steam. While I do that, I'm getting
a colleague's team to check out Zicahuata's place physically, and 
our decker to look over the matrix side. Magically, the building is
warded: not unheard of, but unusual for a small engineering consultancy.
Quinn didn't try to get in, yet.

We're going to leave it for a while. The source of our information is
dead, hopefully nobody linked his kidnap to us (it appears from outside
that he was killed, not captured) and Zicahuata probably doesn't know
that his aide was trading secrets for drugs. If they relocate before
we move on them, it would have been an ambush anyway <g> 

If you have the resources to do the tracing for the 'top end' of Manchu,
then go for it: that's outside my league, and beyond the means of the Agency. 

We're in the usual cleft stick, that the Agency is being used as a deniable
means of gaining information and taking action, which means that we can't
call on NSA or CSF to actively probe into Aztlan. Of course, the Agency is 
not given the budget for that kind of capability, since we can ask for CSF 
support whenever we need it... on the other hand, this dilemna is why I
get hired.
+++++disengage Kotobazukai]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <10:55:28/04-21-57>

*****PRIVATE: Flux
>>>>>[Still willing to risk your life working for me? <g> If so, 
check out Beech Consultants. This is what a cursory check showed up
so far:

+++++include file: beechwood.txt

Of course, I have a nasty feeling that it's not so simple. In fact, it
may be the Seattle end of the Manchu operation. In other words, be 
careful.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <11:14:42/04-21-57>

>>>>>[I am still around.  JUdas, SoG and Hand of Glory have been very 
quiet lately.  I believe I saw a posting talking about SoG being in 
either Northern Cal Free State or the Mojave Desert.  I am ready to help 
recapture him and see him returned to the UK to account for his 
actions.]<<<<<
	--  Lyting <10:43:20 / 04-21-57>

*****PRIVATE: Spirit
>>>>>[Spirit, I 'ere ya gonna go aftre Sword of God.  I wanna 'elp ya end th'
fragger.  lemme know whe' ta meet ya.]<<<<<
	--  STREETWOLF(Fire is an Elf's Best Friend)<14:51:30/04-21-57>

*****INTERNAL: Lynch's Mob
>>>>>[
+++++start sound
+++++start video

The world pops with a static hiss and a enhanced green scale view appears.
The view is blocked as something flashes back and forth in front of it.
"Testing.  How's the view Lynch?"
"Just fine Blade.  Whats your current position?"
"I'd say about four blocks south and 15 meters down from the targets position."
"Good.  Lilith says that the matrix side of building security has been
neutralized.  The latest data on the outside is on it's way to you from the
drone.  We're going to send it along so that the place doesn't look like
it's being monitored."
"Good.  Ok, I'm getting the maps on my display now.  Place looks quite.  Are
you sure that its the right building?"

The view, which you now recognize as an alleyway, begins to shift, the
person carrying the camera has started to move.

"It's what we've got right now." Lynch's voice takes on a more proffesional
tone.  "Do you remember the objectives?"
"Yeah.  Course I do."
"What are they?"
Blades own voice shifts into one of military response "Enter the target.
Examine the target for veracity of information.  Exit.  Avoid notice by
hostiles at all costs.  Any notice by the hostiles means that the mission
should be scrubbed.  Target is unaware of any attention in it's direction by
unit."
"Right.  Did you put that camera where I told you to?"
Blades voice returns to a more jovial tone "Your original, or the one
that'll actually show whats happening?"
"The second, smart ass.  ETA?"
"About 3 minutes to the base of the building, longer if I run across a
pedestrian."
"Ok, cutting non essential transmissions."
"Ack."

The view continues to glide down the alley.  Almost nothing can be heard
except for the normal sounds of the city streets nearby.  As the picture
approaches a wider street, the view pauses.  Carefully checking both ways,
you can see that the street is mostly deserted.  On the other side, the
alley continues.  The screen flashes, and when it settles again, and the
view is now from the other side of the road.

Blades whispered voice comes across "I am at the base of the target.  Still
no hostiles in sight.  Are you sure this is the right place?"

"If I wasn't sure, I wouldn't have sent you."

The view moves torwards an ancient fire escape along the side of the
building, this time, at a much slower pace than before.

"Tell me again, Lynch.  Why am I the only one here?"
Lilith's voice cuts in "Because if we sent in Lynch, he'd walk in, shoot
everybody, and forget the important stuff.  We're saving that for later."
"Haha Lilith.  But she's mostly right Blade.  Now, just make it in quietly,
and the job is half over."

You see a box like contraption get held in Blades arms, it's hard to see,
but has several spools and some cord on it.  It's most likely a grapple gun.
Blade points it up and fires, a slight "tink" can be heard as it hits the
roof.  Blade pulls on the cord until it snags, and then tests it with his
weight.

"Not the best, but I guess it'll have to do."  With that, Blade begins to
climb the rope up to the roof.  Most of the shot is off a rather
unremarkable wall until Blade slips himself over the edge of the roof and on
top of it.

The roof is a mess.  There's junk everywhere.  Blade begins to pick his way
carefully through it, heading for one of the old skylight windows.  Blade
looks at it, and would pick the lock, except that the window has a hole in
it big enough for CRUSH to fit through.

"Looks like I caught one break.  Or this is a setup.  Or this is the wrong
place, and I'm going to find a lot of squatters.  Heading inside."

Blade carefully slips through the window and leaps to the floor, making no
more noise than that of a cloth would have.  The room he is in is empty
except for junk piled in the corners.  The place looks like it's been
abandoned for a long time.  A single door leads to a hallway.

Lynch speaks "The room you want is right below where you are now.  Take it
easy down the stairs, slip in, check the stuff, and get out.  It's a cake walk."

Blade says nothing as he glides out the door and down the hall.  It takes
him a while to maneuver the stairs, but he manages to with only one, small,
squeek from the old structure.  Blade continues on, and halfway torwards his
intended target, the screen flickers briefly.

"Hold up Blade."
"What?"
"Did you catch that?"
"Catch what?"
"That flicker.  Did you notice anything unusual?"
"Nope.  What do you see that I don't?"
"Nothing, yet.  Don't move."
"I'm not."

The view cycles through a several different colors.  It suddenly stops as a
bright wall of lines appears.

"Shit.  Blade, look behind you."

The view turns, and another wall of lines can be seen.

"Ok, Blade.  I'm piping this to your display."

The view points torwards the floor, and a small flat screen can be partially
scene.

"Frag.  Wait.  Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"Drek.  This _is_ a setup.  I just heard something, barely, from one of the
doors.  This is blown, I'm out of here."
"How?" comes Lynch's incredulous voice

The view is now pointing directly down the hall.  At the end is a single,
boarded up old window.

"Well, lets just say that I hope that things not bricked up.  And if it is,
that I'm tougher.  I don't have much time Lynch, if you've got a better
idea, tell me now."

The creak of a door opening can be heard as the shot whips around.  Someone
is walking out of a room behind Blade

"GO!"

The view jumps forward torwards the window, and the breaking of old boards
can be heard, and then the thump of flesh against immovable object.  Now the
view is facing the opposite way, and someone is jumping at it.  The last
thing seen is the point of a knife sliding into the camera lens.  Then there
is nothing but sound.  A grunt of pain and the sound of a fight.  Gun shots
and the smack of hits against flesh.  Then the sound cuts out too.

"Blade?"  Lynch's voice "Blade?  If you're there respond."  The only
response is the crack and hiss of a dead radio.

pause 10 secs

"Lilith.  Get a recovery unit ready.  Blade just ran into a squad of
Leopards."]<<<<<
	-- Lynch's Mob <20:20:20/04-21-57>

*****INTERNAL: Lynch's Mob
>>>>>[
+++++call connected

"Hello?" you recognize the voice as Lilith's
"Lilith?  It's Blade."

+++++initializing video
The video feed of the call kicks in.  On one side is Lilith, on the other is
Blade.

Blade looks like he's been picked up and beaten against the ground for a
while, set down, then pummeled some more.  There is a slash across his left
eye, which is a swollen purple mess covered in dry blood and gore.  Grime
and blood covers most of Blades face, hair, and what you can see of his
shirt, which is torn in more places and barely holding together.  You can
see Blades right arm, or at least, whats left of it.  Where the elbow should
be, there is instead just a few loose wires, and nothing below that.

Lilith looks shocked.  "Where are you?  Nevermind.  I just got a lock on the
telecom's position.  I'm sending it to Lynch.  He's been with Tangent all
night trying to find you.  They should be there shortly.  What happened?"

Blade answers her in a voice that sounds remarkably like gravel.  "Their
mana thrower had put up some kind of barrier around the hall.  It blocked
the window.  The first guy who came at me made a great shield, and I was
able to tag the mage type guy when he tried to throw another spell."  Blade
smiles  "I'm pretty sure I hurt him.  Unfortunately, the guy I was holding
had a cyber shot gun in his arm, but only managed to get my arm and part of
my side before I broke his neck.  Well, once the mage fell, I was able to
jump out the window, and fall to the street.  I do mean fall.  I think I
broke a rib or two.  God bless bone lacing.  Well, I had set off all those
alarms, and I could hear sirens, so I just started sneaking away.  I ended
up being the target of a couple other random acts of violence, but got rid
of them.  'Course, now I'm out of ammo, don't know where I am, and am
holding on to my blood about as well as a sieve would."  Blade looks right
into the camera. "Lilith, I want to go home."

With that, Blades eye rolls back into his head and he slumps forward,
hitting his chin against the console and slumping to the ground, out of view.

+++++pause: 60 seconds
+++++telecom time out:  Thank you for using...

"Lynch?  Do you have him yet?"
"Tangent and I are closing on his position.  We should have him in about 30
seconds.  Is the hospital ready?"
"Yep, and I think he's going to need it."]<<<<<
	-- Lynch's Mob <06:15:12/06-22-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[  You got it.  I'll try and make my run tonight, so you should have 
the goods by sometime tomorrow.  I'll let you know if that timeline gets
modified any... ]<<<<<
	-- Flux <**:**:**/**-**-**>

*****Private: Spirit, Lyting, Blade, Kromofton, Aristo 
>>>>>[So what exactly is the plan? Oh by the way I don't think I have 
had the pleasure. Spirit I don't mean to pry but I do like to know 
something about who I might be running with. Just call me cautious. But 
if Lyting, Blade, Kromofton, Aristo or Crush will vouch for ya that's 
fine with me.

I'm in though if you are against SoG and his goons. We might try 
Johnny, he's a Wolf Shaman. I haven't heard much from him though]<<<<<
	--  Warloc <04-22-57/12:20:23>

***** PRIVATE : El Chango
>>>>>[..Hear me , son of the beast, mm...I dont like make treats with 
people like you... but... I need some explosives...>encripted< Kgs...aprox..
Contact me at >encripted< ]<<<<<
	-- Judas <16:20:20 / 04-22-57>

***** PRIVATE : Judas
>>>>>[ ..What is it ?..Terrorism ? Racism ? ..fantastic..! ..Explosives 
are not my field..but give me a week.. and I will have the explosives...
but remember, Nobody can play with El Chango...]<<<<<
	-- El chango <16:25:30 / 04-22-57>

*****Interal: Orion
>>>>>[
+++++Start Video
+++++Start Sound

The picture comes into focus. Rain falls from the Seattle sky and it is 
obvious that this is being filmed from the top of one of the corporate 
towers in the Downtown district. The picture focuses in a man in light 
security armor wearing a security helmet. There is an emblem on his 
right shoulder of the constellation Orion. 

He has finishes putting together a Barret Heavy Sniper Rifle. With the 
scope locked into place and with a twist of the silencer he looks down 
the rifle. He lays down a bit more, and lifts the visor on the helmet. 
Looking down into the Seattle streets his vision finally comes to rest 
on what could only be his mark. His breathing begins to slow, he twists 
his head about a couple of times loosening his neck muscles, and looks 
down the barrel and into the scope.

Just barely above a whisper can you can hear the almost musical tone of 
the Elvish tongue of Sperethrial coming from the man.

He stretches his right arm out, and strokes the rifles once allowing 
his hand to come to rest at the trigger. Gently he lays his index 
finger on the trigger and he takes three deep breaths.  

The camera's target changes and the view is that of the Seattle 
streets. Third and Seneca to be exact. Busy corporate wage-slaves are 
walking to work during the early morning hours. The camera scans the 
crowd finally coming to rest on a lone individual.

The mark is dressed in a black overcoat and is wearing dark sunglasses 
despite the fact that the sky is overcast and it is raining. He also 
carries a brief case and seems to take great care that nobody comes in 
contact with it. The camera marks this man at 434 meters and closing.

We can still hear the sound of Sperethrial and the intensity seems to 
increase. When the target is at 400 meters the sound of the first shot 
can be heard. 

The first shot hits the target on the left side of his head. Sheering 
half his face off and he does not appear to be dead. A snarl of rage 
seems to come from the mark. He looks ready to turn and run when a 
second shot catches him in the chest.

The target collapses and appears to be dead. The crowd on the street 
panics and all flee the scene. Within moments a Doc Wagon ambulance 
pulls up takes the body, and the brief case and leaves the area.

The camera swings back to the figure on the roof

"You got him," a pause "good, don't open the briefcase I'll be down 
shortly." Great job guys. See ya in a minute!"

+++++Stop Audio
+++++Stop Video
]<<<<<
	-- Orion <the hunter>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[I'm willing to help you in all ways...at least until we part ways.
 You're just crazy...:)  Talk to The Mighty Quinn about my sense of Fairness.
<g>]<<<<<
	-- Ryuga (14:45:30 PDT/ 04:22:57)
            CEO
            Ryaka Science and Tech

*****PRIVATE:SPIRIT, KROMOFTON
>>>>>[Have you gotten my mail, or did the mailer-daemon mess up again. 
Anyways, if you would rather not have my assistance, I will continue on 
my own, but if you'd like me there I need info. Where, when, etc. Reply 
fast, as I have somethinng else on the burner too :) ]<<<<<
	--  Blademaster  <11:22:45/4-23-57>

*****PRIVATE:SMILEY
>>>>>[If ya liked the last paycheck, meet me at >>endrypted<< for another 
job. :) ]<<<<<
	--  Boom Boom  <11:22:45/4-23-57>

*****Private:Boom Boom
>>>>>[A trolls gota do what a trolls gotta do. My stomachs growlin, what 
ya got in mind?]<<<<<
	--  Smiley  <11:45:32/4-23-57>

*****Private: Spirit
>>>>>[I hear you are attepmting to end the Sword of Dog's threat to 
metahumanity.  Please contact me with a date and time for helping to 
destroy that fool. Where and when is all I need to know :)]<<<<<
	--  Blademaster  <12:06:40/4-22-57>

*****PRIVATE:Phobos, Paradox, Jen and Gabe
>>>>>[ My friends where are you, how did the run go?  It has been awhile,
have you been found out or are you still looking.  Contact me to set my
worries straight. ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blackthorne <19:03:21/04-23-57>

*****PRRIVATE TO:Blademaster
>>>>>[No, I didn't get it. When did you send it?]<<<<<
	-- Kromofton <04-23-57/16:58:10>

*****INTERNAL:  InterPol Secure Communications
>>>>>[      SM:  Sergent Montoya
            AH:  Agent Halberd
            LA:  Agent Long Arm
            BE:  Agent Black Eye
            AC:  Agent Crimson
            ST:  Sergent Tagit
            AW:  Agent Walker
            AM:  Agent Martin
            AK:  Agent Kink
            AF:  Agent Flock
            CD:  Commander Drake

ST:  Boss, something's not right here....

SM:  I concur, Boss.  This feels bad.

CD:  He'll show up.  I know it.

ST:  Monty, scope target 4.

SM:  Scoping.  Damn, he's chipped way too high to be Mafia.  Scanner says 
wired, limbs, the works.  Figure he got some help?

ST:  Oh yeah.

CD:  Hold it.  Drone caught a glimmer.

ST:  Right.  Inego team, prep for contact.

AW:  Affirmative.

AM:  Gotcha

AK:  (click click)

AF:  Mmmmm

SM:  Crimson, LA, spot ready.

LA:  Spot ready.

AC:  Spot ready.

ST:  Boss, we're set and the drone reads active.  No other drones in the 
area.  Astral is out of contact, though.

CD:  Last check-in said no contact.  Expecting check-in in 2 minutes.

LA:  Monty, target 6 is magical.

SM:  Frag!  You sure, LA?

LA:  Positive.

ST:  They definately got outside he....  CONTACT!!!  Repeat, we have 
contact!!!

LA:  Spot on.  Range:  167m.  Wind:  SSW, 12kmh

AC:  Spot on.  Blacky, range:  231m.  Wind:  SSW, 13kmh

AH:  Range:  167m.  Wind:  SSW, 12kmh.  Target acquired and tracking.

BE:  Range:  231m.  Wind:  SSW, 13kmh.  Target acquired and tracking.

SM:  Got him, Boss,  Positive ID on target Jason Lynch.  Tagit?

ST:  Workin on it....  Inego group?

AF:  In transit.  No LOF.

AM:  LOS acquired.  Target appeared out of nowhere.  Tracking target.

AK:  LOF acquired.  Tracki...frag, smoke!  LOF lost.  Gunfire, SMG.

CD:  Astral reports contact!  Masked drone, destroy upon sighting!

SM:  Target lost in smoke.  Confirm gunfire.  Targets 4 and 6 mobile.  
Wireheads confirmed.  Spots?

LA:  Spot lost.  Thermal switching.  Neg.  Spot no re-ack.

AC:  Spot lost.  Thermal smoke, no re-ack here.

CD:  FRAG!

ST:  Targets 7 and 12 down.  Team?

AK:  Target 4 wounded, smoke, no-ack.

AM:  US walk in.

AW:  No LOF, vehicle incoming.

SM:  Air Bogey acquired, targeting.  (sounds of gunfire)  Bogey miss.

BE:  Walk it in, go!

CD:  Monty, airburst!  Halberd, painters!

AH:  Off target.

AM:  US ready!  On target.

AF:  Target 6 down.  Wires dead.

SM:  Airburst.  (three small thunks)

LA:  Airburst assist (three small thunks)

ST:  Concs go!

BE:  On target.

AW:  Concs firing.  (thunk)  (sound of several explosions)

AM:  Weapons free.

BE:  Weapons free.

SM:  Airburst continuing.  (three small thunks)

AM:  Fire!

BE:  (CRACK!)

ST:  (sound of concussion grenades going off)  Conc's firing.  (thunk)

AM:  Target mobile: 10mps, NE

BE:  (CRACK!)

AC:  HO!  thermal Ack!

AK:  Ground bogey arrival.  Conc's active.  (thunk)

BE:  Aff.  (CRACK!)  SMOKE!!!

AM:  Target hit, left leg.  4 port!

LA:  Ground bogey acquired.  Spot on thermal.

AH:  Painters.  Thermal spot!

AC:  Air bogey down!  Air bogey down!

BE:  (CRACK!)

AF:  Target 9 contact!!!!!(autofire)

AM:  Target miss, 2 up.

ST:  Flock's down!  Code 00!

CD:  Drop him now!

BE:  (CRACK!)

AM:  Target hit, right kidney.  Target down.

AK:  Target 9 LOF!  (burst fire)

SA:  10m W hydrant

AH:  Painter acquired.

AC:  Thermal ack, 2 assist from bogey.

LA:  Bogey painted!

ST:  Target 9 down.

AM:  U R 3  Fire!

BE:  (CRACK!)

AH:  (CRACK!)  Painter two hit.

CD:  Drone has paint.

AC:  SMOKE!  Thermal lost at pickup.

AM:  Target hit, skull.  Target out cold.

AW:  US shows two drag, dest bogey.

CD:  Cease rooftop, ground defensive.  Wagon in transit, ETA 3 minutes.

SM:  Roger.

AK:  Flock's alive, barely.

CD:  Tagit, collect the wounded.  Monty, support. ]<<<<<
	--  InterPol Secure Communications <19:09:47/04-23-57>

*****INTERNAL:  InterPol Internal Transcript
>>>>>[    CD:  Commander Drake
          AZ:  Agent Ziv
          SR:  Sergent Ronald
          LSR:  Lone Star Representative

CD:  Tracking?

SR:  Right on, Boss.  Ziv's rigged, perfect paint.  Video feed, even.

CD:  Lynch?

SR:  Still out.  Trackers already removed.  The woman's doing first aid.  
Standard UCAS Army medkit.

CD:  You've got good eyes, Ronald.

SR:  Nope, the computer does though.  Enhancement, dontcha know.

CD:  Range?

SR:  Uhhhh, mmmmm, ah!  670m transverse, 200m altitude.

CD:  Damn, if that ain't a good paint.  I've got to commend Halberd on that 
one.  Plates?

SR:  We got those too.  Registered to a Ms. Christina Forth.  Lone Star's in 
route to verify her vehicle.

CD:  Where the frag is that drone, anyway?

SR:  About SE. 240th St. and North Rd.  Heading into industrial Renton.

CD:  Great.  Chopper fueled?

SR:  Yep, as always.  We're not sure if this is his....Damn, drone's been 
spotted!

CD:  Drek.  Pull Ziv off.

SR:  Too late.  Drone's crashed.

LSR:  What?   How?

CD:  Is Ziv ok?

SR:  Magic, probably.  No shots I could see.  I'll show it to a mage for an 
opinion.  And Ziv's got a bad case of destruction shock, Boss.

AZ:  Ohhhhhhhhhh........

CD:  Get a medic in here!  Ziv, you ok.

LSR:  What about my drone?

AZ:  my head.......

SR:  You'll be ok, Ziv.  A medic's on the way.

AZ:  did.....you get..........the.....plate.....

CD:  Yeah.  Get him out of here, Ronald.

SR:  Got it boss.

LSR:  Commander, what about my drone!?

CD:  InterPol will replace it.  Right now I'd like your help.

LSR:  What?  You just got a Lone Star drone destroyed and you want us to 
help you more?

CD:  Yes.  I want you to activate all the traffic drones in the area and 
have them look for this plate bar code.  No expense, no exposure, no damage.

LSR:  I'll have to clear it.

CD:  Here, use my phone. ]<<<<<
	--  InterPol Internal Transcript <19:25:54/04-23-57>

*****INTERNAL:  InterPol Internal Transcript
>>>>>[    CD:  Commander Drake
          SR:  Sergent Ronald
          MX:  Marshal Xavier Qoph
          LSR:  Lone Star Representative

LSR:  I've just received word that the traffic drones have acquired the 
plate.

SR:  And Ms. Christina Forth's vehicle, sir?

LSR:  She is at home and her vehicle has not been driven for the last hour 
at least.

CD:  Excellent.  Can you pipe....

MX:  Commander Drake!  You acquired Lynch?

CD:  Excuse me, Marshal, for an instant.  Sir, can you pipe the details here 
from Lone Star?

LSR:  Already being done.

CD:  Thank you.  I'm sorry, Marshal, you were saying?

MX:  Commander, you tagged Lynch without informing me.  You knew that I was 
interested in this particular case and yet you didn't contact me until 
afterward.

CD:  Yes, sir, I was too busy during contact to call you.  My agents needed 
my help, you did not.

MX:  That's nigh on insubordination, Commander.

CD:  Yes, sir.  Anything else, sir?

MX:  Status report.

SR:  If I may, Commander.  Sir, with the help of Lone Star we have just 
reacquired the target vehicle using it's copied plate code.  It is currently 
in Auburn, on the Auburn-Enumclaw Highway heading southeast.

CD:  Thank you, sergent.  Marshal, with your permission, I will depart with 
the chopper and leave for Auburn.  Sergent Ronald will stay here and 
coordinate our assult with our ground units in Auburn.  Sir, if Lone Star 
would lend us another mobile traffic drone....

LSR:  Several are already in transit to the area and will keep you appraised 
in real time.

CD:  Thank you sir.  Marshal?

MX:  Go and nail the slitch.

CD:  Yes, sir. ]<<<<<
	--  InterPol Internal Transcript <19:39:47/04-23-57>

*****INTERNAL:  InterPol Secure Communications
>>>>>[    CD:  Commander Drake
          MX:  Marshal Xavier Qoph
          SR:  Sergent Ronald
          LSR:  Lone Star Representative

SR:  Lone Star says that the target vehicle has entered a warehouse and no 
other vehicles have exited the building.  Here's the address.  (data 
transfer)

CD:  Got it, Ronald.

MX:  ETA to that address, Commander?

CD:  Me, or the ground units?

MX:  Both, of course.

CD:  Me, about 10 minutes.  20 if I'd not gotten off the ground when I did.  
The nearest ground unit is about 8 minutes away, though I'll have the unit 
pause and wait for the rest of the units to hit.  Ronald, dispatch a 
forensics unit too.  If they're not here, I want to know everything about 
the building.

SR:  Right away, Boss.

MX:  By the way, Commander, what's the assult force look like?

CD:  Me and 7 armored agents in the chopper, a Mobmaster with 12 agents in 
armor, and a cover unit in a Landrover, 5 agents.  Three magicians, one of 
which has already vacated and is hopefully watching the address from Astral.  
We're well prepared, Marshal.  Probably overprepared, but I'd rather not have 
to worry about it.

MX:  And the assult plan?

CD:  The chopper will drop explosives on the roof of the warehouse and blast 
a hole.  The Mobmaster will drop agents and run support for the main entrance 
and the cover unit is taking to the roofs to snipe.

SR:  Not Montoya again....

CD:  Not this time, Ronald.  He's too far out of position, although his team 
certainly is the best sniper unit I've got.  It's Father's unit.

MX:  Father?

SR:  The second sniper unit we've got in Seattle.

MX:  Continue, Commander.

CD:  With Father's team split over the roofs, we'll keep Lynch and his 
friends from escaping and we'll be able to knock him unconscious if he tries.  
And while the agents and the Mobmaster circle the top, the chopper unit will 
blast the hole and then drop about 30 concussion grenades in, followed by a 
speed rappell and arrest.

MX:  Will it work?

SR:  If the target is there, yes, sir, it will.

MX:  What do you mean, sergent?

CD:  He means that we don't have Lynch in custody yet, and until we do, we 
can't count on anything.

MX:  Did you warn him, Commander?

CD:  Sir, if you have to ask that question, you don't know me as well as you 
think you do.

LSR:  The Star says that thier drone has just taken fire, Commander.

CD:  What?  FRAG!  ETA is still 4 minutes.  Cover unit is 2 minutes away.

LSR:  Looks like InterPol owes us another drone, Commander.  This one was 
shot down.

SR:  Which reminds me, Boss.  The mage I showed the clip to thinks it was a 
Wrecker spell that took out the tailing drone.

CD:  Wrecker?  Uh oh....  (intercom click off)

MX:  Commander?  Commander!  Respond, Commander!

SR:  Sir, Commander Drake is probably talking to the pilot or a mage to 
defend the chopper against a possible magical attack.  He'll be back shortly, 
I'm sure, sir.

+++++ Time out:  24 seconds ++++++

CD:  (intercom click on)  Frag.

MX:  Commander?

CD:  Sorry, sir, but I don't have the time to talk right now.  You are free 
to listen, but I no longer have the luxury of talking.

MX:  Commander!

SR:  Sir, please.  If you want the Commander to arrest Lynch, you need to let 
him think and work without distraction.  Please, sir.

MX:  Ser......  Very well, sergent.

SR:  Boss, do you need anything from me?

CD:  Get that forensics off!

SR:  (communication click on)  Forensics!  Get a chopper in the air, full 
magical and mundane, to this address.  Go NOW!  (communication click off)  
Boss, they're off.

CD:  (click click)

MX:  ETA, sergent?

SR:  About 2 minutes.  Cover should be arriving any second now.

CD:  DREK!  FRAG!  Sonofaslitch!  Aargh!

MX:  Commander?

CD:  Sir, they're gone.  Astral says that they took off after casting 
Sterelize on the place.  She was able to shield some of the area from the 
effect, so we may have some evidence yet.  She's also got a description of 
the model of the vehicle, but no plate number.  Did Lone Star catch anything?

LSR:  Not to my knowledge, Commander.  The rest of the drones were coming in.  
We might have some of the plate codes, but without more data, we won't know 
for sure.  I'm sorry.

CD:  Thank you anyway, sir.  Marshal.  I'll be in touch after Forensics 
arrives. ]<<<<<
	--  InterPol Secure Communications <19:53:14/04-23-57>

*****INTERNAL:  InterPol Internal Communications
>>>>>["Boss, you wanted my preliminary report."

Go ahead, Monty.

"Lynch took three tracker rounds which were later recovered from the route 
they escaped along, one in his left leg, one in his right kidney, and one in 
the left-rear of his skull.  The leg shot knocked his leg out from underneath 
him when Agent Black Eye acquired thermal imaging in a temporary hole in the 
thermal smoke.  He landed hard, but with the assistance of Agent Martin, he 
was able to hit Lynch again before he rose, this time above his right kidney.  
It is possible that this hit nearly incapacitated Lynch, although Agent 
Martin said that his ultrasonic sight showed him that he was injured, perhaps 
in severe pain as well, but rising when Agent Black Eye's final shot hit him 
in the head.  The third round hit knocked Lynch unconscious, but the two 
individuals who arrived in the vehicle were able to get him into the vehicle 
and drive off.  Apparently, one of them administered first aid in transit to 
the warehouse you raided.

You might find this interesting, though, sir.  Sergent Tagit downloaded it 
from his cybercamera and gave it to me before leaving in the ambulance with 
Agent Flock."

How is Flock?

"He is still in surgery.  He may need several new organs and an arm, but the 
doctor was cautiously optomistic after seeing the wounds."

I hope he makes it through.  Which hospital is he at?  I'd like to swing by 
tonight.

"Seattle General, Boss."

Thank you.  Now, Sergent Tagit's camera footage?

"Right here.  He only downloaded this single image.  Is that what I think it 
is, Boss?"

Frag....  Yeah, Monty, it is.  Leopard guards.  Fraggin Leopard guards....  
Where did he get this from?

"Off the body of target 9, the one that Agent Kink killed after he had shot 
Agent Flock."

And where is the body now?

"A DocWagon ambulance came by and picked the wounded and the dead up.  It 
never arrived at the clinic.  I checked with Lone Star and they said that 
they were about to send DocWagon a ticket for driving an unregistered 
ambulance."

I hope none of our agents went with the ambulance.

"No, none did.  That's just pure luck, though.  If someone had, they'd be 
dead now."

And without the bodies we have no proof of the Leopard guard's, and thus 
Aztechnology's, involvement.  Drek.  Monty, come back in a couple of 
minutes.  I've got a mail to send to a certain Major in Aztlan Intelligence.

"Sure thing, Boss."]<<<<<
	--  InterPol Internal Communications <20:50:14/04-23-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Major Zicahuata
>>>>>[Major, you have a problem, and it's name is Commander Drake.

There were Aztechnology Leopard Guards at my ambush, Major.  Of course, you 
can't admit to being their commander because that would mean that you would 
have to admit to a level of connection between the Aztechnology corporation 
and the nation of Aztlan that doesn't officially exist, but let me tell you 
what's going to happen.

Leopard guards have interfered with my investigation and attempts to track 
and arrest Jason Lynch.  Therefore they have broken the law.  Not only that, 
but it is illegal for corporate security to operate outside their 
jurisdiction.  That's two laws they have broken.  Finally, I suspect that 
they crossed borders in the process of commiting these crimes.  And that 
doesn't include the fact that one of those Leopard guards is wanted for the 
attempted murder of an InterPol agent, which makes it automatically in my 
jurisdiction even if none of the other laws have been broken.  That means 
that those guards are smack in the middle of my jurisdiction and _my_ 
investigation.

Have them called off, Major.  If you want InterPol to do your fraggin dirty 
work for you and Aztechnology, fine.  But let InterPol do your dirty work and 
stop interfering in any way, shape, or form.

You've just hit strike two, Major.  Strike three is the next time I find 
Leopard guards interfering with my investigation.  Let me tell you what 
happens when you hit strike three.  At strike three, all those Leopard guards 
get arrested, the bodies placed under InterPol control, not the Seattle or 
Lone Star coroners.  Then each surviver gets tried and his or her 
connections, via the tatoos and cyberware, get revealed and Aztechnology has 
a major problem on thier hands.  All of this will happen _within_ InterPol, 
under my personal supervision.  I will take great personal pleasure in 
causing Aztechnology a major public relations debacle.

And if those Leopard guards resist arrest, they will be shot.  If simply 
wounding them does not stop them, they will be killed and I will still 
personally supervise the autopsies and provide all the proof I need to make 
Aztechnology's life in Seattle a little less than pleasant.

Naturally you'll deny any knowledge of the Leopard guards being in Seattle, 
and disavow any responsiblity for them.  Regardless, I suspect that the 
message I'm tring to send has been understood and will reach those who are 
responsible.

And I do hope you understand _extremely_ well, Major.  You're at Strike two 
now, and now you know exactly what will happen if you hit strike three.  And 
this isn't a threat, Major Zicahuata, this is a fact.  A reality.]<<<<<
	--  Commander Drake, InterPol <20:57:18/04-23-57>

*****Private:Kromofton
>>>>>[I sent a while ago, Hmm, mailer daemon ate it again I guess :)]<<<<<
	--  Blademaster  <11:28:43/4-24-57>

>>>>>[I am Morgue, an electronic intrusion specialist. I have an  
extensive understanding of current corporate and government security  
practices as well as how to exploit them. Secondary specialities  
include interrogation techniques and demolitions. If an operation  
requires electronic subtelty and professionalism, there is no other  
option.]<<<<<
	-- Morge <14:54:42/04-24-57>

*****PRIVATE: Action Jackson
>>>>>[What's up Doc?  I know you run a clinic, and I was wondering if you,
or someone you knew, could help me get a replacement cybereye.  Mine was
recently...damaged beyond repair.  I can get a complete replacement set, but
I need one's of the highest quality.  If you could help me in any way, it
would be greatly appreciated.  Oh, I am willing to pay well.  Thank you.]<<<<<
	-- Blade<14:36:14/40-24-57>

>>>>>[HiayHiayHiya. Well I am settled in 2 the place, ready 2 code.  Does it
always rain soooo much? :P My profile is out on the street, I sent it b4 I
left, ask around, if you can find it call me.  Oh, the quality & speed of the
job will B a couple of more levels higher even, I have unlimited access 2 this
funky mainframe.  Anyone up 4 Beta testing any of the equipment we have here?
No cash & on your head B it, sounds like hoopy fun 2 me. Cackle.  1 more
thing, I need another place 2 live, I know this Dorm thang is only temporary,
but I am so close 2 killing a Frosher (any 1 will do, I don't care), it can't
B good 4 anybody's health.
ByeByeBye, Keep Well.]<<<<<
	--  LabRat  <10:09:45/4-25-57>

>>>>>[ Labrat huh?  Well welcome to our fair city, rain and all.  I take
it your a college boy.  There are any number of places to stay Smities
Apartments in the Barrens or if your Metahuman there's The Trolls Way in
Pullyaup.  Both are nice enough places and both are full of nasty people.
I hope you brought a gun or something, this city doesn't like the
unprepared.  Those Froshmen you want to kill so much could be cybered out
street punks with enough wire to choke a Banshee or a decker with such
skill that he can run circles around your mainframe.  No it's better to
treat _everyone_ with a distant respect, friends and foes are made and
shot in the blink of an eye in this fair town.  Please do not take this
the wrong way, but it's better to watch your words then the bullets after
you. ]<<<<<
	-- Mr. Blackthorne <18:54:12/04-24-57>

*****Not To: LabRat
>>>>>[Who the hell is this fool?  And who the hell told him that having
access to his own account is kool?  Whats he want us to do, beta test his
video games?  Geesh!]<<<<<
	-- Phobos <19:33:54/04-24-57>

*****Private:  Mr. Blackthorne
>>>>>[Got your data.  But I think they have gotten a trace back to you 
through the code.  So heres a partial refund as well.

include ++data.packet
include ++nuyen.amount]<<<<<
	--  Paradox <16:46:21/4-24-57>

***** To : Mr. Blackthorne 
>>>>>[Yeah, that's the 1.  Got a PhD, Matrix Programming, mainly bio-feedback
systems, so I know a some of the coders who have implemented some of the high
end ice, or at least their signiature styles.  Primarily South-East Asia where
I have done most my decking(not just a mainframe jockey), but a few have coded
further a field.  It helps knowing what U R up against before U go in.
I am here 2 do Post-Doc at U-Dub in the HIT Lab (Human Interface Technology
Lab).
As 4 Accomodation, well Meta'a R fine by me, Elves & Orcs run in the family,
I'm not me tho.  The Dorm thing was just 'till I found something else.
Oh & the weapon, picked up most of a Steyr assembly on my way thru Cal Free,
1st burst fire sports rifle I have used but it's vented so its 'kay.
Having a right pain in the ass with customs & my Glock, Military issue
pistol by butt.  Think they R just playing 'Intimidate the new citizen', it's
getting boring fast.  Thanx for the info. Byebyebye, Keep Well]<<<<<
	-- LabRat <01:05:58/04-26-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Commander Drake, InterPol
>>>>>[Commander, your remarks are inflammatory and possibly actionable.
They could even be construed as threats.

Let me make absolutely clear that Aztechnology abhors crimimality and
totally rejects the suggestion that, somehow, units of the Aztlan military
are operating illegally in the UCAS. There are no Leopard Guards operating
in Seattle outside Aztlan jurisdiction. I have no military forces under 
my command. I am assigned to Seattle to carry out routine liaison and 
analysis work, and have no involvement with any operational matters.
Is that sufficiently clear? 

The individuals you claim to be 'Leopard Guards' were doubtless local 
criminals, of which the UCAS appears to have a plentiful supply. There may
well be some crude attempt by their employers to portray them as being
linked to some or other corporation: this is a popular gambit. 

Commander, we are dismayed by your lack of success in apprehending Lynch. 
Please do not allow your frustration at your failures to spill over onto
an entirely law-abiding and honourable corporation.

I will have to bring your intemperate statements to the attention of your
superiors, Drake, and to our legal department. Are all InterPol officers
so blatantly prejudiced against Aztlan and Aztechnology, and so eager to
swallow tabloid rumours about "elite military death squads"? This is a
matter of some concern to us.]<<<<<
	-- Major Zicahuata <12:53:31/04-25-57>
	   Aztlan Intelligence Service

*****PRIVATE: Colonel Tepanohoutec
>>>>>[Colonel, I am struggling to contain myself. Drake is both constraining
our operations, and allowing Lynch to escape. Yet again, his men wasted 
their fire on Lynch by splattering him with gel! A clean headshot and yet
Lynch lives! This cannot be allowed to continue: Drake's methods are
obviously ineffective, yet he impedes our efforts also: the distraction
of InterPol's attack allowed Lynch to escape our ambush.

I urgently request permisson to eliminate Drake. I disagreed with the
decision to involve InterPol at the time, and I believe events have proved
me correct. Our own men are far more effective: Lynch's ally Blade barely
escaped a trap that used only one section of troops, yet left him maimed. 
One more such success and Lynch will be eliminated permanently.

We are beginning Phase IV now, since our opposition - thanks more to our
own efforts than the blunderings of InterPol - are weakened and in disarray.
Although now four weeks behind schedule, we are still within acceptable
limits and expect few new problems to emerge.]<<<<<
	-- Major Zicahuata <12:55:24/04-25-57>
	   Aztlan Intelligence Service

*****PRIVATE: Major Zicahuata
>>>>>[Permission denied, Jose. Drake is *succeeding* in achieving our
aims, though I agree his attitude towards Aztlan constitutes a problem.

Remember your mission: conduct Phase IV of Project Manchu. Do not allow
your desire to destroy an enemy of the State to distract you from your
duty to that State. 

Lynch is pursued, isolated, and rendered impotent to harm you by his lack
of any information. Whereas Phase III was a high-profile project and risked
exactly the exposure that occurred, Phase IV should be undetectable even 
if - as has happened - the enemy know what it is. For now, you are safe.

However, I have opposed Lynch before. One of his favourite tactics is to
conduct reconnaisance-by-exposure: to reveal himself, and use the attack
that follows to find his targets. Do not rise to his bait: continue with
your mission.

Use the following to aid you, and to constrain Drake.

+++++include file: protest.txt

The Marshall will rein in Drake and focus his attention where it belongs.

In addition, Drake's statements provide us with future leverage: we now
have proof that InterPol agents believe unsubstantiated rumour and falsehood
about Aztlan/Aztechnology operations, which may have value in the future.

You have done well, Jose. Continue to do so. Show your strength as a 
warrior by accepting that you cannot succeed everywhere, and ensure that
the mission is completed without compromise.

Finally, while I applaud your extraction of your wounded and dead, ensure
that they cannot be linked to us if captured. Bad luck may strike at any
time.]<<<<<
	-- Colonel Tepanohoutec <13:32:14/04-25-57>
	   Aztlan Intelligence Service

*****PRIVATE: Marshall Xavier Qoph, InterPol
>>>>>[Marshall, I wish to register a formal protest against one of your
officers.

+++++include file: Drake's.threats&allegations

I, and my superiors, wish to fully refute these unfounded allegations.
I am assigned to Seattle on routine duties and have no connection with
operational matters. I have no military forces under my command. There
are no Aztlan Leopard Guards in UCAS territory. It is, of course, routine
for criminals - of whom there are a depressingly large number in the UCAS -
to claim corporate affilation and backing, and Drake was unlucky enough
to encounter such a group. 

Drake has twice had Lynch in his sights and twice the criminal has escaped.
He is also making unsubstantiated claims about criminal activity by
"Leopard Guard death squads" and has alleged that he is only acting on
this case as a result of bribes paid to his superiors. We deplore this
situation.

Marshall, to be blunt, Commander Drake's actions are bringing into question
the reputation of InterPol for effective and impartial law enforcement. 
I leave the matter in your capable hands, confident that you will act
effectively to correct the situation.]<<<<<
	-- Major Zicahuata <13:43:03/05-25-57>
	   Aztlan Intelligence Service

*****PRIVATE: Tangent
>>>>>[Okay, want to earn some more money? Check out this place for me.
Fronts as an engineering consultancy... hell, read the file. Flux is
handing the Matrix side.

+++++include file: Manchu_base.txt

I need *discreet* surveillance on who goes in, who goes out, and where
they come from and go to. The head honcho is likely to be this guy:

+++++include image.files: "Major Jose Zicahuata, AIS".zip

He may be resident on-site or living off base. Either way, I need to know.

They're running Phase IV of their operation from there, or they will be soon. 
I want to know where. 

Payoff is >>encrypted<< - good enough? Bear in mind that I'd like to bypass
this place for now, and take it *after* I blow the brains out of Manchu,
but I also want to rip the guts out of the project at this end. So, don't
get spotted. 

Interested?]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <14:05:32/04-25-57>

*****INTERNAL: SIGA Archive
>>>>>>[+++++begin transcript
"Am I mistaken, Lieutenant, or are things pretty bad over there?"
No, Director. You're not mistaken. Things are for shit. Why are you talking to 
me anyway? I'm suspended, remember?
"Cut the crap and report."

Sir. Lynch is recovering. He's got whiplash and concussion, but he's 
otherwise okay. Blade is in a bad way, but Quinn patched him up and
we're paying for replacement cyber. 
"From what I hear, that's going to cost us."
So? Price of low-exposure deniable assets, sir. It isn't cheap when you
leave your people hanging in the breeze with everyone from InterPol to
Leopard Guard chewing on-
"Leopard Guard? Are you sure?"
Lynch and Blade concur, sir. Aztlan Leopards. Section strength in two
seperate locations. Fully armed and shooting to kill. Suggests they've
deployed at least a company.
"Mother of God."
Exactly. 

"Your recommendations?"
They have to be based somewhere. We want to hit them. Hard. Maximum 
carnage. Take as many of the bastards as we can in one strike. Knock out
at least a couple of dozen.
"Minimum collateral damage, Lilith."
This is Lynch, sir. He does care about these things. But we're going to be
running non-stop from them if we don't hurt them, soon.
"Agreed. What are they going to do, lodge a protest? How about InterPol?"
Still non-lethal, but that won't last. And getting closer. 
"And how's Lynch?"

...Coming apart, David. Oh, he acts like this is all routine, how he's survived
far worse, but it's getting to him. It really shook him when Blade got so 
chewed up, and he couldn't do more than shoot up the front of the building
to try to draw off the Leopards. You know Jason *hates* losing partners like
that. And he's getting bitter, which is really unlike him, says he must be
doing something wrong when even the honest cops are after him.
"Is he a risk?"
<pause>
No. And I may be exaggerating, thinking about it. He talks to me. Probably
felt the same way in Kazakhstan and the Yucatan, but never said anything to
anyone. He's right, he's been through worse. I'm just worried.

"Hold him together, Lieutenant. The weenies on the Hill are still cringing
and saying we need proof before we get any support, and until we get support
your group is the only way we'll get proof. Can you still cope?"
Yes. Give us a few days and we'll all be a hundred per cent again. Jason's
got out of town for a forty-eighter, says he needs to unwind. New Orleans,
I think, low profile. Blade's in surgery. We have leads we're working. We're 
going to win this one.

"Outstanding, Lieutenant. Keep the good work going."
Yes, sir.
+++++end transcript]<<<<<
	-- SIGA Archive <14:24:34/04-25-57> 

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[ Okay, I did that digging that you wanted on that 'Engineering
Consultancy.'  The place was clean .. no, that's not a strong enough
description.  Sterile is more accurate.  It was too neat.  The only
thing that is there to implicate Aztechnology is the fact that there
are direct landlines that run from the main building to and Aztech
site at >>encrypted<<.  Now, according to the records on their 
system, they do have a lot of business transactions with Aztechnology,
but I still think the direct lines would be overkill for the place,
especially considering they have an uplink dish connected to the 
system as well.

My money says that if they have any information that we want, it's
going to be on internal systems that aren't directly connected
to the matrix, which leaves only 2 access points: the building
itself, and the Azzie facility on the other end of that line.

Oh, and incidentally, they handle their security 'in house', and 
there's not any matrix access to that subsytem.

Here's the full transcript of the session:

+++++ include file: manchu.base.run ]<<<<<
	-- Flux <**:**:**/**-**-**>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[ Yes, I'm interested.  I'll put together the surveillance plan tonight
with Static, and we'll get started on it right away.  Keep in mind, this 
isn't going to take the whole team, so if you need help with some more general 
mayhem, let me know. <g> ]<<<<<
	-- Tangent <11:16:43/04-25-57>

>>>>>[I am new to the streets of Seattle.  I have just came from 
Aztlan.  I have heard rumors of Leopard activity here.  Can anyone 
give me more info?  Also, I am interested in some work.  I am a street 
sam.  Check with your contacts.  They've heard of me.]<<<<<
	--  Redemption <10:26:32/04-25-57>

>>>>>[Excuse my friend, he's a little too serious.  We're new here in 
town and lookin' to make a few friends.  We hang out in shadowy 
places, but our crowd is sometimes less than friendly.

We are both Street Sams.  We have downloaded our dossier, so have a 
look at it and tell us what you think.  I'm lookin' forward to gettin' 
back to biz, so look us up.]<<<<<
	--  Glaive  <10:34:47/04-25-57>

>>>>>[See, what I mean Lynch....]<<<<<
	--BOUNTY-KILLA <12:32:12/04-25-96>

*****PRIVATE: LabRat
>>>>>[Oooh...a PhD dabbling in the shadows, eh?  Not enough adrenaline in a
corporate research position or academic tenure track?  And admittance of
firearms to boot!  What was your thesis, and who was your advisor, praytell?
]<<<<<
	--  Azrael  <11:26:42 / 04-25-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[
+++++engage Kotobazukai
What the _hell_ is going on over there?  I've just received "word" of the
latest round of "encounters" with Interpol and "other forces", who _I_ can
confirm to be Aztlani Leopards.  I hear an Interpol sniper tapped you three
times, once to the head.  If that was _Aztlan_, I wouldn't be sending you this
message.  And if it was one of _my_ people, it would have only taken _one_
shot.

Mr. Lynch, you were lucky in this latest round, but I'm seeing that luck run
out, as I've seen it do on many other people of lesser talent who thought they
were immune to the system.  I cannot cooperate with someone who is dead, or at
the very least out of action.  _Since_ our objective is to curtail Manchu, I
_rather_ think the time has come to concentrate on that task and eliminate the
peripheral risks.

Now.  As I stated before, I am having work done to trace Aztlan's interal
shipping/receiving operations.  I've also got hands in the cookie jar in a few
other areas, and I have been able to finger a base: <<ENCRYPTED>>.  I am
receiving more detailed information as we speak, but I do not have a complete
picture yet.

I believe _you_ mentioned you had a bead on Zicahuata.  To _prevent_ any other
mishaps, I am going to _request_ that you coordinate with some of my
associates.  You probably won't like this request, and you are within your
rights to refuse it.  If you do so, Mr. Lynch, I will be forced to part company
with you in this endeavor.  I don't particularly want to see you die, and I
have a strong vested interest in bringing this to a _successful_ conclusion.
I am offering magical support, rigged support, and Matrix assistance, all
assets with effectivenesses far above the par on the street.  I require your
decision within 24 hours.
+++++disengage Kotobazukai
]<<<<<
	--  AlexandriaN  <11:28:47 / 04-25-57>

>>>>>[Lord, I have the explosives..--* Perfect, Judas, now..wait *--
Yes my Lord]<<<<<
	-- Judas <14:05:50 / 04-25-57>

>>>>>[I am interested in hiring a few runners for some discrete work. I 
need a problem to go away. Anyone interested may contact myself at 
>encrypted<]<<<<<
	-- Mako  <12:18:25/04-25-57>

>>>>>[What is this world coming to?  Someone held me up last night at 
knife point.  If I were carrying more than a couple hundred in corp script
I might have considered educating the poor guy in the ways knives vs. 
mages.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <18:28:47 / 04-25-57> 

>>>>>[That will teach you to wander the streets of down town without a 
body guard.]<<<<<
	-- Skuff

*****PRIVATE: Mako
>>>>>[ I'm interested.  Here are a few references from some previous employers:

+++++ include file: references.list  ]<<<<<
	-- Imp <15:44:07/04-25-57>

>>>>>[ You're going soft, Kor.. You should have at least broken a bone or 
two. Sheesh. ]<<<<<
	-- Griffyn <15:55:12/04-25-57>

***** PRIVATE : Mako
>>>>>[What kind of intrusion ? ... only one thing... I dont work with 
God's enemies]<<<<<
	-- Judas <15:00:00 / 04-25-57>

>>>>>[The only thing that kept going through my mind was  --  "This guy is
down on his luck, I could teach him that mugging someone isnt the way to
get money by hurting him, or I can teach him that mugging someone was the
way to get money by not hurting him".  Neither seemed the right thing to do

I took him down to the local Stuffer Shack, got him fed, and loaned him some
money to get himself back on his feet.  I dont expect to see the money again
but it made me feel good inside to have a more direct hand in someone's life
rather than signing over sums of money to Haven or the Salvation Army and
not ever really seeing if it helps or not.

And, before you comment, Val, yes, I know you are doing good.  Thats why
the checks still come in from one of my aliases.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <20:27:20 / 04-25-57> 

>>>>>[Ok, I know the money isn't the problem.but gawd man ti's the principle. Now this poor bastard 
is gonna think that it's ok to go around jabmin' knifes in peoples
faces for money, now imagine him doing that to me or one of the other
guys... You could have at least put the fear of Gawd in 
him with a fire dart or two...]<<<<<
	-- GoD <16:30:23/04-25-57>

>>>>>[I disagree GoD. If he had Fire Darted the mugger, and the mugger 
had lived, it would have taught him to carry bigger guns and to hate 
mages. Although I do agree that the mugger should have been thrashed. 
Hard mind you.]<<<<<
	--  Warloc < 13:58:36/04-25-57>

*****INTERNAL: Personal Recording
>>>>>[Why is Jose hunting Lynch? Despite my orders to the contrary?

Who ordered him to use the Leopards to pursue a shadowrunner? One who has
regularly avoided - no, one who *specialises* in avoiding pursuit and
counterattacking?

And who tapped my 'phone? Internal security said it was swept, yet the
line was- of course. Divert a call from Zicahuata. Over the telephone, you
could code my voice and fake it out. Give him the orders to hunt down Lynch.

Who? 
Someone close to IS, or within IS, therefore I cannot safely investigate.

Why? 
I do not know.

How does it affect me?
Badly, if I am not seeing the data. What did Jose have to speak with me
about, that was so urgent? I do not know and cannot safely ask. What
was said, what was decided? Why am I being excluded?

How does it affect the mission?
Even Apart from the above, badly. It seems almost as though someone intends
Manchu to fail... though that cannot be, or they would simply give Lynch
the information he needs. Zealots?

Of course, zealots. Zicahuata's fanaticism, Lynch's history of damaging our
operations and interests. Jose would abandon Manchu to destroy Lynch. Do
our mysterious phone-tappers know this? Do they care? Or is Lynch the target
and Manchu sacrificed? All that labour, all that skill, wasted to bring down
one mercenary soldier? I cannot believe that.

I need answers, yet I have nobody I can ask. Except myself. Drown myself
in tequila and talk to my dictaphone, then see what sense it makes tomorrow.

It makes little enough sense now.]<<<<<
	-- Pedro Tepanohoutec <17:45:43/04-25-57>

>>>>>[It good to see society taking care of its own.

Im still a little leary about my use of magics in everyday life.  There are
too many places where combat oriented spells are illegal and any fatality
resulting from their use is considered a premeditated act.

For those of you that are concerned:  I did talk with him for quite some time
while we got him some food and clothing.  I explained to him, in no small
detail, the error of his ways.

GoD  --  Maybe you are right.  Im getting a little soft.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <21:36:10 / 04-25-57> 

***** Private: Serenity Security
>>>>>[Manditory:  Combat Drills.  Starting next week Monday, 0530.

No one is exempt.  No excuses will be taken.

Day One:  Hostage Situation - one one one, two on one, 5x5's and random
10 man assaults.

Day Two:  Escorts - 5 man, 10 man, and two on one.

Day Three:  Magical Assualt (non-mage's day off)

Day Four:  Physical Assults (mages exempt, unless you want the action)

Day Five:  Vehicle Training

Day Six:  (Yes, six)  One on One.

According to one of the other field officers, I am getting soft.  If I'm soft
after getting back from extended campaign, you guys must be completely
useless in the field.

Anyone already assigned in the field, can stay there.  We wont pull you off
assignment but you WILL have to make up the time.  We have the training
facility for just under a week.]<<<<<
	-- Jason Robert Stormwind <21:37:11 / 04-25-57>
	   Field Officer
	   Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: Serenity Officers.mod
>>>>>[Damnit!  Thats in the middle of my vacation.  They can't do that
to us...can they?]<<<<<
	-- Akira <22:16:10 / 04-25-57>

***** PRIVATE: GoD
>>>>>[For the right price, I wont tell Akira that its your fault his 
vacation is being cancelled.  You know how he gets when he gets pissed
off.  He's worse than Griffyn in the field.]<<<<<
	-- Trax <ToyJock>
	   Mobile Field Operations
	   Serenity Security

*****INTERNAL: Mako's contact point
>>>>>[

Dear Sir,
     I am relpying to your open announcement on Shadowland this
afternoon.  I find myself available at the moment and have no qualms
about the type of employment you offer.  I bring with me my skills and
equipment, but nothing else.  I regret that I have no refrences here
for you.  My areas of expertise are in night operations, amphibious
assult, assassination, infiltration, counter-intel, and psych-combat.

If you are willing, I am your man.

Gohei]<<<<<
	-- Gohei  <17:51:35/04-25-57>

*****Private: Morgue, Imp, Kor, Edge, Gohei
>>>>>[Thank you gentlemen for responding. I will tell you a bit about=20
the subject and then I will set the price for the contract.

The marks tag is Orion. He is a mage with some abilities that confuse=20
us. To further explain he has at times exhibited the abilities of a=20
physical adept but since you can not be both it leaves a bit confused.=20
That however is not important.=20

Orion was an assassin for Tir Tairngire. We are assuming at this point=20
that he is an Elf. I assuming because no one has seen his face. We=20
aren't even sure Orion is a male. Before we talk price is there=20
anything else you would like to know.]<<<<<
	-- Mako <15:33:15/04-25-57>

*****Private: Judas
>>>>>[No Judas, you are just the kind of man we are looking for.=20
Cleaning the pointed eared demons from the face of Earth is a noble=20
quest. This mark, Orion, maybe one of them. He is a demon himself who=20
hunts the servants of the All Mighty.

Kill him Judas and we will help you. I will be in touch soo.]<<<<
        --  Mako  <15:36:47/04-25-57>

*****PRIVATE: AlexandriaN
>>>>>[+++++engage Kotobazukai
AlexandriaN, what is going on over there was the unexpected. It's a natural
consequence of being an operator rather than a manipulator. I'm the guy
with the .655 headache, okay? InterPol I can handle. Leopard Guard I can
handle. Both at once, by surprise... well, even I have my limits. I'd
be dead if InterPol were using hardball, let alone anything *really*
effective. You think I might not have noticed? 

Calm down. You're still deniable and safe. We're pulling off the low-level
circuit: as it happens this last is exactly what we wanted, more so in
fact. "Never make a wish, it may be granted": *boy*, that's true. We
had some bad luck. We still got some good breaks. Drake is playing smart,
but we stayed ahead - we hope. Aztlan ran two brute-force ambushes: both
failed. That last, we're working on.

Your base sounds appropriate. I'll get it checked. What did you have in mind
re. "coordinating with your associates"? I'm wide open to suggestions right
now, believe it or not, though until I know a plan I can't give a yes or
no. Right now I'm out of town anyway, though I'll be back in Seattle in
about two hours. 
+++++disengage Kotobazukai]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <23:14:32/04-25-57>

*****PRIVATE: D J H Coppinger
>>>>>[Boss? We got a lead. I need KH-14 imagery on Clipperton. 10' 18" North,
109' 13" West. Shake the tree long enough, and you get a coconut.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <23:20:21:04-25-57>

*****INTERNAL: Mako's contact point
>>>>>[

Dear Sir,
     I have no questions, only a reminder that it takes time and
information to reach a mage safely.  Logistics will be key, I can
start research as soon as you give me what information you have on the
mark.  Please cease using Shadowland to contact me.  I have reason to
belive that it is not secure.  If you need to reach me, leave your
message here, call this number >encrypted<, and hang up.

Gohei. ]<<<<<
	-- Gohei <19:33:43/04-25-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[
+++++engage Kotobazukai
As a professional, I'm sure you appreciate that even the best planning cannot
handle all contingencies: realizing this, one minimizes exposure as much as is
practical.  I trust you place adequate value on your life and your ability to
pursue your goals.  I will not belabor this point overmuch.

I am putting you in touch with V-12, the leader of a team of riggers and
deckers who specialize in "exceptional" missions against technologically
advanced opponents.  Which means they've got some _serious_ state of the art
armanents and equipment, both in terms of weapons and vehicles and "network"
proficiency.  One reference I can provide in advance is the La Paz incident.
Until I have analyzed more of the data coming in I will hesitate to mention
any names for magical support; if you have anything particular to request I
would appreciate knowing soon.  V-12 may know some people as well.

I also have contacts who specialize in the permanent removal of offensive
opponents, for a price.  As I do not know your plans regarding Zicahuata I have
not employed them, but in the absense of a solid solution on your part, it
might be more dependable to bring them into play.  I have not known these
people to fail...
+++++disengage Kotobazukai ]<<<<<
	--  AlexandriaN  <16:12:16 / 04-25-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[
+++++engage Kotobazukai
Greetings, my man.  I got tha word from Alex that you be likely to need some
serious firepower t'back up ya crusade 'gainst tha latest evil from Aztlan.
My people an' I make it a biz'ness to attack o' defend against high-tech an'
high-budget targets.  We do transport, co-vert recon, SIGINT/ELINT, assault,
an' the full nine yards.  Land, air, o' even sea.  We also got people on the
networking side o' things.

But you ain' interest'd in hype, I reck'n.  Tell me what sort o' ref'rences you
wan' and what cap'bility you don' have, an' we'll talk.  By th'way.  I shoul'
let'chu know at th' outset that we got a large bonus written into ooua 
contract fo' successful termination o' tha Aztlani operation.
+++++disengage Kotobazukai
]<<<<<
	--  V-12  <16:52:03 / 04-25-57>

>>>>>[That feeling you got inside, Kor, is one of the many reasons I have 
worked for 30 years helping children to rise out of the Barrens and off 
the streets of Seattle.]<<<<<
	--  Valentine <16:55:14/04-25-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Lynch
>>>>>[Mr. Lynch, thank you for the money.  So much of the income of 
Haven, unfortunately, comes from less than ideal sources and so little 
from those who really should help.  It seems that the only people to 
truly recognize Haven's worth are those who have grown up or lived on the 
streets and know just how cruel and dangerous they really can be.  Those 
with silver spoons never deign to lower themselves to the level of the 
streets and treat humanity as so much nuyen and productivity.  They cause 
the problems I have strived for much of my life to remedy, yet they 
refuse to accept responsibility and pay.

After all, it would cut into thier profits.

Unfortunately, mere text is unable to convey the necessary venom in my 
last comment, and I am constrained to my turtle.

I'm sorry for disturbing you with a tirade.  Thank you for the money.]<<<<<
	--  Valentine <17:03:31/04-25-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Blade
>>>>>[My apologies for not responding sooner, Blade.  The surgery's on 
me, as part of my way of saying thanks for prior services rendered.  I 
can do the surgery any time you're ready.  If you need secure transport, 
I can provide it.  And if all this stuff with Lynch involves you too, 
please let me come and pick you up.  I don't want Drake's tails finding 
the clinic....

If you have replacement cyber, I can use it.  Otherwise, I'll need about 
12 hours to get ahold of everything I need cyber wise.  How good a 
quality are you willing to pay for?]<<<<<
	--  Action Jackson <17:27:58/04-25-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[I trust you are in adequate shape after this last round with Interpol
and the Leopard Guards?  Why does Aztechnology and Aztlan insist on
irritating me?  The last time they lost a genetic research facility...I'm
rather tempted to approach the Corp Court on this; but I lack evidence to
pin-point Aztechnology.  If you need air support, for any reason, I'm willing
to give it.  Oh, yes...if you require me to personally assist in anything you
only need ask.]<<<<<
	-- Ryuga (18:45:30 PDT/ 04:25:57)
             CEO
             Ryaka Science and Tech

*****PRIVATE: Mako
>>>>>[I excel at making problems go away. Discretion means more risk
and thus a higher price, but offers no difficulty otherwise. You may 
wish to investigate my past results:

+++++include file: references.txt

I look forward to hearing from you.]<<<<<
	-- Easy <06:01:34/04-26-57>

*****PRIVATE: AlexandriaN
>>>>>[+++++engage Kotobazukai
Zicahuata's under surveillance. For now, I'm bypassing him: he's an
obvious next link in the chain, and I have a habit of following the trail
up step by step. Habits exist so you can break them <g>. 

Thanks for the intro to V-12. I've heard about them: a good team. I'm in touch
with them.
+++++disengage Kotobazukai]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <06:20:16/04-26-57>
 
*****PRIVATE: V-12
>>>>>[+++++engage Kotobazukai
V-12! A pleasure, bro, a pleasure, I have heard things about you and your
team, pretty much all of them good: reckon we can skip the references. Right 
now we're shading towards an air-sea operation, since our target's on an 
island: little speck called Clipperton, about six hundred miles southwest of 
Acapulco.

Bad news is, it's six hundred miles from anywhere. Good news is, it's
six hundred miles from anywhere <g> Means we need long legs, sea-based ops
or some serious tanker drag to get there by air: but it means that any 
backup our Aztlan buddies want to whistle for has to come all that distance.
What we see is what they get. 

Now, for the hit, we're on our own here. Completely. No backup or support
of any kind. Plan for that, while I'll see what I can arrange: we won't get
any overt aid, but covert UCAS assistance and "presence" are both possible.
The usual games: no direct intervention, just "we want you to know that
you know we know you know we know what you were doing there".

Right now we're looking at air support and CAS during the hit, plus
pickup. What size of team can you lift out from a hot LZ? We'd be a
minimum four, maybe more. Also, you got any NGFS capability? We're going
in short on numbers, so we want all the support we can get.

I'll have satellite pix of the island in about twelve hours. Other stuff,
we'll see. Lots of possibilities, lots of jumpy politicians to persuade.
+++++disengage Kotobazukai]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <06:32:45/04-26-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Action Jackson
>>>>>[Well, it seems that while I was under the knife for some other
repairs, they took care of my eye, mostly.  It's not as good as the
original, and was kind of a rush job to get me back on my feet.  If
possible, I'd like to visit you in about a week or so.  Get the eyes
upgraded and tune up the rest of my head gear.  I'll contact you about an
appointment then.  Thank you for your generous offer.

Oh, and I'm glad you weren't able to answer my mail immediately.  That would
have meant you were spending to much time worrying about the shadows, and
not your clinic.]<<<<<
	--  Blade <05:27:58/04-26-57>

*****Private: Mako  
>>>>>[I'm interested.  I believe references are unneccessary as my
non-shadow work speaks my qualifications as a magical and spirit expert.]<<<<<
	--  Shade <21:50:03 / 04-25-96>

*****PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[  Point taken.  I'll be there for the excercises, including the 
Physical day.  ]<<<<<
	-- Griffyn <12:16:15/04-26-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Serenity Security
>>>>>[  I agree with Jason on this one, folks.  A little bit (or a lot) of 
drilling will do us all some good.  ]<<<<<
	-- David Jarman <12:18:28/04-26-57>
	   Field Officer
 	   Serenity Security 

***** PRIVATE: Crush, Diana, AJ
>>>>>[I dont think any of you know me, but I know of you.  Dont panic, I just
would like to hire your services next week.

Nothing wet, nothing harsh.  Shouldnt tax you at all.

I need a couple of consultants to assist the training facility in running
assults against the staff at Serenity.  The pay would be consultants wages
for your particular fields.  I've already cleared it with LSS (its their
facility) and your identities will be...ignored for the duration of the
excercises.

If you fear legal reprecussions, I can arrange to have you operate remotely
to coordinate the attacks.

+++++ Include Internal Posting

Thats the schedule that we are hoping to keep.  Any assistance you can give
would be greatly appreciated.  Let me know.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <17:38:13 / 04-26-57> 
	   Field Officer
	   Serenity Security

*****INTERNAL:  InterPol Communications Log
>>>>>[     CD:  Commander Drake
           MX:  Marshal Xavier Qoph

CD:  You wished to see me, sir.

MX:  Sit down, Commander.

CD:  I prefer to stand, sir.

MX:  I know.  I want you as uncomfortable as possible.  So sit.

CD:  So that's how this meeting will go.  Very well, sir.

MX:  (sound of paper rustling)

CD:  What's this?

MX:  Read it.  I'm sure you'll recognize it.

CD:  Ahhhh....  I see the good Major was more than a little upset about my 
message.

MX:  You could say that, yes.  Did he send you any response?

CD:  Of course.  He asked if all InterPol officers were equally prejudiced 
against Aztlan and Aztechnology.  Among other things, of course.

MX:  And what did you respond?

CD:  I've not responded to his complaints yet.  I've been a bit too busy with 
trying to identify a couple samples that forensics isolated from the 
warehouse we raided.

MX:  What?  You have samples?  Wait, you and I will cover that later.  I want 
a detailed explanation of why you sent that message to Major Zicahuata.

CD:  Of course, sir.  One of my Sergents identified a tatoo on the arm of one 
of the bodies and took a picture of it with his cybernetic video recorder.  
Sergent Tagit, who took the still, delivered the still to Sergent Montoya, 
the highest ranking InterPol official at the site and he later showed it to 
me when he provided me with his preliminary report.  His full report is 
logged in the computer as well as on hardcopy if you wish to read it, sir.

MX:  Continue with your explanation, Commander, and don't try to dodge this.

CD:  Of course not, sir.  Sergent Montoya reported that the bodies were 
claimed by a DocWagon ambulance, but Lone Star has shown that the barcode of 
the ambulance's plate is not only invalid, but has never been issued by the 
Seattle DMV.  Lone Star was about to send DocWagon a ticket for this until 
we stopped them and showed the Lone Star representative that there was really 
no use doing so.

MX:  "We?"

CD:  Sergent Montoya and myself.  Sergent Montoya had done the background 
checks to determine where the bodies and wounded arrived, and they never 
arrived at any hospital.  DocWagon confirmed this when we contacted them, and 
a representative has signed a notarized deposition to this effect as well.

MX:  You still haven't explained why you felt the need to harrass and 
threaten a representative of the Aztlan government and endanger InterPol's 
chance to gain an inroad into Aztlan.

CD:  I don't do politics, sir.  Frag InterPol's inroads into Aztlan.  I deal 
in the law and enforcement, not the politics between InterPol and anyone.

MX:  Commander, your beloved Special Branch has more to do with politics than 
any other branch of InterPol.  And no branch has caused as many political 
problems as yours.  There has been talk at HQ about removing you from your 
position and re- integrating Special Branch fully into the normal chain of 
command.

CD:  If HQ and the national governments that pay for InterPol choose to do 
so, then I will resign.  However, until they do so, I will run Special Branch 
as _I_ see fit, not according to some political game between my COs and the 
nations InterPol serves.

MX:  That's a very dangerous line you're walking, Commander.

CD:  Yes, sir.

MX:  Back on topic, Commander.  Why did you send the message to Major 
Zicahuata?

CD:  Because the tatoo as well as all the other information we had acquired 
led me to believe that the individuals who didn't show up at any hospital or 
morgue were Aztechnology Leopard Guards.  In addition, all my people who are 
familiar with Leopard Guards agreed.

MX:  But you have no proof now and you had none then.  Major Zicahauta claims 
that you ran across criminals, probably runners.

CD:  Possible, but not very likely.  Leopards are notoriously intolerant of 
anyone even dreaming about wearing a copy of thier tatoos, and most 
individuals end up with very large scars, acid burns, even missing limbs.  If 
these were runners, then they were ex- Leopards.  And Leopards don't leave 
Aztechnology alive without some severe corporate backing.  The ritual links 
they have available discourages leaving, as you can well imagine.  And I had 
a hunch that...

MX:  You sent that communication to Major Zicahuata on a hunch?

CD:  A hunch backed up by facts and knowledge, sir.  And I'm sure that the 
message I was trying to make sure was sent was recieved.  Even if the Major 
isn't directly responsible for the presence of the Leopards, and I admit he 
might not be, then his complaints to his superiors have certainly reached 
the individuals who actually are in charge.

MX:  And what's this about you letting Lynch escape twice?

CD:  One of Sergent Montoya's sniper teams was at the site of one of the 
raids that went relatively well and hit him with a tracking beacon gel round.  
Unfortunately, the round was discovered and that's what was sent to the 
Governor.  The second time was this last assult, on a Mafioso, when I had 
two of my teams in place.  Sergent Montoya's sniper unit and Sergent Tagit's 
ground assult unit were in place to arrest and detain Lynch when he appeared 
out of nowhere, set off multiple thermal grenades to cover his attack, and 
then proceeded to wound and kill several of the Leopard Guards.  My sniper 
team successfully tagged him with three gel rounds and painted the getaway 
vehicle with two painter rounds.  The painted vehicle was tracked using a 
modified Lone Star traffic drone until it was discovered and destroyed by a 
magician using a Wrecker spell.  Luckily, we had acquired the plate code and 
were eventually able to track them using Lone Star traffic drones, both 
stationary and airborne, to a warehouse where they destroyed another airborne 
traffic drone and escaped after nearly sterlizing the entire inner surface.

MX:  You had Lynch in your sights twice, Commander, yet he's still alive and 
at large.  Explain that.

CD:  Simple, sir.  I have not been given clearance for elimination.  My team 
could have had him dead, and he knows it.  Three shots through thermal smoke 
that were walked onto the target with the aid of one of Tagit's team who was 
using an ultrasonic sight.  Not only does he know he could be dead right now, 
but so does the rest of his team.  I have no doubt they are all 
professionals, but the pressure must be getting to them by now, and as the 
pressure is turned up, I expect they will make a mistake.

MX:  So, you're playing with your prey.

CD:  No, sir, I'm not.  Lynch is a dangerous enough individual without my 
intentionally giving him ways he can escape and possibly wound one of my 
agents.  I am attempting to make the pressure nearly unbearable.  At this 
point, I have nearly succeeded in arresting him twice.  If the Leopards 
hadn't interfered and nearly killed one of Tagit's men and turned on us as 
much as on Lynch, I'd have delivered him to Aztlan justice by now.  In 
addition, I was only two minutes behind him at the warehouse.  I could have 
a ritual link on him now, sir, and if I do so, then I will catch him this 
time.  Of course, if you wish to give me weapons-free clearance for lethal 
sniping, sir, on your responsibility, then next time my sniper teams are 
near him, we can drop him and deliver him to the good Major in a body bag.  
Of course, that would be doing Lynch a favor.

MX:  On my responsibility?  No, Commander, I'll not take the fall for your 
failures.

CD:  Of course not, sir.  I'd not think of asking you to do that.

MX:  He's also contacted thier legal department, Commander.

CD:  I am not surprised.  It won't get too far, I suspect, especially since I 
doubt that the individuals responsible for the Leopards will back off.  And 
when they don't, I will get my "strike three" and all the leverage I will 
need to force them to back off.

MX:  No, Commander, you won't.  You will not do anything of the sort.  You 
will not interfere with the official and legal workings of the Aztlan 
government if they wish to lodge a formal complaint.  Luckily for you, they 
are not InterPol members so they cannot call for your removal without some 
proxy in HQ.  But I suspect that if they wish to pursue the matter, they will 
find thier proxy and you will be forced to retire.  And Special Branch will 
be returned to the place fully under the InterPol hierarchy where it belongs.

CD:  I doubt it, sir.

MX:  I don't, Commander.  So let me tell you what you will do, and this is an 
order.  You will apologize to Major Zicahuata for making unfounded 
allegations and explain that you will not stand in the way of any attempt of 
the Aztlan legal department to lodge a legal complaint against you.

CD:  No, sir.

MX:  Are you disobeying a direct order from a superior officer?

CD:  Yes, sir, under Section 102, section 19.  It's the paragraph that my 
predecessor was killed for, and essentially states that no-one in the 
InterPol hierarchy can order me to aid anyone in any action which might 
endanger my agents.  You see, sir, by essentially giving in to that order I 
am potentially placing my agents at risk of being  shot at by Leopard Guards, 
and thus, I will not follow it.

MX:  Place them at risk?!  What the frrag do you mean by that, Commander.

CD:  Sir, one of Tagit's men was nearly killed by a Leopard.  He's in Seattle 
General and will be there for some time, until his new lung and right bicep 
are grown and until his cyberware is repaired.  So you see, sir, one of my 
agents has already been hurt, and I will not allow anyone to stand by and 
order me to do anything that might endanger any more.

MX:  Get out.  Get out now.

CD:  Of course, sir. (sound of chair being pushed back)

MX:  And Drake, you won't need for Aztlan to lodge a complaint.  I'll be 
lodging one myself.  Your time here at InterPol has just been cut short, 
Commander. ]<<<<<
	--  InterPol Communications Log <12:33:03/04-26-57>

***** Internal: Jason Stormwin, Field Officer, Serenity Security
>>>>>[I wanna be there, you know I do, I'm getting a little clausterphobicin the research center.  What's the Schedule consist of anyway?]<<<<<
	-- Michael McKnight <17:23:34 / 04-26-57>

*****INTERNAL: Gohei contact point
>>>>>[

Gohei, this is Mako. 

Do you feel that you can work with the others on this? Orion is not to 
be underestimated. I willing to pay for a job well done. I will not be 
pleased with those who cross me or bumble this.

The mark travels in certain circles I will release this information 
when I have the team put together.

I promise you the nuyen will be well worth it.

You may call me back at >encrypted<.]<<<<<
	-- Mako <12:10:27/04-26-57>

***** PRIVATE: Michael McKnight
>>>>>[I've asked the trainers to give us a full run of scenarios.  They ahve
3 full teams that will be giving us non-stop training from morn until sundown.

Primarily the idea is this:

Monday -- Building assults.  They are going to hold our target in a 5
story building and we are go scout the location and go in and retrieve the
target.  Objective will include building sweeps (full kill zone), target 
elimination (corporate ordered), and non-lethal sweeps.  We will work in
Single man with support, two man with support, two man no support, and 
on to 5x5's and 10 man teams.  We will choose our configuration depending
on random selection of available officers.

Tuesday -- We will be doing target escorts.  Crowd control (for public 
appearances of officials) and random public engangements.  This will be full
dress rehearsals.  This will include a dinner scenario (so I am told).  I
expect this one to be the hardest one.

Wednesday -- I've gotten a lot of response from everyone saying they want
to be around for the "off days" so we will turn Wednesday into minimal
support for the mages.  This is a little harder as we have to keep the spell
use to non-lethal.  Officer McTaggert mentioned that he would like to use some
of our people against us on this one.

Thursday --  Again, everyone wants to be around for this.  I am poor with a 
weapon but I can still be active in hand to hand assults.  I need the practice
however, so Ill likely pick up a weapon of some sort.  But anyway, we are 
supposed to do training on heavy fire advances, cover fire, suppresion fire,
and flat out heavy weapons.  We dont use any of this stuff normally so it will
be new to most of you.

Friday -- Support vehicle training.  I dont have a clue what they are supposed
to be doing here.

Saturday --  Play day.  Its still manditory, but we will just take this day
to go out and shoot each other up.

The facility need to know which weapons replicas to have around so you
should phone that in to the front office at Serenity.]<<<<<
	-- Jason Robert Stormwind <19:09:42 / 04-26-57> 
	   Field Officer
	   Serenity Security

*****PRIVATE: Mako
>>>>>[ Is this to be a solo hit, or a group effort?  I do not work with those
whom I do not know or have good references for.  ]<<<<<
	-- Imp <15:27:47/04-26-57>

*****PRIVATE: Imp
>>>>>[ I would like a group effort. I will let you know very soon who 
the otheres are. I would hope that you would be professional enough to 
overlook any personal differences. 

I do recognize that you would have problems with working with those who 
are not of the same caliber as yourself. My job is to make sure that I 
only hire the best and I will work toward that end.

Orion is not to be underestimated. He has displayed abilities that I am 
not familiar with you will need a team to pool resources with. 

I hope I have explained this to your satisfaction. ]<<<<<
	-- Mako <12:49:11/04-26-57>

What's the pay? It better be good if I have to put up with this 
trator of god (JUDAS).
                                                                      
Nobody knows that Judas is involved. Unless Judas has contacted you 
privately (I hope not).

And being a person that has made mistakes before I hope Mark does not 
smite you for not posting correctly to Shadow Talk.

(If you beg for mercy he may not hit you too hard)

Randy

*****PRIVATE: Mako
>>>>>[  Alright then, let's get down to business.  ]<<<<<
	-- Imp <16:01:53/04-26-57>

***** PRIVATE: Mako
>>>>>[I'd like to take a look at the profile on the mark.  I will
be better able to give you a decision after having done so.  If you would
like to meet in a more secure location, I can arrange that.

There is a great Korean resturant down in little Korea named, aptly, Mom's 
Place.  I think I can arrage to meet you there.  Public enough to give us
the cover we need to talk discreetly.  If you'd like another location, just
let me know.  The sooner we can clear this up, the sooner we can get down
to business.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <19:58:17 / 04-26-57> 

*****PRIVATE: Lilith, Blade, The Mighty Quinn, Ryuga, AlexandriaN, V-12, 
Tangent

+++++rename alias_list: Mission Impossible
>>>>>[Okay, here it is. Clipperton Island, all one point three square miles
of it. You could run it end-to-end in ten minutes, if there was a decent 
track: must be a pretty boring place. This is where we think the brains of 
Project Manchu are.

The island is a sea mountain, at the edge of a geological fracture zone. 
Used to be French, but Aztlan grabbed it way back when. Its main importance 
was that it sits at the end of a fracture zone, also called Clipperton, whose 
seabed is rich in manganese nodules and all sorts of other oceanographic 
goodies. Sadly for Aztlan, at the moment the cost of extraction is about ten 
times what manganese sells for.

The island is roughly banana-shaped, about two miles from end to end and a 
little over a mile wide at the fattest point. Pretty open and barren: it's 
basically the top of a spike of rock. No soil, no plants, nothing.  Broken
rock all the way across, apart from the buildings. Good cover for people on 
foot, damn near impassable to vehicles, of which there don't seem to be any. 
After all, where would you go? 

Very low profile. Twelve old prefabs, clustered down here, plus one rickety 
hangar and a jetty. Room for two smallish ships to tie up and load or unload, 
but no cranes or unloading dock. I'd guess you would have to use a LST to 
bring anything heavy ashore from the sea. 

No airfield worth the name: there's a thousand-foot gravel strip that you
could put a Mistral down on, but nothing else. The French built it when the 
island was still an oceanographic research station and they had a couple of 
dozen people there, and they needed to be able to lift out an appendicitis 
case in a hurry. It still looks serviceable, though it doesn't seem to have 
been used for at least a few months: no tracks in the gravel, and grass 
growing (so it hasn't been raked over). The hangar doesn't appear to have 
been opened in years, if not decades. 

There is a fuel dump, but whether it's highly inflammable aviation gasoline 
or fairly inert JP-5 or JP-8, I don't know. My guess would be diesel for the 
jennies.

No radio emissions: there used to be a LORAN beacon there, but it hasn't
broadcast in twenty years. Does anyone even still have LORAN recievers? No 
broadcasts of any sort: no comms, no radar. They have two uplink dishes, 
both pointed at Korlos-32C - an Aztlan military comms bird - which figures 
with a hotlink to Tenochitilan and standard 'phone access besides that. 
Korlos-32C has highly directional downlinks, by the way, which is why their 
using it doesn't surprise me: can't eavesdrop on their chitchat between 
Capital City and the island. 

Infrared, all the buildings are heated and there's a thermal plume from one 
that spells 'generator'. No glint from passive IR sensors. 

Occupancy... damn near impossible to tell. I'd guess, from the food 
shipments, about fifty people. No guards visible, no patrols out. 

Astrally, three of the buildings - one of them the generator shed - are 
warded. No effective background count, but there are nasty echoes: inside the 
wards may be worse. The unwarded buildings are storerooms, a kitchen-cum-mess 
hall - about a dozen guys were eating in there, some of them moderately 
cybered and one magical - a communications room, and barracks areas: single 
and double rooms for maybe a hundred people, though only half 'felt lived 
in'. About twenty people, total, visible outside the wards. Watchers 
patrolling, not very effectively: they were more interested in you if you 
lingered, ignored you if you made a couple of fast passes. 

A couple of the local sea spirits say the island 'smells bad' and has done
for a while, for a few seasons: they say they can hear screams, and they 
don't like it. There's a "Man's water-eye" by the jetty, which I take to be 
a sonar set - probably a HF unit for swimmer detection - but that means most 
of the coast is uncovered.

This actually looks relatively easy. Getting in and out will be the hard 
part: they've used isolation and low profile, rather than kickass security, 
to protect the place, though there are probably extra troops either on their 
way or there now. But I'd put money on the place being "unofficial" - if we 
take it out, it was "criminal renegades" and Aztlan is "grateful for our 
eliminating these enemies of the State", so it can't be too knee-deep in 
uniformed Jaguars. 

Our options are wide open. We can go in by sea, underwater, or by air. We can 
hit them hard to wipe the place out, or go in relatively light to get 
prisoners. With enough lift, we could even steal their computer hardware, 
which has to be worth quite a bit: according to the DEA guys who looked at 
the chips, you're looking at something on the lines of an Axalotl 440-N 
cluster, which is a big bundle of processor power and well worth having <g>. 

Ideas, suggestions for further reconnaisance, comments, thoughts? This 
message will self-destruct in ten seconds <g>]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <23:30:01/04-26-57>

>>>>>[I need a man of faith. And expert in explosives. Contact me  at 
>encripted<.]<<<<<
	-- Judas <18:00:00 / 04-26-57>
       

*****Private: Judas
>>>>>[I have someone that can help you Judas. He has great faith in the 
Almighty. He has friends that can help you in your holy quest. If you 
wish we can talk in private. Contact me at >encripted<.]<<<<<
	-- Mako <16:17:33 / 04-26-57>
       

>>>>>>[Any information on HMHVV activity in the area would be appreciated.
In addition need a weaponsmith capable of making silver flehcette.]<<<<<
	-- Dirk Vincent <11:18:20/04-27-57>

*****Private: Morgue, Imp, Kor, Edge, Gohei
>>>>>[Morgue, Imp, Kor, Edge, and Gohei. I would like all of us to meet 
and discuss business after dinner. Kor if you feel comfortable with the 
place you mentioned to me we could all meet there. If you would pass 
that information on the others I would be grateful.

If Kor is not comfortable with those arrangements I have made 
reservations at >encrypted<. We can all meet there. 

I would like all of you to determine if you can work together on this. 
The amount of Nuyen I will be paying you should make you overlook any 
racial or social differences. I would hope that we can all be 
professional and work together.

I will be unavailable for a bit so talk and get to know each other.

I will return soon.]<<<<<
	-- Mako  <17:53:18/04-26-57>

*****Private: Judas
>>>>>[No Judas, you are just the kind of man we are looking for. 
Cleaning the pointed eared demons from the face of Earth is a noble 
quest. This mark, Orion, maybe one of them. He is a demon himself who 
hunts the servants of the All Mighty.

Kill him Judas and we will help you. I will be in touch soo.]<<<<
        --  Mako  <15:36:47/04-25-57>

*****PRIVATE: Lynch
>>>>>[Lynch, get it right...it's "This message will self-destruct in FIVE
seconds".  As for getting in or out, I can provide that for you...plus
full-scale support; BUT it will be in international waters until needed.  As
for additional recon, I have can send in something to check out the
underwater defenses.]<<<<<
	-- Ryuga (18:15:30 PDT/ 04:26:57)
             CEO
             Ryaka Science and Tech

*****INTERNAL: Mako contact point
>>>>>[

Mako san,

I am always willing to work with a group.  I never underestimate
somthing I do not understand.  I will not betray you or intentionally
botch your assignment.  If I find the working conditions unaceptable,
I will notify you, refund any monies and remain descrete about any
information released to me.  I feel that I will be worth the fee.
As to dinner, I will be there, but I ask you again not to use such
methods to contact your employees with securre information.

Gohei
]<<<<<
	-- Gohei <21:50:37/04-26-57>

*****NOT TO: Lynch
>>>>>[Hey, guys. Someone slipped this to me. Since it concerns a Somewhat
Hot Individual, let me make it clear that my buddy has information, and
is willing to sell it. This is the internal camera feed from Willy's
Bar, in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

+++++begin trideo
It's your typical cheap bar, fairly empty. Four guys are clustered around
the pool table, an Elven girl is playing the "You, The Brawler" trideo game
in the corner, and a few other customers are minding their drinks and their
own business.

For several minutes, you wonder why someone bothered uploading this to
ShadowLand, as the four men (all young, human, bulky with muscle) play
pool and talk, the Elf excels at the trideogame, and time passes, until
one of the pool players turns.

"Get the frag outta here, you dandelion-chewing bitch, you're fragging up
my goddamn game!"
The girl turns - electronic blood splashes the screen as "Slaughter", the
digitised Bad Guy on the other side, wipes out her chance at the high-score - 
and hesitates for a fraction of a second. By then, the leader - long curly 
blonde hair, wearing a lumberjack shirt and designer jeans - is advancing on 
her, and he cuffs her around the head.

She is thrown sideways to hit the wall, as the man's friends laugh. 
"You hear me, pixie? Vamoose, amscray, run! Or you staying around for a
reason?" The leader poses in front of her as she rises to her feet, eyes
searching for an exit.
"Hey, Joe, she's got the hots for you!" calls one.
"Yeah! Hey, Joe, she wants a *real* man!"
"Joe! Joe! Show her how *real* men give her kind a good time!"
Only one of the four - the one in a Mercurial T-shirt -  is silent, hesitant, 
and his two friends make up for him in their catcalls.

Joe preens, strutting: enjoying his power over the situaiton and the girl. As
he turns back towards his friends, he - and you - suddenly realise he's
eye-to-eye with someone.

The someone is tall, lean, with long grey hair tied back in a Sioux style,
and the pool-table lights flash off his black mirrorshades as he grins, saying
two words.

"Hello, asshole."

The sound of several fast blows, and Joe is suddenly doubled over, gasping. 
One of his friends, holding a cue, swings it, and only manages to ruin Joe's 
expensive dental work as the someone - you recognise Lynch, though you'd need 
to run the tape back to see where he had been a few seconds before - smoothly, 
leisurely, ducks under it.

The bozo with the cue is staring, horrified, at the crimson ruin he's made
of his friend's face. Lynch reaches out, takes the pool cue out of his hands,
and brings the butt up between Bozo's legs. Bozo collapses, Lynch stepping
around the sudden gush of vomit. The third of the group is raising his fists
in a boxing style, and Lynch lets him throw a punch: catching the wrist, 
twisting and locking, and striking into the side of the elbow and the side
of the extended knee. Bones break and the man falls. 

"...why?" is all he manages to get out.
"Why? You talk too loud. You move too loud. You *breathe* too loud!" Lynch
strikes into the angle of shoulder and neck with the cue and the man
collapses. "Now you're quiet. Now I don't have to shut you up any more."

The last, the Mercurial fan, is still standing with his half-full beer bottle
in his hand.

"Drink up. Come on. You didn't think they were very smart, did they?"
"I... I didn't want trouble. And I don't mind Elves."
"Good. You know their problem?"
Mercurial Fan shakes his head.
"They don't *watch*. That's what they did wrong." Lynch reaches into his
jacket, brings out a flat metal case and a Zippo, lights a cigarette.

"I don't understand. Why did you-"
"Why? Because I wake up scared. I get scared, and that makes me angry, and
after a while you don't know the difference any more. Scared, angry, too
much same same roger. So I hit out. All I can do. All I'm good at."
"Why are you scared?"
"Come on, drink your beer. You're being polite. I won't hurt you." Mercurial
Fan raises his bottle and swallows convulsively. The bartender watches, his
hands below the counter.
"Why am I scared? Long story. Lots of parts. All interconnected, like tidal
pools. I come out here, and I try to get drunk where nobody knows me, where
I can relax. But some stupid asshole like Joe here has to spoil my day. Now
I'm scared and angry and drunk. *Bad* combination. Especially for Joe."

Joe raises himself onto his hands and knees, throws up again, and begins 
crawling towards the door. Lynch keeps his shades fixed on Mercurial Fan.

"What do you mean, they don't watch?"
"See that girl? She's got a knife, right hip pocket. Looks like a Jimmy Lile
JD switchblade. Pro's knife. It's a neon sign. It says "don't fuck with me". 
Did Joe notice? Did any of you notice?" The Elven girl is vanishing through
the door.
"No. We didn't."
"Exactly. Did you notice me?"
"No. We didn't."
"Does Joe know where I am now?"
Mercurial Fan looks at Joe, crawling through his own vomit towards the 
door. "I don't think so."

"Exactly. Which is why things like this happen to him." Lynch, precisely and
carefully, kicks Joe between the legs, then in the base of the spine, then in
the side of the head. Joe collapses into his own puke. "Boogie-woogie, 
motherfucker. You see that coming? You think he saw that coming?"

"No. I don't think he saw that coming."
"Finish your beer. Bartender! Get my friend here another beer. I'll pay to 
clean the floor. Nobody's going to die. You're right. You think he knew
what he bought into when he started baiting that Elf girl?"
"No." Mercurial Fan takes the bottle the Bartender - left-handed - passes 
him. "No, he didn't, did he?" Mercurial Fan's hand shakes slightly.

"Don't worry. I said I wouldn't hurt you. You're helping me a lot here. I 
appreciate it. You see, I can't talk to people much. I'm not good at it. I'm 
only talking to you like this because I'm drunk. And I can't get drunk
anywhere around people. You *see* what happens. DAMN IT!!!" Lynch turns and
kicks Joe savagely in the ribs. "Fuckers like him have to make trouble. Have
to start shit I can't walk away from. I just wanted to get drunk and think
things over. Why couldn't he keep quiet?

"People don't look. They don't listen. They make too much noise, move too
suddenly. You stand still, don't make any noise, and I won't hurt you.
You believe me?"
Mercurial Fan, shaking a little, nods.
"Good."

Suddenly, a triple-blade set of black-alloy cyberspurs are millimetres from
his eyes. Mercurial Fan squeezes his eyes tightly shut, but doesn't move
otherwise, and Lynch retracts the blades.
"Open up. They're gone. You see, you never know where things will come from.
And you never know where they'll go. That's why you *have* to pay *attention*.
I wouldn't hurt you like that, though. Eyes are expensive, and it's a pain in
the ass being blind for weeks. And, eyes are hard targets. Throat's better. 

"The track-eeh-aah, a friend of mine called it. Car-rotted artery and track-
eeh-aah, nice and easy to cut. She's dead now, though. All that useless 
information she knew, that she made me learn. Who cares what it's called? Cut 
it and you die. Fix it in time and maybe you live. That's all that really 
matters. She's dead. Dead years ago. Like me. Dead soon. Dead now, just
a corpse too crazy to lie down and be buried." Lynch draws hard on his
cigarette, throws the butt across the room angrily.

He turns away, then turns back.
"Look, you better be careful. Lots of people are going to be wanting to talk
to you now. There are bad guys after me. At least, I think they're bad. Maybe
I'm the bad guy. You can't really tell any more. But you talked to me, they'll
want to talk to you. Just tell them the truth. I don't give a shit. Came here
for a fucking vacation, get away from it. Joe here has to fuck up my day. 
Now I have to go to Atlanta instead. Sonofabitch. God damn, I'm tired.

"Oh. Shit. Bartender, will this cover the damage?" The barkeep nodds, his
right hand still below the counter. Lynch leans over. "No, no, no. Not a
light pistol. Shotgun loaded with gel. Defiance T-250 sawnoff, that's
what you want. Damn Fichettis..." He stumbles out through the door, bouncing
off the frame as he goes, Mercurial Fan and the bartender staring after him.
+++++end trideo

This person, whoever he is, disappeared into the night, admittedly not hard
to do in the French Quarter. He is an obvious menace. My contact is willing to 
co-operate fully with any law enforcement agencies if it gets this nutcase put 
away.]<<<<<
	-- Trike <00:43:31/04-27-57>

*****INTERNAL: Dogpatch Archive
>>>>>[+++++begin transcript
"Lynch? What the hell happened in New Orleans? You took that bar apart!"
I was trying to drown my sorrows, but my sorrows they learned to swim.
"Where are you- cancel that. I know where you are. We have to talk.
What is the matter?"
It hit me while I was going over the Clipperton data. It doesn't matter
any more. I've run out of room to manoevre.
"Jason, damn it, don't start on this. You're doing what you do best.
Of course it's difficult. That's why we need you. You'll beat this
easily."

Will I? Check the files. How many times has anyone got away from the
legendary, the dreaded Commander Drake?
"There was one guy-"
Who broke Paul's back and should have killed him, except Drake's tougher
than anyone realised. I can't kill him. You know it, I know it, he knows
it. So I can't do anything except keep dodging. He only has to be lucky
once.
"You're tough too."
Yeah. Tough enough to live through someone ripping my heart out with an
obsidian knife? Assuming I survive the ritual flaying, of course. And
if I fight too hard, I just make sure Drake gets to serve warrants on
all of us. You, Quinn, Blade, anyone else around when he gets to me.
All delivered to Tenochitilan. A veritable Flowery War for Aztlan.

"Jason... come on. We need you. We have to nail Manchu."

<laughter> Is that all? Oh, we'll turn Manchu into history. No problem.
Aztlan will carry on hunting me. Big deal, which political stooge has my
case this week? Drake can't go back to work until he gets me. You see
my problem, Lilith? 

"We'll find a way round it. I'll find a way. I will."

<pause>

"Jason?"

<pause>

"Are you there, Jase?"
+++++end transcript]<<<<<
	-- Dogpatch Archive <01:03:31/04-27-57>

*****PRIVATE: Commander Drake, InterPol
>>>>>[Well, Commander, more resounding victories for law and order. 
Aztlan Leopards shooting at Lynch, your agents, each other, customers,
the pool table, and you didn't manage a single arrest. 

I hope you're very proud of yourself. Two innocent bystanders murdered
by Aztlan troops, in front of what had to be a dozen InterPol agents.
Yes, this really confirms InterPol as the premier agency of law enforcement. 
It took some doing, Drake, but you've finally surpassed Lone Star. In
UCAS jurisdiction, you fired on a UCAS government agent - even if he is
under suspension at the moment - thus protecting the foreign soldiers,
present illegally, he was acting against. Are you familiar with the term
"casus belli"? 

Paul, let me make something clear. Jason is an idealist. He believes in
what he's doing. He won't touch you, because to him that would be wrong.
He's cleaning up the crimes you're protecting, and he's coming apart at
the seams doing it, and you're making it happen. Congratulations.]<<<<<
	-- Lilith <01:32:34/04-27-57>

***** PRIVATE: Morgue, Imp, Edge, Gohei
>>>>>[The place is down in little Korea.  Pretty easy to find.  Private
rooms available.  The address is >>encrypted<<.  When you get there ask
for Mitaka.  I trust that I do not need to stress the fact that this
is a safe place and no need to bring hardware into the building wwith you.
Leave it in the car.

Bring an appetite, the food is most wonderful.  Dinner's on me.]<<<<<
	-- Kor <06:06:17 / 04-27-57> 

*****PRIVATE: [a--i--s] at [Mission_Impossible]
>>>>>[
Well, mos' likely they got some sort o' token booby traps goin...some mines,
some monowire, and prob'bly a couple Sentry guns near the buildin' themselves.
Prolly some wide-band cameras too.  Not too much gear tho', since it's being
eroded day'n'night by ocean spray.  First thing t'do is scratch the generator
and sattelite uplinks.  No immediate calls fo' help, and when we cut power t'tha
power t'tha installation an' people be ass-in-tha-breeze runnin' around in tha
dark tryin' t'get organized.  I donno about that whole "takin' prisoners" bit
if it goes down on a large scale.  We needs lots of people t'try to subdue
the folks, even if we kill most'of em first.  An', of course, they'z always tha
problem of where we gonna keep em' all.  Th' same goes fo' that computer
stuff...jus' movin the cabinets wants a damn forklif' an' such.
 
What I'm thinkin is this.  We gots this hells storm brewin', see?  My team
gots some _small_, quiet underwater vehicles goin' down.  Room enough fo'
ten people apiece if you _really_ squeeze it.  Also we gots amphibious drones
wif ASROC capability.  If we wanna sort out tha personell, I think we hit
tha buildin' with some armor-piercin' knock-out gas missiles while we're
wreckin' the gen'rator an' uplinks.  A coupla small FAE's t'mop up most mines
an' confuse tha sentry guns, an' I bet we can sail right inta port.  I reckon
if we got two subs we kin probably bring back half-doz'n people if they'z not
in a ram-buncious mood..we kin also stow a certain amounta gear, but nothin'
like full-blown mainframes an' tha like.
 
What's folkses assesment of th' Astral front?  I kin call in some support, but
I wanna know what t'tell 'em first..  ]<<<<<
	--  V-12  <14:20:38 / 04-27-57>

***** PRIVATE: Dirk Vincent
>>>>>[I would suggest not mentioning, ever, that you are interested in attacking
or "ridding" the world of people afflicted with the virus.  There are more
than a few people at this node that would take that type of action in a
poor light.

Compressed Wood, and Woodgrain Alcohol works better than does silver for most
paranormals anyway.  If you find one you can reason with, I would caution you
to attempt to come to an agreement first.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <22:39:31 / 04-27-57> 
	   Executive Officer
	   Industrial Sound and Magic

***** PRIVATE: AJ
>>>>>[Be careful.  There is yet another 'hunter' in town.  Name's Dirk Vincent.
I dont have any information on him yet]<<<<<
	-- Kor <22:41:11 / 04-27-57>

***** PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[Don't get me wrong, I am not a fanatical hunter.  Many who get the virus
suffer little except at the hands of other people's narrow minds.  Much the same
as many who 'goblinise', hate that term.  My methods are not often terminal,
I am quite happy to return confused, scared virus sufferers to their families.
In fact,  I prefer to catch my marks with stun spells.
I left the CDC for just that reason, narrow minded fanatics obsessed with office
politics.  Still, the fact will remain that some of these unfortunates do lose
control somewhat and have to be brought in.  Consider me more a Missing persons
detective/Bountyhunter with a particular specialty in HMHVV cases.  I am quite
happy to admit I include many virus carrier amoung my field contacts.
I intentionally used constraint in my initial message, I was only requesting
activity remember, not ranting to slay the 'foul fiends' like my CDC instructors
tried in vain to teach me.
However, bills need paid so I will be direct and honest about my intentions, If
hostile HMHVV activity is low do you know of any other employment for a Fire
Adept, Initiate 1?]<<<<<
	-- Dirk Vincent <11:48:42 / 04-28-57>
           (very) Ex-CDC, HMHVV Divison (read - bloodthirsty fraggers)

***** PRIVATE: Dirk Vincent
>>>>>[Can you stand up to a level 5 security check on your SIN?  If you can
and you have no warrents out for your arrest with any of the local governments
or outstanding with InterPol, I think I can find a place for you.

+++++ Include:  Mission Statement, Serenity Security
+++++ Include:  Standard Mage Contract, Serenity Security
+++++ Include:  Salary Information, Serenity Security
+++++ Include:  Benifits Package
+++++ Include:  Quarter Earnings

If you have the time to read all of that, I would greatly appreciate your
comments and / or feelings about working for a Security Corporation.  We are
always interested in hiring Ex-Corp / Ex-Runner who have new and different
ideals to be drawn upon in the field.

Please note in that Serenity is employee owned and driven.  Becoming part
of the team, means becoming part of the family.

If you wish to talk, you can call me at the office.

+++++ Include: Contact Information

If I am out, the service will get a message to me fairly quickly.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <05:08:01 / 04-28-57> 
	   Field Officer
	   Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: Jason R. Stormwind
>>>>>[I had AA clearance inside the CDC, in fact I know a few things about
them that may be useful from time to time, depending on who or what wishs to
be secure.  I left voluntarily and have kept work here, in Europe and Asia above
board.  There should be no problems on the SIN check.  As for my statement of
general open mindedness towards virus actives, it stands, but I do wish to make
clear that I have little time for Wendigo, not to say there are not reasonable
members of the race but the last couple of years in France and Italy has left
me with little compassion for them, or thanks to a Policlub in Milan, a wife.
I am quite able to remain professional, but I would appreciate any exposure to
either of these groups be in a co-operative manner be minimised.

+++++ Include : Work profile, 3 years CDC, HMHVV division;  2 years south east
Asia, Tracking of HMHVV active criminals, primarily serial killings, with
enforcement and security firms in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Taiwan; 2 years Western
Europe, Primarliy tracking rogue 'gypsy' Wendigo and Banshee bands in southern
France and Northern Italy.  References included.
+++++ Include : Datasheet, Milan 02-20-56, Elven Woman, Gabrielle Vincent,
among those killed in a gun rampage through a shopping complex.  Der Nachtmachen
claim responsibility for the 'cleansing of Meta-human filth'.
+++++ Include : Profile, age 29, Fire Adept, Initiate 1; 12 years open form
sword combat; Sociology, Psychology & Magic, Brown Univeristy, Utah.

There, my history and motivations, consistant, no surprises.
If these are acceptable to you, make the SIN check.  I am interested, the
professionalism and level headed, non-fanatical approach of the Asian
Security firms was a pleasure to work with.]<<<<<
	-- Dirk Vincent <19:40:58 / 04-28-57>

***PRIVATE: Mako, Kor
>>>>>[I will be present for the pre-op meeting at the location mentioned.
Armament will be lept at a minimum as requested. Until then...]<<<<<
	--  Morgue (11:29:05/04-28-57)

*****PRIVATE: [a--i--s] at [Mission_Impossible]
>>>>>[Lots of good points. Right now, we're looking at a small but
sharp hit team: ten or so, so two of your minisubs. If we're using those
for insertion, and we scratch the idea of extracting prisoners or
hardware, then we can keep our options open for the way out: either out
in the subs, or we have an aircraft in the vicinity and lift clear Weather's 
going to be really bad, though not unflyable, which will throw any
pursuit out badly.

Defences... mines are a pain to plant on rock, though they might have some
Claymores out. If they have sentry guns, they're not using active radar, but 
that doesn't mean much: passives work well too.

I'd offer a plan, then: one sub with Tangent's team hangs back on the
edge of their sonar range, the other drops me, Lilith, Quinn and Blade off
on the edge of the island. 

The overture is your missiles taking the comms and power, and hitting the 
accomodation blocks. We're there to kill any of those the missiles don't: 
if the uplink doesn't get trashed, we finish it, for instance. 

Then the four of us open up with MGL-12s firing smoke and HE, to screen 
Tangent's team coming ashore. If it's too hot we wave him off and he comes in 
at a distance, then both teams close in and clear, but with only a little
good luck they'll all be shooting at us and won't see a sneaky arrival.

Tangent's people hit them in the rear, and we then have them in a pincer.
Once we've swept and cleared, we move the survivors clear: two or three
may get taken with us if we can ID some key individuals, and we might
steal some computer parts - processors and, especially, storage.

Then we set charges, blow the place to hell, and get out either by air
or by sea as necessary.

Astrally, I don't think there's a huge amount of magic going on. Some,
and a bit of a background count, but there aren't the traces of heavy
mana, or much astral security beyond a couple of watchers. Maybe some
elementals on call too, but the local spirits say it's pretty quiet.
All this from Quinn.

And we have a carrier battle group in support <g>. Well, actually we
don't, not really, except if we make the hit on Friday, the storm will
be right over the top of us and the _Independence_ group will be passing
between Clipperton and the mainland (about three hundred miles from either,
naturally) en route to a port call in Guyanaquil, then an exercise in the
Coral Sea.

She's not going to do _anything_ to help us. Except if we use aircraft, 
we can hit one of her Texacos. Oh, naturally we can't datalink her
AWACS scans <g> And Aztlan will be really confident about driving an
armed rescue force over the top of a carrier, won't they? It's the
usual "this was nothing to do with us, we never knew anything, and there
might be more of these coincidences in future if you don't reel it in
a little..." The usual political manoevering.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <13:50:42/04-28-57>
  

*****PRIVATE: [a--i--s] at [Mission] Impossible
>>>>>[Okay, okay, Ryuga, I take it from one who saw the originals as opposed 
to the rerun <g> 

Insertion, V-12 has a plan. Support... what did you have in mind? 
If nothing else, an extra alternate extraction would be useful. A check
of the underwater defences would be useful, though.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <13:54:36/04-28-57>

*****PRIVATE: <CORRUPTED>
          cc: Marshal Xavier Qoph, InterPol
>>>>>[If InterPol does not cease acting as a paid enforcer for Aztlan - a 
nation that, at last check, had no connections to nor recognition of InterPol - 
then the UCAS will have to reconsider its co-operation with, support and 
funding for, and recognition of the International Police.

Your Commander Drake witnessed a terrorist incident by Aztlan military forces.
Two UCAS citizens died in the course of this incident, which occurred wholly
within UCAS territory. There were no arrests and no apprehensions, despite
the heavy InterPol presence.

I look forward to your explanation of this incident. I look forward to it with 
enormous interest. Especially the part where you explain where six dead and 
wounded bodies went: somehow they disappeared from a crime scene observed by 
about a dozen of your men. Especially when you tell me how and why the entire 
Seattle resources of Special Branch have been "diverted" and are "unavailable" 
to investigate clear breaches of UCAS law by Aztlan personnel. 

We subsidise InterPol to enforce the law. If you are unable to do so, then 
stand aside and allow us to get on with it. Please do not pursue our agents on
flimsy evidence, while standing by scratching your asses while Aztlan soldiers 
murder civilians in our own cities.]<<<<<
	-- D J H Coppinger <14:05:42/04-28-57>
	   Director,
	   Strategic Intelligence Gathering Agency

*****INTERNAL: [a--i--s] at [Mission] Impossible
>>>>>[Stage 1.

+++++begin video feed
The camera view comes into sharp focus, a drone view looking down on a service 
area: a fuel-and-power station just off the highway, feeding off to a 24-hour 
diner and the Five Eye Motel. That puts you in Tacoma, on Interstate 5. You can 
hear familiar voices, but you can't see where they come from. The scene is 
monochrome, lit in shades of blue, and the lights seem to glow far too brightly.

"How certain is all this?" Lynch's voice.
"Hundred per cent." A female voice, one you don't recognise. 

"Customer facing Matrix, no room at the inn: all forty rooms block-booked for a 
fortnight. A Beech Engineering Consultants' conference, according to the money 
trace Flux ran. " Lilith's drawl. "Good, but could be a setup, which is why 
Wile E. Coyote here went looking." The sounds of tableware: they're in the 
diner.

"Beep beep." The woman - probably Quinn - again. "Thirty-one rooms occupied, as 
of three a.m. yesterday. Mostly by heavily cybered bozos with bad attitudes and 
big guns to hand. One magician, not too big-league, in Room 23, not alone. 
Guess the commander figures she should keep her magical backup close."
"Worked for me..." says Lynch slyly.
"Yeah, right, Jason." Lilith is laughing in the background. "That was a long, 
long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. Anyway, if this isn't one of those 
Leopard platoons, I'll eat the motel. The desk clerk is wired up heavy, by the 
way, same nice disposition as most of the
others."

"Security?" asks Blade.
"Nonexistent." replies Lynch. "I mean, why would they need security? The place 
is full of Leopard Guard and there's nothing to steal. The Five Eyes has 
screamers on the doors and a decent intruder alarm, and they're inside the Lone 
Star Highway Patrol zone. Posting sentries gets you noticed. Getting noticed 
means you have people like us doing what we're about to do. The only security 
they need, unless they get made, is one guy manning the desk and the exterior 
cameras. Which we already dirtied up so they're fuzzy as hell." 

"Okay. So, one more time, the plan." Lilith, keeping the group on track.
"Go in. Kill everyone. Come out. Run away." says Blade.
"Simple. Direct. Violent. Psychotic, in fact. Effective. Evil. I like it." 
replies Lynch.

"Now, now." Quinn chuckles. "A little more detail, please."
"Okay, okay. Quinn and Blade are entry team: take the guy on the desk, quietly. 
Lilith and I hit the north rooms, you and Blade the south. You've got the 
magician to take out, we have more bad guys. All got your IFF bracelets?" Lynch 
pauses.
A rustle. "Yep, both."
"Both okay."
"Ankle and wrist, no problem."
"Good. Becuase our backup is a pair of Steel Lynx microtanks, and anything with 
a weapon and not wearing a working transponder is a valid target." says Lilith. 
"If you lose both, say so. Our observation drone is armed, too: I'm running 
that and the getaway vehicle. We go in, set the corridor on fire, and use
reception as a killing ground. They come out, or they burn. The windows are
security-grilled and the Lynxes are covering, so the only way out is over us.
Equipment check."

More rustles.

"Good. Extraction signal is by voice or radio. Lone Star best response time 
here, for a major incident, is four minutes: average seven, worst eleven. 
InterPol shouldn't be closer than thirty." Lilith's husky drawl is relaxing, 
yet holds the attention even by radio. 
"Actually they'll be right behind Lone Star. Might even get there first." says 
Lynch.
"You're crazy. You're going to tip him off?" Blade 
"Give him a gift of a motel full of dead Leopards? You bet. That should draw 
off some heat."
"You really are crazy. Even though you're right."

"Camera check. Lynch." 

The view suddenly flicks to a feed from headware video, sitting in the empty 
diner: looking across the table at Quinn and Blade. Quinn holds up a sign, 
saying HELLO MOM, and grins maniacally: Blade just shakes his head, looking 
away.
"Good. Blade."
Blade's view - an external camera rather than a headware feed - shows Lynch, 
sitting with his arm around Lilith. Up close, Lynch looks older, the diner's 
fluorescents harshly picking out the grey in his hair: Lilith is almost 
disturbingly beautiful, olive-skinned with exotic features and wide, dark-blue 
eyes. Both are smoking: the ashtray in front of them is half-full of Marlboro 
butts.

"Outstanding. Are we going to publish this?" asks Lilith.
"...Probably not." replies Lynch, after a moment's thought. "If we hit them 
hard enough, no survivors - or a few, going to ground and securing before 
calling in - then we can sow some terror and confusion. Show them exactly what 
happened and we lose that. I think we let the results of this one speak for 
themselves."
"Because the results are going to be awesome." says Blade. "I am pretty 
fragging pissed at these guys. Payback time."

"Quinn?" Lilith, enquiring. "Sitrep?"
"Gimme a minute." Blade glances at Quinn as she collapses against him for a few 
moments, before opening her eyes again. "Desk-jockey is bored, watching the 
Brawl game and pissed off, maybe the Volcanoes are getting hammered again and 
he's losing a bet. Rooms are occupied, thirty-three cybergrunts and one mage. 
Two awake and busy in 23, everyone else sleeping peacefully."
"Okay." Lynch takes a deep breath. "Ready to cover?"
"Sure. I'll lead out. Pull down a spirit, there's a nice guy living here, and 
he says he'll make us discreet. Plus I'll mask the weapons. Blade, you're point 
into the building. From there as planned." Quinn stands, reaching under the 
table and bringing out a long, plastic-wrapped bundle: opening it, she takes 
out a SPAS-22 shotgun and a belt of cartridges, then a beautiful basket-hilted 
rapier. The sword goes on her hip, the ammo belt around her waist, and the 
shotgun over one shoulder.

As she moves clear, Blade begins assembling his M22, locking the compensator 
onto the barrel and sliding a sawnoff autoshotgun onto the underbarrel rail. 
Lilith has her folding-stock AK-47 - you notice the muzzle compensator and a 
few other refinements to the classic weapon - and Lynch is preparing...

Blade looks closely at the weapon. In length - in general form, in fact - it 
resembles a mutated MP-5 or HK227, but the barrel is wrong: too heavy, in a 
cagelike forestock, and fitted with a bipod. Further back, where the slim 
magazine for a HK227 would normally go, is a bulky mechanical affair, and Lynch 
is locking an MGL-6 grenade launcher under the barrel.
"Okay. I give up." says Blade, locking a full magazine into his rifle without 
looking. "Go on. I know you want to tell me. What the hell is that thing?"

Lynch stubs out his cigarette. "Heckler and Koch MC-51 conversion."
"Holy *shit*...." whistles Blade.
"Yep. Three-oh-eight Winchester calibre, heavy barrel, belt fed. All in the 
size of a MP-5." Lynch, as if to prove his point, feeds a bright brass belt of 
7.62mm APDS into the feed pawls, settles the belt carrier comfortably on his 
hip, begins adjusting the weapon's assault sling: Lilith is adjusting a katana 
across her back.
"Can you actually hit anything with that?" Blade studies the weapon carefully 
again.
"Sure, it's as accurate as a -227, maybe better. Hell of a muzzle climb, 
though. I rigged the barrel for quick changes, because it's dangerously hot 
after two-fifty, three hundred rounds. Cookoffs, hangfires, you name it. Oh, 
yeah, don't bother trying to suppress it. I crunched the numbers, the 
suppressor would be five feet long." 
"Ouch." mutters Blade as he pulls back the cocking handle of his rifle, lets it 
snap forward, slaps it to ensure it's fully home. 

Quinn, sitting on the table and thumbing shells into her SPAS-22, shakes her 
head. "Boys, boys, stop showing off about the size of your... armament. Lynch's 
might be big, but I could tell you some stories about how he uses it..."
"Like in Denver?"
"Shut up! Shut upshutupSHUTUP!" Quinn jumps up and down on the spot. "Don't 
talk about Denver! It was six years ago and a mistake any girl could have made! 
Shut up or-"
"Or you'll thcream and thcream and thcream until you're thick?" inquires Lilith 
drily. 

"What *did* happen in Denver?" asks Blade curiously, rising to his feet and 
screwing a silencer onto the muzzle of his Predator II. As Lilith moves to 
answer, Quinn leaps in. "Oh, the usual, Blade, people were born, people died, 
the trees got a bit taller, the buildings got a bit greyer, the wind blew trash 
around in the park, nothing special. Remember that. Nothing special at all."
"I'm offended. Nothing special?" says Lynch, grinning.
"Well... all right. It was very special. But I'm still not talking about it. 
Are we ready?"

"Just a moment." Lynch takes out a portable 'phone, dials. "Commander Drake,
please... no, I can't hold. Tell him Jason Lynch needs to talk to him. Fast.
...Paul, grab a chopper and get airborne, and monitor police freqs, we're 
about to enforce some law." Lynch snaps the phone closed, picks up a suitcase.
"All set."

"Okay. Let's go to work." Quinn cackles happily, as the team is suddenly 
enveloped in a shimmer: as it fades, they look quite different, dressed 
differently, and carrying luggage instead of weapons. "Let's go to work."

Lilith looks at the group: all dressed in black suits, white shirts, 
sunglasses, black ties.
"Quinn, I will throttle you one day if you don't get that so-called sense of 
humour under control." The clothes change again to something more normal.

As she steps through the diner's doors, the view shifts to the aerial camera 
for a few seconds: the doors are swinging, but each person seems to... fade as 
they step into the open.
"All clear, so far so good." says Lilith calmly, as the view snaps back to 
Blade's camera: he's approaching the doors, Quinn beside him.
+++++end video

And the rest, as they say, is history.]<<<<<
	-- The Mighty Quinn <16:04:01/04-28-57>

*****PRIVATE: Colonel Tepanohoutec
>>>>>[Sir, we have a crisis here. Lynch has attacked the Leopards. He must have 
found Two Platoon's location, and I cannot raise any members of the unit now.
Lone Star and InterPol are on scene already.

Please advise what I should do now.]<<<<<
	-- Major Zicahuata <17:45:04/04-28-57>
	   Aztlan Intelligence Service

*****PRIVATE: Major Zicahuata
>>>>>[Major, I am now commanding this case. Continue to communicate with
the Colonel, but I authorise you to ignore or misinterpret his orders
whenever they conflict with mine.

+++++authenticate ID

Tepanohoutec's previous defeat by Lynch has left him weak and fearful. It has 
been decided that a more patriotic approach is necessary to protect Manchu.

Concentrate your efforts on eliminating Lynch: he represents far more of a
threat than the Colonel was willing to accept. 

As for InterPol, they can be safely ignored. They have no influence in Aztlan
territory. Tepanohoutec overestimated their powers also. If Commander Drake
becomes a problem, we can eliminate him: his replacement should learn from
the example thus set.]<<<<<
	-- CORRPUTED <CORRUPTED/CORRUPTED>

*****PRIVATE: Major Zicahuata
>>>>>[Jose, this is very serious. Prepare to withdraw your forces. This
represents an unacceptable degree of exposure, and risks grave repercussions.

I will try to ascertain how much InterPol have learned, and continue pressure
on them to ignore this: but Drake does not react well to influence, as you
already know.

The use of force is becoming counterproductive and dangerous to us. It is time
to switch to a more covert operation. If we appear to retreat and cancel
the mission, Manchu can continue. That, after all, is our goal.]<<<<<
	-- Colonel Tepanohoutec <17:04:32/04-28-57>
	   Aztlan Intelligence Service

*****PRIVATE:  Lillith
>>>>>[ Ms. Lillith, I am very well aware of what I am doing and what 
effects it must be having on Mr. Lynch.

UCAS government agent?  I think you forget yourself, Ms. Lillith.  He 
cannot be a government agent for that would require that the UCAS 
government acknowledge that they ordered him to commit all the crimes 
that I have listed in my dossier.  If he was a government agent, they 
would be responsible and Aztlan, Mitsuhama, Renraku, and all the others 
would have a lever to force the UCAS government to do what they want at 
most, and a means to embarras the UCAS at the least.

No, Ms. Lillith, Jason Lynch is not an official UCAS agent, and the UCAS 
can do nothing to directly help him without exposing their collusion in 
his crimes.  And you cannot shield him, if you are, as I suspect, another 
SIGA operative, without doing the same.  Having a UCAS government 
official shielding a known international criminal would be embarassing as 
well.

I am not proud of what I do, nor of the job I have done and am doing to 
Mr. Lynch, nor do I enjoy doing it.  But it is necessary for me to do my 
job.

As for my enforcement or lack thereof, if you are an official of the UCAS 
government and are willing to risk exposure, than feel free to 
communicate with InterPol HQ in London regarding my performance.  You 
will find that I am operating under explicit orders given by Marshal 
Xavier Qoph upon his receiving explicit orders from his superiors.

Jason understood this very well, and he and I talked about it a couple of 
times.  You see, the law and InterPol procedures provide me with a shield.  
I have been _ordered_ not to pursue other criminals while Jason remains 
at large.  Only the intervention of the family of a wounded aristocrat 
who also happened to _sit_ on the InterPol governing council in London 
enabled me to assign _one_ unit to the tracking and arrest of the Humanis 
terrorist Sword of God.  _One_ unit.

If you are a SIGA member, you and only you can protect him.  But to do so 
would destroy you and him, and the very government which you work for 
would be forced, regretably I'm sure, to turn him over to Aztlan or face 
a debacle they cannot afford.  I have to deliver him alive to Aztlan, 
because those are my orders.  If I had been given clearance by my 
superiors to use lethal force, the "Wanted:  Dead or... Dead" method, he 
would be dead now and Major Zicahuata would be in possession of his body, 
becuase I honor him enough to kill him, if my orders and the laws allowed 
me to.  But my orders do not allow me that freedom, and the very same law 
that protects me binds me too.

When I catch Jason, my hands will be tied.  I will have to deliver him to 
Aztlan alive if I am able to do so.  But your hands will not be tied.  
Please, if you are able to do so, kill Jason.  I cannot simply allow you 
to do so, and I will do everything in my power to ensure that you will 
not have the opportunity to do so, but if you do have that chance, take 
it.  It will be far kinder than my presentation of a live Jason Lynch to 
an exuberant Aztlan government.]<<<<<
	--  Commander Drake, InterPol <16:11:28/04-27-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Commander Drake, InterPol
>>>>>[Thank you for reply, Commander. Jason speaks well of you: you
are mannered and civil, and this excuses a great deal. You do, however,
lack an understanding of history and even law. "I was obeying my orders"
has not been acceptable as a defence since the Nuremberg trials of the last
century. 

Marshal Qoph? I have memories of a Xavier Qoph who was working for
Aztechnology's Corporate Intelligence Agency. Six years ago he was
trying to kill me himself. But then the Xavier Qoph working for InterPol, of 
course, doesn't involve himself directly in the pursuit and is probably 
completely unconnected to the psychotic sadist I had the misfortune of 
encountering and the pleasure of opposing and obstructing.

Please, don't get ingenuous on me, Commander. You know as well as I the
lengths that a corporation will go to, when a profit margin is concerned.
Law is merely another tool to them, to be used when it suits them and ignored
at their convenience. In public, of course SIGA is merely a focus for the 
gathering, assimilation and dissemination of data, but you know as well as
I that a handful of agents work to prevent "incidents" like the Manchu Project.

After all, Commander, we cannot always count on the ever-vigilant hounds of
the law to protect us. Sometimes, the innocent are left helpless and vulnerable.
We fill that gap. We break the law to do so. Big Fragging Deal. Law is a 
whore and her rates are cheap,  and once she's bought she has loyal 
retainers like you to enforce her whims. The screams of the helpless innocents
matter not a whim, compared to the needs of "political constraint" and 
"business reality".

We risk everything, Commander. You can turn around, fill in your forms,
and say you were obeying an order. I will be traded, ransomed, extracted
or at the least assassinated before any trial involving me. What protection
and cover does Lynch have? Less than me, which isn't saying much: a nice, soft, 
easy target. Still, it's an arrest, isn't it, Drake? Something for your
superiors to put on their resumes, as they seek employment in whichever
corporations will hire them. Imagine, the opportunities in Aztlan for "the
man who took down Jason Lynch". Naturally, InterPol officers are all far
too honest for this to affect their judgement.

Never mind. You carry on following orders from well-bought superiors you can't
touch. We'll smash Manchu. We'll shut down the Leopards in Seattle, we'll
take Zicahuata down, we'll wipe out their research base, we will make Manchu
into a case study of how not to carry out covert operations. You can sleep
safely at night knowing you did your very best to protect Aztlan's right
to smuggle experimental BTL software into the UCAS. If this is "your job"
then I truly pity you.

You may ask me to kill Jason. I would kill you before I killed him. Human
morality is...interesting to me, and if it were up to me you would be 
a cold corpse by now: you have him to thank for your life. 

And, before you make any claims based on my words, I am currently under
suspension and therefore my words represent only my own opinions,
views and intended actions. Current events have done nothing but show
the need for my Agency, as well as InterPol. If your superiors can be
so easily bought, they are not a solution: they are the problem. You should
perhaps try to alert them to the risks, and the consequences, of this
situation. And, probably, make sure you are clearly distanced from them.

You would make an excellent SIGA agent, Drake. You would, in fact, be one
of the few people other than the current incumbent who I would accept
as Director of the Agency. At the least, I wish you worked for or with me.
If you tire of the deceits and lies of InterPol, there will be a post open
for you here: illegal, yet moral.]<<<<<
	-- Lilith <00:30:21/04-29-57>

>>>>>[What does one do when the wetware no longer functions in the violent
and amoral way for which the cyberware is designed? One leaves
Renraku. And then what? Like a masterless samurai of Japan, a Ronin, I
have no refuge, no direction.

A deep sea fish, brought up from the depths, will explode from an internal
pressure so much higher than that around it. I feel the pain of that fish,
for after five years in training and two as an active Renraku company man,
I have fallen out into the real world. I cannot withstand the lack of
forces pushing me around, down, under. Help me, please, there must be
someone who understands this feeling, who has shared this experience. I
have the abilities but not the iron discipline not to use them, and I fear
what I could become.

I need work, I need money, but most of all I need guidance in this new
world where I have found myself.]<<<<<
	-- Matthew Van Holde <19:09:55/04-29-57>

*****PRIVATE: Tangent, Blade
>>>>>[  I know you two are working with Lynch right now .. what's the scoop?
He looks like he's falling apart at the seams here.  You guys keep an eye on
him, and if you need me for anything, let me know.. ]<<<<<
	-- Griffyn <11:17:32/04-29-57>

*****PRIVATE: Griffyn
>>>>>[  He's ... tense.  More than that really, but he's wound up _tight_, and
he's trying to keep it all to himself.  I'll keep you up to date, and try to
keep him out of trouble.  ]<<<<<
	-- Tangent <11:21:40/04-29-57>

*****PRIVATE : Mako
>>>>>[Ok Mako, I want your list of Faith people. God will pay you. 
but.... take care... Im not new here]<<<<<
	-- Judas <12:10:10 / 04-29-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Major Zicahuata
>>>>>[I hope you like baseball, Major.

Strike three, you're out, and my team's at bat.]<<<<<
	--  Commander Drake, InterPol <11:43:48/04-29-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Lynch
>>>>>[Damn you, Jason.

You know, I suppose I should thank you for your tip to me about the raid 
you staged on the Leopard Guards, but I just can't bring myself to do 
so.  You see, as much as it makes my life easier and gives me leverage, 
you broke the fraggin law to do it.  And I will not, _can_ not condone that!

I simply cannot bring myself to thank you, Jason, because as much as I 
approve of the ends you achieved, I cannot believe that the means can be 
justified.

Damn you.]<<<<<
	--  Commander Drake, InterPol <13:51:36/04-29-57>

*****INTERNAL:  InterPol Communications Log
>>>>>[   CD:  Commander Drake
         SM:  Sergent Montoya
         SS:  Sergent Strobe

Dispatcher:  InterPol dispatcher.

Incoming Call:  Commander Drake, please.

Dispatcher:  Can you hold, please.

Incoming call:  No, I can't hold.  Tell him it's Jason Lynch.

Dispatcher:  Commander Drake, a Jason Lynch for you.

CD:  Jason?

Incoming call:  Paul, grab a chopper and get airborne, and monitor police 
freqs, we're about to enforce some law. (click)

CD:  Jason?  Jason!  Did you get a trace?

Dispatcher:  Partial only, sir.  Tacoma, I-5 cellular corridor.

CD:  Drek!  Patch me through to Sergent Montoya and Sergent Strobe.

Dispatcher:  Sir.

SM:  Montoya here.

SS:  Strobe here.

CD:  Both of you, draw weapons and have your teams meet me on the roof, full 
combat gear.  That means you too, Monty.  Be there in 2 minutes.

SS:  Strobe out.

SM:  Boss, please.

CD:  Sorry, Monty, but I need your skill too this time.

SM:  Very well, sir.  Rounds?

CD:  Lethal.  Lynch won't be there, but the Azzies will.  He's hitting the 
Leopards and giving them to us.  Meet you on the roof.

SM:  Yeah, boss.  Monty out.

CD:  Dispatch, have two chopper running and on the roof in 2 minutes.

Dispatcher:  Yes, sir.

Qoph:  Drake!  What's going on?  Armory reports Sergent Montoya's unit 
reqqing rifles and lethal rounds.

CD:  No time to talk, sir.  I'm on my way out.

Qoph:  Stop right there, Commander!

CD:  Sorry, sir, I'm on an arrest.

-----------

CD:  ETA?

Pilot1:  4 minutes.

CD:  Monty, Jane, you up on the freqs?

SM:  Yeah, Boss.

SS:  Sir.  Question, though.  Level of opposition?

CD:  Minimal on touchdown, extreme immediately thereafter.  Review.  Jane?

SS:  My team hits the ground and secures perimeter until Lone Star arrives, 
current ETA 7 minutes.  Mark the bodies and wounded IP ASAP.  IP meatwagon 
ETA 16 minutes, presumed DocWagon bogey ETA 9 minutes, 45 seconds.

CD:  Good.  Update says Tacoma coroner has not dispatched a meatwagon, and 
ours is run by the rest of Tagit's unit.  Monty?

SM:  Team hits the roof, five rifles, no spotter.  I cover you from the roof, 
the rest sweep the hotel and then cover Jane and the wounded from inside.

CD:  Good.

Pilot1:  Incoming message for you, Commander.

CD:  Drake.

Qoph:  I just got a transmission from SIGA, Commander.  They want an 
explanation why the bodies disappeared from your last attempt with the Mafia, 
and why your agents fired on UCAS agents.

CD:  (UCAS my ass.)

Qoph:  What was that, Commander?

CD:  I'm a little busy right now, sir.  I'll deal with that when I have the 
time.  ETA?

Pilot1:  1 minute, 13 seconds.

Pilot2:  Smoke plume, 3 o'clock low, Five Eyes hotel.

Qoph:  Listen, Commander, I've ordered a board of review convened for your 
actions in regards to this investigation.  You're up on charges of 
dereliction of duty, aiding and abetting, disob....(static)

Pilot1:  Sorry, Commander, I'm afraid that our communications just got 
jammed.

CD:  I didn't hear that, Captain.

Pilot1:  Didn't hear what, sir?  ETA:  36 seconds.

CD:  Ready.

SM/SS:  Ready.

CD:  Weapons free, on my authority.

Pilot1:  Acknowledged.

Pilot2:  Acknowledged and verified.  Authority recorded.

SM/SS:  Weapons free.

CD:  Steady.......steady......GO! ]<<<<<
	--  InterPol Communications Log <14:54:01/04-29-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Commander Drake, InterPol
>>>>>[Just use what I bought for you, Paul. It wasn't cheap and it wasn't
easy, so don't waste it. 

So I broke the law. So what? If I had given you proof positive that a
platoon of Aztlan Leopards were quartered in the Five Eyes and were
conducting illegal military operations inside UCAS territory, what could
you have done about it? I know that, given freedom to manoevre, you would
have acted against them, probably with greater long-term effect than my
work. But you don't have that freedom and I do. 

If the law says you must watch impassive while crimes are committed and
the innocent suffer, then I reject the law and act anyway. I believe that
strongly enough that I'm sentenced to die for it. 

I'll take your gratitude even though you can't express it <g> And I'll
destroy Manchu. And I'll give you Major Zicahuata: if I were you I'd 
start building a case ready for when you get him in custody. After that...
well, we'll see how long I can stay ahead of you. I wish I had the courage
to say that with Manchu gone I'd turn myself in, and let you get back to
your job, but I have too much to live for and too much to do.

Don't damn me, Paul. Damn the puppet masters who set us against each 
other. That's what I do.]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <23:45:42/04-29-57>

*****PRIVATE: Commander Drake, InterPol
>>>>>[Well, Paul,unofficially this is a legitimate attack on foreign military 
forces illegally present within the UCAS, so on this at least you can't pull 
jurisdiction on us and try to arrest us for it. But since I was there and you 
don't officially know who the dead guys are, you can investigate it, can't you? 

+++++begin video
The view is from a camera, behind the reception desk of the Five Eye Motel: the 
clerk is sprawled in his chair, an assault rifle and a pizza box on the floor 
beside him, watching the highlights of a Urban Brawl game and glancing at the 
monitors of the security cameras every so often. 

The layout is V-shaped, with reception at the apex and two corridors lined with 
bedrooms off either side. The clerk looks up, reaching down to place a hand on 
the rifle, as the doors open.

The couple entering look like your typical working girl with customer: the man 
is large and impassive, the woman laughing, drunk or dusted. As they come 
through the door, the audio feed kicks in.
"Sorry, no vacancies. Didn't you see the sign?"
"Aww, c'mon, you can find us one itty bitty room for half an hour, right?" asks 
the girl, lurching and grabbing the doorframe for support. "I'll make it worth 
your while, honey-"
As the clerk shakes his head, the customer brings up a silenced Predator II and 
fires twice, the clerk thrown backwards. Blade moves up, sees the man still 
trying to reach for the alarm button, and shoots him twice in the head. 
"Clear." Their weapons reappear suddenly, the masking spell dropped, as Quinn 
glances down one corridor and Blade down the other.

"No reaction."
"Check. Coming." Lynch and Lilith come in through the doors, both carrying 
suitcases. Blade takes one and disappears down one corridor, Lynch the other. 
Quinn sits on the reception desk, leans down and opens the pizza box, and picks 
out a slice.
"Hungry, Lilith?"
"Not only do you murder him, you steal his pizza too. Have you no shame?" 
retorts Lilith from where she is watching the corridor. "And aren't you meant 
to be covering Blade?"
"I am. Clairvoyance. Everyone's asleep, apart from the mage and the OC in 23, 
and they're still distracted. Guess she's fu- I mean, bucking - for promotion." 
Quinn takes a huge bite. 
"I don't really want to know, Quinn." Lynch returns, opening a wall panel and 
turning a valve, then testing several wires with a small meter before cutting 
three. Blade moves back to the end of the corridor at this point, and begins 
placing small white-painted objects - each rectangular, about the size of 
paperback novels - along the skirting board, where they blend in well.

"Okay. Fire exits prepped, corridors set, smokes set All done?" Lynch and Blade 
nod.
"Jason, alarms and sprinkler down?" 
"Sprinklers are gone, dead, finished. Alarm is on whenever we want it."
"Blade, Claymores rigged?"
"As planned."
Lilith flexes her shoulders, adjusts the ride of her slung AK-47, raises her 
hand and draws her katana.
"We go for quiet first and shift to noisy as necessary. Blade, you cover us 
while we play with sharp toys." Blade nods tersely, thumbing the selector on 
his rifle. Lynch moves to the side of one corridor, Quinn with him, as
Lilith takes a classic kenjutsu stance by the other.

"Okay. On three. One."
Quinn raises her ornate rapier in a salute.
"Two."
Lynch draws a combat knife and a hatchet with a ludicrously short haft - until 
a sideways flick of his wrist expands it to full length.
As Lilith is drawing breath, Quinn suddenly says "Whoa!" The other three look 
at her.

"Is this 'one, two, three, go!' or is it 'one, two, THREE!'?"
"Jesus, Quinn." Blade shakes his head, trying not to smile. Lilith glares.
"On the three. One, two, THREE. And if you don't behave we'll shoot you. One. 
Two. Three!"

There are a sudden series of muffled coughs, and all of the group tense for a 
few seconds. Yellow light flickers and flares out of the corridors, and 
tendrils of smoke waft by the ceiling. 

"Nobody's woken up. Yet." says Quinn softly. 
"Okay. Give it a little longer to really take hold." replies Lynch. They wait 
in silence for several seconds. There is a sudden shout of alarm from somewhere.
"Now." 

Another series of thumps, these sharper, and dense black smoke begins to 
spill out of the corridors. The alarm suddenly begins to warble shrilly, and 
there are more shouts, then running feet as a man - wearing only a flak jacket 
and unlaced boots, and carrying a Cobra SMG - emerges from the
smoke: he never sees Lilith, as she cleanly strikes his head from his 
shoulders. Three appear from the other side: Lynch's tomahawk catches one in 
the throat, Quinn lunges perfectly to drive the swordpoint through the second's 
head, and as she twists the blade free the third - turning and raising his 
rifle - suddenly has a huge, brightly-coloured mallet materialise above his 
head and smash down. His eyes pop out of their sockets and blood squirts from 
his ears, and he falls bonelessly with a flock of tiny songbirds orbiting his 
shattered head.

"Showoff." whispers Lynch, as the thickening smoke makes the camera view 
indistinct: you can only hear screams and yells, and see flashes of violent 
movement, before gunfire rings loudly and is instantly answered. Muzzle flashes 
flare in the smoke - one veritable fireball has to be Lynch's MC-51, the 
powerful cartridge generating a huge muzzle blast from the short, ported barrel 
- and grenade explosions make the view shudder. The last thing you see is Quinn 
reaching for the monitor console to eject the disk.

The view flicks to Lynch's view, the aiming mark of his smartlink roving and 
locking onto the fuzzy man-shapes in the smoke and the muzzle flash brightly 
flaring: Lilith's AK thudding close beside him.

"Ready to fall back?"
"All set!" comes the answer from behind, where Blade and Quinn are fighting in 
the opposite corridor.
"Go!" 

Lilith is suddenly gone as Lynch fires another short burst, a scream in the 
smoke its answer.
"Jason, ready! Move!" Lynch retreats, still firing: his smartlink display 
records HE grenades, programmed for airburst, being launched down the corridor 
as he moves through the doors under Lilith's covering fire.

Outside, a Steel Lynx drone is firing at the side of the motel with its medium 
machinegun, walking the burst along the wall: it ignores Lynch, who sprints for 
the corner of the diner and drops the MC-51's bipod, shoving a fresh clip of 
grenades into the underbarrel launcher.

"Lilith, move!" Lilith runs, going wide to the side at first to leave Lynch's 
field of fire clear, as Blade and Quinn likewise clear the area. Spent brass 
flies as Lynch begins firing careful three- and four-round bursts into the 
front of the motel, which by now is quite thoroughly ablaze in places. Return 
fire begins to snap and whip past him as Lilith rounds the corner of the diner, 
safely in cover, and Lynch fires a pair of gas grenades through the broken 
glass.

The crackle of Blade's M22 echoes as well, the firefight building in intensity, 
as two figures try to break clear of the motel: Lynch tracks and fires, killing 
one, and the other is tossed sideways by a burst from Quinn's SPAS-22.

"Blade? Reckon we got enough trade there?"
"Yep. Go for it. Quinn?" 
A piercing howl rends the air as suddenly the reception area erupts in a 
seething froth of water, the spume leaping and flying: at least two semi-
conscious forms are thrown out into the parking lot by the force of the spell.

In the top left corner of Lynch's vision, text suddenly zips by, quickly.

TRANSMIT ENABLE - CODED PULSE
CHANNEL 3, PULSE TANGO
TRANSMITTING

The front of Reception blows out in a flashbulb pulse of light: for one 
beautiful frozen moment, the air is full of rainbows and diamonds, from the 
water vapour and shattered glass. Then the noise and shockwave slam into Lynch, 
as dust and smoke and steam obscure the motel for a few seconds.

There is a long pause, the only sound an engine starting up, Quinn thumbing 
shells into her shotgun, and the crackle of the flames. 

Both Steel Lynx drones move by, guns smoking, to run up the ramp into the back 
of Lilith's station wagon: she throws a blanket over them to hide them as her 
teammates pile into the vehicle, stowing weapons out of sight as the car 
accelerates onto the freeway.

"How many, do you think?" asks Quinn, mopping at a nosebleed.
"Twenty, twenty-five at least." replies Blade, disassembling his rifle into a 
flight bag. "You okay?"
"That last spell hurt a little, is all. I'll be fine." Quinn's words tail off,
as she passes out quietly.

Lynch is dialling rapidly on his 'phone again.
"Commander Drake, please... yes, Lynch again, and I still can't hold... Hi 
there, Paul, the Five Eyes Motel in Tacoma as if you couldn't guess. See ya." 
He snaps the 'phone shut as Lilith swings the station wagon onto an offramp.
+++++end video]<<<<<
	-- Lynch <23:54:42/04-29-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Lilith
>>>>>[I'm afraid that I do not lack an understanding of law, Ms. Lilith.  
As an individual who lives and works within it, with all it's 
convolutions and sudden mutations, I likely understand it all too well.  

Of course the laws do not always protect the innocent.  It's somewhat 
depressing when the innocent are the criminals are the innocent.  But the 
law sometimes succeeds where morality does not, Ms. Lilith.  Where 
justice and morality demands an eye for an eye law sometimes steps in and 
ends the cycles of vengeance, or allows forgiveness of the guilty that 
morality cannot.  You believe the law is a whore.  I say the law is only 
a whore when it is treated as one, and disregarding the law cheapens her 
price all the more.

InterPol has more than its share of corruption, unfortunately.  But if 
you are implying that I have been corrupted, then you're barking up the 
wrong tree.  I have no use for corporate employment and am quite happy 
here where I am.  Here I can actually have an effect on the world.  Here 
I can be a part of the solution rather than part of the problem.  Here I 
risk as much as yourselves, although you probably can't, or rather won't, 
believe that.  My forms are a shield only for those who would obey the 
law.  With individuals like you and Jason who would happily disregard the 
law in favor of your own personal ideals of morality, I'm amazed 
sometimes that I'm still alive.  The law only protects me from those who 
will believe in it, and we are a vanishing breed.

I don't need your pity any more than you need mine.  Pity is for those 
who cannot choose to change thier lives.  I have chosen to live mine as I 
do, with all the responsibility that entails, and I could just as 
simply choose to leave InterPol and become a shadowrunner, a criminal.  
You've made that choice too, so stop whining about your lack of 
protection, or the fact that you would never reach trial because your own 
government would have you killed first.

Ms. Lilith, I have no delusions about my life expectancy.  When any of my 
enemies decides it prefers me dead to alive, I will die.  I suspect that 
I may not live much beyond Jason's arrest.  And if you truly wanted me 
dead, I could very well be dead by this point.  But don't delude yourself 
either.  I'm much harder to kill than those Leopard Guards.  When you've 
survived as many assassination attempts as I have, you risk losing your 
fear of death.  I've lost some of mine.  Not enough to make me insane, 
but certainly enough to make sure that Jason would have ended up crying 
over two corpses rather than one.

You are not in a position to speak to me about human morality.  I've seen 
your examples of morality too many times.  The Leopard Guards deserved 
better than death by your hands, yet you felt you had the right to 
declare yourself judge, jury, and executioner along with the rest of the 
team.  As far as I can see, there is no justice, no morality, in that.

I would make a good SIGA agent?  I'm not sure whether I should be honored 
or offended.  Both, I suspect.  I am quite honored that you value me and my 
integrity highly enough to consider me for such a position.  There is 
some hope for the world when something I have come to value higher than 
my life is recognized as important by someone such as yourself.  My hat 
is off to you in thanks for that.  But I could never be a SIGA agent.  
You see the corruption of InterPol as a part of the problem, and I cannot 
but agree with you.  But you also see law as a mere distraction, 
something to be ignored when it obstructs your plans, or rather your 
personal ideas on morality.  And I suspect that the rest of SIGA believes 
something similar.  I cannot agree with that nor condone it.  Yes, the 
law is corrupt and imperfect, but what of morality?  I'm afraid that 
morality is as beauty, merely in the eye, or perhaps the mind, of the 
beholder.  With morality defined differently from nation to nation, from 
nation to corporation, from family to family, even from person to person, 
how can you truly declare yourself more moral than another?

I see only one way, and that is the law, flaws and imperfections and 
injustices and all.  No, I thank you for the offer, but InterPol is my 
home and where I belong.]<<<<<
	--  Commander Drake, InterPol <23:59:37/04-29-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Jason Stormwind
>>>>>[Just what did you have in mind as training?  Us telling them what 
to do, or us trying to get through the security?  We've done both, but if 
you prefer the latter, then I can have a fully trained penetration team 
in myself, Diana, Slash, and Roxey.  I need more details first, though.]<<<<<
	--  Action Jackson <00:17:13/04-30-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Jason Stormwind
>>>>>[Uh, Lone Star and I go a LONG ways back, so I need just a bit more 
of a guarantee than that.  Sorry, but we've had more than our fair share 
of disagreements about many a topic.]<<<<<
	--  Diana, Mistress of the Night <00:18:12/04-30-57>

*****INTERNAL:  Cmdr. Drake Private Office Log
>>>>>["Boss, you wanted to see me?"

Come in, Monty.  Sit down.

"Ok, boss.  What's up?"

I wanted to talk to you about yesterday's engagement.

"Uhhhh, ok...."

Monty?  Talk to me.  I want to know what you felt yesterday.  After all, it 
was the first time I've put a long rifle in your hands since you took command 
of the unit.

"I felt really fraggin strange, boss.  You put me in command of the best 
snipers I've ever worked with over three years ago and never let me carry a 
long rifle in all those years.  To suddenly have you put a rifle in my hands 
and entrust your life to me felt really fraggin strange."

Why, Monty?

"Because according to the law, I'm still a criminal.  I'm still serving part 
of my sentence, boss.  And I've got thirty years to go on it still.  And here 
I am, a convicted criminal officially still serving his sentence, being 
entrusted with the life of a cop, the same cop...."

Who tracked you down and put you away ten years ago, right?

"Yeah.  How could you do that?"

Putting you away was relatively easy, Monty.  So was trusting you not to kill 
me yesterday.  What was hard was convincing the UCAS to give you 40 years 
instead of death when I was only a Sergeant myself.  And it was hard to get 
you released into Special Branch's custody too, when I took over five years 
ago.  And what was really hard was giving you that first pistol and standing 
there not knowing if you'd pop the clip in and level it at my head.  Compared 
to all that, yesterday was easy.

"Boss, you can't know what they did to me in those five years in the can."

I know quite well what they did, Monty, and if they hadn't, you'd never have 
been let out.  Not even in 40 years.

"WHAT!?!  You sonofaslitch!  They used fraggin drugs and penal psychology 
treatments, with regular beatings from the rest of the inmates, half of who 
wanted to be my husband!  And the UCAS wonders where the frag Lone Star 
gets their ideas for criminal conditioning!"

SERGEANT!  Control yourself!

"Sir!"

Yes, Sergeant Montoya, I know what goes on there because I've been there.  I 
had to go there to get you out, remember?

"Yes, sir."

Good.  Now that I've got your undivided attention and probably your intense 
anger too, I've got a question.  How did it feel to kill a man, Monty?

"Frag you, boss...."

Not a good enough answer, Monty.  How did it feel to blow his head clean off?  
It took a medic 20 minutes to dig some of the skull fragments out of my back, 
Monty, and I can still smell the cordite and brains that the shower couldn't 
get out of my scales.  How did it feel to kill _again_, Monty?

"Frag you, you bastard!  What do you want me to say, that I enjoyed it?!  
Huh?  Well, I didn't!  I hated it!  For the first time in my life I killed a 
man and it felt like fraggin drek, ok?  To use a term my dad used to use, it 
sucked dog dick, ok?  I had nightmares last night about it!  For the first 
time since I got out of The Hole, I had nightmares about something other 
than The fraggin Hole!  Do you know at all what it's like to kill a man, 
boss?  Do you really know what it's like to kill a man when you really 
enjoy it?  And then to become something so different that you barely 
recognize yourself?  Do you?"

Yes.

"Do....what?"

I said 'yes', Monty.  Yes, I do know.

"I don't understand, boss."

Come over here and sit at my terminal.  I want you to see something.

"Uh, ok."

Type 'alabaster 16 Janus 1A 78 QZT'

[Good evening, Commander.  Please verify request with retinal scan.]

Ahhh, almost forgot that.

[Thank you, Commander.  Retinal scan has been verified.  Disconnecting 
terminal from InterPol internal Matrix.  Please wait.....terminal 
disconnected.  Connecting terminal to STICK storage unit.  Please wait.....]

"Stick?  What the frag is that?"

Deoxyribonucleic acid degradable wet storage unit.  Without a valid retinal 
scan, it destroys itself when access is attempted, and this particular 
terminal is smart enough to recognize if my eye has been removed or 
duplicated since it scans quite a bit more than just my eye.

"DNA storage unit?  I thought those were obsolete."

They are, but they're far easier to destroy than optical chips, and with 
enough heat you can't ever reclaim any part of the data.  Optical chips 
don't....ahh, there we go.

[STICK storage accessed.  Please enter request.]

Type 'Jose Chiapa'.

"Do I have to, sir?"

Just do it, Monty, and read it aloud.

"Ok.  'Jose Chiapa, known aliases:  Chap, Rolls, Paolo, Tape, and Desert.  
Born:  Tenochitlan, 2018.  Outstanding warrants:  First Degree Murder, 14 
counts.  Second Degree Murder, 8 counts.  Attempted Murder, 3 counts.  
Kidnapping, 5 counts.  Suspected Employers:  Aztechnology.  Current 
whereabouts:  FRFZ, Aztlan Zone.'  Is that enough, boss?"

You forgot the date, Monty.

"Sorry.  July 19, 2047.  What was the point of this, boss?  I already know my 
own history."

And the second page, Monty?

"It's an arrest detail, signed by the arresting officer, you, dated July 21, 
2047."

Right.  InterPol maintains excellent records from then on, but I like to keep 
the dossiers of all the people I work with separate.  How much do you know 
about Agent Long Arm, one of your snipers?

"Very little, boss.  You made it clear that I wasn't to ask about his past."

I'm glad to hear you didn't pry, Monty.  Look up Edward D. Acorn.

"Ok.  'Edward D. Acorn, known aliases:  Zap, Case, Ed, Axe, Thrillville, and 
RXCW26.  Born:  Cheyanne, 2023.  Outstanding warrants:  First Degree Murder, 
8 counts.  Second Degree Murder, 6 counts.  Vehicular Homicide, 17 counts.  
Drug trafficking, 48 counts.  Burglary, 32 counts.  Auto theft, 21 counts.  
Kidnapping, 4 counts.  Suspected employers:  Jade Lotus clan, Martina family.  
Current whereabouts:  Unknown, suspected Milan, Italy.  Date, May 12, 2053.'  
The second page is an arrest detail, signed by you again as the arresting 
officer, dated August 26, 2053.  What's your point, boss?  That he's a 
criminal serving a reduced sentence working for InterPol?  Frag, I'd figured 
that already.  This only confirms it."

Very well, pick someone you know who's not a criminal and tell me their name.

"Jane."

Physically adept enforcer for the O'Doule family in Boston, real name Julia 
McCrossan.  Look it up, but I know her really well.

"Julia McCrossan....  Fraggin-A!  230 outstanding warrants for extortion!  
Son of a slitch....  How about Tagit?  He's about as clean as they come."

Real name Siegfried Tate, bodyguard gone bounty-hunter gone bad.  You're 
right, though, he's about as close to clean as I can think of too.

"You mean that every single Special Branch agent is an ex-con?  Every single 
one?"

Here's one more for you.  Hugh Miner.  Read it out loud.

"'Hugh Miner.  Known aliases:  Mad Max, Thunderdome, and Road Warrior.  Born:  
Westchester, 2006.  Outstanding warrants:  First Degree Murder,  12 counts.  
Vehicular Homicide, my god....86 counts.  Second Degree Murder, 238 
counts....  Arson, 43 counts.  Suspected Employers:  None.  Current 
Whereabouts:  Unknown, suspected to be in California Free State.  NOTE:  
This individual is suspected to be pathological.  Approach with extreme 
caution.  The second page is another arrest detail, arrest made on January 3, 
2038, by Commander Wu.'  Wasn't he your predecessor?"

Yes, he was.  He was killed five years ago by a corporate strike team who 
didn't like his intentions to make Special Branch a little more independent.  
He groomed me to replace him.

"And this Miner guy?  He's a real sick puppy.  Who is he now?"

Me.

"Huh?"

I said 'me', Monty.  My original name was Hugh Minor, and I was, as you said, 
a real sick puppy.

"Boss, this joke just isn't funny any more."

If it was a joke, I'd agree.

"I don't get it, boss.  I don't understand."

You knew that Special Branch used a lot of criminals, usually the runners we 
caught, who were given reduced sentences, cranial bombs and tracking beacons 
in return for their help working for Special Branch.  That's not a big 
secret.  The big secret is that every Special Branch agent since Commander 
Eckley in 2032 has been a criminal, and a large number of them the hard core 
ones who got sent to The Hole.  Why do you think Special Branch's quasi-
independence freaks out the regular IP cops?  Because we're criminals!  The 
whole fraggin thing is bulldrek and the criminals are doing a better job of 
enforcing the law than the cops are!  They're also afraid of us, because 
they're afraid that we'll go nuts again and Special Branch will go ballistic.  
How many Special Branch agents do you think there are right now, Monty?

"I don't know, maybe 500 world wide."

Try 2349 worldwide, and they're all ex-cons of one form or another.  I've 
personally put over 20% of them away.  In another four or five years, some of 
them will be the ones you've arrested and put away too.  The only ones who 
aren't ex-cons are the psychologists we all have to talk to once every month 
or so.

"How many people know all this?"

Every national government that provides money to run InterPol and everyone 
in the InterPol hierarchy above the rank of Major.

"No, boss, I mean the Special Branch agents who work alongside fellow ex-
cons."

None, except me.  And now you too.  But you can't tell anyone either.  One of 
the agreements with InterPol and all the member nations is that Special 
Branch maintains internally unaware except in unusual cases.  Monty, you'd 
never have made it out of The Hole if every nation you'd wronged and who was 
an IP member hadn't agreed to let you try.  They were all willing to give you 
a shot.  I was their biggest gamble ever, and I still am, and Cal Free, 
Sioux, UCAS, CAS, Pueblo, UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Ute all 
agreed to give me a shot.  I think I turned out pretty damn well.  So did 
you.

"So why the frag are you telling me this?  What makes me so fraggin special?"

Commander Wu hand groomed me to become the next head of Special Branch.  With 
this Lynch fiasco, I may not live a hell of a lot longer.  If Lilith or Blade 
or someone else doesn't get me, Major Zicahuata or his cronies will.  And 
you needed to know, since I've been grooming you to take over after I've 
been killed.

"Boss, what the frag are you talking about?"

Monty, I'm not going to live to a ripe old age, even with all the mods I've 
got, because I've made too many powerful enemies.  Not many people believe 
in the law anymore.  So many people believe it's merely a cheap whore to be 
bought and sold whenever someone feels like.  And those people are right.  
The law is bought and sold like some penny stock or junk bond, by corps and 
nations who give not a whit for anyone but themselves.  Even with Jason's 
vow to protect the UCAS citizenry, the UCAS is no better than TNO or Aztlan 
with their trading in on the law, but he either doesn't see that or can't.  
There are no innocents anymore, and I've made enough enemies that if even 
one of them decides I'm better off dead, I'll be dead.  The only reason I 
survived that fraggin building was because Diana's expert was a little off 
on the strength of the data vault.  Last year it was the Org, this year it 
might be Lilith, or the UCAS SIGA, or the Azzies.  Ultimately, I'm dead 
already.  My body just hasn't decided where to lay down yet.

And you're going to take over after me, Monty, because you're the only one 
who believes in the law like I do, like Wu and Eckley did.  Some of Special 
Branch is corrupt, some just don't care so long as they're out of prison, 
some never really rehabilitated.  I did.  So did you.  As little as I like 
The Hole, I've never known anyone to come out of it without being rehabbed 
properly.  But you can't tell anyone, ever, until you choose your 
replacement, Monty, unless they're on a very short list that only includes 
the InterPol national representatives and the governing council.  It's the 
end of Special Branch if you do.  It can _never_ be known.

"That really sucks dog, boss.  Big time."

Tell me about it.  You don't know how much I'd like to tell Jason just why I 
can't accept his ideas on morality and justice outside the law.  I've wanted 
to shout in his face "LISTEN!  I used to be a mass murderer!  Your 
beautifully concrete 'morality' and 'justice' would have killed me when the 
law kept me alive and gave me a second chance!  The path you follow kills me 
and all those like me all the time, but the law gives me and those like me a 
chance to redeem themselves and reverse the wrongs they've done to the 
world."  But I can't tell him that, Monty.  And eventually you will know a 
person like him as well, a person you want to tell, but can't.  It's kind of 
ironic that Wu left me his diary and said that he had a similar relationship 
with Lynch's boss.  We seem to be the perfect foils for each other.

"Boss, why the frag did you ask me whether I enjoyed killing that man?"

Because I had to know.  I put a rifle back in your hands to see how you would 
handle it.  There was always that chance that you could have put the bullet 
into me.  If you had enjoyed the experience, you were the wrong person for 
the job.  I had to be sure, Monty, and that was the only way to be sure.  
Now, only one thing left to do.  Move over.

[Tania priority activated.  Retinal scan verified.  Please place finger in 
DNA scanner for DNA verification.  Thank you, please wait............DNA 
verified, Commander.  You wish to alter the authorization codes?]

Yes.  Tania, Sergeant Jose Montoya is to be added to the access logs.

[Sergeant Jose Montoya, please place your eye to the scanner and your right 
hand into the DNA scanner.  Thank you, please wait........Retinal pattern 
for Jose Montoya has been verified with STICK data.  DNA pattern is being 
scanned, please wait........thank you, Sergeant Jose Montoya.  You have been 
added to the access log for this terminal and STICK storage unit.]

"So it's official, then?"

Yep.  You're now my designated heir.  It's a dubious honor at best, Monty.  
Oh, by the way, I've got a gift for you.  Here.

"What the frag is this?  It's really fraggin heavy.  A telescope?"

Open it, Monty, and find out.

(click click click)  "Oh, frag...."

I thought you might recognize that.

"I thought this had been melted down.  It probably should have been."

I saved it from that particular fate.  That's the rest of the reason why I 
needed you to get your fingers on a long rifle.  You're the best sniper I've 
ever known, Monty.  You need your own weapon back.  Just be careful with it.

"Sure thing, boss."

Now, for a couple of orders.  Report to Seattle General at 0900 hours.  
You've got an appointment to have a tracker and a cortex bomb removed.  And 
go down to the sniper range with your Barret and show the rest of InterPol 
how a sniper's supposed to shoot.  After all, you are a little rusty.

"Yes sir.  Anything else?"

Just one thing.  No-one can ever know, for any reason.  That's the price for 
freedom and redemption.  And always remember to delete any logs that talk 
about this in any way, shape, or form.  There can be no evidence either.

"Got it, boss."

Get outta here, Monty.  I've got my job and Special Branch to save.

Tania, delete office log.

[Office log deleted.] ]<<<<<
	--  Cmdr. Drake Private Office Log <00:53:00/04-30-57>

*****PRIVATE: LYNCH
>>>>>[I hear your in deep.  Cancel the job ofer, make it into an offer of 
security and safety. Safe houses taht are really safe are hard to find. 
Trust me, this one is. Soon as you can, come to >>encrypted<< to talk. 
You need help on whatever it is your doing. Seems to be tearing you 
apart, from the inside out. Sleep is a hard commodity to come by. I came 
to Seattle to get away from something. It hasn't come here yet. Until it 
does, I can protect you better than anyone out there.  And you look like 
you need it. Don't ask why. I don't know myself yet. Just come fast and 
hard and I'll cover your trail as best I can. As for why, lets just say I 
was once in a position near that, and I could've used the help.]<<<<<
	--  Blademaster  <12:23:43/4-30-57>

*****PRIVATE: Kor
>>>>>[ How do you want to play this meet with Mako?  Do we let on that we know
one another, or not? ]<<<<<
	-- Imp <11:52:44/04-30-57>

*****PRIVATE: JUDAS
>>>>>[I have faith that I can do your job and come away clean. When where 
and whats the target?]<<<<<
	--  Boom Boom <11:20:43/4-30-57>

*****Private: Mathew Van Holde
>>>>>[I can offer you a job. Nothing that your company skills need be 
used for. I can offer you a place to stay and food as well, until you get 
on your feet again.  Contact me at >>encrypted<< with your decision. This 
is a one time offer friend, don't waste it.]<<<<<
	--  Blademaster  <12:57:54/4-30-57>

***** PRIVATE: Action Jackson
>>>>>[Well, we have rented out the facility for the next week, and, depending
on how poorly we do, the week after  --  Its a slow time for LSS training
right now.

Primarily what I want is this:

We are running drills against the trainers.  This works well but they can
quickly become predictable as they will always do things by the book and
do their best to NEVER put one of their own in the line of fire, even if that
means taking 3 of the perps out in the process.  It can sometimes be
fairly trivial to get them to fall over themselves trying to get to
us.  I'd like to, without telling anyone else on the team, have your 
intrusion team run against us instead.

Diana has already voiced a ... problem with the scenario as far as being
within reach of LSS.  Since I do not know the full nature of her altercations
with the star, I cannot give her my full protection but I can garantee that
dressed in training uniforms and with a random name added to the roster, the
LSS trainers won't give much of a damn as long as they are paid.  Im shelling
out nearly 3k a day for each of my people, this doesnt include rental for
the paint throwers, the ammo, and compressed air.  I personally am not overly
worried about anyone questioning your appearance in the midst of our
training sessions.

Its your call, my friend.  Think it over.  We dont have to rush this, I am
considering running another set of training sessions in a couple of weeks.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <17:08:10 / 04-30-57> 
	   Field Officer
	   Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: Diana
>>>>>[+++++ Include Mail to AJ
I sent that off to AJ a couple of minutes ago but I thought you would like to
see it as well.

That is, unfortunately, the best garantee I can give to you at this time.  I
suspect that this "run" will put you in less danger of being arrested by LSS
than others.  The money is good, love.  And, as far as I am concerned, you
are being hired as a consultant to Serenity Security, meaning you are 
under our jurisdiction and protection.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <17:09:51 / 04-30-57>
	   Field Officer
	   Serenity Security

***** INTERNAL: Serenity Security
>>>>>[I dont think I have been more sore or bruised in my entire life]<<<<<
	-- Akira <19:21:15 / 04-30-57>
	   Field Officer
	   Serenity Security 

*****PRIVATE: Serenity Security
>>>>>[  Quit whining, Akira.  At least you are _supposed_ to be a combat 
monster.  I'm gonna kill Trixie for putting the idea that it might be fun
if the deckers participated in the training excercises too into Jason's head.
I had no idea how far out of shape I am.. ]<<<<<
	-- Neuron Basher <14:25:35/04-30-57>
	   Matrix Operations Specialist
	   Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: Imp
>>>>>[You dont know me.

Thanks for the professionalism, as well.  I'm hiring myself out as muscle
on this one.  Purely physical.  Primarily, I'm in for now to make sure
no one gets themselves killed trying to "break into the biz".]<<<<<
	-- Kor <19:00:27 / 04-30-57> 

***** PRIVATE: Serenity Security
>>>>>[I thought I was supposed to be the one that was so out of shape.  Seems
that, of at least a few of us, I am still in nearly top form.  Not bad for
an old timer, eh?

Unfortunately, some of the scenarios are too limiting for me.  There were
far too many times where I had to hold back casting spells to achieve our
goals.  Its good practice for us all to be able to fill other positions
on the teams.  As you can all tell, I have NEVER spent a lot of time on
the range with an SMG.  Its still my cover weapon of choice (with the LSS
issued side arm a VERY close second) but the best I can do is spray and pray.
If I pull it out at all, its probably because I've popped a gasket trying to
over-cast a spell.  I've been working with Shadowfox and Nightmare so much
lately that I still have to stop and remember your attack patterns.  Thats
what happened to me in the last one.

I pulled out and around knowing the 'Fox would have already moved to the door
way and there was no one there to cover me as I entered.  That only proves that
I need to spend more time with you.  Im sure we can get things tightened up
a bit.

There are a couple of groups that are interested in us that want to come and
watch the Trid of our sessions.  The people upstairs think is a good idea, but
I want to know how you all feel?

Yes --  Before you all ask, I'm sore and tired too, but you wont see me 
complaining....much.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <19:06:05 / 04-30-57> 
	   Field Officer
	   Serenity Security

*****PRIVATE:  Jason Stormwind
>>>>>[Heh....  That sounds like fun.  We're a little out of practice 
since a certain corp decided not to employ us to test thier security 
anymore.

How about tomorrow?  I'd like a quick overview of what, in general, 
you're looking for.  Do you want us doing attempted assassinations, 
kidnappings, datasteals, or all of the above?

We can be there before whenever you like.  It'll be a good test to see 
how I operate under certain restrictions, like daylight.  And I suspect 
that myself and my daughter will be disguised.  That's the only way I can 
probably get Diana to accept.]<<<<<
	--  Action Jackson <15:22:52/04-30-57>

*****PRIVATE:  Diana, Slash, Foxey Roxey
>>>>>[Ok, how about we get some practice and training?  Diana, Jason 
contacted you too, he said, and you expressed some reservations.  Well, 
I'll disguise on you if you like.  Roxey, prep some elementals and we're 
doing non-lethal training exercises.  Slash, full kits and sneakers.

I'll get back to you three when Jason gets back to me.  You know, this 
could be fun, and we all need the training again.  We're getting soft.]<<<<<
	--  Action Jackson <15:25:13/04-30-57>

*****PRIVATE: Commander Drake, InterPol
>>>>>[I don't intend to persuade you out of your beliefs, Commander, any
more than Lynch did. I do wish, however, that you would stop claiming
Jason and I - and our fellow agents - rampage about like spoilt children,
breaking laws and statutes for amusement, like zoo-bred leopards seeing
freedom for the first time.

We exist to defend the UCAS. We do so within the law when we can, outside
it when we must. In the past, the Agency worked under "Executive Order",
which - bluntly - meant that where the wishes of God and of a SIGA agent
conflicted, the courts would uphold the demands of the agent. Everything
SIGA did was legal. 

Those were black days, Paul, and I know because I was one of those agents.
We operated within the law: in the name of "defending the UCAS" we did
terrible things to the people we supposedly protected. SIGA was the nation's
shield: therefore a strong, wealthy SIGA was the only mission. Consciences 
were chemically, even surgically removed. Agents who dissented... disappeared.
All in full accordance with the law. 

Lynch was a small part of the change in the Agency. Jason provided a few 
straws to help break the camel's back. Now, SIGA agents work outside
the law: it focusses our attention, it prevents the arrogance and conceits
of the past, and it allows corrupt agents to be quickly, effectively removed.
Coppinger has been offered the restoration of the Executive Order: he has
refused it. We could be legal, within the UCAS at least. We choose not
to be. What we do is illegal and will remain so: that it is necessary
is regrettable.

You're very fortunate that I don't use my own personal morality, Drake.
Leopards have very loose views on such matters. The world, for us, consists
of other leopards, trees, rocks, lions and food. Morality is a very human
trait. Luckily, I am human enough to understand it, and appreciate it, and
fight for it even harder because of that: most humans don't seem to care.

You may be part of the solution, but so are we. Like it or not, legally
there was nothing to be done about the Leopards at the Five Eyes. Lone
Star were bought. InterPol were bought. It was either use uniformed
military, and risk starting a war - legal, but very bloody - or use
covert assets and break the law. We eliminated the threat. It would have 
been nice to take prisoners. Unfortunately, that would have needed time and 
preparation, both of which you've denied us. Thank you.

You're protected all right, Drake. You're an honest and capable police officer.
Jason and I might disagree with you, argue with you, and I'll kill you before
I let you take Jason to Aztlan, but I'd fight to protect you from anyone else.
We want you alive and in place, and Special Branch honest, and we'll break
whatever laws are necessary to achieve that. Who protects the guardians?
We do. You don't like that, and I'm not asking you to: I'm telling you
to use our help when you need it, just as we use InterPol whenever we can
as an alternative to armed force. Violence is a last resort, Paul, innocent
bystanders walk into the line of fire and that violates what we signed up for.

Those Leopard Guards deserved everything they got. Even by law, Drake, they
were conducting military operations, out of uniform, in foreign territory.
That is espionage and carries the death penalty. If we had time and leisure
to arrest them and try them, we would have done so. If InterPol would have
bestirred itself to act, we would simply have handed them to you. As it
is, they still got better than they deserved. This, to coin a cliche, is
war: and soldiers who go to war risk death. We accept it: so should they.

And there is a consistent, coherent, unifying code of law? No. The only
way those Leopards could legally have been where they were, would be if 
the motel were Aztlan territory. By Aztlan law, anyone killed during an
attempted arrest - for almost any reason - is charged as a murder by the
suspect. Therefore our actions were entirely legal by Aztlan law. 

Morality is, at heart, relatively simple. Murder is wrong. Dealing in high-
signal BTLs is wrong. Jaywalking? The morality of jaywalking is open to 
debate, so we leave it to the police. 

Jason doesn't like these legal games. I do. Whatever actions you take can,
after the event, be made to appear entirely lawful. This is what the
criminals and the corporations do. You can either play their game, outnumbered
and outgunned, since they can always hire better lawyers than you: or you can
rely on morality and honour as your compass. 

We don't murder embezzlers, though we do kidnap them and deliver them for
trial on occasion. Much of the Agency's covert work consists of simply
making sure that suspects are brought to trial. We aren't a death squad,
Paul. We kill when we have to. When we must kill, we enjoy it. Would you 
rather I lied? I am a predator, and I have instincts: I control them, but
they still whisper to me. 

Keep working for InterPol, Paul. If you are threatened, we will help you.
If you have corrupt superiors, we will do what we can to help you remove
them: and no, that does not have to mean buildings evaporating in a
blaze of Minol explosive. Even as you oppose us, obstruct everything we
believe in and fight for, we will protect you because in the long term
you do more good than harm. I don't ask you to like it. I'm telling you
to accept it.]<<<<<
	-- Lilith <23:32:14/04-30-57>

***** INTERNAL: Serenity Security
>>>>>[There has been a change in plans.  I just talked with Sgt. MacTaggart
a short while ago and he tells me that we scored so miserably on the
"target protection" runs today that we need to repeat them on Thursday.  I
am sorry for those of you who were going to bow out on "physical assault day"
but this cannot be helped.  

We've got to get this tightened up.]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <22:15:04 / 04-30-57> 
	   Field Officer
	   Serenity Security

***** PRIVATE: AJ
>>>>>[Ill assume that you are the contact for your team.  I need to know which
weapons you want available to you (we are using paint markers).  They have most
standard weapons available if you need something exotic, we might just have
to go with what is closest.  Yes, they have troll sized weapons as well.

I'd like you, and as much of your team as you want to bring, to come down and
take a look at us before the sessions on Thursday.  If you come down, you
get a chance to scout out the area and get a feel for it.  This is the
information I have right now to give you.

+++++ Include Building Layout
+++++ Include Blue Prints

We are randomizing the rosters for who is going to be "on duty" at a given time
so you will be facing the unknown of personel / armament.  I will be inside on
at least 2 of your attempts.  Feel more than free to use your full abilities 
against me.  Oh, and we have a 4 hell hounds.  They may or may not be in 
the roster tomorrow.  Castor took a nasty shot to the hind quarters during
the drills last night.  No one thought of armoring him up against being hurt
by the paintpellets.

Thanks again for your help]<<<<<
	-- Jason R. Stormwind <22:35:59 / 04-30-57>