From:	Nightblade <wgreason@*****.ocis.temple.edu>
Subject:	Deckers and Mages argument.
Date:	Fri, 31 May 1996 00:55:14 -0400 (EDT)

Though no one else took the time to rebutt, I'm afraid that responsibility
falls to me to pursue the philosophical argument with Mike.

Mike claimed that it was obvious that a mage casting "control thoughts" would
therefore control the decker's persona. (my initial supposition being
that the power of mana doesn't extend into cyberspace.) Michael disagreed
saying that since the "Control Thoughts" spell operated like suggestion,
the mage would be able to use the decker's skills and knowledge to
run the Matrix.

I dunno, but that sounds pretty easy for the mage. I wonder if the mage
using the decker should suffer some sort of penalty for operating in a
totally foreign environment. Since there's an extra link to communicate
through (mage-->decker-->deck-->Matrix), the decker ought to at least act
slower. And the mage should probably suffer some risk when the decker
confronts Black Ice.

Does anybody know about an SR source that addresses this? If not, it
seems like a really easy way for mages to get over and score some fast
nuyen or sensitive data.

Not to make a huge debate about this or anything, but it's a possible
loophole in the game... I couldn't forgive myself if I passed it by.


peace
Dave