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Message no. 1
From: Matthew J. Chung mchung@*****.ca
Subject: Legendary Deckers
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 17:37:13 -0500
I had an idea for a campaign but I'm a bit short on some details that I
hoped that some of you could fill in for me. Central to the campaign is a
very good NPC decker. I could just make one up, and tell the players that
the character have heard of the legendary <insert name here>, but it would
be more satisfying to use someone that the players will recognize. What I'd
be interested in know about some of the more famous NPC deckers,
specifically I'd like to know what the decker does (I believe Captain Chaos
runs the Seattle datahaven), any details about the character (I believe
Fastjack is a fairly old elf), approximate ranking (Are they the best? One
of the best?) which I realize is largely subjective, but your best guess
would be nice, and I would also like to know where I can get more
information on the character (a book with the character heavily involved
could be useful). I'm not sure whether others on the list would be
interested in any of this, so if you like you can e-mail me directly at
mchung@*****.ca.

Matthew J. Chung
Message no. 2
From: Rand Ratinac docwagon101@*****.com
Subject: Legendary Deckers
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 18:13:19 -0800 (PST)
> What I'd be interested in know about some of the
more famous NPC deckers, specifically I'd like to know
what the decker does (I believe Captain Chaos runs the
Seattle datahaven), any details about the character (I
believe Fastjack is a fairly old elf), approximate
ranking (Are they the best? One of the best?) which I
realize is largely subjective, but your best guess
would be nice, and I would also like to know where I
can get more information on the character (a book with
the character heavily involved could be useful). I'm
not sure whether others on the list would be
interested in any of this, so if you like you can
e-mail me directly at mchung@*****.ca.
> Matthew J. Chung

There aren't a whole lot of really famous deckers who
everyone would know. The ones that come to mind would
be Captain Chaos (although he's more an authority
figure, rather than a great decker), Fastjack and the
Dodger. There are also a bunch of powerful ones in the
Denver Nexus, but they're less well-known.

Captain Chaos does exactly what you mentioned. He's at
the very least competent, probably (going from recent
publications, like RA:S) quite good, but he isn't
exactly a legend. He can be found in practically every
sourcebook with shadowtalk in it, except for the
earlier ones (sorry, can't say when he made his first
appearance). There aren't a lot of details about him
anywhere, though.

Fastjack is a decker, pure and simple, from what we
know, and one of the best, if not THE best. He's old,
yes, but I think he's human (I'd really like to know
where you got the "elf" thing from). If he IS an elf,
that makes him a spike baby, as he was around for the
awakening (check the Denver sourcebook, I believe).
Also not a lot of details to be found, but he pops up
in a lot of the sourcebooks. His only story
appearances that I can recall were in Into the Shadows
(in the two stories by Tom Dowd, I believe).

The Dodger is an elven decker who's current status is
a bit ambiguous (it's been so long since he was in a
novel as a central character he could be doing
anything). He ranks up with Fastjack, most probably,
although he's not quite as famous. The thing is, he
kinda has an AI "on call" (for the full explanation,
you need to read the Secrets of Power trilogy and
RA:S), although the AI is sorta...brain-damaged now.
He also has links to Sean Laverty (of Tir Tairngire
fame). Look for him in Secrets of Power and a cameo in
Just Compensation. His latest appearance was in RA:S.

There are a few others who come to mind. Michael
Sutherland (check Prime Runners for stats and all of
Carl Sergeant's and Marc Gascoigne's novels bar
Streets of Blood for other info), any of the Denver
Nexus boys (Denver sourcebook) and last, but not
least, ANY of the other novels with a major decker
character in them. Most of those deckers are SOMEWHAT
famous.

Hope that helps.

*"My middle name is Encyclopedia. That's right. Do-Encyclopedia-c'..."*

====Doc'
(aka Mr. Freaky Big, Super-Dynamic Troll of Tomorrow)

S.S. f. P.S.C. & D.J.

.sig Sauer
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Message no. 3
From: Rand Ratinac docwagon101@*****.com
Subject: Legendary Deckers
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 18:40:54 -0800 (PST)
> Fastjack is a decker, pure and simple, from what we
know, and one of the best, if not THE best. He's old,
yes, but I think he's human (I'd really like to know
where you got the "elf" thing from). If he IS an elf,
that makes him a spike baby, as he was around for the
awakening (check the Denver sourcebook, I believe).
Also not a lot of details to be found, but he pops up
in a lot of the sourcebooks. His only story
appearances that I can recall were in Into the Shadows
(in the two stories by Tom Dowd, I believe).

Oops...just remembered. Fastjack also appeared (if
only briefly and/or in passing - can't remember which)
in Night's Pawn (a novel by Dowd).

====Doc'
(aka Mr. Freaky Big, Super-Dynamic Troll of Tomorrow)

S.S. f. P.S.C. & D.J.

.sig Sauer
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Message no. 4
From: Razors Edge. razrzedge@*****.com
Subject: Legendary Deckers
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 19:49:36 -0800 (PST)
--- Rand Ratinac <docwagon101@*****.com> wrote:
> Oops...just remembered. Fastjack also appeared (if
> only briefly and/or in passing - can't remember
> which)
> in Night's Pawn (a novel by Dowd).

He also appears in the first Braided Novel, Into the
Shadows. He is a runner on a team, but I can't
remember which story.
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Message no. 5
From: Dan Calvert dcalvert@*****.msn.com
Subject: Legendary Deckers
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 22:52:16 -0600
On Monday, 12/6, at 4:36 PM, Matthew J. Chung wrote,


> I had an idea for a campaign but I'm a bit short on some details that
I
> hoped that some of you could fill in for me. Central to the campaign is a
> very good NPC decker. I could just make one up, and tell the players that
> the character have heard of the legendary <insert name here>, but it would
> be more satisfying to use someone that the players will recognize.

>snip<

What about Bull? (With his permission of course!) Everyone on the list knows
who he is, and he's actually mentioned in "Corporate Download", among
others. IMO he would be an appropriate "legend" if you didn't want to use
one of the books' characters.

And yes, Bull; as that rarest of pcs--a decker--myself, I do admire your
style.

Willow
Message no. 6
From: Rand Ratinac docwagon101@*****.com
Subject: Legendary Deckers
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 21:28:16 -0800 (PST)
> > Oops...just remembered. Fastjack also appeared (if
only briefly and/or in passing - can't remember which)
in Night's Pawn (a novel by Dowd).
>
> He also appears in the first Braided Novel, Into the
Shadows. He is a runner on a team, but I can't
remember which story.

*Doc' slaps his forehead, but tries REALLY hard not to
say anything...*


====Doc'
(aka Mr. Freaky Big, Super-Dynamic Troll of Tomorrow)

S.S. f. P.S.C. & D.J.

.sig Sauer
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Message no. 7
From: Twist0059@***.com Twist0059@***.com
Subject: Legendary Deckers
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1999 02:24:10 EST
In a message dated 12/6/99 9:41:48 PM Eastern Standard Time,
docwagon101@*****.com writes:

> Oops...just remembered. Fastjack also appeared (if
> only briefly and/or in passing - can't remember which)
> in Night's Pawn (a novel by Dowd).
>

Fastjack in Night's Pawn made a call to Priest when he was hiding out among
the Ancients. He was more than a little curt, given what happened to
.....frag, can't remember her name. The decker at the beginning of the novel
who was to break into Fuchi.

It was this scene where we get the infamous "Some people think Fastjack was a
member of Echo Mirage, but I know that's not so" thought from Priest.



-Twist
Message no. 8
From: Gordon McCormick gmcc@*********.ie
Subject: Legendary Deckers
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1999 09:57:42 +0000
On Mon, Dec 06, 1999 at 05:37:13PM -0500, Matthew J. Chung wrote:
> I had an idea for a campaign but I'm a bit short on some details that I
> hoped that some of you could fill in for me. Central to the campaign is a
> very good NPC decker. I could just make one up, and tell the players that
> the character have heard of the legendary <insert name here>, but it would
> be more satisfying to use someone that the players will recognize. What I'd
> be interested in know about some of the more famous NPC deckers,
> specifically I'd like to know what the decker does (I believe Captain Chaos
> runs the Seattle datahaven), any details about the character (I believe
> Fastjack is a fairly old elf), approximate ranking (Are they the best? One
> of the best?) which I realize is largely subjective, but your best guess
> would be nice, and I would also like to know where I can get more
> information on the character (a book with the character heavily involved
> could be useful). I'm not sure whether others on the list would be
> interested in any of this, so if you like you can e-mail me directly at
> mchung@*****.ca.

A good few of the more famous deckers are in R:AS in the shutdown
section. There's also Alice from Dragon Heart Saga, although she
may not be quite as famous.

gordon
Message no. 9
From: Mr. Zook zook@*********.net
Subject: Legendary Deckers
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1999 11:11:44 +0100
> On Mon, Dec 06, 1999 at 05:37:13PM -0500, Matthew J. Chung wrote:

[..famous deckers..]

Try Dodger, the elvish decker. He appears in every book of the
"Secrets of Power"(not sure how it's called in english?)-Trilogy,
AFAIR. I think he's pretty famous, even among other shadowrunners.

Mr.Z


--
Mr.Z, freelancing businessman
Specialist for redistributing foreign capital
Message no. 10
From: Gurth gurth@******.nl
Subject: Legendary Deckers
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1999 11:21:03 +0100
According to Matthew J. Chung, at 17:37 on 6 Dec 99, the word on the
street was...

> specifically I'd like to know what the decker does (I believe Captain Chaos
> runs the Seattle datahaven), any details about the character (I believe
> Fastjack is a fairly old elf)

I don't think his metatype has ever been mentioned; I'd assume him to be
human, from one of his comments in the Denver player's book.

> approximate ranking (Are they the best? One of the best?) which I
> realize is largely subjective, but your best guess would be nice, and I
> would also like to know where I can get more information on the
> character (a book with the character heavily involved could be useful).

If I were you, I'd go for FastJack. He is IMHO the most legendary decker
in the world, and _very_ capable. There are a few books where you can find
out more about him, one being the aforementioned Denver book, and another
is the Into The Shadows collection of short stories.

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
When you've seen how big the world is, how can you make do with this?
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Message no. 11
From: Mark A Shieh SHODAN+@***.EDU
Subject: Legendary Deckers
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1999 11:06:07 -0500 (EST)
"Gurth" <gurth@******.nl> writes:
> According to Matthew J. Chung, at 17:37 on 6 Dec 99, the word on the
> street was...
>
> > specifically I'd like to know what the decker does (I believe Captain Chaos
> > runs the Seattle datahaven), any details about the character (I believe
> > Fastjack is a fairly old elf)
>
> I don't think his metatype has ever been mentioned; I'd assume him to be
> human, from one of his comments in the Denver player's book.

<nod> He mentions his first machine, a Macintosh Firesomething
(purchased before the awakening) in R:AS IIRC. It's still running,
doing something techspeak like "tertiary I/O subsystem work" on his
current deck.
I think we'd have noticed the pointy ears by now.

Side note to the Macintosh comment: It's amazing how resistant
you are to hacking attempts if you run a non-standard architecture.
My housemate's machine is an Alpha running RedHat, and once she
managed to cobble RedHat together so it ran a couple of years ago
(RedHat now supports Alpha, but it didn't do so properly back then),
she has watched many people attempt break in and fail. Go 64 bit
integers!

> > approximate ranking (Are they the best? One of the best?) which I
> > realize is largely subjective, but your best guess would be nice, and I
> > would also like to know where I can get more information on the
> > character (a book with the character heavily involved could be useful).
>
> If I were you, I'd go for FastJack. He is IMHO the most legendary decker
> in the world, and _very_ capable. There are a few books where you can find
> out more about him, one being the aforementioned Denver book, and another
> is the Into The Shadows collection of short stories.

I agree with the first, but not the second. I don't think
he'd a "drek hot decker" in the traditional sense. I'd rate his
Computer B/R and Computer Theory skills somewhere astronomical, but
not his actual ability to deck. He can cobble together the most
amazing deck you've ever seen, he has the parts to do it, and he's
been coding so long he does it in his sleep, and is possibly the most
experienced decker still in the business. However, there's something
lacking in the reaction time of your typical 70-year old. I think
that any decent decker under his direct supervision with his deck
could do about as well.

IMHO, Dodger is also nothing extraordinary. He's a pretty hot
decker, about as good as any established PC. It's his fame and
contacts, not his actual skill.

Mark
Message no. 12
From: Twist0059@***.com Twist0059@***.com
Subject: Legendary Deckers
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1999 11:15:46 EST
In a message dated 12/7/99 11:08:13 AM Eastern Standard Time, SHODAN+@***.EDU
writes:

> MHO, Dodger is also nothing extraordinary. He's a pretty hot
> decker, about as good as any established PC. It's his fame and
> contacts, not his actual skill.


There was mention in one of the books about how "Dodger used to be great, now
he's special". I always took that to mean that his interaction with Morgan
made him a sort of Otaku, but I guess it all depends on how you view the Deep
Resonance. It seems to be AI-inspired one way or another, but a question
remains if true Otaku can be made by anything but Psychotrope.



-Twist

"We've never backed away from evil incarnate before, Peter, why this?"
"Evil incarnate can't sue, Frank."
Message no. 13
From: Lee Decker deckerl@******.com
Subject: Legendary Deckers
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1999 11:14:14 -0500
>
> Side note to the Macintosh comment: It's amazing how resistant
> you are to hacking attempts if you run a non-standard architecture.
> My housemate's machine is an Alpha running RedHat, and once she
> managed to cobble RedHat together so it ran a couple of years ago
> (RedHat now supports Alpha, but it didn't do so properly back then),
> she has watched many people attempt break in and fail. Go 64 bit
> integers!
>

Linux on an alpha is amazing. It was kinda nice that compaq killed
NT on Alpha, since linux is now the OS of choice for lots of folks who have
them. Gotta love it.
Linux on a PowerPC chip is fairly nice as well.


<SNIP>
> >
> > If I were you, I'd go for FastJack. He is IMHO the most
> legendary decker
> > in the world, and _very_ capable. There are a few books
> where you can find
> > out more about him, one being the aforementioned Denver
> book, and another
> > is the Into The Shadows collection of short stories.
>
> I agree with the first, but not the second. I don't think
> he'd a "drek hot decker" in the traditional sense. I'd rate his
> Computer B/R and Computer Theory skills somewhere astronomical, but
> not his actual ability to deck. He can cobble together the most
> amazing deck you've ever seen, he has the parts to do it, and he's
> been coding so long he does it in his sleep, and is possibly the most
> experienced decker still in the business. However, there's something
> lacking in the reaction time of your typical 70-year old. I think
> that any decent decker under his direct supervision with his deck
> could do about as well.
>
Why? I know quite a few old folks (particulary my grandfather) who are far
sharper
then alot of air headed 20 year olds I know. Besides in my book, skill has
an edge over
pure speed and reaction alot of times. I'd still count FJ as one of the
best. Besides he
may be 70 years old or better, but they do have leonization treatments.



> IMHO, Dodger is also nothing extraordinary. He's a pretty hot
> decker, about as good as any established PC. It's his fame and
> contacts, not his actual skill.
>
Dodger would also be up at the top, simply because of his exposure
to Morgan.
You may also want to include the Smiling Bandit in these lists if he isn't
already.
Message no. 14
From: Mark A Shieh SHODAN+@***.EDU
Subject: Legendary Deckers
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1999 13:13:42 -0500 (EST)
Twist0059@***.com writes:
> In a message dated 12/7/99 11:08:13 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> SHODAN+@***.EDU writes:
>
> > MHO, Dodger is also nothing extraordinary. He's a pretty hot
> > decker, about as good as any established PC. It's his fame and
> > contacts, not his actual skill.
>
> There was mention in one of the books about how "Dodger used to be
> great, now
> he's special". I always took that to mean that his interaction with Morgan
> made him a sort of Otaku, but I guess it all depends on how you view
> the Deep
> Resonance. It seems to be AI-inspired one way or another, but a question
> remains if true Otaku can be made by anything but Psychotrope.

Ah. I'm kind of anti-otaku, so I guess I'm biased. I always
viewed Dodger as a pretty good decker with a near-omnipowerful
brain-damaged guardian angel in the matrix and a few other useful
contacts.

Mark
Message no. 15
From: Wordman wordman@*******.com
Subject: Legendary Deckers
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1999 13:28:56 -0500
On Mon, Dec 06, 1999 at 05:37:13PM -0500, Matthew J. Chung wrote:
> I had an idea for a campaign but I'm a bit short on some details that
I
> hoped that some of you could fill in for me. Central to the campaign is a
> very good NPC decker.

Might not be exactly what you are looking for but:

http://bhopal.flashpt.com/internet/nagee.nsf/docs/npcdeckers

Wordman
Message no. 16
From: Wordman wordman@*******.com
Subject: Legendary Deckers
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1999 13:29:43 -0500
D'oh! Sorry, that URL should have been:

http://bhopal.flashpt.com/internet/nagee.nsf/docs/deckerpersonae

Wordman
Message no. 17
From: dghost@****.com dghost@****.com
Subject: Legendary Deckers
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1999 13:24:57 -0800
On Tue, 7 Dec 1999 11:06:07 -0500 (EST) Mark A Shieh <SHODAN+@***.EDU>
writes:
<SNIP>
> I agree with the first, but not the second. I don't think
> he'd a "drek hot decker" in the traditional sense. I'd rate his
> Computer B/R and Computer Theory skills somewhere astronomical, but
> not his actual ability to deck. He can cobble together the most
> amazing deck you've ever seen, he has the parts to do it, and he's
> been coding so long he does it in his sleep, and is possibly the most
> experienced decker still in the business. However, there's something
> lacking in the reaction time of your typical 70-year old. I think
> that any decent decker under his direct supervision with his deck
> could do about as well.
<SNIP>

Query: What if Fastjack has been getting Leónization? He'd have that
youthful reaction time back. :)

--
D. Ghost
Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend.
Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.
-Groucho Marx

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Message no. 18
From: Patrick Goodman remo@***.net
Subject: Legendary Deckers
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1999 20:42:32 -0600
From: Mark A Shieh
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 1999 10:06 AM

> > > (I believe Fastjack is a fairly old elf)

Define "old." FastJack was born in 1999.

> <nod> He mentions his first machine, a Macintosh Firesomething
> (purchased before the awakening) in R:AS IIRC.

An "old, sorry-state Mac Firestorm I found in my uncle's basement." It's in
DENVER, not RA:S.

> It's still running, doing something techspeak like "tertiary I/O
> subsystem work" on his current deck.

I love the fact that he lugs that chip around from deck to deck.

> > If I were you, I'd go for FastJack. He is IMHO the most
> > legendary decker in the world, and _very_ capable.
>
> I agree with the first, but not the second.

And I tend to disagree with you on your disagreement with the second
statement. But that's just me. <g>

> I don't think he'd a "drek hot decker" in the traditional sense.

Why not?

> However, there's something
> lacking in the reaction time of your typical 70-year old.

He's only 62 (admittedly, a nit), he's quite possibly been undergoing
Leonization, and in any event, physical reaction time means exactly dick in
the Matrix. I fail to see why you appear to think him less than wholly
worthy of his reputation.

> I think that any decent decker under his direct supervision with
> his deck could do about as well.

I don't think so. It's more than just the deck, after all.

I'm curious, now: Who do you think *is* a drek-hot, burn-the-Matrix decker,
if FastJack doesn't qualify?

--
(>) Texas 2-Step
El Paso: Never surrender. Never forget. Never forgive.
Message no. 19
From: . s t e f a n stefan@*****.org
Subject: Legendary Deckers
Date: Wed, 08 Dec 1999 04:09:02 +0100
Well as stated before there is always Fastjack and Dodger (personally i
prefer Dodger but then I am one of those elflovers).

There is a minor hord of deckers named in the novell Psycothrope, they all
should have gained a notch or two durring that book from the experience.

Then there are the Echo Mirage people that are still around and kicking (in
one sense or the other) like Alice (the wonderland chick) and not to ruin
any ones day but if you talk about EM survivors I guess you have to mention
Damien Knight ... doubt he is doint a how lot of hackin' now thou.

.stefan

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