| From: | David Hinkley <dhinkley@***.ORG> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: Runner's Attitudes |
| Date: | Thu, 3 Jul 1997 03:56:14 +0000 |
> From: Michael Broadwater <mbroadwa@*******.GLENAYRE.COM>
> Subject: Re: Runner's Attitudes
[SNIP]
> Hold it. In the long run, killing the shadowrunners that attacked and
> stole whatever and cost you all that nuyen can be cost effective. Here's
> why and why not, and maybe, this'll put things in a clearer light:
>
> Problem: Runner's have cost you millions in nuyen because they broke into
> your compound, stole something, and left.
>
> Current Situation: Well, the items gone. Whoever hired them has it, and
> has used it for their neferious purposes.
>
> What do you do?
>
> Well, you can let it slide, which would show that you're weak, and other
> runners will be hired by other corps to steal more stuff. Of course,
> you'll do the same to them.
Letting it slide does not necessarly demonstrate weakness. First of
all there are only three groups that really know what happened, the
target corp, the runners and the Johnson. And the Johnson only knows
what the runners were to do, and that they succeeded, he doesn't know
how or what they really did. And it is in none of these peoples
intrest to talk. The target gains nothing by advertising its
weakness. Anonymity is one othe keys to long life as a runner, so why
would they want to talk. And the Johnson has a lot to loose if the
target idenifies his corp. That leaves street rumors from second and
third hand sources of questionable reliablity.
> Well, you don't want to look weak, so how do you solve that? Well, you up
> your security, sure that'll help. But what else?
>
By not looking weak. The company line is that nothing happened, there
is no truth to the rumors. There never was a run. We don't know what
you are talking about. In fact you may not immedatly up grade
security, or fire the responsible security officials as that would
imply a break-down of the corps security. And if this is a division
of a larger corp then there is another insentive to keep it quiet,
internal company politics. After all you do not want you rival to
have something to take to the big boss and reduce your status/power.
> Lets look at this as if the corp in question was one of the big 8, since
> that's what Bob has been mentioning, and occasionally, had ignored.
> Admittedly, this situation works best with that kind of corp, and won't
> work as well with a lower tier corp (but then, that makes it smarter to run
> against them)
>
> So, the Big 8 corp needs to fix it's problem. What does it do? Well, it
> dumps money into security, like I said. Try to stop the problem before it
> becomes one. Well, what else does it do?
>
> First of all, if possible, you try to recover your lost money. Steal back
> the item. Unfortunately, this could be difficult, and while you may regain
> whatever was stolen, it may have become a moot point (if the US ever got a
> new, say, Russian MiG, they'd return it. Of course, they may take a good
> long look at it while it's here.)
>
> So, the corp has new, improved security. That's great. But it's reactive,
> and that still allows for runners to come in and break security and get out
> and cause problems. Not as many will get through, and that's good, but
> it'll still happen. Next option? Become proactive.
>
> That's right, take the fight to the runners that tried to screw you. OK,
> yeah, they're small, but they were good enough to cost you millions. So,
> drop some more cash (yeah, that's another loss, but just spend enough to
> kill them and let people know that it was you that did it).
>
> Now what? Well, it goes around that the last people who ran across that
> Big 8 got geeked, and so did the 4 teams before them. Sure 2 died inside,
> and 3 got out, but once they were out, it wasn't over.
This assumes that they can identify the team, locate them and
arrange an effective hit. This is not a simple task, good runners do
not leave calling cards. If the team is half way competent all the
corp has, is some poor quality photos of a group of individuals in
dark jump suits, balclava, and equipment vest. Gloves take care of
the finger print problem. Any euipment left behind is 'clean' and
untracable. This not a lot to start an investgation on. And who does
the corp haveto do this investgation? Four groups, the police,
legitament professionals (bounty hunters, P.I.s and the like),
corprate assets and other runners. with the exeption of the runners
the rest will have problems working the shadows effectively, after
all the residents of the shadows have little love of THE MAN and his
lackies. Money can be effective if you know who you are looking for
other wise it is a waste that attracts attention. This is not to say
that the flashy, high profile runners will not be eventualy
discovered but it will be a long, hard and expensive task. And in the
end the corp will not be able to be really sure they got the right
people.
> So now people don't want to run against you. Sure, they'll still work for
> you, if you treat them right. But run against? Hell no.
If the money is good, and the runners confident enough, a Johnson can
find a runner team willing to tackle any target. How good they are is
another question. In some respects it is like a mountain, no matter
how many are kill trying to climb it, there is always someone else
who is willing to attempt it.
David Hinkley
dhinkley@***.org
