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Message no. 1
From: BigDaddy <bigdaddy@*****.COM>
Subject: Return to the CZ
Date: Fri, 5 Jun 1998 13:40:07 -0400
>>>>>[Mitchell, you don't know one didly crap of what went on. Sure you
might have flown in supplies and food, but did u see where and who got it? The answer is
No! You dropped your load, feeling proud that you accomplished something, never looking
back. But did you see the people that got the supplies? No. If it weren't for me and some
of my runner pals the poor people of this city would have starved!
Go-ganger's,gutterpunks, and riffraff's were shooting they're way to the food, killing
whomever stood in their way. It took us quite a bit of ammo and "persuasion" to
get these punks to give up their claim.

Black marketeers? Hell they were only trying to keep people alive 50% of
the time. The other trash that wanted to sell food were otherwise
"eliminated". Me and my boyz did the best we could in there. With bugs
flying around day and nite, sleep is impossible. Forget about joining
the so-called "liberation" groups, those who wanted to break down the
wall, most were controlled by bugs themselves!

You worked out a way to kill the bugs! You worked out a way to kill the
bugs! Pardon me while i choke on that line of whoie! I'm not blaming you
(for once), the govt. didn't do didly lick! It took corps whose "assests
" were being "utilized" (read stolen), to help people survive. Those
same corps found a way to kill some of those bugs, fucking it up for
mages and shamans and those mystical folk, but i don't feel anything
wrong with the air nowadays.

Mitchell, to be honest i mourn the loss of your soliders,they died
fighting, I can drink to that.

I would rather have rotted in the CZ without your "help", than have the
governments claim they have solved the "bug problem". There are still
bugs in Chicago. I know it, my friends know it, they are still
there.]<<<<<
--BigDaddy <18:31:11/06-05-59>
Message no. 2
From: Erik Jameson <erikj@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Fri, 5 Jun 1998 14:27:42 -0400
>>>>>[BigDaddy, why don't you crawl back to your little hole in the CZ and
shut the frag up?! The Invae, oh sorry, the Bugs were something that no
one was prepared to deal with. What the frag did you expect the Feds to
do? They had no fraggin' choice but to create the CZ. It stranded and
killed thousands of people, but it kept potentially millions more alive.

The needs of the many very often outweigh the needs of the few or the one.
That's why the CZ was created. That's why it was handled like that. And
that's why Ares used to solution it did.

And you don't like the solution Ares offered? Because it also hit some
magicians and the ghouls? Cry me a damn river. It was necessary.]<<<<<
-- the Dark Stranger <19:31:11 GMT/06-05-59>
Message no. 3
From: Team ODIN <jhary-a-conel@***.NET>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Fri, 5 Jun 1998 22:43:20 +0200
>>>>>[ Stranger ... something to think about. We left the CZ literally
hours
before Ares/Knight Errant started moving in with their "solution". We spent
nearly
half a year inside, most of the time voluntary. Got to know several people -
Runners, Gangers, some morons from the Volk, and among them several
magicians, and some Ghuls.

We still keep (loose) contact to some of them. Yeah, this includes magicians
and ghouls. Start thinking, Stranger... what might that mean? From what I know
of you, you are a spell-tosser yourself, for the rest of you: According to a
shaman I know, ghouls are always active in this obscure astral area, what 'em
wizzards use as substitute the 'trix. Just like spirits. And - as I have been told -
bugs, or invae, are basically sprits, it's up to you what that means.

I hope you all dream well tonight. ]<<<<<
-- Orion <13:41:54/06-05-59>
Message no. 4
From: Erik Jameson <erikj@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Fri, 5 Jun 1998 17:32:11 -0400
>>>>>[So you and yours have been inside the CZ, Orion. As have I. Didn't
feel the need to stay myself, but perhaps you enjoyed the scenery more than
I did.

Think about what Orion? Am I supposed to be scared you have ghouls in the
CZ as friends? I'm impressed you managed to stay alive so long in the CZ,
but ghouls don't frighten me. I respect what you've done, but if you were
making a threat (and your message seemed to be vague enough that this is a
possibility), save your Matrix time and go harass Mitchell or something.
I've not got the time.

I'm well aware of the "side affects" of the solution Ares offered up. Even
had a look-see, from a distance of course, to see what was going on. Yes,
there are implications to their solution. And honestly, I can't claim to
have a major problem with it, especially since it did work for the most
part. So Ares has it. What are they going to do with it? There's neither
profit nor logic in their continued usage of the "solution."

But yes, it presents a potential problem. Would you prefer the CZ still
up? Would you have preferred they set off a bigger nuclear device? Would
you have preferred gathering every damn soldier and every shadowrunner in
North America to try and duke it out one on one? What would have been your
solution Orion?

The "solution" only fragged those magicians that had astral contact of some
sort while in a contaminated area. It's too bad, but those are the breaks.
As they say, shit happens.

As for the ghouls, well, you can be friends with them. I'll content myself
with collecting bounties on them. Oh wait, hadn't you heard? They aren't
a metahuman species anymore. Seems some scientists got some balls, ignored
Tamir Grey's propaganda, did some new work, and guess what? They came back
to their original conclusion, that they're all infected with HMHVV. So
until they find a cure for the Krieger strain, I'll keep gunning them down
when I see them.

I for one, will finish my bit of the Strathisla and enjoy a nice eight
hours or so of dreamless sleep. Goodnight.]<<<<<
-- the Dark Stranger <22:41:54 GMT/06-05-59>
Message no. 5
From: Team ODIN <jhary-a-conel@***.NET>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Sat, 6 Jun 1998 00:45:08 +0200
>>>>>[ You didn't think this to the end, Stranger, and no, I am not
uttering
threats at you. Wouldn't do that.

Let's leave it at that, and happy sleeping. ]<<<<<
-- Orion <17:44:01/06-05-59>
Message no. 6
From: "Paul J. Adam" <shadowtk@********.DEMON.CO.UK>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Fri, 5 Jun 1998 23:41:17 +0100
>>>>>[I didn't know 'diddly crap'? Right. What did I know, I was only in
there on the ground.

The Air Farce flew in the food. Some bozo with a gun grabs it and
decides to sell it rather than share it. We kill Bozo. Life goes on.

So "you and some of your runner pals" made sure people ate. What did you
ask in return? How did you get to the food? What did you demand for it
once you had it? You wasted ammo and risked getting shot... for free?

I am so sorry, BigDaddy, I do not believe you.


You'd rather have rotted in the CZ? Well, fine. Fuck you, too. How come
you're still alive, then?

A lot of my people would still be alive, and you'd be dead, if we'd done
that. Instead we put it on the line to help you fucking criminal
scumbags. Good people died every fucking day, so you can sit here today
whining about how evil the Government was and how you'd rather die than
accept Federal help.

If so, why are you alive? Why didn't you refuse to eat airdropped food?
That was "what we did for you". That was part of our "help".

Where do you think your ammo was coming from? That was something else we
were doing. You were happy enough to shoot it off when it suited you.
Now, safe, fat, dumb and happy, you say you'd rather rot than accept our
help. Not the way it went back then, BigDaddy.


Would you rather the Navy _hadn't_ lost three aircraft and six crew
incinerating the Wasp nest in the Yarnell building? Oh, I guess that was
"government help" too, you'd rather we left them there breeding and
feeding happily.


You fucking cowardly ungrateful son-of-a-bitch. Hundreds of men and
women giving their lives to keep you alive, and all you can do is whine.

Yeah, you're a true shadowrunner all right. In the Zone you're
parasiting on others. Outside, alive, everything was someone else's
fault. Blame the government, blame the corps, blame anyone.

There's still bugs in Chicago? Surprise, surprise. But did you bother
_telling_ anyone where, except "somewhere inside the Wall"? Others did.
Others stayed to carry on cleaning up. You just ran.

Even leeches have more dignity than you.]<<<<<
-- LCdr C F Mitchell <23:34:32/06-05-59>
Strategic Intelligence Gathering Agency

*****PRIVATE: Lilith
>>>>>[You edit one fucking word of that and I am getting some silver
bullets made.

I will accept that I was out of line with some of these fuckers. But I
will _not_ let this scumbag slander the hundreds who died helping him
and his kind.

You worked inside the Zone too. You know what I mean.

I'll listen to criticism about Chicago from guys like the ODIN crowd.
They earned the right. This guy didn't.]<<<<<
-- Mitchell <23:35:43/06-05-69>

*****PRIVATE: Mitchell
>>>>>[Actually, I didn't go over the Wall. Jason did, repeatedly.

I agree with enough of what you say that I won't stop you saying it. But
it's not _entirely_ true. There _were_ some groups motivated by
altruism. Just very few of them.

And I agree, BigDaddy's casual dismissal of the lives sacrificed to save
him... rankles.]<<<<<
-- Lilith <23:38:43/06-05-59>
Message no. 7
From: Erik Jameson <erikj@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Fri, 5 Jun 1998 20:14:15 -0400
>>>>>[Think *what* through to *where* Orion? You are being damnably vague,
and my thoughts are better directed on other matters right now to spend
much time puzzling it.]<<<<<
-- the Dark Stranger <10:04:01 GMT/06-06-59>
Message no. 8
From: Avenger <Avenger@*******.DEMON.CO.UK>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Sat, 6 Jun 1998 01:22:58 +0100
>>>>>[

+++++Uplink status: 93%
+++++Access: *****/****-*


Without trying to start an argument. What planet do you come from
Stranger? The CZ saved millions? How? It kept a large nest contained.
Was that it? My god, you mean those that died in the cities and
wildlands. The federal attacks and cleansing of the Brotherhood and the
reports from Europe, South America and Africa mean nothing? Because the
CZ kept the bugs at home. Well, shit, me and mine must have been
fighting fucking illusions for the past two years.]<<<<<
-- Gates <01:21:22/06-05-59>
Acanceh Archaeological Expedition
Yucatan
Message no. 9
From: BigDaddy <bigdaddy@*****.COM>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Sat, 6 Jun 1998 01:50:30 -0400
>>>>>[Look Darky, you spotabe twit, what Ares did was fine by me, hell i
ain't no mage. If it fucks up their "aura" or whatever who cares! Obviously you
do! Hell were you in the CZ? Did you see the pain and suffering? Did you hear the cries of
the tormented being destroyed, decimated, and devoured by the creatures that roamed the
nite? UMMMMMM NO! So shut that pretty lil hole on your mouth, twerp or shall I do it for
you?]<<<<<
--BigDaddy<01:34:10/06-06-59>
Message no. 10
From: BigDaddy <bigdaddy@*****.COM>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Sat, 6 Jun 1998 01:56:27 -0400
*****PRIVATE: Mitchel
>>>>>[ In response to your last post: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, <snore>
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz


oh yes:
ps shit happens, cope]<<<<<<
--BigDaddy<01:19:10/06-06-59>
Message no. 11
From: BigDaddy <bigdaddy@*****.COM>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Sat, 6 Jun 1998 01:59:13 -0400
******PRIVATE: Gates
>>>>>[Finnally a chummer who can agree with me! Anytime you come into good
ole Chi'cago, stop by and rehash the ole times my friend. My resteraunt is always open to
bug killers.]<<<<<
--BigDaddy<04:12:13/<06-06-59>
Message no. 12
From: Jaimie Nicholson <jaimie.nicholson@********.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Sun, 7 Jun 1998 11:09:27 +1200
>>>>>[What he meant, Dark Stranger (and correct me if I'm wrong, Orion),
was that he knew some ghouls in the CZ, and he still knows them now, thus
they must have survived the astral bacteria, so maybe some insects might
have too.]<<<<<
-- Lightning <18:35:25/06-06-59>
Message no. 13
From: Avenger <Avenger@*******.DEMON.CO.UK>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Sun, 7 Jun 1998 22:54:10 +0100
*****PRIVATE: BigDaddy
>>>>>[


+++++Uplink status: 71%
+++++Access: *****/****-*

Thanks...

Damn... <signal loss>

<1.2mp lost>

That's better. Goddamn I hate these storms. I don't think there's much
chance that we're likely to return to Chicago anytime soon BigD. We
lost far too many friends and colleagues in that fucked up hellhole.
Thanks for the offer though.

+++++Uplink terminated]<<<<<
-- Gates <22:53:31/06-07-59>
Message no. 14
From: BigDaddy <bigdaddy@*****.COM>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Sun, 7 Jun 1998 20:47:01 -0400
*****PRIVATE: Gates

>>>>>[ Well then bub if you can't come on up here the least you can do is
tell me where the hell you went and lost your pals. Maybe they might be kickin' and
screamin' round here. Alot o' my friends were presumed "lost" but all we had to
do was turn over a couple o'lil' hives and viola! found em! The offer still stands if your
ever around my time zone look me up. Ya can't miss me ;) ]<<<<<
--BigDaddy <20:46:51/06-07-59>
Message no. 15
From: Team ODIN <jhary-a-conel@***.NET>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 1998 10:15:54 +0200
***** PRIVATE: Gates
>>>>>[ +++++Relay via Azt-09-3487.sat

Gates? ... Gates?

You and Red Shift still out there? And still stuck in the rain forests? I'd thought
you'd be sensible enough to leave that damn bloodsucking area that cost Clint's
live?

How are you doing? Is there something we can do to help you? Mind, we're not
too well-doing by now, the wars have cost us plenty, but whatever we can do will
be done...

signed: Team ODIN (still kickin') ]<<<<<
-- Orion <01:05:06/06-08-59>
Message no. 16
From: Erik Jameson <erikj@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 1998 13:37:26 -0400
>>>>>[Gates, I never stated nor implied that Chicago was the only place in
which the Invae could be found. I fully realize that the problem is far
from solved. I fully realize that individuals and groups like yourself
have dedicated and lost much to the fight against the "Bugs." I have
fought the Invae many times myself, and while I might question the sanity
of your crusade, your actions against the Invae clearly have saved lives.

What I *am* saying however is that if nothing had been done about the
Chicago hive (which, according to most estimates, was not only the largest
hive in North America, but possibly in the world (though this is disputed)
then the entire Mid West and more would have been in grave danger. Instead
of a relatively small area of Chicago being walled off, it would have been
the entire city.

As I said before, sometimes the needs of the many are more important than
the needs of the one or the few. Sometimes sacrifices must be made for the
greater good.]<<<<<
-- the Dark Stranger <16:24:22 GMT/06-08-59>
Message no. 17
From: Erik Jameson <erikj@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 1998 13:37:33 -0400
>>>>>[Actually, BigDaddy/SmallPenis, I did spend some time in the CZ while
the wall was still officially up. I saw the pain and the suffering. I
cacked a few thugs along with the "Bugs" and I even managed to piss off the
White Queen before making my way back out.

And the next time I'm in Chicago, we'll dance. I'll lead...]<<<<<
-- the Dark Stranger <16:34:10 GMT/06-08-59>


*****PRIVATE: BigDaddy
>>>>>[Let me put it to you simply so your single trog synapse can
understand it.

I got magic special for kill kill troll. Me use on troll, troll fall down,
not get up.

Here's the same thing another way. I've got a nice little "Troll Slayer"
spell with your name on it and once I'm done with my business in England,
I'll be more than happy to show it to you. You'll be dead before you even
get a chance to blink.

You may have survived the CZ, but I've been a hired killer for well over a
decade now. I've killed more people than you've taken shits. Care to join
the list, troggie?

Don't frag with me you ignorant trog. I'll turn your warty ass into bug
food.]<<<<<
-- the Dark Stranger <16:39:31 GMT/06-08-59>
Message no. 18
From: Erik Jameson <erikj@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 1998 13:37:37 -0400
>>>>>[Lightning & Orion: Well of course there's still bugs in Chicago.
I
thought you were attempting to imply something else. I missed the obvious,
since I thought everyone knew that.]<<<<<
-- the Dark Stranger <16:44:25 GMT/06-08-59>
Message no. 19
From: Brion Wauters <stu2204@****.COCO.CC.AZ.US>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 1998 16:09:59 -0700
>>>>>[Actually, Mitchell, there _are_ some 'Runners who are out there to
help folks and make the world a better place, hard as that is to
belive. You lost good people and I'm sorry for that. But alot of
'Runners died in the CZ trying to protect the civies and hunting bugs.
If you want respect for your fallen, you have to show it to ours,
too.]<<<<<
-- Irish <16:09:50/08-06-59>
Message no. 20
From: BigDaddy <bigdaddy@*****.COM>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 1998 22:03:24 -0400
*****PRIVATE:the Dark Stranger
>>>>>[Any day of the week you lil human pussy, you drag your lil pink
fleshy ass up to my place. We dance my dance. Ever play in the big leagues? I luv to run a
48-slant on Blue. I turn your legs to nice pretty mushy pulp. Then i crack that magic head
o' yours open and see whats inside. Might find a brain cell or 2. Come on fatboy, lets
see how u fare with the bigboys in Chicago. Until then, shut the lil fat, tubby hole on
your face. Or will i need to throw my trogy trog fist down your cakehole? hmmmmm? your
choice.]<<<<<
--BigDaddy <21:45:13/06-08-59>
Message no. 21
From: Erik Jameson <erikj@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Tue, 9 Jun 1998 13:04:06 -0400
*****PRIVATE: BigDaddy
>>>>>[So you claim to have played in the Big Leagues. Urban Brawl?
Football? Why should I care? Have *you* played in the shadow big leagues?
Since I've never heard of you until you opened your tusky mouth, I don't
think so. But check the logs SmallPenis. I've been in the big leagues for
years. Even that SIGA storm trooper Mitchell knows better than to try and
fuck with me.

You really think you can run with me? You really think you can really play
with a initiated combat mage with thirteen plus years experience slinging
Troll Slayer spells? Does your single synapse honestly believe you can
handle Troll Slayers that have cut down bigger and badder trogs than you
will somehow avoid the same fate?

If you're really that stupid, keep it up tusker. I'll be hunting for you
and there's no escaping me.]<<<<<
--the Dark Stranger <15:45:13 GMT/06-09-59>
Message no. 22
From: Avenger <Avenger@*******.DEMON.CO.UK>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 1998 23:07:50 +0100
*****PRIVATE: BigDaddy
>>>>>[

+++++Initiating uplink:
+++++Access Authorisation: GATES *****/****-****/**
+++++Access granted:
+++++Establishing Link: Hous 4322.43 GSO: SA7d


I guess you got an automated response, but I'll reply anyway. I wasn't
out of touch for as long as I thought I'd be. Don't worry yerself about
tryin' to find missin' people on my count. I know they're dead, I
watched them die. Thanks for the thought tho'.]<<<<<
-- Gates <22:45:23/06-09-59>
Message no. 23
From: Avenger <Avenger@*******.DEMON.CO.UK>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 1998 23:08:14 +0100
*****PRIVATE: Dark Stranger
>>>>>[

+++++Initiating uplink:
+++++Access Authorisation: GATES *****/****-****/**
+++++Access granted:
+++++Establishing Link: Hous 4322.43 GSO: SA7d


Guess I must have misunderstood ya then, but it sure looked to me like
you were bein' pretty damn flippant about things there bud. OK, if I
got ya wrong, then I'm man enough to say sorry. I just had the feelin'
from what you was sayin' that things was all great now, coz the UCAS
gov'mint had sorted Chitown. I don't know the details of that
particular miracle, but I don't believe it. I can't agree with you
'bout the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few. I've lost
some close friends because of that stupid philosophy. I know what it
means, I jus' don't agree with it.]<<<<<
-- Gates <22:39:11/06-09-59>
Message no. 24
From: Avenger <Avenger@*******.DEMON.CO.UK>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 1998 23:08:28 +0100
*****PRIVATE: Orion
>>>>>[

+++++Initiating uplink:
+++++Access Authorisation: GATES *****/****-****/**
+++++Access granted:
+++++Establishing Link: Hous 4322.43 GSO: SA7d


Orion? You're still alive? Jeesus. I never expected to hear from you
agin. Last I heard you'd gone back into the CZ on some crazed mission
for the government, we didn't hear a sound after that. Our only link in
Seattle was killed by some slot called Haze from what I understand.
Can't complain I suppose, seems that he was working for the Feds when
Haze capped him. No grudges held by Blaze thankfully.


Yeah, we're still out here. We can't leave, Shado would kill each and
every one of us if we even considered it. The operation that killed DA
was somewhat suspect, we've not found any evidence of his body, nor any
remains, but the other members of his squad were present - albeit in
their component parts. She believes he's alive somewhere, held prisoner
maybe, and while there's a chance of that, she won't leave, and we won't
leave her alone. We've got a new leader (well sort of). Name's Henson,
he's no Clint, but he's a good ol' boy so no complaints. Hey dig this,
we've got our own air force now. Well, it's only three ground attack
planes and Nemesis' chopper but it rocks! <smile> O'course they're
grounded right now, some sorry excuse about not being able to fly on
vapour. Damn good pilots though, they pulled us out of a tight one a
while back. It's kinda weird, looking back on things. So much has
changed, yet it all remains the same. We've been getting scattered
reports from the Amazon and a few other places. It seems the bugs are
extensive down here, fucking little creeps are burrowed deep into the
jungles and the military can't dig 'em out. I guess the UCAS were lucky
with Chicago. What the hell was that stuff they released anyway. I got
a harebrained message saying the wall was down and the bugs had all been
killed. Something I personally find impossible to believe. It's
impossible to kill a cockroach when it's normal sized, but when they're
8 feet long and fight back... Well.


Anyway we're fine, there's five left of the original core, we lost
Pharaoh and a couple of others, Wells is still with us, though he's been
through the wars. Shit, where do I start, so much has happened since
Chitown. Suffice to say, that a few of your friends still survive down
here, though I doubt you'd recognise them anymore, and yes, before you
ask, we're still looking for that damn focus that had Clint so fired up
back in pre-history. What can I say? We're doing it because we want
to, or because of his memory. I don't know, but we're still searching.
There's a good chance that we'll be heading down into Brazil and the
Amazon after some of it, assuming that we can confirm that it lives
there, our resident archaeologist thinks that the core parts may have
travelled into Peru - oh boy what a fun place to visit.


There's some serious money to be made down here for anyone who doesn't
mind foul weather, stinking jungles, insects, and bad guys. There are
three revolutions occurring at random intervals, several resistance
movements, and a whole bunch of Government backed operations into the
smuggling trade here. BTL's and drugs move out, slaves move in. But it
ain't for the weak hearted, it cost us most of Red Shift, but we're rich
- well sort of. OK, on paper we're stinking rich, but in truth I guess
we're about as poor as we always were. If you catch my meaning.


I don't think there's much you can do, unless y'all want a break from
the city life. We're at some dig called Acanceh at the moment,
somewhere in the jungle of the Yucatan. I'm sure it would brighten the
lives of the survivors to see a friend. I can't recommend the place,
but it has certain advantages. No Feds, no grime, no smog and no
traffic. The downsides are obvious. <g> I guess mainly just keep
yourselves alive, keep well, and give our regards to Canis and the rest.
Nice to see Odin are still kickin'.


Look, you take care of yourselves, and any time you want a break from
the rat race in the big cities, just remember, you and yours will always
be welcome here, Red Shift never forget their friends, even if we do
lose contact with them occasionally.


I've gotta go, apparently there are some rocks that need breaking.
<wink> I'll try to catch ya later.]<<<<<
-- Gates <22:36:23/06-09-59>
Message no. 25
From: Avenger <Avenger@*******.DEMON.CO.UK>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 1998 23:08:52 +0100
*****Private: BigDaddy
>>>>>[This is an automated response. The recipient of your message
is...

+++++Interrupt transmission: (y/n) Y
+++++Authorisation: ***.**/**-*****-***/*
+++++Authorised: Transmission interrupted


Sorry BigDaddy, I'm afraid Gates is temporarily unavailable. I presume
he's out of reach of an uplink. Rather than leave you sitting around
waiting for a response, and also as a word of caution, I have
intercepted this transmission. It's OK, I have Gates' authorisation to
do so in times of need.


I'm sure that under normal circumstances he would be more than happy to
transmit information concerning his companions, but I can assure you
they are dead. He was part of an operation outside of the CZ and became
involved in a rather messy extraction of a family from the Zone. The
resultant battle and subsequent conflicts resulted in 72 dead, 13
injured and 4 MIA presumed dead. The only thing we do know is that the
MIA are not within Chicago, they were taken by a Nest. I think you can
guess their fate. This is part of the reason why you will not see
Gates, or his companions in Chicago. Too many memories of close friends
lost. Also, it is part of the reason why he is unavailable a great deal
of the time. He, and other members of his unit have been fighting the
Invae for over two years and even now carry the fight to other nests and
hives here in their point of origin. I don't know the full details of
their quest, but suffice to say that it is not an easy one, and carries
them out of range of general transmissions for months at a time.


Hopefully this will help you somewhat in understanding why he doesn't
always answer mail. This is the one and only time I will respond, any
further messages will be kept in storage and may or may not be answered
when Gates is near an uplink.]<<<<<
-- Stonewall <22:08:32/06-09-59>
Message no. 26
From: Erik Jameson <erikj@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Tue, 9 Jun 1998 17:06:29 -0400
*****PRIVATE: Gates
>>>>>[I believe the phrase is "No harm no foul."

I well understand that the Invae still exist, but they have been hurt, they
have suffered major set backs. But they still exist. And they still pose
a threat; though I have seen things that would make the Invae seem like the
insignificant bugs that they take the shapes of.

I don't suppose that you and I would ever enjoy a drink together, even in
"peace time," but such is life. But you've no enemy in me.

I wish you luck in your crusade.]<<<<<
-- the Dark Stranger <23:09:11 GMT/06-09-59>
Message no. 27
From: BigDaddy <bigdaddy@*****.COM>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Tue, 9 Jun 1998 22:29:14 -0400
*****PRIVATE: the Dark Stranger
>>>>>[In one word: YAWN. Talk is cheap mojo boy. Why hunt any farther?
>>>LTG<<<, come speak to Daddy.

ps Homer is watching]<<<<<
--BigDaddy<22:12:34/06-09-59>


*****PRIVATE: Homer
>>>>>[Homer me boy! Long time no chat. Listen I gotta call on ya for a
favor. This one human fuka-monkey has been harrasssing me. I gave him a LTG I want you to
monitor. Get back to me on anyting you can do to trace his signal. Thanx
bub.]<<<<<
--BigDaddy<23:34:11/06-09-59>

*****PRIVATE:BigDaddy
>>>>>[Ain't no thing but a chicken wing on a string.]<<<<<
--Homer<01:11:31/06-10/59>
Message no. 28
From: Erik Jameson <erikj@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 1998 12:33:00 -0400
*****PRIVATE: BigDaddy
>>>>>[Homer is watching? Gee, why don't I just pick up the phone right
now? I'll save your decker friend some trouble tracing the call. I'm in
England you slot.

But as soon as my business here is done, well, I've got an open ticket on a
suborbital into Chicago.]<<<<<
-- the Dark Stranger <10:12:34 GMT/06-10-59>


*****PRIVATE: Wildsmasher
>>>>>[I need info on someone, I'm guessing a decker, by the name of
"Homer." Usual fee.]<<<<<
-- the Dark Stranger <10:13:21 GMT/06-10-59>


*****PRIVATE: the Dark Stranger
>>>>>[Homer? Chicago decker. Got an oddball icon and a powertool fetish,
but he's okay. He's no Fastjack, but's he's not some wilson with a
training deck either. Considering I don't even know where your nuyen comes
from, I'm pretty sure your credit rating should be secure. But you should
make sure to run whatever diagnostics and protective software before and
after accessing the Matrix, just to make sure he hasn't tried to slip
something in your deck.

Hope you're having fun in jolly old England.]<<<<<
-- Wildsmasher <22:34:24/06-10-59>
Message no. 29
From: Avenger <Avenger@*******.DEMON.CO.UK>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 1998 04:34:39 +0100
*****PRIVATE: Dark Stranger
>>>>>[

+++++Initiating uplink:
+++++Access Authorisation: GATES *****/****-****/**
+++++Access granted:
+++++Establishing Link: Hous 4322.43 GSO: SA7d

I don't know what the phrase is man, you lost me on that one.

Well what can I say? You understand that they still exist. Fine.
That's all that matters isn't it. Perhaps we both used a poor choice of
words. It's been rough where I am, and I've been a bit sensitive of
late. We've all seen things that make the bugs look like a sad joke.
There are things here in the jungle that make the invae seem tame in
comparison, and other things that live outside of normal sight. A
companion once tried to explain some of that to me, but it just confused
me. You have no enemy in me Dark Stranger, not just because your name
is similar to a well respected and loved companion, but because I have
no reason to hate you. Perhaps we could never enjoy a drink together,
but that would be because of distance, not because of animosity. I
don't hold grudges, and I don't hold with irrational hatred, and when
the bottle is cracked weapons are stacked. Until once upon a time has
arrived Stranger.]<<<<<
-- Gates <04:33:21/06-10-59>
Acanceh Archaeological Expedition
Message no. 30
From: Erik Jameson <erikj@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Return to the CZ
Date: Thu, 11 Jun 1998 13:46:20 -0400
*****PRIVATE: Gates
>>>>>[I believe the phrase "No harm, no foul" is a sports phrase,
most
commonly used in basketball I believe. I've had to do a little reading up
on popular sports recently. To be quite honest, it's a bit "blue-collar"
for me, but it pays to at least pretend like you know something about
sports sometimes.

But fair enough. Good luck in your quest.]<<<<<
-- the Dark Stranger <14:33:21 GMT/06-11-59>

Further Reading

If you enjoyed reading about Return to the CZ, you may also be interested in:

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Thwap!