Back to the main page

Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: Dark Elf <VESPOSIT@****.SUNYSB.EDU>
Subject: what the?
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 92 18:18:14 EST
>>>>>[ Aw man!!!! Aztechnology changed all the passcodes on their telecomm
sats!!!! I think I know why though, when I doctored one of their
telesats for the local trid pirates I noticed some encrypted entries
in the duty logs. I won't know for shure until I get back in, but I
think that telecomm operations are only ONE feature of the Aztech sats.
Can you say orbital military platform? I knew you could ]<<<<<
---Dark Elf <I guess the Tir will have to wait>
Message no. 2
From: Dark Elf <VESPOSIT@****.SUNYSB.EDU>
Subject: what the??
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 93 16:15:04 EST
>>>>>[ Wow, there's some serious backlog on this BBS! RUFUS arrived here
about ten hours ago, but I didn't notice. Thank you RUFUS! You may be our
only hope of slowing MONICA down until Norm and Yoshida finish their mission.
I can't figure out what the hell this persona that's forming here is, any ideas
RUFUS? ]<<<<<
---Dark Elf <16:19:06/02-17-54>

>>>>>[ DE, better be careful, Tommy left about an hour ago. I came in and
no
one was there to ride shotgun for you and pull your jack. I'll stick around
until he comes back. ]<<<<<
---Napalm <16:20:17/02-17-54>
Message no. 3
From: "M. Van Altena" <altena@***.WISC.EDU>
Subject: What the......?
Date: Thu, 1 Jul 1993 14:53:53 CDT
***** Encrypt: ##BABYCAKES##
>>>>>[Flitter, Nightshade- I'm sure I just saw that elf, but .... Oh
drek!!!!
The magic's a flyin'!!! Gotta run like NOW!!!]<<<<<
-- Swift <14:50:01 / 7-1-54>
Message no. 4
From: Can I play with madness <MKNABUSCH@******.BITNET>
Subject: What the?!?!
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 1994 14:10:07 -0500
>>>>>[Masque! What the frag HAPPENED?!?! Are you psycho?
What went down, I want to know now! Collossuss just told me
...aw drek fraggin mother of *****Encrypt Delivery***** Crap.
Almost went to far. Ok. What gives, Masque. You see that I'm
upset. Almost forgot to encrypt this. Collossuss dropped me a
message that you broke Wizards collar bone with your hand and
strained his back muscles from throwing him into the wall. He told
me Wiz is in the Hosp. recovering. What the heck was all that about?]<<<<<
-Harlequin <Not my day>
Message no. 5
From: Ed Matuskey <MATUSKEY@***.EDU>
Subject: What the--?
Date: Wed, 1 Jun 1994 23:19:03 -0700
>>>>>[Anyone get a message, no time/date stamp, no ID--looks like
there was an error in transmission--with a quote about darkness at the
end? My own copy couldn't be made out much, except for fragments, one
of which looked like my name. And that quote at the end, it reminded
me of a lad I once knew.....

D? Are you out there laddie!? I'm attempting to reconstruct your
message, but it came through garbled, the pulses were corrupted.
I'll put a frame in this node that will try and trace yor next
transmission--talk to me!]<<<<<
--Highlander (23:21:22/6-1-55)
Message no. 6
From: THEY ONLY WIN IF WE LET THEM <MKNABUSCH@****.ALBION.EDU>
Subject: What the?
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 1995 16:14:52 -0500
>>>>>>[Can someone come get me? Its been a long two months
over here and this is the first terminal I have had access to
in that time. And I hate Indian cuisine!]<<<<<<
-Styx <01:22:40/01-27-56>
Message no. 7
From: Mike Ruane <Nethicus@***.COM>
Subject: What the...?
Date: Wed, 12 Apr 1995 20:28:58 -0400
>>>>>[I find this ultimately disturbing. I come back form a couple of days
of astral travel and I find a bunch of deckers playing war. I don't even
WANT to ask. Call me if you guys need any magical healing after beating the
crap out of each other.]<<<<<
--- Spellslinger (17:21:34/4-12-56)

>>>>>[All I gotta say is that I got a few more jobs than usual because some
deckers were off doing other things. Thanks for the work, gentleman &
gentlewomen!]<<<<<
-- Intrigue (19:10:30/4-12-56)
Message no. 8
From: D'Arkan <D'Arkan@********.DEMON.CO.UK>
Subject: What the????
Date: Wed, 8 Jan 1997 23:16:18 +0000
*****INTERNAL: Achilles Project, SAC D'Arkan
>>>>>[We picked this off the matrix about 10 minutes ago. It looks
serious sir.

+++++Include: Thunda 22:47:18/01-08-58


What is that? A bomb or something?]<<<<<
-- Agent Johnson <32:55:39/01-08-58>
FBI Matrix Division, Achilles Project
Seattle, UCAS


*****INTERNAL: Achilles Project
>>>>>[I have no idea. Get someone over here from the Ares weapons
division, and fast. I want TacOps in here within the hour. Get the SO
team on line and inform Seattle HQ, and DC. Get hold of Lynch, he might
have an idea. Whatever that is, it's bigger than his previous toys. I
want Samuels from LSS bomb Disposal in here _immediately_, use an LAV,
and threaten him with a gun if he's awkward, but get him.


Get the file to forensics, see if they can pull any background sounds
out of that transmission, and get a trace on it, there may be some
residual data left in the matrix, if we even get a district, it's better
than we've got now. Shake it people.]<<<<<
-- SAC C. D'Arkan <22:57:18/01-08-58>
FBI, Achilles Project
Seattle, UCAS


*****INTERNAL: Achilles Project, Analysis, Washington DC
>>>>>[


+++++INCLUDE: Thunda <22:47:18/01-08-58>


We have a situation, and need an identification on the device. If
initial suspicions are correct we have a bomb considerably larger than
anything Goldsmith has so far used, and approximately 35 hours to find
it. We need identification of the device, there's a portion of what
looks like a serial number in the top right of camera shot.]<<<<<
-- ASAC Crawley <23:02:12/01-08-58>
FBI, Achilles Project
Seattle, UCAS
Message no. 9
From: D'Arkan <D'Arkan@********.DEMON.CO.UK>
Subject: Re: What the????
Date: Thu, 9 Jan 1997 05:09:39 +0000
*****INTERNAL: Achilles Project, Seattle, SAC D'Arkan
>>>>>[Initial analysis of the object in question suggests it is a Mk23
Minuteman, one of the late Blue Angel variety.


We are awaiting confirmation from AFBMO and UCASAF-ADC. RCSC has
nothing on record in your area that matches that item, where he got from
is not known. Optimism is high. We do not, I repeat _not_ think it's
live. He was very careful to hide the majority of the casing from the
camera, so suspicion is that he has either faked it, or got himself part
of the housing. That is not a live weapon. NMC also denies any live
nuclear devices available in the Seattle area. Suspicion is the
demonstration is for dramatic purposes, we do not suspect any form of
nuclear capability.


However, that is not a small device, if he has followed normal
procedure, that is a nasty piece of work, and you can expect to find it
filled with the highest grade explosive he can acquire. That makes for
one mother firework. We estimate, that _if_ he has manufactured
somehow, even one tenth of the casing, you have a bomb powerful enough
to level Renraku.


Find it D'Arkan, for christs sake find the fucking thing. If it goes
off, we'll feel the aftershock in DC.


FOAVA are analysing the recording, but it's not good, you'll have to
rely on your people, they've got the original copy.


We have been in touch with NITO at Everett, and you have full co-
operation from the I/WCM staff up there. You find it, let the Navy
defuse it.


Thanks, D'Arkan, you've just given me another sleepless night.]<<<<<
-- Capt. Brian T. Shadrell <01:39:23/01-09-58)
Achilles Project, FBI Headquarters
Hoover Building, Washington DC.


*****INTERNAL: Achilles Project
>>>>>[Forensics can't find much of anything in the background for
Thunda's post, either he muffled the recording beyond his own area, or
there's nothing there to hear. However, they have come up with
something.


+++++Include: Thunda5A-7.vcr
+++++Include: Thunda2-G1.au


That's all we've got sir.]<<<<<
-- Agent Hampton <04:42:31/01-09-58>
FBI, Achilles Project
Seattle, FBI


*****INTERNAL: Achilles Project
>>>>>[Agents, Groves, Hampton, Lowry. My office. Crawley, are SO ready?
and where the hell are TacOps.]<<<<<
-- SAC D'Arkan <04:44:17/01-09-58>
FBI, Achilles Project
Seattle, FBI


*****INTERNAL: Achilles Project
>>>>>[SO are on line, Tac will be here in ten minutes. They were down
at the border investigating a car bomb hoax. Ares have finished heir
analysis of the weapon sir.


+++++Include: mcdo7.ctx

Samuels and his crew are with the SO team, gearing up now. NITO have
been on line, sir. Their intelligence staff are standing by, seems like
they're prepared to work with us now. Maybe Thunda is doing some good
after all.


You asked Johnson and the team to watch out for anything strange?


+++++Include: Cantelope 02:15:32/01-09-58


Initial reports say it was addressed to somewhere in the Tir, though
that is unconfirmed at this time.]<<<<<
-- ASAC Crawley <04:46:31/01-09-58>
FBI, Achilles Project
Seattle, FBI


*****INTERNAL: Achilles Project
>>>>>[Crawley, get onto the phone. Get FA in here now, I have a nasty
feeling that was part of the Ghost team that crossed the other day.
That was too strange to be anything else. They will need to look at all
the data you managed to pull off that post. It never rains, but it
pours.]<<<<<
-- SAC D'Arkan <04:58:27/01-09-58>
FBI, Achilles Project
Seattle, FBI


*****INTERNAL: Achilles Project, ASAC Crawley
>>>>>[Has Lynch checked in yet?]<<<<<
-- SAC D'Arkan <05:04:27/01-09-58>
FBI, Achilles Project
Seattle, FBI


*****INTERNAL: Achilles Project, SAC D'Arkan
>>>>>[Not yet. Shall I chase him down?]<<<<<
-- ASAC Crawley <05:06:31/01-09-58>
FBI, Achilles Project
Seattle, FBI


*****INTERNAL: Achilles Project, ASAC Crawley
>>>>>[No, don't bother, we can't wait. Get me a dozen agents, good
ones. I have an idea where this device is. I want them equipped with
body armour, assault rifles and see if you can dig up a couple of
Thunderbolts. I want something heavy if I meet that bastard.


Keep SO on line and ready to roll, warm up the Stallion, they may need
it. Contact NITO, and have them prepare a team for the bomb, if we find
the thing, I want them ready to move. Give them a data chip with the
information on it, let's see if the Navy recognise it.]<<<<<
-- SAC D'Arkan <05:08:27/01-09-58>
FBI, Achilles Project
Seattle, FBI


*****INTERNAL: Achilles Project, SAC D'Arkan
>>>>>[BFG, sir?]<<<<<
-- ASAC Crawley <05:09:31/01-09-58>
FBI, Achilles Project
Seattle, FBI
Message no. 10
From: Mike Goldberg <michael.goldberg@*******.COM>
Subject: What the ...?!
Date: Thu, 1 Jan 1998 10:41:49 MST
>>>>>[ Alright. Who's the joker who did this? What did you take
exception to the fact that we have some workaholics in our midst?

+++++ begin transmission
You a pretty ordinary van driving down a empty street in the middle
of the barrens. Ahead you can see the flashing lights from Lone Star
cars and the local firestation. The van stops at a stop sign, and
inside, a man with half his face painted black, and the other half
white takes over driving for a young woman. The woman walks past a
lovely couple and into the back. She quickly jacks into a deck and
launches something, as the van slowly moves closer to the police
line.

The new driver's eyes fade from glowing purple to just having purple
irises. The male from the back says, "What's up Geiger?"

Geiger replies, "I think we got some problems. Keep out of sight."
As he continues driving, his whole outfit changes from just black
jeans, a "Killing Zone Personnel" shirt, and his face painted, to a
button down shirt, no face paint, and normal eyes. He then is
wearing a duster to boot.

The van pulls over just before the police line. He quickly confirms
everyone is in position, and gets out of the van.
---
The house is an absolute wreckage. You hear a feminine voice intone,
"Area has been magnetized. Field is slowly receding." The image
shifts to a line of covered bodies. They are separated into two
groups. One group is of three bodies. The other is a group of two
bodies.

The image looks back at "Geiger" and one officer that is approaching.
The cop says, "Hey, who are you?" (Since anyone showing up is
notable at this point in time, since the crowd of onlookers is almost
completely nonexistent.)

"Detective Morrison, sir." Geiger pulls out a "PI badge" from his
"duster".

The cop nods, and amazingly enough, doesn't take a closer look at it.

Male voice voices over: "Lucky break, Geiger."

"What happened here? I was on my way home from enjoying a party
uptown and I saw the lights. Most people in this hood don't give a
frag what's up, but I do..."

The cop nods and says, "You from this area?"

"Live two blocks down. Only been in this area for the past month
though."

"Well, we got a call from Doc Wagon that they were doing a hot
extraction of a corporate VP, who shall remain nameless. Doc Wagon
said it will be within our best interests to get down here fast. We
got down here, and Doc Wagon had just finished pulling out their
ward. There was a team of about five who were still on the scene
firing us. We killed that one (points to the left of the two bodies
in the closer group), but he took out two of ours. As we were
checking out the house, it exploded. We registered an EMP wave right
before the explosion...."

"Hence the third known body. Who's the other body?"

"Don't know. He's going to be a pain to identify because we think he
might be SINless. We found him searching the wreckage after the bomb
went off."

Worriedly, Geiger answers, "I see."

"Since you live in this area, any idea on who lived here and what
they were up to? There is remains of all sorts of equipment here."

Geiger says, "Not really, I think I saw an elf kid, slightly taller
than me, enter once."

"Know a name for him?"

"No."

The officer opens the body bag on the right. "Do you think this could
be him?"

"Seriously toasted from the bomb. Interesting. It could be him, but
I don't really know if there were any other elves living there. I
don't really know what they were up to, but I am surprised to hear
that they had any sophisticated equipment. Seems a little out of
place in this part of town. How can I contact you if I find anything
else out?"

The cop hands him a card.

"I don't have a phone yet. But I live in the first building on the
right, two blocks up. I'm in the only occupied apartment on the
second floor. The place sucks, but right now it is all I can afford.
If I hear anything, I'll be in touch."

"Thanks."

Geiger gets back in the van and drives down a side street to get
around the roadblock. As soon as he is out of sight, he turns to go
to downtown as opposed to his "apartment."

Geiger says, (as he drops the illusions and goes back into his
previous attire (including face paint)) "We being followed, Keys?"

The female intones, "Negative, sir."

"Chris, I'm going to drop you off at your car. If you can get Knight
on the phone, it would be worth seeing if JICES can confirm it was
Scourge that was hot extracted by Doc Wagon."

The other man says, "I will do that ... I just hope Knight play games
with me. Was that Sprinkler that you looked at?"

"I think so. The bomb did a lot of damage. Shadowfox has all the
information needed to confirm beyond a doubt that if it is Sprinkler.
So much for partying tonight."

The other woman who has so far been silent says softly, "At least the
concert went well."

Geiger says, "Suddenly, that seems a whole lot less important, right
now."

She says sadly, "I know." Her companion, Chris, gives her a hug.
+++++ end transmission

Sprinkler is dead. I just, unfortunately, confirmed it. I have been
informed that Midnight will be making the funeral arrangements for
Sprinkler. It will be in two days at 10 am, and those who need
directions and/or transportation should contact Midnight.

Griffyn, on a sort of related note, please contact Midnight. ]<<<<<
-- Geiger <16:31:51/01-01-59>

***** Private: Midnight
>>>>>[ This isn't another one of Geiger's faked deaths, is it?
]<<<<<
-- Ratspeak <16:33:35/01-01-59>

***** Private: Ratspeak
>>>>>[ I wish it was, rodent. I can arrange for you to be present
like that last time if you wish. ]<<<<<
-- Midnight <16:38:53/01-01-59>

***** Private: Midnight
>>>>>[ Yes, please. ]<<<<<
-- Ratspeak <16:39:03/01-01-59>
Message no. 11
From: Mike Goldberg <michael.goldberg@*******.COM>
Subject: Re: What the...?!
Date: Thu, 1 Jan 1998 11:46:06 MST
***** Private: Lilith, Lynch, Shadowfox
>>>>>[ I've been afraid to send this, but I'm between a rock and a
hard place.

Help? I need to fly Croaker, Doc, and Keys to London and have them
smuggle gear back because we don't have the time to spare in
rebuilding our assets. I also want them to check the backups there
to see if Sprinkler dumped anything there.

Shadowfox, did Sprinkler have anything like that in Denver. If so,
do you think Jester would be able to get into it?

Lastly, thanks to Midnight (and probably Rachel), we are now residing
at: >>encrypted<<. Apparently, it was a dojo at one point. We don't
have phones set up yet, and well, apart from a couple of vehicles and
drones, we are rather under supplied at the moment. Don't expect
miracles from us.

The plus side, is I have five temps joining us. (Killing Zone was
rather adamant about it.) And the additional "security" Doomsday
provided them for the concert will assist until a little after the
funeral. ]<<<<<
-- Geiger <18:16:19/01-01-59>

***** Private: Legion
>>>>>[ Sir, I have been elected to give you an update.

As you know, we were asked by a former member to provide additional
security at a concert. You saw the post from Geiger, so I won't
cover previous ground.

It has been confirmed that the decker Sprinkler is dead, and that the
decker and CEO of JICES, Scourge, is still with Doc Wagon's care.
Health status has yet to be identified. The others and I would like
to assist Geiger and stay for the kid's funeral.

This will make us return from leave a day late. Is this acceptable?
]<<<<<
-- Bottled <18:23:26/01-01-58>

***** Private: Bottled
>>>>>[ We have carefully considered your request.

Leave extension is granted. We feel it is important to offer our
condolences to Gunner and Shadowfox at this time. Help Geiger
recover from this insult as best you can given the short period of
time you have. We do need you on the front so don't delay too long.

If you get a chance, quietly remind Geiger that the offer still
stands. ]<<<<<
-- Legion <18:27:03/01-01-58>
Message no. 12
From: "Paul J. Adam" <shadowtk@********.DEMON.CO.UK>
Subject: Re: What the...?!
Date: Fri, 2 Jan 1998 00:16:26 +0000
*****PRIVATE: Geiger
>>>>>[Lilith bounced this one to me, hope you don't mind, but the short
answer is no problemo.

Means my calling in some of the favours you're owed in Britain, but you
can get those three to Brize Norton inside six hours from giving me the
go, and get a diplomatic package back within twenty-four.

Bear in mind this is His Majesty's Government turning a blind eye:
microtronics, ROM, storage media, no problem. Anything that goes "bang",
big problem, that stuff won't be searched but it will be sniffed, and
any explosives will get us all into deeper drek than I really want to
explore.

You want gear, depends what it is, but between us we've got some good
stash. Unprogrammed phones just waiting to go hot, cold nine-irons,
ammo, frags, some plastique, screamers and shakers for security, that
kind of thing.

Vehicles, not so good. Lynch and Lilith tend to steal what they need
when they need it, check the police reports, and authorise repayment to
the insurers. Oddly enough, it apparently works out cheaper than keeping
a stable of cold vehicles.]<<<<<
-- The Mighty Quinn <00:16:34/01-02-59>
Message no. 13
From: Mike Goldberg <michael.goldberg@*******.COM>
Subject: Re[2]: What the...?!
Date: Thu, 1 Jan 1998 17:54:18 MST
***** Private: The Mighty Quinn
>>>>>[ You know, I didn't even think of asking you for help. I
apologize for that oversight. Let's see 6+24 hours will get them
back in time for the funeral. Barely. It's a go.

The only potential for bang is that some of the stuff they will be
bringing back could in theory be used to make bombs (the timing
mechanisms and things like that). However, you should know us
better. After they get back, I'll probably have me team raid a
couple of junk yards for more supplies. You would be amazed what Doc
can do with good junk yard supplies.

I will give them a warning of what will be done to their goodies so
they don't screw up, but I don't expect any problems there.
Meanwhile, I will get the crew to make up a shopping list, based on
what you said. Knowing us, the weapons are our least concern.

I guess we will use Lynch and Lilith's manner of retooling for
vehicles, although most of our vehicles (our vans are still intact
and not id'd by LSS or the mystery assailants).

You probably already know, but Gunner, Shadowfox, and Doomsday are
all helping out in the arms department as well. Shadowfox is also
looking into our drone situation. Gunner just got into Seattle about
two hours ago. He isn't taking Sprinkler's death too well, but
considering they were best friends for the past ten years, I'm not
too surprised.

Thanks for the assist. I really hate raping our London gear for
this, but I guess that is a moot point now. ]<<<<<
-- Geiger <01:55:35/01-02-58>
Message no. 14
From: "Paul J. Adam" <shadowtk@********.DEMON.CO.UK>
Subject: Re: What the...?!
Date: Fri, 2 Jan 1998 02:16:56 +0000
*****PRIVATE: Geiger
>>>>>[No problem, I often get overlooked :) Saved my life once or twice.

Timers and stuff? No problem, I mean anyone competent enough to _use_
the exotic stuff properly can build their own anyway, and that won't
show on a thermal neutron scan anyway.

Other microtronics, well, we'll see. If this is because of the work you
were doing for Jase and Lilith, they can probably backchannel you some
groovy Government gear.

If it's because of Colleen, then I'm still sort of involved and I can
help out.

Actually, if you think it's Colleen, you might want to contact Easy,
who's apparently somewhat less dead than rumour would have us all
believe, even if she does seem to have OD'd on James O'Barr. She's still
got a stake in that situation, remember?

Anyhow, I'll help out 'cause you and the guys are friends, and Jason and
Lilith feel bad because they offered you a safehouse that turned out not
to be safe, which they both take sort of personally so you can count on
some assistance from them even if they can't wade in themselves, plus I
get the impression that Jason and Shadowfox are fairly tight. Must be a
Sioux thing.]<<<<<
-- The Mighty Quinn <02:16:32/01-02-59>
Message no. 15
From: "Michael R. Goldberg" <mrgoldbe@**.NETCOM.COM>
Subject: What the .... ??
Date: Sat, 2 May 1998 23:59:13 -0500
>>>>>[ I seem to be in the need of some information. It appears two
well known terrorists are operating in Dublin. An American by the name
of Doomsday, and an Irish mercenary known as Deuce. Their companions
seem to be unknowns to me though. I was wondering if any of you could
shed some light on them?

The first one is called Forged.
+++++ include: Forged.pix
[An average human male, if you discount the fact that he looks like he
is an athlete in prime physical shape. Blond hair, brown eyes, clean
shaven. It looks like he might be packing some knives. ]

The second one is called Spawn.
+++++ include: Spawn.pix
[Slightly taller and thinner human male than Forged. He is also in
decent shape. His hair is gray and his eyes seem to be a dull black.
He too, is clean shaven. No obvious weaponry in the picture. ]

And the third is a looker whose name I never did catch.
+++++ include: Unknown.pix
[Very tall human female. She is a red-head and proportioned well
enough to attract attention wherever she walks. No obvious weaponry in
the picture. ]

Any information on them would be greatly appreciated. ]<<<<<
-- ShadowScreen <05:57:24/03-MAY-59>
Message no. 16
From: "Michael R. Goldberg" <mrgoldbe@**.NETCOM.COM>
Subject: Re: What the ....??
Date: Sun, 3 May 1998 00:10:08 -0500
>>>>>[ ShadowScreen. Unless I am mistaken, the female is known as
FireWraith. Rumor has it that she is a fire elemental that went
"free". I'm unsure of her relative strengths, although I suspect she
can take care of herself.

She is probably there as a favour to Doomsday.

Given that the other known person is Deuce, I would suspect that the
unknown two, Forged and Spawn, are probably just local talent he was
able to find to fill out the team.

Any predictions on what is going to come of two known mercenaries (who
have both been accused of international terrorism) are going to do in
Dublin of all places? Any chances this is related to what recently
hapepened in Boston? After all, there was a nagging rumour that Deuce
had his hand in that as well. ]<<<<<
-- Ratspeak <06:11:53/05-03-59>

Further Reading

If you enjoyed reading about What the...?!, you may also be interested in:

Disclaimer

These messages were posted a long time ago on a mailing list far, far away. The copyright to their contents probably lies with the original authors of the individual messages, but since they were published in an electronic forum that anyone could subscribe to, and the logs were available to subscribers and most likely non-subscribers as well, it's felt that re-publishing them here is a kind of public service.