Scorpion Corp's Mission Files
          Escape from Bangkok (#3)



          The drider holds up his hand to his head in a sort of mute testimony to his racial predecessor and grins a fanged grin. Again, he stretches his legs and senses for any activity in his lair. Again, there is nothing. 'My prey is more elusive than I expected. Perhaps the drider will begin to hunt soon.' The beast continues to work on the shield.


          The young boy was not finished. He had filed for the copyright yesterday, the day it expired. He now had to go back into the system and change the dates back to the original, making it appear as though the computer program had simply missed the deadline. That was important, but this time the boy had bigger things in store for himself.
          After recovering from his first cyberspace run, the boy had had time to evaluate his performance. Despite the difficulties he had, the boy realized that he was good enough. That he was indeed a true hacker. Now he wanted the benefit of the best computer around.
          He snuck into his father's secret room. The stairwell leading down to it hidden behind a secret panel in the library of the mansion. He never used to come in here without his father's supervision due to the vast amount of cables, cords, and computer parts littering the tables and floor. One false step and he could destroy weeks of work. Today he had something else in mind.
          His father had started teaching him computer hacking two years ago. He had always had a natural flair for computers, always receiving the highest commendations in the courses in school. The young boy hadn't enjoyed the other courses too much. He had been taught that if they didn't have something to do with data processing and retrieval, they were pretty much irrelevant in this modern age.
          His sister had been taught about computers as well, however she rebelled a little more against her father. While in school she learned everything she could about history and politics and even the arts. She said it made life worth living. The young boy didn't understand it at the time. He thought she was just a silly older sister, infatuated with girly things. Later, he would understand that it was her knowledge of such history that made her such a fine military strategist. She always said, "If we forget history, we are destined to repeat it." Today he was going to make history, and he hadn't forgotten.
          The young man had spent the last three months vastly adding to his program arsenal. He had added more buffers to his persona, greatly increasing the amount of damage the dark elf could sustain. He had scrapped his former blade program and written an entirely new one. However, he had decided to keep his shield program although he did add a little more coding. It was a light and fast design, and he was used to it. The Dark Elf, now wielding twin black long swords and wearing blackened chain armor and carrying a large shield over his back, was prepared to do battle.
          He found the plug and inserted his MPCP chip, housing his new and improved persona program, into the heart of his father's computer. He then completed the other necessary electronic connections and checked over all the components strewn around the room. It all checked. His father had a highly modified computer, the design of which contained elements that were still used in the Excaliber decks of today. This superdeck would allow his icon to move faster than ever before, and he was ready. He jacked in.
          He approached the access node as before and stopped and ran his mask program. The kobold simulacrum continued to work perfectly. He entered and then quickly moved throughout the maze of corridors he had traversed the first time. Coming eventually to the dead end, the dark elf ran the rock to mud program, and then immediately rebooted it to attack the caryatid columns standing their deadly ground in the room beyond. This time they had no first attack. They were liquid within moments. The Dark Elf strode across the room and into the treasure hoard beyond. He then changed the dates on the copyrights back. The corp collars would eventually realize their computer had made an "error." Finishing that he left the room.
          Wandering further through the dungeon, he found a large intersection with a great deal of traffic. Along the length of the halls were several doors and portals leading off to countless other rooms in the maze. Countless goblin subroutines were here following orders of their commanders. These wouldn't likely be very observant or dangerous; however, the Dark Elf kept to the shadows just the same and was unseen. He stood and observed their movements for quite a while. The goblins were mostly just carrying sticks and stones - data with little value - to their masters throughout the electronic labyrinth.
          'I'll just write up a quick frequency measuring program to determine which route has the highest travel. This should give a good pointer of the centrality of the CPU.' The Dark Elf noted the number of goblins was highest down one brightly lit corridor, which was guarded at the end by a large troll. The young man knew this corridor to be too illuminated for further hiding in the background computations. He also knew the Troll represented an online corp decker on guard for hackers such as himself.
          'It will do me no good to engage this Troll, for I am after the dragon itself!' The Dark Elf then draws a large black cloak from a sack at his side, draping it on his shoulders and drawing it in tight. He then stepped into the light. His body appeared translucent even to his eyes. 'This mantle of the Wraith allows me to remain invisible as long as I take no offensive action.' The Dark Elf then walked down the corridor beyond and eventually right past the large Troll guard.


          Drider rouses from his thoughts, and continues turning the shield in his hands. It being noticeably lighter and stronger than when he first began. 'It is almost finished.' He then remembers his father's friend the Wraith. Like the Death Knight, the Wraith was one of the original Echo Mirage Team that purged the global computer grid of the killer virus affecting it. He was later killed in cybercombat by the Dragon, a turncoat from the team. But that was another story.
          That was why the boy had chosen to attack a computer defense system designed by the Dragon. He was known for his killer black ice. Hacking it was the yardstick to measure one's skill by. But more importantly, his family had a major prob with the man -- they hated him with a passion. Thus the Dark Elf challenged the Dragon's system.


          After passing the Troll, the Dark Elf followed the corridor further until he came to a large room, containing a closed ornate chest and nothing more. 'This is too easy, either the chest is a trap or it contains outdated worthless information. I need it not.' the drow walked past and into an empty adjoining room. 'However, the Dragon must be near by so it can have easy access to the well traveled part of the dungeon.' The Dark elf then cautiously began investigating the walls. And he saw it. Another secret door!
          He opened it silently and peaked inside. The door opened into a huge torturer's room, complete with iron maidens, chains, stocks, and other implements of pain. At the far end of the room were two enormous golden double doors reaching all the way to the high arched ceiling. In the center of the room was a hideously fat man in leathers holding a cat o ninetails. He was brutally flailing an emaciated form strapped to a table. He also had a large key on a chain around his neck.
          'It must be punishment for an employee who failed to meet a deadline or was tardy.' The Dark Elf thinks to himself. 'I'm sure the pain is only unpleasant and degrading, but does little physical damage.'
          'You are dismissed little man,' says the sadistic torturer. The emaciated form then immediately derezes, signaling that he jacked out. The fat man then looks up as the Dark Elf takes off his cloak.
          'I do have time for this!' The Dark Elf then pulls his shield from behind his back, and creates a slender spear in his right hand. The spear is connected to a long coil of rope. The fat man then yells a command to a source unknown. The Dark Elf is then surprised as a skeleton jumps at him from the right. He barely has time to brace for the impact. It connects but his shield completely absorbs the blow.
          The Torturer then joins in by flinging burning coals at the Dark Elf. Most are easily dodged, but one hits burning deeply into his chain mail. He knocks it off with the haft of his spear. The skeleton then takes another swing, but before he can follow through, the Dark Elf steps underneath the blow and brings his whole weight behind the shield up under the body of the corpse, and slams it with all his might. The skeleton then bursts apart, collapsing to the floor.
          'Let us see how you like the pain now, fat boy!' He hafts the harpoon. The spear tip sinks deeply into the bloated form, a look of horror spreading over his face. 'No escape for you, you enjoy your profession too much.' The Dark Elf then drags the fat form closer to him.
          A look of exasperation washes over the fat one's face as he tries to pull away from the drow. Scratching and tugging at the pike in his side he tries to pry himself loose.
          'No jacking out chummer, you're in this for the count.' The Dark Elf then gives another great yank, causing blood to spurt even faster now. 'I see you bleeding your guts out onto the floor and I wonder what your body is doing back in your office cubicle right now. Smoking perhaps?' He throws back his head revealing twin fangs and laughs. A flash of electricity then traverses down the cord and into the body of the fatman. His body lurches at the bolt and falls to the ground. 'Shocking, isn't it?' The drow smiles.
          'The pain!' The fat man screams in horror, then swings his torturer's flail in a pitiful effort to defend himself. The Dark Elf easily deflects it with his shield.
          'Not used to fighting eh? Only torturing those of lower rank.' He then steps on the hand containing the weapon and then kicks it away. The flail disintegrates once separated.
          'No! Leave me alone, I beseech you!' the fat man pleads.
          'I give no quarter!' The Dark Elf then grabs a manacle from the floor and chains both hands and pulls him along the floor. He then locks him to a table and yanks the harpoon from his side. The man lets out a scream. He then walks to the shattered skeletal figure partly leaning against a wall. Examining it closely, only a few modifications are required to its subroutines to repair it and issue new commands. In a moment, it stands and salutes the Dark Elf.
          'Do as you were created to do.' The skeleton then creeps to a fire pit near the edge of the room, and picks up a pair a glowing tongs and burning coals. It then walks towards the man on the stretching table.
          'It's set on automatic now chummer -- maximum level. Your pain will be legendary.
          But I suppose you'll live.' The Dark Elf then yanks the key from the neck of the tabled victim and turns to leave. He passes through the huge double doors, and as he shuts them behind he hears the beginnings of screams. .
          He enters into a large cavern piled high with gold and other priceless items. There sitting on the pile is a huge sleeping red dragon. It's body is massive, the tail encircling the room. It's scales are thickened armor, and the mouth and claws are weapons of war. He has reached the guardian of this lair! As he stares at the monster in disbelief he sees its eyelids begin to stir. It is awaking! The Dark Elf scrambles to climb the pile of gold to close the distance to the great worm. By the time he reaches the top, the great beast is fully active.
          It raises its huge head and spreads its wings wide and then lunges it's gaping maw at the drow. The Dark Elf dodges to the side. He reaches for his twin hand held crossbows just as a massive claw then slashes across his armor, tearing a large slash through it and into his persona as well. The young man feels the pain, but ignores it and prepares for the next hit.
          'I must not fire too soon' the fighter says to himself, 'or my plan is ruined.' He doesn't need to wait long, the worm strikes like a viper at the Elf, a gaping steel gullet hurtling at the speed of light. The elf leaps to the side while simultaneously firing both crossbow bolts into the throat of the beast. Both sink deeply into the soft flesh, and the poison coating the bolts begins to take effect.
          The dragon momentarily stops, clawing at its throat as it begins slowing in its motions. Yet it does not collapse; instead it's eyes go red with rage. It did not work! The warrior is then hit by a surprise tail slap from the rear and is knocked to the ground stunned. The monster then pounces on him, the claws tear at his flesh mercilessly. He drops his crossbows. Somehow he wriggles free. The warrior rolls down the pile of gold and rights himself at the bottom. He then draws the harpoon and shield programs while ducking, narrowly avoiding another attack from the tail.
          He then hurls the spear in his hand at the breast of the beast. It hits, but only the barbed tip penetrates the thick scales. The beast lets out a roar and swipes at the fighter with a great clawed hand. The drow drops his shield to the left to fend off the blow. The pain is intense as the shear mass of the creature dents his shield and connects with his body and he is sent flying across the room.
          Stunned for but a moment, the warrior stands up and again charges at the great beast. The wings slash at him as he rushes towards the weapon impaled in the beast's side. He dodges a razor edged wing aimed at his neck, barely ducking under it. He feels the wind and the smells the sulfur wafting into his nostrils but yet he dives full on against the harpoon, driving it deeper this time. The beast bellows and he is flung from holding onto the spear. Again he flies through the air, but this time he executes a perfect somersault and lands on his feet.
          As luck would have it he lands near the rope attached to the harpoon. He reaches for the cord and gives a great heave. The rope goes taut, then gives way tearing out flesh from the dragon and the protective scales that go with it. The great beast howls in pain. The drow then falls to the ground because of the slack in the rope. From his position he sees an exposed a spot in the creature's armor plating.
          The Dragon then lifts his head to the full height of the room and begins drawing in a huge breath of air. The Dark Elf is prepared for this moment, and dives under his shield as a great gout of flame is vomited from the serpent's mouth down upon him. He feels the heat, but the shield takes the majority of the damage. Righting himself and seeing the smoking dented shield has little integrity left, he discards to the side. It immediately derezes.
          'Come closer you worm!' he screams as he draws his twin swords. He waves them at the creature and says 'Try pouncing again fragger!' The monster, as if liking a challenge, leaps at the fearless warrior. Whatever the outcome, this attack would finish it.
          On this day, the warrior is prepared. He stands up straight as if to absorb the brunt attack of the creature, but instead fakes the block and charges directly towards the breast of the dragon closing the remaining distance to the open wound. 'Let my swords taste flesh!' says the invigorated elf as he plunges his sword deep into the heart of the beast.
          The dragon lets out a blood curdling shriek as the black blade penetrates flesh, puncturing the chest of the creature. The fighter twists the sword upward into the heart of the creature. The beast claws at its bosom and the fighter jumps away and towards the neck.
          In one deft, practiced movement the left sword pulls back the scale and the right is rammed underneath and into the delicate neck of the monster. Flaming blood boils forth from the wound spraying the warrior's armor. Coating it, burning into it like acid, the drow reacts by tearing off the armor. He then stands back and watches the dragon in its death throws. 'YOU ARE VANQUISHED BY THE DARK ELF, SON OF THE DEATH KNIGHT!' The dragon's only response is a thrashing convulsion as it's life force flows away.
          In a moment it is done and the dragon dissolves. The Dark Elf is victorious. He immediately finds a throne towards the side of the room, and sitting in it commands all the doors to the area be locked shut. He then casts a spell and in moments a disembodied eye is scanning the contents of the room. He definitely has struck it rich. It appeared that T$R was on the verge of turning out a new product which would revolutionize the sim industry. The Drow downloaded the information into his deck. He then prepared to crash the system.
          First he sent a system shutdown command to take effect in one minute. He then established a link to the backup power system and routed reserve to the torture chamber to keep it running throughout the reinitialization of the T$R computer. The torturer would be locked in for quite a while. 'I assume he'll learn his lesson.' He then scanned for the bitmap of the ice, an old trick his sister taught him. Once he had the scan of the dragon, he downloaded it for his personal trophy room. Lastly, he found the node connecting to the security observation system. He rode it to the camera viewing the deckers who were desperately trying to regain control of their system. One of the deckers appeared to be quivering and sweating an inordinate amount. The Dark Elf smiled as he realized it was the torturer living out a virtual nightmare. He then jacked out.
          As he came out of his trance he realized he was not alone in his father's room. He looked up and saw his father - the Death Knight, and his close friend Viper disconnecting a trode from the data jacks behind their ears.
          'We found you here jacked in, so we though we would hitch a ride. It appears you have been quite busy. I got something to say to you." The boy's father said with a grim look on his face.
          The boy inhaled a deep breath and held his head high. He was prepared to stand his ground against his father. No longer did he wish to be thought of as a boy playing video games, and he was gonna let his father know it!
          "Congrats son, wiz run!" his father said with a big smile.
          "Yeah, ya fragger, good kill! I always hated the constructs coded by Dragon." said the Viper as he patted him on the back. "Now let's go out and celebrate. I believe the Dark Elf here is buying, looks like you got some platinum data!"
          That night the three hackers had one hell of a time. They bought a real 30 year old bottle of Scotch and did their best to finish it. The boy had become a man, and the computer wiz kid had become a true hacker.
          The next day he found buyers in FASA and SJGames. It was rumored that Nigel Findley was woken up from cryogenic storage and Steve Jackson, AKA the "Ghost in the Machine" was contacted via cyberspace, and both personally made the decision to purchase the data. However, the data was never published. Further rumor had it, that it was felt the product was inferior to new products being made by these companies. It was then mysteriously released free over the cybernet.
          The pre - release of its product had disastrous effects on the T$R Corporation. It was felt that T$R had overextended its resources and underestimated it's consumers and consequentially the trading value of the stock plummeted. Within days, the great dragon fell from its ivory tower. In the end, the worm could only capture the young munchkin market afterwards. Within a year, it was then subjected to a buy out bid by MCT North America, which the stockholders were forced to agree to.


          The Drider holds up the shield and looks it over. 'Any shield that can handle a direct hit from dragon's claw and dragon's breath is a shield worth keeping.' The shield glowed within his hands. Drider then jacked out.

--K.F.K.--


          With that Ravage collapses on a bunk and begins to snore lightly. Puck glances over at his still body and contemplates sneaking up on him, but rethinks the plan when he sees one eye open slightly. He quickly sets up his deck and begins the search for info that is his livelihood.
          Puck deftly plugs his jack into the slot and relaxes his body as he prepares for the buzz as he calls it. The point where his mind feels like it is being sucked out of his body. It is both frightening and exciting at the same time. Then comes the rush as your mind is exported into the realm of the cyber. Puck takes a long, deep breath and enjoys the fresh air of his home away from home. He looks around and smiles as he sees the fresh water stream flowing past his open meadow. The bright colored flowers expunge a wonder fragrance that makes him sigh. Surrounding his peaceful glade are the massive pine trees that stand guard and are ever vigilant.
          "Kewl, that new scent enhancer is working wonderfully. This sure beats the hell out off that drek - infested place they call a city. Well now to get down to some biz."
          With powerful strides from his cloven feet he quickly approaches the tallest pine tree.
          "Hello Mr. Ent, have you got any news for me today?"
          Standing a little bit straighter the tree replies " Everything is quite on the forest's edge sire. The Elms report no hunters. The Oaks report termites and the saplings report no anti-environmentalist. All is quite on the home front."
          "Thank you Mr. Ent, Keep up the good work old man." Turning his back on the tree he pulls out a wooden reed pipe and plays a small cord of soft music. From out of the trees fly an eagle, a sparrow and a bat. The unlikely trio fly towards their master in quite different manners. The sparrow with its wings fluttering and its shrill voice bantering lands on Puck's bare shoulder and pecks him on the cheek lovely. While the Eagle proudly spirals down and lands on the out stretched arm of Puck. The bat, with much less finesse hangs upside down from a branch near the others.
          "So my friends what news do you bring to me?" The sparrow in a high pitch voice says, "Well m'lord, you told me to wait by the Universities computers for any answer to your post on the BBS and no reply has been made. I'm afraid I may have goofed m'lord, you see I think I left some feathers at my perch site. I'm sorry, I'm sure no one could trace me."
          With a sly grin Puck responds, "That is O.K. Sparrow you did as you were told. Now run along and play." With that the sparrow lifts off and flies away bantering all the way.
          "Silly goof." grumbles the Eagle as he looks after the flying bird. "Doesn't he know he could have entrapped you?"
          "Its O.K. Eagle, Sparrow is only doing what he can do. Now what have you for me?"
          "Well I've kept a watch on the local news and government activity and it seems that the Ravage incident outside of the hospital is being put off as a gang related issue. It seems that his old group gave him a fake id and so the government isn't too concerned with the situation. Just another death in a week of Bangkok. Now the thing that does have the realm buzzing is that blasted piked head. What was he thinking? All the citizens are whispering words about Ravage, and it's spreading like wildfire. If this keeps up he will become part of their lore. I even heard some mothers telling their chicks to behave or The Ravage of Bangkok will eat ya. It was bad enough when he was alive but now that they think he is dead... Anyway that's all I have to report."
          "Good, at least we have more time to escape since the government is being slow to act. Guess it helped when I made sure all the alert programs the government had dealing with Ravage were temporarily disabled. I can't imagine what would have happened if those tracer snoops would have signaled an alarm. Oh well, thanks my friend now go in peace." With a powerful surge the Eagle lifted off and sprang into the air. "Well you got those dupes fooled don't cha." whispers the bat in a soft voice that only Puck can hear. "That was classic, sending the dodo on a recon knowing he would leave behind a trail. Well I cleaned it up just enough so that only a bad ass could trace it. We'll see how good this Drider is. Do you need me for anything real interesting?"
          "Well, now that you mention it. I'm going to do some recon on a local yahoo, who likes to smuggle drek out of Bangkok. It's alleged that he was responsible for getting the corps out. Ravage wants the scoop on this chummer to see if he's up for some biz. I'll need your special services on this one since we are going to use the yak's net to access info."
          "Damn, why the Yakuza boss? Them tea sippers get burrs up the ass when ever they detect someone sniffing their drek." Questions Bat in his soft whisper.
          "I know Bat, but it can't be helped. I'm sure this bloke doesn't do things by the numbers and when you do biz in this town it's bound to connect to the yaks. With the new power switch in the Gov. all their info is wacked so I can't depend on them giving me a good scan. The yaks are the only way we got. Just think bat, if we get Ravage's ass out of this drek hole he'll take us to the states and their hyped out nets. Its a whole new world out there my friend, just waiting for Puck and his friend Bat to ace it. So let's get down to some wiz biz."
          With that Bat crawls into a small side pouch that Puck carries in on a leather belt. Playing a different tune on his pipes and dancing a strange jig, Puck begins to enter the forest. The trees seem to make a path for their master, and as Puck builds up the tempo his powerful hind-legs carry him faster and faster till they are nothing but a blur of green. One minute he is in the green forest, the next he is in a busy street corner with hundreds of people coming and going to their various places of concern. Puck spies the building he is looking for across the street. It was a small humble building of oriental distinction. No one was entering the building and no one seemed to even know that it was there. If it wasn't for the special spell of detection that Puck had set up, he would never have known it was there either. Now, knowing the where the place was and knowing how to get in were two completely different things. Well, all he could do was give it a try. This is what ruled most cyber runners, the challenge of the unknown. He strode past the riff raff, smiled at a familiar wench he had met on a chat line and approached the double doors to the building. He knocked lightly and waited for a response. Instantly the doors disappeared and Puck was in a small room with no apparent exits. A huge man dressed in a sumo uniform loudly addressed Puck, "You are not Yakuza. You are not allowed here!"
          Before he could say more, Puck was playing a lightly swaying melody that seemed to drift ever so gently into the sumo's body. Instantly the sumo was sound asleep where he stood. With the sumo out of action the west side of the room disappeared and a long hallway could be seen leading out. Torches lit the way and the walls contained the pictures of many ancient and deceased Yakuza leaders. Tossing some dust that he pulled from his side pouch, Puck was instantly invisible. He walked along the hallway softly and slowly so that he would not disturb his invisibility spell, and all the time his senses were searching for anything that might signal an alarm. Several times he had to halt his movements and change directions, duck or even crawl under the hidden trip wires that were in place. If he did not have biz to take care of he would have studied them more but for now it was good enough to just get by them.
          The end of the hallway produces a circular room with a dais in the middle. On the dais was a huge dial with strange symbols written on it. Around the walls were other strange symbols that seemed to correlate somehow with the symbols on the dial. As Puck entered the room the exit leading to the room was sealed shut and replaced with more of the same strange symbols. Suddenly Puck was tossed to the ground as the room seemed to turn in a clockwise motion, while the outer wall's upper portion followed the rooms turns the bottom portion was going counter clockwise. As suddenly as it began the room was still, but all the symbols were in different places. "Nice work", thought Puck, " A revolving room that allows access to many places if you know the way, but is a maze if you guess wrong. I suspect that a wrong guess can also lead to expulsion, detention or worse - black Knights."
          Testing to see if there was any detection devices on, he finds that not a single device was present. "Those cocky bastards. They think they have this system so tight that they don't even bother to put any type of detection programs in this node. Must mean some serious progs are floating around here. I better make damn sure I'm frosty." Puck leaps up to the dais and studies the structure. Pulling out his reed pipes he begins to play a slow tempo'ed tune that seems to cover the dial and engulf it in a blue tinged aura. Puck plays for what seems like hours but in the reality of the real world, only minutes. Finally winded and grasping for breath, Puck sits on the dais steps and shakes out his arms. "Damn that was long. They had that icon covered in syrup, but my scan showed me a common route taken by most users. I just hope this isn't a dupe route, cause if it is I'm in deep drek".
          Rapidly Puck moves the dial till it is aligned to the way his seeker program showed. "Well, that should do it. Here goes nothing." With his final twist of the dial the room rapidly begins to spin again, this time since he is prepared, Puck remains on his feet.
          After a few tense seconds the room stops and a portal opens up on the west wall. Puck again sprinkles his invisibility powder over himself and quietly enters the hallway. The short hallway is brightly lit with torches and the pictures of the leader of the Yakuza, just as the first hallway. It ends abruptly in a huge double door that is inlaid with gold trim. In front of the door stands two tall guards armored in traditional samurai armor and face masks. "Kewl, this must be the entrance to a major data wing if they have 2 guards posted. I better check if these fraggers are ice or just barriers." With a subtle, almost whisper like sound he blows a tune on his pipes. Like the previous program cast on the dial an aura begins to cover the two giant figures, this time a yellow haze surrounds them. Just as the aura is about to completely engulf them, one of the figures opens his previously closed eyes and begins to search the hallway. Puck immediately stops playing his notes and crouches, tensely. "Damn, I set off one off their detection progs." he thinks to himself. The Samurai looks over to his partner and silently communicates something which awakes the 2nd guardian. Both draw swords and the first guard begins to advance towards Puck's position; looking in all directions, the 2nd guard moves to block the door. Not a sound is made as the two hulking warriors go about their programmed assignments. As the first warrior passes Puck's position, Puck leaps upon his back and sinks his small, yet lethal dagger into his jugular. With a look of horror the warrior grabs behind his back, trying to tear into Puck with his bare hands but only feels open air for Puck quickly leaps off his back and lands on his hind legs. The samurai falls to his legs, his life's blood seeping from his throat. "Fragging scum!" shouts Puck as he feels the pain of a hot blade cutting through his left shoulder blade. Quickly rolling with the blow he turns and faces his new opponent. He looks at his arm and sees a deep bruise. Luckily this was not black ice or his real body might have been really jocked. As it is, Puck was suddenly aware of pounding head ache, and even though it was not physical damage, his brain didn't know that. Shaking his head to loosen his body he prepares for the 2nd samurai's charge. Since his program of invisibility was no more he would have to handle this the Ravage way.
          Lucky for Puck, in the cyber realm he is badder than anything Ravage could do. At the last possible moment he ducks underneath the arc of the warriors swing and delivers a small wound to the side of his opponent. Once the warrior stops his momentum, he turns around and begins another charge, this time Puck is blowing a brisk and deep tune that causes a cone of frost to arc out from the pipes and hit the warrior in mid stride. With a look of anger the warrior is caught in a frozen state with his arms held high holding the Wakazashi. Puck quickly walks over and pokes him in the belly with his glowing dagger and the guardian quickly derezes into the void. Puck then runs to the doors and picks them open. Opening them up reveals a vast room with piles and piles of silk, rugs and ornate tapestries. Rubbing his arm he quickly begins to search for what he came for. In the corner he finds a rug depicting a helo being piloted by a rough faced man. Also woven into the rug are some other experienced looking men firing guns in a defensive perimeter around the helo. He quickly gathers up the rug and stuffs it into his small pouch. Some fine blue and purple silks attract his attention and he begins to stuff them in also. Suddenly the room goes black as all the torches go out. "Damn, my luck. A guy tries for a little extra biz and what does he get? His arse in a drek load of trouble." Curses Puck silently as he crouches low and awaits his fate. His nerves tingle as he senses the presence of another decker in the room. One that has taken notice of Puck's unauthorized entrance...
------

Meanwhile, Ravage dreams. . .


          The skies are a deep ebony and the slow moving clouds cover any rays of stellar beauty. The air has a slightly humid feel with a tint of recent rain in the air. One lone rose blooms from the branches of a thorn bush, a beacon of hope and joy in a world of doom and gloom. Its deep red petals are perfectly formed and deliver a fragrance of sweet innocence. He holds this treasure, in his callused, strong hands, with a tenderness unbecoming of his nature. He thinks back to his mother who like the rose was a ray of constant hopes and dreams. A slight tear runs down his scared, weather worn face seeming not to know where to go since tears are a scarce commodity on this face of death. With the thunderous CRACK of a lighting bolt, which momentarily blinds the eye the mood has changed. His clinched fist strains as a growl deep within builds in tempo. The rose is gone, only a red stain on hands which have held much worse than pulped fauna. With a roar which rivals the fierce thunder storm approaching he thinks back to memories of his father. He remembers the beatings suffered after his mothers death and remembers how he was treated less than the family pet. He remembers his father taking away his twin sister and telling people this was his only child. It hurt then and still hurts even after his father's death, by mysterious causes he feels the pain of his lost childhood with no family. He knows his sister is alive and he does keep tabs on her, but he also knows she cares nothing for him for she is sole heir to the family fortune. Once he craved a piece of that pie and even took steps to claim what was rightfully his, but no more it means nothing to a lost soul looking for something, anything to bring him back to life. He thinks to himself "Mommy I want to be with you but I fear that the life I live will always keep us apart even after death. But if hell is where I'm destined they can not ever take your memory from me no matter what else they may do." With his composure back he straightens up. He looks around to see if anyone may have witnessed his reactions, and in so doing would probably be visiting his mother or father depending on what lifestyle they lived. When he sees the way is clear he heads back to the city and his high impact lifestyle.
          The great body of Ravage stirs, and he wakes up. "Crazy dreams," he says and once again falls asleep.

--E.M.--