[shrike]

>>>>>[Loa are spirits venerated by practitioners of Voodoo. Also known as Santeria or Candomble in other areas of the world, followers of voodoo can conjure spirits to possess themselves (or other things or people) for various purposes. Ogoun is the name of one of the Loa traditionally associated with war.  Why do you ask, Morg?]<<<<<
     -- Shrike (14:39:11/03-28-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[I have seen true evil. Shedim and the bugs are only two shades of that evil. And I have seen things I cannot explain, that shook me worse than anything I'd seen before. Yes, true evil exists. Anyone who says otherwise is a fool. Whether this has anything to do with religion, or deities and the afterlife is a question best left to others. But there is evil in the world, make no mistake.

Can you be true evil, and not know it? No. To be truly evil requires a conscious decision to act in a certain way. But if you are not wary, you can serve true evil, and never know. There are malevolent spirits that delight in bringing out the worst in us. My own experience with them came in the form of a young woman under the influence of a shadow spirit of the succubus variety. That was, oh, just after I passed through boot camp, a couple decades ago. I managed to disrupt the spirit through astral combat, driving it off for a time. The girl I sent to division for counseling. I haven't seen anything like it before or since, though I've heard stories from others. To me, the succubus is the most insidious of the shadows, since the others have a harder time avoiding attention. A wraith will cause massive death and destruction, but in places like LA or Las Vegas, who would bat an eye at a party turning into a wild orgy?

And thank you, Shrike. That wound has healed somewhat in the last decade, but it will never be completely healed.

Morg, if the spirits told you to speak to Ogoun, then I believe that would seem to confirm what Chrona and I both suspected. You may be under the influence of a spirit of shadow, a wraith. They feed off metahumans by driving them to spread death and chaos. It is not possession, but a more subtle means of control. I cannot say more, since this is not my specialty. But an example of wraiths at work can be seen down on the Aztlan-Amazonian border, in the bloodbaths where soldiers seemed to lose their heads, and began a wanton slaughter.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (15:53:23/03-28-74)

[Morg]

>>>>>[So I looking up a wrath spirit....the file said they look like the grim reaper, I haven't seen anything like that hanging around. I have seen the others that the file describes as "Shadows" in Kenya...they they kept me safe in the bad times after the shaman teaching me died, I learned a lot of magic from them...They are not as bad as you say they are Iceblade...and if you want my opinion Ogoun is bad news. I summoned him and he calmed  I was his priest, but he used a different word for it... I really should have learned more of the language, Bantu Swahili is not easy. When I disagreed with him he cursed me, now whenever I try to do something it is like there is this load holding me down. Karl said he was just trying to use me...I'm going home to straighten my head out, drinks on me at Infinity ...O I need a solid fake ID I can't buy drinks in a club with the one I have now]<<<<<
     --Morg (17:22:14/03-28-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[*sigh* When dealing with spirits, it is best to ignore the visual aspects of their manifestation, and focus on what the spirit actually does, and how. You've been blowing stuff up with reckless abandon, and somehow managed to summon Ogoun, or something claiming to be Ogoun. And now you're cursed, you say. And you say the shadows taught you? You're walking down a dark path, Morg.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (18:10:02/03-28-74)

[Marak1972]

>>>>>[Oh Morg am I glad my mom isn't around. She'd help you just cuz you need help. No care for her one seld. Me ....I'm different I'll help you but biz is biz so we need to sit and chat . Infintiy you say . I got the drinks nut only if we sit and chat if your up for it. I need a night away from training....think I can slip away from Hope fer a bit......]<<<<<

--Marak (18:32:02/03-28-74)

[Wolfboy]

>>>>>[Ice is right about starlet, she asks questions that total newbs ask, but then again you have to realize that she is exactly that, a newb. And while she was open about asking you Ice, i think that was more her being used to her as her teacher than anything. She asked me all sorts of other questions also, like what fighting bugs were like.....and facing them is like facing an evil tide, it just keeps coming and coming. I think they and shedim are the only things i truly hate anymore, to a degree i'll even give the bleeding Azzies a break.]<<<<<

--Wolfgar (21:18:33/ 03-28-74)

[Smiley]

>>>>>[HAHAHA! Wow! Now someone just put his mommy on the table. By the friggin' Jade Emperor! Are we hardened criminals are what? I don't mind the help-a-newbie mentality from time to time, at least you're most probably going to gain something in return in the long run. But sometimes people, it's unbelievable how some of you speaks like they live in a world of poneys, eatin' rainbows and poopin' butterflies! I'm just sayin'... Because sincerely I hope you'll keep it up. I find it beyond hilarious!

On a more-or-less serious subject, my recent activities made me gain some substantial resources, which in turn gained me access to the dossiers the CIA, the MI6, The Canton Federation, Interpol and The Seraphim have on me. The last one dates a little but is surprisingly accurate, I guess I caught their eye on my one and only trip to "La Belle Province". No surprise there, I'm on Interpol watch list and as usual, the lack of any proof whatsoever seems to frustrates them. I'm having a blast reading those, down the fraggin' memory line! It's like an unauthorized biography. They got most of it right but obviously there are many huge holes and wild guesses (primarily on my origins). I'll admit, they're more competent than I thought. I'm waiting for the ones from MIFD and the Dawkins Group, although I'm not sure I'll get them. Haha! You should all try to get a hold of yours if you can. Its... Interesting to say the least.]<<<<<
       -- Smiley (21:029:343/03-28-74)

[Marak1972]

>>>>>[I got your friggin rainbow right here Smiley Bragging about how many watch lists your on. Uh Some like to be just a TAD bit more subtle.]<<<<<
       -- Marak (22:59:49/03-28-74)

[shrike]

>>>>>[Smiley, I blame this particular mood on the alcohol as I am unusually wistful today (three bottles of taengele will do that to you). As anyone can see simply by tuning in to their favorite news site or looking out their window, ours is not a world filled with rainbows and unicorns. While I enjoy the type of work that we do, that does not mean that I do not sometimes wish for something different. Even if that particular something is impossible.]<<<<<
     -- Shrike (22:32:51/03-28-74)

[All4BigGuns]

>>>>>[The way I learned things, being on that many watch lists means you fragged up somewhere along the line, rather than being a 'badge of honor'.  Now, I'll be honest, I've fragged up a few times, but everyone does. Far as I know though, I'm not on any major watch lists. Speaking of, I probably should check that out. Thanks, you've got me paranoid now.

As to you, Morg. From what my cousin tells me, you should be careful messing with some of that drek. Never got details, but the looks on her face talking about some of that tells me I don't want details.]<<<<<
       -- Predator (22:28:20/03-28-2074)

[Smiley]

>>>>>[Hahaha! So what I if I brag about drek? Now you're just being a TAD naive. I am subtle. You don't survive long without being subtle in the shadows. But do you really think you can do this for years without people noticing and keeping records at all? Every goddamn Johnson you worked for as a little on you. If you happen to work directly or indirectly for a corp long enough they'll have a more-or-less complete file on you. Same goes for government agencies. If you didn't know, the data track you leave is your CV for most employers since the best of them never hire on just rumors. As long as you don't leave any direct physical, magical or virtual evidence, the data trail is actually a good thing. I haven't worked for Interpol, but if you think you can come and go kill people in Europe for years without them at least noticing. To be honest, being on Interpol watch list doesn't mean drek. I knew I was on that watch list for a while and I can still come and go in Europe as I see fit. The best they can do on suspicion is putting some surveillance which is easy to fool. I honestly never really fragged up, what they know is what I want them to know. Badge of honor? Honor is for fools if you ask me. That virtue just get you killed.

In all honesty, the second part of my post was really to tell my fellow veterans to look into theirs because it's an interesting read and telling them why. But hey! If you want me to really brag, I'm filthy rich now, I sleep with as many women as I want without ever paying for it and I get so many job offers that I get to turn many down! Was that good enough? I'm sure I can do even better next time.]<<<<<
       -- Smiley (04:36:31/03-29-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[There is no one way to run the shadows. For most, staying covert, and leaving as little of a trail as possible is the way to go. If you try to do jobs like Kane, you're going to end up getting killed, unless, like Kane, you have the skills and crew to back up the bluster.

Smiley's way is a different way. He's cultivated a rep, which acts as a double-edged sword. Yes, it brings him more (better paying) work, but it also is a means of tracking him. The fact that he is still alive means that he is good at what he does, and doesn't leave traces behind.

And then there are runners like me. How many runners do you know make regular appearances in local gossip blogs, on the arm of some socialite? How many runners can walk past the line at Dante's and head directly to Hell, without a reservation, or involving anyone named Johnson? How many of those same runners can also meet a couple of Ancients for drinks at Aces in Redmond, and not get geeked before they make it back to Downtown? There are benefits to being high profile. There are also greater risks. I use a physical mask and/or mask spell when I'm on a run, because with my face being on the 'trix, I have to worry more about such things. But having that high profile opens doors for me that I could never get through if I was just a barrens rat.

Neither way is wrong. There are simply differences between them. And I agree that anyone who's been at this a while should get a hacker to find the dossiers the corps and cops have on you. Makes for an interesting read, and it may tip you to some bad habits you've developed, that you need to break, such as always using the same exotic weapon for your wetwork, or having a particular matrix signature on your hacks.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (06:30:02/03-29-74)

[Marak1972]

>>>>>[Smiley your a piece of work. A lot like my dad used to ...til the buildings fell on him. But I admit I'm new and not jaded on things yet. I appreciate places like this to learn from those that came before me and learn from their wisdom. Of course being what I am ...a troll , its hard to be subtle but I try. ........... if you excuse me my cousin's Hellhound is trying to gnaw thru my door again...............................................................]<<<<<

--Marak (08:43:02/03-29-74)

[shrike]

>>>>>[I agree that there are diverse ways of running the shadows. The only "wrong" way is the one that gets you killed. Once things have progressed that far it is too late to learn from your mistake, or mistakes as the case may be.

As for me, I could not thrive in the spotlight, like Iceblade, for example. My skills do not lay in that direction. I rely on stealth, misinformation, and misdirection. My best jobs are done when no one ever knew I had been there. You must use the skills that you possess (or buy them), learn new ones, or rely on team members who possess the skills that you lack. Sometimes, that does not work, whether that is due to bad luck, poor legwork, betrayal, or just plain better opposition. Improvisation and the ability to think on one's feet are skills that should be honed.

Also, I will take you advice and get our resident hack.... I mean 'decker' to hunt down any information on me and my team.]<<<<<
     -- Shrike (08:41:39/03-29-74)

[All4BigGuns]

>>>>>[Touche, Iceblade. Still, I have to disagree with what he said about honor, though, there is the fact that one man's code of honor is very often very different from the next person's.

I don't know how you manage those appearances, Iceblade. There was a time when I could've fit in at those events, but I've fallen out of most of the habits of what's to be expected in those circles. I'd need a lot of practicing to get back into that scene.]<<<<<

-- Predator (12:21:50/03-29-2074)