Episodes

1. Hallowed Be Thy Name
August 9, 2077

It has been 20 years since the assassination of The Great Dragon Dunklezahn, who died on his inauguration night after being elected as the 7th President of the UCAS. An event months in the making, hosted by the Draco Foundation, is about the take place in Freeway Park to commemorate the life of the late Great Dragon. However, for people running the Shadows, this day will forever be known to them as the day The Outsiders step foot in Seattle...

Tihkoosue Megedagik is no stranger to the Shadows. Having spent several years running the Shadows of Quebec and Montreal under the alias Jay Pass, an unfortunate turn of events left him exposed to the public and on the run from the authorities. He chose to exile himself throughout the Native American Nations, where he spent two years learning their customs, history and spirituality to hopefully find a new purpose.

"After hiding in the shadows for two years, it's time for me to go back where I belong: the Shadows... err... lemme rephrase that." –Tihkoosue

Kikkawa is a whole different story. Borned and raised in X, Japan, he grew up to become one of the most prominent Kabuki actor of his generation. Early in his career, Kikkawa fell under the influence of Seducer, which led him to a life of debauchery. Being a severe alcoholic, he made matters worse when he gambled all of his gains in a game of chance. Being optimistic he could regain all his loss, he made matters even worse when he went double or nothing. After owing the Yakuza over 10 000 000 ¥ and being shunned by his family, Kikkawa asked the only person he could, Mr. Takei, to smuggle him into Seatlle where he could start over a new life. Stumbling in a new city, drunk and disoriented, Kikkawa fell asleep in the docks of Seattle, where he dreamt of a beautiful woman in a park, who asked him to come find her.

Tihkoosue, coincidentally, arrived the same morning in Seattle traveling in his custom made muscle car he named OPA. After driving throughout several districts of the MetroPlex, Tihkoosue decided to stop in the Redmond Barrens for a drink. He met several people in what seems to be a makeshift bar where he tried to barter some of his alcohol for theirs. Unbeknownst to Tihkoosue, he just stumbled into Brain Eaters territory, a vicious thrill gang known for taking advantages of the poor residents of the Redmond Barrens. Although polite and friendly at first, the Brain Eaters true colors were quickly revealed once Tihkoosue offered them to taste some caribou, his homemade Maple Brandy. In exchange of this rare and delicious drink, Tihkoosue got offered a drink with a particularly strong smell, one he remembered from people he intimidated, urine. Only because he was outnumbered 8 to 1, Tihkoosue decided to leave them be until he can plan and execute his revenge.

After his encounter with the Brain Eaters, Tihkoosue was approached by Ken Danielson, a young resident of Penance, a small community who made themselves a home in the Redmond Barrens. Ken was stalking the Brain Eaters and witnessed the events that occured between them and Tihkoosue. Ken explained that the Brain Eaters are a vicious gang who takes pride in stealing, hurting and humiliating those who can't defend themselves and that someone will have to deal with them eventually. Going back to Penance with Tihkoosue, where they shared a drink and a meal, Ken explained that a big event in set to take place in Freeway park and asked if Tihkoosue wouldn't mind giving him ride.

Kikkawa arrived at the Freeway park where he stumbled upon a beautiful elf, similar to the one he had a dream about. Taking this as guidance from his Mentor Spirit, Kikkawa introduced himself to the young woman and began the fist step in a series of actions he called THE D.E.N.N.I.S. SYSTEM, a ritual he created in the name of his Mentor Spirit

D - Demonstrate Value

E - Engage Physically

N - Nurture Dependence

N - Neglect Emotionally

I - Inspire Hope

S - Separate Entirely

Upon seducing the young elf, she introduced herself as Daphne McKinnon, a young executive working for Hawthorne Holdings. She was also in charge of giving the inauguration speech at the event, where thousands of people have gathered.

Kikkawa mingled with the crowd where his senses picked up an exiting new smell of alcohol, which was Tihkoosue's caribou. As the two runners exchanged drinks, the crowd got inspired to toast to he memory of Dunklezahn as well and a festive ambiance quickly spread throughout the crowd. As Daphne was trying to give her speech in front of the now intoxicated crowd, a huge explosion occurred that left the crowd shaken

The Halloweeners have returned.

Thought to have been extinguished for 5 years, the vicious gang made their presence felt as over fifty gang members suddenly started attacking people at the event.

Tihkoosue and Kikkawa drew their weapons to defend the people close to them. Although the Halloweeners had strength in numbers, The Outsiders experience is physical combat was no match for them, as they quickly wasted the gangers.

Making their escape in OPA, Tihkoosue, Kikkawa, Ken and Daphne left the scene, leaving behind a pile of mutilated corpses. After dropping Kikkawa at Daphne's place in the Bellevue district, Tihkoosue made his way back to Penance with Ken, trying to find a new place he can call home.

2. The Cleaning Crew
Following the events that unfolded during Dunklezahn's commemorial, Kikkawa took residence in Daphne's apartment while Tihkoosue spent time getting to know the people of Penance, where he took residence himself. A few days later, Daphne advised Kikkawa that his boss might have a job for a man of his expertise and that he should meet a man called Mr. Johnson at 8 P.M. in a bar called The Fiddler's Roof located in downtown Seattle. A quick call to Tihkoosue was all that was needed to book the meeting as he was happily willing to get back in the game.

As both runners arrived early for the meeting, Kikkawa decided to invest his spare time by pleasing his mentor spirit, Seducer. He went on to seduce (obviously) one of the waitress as he and Tihkoosue were waiting for Mr. Johnson. Once his personal business was completed, Kikkawa was ready for some professional business.

The Johnson met with both runners and explained he has a simple job for them. A separate group of runners are about to break in HellFire Studios on a wetwork job. This Johnson needs a team to come in and cleanup the mess, as well as bringing back the body of Mr. X to him. He explained the security guard at the entrance was in on the job to make the run easier. Quick job, quick pay, get in and get out. The payment was negotiated and the run has been accepted.

"Talk about hitting a new low. I went from being a professional, to cleaning up after the professionals." –Tihkoosue

Arriving at the studio shortly after leaving the bar, the runners were greeted by the security guard who was, as mentioned by Mr. Johnson, in on the job. The guard opened the elevator so the runners could reach studio 302. Knocking on the door, the runners heard muted gunfire coming from the inside, as another team of runners was finishing their job. As the door opened, The Outsiders mentioned they were sent in to clean up the place as part of the run. Once the cleanup was completed, Tihkoosue advised they needed to retrieve the body of Mr. X as part of the job, which surprised the other runners. Kikkawa conned the team leader into believing it was all part of the run, however, their boss gave them explicit orders not to let anyone leave with this particular body. As the team leader was clearing the issue with his boss, another team of runners suddenly came in, claiming to be the real clean up crew.

As everyone was trying to understand what was happening, Kikkawa heard the magic words uttered from the other team's boss :

"Kill'em all!"

The Outsiders did quick work dispatching the rival teams but one man was able to get out of the room and ran towards the next studio door, where a band was shooting their latest clip. Tihkoosue rushed to tackle the survivor and rammed in right through the door of the recording studio. The panicked band members and film crew immediately dialed Lone Star as they were witnessing a Dwarf killing a Human right in front of them. Tihkoosue reacted quickly and advised the crew that he was actually hired as part of the production team for the clip, in order to add authenticity, the murder needed to seem real and the band needed to be surprised by the event. The Band loved the idea and were oblivious to the fact they just witnessed a real murder.

The Outsiders proceeded to perform one last cleanup before leaving the promise. As they were about to exit the room, they were warned by the security guard that a duo of Lone Star officers were on their way to the 3rd floor. The officers went to talk with the band, explaining they received several calls originating from this location. The band explained that they were filming a video and that the special effects felt so real, they panicked and called for help but immediately realized their mistakes and hung up. Lone Star interrogated the band, trying to determine if they were under the influence of narcotics then proceeded to make their way out. One of the two officers, who happened to be a forensic analyst, remained on the floor to conduct an investigation using his augmented reality gear. While the officer detected traces of body fluid on the floor, The Outsiders reached the conclusion that time was running out and they needed to make their escape with the body as fast as possible. Kikkawa stealthily sneaked up on the officer, opened his throat with his wakizashi and brought the body back in Studio 302. Both runners realized that there was only 2 way out of the building : either going down the elevator and try to sneak up past the second Lone Star officer who was interrogating the security guard, or through the Studio's window, which is a 3 story jump. After unsuccessfully trying to contact his partner upstairs, the remaining officer made his way back up. The Outsiders, seemingly trapped in this room, decided to take the deceased Lone Star officer's badge and broke the windows, jumping down with the body bag containing Mr X's corpse.

As the street crowd began asking questions, Tihkoosue showed them the badge and explained this was part of an undercover Lone Star assignment and to move along. The runners were able to load the body in OPA and contacted Mr. Johnson, who gave them coordinates to a warehouse located in downtown Seattle for payment.

The runners met with Mr. Johnson and his associates at the requested location. Upon delivering the body, The Outsiders provided Mr. Johnson the commlinks of the rival teams, in case he might be interested in finding out who was behind the other shadowrunners teams and discovered that Mr. X had a capsule hidden inside his body, which was retrieved by Mr. Johnson's associate, before payment was issued.

The Outsiders then made their way back home, waiting for the next job.

3. Demolition Men
During his downtime in Penance, Tihkoosue receives a package from a mysterious gentleman, containing a burner phone. The phone contains an encrypted message from a man called St-James, who's been referred to Tihkoosue and Kikkawa by one of his contacts. He explains that he has a simple but dangerous job for them and if they are willing to discuss, they should meet him at The Sheraton Towers at 8 PM that night and ask for the St-James Party.

Tihkoosue reached out to Kikkawa, who was also ready for their next assignment, and provided the details for the meet. Kikkawa arrived first but was stopped in the lobby for trying to come in with his sword. He explained his presence was requested by a certain St-James, which calmed the security guards. He was asked to remove all of his weapons before going into the hotel, but was reassured he would have them back after the meet. Tihkoosue arrived shortly after and met Kikkawa and the entrance, who warned him about the hotel's no weapon policy. Tihkoosue left his weapons in his car but kept his hidden pistol, in case things get rocky.

The Outsider met with the man calling himself St-James in his hotel room. After some refreshments, St-James discussed the terms of the mission : After the amount was firmly negotiated, The Outsiders decided to not waste time and get on the job right away.
 * He needs a small facility in Snohomish destroyed. The means for destroying this facility will be given.
 * The facility is an automated manufacturing facility for a major corporation in Seattle, although not one of the AAA megacorp such as Ares or Renraku.
 * The facility is guarded; guards will have to be incapacitated before the facility is destroyed, but do not need to be killed.
 * The facility needs to be completely destroyed, so much that production is impossible without full reconstruction of the facility.
 * Estimated reprisal is expected to be low, unless the runners decide to be unprofessional.
 * The run must be accomplished within 48 hours but runners will get a bonus if they can do it in 24 hours.
 * Detonation will be ignited by St-James, once the explosives are in place, the runners need to contact him and will be granted 15 minutes to clear the area.

Kikkawa retrived his weapons and the team was provided a crate containing 4 demolition packs, courtesy of St-James as well as a map of the facility. Tihkoosue and Kikkawa formed a plan of attack while OPA was driving in autopilot.

Once on site, the runners were greeted by an uncomfortable silence. Things were too quiet for them, and that usually was a bad omen for Shadowrunners. Going to what seemed the be the main door, the runners took a peek inside, to realize the entrance lobby seemed empty. To make matters worse, the door was unlocked. After going in, they noticed they just passed though the entrance building, which gave them access to compound, where the real facility was located.

Kikkawa used his stealth skills to peek at the facility's windows and noticed at least 4 guards, alerting Tihkoosue of the opposition in place. Since death was necessary, The Outsiders formed a plan which would have Kikkawa posing as a Lone Star Officer, using the badge they retrieved on the last run, asking everyone to get out and having OPA in Lone Star Mode (red and blue lights alternating, much like a Lone Star Patrol car) outside the facility.

Unbeknownst to the runners, the guards at that facility were under strict orders to shoot everyone (including Lone Star) who's on sight. After knocking on the door and asking for everyone to get out now, the guards opened the door while screaming: "By all means Lone Star, you have to come on in right now!"

What followed was a dance of swords and bullets, as Kikkawa and Tihkoosue proceeded to dispatch the 6 guards inside. After a vicious struggle with the guards (one where Kikkawa got mildly injured), The Outsiders took a deeper look at the facility, which to them, seemed to be a automated medical manufacturing facility of sorts. After grabbing some medkits, the runners rigged the charges and placed the call to St-James.

While on their way back, Tihkoosue left one drone to scout the facility before the explosion and quickly realized some one else was leaving the facility on a motorcycle, a guard they previously didn't noticed. As Tihkoosue made a 180 with OPA and drove full speed toward the remaining guard, Kikkawa took out his bow and arrow and shot him from the passenger's seat window. Tihkoosue called back his drone, in fear he would be caught in the blast radius, and turned around to go back Downtown.

"You almost let one slip away! You stupid! Stupid! Stupid!..." –Tikhoosue, knocking his own head against the steering wheel.

After grabbing they paycheck, Kikkawa explained he had plans with his girlfriend Daphne and wouldn't be available for the next couple of days.

On that same night, Horizon covered the explosion that happened in Snohomish, including a report with a Lone Star Lieutenant, who explained they found a corpse on a motorcycle down to the road, who appeared to have been killed by an arrow from a mysterious assailant. The arrow would be sent for analysis in order to shed some light on the mysterious event that took place that night.

4. Let The Games Begin
A few days after the explosion in Snohomish, Ken and his fellow Penance residents wanted to thank Tihkoosue for his help and enormous generosity and gifted him two tickets for the Football game happening that same night between the Seattle Dragons and the Boston Crabs. Touched by the gesture, Tihkoosue graciously accepted the offer and brought his partner Kikkawa to the game. After an evening filled with craziness and excitement, Tihkoosue went back to Penance while Kikkawa left with some groupies for a night of lust, in honor of his mentor spirit Seducer.

Once back in Penance, Tihkoosue found out that a group of Brain Eaters came in, injured several people and kidnapped a dozen of people. Tihkoosue reached out to Kikkawa to explain the situation, but the latter couldn't spare any help at the moment in fear of disappointing his mentor spirit. Tihkoosue reached out to Mitch, who was able to provide him with two other shadowrunners, a Human and a Troll, in order to get some backup and even the odds.

Fortunately, Kikkawa had time to complete his ritual before the other runners could meet with Tihkoosue in Penance. The four runners hopped in OPA, hoping the reach the Brain Eaters in time before too much damage has been done.

Once in Brain Eater's territory, the runners left the car in order to sneak in incognito and get the jump on the vicious gang. They noticed an unusual amount of activity by the gang, especially a lot of crates being moved around and loaded in various cars. Tihkoosue asked the man accompanying them if the could find a vantage point and provide cover, while he tries to figure out how to rescue the ones that have been taken by the gang. Unfortunately, the runners got spotted by some gang members and some gun fire issued.

One of the brain eaters brought some of the victims outside and held them at gun point, screaming to the runners that if they want to avoid further bloodshed, they should holster their weapon and come out peacefully.

Tihkoosue tried to confront the man but he found out he is only a lackey, claiming that the Gang's leader demands that Tihkoosue meet him inside their hideout. When Tihkoosue tried to get more information out of the man before meeting their leader, the man executed one of the victims in front of him, saying more would suffer the same fate if he doesn't do as he's told.

Tihkoosue met with the Gang leader, who claims he wants to play a game. In the sewers below, the remaining victims are hidden with explosives strapped around them, Tihkoosue and his team have 2 hours to rescue them all or the place goes to kingdom come. Feeling he has no choice in the matter, Tihkoosue accepted the challenge. To make matters worse, the gang had executed all the victims who were standing outside while Tihkoosue was speaking with their leader.

Once inside the sewers, the group was confronted by some gang members wearing masks, next to a group of victims. Tihkoosue didn't waste any time and started shooting the gangers. Unfortunately for the runners, it was a setup: the gangers dressed themselves as the victims and forced the victims to weir their colors and hid them behind masks.

Ken happened to be one of the victims behind a mask and got shot at point blank range by Tihkoosue. The runners proceeded to dispatch the gangers, removed the bomb and took Ken out of the sewers, but left him hidden by himself in order to focus on rescuing the remaining victims. The runners were successful in their rescue operation but not without tussling with the remaining gangers, but most importantly, a community of enraged Ghouls, one that left his mark on the Troll hired by Tihkoosue.

As they got out of the sewers, the runners quickly noticed that the area has been vacated by the gang. They retrieved Ken and made their way back to Penance. Tihkoosue understood that Ken wouldn't make it unless he had medical attention. Marty, claiming to know a street doctor operating in the Redmond Barrens, helped Tihkoosue bringing Ken to Doc Brown. Luck struck once the doctor agreed to help and struck twice when he asked Tihkoosue if he was okay with him relocating in Penance since the aggravating danger surrounding his area of operation; a thought Tihkoosue was about to bring up himself.

5. Homo Sapiens Robustus Subterranean Scurry
Following the events that left a resident of Penance infected by HMHVV, The Outsiders receive a call from Mitch for a potential run. Meeting with Mr. Johnson, he explains the run to be an extraction one. A fellow going by the name Spader has recently been spotted in Seattle but Mr. Johnson doesn't know where exactly. The runners are to locate this individual and bring him back to Mr. Johnson.

The pay is good, the runners agree.

After some legwork, the runners are told that this Spader is currently located in Seattle's Ork Underground. They also hear that non-Orks may gain entrance by proving their worth in a place called The Hard Times & Misery Saloon. Once on site, the runners bargain to get entrance to the Ork Underground but as expected, a challenge must be passed to prove one has what it takes to step foot within the underground: Grumoge, a fist-fight within a cage. If they are the last man standing during their respective fights, the runners would gain entrance.

After successfully defeating their opponents, both Tihkoosue and Kikkawa were honored into the Ork Underground. Mingling within this newfound sanctuary, the runners hear that they would most likely find the information they are looking for in a place within the underground called Quaalz & Hurlg. They meet with the bartender who, after being properly bribed, points them in the right direction, more precisely 2 feet away, to an ork sitting at the bar. A small misunderstaning occurs during the conversation with the ork, but nothing that a few drinks can't fix. He explains that he knows about Spader and that anyone who has business with Spader must first deal with TommyGun, one of the 4 racing constructors of the Underground.

The runners proceed to meet with TommyGun, who tells them Spader is currently under his protection but since both runners are honorable, TommyGun strikes a bargain : He's in need of a team for an event called Jrikjrikjrik's trial, that will occur tonight. If the team are willing to participate and if they happen to win, he will give them custody of Spader, however, they will have to agree to a specific condition that will only be disclosed after winning.

The trial is a race between 4 teams, each team having 2 players : a driver and a gunner. Vehicles are identical to one another so that skills with determine the winner. There are only 3 laps :

1st lap = driving only, no gunners allowed 2nd lap = Gunners comes in and obstacles such mines are added to the track 3rd lap = Gunners, mines and outside interference provided by each constructor.

The runners agree to TommyGun's request and prepare themselves for the race. TommyGun also provide Kikkawa, who will be the gunner for the race, a bow with explosives arrow. The runners ends up being to sole survivors of the race, a fact that angried a few orks when Kikkawa suddenly performed a victory dance. Some orks tried to stab him but being a physical adept, Kikkawa had no problems dealing with them.

Following the race, TommyGun brought in Spader to meet the runners and explained his one condition : TommyGun is currently assuring TommyGun's protection. The runners came honorably and business demands from them that they get their hands on Spader. TommyGun explains that he understand where the runners are coming from, he's willing to trade custody of Spader to them, but honor demands that Spader must not be harmed under any circumstances. Fearing that Mr. Johnson's intentions towards Spader to be hostile, Tihkoosue explained that his honor is worth much more than the contract he had with Mr. Johnson and refused to take custody of Spader since he isn't currently in a position to insure Spader's safety. The runners decided to leave the underground, but not before TommyGun expressed that as long as they maintained their honor, would always be welcome within the Ork Underground.

Once out, the runners contacted Mr. Johnson and were told to meet with him in a warehouse, so they could explain the situation. Altough the extraction was a failure, they provided the location of Spader to Mr. Johnson and explained that they weren't able to get him out. Unknown to the runners, Mr. Johnson expected the runners to get killed during their investigation and simply conjure their spirits to gain the information he was looking for. Having received the information he was looking for, Mr. Johnson uttered a phrase in what Kikkawa perceived to be broken Japanese. At the same time, Tihkoosue's AR display got hacked, displaying the following message : Watch out!!! These men are not what they appear to be, shoot here (AR Display shows a fire sprinkler) and hold tight for 2 minutes, we'll get ya outta there!

Suddenly, 4 Renraku Red Samurai dropped from the ceiling, machine guns pointed towards the runners. Tihkoosue fires a shot as they came down, opening the fire sprinkler and obstructing their targetting sytem. A violent fight ensues but the runners are able to dispatch their enemies, even tough they had their bell rung during the fight.

As the runners killed the last enemy, the warehouse door opened and a white van appeared. The runners celebrated their victory in rainy warehouse as Spader opened the van door. He  spoke to them, asking to get in the van right now, but seeing several people dead at the feet of the runners, who themselves were chanting, yelling and dancing; he feared the men before him were under a charming spell and left the premises as quickly as he came in. Kikkawa tried taking the armor of one of the Renraku Samurai but suffered an unpleasant electrical shock. The runners grabbed some loot and tried to find the van that Spader was in, but were unable to track it. Kikkawa called Mr. Takei, his Renraku contact in Seattle to try to get some information about the presence of Red Samurai in Seattle. Mr. Takei explained that the head office never sanctionned the use of the Red Samurai in Seattle but more strangely, this isn't the first time that Red Samurai are spotted within Seattle without Renraku's approval...

6. Don't Say It...
Since one of their own has been infected with HMHVV, the residents of Penance were uneasy with the idea of having an infected individual within their community, fearing it may spread. Following a vote, it was decided the infected woman was to be exiled from Penance. Struck with grief that she got cast out of her newfound home, the woman claimed she'd prefer dying over exile. Having anticipated this issue, Tihkoosue had already asked Doc Brown to preprare a special conconction in case he had to take care of the woman.

To ease tension within the community, Tihkoosue organized a party in Penance so everyone would feel better about the recent events. A middle aged woman made her way across Penance during the festivities and met with Tihkoosue. She introduced herself as Cornelia, a fellow Shadowrunner looking for work. Lacking work himself, Tihkoosue told Cornelia he didn't have any jobs lined up at the moment but she was welcome to stay at the party this evening. During the night, Tihkoosue discreetly had the infected woman injected and proceeded to bury her with a few fellow residents in Memory Park, a small cemetary recently built in Penance to honor the memories of those whose lives have been lost. After a few hours of sleep, Ken rushed to Tihkoosue at the request of Doc Brown, saying the latter needs to see him and his team ASAP. After waking Kikkawa and Cornelia, the team made their way to Doc Brown's clinic, where they saw a Dragon laying injured inside.

Doc Brown explained that the Dragon walked through Penance covered in injuries a few hours ago seeking medical assistance. The Dragon seems to have lost his memory since he claims he doesn't know who he his and why he's injured, asking the doctor to bring in a team to investigate his past.

The team met with the injured Dragon, who refers to them as the investigation team. He explains he lost his memories and fears some people wants to do him harm. He would like the runners to investigate his past. The Dragon was strangely focused on Trideos during their conversation as if he was astonished by the technology and Cornelia also noticed what seems to be Cyberware behind the Dragon's horn. The team asked the creature if there was any hints he could provide to help them in their investigation. The Dragon didn't remember much, he remembers the word SouthHampton as well as an ork, an old ork, with the tip of his left ear missing and a jewel ressembling a coin on that same hear. The team cautiously asked the Dragon if there would be a reward for the investigation. Aknowledging that a compensation would be trivial to motivate the runners, the Dragon took an earring from one of his horns, a unique piece of jewelry; a gemstudded gold band from which hangs a globe of gold leaf, also studded with diamonds. The Dragon mentions this earring would be worth quite a bit of money of the streets and it should suffice as payment. Before they leave, the Dragon warns them to come back to him only once they have completed their investigation, as receiving bits and parts would only frustrate him.

Gathering their thoughts outside, Ken notices the earring and tells the runners that this it is actually a replica of Maria Mercurial's earring, an exact replica, which is strange since rumors has it that this earring is unique. Cornelia reachea one of her contact, a street vendor named Bono, who, after meeting with the team, tells them this jewel isn't a fake replica, it is an exact replica and there's only one man who has this craftmanship, Howard, the famed owner of a jewel store called King Solomon's Mine in Seattle.

Once on site, the runners find the front store empty, with some display cases smashed and notice some noise coming from the backstore. The owner, Howard, is being pressured by what seems to be 3 thieves robbing the place. After brutally incapacitating the thieves, one of them explains they were hired to look for specific data concerning a sale and destroy evidence of it. It seems the thieves were looking for the invoice of the earring that the runners recently obtained. Howard explains that he had a rush order to create another earring, same as the one he commissioned to Maria Mercurial. He gives them the invoice, the order was placed by a woman named Justine Grier, residing in the Bellevue Disctrict. Howard gives them the copy of the invoice and the team make their way to Justine Grier's home.

Arriving at the tower where Justine lives, Cornelia convinces the security guard she's Justine long lost cousin and came in for a surprise visit. However, they are told by the maid in broken english that Justine is at work and she refuses to let them in. A quick Matrix search reveals Justine Grier works as a director of operations for a company called Emerging Futures, an R&D thinktank located in Seattle on SouthHampton street. The search also reveals that there was an unfortunate incident that happened last night at Emerging Futures office, one that killed a dozed employee and left a big chunk of the building missing.

Kikkawa makes a call to Emerging Futures, claiming to be a reporter for the Tokyo Post and wants an interview for his newspaper with Mrs. Grier, since she's been all over the news doing damage control. The meeting is approved and the team goes in, Cornelia poses as Kikkawa's liaison in Seattle and Tihkoosue poses as his driver.

Once in Justine's office, the runners notices that her nameplate states her as CEO of Emerging Futures. Kikkawa asks about her position but she simply replies she was recently promoted. Kikkawa asks a few questions regarding what happened last night but Justine simply states she already answered those questions to other interviewers and she wouldn't add more to her previous statements. Kikkawa reveals the invoice from King Solomon's mine and confronts Justine about what is really happening with Emerging Futures. Justine panics and calls in her security, about 20 armed men surrounding the room. Outnumbered, the team is escorted outside but they realize something's up with this company.

After getting into OPA, Tihkoosue notices Justine leaving the building and getting into a car. The team decides to tail her. After a few minutes, an mysterious elf suddenly materialize inside OPA, telling the team to drop what they were doing and gives them a warning. The team decides to go back to Penance in order to figure out their next move. As they arrive and settle in, they notice another elf eating a sandwich inside, watching a trideo. The elf, similar to the other elf, gives them a warning, saying he *might* have placed a bomb within penance and urges them to stop doing whatever they're working on and suddenly disappears.

Uncertain about their next move, Ken comes with a message from the Dragon, saying to not be intimidated and continue on their investigation. Remembering the title change of Justine Grier, Cornelia and Tihkoosue searched the Matrix for more information. Tihkoosue found that Emerging Futures' CEO used to be a person going by the name Coinspinner while Cornelia came across a decker saying Emerging Futures shot their servers last night but he was able to retrieve some sensible information before the shutdown and he's willing to sell the information. The Paydata reveals that Emerging Futures was working on a project for Ares called Project Cerberus.

The purpose of the project is the attempt of cybering animals and interface their minds with cyberspace to conceive Intelligent Matrix Watchdogs : security sytems with a higher reaction time and greater level of initiative than any current IC. The data reveals the project a failure on mundane animals and requests to extend their research on Paranatural animals. They also find a note that the previous CEO, Coinspinner, has vanished, hence the reason Justine was promoted as CEO, and that she hired her best team of runners to scare the team away but not kill them.

A Matrix search about Coinspinner doesn't reveal much, other that he's known for doing business in a place called The Cobalt Marie, a nightclub located in the Redmond Barrens who caters exclusively with established corporations in Seattle. The place offers excutives a low profile neutral ground and high security to discuss plans or negotiations best kept from the public eye. The team decides to investigate the Cobalt Marie, in order to learn more about Coinspinner. Reaching the club, the doorman asks them which company they represent. Tihkoosue answers he's a representative of Ares, who's meeting with Coinspinner.

They are told only light pistols are allowed, after disarming themselves, the team is granted access to the club, then guided inside a private room and are greeted by a human woman who calls herself Marie. She asks them if they are actually part of Coinspinner's team, to which they reply yes. She explains that she's been secretly feeding information about Ares to Coinspinner but she fears Ares is on to her and ask them to tell Coinspinner that she can't snitch on Ares anymore. Tihkoosue asks her where they can find Coinspinner but before she can answer, an Ares executive, followed by 4 heavily armed soldiers enter the room. The man grabs Marie by the air, but she's able to give a hidden not to Kikkawa during the Turmoil.

The man claims he knows Marie has been leaking information to Coinspinner and tells her he will deal with her accordingly. He turns his attention to Tihkoosue and tells him he knows everything. He's been doing some digging since Tihkoosue showed up at Emerging Futures and figured out the rest: Tihkousue, real name Justin Passant, used to work for Ares in Quebec but was let go after Ares outsourced their R&D to Emerging Futures years ago. Now to get back at Ares, Justin has been working for Coinspinner at Emerging Futures and has been piling up data to blackmail Ares about their illegal experimentation on animals, more precisely their prize pupil, a captured Dragon. He says it's only a matter of time before they locate Coinspinner and the Dragon, and once it is done, Justin Passant may consider changing his career once Ares gets what they want.

As they leave, the team notices several women who looks exactly the same way as the woman who got snatched by Ares. Kikkawa reveals that Marie gave him a matchbox of the Redmond Arms, a cheap hotel located in the Redmond Barrens. The team discreetly proceed to the Redmond Arms and are guided to Coinspinner's room. He greets the runner, saying Eliohann advised them they'd be coming, and reveals the whole story :

''Eliohann is a dragon unlike the others, he's been obsessed with the Matrix and the digital world. He had learned of Project Cerberus and devised a series of events that got him under Emerging Futures control for experimentation. Unknown to Emerging Futures, the Dragon had willingly let himself be captured, hiding his true capabilites so he could indulge his curiosity. He knew he could always escape once he'd learn enough. Within a few weeks, the project came around as the Dragon was delighted with his immersion in cyberspace and reveled the simsense testing, quickly becoming the project's golden subject. The Dragon developped an obsession with Maria Mercurial and even had Justine Grier commission an exact replica of her earring, has a gift to the Dragon to keep him happy.''

''With the project initial funding almost exhausted, Justine Grier had asked Ares a request for additional funding, providing encouraging reports about the Project. Ares agreed but provided limited funds. Unknown to Justine, Ares wanted to know more details about the project and began investigating on their own. Justine had to reduce expenses to keep the project alive, she had to cut back on the research staff and the industrial cyberdecks used for the experimentations, which caught the Dragon's attention. Not only was he enjoying himself, he was beginning to understand the significance of the Matrix and how to work with it. He eventually pieced together what was happening with the project but being a dragon, he knew what he wanted and wanted as much of it as he could get. ''

''The Dragon began to plan. He learned from the Matrix about stock market and it did not take long before he figured he could influence the actions of the company by controlling enough of its stock. But to do so, the Dragon required money. Fate granted the Dragon's wishes. Being active in both the physical and astral planes, Eliohann sensed a presence, the astral form of an old ork on the verge of retirement, looking for one last run before getting out of the shadows. The Dragon, posing astrally as one of the compound's guard, fell upon the ork's astral form and confined him in Astral Space. He waited until the ork got almost insane by desperation and fear then approached him under his true astral form and made him a proposition in exchange for his life. The ork would struck a shortlived yet lucrative deal working as the Dragon's agent with the outside world. The Dragon had Coinspinner use the remaining of his earned money to agressively develop a sizeable portfolio, whose profits were deposited in Eliohann's new account he created for himself. While the funds for project Cerberus ran lower and lower, Eliohann was amassing a considerable fortune for himself and within a few months, the time was right. With the aid of a company specializing in corporate takeovers, more precisely Hawthorne Holdings, the Dragon seized a majority of Emerging Futures shares and got himself in a position that dictated to policies of the corporation. He appointed Coinspinner to act as his proxy since Emerging Futures' board of director did not know the true identity of the new Chairman.''

''Ares, having learned the details on the project following their investigation, reacted in panic. Imagining how outraged animal rights protection would be to learn of the experiments, and even worse, how dreat dragons such as Lofwyr would react, Ares opted to terminate the project as well as all test subjects. Eliohann learned of Ares intentions and ordered the project to continue at an accelerated rate. Within a day, Ares bought Emerging Futures remaining stock and was attempting a buy out of the rest. Considering his options and sensing that Justine Grier began to suspect the Dragon's true identity, Eliohann had to buy time until the project was completed. Eliohann, through Coinspinner, opened negotiations with Ares. He proposed the sale of all data as well as termination of the test subjects for an outrageous ammount of money, one Ares wouldn't be willing to meet, and suggested that other people may be interested in acquiring this data. Ares agreed to negotiate and proposed that negotiations took place in the premises of The Cobalt Marie. What Eliohann knew that Ares didn't, was that The Cobalt Marie was hardly neutral ground but a self serving organization that would supply confidential information about one negotiator if, of course, the price is right.''

''After a few weeks on tense negotiations, Ares became frustrated with Emerging Futures. Unknown to them, Coinspinner had bribed of the Marie's employee to leak pivotal information about Ares as well as feeding them false information. Believing that Emerging Futures were only negotiating to buy additional leverage with these other people. Ares autorized the raid on Emerging Futures but not before Marie could warn Coinspinner about the upcoming aussault. Eliohann knew the game was up but he didn't care. He had finally gotten what he wanted. With a toothy smile, he teared appart his cage then burned a bloody path to the cyberdeck room, dragging a screaming a screaming technician along. The Dragon had a burning desire to run the Matrix, the real one, for the first time. Ares assault team arrived on the scene, just as the technician jacked the Dragon into the experimental deck.''

''The Dragon released a scream that vibrated throughout the whole building. Despite all the simulation Eliohann had been through, not even his paranatural mind could handle the reality of cyberspace. The assault team opened fire of the Dragon. Releasing its head from the terminal, the Dragon went berserk and destroyed everything (and everyone) around him. Obviously hurt and possibly insane, the Dragon broke out into the skies, crumbling a large portion of Emerging Futures' top floors and flew an unpredictable path, until he walked himself through Penance. Coinspinner managed to get his hands on most of all of Project Cerberus Data and went hiding in the Redmond Arms Hotel.''

While under medical care in Penance, Eliohann reached out to Damien Knight, President and CEO of Ares Macrotechnology. He offered Damien Knight a choice: Step down as Ares CEO and provide Eliohann a place on Ares's board of director, becoming his equal, or risk the consequences of having Ares illegal experimation on dragons exposed to the rest of world.

While Damien Knight met with Eliohann in Penance to bitterfully agree to the Dragon's terms, Eliohann contacted Coinspinner and avised that a team of Shadowrunners would be reaching out to him. He would have to come with them and bring the data concerning Project Cerberus in order to give them back to Ares.

The team learns that Ares had secured the Dragon and made their way back to Penance, where they found the presence of an Errant Knight force. They quickly realize that a deal that was struck between Eliohann and Damien Knight. Coinspinner gave Damien Knight the data and Eliohann proclaimed that Ares would from now on be called Ares Industries.

Eliohann, seeking to establish a lair nearby, took Ken on his back and flew away. Coinspinner tells the runners that Eliohann was supposed to leave them something for him, the Maria Mercurial earring, wich in fact, Eliohann promised Coinspinner as a retirement gift. Seeking to keep the earring as payment for their troubles, Tihkoosue lied to Coinspinner, claiming the Dragon never gave them such jewel, wich lead to Coinspinner making his way out of Penance screaming NEVER DEAL WITH A DRAGON.

7. A Night Out Downtown
Following the events that led Eliohann to become a board member of Ares Industries, reconstruction began in Penance under the Dragon’s orders. New walls have been built to protect the residents, a community center (locally known as PCC) has been established, and much more. Neons now fill what used to be streets of desolation. Proud of all the accomplishments made in the past months, Tihkoosue hosted a party to inaugurate the new Penance. Several guests, including Cornelia, Marty and Mitch were invited to share in the celebration.

After the party, Tihkoosue celebrated privately by drinking a special bottle that Eliohann gave him as a gift. That night, Tihkoosue became Awakened and had a strange dream. A dream that felt real. A dream of a beaver, one he’s grown to refer to as Amik. The entity offered is hand as guidance to Tihkoosue, offering to become his mentor spririt, working together to build a better future, an offer that Tihkoosue accepted without second thoughts. The following evening, Kikkawa received a call from Mr. Takei for a potential run. He explains that someone within Renraku is planning to steal his work and if he’s available for the job, he and his team should meet a man called Titus at a Downtown club called Dante’s Inferno. Kikkawa proceeds to call Tihkoosue and Cornelia to let them know of the offer and the team makes its way Downtown.

Reaching the club, the team notice a Troll gang in front of the entrance. Tihkoosue tries to go in, but one of the Trolls stops him, asking him to pay the Troll Toll to get in. At this moment, Cornelia steps in and proceeds to seduce the Troll, asking if there isn’t something she can offer him to cover the passage fee. The Troll replies by saying if Cornelia spends the night drinking with her, they can come in free. Cornelia accepts and the team are granted access.

Once inside, the team splits as Cornelia stays with the Troll while Kikkawa and Tihkoosue seek out Titus. While drinking with Cornelia, the Troll presents himselft as Yukes, a member of the Bloody Screamers gang in Seattle. He explains that the Bloody Screamers area gang composed of Trolls and some orks, who has a big grudge against another gang called the Troll Killers. On the other side, Kikkawa and Tihkoosue meet with Titus, the club manager. He reveals that Mr. Takei has an enemy within Renraku, a man named Walter Smythe, who stole his research and he’s planning to alter the data this same evening. The problem is that Walter kept the data on his personal computer and out of the matrix. The team needs to locate Walter Smythe and make sure he doesn’t fulfill his deed.

Titus took the opportunity to let the Outsiders know that he also caters for people running the shadows and he currently has a decker available should the team require one if, of course, the price is right. Since time is of the essence, the Outsiders took Titus up on his offer and were told to go downstairs at the bar and wait for 10 minutes near the fifth bartender.

On Cornelia side, she was still drinking with Yukes when he heard commotion with his gang outside and abruptly left. Cornelia found her partners who just got out of their meeting with Titus and all 3 runners are now waiting for the decker to show up.

In the meantime, Kikkawa was approached by several pushers and managed to keep his cool under temptation. Being skilled in sleight of hands, he was even able to acquire a few bags of chemicals and a narcoject.

As Gentry approached the team to introduce himself, so did a young elven woman. She grabbed Kikkawa by his hands and pulled him towards the dance floor, asking him to share a dance and have a good time. The latter accepted, wanting to please his mentor spirit since he’s been under temptation the second he stepped inside the club. At that time, Cornelia started an argument with Kikkawa and the teenage girl, saying they were on a job and that there is a time for business and a time for pleasure. The teenage girl simply replied to Cornelia that an old aunt wouldn’t know how to party, while Yukes, the Troll ganger, just got back to see his date.

Cornelia turned the table to her advantage and said to Yukes that the elven girl called her an old aunt. Yukes lost his composure and rammed his fist right in the young woman’s face, leaving her maimed and disfigured on the dance floor. Cornelia thanked the Troll by sharing a passionnate kiss and told him that she had official business to attend to. Kikkawa, to get back at Cornelia, gave Yukes Cornelia’s commlink number so he could call her later and pick things up where they left off. Yukes gave Cornelia one last kiss and left the club. Gentry, now able to have a discussion with the team, gets hired by the team after he provided some background information on himself, to prove he’s well suited to get the job done. The team gets back to Titus to negotiate Gentry’s fee. Once that’s done, the team got into OPA and Gentry decked his way into Renraku’s host, to find more information on Walter Smythe’s whereabouts. He was able to find that Smythe was either hiding at Rent-a-Bureau, a building that makes money from shared office space, or, at Delta Bluff, a small gambling Den. The team decides to lookup the Gambling Den first since they are close by. Gentry decks the den’s security system and quickly realize that Smythe is not there. Tihkoosue then drives the team towards Rent-A-Bureau’s offices but Gentry, still hooked in Delta Bluff’s security system, realizes that Smythe just got inside. The car turns around and the runners make their way back to the gambling den.

After parking OPA nearby, Tihkoosue stumbles upon some members of the Brain Eaters Gang. Wanting revenge against them, Tihkoosue sent one his drone in stealth mode to ambush them and go back to Penance, while he and the rest of the team goes into Delta Bluff. Tihkoosue’s drone succeeds but, unbeknownst to him, Brain Eaters are well versed with technology and were able to provide the matrix signature of the drone to other gang members before bitting the dust.

Gentry waits in the car while the rest of the team enters Delta Bluff and are immediately rush by a gambler, who’s trying to get them to play a game with him. Kikkawa accepts the gambler’s offer while Tihkoosue and Cornelia scout the place from the inside. Gentry advised that Smythe is locked up in an office and Cornelia takes the lead. She asks Gentry to open the door and Tihkoosue to cover the door. She grabs Kikkawa’s narcoject, a drink, then goes in, prentending to be drunk and asking where the bathrooms are. Smythe, surprised by this sudden turn of events, aks Cornelia to leave but she tries flirting with him. Smythe urges her to leave the office and Cornelia tries to spill her drink on him but fails. Aggravated by the whole situation, Smythe starts losing his patience but it gives Cornelia the perfect opportunity to apply to narcojecton him.

Having put Smythe out of comission, Cornelia calls in Tihkoosue and Gentry and the latter proceeds to alter the data. To make sure no one gets back to them, the team asks Gentry to put extremely offensive pornographic data on Smythe’s computer to make him look like a deviant with a drug problem. As the team makes their escape, Kikkawa managed to lose all of his money to the gambler, who’s still harassing the team to have someone play with him. They convice him that Kikkawamight be interested in a more physical type of playing, which pleases the gambler, and they ensure him he’ll be in touch. The team gets out and advise Mr. Takei that the job has been completed.

"It's that extra something, the "special touch" that goes one step beyond, that distinguishes mercenaries from the quality of actual Shadowrunners." –Tihkoosue

8.
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