Shadowrun
Shadowrun Play => Play-by-Post => Virtual Underworld 93 => Topic started by: Bull on <10-08-11/1602:09>
-
Ok, we're assuming events from SRM missions through 04-04 and the 2011 CMPs have now happened. Beware of spoilers if you plan to play any of these in the future, and remember to avoid "claiming" any missions, since multiple players run them. But the events, and fallout, are now live for Missions and VU93. Have fun.
-
>>>>[Well, it's been a busy few months in the shadows, to say the least. I feel like I've talked to a hundred different runner teams. I really must be getting old, 'cause I feel like I've given the same job out dozens of times. Ahh well, fraggit. Do this long enough, and everything blurs together anyway, ya know?
So the big deal is Prop 23, aka Project Freedom. The ORC has finally managed to get it's movement on the ballot. Of course, now this just makes us a target for the bigots in office. Already been some crazy drek going down. if you attended any of the downtown Rally's, you'll know what I mean.
And this artifact rush nonsense. Ghost, I never imagined it would generate this much biz. Magic skulls, bags of magic obsidian rocks, books and tomes, magic fraggin' swords. I feel like I'm stuck inside a game of Dawn of Atlantis here.
So how's the biz been treating you lately?]<<<<<
-- Bull (16:05:30/10-08-73)
-
>>>>[Slogging through the bile that is political workings for the politicos I like, still a dirt that never washes away. Every damned election. Hope that you'll be happy to hear that I'm supporting politicos that are for Prop 23 "up" here, Bull. Damn well time we finally get all of Seattle together at last.]<<<<<
-- Money Johnson (19:40:00/10-08-73)
-
>>>>[Good god. What kind of idiots have you got down there, Bull? Who the hell is pushing this Prop 23 thing, and how quickly can you make them disappear?? If you get this thing passed, your lot are dead in the water.]<<<<<
-- The Wyrm Ouroboros (22:34:06/10-11-73)
-
>>>>[Bull has his own reasons for helping the ORC with Prop 23, none of which is my business to spill. Needless to say, Prop 23 is ballzy on many levels. Yeah, it'll force the Seattle government to recognize the Underground and treat it, and orks in general by proxy, with equality. Sounds great in theory, but the problem with being treated equal with the rest of Seattle is that the rest of Seattle is being treated like shit. I'm honestly suprised that the ORC was able to get this thing on the ballet, becasue if Prop 23 succeedes, then it will be open season for KE down there. And I don't think that everyone in the underground will be as happy as the ORC with any new found equality. Not to mention that Brackhaven or his ilk could use it as a prime reason to "ensure security". This election is gonna be hot; almost glad I only visit Seattle nowadays.]<<<<<
-- Bravo Six (14:39:08/10-21-73)
-
>>>>[That's if Brackhaven stays in power. It's a Gubernatorial Election this year.]<<<<<
-- Money Johnson (15:38:18/10-21-73)
-
>>>>[ Who's governor doesn't make a spit's worth of difference. The majority of income in the Underground comes from, shall we say, less than strictly legal commerce? If the OU becomes Just Another District, yes, KE (or Lone Star, or whomever gets the contract) is going to go down there -- and they're going to require full disclosure for areas, and mapping the place out is going to be a Project for them, so they can go where they need to.
Frankly, if this thing passes, the Underground is doomed. ]<<<<<
-- The Wyrm Ouroboros (11:58:12/10-22-73)
-
>>>>>[So they should stay second-class citizens, even compared to other SINless? And the major reason that income comes from "less than strictly legal commerce" is because there is no legal commerce at all available to them at this time. Anyhow, there's "less than strictly legal commerce" going on in the corporate enclaves and downtown Seattle, for frags sake, it's not like it's going to become squeaky clean and beautiful.
OK, this is a major concern that has politics above and below ground talking, a lot. I didn't walk into this blindly, and have contacts on both sides and every side of the equation. Legit and illegal. Even a fair bit of the "illegal" folks in the OU are for Prop 23, as they'd stop having to rob trucks of food just to feed everyone and start buying food on the open market. The ones that are wholly illegal are just complaining about new bribes they'll now have to pay like they would on the surface, but are eager for new markets as well. There's also the addition of another city hall, a larger voting pool (You better believe that a SIN Amnesty is being demanded on this deal! They're pulling the "Night Of Rage" card to get that one), and I don't blame them a bit.
Mount Humanis is pissed off, ORC is all for it, and the other groups are squabbling and trying to find dirt on each other as fast as possible to derail their attempts at supporting/smashing Prop 23. Biz is good right now, and the Ork Underground will still be a place that Orks, Trolls, and Dwarves can hide out when the heat is on, mingling in with the crowds just like elves can in Elven Neighborhoods and Humans can, well, anywhere.]<<<<<
-- Money Johnson (11:14:24/10-22-73)
-
>>>>>[Redmond is Just Another District, too.] <<<<<
— Brighid (12:25:09/10-22-73)
-
>>>>>[So is Puyallup. The "OMG KE is going to go in guns blazing!" is pure drek. It's not like it's Lone Star with it's almost 100% Human(is) force here. KE is at least an equal opportunity exploiter. ... Employer. Bah, same difference when you're talking about a Mega.] <<<<<
— Money Johnson (11:38:55/10-22-73)
-
>>>>>[Meh, I wouldn't be too worried about the Underground either. If that's what they want, good for them. And Money is right, business seems to be good these days. Told my fixer that I'm back in business for a while and he told me the demand for wetwork is unusually high at the moment. Some serious shit is going down but, well, for me it's just going to be another bunch of credsticks to cash in.] <<<<<
— Smiley (14:11:32/10-22-73)
-
>>>>>[All things being equal, I would agree with everyone about the Underground being just another district. But the big X-factor here is Brackhaven. If he wins, he now has to bring the Underground to heal...I'm sorry "bring the infrastructure up to current legal standards and for current law enforcement to bring current crime levels under control for public safety", and can do it all legal like. It's not going to be guns blazing, no it's going to start with something like serving arrest warrants, stings for contraband, condeming buildings because of safety hazards, and a lot of other legal sleeze. KE and or the government is going to push and when someone pushes back, even if its a little bit but I know of too many people who will push back HARD, you have a possible flashpoint to give someone like Brakhaven the perfect oppertunity to put the hammer down. Prop 23 is a direct challenge to the status quo and right now they have one of the worst possible foes to deal with. Neither side can back down becasue both have way too much invested, but make no mistake, even if it's passed, it won't be the end. I just hope the Underground is ready, I mean truly ready for it. ] <<<<<
— Bravo Six (03:19:19/10-23-73)
-
>>>>>[Notice that both the Republican and the Arch-Conservative parties are heavily opposed to Prop 23. I can't fathom why at all. ... Oh, right, their major supporters come from Humans and Corporations, what was I thinking? But, yes, I can see that happening far too well. All the more reason to take jobs that hurt those parties and help out the others, right? And, hey, it's not like you're giving up cred on the stick, the jobs and pay are there. Remember, 'Runners, vote early, and vote with every Fake SIN you got!] <<<<<
— Money Johnson (03:20:55/10-23-73)
-
>>>>>[I may remind you that there are plenty of Republicans who think Brackhaven is a carpetbagging piece of shit, beginning with President Colloton.]<<<<<
— Brighid (08:44:23/10-23-73)
-
>>>>>[They were the "Corporations" part of my previous post, not the "Humanis". And while there are some Republicans that are their own people and work with what the party really stands for, the majority are in the Megas pockets (But that's true of all politicians.). Also, a lot of Republicans in Seattle wish that he would flip his flag back to Arch-Conservative as well, but that's not likely to happen in Seattle. Too many Metahuman voters.
Let's just say I've been talking to some folks at... Some places... That would love to see Brackhaven return to federal politics and a new Republican candidate be able to come forward. Honestly, the best thing I've heard about him recently is that, "Well, at least he's a local."]<<<<<
— Money Johnson (12:12:40/10-23-73)
-
>>>>>[With all this talk of human politics, hasn't anyone notice something is changing in Seattle. This...city is more charged with mana. I heard about a small eruption in the Tir, which was quickly hushed. The students where I am at are talking about islands vanishing, boats that shouldn't exist in mountains, and swords possessed by demons. The balance of nature is swinging]<<<<<
--BW 302 (19:50:30/10-23-73)
-
>>>>>[Don't know much about magic, but the last time I heard talk like that, it was a group of people experimenting with Zen laced Deepweed hits. Not saying that's what it is, but that's some messed up drek you're talking about. And it's more than Human politics, it's Metahuman politics.]<<<<<
-- Money Johnson (19:13:44/10-23-73)
-
>>>>>[Human politics, metahuman politics. Humans and metahumans both look the same to me and politics make no sense. No balance, and no one understands the circle of life as estibalished by Nature. Circle of Life is what I believe the humans call it. Politics ignore this and the humans/ metahumans who practice this need to take a trip into the wilderness. Then we'll see who survive..]<<<<<
--BW 302 (17:08:34/ 10-24-73)
-
>>>>>[Hahaha! This one sounds like my keyboard player on Deepweed!] <<<<<
— Smiley (17:25:36/10-24-73)
-
>>>>>[So far, fourty, um, -ish years in the wilderness, hunting things much larger and meaner than I am (Those are getting harder to find). Then again, I'm not a politician.]<<<<<
--Money Johnson (20:03:10/ 10-24-73)
-
>>>>>[There are always something in the forest that will be able to take you down. You just have not threaten its terroritory yet. If you judge a creature by its size and meaness, then the Forest has tricked you well and is waiting for you to make a mistake.".]<<<<<
--BW 302 (15:40:23/ 10-30-73)
-
>>>>>[As true for the shadows as anywhere else.]<<<<<
--The Wyrm Ouroboros (17:55:15/10-30-73)
-
>>>>>[True 'nuff. A Pixie's fireball can fry you just as crispy as dragon's breath. Either way, you're toast.]<<<<<
-- Money Johnson (17:55:30/10-30-73)
-
>>>>>[Most pixies won't eat you afterwards though...most]<<<<<
--BW 302 (14:07:23/ 11-01-73)
-
>>>>>[Never, ever make fun of a Toxic Pixie Shaman. I still have the scars from the little teeth.]<<<<<
-- Money Johnson (13:12:40/11-01-73)
-
>>>>>[Haha! I've seen many nasty things in the last twelve years but a Toxic Pixie Shaman but I'll admit, I've never seen one of those. And does it really matter if your eaten or not afterwards? You're still crispy dead. Money, you talking about hunting all the time, may make me want to try. Send me a PM before your next trip if you don't mind a first class jackass like me tagging along.
But, let's get back on topic shall we! We're professionals posting serious stuff after all. Prop 23, ORC, that douche of Brackhaven, you know... politics! Jeez, who am I kidding?! I'm asking myself if I really prefer talking about politics instead of deadly Toxic Shaman Pixies... but I guess this is what this topic is all about. So... Which one of you guys think Prop 23's going to pass?]<<<<<
-- Smiley (22:37:18/11-01-73)
-
>>>>>[Politics and Biz, yes, and as it pertains to Prop 23. Names withheld to protect the guilty.
The Democrats have stated outright that they're signed onto it, wanting to "Heal the final wounds of the Night Of Rage in Seattle" and other such drek. Really, they're hoping for larger pay-outs from Federal Support to the community, as well as an additional SIN Amnesty that will net them a larger voter pool, in addition to getting the Gubernatorial office again after what happened with my Chummer Julius (Poor guy is in an "Old Age" home now, despite being a dwarf. He thinks it's the 2050s and he's a Shadowrunner, if you'd believe it.). Still no word on who they're sending forth as a leader of the party for Seattle, which is strange. From the murmurings that I've heard, expect work in espionage against other parties, and hiding away any of the embarrassing things that politicians typically get up to (Mistresses/Gigolos, proof of drug habits, illegitimate children, and so on.).
The New Century Party is trying to get some roots in Seattle, but is staying on the fence for Prop 23, waiting for a popular assessment. Their current rep, still temporarily in power, is a human woman from Newfoundland of all places, but is very charismatic in a "Of the people" sort of way, while still being very technologically savvy. She's also a magician of some small power (All those special effects at her speeches are hers), so she's attracting more people than you'd think, but not enough yet to get official party status in the Seattle Metroplex. Expect a lot of hack jobs against Spam-Ads for competing parties, magical support for the party (Watcher Spirits shouting out info on the party is a favorite of hers), and maybe a little dirty work against the groups trying to do unto the NCP.
The Technocratic Party... I'm sorry, it'll take me a few moments to stop laughing here. OK, I'm better. Anyhow, yeah, they don't have a chance and the only people that seem to not know it are the Technocrats. They were on the fence for Prop 23, but have given a semi-firm commitment to it, with some wiggle room to get out. But, they have official party status still, and their leader is a male Troll who had some minor simsense roles when the Orxploitation thing was big, so has some star power behind him, as well as appealing to the Metatypes out there that aren't happy with "Mount Humanis". Not much talk about the type of work they'll want done, but they've got a Technomancer and AI team on staff to run their Matrix and AR Advertisements which is surprising, and might detract from supporters.
The Republican Party, with a certain hated Governor in power, is pulling a "Stay The Course" advertising role, a few plans to re-enforce ties with the UCAS-Proper, and a few new ideas economically. I hate to say it, but from a business point of view, they have the best plan given so far for rebuilding Seattle from Crash 2.0 in ways of legitimate jobs and rebuilding infrastructure and drawing in more shipping. The rest of what's coming out of the Governor's Office, however, sounds more in line with the Arch-Conservative Party (Who is not running in Seattle, probably because they don't like being on the other side of a lynch mob), which isn't that surprising. Federal Support is heavy, as the President is also a Republican, as well as the Governor's overwhelming support for the Metroplex Guard and the military in Fort Lewis, which also gives him the Military Supporters Vote as well. There's a lot of jobs being lined up, from the regular political jobs of hiding secrets, to some out-and-out intimidation tactics against voters and other parties, mostly the Independents. Needless to say, the Republicans are giving a firm "NO!" on Prop 23, even from the head of the party, who sees it as another form of Welfare Grabbing on behalf of the more liberal types.
The Independents are a dog's dinner of options out there, with lots of biz going to anyone and everyone just to get their platforms noticed. Guerrilla Marketing is the key word for them, and technically illegal, so Shadowrunners that want some easy (Literally easy, not the "Will get you killed" easy) but low-paying gigs to get through some tough times can sign on for this kind of drek. There's other jobs they want done as well, but it's so random and unpredictable... They're all over the place with Prop 23 as well, and, as of yet, none have official status for being able to be on the ballot yet, but there's time for that still.
So, there you go, the Johnson's eye view of the election possibilities so far. Right now, I feel like I need a bottle of scotch and a six-hour shower to make myself feel clean again.]<<<<<
-- Money Johnson (22:36:11/11-01-73)
-
>>>>>[I still don't feel clean. :-(]<<<<<
-- Money Johnson (10:38:00/11-04-73)
-
>>>>>[As an Ork and a Ghoul both I'm just not so worried about it. 75% of those I meet try to kill me, 60% of them die, 10-14% give up or haven't found me and 1% get a clue. Even if KE cracked down, they don't have the experience in the underground yet.]<<<<<
-- Chrona (21:15:00/11-04-73)
-
>>>>>[I thought Orks became Wendigos? I've hired ghouls on rare occasions (Mainly because they offered their services to me so rarely), and found them to be just like other folk. Of course, I let them know where I stood on the idea of being dinner right from the start, so that might change things. And it's a damned toxic pixie that bites me in the end, go figure.
Oh, and that doesn't include the number of Ghoul Deckers/Hackers that I've hired over the years without knowing it. The Matrix is a great equalizer for all types, neh?]<<<<<
-- Money Johnson (18:38:44/11-04-73)
-
>>>>>[Different strain of HMHVV, MJ, any Meta can end up a Ghoul. I keep away from the Matrix as much as I can, not my area but yeah it's not hard to use it to get work for those who want to hide what they are. I'm open about it. Best thing you can do negotiating with ghouls, bring dinner.]<<<<<
-- Chrona (00:15:23/11-04-73)
-
>>>>>[When dey gonna haz a Prop fer da Redmond Barrens?]<<<<<
-- Big Murphy (11:40:11/11-07-73)
-
>>>>>[When property tax doesn't mean the money you pay to the local cholos to make sure you're not knifed in your sleep.]<<<<<
-- Mercedes (14:14:27/11-07-11)
-
>>>>>[The day after Sirrug pays it a visit like he did down in Cali.]<<<<<
--Iceblade (14:15:38/11-07-11)
-
>>>>>[Ah Redmond, I'm not sure I'd want it any other way!]<<<<<
--Smiley (16:50:23/11-07-11)
-
>>>>>[Yeah, Smliey, dat de truff. Jus' t'inkin' 'bout da folks what ain't orky tough like mez an' da fambly.]<<<<<
-- Big Murphy (16:55:59/11-07-73)
-
>>>>>[You've never seen the Astral side of Glow City, then. Personally, it wouldn't surprise me if someone wanting to cause trouble for KE (and by extension Ares) started showing toxic shamans abroad how nasty the astral is there. And the Azzies may be looking to get rid of some of the toxics in the Yucatan now that there's peace there...]<<<<<
--Iceblade (18:40:50/11-07-11)
-
>>>>>[I don't know about the taste of Astral (Well, except for that horrible clear soda they were trying to sell years ago, BLEH!), but there are Toxics in the Glow City and the Rats Nest. Sometimes they come out and cause problems. Sometimes civic-minded people see to it they don't cause too many problems. One of the worst jobs I ever did involved the Rats Nest and a Toxic Shaman there, I made sure to study up a bit more on them since. Luckily my employer was handy to settle the situation.]<<<<<
-- Money Johnson (16:13:00/11-07-73)
-
>>>>>[Oh I know what it looks like in the astral. Not exactly pretty I'll admit. But you know, easy and free squats to lay low are plenty. Abandoned warehouses for last minute concerts and parties too. Better yet, I'm getting nearly all my fresh vegetables in the Plastic Jungles. When I'm pissed, I can always roam around the Jackal's Lantern and beat the crap out of a few Helloweeners walking around near the place (how convenient that they don't remember anything). Not to forget the surprisingly cheap booze and the occasional set at the Skeleton, we just love playing in that place. Hell, I may not live there but that's where I am most of the time, with the exception of my weekly visit to the Powerline in Bellevue. Anyway, nice districts always needs shitholes to make them look great! I'm pretty happy with how Redmond is right now.
Hahaha! Money, would that explain the nasty Toxic Pixie Shaman bite and the funny story that goes with it?]<<<<<
--Smiley (22:11:01/11-07-11)
-
>>>>>[I've seen what crawls in the shadows back there. Which is why I don't go in there anymore without a plan and lots of back-up.]<<<<<
--Mercedes (00:37:27/11-08-11)
-
>>>>>[The Toxic Pixie. OK, I was hired to hire other people to check out some strange things going on with some restaurants (You might recognize some news reports having a pattern, if so, you have a good Data Search Program!). Well, a few of the research teams I hired got sloppy with their "Background Check" on their Mr. Johnson and their Firewall, and the Toxic Pixie was able to track me somehow, got me, probably some magic drek. Anyhow, she decided to take me on face-to-face. Luckily, I was with a drek-hot magician who was able to counterspell everything she threw at me, and she decided to get up close and person and started biting. I, um, didn't have a shirt on at the time (Don't ask), and she got a nice lock on my shoulder for a good bit until I could get to a straight razor and pried her off.
The worst part was the person I was with laughing the whole time instead of helping after the magic got thrown around and the biting started.]<<<<<
-- Money Johnson (08:54:12/11-08-73)
-
>>>>>[Back to the political game, Brackhaven was cornered about Prop 23, and oozed out of the question quite nicely. He's a piece of drek, but I haven't seen a move like that since my Political Sciences classes in University. The soundbite that everyone's probably seen is only half the story, he was hammered by the newsies and some supporters of the Ork Underground Movement. Never lost his smile, never faltered, nothing.
Days like that, I want to do extensive dental damage to the rat bastard. Still no word on how the other parties are going, but their jobs are lining up more and more, and biz is getting hard to arrange due to lack of low-end talent that's willing to take a job where shooting isn't involved. All-Father I feel old.]<<<<<
-- Money Johnson (12:16:06/11-25-73)