[Poindexter]

Sam hears the dwarf speaking to him through the astral, a strange sensation, but one he rather enjoys.

"You are already aware of your ability to perceive the Astral realm. The research that Doc has done indicate that you may have some limited ability to shunt mana - disrupt spells, so to speak."

The moment Sam's mind registers the words and their meaning, two things happen simultaneously. He sees Ace and Chino returning to camp at the same time he realizes that Ohanzee is right. The giant isn't sure how he knows, but he absolutely CAN  disrupt spells. Not only that, but he can smell Chino from all the way over there, even with the wind going the way it is. Even with the bonfire throwing smoke into the air, the sweet tender flesh left on that magnificent orkish frame of his is calling to every sense Sam possesses. He's barely holding it together when Chino speaks.

"Well don't you look like emulsified bull-drek?  I'm just fucking with you, chummer.  You look fucking scary. Well, ya know, more so."

Ace is beginning to say something as well, but Sam can't even hear his own thoughts anymore, let alone the babbling of some corporate killborg. All he can hear is the beating of Chino's heart, and the sudden, immutable, rage-filled desire to consume it begins to overwhelm all other concerns. Things go blurry. He flexes his "new muscles" to break the chains and flings his body, face first, at the ork, hoping to tear a chunk from him to serve as an appetizer for the main course to come. The astral chains don't break or even strain much, but he can swear he feels them weaken just a tiny bit as he roars, frothing corrosive fluid, toward his orkish ally.

[rednblack]

Chino takes an unconscious step back as the troll rushes him, but Sam's movements are jerky and telegraphed, leaving the ork ample opportunity to defend himself.  "Better watch your hoop now, Sam," he says with a glint in his eye as he opens himself to the astral, feeling the tattoos on his face and arms vibrate with energy. 

Yeah, this is gonna be good.

Horrified at what he's seeing, Ace readies his shock hand and flexes his legs, preparing for the worst.  Hoping for the best, he barks out, "Sam, stand down!" channeling every faceless, unremembered superior he's ever had.  It's not that Ace expects his corp background to affect Sam, it's simply that he doesn't know what else to do.

[Tecumseh]

Katsina's stomach sinks as she sees Sam's aura burst into a primal, magical rage.

Oh no, she thinks, her hopes of this being an easy transition replaced with ice cold reality. Oh no.

Sam struggles forth against his magical bonds, running his claws over his body in a passionate but clumsy effort to free himself.

On the astral, Katsina sees Sam tear himself apart with drain. He doesn't know what he's doing to himself! He can't even feel it!

She casts with a shout, her own thoughts slow and sluggish from the massive spell she is sustaining. "Sam, you'll regret this!" she calls out, hoping that feelings of guilt and shame might conflict him about Chino.

[Zweiblumen]

Doc stares in amazement as the giant strains against they mystical bonds that restrict him and lunges, almost in slow motion, at Chino.  His initial fight or flight instict kicks him, telling him to get to cover as he has nothing that can possibly stand against the raging behemoth.  As he turns to head for the van, something inside him clicks, and he's suddenly overwhelmed with speed and grace.  The world slows down, similarly to when he's jacked in just not as much.  His motions become much more fluid.  Instead of heading for the van Doc stops and faces the altercation readying his cyber shotgun.  A feral snarl begins to form on his face as he prepares to defend himself by any means necessary.

[Malevolence]

All Hell broke loose behind him. What Ohanzee had expected to be Sam testing his new found ability to undo mana interactions with his aura rapidly became Sam overexerting himself to try to kill Chino.


"We're your only friends. Please stop this." Even in the astral - especially in the astral where emotion was more real than earth or sky - the earnestness was detectable. He didn't "shout" or place urgency into it, just a calm - and hopefully calming - statement of fact. But with the beast in control, appealing to Sam's emotions or even rational mind could be futile. So just in case, Ohanzee felt a show of force - a bigger predator to cow Sam's lizard brain - might be helpful. But the effect of a threat was unpredictable - the fight or flight response could behave like a cornered animal and lash out suicidally. No, the bigger beast would have to be a known ally, and Ohanzee knew the perfect ally to tap.


I'm sorry to call on you again so soon, friend Wolf, but you are needed. As he walked, Ohanzee silently reached out across the astral to the metaplane of beasts, using the astral signature of Wolf to direct his call. In an instant, his call was answered, and a wall of brown fur stood before him, impossible to miss. But it was not Wolf. Ohanzee looked up to see the massive ursine rear up onto its rear feet and sniff the air. Through his link to the spirit, Ohanzee could feel the strong presence and keen mind behind the spirit's words. Summoner, Wolf has agreed to let me come in his stead so that I may tend to my brother.


Ohanzee was unsure that the spirit could be trusted - considering his experience with Raven - but Bear was as earnest as they came. He resolved himself to trust the spirit as it there was no reason for it to lie. Wolf was wise, and if he had sent Bear in his place Ohanzee had to trust that he knew what he was doing. Ohanzee's acceptance was immediately known to the spirit, and the massive form of the Grizzly Bear turned and leveled its gaze on the rampaging troll. A low rumble bubbled up from Bear's massive chest, but it held any further comment, waiting for the little dwarf to command it.

[Poindexter]

Sam no longer exists. There is only a world full of rage and Chino. Rage at what cannot be possessed. Rage at what cannot be explained. Rage at what cannot be touched. The rage pours itself, howling till blood coats the throat, into the void at him! But still, Chino remains, and that only makes the rage grow stronger. Something will have to give out, soon. In reality, the rage will expend what is left of Sam if nothing intervenes, but presently, there isn't enough anymore to care.

[rednblack]

When Sam lunges toward Chino a second time, his eyes betray a lack of any intellect or humanity.  The troll is an animal, a monster really, feral and vicious and without mercy.  Ace rushes forward and tags Sam with his shock hand on the hindquarter, but the fomoraig doesn't seem to notice.  In the next moment, Chino pulls his arm back just as Sam's jaws snap down on air, a sound so fierce that Ace wonders if he's broken teeth.  Chino quickly moves to the opposite side of Sam, putting a little distance between himself and the thing that wants to make him a meal, but also to put Sam in between himself and Ace.  In the astral Chino feints briefly with a punch, smiles, and follows up with a headbutt.  Chino backs away smiling until he sees how little fazed Sam still is.  Things might have to get serious soon.

[Tecumseh]

Katsina sees her magic fizzle against Sam's hardened resistance. The spell binding him is at least slowing him down -  thank Hecate for that - and keeping Chino just out of reach, although barely.

Was I like this? she wonders. Was this my response? Her heart drops at the prospect, however historical.

She can see the magical energy pouring into Sam from the astral realm, at once strengthening him while also sapping his mind. Can't reason with him now. Reboot, try again.

Katsina sees Chino open his astral senses, then use them to headbutt Sam. She nods, agreeing that it's an effective way to subdue him without actually hurting him.

She grabs her sword, using it to channel her willpower into a focused shot on Sam's psyche. The blow rips through the astral and disrupts Sam's weakened mind. The giant staggers, dropping to a knee before falling face-first into the snow.

Katsina bows her head, ashamed that she couldn't prevent Sam's rampage.

"I guess we'll try again when he wakes up," she says, hoping to head off any debate about whether Sam should wake up. "Maybe give him more space. Just me. Maybe Ace, as he isn't really edible." She exhales, rubbing the back of her head. "Maybe I'll take him downwind. Finish my sewing project."

[rednblack]

Looking at the downed troll, Ace begins rifling through Sam's belongings and comes back with a commlink, which he tosses to Doc, before unslinging his Lancer as he stands above Sam's inert form.

"I was hoping to give Sam the chance to come clean himself, but he told me about this before he was bit.  Apparently, he's been dropping these things around like little shadowrunner breadcrumbs.  Things are potentially more complicated as a result.  Katsina, what are the chances he's going to be just the same when he wakes back up?"

When Doc looks at the commlink, he sees:

[spoiler]<<@To whom it may concern

I know very few things, lacking even my own name or where I came from, so I won't waste time with a backstory. Such a thing wouldn't be important anyway. What is important is the fact that I have in my possession, an ancient artifact, the likes of which the world has not seen in tens of thousands of years as well as the means to destroy it with a mere thought, should I desire to. The power contained in this artifact is so great, that when I destroy it, there is a very good chance it will tear the very fabric of this world asunder with catastrophic results across all continents. I do not want to do this, but will do so without a second thought, if pressed.

What must you do to keep me from doing this? My demands are quite simple:
1- Contact either The Draco Foundation, The Atlantean Foundation, The Dunkelzahn Institute of Magical Research, or The Astral Space Preservation Society. Send them a copy of this message.
2- I want a representative from any or all of those four groups to come meet me and take this damn thing from me.

That's all there is to it. To stop the destruction of your world, all you need do is come take this foul chunk of metal from me and remove the millstone from around my neck. If you are the offended party from whom I stole it, I'll even give it back for no more a fee than an explanation of events. Fair warning though, I am heavily armed and well supported by some of the most paranoid and trigger happy killers in the world. If you attempt to take it from me by force or deception, you will die. I've killed too many already and I don't want any more blood on my hands. PLEASE make certain this message finds its way to the proper eyes.

[Uncle Sam]>>[/spoiler]

[Tecumseh]

"I don't know for sure. A good chance. At least 50/50. But I don't know if he's driven by hunger or if it's the shock of a new body, new senses, a new reality.

"It's even possible that the loss of the nanites has damaged his thought processes. If the nanites are operating in the prefrontal cortex like Doc says, then it's possible that removing them is actually inhibiting Sam's thinking. Doc said that's the region of the brain for personality, decision making, and social behavior, right?" She looks to him to confirm. "If so, Sam may need to relearn and rebuild some of that functionality himself.

"Or maybe he's just overstimulated and needs time. Maybe Bear can get through to him where I could not."

She looks to Ohanzee and the astral entity towering over his shoulder.

[Malevolence]

"Our Sam is still in there, somewhere. I can see it in his aura. I can't imagine how powerful the Hunger is for him, but it may very well be too much for him to control. But Katsina has a point - Bear might be able to help him where we could not. Mighty Bear, would you please show yourself so that all might see you?" Bear obliges, his massive form coalescing into view only a few feet from the fire crackling in the middle of the makeshift camp. The spirit takes the form of a Grizzly Bear over ten feet tall, brown hair offering stark contrast in the snow but making it harder to pick out against the cloudy night sky. The spirit settles back down on all fours - still over five feet tall at the shoulders - and saunters over to where Sam lay in the snow. It sniffs at him in mild concern, then rests on its haunch as it takes up watch.


"I had intended to call forth Wolf, hoping that a friendly show of force might appeal to Sam's bestial nature without causing him to behave rashly out of fear. But Bear answered - he seems particularly interested in Sam." The spirit's ursine form chuffed, but did not elaborate. "Bear is a steadfast defender, and very honorable. I trust in his wisdom - he does not send such a powerful emissary for petty purpose." Ohanzee stares out at the dark night. "And besides, it will be good to have another ally at our side through this troubled night."


At last he turns to indicate Sam. "Let's get Sam moved downwind with Katsina and get them as much shelter from the sun as we can, then just give them their space. I can levitate him to wherever we need him so we don't risk getting burned by his, what, sweat? Bear and I will keep astral overwatch and can be there instantly if Katsina calls."

[Zweiblumen]

As the giant falls unconsious to the ground Doc sighs in relief.  He's got a slight case of the shakes from the adrenline rush wearing off.  Where on earth did I find that grace?  I've been clumsy for as long as I can remember.... all 3 days of it.  It must be these nanites.  More notes to make.  Calmer now, he walks over to make sure nothing fatal happened.

"Our Sam is still in there, somewhere. I can see it in his aura. I can't imagine how powerful the Hunger is for him, but it may very well be too much for him to control. But Katsina has a point - Bear might be able to help him where we could not. Mighty Bear, would you please show yourself so that all might see you?" Bear obliges, his massive form coalescing into view only a few feet from the fire crackling in the middle of the makeshift camp. The spirit takes the form of a Grizzly Bear over ten feet tall, brown hair offering stark contrast in the snow but making it harder to pick out against the cloudy night sky. The spirit settles back down on all fours - still over five feet tall at the shoulders - and saunters over to where Sam lay in the snow. It sniffs at him in mild concern, then rests on its haunch as it takes up watch.

Doc figures he must be completely jaded at this point as the sudden appearance of a giant grizzley doesn't even startle him anymore.  Just another day in the neighborhood.

"Should I check on the patient, or let him recover on his own?" Looking primarily at the Spirit that's manifested, but directing the question to all gathered.

Looking at the downed troll, Ace begins rifling through Sam's belongings and comes back with a commlink, which he tosses to Doc, before unslinging his Lancer as he stands above Sam's inert form.

"I was hoping to give Sam the chance to come clean himself, but he told me about this before he was bit.  Apparently, he's been dropping these things around like little shadowrunner breadcrumbs.  Things are potentially more complicated as a result.  Katsina, what are the chances he's going to be just the same when he wakes back up?"

When Doc looks at the commlink, he sees:

[spoiler]<<@To whom it may concern

I know very few things, lacking even my own name or where I came from, so I won't waste time with a backstory. Such a thing wouldn't be important anyway. What is important is the fact that I have in my possession, an ancient artifact, the likes of which the world has not seen in tens of thousands of years as well as the means to destroy it with a mere thought, should I desire to. The power contained in this artifact is so great, that when I destroy it, there is a very good chance it will tear the very fabric of this world asunder with catastrophic results across all continents. I do not want to do this, but will do so without a second thought, if pressed.

What must you do to keep me from doing this? My demands are quite simple:
1- Contact either The Draco Foundation, The Atlantean Foundation, The Dunkelzahn Institute of Magical Research, or The Astral Space Preservation Society. Send them a copy of this message.
2- I want a representative from any or all of those four groups to come meet me and take this damn thing from me.

That's all there is to it. To stop the destruction of your world, all you need do is come take this foul chunk of metal from me and remove the millstone from around my neck. If you are the offended party from whom I stole it, I'll even give it back for no more a fee than an explanation of events. Fair warning though, I am heavily armed and well supported by some of the most paranoid and trigger happy killers in the world. If you attempt to take it from me by force or deception, you will die. I've killed too many already and I don't want any more blood on my hands. PLEASE make certain this message finds its way to the proper eyes.

[Uncle Sam]>>[/spoiler]

Doc looks at the burner that Ace hands him and sighs.
"Did he mention anything about how any respondants would get in touch with him?  Or how many he's dropped?  Anything to give us a hint about where they are or who's found them?" Cursing under his breath, he figures that if anyone has found any of these then their attempts at a straightforward negotiation are pretty much shot.  I almost wish he'd just blown the damn thing up at this point.

"I'll see if I can track any purchases he made on his SIN, I don't have much hope of that, but it's probably the best chance we have at finding them.  I think we should continue with trying to get in touch with DIMR which will likely be shared with the Draco Foundation and ASPS as they share goals and a building here in Denver.  Does my previous plan sound feasible to you Ace?"

[Tecumseh]

Katsina helps the others to move Sam downwind. Having done so, she works to complete the sewing on the BoBEP blankets that will provide a protective layer for Sam's clothing. While she works she considers the messages that Sam left behind.

"I'm not sure this changes anything," she says, sewing as quickly as she can under the conditions. "If you or I found a commlink transmitting this, what would we do? We would treat it as a prank, or the delusion of someone on BTLs, or a gimmick for a reality trid show.

"The only people who might give this any weight are the people we stole it from and the people we stole it for. I don't know if commlinks left it bathrooms are the type of leads they go looking for when they're on the hunt for runners off the grid.

"It doesn't even include contact information. He signed it with a name that only we know. He seems to think that the people who would want it are the people who would know how to find us anyway. If you or I found this commlink and wanted to find Sam, where would we even begin? He hasn't given them anything to go on.

"I say we proceed as planned. Let's get the quicksilver photograph to the DIMR as soon as possible. Tomorrow, if we can. Give them a way to contact us. The quicker we move, the less time people have to find us and the less this message matters."

[Malevolence]

Once Sam has been placed upwind of the camp, Ohanzee is struck by the fact that he has been much less jittery since Sam's awakening. Despite the aggression and what could arguably be deemed a less than stellar result of Sam's first few waking moments, Ohanzee feels that a weight has lifted. Sam is alive, and Sam is still Sam - somewhere in there. All that Sam needed was hard work and patience, and Ohanzee felt he could provide those in abundance. The issue was all but resolved, and so Ohanzee felt quite relieved.


But Katsina was quick to bring his mind back round to another stress inducing topic that had plagued them for days, which meant it had been a problem for as long as he could remember - how to deal with the artifact. She starts with the topic of Sam's commlinks, and what she says makes sense - all but a handful of people that found them would ignore the message, attributing it to some prank or madman. And even if their pursuers did find it, Sam had failed to place any contact information on them and so they would have no advantage that they hadn't already had. Except that they would know their plans for the artifact - including who they intended to deal with.


"I agree, we should proceed as planned - you make some good points and I'm inclined to agree wit you that the presence of the burners doesn't really impact the plan. However, we should be wary that if our pursuers have found one of these, they will be aware of what we plan to do with the artifact, including who we are planning to contact. This will allow them to stake out the DIMR offices and wait for us, infiltrate the DIMR - if they haven't already - and sabotage the deal, or simply run interference and try to disrupt the deal. So we have to be vigilant and perhaps more cautious than we would be otherwise."


Ohanzee ponders for a moment, then continues. "I have some ideas on getting the photographs to them. I could send a spirit, but it would have to be manifested to carry anything and I imagine would be just as subject to suspicion at the borders as we would. A neutral third party - a courier - would probably be the best option. As anonymous as possible to reduce the chance of interception. The photo should speak for itself once it is seen by any Awakened with the ability to perceive astrally. Make it clear we will only work with Jäger, that should reduce the chance that adversarial forces can trick us or otherwise co-opt the deal. We can provide a commcode for the last burner phone we have and use that to coordinate terms, a meet up, and exchange."


"Doc mentioned that there was a potential risk in keeping the commlink on once they have a commcode. perhaps we can use it as a dead drop or a relay, place it far away from us here so that we can't be traced through it, and go with that. I don't know much about Matrix security, but if there is a chance that they can trace it once it is powered on, then keeping it off most of the time might not help. I'll defer to Doc on that."


"As for where to meet, that's not something I feel qualified to comment on. Sam I think had located a couple good options before" He paused, not sure how to complete that sentence. So he just didn't. "So we  might have to wait for him to come back around and in a frame of mind to discuss this. If we head to town and get the courier started, it'd probably give him at least a day to get better before we would have to tell the DIMR where to meet."


He looks down at Sam's massive body, sleeping somewhat un-fitfully, and wonders how long it will be before he wakes again. Morning? Maybe in the next few minutes.

"We should probably continue over comms, just to make sure we aren't here when he wakes, but also so that he can have a record of our conversation when he does eventually come to."

[rednblack]

<<@ Team [Ace] What I'd like to see done probably isn't feasible.  In an ideal world, I'd like to get a bead on where Ms. Jäger hangs out after work, if she has a regular romantic companion, where she stops for breakfast, and hand deliver the photo at one of those locations.  But, that means intel, and smuggling, and I doubt we have the meta-power to spare.  Doc is needed here, so a matrix investigation is out.  Hopping borders presents its own difficulty.  What are the chances that a spirit could make it?>>